Fungal community shows more variations by season and particle size than bacteria

The global concern regarding the health risk associated with airborne microorganisms has prompted research in this field. However, there is a lack of systematic investigation into the particle-size distribution of airborne bacterial and fungal communities associated with seasons, which determines where they are deposited in the human respiratory tract. To address this gap, we conducted a study in Nanchang, located in central China, where we collected both coarse and fine particles during summer and winter seasons. The results demonstrated that microbial community exhibited obvious seasonal and particle-size variations except bacterial community in fine particles. Certain taxa (e.g., Bacteroidales, Ktedonobacterales, Capnodiales) displayed either seasonal and/or particle-size preferences. Furthermore, airborne microorganisms in coarse particles were more sensitive to season and particle size compared to those in fine particles, with fungal community being more susceptible than bacterial community. The susceptibility can be attributed to their high vulnerability to air pollutants and meteorological conditions, primarily PM2.5 and PM10. Additionally, a greater relative abundance of pathogenic fungi was observed in fine particles, even though microbial diversity in coarse particles was noticeably higher than that in fine particles. Furthermore, some predominant pathogens such as Alternaria, Nigrospora, and Escherichia-Shigella not only had particle size and/or seasonal preferences, but also were strongly correlated with environmental factors. This study advances our understanding of atmospheric pathogenic microorganisms and highlights the fungal health threat.

Modified technique of Hepatojejunostomy for biliary tract reconstruction after resection of tumors affecting the perihilar region: a case series

BACKGROUNDS

Radical resection is the most effective treatment for perihilar tumors. Biliary tract reconstruction after resection is one of the key steps in this surgery. Mucosa-to-mucosa cholangiojejunostomy is traditionally performed, in which the bile ducts at the resection margin are separately anastomosed to the jejunum. However, this approach is associated with long operative time and high risk of postoperative complications. The present study presents a modified technique of hepatojejunostomy and its outcomes.

METHODS

The data of patients who underwent hepatojejunostomy using the modified technique at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China, from January 2016 to December 2021, were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 13 patients with perihilar tumors underwent R0 resection and bilioenteric reconstruction using the modified hepatojejunostomy technique during the study period. During the operation, the alignment of the bile duct stumps was improved, the posterior wall of the anastomosis was reinforced, internal stents were placed in the smaller bile ducts, external stents were placed in the larger bile ducts, and hepatojejunostomy was performed using 4 - 0 prolene. No serious postoperative complications, such as death or bile leakage, occurred during the hospitalization. Furthermore, there were no cases of biliary stricture or cholangitis after the six-month follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

The modified hepatojejunostomy technique is a safe and effective technique of biliary reconstruction after the resection of perihilar tumors. This can be easily performed for difficult cases with multiple bile ducts that require reconstruction after resection.

Environmental sustainability practice of sewage sludge and low-rank coal co-pyrolysis: A comparative life cycle assessment study

This study attempts to bridge the current research gaps related to the environmental burdens of low-rank coal (LRC) and sewage sludge (SS) co-pyrolysis potentially. The life cycle assessment (LCA), energy recovery and sensitivity analysis were investigated for different proportions of LRC and SS (co-)pyrolysis. The results showed that the LRC/SS pyrolysis mitigated the environmental burden with an average improvement of 43 % across 18 impact categories compared with SS pyrolysis. The best net values of energy and carbon credits were identified in SL-4 with -3.36 kWh/kg biochar and - 1.10 CO2-eq/kg biochar, respectively. This study firstly proposed an optimal LRC/SS co-feed proportion at 3 to 7, which achieves the acceptable environmental burden and satisfactory energy recovery. Moreover, sensitivity analysis demonstrated this proportion is robust and adaptable. LRC/SS co-pyrolysis is a promising and sustainable alternative for SS disposal, which could meet the imperative of carbon emission mitigation and resource recycling.

Osteoclasts and osteoarthritis: Novel intervention targets and therapeutic potentials during aging

Osteoarthritis (OA), a chronic degenerative joint disease, is highly prevalent among the aging population, and often leads to joint pain, disability, and a diminished quality of life. Although considerable research has been conducted, the precise molecular mechanisms propelling OA pathogenesis continue to be elusive, thereby impeding the development of effective therapeutics. Notably, recent studies have revealed subchondral bone lesions precede cartilage degeneration in the early stage of OA. This development is marked by escalated osteoclast-mediated bone resorption, subsequent imbalances in bone metabolism, accelerated bone turnover, and a decrease in bone volume, thereby contributing significantly to the pathological changes. While the role of aging hallmarks in OA has been extensively elucidated from the perspective of chondrocytes, their connection with osteoclasts is not yet fully understood. There is compelling evidence to suggest that age-related abnormalities such as epigenetic alterations, proteostasis network disruption, cellular senescence, and mitochondrial dysfunction, can stimulate osteoclast activity. This review intends to systematically discuss how aging hallmarks contribute to OA pathogenesis, placing particular emphasis on the age-induced shifts in osteoclast activity. It also aims to stimulate future studies probing into the pathological mechanisms and therapeutic approaches targeting osteoclasts in OA during aging.

Small extracellular vesicles facilitate epithelial-mesenchymal transition in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps via the miR-375-3p/QKI axis

BACKGROUND

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). However, the involvement of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) in EMT and their contributions to CRSwNP has not been extensively investigated.

METHODS

SEVs were isolated from nasal mucosa through ultracentrifugation. MicroRNA sequencing and reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction were employed to analyze the differential expression of microRNAs carried by sEVs. Human nasal epithelial cells (hNECs) were used to assess the EMT-inducing effect of sEVs/microRNAs. EMT-associated markers were detected by western blotting and immunofluorescence. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to determine the target gene of miR-375-3p. MicroRNA mimic, lentiviral, and plasmid transduction were used for functional experiments.

RESULTS

In line with the greater EMT status in eosinophilic CRSwNP (ENP), sEVs derived from ENP (ENP-sEVs) could induce EMT in hNECs. MiR-375-3p was elevated in ENP-sEVs compared to that in control and nonENP. MiR-375- 3p carried by ENP-sEVs facilitated EMT by directly targeting KH domain containing RNA binding (QKI) at seed sequences of 913-919, 1025-1033, and 2438-2444 in 3'-untranslated region. Inhibition of QKI by miR-375-3p overexpression promoted EMT, which could be reversed by restoration of QKI. Furthermore, the abundance of miR-375-3p in sEVs was closely correlated with the clinical symptom score and disease severity.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-375-3p-enriched sEVs facilitated EMT by suppressing QKI in hNECs. The association of miR-375-3p with disease severity underscores its potential as both a diagnostic marker and a therapeutic target for the innovative management of CRSwNP.

Compression Therapy after Thermal Ablation of Varicose Veins: A Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether compression therapy after thermal ablation of varicose veins can improve the prognosis of patients.

METHODS

Systematic research were applied for Chinese and English electronic databases(PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP Databases). Eligible prospective studies that comparing the efficacy of compression therapy and non-compression therapy on patients after thermal ablation of varicose veins were included. The interest outcome such as pain, quality of life (QOL), venous clinical severity score (VCSS), time to return to work and complications were analyzed.

RESULTS

10 studies were of high quality, and randomized controlled trials involving 1,545 patients met the inclusion criteria for this study. At the same time, the meta-analysis showed that the application of compression therapy improved pain (SMD: -0.51, 95% CI: -0.95, -0.07) but exhibited no statistically significant effect on QOL (SMD: 0.04, 95% CI: -0.08, 0.16), VCSS (MD: -0.05, 95% CI: -1.19, 1.09), time to return to work (MD: -0.43, 95% CI: -0.90, 0.03), total complications (RR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.27, 1.09), and thrombosis (RR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.31, 1.62).

CONCLUSION

Compression therapy after thermal ablation of varicose veins can slightly relieve pain, but it has not been found to be associated with improvement in other outcomes.

Biotechnological production of ectoine: current status and prospects

Ectoine is an important natural secondary metabolite in halophilic microorganisms. It protects cells against environmental stressors, such as salinity, freezing, drying, and high temperatures. Ectoine is widely used in medical, cosmetic, and other industries. Due to the commercial market demand of ectoine, halophilic microorganisms are the primary method for producing ectoine, which is produced using the industrial fermentation process "bacterial milking." The method has some limitations, such as the high salt concentration fermentation, which is highly corrosive to the equipment, and this also increases the difficulty of downstream purification and causes high production costs. The ectoine synthesis gene cluster has been successfully heterologously expressed in industrial microorganisms, and the yield of ectoine was significantly increased and the cost was reduced. This review aims to summarize and update microbial production of ectoine using different microorganisms, environments, and metabolic engineering and fermentation strategies and provides important reference for the development and application of ectoine.

