Trade-offs between root-secreted acid phosphatase and root morphology traits, and their contribution to phosphorus acquisition in Brassica napus

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) is one of the most important oil crops in the world and shows sensitivity to low phosphorus (P) availability. In many soils, organic P (Po) is the main component of the soil P pool. Po must be mineralised to Pi through phosphatases, and then taken up by plants. However, the relationship between root-secreted acid phosphatases (APase) and root morphology traits, two important P-acquisition strategies in response to P deficiency, is unclear among B. napus genotypes. This study aimed to understand their relationship and how they affect P acquisition, which is crucial for the sustainable utilisation of agricultural P resources. This study showed significant genotypic variations in root-secreted APase activity per unit root fresh weight (SAP) and total root-secreted APase activity per plant (total SAP) among 350 B. napus genotypes. Seed yield was positively correlated with total SAP but not significantly correlated with SAP. Six root traits of 18 B. napus genotypes with contrasting root biomass were compared under normal Pi, low Pi and Po. Genotypes with longer total root length (TRL) reduced SAP, but those with shorter TRL increased SAP under P deficiency. Additionally, TRL was important in P-acquisition under three P treatments, and total SAP was also important in P-acquisition under Po treatment. In conclusion, trade-offs existed between the two P-acquisition strategies among B. napus genotypes under P-deficient conditions. Total SAP was an important root trait under Po conditions. These results might help to breed B. napus with greater P-acquisition ability under low P availability conditions.

Indoxacarb triggers autophagy and apoptosis through ROS accumulation mediated by oxidative phosphorylation in the midgut of Bombyx mori

Indoxacarb has been widely utilized in agricultural pest management, posing a significant ecological threat to Bombyx mori, a non-target economic insect. In the present study, short-term exposure to low concentration of indoxacarb significantly suppressed the oxidative phosphorylation pathway, and resulted in an accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the midgut of B. mori. While, the ATP content exhibited a declining trend but there was no significant change. Moreover, indoxacarb also significantly altered the transcription levels of six autophagy-related genes, and the transcription levels of ATG2, ATG8 and ATG9 were significantly up-regulated by 2.56-, 1.90-, and 3.36-fold, respectively. The protein levels of ATG8-I and ATG8-II and MDC-stained frozen sections further suggested an increase in autophagy. Furthermore, the protein level and enzyme activity of CASP4 showed a significant increase in accordance with the transcription levels of apoptosis-related genes, indicating the activation of the apoptotic signaling pathway. Meanwhile, the induction of apoptosis signals in the midgut cells triggered by indoxacarb was confirmed through TUNEL staining. These findings suggest that indoxacarb can promote the accumulation of ROS by inhibiting the oxidative phosphorylation pathway, thereby inducing autophagy and apoptosis in the midgut cells of B. mori.

A clinically actionable and explainable real-time risk assessment framework for stroke-associated pneumonia

The current medical practice is more responsive rather than proactive, despite the widely recognized value of early disease detection, including improving the quality of care and reducing medical costs. One of the cornerstones of early disease detection is clinically actionable predictions, where predictions are expected to be accurate, stable, real-time and interpretable. As an example, we used stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP), setting up a transformer-encoder-based model that analyzes highly heterogeneous electronic health records in real-time. The model was proven accurate and stable on an independent test set. In addition, it issued at least one warning for 98.6 % of SAP patients, and on average, its alerts were ahead of physician diagnoses by 2.71 days. We applied Integrated Gradient to glean the model's reasoning process. Supplementing the risk scores, the model highlighted critical historical events on patients' trajectories, which were shown to have high clinical relevance.

Senescent skeletal muscle fibroadipogenic progenitors recruit and promote M2 polarization of macrophages

Senescent cells compromise tissue structure and function in older organisms. We recently identified senescent fibroadipogenic progenitors (FAPs) with activated chemokine signaling pathways in the skeletal muscle of old mice, and hypothesized these cells may contribute to the age-associated accumulation of immune cells in skeletal muscle. In this study, through cell-cell communication analysis of skeletal muscle single-cell RNA-sequencing data, we identified unique interactions between senescent FAPs and macrophages, including those mediated by Ccl2 and Spp1. Using mouse primary FAPs in vitro, we verified increased expression of Ccl2 and Spp1 and secretion of their respective proteins in the context of both irradiation- and etoposide-induced senescence. Compared to non-senescent FAPs, the medium of senescent FAPs markedly increased the recruitment of macrophages in an in vitro migration assay, an effect that was mitigated by preincubation with antibodies to either CCL2 or osteopontin (encoded by Spp1). Further studies demonstrated that the secretome of senescent FAPs promotes polarization of macrophages toward an M2 subtype. These data suggest the unique secretome of senescent FAPs may compromise skeletal muscle homeostasis by recruiting and directing the behavior of macrophages.

Serum Beta-Defensin-2 is a biomarker for psoriasis but not subclinical atherosclerosis: Role of IL17a, PI-3 kinase and Rac1

Background

Beta-defensins (BDs) are antimicrobial peptides secreted upon epithelial injury. Both chemotactic and antimicrobial properties of BDs function as initial steps in host defense and prime the adaptive immune system in the body. Psoriasis, a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease, has both visible cutaneous manifestations as well as known associations with higher incidence of cardiometabolic complications and vascular inflammation.

Objectives

We aimed to investigate the circulating expression of beta-defensin-2 (BD2) in psoriasis at baseline compared to control subjects, along with changes in BD2 levels following biologic treatment at one-year. The contribution of BD2 to subclinical atherosclerosis is also assessed. In addition, we have sought to unravel signaling mechanisms linking inflammation with BD2 expression.

Methods

Multimodality imaging as well inflammatory biomarker assays were performed in biologic naïve psoriasis (n=71) and non-psoriasis (n=53) subjects. A subset of psoriasis patients were followed for one-year after biological intervention (anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNFα), n=30; anti-Interleukin17A (IL17A), n=21). Measurements of circulating BD2 were completed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Using HaCaT transformed keratinocytes, expression of BD2 upon cytokine treatment was assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and ELISA.

Results

Herein, we confirm that human circulating BD2 levels associate with psoriasis, which attenuate upon biologic interventions (anti-TNFα, anti-IL-17A). A link between circulating BD2 and sub-clinical atherosclerosis markers was not observed. Furthermore, we demonstrate that IL-17A-driven BD2 expression occurs in a Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) and Rac1 GTPase-dependent manner.

Conclusions

Our findings expand on the potential role of BD2 as a tractable biomarker in psoriasis patients and describes the role of an IL-17A-PI3-kinase/Rac signaling axis in regulating BD2 levels in keratinocytes.

Observation of D_{s}^{+}→η^{'}μ^{+}ν_{μ}, Precision Test of Lepton Flavor Universality with D_{s}^{+}→η^{(')}l^{+}ν_{l}, and First Measurements of D_{s}^{+}→η^{(')}μ^{+}ν_{μ} Decay Dynamics

By analyzing 7.33  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data collected at center-of-mass energies between 4.128 and 4.226 GeV with the BESIII detector, we report the observation of the semileptonic decay D_{s}^{+}→η^{'}μ^{+}ν_{μ}, with a statistical significance larger than 10σ, and the measurements of the D_{s}^{+}→ημ^{+}ν_{μ} and D_{s}^{+}→η^{'}μ^{+}ν_{μ} decay dynamics for the first time. The branching fractions of D_{s}^{+}→ημ^{+}ν_{μ} and D_{s}^{+}→η^{'}μ^{+}ν_{μ} are determined to be (2.235±0.051_{stat}±0.052_{syst})% and (0.801±0.055_{stat}±0.028_{syst})%, respectively, with precision improved by factors of 6.0 and 6.6 compared to the previous best measurements. Combined with the results for the decays D_{s}^{+}→ηe^{+}ν_{e} and D_{s}^{+}→η^{'}e^{+}ν_{e}, the ratios of the decay widths are examined both inclusively and in several ℓ^{+}ν_{ℓ} four-momentum transfer ranges. No evidence for lepton flavor universality violation is found within the current statistics. The products of the hadronic form factors f_{+,0}^{η^{(')}}(0) and the c→s Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element |V_{cs}| are determined. The results based on the two-parameter series expansion are f_{+,0}^{η}(0)|V_{cs}|=0.452±0.010_{stat}±0.007_{syst} and f_{+,0}^{η^{'}}(0)|V_{cs}|=0.504±0.037_{stat}±0.012_{syst}, which help to constrain present models on f_{+,0}^{η^{(')}}(0). The forward-backward asymmetries are determined to be ⟨A_{FB}^{η}⟩=-0.059±0.031_{stat}±0.005_{syst} and ⟨A_{FB}^{η^{'}}⟩=-0.064±0.079_{stat}±0.006_{syst} for the first time, which are consistent with the theoretical calculation.

