Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α regulates the interleukin-6 production by B cells in rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease characterised by bone destruction and systemic inflammation, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a therapeutic target for treating it. The study aimed at investigating the sources of IL-6 and the influence of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) on IL-6 production by B cells in RA patients.

Methods

The phenotype of IL-6-producing cells in the peripheral blood of RA patients was analysed using flow cytometry. Bioinformatics, real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot and immunofluorescence staining were used to determine the IL-6 production and HIF-1α levels in B cells. A dual-luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation were used to investigate the regulatory role of HIF-1α on IL-6 production in human and mouse B cells.

Results

Our findings revealed that B cells are major sources of IL-6 in the peripheral blood of RA patients, with the proportion of IL-6-producing B cells significantly correlated with RA disease activity. The CD27-IgD+ naïve B cell subset was identified as the typical IL-6-producing subset in RA patients. Both HIF-1α and IL-6 were co-expressed by B cells in the peripheral blood and synovium of RA patients, and HIF-1α was found to directly bind to the IL6 promoter and enhance its transcription.

Conclusion

This study highlights the role of B cells in producing IL-6 and the regulation of this production by HIF-1α in patients with RA. Targeting HIF-1α might provide a new therapeutic strategy for treating RA.

Improving CO2-to-C2+ Product Electroreduction Efficiency via Atomic Lanthanide Dopant-Induced Tensile-Strained CuOx Catalysts

Cu is a promising electrocatalyst in CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) to high-value C₂₊ products. However, as important C-C coupling active sites, the Cu⁺ species is usually unstable under reduction conditions. How atomic dopants affect the performance of Cu-based catalysts is interesting to be studied. Herein, we first calculated the difference between the thermodynamic limiting potentials of CO₂RR and the hydrogen evolution reaction, as well as the *CO binding energy over Cu₂O doped with different metals, and the results indicated that doping atomic Gd into Cu₂O could improve the performance of the catalyst effectively. On the basis of the theoretical study, we designed Gd₁/CuO_x catalysts. The distinctive electronic structure and large ion radii of Gd not only keep the Cu⁺ species stable during the reaction but also induce tensile strain in Gd₁/CuO_x, resulting in excellent performance of the catalysts for electroreduction of CO₂ to C₂₊ products. The Faradic efficiency of C₂₊ products could reach 81.4% with a C₂₊ product partial current density of 444.3 mA cm^-2 at -0.8 V vs a reversible hydrogen electrode. Detailed experimental and theoretical studies revealed that Gd doping enhanced CO₂ activation on the catalyst, stabilized the key intermediate O*CCO, and reduced the energy barrier of the C-C coupling reaction.

Temporal Structures in Electron Spectra and Charge Sign Effects in Galactic Cosmic Rays

We present the precision measurements of 11 years of daily cosmic electron fluxes in the rigidity interval from 1.00 to 41.9 GV based on 2.0×10^{8} electrons collected with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) aboard the International Space Station. The electron fluxes exhibit variations on multiple timescales. Recurrent electron flux variations with periods of 27 days, 13.5 days, and 9 days are observed. We find that the electron fluxes show distinctly different time variations from the proton fluxes. Remarkably, a hysteresis between the electron flux and the proton flux is observed with a significance of greater than 6σ at rigidities below 8.5 GV. Furthermore, significant structures in the electron-proton hysteresis are observed corresponding to sharp structures in both fluxes. This continuous daily electron data provide unique input to the understanding of the charge sign dependence of cosmic rays over an 11-year solar cycle.

[Enhanced endoplasmic reticulum RyR1 receptor phosphorylation leads to diaphragmatic dysfunction in septic rats]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the role of endoplasmic reticulum ryanodine receptor 1 (RyR1) expression and phosphorylation in sepsis- induced diaphragm dysfunction.