A water-soluble arabinoxylan from Chinese liquor distillers' grains: Structural characterization and anti-colitic properties

Chinese liquor distillers' grain (CLDG) is a valuable and abundant by-product from traditional Chinese baijiu production, containing a diverse array of bioactive components that have attracted significant interest. Herein, a water-soluble polysaccharide, DGPS-2B, with a weight-average molecular weight of 37.3 kDa, was isolated from the alkali-extract fraction of CLDG. Methylation and NMR analysis identified that the primary constituents of DGPS-2B are arabinoxylans, with an arabinose-to-xylose ratio of 0.66. In an animal model of colitis, DGPS-2B treatment significantly altered the gut microbiota composition by increasing the SCFA-producing bacteria (e.g., Butyricicoccus) and reducing the mucin-degrading bacteria such as Muribaculaceae. This microbial shift resulted in elevated production of butyrate, acetate, and propionate, which subsequently suppressed NF-κB signaling, decreased the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα, and potentially inactivated Notch signaling. These multifaceted effects stimulated mucin 2 production, reduced inflammation and apoptosis in the gut epithelium, and ultimately alleviated colitis symptoms. Collectively, this study not only elucidates the purification and characterization of DGPS-2B from CLDG but also illuminates its anti-colitic properties and the underlying molecular mechanisms. These findings underscore the potential of DGPS-2B as a therapeutic intervention for managing inflammatory bowel disease and emphasize CLDG as a promising source for developing value-added products.

Transplantation of Cold-Stimulated Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Improves Fat Retention and Recipient Metabolism

BACKGROUND

Induction of beige fat for grafting is an emerging transplantation strategy. However, safety concerns associated with pharmaceutical interventions limits its wider application. Moreover, as a special type of fat with strong metabolic functions, the effect of metabolism of recipients after beige fat grafting has not been explored in plastic surgery domain.

OBJECTIVES

To explore whether cold-induced inguinal white adipose tissue(iWAT) transplantation has a higher retention rate and beneficial effects on recipient metabolism.

METHODS

The mice were subjected to cold stimulation for 48 hours to induce the browning of iWAT and harvested immediately. Subsequently, each C57/BL6 mouse received 0.2 ml cold-induced iWAT or normal iWAT transplantation. Fat grafts and recipients' iWAT, epididymal adipose tissue (epiWAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) were harvested at 8 weeks after operation. Immunofluorescence staining, real-time PCR and western blot were used for histological and molecular analysis.

RESULTS

Cold-induced iWAT grafting has a higher retention rate (67.33%±1.74% vs. 55.83% ± 2.94%, P < 0.01) and more satisfactory structural integrity. Histological changes identified the better adipose tissue homeostasis after cold challenge, including abundant smaller adipocytes, higher levels of adipogenesis, angiogenesis, and proliferation, but lower levels of fibrosis. More importantly, cold-induced iWAT grafting suppressed the inflammation of epiWAT caused by conventional fat grafting, and activated the glucose metabolism and thermogenic activity of recipients' adipose tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

Cold-induced iWAT grafting was an effective non-pharmacological intervention strategy to improve the retention rate and grafts' homeostasis. Furthermore, it improved the adverse effects caused by traditional fat grafting, but bring metabolic benefits.

Oncogenic KRAS induces arginine auxotrophy and confers a therapeutic vulnerability to SLC7A1 inhibition in non-small cell lung cancer

The urea cycle is frequently rewired in cancer cells to meet the metabolic demands of cancer. Elucidation of the underlying mechanism by which oncogenic signaling mediates urea cycle reprogramming could help identify targetable metabolic vulnerabilities. In this study, we discovered that oncogenic activation of KRAS in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) silenced the expression of argininosuccinate synthase 1 (ASS1), a urea cycle enzyme that catalyzes the production of arginine from aspartate and citrulline, and thereby diverted the utilization of aspartate to pyrimidine synthesis to meet the high demand for DNA replication. Specifically, KRAS signaling facilitated a hypo-acetylated state in the promoter region of the ASS1 gene in a histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3)-dependent manner, which in turn impeded the recruitment of c-MYC for ASS1 transcription. ASS1 suppression in KRAS-mutant NSCLC cells impaired the biosynthesis of arginine and rendered a dependency on the arginine transmembrane transporter SLC7A1 to import extracellular arginine. Depletion of SLC7A1 in both patient-derived organoid and xenograft models inhibited KRAS-driven NSCLC growth. Together, these findings uncover the role of oncogenic KRAS in rewiring urea cycle metabolism and identify SLC7A1-mediated arginine uptake as a therapeutic vulnerability for treating KRAS-mutant NSCLC.

Comparative analysis of the organelle genomes of Aconitum carmichaelii revealed structural and sequence differences and phylogenetic relationships

In this study, we conducted an assembly and analysis of the organelle genomes of Aconitum carmichaelii. Our investigation encompassed the examination of organelle genome structures, gene transfer events, and the environmental selection pressures affecting A. carmichaelii. The results revealed distinct evolutionary patterns in the organelle genomes of A. carmichaelii. Especially, the plastome exhibited a more conserved structure but a higher nucleotide substitution rate (NSR), while the mitogenome displayed a more complex structure with a slower NSR. Through homology analysis, we identified several instances of unidirectional protein-coding genes (PCGs) transferring from the plastome to the mitogenome. However, we did not observe any events which genes moved from the mitogenome to the plastome. Additionally, we observed multiple transposable element (TE) fragments in the organelle genomes, with both organelles showing different preferences for the type of nuclear TE insertion. Divergence time estimation suggested that rapid differentiation occurred in Aconitum species approximately 7.96 million years ago (Mya). This divergence might be associated with the reduction in CO2 levels and the significant uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) during the late Miocene. Selection pressure analysis indicated that the dN/dS values of both organelles were less than 1, suggested that organelle PCGs were subject to purification selection. However, we did not detect any positively selected genes (PSGs) in Subg. Aconitum and Subg. Lycoctonum. This observation further supports the idea that stronger negative selection pressure on organelle genes in Aconitum results in a more conserved amino acid sequence. In conclusion, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of organelle evolution in Aconitum species and provides a foundation for future research on the genetic mechanisms underlying the structure and function of the Aconitum plastome and mitogenome.

Self-Reporting Microsensors Inspired by Noctiluca Scintillans for Small-Defect Positioning and Electrical-Stress Visualization in Polymers

Small defects induce concentrated electrical stress in dielectric polymers, leading to premature failure of materials. Existing sensing methods fail to effectively visualize these defects owing to the invisible-energy state of the electric field. Thus, it is necessary to establish a nondestructive method for the real-time detection of small defects in dielectric polymers. In this study, a self-reporting microsensor (SRM) inspired by Noctiluca scintillans is designed to endow materials with the ability of self-detection for defects and electrical stress. The SRM leverages the energy of a nearby electric field to emit measurable fluorescence, enabling defect localization and diagnosis as well as electrical-stress visualization. A controllable dielectric microsphere is constructed to achieve an adjustable electroluminescence threshold for the SRM, thereby increasing its detection accuracy while decreasing the electroluminescence threshold. The potential degradation in the polymer performance owing to SRM implantation is addressed by assembling long molecular chains on the SRM surface to spontaneously generate an interpenetrating network. Results of finite element analyses and experiments demonstrate that the SRM can effectively realize nondestructive visualization and positioning of small defects and concentrated electrical stress in polymers, positioning it as a promising sensing method for monitoring the electric field and charge distribution in materials.

A fusion protein of vimentin with Fc fragment inhibits Japanese encephalitis virus replication

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a member of the Flaviviridae family and a flavivirus, is known to induce acute encephalitis. Vimentin protein has been identified as a potential receptor for JEV, engaging in interactions with the viral membrane protein. The Fc fragment, an integral constituent of immunoglobulins, plays a crucial role in antigen recognition by dendritic cells (DCs) or phagocytes, leading to subsequent antigen presentation, cytotoxicity, or phagocytosis. In this study, we fused the receptor of JEV vimentin with the Fc fragment of IgG and expressed the resulting vimentin-Fc fusion protein in Escherichia coli. Pull-down experiments demonstrated the binding ability of the vimentin-Fc fusion protein to JEV virion in vitro. Additionally, we conducted inhibition assays at the cellular level, revealing the ability of vimentin-Fc protein suppressing JEV replication, it may be a promising passive immunotherapy agent for JEV. These findings pave the way for potential therapeutic strategies against JEV.

