Protective effect of bioactive components from Rubi fructus against oxidative damage in human ovarian granulosa cells induced by 2,2-azobis (2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride

BACKGROUND

Diminished ovarian reserve has a serious impact on female reproduction with an increasing incidence every year. An important cause of this is oxidative stress. Rubi fructus, a traditional medicinal and edible plant, has shown therapeutic effects against gynecological diseases. Vanillic acid, isoquercitrin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, kaempferol-3-O-sophoroside, oleanolic acid, tormentic acid, tiliroside, and ellagic acid are the major bioactive components in R. fructus. However, studies involved in the effectiveness and mechanism of these components in oxidative stress-induced ovarian dysfunction are scarce.

RESULTS

In this study, the protective mechanisms of the bioactive components were evaluated in human ovarian granulosa cells. Isoquercitrin was significantly superior to other bioactive components in relieving damage in human ovarian granulosa cells induced by 2,2-azobis (2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride, considering enhanced cell viability, reduced reactive oxygen species accumulation, and improved mitochondrial membrane potential level. Isoquercitrin protected human ovarian granulosa cells from oxidative stress by regulating the enzyme activity of glutathione peroxidase, inhibiting cell apoptosis, improving the expression of genes related to oxidative stress, and ameliorating heme oxygenase 1 protein expression.

CONCLUSION

Isoquercitrin, a bioactive component in R. fructus, has a significant protective effect on oxidative damage induced by 2,2-azobis (2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride in human ovarian granulosa cells, providing evidence for its potential application in protecting ovarian function. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

A Four-Week High-Fat Diet Induces Anxiolytic-like Behaviors through Mature BDNF in the mPFC of Mice

The effect of a high-fat diet (HFD) on mood is a widely debated topic, with the underlying mechanisms being poorly understood. This study explores the anxiolytic effects of a four-week HFD in C57BL/6 mice. Five-week-old mice were exposed to either an HFD (60% calories from fat) or standard chow diet (CD) for four weeks, followed by cannula implantation, virus infusion, behavioral tests, and biochemical assays. Results revealed that four weeks of an HFD induced anxiolytic-like behaviors and increased the protein levels of mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (mBDNF) and phosphorylated tyrosine kinase receptor B (p-TrkB) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Administration of a BDNF-neutralizing antibody to the mPFC reversed HFD-induced anxiolytic-like behaviors. Elevated BDNF levels were observed in both neurons and astrocytes in the mPFC of HFD mice. Additionally, these mice exhibited a higher number of dendritic spines in the mPFC, as well as upregulation of postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95). Furthermore, mRNA levels of the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) demethylase, fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO), and the hydrolase matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), also increased in the mPFC. These findings suggest that an HFD may induce FTO and MMP9, which could potentially regulate BDNF processing, contributing to anxiolytic-like behaviors. This study proposes potential molecular mechanisms that may underlie HFD-induced anxiolytic behaviors.

Ultrasound Combined With Continuous Microbubble Injection to Enhance Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis in Vitro and in Vivo

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the influence of microbubble perfusion mode on catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT), we evaluated the effect of two different types of microbubble perfusion modes (continuous injection versus bolus injection) on the thrombolytic efficacy of CDT in vitro and further assessed the effect of continuous microbubble injection on CDT in vivo.

METHODS

In an in vitro experimental setup, 50 fresh bovine whole blood clots were randomized into five groups: ultrasound and continuous microbubble injection-enhanced CDT (US + cMB + CDT), ultrasound and bolus microbubble injection-enhanced CDT (US + bMB + CDT), US + CDT, US + cMB, and CDT. In a porcine femoral vein thrombosis model, 16 completely obstructive thrombi were randomly assigned to the CDT group and the US + cMB + CDT group, respectively. Thrombolysis rate, vascular recanalization rate, hematoxylin-eosin, and immunofluorescence staining were used to evaluate the thrombolytic effect in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

In vitro, US + cMB + CDT group resulted in a significantly higher thrombolysis rate compared with the other four groups (P < .05). Meanwhile, this group also demonstrated a looser clot structure and more disrupted fibrin structures. In vivo, US + cMB + CDT contributed to a significantly higher vascular recanalization rate compared with CDT (87.50% versus 25.00%, P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

US + cMB + CDT was more effective than US + bMB + CDT in thrombolysis, and ultrasound combined with continuous microbubble injection could enhance the thrombolytic efficacy of CDT.

DIFFERENCES IN THE PROGRESSION BETWEEN MYOPIC MACULOSCHISIS EYES WITH AND WITHOUT MACULAR DETACHMENT IN THE NATURAL COURSE OF THE DISEASE: A Retrospective Longitudinal Study Based on the New Myopic Traction Maculopathy Staging System

PURPOSE

To investigate the pace of visual acuity loss in myopic maculoschisis eyes with or without macular detachment and identify associated risk factors.

METHODS

One thousand three hundred and thirty-four eyes of 991 patients with high myopia were reviewed. A new myopic traction maculopathy staging system classified four retinal stages and three foveal stages. To the myopic traction maculopathy eyes with normal fovea, maculoschisis with and without macular detachment was defined as Stage 3a and Stages 1a, 2a respectively.

RESULTS

One hundred and ten (8.25%) eyes with maculoschisis were included, with a follow-up of 24.00 ± 17.47 months. Of them, 84 (76.36%) were Stages 1a, 2a, and 26 (23.64%) were Stage 3a. The visual acuity loss per year during the follow-up period was similar between eyes with Stages 1a, 2a and Stage 3a (3.13 ± 12.21 vs. 3.41 ± 18.42 letters, P = 0.930). Multivariate analyses revealed that vitreomacular interface factors were significantly associated with visual acuity loss during the follow-up, no matter in Stages 1a, 2a or Stage 3a ( P = 0.039 and P = 0.038, respectively). In the Stages 1a, 2a group, the percentage of eyes that lost at least 10 letters at the final visit compared with the baseline visual acuity was higher in eyes with vitreomacular interface factors than in those without vitreomacular interface factors (13 eyes, 50.00% vs. 14 eyes, 24.14%, P = 0.019).

CONCLUSION

No differences were found in visual acuity loss pace between Stages 1a, 2a and Stage 3a. Surgical intervention or at least more intensive follow-up should be considered for Stages 1a, 2a eyes with vitreomacular interface factors, to promote a more favorable visual outcome.

OsJMJ718, a histone demethylase gene, positively regulates seed germination in rice

Seed vigor has major impact on the rate and uniformity of seedling growth, crop yield, and quality. However, the epigenetic regulatory mechanism of crop seed vigor remains unclear. In this study, a (jumonji C) JmjC gene of the histone lysine demethylase OsJMJ718 was cloned in rice, and its roles in seed germination and its epigenetic regulation mechanism were investigated. OsJMJ718 was located in the nucleus and was engaged in H3K9 methylation. Histochemical GUS staining analysis revealed OsJMJ718 was highly expressed in seed embryos. Abiotic stress strongly induced the OsJMJ718 transcriptional accumulation level. Germination percentage and seedling vigor index of OsJMJ718 knockout lines (OsJMJ718-CR) were lower than those of the wild type (WT). Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) of seeds imbibed for 24 h showed an increase in H3K9me3 deposition of thousands of genes in OsJMJ718-CR. ChIP-seq results and transcriptome analysis showed that differentially expressed genes were enriched in ABA and ethylene signal transduction pathways. The content of ABA in OsJMJ718-CR was higher than that in WT seeds. OsJMJ718 overexpression enhanced sensitivity to ABA during germination and early seedling growth. In the seed imbibition stage, ABA and ethylene content diminished and augmented, separately, suggesting that OsJMJ718 may adjust rice seed germination through the ABA and ethylene signal transduction pathways. This study displayed the important function of OsJMJ718 in adjusting rice seed germination and vigor, which will provide an essential reference for practical issues, such as improving rice vigor and promoting direct rice sowing production.

An Update on the Role and Potential Molecules in Relation to Ruminococcus gnavus in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Obesity and Diabetes Mellitus

Ruminococcus gnavus (R. gnavus) is a gram-positive anaerobe commonly resides in the human gut microbiota. The advent of metagenomics has linked R. gnavus with various diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), obesity, and diabetes mellitus (DM), which has become a growing area of investigation. The initial focus of research primarily centered on assessing the abundance of R. gnavus and its potential association with disease presentation, taking into account variations in sample size, sequencing and analysis methods. However, recent investigations have shifted towards elucidating the underlying mechanistic pathways through which R. gnavus may contribute to disease manifestation. In this comprehensive review, we aim to provide an updated synthesis of the current literature on R. gnavus in the context of IBD, obesity, and DM. We critically analyze relevant studies and summarize the potential molecular mediators implicated in the association between R. gnavus and these diseases. Across numerous studies, various molecules such as methylation-controlled J (MCJ), glucopolysaccharides, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), interleukin(IL)-10, IL-17, and capric acid have been proposed as potential contributors to the link between R. gnavus and IBD. Similarly, in the realm of obesity, molecules such as hydrogen peroxide, butyrate, and UDCA have been suggested as potential mediators, while glycine ursodeoxycholic acid (GUDCA) has been implicated in the connection between R. gnavus and DM. Furthermore, it is imperative to emphasize the necessity for additional studies to evaluate the potential efficacy of targeting pathways associated with R. gnavus as a viable strategy for managing these diseases. These findings have significantly expanded our understanding of the functional role of R. gnavus in the context of IBD, obesity, and DM. This review aims to offer updated insights into the role and potential mechanisms of R. gnavus, as well as potential strategies for the treatment of these diseases.

Two-year outcomes of anterior versus posterior scleral application of mitomycin C-soaked sponge in trabeculectomy

PURPOSE

To compare the safety and efficacy of two different application methods of mitomycin C (MMC)-soaked sponge in trabeculectomy.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study.

