The skin circadian clock gene F3 as a potential marker for psoriasis severity and its bidirectional relationship with IL-17 signaling in keratinocytes

OBJECTIVE

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated skin disease where the IL-17 signaling pathway plays a crucial role in its development. Chronic circadian rhythm disorder in psoriasis pathogenesis is gaining more attention. The relationship between IL and 17 signaling pathway and skin clock genes remains poorly understood.

METHODS

GSE121212 with psoriatic lesion and healthy controls was used as the exploration cohort for searching analysis. Datasets GSE54456, GSE13355, GSE14905, GSE117239, GSE51440, and GSE137218 were applied to validation analysis. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) dataset GSE173706 was used to explore the F3 expression and related pathway activities in single-cell levels. Through intersecting with high-expression DEGs, F3 was selected as the signature skin circadian gene in psoriasis for further investigation. Functional analyses, including correlation analyses, prediction of transcription factors, protein-protein interaction, and single gene GSEA to explore the potential roles of F3. ssGSEA algorithm was performed to uncover the immune-related characteristics of psoriasis. We further explored F3 expression in the specific cell population in scRNA-seq dataset, besides this, AUCell analysis was performed to explore the pathway activities and the results were further compared between the specific cell cluster. Immunohistochemistry experiment, RT-qPCR was used to validate the location and expression of F3, small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection experiment in HaCaT, and transcriptome sequencing analysis were applied to explore the potential function of F3.

RESULTS

F3 was significantly down-regulated in psoriasis and interacted with IL-17 signaling pathway. Low expression of F3 could upregulate the receptor of JAK-STAT signaling, thereby promoting keratinocyte inflammation.

CONCLUSION

Our research revealed a bidirectional link between the skin circadian gene F3 and the IL-17 signaling pathway in psoriasis, suggesting that F3 may interact with the IL-17 pathway by activating JAK-STAT within keratinocytes and inducing abnormal intracellular inflammation.

Function and mechanism of exogenous AGR2 in colorectal cancer cells

Background

Anterior gradient 2 (AGR2) is highly enriched in several malignant tumors and can boost tumor metastasis. Whereas, AGR2 role in colorectal cancer (CRC) is not clear.

Methods

AGR2 expression in the GEPIA database was studied, and the results were confirmed by Western blot in CRC cell lines (SW480, SW620, and HT-29). The impact of AGR2 on the multiplication, migration, invasion and EMT of CRC cells were studied by CCK-8 assay, as well as clone formation, wound healing and transwell assays. The protein concent related to the AKT/β-catenin signaling pathway were accessed via Western blot.

Results

AGR2 concent in CRC tissues was notablely boosted versus normal colorectal tissues. Exogenous AGR2 boosted the multiplication of CRC cells. In addition, exogenous AGR2 induced EMT, which demonstrated that ZEB1, N-cadherin, Vimentin, Slug, Snail protein concent boosted and E-cadherin protein abated in CRC cells. In terms of mechanism, exogenous AGR2 upgulated p-AKT/AKT, p-GSK3β/GSK3β and β-catenin concent. Exogenous AGR2 combined with AKT agonist IGF- Ⅰ can further enhance the multiplication, migration and invasion of CRC cells.

Conclusion

Exogenous AGR2 enhances the multiplication of CRC cells and induces EMT process, the mechanism of which is related to AKT/β-catenin signal pathway.

Treatment of Netherton Syndrome in Pediatrics with Upadacitinib

Background

Netherton syndrome, a rare autosomal recessive genetic disease, lacks effective treatment options. This article presents a novel case of successful Upadacitinib therapy in a 14-year-old boy with Netherton syndrome.

Case Presentation

A 14-year-old male with a lifelong history of dry skin, erythema, scaling, itching, and notable body odor was evaluated. These symptoms, accompanied by irregular hair growth and delayed development, prompted an initial diagnosis of atopic dermatitis at a local hospital. Treatment with antihistamines, moisturizers, and topical corticosteroids failed to alleviate systemic manifestations of red patches and persistent itching. Seeking further evaluation, the patient was presented to our center. Upon examination, the characteristics of "bamboo hair" and "golf tee sign" were observed microscopically in the patient's hair. Whole exome sequencing identified a paternally inherited mutation in the SPINK5 gene, confirming Netherton syndrome. No mutations were found in the mother. Despite initial positive responses to Secukinumab and Dupilumab, therapeutic efficacy waned over time.

Results and Conclusions

Initiation of Upadacitinib at a daily dose of 15 mg yielded significant therapeutic benefits within a short timeframe. This study marks the first documented use of Upadacitinib in pediatric Netherton syndrome treatment. This case highlights the efficacy of Upadacitinib in treating Netherton syndrome, particularly in pediatric patients. Further studies are warranted to elucidate its long-term effects and optimal dosing regimens.

Targeted anti-cancer therapy: Co-delivery of VEGF siRNA and Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) via cRGD-modified lipid nanoparticles for enhanced anti-angiogenic efficacy

Anti-tumor angiogenesis therapy, targeting the suppression of blood vessel growth in tumors, presents a potent approach in the battle against cancer. Traditional therapies have primarily concentrated on single-target techniques, with a specific emphasis on targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor, but have not reached ideal therapeutic efficacy. In response to this issue, our study introduced a novel nanoparticle system known as CS-siRNA/PEITC&L-cRGD NPs. These chitosan-based nanoparticles have been recognized for their excellent biocompatibility and ability to deliver genes. To enhance their targeted delivery capability, they were combined with a cyclic RGD peptide (cRGD). Targeted co-delivery of gene and chemotherapeutic agents was achieved through the use of a negatively charged lipid shell and cRGD, which possesses high affinity for integrin αvβ3 overexpressed in tumor cells and neovasculature. In this multifaceted approach, co-delivery of VEGF siRNA and phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) was employed to target both tumor vascular endothelial cells and tumor cells simultaneously. The co-delivery of VEGF siRNA and PEITC could achieve precise silencing of VEGF, inhibit the accumulation of HIF-1α under hypoxic conditions, and induce apoptosis in tumor cells. In summary, we have successfully developed a nanoparticle delivery platform that utilizes a dual mechanism of action of anti-tumor angiogenesis and pro-tumor apoptosis, which provides a robust and potent strategy for the delivery of anti-cancer therapeutics.

The J bs-5YP peptide can alleviate dementia in senile mice by restoring the transcription of Slc40a1 to secrete the excessive iron from brain

INTRODUCTION

With age and ATP decrease in the body, the transcription factors hypophosphorylation weakens the transcription of Slc40a1 and hinders the expression of the iron discharger ferroportin. This may lead to iron accumulation in the brain and the catalysis of free radicals that damage cerebral neurons and eventually lead to Alzheimer's disease (AD).

OBJECTIVES

To prevent AD caused by brain iron excretion disorders and reveal the mechanism of J bs-5YP peptide restoring ferroportin.

METHODS

We prepared J bs-YP peptide and administered it to the senile mice with dementia. Then, the intelligence of the mice was tested using a Morris Water Maze. The ATP content in the body was detected using the ATP hydrophysis and Phosphate precipitation method. The activation of Slc40a1 transcription was assayed with ATAC seq and the ferroportin, as well as the phosphorylation levels of Ets1 in brain were detected by Western Blot.

RESULTS

The phosphorylation level of Ets1in brain was enhanced, and subsequently, the transcription of Slc40a1 was activated and ferroportin was increased in the brain, the levels of iron and free radicals were reduced, with the neurons protection, and the dementia was ultimately alleviated in the senile mice.

CONCLUSION

J bs-5YP can recover the expression of ferroportin to excrete excessive iron in the brain of senile mice with dementia by enhancing the transcription of Slc40a1 via phosphorylating Ets1, revealing the potential of J bs-5YP as a drug to alleviate senile dementia.

