Role of exosomal circular RNAs as microRNA sponges and potential targeting for suppressing hepatocellular carcinoma growth and progression

In this editorial,we comment on the article by Lyu et al published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology(2023;2219-2840).Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a frequently encountered and highly aggressive primary liver cancer,which remains the third-commonest cause of cancer-related death despite the current therapeutic modalities.There is urgency in developing novel thera-peutic approaches,such as by manipulating extracellular vesicles,which con-stitute a highly heterogeneous nanoparticle population that contains various cargoes.These cargoes have a pivotal role in cell-to-cell communication and can modify the functional level of the recipient cells via their uptake by other recipient cells.Exosomal non-coding RNAs have particular evolving significance in HCC,such as circular RNAs,which have been found differentially expressed in normal hepatic and HCC tissues.The aberrations in their expression levels have a key role in the HCC development and progression and the overall prognosis.In this editorial,we will shed light on the emerging role of exosomal circular RNAs in HCC development and progression,focusing on the oncogenic or potentially tumor suppressive effect of mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomal non-coding RNAs.

Progress in the generation of spinal cord organoids over the past decade and future perspectives

Spinal cord organoids are three-dimensional tissues derived from stem cells that recapitulate the primary morphological and functional characteristics of the spinal cord in vivo.As emerging bioengineering methods have led to the optimization of cell culture protocols,spinal cord organoids technology has made remarkable advancements in the past decade.Our literature search found that current spinal cord organoids do not only dynamically simulate neural tube formation but also exhibit diverse cytoarchitecture along the dorsal-ventral and rostral-caudal axes.Moreover,fused organoids that integrate motor neurons and other regionally specific organoids exhibit intricate neural circuits that allows for functional assessment.These qualities make spinal cord organoids valuable tools for disease modeling,drug screening,and tissue regeneration.By utilizing this emergent technology,researchers have made significant progress in investigating the pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets of spinal cord diseases.However,at present,spinal cord organoid technology remains in its infancy and has not been widely applied in translational medicine.Establishment of the next generation of spinal cord organoids will depend on good manufacturing practice standards and needs to focus on diverse cell phenotypes and electrophysiological functionality evaluation.

Overview of the immunological mechanisms in hepatitis B virus reactivation:Implications for disease progression and management strategies

Hepatitis B virus(HBV)reactivation is a clinically significant challenge in disease management.This review explores the immunological mechanisms underlying HBV reactivation,emphasizing disease progression and management.It delves into host immune responses and reactivation’s delicate balance,spanning innate and adaptive immunity.Viral factors’disruption of this balance,as are interac-tions between viral antigens,immune cells,cytokine networks,and immune checkpoint pathways,are examined.Notably,the roles of T cells,natural killer cells,and antigen-presenting cells are discussed,highlighting their influence on disease progression.HBV reactivation’s impact on disease severity,hepatic flares,liver fibrosis progression,and hepatocellular carcinoma is detailed.Management strategies,including anti-viral and immunomodulatory approaches,are critically analyzed.The role of prophylactic anti-viral therapy during immunosuppressive treatments is explored alongside novel immunotherapeutic interventions to restore immune control and prevent reactivation.In conclusion,this compre-hensive review furnishes a holistic view of the immunological mechanisms that propel HBV reactivation.With a dedicated focus on understanding its implic-ations for disease progression and the prospects of efficient management stra-tegies,this article contributes significantly to the knowledge base.The more profound insights into the intricate interactions between viral elements and the immune system will inform evidence-based approaches,ultimately enhancing disease management and elevating patient outcomes.The dynamic landscape of management strategies is critically scrutinized,spanning anti-viral and immunomodulatory approaches.The role of prophylactic anti-viral therapy in preventing reactivation during immunosuppressive treatments and the potential of innovative immunotherapeutic interventions to restore immune control and proactively deter reactivation.

Pressure stimulated current in progressive failure process of combined coal-rock under uniaxial compression:Response and mechanism

Effective monitoring of the structural health of combined coal-rock under complex geological conditions by pressure stimulated currents(PSCs)has great potential for the understanding of dynamic disasters in underground engineering.To reveal the effect of this way,the uniaxial compression experiments with PSC monitoring were conducted on three types of coal-rock combination samples with different strength combinations.The mechanism explanation of PSCs are investigated by resistivity test,atomic force microscopy(AFM)and computed tomography(CT)methods,and a PSC flow model based on progressive failure process is proposed.The influence of strength combinations on PSCs in the progressive failure process are emphasized.The results show the PSC responses between rock part,coal part and the two components are different,which are affected by multi-scale fracture characteristics and electrical properties.As the rock strength decreases,the progressive failure process changes obviously with the influence range of interface constraint effect decreasing,resulting in the different responses of PSC strength and direction in different parts to fracture behaviors.The PSC flow model is initially validated by the relationship between the accumulated charges of different parts.The results are expected to provide a new reference and method for mining design and roadway quality assessment.

