Prediction of in-hospital mortality in patients with exertional heatstroke: a 13-year retrospective study

Hyperactivity of coagulation is common in exertional heatstroke (EHS). Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is the most severe form of coagulation dysfunction and associated with poor outcome. DIC, temperature and Glasgow coma scale score were identified as independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality by multivariate logistic regression analysis, and we developed a nomogram for predicting in-hospital mortality in a 13-year EHS patient cohort. The nomogram was assessed by calibration curves and bootstrap with 1,000 resamples. The receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed, and the area under the curve (AUC) was compared. Two hundred and ten patients were included. The in-hospital mortality was 9.0%, and the incidence of DIC was 17.6%. The AUC of the nomogram was 0.897 (95% CI 0.848-0.935, p < .0001) and was non-inferior to SOFA and APACHE II scores but superior to SIRS score, which were widely-used score systems of disease severity. The nomogram contributed to the adverse outcome prediction of EHS.

The immunoregulatory effects of total glucosides of paeony in autoimmune diseases

Total glucoside of paeonia (TGP) and its main active ingredient paeoniflorin, extracted from the Chinese herb Paeonia Lactiflora Pallas, exhibit potent immunomodulatory effects. TGP has been shown to inhibit inflammatory responses and disease progression in experimental models of multiple autoimmune diseases (AIDs), including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome, psoriasis, etc. TGP shows broad immunomodulatory effects on many immune cells such as T cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells, by regulating their activation, proliferation, differentiation, and production of effector molecules. Mechanistically, TGP modulates intracellular signaling transductions including JAK/STAT, NF-κB, MAPK, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways. Moreover, TGP has been applied in the clinical treatment of various AIDs with satisfactory therapeutic outcomes and minor side effects. Thus, available studies have demonstrated that TGP and its bioactive constituents exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory functions and may have extensive applications in the treatment of AIDs.

[Analysis of clinical manifestations and prognosis of primary systemic light chain amyloidosis with liver involvement]

Objective: To summarize the clinical manifestations and prognostic factors of patients with hepatic amyloidosis in a single center. Methods: The clinical data of 28 primary systemic light chain amyloidosis cases with liver involvement in our center from October 2012 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The main clinical manifestations and prognostic factors were studied. Statistical analysis were performed using the χ(2) test, Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon rank test, or Kaplan-Meier survival curve log-rank test according to the different data. Results: The main clinical manifestations of patients with liver involvement were abdominal distension, hepatomegaly, and edema. CD56 and chemokine receptor 4 protein expression accounted for 52% (13/25) and 56% (14/25). 64.3% (9/14) patients were combined with t (11,14), and 21.4% (3/14) patients were positive for 1q21 (+), and no patients were detected with del(17p). Univariate analysis showed that Mayo 2004 and 2012 stages and total bilirubin (TBil) ≥34.2 μmol/L were associated with progression-free survival and overall survival. The median progression-free survival and overall survival were significantly inferior in patients with TBil≥34.2μmol/L group (0.178 years, 0.195 years) than with the TBil<34.2μmol/L group (0.750 years, 3.586 years) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Mayo stage and hyperbilirubinemia are inferior prognostic factors for patients with primary systemic light chain amyloidosis accompanied with liver involvement.

Lower extremity peripherally inserted central catheter placement ectopic to the ascending lumbar vein: A case report

BACKGROUND

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are an essential infusion route for oncology patients receiving intravenous treatments, but lower extremity venipuncture is the preferred technique for patients with superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS). We report the case of a patient with a lower extremity PICC ectopic to the ascending lumbar vein, to indicate and verify PICC catheterisation in the lower extremity is safe and feasible. And hope to provide different perspectives for clinical PICC venipuncture to get the attention of peers.

CASE SUMMARY

On 24 August 2022, a 58-year-old male was admitted to our department due to an intermittent cough persisting for over a month, which worsened 10 d prior. Imaging and laboratory investigations suggested the patient with pulmonary malignancy and SVCS. Chemotherapy was not an absolute contraindication in this patient. Lower extremity venipuncture is the preferred technique because administering upper extremity venous transfusion to patients with SVCS can exacerbate oedema in the head, neck, and upper extremities. The patient and his family were informed about the procedure, and informed consent was obtained. After successful puncture and prompt treatment, the patient was discharged, experiencing some relief from symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Inferior vena cava catheterisation is rare and important for cancer patients with SVCS, particularly in complex situations involving ectopic placement.

Modulation of macrophage polarity with carboxymethyl chitin gated hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles for elevating anti-tumor chemotherapy

The weak immunity of tumors after chemotherapy could cause tumor metastasis and progression. Therefore, to overcome the dilemma of obvious immune deficiency caused by chemotherapy, a nanosystem (N-IL-12/DOX/α-TOS) consisted of thioketal (TK) bonds linked-hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (HMSNs) coated with carboxymethyl chitin (CMCH) by electrostatic interaction, and surface-functionalized glucose-regulated protein 78 binding peptide was prepared for loading doxorubicin (DOX), IL-12 and α-tocopheryl succinate (α-TOS). N-IL-12/DOX/α-TOS displayed a mean size of 275 nm after encapsulated DOX, IL-12 and α-TOS with loading contents of 2.04 × 10-4, 4.01 × 10-2 and 7.12 × 10-2, respectively. The drug-free nanoparticles (NPs) showed good biocompatibility to both 4 T1 cells and RAW264.7 macrophages. N-IL-12/DOX/α-TOS could achieve localized release of IL-12, DOX and α-TOS by pH and H2O2 trigger in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Moreover, the combined therapy by N-IL-12/DOX/α-TOS remarkably elevated the anti-tumor therapeutic efficacy, enhanced immune responses via promoting tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) polarization into tumoricidal M1 phenotypes, and decreased lung metastasis with reduced side effects. N-IL-12/DOX/α-TOS exhibited as a promising strategy for combining chemotherapy and local macrophage modulation-immunotherapy for anti-tumor therapy.

[Efficacy and safety of first-line treatment with anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody-based regimen for primary plasma cell leukemia]

Objective: To analyze the efficacy and safety of first-line treatment with an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody regimen for primary plasma cell leukemia (pPCL). Methods: Patients diagnosed with pPCL from December 1st, 2018 to July 26th, 2023, receiving first-line treatment of anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody-based regimens across multiple centers including Peking University People's Hospital, Fuxing Hospital of Capital Medical University, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Handan Central Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University and General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University were consecutively included. A total of 24 pPCL patients were included with thirteen being male and eleven being female. The median age [M(Q1, Q3)] was 60 (57, 70) years. Patients were grouped according to peripheral blood plasma cell (PBPC) percentage [5%-19% (n=14) vs ≥20% (n=10)]. Last follow-up date was September 26th, 2023. The median follow-up period was 9.1 (4.2, 15.5) months. Patients' data related with clinical baseline characteristics, efficacy, survival and safety were retrospectively collected. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze risk factors associated with survival. Results: Among 24 pPCL patients, 16 (66.7%) patients had anemia at diagnosis, 13(54.2%) patients had thrombocytopenia, 8 (33.3%) patients had a baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)<40 ml·min-1·(1.73m2)-1, 13 (54.2%) patients had elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. The median PBPC percentage was 16% (8%, 26%) . Fluorescence in situ hybridization testing indicated that patients harboring 17p deletion, t(4;14) or t(14;16) were 6 (25.0%), 4 (16.7%) and 4 (16.7%), respectively. The overall response rate was 83.3% (20/24). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 20.5 (95%CI: 15.8-25.2) months, and the median overall survival (OS) was not reached. Estimated 1-year and 2-year PFS and OS rates were 75.0% and 89.1%, 37.5% and 53.4%, respectively. The median PFS and OS for patients with PBPC percentages 5%-19% and≥20% were not reached and 20.5 (95%CI:15.7-25.3) months, 17.8 months and not reached, respectively. There was no significant statistical difference of PFS and OS between two groups (all P>0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that 1p32 deletion was the risk factor associated with PFS (HR=7.7, 95%CI: 1.1-54.9, P=0.043). Seventeen patients (70.8%) developed grade 3-4 hematologic toxicities. Twelve patients (50.0%) developed grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia. Sixteen patients (66.7%) developed infection. All hematologic toxicities and infections were improved after supportive treatment. Conclusion: First-line treatment with anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody-based therapy for pPCL is effective and safe.

