High-performance phototheranostics with combined photothermal therapy and photoacoustic imaging have been considered promising approaches for efficient cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, developing phototheranostic materials with efficient photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE), especially over the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm), remains challenging. Herein, we report an ultraefficient NIR-II-activated nanomedicine with phototheranostic and vaccination capability for highly efficient in vivo tumor elimination and metastasis inhibition. The NIR-II nanomedicine of a semiconducting biradical oligomer with a motor-flexible design was demonstrated with a record-breaking PCE of 87% upon NIR-II excitation. This nanomedicine inherently features extraordinary photothermal stability, good biocompatibility, and excellent photoacoustic performance, contributing to high-contrast photoacoustic imaging in living mice and high-performance photothermal elimination of tumors. Moreover, a whole-cell vaccine based on a NIR-II nanomedicine with NIR-II-activated performance was further designed to remotely activate the antitumor immunologic memory and effectively inhibit tumor occurrence and metastasis in vivo, with good biosafety. Thus, this work paves a new avenue for designing NIR-II active semiconducting biradical materials as a promising theranostics platform and further promotes the development of NIR-II nanomedicine for personalized cancer treatment.

Objective:To explore the differences in bacterial community structure between proximal colon cancer (PC), distal colon cancer (DC), and rectal cancer (RC), and the values of featured microbiota in differentiating PC with tumor markers.Methods:This case-control study enrolled 85 newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients, including 22 PC, 15 DC and 48 RC patients, and 8 colorectal adenoma patients from May 2019 to July 2022 at the Department of General Surgery, Anyang Oncology Hospital. The blood and fecal samples were collected before surgery and then subjected to biochemical tests for tumor markers and 16S rDNA tests, respectively. SPSS (27.0.1) was applied to perform the t-test, one-way ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Chi-Squared Test. Also, the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted on tumor markers and/or f_Bacteroidaceae with SPSS software .Results:All groups had significant differences in the CA125 ( F=3.543, P<0.05), CA72-4 ( F=3.596, P<0.05), and serum tumor-associated materials (TAM) levels ( F=5.787, P<0.01). In PC group, the levels of CA125 [PC vs RC, (36.84±6.30) kU/L vs (12.73±4.21) kU/L, P<0.01] and CA72-4 [PC vs RC, (45.56±10.86) kU/L vs (3.30±7.63) kU/L, P<0.01] were significantly higher than that of the RC group, while the level of TAM was remarkably elevated in PC group than in RC group [PC vs RC, (124.84±5.19) U/ml vs (102.44±3.63) U/ml, P<0.001] and CRA group [PC vs CRA, (124.84±5.19) U/ml vs (95.39±8.42) U/ml, P<0.01]. The LEfSe analysis showed that the featured microbiota in the PC group included f_Bacteroidaceae, f_Neisseriaceae, f_Clostridiaceae_1, f_Spirochaetaceae, and so on. The largest area under the ROC belonged to the combination of TAM and f_Bacteroidaceae, which reached 0.845 (95% CI 0.747-0.944), with sensitivity being 0.857 and specificity being 0.815. Conclusions:There is heterogeneity in gut microbiota composition among PC, DC, RC, and CRA. The combination of gut microbiota and tumor biomarkers demonstrated good differentiating effects in proximal colon cancers.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of 4-channel functional electrical stimulation(FES)in the treatment of cerebral ischemic stroke sequelae using 3.0T magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging(DTI).Methods Patients with the sequelae of cerebral ischemic stroke who were admitted to Shandong Provincial Third Hospital from February 2020 to November 2022(n=100)were enrolled and divided into two groups at a ratio of 1:1 according to random numbers generated by Excel.Besides routine rehabilitation training,observation group was given 4-channel FES to stimulate the quadriceps muscle,tibialis anterior muscle,gastrocnemius muscle and hamstring muscle of the affected lower extremity by simulating the time series of muscle contraction of normal subjects when walking;while control group was treated with dual-channel FES,with electrodes placed on the muscle points of the tibialis anterior muscle and peroneus longus and brevis muscles of the affected lower extremity for stimulation.All patients received 3.0T MRI before and after treatment,and the relevant DTI parameters were recorded and compared.Meanwhile,Berg balance scale(BBS)and Fugl-Meyer assessment scale for lower extremity(FMA-LE)were used to evaluate the therapeutic efficacies in two groups of patients with the sequelae of cerebral ischemic stroke.The correlation of BBS/FMA-LE score with DTI parameters in observation group was also discussed.Results After treatment,both FMA-LE and BBS scores of control group and observation group showed increasing trends,and the increases in observation group were more obvious(P<0.05).After 2 weeks of treatment,compared with control group,observation group had higher FMA-LE score,BBS score,fractional anisotropy(FA),average diffusion coefficient(DCavg)and volume ratio anisotropy(VRA),but lower exponential attenuation(Exat)(all P<0.05).In observation group,FMA-LE score was positively correlated with FA,DCavg and VRA,but negatively correlated with Exat;while BBS score was positively correlated with FA and VRA,but negatively correlated with Exat,and had no significant correlation with DCavg.Conclusion DTI can be used to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of 4-channel FES on the sequelae of cerebral ischemic stroke,and its parameters are significantly correlated with BBS score and FMA-LE score,suggesting that MRI can assist doctors in understanding the correlation between neurological impairments and neuropathological changes,and provide reference for accurate assessment of prognosis and formulation of individualized rehabilitation program.