A Comparative Study on the Post-Buckling Behavior of Reinforced Thermoplastic Pipes(RTPs)Under External Pressure Considering Progressive Failure

The collapse pressure is a key parameter when RTPs are applied in harsh deep-water environments.To investigate the collapse of RTPs,numerical simulations and hydrostatic pressure tests are conducted.For the numerical simulations,the eigenvalue analysis and Riks analysis are combined,in which the Hashin failure criterion and fracture energy stiffness degradation model are used to simulate the progressive failure of composites,and the“infinite”boundary conditions are applied to eliminate the boundary effects.As for the hydrostatic pressure tests,RTP specimens were placed in a hydrostatic chamber after filled with water.It has been observed that the cross-section of the middle part collapses when it reaches the maximum pressure.The collapse pressure obtained from the numerical simulations agrees well with that in the experiment.Meanwhile,the applicability of NASA SP-8007 formula on the collapse pressure prediction was also discussed.It has a relatively greater difference because of the ignorance of the progressive failure of composites.For the parametric study,it is found that RTPs have much higher first-ply-failure pressure when the winding angles are between 50°and 70°.Besides,the effect of debonding and initial ovality,and the contribution of the liner and coating are also discussed.

Imbalance of Circulating Follicular Regulatory and Follicular Helper T Cell Subpopulations Is Associated with Disease Progression and Serum CYFRA 21-1 Levels in Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Objective This study aimed to investigate the changes of follicular helper T(TFH)and follicular regulatory T(TFR)cell subpopulations in patients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)and their significance.Methods Peripheral blood was collected from 58 NSCLC patients at different stages and 38 healthy controls.Flow cytometry was used to detect TFH cell subpopulation based on programmed death 1(PD-1)and inducible co-stimulator(ICOS),and TFR cell subpopulation based on cluster determinant 45RA(CD45RA)and forkhead box protein P3(FoxP3).The levels of interleukin-10(IL-10),interleukin-17a(IL-17a),interleukin-21(IL-21),and transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)in the plasma were measured,and changes in circulating B cell subsets and plasma IgG levels were also analyzed.The correlation between serum cytokeratin fragment antigen 21-1(CYFRA 21-1)levels and TFH,TFR,or B cell subpopulations was further explored.Results The TFR/TFH ratio increased significantly in NSCLC patients.The CD45RA^(+)FoxP3^(int) TFR subsets were increased,with their proportions increasing in stages Ⅱ to Ⅲ and decreasing in stage IV.PD-1^(+)ICOS+TFH cells showed a downward trend with increasing stages.Plasma IL-21 and TGF-β concentrations were increased in NSCLC patients compared with healthy controls.Plasmablasts,plasma IgG levels,and CD45RA^(+)FoxP3^(int) TFR cells showed similar trends.TFH numbers and plasmablasts were positively correlated with CYFRA 21-1 in stages Ⅰ-Ⅲ and negatively correlated with CYFRA 21-1 in stage IV.Conclusion Circulating TFH and TFR cell subpopulations and plasmablasts dynamically change in different stages of NSCLC,which is associated with serum CYFRA 21-1 levels and reflects disease progression.

Research Progress and Prospects of Total Factor Productivity in the Construction Industry

The high-quality development of the construction industry fundamentally stems from the significant improvement of total factor productivity.Therefore,it is of crucial significance for promoting the development of the construction industry to a higher level by scientifically and accurately measuring the total factor productivity of the construction industry and deeply analyzing the influencing factors behind it.Based on a comprehensive consideration of research methods and influencing factors,this paper systematically reviews the existing relevant literature on total factor productivity in the construction industry,aiming to reveal the current research development trend in this field and point out potential problems.This effort aims to provide a solid theoretical foundation and valuable reference for further in-depth research,and jointly promote the continuous progress and development of total factor productivity research in the construction industry.

Uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 prevents the progression of liver injury

BACKGROUND Uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1(UGT1A1)plays a crucial role in metabolizing and detoxifying endogenous and exogenous substances.However,its contribution to the progression of liver damage remains unclear.AIM To determine the role and mechanism of UGT1A1 in liver damage progression.METHODS We investigated the relationship between UGT1A1 expression and liver injury through clinical research.Additionally,the impact and mechanism of UGT1A1 on the progression of liver injury was analyzed through a mouse model study.RESULTS Patients with UGT1A1 gene mutations showed varying degrees of liver damage,while patients with acute-onchronic liver failure(ACLF)exhibited relatively reduced levels of UGT1A1 protein in the liver as compared to patients with chronic hepatitis.This suggests that low UGT1A1 levels may be associated with the progression of liver damage.In mouse models of liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride(CCl_(4))and concanavalin A(ConA),the hepatic levels of UGT1A1 protein were found to be increased.In mice with lipopolysaccharide or liver steatosis-mediated liver-injury progression,the hepatic protein levels of UGT1A1 were decreased,which is consistent with the observations in patients with ACLF.UGT1A1 knockout exacerbated CCl_(4)-and ConA-induced liver injury,hepatocyte apoptosis and necroptosis in mice,intensified hepatocyte endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress and oxidative stress,and disrupted lipid metabolism.CONCLUSION UGT1A1 is upregulated as a compensatory response during liver injury,and interference with this upregulation process may worsen liver injury.UGT1A1 reduces ER stress,oxidative stress,and lipid metabolism disorder,thereby mitigating hepatocyte apoptosis and necroptosis.

Numerical analysis of downward progressive landslides in long natural slopes with sensitive clay

Landslides occurring in sensitive clay often result in widespread destruction,posing a significant risk to human lives and property due to the substantial decrease in undrained shear strength during deformation.Assessing the consequences of these landslides is challenging and necessitates robust numerical methods to comprehensively investigate their failure mechanisms.While studies have extensively explored upward progressive landslides in sensitive clays,understanding downward progressive cases remains limited.In this study,we utilised the nodal integration-based particle finite element method(NPFEM)with a nonlinear strain-softening model to analyse downward progressive landslides in sensitive clay on elongated slopes,induced by surcharge loads near the crest.We focused on elucidating the underlying failure mechanisms and evaluating the effects of different soil parameters and strainsoftening characteristics.The simulation results revealed the typical pattern for downward landslides,which typically start with a localised failure in proximity to the surcharge loads,followed by a combination of different types of failure mechanisms,including single flow slides,translational progressive landslides,progressive flow slides,and spread failures.Additionally,inclined shear bands occur within spread failures,often adopting distinctive ploughing patterns characterised by triangular shapes.The sensitive clay thickness at the base,the clay strength gradient,the sensitivity,and the softening rate significantly influence the failure mechanisms and the extent of diffused displacement.Remarkably,some of these effects mirror those observed in upward progressive landslides,underscoring the interconnectedness of these phenomena.This study contributes valuable insights into the complex dynamics of sensitive clay landslides,shedding light on the intricate interplay of factors governing their behaviour and progression.

Knee Osteoarthritis Progression after Distal Femur Closing Wedge Osteotomy

Background: Despite the conservative treatment of tibio-femoral osteoarthritis through realignment osteotomies, the rate of total knee replacements following an osteotomy is increasing. The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with the progression of knee osteoarthritis after a medial closing-wedge distal femoral osteotomy. Methods: Hospital-based observational study on 20 patients who underwent a medial closing-wedge distal femoral osteotomy evaluating the progression of osteoarthritis using the Kellgren and Laurence classification. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare the variation in the progressive stage of the Kellgren and Laurence classification of knee osteoarthritis preoperatively and at the final follow up. Univariate analysis made it possible to determine the factors associated with progression. The final significance threshold for statistical tests was set at 5% (p Results: Overall, the mean follow-up of 46 months ± 6.6 months, with a mean age of 43 years (range: 27 - 69 years) and a female predominance (M: F = 3/7). The progression of tibiofemoral osteoarthritis following a medial closing-wedge distal femoral osteotomy is associated with valgus or varum malalignment been a moderate valgus (OR 6.2 [1.5 - 42.7] at 95% CI;p-value = 0.02), a correction of the mechanical deviation angle with a valgus alignment (OR 2.7 [0.9 - 8.3] at 95% CI), and loss of correction (OR 3.8 [1.3 - 11.6] at 95% CI;p -value) for the lateral compartment while varus alignment (OR 1.7 [0.9 - 8.3] 95% CI, p-value = 0.05) and with rupture of the lateral cortex (OR 2.8 [1.7 - 11.5] 95% CI, p-value = 0.02) were those of the medial compartment. Conclusion: Distal femur closing wedge osteotomy does not definitively interrupt the progression of valgus knee osteoarthritis. The factors associated with the progression of this pathology are modifiable. Taking them into account when performing this surgical technique could improve the osteotomy survival curve.

