Epidemiological investigation of fowl adenovirus (FAdV) infections in ducks and geese in Shandong Province, China

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

Samples of suspected FAdV-infected waterfowl from farms in Shandong Province were collected from 2019 to 2022.Single infections with FAdV were less frequent than mixed infections.477 out of 792 samples (60.23%) tested positive for FAdV nucleic acids.Detection rate of FAdV was 65.47% in fattening duck farms, 55.73% in breeder duck farms and 54.55% in fattening geese farms.

Two aromatic acid derivatives and a xanthone from Hypericum hengshanense

Three previously undescribed compounds including two aromatic acid derivatives (1-2), and one xanthone (3), together with ten known compounds (4-13) were isolated from the aerial part of Hypericum hengshanense. The planar structures of three new compounds were established by 1 D and 2 D NMR and MS data. And the absolute configurations of compounds 1-2 were determined by the quantum chemical ECD calculations. Compounds 1-2 showed weak cytotoxicity against Hep-2 human cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 65.1 ± 2.7 and 78.0 ± 1.0 μg/mL, respectively.

Pd(0)-Catalyzed Intermolecular Methylene C(sp3)-H Silylation by Using N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands

The direct functionalization of methylene C(sp3)-H bonds is one of the greatest challenges in transition metal-catalyzed C-H activation. Although Pd(0)-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization reactions of methylene C(sp3)-H bonds have been reported, intermolecular functionalization remains to be discovered. Herein, we report the first example of a Pd(0)-catalyzed intermolecular methylene C(sp3)-H functionalization reaction. By use of a N-heterocyclic carbene ligand, the methylene C(sp3)-H bonds of 1-(benzyloxy)-2-iodobenzenes are activated and disilylated with hexamethyldisilane, affording disilylated products.

An Analysis of Polysaccharides from Eight Plants by a Novel Heart-Cutting Two-Dimensional Liquid Chromatography Method

Natural polysaccharides are important active biomolecules. However, the analysis and structural characterization of polysaccharides are challenging tasks that often require multiple techniques and maps to reflect their structural features. This study aimed to propose a new heart-cutting two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) method for separating and analyzing polysaccharides to explore the multidimensional information of polysaccharide structure in a single map. That is, the first-dimension liquid chromatography (1D-LC) presents molecular-weight information, and the second-dimension liquid chromatography (2D-LC) shows the fingerprints of polysaccharides. In this 2D-LC system, the size-exclusion chromatography-hydrophilic interaction chromatography (SEC-HILIC) model was established. Coupling with a charged aerosol detector (CAD) eliminated the need for the derivatization of the polysaccharide sample, allowing the whole process to be completed within 80 min. The methods were all validated in terms of precision, linearity, stability, and repeatability. The capability of the new 2D-LC method was demonstrated in determining various species of natural polysaccharides. Our experimental data demonstrated the feasibility of the whole systematic approach, opening the door for further applications in the field of natural polysaccharide analysis.

Paeonia lactiflora Pall. ameliorates acetaminophen-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis via inhibiting the PKC-ERK pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (PLP), a traditional Chinese medicine, is recognized for its antioxidative and anti-apoptotic properties. Despite its potential medicinal value, the mechanisms underlying its efficacy have been less explored, particularly in alleviating acute liver injury (ALI) caused by excessive intake of acetaminophen (APAP).

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to elucidate the role and mechanisms of PLP in mitigating oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by APAP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

C57BL/6 male mice were pre-treated with PLP for seven consecutive days, followed by the induction of ALI using APAP. Liver pathology was assessed using HE staining. Serum indicators, immunofluorescence (IF), immunohistochemical (IHC), and transmission electron microscopy were employed to evaluate levels of oxidative stress, ferroptosis and apoptosis. Differential expression proteins (DEPs) in the APAP-treated and PLP pre-treated groups were analyzed using quantitative proteomics. Subsequently, the potential mechanisms of PLP pre-treatment in treating ALI were validated using western blotting, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis.

RESULTS

The UHPLC assay confirmed the presence of three compounds, i.e., albiflorin, paeoniflorin, and oxypaeoniflorin. Pre-treatment with PLP was observed to ameliorate liver tissue pathological damage through HE staining. Further confirmation of efficacy of PLP in alleviating APAP-induced liver injury and oxidative stress was established through liver function serum biochemical indicators, IF of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and IHC of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) detection. However, PLP did not demonstrate a significant effect in alleviating APAP-induced ferroptosis. Additionally, transmission electron microscopy and TUNEL staining indicated that PLP can mitigate hepatocyte apoptosis. PKC-ERK pathway was identified by proteomics, and subsequent molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and SPR verified binding of the major components of PLP to ERK protein. Western blotting demonstrated that PLP suppressed protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation, blocking extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and inhibiting oxidative stress and cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that PLP possesses hepatoprotective abilities against APAP-induced ALI, primarily by inhibiting the PKC-ERK cascade to suppress oxidative stress and cell apoptosis.

The role of VdSti1 in Verticillium dahliae: insights into pathogenicity and stress responses

Sti1/Hop, a stress-induced co-chaperone protein, serves as a crucial link between Hsp70 and Hsp90 during cellular stress responses. Despite its importance in stress defense mechanisms, the biological role of Sti1 in Verticillium dahliae, a destructive fungal pathogen, remains largely unexplored. This study focused on identifying and characterizing Sti1 homologues in V. dahliae by comparing them to those found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The results indicated that the VdSti1-deficient mutant displayed increased sensitivity to drugs targeting the ergosterol synthesis pathway, leading to a notable inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis. Moreover, the mutant exhibited reduced production of microsclerotia and melanin, accompanied by decreased expression of microsclerotia and melanin-related genes VDH1, Vayg1, and VaflM. Additionally, the mutant's conidia showed more severe damage under heat shock conditions and displayed growth defects under various stressors such as temperature, SDS, and CR stress, as well as increased sensitivity to H2O2, while osmotic stress did not impact its growth. Importantly, the VdSti1-deficient mutant demonstrated significantly diminished pathogenicity compared to the wild-type strain. This study sheds light on the functional conservation and divergence of Sti1 homologues in fungal biology and underscores the critical role of VdSti1 in microsclerotia development, stress response, and pathogenicity of V. dahliae.

Erratum: Simvastatin/hydrogel-loaded 3D-printed titanium alloy scaffolds suppress osteosarcoma via TF/NOX2-associated ferroptosis while repairing bone defects

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.11.001.].

The spatial landscape of T cells in the microenvironment of stage III lung adenocarcinoma

This study aimed to provide more information for prognostic stratification for patients through an analysis of the T-cell spatial landscape. It involved analyzing stained tissue sections of 80 patients with stage III lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) using multiplex immunofluorescence and exploring the spatial landscape of T cells and their relationship with prognosis in the center of the tumor (CT) and invasive margin (IM). In this study, multivariate regression suggested that the relative clustering of CT CD4+ conventional T cell (Tconv) to inducible Treg (iTreg), natural regulatory T cell (nTreg) to Tconv, terminal CD8+ T cell (tCD8) to helper T cell (Th), and IM Treg to tCD8 and the relative dispersion of CT nTreg to iTreg, IM nTreg to nTreg were independent risk factors for DFS. Finally, we constructed a spatial immunological score named the GT score, which had stronger prognostic correlation than IMMUNOSCORE® based on CD3/CD8 cell densities. The spatial layout of T cells in the tumor microenvironment and the proposed GT score can reflect the prognosis of patients with stage III LUAD more effectively than T-cell density. The exploration of the T-cell spatial landscape may suggest potential cell-cell interactions and therapeutic targets and better guide clinical decision-making. © 2024 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

[Dynamic observation on capillarization of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells induced by Echinococcus multilocularis infection]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the capillarization of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) and its association with hepatic fibrosis during the development of alveolar echinococcosis, so as to provide the basis for unraveling the mechanisms underlying the role of LSEC in the development and prognosis of hepatic injuries and hepatic fibrosis caused by alveolar echinococcosis.