PTPN2 inhibits the proliferation of psoriatic keratinocytes by dephosphorylation of STAT3

Psoriasis is a recurrent and protracted disease that severely impacts the patient's physical and mental health. Thus, there is an urgent need to explore its pathogenesis to identify therapeutic targets. The expression level of protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 2 (PTPN2) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry techniques in psoriatic tissues and imiquimod-induced psoriatic mouse models. PTPN2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) were overexpressed or silenced in human keratinocytes or an interleukin (IL)-6-induced psoriasis HaCaT cell model using overexpression plasmid transfection or small interfering RNA technology in vitro, and the effects of PTPN2 on STAT3, HaCaT cell function, and autophagy levels were investigated using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, Cell Counting Kit 8, 5-ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine, flow cytometry, and transmission electron microscopy. PTPN2 expression was found to be significantly downregulated in psoriatic tissues. Then, the in vitro antipsoriatic properties of PTPN2 were investigated in an IL-6-induced psoriasis-like cell model, and the results demonstrated that inhibition of keratinocyte proliferation by PTPN2 may be associated with elevated STAT3 dephosphorylation and autophagy levels. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms of autophagy in psoriatic keratinocytes and may be essential for developing new therapeutic strategies to improve inflammatory homeostasis in psoriatic patients.

Transcription Factor IRF7 is Involved in Psoriasis Development and Response to Guselkumab Treatment

Purpose

Guselkumab is a highly effective biologic agent for treating psoriasis. This study aimed to explore potential transcription factors involved in psoriasis pathogenesis and response to guselkumab treatment, aiming to provide new therapeutic strategies for psoriasis.

Patients and Methods

We analyzed gene expression and single-cell RNA-seq data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that upregulated in psoriasis and downregulated after guselkumab treatment were subjected to enrichment analyses. Single-cell regulatory network inference and clustering (SENIC) and regulon module analyses identified different regulon activities between the lesion and non-lesion skin of psoriasis. Cell-cell communication analysis revealed interactions among specific cell clusters. Transcription factor (TF) regulons were identified from the guselkumab-specific regulon network. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) confirmed the IRF7 regulon in the validation cohort. Finally, the expression level of IRF7 was identified in plaque psoriasis before and after 12 weeks of guselkumab therapy by immunohistochemical experiment.

Results

799 DEGs were downregulated after guselkumab treatment. Enrichment analyses highlighted the interleukin-17 (IL-17) pathway in this gene set. The M2 module exhibited the primary difference in regulon activity. Strong cell-cell interactions were observed between keratinocytes and immune cells. IRF7 regulon had significant roles in psoriasis and treatment response, as validated by GSEA analysis using the IL-17 signaling pathway as a reference. The immunohistochemical analysis unveiled substantial differences in the expression levels of IRF7 in psoriatic skin samples before and after 12 weeks of guselkumab treatment.

Conclusion

IRF7 may be the key player in psoriasis pathogenesis and the therapeutic process involving guselkumab. Targeting IRF7 might offer new therapeutic strategies for psoriasis.

Identification of potential biomarkers and infiltrating immune cells from scalp psoriasis

BACKGROUND

Scalp psoriasis seriously affects the appearance and psychological status of patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect and potential mechanism of RPL9 and TIFA in scalp psoriasis, so as to provide a precise and effective way for the clinical treatment of scalp psoriasis.

METHODS

The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was employed to download the GSE75343 dataset to search for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in scalp psoriasis through Sangerbox. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and gene set variation analysis (GSVA) enrichment analysis, functional enrichment analysis, immune cell infiltration analysis, immune responses and correlation analysis with 12 hub genes were performed. Then, STRING was used to develop a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, used Cytoscape to locate hub genes, and SVM-RFE and random forest were utilized to identified RPL9 as the targeted gene. TIFA-RPL9 interaction predictions were made viathe Open Targets Platform and Uniprot. Further, the RPL9 and TIFA expression, molecular mechanism, and function were assessed in scalp psoriasis.

RESULTS

Immunohistochemistry, qPCR, and western blotting verified that RPL9 and TIFA were highly expressed in lesional tissues of scalp psoriasis and IL17A-stimulated HaCaT cells. RPL9 knockdown effectively suppressed the proliferative capacity of IL17A-stimulated HaCaT cells in the CCK8 assay. The co-immunoprecipitation results revealed that RPL9 could interact with TIFA in IL17A-stimulated HaCaT cells. In qPCR and western blotting, RPL9 knockdown significantly inhibited TIFA at the mRNA and protein levels in IL17A-stimulated HaCaT cells. In ELISA, the secretion of TNF-α was markedly inhibited after downregulating RPL9 in IL17A-stimulated HaCaT cells.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, we have elucidated the expression and role of RPL9 and TIFA in scalp psoriatic skin and keratinocytes, and our findings confirm that RPL9 might act as a candidate therapeutic target for scalp psoriasis.

RETRACTED: Chen et al. A Novel Drug Self-Delivery System from Fatty Alcohol Esters of Tranexamic Acid for Venous Malformation Sclerotherapy. Pharmaceutics 2022, 14, 343

The Pharmaceutics Editorial Office retracts the article, "A Novel Drug Self-Delivery System from Fatty Alcohol Esters of Tranexamic Acid for Venous Malformation Sclerotherapy" [...].

Crosstalk between autophagy and metabolism: implications for cell survival in acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a prevalent form of leukemia in adults, is often characterized by low response rates to chemotherapy, high recurrence rates, and unfavorable prognosis. A critical barrier in managing refractory or recurrent AML is the resistance to chemotherapy. Increasing evidence indicates that tumor cell metabolism plays a crucial role in AML progression, survival, metastasis, and treatment resistance. Autophagy, an essential regulator of cellular energy metabolism, is increasingly recognized for its role in the metabolic reprogramming of AML. Autophagy sustains leukemia cells during chemotherapy by not only providing energy but also facilitating rapid proliferation through the supply of essential components such as amino acids and nucleotides. Conversely, the metabolic state of AML cells can influence the activity of autophagy. Their mutual coordination helps maintain intrinsic cellular homeostasis, which is a significant contributor to chemotherapy resistance in leukemia cells. This review explores the recent advancements in understanding the interaction between autophagy and metabolism in AML cells, emphasizing their roles in cell survival and drug resistance. A comprehensive understanding of the interplay between autophagy and leukemia cell metabolism can shed light on leukemia cell survival strategies, particularly under adverse conditions such as chemotherapy. This insight may also pave the way for innovative targeted treatment strategies.

[Research advances of collagen-based biomaterials in wound repair]

Acute or chronic wounds are common clinical problems. Collagen, with advantages including rich sources, impeccable biocompatibility, and inherent biodegradability, has been widely used in fundamental research and clinical treatment of wound repair with broad prospects of clinical applications. This article provided a brief overview of the role of collagen in various biological processes related to wound healing and also outlined the sources of collagen. Furthermore, the article summarized the application and recent research advancements of collagen-based wound dressings in the field of wound repair.

An Analysis of Biopsychosocial Factors Associated With Chronic Pain Severity Among Hospitalized People Living With HIV in Shenzhen, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT

Chronic pain is a primary health problem in people living with HIV (PWH). However, there is limited research regarding chronic pain among PWH in Chinese health care settings. To investigate biopsychosocial factors of chronic pain severity, we conducted a cross-sectional study in Shenzhen, China. Chronic pain was defined as pain lasting for more than three months. Pain intensity was measured using the numeric rating scale (NRS). Among 123 hospitalized PWH, 78.86% of participants had mild pain and 21.14% had moderate-severe pain. Multiple logistic regression results indicated that PWH in moderate-severe pain group were more likely to have higher levels of interleukin [IL]-6 (OR = 1.034, 95% CI: 1.003-1.066, p = .029) and anxiety (OR = 1.334, 95% CI: 1.071-1.662, p = .010) than those in the mild chronic pain group. Targeted pain management interventions should be explored in clinical practices and future studies regarding PWH with high levels of IL-6 and anxiety.

