Screening of NSAIDs library identifies Tinoridine as a novel ferroptosis inhibitor for potential intervertebral disc degeneration therapy

Low back pain (LBP) may profoundly impact the quality of life across the globe, and intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is the major cause of LBP; however, targeted pharmaceutical interventions for IVDD are still lacking. Ferroptosis is a novel form of iron-dependent programmed cell death. Studies have showed that ferroptosis may closely associate with IVDD; thus, targeting ferroptosis may have great potential for IVDD therapy. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the first-line medications for LBP, while nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) is a key inhibitory protein for ferroptosis. In the current study, we conducted a molecular docking screening between NSAIDs library and Nrf2 protein. Tinoridine was shown to have a high binding affinity to Nrf2. The in vitro study in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells showed that Tinoridine may promote the expression and activity of Nrf2, it may also rescue RSL3-induced ferroptosis in NP cells. Knockdown of Nrf2 reverses the protective effect of Tinoridine on RSL3-induced ferroptosis in NP cells, suggesting that the inhibitory effect of Tinoridine on ferroptosis is through Nrf2. In vivo study demonstrated that Tinoridine may attenuate the progression of IVDD in rats. As NSAIDs are already clinically used for LBP therapy, the current study supports Tinoridine's application from the view of ferroptosis inhibition.

Negative symptoms and neurocognition in drug-naïve schizophrenia: moderating role of plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and interferon-gamma (INF-γ)

Previous studies reported that peripheral inflammation was associated with cognitive performance and brain structure in schizophrenia. However, the moderating effect of inflammation has not been extensively studied. This study investigated whether inflammation markers moderated the association between negative symptoms and neurocognition in schizophrenia. This cross-sectional study included 137 drug-naïve schizophrenia patients (DNS) and 67 healthy controls (HC). We performed the Measurements and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) for cognitive assessment and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) for psychiatric symptoms. Plasma concentrations of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were measured. The MCCB neurocognition score, social cognition score, and total score; the plasma concentrations of NGAL, IFN-γ, and NF-κB were significantly decreased in DNS than in HC (all P's < 0.001). PANSS negative subscale (PNS), PANSS reduced expressive subdomain (RES) negatively correlated with neurocognition score (P = 0.007; P = 0.011, respectively). Plasma concentrations of IFN-γ and NGAL positively correlated with neurocognition score (P = 0.043; P = 0.008, relatively). The interactions of PNS × NGAL; PNS × IFN-γ; RES × IFN-γ accounted for significant neurocognition variance (P = 0.025; P = 0.029, P = 0.007, respectively). Simple slope analysis showed that all the above moderating effects only occurred in patients with near normal IFN-γ and NGAL levels. Plasma concentrations of IFN-γ and NGAL moderated the relationship between negative symptoms (especially RES) and neurocognition in schizophrenia. Treatment targeting inflammation may contribute to neurocognition improvement in schizophrenia.

Species pool and soil properties in mangrove habitats influence the species-immigration process of diazotrophic communities across southern China

Microbial immigration is an ecological process in natural environments; however, the ecological trade-off mechanisms that govern the balance between species extinction and migration are still lacking. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the migration of diazotrophic communities from soil to leaves across six natural mangrove habitats in southern China. The results showed that the diazotrophic alpha and beta diversity exhibited significant regional and locational variations. The diazotrophic species pool gradually increased from the leaves to nonrhizosphere soil at each site, exhibiting a vertical distribution pattern. Mantel test analyses suggested that climate factors, particularly mean annual temperature, significantly influenced the structure of the diazotrophic community. The diazotrophic community assembly was mainly governed by dispersal limitation in soil and root samples, whereas dispersal limitation and ecological drift were dominant in leaves. Partial least squares path modeling revealed that the species pool and soil properties, particularly the oxidation-reduction potential and pH, were closely linked to the species-immigration ratio of diazotrophic communities. Our study provides novel insights for understanding the ecological trait diversity patterns and spread pathways of functional microbial communities between below- and aboveground habitats in natural ecosystems.IMPORTANCEEnvironmental selection plays key roles in microbial transmission. In this study, we have provided a comprehensive framework to elucidate the driving patterns of the ecological trade-offs in diazotrophic communities across large-scale mangrove habitats. Our research revealed that Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Marinobacterium lutimaris, and Agrobacterium tumefaciens were more abundant in root-associated soil than in leaves by internal and external pathways. The nonrhizospheric and rhizospheric soil samples harbored the most core amplicon sequence variants, indicating that these dominant diazotrophs could adapt to broader ecological niches. Correlation analysis indicated that the diversities of the diazotrophic community were regulated by biotic and abiotic factors. Furthermore, this study found a lower species immigration ratio in the soil than in the leaves. Both species pool and soil properties regulate the species-immigration mechanisms of the diazotrophic community. These results suggest that substantial species immigration is a widespread ecological process, leading to alterations in local community diversity across diverse host environments.

