Octenidine exposure was not associated with reduced octenidine susceptibility of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in an extended-care facility in Singapore

OBJECTIVES

Antiseptics such as chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) and octenidine dihydrochloride (OCT) are frequently used in hospitals to prevent and control the transmission of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Given the increasing prevalence of reduced CHG susceptibility of MRSA, there are concerns about the possibility of reduced OCT susceptibility. This study evaluated the prevalence of reduced CHG and OCT susceptibility over 3 years, and assessed the association between OCT exposure and reduced OCT susceptibility in MRSA.

METHODS

MRSA isolates from inpatients who acquired MRSA in an extended-care facility between 2019 and 2021 were included in antiseptic susceptibility testing. Inpatients were exposed to universal daily CHG bathing from January to September 2019, and universal daily OCT bathing after October 2019. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of CHG and OCT were determined using the broth microdilution method. Multi-variable logistic regression was used to assess if OCT exposure was independently associated with reduced OCT susceptibility.

RESULTS

Of 186 isolates, 179 (96%) had reduced CHG susceptibility (MIC ≥4 mg/L) and 46 (25%) had reduced OCT susceptibility (MIC ≥2 mg/L). Reduced OCT susceptibility rates were 26.9%, 13.8% and 14.3% in 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. Reduced CHG susceptibility rates were 95.4%, 100% and 95.9% in 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. OCT exposure was not associated with reduced OCT susceptibility (adjusted odds ratio 0.23, 95% confidence interval 0.08-0.75; P=0.014), after adjusting for age, gender, race, year of sample collection, days at risk in facility, hospitalization in preceding year, and MRSA colonization/infection in preceding year.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of reduced OCT susceptibility has remained low, despite universal OCT bathing for extended inpatient care. However, the rate of reduced CHG susceptibility was high. OCT exposure was not associated with reduced OCT susceptibility in MRSA.

Co-delivery Nano System of MS-275 and V-9302 Induces Pyroptosis and Enhances Anti-Tumor Immunity Against Uveal Melanoma

In the treatment of uveal melanoma (UVM), histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have emerged as a promising epigenetic therapy. However, their clinical efficacy is hindered by the suboptimal pharmacokinetics and the strong self-rescue of tumor cells. To overcome these limitations, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive nanoparticles (NPs) are designed that encapsulate HDACi MS-275 and the glutamine metabolism inhibitor V-9302. Upon reaching the tumor microenvironment, these NPs can disintegrate, thereby releasing MS-275 to increase the level of ROS and V-9302 to reduce the production of glutathione (GSH) related to self-rescue. These synergistic effects lead to a lethal ROS storm and induce cell pyroptosis. When combined with programmed cell death protein 1 monoclonal antibodies (α-PD-1), these NPs facilitate immune cell infiltration, improving anti-tumor immunity, converting "immune-cold" tumors into "immune-hot" tumors, and enhancing immune memory in mice. The findings present a nano-delivery strategy for the co-delivery of epigenetic therapeutics and metabolic inhibitors, which induces pyroptosis in tumors cells and improves the effectiveness of chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Cortico-cortical connectivity is influenced by levodopa in tremor-dominant Parkinson's disease

Resting tremor is the most common presenting motor symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD). The supplementary motor area (SMA) is a main target of the basal-ganglia-thalamo-cortical circuit and has direct, facilitatory connections with the primary motor cortex (M1), which is important for the execution of voluntary movement. Dopamine potentially modulates SMA and M1 activity, and both regions have been implicated in resting tremor. This study investigated SMA-M1 connectivity in individuals with PD ON and OFF dopamine medication, and whether SMA-M1 connectivity is implicated in resting tremor. Dual-site transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to measure SMA-M1 connectivity in PD participants ON and OFF levodopa. Resting tremor was measured using electromyography and accelerometry. Stimulating SMA inhibited M1 excitability OFF levodopa, and facilitated M1 excitability ON levodopa. ON medication, SMA-M1 facilitation was significantly associated with smaller tremor than SMA-M1 inhibition. The current findings contribute to our understanding of the neural networks involved in PD which are altered by levodopa medication and provide a neurophysiological basis for the development of interventions to treat resting tremor.

