Biotic homogenization, lower soil fungal diversity and fewer rare taxa in arable soils across Europe

Soil fungi are a key constituent of global biodiversity and play a pivotal role in agroecosystems. How arable farming affects soil fungal biogeography and whether it has a disproportional impact on rare taxa is poorly understood. Here, we used the high-resolution PacBio Sequel targeting the entire ITS region to investigate the distribution of soil fungi in 217 sites across a 3000 km gradient in Europe. We found a consistently lower diversity of fungi in arable lands than grasslands, with geographic locations significantly impacting fungal community structures. Prevalent fungal groups became even more abundant, whereas rare groups became fewer or absent in arable lands, suggesting a biotic homogenization due to arable farming. The rare fungal groups were narrowly distributed and more common in grasslands. Our findings suggest that rare soil fungi are disproportionally affected by arable farming, and sustainable farming practices should protect rare taxa and the ecosystem services they support.

Metabolites analysis and new bioactive compounds from the medicine food homology product of Cordyceps chanhua on artificial media

Cordyceps chanhua on artificial media has been approved as a medicine food homology product. However, the metabolites have not been extensively studied. HPLC-HRMS analysis showed that there were 11 main metabolites in the EtOAc extract including 4 probable unknown compounds. Fumosoroseain A with anti-aging effects is the most abundant known compound and was identified from C. chanhua for the first time. The second abundant compound is N6-(2-Hydroxyethyl) adenosine, a typical metabolite of C. chanhua. All the known compounds have consistent health function with that of the fungus. HRMS, 1D and 2D NMR analyses revealed that compounds 2, 3, and 4 are new nucleosides named as chanhuanosides A, B, and C. Compound 1 is the known compound cordyrrole B isolated from C. chanhua for the first time whose structure is firstly confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis. Bioactivity analysis revealed that 1-4 significantly inhibited pancreatic lipase activity, and strongly promoted the proliferation of RAW264.7 and 293T cells, suggesting that they might have ant-obesity, immunoregulation, and renal protection functions. Structure-bioactivity analysis revealed that the esterification on ribose can increase their bioactivity. Present metabolites study suggests that C. chanhua cultured on the artificial medium is a promising health food.

An effective treatment for diabetic foot necrosis with traditional Chinese and Western medicine: a case report

Patients with diabetes who undergo a kidney transplant are at a great risk of undergoing amputations, usually associated with severe infection and necrosis. The treatment of severe diabetic foot necrosis is challenging in clinic, and the function of the limb is often hugely compromised. A 74-year-old male who had been diagnosed with severe post-renal transplant diabetic foot necrosis refused the option of below-knee amputation from previous surgeons, and requested to keep his left foot. The patient was treated with integrated traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine, with positive results. TCM therapeutic principles included 'clearing heat, removing toxicity, regulating Qi, resolving dampness, activating stagnant blood and nourishing yin as well as tonifying Qi and blood'. Treatment with Western medicine included wound debridement, internal fixation or joint fusion, and use of insulin, antibiotics and vasodilators. The patient was treated with a staged and diverse approach (i.e., a combination of TCM and Western medicine, surgical management and education for diabetic foot care), which ultimately helped the patient achieve limb salvage and regain normal function. A combination therapy of Western medicine and TCM may be a promising approach to heal diabetic foot ulcers.

Derivation of human primordial germ cell-like cells in an embryonic-like culture

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the embryonic precursors of sperm and eggs. They transmit genetic and epigenetic information across generations. Given the prominent role of germline defects in diseases such as infertility, detailed understanding of human PGC (hPGC) development has important implications in reproductive medicine and studying human evolution. Yet, hPGC specification remains an elusive process. Here, we report the induction of hPGC-like cells (hPGCLCs) in a bioengineered human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) culture that mimics peri-implantation human development. In this culture, amniotic ectoderm-like cells (AMLCs), derived from hPSCs, induce hPGCLC specification from hPSCs through paracrine signaling downstream of ISL1. Our data further show functional roles of NODAL, WNT, and BMP signaling in hPGCLC induction. hPGCLCs are successfully derived from eight non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) participant-derived hPSC lines using this biomimetic platform, demonstrating its promise for screening applications.

