Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound protects from inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy through inciting extracellular vesicles

AIMS

CD4+ T cells are activated during inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy (iDCM) development to induce immunogenic responses that damage the myocardium. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS), a novel physiotherapy for cardiovascular diseases, has recently been shown to modulate inflammatory responses. However, its efficacy in iDCM remains unknown. Here, we investigated whether LIPUS could improve the severity of iDCM by orchestrating immune responses and explored its therapeutic mechanisms.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In iDCM mice, LIPUS treatment reduced cardiac remodelling and dysfunction. Additionally, CD4+ T-cell inflammatory responses were suppressed. LIPUS increased Treg cells while decreasing Th17 cells. LIPUS mechanically stimulates endothelial cells, resulting in increased secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are taken up by CD4+ T cells and alter their differentiation and metabolic patterns. Moreover, EVs selectively loaded with microRNA (miR)-99a are responsible for the therapeutic effects of LIPUS. The hnRNPA2B1 translocation from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and binding to caveolin-1 and miR-99a confirmed the upstream mechanism of miR-99a transport. This complex is loaded into EVs and taken up by CD4+ T cells, which further suppress mTOR and TRIB2 expression to modulate cellular differentiation.

CONCLUSION

Our findings revealed that LIPUS uses an EVs-dependent molecular mechanism to protect against iDCM progression. Therefore, LIPUS is a promising new treatment option for iDCM.

[Epidemiological and etiological characteristics of herpes pharyngitis in 3 prefectures in Jiangsu Province]

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of herpes pharyngitis (HA) in three prefectures of Jiangsu Province, and provide evidence for the prevention and control of HA in Jiangsu. Methods: Three surveillance sentinel hospitals in Wuxi, Suzhou and Yancheng were selected from May 2018 to December 2022, and information related to HA visits and hospitalized cases was regularly collected from the hospital inpatient management system by age groups. Enterovirus nucleic acid detection was performed by RT-PCR, and sequencing analysis, identification of genotype subtypes, and phylogenetic analysis were performed on the sequences of the gene encoding the coat protein VP1 of the main prevalent strains. Results: A total of 57 709 HA cases were recorded in the sentinel hospitals in in Wuxi, Suzhou and Yancheng, which was 1.76 times higher than the reported cases of hand, foot and mouth disease during the same period (57 709/32 831).The percentage of HA hospitalizations was 1.35% (781/57 709), and the percentage of hospitalizations showed an increasing trend from year to year (χ2=62.79, P<0.001 ).The incidence peak of HA was during May-July. The cases were mainly children aged 12-59 months (67.07%, 38 708/57 709), with the highest case number in age group 36-59 months (34.40%, 19 852/57 709). The HA positivity rate was 33.82% (644/1 904); enterovirus A was predominant (54.04%, 348/644); of these, Coxsackievirus (CV)A6 accounted for the highest percentage (52.59%, 183/348), while CVA16 and CVA4 accounted for 24.71% (86/348) and 15.23% (53/348), respectively. All 10 CVA4 HA endemic strains belonged to the C2 gene subtype, and all 6 CVA6 HA endemic strains belonged to the D3a gene subtype; and were genetically closer to and related to the strains in some areas of China (Fujian Province, Guangzhou City, Jiangxi Province, Yunnan Province, Tianjin City, etc.). Conclusions: The disease burden of HA was heavy in 3 areas in Jiangsu, children in age group 12-59-month were mainly affected, and the annual incidence peak of HA was during May-July. The pathogens causing HA varied, but predominated by enterovirus A and had low intra-typical differentiation, and no new evolutionary branches were found, suggesting that it is necessary to include HA in foot and mouth disease surveillance or regarded as a notifiable communicable disease.

Plasmoid Formation and Strong Radiative Cooling in a Driven Magnetic Reconnection Experiment

We present the first experimental study of plasmoid formation in a magnetic reconnection layer undergoing rapid radiative cooling, a regime relevant to extreme astrophysical plasmas. Two exploding aluminum wire arrays, driven by the Z machine, generate a reconnection layer (S_{L}≈120) in which the cooling rate far exceeds the hydrodynamic transit rate (τ_{hydro}/τ_{cool}>100). The reconnection layer generates a transient burst of >1  keV x-ray emission, consistent with the formation and subsequent rapid cooling of the layer. Time-gated x-ray images show fast-moving (up to 50  km s^{-1}) hotspots in the layer, consistent with the presence of plasmoids in 3D resistive magnetohydrodynamic simulations. X-ray spectroscopy shows that these hotspots generate the majority of Al K-shell emission (around 1.6 keV) prior to the onset of cooling, and exhibit temperatures (170 eV) much greater than that of the plasma inflows and the rest of the reconnection layer, thus providing insight into the generation of high-energy radiation in radiatively cooled reconnection events.

