[Spatial-temporal Changes and Driving Factors of Soil Microbial Communities in a Typical City of North China Plain]

The structure and function of microbial communities are affected by several environmental factors. To clarify the spatial-temporal changes and main influencing factors of soil microbial communities in a typical pharmaceutical city, it is urgent to study the spatial-temporal changes in microbial communities in soils for typical cities. Shijiazhuang City was selected as the study area, and 12 sampling sites were selected. The topsoil was collected in June (summer) and September (autumn) of 2021. The 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology was used to study the structure and function of microbial communities in the soil and explore their spatial-temporal changes. Concurrently, Pearson correlation analysis was applied to establish the correlation between the microbial community and environmental factors, and identify the main driving factors of temporal and spatial changes in the microbial community. The results showed that:① Actinobaciota and Proteobateria were the main dominant bacteria in the surface soil of Shijiazhuang City; at the phylum level, the relative abundance of Actinobacteria and Proteobateria decreased from summer to autumn; at the genus level, the dominant genera were Arthrobacter and unknown genera in summer and Arthrobacter and Candidatus_Nitrocosmicus in autumn, which showed significant seasonal differences (P<0.05). ② For seasonal variation, the mean values of the Simpson, Ace, and Chao indices increased, whereas the mean values of OTU decreased; for spatial variation, the Shannon and Simpson indices showed significant spatial difference (P<0.01 and P<0.05). ③ There were no significant spatial-temporal differences in various functional genes; thereinto, the relative abundances of energy production and transformation functional genes were the highest (24.06%-24.84% in summer and 24.63%-25.98% in autumn, respectively). ④ The compositions of microbial community, diversity index, and functional genes were significantly correlated with quinolone antibiotics (QNs), total phosphorus (TP), and nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N), most significantly correlated with QNs (|r|>0.900), which indicated that antibiotics were the main driving factor of soil microbial communities. Therefore, to ensure the stability of microbial community structure and function in urban soil, the comprehensive management and control of antibiotic pollution in soil should be further strengthened.

Safety and Efficacy of CT-Guided Iodine-125 Brachytherapy for Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

Portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) seriously reduces the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). CT-guided iodine-125 (125I) brachytherapy has the advantage of a high local control rate and is minimally invasive. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 125I brachytherapy for treating PVTT in HCC patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-eight patients diagnosed with HCC complicated with PVTT and treated with 125I brachytherapy for PVTT were included in this retrospective study. The local tumor control rate, local tumor progression-free survival, and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to identify predictors affecting survival.

RESULTS

The local tumor control rate was 78.9% (30/38). The median local tumor progression-free survival was 11.6 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.7, 16.5) months, and the median overall survival was 14.5 (95% CI: 9.2, 19.7) months. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that age <60 years (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.362; 95% CI: 0.136, 0.965; p = 0.042), type I+II PVTT (HR = 0.065; 95% CI: 0.019, 0.228; p < 0.001), and tumor diameter <5 cm (HR = 0.250; 95% CI: 0.084, 0.748; p = 0.013) were significant predictors of OS. There were no serious adverse events related to 125I seed implantation during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

CT-guided 125I brachytherapy is effective and safe for treating PVTT of HCC, with a high local control rate and no severe adverse events. Patients younger than 60 years old with type I+II PVTT and a tumor diameter less than 5 cm have a more favorable OS.

Amperometric Identification of Single Exosomes and Their Dopamine Contents Secreted by Living Cells

Dopamine (DA) is an important neurotransmitter, which not only participates in the regulation of neural processes but also plays critical roles in tumor progression and immunity. However, direct identification of DA-containing exosomes, as well as quantification of DA in single vesicles, is still challenging. Here, we report a nanopipette-assisted method to detect single exosomes and their dopamine contents via amperometric measurement. The resistive-pulse current measured can simultaneously provide accurate information of vesicle translocation and DA contents in single exosomes. Accordingly, DA-containing exosomes secreted from HeLa and PC12 cells under different treatment modes successfully detected the DA encapsulation efficiency and the amount of exosome secretion that distinguish between cell types. Furthermore, a custom machine learning model was constructed to classify the exosome signals from different sources, with an accuracy of more than 99%. Our strategy offers a useful tool for investigating single exosomes and their DA contents, which facilitates the analysis of DA-containing exosomes derived from other untreated or stimulated cells and may open up a new insight to the research of DA biology.