Salvage neck surgery in recurrent nodal NPC: Do all patients require a comprehensive neck dissection in the modern MRI era?

OBJECTIVE

The standard treatment for regional failure in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the radical neck dissection (RND). Our study sought to determine if magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may accurately predict nodal involvement to allow selected levels of neck dissection to be preserved.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

We analysed retrospectively all NPC patients in our centre undergoing neck dissections as salvage therapy for nodal recurrence. Nodal involvement based on the preoperative MRI was assessed and compared with postoperative histopathology.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study conducted on patients in our centre with recurrent NPC from February 2002 to February 2017. Patients were identified from the database of the otolaryngology oncology division at our institution. Of these, 28 patients met all our inclusion and exclusion criteria. We calculated sensitivity and specificity as well as average number of nodes per patient.

RESULTS

In our study, we calculated the false negative and false positive rates of preoperative MRI neck by levels. Overall sensitivity of MRI picking up disease by level was 76% and specificity was 86%.

CONCLUSION

Based on our study, we will be missing a total of 10 (7.1%) diseased neck levels in eight (28.5%) patients. MRI alone, therefore, does not provide enough information to allow safe selective preservation of neck levels in surgical salvage of neck recurrences in NPC.

Unveiling pre-crash driving behavior common features based upon behavior entropy

Driving behavior is considered as the primary crash influencing factor, whereas studies claimed that over 90% crashes were attributed by behavior features. Therefore, unveil pre-crash driving behavior features is of great importance for crash prevention. Previous studies have established the correlations between features such as vehicle speed, speed variability, and the probability of crash occurrences, but these analyses have concluded inconsistent results. This is due to the varying operating characteristics among roadway facilities, where given the same driving behavior statistical features, the corresponding traffic states are not identical. In this study, a behavioral entropy index was proposed to address the abovementioned issue. First, through comparing the individual driving behavior with the group distribution, behavioral entropy index was calculated to quantify the abnormality of driving behavior. Then, crash classification models were established by comparing the behavioral entropy prior to crash events and normal driving conditions. The empirical analyses have been conducted based on 1,634,770 naturalistic driving trajectories and 1027 crash events. And models have been carried out for urban roadway sections, urban intersections, and highway sections separately. The results showed that utilizing the behavior entropy instead of the statistical features could enhance the crash classification accuracy by 11.3%. And common pre-crash features of increased behavioral entropy were identified. Moreover, the speed coefficient of variation (QCV) entropy was concluded as the most influencing factor, which can be used for real-time driving risk monitoring and enables individual-level hazard mitigation.

Evidence from an Avian Embryo Model that Zinc-Inducible MT4 Expression Protects Mitochondrial Function Against Oxidative Stress

BACKGROUND

Metallothioneins (MTs) have a strong affinity for zinc (Zn) and remain at a sufficiently high level in mitochondria. As the avian embryo is highly susceptible to oxidative damage and relatively easy to manipulate in a naturally closed chamber, it is an ideal model of the effects of oxidative stress on mitochondrial function. However, the protective roles and molecular mechanisms of Zn-inducible protein expression on mitochondrial function in response to various stressors are poorly understood.

OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which Zn-induced MT4 expression protects mitochondrial function and energy metabolism subjected to oxidative stress using the avian embryo and embryonic primary hepatocyte models.

METHODS

First, we investigated whether MT4 expression alters mitochondrial function. Then, we examined the effects of Zn-induced MT4 overexpression and MT4 silencing on embryonic primary hepatocytes from breeder hens fed a normal Zn diet subjected to a tert-butyl hydroperoxide (BHP) oxidative stress challenge during incubation. In vivo, the avian embryos from hens fed the Zn-deficient and Zn-adequate diets were used to determine the protective roles of Zn-induced MT4 expression on the function of mitochondria exposed to oxidative stress induced by in ovo BHP injection.

RESULTS

An in vitro study revealed that Zn-induced MT4 expression reduced reactive oxygen species accumulation in primary hepatocytes. MT4 silencing exacerbated BHP-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction whereas Zn-inducible MT4 overexpression mitigated it. Another in vivo study disclosed that maternal Zn-induced MT4 expression protected mitochondrial function in chick embryo hepatocytes against oxidative stress by inhibiting the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α)/peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) pathway.

CONCLUSION

This study underscores the potential protective roles of Zn-induced MT4 expression via the downregulation of the PGC-1α/PPAR-γ pathway on mitochondrial function stimulated by the stress challenge in the primary hepatocytes in an avian embryo model. Our findings suggested that Zn-induced MT4 expression could provide a new therapeutic target and preventive strategy for repairing mitochondrial dysfunction in disease.

Targeting TOP2B as a vulnerability in aging and aging-related diseases

The ongoing trend of rapid aging of the global population has unavoidably resulted in an increase in aging-related diseases. There is an immense amount of interest in the scientific community for the identification of molecular targets that may effectively mitigate the process of aging and aging-related diseases. The enzyme Topoisomerase IIβ (TOP2B) plays a crucial role in resolving the topological challenges that occur during DNA-related processes. It is believed that the disruption of TOP2B function contributes to the aging of cells and tissues, as well as the development of age-related diseases. Consequently, targeting TOP2B appears to be a promising approach for interventions aimed at mitigating the effects of aging. This review focuses on recent advancements in the understanding of the role of TOP2B in the processing of aging and aging-related disorders, thus providing a novel avenue for the development of anti-aging strategies.

Full sample analysis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in ophthalmology inpatients

PURPOSE

We hope that by analyzing the clinical features of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), we can help ophthalmologists reduce misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis.

DESIGN

We evaluated 47 patients with CVST in terms of clinical manifestations.

METHODS

All cases were analyzed in terms of risk factors, clinical symptoms, ophthalmic examination, imaging examination and lumbar puncture.

RESULTS

The body mass indices (BMIs) of 41 patients (87.2%; 95% CI, 77.7-96.8%) were≥24, which is overweight by Chinese standards. There were 22 patients (46.8%; 95% CI, 32.5-61.1%) with BMIs≥28, who were considered obese. Thirteen were hypertensive (27.7%; 95% CI, 14.9-40.5%). The initial symptoms included blurred vision (23, 48.9%; 95% CI, 34.6-63.2%), amaurosis fugax (13, 27.7%; 95% CI, 14.9-40.5%), headache (11 patients, 23.4%; 95% CI, 11.3-35.5%), dizziness (3, 6.4%; 95% CI, -0.6-13.4%), and bilateral diplopia (3, 6.4%; 95% CI, -0.6-13.4%). There were 9 patients (9, 19.2%; 95% CI, 7.9-30.4%) with blindness, 23 patients (48.9%; 95% CI, 34.6-63.2%) with pupillary abnormalities, and 40 patients (85.1%; 95% CI, 74.9-95.2%) with papilledema. Forty-three of the 45 patients who successfully underwent a routine lumbar puncture showed high intracranial pressure (91.7%; 95.6% CI, 89.6-101.6%). Finally, two cases are reported in greater detail for illustrative purposes.

CONCLUSION

The main reasons interfering with the diagnosis of CVST might be its nonspecific ocular symptoms and the physicians' clinical thought process being limited to the scope of common ophthalmological diseases.

Inflammatory marker profiles and in-hospital neurological deterioration in patients with acute minor ischemic stroke

AIM

The aim of the study was to analyze the association between inflammatory marker profiles and in-hospital neurological deterioration (ND) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients.

METHODS

Data from patients with minor AIS from the Third China National Stroke Registry were analyzed. Inflammatory cytokine levels within 24 h of admission were measured. The primary outcome was in-hospital ND (an increase in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≥4 from admission to discharge). Associations were evaluated using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) derived from logistic regression models. Net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) were used to evaluate incremental predictive values.

RESULTS

A total of 4031 patients (1246 women, 30.9%) with a median age of 62 years were included. In-hospital ND occurred in 121 patients (3%). Each standard-deviation increase in interleukin (IL)-6 (OR, 1.17 [95% CI, 1.06-1.31]) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (OR, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.24-1.66]) levels was associated with increased in-hospital ND risk. Incremental predictive values for adding IL-6 (IDI, 0.012; NRI, 0.329) but not hsCRP levels to the conventional risk factors were found.

CONCLUSION

In minor AIS, hsCRP and IL-6 levels were associated with in-hospital ND, including IL-6 levels in prognostic models improved risk classification.

