Altered microbiome of serum exosomes in patients with acute and chronic cholecystitis

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the differences in the microbiota composition of serum exosomes from patients with acute and chronic cholecystitis.

METHOD

Exosomes were isolated from the serum of cholecystitis patients through centrifugation and identified and characterized using transmission electron microscopy and nano-flow cytometry. Microbiota analysis was performed using 16S rRNA sequencing.

RESULTS

Compared to patients with chronic cholecystitis, those with acute cholecystitis exhibited lower richness and diversity. Beta diversity analysis revealed significant differences in the microbiota composition between patients with acute and chronic cholecystitis. The relative abundance of Proteobacteria was significantly higher in exosomes from patients with acute cholecystitis, whereas Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes were significantly more abundant in exosomes from patients with chronic cholecystitis. Furthermore, functional predictions of microbial communities using Tax4Fun analysis revealed significant differences in metabolic pathways such as amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and membrane transport between the two patient groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirmed the differences in the microbiota composition within serum exosomes of patients with acute and chronic cholecystitis. Serum exosomes could serve as diagnostic indicators for distinguishing acute and chronic cholecystitis.

Comparison of the effect of tea shoots during different seasons in Arma chinensis (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) reared on Ectropis grisescens (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) pupae

In this study, we compared the growth, development, and fecundity of Arma chinensis (Fallou) reared on pupae of the geometrid Ectropis grisescens Warren fed on tea shoots during different seasons of the year. The raw data on life history were analyzed using the age-stage, 2-sex life table. When reared on spring or winter geometrid pupae, the duration of the immature stage of A. chinensis was significantly longer than in those produced during the summer or autumn. The survival rate of immature A. chinensis reared on autumn geometrid pupae was significantly lower compared to other treatments. Reproductive diapause was observed in adult A. chinensis reared on winter geometrid pupae. The adult preoviposition period (APOP), total preoviposition period (TPOP), and total longevity were significantly longer in A. chinensis reared on winter pupae than in the other treatments. The fecundity of A. chinensis reared on spring geometrid pupae was significantly lower than in the other treatments. The higher intrinsic rate of increase of the A. chinensis reared on summer pupae (r = 0.0966 day-1) and autumn pupae (r = 0.0983 day-1) resulted in higher fecundity, shorter immature duration, and shorter TPOP compared to the winter and spring populations. These findings can be utilized to enhance and sustain biological control of E. grisescens in tea plantations.

Quantitative measurement of internal quality of carrots using hyperspectral imaging and multivariate analysis

The study aimed to measure the carotenoid (Car) and pH contents of carrots using hyperspectral imaging. A total of 300 images were collected using a hyperspectral imaging system, covering 472 wavebands from 400 to 1000 nm. Regions of interest (ROIs) were defined to extract average spectra from the hyperspectral images (HIS). We developed two models: least squares support vector machine (LS-SVM) and partial least squares regression (PLSR) to establish a quantitative analysis between the pigment amounts and spectra. The spectra and pigment contents were predicted and correlated using these models. The selection of EWs for modeling was done using the Successive Projections Algorithm (SPA), regression coefficients (RC) from PLSR models, and LS-SVM. The results demonstrated that hyperspectral imaging could effectively evaluate the internal attributes of carrot cortex and xylem. Moreover, these models accurately predicted the Car and pH contents of the carrot parts. This study provides a valuable approach for variable selection and modeling in hyperspectral imaging studies of carrots.

EV-COMM: A database of interspecies and intercellular interactions mediated by extracellular vesicles

Intra- and inter-organismal interactions play a crucial role in the maintenance and function of individuals, as well as communities. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been identified as effective mediators for the communication both within and between species. They can carry and transport molecular cargoes to transmit biological messages. Several databases (ExoBCD, ExoCarta, EVpedia, EV-TRACK, Vesiclepedia) complied the cargoes information including DNA, RNA, protein, lipid and metabolite associated with EVs. Databases that refer to the complete records on both donor and recipient information are warranted to facilitate the understanding of the interaction across cells and species. In this study, we developed a database that compiled the records equipped with a structured process of EV-mediated interaction. The sources of donor and recipient were classified by cell type, tissues/organs and species, thus providing an extended knowledge of cell-cell, species-species interaction. The isolation and identification methods were presented for assessing the quality of EVs. Information on functional cargoes was included, where microRNA was linked to a prediction server to broaden its potential effects. Physiological and pathological context was marked to show the environment where EVs functioned. At present, a total of 1481 data records in our database, including 971 cell-cell interactions belonging to more than 40 different tissues/organs, and 510 cross-species records. The database provides a web interface to browse, search, visualize and download the interaction records. Users can search for interactions by selecting the context of interest or specific cells/species types, as well as functional cargoes. To the best of our knowledge, the database is the first comprehensive database focusing on interactions between donor and recipient cells or species mediated by EVs, serving as a convenient tool to explore and validate interactions. The Database, shorten as EV-COMM (EV mediated communication) is freely available at http://sdc.iue.ac.cn/evs/list/ and will be continuously updated.

Multicolor Photochemical Printing Inside Polymer Matrices for Advanced Photonic Anticounterfeiting

Conventional security inks, generally directly printed on the data page surface, are vulnerable to counterfeiters, thereby raising the risk of chemical structural deciphering. In fact, polymer film-based data pages with customized patterns embedded within polymer matrix, rather than printed on the surface, emerge as a promising solution. Therefore, the key lies in developing fluorophores offering light dose-controlled fluorescent color inside polymer matrices. Though conventional fluorophores often suffer from photobleaching and uncontrolled photoreactions, disqualifying them for this purpose. Herein a diphenanthridinylfumaronitrile-based phototransformers (trans-D5) that undergoes photoisomerization and subsequent photocyclization during photopolymerization of the precursor, successively producing cis- and cyclo-D5 with stepwise redshifted solid-state emissions is developed. The resulting cyclo-D5 exhibits up to 172 nm emission redshift in rigidifying polymer matrices, while trans-D5 experiences a slightly blueshifted emission (≈28 nm), cis-D5 undergoes a modest redshift (≈14 nm). The markedly different rigidochromic behaviors of three D5 molecules within polymer matrices enable multicolor photochemical printing with a broad hue ranging from 38 to 10 via an anticlockwise direction in Munsell color space, yielding indecipherable fluorescent patterns in polymer films. This work provides a new method for document protection and implements advanced security features that are unattainable with conventional inks.

Smart-Responsive HOF Heterostructures with Multiple Spatial-Resolved Emission Modes toward Photonic Security Platform

Luminescent hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) with the unique dynamics and versatile functional sites hold great potential application in information security, yet most of responsive HOFs focus on the single-component framework with restrained emission control, limiting further applications in advanced confidential information protection. Herein, the first smart-responsive HOF heterostructure with multiple spatial-resolved emission modes for covert photonic security platform is reported. The HOF heterostructures are prepared by integrating different HOFs into a single microwire based on a hydrogen-bond-assisted epitaxial growth method. The distinct responsive behaviors of HOFs permit the heterostructure to simultaneously display the thermochromism via the framework transformation and the acidichromism via the protonation effect, thus generating multiple emission modes. The dual stimuli-controlled spatial-resolved emission modes constitute the fingerprint of a heterostructure, and enable the establishment of the smart-responsive photonic barcode with multiple convert states, which further demonstrate the dynamic coding capability and enhanced security in anticounterfeiting label applications. These results offer a promising route to design function-oriented smart responsive HOF microdevices toward advanced anticounterfeiting applications.

Serum levels of CXCL5 are decreased and correlate with circulating platelet counts in systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

To identify disease-specific serum chemokine profiles and potential anti-inflammatory chemokines in three rheumatic diseases.

METHODS

The discovery cohort included 18 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 20 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), 24 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 28 healthy subjects. Findings from the discovery cohort were validated in two replication cohorts, consisting of 23 patients with SLE matched with 23 healthy subjects and 62 patients with SLE, 16 patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), and 32 healthy controls, respectively. Serum levels of chemokines were determined using multiplex assay or ELISA.

RESULTS

In the discovery cohort, serum levels of multiple chemokines were increased in one or more diseases in comparison to healthy subjects, including CCL2, CCL20, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 in SLE, CCL2, CCL4, and CXCL11 in pSS, and CCL2, CCL4, and CXCL9 in RA. Notably, serum levels of CCL3 (p = .0003) and CXCL5 (p = .0003) were decreased in SLE. The SLE-specific decrease in CXCL5 serum levels was confirmed in the two replication cohorts, with p = .0034 and p = .0006, respectively. Moreover, a positive correlation between serum levels of CXCL5 and circulating platelet counts (R = .71, p = .00018) in SLE observed in the discovery cohort was confirmed in both replication cohorts (R = .52, p = .011 and R = .49, p = .00005, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In the present study, we demonstrate that serum levels of CXCL5 are decreased in patients with SLE and positively correlated with circulating platelet count. These findings suggest that platelet-associated CXCL5 is presumably involved in the development of SLE.