The therapeutic effect of exosomal lncRNA MSTRG.91634.7 on mitochondrial dysfunction during SiO2-induced lung fibrosis

Long-term silica (SiO₂) exposure led to irreversible lung fibrosis, in which epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) played an essential role. A novel lncRNA MSTRG.91634.7 in the peripheral exosomes of silicosis patients was reported in our previous study, which could remold the pathological process of silicosis. However, whether its regulatory role on the development of silicosis was related to EMT process is unclear, and its mechanism remains to be further studied. In this study, up-regulating lncRNA MSTRG91634.7 restricted SiO₂-activated EMT and restored mitochondrial homeostasis binding to PINK1 in vitro. Moreover, overexpressing PINK1 could inhibit SiO₂-activated EMT in pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in mice. Meanwhile, PINK1 contributed to restoring the SiO₂-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in mice lung. Our results revealed that exosomal lncRNA MSTRG.91634.7 from macrophages could restore mitochondrial homeostasis to restrict the SiO₂-activated EMT by binding to PINK1 during pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis due to SiO₂ exposure.

Enabling early detection of knee osteoarthritis using diffusion-relaxation correlation spectrum imaging

AIM

To present a technique that enables detection of early stage OA of the knee using diffusion-relaxation correlation spectrum imaging (DR-CSI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-five early osteoarthritis patients (OA, Kellgren-Lawrence [KL] score 1 to 2; mean age, 56.4 years) and 49 healthy volunteers (mean age, 56.7 years) were underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with T2-mapping and DR-CSI techniques. Maps of mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), T2 relaxation time and volume fraction Vi for DR-CSI compartment i (A, B, C, D) sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratio (PLR, NLR) were assessed to determine the diagnostic accuracy for detection of early-stage degeneration of knee articular cartilage. The structural abnormalities of articular cartilage were evaluated using modified Whole-Organ MR Imaging Scores (WORMS).

RESULTS

All intra- and interobserver agreements for DR-CSI compartment volume fractions and modified WORMS of cartilage were excellent. Early OA versus the controls had higher V_C, lower V_A and V_B (p<0.001), but comparable V_D (p>0.05). V_A, V_B and V_C had a moderate association with WORMS. No significant correlation was identified between V_D and WORMS. V_C had better ability than V_A,V_B, V_D, T2 and ADC to discriminate early OA patients from healthy controls (area under the curve, 0.898). Sensitivity, specificity, PLR, and NLR of V_C with a cut-off value of 29.9% were 81.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 69.1-90.9%), 95.9% (86-99.5%), 20.05% (5.13-78.34%), and 0.19% (0.11-0.33%).

CONCLUSIONS

DR-CSI compartment volume fractions may be sensitive indicators for detecting early-stage degeneration in knee articular cartilage.

Distinct immune microenvironment of lung adenocarcinoma in never-smokers from smokers

Lung cancer in never-smokers (LCINS) presents clinicopathological and molecular features distinct from that in smokers. Tumor microenvironment (TME) plays important roles in cancer progression and therapeutic response. To decipher the difference in TME between never-smoker and smoker lung cancers, we conduct single-cell RNA sequencing on 165,753 cells from 22 treatment-naive lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients. We find that the dysfunction of alveolar cells induced by cigarette smoking contributes more to the aggressiveness of smoker LUADs, while the immunosuppressive microenvironment exerts more effects on never-smoker LUADs' aggressiveness. Moreover, the SPP1^hi pro macrophage is identified to be another independent source of monocyte-derived macrophage. Importantly, higher expression of immune checkpoint CD47 and lower expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I in cancer cells of never-smoker LUADs imply that CD47 may be a better immunotherapy target for LCINS. Therefore, this study reveals the difference of tumorigenesis between never-smoker and smoker LUADs and provides a potential immunotherapy strategy for LCINS.

