Transcriptomic Analysis Provides Insights to Reveal the bmp6 Function Related to the Development of Intermuscular Bones in Zebrafish

Intermuscular bones (IBs) are small, hard-boned spicules located in the muscle tissue that mainly exist in the myosepta of lower teleosts, which hurt the edibleness and economic value of fish. The study of the development of IBs is very important for freshwater aquaculture fish, but the molecular mechanism of its formation and the key regulatory genes remain unclear. In this study, we first constructed two types of zebrafish mutants (the mutants losing IBs and the mutants with partial deletion of IBs) by knocking out bmp6. We then carried out a transcriptomic analysis to reveal the role of bmp6 in the developmental mechanism of IBs; we used the caudal musculoskeletal tissues of these mutants and wild-type zebrafish at three development stages (20, 45, and 60 dph) to perform transcriptomic analysis. The results showed that the deficiency of bmp6 upregulated sik1 and activated the TNF-A signaling via the NF-KB pathway, which inhibited the development of osteoblasts and promoted osteoclast formation, thereby inhibiting the formation of IBs. These results provided insights to understand the role of bmp6 in the development of IBs in zebrafish and are useful for selective breeding of IBs in cyprinids.

Yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and its active metabolites affect the cecal microbiome of broilers

Yeast cultures (YCs) are defined as promising feed additives that maintain the health of birds and improve growth performance by modulating gut microbiota. YCs contain effective metabolites such as glycine, fructose, inositol, galactose, and sucrose. This study investigated the effects of YCs and their effective metabolites on carcass traits and cecal microflora in broilers. A total of 280 one-day-old mixed-sex Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allocated to seven groups. The basal diet (control DZ) was supplemented with various proportions of glycine, fructose, inositol, galactose, and sucrose (Groups A, B, and C), 24-hour grown Saccharomyces cerevisiae cultures (Group D) (YC), and a commercial yeast culture product (SZ) at concentrations of 0.1% and 1% (Groups E and F). Bodyweight of broilers was correlated positively with proportions of Proteobacteria in Group C and Lactobacillus and Roseburia in Group B (P <0.05). Broilers fed diets supplemented with YC or its active metabolites had the highest proportions of bacteria involved in nucleotide metabolism, and amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism. These results suggested that the dietary addition of YC could alter the proliferation of beneficial bacteria in broilers.

Optimizing the Electrolyte Systems for Na3 (VO1-x PO4 )2 F1+2x (0≤x≤1) Cathode and Understanding their Interfacial Chemistries Towards High-Rate Sodium-Ion Batteries

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have been regarded as promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to the abundance of sodium resource and cost-effectiveness of electrode manufacture. Na₃ (VO_1-x PO₄ )₂ F_1+2x (0≤x≤1, NVPF_1+2x ) polyanionic material, a potential high-energy-density cathode, has shown superior electrochemical performances for advanced SIBs due to its high working voltage (>3.9 V). Electrolyte composition, which plays an indispensable and critical role in determining the cycle stability and the electrode/electrolyte interfacial properties, is of great significance to possess good compatibility with electrode materials, especially the NVPF_1+2x cathode. Here, different electrolyte systems, including commonly used 1.0 m NaPF₆ /diglyme (NP-005), 1.0 m NaPF₆ /propylene carbonate (PC)/5.0 % fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) (NP-009), 1.0 m NaClO₄ /ethylene carbonate-dimethyl carbonate (EC-DMC; 1 : 1 v/v)/5.0 % FEC (NC-019), and 1.0 m NaClO₄ /PC (NC-013), were systematically investigated and compared for NVPF_1+2x cathode. NVPF_1+2x electrode with NP-009 electrolyte showed a superior cycle stability and rate capability at 1-10 C (1 C=130 mA g^-1 ) than that of NC-019 and NC-013, while NVPF_1+2x electrode with NP-005 electrolyte showed the best high-rate capability at 20-50 C. The cathode/electrolyte interphase (CEI), post-mortem electrode morphology, and electrochemical kinetic characteristics of NVPF_1+2x electrode with different electrolytes were profoundly investigated and compared. It demonstrated that NVPF_1+2x electrode with NP-005 exhibited a thin, efficient, and NaF-rich CEI layer with less polarization, smaller interfacial resistance, and faster Na⁺ diffusion than that of NC-019 and NC-013 since they suffered from a thick, overgrown CEI layer due to the consecutive decomposition of FEC, NaClO₄ , and/or linear DMC, resulting in inferior electrochemical performance. This work provides new insights for the battery community to gain more comprehensive understanding about the compatibility and interfacial chemistry between different electrolyte systems and various electrode surfaces.

