MUC1-EGFR crosstalk with IL-6 by activating NF-κB and MAPK pathways to regulate the stemness and paclitaxel-resistance of lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The chemotherapy resistance often leads to chemotherapy failure. This study aims to explore the molecular mechanism by which MUC1 regulates paclitaxel resistance in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), providing scientific basis for future target selection.

METHODS

The bioinformatics method was used to analyse the mRNA and protein expression characteristics of MUC1 in LUAD. RT-qPCR and ELISA were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression, flow cytometry was used to detect CD133+ cells, and cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay. The mRNA-seq was performed to analyse the changes in expression profile, GO and KEGG analysis were used to explore the potential biological functions.

RESULTS

MUC1 is highly expressed in LUAD patients and is associated with a higher tumour infiltration. In paclitaxel resistance LUAD cells (A549/TAX cells), the expression of MUC1, EGFR/p-EGFR and IL-6 were higher than that of A549 cells, the proportion of CD133+ cells was significantly increased, and the expression of cancer stem cell (CSCs) transcription factors (NANOG, OCT4 and SOX2) were significantly up-regulated. After knocking down MUC1 in A549/Tax cells, the activity of A549/Tax cells was significantly decreased. Correspondingly, the expression of EGFR, IL-6, OCT4, NANOG, and SOX2 were significantly down-regulated. The mRNA-seq showed that knocking down MUC1 affected the gene expression, DEGs mainly enriched in NF-κB and MAPK signalling pathway.

CONCLUSION

MUC1 was highly expressed in A549/TAX cells, and MUC1-EGFR crosstalk with IL-6 may be due to the activation of NF-κB and MAPK pathways, which promote the enrichment of CSCs and lead to paclitaxel resistance.

A hydrodynamic-based dual-function microfluidic chip for high throughput discriminating tumor cells

A hydrodynamic-based microfluidic chip consisted of two function units that could not only separate tumor cells (TCs) from whole blood but also remove residual blood cells was designed. The separation of TCs was achieved by a straight contraction-expansion array (CEA) microchannel on the front end of the chip. The addition of contractive structure brought a micro-vortex like Dean vortex that promoted cell focusing in the channel, while when cells entered the dilated region, the wall-induced lift force generated by the channel wall gave cells a push away from the wall. As the wall-induced lift force is proportional to the third power of the cell diameter, TCs with larger diameter will have a larger lateral migration under the wall-induced lift force, realizing the separation of TCs from blood sample. Fluorescent particles with diameters of 19.3 μm and 4.5 μm were used to simulate TCs and red blood cells, respectively, to verify the separation capacity of the proposed CEA microchannel for particles with different diameter. And a separation efficiency 98.7% for 19.3 μm particles and a removal rate 96.2% for 4.5 μm particles was observed at sample flow rate of 10 μL min-1 and sheath flow rate of 190 μL min-1. In addition, a separation efficiency about 96.1% for MCF-7 cells (stained with DiI) and removal rates of 96.2% for red blood cells (RBCs) and 98.7% for white blood cells (WBCs) were also obtained under the same condition. However, on account of the large number of blood cells in the blood, there will be a large number of blood cells remained in the isolated TCs, so a purification unit based on hydrodynamic filtration (HDF) was added after the separation microchannel. The purification channel is a size-dictated cell filter that can remove residual blood cells but retain TCs, thus achieving the purification of TCs. Combined the CEA microchannel and the purifier, the microchip facilitates sorting of MCF-7 cells from whole blood with a separation rate about 95.3% and a removal rate over 99.99% for blood cells at a sample flow rate of 10 μL min-1, sheath flow rate of 190 μL min-1 and washing flow rate of 63 μL min-1.

Children's early signs and developmental trajectories of psychotic-like experiences

INTRODUCTION

Children who experience persistent psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) are at a higher risk of developing psychotic disorder later in life. The developmental trajectories of PLEs are influenced by various factors. Therefore, it is important to identify early characteristics that can distinguish and predict between different developmental trajectories of PLEs.

METHODS

Using PLEs scores from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) data across three waves, we categorized participants into five distinct PLEs trajectories groups: persistent group (n = 47), remitting group (n = 185), increasing group (n = 117), remittent group (n = 21), and no PLEs group (n = 4,476). We utilized linear mixed-effect models and generalized linear mixed-effect models to examine the differences in baseline characteristics, including psychological and behavioral problems, suicidality, trauma experiences, developmental milestones, cognitive function, physical health, family income, family history of mental illness, and brain structureamong these PLEs trajectory groups.

RESULTS

We found that psychological and behavioral problems (such as DSM-oriented scales/externalizing/ADHD/social/attention/thought problems) assessed by the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) were associated with all PLEs groups. The persistent PLEs group had greater ADHD/social/thought problems and suicidal behavior compared to the remitting PLEs group. Comparing with the no PLEs group, poor cognitive function, abnormal brain structure (such as temporal lobe and supramarginal gyrus), more trauma experiences, and lower family income were found in only one of the PLEs groups, but not all PLEs groups.

CONCLUSION

The development of PLEs is accompanied by changes in many domains, implying a dynamic and complex developmental process. Given that psychological and behavioral problems can predict the emergence of PLEs at any time and can be regarded as risk factors for persistent PLEs, thereby enabling early precisely interventions, it is important to place greater emphasis on assessing psychological and behavioral problems.

Tyrosine nitration of glucagon impairs its function: Extending the role of heme in T2D pathogenesis

New studies raise the possibility that the higher glucagon (GCG) level present in type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a compensatory mechanism to enhance β-cell function, rather than induce dysregulated glucose homeostasis, due to an important role for GCG that acts directly within the pancreas on insulin secretion by intra-islet GCG signaling. However, in states of poorly controlled T2D, pancreatic α cell mass increases (overproduced GCG) in response to insufficient insulin secretion, indicating decreased local GCG activity. The reason for this decrease is not clear. Recent evidence has uncovered a new role of heme in cellular signal transduction, and its mechanism involves reversible binding of heme to proteins. Considering that protein tyrosine nitration in diabetic islets increases and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) decreases, we speculated that heme modulates GSIS by transient interaction with GCG and catalyzing its tyrosine nitration, and the tyrosine nitration may impair GCG activity, leading to loss of intra-islet GCG signaling and markedly impaired insulin secretion. Data presented here elucidate a novel role for heme in disrupting local GCG signaling in diabetes. Heme bound to GCG and induced GCG tyrosine nitration. Two tyrosine residues in GCG were both sensitive to the nitrating species. Further, GCG was also demonstrated to be a preferred target peptide for tyrosine nitration by co-incubation with BSA. Tyrosine nitration impaired GCG stimulated cAMP-dependent signaling in islet β cells and decreased insulin release. Our results provided a new role of heme for impaired GSIS in the pathological process of diabetes.

Redox signaling and skeletal muscle adaptation during aerobic exercise

Redox regulation is a fundamental physiological phenomenon related to oxygen-dependent metabolism, and skeletal muscle is mainly regarded as a primary site for oxidative phosphorylation. Several studies have revealed the importance of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) in the signaling process relating to muscle adaptation during exercise. To date, improving knowledge of redox signaling in modulating exercise adaptation has been the subject of comprehensive work and scientific inquiry. The primary aim of this review is to elucidate the molecular and biochemical pathways aligned to RONS as activators of skeletal muscle adaptation and to further identify the interconnecting mechanisms controlling redox balance. We also discuss the RONS-mediated pathways during the muscle adaptive process, including mitochondrial biogenesis, muscle remodeling, vascular angiogenesis, neuron regeneration, and the role of exogenous antioxidants.