A Drug Repurposing Approach Reveals Targetable Epigenetic Pathways in Plasmodium vivax Hypnozoites

Radical cure of Plasmodium vivax malaria must include elimination of quiescent 'hypnozoite' forms in the liver; however, the only FDA-approved treatments are contraindicated in many vulnerable populations. To identify new drugs and drug targets for hypnozoites, we screened the Repurposing, Focused Rescue, and Accelerated Medchem (ReFRAME) library and a collection of epigenetic inhibitors against P. vivax liver stages. From both libraries, we identified inhibitors targeting epigenetics pathways as selectively active against P. vivax and P. cynomolgi hypnozoites. These include DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors as well as several inhibitors targeting histone post-translational modifications. Immunofluorescence staining of Plasmodium liver forms showed strong nuclear 5-methylcystosine signal, indicating liver stage parasite DNA is methylated. Using bisulfite sequencing, we mapped genomic DNA methylation in sporozoites, revealing DNA methylation signals in most coding genes. We also demonstrated that methylation level in proximal promoter regions as well as in the first exon of the genes may affect, at least partially, gene expression in P. vivax. The importance of selective inhibitors targeting epigenetic features on hypnozoites was validated using MMV019721, an acetyl-CoA synthetase inhibitor that affects histone acetylation and was previously reported as active against P. falciparum blood stages. In summary, our data indicate that several epigenetic mechanisms are likely modulating hypnozoite formation or persistence and provide an avenue for the discovery and development of improved radical cure antimalarials.

The Crystallization and Melting Behavior of Neodymium-Based Butadiene Rubber Blends

This study investigates the influence of poly(butadiene-isoprene) copolymer rubber (BIR) and TDAE oil on the crystallization and melting behavior of neodymium-based butadiene rubber (Nd-BR). The study demonstrates that the melting points of Nd-BR and its blends decrease with lower crystallization temperatures. Below the critical crystallization temperature (Tc,c), the melting behavior shows dual peaks in distinct temperature ranges, which are attributed to different spherulitic sizes. The addition of BIR or TDAE oil lowers the Tc,c, with TDAE oil exerting a more substantial effect. These diluents mainly influence the nucleation temperature and crystallinity level of Nd-BR while having a minimal effect on the crystallization mechanism. A master curve, which overlaps for various samples, is developed by correlating the peak melting temperature (Tm,peak) with the Tc. This curve facilitates a quantitative assessment of the effects of BIR and TDAE oil on Nd-BR, highlighting the greater influence of TDAE oil on the crystalline structure compared with BIR at equivalent mass fractions. By applying the Lorentz equation and multi-peak fitting, a relationship between the melting points and crystallization temperatures is established, enabling the calculation of the equilibrium melting points (Tm0) for different samples. The findings show a reduction in the Tm0 due to the diluents; specifically, the Tm0 is approximately 0 °C for pure Nd-BR, and it decreases to -4.579 °C and -6.579 °C for samples with 50 PHR TDAE oil and 60 wt.% BIR, respectively.

Study on the Crystallization Behavior of Neodymium Rare-Earth Butadiene Rubber Blends and Its Effect on Dynamic Mechanical Properties