The rat as a novel model for chronic rotator cuff injuries

Chronic rotator cuff injuries (CRCIs) still present a great challenge for orthopaedics surgeons. Many new therapeutic strategies are developed to facilitate repair and improve the healing process. However, there is no reliable animal model for chronic rotator cuff injury research. To present a new valuable rat model for future chronic rotator cuff injuries (CRCIs) repair studies, and describe the changes of CRCIs on the perspectives of histology, behavior and MRI. Sixty male Wistar rats were enrolled and underwent surgery of the left shoulder joint for persistent subacromial impingement. They were randomly divided into experimental group (n = 30, a 3D printed PEEK implant shuttled into the lower surface of the acromion) and sham operation group (n = 30, insert the same implant, but remove it immediately). Analyses of histology, behavior, MRI and inflammatory pain-related genes expression profiles were performed to evaluate the changes of CRCIs. After 2-weeks running, the rats in the experimental group exhibited compensatory gait patterns to protect the injured forelimb from loading after 2-weeks running. After 8-weeks running, the rats in the experimental group showed obvious CRCIs pathological changes: (1) acromion bone hyperplasia and thickening of the cortical bone; (2) supraspinatus muscle tendon of the humeral head: the bursal-side tendon was torn and layered with disordered structure, forming obvious gaps; the humeral-side tendon is partially broken, and has a neatly arranged collagen. Partial fat infiltration is found. The coronal T2-weighted images showed that abnormal tendon-to-bone junctions of the supraspinatus tendon. The signal intensity and continuity were destroyed with contracted tendon. At the nighttime, compared with the sham operation group, the expression level of IL-1β and COX-2 increased significantly (P = 0063, 0.0005) in the experimental group. The expression of COX-2 in experimental group is up-regulated about 1.5 times than that of daytime (P = 0.0011), but the expression of IL-1β, TNF-a, and NGF are all down-regulated (P = 0.0146, 0.0232, 0.0161). This novel rat model of chronic rotator cuff injuries has the similar characteristics with that of human shoulders. And it supplies a cost-effective, reliable animal model for advanced tissue engineered strategies and future therapeutic strategies.

Intestinal epithelial Krüppel-like factor 4 alleviates endotoxemia and atherosclerosis through improving NF-κB/miR-34a-mediated intestinal permeability

Maintenance of intestinal barrier function contributes to gastrointestinal homeostasis and therefore cardiovascular diseases. A number of studies show that intestinal permeability is affected by excessive inflammatory responses. Krüppel-like factor (KLF) 4 is one of the critical transcriptional factors, which controls multiple immune responses. In this study we investigated the role of KLF4 in regulating intestinal inflammation and permeability during the atherosclerotic process. Atherosclerotic model was established in ApoE-/- mice by feeding a high fat high cholesterol (HFHC) diet. We showed that colon expression levels of KLF4 and tight junction proteins were significantly decreased whereas inflammatory responses increased in atherosclerotic mice. Overexpression of colon epithelial Klf4 decreased atherosclerotic plaque formation and vascular inflammation in atherosclerotic mice, accompanied by remarkable suppression of intestinal NF-κB activation. We found that overexpression of epithelial Klf4 in atherosclerotic mice significantly increased intestinal tight junction expression and ameliorated endotoxemia, whereas replenishment of LPS abolished these benefits. Overexpression of Klf4 reversed LPS-induced permeability and downregulation of ZO-1 and Occludin in Caco-2 cells in vitro. HFHC diet stimulated the expression of epithelial microRNA-34a, whereas silence of epithelial Klf4 abolished the benefits of microRNA-34a sponge, a specific miR-34a inhibitor, on intestinal permeability and atherosclerotic development. A clinical cohort of 24 atherosclerotic patients supported colon KLF4/NF-κB/tight junction protein axis mediated intestine/cardiovascular interaction in patients with atherosclerosis. Taken together, intestinal epithelial KLF4 protects against intestinal inflammation and barrier dysfunction, ameliorating atherosclerotic plaque formation.

Cellulose nanofiber/MXene (Ti3C2Tx)/liquid metal film as a highly performance and flexible electrode material for supercapacitors

In recent times, there has been significant interest in the utilization of cellulose nanofiber (CNF) films as the foundation for supercapacitors due to their three-dimensional structure, flexibility and eco-friendliness. An ultrasonic and vacuum filtration method was used to prepare a hybrid film consisting of MXene (Ti3C2Tx), CNF and liquid metal (LM). The combination of CNF and LM with MXene produces a porous structure with higher electrical conductivity, which facilitates the transportation of ions and electrons within the composition and confers the material with heightened electrochemical properties. The CNF/MXene/LM electrode has a significant area capacitance of 871.3 mF cm-2 at a current density of 5 mA cm-2. The hybrid film demonstrates excellent stability, maintaining a high conductivity of 546.4 S∙cm-1 and retaining 96.9 % capacitance after 2000 cycles at a current density of 10 mA cm-2. By utilizing the thin film as an electrode, a high-performance quasi-solid supercapacitor was fabricated, with a remarkably thin thickness of only 0.319 mm. Supercapacitors show exceptional electrical properties, including a surface-specific capacitance of 188.2 mF cm-2 at a current density of 5 mA cm-2. This study indicates that flexible electrodes made from cellulose nanofiber have extensive potential in the realm of supercapacitors.

Variability of somatosensory evoked potential and motor evoked potential change criteria in thoracic spinal decompression surgery based on preoperative motor status

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Combined somatosensory- and motor-evoked potential (SSEP and MEP) changes for predicting prognosis in thoracic spinal surgery have been variably reported.

PURPOSE

We aimed to explore the validity of combined SSEP and MEP for predicting postoperative motor deficits (PMDs) in thoracic spinal decompression surgery (TSDS) and identify a relatively optimal neurophysiological predictor of PMDs in patients based on preoperative motor status.

STUDY SETTING

Retrospective study.

PATIENT SAMPLE

A total of 475 patients were analyzed.

OUTCOME MEASURES

A reduction in muscle strength by more than or equal to one manual muscle testing (MMT) grade postoperatively compared with the preoperative MMT grade was identified as PMDs. Postoperative motor deficits were detected by comparing the preoperative and postoperative physical examination findings in short- and long-term follow-up visits.

METHODS

All patients were divided into two subgroups according to preoperative motor status. The following data were collected: (1) demographic data; (2) IONM (intraoperative neuromonitoring) data; and (3) postoperative motor outcomes. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the efficacy of IONM change to predict PMDs. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to establish optimal IONM warning criteria.

RESULTS

Ninety-eight patients had severe preoperative motor deficits (Group S), and 377 patients did not (Group N). MEP and SSEP change was effective for predicting PMDs in the short term (p<.01) and long term (p<.01) for TSDS patients. In Group N, the cutoff values for predicting PMDs in the short term were a decrease of 65% in SSEP amplitude and 89.5% in MEP amplitude of the baseline value. Furthermore, the cutoff values for predicting PMDs in the short term were durations of change of 24.5 minutes for SSEP and 32.5 minutes for MEP. In Group S, however, the cutoff values for predicting PMDs in the short term were a decrease of 36.5% in SSEP amplitude and 59.5% in MEP amplitude of the baseline value. Moreover, the critical values for predicting short-term PMDs were durations of change of 16.5 minutes for SSEP and 17.5 minutes for MEP.

CONCLUSIONS

The optimal IONM changes for prediction vary depending on preoperative motor status. Combined SSEP and MEP are excellent for predicting PMDs in TSDS.

Relationship between serum uric acid in early pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study

PURPOSE

The association between serum uric acid (UA) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was still unclear. Serum UA levels in pregnancy differed from that in non-pregnancy. This study aimed to investigate the changes of serum UA in early pregnancy, and to explore the association of serum UA with the risk of GDM.

METHODS

A prospective double-center study including 873 singleton pregnant women was conducted in Beijing, China since 2019 (clinical trial number: NCT03246295). Seventy-eight healthy non-pregnant women were selected to compare the changes of biomarkers in pregnancy. Spearman correlation and logistic regression analysis were performed to measure the relationship between serum UA in early pregnancy and GDM.

RESULTS

The incidence of GDM in our cohort was 20.27%(177/873). Compared with non-pregnant women, serum UA and creatinine decreased significantly during early pregnancy. Serum UA concentration in early pregnancy was significantly higher in GDM women than that in normal glucose tolerance (NGT) women [217.0(192.9, 272.0) μmol/l vs. 201.9(176.0, 232.0) μmol/l, p < 0.001]. After adjusted for confounding factors, elevated serum UA remained as an independent risk factor for GDM. The risk of GDM increased when serum UA was above 240 μmol/l (adjusted OR 1.964, 95% CI 1.296-2.977, p < 0.001), and stronger relationships between serum UA and GDM were observed in pregnant women aged over 35 years old and preBMI ≥ 24 kg/m2.

