Copeptin associates with major adverse cardiovascular events in patients on maintenance hemodialysis

BACKGROUND

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) necessitating hemodialysis pose substantial cardiovascular risks, with cardiovascular disease (CVD) as a leading cause of mortality. Biomarkers like copeptin have emerged as potential indicators of cardiovascular stress and prognosis in CKD populations.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the prognostic value of copeptin in predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) among hemodialysis patients, alongside traditional cardiac biomarkers.

METHODS

ESRD patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis were enrolled. Copeptin levels were measured, and patients were followed for MACEs, defined as cardiovascular deaths, myocardial infarction, stroke, or heart failure-related hospitalizations. Cox proportional-hazards models were used to evaluate the association between copeptin and outcomes, adjusting for relevant covariates.

RESULTS

Among 351 patients followed for a median of 22.7 months, elevated copeptin levels were significantly associated with an increased risk of MACEs (HR 1.519, 95 % CI 1.140 to 2.023; p = 0.00425). Copeptin demonstrated predictive capability across multiple statistical tests (Log-rank p = 0.024; Gehan p < 0.001; Tarone-Ware p < 0.001; Peto-Peto p = 0.027), although significance was attenuated in pairwise comparisons post-adjustment for multiple testing. Combining copeptin with NT-proBNP or hs-cTnT further enhanced risk stratification for MACEs.

CONCLUSION

Elevated copeptin levels independently predict adverse cardiovascular outcomes in hemodialysis patients. Integrating copeptin with traditional cardiac biomarkers may refine risk stratification and guide personalized therapeutic strategies in this high-risk population.

Pirarubicin combined with TLR3 or TLR4 agonists enhances anti-tumor efficiency

BACKGROUND

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is prone to relapse due to the lack of effective therapeutic targets. Macrophages are the most abundant immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of breast cancer. Targeting the cross-talk between macrophages and cancer cells provides a more efficient strategy for anti-tumor therapy. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are important players involved in macrophage activation, and TLR agonists are known to play roles in cancer therapy. However, the combination strategy of TLR agonists with chemotherapy drugs is still not well characterized.

METHODS

RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of TLRs. The communication between breast cancer cells and macrophages were determined by co-culture in vitro. Tumor cells proliferation and migration were investigated by MTT assay and scratch wound assay. The effects of drug combinations and toxic side effects were assessed by immunohistochemistry and Hematoxylin & Eosin staining.

RESULTS

Expression of TLR3 and TLR4 were lower in breast tumor tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. Patients with higher TLR3 or TLR4 expression levels had a better prognosis than those with lower expression levels. TLR3/4 expression was significantly inhibited when breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 and E0771 were conditioned-cultured with macrophages in vitro and was also inhibited by pirarubicin (THP). However, the combination of TLR agonists and THP could reverse this response and inhibit the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells. Additionally, this combination significantly reduced the tumor volume and weight in the murine model, increased the expression of TLR3/4 in mouse breast tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide new ideas for the combination strategy of THP with TLR agonists which improves prognosis of breast cancer.

A novel strategy for predicting the efficacy of temozolomide treatment for metastatic pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas

BACKGROUND

There are few studies on the efficacy of temozolomide (TMZ) in the treatment of Metastatic pheochromocytoma / paraganglioma (MPP) patients. And it remains unclear which MPP patients may benefit from TMZ treatment.

METHODS

This was a prospective study. MPP patients were enrolled. Patients were treated with TMZ until disease progression or intolerable toxicities. The primary endpoints were disease control rate (DCR) and objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included biochemical response rate progression-free survival (PFS) and safety. We compared the difference between effective and ineffective groups, to explore which patients are more suitable for TMZ treatment.

RESULTS

62 patients with MPP were enrolled and tumor response were evaluated in 54 patients. The DCR was 83% (35/42), and the ORR was 24% (10/41) among the progressive patients. PFS was 25.2 ± 3.1 months. The most common adverse event was nausea (41/55). We found that 92.9% (13/14) of patients with MGMT methylation greater than 7% respond to treatment. For the patients with MGMT methylation less than 7%, Ki-67 index could be used to guide the use of TMZ in these patients. Among the patients with Ki-67 index less than 5%, 66% (8/12) patients showed respond to treatment, and only 33% (4/12) patients with Ki-67 index more than 5% showed respond to TMZ.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated that TMZ is a potential choice for the treatment of MPP with the high ability on disease control and well tolerability. We recommended to MGMT methylation analysis test and Ki-67 index to guide TMZ application.