[Automated diagnostic classification with lateral cephalograms based on deep learning network model]

Objective: To establish a comprehensive diagnostic classification model of lateral cephalograms based on artificial intelligence (AI) to provide reference for orthodontic diagnosis. Methods: A total of 2 894 lateral cephalograms were collected in Department of Orthodontics, Capital Medical University School of Stomatology from January 2015 to December 2021 to construct a data set, including 1 351 males and 1 543 females with a mean age of (26.4± 7.4) years. Firstly, 2 orthodontists (with 5 and 8 years of orthodontic experience, respectively) performed manual annotation and calculated measurement for primary classification, and then 2 senior orthodontists (with more than 20 years of orthodontic experience) verified the 8 diagnostic classifications including skeletal and dental indices. The data were randomly divided into training, validation, and test sets in the ratio of 7∶2∶1. The open source DenseNet121 was used to construct the model. The performance of the model was evaluated by classification accuracy, precision rate, sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC). Visualization of model regions of interest through class activation heatmaps. Results: The automatic classification model of lateral cephalograms was successfully established. It took 0.012 s on average to make 8 diagnoses on a lateral cephalogram. The accuracy of 5 classifications was 80%-90%, including sagittal and vertical skeletal facial pattern, mandibular growth, inclination of upper incisors, and protrusion of lower incisors. The acuracy rate of 3 classifications was 70%-80%, including maxillary growth, inclination of lower incisors and protrusion of upper incisors. The average AUC of each classification was ≥0.90. The class activation heat map of successfully classified lateral cephalograms showed that the AI model activation regions were distributed in the relevant structural regions. Conclusions: In this study, an automatic classification model for lateral cephalograms was established based on the DenseNet121 to achieve rapid classification of eight commonly used clinical diagnostic items.

[Research on multi-class orthodontic image recognition system based on deep learning network model]

Objective: To develop a multi-classification orthodontic image recognition system using the SqueezeNet deep learning model for automatic classification of orthodontic image data. Methods: A total of 35 000 clinical orthodontic images were collected in the Department of Orthodontics, Capital Medical University School of Stomatology, from October to November 2020 and June to July 2021. The images were from 490 orthodontic patients with a male-to-female ratio of 49∶51 and the age range of 4 to 45 years. After data cleaning based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, the final image dataset included 17 453 face images (frontal, smiling, 90° right, 90° left, 45° right, and 45° left), 8 026 intraoral images [frontal occlusion, right occlusion, left occlusion, upper occlusal view (original and flipped), lower occlusal view (original and flipped) and coverage of occlusal relationship], 4 115 X-ray images [lateral skull X-ray from the left side, lateral skull X-ray from the right side, frontal skull X-ray, cone-beam CT (CBCT), and wrist bone X-ray] and 684 other non-orthodontic images. A labeling team composed of orthodontic doctoral students, associate professors, and professors used image labeling tools to classify the orthodontic images into 20 categories, including 6 face image categories, 8 intraoral image categories, 5 X-ray image categories, and other images. The data for each label were randomly divided into training, validation, and testing sets in an 8∶1∶1 ratio using the random function in the Python programming language. The improved SqueezeNet deep learning model was used for training, and 13 000 natural images from the ImageNet open-source dataset were used as additional non-orthodontic images for algorithm optimization of anomaly data processing. A multi-classification orthodontic image recognition system based on deep learning models was constructed. The accuracy of the orthodontic image classification was evaluated using precision, recall, F1 score, and confusion matrix based on the prediction results of the test set. The reliability of the model's image classification judgment logic was verified using the gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM) method to generate heat maps. Results: After data cleaning and labeling, a total of 30 278 orthodontic images were included in the dataset. The test set classification results showed that the precision, recall, and F1 scores of most classification labels were 100%, with only 5 misclassified images out of 3 047, resulting in a system accuracy of 99.84%(3 042/3 047). The precision of anomaly data processing was 100% (10 500/10 500). The heat map showed that the judgment basis of the SqueezeNet deep learning model in the image classification process was basically consistent with that of humans. Conclusions: This study developed a multi-classification orthodontic image recognition system for automatic classification of 20 types of orthodontic images based on the improved SqueezeNet deep learning model. The system exhibitted good accuracy in orthodontic image classification.

