An experimental model for primary neuropathic corneal pain induced by long ciliary nerve ligation in rats

ABSTRACT

Neuropathic corneal pain (NCP) is a new and ill-defined disease characterized by pain, discomfort, aching, burning sensation, irritation, dryness, and grittiness. However, the mechanism underlying NCP remain unclear. Here, we reported a novel rat model of primary NCP induced by long ciliary nerve (LCN) ligation. After sustained LCN ligation, the rats developed increased corneal mechanical and chemical sensitivity, spontaneous blinking, and photophobia, which were ameliorated by intraperitoneal injection of morphine or gabapentin. However, neither tear reduction nor corneal injury was observed in LCN-ligated rats. Furthermore, after LCN ligation, the rats displayed a significant reduction in corneal nerve density, as well as increased tortuosity and beading nerve ending. Long ciliary nerve ligation also notably elevated corneal responsiveness under resting or menthol-stimulated conditions. At a cellular level, we observed that LCN ligation increased calcitonin gene-related peptide (neuropeptide)-positive cells in the trigeminal ganglion (TG). At a molecular level, upregulated mRNA levels of ion channels Piezo2, TRPM8, and TRPV1, as well as inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, were also detected in the TG after LCN ligation. Meanwhile, consecutive oral gabapentin attenuated LCN ligation-induced corneal hyperalgesia and increased levels of ion channels and inflammation factors in TG. This study provides a reliable primary NCP model induced by LCN ligation in rats using a simple, minimally invasive surgery technique, which may help shed light on the underlying cellular and molecular bases of NCP and aid in developing a new treatment for the disease.

Heterogeneous sampled subgraph neural networks with knowledge distillation to enhance double-blind compound-protein interaction prediction

Identifying binding compounds against a target protein is crucial for large-scale virtual screening in drug development. Recently, network-based methods have been developed for compound-protein interaction (CPI) prediction. However, they are difficult to be applied to unseen (i.e., never-seen-before) proteins and compounds. In this study, we propose SgCPI to incorporate local known interacting networks to predict CPI interactions. SgCPI randomly samples the local CPI network of the query compound-protein pair as a subgraph and applies a heterogeneous graph neural network (HGNN) to embed the active/inactive message of the subgraph. For unseen compounds and proteins, SgCPI-KD takes SgCPI as the teacher model to distillate its knowledge by estimating the potential neighbors. Experimental results indicate: (1) the sampled subgraphs of the CPI network introduce efficient knowledge for unseen molecular prediction with the HGNNs, and (2) the knowledge distillation strategy is beneficial to the double-blind interaction prediction by estimating molecular neighbors and distilling knowledge.

Clostridioides difficile infection in inflammatory bowel disease: a clinical review

INTRODUCTION

Strong clinical data demonstrate that inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an independent risk factor for Clostridiodes difficile infection (CDI) and suggest a globally increased prevalence and severity of C. difficile coinfection in IBD patients (CDI-IBD). In addition to elderly individuals, children are also at higher risk of CDI-IBD. Rapid diagnosis is essential since the clinical manifestations of active IBD and CDI-IBD are indistinguishable. Antibiotics have been well established in the treatment of CDI-IBD, but they do not prevent recurrence.

AREAS COVERED

Herein, the authors focus on reviewing recent research advances on the new therapies of CDI-IBD. The novel therapies include gut microbiota restoration therapies (such as prebiotics, probiotics and FMT), immunotherapy (such as vaccines and monoclonal antibodies) and diet strategies (such as groningen anti-inflammatory diet and mediterranean diet). Future extensive prospective and placebo-controlled studies are required to evaluate their efficacy and long-term safety.

EXPERT OPINION

Available studies show that the prevalence of CDI-IBD is not optimistic. Currently, potential treatment options for CDI-IBD include a number of probiotics and novel antibiotics. This review updates the knowledge on the management of CDI in IBD patients, which is timely and important for GI doctors and scientists.

Development and validation of a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of 10 mycotoxins in beer of the Chinese market and exposure estimate

Mycotoxins are important risk factors in beer. In this study, a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed to determine 10 mycotoxins in beer within 6 min. The method is fast, efficient, and has a simple and quick sample preparation. Validation was conducted based on the performance standards specified in Commission Decision 657/2002/EC, and the results demonstrated excellent linearity (R2 > 0.99), repeatability (RSD < 5 %), quantification limits (0.005-20.246 µg/L), and recovery rates (77 %-118 %). The prevalence of the 10 mycotoxins in 96 beers purchased from the Chinese market was analyzed, and the exposure of the Chinese population to mycotoxins through beer consumption was assessed. Deoxynivalenol (DON) was detected in 93.75 % of the beers, and the incidence of fumonisins (FBs) and zearalenone (ZEN) exceeded 50 %. Beer intake contributed significantly to the exposure of aflatoxins (AFs) and DON, especially in males. Correlation analysis between mycotoxin content in beer, raw materials, and the brewing process revealed that the brewing process significantly affected the content of DON (P < 0.001), while auxiliary materials also had a significant impact on the content of FBs and DON (P < 0.001). This study holds great significance in producing higher quality and safer beer.

The rapid proximity labeling system PhastID identifies ATP6AP1 as an unconventional GEF for Rheb

Rheb is a small G protein that functions as the direct activator of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) to coordinate signaling cascades in response to nutrients and growth factors. Despite extensive studies, the guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) that directly activates Rheb remains unclear, at least in part due to the dynamic and transient nature of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) that are the hallmarks of signal transduction. Here, we report the development of a rapid and robust proximity labeling system named Pyrococcus horikoshii biotin protein ligase (PhBPL)-assisted biotin identification (PhastID) and detail the insulin-stimulated changes in Rheb-proximity protein networks that were identified using PhastID. In particular, we found that the lysosomal V-ATPase subunit ATP6AP1 could dynamically interact with Rheb. ATP6AP1 could directly bind to Rheb through its last 12 amino acids and utilizes a tri-aspartate motif in its highly conserved C-tail to enhance Rheb GTP loading. In fact, targeting the ATP6AP1 C-tail could block Rheb activation and inhibit cancer cell proliferation and migration. Our findings highlight the versatility of PhastID in mapping transient PPIs in live cells, reveal ATP6AP1's role as an unconventional GEF for Rheb, and underscore the importance of ATP6AP1 in integrating mTORC1 activation signals through Rheb, filling in the missing link in Rheb/mTORC1 activation.

High-Valent Copper Catalysis Enables Regioselective Fluoroarylation of Gem-Difluorinated Cyclopropanes

Transition-metal (TM) catalyzed reaction of gem-difluorinated cyclopropanes (gem-DFCPs) has drawn much attention recently. The reaction generally occurs via the activation of the distal C─C bond in gem-DFCPs by a low-valent TM through oxidative addition, eventually producing mono-fluoro olefins as the coupling products. However, achieving regioselective activation of the proximal C─C bond in gem-DFCPs that overcomes the intrinsic reactivity via TM catalysis remains elusive. Here, a new reaction mode of gem-DFCPs enabled by high-valent copper catalysis, which allows exclusive activation of the congested proximal C─C bond is presented. The reaction that achieves fluoroarylation of gem-DFCPs uses NFSI (N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide) as electrophilic fluoro reagent and arenes as the C─H nucleophiles, enabling the synthesis of diverse CF3-containing scaffolds. It is proposed that a high-valent copper species plays an important role in the regioselective activation of the proximal C─C bond possibly via a σ-bond metathesis.

Comprehensive assessment and treatment strategies for dysphagia in the elderly population: Current status and prospects

As the population ages, the prevalence of dysphagia among older adults is a growing concern. Age-related declines in physiological function, coupled with neurological disorders and structural changes in the pharynx associated with aging, can result in weakened tongue propulsion, a prolonged reaction time of the submental muscles, delayed closure of the laryngeal vestibule, and delayed opening of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES), increasing the risk of dysphagia. Dysphagia impacts the physical health of the elderly, leading to serious complications such as dehydration, aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, and even life-threatening conditions, and it also detrimentally affects their psychological and social well-being. There is a significant correlation between frailty, sarcopenia, and dysphagia in the elderly population. Therefore, older adults should be screened for dysphagia to identify both frailty and sarcopenia. A reasonable diagnostic approach for dysphagia involves screening, clinical assessment, and instrumental diagnosis. In terms of treatment, multidisciplinary collaboration, rehabilitation training, and the utilization of new technologies are essential. Future research will continue to concentrate on these areas to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of dysphagia, with the ultimate aim of enhancing the quality of life of the elderly population.