Exosome-mediated delivery of artificial circular RNAs for gene therapy of bladder cancer

Bladder cancer (BCa) is one of the most common malignancies affecting men. Oncogenic transcription factors function as an important regulator in the progression of human cancer. In our study, we aimed to construct artificial circular non-coding RNAs (acircRNAs) consisting of three functional units that mimic the CRISPR-Cas system and elucidate its therapeutic role in bladder cancer. Additionally, the compare of the efficiency in regulating gene expression between acircRNA and CRISPR-dCas systems was performed. We connected the cDNA sequences of TFs aptamer and constructed a circRNA. To demonstrate the platform's practicality, β-catenin and NF-κB were chosen as functional targets, while T24 and 5637 cell lines served as test models. Real-time Quantitative PCR (qPCR), double luciferase assay and related phenotype assay were used to detect the expression of related genes and the therapeutic effect. To elucidate the functionality of acircRNAs, luciferase vectors capable of detecting β-catenin and NF-κB expression were employed to assess the inhibitory impact of acircRNA on β-catenin and NF-κB. Consequently, the optimal combination involving acircRNA-3 was determined. Next, qPCR assay was employed to assess the relative expression levels of target downstream genes following acircRNA treatment. The expression of c-myc and cyclin D1 were used to determine the function of β-catenin, while Bcl-XL and TRAF1 were used to determine that of NF-κB. The acircRNAs inhibited the β-catenin and NF-κB related signaling in BCa cells specifically. CD63-HuR fusion protein was used to loading acircRNA into exosomes. The results showed that acircRNA could inhibit the activity of the target transcription factors, and the inhibitory effect was better than that of CRIPSR-dCas9-KRAB. Furthermore, functional experiments demonstrated that the transfection of acircRNA in bladder cells resulted in decreased proliferation, enhanced apoptosis, and suppressed migration. In conclusion, our synthetic gene device exhibited anti-tumor regulatory capabilities and showed greater efficiency in tumor suppression compared to the CRISPR-dCas9-KRAB system. Therefore, our device provides a new strategy for cancer treatment and could be a useful strategy for cancer cells.

Role of Post-Translational Modifications in Colorectal Cancer Metastasis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumors of the digestive tract. CRC metastasis is a multi-step process with various factors involved, including genetic and epigenetic regulations, which turn out to be a serious threat to CRC patients. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins involve the addition of chemical groups, sugars, or proteins to specific residues, which fine-tunes a protein's stability, localization, or interactions to orchestrate complicated biological processes. An increasing number of recent studies suggest that dysregulation of PTMs, such as phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and glycosylation, play pivotal roles in the CRC metastasis cascade. Here, we summarized recent advances in the role of post-translational modifications in diverse aspects of CRC metastasis and its detailed molecular mechanisms. Moreover, advances in drugs targeting PTMs and their cooperation with other anti-cancer drugs, which might provide novel targets for CRC treatment and improve therapeutic efficacy, were also discussed.

Allelopathy and Identification of Volatile Components from the Roots and Aerial Parts of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge

The volatile compounds produced by plants play an important role in plant growth, plant communication, and resistance to biological and abiotic stresses. Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus (AM) is a perennial herbaceous plant (Leguminosae) that is widely cultivated in northwest China. The bioactive compounds in its root have shown various pharmacological activities. Root rot disease caused by Fusarium spp. often occurs in AM planting with increasing severity in continuous monoculture. It is currently still unclear what are the effects of the volatile compounds produced by fresh AM on itself, other crops cultivated on the same field after AM, pathogen, and rhizobia. In this study, we found that seed germination and seedling growth of AM, lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) could be affected if they were in an enclosed space with fresh AM tissue. Additionally, 90 volatile compounds were identified by SPME-GC-MS from whole AM plant during the vegetative growth, 36 of which were specific to aerial parts of AM (stems and leaves, AMA), 17 to roots (AMR), and 37 were found in both AMA and AMR. To further identify the allelopathic effects of these volatile compounds, five compounds (1-hexanol, (E)-2-hexenal, (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, hexanal, and eugenol) with relatively high content in AM were tested on three receptor plants and two microorganisms. We found that (E,E)-2,4-decadienal and (E)-2-hexenal showed significant inhibitory effects on the growth of AM and lettuce. One-hexanol and hexanal suppressed the growth of wheat, while eugenol showed a similar effect on all three plant species. Moreover, the activities of these compounds were dose dependent. Notably, we discovered that (E)-2-hexenal and eugenol also inhibited the growth of the pathogen Fusarium solani by as high as 100%. Meanwhile, all five compounds tested suppressed the rhizobia Sinorhizobium fredii. In summary, this study furthered our understanding of the comprehensive allelopathic effects of the main volatile components of AM.

A soil fumigant increases American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) survival and growth under continuous cropping by affecting soil microbiome assembly: a 4-year in situ field experiment

IMPORTANCE

Numerous reports of soil fumigants and fungicides on annual crops exist; however, it is unclear whether the single application to perennial plants persistently improves plant growth and controls disease or whether it has a long-lasting impact on soil microbes. We found that soil fumigation enhances ginseng growth and suppresses root rot disease by reshaping the soil microbial community. Our findings benefit the agricultural development of ginseng and provide a theoretical basis for the prevention of ginseng diseases.

PVB exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the activation of MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways and ROS generation in neutrophils

Pinaverium bromide (PVB) has been shown to protect mice against sepsis, which is predominantly attributed to PVB-mediated anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting primed neutrophils to produce proinflammatory cytokines. However, the underlying mechanism(s) by which PVB affects neutrophils remains unknown. In this study, we report that treatment with PVB either before or after LPS stimulation attenuated IL-1β and TNF-α expression at both mRNA and protein levels in LPS-activated murine neutrophils. Further experiments revealed that PVB inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and IκBα in LPS-stimulated murine neutrophils. Moreover, PVB reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels via regulating NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) activity, as represented by inhibiting p47phox translocation from the cytoplasm to the cellular membrane. Importantly, PVB significantly attenuated IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, CXCL1 production in both LPS-stimulated low density neutrophils (LDNs) and normal density neutrophils (NDNs) isolated from septic patients. Collectively, we demonstrated that PVB exerts anti-inflammatory effect by attenuating ROS generation and suppressing the activation of MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways, suggesting that PVB may act as a potential therapeutic agent for sepsis by inhibiting neutrophil priming and activation.

