Exploring the osteogenic potential of chitosan-quercetin bio-conjugate: In vitro and in vivo investigations in osteoporosis models

Anti-osteoporotic agents are clinically employed to improve bone health and prevent osteoporotic fractures. In the current study, we investigated the potential of chitosan-quercetin bio-conjugate as an anti-osteoporotic agent. The conjugate was prepared and characterized by FTIR and found notable interactions between chitosan and quercetin. Treating mouse MSCs with the bioconjugate in osteogenic conditions for a week led to elevated expression of differentiation markers Runx2, ALP, and Col-I, as determined by real-time PCR analysis. Evaluation at the cellular level using alizarin red staining demonstrated enhanced calcium deposition in MSCs following treatment with the bioconjugate. Likewise, ELISA analysis showed significantly elevated levels of secretory osteocalcin and osteonectin in groups treated with the conjugate. To broaden our comprehension, we utilized a zebrafish-based in vivo model of dexamethasone-induced osteoporosis to investigate bone regeneration. Toxicity profiling with zebrafish larvae confirmed the bio-conjugate's compatibility at a concentration of 25 μg/ml, underscoring the significance of finding the right dosage. Furthermore, in zebrafish models of osteoporosis, the bio-conjugate demonstrated significant potential for bone regeneration, as indicated by improved bone calcification, callus formation, and overall bone healing in a tail fin fracture model. Additionally, the study revealed that the bio-conjugate inhibited osteoclastic activity, leading to reduced TRAP activity and hydroxyproline release, suggesting its effectiveness in mitigating bone resorption. In conclusion, our research provides compelling evidence for the osteogenic capabilities of the chitosan-quercetin bio-conjugate, highlighting its promising applications in regenerative medicine and the treatment of conditions like osteoporosis.

Age-related T1 mapping, fat fraction, diffusion and perfusion parameters of the lumbar vertebrae in healthy children under 3.0 T MRI

AIM

Compare the T1 mapping, fat fraction, diffusion and perfusion parameters of the lumbar vertebrae of different age groups to establish normal values for healthy children and observe the trends in these parameters with age.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 146 healthy children (0-14 years) were included in this prospective study and underwent 3.0 T lumbar MRI examination. The study cohort was divided into five age groups (Group A ∼ E) according to development milestones in children. T1 mapping, Dixon and IVIM (intravoxel incoherent motion)sequence images were used to measure the parameters of lumbar vertebrae 2-4.

RESULTS

The normal values of each parameter were measured and compared across different age groups. The T1 value was negatively correlated with age (r=-0.619, p<0.001). The fat fraction (FF%) was positively correlated with age (r=0.635, p<0.001). There was a negative correlation between the D value and age (r=-0.406, p<0.001). The D∗ value was positively correlated with age (r=0.54, p<0.001). The f value was positively correlated with age (r=0.775, p<0.001). The inflexion points of the T1 value and FF% curves were at approximately 3 years old (36 months).The inflexion points of the IVIM-related parameter curves were approximately 5 years old (60 months).

CONCLUSION

The age-dependent differences in the vertebral body parameters of this pediatric cohort suggest changes in the bone marrow composition and cellular structure of the vertebral body during physiological growth in children. The establishment of normal values of children's lumbar spine can facilitate the clinical study of diseases.

NeurostimML: a machine learning model for predicting neurostimulation-induced tissue damage

Objective. The safe delivery of electrical current to neural tissue depends on many factors, yet previous methods for predicting tissue damage rely on only a few stimulation parameters. Here, we report the development of a machine learning approach that could lead to a more reliable method for predicting electrical stimulation-induced tissue damage by incorporating additional stimulation parameters.Approach. A literature search was conducted to build an initial database of tissue response information after electrical stimulation, categorized as either damaging or non-damaging. Subsequently, we used ordinal encoding and random forest for feature selection, and investigated four machine learning models for classification: Logistic Regression, K-nearest Neighbor, Random Forest, and Multilayer Perceptron. Finally, we compared the results of these models against the accuracy of the Shannon equation.Main Results. We compiled a database with 387 unique stimulation parameter combinations collected from 58 independent studies conducted over a period of 47 years, with 195 (51%) categorized as non-damaging and 190 (49%) categorized as damaging. The features selected for building our model with a Random Forest algorithm were: waveform shape, geometric surface area, pulse width, frequency, pulse amplitude, charge per phase, charge density, current density, duty cycle, daily stimulation duration, daily number of pulses delivered, and daily accumulated charge. The Shannon equation yielded an accuracy of 63.9% using akvalue of 1.79. In contrast, the Random Forest algorithm was able to robustly predict whether a set of stimulation parameters was classified as damaging or non-damaging with an accuracy of 88.3%.Significance. This novel Random Forest model can facilitate more informed decision making in the selection of neuromodulation parameters for both research studies and clinical practice. This study represents the first approach to use machine learning in the prediction of stimulation-induced neural tissue damage, and lays the groundwork for neurostimulation driven by machine learning models.