Review of the Interfacial Structure and Properties of Surfactants in Petroleum Production and Geological Storage Systems from a Molecular Scale Perspective

Surfactants play a crucial role in tertiary oil recovery by reducing the interfacial tension between immiscible phases, altering surface wettability, and improving foam film stability. Oil reservoirs have high temperatures and high pressures, making it difficult and hazardous to conduct lab experiments. In this context, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is a valuable tool for complementing experiments. It can effectively study the microscopic behaviors (such as diffusion, adsorption, and aggregation) of the surfactant molecules in the pore fluids and predict the thermodynamics and kinetics of these systems with a high degree of accuracy. MD simulation also overcomes the limitations of traditional experiments, which often lack the necessary temporal-spatial resolution. Comparing simulated results with experimental data can provide a comprehensive explanation from a microscopic standpoint. This article reviews the state-of-the-art MD simulations of surfactant adsorption and resulting interfacial properties at gas/oil-water interfaces. Initially, the article discusses interfacial properties and methods for evaluating surfactant-formed monolayers, considering variations in interfacial concentration, molecular structure of the surfactants, and synergistic effect of surfactant mixtures. Then, it covers methods for characterizing microstructure at various interfaces and the evolution process of the monolayers' packing state as a function of interfacial concentration and the surfactants' molecular structure. Next, it examines the interactions between surfactants and the aqueous phase, focusing on headgroup solvation and counterion condensation. Finally, it analyzes the influence of hydrophobic phase molecular composition on interactions between surfactants and the hydrophobic phase. This review deepened our understanding of the micro-level mechanisms of oil displacement by surfactants and is beneficial for screening and designing surfactants for oil field applications.

KLF13 restrains Dll4-muscular Notch2 axis to improve the muscle atrophy

BACKGROUND

Muscle atrophy can cause muscle dysfunction and weakness. Krüppel-like factor 13 (KLF13), a central regulator of cellular energy metabolism, is highly expressed in skeletal muscles and implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases. This study investigated the role of KLF13 in muscle atrophy, which could be a novel therapeutic target.

METHODS

The effects of gene knockdown and pharmacological targeting of KLF13 on skeletal muscle atrophy were investigated using cell-based and animal models. Clofoctol, an antibiotic and KLF13 agonist, was also investigated as a candidate for repurposing. The mechanisms related to skeletal muscle atrophy were assessed by measuring the expression levels and activation statuses of key regulatory pathways and validated using gene knockdown and RNA sequencing.

RESULTS

In a dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy mouse model, the KLF13 knockout group had decreased muscle strength (N) (1.77 ± 0.10 vs. 1.48 ± 0.16, P < 0.01), muscle weight (%) [gastrocnemius (Gas): 76.0 ± 5.69 vs. 60.7 ± 7.23, P < 0.001; tibialis anterior (TA): 75.8 ± 6.21 vs. 67.5 ± 5.01, P < 0.05], and exhaustive running distance (m) (495.5 ± 64.8 vs. 315.5 ± 60.9, P < 0.05) compared with the control group. KLF13 overexpression preserved muscle mass (Gas: 100 ± 6.38 vs. 120 ± 14.4, P < 0.01) and the exhaustive running distance (423.8 ± 59.04 vs. 530.2 ± 77.45, P < 0.05) in an in vivo diabetes-induced skeletal muscle atrophy model. Clofoctol treatment protected against dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy. Myotubes treated with dexamethasone, an atrophy-inducing glucocorticoid, were aggravated by KLF13 knockout, but anti-atrophic effects were achieved by inducing KLF13 overexpression. We performed a transcriptome analysis and luciferase reporter assays to further explore this mechanism, finding that delta-like 4 (Dll4) was a novel target gene of KLF13. The KLF13 transcript repressed Dll4, inhibiting the Dll4-Notch2 axis and preventing muscle atrophy. Dexamethasone inhibited KLF13 expression by inhibiting myogenic differentiation 1 (i.e., MYOD1)-mediated KLF13 transcriptional activation and promoting F-Box and WD repeat domain containing 7 (i.e., FBXW7)-mediated KLF13 ubiquitination.