Drug repurposing for cancer therapy

Cancer, a complex and multifactorial disease, presents a significant challenge to global health. Despite significant advances in surgical, radiotherapeutic and immunological approaches, which have improved cancer treatment outcomes, drug therapy continues to serve as a key therapeutic strategy. However, the clinical efficacy of drug therapy is often constrained by drug resistance and severe toxic side effects, and thus there remains a critical need to develop novel cancer therapeutics. One promising strategy that has received widespread attention in recent years is drug repurposing: the identification of new applications for existing, clinically approved drugs. Drug repurposing possesses several inherent advantages in the context of cancer treatment since repurposed drugs are typically cost-effective, proven to be safe, and can significantly expedite the drug development process due to their already established safety profiles. In light of this, the present review offers a comprehensive overview of the various methods employed in drug repurposing, specifically focusing on the repurposing of drugs to treat cancer. We describe the antitumor properties of candidate drugs, and discuss in detail how they target both the hallmarks of cancer in tumor cells and the surrounding tumor microenvironment. In addition, we examine the innovative strategy of integrating drug repurposing with nanotechnology to enhance topical drug delivery. We also emphasize the critical role that repurposed drugs can play when used as part of a combination therapy regimen. To conclude, we outline the challenges associated with repurposing drugs and consider the future prospects of these repurposed drugs transitioning into clinical application.

Cell-type-specific optogenetic fMRI on basal forebrain reveals functional network basis of behavioral preference

The basal forebrain (BF) is a complex structure that plays key roles in regulating various brain functions. However, it remains unclear how cholinergic and non-cholinergic BF neurons modulate large-scale functional networks and their relevance in intrinsic and extrinsic behaviors. With an optimized awake mouse optogenetic fMRI approach, we revealed that optogenetic stimulation of four BF neuron types evoked distinct cell-type-specific whole-brain BOLD activations, which could be attributed to BF-originated low-dimensional structural networks. Additionally, optogenetic activation of VGLUT2, ChAT, and PV neurons in the BF modulated the preference for locomotion, exploration, and grooming, respectively. Furthermore, we uncovered the functional network basis of the above BF-modulated behavioral preference through a decoding model linking the BF-modulated BOLD activation, low-dimensional structural networks, and behavioral preference. To summarize, we decoded the functional network basis of differential behavioral preferences with cell-type-specific optogenetic fMRI on the BF and provided an avenue for investigating mouse behaviors from a whole-brain view.

Association between abnormal lipid metabolism and Alzheimer's disease: New research has revealed significant findings on the APOE4 genotype in microglia

APOE4 is widely recognized as a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), implicated in 60-80% of all AD cases. Recent research suggests that microglia carrying the APOE4 genotype display abnormal lipid metabolism and accumulate lipid droplets, which may exacerbate the pathology of AD. Microglia play a critical role in immune surveillance within the central nervous system and are responsible for removing harmful particles and preserving neuronal function. The APOE4 genotype causes abnormal lipid metabolism in microglia, resulting in excessive accumulation of lipid droplets. This accumulation not only impairs the phagocytic and clearance capabilities of microglia but also disrupts their interactions with neurons, resulting in disorganization and neurodegenerative alterations at the neuronal network level. In addition, the presence of APOE4 modifies the metabolic landscape of microglia, particularly affecting purinergic signaling and lipid metabolism, thereby exacerbating the pathological processes of AD. In conclusion, the accumulation of lipid droplets and abnormal lipid metabolism may be critical mechanisms in the progression of AD in microglia carrying the APOE4 genotype.

Regional Inequality and Associated Factors of Emergency Medicine Beds Distribution in China

Objective: The regional inequality of emergency medicine beds distribution has a great impact on population health as well as the accessibility of emergency services. This study aimed to explore the regional inequality of emergency medicine bed distribution and its influencing factors. Methods: The Gini coefficient and health resource agglomeration were used to analyze the regional inequality of emergency medicine beds distribution by area from 2012 to 2021 in China. Grey correlation models were used to explore the factors influencing the regional inequality of emergency medicine beds distribution. Results: From 2012 to 2021, Gini coefficients of emergency medicine beds distribution by geographic in China showed a worsening trend, rising from 0.6229 to 0.6636. The average HRAD index was 3.43 in the east and 0.44 in the west. Population structure factors have the greatest influence on the regional inequality of emergency medicine beds distribution. Conclusion: Health resources allocation strategy only according to population size should be changed. In formulating policies for emergency medicine beds allocation should take into account population structure, financial structure of expenditure, the inequality of geographical distribution and so on.

Selectivity in Rh-catalysis with gem-difluorinated cyclopropanes

Small-ring chemistry is a fascinating field in organic chemistry. gem-Difluorinated cyclopropanes, a unique class of cyclopropanes, have garnered significant interest due to their intrinsic high reactivity. In this context, gem-difluorinated cyclopropanes have been extensively investigated as fluoroallylic synthons in Pd-catalyzed ring-opening/cross-coupling reactions for the synthesis of monofluoroalkenes with linear or branched selectivity. In contrast, Rh-catalysis has revealed diverse selectivity in the reaction of gem-difluorinated cyclopropanes, such as regioselectivity, enantioselectivity, and chemoselectivity. This feature article aims to summarize our efforts towards developing Rh-catalyzed reactions of gem-difluorinated cyclopropanes, briefly discussing the design, selectivity, reaction mechanisms and future research prospects.

Diversified Synthesis of Chiral Fluorinated Cyclobutane Derivatives Enabled by Regio- and Enantioselective Hydroboration

The diversified synthesis of chiral fluorinated cyclobutane derivatives has remained a difficult task in synthetic chemistry. Herein, we present an approach for asymmetric hydroboration and formal hydrodefluorination of gem-difluorinated cyclobutenes through rhodium catalysis, providing chiral gem-difluorinated α-boryl cyclobutanes and monofluorinated cyclobutenes with excellent regio- and enantioselectivity, respectively. The key to the success of the two transformations relies on an efficient, mild and highly selective rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydroboration with HBPin (pinacolborane), in which the subsequent addition of a base, and a catalytic amount of palladium in some cases, results in the formation of formal hydrodefluorination products with the four-membered ring retained. The obtained chiral gem-difluorinated α-boryl cyclobutanes are versatile building blocks that provide a platform for the synthesis of enantioenriched fluorinated cyclobutane derivatives to a great diversity.

Effect of SIRT1 gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms on susceptibility to type 1 diabetes in a Han Chinese population

AIMS

SIRT1 deficiency has been associated with diabetes, and a variant of the SIRT1 gene has been found to be involved in human autoimmune diabetes; however, it is unclear whether this genetic variation exists in Han Chinese with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and whether it contributes to development of T1D. Therefore, we aimed to explore the association of the SIRT1 gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs10997866 and rs3818292 in a Han Chinese population with T1D.

METHODS

This study recruited 2653 unrelated Han Chinese individuals, of whom 1289 had T1D and 1364 were healthy controls. Allelic and genotypic distributions of SIRT1 polymorphisms (rs10997866 and rs3818292) were determined by MassARRAY. Basic characteristics, genotype and allele frequencies of selected SNPs were compared between the T1D patients and healthy controls. Further genotype-phenotype association analysis of the SNPs was performed on the T1D patients divided into three groups according to genotype. Statistical analyses included the chi-square test, Mann‒Whitney U test, Kruskal‒Wallis H test and logistic regression.

RESULTS

The allelic (G vs. A) and genotypic (GA vs. AA) distributions of SIRT1 rs10997866 were significantly different in T1D patients and healthy controls (P = 0.039, P = 0.027), and rs10997866 was associated with T1D susceptibility under dominant, overdominant and additive models (P = 0.026, P = 0.030 and P = 0.027, respectively). Moreover, genotype-phenotype association analysis showed the GG genotype of rs10997866 and the GG genotype of rs3818292 to be associated with higher titers of IA-2A (P = 0.013 and P = 0.038, respectively).