SNX17 Mediates Dendritic Spine Maturation via p140Cap

Sorting nexin17 (SNX17) is a member of the sorting nexin family, which plays a crucial role in endosomal trafficking. Previous research has shown that SNX17 is involved in the recycling or degradation of various proteins associated with neurodevelopmental and neurological diseases in cell models. However, the significance of SNX17 in neurological function in the mouse brain has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we generated Snx17 knockout mice and observed that the homozygous deletion of Snx17 (Snx17-/-) resulted in lethality. On the other hand, heterozygous mutant mice (Snx17+/-) exhibited anxiety-like behavior with a reduced preference for social novelty. Furthermore, Snx17 haploinsufficiency led to impaired synaptic transmission and reduced maturation of dendritic spines. Through GST pulldown and interactome analysis, we identified the SRC kinase inhibitor, p140Cap, as a potential downstream target of SNX17. We also demonstrated that the interaction between p140Cap and SNX17 is crucial for dendritic spine maturation. Together, this study provides the first in vivo evidence highlighting the important role of SNX17 in maintaining neuronal function, as well as regulating social novelty and anxiety-like behaviors.

Structural and functional insights into the self-sufficient flavin-dependent halogenase

Flavin-dependent halogenases (FDHs) have tremendous applications in synthetic chemistry. A single-component FDH, AetF, exhibits both halogenase and reductase activities in a continuous polypeptide chain. AetF exhibits broad substrate promiscuity and catalyzes the two-step bromination of l-tryptophan (l-Trp) to produce 5-bromotryptophan (5-Br-Trp) and 5,7-dibromo-l-tryptophan (5,7-di-Br-Trp). To elucidate the mechanism of action of AetF, we solved its crystal structure in complex with FAD, FAD/NADP+, FAD/l-Trp, and FAD/5-Br-Trp at resolutions of 1.92-2.23 Å. The obtained crystal structures depict the unprecedented topology of single-component FDH. Structural analysis revealed that the substrate flexibility and dibromination capability of AetF could be attributed to its spacious substrate-binding pocket. In addition, highly-regulated interaction networks between the substrate-recognizing residues and 5-Br-Trp are crucial for the dibromination activity of AetF. Several Ala variants underwent monobromination with >98 % C5-regioselectivity toward l-Trp. These results reveal the catalytic mechanism of single-component FDH for the first time and contribute to efficient FDH protein engineering for biocatalytic halogenation.

IGF2BP3-stabilized CAMK1 regulates the mitochondrial dynamics of renal tubule to alleviate diabetic nephropathy

BACKGROUND

CAMK1 has been shown to be involved in human disease progression via regulating mitochondrial dynamics. However, whether CAMK1 mediates mitochondrial dynamics to regulate diabetic nephropathy (DN) process remains unclear.

METHODS

Mice were injected with streptozotocin (STZ) to mimic diabetic mice models in vivo, and mice with proximal tubule-specific knockout of CAMK1 (CAMK1-KO) were generated. HK-2 cells were treated with high-glucose (HG) to mimic DN cell model in vitro. Histopathological analysis was performed to confirm kidney injury in mice. ROS production and apoptosis were assessed by DHE staining and TUNEL staining. Mitochondria morphology was observed and analyzed by electron microscopy. Mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by JC-1 staining, and cell proliferation was measured by EdU assay. The mRNA and protein expression were examined by qRT-PCR, western blot and immunostaining. RNA interaction was confirmed by RIP assay and dual-luciferase reporter assay. The mRNA stability was tested by actinomycin D treatment, and m6A level was examined by MeRIP assay.

RESULTS

CAMK1 was reduced in DN patients and STZ-induced diabetic mice. Conditional deletion of CAMK1 aggravated kidney injury and promoted mitochondrial fission in diabetic mice. CAMK1 overexpression inhibited mitochondrial fission to alleviate HG-induced HK-2 cell apoptosis. IGF2BP3 promoted the stability of CAMK1 mRNA by m6A modification. IGF2BP3 inhibited mitochondrial fission to repress cell apoptosis in vitro and kidney injury in vivo by increasing CAMK1 expression.

CONCLUSION

IGF2BP3-mediated CAMK1 mRNA stability alleviated DN progression by inhibiting mitochondria fission.

DNA methylation profiling reveals potential biomarkers of β-lactams induced fatal anaphylactic shock

Anaphylaxis is a serious reaction of systemic hypersensitivity with that rapid onset and sudden death. Drug hypersensitivity, particularly induced by β-lactams, is one of the most frequent causes of anaphylaxis in adults. But identification of anaphylactic shock, in forensic sciences recently, is difficult, because it mainly depends on nonspecific characteristic morphological changes, as well as exclusion and circumstantial evidence. Here, we detected DNA methylation signatures of β-lactams-induced fatal anaphylactic shock with the Illumina Infinium Human Methylation EPIC BeadChip, to screen potential forensic biomarkers and reveal the molecular mechanisms of drug-induced anaphylaxis with fatal shock and sudden death. Our results indicated that DNA methylation was associated with β-lactams-induced fatal anaphylactic shock, in which the hypomethylation played a vital role. We found that 1459 differentially methylated positions (DMPs) were mainly involved in β-lactams-induced fatal anaphylactic shock by regulating MAPK and other signaling pathways. 18 DNA methylation signatures that could separate β-lactams-induced anaphylactic shock from healthy individuals were identified. The altered methylation of DMPs can affect the transcription of corresponding genes and promote β-lactams-induced fatal anaphylactic shock. The results suggest that DNA methylation can detect forensic identification markers of drug-induced anaphylaxis with fatal shock and sudden death, and it is an effective method for the forensic diagnosis.

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Analgesic Effects of Lidocaine Administered Intravenously or Intraperitoneally Post-Abdominal Surgery

BACKGROUND

Reducing postoperative pain is still a tremendous challenge for perioperative clinicians. Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that belongs to the amide class and has anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperalgesic, and analgesic effects. Extensive research has been conducted to determine the optimal route for its administration.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of perioperative intravenous lidocaine with that of intraperitoneal lidocaine on postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing abdominal surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

EMBASE, PubMed, and The Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled trials published through December 2022 that compared patients receiving perioperative intravenous lidocaine with those receiving intraperitoneal lidocaine. The primary outcome measures included the pain score, as evaluated by the Visual Analog Scale, and opioid analgesia requirements. The secondary outcome measures were hospitalization length, gastrointestinal function recovery, etc. The data were acquired and recorded in electronic spreadsheets that had been designed for this purpose.

METHODS

This systematic review's design was based on the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and was reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) method was used to examine the certainty of the evidence. Furthermore, we examined the dependability of the calculated (favorable) treatment effects through considerations of information size and modified significance thresholds (trial sequential analysis).

RESULTS

Seven trials including 478 patients were included. Our meta-analysis demonstrates that compared with intravenous lidocaine, patients who received intraperitoneal lidocaine had lower pain scores at 4 hours (mean difference [MD] 1.40; 95% CI, 0.22 to 2.59); 12 hours (MD 0.18; 95% CI, 0.06 to 0.30); and 24 hours (MD -0.12; 95% CI -0.40 to 0.17) postsurgery. However, no obvious difference in opioid consumption (P > 0.05) was found. In addition, the intraperitoneal lidocaine group had a longer postsurgery hospital stay than the intravenous lidocaine group (95%CI, -0.17 to -0.00; I2 = 0%). Intravenous lidocaine was more beneficial for achieving gastrointestinal return than intraperitoneal lidocaine (95% CI, -0.26 to -0.10; I2 = 2%).

LIMITATIONS

The sample size of enrolled RCTs was small, which could potentially result in an overestimation or underestimation of the treatment effect in the collected data. There was high heterogeneity among the studies.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis suggests that post-abdominal surgery intraperitoneal lidocaine administration has a better analgesic effect than intravenous lidocaine, with a lower pain score. However, intravenous lidocaine is more beneficial for gastrointestinal recovery after abdominal surgery.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor: A noval biomarker upregulates in myasthenia gravis and correlates with disease severity and relapse

OBJECTIVE

To explore the relationship between macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and disease severity and relapse in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG).

METHODS

145 MG patients including 79 new-onset patients, 30 remission patients and 36 relapse patients were enrolled in this study. The detailed characteristics of all enrolled MG patients were routinely recorded, including gender, age, type, MGFA classification, antibody, thymic status, clinical score, treatment, MGFA-PIS and B cell subsets (memory B cells, plasmablast cells and plasma cells) detected by flow cytometry. Serum MIF levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The correlation of MIF levels with clinical subtypes, disease severity and B cell subsets were investigated. Moreover, logistic regression analysis was applied to assess the factors affecting relapse of generalized MG (GMG).

RESULTS

Serum MIF levels were higher in new-onset MG patients than those in controls and were positively associated with QMG score, MGFA classification and memory B cells. Subgroup analysis revealed that MIF levels were increased in GMG patients than in ocular MG (OMG), as well as elevated in MGFA III/IV compared with MGFA I/II. With the remission of the disease, the expression of serum MIF decreased. The multivariate logistic regression models indicated that high MIF and thymoma was a risk factor for relapse of GMG, and rituximab could prevent disease relapse.