METHODS

Forty C57BL/6 mice at ages of 6 to 8 weeks were randomly divided into a control group and 1-, 2- and 4-week infection groups, of 10 mice in each group. Each mouse in the infection groups was intraperitoneally injected with 2 000 Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces, while each mouse in the control group was given an equal volume of phosphate-buffered saline using the same method. All mice were sacrificed 1, 2 and 4 weeks post-infection and mouse livers were collected. The pathological changes of livers were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and hepatic fibrosis was evaluated through semi-quantitative analysis of Masson's trichrome staining-positive areas. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition were examined using immunohistochemical staining of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1), and the fenestrations on the surface of LSECs were observed using scanning electron microscopy. Primary LSECs were isolated from mouse livers, and the mRNA expression of LSEC marker genes Stabilin-1, Stabilin-2, Ehd3, CD209b, GATA4 and Maf was quantified using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay.

RESULTS

Destruction of local liver lobular structure was observed in mice 2 weeks post-infection with E. multilocularis protoscoleces, and hydatid cysts, which were surrounded by granulomatous tissues, were found in mouse livers 4 weeks post-infection. Semi-quantitative analysis of Masson's trichrome staining showed a significant difference in the proportion of collagen fiber contents in mouse livers among the four groups (F = 26.060, P < 0.001), and a higher proportion of collagen fiber contents was detected in mouse livers in the 4-week infection group [(11.29 ± 2.58)%] than in the control group (P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical staining revealed activation of a few HSCs and ECM deposition in mouse livers 1 and 2 weeks post-infection, and abundant brown-yellow stained α-SMA and COL1A1 were deposited in the lesion areas in mouse livers 4 weeks post-infection, which spread to surrounding tissues. Semi-quantitative analysis revealed significant differences in α-SMA (F = 7.667, P < 0.05) and COL1A1 expression (F = 6.530, P < 0.05) in mouse levers among the four groups, with higher α-SMA [(7.13 ± 3.68)%] and COL1A1 expression [(13.18 ± 7.20)%] quantified in mouse livers in the 4-week infection group than in the control group (both P values < 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy revealed significant differences in the fenestration frequency (F = 37.730, P < 0.001) and porosity (F = 16.010, P < 0.001) on the surface of mouse LSECs among the four groups, and reduced fenestration frequency and porosity were observed in the 1-[(1.22 ± 0.48)/μm2 and [(3.05 ± 0.91)%] and 2-week infection groups [(3.47 ± 0.10)/μm2 and (7.57 ± 0.23)%] groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the average fenestration diameter on the surface of mouse LSECs among the four groups (F = 15.330, P < 0.001), and larger average fenestration diameters were measured in the 1-[(180.80 ± 16.42) nm] and 2-week infection groups [(161.70 ± 3.85) nm] than in the control group (both P values < 0.05). In addition, there were significant differences among the four groups in terms of Stabilin-1 (F = 153.100, P < 0.001), Stabilin-2 (F = 57.010, P < 0.001), Ehd3 (F = 31.700, P < 0.001), CD209b (F = 177.400, P < 0.001), GATA4 (F = 17.740, P < 0.001), and Maf mRNA expression (F = 72.710, P < 0.001), and reduced mRNA expression of Stabilin-1, Stabilin-2, Ehd3, CD209b, GATA4 and Maf genes was quantified in three infection groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

E. multilocularis infections may induce capillarization of LSECs in mice, and result in a reduction in the expression of functional and phenotypic marker genes of LSECs, and capillarization of LSECs occurs earlier than activation of HSC and development of hepatic fibrosis.

Isolation, Identification, and Pathogenicity of a Goose Astrovirus Genotype 1 Strain in Goslings in China

Goose astrovirus genotype 1 (GAstV-1) has emerged in goose farms in some provinces of China in recent years and is considered to be one of the pathogens of gout in goslings in China. However, few studies have been conducted on the dynamic distribution, tissue tropism, and pathogenesis of GAstV-1 in goslings. In 2022, an epidemiological investigation of goose astrovirus (GAstV) in goslings was conducted in seven provinces of China. During the investigation, a GAstV-1 designated as GAstV-JSXZ was identified in the kidney of an 8-day-old gosling and was successfully isolated from a goose embryo. The full genome sequence of GAstV-JSXZ was determined using the next-generation sequencing technique. The complete genome of GAstV-JSXZ was 7299-nt-long. Interestingly, the phylogenetic analysis revealed that Chinese GAstV-1 has formed two distinct subgroups based on the ORF 2 genomes, designated GAstV-1 1a and GAstV-1 1b. The GAstV-JSXZ shared the highest identity with GAstV-1 1a strain FLX and TZ03 in nucleotides (ORF1a: 98.3-98.4%; ORF1b: 92.3-99.1%; ORF2: 95.8-98.8%) and amino acid sequences (ORF1a: 99.4-99.5%; ORF1b: 98.2-98.8%; ORF2: 97.0-99.4%). To evaluate the pathogenicity of GAstV-1, 1-day-old goslings were inoculated with the virus by oral and subcutaneous injection routes, respectively. The results revealed that the virus causes extensive pathological organ damage, especially in the kidney, liver, and thymus. Virus-specific genomic RNA could be detected in the cloacal swabs and tissues of infected goslings throughout the experiment. The viral copy numbers examined in the kidney and intestine were the highest, followed by the liver and spleen. These results are likely to provide a new understanding of the pathogenicity of GAstV-1 in geese.

A pig model of symptomatic spinal epidural hematoma

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to establish an animal model capable of simulating the development and decompression process of symptomatic spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH).

METHODS

A total of 16 male Bama miniature pigs were included in this study and randomly allocated into four groups: Group A (4 h 20 mmHg hematoma compression), Group B (4 h 24 mmHg hematoma compression), Group C (4 h 28 mmHg hematoma compression), and Group Sham (control). Real-time intra-wound hematoma compression values were obtained using the principle of connectors. Electrophysiological analyses, including the latency and amplitude of somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) and motor evoked potentials (MEP), along with behavioral observations (Tarlov score), were performed to assess this model.

RESULTS

ANOVA tests demonstrated significant differences in the latency and relative amplitude of SSEP and MEP between Groups C and Sham after 4 h of hematoma compression and one month after surgery (P < 0.01). Behavioral assessments 8 h after surgery indicated that animals subjected to 28 mmHg hematoma compression suffered the most severe spinal cord injury. Pearson correlation coefficient test suggested a negative correlation between the epidural pressure and Tarlov score (r = -0.700, p < 0.001). With the progression of compression and the escalation of epidural pressure, the latency of SSEP and MEP gradually increased, while the relative amplitude gradually decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

When the epidural pressure reaches approximately 24 mmHg, the spinal cord function occurs progressive dysfunction. Monitoring epidural pressure would be an effective approach to assist to identify the occurrence of postoperative SSEH.

Complications and local recurrence of chondrosarcoma and chordoma treated by total tumor resection in thoracic and lumbar spine

BACKGROUND

En bloc resection of spinal tumors is challenging and associated with a high incidence of complications; however, it offers the potential to reduce the risk of recurrence when a wide margin is achieved. This research aims to investigate the safety and efficacy of en bloc resection in treating thoracic and lumbar chondrosarcoma/chordoma.

METHODS

Data from patients diagnosed with chondrosarcoma and chordoma in the thoracic or lumbar region, who underwent total en bloc or piecemeal resection at our institution over a 7-year period, were collected and regularly followed up. The study analyzed overall perioperative complications and compared differences in complications and local tumor recurrence between the two surgical methods.

