Lymphatic metastasis is the main metastatic route for colorectal cancer, which increases the risk of cancer recurrence and distant metastasis. The properties of the lymph node metastatic colorectal cancer (LNM-CRC) cells are poorly understood, and effective therapies are still lacking. Here, we found that hypoxia-induced fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAPα) expression in LNM-CRC cells. Gain- or loss-function experiments demonstrated that FAPα enhanced tumor cell migration, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, stemness, and lymphangiogenesis via activation of the STAT3 pathway. In addition, FAPα in tumor cells induced extracellular matrix remodeling and established an immunosuppressive environment via recruiting regulatory T cells, to promote colorectal cancer lymph node metastasis (CRCLNM). Z-GP-DAVLBH, a FAPα-activated prodrug, inhibited CRCLNM by targeting FAPα-positive LNM-CRC cells. Our study highlights the role of FAPα in tumor cells in CRCLNM and provides a potential therapeutic target and promising strategy for CRCLNM.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of brain-computer interface (BCI) based on visual, auditory and motor feedback combined with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on upper limb function in stroke patients. MethodsFrom March to October, 2023, 45 stroke inpatients in Xuzhou Rehabilitation Hospital and Xuzhou Central Hospital were divided into BCI group (n = 15), tDCS group (n = 15) and combined group (n = 15) randomly. All the groups received routine rehabilitation, while BCI group received BCI training, tDCS group received tDCS, while the combined group received tDCS and followed by BCI training immediately, for four weeks. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), modified Barthel Index (MBI) and delta-alpha ratio (DAR) and power ratio index (PRI) of electroencephalogram before and after treatment. ResultsThe scores of FMA-UE, ARAT and MBI increased in all the groups after treatment (|t| > 5.350, P < 0.001), and all these indexes were the best in the combined group (F > 3.366, P < 0.05); while DAR and PRI decreased in all the groups (|t| > 2.208 , P < 0.05), they were the best in the combined group (F > 5.224, P < 0.01). ConclusionBCI based on visual, auditory and motor feedback combined with tDCS can further improve the motor function of upper limbs and the activities of daily living of stroke patients.

BACKGROUND:Current rehabilitation programs are effective in treating post-stroke sequelae,but the treatment cycle is long and the labor cost is high.Brain-computer interface technology can be used for the treatment of post-stroke patients by extracting signals from the brain's neural activity through special equipment and converting this signal into commands that can be recognized by a computer. OBJECTIVE:To analyze and summarize the application of brain-computer interface technology in the upper limb motor function rehabilitation of stroke patients in recent years and to explore the clinical value of brain-computer interface technology in the upper limb function rehabilitation of stroke patients. METHODS:CNKI and PubMed were retrieved for relevant literature published from 2000 to 2022.The keywords were"stroke,electroencephalogram,brain-computer interface,upper limb,virtual reality technology,functional electrical stimulation,exoskeleton"in Chinese and"stroke,brain-computer interface,computer assistance,upper limb,virtual reality technology,functional electrical stimulation,exoskeleton"in English. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The brain-computer interface has shown promise for the restoration of upper limb motor function in stroke patients and has been shown to produce results that are unattainable with conventional treatments,and is well worth further research and promotion,but the mechanisms have not been fully elucidated.Also the ability to accurately decode all degrees of freedom of upper limb movements to provide flexible and natural control remains a challenge from the perspective of brain-computer interface systems that capture electroencephalogram signals from patients.Future research should focus on clarifying the specific neural mechanisms by which brain-computer interface technology facilitates upper limb motor recovery after stroke and identifying rehabilitation options such as brain-computer interfaces combined with external devices to facilitate upper limb motor function recovery in stroke patients.