The complexity of glucose time series is associated with short- and long-term mortality in critically ill adults: a multi-center, prospective, observational study

BACKGROUND

The wealth of data taken from continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) remains to be fully used. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between a promising new CGM metric, complexity of glucose time series index (CGI), and mortality in critically ill patients.

METHODS

A total of 293 patients admitted to mixed medical/surgical intensive care units from 5 medical centers in Shanghai were prospectively included between May 2020 and November 2021. CGI was assessed using intermittently scanned CGM, with a median monitoring period of 12.0 days. Outcome measures included short- and long-term mortality.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up period of 1.7 years, a total of 139 (47.4%) deaths were identified, of which 73 (24.9%) occurred within the first 30 days after ICU admission, and 103 (35.2%) within 90 days. The multivariable-adjusted HRs for 30-day mortality across ascending tertiles of CGI were 1.00 (reference), 0.68 (95% CI 0.38-1.22) and 0.36 (95% CI 0.19-0.70), respectively. For per 1-SD increase in CGI, the risk of 30-day mortality was decreased by 51% (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.35-0.69). Further adjustment for HbA1c, mean glucose during hospitalization and glucose variability partially attenuated these associations, although the link between CGI and 30-day mortality remained significant (per 1-SD increase: HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.40-0.83). Similar results were observed when 90-day mortality was considered as the outcome. Furthermore, CGI was also significantly and independently associated with long-term mortality (per 1-SD increase: HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.61-0.97).

CONCLUSIONS

In critically ill patients, CGI is significantly associated with short- and long-term mortality.

HYPOXIA induces lncRNA HOTAIR for recruiting RELA in papillary thyroid cancer cells to upregulate miR-181a and promote angiogenesis

BACKGROUND

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is one of the most common subtypes of thyroid carcinoma. Exosomal miR-181a plays an important role in the development of PTC. This study examined the regulatory mechanism of miR-181a under conditions of hypoxia and its impact on angiogenesis.

METHODS

A ribonucleoprotein immunoprecipitation (RIP) experiment was conducted to verify the interaction between HOTAIR and RELA. The relationship between RELA and the miR-181a promoter was detected by ChIP-qPCR. Short hairpin (sh) RNA was designed to knock down HOTAIR in TPC cells. The underlying mechanism of miR-181a was verified by use of dual-luciferase assays and rescue experiments. The regulatory effect of GATA6 on angiogenesis was studied using CCK8, EdU, Transwell, and western blot assays.

RESULTS

A RIP assay showed that HOTAIR could bind to RELA under hypoxic conditions. ChIP-qPCR and dual luciferase assays showed RELA could interact with the miR181a promoter and upregulate miR-181a. Knockdown of HOTAIR downregulated miR-181a in TPC-1 cells, and the downregulation could be rescued by RELA overexpression. MiR-181a downregulated GATA6 in HUVEC cells. Overexpression of GATA6 inhibited HUVEC proliferation, migration, tube formation, and EGFR expression. Exosomal miR-181a promoted angiogenesis by downregulating GATA6 expression.

CONCLUSION

HOTAIR activated RELA to upregulate miR-181a during hypoxia. Exosomal miR-181a promotes tumor angiogenesis by downregulating GATA6.

Correlation of serum DKK1 level with skeletal phenotype in children with osteogenesis imperfecta

PURPOSE

We aim to detect serum DKK1 level of pediatric patients with OI and to analyze its relationship with the genotype and phenotype of OI patients.

METHODS

A cohort of pediatric OI patients and age-matched healthy children were enrolled. Serum levels of DKK1 and bone turnover biomarkers were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Pathogenic mutations of OI were detected by next-generation sequencing and confirmed by Sanger sequencing.

RESULTS

A total of 62 OI children with mean age of 9.50 (4.86, 12.00) years and 29 healthy children were included in this study. The serum DKK1 concentration in OI children was significantly higher than that in healthy children [5.20 (4.54, 6.32) and 4.08 (3.59, 4.92) ng/mL, P < 0.001]. The serum DKK1 concentration in OI children was negatively correlated with height (r = - 0.282), height Z score (r = - 0.292), ALP concentration (r = - 0.304), lumbar BMD (r = - 0.276), BMD Z score of the lumbar spine and femoral neck (r = - 0.32; r = - 0.27) (all P < 0.05). No significant difference in serum DKK1 concentration was found between OI patients with and without vertebral compression fractures. In patients with spinal deformity (22/62), serum DKK1 concentration was positively correlated with SDI (r = 0.480, P < 0.05). No significant correlation was observed between serum DKK1 concentration and the annual incidence of peripheral fractures, genotype and types of collagen changes in OI children.