Optimizing the Electrolyte Systems for Na3 (VO1-x PO4 )2 F1+2x (0≤x≤1) Cathode and Understanding their Interfacial Chemistries Towards High-Rate Sodium-Ion Batteries

Invited for this month's cover is the group of Prof. Dr. Zhipeng Sun at the Guangdong University of Technology. The image shows how electrolyte composition and their interfacial chemistries play a crucial role in manipulating the cathode/electrolyte interphases (CEI) and their corresponding high-rate electrochemical performance for sodium-ion batteries. The Research Article itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.202102522.

Quantitative changes of upper airway in class III patients undergoing bimaxillary surgery after one-year follow-up: a retrospective study

Background

Bimaxillary surgery is often performed for class III malocclusion, and its complex influence on the upper airway has been well considered. The aim of this research was to provide a scaled formula between upper airway volume changes and bone movements in Class III patients after orthognathic surgery.

Materials and methods

Using a retrospective study design, the investigators enrolled a total of 30 class III malocclusion patients who were undergoing bimaxillary surgery as the study subjects. The subjects included 15 males and 15 females, and their average age was 23.3 ± 3.4 years. CBCT (cone beam tomography) was performed both before and one year after the surgery for each patient. The changes in the soft palate, tongue and upper airway were measured by using CBCT data that was collected before and after surgery. 3D superimposition of CBCT was performed to calculate three-dimensional jaw movements. A multiple regression analysis was used to calculate the quantitative relationship between airway volume changes and jaw movements.

Results

The nasopharynx airway volume was observed to be increased by 1064.0 ± 1336.2 mm³, whereas the retropalatal and retroglossal airway volumes were observed to be decreased by 1399.0 ± 2881.6 mm³ and 1433.8 ± 3043.4 mm³, respectively, after the surgery. One millimetre forward and downward movements of the PNS resulted in increases of 626.90 mm³ and 392.18 mm³ in nasopharynx airway volume, respectively. Moreover, one millimetre retrogression of the B point caused decreases of 314.6 mm³ and 656.6 mm³ in the retropalatal and retroglossal airway volume, respectively. The changes in the soft palate contributed to the decrease in the retropalatal airway volume, whereas the tongue compensated for the decrease in the retroglossal airway volume.

Conclusion

The movements of the PNS and B points could be used to predict upper airway volumetric changes in Class III patients after maxillary advancement and mandibular setback.

Anti-Cancer Effects of Disulfiram in Cervical Cancer Cell Lines Are Mediated by Both Autophagy and Apoptosis

Disulfiram (DSF), which is used to treat alcohol dependence, has been reported to have anticancer effects in various malignant tumors. We studied the anti-cancer effects and mechanism of action of DSF on cervical cancer cell lines HeLa and SiHa. The anti-cancer effects of DSF were confirmed in vivo using a xenograft tumor model. The anti-cancer effects of DSF in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were found to be copper (Cu)-dependent. The anti-tumor effects of DSF/Cu were time- and dose-dependent and were mediated by both autophagy and apoptosis. DSF/Cu shows stronger cytotoxicity to adenocarcinoma cell lines with higher malignant behavior, and valosin-containing protein (VCP) is its potential target. The cytotoxic effect of DSF/Cu against cervical cancer cell lines in vitro was mediated by apoptosis and autophagy simultaneously. Analysis of the clinical relevance of DSF/Cu on a xenograft animal model showed that DSF markedly stimulated tumor necrosis. DSF may contribute to improved survival of patients with cervical cancer. The antitumor characteristic of DSF can be used in the development of a new drug for advanced and refractory patients with cervical cancer.

How dirty are the pens in health-care environment? An easily overlooked detail of hand hygiene

Pens, common in hospitals, may be a potential vehicle for cross-infection. In this study, the number of pathogens on different pens and the positive rates of several common multi-drug-resistant bacteria were calculated and compared according to the nature of use and material. In addition, the effect of pens on bacterial transmission was explored through simulation experiments. High levels of bacteria were found on pens and the simulations demonstrated transmission of bacteria.

Interface engineering of hierarchical P-doped NiSe/2H-MoSe2 nanorod arrays for efficient hydrogen evolution

Developing non-noble metal-based electrocatalysts with better activity and stability for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is crucial for the electrolysis of water. Herein, self-supported three-dimensional (3D) P-doped NiSe/2H-MoSe2 nanorod arrays (denoted...