Dual-Exciting Central Carbon Nanoclusters for the Dual-Channel Detection of Hemin

Constructing optical nanoprobes with superior performance is highly desirable for sensitive and accurate assays. Herein, we develop a facile room-temperature strategy for the fabrication of green emissive carbon nanoclusters (CNCs) with dual-exciting centers for the dual-channel sensing of hemin. The formation of the CNCs is attributed to the crosslinking polymerization of the precursors driven by the Schiff base reaction between ethylenediamine and 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone. Most importantly, the proposed CNCs have a unique excitation-independent green emission (518 nm) with two excitation centers at 260 nm (channel 1) and 410 nm (channel 2). The dual-exciting central emission can serve as dual-channel fluorescence (FL) signals for highly sensitive and reliable detection of hemin based on the inner filter effect. Because of the great spectral overlap difference between the absorption spectrum of hemin and the excitation lights of the CNCs in the two channels, hemin has a different quenching effect on FL emission from different channels. The dual-channel signals of the CNCs can detect hemin in the range of 0.075–10 μM (channel 1) and 0.25–10 μM (channel 2), respectively. These findings not only offer new guidance for the facile synthesis of dual-exciting central CNCs but also establish a reliable sensing platform for the analysis of hemin in complex matrixes.

Neurodynamics of awareness detection in Tibetan immigrants: evidence from EEG analysis

The psychological effects of long-term exposure to high-altitude environments have attracted great attention. These effects are usually attributed to the diminished cognitive resources due to high-altitude exposure. This study employed electroencephalography (EEG) to investigate the effects of exposure duration on awareness detection tasks. Neither reaction time nor accuracy showed the direct effects of the exposure duration, so did the model indexes obtained from drift diffusion model analysis. However, event-related potentials (ERP) analysis revealed that exposure duration was associated with changes in the visual awareness negativity (VAN) and the late positivity (LP) components, which in turn affected reaction time. Specifically, longer exposure durations were associated with lower VAN and higher LP, resulting in shorter reaction times and greater drift rate. In contrast to previous studies, the reverse relationship between VAN and LP may reflect a compensatory response to the reduced cognitive resources caused by high-altitude exposure. Additionally, increased LP and shorter reaction times with exposure duration may reflect a resistance to the high-altitude environment. We also conducted time-frequency analysis and found that theta power did not vary with exposure duration, suggesting that the reduction in cognitive resources remains stable in these individuals over time. Overall, our study provides new insights into the dynamic effects of high-altitude environments on awareness detection in the presence of reduced cognitive resources.

A multi-channel responsive AuNP@COF core-shell nanoprobe for simultaneous subcellular profiling of multiple cancer biomarkers

The abnormal change in the expression profile of multiple cancer biomarkers is closely related to tumor progression and therapeutic effect. Due to their low abundance in living cells and the limitations of existing imaging techniques, simultaneous imaging of multiple cancer biomarkers has remained a significant challenge. Here, we proposed a multi-modal imaging strategy to detect the correlated expression of multiple cancer biomarkers, MUC1, microRNA-21 (miRNA-21) and reactive oxygen (ROS) in living cells, based on a porous covalent organic framework (COF) wrapped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) core-shell nanoprobe. The nanoprobe is functionalized with Cy5-labeled MUC1 aptamer, a ROS-responsive molecule (2-MHQ), and a miRNA-21-response hairpin DNA tagged by FITC as the reporters for different biomarkers. The target-specific recognition can induce the orthogonal molecular change of these reporters, producing fluorescence and Raman signals for imaging the expression profiles of membrane MUC1 (red fluorescence channel), intracellular miRNA-21 (green fluorescence channel), and intracellular ROS (SERS channel). We further demonstrate the capability of the cooperative expression of these biomarkers, along with the activation of NF-κB pathway. Our research provides a robust platform for imaging multiple cancer biomarkers, with broad potential applications in cancer clinical diagnosis and drug discovery.

Comparing the efficacy and complications of unilateral biportal endoscopic fusion versus minimally invasive fusion for lumbar degenerative diseases: a systematic review and mate-analysis

BACKGROUND

Unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) has been gradually applied in clinical practice. UBE has two channels, with good visual field and operating space, and has achieved good results in the treatment of lumbar spine diseases. Some scholars combine UBE with vertebral body fusion to replace traditional open fusion surgery and minimally invasive fusion surgery. The efficacy of biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (BE-TLIF) is still controversial. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, BE-TLIF and minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) are compared in the efficacy and complications of lumbar degenerative diseases.

METHODS

PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were used to search literatures related to BE-TLIF before January 2023, to identify relevant studies, and systematically review all literatures. Evaluation indicators mainly include operation time, hospital stay, estimated blood loss, visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Macnab.

