Effects of different thermal sterilization conditions on the quality of ready-to-eat shrimp based on specific sterilization intensity

The effects of different thermal sterilization conditions on the quality and digestibility of ready-to-eat (RTE) shrimp were investigated. Compared with the high-temperature (121 °C) and short-time (6 min and 8 min) sterilization, the low-temperature (110 and 115 °C) and long-time (>20 min) sterilization significantly promoted the Maillard and browning reactions and changed the color of the RTE-shrimp. The high sterilization temperature promoted shrimp protein oxidation, resulting in increased carbonyl group, disulfide bond, and free radical content, while the free sulfhydryl group content decreased. This oxidation and tissue destruction at high temperature led to reduced texture properties and altered water distribution within the shrimp's muscles. However, sterilized shrimp exhibited superior digestive properties in an in vitro simulated digestion experiment. High-temperature and short-time sterilization is more effective in mitigating the quality deterioration of RTE-shrimp compared to low-temperature and long-time sterilization.

Multiresponsive luminescent metal-organic framework for cooking oil adulteration detection and gallium(III) sensing

A new 3D metal-organic framework {[Cd16(tr2btd)10(dcdps)16(H2O)3(EtOH)]∙15DMF}n (MOF 1, tr2btd = 4,7-di(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)benzo-2,1,3-thiadiazole, H2dcdps = 4,4'-sulfonyldibenzoic acid) was obtained and its luminescent properties were studied. MOF 1 exhibited bright blue-green luminescence with a high quantum yield of 74 % and luminescence quenching response to a toxic natural polyphenol gossypol and luminescence enhancement response to some trivalent metal cations (Fe3+, Cr3+, Al3+ and Ga3+). The limit of gossypol detection was 0.20 µM and the determination was not interfered by the components of the cottonseed oil. The limit of detection of gallium(III) was 1.1 µM. It was demonstrated that MOF 1 may be used for distinguishing between the genuine sunflower oil and oil adulterated by crude cottonseed oil through qualitative luminescent and quantitative visual gossypol determination.

Metabolic pathway-based subtypes associate glycan biosynthesis and treatment response in head and neck cancer

Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) is a heterogeneous malignancy that remains a significant challenge in clinical management due to frequent treatment failures and pronounced therapy resistance. While metabolic dysregulation appears to be a critical factor in this scenario, comprehensive analyses of the metabolic HNSCC landscape and its impact on clinical outcomes are lacking. This study utilized transcriptomic data from four independent clinical cohorts to investigate metabolic heterogeneity in HNSCC and define metabolic pathway-based subtypes (MPS). In HPV-negative HNSCCs, MPS1 and MPS2 were identified, while MPS3 was enriched in HPV-positive cases. MPS classification was associated with clinical outcome post adjuvant radio(chemo)therapy, with MPS1 consistently exhibiting the highest risk of therapeutic failure. MPS1 was uniquely characterized by upregulation of glycan (particularly chondroitin/dermatan sulfate) metabolism genes. Immunohistochemistry and pilot mass spectrometry imaging analyses confirmed this at metabolite level. The histological context and single-cell RNA sequencing data identified the malignant cells as key contributors. Globally, MPS1 was distinguished by a unique transcriptomic landscape associated with increased disease aggressiveness, featuring motifs related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition, immune signaling, cancer stemness, tumor microenvironment assembly, and oncogenic signaling. This translated into a distinct histological appearance marked by extensive extracellular matrix remodeling, abundant spindle-shaped cancer-associated fibroblasts, and intimately intertwined populations of malignant and stromal cells. Proof-of-concept data from orthotopic xenotransplants replicated the MPS phenotypes on the histological and transcriptome levels. In summary, this study introduces a metabolic pathway-based classification of HNSCC, pinpointing glycan metabolism-enriched MPS1 as the most challenging subgroup that necessitates alternative therapeutic strategies.

Quantifying the influence of size, shape, and density of microplastics on their transport modes: A modeling approach

Microplastics (MPs) pose significant risks to marine ecosystems and human health, necessitating accurate predictions of their distributions in aquatic environments for effective risk mitigation. However, understanding MP transport dynamics is challenging because of the inadequate representation of MP characteristics such as size, shape, and density in numerical models. Further, the accuracy of the MP vertical profiles in existing models has not been thoroughly validated. Thus, we developed an MP transport model within the Finite Volume Community Ocean Model framework (FVCOM-MP) by integrating MP characteristics. We validated FVCOM-MP against experimental and analytical data, focusing on various MP transport modes and transitions. FVCOM-MP successfully replicates MP profiles in different transport modes, including the bedload, surface load, suspended load, and mixed load modes. Additionally, we introduce phase diagrams for classifying MP transport modes based on particle characteristics, enhancing our understanding of MP dynamics in aquatic systems. The transport modes for a number of real-world MP particles, including fishing line, plastic bag/bottle fragments, synthetic fibers, tire wear particles, polyvinyl chloride and expanded polystyrene pellets, were analyzed with these phase diagrams.

Co-Assembled Supramolecular Organohydrogels of Amphiphilic Zwitterion and Polyoxometalate with Controlled Microstructures

The organization of modifiable and functional building components into various superstructures is of great interest due to their broad applications. Supramolecular self-assembly, based on rationally designed building blocks and appropriately utilized driving forces, is a promising and widely used strategy for constructing superstructures with well-defined nanostructures and diverse morphologies across multiple length scales. In this study, two homogeneous organohydrogels with distinct appearances were constructed by simply mixing polyoxometalate (phosphomolybdic acid, HPMo) and a double-tailed zwitterionic quaternary ammonium amphiphile in a binary solvent of water and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The delicate balance between electrostatic attraction and repulsion of anionic HPMo clusters and zwitterionic structures drove them to co-assemble into homogeneous organohydrogels with diverse microstructures. Notably, the morphologies of the organohydrogels, including unilamellar vesicles, onion-like vesicles, and spherical aggregates, can be controlled by adjusting the ionic interactions between the zwitterionic amphiphiles and phosphomolybdic acid clusters. Furthermore, we observed an organohydrogel fabricated with densely stacked onion-like structures (multilamellar vesicles) consisting of more than a dozen layers at certain proportions. Additionally, the relationships between the self-assembled architectures and the intermolecular interactions among the polyoxometalate, zwitterionic amphiphile, and solvent molecules were elucidated. This study offers valuable insights into the mechanisms of polyoxometalate-zwitterionic amphiphile co-assembly, which are essential for the development of materials with specific structures and emerging functionalities.