Bevacizumab's association with a decreased risk of brain metastases in ECOG-ACRIN E1505, a phase III randomized trial of adjuvant chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab in surgically-resected NSCLC

Introduction

ECOG-ACRIN E1505 was a phase 3 randomized trial of adjuvant chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab for patients with stages IB (>4 cm) to IIIA NSCLC. We sought to estimate the incidence and risk factors for brain recurrence as compared with extracranial recurrences (ECRs).

Methods

ECOG-ACRIN E1505 noted that bevacizumab failed to improve overall survival (OS) (OS hazard ratio [HR] = 0.99 [0·82–1·19], p = 0.90) or recurrence-free survival when added to chemotherapy in the adjuvant setting. The cumulative incidence of brain/ECR was estimated after adjusting for recurrence at other sites and death as competing events. A multivariable regression model was fitted using competing risk analysis to evaluate the effect of covariates on brain recurrence incidence.

Results

Median follow-up was 50.4 months. Among the 1501 patients enrolled, 472 developed ECR. There were 122 patients who had recurrence in the brain with or without simultaneous ECR as the first recurrence site (all-brain recurrences [ABRs]), and 84 of those with ABRs had recurrence in the brain only (isolated-brain recurrence [IBR]). The incidence of ABR, IBR, and ECR at 6 years was 9.9%, 5.9%, and 38.8%, respectively. Chemotherapy plus bevacizumab was associated with a decreased incidence of ABR (HR = 0.64, p = 0.02) and IBR (HR = 0.62, p = 0.032), but there was no significant trend for an OS decrement in the bevacizumab arm versus the control arm for both ABR and IBR. Median survivals associated with IBR, ABR, and ECR were 9.5, 9.5, and 14.1 months, respectively. Nonsquamous histology (HR = 1.87, p = 0.003) was also associated with ABR. ECR was associated with nonsquamous NSCLC histology (HR = 1.79, p < 0.01) and stage/N2 involvement (HR = 1.13/1.37, both p < 0.01).

Conclusions

The addition of bevacizumab to chemotherapy was associated with reduction in brain recurrences, but not ECR. Brain metastases whether isolated or not are associated with a lower median survival than ECR and unlike ECR are not associated with traditional staging variables.

Shape variability of the central sulcus in the developing brain: a longitudinal descriptive and predictive study in preterm infants

Despite growing evidence of links between sulcation and function in the adult brain, the folding dynamics, occurring mostly before normal-term-birth, is vastly unknown. Looking into the development of cortical sulci in infants can give us keys to address fundamental questions: what is the sulcal shape variability in the developing brain? When are the shape features encoded? How are these morphological parameters related to further functional development? In this study, we aimed to investigate the shape variability of the developing central sulcus, which is the frontier between the primary somatosensory and motor cortices. We studied a cohort of 71 extremely preterm infants scanned twice using MRI - once around 30 weeks post-menstrual age (w PMA) and once at term-equivalent age, around 40w PMA -, in order to quantify the sulcus's shape variability using manifold learning, regardless of age-group or hemisphere. We then used these shape descriptors to evaluate the sulcus's variability at both ages and to assess hemispheric and age-group specificities. This led us to propose a description of ten shape features capturing the variability in the central sulcus of preterm infants. Our results suggested that most of these features (8/10) are encoded as early as 30w PMA. We unprecedentedly observed hemispheric asymmetries at both ages, and the one captured at term-equivalent age seems to correspond with the asymmetry pattern previously reported in adults. We further trained classifiers in order to explore the predictive value of these shape features on manual performance at 5 years of age (handedness and fine motor outcome). The central sulcus's shape alone showed a limited but relevant predictive capacity in both cases. The study of sulcal shape features during early neurodevelopment may participate to a better comprehension of the complex links between morphological and functional organization of the developing brain.

Manipulating the Phase Compositions of Na3(VO1-xPO4)2F1+2x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) and Their Synergistic Effects with Reduced Graphene Oxide toward High-Rate Sodium-Ion Batteries