RESULTS

A total of 9 studies were included in this study; a total of 637 patients were collected, and 710 vertebral bodies were treated. Nine studies showed that there was no significant difference in VAS score, ODI, fusion rate, and complication rate between BE-TLIF and MI-TLIF at the final follow-up after surgery.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that BE-TLIF is a safe and effective surgical approach. BE-TLIF surgery has similar good efficacy to MI-TLIF in the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases. And compared with MI-TLIF, it has the advantages of early postoperative relief of low-back pain, shorter hospital stay, and faster functional recovery. However, high-quality prospective studies are needed to validate this conclusion.

Measurements of single-molecule electromechanical properties based on atomic force microscopy fixed-junction technique

A hybrid technique combining atomic force microscopy and the fixed-junction technique is developed to simultaneously probe the electrical and mechanical characteristics of a single-molecule junction.

Quantitative Determination of Charge Accumulation and Recombination in Operational Quantum Dots Light Emitting Diodes via Time-Resolved Electroluminescence Spectroscopy

In this work, we report the quantitative determination of charge accumulation and recombination in an operated QLED using time-resolved electroluminescence (TREL) spectroscopy. As a supplement technique, time-resolved current (TRC) measurement was introduced and simulated using equivalent circuit model with a series resistance, a parallel resistance, and a capacitance. By modeling the key processes in a typical TREL spectra, the stages of delay, rising, and decay can be correlated to the charge accumulations, charge injection and recombination, and charge release and recombination, respectively. In particular, the rising stage can be described using a modified Langevin recombination model. The electroluminescence recombination rate can be derived by fitting the rising stage curves in the TREL spectra, providing an intrinsic parameter of the emissive materials. In all, this work provides a methodology to quantitatively determine the charge accumulation and recombination of an operational QLED device.

Cotton cultivated area detection and yield monitoring combining remote sensing with field data in lower Indus River basin, Pakistan

As the Earth's population continuously increase with the passage of time, the demand for agricultural raw material for human need increases. It is critical to maintaining updated and accurate information about the dynamics and properties of the world agricultural systems. As cash crop, the updated information of the spatial distribution of cotton field is necessary to monitor the crop area and growth changes at regional level. We used 8-day enhanced vegetation index (EVI) time series to detect cotton crop area and binomial probabilistic approach to obtain the probability distribution of cotton crop occurrence. We used Gaussian kriging to derive cotton yield inside the detected cotton crop areas through crop reporting data. We also used field data from farmers to validate the cotton yield results. A strong correlation between the MODIS-derived cotton cultivated area and statistical data at the tehsil level were achieved (R² = 0.84) for all study years (2004-2019). The total accuracy for the cotton crop area detection was 84.6% and yield prediction was 92.1%. Our study presents new approaches to map cotton area and yield, which are applicable to other regions through machine learning.

The effect of microRNA-663b in the inhibition of interleukin-1-induced nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis and inflammatory response

The aim of this study was to explore the role and pathological mechanism of microRNA-663b in interleukin-1beta (IL-1β)-induced inflammation and apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells. First, the best concentration and time to construct the nucleus pulposus cell inflammation model was screen out. Overexpression or inhibition of miR-663b expression was performed by adding microRNA-663b mimic or microRNA-663b inhibitor. 293T cells were transfected according to experimental requirements. The luciferase activity of each group was detected to analyze the targeted regulation of microRNA-663b on interleukin-1 receptor (IL1R1). Compared with the mimic negative control (NC) group, the expression of inflammatory factors in the microRNA-663b overexpression group was inhibited (P<0.05), and the expression of type 2 collagen and polysaccharide protein increased (P<0.05), and the apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells was inhibited (P<0.01), and the number of TUNEL-positive cells decreased significantly (P<0.01), and the microRNA and protein expression of IL1R1, the ratio of P-P65/P65 and phospho-nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor, alpha (P-IκBα)/nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor, alpha (IκBα) protein expression were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The expression of inflammatory factors in the miR-663b inhibitor group was significantly higher than that in the inhibitor NC group (P<0.01), and the expression of type 2 collagen and polysaccharide protein was significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the number of apoptosis cells and TUNEL staining positive cells increased (p<0.01). The expression of IL1R1 gene and protein was significantly increased (P<0.01). The ratio of P-P65/P65 and P-IκBα/IκBα protein expression increased (P<0.05). IL1R1 is a downstream target gene of microRNA-663b. MicroRNA-663b may down-regulate the expression of IL1R1 at the transcriptional level by targeting IL1R1, inhibit the inflammatory response of nucleus pulposus cells, and slow down the degeneration of nucleus pulposus cells.