METHODS

Thirty SPF male SD rats were randomized equally into 5 groups, including a sham-operated group, 3 sepsis model groups observed at 6, 12, or 24 h following cecal ligation and perforation (CLP; CLP-6h, CLP-12h, and CLP-24h groups, respectively), and a CLP-24h group with a single intraperitoneal injection of KN- 93 immediately after the operation (CLP-24h+KN-93 group). At the indicated time points, diaphragm samples were collected for measurement of compound muscle action potential (CMAP), fatigue index of the isolated diaphragm and fitted frequencycontraction curves. The protein expression levels of CaMK Ⅱ, RyR1 and P-RyR1 in the diaphragm were detected using Western blotting.

RESULTS

In the rat models of sepsis, the amplitude of diaphragm CMAP decreased and its duration increased with time following CLP, and the changes were the most obvious at 24 h and significantly attenuated by KN-93 treatment (P < 0.05). The diaphragm fatigue index increased progressively following CLP (P < 0.05) irrespective of KN- 93 treatment (P>0.05). The frequency-contraction curve of the diaphragm muscle decreased progressively following CLP, and was significantly lower in CLP-24 h group than in CLP-24 h+KN-93 group (P < 0.05). Compared with that in the sham-operated group, RyR1 expression level in the diaphragm was significantly lowered at 24 h (P < 0.05) but not at 6 or 12 following CLP, irrespective of KN-93 treatment; The expression level of P-RyR1 increased gradually with time after CLP, and was significantly lowered by KN-93 treatment at 24 h following CLP (P < 0.05). The expression level of CaMKⅡ increased significantly at 24 h following CLP, and was obviously lowered by KN-93 treatment (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Sepsis causes diaphragmatic dysfunction by enhancing CaMK Ⅱ expression and RyR1 receptor phosphorylation in the endoplasmic reticulum of the diaphragm.

[Reverse partial pulmonary resection: a new surgical approach for pediatric pulmonary cysts]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of reverse partial lung resection for treatment of pediatric pulmonary cysts combined with lung abscesses or thoracic abscess.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of children undergoing reverse partial lung resection for complex pulmonary cysts in our hospital between June, 2020 and June, 2021.During the surgery, the patients lay in a lateral position, and a 3-5 cm intercostal incision was made at the center of the lesion, through which the pleura was incised and the fluid or necrotic tissues were removed.The anesthesiologist was instructed to aspirate the sputum in the trachea to prevent entry of the necrotic tissues in the trachea.The cystic lung tissue was separated till reaching normal lung tissue on the hilar side.The proximal end of the striated tissue in the lesion was first double ligated with No.4 silk thread, the distal end was disconnected, and the proximal end was reinforced with continuous sutures with 4-0 Prolene thread.The compromised lung tissues were separated, and the thoracic cavity was thoroughly flushed followed by pulmonary inflation, air leakage management and incision suture.

RESULTS

Sixteen children aged from 3 day to 2 years underwent the surgery, including 3 with simple pulmonary cysts, 11 with pulmonary cysts combined with pulmonary or thoracic abscess, 1 with pulmonary cysts combined with tension pneumothorax and left upper lung bronchial defect, and 1 with pulmonary herpes combined with brain tissue heterotaxy.All the operations were completed smoothly, with a mean operation time of 129 min, an mean hospital stay of 11 days, and a mean drainage removal time of 7 days.All the children recovered well after the operation, and 11 of them had mild air leakage.None of the children had serious complications or residual lesions or experienced recurrence of infection after the operation.

CONCLUSION

Reverse partial lung resection is safe and less invasive for treatment of complex pediatric pulmonary cysts complicated by infections.

