Fluoride disrupts intestinal epithelial tight junction integrity through intracellular calcium-mediated RhoA/ROCK signaling and myosin light chain kinase

Fluoride is a common contaminant of groundwater and agricultural commodity, which poses challenges to animal and human health. A wealth of research has demonstrated its detrimental effects on intestinal mucosal integrity; however, the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. This study aimed to investigate the role of the cytoskeleton in fluoride-induced barrier dysfunction. After sodium fluoride (NaF) treatment of the cultured Caco-2 cells, both cytotoxicity and cytomorphological changes (internal vacuoles or massive ablation) were observed. NaF lowered transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and enhanced paracellular permeation of fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran 4 (FD-4), indicating Caco-2 monolayers hyperpermeability. In the meantime, NaF treatment altered both the expression and distribution of the tight junction protein ZO-1. Fluoride exposure increased myosin light chain II (MLC2) phosphorylation and triggered actin filament (F-actin) remodeling. While inhibition of myosin II by Blebbistatin blocked NaF-induced barrier failure and ZO-1 discontinuity, the corresponding agonist Ionomycin had effects comparable to those of fluoride, suggesting that MLC2 serves as an effector. Given the mechanisms upstream of p-MLC2 regulation, further studies demonstrated that NaF activated RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), strikingly increasing the expression of both. Pharmacological inhibitors (Rhosin, Y-27632 and ML-7) reversed NaF-induced barrier breakdown and stress fiber formation. The role of intracellular calcium ions ([Ca²⁺]_i) in NaF effects on Rho/ROCK pathway and MLCK was investigated. We found that NaF elevated [Ca²⁺]_i, whereas chelator BAPTA-AM attenuated increased RhoA and MLCK expression as well as ZO-1 rupture, thus, restoring barrier function. Collectively, abovementioned results suggest that NaF induces barrier impairment via Ca²⁺-dependent RhoA/ROCK pathway and MLCK, which in turn triggers MLC2 phosphorylation and rearrangement of ZO-1 and F-actin. These results provide potential therapeutic targets for fluoride-induced intestinal injury.

Additive-optimized micro-structure in cellulose acetate butyrate-based reverse osmosis membrane for desalination

Progress toward the high water flux of cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB)-based reverse osmosis (RO) membrane is a bottleneck for desalination and mitigation of fresh water shortage. Here, we develop an "optimization of formulation-induced structure" strategy using acetone (solvent), triethyl phosphate (pore-inducing agent), glycerin and n-propanol (boosters), which achieves a state-of-the-art salt rejection of 97.1% and permeate flux of 8.73 L m^-2·h^-1, ranking top among CAB-based RO membrane. Compared with reported literatures, it represents high separation performance for different concentrations (20-100 mg L^-1) of Rhodamine B and Congo red, different ion types (NaCl and MgCl₂), different time (600 min), and resistance to feed pressure changes. The key is the appropriate viscosity of the casting solution (995.52 mPa s), the synergy between the components and additives, contributing to the formation of "jellyfish"-like microscopic pore structure with the lowest surface roughness (Ra = 16.3) and good hydrophilicity. The proposed correlation mechanism between additive-optimized micro-structure and desalination provides a promising prospect for CAB-based RO membrane.

Functional Genomics of Gastrointestinal Escherichia coli Isolated from Patients with Cancer and Diarrhea

We describe the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of 29 patients with cancer and diarrhea in whom Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) was initially identified by GI BioFire panel multiplex. E. coli strains were successfully isolated from fecal cultures in 14 of 29 patients. Six of the 14 strains were identified as EAEC and 8 belonged to other diverse E. coli groups of unknown pathogenesis. We investigated these strains by their adherence to human intestinal organoids, cytotoxic responses, antibiotic resistance profile, full sequencing of their genomes, and annotation of their functional virulome. Interestingly, we discovered novel and enhanced adherence and aggregative patterns for several diarrheagenic pathotypes that were not previously seen when co-cultured with immortalized cell lines. EAEC isolates displayed exceptional adherence and aggregation to human colonoids compared not only to diverse GI E. coli , but also compared to prototype strains of other diarrheagenic E. coli . Some of the diverse E. coli strains that could not be classified as a conventional pathotype also showed an enhanced aggregative and cytotoxic response. Notably, we found a high carriage rate of antibiotic resistance genes in both EAEC strains and diverse GI E. coli isolates and observed a positive correlation between adherence to colonoids and the number of metal acquisition genes carried in both EAEC and the diverse E. coli strains. This work indicates that E. coli from cancer patients constitute strains of remarkable pathotypic and genomic divergence, including strains of unknown disease etiology with unique virulomes. Future studies will allow for the opportunity to re-define E. coli pathotypes with greater diagnostic accuracy and into more clinically relevant groupings.