A Review of the Phytochemistry and Biological Activities of Echinopsis Radix

The main varieties of Echinopsis Radix recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia are the roots of Echinops latifolius Tausch or Echinops grijsii Hance. However, the chemical constituents and biological activities of this herb have not been reviewed. In order to clarify the chemical constituents of the main varieties of this herb and improve the quality of Chinese medicinal material resources, this paper systematically reviewed their chemical constituents and related biological activities. Phytochemical investigations reveal eighty-five compounds including fort y-nine thiophenes (1-49), eight flavonoids (50-57), seven caffeic acids and its derivatives (58-64), eight sesquiterpenoids (65-72), and thirteen triterpenoids and other compounds (73-85) were reported from Echinopsis Radix. The review of biological activities suggests that thiophenes are the main secondary metabolites of the medicinal material which exert antitumor, insecticidal and antifungal activities. In addition, caffeic acid and its derivatives and sesquiterpenes are potential active ingredients worthy of further study. This review provides an important scientific basis for the development of active ingredients and resource quality evaluation of Echinopsis Radix.

Machine Learning Models Identify Inhibitors of New Delhi Metallo-β-lactamase

The worldwide spread of the metallo-β-lactamases (MBL), especially New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 (NDM-1), is threatening the efficacy of β-lactams, which are the most potent and prescribed class of antibiotics in the clinic. Currently, FDA-approved MBL inhibitors are lacking in the clinic even though many strategies have been used in inhibitor development, including quantitative high-throughput screening (qHTS), fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD), and molecular docking. Herein, a machine learning-based prediction tool is described, which was generated using results from HTS of a large chemical library and previously published inhibition data. The prediction tool was then used for virtual screening of the NIH Genesis library, which was subsequently screened using qHTS. A novel MBL inhibitor was identified and shown to lower minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of Meropenem for a panel of E. coli and K. pneumoniae clinical isolates expressing NDM-1. The mechanism of inhibition of this novel scaffold was probed utilizing equilibrium dialyses with metal analyses, native state electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, UV-vis spectrophotometry, and molecular docking. The uncovered inhibitor, compound 72922413, was shown to be 9-hydroxy-3-[(5-hydroxy-1-oxa-9-azaspiro[5.5]undec-9-yl)carbonyl]-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-one.

Visceral adiposity associated with incidence and development trajectory of cardiometabolic diseases: A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

There is a lack of literature concerning the effects of visceral adipose on the development of first cardiometabolic disease (FCMD) and its subsequent progression to cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM) and mortality.

METHODS AND RESULTS

423,934 participants from the UK Biobank with different baseline disease conditions were included in the analysis. CMM was defined as the simultaneous presence of coronary heart disease, T2D, and stroke. Visceral adiposity was estimated by calculating the visceral adiposity index (VAI). Multistate models were used to assess the effect of visceral adiposity on the development of CMM. During a median follow-up of 13.5 years, 50,589 patients had at least one CMD, 6131 were diagnosed with CMM, whereas 24,634 patients died. We observed distinct roles of VAI with respect to different disease transitions of CMM. HRs (95 % CIs) of high VAI were 2.35 (2.29-2.42) and 1.64 (1.50-1.79) for transitions from healthy to FCMD and from FCMD to CMM, and 0.97 (0.93-1.02) for all-cause mortality risk from healthy, FCMD and CMM, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides the first evidence that visceral adipose may contribute to the development of FCMD and CMM in healthy participants. However, visceral adipose may confer resistance to all-cause mortality in participants with existing CMD or CMM. A better understanding of the relationship between visceral adipose and CMM can focalize further investigations on patients with CMD with high levels of visceral fat and help take targeted preventive measures to reduce the medical burden on individual patients and society.

Fabrication and characterization of a multi-functional GBR membrane of gelatin-chitosan for osteogenesis and angiogenesis

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) membranes are widely used to treat bone defects. In this study, sequential electrospinning and electrospraying techniques were used to prepare a dual-layer GBR membrane composed of gelatin (Gel) and chitosan (CS) containing simvastatin (Sim)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres (Sim@PLGA/Gel-CS). As a GBR membrane, Sim@PLGA/Gel-CS could act as a barrier to prevent soft tissue from occupying regions of bone tissue. Furthermore, compared with traditional GBR membranes, Sim@PLGA/Gel-CS played an active role on stimulating osteogenesis and angiogenesis. Determination of the physical, chemical, and biological properties of Sim@PLGA/Gel-CS membranes revealed uniform sizes of the nanofibers and microspheres and appropriate morphologies. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was used to characterize the interactions between Sim@PLGA/Gel-CS molecules and the increase in the number of amide groups in crosslinked membranes. The thermal stability and tensile strength of the membranes increased after N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N9- ethylcarbodiimide/N-hydroxysuccinimide crosslinking. The increased fiber density of the barrier layer decreased fibroblast migration compared with that in the osteogenic layer. Osteogenic function was indicated by the increased alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium deposition, and neovascularization. In conclusion, the multifunctional effects of Sim@PLGA/Gel-CS on the barrier and bone microenvironment were achieved via its dual-layer structure and simvastatin coating. Sim@PLGA/Gel-CS has potential applications in bone tissue regeneration.

Peritoneal Phosphate Clearance: Determinants and Association With Mortality

BACKGROUND

Dialytic phosphate removal is a cornerstone of the management of hyperphosphatemia in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, but the influencing factors on peritoneal phosphate clearance (PPC) are incompletely understood. Our objective was to explore clinically relevant factors associated with PPC in patients with different PD modality and peritoneal transport status and the association of PPC with mortality.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional and prospective observational study. Four hundred eighty-five PD patients were enrolled and divided into 2 groups according to PPC. All-cause mortality was evaluated after followed-up for at least 3 months.

RESULTS

High PPC group showed lower mortality compared with Low PPC group by Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test. Both multivariate linear regression and multivariate logistic regression revealed that high transport status, total effluent dialysate volume per day, continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD), and protein in total effluent dialysate volume appeared to be positively correlated with PPC; body mass index (BMI) and the normalized protein equivalent of total nitrogen appearance (nPNA) were negatively correlated with PPC. Besides PD modality and membrane transport status, total effluent dialysate volume showed a strong relationship with PPC, but the correlation differed among PD modalities.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher PPC was associated with lower all-cause mortality risk in PD patients. Higher PPC correlated with CAPD modality, fast transport status, higher effluent dialysate volume and protein content, and with lower BMI and nPNA.

Soybean isolate protein complexes with different concentrations of inulin by ultrasound treatment: Structural and functional properties

The effects of ultrasound and different inulin (INU) concentrations (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg/mL) on the structural and functional properties of soybean isolate protein (SPI)-INU complexes were hereby investigated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that SPI was bound to INU via hydrogen bonding. All samples showed a decreasing and then increasing trend of α-helix content with increasing INU concentration. SPI-INU complexes by ultrasound with an INU concentration of 20 mg/mL (U-2) had the lowest content of α-helix, the highest content of random coils and the greatest flexibility, indicating the proteins were most tightly bound to INU in U-2. Both UV spectroscopy and intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy indicated that it was hydrophobic interactions between INU and SPI. The addition of INU prevented the exposure of tryptophan and tyrosine residues to form a more compact tertiary structure compared to SPI alone, and ultrasound caused further unfolding of the structure of SPI. This indicated that the combined effect of ultrasound and INU concentration significantly altered the tertiary structure of SPI. SDS-PAGE and Native-PAGE displayed the formation of complexes through non-covalent interactions between SPI and INU. The ζ-potential and particle size of U-2 were minimized to as low as -34.94 mV and 110 nm, respectively. Additionally, the flexibility, free sulfhydryl groups, solubility, emulsifying and foaming properties of the samples were improved, with the best results for U-2, respectively 0.25, 3.51 μmoL/g, 55.51 %, 269.91 %, 25.90 %, 137.66 % and 136.33 %. Overall, this work provides a theoretical basis for improving the functional properties of plant proteins.