Structural Transformation in a Sulfurized Polymer Cathode to Enable Long-Life Rechargeable Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (SPAN) represents a class of sulfur-bonded polymers, which have shown thousands of stable cycles as a cathode in lithium-sulfur batteries. However, the exact molecular structure and its electrochemical reaction mechanism remain unclear. Most significantly, SPAN shows an over 25% 1st cycle irreversible capacity loss before exhibiting perfect reversibility for subsequent cycles. Here, with a SPAN thin-film platform and an array of analytical tools, we show that the SPAN capacity loss is associated with intramolecular dehydrogenation along with the loss of sulfur. This results in an increase in the aromaticity of the structure, which is corroborated by a >100× increase in electronic conductivity. We also discovered that the conductive carbon additive in the cathode is instrumental in driving the reaction to completion. Based on the proposed mechanism, we have developed a synthesis procedure to eliminate more than 50% of the irreversible capacity loss. Our insights into the reaction mechanism provide a blueprint for the design of high-performance sulfurized polymer cathode materials.

Defective PrOx for Efficient Electrochemical NO2−-to-NH3 in a Wide Potential Range

Electrocatalytic reduction of nitrite (NO2−) is a sustainable and carbon-neutral approach to producing green ammonia (NH3). We herein report the first work on building defects on PrOx for electrochemical NO2− reduction to NH3, and demonstrate a high NH3 yield of 2870 μg h−1 cm−2 at the optimal potential of –0.7 V with a faradaic efficiency (FE) of 97.6% and excellent FEs of >94% at a wide given potential range (−0.5 to −0.8 V). The kinetic isotope effect (KIE) study suggested that the reaction involved promoted hydrogenation. Theoretical calculations clarified that there was an accelerated rate-determining step of NO2− reduction on PrOx. The results also indicated that PrOx could be durable for long-term electrosynthesis and cycling tests.

Resonant inelastic x-ray scattering data for Ruddlesden-Popper and reduced Ruddlesden-Popper nickelates

Ruddlesden-Popper and reduced Ruddlesden-Popper nickelates are intriguing candidates for mimicking the properties of high-temperature superconducting cuprates. The degree of similarity between these nickelates and cuprates has been the subject of considerable debate. Resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) has played an important role in exploring their electronic and magnetic excitations, but these efforts have been stymied by inconsistencies between different samples and the lack of publicly available data for detailed comparison. To address this issue, we present open RIXS data on La₄Ni₃O₁₀ and La₄Ni₃O₈.

Atomically Dispersed Ni-Cu Catalysts for pH-Universal CO2 Electroreduction

CO₂ electroreduction is of great significance to reduce CO₂ emissions and complete the carbon cycle. However, the unavoidable carbonate formation and low CO₂ utilization efficiency in neutral or alkaline electrolytes hinder its application at commercial scale. The development of CO₂ reduction under acidic conditions provides a promising strategy, but the inhibition of the hydrogen evolution reaction is difficult. Herein, the first work to design a Ni-Cu dual atom catalyst supported on hollow nitrogen-doped carbon is reported for pH-universal CO₂ electroreduction to CO. The catalyst shows a high CO Faradaic efficiency of ≈99% in acidic, neutral, and alkaline electrolytes, and the partial current densities of CO reach 190 ± 11, 225 ± 10, and 489 ± 14 mA cm^-2 , respectively. In particular, the CO₂ utilization efficiency under acidic conditions reaches 64.3%, which is twice as high as that of alkaline conditions. Detailed study indicates the existence of electronic interaction between Ni and Cu atoms. The Cu atoms push the Ni d-band center further toward the Fermi level, thereby accelerating the formation of *COOH. In addition, operando characterizations and density functional theory calculation are used to elucidate the possible reaction mechanism of CO₂ to CO under acidic and alkaline electrolytes.