Switchable Anisotropic/Isotropic Photon Transport in a Double-Dipole Metal-Organic Framework via Radical-Controlled Energy Transfer

Directional control of photon transport at micro/nanoscale holds great potential in developing multifunctional optoelectronic devices. Here, the switchable anisotropic/isotropic photon transport is reported in a double-dipole metal-organic framework (MOF) based on radical-controlled energy transfer. Double-dipole MOF microcrystals with transition dipole moments perpendicular to each other have been achieved by the pillared-layer coordination strategy. The energy transfer between the double dipolar chromophores can be modulated by the photogenerated radicals, which permits the in situ switchable output on both polarization (isotropy/anisotropy state) and wavelength information (blue/red-color emission). On this basis, the original MOF microcrystal with isotropic polarization state displays the isotropic photon transport and similar reabsorption losses at various directions, while the radical-affected MOF microcrystal with anisotropic polarization state shows the anisotropic photon transport with distinct reabsorption losses at different directions, finally leading to the in situ switchable anisotropic/isotropic photon transport. These results offer a novel strategy for the development of MOF-based photonic devices with tunable anisotropic performance.

Recent advances in understanding the regulatory mechanism of plasma membrane H+-ATPase through the brassinosteroid signaling pathway

The polyhydroxylated steroid phytohormone brassinosteroids (BRs) control many aspects of plant growth, development and responses to environmental changes. Plasma membrane (PM) H+-ATPase, the well-known PM proton pump, is a central regulator in plant physiology, which mediates not only plant growth and development, but also adaptation to stresses. Recent studies highlight that PM H+-ATPase is at least partly regulated via the BR signaling. Firstly, the BR cell surface receptor BRASSINOSTEROID-INSENSITIVE 1 (BRI1) and multiple key components of BR signaling directly or indirectly influence PM H+-ATPase activity. Secondly, the SMALL AUXIN UP RNA (SAUR) gene family physically interacts with BRI1 to enhance organ development of Arabidopsis by activating PM H+-ATPase. Thirdly, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) assays showed that the expression of some SAUR genes is upregulated under the light or sucrose conditions, which is related to the phosphorylation state of the penultimate residue of PM H+-ATPase in a time-course manner. In this review, we describe the structural and functional features of PM H+-ATPase, and summarize recent progress toward understanding the regulatory mechanism of PM H+-ATPase by BRs, and briefly introduce how PM H+-ATPase activity is modulated by its own biterminal regions and the post-translational modifications.

Nucleic acid strand displacement for indirect determination of foodborne bacteria by capillary electrophoresis and its application in antagonism and bacteriostasis studies

Foodborne bacteria threaten human's health. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is a powerful separation means for the determination of bacteria. Direct separation of bacteria suffers from the shortages of low resolution, channel adsorption, and bacterial aggregation. In this work, a method of nucleic acid strand displacement was developed to indirect separate the bacteria by CE. DNA complexes, consisting of probes and aptamers, were mixed with the three bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The aptamers could specifically bond with bacteria and release the probes. Through the separation of the probes, the bacteria could be indirectly determined by CE. This method avoided the shortages of direct separation of bacteria. Under the optimized conditions, the three probes for the bacteria could be separated and detected within 2.5 min by high-speed CE with laser-induced fluorescence detection. The limits of detection for the bacteria were in the range 4.20 × 106 to 1.75 × 107  CFU/mL. Finally, the developed method was applied on the study of antagonism of the coexistent bacteria to reveal the relationship between them. Furthermore, the efficiency of bacteriostasis of three traditional Chinese medicines, Coptis chinensis, Schisandra chinensis, and honeysuckle, was also studied by this method.

Hydrogen production promotion and energy saving in anaerobic co-fermentation of heat-treated sludge and food waste

The objective of this paper is to gain insights into the synergistic advantage of anaerobic co-fermentation of heat-treated sludge (HS) with food waste (FW) and heat-treated food waste (HFW) for hydrogen production. The results showed that, compared with raw sludge (RS) mixed with FW (RS-FW), the co-substrate of HS mixed with either FW (HS-FW) or HFW (HS-HFW) effectively promoted hydrogen production, with HS-HFW promoted more than HS-FW. The maximum specific hydrogen production (MSHP) and the maximum hydrogen concentration (MHC) of HS-HFW were 40.53 mL H2/g dry weight and 57.22%, respectively, and 1.21- and 1.45-fold as high as those from HS-FW. The corresponding fermentation was ethanol type for HS-HFW and butyric acid type for HS-FW. The net energy production from RS-FW and HS-FW was both negative, but it was positive (2.57 MJ) from 40% HFW addition to HS-HFW. Anaerobic fermentation was more viable for HS-HFW.

Polydopamine-Modified Titanium Dioxide Nanotube Arrays Doped with Calcium as a Sustained Drug Delivery System

Titanium nanotube (TNT) arrays manufactured via electrochemical anodization have been widely used as local drug carriers due to their excellent biocompatibility and customizable nanotubular structures. However, the uncontrollable and abrupt drug release at the early stage decreases the drug release duration, leading to excessive drug concentration at the implantation site. In this study, a continuous drug delivery system based on TNTs was created. Initially, a basic ultrasound-assisted approach was utilized to deposit a polydopamine (PDA) coating onto TNTs to obtain PDA-modified TNTs. Next, TNTs-PDA were submerged in a calcium chloride solution to include Ca2+ through Ca2+ coordination between the PDA layer's catechol groups. Sodium alendronate (NaAL) was used as a model drug and loaded onto TNTs-PDA-Ca2+ by immersing them in an NaAL solution. In the final step, NaAL was covalently attached to TNTs-PDA-Ca2+ through coordination bonds with Ca2+. The samples underwent characterization through the use of various techniques, including field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction patterning, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry. The results indicated that the bioactivity of TNTs improved, and there was an enhancement in drug loading capacity and release performance due to modification with PDA and Ca2+. Furthermore, acidic conditions can cause significant drug release due to the cleavage of coordination bonds between the drug and Ca2+ ions. Thus, the aforementioned drug delivery system represents a potentially promising approach for achieving sustained and controllable drug release.

Single-tube protocol for culture-independent spoligotyping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis based on MeltArray

IMPORTANCE

Spacer oligonucleotide typing (spoligotyping), the first-line genotyping assay for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), plays a fundamental role in the investigation of its epidemiology and evolution. In this study, we established a single-tube spoligotyping assay using MeltArray, a highly multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach that runs on a real-time PCR thermocycler. The MeltArray protocol included an internal positive control, gyrB, to indicate the abundance of MTB via the quantification cycle and 43 spacers to identify the spoligotype via melting curve analysis. The entire protocol was completed in a single step within 2.5 hours. The lowest detectable copy number for the tested strains was 20 copies/reaction and thus sufficient for analyzing both culture and sputum samples. We conclude that MeltArray-based spoligotyping could be used immediately in low- and middle-income countries with a high tuberculosis burden, given its easy access, improved throughput, and potential applicability to clinical samples.

Analysis of factors influencing the intravertebral shell phenomenon after posterior reduction internal fixation of thoracolumbar fracture: a retrospective study

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective study.

PURPOSE

The study objectives were as follows: 1) to analyze the factors influencing the occurrence of the intravertebral shell phenomenon (ISP) after thoracolumbar spinal fracture surgery and the evolutionary outcome of this phenomenon; and 2) to make recommendations for the clinical prevention and treatment of ISP.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 331 patients with single-segment fractures of the thoracolumbar spine treated with internal fixation via a pedicle screw-rod system. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze factors influencing ISP.

RESULTS

A total of 260 patients (78.5%) developed ISP after surgery. Reduced bone mineral density, screw insertion depth, degree of vertebral body injury, and excessive vertebral body spreading were significantly associated with the occurrence of ISP (P < 0.05). A total of 166 of the 260 patients were reviewed via CT at 1 year postoperatively. Among them, 104 patients (62.6%) showed shrinkage or healed vertebral cavities, and 62 patients (37.4%) showed enlarged vertebral cavities or collapsed endplates.

CONCLUSION

In clinical management, surgeons need to focus on risk factors for ISP, which include decreased bone density, preoperative vertebral overcompression, intraoperative vertebral overextension, screw insertion depth, and the degree of vertebral repositioning. At the 1-year postoperative follow-up, some of the vertebrae with ISP failed to heal or even showed vertebral cleft enlargement, which would affect the stability of the internal fracture fixation device and the quality of the patient's daily life.