METHODS

We included 71 eyes of 71 patients that had undergone trabeculectomy. In the anterior scleral application group, 36 eyes were treated using the long side of the MMC-soaked sponge placed parallel to the limbus. The efficacy and safety in these eyes were compared with eyes treated with the posterior scleral application group, consisting of 35 eyes treated with the long side of the MMC-soaked sponge placed perpendicular to the limbus. The follow-up period was 2 years. The safety of the procedure, including bleb morphology and complications, was the primary outcome, while the success rate was the secondary outcome.

RESULTS

The cumulative success rate at 2 years postoperatively was 94.4% in the anterior and and 94.3% in the posterior scleral application group (P = 1.000). However, with the posterior scleral application of the MMC-soaked sponge, blebs were more low-lying (P = 0.048), less in extent (P < 0.001), more normally vascularized (P = 0.027) and more posteriorly directed (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the incidence of thin-walled cystic bleb (P = 0.028) and bleb leakage (P = 0.025) was significantly lower in the posterior scleral application group than in the anterior group.

CONCLUSION

Although there were similar success rates, the posterior scleral application of MMC-soaked sponge with trabeculectomy was safer with a better bleb morphology than the anterior scleral application.

Quercetin-induced degradation of RhoC suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma invasion and metastasis

BACKGROUND

Tumor metastasis and recurrence are major causes of mortality in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that is still lack of effective therapeutic targets and drugs. Previous reports implied that ras homolog family member C (RhoC) plays a toxic role on metastasis and proliferation of cancer.

METHODS

In this research, the correlation between RhoC and metastasis ability was confirmed by in vitro experiments and TCGA database. We explored whether quercetin could inhibit cell migration or invasion by transwell assay. Real-time PCR, overexpression and ubiquitination assay, etc. were applied in mechanism study. Primary HCC cells and animal models including patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) were employed to evaluate the anti-metastasis effects of quercetin.

RESULTS

Clinical relevance and in vitro experiments further confirmed the level of RhoC was positively correlated with invasion and metastasis ability of HCC. Then we uncovered that quercetin could attenuate invasion and metastasis of HCC by downregulating RhoC's level in vitro, in vivo and PDXs. Furthermore, mechanistic investigations displayed quercetin hindered the E3 ligase expression of SMAD specific E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 2 (SMURF2) leading to enhancement of RhoC's ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our research has revealed the novel mechanisms quercetin regulates degradation of RhoC level by targeting SMURF2 and identified quercetin may be a potential compound for HCC therapy.

Head-to-head comparison between [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-NOC and [18F]DOPA PET/CT in a diverse cohort of patients with pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas

PURPOSE

To compare the detection ability of 68Ga-labelled DOTA-l-Nal3-octreotide ([68Ga]Ga-DOTA-NOC) and 6-[18F]fluoro-L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine ([18F]DOPA) in patients with phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) of different origins and gene mutations, such as germline succinate dehydrogenase complex genes (SDHx).

METHODS

Eighty-five patients with histopathologically confirmed PPGLs who underwent both [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-NOC and [18F]DOPA PET/CT from March 2017 to June 2023 were enrolled in this retrospective study. For comparative analyses, PPGLs were classified as phaeochromocytoma (PCC), sympathetic paraganglioma (sPGL), and head/neck paraganglioma (HNPGL). Detection rates were analyzed on per-patient and per-lesion bases and compared using the Chi-square/Fischer's exact test.

RESULTS

Among 85 patients with PPGLs (48 males; 43 years ± 17 [SD]), the patient-based detection rates of [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-NOC and [18F]DOPA PET/CT were 87.1% (74/85) and 89.4% (76/85), respectively (p = 0.634), and the lesion-based detection rates were 80.8% (479/593) and 71.2% (422/593), respectively (p < 0.001). Only one patient with a recurrent PCC presented double-negative imaging, while 66 patients exhibited double-positive imaging. The remaining patients were either [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-NOC-negative/[18F]DOPA-positive (n = 10) or [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-NOC-positive/[18F]DOPA-negative (n = 8). In subgroup analyses, [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT detected significantly more metastases of sPGL (91.1%, 236/259) and SDHx-related PPGL (89.6%, 86/96) than [18F]DOPA PET/CT (48.6%[126/259] and 50.0%[48/96], respectively; both p < 0.001). However, [18F]DOPA showed significantly higher detection rates of PCC in both primary/recurrent and metastatic lesions (94.3%[50/53] vs. 62.3%[33/53] and 87.9%[174/198] vs. 69.2%[137/198], respectively; both p < 0.001). Regarding metastases in different organs, [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT detected more lesions than [18F]DOPA PET/CT in bone (96.2%[176/183] vs. 66.1%[121/183]; p < 0.001) and lymph nodes (82.0%[73/89] vs. 53.9%[48/89]; p < 0.001) but less lesions in peritoneum (20%[4/20] vs. 100%[20/20]; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

[68Ga]Ga-DOTA-NOC and [18F]DOPA are complementary in diagnosing PPGL under the appropriate clinical setting. [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-NOC should be considered as the ideal first-line tracer for detecting metastases of sPGL and SDHx-related tumours, whereas [18F]DOPA may be the optimal tracer for evaluating non-SDHx-related PCC, especially in detecting primary lesions and monitoring recurrence.

Elevated Eosinophil Counts in Acute Exacerbations of Bronchiectasis: Unveiling a Distinct Clinical Phenotype

BACKGROUND

Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by bronchial dilation. However, the significance of elevated eosinophil counts in acute exacerbations of bronchiectasis remains unclear.

METHODS

This retrospective case-control study included 169 hospitalized patients with acute exacerbations of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. Based on blood eosinophil levels, patients were categorized into eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic bronchiectasis groups. Various clinical variables, including lung function, comorbidities and clinical features were collected for analysis. The study aimed to examine the differences between these groups and their clinical phenotypes.

RESULTS

Eosinophilic bronchiectasis (EB) was present in approximately 22% of all hospitalized patients with bronchiectasis, and it was more prevalent among male smokers (P < 0.01). EB exhibited greater severity of bronchiectasis, including worse airway obstruction, higher scores in the E-FACED (FACED combined with exacerbations) and bronchiectasis severity index (BSI), a high glucocorticoids medication possession ratio, and increased hospitalization cost (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Furthermore, we observed a significant positive correlation between blood eosinophil count and both sputum eosinophils (r = 0.49, P < 0.01) and serum total immunoglobulin E levels (r = 0.21, P < 0.05). Additional analysis revealed that patients with EB had a higher frequency of shortness of breath (P < 0.05), were more likely to have comorbid sinusitis (P < 0.01), and exhibited a greater number of lung segments affected by bronchiectasis (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that EB presents a distinct pattern of bronchiectasis features, confirming the notion that it is a specific phenotype.

Machine Learning-Based Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging Radiomics Model for Preoperative Predicting the Deep Stromal Invasion in Patients with Early Cervical Cancer

Deep stromal invasion is an important pathological factor associated with the treatments and prognosis of cervical cancer patients. Accurate determination of deep stromal invasion before radical hysterectomy (RH) is of great value for early clinical treatment decision-making and improving the prognosis of these patients. Machine learning is gradually applied in the construction of clinical models to improve the accuracy of clinical diagnosis or prediction, but whether machine learning can improve the preoperative diagnosis accuracy of deep stromal invasion in patients with cervical cancer was still unclear. This cross-sectional study was to construct three preoperative diagnostic models for deep stromal invasion in patients with early cervical cancer based on clinical, radiomics, and clinical combined radiomics data using the machine learning method. We enrolled 229 patients with early cervical cancer receiving RH combined with pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND). The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and the fivefold cross-validation were applied to screen out radiomics features. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to identify clinical predictors. All subjects were divided into the training set (n = 160) and testing set (n = 69) at a ratio of 7:3. Three light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM) models were constructed in the training set and verified in the testing set. The radiomics features were statistically different between deep stromal invasion < 1/3 group and deep stromal invasion ≥ 1/3 group. In the training set, the area under the curve (AUC) of the prediction model based on radiomics features was 0.951 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.922-0.980), the AUC of the prediction model based on clinical predictors was 0.769 (95% CI 0.703-0.835), and the AUC of the prediction model based on radiomics features and clinical predictors was 0.969 (95% CI 0.947-0.990). The AUC of the prediction model based on radiomics features and clinical predictors was 0.914 (95% CI 0.848-0.980) in the testing set. The prediction model for deep stromal invasion in patients with early cervical cancer based on clinical and radiomics data exhibited good predictive performance with an AUC of 0.969, which might help the clinicians early identify patients with high risk of deep stromal invasion and provide timely interventions.

The profile of genome-wide DNA methylation, transcriptome, and proteome in streptomycin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Streptomycin-resistant (SM-resistant) Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) is a major concern in tuberculosis (TB) treatment. However, the mechanisms underlying streptomycin resistance remain unclear. This study primarily aimed to perform preliminary screening of genes associated with streptomycin resistance through conjoint analysis of multiple genomics. Genome-wide methylation, transcriptome, and proteome analyses were used to elucidate the associations between specific genes and streptomycin resistance in M. tuberculosis H37Rv. Methylation analysis revealed that 188 genes were differentially methylated between the SM-resistant and normal groups, with 89 and 99 genes being hypermethylated and hypomethylated, respectively. Furthermore, functional analysis revealed that these 188 differentially methylated genes were enriched in 74 pathways, with most of them being enriched in metabolic pathways. Transcriptome analysis revealed that 516 genes were differentially expressed between the drug-resistant and normal groups, with 263 and 253 genes being significantly upregulated and downregulated, respectively. KEGG analysis indicated that these 516 genes were enriched in 79 pathways, with most of them being enriched in histidine metabolism. The methylation level was negatively related to mRNA abundance. Proteome analysis revealed 56 differentially expressed proteins, including 14 upregulated and 42 downregulated proteins. Moreover, three hub genes (coaE, fadE5, and mprA) were obtained using synthetic analysis. The findings of this study suggest that an integrated DNA methylation, transcriptome, and proteome analysis can provide important resources for epigenetic studies in SM-resistant M. tuberculosis H37Rv.