The effect of microRNA-663b in the inhibition of interleukin-1-induced nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis and inflammatory response

The aim of this study was to explore the role and pathological mechanism of microRNA-663b in interleukin-1beta (IL-1β)-induced inflammation and apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells. First, the best concentration and time to construct the nucleus pulposus cell inflammation model was screen out. Overexpression or inhibition of miR-663b expression was performed by adding microRNA-663b mimic or microRNA-663b inhibitor. 293T cells were transfected according to experimental requirements. The luciferase activity of each group was detected to analyze the targeted regulation of microRNA-663b on interleukin-1 receptor (IL1R1). Compared with the mimic negative control (NC) group, the expression of inflammatory factors in the microRNA-663b overexpression group was inhibited (P<0.05), and the expression of type 2 collagen and polysaccharide protein increased (P<0.05), and the apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells was inhibited (P<0.01), and the number of TUNEL-positive cells decreased significantly (P<0.01), and the microRNA and protein expression of IL1R1, the ratio of P-P65/P65 and phospho-nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor, alpha (P-IκBα)/nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor, alpha (IκBα) protein expression were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The expression of inflammatory factors in the miR-663b inhibitor group was significantly higher than that in the inhibitor NC group (P<0.01), and the expression of type 2 collagen and polysaccharide protein was significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the number of apoptosis cells and TUNEL staining positive cells increased (p<0.01). The expression of IL1R1 gene and protein was significantly increased (P<0.01). The ratio of P-P65/P65 and P-IκBα/IκBα protein expression increased (P<0.05). IL1R1 is a downstream target gene of microRNA-663b. MicroRNA-663b may down-regulate the expression of IL1R1 at the transcriptional level by targeting IL1R1, inhibit the inflammatory response of nucleus pulposus cells, and slow down the degeneration of nucleus pulposus cells.

Carbon dots with hydrogen bond-controlled aggregation behavior

Here, hydrophilic carbon dots (H-CDs) are prepared by a facile room temperature method. The strength of hydrogen bonds can be controlled by introducing proton and aprotic solvents, respectively, so as to realize the tunable aggregation state of H-CDs. Because of the ultrasensitive response to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), H-CDs can serve as optical probes for detecting DMSO in a linear range of 0.005% to 0.75% and with a detection limit of 0.001%.

Systematic elucidation of the bioactive alkaloids and potential mechanism from Sophora flavescens for the treatment of eczema via network pharmacology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE

Sophora flavescens is a frequently used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of skin disorders, diarrhea, vaginal itching and inflammatory diseases. In particular, the root of S. flavescens combination with other herbs mainly treat eczema ailment in the clinical applications. However, a holistic network pharmacology approach to understanding the mechanism by which alkaloids in S. flavescens treat eczema has not been pursued.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To examine the network pharmacological potential effect of S. flavescens on eczema, we studied the alkaloids, performed protein targets prediction and investigated interacting signal pathways. Furthermore, animal experiment was carried out to evaluate its efficacy and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reactions (RT-qPCR) analysis was explored the mechanism of action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The detail information on alkaloids from S. flavescens were obtained from a handful of public databases on the basis of oral bioavailability (OB ≥ 30%) and drug-likeness (DL ≥ 0.18). Then, correlations between compounds and protein targets were linked using the STRING database, and targets associated with eczema were gathered by the GeneCards database. Human genes were identified and subjected to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis and Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis. Particularly, matrine, the crucial alkaloid from S. flavescens, was estimated using a 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced eczema Kunming (KM) mice model, administered (50 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) to mice for 22 days. On the last day, the activities of serum tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and histopathologic examinations were determined. For further to elucidate the mechanisms, the mRNA levels of TNF-α, STAT3, TP53, AKT1, IL-6, JUN and EGFR in dorsal skin tissues were also tested.

