Self-adaptive pyroptosis-responsive nanoliposomes block pyroptosis in autoimmune inflammatory diseases

Nanoliposomes have a broad range of applications in the treatment of autoimmune inflammatory diseases because of their ability to considerably enhance drug transport. For their clinical application, nanoliposomes must be able to realize on-demand release of drugs at disease sites to maximize drug-delivery efficacy and minimize side effects. Therefore, responsive drug-release strategies for inflammation treatment have been explored; however, no specific design has been realized for a responsive drug-delivery system based on pyroptosis-related inflammation. Herein, we report a pioneering strategy for self-adaptive pyroptosis-responsive liposomes (R8-cardiolipin-containing nanoliposomes encapsulating dimethyl fumarate, RC-NL@DMF) that precisely release encapsulated anti-pyroptotic drugs into pyroptotic cells. The activated key pyroptotic protein, the N-terminal domain of gasdermin E, selectively integrates with the cardiolipin of liposomes, thus forming pores for controlled drug release, pyroptosis, and inflammation inhibition. Therefore, RC-NL@DMF exhibited effective therapeutic efficacies to alleviate autoimmune inflammatory damages in zymosan-induced arthritis mice and dextran sulfate sodium-induced inflammatory bowel disease mice. Our novel approach holds great promise for self-adaptive pyroptosis-responsive on-demand drug delivery, suppressing pyroptosis and treating autoimmune inflammatory diseases.

An antibacterial biologic patch based on bacterial cellulose for repair of infected hernias

Infection-associated complications and repair failures and antibiotic resistance have emerged as a formidable challenge in hernia repair surgery. Consequently, the development of antibiotic-free antibacterial patches for hernia repair has become an exigent clinical necessity. Herein, a GBC/Gel/LL37 biological patch (biopatch) with exceptional antibacterial properties is fabricated by grafting 2-Methacryloyloxyethyl trimethylammonium chloride (METAC), a unique quaternary ammonium salt with vinyl, onto bacterial cellulose (GBC), followed by compounding with gelatin (Gel) and LL37. The GBC/Gel/LL37 biopatch exhibits stable swelling capacity, remarkable mechanical properties, flexibility, and favorable biocompatibility. The synergistic effect of METAC and LL37 confers upon the GBC/Gel/LL37 biopatch excellent antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, effectively eliminating invading bacteria without the aid of exogenous antibiotics in vivo while significantly reducing local acute inflammation caused by infection. Furthermore, the practical efficacy of the GBC/Gel/LL37 biopatch is evaluated in an infected ventral hernia model, revealing that the GBC/Gel/LL37 biopatch can prevent the formation of visceral adhesions, facilitate the repair of infected ventral hernia, and effectively mitigate chronic inflammation. The prepared antibacterial GBC/Gel/LL37 biopatch is very effective in dealing with the risk of infection in hernia repair surgery and offers potential clinical opportunities for other soft injuries, exhibiting considerable clinical application prospects.

The volume and structural covariance network of thalamic nuclei in patients with Wilson's disease: an investigation of the association with neurological impairment

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine the volumes of thalamic nuclei and the intrinsic thalamic network in patients with Wilson's disease (WDs), and to explore the correlation between these volumes and the severity of neurological symptoms.

METHODS

A total of 61 WDs and 33 healthy controls (HCs) were included in the study. The volumes of 25 bilateral thalamic nuclei were measured using structural imaging analysis with Freesurfer, and the intrinsic thalamic network was evaluated through structural covariance network (SCN) analysis.

RESULTS

The results indicated that multiple thalamic nuclei were smaller in WDs compared to HCs, including mediodorsal medial magnocellular (MDm), anterior ventral (AV), central median (CeM), centromedian (CM), lateral geniculate (LGN), limitans-suprageniculate (L-Sg), reuniens-medial ventral (MV), paracentral (Pc), parafascicular (Pf), paratenial (Pt), pulvinar anterior (PuA), pulvinar inferior (PuI), pulvinar medial (PuM), ventral anterior (VA), ventral anterior magnocellular (VAmc), ventral lateral anterior (VLa), ventral lateral posterior (VLp), ventromedial (VM), ventral posterolateral (VPL), and right middle dorsal intralaminar (MDI). The study also found a negative correlation between the UWDRS scores and the volume of the right MDm. The intrinsic thalamic network analysis showed abnormal topological properties in WDs, including increased mean local efficiency, modularity, normalized clustering coefficient, small-world index, and characteristic path length, and a corresponding decrease in mean node betweenness centrality. WDs with cerebral involvement had a lower modularity compared to HCs.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that the majority of thalamic nuclei in WDs exhibit significant volume reduction, and the atrophy of the right MDm is closely related to the severity of neurological symptoms. The intrinsic thalamic network in WDs demonstrated abnormal topological properties, indicating a close relationship with neurological impairment.

Teicoplanin-decorated Reduced Graphene Oxide Incorporated Silk Protein Hybrid Hydrogel for Accelerating Infectious Diabetic Wound Healing and Preventing Diabetic Foot Osteomyelitis

Developing hybrid hydrogel dressings with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, angiogenetic, and antibiofilm activities with higher bone tissue penetrability to accelerate diabetic wound healing and prevent diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) is highly desirable in managing diabetic wounds. Herein, the glycopeptide teicoplanin is used for the first time as a green reductant to chemically reduce graphene oxide (GO). The resulting teicoplanin-decorated reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is incorporated into a mixture of silk proteins (SP) and crosslinked with genipin to yield a physicochemically crosslinked rGO-SP hybrid hydrogel. This hybrid hydrogel exhibits high porosity, self-healing, shear-induced thinning, increased cell proliferation and migration, and mechanical properties suitable for tissue engineering. Moreover, the hybrid hydrogel eradicates bacterial biofilms with a high penetrability index in agar and hydroxyapatite discs covered with biofilms, mimicking bone tissue. In vivo, the hybrid hydrogel accelerates the healing of non-infected wounds in a diabetic rat and infected wounds in a diabetic mouse by up-regulating anti-inflammatory cytokines and down-regulating matrix metalloproteinase-9, promoting M2 macrophage polarization and angiogenesis. The implantation of hybrid hydrogel into the infected site of mouse tibia improves bone regeneration. Hence, the rGO-SP hybrid hydrogel can be a promising wound dressing for treating infectious diabetic wounds, providing a further advantage in preventing DFO. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Novel Electrospun Sn-Based Composite Cathodes Exhibiting Extended Cycle Life for Hybrid Magnesium-Lithium Batteries

In this study, we present a strategic approach for the structural design and composite modification of one-dimensional Sn-based nanocomposites to enhance the overall electrochemical performance of hybrid magnesium-lithium batteries (MLIBs), which are emerging as promising successors to lithium-ion batteries. By using electrospinning technology, we successfully synthesized NST-SnO2, NST-SnO2-NiO, Sn-CNF, and Ni3Sn2-CNF composite cathodes, as well as analyzed the synthesis mechanism of the four Sn-based cathodes. The 100-cycle testing at a current density of 500 mA·g-1 revealed that NST-SnO2 maintained a discharge specific capacity of 129.8 mA h·g-1 with a retention rate of 90.76%, while NST-SnO2-NiO achieved a higher capacity of 147.4 mA h·g-1 and an 88.05% retention rate. Notably, Sn-CNF and Ni3Sn2-CNF exhibited initial discharge capacities of 66.7 and 79.6 mA h·g-1, respectively, coupled with exceptional cycle stability, evidenced by retention rates of 104.19 and 102.38%. The remarkable cycling stability observed in these novel cathodes is attributed to their robust structural integrity, thus demonstrating the potential for an extended cycle life in MLIBs. This work provides significant advancement in the development of high-performance electrode materials for next-generation hybrid magnesium-lithium energy storage systems.