CONCLUSION

SIRT1 rs10997866 is significantly associated with T1D susceptibility, with the minor allele G conferring a higher risk of T1D. Moreover, SIRT1 gene rs10997866 and rs3818292 correlate with the titer of IA-2A in Han Chinese individuals with T1D.

Management of an Esophago-pleural Fistula after Emergent Endoscopic Variceal Injectional Sclerotherapy: A Case Report And Literature Review

A 48-year-old man developed sudden-onset haematemesis and melena after decompensated posthepatitic cirrhosis. Endoscopic variceal injectional sclerotherapy was emergently performed. However, the patient developed esophago-pleural fistula, empyema, and liver failure. He thus received symptomatic treatments and nasojejunal feedings, which failed to restore the nutrition as the gastroesophageal reflux exacerbated the hydrothorax. Percutaneous endoscopic gastro-jejunal (PEG-J) was therefore carefully performed for enteral nutrition support. The patient had recovered from the fistula at a six-month follow-up, which allowed the resumption of an oral diet. Our literature review revealed that PEG-J is a feasible approach to treating esophago-pleural fistula, a rare but lethal complication of endoscopic sclerotherapy.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Enantio- and Regioselective Allylation of Indoles with gem-Difluorinated Cyclopropanes

The use of gem-difluorinated cyclopropanes (gem-DFCPs) as fluoroallyl surrogates under transition-metal catalysis has drawn considerable attention recently but such reactions are restricted to producing achiral or racemic mono-fluoroalkenes. Herein, we report the first enantioselective allylation of indoles under rhodium catalysis with gem-DFCPs. This reaction shows exceptional branched regioselectivity towards rhodium catalysis with gem-DFCPs, which provides an efficient route to enantioenriched fluoroallylated indoles with wide substrate scope and good functional group tolerance.

Analyzing gully erosion and deposition patterns in loess tableland: Insights from small baseline subset interferometric synthetic aperture radar (SBAS InSAR)

The fragile Loess Plateau of China suffers substantial gully erosion. It is imperative to elucidate gully erosion patterns for implementing effective erosion control strategies. However, high spatiotemporal resolution quantification of gully dynamics remains limited across the Loess Plateau landscape. We utilized the small baseline subset interferometric synthetic aperture radar (SBAS InSAR) technique to investigate the phenomenon of gully erosion and deposition on the Dongzhiyuan tableland, which sits within the vast expanse of the Loess Plateau in China, over the period spanning 2020-2022. The tableland edges subsided while gully bottoms uplifted due to sedimentation. Low elevations underwent active deformation. Slope, aspect, and curvature modulated uplift and subsidence patterns by affecting runoff and sediment transport. Gentle downstream slopes displayed enhanced sedimentation. Southern gullies showed pronounced uplift compared to northern gullies. Heavy rainfall triggered extensive erosion followed by rapid uplift, reflecting an adaptive oscillation between erosion and deposition. Basin hydrology correlated with spatial patterns of deformation. Vegetation cover above 60 % of the maximum substantially increased InSAR error. Our study reveals intricate spatiotemporal behaviors of erosion and deposition in loess gullies using time-series InSAR. The findings provide new insights into gully geomorphology and evolution, and our study quantifies gully erosion and deposition patterns at high spatiotemporal resolution, enabling identification of the most vulnerable areas and prioritization of conservation efforts.

Modular Synthesis of Fully-Substituted and Configuration-Defined Alkyl Vinyl Ethers Enabled by Dual-Functional Copper Catalysis

Here we present a modular, chemo-, regio-, and stereoselective synthesis of fully-substituted and configuration-defined alkyl vinyl ethers (AVEs) using simple chemical feedstocks. The distinctive approach involves the chemo- and regioselective functionalization of the CF2 unit in gem-difluorinated cyclopropanes with O-H and C-H nucleophiles in a specific order. The resulting highly functionalized cyclopropanyl ethers then undergo a stereoselective ring-opening process to produce fully-substituted and configuration-defined AVEs. These AVEs are rarely accessible through conventional methods and are easily transformable. Mechanistic experiments indicate that the success of this method relies on the use of dual-functional copper catalysis, which is involved in both the functionalization of the CF2 unit and the subsequent ring-opening process.

A comprehensive survey on protein-ligand binding site prediction

Protein-ligand binding site prediction is critical for protein function annotation and drug discovery. Biological experiments are time-consuming and require significant equipment, materials, and labor resources. Developing accurate and efficient computational methods for protein-ligand interaction prediction is essential. Here, we summarize the key challenges associated with ligand binding site (LBS) prediction and introduce recently published methods from their input features, computational algorithms, and ligand types. Furthermore, we investigate the specificity of allosteric site identification as a particular LBS type. Finally, we discuss the prospective directions for machine learning-based LBS prediction in the near future.

Silencing PinX1 enhances radiosensitivity and antitumor-immunity of radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

We aimed to investigate the effects of PinX1 on non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) radiosensitivity and radiotherapy-associated tumor immune microenvironment and its mechanisms.

METHODS

The effect of PinX1 silencing on radiosensitivity in NSCLC was assessed by colony formation and CCK8 assay, immunofluorescence detection of γ- H2AX and micronucleus assay. Western blot was used to assess the effect of PinX1 silencing on DNA damage repair pathway and cGAS-STING pathway. The nude mouse and Lewis lung cancer mouse model were used to assess the combined efficacy of PinX1 silencing and radiotherapy in vivo. Changes in the tumor immune microenvironment were assessed by flow cytometry for different treatment modalities in the Lewis luuse model. The interaction protein RBM10 was screened by immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

Silencing PinX1 enhanced radiosensitivity and activation of the cGAS-STING pathway while attenuating the DNA damage repair pathway. Silencing PinX1 further increases radiotherapy-stimulated CD8+ T cell infiltration and activation, enhances tumor control and improves survival in vivo; Moreover, PinX1 downregulation improves the anti-tumor efficacy of radioimmunotherapy, increases radioimmune-stimulated CD8+ T cell infiltration, and reprograms M2-type macrophages into M1-type macrophages in tumor tissues. The interaction of PinX1 and RBM10 may promote telomere maintenance by assisting telomerase localization to telomeres, thereby inhibiting the immunostimulatory effects of IR.

CONCLUSIONS

In NSCLC, silencing PinX1 significantly contributed to the radiosensitivity and promoted the efficacy of radioimmunotherapy. Mechanistically, PinX1 may regulate the transport of telomerase to telomeres through interacting with RBM10, which promotes telomere maintenance and DNA stabilization. Our findings reveal that PinX1 is a potential target to enhance the efficacy of radioimmunotherapy in NSCLC patients.

MAP3K1 regulates female reproductive tract development

Mitogen-activated protein 3 kinase 1 (MAP3K1) has a plethora of cell type-specific functions not yet fully understood. Herein, we describe a role for MAP3K1 in female reproductive tract (FRT) development. MAP3K1 kinase domain-deficient female mice exhibited an imperforate vagina, labor failure and infertility. These defects corresponded with shunted Müllerian ducts (MDs), the embryonic precursors of FRT, that manifested as a contorted caudal vagina and abrogated vaginal-urogenital sinus fusion in neonates. The MAP3K1 kinase domain is required for optimal activation of the Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) and cell polarity in the MD epithelium, and for upregulation of WNT signaling in the mesenchyme surrounding the caudal MD. The MAP3K1-deficient epithelial cells and MD epithelium had reduced expression of WNT7B ligands. Correspondingly, conditioned media derived from MAP3K1-competent, but not -deficient, epithelial cells activated a TCF/Lef-luciferase reporter in fibroblasts. These observations indicate that MAP3K1 regulates MD caudal elongation and FRT development, in part through the induction of paracrine factors in the epithelium that trans-activate WNT signaling in the mesenchyme.

