Distribution of flame retardants among indoor dust, airborne particles and vapour phase from Beijing: spatial-temporal variation and human exposure characteristics

The occurrence and distribution of 10 brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and 10 organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) were investigated in indoor dust, total suspended particles (TSP), and vapour phase from offices (n = 10), homes (n = 9), and day-care centres (n = 10) in Beijing, China. Three types of samples were collected biweekly from one office and one home over a year to examine temporal trends. BFRs in dust significantly correlated with those in TSP, while OPFRs significantly correlated among all three matrices. In addition, BFRs in dust (ng/g) and TSP (pg/m³) exhibited similar temporal trends with higher levels in the cold season, whereas OPFRs in TSP and vapour phase (pg/m³) showed similar temporal trends with higher levels in the warm season. The geometric mean concentrations of BFRs and OPFRs in the three matrices from the above mentioned three types of indoor microenvironments were used for exposure and health risk estimation, and ∑₇OPFRs showed much higher hazard index (HI) values than ∑₁₀BFRs for all subpopulations, and inhalation of OPFRs was a major risk source. With the volatility of flame retardants (FRs) decreasing, the contribution of dust ingestion and dermal absorption showed an increasing trend, and the contribution of inhalation exhibited a gradual decreasing trend, which implied the dominant exposure pathway to FRs is strongly related to the vapour pressure (25 °C, Pa) of these substances. Using a single type of microenvironment or the collection of samples at a single point in time can lead to overestimation or underestimation of overall exposure and risk for people to some extent. The correlations of FRs in dust, TSP, and vapour phase from indoor microenvironments, as well as their temporal trends were first reported in this study, which will provide a basis for more accurate FR exposure assessments in the future.

Single-Cell RNA-Seq Reveals a Population of Smooth Muscle Cells Responsible for Atherogenesis

Understanding the regional propensity differences of atherosclerosis (AS) development is hindered by the lack of animal models suitable for the study of the disease process. In this paper, we used 3S-ASCVD dogs, an ideal large animal human-like models for AS, to interrogate the heterogeneity of AS-prone and AS-resistant arteries; and at the single-cell level, identify the dominant cells involved in AS development. Here we present data from 3S-ASCVD dogs which reliably mimic human AS pathophysiology, predilection for lesion sites, and endpoint events. Our analysis combined bulk RNA-seq with single-cell RNA-seq to depict the transcriptomic profiles and cellular atlas of AS-prone and AS-resistant arteries in 3S-ASCVD dogs. Our results revealed the integral role of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in regional propensity for AS. Notably, TNC+ SMCs were major contributors to AS development in 3S-ASCVD dogs, indicating enhanced extracellular matrix remodeling and transition to myofibroblasts during the AS process. Moreover, TNC+ SMCs were also present in human AS-prone carotid plaques, suggesting a potential origin of myofibroblasts and supporting the relevance of our findings. Our study provides a promising large animal model for pre-clinical studies of ASCVD and add novel insights surrounding the regional propensity of AS development in humans, which may lead to interventions that delay or prevent lesion progression and adverse clinical events.

[An interpretation of the British Association for the Study of the Liver practice guideline for the evaluation and treatment of hepatolenticular degeneration]

Hepatolenticular degeneration is common among rare diseases. China has a higher incidence rate than Western countries, and it is increasing year by year. The disease is easy to overlook and misdiagnose due to its complexity and non-specific clinical manifestations. Therefore, the British Association for the Study of the Liver has recently issued practice guidelines for the evaluation and treatment of hepatolenticular degeneration in order to aid clinicians in improving the clinical decision-making process regarding diagnosis, treatment, and long-term follow-up management. Herein is a brief introduction and interpretation of the content of the guideline, with aim of facilitating its application in clinical practice.

Clinical feasibility of deep learning-based automatic head CBCT image segmentation and landmark detection in computer-aided surgical simulation for orthognathic surgery

The purpose of this ambispective study was to investigate whether deep learning-based automatic segmentation and landmark detection, the SkullEngine, could be used for orthognathic surgical planning. Sixty-one sets of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were automatically inferred for midface, mandible, upper and lower teeth, and 68 landmarks. The experimental group included automatic segmentation and landmarks, while the control group included manual ones that were previously used to plan orthognathic surgery. The qualitative analysis of segmentation showed that all of the automatic results could be used for computer-aided surgical simulation. Among these, 98.4% of midface, 70.5% of mandible, 98.4% of upper teeth, and 93.4% of lower teeth could be directly used without manual revision. The Dice similarity coefficient was 96% and the average symmetric surface distance was 0.1 mm for all four structures. With SkullEngine, it took 4 minutes to complete the automatic segmentation and an additional 10 minutes for a manual touchup. The results also showed the overall mean difference between the two groups was 2.3 mm for the midface and 2.4 mm for the mandible. In summary, the authors believe that automatic segmentation using SkullEngine is ready for daily practice. However, the accuracy of automatic landmark digitization needs to be improved.