High incidence of EDNRB gene mutation in seven southern Chinese familial cases with Hirschsprung's disease

PURPOSE

Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is the leading cause of neonatal functional intestinal obstruction, which has been identified in many familial cases. HSCR, a multifactorial disorder of enteric nervous system (ENS) development, is associated with at least 24 genes and seven chromosomal loci, with RET and EDNRB as its major genes. We present a genetic investigation of familial HSCR to clarify the genotype-phenotype relationship.

METHODS

We performed whole exome sequencing (WES) on Illumina HiSeq X Ten platform to investigate genetic backgrounds of core family members, and identified the possibly harmful mutation genes. Mutation carriers and pedigree relatives were validated by Sanger sequencing for evaluating the gene penetrance.

RESULTS

Four familial cases showed potential disease-relative variants in EDNRB and RET gene, accounting for all detection rate of 57.1%. Three familial cases exhibited strong pathogenic variants as frameshift or missense mutations in EDNRB gene. A novel c.367delinsTT mutation of EDNRB was identified in one family member. The other two EDNRB mutations, c.553G>A in family 2 and c.877delinsTT in family 5, have been reported in previous literatures. The penetrance of EDNRB variants was 33-50% according mutation carries. In family 6, the RET c.1858T>C (C620R) point mutation has previously been reported to cause HSCR, with 28.5% penetrance.

CONCLUSION

We identified a novel EDNRB (deleted C and inserted TT) mutation in this study using WES. Heterozygote variations in EDNRB gene were significantly enriched in three families and RET mutations were identified in one family. EDNRB variants showed an overall higher incidence and penetrance than RET in southern Chinese families cases.

Modeling the Health Impact and Cost-Effectiveness of a Combined Schoolgirl HPV Vaccination and Cervical Cancer Screening Program in Guangdong Province, China

Low human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake is a key barrier to cervical cancer elimination. We aimed to evaluate the health impact and cost-effectiveness of introducing different HPV vaccines into immunization programs and scaling up the screening program in Guangdong. We used a dynamic compartmental model to estimate the impact of intervention strategies during 2023-2100. We implemented the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) in costs per averted disability-adjusted life year (DALY) as an indicator to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. We used an age-standardized incidence of 4 cases per 100,000 women as the threshold for the elimination of cervical cancer. Compared with the status quo, scaling up cervical cancer screening coverage alone would prevent 215,000 (95% CI: 205,000 to 227,000) cervical cancer cases and 49,000 (95% CI: 48,000 to 52,000) deaths during 2023-2100. If the coverage of vaccination reached 90%, domestic two-dose 2vHPV vaccination would be more cost-effective than single-dose and two-dose 9vHPV vaccination. If Guangdong introduced domestic two-dose 2vHPV vaccination at 90% coverage for schoolgirls from 2023 and increased the screening coverage, cervical cancer would be eliminated by 2049 (95% CI 2047 to 2051). Introducing two doses of domestic 2vHPV vaccination for schoolgirls and expanding cervical cancer screening is estimated to be highly cost-effective to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer in Guangdong.

Supervised training models with or without manual lesion delineation outperform clinicians in distinguishing pulmonary cryptococcosis from lung adenocarcinoma on chest CT

BACKGROUND

The role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the discrimination between pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) and lung adenocarcinoma (LA) warrants further research.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the performances of AI models with clinicians in distinguishing PC from LA on chest CT.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with confirmed PC or LA were retrospectively recruited from three tertiary hospitals in Guangzhou. A deep learning framework was employed to develop two models: an undelineated supervised training (UST) model utilising original CT images, and a delineated supervised training (DST) model utilising CT images with manual lesion annotations provided by physicians. A subset of 20 cases was randomly selected from the entire dataset and reviewed by clinicians through a network questionnaire. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the models and the clinicians were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 395 PC cases and 249 LA cases were included in the final analysis. The internal validation results for the UST model showed a sensitivity of 85.3%, specificity of 81.0%, accuracy of 83.6% and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.93. Similarly, the DST model exhibited a sensitivity of 88.2%, specificity of 88.1%, accuracy of 88.2% and an AUC of 0.94. The external validation of the two models yielded AUC values of 0.74 and 0.77, respectively. The average sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 102 clinicians were determined to be 63.1%, 53.7% and 59.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Both models outperformed the clinicians in distinguishing between PC and LA on chest CT, with the UST model exhibiting comparable performance to the DST model.

Alterations of outer retinal reflectivity in diabetic patients without clinically detectable retinopathy

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate alterations of outer retinal reflectivity on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in diabetic patients without clinically detectable retinopathy (NDR).

METHODS

In this retrospective study, 64 NDR patients and 71 controls were included. Relative reflectivity (RR) of the ellipsoid zone (EZ), photoreceptor outer segment (OS) and inner segment (IS), and outer nuclear layer (ONL) at the foveola and at 500 μm, 1000 μm, and 2000 μm nasal (N), temporal (T), superior (S), and inferior (I) to the foveola was measured by cross-line OCT and ImageJ. Retinal vessel densities (VD) in fovea, parafovea, and perifovea areas were detected by OCT angiography (OCTA).

RESULTS

EZ RR in most retinal locations was significantly lower in NDR eyes compared to controls (all P < 0.05), except the foveola. Compared with controls, NDR eyes also displayed lower RR at N2000, T2000, S1000, and I1000 of OS, at S500 and I500 of IS, and at I500 of ONL (all P < 0.05). Negative correlations could be observed between retinal RR and diabetes duration, HbA1c, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (r =  - 0.303 to - 0.452). Compared to controls, EZ, OS, and IS RR of the NDR eyes showed lower correlation coefficients with whole image SCP and DCP VD of parafovea and perifovea regions.

CONCLUSION

Outer retinal reflectivity, along with the coefficients between retinal reflectivity and VD, is reduced in NDR patients and is correlated with diabetes duration, HbA1c, and BCVA. The reduction of outer retinal reflectivity may be a potential biomarker of early retinal alterations in diabetic patients.

Bilateral Adult-Onset Orbital Xanthogranuloma: A Case Report

Adult-onset xanthogranuloma (AOX) is one of the four rare syndromes collectively referred to as adult xanthogranulomatous disease (AXD). It primarily occurs in the orbit and ocular adnexa and displays distinctive histopathological features, characterized by the infiltration of non-Langerhans-derived foam-like histiocytes and Touton giant cells. The presence of diffuse yellow plaques on the eyelids serves as a highly indicative feature. In this report, we present a compelling case of bilateral periorbital AOX. Initially, the patient received a diagnosis of necrotizing xanthogranuloma (NBX) and underwent treatment with dapsone, which yielded a poor response. Subsequently, through repeated biopsy, immunoprotein electrophoresis, and high-throughput sequencing, the diagnosis was revised to AOX. Subsequently, the patient's treatment was modified to include oral hormone therapy, and no further progression of the periorbital plaque was observed. Notably, the patient's sister was diagnosed with xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP), suggesting a potential genetic association between AOX and XP. Unfortunately, the sister declined further histologic examination and genetic sequencing of her skin lesions, impeding the acquisition of additional evidence regarding the genetic link between these two disorders. Despite the divergent pathological features, pathogenesis, and clinical presentation of AOX and xanthelasma palbrarum, clinicians should remain cognizant of the plausible genetic correlation between these two conditions and pursue further investigations when feasible.

Higher systemic immune-inflammation index is associated with sarcopenia in individuals aged 18-59 years: a population-based study

The association between the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and the risk of sarcopenia has not yet been revealed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the SII and sarcopenia in individuals aged 18-59 years. All data for this study are from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database, including 7258 participants (age range: 18-59 years). We divided SII values by quartiles (quartiles 1-4: 0.3-3.1, 3.2-4.4, 4.4-6.2, and 6.2-58.5). We constructed a multivariate logistic regression model to assess the association between the SII and the risk of sarcopenia, and an interaction test was run to test the stability of the model and identify high-risk individuals with sarcopenia. Compared to nonsarcopenia participants, sarcopenia patients had a significantly higher SII value (weighted average: 6.65 vs. 5.16) (P = 0.002). Multivariate logistic regression results showed a positive linear relationship between the SII and sarcopenia (OR [odds ratio] = 1.12, 95% CI [confidence interval] 1.03-1.21). Compared to the quartile 1 group, the quartile 4 group was associated with a higher risk of sarcopenia (OR = 3.94, 95% CI 1.42-10.94). Compared with the quartile 1 group, the OR value of the quartile 2 to quartile 4 groups showed an upwards trend (Ptrend < 0.001) as the level of SII increased. Subgroup analysis also indicate that the correlation between higher SII values and the risk of sarcopenia was stable. There was a significant positive linear relationship between SII and sarcopenia, indicating that higher SII values can increase the risk of sarcopenia in individuals aged 18-59 in the United States. The findings of this study will be beneficial in promoting the use of SII alone or in combination with other tools for the risk screening of sarcopenia in communities or large populations.

Causal association of serum biomarkers with oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: a mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND

Observational epidemiological studies revealed that multiple serum biomarkers can be associated with the risk of oral and oropharyngeal cancer (OC/OPC). However, the causal relationship between them remains largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the causal relationship between potential serum biomarkers and (OC/OPC).