Inhibition of miR-542-3p augments autophagy to promote diabetic corneal wound healing

BACKGROUND

Autophagy has recently been shown to be critical for protecting peripheral nerve regeneration. This study explored the impact of miR-542-3p on diabetic corneal nerve regeneration and epithelial healing through the regulation of autophagy.

METHODS

A type 1 diabetes model was established in male mice through streptozotocin administration. Immunofluorescence staining of β-Tubulin III and sodium fluorescein staining were performed to observe corneal nerve fiber density and corneal epithelial healing, respectively. Western blotting, immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy were used to determine autophagy levels. Subconjunctival injection of RAPA and 3-MA altered autophagy levels; with them, we evaluated the role of autophagy in diabetic keratopathy. miRNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were performed to identify miRNA-mRNA networks with potential autophagy-regulating roles, and miR-542-3p was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). miR-542-3p antagomir was injected subconjunctivally to assess the role in diabetic corneal neuropathy.

RESULTS

Our data suggest that autophagy is suppressed in the diabetic corneal nerve and that activation of autophagy promotes diabetic corneal wound healing. We identified a potential autophagy-regulating miRNA-mRNA network in the diabetic trigeminal ganglion, in which miR-542-3p expression was significantly upregulated. Inhibition of miR-542-3p significantly enhanced the level of autophagy in trigeminal ganglion by upregulating ATG4D expression, thereby accelerating diabetic corneal nerve regeneration and epithelial healing.

CONCLUSIONS

Dysregulated autophagy is an important contributor to delayed diabetic corneal injury healing. Inhibiting miR-542-3p promotes diabetic corneal nerve regeneration and epithelial healing through autophagy activation by ATG4D.

Polyfluoroalkyl Chain-Based Assemblies for Biomimetic Catalysis

Amphiphobic fluoroalkyl chains are exploited for creating robust and diverse self-assembled biomimetic catalysts. Long terminal perfluoroalkyl chains (Cn F2n+1 with n=6, 8, and 10) linked with a short perhydroalkyl chains (Cm H2m with m=2 and 3) were used to synthesize several 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (TACN) derivatives, Cn F2n+1 -Cm H2m -TACN. In the presence of an equimolar amount of Zn2+ ions that coordinate the TACN moiety and drive the self-assembly into micelle-like aggregates, the critical aggregation concentration of polyfluorinated Cn F2n+1 -Cm H2m -TACN⋅Zn2+ was lowered by ∼1 order of magnitude compared to the traditional perhyroalkyl counterpart with identical carbon number of alkyl chain. When 2'-hydroxypropyl-4-nitrophenyl phosphate was used as the model phosphate substrate, polyfluorinated Cn F2n+1 -Cm H2m -TACN⋅Zn2+ assemblies showed higher affinity and catalytic activity, compared to its perhyroalkyl chain-based counterpart. Coarse-grained molecular dynamic simulations have been introduced to explore the supramolecular assembly of polyfluoroalkyl chains in the presence of Zn2+ ions and to better understand their enhanced catalytic activity.

Chinese Medicine Supplementing Qi and Activating Blood Circulation Relieves the Progression of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the leading cause of diabetic death as the final occurrence of heart failure and arrhythmia. Traditional Chinese medicine is usually used to treat various diseases including diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to investigate the effects of Traditional Chinese medicine supplementing Qi and activating blood circulation (SAC) in DCM.

METHODS

After the construction of the DCM model by streptozotocin (STZ) injection and high glucose/fat diet feeding, rats were administered intragastrically with SAC. Then, cardiac systolic/diastolic function was evaluated by detecting left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), maximal rate of left ventricular pressure rise (+LVdp/dtmax), and fall (-LVdp/dtmax), heart rate (HR), left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), LV fractional shortening (FS) and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP). Masson's and TUNEL staining were used to assess fibrosis and cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

RESULTS

DCM rats exhibited impaired cardiac systolic/diastolic function manifested by decreasing LVSP, + LVdp/dtmax, -LVdp/dtmax, HR, EF and FS, and increasing LVEDP. Intriguingly, traditional Chinese medicine SAC alleviated the above-mentioned symptoms, indicating a potential role in improving cardiac function. Masson's staining substantiated that SAC antagonized the increased collagen deposition and interstitial fibrosis area and the elevations in protein expression of fibrosisrelated collagen I and fibronectin in heart tissues of DCM rats. Furthermore, TUNEL staining confirmed that traditional Chinese medicine SAC also attenuated cardiomyocyte apoptosis in DCM rats. Mechanically, DCM rats showed the aberrant activation of the TGF-β/Smad signaling, which was inhibited after SAC.

CONCLUSION

SAC may exert cardiac protective efficacy in DCM rats via the TGF-β/Smad signaling, indicating a new promising therapeutic approach for DCM.

Honokiol ameliorates angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy by promoting dissociation of the Nur77-LKB1 complex and activating the AMPK pathway

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is a key contributor to heart failure, and the molecular mechanisms underlying honokiol (HNK)-mediated cardioprotection against this condition remain worth further exploring. This study aims to investigate the effect of HNK on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced myocardial hypertrophy and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to Ang II infusion, followed by HNK or vehicle treatment for 4 weeks. Our results showed that HNK treatment protected against Ang II-induced myocardial hypertrophy, fibrosis and dysfunction in vivo and inhibited Ang II-induced hypertrophy in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes in vitro. Mechanistically, HNK suppressed the Ang II-induced Nur77 expression at the transcriptional level and promoted ubiquitination-mediated degradation of Nur77, leading to dissociation of the Nur77-LKB1 complex. This facilitated the translocation of LKB1 into the cytoplasm and activated the LKB1-AMPK pathway. Our findings suggest that HNK attenuates pathological remodelling and cardiac dysfunction induced by Ang II by promoting dissociation of the Nur77-LKB1 complex and subsequent activation of AMPK signalling. This study uncovers a novel role of HNK on the LKB1-AMPK pathway to protect against cardiac hypertrophy.

Post reversible encephalopathy syndrome attributed to mycophenolate mofetil used in the treatment of SLE: A case report and review of literature

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare clinical disease, which has been seen in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Its main manifestations are seizure, headache and other neurological symptoms. While the condition is reversible, if not treated in time, there can be risks of cerebral haemorrhage. We report here the case of a young patient with SLE who developed PRES after receiving the immunosuppressant, mycophenolate mofetil. Neurological symptoms, signs, or changes in a patient's condition that cannot be explained by lupus, should alert physicians to the possibility of the drug causing PRES, and prompt discontinuation should ensue.

Advancements in the research of finger-actuated POCT chips

Microfluidic point-of-care testing (POCT) chips are used to enable the mixing and reaction of small sample volumes, facilitating target molecule detection. Traditional methods for actuating POCT chips rely on external pumps or power supplies, which are complex and non-portable. The development of finger-actuated chips has reduced operational difficulty and improved portability, promoting the development of POCT chips. This paper reviews the significance, developments, and potential applications of finger-actuated POCT chips. Three methods for controlling the flow accuracy of finger-actuated chips are summarized: direct push, indirect control, and sample injection control method, along with their respective advantages and disadvantages. Meanwhile, a comprehensive analysis of multi-fluid driving modes is provided, categorizing them into single-push multi-driving and multi-push multi-driving modes. Furthermore, recent research breakthroughs in finger-actuated chips are thoroughly summarized, and their structures, driving, and detection methods are discussed. Finally, this paper discusses the driving performance of finger-actuated chips, the suitability of detection scenarios, and the compatibility with existing detection technologies. It also provides prospects for the future development and application of finger-actuated POCT chips.

Characteristics and Species Diversity of Semi-Natural Plant Communities on Langqi Island

(1) Background: Islands are relatively independent and fragile ecosystems with unique habitats. Studying the relatively stable semi-natural plant communities on islands can enrich island vegetation data and provide an understanding of the factors affecting species diversity and distribution. (2) Methods: The semi-natural plant communities on Langqi Island (LI) in Fujian Province were sampled, and the redundancy method was used to analyze the correlation between species diversity, community distribution, and environmental factors. (3) Results: (i) There were 432 species of vascular plants, with 306 genera and 110 families; (ii) the semi-natural plant communities consisted of three vegetation types, 10 formations, and 10 clusters; (iii) the species diversity indices of the semi-natural plant communities presented a trend of gradually decreasing along the shrub, tree, and herb layers. Different formations varied in terms of the species diversity index; and (iv) the soil total potassium and nitrogen contents significantly affected the species diversity of the LI semi-natural plant communities, whereas the pH, soil TN content, organic matter content, AK content, and altitude significantly affected the community distribution. (4) Conclusions: Selecting appropriate tree species for mixed forests based on plant characteristics and regional conditions, together with regulating the soil nutrient content, can improve the species diversity of semi-natural plant communities.

