Fusion with ARRDC1 or CD63: A Strategy to Enhance p53 Loading into Extracellular Vesicles for Tumor Suppression

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) have emerged as promising therapeutic agents and drug delivery vehicles. Targeted modification of sEVs and their contents using genetic modification strategies is one of the most popular methods. This study investigated the effects of p53 fusion with arrestin domain-containing protein 1 (ARRDC1) and CD63 on the generation of sEVs, p53 loading efficiency, and therapeutic efficacy. Overexpression of either ARRDC1-p53 (ARP) or CD63-p53 (CDP) significantly elevated p53 mRNA and protein levels. The incorporation of ARRDC1 and CD63 significantly enhanced HEK293T-sEV biogenesis, evidenced by significant increases in sEV-associated proteins TSG101 and LAMP1, resulting in a boost in sEV production. Importantly, fusion with ARRDC1 or CD63 substantially increased the efficiency of loading both p53 fusion proteins and its mRNA into sEVs. sEVs equipped with ARP or CDP significantly enhanced the enrichment of p53 fusion proteins and mRNA in p53-null H1299 cells, resulting in a marked increase in apoptosis and a reduction in cell proliferation, with ARP-sEVs demonstrating greater effectiveness than CDP-sEVs. These findings underscore the enhanced functionality of ARRDC1- and CD63-modified sEVs, emphasizing the potential of genetic modifications in sEV-based therapies for targeted cancer treatment.

Optimal Microphone Array Placement Design Using the Bayesian Optimization Method

In addition to the filter coefficients, the location of the microphone array is a crucial factor in improving the overall performance of a beamformer. The optimal microphone array placement can considerably enhance speech quality. However, the optimization problem with microphone configuration variables is non-convex and highly non-linear. Heuristic algorithms that are frequently employed take a long time and have a chance of missing the optimal microphone array placement design. We extend the Bayesian optimization method to solve the microphone array configuration design problem. The proposed Bayesian optimization method does not depend on gradient and Hessian approximations and makes use of all the information available from prior evaluations. Furthermore, Gaussian process regression and acquisition functions make up the Bayesian optimization method. The objective function is given a prior probabilistic model through Gaussian process regression, which exploits this model while integrating out uncertainty. The acquisition function is adopted to decide the next placement point based upon the incumbent optimum with the posterior distribution. Numerical experiments have demonstrated that the Bayesian optimization method could find a similar or better microphone array placement compared with the hybrid descent method and computational time is significantly reduced. Our proposed method is at least four times faster than the hybrid descent method to find the optimal microphone array configuration from the numerical results.

Circadian rhythm of cutaneous pruritus

One of the most common and significant symptoms for skin disorders is pruritus. Additionally, it serves as a significant catalyst for the exacerbation or reoccurrence of skin diseases. Pruritus seriously affects patients' physical and mental health, and even the quality of life. It brings a heavy burden to the patients, the families, even the whole society. The pathogenesis and regulation mechanisms for pruritus are complicated and have not yet been elucidated. Previous clinical studies have shown that itch worsens at night in scabies, chronic pruritus, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis, suggesting that skin pruritus may change with circadian rhythm. Cortisol, melatonin, core temperature, cytokines, and prostaglandins are the main regulatory factors of the circadian rhythm of pruritus. Recent studies have shown that some CLOCK genes, such as BMAL1, CLOCK, PER, and CRY, play an important role in the regulation of the circadian rhythm of pruritus by regulating the Janus tyrosine kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathways. However, the mechanisms for circadian clock genes in regulation of circadian rhythm of pruritus have not been fully elucidated. Further studies on the mechanism of circadian clock genes in the regulation of circadian rhythm of pruritus will lay a foundation for elucidating the regulatory mechanisms for pruritus, and also provide new ideas for the control of pruritus and the alleviation of skin diseases.

Effect of vane angle on turbulence-chemistry interactions, temperature, flow field, burnout, and NOx emissions in swirling flames fueled by semicoke mixtures