Properties of Cosmic-Ray Sulfur and Determination of the Composition of Primary Cosmic-Ray Carbon, Neon, Magnesium, and Sulfur: Ten-Year Results from the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer

We report the properties of primary cosmic-ray sulfur (S) in the rigidity range 2.15 GV to 3.0 TV based on 0.38×10^{6} sulfur nuclei collected by the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer experiment (AMS). We observed that above 90 GV the rigidity dependence of the S flux is identical to the rigidity dependence of Ne-Mg-Si fluxes, which is different from the rigidity dependence of the He-C-O-Fe fluxes. We found that, similar to N, Na, and Al cosmic rays, over the entire rigidity range, the traditional primary cosmic rays S, Ne, Mg, and C all have sizeable secondary components, and the S, Ne, and Mg fluxes are well described by the weighted sum of the primary silicon flux and the secondary fluorine flux, and the C flux is well described by the weighted sum of the primary oxygen flux and the secondary boron flux. The primary and secondary contributions of the traditional primary cosmic-ray fluxes of C, Ne, Mg, and S (even Z elements) are distinctly different from the primary and secondary contributions of the N, Na, and Al (odd Z elements) fluxes. The abundance ratio at the source for S/Si is 0.167±0.006, for Ne/Si is 0.833±0.025, for Mg/Si is 0.994±0.029, and for C/O is 0.836±0.025. These values are determined independent of cosmic-ray propagation.

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.

A Tumor-specific ROS Self-supply Enhanced Cascade-responsive Prodrug Activation Nanosystem for Amplified Chemotherapy against Multidrug-Resistant Tumors

Chemotherapy remains the mainstay of cancer treatment, and doxorubicin (DOX) is recommended as a first-line chemotherapy drug against cancer. However, systemic adverse drug reactions and multidrug resistance limit its clinical applications. Here, a tumor-specific reactive oxygen species (ROS) self-supply enhanced cascade responsive prodrug activation nanosystem (denoted as PPHI@B/L) was developed to optimize multidrug resistance tumor chemotherapy efficacy while minimizing the side effects. PPHI@B/L was constructed by encapsulating the ROS-generating agent β-lapachone (Lap) and the ROS-responsive doxorubicin prodrug (BDOX) in acidic pH-sensitive heterogeneous nanomicelles. PPHI@B/L exhibited particle size decrease and charge increase when it reached the tumor microenvironment due to acid-triggered PEG detachment, to favor its endocytosis efficiency and deep tumor penetration. Furthermore, after PPHI@B/L internalization, rapidly released Lap was catalyzed by the overexpressed quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) enzyme NAD(P)H in tumor cells to selectively raise intracellular ROS levels. Subsequently, ROS generation further promoted the specific cascade activation of the prodrug BDOX to exert the chemotherapy effects. Simultaneously, Lap-induced ATP depletion reduced drug efflux, synergizing with increased intracellular DOX concentrations to assist in overcoming multidrug resistance. This tumor microenvironment-triggered cascade responsive prodrug activation nanosystem potentiates antitumor effects with satisfactory biosafety, breaking the chemotherapy limitation of multidrug resistance and significantly improving therapy efficiency. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Chemotherapy remains the mainstay of cancer treatment, and doxorubicin (DOX) is recommended as a first-line chemotherapy drug against cancer. However, systemic adverse drug reactions and multidrug resistance limit its clinical applications. Here, a tumor-specific reactive oxygen species (ROS) self-supply enhanced cascade responsive prodrug activation nanosystem (denoted as PPHI@B/L) was developed to optimize multidrug resistance tumor chemotherapy efficacy while minimizing the side effects. The work provides a new sight for simultaneously addressing the molecular mechanisms and physio-pathological disorders to overcome MDR in cancer treatment.