Discovery of Selective and Potent ATR Degrader for Exploration its Kinase-Independent Functions in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells

ATR has emerged as a promising target for anti-cancer drug development. Several potent ATR inhibitors are currently undergoing various stages of clinical trials, but none have yet received FDA approval due to unclear regulatory mechanisms. In this study, we discovered a potent and selective ATR degrader. Its kinase-independent regulatory functions in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells were elucidated using this proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) molecule as a probe. The ATR degrader, 8 i, exhibited significantly different cellular phenotypes compared to the ATR kinase inhibitor 1. Mechanistic studies revealed that ATR deletion led to breakdown in the nuclear envelope, causing genome instability and extensive DNA damage. This would increase the expression of p53 and triggered immediately p53-mediated apoptosis signaling pathway, which was earlier and more effective than ATR kinase inhibition. Based on these findings, the in vivo anti-proliferative effects of ATR degrader 8 i were assessed using xenograft models. The degrader significantly inhibited the growth of AML cells in vivo, unlike the ATR inhibitor. These results suggest that the marked anti-AML activity is regulated by the kinase-independent functions of the ATR protein. Consequently, developing potent and selective ATR degraders could be a promising strategy for treating AML.

COVID-19 increases extracorporeal coagulation during hemodialysis associated with upregulation of vWF/FBLN5 signaling in patients with severe/critical symptoms

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 has been shown to increase the risk of extracorporeal coagulation during hemodialysis in patients, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of COVID-19 on the risk of extracorporeal coagulation in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the extracorporeal coagulation status of 339 hemodialysis patients at our center before and after COVID-19 infection was performed, including subgroup analyses. Post-infection blood composition was analyzed by protein spectrometry and ELISA.

RESULTS

Compared to the pre-COVID-19 infection period, COVID-19-induced extracorporeal coagulation predominantly occurred in patients with severe/critical symptoms. Further proteomic analysis demonstrated that in patients with severe/critical symptoms, the coagulation cascade reaction, platelet activation, inflammation, and oxidative stress-related pathways were significantly amplified compared to those in patients with no/mild symptoms. Notably, the vWF/FBLN5 pathway, which is associated with inflammation, vascular injury, and coagulation, was significantly upregulated.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with severe/critical COVID-19 symptoms are at a higher risk of extracorporeal coagulation during hemodialysis, which is associated with the upregulation of the vWF/FBLN5 signaling pathway. These findings highlight the importance of early anticoagulant therapy initiation in COVID-19 patients with severe/critical symptoms, particularly those undergoing hemodialysis. Additionally, vWF/FBLN5 upregulation may be a novel mechanism for virus-associated thrombosis/coagulation.

LncRNA-PCat19 acts as a ceRNA of miR-378a-3p to facilitate microglia activation and accelerate chronic neuropathic pain in rats by promoting KDM3A-mediated BDNF demethylation

The pathogenesis of neuropathic pain (NP) is complex, and there are various pathological processes. Previous studies have suggested that lncRNA PCAT19 is abnormally expressed in NP conduction and affects the occurrence and development of pain. The aim of this study is to analyze the role and mechanism of PCAT19 in NP induced by chronic compressive nerve injury (CCI) in mice. In this study, C57BL/6 mice were applied to establish the CCI model. sh-PCAT19 was intrathecally injected once a day for 5 consecutive days from the second day after surgery. We discovered that PCat19 level was gradually up-regulated with the passage of modeling time. Downregulation of Iba-1-positive expression, M1/M2 ratio of microglia, and pro-inflammatory factors in the spinal cords of CCI-mice after PCat19 knock-downed was observed. Mechanically, the expression of miR-378a-3p was negatively correlated with KDM3A and PCat19. Deletion of KDM3A prevented H3K9me2 demethylation of BDNF promoter and suppressed BDNF expression. Further, KDM3A promotes CCI-induced neuroinflammation and microglia activation by mediating Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) demethylation. Together, the results suggest that PCat19 may be involved in the development of NP and that PCat19 shRNA injection can attenuate microglia-induced neuroinflammation by blocking KDM3A-mediated demethylation of BDNF and BDNF release.

Chromatin landscape instructs precise transcription factor regulome during embryonic lineage specification

Embryos, originating from fertilized eggs, undergo continuous cell division and differentiation, accompanied by dramatic changes in transcription, translation, and metabolism. Chromatin regulators, including transcription factors (TFs), play indispensable roles in regulating these processes. Recently, the trophoblast regulator TFAP2C was identified as crucial in initiating early cell fate decisions. However, Tfap2c transcripts persist in both the inner cell mass and trophectoderm of blastocysts, prompting inquiry into Tfap2c's function in post-lineage establishment. In this study, we delineate the dynamics of TFAP2C during the mouse peri-implantation stage and elucidate its collaboration with the key lineage regulators CDX2 and NANOG. Importantly, we propose that de novo formation of H3K9me3 in the extraembryonic ectoderm during implantation antagonizes TFAP2C binding to crucial developmental genes, thereby maintaining its lineage identity. Together, these results highlight the plasticity of the chromatin environment in designating the genomic binding of highly adaptable lineage-specific TFs and regulating embryonic cell fates.

Evolution of the catalytic mechanism at the dawn of the Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases

Enzymes are crucial for the emergence and sustenance of life on earth. How they became catalytically active during their evolution is still an open question. Two opposite explanations are plausible: acquiring a mechanism in a series of discrete steps or all at once in a single evolutionary event. Here, we use molecular phylogeny, ancestral sequence reconstruction, and biochemical characterization to follow the evolution of a specialized group of flavoprotein monooxygenases, the bacterial Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases (BVMOs). These enzymes catalyze an intricate chemical reaction relying on three different elements: a reduced nicotinamide cofactor, dioxygen, and a substrate. Characterization of ancestral BVMOs shows that the catalytic mechanism evolved in a series of steps starting from a FAD-binding protein and further acquiring reactivity and specificity toward each of the elements participating in the reaction. Together, the results of our work portray how an intrinsically complex catalytic mechanism emerged during evolution.

Morphological Transformation and Surface Engineering of Glycovesicles Driven by Bioinspired Hydrogen Bonds of Nucleobases

Glycopolymer-based supramolecular glycoassemblies with signal-driven cascade morphological deformation and accessible surface engineering toward bioinspired functional glycomaterials have attracted much attention due to their diverse applications in fundamental and practical scenarios. Herein, we achieved the cascade morphological transformation and surface engineering of a nucleobase-containing polymeric glycovesicle through exploiting the bioinspired complementary multiple hydrogen bonds of complementary nucleobases. First, the synthesized thymine-containing glycopolymers (PGal30-b-PTAm249) are capable of self-assembling into well-defined glycovesicles. Several kinds of amphiphilic adenine-containing block copolymers with neutral, positive, and negative charges were synthesized to engineer the glycovesicles through the multiple hydrogen bonds between adenine and thymine. A cascade of morphological transformations from vesicles to ruptured vesicles with tails, to worm-like micelles, and finally to spherical micelles were observed via continuously adding the adenine-containing polymer into the thymine-containing glycovesicles. Furthermore, the surface charge properties of these glyconano-objects can be facilely regulated through incorporating various adenine-containing polymers. This work demonstrates the potential application of a unique bioinspired approach to precisely engineer the morphology and surface properties of glycovesicles for boosting their biological applications.

Rational synthesis of two isostructural thiophene-containing metal-organic frameworks toward photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants

In this work, thiophene moieties (as the crucial functional groups) have been successfully incorporated into the skeleton of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) by using thienyl-substituted triazole ligands. Reaction of AgCF3SO3 with 3-phenyl-5-(2-thienyl)-1,2,4-triazole (PTTzH) or 3,5-bis(2-thienyl)-1,2,4-triazole (BTTzH) afforded two isostructural MOFs (AgTz-3 and AgTz-4) in gram-scale. AgTz-4 with higher thiophene content showed significantly stronger photocatalytic activity than AgTz-3 with lower thiophene content. Noteworthy, the photodegradation rate constants of AgTz-4 were 0.055 mg·L-1·min-1 for rhodamine B and 0.24 min-1 for salazosulfapyridine, which is comparable or even higher than some MOF-based materials reported in the literature. More importantly, AgTz-4 demonstrated good reusability and stability after four cycles of photodegradation. Our experimental results revealed that the enhanced photodegradation efficiency can be attributed to the increased light absorption capacity and optimized band structure of Ag-MOFs resulting from the introduction of thiophene groups into MOF structures.