Bioactive Vitamins and Epigenetic Modifications in Diabetes: A Perspective

Diabetes is a complex metabolic disease that has been associated with epigenetic changes. External factors such as dietary patterns can induce an imbalance in the pools of micronutrients and macronutrients in the body. Consequently, bioactive vitamins may influence epigenetic mechanisms via several pathways: involvement in the control of gene expression, and in protein synthesis, by acting as coenzymes and co-factors in the metabolism of methyl groups or methylation of DNA and histones. Herein, we present a perspective on the relevance of bioactive vitamins in the epigenetic modifications that occur in diabetes.

[Efficacy and safety of endoscopic submucosal dissection with additional radiotherapy for T1a-MM/T1b-SM esophageal squamous cell carcinoma]

Objective: To clarify the efficacy and safety of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) with additional radiotherapy in T1a-MM/T1b-SM esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 71 patients with T1a-MM/T1b-SM ESCC admitted to Southeast University Affiliated Zhongda Hospital from January 2015 to December 2019. The patients were divided into two groups based on the treatment method: the ESD group (ESD therapy alone) and the ESD-radiotherapy group (ESD combined radiotherapy). The follow-up duration after ESD was (44±17) months. The difference of disease-free survival (DFS) rate and overall survival (OS) rate between the two groups was compared by survival analysis, and the occurrence of complications was compared. Baseline variables of the two groups were compared and the influencing factors of DFS rate were analyzed by Cox proportional risk regression model. Results: There were 44 patients in the ESD-radiotherapy group [28 males, 16 females, aged (65±7) years] and 27 patients in the ESD group [18 males, 9 females, aged (67±9) years]. The results of survival analysis show that the 1, 3 and 5-year DFS rates of ESD-radiotherapy group were 95.5%, 92.9% and 77.4%, respectively, which were higher than those of ESD group 85.2%, 73.2% and 62.7% (all P<0.05). The 1, 3 and 5-year OS rates of the ESD-radiotherapy group were 100%, 94.7% and 94.7%, while those of the ESD group were 96.3%, 96.3% and 79.4%, respectively. The difference was not statistically significant (all P>0.05). Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis showed that ESD combined with radiotherapy (HR=0.19, 95%CI: 0.04-0.90, P=0.037), complete tumor resection (HR=0.25, 95%CI: 0.07-0.86, P=0.027), and vascular invasion (HR=12.06, 95%CI: 1.61-90.26, P=0.015) were the influencing factors of DFS rates. The most common complication of ESD was esophageal stenosis, and no grade 3 or higher radiation adverse reactions occurred after combined radiotherapy. Conclusion: ESD combined radiotherapy is an effective and safe therapeutic strategy for patients with T1a-MM/T1b-SM ESCC.

Three-dimensional dual-network magnetic conductive hydrogel for the highly sensitive electrochemical detection of ponceau 4R in foods

Synthetic pigment Ponceau 4 R is a commonly used additive in the process of various foods. Due to its potential toxicity to humans, realizing high sensitivity and rapid detection of Ponceau 4 R is extremely important. In this study, we synthesized a novel dual-network magnetic conductive hydrogel (MCHG) via a simple one-pot low temperature stirring method. In MCHG, cationic guar gum (CGG) and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) formed a primary three-dimensional network cross-linked by N, N-methylene bisacrylamide. A second network was formed in MCHG by CGG, β-CD and magnetite@carboxylate-terminated carbon nanotubes (Fe3O4@COOH-MWCNTs) through hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. Fe3O4@COOH-MWCNTs enhanced cross-linking in the MCHG hydrogel, whilst also boosting the equilibrium adsorption capacity of Ponceau 4 R (61.8 mg g-1), electrical conductivity and electrocatalytic performance. Application of MCHG to a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) created a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for the detection of Ponceau 4 R. Under optimized testing conditions, the sensor offered a very wide linear range (0.01-200.0 μM) and a low limit of detection (1.8 nM) for Ponceau 4 R. When the sensor was applied to the detection of Ponceau 4 R in spiked honey and liqueur samples, excellent recoveries were achieved (88.2%-107.0%). Furthermore, analyses of commercial biscuit and candy samples using the MCHG/GCE sensor and a national standard ultraviolet spectrophotometry method afforded identical results. Results demonstrate that multifunctional hydrogels show great promise as signal amplification agents in electrochemical detection of target compounds in foods.

Gut microbiota and myeloproliferative neoplasms

The human gut microbiota refers to the collective assembly of microorganisms inhabiting and colonizing the gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, archaea, and eukarya.1 This intricate microbial ecosystem exists in a symbiotic relationship with the host, with trillions of microorganisms playing key roles in maintaining human health.2 Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes represent the predominant bacterial phyla that form the intestinal microbiome.2 The gut microbiota has developed adaptive mechanisms to promote its survival within the gastrointestinal tract. Development of the intestinal microbiome has been depicted and seems to be influenced by a variety of factors, e.g., mode of delivery, diet during infancy and adulthood, illnesses, and antibiotic treatment causing variation in the composition of the microbiota.3 Before the age of three, children’s intestinal microbiome already resembles the gut microbiota of adult individuals in terms of functional capabilities, diversity, and composition.4 The gut microbiota offers numerous benefits to the host as its metabolic activity is responsible for the generation of short-chain fatty acids which are a source of energy for the host, and for the fermentation of carbohydrates leading to the synthesis of oxalates, reducing the risk of oxalate stones in the kidney.5 In addition, the microbiota promotes lipid metabolism, vitamin synthesis, polyphenol breakdown, drug metabolism, immunomodulation, which offers immune-protection, and maintains the structural integrity of the gastrointestinal tract.3 Therefore, the gut microbiota represents an intricate microbial ecosystem that plays a critical role in maintaining human health. Continue...

[Investigate the role of neutrophil extracellular traps in immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditis with programmed death protein-1 inhibitors involvement]

Objective: To investigate the role of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditis (ICIAM) with programmed death protein-1 (PD-1) inhibitors involvement, and to explore the therapeutic potential of targeting NETs in the treatment of ICIAM. Methods: Thirty 6-week-old male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group (n=10), myocarditis group (n=10), and treatment group (n=10). Apart from the control group, each mouse was subcutaneously injected with 100 μl of complete Freund's adjuvant containing 250 μg of mouse cardiac troponin I peptide on the 1st and 7th day. Starting on the 8th day, PD-1 inhibitor (15 μg/per mouse) was intraperitoneally injected every other day for a total of 5 times. Since 1 day before the beginning of PD-1+TnI injection, the treatment group was injected with PF-1355 (50 mg·kg-1·d-1) for 16 consecutive days. The mice's general state was observed during the whole process. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RTFQ-PCR) was carried out to evaluate the transcriptional regulation of neutrophil related chemokines, NETs, pyronecrosis related factors and proinflammatory cytokines. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and western blot were applied to determine the changes of pyrosis related molecules. Echocardiography showed the differences of main cardiac indexes while cardiac pathology compared the degree of inflammatory infiltration in 3 gruops. Results: The immunofluorescence intensity of myocardial NETs in the myocarditis group was significantly increased compared to the control group mice (2.49±0.08 and 0.99±0.26, P<0.001). The protein expression levels of pyroptosis-related NLRP3, cleaved-Caspase 1, Caspase 1, cleaved-GSDMD, GSDMD, IL-1β and IL-18 in myocardial tissue of the model group were higher than those of the control group (all P<0.05). After treatment with PF-1355, compared to the myocarditis group, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (73.58%±5.31% and 58.12%±3.19%, P<0.001) and left ventricular fraction shortening (LVFS) (39.78%±4.31% and 33.89%±2.19%, P<0.001) increased. H-E staining showed a reduction in inflammatory infiltration area in the treatment group compared to the myocarditis group (30.12%±3.57% and 14.92%±2.46%, P<0.001). The immunofluorescence intensity of NETs decreased in the treatment group compared to the myocarditis group (2.52±0.04 and 1.03±0.05, P<0.001). The levels of NLRP3 and other pyroptosis-related molecules were downregulated in the treatment group compared to the myocarditis group (all P<0.05). Conclusions: NETs lead to myocardial cell pyroptosis by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome in PD-1 inhibitor-associated myocarditis. The specific MPO inhibitor PF-1355 shows a therapeutic potential by regulating the formation of NETs, decreasing NLRP3 level and relieving myocardial pyroptosis, thus reducing myocardial damage.