[Fertility preservation through natural and artificial ovaries: a review]

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) is currently the exclusive choice for preserving fertility in both young girls before reaching puberty and young women who require immediate chemotherapy. Ovarian tissue transplantation has proven to be effective in restoring hormonal cycles and fertility. However, in certain cancer cases, there is a potential risk of inadvertently reintroducing malignant cells when transplanting cryopreserved ovarian tissue. Therefore, the use of an artificial ovary as an innovative and complementary approach allows for the development of isolated follicles, facilitates oocyte maturation and ovulation, and can partially restore endocrine function. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of techniques used to preserve fertility in natural ovarian tissues, including slow freezing, vitrification and hydrogel encapsulation methods. Additionally, it reviews fertility preservation techniques for artificial ovarian tissues, such as strategies involving hydrogel-encapsulated follicle, scaffolding for constructing ovarian microtissues, and 3D printing engineering. Lastly, this article explores current challenges and difficulties encountered in preserving ovarian tissue fertility, while also anticipating future trends in development, making it a valuable reference for the implementation of ovarian tissue fertility preservation.

Structure and function of the ROR2 cysteine-rich domain in vertebrate noncanonical WNT5A signaling

The receptor tyrosine kinase ROR2 mediates noncanonical WNT5A signaling to orchestrate tissue morphogenetic processes, and dysfunction of the pathway causes Robinow syndrome, brachydactyly B, and metastatic diseases. The domain(s) and mechanisms required for ROR2 function, however, remain unclear. We solved the crystal structure of the extracellular cysteine-rich (CRD) and Kringle (Kr) domains of ROR2 and found that, unlike other CRDs, the ROR2 CRD lacks the signature hydrophobic pocket that binds lipids/lipid-modified proteins, such as WNTs, suggesting a novel mechanism of ligand reception. Functionally, we showed that the ROR2 CRD, but not other domains, is required and minimally sufficient to promote WNT5A signaling, and Robinow mutations in the CRD and the adjacent Kr impair ROR2 secretion and function. Moreover, using function-activating and -perturbing antibodies against the Frizzled (FZ) family of WNT receptors, we demonstrate the involvement of FZ in WNT5A-ROR signaling. Thus, ROR2 acts via its CRD to potentiate the function of a receptor super-complex that includes FZ to transduce WNT5A signals.

Longitudinal characterization of serum metabolome and lipidome reveals that the ceramide profile is associated with metabolic health in early postpartum cows experiencing different lipolysis

Reduced feed intake in early lactation prompts increased fat mobilization to meet dairy cows' energy needs for milk production. The increased lipolysis in cows presents significant health risks with unclear mechanisms. The objectives of our study were to compare the longitudinal profiles of metabolites and lipids of serum from high and low-lipolysis cows. Forty multiparous Holstein dairy cows were enrolled in the retrospective study. Serum samples were collected on d 7 before expected calving, as well as on d 5, d 7, d 14, and d 21 postpartum. Dairy cows were grouped according to mean serum nonesterified fatty acids on d 5 and 7 after parturition as low (<0.600 mmol/L; n = 8; LFM) and high (>0.750 mmol/L; n = 8; HFM), indicating fat mobilization during early lactation. Lactational performance and serum metabolic parameters related to glucose and lipid metabolism, liver functions, oxidative status, and inflammatory responses were determined. Serum samples were subjected to LC-MS-based metabolomics and lipidomics. Despite differences in postpartum BW change, there were no observed variations in milk yield and composition between 2 groups. Serum BHBA, glucose, leptin, aspartate aminotransferase, IL-6, and TNF-α were greater in cows with HFM than in LFM. Serum adiponectin, revised quantitative insulin sensitivity check index and albumin were lower in cows with HFM than LFM. Intensified fat mobilization in the HFM cows came along with reduced estimated insulin sensitivity, impaired liver functions, and increased oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Differences in metabolic patterns were observed across the transition period when comparing serum blood matrices (e.g., in different amino acids, acylcarnitines, and sphingolipids). The serum metabolome of the HFM cows was characterized by higher concentrations of glycine, acylcarnitines, carnosine, Cer(d20:0/18:0), Cer(d18:1/16:0), and Cer(t18:0/24:0) compared with LFM. The differential serum metabolites and lipids at different sampling times during the peripartum period were enriched in the sphingolipid metabolism. Differences in serum metabolic status parameters suggest that cows adopt varied metabolic adaptation strategies to cope with energy deficits postpartum. Our investigation found a comprehensive remodeling of the serum metabolic profiles in transition dairy cattle, highlighting the significance of alterations in sphingolipid species, as they play a crucial role in insulin resistance and metabolic disorders.