Distraction-aware hierarchical learning for vascular structure segmentation in intravascular ultrasound images

Vascular structure segmentation in intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images plays an important role in pre-procedural evaluation of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, vascular structure segmentation in IVUS images has the challenge of structure-dependent distractions. Structure-dependent distractions are categorized into two cases, structural intrinsic distractions and inter-structural distractions. Traditional machine learning methods often rely solely on low-level features, overlooking high-level features. This way limits the generalization of these methods. The existing semantic segmentation methods integrate low-level and high-level features to enhance generalization performance. But these methods also introduce additional interference, which is harmful to solving structural intrinsic distractions. Distraction cue methods attempt to address structural intrinsic distractions by removing interference from the features through a unique decoder. However, they tend to overlook the problem of inter-structural distractions. In this paper, we propose distraction-aware hierarchical learning (DHL) for vascular structure segmentation in IVUS images. Inspired by distraction cue methods for removing interference in a decoder, the DHL is designed as a hierarchical decoder that gradually removes structure-dependent distractions. The DHL includes global perception process, distraction perception process and structural perception process. The global perception process and distraction perception process remove structural intrinsic distractions then the structural perception process removes inter-structural distractions. In the global perception process, the DHL searches for the coarse structural region of the vascular structures on the slice of IVUS sequence. In the distraction perception process, the DHL progressively refines the coarse structural region of the vascular structures to remove structural distractions. In the structural perception process, the DHL detects regions of inter-structural distractions in fused structure features then separates them. Extensive experiments on 361 subjects show that the DHL is effective (e.g., the average Dice is greater than 0.95), and superior to ten state-of-the-art IVUS vascular structure segmentation methods.

Design, synthesis and evaluation of a pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivative as a novel and potent TGFβ1R1 inhibitor

The transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1)/SMAD signaling pathway regulates many vital physiological processes. The development of potent inhibitors targeting activin receptor-like kinase 5 (ALK5) would provide potential treatment reagents for various diseases. A significant number of ALK5 inhibitors have been discovered, and they are currently undergoing clinical evaluation at various stages. However, the clinical demands were far from being met. In this study, we utilized an alternative conformation-similarity-based virtual screening (CSVS) combined with a fragment-based drug designing (FBDD) strategy to efficiently discover a potent and active hit with a novel chemical scaffold. After structural optimization in the principle of group replacement, compound 57 was identified as the most promising ALK5 inhibitor. Compound 57 demonstrated significant inhibitory effects against the TGF-β1/SMAD signaling pathway. It could markedly attenuate the production of extracellular matrix (ECM) and deposition of collagen. Also, the lead compound showed adequate pharmacokinetic (PK) properties and good in vivo tolerance. Moreover, treatment with compound 57 in two different xerograph models showed significant inhibitory effects on the growth of pancreatic cancer cells. These results suggested that lead compound 57 refers as a promising ALK5 inhibitor both in vitro and in vivo, which merits further validation.

Adaptive changes in BMAL2 with increased locomotion associated with the evolution of unihemispheric slow-wave sleep in mammals

Marine mammals, especially cetaceans, have evolved a very special form of sleep characterized by unihemispheric slow-wave sleep (USWS) and a negligible amount or complete absence of rapid-eye-movement sleep; however, the underlying genetic mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we detected unique, significant selection signatures in basic helix-loop-helix ARNT like 2 (BMAL2; also called ARNTL2), a key circadian regulator, in marine mammal lineages, and identified two nonsynonymous amino acid substitutions (K204E and K346Q) in the important PER-ARNT-SIM domain of cetacean BMAL2 via sequence comparison with other mammals. In vitro assays revealed that these cetacean-specific mutations specifically enhanced the response to E-box-like enhancer and consequently promoted the transcriptional activation of PER2, which is closely linked to sleep regulation. The increased PER2 expression, which was further confirmed both in vitro and in vivo, is beneficial for allowing cetaceans to maintain continuous movement and alertness during sleep. Concordantly, the locomotor activities of zebrafish overexpressing the cetacean-specific mutant bmal2 were significantly higher than the zebrafish overexpressing the wild-type gene. Subsequently, transcriptome analyses revealed that cetacean-specific mutations caused the upregulation of arousal-related genes and the downregulation of several sleep-promoting genes, which is consistent with the need to maintain hemispheric arousal during USWS. Our findings suggest a potential close relationship between adaptive changes in BMAL2 and the remarkable adaptation of USWS and may provide novel insights into the genetic basis of the evolution of animal sleep.

Mechanistic Study of CRABP2: Accelerating Lung Cancer Migration and Metastasis through Regulation of the ROS/Src Signaling Pathway

Objective

This study aims to establish a theoretical foundation for the clinical treatment of lung cancer by investigating the regulatory role of CRABP2 in the ROS/Src signaling pathway, specifically in accelerating the migration and metastasis of lung cancer.

Methods

Lung cancer mouse models were established using BALB/c-nu mice, randomly assigned to the control group (NC group) and the experimental group (mimic group). Tumor volume was precisely observed. The impact of CRABP2 on lung cancer migration and metastasis was analyzed through hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and histochemical staining observation. Protein expression analysis was employed to assess CRABP2, ESR1, NOX1, NOX4, p-Src, and p-FAK levels, shedding light on the underlying mechanism. CRABP2's influence on lung cancer migration and metastasis was further investigated using scratch and Transwell experiments.

Results

The findings revealed that the mimic group, with enhanced CRABP2 expression, exhibited a higher proliferation rate and increased migration and metastasis capabilities in lung cancer. Protein expression analysis demonstrated that CRABP2 and ESR1 positively influenced the ROS/Src pathway, promoting lung cancer migration and metastasis. Scratch and Transwell's experiments supported the fact that CRABP2 significantly accelerated lung cancer migration and metastasis.

Conclusions

CRABP2 plays a crucial role in expediting lung cancer migration and metastasis by upregulating ESR1 expression, consequently activating the ROS/Src pathway. This study introduces a novel therapeutic avenue for the clinical treatment of lung cancer, offering a theoretical framework for advancing lung cancer treatment strategies.

The gonadal niche safeguards human fetal germline cell development following maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection

During pregnancy, germline development is vital for maintaining the continuation of species. Recent studies have shown increased pregnancy risks in COVID-19 patients at the perinatal stage. However, the potential consequence of infection for reproductive quality in developing fetuses remains unclear. Here, we analyze the transcriptome and DNA methylome of the fetal germline following maternal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We find that infection at early gestational age, a critical period of human primordial germ cell specification and epigenetic reprogramming, trivially affects fetal germ cell (FGC) development. Additionally, FGC-niche communications are not compromised by maternal infection. Strikingly, both general and SARS-CoV-2-specific immune pathways are greatly activated in gonadal niche cells to protect FGCs from maternal infection. Notably, there occurs an "in advance" development tendency in FGCs after maternal infection. Our study provides insights into the impacts of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on fetal germline development and serves as potential clinical guidance for future pandemics.

Inhibition of USP7 enhances CD8+ T cell activity in liver cancer by suppressing PRDM1-mediated FGL1 upregulation

Lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG3), an immune checkpoint molecule expressed on activated T cells, functions as a negative regulator of immune responses. Persistent antigen exposure in the tumor microenvironment results in sustained LAG3 expression on T cells, contributing to T cell dysfunction. Fibrinogen-like protein 1 (FGL1) has been identified as a major ligand of LAG3, and FGL1/LAG3 interaction forms a novel immune checkpoint pathway that results in tumor immune evasion. In addition, ubiquitin-specific peptidase 7 (USP7) plays a crucial role in cancer development. In this study we investigated the role of USP7 in modulation of FGL1-mediated liver cancer immune evasion. We showed that knockdown of USP7 or treatment with USP7 inhibitor P5091 suppressed liver cancer growth by promoting CD8+ T cell activity in Hepa1-6 xenograft mice and in HepG2 or Huh7 cells co-cultured with T cells, whereas USP7 overexpression produced the opposite effect. We found that USP7 upregulated FGL1 in HepG2 and Huh7 cells by deubiquitination of transcriptional factor PR domain zinc finger protein 1 (PRDM1), which transcriptionally activated FGL1, and attenuated the CD8+ T cell activity, leading to the liver cancer growth. Interestingly, USP7 could be transcriptionally stimulated by PRDM1 as well in a positive feedback loop. P5091, an inhibitor of USP7, was able to downregulate FGL1 expression, thus enhancing CD8+ T cell activity. In an immunocompetent liver cancer mouse model, the dual blockade of USP7 and LAG3 resulted in a superior antitumor activity compared with anti-LAG3 therapy alone. We conclude that USP7 diminishes CD8+ T cell activity by a USP7/PRDM1 positive feedback loop on FGL1 production in liver cancer; USP7 might be a promising target for liver cancer immunotherapy.