RESULTS

Seventeen patients were included, comprising 12 with chondrosarcoma and 5 with chordoma. Among them, 5 cases underwent intralesional piecemeal resection, while the remaining 12 underwent planned en bloc resection. The average surgical time was 684 min (sd = 287), and the mean estimated blood loss was 2300 ml (sd = 1599). Thirty-five complications were recorded, with an average of 2.06 perioperative complications per patient. 82% of patients (14/17) experienced at least one perioperative complication, and major complications occurred in 64.7% (11/17). Five patients had local recurrence during the follow-up, with a mean recurrence time of 16.2 months (sd = 7.2) and a median recurrence time of 20 months (IQR = 12.5). Hospital stays, operation time, blood loss, and complication rates did not significantly differ between the two surgical methods. The local recurrence rate after en bloc resection was lower than piecemeal resection, although not statistically significant (P = 0.067).

CONCLUSIONS

The complication rates between the two surgical procedures were similar. Considering safety and local tumor control, en bloc resection is recommended as the primary choice for patients with chondrosarcoma/chordoma in the thoracic and lumbar regions who are eligible for this treatment.

A Nature-Derived, Hetero-Structured, Pro-Healing Bioadhesive Patch for High-Performance Sealing of Wet Tissues

Tissue adhesives are promising alternatives to sutures and staples to achieve wound closure and hemostasis. However, they often do not work well on tissues that are soaked in blood or other biological fluids, and organs that are typically exposed to a variety of harsh environments, such as different pH values, nonhomogeneous distortions, continuous expansions and contractions, or high pressures. In this study, we developed a nature-derived multilayered hetero-bioadhesive patch (skin secretion of Andrias davidianus (SSAD)-Patch) based on hydrophilic/hydrophobic pro-healing bioadhesives derived from the skin secretion of SSAD, which is designed to form pressure-triggered strong adhesion with wet tissues. The SSAD-Patch is successfully applied for the sealing and healing of tissue defects within 10 s in diverse extreme injury scenarios in vivo, including rat stomach perforation, small intestine perforation, fetal membrane defect, porcine carotid artery incision, and lung lobe laceration. Our findings reveal a promising new type of self-adhesive regenerative SSAD-Patch, which is potentially adaptable to broad applications (under different pH values and air or liquid pressures) in sutureless wound sealing and healing. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Intratumor tertiary lymphatic structure evaluation predicts the prognosis and immunotherapy response of patients with colorectal cancer

Background

Immune checkpoint therapy, involving the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody, has revolutionized the treatment of cancer. Tertiary lymphatic structure (TLS) serves as an immune indicator to predict the efficacy of PD-1 antibody therapy. However, there is no clear result whether the distribution, quantity, and maturity of TLS can be effective indicators for predicting the clinical efficacy of anti-PD1 immunotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

Fifty-seven patients who underwent surgical resection and thirty-nine patients who received anti-PD-1 immunotherapy were enrolled in this retrospective study. Immunohistochemical staining and multiple fluorescence immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate the mismatch repair (MMR) subtypes and TLS distribution, quantity, and maturity, respectively.

Results

A comprehensive patient score system was built based on TLS quantity and maturity. We found that the proportion of patients with score >1 was much higher in the deficient mismatch repair(dMMR) group than in the proficient mismatch repair(pMMR) group, and this difference was mainly due to intratumoral TLS. Patient score, based on the TLS evaluation of whole tumor, peritumor, or intratumor, was used to evaluate the efficacy of anti-PD1 immunotherapy. Based only on the intratumor TLS evaluation, the proportion of patients with a score >1 was higher in the response (PR + CR) group than in the non-response (PD) group. Multivariate analysis revealed that patient scores were positively correlated with the clinical efficacy of immunotherapy. Further analysis of immune-related progression-free survival was performed in patients with CRC who received anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Patients with score >1 based on the intratumor TLS evaluation had significantly better survival.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the patient score based on intratumor TLS evaluation may be a good immune predictive indicator for PD-1 antibody therapy in patients with CRC.

Comparison of En Bloc Resection and Intralesional Excision for Re-resection of Giant Cell Tumors of the Spine

OBJECTIVE

Re-resection of spinal giant cell tumors is an exceedingly difficult procedure. Moreover, the prognosis of patients with en bloc resection or intralesional excision for re-resection has rarely been reported. This study aimed to compare the prognostic value of en bloc resection with that of intralesional excision in patients undergoing re-resection for giant cell tumors of the spine.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis evaluated patients who underwent revision surgeries for relapse of giant cell tumors of the spine at our center between January 2005 and January 2021. Local progression-free survival represents the duration between en bloc resection or intralesional excision and tumor recurrence. Neurological recovery, survival rates, local control, and complications were evaluated. The Kaplan-Meier estimator was used for survival analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 22 patients (nine men and 13 women) with a mean age of 34.1 (range 19-63) years were included. Significant statistical differences were found in the local tumor recurrence rate between patients treated with en bloc resection and those treated with intralesional excision (p < 0.05). The 5- and 10-year local progression-free survival rates were both 90% in the en bloc resection group, while in the intralesional excision group, the 5-year local progression-free survival rate was 80% with a 10-year rate of 45.7%. The en bloc resection group had a lower local tumor recurrence rate than that of the intralesional excision group (p < 0.05), but the former had a higher rate of complications (p = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed a low local recurrence rate in patients who underwent en bloc resection for giant cell tumors, while the perioperative complication rate was high.

Toxicity Study on Crude Alkaloid Extracts of Houttuyniae herba Based on Zebrafish and Mice

Houttuyniae herba has a long history of medicinal and edible homology in China. It has the functions of clearing heat and detoxifying, reducing swelling and purulent discharge, diuresis, and relieving gonorrhea. It is mainly distributed in the central, southeastern, and southwestern provinces of China. Houttuyniae herba has been designated by the National Ministry of Health of China as a dual-use plant for both food and medicine. Comprising volatile oils, flavonoids, and alkaloids as its primary constituents, Houttuyniae herba harbors aristolactams, a prominent subclass of alkaloids. Notably, the structural affinity of aristolactams to aristolochic acids is discernible, the latter known for its explicit toxicological effects. Additionally, the safety study on Houttuyniae herba mainly focused on the ethanol, methanol, or aqueous extract. In this study, both zebrafish and mice were used to evaluate the acute toxicity of the total alkaloids extracts from Houttuyniae herba (HHTAE). The zebrafish experiment showed that a high concentration (0.1 mg/mL) of HHTAE had a lethal effect on zebrafish embryos. Furthermore, the mice experiment results showed that, even at a higher dose of 2000 mg/kg, HHTAE was not toxic. In conclusion, HHTAE was of low safety risk.

Simvastatin/hydrogel-loaded 3D-printed titanium alloy scaffolds suppress osteosarcoma via TF/NOX2-associated ferroptosis while repairing bone defects

Postoperative anatomical reconstruction and prevention of local recurrence after tumor resection are two vital clinical challenges in osteosarcoma treatment. A three-dimensional (3D)-printed porous Ti6Al4V scaffold (3DTi) is an ideal material for reconstructing critical bone defects with numerous advantages over traditional implants, including a lower elasticity modulus, stronger bone-implant interlock, and larger drug-loading space. Simvastatin is a multitarget drug with anti-tumor and osteogenic potential; however, its efficiency is unsatisfactory when delivered systematically. Here, simvastatin was loaded into a 3DTi using a thermosensitive poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA)-polyethylene glycol (PEG)-PLGA hydrogel as a carrier to exert anti-osteosarcoma and osteogenic effects. Newly constructed simvastatin/hydrogel-loaded 3DTi (Sim-3DTi) was comprehensively appraised, and its newfound anti-osteosarcoma mechanism was explained. Specifically, in a bone defect model of rabbit condyles, Sim-3DTi exhibited enhanced osteogenesis, bone in-growth, and osseointegration compared with 3DTi alone, with greater bone morphogenetic protein 2 expression. In our nude mice model, simvastatin loading reduced tumor volume by 59%-77 % without organic damage, implying good anti-osteosarcoma activity and biosafety. Furthermore, Sim-3DTi induced ferroptosis by upregulating transferrin and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 2 levels in osteosarcoma both in vivo and in vitro. Sim-3DTi is a promising osteogenic bone substitute for osteosarcoma-related bone defects, with a ferroptosis-mediated anti-osteosarcoma effect.