Recent advances in phyto-combined remediation of heavy metal pollution in soil

The global industrialization and modernization have witnessed a rapid progress made in agricultural production, along with the issue of soil heavy metal (HM) pollution, which has posed severe threats to soil quality, crop yield, and human health. Phytoremediation, as an alternative to physical and chemical methods, offers a more cost-effective, eco-friendly, and aesthetically appealing means for in-situ remediation. Despite its advantages, traditional phytoremediation faces challenges, including variable soil physicochemical properties, the bioavailability of HMs, and the slow growth and limited biomass of plants used for remediation. This study presents a critical overview of the predominant plant-based HM remediation strategies. It expounds upon the mechanisms of plant absorption, translocation, accumulation, and detoxification of HMs. Moreover, the advancements and practical applications of phyto-combined remediation strategies, such as the addition of exogenous substances, genetic modification of plants, enhancement by rhizosphere microorganisms, and intensification of agricultural technologies, are synthesized. In addition, this paper also emphasizes the economic and practical feasibility of some strategies, proposing solutions to extant challenges in traditional phytoremediation. It advocates for the development of cost-effective, minimally polluting, and biocompatible exogenous substances, along with the careful selection and application of hyperaccumulating plants. We further delineate specific future research avenues, such as refining genetic engineering techniques to avoid adverse impacts on plant growth and the ecosystem, and tailoring phyto-combined strategies to diverse soil types and HM pollutants. These proposed directions aim to enhance the practical application of phytoremediation and its integration into a broader remediation framework, thereby addressing the urgent need for sustainable soil decontamination and protection of ecological and human health.

Novel alternative tools for metastatic pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas prediction

OBJECTIVE

The existing prediction models for metastasis in pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas (PPGLs) showed high heterogeneity in different centers. Therefore, this study aimed to establish new prediction models integrating multiple variables based on different algorithms.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Data of patients with PPGLs undergoing surgical resection at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2007 to 2022 were collected retrospectively. Patients were randomly divided into the training and testing sets in a ratio of 7:3. Subsequently, decision trees, random forest, and logistic models were constructed for metastasis prediction with the training set and Cox models for metastasis-free survival (MFS) prediction with the total population. Additionally, Ki-67 index and tumor size were transformed into categorical variables for adjusting models. The testing set was used to assess the discrimination and calibration of models and the optimal models were visualized as nomograms. Clinical characteristics and MFS were compared between patients with and without risk factors.

RESULTS

A total of 198 patients with 59 cases of metastasis were included and classified into the training set (n = 138) and testing set (n = 60). Among all models, the logistic regression model showed the best discrimination for metastasis prediction with an AUC of 0.891 (95% CI, 0.793-0.990), integrating SDHB germline mutations [OR: 96.72 (95% CI, 16.61-940.79)], S-100 (-) [OR: 11.22 (95% CI, 3.04-58.51)], ATRX (-) [OR: 8.42 (95% CI, 2.73-29.24)] and Ki-67 ≥ 3% [OR: 7.98 (95% CI, 2.27-32.24)] evaluated through immunohistochemistry (IHC), and tumor size ≥ 5 cm [OR: 4.59 (95% CI, 1.34-19.13)]. The multivariate Cox model including the above risk factors also showed a high C-index of 0.860 (95% CI, 0.810-0.911) in predicting MFS after surgery. Furthermore, patients with the above risk factors showed a significantly poorer MFS (P ≤ 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Models established in this study provided alternative and reliable tools for clinicians to predict PPGLs patients' metastasis and MFS. More importantly, this study revealed for the first time that IHC of ATRX could act as an independent predictor of metastasis in PPGLs.

Bacterial community structure analysis of sludge from Taozi lake and isolation of an efficient 17β-Estradiol (E2) degrading strain Sphingobacterium sp. GEMB-CSS-01

Environmental challenges arising from organic pollutants pose a significant problem for modern societies. Efficient microbial resources for the degradation of these pollutants are highly valuable. In this study, the bacterial community structure of sludge samples from Taozi Lake (polluted by urban sewage) was studied using 16S rRNA sequencing. The bacterial phyla Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Chloroflexi, which are potentially important in organic matter degradation by previous studies, were identified as the predominant phyla in our samples, with relative abundances of 48.5%, 8.3%, and 6.6%, respectively. Additionally, the FAPROTAX and co-occurrence network analysis suggested that the core microbial populations in the samples may be closely associated with organic matter metabolism. Subsequently, sludge samples from Taozi Lake were subjected to enrichment cultivation to isolate organic pollutant-degrading microorganisms. The strain Sphingobacterium sp. GEMB-CSS-01, tolerant to sulfanilamide, was successfully isolated. Subsequent investigations demonstrated that Sphingobacterium sp. GEMB-CSS-01 efficiently degraded the endocrine-disrupting compound 17β-Estradiol (E2). It achieved degradation efficiencies of 80.0% and 53.5% for E2 concentrations of 10 mg/L and 20 mg/L, respectively, within 10 days. Notably, despite a reduction in degradation efficiency, Sphingobacterium sp. GEMB-CSS-01 retained its ability to degrade E2 even in the presence of sulfanilamide concentrations ranging from 50 to 200 mg/L. The findings of this research identify potential microbial resources for environmental bioremediation, and concurrently provide valuable information about the microbial community structure and patterns within Taozi Lake.

[Retracted] Anthelmintic drug albendazole arrests human gastric cancer cells at the mitotic phase and induces apoptosis

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.3892/etm.2016.3992.].

Cathodic Deposition-Assisted Synthesis of Thin Glass MOF Films for High-Performance Gas Separations

Glass metal-organic framework (MOF) films can be fabricated from their crystalline counterparts through a melt-quenching process and are prospective candidates for gas separation because of the elimination of the grain boundaries in crystalline MOF films. However, current techniques are limited to producing glass MOF films with a thickness of tens of micrometers, which leads to ultralow gas permeances. Here, we report a novel cathodic deposition-assisted synthesis of glass ZIF-62 films with a thickness as low as ~1 μm. Electrochemical analyses and deposition experiments suggest that the cathodic deposition can lead to pure crystalline ZIF-62 films with a controllable thickness of ~2 μm to ~15 μm. Accordingly, glass ZIF-62 films with a thickness of ~1 μm to ~10 μm can be obtained after a thermal treatment. The fabricated defect-free glass ZIF-62 film measuring 2 μm in thickness shows a remarkable CO2/N2 and CO2/CH4 selectivity of 31.4 and 33.4, respectively, with a CO2 permeance which is over 30 times higher than the best-performing glass ZIF-62 films in literature.

High paternal homocysteine causes ventricular septal defects in mouse offspring

Maternal hyperhomocysteinemia is widely considered as an independent risk of congenital heart disease (CHD). However, whether high paternal homocysteine causes CHD remains unknown. Here, we showed that increased homocysteine levels of male mice caused decreased sperm count, sperm motility defect and ventricular septal defect of the offspring. Moreover, high levels of paternal homocysteine decrease sperm DNMT3A/3B, accompanied with changes in DNA methylation levels in the promoter regions of CHD-related genes. Folic acid supplement could decrease the occurrence of VSD in high homocysteine male mice. This study reveals that increased paternal homocysteine level increases VSD risk in the offspring, indicating that decreasing paternal homocysteine may be an intervening target of CHD.

Guiding function of positron emission tomography-computed tomography examination in the diagnosis and treatment of ocular adnexal mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma

AIM

To explore the role of positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) examination in the diagnosis and treatment of ocular adnexal mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (OAML).

METHODS

The general clinical data, postoperative PET-CT results, treatment regimens, and the prognosis of 21 histopathologically confirmed OAML patients between October 2017 and September 2021 were collected. Among the 21 patients, five patients underwent surgical treatment alone, 13 patients underwent surgical treatment combined with radiotherapy, and three patients underwent surgical treatment combined with chemotherapy.

RESULTS

The follow-up period ranged from 8 to 79mo, with four cases of recurrence and no deaths. Through PET-CT examination, two patients exhibited both local ocular metabolic elevation and systemic metastasis, and one of these patients had cervical lymph node metastasis, while the other had submandibular and parotid gland metastasis. Nine patients showed only local ocular metabolic elevation, while 10 patients had no abnormal metabolic activity locally.