CONCLUSIONS

This study sheds new light on the mechanisms underlying skeletal muscle atrophy and potential drug targets. KLF13 regulates muscle atrophy and is a potential therapeutic target. Clofoctol is an attractive compound for repurposing studies to treat skeletal muscle atrophy.

Sterile Diet Causes Gut Microbiome Collapse of Cancer Patients Post Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, But Normal Diet Recovers Them

Though sterile diet, post-transplantation surgery is a clinical strategy for patient care to prevent the infiltration of gut pathogens, less is known about its effects on the gut microbiome. Here, the gut microbiome dynamics of leukemia patients following a 120-day "sterile-normal" diet strategy posthematopoietic cell transplantation are examined. In contrast to the traditional idea, a sterile diet leads to the lowest gut microbiota diversity (p < 0.05) and short-chain fatty acids, promoted the proliferation of potential pathogens such as Streptococcus (up by 16.93%) and Lactobacillus (up by 40.30%), and 43.32% reduction in nodes and an 85.33% reduction in edges within the microbial interaction's network. Interestingly, a normal diet allows the gut microbiome recovery and significantly promotes the abundance of beneficial bacteria. These results indicate that a sterile diet leads to a collapse of the patient's gut microbiome and promoted the proliferation of potential pathogens. This assay is a starting point for a more sophisticated assessment of the effects of a sterile diet. The work also suggests a basic principle for the re-establishment of microbial equilibrium that supplementation of microbial taxa may be the key to the restoration of the degraded ecosystem.

Unexpected response of terrestrial carbon sink to rural depopulation in China

China is experiencing large-scale rural-urban migration and rapid urbanization, which have had significant impact on terrestrial carbon sink. However, the impact of rural-urban migration and its accompanying urban expansion on the carbon sink is unclear. Based on multisource remote sensing product data for 2000-2020, the soil microbial respiration equation, relative contribution rate, and threshold analysis, we explored the impact of rural depopulation on the carbon sink and its threshold. The results revealed that the proportion of the rural population in China decreased from 63.91 % in 2000 to 36.11 % in 2020. Human pressure decreased by 1.82% in rural depopulation areas, which promoted vegetation restoration in rural areas (+8.45 %) and increased the carbon sink capacity. The net primary productivity (NPP) and net ecosystem productivity (NEP) of the vegetation in the rural areas increased at rates of 2.95 g C m-2 yr-1 and 2.44 g C m-2 yr-1. Strong rural depopulation enhanced the carbon sequestration potential, and the NEP was 1.5 times higher in areas with sharp rural depopulation than in areas with mild rural depopulation. In addition, the rural depopulation was accompanied by urban expansion, and there was a positive correlation between the comprehensive urbanization level (CUL) and NEP in 75.29 % of urban areas. In the urban areas, the vegetation index increased by 88.42 %, and the urban green space partially compensated for the loss of carbon sink caused by urban expansion, with a growth rate of 4.96 g C m-2 yr-1. Changes in rural population have a nonlinear impact on the NEP. When the rural population exceeds 545.686 people/km2, an increase in the rural population will have a positive impact on the NEP. Our research shows that rural depopulation offers a potential opportunity to restore natural ecosystems and thus increase the carbon sequestration capacity.