METHODS

A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach was performed to assess the causal association of 10 serum biomarkers with the risk of OC / OPC. Summary data on OC/OPC were obtained from a GWAS meta-analysis that included 2497 cases and 2928 controls. The TwoSampleMR package in R was used to perform MR analyzes. Inverse-variance weighted (IVW), Weighted median and MR-Egger methods were used to assess causal effects.

RESULTS

Suggestive associations with increased risk of C-reactive protein (CRP) (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.02), using the IVW method. MR-Egger regression suggested that directional pleiotropy was unlikely to bias the result (P = 0.19). The findings were robust to sensitivity analyzes. The risk of OC/OPC was not associated with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, adiponectin, leptin, HbA1C and Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF 1).

CONCLUSIONS

This study supports that CRP was causally associated with an increased risk of oral and oropharyngeal cancer.

Trajectories and risk factors of persistent cough after pulmonary resection: A prospective two-center study

BACKGROUND

Persistent cough is one of the most frequent complications following lung cancer surgery. To promote optimal recovery, we conducted a study to investigate the trajectories of coughing symptoms and their impact on quality of life (QOL), as well as to identify potential risk factors of persistent cough after pulmonary resection (CAP).

METHODS

This prospective observational study assessed patients who underwent pulmonary resection for lung tumor at two medical centers in China. Persistent CAP was evaluated before surgery, at discharge, and 1, 3, and 6 months following surgery using visual analog scale (VAS), cough symptom score (CSS), and Leicester Cough Questionnaire in Mandarin Chinese (LCQ-MC). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore independent risk factors for persistent CAP.

RESULTS

Of the 506 enrolled patients, 130 patients were diagnosed with persistent CAP with an incidence of 25.69%. Compared to the noncough group, patients with persistent CAP reported significantly higher VAS (p < 0.001) and CSS scores (p < 0.001) and experienced worse QOL (p < 0.001) for up to 6 months, particularly at 1 month following surgery. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that a duration of anesthesia exceeding 156 min (odds ratio [OR]: 1.847, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.156-2.951, p = 0.010) and gastroesophageal acid reflux (GER) (OR: 3.870, 95% CI: 2.376-6.304, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors of persistent CAP.

CONCLUSION

Patients who suffer from persistent CAP face a substantial burden and diminished QOL for an extended period compared to noncough patients. Moreover, prolonged duration of anesthesia and postoperative GER are potential risk factors of persistent CAP.

A Case of Reactive Eccrine Syringofibroadenoma Associated with Dyshidrotic Eczema

Eccrine Syringofibroadenoma (ESFA) is an infrequent benign adnexal cutaneous lesion distinguished by hyperplastic epithelium and differentiation into eccrine ducts, displaying diverse clinical presentations. In the present case, a 48-year-old Chinese female patient exhibited a decade-long history of palmoplantar erythema, which clinically resembled Dyshidrotic Eczema. Histological examination suggested the presence of ESFA. Ultimately, considering both the clinical manifestations and histological outcomes, the patients received a diagnosis of reactive ESFA.

PSMC5 regulates microglial polarization and activation in LPS-induced cognitive deficits and motor impairments by interacting with TLR4

Luteolin is a flavonoid found in high concentrations in celery and green pepper, and acts as a neuroprotectant. PSMC5 (proteasome 26S subunit, ATPase 5) protein levels were reduced after luteolin stimulation in activated microglia. We aimed to determine whether regulating PSMC5 expression could inhibit neuroinflammation, and investigate the underlying mechanisms.BV2 microglia were transfected with siRNA PSMC5 before the addition of LPS (lipopolysaccharide, 1.0 µg/ml) for 24 h in serum free DMEM. A mouse model of LPS-induced cognitive and motor impairment was established to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of shRNA PSMC5. Intracerebroventricular administration of shRNA PSMC5 was commenced 7 days prior to i.p. injection of LPS (750 μg/kg). Treatments and behavioral experiments were performed once daily for 7 consecutive days. Behavioral tests and pathological/biochemical assays were performed to evaluate LPS-induced hippocampal damage. Molecular dynamics simulation was used to confirm the interaction between PSMC5 and TLR4 (Toll-like receptor 4) in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglia. SiRNA PSMC5 inhibited BV2 microglial activation, and suppressed the release of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, COX-2, PGE2, TNF-α, and iNOS) upon after LPS stimulation in BV2 microglia. LPS increased IκB-α and p65 phosphorylation, which was attenuated by siRNA PSMC5. Behavioral tests and pathological/biochemical assays showed that shRNA PSMC5 attenuated LPS-induced cognitive and motor impairments, and restored synaptic ultrastructure and protein levels in mice. ShRNA PSMC5 reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β, PGE2, and NO) levels in the serum and brain, and relevant protein factors (iNOS and COX-2) in the brain. Furthermore, shRNA PSMC5 upregulated the anti-inflammatory mediators interleukin IL-4 and IL-10 in the serum and brain, and promoted a pro-inflammation-to-anti-inflammation phenotype shift in microglial polarization. Mechanistically, shRNA PSMC5 significantly alleviated LPS-induced TLR4 expression. The polarization of LPS-induced microglial pro-inflammation phenotype was abolished by TLR4 inhibitor and in the TLR-4-/- mouse, as in shRNA PSMC5 treatment. PSMC5 interacted with TLR4 via the amino sites Glu284, Met139, Leu127, and Phe283. PSMC5 site mutations attenuated neuroinflammation and reduced pro-inflammatory factors by reducing TLR4-related effects, thereby reducing TLR4-mediated MyD88 (myeloid differentiation factor 88)-dependent activation of NF-κB. PSMC5 could be an important therapeutic target for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases involving neuroinflammation-associated cognitive deficits and motor impairments induced by microglial activation.

Transcriptome and Metabolome Analyses Reveal That Jasmonic Acids May Facilitate the Infection of Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus in Bottle Gourd

Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) is a typical seed-borne tobamovirus that mainly infects cucurbit crops. Due to the rapid growth of international trade, CGMMV has spread worldwide and become a significant threat to cucurbit industry. Despite various studies focusing on the interaction between CGMMV and host plants, the molecular mechanism of CGMMV infection is still unclear. In this study, we utilized transcriptome and metabolome analyses to investigate the antiviral response of bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) under CGMMV stress. The transcriptome analysis revealed that in comparison to mock-inoculated bottle gourd, 1929 differently expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in CGMMV-inoculated bottle gourd. Among them, 1397 genes were upregulated while 532 genes were downregulated. KEGG pathway enrichment indicated that the DEGs were mainly involved in pathways including the metabolic pathway, the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, plant hormone signal transduction, plant-pathogen interaction, and starch and sucrose metabolism. The metabolome result showed that there were 76 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs), of which 69 metabolites were up-accumulated, and 7 metabolites were down-accumulated. These DAMs were clustered into several pathways, including biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, tyrosine metabolism, flavonoid biosynthesis, carbon metabolism, and plant hormone signal transduction. Combining the transcriptome and metabolome results, the genes and metabolites involved in the jasmonic acid and its derivatives (JAs) synthesis pathway were significantly induced upon CGMMV infection. The silencing of the allene oxide synthase (AOS) gene, which is the key gene involved in JAs synthesis, reduced CGMMV accumulation. These findings suggest that JAs may facilitate CGMMV infection in bottle gourd.

GSK2606414 Sensitizes ABCG2-Overexpressing Multidrug-Resistant Colorectal Cancer Cells to Chemotherapeutic Drugs

Colorectal cancer is a common malignant tumor. A major factor in the high mortality rate of colorectal cancer is the emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR). Overexpression of the ABCG2 gene in cancer cells directly leads to MDR. Finding new inhibitors of ABCG2 may be an effective way to overcome drug resistance. We found that the compound GSK2606414 enhanced the sensitivity of the ABCG2 substrate to the chemotherapeutic drugs mitoxantrone and doxorubicin in ABCG2-overexpressing multidrug-resistant colorectal cancer cells by increasing their intracellular accumulation without affecting the protein expression of ABCG2. Molecular docking experiments predicted that GSK2606414 could stably bind in the drug-binding pocket of ABCG2. In conclusion, GSK2606414 can sensitize ABCG2-overexpressed multidrug-resistant colorectal cancer cells to chemotherapy drugs and can be used as a potential inhibitor of ABCG2.

HIV gp120/Tat protein-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition promotes the progression of cervical lesions

BACKGROUND

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with an elevated incidence of cervical cancer, and accelerated disease progression, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between HIV infection and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cervical cancer.

METHODS

Tissue samples from HIV-positive and negative patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer were analyzed for EMT-related proteins. Human cervical cancer SiHa cells were treated with HIV Tat and gp120 proteins to test their effects on EMT, migration, and invasion.

RESULTS

HIV-positive patients had lower E-cadherin and cytokeratin, and higher N-cadherin and vimentin levels than HIV-negative patients. HIV Tat and gp120 proteins induced EMT, migration, and invasion in SiHa cells. Transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed that, compared to the control group, the protein-treated group showed upregulation of 22 genes and downregulation of 77 genes. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses revealed the involvement of the Wnt signaling pathway in EMT. Further analysis of gene expression related to this pathway revealed upregulation of DVL1, TCF7, KRT17, and VMAC, while GSK3β, SFRP2, and CDH1 were downregulated. Immunofluorescence assay demonstrated that HIVgp120 and Tat proteins treatment induced elevated β-catenin expression with nuclear accumulation in SiHa cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment of SiHa cells with HIV Tat and gp120 proteins induces EMT and activates the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, suggesting that the Wnt/β-catenin pathway may play a crucial role in promoting EMT progression in cervical lesion tissues of HIV-infected patients.

