An aqueous extract of Prunella vulgaris L. ameliorates cadmium-induced bone loss by promoting osteogenic differentiation in female rats

Cadmium (Cd) causes bone loss, concerning inhibiting osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Prunella vulgaris L. (PV) has the potential for promoting osteogenic differentiation, but its influence on Cd-induced bone loss is unclear. This study investigated the effect of PV aqueous extract (PVE) on Cd-induced bone loss and its underlying mechanisms. Eight-week-old female SD rats were randomly assigned into four groups and treated for 16 weeks: Control, Cd (50 mg/L of Cd chloride), Cd + PV Low (125 mg/kg bw of PVE), and Cd + PV High (250 mg/kg bw of PVE). PV ameliorated femoral bone loss in Cd-treated rats manifested as increases in bone mineral density, bone volume, trabecular thickness, number, and area, and decreases in trabecular separation. Compared with Cd group, PV-treatment groups had higher serum levels of bone formation markers (ALP, BGP). Additionally, in PV-treatment groups, expressions of bone formation markers (Osterix, Runx2) and molecules involved in osteogenic differentiation signal pathway BMP/Smad (BMP4, Smad1/5/9) in the tibia of rats and isolated rat primary BMSCs were upregulated. These results suggest that PV alleviates Cd-induced bone loss by promoting osteogenic differentiation, which is likely associated with BMP/Smad pathway.

mitoSplitter: A mitochondrial variants-based method for efficient demultiplexing of pooled single-cell RNA-seq

Single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) analysis of multiple samples separately can be costly and lead to batch effects. Exogenous barcodes or genome-wide RNA mutations can be used to demultiplex pooled scRNA-seq data, but they are experimentally or computationally challenging and limited in scope. Mitochondrial genomes are small but diverse, providing concise genotype information. We developed "mitoSplitter," an algorithm that demultiplexes samples using mitochondrial RNA (mtRNA) variants, and demonstrated that mtRNA variants can be used to demultiplex large-scale scRNA-seq data. Using affordable computational resources, mitoSplitter can accurately analyze 10 samples and 60,000 cells in 6 h. To avoid the batch effects from separated experiments, we applied mitoSplitter to analyze the responses of five non-small cell lung cancer cell lines to BET (Bromodomain and extraterminal) chemical degradation in a multiplexed fashion. We found the synthetic lethality of TOP2A inhibition and BET chemical degradation in BET inhibitor-resistant cells. The result indicates that mitoSplitter can accelerate the application of scRNA-seq assays in biomedical research.

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate colon inflammation via modulation of gut microbiota-SCFAs-immune axis

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a global health problem in which gut microbiota dysbiosis plays a pivotal pathogenic role. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy has emerged as a prospective novel tool for managing IBD, and which can also regulate the composition of gut microbiota. However, the functional significance of MSCs-induced changes in gut microbiome is poorly understood.

METHODS

Here, we investigated for the first time the role of gut microbiota in mediating the protective effect of human umbilical cord MSCs (HUMSCs) on DSS-induced colitis. Gut microbiota alteration and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production were analyzed through 16S rRNA sequencing and targeted metabolomics. Spectrum antibiotic cocktail (ABX), fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and sterile fecal filtrate (SFF) were employed to evaluate the protective effect of intestinal flora and its metabolites. Cytokine microarray, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and flow cytometry were conducted to assess the effect on CD4+T homeostasis.

RESULTS

Here, we investigated for the first time the role of gut microbiota in mediating the protective effect of MSCs on DSS-induced colitis. By performing gut microbiota depletion and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiments, we revealed that MSCs derived from human umbilical cord ameliorated colon inflammation and reshaped T-cells immune homeostasis via remodeling the composition and diversity of gut flora, especially up-regulated SCFAs-producing bacterial abundance, such as Akkermansia, Faecalibaculum, and Clostridia_UCG_014. Consistently, targeted metabolomics manifested the increased SCFAs production with MSCs administration, and there was also a significant positive correlation between differential bacteria and SCFAs. Meanwhile, combined with sterile fecal filtrate (SFF) gavage experiments, the underlying protective mechanism was further associated with the improved Treg/Th2/Th17 balance in intestinal mucosa mediated via the increased microbiota-derived SCFAs production.