CONCLUSIONS

MIF can be used as a novel biomarker to reflect disease severity and predict disease relapse in MG patients.

Causal association between complement system FHR-5, CTRP9, and breast carcinoma in situ: a Mendelian randomization study

OBJECTIVE

Breast carcinoma in situ accounts for a significant number of newly diagnosed breast cancer cases. However, the cause of this type of cancer is unclear, which has led to debates regarding treatment strategies. A Mendelian randomization (MR) study was conducted to explore whether complement system or complement C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related proteins (CTRPs) are causally associated with breast carcinoma in situ.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This two-sample multivariable MR study used genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for all complement system factors and CTRPs. Summary-level statistics were obtained from the breast carcinoma in situ GWAS database. The study employed the MR-Egger method, inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, and weighted median method. Additionally, sensitivity analyses, including the MR-Egger intercept, funnel plot, and leave-one-out analysis, were conducted to address uncertainties and enhance the reliability of the findings.

RESULTS

The study indicated that certain immunomodulatory molecules might increase the risk of breast carcinoma in situ, with consistent results. Specifically, CTRP9 showed a 57.0% increased risk [IVW: odds ratio (OR) 0.570 (0.350, 0.928), p < 0.05], and complement factor H (FH)-related protein 5 (FHR-5) was linked to a 67.2% higher risk [IVW: OR 0.672 (0.477, 0.947), p < 0.05]. However, no associations were found with other molecules, suggesting the relationship between immunomodulatory molecules and cancer may be context-specific.

CONCLUSIONS

This MR study marks the initial identification of a direct link between FHR-5 and CTRP9 and the susceptibility to breast carcinoma in situ. Delving into the roles of immunomodulatory molecules and immune responses within the tumor microenvironment holds considerable importance for the management of breast carcinoma in situ.

In vitro safety signals for potential clinical development of the anti-inflammatory pregnane X receptor agonist FKK6

Based on the mimicry of microbial metabolites, functionalized indoles were demonstrated as the ligands and agonists of the pregnane X receptor (PXR). The lead indole, FKK6, displayed PXR-dependent protective effects in DSS-induced colitis in mice and in vitro cytokine-treated intestinal organoid cultures. Here, we report on the initial in vitro pharmacological profiling of FKK6. FKK6-PXR interactions were characterized by hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry. Screening FKK6 against potential cellular off-targets (G protein-coupled receptors, steroid and nuclear receptors, ion channels, and xenobiotic membrane transporters) revealed high PXR selectivity. FKK6 has poor aqueous solubility but was highly soluble in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. A large fraction of FKK6 was bound to plasma proteins and chemically stable in plasma. The partition coefficient of FKK6 was 2.70, and FKK6 moderately partitioned into red blood cells. In Caco2 cells, FKK6 displayed high permeability (A-B: 22.8 × 10-6 cm.s-1) and no active efflux. These data are indicative of essentially complete in vivo absorption of FKK6. The data from human liver microsomes indicated that FKK6 is rapidly metabolized by cytochromes P450 (t1/2 5 min), notably by CYP3A4. Two oxidized FKK6 derivatives, including DC73 (N6-oxide) and DC97 (C19-phenol), were detected, and these metabolites had 5-7 × lower potency as PXR agonists than FKK6. This implies that despite high intestinal absorption, FKK6 is rapidly eliminated by the liver, and its PXR effects are predicted to be predominantly in the intestines. In conclusion, the PXR ligand and agonist FKK6 has a suitable pharmacological profile supporting its potential preclinical development.

High-Sensitivity C-reactive Protein and Intracranial Arterial Stenosis Predicted Recurrent Stroke and Dependence or Death in Minor Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack

AIMS

Inflammation is associated with vascular events. We aimed to investigate the relationship between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels with and without intracranial arterial stenosis (ICAS) and the prognosis of patients with minor stroke or transient ischemic attack.

METHODS

We used data from the Clopidogrel in High-Risk Patients with Acute Nondisabling Cerebrovascular Events trial (derivation cohort) and the Third China National Stroke Registry (validation cohort). Patients were divided into four groups according to the dichotomy of hsCRP level and ICAS status. The primary outcome was new ischemic stroke within 90 days, and the secondary outcome was dependence or death (Modified Rankin Scale score of 3-6) at 90 days. The associations between hsCRP level with and without ICAS and risk of outcomes were analyzed using multivariate Cox regression and logistic regression models.

RESULTS

In the derivation cohort, compared with patients with nonelevated hsCRP levels and no ICAS, those with both elevated hsCRP levels and ICAS had increased risk of recurrent stroke (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28-5.34; p=0.008) and dependence or death (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 7.58; 95% CI, 1.30-44.13; p=0.02). Consistent relationships of elevated hsCRP levels and presence of ICAS with recurrent stroke (adjusted HR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.13-2.45; p=0.009) and dependence or death (adjusted OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.23-2.84; p=0.003) were observed in the validation cohort.

CONCLUSION

Concomitant presence of increased hsCRP levels and ICAS was associated with increased risk of stroke recurrence and dependence or death in patients with minor ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack.

Intestinal organoid modeling: bridging the gap from experimental model to clinical translation

The 3D culture of intestinal organoids entails embedding isolated intestinal crypts and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells within a growth factor-enriched matrix gel. This process leads to the formation of hollow microspheres with structures resembling intestinal epithelial cells, which are referred to as intestinal organoids. These structures encompass various functional epithelial cell types found in the small intestine and closely mimic the organizational patterns of the small intestine, earning them the name "mini-intestines". Intestinal tumors are prevalent within the digestive system and represent a significant menace to human health. Through the application of 3D culture technology, miniature colorectal organs can be cultivated to retain the genetic characteristics of the primary tumor. This innovation offers novel prospects for individualized treatments among patients with intestinal tumors. Presently established libraries of patient-derived organoids serve as potent tools for conducting comprehensive investigations into tissue functionality, developmental processes, tumorigenesis, and the pathobiology of cancer. This review explores the origins of intestinal organoids, their culturing environments, and their advancements in the realm of precision medicine. It also addresses the current challenges and outlines future prospects for development.

Htr2b Promotes M1 Microglia Polarization and Neuroinflammation after Spinal Cord Injury via Inhibition of Neuregulin-1/ErbB Signaling

The secondary injury of spinal cord injury (SCI) is dominated by neuroinflammation, which was caused by microglia M1 polarization. This study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of Htr2b on neuroinflammation of SCI. The BV2 and HMC3 microglia were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or interferon (IFN)-γ to simulate in vitro models of SCI. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to the T10 laminectomy to induce animal model of SCI. Htr2b mRNA expression was measured by qRT-PCR. The expression of Htr2b and Iba-1 was detected by western blot and immunofluorescence. The expression of inflammatory cytokines in vitro and in vivo was also measured. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) was employed to analyze Htr2b-regulated signaling pathways. Rat behavior was analyzed by the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) and inclined plane test. Rat dorsal horn tissues were stained by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and Nissl to measure neuron loss. Htr2b was highly expressed in LPS- and IFN-γ-treated microglia and SCI rats. SCI modeling promoted M1 microglia polarization and increased levels of inflammatory cytokines. Inhibition of Htr2b by Htr2b shRNA or RS-127445 reduced the expression of Htr2b, Iba-1, and iNOS and suppressed cytokine levels. KEGG showed that Htr2b inhibited ErbB signaling pathway. Inhibition of Htr2b increased protein expression of neuregulin-1 (Nrg-1) and p-ErbB4. Inhibition of the ErbB signaling pathway markedly reversed the effect of Htr2b shRNA on M1 microglia polarization and inflammatory cytokines. Htr2b promotes M1 microglia polarization and neuroinflammation after SCI by inhibiting Nrg-1/ErbB signaling pathway.