Transcriptome analysis reveals the impact of NETs activation on airway epithelial cell EMT and inflammation in bronchiolitis obliterans

Bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) is a chronic airway disease that was often indicated by the pathological presentation of narrowed and irreversible airways. However, the molecular mechanisms of BO pathogenesis remain unknown. Although neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) can contribute to inflammatory disorders, their involvement in BO is unclear. This study aims to identify potential signaling pathways in BO by exploring the correlations between NETs and BO. GSE52761 and GSE137169 datasets were downloaded from gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. A series of bioinformatics analyses such as differential expression analysis, gene ontology (GO), Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG), and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed on GSE52761 and GSE137169 datasets to identify BO potential signaling pathways. Two different types of BO mouse models were constructed to verify NETs involvements in BO. Additional experiments and bioinformatics analysis using human small airway epithelial cells (SAECs) were also performed to further elucidate differential genes enrichment with their respective signaling pathways in BO. Our study identified 115 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that were found up-regulated in BO. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that these genes were primarily involved in inflammatory signaling processes. Besides, we found that neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) were formed and activated during BO. Our western blot analysis on lung tissue from BO mice further confirmed NETs activation in BO, where neutrophil elastase (NE) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) expression were found significantly elevated. Transcriptomic and bioinformatics analysis of NETs treated-SAECs also revealed that NETs-DEGs were primarily associated through inflammatory and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) -related pathways. Our study provides novel clues towards the understanding of BO pathogenesis, in which NETs contribute to BO pathogenesis through the activation of inflammatory and EMT associated pathways. The completion of our study will provide the basis for potential novel therapeutic targets in BO treatment.

BANF1 promotes glutamate-induced apoptosis of HT-22 hippocampal neurons

BACKGROUND

Glutamate exposure was fatal to HT-22 neuronal cells that derived from mouse hippocampus. This is often used as a model for hippocampus neurodegeneration in vitro. The targets relevant to glutamate-induced neuronal toxicity is not fully understood. In this study, we aimed to identify crucial factors associated with glutamate-induced cytotoxicity in HT-22 cells.

METHODS

HT-22 cells were treated with 7.5 mM glutamate for 24 h and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) proteomic analysis conducted to identify the differentially expressed proteins. Differential proteins were subjected to Gene Ontology analyses. Upregulation of barrier to autointegration factor (BANF1/BANF1) protein was confirmed by RT-qPCR and western blotting. Cell viability was measured by CKK-8 and MTT assays. Cell apoptosis rates and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were detected using flow cytometry.

RESULTS

A total of 5811 proteins were quantified by iTRAQ, 50 of which were recognized as significantly differential proteins (fold change ≥ 1.5 and P ≤ 0.05); 26 proteins were up-regulated and 24 were down-regulated after exposure to glutamate. GO enrichment analysis showed that the apoptotic signaling pathway was involved in cell death induced by glutamate. BANF1 expression level was markedly increased in HT-22 cells after glutamate treatment. Further, knockdown of BANF1 alleviated glutamate-mediated cell death with lower ROS levels.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, we successfully filtered out differential proteins relevant to glutamate-mediated cytotoxicity. BANF1 upregulation promoted glutamate-induced apoptosis of HT-22 cells by enhancing ROS generation.

Ultrahigh UV Responsivity Quasi-Two-Dimensional BixSn1-xO2 Films Achieved through Surface Reaction

In this study, quasi-two-dimensional BixSn1-xO2 (BTO) thin films were fabricated using a liquid metal transfer method. The ultraviolet (UV) photodetector based on BTO thin films was constructed, and the ultrahigh responsivity of 589 A/W was observed at 300 nm UV light illumination. Interestingly, by dropping ethanol during light-off period, the recovery time induced by the persistent photoconductivity (PPC) effect is reduced from 1.65 × 103 s to 5.71 s. Furthermore, the recovery time can also be reduced by dropping methanol, propylene glycol, NaNO2, and Na2SO3 after light termination. The working mechanisms are attributed to the rapid consumption of holes stored in BTO thin films by reaction with those solutions. This work demonstrates that the BTO thin films have potential applications in high-performance UV detectors and present an innovation route to weaken the PPC effects in semiconductors by introducing chemical liquids on their surface.

Recombinant Porcine Interferon-α Decreases Pseudorabies Virus Infection

Interferon (IFN) is a cell-secreted cytokine possessing biological activities including antiviral functioning, immune regulation, and others. Interferon-alpha (IFN-α) mainly derives from plasmacytoid dendritic cells, which activate natural killer cells and regulate immune responses. IFN-α responds to the primary antiviral mechanism in the innate immune system, which can effectively cure acute infectious diseases. Pseudorabies (PR) is an acute infectious disease caused by pseudorabies virus (PRV). The clinical symptoms of PRV are as follows: reproductive dysfunction among pregnant sows and high mortality rates among piglets. These pose a severe threat to the swine industry. Related studies show that IFN-α has broad applications in preventing and treating viral diseases. Therefore, a PRV mouse model using artificial infection was established in this study to explore the pathogenic effect of IFN-α on PRV. We designed a sequence with IFN-α4 (M28623, Genbank) and cloned it on the lentiviral vector. CHO-K1 cells were infected and identified using WB and RT-PCR; a CHO-K1 cell line with a stable expression of the recombinant protein PoIFN-α was successfully constructed. H&E staining and virus titer detection were used to investigate the recombinant protein PoIFN-α's effect on PR in BALB/c mice. The results show that the PoIFN-α has a preventive and therapeutic impact on PR. In conclusion, the recombinant protein can alleviate symptoms and reduce the replication of PRV in vivo.

HHV-6B- and HHV-7-associated choroiditis secondary to acute myelogenous leukemia: a case report

We report a case of human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6)- and human herpes virus 7 (HHV-7)-associated choroiditis in an immunocompromised woman. A 42-year-old Chinese woman with a history of acute myelogenous leukemia presented with blurred vision and black floaters in her right eye. Anterior segment examination findings were normal. Ophthalmoscopic examination revealed a subretinal lesion in the superonasal peripapillary region with several punctate hemorrhages. Optical coherence tomography showed a crater-like choroidal protuberance, associated with retinal pigment epithelium rupture and full-thickness retinal edema in the involved area. Indocyanine green angiography demonstrated a broad hypofluorescent lesion in the choroid. The patient was diagnosed with choroiditis. Subsequently, metagenomic next-generation sequencing revealed HHV-6B and HHV-7 DNA in the aqueous humor. Therefore, antiviral therapy was initiated. The patient experienced resolution of all symptoms and signs after treatment with intravenous foscarnet and oral acyclovir. The findings in this case indicate that HHV-6 and HHV-7 can cause ocular infection, particularly in immunocompromised patients.

Intercellular adhesion molecule 2 as a novel prospective tumor suppressor induced by ERG promotes ubiquitination-mediated radixin degradation to inhibit gastric cancer tumorigenicity and metastasis

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer (GC) is a fatal cancer with unclear pathogenesis. In this study, we explored the function and potential mechanisms of intercellular adhesion molecule 2 (ICAM2) in the development and advancement of GC.

METHODS

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting were performed to quantify ICAM2 expression in harvested GC tissues and cultured cell lines. Immunohistochemical analyses were conducted on a GC tissue microarray to quantify ICAM2 expression and explore its implication on the prognosis of GC patients. In vitro experiments were carried out to reveal the biological functions of ICAM2 in GC cell lines. Further, in vivo experiments were conducted using xenograft models to assess the impact of ICAM2 on GC development and metastasis. Western blot, immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation, luciferase assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and ubiquitination analysis were employed to investigate the underlying mechanisms.

RESULTS

ICAM2 expression was downregulated in GC, positively correlating with advanced T stage, distant metastasis, advanced clinical stage, vessel invasion, and shorter patient survival time. ICAM2 overexpression suppressed the proliferation, migration, invasion, metastasis of GC cells as well as their ability to form tumors, whereas ICAM2 knockdown yielded opposite results. Erythroblast transformation-specific-related gene (ERG) as a transcription factor promoted the transcription of ICAM2 by binding to the crucial response element localized within its promoter region. Further analysis revealed that ICAM2 reduced radixin (RDX) protein stability and expression. In these cells, ICAM2 bound to the RDX protein to promote the ubiquitination and degradation of RDX via NEDD4 Like E3 Ubiquitin Protein Ligase (NEDD4L), and this post-translational modification resulted in the inhibition of GC.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, this study demonstrates that ICAM2, which is induced by ERG, suppresses GC progression by enhancing the ubiquitination and degradation of RDX in a NEDD4L-dependent manner. Therefore, these results suggest that ICAM2 is a potential prognostic marker and a therapeutic target for GC.

A diagnostic model for sepsis-induced acute lung injury using a consensus machine learning approach and its therapeutic implications

BACKGROUND

A significant proportion of septic patients with acute lung injury (ALI) are recognized late due to the absence of an efficient diagnostic test, leading to the postponed treatments and consequently higher mortality. Identifying diagnostic biomarkers may improve screening to identify septic patients at high risk of ALI earlier and provide the potential effective therapeutic drugs. Machine learning represents a powerful approach for making sense of complex gene expression data to find robust ALI diagnostic biomarkers.

METHODS

The datasets were obtained from GEO and ArrayExpress databases. Following quality control and normalization, the datasets (GSE66890, GSE10474 and GSE32707) were merged as the training set, and four machine learning feature selection methods (Elastic net, SVM, random forest and XGBoost) were applied to construct the diagnostic model. The other datasets were considered as the validation sets. To further evaluate the performance and predictive value of diagnostic model, nomogram, Decision Curve Analysis (DCA) and Clinical Impact Curve (CIC) were constructed. Finally, the potential small molecular compounds interacting with selected features were explored from the CTD database.