Ternary Blend Organic Solar Cells: Understanding the Morphology from Recent Progress

Ternary blend organic solar cells (TB-OSCs) incorporating multiple donor and/or acceptor materials into the active layer have emerged as a promising strategy to simultaneously improve the overall device parameters for realizing higher performances than binary devices. Whereas introducing multiple materials also results in a more complicated morphology than their binary blend counterparts. Understanding the morphology is crucially important for further improving the device performance of TB-OSC. This review introduces the solubility and miscibility parameters that affect the morphology of ternary blends. Then, this review summarizes the recent processes of morphology study on ternary blends from the aspects of molecular crystallinity, molecular packing orientation, domain size and purity, directly observation of morphology, vertical phase separation as well as morphological stability. Finally, summary and prospects of TB-OSCs are concluded.

Nanosystems for chemodynamic based combination therapy: Strategies and recent advances

Chemodynamic therapy (CDT), a newly developed approach for cancer treatment, can convert hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) into toxic hydroxyl radicals (•OH) by using Fenton/Fenton-like reaction to kill tumor cells. However, due to the complexity of the intracellular environment of tumor cells, the therapeutic efficacy of CDT was severely restricted. Recently, combination therapy strategies have become popular approaches for tumor treatment, and there are numerous studies have demonstrated that the CDT-based combination strategies can significantly improve the anti-tumor efficiency of CDT. In this review, we outline some of the recent progress in cancer chemodynamic therapy from 2020, and discuss the progress in the design of nanosystems for CDT synergistic combination therapies.

The Hippo–Yki Signaling Pathway Positively Regulates Immune Response against Vibrio Infection in Shrimp

In the Hippo pathway, activation of Hippo and Warts (Wts) kinases results in the phosphorylation of Yorkie (Yki), to prevent its nuclear translocation. Shrimp aquaculture is threatened by Vibrio genus bacteria. In this study, we examine the role of the Hippo pathway in immune defense against Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Pacific white shrimp Penaeus vannamei. We show that V. parahaemolyticus infection promotes the expression of Yki and facilitates the dephosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Yki, indicating the inhibition of Hippo signaling upon bacterial infection. There is a complex regulatory relationship between the Hippo pathway components Hippo, Wts, and Yki and the immune-related transcription factors Dorsal, Relish, and STAT. Silencing of Hippo and Wts weakened hemocyte phagocytosis, while the silencing of Yki enhanced it, suggesting a positive regulation of shrimp cellular immunity by Hippo signaling activation. In vivo silencing of Hippo and Wts decreased the survival rates of V. parahaemolyticus-infected shrimp and elevated the bacterial content in tissues, while the silencing of Yki showed the opposite results. This suggests that the activation of Hippo signaling and the inhibition of Yki enhance antibacterial immunity in shrimp.

[Recent progress of aptasensors for tumor exosome-associated protein detection]

Exosomes are phospholipid bilayer membrane-enclosed vesicles released from cells with diameters of 30-150 nm, exosomes can directly reflect the physiological and functional state of secretory cells, participate in material transport and information communication between cells, which are of great significance as biomarkers for early tumor diagnosis and treatment evaluation. There are many detection methods for exosomes, among which aptasensor technology with the properties of low price and easy operation, fast response, high sensitivity, remarkable specificity helps tumor patients to find, diagnose and treat early, improve the survival rate, and provide important basis for the evaluation of the prognosis. There are seven types of common aptasensors: fluorescent, electrochemical, colorimetric, luminescence, lateral flow strips, surface-enhanced Raman scattering and surface plasmon resonance sensors. Different aptasensors have different characteristics, this article focuses on the research progress of several common aptasensor for tumor exosomes detection.

Demethylation and reactivation of the fibrosis-suppressor gene Rasal1 is initiated by R-loop formation which facilitates recruitment of TET3 and GADD45g

Background

Silencing of fibrosis suppressor genes through DNA methylation has been shown to contribute to fibrosis progression in the heart and in other organs. Growth Arrest and DNA Damage 45-(GADD45) and Ten-Eleven-Translocation (TET) proteins are involved in active DNA demethylation, but how they are recruited to the promoter of fibrosis suppressor genes has not yet been understood.