CONCLUSION

PET-CT examination plays a crucial role in detecting residual lesions and recurrence following tumor resection, aiding in precise disease staging, and facilitating the development of personalized treatment plans, ultimately improving patient prognosis.

NiFeB-assisted adsorption and activation of nitrogen to improve the photooxidation activity of zinc porphyrin

This study effectively addresses the challenge of nitrogen adsorption and activation in photocatalytic nitrogen fixation by introducing an oxidizing co-catalyst, NiFeB hydroxides. The NiFeB hydroxides could provide reactive active sites and significantly enhance the nitrogen oxidation activity, offering a novel pathway for co-catalysts in nitrogen fixation reactions.

Effects of levothyroxine in subclinical hypothyroidism and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: An open-label randomized trial

We report a randomized, multicenter, open-label trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03096613) to investigate the clinical benefits of levothyroxine (L-T4) administration in subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Overall, 117 patients were enrolled and received L-T4 plus standard HFrEF treatment (experimental group, N = 57) or standard HFrEF therapy alone (control group, N = 60). The change of 6-min walk test distance in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group at 24 weeks (70.08 ± 85.76 m vs. 27.73 ± 82.00 m, mean difference [95% confidence interval (CI)] 46.90 [12.90, 80.90], p < 0.001). Improvements in New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification (p = 0.033) and thyroid function were significant. Adverse event incidence was similar between groups (risk ratio [95% CI]: 0.942 1.053 (0.424, 2.616); p = 0.628). L-T4 addition to HFrEF treatment improved activity tolerance, NYHA class, and thyroid function within 6 months, suggesting its potential for combined therapy in HFrEF patients with SCH. Future double-blind, placebo-controlled trials should be performed to confirm these results.

Toward Enhancing Performance of Electromagnetic Wave Absorption for Conductive Metal-Organic Frameworks: Nanostructure Engineering or Crystal Morphology Controlling

Conductive metal-organic frameworks (cMOFs), which have high porosity and intrinsic electron conductivity, are regarded as ideal candidates for electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption materials. Controlling the nanostructure of absorbers may be one of the effective strategies to improve the electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption performance. Herein, a series of conductive Cu-HHTP MOFs (HHTP = 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexahydroxytriphenyl hydrates) with different nanostructures or crystal morphologies were successfully synthesized by using different structural inducers to regulate the changes in the morphology, thereby improving the EMW absorption performance. Specifically, when ammonia was used as an inducer, the obtained A-Cu-HHTP with a nanosheet structure exhibited excellent EMW absorption performance. The minimum reflection loss (RLmin) can reach -51.08 dB at 7.25 GHz with a thickness of 4.4 mm, and the maximum effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) can cover 5.73 GHz at 2.5 mm. The influence of the nanostructures of the cMOFs on the dielectric and EMW absorption performance was clarified. The nanosheet structure of A-Cu-HHTP increases its specific surface area, which expands multiple scattering and reflection paths of incident EMW; Meanwhile, the unique structure facilitates the formation of more heterogeneous interfaces, optimizing impedance matching. The significant improvement in EMW performance is mainly attributed to multiple reflections and scattering as well as impedance matching. This work not only provides a simple and effective strategy for improving electromagnetic wave absorption performance but also offers guidelines for preparing morphology functional cMOF materials.

Rational molecular design converting fascaplysin derivatives to potent broad-spectrum inhibitors against bacterial pathogens via targeting FtsZ

The filamentous temperature-sensitive mutant Z protein (FtsZ), a key player in bacterial cell division machinery, emerges as an attractive target to tackle the plight posed by the ever growing antibiotic resistance over the world. Therefore in this regard, agents with scaffold diversities and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens are highly needed. In this study, a new class of marine-derived fascaplysin derivatives has been designed and synthesized by Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling. Some compounds exhibited potent bactericidal activities against a panel of Gram-positive (MIC = 0.024-6.25 μg/mL) and Gram-negative (MIC = 1.56-12.5 μg/mL) bacteria including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). They exerted their effects by dual action mechanism via disrupting the integrity of the bacterial cell membrane and targeting FtsZ protein. These compounds stimulated polymerization of FtsZ monomers and bundling of the polymers, and stabilized the resulting polymer network, thus leading to the dysfunction of FtsZ in cell division. In addition, these agents showed negligible hemolytic activity and low cytotoxicity to mammalian cells. The studies on docking and molecular dynamics simulations suggest that these inhibitors bind to the hydrophilic inter-domain cleft of FtsZ protein and the insights obtained in this study would facilitate the development of potential drugs with broad-spectrum bioactivities.

Human β-defensin-1 affects the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway and autophagy in colon cancer cells through long non-coding RNA TCONS_00014506

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer has a low 5-year survival rate and high mortality. Human β-defensin-1 (hBD-1) may play an integral function in the innate immune system, contributing to the recognition and destruction of cancer cells. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the process of cell differentiation and growth.

AIM

To investigate the effect of hBD-1 on the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway and autophagy in human colon cancer SW620 cells.

METHODS

CCK8 assay was utilized for the detection of cell proliferation and determination of the optimal drug concentration. Colony formation assay was employed to assess the effect of hBD-1 on SW620 cell proliferation. Bioinformatics was used to screen potentially biologically significant lncRNAs related to the mTOR pathway. Additionally, p-mTOR (Ser2448), Beclin1, and LC3II/I expression levels in SW620 cells were assessed through Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

hBD-1 inhibited the proliferative ability of SW620 cells, as evidenced by the reduction in the colony formation capacity of SW620 cells upon exposure to hBD-1. hBD-1 decreased the expression of p-mTOR (Ser2448) protein and increased the expression of Beclin1 and LC3II/I protein. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis identified seven lncRNAs (2 upregulated and 5 downregulated) related to the mTOR pathway. The lncRNA TCONS_00014506 was ultimately selected. Following the inhibition of the lncRNA TCONS_00014506, exposure to hBD-1 inhibited p-mTOR (Ser2448) and promoted Beclin1 and LC3II/I protein expression.

CONCLUSION

hBD-1 inhibits the mTOR pathway and promotes autophagy by upregulating the expression of the lncRNA TCONS_00014506 in SW620 cells.

The predictive value of conventional magnetic resonance imaging combined with intravoxel incoherent motion parameters for evaluating maternal and neonatal clinical outcomes in patients with placenta accreta spectrum disorders

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to identify factors predictive of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes in patients with placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters.

METHOD

Fifty-six normal singleton pregnancies at 33-39 weeks of gestation underwent MRI examination at 1.5 T. The IVIM parameters were obtained from the placenta. The correlation between the f value and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and between the f value and transfused units of red blood cells (RBCs) was estimated by linear regression. The correlation between various influencing factors (clinical risk factors, MRI features, and IVIM parameters) and poor outcomes was investigated using univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULT

The interobserver agreement ranged from fair to excellent (k = 0.30-0.88). Multivariate analyses showed that previous cesarean sections, low signal intensity bands on T2WI and the D value were independent risk factors for adverse outcomes. The combination of three risk factors demonstrated the highest AUC of 0.903, with a sensitivity and specificity of 73.10 % and 96.90 %, respectively. Last, f was positively correlated with PPH and units of RBCs transfused.

DISCUSSION

Preoperative MRI features and IVIM parameters may be used to predict poor outcomes in patients with invasive placental disorders like PAS.

Exploratory Study on COPD Phenotypes and their Progression: Integrating SPECT and qCT Imaging Analysis

Background

The objective of this study is to understand chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) phenotypes and their progressions by quantifying heterogeneities of lung ventilation from the single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images and establishing associations with the quantitative computed tomography (qCT) imaging-based clusters and variables.