CONCLUSION

The present study advances understanding of MSCs in the protective effects on colitis, providing evidence for the new role of the microbiome-metabolite-immune axis in the recovery of colitis by MSCs.

Measurement of the Lifetime and Λ Separation Energy of _{Λ}^{3}H

The most precise measurements to date of the _{Λ}^{3}H lifetime τ and Λ separation energy B_{Λ} are obtained using the data sample of Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV collected by ALICE at the LHC. The _{Λ}^{3}H is reconstructed via its charged two-body mesonic decay channel (_{Λ}^{3}H→^{3}He+π^{-} and the charge-conjugate process). The measured values τ=[253±11(stat)±6(syst)]  ps and B_{Λ}=[102±63(stat)±67(syst)]  keV are compatible with predictions from effective field theories and confirm that the _{Λ}^{3}H structure is consistent with a weakly bound system.

Digital-scRRBS: A Cost-Effective, Highly Sensitive, and Automated Single-Cell Methylome Analysis Platform via Digital Microfluidics

Single-cell DNA methylation sequencing is highly effective for identifying cell subpopulations and constructing epigenetic regulatory networks. Existing methylome analyses require extensive starting materials and are costly, complex, and susceptible to contamination, thereby impeding the development of single-cell methylome technology. In this work, we report digital microfluidics-based single-cell reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (digital-scRRBS), the first microfluidics-based single-cell methylome library construction platform, which is an automatic, effective, reproducible, and reagent-efficient technique to dissect the single-cell methylome. Using our digital microfluidic chip, we isolated single cells in 15 s and successfully constructed single-cell methylation sequencing libraries with a unique genome mapping rate of up to 53.6%, covering up to 2.26 million CpG sites. Digital-scRRBS demonstrates a high capacity for distinguishing cell identity and tracking DNA methylation during drug administration. Digital-scRRBS expands the applicability of single-cell methylation methods as a versatile tool for epigenetic analysis of rare cells and populations with high levels of heterogeneity.

National prevalence and determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy during the initial phase pandemic

OBJECTIVE

Although previous studies have explored the causes of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy during the pandemic, there is a lack of generality and reproducibility in these studies. Therefore, we aimed to comprehensively identify the determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy through a representative nationwide cross-sectional study conducted in South Korea.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We used a nationwide, representative, and large-scale dataset from the 2021 Community Health Survey. By analyzing 193,495 participants, we investigated the nationwide incidence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and the various causes thereof.

RESULTS

The national prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was 5.7% (95% CI, 5.5-5.8). COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was associated with an increased incidence of the following factors: (1) demographic factors including early-middle adulthood [vs. late; odds ratio (OR), 1.51; 95% CI, 1.38-1.65] and male sex (vs. female sex; OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.01-1.14); (2) physically healthy subjects; (3) lower socio-economic status (vs. high household income; OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.19-1.38); (4) having mental illness (vs. normal mental status; OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.13-1.38); and (5) unhealthy habits such as current smoking (vs. non-smoking; OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.13-1.31); and insufficient physical activity (vs. sufficient; OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.01-1.17). Common reasons for vaccine hesitancy were concerns about side effects (41.34%), health problems (24.60%), and inability to select the type of vaccine (14.13%).

CONCLUSIONS

This representative large-scale nationwide study conducted in South Korea investigated the nationwide prevalence and determinants of vaccine hesitancy. Our results provide useful public health information, especially on novel aspects of vaccination strategies, for policymakers to improve the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines.

Palliative Radiotherapy for Haemostasis in Malignancy: a Systematic Review

AIMS

Palliative radiotherapy is commonly used to achieve haemostasis for malignancy-induced haemorrhages. Our study aimed to examine the efficacy of palliative radiotherapy in the control of haemorrhages caused by various types of malignancy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was conducted to determine the level of evidence for the use of palliative radiotherapy in achieving haemostasis. Searches of the Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases were completed for studies published between January 1947 and May 2017. Studies that reported either a qualitative or a quantitative effect of radiotherapy were selected for inclusion during the review process.