Rapid solar-driven atmospheric water-harvesting with MAF-4-derived nitrogen-doped nanoporous carbon

Sorption-based atmospheric water-harvesting (AWH) could help to solve global freshwater scarcity. The search for adsorbents with high water-uptake capacity at low relative humidity, rapid adsorption-desorption kinetics and high thermal conductivity is a critical challenge in AWH. Herein, we report a MAF-4 (aka ZIF-8)-derived nanoporous carbon (NPCMAF-4-800) with multiple N-doped sites, considerable micropore characteristics and inherent photothermal properties, for efficient water production in a relatively arid climate. NPCMAF-4-800 exhibited optimal water-sorption performance of 306 mg g-1 at 40% relative humidity (RH). An excellent sunlight-absorption rate was realized (97%) attributed to its high degree of graphitization. A proof-of-concept device was designed and investigated for the practical harvesting of water from the atmosphere using natural sunlight. NPCMAF-4-800 achieved an unprecedentedly high water production rate of 380 mg g-1 h-1 at 40% RH, and could produce 1.77 L kg-1 freshwater during daylight hours in an outdoor low-humidity climate of ∼25 °C and 40% RH. These findings may shed light on the potential of MOF-derived porous carbons in the AWH field, and inspire the future development of solar-driven water-generation systems.

Elucidating High Initial Coulombic Efficiency, Pseudocapacitive Kinetics and Charge Storage Mechanism of Antiperovskite Carbide Ni3ZnC0.7@rGO Anode for Fast Sodium Storage in Ether Electrolyte

To explore novel electrode materials with in-depth elucidation of initial coulombic efficiency (ICE), kinetics, and charge storage mechanisms is of great challenge for Na-ion storage. Herein, a novel 3D antiperovskite carbide Ni3ZnC0.7@rGO anode coupled with ether-based electrolyte is reported for fast Na-ion storage, exhibiting superior performance than ester-based electrolyte. Electrochemical tests and density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that Ni3ZnC0.7@rGO anode with ether-based electrolyte can promote charge/ion transport and lower Na+ diffusion energy barrier, thereby improving ICE, reversible capacity, rate, and cycling performance. Cross-sectional-morphology and depth profiling surface chemistry demonstrate that not only a thinner and more homogeneous reaction interface layer with less side effects but also a superior solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film with a high proportion of inorganic components are formed in the ether-based electrolyte, which accelerates Na+ transport and is the significant reason for the improvement of ICE and other electrochemical properties. Meanwhile, electrochemical and ex situ measurements have revealed conversion, alloying, and co-intercalation hybrid mechanisms of the Ni3ZnC0.7@rGO anode based on ether electrolyte. Interestingly, the Na-ion capacitors (SICs) designed by pairing with activated carbon (AC) cathode exhibit favorable electrochemical performance. Overall, this work provides deep insights on developing advanced materials for fast Na-ion storage.

From disruption to adaptation: Response of phytoplankton communities in representative impounded lakes to China's South-to-North Water Diversion Project

Impounded lakes are often interconnected in large-scale water diversion projects to form a coordinated system for water allocation and regulation. The alternating runoff and transferred water can significantly impact local ecosystems, which are initially reflected in the sensitive phytoplankton. Nonetheless, limited information is available on the temporal dynamics and assembly patterns of phytoplankton community in impounded lakes responding to continuous and periodic water diversion. Herein, a long-term monitoring from 2013 to 2020 were conducted to systematically investigate the response of phytoplankton community, including its characteristics, stability, and the ecological processes governing community assembly, in representative impounded lakes to the South-to-North Water Diversion Project (SNWDP) in China. In the initial stage of the SNWDP, the phytoplankton diversity indices experienced a decrease during both non-water diversion periods (8.5 %∼21.2 %) and water diversion periods (5.6 %∼12.2 %), implying a disruption in the aquatic ecosystem. But the regular delivery of high-quality water from the Yangtze River gradually increased phytoplankton diversity and mediated ecological assembly processes shifting from stochastic to deterministic. Meanwhile, reduced nutrients restricted the growth of phytoplankton, pushing species to interact more closely to maintain the functionality and stability of the co-occurrence network. The partial least squares path model revealed that ecological process (path coefficient = 0.525, p < 0.01) and interspecies interactions in networks (path coefficient = -0.806, p < 0.01) jointly influenced the keystone and dominant species, ultimately resulting in an improvement in stability (path coefficient = 0.878, p < 0.01). Overall, the phytoplankton communities experienced an evolutionary process from short-term disruption to long-term adaptation, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in response to the challenges posed by the SNWDP. This study revealed the response and adaptation mechanism of phytoplankton communities in impounded lakes to water diversion projects, which is helpful for maintaining the lake ecological health and formulating rational water management strategies.

Association between COVID-19 convalescent plasma antibody levels and COVID-19 outcomes stratified by clinical status at presentation

BACKGROUND

There is a need to understand the relationship between COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma (CCP) anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels and clinical outcomes to optimize CCP use. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between recipient baseline clinical status, clinical outcomes, and CCP antibody levels.