To enhance the combustion efficiency and reduce NOx emissions in large-scale semicoke and bituminous coal blends, an extensive numerical study was conducted. The focus of this study was to optimize the quaternary air vane angle (αv) through detailed analysis of the temperature and flow fields, turbulence-chemistry interactions, char burnout, and NOx formation in a carefully scaled 1:5 dual-swirl burner. The results showed that with increasing αv, the high-temperature flame region was narrowed and the peak temperature was reduced along with the broadened inner recirculation zone and the shrunken external recirculation zone due to better pulverized fuel-oxidant blending and reinforced convective heat transfer. The peak turbulent Damköhler number Dat evidently increased from 197.5 to 496 with increasing αv, which implied a strengthened homogeneous combustion. Additionally, the corresponding mixing time scales increased while the chemical kinetics time scales decreased, which denoted that an intense diffusing flame was generated with a strong turbulent intensity. The peak heterogeneous Damköhler number Das-O2 showed a reduction from 2.54 to 2.27, while the peak values of Das-CO2 and Das-H2O decreased from 0.1 to 0.077 and from 0.02 to 0.015, respectively. The char-O2 reaction was controlled by diffusion/kinetics; both char-CO2 and char-H2O reactions were determined by kinetics, and all gas‒solid reactions showed a kinetically controlled regime. With increasing αv, the enlarged inner recirculation region increased the residence time, and a higher dilution level lessened the peak temperature, which led to reductions in fuel-NOx and the thermal-NOx. The αv range of 30-45° (or swirl number Sn = 0.55-0.95) was suggested by taking the high burnout and low-NOx formation into account.

Physiological and Transcriptome Analysis Reveal the Regulation Mechanism Underlying the Muscle Quality Effect of Dietary Schisandra chinensis in Triploid Crucian Carp (Carassius auratus)

Schisandra chinensis (sc) is generally demonstrated to improve antioxidant and immune functions in mammal. The present study through physiological and transcriptome analysis revealed alterations in muscle metabolisms of triploid crucian carp (Carassius auratus) cultured at different concentrations of S. chinensis diets (sc0, sc0.125%, sc0.25%, sc0.5%, sc1%, sc2%) after 8 weeks. The serum antioxidant enzyme activities analysis showed that dietary S. chinensis could reduce oxidative stress and increase organismic antioxidant capacity. Meanwhile, the detected results of muscle components presented that the amino acids and two flavor nucleotides of GMP and IMP significantly elevated while muscle crude lipid significantly reduced in S. chinensis feeding groups. In addition, springiness, chewiness, and fiber density in S. chinensis feeding groups muscle were significantly upregulated while muscle fiber diameter and area showed an opposite trend. By comparative transcriptome analysis of the muscles, functional enrichments of differentially expressed genes showed that multiple terms were related to purine metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, and peroxisome. Finally, some key hub genes such as egln, gst, ggct, su1b, pi3kr4, myh9, lpl, gcdh, mylk, and col4a were identified by weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Taken together, our findings facilitate the understanding of the molecular basis underlying the muscle quality effect of dietary S. chinensis in triploid crucian carp, which provides valuable insights into the nutritional strategies of the aquaculture industry.

Optimal exercise combinations for patients with diabetes

OBJECTIVES

Exercise is a key way to control the blood glucose, which can improve blood lipids and blood pressure, reduce glycated hemoglobin levels, and increase insulin sensitivity. It is of great significance for maintaining blood glucose homeostasis. This study aims to explore the optimal exercise combinations suitable for diabetic patients, and to provide scientific and effective personalized exercise guidance for diabetic patients.

METHODS

The physical examination data and questionnaire results of were collected from the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. The study was involved in 3 867 diabetes from January, 2020 to December, 2021. The basic information and living habits were obtained through questionnaires. The fasting blood samples were collected to measure the levels of total cholesterol (TCh), triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and fasting blood glucose. Physical measurements included height, weight, waistline, hipline, and blood pressure. Categorical variables were tested using chi-square tests, and continuous variables were tested using non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test. Multiple linear regression model was used to analyze the relationship between exercise behaviors (frequency, duration, and intensity), years of exercise, diet habits, medicine, and fasting blood glucose. The relationship between different exercise behaviors and various indexes (BMI, blood pressure, blood lipids, blood glucose) was analyzed by multiple rising sun rose plots. The polar thermal diagram showed the relationship of exercise behaviors with the best expected effect.

RESULTS

Non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test showed that there were significant differences in other indexes except LDL-C (P=0.681) among groups with different exercise behaviors (all P<0.01). The multiple rising sun rose plots showed that diabetic patients who did moderate to high intensity exercise more than 5 times a week for more than 30 min each time had a healthier BMI, blood lipid levels, blood glucose levels, and blood pressure. Polar thermal diagram showed that low-intensity exercise once or twice a week requires 30 to 60 min or more of exercise to achieve the desired results. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that frequency (β=-0.208, 95% CI -0.356 to -0.059, P=0.006), duration (β=-0.227, 95% CI -0.387 to -0.066, P=0.006), intensity of exercise (β=-0.110, 95% CI -0.218 to -0.002, P=0.046), diet habits (β=0.462, 95% CI 0.295 to 0.556, P<0.001) and medicine (β=-0.520, 95% CI -0.720 to -0.312, P<0.001) were correlated with fasting blood glucose.

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate to high intensity exercise for more than 30 min and 5 times a week is the most beneficial combination for diabetes. Low exercise intensity should be combined with higher exercise frequency and longer exercise time to achieve the desired effect. With the increase of exercise intensity, the relationship between low exercise frequency and long exercise time is weakened.