Predictive Mapping of Antimicrobial Resistance for Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter in Food-Producing Animals, Europe, 2000-2021

In Europe, systematic national surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in food-producing animals has been conducted for decades; however, geographic distribution within countries remains unknown. To determine distribution within Europe, we combined 33,802 country-level AMR prevalence estimates with 2,849 local AMR prevalence estimates from 209 point prevalence surveys across 31 countries. We produced geospatial models of AMR prevalence in Escherichia coli, nontyphoidal Salmonella, and Campylobacter for cattle, pigs, and poultry. We summarized AMR trends by using the proportion of tested antimicrobial compounds with resistance >50% and generated predictive maps at 10 × 10 km resolution that disaggregated AMR prevalence. For E. coli, predicted prevalence rates were highest in southern Romania and southern/eastern Italy; for Salmonella, southern Hungary and central Poland; and for Campylobacter, throughout Spain. Our findings suggest that AMR distribution is heterogeneous within countries and that surveillance data from below the country level could help with prioritizing resources to reduce AMR.

Integrated analysis of transcriptome, translatome and proteome reveals insights into yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) brain in response to hypoxia

Brain plays a central role in adapting to environmental changes and is highly sensitive to the oxygen level. Although previous studies investigated the molecular response of brain exposure to acute hypoxia in fish, the lack of studies at the translational level hinders further understanding of the regulatory mechanism response to hypoxia from multi-omics levels. Yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) is an important freshwater aquaculture species; however, hypoxia severely restricts the sustainable development of its breeding industry. In the present study, the transcriptome, translatome, and proteome were integrated to study the global landscapes of yellow catfish brain response to hypoxia. The evidently increased amount of cerebral cortical cells with oedema and pyknotic nuclei has been observed in hypoxia group of yellow catfish. A total of 2750 genes were significantly changed at the translational level. Comparative transcriptional and translational analysis suggested the HIF-1 signaling pathway, autophagy and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis were up-regulated after hypoxia exposure. KEGG enrichment of translational efficiency (TE) differential genes suggested that the lysosome and autophagy were highly enriched. Our result showed that yellow catfish tends to inhibit the TE of genes by increasing the translation of uORFs to adapt to hypoxia. Correlation analysis showed that transcriptome and translatome exhibit higher correlation. In summary, this study demonstrated that hypoxia dysregulated the cerebral function of yellow catfish at the transcriptome, translatome, and proteome, which provides a better understanding of hypoxia adaptation in teleost.

Single-Cell mRNA-sncRNA Co-sequencing of Preimplantation Embryos

The development of single-cell multiomics has provided the ability to systematically investigate cellular diversity and heterogeneity in different biological systems via comprehensive delineations of individual cellular states. Single-cell RNA sequencing in particular has served as a powerful tool to the study of the molecular circuitries underlying preimplantation embryonic development in both the mouse and human. Here we describe a method to elucidate the cellular dynamics of the embryo further by performing both single-cell RNA sequencing (Smart-Seq2) and single-cell small non-coding RNA sequencing (Small-Seq) on the same individual embryonic cell.

Outcomes of Mitral Valve Repair for Degenerative Mitral Disease: A Single-Centre 10-Year Experience

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the long-term outcomes of degenerative mitral valve (MV) repair.

METHODS

This study analysed 1,069 patients who underwent MV repair due to degenerative MV disease at Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2010 to December 2019. All patients were clinically followed until December 2019, with an average follow-up period of 4.7 years. Perioperative complications, 30-day mortality, long-term outcomes, and risk factors of all-cause death and recurrent mitral regurgitation (MR) were summarised.

RESULTS

Ten patients died in the hospital and 33 died during the follow-up period. Recurrent MR occurred in 113 patients. Fourteen patients underwent re-operation. Rates of long-term survival, absence of recurrent MR, and no re-operation were 94.0% (91.6%-96.6%), 81.2% (77.3%-85.3%), and 98.2% (97.2%-99.3%), respectively. The risk factors for long-term all-cause death included age and an ejection fraction (EF) <60%. The risk factors for recurrent MR included age, female sex, E-wave velocity, anterior prolapse, residual 1+MR postoperatively, and lower body mass index.

CONCLUSIONS

Mitral valve repair is an effective treatment for degenerative MV disease that, in an experienced heart centre, can be performed with low mortality, recurrence, and re-operation rates. Advanced age and an EF <60% were risk factors for long-term all-cause death. Age, female sex, residual 1+MR postoperatively, lower body mass index, higher peak E-wave velocity, and anterior prolapse were risk factors for recurrent MR.