RESULTS

In total, 836 abstracts were screened; 13 prospective and 45 retrospective studies met the criteria for inclusion in the review. Selected studies were sorted based on the underlying tumour type to provide readers the opportunity to compare dose and fractionation schedules. Significant variations in reporting of outcomes and low total patient numbers did not allow for a quantitative analysis to be carried out. A higher median dose and a hypofractionated schedule seem to provide numerically higher rates of control based on the available data.

CONCLUSIONS

Palliative radiotherapy is useful in the management of bleeding related to advanced and incurable malignancies. Brachytherapy seems to be effective in haemostasis of certain malignancies, especially that of gynaecological origin. Treatment should be tailored to individual patient situations given the palliative goals of any such therapy. Further prospective studies could help to delineate optimal dose and fractionation schedules.

Silica mitigated calcium mineral scaling in brackish water reverse osmosis

Although the autopsies of reverse osmosis (RO) membranes from full-scale, brackish water desalination plants identify the co-presence of silica and Ca-based minerals in scaling layers, minimal research exists on their formation process and mechanisms. Therefore, combined scaling by silica and either gypsum (non-alkaline) or amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP, alkaline) was investigated in this study for their distinctive impacts on membrane performance. The obtained results demonstrate that the coexistence of silica and Ca-based mineral salts in feedwaters significantly reduced water flux decline as compared to single type of Ca-based mineral salts. This antagonistic effect was primarily attributed to the silica-mediated alleviation of Ca-based mineral scaling. In the presence of silica, silica skins were immediately established around Ca-based mineral precipitates once they emerged. Sheathing by the siliceous skins hindered the aggregation and thus the morphological evolution of Ca-based mineral species. Unlike sulfate precipitates, ACP precipitates can induce the formation of dense and thick silica skins via an additional condensation reaction. Such a phenomenon rationalized the notion concerning a stronger mitigating effect of silica on ACP scaling than gypsum scaling. Meanwhile, coating by silica skins altered the surface chemistries of Ca-based mineral precipitates, which should be fully considered in regulating membrane surface properties for combined scaling control. Our findings advance the mechanistic understanding on combined mineral scaling of RO membranes, and may guide the appropriate design of membrane surface properties for scaling-resistant membrane tailored to brackish water desalination.

Preparation and Dispersion Performance of Hydrophobic Fumed Silica Aqueous Dispersion

Hydrophobic fumed silica (HFS) is a commonly used rheology additive in waterborne coatings. A series of experiments were conducted on the HFS-dispersing technology in this study. The size and structure of HFS primary particles were observed via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The measurement results of the TEM were D50 = 13.6 nm and D90 = 19.7 nm, respectively. The particle size and dispersion performance of HFS were tested via dynamic light scattering (DLS). Additionally, the HFS aqueous dispersion was prepared and compounded with waterborne polyacrylic latex and polyurethane resin. The elemental distribution of the coatings was characterized using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results show that the HFS in a non-ionic polymer dispersant had the best dispersion performance. The particle size of the HFS in the aqueous dispersion is related to the dispersion conditions. Under optimized conditions, the HFS aqueous dispersion can be prepared with a particle size of D50 = 27.2 nm. The HFS aqueous dispersion has stable storage stability. Even after storage for 47 d, the particle size still did not change significantly.

Stability, electronic and catalytic properties of ConMoP(n = 1 ~ 5) clusters: A DFT study

CONTEXT

The investigation of the stability, electronic properties, and catalytic activity of clusters Co_nMoP holds significant applications and implications in catalyst design, materials science, energy conversion and storage, and environmental protection. The study aims to delve into the unique features of the clusters Co_nMoP(n = 1 ~ 5), aiming to drive advancements in these related fields. The results obtained from the analysis revealed the stable configurations of the ten clusters, primarily characterized by steric structures. Furthermore, the energy of the clusters was found to increase continuously during growth, as indicated by calculations of atomic fragmentation energy and atomic binding energy. The researchers conducted an analysis of the Natural Population Analysis(NPA) charge, which revealed that Co atoms acted as electron donors, while P and Mo atoms acted as electron acceptors within the clusters. Additionally, an examination of the electrostatic potential indicated that Co and Mo atoms displayed nucleophilic tendencies, while P atoms exhibited electrophilic characteristics. Moreover, the density of states curves, HOMO and LUMO orbitals, and Kooperman's theorem were applied to the clusters Co_nMoP(n = 1 ~ 5).Through this study, a deeper understanding of the properties and behavior of clusters Co_nMoP has been achieved, shedding light on their potential as catalysts. The findings contribute to the existing knowledge of these clusters and provide a basis for further research and exploration in this field.