Search for Narrow Trijet Resonances in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

The first search for singly produced narrow resonances decaying to three well-separated hadronic jets is presented. The search uses proton-proton collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138  fb^{-1} at sqrt[s]=13  TeV, collected at the CERN LHC. No significant deviations from the background predictions are observed between 1.75 and 9.00 TeV. The results provide the first mass limits on a right-handed boson Z_{R} decaying to three gluons and on an excited quark decaying via a vector boson to three quarks, as well as updated limits on a Kaluza-Klein gluon decaying via a radion to three gluons.

Interpretable Machine Learning Models Based on SHapley Additive exPlanations for Predicting the Risk of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage in Lumbar Fusion Surgery

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this investigation was to formulate and internally verify a customized machine learning (ML) framework for forecasting cerebrospinal fluid leakage (CSFL) in lumbar fusion surgery. This was accomplished by integrating imaging parameters and employing the SHapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) technique to elucidate the interpretability of the model.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Given the increasing incidence and surgical volume of spinal degeneration worldwide, accurate predictions of postoperative complications are urgently needed. SHAP-based interpretable ML models have not been used for CSFL risk factor analysis in lumbar fusion surgery.

METHODS

Clinical and imaging data were retrospectively collected from 3505 patients who underwent lumbar fusion surgery. Six distinct machine learning models were formulated: extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), Gaussian naive Bayes (GaussianNB), and K-nearest neighbors (KNN) models. Evaluation of model performance on the test dataset was performed using performance metrics, and the analysis was executed through the SHAP framework.

RESULTS

CSFL was detected in 95 out of 3505 patients (2.71%). Notably, the XGBoost model exhibited outstanding accuracy in forecasting CSFLs, with high precision (0.9815), recall (0.6667), accuracy (0.8182), F1 score (0.7347), and AUC (0.7343). Additionally, through SHAP analysis, significant predictors of CSFL were identified, including ligamentum flavum thickness, zygapophysial joint degeneration grade, central spinal stenosis grade, decompression segment count, decompression mode, intervertebral height difference, Cobb angle, intervertebral height index difference, operation mode, lumbar segment lordosis angle difference, Meyerding grade of lumbar spondylolisthesis, and revision surgery.

CONCLUSION

The combination of the XGBoost model with the SHAP is an effective tool for predicting the risk of CSFL during lumbar fusion surgery. Its implementation could aid clinicians in making informed decisions, potentially enhancing patient outcomes and lowering healthcare expenses. This study advocates for the adoption of this approach in clinical settings to enhance the evaluation of CSFL risk among patients undergoing lumbar fusion.

Scalable Hypothalamic Arcuate Neuron Differentiation from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Suitable for Modeling Metabolic and Reproductive Disorders

The hypothalamus, composed of several nuclei, is essential for maintaining our body's homeostasis. The arcuate nucleus (ARC), located in the mediobasal hypothalamus, contains neuronal populations with eminent roles in energy and glucose homeostasis as well as reproduction. These neuronal populations are of great interest for translational research. To fulfill this promise, we used a robotic cell culture platform to provide a scalable and chemically defined approach for differentiating human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), somatostatin (SST), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neuronal subpopulations with an ARC-like signature. This robust approach is reproducible across several distinct hPSC lines and exhibits a stepwise induction of key ventral diencephalon and ARC markers in transcriptomic profiling experiments. This is further corroborated by direct comparison to human fetal hypothalamus, and the enriched expression of genes implicated in obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Genome-wide chromatin accessibility profiling by ATAC-seq identified accessible regulatory regions that can be utilized to predict candidate enhancers related to metabolic disorders and hypothalamic development. In depth molecular, cellular, and functional experiments unveiled the responsiveness of the hPSC-derived hypothalamic neurons to hormonal stimuli, such as insulin, neuropeptides including kisspeptin, and incretin mimetic drugs such as Exendin-4, highlighting their potential utility as physiologically relevant cellular models for disease studies. In addition, differential glucose and insulin treatments uncovered adaptability within the generated ARC neurons in the dynamic regulation of POMC and insulin receptors. In summary, the establishment of this model represents a novel, chemically defined, and scalable platform for manufacturing large numbers of hypothalamic arcuate neurons and serves as a valuable resource for modeling metabolic and reproductive disorders.