CAFs Homologous Biomimetic Liposome Bearing BET Inhibitor and Pirfenidone Synergistically Promoting Antitumor Efficacy in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

BRD4 is a member of the BET protein family involved in chromatin remodeling and transcriptional regulation. Several BET inhibitors (BETi) have entered clinical trials, demonstrating potential in inducing cancer cell apoptosis and tumor regression. However, resistance to BETi is common in solid tumors. In pancreatic cancer, it is found that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment reduce the BET inhibitor JQ1 sensitivity by inducing BRD4 expression. Moreover, CAFs play a crucial role in the formation of a dense stromal barrier. Therefore, targeting CAFs in the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer not only enhances cancer cells sensitivity to JQ1 but also increases drug perfusion and improves oxygen supply, thus reducing glycolysis and limiting energy supply. To address this challenge, a homologous targeting mechanism utilizing activated fibroblast membrane-coated liposomes is proposed for specific drug precise target to CAFs-rich pancreatic cancer. Additionally, TAT peptides enable liposomes penetration, delivering PFD for targeted anti-fibrotic therapy, reducing extracellular matrix generation and glycolysis, and enhancing JQ1 delivery and sensitivity. In conclusion, the findings indicate the tremendous potential of this CAFs-targeting liposomal delivery system in pancreatic cancer.

β-glucan, a specific immuno-stimulant, produces rapid antidepressant effects by stimulating ERK1/2-dependent synthesis of BDNF in the hippocampus

A decline in microglia in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus has recently been described as an important mechanism for the progression of depression. Reversal of this decline by innate immune system stimulants may represent a novel strategy to ameliorate the depressive phenotype in chronically stressed animals. β-glucan is a polysaccharide from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It can efficiently stimulate microglia without inducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, β-glucan could be an ideal drug to ameliorate depressive phenotypes. In the present study, we found that a single injection of β-glucan reversed depression-like behaviors in mice induced by chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) in a dose-dependent manner, which was accompanied by a reversal of the CUS-induced decrease in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein levels in the dentate gyrus. The crucial role of BDNF signaling in the antidepressant effect of β-glucan was demonstrated by experiments showing that infusion of an anti-BDNF antibody into dentate gyrus, construction of BDNF-Val68Met allele knock-in mice, or treatment with the BDNF receptor antagonist K252a abolished the antidepressant effect of β-glucan. The increased BDNF signaling induced by β-glucan was mediated by extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2)-mediated BDNF synthesis, and inhibition of ERK1/2 by SL327 was able to abolish the antidepressant effect of β-glucan. Moreover, inhibition or depletion of microglia by minocycline or PLX3397 abolished the reversal effect of β-glucan on CUS-induced depression-like behaviors and CUS-induced impairment of ERK1/2-BDNF signaling. These results suggest that β-glucan exhibits antidepressant effects by stimulating microglia-mediated activation of ERK1/2 and synthesis of BDNF in the hippocampus.

Age-dependent changes in the gut microbiota and serum metabolome correlate with renal function and human aging

Human aging is invariably accompanied by a decline in renal function, a process potentially exacerbated by uremic toxins originating from gut microbes. Based on a registered household Chinese Guangxi longevity cohort (n = 151), we conducted comprehensive profiling of the gut microbiota and serum metabolome of individuals from 22 to 111 years of age and validated the findings in two independent East Asian aging cohorts (Japan aging cohort n = 330, Yunnan aging cohort n = 80), identifying unique age-dependent differences in the microbiota and serum metabolome. We discovered that the influence of the gut microbiota on serum metabolites intensifies with advancing age. Furthermore, mediation analyses unveiled putative causal relationships between the gut microbiota (Escherichia coli, Odoribacter splanchnicus, and Desulfovibrio piger) and serum metabolite markers related to impaired renal function (p-cresol, N-phenylacetylglutamine, 2-oxindole, and 4-aminohippuric acid) and aging. The fecal microbiota transplantation experiment demonstrated that the feces of elderly individuals could influence markers related to impaired renal function in the serum. Our findings reveal novel links between age-dependent alterations in the gut microbiota and serum metabolite markers of impaired renal function, providing novel insights into the effects of microbiota-metabolite interplay on renal function and healthy aging.