METHODS

In this study, we employed the clusters Co_nMoP(n = 1 ~ 5) to simulate the local structure of the material, enabling us to investigate the stability, electronic properties, and catalytic properties influenced by the metal atoms. By systematically increasing the number of metal atoms and expanding the cluster size, we explored the variations in these properties. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed using the B3LYP hybrid functional implemented in the Gaussian09 software package. The clusters Co_nMoP(n = 1 ~ 5) underwent optimization calculations and vibrational analysis at the def2-tzvp quantization level, resulting in optimized configurations with different spin multiplet degrees. For data characterization and graphical representation of the stability, electronic properties, and catalytic properties of the optimized configurations, we utilized a range of computational tools. Specifically, the quantum chemistry software GaussView, wave function analysis software Multiwfn were employed. Through the comprehensive utilization of these computational tools, we gained valuable insights into the stability, electronic properties, and catalytic properties of the clusters Co_nMoP(n = 1 ~ 5) and their dependence on different metal atoms.

Measurement of the J/ψ Polarization with Respect to the Event Plane in Pb-Pb Collisions at the LHC

We study the polarization of inclusive J/ψ produced in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV at the LHC in the dimuon channel, via the measurement of the angular distribution of its decay products. We perform the study in the rapidity region 2.5 Collapse

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First Measurement of Antideuteron Number Fluctuations at Energies Available at the Large Hadron Collider

The first measurement of event-by-event antideuteron number fluctuations in high energy heavy-ion collisions is presented. The measurements are carried out at midrapidity (|η|<0.8) as a function of collision centrality in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV using the ALICE detector. A significant negative correlation between the produced antiprotons and antideuterons is observed in all collision centralities. The results are compared with a state-of-the-art coalescence calculation. While it describes the ratio of higher order cumulants of the antideuteron multiplicity distribution, it fails to describe quantitatively the magnitude of the correlation between antiproton and antideuteron production. On the other hand, thermal-statistical model calculations describe all the measured observables within uncertainties only for correlation volumes that are different with respect to those describing proton yields and a similar measurement of net-proton number fluctuations.

Enhanced Deuteron Coalescence Probability in Jets

The transverse-momentum (p_{T}) spectra and coalescence parameters B_{2} of (anti)deuterons are measured in p-p collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV for the first time in and out of jets. In this measurement, the direction of the leading particle with the highest p_{T} in the event (p_{T}^{lead}>5  GeV/c) is used as an approximation for the jet axis. The event is consequently divided into three azimuthal regions, and the jet signal is obtained as the difference between the toward region, that contains jet fragmentation products in addition to the underlying event (UE), and the transverse region, which is dominated by the UE. The coalescence parameter in the jet is found to be approximately a factor of 10 larger than that in the underlying event. This experimental observation is consistent with the coalescence picture and can be attributed to the smaller average phase-space distance between nucleons in the jet cone as compared with the underlying event. The results presented in this Letter are compared to predictions from a simple nucleon coalescence model, where the phase-space distributions of nucleons are generated using pythia8 with the Monash 2013 tuning, and to predictions from a deuteron production model based on ordinary nuclear reactions with parametrized energy-dependent cross sections tuned on data. The latter model is implemented in pythia8.3. Both models reproduce the observed large difference between in-jet and out-of-jet coalescence parameters, although the almost flat trend of the B_{2}^{Jet} is not reproduced by the models, which instead give a decreasing trend.