Study of Bitespiramycin Distribution in Rats and Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients by a Sensitive LC-MS/MS Method with Rapid Sample Preparation

Bitespiramycin, has been shown to have a therapeutic effect against respiratory tract inflammation, including a potential effect against COVID-19. A current clinical trial in China showed that bitespiramycin was an effective treatment for severe pneumonia and intracranial infection. However, there is lack of an analytical method to elucidate the distribution of bitespiramycin. In this study, a highly sensitive, rapid and reliable UPLC-MS/MS method was developed to comprehensively characterize the bitespiramycin distribution in various bio-samples, which is significantly improved upon the published work. A rapid sample preparation method was developed by using n-butanol as the solvent to extract bitespiramycin from different bio-samples. The extract was then directly analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS coupled with an alkaline-resistant column after centrifugation which avoids the time-consuming concentration process under nitrogen and redissolution. The method was employed to accurately quantify bitespiramycin and its metabolites in rat plasma, tissues, and human cerebrospinal fluid. Notably, the presence of bitespiramycin and its metabolites was identified for the first time in various rat organs including brain, testis, bladder and prostate as well as in human cerebrospinal fluid. This newly developed approach shows great promise for drug distribution assays including other antibiotics and can help elucidate the ADME of bitespiramycin.

PPARγ Agonist Rosiglitazone and Antagonist GW9662: Antihypertensive Effects on Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia-Induced Hypertension in Rats

The increased incidence of hypertension associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) presents significant physical, psychological, and economic challenges. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) plays a role in both OSA and hypertension, yet the therapeutic potential of PPARγ agonists and antagonists for OSA-related hypertension remains unexplored. Therefore, we constructed a chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH)-induced hypertension rat model that mimics the pathogenesis of OSA-related hypertension in humans. The model involved administering PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone (RSG), PPARγ antagonist GW9662, or normal saline, followed by regular monitoring of blood pressure and thoracic aorta analysis using staining and electron microscopy. Intriguingly, our results indicated that both RSG and GW9662 appeared to potently counteract CIH-induced hypertension. In silico study suggested that GW9662's antihypertensive effect might mediated through angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AGTR1). Our findings provide insights into the mechanisms of OSA-related hypertension and propose novel therapeutic targets.

Tunnel construction in shallow soft rock using the pipe shed support

In order to clarify the impact mechanism of shallow buried soft rock tunnel excavation on the upper existing highway, as well as the mechanism of pipe shed reinforcement, a combination of theoretical analysis and on-site monitoring was used to conduct in-depth research on the Diantou Tunnel Crossing the existing highway project of Dayong Expressway. The impact of shallow buried soft rock tunnel crossing construction on the existing highway and safety control issues were studied, a new deformation control index, namely deformation difference rate, was introduced. The results show that the main lateral area of influence of rock deformation is within a distance of one diameter, and the overall area of influence is within a distance of twice the diameter. From the perspective of axial tunnel deformation, the deformation of surrounding rock tends to be stable when the excavation face passes through the monitoring section about twice the tunnel diameter. Effectively controlling rock deformation depends on the total amount of settlement deformation, the change rate of deformation, and the difference rate of deformation. For V-class shallow buried tunnel surrounding rock, in order to prevent cracks on the surface, the cumulative deformation of the surrounding rock needs to be less than 50 mm, the change rate needs to be less than 3 mm/day, and the difference rate needs to be less than 5 mm/m. Finally, the proposed control standard for surface subsidence is given for similar engineering reference.

Immune checkpoint ligands expressed on mature high endothelial venules predict poor prognosis of NSCLC: have a relationship with CD8+ T lymphocytes infiltration

Background

An insufficient number of intratumoral CD8+ T lymphocytes is a major barrier to antitumor immunity and immunotherapy. High endothelial venules (HEVs) are the major sites through which lymphocytes enter tumors; however, the molecular mechanism through which HEVs mediate CD8+ T lymphocyte infiltration remains poorly understood.

Methods

Forty-two patients with stage IIIA lung adenocarcinoma, who underwent surgery, were recruited. Multiplex immunohistochemical staining was conducted on tumor tissues to detect the immune checkpoint ligands (ICLs) expressed in the HEVs, blood vessels, and lymphatics. A new ICL score model was constructed to evaluate ligand expression. The relationship between ICL score, tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cell frequency, and survival of patients was investigated.

Results

Mature HEVs, but not blood vessels or lymphatics, mediated CD8+ T cell infiltration. However, the ICLs expressed on mature HEVs could negatively regulate CD8+ T cell entry into tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs). In addition, according to the results obtained using our ICLtotal score model, the expression of ICLs on HEVs was observed to be a predictor of both CD8+ T cell infiltration and survival, in which a high ICLtotal score > 1 represent a weak CD8+ T cell infiltration and a high ICLtotal score > 2 predicts poor survival.

Conclusion

Using the ICL score model, we discovered that ICLs expressed on HEVs are indicative of CD8+ T cell subset infiltration in TLSs, as well as of patient survival with lung cancer.

Therapeutic effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate for inflammatory bowel disease: A preclinical meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the primary active compound in green tea, is recognized for its significant anti-inflammatory properties and potential pharmacological effects on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, comprehensive preclinical evidence supporting the use of EGCG in treating IBD is currently insufficient.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of EGCG in animal models of IBD and explore potential underlying mechanisms, serving as a groundwork for future clinical investigations.

METHODS

A systematic review of pertinent preclinical studies published until September 1, 2023, in databases such as PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library was conducted, adhering to stringent quality criteria. The potential mechanisms via which EGCG may address IBD were summarized. STATA v16.0 was used to perform a meta-analysis to assess IBD pathology, inflammation, and indicators of oxidative stress. Additionally, dose-response analysis and machine learning models were utilized to evaluate the dose-effect relationship and determine the optimal dosage of EGCG for IBD treatment.

RESULTS

The analysis included 19 studies involving 309 animals. The findings suggest that EGCG can ameliorate IBD-related pathology in animals, with a reduction in inflammatory and oxidative stress indicators. These effects were observed through significant changes in histological scores, Disease Activity Index, Colitis Macroscopic Damage Index and colon length; a decrease in markers such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and interferon-γ; and alterations in malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and catalase levels. Subgroup analysis indicated that the oral administration route of EGCG exhibited superior efficacy over other administration routes. Dose-response analysis and machine learning outcomes highlighted an optimal EGCG dosage range of 32-62 mg/kg/day, with an intervention duration of 4.8-13.6 days.

CONCLUSIONS

EGCG exhibits positive effects on IBD, particularly when administered at the dose range of 32 - 62 mg/kg/day, primarily attributed to its ability to regulate inflammation and oxidative stress levels.

Anti-aging activities of neutral and acidic polysaccharides from Polygonum multiflorum Thunb in Caenorhabditis elegans

Polygonum multiflorum Thunb (PM) is used to slow the aging process. Although polysaccharides are a major constituent of PM, their anti-aging properties have not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the anti-aging effects of polysaccharides extracted from PM using the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model. Two types of water-soluble heteropolysaccharides, namely a neutral polysaccharide (RPMP-N) and an acidic polysaccharide (RPMP-A), were obtained from PM. Their structures were elucidated by various methods. The effects of these polysaccharides on the lifespan, levels of antioxidants, and activities of antioxidant-related enzymes in C. elegans were also evaluated. The results showed that RPMP-A had higher GalA content compared with RPMP-N. The average molecular weights of RPMP-N and RPMP-A were 245.30 and 28.45 kDa, respectively. RPMP-N is a α-1,4-linked dextran as the main chain, and contains a small amount of branched dextran with O-6 as the branched linkage site；RPMP-A may be a complex of α-1,4-linked dextran, HG and RG-I. Treatment with RPMP-N and RPMP-A increased the mean lifespan of C. elegans, and significantly regulated oxidative stress. RPMP-A exhibited stronger anti-aging effects compared with RPMP-N. These findings suggest that RPMP-A may be a potent antioxidant and anti-aging component that can be used for developing functional food products and effective dietary supplements.