Utilizing neodymium-based butadiene rubber as a baseline, this study examines the effect of eco-friendly aromatic TDAE oil, fillers, and crosslinking reactions on neodymium-based rare-earth butadiene rubber (Nd-BR) crystallization behavior. The findings suggest that TDAE oil hinders crystallization, resulting in decreased crystallization temperatures and heightened activation energies (Ea). The crystallization activation energies for 20 parts per hundreds of rubber (PHR) and 37.5 PHR oil stand at -116.8 kJ/mol and -48.1 kJ/mol, respectively, surpassing the -264.3 kJ/mol of the unadulterated rubber. Fillers act as nucleating agents, hastening crystallization, which in turn elevates crystallization temperatures and diminishes Ea. In samples containing 20 PHR and 37.5 PHR oil, the incorporation of carbon black and silica brought the Ea down to -224.9 kJ/mol and -239.1 kJ/mol, respectively. Crosslinking considerably restricts molecular motion and crystallization potential. In the examined conditions, butadiene rubber containing 37.5 PHR oil displayed no crystallization following crosslinking, albeit crystallization was discernible with filler inclusion. Simultaneously, the crystallinity level sharply declined, manifesting cold crystallization behavior. The crosslinking process elevates Ea, while the equilibrium melting point (Tm0) noticeably diminishes. For instance, the Tm0 of pure Nd-BR is approximately -0.135 °C. When blended with carbon black and silica, the Tm0 values are -3.13 °C and -5.23 °C, respectively. After vulcanization, these values decrease to -21.6 °C and -10.16 °C. Evaluating the isothermal crystallization kinetics of diverse materials via the Avrami equation revealed that both the oil and crosslinking process can bring about a decrease in n values, with the Avrami index n for various samples oscillating between 1.5 and 2.5. Assessing the dynamic mechanical attributes of different specimens reveals that Nd-BR crystallization notably curtails its glass transition, marked by a modulus shift in the transition domain and a decrement in loss factor. The modulus in the rubbery state also witnesses a substantial augmentation.

Effect of Dilution on the Crystallization Kinetics of Neodymium-Based Rare Earth Polybutadiene Rubber

The crystallization behavior of neodymium-based rare earth polybutadiene rubber (Nd-BR) is studied in the presence of small-molecule treated distillate aromatic extract (TDAE) and high-molecular-weight polybutadiene-isoprene copolymer rubber (BIR). Pronounced inhibitory effects on the crystallization of Nd-BR are exhibited by both materials, as evidenced by reductions in the crystallization temperature (Tc), melting point (Tm), and corresponding enthalpy change. It is found that, at equal concentrations, a greater influence on the crystallization rate is exerted by TDAE oils, whereas nucleation inhibition is more potently affected by BIR. Incomplete crystallization during cooling is exhibited by Nd-BR when the TDAE oil concentration reaches 40 parts per hundreds of rubber (PHR) (31 wt.%), or BIR achieves a 60 wt.% concentration; subsequently, a noticeable cold crystallization phenomenon is observed upon heating. Insights into the isothermal crystallization kinetics are offered by the data, which reveal that the Avrami index n value for Nd-BR predominantly ranges between 2.5 and 3.0. A decrease in the n value is induced by a small amount of TDAE oil, while a noticeable decline in the n value is observed only when the BIR concentration is 60 wt.%. A correlation between the crystallization activation energy, the concentration of TDAE oil and BIR, and the crystallization temperature is established; a negative activation energy is recorded, and a decrease in the crystallization rate is noted when both concentrations are low and the crystallization temperature exceeds -50 °C. In contrast, positive activation energy and an increase in the crystallization rate are observed when the BIR concentration reaches 60%, and the crystallization temperature resides between -50 °C and -70 °C.

Laboratory Study of Collisionless Magnetic Reconnection

A concise review is given on the past two decades' results from laboratory experiments on collisionless magnetic reconnection in direct relation with space measurements, especially by the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission. Highlights include spatial structures of electromagnetic fields in ion and electron diffusion regions as a function of upstream symmetry and guide field strength, energy conversion and partitioning from magnetic field to ions and electrons including particle acceleration, electrostatic and electromagnetic kinetic plasma waves with various wavelengths, and plasmoid-mediated multiscale reconnection. Combined with the progress in theoretical, numerical, and observational studies, the physics foundation of fast reconnection in collisionless plasmas has been largely established, at least within the parameter ranges and spatial scales that were studied. Immediate and long-term future opportunities based on multiscale experiments and space missions supported by exascale computation are discussed, including dissipation by kinetic plasma waves, particle heating and acceleration, and multiscale physics across fluid and kinetic scales.