A Microporous Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Framework Based on Hydrogen-Bonding Tetramers for Efficient Xe/Kr Separation

Hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) have been emerging as a new type of very promising microporous materials for gas separation and purification, but few HOFs structures constructed through hydrogen-bonding tetramers have been explored in this field. Herein, we report the first microporous HOF (termed as HOF-FJU-46) afforded by hydrogen-bonding tetramers with 4-fold interpenetrated diamond networks, which shows excellent chemical and thermal stability. What's more, activated HOF-FJU-46 exhibits the highest xenon (Xe) uptake of 2.51 mmol g-1 and xenon/krypton (Kr) selectivity of 19.9 at the ambient condition among the reported HOFs up to date. Dynamic breakthrough tests confirmed the excellent Xe/Kr separation of HOF-FJU-46a, showing high Kr productivity (110 mL g-1 ) and Xe uptake (1.29 mmol g-1 ), as well as good recyclability. The single crystal X-ray diffraction and the molecular simulations revealed that the abundant accessible aromatic and pyrazole rings in the pore channels of HOF-FJU-46a can provide the multiple strong C-H⋅⋅⋅Xe interactions with Xe atoms.

Molecular insights into the mechanisms of a leaf color mutant in Anoectochilus roxburghii by gene mapping and transcriptome profiling based on PacBio Sequel II

Plants with partial or complete loss of chlorophylls and other pigments are frequently occurring in nature but not commonly found. In the present study, we characterize a leaf color mutant 'arly01' with an albino stripe in the middle of the leaf, which is an uncommon ornamental trait in Anoectochilus roxburghii. The albino "mutant" middle portion and green "normal" leaf parts were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and their pigment contents were determined. The mutant portion exhibited underdevelopment of plastids and had reduced chlorophyll and other pigment (carotenoid, anthocyanin, and flavonoid) content compared to the normal portion. Meanwhile, comparative transcript analysis and metabolic pathways mapping showed that a total of 599 differentially expressed genes were mapped to 78 KEGG pathways, most of which were down-regulated in the mutant portion. The five most affected metabolic pathways were determined to be oxidative phosphorylation, photosynthesis system, carbon fixation & starch and sucrose metabolism, porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism, and flavonoid biosynthesis. Our findings suggested that the mutant 'arly01' was a partial albinism of A. roxburghii, characterized by the underdevelopment of chloroplasts, low contents of photosynthetic and other color pigments, and a number of down-regulated genes and metabolites. With the emergence of ornamental A. roxburghii in southern China, 'arly01' could become a popular cultivar due to its unique aesthetics.

Ultra-sensitive detection of tumor necrosis factor alpha based on silver-coated gold core shell and magnetically separated recognition of SERS aptamer sensors

A highly sensitive tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) detection method based on a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) magnetic patch sensor is reported. Magnetic beads (MNPs) and core shells were used as the capture matrix and signaling probe, respectively. For this purpose, antibodies were immobilized on the surface of magnetic beads, and then Au@4-MBN@Ag core-shell structures coupled with aptamers and TNF-α antigen were added sequentially to form a sandwich immune complex. Quantitative analysis was performed by monitoring changes in the characteristic SERS signal intensity of the Raman reporter molecule 4-MBN. The results showed that the limit of detection (LOD) of the proposed method was 4.37 × 10-15 mg·mL-1 with good linearity (R2 = 0.9918) over the concentration range 10-12 to 10-5 mg·mL-1. Excellent assay accuracy was also demonstrated, with recoveries in the range 102% to 114%. Since all reactions occur in solution and are separated by magnetic adsorption of magnetic beads, this SERS-based immunoassay technique solves the kinetic problems of limited diffusion and difficult separation on solid substrates. The method is therefore expected to be a good clinical tool for the diagnosis of the inflammatory biomarker THF-α and in vivo inflammation screening.

Comparison and Three-Dimensional Fluorescence Spectrum Analysis of Activated Sludge Treatment with Fenton and UV-Fenton

This study investigated the effects of single Fenton and Fenton and UV combined processes on the cracking degree of anaerobic sludge under the same conditions. The optimal experimental conditions were obtained by repeated determination of Fe2+ dosage, H2O2 dosage and reaction time, so as to achieve the maximum cracking of sludge. In addition, this study applied three-dimensional fluorescence spectrum analysis technology to analyze the organic matter leached from the treated sludge, and different regions of the three-dimensional fluorescence spectra were analyzed and compared for each treatment condition. Repeated experiments showed that the optimal conditions for Fenton are a pH of 3, reaction time of 40 min, 1.4 g/L of Fe2+ and 9 g/L of H2O2. The Fenton process cracking yielded a protein concentration of 0.66 mg/L and sCOD of 5489 mg/L, and the UV-Fenton pretreatment yielded a protein concentration of 0.74 mg/L and sCOD of 5856 mg/L. The sludge particle size was reduced from the original 54.52 mm to 40.30 mm and 36.37 mm, respectively. In addition to these parameters, it was also demonstrated that the Fenton process has a strong cracking effect on sludge by indicators such as the SEM and sludge water content and that UV irradiation can play a role in assisting and helping sludge cracking.

Epidemiological Insights into the Omicron Outbreak via MeltArray-Assisted Real-Time Tracking of SARS-CoV-2 Variants

The prolonged course of the COVID-19 pandemic necessitates sustained surveillance of emerging variants. This study aimed to develop a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR) suitable for the real-time tracking of Omicron subvariants in clinical and wastewater samples. Plasmids containing variant-specific mutations were used to develop a MeltArray assay. After a comprehensive evaluation of both analytical and clinical performance, the established assay was used to detect Omicron variants in clinical and wastewater samples, and the results were compared with those of next-generation sequencing (NGS) and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). The MeltArray assay identified 14 variant-specific mutations, enabling the detection of five Omicron sublineages (BA.2*, BA.5.2*, BA.2.75*, BQ.1*, and XBB.1*) and eight subvariants (BF.7, BN.1, BR.2, BQ.1.1, XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16, XBB.1.9, and BA.4.6). The limit of detection (LOD) of the assay was 50 copies/reaction, and no cross-reactivity was observed with 15 other respiratory viruses. Using NGS as the reference method, the clinical evaluation of 232 swab samples exhibited a clinical sensitivity of > 95.12% (95% CI 89.77-97.75%) and a specificity of > 95.21% (95% CI, 91.15-97.46%). When used to evaluate the Omicron outbreak from late 2022 to early 2023, the MeltArray assay performed on 1408 samples revealed that the epidemic was driven by BA.5.2* (883, 62.71%) and BF.7 (525, 37.29%). Additionally, the MeltArray assay demonstrated potential for estimating variant abundance in wastewater samples. The MeltArray assay is a rapid and scalable method for identifying SARS-CoV-2 variants. Integrating this approach with NGS and ddPCR will improve variant surveillance capabilities and ensure preparedness for future variants.

Meiosis in an asymmetric dikaryotic genome of Tremella fuciformis Tr01 facilitates new chromosome formation

BACKGROUND

The dikaryotic stage dominates most of the life cycle in basidiomycetes, and each cell carries two different haploid nuclei. Accurate phasing of these two nuclear genomes and their interactions have long been of interest.

RESULTS

We combine PacBio HiFi reads, Nanopore ultra-long reads, and Hi-C data to generate a complete, high-quality asymmetric dikaryotic genome of Tremella fuciformis Tr01, including Haplotypes A and B genomes. We assemble a meiotic haploid DBZ04 genome and detect three recombination events in these two haplotypes. We identify several chromosomal rearrangements that lead to differences in chromosome number, length, content, and sequence arrangement between these two haplotypes. Each nucleus contains a two-speed genome, harboring three accessory chromosomes and two accessory compartments that affect horizontal chromatin transfer between nuclei. We find few basidiospores are ejected from fruiting bodies of Tr01. Most monospore isolates sequenced belong to Tr01-Haplotype A genome architecture. More than one-third of monospore isolates carry one or two extra chromosomes including Chr12B and two new chromosomes ChrN1 and ChrN2. We hypothesize that homologous regions of seven sister chromatids pair into a large complex during meiosis, followed by inter-chromosomal recombination at physical contact sites and formation of new chromosomes.

