The study investigates the expression of mismatch repair (MMR) proteins and PD-L1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and their correlation with clinicopathological characteristics and therapeutic efficacy. A retrospective analysis of 272 CRC patients from Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital was conducted, focusing on the expression of MMR proteins MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, and MSH6, and PD-L1 protein, using immunohistochemistry staining. The study found that MMR protein expression deficiency was significantly correlated with tumor location, TNM stage, and degree of differentiation, while PD-L1 positivity was associated with TNM stage. Survival analysis indicated that patients with proficient MMR (pMMR) had better progression-free survival compared to those with deficient MMR (dMMR). The study suggests that MMR and PD-L1 expression in CRC tumor tissue is related to pathological features and patient prognosis, with pMMR patients generally having a better prognosis than dMMR patients.

The excerpt from 'The Rusticated' by Lu Han is set in Jilin Province, China, during January 1968. It follows a twelve-year-old girl named Ling who struggles with bed-wetting and fears waking her strict father. The narrative describes the harsh winter conditions, the family's poverty, and the recent loss of their cat, Xiao Hu. Ling reflects on her relationship with her father, who was once less intimidating and would bring treats from the apothecary. The story also touches on Ling's resourcefulness in acquiring an acupuncture manual and needles to treat her condition, which leads to her successfully stopping the bed-wetting by winter's end.

A study analyzing national patient-level data on rectal cancer surgery within the English National Health Service from April 2015 to March 2019 found that hospitals in competitive environments and those that were successful competitors had better patient outcomes. Patients in competitive areas were less likely to undergo surgery with permanent stoma formation, and those treated at successful competitors had lower risks of 90-day readmission and persistent stoma 18 months post-surgery. The study challenges the centralization of cancer surgical services and suggests that hospital competition can drive improvements in care quality.

Micron-sized thiol-functional polysilsesquioxane (TMPSQ) microspheres with open and interconnected macropores were successfully synthesized using a novel method combining inverse suspension polymerization with two-step sol–gel and polymerization-induced phase separation processes. The study, conducted by researchers from Tsinghua University's Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials, demonstrated the microspheres' potential as catalyst supports and adsorbents due to their considerable porosity and fast mass transfer capabilities. The microspheres exhibited high sphericity, unimodal distribution, and a pore size of 839 nm. The research contributes to the fields of chemistry, material science, and nanotechnology, offering insights into the preparation, characterization, and formation mechanism of these materials.

The study investigates mitochondrial-related genes PDK2, CHDH, and ALDH5A1 as potential diagnostic biomarkers for ulcerative colitis (UC). It utilizes bioinformatics to analyze gene expression data from GEO datasets, employing WGCNA, LASSO logistic regression, and RandomForest assays to identify significant feature genes. The research confirms the downregulation of these genes in UC and explores their correlation with immune cell infiltration, particularly M1 macrophages. The findings suggest that PDK2, CHDH, and ALDH5A1 are closely associated with immune cells in UC and could serve as molecular therapeutic targets.

A study investigated mitochondrial-related genes PDK2, CHDH, and ALDH5A1 as potential diagnostic biomarkers for ulcerative colitis (UC) and their association with immune cell infiltration. Data from the GEO database was used to construct a diagnostic model, which showed high diagnostic efficacy. The expression of these genes was found to be decreased in UC cell models and DSS-induced mice colitis tissues, and negatively correlated with M1 macrophage infiltration. Immunofluorescence analysis confirmed increased CD86 expression and decreased ALDH5A1, CHDH, and PDK2 expression in DSS-treated mice tissue, suggesting these genes could be targets for prognostic prediction and immune therapy in UC.

Researchers have developed a material strategy that signals the electrical degradation of dielectric polymers by autonomously presenting a visually discernible warning through a colour change. This change is triggered by molecular indicators that respond to oxygen radicals produced during the degradation process. The correlation between structural degradation, electrical properties, and colour difference was quantitatively established, offering a convenient method to reduce the risk of dielectric failure without the need for human intervention or external energy.

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have been synthesized in various forms such as nanowires, nanorods, and nanotubes, and are increasingly used in biomedical applications due to their high bioavailability and bioactivity. They are particularly useful in treating oxidative stress-induced cancers, diabetes, and other diseases. However, pure SeNPs face stability issues, which can be overcome through surface functionalization strategies that improve their biological activity. This review discusses the synthesis methods, surface functionalization strategies, and applications of SeNPs in treating brain diseases.

ODS FeCrAl alloys are promising materials for cladding in advanced nuclear reactors due to their excellent high-temperature corrosion resistance and mechanical properties. This paper reviews the creep properties of ODS FeCrAl alloy, analyzing current research and providing insights for future applications. The paper discusses the alloy's improved creep resistance, the complexity of quantifying creep performance due to the alloy's dispersed oxide particles, and the need for further research on creep in various service environments. The authors acknowledge the financial support from the National Magnetic Confinement Fusion Energy Research Project of China, National Key R&D Program of China, and ECC-SMART Project.