Nanocellulose-Based Hybrid Scaffolds for Skin and Bone Tissue Engineering: A 10-Year Overview

Cellulose, the most abundant polymer on Earth, has been widely utilized in its nanoform due to its excellent properties, finding applications across various scientific fields. As the demand for nanocellulose continues to rise and its ease of use becomes apparent, there has been a significant increase in research publications centered on this biomaterial. Nanocellulose, in its different forms, has shown tremendous promise as a tissue engineered scaffold for regeneration and repair. Particularly, nanocellulose-based composites and scaffolds have emerged as highly demanding materials for both soft and hard tissue engineering. Medical practitioners have traditionally relied on collagen and its analogue, gelatin, for treating tissue damage. However, the limited mechanical strength of these biopolymers restricts their direct use in various applications. This issue can be overcome by making hybrids of these biopolymers with nanocellulose. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of the recent and most relevant publications focusing on hybrid composites of collagen and gelatin with a specific emphasis on their combination with nanocellulose. While bone and skin tissue engineering represents two areas where a majority of researchers are concentrating their efforts, this review highlights the use of nanocellulose-based hybrids in these contexts.

Unraveling the distinction between depression and anxiety: A machine learning exploration of causal relationships

OBJECTIVE

Depression and anxiety, prevalent coexisting mood disorders, pose a clinical challenge in accurate differentiation, hindering effective healthcare interventions. This research addressed this gap by employing a streamlined Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) designed to minimize patient response burden. Utilizing machine learning algorithms, the study sought to construct classification models capable of distinguishing between depression and anxiety.

METHODS

The study included 4262 individuals currently experiencing depression alone (n = 2998), anxiety alone (n = 716), or both depression and anxiety (n = 548). Counterfactual diagnosis was used to construct a causal network on the dataset. Employing a causal network, the SCL-90 was simplified. Items that have causality with only depression, only anxiety and both depression and anxiety were selected, and these streamlined items served as input features for four distinct machine learning algorithms, facilitating the creation of classification models for distinguishing depression and anxiety.

RESULTS

Cross-validation demonstrated the performance of the classification models with the following metrics: (1) K-nearest neighbors (AUC = 0.924, Acc = 92.81 %); (2) support vector machine (AUC = 0.937, Acc = 94.38 %); (3) random forest (AUC = 0.918, Acc = 94.38 %); and (4) adaptive boosting (AUC = 0.882, Acc = 94.38 %). Notably, the support vector machine excelled, with the highest AUC and superior accuracy.

CONCLUSION

Incorporating the simplified SCL-90 and machine learning presents a promising, efficient, and cost-effective tool for the precise identification of depression and anxiety.

A Clinical and Imaging Fused Deep Learning Model Matches Expert Clinician Prediction of 90-Day Stroke Outcomes

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Predicting long-term clinical outcome in acute ischemic stroke is beneficial for prognosis, clinical trial design, resource management, and patient expectations. This study used a deep learning-based predictive model (DLPD) to predict 90-day mRS outcomes and compared its predictions with those made by physicians.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A previously developed DLPD that incorporated DWI and clinical data from the acute period was used to predict 90-day mRS outcomes in 80 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke from a single-center registry. We assessed the predictions of the model alongside those of 5 physicians (2 stroke neurologists and 3 neuroradiologists provided with the same imaging and clinical information). The primary analysis was the agreement between the ordinal mRS predictions of the model or physician and the ground truth using the Gwet Agreement Coefficient. We also evaluated the ability to identify unfavorable outcomes (mRS >2) using the area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity. Noninferiority analyses were undertaken using limits of 0.1 for the Gwet Agreement Coefficient and 0.05 for the area under the curve analysis. The accuracy of prediction was also assessed using the mean absolute error for prediction, percentage of predictions ±1 categories away from the ground truth (±1 accuracy [ACC]), and percentage of exact predictions (ACC).

RESULTS

To predict the specific mRS score, the DLPD yielded a Gwet Agreement Coefficient score of 0.79 (95% CI, 0.71-0.86), surpassing the physicians' score of 0.76 (95% CI, 0.67-0.84), and was noninferior to the readers (P < .001). For identifying unfavorable outcome, the model achieved an area under the curve of 0.81 (95% CI, 0.72-0.89), again noninferior to the readers' area under the curve of 0.79 (95% CI, 0.69-0.87) (P < .005). The mean absolute error, ±1ACC, and ACC were 0.89, 81%, and 36% for the DLPD.

CONCLUSIONS

A deep learning method using acute clinical and imaging data for long-term functional outcome prediction in patients with acute ischemic stroke, the DLPD, was noninferior to that of clinical readers.

Logistic burdens of cancer care: A qualitative study

Cancer treatment often creates logistic conflicts with everyday life priorities; however, these challenges and how they are subjectively experienced have been largely unaddressed in cancer care. Our goal was to describe time and logistic requirements of cancer care and whether and how they interfered with daily life and well-being. We conducted interviews with 20 adults receiving cancer-directed treatment at a single academic cancer center. We focused on participants' perception of the time, effort, and energy-intensiveness of cancer care activities, organization of care requirements, and preferences in how to manage the logistic burdens of their cancer care. Participant interview transcripts were analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis approach. Burdens related to travel, appointment schedules, healthcare system navigation, and consequences for relationships had roots both at the system-level (e.g. labs that were chronically delayed, protocol-centered rather than patient-centered bureaucratic requirements) and in individual circumstances (e.g. greater stressors among those working and/or have young children versus those who are retired) that determined subjective burdensomeness, which was highest among patients who experienced multiple sources of burdens simultaneously. Our study illustrates how objective burdens of cancer care translate into subjective burden depending on patient circumstances, emphasizing that to study burdens of care, an exclusive focus on objective measures does not capture the complexity of these issues. The complex interplay between healthcare system factors and individual circumstances points to clinical opportunities, for example helping patients to find ways to meet work and childcare requirements while receiving care.

Evolutionary genetics of pulmonary anatomical adaptations in deep-diving cetaceans

BACKGROUND

Cetaceans, having experienced prolonged adaptation to aquatic environments, have undergone evolutionary changes in their respiratory systems. This process of evolution has resulted in the emergence of distinctive phenotypic traits, notably the abundance of elastic fibers and thickened alveolar walls in their lungs, which may facilitate alveolar collapse during diving. This structure helps selective exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, while minimizing nitrogen exchange, thereby reducing the risk of DCS. Nevertheless, the scientific inquiry into the mechanisms through which these unique phenotypic characteristics govern the diving behavior of marine mammals, including cetaceans, remains unresolved.

RESULTS

This study entails an evolutionary analysis of 42 genes associated with pulmonary fibrosis across 45 mammalian species. Twenty-one genes in cetaceans exhibited accelerated evolution, featuring specific amino acid substitutions in 14 of them. Primarily linked to the development of the respiratory system and lung morphological construction, these genes play a crucial role. Moreover, among marine mammals, we identified eight genes undergoing positive selection, and the evolutionary rates of three genes significantly correlated with diving depth. Specifically, the SFTPC gene exhibited convergent amino acid substitutions. Through in vitro cellular experiments, we illustrated that convergent amino acid site mutations in SFTPC contribute positively to pulmonary fibrosis in marine mammals, and the presence of this phenotype can induce deep alveolar collapse during diving, thereby reducing the risk of DCS during diving.

CONCLUSIONS

The study unveils pivotal genetic signals in cetaceans and other marine mammals, arising through evolution. These genetic signals may influence lung characteristics in marine mammals and have been linked to a reduced risk of developing DCS. Moreover, the research serves as a valuable reference for delving deeper into human diving physiology.