CONCLUSION

The serum DKK1 level was not only significantly elevated in OI children, but also closely correlated to their skeletal phenotype, suggesting that DKK1 may become a new biomarker and a potential therapeutic target of OI.

Extracorporeal photopheresis vs. systemic immunosuppression for immune-related adverse events: Interim analysis of a prospective two-arm study

BACKGROUND

Checkpoint inhibitor-induced steroid-refractory (sr) and steroid-dependent (sd) immune-related adverse events (irAE) account for about 11 % of irAE. Although these patients face worse outcomes due to irAE mortality and/or sustained immunosuppression, which impairs anti-tumor response, there is no established second-line treatment based on prospective trial data.

METHODS

This prospective comparative study investigates outcomes of extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP), an immunomodulating therapy, versus second-line immunosuppressants (SLI) in sr/sd-irAE. The primary endpoint was longitudinal change in immunophenotype; secondary endpoints were outcome of irAE and tumor response. Patient demographics, quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30; global health status (GHS/QoL)) and longitudinal blood samples were analyzed at baseline; in weeks 1, 4, 8, and 12.

RESULTS

At interim analysis, 21 patients (11 ECP, 10 SLI) with 7 different sr/sd-irAE were included. Compared with the SLI group, the ECP group demonstrated a higher clinical response rate of irAE (93 % vs. 80 %; 95 % CI 0.83-1.92; P = 0.54) and a better GHS/QoL score throughout all follow-up visits. ECP patients showed a numerically higher overall survival (23 vs. 12 months; 95 % CI 0.02-3.02; P = 0.27) and lower cancer progression rates (33 % vs. 67 %; 95 % CI 0.09-1.60; P = 0.52). Immunophenotyping revealed changes in immune cell populations and the regulation of immune checkpoints. There were no significant safety issues in either treatment group.

CONCLUSION

This prospective comparative study supports the clinical efficacy of ECP in the treatment of sr/sd-irAE in comparison to the SLI cohort. Thus, ECP represents a potential treatment option for this indication, given its good safety profile while maintaining anti-tumor response.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05700565, https://classic.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov/ct2/show/NCT05700565.

[Severe cardiotoxic characteristics associated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation preconditioning in patients with aplastic anemia]

Objective: To delineate the clinical characteristics and outcomes associated with severe cardiac toxicity during the preconditioning phase of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in patients with aplastic anemia (AA). Methods: This retrospective case series study included 31 patients with severe AA who underwent allo-HSCT and were diagnosed with severe cardiac toxicity at the Hematology Department of Peking University People's Hospital from August 2012 to June 2022. The clinical manifestations of severe cardiac toxicity observed during the preconditioning process were assessed. Patient survival was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: In this cohort of 31 patients, the median follow-up period was 9 days (range: 4-365 days). Severe cardiac toxicity manifested within 6 days after the initial cyclophosphamide (Cy) administration. Twenty patients died within 30 days of initiating Cy preconditioning, of which 16 patients died due to severe cardiac toxicity within 25 days. Patients whose cardiac function improved within 30 days post-preconditioning showed a median survival duration of 222 days (n=11). Troponin I (TNI) levels in patients who died within 30 days of initiating Cy preconditioning began increasing on day 5 post-Cy, peaking sharply by day 9 after a notable rise on day 8. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in patients who died within 30 days of initiating Cy preconditioning started to rise from day 1, stabilized between days 2 and 5, and then doubled daily from days 6 to 8, remaining elevated thereafter. Notably, the initial increases in BNP and TNI correlated with electrocardiogram (ECG) signs of low voltage and T-wave inversion in 83.87% of cases (n=26). Most patients (n=28, 90.32%) were administered corticosteroid therapy. In those with restored cardiac function, the ejection fraction returned to >50% within 30 days of initiating Cy preconditioning. Conclusions: Patients with severe cardiac toxicity during the preconditioning phase of allo-HSCT typically exhibit early, sustained, and marked elevations in myocardial damage markers, including BNP and TNI, accompanied by ECG abnormalities following Cy administration, with BNP often increasing first. These indicators are associated with rapid disease progression and high mortality. Prompt initiation of treatment upon clinical diagnosis is critical for improving survival outcomes.