The relationship between young college students' recognition of national COVID-19 crisis governance capabilities and the improvement of national identity: the mediating role of online participation in public health critical events

Background

Improving the young college students' national identity is crucial for ensuring social stability and fostering development during public health critical events such as COVID-19. Young college students' recognition of national COVID-19 crisis governance capabilities can influence their national identity, and online participation in public health criticalevents may serve as a crucial role in shaping this intricate relationship. To investigate this possibility, the present study established an intermediary model to examine the impact of online participation in public health critical events on young college students' recognition of national COVID-19 crisis governance capabilities and improvement of national identity.

Methods

This cross-sectional survey study employed a convenience sampling method to investigate a total of 3041 young college students in China. The correlations between study variables were analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation. The mediation model was established using PROCESS Model 4 with 5000 bootstrap samples in SPSS. The bias-corrected bootstrap method provided statistical efficacy and identification interval estimation.

Results

Young college students' recognition of national COVID-19 crisis governance capabilities (r=0.729, P<0.001) and online participation in public health critical events (r=0.609, P<0.001) were positively correlated with improvement of their national identity. The relationship between these two factors was partially mediated by online participation in public health critical events (Indirect effect estimate=0.196, P<0.001).

Conclusion

Online participation in public health critical events played a mediating role in the association between college students' recognition of national COVID-19 crisis governance capabilities and the improvement of national identity. Our findings provide a novel intervention strategy for improving college students' national identity, which is to encourage their online participation in public health critical events.

The crystallization properties of antifreeze GelMA hydrogel and its application in cryopreservation of tissue-engineered skin constructs

Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogels are expected to be ideal skin tissue engineering dressings for a wide range of clinical treatments. Herein, we report the preparation of GelMA or antifreeze GelMA hydrogel sheets with different GelMA concentrations, crosslinking times, and cryoprotectant (CPA) concentrations. The crystallization properties of GelMA or antifreeze GelMA hydrogel sheets were studied by cryomicroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was found that the growth of ice crystals was slower when GelMA hydrogel concentration was more than 7%. The 10% DMSO-7% GelMA hydrogel sheets crosslinked for 60 min showed no ice crystal formation and growth during cooling and warming. The DSC results showed that the vitrification temperature of the 10% DMSO-7% GelMA hydrogel sheet was -111°C. Furthermore, slow freezing and rapid freezing of fibroblast-laden GelMA or antifreeze GelMA hydrogel sheets, and tissue-engineered skin constructs were studied. The results showed no significant difference in cell survival between slow (88.8% ± 1.51) and rapid (89.2% ± 3.00) freezing of fibroblast-loaded 10% DMSO-7% GelMA hydrogel sheets, and significantly higher than that of 7% GelMA hydrogel sheets (33.4% ± 5.46). The cell viability was higher in tissue-engineered skin constructs after slow freezing (86.34% ± 1.45) than rapid freezing (72.74% ± 1.34). We believe that the combination of antifreeze hydrogels and tissue engineering will facilitate the cryopreservation of tissue engineering constructs.

TIGAR exacerbates obesity by triggering LRRK2-mediated defects in macroautophagy and chaperone-mediated autophagy in adipocytes

Obesity is one of the most common metabolic diseases around the world, which is distinguished by the abnormal buildup of triglycerides within adipose cells. Recent research has revealed that autophagy regulates lipid mobilization to maintain energy balance. TIGAR (Trp53 induced glycolysis regulatory phosphatase) has been identified as a glycolysis inhibitor, whether it plays a role in the metabolism of lipids is unknown. Here, we found that TIGAR transgenic (TIGAR+/+) mice exhibited increased fat mass and trended to obesity phenotype. Non-target metabolomics showed that TIGAR caused the dysregulation of the metabolism profile. The quantitative transcriptome sequencing identified an increased levels of LRRK2 and RAB7B in the adipose tissue of TIGAR+/+ mice. It was confirmed in vitro that TIGAR overexpression increased the levels of LRRK2 by inhibiting polyubiquitination degradation, thereby suppressing macroautophagy and chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) while increasing lipid accumulation which were reversed by the LRRK2 inhibitor DNL201. Furthermore, TIGAR drove LRRK2 to interact with RAB7B for suppressing lysosomal degradation of lipid droplets, while the increased lipid droplets in adipocytes were blocked by the RAB7B inhibitor ML282. Additionally, fat-specific TIGAR knockdown of TIGAR+/+ mice alleviated the symptoms of obesity, and adipose tissues-targeting superiority DNL201 nano-emulsion counteracted the obesity phenotype in TIGAR+/+ mice. In summary, the current results indicated that TIGAR performed a vital function in the lipid metabolism through LRRK2-mediated negative regulation of macroautophagy and CMA in adipocyte. The findings suggest that TIGAR has the potential to serve as a viable therapeutic target for treating obesity and its associated metabolic dysfunction.