The role of epithelial cells in the immunopathogenesis of Sjögren's syndrome

Sjögren's syndrome is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by dysfunction of the affected exocrine glands. Lymphocytic infiltration within the inflamed glands and aberrant B-cell hyperactivation are the two salient pathologic features in Sjögren's syndrome. Increasing evidence indicates that salivary gland epithelial cells act as a key regulator in the pathogenesis of Sjögren's syndrome, as revealed by the dysregulated innate immune signaling pathways in salivary gland epithelium and increased expression of various proinflammatory molecules as well as their interaction with immune cells. In addition, salivary gland epithelial cells can regulate adaptive immune responses as nonprofessional antigen-presenting cells and promote the activation and differentiation of infiltrated immune cells. Moreover, the local inflammatory milieu can modulate the survival of salivary gland epithelial cells, leading to enhanced apoptosis and pyroptosis with the release of intracellular autoantigens, which further contributes to SG autoimmune inflammation and tissue destruction in Sjögren's syndrome. Herein, we reviewed recent advances in elucidating the role of salivary gland epithelial cells in the pathogenesis of Sjögren's syndrome, which may provide rationales for potential therapeutic targeting of salivary gland epithelial cells to alleviate salivary gland dysfunction alongside treatments with immunosuppressive reagents in Sjögren's syndrome.

Fluviispira vulneris sp. nov., isolated from human wound secretions

Human infections by environmental bacteria is becoming an increasing problem and has become a matter of great concern due to the adverse effects worldwide. In this study, we reported a new environmental pathogen. Isolate GX5518T was a novel Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile, pleomorphic and red-pigmented bacterium, was isolated from human wound secretions (GuangXi, People's Republic of China). Growth occurred at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and 10-37 °C (optimum, 28-32 °C) with 0-1.5% (w/v) NaCl in R2A agar. Comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that isolate GX5518T was closely related to Fluviispira sanaruensis JCM 31447T (99.73%) and Fluviispira multicolorata 33A1-SZDPT (98.49%). However, the estimated ANI values of the isolate GX5518T compared to the F. sanaruensis JCM 31447T and F. multicolorata 33A1-SZDPT were 88.67% and 77.35%, respectively. The estimated dDDH, ANI and AAI values between isolate GX5518T and its closely related strains were below the threshold values generally considered for recognizing a new species. The genome size was 3.6 Mbp and the DNA G + C content was 33.1%. The predominant fatty acids (> 5%) in GX5518T cells were iso-C15:0, C16:0, C17:0, C17:1 ω8c and C16:1 ω7c/C16:1 ω6c. The major menaquinone was MK-8 (86.9%). The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and three unknown lipids (L1-3). The chemical composition was different from that of the F. sanaruensis JCM 31447T. Comparative genomics analysis between isolate GX5518T and its related strains revealed that there were a number of genes involved in resistance to antibiotics and toxic compounds in isolate GX5518T, which were responsible for the copper homeostasis, cobalt-zinc-cadmium resistance, resistance to fluoroquinolones, and zinc resistance. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and genomic analyses, isolate GX5518T (= CGMCC 1.18685T = KCTC 82149T) represents a novel species of the genus Fluviispira, for which the name Fluviispira vulneris sp. nov. is proposed.

Terrace-Like 2D Hierarchically Porous Iron/Cobalt Metal-Organic Framework: Ambient Fast Synthesis and Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction Application

It is urgent to design a low-cost electrocatalyst with high activity to enhance the efficiency of oxygen evolution reaction (OER), which is limited by the slow four-electron transfer kinetics process. Nevertheless, traditional synthetic methods, including calcination and solvothermal, of the electrocatalysts are high-cost, low-yield, and energy-hogging, which limits their industrial application. Herein, an ambient fast synthetic method is developed to prepare terrace-like Fe/Co bimetal-organic framework (TFC-MOF) electrocatalyst materials in gram scale in 1 h. The method in this paper is designable based on coordination chemistry. Fe and Co ions can coordinate with the carboxyl groups on benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid (H3 BTC) to form a 2D-MOF structure. Structural characterizations, including SEM, TEM, and XRD are conducted to verify that the TFC-MOF is a terrace-like layered structure with uniform-sized mesoporous, which reduces the adsorption steric hindrance and facilitates the mass and electron transfer efficiency of OER. The TFC-MOF shows low overpotential, 255 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm-2 , and a low Tafel slope of 49.9 mV dec-1 , in an alkaline solution. This work provides a planar coordination strategy to synthesize 2D-MOF OER electrocatalyst on a large scale with low cost and low energy consumption, which will promote its practical OER applications.

Superoxide Dismutase-Like Regulated Fe/Ppa@PDA/B for Synergistically Targeting Ferroptosis/Apoptosis to Enhance Anti-Tumor Efficacy

The cell apoptosis pathway of sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is usually blocked, resulting in limited therapeutic efficacy, therefore, the development of new methods for sensitizing targeted ferroptosis and promoting apoptosis is of great significance to improve the anti-tumor efficacy of SDT. Herein, mesoporous Fe3 O4 nanoparticles (NPs) are synthesized for loading pyropheophorbide-a (ppa), surface-coated by polydopamine (PDA) and further anchored with tumor-targeting moieties of biotin to obtain Fe/ppa@PDA/B NPs. Fe/ppa@PDA/B displayes pH/ultrasound (US) responsive release properties, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) functions. Moreover, Fe3 O4 NPs of Fe/ppa@PDA/B as the Fe source for ferroptosis, enhances ferroptosis sensitivity by consuming glutathione (GSH) and producing hydroxyl radical (OH). The quinone groups of PDA layer on Fe/ppa@PDA/B own free electrons, which led to effective superoxide dismutase (SOD) action through superoxide anion (O2 - ) disproportionation to hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) and oxygen (O2 ), thus, overcame hypoxia of SDT and promoted ·OH generation by Fe ions under US trigger, synergistically improves ferroptosis and apoptosis to enhance the anti-tumor efficacy of SDT both in vitro and in vivo. The anti-tumor strategy of synergistic apoptosis and ferroptosis induce by GSH depletion and self-sufficient O2 regulated by SOD provides a new idea for enhancing SDT efficacy.

[Efficacy and safety analysis of a combination regimen with BCL-2 inhibitor in relapsed/refractory primary systemic light chain amyloidosis with t(11;14) from a single center]

Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of BCL-2 inhibitor-based treatment in patients with relapsed/refractory t (11; 14) primary systemic light chain amyloidosis. Methods: This was a retrospective case series study. Ten patients with relapsed/refractory t(11;14) primary systemic light chain amyloidosis who had all received treatment with a combination regimen including the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax from January 2018 to November 2022 at the Hematology Department of Peking University People's Hospital were included. Adverse events, and hematological and organ responses were evaluated. Results: The median age of the ten enrolled patients was 59 (range 41-78) years, and the male to female ratio was 8∶2. Except for one patient, a very good partial or better response was achieved in 8/9 patients and one patient obtained a partial response. The overall response rate was 100%. The median time to achieve a hematological response was 60 (range 24-236) days. At least one organ response was observed in 7/9 patients. With a median follow-up of 18 months, one patient experienced hematological progression and one patient died. Grade 3 adverse events included lymphocytopenia (3 cases), anemia (1 case), diarrhea (1 case), and appendicitis (1 case). One patient died of pulmonary fungal infection two months after completion of treatment, which was not excluded as being treatment related. Conclusion: A combination regimen including BCL-2 inhibitors in patients with relapsed/refractory t(11;14) primary systemic light chain amyloidosis is a potentially safe and effective treatment option that warrants further investigation.