The study presents the development of a novel recombinant rabbit anti-myoglobin monoclonal antibody and its potential application in diagnosing and treating rhabdomyolysis-associated acute kidney injury (RM-AKI). The antibody demonstrated high affinity, broad species reactivity, and good tissue specificity. It was effective in detecting myoglobin deposition in kidney tissues in a mouse model of RM-AKI, suggesting its usefulness in medical diagnostics and possibly as a treatment for RM-related diseases.

A BiPO4/Ov-BiOBr type-I high-low junction photocatalyst was synthesized using a two-step solvothermal method, demonstrating superior photocatalytic activity for tetracycline degradation and hydrogen peroxide production under visible light. The optimal molar content of BiPO4 was found to be 10%, which showed the highest degradation rate and efficiency. The study revealed that the heterojunction structure, bandgap matching, and efficient charge separation contributed to the enhanced performance. The main active species in the photocatalytic process were identified as hydroxyl and superoxide radicals. The research provides a new approach for developing efficient visible-light photocatalysts and has potential environmental purification applications.

The article reviews recent advancements in the development of mussel-inspired nanocomposite hydrogels for various biomedical applications. It discusses the incorporation of different types of nanomaterials into hydrogel matrices, highlighting the role of catechol groups derived from mussel-inspired chemistry in enhancing the functionality of hydrogels. The review covers the use of these hydrogels in drug delivery, bioelectronics, wearable biosensors, tumor therapy, and tissue repair, and addresses the challenges and future research directions in designing mussel-inspired nanocomposite hydrogels.

The study investigates the interfacial properties of betaine mixtures and their synergistic effects with anionic surfactant petroleum sulfonate (PS) and extended anionic surfactant alkoxyethylene carboxylate (AEC) in high-temperature and high-salinity reservoir conditions. It explores the impact of temperature-resistant, salt-resistant polymers with varying contents of 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS) on dynamic interfacial tensions (IFTs) against n-alkanes and crude oil. The research finds that the IFTs between betaine ASB and n-alkanes can be significantly reduced by compounding with PS and AEC. The study also reveals that the addition of water-soluble polymers enhances the water solubility of both ASB@PS and ASB@AEC, affecting the IFTs by regulating the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB). The findings have implications for the design of enhanced oil recovery formulations in challenging reservoir environments.

The article discusses the self-assembly, collective behavior, and potential applications of perovskite nanocrystal superlattices. It is authored by D. Yan, Q. Shan, Y. Dong, L. Han, X. Wu, Y. Peng, and H. Zeng and published in Chemical Communications in 2023.

The study investigates the mechanical properties of 7B04-T74 aluminum alloy in a marine atmosphere, focusing on corrosion effects and their impact on tensile and fatigue properties. The research, conducted by authors from Beihang University, China, reveals that the alloy is sensitive to marine atmospheric conditions, primarily experiencing pitting corrosion without significant intergranular or exfoliation corrosion. Tensile properties remain largely unaffected by corrosion, while fatigue properties show a significant decrease, with fatigue life reduced by at least 93% upon the occurrence of pitting corrosion. The study concludes that pitting corrosion significantly affects the crack initiation stage, reducing the crack initiation life of the aluminum alloy.

A study evaluated the protective immunity conferred by oral DNA vaccines against Trichinella spiralis in a murine model. Two novel T. spiralis genes, calreticulin and serine protease 1.1, were used to construct the vaccines, which were transformed into attenuated Salmonella typhimurium ΔcyaSL1344. Vaccination elicited a gut local mucosal sIgA response and systemic Th1/Th2 mixed response. The combined vaccine induced higher levels of specific antibodies, mucosal sIgA, and cellular immune response than individual vaccines. It resulted in a significant reduction of adult worms and muscle larvae in vaccinated mice, suggesting potential targets for anti-Trichinella vaccines.

China's spot copper trading is expected to remain slow in Q1 2022 due to high inventories and power restrictions affecting smelters in Guangxi and Yunnan. Smelters have increased term contracts to minimize exposure to spot treatment charge volatility, with many securing 90% of their production needs through these contracts. Spot treatment charges (TCs) for Q1 2022 were heard in the mid-$60s/mt, with term contracts mostly concluded at around $60/mt. Despite an increase in copper concentrate supply, demand for clean copper concentrates remains stable, with small to medium-size smelters preferring standard clean concentrates. The market is also adjusting to an unprecedented backwardation in concentrate pricing terms and preparing for production cuts due to the Beijing Winter Olympics and planned plant maintenance.