Mouse model of Graves' orbitopathy induced by the immunization with TSHR A and IGF-1R α subunit gene

PURPOSE

The study aimed to establish a mouse model of Graves' disease (GD) with Graves' orbitopathy (GO; GD + GO) that can represent the clinical disease characteristics.

METHODS

A eukaryotic expression plasmid of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) α subunit (pcDNA3.1/IGF-1Rα) and a thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) A subunit plasmid (pcDNA3.1/TSHR-289) were injected in female BALB/c mice followed by immediate electroporation to induce a GD + GO model. Grouping was performed according to the frequency of injection (2- to 4-week intervals) and type of injected plasmids: T: pcDNA3.1/TSHR-289( +), I: pcDNA3.1/IGF-1Rα( +), or co-injection T + I: pcDNA3.1/TSHR-289( +) and pcDNA3.1/IGF-1Rα( +). Serum TSH, T4, TSAb, TSBAb, body weight, and blood glucose levels were evaluated. Thyroid 99mTcO4- imaging and retrobulbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed, and bilateral eye muscle volumes were measured. Immunohistochemistry and hematoxylin-eosin staining were performed on the relevant tissues, and semi-quantitative analysis was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 60% of mice (3/5, one mouse died) in the T group developed GD + GO. In the T + I group, 83.3% of mice (5/6) developed GD + GO. Mice in the I group did not develop GD. Compared with the control group, serum T4, TSAb, and TSBAb of the mice in the GD + GO model groups were increased to varying degrees (P < 0.05), and serum TSH and body weight were significantly lower compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The thyroid uptake capacity of 99mTcO4- and the volume of eye muscle of mice in the GD + GO group were significantly higher compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The thyroid and retrobulbar muscles of these mice showed varying inflammatory infiltration and interstitial muscle edema. The severity of GD + GO in the co-injection group was not related to injection frequency; however, GD and ocular signs in co-injection mice were more severe compared to the T group.

CONCLUSIONS

We successfully induced a GD + GO mouse model by a repeated co-injection of pcDNA3.1/IGF-1Rα and pcDNA3.1/TSHR-289 plasmids. Injection of pcDNA3.1/IGF-1Rα alone failed to induce GD. Co-injection of two plasmids induced more severe GD + GO than pcDNA3.1/TSHR-289( +) alone.

Glutathione Induced In situ Synthesis of Cu Single-Atom Nanozymes with Anaerobic Glycolysis Metabolism Interference for Boosting Cuproptosis

Single-atom nanozyme (SAzyme) has sparked increasing interest for catalytic antitumor treatment due to their more tunable and diverse active sites than natural metalloenzymes in complex physiological conditions. However, it is usually a hard task to precisely conduct catalysis at tumor sites after intravenous injection of those SAzyme with high reactivity. Moreover, the explorations of SAzymes in the anticancer application are still in its infancy and need to be developed. Herein, an in situ synthesis strategy for Cu SAzyme was constructed to convert adsorbed copper ions into isolated atoms anchored by oxygen atoms (Cu-O2/Cu-O4) via GSH-responsive deformability of supports. Our results suggest that the in situ activation process could further facilitate the dissociation of copper ions and the consumption of glutathione, thereby leading to copper deposition in cytoplasm and triggering cuproptosis. Moreover, the in situ synthesis of Cu SAzyme with peroxidase-like activity enabled the intracellular reactive oxygen species production, resulting in specifically disturbance of copper metabolism pathway. Meanwhile, the in situ exposed glucose transporter (GLUT) inhibitor phloretin (Ph) can block the glycose uptake to boost cuproptosis efficacy. Overall, this in situ activation strategy effectively diminished the off-target effects of SACs-induced catalytic therapies and introduced a promising treatment paradigm for advancing cuproptosis-associated therapies.