CONCLUSION

We assemble two haplotype genomes of T. fuciformis Tr01 and provide the first overview of basidiomycetous genomes with discrete genomic architecture. Meiotic activities of asymmetric dikaryotic genomes result in formation of new chromosomes, aneuploidy of some daughter cells, and inviability of most other daughter cells. We propose a new approach for breeding of sporeless mushroom.

Comparison of proximal gastrectomy with double-flap technique and double-tract reconstruction for proximal early gastric cancer: a meta-analysis

Surgical resection is the main treatment for proximal gastric cancer, but there is no consensus on its reconstruction. We carried out a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of double-tract reconstruction (DTR) and double-flap technique (DFT) on postoperative quality of life in patients with proximal gastric cancer. Systematic searches of PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, and the Cochrane Library were performed. Literature for the last 5 years was searched without language restrictions. The cutoff date for the search was 12 April 2023. Literature and research searches were conducted independently by two researchers and data were extracted. Statistical analyses were performed using Review Manager (Revman) 5.4 software. Fixed models were used when heterogeneity was small and random-effects models were used for meta-analysis when heterogeneity was large. The study was registered with PROSPERO, CRD 42023418520. Surgical time was significantly shorter in the DTR group than in the DFT group (P = 0.03). There were no significant differences between DFT and DTR in terms of age, gender, pathological stage, preoperative body mass index, surgical bleeding, and perioperative complications. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of reflux esophagitis and PPI intake, but DFT was superior to DTR in weight improvement at 1 year after surgery (P < 0.0001). Compared with DTR, DFT reconstruction is more demanding and time-consuming, but its postoperative nutritional status is better, so it should be the first choice for GI reconstruction in most patients with early proximal gastric cancer. However, DTR should be the best choice for patients who have difficulty operating.

Antitumor effect of toosendanin on oral squamous cell carcinoma via suppression of p-STAT3

BACKGROUND

Toosendanin (TSN) exhibits potent antitumor activity against various tumor cell lines. However, its efficacy against oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of TSN on OSCC cells in vitro and verified them in vivo using a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model.

METHODS

The effect of TSN on OSCC cells was investigated by cytotoxicity assays and flow cytometry. The expression of proteins was detected by western blotting. An OSCC PDX model was constructed to further investigate the role of TSN in regulating the function of OSCC.

RESULTS

The cell viability of CAL27 and HN6 cells decreased as the concentration of TSN increased within the experimental range. Compared with controls, TSN at lower doses inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis through S-phase cell cycle arrest. TSN inhibited OSCC cell proliferation by downregulating the STAT3 pathway through the inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation. After successful construction of the OSCC PDX model with high pathological homology to the primary tumor and treatment with an intraperitoneal injection of TSN, we showed that TSN significantly reduced the tumor size of the PDX model mice without obvious toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Both in vitro and in vivo, TSN significantly inhibits the proliferation and promoted apoptosis of OSCC cells. Furthermore, TSN demonstrates potent inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation, indicating its potential as a promising therapeutic agent for OSCC. Therefore, TSN holds great promise as a viable drug candidate for the treatment of OSCC.

Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of the HAK Gene Family in Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) and Their Expression Profiles under Saline and Alkaline Conditions

The high-affinity K+ transporter (HAK) family, the most prominent potassium transporter family in plants, which involves K+ transport, plays crucial roles in plant responses to abiotic stresses. However, the HAK gene family remains to be characterized in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.). We explored HAKs in quinoa, identifying 30 members (CqHAK1-CqHAK30) in four clusters phylogenetically. Uneven distribution was observed across 18 chromosomes. Furthermore, we investigated the proteins' evolutionary relationships, physicochemical properties, conserved domains and motifs, gene structure, and cis-regulatory elements of the CqHAKs family members. Transcription data analysis showed that CqHAKs have diverse expression patterns among different tissues and in response to abiotic stresses, including drought, heat, low phosphorus, and salt. The expressional changes of CqHAKs in roots were more sensitive in response to abiotic stress than that in shoot apices. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that under high saline condition, CqHAK1, CqHAK13, CqHAK19, and CqHAK20 were dramatically induced in leaves; under alkaline condition, CqHAK1, CqHAK13, CqHAK19, and CqHAK20 were dramatically induced in leaves, and CqHAK6, CqHAK9, CqHAK13, CqHAK23, and CqHAK29 were significantly induced in roots. Our results establish a foundation for further investigation of the functions of HAKs in quinoa. It is the first study to identify the HAK gene family in quinoa, which provides potential targets for further functional study and contributes to improving the salt and alkali tolerance in quinoa.

Comparative Study of Membrane Fouling with Aeration Shear Stress in Filtration of Different Substances

The formation process of membrane fouling is complex and diverse, which is an important problem that needs to be overcome in membrane applications. In this paper, three foulant systems consisting of humic acid, humic acid plus Ca2+ and humic acid plus Ca2+ plus yeast were selected to compare membrane fouling processes with different aeration intensities. The aim was to establish the quantitative relationship between membrane fouling rate and shear stress, respectively, in a large-scale flat sheet MBR (FSMBR). The shear stress values at different aeration intensities were obtained using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The membrane fouling rate during the filtration of different substances was measured by performing experiments. The comparison results showed that the membrane fouling rate varied greatly during the filtration of different substances. With the help of particle size distribution, the effect of different shear forces on floc size was further explored. Using the dual control of fouling rate and floc size, the recommended aeration intensity was 6~8 L/(m2·min).

Revealing Further Insights into Astringent Seeds of Chinese Fir by Integrated Metabolomic and Lipidomic Analyses

Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.) stands as one of the pivotal afforestation tree species and timber resources in southern China. Nevertheless, the occurrence of seed abortion and a notably high proportion of astringent seeds significantly curtail the yield and quality of elite seeds, resulting in substantial economic losses. The development of astringent seeds is accompanied by significant physiological and biochemical alterations. Here, the first combined lipidomic and metabolomic analysis was performed to gain a comprehensive understanding of astringent seed traits. A total of 744 metabolites and 616 lipids were detected, of which 489 differential metabolites and 101 differential lipids were identified. In astringent seeds, most flavonoids and tannins, as well as proline and γ-aminobutyric acid, were more accumulated, along with a notable decrease in lipid unsaturation, indicating oxidative stress in the cells of astringent seeds. Conversely, numerous elemental metabolites were less accumulated, including amino acids and their derivatives, saccharides and alcohols, organic acids and nucleotides and their derivatives. Meanwhile, most lipid subclasses, mainly associated with energy storage (triglyceride and diglyceride) and cell membrane composition (phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine), also exhibited significant reductions. These results reflected a disruption in the cellular system or the occurrence of cell death, causing a reduction in viable cells within astringent seeds. Furthermore, only one lipid subclass, sphingosine phosphate (SoP), was more accumulated in astringent seeds. Additionally, lower accumulation of indole-3-acetic acid and more accumulation of salicylic acid (SA) were also identified in astringent seeds. Both SA and SoP were closely associated with the promotion of programmed cell death in astringent seeds. Collectively, our study revealed significant abnormal changes in phytohormones, lipids and various metabolites in astringent seeds, allowing us to propose a model for the development of astringent seeds in Chinese fir based on existing research and our findings. This work enriches our comprehension of astringent seeds and presents valuable bioindicators for the identification of astringent seeds.

Physiologically based pharmacokinetic model combined with reverse dose method to study the nephrotoxic tolerance dose of tacrolimus

Nephrotoxicity is the most common side effect that severely limits the clinical application of tacrolimus (TAC), an immunosuppressive agent used in kidney transplant patients. This study aimed to explore the tolerated dose of nephrotoxicity of TAC in individuals with different CYP3A5 genotypes and liver conditions. We established a human whole-body physiological pharmacokinetic (WB-PBPK) model and validated it using data from previous clinical studies. Following the injection of 1 mg/kg TAC into the tail veins of male rats, we developed a rat PBPK model utilizing the drug concentration-time curve obtained by LC-MS/MS. Next, we converted the established rat PBPK model into the human kidney PBPK model. To establish renal concentrations, the BMCL5 of the in vitro CCK-8 toxicity response curve (drug concentration range: 2-80 mol/L) was extrapolated. To further investigate the acceptable levels of nephrotoxicity for several distinct CYP3A5 genotypes and varied hepatic function populations, oral dosing regimens were extrapolated utilizing in vitro-in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE). The PBPK model indicated the tolerated doses of nephrotoxicity were 0.14-0.185 mg/kg (CYP3A5 expressors) and 0.13-0.155 mg/kg (CYP3A5 non-expressors) in normal healthy subjects and 0.07-0.09 mg/kg (CYP3A5 expressors) and 0.06-0.08 mg/kg (CYP3A5 non-expressors) in patients with mild hepatic insufficiency. Further, patients with moderate hepatic insufficiency tolerated doses of 0.045-0.06 mg/kg (CYP3A5 expressors) and 0.04-0.05 mg/kg (CYP3A5 non-expressors), while in patients with moderate hepatic insufficiency, doses of 0.028-0.04 mg/kg (CYP3A5 expressors) and 0.022-0.03 mg/kg (CYP3A5 non-expressors) were tolerated. Overall, our study highlights the combined usage of the PBPK model and the IVIVE approach as a valuable tool for predicting toxicity tolerated doses of a drug in a specific group.