Kraeva A, Kravtsov P, Kumar L, Labonte MC, Lacey R, Landgraf JM, Lebedev A, Lednicky R, Lee JH, Leung YH, Li C, Li D, Li HS, Li H, Li W, Li X, Li Y, Li Y, Li Z, Liang X, Liang Y, Lin T, Lin Y, Liu C, Liu G, Liu H, Liu L, Liu T, Liu X, Liu Y, Liu Z, Ljubicic T, Lomicky O, Longacre RS, Loyd EM, Lu T, Luo J, Luo XF, Luong VB, Ma L, Ma R, Ma YG, Magdy N, Manikandhan R, Margetis S, Matonoha O, McNamara G, Mezhanska O, Mi K, Minaev NG, Mohanty B, Mondal B, Mondal MM, Mooney I, Morozov DA, Mudrokh A, Nagy MI, Nain AS, Nam JD, Nasim M, Nedorezov E, Neff D, Nelson JM, Nie M, Nigmatkulov G, Niida T, Nogach LV, Nonaka T, Odyniec G, Ogawa A, Oh S, Okorokov VA, Okubo K, Page BS, Pal S, Pandav A, Panday A, Panebratsev Y, Pani T, Parfenov P, Paul A, Perkins C, Pokhrel BR, Posik M, Povarov A, Protzman T, Pruthi NK, Putschke J, Qin Z, Qiu H, Racz C, Radhakrishnan SK, Rana A, Ray RL, Robertson CW, Rogachevsky OV, Rosales Aguilar MA, Roy D, Ruan L, Sahoo AK, Sahoo NR, Sako H, Salur S, Samigullin E, Sato S, Schaefer BC, Schmidke WB, Schmitz N, Seger J, Seto R, Seyboth P, Shah N, Shahaliev E, Shanmuganathan PV, Shao T, Sharma M, Sharma N, Sharma R, Sharma SR, Sheikh AI, Shen D, Shen DY, Shen K, Shi SS, Shi Y, Shou QY, Si F, Singh J, Singha S, Sinha P, Skoby MJ, Söhngen Y, Song Y, Srivastava B, Stanislaus TDS, Stewart DJ, Strikhanov M, Su Y, Sun C, Sun X, Sun Y, Sun Y, Surrow B, Svirida DN, Sweger ZW, Tamis AC, Tang AH, Tang Z, Taranenko A, Tarnowsky T, Thomas JH, Tlusty D, Todoroki T, Tokarev MV, Trentalange S, Tribedy P, Tsai OD, Tsang CY, Tu Z, Tyler J, Ullrich T, Underwood DG, Upsal I, Van Buren G, Vasiliev AN, Verkest V, Videbæk F, Vokal S, Voloshin SA, Wang G, Wang JS, Wang J, Wang K, Wang X, Wang Y, Wang Y, Wang Y, Wang Z, Webb JC, Weidenkaff PC, Westfall GD, Wieman H, Wilks G, Wissink SW, Wu J, Wu J, Wu X, Wu X, Xi B, Xiao ZG, Xie G, Xie W, Xu H, Xu N, Xu QH, Xu Y, Xu Y, Xu Z, Xu Z, Yan G, Yan Z, Yang C, Yang Q, Yang S, Yang Y, Ye Z, Ye Z, Yi L, Yu Y, Zha W, Zhang C, Zhang D, Zhang J, Zhang S, Zhang W, Zhang X, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Zhang ZJ, Zhang Z, Zhang Z, Zhao F, Zhao J, Zhao M, Zhou S, Zhou Y, Zhu X, Zurek M, Zyzak M. Imaging shapes of atomic nuclei in high-energy nuclear collisions

Atomic nuclei are self-organized, many-body quantum systems bound by strong nuclear forces within femtometre-scale space. These complex systems manifest a variety of shapes1-3, traditionally explored using non-invasive spectroscopic techniques at low energies4,5. However, at these energies, their instantaneous shapes are obscured by long-timescale quantum fluctuations, making direct observation challenging. Here we introduce the collective-flow-assisted nuclear shape-imaging method, which images the nuclear global shape by colliding them at ultrarelativistic speeds and analysing the collective response of outgoing debris. This technique captures a collision-specific snapshot of the spatial matter distribution within the nuclei, which, through the hydrodynamic expansion, imprints patterns on the particle momentum distribution observed in detectors6,7. We benchmark this method in collisions of ground-state uranium-238 nuclei, known for their elongated, axial-symmetric shape. Our findings show a large deformation with a slight deviation from axial symmetry in the nuclear ground state, aligning broadly with previous low-energy experiments. This approach offers a new method for imaging nuclear shapes, enhances our understanding of the initial conditions in high-energy collisions and addresses the important issue of nuclear structure evolution across energy scales.