Methods

Eight COPD patients completed a longitudinal study of three visits with intervals of about a year. CT scans of these subjects at residual volume, functional residual capacity, and total lung capacity were taken for all visits. The functional and structural qCT-based variables were derived, and the subjects were classified into the qCT-based clusters. In addition, the SPECT variables were derived to quantify the heterogeneity of lung ventilation. The correlations between the key qCT-based variables and SPECT-based variables were examined.

Results

The SPECT-based coefficient of variation (CV Total ), a measure of ventilation heterogeneity, showed strong correlations (|r| ≥ 0.7) with the qCT-based functional small airway disease percentage (fSAD% Total ) and emphysematous tissue percentage (Emph% Total ) in the total lung on cross-sectional data. As for the two-year changes, the SPECT-based maximum tracer concentration (TC max ), a measure of hot spots, exhibited strong negative correlations with fSAD% Total , Emph% Total , average airway diameter in the left upper lobe, and airflow distribution in the middle and lower lobes.

Conclusion

Small airway disease is highly associated with the heterogeneity of ventilation in COPD lungs. TC max is a more sensitive functional biomarker for COPD progression than CV Total . Besides fSAD% Total and Emph% Total , segmental airways narrowing and imbalanced ventilation between upper and lower lobes may contribute to the development of hot spots over time.

Association of the triglyceride-glucose index variability with blood pressure and hypertension: a cohort study

BACKGROUND

Several studies have indicated that the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) index is associated with hypertension; however, evidence on the association of change in the TyG index with blood pressure and hypertension is limited.

AIMS

To assess the association of the TyG index with blood pressure and hypertension.

DESIGN

A cohort study.

METHODS

We included 17 977 individuals with a mean age of 60.5 years from the Dongfeng-Tongji cohort. The TyG index was calculated as ln [fasting triglyceride (mg/dl)×fasting glucose (mg/dl)/2]. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg, self-reported current use of antihypertensive medication or self-reported physician diagnosis of hypertension.

RESULTS

In the longitudinal analyses, we found a linear dose-response relationship between changes in the TyG index and change in blood pressure. Each one-unit change in the TyG index was associated with a 1.93 (1.23-2.63) mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and a 1.78 (1.42-2.16) mmHg increase in diastolic blood pressure (DBP). During a median follow-up of 9.37 years, a total of 3594 individuals were newly diagnosed with hypertension. We also found a linear dose-response relationship between the TyG index and the incidence of hypertension. The hazard ratio (HR) of hypertension for each one-unit increase in the TyG index was 1.21 (1.13-1.29). In addition, the best cut-off point of TyG for predicting hypertension was 8.4797, with sensitivity, and specificity of 57.85% and 55.40%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The TyG index had a positive dose-response relationship with blood pressure and could be used to predict the risk of hypertension.

Proinflammatory phenotype of B10 and B10pro cells elicited by TNF-α in rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVES

B10 and B10pro cells suppress immune responses via secreting interleukin (IL)-10. However, their regulators and underlying mechanisms, especially in human autoimmune diseases, are elusive. This study aimed to address these questions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), one of the most common highly disabling autoimmune diseases.

METHODS

The frequencies and functions of B10 and B10pro cells in healthy individuals and patients with RA were first analysed. The effects of proinflammatory cytokines, particularly tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α on the quantity, stability and pathogenic phenotype of these cells, were then assessed in patients with RA before and after anti-TNF therapy. The underlying mechanisms were further investigated by scRNA-seq database reanalysis, transcriptome sequencing, TNF-α-/- and B cell-specific SHIP-1-/- mouse disease model studies.

RESULTS

TNF-α was a key determinant for B10 cells. TNF-α elicited the proinflammatory feature of B10 and B10pro cells by downregulating IL-10, and upregulating interferon-γ and IL-17A. In patients with RA, B10 and B10pro cells were impaired with exacerbated proinflammatory phenotype, while anti-TNF therapy potently restored their frequencies and immunosuppressive functions, consistent with the increased B10 cells in TNF-α-/- mice. Mechanistically, TNF-α diminished B10 and B10pro cells by inhibiting their glycolysis and proliferation. TNF-α also regulated the phosphatidylinositol phosphate signalling of B10 and B10pro cells and dampened the expression of SHIP-1, a dominant phosphatidylinositol phosphatase regulator of these cells.

CONCLUSIONS

TNF-α provoked the proinflammatory phenotype of B10 and B10pro cells by disturbing SHIP-1 in RA, contributing to the disease development. Reinstating the immunosuppressive property of B10 and B10pro cells might represent novel therapeutic approaches for RA.

Increased miR-3074-5p expression promotes M1 polarization and pyroptosis of macrophages via ERα/NLRP3 pathway and induces adverse pregnancy outcomes in mice

Decidual macrophages (dMϕs) play critical roles in regulation of immune-microhomeostasis at maternal-fetal interface during pregnancy, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, it was found that litter size and fetal weight were significantly reduced, whereas the rate of embryo resorption was increased in miR-3074-5p knock-in (3074-KI) pregnant mice, compared to that of wild-type (WT) pregnant mice. Plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in 3074-KI pregnant mice were also significantly elevated compared to WT pregnant mice at GD7.5. The quantity of M1-Mϕs in uterine tissues of 3074-KI pregnant mice was significantly increased compared to WT pregnant mice at GD13.5. Estrogen receptor-α (ERα) was validated to be a target of miR-3074-5p. Either miR-3074-5p overexpression or ERα knockdown promoted transcriptional activity of NF-κB/p65, induced M1-polarization and pyroptosis of THP1-derived Mϕs, accompanied with increased intracellular levels of cleaved Caspase-1, cleaved IL-1β, NLRP3, cleaved GSDMD and ASC aggregation. Furthermore, ERα could not only bind to NLRP3 or ASC directly, but also inhibit the interaction between NLRP3 and ASC. The endometrial miR-3074-5p expression level at the middle secretory stage of repeated implantation failure (RIF) patients was significantly decreased compared to that of control fertile women. These data indicated that miR-3074-5p could promote M1 polarization and pyroptosis of Mϕs via activation of NLRP3 inflammasome by targeting ERα, and the dysregulation of miR-3074-5p expression in dMϕs might damage the embryo implantation and placentation by interfering with inflammatory microenvironment at the maternal-fetal interface during early pregnancy.

scifi-ATAC-seq: massive-scale single-cell chromatin accessibility sequencing using combinatorial fluidic indexing

Single-cell ATAC-seq has emerged as a powerful approach for revealing candidate cis-regulatory elements genome-wide at cell-type resolution. However, current single-cell methods suffer from limited throughput and high costs. Here, we present a novel technique called scifi-ATAC-seq, single-cell combinatorial fluidic indexing ATAC-sequencing, which combines a barcoded Tn5 pre-indexing step with droplet-based single-cell ATAC-seq using the 10X Genomics platform. With scifi-ATAC-seq, up to 200,000 nuclei across multiple samples can be indexed in a single emulsion reaction, representing an approximately 20-fold increase in throughput compared to the standard 10X Genomics workflow.

Circular RNA ath-circ032768, a competing endogenous RNA, response the drought stress by targeting miR472-RPS5 module

CircRNAs (circular RNAs) reduce the abundance of miRNAs through ceRNA (competing endogenous RNA), to regulate many physiological processes and stress responses in plants. However, the role of circRNA in drought stress is poorly understood. Through ring identification and sequencing verification of ath-circ032768, bioinformatics analysis predicted the interaction of ath-circ032768-miR472-RPS5, and further obtained transgenic plants overexpressing ath-circ032768 and silencing STTM-miR472. The change in drought stress was analysed using biochemical and molecular biological methods. Sequencing and biological analysis confirmed that ath-circ032768, miR472 and RPS5 were responsive to drought stress, and changes in gene expression were consistent with the prediction of ceRNA. The silencing vectors ath-circ032768 and STTM-miR472 were constructed using molecular biology techniques, and stable transgenic plants with drought tolerance obtained. Further physiological and biochemical studies showed that ath-circ032768 could bind to miR472, and that miR472 could bind to the RPS5 gene, resulting in decreased expression of RPS5. Hence, ath-circ032768 can competitively inhibit degradation of RPS5 by miR472 through ceRNA. This process is accompanied by increased expression of DREB2A, RD29A and RD29B genes. Through the ath-circ032768-miR472-RPS5 pathway, the RPS5 stress resistance protein interacts with DREB2A protein to enhance expression of downstream drought resistance genes, RD29A and RD29B, and participate in the regulation mechanism of plant drought resistance, thereby improving drought tolerance of plants.