Molecular prognostic of nine parthanatos death-related genes in glioma, particularly in COL8A1 identification

Post-operative progression and chemotherapy resistance are the main causes of treatment failure in glioma patients. There is a lack of ideal prediction models for post-operative glioma patient progression and drug sensitivity. We aimed to develop a prognostic model of parthanatos mRNA biomarkers for glioma outcomes. A total of 11 parthanatos genes were obtained from ParthanatosCluster database. ConsensusClusterPlus and R "Limma" package were used to cluster The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-glioma cohort and analyze the differential mRNAs. Univariate Cox regression analysis, random survival forest model, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis were used to determine the nine ParthanatosScore prognostic genes combination. ParthanatosScore was verified by 656 patients and 979 patients in TCGA and CGCA-LGG/GBM datasets. Differences in genomic mutations, tumor microenvironments, and functional pathways were assessed. Drug response prediction was performed using pRRophetic. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was analyzed. Finally, COL8A1 was selected to evaluate its potential biological function and drug sensitivity of temozolomide and AZD3759 in glioma cells. ParthanatosScore obtained a combination of nine glioma prognostic genes, including CD58, H19, TNFAIP6, FTLP3, TNFRSF11B, SFRP2, LOXL1, COL8A1, and FABP5P7. In the TCGA-LGG/GBM dataset, glioma prognosis was poor in high ParthanatosScore. Low-score glioma patients were sensitive to AZD3759_1915, AZD5582_1617, AZD8186_1918, Dasatinib_1079, and Temozolomide_1375, while high-score patients were less sensitive to these drugs. Compared with HA cells, COL8A1 was significantly over-expressed in LN229 and U251 cells. Silencing COL8A1 inhibited the malignant characterization of LN229 and U251 cells. Temozolomide and AZD3759 also promoted parthanatos gene expression in glioma cells. Temozolomide and AZD3759 inhibited COL8A1 expression and cell viability and promoted apoptosis in glioma cells and PGM cells. ParthanatosScore can accurately predict clinical prognosis and drug sensitivity after glioma surgery. Silencing COL8A1 inhibited the malignant characterization. Temozolomide and AZD3759 inhibited COL8A1 expression and cell viability and promoted apoptosis and parthanatos gene expression, which is a target to improve glioma.

Exosomal U2AF2 derived from human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells attenuates the intervertebral disc degeneration through circ_0036763/miR-583/ACAN axis

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is one of the major leading causes of back pain affecting the patient's quality of life. However, the roles of circular RNA (circRNA) in IDD remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the function and underlying mechanism of circ_0036763 in IDD. In this study, expressions of circ_0036763, U2 small nuclear RNA auxiliary factor 2 (U2AF2), miR-583 and aggrecan (ACAN) in primary human nucleus pulposus cells (HNPCs) derived from IDD patients and healthy controls were detected by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) or Western blot (WB). The relationship between pre-circ_0036763 and U2AF2, circ_0036763 and miR-583, miR-583 and ACAN mRNA was determined by bioinformatic analysis, miRNA pull down or RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. The expressions of Collagen I and Collagen II were evaluated by WB. Co-culture of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (bMSCs) or bMSCs-derived exosomes and HNPCs were performed to identify the effect of U2AF2 on the mature of circ_0036763 and ACAN. Results indicated that circ_0036763, U2AF2 and ACAN were downregulated while miR-583 was upregulated in HNPCs derived from IDD patients compared with that in normal HNPCs. Besides, overexpression of circ_0036763 elevated the expressions of ACAN and Collagen II whereas reduced Collagen I expression in HNPCs. Moreover, U2AF2 promoted the mature of circ_0036763, and circ_0036763 positively regulated ACAN by directly sponging miR-583. Furthermore, exosomal U2AF2 derived from bMSCs could increase U2AF2 levels in HNPCs and subsequently regulate the expression of ACAN by circ_0036763/miR-583 axis. In summary, circ_0036763 modified by exosomal U2AF2 derived from bMSCs alleviated IDD through regulating miR-583/ACAN axis in HNPCs. Thus, this study might provide novel therapeutic targets for IDD.

Epigenomic mechanism regulating the quality and ripeness of apple fruit with differing harvest maturity

Harvest maturity significantly affects the quality of apple fruit in post-harvest storage process. Although the regulatory mechanisms underlying fruit ripening have been studied, the associated epigenetic modifications remain unclear. Thus, we compared the DNA methylation changes and the transcriptional responses of mature fruit (MF) and immature fruit (NF). There were significant correlations between DNA methylation and gene expression. Moreover, the sugar contents (sucrose, glucose, and fructose) were higher in MF than in NF, whereas the opposite pattern was detected for the starch content. The expression-level differences were due to DNA methylations and ultimately resulted in diverse fruit textures and ripeness. Furthermore, the higher ethylene, auxin, and abscisic acid levels in MF than in NF, which influenced the fruit texture and ripening, were associated with multiple differentially expressed genes in hormone synthesis, signaling, and response pathways (ACS, ACO, ZEP, NCED, and ABA2) that were regulated by DNA methylations. Multiple transcription factor genes involved in regulating fruit ripening and quality via changes in DNA methylation were identified, including MIKCC-type MADS-box genes and fruit ripening-related genes (NAP, SPL, WRKY, and NAC genes). These findings reflect the diversity in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression and may be relevant for elucidating the epigenetic regulatory mechanism underlying the ripening and quality of apple fruit with differing harvest maturity.

Effects of different fractions of inspired oxygen on gas embolization during hysteroscopic surgery: A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

Gas embolism is a common complication of hysteroscopic surgery that causes serious concern among gynecologists and anesthesiologists due to the potential risk to patients. The factors influencing gas embolism in hysteroscopic surgery have been extensively studied. However, the effect of the oxygen concentration inhaled by patients on gas embolism during hysteroscopic surgery remains elusive. Therefore, we designed a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial to determine whether different inhaled oxygen concentrations influence the occurrence of gas embolism during hysteroscopic surgery.

METHODS

This trial enrolled 162 adult patients undergoing elective hysteroscopic surgery who were randomly divided into three groups with inspired oxygen fractions of 30%, 50%, and 100%. Transthoracic echocardiography (four-chamber view) was used to evaluate whether gas embolism occurred. Before the start of surgery, the four-chamber view was continuously monitored.

RESULTS

The number of gas embolisms in the 30%, 50%, and 100% groups was 36 (69.2%), 30 (55.6%), and 24 (44.4%), respectively. The incidence of gas embolism gradually decreased with increasing inhaled oxygen concentration (P = 0.031).

CONCLUSION

In hysteroscopic surgery, a higher oxygen concentration inhaled by patients may reduce the incidence of gas embolism, indicating that a higher inhaled oxygen concentration, especially 100%, could be recommended for patients during hysteroscopic surgery.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=53779, Registration number: ChiCTR2000033202).

A novel PCDscore based on programmed cell death-related genes can effectively predict prognosis and therapy responses of colon adenocarcinoma

Emerging evidence suggests a correlation between oncogenesis and programmed cell death (PCD). However, comprehensive studies that incorporate all identified PCD-related genes to guide colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) prognosis and precision treatment strategies are lacking. In this study, a series of bioinformatics analyses were comprehensively conducted using data from the TCGA-COAD, GSE17538, and GSE39582 cohorts. A total of 21 PCD-associated prognostic genes were identified through univariate Cox analysis. LASSO and multivariate Cox methods were employed to establish a prognostic gene signature (ALOX12, HSPA1A, IL13, MID2, RFFL, and SLC39A8) and the corresponding scoring system, termed PCDscore, which exhibited robust predictive ability. The ssGSEA and ESTIMATE algorithms were utilized to evaluate the tumor microenvironment of COAD. The high PCDscore group demonstrated a poorer prognosis, characterized by lower CD4+ T cell infiltration and a higher stromal score. In contrast, the low PCDscore group exhibited sensitivity to common chemotherapy drugs such as Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil. Single-cell sequencing analysis further revealed that the high-PCDscore group displayed a lower proportion of CD4+ T cells. Colorectal cancer samples from the years 2013-2017 were employed to validate the PCDscore, while those from 2018 to 2019 served as a temporal external validation set for the PCDscore. In vitro experimental results indicated that the overexpression of SLC39A8 inhibited the proliferation and invasion of colorectal cancer cells. The study developed a novel PCDscore system based on the analysis of genes related to all identified PCD types, providing valuable insights into clinical prognosis and drug sensitivity for patients with COAD.

Influence of calcium concentration on the re-assembly of sodium caseinate into casein micelles and on their renneting behavior

Inducing the spontaneous aggregation from casein molecules (i.e. αs1, αs2, β, and κ-casein) into re-assembled casein micelles (RCMs) through the addition of salts as an alternative to native casein micelles, has garnered increasing attention in recent years. In this investigation, re-assembled casein micelles were generated by adding varying amounts of calcium, phosphate, and citrate ions to a sodium caseinate dispersion. The formed micelles were further characterized in terms of particle size, optical density, and partitioning of calcium ions and caseins. Besides, their small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) profiles and renneting properties were evaluated. The observations revealed that the particle size and optical density of RCMs increased with the continuous addition of salts, while the micellar yield improved and could exceed 85 %. Moreover, the quantity of individual casein molecules that contributed to the creation of micelles was in concordance with their level of phosphorylation (i.e. αs2-casein > αs1-casein > β-casein > κ-casein). Mineral analysis results and SAXS scattering profiles confirmed that the added calcium ions acted as cross-linkers and participated in the construction of calcium phosphate nanoclusters. The renneting ability of RCMs was primarily dependent upon the colloidal calcium content per gram of micellar casein.