Multiply robust estimation of marginal structural models in observational studies subject to covariate-driven observations

Electronic health records and other sources of observational data are increasingly used for drawing causal inferences. The estimation of a causal effect using these data not meant for research purposes is subject to confounding and irregularly-spaced covariate-driven observation times affecting the inference. A doubly-weighted estimator accounting for these features has previously been proposed that relies on the correct specification of two nuisance models used for the weights. In this work, we propose a novel consistent multiply robust estimator and demonstrate analytically and in comprehensive simulation studies that it is more flexible and more efficient than the only alternative estimator proposed for the same setting. It is further applied to data from the Add Health study in the United States to estimate the causal effect of therapy counseling on alcohol consumption in American adolescents.

Utility of an Externalized Temporary Transvenous Implantable Cardioverter-defibrillator System in the Setting of Ventricular Tachycardia Storm and Concurrent Device Infection Requiring Extraction

With the expanding use of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) therapy, intravascular device infections are becoming more common. In the case of transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) infections requiring extraction for bacterial clearance, there remains no standard method to deliver temporary ICD therapy following device removal. We present a case of persistent bacteremia complicated by monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) electrical storm where biventricular ICD system extraction was performed and a temporary transvenous dual-coil lead with an externalized ICD generator was used to treat VT episodes prior to the re-implantation of a new permanent system. This case demonstrates the utility of a temporary externalized transvenous ICD system in the successful detection and pace-termination of VT, thereby reducing episodes of painful and potentially harmful external defibrillator shocks during the treatment of CIED infection.

Spherical fluorinated covalent organic polymer for highly efficient and selective extraction of fipronil and its metabolites in soil

Covalent organic polymers (COPs) have garnered considerable attention as promising adsorbents of online solid phase extraction (online SPE). Morphology modulation provides an appealing solution to enhance adsorption efficiency and reduce back-pressure in the absorbent. However, the synthesis of COPs with regular geometric shapes and specific adsorption selectivity remains challenging. In this study, a uniform spherical fluorinated COP (F-sCOP, average diameter: 2.14 μm) was successfully synthesized by Schiff base reaction of 1,3,5-triformylphoroglucinol (TP) and 2,2'-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzidine (TFMB). The F-sCOP had a large surface area (BET: 346.2 m2 g-1), remarkable enrichment capacity (enrichment factors: 186-782), high selectivity toward fipronil and its metabolites (adsorption efficiency >93.1%), and admirable service life (>60 times). Based on the adsorbent, a novel μ-matrix cartridge extraction-online-μ-solid phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (μ-MCE-online-μ-SPE-HPLC-MS) method was constructed and used to track trace fipronil and its metabolites in soil. The proposed method exhibited a wide linear range (0.05-1000 ng g-1), low quantitation limits (LOQs: 0.0027-0.011 ng g-1), high recoveries (90.1-119.6%) and good repeatability (RSD ≤10.5%, n = 3) for fipronil analysis. This study paves the way for pesticide analysis in soil risk assessment.

The global distribution of oral and maxillofacial surgeons: a mixed-methods study

Despite its role in treating the most dominant non-communicable diseases worldwide, the global workforce of oral and maxillofacial (OM) surgeons is not well-characterized. To address the current deficit in understanding of the global OM surgeon workforce and to elevate oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) in the global health discourse, we join other surgical specialties in evaluating global surgical capacity with a descriptive analysis of the distribution of OM surgeons worldwide. A mixed-methods study was implemented using a combination of literature review, in-country contacts, internet searches, and survey data. The survey was distributed globally from January to June 2022. Data regarding OM surgeon workforce estimates were obtained for 104 of 195 United Nations-recognized countries (53.3%). Among countries with available estimates, the median global workforce density was 0.518 OM surgeons per 100,000 population. Twenty-eight countries (26.9%) were reported to have two or fewer OM surgeons. The median OM surgeon workforce density for low-income countries was 0.015 surgeons per 100,000 population, compared to 1.087 surgeons per 100,000 population in high-income countries. low and middle-income countries countries have the least workforce density as well as the least data coverage. More work is needed to better understand the capacity of the global OM surgeon workforce and access to OMS care.