Objective:To investigate the association of serum fibroblast growth factor 23(FGF23) level with insulin resistance(IR) and sex hormone levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).Methods:A retrospective study was performed in eighty-seven patients with PCOS, fifty-seven patients with simple IR, and sixty-one healthy women who were admitted to Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University during October 2021 and November 2022. According to the homeostasis model assessment-IR index, all subjects were divided into normal control group( n=61), IR group( n=57), PCOS without IR group(PCOS group, n=15), and PCOS+ IR group( n=72). The levels of serum FGF23, adiponectin, and sex hormones in all groups were compared, and their correlations with glucose and lipid metabolism indicators were analyzed. Results:The FGF23 level was significantly elevated in the IR group, while markedly reduced in the PCOS group and PCOS+ IR group, with the PCOS group showing a significantly lower concentration. The adiponectin levels were significantly decreased in the IR group, PCOS group, and PCOS+ IR group(all P<0.05). The correlation analysis showed that FGF23 level was positively correlated with adiponectin and sex hormone binding globulin, and negatively correlated with luteinizing hormone, luteinizing hormone/follicle stimulating hormone, and free testosterone index(all P<0.05). Logistic regression results indicated that both FGF23 and adiponectin could be used as good indicators for the diagnosis of PCOS and PCOS with IR(all P<0.05). Conclusion:FGF23 is closely related to IR and androgen as well, and under certain conditions, it can reflect the severity of IR and hyperandrogenemia in PCOS patients. The cutoff value of FGF23 obtained in this study can provide a good reference for the diagnosis of PCOS diseases.

Objective:To investigate the serum and follicular fluid levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c(SREBP-1c), leucine-rich α-2-glycoprotein 1(LRG1) and the correlation with insulin resistance(IR) in non-ovarian etiology infertility patients and polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) patients with or without IR.Methods:Forty-nine PCOS patients and 66 infertility patients with non-ovarian etiology were collected in this retrospective study, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance(HOMA-IR) was used to evaluate IR, and were divided into control group( n=36), IR group( n=30), PCOS alone group( n=28) and PCOS-IR group(PCOS with IR group, n=21). The concentrations of serum, follicular fluid LRG1 and SREBP1c levels in each group were compared, and their correlation with relevant hormones and glycolipid metabolism were analyzed. Results:The levels of serum, follicular fluid LRG1 and SREBP1c in IR group, PCOS alone group and PCOS-IR group were significantly higher than those in control group; The PCOS-IR group showed a more significant increase in the levels of serum, follicular fluid LRG1 and SREBP1c( P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that serum, follicular fluid LRG1 was positively correlated with body mass index, fasting plasma glucose(FPG), fasting insulin(FINS), triglycerides(TG), and HOMA-IR( P<0.05). Serum, follicular fluid SREBP1c was positively correlated with body mass index, FPG, FINS, TG, total cholesterol, LDL-C, LH, total teststerone, DHEAS, FAI, and HOMA-IR( P<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that serum SREBP1c was a risk factor for PCOS( P<0.05). Conclusion:The serum and follicular fluid levels of LRG1 and SREBP-1c were elevated in PCOS patients, especially in those with IR. The elevated levels of serum and follicular fluid LRG1 and SREBP-1c may be associated with IR and glucose-lipid metabolism abnormalities in PCOS patients. Serum LRG1 and SREBP-1c levels may serve as new indicators for predicting IR, early diagnosis, and intervention in PCOS patients.