Syntheses of Linear Biosynthetic C25-Precursors of Leucosceptroids

An efficient synthetic approach was developed and applied to the syntheses of four linear biosynthetic C25-precursors of leucosceptroids. The synthesis features a Julia-Kocienski olefination and a late-stage bioinspired photo-oxidation as key steps. The immunosuppressive effects of all synthetic compounds on mouse T cells and macrophage RAW264.7 were determined.

The research on the particle concentration distribution of directed airflow in cleanrooms for operators

Existing research of non-unidirectional cleanrooms generally suggests that lower-side return air outlets provide better control effect on indoor particle concentration. As a result, there has been relatively less focus on return air outlets. However, installing return air outlets oriented towards operators as particle emission sources can reduce the impact on process layout and improve space utilization, while also provide less impact from upper particle emission sources on the workbench area. To investigate the characteristics of return air outlet for operators (abbreviated as H), this study compared the particle concentration distribution, non-uniformity, and purification efficiency of return air oultet H and the traditional lower-side (abbreviated as L) return air outlets by experiments and CFD simulations. Based on the theory of mass conservation, the expression of required air supply volume under equivalent cleanroom conditions was derived. Under corresponding experimental and simulation conditions, the particle concentration differences range from 2.0% to 12.7% for return air outlet H and from 12.4% to 33.2% for return air outlet L, and these differences gradually decrease with the air exchange rate (ACH) increases. The results show that ACH = 20 is sufficient for cleanliness requirements with return air outlet H when there is one person in the cleanroom, while a higher rate of ACH = 35 is needed when there are two persons. Although lower-side return air outlets have certain potential for reducing particle concentration in the cleanroom, increasing the air exchange rate remains the most effective method to control indoor particle concentration. Compared to the traditional lower-side return air outlet L, the ranges of the non-uniformity coefficients for return air outlet H and L are 0.50 to 0.67 and 0.45 to 0.53, respectively. The average non-uniformity coefficient differs by 11.9%, and there is not a significant difference in uniformity with more than 20 air changes per hour. The use of return air outlets H only requires an additional 11% of air supply volume to achieve the same cleanliness, demonstrating its effectiveness in controlling particle concentration. It is suitable for cleanrooms with higher requirements for workbenches and for cleanrooms with restricted floor usage or requiring flexible layouts. The study also explores the impact of width of return air outlet oriented towards operators as particle emission sources, the results show that the larger-sized outlets facilitate the particle discharge and control the particle distribution inside the room.

Noncritical birefringence phase-matched second harmonic generation in a lithium-niobate-on-insulator micro-waveguide for green light emission

Lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) holds great potential for frequency conversion, where a variety of high-performance nonlinear devices based on different structures has been demonstrated. Here, we report on second harmonic generation (SHG) in MgO-doped LNOI ridge micro-waveguides for efficient green light emission, via an exact type-I noncritical birefringence phase matching (BPM). The LNOI micro-waveguide has a cross section of ∼3×4 μm2, featuring low coupling loss with lens fiber. The normalized conversion efficiency from a continuous-wave (cw) pump to its second harmonic is measured to be 37%/Wcm2 in a single-pass configuration. The device shows both relatively high efficiency and a void of periodic poling, offering a potential solution for efficient and scalable green light sources and frequency converters.

Degradation of typical flotation reagents using lead-zinc smelting slag as mediator for persulfate activation: Effect of gallic acid and Cr(VI) on the removal performance and fate of reactive oxygen species

To remediate the Cr(VI)-organic co-contaminants in a non-ferrous mining area, a gallic acid (GA) accelerated lead-zinc smelting slag (LZSS, a mine-sourced waste) mediated peroxodisulfate (PDS) Fenton-like system was constructed for degradation of two typical flotation reagents (benzotriazole and N-hydroxyphthalimide). LZSS acting as an in-situ Fe source in the Fenton-like process, could continuously release Fe species, while GA as a chelate with reducing properties was able to accelerate the rate-limiting step of Fe(III)/Fe(II) cycle to enhance the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the LZSS/PDS/GA system, produced SO4•-, •OH and Fe(IV) jointly contributed to the contaminant removal through radical/nonradical pathways. However, when Cr(VI) coexisted with organic pollutants in the LZSS/PDS/GA system, the reduction of Cr(VI) consumed the electrons that otherwise would have been available for activation of PDS, resulting in fewer different ROS being produced. The increased concentration of GA, as an electron donor, promoted the production of SO4•-, but this promoting effect gradually diminished with increasing Cr(VI). Overall, the dominant ROS gradually transformed from Fe(IV) to SO4•-/•OH as the GA level increased or the Cr(VI) level decreased. Therefore, regulation of the relative roles of ROS by adjusting either the GA dosage or the Cr(VI) levels in the wastewater can improve availability of ROS for further specific removal of pollutants. This study offers an all-in-one solution for utilization of LZSS industrial waste and degradation of flotation reagents, and it also provides a new insight into the advanced environmental application of GA in remediation of Cr(VI)-organic co-contamination.

Association of sleep quality on the night of operative day with postoperative delirium in elderly patients: A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Sleep disturbances in the peri-operative period have been associated with adverse outcomes, including postoperative delirium (POD). However, research on sleep quality during the immediate postoperative period is limited.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the association between sleep quality on the night of the operative day assessed using the Sleep Quality Numeric Rating Scale (SQ-NRS), and the incidence of POD in a large cohort of surgical patients.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort study.

SETTING

A tertiary hospital in China.

PATIENTS

This study enrolled patients aged 65 years or older undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia. The participants were categorised into the sleep disturbance and no sleep disturbance groups according to their operative night SQ-NRS.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was delirium incidence, whereas the secondary outcomes included acute kidney injury, stroke, pulmonary infection, cardiovascular complications and all-cause mortality within 1 year postoperatively.

RESULTS

In total, 3072 patients were included in the analysis of this study. Among them, 791 (25.72%) experienced sleep disturbances on the night of operative day. Patients in the sleep disturbance group had a significantly higher risk of developing POD (adjusted OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.82, P  = 0.005). Subgroup analysis revealed that age 65-75 years; male sex; ASA III and IV; haemoglobin more than 12 g l -1 ; intra-operative hypotension; surgical duration more than 120 min; and education 9 years or less were significantly associated with POD. No interaction was observed between the subgroups. No significant differences were observed in the secondary outcomes, such as acute kidney injury, stroke, pulmonary infection, cardiovascular complications and all-cause mortality within 1 year postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

The poor subjective sleep quality on the night of operative day was independently associated with increased POD risk, especially in certain subpopulations. Optimising peri-operative sleep may reduce POD. Further research should investigate potential mechanisms and causal relationships.

TRIAL REGISTRY

chictr.org.cn: ChiCTR1900028545.

The fate of Arsenic associated with the transformation of iron oxides in soils: The mineralogical evidence

The influence of iron (oxyhydr)oxides on the transformation and migration of arsenic(As) has garnered significant attention. Previous work has largely focused on the transformation of iron oxides related to As fate at molecular and mechanistic levels. However, studies examining the interplay between As concentration and iron oxides transformation within complex soil system are sparse. This study investigates the transformation of iron oxides in soils with varying As concentration during microbial dissimilatory iron reduction (DIR), employing humic acid (HA) as electron shuttle and assesses the impact on As speciation transformation. Comparative analyses indicate that in soils with high As concentration (>1000 mg/kg), the secondary transformation of iron (oxyhydr)oxides to other forms, such as the conversion of ferrihydrite to goethite and lepidocrocite, or schwertmannite to goethite, is impeded. Consequently, the formation of goethite and lepidocrocite, which would typically re-stabilize As, is inhibited, leading to elevated release of As(III). On the other hand, an increase in magnetite formation in soils with low As concentration (<100 mg/kg) appears to re-stabilize As effectively. Furthermore, the formation of new secondary iron (oxyhydr)oxides in soils with As concentration <200 mg/kg enhances fraction F5, which subsequently contributes to the re-immobilization of As, sequestering it within the soil matrix. This process results in a lower release of As(III) from soils with As concentration below 200 mg/kg. These findings enhance the understanding of the interdependent relationship between the transformation of iron oxides and the fate of As in complex soil systems.