[Efficacy of arteriovenous argatroban versus heparin flush anticoagulation after cardiovascular surgery]

Objective: To compare the effects of arteriovenous argatroban and heparin flushes on platelet count and assess the occurrence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and other complications in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgeries. Methods: A single-center, prospective randomized control study was conducted. Patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery at Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from March to December 2019 were randomly divided into the argatroban group (250 ml normal saline plus 2.5 mg of argatroban) and the heparin group (250 ml normal saline plus 10 mg of heparin). Platelet count, hemorrhage, and thrombosis were assessed. The 4T scores of HIT, the incidences of HIT and other complications were also evaluated. Results: A total of 491 patients (307 males and 184 females) were included in the study, with a mean age of (52.3±13.7) years. There were 245 cases in the argatroban group and 246 cases in the heparin group, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the preoperative platelet count between the argatroban and heparin groups [198.0 (161.0, 248.0)×10⁹/L vs 194.0 (157.2, 243.8)×10⁹/L, P=0.498]. Likewise, there were no statistically significant differences in the platelet count between the argatroban and heparin groups at 12 h, 1 day, and 5 days after operation [127.0 (100.0, 154.0)×10⁹/L vs 121.5 (90.2, 149.0)×10⁹/L, 126.0 (97.0, 162.0)×10⁹/L vs 123.5 (88.0, 151.0)×10⁹/L, 168.0 (130.0, 215.0) ×10⁹/L vs 161.0 (101.0, 210.5)×10⁹/L] (repeated measures ANOVA between groups: F=3.327, P=0.069; time comparison: F=532.523, P<0.001; time interaction between groups: F=0.675, P=0.512). The proportion of 4T scores of medium and high scores (≥4)[9.8% (24/245) vs 10.6% (26/246), P=0.777] and incidence of HIT antibody positive [1.63% (4/245) vs 1.63% (4/246), P=0.726] were similar between argatroban group and the heparin group. Mechanical ventilation time was shorter in the argatroban group than that in the heparin group [13.0 (11.0, 21.0) vs 15.5 (12.0, 21.0) h, P=0.020]. Conclusion: Compared with heparin, routine management with argatroban for arteriovenous flush in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery does not affect the HIT incidence.

[Role and clinical significance of MUC4 gene mutations in thrombotic events in patients with classic paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria]

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the role and clinical significance of MUC4 gene mutations in thrombotic events in patients with classic paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data and gene sequencing results of 45 patients with classic PNH admitted to the Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, from June 2018 to February 2022. MUC4 gene mutations in patients with classic PNH were summarized, and the risk factors for thrombotic events in these patients were analyzed. Additionally, the effects of MUC4 gene mutations on the cumulative incidence and survival of thrombotic events in patients with classic PNH were determined. Results: The detection rate of MUC4 gene mutations in patients with classic PNH who experienced thrombotic events (thrombotic group) was 68.8% (11/16), which was significantly higher than that in the non-thrombotic group [10.3% (3/29) ] (P<0.001). All mutations occurred in exon 2. MUC4 mutation (OR=20.815, P=0.010) was identified as an independent risk factor for thrombotic events in patients with classic PNH. The cumulative incidence of thrombotic events was 78.6% (11/14) in the MUC4 gene mutation group (mutation group) and 16.1% (5/31) in the non-mutation group, showing a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.001). Survival analysis showed a lower overall survival (OS) rate in the thrombotic group compared with that in the non-thrombotic group [ (34.4±25.2) % vs. (62.7±19.3) % ] (P=0.045). The OS rate of patients was (41.7±29.9) % in the mutation group and (59.1±18.3) % in the non-mutation group (P=0.487) . Conclusion: MUC4 gene mutations are associated with an increased incidence of thrombotic events in classic PNH patients, highlighting their role as independent risk factors for thrombosis in this population. These mutations can be considered a novel predictive factor that aids in evaluating the risk of thrombosis in patients with classic PNH.

Research Advances on the Bioactivity of 1,2,3-Triazolium Salts

1,2,3-Triazolium salts have demonstrated significant potential in the fields of medicine and agriculture, exhibiting exceptional antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, and antileishmanial properties. Moreover, these salts can be utilized as additives or components to produce nano- and fiber-based materials with antibacterial properties. In this review, we summarize several synthetic strategies to obtain 1,2,3-triazolium salts and the structures of 1,2,3-triazolium derivatives with biological activities in the domains of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and functional materials. Additionally, the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of 1,2,3-triazolium salts with different biological activities has been analyzed. Finally, this review presents the potential applications and prospects of 1,2,3-triazolium salts in the fields of agriculture, medicine, and industrial synthesis.