Progress in the Study of Laboratory Indicators Related to Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is one of the more common gastrointestinal diseases in clinics and is characterized by rapid progression, many complications, and high mortality. When it develops into severe pancreatitis, its prognosis is poor. Therefore, early assessment of the degree of inflammatory response plays a crucial role in the treatment plan and prognosis of patients. More and more studies have shown that the levels of D-dimer (D-D), angiotensin-2 (Ang-2), phosphate, heparin-binding protein (HBP), retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP4), and osteoblastic protein (OPN) are closely related to the severity of acute pan-creatitis and can be used as effective indicators for early assessment of AP. In this paper, the research progress of the above indicators in assessing the severity of AP is summarized.

The Pathogenesis and Treatment Progress of Androgenic Alopecia

Androgenic alopecia, also known as seborrheic alopecia, is the most common hair loss disorder in dermatology clinics, mainly characterized by hair follicle miniaturization and progressive hair loss. The etiology and pathogenesis of androgenic alopecia are not clear, but may be related to heredity and androgen metabolism. Currently, minoxidil and finasteride are the only two drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for AGA treatment, other treatments include oral minoxidil, hair transplantation, low energy laser therapy (LLLT), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), Chinese medicine microneedles, and combination therapy. With the development of medicine and science, we have ushered in the era of biologics and targeted therapy. In recent years, a variety of signaling pathways for androgenic alopecia have been found, which may provide a basis for targeted therapy for androgenic alopecia.

The Importance of Stakeholder Engagement in Progressive Rehabilitation of Large-Scale Open Pit Mines—A Case Study of Lumwana Mine

Mining globally contributes to the growth of many economies of the world. Since its inception, the Zambian mining industry has contributed largely to the country’s economy. The various developments both in technology and knowledge have contributed to the scale at which mining is being done. Challenges in such a setting arise due to the socio-economic and environmental impacts of mining, which create multidimensional problems. The study investigated the importance of engaging stakeholders in progressive rehabilitation programs for large-scale open pit mines, using a case study of the Lumwana Mine and its host community, Manyama. A qualitative approach was used, and data was collected through one-on-one interviews. A combination of convenient and quota sampling was used to engage with host community leaders, professionals and academicians from various fields and institutions. Results showed that most participants had agreed that stakeholder engagement is important for progressive rehabilitation, but the challenge was that the host community and municipal council representatives were not aware of any progressive rehabilitation efforts at Lumwana Mine. This was attributed to a lack of stakeholder engagement and communication of mitigation progress activities by the Lumwana Mine. Results also revealed that the lack of environmental impact assessment regulations to compel companies to involve stakeholders throughout the entire life of the mine other than just at the pre-mining stage led to a lack of compliance and accountability in rehabilitation.

Research Progress on Flexible Ureteroscopy

The ureteroscopic surgical technique has developed rapidly in recent years and has become an important method of urological surgery. The manufacturing and production of corresponding ureteroscopes are also constantly improving. This article systematically reviews and analyzes existing literature, summarizes the characteristics of various ureteroscopes in recent years, studies the advantages and disadvantages of ureteroscopes with different characteristics, summarizes relevant clinical experience in the use of ureteroscopes, and provides preliminary prospects for the future development of ureteroscopes. The results indicate that disposable electronic ureteroscopes and robotic ureteroscope systems may be an important development direction in the future.

Progress in the Study of Esophageal Heterotopic Gastric Mucosa

Esophageal Heterotopic Gastric Mucosa (EHGM) refers to the abnormal growth of gastric mucosal tissue in the esophagus, which often appears endoscopically as a localized red-orange, island-like mucosa that is clearly demarcated from the surrounding esophageal mucosa. It is primarily detected during esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), and although rare, cases of Barrett’s esophagus and malignant tumors associated with EHGM have been reported. In this article, we review various studies on the relevance of different aspects of EHGM, including etiology and pathogenesis, epidemiology, symptoms and staging, diagnosis, acid secretion studies, tumor transformation, and treatment options.

Progress in the Early Mobilization of Patients after Cardiac Intervention

Early activity has a positive effect on the rehabilitation process of patients after cardiac intervention. This paper summarizes the concept and significance of early activity after cardiac intervention, the best time and mode of different types of early activity after cardiac intervention, and the factors affecting early activity, aiming to provide a basis for clinical medical staff to provide safe and effective guidance of early activity after cardiac intervention.