[Therapeutic efficacy of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome in 60 children]

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS), and to analyze the factors related to the outcomes. Methods: The clinical data of 60 children with WAS received HSCT in Shanghai Children's Medical Center from January 2006 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. All cases were treated with a myeloablative conditioning regimen with busulfan and cyclophosphamide, and a graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prevention regimen based on cyclosporine and methotrexate. Implantation, GVHD, transplant-related complications, immune reconstitution and survival rate were observed. Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method, and Log-Rank method was used for univariate comparison. Results: The 60 male patients had main clinical features as infection and bleeding. The age at diagnosis was 0.4 (0.3, 0.8) years, and the age at transplantation was 1.1 (0.6, 2.1) years. There were 20 cases of human leukocyte antigen matched transplantation and 40 mismatched transplantation; 35 patients received peripheral blood HSCT, and 25 cord blood HSCT. All cases were fully implanted. The incidence of acute GVHD (aGVHD) was 48% (29/60) and only 2 (7%) developed aGVHD of grade Ⅲ; the incidence of chronic GVHD (cGVHD) was 23% (13/56), and all cases were limited. The incidence of CMV and EBV infection was 35% (21/60) and 33% (20/60) respectively; and 7 patients developed CMV retinitis. The incidence of sinus obstruction syndrome was 8% (5/60), of whom 2 patients died. There were 7 cases (12%) of autoimmune hemocytopenia after transplantation. Natural killer cells were the earliest to recover after transplantation, and B cells and CD4⁺T cells returned to normal at about 180 days post HSCT. The 5-year overall survival rate (OS) of this group was 93% (95%CI 86%-99%), and the event free survial rate (EFS) was 87% (95%CI 78%-95%). EFS of non-CMV reactivation group is higher than that of CMV reactivation group (95% (37/39) vs.71% (15/21), χ²=5.22, P=0.022). Conclusions: The therapeutic efficacy of HSCT for WAS is satisfying, and the early application of HSCT in typical cases can achieve better outcome. CMV infection is the main factor affecting disease-free survival rate, which can be improved by strengthening the management of complications.

Daratumumab plus bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone in Asian patients with newly diagnosed AL amyloidosis: subgroup analysis of ANDROMEDA

Subcutaneous daratumumab plus bortezomib/cyclophosphamide/dexamethasone (VCd; D-VCd) improved outcomes versus VCd for patients with newly diagnosed immunoglobulin light-chain (AL) amyloidosis in the phase 3 ANDROMEDA study. We report a subgroup analysis of Asian patients (Japan; Korea; China) from ANDROMEDA. Among 388 randomized patients, 60 were Asian (D-VCd, n = 29; VCd, n = 31). At a median follow-up of 11.4 months, the overall hematologic complete response rate was higher for D-VCd versus VCd (58.6% vs. 9.7%; odds ratio, 13.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.3-53.7; P < 0.0001). Six-month cardiac and renal response rates were higher with D-VCd versus VCd (cardiac, 46.7% vs. 4.8%; P = 0.0036; renal, 57.1% vs. 37.5%; P = 0.4684). Major organ deterioration progression-free survival (MOD-PFS) and major organ deterioration event-free survival (MOD-EFS) were improved with D-VCd versus VCd (MOD-PFS: hazard ratio [HR], 0.21; 95% CI, 0.06-0.75; P = 0.0079; MOD-EFS: HR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.05-0.54; P = 0.0007). Twelve deaths occurred (D-VCd, n = 3; VCd, n = 9). Twenty-two patients had baseline serologies indicating prior hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposure; no patient experienced HBV reactivation. Although grade 3/4 cytopenia rates were higher than in the global safety population, the safety profile of D-VCd in Asian patients was generally consistent with the global study population, regardless of body weight. These results support D-VCd use in Asian patients with newly diagnosed AL amyloidosis. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03201965.