On-Site Diagnostic Ability of CEUS/CT/MRI for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (2019-2022): A Multicenter Study

OBJECTIVES

To compare the on-site diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), computed tomography (CECT), and magnetic resonance imaging (CEMRI) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) across diverse practice settings.

METHODS

Between May 2019 and April 2022, a total of 2085 patients with 2320 pathologically confirmed focal liver lesions (FLLs) were enrolled. Imaging reports were compared with results from pathology analysis. Diagnostic performance was analyzed in defined size, high-risk factors for HCC, and hospital volume categories.

RESULTS

Three images achieved similar diagnostic performance in classifying HCC from 16 types of FLLs, including HCC ≤2.0 cm. For HCC diagnosis at low-volume hospitals and HCC with high-risk factors, the accuracy and specificity of CEUS were comparable to CECT and CEMRI, while the sensitivity of CEUS (77.4 and 89.5%, respectively) was inferior to CEMRI (87.0 and 92.8%, respectively). The diagnostic accuracy of CEUS + CEMRI and CEUS + CECT increased by 7.8 and 6.2% for HCC ≤2.0 cm, 8.0 and 5.0% for HCC with high-risk factors, and 7.4 and 5.5% for HCC at low-volume hospitals, respectively, compared with CEMRI/CECT alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with CECT and CEMRI, CEUS provides adequate diagnostic performance in clinical first-line applications at high-volume hospitals. Moreover, a higher diagnostic performance for HCC is achieved by combining CEUS with CECT/CEMRI compared with any single imaging technique.

The association and application of sonodynamic therapy and autophagy in diseases

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is a new non-invasive treatment method proposed based on photodynamic therapy (PDT). It has advantages such as high precision, strong tissue penetration, minimal side effects, and good patient compliance. With the maturation of nanomedicine, the application of nanosonosensitizers has further propelled the development of SDT. In recent years, people have developed many new types of sonosensitizers and explored the mechanisms of SDT. Among them, the studies about the relationship between autophagy and SDT have attracted increasing attention. After the SDT, cells usually undergo autophagy as a self-protective mechanism to resist external stimuli and reduce cell damage, which is beneficial for the treatment of atherosclerosis (AS), diabetes, and myocardial infarction but counterproductive in cancer treatment. However, under certain treatment conditions, excessive upregulation of autophagy can also promote cell death, which is beneficial for cancer treatment. This article reviews the latest research progress on the relationship between SDT and autophagy in cancers, AS, diabetes, and myocardial infarction. We also discuss and propose the challenges and prospects in enhancing SDT efficacy by regulating autophagy, with the hope of promoting the development of this promising therapeutic approach.

Acute cold stress leads to zebrafish ovarian dysfunction by regulating miRNA and mRNA

Temperature is a critical factor that regulates the reproduction processes in teleost. However, the gonadal response mechanism to cold stress in fish remains largely unknown. In the present study, female zebrafish were exposed to different extents of low temperatures at 18 °C and 10 °C for 48 h. The ovarian histology was remarkably damaged after cold stress exposure. Integrated analysis of miRNA-mRNA was used to investigate the ovarian response to acute cold stress. A large number of mRNAs and miRNAs were altered by cold stress, which are involved in extensive biological processes. It is indicated that the signal transduction of MAPK and Calcium signaling pathway is highly engaged in zebrafish ovary to adapt to cold stress. The immune system was dysregulated by cold stress while the ovarian autophagy was activated. Remarkably increased gene number related to reproductive functions was identified in the cold stress at 10 °C compared to the control. The cold stress-induced dysregulated reproductive genes include star, hsd3b1, hsd17b1, inha, insl3, amh, nanos1 and foxl2. Combined with the dysregulated insulin, IGF and progesterone signaling, it is suggested that cold stress affects ovarian function in multiple aspects, including oocyte meiosis, folliculogenesis, final maturation and ovarian maintenance. On the other hand, the ovarian miRNA-mRNA regulatory network response to cold stress was also constructed. Overall, our result revealed the ovarian response to cold stress in zebrafish and provided insight into the fish adaptation mechanism to acute temperature change.