METHODS

The study analyzed data from the COMPILE study, a meta-analysis of pooled individual patient data from 8 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of CCP vs. control, in adults hospitalized for COVID-19 who were not receiving mechanical ventilation at randomization. SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels, referred to as 'dose' of CCP treatment, were retrospectively measured in donor sera or the administered CCP, semi-quantitatively using the VITROS Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG chemiluminescent immunoassay (Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics) with a signal-to-cutoff ratio (S/Co). The association between CCP dose and outcomes was investigated, treating dose as either continuous or categorized (higher vs. lower vs. control), stratified by recipient oxygen supplementation status at presentation.

RESULTS

A total of 1714 participants were included in the study, 1138 control- and 576 CCP-treated patients for whom donor CCP anti-SARS-CoV2 antibody levels were available from the COMPILE study. For participants not receiving oxygen supplementation at baseline, higher-dose CCP (/control) was associated with a reduced risk of ventilation or death at day 14 (OR = 0.19, 95% CrI: [0.02, 1.70], posterior probability Pr(OR < 1) = 0.93) and day 28 mortality (OR = 0.27 [0.02, 2.53], Pr(OR < 1) = 0.87), compared to lower-dose CCP (/control) (ventilation or death at day 14 OR = 0.79 [0.07, 6.87], Pr(OR < 1) = 0.58; and day 28 mortality OR = 1.11 [0.10, 10.49], Pr(OR < 1) = 0.46), exhibiting a consistently positive CCP dose effect on clinical outcomes. For participants receiving oxygen at baseline, the dose-outcome relationship was less clear, although a potential benefit for day 28 mortality was observed with higher-dose CCP (/control) (OR = 0.66 [0.36, 1.13], Pr(OR < 1) = 0.93) compared to lower-dose CCP (/control) (OR = 1.14 [0.73, 1.78], Pr(OR < 1) = 0.28).

CONCLUSION

Higher-dose CCP is associated with its effectiveness in patients not initially receiving oxygen supplementation, however, further research is needed to understand the interplay between CCP anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels and clinical outcome in COVID-19 patients initially receiving oxygen supplementation.

Anti-tumor therapy through high ROS performance induced by Ag nanoenzyme from boron cluster with halloysite clay nanotubes

The conventional silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are characterized with high loading rate and stacking phenomenon, leading to shedding caused biotoxicity and low catalytic efficiency. This seriously hinders their application in biomedicine. Here, we modified the highly dispersible Ag NPs and Ag single-atoms (SAs) synthesis by combining the halloysite clay nanotubes (HNTs) and dodecahydro-dodecaborate (closo-[B12H12]2-) to increase the biocompatible properties and decrease the loading rate. This novel Ag single-atom nanoenzyme alongside Ag NPs nanoenzyme avoid the elevated-temperature calcination while maintaining the exceptionally high-level efficiency of Ag utilization via the reducibility and coordination stabilization of closo-[B12H12]2- and HNTs. With theoretical calculation and electron paramagnetic resonance, we confirmed that both Ag SAzymes and Ag NPs in HNT@B12H12@Ag nanoenzyme are capable decompose the H2O2 into hydroxyl radical (·OH). For the application, we investigated the catalytic activity in the tumor cells and antitumor effects of HNT@B12H12@Ag nanoenzyme both in vitro and in vivo, and confirmed that it effectively suppressed melanoma growth through ·OH generation, with limited biotoxicity. This study provides a novel Ag nanoenzyme synthesis approach to increase the possibility of its clinical application.

Incidence and risk factors of delirium following brain tumor resection: A retrospective National Inpatient Sample database study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence and factors predisposing to delirium following brain tumor resection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from patients who underwent brain tumor resection surgery from 2016 to 2019 was extracted from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database and retrospectively analyzed. The difference between the two groups was compared by Wilcoxon rank test or Chi-square test were used to. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify the risk factors delirium after brain tumor resection.

RESULTS

From 2016 to 2019, 28340 patients who underwent brain tumor resection were identified in the NIS database, with the incidence of delirium being 4.79% (1357/28340). It was found that increased incidence of delirium was significantly associated with aged over 75 years and males (all P < 0.001). Besides, patients with delirium were more likely to have multiple comorbidities and to receive elective surgery (all P < 0.001). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that self-pay (OR = 0.51; CI = 0.31-0.83; P = 0.007), elective admission (OR = 0.53; CI = 0.47-0.60; P < 0.001), obesity (OR = 0.77; CI = 0.66-0.92; P = 0.003), female (OR = 0.79; CI = 0.71-0.88; P < 0.001), and private insurance (OR = 0.80; CI = 0.67-0.95; P = 0.012) were associated with lower occurrence of delirium. Besides, delirium was related to extra total hospital charges (P < 0.001), increased length of stay (P < 0.001), higher inpatient mortality (P = 0.001), and perioperative complications (including heart failure, acute renal failure, urinary tract infection, urinary retention, septicemia, pneumonia, blood transfusion, and cerebral edema) (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Many factors were associated with the occurrence of delirium after brain tumor resection. Therefore, clinicians should identify high-risk patients prone to delirium in a timely manner and take effective management measures to reduce adverse outcomes.