Research Progress of Measuring Tools for Patient Medication Compliance

This paper introduced the content, compilation process, reliability and validity, scoring method of the evaluation tool for patients’ medication compliance at home and abroad, and reviewed the research progress of the tool. The evaluation method, dimension, scoring method, evaluation content and application scope of the tool were compared, so as to provide reference for nurses to comprehensively and accurately evaluate patients’ medication status.

A multi-platform analysis of human gingival crevicular fluid reveals ferroptosis as a relevant regulated cell death mechanism during the clinical progression of periodontitis

Ferroptosis is implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous chronic-inflammatory diseases,yet its association with progressive periodontitis remains unexplored.To investigate the involvement and significance of ferroptosis in periodontitis progression,we assessed sixteen periodontitis-diagnosed patients.Disease progression was clinically monitored over twelve weeks via weekly clinical evaluations and gingival crevicular fluid(GCF)collection was performed for further analyses.Clinical metrics,proteomic data,in silico methods,and bioinformatics tools were combined to identify protein profiles linked to periodontitis progression and to explore their potential connection with ferroptosis.Subsequent western blot analyses validated key findings.Finally,a single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)dataset(GSE164241)for gingival tissues was analyzed to elucidate cellular dynamics during periodontitis progression.Periodontitis progression was identified as occurring at a faster rate than traditionally thought.GCF samples from progressing and non-progressing periodontal sites showed quantitative and qualitatively distinct proteomic profiles.In addition,specific biological processes and molecular functions during progressive periodontitis were revealed and a set of hub proteins,including SNCA,CA1,HBB,SLC4A1,and ANK1 was strongly associated with the clinical progression status of periodontitis.Moreover,we found specific proteins-drivers or suppressors-associated with ferroptosis(SNCA,FTH1,HSPB1,CD44,and GCLC),revealing the co-occurrence of this specific type of regulated cell death during the clinical progression of periodontitis.Additionally,the integration of quantitative proteomic data with scRNA-seq analysis suggested the susceptibility of fibroblasts to ferroptosis.Our analyses reveal proteins and processes linked to ferroptosis for the first time in periodontal patients,which offer new insights into the molecular mechanisms of progressive periodontal disease.These findings may lead to novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Wear dependent virtual flow rate sensor for progressing cavity pumps with deformable stator

This contribution presents a novel wear dependent virtual flow rate sensor for single stage single lobe progressing cavity pumps. We study the wear-induced material loss of the pump components and the impact of this material loss on the volumetric efficiency. The results are combined with an established backflow model to implement a backflow calculation procedure that is adaptive to wear. We use a laboratory test setup with a highly abrasive fluid and operate a pump from new to worn condition to validate our approach. The obtained measurement data show that the presented virtual sensor is capable of calculating the flow rate of a pump being subject to wear during its regular operation.

Building a Business and Strategic Intelligence Policy as a Strategy for Promoting Congolese Business Progress and Healthy Economic Development in Eastern DRC

The aim of this study was to verify the existence of business and strategic intelligence policies at the level of Congolese companies and at the state level, likely to foster progress and healthy development in the east of the DRC. The study was based on a mixed perspective consisting of objective analysis of quantitative data and interpretative analysis of qualitative data. The results showed that business and strategic intelligence policies have not been established at either company or state level, as this is an area of activity that is not known to the players in companies and public departments, and there are no units or offices in their organizational structures responsible for managing strategic information for competitiveness on the international market. In addition, there is a real need to establish strategic information management units within companies, upstream, and to set up a national strategic information management department or agency to help local companies compete in the marketplace, downstream. This reflects the importance and timeliness of building business and strategic intelligence policies to ensure economic progress and development in the eastern DRC. Business and strategic intelligence provides companies with an appropriate tool for researching, collecting, processing and disseminating information useful for decision-making among stakeholders, in order to cope with a crisis or competitive situation. The study suggests a number of key recommendations based on its findings. To the government, it is recommended to establish the national policy of business and strategic intelligence by setting up a national agency of strategic intelligence in favor of local companies;and to companies to establish business intelligence units in their organizational structures in favor of stakeholders to foster advantageous decision-making in the competitive market and achieve progress. Finally, the study suggests that studies be carried out to fully understand the opportunities and impact of business and strategic intelligence in African countries, particularly in the DRC.