CONCLUSION

The normal range of serum UA and creatinine in pregnant women were lower than those in non-pregnant women. It is essential to monitor serum UA concentrations since early pregnancy to alert and prevent GDM, especially in older and heavier pregnant women.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

NCT03246295.

Molecular insight into the enhanced performance of CALB toward PBDF degradation

Poly(butylene diglycolate-co-furandicarboxylate) (PBDF) is a newly developed biodegradable copolyester. Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) has been identified as an effective catalyst for PBDF degradation. The mechanism is elucidated using a combination of molecular dynamics simulations and quantum chemistry approaches. The findings unveil a four-step catalytic reaction pathway. Furthermore, bond analysis, charge and interaction analysis are conducted to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the PBDF degradation process. Additionally, through the introduction of single-point mutations to crucial residues in CALB's active sites, two mutants, T138I and D134I, are discovered to exhibit improved catalytic efficiency. These significant findings contribute to the advancement of our comprehension concerning the molecular mechanism of underlying copolyesters degradation, while also presenting a novel approach for expediting the degradation rate by the CALB enzyme modification.

Association between bone mineral density and coronary plaque burden in patients with coronary artery disease: a cross-sectional study using quantitative computed tomography

PURPOSE

To evaluate the association between osteoporosis and coronary calcification and coronary plaque burden in patients with atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD).

METHODS

This study included 290 men and 177 postmenopausal women with angiography-confirmed atherosclerosis or CAD who underwent chest multidetector row computed tomography covering L1-L2 between September 2020 and October 2021. Quantitative computed tomography was used to measure the lumbar vertebra's bone mineral density (BMD). The coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and total coronary plaque burden were quantified using the Agatston and modified Gensini scores, respectively. Associations between BMD and CACS and modified Gensini scores were assessed using multivariate regression analysis. Lasso regression was used in model selection.

RESULTS

In men, BMD was inversely associated with CACS [ β  = -0.24; 95% confidence interval (CI), -0.35 to -0.13; P  < 0.001) and coronary artery calcification (CAC) presence [odds ratio (OR) = 0.71; 95% CI, 0.52-0.96; P  = 0.03) in the unadjusted model. After adjusting for age, modified Gensini score, prior percutaneous coronary intervention and hypertension, BMD was inversely associated with CACS ( β  = -0.11; 95% CI, -0.22 to -0.01; P  = 0.04). In postmenopausal women, BMD was inversely associated with CACS ( β  = -0.24; 95% CI, -0.39 to 0.10; P  < 0.001) and CAC presence (OR = 0.66; 95% CI, 0.47-0.92; P  = 0.01) in the unadjusted model but no other models ( P  > 0.05). In both sexes, BMD did not correlate with the modified Gensini score or CAD prevalence (all P  > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In patients with coronary atherosclerosis and CAD, BMD of the lumbar vertebra correlated inversely with CACS in men but not postmenopausal women. Additionally, BMD did not correlate with the modified Gensini score in both sexes.

The effect of bta-miR-1296 on the proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis of bovine mammary fibroblasts

Mammary fibrosis in dairy cows is a chronic condition caused by mastitis, and can lead to serious culling of dairy cows resulting in huge economic losses in the dairy industry. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) exert an important role in regulating mammary gland health in dairy cows. This study investigated whether exosomal miRNAs in mammary epithelial cells can regulate the proliferation of bovine mammary fibroblasts (BMFBs) in mastitis. Liposome transfection technology was used to construct a cellular model of the overexpression and inhibition of miRNAs. The STarMir software, dual luciferase reporter gene test, real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR), a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), and a Western Blot and plate clone formation test were used to investigate the mechanism by which bta-miR-1296 regulates the proliferation of BMFBs. Target gene prediction results revealed that glutamate-ammonia ligase was a direct target gene by which bta-miR-1296 regulates cell proliferation. It was found that bta-miR-1296 significantly inhibited the proliferation of BMFBs. After BMFBs were transfected with a bta-miR-1296 mimic, mRNA expression in the extracellular matrix (ECM), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen type I alpha 1 chain (COL1α1) and collagen type III alpha 1 chain (COL3α1), and various cell growth factors (basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)) were down-regulated, and the expressions of α-SMA, COL1α1, COL3α1, phospho-extracellular regulated protein kinases, phospho-protein kinase B, TGF-β1, and phospho-Smad family member3 proteins were inhibited. In conclusion, bta-miR-1296 can inhibit the proliferation of BMFBs and the synthesis of ECM in BMFBs, thus affecting the occurrence and development of mammary fibrosis in dairy cows and laying the foundation for further studies to clarify the regulatory mechanism of mammary fibrosis.

Body mass index's effect on CRSwNP extends to pathological endotype and recurrence

BACKGROUND

Elevated body mass index (BMI) has been recognized as an important contributor to corticosteroid insensitivity in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). We aimed to delineate the effects of elevated BMI on immunological endotype and recurrence in CRSwNP individuals.

METHODOLOGY

A total of 325 patients with CRSwNP undergoing FESS were recruited and stratified by BMI. H&E staining was employed for histological evaluation. Characteristics of inflammatory patterns were identified by immunohistochemical staining. The predictive factors for recurrence were determined and evaluated by multivariable logistic regression analysis and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves across all subjects and by weight group.

RESULTS

In all patients with CRSwNP, 26.15% subjects were classified as overweight/obese group across BMI categories and exhibited a higher symptom burden. The upregulated eosinophil/neutrophil-dominant cellular endotype and amplified type 2/ type 3 coexisting inflammation was present in overweight/obese compared to underweight/normal weight controls. Additionally, a higher recurrent proportion was shown in overweight/obese patients than that in underweight/normal weight cohorts. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified BMI as an independent predictor for recurrence. The predictive capacity of each conventional parameter (tissue eosinophil and CLCs count, and blood eosinophil percentage) alone or in combination was poor in overweight/obese subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Overweight/obese CRSwNP stands for a unique phenotype and endotype. Conventional parameters predicting recurrence are compromised in overweight/obese CRSwNP, and there is an urgent need for novel biomarkers that predict recurrence for these patients.

Interfacial Polarization Locked Flexible β-Phase Glycine/Nb2 CTx Piezoelectric Nanofibers

Biomolecular piezoelectric materials show great potential in the field of wearable and implantable biomedical devices. Here, a self-assemble approach is developed to fabricating flexible β-glycine piezoelectric nanofibers with interfacial polarization locked aligned crystal domains induced by Nb2 CTx nanosheets. Acted as an effective nucleating agent, Nb2 CTx nanosheets can induce glycine to crystallize from edges toward flat surfaces on its 2D crystal plane and form a distinctive eutectic structure within the nanoconfined space. The interfacial polarization locking formed between O atom on glycine and Nb atom on Nb2 CTx is essential to align the β-glycine crystal domains with (001) crystal plane intensity extremely improved. This β-phase glycine/Nb2 CTx nanofibers (Gly-Nb2 C-NFs) exhibit fabulous mechanical flexibility with Young's modulus of 10 MPa, and an enhanced piezoelectric coefficient of 5.0 pC N-1 or piezoelectric voltage coefficient of 129 × 10-3 Vm N-1 . The interface polarization locking greatly improves the thermostability of β-glycine before melting (≈210°C). A piezoelectric sensor based on this Gly-Nb2 C-NFs is used for micro-vibration sensing in vivo in mice and exhibits excellent sensing ability. This strategy provides an effective approach for the regular crystallization modulation for glycine crystals, opening a new avenue toward the design of piezoelectric biomolecular materials induced by 2D materials.

Phase-shifting optothermal microscopy enables live-cell mid-infrared hyperspectral imaging of large cell populations at high confluency

Rapid live-cell hyperspectral imaging at large fields of view (FOVs) and high cell confluency remains challenging for conventional vibrational spectroscopy-based microscopy technologies. At the same time, imaging at high cell confluency and large FOVs is important for proper cell function and statistical significance of measurements, respectively. Here, we introduce phase-shifting mid-infrared optothermal microscopy (PSOM), which interprets molecular-vibrational information as the optical path difference induced by mid-infrared absorption and can take snapshot vibrational images over broad excitation areas at high live-cell confluency. By means of phase-shifting, PSOM suppresses noise to a quarter of current optothermal microscopy modalities to allow capturing live-cell vibrational images at FOVs up to 50 times larger than state of the art. PSOM also reduces illumination power flux density (PFD) down to four orders of magnitude lower than other conventional vibrational microscopy methods, such as coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS), thus considerably decreasing the risk of cell photodamage.