Structure-property relationship in the evaluation of xanthan gum functionality for oral suspensions and tablets

The functional properties of xanthan gum (XG) in pharmaceutical preparations depend on its rheological properties, which inevitably rely on its molecular structure. Hence, this work investigated the relationship between the molecular structure of XG and its rheological properties and functional characteristics, and revealed the structural factors influencing the XG functionalities in oral suspensions and matrix tablets. Primarily, the molecular structures of four commercial XG products were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and measuring the monosaccharide composition, average molecular weight, and pyruvate and acetyl contents. Furthermore, the flow behavior and viscoelasticity of XG solutions, the viscoelasticity of XG hydrogels, and XG combinations (XGC, aqueous solution containing XG, liquid glucose, and glycerin) were investigated. Finally, the dissolution time of XGC and the swelling and erosion properties of the XG matrix were studied to evaluate XG functionality in oral suspensions and matrix tablets, respectively. Results showed that the polydispersity of molecular weight and the pyruvate content affected the functionality and performance of XG in suspension and tablet forms. The higher polydispersity and pyruvate content of XG improved the hydrogel strength, which led to a longer dissolution time of XGC and a higher swelling extent of the XG matrix but a slower erosion rate.

Mapping amorphous SiO2 in Devonian shales and the possible link to marine productivity during incipient forest diversification

Silica cycling in the world's oceans is not straightforward to evaluate on a geological time scale. With the rise of radiolarians and sponges from the early Cambrian onward, silica can have two depositional origins, continental weathering, and biogenic silica. It is critical to have a reliable method of differentiating amorphous silica and crystalline silica to truly understand biogeochemical and inorganic silica cycling. In this study, opal-A is mapped across the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin in the Late Devonian Duvernay Formation shales using longwave hyperspectral imaging alongside geochemical proxies that differentiate between crystalline and amorphous SiO₂, during the expansion of the world's early forests. Signaled by several carbon isotope excursions in the Frasnian, the punctata Event corresponds to the expansion of forests when vascular land plants develop seeds and deeper root networks, likely resulting in increased pedogenesis. Nutrients from thicker soil horizons entering the marine realm are linked to higher levels of primary productivity in oceans and subsequent oxygen starvation in deeper waters at this time. The results of this study reveal, for the first time, the spatial distribution of amorphous SiO₂ across a sedimentary basin during this major shift in the terrestrial realm when forests expand and develop deeper root networks.

Search for Cosmic-Ray Boosted Sub-GeV Dark Matter Using Recoil Protons at Super-Kamiokande

We report a search for cosmic-ray boosted dark matter with protons using the 0.37  megaton×years data collected at Super-Kamiokande experiment during the 1996-2018 period (SKI-IV phase). We searched for an excess of proton recoils above the atmospheric neutrino background from the vicinity of the Galactic Center. No such excess is observed, and limits are calculated for two reference models of dark matter with either a constant interaction cross section or through a scalar mediator. This is the first experimental search for boosted dark matter with hadrons using directional information. The results present the most stringent limits on cosmic-ray boosted dark matter and exclude the dark matter-nucleon elastic scattering cross section between 10^{-33}cm^{2} and 10^{-27}cm^{2} for dark matter mass from 1  MeV/c^{2} to 300  MeV/c^{2}.