Clinical outcomes of serial endoscopic balloon dilation for duodenal Crohn's disease-associated strictures

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) is a safe and effective treatment for Crohn's disease (CD)-associated strictures. However, serial EBDs have rarely been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of serial EBDs for treating CD-associated duodenal strictures compared with intermittent EBDs.

METHODS

Patients with CD-associated duodenal strictures who underwent EBD were recruited. The clinical data, stricture characteristics, number of EBDs, dilation diameter, complications, surgical interventions, and follow-up periods were recorded. Patients were divided into a serial dilation group and an intermittent dilation group to analyze the differences in safety and efficacy.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients with duodenal CD-associated strictures underwent a total of 139 dilations. A total of 23 patients in the serial dilation group underwent 72 dilations, for a median of 3 (range 3 ~ 4) dilations per patient, and 22 patients in the intermittent dilation group underwent 67 dilations, for a median of 3 (range 1 ~ 6) dilations per patient. Technical success was achieved in 97.84% (136/139) of the patients. During the follow-up period, three patients in the intermittent dilation group underwent surgery, and the total clinical efficacy was 93.33% (42/45). No difference in safety or short-term efficacy was noted between the two groups, but serial EBDs exhibited significantly greater clinical efficacy between 6 months and 2 years. No significant difference in recurrence-free survival was observed, but the median longest recurrence-free survival and recurrence-free survival after the last EBD in the serial dilation group were 693 days (range 298 ~ 1381) and 815 days (range 502 ~ 1235), respectively, which were significantly longer than the 415 days (range 35 ~ 1493) and 291 days (range 34 ~ 1493) in the intermittent dilation group (p = 0.013 and p = 0.000, respectively). At the last follow-up, the mean diameter of the duodenal lumen was 1.17 ± 0.07 cm in the serial dilation group, which was greater than the 1.11 ± 0.10 cm in the intermittent dilation group (p = 0.018). We also found that the Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's Disease was associated with an increased risk of surgical intervention (HR 2.377, 95% CI 1.125-5.020; p = 0.023) and recurrence at 6 months after the last EBD (HR 0.698, 95% CI 0.511-0.953; p = 0.024), as assessed by univariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to the intermittent EBDs, serial EBDs for duodenal CD-associated strictures exhibit greater clinical efficacy within two years and could delay stricture recurrence. We suggest that serial EBDs can be a novel option for endoscopic treatment of duodenal CD-associated strictures.

Application of Li6.4La3Zr1.45Ta0.5Mo0.05O12/PEO Composite Solid Electrolyte in High-Performance Lithium Batteries

Replacing the flammable liquid electrolytes with solid ones has been considered to be the most effective way to improve the safety of the lithium batteries. However, the solid electrolytes often suffer from low ionic conductivity and poor rate capability due to their relatively stable molecular/atomic architectures. In this study, we report a composite solid electrolyte, in which polyethylene oxide (PEO) is the matrix and Li6.4La3Zr1.45Ta0.5Mo0.05O12 (LLZTMO) and Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 (LLZTO) are the fillers. Ta/Mo co-doping can further promote the ion transport capacity in the electrolyte. The synthesized composite electrolytes exhibit high thermal stability (up to 413 °C) and good ionic conductivity (LLZTMO-PEO 2.00 × 10-4 S·cm-1, LLZTO-PEO 1.53 × 10-4 S·cm-1) at 35 °C. Compared with a pure PEO electrolyte, whose ionic conductivity is in the range of 10-7~10-6 S·cm-1, the ionic conductivity of composite solid electrolytes is greatly improved. The full cell assembled with LiFePO4 as the positive electrode exhibits excellent rate performance and good cycling stability, indicating that prepared solid electrolytes have great potential applications in lithium batteries.

Predicting CD27 expression and clinical prognosis in serous ovarian cancer using CT-based radiomics

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to develop and evaluate radiomics models to predict CD27 expression and clinical prognosis before surgery in patients with serous ovarian cancer (SOC).

METHODS

We used transcriptome sequencing data and contrast-enhanced computed tomography images of patients with SOC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (n = 339) and The Cancer Imaging Archive (n = 57) and evaluated the clinical significance and prognostic value of CD27 expression. Radiomics features were selected to create a recursive feature elimination-logistic regression (RFE-LR) model and a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator logistic regression (LASSO-LR) model for CD27 expression prediction.