Dietary supplementation of osthole and icariin improves the production performance of laying hens by promoting follicular development

Osthole (Ost) and icariin (Ica) are extracted from traditional Chinese medicine Cnidium monnieri and Epimedii Folium, respectively, and both exhibit estrogen-like biological activity. This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of combining Ost with Ica on the production performance of laying hens and to explore their possible mechanisms. The production performance, egg quality, residues of Ost and Ica in eggs, serum reproductive hormone levels, expression of ovarian reproductive hormone receptor, proliferation of granulosa cells in small yellow follicles (SYF), and progesterone secretion in large yellow follicles (LYF) related genes and proteins expression were detected. The results showed that adding 2 mg/kg Ost + 2 mg/kg Ica to the feed increased the laying rate, average egg weight, Haugh unit, and protein height of laying hens. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and progesterone (P4) levels increased, and the expression of ovarian estrogen receptor (ER), follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), and progesterone receptor (PGR) mRNA was up-regulated. Additionally, the mRNA and protein levels of steroidogenesis acute regulatory protein (StAR), cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc), and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) increased in LYF. Furthermore, mRNA and protein levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cyclin E1, and cyclin A2 were up-regulated in SYF. The residues of Ost and Ica in egg samples were not detected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of Ost and Ica increased granulosa cells proliferation in SYF and increased P4 secretion in granulosa cells of LYF, ultimately improving the production performance of laying hens.

Comparative analysis of stripe rust resistance in seedling stage and Yr gene incidence in spring and winter wheat from Xinjiang, China

Background

Stripe rust, caused by the fungus Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici (Pst), poses a significant threat to global wheat production.

Objectives

This study aims to analyze the distribution of stripe rust resistance genes, characterize resistance phenotypes at the seedling stage of 137 spring and 149 winter wheat varieties in Xinjiang, China, and discern differences in resistance between spring and winter wheat varieties.

Design

We used various Pst races (CYR23, CYR29, CYR31, CYR32, CYR33, CYR34) to characterize seedling resistance of spring and winter wheat varieties and to correlate resistance to the presence of wheat resistance genes (Yr5, Yr9, Yr10, Yr15, Yr17, Yr18, Yr26, Yr41, Yr80, Yr81) using molecular markers.

Results

Among spring wheat varieties, 62, 60, 42, 26, 51, and 24 varieties exhibited resistance to CYR23, CYR29, CYR31, CYR32, CYR33, and CYR34, respectively, with four varieties resistant to all varieties. Among winter wheat varieties, 66, 32, 69, 26, 83, 40 varieties demonstrated resistance to CYR23, CYR29, CYR31, CYR32, CYR33, and CYR34, respectively, with four varieties resistant to all varieties. Molecular testing revealed that, in spring wheat, 2, 17, 21, 61, 10, 0, 10, 79, and 32 varieties carried Yr9, Yr10, Yr15, Yr17, Yr18, Yr26, Yr41, Yr80, and Yr81 genes, respectively. In winter wheat, 40, 20, 7, 143, 15, 1, 6, 38, and 54 varieties carried Yr9, Yr10, Yr15, Yr17, Yr18, Yr26, Yr41, Yr80, and Yr81 genes, respectively. Notably, winter wheat exhibited a significantly higher resistance frequency than spring wheat, particularly in the incidence of Yr9, Yr10, Yr17, Yr18, and multi-gene combinations.

Conclusion

In summary, this study provides information on seedling stage resistance to stripe rust 286 Xinjiang wheat varieties, elucidates the distribution of resistance genes in this population, and offers a mechanistic basis for breeding durable resistance in wheat. varieties from Xinjiang.

Baicalin ameliorates the gut barrier function and intestinal microbiota of broiler chickens

The deoxynivalenol (DON)-contaminated feeds can impair chicken gut barrier function, disturb the balance of the intestinal microbiota, decrease chicken growth performance and cause major economic loss. With the aim of investigating the ameliorating effects of baicalin on broiler intestinal barrier damage and gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by DON, a total of 150 Arbor Acres broilers are used in the present study. The morphological damage to the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum caused by DON is reversed by treatment with different doses of baicalin, and the expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, claudin-1, and occludin) is also significantly increased in the baicalin-treated groups. Moreover, the disturbance of the intestinal microbiota caused by DON-contaminated feed is altered by baicalin treatment. In particular, compared with those in the DON group, the relative abundances of Lactobacillus, Lachnoclostridium, Ruminiclostridium and other beneficial microbes in the baicalin-treated groups are significantly greater. However, the percentage of unclassified_f__Lachnospiraceae in the baicalin-treated groups is significantly decreased in the DON group. Overall, the current results demonstrate that different doses of baicalin can improve broiler intestinal barrier function and the ameliorating effects on broiler intestinal barrier damage may be related to modulations of the intestinal microbiota.

Exploration of digestion-resistant immunodominant epitopes in shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) allergens

The digestion products of Penaeus vannamei still had sensitizing and eliciting capacity; however, the underlying mechanism has not been identified. This study analyzed the structural changes of shrimp proteins during digestion, predicted the linearmimotopepeptides and first validated the allergenicity of immunodominantepitopes with binding ability. The results showed that the shrimp proteins were gradually degraded into small peptides during digestion, which might lead to the destruction of linear epitopes. However, these peptides carried IgE epitopes that still trigger allergic reactions. Eighteen digestion-resistant epitopes were predicted by multiple immunoinformatics tools and digestomics. Five epitopes contained more critical amino acids and had strong molecular docking (P1: DSGVGIYAPDAEA, P2: EGELKGTYYPLTGM, P3: GRQGDPHGKFDLPPGV, P4: IFAWPHKDNNGIE, P5: KSTESSVTVPDVPSIHD), and these epitopes were identified as novel IgE binding immunodominantepitopes in Penaeus vannamei. These findings provide novel insight into allergenic epitopes, which might serve as key targets for reducing the allergenicity in shrimp.