An ACC-VTA-ACC positive-feedback loop mediates the persistence of neuropathic pain and emotional consequences

The central mechanisms underlying pain chronicity remain elusive. Here, we identify a reciprocal neuronal circuit in mice between the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA) that mediates mutual exacerbation between hyperalgesia and allodynia and their emotional consequences and, thereby, the chronicity of neuropathic pain. ACC glutamatergic neurons (ACCGlu) projecting to the VTA indirectly inhibit dopaminergic neurons (VTADA) by activating local GABAergic interneurons (VTAGABA), and this effect is reinforced after nerve injury. VTADA neurons in turn project to the ACC and synapse to the initial ACCGlu neurons to convey feedback information from emotional changes. Thus, an ACCGlu-VTAGABA-VTADA-ACCGlu positive-feedback loop mediates the progression to and maintenance of persistent pain and comorbid anxiodepressive-like behavior. Disruption of this feedback loop relieves hyperalgesia and anxiodepressive-like behavior in a mouse model of neuropathic pain, both acutely and in the long term.

Pathogenicity of duck circovirus 1 in experimentally infected specific pathogen-free ducks

Ducks infected with duck circovirus (DuCV) show symptoms such as feather loss, growth retardation and low body weight in the flock. The virus induces immunosuppression and increases the prevalence of infection with other pathogens. However, most studies on duck circovirus were focused on coinfection, and fewer studies had been conducted on the pathogenicity of duck circovirus alone. The aim of the present study was to investigate the pathogenesis of DuCV-1 in experimentally infected specific pathogen-free ducks. In this study, we sequenced the whole genome of a strain of duck circovirus and identified the virus genotype as DuCV-1b. This strain of duck circovirus was named SDLH(OR567883). Animal pathogenicity experiments were then conducted, wherein specific pathogen-free ducks were infected by mucosal injection and abdominal injection. Infected ducks were sampled for 4 consecutive weeks after infection and showed symptoms of dwarfism. We further examined the replication of DuCV-1 in the ducks. The highest virus titers in the 2 infection groups were found in the liver and spleen, with different results for the different routes of infection. Pathological sections of duck organs were made and it was found that organs such as the liver and spleen were damaged by DuCV-1. In conclusion, our experimental results indicate that DuCV-1 can infect ducks individually and cause widespread organ damage in infected ducks.

Enhanced identification and localization of metabolites in Scutellariae Radix using ion mobility enabled MALDI-Q-TOF/MS imaging

Image 1.

Mesothelial cells with mesenchymal features enhance peritoneal dissemination by forming a protumorigenic microenvironment

Malignant ascites accompanied by peritoneal dissemination contain various factors and cell populations as well as cancer cells; however, how the tumor microenvironment is shaped in ascites remains unclear. Single-cell proteomic profiling and a comprehensive proteomic analysis are conducted to comprehensively characterize malignant ascites. Here, we find defects in immune effectors along with immunosuppressive cell accumulation in ascites of patients with gastric cancer (GC) and identify five distinct subpopulations of CD45(-)/EpCAM(-) cells. Mesothelial cells with mesenchymal features in CD45(-)/EpCAM(-) cells are the predominant source of chemokines involved in immunosuppressive myeloid cell (IMC) recruitment. Moreover, mesothelial-mesenchymal transition (MMT)-induced mesothelial cells strongly express extracellular matrix (ECM)-related genes, including tenascin-C (TNC), enhancing metastatic colonization. These findings highlight the definite roles of the mesenchymal cell population in the development of a protumorigenic microenvironment to promote peritoneal dissemination.

Small nucleolar RNA Snora73 promotes psoriasis progression by sponging miR-3074-5p and regulating PBX1 expression

Chronic psoriasis is a kind of immune-mediated skin illness and the underlying molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis remain incompletely understood. Here, we used small RNA microarray assays to scan the differential expressed RNAs in psoriasis patient samples. The downstream miRNAs and its targets were predicted using bioinformatics analysis from online bases and confirmed using fluorescence in situ hybridization and dual‑luciferase report gene assay. Cell ability of proliferation and migration were detected using CCK-8 and transwell assays. The results showed that a new snoRNA Snora73 was upregulated in psoriasis patient samples. Overexpression of Snora73 significantly increased psoriasis cells viability and migration, while knockdown of Snora73 got the opposite results. Mechanistically, our results showed that Snora73 acted as a sponge for miR-3074-5p and PBX1 is a direct target of miR-3074-5p in psoriasis cells. Furthermore, miR-3074-5p suppressed psoriasis cell proliferation and migration, while PBX1 promoted cell proliferation and migration in psoriasis. Collectively, these findings reveal a crucial role of Snora73 in progression of psoriasis through miR-3074-5p/PBX1 signaling pathway and suggest a potential therapeutic strategy.

Examining the spatial distribution of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in patients with stage I-IIIA LUAD

This study aimed to examine the spatial distribution of immune cells by application of Gcross function in 170 patients with stage I-IIIA lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and explore its prognostic value. A total of 170 stage I-IIIA LUAD patients who underwent radical surgery were enrolled. Paraffinized tumor sections were collected for two panels of multicolor immunofluorescence staining as follows: Panel 1 (CD4, CD8, FOXP3, CD69, CD39, CD73, and DAPI) and Panel 2 (CD68, CD163, CD20, CD11c, PDL1, IDO, and DAPI). The immune cells were categorized as CD8+, CD4+ T-helper cell (CD4Th), Regulatory T cell (Treg), Macrophage type 1 (M1), Macrophage type 2 (M2), Dendritic cell (DC) and B cell. The immune cell numbers were enumerated, and the immune cell proximity score was calculated employing the Gcross function. The correlation between immune cell variables and Disease-Free Survival (DFS) was explored through univariate Cox regression analyses. Factors with P<0.05 were subjected to multivariate analyses. According to univariate Cox regression analyses, total PDL1+ and PDL1+ DC counts were negative factors (P=0.003, 0.031). CD4Th and IDO-DC counts were positive factors (P=0.022, 0.024). The proximity score (M1 to M2) was a positive factor for DFS (P=0.032), and the proximity score (PDL1+DC to M1) was a negative factor (P=0.009) according to univariate Cox analyses. In multivariate analyses, stage (IIIA vs. I+II) [HR: 1.77(1.18, 2.64), P=0.006] and proximity score (PDL1+DC to M1) [HR: 1.60(1.07, 2.37), P=0.021] were independent negative factors and CD4Th counts [HR: 0.60(0.40, 0.90), P=0.013] was an independent positive factor. Our study indicated that a higher level of tumor-infiltrating CD4Th cells predicted longer DFS, and a closer proximity of PDL1+ DCs to M1 cells was associated with dismal DFS in stage I-IIIA LUAD patients.

Advancements in innate immune regulation strategies in islet transplantation

As a newly emerging organ transplantation technique, islet transplantation has shown the advantages of minimal trauma and high safety since it was first carried out. The proposal of the Edmonton protocol, which has been widely applied, was a breakthrough in this method. However, direct contact between islets and portal vein blood will cause a robust innate immune response leading to massive apoptosis of the graft, and macrophages play an essential role in the innate immune response. Therefore, therapeutic strategies targeting macrophages in the innate immune response have become a popular research topic in recent years. This paper will summarize and analyze recent research on strategies for regulating innate immunity, primarily focusing on macrophages, in the field of islet transplantation, including drug therapy, optimization of islet preparation process, islet engineering and Mesenchymal stem cells cotransplantation. We also expounded the heterogeneity, plasticity and activation mechanism of macrophages in islet transplantation, providing a theoretical basis for further research.