RESULTS

CD27 expression was upregulated in tumor samples, and a high expression level was determined to be an independent protective factor for survival. A set of three and six radiomics features were extracted to develop RFE-LR and LASSO-LR radiomics models, respectively. Both models demonstrated good calibration and clinical benefits, as determined by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis. The LASSO-LR model performed better than the RFE-LR model, owing to the area under the curve (AUC) values of the ROC curves (0.829 vs. 0.736). Furthermore, the AUC value of the radiomics score that predicted the overall survival of patients with SOC diagnosed after 60 months was 0.788 using the LASSO-LR model.

CONCLUSION

The radiomics models we developed are promising noninvasive tools for predicting CD27 expression status and SOC prognosis. The LASSO-LR model is highly recommended for evaluating the preoperative risk stratification for SOCs in clinical applications.

Tmem30a protects against podocyte injury through suppression of pyroptosis

Podocytopathies, such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), are characterized by podocyte injury and can easily progress to end-stage kidney disease. However, the mechanisms underlying podocyte injury remain unclear. We observed podocyte injury along with pyroptosis in patients with FSGS. Bioinformatic analysis of public datasets revealed that transmembrane protein 30a (Tmem30a) might be associated with FSGS. The expression of Temem30a and the podocyte-related protein, nephrin, were significantly downregulated in patients with FSGS, adriamycin (ADR)-induced mice, and podocyte-specific Tmem30a lox P /loxP ; NPHS2-Cre mice, whereas the expression of NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) and ASC, two pyroptosis-related proteins, were significantly upregulated. Meanwhile, the pyroptosis inhibitor MCC950 and disulfiram (DSF) increased Tmem30a and podocyte-related proteins expression, and inhibited pyroptosis-related proteins expression in ADR-induced mouse podocytes and Tmem30a knockdown (KD) mouse podocytes. Therefore, Tmem30a might protect against podocyte injury by inhibiting pyroptosis, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for podocytopathies.

SMYD2-Methylated PPARγ Facilitates Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension by Activating Mitophagy

BACKGROUND

Hyperproliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and consequent pulmonary vascular remodeling are the crucial pathological features of pulmonary hypertension (PH). Protein methylation has been shown to be critically involved in PASMC proliferation and PH, but the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown.

METHODS

PH animal models were generated by treating mice/rats with chronic hypoxia for 4 weeks. SMYD2-vTg mice (vascular smooth muscle cell-specific suppressor of variegation, enhancer of zeste, trithorax and myeloid Nervy DEAF-1 (deformed epidural auto-regulatory factor-1) domain-containing protein 2 transgenic) or wild-type rats and mice treated with LLY-507 (3-cyano-5-{2-[4-[2-(3-methylindol-1-yl)ethyl]piperazin-1-yl]-phenyl}-N-[(3-pyrrolidin-1-yl)propyl]benzamide) were used to investigate the function of SMYD2 (suppressor of variegation, enhancer of zeste, trithorax and myeloid Nervy DEAF-1 domain-containing protein 2) on PH development in vivo. Primary cultured rat PASMCs with SMYD2 knockdown or overexpression were used to explore the effects of SMYD2 on proliferation and to decipher the underlying mechanism.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that the expression of the lysine methyltransferase SMYD2 was upregulated in the smooth muscle cells of pulmonary arteries from patients with PH and hypoxia-exposed rats/mice and in the cytoplasm of hypoxia-induced rat PASMCs. More importantly, targeted inhibition of SMYD2 by LLY-507 significantly attenuated hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling and PH development in both male and female rats in vivo and reduced rat PASMC hyperproliferation in vitro. In contrast, SMYD2-vTg mice exhibited more severe PH phenotypes and related pathological changes than nontransgenic mice after 4 weeks of chronic hypoxia treatment. Furthermore, SMYD2 overexpression promoted, while SMYD2 knockdown suppressed, the proliferation of rat PASMCs by affecting the cell cycle checkpoint between S and G2 phases. Mechanistically, we revealed that SMYD2 directly interacted with and monomethylated PPARγ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma) to inhibit the nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity of PPARγ, which further promoted mitophagy to facilitate PASMC proliferation and PH development. Furthermore, rosiglitazone, a PPARγ agonist, largely abolished the detrimental effects of SMYD2 overexpression on PASMC proliferation and PH.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrated that SMYD2 monomethylates nonhistone PPARγ and inhibits its nuclear translocation and activation to accelerate PASMC proliferation and PH by triggering mitophagy, indicating that targeting SMYD2 or activating PPARγ are potential strategies for the prevention of PH.

Renal Transplant Anastomotic Pseudoaneurysm and Stenosis at the Proximal Transplant Renal Artery and Worse Renal Blood Flow After Stent Placement

ABSTRACT

A 60-year-old man with a history of end-stage renal disease received renal transplant and had decreasing renal function 4 months later. Nuclear medicine renal flow and functional study showed severely decreased blood flow and decreased function of the right renal allograft. There was focal increased radiotracer uptake at blood flow phase around the anastomosis of the renal allograft artery and the right external iliac artery. CT angiogram revealed right external iliac artery pseudoaneurysm. Interventional radiology angiography reconfirmed the pseudoaneurysm and revealed stenosis at the proximal transplant renal artery. After stent placement, however, there was worse renal allograft blood flow.