Protective Effect of Protocatechuic Aldehyde on Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats through Blood-Brain Barrier Protection

Cerebral ischemia can lead to destruction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), the main cause of cerebral edema and cerebral infarction. BBB damage is also one of the key factors affecting the result of drug therapy. We studied the protective effect of 5-day pretreatment with protocatechuic aldehyde (PAL) at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg on BBB function and structure after middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) in rats. The infarct volume, behavioral neurological deficit score, and Evans blue content in the brain were estimated. We also evaluated the content of nitric oxide (NO) and activities of inducible and neuronal NO synthases. Expression of aquaporin-4 (AQP-4), occludin, claudin-5, and MMP-3 in the brain tissues was estimated by Western blotting. The BBB ultrastructure was analyzed under an electron microscope. We revealed that PAL at both used doses significantly reduced the neurological deficit score, brain infarct volume, and Evans blue extravasation. Electron microscopy showed that PAL significantly improved the ultrastructure of BBB and alleviated its injury. Pretreatment with PAL increased expression of occludin and claudin-5 and reduced expression of AQP-4 and MMP-3. At the same time, the release of NO and activities of NO synthases were notably inhibited. Our results suggest that PAL can be a promising compound to attenuate cerebral ischemia resulting from occlusion/reperfusion injury via BBB protection.

[Treatment of chronic sinus tract leakage at rectal anastomosis with anal fistula endoscopy]

Objective: To introduce the method of using anal fistula endoscope to treat chronic sinus tract leakage at rectal anastomosis site. Methods: We used anal fistula endoscopy to treat a patient with chronic sinus tract leakage after radical resection of rectal cancer, mainly including the following 5 steps: (1) establishing a water injection circulation system through the anus; (2) scraping off purulent coating and mucosa on the surface of the sinus tract with the brush; (3) hemostasis and removal of necrotic tissue with electrocoagulation rods; (4) filling the sinus tract with bioprotein gel; (5) compressing the sinus tract with transanal drainage tube. Results: The patient is a 70 year old male with rectal cancer. After undergoing 3D laparoscopic assisted radical resection of rectal cancer via abdominal anterior resection (Dixon's procedure) and diverting ileostomy surgery for more than 3 months, leakage of the rectal anastomosis was found through colonoscopy and anal iodine water contrast imaging .The patient started eating and flowing juice 6 hours after surgery, got out of bed 24 hours after surgery, and was discharged 48 hours after the removal of the anal canal. Three months after surgery, colonoscopy and transanal iodine hydrography showed that the sinus repair was intact. The diverting ileostomy was reduced 4 months after surgery. Conclusion: Anal fistula endoscope is safe and feasible for the treatment of chronic sinus tract anastomotic leakage in selected patients.

[Analysis of perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with the resolution of placenta previa in the second trimester]

Objective: To investigate perinatal outcomes of pregnant women with the resolution of placenta previa in the second trimester. Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort study, which included singleton pregnant women who received prenatal care and delivered at Peking University Third Hospital from January 1st 2019 to December 31st 2020. A total of 403 pregnant women diagnosed with placenta previa by ultrasound at 20-24 weeks of gestation and the placental position returned to normal before delivery were included in the study group, and 403 pregnant women with normal placental position matched 1∶1 were the control group. The primary outcome was postpartum hemorrhage rate, and secondary outcomes included postpartum bleeding volume, severe hemorrhage complications, blood transfusion, drug application, the application of instrument or surgical hemostasis measures, gestational week of delivery, and neonatal outcomes. The perinatal outcomes were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression methods. Results: (1) Compared with the control group, the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage [10.4% (42/403) vs 17.6% (71/403)], postpartum hemorrhage volume (median: 375 vs 400 ml), the proportion of postpartum hemorrhage≥500 ml [18.6% (75/403) vs 30.5% (123/403)], and the proportion of application of instrument or surgical hemostasis measures [1.7% (7/403) vs 4.5% (18/403)] in the study group were increased, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Neonatal outcomes, including birth weight, small for gestational age, hospitalization in neonatal intensive care unit and incidence of neonatal asphyxia, were compared between the two groups, and there were no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05). (2) In pregnant women with vaginal delivery, the postpartum hemorrhage rate [31.7% (66/208) vs 17.5% (39/223)], postpartum hemorrhage volume (median: 390 vs 380 ml), the proportion of instrument or surgical hemostasis measures [3.8% (8/208) vs 0.4% (1/223)] of the study group were higher than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the rate of postpartum hemorrhage between the study group and the control group who gave birth by cesarean setion (P=0.545), but the proportion of postpartum hemorrhage≥500 ml in the study group and the control group were 29.2% (57/195) and 20.0% (36/180), and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.039). (3) The results of multivariate analysis showed that compared with the control group, the risk of postpartum hemorrhage (aOR=2.042, 95%CI: 1.313-3.175), the application of drugs (aOR=1.684, 95%CI: 1.142-2.484) and the application of instruments or surgical hemostasis measures (aOR=2.696, 95%CI: 1.089-6.675) were significantly increased in the study group (all P<0.05). Among women who delivered vaginally, the risk of postpartum hemorrhage in the study group was 2.021 times greater than that in the control group (95%CI: 1.269-3.220; P=0.003). Conclusion: In women with placental previa in the second trimester of pregnancy, even if the placental position returns to normal before delivery, it is still a high risk factor for postpartum hemorrhage, especially in vaginal delivery.