A Microporous Hydrogen Bonded Organic Framework for Highly Selective Separation of Carbon Dioxide over Acetylene

The separation of acetylene (C2 H2 ) from carbon dioxide (CO2 ) is a very important but challenging task due to their similar molecular dimensions and physical properties. In terms of porous adsorbents for this separation, the CO2 -selective porous materials are superior to the C2 H2 -selective ones because of the cost- and energy-efficiency but have been rarely achieved. Herein we report our unexpected discovery of the first hydrogen bonded organic framework (HOF) constructed from a simple organic linker 2,4,6-tri(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)pyridine (PYTPZ) (termed as HOF-FJU-88) as the highly CO2 -selective porous material. HOF-FJU-88 is a two-dimensional HOFs with a pore pocket of about 7.6 Å. The activated HOF-FJU-88 takes up a high amount of CO2 (59.6 cm3  g-1 ) at ambient conditions with the record IAST selectivity of 1894. Its high performance for the CO2 /C2 H2 separation has been further confirmed through breakthrough experiments, in situ diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy and molecular simulations.

Low Fatization of High-Fat Surimi-Based Products: Optimization of the Application of Protein Matrix Fat Substitution Methods

The low fatization of high-fat foods is a significant trend that will impact the future developments of food products. Consumers have regarded health attributes as a critical indicator for purchasing food. In this study, enzyme-modified soy protein isolate, sea fish collagen, and ovalbumin were used to prepare the composite fat substitute for the protein matrix. This matrix was applied to the traditional surimi-based product Nemipterus virgatus fish sausage to replace the exogenous fat, and a new type of low-fat fish sausage was developed. This change is expected to reduce the exogenous fat in the traditional fish sausage without reducing the flavor and sensory quality of the original product. The results showed that taking the sensory evaluation and gel strength value of the product as indicators, the optimal ratio of compound fat substitute (enzyme-modified soy protein isolate:sea fish collagen:ovalbumin) was 2:1:3 when using the orthogonal test method for the first time. In the next step, with compound fat substitutes, exogenous fats and transglutaminase as the main factors, single factor and response surface method were used to explore the best formula of new low-fat Nemipterus virgatus fish sausage. The results showed that the best gel strength and sensory evaluation scores were obtained when the compound fat substitute, TGase, and exogenous fat were 0.59 g, 0.245 g, and 8.03 g, respectively. The optimal formulation of the low-fat Nemipterus virgatus fish sausage was obtained as follows: surimi, 67.52%; complex fat substitute, 0.66%; TGase, 0.28%; fat, 9.04%; starch, 6.75%; sugar, 3.94%; salt, 2.25%; monosodium glutamate, 0.23%; I&G, 0.34%; and water, 9%. Compared with the traditional fish sausage, the content of exogenous fat in the new, low-fat Nemipterus virgatus fish sausage was reduced by 54.8%. Meanwhile, the sensory score of fish sausage was increased by 21.79%, maintaining its good flavor and sensory quality. This study provides an important reference value for developing new low-fat surimi-based products.

The CA125 level postoperative change rule and its prognostic significance in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

The relationship between postoperative CA125 level changes and early recurrence after curative resection of resectable PDAC is still unclear.

METHODS

The electronic medical records and follow-up data of patients with resectable pancreatic cancer were evaluated. Dynamic CA125 detection was used to identify the rules for postoperative CA125 level change and its prognostic value in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer.

RESULTS

The study included a total of 118 patients with resectable pancreatic cancer who underwent curative resection. Early postoperative CA125 levels were significantly higher than those before surgery (P < 0.05). It decreased gradually in the group without early recurrence (P < 0.05) but not in the early recurrence group (P>0.05). There was no correlation between early postoperative CA125 levels and early recurrence (P > 0.05). CA125 levels three months after surgery were associated with an increased risk of early recurrence (P = 0.038, 95% CI (1.001-1.025)). The cutoff CA125 level at 3 months after surgery for predicting early recurrence was 22.035. Patients with CA125 levels < 22.035 three months postoperatively had similar DFS and OS, regardless of whether the value was exceeded in the early postoperative period, but these values were significantly better than those of patients with CA125 levels > 22.035 at 3 months postoperatively (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with different prognoses have different patterns of CA125 level changes. Elevations in CA125 levels > 3 months postoperatively, rather than early postoperative elevation, were associated with a poor prognosis.

Anti-Epstein-Barr Virus BNLF2b for Mass Screening for Nasopharyngeal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Population screening of asymptomatic persons with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA or antibodies has improved the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and survival among affected persons. However, the positive predictive value of current screening strategies is unsatisfactory even in areas where nasopharyngeal carcinoma is endemic.

METHODS

We designed a peptide library representing highly ranked B-cell epitopes of EBV coding sequences to identify novel serologic biomarkers for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. After a retrospective case-control study, the performance of the novel biomarker anti-BNLF2b total antibody (P85-Ab) was validated through a large-scale prospective screening program and compared with that of the standard two-antibody-based screening method (EBV nuclear antigen 1 [EBNA1]-IgA and EBV-specific viral capsid antigen [VCA]-IgA).

RESULTS

P85-Ab was the most promising biomarker for nasopharyngeal carcinoma screening, with high sensitivity (94.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 86.4 to 97.8) and specificity (99.6%; 95% CI, 97.8 to 99.9) in the retrospective case-control study. Among the 24,852 eligible participants in the prospective cohort, 47 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (38 at an early stage) were identified. P85-Ab showed higher sensitivity than the two-antibody method (97.9% vs. 72.3%; ratio, 1.4 [95% CI, 1.1 to 1.6]), higher specificity (98.3% vs. 97.0%; ratio, 1.01 [95% CI, 1.01 to 1.02]), and a higher positive predictive value (10.0% vs. 4.3%; ratio, 2.3 [95% CI, 1.8 to 2.8]). The combination of P85-Ab and the two-antibody method markedly increased the positive predictive value to 44.6% (95% CI, 33.8 to 55.9), with sensitivity of 70.2% (95% CI, 56.0 to 81.4).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that P85-Ab is a promising novel biomarker for nasopharyngeal carcinoma screening, with higher sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value than the standard two-antibody method. (Funded by the National Key Research and Development Program of China and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04085900.).

Prolonged release of an antimicrobial peptide GL13K-loaded thermosensitive hydrogel on a titanium surface improves its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties

The application of titanium in the orthopedic and dental fields is associated with bacterial infection and chronic inflammation, especially in the early stages after its implantation. In the present study, we investigated the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of a titanium surface that was immobilized in a thermosensitive PLGA-PEG-PLGA hydrogel containing the antimicrobial peptide GL13K. The FTIR results confirmed the successful loading of GL13K. The degradation of the hydrogel and release of GL13K persisted for two weeks. The modified titanium surface exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on Porphyromonas gingivalis in contact with its surface, as well as an inhibitory effect on P.g in the surrounding environment by releasing GL13K antimicrobial peptides. The modified titanium surfaces were biocompatible with RAW264.7. Furthermore, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α and iNOS was down-regulated, whereas anti-inflammatory cytokines Arg-1, IL-10 and VEGF-A were up-regulated on the modified titanium surfaces on days 3 and 5. This effect was attributed to the polarization of macrophages from the M1 to M2 phenotype, which was confirmed by the detection of macrophage M1/M2 biomarkers via immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry. Thus, the thermosensitive PLGA-PEG-PLGA hydrogel release system carrying the antimicrobial peptide GL13K on a titanium surface exhibited antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and promoted macrophage polarization from the M1 to M2 phenotype, which may help create a favourable niche for bone formation under infective condition.

Mental health, sleep quality, and hormonal circadian rhythms in pregnant women with threatened preterm labor: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Threatened preterm labor (TPL) is an important obstetrical challenge. Pregnant women with TPL may develop psychological and physical problems such as mental health disorders, sleep disturbance, and hormonal circadian rhythm disruption. This study aimed to investigate the current state of mental health, sleep quality, and circadian rhythms of cortisol and melatonin secretion in pregnant women with TPL and normal pregnant women (NPW).