RESULTS

The results of GSEA showed that immune response and metabolism might play an important role in the pathogenesis of sepsis-induced ALI. Then, 52 genes were identified as putative biomarkers by consensus feature selection from all four methods. Among them, 5 genes (ARHGDIB, ALDH1A1, TACR3, TREM1 and PI3) were selected by all methods and used to predict ALI diagnosis with high accuracy. The external datasets (E-MTAB-5273 and E-MTAB-5274) demonstrated that the diagnostic model had great accuracy with AUC value of 0.725 and 0.833, respectively. In addition, the nomogram, DCA and CIC showed that the diagnostic model had great performance and predictive value. Finally, the small molecular compounds (Curcumin, Tretinoin, Acetaminophen, Estradiol and Dexamethasone) were screened as the potential therapeutic agents for sepsis-induced ALI.

CONCLUSION

This consensus of multiple machine learning algorithms identified 5 genes that were able to distinguish ALI from septic patients. The diagnostic model could identify septic patients at high risk of ALI, and provide potential therapeutic targets for sepsis-induced ALI.

Identification of HuSWEET Family in Pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) and Key Roles of HuSWEET12a and HuSWEET13d in Sugar Accumulation

The sugar composition and content of fruit have a significant impact on their flavor and taste. In pitaya, or dragon fruit, sweetness is a crucial determinant of fruit taste and consumer preference. The sugars will eventually be exported transporters (SWEETs), a novel group of sugar transporters that have various physiological functions, including phloem loading, seed filling, nectar secretion, and fruit development. However, the role of SWEETs in sugar accumulation in pitaya fruit is not yet clear. Here, we identified 19 potential members (HuSWEET genes) of the SWEET family in pitaya and analyzed their conserved motifs, physiochemical characteristics, chromosomal distribution, gene structure, and phylogenetic relationship. Seven highly conserved α-helical transmembrane domains (7-TMs) were found, and the HuSWEET proteins can be divided into three clades based on the phylogenetic analysis. Interestingly, we found two HuSWEET genes, HuSWEET12a and HuSWEET13d, that showed strong preferential expressions in fruits and an upward trend during fruit maturation, suggesting they have key roles in sugar accumulation in pitaya. This can be further roughly demonstrated by the fact that transgenic tomato plants overexpressing HuSWEET12a/13d accumulated high levels of sugar in the mature fruit. Together, our result provides new insights into the regulation of sugar accumulation by SWEET family genes in pitaya fruit, which also set a crucial basis for the further functional study of the HuSWEETs.

Astrocyte senescence-like response related to peripheral nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain

BACKGROUND

Peripheral nerve damage causes neuroinflammation, which plays a critical role in establishing and maintaining neuropathic pain (NeP). The mechanisms contributing to neuroinflammation remain poorly elucidated, and pharmacological strategies for NeP are limited. Thus, in this study, we planned to explore the possible link between astrocyte senescence and NeP disorders following chronic sciatic nerve injury.

METHODS

An NeP animal model was established by inducing chronic constrictive injury (CCI) to the sciatic nerve in adult rats. A senolytic drug combination of dasatinib and quercetin was gavaged daily from the first postoperative day until the end of the study. Paw mechanical withdrawal threshold (PMWT) and paw thermal withdrawal latency (PTWL) were evaluated to assess behaviors in response to pain in the experimental rats. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining, western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence were applied to examine the levels of proinflammatory factors and severity of the senescence-like response in the spinal cord. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was administered to induce senescence of spinal astrocytes in primary cultures in vitro, to explore the potential impacts of senescence on the secretion of proinflammatory factors. Furthermore, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was conducted to identify senescence-related molecular responses in spinal astrocytes under neuropathic pain.

RESULTS

Following sciatic nerve CCI, rats exhibited reduced PMWT and PTWL, increased levels of spinal proinflammatory factors, and an enhanced degree of senescence in spinal astrocytes. Treatment with dasatinib and quercetin effectively attenuated spinal neuroinflammation and mitigated the hypersensitivities of the rats subjected to sciatic nerve CCI. Mechanistically, the dasatinib-quercetin combination reversed senescence in LPS-stimulated primary cultured astrocytes and decreased the levels of proinflammatory factors. The scRNA-seq data revealed four potential senescence-related genes in the spinal astrocyte population, and the expression of clusterin (CLU) protein was validated via in vitro experiments.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicate the potential role of astrocyte senescence in neuroinflammation following peripheral nerve injury, and suggest that targeting CLU activation in astrocytes might provide a novel therapeutic strategy to treat NeP.

Optimal Teicoplanin Dosage Regimens in Critically Ill Patients: Population Pharmacokinetics and Dosing Simulations Based on Renal Function and Infection Type

Purpose

To develop a population pharmacokinetic model describing teicoplanin concentrations in patients hospitalized in intensive care unit (ICU) and to perform Monte Carlo simulations to provide detailed dosing regimens of teicoplanin.

Methods

This single-center, prospective, observational study was conducted on 151 patients in ICU with 347 plasma samples. The population pharmacokinetics model was established and various covariates were evaluated. The probability of target attainment (PTA) of various proposal dosing regimens was calculated by Monte Carlo simulations.

Results

The two-compartment model adequately described teicoplanin concentration-time data. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) associated with systemic clearance (CL) was the only covariate included in the final model. The estimate of CL was 0.838 L/h, with the eGFR adjustment factor of 0.00823. The volume of the central compartment (Vc), inter-compartmental clearance (Q) and volumes of the peripheral compartments (Vp) were 14.4 L, 3.08 L/h and 51.6 L, respectively. The simulations revealed that the standard dosage regimen was only sufficient for the patients with severe renal dysfunction (eGFR ≤ 30 mL/min/1.73 m2) to attain target trough concentration (Cmin, PTA 52.8%). When eGFR > 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, increasing dose and the administration times of loading doses were the preferred options to achieve target Cmin based on the renal function and types of infection.

Conclusion

The most commonly used standard dosage regimen was insufficient for all ICU patients. Our study provided detailed dosing regimens of teicoplanin stratified by eGFR and types of infection for ICU patients.

A High-Continuity Genome Assembly of Chinese Flowering Cabbage (Brassica rapa var. parachinensis) Provides New Insights into Brassica Genome Structure Evolution

Chinese flowering cabbage (Brassica rapa var. parachinensis) is a popular and widely cultivated leaf vegetable crop in Asia. Here, we performed a high quality de novo assembly of the 384 Mb genome of 10 chromosomes of a typical cultivar of Chinese flowering cabbage with an integrated approach using PacBio, Illumina, and Hi-C technology. We modeled 47,598 protein-coding genes in this analysis and annotated 52% (205.9/384) of its genome as repetitive sequences including 17% in DNA transposons and 22% in long terminal retrotransposons (LTRs). Phylogenetic analysis reveals the genome of the Chinese flowering cabbage has a closer evolutionary relationship with the AA diploid progenitor of the allotetraploid species, Brassica juncea. Comparative genomic analysis of Brassica species with different subgenome types (A, B and C) reveals that the pericentromeric regions on chromosome 5 and 6 of the AA genome have been significantly expanded compared to the orthologous genomic regions in the BB and CC genomes, largely driven by LTR-retrotransposon amplification. Furthermore, we identified a large number of structural variations (SVs) within the B. rapa lines that could impact coding genes, suggesting the functional significance of SVs on Brassica genome evolution. Overall, our high-quality genome assembly of the Chinese flowering cabbage provides a valuable genetic resource for deciphering the genome evolution of Brassica species and it can potentially serve as the reference genome guiding the molecular breeding practice of B. rapa crops.

Emerging role of the RNA-editing enzyme ADAR1 in stem cell fate and function

Stem cells are critical for organism development and the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Recent studies focusing on RNA editing have indicated how this mark controls stem cell fate and function in both normal and malignant states. RNA editing is mainly mediated by adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1). The RNA editing enzyme ADAR1 converts adenosine in a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) substrate into inosine. ADAR1 is a multifunctional protein that regulate physiological processes including embryonic development, cell differentiation, and immune regulation, and even apply to the development of gene editing technologies. In this review, we summarize the structure and function of ADAR1 with a focus on how it can mediate distinct functions in stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. Targeting ADAR1 has emerged as a potential novel therapeutic strategy in both normal and dysregulated stem cell contexts.

Activation of Piezo1 promotes osteogenic differentiation of aortic valve interstitial cell through YAP-dependent glutaminolysis

Hemodynamic overload and dysregulation of cellular metabolism are involved in development of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). However, how mechanical stress relates to metabolic changes in CAVD remains unclear. Here, we show that Piezo1, a mechanosensitive ion channel, regulated glutaminase 1 (GLS1)-mediated glutaminolysis to promote osteogenic differentiation of valve interstitial cells (VICs). In vivo, two models of aortic valve stenosis were constructed by ascending aortic constriction (AAC) and direct wire injury (DWI). Inhibition of Piezo1 and GLS1 in these models respectively mitigated aortic valve lesion. In vitro, Piezo1 activation induced by Yoda1 and oscillatory stress triggered osteogenic responses in VICs, which were prevented by Piezo1 inhibition or knockdown. Mechanistically, Piezo1 activation promoted calcium-dependent Yes-associated protein (YAP) activation. YAP modulated GLS1-mediated glutaminolysis, which enhanced osteogenic differentiation through histone acetylation of runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) promoters. Together, our work provided a cross-talk between mechanotransduction and metabolism in the context of CAVD.

Radiotherapy upregulated immune checkpoints contribute to the development of second primary OSCC

OBJECTIVES

Radiation injury is common after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Radiotherapy can reshape the immune microenvironment and cause immunosuppression, including dysregulation of immune checkpoints (ICs). However, the relationship between oral ICs expression after radiation and the development of second primary tumors is unclear.