DOT1L protects against podocyte injury in diabetic kidney disease through phospholipase C-like 1

BACKGROUND

Podocyte injury causes proteinuria and accelerates glomerular sclerosis during diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Disruptor of telomeric silencing 1-like (DOT1L), an evolutionarily conserved histone methyltransferase, has been reported in preventing kidney fibrosis in chronic kidney disease models. However, whether DOT1L exerts beneficial effects in diabetes induced podocyte injury and the underlying molecular mechanisms need further exploration.

METHODS

The expression of DOT1L was confirmed by Western blotting in MPC-5 cells and cortex of kidney from db/db mice, as well as immunofluorescence staining in human renal biopsy samples. The effect of DOT1L on podocyte injury was obtained using MPC-5 cells and db/db mice. The potential target genes regulated by DOT1L was measured by RNA-sequencing. Then, a series of molecular biological experiments was performed to investigate the regulation of PLCL1 by DOT1L in MCP-5 cells and db/db mice. Lipid accumulation was assessed by UPLC-MS/MS analysis and Oil Red O staining.

RESULTS

DOT1L expression was significantly declined in high glucose (HG)-treated MPC-5 cells, podocyte regions of kidney tissues from db/db mice and human renal biopsy samples. Subsequent investigations revealed that upregulation of DOT1L ameliorated HG-induced cell apoptosis in MPC-5 cells as well as primary podocytes. Furthermore, podocyte-specific DOT1L overexpression inhibited diabetic podocyte injury in db/db mice. Mechanistically, we revealed that DOT1L upregulated phospholipase C-like 1 (PLCL1) expression by mediating H3K79me2 at its promoter and PLCL1 silencing suppressed the protective role of DOT1L on podocyte injury. Moreover, DOT1L improved diabetes induced abnormal fatty acid metabolism in podocytes and PLCL1 knockdown reversed its protective effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, our results indicate that DOT1L protects podocyte injury via PLCL1-mediated fatty acid metabolism and provides new insights into the therapeutic target of DKD.

Small Nucleolar RNAs in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), a distinct class of noncoding RNAs, encompass highly diverse structures and have a range of 60 to 300 nucleotides in length. About 90% of human snoRNAs are intronic and embedded within introns of their host gene transcripts. Most snoRNAs enriched in specific tissue correlate in abundance with their parental host genes. Advancements in high-throughput sequencing have facilitated the discovery of dysregulated snoRNA expression in numerous human malignancies including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Hundreds of differentially expressed snoRNAs have been identified in HNSCC tissues. Among 1,524 snoRNA genes in a 567 HNSCC cohort, 113 snoRNAs were found to be survival related. As for snoRNA's roles in HNSCC, based on the available evidence, dysregulated snoRNAs are closely associated with the carcinogenesis and development of HNSCC. Upregulated snoRNAs have been shown to augment the expression of other oncogenes or activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby promoting tumor cell viability, glycolysis, migration, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition while inhibiting apoptosis in vitro. In vivo animal studies have further elucidated the functional roles of snoRNAs. Knockdown of host genes of these snoRNAs suppressed the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and restrained tumor proliferation and aggressiveness in mice. The putative mechanisms underlying these observations are associated with the biological functions of snoRNAs, primarily involving microRNA-like functions through the generation of microRNA-like fragments and regulation of alternative splicing to yield diverse transcripts. While most of the snoRNAs are upregulated in HNSCC, 4 downregulated snoRNAs have been identified and annotated. SNORA36B (implicated in the regulation of DNA templates) and U3 (chr17, influencing cell proliferation) may serve as protective factors associated with prolonged overall survival. This review describes the viable structures of snoRNAs, endeavors to refine snoRNA sequencing technology, and summarizes snoRNAs' expression profile as well as their role in HNSCC progression for potential diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for HNSCC management.