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression.Methods An open,single-arm,multi-center design was adopted in our study.Adult patients with mild and moderate depression who had received acute treatment of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides were enrolled and continue to receive Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules for 24 weeks,the dose remained unchanged during continuation treatment.The remission rate,recurrence rate,recurrence time,and the change from baseline to endpoint of Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA),Clinical Global Impression-Severity(CGI-S)and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale(ASEX)were evaluated.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was reported.Results The scores of HAMD-17 at baseline and after treatment were 6.60±1.87 and 5.85±4.18,scores of HAMA were 6.36±3.02 and 4.93±3.09,scores of CGI-S were 1.49±0.56 and 1.29±0.81,scores of ASEX were 15.92±4.72 and 15.57±5.26,with significant difference(P＜0.05).After continuation treatment,the remission rate was 54.59％(202 cases/370 cases),and the recurrence rate was 6.49％(24 cases/370 cases),the recurrence time was(64.67±42.47)days.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 15.35％(64 cases/417 cases).Conclusion Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules can be effectively used for the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression,and are well tolerated and safe.

Fluorescent carbon dots(CDs)were synthesized via a solvothermal method with citric acid and urea as raw materials,and ethylene glycol as reaction solvent.The micromorphology,crystal structure,elemental composition,surface functional group,and optical property of as-synthesized CDs were characterized.The excitation-dependent fluorescence property of CDs was investigated,and the effects of synthesis conditions including reaction temperature,reaction time and raw materials on excitation and emission wavelengths of the CDs were also discussed.Then,a series of CDs-based fluorescent composites were prepared by combining CDs with starch,nano-silica,montmorillonite,kaoline,kieselguhr and magnesium oxide,respectively.Finally,the CDs-starch composites were used for latent fingerprint development on smooth substrates,and the qualitative as well as quantitative evaluation of the contrast,sensitivity and selectivity in fingerprint development were also made.Enhanced development of latent fingerprints was thus achieved by the aid of the excitation-dependent fluorescence property of CDs-starch composite combined with the optical filtering technique,which could decrease the background noise interference to a great extent.Experimental results showed that,the contrast between fingerprint(developing signal)and substrate(background noise)was obvious,exhibiting a strong contrast;the minutiae of papillary ridges were clear,indicating a high sensitivity;the adsorption between CDs-starch composites and fingerprint residues was specific,showing a good selectivity.

A serious of rare earth luminescent micro/nano-materials with various properties were synthesized via chemical method for fluorescent development of latent fingerprints(LFPs).Three evaluation indexes namely contrast,sensitivity and selectivity were introduced to evaluate the effects of LFP development.Quantitative formulas for calculating the contrast,sensitivity and selectivity were further put forward,and a quality evaluation system based on Python was thus established.In addition,the objective evaluation value was finally confirmed to be consistent with the subjective visual judgment.The reproducibility of this evaluation method was finally confirmed.The effects of luminescence intensity and color of developing materials on the contrast,particle size of developing materials on the sensitivity,and micromorphology and surface property of developing materials on the selectivity were discussed in detail.Five effective ways were also proposed to promote the quality of LFP development,such as increasing the luminescence intensity,tuning the luminescence color,decreasing the particle size,adjusting the micromorphology,and modifying the surface property.This quality evaluation system based on Python could evaluate the effects of LFP development objectively,accurately and comprehensively,exhibiting easy operability,high efficiency,sensitive response,accurate and reliable results,and wide applicability,which would provide beneficial references for the reasonable selection of LFP development methods as well as objective evaluation of evidence value.

To investigate the associations of serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels with the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its subtypes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Jiangsu Province.Methods:The participants were enrolled in the Comprehensive Research project regarding 'Prevention and Control of Diabetes' in Jiangsu Province. The baseline survey was conducted from 2013 to 2014, and follow-up until December 31, 2021. After excluding the participants who self-reported with chronic liver disease/stroke/coronary heart disease at baseline survey and those with incomplete information on GGT, a total of 16 147 T2DM patients were included in the final analysis. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to calculate the hazard ratio ( HR) and their 95% CI of GGT for CVD, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Restricted cubic spline models were applied to analyze the dose-response relationship between GGT and the risk of CVD and its subtypes. Results:During the median follow-up time of 8.02 years, 2 860 CVD cases were registered, including 196 cases of myocardial infarction and 2 730 cases of stroke. Multivariate Cox proportional risk regression model indicated that compared to the lowest serum GGT level group, the highest GGT level group had a 24% increased risk of CVD ( HR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.09-1.41) and a 23% increased risk of stroke ( HR=1.23, 95% CI: 1.08-1.40). The restricted cubic spline model showed a nonlinear dose-response relationship between GGT and the risk of CVD, myocardial infarction, and stroke in T2DM patients. Conclusions:High levels of GGT may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in T2DM patients, which needs further exploration and validation in future clinical practice.