Investigating the Effects of Perampanel on Autophagy-mediated Regulation of GluA2 and PSD95 in Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. Despite various treatment approaches, a significant number of patients continue to experience uncontrolled seizures, leading to refractory epilepsy. The emergence of novel anti-epileptic drugs, such as perampanel (PER), has provided promising options for effective epilepsy treatment. However, the specific mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of PER remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the intrinsic molecular regulatory mechanisms involved in the downregulation of GluA2, a key subunit of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors, following epileptic seizures. Primary mouse hippocampal neurons were cultured and subjected to an epilepsy cell model. The expression levels of GluA2 and autophagy-related proteins were assessed using Western blotting and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry techniques were employed to investigate the nuclear translocation of CREB-regulated transcriptional coactivator 1 (CRTC1). Additionally, status epilepticus animal models were established to further validate the findings. The epilepsy cell model exhibited a significant decrease in GluA2 expression, accompanied by elevated levels of autophagy-related proteins. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed the nuclear translocation of CRTC1, which correlated with the expression of autophagy-related genes. Treatment with an autophagy inhibitor reversed the decreased expression of GluA2 in the epilepsy cell model. Furthermore, the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase inhibitor FK506 and CaN overexpression affected the dephosphorylation and nuclear translocation of CRTC1, consequently influencing GluA2 expression. Animal model results further supported the involvement of these molecular mechanisms in epilepsy. Our findings suggest that the downregulation of GluA2 following epileptic seizures involves the activation of autophagy and the regulation of CRTC1 nuclear translocation. These intrinsic molecular regulatory mechanisms provide potential targets for developing novel therapeutic strategies to alleviate refractory epilepsy and preserve cognitive functions in patients.

Molecular Mechanisms of Iron Transport and Homeostasis Regulated by Antarctic Krill-Derived Heptapeptide-Iron Complex

In this study, the molecular mechanisms of iron transport and homeostasis regulated by the Antarctic krill-derived heptapeptide-iron (LVDDHFL-iron) complex were explored. LVDDHFL-iron significantly increased the hemoglobin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity levels, and iron contents in the liver and spleen to normal levels, regulated the gene expressions of iron homeostasis, and enhanced in vivo antioxidant capacity in iron-deficiency anemia mice (P < 0.05). The results revealed that iron ions within LVDDHFL-iron can be transported via the heme transporter and divalent metal transporter-1, and the absorption of LVDDHFL-iron involved receptor-mediated endocytosis. We also found that the transport of LVDDHFL-iron across cells via phagocytosis was facilitated by the up-regulation of the high mobility group protein, heat shock protein β, and V-type proton ATPase subunit, accompanied by the regulatory mechanism of autophagy. These findings provided deeper understandings of the mechanism of LVDDHFL-iron facilitating iron absorption.

Metabolomics of cerebrospinal fluid reveals candidate diagnostic biomarkers to distinguish between spinal muscular atrophy type II and type III

AIMS

Classification of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is associated with the clinical prognosis; however, objective classification markers are scarce. This study aimed to identify metabolic markers in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of children with SMA types II and III.

METHODS

CSF samples were collected from 40 patients with SMA (27 with type II and 13 with type III) and analyzed for metabolites.

RESULTS

We identified 135 metabolites associated with SMA types II and III. These were associated with lysine degradation and arginine, proline, and tyrosine metabolism. We identified seven metabolites associated with the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale: 4-chlorophenylacetic acid, adb-chminaca,(+/-)-, dodecyl benzenesulfonic acid, norethindrone acetate, 4-(undecan-5-yl) benzene-1-sulfonic acid, dihydromaleimide beta-d-glucoside, and cinobufagin. Potential typing biomarkers, N-cyclohexylformamide, cinobufagin, cotinine glucuronide, N-myristoyl arginine, 4-chlorophenylacetic acid, geranic acid, 4-(undecan-5-yl) benzene, and 7,8-diamino pelargonate, showed good predictive performance. Among these, N-myristoyl arginine was unaffected by the gene phenotype.

CONCLUSION

This study identified metabolic markers are promising candidate prognostic factors for SMA. We also identified the metabolic pathways associated with the severity of SMA. These assessments can help predict the outcomes of screening SMA classification biomarkers.

Metabolic heterogeneity affects trastuzumab response and survival in HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Trastuzumab is the only first-line treatment targeted against the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) approved for patients with HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer. The impact of metabolic heterogeneity on trastuzumab treatment efficacy remains unclear.

METHODS

Spatial metabolomics via high mass resolution imaging mass spectrometry was performed in pretherapeutic biopsies of patients with HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer in a prospective multicentre observational study. The mass spectra, representing the metabolic heterogeneity within tumour areas, were grouped by K-means clustering algorithm. Simpson's diversity index was applied to compare the metabolic heterogeneity level of individual patients.

RESULTS

Clustering analysis revealed metabolic heterogeneity in HER2-positive gastric cancer patients and uncovered nine tumour subpopulations. High metabolic heterogeneity was shown as a factor indicating sensitivity to trastuzumab (p = 0.008) and favourable prognosis at trend level. Two of the nine tumour subpopulations associated with favourable prognosis and trastuzumab sensitivity, and one subpopulation associated with poor prognosis and trastuzumab resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

This work revealed that tumour metabolic heterogeneity associated with prognosis and trastuzumab response based on tissue metabolomics of HER2-positive gastric cancer. Tumour metabolic subpopulations may provide an association with trastuzumab therapy efficacy.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

The patient cohort was conducted from a multicentre observational study (VARIANZ;NCT02305043).

Unveiling the Anticancer Mechanism of Echinops davuricus: Isolation and Evaluation of AKR1B10 Inhibitors

Five compounds (1-5), one long-chain fatty acid (1), two thiophenes (2 and 3), one alkaloid (4), and one phenyl ester (5), were isolated from the aerial part of Echinops davuricus. The structures of the products were established by performing detailed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, and the structure of compound 1 was determined via high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS) and NMR. Compounds 1, 4, and 5 were isolated from Echinops davuricus for the first time. Based on network pharmacology methods, AKR1B10 was selected as a key anticancer target. Compounds 1 and 5 exhibited significant AKR1B10 inhibitory activities, with IC50 values of 156.0±1.00 and 146.2±1.50 nM, respectively, with epalrestat used as the positive control (81.09±0.61 nM). Additionally, the interactions between the active compounds and AKR1B10 were evaluated via molecular docking. Ultimately, the GO and KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that the key signaling pathways associated with the active compounds may be related to the PI3K-Akt, MAPK, apoptotic, cellular senescence, and TNF signaling pathways and the human diseases corresponding to the targets are cancer. Our study reveals for the first time the anticancer properties of Echinops davuricus and provides a comprehensive understanding of its application in traditional medicine.

Analysis of the retraction papers in oncology field from Chinese scholars from 2013 to 2022

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the characteristics of retracted oncology papers from Chinese scholars and the reasons for retraction.

METHODS

Data on retracted oncology papers from Chinese scholars published from 2013 to 2022 were retrieved from the Retraction Watch database. The retraction number and annual distribution, article types, reasons for retraction, retraction time delay, publishers, and journal characteristics of the retracted papers were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 2695 oncology papers from Chinese scholars published from 2013 to 2022 had been retracted. The majority of these papers were published from 2017 to 2020. In terms of article type, 2538 of the retracted papers were research articles, accounting for 94.17% of the total number of retracted papers. The main reasons for retraction were data, result, and image problems, duplicate publication, paper mills, author- and third-party-related reasons, plagiarism, false reviews, and method errors. The retraction time delay for the retracted papers ranged from 0 to 3582 days (median, 826 days). The retractions mainly occurred within the first 4 years after publication. A total of 77 publishers were involved in the retracted papers. In terms of journal distribution, 394 journals were involved in the retracted papers, of which 368 (93.40%) were included in the SCI database. There were 243 journals with an impact factor of <5 (66.03%).