Study of vascular sclerosing agent based on the dual mechanism of vascular endothelial cell damage-plasmin system inhibition

Venous malformations are a vascular disorder. Currently, the use of chemical sclerosing agents is a common clinical approach for the treatment of venous malformations. However, the effectiveness of existing sclerosing agents is unsatisfactory and often accompanied by severe side effects. In this study, we have developed a novel cationic surfactant-based sclerosing agent (POL-TA) by conjugating the plasmin inhibitor tranexamic acid (TA) with a nonionic surfactant polidocanol (POL) through an ester bond. POL-TA induces endothelial cell damage, triggering the coagulation cascade and thrombus formation. Moreover, it releases TA in vivo, which inhibits plasmin activity and the activation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs), thereby stabilizing the fibrin network of the thrombus and promoting vascular fibrosis. We have established a cell model using venous malformation endothelial cells and assessed the cellular damage and underlying mechanisms of POL-TA. The inhibitory effects of POL-TA on the plasmin-MMPs system were evaluated using MMP-9 activity assay kit. Additionally, the mice tail vein model was employed to investigate the vascular sclerosing effects and mechanisms of POL-TA.

Different gene alterations in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer between the eastern and southern China

Geographical differences are conspicuous in lung cancer, and the distinct molecular features of lung tumor between Western patients and Asian patients have been demonstrated. However, the etiology of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the distribution of associated molecular aberrations in China have not been fully elucidated. The mutational profiles of 12 lung cancer-related genes were investigated in 85 patients from eastern China and 88 patients from southern China who had been histologically confirmed NSCLC. Overall, 93.6% (162/173) of tumor samples harbored at least one somatic alteration. The most frequently mutated genes were TP53 (56.1%), EGFR (50.3%), and KRAS (14.5%). We found that EGFR mutated much more frequently (60.0% vs 40.9%, P = 0.012) and TP53 mutations had significantly lower incidence (47.1% vs 64.8%, P = 0.019) in eastern cohort than that in southern cohort. Mutational signature analysis revealed a region-related mutagenesis mechanism characterized by a high prevalence of C to T transitions mainly occurring at CpG dinucleotides in southern patients. This study reveals the difference in the mutational features between NSCLC patients in eastern and southern China. The distinct patterns of gene mutation could provide clues for the mechanism of carcinogenesis of lung cancer, offering opportunities to stratify patients into optimal treatment plans based on genomic profiles.

Comparison of Hippocampal Volume Change after Whole-Brain Radiotherapy with and without Hippocampal Avoidance: A Post-Hoc Analysis of a Phase II Randomized Trial

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Hippocampal avoidance whole-brain radiotherapy (HA-WBRT) preserves verbal memory compared to conformal WBRT in the previously reported randomized phase II clinical trial. In the present study, we analyzed the changes in hippocampus volume between groups at longitudinal follow-up time points. We hypothesize better preservation of hippocampus volumes with time in the HA-WBRT group.

MATERIALS/METHODS

In this post-hoc analysis of a single institution, single-blind, randomized phase II trial, patients with brain metastases were randomized to receive either HA-WBRT or conformal WBRT with 30 Gy in 10 fractions. Patients received gadolinium contrast-enhanced MRI every three months or when clinically indicated after WBRT until progression. Only patients with at least one follow-up MRI were included. The MRI was used to assess baseline intracranial volume, hippocampal volume, the ratio of the total hippocampus to total intracranial volume (HT%), and the ratio of the left (HL%) or right (HR%) hippocampus to total intracranial volume. The volumes were automatically calculated by volBrain, an online MRI brain volumetry system. We used linear mixed models with fixed and random effects to compare the changes of repeated measures of the hippocampus volumes over time between the two groups.

RESULTS

Among 70 randomized patients, 51 (25 in the HA-WBRT group and 26 in the WBRT group) were included in the present analysis. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the baseline demographics, HT%, HR%, and HL%. The median follow-up time was 13.9 months (range 2.1-31.8 months), and more than 60% of patients had at least one year of follow-up. Linear mixed model analyses showed a more significant decrease of HT% over time in the WBRT arm (regression coefficient β = -0.002, p = 0.001) compared to the HA-WBRT arm (regression coefficient, β = -0.001, p = 0.254), with a significant group by time interaction (F-value = 4.27, p = 0.050). The HL% was stable over time in the HA-WBRT arm (β = 0.0001, p = 0.769) while it decreased in the WBRT arm (β = -0.001, p = 0.003), with a significant group by time interaction (F-value = 6.51, p = 0.015). In contrast, the HR% decreased over time in both groups (HA-WBRT: regression coefficient β = -0.001, p = 0.006; WBRT: regression coefficient β = -0.001, p < 0.001) without significant group by time interaction (F-value = 0.20, p = 0.662).

CONCLUSION

HA-WBRT better preserves total hippocampus volume with time compared to WBRT, with the main effect contributed by preserving the left hippocampus volume. Further research is warranted to establish the relationship between hippocampus volume perpetuation and cognitive function preservation. The future goal is to investigate whether left-side unilateral HA-WBRT provides similar neurocognitive function preservation compared to standard bilateral HA-WBRT.

[Safety and efficacy analysis of the removal of refractory esophageal self-expandable metal stents by stent-in-stent technique]

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of esophageal stent-in-stent (SIS) in patients with refractory esophageal self-expandable metal stents (SEMS). Case series study. Retrospective analysis was made on the patients with refractory esophageal SEMS treated with SIS technology in Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University from June 2015 to June 2021. The success rate of stent removal and the incidence of adverse events were analyzed. A total of 12 patients were included, including 7 males and 5 females, aged 50-73 (62.7±8.5) years. The clinical success rate of the internal stents was 12/12, with the median retention time of [M(Q1, Q3), 64.5 (52.0, 90.8)] days. The postoperative displacement rate and severe stenosis incidence were 1/12 and 3/12, respectively. The esophageal stents were successfully removed in one endoscopic session in all patients. A small amount of mucous membrane extravasation occurred in all patients after SIS, and no patients died after 90 days of follow-up.

High-peak-power optically pumped passively mode-locked semiconductor laser with minimal components

A high-peak-power sub-500-fs mode-locked optically pumped semiconductor laser is innovatively developed with only three components of a semiconductor gain chip, a semiconductor saturable absorber, and a focusing lens. The developed laser near the threshold pump power of 3.9 W can be operated with stable fundamental mode locking. The laser output can be naturally turned into the stable harmonic mode locking (HML) with the order gradually changing from 2nd to 8th by increasing the pump power from 4.0 W to 5.0 W. Due to the onset of the high-order transverse modes, the order of HML is fixed at 8th for a pump power greater than 5.0 W. For the HML with order less than 8th, the overall peak power and pulse width in the HML are approximately 0.36 kW and 550 fs, respectively. In the operation of 8th-order HML, the minimum pulse width and maximum peak power can reach 480 fs and 0.95 kW, respectively.

NADPH oxidase mediated oxidative stress signaling in FLT3-ITD acute myeloid leukemia

The internal tandem duplication of the juxtamembrane domain of the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3-ITD) is the most common genetic change in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and about 30% of all AMLs harbor a FLT3-ITD mutation. Even though FLT3 inhibitors have displayed encouraging effects in FLT3-ITD-mutated AML, the extent of the clinical response to these compounds is cut short due to the rapid development of drug resistance. Evidence has shown that FLT3-ITD triggered activation of oxidative stress signaling may exert a pivotal role in drug resistance. The downstream pathways of FLT3-ITD, including STAT5, PI3K/AKT, and RAS/MAPK, are considered to be major oxidative stress signaling pathways. These downstream pathways can inhibit apoptosis and promote proliferation and survival by regulating apoptosis-related genes and promoting the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through NADPH oxidase (NOX) or other mechanisms. Appropriate levels of ROS may promote proliferation, but high levels of ROS can lead to oxidative damage to the DNA and increase genomic instability. In addition, post-translational modifications of FLT3-ITD and changes in its subcellular localization can affect downstream signaling which may also be one of the mechanisms leading to drug resistance. In this review, we summarized the research progress on NOX mediated oxidative stress signaling and its relationship with drug resistance in FLT3-ITD AML, and discuss the possible new targets in FLT3-ITD signal blocking to reverse drug resistance in FLT3-ITD-mutated AML.