METHODS

A prospective observational clinical study was conducted at a maternal and child health hospital in Fuzhou, China, between June and July 2022. A total of 50 women between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation (TPL group, n = 20; NPW group, n = 30) were recruited. Data on anxiety symptom (Zung's Self-rating Anxiety Scale, SAS), depression symptom (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, EPDS), subjective sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI) and objective sleep outcomes (measured by actigraphy) of the pregnant women were collected at the time of enrolment. Salivary samples were collected once every 6 h (i.e., at 06:00, 12:00, 18:00, and 00:00) during 2 consecutive days to measure the circadian rhythm of hormone (cortisol and melatonin).

RESULTS

There were no differences found in the total scores of SAS, EPDS scores, subjective sleep quality between the TPL and NPW groups (P > 0.05). In contrast, significant differences were found in sleep efficiency, total sleep time, wake time after sleep onset, and average awakening time between the groups (P < 0.05). The circadian rhythm of melatonin secretion was disrupted in the TPL group (P = 0.350); however, it was maintained in the NPW group (P = 0.044). The circadian rhythm of cortisol secretion was disrupted in both groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In the third trimester of pregnancy, women with TPL suffer from poorer sleep quality and disruption of circadian rhythm of melatonin secretion compared with NPW. Nevertheless, there were no differences found in mental health (i.e., anxiety and depression) and circadian rhythm of cortisol secretion. Large-scale studies should be conducted to evaluate these changes in women with TPL.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was registered from Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Number: ChiCTR2200060674) on 07/06/2022.

Association between Triglyceride-Glucose Index and Early Neurological Outcomes after Thrombolysis in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND

The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a novel biomarker of insulin resistance which might plausibly influence endogenous fibrinolysis and thus early neurological outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) treated with intravenous thrombolysis using recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator.

METHODS

We included consecutive AIS patients within 4.5 h of symptom onset undergoing intravenous thrombolysis between January 2015 and June 2022 in this multi-center retrospective observational study. Our primary outcome was early neurological deterioration (END), defined as ≥2 (END₂) or ≥ 4 (END₄) National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score worsening compared to the initial NIHSS score within 24 h of intravenous thrombolysis. Our secondary outcome was early neurological improvement (ENI), defined as a lower NIHSS score at discharge. TyG index was calculated using the log scale of fasting triglyceride (mg/dL) × fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2. We evaluated the association of END and ENI with TyG index using a logistic regression model.

RESULTS

A total of 676 patients with AIS were evaluated. The median age was 68 (Interquartile range, IQR (60-76) years old), and 432 (63.9%) were males. A total of 89 (13.2%) patients developed END₂, 61 (9.0%) patients developed END₄, and 492 (72.7%) experienced ENI. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, after adjustment for confounding factors, TyG index was significantly associated with increased risks of END₂ (categorical variable, vs. lowest tertile, medium tertile odds ratio [OR] 1.05, 95% confidence interval, CI 0.54-2.02, highest tertile OR 2.94, 95%CI 1.64-5.27, overall p < 0.001) and END₄ (categorical variable, vs. lowest tertile, medium tertile OR 1.21, 95%CI 0.54-2.74, highest tertile OR 3.80, 95%CI 1.85-7.79, overall p < 0.001), and a lower probability of ENI (categorical variable, vs. lowest tertile, medium tertile OR 1.00, 95%CI 0.63-1.58, highest tertile OR 0.59, 95%CI 0.38-0.93, overall p = 0.022).

CONCLUSIONS

Increasing TyG index was associated with a higher risk of END and a lower probability of ENI in patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis.

Nono deficiency impedes the proliferation and adhesion of H9c2 cardiomyocytes through Pi3k/Akt signaling pathway

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common type of birth defect and the main noninfectious cause of death during the neonatal stage. The non-POU domain containing, octamer-binding gene, NONO, performs a variety of roles involved in DNA repair, RNA synthesis, transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. Currently, hemizygous loss-of-function mutation of NONO have been described as the genetic origin of CHD. However, essential effects of NONO during cardiac development have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we aim to understand role of Nono in cardiomyocytes during development by utilizing the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system to deplete Nono in the rat cardiomyocytes H9c2. Functional comparison of H9c2 control and knockout cells showed that Nono deficiency suppressed cell proliferation and adhesion. Furthermore, Nono depletion significantly affected the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and glycolysis, resulting in H9c2 overall metabolic deficits. Mechanistically we demonstrated that the Nono knockout impeded the cardiomyocyte function by attenuating phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase-serine/threonine kinase (Pi3k/Akt) signaling via the assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing in combination with RNA sequencing. From these results we propose a novel molecular mechanism of Nono to influence cardiomyocytes differentiation and proliferation during the development of embryonic heart. We conclude that NONO may represent an emerging possible biomarkers and targets for the diagnosis and treatment of human cardiac development defects.

Sublethal effects of emamectin benzoate on development, reproduction, and vitellogenin and vitellogenin receptor gene expression in Thrips hawaiiensis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Thrips hawaiiensis (Morgan) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a sap-sucking pest that seriously damages several crops and reduces their economic value. Exposure to low concentrations of insecticides may have a sublethal effect on surviving insects. In order to provide a reference for the rational application of emamectin benzoate, its sublethal effects on the development and reproduction of T. hawaiiensis were evaluated. Pupal development time was significantly shorter in T. hawaiiensis treated with sublethal concentrations of emamectin benzoate (LC10 and LC20) than in control. Female adult longevity and female total longevity were significantly longer following LC20 treatment than in the control and LC10 treatment groups. Nevertheless, male adult longevity and male total longevity were significantly shorter in the LC10 treatment group than in the control and LC20 treatment groups. The sublethal concentration of emamectin benzoate (LC20) significantly shortened the preadult stages and the mean generation. Meanwhile, it significantly increased the finite rate of increase, intrinsic rate of increase, and net reproductive rate. The fecundity was significantly higher after LC20 treatment than after LC10 and control treatments. Compared with the control group, the LC10 and LC20 groups of T. hawaiiensis adults showed a significantly higher expression of the vitellogenin (Vg) and vitellogenin receptor (VgR) genes, which played a key role in increasing their fecundity. These findings suggest that short-term exposure to sublethal concentrations of emamectin benzoate may lead to a resurgence and secondary outbreak of T. hawaiiensis infestation. The results have practical applications for the management of this important and noxious pest.

Pro- and eukaryotic keystone taxa as potential bio-indicators for the water quality of subtropical Lake Dongqian

The microbial community plays an important role in the biogeochemical cycles in water aquatic ecosystems, and it is regulated by environmental variables. However, the relationships between microbial keystone taxa and water variables, which play a pivotal role in aquatic ecosystems, has not been clarified in detail. We analyzed the seasonal variation in microbial communities and co-occurrence network in the representative areas taking Lake Dongqian as an example. Both pro- and eukaryotic community compositions were more affected by seasons than by sites, and the prokaryotes were more strongly impacted by seasons than the eukaryotes. Total nitrogen, pH, temperature, chemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll a significantly affected the prokaryotic community, while the eukaryotic community was significantly influenced by total nitrogen, ammonia, pH, temperature and dissolved oxygen. The eukaryotic network was more complex than that of prokaryotes, whereas the number of eukaryotic keystone taxa was less than that of prokaryotes. The prokaryotic keystone taxa belonged mainly to Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes. It is noteworthy that some of the keystone taxa involved in nitrogen cycling are significantly related to total nitrogen, ammonia, temperature and chlorophyll a, including Polaromonas, Albidiferax, SM1A02 and Leptolyngbya so on. And the eukaryotic keystone taxa were found in Ascomycota, Choanoflagellida and Heterophryidae. The mutualistic pattern between pro- and eukaryotes was more evident than the competitive pattern. Therefore, it suggests that keystone taxa could be as bio-indicators of aquatic ecosystems.

Effects of Different Blanching Methods on the Quality of Tremella fuciformis and Its Moisture Migration Characteristics

Blanching is a critical step in the processing of Tremella fuciformis (T. fuciformis). The effects of different blanching methods (boiling water blanching (BWB), ultrasonic-low temperature blanching (ULTB), and high-temperature steam (HTS)) on the quality and moisture migration characteristics of T. fuciformis were investigated. The results showed that the T. fuciformis blanched by ULTB (70 °C, 2 min, 40 kHz, 300 W) had the best quality, including a brighter appearance, superior texture, and good sensory features, with a polysaccharide content of 3.90 ± 0.02%. The moisture migration characteristics of T. fuciformis after blanching exhibited four peaks, displayed strong and weak chemically bound water, immobilized water, and free water, whereas ULTB had a weak effect on the freedom of water in T. fuciformis. The study will provide the foundation for the factory processing of T. fuciformis.