Comprehensive meta-analysis of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus infections in humans, vertebrate hosts and questing ticks

BACKGROUND

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne zoonosis caused by the SFTS virus (SFTSV). Understanding the prevalence of SFTSV RNA in humans, vertebrate hosts and ticks is crucial for SFTS control.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to determine the prevalence of SFTSV RNA in humans, vertebrate hosts and questing ticks. Nine electronic databases were searched for relevant publications, and data on SFTSV RNA prevalence were extracted. Pooled prevalence was estimated using a random effects model. Subgroup analysis and multivariable meta-regression were performed to investigate sources of heterogeneity.

RESULTS

The pooled prevalence of SFTSV RNA in humans was 5.59% (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.78-9.15%) in those in close contact (close contacts) with infected individuals (infected cases) and 0.05% (95% CI 0.00-0.65%) in healthy individuals in endemic areas. The SFTSV infection rates in artiodactyls (5.60%; 95% CI 2.95-8.96%) and carnivores (6.34%; 95% CI 3.27-10.23%) were higher than those in rodents (0.45%; 95% CI 0.00-1.50%). Other animals, such as rabbits, hedgehogs and birds, also played significant roles in SFTSV transmission. The genus Haemaphysalis was the primary transmission vector, with members of Ixodes, Dermacentor, and Amblyomma also identified as potential vectors. The highest pooled prevalence was observed in adult ticks (1.03%; 95% CI 0.35-1.96%), followed by nymphs (0.66%; 95% CI 0.11-1.50%) and larvae (0.01%; 95% CI 0.00-0.46%). The pooled prevalence in ticks collected from endemic areas (1.86%; 95% CI 0.86-3.14%) was higher than that in ticks collected in other regions (0.41%; 95% CI 0.12-0.81%).

CONCLUSIONS

Latent SFTSV infections are present in healthy individuals residing in endemic areas, and close contacts with SFTS cases are at a significantly higher risk of infection. The type of animal is linked to infection rates in vertebrate hosts, while infection rates in ticks are associated with the developmental stage. Further research is needed to investigate the impact of various environmental factors on SFTSV prevalence in vertebrate hosts and ticks.

Carbon-fixing bacteria in diverse groundwaters of karst area: Distribution patterns, ecological interactions, and driving factors

The biological carbon pump in karst areas is of great significance for maintaining the effectiveness of karst carbon sinks. However, the spatial distribution and carbon-fixing potential of microorganisms in different aquifers within karst areas remain poorly understood. In this study, the distribution patterns, ecological roles, and environmental drivers of microbiota associated with CO2 fixation were investigated in karst groundwater (KW), porous groundwater (PW), fractured groundwater (FW), and surface water (SW) within a typical karst watershed, located in Guilin, southwest China. KW, PW, and FW displayed the similar community structure and indicative carbon-fixing bacteria composition, which were dominated by chemoautotrophic bacteria compared to SW. Higher abundances of indicative carbon-fixing bacteria and carbon-fixing genes, as well as richer proportions of microbial-derived DOC, indicated the more significant microbial carbon-fixing potential in KW and PW. At the profile of KW, a carbon-fixing hotspot was discovered at the depths of 0-50 m. Correlation analysis between carbon-fixing bacteria and DOC revealed that the chemoautotrophic process driven by nitrogen and sulfur oxidation predominated the microbial carbon fixation in groundwater. Co-occurrence network analysis demonstrated that carbon-fixing bacteria exhibited cooperation with other bacterial taxa in KW, while competition was the dominant interaction in PW. Moreover, carbon-fixing bacteria was found to lead bacterial assembly more deterministic in KW. The analysis of environmental factors and microbial diversity illustrated that inorganic carbon and redox state drove community variations across groundwaters. Structural equation model (SEM) further confirmed that ORP was the primary factor influencing the carbon fixation potential. This study provides a new insight into biological carbon fixation in karst aquatic systems, which holds significance in the accurate assessment of karst carbon sinks.

The Role of TPM3 in Protecting Cardiomyocyte from Hypoxia-Induced Injury via Cytoskeleton Stabilization

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) remains a major global health concern, with ischemia-reperfusion injury exacerbating myocardial damage despite therapeutic interventions. In this study, we investigated the role of tropomyosin 3 (TPM3) in protecting cardiomyocytes against hypoxia-induced injury and oxidative stress. Using the AC16 and H9c2 cell lines, we established a chemical hypoxia model by treating cells with cobalt chloride (CoCl2) to simulate low-oxygen conditions. We found that CoCl2 treatment significantly upregulated the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) in cardiomyocytes, indicating the successful induction of hypoxia. Subsequent morphological and biochemical analyses revealed that hypoxia altered cardiomyocyte morphology disrupted the cytoskeleton, and caused cellular damage, accompanied by increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, indicative of oxidative stress. Lentivirus-mediated TPM3 overexpression attenuated hypoxia-induced morphological changes, cellular damage, and oxidative stress imbalance, while TPM3 knockdown exacerbated these effects. Furthermore, treatment with the HDAC1 inhibitor MGCD0103 partially reversed the exacerbation of hypoxia-induced injury caused by TPM3 knockdown. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and functional enrichment analysis suggested that TPM3 may modulate cardiac muscle development, contraction, and adrenergic signaling pathways. In conclusion, our findings highlight the therapeutic potential of TPM3 modulation in mitigating hypoxia-associated cardiac injury, suggesting a promising avenue for the treatment of ischemic heart disease and other hypoxia-related cardiac pathologies.