Future Projection of Extreme Precipitation Indices over the Qilian Mountains under Global Warming

The Qilian Mountains are a climate-sensitive area in northwest China, and extreme precipitation events have an important impact on its ecological environment. Therefore, considering the global warming scenario, it is highly important to project the extreme precipitation indices over the Qilian Mountains in the future. This study is based on three CMIP6 models (CESM2, EC-Earth3, and KACE-1-0-G). A bias correction algorithm (QDM) was used to correct the precipitation outputs of the models. The eight extreme precipitation indices over the Qilian Mountains during the historical period and in the future were calculated using meteorological software (ClimPACT2), and the performance of the CMIP6 models to simulate the extreme precipitation indices of the Qilian Mountains in the historical period was evaluated. Results revealed that: (1) The corrected CMIP6 models could simulate the changes in extreme precipitation indices over the Qilian Mountains in the historical period relatively well, and the corrected CESM2 displayed better simulation as compared to the other two CMIP6 models. The CMIP6 models performed well while simulating R10mm (CC is higher than 0.71) and PRCPTOT (CC is higher than 0.84). (2) The changes in the eight extreme precipitation indices were greater with the enhancement of the SSP scenario. The growth rate of precipitation in the Qilian Mountains during the 21st century under SSP585 is significantly higher than the other two SSP scenarios. The increment of precipitation in the Qilian Mountains mainly comes from the increase in heavy precipitation. (3) The Qilian Mountains will become wetter in the 21st century, especially in the central and eastern regions. The largest increase in precipitation intensity will be observed in the western Qilian Mountains. Additionally, total precipitation will also increase in the middle and end of the 21st century under SSP585. Furthermore, the precipitation increment of the Qilian Mountains will increase with the altitude in the middle and end of the 21st century. This study aims to provide a reference for the changes in extreme precipitation events, glacier mass balance, and water resources in the Qilian Mountains during the 21st century.

Overall Survival With Daratumumab, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone in Previously Treated Multiple Myeloma (POLLUX): A Randomized, Open-Label, Phase III Trial

PURPOSE

With the initial analysis of POLLUX at a median follow-up of 13.5 months, daratumumab in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone (D-Rd) significantly prolonged progression-free survival versus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd) alone in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). We report updated efficacy and safety results at the time of final analysis for overall survival (OS).

METHODS

POLLUX was a multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase III study during which eligible patients with ≥ 1 line of prior therapy were randomly assigned 1:1 to D-Rd or Rd until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. After positive primary analysis and protocol amendment, patients receiving Rd were offered daratumumab monotherapy after disease progression.

RESULTS

Significant OS benefit was observed with D-Rd (hazard ratio, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.58 to 0.91; P = .0044) at a median (range) follow-up of 79.7 months (0.0-86.5). The median OS was 67.6 months for D-Rd compared with 51.8 months for Rd. Prespecified analyses demonstrated an improved OS with D-Rd versus Rd in most subgroups, including patients age ≥ 65 years and patients with one, two, or three prior lines of therapy, International Staging System stage III disease, high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities, and refractoriness to their last prior line of therapy or a proteasome inhibitor. The most common (≥ 10%) grade 3/4 treatment-emergent adverse events with D-Rd versus Rd were neutropenia (57.6% v 41.6%), anemia (19.8% v 22.4%), pneumonia (17.3% v 11.0%), thrombocytopenia (15.5% v 15.7%), and diarrhea (10.2% v 3.9%).

CONCLUSION

D-Rd significantly extended OS versus Rd alone in patients with RRMM. To our knowledge, for the first time, our findings, together with the OS benefit observed with daratumumab plus bortezomib and dexamethasone in the phase III CASTOR trial, demonstrate OS improvement with daratumumab-containing regimens in RRMM (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02076009 [POLLUX]).