Regulable high-contrast mechanofluorochromic enhancement behaviour based on substituent effects

Herein, a facile strategy was established to build mechanoresponsive luminogens with high sensitivity to substituents and positional effects. Even in slightly different structures, distinct optical phenomena, including fluorescence efficiency and mechano-responsive properties, were clearly present. Outstanding mechanical-induced emission enhancement (5-100 times) properties and reversibility makes for promising applications in pressure sensors and OLEDs.

Application of exosomes in tumor immunity: recent progresses

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles secreted by cells, ranging in size from 30 to 150 nm. They contain proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and other bioactive molecules, which play a crucial role in intercellular communication and material transfer. In tumor immunity, exosomes present various functions while the following two are of great importance: regulating the immune response and serving as delivery carriers. This review starts with the introduction of the formation, compositions, functions, isolation, characterization, and applications of exosomes, and subsequently discusses the current status of exosomes in tumor immunotherapy, and the recent applications of exosome-based tumor immunity regulation and antitumor drug delivery. Finally, current challenge and future prospects are proposed and hope to demonstrate inspiration for targeted readers in the field.

Knittable Electrochemical Yarn Muscle for Morphing Textiles

Morphing textiles, crafted using electrochemical artificial muscle yarns, boast features such as adaptive structural flexibility, programmable control, low operating voltage, and minimal thermal effect. However, the progression of these textiles is still impeded by the challenges in the continuous production of these yarn muscles and the necessity for proper structure designs that bypass operation in extensive electrolyte environments. Herein, a meters-long sheath-core structured carbon nanotube (CNT)/nylon composite yarn muscle is continuously prepared. The nylon core not only reduces the consumption of CNTs but also amplifies the surface area for interaction between the CNT yarn and the electrolyte, leading to an enhanced effective actuation volume. When driven electrochemically, the CNT@nylon yarn muscle demonstrates a maximum contractile stroke of 26.4%, a maximum contractile rate of 15.8% s-1, and a maximum power density of 0.37 W g-1, surpassing pure CNT yarn muscles by 1.59, 1.82, and 5.5 times, respectively. By knitting the electrochemical CNT@nylon artificial muscle yarns into a soft fabric that serves as both a soft scaffold and an electrolyte container, we achieved a morphing textile is achieved. This textile can perform programmable multiple motion modes in air such as contraction and sectional bending.

Immunohistochemistry screening for TP53 mutation in myeloid neoplasms in AZF-fixed bone marrow biopsies

TP53 mutational status in myeloid neoplasms is prognostic and in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) may lead to alternative induction therapy; therefore, rapid assessment is necessary for precision treatment. Assessment of multiple prognostic genes by next generation sequencing in AML is standard of care, but the turn-around time often cannot support rapid clinical decision making. Studies in haematological neoplasms suggest p53 immunohistochemistry (IHC) correlates with TP53 mutational status, but they have used variable criteria to define TP53 overexpression. p53 IHC was performed and interpreted on AZF-fixed, acid decalcified bone marrow biopsies on 47 cases of clonal myeloid neoplasms with TP53 mutations between 2016 and 2019 and 16 control samples. Results were scored by manual and digital analysis. Most TP53-mutated cases (81%) overexpressed p53 by digital analysis and manual analysis gave similar results. Among the nine TP53-mutated IHC-negative cases, seven (78%) were truncating mutations and two (22%) were single-hit missense mutations. Using a digital cut-off of at least 3% ≥1+ positive nuclei, the sensitivity and specificity are 81% and 100%; cases with loss-of-function mutations were more likely to be negative. In this cohort, p53 immunopositivity correlated with TP53 mutational status, especially missense mutations, with excellent specificity. Truncating TP53 mutations explain most IHC-negative cases, impacting the sensitivity. We demonstrate that p53 IHC can screen for TP53 mutations allowing quicker treatment decisions for most patients. However, not all patients will be identified, so molecular studies are required. Furthermore, cut-offs for positivity vary in the literature, consequently laboratories should independently validate their processes before adopting p53 IHC for clinical use. p53 IHC performs well to screen for TP53 mutations in AZF-fixed bone marrow. Performance in our setting differs from the literature, which shows variability of pre-analytic factors and cut-offs used to screen for TP53 mutations. Each laboratory should validate p53 IHC to screen for TP53 mutations in their unique setting.

US2Mask: Image-to-mask generation learning via a conditional GAN for cardiac ultrasound image segmentation

Cardiac ultrasound (US) image segmentation is vital for evaluating clinical indices, but it often demands a large dataset and expert annotations, resulting in high costs for deep learning algorithms. To address this, our study presents a framework utilizing artificial intelligence generation technology to produce multi-class RGB masks for cardiac US image segmentation. The proposed approach directly performs semantic segmentation of the heart's main structures in US images from various scanning modes. Additionally, we introduce a novel learning approach based on conditional generative adversarial networks (CGAN) for cardiac US image segmentation, incorporating a conditional input and paired RGB masks. Experimental results from three cardiac US image datasets with diverse scan modes demonstrate that our approach outperforms several state-of-the-art models, showcasing improvements in five commonly used segmentation metrics, with lower noise sensitivity. Source code is available at https://github.com/energy588/US2mask.

Defining a TFAP2C-centered transcription factor network during murine peri-implantation

Transcription factors (TFs) play important roles in early embryonic development, but factors regulating TF action, relationships in signaling cascade, genome-wide localizations, and impacts on cell fate transitions during this process have not been clearly elucidated. In this study, we used uliCUT&RUN-seq to delineate a TFAP2C-centered regulatory network, showing that it involves promoter-enhancer interactions and regulates TEAD4 and KLF5 function to mediate cell polarization. Notably, we found that maternal retinoic acid metabolism regulates TFAP2C expression and function by inducing the active demethylation of SINEs, indicating that the RARG-TFAP2C-TEAD4/KLF5 axis connects the maternal-to-zygotic transition to polarization. Moreover, we found that both genomic imprinting and SNP-transferred genetic information can influence TF positioning to regulate parental gene expressions in a sophisticated manner. In summary, we propose a ternary model of TF regulation in murine embryonic development with TFAP2C as the core element and metabolic, epigenetic, and genetic information as nodes connecting the pathways.

CircNOP14 increases the radiosensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma via inhibition of Ku70-dependent DNA damage repair

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are profoundly affected in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through various pathways. However, the role of circRNAs in the radiosensitivity of HCC cells is yet to be explored. In this study, we identified a circRNA-hsa_circ_0006737 (circNOP14) involved in the radiosensitivity of HCC. We found that circNOP14 increased the radiosensitivity of HCC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Notably, using a circRNA pulldown assay and RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation, we identified Ku70 as a novel and robust interacting protein of circNOP14. Mechanistically, circNOP14 interacts with Ku70 and prevents its nuclear translocation, thereby increasing irradiation-induced DNA damage. Therefore, our findings may provide a predictive indicator and intervention option for 125I brachytherapy or external radiotherapy in HCC.

Shelf-life extension of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) using sodium alginate/chitosan incorporated with cell-free supernatant of Streptococcus thermophilus FUA 329 during cold storage

Seafood is highly perishable and has a short shelf-life. This study investigated the effect of chitosan and alginate (CH-SA) coating combined with the cell-free supernatant of Streptococcus thermophilus FUA329 (CFS) as a preservative on the quailty of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) refrigerated at 4° for 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 days. Freshly shrimps were randomly divided into four groups: the CFS group (400 mL); the CH-SA group (1% chitosan/1% alginate); the CFS-CH-SA group (1% chitosan/1% alginate with 400 mL CFS) are treatment groups, and the control group (400 mL sterile water). The CFS-CH-SA coating effectively suppressed microbial growth total viable count and chemical accumulation (pH, total volatile basic nitrogen, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance) compared with the control. Additionally, the CFS-CH-SA coating improved the texture and sensory characteristics of shrimp during storage. The coated shrimp exhibited significantly reduced water loss (p < 0.05). The combination of CH-SA coating with CFS treatment can extend the shelf life of shrimp. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Recently, edible films have received more consideration as a promising method to enhance the shelf life of seafood. The presence of Lactic acid bacteria metabolites in edible films reduces spoilage and improves consumer health. Our findings encourage the application of edible coating incorporated with cell-free supernatant of Streptococcus thermophilus FUA 329 to design multifubctional foods and preserve the qualities of shrimp.