Transplantation of Neural Stem Cells-Overexpressed Ku70 Improves Neurological Deficits in a Mice Model of Cerebral Ischemia Stroke

Cerebral ischemic stroke is a cerebrovascular disease, which is related to DNA damage. Many researches have shown that Ku70 is a key regulator for DNA damage. Here, we aimed to explore Ku70 roles in cerebral ischemic stroke and its potential molecular mechanism. In our study, neural stem cells (NSCs) were induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) for constructing cerebral ischemic stroke cell model. CCK8 assay, Brdu/GFP staining, flow cytometry and TUNEL staining were performed to examine cell proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis, respectively. Relative mRNA and protein levels were detected by quantitative real-time PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. Ku70 positive cells were examined by immunofluorescence staining. Comet assay was employed to determine DNA damage. Animal experiments were performed to assess the effect of transplanting NSCs and Ku70-overexpressed NSCs on neurological deficits, infarct volume, brain edema and blood‒brain barrier (BBB) integrity in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model. Our data found that Ku70 expression was decreased in NSCs after OGD/R. Overexpression of Ku70 reduced DNA damage and apoptosis of OGD/R-induced NSCs. Knockdown of Ku70 promoted the activity of ATM/p53. Moreover, KU60019 (ATM-specific inhibitor) reversed the promoting effects of Ku70 silencing on DNA damage and apoptosis in OGD/R-induced NSCs. In animal experiments, transplantation of NSCs-overexpressed Ku70 enhanced cell survival, improved motor function, reduced infarct volume, relieved brain edema and alleviated BBB dysfunction in MCAO mice models. In conclusion, Ku70 overexpression repressed the DNA damage and apoptosis in OGD/R-induced NSCs by regulating ATM/p53 pathway, and transplantation of NSCs-overexpressed Ku70 played neuroprotective effects in MCAO mice models.

Preparation of reed fibers reinforced graft-modified starch-based adhesives based on quantum mechanical simulation and molecular dynamics simulation

Starch is a biomass polymer material with a high yield and comprehensive source. It is used as a raw material for preparing adhesives because of its highly active hydroxyl group. However, poor adhesion and water resistance hinder the application of starch-based adhesives (SBAs). Based on this, the starch was modified through graft copolymerization with itaconic acid as a cross-linking agent, methyl methacrylate and methyl acrylate as copolymers. Additionally, reed fibers were synergistically modified with polydopamine deposition to prepare an environmentally friendly SBA used in plywood production. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TG) demonstrate that copolymerization of methyl methacrylate and methyl acrylate with starch improves the shear strength, water resistance, and thermal stability of the SBA. Compared to unmodified starch, the modified SBA exhibits a 129 % increase in dry strength and achieves a wet strength of 1.36 MPa. Fukui function, Frontier orbit theory, and molecular dynamics simulation have shown that itaconic acid promotes the copolymerization of starch and acrylate monomers. The modified starch has fewer hydrogen bonds, less order, and a denser macromolecular network structure, which provides a reference for studying the molecular interaction mechanisms of SBAs.

Online-merge-offline (OMO)-based music therapy for asthmatic children during the COVID-19 pandemic in China

The purpose of this study is to evaluate online-merge-offline (OMO)-based music therapy (MT) as a complementary option for asthma management in pediatric patients. A total of 86 children diagnosed with mild asthma were enrolled and treated with the same drug therapy. They were assigned into three groups: Music I group (standard medical care plus a single individualized MT session along with singing training and breathing exercise), Music II group (similar as Music I as well as further wind instrument playing), and Control group (standard medical care). Primary endpoints included pulmonary function tests FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, MMEF 75/25, and PEF, c-ACT, PAQLQ, and PACQLQ. After 6 months of continuous intervention of MT, significant differences in FEV1, FVC, MMEF75/25, PEF, c-ACT score, PAQLQ, PACQLQ (p < 0.001), and FEV1/FVC (p < 0.05) were observed among Music I, Music II, and Control groups. Besides, FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, MMEF75/25, and PEF showed positive trends in Music I and Music II groups compared to those in Control group (p < 0.05). The c-ACT score of children was significantly increased in Music I (p < 0.001) and II (p < 0.001) groups in contrast with Control group. Children in Music I and II groups had better quality of life than those in Control group (PAQLQ, p < 0.001), and the parents in Music I and II groups also showed better quality of life than those in Control group (PACQLQ, p < 0.001).     Conclusion: As a child-friendly, low-risk, and convenient intervention, the OMO-based MT has a positive impact on pediatric asthma management during the COVID-19 pandemic. What is Known: • A few findings proved the positive effect of MT on pediatric asthma. What is New: • Our study further proving the validation and effectiveness of MT with OMO-based model on pediatric asthma, wind instrument playing has a greater impact on pediatric asthma control via small airways and might be recommended to mix to singing and breathing to improve effectiveness of MT for asthmatic children.

Modulation of starch synthesis in Arabidopsis via phytochrome B-mediated light signal transduction

Starch is a major storage carbohydrate in plants and is critical in crop yield and quality. Starch synthesis is intricately regulated by internal metabolic processes and external environmental cues; however, the precise molecular mechanisms governing this process remain largely unknown. In this study, we revealed that high red to far-red (high R:FR) light significantly induces the synthesis of leaf starch and the expression of synthesis-related genes, whereas low R:FR light suppress these processes. Arabidopsis phytochrome B (phyB), the primary R and FR photoreceptor, was identified as a critical positive regulator in this process. Downstream of phyB, basic leucine zipper transcription factor ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL5 (HY5) was found to enhance starch synthesis, whereas the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTORs (PIF3, PIF4, and PIF5) inhibit starch synthesis in Arabidopsis leaves. Notably, HY5 and PIFs directly compete for binding to a shared G-box cis-element in the promoter region of genes encoding starch synthases GBSS, SS3, and SS4, which leads to antagonistic regulation of their expression and, consequently, starch synthesis. Our findings highlight the vital role of phyB in enhancing starch synthesis by stabilizing HY5 and facilitating PIFs degradation under high R:FR light conditions. Conversely, under low R:FR light, PIFs predominantly inhibit starch synthesis. This study provides insight into the physiological and molecular functions of phyB and its downstream transcription factors HY5 and PIFs in starch synthesis regulation, shedding light on the regulatory mechanism by which plants synchronize dynamic light signals with metabolic cues to module starch synthesis.

Cryo-EM structure of human sphingomyelin synthase and its mechanistic implications for sphingomyelin synthesis

Sphingomyelin (SM) has key roles in modulating mammalian membrane properties and serves as an important pool for bioactive molecules. SM biosynthesis is mediated by the sphingomyelin synthase (SMS) family, comprising SMS1, SMS2 and SMS-related (SMSr) members. Although SMS1 and SMS2 exhibit SMS activity, SMSr possesses ceramide phosphoethanolamine synthase activity. Here we determined the cryo-electron microscopic structures of human SMSr in complexes with ceramide, diacylglycerol/phosphoethanolamine and ceramide/phosphoethanolamine (CPE). The structures revealed a hexameric arrangement with a reaction chamber located between the transmembrane helices. Within this structure, a catalytic pentad E-H/D-H-D was identified, situated at the interface between the lipophilic and hydrophilic segments of the reaction chamber. Additionally, the study unveiled the two-step synthesis process catalyzed by SMSr, involving PE-PLC (phosphatidylethanolamine-phospholipase C) hydrolysis and the subsequent transfer of the phosphoethanolamine moiety to ceramide. This research provides insights into the catalytic mechanism of SMSr and expands our understanding of sphingolipid metabolism.