METHODS

Clinical specimens of second primary oral squamous cell carcinoma after radiotherapy (s-OSCC) and primary OSCC (p-OSCC) were collected. The expression and prognostic value of PD-1, VISTA, and TIM-3 were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. To further clarify the relationship between radiation and ICs alteration, a rat model was constructed to explore the spatiotemporal changes of ICs in the oral mucosa after radiation.

RESULTS

In carcinoma tissue, the expression of TIM-3 was higher in s-OSCC than in p-OSCC, while the expression of PD-1 and VISTA was similar between the groups. In para-carcinoma tissue, the expression of PD-1, VISTA, and TIM-3 was higher in s-OSCC. High ICs expression was associated with poor survival. In the rat model, ICs were locally upregulated in the irradiated tongue. Moreover, there was a bystander effect, in which the ICs were also upregulated in the unirradiated site.

CONCLUSION

Radiation may upregulate ICs expression in oral mucosa and contribute to the development of s-OSCC.

Sex differences in the association between suicidal ideation and neurocognitive function in Chinese patients with schizophrenia

There is increasing evidence that sex differences exist in many clinical manifestations of patients with schizophrenia, including suicidal ideation (SI) and neurocognitive function. The present study was performed to explore the sex differences in the association between SI and neurocognitive function in Chinese patients with schizophrenia. A total of 1188 inpatients with schizophrenia were recruited from multicenter psychiatric hospitals. The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) was utilized to evaluate the neurocognitive function of all patients. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was utilized to assess the psychopathology of patients. The Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSSI) was used to assess the severity of SI. In male patients, the suicide risk score was significantly associated with PANSS negative symptoms (r = 0.167, p = 0.043), visuospatial subscale (r = - 0.261, p = 0.001), and RBANS total scores (r = - 0.172, p = 0.037). Furthermore, multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the visuospatial subscale (β = - 0.490, t = - 3.273, p = 0.001) was independently associated with the suicide risk score in male patients. In female patients, the suicide risk score was significantly correlated with PANSS positive symptoms (r = 0.249, p = 0.021), negative symptoms (r = 0.394, p < 0.001), general psychopathology (r = 0.276, p = 0.01) and PANSS total score (r = 0.365, p = 0.001). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that PANSS negative symptoms (β = 1.849, t = 3.933, p = 0.001) were significantly associated with suicide risk scores in female patients. Our findings indicate that there are sex differences in the association between SI and neurocognitive function in patients with schizophrenia. Based on the findings of our study, gender-specific prevention and intervention strategies may make a difference in reducing SI in Chinese schizophrenia patients.

Multi-omics data integration reveals the molecular network of dysregulation IQGAP2-mTOR promotes cell proliferation

IQGAP2 as a tumor suppressor gene can influence cell proliferation in multiple tumor cell lines. However, the regulation network of cell proliferation resulting solely from the deficiency of IQGAP2 in cells was still unclear. Here, we integrated transcriptome, proteome, and phosphoproteome analyses to investigate the regulatory network of cell proliferation in IQGAP2 knockdown HaCaT and HEK293 cells. Our findings revealed that the dysregulation of the IQGAP2-mTOR molecular network led to increased cell proliferation. We demonstrated that IQGAP2 knockdown enhanced the phosphorylation levels of AKT and S6K, leading to increased cell proliferation. Additionally, we found that AKT and mTOR inhibitors partially rescued abnormal cell proliferation by reducing hyperphosphorylation. Our data suggest a potential connection between the mTOR signaling pathway and aberrant cell proliferation in IQGAP2 knockdown cells. These findings offer a new therapeutic strategy for patients with IQGAP2 deficiency.

Expression of PGRMC1 in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and its molecular mechanism for regulating ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis and glucolipid metabolism

OBJECTIVES

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine diseases in women with reproductive age, which is associated with hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and ovulatory dysfunction. Progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) can mediate progesterone to inhibit the apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells and the growth of follicles, and to induce glucolipid metabolism disorder in ovarian granulosa cells, which is closely related to the occurrence and development of PCOS. This study aims to determine the expression of PGRMC1 in serum, ovarian tissue, ovarian granulosa cells, and follicular fluid in PCOS patients and non-PCOS patients, analyze the value of PGRMC1 in diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of PCOS, and investigate its molecular mechanism on ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis and glucolipid metabolism.

METHODS

A total of 123 patients were collected from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Guangdong Women and Children Hospital (hereinafter referred to as "our hospital") from August 2021 to March 2022 and divided into 3 groups: a PCOS pre-treatment group (n=42), a PCOS treatment group (n=36), and a control group (n=45). The level of PGRMC1 in serum was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The diagnostic and prognostic value of PGRMC1 was evaluated in patients with PCOS by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Sixty patients who underwent a laparoscopic surgery from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in our hospital from January 2014 to December 2016 were collected and divided into a PCOS group and a control group (n=30). The expression and distribution of PGRMC1 protein in ovarian tissues were detected by immunohistochemical staining. Twenty-two patients were collected from Reproductive Medicine Center in our hospital from December 2020 to March 2021, and they divided into a PCOS group and a control group (n=11). ELISA was used to detect the level of PGRMC1 in follicular fluid; real-time RT-PCR was used to detect the expression level of PGRMC1 mRNA in ovarian granulosa cells. Human ovarian granular cell line KGN cells were divided into a scrambled group which was transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) without interference and a siPGRMC1 group which was transfected with specific siRNA targeting PGRMC1. The apoptotic rate of KGN cells was detected by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression levels of PGRMC1, insulin receptor (INSR), glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), very low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR), and low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) were determined by real-time RT-PCR.

RESULTS

The serum level of PGRMC1 in the PCOS pre-treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.001), and the serum level of PGRMC1 in the PCOS treatment group was significantly lower than that in the PCOS pre-treatment group (P<0.001). The areas under curve (AUC) of PGRMC1 for the diagnosing and prognosis evaluation of PCOS were 0.923 and 0.893, respectively, and the cut-off values were 620.32 and 814.70 pg/mL, respectively. The positive staining was observed on both ovarian granulosa cells and ovarian stroma, which the staining was deepest in the ovarian granulosa cells. The average optical density of PGRMC1 in the PCOS group was significantly increased in ovarian tissue and ovarian granulosa cells than that in the control group (both P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the PGRMC1 expression levels in ovarian granulosa cells and follicular fluid in the PCOS group were significantly up-regulated (P<0.001 and P<0.01, respectively). Compared with the scrambled group, the apoptotic rate of ovarian granulosa cells was significantly increased in the siPGRMC1 group (P<0.01), the mRNA expression levels of PGRMC1 and INSR in the siPGRMC1 group were significantly down-regulated (P<0.001 and P<0.05, respectively), and the mRNA expression levels of GLUT4, VLDLR and LDLR were significantly up-regulated (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Serum level of PGRMC1 is increased in PCOS patients, and decreased after standard treatment. PGRMC1 could be used as molecular marker for diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of PCOS. PGRMC1 mainly localizes in ovarian granulosa cells and might play a key role in regulating ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis and glycolipid metabolism.

Kinetically and thermodynamically controlled one-pot growth of gold nanoshells with NIR-II absorption for multimodal imaging-guided photothermal therapy

Since the successful clinical trial of AuroShell for photothermal therapy, there is currently intense interest in developing gold-based core-shell structures with near-infrared (NIR) absorption ranging from NIR-I (650-900 nm) to NIR-II (900-1700 nm). Here, we propose a seed-mediated successive growth approach to produce gold nanoshells on the surface of the nanoscale metal-organic framework (NMOF) of UiO-66-NH₂ (UiO = the University of Oslo) in one pot. The key to this strategy is to modulate the proportion of the formaldehyde (reductant) and its regulator / oxidative product of formic acid to harness the particle nucleation and growth rate within the same system. The gold nanoshells propagate through a well-oriented and controllable diffusion growth pattern (points → facets → octahedron), which has not been identified. Most strikingly, the gold nanoshells prepared hereby exhibit an exceedingly broad and strong absorption in NIR-II with a peak beyond 1300 nm and outstanding photothermal conversion efficiency of 74.0%. Owing to such superior performance, these gold nanoshells show promising outcomes in photoacoustic (PA), computed tomography (CT), and photothermal imaging-guided photothermal therapy (PTT) for breast cancer, as demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo.

Circular RNA circARHGEF28 inhibited the progression of prostate cancer via the miR-671-5p/LGALS3BP/NF-κB axis

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play crucial roles in various biological processes, including prostate cancer (PCa). However, the precise roles and mechanism of circRNAs are complicated. Hence, we studied the function of a circRNA that might be involved in the progression of PCa. In this study, we found that circARHGEF28 was frequently downregulated in PCa tissues and cell lines. Furthermore, gain- and loss-of function experiments in vitro showed that circARHGEF28 inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of PCa. Additionally, circARHGEF28 suppressed PCa progression in vivo. Bioinformatics analysis and RNA pull-down and capture assay found that circARHGEF28 sponged miR-671-5p in PCa cells. Importantly, qRT-PCR and dual luciferase assays found that Lectin galactoside-binding soluble 3 binding protein (LGALS3BP) was downstream of miR-671-5p, and western blot analysis further confirmed that LGALS3BP negatively regulated the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway. These results demonstrated that circARHGEF28 abolished the degradation of LGALS3BP by sponging miR-671-5p, thus blocking the activation of the NF-κB pathway. Our findings revealed that circARHGEF28/miR-671-5p/LGALS3BP/NF-κB may be an important axis that regulates PCa progression.