[A randomized controlled trial on the effect of early eschar dermabrasion combined with antimicrobial soft silicone foam dressing in the treatment of deep partial-thickness burn wounds in children]

Objective: To explore the effect of early eschar dermabrasion combined with antimicrobial soft silicone foam dressing (hereinafter referred to as foam dressing) in treating the deep partial-thickness burn wounds in children. Methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial. From June 2021 to December 2022, 78 pediatric patients with deep partial-thickness burns who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Department of Burns in Guiyang Steel Plant Employees Hospital. According to the random number table, the pediatric patients were divided into two groups, with 38 cases left in combined treatment group (with 20 males and 18 females, aged 26.00 (16.75, 39.75) months) and 39 cases in foam dressing group (with 21 males and 18 females, aged 19.00 (14.00, 31.00) months) after the exclusion of one dropped-out child in follow-up. The pediatric patients in combined treatment group underwent eschar dermabrasion of the wound within 48 hours after injury, the wound was covered with foam dressing after operation, and the dressing was replaced once every 7 days; for the pediatric patients in foam dressing group, the wound was sterilized within 48 hours after injury and covered with foam dressing, and the dressing was replaced once every 2 to 3 days. After the wound healing, the children in both groups were routinely applied with silicone gel twice a day for 3 weeks before started wearing elastic sleeves for more than 18 hours a day, and continuously for over than 6 months. The degree of pain during dressing change was evaluated using the children's pain behavior inventory FLACC. The adverse reactions during the treatment period, number of dressing changes, and wound healing time were observed and recorded. Six months after wound healing, the Vancouver scar scale (VSS) was used to evaluate the condition of the wound scar. Results: When changing dressing, the FLACC score for pain of pediatric patients in combined treatment group was 3.5 (2.0, 5.0), which was significantly lower than 6.0 (5.0, 8.0) in foam dressing group (Z=-5.40, P<0.05). During the treatment period, no adverse reactions such as wound edema, fluid accumulation, or peripheral skin rash allergies occurred in any pediatric patient in both groups. The number of dressing changes of pediatric patients in combined treatment group was 3 (3, 4) times, which was significantly less than 8 (7, 10) times in foam dressing group (Z=-7.58, P<0.05). The wound healing time of pediatric patients in combined treatment group was (19±5) days, which was significantly shorter than (25±6) days in foam dressing group (t=-4.48, P<0.05). Six months after wound healing, the VSS score for scar of pediatric patients in combined treatment group was 5 (2, 8), which was significantly lower than 7 (5, 10) in foam dressing group (Z=-3.05, P<0.05). Conclusions: Compared with using foam dressings alone, early eschar dermabrasion combined with foam dressings can reduce the number of dressing changes, alleviate the pain during dressing changes, and shorten the wound healing time in treating children with deep partial-thickness burns, and effectively alleviate scar hyperplasia by combining with anti-scar treatment post burns.

Application of photocrosslinked gelatin, alginate and dextran hydrogels in the in vitro culture of testicular tissue

Testicular tissue culture in vitro is considered an important tool for the study of spermatogenesis and the treatment of male infertility. Although agarose hydrogel is commonly used in testicular tissue culture, the efficiency of spermatogenesis in vitro is limited. In this study, testicular tissues from adult mice were cultured using a gas-liquid interphase method based on agarose (Agarose), gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), alginate methacryloyl (AlgMA), dextran methacryloyl (DexMA), and mixture GelMA-Agarose, AlgMA-Agarose, and DexMA-Agarose hydrogels, respectively, for 32 days in vitro. The integrity of the seminiferous tubules, the density and proportions of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, Sertoli cells, and testosterone concentrations were quantified and compared between groups. Properties of different hydrogels including compression modulus, Fourier Infrared Spectroscopy (FITR) spectra, pore size, water absorption, and water retention were tested to investigate how biochemical and physical properties of hydrogels affect the results of testicular tissue culture. The results indicate that testicular tissues cultured on AlgMA exhibited the highest seminiferous tubule integrity rate (0.835 ± 0.021), the presence of a high density of spermatocytes (2107.627 ± 232.082/mm2), and a high proportion of SOX9-positive well-preserved seminiferous tubules (0.473 ± 0.047) compared to all remaining experimental groups on day 32. This may be due to the high water content of AlgMA reducing the toxic effect of oxygen on testicular tissue. In the later period of culture, testicular tissues cultured on DexMA, not DexMA-Agarose, produced significantly more testosterone (18.093 ± 3.302 ng/mL) than the other groups, suggesting that DexMA is friendly to Leydig cells. Our study provides a new idea for the optimization of the gas-liquid interphase method for achieving in vitro spermatogenesis, facilitating the future achievement of efficient in vitro spermatogenesis in more species, including humans.