[Call attention to the reproductive disorders of chronic endometritis]

Chronic endometritis (CE) is an important factor leading to decreased endometrial receptivity, infertility, and repeated pregnancy loss; endometrial immune dysfunction, abnormal microbial flora, inflammatory status, and other factors play important roles in the occurrence and development of CE. Meanwhile, these factors are closely related to the pathophysiological mechanisms of common diseases that cause infertility, such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, tubal diseases, and endometrial polyps. Through further development of high-quality prospective clinical research, microbiome and immunomics of CE and endometriosis,polycystic ovary syndrome and other diseases, to provide a new therapeutic idea for the treatment of refractory CE. In the course of clinical practice, the effective integration of the diagnosis and treatment principles of CE concomitant diseases in the treatment of CE is expected to provide a new choice for preventing the recurrence of CE.

In Vitro Sonodynamic Therapy Using a High Throughput 3D Glioblastoma Spheroid Model with 5-ALA and TMZ Sonosensitizers

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) administered using low-intensity pulsed ultrasound and sonosensitizers is an emerging, minimally invasive, targeted deep-tissue therapy for solid tumors such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Initial clinical trials show promising outcomes for SDT treatments of GBM. A crucial aspect of SDT is the sonosensitizer that interacts with ultrasound, facilitating energy transfer to the tumor, thus inducing therapeutic efficacy. Current in vitro methods for determining the therapeutic efficacies of sonosensitizers are time-consuming and expensive. A novel high-throughput magnetically printed 3D GBM model is used to overcome this challenge. The hypothesis is that the use of two sonosensitizers, one a chemotherapeutic drug, enhances SDT efficacy through their additive chemical interactions. The GBM model is used to evaluate the effectiveness of two sonosensitizer molecules, 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and theU.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved chemotherapeutic drug Temozolomide (TMZ). It is confirmed that implement high-throughput GBM models to evaluate sonosensitizer combinations and their efficacies is feasible and, for the first time, show that the combined effect of both sensitizers, 5-ALA and TMZ, is superior for preventing spheroid growth than employing each molecule separately. This finding is relevant for future clinical trials of GBM treatment with SDT.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Ion Imbalance in a Rat Model of Hemodialysis-Induced Myocardial Stunning

Background/Objectives: Hemodialysis-induced myocardial stunning (HIMS) is a frequent complication in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis, characterized by transient left ventricular dysfunction due to ischemic episodes. Mitochondrial dysfunction and fluctuations in key ions such as potassium (K+) and calcium (Ca2+) are implicated in the pathogenesis of HIMS. This study aims to investigate the role of mitochondrial dysfunction and the protective potential of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels (mitoKATP) in mitigating HIMS. Methods: A 5/6 nephrectomy rat model was established to mimic chronic kidney disease and the subsequent HIMS. The effects of mitoKATP channel modulators were evaluated by administering diazoxide (DZX), a mitoKATP opener, and 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD), a mitoKATP blocker, before hemodialysis. Mitochondrial function was assessed by measuring membrane potential, ATP synthase activity, and intramitochondrial Ca2+ levels. Myocardial function was evaluated using speckle tracking echocardiography. Results: Rats undergoing hemodialysis exhibited significant reductions in left ventricular strain and synchrony. DZX administration significantly improved mitochondrial function and reduced myocardial strain compared to controls. Conversely, 5-HD worsened mitochondrial swelling and disrupted myocardial function. Higher K+ and Ca2+ concentrations in the dialysate were associated with improved mitochondrial energy metabolism and myocardial strain. Conclusions: Mitochondrial dysfunction and ion imbalances during hemodialysis are key contributors to HIMS. The activation of mitoKATP channels provides mitochondrial protection and may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy to mitigate HIMS.

Search for Light Long-Lived Particles in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV Using Displaced Vertices in the ATLAS Inner Detector

A search for long-lived particles (LLPs) using 140  fb^{-1} of pp collision data with sqrt[s]=13  TeV recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC is presented. The search targets LLPs with masses between 5 and 55 GeV that decay hadronically in the ATLAS inner detector. Benchmark models with LLP pair production from exotic decays of the Higgs boson and models featuring long-lived axionlike particles (ALPs) are considered. No significant excess above the expected background is observed. Upper limits are placed on the branching ratio of the Higgs boson to pairs of LLPs, the cross section for ALPs produced in association with a vector boson, and, for the first time, on the branching ratio of the top quark to an ALP and a u/c quark.