Functional characteristics of Dicer genes in Plutella xylostella

BACKGROUND

Dicer is an endonuclease that belongs to the RNase III family and can specifically recognize and cleave double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). In most insects, there are two Dicer genes, Dicer-1 (Dcr-1) and Dicer-2 (Dcr-2), which are involved in the micro-RNA and small-interfering RNA pathways in many species, respectively. The function of Dicer in Plutella xylostella remains unknown.

RESULTS

The full-length open reading frames of P. xylostella Dicer-1 (PxDcr-1) and Dicer-2 (PxDcr-2) were cloned and sequenced. Dcr-1 and Dcr-2 proteins shared similar structural domains with the Dicer-Partner Binding Domain (Dicer-PBD) and the double-strand RNA binding domain (dsRBD) present only in Dcr-1. The phylogenetic trees showed that lepidopteran Dcr-1s or Dcr-2s clustered in one branch, with PxDcr-1 in the basal position and PxDcr-2 closest to Plodia interpunctella Dicer. Two homozygous knockout lines, ΔPxDcr-1 and ΔPxDcr-2, were obtained by using the CRISPR-Cas9 technique. The ΔPxDcr-1 strain exhibited a high mortality rate, a low eclosion rate, a low egg-laying rate, a low hatching rate, and a shriveled ovariole without mature eggs. The ΔPxDcr-2 strain showed no significant difference from the wild-type in terms of survival, development and reproduction, but the RNA interference (RNAi) efficiency caused by dsRNA was significantly reduced.

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate the involvement of PxDcr-1 in the development and reproduction of P. xylostella, specifically in the formation of ovarioles and eggs, and PxDcr-2 is indispensable for RNAi. These findings shed light on the function of Dcr-1 and Dcr-2 in Lepidoptera. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Fructus lycii oligosaccharide alleviates acute liver injury via PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway

Regulating the immune-environment is essential for treating acute liver injury (ALI). However, the deficiency of an effective immune balancer restricted progress. Herein, we reported an oligosaccharide from Fructus lycii oligosaccharide (FLO). To investigate the effects of FLO, we adopted primary macrophages and LO2 for experiments in vitro. In vivo, we assessed the influence of FLO in ALI with histochemical staining and enzyme indicators detection. Following that, we clarified the underlying mechanisms using western blotting and immunofluorescence. Our results indicated that FLO (100 μg/mL) showed apparent inflammatory reversal effects by shifting the phenotype of macrophages from M1 to M2 without causing any cytotoxicity. Furthermore, CCl4-induced mice were significantly improved by FLO intragastric administration. Meanwhile, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was confirmed for the up-regulation of IL-10 via M2 polarization of macrophages. Collectively, our findings highlight the beneficial effects of FLO on ALI therapy via M1 to M2 macrophage conversion.

Tumour cell-expressed PD-L1 reprograms lipid metabolism via EGFR/ITGB4/SREBP1c signalling in liver cancer

Background & Aims

The programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a major co-inhibitory checkpoint factor that controls T-cell activities in tumours. PD-L1 is expressed on immune cells and tumour cells. Whether tumour cell-expressed PD-L1 affects tumour cells in an immune cell-independent fashion remains largely elusive. In this study, we investigated the significance of tumour cell-expressed PD-L1 with a focus on downstream signals and changes in lipid metabolism.

Methods

Immune-independent functions of PD-L1 in tumour growth were investigated in vitro and in immuno-deficient mice in vivo. The global influence of PD-L1 in targeted/untargeted lipidomic metabolites was studied by comprehensive mass spectrometry-based metabolomic analysis in liver cancer. Effects on lipid metabolism were confirmed by triglyceride and cholesterol assays as well as by Oil Red O staining in liver, pancreatic, breast, and oesophageal squamous cancer. Underlying mechanisms were investigated by real-time quantitative PCR, Western blot analysis, co-immunoprecipitation, pull-down assays, immunofluorescence staining, and RNA sequencing.

Results

PD-L1 enhanced the accumulation of triglycerides, cholesterol, and lipid droplets in tumours. PD-L1 influenced targeted/untargeted lipidomic metabolites in hepatoma, including lipid metabolism, glucose metabolism, amino acid metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, and energy metabolism, suggesting that PD-L1 globally modulates the metabolic reprogramming of tumours. Mechanistically, PD-L1 activated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and/or integrin β4 (ITGB4) by forming a complex of PD-L1/EGFR/ITGB4 in the cell membrane, prior to activating PI3K/mTOR/SREBP1c signalling, leading to reprogramming of lipid metabolism in tumours. Functionally, PD-L1-mediated lipid metabolism reprogramming supported the tumour growth in vitro and in vivo through EGFR and/or ITGB4 in an immune cell-independent manner.

Conclusions

Our findings on lipogenesis and EGFR activation by tumour cell-expressed PD-L1 suggest that, in addition to its immunostimulatory effects, anti-PD-L1 may restrict lipid metabolism and EGFR/ITGB4 signalling in liver cancer therapy.

Impact and implications

In this study, we present evidence that PD-L1 drives the reprogramming of lipid metabolism in tumours. PD-L1 forms a complex with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and ITGB4, activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR/SREBP1c signalling pathway and thereby contributing to lipid metabolism in cancer progression. Our findings offer novel insights into the mechanisms by which PD-L1 initiates the reprogramming of lipid metabolism in tumours. From a clinical perspective, the anti-PD-L1 antibody may alleviate resistance to the anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab and inhibit the reprogramming of lipid metabolism in tumours.

Post-COVID highlights: Challenges and solutions of artificial intelligence techniques for swift identification of COVID-19

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, there has been a concerted effort to develop cost-effective, non-invasive, and rapid AI-based tools. These tools were intended to alleviate the burden on healthcare systems, control the rapid spread of the virus, and enhance intervention outcomes, all in response to this unprecedented global crisis. As we transition into a post-COVID era, we retrospectively evaluate these proposed studies and offer a review of the techniques employed in AI diagnostic models, with a focus on the solutions proposed for different challenges. This review endeavors to provide insights into the diverse solutions designed to address the multifaceted challenges that arose during the pandemic. By doing so, we aim to prepare the AI community for the development of AI tools tailored to address public health emergencies effectively.

Generation and characterization of a human iPSC line and gene-corrected isogenic line derived from a patient with a CELF2 gene mutation

The identification of neurodevelopmental defects in a patient harboring a heterozygous de novo missense variant (NM_006561.4, c.1517G > A, p.Arg506His) within the CELF2 gene. Here, we describe the establishment of a patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line, alongside an isogenic gene-corrected iPSC line, achieved through CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. These lines exhibit the expression of pluripotency markers, demonstrate differentiation potential into all three germ layers, and maintain a normal karyotype. These iPSC lines serve as valuable tools for investigating the consequences of CELF2 related neurodevelopmental disorders.

Concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls and risk assessment in finless porpoises from the East China Sea

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are bioaccumulative persistent organic pollutants with a great impact on cetaceans. To examine the content of PCBs and their risks to finless porpoises, this study determined the concentrations of seven typical PCB congeners in 56 tissue samples of East Asian finless porpoises (EAFPs) sampled in 2009-2012 from Ningbo (29.8835° N, 122.0644° E), Pingtan (25.5133° N, 119.8172° E) and Lvsi (32.1035° N, 121.6078° E). PCB138, PCB153 and PCB101 were the predominant congeners, accounting for 31.15%, 18.59% and 15.75%, respectively, of all PCBs detected. The content of PCBs increased with age in males but decreased from juveniles to adults in females due to transfer to calves by reproduction and lactation. EAFPs in Ningbo and Pingtan accumulated more PCBs than those in Lvsi Port. The trophic positions of EAFPs from Lvsi, Pingtan and Ningbo were 9.41, 8.95 and 9.43, respectively. PCB concentrations did not accumulate significantly with increasing trophic levels. The risk quotient index indicated that the risk of trichlorobiphenyl (3-PCB), tetrachlorobiphenyl (4-PCB), pentachlorobiphenyls (5-PCB), and hexachlorobiphenyls (6-PCB) to EAFPs in the East China Sea was generally low and within safe limits thus far.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43188-023-00221-0.