[Prediction of pathological remission of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients after neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy and construction of clinical model based on clinical features and inflammatory markers]

Objective: To analyze the potential clinical biological factors influencing the major pathological response (MPR) to neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy in patients with resectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods: This retrospective study enrolled patients with resectable HNSCC who underwent neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from June 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between clinical characteristics, inflammatory markers and MPR, and a nomogram model was constructed. The calibration curve and decision curve analysis were used to verify the predictive ability and accuracy of the nomogram model. Results: A total of 173 patients were included in the study, with 141 males and 32 females, aged from 22 to 83 years. After pathological assessment, the patients were divided into two groups: MPR group (108 cases) and non MPR group (65 cases). Logistics regression analysis indicated that the patients with HPV+oropharyngeal cancer, partial response or complete response by imaging assessment, low pre-treatment platelet/lymphocyte ratio, low pre-treatment C reactive protein/albumin ratio and lower pre-and post-treatment C reactive protein/albumin ratio difference were more likely to have MPR (all P<0.05). Nomogram model was constructed based on the above factors, with a C-index of 0.826 (95%CI: 0.760-0.892), and the calibration curve and decision curve analysis confirmed the prediction accuracy of the model. Conclusion: This study shows that many factors are related to MPR of patients with resectable HNSCC receiving neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy and the constructed nomogram model helps to develop personalized treatment strategies for the patients.

Four new diterpenoids from the aerial parts of Leucas zeylanica (L.) R. Br

Four new undescribed halimane- and labdane-type diterpenoids, named zeylleucapenoids E-H (1-4), along with four known analogues (5-8), were isolated from the aerial parts of Leucas zeylanica (L.) R. Br. Their structures were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis and computational calculations. Compounds 1 and 2 are the highly modified halimane diterpenoids featuring a 6/6/6-fused tricyclic system with an unusual six-membered 6,11-ether ring. Compound 8 exhibits nontoxic effects for zebrafish embryo, while it displays efficient reduction against NO production in a dose-dependent manner and strongly suppresses the secretion of LPS-induced TNF-α and IL-6 cytokines in RAW264.7 macrophages. In addition, marked reductions of iNOS and COX-2 expression were observed. Molecular docking analysis indicated that 8 has high affinities with the target amino acid residues on protein-binding sites, which may be a possible mechanism contributing to the anti-inflammatory potential of this molecule.

The relationship of MITF gene expression and promoter methylation with plumage colour in quail

1. This study focused on the relationship between MITF mRNA expression and plumage colour in quail and the effect of promoter methylation on the expression of MITF mRNA.2. The CDS region of MITF mRNA was cloned by RT-PCR, followed by DNA sequencing. The RT-qPCR method was used to analyse the expression levels of MITF mRNA in dorsal skin tissue in Korean quail and Beijing white quail. The promoter region of the MITF gene was cloned, and the CpG island was predicted by the CpGplot program. The methylation levels of the CpG island were analysed using BS-PCR technology.3. Quail MITF mRNA contains a 1,476 bp complete ORF, which encodes a 492 amino acid residue protein. The MITF protein has no signal peptide or transmembrane region. The expression of MITF mRNA in dorsal tissue of Korean quail was significantly higher than that in Beijing white quail (p < 0.01). Abundant cis-elements and a 346 bp CpG island were found in the promoter region of the MITF gene. The average methylation level of the CpG island was 22 (22%) in Korean quail, and 46 (30%) in Beijing white quail (p < 0.05).4. The hypermethylation of the MITF gene promoter region in Beijing white quail resulted in a decrease in expression level, which was related to white feather colour.

Are children with IgA nephropathy different from adult patients?

BACKGROUND

Previously, several studies have indicated that pediatric IgA nephropathy (IgAN) might be different from adult IgAN, and treatment strategies might be also different between pediatric IgAN and adult IgAN.

METHODS

We analyzed two prospective cohorts established by pediatric and adult nephrologists, respectively. A comprehensive analysis was performed investigating the difference in clinical and pathological characteristics, treatment, and prognosis between children and adults with IgAN.

RESULTS

A total of 1015 children and 1911 adults with IgAN were eligible for analysis. More frequent gross hematuria (88% vs. 20%, p < 0.0001) and higher proteinuria (1.8 vs. 1.3 g/d, p < 0.0001) were seen in children compared to adults. In comparison, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was lower in adults (80.4 vs. 163 ml/min/1.73 m2, p < 0.0001). Hypertension was more prevalent in adult patients. Pathologically, a higher proportion of M1 was revealed (62% vs. 39%, p < 0.0001) in children than in adults. S1 (62% vs. 28%, p < 0.0001) and T1-2 (34% vs. 8%, p < 0.0001) were more frequent in adults. Adjusted by proteinuria, eGFR, and hypertension, children were more likely to be treated with glucocorticoids than adults (87% vs. 45%, p < 0.0001). After propensity score matching, in IgAN with proteinuria > 1 g/d, children treated with steroids were 1.87 (95% CI 1.16-3.02, p = 0.01) times more likely to reach complete remission of proteinuria compared with adults treated with steroids.

CONCLUSIONS

Children present significantly differently from adults with IgAN in clinical and pathological manifestations and disease progression. Steroid response might be better in children.

Compact meta-differentiator for achieving isotropically high-contrast ultrasonic imaging

Ultrasonic imaging is crucial in the fields of biomedical engineering for its deep penetration capabilities and non-ionizing nature. However, traditional techniques heavily rely on impedance differences within objects, resulting in poor contrast when imaging acoustically transparent targets. Here, we propose a compact spatial differentiator for underwater isotropic edge-enhanced imaging, which enhances the imaging contrast without the need for contrast agents or external physical fields. This design incorporates an amplitude meta-grating for linear transmission along the radial direction, combined with a phase meta-grating that utilizes focus and spiral phases with a first-order topological charge. Through theoretical analysis, numerical simulations, and experimental validation, we substantiate the effectiveness of our technique in distinguishing amplitude objects with isotropic edge enhancements. Importantly, this method also enables the accurate detection of both phase objects and artificial biological models. This breakthrough creates new opportunities for applications in medical diagnosis and nondestructive testing.

An Interspecies Recombinant Sida Yellow Mosaic China Virus Isolate and Betasatellite Cause a Leaf Curl Disease in Tobacco in Hainan, China

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) is an herbaceous crop. Cigar tobacco, a group of tobacco cultivars, has recently been planted in a few provinces in China. Since its introduction, symptoms such as leaf curling and vein thickening have appeared. Here we report a begomovirus, Sida yellow mosaic China virus-Hainan isolate (designated SiYMCNV-HN), associated with the betasatellite (designated SiYMCNB-HN) as the causal agent of a leaf curl disease in cigar tobacco (N. tabacum cv. Haiyan101) in Hainan Province, China. Phylogenetic and recombination analyses indicate that SiYMCNV-HN is an interspecies recombinant with a SiYMCNV isolate as the major parent and a Sida yellow vein Vietnam virus isolate as the minor parent. Full-length infectious clones of SiYMCNV-HN and SiYMCNB-HN were generated, which were highly infectious and induced high pathogenicity through agroinfiltration in Nicotiana benthamiana and N. tabacum. This newly reported recombinant begomovirus poses potential threats to tobacco plantations in the region.