Search for the Exclusive W Boson Hadronic Decays W^{±}→π^{±}γ, W^{±}→K^{±}γ and W^{±}→ρ^{±}γ with the ATLAS Detector

A search for the exclusive hadronic decays W^{±}→π^{±}γ, W^{±}→K^{±}γ, and W^{±}→ρ^{±}γ is performed using up to 140  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collisions recorded with the ATLAS detector at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=13  TeV. If observed, these rare processes would provide a unique test bench for the quantum chromodynamics factorization formalism used to calculate cross sections at colliders. Additionally, at future colliders, these decays could offer a new way to measure the W boson mass through fully reconstructed decay products. The search results in the most stringent upper limits to date on the branching fractions B(W^{±}→π^{±}γ)<1.9×10^{-6}, B(W^{±}→K^{±}γ)<1.7×10^{-6}, B(W^{±}→ρ^{±}γ)<5.2×10^{-6} at 95% confidence level.

Combination and summary of ATLAS dark matter searches interpreted in a 2HDM with a pseudo-scalar mediator using 139 fb-1 of s=13 TeV pp collision data

Results from a wide range of searches targeting different experimental signatures with and without missing transverse momentum (ETmiss) are used to constrain a Two-Higgs-Doublet Model (2HDM) with an additional pseudo-scalar mediating the interaction between ordinary and dark matter (2HDM+a). The analyses use up to 139 fb-1 of proton-proton collision data at a centre-of-mass energy s=13 TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider during 2015-2018. The results from three of the most sensitive searches are combined statistically. These searches target signatures with large ETmiss and a leptonically decaying Z boson; large ETmiss and a Higgs boson decaying to bottom quarks; and production of charged Higgs bosons in final states with top and bottom quarks, respectively. Constraints are derived for several common and new benchmark scenarios in the 2HDM+a.

Ferroptosis Induction Enhances Photodynamic Therapy Efficacy for OLK

Oral leukoplakia (OLK) is the most representative oral potentially malignant disorder, with a high risk of malignant transformation and unclear mechanisms of occurrence. Recently, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has exhibited great potential in the treatment of OLK. However, the efficacy of PDT is difficult to predict and varies from person to person. Ferroptosis-related pathways are upregulated in many cancers, and ferroptosis induction is considered to be a potential synergistic strategy for various antitumor therapies, but its role in OLK treatment remains unclear. This study aimed to determine whether ferroptosis induction can enhance the efficacy of PDT in OLK treatment. Our study revealed that solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), a component of a crucial amino acid transporter and a key negative regulator of ferroptosis, was found to be highly expressed in OLK patients with no response to PDT. 5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-PDT is known to cause apoptosis and necrosis, but ferroptosis also occurred under ALA-PDT in OLK cells in our study. Using erastin to induce ferroptosis enhanced the efficacy of ALA-PDT on OLK cells by disrupting the antioxidant system and further elevating intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, leading to increased apoptosis. Furthermore, this combined modality also enhanced the efficacy of ALA-PDT on 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO)-induced OLK lesions in mice. In summary, ferroptosis induction may serve as a potential strategy to enhance the efficacy of ALA-PDT for OLK treatment.

Extracting the femtometer structure of strange baryons using the vacuum polarization effect

One of the fundamental goals of particle physics is to gain a microscopic understanding of the strong interaction. Electromagnetic form factors quantify the structure of hadrons in terms of charge and magnetization distributions. While the nucleon structure has been investigated extensively, data on hyperons are still scarce. It has recently been demonstrated that electron-positron annihilations into hyperon-antihyperon pairs provide a powerful tool to investigate their inner structure. We present a method useful for hyperon-antihyperon pairs of different types which exploits the cross section enhancement due to the effect of vacuum polarization at the J/ψ resonance. Using the 10 billion J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector, this allows a precise determination of the hyperon structure function. The result is essentially a precise snapshot of theΛ ¯ Σ 0 ( Λ Σ ¯ 0 ) transition process, encoded in the transition form factor ratio and phase. Their values are measured to be R = 0.860 ± 0.029(stat.) ± 0.015(syst.), Δ Φ Λ ¯ Σ 0 = ( 1.011 ± 0.094 ( stat. ) ± 0.010 ( syst. ) ) r a d and Δ Φ Λ Σ ¯ 0 = ( 2.128 ± 0.094 ( stat. ) ± 0.010 ( syst. ) ) r a d . Furthermore, charge-parity (CP) breaking is investigated in this reaction and found to be consistent with CP symmetry.