A transcriptome based molecular classification scheme for cholangiocarcinoma and subtype-derived prognostic biomarker

Previous studies on the molecular classification of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) focused on certain anatomical sites, and disregarded tissue contamination biases in transcriptomic profiles. We aim to provide universal molecular classification scheme and prognostic biomarker of CCAs across anatomical locations. Comprehensive bioinformatics analysis is performed on transcriptomic data from 438 CCA cases across various anatomical locations. After excluding CCA tumors showing normal tissue expression patterns, we identify two universal molecular subtypes across anatomical subtypes, explore the molecular, clinical, and microenvironmental features of each class. Subsequently, a 30-gene classifier and a biomarker (called "CORE-37") are developed to predict the molecular subtype of CCA and prognosis, respectively. Two subtypes display distinct molecular characteristics and survival outcomes. Key findings are validated in external cohorts regardless of the stage and anatomical location. Our study provides a CCA classification scheme that complements the conventional anatomy-based classification and presents a promising prognostic biomarker for clinical application.

Comparative analyses of complete chloroplast genomes reveal interspecific difference and intraspecific variation of Tripterygium genus

The genus Tripterygium was of great medicinal value and attracted much attention on the taxonomic study using morphological and molecular methods. In this study, we assembled 12 chloroplast genomes of Tripterygium to reveal interspecific difference and intraspecific variation. The sequence length (156,692-157,061 bp) and structure of Tripterygium were conserved. Comparative analyses presented abundant variable regions for further study. Meanwhile, we determined the ndhB gene under positive selection through adaptive evolution analysis. And the phylogenetic analyses based on 15 chloroplast genomes supported the monophyly of Tripterygium hypoglaucum and the potential sister relationship between Tripterygium wilfordii and Tripterygium regelii. Molecular dating analysis indicated that the divergence time within Tripterygium was approximately 5.99 Ma (95% HPD = 3.11-8.68 Ma). The results in our study provided new insights into the taxonomy, evolution process, and phylogenetic construction of Tripterygium using complete plastid genomes.

Pan-Genomic Analysis Identifies the Chinese Strain as a New Subspecies of Xanthomonas fragariae

Xanthomonas fragariae is classified as a quarantine pathogen by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization. It commonly induces typical angular leaf spot (ALS) symptoms in strawberry leaves. X. fragariae strains from China (YL19, SHAQP01, and YLX21) exhibit ALS symptoms in leaves and more severe symptoms of dry cavity rot in strawberry crowns. Conversely, strains from other countries do not cause severe dry cavity rot symptoms in strawberries. After employing multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA), average nucleotide identity (ANI), and amino acid identity (AAI), we determined that Chinese strains of X. fragariae are genetically distinct from other strains and can be considered a new subspecies. Subsequent analysis of 63 X. fragariae genomes published at NCBI using IPGA and EDGAR3.0 revealed the pan-genomic profile, with 1,680 shared genes present in all 63 strains, including 71 virulence-related genes. Additionally, we identified 123 genes exclusive to all the Chinese strains, encompassing 12 virulence-related genes. The qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that the expression of XopD, XopG1, CE8, GT2, and GH121 out of 12 virulence-related genes of Chinese strains (YL19) exhibited a constant increase in the early stages (6, 24, 54, and 96 hours postinoculation [hpi]) of strawberry leaf infected by YL19. So, the presence of XopD, XopG1, CE8, GT2, and GH121 in Chinese strains may play important roles in the early infection process of Chinese strains. These findings offer novel insights into comprehending the population structure and variation in the pathogenic capacity of X. fragariae.

Altered Gut Microbiota as a Potential Risk Factor for Coronary Artery Disease in Diabetes: A Two-Sample Bi-Directional Mendelian Randomization Study

The current body of research points to a notable correlation between an imbalance in gut microbiota and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) as well as its consequential ailment, coronary artery disease (CAD). The complexities underlying the association, especially in the context of diabetic coronary artery disease (DCAD), are not yet fully understood, and the causal links require further clarification. In this study, a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) methodology was utilized to explore the causal relationships between gut microbiota, T2D, and CAD. By analyzing data from the DIAGRAM, GERA, UKB, FHS, and mibioGen cohorts and examining GWAS databases, we sought to uncover genetic variants linked to T2D, CAD, and variations in gut microbiota and metabolites, aiming to shed light on the potential mechanisms connecting gut microbiota with DCAD. Our investigation uncovered a marked causal link between the presence of Oxalobacter formigenes and an increased incidence of both T2D and CAD. Specifically, a ten-unit genetic predisposition towards T2D was found to be associated with a 6.1% higher probability of an increase in the Oxalobacteraceae family's presence (β = 0.061, 95% CI = 0.002-0.119). In a parallel finding, an augmented presence of Oxalobacter was related to an 8.2% heightened genetic likelihood of CAD (β = 0.082, 95% CI = 0.026-0.137). This evidence indicates a critical pathway by which T2D can potentially raise the risk of CAD via alterations in gut microbiota. Additionally, our analyses reveal a connection between CAD risk and Methanobacteria, thus providing fresh perspectives on the roles of TMAO and carnitine in the etiology of CAD. The data also suggest a direct causal relationship between increased levels of certain metabolites - proline, lysophosphatidylcholine, asparagine, and salicylurate - and the prevalence of both T2D and CAD. Sensitivity assessments reinforce the notion that changes in Oxalobacter formigenes could pose a risk for DCAD. There is also evidence to suggest that DCAD may, in turn, affect the gut microbiota's makeup. Notably, a surge in serum TMAO levels in individuals with CAD, coinciding with a reduced presence of methanogens, has been identified as a potentially significant factor for future examination.

Human diet-derived polyphenolic compounds and hepatic diseases: From therapeutic mechanisms to clinical utilization

This review focuses on the potential ameliorative effects of polyphenolic compounds derived from human diet on hepatic diseases. It discusses the molecular mechanisms and recent advancements in clinical applications. Edible polyphenols have been found to play a therapeutic role, particularly in liver injury, liver fibrosis, NAFLD/NASH, and HCC. In the regulation of liver injury, polyphenols exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, primarily targeting the TGF-β, NF-κB/TLR4, PI3K/AKT, and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways. In the regulation of liver fibrosis, polyphenolic compounds effectively reverse the fibrotic process by inhibiting the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC). Furthermore, polyphenolic compounds show efficacy against NAFLD/NASH by inhibiting lipid oxidation and accumulation, mediated through the AMPK, SIRT, and PPARγ pathways. Moreover, several polyphenolic compounds exhibit anti-HCC activity by suppressing tumor cell proliferation and metastasis. This inhibition primarily involves blocking Akt and Wnt signaling, as well as inhibiting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Additionally, clinical trials and nutritional evidence support the notion that certain polyphenols can improve liver disease and associated metabolic disorders. However, further fundamental research and clinical trials are warranted to validate the efficacy of dietary polyphenols.

Region-specific hippocampal atrophy is correlated with poor glycemic control in type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study

To examine the association between prediabetes/type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hippocampal subfields and to investigate the effects of glycemic control (HbA1c and FBG)/diabetes duration on the volume of hippocampal subfields in T2DM patients. This cross-sectional study included 268 participants from Tianjin Union Medical Center between August 2019 and July 2022. The participants were divided into three groups: T2DM, prediabetes and no diabetes. All participants underwent brain MRI examination on a 3T MRI scanner. FreeSurfer was performed to segment hippocampus automatically based on T1 MPRAGE images. The relationships between glycemic status/glycemic control/diabetes duration and hippocampal subfield volumes were estimated by multiple linear regression analysis/generalized additive modeling (GAM). Among all participants, 76 (28.36%) had prediabetes, and 96 (35.82%) had T2DM. In multi-adjusted linear regression models, those with prediabetes had a significantly lower volume of bilateral parasubiculum (βright = -5.540; βleft = -6.497). Those with diabetes had lower volume of parasubiculum (βleft = -7.868), presubiculum-head (βleft = -6.244) and fimbria (βleft = -7.187). We did not find relationship between diabetes duration and hippocampal subfield volumes. In stratified analysis, long duration with high FBG related with lower volume of right fimbria (βright = -15.583). Long duration with high HbA1c related with lower volume of presubiculum-head (βright = -19.693), subiculum-head (βright = -28.303), subiculum-body (βleft = -38.599), CA1-head (βright = -62.300, βleft = -47.922), CA1-body (βright = -19.043), CA4-body (βright = -14.392), GC-ML-DG-head (βright = -20.521), GC-ML-DG-body (βright = -16.293, βleft = -12.799), molecular_layer_HP-head (βright = -44.202, βleft = -26.071) and molecular_layer_HP-body, (βright = -31.368), hippocampal_tail (βleft = -80.073). Prediabetes related with lower bilateral parasubiculum volume, and T2DM related with lower left parasubiculum, presubiculum-head and fimbria. T2DM with chronic poor glycemic control had lower volume in multiple hippocampal subregions.