Purpose

To identify the mechanisms involved in site-specific demethylation of the promoter region of the cardiac fibrosis suppressor gene Rasal1.

Methods

We previously identified lncRNA Gm15749 located within the Rasal1 promoter region. Using DRIP qRT-PCR, we demonstrated an enrichment of R-loops at the Rasal1 promoter in non-fibrotic mouse cardiac fibroblasts. Such enrichment of R-loops was lost upon TGF-beta-treatment in activated “fibrotic” fibroblasts, and also upon Gm15749 knockdown in untreated non-fibrotic fibroblasts. ChIP qRT-PCR further revealed binding of GADD45g to the Rasal1 promoter and Co-IP experiments confirmed a physical interaction of TET3 and GADD45g.

Results

Studying the RAS Protein Activator Like 1 (Rasal1), which has been shown to be silenced in fibrosis of the heart due to promoter hypermethylation, we find that the lncRNA Gm15749 within the promoter region of Rasal1 is protective by forming an R-loop at the Rasal1 promoter. Gm15749 mediates the recruitment and binding of GADD45g, which then triggers the demethylation process by recruiting TET3 specifically to the Rasal1 promoter region. During cardiac fibrosis, all three factors; Gm15749, TET3, and GADD45g are significantly downregulated and the protection of Rasal1 is lost due to the failure of the formation of the demethylation complex.

Conclusions

Our results suggest a complex involving an R-loop forming lncRNA termed Gm15749, which interacts with the demethylation complex consisting of GADD45g and TET3 to perform site-specific demethylation at the Rasal1 promoter. Such R-loop formation may counteract fibrogenesis through reactivation of fibrosis-suppressor genes silenced by hypermethylation.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

[Association of nutritional status with clinical outcomes of stroke patients with acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusion after emergency endovascular treatment]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the influence of nutritional status on 90-day functional outcomes of stroke patients with acute large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation after endovascular treatment (EVT).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the baseline, laboratory, surgical and 90-day follow-up data of patients with stroke resulting from acute large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation, who underwent emergency endovascular treatment in our hospital from July, 2015 to December, 2020. A favorable outcome was defined as a modified Rankin scale score ≤2 at 90 days. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to explore the relationship between nutritional status and 90-day functional outcomes of the patients.

RESULTS

A total of 459 patients (mean age of 68.29±11.21 years, including 260 males) were enrolled in this study. According to their prognostic nutritional index (PNI), the patients were divided into normal nutrition group (392 cases, 85.4%), moderate malnutrition group (44 cases, 9.6%), and severe malnutrition group (23 cases, 5.0%). Univariate analysis showed that the patients with good clinical outcomes had a lower proportion of malnutrition with a younger age, a lower rate of diabetes, lower baseline blood pressure, lower baseline NIHSS score, higher baseline ASPECT score, and higher rates of good collateral circulation and complete vascular recanalization. Multivariate analysis showed that in addition to age, diabetes, baseline systolic blood pressure, successful recanalization, baseline ASPECT score, baseline NIHSS score and collateral circulation, a greater PNI was a protective factor for a good 90-day outcome of patients after EVT (moderate vs severe: OR=0.245, 95% CI: 0.066-0.908, P=0.035; normal vs severe: OR=0.185, 95% CI: 0.059-0.581, P=0.004).

CONCLUSION

Nutritional status an important factor affecting the 90-day outcomes after EVT of stroke patients with acute large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation.

Crosstalk between the Gut Microbiome and Colonic Motility in Chronic Constipation: Potential Mechanisms and Microbiota Modulation

Chronic constipation (CC) is a highly prevalent and burdensome gastrointestinal disorder. Accumulating evidence highlights the link between imbalances in the gut microbiome and constipation. However, the mechanisms by which the microbiome and microbial metabolites affect gut movement remain poorly understood. In this review, we discuss recent studies on the alteration in the gut microbiota in patients with CC and the effectiveness of probiotics in treating gut motility disorder. We highlight the mechanisms that explain how the gut microbiome and its metabolism are linked to gut movement and how intestinal microecological interventions may counteract these changes based on the enteric nervous system, the central nervous system, the immune function, and the ability to modify intestinal secretion and the hormonal milieu. In particular, microbiota-based approaches that modulate the levels of short-chain fatty acids and tryptophan catabolites or that target the 5-hydroxytryptamine and Toll-like receptor pathways may hold therapeutic promise. Finally, we discuss the existing limitations of microecological management in treating constipation and suggest feasible directions for future research.