Parallel Monitoring of Glucose, Free Amino Acids, and Vitamin C in Fruits Using a High-Throughput Paper-Based Sensor Modified with Poly(carboxybetaine acrylamide)

Herein, a cost-effective and portable microfluidic paper-based sensor is proposed for the simultaneous and rapid detection of glucose, free amino acids, and vitamin C in fruit. The device was constructed by embedding a poly(carboxybetaine acrylamide) (pCBAA)-modified cellulose paper chip within a hydrophobic acrylic plate. We successfully showcased the capabilities of a filter paper-based microfluidic sensor for the detection of fruit nutrients using three distinct colorimetric analyses. Within a single paper chip, we simultaneously detected glucose, free amino acids, and vitamin C in the vivid hues of cyan blue, purple, and Turnbull's blue, respectively, in three distinctive detection zones. Notably, we employed more stable silver nanoparticles for glucose detection, replacing the traditional peroxidase approach. The detection limits for glucose reached a low level of 0.049 mmol/L. Meanwhile, the detection limits for free amino acids and vitamin C were found to be 0.236 mmol/L and 0.125 mmol/L, respectively. The feasibility of the proposed sensor was validated in 13 different practical fruit samples using spectrophotometry. Cellulose paper utilizes capillary action to process trace fluids in tiny channels, and combined with pCBAA, which has superior hydrophilicity and anti-pollution properties, it greatly improves the sensitivity and practicality of paper-based sensors. Therefore, the paper-based colorimetric device is expected to provide technical support for the nutritional value assessment of fruits in the field of rapid detection.

Development and external validation of a prediction model for venous thromboembolism in systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). We conducted this study to develop a risk score algorithm for VTE in patients with SLE that provides individualised risk estimates.

METHODS

We developed a clinical prediction model of VTE in 4502 patients with SLE based on the Chinese SLE Treatment and Research group cohort (CSTAR) from January 2009 to January 2020 and externally validated in 3780 patients with SLE in CSTAR from January 2020 to January 2022. Baseline data were obtained and VTE events were recorded during the follow-up. The prediction model was developed to predict VTE risk within 6 months in patients with SLE, using multivariate logistic regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. SLE-VTE score and nomogram were established according to the model.

RESULTS

A total of 4502 patients included in the development cohort, 135 had VTE events. The final prediction model (SLE-VTE score) included 11 variables: gender, age, body mass index, hyperlipidaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, C reactive protein, anti-β2GPI antibodies, lupus anticoagulant, renal involvement, nervous system involvement and hydroxychloroquine, with area under the curve of 0.947 and 0.808 in the development (n=4502) and external validation cohort (n=3780), respectively. According to the net benefit and predicted probability thresholds, we recommend annual screening of VTE in high risk (≥1.03%) patients with SLE.

CONCLUSION

Various factors are related to the occurrence of VTE in patients with SLE. The proposed SLE-VTE risk score can accurately predict the risk of VTE and help identify patients with SLE with a high risk of VTE who may benefit from thromboprophylaxis.

Profiling the Physiological Roles in Fish Primary Cell Culture

Fish primary cell culture has emerged as a valuable tool for investigating the physiological roles and responses of various cell types found in fish species. This review aims to provide an overview of the advancements and applications of fish primary cell culture techniques, focusing on the profiling of physiological roles exhibited by fish cells in vitro. Fish primary cell culture involves the isolation and cultivation of cells directly derived from fish tissues, maintaining their functional characteristics and enabling researchers to study their behavior and responses under controlled conditions. Over the years, significant progress has been made in optimizing the culture conditions, establishing standardized protocols, and improving the characterization techniques for fish primary cell cultures. The review highlights the diverse cell types that have been successfully cultured from different fish species, including gonad cells, pituitary cells, muscle cells, hepatocytes, kidney and immune cells, adipocyte cells and myeloid cells, brain cells, primary fin cells, gill cells, and other cells. Each cell type exhibits distinct physiological functions, contributing to vital processes such as metabolism, tissue regeneration, immune response, and toxin metabolism. Furthermore, this paper explores the pivotal role of fish primary cell culture in elucidating the mechanisms underlying various physiological processes. Researchers have utilized fish primary cell cultures to study the effects of environmental factors, toxins, pathogens, and pharmaceutical compounds on cellular functions, providing valuable insights into fish health, disease pathogenesis, and drug development. The paper also discusses the application of fish primary cell cultures in aquaculture research, particularly in investigating fish growth, nutrition, reproduction, and stress responses. By mimicking the in vivo conditions in vitro, primary cell culture has proven instrumental in identifying key factors influencing fish health and performance, thereby contributing to the development of sustainable aquaculture practices.