Prediction of late recurrence after curative-intent resection using MRI-measured spleen volume in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Late recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver resection is regarded as a de novo tumor primarily related to the severity of underlying liver disease. We aimed to investigate risk factors, especially spleen volume, associated with late recurrence in patients with HCC and cirrhosis.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 301 patients with HCC and cirrhosis who received curative resection and preoperative MRI. Patients were followed for late recurrence for at least 2 years. Spleen volume was automatically measured on MRI with artificial intelligence techniques, and qualitative MRI imaging features reflecting tumor aggressiveness were evaluated. Uni- and multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors and a risk score was developed to predict late recurrence.

RESULTS

Eighty-four (27.9%) patients developed late recurrence during follow-up. Preoperative spleen volume was independently associated with late recurrence, and patients with a volume > 370 cm3 had significantly higher recurrence risk (hazard ratio 2.02, 95%CI 1.31-3.12, p = 0.002). Meanwhile, no qualitative imaging features were associated with late recurrence. A risk score was developed based on the APRI score, spleen volume, and tumor number, which had time-dependent area under the curve ranging from 0.700 to 0.751. The risk score at a cutoff of 0.42 allowed for the identification of two risk categories with distinct risk of late recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative spleen volume on MRI was independently associated with late recurrence after curative-intent resection in patients with HCC and cirrhosis. A risk score was proposed for individualized risk prediction and tailoring of postoperative surveillance strategies.

CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

Spleen volume measured on MRI with the aid of AI techniques was independently predictive of late HCC recurrence after liver resection. A risk score based on spleen volume, APRI score, and tumor number was developed for accurate prediction of late recurrence.

KEY POINTS

• Preoperative spleen volume measured on MRI was independently associated with late recurrence after curative-intent resection in patients with HCC and cirrhosis. • Qualitative MRI features reflecting tumor aggressiveness were not associated with late recurrence. • A risk score based on spleen volume was developed for accurate prediction of late recurrence and risk stratification.

Research Note: Pathogenetic characteristics of avian encephalomyelitis virus in Guangdong and Jiangxi Provinces, China

In recent years, the infection rate of avian encephalomyelitis virus (AEV) infection in chickens has risen significantly, seriously endangering the development of the chicken industry. In order to study the current epidemiological status of AEV in China as well as the genetic and evolutionary patterns of the virus, we conducted a survey and genomic analysis of chicken AEV. The results showed that 46.26% (136/294) of the tissue samples tested (n = 294) were positive for AEV, with the highest positivity rate of 62.24% (61/98) among tissue samples from chickens aged 13 to 18 wk. The complete genomes of 2 representative AEV strains were determined, and the VP1 evolutionary tree results revealed that the 2 representative strains belonged to a novel AEV strain. Multiple alignment analysis showed that the ORF1 genes of the 2 representative strains differed by 82.3 to 99.9% at the amino acid level compared with the reference AEV strain, and the mutations at the key amino acid loci of VP2 and VP3 were the same as those in the chick embryo-adapted strain. The analysis makes up for the molecular epidemiological data and genetic variation of the 2 representative strains. The analysis makes up for the molecular epidemiological data and genetic variation of AEV and provides a basis for further understanding the spread of AEV in China.

NIR-Activatable Heterostructured Nanoadjuvant CoP/NiCoP Executing Lactate Metabolism Interventions for Boosted Photocatalytic Hydrogen Therapy and Photoimmunotherapy

Near-infrared (NIR) laser-induced photoimmunotherapy has aroused great interest due to its intrinsic noninvasiveness and spatiotemporal precision, while immune evasion evoked by lactic acid (LA) accumulation severely limits its clinical outcomes. Although several metabolic interventions have been devoted to ameliorate immunosuppression, intracellular residual LA still remains a potential energy source for oncocyte proliferation. Herein, an immunomodulatory nanoadjuvant based on a yolk-shell CoP/NiCoP (CNCP) heterostructure loaded with the monocarboxylate transporter 4 inhibitor fluvastatin sodium (Flu) is constructed to concurrently relieve immunosuppression and elicit robust antitumor immunity. Under NIR irradiation, CNCP heterojunctions exhibit superior photothermal performance and photocatalytic production of reactive oxygen species and hydrogen. The continuous heat then facilitates Flu release to restrain LA exudation from tumor cells, whereas cumulative LA can be depleted as a hole scavenger to improve photocatalytic efficiency. Subsequently, potentiated photocatalytic therapy can not only initiate systematic immunoreaction, but also provoke severe mitochondrial dysfunction and disrupt the energy supply for heat shock protein synthesis, in turn realizing mild photothermal therapy. Consequently, LA metabolic remodeling endows an intensive cascade treatment with an optimal safety profile to effectually suppress tumor proliferation and metastasis, which offers a new paradigm for the development of metabolism-regulated immunotherapy.