A case of mitochondrial myopathy and chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia

Mitochondrial myopathy is a group of multi-system diseases in which mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) or nuclear DNA (nDNA) defects lead to structural and functional dysfunction of mitochondria. The clinical manifestations of mitochondrial myopathy are complex and varied, and the testing for mtDNA and nDNA is not widely available, so misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis is common. Chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO) is a common type of mitochondrial myopathy, which is characterized by blepharoptosis. Here we report a 38-year-old female with mitochondrial myopathy presented with chronic numbness and weakness of the limbs, accompanied by blepharoptosis that was recently noticed. Laboratory and head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations showed no obvious abnormalities. Muscle and nerve biopsies showed characteristic ragged red fibers (RRFs) and large aggregates of denatured mitochondria. Testing for mtDNA and nDNA showed a known mutation c.2857C>T (p.R953C) and a novel variant c.2391G>C (p.M797I) in the polymerase gamma (POLG)gene, so the patient was diagnosed as mitochondrial myopathy. Clinicians should pay more attention to long-term unexplained skeletal muscle diseases with recent onset blepharoptosis. Histopathologic examination and genetic testing are of great value in the early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention.

Spatial distribution and migration of lead and zinc and the influence of parent materials in typical paddy soils of Hunan Province, China

This study aimed to investigate the distribution and migration characteristics of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in paddy soils in Hunan Province, China. A total of 343 soil samples from 63 profiles were collected from typical regions. The concentration, spatial distribution, and migration behaviors of Pb and Zn in the paddy soils were examined. The results showed that (1) the concentration ranges of Pb and Zn in the surface layer were 17.62-114.07 mg/kg and 44.98-146.84 mg/kg, respectively. (2) The content was higher in the middle and lower reaches of the Xiangjiang River basin horizontally and exhibited shallow enrichment characteristics vertically. (3) Pb migration was weaker than Zn migration, and the parent material had the most significant influence on Pb and Zn content in the bottom soil layer. The research results will clarify the characteristics of Pb and Zn contents in paddy soils in Hunan Province, further understand the horizontal distribution and vertical migration and transformation characteristics of Pb and Zn contents in paddy soils, and provide basic data for scientific rice cultivation and safe food production.

Protective Application of Chinese Herbal Compounds and Formulae in Intestinal Inflammation in Humans and Animals

Intestinal inflammation is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder with uncertain pathophysiology and causation that has significantly impacted both the physical and mental health of both people and animals. An increasing body of research has demonstrated the critical role of cellular signaling pathways in initiating and managing intestinal inflammation. This review focuses on the interactions of three cellular signaling pathways (TLR4/NF-κB, PI3K-AKT, MAPKs) with immunity and gut microbiota to explain the possible pathogenesis of intestinal inflammation. Traditional medicinal drugs frequently have drawbacks and negative side effects. This paper also summarizes the pharmacological mechanism and application of Chinese herbal compounds (Berberine, Sanguinarine, Astragalus polysaccharide, Curcumin, and Cannabinoids) and formulae (Wumei Wan, Gegen-Qinlian decoction, Banxia xiexin decoction) against intestinal inflammation. We show that the herbal compounds and formulae may influence the interactions among cell signaling pathways, immune function, and gut microbiota in humans and animals, exerting their immunomodulatory capacity and anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. This demonstrates their strong potential to improve gut inflammation. We aim to promote herbal medicine and apply it to multispecies animals to achieve better health.

A nonobstructive condition: Medial arterial calcification

Vascular calcification, including intimal and medial calcification, is closely associated with a significant increase in cardiovascular diseases. Although increased understandings were achieved, people still know much more about intimal calcification than medial calcification because the latter doesn't obstruct the arterial lumen, commonly considered as a non-significant finding. We clarified the pathologic characteristic of medial calcification, its difference from intimal calcification, principally focused on its clinical relevance, such as diagnosis, nosogenesis, and hemodynamics. We underline the importance of identifying and distinguishing medial calcification, understanding its effect to local/systematic arterial compliance, and relationship to diabetic neuropathy. Recent studies emphasize do not ignore its predictive role in cardiovascular mortality. It is of great clinical significance to summarize the mechanisms of occurrence, lesion characteristics, diagnostic methods, pathogenic mechanisms, hemodynamic changes, and the distinction as well as association of intimal calcification with intimal calcification.

Correlation between expression of Lin28B and C-myc in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and clinicopathological features and prognosis

OBJECTIVES

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is a common malignant tumor of head and neck. Screening of target genes for malignant tumor therapy is one of the focuses of cancer research, with proto-oncogene and tumor suppressor gene as the breakthrough. It has become an urgent need to find the target gene related to the treatment and prognosis of LSCC.This study aims to explore the role of Lin28B and C-myc in LSCC by detecting the expressions of these two proteins and analyze the correlation between the expression of Lin28B and C-myc and clinicopathological features and prognosis of LSCC.