[Analysis of the disease burden of pneumoconiosis globally and in China from 1990 to 2019]

Objective: To analyze the disease burden of pneumoconiosis globally and in China from 1990 to 2019 using Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 data, and to provide a theoretical basis for prevention and control of pneumoconiosis. Methods: In September 2022, the data of incidence, prevalence, morality and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) of pneumoconiosis and its subtypes globally and in China from 1990 to 2019 were collected from GBD 2019, including absolute number and age-standardized rate (ASR). Joinpoint linear regression model was used to calculate average annual percent change (AAPC) and analyze the change trends of incidence, prevalence, mortality and DALY of pneumoconiosis and its subtypes. Results: From 1990 to 2019, the incident cases, prevalent cases and DALY value of pneumoconiosis showed upward trends, while the number of death cases showed downward trends. And the ASR of incidence (ASIR), the ASR of prevalence (ASPR), the ASR of mortality (ASMR) and the ASR of DALY (ASDR) showed downward trends globally and in China. China accounted for a large proportion of the global disease burden of penumoconiosis, accounting for more than 67% of the incident cases, more than 80% of the prevalent cases, more than 43% of the deaths cases and more than 60% of the absolute number of DALY in the world every year. Male were the main population of pneumoconiosis disease burden globally and in China, and the age of onset was earlier than that of female. The peak age periods of incidence, prevalence, mortality and DALY of pneumoconiosis globally and in China from 1990 to 2019 have increased. Silicosis was still the type with the highest disease burden of pneumoconiosis globally and in China. The disease burden of coal workers' pneumoconiosis had an overall improvement trend, but asbestosis had an increasing disease burden worldwide. Conclusion: The disease burden of pneumoconiosis is heavy globally and in China, which is necessary to strengthen the supervision and prevention measures according to gender, age and etiological types.

Lamina Abrasion Caused by High-Speed Drill in Unilateral Door Cervical Laminoplasty: A Clinical Investigation

BACKGROUND The association of laminar opening extent (LOE) with sagittal canal diameter (SCD) and the cross-sectional area (CSA) in unilateral door cervical laminoplasty (UDCL) was previously analyzed. However, the lamina abrasion has been neglected, which could lead to unreliable results. The present study aims to develop the concept of effective laminar opening extent (ELOE) with consideration of the lamina abrasion and to analyze the relationships between ELOE and SCD as well as the CSA of the spinal canal. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 138 patients treated by UDCL were included. Pre- and postoperative SCDs and CSAs and cervical Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores were compared to verify the effectiveness of the surgery. Linear and curvilinear regression models were used to assess the association between postoperative SCD/CSA increases and ELOE. RESULTS All surgeries were successfully performed. A total of 602 mini-plates were used, and 12-mm mini-plates was the most often used (n=402, 66.78%), while 16-mm were used the least (n=25, 4.15%). The SCDs, CSAs, and JOA scores were increased significantly after surgery (P0.939, P0.938, P.

One-pot synthesis of a novel conductive molecularly imprinted gel as the recognition element and signal amplifier for the selective electrochemical detection of amaranth in foods

Herein, we prepared a self-crosslinked conductive molecularly imprinted gel (CMIG) using cationic guar gum (CGG), chitosan (CS), β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), amaranth (AM) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by a simple one-pot low temperature magnetic stirring method. The imine bonds, hydrogen-bonding interactions and electrostatic attractions between CGG, CS and AM facilitated CMIG gelation, while β-CD and MWCNTs enhanced the adsorption capacity and conductivity of CMIG, respectively. Next, the CMIG was deposited onto the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). After selective removal of AM, a highly sensitive and selective CMIG-based electrochemical sensor was obtained for AM determination in foods. The CMIG allowed specific recognition of AM and could also be used for signal amplification, thus improving the sensitivity and selectivity of the sensor. Due to the high viscosity and self-healing properties of the CMIG, the developed sensor was very durable retaining a 92.1% of original current after 60 consecutive measurements. Under optimal conditions, the CMIG/GCE sensor showed a good linear response for AM detection (0.02-150 μM) with a limit of detection of 0.003 μM. AM recovery tests were performed in milk powder and white vinegar samples, yielding satisfactory recoveries (89.00%-111.00%). Furthermore, the levels of AM in two kinds of carbonated drinks were analyzed with the constructed sensor and an ultraviolet spectrophotometry method, with no significant difference found of the two methods. This work demonstrates that CMIG based electrochemical sensing platforms allow the cost-effective detection of AM, with the CMIG technology likely being widely applicable to the detection of other analytes.

Primary malignant melanoma of the cervix: A comprehensive analysis of case reports in the Chinese population

PURPOSE

Malignant melanoma is a tumor generated from the basal melanocytes of human epidermis. Primary malignant melanoma of the cervix (PMMC) is derived from cervical melanocytes. It is an uncommon disease, mostly occurring in perimenopausal women. PMMC has a bad prognosis and lacks a defined protocol or treatment standards. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of different surgical procedures and different adjuvant treatment modalities on their prognosis and to find risk factors for their prognosis by integrating published case report data based on the Chinese population.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study included 165 patients with PMMC in the Chinese population. We used the Kaplan-Meier method to build the survival curve, and the log-rank test to examine the variations among the subgroups. Prognostic factors were examined utilizing the Cox proportional hazards regression model. We found that patients who underwent radical hysterectomy-based surgery, those who underwent lymphadenectomy, and those who underwent other treatments in addition to surgery had significantly better survival rates. The overall analysis, showed that age, and FIGO Stage II, III, and IV, increased the risk of death. Moreover, radical hysterectomy (RH), total hysterectomy (TAH), lymphadenectomy, and adjuvant therapy were correlated with a decreased mortality risk.

CONCLUSION

After summarizing the current data, we recommend radical hysterectomy, and lymphadenectomy treatment for patients with PMMC. For patients who had already undergone surgery, other treatment options had a positive effect on prognosis. For patients who had already undergone surgery, other treatment options had a positive effect on prognosis; therefore patient-specific treatment options need to be further discussed.

Diabetes knowledge and training needs among non-endocrinology nurses

Background

It is necessary to determine the diabetes knowledge level among non-endocrinology nurses in primary care hospitals to develop continuing education strategies.

Method

A questionnaire survey was conducted among 6819 non-endocrinology nurses in 70 primary hospitals in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to assess their diabetes knowledge level and training needs. Factors affecting knowledge level were analyzed using multiple linear regression models.

Results

Diabetes knowledge was low, particularly for diabetes monitoring. Knowledge was higher in nurses who had in-service education and training in diabetes; most believed that training was necessary and hoped to improve their ability to care for diabetic patients. The most suitable training method was considered to be each nurse was taught by an assigned person after centralized specialized education and training.

Conclusion

Non-endocrinology nurses in primary care hospitals lack knowledge of diabetes and have a strong need for training. Systematic training is required to ensure that patients receive high-quality and comprehensive care.

Orbital angular momentum densities in the astigmatic transformation of Lissajous geometric laser modes

Orbital angular momentum densities in the astigmatic transformation of Lissajous geometric laser modes are originally and systematically investigated. The quantum theory of the coherent state is exploited to derive an analytical wave representation for the transformed output beams. The derived wave function is further employed to numerically analyze the propagation dependent orbital angular momentum densities. The parts of the negative and positive regions in the orbital angular momentum density are found to rapidly change in the Rayleigh range behind the transformation.