Overall Survival With Daratumumab, Bortezomib, and Dexamethasone in Previously Treated Multiple Myeloma (CASTOR): A Randomized, Open-Label, Phase III Trial

PURPOSE

At the primary analysis of CASTOR (median follow-up, 7.4 months), daratumumab plus bortezomib and dexamethasone (D-Vd) significantly prolonged progression-free survival versus bortezomib and dexamethasone (Vd) alone in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). We report updated efficacy and safety results at the final analysis for overall survival (OS).

METHODS

CASTOR was a multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase III study during which eligible patients with ≥ 1 line of prior therapy were randomly assigned to Vd (up to eight cycles) with or without daratumumab (until disease progression). After positive primary analysis and protocol amendment, patients receiving Vd were offered daratumumab monotherapy after disease progression.

RESULTS

At a median (range) follow-up of 72.6 months (0.0-79.8), significant OS benefit was observed with D-Vd (hazard ratio, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.92; P = .0075). Median OS was 49.6 months with D-Vd versus 38.5 months with Vd. Prespecified subgroup analyses demonstrated an OS advantage with D-Vd versus Vd for most subgroups, including patients age ≥ 65 years and patients with one or two prior lines of therapy, International Staging System stage III disease, high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities, and prior bortezomib treatment. The most common (≥ 10%) grade 3/4 treatment-emergent adverse events with D-Vd versus Vd were thrombocytopenia (46.1% v 32.9%), anemia (16.0% v 16.0%), neutropenia (13.6% v 4.6%), lymphopenia (10.3% v 2.5%), and pneumonia (10.7% v 10.1%).

CONCLUSION

D-Vd significantly prolonged OS in patients with RRMM, with the greatest OS benefit observed in patients with one prior line of therapy. To our knowledge, our results, together with the OS benefit observed with daratumumab plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone in the phase III POLLUX study, demonstrate for the first time an OS benefit with daratumumab-containing regimens in RRMM (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02136134 [CASTOR]).

Niche-mediated bacterial community composition in continental glacier alluvial valleys under cold and arid environments

Introduction

Bacteria are an essential component of glacier-fed ecosystems and play a dominant role in driving elemental cycling in the hydrosphere and pedosphere. However, studies of bacterial community composition mechanisms and their potential ecological functions from the alluvial valley of mountain glaciers are extremely scarce under cold and arid environments.

Methods

Here, we analyzed the effects of major physicochemical parameters related to soil on the bacterial community compositions in an alluvial valley of the Laohugou Glacier No. 12 from the perspective of core, other, and unique taxa and explored their functional composition characteristics.

Results and discussion

The different characteristics of core, other, and unique taxa highlighted the conservation and difference in bacterial community composition. The bacterial community structure of the glacial alluvial valley was mainly affected by the above sea level, soil organic carbon, and water holding capacity. In addition, the most common and active carbon metabolic pathways and their spatial distribution patterns along the glacial alluvial valley were revealed by FAPTOTAX. Collectively, this study provides new insights into the comprehensive assessment of glacier-fed ecosystems in glacial meltwater ceasing or glacier disappearance.

Exploring the mechanism of physcion-1-O-β-D-monoglucoside against acute lymphoblastic leukaemia based on network pharmacology and experimental validation

Objective

To explore the mechanism of PG against acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) by network pharmacology and experimental verification in vitro.

Methods

First, the biological activity of PG against B-ALL was determined by CCK-8 and flow cytometry. Then, the potential targets of PG were obtained from the PharmMapper database. ALL-related genes were collected from the GeneCards, OMIM and PharmGkb databases. The two datasets were intersected to obtain the target genes of PG in ALL. Then, protein interaction networks were constructed using the STRING database. The key targets were obtained by topological analysis of the network with Cytoscape 3.8.0 software. In addition, the mechanism of PG in ALL was confirmed by protein‒protein interaction, gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses. Furthermore, molecular docking was carried out by AutoDock Vina. Finally, Western blotting was performed to confirm the effect of PG on NALM6 cells.