[Clinicopathological characteristics of H3K27-altered diffuse midline glioma and evaluation of NTRK as its therapeutic target]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of H3K27-altered diffuse midline glioma (DMG), and to analyze DMG's prognostic factors, and subsequently, to study the possibility of using NTRK as a therapeutic target for DMG. Methods: A total of 232 DMG diagnosed at the Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China from July 2016 to March 2021 were collected. Their clinical, radiological and pathological features, the ratio of MGMT promoter methylation, expression of NTRK, and characteristics of NTRK gene fusion were analyzed. The prognostic values of different factors were also studied, including age, tumor location, histological grade, gene and protein expression of NTRK, and postoperative adjuvant therapy. Results: Among the 232 DMG cases, there were 8 patients with both primary and relapse tumors on the record. Thus, a total of 224 patients were analyzed, including 118 males and 106 females. There were 126 adults (>18 years of age) and 98 children (≤18 years of age). Notably, the most frequent location was thalamus (41/126, 32.5%) in adults, but brainstem (59/96, 60.2%) in children. The lesions showed T1 hypointensity or isointensity, and T2 hyperintensity. However, contrast enhancement patterns of the tumors varied, with many tumors lacking contrast-enhancing. The histological grades included grade 2 (9/224, 4.0%), grade 3 (41/224, 18.3%) and grade 4 (174/224, 77.7%). Two hundred and twenty-four DMGs were diffusely positive for H3K27M and negative for H3K27me3. The ratio of MGMT promoter methylation was low (1/45, 2.2%). One hundred and seventy-seven of the 224 cases (177/224, 79.0%) were positive for NTRK. Fifty cases were analyzed using fluorescence in situ hybridization. Among them, five DMGs (positive rate, 10.0%) were NTRK fusion positive. This study showed that there were no differences between adult and pediatric DMGs in histological grading, expression of NTRK, and NTRK gene fusion. One hundred and fifty-nine patients were included in the follow-up analysis (P>0.05). During the follow-up period, 109/159 patients (69.6%) died of the disease, with a median survival time of 12 months (range 1 to 55 months). Univariate log-rank analysis showed that age, location, surgical procedure and postoperative adjuvant therapy were associated with overall survivals of the DMG patients (P<0.05). Conclusions: The prognosis of DMG is poor overall. There are differences between adult and pediatric DMGs in anatomic location and prognosis, but not in other features. NTRK1 gene fusion is detected in 10.0% of the tumors. It suggests that TRK inhibitor might be a choice for treating DMG.

Effects of ultrasonic-microwave combination treatment on the physicochemical, structure and gel properties of myofibrillar protein in Penaeus vannamei (Litopenaeus vannamei) surimi

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of single ultrasound (360 W, 20 min), single microwave (10 W/g, 120 s) and ultrasonic-microwave combination treatment on shrimp surimi gel properties. The structure and physicochemical properties of myofibrillar protein (MP) were also determined. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance showed that the fluidity of water molecules and the moisture content decreased, the stability and water holding capacity (WHC) increased after single ultrasound, single microwave and ultrasonic-microwave combination treatment. Compared with the traditional water bath treatment, ultrasound and microwave treatment reduced the total sulfhydryl content and promoted the formation of intermolecular disulfide bonds and hydrophobic interactions, which improved the compactness of the network structure of shrimp surimi gel. Moreover, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that these treatments not only inhibited the degradation of MP, but also decreased the α-helix content and increased the β-sheet content. The three treatments also significantly reduced the particle size and decreased the solubility of MP. Overall, the effect of ultrasonic-microwave combination treatment was superior to that of either single treatment.

Proteome Analysis of Temporomandibular Joint with Disc Displacement

Disc displacement without reduction is a common disorder of the temporomandibular joint, causing clinical symptoms and sometimes condylar degeneration. In some cases, bone regeneration is detected following disc-repositioning procedures. Until now, however, systems-wide knowledge of the protein levels for condylar outcome with disc position is still lacking. Here, we performed comprehensive expression profiling of synovial fluid from 109 patients with disc displacement without reduction using high-resolution data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry and characterized differences in 1,714 proteins. Based on magnetic resonance imaging, samples were divided into groups with versus without condylar absorption and subgroups with versus without new bone. For the proteomic analysis, 32 proteins in groups presented with statistical significance (>2-fold, P < 0.05). Pathways such as response to inorganic substances, blood coagulation, and estrogen signaling were significantly expressed in the group with bone absorption as compared with pathways such as regulation of body fluid levels, vesicle-mediated transport, and focal adhesion, which were enriched in the group without bone absorption. In subgroup analysis, 45 proteins of significant importance (>2-fold, P < 0.05) were associated with pathways including would healing, glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, and amino acid metabolism. Combined with clinical examination, molecules such as acetyl-CoA carboxylase beta (ACACB) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1) were related to features such as visual analog scale and maximum interincisal opening (P < 0.05). In addition, 7 proteins were examined by Western blotting, including progesterone immunomodulatory binding factor 1 (PIBF1), histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG), and protein kinase C and casein kinase substrate in neurons 2 (PACSIN2). In conclusion, this study provides the first proteome analysis of condylar absorption at disc displacement without reduction and postoperative new bone formation after disc reposition. Integrated with clinical data, this analysis provides an important insight into the proteomics of condylar modification at disc position.