Comparative Analysis of Chloroplast Genome of Meconopsis (Papaveraceae) Provides Insights into Their Genomic Evolution and Adaptation to High Elevation

The Meconopsis species are widely distributed in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Himalayas, and Hengduan Mountains in China, and have high medicinal and ornamental value. The high diversity of plant morphology in this genus poses significant challenges for species identification, given their propensity for highland dwelling, which makes it a question worth exploring how they cope with the harsh surroundings. In this study, we recently generated chloroplast (cp) genomes of two Meconopsis species, Meconopsis paniculata (M. paniculata) and M. pinnatifolia, and compared them with those of ten Meconopsis cp genomes to comprehend cp genomic features, their phylogenetic relationships, and what part they might play in plateau adaptation. These cp genomes shared a great deal of similarities in terms of genome size, structure, gene content, GC content, and codon usage patterns. The cp genomes were between 151,864 bp and 154,997 bp in length, and contain 133 predictive genes. Through sequence divergence analysis, we identified three highly variable regions (trnD-psbD, ccsA-ndhD, and ycf1 genes), which could be used as potential markers or DNA barcodes for phylogenetic analysis. Between 22 and 38 SSRs and some long repeat sequences were identified from 12 Meconopsis species. Our phylogenetic analysis confirmed that 12 species of Meconopsis clustered into a monophyletic clade in Papaveraceae, which corroborated their intrageneric relationships. The results indicated that M. pinnatifolia and M. paniculata are sister species in the phylogenetic tree. In addition, the atpA and ycf2 genes were positively selected in high-altitude species. The functions of these two genes might be involved in adaptation to the extreme environment in the cold and low CO2 concentration conditions at the plateau.

Transition from Flat-Band Localization to Anderson Localization in a One-Dimensional Tasaki Lattice

We report an extensive experimental investigation on the transition from flat-band localization (FBL) to Anderson localization (AL) in a one-dimensional synthetic lattice in the momentum dimension. By driving multiple Bragg processes between designated momentum states, an effective one-dimensional Tasaki lattice is implemented with highly tunable parameters, including nearest-neighbor and next-nearest-neighbor coupling coefficients and onsite energy potentials. With that, a flat-band localization phase is realized and demonstrated via the evolution dynamics of the particle population over different momentum states. The localization effect is undermined when a moderate disorder is introduced to the onsite potential and restored under a strong disorder. We find clear signatures of the FBL-AL transition in the density profile evolution, the inverse participation ratio, and the von Neumann entropy, where good agreement is obtained with theoretical predictions.

Associations of legacy perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, alternatives, and isomers with gestational diabetes mellitus and glucose homeostasis among women conceiving through assisted reproduction in Shanghai, China

Prior research has reported that perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may be linked to impaired glucose homeostasis in pregnant women. However, few studies have investigated PFAS alternatives and isomers, and even less is known about the association among women conceiving through assisted reproductive technology (ART). The prospective cohort study aimed to explore associations of legacy PFAS, alternatives and isomers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and glucose homeostasis during pregnancy among 336 women conceiving through ART. Nineteen PFAS, including nine linear legacy PFAS, four short-chain alternatives, four branched isomers, and two emerging PFAS alternatives, were determined in first-trimester maternal serum. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 1-h and 2-h glucose concentrations following the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured during the second trimester. After adjusting for confounding variables, nearly half of individual PFAS (10/19) and PFAS mixtures were correlated with increased GDM risk or elevated 2-h glucose levels. Among PFAS congeners, emerging PFAS alternatives, chlorinated perfluoroalkyl ether sulfonic acids (Cl-PFESAs), showed a notable association with impaired glucose homeostasis. For example, 6:2 Cl-PFESA exhibited a correlation with GDM (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.02, 1.68) and 2-h glucose concentrations (β = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.08, 0.36), and contributed most to the overall association with 2-h glucose concentrations. Compared to those diagnosed with male factor infertility, the associations were more pronounced in infertile women with reproductive endocrine diseases. We provide evidence that exposure to PFAS, especially emerging PFAS alternatives, may impair glucose homeostasis and increase the risk of GDM among women conceiving through ART.

Gene Expression in Synovium of Rotator Cuff Tear Patients Determined by RNA Sequencing

Rotator cuff tear (RCT) is a common shoulder disorder related to pain and dysfunction. However, the pathological mechanism of RCT remains unclear. Thus, this study aims to investigate the molecular events in RCT synovium and identify possible target genes and pathways as determined by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). The synovial tissue was biopsied from 3 patients with RCT (RCT group) and 3 patients with shoulder instability (Control group) during arthroscopic surgery. Then, differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and micro RNAs (miRNAs) were comprehensively profiled by RNA-Seq. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, and competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network analysis were performed to identify the potential functions of these DE genes. 447 mRNAs, 103 lncRNAs and 15 miRNAs were identified differentially expressed. The DE mRNAs were highlighted in inflammatory pathway including up-regulated T cell costimulation, positive regulation of T cell activation, and T cell receptor signaling. Down-regulated fatty acid degradation pathway and 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling in RCT group are also enriched. Validation assay showed that the expression of pro-inflammatory molecules including IL21R, CCR5, TNFSF11, and MMP11 was significantly increased in RCT group compared with Control group. CeRNA analysis further revealed lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks involving IL21R and TNFSF11 in RCT. Activated synovial inflammation is the remarkable event of RCT. Importantly, increased T cell activation and disordered fatty acid metabolism signaling might play a significant role. ceRNA networks involving IL21R and TNFSF11 identified could potentially control the progression of RCT. In conclusion, our findings could provide new evidence for the molecular mechanisms of RCT and might identify new therapeutic targets.

Targeting blood brain barrier-Remote ischemic conditioning alleviates cognitive impairment in female APP/PS1 rats

AIMS

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a significant global health concern, and it is crucial that we find effective methods to prevent or slow down AD progression. Recent studies have highlighted the essential role of blood vessels in clearing Aβ, a protein that contributes to AD. Scientists are exploring blood biomarkers as a potential tool for future AD diagnosis. One promising method that may help prevent AD is remote ischemic conditioning (RIC). RIC involves using sub-lethal ischemic-reperfusion cycles on limbs. However, a comprehensive understanding of how RIC can prevent AD and its long-term effectiveness is still lacking. Further research is essential to fully comprehend the potential benefits of RIC in preventing AD.

METHODS

Female wild-type (WT) and APP/PS1 transgenic rats, aged 12 months, underwent ovariectomy and were subsequently assigned to WT, APP/PS1, and APP/PS1 + RIC groups. RIC was conducted five times a week for 4 weeks. The rats' depressive and cognitive behaviors were evaluated using force swimming, open-field tests, novel objective recognition, elevated plus maze, and Barnes maze tests. Evaluation of the neurovascular unit (NVU), synapses, vasculature, astrocytes, and microglia was conducted using immunofluorescence staining (IF), Western blot (WB), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Additionally, the cerebro-vasculature was examined using micro-CT, and cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured using Speckle Doppler. Blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability was determined by measuring the Evans blue leakage. Finally, Aβ levels in the rat frontal cortex were measured using WB, ELISA, or IF staining.

RESULTS

RIC enhanced memory-related protein expression and rescued depressive-like behavior and cognitive decline in APP/PS1 transgenic rats. Additionally, the intervention protected NVU in the rat frontal cortex, as evidenced by (1) increased expression of TJ (tight junction) proteins, pericyte marker PDGFRβ, and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), as well as decreased VCAM1; (2) mitigation of ultrastructure impairment in neuron, cerebral vascular, and astrocyte; (3) upregulation of A2 astrocyte phenotype markers and downregulation of A1 phenotype markers, indicating a shift toward a healthier phenotype. Correspondingly, RIC intervention alleviated neuroinflammation, as evidenced by the decreased Iba1 level, a microglia marker. Meanwhile, RIC intervention elevated CBF in frontal cortex of the rats. Notably, RIC intervention effectively suppressed Aβ toxicity, as demonstrated by the enhancement of α-secretase and attenuation of β-secretase (BACE1) and γ- secretase and Aβ1-42 and Aβ1-40 levels as well.

CONCLUSION

Chronic RIC intervention exerts vascular and neuroprotective roles, suggesting that RIC could be a promising therapeutic strategy targeting the BBB and NVU during AD development.