Tetracycline Adsorption Performance and Mechanism Using Calcium Hydroxide-Modified Biochars

Tetracycline is frequently found in various environments and poses significant ecological risks. Calcium hydroxide-modified biochar has shown potential as a material for removing multiple classes of pollutants from wastewater streams. The tetracycline-adsorption performance and mechanism of alkali-modified biochars derived from nine wastes (corn straw, rice straw, swine manure, cypress powder, wheat straw, peanut shell, walnut shell powder, soybean straw, and corncobs) were investigated in the study. Among the four alkalis tested, calcium hydroxide exhibited the most effective modification effects at a pyrolysis temperature of 500 °C. Straw biomass was most suitable to be modified by calcium hydroxide, and calcium hydroxide-modified biochar showed the highest adsorption performance for tetracycline. The maximum adsorption capacities were 8.22 mg g-1 for pristine corn straw biochar and 93.46 mg g-1 for calcium hydroxide-modified corn straw biochar. The tetracycline adsorption mechanism by calcium hydroxide-modified corn straw biochar involved hydrogen bonding, oxygen-containing functional groups, Ca2+ metal complexation, and electrostatic attraction. Consequently, calcium hydroxide-modified corn straw biochar emerges as an environment-friendly, cost-effective, and efficient tetracycline adsorbent.

A Dual Heat Shock Protein Down-Regulation Strategy Using PDA/Cu/ICG/R Controlled by NIR "Switch" Enhances Mild-Photothermal Therapy Effect

The purpose of this study is to down-regulate heat shock proteins and improve the mild photothermal therapy (mild-PTT) effect of polydopamine (PDA) by preparing the nanosystem of Cu2+ and indocyanine green (ICG)-loaded PDA nanospheres with surface modification of integrin-targeted cyclic peptide (cRGD) (PDA/Cu/ICG/R), which can limit ATP synthesis through the double mitochondrial destruction pathway. In vitro and in vivo experiments using PDA/Cu/ICG/R irradiated with an NIR laser demonstrate that when NIR is "OFF," Cu2+ can undergo Fenton-like reaction in tumor cells, producing a large amount of hydroxyl radicals (·OH), which leads to oxidative stress in cells. This oxidative stress can cause mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation dysfunction, resulting in limited ATP synthesis. When NIR is "ON," mild-PTT can accelerate Cu2+ to produce ·OH. Simultaneously, NIR can activate ICG to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) storm, amplify intracellular oxidative stress, and continuously damage mitochondria. The biodegradability of PDA greatly reduces the risk of toxicity caused by long-term retention of PDA/Cu/ICG/R in organisms. Finally, the improvement of the mild-PTT effect of PDA is successfully achieved through the double mitochondrial destruction pathway of Cu2+ and ICG controlled by NIR "switch."

Role of non-canonical post-translational modifications in gastrointestinal tumors

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins contribute to the occurrence and development of tumors. Previous studies have suggested that canonical PTMs such as ubiquitination, glycosylation, and phosphorylation are closely implicated in different aspects of gastrointestinal tumors. Recently, emerging evidence showed that non-canonical PTMs play an essential role in the carcinogenesis, metastasis and treatment of gastrointestinal tumors. Therefore, we summarized recent advances in sumoylation, neddylation, isoprenylation, succinylation and other non-canonical PTMs in gastrointestinal tumors, which comprehensively describe the mechanisms and functions of non-classical PTMs in gastrointestinal tumors. It is anticipated that targeting specific PTMs could benefit the treatment as well as improve the prognosis of gastrointestinal tumors.

A nomogramic model for predicting the left ventricular ejection fraction of STEMI patients after thrombolysis-transfer PCI

Background

The prognosis of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is closely linked to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). In contrast to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), thrombolysis-transfer PCI (TTPCI) is influenced by multiple factors that lead to heterogeneity in cardiac function and prognosis. The aim of this study is to develop a nomogram model for predicting early LVEF in STEMI patients with TTPCI, based on routine indicators at admission.

Method

We retrospectively reviewed data from patients diagnosed with STEMI at five network hospitals of our PCI center who performed TTPCI as door-to-balloon time (the interval between arrival at the hospital and intracoronary balloon inflation) over 120 min, from February 2018 to April 2022. Categorical variables were analyzed using Pearson χ2 tests or Fisher exact tests, while Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare continuous variables. Subsequently, independent risk factors associated with reduced LVEF one week after TTPCI were identified through comprehensive analysis by combining All-Subsets Regression with Logistic Regression. Based on these indicators, a nomogram model was developed, and validated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the Bootstrap method.

Results

A total of 288 patients were analyzed, including 60 with LVEF < 50% and 228 with LVEF ≥ 50%. The nomogram model based on six independent risk factors including age, heart rate (HR), hypertension, smoking history, Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and Killip class, demonstrated excellent discrimination with an AUC of 0.84 (95% CI: 0.78-0.89), predicted C-index of 0.84 and curve fit of 0.713.

Conclusions

The nomogram model incorporating age, HR, hypertension, smoking history, ALT and Killip class could accurately predict the early LVEF ≥ 50% probability of STEMI patients undergoing TTPCI, and enable clinicians' early evaluation of cardiac function in STEMI patients with TTPCI and early optimization of treatment.

Nanozymatic magnetic nanomotors for enhancing photothermal therapy and targeting intracellular SERS sensing

Self-propelled micro/nanomotors (MNMs) have emerged as promising tools for biomedical applications owing to their active and controllable movement, which is achieved by converting energy derived from chemical reactions or external physical fields into mechanical forces. However, it remains a challenge to develop all-in-one MNMs that integrate multiple bio-friendly engines and biomedical functions. In this study, we present a nanozymatic magnetic nanomotor capable of self-propulsion, driven by its intrinsic engines, and possessing inherent biomedical functions. The nanomotors with a core-island structure are fabricated by a general scalable chemistry synthesis approach. The core of the nanomotors is magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles, while the surrounding islands consist of Au nanostars. Such components naturally equip the nanomotors with the dual engine of the magnetic core and gold nanozyme. In addition, the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect of the Au nanostar imparts the nanomotors with favourable photothermal conversion and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) properties. The nanomotors exhibit glucose concentration-dependent motion behavior of enhanced diffusion, leading to improved endocytosis for enhanced photothermal treatment. When exposed to a magnetic field, the nanomotors demonstrate both directional locomotion towards target cells and up-and-down oscillatory movement, enabling the efficient gathering of intracellular analytes for SERS sensing. To conclude, the as-prepared nanomotors represent an active and controllable nanoplatform with a simple structure and are naturally equipped with dual engines and dual biomedical functions, providing new perspectives to the development of all-in-one biomedical MNMs.