[The characteristics and impact on prognosis of cytopenia after anti-BCMA-CAR-T therapy in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma]

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of cytopenia and its impact on prognosis in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) after B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) immunotherapy therapy. Methods: Clinical data of 36 RRMM patients received BCMA CAR-T therapy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from April 2017 to March 2023 were retrospectively collected. Among them, there were 17 males and 19 females, with an age [M (Q1, Q3)] of 62 (53, 67) years. The follow-up deadline was August 31, 2023, and the follow-up time [M (Q1, Q3)] was 33 (10, 30) months. The characteristics of cytopenia at different time points before lymphodepleting chemotherapy and after CAR-T cell infusion in all patients were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare the differences in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with different clinical characteristics. Single-cell sequencing analysis was used to analyze the changes in hematopoietic stem cells in three patients after CAR-T cell therapy. Results: The incidence of cytopenia after BCMA CAR-T cell therapy in 36 RRMM patients reached 100%. The incidence of neutropenia peaked on the 7th and 28th day after cell infusion with a biphasic pattern of change.Patients with all grade neutropenia reached 61.1% (22/36) and grade 3 or higher reached 33.3% (12/36) on the 7th day, while patients with all grade neutropenia reached 67.9% (19/28) and grade 3 or higher reached 28.6% (8/28) on the 28th day (P<0.001),respectively. The occurrence rate of lymphopenia reached a peak on the day of CAR-T cell infusion [97.2% (35/36) patients showed lymphopenia, while 80.6% (29/36) patients showed grade 3 or higher lymphopenia] (P<0.001).The incidence of all grade of thrombocytopenia and severe thrombocytopenia (grade 3 or higher) peaked on the 14th day after cell infusion, with the rates of 69.4% (25/36) and 30.6% (11/36) respectively, which had a prolonged duration(P<0.001). Even after 12 months, 40% (8/20) of patients still experienced thrombocytopenia.The incidence of anemia peaked on the 7th and 14th day after cell infusion, with a rate of 100% (36/36) (P<0.001). 50% (10/20) of patients still had anemia even 12 months after cell infusion. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with thrombocytopenia < grade 3 had undefined OS, while patients with thrombocytopenia ≥grade 3 had shorter OS [17 (95%CI: 2-32) months, χ2=4.154, P=0.042], indicating a poorer prognosis. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the relationship between other cytopenia and survival (all P>0.05). Single-cell sequencing analysis of bone marrow cells revealed decreased proliferation, increased apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest of hematopoietic stem cells after CAR-T cell infusion. Conclusions: All patients experienced varying degrees of cytopenia after receiving BCMA CAR-T cell infusion, and patients with thrombocytopenia ≥grade 3 had shorter OS and poorer prognosis.

Genetic Ablation of STE20-Type Kinase MST4 Does Not Alleviate Diet-Induced MASLD Susceptibility in Mice

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and its advanced subtype, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), have emerged as the most common chronic liver disease worldwide, yet there is no targeted pharmacotherapy presently available. This study aimed to investigate the possible in vivo function of STE20-type protein kinase MST4, which was earlier implicated in the regulation of hepatocellular lipotoxic milieu in vitro, in the control of the diet-induced impairment of systemic glucose and insulin homeostasis as well as MASLD susceptibility. Whole-body and liver-specific Mst4 knockout mice were generated by crossbreeding conditional Mst4fl/fl mice with mice expressing Cre recombinase under the Sox2 or Alb promoters, respectively. To replicate the environment in high-risk subjects, Mst4-/- mice and their wild-type littermates were fed a high-fat or a methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet. Different in vivo tests were conducted in obese mice to describe the whole-body metabolism. MASLD progression in the liver and lipotoxic damage to adipose tissue, kidney, and skeletal muscle were analyzed by histological and immunofluorescence analysis, biochemical assays, and protein and gene expression profiling. In parallel, intracellular fat storage and oxidative stress were assessed in primary mouse hepatocytes, where MST4 was silenced by small interfering RNA. We found that global MST4 depletion had no effect on body weight or composition, locomotor activity, whole-body glucose tolerance or insulin sensitivity in obese mice. Furthermore, we observed no alterations in lipotoxic injuries to the liver, adipose, kidney, or skeletal muscle tissue in high-fat diet-fed whole-body Mst4-/- vs. wild-type mice. Liver-specific Mst4-/- mice and wild-type littermates displayed a similar severity of MASLD when subjected to an MCD diet, as evidenced by equal levels of steatosis, inflammation, hepatic stellate cell activation, fibrosis, oxidative/ER stress, and apoptosis in the liver. In contrast, the in vitro silencing of MST4 effectively protected primary mouse hepatocytes against ectopic lipid accumulation and oxidative cell injury triggered by exposure to fatty acids. In summary, these results suggest that the genetic ablation of MST4 in mice does not mitigate the initiation or progression of MASLD and has no effect on systemic glucose or insulin homeostasis in the context of nutritional stress. The functional compensation for the genetic loss of MST4 by yet undefined mechanisms may contribute to the apparent discrepancy between in vivo and in vitro phenotypic consequences of MST4 silencing.

Engineered plant extracellular vesicles for natural delivery across physiological barriers

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoscale luminal vesicles that participate in the information transfer of proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids between cells, thereby playing a role in the treatment of diseases and the delivery of nutrients. In recent years, plant-derived EVs (PDEVs) containing bioactive compounds have attracted increasing interest due to their better biocompatibility and lower cytotoxicity in healthy tissues. In the biomedical field, PDEVs have been used as cargo carriers to achieve various functions through engineering modification techniques. This review focuses on the biogenesis, isolation, and identification of PDEVs. We discuss the surface functionalization of PDEVs to enhance therapeutic efficacy, thereby improving their efficiency as a next-generation drug delivery vehicle and their feasibility to treat diseases across the physiological barriers, while critically analyzing the current challenges and opportunities.

Uncovering lupus nephritis-specific genes and the potential of TNFRSF17-targeted immunotherapy: a high-throughput sequencing study

Introduction

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a severe manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study aimed to identify LN specific-genes and potential therapeutic targets.

Methods

We performed high-throughput transcriptome sequencing on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from LN patients. Healthy individuals and SLE patients without LN were used as controls. To validate the sequencing results, qRT-PCR was performed for 5 upregulated and 5 downregulated genes. Furthermore, the effect of the TNFRSF17-targeting drug IBI379 on patient plasma cells and B cells was evaluated by flow cytometry.

Results

Our analysis identified 1493 and 205 differential genes in the LN group compared to the control and SLE without LN groups respectively, with 70 genes common to both sets, marking them as LN-specific. These LN-specific genes were significantly enriched in the 'regulation of biological quality' GO term and the cell cycle pathway. Notably, several genes including TNFRSF17 were significantly overexpressed in the kidneys of both LN patients and NZB/W mice. TNFRSF17 levels correlated positively with urinary protein levels, and negatively with complement C3 and C4 levels in LN patients. The TNFRSF17-targeting drug IBI379 effectively induced apoptosis in patient plasma cells without significantly affecting B cells.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that TNFRSF17 could serve as a potential therapeutic target for LN. Moreover, IBI379 is presented as a promising treatment option for LN.

[Biological characteristics and clinical significance of stereotyped B-cell receptor in chronic lymphocytic leukemia]

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia in the Western adults, although the incidence of CLL is relatively low in Asian populations. However, with the aging population, the incidence of CLL is increasing in China. The interaction between CLL cells and the microenvironment plays a crucial role in the recognition of antigens by the B-cell receptor immunoglobulin (BCR IG). The mutational status of the immunoglobulin heavy variable region (IGHV) is a classical prognostic marker for CLL. Over 40% of CLL patients exhibit biased usage of IGHV and highly similar amino acid sequences in the heavy complementarity-determining region 3 (HCDR3), known as the BCR stereotypy. Different subgroups of stereotyped BCR exhibit distinct biological and clinical features. Among them, subset #2 with mutated IGHV and poor prognosis, as well as the subset #8 with a high risk of Richter transformation, have been recommended by the European Research Initiative on CLL to be included in clinical reports on IGHV mutational status. This review summarizes the definition, distribution, biological characteristics, and clinical significance of clonality patterns of the BCR in CLL.

Mitochondrial stress: a key role of neuroinflammation in stroke

Stroke is a clinical syndrome characterized by an acute, focal neurological deficit, primarily caused by the occlusion or rupture of cerebral blood vessels. In stroke, neuroinflammation emerges as a pivotal event contributing to neuronal cell death. The occurrence and progression of neuroinflammation entail intricate processes, prominently featuring mitochondrial dysfunction and adaptive responses. Mitochondria, a double membrane-bound organelle are recognized as the "energy workshop" of the body. Brain is particularly vulnerable to mitochondrial disturbances due to its high energy demands from mitochondria-related energy production. The interplay between mitochondria and neuroinflammation plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of stroke. The biological and pathological consequences resulting from mitochondrial stress have substantial implications for cerebral function. Mitochondrial stress serves as an adaptive mechanism aimed at mitigating the stress induced by the import of misfolded proteins, which occurs in response to stroke. This adaptive response involves a reduction in misfolded protein accumulation and overall protein synthesis. The influence of mitochondrial stress on the pathological state of stroke is underscored by its capacity to interact with neuroinflammation. The impact of mitochondrial stress on neuroinflammation varies according to its severity. Moderate mitochondrial stress can bolster cellular adaptive defenses, enabling cells to better withstand detrimental stressors. In contrast, sustained and excessive mitochondrial stress detrimentally affects cellular and tissue integrity. The relationship between neuroinflammation and mitochondrial stress depends on the degree of mitochondrial stress present. Understanding its role in stroke pathogenesis is instrumental in excavating the novel treatment of stroke. This review aims to provide the evaluation of the cross-talk between mitochondrial stress and neuroinflammation within the context of stroke. We aim to reveal how mitochondrial stress affects neuroinflammation environment in stroke.