An immunophenotype-coupled transcriptomic atlas of human hematopoietic progenitors

Analysis of the human hematopoietic progenitor compartment is being transformed by single-cell multimodal approaches. Cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing (CITE-seq) enables coupled surface protein and transcriptome profiling, thereby revealing genomic programs underlying progenitor states. To perform CITE-seq systematically on primary human bone marrow cells, we used titrations with 266 CITE-seq antibodies (antibody-derived tags) and machine learning to optimize a panel of 132 antibodies. Multimodal analysis resolved >80 stem, progenitor, immune, stromal and transitional cells defined by distinctive surface markers and transcriptomes. This dataset enables flow cytometry solutions for in silico-predicted cell states and identifies dozens of cell surface markers consistently detected across donors spanning race and sex. Finally, aligning annotations from this atlas, we nominate normal marrow equivalents for acute myeloid leukemia stem cell populations that differ in clinical response. This atlas serves as an advanced digital resource for hematopoietic progenitor analyses in human health and disease.

MRI radiomics for predicting intracranial progression in non-small-cell lung cancer patients with brain metastases treated with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors

AIM

To identify clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiomics predictors specialised for intracranial progression (IP) after first-line epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with brain metastases (BMs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients with a total of 212 BMs who received first-line EGFR-TKI therapy were enrolled. Radiomics features were extracted from the BM regions on the pretreatment contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images, and the radiomics score (rad-score) of each BM was established based on the selected features. Furthermore, the mean rad-score derived from the average rad-score of all included BMs in each patient was calculated. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify potential predictors of IP. Prediction models based on different predictors and their combinations were constructed, and nomogram based on the optimal prediction model was evaluated.

RESULTS

Thirty-three (47.1 %) patients developed IP, and the remaining 37 (52.9 %) patients were IP-free. EGFR-19del mutation (OR 0.19, 95 % CI 0.05-0.69), third-generation TKI treatment (OR 0.33, 95 % CI 0.16-0.67) and mean rad-score (OR 5.71, 95 % CI 1.65-19.68) were found to be independent predictive factors. Models based on these three predictors alone and in combination (combined model) achieved AUCs of 0.64, 0.64, 0.74, and 0.86 and 0.64, 0.64, 0.75, and 0.84 in the training and validation sets, respectively, and the combined model demonstrated optimal performance for predicting IP.

CONCLUSIONS

The model integrating EGFR-19del mutation, third-generation TKI treatment and mean rad-score had good predictive value for IP after EGFR-TKI treatment in NSCLC patients with BM.

SIRT6 activates PPARα to improve doxorubicin-induced myocardial cell aging and damage

The Sirtuins family, formally known as the Silent Information Regulator Factors, constitutes a highly conserved group of histone deacetylases. Recent studies have illuminated SIRT6's role in doxorubicin (DOX)-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis within myocardial cells. Nevertheless, the extent of SIRT6's impact on DOX-triggered myocardial cell aging and damage remains uncertain, with the associated mechanisms yet to be fully understood. In our research, we examined the influence of SIRT6 on DOX-induced cardiomyocyte senescence using β-galactosidase and γ-H2AX staining. Additionally, we gauged the mRNA expression of senescence-associated genes, namely p16, p21, and p53, through Real-time PCR. Employing ELISA assay kits, MDA, and total SOD activity assay kits, we measured inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, alongside oxidative stress-related indicators. The results unequivocally indicated that SIRT6 overexpression robustly inhibited DOX-induced cardiomyocyte senescence. Furthermore, we established that SIRT6 overexpression suppressed the inflammatory response and oxidative stress induced by DOX in cardiomyocytes. Conversely, silencing SIRT6 exacerbated DOX-induced cardiomyocyte injury. Our investigations further unveiled that SIRT6 upregulated the expression of genes CD36, CPT1, LCAD, MCAD associated with fatty acid oxidation through its interaction with PPARα, thereby exerting anti-aging effects. In vivo, the overexpression of SIRT6 was observed to restore DOX-induced declines in EF and FS to normal levels in mice. Echocardiography and HE staining revealed the restoration of cardiomyocyte alignment, affording protection against DOX-induced myocardial senescence and injury. The findings from this study suggest that SIRT6 holds significant promise as a therapeutic target for mitigating DOX-induced cardiomyopathy.

Targeted long-read sequencing for comprehensive detection of CYP21A2 mutations in patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency

BACKGROUND

21-Hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) is caused by pathogenic CYP21A2 variations. CYP21A2 is arranged in tandem with its highly homologous pseudogene CYP21A1P; therefore, it is prone to mismatch and rearrangement, producing different types of complex variations. There were few reports on using only one method to detect different CYP21A2 variants simultaneously.

AIMS

Targeted long-read sequencing method was used to detect all types of CYP21A2 variants in a series of patients with 21-OHD.

METHODS

A total of 59 patients with 21-OHD were enrolled from Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Long-range locus-specific PCR and long-read sequencing (LRS) were performed to detect the pathogenic variants in CYP21A2.

RESULTS

Copy-number variants of CYP21A2 were found in 25.4% of patients, including 5.1% with 3 copies of CYP21A2, 16.9% with 1 copy of CYP21A2, and 3.4% with 0 copy of CYP21A2. The remaining 74.6% of patients had 2 copies of CYP21A2. Pathogenic variants were identified in all 121 alleles of 59 patients. Specifically, single-nucleotide variants and small insertions/deletions (< 50 bp) were detected in 79 alleles, of which conversed from CYP21A1P were detected in 63 alleles, and rare variants were found in the other 16 alleles. Large gene conversions (> 50 bp) from pseudogene were detected in 10 alleles, and different chimeric genes (CYP21A1P/CYP21A2 or TNXA/TNXB) formed by large deletions were detected in 32 alleles. Of all variants, p.I173N was the most common variant (19.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated that targeted long-read sequencing is a comprehensive method for detecting CYP21A2 variations, which is helpful for genetic diagnosis in 21-OHD patients.

From phenotype to mechanism: Prenatal spectrum of NKAP mutation-related disorder and its pathogenesis inducing congenital heart disease

NKAP mutations are associated with Hackmann-Di Donato-type X-linked syndromic intellectual developmental disorder (MRXSHD, MIM: #301039). Here, we elucidate the potential prenatal manifestation of NKAP mutation-associated disorder for the first time, alongside revealing the relationship between NKAP mutations and congenital heart defect (CHD) in the Chinese population. An NKAP mutation (NM_024528.4: c.988C>T, p.Arg330Cys) was identified in two foetuses presenting with CHD. Subsequent mechanistic exploration revealed a marked downregulation of NKAP transcription within HEK293T cells transfected with NKAP p.R330C. However, no significant change was observed at the protein level. Moreover, the mutation led to a dysregulation in the transcription of genes associated with cardiac morphogenesis, such as DHRS3, DNAH11 and JAG1. Additionally, our research determined that NKAP p.R330C affected Nkap protein intra-nuclear distribution, and binding with Hdac3. Summarily, our study strengthens NKAP mutations as a cause of CHD and prompts the reclassification of NKAP p.R330C as likely pathogenic, thereby establishing a prospective prenatal phenotypic spectrum that provides new insight into the prenatal diagnosis of CHD. Our findings also provide evidence of NKAP p.R330C pathogenicity and demonstrate the potential mechanism by which p.R330C dysregulates cardiac developmental gene transcription by altering Nkap intra-nuclear distribution and obstructing the interaction between Nkap and Hdac3, thereby leading to CHD.

Investigating distributions of inhaled aerosols in the lungs of post-COVID-19 clusters through a unified imaging and modeling approach

BACKGROUND

Recent studies, based on clinical data, have identified sex and age as significant factors associated with an increased risk of long COVID. These two factors align with the two post-COVID-19 clusters identified by a deep learning algorithm in computed tomography (CT) lung scans: Cluster 1 (C1), comprising predominantly females with small airway diseases, and Cluster 2 (C2), characterized by older individuals with fibrotic-like patterns. This study aims to assess the distributions of inhaled aerosols in these clusters.