Endothelial glycocalyx injury is involved in heatstroke-associated coagulopathy and protected by N-acetylcysteine

Introduction

Damage to endothelial glycocalyx (EGCX) can lead to coagulation disorders in sepsis. Heat stroke (HS) resembles sepsis in many aspects; however, it is unclear whether EGCX injury is involved in its pathophysiology. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the damage of EGCX and the development of coagulation disorders during HS.

Methods

We retrospectively collected 159 HS patients and analyzed coagulation characteristics and prognosis of HS patients with or without disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). We also replicated a rat HS model and measured coagulation indexes, pulmonary capillary EGCX injury in HS rats. Finally, we evaluated the effect of the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on HS-initiated EGCX injury and coagulation disorders.

Results

Clinical data showed that HS patients complicated with DIC had a higher risk of death than HS patients without DIC. In a rat HS model, we found that rats subjected to heat stress developed hypercoagulability and platelet activation at the core body temperature of 43°C, just before the onset of HS. At 24 h of HS, the rats showed a consumptive hypo-coagulation state. The pulmonary capillary EGCX started to shed at 0 h of HS and became more severe at 24 h of HS. Importantly, pretreatment with NAC substantially alleviated EGCX damage and reversed the hypo-coagulation state in HS rats. Mechanically, HS initiated reactive oxidative species (ROS) generation, while ROS could directly cause EGCX damage. Critically, NAC protected against EGCX injury by attenuating ROS production in heat-stressed or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-stimulated endothelial cells.

Discussion

Our results indicate that the poor prognosis of HS patients correlates with severe coagulation disorders, coagulation abnormalities in HS rats are associated with the damage of EGCX, and NAC improves HS-induced coagulopathy, probably through its protection against EGCX injury by preventing ROS generation.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor in immune regulation and autoimmune pathogenesis

As a ligand-activated transcription factor, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is activated by structurally diverse ligands derived from the environment, diet, microorganisms, and metabolic activity. Recent studies have demonstrated that AhR plays a key role in modulating both innate and adaptive immune responses. Moreover, AhR regulates innate immune and lymphoid cell differentiation and function, which is involved in autoimmune pathogenesis. In this review, we discuss recent advances in understanding the mechanism of activation of AhR and its mediated functional regulation in various innate immune and lymphoid cell populations, as well as the immune-regulatory effect of AhR in the development of autoimmune diseases. In addition, we highlight the identification of AhR agonists and antagonists that may serve as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of autoimmune disorders.

Applications and perspectives of quaternized cellulose, chitin and chitosan: A review

Recently, increasing attention has been paid to natural polysaccharides for their low cost, biocompatibility and biodegradability. Quaternization is a modification method to improve the solubility and antibacterial ability of natural polysaccharides. Water-soluble derivatives of cellulose, chitin and chitosan offer the prospect of diverse applications in a wide range of fields, such as antibacterial products, drug delivery, wound healing, sewage treatment and ion exchange membranes. By combining the inherent properties of cellulose, chitin and chitosan with the inherent properties of the quaternary ammonium groups, new products with multiple functions and properties can be obtained. In this review, we summarized the research progress in the applications of quaternized cellulose, chitin and chitosan in recent five years. Moreover, ubiquitous challenges and personal perspectives on the further development of this promising field are also discussed.

Optimizing the tip position of a peripherally inserted central venous catheter under a multidisciplinary team approach in a patient with mirror-image dextrocardia: a case report

Peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) are widely used in cardiology because they are convenient, effective, and safe. However, PICC implantation in patients with mirror-image dextrocardia who have thoracic tumors has not yet been reported. In this case report, we describe a 46-year-old patient with lung cancer who had a thoracic inclination and left pulmonary artery compression of the superior vena cava. PICC implantation under B-ultrasound guidance was planned. Because of the anatomical differences caused by mirror-image dextrocardia, we investigated the optimal position and measurement method for the tip of the PICC according to the compression site of the vascular lumen through a multidisciplinary team approach. Electrocardiography-assisted tip positioning combined with postoperative chest X-ray positioning was performed for accurate positioning.

Amplification of a terahertz wave via stimulated Raman scattering

Extremely strong terahertz (THz) waves are desperately demanded for investigating nonlinear physics, spectroscopy, and imaging in the THz range. However, traditional crystal-/semiconductor-based THz sources have limitations of reaching extremely high amplitude due to the damage threshold of devices. Here, by introducing Raman amplification to the THz range, we propose a novel, to the best of our knowledge, scheme to amplify THz waves in plasma. A long-pulse CO₂ pump laser transfers its energy to a multicycle, 10-THz seed in a two-step plasma. By one-dimensional simulations, a 0.87-GV/m, 1.2-ps-duration THz seed is amplified to 10 GV/m in a 5.7-mm-long plasma with an amplification efficiency approaching 1%. The method provides a new technology to manipulate the intensity of THz waves.

Real-time airplane detection using multi-dimensional attention and feature fusion

The remote sensing image airplane object detection tasks remain a challenge such as missed detection and misdetection, and that is due to the low resolution occupied by airplane objects and large background noise. To address the problems above, we propose an AE-YOLO (Accurate and Efficient Yolov4-tiny) algorithm and thus obtain higher detection precision for airplane detection in remote sensing images. A multi-dimensional channel and spatial attention module is designed to filter out background noise information, and we also adopt a local cross-channel interaction strategy without dimensionality reduction so as to reduce the loss of local information caused by the scaling of the fully connected layer. The weighted two-way feature pyramid operation is used to fuse features and the correlation between different channels is learned to improve the utilization of features. A lightweight convolution module is exploited to reconstruct the network, which effectively reduce the parameters and computations while improving the accuracy of the detection model. Extensive experiments validate that the proposed algorithm is more lightweight and efficient for airplane detection. Moreover, experimental results on the airplane dataset show that the proposed algorithm meets real-time requirements, and its detection accuracy is 7.76% higher than the original algorithm.

Mitochondria-Targeted Nanosystem with Reactive Oxygen Species-Controlled Release of CO to Enhance Photodynamic Therapy of PCN-224 by Sensitizing Ferroptosis

The apoptosis-resistant mechanism of photodynamic therapy (PDT) usually results in limited therapeutic efficacy. The development of new strategies for sensitizing targeted ferroptosis that bypass apoptosis resistance is of great significance to improve the antitumor efficacy of PDT. In this study, a novel amphiphilic copolymer whose main chain contains reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive groups and the end of side chains contains triphenylphosphine is synthesized, to encapsulate porphyrinic metal-organic framework PCN-224 via self-assembly which are hydrothermally synthesized by coordination of zirconium (IV) with tetra-kis(4-caboxyphenyl) porphyrin, and loaded carbon monoxide releasing molecule 401 (CORM-401) by their hollow structures (PCN-CORM), and finally, surface-coated with hyaluronic acid. The nanosystem can sequentially localize to mitochondria which is an important target to induce apoptosis and ferroptosis in cancer cells. Upon excitation with near-infrared light, PCN-224 is activated to produce amounts of ROS, and simultaneously triggers the rapid intracellular release of CO. More importantly, the released CO can sensitize ferroptosis and promote apoptosis to significantly enhance the antitumor efficacy of PCN-224 both in vitro and in vivo. These results illustrate that the mitochondria-targeted drug delivery system combined PDT with CO leads to an effective antitumor efficacy, which maybe a promising way to enhance the treatment efficiency of PDT.