Based on the views of FAN's Eight Dynamic-Static Sequential Methods,Professor FAN Guan-Jie believes that the obesity has the pathological factor of blood stasis in addition to qi deficiency and phlegm-damp.The compatibility of blood-activating and stasis-removing drugs for the treatment of obesity is accorded to the progression of the disease.In the clinic,Crataegi Fructus associated medicinal cluster of activating blood and removing stasis is usually recommended.The medicinal cluster is with Crataegi Fructus as the chief medicinal,and is compatible with drug pairs of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Carthami Flos and Moutan Cortex-Paeoniae Radix Rubra.Crataegi Fructus associated medicinal cluster is able to treat qi and blood simultaneously,mainly aimed at removing blood stasis,supplemented by nourishing blood,promoting qi and blood movement,and invigorating spleen and stomach,which has the features of simultaneous dispersing and astringency,and proper combination of static therapy and dynamic therapy,and is suitable for obese patients with blood stasis obstruction in the vessels.

Objective To explore the disinfection effect of ozone combined with peracetic acid(PAA)on reducing the total number of aerobic bacteria in pure water from the terminal of centralized pure water supply system.Methods A two-stage controlled study was conducted,and microbial limit test was performed on the pure water from the ter-minal of centralized pure water supply system in a hospital.At the first stage,PAA disinfection method was adop-ted,and ozone enhanced disinfection(PAA combined with ozone disinfection)was adopted at the second stage.Dis-infection effects at different stages were compared.Results A total of 211 water specimens were collected for tes-ting,including 101 specimens from PAA disinfection group and 110 from ozone enhanced disinfection group.The bacterial colony qualification rate of terminal pure water from the ozone enhanced disinfection group was higher than PAA group(85.45％vs 74.26％,P=0.04).The median of aerobic bacterial colony number of the ozone enhanced disinfection group(2 CFU/mL)was significantly lower than that of the PAA disinfection group(20 CFU/mL).With time increase after disinfection,the number of aerobic bacteria colony in water specimens from the PAA disinfection group showed a significant upward trend(Day 1 vs Day 92:9 CFU/mL vs 1 062 CFU/mL),while the aerobic bac-teria fluctuation range in the pure water from the ozone enhanced disinfection group was relatively small(Day 1 vs Day 92:8 CFU/mL vs 58 CFU/mL).Conclusion The ozone combined with PAA disinfection method can signifi-cantly reduce the total number of aerobic bacteria in water from the terminal of centralized pure water supply sys-tem,with obvious maintaining effect.

Objective:To investigate the relative expression level and clinical significance of LINC00475 in serum of patients with multiple myeloma(MM).Methods:The expression of LINC00475 in serum of 108 MM patients and five MM cell lines including RPMI 8226,NCI-H929,U266,OPM2 and CAG were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.The diagnostic value of LINC00475 in MM was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis.The correlation of LINC00475 with patients'characteristics was analyzed.Results:Compared with control groups,the expression of LINC00475 was up-regulated in serum of MM patients and MM cell lines(all P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off value of LINC00475 was 262.4,the area under curve(AUC)was 0.924(95％CI:0.884-0.964),and sensitivity and specificity was 83.3％and 91.7％,respectively,which indicated that LINC00475 had good evaluation value in MM patients.Compared with low-LINC00475 expression group,patients in high-LINC00475 expression group had higher levels of β2-microglobulin(β2-MG)and Cystatin C(Cys-C)but lower albumin(ALB)(all P＜0.05).Compared with MM patients with International Staging System(ISS)stage I,the expression level of LINC00475 was significantly higher in patients with stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ(both P＜0.05).Conclusion:LINC00475 is helpful to distinguish MM patients from healthy adults,which is correlated with the prognostic indicators such as β2-MG,ALB,and ISS stage.