CONCLUSION

In the field of oncology, the annual distribution of retracted papers from Chinese scholars exhibited first an increasing and subsequently a decreasing trend, reaching a peak in 2019, indicating an improvement in the status of retraction after 2021. The main type of the retracted papers was research article, and the main reason for retraction was academic misconduct. The retractions were mainly concentrated in several major publishers and periodicals in Europe and the United States. Most of the journals had low-impact factors.

Neurophysiological Characteristics in Type II and Type III 5q Spinal Muscular Atrophy Patients: Impact of Nusinersen Treatment

Objective

This study aimed to observe the neurophysiological characteristics of type II and type III 5q spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients and the changes in peripheral motor nerve electrophysiology after Nusinersen treatment, as well as the influencing factors.

Methods

This single-center retrospective case-control study collected clinical data and peripheral motor nerve CMAP parameters from 42 5qSMA patients and 42 healthy controls at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University (January 2021 to December 2022). It evaluated changes in motor function and CMAP amplitude before and after Nusinersen treatment.

Results

Our investigation encompassed all symptomatic and genetically confirmed SMA patients, consisting of 32 type II and 10 type III cases, with a median age of 57 months (29.5 to 96 months). Comparative analysis with healthy controls revealed substantial reductions in CMAP amplitudes across various nerves in both type II and type III patients. Despite the administration of Nusinersen treatment for 6 or 14 months to the entire cohort, discernible alterations in motor nerve amplitudes were not observed, except for a significant improvement in younger patients (≤36 months) at the 14-month mark. Further scrutiny within the type II subgroup unveiled that individuals with a disease duration ≤12 months experienced a noteworthy upswing in femoral nerve amplitude, a statistically significant difference when compared to those with >12 months of disease duration.

Conclusion

Motor nerve amplitudes were significantly decreased in type II and type III 5q SMA patients compared to healthy controls. Nusinersen treatment showed better improvement in motor nerve amplitudes in younger age groups and those with shorter disease duration, indicating a treatment-time dependence.

Demystifying the Digital Divide: Disparities in Telerehabilitation Readiness Among Older Adults in the United States

OBJECTIVE

To estimate readiness of older rehabilitation users in the United States to participate in video-based telerehabilitation and assess disparities in readiness among racial and ethnic minoritized populations, socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, and rural-dwelling older adults.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study using nationally representative survey data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study from 2015 and 2020. Survey-weighted regression models, accounting for complex survey design, were used to generate estimates of readiness and evaluate disparities across racial and ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic subgroups. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for each comparison.

SETTING

Home or community rehabilitation environments.

PARTICIPANTS

A cohort of 5274 home or community-based rehabilitation users aged 70 years or older (N=5274), representing a weighted 33,576,313 older adults in the United States.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Video-based telerehabilitation readiness was defined consistent with prior work; unreadiness was defined as lacking ownership of internet-enabled devices, limited proficiency of use, or living with severe cognitive, visual, or hearing impairment. Telerehabilitation readiness was categorized as "Ready" or "Unready".

RESULTS

Approximately 2 in 3 older rehabilitation users were categorized as ready to participate in video-based rehabilitation. Significantly lower rates of readiness were observed among those living in rural areas (OR=0.75, 95% CI: 0.60-0.94), financially strained individuals (OR=0.37, 95% CI: 0.26-0.53), and among individuals identifying as Black or Hispanic (as compared with non-Hispanic White older adults: Non-Hispanic Black [OR=0.23, 95% CI: 0.18-0.30]; Hispanic [OR=0.17, 95% CI: 0.11, 0.27]).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight significant disparities in the readiness to uptake video-based telerehabilitation. Policy and practice interventions to address telerehabilitation readiness should focus not only on improving broadband access but also on technology ownership and training to ensure equitable adoption in populations with lower baseline readiness.

Comparative study of clinical reasoning competence and self-directed learning competence in nurses across varied years of experience

OBJECTIVES

To compare and analyse the differences in the clinical reasoning competence of nurses with different working years and their relationship with self-directed learning competence.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey design (online investigation) was used. A total of 376 nurses were recruited from four independent hospitals in China. Online questionnaires collected data on nurses' demographic characteristics and assessed their clinical reasoning and self-directed learning competence. Pearson correlation analysis, t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multivariate regression analysis were used.

RESULTS

Clinical reasoning competence scores of nurses with working years >10 years were higher than those of other nurses. Self-directed learning competence scores of nurses with working years of <1 year and (from ≥1 year to <3 years) were lower than those of nurses with working years of 6-10 years and >10 years. Self-directed learning competence scores of nurses with working years of 3-5 years were lower than those of nurses with working years of >10 years. There was a positive correlation between clinical reasoning competence, self-directed learning competence and each dimension among nurses of different working years. There are differences in the influence of different dimensions of self-directed learning competence on clinical reasoning competence among different working years.

CONCLUSION

There were differences in clinical reasoning and self-directed learning competence among nurses with different working years. Self-directed learning competence is a positive predictor of nurses' clinical reasoning competence, which applied to nurses with all working years; however, the specific effect of self-directed learning competence on clinical reasoning competence differed among nurses with different working years.

IMPLICATION FOR NURSING MANAGERS

Nursing managers should pay attention to the development characteristics of clinical reasoning competence and self-directed learning competence of nurses with different working years and determine effective intervention strategies according to specific influencing factors.

A radiomics model to predict γδ T-cell abundance and overall survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

γδ T cells are becoming increasingly popular because of their attractive potential for antitumor immunotherapy. However, the role and assessment of γδ T cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are not well understood. We aimed to explore the prognostic value of γδ T cell and predict its abundance using a radiomics model. Computer tomography images with corresponding gene expression data and clinicopathological data were obtained from online databases. After outlining the volumes of interest manually, the radiomic features were screened using maximum melevance minimum redundancy and recursive feature elimination algorithms. A radiomics model was developed to predict γδ T-cell abundance using gradient boosting machine. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used for the survival analysis. In this study, we confirmed that γδ T-cell abundance was an independent predictor of favorable overall survival (OS) in patients with HNSCC. Moreover, a radiomics model was built to predict the γδ T-cell abundance level (the areas under the operating characteristic curves of 0.847 and 0.798 in the training and validation sets, respectively). The calibration and decision curves analysis demonstrated the fitness of the model. The high radiomic score was an independent protective factor for OS. Our results indicated that γδ T-cell abundance was a promising prognostic predictor in HNSCC, and the radiomics model could discriminate its abundance levels and predict OS. The noninvasive radiomics model provided a potentially powerful prediction tool to aid clinical judgment and antitumor immunotherapy.