Results

PG inhibited the proliferation of NALM6 cells. A total of 174 antileukaemic targets of PG were obtained by network pharmacology. The key targets included AKT1, MAPK14, EGFR, ESR1, LCK, PTPN11, RHOA, IGF1, MDM2, HSP90AA1, HRAS, SRC and JAK2. Enrichment analysis found that PG had antileukaemic effects by regulating key targets such as MAPK signalling, and PG had good binding activity with MAPK14 protein (-8.9 kcal/mol). PG could upregulate the expression of the target protein p-P38, induce cell cycle arrest, and promote the apoptosis of leukaemia cells.

Conclusion

MAPK14 was confirmed to be one of the key targets and pathways of PG by network pharmacology and molecular experiments.

Design of blueberry anthocyanin/TiO2 composite layer-based photoanode and N-doped porous blueberry-derived carbon-loaded Ni nanoparticle-based counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

P25/PBP (TiO₂, anthocyanins) prepared by combining PBP (blueberry peels) with P25, and N-doped porous carbon-supported Ni nanoparticles (Ni@NPC-X) prepared using blueberry-derived carbon were used for the application as photoanode and the counter electrode, respectively, in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) to create a new perspective for blueberry-based photo-powered energy systems. PBP was introduced into the P25 photoanode and carbonized to form a C-like structure after annealing that improved its adsorption capacity for N719 dye, contributing a 17.3% higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) of P25/PBP-Pt (5.82%) than that of P25-Pt (4.96%). The structure of the porous carbon changes from a flat surface to a petal-like structure due to the N doping by melamine, and the specific surface area increases. N-doped three-dimensional porous carbon supported the loading and reduced the agglomeration of Ni nanoparticles, reducing the charge transfer resistance, and providing a fast electron transfer path. The doping of Ni and N on the porous carbon worked synergistically to enhance the electrocatalytic activity of the Ni@NPC-X electrode. The PCE of the DSSCs assembled by Ni@NPC-1.5 and P25/PBP was 4.86%. Also, the Ni@NPC-1.5 electrode exhibited 116.12 F g^-1 and a capacitance retention rate of 98.2% (10 000 cycles), further confirming good electrocatalysis and cycle stability.

Variants in genes coding for collagen type IV α-chains are frequent causes of persistent, isolated hematuria during childhood

BACKGROUND

Children with persistent, isolated microscopic hematuria typically undergo a limited diagnostic workup and are monitored for signs of kidney disease in long-term longitudinal follow-up, which can delay diagnosis and allow disease progression in some cases.

METHODS

To determine the clinical utility of genetic screening in this population, we performed targeted genetic testing using a custom, 32-gene next-generation sequencing panel for progressive kidney disease on children referred to the Texas Children's Hospital Pediatric Nephrology clinic for persistent, microscopic hematuria (n = 30; cohort 1). Patients with microscopic hematuria identified by urinalysis on at least two separate occasions were eligible for enrollment, but those with other evidence of kidney disease were excluded. Results were analyzed for sequence variants using the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guideline for data interpretation and were validated using a secondary analysis of a dataset of children with hematuria and normal kidney function who had undergone genetic testing as part of an industry-sponsored program (cohort 2; n = 67).

RESULTS

In cohort 1 33% of subjects (10/30) had pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants in the type IV collagen genes (COL4A3/A4/A5), and 10% (3/30) had variants of uncertain significance in these genes. The high diagnostic rate in type IV collagen genes was confirmed in cohort 2, where 27% (18/67) of subjects had P/LP variants in COL4A3/A4/A5 genes.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with persistent, isolated microscopic hematuria have a high likelihood of having pathogenic variants in type IV collagen genes and genetic screening should be considered. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Exome-wide screening identifies novel rare risk variants for bone mineral density

Bone mineral density (BMD) is an independent risk factor of osteoporosis-related fractures. We performed gene-based burden tests to assess the association between rare variants and BMD, and identified several BMD candidate genes.

PURPOSE

BMD is highly heritable and a major predictor of osteoporotic fractures, but its genetic basis remains unclear. We aimed to identify rare risk variants contributing to BMD.