New insights into the function of Interleukin-25 in disease pathogenesis

Interleukin-25 (IL-25), also known as IL-17E, is a cytokine belonging to the IL-17 family. IL-25 is abundantly expressed by Th2 cells and various kinds of epithelial cells. IL-25 is an alarm signal generated upon cell injury or tissue damage to activate immune cells through the interaction with IL-17RA and IL-17RB receptors. The binding of IL-25 to IL-17RA/IL-17RB complex not only initiates and maintains type 2 immunity but also regulates other immune cells (e.g., macrophages and mast cells) via various signaling pathways. It has been well-documented that IL-25 is critically involved in the development of allergic disorders (e.g., asthma). However, the roles of IL-25 in the pathogenesis of other diseases and the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. This review presents current evidence on the roles of IL-25 in cancers, allergic disorders, and autoimmune diseases. Moreover, we discuss the unanswered key questions underlying IL-25-mediated disease pathology, which will provide new insights into the targeted therapy of this cytokine in clinical treatment.

The relationship between shifts in the rhizosphere microbial community and root rot disease in a continuous cropping American ginseng system

The root rot disease causes a great economic loss, and the disease severity usually increases as ginseng ages. However, it is still unclear whether the disease severity is related to changes in microorganisms during the entire growing stage of American ginseng. The present study examined the microbial community in the rhizosphere and the chemical properties of the soil in 1-4-year-old ginseng plants grown in different seasons at two different sites. Additionally, the study investigated ginseng plants' root rot disease index (DI). The results showed that the DI of ginseng increased 2.2 times in one sampling site and 4.7 times in another during the 4 years. With respect to the microbial community, the bacterial diversity increased with the seasons in the first, third, and fourth years but remained steady in the second year. The seasonal changing of relative abundances of bacteria and fungi showed the same trend in the first, third, and fourth years but not in the second year. Linear models revealed that the relative abundances of Blastococcus, Symbiobacterium, Goffeauzyma, Entoloma, Staphylotrichum, Gymnomyces, Hirsutella, Penicillium and Suillus spp. were negatively correlated with DI, while the relative abundance of Pandoraea, Rhizomicrobium, Hebeloma, Elaphomyces, Pseudeurotium, Fusarium, Geomyces, Polyscytalum, Remersonia, Rhizopus, Acremonium, Paraphaeosphaeria, Mortierella, and Metarhizium spp. were positively correlated with DI (P < 0.05). The Mantel test showed that soil chemical properties, including available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, organic matter, and pH, were significantly correlated to microbial composition. The contents of available potassium and nitrogen were positively correlated with DI, while pH and organic matter were negatively correlated with DI. In summary, we can deduce that the second year is the key period for the shift of the American ginseng rhizosphere microbial community. Disease aggravation after the third year is related to the deterioration of the rhizosphere microecosystem.

Akkermansia muciniphila improves heat stress-impaired intestinal barrier function by modulating HSP27 in Caco-2 cells

OBJECTIVE

Heat stress causes an elevation of intestinal epithelial barrier permeability and leads to multiple organ dysfunction in heatstroke. Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila) plays a role in maintaining intestinal integrity and improving the inflammatory state. This study aimed to investigate whether A. muciniphila could alleviate heat stress-induced dysfunction of intestinal permeability in Caco-2 monolayers and have the preventive effects on heatstroke.

METHODS

Human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells were preincubated with live or pasteurized A. muciniphila then exposed to heat stress at 43 °C. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and the flux of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) across cell monolayers were measured to determine intestinal permeability. The levels of the tight junction proteins Occludin, ZO-1 and HSP27 were analyzed by Western blotting. These proteins were immunostained and localized by fluorescence microscopy. TJ morphology was observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

RESULTS

Both live and pasteurized A. muciniphila effectively attenuated the decrease in TEER and impairment of intestinal permeability in HRP flux induced by heat exposure. A. muciniphila significantly elevated the expression of Occludin and ZO-1 by promoting HSP27 phosphorylation. The distortion and redistribution of tight junction proteins and disruption of morphology were also effectively prevented by pretreatment with A. muciniphila.

CONCLUSION

This study indicates for the first time that both live and pasteurized A. muciniphila play an important protective role against heat-induced permeability dysfunction and epithelial barrier damage.

NIR-II-triggered photothermal therapy with Au@PDA/PEG-PI for targeted downregulation of PSMA in prostate cancer

Although positron emission tomography (PET) imaging products targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) have been approved for marketing, clinical challenges remain in the study of its use as a therapeutic target, such as the complex synthesis process and side effects after treatment. Here, we developed a strategy for targeted photothermal therapy (PTT) using PSMA as the target. The results of molecular docking demonstrated that the synthesized PEG modified urea-based PSMA inhibitor (small molecular PSMA inhibitor, PI) PI-PEG has a high affinity energy (binding energy = - 8.3 kcal mol^-1) for the PSMA target. Therefore, modification of PI-PEG onto the surface of gold@polydopamine (Au@PDA) with NIR-II absorption could enable targeted PTT against PSMA. This work revealed that the prepared Au@PDA/PEG-PI were not only highly selective for PSMA, but also could efficiently ablate PSMA expression by targeted PTT at the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) of the NIR-II laser. Moreover, Au@PDA/PEG-PI also have potential for photoacoustic (PA) imaging and computed tomography (CT) imaging. As the first strategy to downregulate the expression of PSMA and successfully inhibit prostate cancer by targeted PTT, this study case provides a new idea for the clinical translation of PSMA as an integrated target for tumor diagnosis and anti-tumor treatment. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: (1) Au@PDA/PEG-PI NPs were the novel PTT agent to target PSMA and successfully down-regulate PSMA expression. (2) Molecular docking results demonstrated that PI-PEG inhibitors have a high affinity energy for PSMA (binding energy = - 8.3 kcal mol^-1). (3) Au@PDA/PEG-PI NPs can be targeted for efficient PTT at the MPE of the NIR-II laser. (4) Au@PDA/PEG-PI NPs also have the potential for PA and CT imaging.

Microsomal glutathione S-transferase 1 targets the autophagy signaling pathway to suppress ferroptosis in gastric carcinoma cells

OBJECTIVE

Ferroptosis is a newly discovered form of programmed cell death; however, the specific mechanisms that regulate ferroptosis have yet to be fully elucidated in gastric carcinoma. In this study, we aimed to investigate how microsomal glutathione S-transferase 1 (MGST1) regulates ferroptosis in gastric carcinoma cells.

METHODS

Gastric adenocarcinoma (SGC7901) cells that overexpressed MGST1 or expressed only low levels of MGST1, were treated with specific compounds (erastin, sorafenib, RSL3, MK-2206 and SC79). Then, we detected the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), iron and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Protein expression levels of the non-classical autophagy and protein kinase B (Akt)/glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) pathways were determined by western blotting and cell viability was analyzed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays. The expressions of target genes were detected using qRT-PCR.