Integrated Bioinformatics Exploration and Preliminary Clinical Verification for the Identification of Crucial Biomarkers in Severe Cases of COVID-19

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory infectious illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The objective of this study is to identify reliable and accurate biomarkers for the early stratification of disease severity, a crucial aspect that is currently lacking for the impending phases of the next COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

In this study, we identified important module and hub genes related to clinical severe COVID-19 using differentially expressed genes (DEGs) screening combing weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) in dataset GSE213313. We further screened and confirmed these hub genes in another two new independent datasets (GSE172114 and GSE157103). In order to evaluate these key genes' stability and robustness for diagnosing or predicting the progression of illness, we used RT-PCR validation of selected genes in blood samples obtained from hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Results

A total of 968 and 52 DEGs were identified between COVID-19 patients and normal people, critical and non-critical patients, respectively. Then, using WGCNA, 10 modules were constructed. Among them, the blue module positively associated with clinic disease severity of COVID-19. From overlapped section between DEGs and blue module, 12 intersected common differential genes were obtained. Subsequently, these hub genes were validated in another two new independent datasets as well and 9 genes that overlapped showed a highly correlation with disease severity. Finally, the mRNA expression levels of these hub genes were tested in blood samples from COVID-19 patients. In severe cases, there was increased expression of MCEMP1, ANXA3, CD177, and SCN9A. In particular, MCEMP1 increased with disease severity, which suggested an unfavorable development and a frustrating prognosis.

Conclusion

Using comprehensive bioinformatical analysis and the validation of clinical samples, we identified four major candidate genes, MCEMP1, ANXA3, CD177, and SCN9A, which are essential for diagnosis or development of COVID-19.

Tumor acidification and GSH depletion by bimetallic composite nanoparticles for enhanced chemodynamic therapy of TNBC

Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) based on intracellular Fenton reaction to produce highly cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) has played an essential role in tumor therapy. However, this therapy still needs to be improved by weakly acidic pH and over-expression of glutathione (GSH) in tumor microenvironment (TEM), which hinders its future application. Herein, we reported a multifunctional bimetallic composite nanoparticle MnO2@GA-Fe@CAI based on a metal polyphenol network (MPN) structure, which could reduce intracellular pH and endogenous GSH by remodeling tumor microenvironment to improve Fenton activity. MnO2 nanoparticles were prepared first and MnO2@GA-Fe nanoparticles with Fe3+ as central ion and gallic acid (GA) as surface ligands were prepared by the chelation reaction. Then, carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (CAI) was coupled with GA to form MnO2@GA-Fe@CAI. The properties of the bimetallic composite nanoparticles were studied, and the results showed that CAI could reduce intracellular pH. At the same time, MnO2 could deplete intracellular GSH and produce Mn2+ via redox reactions, which re-established the TME with low pH and GSH. In addition, GA reduced Fe3+ to Fe2+. Mn2+ and Fe2+ catalyzed the endogenous H2O2 to produce high-lever ROS to kill tumor cells. Compared with MnO2, MnO2@GA-Fe@CAI could reduce the tumor weight and volume for the xenograft MDA-MB-231 tumor-bearing mice and the final tumor inhibition rate of 58.09 ± 5.77%, showing the improved therapeutic effect as well as the biological safety. Therefore, this study achieved the high-efficiency CDT effect catalyzed by bimetallic through reshaping the tumor microenvironment.

Multisensory gamma stimulation promotes glymphatic clearance of amyloid

The glymphatic movement of fluid through the brain removes metabolic waste1-4. Noninvasive 40 Hz stimulation promotes 40 Hz neural activity in multiple brain regions and attenuates pathology in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease5-8. Here we show that multisensory gamma stimulation promotes the influx of cerebrospinal fluid and the efflux of interstitial fluid in the cortex of the 5XFAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Influx of cerebrospinal fluid was associated with increased aquaporin-4 polarization along astrocytic endfeet and dilated meningeal lymphatic vessels. Inhibiting glymphatic clearance abolished the removal of amyloid by multisensory 40 Hz stimulation. Using chemogenetic manipulation and a genetically encoded sensor for neuropeptide signalling, we found that vasoactive intestinal peptide interneurons facilitate glymphatic clearance by regulating arterial pulsatility. Our findings establish novel mechanisms that recruit the glymphatic system to remove brain amyloid.

Construction of prediction model for fetal growth restriction during first trimester in an Asian population

OBJECTIVE

To construct a prediction model for fetal growth restriction (FGR) during the first trimester of pregnancy and evaluate its screening performance.

METHODS

This was a prospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies that underwent routine ultrasound screening at 11 to 13 + 6 weeks at the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2019 and April 2022. Basic clinical information, ultrasound indicators and serum biomarkers of pregnant women were collected. Fetal weight assessment was based on the fetal growth curve for the Southern Chinese population. FGR was diagnosed according to Delphi consensus criteria. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (lasso) regression was used to select variables for inclusion in the model. Discrimination, calibration and clinical effectiveness of the model were evaluated in training and validation cohorts.

RESULTS

A total of 1188 pregnant women were included, of whom 108 had FGR. Lasso regression identified seven predictive features, including history of maternal hypertension, maternal smoking or passive smoking, gravidity, uterine artery pulsatility index, ductus venosus pulsatility index and multiples of the median values of placental growth factor and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1. The nomogram prediction model constructed from these seven variables accurately predicted FGR, and the area under the receiver-operating-characteristics curve in the validation cohort was 0.82 (95% CI, 0.74-0.90). The calibration curve and Hosmer-Lemeshow test demonstrated good calibration, and the clinical decision curve and clinical impact curve supported its practical value in a clinical setting.

CONCLUSION

The multi-index prediction model for FGR has good predictive value during the first trimester. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Comparative efficacy of energy-restricted dietary interventions in overweight and obese populations: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

This meta-analysis compared the effectiveness of different energy-restricted diets on body composition, glucose metabolism, and lipid metabolism in overweight and obese populations. Five databases were searched to identify relevant studies in English from inception until July 20, 2023, for randomized controlled trials of at least 2 weeks duration assessing the effects of continuous energy-restricted diets compared with any intermittent energy-restricted diet in obesity adults. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool version 2.0, while the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) system was used to assess the certainty of the evidence. A non-informative prior distribution Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted. Thirty-eight studies (3039 participants) assessing four energy-restricted diets were included. Three RCTs were at high risk of bias with a very low to moderate certainty of evidence. Combined with pairwise comparisons and surface under the cumulative ranking curve, alternate-day fasting may be the best energy restriction regimen with the potential to have the most beneficial effects on various aspects of the obesity population. More rigorously designed and long-term follow-up studies are warranted.