Molecular interplay between EIF4 family and circular RNAs in cancer: Mechanisms and therapeutics

The eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4 (EIF4) family is a major contributor to the recruitment of mRNAs to ribosomes during the initial translation stage in eukaryotes, whose dysregulation either allows for cancer transformation or prevents disordered cancerous cell growth. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), which exhibit distinctive structures and are widely expressed in eukaryotes, are anticipated to be a clinical diagnostic biomarker for cancer therapy. There is considerable evidence that EIF4s can influence the biogenesis, transport, and function of circRNAs and, in turn, circRNAs can control the expressions of EIF4s through certain molecular pathways. Herein, we primarily review the emerging studies of the EIF4 family and pinpoint the roles of dysregulated EIF4s in cancer. We also evaluate the patterns of intricate interactions between circRNAs and EIF4s and discuss the potential utility of circRNA-based therapeutics targeting EIF4s in clinical cancer research.

Downregulation of FKBP5 Promotes Atrial Arrhythmogenesis

BACKGROUND

Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common arrhythmia, is associated with the downregulation of FKBP5 (encoding FKBP5 [FK506 binding protein 5]). However, the function of FKBP5 in the heart remains unknown. Here, we elucidate the consequences of cardiomyocyte-restricted loss of FKBP5 on cardiac function and AF development and study the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

Right atrial samples from patients with AF were used to assess the protein levels of FKBP5. A cardiomyocyte-specific FKBP5 knockdown mouse model was established by crossbreeding Fkbp5flox/flox mice with Myh6MerCreMer/+ mice. Cardiac function and AF inducibility were assessed by echocardiography and programmed intracardiac stimulation. Histology, optical mapping, cellular electrophysiology, and biochemistry were employed to elucidate the proarrhythmic mechanisms due to loss of cardiomyocyte FKBP5.

RESULTS

FKBP5 protein levels were lower in the atrial lysates of patients with paroxysmal AF or long-lasting persistent (chronic) AF. Cardiomyocyte-specific knockdown mice exhibited increased AF inducibility and duration compared with control mice. Enhanced AF susceptibility in cardiomyocyte-specific knockdown mice was associated with the development of action potential alternans and spontaneous Ca2+ waves, and increased protein levels and activity of the NCX1 (Na+/Ca2+-exchanger 1), mimicking the cellular phenotype of chronic AF patients. FKBP5-deficiency enhanced transcription of Slc8a1 (encoding NCX1) via transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor 1α. In vitro studies revealed that FKBP5 negatively modulated the protein levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α by competitively interacting with heat-shock protein 90. Injections of the heat-shock protein 90 inhibitor 17-AAG normalized protein levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and NCX1 and reduced AF susceptibility in cardiomyocyte-specific knockdown mice. Furthermore, the atrial cardiomyocyte-selective knockdown of FKBP5 was sufficient to enhance AF arrhythmogenesis.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to demonstrate a role for the FKBP5-deficiency in atrial arrhythmogenesis and to establish FKBP5 as a negative regulator of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α in cardiomyocytes. Our results identify a potential molecular mechanism for the proarrhythmic NCX1 upregulation in chronic AF patients.

Axial Dual Atomic Sites Confined by Layer Stacking for Electroreduction of CO2 to Tunable Syngas

Arranging atoms in an orderly manner at the atomic scale to create stable polyatomic structures is a very challenging task. In this study, we have developed three-dimensional confinement areas on the two-dimensional surface by creating regional defects. These areas are composed of vertically stacked graphene layers, where Ni and Fe atoms are anchored concentrically to form axial dual atomic sites in high yield. These sites can be used to produce tunable syngas through the electroreduction of CO₂. Theoretical calculations indicate that the Ni sites vertically regulate the charge distribution of the adjacent Fe sites in the layer below, resulting in a lower d-band center. This, in turn, weakens the adsorption of the *CO intermediate and inhibits the production of H₂ at the Fe site. Our research presents a novel approach for concentrated creation of dual atomic sites by building a confinement-selective surface.