Associations of financial toxicity with symptoms and unplanned healthcare utilization among cancer patients taking oral chemotherapy at home: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Cancer patients with financial toxicity experience psychological distress and often miss medical appointments and quit treatments early, which could be a barrier to the effective management of oral chemotherapy drugs at home. This study explores whether financial toxicity predicts symptoms and unplanned healthcare utilization among cancer patients taking oral chemotherapy at home, which will contribute to the safe management of oral chemotherapy.

METHODS

Data in this study was from a prospective observational study, which was conducted between October 2018 and December 2019. 151 patients completed the Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity at discharge and completed the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory and unplanned healthcare utilization questionnaires after finishing one cycle of oral chemotherapy at home. Regression analyses were conducted to explore the associations of financial toxicity with symptoms and unplanned healthcare utilization.

RESULTS

Among 151participants, 88.08% reported severe or moderate financial toxicity, 43.05% reported symptom interference, and 31.79% reported unplanned healthcare utilization while taking oral chemotherapy at home. Patients between the age of 45-60y (p = 0.042) have higher financial toxicity, while those living in urban areas (p = 0.016) have lower financial toxicity. Patients with worse financial toxicity suffered increased symptoms of fatigue, emotional distress, disturbed sleep, and lack of appetite. Consequently, their mood and personal relation with other significant suffered. However, no statistical differences in unplanned healthcare utilization were found among patients with different levels of financial toxicity.

CONCLUSION

Middle-aged adults and those living in suburban or rural areas experienced worse financial toxicity than other groups. Patients with worse financial toxicity experienced more severe psychological symptoms (e.g., fatigue, distress, disturbed sleep, and lack of appetite) and affective interference (e.g., mood and relations with others). Identifying at-risk patients is necessary to offer tailored support for psychological symptom management.

The SELP, CD93, IL2RG, and VAV1 Genes Associated with Atherosclerosis May Be Potential Diagnostic Biomarkers for Psoriasis

Purpose

Psoriasis and atherosclerosis are immunometabolic diseases. This study aimed to integrate bioinformatics and updated public resources to find potential biological markers associated with atherosclerosis that can cause psoriasis.

Patients and Methods

Microarray datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened, and functional enrichment analysis was performed. We identified psoriasis and atherosclerosis common immune-related genes (PA-IRGs) by overlapping immune-related genes (IRGs) with genes in the module most associated with psoriasis and atherosclerosis obtained by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNAs). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was conducted to evaluate the predictive ability. The skin expression levels of diagnostic biomarkers were further verified by immunohistochemical staining. CIBERSORT, single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), and Pearson's correlation analysis were applied to evaluate immune and lipid metabolism relationships in psoriatic tissues. In addition, a lincRNA-miRNA-mRNA network was constructed to find the pathogenesis in which diagnostic markers may be involved.

Results

Four PA-IRGs (SELP, CD93, IL2RG, and VAV1) demonstrated the optimal diagnostic value, with an AUC above 0.8. The immune cell infiltration analysis showed that dendritic resting cells, NK cell activation, neutrophils, macrophages M2, macrophages M0, and B-cell memory were highly abundant in psoriasis. Immune response analysis showed that TNF family members, chemokine receptors, interferons, natural killer cells, and TGF-β family members might be involved in psoriasis. Diagnostic biomarkers are strongly associated with various infiltrating immune cells, immune responses, and lipid metabolism. A lincRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network consisting of 31 lincRNAs and 23 miRNAs was constructed. LINC00662 is involved in modulating four diagnostic biomarkers.

Conclusion

This study identified atherosclerosis-related genes SELP, CD93, VAV1, and IL2RG as potential psoriasis diagnostic markers. Provide novel insights into the possible regulatory mechanisms involved in psoriasis.

Combination of single-cell and bulk RNA seq reveals the immune infiltration landscape and targeted therapeutic drugs in spinal cord injury

Background

In secondary spinal cord injury (SCI), the immune microenvironment of the injured spinal cord plays an important role in spinal regeneration. Among the immune microenvironment components, macrophages/microglia play a dual role of pro-inflammation and anti-inflammation in the subacute stage of SCI. Therefore, discovering the immune hub genes and targeted therapeutic drugs of macrophages/microglia after SCI has crucial implications in neuroregeneration. This study aimed to identify immune hub genes and targeted therapeutic drugs for the subacute phase of SCI.

Methods

Bulk RNA sequencing (bulk-RNA seq) datasets (GSE5296 and GSE47681) and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) dataset (GSE189070) were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. In the bulk RNA-seq, the R package 'limma,' 'WGCNA,' and 'CIBERSORT' were used to jointly screen key immune genes. Subsequently, the R package 'Seurat' and the R package 'celldex' were used to divide and annotate the cell clusters, respectively. After using the Autodock software to dock immune hub genes and drugs that may be combined, the effectiveness of the drug was verified using an in vivo experiment with the T9 SCI mouse model.

Results

In the bulk-RNA seq, B2m, Itgb5, and Vav1 were identified as immune hub genes. Ten cell clusters were identified in scRNA-seq, and B2m and Itgb5 were mainly located in the microglia, while Vav1 was mainly located in macrophages. Molecular docking results showed that the proteins corresponding to these immune genes could accurately bind to decitabine. In decitabine-treated mice, the pro-inflammatory factor (TNF-α, IL-1β) levels were decreased while anti-inflammatory factor (IL-4, IL-10) levels were increased at 2 weeks post-SCI, and macrophages/microglia transformed from M1 to M2. At 6 weeks post-SCI, the neurological function score and electromyography of the decitabine treatment group were also improved.

Conclusion

In the subacute phase of SCI, B2m, Itgb5, and Vav1 in macrophages/microglia may be key therapeutic targets to promote nerve regeneration. In addition, low-dose decitabine may promote spinal cord regeneration by regulating the polarization state of macrophages/microglia.

A study of cross-border E-commerce research trends: Based on knowledge mapping and literature analysis

As a result of the trend toward economic globalization, the vigorous development of cross-border e-commerce has attracted many scholars to study this field, involving many related fields, such as consumer behavior, advertising, information systems, and supply chain management. Throughout the existing literature, it can be found that most of the research focuses on certain influencing factors of the development of cross-border e-commerce, and there is no systematic and macro- overview of the development trend of research in this field in recent years, nor the integration and analysis of keywords. Given that the research in the field of cross-border e-commerce is fragmented to a large extent, to effectively explore the research trend in this field, we must understand the current situation of cross-border e-commerce. Systematic bibliometric analysis can solve this problem by providing publishing trends and information on various topics. Therefore, based on the scientific database web, this study collected 198 references related to cross-border e-commerce from 2016 to 2021, briefly introduced the current situation and development trend of cross-border e-commerce, visually analyzed and refined the journals, authors, research institutions, countries, publication years, keywords, citations of academic publications in this field, and other key information, and summarized the development trend and path of CEBC in the existing research. It is helpful for researchers to solve the current research gap, understand the future research direction in this field, and help academia establish a strict knowledge system.