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have aroused intense research and academic interest due to the natural abundance and cost-effectiveness of sodium resources. Presently, cathode materials based on the Na₃(VO_1-xPO₄)₂F_1+2x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1, NVPF_1+2x) polyanionic framework show intriguing electrochemical performances toward practical and advanced SIBs due to its high operating voltage (>3.9 V) and high energy density (>500 Wh kg^-1). Different from conventional approaches focusing on delicate morphology design, metal ion substitution, and the conductive matrix's incorporation to overcome the low intrinsic electrical conductivity, here we adopt a one-step microwave-assisted hydrothermal approach to optimize the electrochemical performances of NVPF_1+2x via manipulating its phase compositions with different vanadium sources and distinguishing the tetragonal (I4/mmm) symmetry of the Na₃(VOPO₄)₂F phase from the orthorhombic symmetry (Amam) of the Na₃V₂(PO₄)₂F₃ phase. The introduction of the conductive reduced graphene oxide (rGO) framework and its impacts on the phase compositions were systematically investigated. The rGO framework with different calcination temperature can alter the phase composition and the electrical conductivity of NVPF_1+2x cathodes significantly, thus having a great impact on their electrochemical performances. Galvanostatic charge/discharge, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique are adopted to compare their electrode polarization and kinetics difference and show that NVPF@rGO-600 °C possesses a high rate, small polarization, and fast kinetics electrochemical properties. This work provides new insights into manipulating phase compositions of the NVPF_1+2x cathode by modulating the synthesis conditions and revealing their synergistic effect with a rGO conductive framework toward a superior rate capability and more realistic practical applications for SIBs.

Oxygen vacancy-rich MnO nanoflakes/N-doped carbon nanotubes modified separator enabling chemisorption and catalytic conversion of polysulfides for Li-S batteries

A modified separator for improving the electrochemical performance in Li-S batteries is fabricated by functional composites coating, comprised of MnO nanoflakes with rich oxygen vacancies and N doped carbon nanotubes (MnO-OVs/NCNTs). On the one hand, MnO as a polar material can anchor lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) on the interface via chemical bonding. In addition, introducing oxygen vacancies into MnO by heat treatment under a reducing atmosphere can regulate the electronic structure and provide extra active sites for further boosting the chemical adsorption capability of LiPSs, facilitating the redox reaction of LiPSs, as well as enhancing the electron transfer efficiency. On the other hand, the MnO-OVs/NCNTs layer is a barrier to block the LiPSs directly diffusing through the separator and acts as an upper collector to reduce the interface resistance reactivate the trapped sulfur species, thereby enhancing the sulfur utilization. Given these advantages, the MnO-OVs/NCNTs modified separator employed in Li-S batteries exhibit considerable capacity (1516 mAh g^-1 at 0.1C), enhanced long-term cycling stability (capacity retention of 618 mAh g^-1 for over 500 cycles at 1C), and rate performance (550 mAh g^-1 at 3C).

Identification of LIG1 and LIG3 as prognostic biomarkers in breast cancer

DNA ligase (LIG) plays a key role in connecting the 3′-OH end of a DNA strand to the 5′-P end of another DNA strand, resulting in the formation of a phosphodiester bond. It has been reported that LIGs (including LIG1, LIG3 and LIG4) play important roles in the occurrence and progression of many cancers. However, the role of LIGs in breast cancer (BC) is still unclear. In this study, we aim to reveal the expression level, function, and prognostic value of LIGs in BC. Bioinformatic tools were used to study the expression level, potential function and prognostic value of LIG1 and LIG3 in BC patients. ENCORI was used to predict microRNAs (miRNAs) that regulate LIG1 and LIG3 and established a valuable miRNA–mRNA regulation network for BC. We found that the expression of LIG1 and LIG3 was upregulated in BC and predicted high relapse-free survival (RFS) in BC patients. Functional annotation analysis was performed to reveal the role of LIG1 and LIG3 in BC. In addition, hsa-miR-22-3p was identified to be potentially involved in the regulation of LIG3. We suggest that LIG1 and LIG3 are novel valuable prognostic biomarkers for BC and has-miRNA-22-3p may be a potential therapeutic target for BC.

Prognostic value of the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio for outcomes of stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The current study aimed to conduct a systematic literature search and pool data from individual studies to assess the relationship between platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and functional outcomes and mortality in stroke patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The databases of PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar were searched for relevant studies up to 21st August 2021. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the association between PLR and poor functional outcomes and mortality.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies were included in the systematic review and nine in the meta-analysis. On analysis of eight studies, we noted no statistically significant relationship between PLR and poor functional outcomes in patients with stroke (OR: 1.00 95% CI: 1.00, 1.00 I2=80% p=0.30). Data on mortality was reported by just two studies. Pooled analysis indicated no statistical relationship between PLR and mortality in patients with stroke (OR: 1.49 95% CI: 0.56, 3.98 I2=76% p=0.43). Descriptive analysis of the remaining studies demonstrated conflicting results for the relationship between PLR and early neurological deterioration (END) and functional outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that PLR may not be a useful prognostic marker to predict functional outcomes after AIS. Evidence on the predictive power of PLR for mortality and END after stroke is scarce and contrasting. There is a need for further studies assessing the role of PLR in predicting outcomes of stroke patients while taking into account important confounders like baseline stroke severity and treatment modality.