Transformer-Based Semantic Segmentation for Extraction of Building Footprints from Very-High-Resolution Images

Semantic segmentation with deep learning networks has become an important approach to the extraction of objects from very high-resolution remote sensing images. Vision Transformer networks have shown significant improvements in performance compared to traditional convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in semantic segmentation. Vision Transformer networks have different architectures to CNNs. Image patches, linear embedding, and multi-head self-attention (MHSA) are several of the main hyperparameters. How we should configure them for the extraction of objects in VHR images and how they affect the accuracy of networks are topics that have not been sufficiently investigated. This article explores the role of vision Transformer networks in the extraction of building footprints from very-high-resolution (VHR) images. Transformer-based models with different hyperparameter values were designed and compared, and their impact on accuracy was analyzed. The results show that smaller image patches and higher-dimension embeddings result in better accuracy. In addition, the Transformer-based network is shown to be scalable and can be trained with general-scale graphics processing units (GPUs) with comparable model sizes and training times to convolutional neural networks while achieving higher accuracy. The study provides valuable insights into the potential of vision Transformer networks in object extraction using VHR images.

Antagonistic regulation of target genes by the SISTER OF TM3-JOINTLESS2 complex in tomato inflorescence branching

Inflorescence branch number is a yield-related trait controlled by cell fate determination in meristems. Two MADS-box transcription factors (TFs)-SISTER OF TM3 (STM3) and JOINTLESS 2 (J2)-have opposing regulatory roles in inflorescence branching. However, the mechanisms underlying their regulatory functions in inflorescence determinacy remain unclear. Here, we characterized the functions of these TFs in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) floral meristem and inflorescence meristem (IM) through chromatin immunoprecipitation and sequencing analysis of their genome-wide occupancy. STM3 and J2 activate or repress the transcription of a set of common putative target genes, respectively, through recognition and binding to CArG box motifs. FRUITFULL1 (FUL1) is a shared putative target of STM3 and J2 and these TFs antagonistically regulate FUL1 in inflorescence branching. Moreover, STM3 physically interacts with J2 to mediate its cytosolic redistribution and restricts J2 repressor activity by reducing its binding to target genes. Conversely, J2 limits STM3 regulation of target genes by transcriptional repression of the STM3 promoter and reducing STM3-binding activity. Our study thus reveals an antagonistic regulatory relationship in which STM3 and J2 control tomato IM determinacy and branch number.

HucMSC-Exo Promote Mucosal Healing in Experimental Colitis by Accelerating Intestinal Stem Cells and Epithelium Regeneration via Wnt Signaling Pathway

Background

Mucosal healing has emerged as a crucial therapeutic goal for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Exosomes (Exo) as a potential acellular candidate for stem cell therapy might be competent to promote mucosal healing, while its mechanism remains unexplored.

Methods

Exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hucMSCs) were subjected to experimental colitis mice intraperitoneally to estimate the role in mucosal healing and the regeneration of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) and epithelium. The intestinal organoid model of IBD was constructed utilizing tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α for subsequent function analysis in vitro. Transcriptome sequencing was performed to decipher the underlying mechanism and Wnt-C59, an oral Wnt inhibitor, was used to confirm that further. Finally, the potential specific components of hucMSC‑exo were investigated based on several existing miRNA expression datasets.

Results

HucMSC-exo showed striking potential for mucosal healing in colitis mice, characterized by decreased histopathological injuries and neutrophil infiltration as well as improved epithelial integrity. HucMSC-exo up-regulated the expression of leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5 (Lgr5), a specific marker for ISCs and accelerated the proliferation of intestinal epithelium. HucMSC-exo endowed intestinal organoids with more excellent capacity to grow and bud under TNF-α stimulation. More than that, the fact that hucMSC-exo activated the canonical Wnt signaling pathway to promote mucosal healing was uncovered by not only RNA-sequencing but also relevant experimental data. Finally, bioinformatics analysis of the existing miRNA expression datasets indicated that several miRNAs abundant in hucMSC-exo involved widely in regeneration or repair related biological processes and Wnt signaling pathway might be one of the most important signal transduction pathways.