[Retrospective analysis of 350 cases with dissection of lymph nodes posterior to right recurrent laryngeal nerve in endoscopic thyroidectomy through gasless axillary posterior approach]

Objective: To evaluated the safety and feasibility of dissection of lymph nodes posterior to right recurrent laryngeal nerve (ⅥB compartment) in endoscopic thyroidectomy through gasless axillary posterior approach. Methods: A total of 350 cases with right lobe papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) who underwent endoscopic lobectomy, isthmusectomy and central compartment neck dissection via gasless axillary posterior approach based at the Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University from June 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Summarize the clinical, pathological characteristics, and postoperative complications of the patients. SPSS 25.0 was used for statistical analysis of the data. Results: All 350 patients underwent endoscopic surgery successfully, with no conversion to open surgery. There were 303 females and 47 males, with an average age of (36.3±9.2) years. Of those, 287 patients were in pT1a stage, 62 in pT1b stage, and one patient in pT2 stage. There was no T3 or T4 stage patient. The mean numbers of yielded lymph nodes in right central compartment and ⅥB compartment were 8.11±4.65 (range, 1-31) and 2.62±1.86 (range, 1-12), respectively. ⅥB compartment metastasis was detected in 52 (14.86%) of 350 patients. The incidence of transient recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was 0.86%(3/350). Postoperative hematoma occurred in three patients (0.86%). Conclusion: The dissection of ⅥB compartment in endoscopic thyroidectomy through gasless axillary posterior approach is safe and feasible in selected PTC patients.

Probing the electron motion in molecules using forward-scattering photoelectron holography

Charge migration initiated by the coherent superposition of several electronic states is a basic process in intense laser-matter interactions. Observing this process on its intrinsic timescale is one of the central goals of attosecond science. Here, using forward-scattering photoelectron holography we theoretically demonstrate a scheme to probe the charge migration in molecules. In our scheme, by solving the time-dependent Schrödinger equation, the photoelectron momentum distributions (PEMDs) for strong-field tunneling ionization of the molecule are obtained. For a superposition state, it is shown that an intriguing shift of the holographic interference appears in the PEMDs, when the molecule is aligned perpendicularly to the linearly polarized laser field. With the quantum-orbit analysis, we demonstrate that this shift of the interference fringes is caused by the time evolution of the non-stationary superposition state. By analyzing the dependence of the shift on the final parallel momentum of the electrons, the relative phase and the expansion coefficient ratio of the two electronic states involved in the superposition state are determined accurately. Our study provides an efficient method for probing the charge migration in molecules. It will facilitate the application of the forward-scattering photoelectron holography to survey the electronic dynamics in more complex molecules.

Effects of Skeleton Structure of Mesoporous Silica Nanoadjuvants on Cancer Immunotherapy

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have been widely praised as nanoadjuvants in vaccine/tumor immunotherapy thanks to their excellent biocompatibility, easy-to-modify surface, adjustable particle size, and remarkable immuno-enhancing activity. However, the application of MSNs is still greatly limited by some severe challenges including the unclear and complicated relationships of structure and immune effect. Herein, three commonly used MSNs with different skeletons including MSN with tetrasulfide bonds (TMSN), MSN containing ethoxy framework (EMSN), and pure -Si-O-Si- framework of MSN (MSN) are comprehensively compared to study the impact of chemical construction on immune effect. The results fully demonstrate that the three MSNs have great promise in improving cellular immunity for tumor immunotherapy. Moreover, the TMSN performs better than the other two MSNs in antigen loading, cellular uptake, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, lymph node targeting, immune activation, and therapeutic efficiency. The findings provide a new paradigm for revealing the structure-function relationship of mesoporous silica nanoadjuvants, paving the way for their future clinical application.

Identification and functional analysis of circRIPK2 in lipopolysaccharide induced chicken macrophages

1. It was hypothesised that a circular RIPK2 (circRIPK2) highly expressed in chicken macrophages plays an important role during bacterial infection.2. After PCR amplification, Sanger sequencing and RNase R exonuclease treatment of chicken macrophages, it was found that circRIPK2 was a stable circular RNA, which was formed by reverse splicing of exons 4 to 9 of the RIPK2.3. The circRIPK2 can promote the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced cellular injury by reducing cell viability and increasing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis genes.4. Six miRNAs were identified as interacting with circRIPK2, potentially targeting 1,817 genes, which were significantly enriched in the Wnt signalling pathway, adherens junction and NOD-like receptor signalling pathway.5. This study provides better understanding of the function of circRIPK2, which may prove a potential biomarker and indicate potential targets for the treatment of bacterial infection.