Genetic evidence for differential functions of figla and nobox in zebrafish ovarian differentiation and folliculogenesis

FIGLA and NOBOX are important oocyte-specific transcription factors. Both figla-/- and nobox-/- mutants showed all-male phenotype in zebrafish due to increased dominance of the male-promoting pathway. The early diversion towards males in these mutants has precluded analysis of their roles in folliculogenesis. In this study, we attenuated the male-promoting pathway by deleting dmrt1, a key male-promoting gene, in figla-/- and nobox-/- fish, which allows a sufficient display of defects in folliculogenesis. Germ cells in figla-/-;dmrt1-/- double mutant remained in cysts without forming follicles. In contrast, follicles could form well but exhibited deficient growth in nobox-/-;dmrt1-/- double mutants. Follicles in nobox-/-;dmrt1-/- ovary could progress to previtellogenic (PV) stage but failed to enter vitellogenic growth. Such arrest at PV stage suggested a possible deficiency in estrogen signaling. This was supported by lines of evidence in nobox-/-;dmrt1-/-, including reduced expression of ovarian aromatase (cyp19a1a) and level of serum estradiol (E2), regressed genital papilla (female secondary sex characteristics), and more importantly the resumption of vitellogenic growth by E2 treatment. Expression analysis suggested Nobox might regulate cyp19a1a by controlling Gdf9 and/or Bmp15. Our discoveries indicate that Figla is essential for ovarian differentiation and follicle formation whereas Nobox is important for driving subsequent follicle development.

Itaconate: A promising precursor for treatment of neuroinflammation associated depression

Neuroinflammation triggers the production of inflammatory factors, influences neuron generation and synaptic plasticity, thus playing an important role in the pathogenesis of depression and becoming an important direction of depression prevention and treatment. Itaconate is a metabolite secreted by macrophages in immunomodulatory responses, that has potent immunomodulatory effects and has been proven to exert anti-inflammatory effects in a variety of diseases. Microglia are mononuclear macrophages that reside in the central nervous system (CNS), and may be the source of endogenous itaconate in the brain. Itaconate can directly inhibit succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), reduce the production of NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3), activate nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), and block glycolysis, and thereby improving the depressive symptoms associated with the above mechanisms. Notably, itaconate also indirectly ameliorates the depressive symptoms associated with some inflammatory diseases. With the optimization of the structure and the development of new delivery systems, the application value and therapeutic potential of itaconate have been significantly improved. Dimethyl itaconate (DI) and 4-octyl itaconate (4-OI), cell-permeable derivatives of itaconate, are more suitable for crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB), exhibiting therapeutic effects in the research of multiple diseases. This article provides an overview of the immunomodulatory effects of itaconate and its potential therapeutic efficacy in inflammatory depression, focusing on the promising application of itaconate as a precursor of antidepressants.

Ruan Jian Qing Mai's Formula Promotes Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Migration and Proliferation

Objective

To investigate the response of (BM-MSCs) to the Ruan Jian Qing Mai formula (RJQM) in the treatment of atherosclerotic occlusion (ASO), and consequently promoting the development of collateral circulation and angiogenesis.

Method

35 male rats were randomly assigned to 6 experimental groups and A control group. 0.9% NaCl solution and 2.7, 5.4, 10.8, 16.2, 21.6, and 27 g × kg-1 × d-1 of RJQM formula were gavaged to the experimental groups twice a day for 8 days. After the last administration, medicated serum was prepared from the blood collected from the abdominal aorta. The human BM-MSCs were divided into an experimental group and a control group. A blank group of cells was added with a complete medium without rat serum; an experimental group of cells was added with the prepared drug-containing serum. Under hypoxic conditions, the drug-containing serum was used to treat BM-MSCs and/or endothelial cells of human umbilical vein (HUVECs). A Cell counting kit (CCK8) was used to detect cell proliferation. Western blot (WB) and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) were used to identify related genes expression.