METHODS

Utilizing the newly released UK Biobank 200,643 exome dataset, we conducted a gene-based exome-wide association study in males and females, respectively. First, 100,639 males and 117,338 females with BMD values were included in the polygenic risk scores (PRS) analysis. Among individuals with lower 30% PRS, cases were individuals with top 10% BMD, and individuals with bottom 10% BMD were the controls. Considering the effects of vitamin D (VD), individuals with the highest 30% VD concentration were selected for VD-BMD analysis. After quality control, 741 males and 697 females were included in the BMD analysis, and 717 males and 708 females were included in the VD-BMD analysis. The variants were annotated by ANNOVAR software, then BMD and VD-BMD qualified variants were imported into the SKAT R-package to perform gene-based burden tests, respectively.

RESULTS

The gene-based burden test of the exonic variants identified genome-wide candidate associations in ANKRD18A (P = 1.60 × 10^-5, P_{Bonferroni adjust} = 2.11 × 10^-3), C22orf31 (P = 3.49 × 10^-4, P_{Bonferroni adjust} = 3.17 × 10^-2), and SPATC1L (P = 1.09 × 10^-5, P_{Bonferroni adjust} = 8.80 × 10^-3). For VD-BMD analysis, three genes were associated with BMD, such as NIPAL1 (P = 1.06 × 10^-3, P_{Bonferroni adjust} = 3.91 × 10^-2).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggested that rare variants contribute to BMD, providing new sights for broadening the genetic structure of BMD.

Bio-inspired Oxidative Stress Amplifier for Suppressing Cancer Metastasis and Imaging-Guided Combination Therapy

Antioxidant-defense systems of tumor cells protect them from oxidative damage and is strongly associated with tumor metastasis. In this work, a mussel-inspired multifunctional nanomedicine (ZS-MB@P) has been designed for inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis through amplified oxidative stress and photothermal/magnetothermal/photodynamic triple-combination therapy. This nanomedicine was fabricated via loading a silica shell on the magnetic nano-octahedrons [zinc-doped magnetic Fe₃O₄ nano-octahedrons] by encapsulating photosensitizer methylene blue (MB) and subsequently coating polydopamine (PDA) shells as "gatekeeper." The nanomedicine could realize photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and magnetic hyperthermia after treatment with near-infrared (NIR) irradiation and applied magnetic field. Under pH and NIR stimulation, controlled amount of MB was released to produced exogenous reactive oxygen species. Noteworthy, PDA can amplify intracellular oxidative stress by depleting glutathione, thus inhibiting breast cancer metastasis effectively since oxidative stress is an important barrier to tumor metastasis. The outstanding ability to suppress tumor growth and metastasis was comprehensively assessed and validated both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the nanomedicine showed outstanding T₂ magnetic resonance imaging for tracking the treatment process. Taken together, this work offers an innovative approach in the synergistic treatment of recalcitrant breast cancer.

Closed Bipolar Electrode Array for Optical Reporting Reaction-Coupled Electrochemical Sensing and Imaging

This review centers on a closed bipolar electrode (BPE) array using an electro-fluorochromism (EFC) or electro-chemiluminescence (ECL) reaction as the reporting reaction. Electrochemical signals at one pole of the closed BPE array can be transduced into the EFC or ECL signals at the opposite pole. Therefore, the current signal of a redox reaction can be easily detected and imaged by monitoring the luminescence signal. Recent developments in closed BPE array-based EFC and ECL sensing and imaging are summarized and discussed in detail. Finally, we consider the challenges and opportunities for improving the spatial resolution of closed BPE array-based electrochemical imaging, and emphasize the important application of this technique to the imaging of cellular activities at the single-cell level.