Identification and characterization analysis of candidate genes controlling mushroom leaf development in Chinese kale by BSA-seq

Mushroom leaves (MLs) are malformed leaves that develop from the leaf veins in some of Chinese kale genotypes. To study the genetic model and molecular mechanism of ML development in Chinese kale, the F2 segregation population was constructed by two inbred lines, genotype Boc52 with ML and genotype Boc55 with normal leaves (NL). In the present study, we have identified for the first time that the development of mushroom leaves may be affected by the change of adaxial-abaxial polarity of leaves. Examination of the phenotypes of F1 and F2 segregation populations suggested that ML development is controlled by two dominant major genes inherited independently. BSA-seq analysis showed that a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) qML4.1 that controls ML development is located within 7.4 Mb on chromosome kC4. The candidate region was further narrowed to 255 kb by linkage analysis combined with insertion/deletion (InDel) markers, and 37 genes were predicted in this region. According to the expression and annotation analysis, a B3 domain-containing transcription factor NGA1-like gene, BocNGA1, was identified as a key candidate gene for controlling ML development in Chinese kale. Fifteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were found in coding sequences and 21 SNPs and 3 InDels found in the promoter sequences of BocNGA1 from the genotype Boc52 with ML. The expression levels of BocNGA1 in ML genotypes are significantly lower than in the NL genotypes, which suggests that BocNGA1 may act as a negative regulator for ML genesis in Chinese kale. This study provides a new foundation for Chinese kale breeding and for the study of the molecular mechanism of plant leaf differentiation.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11032-023-01364-6.

Effects of bilateral erector spinae plane block for posterior lumbar spine surgery in elderly patients

OBJECTIVES

With the rapid development of aging population, the number of elderly patients undergoing posterior lumbar spine surgery continues to increase. Lumbar spine surgery could cause moderate to severe postoperative pain, and the conventional opioid-based analgesia techniques have many side effects, which are barriers to the recovery after surgery of the elderly. Previous studies have demonstrated that erector spinae plane block (ESPB) could bring about favorable analgesia in spinal surgery. As far as the elderly are concerned, the analgesic and recovery effects of ESPB on posterior lumbar spine surgery are not completely clear. This study aims to observe the effects of bilateral ESPB on elderly patients undergoing posterior lumbar spine surgery, and to improve the anesthesia techniques.

METHODS

A total of 70 elderly patients of both sex, who were selected from May 2020 to November 2021, scheduled for elective posterior lumbar spine surgery, and in the age of 60-79 years, with American Society of Anesthesiologists class Ⅱ-Ⅲ, were divided into a ESPB group and a control (C) group using a random number table method, with 35 patients each. Before general anesthesia induction, 20 mL 0.4% ropivacaine was injected to the transverse process of L3 or L4 bilaterally in the ESPB group and only saline in the C group. The score of Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) indicating pain at rest and on movement within 48 h after operation, time of first patient control analgesia (PCA), cumulative consumptions of sufentanil within 48 hours, Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire (LSEQ) scores on the morning of day 1 and day 2 after operation, Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) scores at 24 and 48 h after operation, full diet intake times, perioperative adverse reactions such as intraoperative hypotension, postoperative dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and constipation were compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

A total of 70 patients were enrolled and 62 subjects completed the study, including 32 in the ESPB group and 30 in the C group. Compared with the C group, the postoperative NRS scores at rest at 2, 4, 6, and 12 h and on movementat at 2, 4, and 6 h were lower, time of first PCA was later, sufentanil consumptions were significantly decreased during 0-12 h and 12-24 h after operation, LSEQ scores on the morning of day 1 and QoR-15 scores at 24 and 48 h after operation were higher, full diet intakes achieved earlier in the ESPB group (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the incidences of intraoperative hypotension, postoperative dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and constipation between the 2 groups (all P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Providing favorable analgesic effects with reduced opioids consumption, bilateral ESPB for posterior lumbar spine surgery in the elderly patients could also improve postoperative sleep quality, promote gastrointestinal functional restoration, and enhance recovery with few adverse reactions.

Association of shift work with incident dementia: a community-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Some observational studies had found that shift work would increase risks of metabolic disorders, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases, but there was no homogeneous evidence of such an association between shift work and incident dementia. This study aimed to investigate whether shift work would increase the risk of dementia in a general population.

METHODS

One hundred seventy thousand seven hundred twenty-two employed participants without cognitive impairment or dementia at baseline recruited between 2006 and 2010 were selected from the UK Biobank cohort study. Follow-up occurred through June 2021. Shift work status at baseline was self-reported by participants and they were categorized as non-shift workers or shift workers. Among shift workers, participants were further categorized as night shift workers or shift but non-night shift workers. The primary outcome was all-cause dementia in a time-to-event analysis, and the secondary outcomes were subtypes of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and other types of dementia.

RESULTS

In total, 716 dementia cases were observed among 170,722 participants over a median follow-up period of 12.4 years. Shift workers had an increased risk of all-cause dementia as compared with non-shift workers after multivariable adjustment (hazard ratio [HR], 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-1.58); however, among shift workers, night shift work was not associated with the risk of dementia (HR, 1.04, 95% CI, 0.73-1.47). We found no significant interaction between shift work and genetic predisposition to dementia on the primary outcome (P for interaction = 0.77).

CONCLUSIONS

Shift work at baseline was associated with an increased risk of all-cause dementia. Among shift workers, there was no significant association between night shift work and the risk of dementia. The increased incidence of dementia in shift workers did not differ between participants in different genetic risk strata for dementia.

Exploring the psychological profile: a cross-sectional study of 1,185 patients with pulmonary nodules in an outpatient clinic

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to identify the potential risk and protective factors of psychological burden in patients with pulmonary nodules (PNs) and to explore how the psychological status of the patients affects their treatment preferences.

METHODS

In this questionnaire-based study, 1,185 outpatients were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the correlations between psychological burden and patients' sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were assessed.

RESULTS

Prevalence of anxiety and depression was 42.1% and 27.0%, respectively, among patients with PNs. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that age over 60 years old [odds ratio (OR) =0.57; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.36-0.89], computed tomography (CT) scan due to physical discomfort (OR =1.58; 95% CI: 1.11-2.24), multiple PNs (OR =1.52; 95% CI: 1.20-1.94), family history of malignancy (OR =1.28; 95% CI: 1.01-1.64), and subjective symptoms (OR =1.70; 95% CI: 1.32-2.19) were independently associated with anxiety, while multiple PNs (OR =1.51; 95% CI: 1.15-1.98), subjective symptoms (OR =1.65; 95% CI: 1.23-2.20), and indeterminate nodules (OR =1.91; 95% CI: 1.08-3.40) were independently associated with depression. There was a tendency for patients with anxiety and depression to choose more aggressive management strategies (P<0.001 and P=0.001, respectively). Univariate analysis showed that symptomatic patients (χ²=9.696; P=0.021) and those with progressive nodules (χ²=18.198, P=0.033) chose more aggressive treatment strategies.

CONCLUSIONS

Anxiety and depression are common in patients with PNs, which might result in nonnegligible overtreatment. Presence of subjective symptoms can significantly exacerbate psychological burden and influence treatment preference. Taking psychological factors into consideration in the outpatient clinic may facilitate patient-centered communication and promote judicious decision-making.

Medical status of outpatients with obsessive-compulsive disorder in psychiatric department and its influencing factors

OBJECTIVES

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and refractory mental disorder with early onset, low response rate, and poor prognosis. Studies have shown that the age of onset, severity, course of disease, and untreated course of disease may affect its clinical efficacy. At present, there are few studies on the duration of untreated illness (DUI) of OCD patients. The current medical status and untreated course of OCD patients in China are still unclear. This study aims to investigate the current medical status of OCD patients in psychiatric outpatients of a general hospital, including the course of disease and DUI as well as its influencing factors.

METHODS

A total of 310 outpatients with OCD who visited the Department of Mental Health, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital for the first time, were recruited and interviewed. The information including age, gender, years of education, marital status, work status, age of onset, comorbid mental disorders, age of first treatment, course of disease, and DUI were collected. We also calculated the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and Global Assessment Function (GAF) scores for total sample to analyze the demographic characteristics and clinical data of patients with OCT. The median DUI was used as the cut-off value, and the patients were divided into a short DUI group and a long DUI group. The differences in demographic characteristics and clinical data between the 2 groups were compared, and the factors affecting the DUI were analyzed.

RESULTS

There were 158 males (51%) and 152 females (49%). The age of onset was (19.48±7.97) years. The years of education were 13.49±3.13; 215 (69.4%) were single and 95 (30.6%) were married; 103 (33.2%) were employed and 207 (66.8%) were unemployed. The median course of OCD was 4 years and the median DUI was 3 years. There were 177 cases in the short DUI (≤3 years) group and 133 cases in the long DUI (>3 years) group. Compared with the long DUI group, the patients in the short DUI group were younger (P<0.01); they had mild obsessive-compulsive symptoms (P<0.05) and a shorter education period and course of disease (P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively); and they were more unemployed and single (both P<0.001). Correlation analysis showed that DUI was positively correlated with age, course of disease, years of education, and Y-BOCS score (r=0.45, P<0.001; r=0.74, P<0.001; r=0.27, P<0.001; r=0.17, P<0.01). When the DUI of OCD patients was used as the dependent variable, Y-BOCS, age, course of disease, whether to work, marital status, and years of education were used as the independent variables for binary logistic regression analysis, which showed that the duration of illness could predict the short and long DUI of OCD [Wald χ2=49.78, Exp(B)=1.34, P<0.001].

CONCLUSIONS

Investigation for the medical status of OCD patients in the psychiatric outpatients of a general hospital in Guangdong, China shows that the duration of illness of OCD patients in the psychiatric outpatients and the DUI of OCD patients are generally shorter than previous foreign reports. The DUI of OCD patients is affected by the course of disease, age, severity of symptoms, and other factors. In the future, large sample, multi-center, and follow-up studies could be considered to further explore the influencing factors for the DUI of OCD and the impact on the prognosis of the disease, to help improve the status of delayed treatment for OCD and improve the effective rate of OCD treatment.