An All-Dielectric Metamaterial Terahertz Biosensor for Cytokine Detection

In this paper, we report an all-dielectric metamaterial terahertz biosensor, which exhibits a high Q factor of 35 at an 0.82 resonance peak. A structure with an electromagnetically induced transparency effect was designed and fabricated to perform a Mie resonance for the terahertz response. The biosensor exhibits a limit of detection of 100 pg/mL for cytokine interleukin 2 (IL-2) and a linear response for the logarithm of the concentration of IL-2 in the range of 100 pg/mL to 1 μg/mL. This study implicates an important potential for the detection of cytokines in serum and has potential application in the clinical detection of cytokine release syndrome.

Ubiquitin signaling in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal malignant tumor of the digestive system, characterized by rapid progression and being prone to metastasis. Few effective treatment options are available for PDAC, and its 5-year survival rate is less than 9%. Many cell biological and signaling events are involved in the development of PDAC, among which protein post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as ubiquitination, play crucial roles. Catalyzed mostly by a three-enzyme cascade, ubiquitination induces changes in protein activity mainly by altering their stability in PDAC. Due to their role in substrate recognition, E3 ubiquitin ligases (E3s) dictate the outcome of the modification. Ubiquitination can be reversed by deubiquitylases (DUBs), which, in return, modified proteins to their native form. Dysregulation of E3s or DUBs that disrupt protein homeostasis is involved in PDAC. Moreover, the ubiquitination system has been exploited to develop therapeutic strategies, such as proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs). In this review, we summarize recent progress in our understanding of the role of ubiquitination in the development of PDAC and offer perspectives in the design of new therapies against this highly challenging disease.

Bisphenol A induces non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by promoting the O-GlcNAcylation of NLRP3

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease. The mechanism by which bisphenol A (BPA) promots NAFLD remains unclear. Palmitic acid (PA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were used to simulate NAFLD in HepG2 cells in vitro. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) content, and lipid accumulation were measured to evaluate lipid metabolism. The caspase-1-stained cells and NLRP3 inflammasome-associated proteins were evaluated for pyroptosis. Western blot analysis was used to detect protein levels and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) was used to detect the association between the proteins. Cycloheximide (CHX) treatment combined with western blot was performed to access protein stability. This data have shown that BPA induces lipid metabolism dysfunction and pyroptosis by upregulating O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) level. NLRP3 directly interacts with OGT, and elevated OGT enhanced the stability of NLRP3 protein. BPA promoted OGT-mediated O-GlcNAcylation to stabilised NLRP3, thus accelerating NAFLD progress in vitro. Our study reveals that BPA, as an environmental factor, may be involved in the promotion of NAFLD, and that targeting NLRP3 and OGT may inhibit BPA's induction of NAFLD.

Downregulation of 15-PGDH enhances MASH-HCC development via fatty acid-induced T-cell exhaustion

Background & Aims

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mainly develops from chronic hepatitis. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) has gradually become the main pathogenic factor for HCC given the rising incidence of obesity and metabolic diseases. 15-Hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) degrades prostaglandin 2 (PGE2), which is known to exacerbate inflammatory responses. However, the role of PGE2 accumulation caused by 15-PGDH downregulation in the development of MASH-HCC has not been determined.

Methods

We utilised the steric animal model to establish a MASH-HCC model using wild-type and 15-Pgdh+/- mice to assess the significance of PGE2 accumulation in the development of MASH-HCC. Additionally, we analysed clinical samples obtained from patients with MASH-HCC.

Results

PGE2 accumulation in the tumour microenvironment induced the production of reactive oxygen species in macrophages and the expression of cell growth-related genes and antiapoptotic genes. Conversely, the downregulation of fatty acid metabolism in the background liver promoted lipid accumulation in the tumour microenvironment, causing a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and CD8+ T-cell exhaustion, which led to enhanced development of MASH-HCC.

Conclusions

15-PGDH downregulation inactivates immune surveillance by promoting the proliferation of exhausted effector T cells, which enhances hepatocyte survival and proliferation and leads to the development of MASH-HCC.

Impact and implications

The suppression of PGE2-related inflammation and subsequent lipid accumulation leads to a reduction in the severity of MASH and inhibition of subsequent progression toward MASH-HCC.

Sophora tonkinensis: response and adaptation of physiological characteristics, functional traits, and secondary metabolites to drought stress

The medicinal plant Sophora tonkinensis is a characteristic Chinese shrub of karst areas. The arid climate in karst areas produces high-quality S. tonkinensis; however, the mechanisms of drought tolerance are not clear, which restricts sustainable plantings of S. tonkinensis. This study involved a 20-day drought stress experiment with potted S. tonkinensis and threee soil water regimes: control (CK), mild drought (MDT), and severe drought (SDT). Plant morphology, biomass, physiological indicators, alkaloid content, and other changes under drought stress were monitored. The content of soluble sugars and proteins, and activity of antioxidant enzymes in leaves and roots were higher under drought than CK, indicating that S. tonkinensis is tolerant to osmotic stress in early drought stages. Content of matrine and oxymatrine increased gradually with increasing drought duration in the short term. The epidermis of S. tonkinensis leaves have characteristics of desert plants, including upper epidermal waxy layer, lower epidermal villi, and relatively sunken stomata, suggesting that S. tonkinensis has strong drought tolerance. In conclusion, drought stress changed the cell structure of S. tonkinensis, induced antioxidant enzyme activity and increased its resistance to drought.

Co-circulation of multiple genotypes of ARV in poultry in Anhui, China

ABSTRACTPoultry production in China has been experiencing a high incidence of broiler arthritis /tenosynovitis caused by avian orthoreovirus (ARV) since 2013. In the spring of 2020 severe arthritis cases from broiler flocks were identified in a large-scale commercial poultry company in Anhui Province, China. Diseased organs from dead birds were sent for diagnosis to our laboratory. ARVs, including seven broiler-isolates and two breeder-isolates, were successfully harvested and sequenced. Interestingly, the genotypes of ARVs isolated from infected chickens were inconsistent between different flocks, or even between different houses on the same flocks. Pathogenicity testing in chicks confirmed that the seven broiler-isolates were pathogenic strains, which could cause arthritis in infected chickens. Subsequently, a total of 89.66% serum samples collected from apparently healthy adult broiler flocks not vaccinated against ARV tested positive for ARV antibodies, suggesting that low and high virulence reovirus strains may be co-circulating in the farm. To this end, we collected dead embryos of unhatched chicken eggs for pathogen tracing, and the two ARV breeder-isolates isolated indicated that vertical transmission from breeders to progeny should not be underestimated for the prevalence of ARV within broiler flocks. The findings have implications for the evidenced-based formulation of prevention and control strategies.