Multiple ultrasonic parametric imaging for the detection and monitoring of high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation

Numerous quantitative ultrasound imaging techniques have demonstrated superior monitoring performance for thermal ablation when compared to conventional ultrasonic B-mode imaging. However, the absence of comparative studies involving various quantitative ultrasound imaging techniques hinders further clinical exploration. In this study, we simultaneously reconstructed ultrasonic Nakagami imaging, ultrasonic horizontally normalized Shannon entropy (hNSE) imaging, and ultrasonic differential attenuation coefficient intercept (DACI) imaging from ultrasound backscattered envelope data collected during high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation treatment. We comprehensively investigated their performance differences through qualitative and quantitative analyses, including the calculation of contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) for ultrasonic images, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis with corresponding indicators, the analysis of lesion area fitting relationships, and computational time consumption comparison. The mean CNR of hNSE imaging was 10.98 ± 4.48 dB, significantly surpassing the 3.82 ± 1.40 dB (p < 0.001, statistically significant) of Nakagami imaging and the 2.45 ± 0.74 dB (p < 0.001, statistically significant) of DACI imaging. This substantial difference underscores that hNSE imaging offers the highest contrast resolution for lesion recognition. Furthermore, we evaluated the ability of multiple ultrasonic parametric imaging to detect thermal ablation lesions using ROC curves. The area under the curve (AUC) for hNSE was 0.874, exceeding the values of 0.848 for Nakagami imaging and 0.832 for DACI imaging. Additionally, hNSE imaging exhibited the strongest linear correlation coefficient (R = 0.92) in the comparison of lesion area fitting, outperforming Nakagami imaging (R = 0.87) and DACI imaging (R = 0.85). hNSE imaging also performs best in real-time monitoring with each frame taking 6.38 s among multiple ultrasonic parametric imaging. Our findings unequivocally demonstrate that hNSE imaging excels in monitoring HIFU ablation treatment and holds the greatest potential for further clinical exploration.

Self-determined sequence exercise program for elderly with sarcopenia: A Randomized controlled trial with clinical assistance from explainable artificial intelligence

To improve and even reverse sarcopenia in elderly people, this study developed a self-determined sequence exercise program consisting of strength training exercise, Yijinjing exercise (a traditional Chinese exercise), and hybrid strength training with Yijinjing exercise. Ninety-four community-dwelling older adults screened for sarcopenia using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria were randomly assigned to 24 weeks of a control group (CG, n = 30), self-determined sequence exercise program group (SDSG, n = 34) or strength training group (STG, n = 30). The study examined the effects of three interventions on participantsL3 skeletal muscle fat density, L3 skeletal muscle fat area, L3 skeletal muscle density, L3 skeletal muscle area, muscle fat infiltration, relative skeletal muscle mass index, and grip strength using a repeated-measures ANOVA to evaluate the experimental data. To evaluate the real effect of this model in reversing sarcopenia after the intervention, nine classification models were trained. Significant interaction effects were observed with grip strength, RSMI, L3 SMD, and L3 SMA. At the 24th week, participants' grip strength, L3 SMFA, L3 SMA, and RSMI were improved significantly in the SDSG and STG. The SDSG achieved significantly greater RSMI and grip strength than the STG and CG after the intervention. The self-determined sequence exercise program exhibited better performance than the single type of exercise modality in reversing sarcopenia and improving older adults' skeletal muscle area. Consequently, the stacking model is feasible to make a prediction as to whether or not sarcopenia may be reversed in older adults.

The potential role of hydrogen sulfide in regulating macrophage phenotypic changes via PINK1/parkin-mediated mitophagy in sepsis-related cardiorenal syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Sepsis is one of major reasons of cardiorenal syndrome type 5 (CRS-5), resulting in irreversible tissue damage and organ dysfunction. Macrophage has been demonstrated to play key role in the pathophysiology of sepsis, highlighting the need to identify therapeutic targets for modulating macrophage phenotype in sepsis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, a rapid-releasing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donor NaSH, and a slow-releasing H2S compound S-propargyl-cysteine (SPRC) which is derived from garlic, have been studied for the immune-regulatory effects on macrophages. The NaSH and SPRC showed the potential to protect the heart and kidney from tissue injury induced by LPS. The immunohistochemistry of F4/80+ revealed that the infiltration of macrophages in the heart and kidney tissues of LPS-treated mice was reduced by NaSH and SPRC. In addition, in the LPS-triggered inflammatory cascade of RAW264.7 macrophage cells, NaSH and SPRC exhibited significantly inhibitory effects on the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and regulation of the macrophage phenotype from M1-like to M2-like. Moreover, autophagy, a crucial process involved in the elimination of impaired proteins and organelles during oxidative stress and immune response, was induced by NaSH and SPRC in the presence of LPS stimulation. Consequently, there was an increase in the number of mitochondria and an improvement in mitochondrial membrane potential. This process was mainly mediated by PINK1/Parkin pathway mediated mitophagy.

DISCUSSION

These results demonstrated that the immunoregulatory effects of H2S donors were through the PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy pathway. Overall, our study provided a new therapeutic direction in LPS-induced cardiorenal injury.

Visual screening of CRISPR/Cas9 editing efficiency based on micropattern arrays for editing porcine cells

CRISPR/Cas9 technology, combined with somatic cell nuclear transplantation (SCNT), represents the primary approach to generating gene-edited pigs. The inefficiency in acquiring gene-edited nuclear donors is attributed to low editing and delivery efficiency, both closely linked to the selection of CRISPR/Cas9 forms. However, there is currently no direct method to evaluate the efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9 editing in porcine genomes. A platform based on fluorescence reporting signals and micropattern arrays was developed in this study, to visually assess the efficiency of gene editing. The optimal specifications for culturing porcine cells, determined by the quantity and state of cells grown on micropattern arrays, were a diameter of 200 µm and a spacing of 150 µm. By visualizing the area of fluorescence loss and measuring the gray value of the micropattern arrays, it was quickly determined that the mRNA form targeting porcine cells exhibited the highest editing efficiency compared to DNA and Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) forms of CRISPR/Cas9. Subsequently, four homozygotes of the β4GalNT2 gene knockout were successfully obtained through the mRNA form, laying the groundwork for the subsequent generation of gene-edited pigs. This platform facilitates a quick, simple, and effective evaluation of gene knockout efficiency. Additionally, it holds significant potential for swiftly testing novel gene editing tools, assessing delivery methods, and tailoring evaluation platforms for various cell types.

Ribosomal protein S3 mediates drug resistance of proteasome inhibitor: potential therapeutic application in multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) remains incurable due to drug resistance. Ribosomal protein S3 (RPS3) has been identified as a non-Rel subunit of NF-κB. However, the detailed biological roles of RPS3 remain unclear. Here, we report for the first time that RPS3 is necessary for MM survival and drug resistance. RPS3 was highly expressed in MM, and knockout of RPS3 in MM inhibited cell growth and induced cell apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of RPS3 mediated the proteasome inhibitor resistance of MM and shortened the survival of MM tumor-bearing animals. Moreover, our present study found an interaction between RPS3 and the thyroid hormone receptor interactor 13 (TRIP13), an oncogene related to MM tumorigenesis and drug resistance. We demonstrated that the phosphorylation of RPS3 was mediated by TRIP13 via PKCδ, which played an important role in activating the canonical NF-κB signaling and inducing cell survival and drug resistance in MM. Notably, the inhibition of NF-κB signaling by the small-molecule inhibitor targeting TRIP13, DCZ0415, was capable of triggering synergistic cytotoxicity when combined with bortezomib in drug-resistant MM. This study identifies RPS3 as a novel biomarker and therapeutic target in MM.

Investigating the bi-directional association of rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid function: a methodological assessment of Mendelian randomization: Bi-directional association between rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid function

OBJECTIVES

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and thyroid dysfunction are frequently observed in the same patient. However, whether they co-occur or exhibit a causal relationship remains uncertain. We aimed to systematically investigate the causal relationship between RA and thyroid function using a large sample and advanced methods.