Rhodiola rosea polysaccharides promote the proliferation of bone marrow haematopoietic progenitor cells and stromal cells in mice with aplastic anaemia

CONTEXT

The effects of Rhodiola rosea L. (Crassulaceae) polysaccharides (RRPs) on haematopoiesis are poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of RRPs on haematopoiesis in mice with aplastic anaemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Aplastic anaemia was induced in Kunming mice by ⁶⁰Coγ (2.0 Gy) irradiation and cyclophosphamide administration (50 mg/kg/day for 3 consecutive days; intraperitoneal injection). The in vivo effects of RRPs (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg; intraperitoneal injection) on haematopoiesis were analyzed using peripheral blood tests, histopathological examination of haematopoietic tissues, culture of haematopoietic progenitors and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), and Western blotting of Fas and Fas ligand (FasL). The in vitro effects of RRPs on bone-marrow haematopoietic progenitors and BMSCs were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Compared to anaemic controls, high-dose RRPs (40 mg/kg) significantly increased red blood cells (8.21 ± 0.57835 versus 6.13 ± 1.34623 × 10¹²/L), white blood cells (5.11 ± 1.6141 versus l.54 ± 1.1539 × 10⁹/L), and BMSCs (10.33 ± 1.5542 versus 5.87 ± 3.1567 × 10¹²/L) in mice with aplastic anaemia (all p < 0.01). High-dose RRPs significantly increased the formation of colony-forming unit-granulocyte macrophage (CFU-GM), burst-forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E), and colony-forming unit-erythroid (CFU-E; p < 0.01). Fas and FasL protein expression in BMSCs decreased after RRPs administration. Especially at the high dose, RRPs (150 μg/mL) significantly promoted in vitro CFUs-E, BFUs-E, and CFUs-GM formation. RRPs (150-300 μg/mL) also promoted BMSC proliferation.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

RRPs helped to promote haematopoietic recovery in mice with aplastic anaemia, facilitating haematopoietic tissue recovery. This study indicated some mechanisms of the haematopoietic regulatory effects of RRPs. Our findings provide a laboratory basis for clinical research on RRPs.

[Efficacy of selective bronchial occlusion in the treatment of intractable pneumothorax]

Objective: To analyze the effect of selective bronchial occlusion (SBO) in the treatment of intractable pneumothorax. Methods: A total of 86 patients with refractory pneumothorax treated with SBO in the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021 were included in this study. The basic information, diagnosis and treatment of the patients were collected and analyzed based on their inpatient records. Results: The age of the subjects was (62±11) years old, and 83 cases (96.5%) were male. The first time SBO cure rate was 30.2% (26/86). The effective rate of the first time SBO treatment was 38.4% (33/86), and the final cure rate of SBO was 59.3% (51/86). The total cure rate of SBO combined with other therapies was 73.3% (63/86). The median time [M (Q₁, Q₃)] from the first plugging to the complete cessation of air leakage in SBO cured patients was 6.5 (3, 7) days, which was shorter than that in the final extubation patients after SBO [11 (7, 19) days] (H=30.24, P<0.001). The median [M (Q₁, Q₃)] length of hospital stay of the first SBO cured patients was 19 (14, 25) days, which was shorter than that of all patients [28 (19, 37) days] (H=12.89, P=0.002). The median [M (Q₁, Q₃)] hospitalization expenses of patients with first SBO cure, effective SBO treatment and ineffective SBO treatment were 23 187 (18 906, 27 798), 41 580 (29 388, 50 762) and 38 462 (27 542, 51 720) yuan, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (H=18.58, P<0.001). The incidence of complications after SBO was 7.59% (11/145). Conclusion: SBO has good efficacy and relative high safety in the treatment of intractable pneumothorax.

A Capillary Electrophoresis Method Based on Molecularly Imprinted Solid-Phase Extraction for Selective and Sensitive Detection of Histamine in Foods

In this study, a sensitive capillary electrophoresis (CE) method based on molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE) was proposed to determine histamine in foods. A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) synthesized by bulk polymerization was used as the MISPE adsorbent for the selective extraction of histamine. Under the optimal conditions, the MISPE-CE method possessed good linearity for histamine detection in the concentration range of 0.1–100.0 μg/L. The limit of detection and limit of quantification of the method were calculated to be 0.087 μg/L and 0.29 μg/L, respectively. The histamine in spiked rice vinegar and liquor samples were detected by the developed method with recoveries of 92.63–111.00%. The histamine contents in fish, prawn, pork, chicken breast and soy sauce samples were determined using the developed method and a high-performance liquid chromatography method, with no significant difference found between the two methods.

The genesis and evolution of acute myeloid leukemia stem cells in the microenvironment: From biology to therapeutic targeting

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematological malignancy characterized by cytogenetic and genomic alterations. Up to now, combination chemotherapy remains the standard treatment for leukemia. However, many individuals diagnosed with AML develop chemotherapeutic resistance and relapse. Recently, it has been pointed out that leukemic stem cells (LSCs) are the fundamental cause of drug resistance and AML relapse. LSCs only account for a small subpopulation of all leukemic cells, but possess stem cell properties, including a self-renewal capacity and a multi-directional differentiation potential. LSCs reside in a mostly quiescent state and are insensitive to chemotherapeutic agents. When LSCs reside in a bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) favorable to their survival, they engage into a steady, continuous clonal evolution to better adapt to the action of chemotherapy. Most chemotherapeutic drugs can only eliminate LSC-derived clones, reducing the number of leukemic cells in the BM to a normal range in order to achieve complete remission (CR). LSCs hidden in the BM niche can hardly be targeted or eradicated, leading to drug resistance and AML relapse. Understanding the relationship between LSCs, the BMM, and the generation and evolution laws of LSCs can facilitate the development of effective therapeutic targets and increase the efficiency of LSCs elimination in AML.

Shen-Ling-Bai-Zhu-San Enhances the Antipneumonia Effect of Cefixime in Children by Ameliorating Gut Microflora, Inflammation, and Immune Response

Objective

Shen-Ling-Bai-Zhu-San (SLBZS) is used for treating gastrointestinal disorders. However, the role of SLBZS in treating pneumonia in children is still unclear.

Methods

In this study, children (≥2 and <9 years) with pneumonia were treated with 0.1 g cefixime (cefixime group) or 0.1 g cefixime + 9 g SLBZS (SLBZS + cefixime). The drugs were administered twice daily for 10 days. The therapeutic effects of the two groups were compared. The white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts; neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR); serum inflammatory factor levels; and gut microflora were assessed.

Results

The clinical efficacy of SLBZS + cefixime treatment of pneumonia in children was higher than that of cefixime alone (93.3% vs. 86.7%). Both cefixime and SLBZS + cefixime treatments decreased the area of pulmonary inflammatory lesions, reduced white blood cell and neutrophil counts, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, inflammation, and increased lymphocyte count in children with pneumonia compared with those before treatment. Moreover, SLBZS enhanced the anti-inflammation and immunity-enhancing effects of cefixime in children with pneumonia. SLBZS + cefixime treatment decreased Enterobacter, Enterococcus, Bacteroides, and Fusobacterium counts and increased Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus counts. Compared with the cefixime treatment group, the count of the six bacterial strains in the SLBZS + cefixime treatment group was closer to the normal level.

Conclusion

SLBZS enhanced the antipneumonia effect of cefixime in children with pneumonia by ameliorating gut microflora, inflammation, and immune response.

The bs-YHEDA peptide protects the brains of senile mice and thus recovers intelligence by reducing iron and free radicals

Iron accumulates in the brain with age and catalyzes free radical damage to neurons, thus playing a pathogenic role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). To decrease the incidence of AD, we synthesized the iron-affinitive peptide 5YHEDA to scavenge the excess iron in the senile brain. However, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) blocks the entrance of macromolecules into the brain, thus decreasing the therapeutic effects. To facilitate the entrance of the 5YHEDA peptide, we linked the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)-binding segment of ApoB-100 to 5YHEDA (named "bs-YHEDA"). The results of intravenous injections of bs-5YHEDA into senescent mice demonstrated that bs-YHEDA entered the brain, increased ferriportin levels, reduced iron and free radical levels, decreased the consequences of neuronal necrosis and ameliorated cognitive disfunction without kidney or liver damage. bs-5YHEDA is a safe iron and free radical remover that potentially alleviates aging and Alzheimer's disease.