Predictive value of the Naples prognostic score on postoperative delirium in the elderly with gastrointestinal tumors: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common complication among elderly patients after surgery. The Naples Prognostic Score (NPS), a novel prognostic marker based on immune-inflammatory and nutritional status, was widely used in the assessment of the prognosis of surgical patients. However, no study has evaluated the relationship between NPS and POD. The aim of this article was to investigate the association between NPS and POD and test the predictive efficacy of preoperative NPS for POD in elderly patients with gastrointestinal tumors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the present study, we retrospectively collected perioperative data of 176 patients (≥ 60 years) who underwent elective gastrointestinal tumor surgery from June 2022 to September 2023. POD was defined according to the chart-based method and the NPS was calculated for each patient. We compared all the demographics and laboratory data between POD and non-POD groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore risk factors of POD. Moreover, the accuracy of NPS in predicting POD was further assessed by utilizing receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

RESULTS

20 had POD (11.4%) in a total of 176 patients, with a median age of 71 (65-76). The outcomes by univariate analysis pointed out that age, ASA status ≥ 3, creatinine, white blood cell count, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and NPS were associated with the risk of POD. Multivariate logistic regression analysis further showed that age, ASA grade ≥ 3, FBG and NPS were independent risk factors of POD. Additionally, the ROC curves revealed that NPS allowed better prognostic capacity for POD than other variables with the largest area under the curve (AUC) of 0.798, sensitivity of 0.800 and specificity of 0.667, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Age, ASA grade ≥ 3, and FBG were independent risk factors for POD in the elderly underwent gastrointestinal tumor surgery. Notably, the preoperative NPS was a more effective tool in predicting the incidence of POD, but prospective trials were still needed to further validate our conclusion.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The registration information for the experiment was shown below. (date: 3rd January 2024; number: ChiCTR2400079459).

Feasibility and Acceptability Evaluation of a Digital Therapeutic Program for Improving Cancer Prevention: A Quasi-experimental Pre-post Interventional Pilot Study

Previous studies have proved that healthy behaviors hinder the onset and progression of tumors. Digital therapeutics (DTx), playing a pivotal role in facilitating behavioral adjustments through educational interventions, lifestyle support, and symptom monitoring, contribute to the goal of tumor prevention. We aim to optimize the evaluation of the feasibility and acceptability of DTx for cancer prevention. This involves assessing AITI's daily activity rates and user feedback, and comparing changes in behavioral habits and differences in SF-36 before and after the intervention. In a 4-week trial with 57 participants engaging actively, we found both the average daily activity rate and 4-week retention rate at 35 (61.4%). The USE Questionnaire scores (validity, ease of use, acquisition, and satisfaction) ranged from 68.06 to 83.10, indicating AITI's user-friendliness and acceptability. Furthermore, positive habit changes were noted among participants in exercise and diet (p < 0.0001), suggesting the effectiveness of the DTx approach in modifying behavioral habits related to physical activity and nutrition. This pilot study underscores the potential of DTx in advancing cancer prevention. However, larger and longer studies are needed to comprehensively assess its impact.

Exploring the Role of Clustered Mutations in Carcinogenesis and Their Potential Clinical Implications in Cancer

Abnormal cell proliferation and growth leading to cancer primarily result from cumulative genome mutations. Single gene mutations alone do not fully explain cancer onset and progression; instead, clustered mutations-simultaneous occurrences of multiple mutations-are considered to be pivotal in cancer development and advancement. These mutations can affect different genes and pathways, resulting in cells undergoing malignant transformation with multiple functional abnormalities. Clustered mutations influence cancer growth rates, metastatic potential, and drug treatment sensitivity. This summary highlights the various types and characteristics of clustered mutations to understand their associations with carcinogenesis and discusses their potential clinical significance in cancer. As a unique mutation type, clustered mutations may involve genomic instability, DNA repair mechanism defects, and environmental exposures, potentially correlating with responsiveness to immunotherapy. Understanding the characteristics and underlying processes of clustered mutations enhances our comprehension of carcinogenesis and cancer progression, providing new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for cancer.