The TaSnRK1-TabHLH489 module integrates brassinosteroid and sugar signalling to regulate the grain length in bread wheat

Regulation of grain size is a crucial strategy for improving the crop yield and is also a fundamental aspect of developmental biology. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms governing grain development in wheat remain largely unknown. In this study, we identified a wheat atypical basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor, TabHLH489, which is tightly associated with grain length through genome-wide association study and map-based cloning. Knockout of TabHLH489 and its homologous genes resulted in increased grain length and weight, whereas the overexpression led to decreased grain length and weight. TaSnRK1α1, the α-catalytic subunit of plant energy sensor SnRK1, interacted with and phosphorylated TabHLH489 to induce its degradation, thereby promoting wheat grain development. Sugar treatment induced TaSnRK1α1 protein accumulation while reducing TabHLH489 protein levels. Moreover, brassinosteroid (BR) promotes grain development by decreasing TabHLH489 expression through the transcription factor BRASSINAZOLE RESISTANT1 (BZR1). Importantly, natural variations in the promoter region of TabHLH489 affect the TaBZR1 binding ability, thereby influencing TabHLH489 expression. Taken together, our findings reveal that the TaSnRK1α1-TabHLH489 regulatory module integrates BR and sugar signalling to regulate grain length, presenting potential targets for enhancing grain size in wheat.

Draft genome sequence analysis of a mcr-1-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae ST661 isolated from a mink in China

OBJECTIVES

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a major opportunistic pathogen that is a member of the Enterobacteriaceae. K. pneumoniae causes pneumonia in mink and has become the primary infectious disease that limits mink farming. In this study, we report the draft genome sequence of a multidrug-resistant (MDR) strain of K. pneumoniae that harbours the mcr-1 gene isolated from a mink in China.

METHODS

The agar microdilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration of the strain. The entire genomic DNA was sequenced using an Illumina MiSeq platform. A multilocus sequence type (MLST) and a core genome SNP phylogenetic tree analysis with a heatmap of the resistance genes and virulence genes were performed.

RESULTS

The size of the genome was 5451.826 kb, and it included one chromosome and one plasmid. The draft genome of K. pneumoniae indicated that the isolate was a member of MLST 661. Four types of virulence genes were detected. The results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed multiple drug resistance, and 17 resistance genes were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

The genome sequence reported in this study will help to reveal the key role of antibiotic resistance and pathogenic mechanisms. It will provide useful information for the role of mobile genetic elements in the adaptive translocation and spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Effects of propofol intravenous general anesthesia and inhalational anesthesia on T-lymphocyte activity after breast cancer surgery: A meta-analysis

Background

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. General anesthesia is a commonly used anesthesia method for breast cancer surgery, and studies have confirmed that general anesthesia can induce immunosuppression in breast cancer patients and increase the metastasis rate of tumors. However, the difference between the effects of intravenous general anesthesia and inhalation anesthesia on the function of T-lymphocytes is still controversial, and it is necessary to explore reasonable anesthesia methods to reduce immunosuppression caused by surgery and anesthesia.

Materials and Methods

Databases (Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, CBM, CNKI, and Wanfang) were searched (up to October 2022) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing intraoperative inhalation anesthesia and propofol intravenous anesthesia in breast cancer patients, with the outcome of T-lymphocyte subsets. The meta-analysis was performed by STATA 14.0.

Results

Six RCTs with 352 patients were included in the study. Compared with inhalation anesthesia, there was no difference in T-lymphocyte subsets between the two groups immediately after surgery, but the activities of CD4+ T cells in patients with propofol anesthesia were higher (standard mean difference [SMD] = 0.234, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.003-0.466, P = 0.047, I2 = 44.1%) than those under inhalation anesthesia 1 day after surgery, and CD4+/CD8+ activities in patients with propofol anesthesia were higher (SMD = 304, 95% CI: 0.072-0.537, P = 0.010, I2 = 48.0%) than those under inhalation anesthesia 1 day after surgery.

Conclusion

There were no differences in the effects of propofol and inhalation anesthetics on T-lymphocytes immediately after surgery, but the inhibitory effects of inhalation anesthetics on CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ cells were stronger 1 day after surgery.

ACACA reduces lipid accumulation through dual regulation of lipid metabolism and mitochondrial function via AMPK- PPARα- CPT1A axis

BACKGROUND

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multifaceted metabolic disorder, whose global prevalence is rapidly increasing. Acetyl CoA carboxylases 1 (ACACA) is the key enzyme that controls the rate of fatty acid synthesis. Hence, it is crucial to investigate the function of ACACA in regulating lipid metabolism during the progress of NAFLD.

METHODS

Firstly, a fatty liver mouse model was established by high-fat diet at 2nd, 12th, and 20th week, respectively. Then, transcriptome analysis was performed on liver samples to investigate the underlying mechanisms and identify the target gene of the occurrence and development of NAFLD. Afterwards, lipid accumulation cell model was induced by palmitic acid and oleic acid (PA ∶ OA molar ratio = 1∶2). Next, we silenced the target gene ACACA using small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) or the CMS-121 inhibitor. Subsequently, experiments were performed comprehensively the effects of inhibiting ACACA on mitochondrial function and lipid metabolism, as well as on AMPK- PPARα- CPT1A pathway.

RESULTS

This data indicated that the pathways significantly affected by high-fat diet include lipid metabolism and mitochondrial function. Then, we focus on the target gene ACACA. In addition, the in vitro results suggested that inhibiting of ACACA in vitro reduces intracellular lipid accumulation, specifically the content of TG and TC. Furthermore, ACACA ameliorated mitochondrial dysfunction and alleviate oxidative stress, including MMP complete, ATP and ROS production, as well as the expression of mitochondria respiratory chain complex (MRC) and AMPK proteins. Meanwhile, ACACA inhibition enhances lipid metabolism through activation of PPARα/CPT1A, leading to a decrease in intracellular lipid accumulation.

CONCLUSION

Targeting ACACA can reduce lipid accumulation by mediating the AMPK- PPARα- CPT1A pathway, which regulates lipid metabolism and alleviates mitochondrial dysfunction.

Scutellarin targets Wnt5a against zearalenone-induced apoptosis in mouse granulosa cells in vitro and in vivo

Zearalenone (ZEA) poses severe reproductive toxicity to both humans and animals. Scutellarin has been demonstrated to rescue ZEA-induced apoptosis in mouse ovarian granulosa cells (GCs), but its specific targets remain unclear. In the present study, the potential targets of scutellarin were determined to clarify the mechanisms of scutellarin against ZEA-induced ovarian damage. 287 targets of scutellarin in mouse ovarian GCs were obtained by magnetic nano-probe-based fishing assay and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Wnt5a had the lowest binding free energy with scutellarin at - 8.3 kcal/mol. QRT-PCR and western blot showed that scutellarin significantly increased the Wnt5a and β-catenin expression compared with the ZEA-treated group, and cleaved-caspase-3 expression was significantly increased in the scutellarin-treated group after interfering with the expression of Wnt5a. The affinity constant (KD) of Wnt5a and scutellarin was 1.7 × 10-5 M. The pull-down assay also demonstrated that scutellarin could specifically bind to Wnt5a protein. Molecular docking results showed that scutellarin could form hydrogen bonds with TRY52, GLN56, and SER90 on Wnt5a protein, and western blot assay confirmed SER90 was an important site for the binding. Scutellarin significantly increased Wnt5a and β-catenin expression and decreased cleaved-caspase-3 expression in ovarian tissues of mice. In conclusion, scutellarin exerted anti-apoptotic effects on ZEA-induced mouse ovarian GCs by targeting Wnt5a.