High-finesse nanofiber Fabry-Pérot resonator in a portable storage container

We present characterization and storage methods for a high-finesse nanofiber Fabry-Pérot resonator. Reflection spectroscopy from both ends of the resonator allows for the evaluation of the mirror transmittances and optical loss inside the resonator. To maintain the quality of the nanofiber resonator after the fabrication, we have developed a portable storage container. By filling the container with dry, clean nitrogen gas, we can prevent contamination of the nanofiber during storage. This approach allows us to minimize the additional optical loss to less than 0.08% over a week. The portable container facilitates both the fabrication and subsequent experimentation with the resonator in different locations. This flexibility expands the range of applications, including quantum optics, communication, and sensing.

Scutellarein alleviates osteoarthritis progression through the PI3K/Akt/NF-kappaB signaling pathway: In vitro and in vivo studies

Osteoarthritis (OA), a joint disease that is associated with inflammatory processes is involved in joint destruction. Scutellarein (Scu), a component of the medicinal herbs Scutellaria barbata D. Don and Erigeron breviscapus (vant) Hand Mass, has anti-inflammatory effects. We explored the role of Scu in the development of OA and the underlying mechanisms. CCK-8 assays, Calcein-AM/PI and EdU staining were used to determine chondrocyte viability after Scu exposure. Western blot, qPCR, as well as ELISA were utilized to measure extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and inflammation. Immunofluorescence (IF), western blot and luciferase assays were used to examine the NF-kappaB (NF-κB) pathway. Scu interacting proteins were predicted using network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking. X-ray, H&E, Safranin O-Fast Green(S-O), toluidine blue, and immunohistochemistry analysis were used to examine the therapeutic effects of Scu in OA using destabilization of medial meniscus (DMM) models. Scu demonstrated inhibitory effects on ECM degradation and pro-inflammatory factor levels in chondrocytes treated with IL-1β. Mechanistically, Scu inhibited the IL-1β-induced activation of the PI3K/Akt/ NF-κB signaling pathway cascades. Furthermore, Scu has been shown to have significant binding capacities to PI3K. Additionally, Scu ameliorated the OA progression in DMM models. Our findings suggest that Scu may contribute to the amelioration of OA progression by targeting the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway, implying Scu possesses promising therapeutic potential for the treatment of OA.

Targeting Wavefront Discontinuity Lines for Scar-Related Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation: A Novel Functional Substrate Ablation Approach

BACKGROUND

The boundaries of critical isthmuses for re-entrant ventricular tachycardia (VT) are formed by wavefront discontinuities (fixed lines of block, slow propagation, and rotational propagation) seen during baseline rhythm. It is unknown whether wavefront discontinuities can be automatically identified and targeted for ablation using electroanatomic mapping systems.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to assess the electrophysiologic characteristics of automatically projected wavefront discontinuity lines (WADLs) and outcomes of an ablation strategy targeting WADLs in a mixed cohort of VT patients.

METHODS

Late activation substrate maps were analyzed from 1 or more baseline rhythm wavefronts. WADLs were identified using the Carto Extended Early Meets Late module. Number, total length, and distance to critical VT sites were measured. VT recurrence and VT-free survival were followed.

RESULTS

In total, 49 patients underwent 52 ablations with 71 unique substrate maps analyzed (18.8% epicardial; 62.0% right ventricular paced, 28.2% sinus rhythm, 9.9% left ventricular paced). A total of 28 VT critical sites were identified in 24 patients. WADLs were present in 49 of 71 (69.0%) maps. WADLs were present regardless of cardiomyopathy etiology, mapping wavefront, or surface. At a WADL threshold of 30%, 73.9% of critical VT sites were in close proximity (≤15 mm) to a WADL. VT-free survival was 62% at 1 year, with a competing risk model estimating a 1-year risk of VT recurrence of 23%.

CONCLUSIONS

WADLs can be automatically projected in a majority of patients in a mixed cohort of cardiomyopathy etiology, mapped wavefronts, and myocardial surfaces mapped. Targeting WADLs results in low rate of VT recurrence at 1 year.