Flagella-Driven Motility Is Critical to the Virulence of Xanthomonas fragariae in Strawberry

Xanthomonas fragariae (X. fragariae) is the causal agent of angular leaf spots (ALS) in strawberry plants. Recently, a study in China isolated X. fragariae strain YL19, which was observed to cause both typical ALS symptoms and dry cavity rot in strawberry crown tissue; this was the first X. fragariae strain to have both these effects in strawberry. In this study, from 2020 to 2022, we isolated 39 X. fragariae strains from diseased strawberries in different production areas in China. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and phylogenetic analysis showed that X. fragariae strain YLX21 was genetically different from YL19 and other strains. Tests indicated that YLX21 and YL19 had different pathogenicities toward strawberry leaves and stem crowns. YLX21 did not cause ALS symptoms, rarely caused dry cavity rot in strawberry crown after wound inoculation, and never caused dry cavity rot after spray inoculation, but it did cause severe ALS symptoms after spray inoculation. However, YL19 caused more severe symptoms in strawberry crowns under both conditions. Moreover, YL19 had a single polar flagellum, while YLX21 had no flagellum. Motility and chemotaxis assays showed that YLX21 had weaker motility than YL19, which may explain why YLX21 tended to multiply in situ within the strawberry leaf rather than migrate to other tissues, causing more severe ALS symptoms and mild crown rot symptoms. Taken together, the new strain YLX21 helped us reveal critical factors underlying the pathogenicity of X. fragariae and the mechanism by which dry cavity rot in strawberry crowns forms.

From clinical variables to multiomics analysis: a margin morphology-based gross classification system for hepatocellular carcinoma stratification

OBJECTIVE

Selecting interventions for patients with solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a challenge. Despite gross classification being proposed as a potential prognostic predictor, its widespread use has been restricted due to inadequate studies with sufficient patient numbers and the lack of established mechanisms. We sought to investigate the prognostic impacts on patients with HCC of different gross subtypes and assess their corresponding molecular landscapes.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort of 400 patients who underwent hepatic resection for solitary HCC was reviewed and analysed and gross classification was assessed. Multiomics analyses were performed on tumours and non-tumour tissues from 49 patients to investigate the mechanisms underlying gross classification. Inverse probability of treatment weight (IPTW) was used to control for confounding factors.

RESULTS

Overall 3-year survival rates varied significantly among the four gross subtypes (type I: 91%, type II: 80%, type III: 74.6%, type IV: 38.8%). Type IV was found to be independently associated with poor prognosis in both the entire cohort and the IPTW cohort. The four gross subtypes exhibited three distinct transcriptional modules. Particularly, type IV tumours exhibited increased angiogenesis and immune score as well as decreased metabolic pathways, together with highest frequency of TP53 mutations. Patients with type IV HCC may benefit from adjuvant intra-arterial therapy other than the other three subtypes. Accordingly, a modified trichotomous margin morphological gross classification was established.

CONCLUSION

Different gross types of HCC showed significantly different prognosis and molecular characteristics. Gross classification may aid in development of precise individualised diagnosis and treatment strategies for HCC.

Natural products and mitochondrial allies in colorectal cancer therapy

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a globally prevalent malignancy with a high potential for metastasis. Existing cancer treatments have limitations, including drug resistance and adverse effects. Researchers are striving to develop effective therapies to address these challenges. Impressively, contemporary research has discovered that many natural products derived from foods, plants, insects, and marine invertebrates can suppress the progression, metastasis, and invasion of CRC. In this review, we conducted a comprehensive search of the CNKI, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases from inception to April 2023 to evaluate the efficacy of natural products targeting mitochondria to fight against CRC. Mitochondria are intracellular energy factories involved in cell differentiation, signal transduction, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and tumorigenesis. The identified natural products have been classified and summarized based on their mechanisms of action. These findings indicate that natural products can induce apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells by inhibiting the mitochondrial respiratory chain, ROS elevation, disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, the release of pro-apoptotic factors, modulation of the Bcl-2 protein family to facilitate cytochrome c release, induction of apoptotic vesicle activity by activating the caspase protein family, and selective targeting of mitochondrial division. Furthermore, diverse apoptotic signaling pathways targeting mitochondria, such as the MAPK, p53, STAT3, JNK and AKT pathway, have been triggered by natural products. Natural products such as diosgenin, allopurinol, and clausenidin have demonstrated low toxicity, high efficacy, and multi-targeted properties. Mitochondria-targeting natural products have great potential for overcoming the challenges of CRC therapy.

Effects of input energy and impactor shape on cranial fracture patterns

This study documents relationships between input energy, impactor shape, and the formation of fractures in human crania. Parietal impact experiments (n = 12) were performed at 67% higher input energy compared to previously reported experiments. Fracture origins, characteristics, and locations were compared at two input energy levels with three impactor shapes (focal "hammer", flat "brick", and curved "bat"). Impacts with all three impactors at both energy levels produced fractures originating at and remote to the impact site, indicating both mechanisms are typical in temporoparietal blunt force impacts. Higher energy impacts generally produced more impact site fractures, depression, and comminution than lower energy impacts. A small, focal impactor produced cone cracks, depression, and fractures localized near the impact site. A broad, curved impactor produced circumferential fractures and linear fractures extending into adjacent bones. A broad, flat impactor produced fracture patterns ranging from linear fractures to large depressed and comminuted defects.

[Clinical and imaging analysis of neurological complications in critically ill children infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron]

OBJECTIVE

To summarize clinical predictors and imaging characteristics of critically ill children infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron with neurological complications in Shenzhen during the peak of the first round of infections.

METHODS

The clinical data of 11 critically ill children with neurological complications infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron in Shenzhen Children's Hospital from December 12 to 31, 2022, were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Laboratory test results related to liver parenchymal injury, histiocytic injury, inflammation, and coagulation function were collected, and imaging characteristics including CT and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were analyzed. The differences in CT/MRI score, acute necrotizing encephalopathy severity scale (ANE-SS) score and total score (CT/MRI score + ANE-SS score) were compared between the two groups with different prognosis during hospitation.

RESULTS

Among 11 children, 7 were male and 4 were female. The age ranged from 10 months to 16 years. There were 5 cases of acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) and 6 cases of acute fulminant cerebral edema (AFCE). During hospitalization, 3 patients survived and 8 patients died of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), including 2 cases of ANE and 6 cases of AFCE. All cases had fever (> 38.5 centigrade), and 3 cases had ultra-high fever (> 41 centigrade). Within 48 hours of onset, all cases had disorders of consciousness and 9 cases had seizures. The 8 dead children had complications with multisystem involvement, including shock, respiratory failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), liver failure, renal failure or myocardial damage, and the laboratory predictors related to hepatocellular injury [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST)], histocyte injury [creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)], inflammation [procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), serum ferritin (SF)], coagulation function (D-dimer) and blood glucose (Glu) increased in different quantities, of which PCT was specifically increased in 6 cases with AFCE, PLT was specifically decreased in 3 cases with AFCE, and ALT and LDH were significantly increased in 2 cases with ANE. Imaging analysis showed subarachnoid hemorrhage, basal ganglia and thalamus lesions in all 6 cases with AFCE, while thalamus lesions in all 5 cases with ANE. The ANE-SS score of 8 deceased children ranged from 2 to 7 (of which 6 cases were ≥ 5), and the ANE-SS score of 3 surviving children ranged from 0 to 2. Eight dead children had a CT/MRI score of 1-4 (of which 6 cases were 4), and 3 surviving children had a CT/MRI score of 1-2 (of which 2 cases were 1). The total score of 8 deceased children was 6-10 (of which 6 cases ≥ 8), and 3 surviving children was 1-4.

CONCLUSIONS

The neurological complications of critically ill children infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron in Shenzhen progressed rapidly to ANE and AFCE, with high mortality. High fever (> 40 centigrade), convulsion/disturbance of consciousness, and multiple organ failure were the most common symptoms in ANE and AFCE cases. PCT increased and PLT decreased specifically in AFCE cases. Poor prognosis (death) was more common in age < 4 years old, predictors of ALT, AST, CK, LDH, PCT, D-dimer, Glu, IL-6 increased significantly, PLT decreased significantly. The common imaging feature of ANE and AFCE is the involvement of dorsal thalamus, a new imaging sign of AFCE (subarachnoid hemorrhage) was found. The higher the ANE-SS score, CT/MRI score and total score, the greater the risk of death.