Dust dominates the summer melting of glacier ablation zones on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau

Dust and black carbon (BC) can darken snow and ice surface and play pivotal roles in glacier mass loss. Thus, a quantitative assessment of their contributions to glacier summer melting is critical. During the summer of 2018, surface snow and ice were sampled, and the albedo and mass balance were continuously measured in the ablation zone of Laohugou Glacier No. 12 in the western Qilian Mountains. The physical properties of dust and BC were measured in the laboratory, and their impacts on glacier surface albedo reduction and melting were simulated. The results indicate that the ice surface in the ablation zone was enriched with substantial amounts of particles, and the average particle concentrations of these samples were hundreds of times higher than those of fresh snow. The BC mass absorption cross-sections (MACs) ranged from 3.1 m² g^-1 at 550 nm for dirty ice to 4.6 m² g^-1 for fresh snow, largely owing to meltwater percolation and particle collapse. The spectral variations in dust MACs were significantly different in the visible light bands and near-infrared bands from those in the other areas. Moreover, the two-layer surface energy and mass balance model with the new albedo parameterization formula was validated and agreed well with the experimental measurements of spectral albedo, broadband albedo, and mass balance. BC and dust combined resulted in 26.7 % and 54.4 % of the total mass loss on the cleaner and dirtier (particle enriched) surfaces in the ablation zone, respectively, compared to particle-free surfaces, and although both impurities played vital roles, dust was the more prominent factor in accelerating glacier melting on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. This study emphasizes the importance of dust in cryosphere changes where Tibetan glaciers are strongly affected by Asian dust deposition.

Insights on the distribution and environmental implications of the radio-isotope 235U in surface soils and glaciers of the Tibetan Plateau

Atom ratio between ²³⁵U and ²³⁸U is often used as an indicator of U contamination as the isotopic signature of products generated by the nuclear and military industry significantly vary from the natural isotopic ratio of U. In this study, surface soils and glaciers samples were collected in the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and its surrounding areas and analyzed for U isotopic composition. Results show that the ²³⁵U/²³⁸U atom ratios in the surface soils of the TP ranges from 0.007122 to 0.007615, with an average value of 0.007378 ± 0.00011; while in the snow/ice dust from high-altitude glaciers it ranges from 0.007254 to 0.007687, with an average value of 0.007345 ± 0.000128. These ratios are slightly higher than the typical crustal value, indicating that the TP was affected by an anthropogenic input of ²³⁵U, especially in its northeast and southwest sectors. The variability of our results suggests that the spatial distribution of this contamination is not uniform, pointing to differences in the potential sources and transmission paths of radioactive particles. Combining the knowledge of past tests and activities conducted in the geographic areas around the TP with the knowledge of prevailing winds, we hypothesize that the observed ²³⁵U contamination in the TP surface soils and glaciers may have originated mainly from the previous nuclear related activities in surrounding areas (e.g., north Gobi Desert and South Asia). In addition, the horizontal and vertical wind field around the Tibetan Plateau, as well as the atmospheric aerosol optical thickness data also demonstrated the possible transport paths of the radionuclides, that is, originated from in northern Gobi desert and South Asia and reached the TP crossing the Himalayas.

[QMEC-based Analysis of the Soil Microbial Functional Potentials across Different Tibetan Plateau Glacier Forelands]

Soil microorganisms dominate the biogeochemical cycles of elements in glacier forelands, which continue to expand due to the climate warming. We analyzed the soil microbial functional characteristics among three types of glacier forelands on the Tibetan Plateau: Yulong Glacier (Y), a temperate glacier; Tianshan Urumqi Glacier No.1 (T), a sub-continental glacier; and Laohugou Glacier No.12 (L), a continental glacier. Here, soil microbial functional genes were quantified using quantitative microbial element cycling technology (QMEC). We found that, in the three glacier forelands, the abundances of soil microbial functional genes related to hemicellulose degradation and reductive acetyl-CoA pathway were highest compared with other carbon-related functional genes. The main nitrogen cycling genes were involved in ammonification. The functional genes of the phosphorus cycle and sulfur cycle were related to organic phosphate mineralization and sulfur oxidation. Furthermore, the soils of the temperate glacier foreland with better hydrothermal conditions had the most complex microbial functional gene structure and the highest functional potentials, followed by those of the soils of continental glacier foreland with the driest environment. These significant differences in soil microbial functional genes among the three types of glacier forelands verified the impacts of geographic difference on microbial functional characteristics, as well as providing a basis for the study of soil microbial functions and biogeochemical cycles in glacier forelands.