Tetramethylpyrazine-loaded liposomes surrounded by hydrogel based on sodium alginate and chitosan as a multifunctional drug delivery System for treatment of atopic dermatitis

Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) has low bioavailability due to its fast metabolism and short half-life, which is not conducive to transdermal treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). Therefore, in this study, TMP was encapsulated into liposomes (Lip) by film dispersion method, and then the surface of Lip was modified by sodium alginate (ALG) and chitosan (CS). The tetramethylpyrazine-loaded liposomes in sodium alginate chitosan hydrogel called T-Lip-AC hydrogel. In vitro experiments, we found that T-Lip-AC hydrogel not only had the antibacterial effect of CS, but also enhanced the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of TMP. In addition, T-Lip-AC hydrogel could also provide a moist healing environment for AD dry skin and produce better skin permeability, and can also achieve sustained drug release, which is conducive to the treatment of AD. The lesions induced by 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene were used as the AD lesions model to test the therapeutic effect of the T-Lip-AC hydrogel on AD in vivo. The studies have showed that T-Lip-AC hydrogel could effectively promote wound healing. Therefore, we have developed a T-Lip-AC hydrogel as multifunctional hydrogel drug delivery system, which could become an effective, safe and novel alternative treatment method for treating AD.

Analysis of cam location characteristics in FAI syndrome patients from 3D MR images demonstrates sex-specific differences

Cam femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome is associated with hip osteoarthritis (OA) development. Hip shape features, derived from statistical shape modeling (SSM), are predictive for OA incidence, progression, and arthroplasty. Currently, no three-dimensional (3D) SSM studies have investigated whether there are cam shape differences between male and female patients, which may be of potential clinical relevance for FAI syndrome assessments. This study analyzed sex-specific cam location and shape in FAI syndrome patients from clinical magnetic resonance examinations (M:F 56:41, age: 16-63 years) using 3D focused shape modeling-based segmentation (CamMorph) and partial least squares regression to obtain shape features (latent variables [LVs]) of cam morphology. Two-way analysis of variance tests were used to assess cam LV data for sex and cam volume severity differences. There was no significant interaction between sex and cam volume severity for the LV data. A sex main effect was significant for LV 1 (cam size) and LV 2 (cam location) with medium to large effect sizes (p < 0.001, d > 0.75). Mean results revealed males presented with a superior-focused cam, whereas females presented with an anterior-focused cam. When stratified by cam volume, cam morphologies were located superiorly in male and anteriorly in female FAI syndrome patients with negligible, mild, or moderate cam volumes. Both male and female FAI syndrome patients with major cam volumes had a global cam distribution. In conclusion, sex-specific cam location differences are present in FAI syndrome patients with negligible, mild, and moderate cam volumes, whereas major cam volumes were globally distributed in both male and female patients.

Cross-sectional associations between 24-hour time-use composition, grey matter volume and cognitive function in healthy older adults

BACKGROUND

Increasing physical activity (PA) is an effective strategy to slow reductions in cortical volume and maintain cognitive function in older adulthood. However, PA does not exist in isolation, but coexists with sleep and sedentary behaviour to make up the 24-hour day. We investigated how the balance of all three behaviours (24-hour time-use composition) is associated with grey matter volume in healthy older adults, and whether grey matter volume influences the relationship between 24-hour time-use composition and cognitive function.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 378 older adults (65.6 ± 3.0 years old, 123 male) from the ACTIVate study across two Australian sites (Adelaide and Newcastle). Time-use composition was captured using 7-day accelerometry, and T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure grey matter volume both globally and across regions of interest (ROI: frontal lobe, temporal lobe, hippocampi, and lateral ventricles). Pairwise correlations were used to explore univariate associations between time-use variables, grey matter volumes and cognitive outcomes. Compositional data analysis linear regression models were used to quantify associations between ROI volumes and time-use composition, and explore potential associations between the interaction between ROI volumes and time-use composition with cognitive outcomes.

RESULTS

After adjusting for covariates (age, sex, education), there were no significant associations between time-use composition and any volumetric outcomes. There were significant interactions between time-use composition and frontal lobe volume for long-term memory (p = 0.018) and executive function (p = 0.018), and between time-use composition and total grey matter volume for executive function (p = 0.028). Spending more time in moderate-vigorous PA was associated with better long-term memory scores, but only for those with smaller frontal lobe volume (below the sample mean). Conversely, spending more time in sleep and less time in sedentary behaviour was associated with better executive function in those with smaller total grey matter volume.

CONCLUSIONS

Although 24-hour time use was not associated with total or regional grey matter independently, total grey matter and frontal lobe grey matter volume moderated the relationship between time-use composition and several cognitive outcomes. Future studies should investigate these relationships longitudinally to assess whether changes in time-use composition correspond to changes in grey matter volume and cognition.

An Informatics Platform for the Management of Data for Australian Dementia Network (ADNeT) Initiative

Alzheimer's disease and other dementias are becoming more prevalent and placing increasing burdens on the community. The ADNeT Screening and Trials initiative aims to improve research outcomes by identifying people with an increased risk of developing these diseases and directing them to suitable clinical trials. To support the initiative, we have developed a modular informatics platform utilizing private cloud deployment to securely manage operational and research data across six clinical sites.

MiR-135a mediate mitochondrial oxidative respiratory function through SIRT1 to regulate atrial fibrosis

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to explore the function of miR-135a in the progress of atrial fibrosis, and the mechanism of miR-135a/SIRT1(Sirtuin 1,SIRT1) in human cardiac fibroblasts and mouse cardiac fibroblasts mediating the regulation of atrial fibrosis by mitochondrial oxidative respiration function.

METHODS

Using Ang II(Angiotensin II,Ang II) to induce fibrosis in HCFs(humancornealfibroblasts,HCFs) and MCF(Michigan Cancer Foundation, MCF ) cells in vitro, the miRNA-seq sequencing results of previous studies were validated. Proliferative and invasive ability of HCFs and MCFs were detected by Cell counting kit-8 assay (CCK-8) and scratch experiment after over-expressing miR-135a in HCFs and MCF cells. Protein and mRNA expression were tested using western blot and qPCR. The target of miR-135a was verified as SIRT1 by a luciferase reporter assay and the activities of the mitochondrial respiratory enzyme complexes I, II, III, and IV were determined colorimetrically. The activities of malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in cells were detected with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).

RESULTS

miR-135a expression was elevated in HCFs and MCFs cells in the Ang II group than control group. Overexpression of miR-135a could promote the proliferation, migration, oxidative stress, as well as fibrosis of cardiac fibroblasts, and suppresses mitochondrial activity. In addition, we found SIRT1 was a target gene of miR-135a. What's more, the findings showed miR-135a promoted fibrosis in HCFs and MCFs cells acting through regulation of SIRT1.

CONCLUSIONS

miR-135a mediate mitochondrial oxidative respiratory function through SIRT1 to regulate atrial fibrosis.

Integrated analysis of necroptosis related gene signature to predict clinical outcomes, immune status and drug sensitivity in lower grade Glioma

Background

The treatment of lower grade gliomas (LGG) is currently the most challenging dilemma in the management of intracranial tumors. Necroptosis is a type of programmed cell death that is closely associated with tumor progression, However, the role of necroptosis related genes in LGG is not yet well elucidated.

Methods

Online databases were used to obtain gene expression and clinical information. After gene differential expression analysis, a risk score model based on prognostic differentially expressed necroptosis-related genes (DENGs) were constructed to predict prognosis for LGG patients. The validity of the risk score model was then assessed with Kaplan-Meier survival curve. The prognostic DENGs included in the risk score model were then subjected to gene expression analysis, functional enrichment analysis, consensus clustering analysis, and single cell sequencing analysis. Finally, we investigated the correlation of the risk score and immune infiltration in LGG tumor microenvironment and drug sensitivity for LGG patients in different risk groups.