Promoting the Near-Infrared-II Fluorescence of Diketopyrrolopyrrole-Based Dye for In Vivo Imaging via Donor Engineering

Small-molecule dyes for fluorescence imaging in the second near-infrared region (NIR-II, 900-1880 nm) hold great promise in clinical applications. Constructing donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) architectures has been recognized to be a feasible strategy to achieve NIR-II fluorescence. However, the development of NIR-II dyes via such a scheme is hampered by the lack of high-performance electron acceptors and donors. Diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP), as a classic organic optoelectronic material, enjoys strong light absorption, high fluorescence quantum yield (QY), and facile derivatization. Nevertheless, its application in the NIR-II imaging field has been hindered by its limited electron-withdrawing ability and the aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) effect resulting from the planar structure of DPP. Herein, with DPP as an electron acceptor and through donor engineering, we have successfully designed and synthesized a DPP-based dye named T-27, in which the strong D-A interaction confers excellent NIR absorption and high-brightness NIR-II fluorescence tail emission. By strategically introducing long alkyl chains on the donor unit to increase intermolecular spacing and reduce the influence of solvent molecules, T-27 exhibits an improved anti-ACQ effect in aqueous solutions. After being encapsulated into DSPE-PEG2000, T-27 nanoparticles (NPs) show a relative NIR-II fluorescence QY of 3.4% in water, representing the highest value among the DPP-based NIR-II dyes reported to date. The outstanding photophysical properties of T-27 NPs enable multimode NIR-IIa bioimaging under 808 nm excitation. As such, the T-27 NPs can distinguish mouse femoral vein and artery and achieve cerebral vascular microscopic imaging with a penetrating depth of 800 μm, demonstrating the capability for high-resolution deep-tissue imaging. This work holds significant potential in the field of bioimaging and provides a new strategy for developing bright NIR-II dyes.

Risk factors for recurrence of common bile duct stones after surgical treatment and effect of ursodeoxycholic acid intervention

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an accurate diagnostic method for choledocholithiasis and treatment option for stone removal. Additionally, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) can dissolve cholesterol stones and prevent their development and reappearance by lowering the cholesterol concentration in bile. Despite these treatment options, there are still patients who experience stone recurrence.

AIM

To analyze the risk factors for choledocholithiasis recurrence after ERCP retrograde cholangiopancreatography and the effect of UDCA intervention.

METHODS

The clinical data of 100 patients with choledochal stones who were hospitalized at the Yixing People's Hospital and underwent ERCP for successful stone extraction between June 2020 and December 2022 were retrospectively collected. According to the post-ERCP treatment plan, 100 patients were classified into UDCA (n = 47) and control (n = 53) groups. We aimed to assess the clinical efficacy and rate of relapse in the two patient populations. We then collected information (basic demographic data, clinical characteristics, and serum biochemical indicators) and determined the factors contributing to relapse using logistic regression analysis. Our secondary goal was to determine the effects of UDCA on liver function after ERCP.

RESULTS

Compared to the control group, the UDCA group demonstrated a higher clinical effectiveness rate of 92.45% vs 78.72% (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in liver function indices, including total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and aspartate aminotransferase, between the two groups before treatment. After treatment, all liver function indices were significantly reduced. Comparing the control vs UDCA groups, the UDCA group exhibited significantly lower levels of all indices (55.39 ± 6.53 vs 77.31 ± 8.52, 32.10 ± 4.62 vs 45.39 ± 5.69, 142.32 ± 14.21 vs 189.63 ± 16.87, 112.52 ± 14.25 vs 149.36 ± 15.36, 122.61 ± 16.00 vs 171.33 ± 22.09, 96.98 ± 10.44 vs 121.35 ± 11.57, respectively, all P < 0.05). The stone recurrence rate was lower in the UDCA group (13.21%) in contrast with the control group (44.68%). Periampullary diverticula (OR: 6.00, 95%CI: 1.69-21.30), maximum stone diameter (OR: 1.69, 95%CI: 1.01-2.85), stone quantity >3 (OR: 4.23, 95%CI: 1.17-15.26), and positive bile culture (OR: 7.61, 95%CI: 2.07-27.91) were independent factors that influenced the relapse of common bile duct stones after ERCP (P < 0.05). Furthermore, postoperative UDCA was identified as a preventive factor (OR: 0.07; 95%CI: 0.08-0.09).

CONCLUSION

The intervention effect of UDCA after ERCP for common bile duct stones is adequate, providing new research directions and references for the prevention and treatment of stone recurrence.

Kaempferol attenuates wear particle-induced inflammatory osteolysis via JNK and p38-MAPK signaling pathways

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Wear particle-induced inflammatory osteoclast activation is a master contributor to periprosthetic osteolysis, which can cause pathological bone loss and destruction. Hence, inhibiting inflammation and osteoclastogenesis is an important strategy for preventing wear particle-induced osteolysis. To date, there are no FDA-approved non-surgical pharmacotherapies for arresting periprosthetic osteolysis. Kaempferol (KAE), a natural flavonol abundant in many traditional Chinese herbal medicines, has been shown to have protective effects against inflammatory bone diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, but no previous study has evaluated the effects of KAE on wear particle-induced osteolysis.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study aimed to investigate the effects of KAE on wear particle-induced inflammatory osteolysis and osteoclast activation, and further explore the underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

TiAl6V4 metal particles (TiPs) were retrieved from the prosthesis of patients who underwent revision hip arthroplasty due to aseptic loosening. A mouse calvarial osteolysis model was used to investigate the effects of KAE on wear particle-induced inflammatory osteolysis in vivo. Primary bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) were used to explore the effects of KAE on osteoclast differentiation and bone-resorbing activity as well as the underlying mechanisms in vitro.

RESULTS

In the present study, we found that KAE alleviated wear particle-induced inflammatory bone loss in vivo and inhibited osteoclast differentiation and function in vitro. Furthermore, we revealed that KAE exerted anti-osteoclastogenic effects by downregulating JNK and p38-MAPK signaling as well as the downstream NFATc1 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

KAE is an alternative therapeutic agent for preventing and treating periprosthetic osteolysis and aseptic loosening.

Josephin domain containing 2 (JOSD2) promotes lung cancer by inhibiting LKB1 (Liver kinase B1) activity

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) ranks as one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite the prominence and effectiveness of kinase-target therapies in NSCLC treatment, these drugs are suitable for and beneficial to a mere ~30% of NSCLC patients. Consequently, the need for novel strategies addressing NSCLC remains pressing. Deubiquitinases (DUBs), a group of diverse enzymes with well-defined catalytic sites that are frequently overactivated in cancers and associated with tumorigenesis and regarded as promising therapeutic targets. Nevertheless, the mechanisms by which DUBs promote NSCLC remain poorly understood. Through a global analysis of the 97 DUBs' contribution to NSCLC survival possibilities using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we found that high expression of Josephin Domain-containing protein 2 (JOSD2) predicted the poor prognosis of patients. Depletion of JOSD2 significantly impeded NSCLC growth in both cell/patient-derived xenografts in vivo. Mechanically, we found that JOSD2 restricts the kinase activity of LKB1, an important tumor suppressor generally inactivated in NSCLC, by removing K6-linked polyubiquitination, an action vital for maintaining the integrity of the LKB1-STRAD-MO25 complex. Notably, we identified the first small-molecule inhibitor of JOSD2, and observed that its pharmacological inhibition significantly arrested NSCLC proliferation in vitro/in vivo. Our findings highlight the vital role of JOSD2 in hindering LKB1 activity, underscoring the therapeutic potential of targeting JOSD2 in NSCLC, especially in those with inactivated LKB1, and presenting its inhibitors as a promising strategy for NSCLC treatment.

Estimating the frost damage index in lettuce using UAV-based RGB and multispectral images

Introduction

The cold stress is one of the most important factors for affecting production throughout year, so effectively evaluating frost damage is great significant to the determination of the frost tolerance in lettuce.

Methods

We proposed a high-throughput method to estimate lettuce FDI based on remote sensing. Red-Green-Blue (RGB) and multispectral images of open-field lettuce suffered from frost damage were captured by Unmanned Aerial Vehicle platform. Pearson correlation analysis was employed to select FDI-sensitive features from RGB and multispectral images. Then the models were established for different FDI-sensitive features based on sensor types and different groups according to lettuce colors using multiple linear regression, support vector machine and neural network algorithms, respectively.

Results and discussion

Digital number of blue and red channels, spectral reflectance at blue, red and near-infrared bands as well as six vegetation indexes (VIs) were found to be significantly related to the FDI of all lettuce groups. The high sensitivity of four modified VIs to frost damage of all lettuce groups was confirmed. The average accuracy of models were improved by 3% to 14% through a combination of multisource features. Color of lettuce had a certain impact on the monitoring of frost damage by FDI prediction models, because the accuracy of models based on green lettuce group were generally higher. The MULTISURCE-GREEN-NN model with R2 of 0.715 and RMSE of 0.014 had the best performance, providing a high-throughput and efficient technical tool for frost damage investigation which will assist the identification of cold-resistant green lettuce germplasm and related breeding.