RESULTS

Network analysis collected and identified 35 alkaloids from S. flavescens. Among them, in total 10 dominating alkaloids, including matrine, oxymatrine, sophoridine, sophocarpine, oxysophocarpine, allomatrine, sophoramine, anagyrine, cytisine and N-methylcytisine. And 71 related targets were provided of alkaloids for the treatment of eczema from S. flavescens. Furthermore, matrine dose-dependently (50 or 10 mg/kg, 22 days, apply to dorsal skin) remarkable decreased the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-4, and significantly alleviated the skin lesions. The effects of 50 mg/kg of matrine were almost identical to those of 200 mg/kg of the positive drug dexamethasone (DXM). The further RT-qPCR analyses could reveal that matrine down-regulate TNF-α, STAT3 and TP53 at transcriptional level in dorsal skin tissues.

CONCLUSION

Pharmacological network analysis can utilize to illuminate the pharmacodynamic substances and the potential molecular mechanism of S. flavescens for treating eczema. Matrine, as the crucial alkaloid from S. flavescens, could be a promising drug candidate for the treatment of eczema ailment.

Medium to long term follow-up of survival and quality of life in patients with primary tumors of the cervical spine: Experience From a large single center

Objectives

To evaluate the survival and medium to long term health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with primary cervical spinal tumors in a cross-sectional study and to identify any significant associations with demographic or clinical characteristics.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with primary cervical spinal tumors were retrospectively enrolled and their clinical, radiologic, and follow-up data (specifically the EQ-5D questionnaire) were collected. Univariate and multivariate Cox time-dependent regression analyses were performed to examine the significance of certain variables on overall survival. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify variables significant for overall HRQoL and each dimension of the EQ-5D.

Results

A total of 341 patients were enrolled in the study with a mean follow-up of 70 months. The diagnosis was benign in 246 cases, malignant in 84, and unconfirmed in 11. The 5-year overall survival rate was 86% and the 10-year overall survival rate was 65%. Multivariate analysis suggested that surgical treatment (P = 0.002, hazard ratio [HR] = 0.431, 95% CI. [0.254, 0.729]), benign and malignant tumors [P < 0.001, HR = 2.788, 95% CI. (1.721, 4.516)], tumor and surrounding normal tissue boundary [P = 0.010, HR = 1.950, 95% CI. (1.171, 3.249)], and spinal instability [P = 0.031, HR = 1.731, 95% CI. (1.051, 2.851)] still had significant effects on survival.

Conclusions

In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the survival period and medium and long-term health-related quality of life of patients with primary tumors of the cervical spine, and analyzed the significant related factors of tumor clinical characteristics. Surgery, myelopathy, malignancy, spinal pain relieved by lying down or supine position, and tumor infiltration on MRI were significant predictors for overall survival. Enneking stage and age were significant predictors for HRQoL.

The aggravate role of exosomal circRNA11:120406118|12040782 on macrophage pyroptosis through miR-30b-5p/NLRP3 axis in silica-induced lung fibrosis

Silica dust inhalation could lead to silicosis, and there is no specific biomarker for its early diagnosis and no effective treatment due to the lack of research on its pathogenesis. The homeostasis of macrophages was considered to be crucial during the development of silicosis from persistent chronic inflammation to irreversible fibrosis. However, its regulatory mechanism and the communication between macrophages and others are still not clear. Exosomal circRNAs emerge as favorable candidates for cellular communication. Therefore, our study aimed to illustrate the regulatory mechanism of silicosis from the view of exosomal circRNAs. Our study identified a novel exosomal circRNA, circRNA11:120406118|12040782, in the peripheral serum of silicosis patients. Furthermore, the detailed role of circRNA11:120406118|12040782 was investigated both in silicosis mouse model and in silica-stimulated macrophages and fibroblasts. On the one hand, circRNA11:120406118|12040782 was shown to regulate silica-stimulated macrophage pyroptosis through circRNA11:120406118|12040782/miR-30b-5p/NLRP3 network. And this macrophage-derived cirRNA could promote the activation of fibroblasts. On the other hand, overexpressing miR-30b-5p, the crucial component of circRNA11:120406118|12040782/miR-30b-5p/NLRP3 regulatory network, could inhibit pyroptosis and attenuate silica-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis in mice. Our findings suggested that exosomal circRNA11:120406118|12040782 could aggravate NLRP3-mediated macrophages pyroptosis through sponging miR-30b-5p in silicosis development, which provide an experimental basis and shed light on the early diagnosis and treatment of silicosis.