The chromosome-scale genome of wild Brassica oleracea provides insights into the domestication of Brassica plants

The cultivated diploid Brassica oleracea is an important vegetable crop, but the genetic basis of domestication remains largely unclear without high-quality reference genomes of wild B. oleracea. Here, we report the first chromosome-level assembly of the wild Brassica oleracea L. W03 genome, (total genome size, 630.7 Mb; scaffold N50, 64.6 Mb). Using newly assembled W03 genome, we constructed a gene-based B. oleracea pangenome and identified 29,744 core genes, 23,306 dispensable genes, and 1,896 private genes. We resequenced 53 accessions, which represent six potential wild B. oleracea progenitor species. The results of the population genomic analysis showed that wild B. oleracea population had the highest level of diversity and represented the more closely related population of horticultural B. oleracea. Additionally, the WUSCHEL gene was found to play a decisive role in domestication and to be involved in cauliflower and broccoli curd formation. We also illustrate the loss of disease resistance genes during domestication selection. Our results provide deep insights into B. oleracea domestication and will facilitate Brassica crop genetic improvement.

Determination of Methamphetamine by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography in Odor-Adsorbent Material Used for Training Drug-Detection Animals

The objective of the present report was to develop and validate a simple, sensitive, and selective analytical method for the determination of methamphetamine in an odor-adsorbent material (gauze) which was used to improve and standardize the training method used for drug-detection animals. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed using a Spherisorb ODS2 C18 column (200 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm), with a mobile phase consisting of a 0.25% methanol/triethylamine aqueous solution (V:V = 20:80), the pH of which was adjusted to 3.1 using glacial acetic acid, at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The column temperature was 25 °C, and the detection of the analytes was performed at a wavelength of 260 nm. Methamphetamine showed good linearity (R2 = 0.9999) in the range of 4.2~83.2 mg/mL. The stability of the test material was good over 24 h. The precision of the method was good, with an average spiked recovery of 86.2% and an RSD of 2.9%. The methamphetamine content in the gauze sample was determined to be 7.8 ± 2.2 μg/sample. A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was optimized and validated for the determination of methamphetamine in adsorbent materials (gauze). Validation data in terms of specificity, linearity, the limit of detection and the limit of quantification, reproducibility, precision, stability, and recovery indicated that the method is suitable for the routine analysis of methamphetamine in adsorbent materials (gauze) and provided a basis for training drug-detection animals.

Ferroptosis-Related lncRNA to Predict the Clinical Outcomes and Molecular Characteristics of Kidney Renal Papillary Cell Carcinoma

Kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (KIRP) is a highly heterogeneous type of kidney cancer, resulting in limited effective prognostic targets for KIRP patients. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as crucial regulators in the regulation of ferroptosis and iron metabolism, making them potential targets for the treatment and prognosis of KIRP. In this study, we constructed a ferroptosis-related lncRNA risk score model (FRM) based on the TCGA-KIRP dataset, which represents a novel subtype of KIRP not previously reported. The model demonstrated promising diagnostic accuracy and holds potential for clinical translation. We observed significant differences in metabolic activities, immune microenvironment, mutation landscape, ferroptosis sensitivity, and drug sensitivity between different risk groups. The high-risk groups exhibit significantly higher fractions of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), and pericytes. Drugs (IC50) analysis provided a range of medication options based on different FRM typing. Additionally, we employed single-cell transcriptomics to further analyze the impact of immune invasion on the occurrence and development of KIRP. Overall, we have developed an accurate prognostic model based on the expression patterns of ferroptosis-related lncRNAs for KIRP. This model has the potential to contribute to the evaluation of patient prognosis, molecular characteristics, and treatment modalities, and can be further translated into clinical applications.

Taiyi: a bilingual fine-tuned large language model for diverse biomedical tasks

OBJECTIVE

Most existing fine-tuned biomedical large language models (LLMs) focus on enhancing performance in monolingual biomedical question answering and conversation tasks. To investigate the effectiveness of the fine-tuned LLMs on diverse biomedical natural language processing (NLP) tasks in different languages, we present Taiyi, a bilingual fine-tuned LLM for diverse biomedical NLP tasks.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We first curated a comprehensive collection of 140 existing biomedical text mining datasets (102 English and 38 Chinese datasets) across over 10 task types. Subsequently, these corpora were converted to the instruction data used to fine-tune the general LLM. During the supervised fine-tuning phase, a 2-stage strategy is proposed to optimize the model performance across various tasks.

RESULTS

Experimental results on 13 test sets, which include named entity recognition, relation extraction, text classification, and question answering tasks, demonstrate that Taiyi achieves superior performance compared to general LLMs. The case study involving additional biomedical NLP tasks further shows Taiyi's considerable potential for bilingual biomedical multitasking.

CONCLUSION

Leveraging rich high-quality biomedical corpora and developing effective fine-tuning strategies can significantly improve the performance of LLMs within the biomedical domain. Taiyi shows the bilingual multitasking capability through supervised fine-tuning. However, those tasks such as information extraction that are not generation tasks in nature remain challenging for LLM-based generative approaches, and they still underperform the conventional discriminative approaches using smaller language models.

Enhanced TRPC3 transcription through AT1R/PKA/CREB signaling contributes to mitochondrial dysfunction in renal tubular epithelial cells in D-galactose-induced accelerated aging mice

Aging-associated renal dysfunction promotes the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease. Mitochondrial dysfunction in renal tubular epithelial cells is a hallmark of senescence and leads to accelerated progression of renal disorders. Dysregulated calcium profiles in mitochondria contribute to aging-associated disorders, but the detailed mechanism of this process is not clear. In this study, modulation of the sirtuin 1/angiotensin II type 1 receptor (Sirt1/AT1R) pathway partially attenuated renal glomerular sclerosis, tubular atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis in D-galactose (D-gal)-induced accelerated aging mice. Moreover, modulation of the Sirt1/AT1R pathway improved mitochondrial dysfunction induced by D-gal treatment. Transient receptor potential channel, subtype C, member 3 (TRPC3) upregulation mediated dysregulated cellular and mitochondrial calcium homeostasis during aging. Furthermore, knockdown or knockout (KO) of Trpc3 in mice ameliorated D-gal-induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production, membrane potential deterioration, and energy metabolism disorder. Mechanistically, activation of the AT1R/PKA pathway promoted CREB phosphorylation and nucleation of CRE2 binding to the Trpc3 promoter (-1659 to -1648 bp) to enhance transcription. Trpc3 KO significantly improved the renal disorder and cell senescence in D-gal-induced mice. Taken together, these results indicate that TRPC3 upregulation mediates age-related renal disorder and is associated with mitochondrial calcium overload and dysfunction. TRPC3 is a promising therapeutic target for aging-associated renal disorders.

Mogroside Ⅴ Inhibits M1 Polarization and Inflammation of Diabetic Mouse Macrophages via p38 MAPK/NF-Κb Signaling Pathway

BACKGROUND

Mogroside V (MV) has anti-inflammatory properties. However, its impact on macrophage polarization under diabetic condition is yet unclear. This study aimed to investigate effects and underlying mechanisms of MV on inflammatory response and M1 polarization of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) from diabetic mice.

METHODS

BMDMs were isolated from normal and diabetic C57BL/6 mice. LPS and IFN-γwere used to produce M1-polarized BMDMs. MV treatment was administered throughout the M1 polarization process with or without SB203580 or PDTC. Surface markers CD11b, F4/80 and CD86 of macrophages were identified using flow cytometry or immunofluorescence staining. Inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 and phosphorylation levels of p65 and p38 were examined by western blot.

RESULTS

High glucose increased proportion of CD11b+F4/80+CD86+ cells, protein levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 and phosphorylation levels of p65 and p38 in LPS+IFN-γ-induced BMDMs, while they were decreased upon MV treatment. Additionally, these effects were further downregulated when MV was co-added with SB203580 or PDTC.

CONCLUSIONS

MV suppressed M1 macrophage polarization and inflammatory response, which was partially through NF-κB and p38 MAPK in LPS+IFN-γ induced BMDMs under high glucose condition, implying the potential of MV in treatment for inflammatory complications of diabetes.

Precipitation variation: a key factor regulating plant diversity in semi-arid livestock grazing lands

Livestock presence impacts plant biodiversity (species richness) in grassland ecosystems, yet extent and direction of grazing impacts on biodiversity vary greatly across inter-annual periods. In this study, an 8-year (2014-2021) grazing gradient experiment with sheep was conducted in a semi-arid grassland to investigate the impact of grazing under different precipitation variability on biodiversity. The results suggest no direct impact of grazing on species richness in semi-arid Stipa grassland. However, increased grazing indirectly enhanced species richness by elevating community dominance (increasing the sheltering effect of Stipa grass). Importantly, intensified grazing also regulates excessive community biomass resulting from increased inter-annual wetness (SPEI), amplifying the positive influence of annual humidity index on species richness. Lastly, we emphasize that, in water-constrained grassland ecosystems, intra-annual precipitation variability (PCI) was the most crucial factor driving species richness. Therefore, the water-heat synchrony during the growing season may alleviate physiological constraints on plants, significantly enhancing species richness as a result of multifactorial interactions. Our study provides strong evidence for how to regulate grazing intensity to increase biodiversity under future variable climate patterns. We suggest adapting grazing intensity according to local climate variability to achieve grassland biodiversity conservation.