[Clinicopathological features and HER2 expression of metaplastic squamous cell carcinoma of the breast]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features and HER2 expression of metaplastic squamous cell carcinoma (MSCC) of the breast. Methods: A total of 47 MSCC cases diagnosed in the Wuhan Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China from January 2010 to December 2021 were reviewed. The clinical information (including the follow-up data of HER2 positive patients) and pathological features were collected and analyzed. Results: All of the patients were female. Among the 47 cases, 25 were pure squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) and 22 were mixed metaplastic carcinoma with squamous cell component (MMSC). The median age of the patients was 54 years (range, 29-84 years). The maximum diameter of the mass ranged from 0.8 to 10.0 cm, with a mean value of 3.3 cm, 85.7% (24/28) of the cases were smaller than 5 cm, and only 4 cases were larger than or equal to 5 cm. 89.5% of the MMSC presented with a solid mass. Cystic changes were more commonly found in the PSCC group (50%, P<0.05) than the MMSC group. 36.7% (11/30) of the patients had lymph node metastasis at the time of diagnosis. The squamous cell carcinoma component in all cases showed diffuse or patchy expression of p63, p40 and CK5/6. 55.3% (26/47) of the cases showed triple-negative phenotype. Among the 7 HER2-positive patients, 6 were MMSC group, which had a significantly higher rate of HER2-positivity than that in the PSCC group (1 case). In 1 MMSC case, immunohistochemistry showed HER2 2+in the invasive ductal carcinoma component and HER2 negativity (0) in the squamous cell carcinoma component, but HER2 FISH was negative in invasive ductal carcinoma and positive in squamous cell carcinoma component. Six HER2-positive MSCC patients received anti-HER2-targeted therapy, including two patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with anti-HER2-targeted therapy before surgery. One patient achieved pathological complete remission, while the other achieved partial remission (the residual tumors were squamous cell carcinoma components). After 9-26 months of follow-up, four patients had no disease progression, two patients developed pulmonary metastases, and one patient showed local recurrence. Conclusions: MSCC is a group of heterogeneous diseases. PSCC and MMSC may be two different entities. Most of the MSCC are triple-negative and HER2 positivity is more commonly seen in MMSC with invasive ductal carcinoma component. Some HER2-positive MSCC patients can achieve complete remission or long-term progression-free survival after receiving anti-HER2 targeted therapy, but the squamous cell carcinoma component may be less sensitive to targeted therapy than the invasive ductal carcinoma component.

[Association between metabolic risk factors and the hepatitis B reactivation of inactive HBsAg carriers in Jiangsu province: a cohort study]

Objective: To analyze the impact of metabolic risk factors on the epidemiological characteristics of the reactivation of inactive HBsAg carriers (IHC) and provide effective intervention measures to standardize the management of chronic hepatitis B infections. Methods: Based on the chronic hepatitis B infection cohort established in 2010 in Jiangsu province, six follow-up visits from 2012 to 2020 were conducted to analyze the characteristics and influencing factors of the hepatitis B reactivation of IHC and the impact of metabolic risk factors, including obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and hyperglycemia. Results: From 2012 to 2020, 2 527 IHC and 17 730 person-years were observed during a median follow-up period of 7.0 person-years. Ninety-eight cases of hepatitis B reactivation, with a cumulative reaction rate, was 3.9%, and the incidence density was 5.53/1 000 person-years. Multivariate Cox proportional risk regression analysis showed that age and baseline HBV DNA were independent risk factors of HBV reactivation. Compared with the patients ≥60 years, 40-49 age group (aHR=2.16, 95%CI:1.20-3.90) and 20-29 age group (aHR=5.48, 95%CI:2.07-14.48) were significantly associated with hepatitis B reactivation. Compared with the HBV DNA negative patients at baseline, the risk of hepatitis B reactivation was higher in the group with low HBV DNA level 100-1 999 IU/ml (aHR=1.67, 95%CI:1.11-2.52). Stratification analysis results showed that compared with those without metabolic risk factors, in the ≥50 age group, patients with ≥2 metabolic risk factors showed adjusted HR of 2.73 (95%CI:1.08-6.96). Conclusions: The risk of hepatitis B being reactive is the persistent existence of IHC in communities in Jiangsu province, especially young adults, low-level HBV DNA carriers, and IHC with ≥2 metabolic risk factors. Follow-up for these IHC should be strengthened to reduce the risk of disease progression by antiviral treatment at the right time.