Results

A survival risk score model was constructed based on seven prognostic DENGs, which demonstrated satisfactory performance in predicting the prognosis of LGG patients. According to functional enrichment analyses, these seven DENGs may play a regulatory role in LGG tumorigenesis through several immune and metabolic pathways. LGG patients could be categorized into two clusters with distinct prognosis and clinicopathologic characteristics based on the expression of seven DENGs. Single-cell sequencing analysis demonstrated that the DENG signature was differentially expressed in various types of cells in LGG and may play a vital role in oncogenesis. Additionally, drug sensitivity analysis suggested that the seven-gene signature could guide clinical medication for LGG patients.

Conclusion

Our study developed a reliable necroptosis-related signature to predict the prognosis of LGG patients. This gene signature may also help estimate immune status and anti-cancer drug sensitivity in LGG patients. Our findings may pave the way to enhance our understanding of necroptosis in LGG.

Acute and subchronic oral toxicity study of Camelina sativa oil in Wistar rats

Objective

The aim of these studies was to ascertain if Camelina sativa oil is harmful in both the acute and subchronic states.

Methods

Wistar rats of both sexes were used in an acute toxicity test, and the fatal dosage (LD50) of oral Camelina sativa oil was greater than 27.6 g/kg bw. Rats were gavaged with Camelina sativa oil at dosages of 0.00, 0.92, 1.84, and 3.68 g/kg bw per day for 90 days. In addition, satellite groups were established in the control and high-dose groups for a 28-day recovery period. The following factors were assessed: mortality, clinical anomalies, body weight, food intake, hematological, serum biochemistry, urine, gross necropsy, and histology.

Results

There were no observable toxicity-related changes in any of the three dosage groups. There is no toxicological relevance to the change in the high-dose hematological indicator PLT at the conclusion of the recovery period because it was within the usual range for this strain in our laboratory. The test material did not result in any pathological alterations, according to a pathological examination.

Conclusion

Since the results of the current study, the no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) for Camelina sativa oil in rats has been determined to be greater than 3.68 g/kg bw.

Medial Septal Glutamatergic Neurons Modulate States of Consciousness during Sevoflurane Anesthesia in Mice

BACKGROUND

Multiple neural structures involved in maintaining wakefulness have been found to promote arousal from general anesthesia. The medial septum is a critical region that modulates arousal behavior. This study hypothesized that glutamatergic neurons in the medial septum play a crucial role in regulating states of consciousness during sevoflurane general anesthesia.

METHODS

Adult male mice were used in this study. The effects of sevoflurane anesthesia on neuronal activity were determined by fiber photometry. Lesions and chemogenetic manipulations were used to study the effects of the altered activity of medial septal glutamatergic neurons on anesthesia induction, emergence, and sensitivity to sevoflurane. Optogenetic stimulation was used to observe the role of acute activation of medial septal glutamatergic neurons on cortical activity and behavioral changes during sevoflurane-induced continuous steady state of general anesthesia and burst suppression state.

RESULTS

The authors found that medial septal glutamatergic neuronal activity decreased during sevoflurane anesthesia induction and recovered in the early period of emergence. Chemogenetic activation of medial septal glutamatergic neurons prolonged the induction time (mean ± SD, hM3Dq-clozapine N-oxide vs. hM3Dq-saline, 297.5 ± 60.1 s vs. 229.4 ± 29.9 s, P < 0.001, n = 11) and decreased the emergence time (53.2 ± 11.8 s vs. 77.5 ± 33.5 s, P = 0.025, n = 11). Lesions or chemogenetic inhibition of these neurons produced the opposite effects. During steady state of general anesthesia and deep anesthesia-induced burst suppression state, acute optogenetic activation of medial septal glutamatergic neurons induced cortical activation and behavioral emergence.

CONCLUSIONS

The study findings reveal that activation of medial septal glutamatergic neurons has arousal-promoting effects during sevoflurane anesthesia in male mice. The activation of these neurons prolongs the induction and accelerates the emergence of anesthesia.

EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE

Association of RPS26 gene polymorphism with different types of diabetes in Chinese individuals

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

Different types of diabetes show distinct genetic characteristics, but the specific genetic susceptibility factors remain unclear. Our study aimed to explore the associations between the ribosomal protein S26 (RPS26) gene rs1131017 polymorphisms and susceptibility to type 1 diabetes mellitus, latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) and type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Chinese Han population, and their correlations with clinical features.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Genotyping of the rs1131017 variant was carried out for 1,006 type 1 diabetes mellitus patients, 210 LADA patients, 642 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and 2,099 control individuals.

RESULTS

We found that the rs1131017 C allele was a risk locus for both type 1 diabetes mellitus and LADA (odds ratio [OR] 1.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.33-1.69, P < 0.001; OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.04-1.64, P = 0.021, respectively). Nevertheless, this association was not found for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Carrying the C allele genotype was associated with a lower postprandial C-peptide for type 1 diabetes mellitus (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.11-1.80, P = 0.006) and lower fasting C-peptide for LADA (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.01-2.38, P = 0.047). Interestingly, a lower GC frequency was noted for LADA than for type 1 diabetes mellitus, regardless of classification based on age at diagnosis, C-peptide or glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody positivity.

CONCLUSIONS

The RPS26 polymorphism was associated with susceptibility and clinical characteristics of type 1 diabetes mellitus and LADA in the Chinese population, but was not related to type 2 diabetes mellitus. Thus, it might serve as a novel biomarker for particular types of diabetes.

Assessing inter-intraspecific variability of leaf vulnerability to embolism for 10 alpine Rhododendron species growing in Southwestern China

Alpine Rhododendron species are prominent constituents and renowned ornamental plants in alpine ecosystems. Consequently, evaluating the genetic variation in embolism resistance within the genus Rhododendron and predicting their adaptability to future climate change is important. Nevertheless, the assessment of embolism resistance in Rhododendron species remains limited. This investigation aimed to examine leaf vulnerability to embolism across ten alpine Rhododendron species, which are frequently employed as ornamental species in Rhododendron forests in Southwest China. The study analyzed the correlation between embolism resistance and various morphological traits, while also conducting water control experiments to evaluate the relationship between embolism resistance and drought resistance. The outcomes indicated pronounced variations in leaf vulnerability to embolism among species, as reflected by the water potential at 50% of embolized pixels (P50 ). Furthermore, the leaf P50 exhibited a significant positive correlation with vessel diameter (D) (R2  = 0.44, P = 0.03) and vessel wall span (b) (R2  = 0.64, P = 0.005), while displaying a significant negative correlation with vessel reinforcement ((t/b)2 ) (R2  = 0.67, P = 0.004). These findings underscore the reliability of selecting species based on embolism vulnerability to preserve the diversity of alpine ecosystems and foster resilience to climate change.

Association of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) footprints with the comorbidity of latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection: A multicenter cross-sectional study

AIMS

This study aims to investigate the interplay between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and major forms of diabetes: type 1 diabetes (T1D), type 2 diabetes (T2D), and latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA).

METHODS

This multicenter study analyzed a cohort of 2699 diabetic and 7344 non-diabetic subjects who visited medical centers in China from 2014 to 2021. T1D, T2D, LADA, and HCV were diagnosed using standard procedures. High-throughput sequencing was conducted to identify genetic footprints of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and haplotypes at the DRB1, DQA1, and DQB1 loci.

RESULTS

HCV infection was detected in 3 % (23/766) of LADA patients, followed by 1.5 % (15/977) of T2D patients, 1.4 % (13/926) of T1D patients, and 0.5 % (38/7344) of non-diabetic individuals. HCV prevalence was significantly higher in people with diabetes than in non-diabetic individuals (p < 0.01). HLA alleles (DQB1*060101, DQB1*040101) and haplotypes (DRB1*080302-DQA1*010301-DQB1*060101) in LADA patients with HCV revealed higher frequencies than in LADA patients without HCV (adjusted p < 0.03). Furthermore, a higher risk of diabetes complications was found among LADA patients with HCV infection (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

LADA patients are susceptible to HCV infection, potentially associated with certain HLA alleles/haplotypes. Early diagnosis and treatment of HCV infection among people with diabetes are important for the management of severe complications.