METHODS

140 COVID survivors examined around 112 days post-diagnosis, along with 105 uninfected, non-smoking healthy controls, were studied. Their demographic data and CT scans at full inspiration and expiration were analyzed using a combined imaging and modeling approach. A subject-specific CT-based computational model analysis was utilized to predict airway resistance and particle deposition among C1 and C2 subjects. The cluster-specific structure and function relationships were explored.

RESULTS

In C1 subjects, distinctive features included airway narrowing, a reduced homothety ratio of daughter over parent branch diameter, and increased airway resistance. Airway resistance was concentrated in the distal region, with a higher fraction of particle deposition in the proximal airways. On the other hand, C2 subjects exhibited airway dilation, an increased homothety ratio, reduced airway resistance, and a shift of resistance concentration towards the proximal region, allowing for deeper particle penetration into the lungs.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed unique mechanistic phenotypes of airway resistance and particle deposition in the two post-COVID-19 clusters. The implications of these findings for inhaled drug delivery effectiveness and susceptibility to air pollutants were explored.

Cell size and xylem differentiation regulating genes from Salicornia europaea contribute to plant salt tolerance

Cell wall is involved in plant growth and plays pivotal roles in plant adaptation to environmental stresses. Cell wall remodelling may be crucial to salt adaptation in the euhalophyte Salicornia europaea. However, the mechanism underlying this process is still unclear. Here, full-length transcriptome indicated cell wall-related genes were comprehensively regulated under salinity. The morphology and cell wall components in S. europaea shoot were largely modified under salinity. Through the weighted gene co-expression network analysis, SeXTH2 encoding xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolases, and two SeLACs encoding laccases were focused. Meanwhile, SeEXPB was focused according to expansin activity and the expression profiling. Function analysis in Arabidopsis validated the functions of these genes in enhancing salt tolerance. SeXTH2 and SeEXPB overexpression led to larger cells and leaves with hemicellulose and pectin content alteration. SeLAC1 and SeLAC2 overexpression led to more xylem vessels, increased secondary cell wall thickness and lignin content. Notably, SeXTH2 transgenic rice exhibited enhanced salt tolerance and higher grain yield. Altogether, these genes may function in the succulence and lignification process in S. europaea. This work throws light on the regulatory mechanism of cell wall remodelling in S. europaea under salinity and provides potential strategies for improving crop salt tolerance and yields.

The OSA patient journey: pathways for diagnosis and treatment among commercially insured individuals in the United States

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to characterize obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) care pathways among commercially insured individuals in the United States and to investigate between-groups differences in population, care delivery, and economic aspects.

METHODS

We identified adults with OSA using a large, national administrative claims database (January 1, 2016-February 28, 2020). Inclusion criteria included a diagnostic sleep test on or within ≤ 12 months of OSA diagnosis (index date) and 12 months of continuous enrollment before and after the index date. Exclusion criteria included prior OSA treatment or central sleep apnea. OSA care pathways were identified using sleep testing health care procedural health care common procedure coding system/current procedural terminology codes then selected for analysis if they were experienced by ≥ 3% of the population and assessed for baseline demographic/clinical characteristics that were also used for model adjustment. Primary outcome was positive airway pressure initiation rate; secondary outcomes were time from first sleep test to initiation of positive airway pressure, sleep test costs, and health care resource utilization. Associations between pathway type and time to treatment initiation were assessed using generalized linear models.

RESULTS

Of 86,827 adults with OSA, 92.1% received care in 1 of 5 care pathways that met criteria: home sleep apnea testing (HSAT; 30.8%), polysomnography (PSG; 23.6%), PSG-Titration (19.8%), Split-night (14.8%), and HSAT-Titration (3.2%). Pathways had significantly different demographic and clinical characteristics. HSAT-Titration had the highest positive airway pressure initiation rate (84.6%) and PSG the lowest (34.4%). After adjustments, time to treatment initiation was significantly associated with pathway (P < .0001); Split-night had shortest duration (median, 28 days), followed by HSAT (36), PSG (37), PSG-Titration (58), and HSAT-Titration (75). HSAT had the lowest sleep test costs and health care resource utilization.

CONCLUSIONS

Distinct OSA care pathways exist and are associated with differences in population, care delivery, and economic aspects.

CITATION

Wickwire EM, Zhang X, Munson SH, et al. The OSA patient journey: pathways for diagnosis and treatment among commercially insured individuals in the United States. J Clin Sleep Med. 2024;20(4):505-514.

Correlation of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the AGT gene with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus in Northeast China

To investigate the correlation between susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs699, rs4762 and rs1926723 in the AGT gene in the population of Northeast China, while also introducing a new method for early detection of SLE. A total of 856 cases of SLE patients and healthy volunteers who attended the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from January 2020 to December 2022 were recruited. Clinical information and biood samples were collected from particpants in this study. SNaPshot sequencing technology was used to sequence the bases of the rs699, rs4762 and rs1926723 in the AGT gene. The genetic stability of SNPs was analysed by means of Hardy-Weinberg (HWE) genetic equilibrium. The study examined the correlation between genetically stable SNPs and susceptibility to SLE using logistic regression analysis. Rs699 did not adhere to the principles of the HWE genetic equilibrium (p < .01). Conversely, both rs4762 and rs1926723 conformed to the HWE genetic equilibrium (p > .05). However, no significant differences in genotypes and alleles frequencies of the rs4762 were observed between the two groups (p > .05). Furthermore, there was a significant difference in the distribution of AG, GG genotypes frequency and G allele frequency at the rs1926723 between the two groups (p < .001). Individuals with AG and GG genotypes and the G allele had a significantly lower frequency of SLE, indicating a potential genetic protective factor against susceptibility to the SLE. The SNPs rs1926723 may be linked to the susceptibility to SLE, and the AG, GG genotypes and the G allele may be important protective factors for the development of SLE in Northeast China.

Association of intimate partner violence with offspring growth in 32 low- and middle-income countries: a population-based cross-sectional study

Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women presents a major public health challenge, especially in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), and its relationship with poor offspring growth is emerging but remains understudied. This study aimed to explore the impact of maternal exposure to IPV on offspring growth based on different approaches in LMICs. We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study using the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys from 32 LMICs; 81,652 mother-child dyads comprising women aged from 15 to 49 years with children aged 0 to 59 months were included. We applied logistic regression models to explore the independent and cumulative relationship between IPV, including emotional, physical, and sexual IPV, with poor child growth status, including stunting and wasting; 52.6% of mothers were under the age of 30 years with a 36% prevalence of any lifetime exposure to IPV. Maternal exposure to any IPV increased the odds of stunting, but only physical and sexual IPV were independently associated with an increased risk of stunting. Three different types of IPV exhibited a cumulative effect on stunting. Maternal exposure to physical IPV was significantly associated with an increased risk of wasting. Significant associations between maternal exposure to emotional IPV with offspring stunting and physical IPV with wasting were only observed in children aged 0 to 36 months. IPV against women remains high in LMICs and has adverse effects on offspring growth. Policy and program efforts are needed to prioritize the reduction of widespread physical and sexual IPV and to mitigate the impact of such violence.