RESULTS

We evaluated a range of ferroptosis-inducing compounds and found that MGST1 expression was down-regulated during ferroptosis in SGC7901 cells. The ferroptosis inducer RSL3 played a role in classical ferroptotic events while the overexpression of MGST1 impaired these effects. Interestingly, the overexpression of MGST1 resulted in the inactivation of autophagy by repressing the expression of ATG16L1 and the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II. The upregulation of ATG16L1 eliminated the inhibitory action of MGST1 on ferroptosis. Notably, the overexpression of MGST1 induced the activation of the Akt/GSK-3β pathway. An Akt inhibitor antagonized the inhibitory effects of MGST1 on autophagy and ferroptosis.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, our findings demonstrate a novel molecular mechanism and signaling pathway for ferroptosis. We also characterized that the overexpression of MGST1 induces gastric carcinoma cell proliferation by activating the Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathway.

The cGAS-STING pathway: Post-translational modifications and functional implications in diseases

Recent studies have illustrated the functional significance of DNA recognition in the activation of innate immune responses among a variety of diseases. The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway has been found to be modulated by post-translational modifications and can regulate the immune response via type I IFNs. Accumulating evidence indicates a pivotal role of cGAS-STING signaling, being protective or pathogenic, in the development of diseases. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of the post-translational modifications of cGAS-STING pathway and their role in disease development will provide insights in predicting individual disease outcomes and developing appropriate therapies. In this review, we will discuss the regulation of the cGAS-STING pathway and its implications in disease pathologies, as well as pharmacologic strategies to target the cGAS-STING pathway for therapeutic intervention.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation drives polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cell response and efficiently attenuates experimental Sjögren's syndrome

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) comprise heterogeneous myeloid cell populations with immunosuppressive capacity that contribute to immune regulation and tolerance induction. We previously reported impaired MDSC function in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and mice with experimental SS (ESS). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying MDSC dysfunction remain largely unclear. In this study, we first found that aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) was highly expressed by human and murine polymorphonuclear MDSCs (PMN-MDSCs). Indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), a natural AhR ligand produced from dietary tryptophan, significantly promoted PMN-MDSC differentiation and suppressive function on CD4+ T cells. In contrast, feeding a tryptophan-free diet resulted in a decreased PMN-MDSC response, a phenotype that could be reversed by IPA supplementation. The functional importance of PMN-MDSCs was demonstrated in ESS mice by using a cell-depletion approach. Notably, AhR expression was reduced in PMN-MDSCs during ESS development, while AhR antagonism resulted in exacerbated ESS pathology and dysregulated T effector cells, which could be phenocopied by a tryptophan-free diet. Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4), a repressive transcription factor, was upregulated in PMN-MDSCs during ESS progression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that IRF4 could bind to the promoter region of AhR, while IRF4 deficiency markedly enhanced AhR-mediated PMN-MDSC responses. Furthermore, dietary supplementation with IPA markedly ameliorated salivary glandular pathology in ESS mice with restored MDSC immunosuppressive function. Together, our results identify a novel function of AhR in modulating the PMN-MDSC response and demonstrate the therapeutic potential of targeting AhR for the treatment of pSS.

Light-Activated Reactive Oxygen Species-Responsive Nanocarriers for Enhanced Photodynamic Immunotherapy of Cancer

Exploring polymeric nanoplatforms combined with reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsiveness with mitochondria targeting has emerged as an effective strategy for enhanced photodynamic therapy (PDT). Amphiphilic copolymers were synthesized by reacting acrylamide thioketal (TK) linkers with amino-terminated triphenylphosphonium-polyethylene glycol and dodecylamine for encapsulating chlorin e6 (Ce6) via self-assembly. Then, anionic cladding with tumor targeting deshelled in tumor acidic microenvironments was surface-anchored by electrostatic forces (BioPEGDMA@RM). After sequential targeting to the mitochondria of cancerous cells, BioPEGDMA@RM could be light-activated with Ce6 released upon ROS cleavage of TK linkages. It was found that Ce6-loaded BioPEGDMA@RM exhibited higher cytotoxicity on CT26 cells and performed stronger ability on the production of ROS than that without TK linkers. Moreover, a minimum illumination of 3 and 5 min could be required for achieving the maximum release of Ce6 and high in vitro cytotoxicity for Ce6-loaded BioPEGDMA@RM, respectively. Furthermore, Ce6-loaded BioPEGDMA@RM showed 1.29-fold and 1.21-fold higher tumor inhibition on BALB/c nude mice and Kunming mice and stimulated immunologic reactions with more generation of IFN-γ and TNF-α and activation of CD3⁺, CD4⁺, and CD8⁺ T-lymphocytes and DCs than that of Ce6-loaded nanoparticles without TK bonds. This work provided an academic reference for the development of ROS-responsive drug delivery systems for advanced PDT efficiency.

Targeted Recruitment and Degradation of Estrogen Receptor α by Photothermal Polydopamine Nanoparticles for Breast Tumor Ablation

The major challenges of photothermal therapy (PTT) toward clinical application are the severe skin injury and inflammation response associated with high power laser irradiation. Herein, polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA-EST and PDA-RAL) targeted to estrogen receptor α (ERα) for efficient ablation of breast tumor under a low irradiation density of 0.1 W cm^-2 are reported. These nanoparticles are capable of recruiting ERα on their surface and induce a complete ERα degradation via localized heat. Owing to the ERα targetability, PDA-EST and PDA-RAL strongly suppress the proliferation of breast cancer cells without causing significant inflammation. This work provides a generalized method for enhancing PTT efficacy under low irradiation density.

[Effect of light intensity on growth, accumulation of ginsenosides, and expression of related enzyme genes of Panax quinquefolius]

Appropriate light intensity is favorable for the photosynthesis, biomass accumulation, key enzyme activity, and secondary metabolite synthesis of medicinal plants. This study aims to explore the influence of light intensity on growth and quality of Panax quinquefolius. To be specific, sand culture experiment was carried out in a greenhouse under the light intensity of 40, 80, 120, and 160 μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1), respectively. The growth indexes, photosynthetic characteristics, content of 6 ginsenosides of the 3-year-old P. quinquefolius were determined, and the expression of ginsenoside synthesis-related enzyme genes in leaves, main roots, and fibrous roots was determined. The results showed that the P. quinquefolius growing at 80 μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1) light intensity had the most biomass and the highest net photosynthetic rate. The total biomass of P. quinquefolius treated with 120 μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1) light intensity was slightly lower than that with 80 μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1). The root-to-shoot ratio in the treatment with 120 μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1) light intensity was up to 6.86, higher than those in other treatments(P&lt;0.05),and the ginsenoside content in both aboveground and underground parts of P. quinquefolius in this treatment was the highest, which was possibly associated with the high expression of farnesylpyrophosphate synthase(FPS), squalene synthase(SQS), squalene epoxidase(SQE), oxidosqualene cyclase(OSC), dammarenediol-Ⅱ synthase(DS), and P450 genes in leaves and SQE and DS genes in main roots. In addition, light intensities of 120 and 160 μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1) could promote PPD-type ginsenoside synthesis in leaves by triggering up-regulation of the expression of upstream ginsenoside synthesis genes. The decrease in underground biomass accumulation of the P. quinquefolius grown under weak light(40 μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)) and strong light(160 μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)) was possibly attributed to the low net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate in leaves. In the meantime, the low expression of SQS, SQE, OSC, and DS genes in the main roots might led to the decrease in ginsenoside content. However, there was no significant correlation between the ginsenoside content and the expression of synthesis-related genes in the fibrous roots of P. quinquefolius. Therefore, the light intensity of 80 and 120 μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1) is beneficial to improving yield and quality of P. quinquefolius. The above findings contributed to a theoretical basis for reasonable shading in P. quinquefolius cultivation, which is of great significance for improving the yield and quality of P. quinquefolius through light regulation.