METHODS

We detected the expression of Lin28B and C-myc proteins in 102 specimens of LSCC and 90 specimens of adjacent tissues by immunochemistry, and analyzed the correlation between Lin28B and C-myc protein expressions in LSCC as well as the correlation between the expressions of the two proteins and the clinicopathological features of LSCC. At the same time, the Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the relation between Lin28B and C-myc protein levels with the postoperative survival rate of LSCC patients.

RESULTS

The protein levels of Lin28B and C-myc in the LSCC tissnes were significantly higher than those in the adjacent tissues (both P<0.05),and there was a positive correlation between the expression of Lin28B and C-myc in LSCC (r＝0.476, P<0.05). The expression of Lin28B protein was closely related to age, lymph node metastasis, clinical stage, tumor size, and pathological differentiation of LSCC patients (all P<0.05). while the expression of C-myc protein was closely related to lymph node metastasis, clinical stage, tumor size, and pathological differentiation of LSCC patients (all P<0.05). A relevant survival analysis showed that in patients with higher level of Lin28B (P＝0.001) or C-myc protein (P<0.001), the postoperative survival rate was relatively low.

CONCLUSIONS

Lin28B and C-myc proteins are highly expressed in LSCC with a positive correlation. Furthermore, they are closely related to lymph node metastasis, clinical stage, tumor size, pathological differentiation and prognosis, suggesting that both Lin28B and C-myc might be involved in the occurrence and development of LSCC.

Analysis of the epidemiological burden of age-related macular degeneration in China based on the data of global burden of disease

OBJECTIVES

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the 3 major eye diseases recognized by WHO to prevent blindness, and which is the main cause of irreversible visual impairment in the elderly. This study aims to analyze the disease epidemiological burden, and provide a theoretical foundation for the prevention and control of AMD in China based on the data in global burden of disease (GBD) 2019.

METHODS

The prevalent cases/prevalence, disability-adjusted life year (DALYs)/DALY rate of AMD and socio-demographic index (SDI) for global and China were searched from the GBD 2019 database to analyze the epidemiological trend, age-period-gender trend of AMD in China from 1990 to 2019, and to evaluate the relations between the prevalence and SDI.

RESULTS

In 2019, the prevalence of AMD in China was at a high level in the world, and the number of prevalent cases were 1.93 times of that in 1990. The prevalence and DALY rates continued to rise. The age trend of AMD in China was high at the middle of the age stages and low at the two ends, and which was higher in the female than in the male. With the increase of SDI, the prevalence of AMD was increased linearly.

CONCLUSIONS

The disease burden of AMD in China is increased significantly and is positively correlated with the social development from 1990 to 2019. It is of great significance to study the relationship between epidemilolgical data of AMD and social development level for diagnosis treatment and policy of AMD.

Evaluation of anticholinergic burden in elderly outpatients and the risk factors

OBJECTIVES

The use of anticholinergic drugs in the elderly may lead to negative events such as falls, delirium, urinary retention and cognitive decline, and the higher the number of anticholinergic drugs use, the more such negative events occur. This study aims to analyze the risk factors associated with the prescription of total anticholinergic drugs in elderly outpatients and evaluate the rationality of anticholinergic drugs, and to provide a reference for reducing the adverse effects of anticholinergic drugs.

METHODS

A list of drugs with anticholinergic activity based on the Beers criteria was established. The basic information (such as age and gender), clinical diagnosis, and medications of elderly outpatient were extracted from hospital electronic medical records, and the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden (ACB) Scale was used to calculate the anticholinergic burden for each patient. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the potential risk factors for the occurrence of problems such as multiple medication and insomnia.

RESULTS

A total of 1 840 prescriptions for elderly patients were reviewed. Of these patients, ACB score was more than or equal to 1 in 648 (35.22%) patients. Number of prescription medication (95% CI: 1.221 to 1.336) and insomnia (95% CI: 3.538 to 6.089) were independent factors affecting ACB scores (both P<0.01). Medications for patients of ACB scores were most commonly treated with the central nervous system drugs (such as alprazolam and eszopiclone) and for the cardiovascular system drugs (such as metoprolol and nifedipine).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a high rate of ACB drugs use in geriatric patients, and the clinical focus should be on multiple medication prescriptions, especially on the central nervous system drugs (such as alprazolam and eszopiclone) and cardiovascular system drugs (such as metoprolol and nifedipine). The prescription review should be emphasized to reduce adverse reactions to anticholinergic drugs in elderly patients.