Systemic regulation of binding sites in porous coordination polymers for ethylene purification from ternary C2 hydrocarbons

The global demand for poly-grade ethylene (C2H4) is increasing annually. However, the energy-saving purification of this gas remains a major challenge due to the similarity in molecular properties among the ternary C2 hydrocarbons. To address this challenge, we report an approach of systematic tuning of the pore environment with organic sites (from -COOH to -CF3, then to -CH3) in porous coordination polymers (PCPs), of which NTU-73-CH3 shows remarkable capability for the direct production of poly-grade C2H4 from ternary C2 hydrocarbons under ambient conditions. In comparison, the precursor structure of NTU-73-COOH is unable to purify C2H4, while NTU-73-CF3 shows minimal ability to harvest C2H4. This is because the changed binding sites in the NTU-73-series not only eliminate the channel obstruction caused by the formation of gas clusters, but also enhance the interaction with acetylene (C2H2) and ethane (C2H6), as validated by in situ crystallographic and Raman analysis. Our findings, in particular the systematic tuning of the pore environment and the efficient C2H4 purification by NTU-73-CH3, provide a blueprint for the creation of advanced porous families that can handle desired tasks.

Polygenic risk, childhood abuse and gene x environment interactions with depression development from middle to late adulthood: A U.S. national life-course study

OBJECTIVE

Utilizing national longitudinal data, this study examines how polygenic depression risk and childhood abuse interactively influence the life-course development of depressive conditions from middle to late adulthood.

METHOD

Data from 7512 participants (4323 females and 3189 males) of European ancestry aged 51-90, retrieved from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (1992-2020), were analyzed. Childhood physical abuse and polygenic depression score were the primary predictors. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CESD) scale, and clinical depression risk was a binary indicator. Growth-curve linear mixed and logit mixed-effects models were conducted for analysis.

RESULTS

Increasing polygenic depression scores were associated with elevated CES-D levels and potential risks of clinical depression. Males experienced more detrimental effects of childhood abuse on depression development from ages 51 to 90 years. In contract, non-maltreated females generally exhibited higher depressive symptoms and clinical depression risk than males. A significant interactive effect was found between polygenic depression risk and childhood abuse among males. Higher depression levels and clinical risk were observed with increasing polygenic depression score among maltreated males, surpassing those of females with standardized polygenic score ≥0 from age 51 to 90 years.

CONCLUSIONS

The interaction between childhood abuse and genetic factors significantly shaped lifelong depression trajectories in males, while the negative impact of abusive parenting remained constant regardless of polygenic depression risk among females. Individualized prevention and intervention strategies could be crucial in mitigating lifelong depression development, especially for high-genetic-risk males with a history of childhood physical abuse.

Melatonin improves stroke by inhibiting autophagy-dependent ferroptosis mediated by NCOA4 binding to FTH1

Ischemic stroke is a disease associated with high morbidity and disability rates; however, its pathogenesis remains elusive, and treatment options are limited. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of cell death, represents a novel avenue for investigation. The objective of this study was to explore the role of melatonin in MCAO-induced ferroptosis and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanism. To simulate brain damage and neuronal injury caused by ischemic stroke, we established a mouse model of MCAO and an HT-22 cell model of OGD/R. The therapeutic efficacy of melatonin was assessed through measurements of infarct size, brain edema, and neurological scores. Additionally, qRT-PCR, WB analysis, and Co-IP assays were employed to investigate the impact of melatonin on ferroptosis markers such as NCOA4 and FTH1 expression levels. Confocal microscopy was utilized to confirm the colocalization between ferritin and lysosomes. Furthermore, we constructed a SIRT6 siRNA model to validate the regulatory effect exerted by SIRT6 on NCOA4 as well as their binding interaction. The present study provides initial evidence that melatonin possesses the ability to mitigate neuronal damage induced by MCAO and OGD/R. Assessment of markers for oxidative damage and ferroptosis revealed that melatonin effectively inhibits intracellular Fe2+ levels, thereby suppressing ferroptosis. Additionally, our findings demonstrate that melatonin modulates the interaction between FTH1 and NCOA4 via SIRT6, influencing ferritin autophagy without affecting cellular macroautophagy. These findings provide reliable data support for the promotion and application of melatonin in clinical practice.

Yak meat content in feed and its impact on the growth of rats

To evaluate the effects of varying proportions of yak meat in feed on the growth of rats and provide a theoretical basis for selecting the optimal feed proportion suitable for rats. This study was designed as a one-variable experiment. Fifty male rats were divided into five groups. The ratios of yak meat to basal feed of rats in four dietary treatment groups were 2:8, 4:6, 6:4, and 8:2, respectively, while those in the control group were only provided a basal diet. In the feeding experiment, the body weights of the rats were recorded on Day 0 and subsequently in the first, second, third, and fourth weeks, along with quantities of feed intake. The body and tail lengths, as well as the waist circumference of the rats, were measured, and blood samples were collected in the fourth week for routine blood and biochemistry investigations. The rats in the 4:6 feed group had the best body condition. They had normal body and tail lengths, smaller waist circumferences, good posture, and were in better overall health than rats in the other groups. The results indicate that the 4:6 diet was optimal for enhancing rats' growth performance compared to the other diets.