METHODS

Bi-directional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed based on RA and six thyroid function traits datasets in the European population. The robustness of the results was demonstrated using multiple MR methods and a series of sensitivity analyses. Multivariable MR using Bayesian model averaging (MR-BMA) was performed to adjust for possible competing risk factors. A sensitivity dataset, which included patients with seropositive RA and controls, was used to repeat the analyses. Furthermore, enrichment analysis was employed to discover the underlying mechanism between RA and thyroid functions.

RESULTS

A significantly positive causal effect was identified for RA on autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), as well as for AITD on RA (P < 0.001). Further sensitivity analyses showed consistent causal estimates from a variety of MR methods. After removing the outliers, MR-MBA results showed that RA and AITD were independent risk factors in their bi-directional causality, even in the presence of other competing risk factors (Padj < 0.05). Enrichment analysis showed immune cell activation and immune response play crucial roles in them.

CONCLUSION

Our results illustrate the significant bi-directional causal effect of RA and AITD, which holds even in multiple competing risk factors. Clinical screening for thyroid dysfunction in RA patients deserves further attention, and vice versa.

Risk factors affecting the sleep quality of patients on dialysis: A single-center cross-sectional study

Sleep quality is among the common complication in patients on dialysis and serious affect their health and quality of life; however, other associated risk factors are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors affecting sleep quality in patients on dialysis. Data were collected from 260 patients who met the inclusion criteria at out hospital from May 2023 to October 2023. Questionnaires were completed by patients, and biochemical indicators were obtained from past medical records. Univariate and multifactor analyses were used to find factors influencing sleep quality in patients on dialysis. Simple linear regression results showed that female, type of kidney primary disease, high systolic blood pressure (SBP), pruritus, pruritus frequency, restless legs syndrome (RLS), anxiety, and depression were associated with poor sleep quality. Blood biochemical parameters showed that low sodium and calcium levels and high ferritin levels were associated with poor sleep quality. Multiple linear regression statistics showed that female, pruritus, RLS, high SBP, depression, and high ferritin levels were associated with poor sleep quality. This study showed that female, chronic nephritis syndrome, high SBP, pruritus, RLS, low mood. and high ferritin levels were associated with poor sleep quality. Future development of individual nursing and targeted therapies is key to improving sleep quality in patients on dialysis.

Optimizing biochar application for enhanced cotton and sugar beet production in Xinjiang: a comprehensive study

BACKGROUND

Optimizing biochar application is vital for enhancing crop production and ensuring sustainable agricultural production. A 3-year field experiment was established to explore the effects of varying the biochar application rate (BAR) on crop growth, quality, productivity and yields. BAR was set at 0, 10, 50 and 100 t ha-1 in 2018; 0, 10, 25, 50 and 100 t ha-1 in 2019; and 0, 10, 25 and 30 t ha-1 in 2020. Crop quality and growth status and production were evaluated using the dynamic technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution with the entropy weighted method (DTOPSIS-EW), principal component analysis (PCA), membership function analysis (MFA), gray relation analysis (GRA) and the fuzzy Borda combination evaluation method.

RESULTS

Low-dose BAR (≤ 25 t ha-1 for cotton; ≤ 50 t ha-1 for sugar beet) effectively increased biomass, plant height, leaf area index (LAI), water and fertility (N, P and K) productivities, and yield. Biochar application increased the salt absorption and sugar content in sugar beet, with the most notable increases being 116.45% and 20.35%, respectively. Conversely, BAR had no significant effect on cotton fiber quality. The GRA method was the most appropriate for assessing crop growth and quality. The most indicative parameters for reflecting cotton and sugarbeet growth and quality status were biomass and LAI. The 10 t ha-1 BAR consistently produced the highest scores and was the most economically viable option, as evaluated by DTOPSIS-EW.

CONCLUSION

The optimal biochar application strategy for improving cotton and sugar beet cultivation in Xinjiang, China, is 10 t ha-1 biochar applied continuously. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Utilizing Machine Learning to Identify Biomarkers of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Analyze Immune Cell Infiltration in Parkinson's Disease

The neurodegenerative disorder known as Parkinson's disease (PD) affects many people. The objective of this investigation was to examine the relationship between immune system infiltration, ATP-binding cassette transporter subfamily A member 7 (ABCA7) and TBL2 as well as potential therapeutic targets for the identification of PD associated to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. First, we obtained PD data through GEO and divided it into two sets: a training set (GSE8397) plus a set for validation (GSE7621). Functional enrichment analysis was performed on a set of DEGs that overlapped with genes involved in endoplasmic reticulum stress. To identify genes of PD linked with endoplasmic reticulum stress, we employed random forest (RF) along with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression. Spearman's rank correlation analysis was then used to find associations among diagnostic markers with immune cell penetration. A grand total of 2 stress-related endoplasmic reticulum signature transcripts were identified. ABCA7 and TBL2 were shown to have diagnostic potential for PD and immune infiltrating cells have a role in the etiology of the disease. Additionally, resting CD4 memory, plasma cells, and NK cells overall exhibited positive associations with ABCA7, whereas triggered macrophages, T cells with active CD4 memory, activating NK cells, T cells with activated CD4 naive, engaged NK cells, and neutrophils all had adverse interactions with ABCA7. Overall, ABCA7 together with TBL2 have diagnostic utility for PD, and several types of immune cells, especially macrophages, may be involved in the development and progression of the disease.

Causal relationship between inflammatory cytokines and autoimmune thyroid disease: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis

Background

Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) ranks among the most prevalent thyroid diseases, with inflammatory cytokines playing a decisive role in its pathophysiological process. However, the causal relationship between the inflammatory cytokines and AITD remains elusive.

Methods

A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed to elucidate the causal connection between AITD and 41 inflammatory cytokines. Genetic variations associated with inflammatory cytokines were sourced from the FinnGen biobank, whereas a comprehensive meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWASs) yielded data on Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto thyroiditis. Regarding the MR analysis, the inverse variance-weighted, MR-Egger, and weighted median methods were utilized. Additionally, sensitivity analysis was conducted using MR-Egger regression, MR-pleiotropy residual sum, and outliers.

Results

Seven causal associations were identified between inflammatory cytokines and AITD. High levels of tumor necrosis factor-β and low levels of stem cell growth factor-β were indicative of a higher risk of GD. In contrast, high levels of interleukin-12p70 (IL-12p70), IL-13, and interferon-γ and low levels of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and TNF-α suggested a higher risk of HD. Moreover, 14 causal associations were detected between AITD and inflammatory cytokines. GD increases the levels of macrophage inflammatory protein-1β, MCP-1, monokine induced by interferon-γ (MIG), interferon γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10), stromal cell-derived factor-1α, platelet-derived growth factor BB, β-nerve growth factor, IL-2ra, IL-4, and IL-17 in blood, whereas HD increases the levels of MIG, IL-2ra, IP-10, and IL-16 levels.

Conclusion

Our bidirectional MR analysis revealed a causal relationship between inflammatory cytokines and AITD. These findings offer valuable insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying AITD.

RAD21 mutations in acute myeloid leukemia

The cohesin complex is a ring-shaped protein structure involved in DNA repair and chromosomal segregation. Studies have showed that genomic alterations in the cohesin complex members are among the initial occurrences in the development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). STAG2 is the most commonly mutated and best-studied member of the cohesin complex in AML and mutations in this gene have been associated with adverse outcomes and are diagnostically relevant. However, the exact role of mutations in other members of the cohesin complex in the development of myeloid neoplasia is controversial. In this single institution study, we retrospectively reviewed data from the molecular profiles of 1,381 AML patients and identified 14 patients with mutations in RAD21, another member of the cohesin complex. We evaluated the frequency, mutational profile, clinico-pathologic features, and prognostic impact of RAD21 in this cohort. This study showed that RAD21-mutated AML often associates with monocytic differentiation, CD7 expression, co-existing mutations in epigenetic regulators, a normal karyotype, and poor prognosis. Our findings provide additional insights into the morphologic, immunophenotypic, and genomic profile of RAD21 mutation-positive AML and suggest that RAD21 mutations should be evaluated for independent prognostic significance in AML.