Objective:To evaluate the value of 18F-prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-3Q PET/CT imaging in prostate cancer patients with serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) less than 1.00 μg/L after radical prostatectomy. Methods:From May 2021 to August 2022, 18F-PSMA-3Q PET/CT images and clinical data of 58 patients with prostate cancer (age 52-82 years) after radical prostatectomy with PSA less than 1.00 μg/L in Chinese PLA General Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. According to the level of PSA, patients were divided into three groups (0-0.19 μg/L group, 0.20-0.49 μg/L group, and 0.50-0.99 μg/L group). 18F-PSMA-3Q PET/CT images were analyzed according to the standardized evaluation criteria of molecular imaging, and lesions with the scores of molecular imaging PSMA (miPSMA)≥1 were defined as recurrent or metastatic lesions. The detection rates of 18F-PSMA-3Q PET/CT for patients in different PSA level groups were compared ( χ2 test). The PSA levels of patients with positive and negative scans were compared by using independent-sample t test. Results:Of the 58 patients, 36(62.1%, 36/58) patients and 85 lesions were found by 18F-PSMA-3Q PET/CT. There was 91.7%(33/36) with oligofocal lesions (1≤number of foci≤3) and 8.3%(3/36) with multiple lesions (number of foci>3). According to the location, 5.2%(3/58) of the recurrent lesions were found in the prostatic bed, 39.7%(23/58) in the bone lesions, 37.9%(22/58) in the pelvic lymph nodes, 12.0%(7/58) in the retroperitoneal lymph nodes and 5.2%(3/58) in the left clavicular lymph node metastases. There were 15 cases in 0-0.19 μg/L group, 22 cases in 0.20-0.49 μg/L group, and 21 cases in 0.50-0.99 μg/L group. The detection rates of 18F-PSMA-3Q PET/CT in the above groups were 5/15, 59.1%(13/22) and 85.7%(18/21), respectively ( χ2=10.33, P=0.006). There was significant difference in PSA level between patients with positive ( n=36) and negative ( n=22) 18F-PSMA-3Q PET/CT scans ((0.48±0.28) vs (0.28±0.25) μg/L; t=2.67, P=0.010). Conclusions:18F-PSMA-3Q PET/CT can be used to detect the recurrence or metastasis in prostate cancer patients with PSA level lower than 1.00 μg/L after radical prostatectomy. In this kind of patients, the common sites of lesions are bone, pelvic lymph nodes, retroperitoneal lymph nodes, left clavicular lymph nodes and prostatic bed, and oligofocal patients are more common.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of one- stage bilateral video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for resection of bilateral multiple pulmonary nodules (BMPNs). METHODS: We analyzed the clinical characteristics, pathological features, perioperative outcomes and follow-up data of 41 patients with BMPNs undergoing one-stage bilateral VATS from July, 2011 to August, 2021. RESULTS: One-stage bilateral VATS was performed uneventfully in 40 of the patients, and conversion to open surgery occurred in 1 case. The surgical approaches included bilateral lobectomy (4.9%), lobar-sublobar resection (36.6%) and sublobar-sublobar resection (58.5%) with a mean operative time of 196.3±54.5 min, a mean blood loss of 224.6±139.5 mL, a mean thoracic drainage duration of 4.7±1.1 days and a mean hospital stay of 14±3.8 days. Pathological examination revealed bilateral primary lung cancer in 15 cases, unilateral primary lung cancer in 21 cases and bilateral benign lesions in 5 cases. A total of 112 pulmonary nodules were resected, including 67 malignant and 45 benign lesions. Postoperative complications included pulmonary infection (5 cases), respiratory failure (2 cases), asthma attack (2 cases), atrial fibrillation (2 cases), and drug-induced liver injury (1 case). No perioperative death occurred in these patients, who had a 1-year survival rate of 97.6%. CONCLUSION With appropriate preoperative screening and perioperative management, one-stage bilateral VATS is feasible and safe for resection of BMPNs.
Humans ; Multiple Pulmonary Nodules ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; Feasibility Studies ; Postoperative Complications ; Drainage