Facile fabrication of chitin/ZnO composite hydrogels for infected wound healing

When ordinary wounds are infected, the skin's self-healing capacity declines; thus appropriate dressings with both antibacterial ability and healing ability for bacteria-associated wounds are indispensable. In this work, multifunctional chitin/ZnO composite hydrogels have been designed as an infected full-thickness skin wound-healing material. The hydrogels are fabricated by a facile one-pot strategy through the sequential addition of commercial ZnO powders into aqueous alkaline chitin solutions, crosslinking and regeneration. The regenerated nanoscale ZnO particles aggregate into microscale particles and are embedded in the chitin matrix with tight interactions, including hydrogen bonding and coordination interactions. The decoration of ZnO endows the chitin/ZnO composite hydrogels with excellent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), with acceptable biocompatibility. More importantly, the chitin/ZnO composite hydrogels show an outstanding accelerated infectious full-thickness wound-healing performance with more fibroblast proliferation, more collagen deposition, and more neogenesis of the epithelium and granulation tissue. Therefore, it is expected that the chitin/ZnO composite hydrogels can serve as competitive skin wound dressings for the prevention and control of infections.

The impact of environmental regulations on the location choice of newly built polluting firms: based on the perspective of new economic geography

Based on the unique micro-data of newly built polluting firms for the period of 2009-2018, this paper adopts the conditional logit model to empirically evaluate the impact of environmental regulations on the location choice of polluting firms. Moreover, we extend the theoretical model by considering that the environment regulations not only influence the pollution cost but also the level of technological innovation and labor cost. The empirical results show that polluting firms tend to flow into areas with stringent environmental regulations, which supports the Porter hypothesis, but the effect of environmental regulations have a divergent impact on heavily polluting firms. Heterogeneous analysis indicates that environmental regulations have shown a positive impact on the location choice of private and foreign-funded firms but no significant impact on that of state-owned firms; the impact of environmental regulation is consistent with pollution haven hypothesis for firms in the central region but is in line with Porter hypothesis for firms in other regions. Meanwhile, the probability of air polluting firms entering areas with stricter environmental regulations is higher than that of water-polluting ones. Finally, this paper further empirically tests the conduction mechanism, that is, environmental regulations can affect the location choice of polluting firms by affecting the regional technological innovation capabilities and labor cost.

Breaking the nanoparticle's dispersible limit via rotatable surface ligands

Achieving versatile dispersion of nanoparticles in a broad range of solvents (e.g., water, oil, and biofluids) without repeatedly recourse to chemical modifications are desirable in optoelectronic devices, self-assembly, sensing, and biomedical fields. However, such a target is limited by the strategies used to decorate nanoparticle's surface properties, leading to a narrow range of solvents for existing nanoparticles. Here we report a concept to break the nanoparticle's dispersible limit via electrochemically anchoring surface ligands capable of sensing the surrounding liquid medium and rotating to adapt to it, immediately forming stable dispersions in a wide range of solvents (polar and nonpolar, biofluids, etc.). Moreover, the smart nanoparticles can be continuously electrodeposited in the electrolyte, overcoming the electrode surface-confined low throughput limitation of conventional electrodeposition methods. The anomalous dispersive property of the smart Ag nanoparticles enables them to resist bacteria secreted species-induced aggregation and the structural similarity of the surface ligands to that of the bacterial membrane assists them to enter the bacteria, leading to high antibacterial activity. The simple but massive fabrication process and the enhanced dispersion properties offer great application opportunities to the smart nanoparticles in diverse fields.

Multifunction in One Nanoparticle for Anticancer Therapy: Bowl-Shaped Au@PDA Yolk-Shell NPs

Multifunctional nanoparticles (NPs) with simultaneous multimodal therapeutic and imaging capabilities are very necessary for biomedical applications. We successfully prepared bowl-shaped gold@polydopamine yolk-shell NPs (bowl-shaped Au@PDA YNPs) by a novel and facile method. The unique bowl-like structure enables a drug loading rate of 92% (920 μg mg^-1). The bowl-shaped Au@PDA YNPs are biocompatible, have good photothermal conversion and strong near-infrared (NIR) absorption, and can control drug release under pH/NIR dual response. Bowl-shaped Au@PDA YNPs can also be employed as contrast agents for computed tomography/photoacoustic imaging for dual-modal imaging-guided chemotherapy and photothermal therapy due to the presence of Au NPs.

Characteristics of ST11 KPC-2-producing carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae causing nosocomial infection in a Chinese hospital

BACKGROUND

The purpose of our study is to analyze the microbiological and clinical characteristics of carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-hvKP) that causes nosocomial infection.

METHODS

We collected the carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP) strains that caused nosocomial infection in a hospital in China and collected the relevant clinical data. We characterized these strains for their antimicrobial and virulence-associated phenotype and genotype and analyzed the clonal relatedness. We screened hypervirulent strains and compared them with non-hypervirulent strains.

RESULTS

We retrospectively analyzed 62 CRKP strains that caused nosocomial infection in a tertiary hospital within 1 year, of which 41 (41/62, 66.1%) CRKP were considered as CR-hvKP. All CR-hvKP strains were multi-drug resistance (MDR) and the vast majority of isolates (39/41, 95.1%) were ST11 KPC-2-producing strains. Two hypermucoviscous isolates and 4 capsular types were found in 41 CR-hvKP. Twenty-nine isolates (29/41, 70.7%) showed hypervirulence in Galleria mellonella infection model. PFGE showed that ST11-KL47 CR-hvKP and ST11-KL64 CR-hvKP exhibited a high degree of clonality, while non-hypervirulent strains were not significant. CR-hvKP had higher positive rates of blaKPC-2 and blaCTX-M-65 and higher levofloxacin resistance (p < 0.001, p = 0.005 and p = 0.046, respectively) when compared to the non-hypervirulent strains. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of in-hospital mortality (7/41, 17.1% vs 5/21, 23.8%, p = 0.743).

CONCLUSION

Our research finds that ST11 KPC-2-producing CR-hvKP is the main type of CRKP that caused nosocomial infection, and clonal spread has occurred. We provide more information about CR-hvKP in health care.

Measurements of Rayleigh ratios in linear alkylbenzene

This paper describes a new experimental setup designed for the direct measurement of the Rayleigh ratio and Rayleigh scattering length for linear alkylbenzene, a solvent commonly used in liquid scintillator detectors for neutrino experiments. Using the new approach, the perpendicularly polarized Rayleigh ratio was determined to be (4.52 ± 0.28) × 10^-6 m^-1 sr^-1 at 405 nm and (3.82 ± 0.24) × 10^-6 m^-1 sr^-1 at 432 nm, and the corresponding Rayleigh scattering length was L_Ray = 22.9 ± 0.3(stat.) ± 1.7(sys.) m at 405 nm and L_Ray = 27.0 ± 0.9(stat.) ± 1.8(sys.) m at 432 nm. These results are consistent with both previous results determined using other experimental strategies and theoretical predictions.