Propensity score matching for estimating a marginal hazard ratio

Propensity score matching is commonly used to draw causal inference from observational survival data. However, its asymptotic properties have yet to be established, and variance estimation is still open to debate. We derive the statistical properties of the propensity score matching estimator of the marginal causal hazard ratio based on matching with replacement and a fixed number of matches. We also propose a double-resampling technique for variance estimation that takes into account the uncertainty due to propensity score estimation prior to matching.

Rupture of thin liquid trilayer films with soluble surfactants: fundamentals and applications to droplet coalescence

Understanding the stability of thin liquid trilayer films is of direct relevance to applications such as multilayer coatings and polymer processing. The stability of trilayer films can also be used to provide insights into emulsion dynamics, such as the rupture of the thin film formed between two droplets during coalescence. Often, emulsions are laden with surfactants and other additives, which can be present in one or both phases as well as at the interfaces between the liquids. In experimental studies, complicating factors such as variations in droplet sizes, curvatures, and collision processes make it difficult to specifically isolate the influence of surfactant transport on droplet coalescence and film rupture. The present work addresses this issue by systematic consideration of a model problem involving a thin liquid trilayer film. Surfactant is soluble in either the outer layers or the inner layer, corresponding to surfactant soluble in the droplets or the continuous phase. Rupture of the inner layer is driven by van der Waals forces. Lubrication theory is applied to derive coupled nonlinear evolution equations describing the perturbations to the interface positions and the surfactant concentrations. Our findings reveal that surfactant better stabilizes the film when soluble in the inner layer, and the stabilizing effect is more pronounced when the outer layers are thicker. These findings are consistent with experimental observations involving emulsions, where emulsions tend to be more stable when surfactant is in the continuous phase rather than in the droplets, with the distinction being more pronounced when droplets are larger.

Metabolomics Reveals the Impact of Overexpression of Cytosolic Fructose-1,6-Bisphosphatase on Photosynthesis and Growth in Nannochloropsis gaditana

Nannochloropsis gaditana, a microalga known for its photosynthetic efficiency, serves as a cell factory, producing valuable biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, and pigments. These components make it an ideal candidate for biofuel production and pharmaceutical applications. In this study, we genetically engineered N. gaditana to overexpress the enzyme fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (cyFBPase) using the Hsp promoter, aiming to enhance sugar metabolism and biomass accumulation. The modified algal strain, termed NgFBP, exhibited a 1.34-fold increase in cyFBPase activity under photoautotrophic conditions. This modification led to a doubling of biomass production and an increase in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) content in fatty acids to 20.78-23.08%. Additionally, the genetic alteration activated the pathways related to glycine, protoporphyrin, thioglucosides, pantothenic acid, CoA, and glycerophospholipids. This shift in carbon allocation towards chloroplast development significantly enhanced photosynthesis and growth. The outcomes of this study not only improve our understanding of photosynthesis and carbon allocation in N. gaditana but also suggest new biotechnological methods to optimize biomass yield and compound production in microalgae.

[Application of the CRISPR/Cas system in gene editing and nucleic acid detection of parasitic diseases: a review]

CRISPR/Cas system, an adaptive immune system with clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, may interfere with exogenous nucleic acids and protect prokaryotes from external damages, is an effective gene editing and nucleic acid detection tools. The CRISPR/Cas system has been widely applied in virology and bacteriology; however, there is relatively less knowledge about the application of the CRISPR/Cas system in parasitic diseases. The review summarizes the mechanisms of action of the CRISPR/Cas system and provides a comprehensive overview of their application in gene editing and nucleic acid detection of parasitic diseases, so as to provide insights into future studies on parasitic diseases.