Multi-targeting inulin-based nanoparticles with cannabidiol for effective prevention of ulcerative colitis

The pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC) is closely related to severe inflammation, damaged colonic mucosal barrier, increased oxidative stress and intestinal ecological imbalance. However, due to the nonspecific distribution and poor bioavailability of drugs, UC treatment is still a serious challenge. Here, a mitochondria/colon dual targeted nanoparticles based on redox response was developed to effectively alleviate UC. Cannabidiol nanoparticles (CBD NPs) with a particle size of 143.2 ± 3.11 nm were prepared by self-assembly using polymers (TPP-IN-LA) obtained by modifying inulin with (5-carboxypentyl) triphenyl phosphonium bromide (TPP) and α-lipoic acid (α-LA). Excitingly, the constructed CBD NPs showed excellent mitochondrial targeting, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.76 at 12 h. The results of animal imaging in vivo showed that CBD NPs could be effectively accumulated in colon tissue. Not only that, CBD showed significant glutathione stimulated release in the presence of 10 mM glutathione at pH 7.4. The results of in vivo animal experiments showed that CBD NPs significantly ameliorated DSS-induced colonic inflammation by modulating the TLR4-NF-κB signaling pathway. Moreover, CBD NPs significantly improved the histological damage of colon in UC mice, increased the expression level of tight junction protein ZO-1, and effectively restored the intestinal mucosal barrier function and intestinal mucosal permeability. More importantly, CBD NPs significantly improved the species composition, abundance and amount of short chain fatty acids of intestinal flora in UC mice, thus effectively maintaining the balance of intestinal flora. The dual-targeted and glutathione-responsive nanoparticles prepared in this study provide a promising idea for achieving targeted delivery of CBD for effective treatment of UC.

Identification Markers Responsible for Differentially Processed Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua by Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Quadruple-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

The rhizome of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for over 2000 years. The fresh Chinese herb possesses micro toxicity and is thus traditionally alternately steamed and basked nine times to alleviate the toxicity and enhance the pharmaceutical efficacy. Different processing cycles usually result in variable therapeutic effects in the processed Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua (P-PCH). However, it can be hard to tell these various P-PCHs apart at present. To identify the P-PCHs that had undergone repeated steaming one to nine times, the chemical constituents were profiled based on Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Quadruple-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry, and the Principal Component Analysis and Cluster Analysis methods were adopted to discriminate different cycles of P-PCH. A total of 44 characteristic markers were identified, which allowed the P-PCHs to be discriminated exactly.

Excited-Band Coherent Delocalization for Improved Optical Lattice Clock Performance

We implement coherent delocalization as a tool for improving the two primary metrics of atomic clock performance: systematic uncertainty and instability. By decreasing atomic density with coherent delocalization, we suppress cold-collision shifts and two-body losses. Atom loss attributed to Landau-Zener tunneling in the ground lattice band would compromise coherent delocalization at low trap depths for our ^{171}Yb atoms; hence, we implement for the first time delocalization in excited lattice bands. Doing so increases the spatial distribution of atoms trapped in the vertically oriented optical lattice by ∼7 times. At the same time, we observe a reduction of the cold-collision shift by 6.5(8) times, while also making inelastic two-body loss negligible. With these advantages, we measure the trap-light-induced quenching rate and natural lifetime of the ^{3}P_{0} excited state as 5.7(7)×10^{-4}  E_{r}^{-1} s^{-1} and 19(2) s, respectively.

Measurements of All-Particle Energy Spectrum and Mean Logarithmic Mass of Cosmic Rays from 0.3 to 30 PeV with LHAASO-KM2A

We present the measurements of all-particle energy spectrum and mean logarithmic mass of cosmic rays in the energy range of 0.3-30 PeV using data collected from LHAASO-KM2A between September 2021 and December 2022, which is based on a nearly composition-independent energy reconstruction method, achieving unprecedented accuracy. Our analysis reveals the position of the knee at 3.67±0.05±0.15  PeV. Below the knee, the spectral index is found to be -2.7413±0.0004±0.0050, while above the knee, it is -3.128±0.005±0.027, with the sharpness of the transition measured with a statistical error of 2%. The mean logarithmic mass of cosmic rays is almost heavier than helium in the whole measured energy range. It decreases from 1.7 at 0.3 PeV to 1.3 at 3 PeV, representing a 24% decline following a power law with an index of -0.1200±0.0003±0.0341. This is equivalent to an increase in abundance of light components. Above the knee, the mean logarithmic mass exhibits a power law trend towards heavier components, which is reversal to the behavior observed in the all-particle energy spectrum. Additionally, the knee position and the change in power-law index are approximately the same. These findings suggest that the knee observed in the all-particle spectrum corresponds to the knee of the light component, rather than the medium-heavy components.

Study of High-Transverse-Momentum Higgs Boson Production in Association with a Vector Boson in the qqbb Final State with the ATLAS Detector

This Letter presents the first study of Higgs boson production in association with a vector boson (V=W or Z) in the fully hadronic qqbb final state using data recorded by the ATLAS detector at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137  fb^{-1}. The vector bosons and Higgs bosons are each reconstructed as large-radius jets and tagged using jet substructure techniques. Dedicated tagging algorithms exploiting b-tagging properties are used to identify jets consistent with Higgs bosons decaying into bb[over ¯]. Dominant backgrounds from multijet production are determined directly from the data, and a likelihood fit to the jet mass distribution of Higgs boson candidates is used to extract the number of signal events. The VH production cross section is measured inclusively and differentially in several ranges of Higgs boson transverse momentum: 250-450, 450-650, and greater than 650 GeV. The inclusive signal yield relative to the standard model expectation is observed to be μ=1.4_{-0.9}^{+1.0} and the corresponding cross section is 3.1±1.3(stat)_{-1.4}^{+1.8}(syst)  pb.

The impact of preoperative biliary drainage on postoperative healthcare-associated infections and clinical outcomes following pancreaticoduodenectomy: a ten-year retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is a complex procedure and easily accompanied by healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). This study aimed to assess the impact of PBD on postoperative infections and clinical outcomes in PD patients.

METHODS

The retrospective cohort study were conducted in a tertiary hospital from January 2013 to December 2022. Clinical and epidemiological data were collected from HAIs surveillance system and analyzed.

RESULTS

Among 2842 patients who underwent PD, 247 (8.7%) were diagnosed with HAIs, with surgical site infection being the most frequent type (n = 177, 71.7%). A total of 369 pathogenic strains were detected, with Klebsiella pneumoniae having the highest proportion, followed by Enterococcu and Escherichia coli. Although no significant association were observed generally between PBD and postoperative HAIs, subgroup analysis revealed that PBD was associated with postoperative HAIs in patients undergoing robotic PD (aRR = 2.174; 95% CI:1.011-4.674; P = 0.047). Prolonging the interval between PBD and PD could reduce postoperative HAIs in patients with cholangiocarcinoma (≥4 week: aRR = 0.292, 95% CI 0.100-0.853; P = 0.024) and robotic PD (≤2 week: aRR = 3.058, 95% CI 1.178-7.940; P = 0.022). PBD was also found to increase transfer of patients to ICU (aRR = 1.351; 95% CI 1.119-1.632; P = 0.002), extended length of stay (P < 0.001) and postoperative length of stay (P = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

PBD does not exhibit a significant association with postoperative HAIs or other outcomes. However, the implementation of robotic PD, along with a suitable extension of the interval between PBD and PD, appear to confer advantages concerning patients' physiological recuperation. These observations suggest potential strategies that may contribute to enhanced patient outcomes.

Structural basis for ligand recognition and activation of the prostanoid receptors

Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) are endogenous arachidonic acid metabolites, modulating diverse physiological processes including inflammation and cardiovascular homeostasis through activating PGF2α receptor (FP) and TXA2 receptor (TP). Ligands targeting FP and TP have demonstrated efficacy in treating conditions like glaucoma and cardiovascular diseases in humans, as well as reproductive-related diseases in animals. Here, we present five cryoelectron microscopy structures illustrating FP and TP in complex with Gq and bound to PGF2α (endogenous ligand), latanoprost acid (a clinical drug), and two other synthetic agonists. Combined with mutational and functional studies, these structures reveal not only structural features for the specific recognition of endogenous ligands and attainment of receptor selectivity of FP and TP but also the common mechanisms of receptor activation and Gq protein coupling. The findings may enrich our knowledge of ligand recognition and signal transduction of the prostanoid receptor family and facilitate rational ligand design toward these two receptors.