[Prognostic value of translocation t(11;14) in primary light-chain amyloidosis treated with bortezomib-based regimen]

Objective: To investigate the prognostic value of translocation t(11;14) in newly-diagnosed primary light-chain (AL) amyloidosis patients treated with bortezomib-based regimen. Method: Clinical information of newly-diagnosed AL amyloidosis patients in Peking Union Medical College Hospital who had baseline t(11;14) data and accepted bortezomib-combined therapies from September, 2015 to September, 2021 was collected. The relationships between t(11;14) status and baseline characteristics, hematological response, organ response and prognosis were analyzed. Results: A total of 152 patients were included, aged (59.5±9.1) years and 93 cases were male (61.2%). Forty-six patients carried t(11;14) (30.3%). There was no statistical difference in the proportion of organ involved, distribution of Mayo 2004 and 2012 stages and laboratory indexes between patients with and without t(11;14) (all P>0.05). For hematological response, the difference in the rates of ≥very good partial response (VGPR) between those with t(11;14) and without after the first cycle [28.2%(11/39) vs 37.4%(34/91), P>0.05] was not statistically significant. After 3 cycles, the difference in the rates of ≥VGPR between two groups was not statistically significant [35.9%(14/39) vs 51.1%(46/90), P>0.05]. The difference in the ratio of the best hematological response reaching ≥VGPR between two groups during the first-line treatment was not statistically significant [52.2%(24/46) vs 64.2%(68/106), P>0.05]. But patients with t(11;14) had lower cardiac response rate at 3 months [15.2%(5/33) vs 34.6%(28/81), P=0.038] and 6 months [19.4%(6/31) vs 50.6%(42/83),P=0.003] than those without, but the difference in cardiac response rates at 12 months was not statistically significant [41.7%(10/24) vs 53.5%(38/71),P>0.05]. For survival, the differences in overall survival (not reached vs 50.1 months, P>0.05) and hematological event-free survival (36.2 months vs 39.9 months, P>0.05) between patients carrying t(11;14) and those without were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Patients with t(11;14) had lower cardiac response rate than those without, but their hematological response and survival are not significantly different from those free from t(11;14).

[Finite element analysis and biomimetic optimal design of full-crown restoration]

Objective: To improve the mechanical properties of full-crown restorations and illuminate the optimal elastic modulus distribution through bionic optimization design and finite element analysis (FEA). Methods: Seven 3D models of mandibular first premolars with different full-crown restorations were constructed: (A) zirconia monolithic crown, (B) lithium disilicate monolithic crown, (C) zirconia bilayer crown, (D) lithium disilicate bilayer crown, (E) 8-layer crown referred to the elastic modulus distribution of human enamel, (F) and (G) were 8-layer crowns with elastic modulus distribution calculated by a genetic algorithm (GA) to minimize the tensile stresses in the crown and the shear stresses at the cementing line, respectively. Results in the crowns and cementing lines were obtained with maximum principal stress after applying a static load of 600 N. Results: The principal tensile stresses in the full-crown restorations were mainly concentrated in the cervical margins and the crown-cementing interface. Among them, G exhibited a peak tensile stress of 25.79 MPa, which decreased to 17.72 MPa in E and 16.25 MPa in F; The principal shear stresses in cementing lines were concentrated along the margins and low on the axial wall. The peak shear stress of the cementing line of E and F was 11.81 MPa and 11.79 MPa, respectively. While G was found to has the lowest peak shear stress of 6.14 MPa. Conclusion: The elastic modulus distribution optimized by GA to reduce the peak shear stress of the cementing line can better improve the mechanical properties of the full-crown restoration.