Robust tracking control of a flexible manipulator with limited control input based on backstepping and the Nussbaum function

A flexible manipulator is a versatile automated device with a wide range of applications, capable of performing various tasks. However, these manipulators are often vulnerable to external disturbances and face limitations in their ability to control actuators. These factors significantly impact the precision of tracking control in such systems. This study delves into the problem of attitude tracking control for a flexible manipulator under the constraints of control input limitations and the influence of external disturbances. To address these challenges effectively, we first introduce the backstepping method, aiming to achieve precise state tracking and tackle the issue of external disturbances. Additionally, recognizing the constraints posed by control input limitations in the flexible manipulator's actuator control system, we employ a design approach based on the Nussbaum function. This method is designed to overcome these limitations, allowing for more robust control. To validate the effectiveness and disturbance rejection capabilities of the proposed control strategy, we conduct comparative numerical simulations using MATLAB/Simulink. These simulations provide further evidence of the robustness and reliability of the control strategy, even in the presence of external disturbances and control input limitations.

Sodium Citrate Nanoparticles Induce Dual-Path Pyroptosis for Enhanced Antitumor Immunotherapy through Synergistic Ion Overload and Metabolic Disturbance

Metabolic reprogramming, as one of the characteristics of cancer, is associated with tumorigenesis, growth, or migration, and the modulation of metabolic pathways has emerged as a novel approach for cancer therapy. However, the conventional metabolism-mediated apoptosis process in tumor cells exhibits limited immunogenicity and inadequate activation of antitumor immunity. Herein, phospholipid-coated sodium citrate nanoparticles (PSCT NPs) are successfully prepared, which dissolve in tumor cells and then release significant amounts of citrate ions and Na+ ions. Massive quantities of ions lead to increased intracellular osmotic pressure, which activates the caspase-1/gasdermin D (GSDMD) mediated pyroptosis pathway. Simultaneously, citrate induces activation of the caspase-8/gasdermin C (GSDMC) pathway. The combined action of these two pathways synergistically causes intense pyroptosis, exhibiting remarkable antitumor immune responses and tumor growth inhibition. This discovery provides new insight into the potential of nanomaterials in modulating metabolism and altering cell death patterns to enhance antitumor immunotherapy.

cGAS-STING Pathway Activation and Systemic Anti-Tumor Immunity Induction via Photodynamic Nanoparticles with Potent Toxic Platinum DNA Intercalator Against Uveal Melanoma

The cGAS-STING pathway, as a vital innate immune signaling pathway, has attracted considerable attention in tumor immunotherapy research. However, STING agonists are generally incapable of targeting tumors, thus limiting their clinical applications. Here, a photodynamic polymer (P1) is designed to electrostatically couple with 56MESS-a cationic platinum (II) agent-to form NPPDT -56MESS. The accumulation of NPPDT -56MESS in the tumors increases the efficacy and decreases the systemic toxicity of the drugs. Moreover, NPPDT -56MESS generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) under the excitation with an 808 nm laser, which then results in the disintegration of NPPDT -56MESS. Indeed, the ROS and 56MESS act synergistically to damage DNA and mitochondria, leading to a surge of cytoplasmic double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). This way, the cGAS-STING pathway is activated to induce anti-tumor immune responses and ultimately enhance anti-cancer activity. Additionally, the administration of NPPDT -56MESS to mice induces an immune memory effect, thus improving the survival rate of mice. Collectively, these findings indicate that NPPDT -56MESS functions as a chemotherapeutic agent and cGAS-STING pathway agonist, representing a combination chemotherapy and immunotherapy strategy that provides novel modalities for the treatment of uveal melanoma.

Progress in the application of molecular imaging in psychiatric disorders

Psychiatric disorders have always attracted a lot of attention from researchers due to the difficulties in their diagnoses and treatments. Molecular imaging, as an emerging technology, has played an important role in the researchers of various diseases. In recent years, molecular imaging techniques including magnetic resonance spectroscopy, nuclear medicine imaging, and fluorescence imaging have been widely used in the study of psychiatric disorders. This review will briefly summarize the progression of molecular imaging in psychiatric disorders.