Taylor-Couette flow for astrophysical purposes

A concise review is given of astrophysically motivated experimental and theoretical research on Taylor-Couette flow. The flows of interest rotate differentially with the inner cylinder faster than the outer, but are linearly stable against Rayleigh's inviscid centrifugal instability. At shear Reynolds numbers as large as [Formula: see text], hydrodynamic flows of this type (quasi-Keplerian) appear to be nonlinearly stable: no turbulence is seen that cannot be attributed to interaction with the axial boundaries, rather than the radial shear itself. Direct numerical simulations agree, although they cannot yet reach such high Reynolds numbers. This result indicates that accretion-disc turbulence is not purely hydrodynamic in origin, at least insofar as it is driven by radial shear. Theory, however, predicts linear magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) instabilities in astrophysical discs: in particular, the standard magnetorotational instability (SMRI). MHD Taylor-Couette experiments aimed at SMRI are challenged by the low magnetic Prandtl numbers of liquid metals. High fluid Reynolds numbers and careful control of the axial boundaries are required. The quest for laboratory SMRI has been rewarded with the discovery of some interesting inductionless cousins of SMRI, and with the recently reported success in demonstrating SMRI itself using conducting axial boundaries. Some outstanding questions and near-future prospects are discussed, especially in connection with astrophysics. This article is part of the theme issue 'Taylor-Couette and related flows on the centennial of Taylor's seminal Philosophical Transactions paper (Part 2)'.

The performance of left/right adrenal volume ratio and volume difference in predicting unilateral primary aldosteronism

PURPOSE

The role of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism (PA) warrants attention, since the success application of adrenal venous sampling (AVS) remains limited. We aimed to investigate the value of CT-based volumetric indicators, including left-versus-right-adrenal-volume ratio (L/Rv) and left-subtract-right-adrenal-volume difference (L - Rv), in the diagnosis of unilateral primary aldosteronism (UPA).

METHODS

A retrospective case-control study included 153 patients with PA and 1272 controls. AVS was used to classify patients into bilateral disease, left-sided disease, and right-sided disease groups.

RESULTS

Adrenal gland volume on both sides of PA patients was significantly larger than controls. The optimal cutoff values of L/Rv and L - Rv were 1.417 [area under the curve (AUC) 0.864] and 1.185 (AUC 0.827), respectively, for the diagnosis of left-sided PA, and 1.030 (AUC 0.767) and 0.220 (AUC 0.769), respectively, for the diagnosis of right-sided PA. The mean AUC for subsequent cross-validation ranged from 0.77 ± 0.03 to 0.86 ± 0.02. Based on the optimal cutoff values, the combination of L/Rv and L - Rv detected 69.6% of patients with left-sided PA and 74.3% of patients with right-sided PA, with a specificity of 93.5% and 89.0%, respectively. For a better clinical application, we reported the sub-optimal cutoffs corresponding to a specificity of 95%. A L/Rv higher than 1.431 and a L - Rv higher than 3.185 as sub-optimal cutoff values was detected in 26.1% of patients with left-sided PA (specificity: 97.2%). A L/Rv smaller than 0.892 and a L - Rv smaller than -0.640 could detect 48.6% of patients with right-sided PA (specificity: 97.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

CT-based L/Rv and L - Rv performed well in predicting UPA. The combination of L/Rv and L - Rv may serve as a potential indicator for guiding surgical decision making in centers without AVS programs.

Invasive fungal infection is associated with antibiotic exposure in preterm infants: a multi-centre prospective case-control study

BACKGROUND

Previous antibiotic exposure is an important risk factor for invasive fungal infection (IFI). Antibiotic overexposure is common in lower-income countries; however, multi-centre studies concerning IFI in relation to antibiotic exposure are scarce.

AIM

This prospective, multi-centre matched case-control study explored the correlation of IFI and antibiotic exposure in very preterm infants or very-low-birthweight infants admitted to 23 tertiary hospitals in China between 2018 and 2021.

METHODS

Using a 1:2 matched design for gestational age, birth weight and early-onset sepsis (yes/no), the risk factors between infants diagnosed with IFI and infection-free controls were compared. The antibiotic use rate (AUR) was calculated using calendar days of antibiotic therapy in the 4 weeks preceding IFI onset divided by onset day of IFI.

FINDINGS

In total, 6368 infants were included in the study, of which 90 (1.4%) were diagnosed with IFI. Median AUR, length of antibiotic therapy (LOT) and days of antibiotic therapy (DOT) within the 4 weeks preceding IFI onset were 0.90, 18 days and 30 days, respectively. Multi-variate analysis showed that a 10% increase in AUR, each additional day of DOT and LOT, and each additional day of third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems were notably associated with IFI.