Super-enhancer-associated EEPD1 facilitates EMT-mediated metastasis by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in gastric cancer

This study focused on exploring the mechanism of the EMT mediated by endonuclease/exonuclease/phosphatase family domain-containing 1 (EEPD1) in gastric cancer metastasis. Through bioinformatics analysis, EEPD1 was found to be a target gene of super enhancers (SEs) in gastric cancer tissues. EEPD1 exhibited higher expression levels in tumor tissues and was associated with poor prognosis. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that silencing EEPD1 significantly suppressed the proliferation, metastasis, and invasion of gastric cancer cells. Furthermore, EEPD1 knockdown was involved in the regulation of the EMT and suppressed expression of AKT, a downstream component of the PI3K pathway, leading to a reduction in the phosphorylation levels of AKT and its downstream molecule, mTOR. These results showed the potential of EEPD1 as a prognostic indicator and therapeutic target in gastric cancer.

Choline induced cardiac dysfunction by inhibiting the production of endogenous hydrogen sulfide in spontaneously hypertensive rats

To investigate the exact effects of dietary choline on hypertensive heart disease (HHD) and explore the potential mechanisms, male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) were randomly divided into five groups as follows: WKY group, WKY + Choline group, SHR group, SHR + Choline group, and SHR + Choline + NaHS group. In choline treatment groups, rats were fed with 1.3% (w/v) choline in the drinking water for 3 months. The rats in the SHR + Choline + NaHS group were intraperitoneally injected with NaHS (100 micromol/kg/day, a hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donor) for 3 months. After 3 months, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and fractional shortening (LVFS), the indicators of cardiac function measured by echocardiography, were increased significantly in SHR as compared to WKY, although there was no significant difference in collagen volumes and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio between the two groups, indicating the early stage of cardiac hypertrophy. There was a significant decrease in LVEF and LVFS and an increase in collagen volumes and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in SHR fed with choline, meanwhile, plasma H2S levels were significantly decreased significantly in SHR fed with choline accompanying by the decrease of cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE) activity. Three months of NaHS significantly increased plasma H2S levels, ameliorated cardiac dysfunction and inhibited cardiac fibrosis and apoptosis in SHR fed with choline. In conclusion, choline aggravated cardiac dysfunction in HHD through inhibiting the production of endogenous H2S, which was reversed by supplementation of exogenous H2S donor.

Disrupted balance between pro-inflammatory lipid mediators and anti-inflammatory specialized pro-resolving mediators is linked to hyperinflammation in patients with alcoholic hepatitis

Background

Chronic excessive alcohol consumption leads to a spectrum of alcohol-associated liver diseases (ALD), including alcoholic hepatitis (AH). AH is characterized by intense systemic and liver inflammation, posing significant risks of health complications and mortality. While inflammation is a crucial defense mechanism against injury and infection, its timely resolution is essential to prevent tissue damage and restore tissue homeostasis. The resolution of inflammation is an actively regulated process, primarily governed by specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), lipid metabolites derived from ω-6 and ω-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). We investigated the balance between pro-inflammatory lipid mediators (PLMs) and SPMs in the ω-6 and ω-3 PUFA metabolic pathways and examined the impact of alcohol abstinence on rectifying the dysregulated biosynthesis of PLMs and SPMs in AH patients.

Methods

LC-MS/MS and ELISA were used to quantify levels of bioactive lipid mediators (LMs) and their precursors in the plasma samples from 58 AH patients, 29 heavy drinkers without overt liver diseases (HDCs), and 35 healthy controls (HCs). Subsequently, we assessed correlations of altered LMs with clinical parameters and various markers of inflammatory cascade andmicrobial translocation. Furthermore, we conducted a longitudinal study to track changes in levels of LMs over 6- and 12-month follow-ups in AH patients who underwent alcohol abstinence.

Results

AH patients exhibited significantly higher plasma levels of ω-6 PLMs (PGD 2 and LTB 4 ) and SPM RvE1 compared to HDCs and/or HCs. Conversely, key SPMs such as LXA4, RvD1, and several precursors in the ω-3 pathway were significantly downregulated in AH patients. Some of these altered LMs were found to correlate with AH disease severity, clinical parameters, and various inflammatory cytokines. In particular, the LTB4/LXA4 ratio was substantially elevated in AH patients relative to HDCs and HCs. This altered ratio displayed a positive correlation with the MELD score, suggesting its potential utility as an indicator of disease severity in AH patients. Importantly, the majority of dysregulated LMs, particularly PLMs, were normalized following alcohol abstinence.

Conclusion

Our study reveals significant dysregulation in the levels of PLM metabolites and anti-inflammatory SPMs in both ω-6 and ω-3 PUFA pathways in AH patients. This disrupted biosynthesis, characterized by an overabundance of PLMs and a deficiency in SPMs, is linked to the heightened inflammation observed in AH patients. Importantly, our findings suggest an important role of alcohol abstinence in restoring the balance of these LMs and the potential therapeutic benefits of SPM supplements in alleviating the inflammatory cascade in AH patients.

A comprehensive assessment of exome capture methods for RNA sequencing of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded samples

RNA-Seq analysis of Formalin-Fixed and Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) samples has emerged as a highly effective approach and is increasingly being used in clinical research and drug development. However, the processing and storage of FFPE samples are known to cause extensive degradation of RNAs, which limits the discovery of gene expression or gene fusion-based biomarkers using RNA sequencing, particularly methods reliant on Poly(A) enrichment. Recently, researchers have developed an exome targeted RNA-Seq methodology that utilizes biotinylated oligonucleotide probes to enrich RNA transcripts of interest, which could overcome these limitations. Nevertheless, the standardization of this experimental framework, including probe designs, sample multiplexing, sequencing read length, and bioinformatic pipelines, remains an essential requirement. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive comparison of three main commercially available exome capture kits and evaluated key experimental parameters, to provide the overview of the advantages and limitations associated with the selection of library preparation protocols and sequencing platforms. The results provide valuable insights into the best practices for obtaining high-quality data from FFPE samples.

[Clinical characteristics and prognosis of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients with FGFR3 gene mutations]

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the influence of FGFR3 gene mutations on the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) . Methods: A total of 198 patients with NDMM admitted to the Department of Hematology in Jiangsu Province Hospital between January 2016 and February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Next-generation sequencing and cytoplasmic light chain immunofluorescence with fluorescence in situ hybridization were performed for all patients. The prognostic significance of FGFR3 mutation and clinical features were analyzed using the Log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Among 198 patients, 28 carried the FGFR3 gene mutation. These patients had significantly lower serum albumin levels, higher β(2)-microglobulin levels, advanced Revised International Staging System stages, more frequent occurrence of t (4;14) , and shorter median progression-free survival (PFS) time (28 months vs 33 months, P=0.024) and overall survival (OS) time (54 months vs undefined, P=0.028) than patients without FGFR3 mutation. Additionally, patients carrying either FGFR3 mutation or t (4;14) had lower PFS (30 months vs 38 months, P=0.012) and OS (54 months vs undefined, P=0.017) than those without. The Cox proportional hazards model identified FGFR3 mutation as an independent risk factor for PFS and OS. Conclusion: FGFR3 gene mutation was an unfavorable independent prognostic predictor for NDMM.

Longitudinal trajectories of basal forebrain volume in normal aging and Alzheimer's disease

Dysfunction of the cholinergic basal forebrain (BF) system and amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition are early pathological features in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, their association in early AD is not well-established. This study investigated the nature and magnitude of volume loss in the BF, over an extended period, in 516 older adults who completed Aβ-PET and serial magnetic resonance imaging scans. Individuals were grouped at baseline according to the presence of cognitive impairment (CU, CI) and Aβ status (Aβ-, Aβ+). Longitudinal volumetric changes in the BF and hippocampus were assessed across groups. The results indicated that high Aβ levels correlated with faster volume loss in the BF and hippocampus, and the effect of Aβ varied within BF subregions. Compared to CU Aβ+ individuals, Aβ-related loss among CI Aβ+ adults was much greater in the predominantly cholinergic subregion of Ch4p, whereas no difference was observed for the Ch1/Ch2 region. The findings support early and substantial vulnerability of the BF and further reveal distinctive degeneration of BF subregions during early AD.