Results

The results of this study showed that the purity of the BM-MSCs was >95%. The drug-containing serum significantly rise in CCND1 expression (encoding cyclin D1) and MYC, especially when the concentration of medicated serum was 10.8 g × kg-1 × d-1. Treatment of either BM-MSCs or HUVECs alone or both with medicated serum aids in the spread of mesenchymal stem cells from the bone marrow to HUVECs. qPCR results showed that the mRNA expression of CCL2, CCL3, CCL25, IL8, IGF1, and PDGFB increased dramatically after treatment with medicated serum. The expression of the corresponding receptors for these up-regulated chemokines was detected in BM-MSCs, and it was found that CXCR1, CXCR4, CXCR7, and PDGFRB were up-regulated.

Conclusion

This study provides a preliminary understanding of the mechanism of RJQM in the treatment of ASO.

A Remineralizing and Antibacterial Coating for Arresting Caries

Dental caries is a dynamic disease induced by the unbalance between demineralization of dental hard tissues caused by biofilm and remineralization of them; however, although various effective remineralization methods have been well documented, it is a challenge to reestablish the balance by enhancing remineralization alone while ignoring the antibacterial therapy. Therefore, the integration of remineralizing and antibacterial technologies offers a promising strategy to halt natural caries progression in clinical practice. Here, the conception of interrupting dental caries (IDC) was proposed based on the development of dual-functional coating with remineralizing and antibacterial properties. In this study, bovine serum albumin (BSA) loaded octenidine (OCT) successfully to form a BSA-OCT composite. Subsequently, through fast amyloid-like aggregation, the phase-transited BSA-OCT (PTB-OCT) coating can be covered on teeth, resin composite, or sealant surfaces in 30 min by a simple smearing process. The PTB-OCT coating showed satisfactory effects in promoting the remineralization of demineralized enamel and dentin in vitro. Moreover, this coating also exerted significant acid-resistance stability and anti-biofilm properties. Equally importantly, this coating exhibited promising abilities in reducing the microleakage between the tooth and resin composite in vitro and preventing primary and secondary caries in vivo. In conclusion, this novel dual-functional PTB-OCT coating could reestablish the balance between demineralization and remineralization in the process of caries, thereby potentially preventing or arresting caries.

Unraveling shared risk factors for diabetic foot ulcer: a comprehensive Mendelian randomization analysis

INTRODUCTION

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) stands as a severe diabetic lower extremity complication, characterized by high amputation rates, mortality, and economic burden. We propose using Mendelian randomization studies to explore shared and distinct risk factors for diabetic lower extremity complications.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We selected uncorrelated genetic variants associated with 85 phenotypes in five categories at the genome-wide significance level as instrumental variables. Genetic associations with DFU, diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN), and diabetic peripheral artery disease (DPAD) were obtained from the FinnGen and UK Biobank studies.

RESULTS

Body mass index (BMI) emerged as the only significant risk factor for DPAD, DPN, and DFU, independent of type 2 diabetes, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and HbA1c. Educational attainment stood out as the sole significant protective factor against DPAD, DPN, and DFU. Glycemic traits below the type 2 diabetes diagnosis threshold showed associations with DPAD and DPN. While smoking history exhibited suggestive associations with DFU, indicators of poor nutrition, particularly total protein, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular volume, may also signal potential DFU occurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Enhanced glycemic control and foot care are essential for the diabetic population with high BMI, limited education, smoking history, and indicators of poor nutrition. By focusing on these specific risk factors, healthcare interventions can be better tailored to prevent and manage DFU effectively.

Near-Infrared-II-Driven Pollen Micromotors for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common inflammatory bowel disease with a high incidence rate and serious consequences. Attempts in this area are focusing on developing efficient delivery systems for relieving IBD. Herein, we present a kind of near-infrared-II (NIR-II)-activated pollen-derived micromotor (PDMM) as an efficient delivery system for treating IBD. These PDMMs are pollen grains with half of them covered by a gold (Au) layer, which can result in an asymmetric thermal gradient around the PDMMs under NIR-II irradiation, thereby forming a thermophoretic force to drive PDMMs to move spontaneously. Besides, the inherent spiny and hollow architectures of pollen grains endowed the PDMMs with outstanding capacity of adherence and drug delivery, respectively. Based on these features, we have demonstrated that the PDMMs could move actively in vivo with the irradiation of NIR-II light and adhere to the surrounding tissues for drug delivery. Thus, the PDMMs loaded with dexamethasone show desirable curative effects on treating IBD. These results indicated that the proposed PDMM-based delivery system has great potential in clinic gastrointestinal administration.