Conclusion

Our results suggested that hucMSC-exo could facilitate mucosal healing in experimental colitis by accelerating ISCs and intestinal epithelium regeneration via transferring key miRNAs, which was dependent on the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Fibroblast-specific inflammasome activation predisposes to atrial fibrillation

Background

Recent work has shown that the NLR-family-pyrin-domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is expressed in cardiomyocytes and when specifically activated causes atrial electrical remodeling and arrhythmogenicity. Whether the NLRP3-inflammasome system is functionally important in cardiac fibroblasts (FBs) remains controversial. In this study, we sought to uncover the potential contribution of FB NLRP3-inflammasome signaling to the control of cardiac function and arrhythmogenesis.

Methods

Digital-PCR was performed to determine the expression of NLRP3-pathway components in FBs isolated from human biopsy samples of AF and sinus rhythm patients. NLRP3-system protein expression was determined by immunoblotting in atria of canines with electrically maintained AF. Using the inducible, resident fibroblast (FB)-specific Tcf21-promoter-Cre system (Tcf21iCre as control), we established a FB-specific knockin (FB-KI) mouse model with FB-restricted expression of constitutively active NLRP3. Cardiac function and arrhythmia susceptibility in mice were assessed by echocardiography, programmed electrical stimulation, and optical mapping studies.

Results

NLRP3 and IL1B were upregulated in atrial FBs of patients with persistent AF. Protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, and pro-Interleukin-1β were increased in atrial FBs of a canine AF model. Compared with the control mice, FB-KI mice exhibited enlarged left atria (LA) and reduced LA contractility, a common determinant of AF. The FBs from FB-KI mice were more transdifferentiated, migratory, and proliferative compared to the FBs from control mice. FB-KI mice showed increased cardiac fibrosis, atrial gap junction remodeling, and reduced conduction velocity, along with increased AF susceptibility. These phenotypic changes were supported by single nuclei (sn)RNA-seq analysis, which revealed enhanced extracellular matrix remodeling, impaired communication among cardiomyocytes, and altered metabolic pathways across multiple cell types.

Conclusions

Our results show that the FB-restricted activation of the NLRP3-inflammasome system leads to fibrosis, atrial cardiomyopathy, and AF. Activation of NLRP3-inflammasome in resident FBs exhibits cell-autonomous function by increasing the activity of cardiac FBs, fibrosis, and connexin remodeling. This study establishes the NLRP3-inflammasome as a novel FB-signaling pathway contributing to AF pathogenesis.

The effects of cardiometabolic factors on the association between serum uric acid and risk of all-cause mortality in adults with congestive heart failure

BACKGROUND

Serum uric acid (SUA) has been shown to increase all-cause mortality from cardiovascular disease. However, limited studies have examined the mediating effect of dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, or hypertension on the association between SUA and all-cause mortality in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF).

METHODS

Participants in the present investigation were 620 US adults with CHF from the NHANES database (1999-2014). The relationship between SUA and all-cause mortality was evaluated utilizing multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Additionally, the nonlinearity between SUA and mortality was investigated utilizing Restricted Cubic Splines (RCS) and 2-piecewise Cox proportional hazards models. Finally, the mediating role of cardiometabolic factors on the relationship between SUA and all-cause mortality was investigated utilizing the mediation analysis.

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up of 7.6 years, 391 (63.1%) all-cause deaths occurred. Furthermore, we found a U-shaped association between SUA and all-cause mortality. The inflection point for the RCS curve was found at a SUA level of 363 umol/L. The hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for all-cause mortality were 0.998 (0.995-1.000) and 1.003 (1.002-1.005) to the left and right of the inflection point, respectively. This U-shaped association was also observed in both subgroups of sex and age. Moreover, the effect of SUA on all-cause mortality was not mediated by hypertension, hyperglycemia, or dyslipidemia (all P-values > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The association between SUA level and all-cause mortality followed a U-shaped curve, and this association was not mediated by hypertension, hyperglycemia, or dyslipidemia.