Reconfigurable perovskite X-ray detector for intelligent imaging

X-ray detection is widely used in various applications. However, to meet the demand for high image quality and high accuracy diagnosis, the raw data increases and imposes challenges for conventional X-ray detection hardware regarding data transmission and power consumption. To tackle these issues, we present a scheme of in-X-ray-detector computing based on CsPbBr3 single-crystal detector with convenient polarity reconfigurability, good linear dynamic range, and robust stability. The detector features a stable trap-free device structure and achieves a high linear dynamic range of 106 dB. As a result, the detector could achieve edge extraction imaging with a data compression ratio of ~50%, and could also be programmed and trained to perform pattern recognition tasks with a high accuracy of 100%. Our research shows that in-X-ray-detector computing can be used in flexible and complex scenarios, making it a promising platform for intelligent X-ray imaging.

Rationale and design of Tenecteplase Reperfusion Therapy in Acute Ischaemic Cerebrovascular Events III (TRACE III): a randomised, phase III, open-label, controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Recombinant human TNK tissue-type plasminogen activator (rhTNK-tPA) was not inferior to alteplase for ischaemic stroke within 4.5 hours. Our study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of rhTNK-tPA in patients who had an ischaemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (LVO) of anterior circulation beyond 4.5 hours.

METHODS AND DESIGN

Tenecteplase Reperfusion Therapy in Acute Ischaemic Cerebrovascular Events-III (TRACE III) is a multicentre, prospective, randomised, open-label, blind endpoint, controlled clinical trial. Patients who had an ischaemic stroke due to anterior circulation LVO (internal carotid artery, middle cerebral artery M1 and M2 segments) within 4.5-24 hours from last known well (including wake-up stroke and no witness stroke) and with salvageable tissue (ischaemic core volume <70 mL, mismatch ratio ≥1.8 and mismatch volume ≥15 mL) based on CT perfusion or MRI perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) were included and randomised to rhTNK-tPA 0.25 mg/kg (single bolus) to a maximum of 25 mg or standard medical therapy. Specially, we will exclude patients who are intended for direct thrombectomy. All will be followed up for 90 days.

STUDY OUTCOMES

Primary efficacy outcome is modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≤1 at 90 days. Secondary efficacy outcomes include ordinal distribution of mRS at 90 days, major neurological improvement defined by a decrease ≥8 points compared with the initial deficit or a score ≤1 on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at 72 hours, mRS score ≤2 at 90 days, the rate of improvement on Tmax >6 s at 24 hours and NIHSS score change from baseline at 7 days. Safety outcomes are symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage within 36 hours and mortality at 90 days.

DISCUSSION

TRACE III will provide evidence for the efficacy and safety of rhTNK-tPA in patients who had an ischaemic strokes due to anterior circulation LVO beyond 4.5 hours.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT05141305.

Effects of three plant growth-promoting bacterial symbiosis with ryegrass for remediation of Cd, Pb, and Zn soil in a mining area

The quality of soil containing heavy metals (HMs) around nonferrous metal mining areas is often not favorable for plant growth. Three types of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR)-assisted ryegrass were examined here to treat Cd, Pb, and Zn contaminated soil collected from a nonferrous metal smelting facility. The effects of PGPR-assisted plants on soil quality, plant growth, and the migration and transformation of HMs were evaluated. Results showed that inter-root inoculation of PGPR to ryegrass increased soil redox potential, urease, sucrase and acid phosphatase activities, microbial calorimetry, and bioavailable P, Si, and K content. Inoculation with PGPR also increased aboveground parts and root length, P, Si, and K contents, and antioxidant enzyme activities. The most significant effect was that the simultaneous inoculation of all three PGPRs increased the ryegrass extraction (%) of Cd (59.04-79.02), Pb (105.56-157.13), and Zn (27.71-40.79), compared to CK control (without fungi). Correspondingly, the inter-root soil contents (%) of total Cd (39.94-57.52), Pb (37.59-42.17), and Zn (34.05-37.28) were decreased compared to the CK1 control (without fungi and plants), whereas their bioavailability was increased. Results suggest that PGPR can improve soil quality in mining areas, promote plant growth, transform the fraction of HMs in soil, and increase the extraction of Cd, Pb, and Zn by ryegrass. PGPR is a promising microbe-assisted phytoremediation strategy that can promote the re-greening of vegetation in the mining area while remediating HMs pollution.

Oxygen Vacancy and Bandgap Simultaneous Modulation to Achieve High Lithiophilicity and Mechanical Strength of Lithium Metal Anodes

Metal oxides with conversion and alloying mechanisms are more competitive in suppressing lithium dendrites. However, it is difficult to simultaneously regulate the conversion and alloying reactions. Herein, conversion and alloying reactions are regulated by modulation of the zinc oxide bandgap and oxygen vacancies. State-of-the-art advanced characterization techniques from a microcosmic to a macrocosmic viewpoint, including neutron diffraction, synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy, synchrotron X-ray microtomography, nanoindentation, and ultrasonic C-scan demonstrated the electrochemical gain benefit from plentiful oxygen vacancies and low bandgaps due to doping strategies. In addition, high mechanical strength 3D morphology and abundant mesopores assist in the uniform distribution of lithium ions. Consequently, the best-performed ZnO-2 offers impressive electrochemical properties, including symmetric Li cells with 2000 h and full cells with 81% capacity retention after 600 cycles. In addition to providing a promising strategy for improving the lithiophilicity and mechanical strength of metal oxide anodes, this work also sheds light on lithium metal batteries for practical applications.

Root microbiota of tea plants regulate nitrogen homeostasis and theanine synthesis to influence tea quality

The flavor profile of tea is influenced not only by different tea varieties but also by the surrounding soil environment. Recent studies have indicated the regulatory role of soil microbes residing in plant roots in nutrient uptake and metabolism. However, the impact of this regulatory mechanism on tea quality remains unclear. In this study, we showed that a consortium of microbes isolated from tea roots enhanced ammonia uptake and facilitated the synthesis of theanine, a key determinant of tea taste. Variations were observed in the composition of microbial populations colonizing tea roots and the rhizosphere across different seasons and tea varieties. By comparing the root microorganisms of the high-theanine tea variety Rougui with the low-theanine variety Maoxie, we identified a specific group of microbes that potentially modulate nitrogen metabolism, subsequently influencing the theanine levels in tea. Furthermore, we constructed a synthetic microbial community (SynCom) mirroring the microbe population composition found in Rougui roots. Remarkably, applying SynCom resulted in a significant increase in the theanine content of tea plants and imparted greater tolerance to nitrogen deficiency in Arabidopsis. Our study provides compelling evidence supporting the use of root microorganisms as functional microbial fertilizers to enhance tea quality.

Observation of Cabibbo-Suppressed Two-Body Hadronic Decays and Precision Mass Measurement of the Ω_{c}^{0} Baryon

The first observation of the singly Cabibbo-suppressed Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}K^{+} and Ω_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+} decays is reported, using proton-proton collision data at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.4  fb^{-1}, collected with the LHCb detector between 2016 and 2018. The branching fraction ratios are measured to be B(Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}K^{+})/B(Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}π^{+})=[6.08±0.51(stat)±0.40(syst)]%,B(Ω_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+})/B(Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}π^{+})=[15.81±0.87(stat)±0.44(syst)±0.16(ext)]%. In addition, using the Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}π^{+} decay channel, the Ω_{c}^{0} baryon mass is measured to be M(Ω_{c}^{0})=2695.28±0.07(stat)±0.27(syst)±0.30(ext)  MeV, improving the precision of the previous world average by a factor of 4.

Search for New Phenomena in Two-Body Invariant Mass Distributions Using Unsupervised Machine Learning for Anomaly Detection at sqrt[s]=13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

Searches for new resonances are performed using an unsupervised anomaly-detection technique. Events with at least one electron or muon are selected from 140  fb^{-1} of pp collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV recorded by ATLAS at the Large Hadron Collider. The approach involves training an autoencoder on data, and subsequently defining anomalous regions based on the reconstruction loss of the decoder. Studies focus on nine invariant mass spectra that contain pairs of objects consisting of one light jet or b jet and either one lepton (e,μ), photon, or second light jet or b jet in the anomalous regions. No significant deviations from the background hypotheses are observed. Limits on contributions from generic Gaussian signals with various widths of the resonance mass are obtained for nine invariant masses in the anomalous regions.