Association between combined exposure to dioxins and arthritis among US adults: a cross-sectional study

Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds (DLCs) are common pollutants hazardous to human health. We applied 12 dioxins and DLCs data of 1851 participants (including 484 arthritis patients) from National Health Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2004 and quadrupled them into rank variables. Multivariate logistic regression, weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were used to explore the relationship between individual or mixed exposure to the pollutants and arthritis after adjusting for multiple covariates. In multivariable logistic regression with an individual dioxin or DLC, almost every chemical was significantly positively associated with arthritis, except PCB66 (polychlorinated biphenyl 66) and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptachlorodibenzofuran (hpcdf). The WQS model indicated that the combined exposure to the 12 dioxins and DLCs was positively linked to arthritis (OR: 1.884, 95% CI: 1.514-2.346), with PCB156 (weighted 0.281) making the greatest contribution. A positive trend between combined exposure and arthritis was observed in the BKMR model, with a posterior inclusion probability (PIP) of 0.987 for PCB156, which was also higher than the other contaminants.

FOXP3-regulated lncRNA NONHSAT136151 promotes colorectal cancer progression by disrupting QKI interaction with target mRNAs

The role of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of cancer, including colorectal cancer (CRC), has repeatedly been demonstrated. However, very few lncRNAs have been well annotated functionally. Our study identified a novel lncRNA upregulated in CRC, NONHSAT136151, which was correlated with clinical progression. In functional assays, NONHSAT136151 significantly enhanced CRC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Mechanistically, NONHSAT136151 interacted with RNA-binding protein (RBP) QKI (Quaking) to interfere with QKI binding to target mRNAs and regulate their expression. As well, FOXP3 may be causally related to the dysregulation of NONHSAT136151 in CRC cells through its transcriptional activity. In conclusion, our findings identified a novel lncRNA regulated by FOXP3 participates in CRC progression through interacting with QKI, indicating a novel lncRNA-RBP interaction mechanism is involved in CRC pathogenesis.

Discovery of Ingenane Diterpenoids from Euphorbia hylonoma as Antiadipogenic Agents

Thirteen new Euphorbia diterpenoids, euphylonanes A-M (1-13), and eight known ones were isolated from the whole plants of Euphorbia hylonoma. Compounds 1 and 2 are two rearranged ingenanes bearing a rare 6/6/7/3-fused ring system. Compound 3 represents the first example of a 9,10-epoxy tigliane, while 4-21 are typical ingenanes varying with substituents. Structures were elucidated using a combination of spectroscopic, computational, and chemical methods. Most ingenanes exerted a significant antiadipogenic effect in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, among which 4 was the most active with an EC50 value of 0.60 ± 0.27 μM. Mechanistic study revealed that 4 inhibited the adipogenesis and lipogenesis in adipocytes via activation of the AMPK signaling pathway.

Determination and Correlation of Solubility of N-Acetylglucosamine in Four Aqueous Binary Solvents from 283.15 to 323.15 K

N-Acetylglucosamine (NAG) is a significant novel functional monosaccharide with a wide range of potential applications, such as in the medical and cosmetic fields. A gravimetric technique was used to assess the solubility of NAG in water, methanol, N,N-dimethylformamide, water + methanol, water + n-propanol, water + N,N-dimethylformamide, and water + acetonitrile at temperatures ranging from 283.15 to 323.15 K. The outcomes of the experiment demonstrated that the temperature and water content were positively correlated with the solubility of NAG in four experimental binary solvents. The order of solubility in the four aqueous solvent mixtures is water + DMF > water + methanol > water + n-propanol > water + acetonitrile. The solubility data was well correlated using the modified Apelblat model, the CNIBS/R-K model, and the Apelblat-Jouyban-Acree model. Experimental data from NAG will help guide the design of cooling and dissolution in crystallization processes.

Inhibition of Protein Disulfide Isomerase Attenuates Osteoclast Differentiation and Function via the Readjustment of Cellular Redox State in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

Due to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and heightened activity of osteoclasts, postmenopausal osteoporosis could cause severe pathological bone destruction. Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), an endoplasmic prototypic thiol isomerase, plays a central role in affecting cellular redox state. To test whether suppression of PDI could inhibit osteoclastogenesis through cellular redox regulation, bioinformatics network analysis was performed on the causative genes, followed by biological validation on the osteoclastogenesis in vitro and ovariectomy (OVX) mice model in vivo. The analysis identified PDI as one of gene targets for postmenopausal osteoporosis, which was positively expressed during osteoclastogenesis. Therefore, PDI expression inhibitor and chaperone activity inhibitor were used to verify the effects of PDI inhibitors on osteoclastogenesis. Results demonstrated that PDI inhibitors could reduce osteoclast number and inhibit resorption function via suppression on osteoclast marker genes. The mechanisms behind the scenes were the PDI inhibitors-caused intracellular ROS reduction via enhancement of the antioxidant system. Micro-CT and histological results indicated PDI inhibitors could effectively alleviate or even prevent bone loss in OVX mice. In conclusion, our findings unveiled the suppressive effects of PDI inhibitors on osteoclastogenesis by reducing intracellular ROS, providing new therapeutic options for postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Correlation between kisspeptin and biochemical markers in obese and non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Introduction The purpose of this study was to determine the association between kisspeptin levels and obesity in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or in healthy controls and to explore the correlation between levels of kisspeptin and various endocrine and metabolic indices in each group.Methods From August 2020 to December 2021, the clinical data of 78 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and 78 healthy individuals were collected. The two groups were further divided into obese and non-obese groups based on a BMI cutoff of 25. Serum kisspeptin levels were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pearson's correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation between PCOS and kisspeptin levels.Results The weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC), estradiol (E2), and testosterone (T) of the obese PCOS group were significantly higher than those of the study group (p < .05). WC, kisspeptin, triglycerides (TG), glucose (GLU), alanine amiotransferase (ALT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid (UA), E2, luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), and T in the non-obese PCOS group were higher than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (p < .05). Levels of E2 and TG in the obese PCOS group were significantly higher than those in the non-obese PCOS group (p < .05). Kisspeptin levels in the PCOS group exhibited a significant positive correlation with LH, T, and AMH levels; kisspeptin level positively correlated with T in the non-obese PCOS group and with anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in the obese PCOS group.Conclusion Serum kisspeptin levels are associated with hormone levels in patients with PCOS. Kisspeptin correlates with distinct biochemical indices in obese versus non-obese groups, indicating that kisspeptin may play a role in the prognostication, treatment, and clinical evaluation of patients with varying BMI.

Terpenoids from the endophytic fungus Microdiplodia sp. and their anti-inflammatory activities

Motivated by the potential anti-inflammatory effect of the crude extract of endophytic fungus Microdiplodia sp. CJ01 derived from Camellia sinensis, chemical investigation of the extract of Microdiplodia sp. CJ01 led to the isolation and identification of sixteen terpenoids, including five undescribed eremophilane sesquiterpenoids named microdiplodins A-E (1-5), one undescribed meroterpenoid 13-carboxymacrophorin A (13), seven known eremophilane sesquiterpenoids (6-12), and three known meroterpenoids (14-16). The structures of these compounds were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic analysis, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) data. Their absolute configurations were determined by calculational and experimental electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data. Anti-inflammatory activity assays revealed that compounds 3, 4, 14-16 exhibited moderate inhibitory effects on the production of nitric oxide (NO) in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.

Extensive ischemic gastroduodenal necrosis caused by antihypertensive drug overdose in a young man

To raise the awareness of the rare and life-threatening clinical entity, we report a 23-year-old male presenting with acute abdomen who was finally diagnosed with gastroduodenal necrosis due to gut hypoperfusion after antihypertensive drug overdose.

Triptolide induces PANoptosis in macrophages and causes organ injury in mice

Macrophages represent the first lines of innate defense against pathogenic infections and are poised to undergo multiple forms of regulated cell death (RCD) upon infections or toxic stimuli, leading to multiple organ injury. Triptolide, an active compound isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F., possesses various pharmacological activities including anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory effects, but its applications have been hampered by toxic adverse effects. It remains unknown whether and how triptolide induces different forms of RCD in macrophages. In this study, we showed that triptolide exhibited significant cytotoxicity on cultured macrophages in vitro, which was associated with multiple forms of lytic cell death that could not be fully suppressed by any one specific inhibitor for a single form of RCD. Consistently, triptolide induced the simultaneous activation of pyroptotic, apoptotic and necroptotic hallmarks, which was accompanied by the co-localization of ASC specks respectively with RIPK3 or caspase-8 as well as their interaction with each other, indicating the formation of PANoptosome and thus the induction of PANoptosis. Triptolide-induced PANoptosis was associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS production. PANoptosis was also induced by triptolide in mouse peritoneal macrophages in vivo. Furthermore, triptolide caused kidney and liver injury, which was associated with systemic inflammatory responses and the activation of hallmarks for PANoptosis in vivo. Collectively, our data reveal that triptolide induces PANoptosis in macrophages in vitro and exhibits nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity associated with induction of PANoptosis in vivo, suggesting a new avenue to alleviate triptolide's toxicity by harnessing PANoptosis.