Organic acids are organic compounds that can be synthesized using biological systems. They often contain one or more low molecular weight acidic groups, such as carboxyl group and sulphonic group. Organic acids are widely used in food, agriculture, medicine, bio-based materials industry and other fields. Yeast has unique advantages of biosafety, strong stress resistance, wide substrate spectrum, convenient genetic transformation, and mature large-scale culture technology. Therefore, it is appealing to produce organic acids by yeast. However, challenges such as low concentration, many by-products and low fermentation efficiency still exist. With the development of yeast metabolic engineering and synthetic biology technology, rapid progress has been made in this field recently. Here we summarize the progress of biosynthesis of 11 organic acids by yeast. These organic acids include bulk carboxylic acids and high-value organic acids that can be produced naturally or heterologously. Finally, future prospects in this field were proposed.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolism* ; Organic Chemicals ; Carboxylic Acids/metabolism* ; Metabolic Engineering ; Fermentation ; Acids

Objective:To explore the chain mediating effect of adult attachment and psychological capital on the relationship between parenting style and mental health of university students.Methods:The short-form egna minnen av barndoms uppfostran (s-EMBU), experiences in close relationship inventory (ECR), positive psycap questionnaire (PPQ) and mental health scale for residents (MHSR) were adopted to test 1 415 students from 23 universities in Beijing.Pearson correlation analysis and regression analysis were performed by SPSS 24.0 software, the structural equation model was built by Mplus 8.0 software, and mediating effect analysis was conducted by Bootstrap method.Results:Mental health of university students (241.48±30.19) was positively correlated ( r=0.40-0.84, all P<0.01) with positive parenting style (father emotional warmth (2.97±0.67), mother emotional warmth (3.10±0.62)) and psychological capital (4.91±0.84). And the mental health of university students was negatively correlated ( r=-0.36--0.18, all P<0.01) with negative parenting style (father rejection (1.42±0.53), mother rejection (1.42±0.51), father overprotection (2.06±0.53), mother overprotection (2.18±0.55)) and adult attachment (attachment avoidance (3.31±0.88), attachment anxiety (3.66±0.97). Adult attachment was the mediation between parenting style (rejection, emotional warmth, over protection) and mental health ( β=-0.04, 0.04, -0.04, 95% CI=-0.08--0.01, 0.02-0.07, -0.07--0.02), while psychological capital was the mediation between parental emotional warmth and mental health ( β=0.21, 95% CI=0.14-0.26), both of which played a chain mediating role between parenting style and mental health ( β=-0.15, 0.11, -0.12, 95% CI=-0.21--0.10, 0.07-0.16, -0.18--0.07). Conclusion:Parenting style can not only directly affect mental health, but also indirectly affect mental health through the mediating role of adult attachment and the chain mediating role of adult attachment and psychological capital.

Long-chain dicarboxylic acid (DCA), a building block for synthesizing a variety of high value-added chemicals, has been widely used in agriculture, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. The global demand for DCA is increasing in recent years. Compared with chemical synthesis which requires harsh conditions and complicated processes, fermentative production of DCA has many unparalleled advantages, such as low cost and mild reaction conditions. In this review, we summarized the chemical and microbial synthesis methods for DCA and the commercialization status of the fermentation process. Moreover, the advances of using molecular and metabolic engineering to create high-yielding strains for efficient production of DCA were highlighted. Furthermore, the challenges remaining in the microbial fermentation process were also discussed. Finally, the perspectives for developing high titer DCA producing strains by synthetic biology were proposed.
Fermentation ; Dicarboxylic Acids/metabolism* ; Metabolic Engineering ; Technology