[Efficacy and safety of adalimumab in patients with Crohn's disease]

Objective: To assess the effectiveness and safety of adalimumab in Crohn's disease (CD) patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 41 CD patients who received adalimumab in Zhongda Hospital Southeast University from January 2020 to August 2021. General clinical data, laboratory results, endoscopy and radiologic findings were collected, meanwhile, disease activity and safety events were evaluated at baseline and at 12, 24 and 48 weeks of administration. Adalimumab was given subcutaneously once every 2 weeks in doses of 160 mg for the first time, 80 mg for the second time, and 40 mg for each subsequent time. Results: The clinical remission rates at 12, 24, and 48 weeks of treatment were 43.9% (18/41), 60.6% (20/33), 60.9% (14/23), and the clinical response rates were 75.6% (31/41), 69.7% (23/33), and 56.5%( 13/23), respectively. The proportion of endoscopic remission at 12, 24 and 48 weeks were 4/14, 2/6, 1/4 in patients undergoing endoscopy, and 1/14 patients achieved mucosal healing at 24 weeks. Primary nonresponse rate (PNR) was 17.1% (7/41), loss of response (LOR) rate was 14.6% (6/41). The incidence of adverse reactions was 9.8%(4/41). Conclusion: Adalimumab can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms and intestinal disease activities of Crohn's disease, and deserves to be popularized clinically. Patients with disease course <2 years, first-line biologics, low baseline HBI score, and longer duration of medication may have better results.

Structured transverse modes governed by maximum entropy principle

Based on the birefringent effect of the gain medium, a diode-pumped Nd-doped vanadate laser with nearly hemispherical cavity is exploited to emulate the quantum Green functions of two-dimensional commensurate harmonic oscillators. By matching the theoretical calculations to the far-field patterns of lasing modes, the resonant transverse frequencies can be accurately determined up to extremely high orders. The Shannon entropy is further employed to calculate the spatial entanglement of the quantum Green function as a function the transverse frequency. From the resonant transverse frequencies, all lasing modes are confirmed to be in excellent agreement with the maximum entropy states. This discovery implies that the formation of lasing modes is relevant to the coupling interaction between the pump source and the laser cavity.

Continuous wave dual-wavelength Nd:YVO4 laser at 1342 and 1525 nm for generating a 714-nm emission

Continuous wave dual-wavelength lasers at 1342 and 1525 nm are developed by using separate Nd:YVO₄ and YVO₄ crystals to form compactly coupled cavities for fundamental and Raman waves, respectively. The design of the coupled cavity not only reduces the thermal lensing effect in the Nd:YVO₄ crystal, but also improves the stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) efficiency in the undoped YVO₄ crystal. In addition, the Raman crystal is coated to form a highly reflective mirror to minimize cavity losses. By using a plano-concave cavity with a pump power of 40 W, the output powers of the fundamental and Raman waves are 470 mW and 310 mW, respectively. Changed to a concave cavity, the output powers of fundamental and Raman waves are 220 mW and 510 mW, respectively. Basis on the dual-wavelength operation, the maximum output power at 714 nm can reach 2.0 W via the sum frequency generation. A light source at 714 nm can be used for laser spectroscopy of atomic and ionic radium isotopes.

Characterizing propagation-dependent spatial entanglement for structured laser beams generated by an astigmatic mode converter

The propagation-dependent spatial entanglement for the structured laser beams generated by an arbitrary incident Hermite-Gaussian (HG) mode passing through an astigmatic mode converter (AMC) is theoretically explored. The structured output beams are analytically decomposed into the expansion of HG modes for any given rotation angle of the AMC. Based on the Schmidt decomposition, the propagation-dependent spatial entanglements of the structured output modes are quantified with the von Neumann entropy. To manifest the propagation-dependent entropy, the probability distribution of the expanded HG modes in the structured output beam is quantitatively analyzed.

Erythrocyte Membrane-Coated Invisible Acoustic-Sensitive Nanoparticle for Inducing Tumor Thrombotic Infarction by Precisely Damaging Tumor Vascular Endothelium

Selective induction of tumor thrombus infarction is a promising antitumor strategy. Non-persistent embolism due to non-compacted thrombus and activated fibrinolytic system within the tumor large blood vessels and tumor margin recurrence are the main therapeutic bottlenecks. Herein, an erythrocyte membrane-coated invisible acoustic-sensitive nanoparticle (TXA+DOX/PFH/RBCM@cRGD) is described, which can induce tumor thrombus infarction by precisely damaging tumor vascular endothelium. It is revealed that TXA+DOX/PFH/RBCM@cRGD can effectively accumulate on the endothelial surface of tumor vessels with the help of the red blood cell membrane (RBCM) stealth coating and RGD cyclic peptide (cRGD), which can be delivered in a targeted manner as nanoparticle missiles. As a kind of phase-change material, perfluorohexane (PFH) nanodroplets possess excellent acoustic responsiveness. Acoustic-sensitive missiles can undergo an acoustic phase transition and intense cavitation with response to low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU), damaging the tumor vascular endothelium, rapidly initiating the coagulation cascade, and forming thromboembolism in the tumor vessels. The drugs loaded in the inner water phase are released explosively. Tranexamic acid (TXA) inhibits the fibrinolytic system, and doxorubicin (DOX) eliminates the margin survival. In summary, a stealthy and acoustically responsive multifunctional nanoparticle delivery platform is successfully developed for inducing thrombus infarction by precisely damaging tumor vascular endothelium.

Cell-free protein synthesis of influenza virus hemagglutinin HA2-integrated virosomes for siRNA delivery

It is well known that the difficulty of siRNA therapeutic application is the lack of safe and effective delivery vector. Virosome is a nano vesicle composed of lipid membrane and membrane protein. It retains fusion protein without virus genetic material, and therefore has the reduced immunogenicity compared with viral vector. Virosomes have the potential to deliver protein and nucleic acid drugs, but the traditional preparation method of virosomes is quite limited. In this study, we firstly proposed to synthesize influenza virus hemagglutinin HA2 virosomes by cell-free protein synthesis. In this study, liposomes provided the hydrophobic lipid bilayer environment for the formation of HA2 protein multimer, which inhibited the aggregation of hydrophobic HA2 and improved HA2 protein expression. Chitosan as a rigid core adsorbed siRNA and improved the encapsulation efficiency of siRNA. In conclusion, the cell-free protein synthesis was used to prepare HA2 virosomes, which paves the way for constructing a novel nano vector with high delivery efficiency and biosafety for the delivery of siRNA.

ZNF384: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Psoriasis and Alzheimer’s Disease Through Inflammation and Metabolism

Background

Psoriasis is an immune-related skin disease notable for its chronic inflammation of the entire system. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is more prevalent in psoriasis than in the general population. Immune-mediated pathophysiologic processes may link these two diseases, but the mechanism is still unclear. This article aimed to explore potential molecular mechanisms in psoriasis and AD.

Methods

Gene expression profiling data of psoriasis and AD were acquired in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA) were first applied in two datasets. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of two diseases were identified, and common DEGs were selected. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis was performed to explore common biological pathways. Signature transcription factors (STFs) were identified and their diagnostic values was calculated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis in the exploration cohort and verified in the validation cohort. The expression levels of STFs were further investigated in the validation cohort and the GTEx Portal Database. Additionally, four kinds of interaction analysis were performed: correlation analysis among STFs, gene-gene, chemical-protein, and protein-ligand interaction analyses. In the end, we predicted the transcription factor that potentially regulates STFs.

Results

Biosynthesis and metabolic pathways were enriched in GSEA analysis. In ssGSEA analysis, most immunoreaction gene lists exhibited differential enrichment in psoriasis cases, whereas three receptor-related gene lists did in AD. The KEGG analysis of common DEGs redetermined inflammatory and metabolic pathways essential in both diseases. 5 STFs (PPARG, ZFPM2, ZNF415, HLX, and ANHX) were screened from common DEGs. The ROC analysis indicated that all STFs have diagnostic values in two diseases, especially ZFPM2. The correlation analysis, gene-gene, chemical-protein, and protein-ligand interaction analyses suggested that STFs interplay and involve inflammation and aberrant metabolism. Eventually, ZNF384 was the predicted transcription factor regulating PPARG, ZNF415, HLX, and ANHX.

Conclusions

The STFs (PPARG, ZFPM2, ZNF415, HLX, and ANHX) may increase the morbidity rate of AD in psoriasis by initiating a positive feedback loop of excessive inflammation and metabolic disorders. ZNF384 is a potential therapeutic target for psoriasis and AD by regulating PPARG, ZNF415, HLX, and ANHX.