A Simplified Screening Model to Predict the Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Pregnant Chinese Women

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to develop a simplified screening model to identify pregnant Chinese women at risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in the first trimester.

METHODS

This prospective study included 1289 pregnant women in their first trimester (6-12 weeks of gestation) with clinical parameters and laboratory data. Logistic regression was performed to extract coefficients and select predictors. The performance of the prediction model was assessed in terms of discrimination and calibration. Internal validation was performed through bootstrapping (1000 random samples).

RESULTS

The prevalence of GDM in our study cohort was 21.1%. Maternal age, prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), a family history of diabetes, fasting blood glucose levels, the alanine transaminase to aspartate aminotransferase ratio (ALT/AST), and the triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C) were selected for inclusion in the prediction model. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test showed good consistency between prediction and actual observation, and bootstrapping indicated good internal performance. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC) of the multivariate logistic regression model and the simplified clinical screening model was 0.825 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.797-0.853, P < 0.001) and 0.784 (95% CI 0.750-0.818, P < 0.001), respectively. The performance of our prediction model was superior to that of three other published models.

CONCLUSION

We developed a simplified clinical screening model for predicting the risk of GDM in pregnant Chinese women. The model provides a feasible and convenient protocol to identify women at high risk of GDM in early pregnancy. Further validations are needed to evaluate the performance of the model in other populations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03246295.

In Situ Self-Fluorescence 3D Imaging of Micro/Nano Damage in Silicone Gel for Understanding Insulation Failure under High-Frequency Electric Fields

Strong electromagnetic and heat flux stresses can induce severe damage to solid insulation materials, leading to faults in power equipment and power electronics devices. However, in the absence of suitable in situ imaging methods for observing the development and morphology of electrical damage within insulation materials, the mechanism of insulation failure under high-frequency electric fields has remained elusive. In this work, a recently discovered fluorescence self-excitation phenomenon in electrical damage channels of polymers is used as the basis for a laser confocal imaging method that is able to realize three-dimensional (3D) in situ imaging of electrical tree channels in silicone gel through nondestructive means. Based on the reconstructed morphology of the damaged area, a spatial equivalent calculation model is proposed for analysis of the 3D geometric features of electrical trees. The insulation failure mechanism of silicone gel under electric fields of different frequencies is analyzed through ReaxFF molecular dynamics simulations of the thermal cracking process. This work provides a new method for in situ nondestructive 3D imaging of micro/nanoscale damage structures within polymers with potential applications to material analysis and defect diagnosis.

The effects of precipitation change on urban meadows in different design models and substrates

Climate change, such as temperature and precipitation changes, is becoming increasingly obvious, and in this context, planting designs need to urgently consider future climate change in advance. A field experiment was conducted in Beijing, China, where the future precipitation is predicted to increase, and extra irrigation was used to simulate the future precipitation increase. The species richness of sown meadows, including spontaneous plants and sown plants, and the adaptive strategies of the communities were recorded under different types of design models and substrates. The results showed that precipitation increased the diversity of sown plants and resource-demanding spontaneous plants but had no significant effect on the dry matter content of the entire community of species. Moreover, the interactions among precipitation and substrate, especially the design models, were significant. Of the models, the three-layer model had the highest species richness and least invasive plants. In addition, increased precipitation significantly changed the functional strategy of the plant community away from ruderals and towards competitor-stress tolerant species. This study provides guidance for the design and management of naturalistic plant communities under climate change.

Value of multi-channel somatosensory evoked potentials recording in patients undergoing scoliosis correction surgery

PURPOSE

We aimed to investigate the value of intraoperative multi-channel recording of somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) in patients undergoing posterior instrumentation surgery with fusion.

METHODS

This study included 176 patients with scoliosis who underwent posterior correction surgery from January 2019 to June 2020. Among them, 88 patients underwent routine SSEPs monitoring via single-channel (Cz'-Fpz) cortical recording (control group), while the remaining 88 patients underwent multi-channel (Cz'-Fpz and C3'-C4') SSEPs monitoring in the cortex. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to analyze the influence of age, spinal deformity classification, and Cobb angle on waveform differentiation and the success rate of SSEPs monitoring.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis revealed that age, type of scoliosis, and Cobb angle exerted significant effects on the success rate of intraoperative SSEPs monitoring, and the SSEPs waveform differentiation rate was poorest among patients with congenital scoliosis. Intraoperative monitoring results indicated that the success rate of single-channel SSEPs monitoring was 90.9%, while that of multi-channel monitoring was 98.9% (P < 0.05). Among the intraoperative alarm cases, the incidence of adverse events after single-channel SSEPs monitoring was 66.7%, while the incidence of adverse events after multi-channel SSEPs monitoring was only 28.6%.

CONCLUSION

Multi-channel cortical SSEPs monitoring can effectively and accurately evaluate the function of the posterior column of the spinal cord. Use of multi-channel SSEP monitoring may help to improve the success rate of monitoring and reduce the incidence of postoperative adverse events in patients with congenital scoliosis.

Exploring environmental obesogenous effects of organic ultraviolet filters on children from a case-control study

It has been globally recognized that obesity has become a major public health concern, especially childhood obesity. There is limited information, however, regarding the exposure risk of organic ultraviolet (UV) filters, a kind of emerging contaminant, on childhood obesity. This study would be made on 284 obese and 220 non-obese Chinese children with eight organic UV filters at urinary levels. The eight organic UV filters, including 2-Ethylhexyl 4-aminobenzoate (PABA-E), octisalate (EHS), homosalate (HMS), 2-Ethylhexyl-p-methoxycinnamate (EHMC), benzophenone-3 (BP-3), amiloxate (IAMC), octocrylene (OC) and 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC) were identified in urine samples with detection rates ranged from 35.32% to 100%, among which PABA-E, HMS, IAMC and OC were firstly detected in children' s urine. And the urinary UV filters concentration was associated with genders, living sites, guardian education levels, household income, and dietary factors. Urinary EHMC concentrations and childhood obesity were positively associated for girls [Adjusted OR = 2.642 (95% CI: 1.019, 6.853)], while OC concentrations and childhood obesity were negatively associated for girls [Adjusted OR = 0.022 (95% CI: 0.001, 0.817)]. The results suggest that EHMC exposure may be an environmental obesogen for girls. Moreover, two statistical models were used separately to evaluate the impact of UV filter mixtures on childhood obesity, including the Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model and the quantile g-computation (qgcomp) model. The negative association between UV filter mixtures and childhood obesity was proposed from both BKMR and qgcomp models. Further experimental and epidemiological studies are called upon to discern the individual and mixture impacts of organic UV filters on childhood obesity.

Tetrandrine synergizes with MAPK inhibitors in treating KRAS-mutant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma via collaboratively modulating the TRAIL-death receptor axis

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive and lethal malignancies lacking effective therapies. KRAS mutations that occur in over 90% of PDAC are major oncogenic drivers of PDAC. The MAPK signaling pathway plays a central role in KRAS-driven oncogenic signaling. However, pharmacological inhibitors of the MAPK pathway are poorly responded in KRAS-mutant PDAC, raising a compelling need to understand the mechanism behind and to seek new therapeutic solutions. Herein, we perform a screen utilizing a library composed of 800 naturally-derived bioactive compounds to identify natural products that are able to sensitize KRAS-mutant PDAC cells to the MAPK inhibition. We discover that tetrandrine, a natural bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, shows a synergistic effect with MAPK inhibitors in PDAC cells and xenograft models. Mechanistically, pharmacological inhibition of the MAPK pathway exhibits a double-edged impact on the TRAIL-death receptor axis, transcriptionally upregulating TRAIL yet downregulating its agonistic receptors DR4 and DR5, which may explain the limited therapeutic outcomes of MAPK inhibitors in KRAS-mutant PDAC. Of great interest, tetrandrine stabilizes DR4/DR5 protein via impairing ubiquitination-mediated protein degradation, thereby allowing a synergy with MAPK inhibition in inducing apoptosis in KRAS-mutant PDAC. Our findings identify a new combinatorial approach for treating KRAS-mutant PDAC and highlight the role of TRAIL-DR4/DR5 axis in dictating the therapeutic outcome in KRAS-mutant PDAC.