Ethanol Extract of Rosa laevigata Michx. Fruit Inhibits Inflammatory Responses through NF-κB/MAPK Signaling Pathways via AMPK Activation in RAW 264.7 Macrophages

The fruit of Rosa laevigata Michx. (FR), a traditional Chinese herb utilized for the treatment of a variety diseases, has notably diverse pharmacological activities including hepatoprotective, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. Despite ongoing research on illustrating the underlying anti-inflammatory mechanism of FR, the principal mechanism remained inadequately understood. In this study, we investigated in depth the molecular mechanism of the anti-inflammatory actions of the ethanol extract of FR (EFR) and its potential targets using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages in vitro. We showed that EFR effectively ameliorated the overproduction of inflammatory mediators and cytokines, as well as the expression of related genes. It was further demonstrated that LPS-induced activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with EFR, accompanied by a concomitant decrease in the nuclear translocation of the p65 subunit of NF-κB and activator protein 1 (AP-1). In addition, EFR pretreatment potently prevented LPS-induced decreased phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Our data also revealed that the activation of AMPK and subsequent inhibition of the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway was probably responsible for the inhibitory effect of EFR on LPS-induced inflammatory responses, evidenced by reverse changes observed under the condition of AMPK inactivation following co-treatment with the AMPK-specific inhibitor Compound C. Finally, the main components with an anti-inflammatory effect in EFR were identified as madecassic acid, ellagic acid, quinic acid, and procyanidin C1 by LC-MS and testified based on the inhibition of NO production and inflammatory mediator expression. Taken together, our results indicated that EFR was able to ameliorate inflammatory responses via the suppression of MAPKs/NF-κB signaling pathways following AMPK activation, suggesting the therapeutic potential of EFR for inflammatory diseases.

Minimalistic Artificial Catalysts with Esterase-Like Activity from Multivalent Nanofibers Formed by the Self-Assembly of Dipeptides

Imitating and incorporating the multiple key structural features observed in natural enzymes into a minimalistic molecule to develop an artificial catalyst with outstanding catalytic efficiency is an attractive topic for chemists. Herein, we designed and synthesized one class of minimalistic dipeptide molecules containing a terminal -SH group and a terminal His-Phe dipeptide head linked by a hydrophobic alkyl chain with different lengths, marked as HS-C _n+1-His-Phe (n = 4, 7, 11, 15, and 17; n + 1 represents the carbon atom number of the alkyl chain). The His (-imidazole), Phe (-CO₂ ^-) moieties, the terminal -SH group, and a long hydrophobic alkyl chain were found to have important contributions to achieve high binding ability leading to outstanding absolute catalytic efficiency (k _cat/K _M) toward the hydrolysis reactions of carboxylic ester substrates.

Acupuncture Ameliorated Behavioral Abnormalities in the Autism Rat Model via Pathways for Hippocampal Serotonin

Purpose

Acupuncture can improve symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the potential mechanisms remain undefined. So, we aimed to explore the behavioral improvement of autism rat model after acupuncture and to describe the potential molecular mechanism underlying these changes.

Patients and Methods

Wistar rats were intraperitoneally injected with VPA 12.5 days after conception, and their offspring were considered as good models of autism. Experimental rats were divided into three groups (wild-type (WT), n = 10; VPA, n = 10; and VPA_acupuncture, n = 10). VPA_acupuncture group rat received 4 weeks of acupuncture treatment (Shéntíng (GV24), and Bilateral Běnshén (GB13)) on the 23rd day after birth. All rats were subjected to behavioral tests, including social interaction, open field, and Morris water maze tests. Afterwards, hippocampal tissues (left side) were removed and subjected to RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis; ELISA was also used to detect the associated serotonin levels in the hippocampus.

Results

Behavioral tests showed that acupuncture treatment improved spontaneous activity, aberrant social interaction, and alleviated impaired learning and memory in the VPA-induced rat model. Differentially expressed genes (DGEs) analysis showed 142 significantly differentially expressed genes between WT and VPA groups, and 282 between VPA and VPA_acupuncture rats. Htr2c and Htr1a, 5-HT receptor genes, were up-regulated in the VPA group compared with WT group. Additionally, Tph1, a rate-limiting enzyme gene of 5-HT synthesis, was up-regulated after acupuncture. These genes were confirmed to have the same trend of expression obtained by RT-qPCR and RNA seq. Furthermore, the concentration of serotonin in the hippocampus in the VPA group was significantly lower than the WT and VPA_acupuncture groups.

Conclusion

Acupuncture improved abnormal behavioral symptoms in the VPA-induced rat model. Further experiments showed that the improvement of the serotonin system may be one of the main regulatory mechanisms of acupuncture for treating ASD.

Global Xenobiotic Profiling of Rat Plasma Using Untargeted Metabolomics and Background Subtraction-Based Approaches: Method Evaluation and Comparison

BACKGROUND

Global xenobiotic profiling (GXP) is to detect and structurally characterize all xenobiotics in biological samples using mainly liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) based methods. GXP is highly needed in drug metabolism study, food safety testing, forensic chemical analysis, and exposome research. For detecting known or predictable xenobiotics, targeted LC-HRMS data processing methods based on molecular weights, mass defects and fragmentations of analytes are routinely employed. For profiling unknown xenobiotics, untargeted and LC-HRMS based metabolomics and background subtraction-based approaches are required.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of untargeted metabolomics and the precise and thorough background subtraction (PATBS) in GXP of rat plasma.

METHODS

Rat plasma samples collected from an oral administration of nefazodone (NEF) or Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao, GC) were analyzed by LC-HRMS. NEF metabolites and GC components in rat plasma were thoroughly searched and characterized via processing LC-HRMS datasets using targeted and untargeted methods.

RESULTS

PATBS detected 68 NEF metabolites and 63 GC components, while the metabolomic approach (MS-DIAL) found 67 NEF metabolites and 60 GC components in rat plasma. The two methods found 79 NEF metabolites and 80 GC components with 96% and 91% successful rates, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Metabolomics methods are capable of GXP and measuring alternations of endogenous metabolites in a group of biological samples, while PATBS is more suited for sensitive GXP of a single biological sample. A combination of metabolomics and PATBS approaches can generate better results in the untargeted profiling of unknown xenobiotics.

Hsa_circ_0001687 Function as a ceRNA to Facilitate Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression via miR-140- 3p/FOXQ1 Axis

BACKGROUND

Increasingly convincing evidence has revealed that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are critical regulatory components of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) genesis. However, the expression of circRNAs in HCC and the relevance of circRNAs to HCC progression remain largely unexplained.

METHODS

qRT-PCR or western blotting was utilized to confirm circ_0001687, miR-140-3p, and Forkhead Box q1 (FOXQ1) levels in HCC tissues or cells. Cell proliferation ability was evaluated via CCK-8 and colony formation assay. The correlation of circ_0001687 or FOXQ1 and miR-140- 3p was determined using dual luciferase reporter assay. Nude mice xenograft tumor model was constructed to verify the effect of circ_0001687 on tumor growth.

RESULTS

Circ_0001687 was elevated in HCC. Function assays and the nude mice xenograft tumor model indicated that circ_0001687 acts as a promoting gene in HCC to regulate the proliferation of the tumor cell and foster tumor growth. Further mechanistic exploration revealed that the tumor growth-promoting mechanism of circ_0001687 relied on blocking the inhibitory effect of miR-140- 3p on FOXQ1 and activating FOXQ1 expression.

CONCLUSION

This research indicated the role of circ_0001687/miR-140-3p/FOXQ1 network in regulating HCC development. These may provide new insights into the treatment of HCC.

Multifunctional Porous Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Frameworks: Current Status and Future Perspectives

Hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs), self-assembled from organic or metalated organic building blocks (also termed as tectons) by hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking, and other intermolecular interactions, have become an emerging class of multifunctional porous materials. So far, a library of HOFs with high porosity has been synthesized based on versatile tectons and supramolecular synthons. Benefiting from the flexibility and reversibility of H-bonds, HOFs feature high structural flexibility, mild synthetic reaction, excellent solution processability, facile healing, easy regeneration, and good recyclability. However, the flexible and reversible nature of H-bonds makes most HOFs suffer from poor structural designability and low framework stability. In this Outlook, we first describe the development and structural features of HOFs and summarize the design principles of HOFs and strategies to enhance their stability. Second, we highlight the state-of-the-art development of HOFs for diverse applications, including gas storage and separation, heterogeneous catalysis, biological applications, sensing, proton conduction, and other applications. Finally, current challenges and future perspectives are discussed.