CONCLUSION

Prolonged antibiotic therapy is common before the onset of IFI, and is an important risk factor, especially the use of third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems. Antibiotic stewardship should be urgently developed and promoted for preterm infants in order to reduce IFI in lower-income countries such as China.

The Endoplasmic Reticulum-Stressed Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells Induced Exosomal miR-424-5p Inhibits Angiogenesis and Migration of Humanumbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Through LAMC1-Mediated Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

Under endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, tumor plays multifaceted roles in endothelial cell dysfunction through secreting exosomal miRNAs. However, for the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), it is still unclear about the impact of ER-stressed HNSCC cell derived exosomes on vascular endothelial cells. To address this gap, herein, systemic research was conducted including isolation and characterization of ER-stressed HNSCC cell (HN4 cell line as an in vitro model) derived exosomes, identification of regulatory exosomal miRNAs, target exploration and downstream signaling pathway investigation of exosomal miRNAs in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC). ER-stressed HN4 cell-derived exosomes inhibited angiogenesis and migration of HUVEC cells in vitro. Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis demonstrated that miR-424-5p was highly upregulated in ER-stressed HN4 cell-derived exosomes. Through matrigel tube formation and transwell assays of HUVEC cells, miR-424-5p displayed great capabilities on inhibiting angiogenesis and migration. Finally, based on western blot and luciferase reporter, it was demonstrated that LAMC1 is the target of miR-424-5p which could inhibit the angiogenesis and migration of HUVEC cells by repressing the LAMC1-mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. ER-stressed HNSCC cell-induced exosomal miR-424-5p inhibits angiogenesis and migration of HUVEC cells through LAMC1-mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. This study offers a new insight for understanding the complicated mechanism behind ER-stress induced anti-angiogenesis of HNSCC.

FAM83A promotes proliferation and metastasis via Wnt/β-catenin signaling in head neck squamous cell carcinoma

This research aimed to investigate the expression and function of FAM83A in the proliferation and metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). FAM83A mRNA and protein expressions in HNSCC were detected in primary HNSCC samples and cell lines. The associations between FAM83A expression and clinicopathologic variables were evaluated through tissue microarrays. Besides, FAM83A knockdown and overexpression cell lines were constructed to assess cell growth and metastasis in vitro and the relationship between FAM83A and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Furthermore, two models of xenograft tumors in nude mice were used to assess the tumorigenicity and metastasis ability of FAM83A in vivo. In the present study, overexpression of FAM83A in HNSCC samples was significantly associated with tumor size, lymph node status and clinical tumor stages. Mechanically, FAM83A could promote HNSCC cell growth and metastasis by inducing EMT via activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Rescue experiment demonstrated the inhibition of β-catenin could counteract the function of FAM83A. Also, the FAM83A knockdown could suppress tumor growth and distant metastasis in the xenograft animal models of HNSCC. In conclusion, this study identifies FAM83A as an oncogene of HNSCC. This study provides new insights into the molecular pathways that contribute to EMT in HNSCC. We revealed a previously unknown FAM83A-Wnt–β-catenin signaling axis involved in the EMT of HNSCC. There may be a potential bi-directional signaling loop between FAM83A and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in HNSCC.

ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in human saliva can adsorb to the oral mucosal epithelium

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is primarily transmitted through droplets. All human tissues with the angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serines 2 (TRMPRSS2) are potential targets of SARS‐CoV‐2. The role of saliva in SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission remains obscure. In this study, we attempted to reveal ACE2 and TRMPRSS2 protein expression in human parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands (three major salivary glands). Then, the binding function of spike protein to ACE2 in three major salivary glands was detected. The expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in human saliva from parotid glands were both examined. Exogenous recombined ACE2 and TMPRSS2 anchoring and fusing to oral mucosal epithelial cells in vitro were also unraveled. ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were found mainly to be expressed in the cytomembrane and cytoplasm of epithelial cells in the serous acinus cells in parotid and submandibular glands. Our research also discovered that the spike protein of SARS‐CoV‐2 binds to ACE2 in salivary glands in vitro. Furthermore, exogenous ACE2 and TMPRSS2 can anchor and fuse to oral mucosa in vitro. Thus, the expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in human saliva might have implications for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.