Exploring the mechanism of Scleromitrion diffusum (Willd.) in treating lung cancer based on network pharmacology and experimental validation

This study aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which the effective components of Scleromitrion diffusum (Willd.) (SDW) treat lung cancer, using network pharmacology, in vitro cell experiments, and molecular docking methods. Network pharmacology techniques were employed to construct a network of SDW components, lung cancer targets, and signaling pathways. A proteinprotein interaction (P P I) network was built for target genes, identifying core gene targets. Signaling pathway and biological process analyses were conducted. MT T assays measured cell viability, and Western blot analysis assessed the impact of core protein targets and key pathway proteins on the stemness of three lung cancer cell lines. Molecular docking was performed to link SDW components with core proteins and key pathway targets related to lung cancer. SDW was found to target 88 genes and 5 active components (2-methoxy-3-methyl-9-10-anthraquinone, stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol, quercetin, and poriferasterol) relevant to lung cancer treatment. The P I3K/Akt and MEK/ERK pathways were identified as major signaling pathways. Extracts from SDW roots significantly inhibited the proliferation of three lung cancer cell lines (A549, HCC827, and NCIH-1395), primarily via P I3K/Akt and MEK/ERK pathways, significantly reducing the expression of p-Akt and p-Erk1/2 and slightly inhibiting caspase-9, p-P I3K, and EGFR expression. Molecular docking confirmed the strong binding activities of SDW components with lung cancer-related core proteins and key pathway targets. SDW may regulate apoptosis and proliferation in lung cancer treatment through P I3K-Akt and MAP K/ERK signaling pathways. The combination of network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of SDW in lung cancer therapy.

Predictors of futile recanalization after endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke

OBJECTIVE

Endovascular therapy (EVT) is the most successful treatment for patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the anterior circulation. However, futile recanalization (FR) seriously affects the prognosis of these patients. The aim of this study was to investigate predictors of FR after EVT in patients with AIS.

METHOD

Patients diagnosed with AIS due to anterior circulation LVO and receiving EVT between June 2020 and October 2022 were prospectively enrolled. FR after EVT was defined as a poor 90-day prognosis (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score ≥ 3) despite achieving successful reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction [mTICI] classification of 2b-3). All included patients were categorized into control group (mRS score < 3) and FR group (mRS score ≥ 3). Demographic characteristics, comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, smoking, etc.), stroke-specific data (NIHSS score, ASPECT score and site of occlusion), procedure data (treatment type [direct thrombectomy vs. bridging thrombectomy], degree of vascular recanalization [mTICI], procedure duration time and onset-recanalization time), laboratory indicators (lymphocytes count, neutrophils count, monocytes count, C-reactive protein, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio [NLR], monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio [MHR], lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio [LMR], lymphocyte-to-C-reactive protein ratio [LCR], lymphocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio[LHR], total cholesterol and triglycerides.) were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to explore independent predictors of FR after EVT.

RESULTS

A total of 196 patients were included in this study, among which 57 patients were included in the control group and 139 patients were included in the FR group. Age, proportion of patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus, median NIHSS score, CRP level, procedure duration time, neutrophil count and NLR were higher in the FR group than in the control group. Lymphocyte count, LMR, and LCR were lower in the FR group than in the control group. There were no significant differences in platelet count, monocytes count, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, gender, smoking, atrial fibrillation, percentage of occluded sites, onset-recanalization time, ASPECT score and type of treatment between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that NLR was independently associated with FR after EVT (OR = 1.37, 95%CI = 1.005-1.86, P = 0.046).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that high NLR was associated with a risk of FR in patients with AIS due to anterior circulation LVO. These findings may help clinicians determine which patients with AIS are at higher risk of FR after EVT. Our study can provide a theoretical basis for interventions in the aforementioned population.

Distributional imputation for the analysis of censored recurrent events

Longitudinal clinical trials for which recurrent events endpoints are of interest are commonly subject to missing event data. Primary analyses in such trials are often performed assuming events are missing at random, and sensitivity analyses are necessary to assess robustness of primary analysis conclusions to missing data assumptions. Control-based imputation is an attractive approach in superiority trials for imposing conservative assumptions on how data may be missing not at random. A popular approach to implementing control-based assumptions for recurrent events is multiple imputation (MI), but Rubin's variance estimator is often biased for the true sampling variability of the point estimator in the control-based setting. We propose distributional imputation (DI) with corresponding wild bootstrap variance estimation procedure for control-based sensitivity analyses of recurrent events. We apply control-based DI to a type I diabetes trial. In the application and simulation studies, DI produced more reasonable standard error estimates than MI with Rubin's combining rules in control-based sensitivity analyses of recurrent events.