Differentiation of antioxidants in reducing oxidation and improving quality of ready-to-eat roasted shrimp after thermal sterilization

Sterilization is essential for ready-to-eat foods; however, it tends to degrade the quality of the product. To explore the role of antioxidants in regulating the edible quality of roasted Pacific white shrimp after sterilization, color changes, degree of oxidation, microstructure and quality of roasted shrimp treated with tea polyphenols, phytic acid, rosemary extract, and d-sodium erythorbate were investigated. Tea polyphenol-treated roasted shrimp had the lowest Maillard intermediate products and browning strength after sterilization; phytic acid significantly reduced carbonyl content and TBARS value; rosemary extract exhibited the lowest level of free radicals, while d-sodium erythorbate preserved a relatively intact myofibrillar structure. Correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between the degree of oxidation and the edible quality of roasted shrimp after sterilization. Therefore, the addition of antioxidants inhibited oxidation and improved the quality of roasted shrimp, and different antioxidants had diverse effects on the quality improvement of roasted shrimp after thermal sterilization.

Regulating the Electronic Structure of Metal-Organic Frameworks by Introducing Mn for Enhanced Oxygen Evolution Activity

The construction of low-cost and highly efficient oxygen evolution electrocatalysts is paramount for clean and sustainable hydrogen energy. In recent years, metal-organic framework (MOF) OER electrocatalysts have attracted tremendous research attention. Herein, we report a simple and facile strategy to construct bimetallic MOFs (named CoMn0.01) for enhancing OER catalytic performance. Significantly, CoMn0.01 exhibited remarkable OER activity (255 mV at 10 mA cm-2) and a low Tafel slope of 66 mV dec-1, superior to those of commercial benchmark electrocatalysts (RuO2, 352 mV, 178 mV dec-1). Besides, the catalyst demonstrated outstanding longevity for 144 h at a current density of 100 mA cm -2. Mn doping can regulate the electronic structure of Co MOFs, which optimizes charge transfer capability and improves conductivity.

Blockade of C5aR1 resets M1 via gut microbiota-mediated PFKM stabilization in a TLR5-dependent manner

Targeting C5aR1 modulates the function of infiltrated immune cells including tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). The gut microbiome plays a pivotal role in colorectal cancer (CRC) tumorigenesis and development through TAM education. However, whether and how the gut flora is involved in C5aR1 inhibition-mediated TAMs remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, genetic deletion of C5ar1 or pharmacological inhibition of C5aR1 with anti-C5aR1 Ab or PMX-53 in the presence or absence of deletion Abs were utilized to verify if and how C5aR1 inhibition regulated TAMs polarization via affecting gut microbiota composition. We found that the therapeutic effects of C5aR1 inhibition on CRC benefited from programming of TAMs toward M1 polarization via driving AKT2-mediated 6-phosphofructokinase muscle type (PFKM) stabilization in a TLR5-dependent manner. Of note, in the further study, we found that C5aR1 inhibition elevated the concentration of serum IL-22 and the mRNA levels of its downstream target genes encoded antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), leading to gut microbiota modulation and flagellin releasement, which contributed to M1 polarization. Our data revealed that high levels of C5aR1 in TAMs predicted poor prognosis. In summary, our study suggested that C5aR1 inhibition reduced CRC growth via resetting M1 by AKT2 activation-mediated PFKM stabilization in a TLR5-dependent manner, which relied on IL-22-regulated gut flora.

[Retrospective study of 70 cases with the head and neck non-parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma]

Objective: To analyze the treatment outcomes and prognoses of children with head and neck non-parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma (HNnPM RMS). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of children with HNnPM RMS admitted to Beijing Children's Hospital from September 2012 to September 2022. The clinical features, comprehensive treatment modes and prognoses of the patients were analyzed. The overall survival rate (OS) and event free survival rate (EFS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and univariate analysis was performed using the Log-rank test. Results: A total of 70 children were included in this study, 38 males and 32 females, with a median age of 47 months (2-210 months). Pathological subtypes including the embryonal in 27 cases, the alveolar in 36 cases and the spindle cell and sclerosing in 7 cases. Thirty children (83.3%) with alveolar type were positive for FOXO1 gene fusion. All 70 children underwent chemotherapy, including 38 with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 32 with adjuvant chemotherapy. Sixty of 70 children underwent surgery, of whom, 10 underwent two or more surgeries. There were 63 children underwent radiotherapy, including 54 with intensity-modulated radiation therapy, 4 with particle implantation and 5 with proton therapy. The median follow-up was 45 (5-113) months, the 5-year OS was 73.2%, and the 5-year EFS was 57.7%. Univariate analysis showed lymph node metastasis (χ2=5.022, P=0.025), distant metastasis (χ2=8.258, P=0.004), and high Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study (IRS) group (χ2=9.859, P=0.029) as risk factors for poor prognosis. Before June 2016, the 5-year OS based on BCH-RMS-2006 scheme was 63.6%, and after 2016, the 5-year OS based on CCCG-RMS-2016 scheme was 79.6%. Conclusion: Multidisciplinary combined standardized treatment can offer good treatment outcome and prognosis for children with HNnPM RMS. Local control is a key to the efficacy of comprehensive treatment.

Rabies virus-based barcoded neuroanatomy resolved by single-cell RNA and in situ sequencing

Mapping the connectivity of diverse neuronal types provides the foundation for understanding the structure and function of neural circuits. High-throughput and low-cost neuroanatomical techniques based on RNA barcode sequencing have the potential to map circuits at cellular resolution and a brain-wide scale, but existing Sindbis virus-based techniques can only map long-range projections using anterograde tracing approaches. Rabies virus can complement anterograde tracing approaches by enabling either retrograde labeling of projection neurons or monosynaptic tracing of direct inputs to genetically targeted postsynaptic neurons. However, barcoded rabies virus has so far been only used to map non-neuronal cellular interactions in vivo and synaptic connectivity of cultured neurons. Here we combine barcoded rabies virus with single-cell and in situ sequencing to perform retrograde labeling and transsynaptic labeling in the mouse brain. We sequenced 96 retrogradely labeled cells and 295 transsynaptically labeled cells using single-cell RNA-seq, and 4130 retrogradely labeled cells and 2914 transsynaptically labeled cells in situ. We found that the transcriptomic identities of rabies virus-infected cells can be robustly identified using both single-cell RNA-seq and in situ sequencing. By associating gene expression with connectivity inferred from barcode sequencing, we distinguished long-range projecting cortical cell types from multiple cortical areas and identified cell types with converging or diverging synaptic connectivity. Combining in situ sequencing with barcoded rabies virus complements existing sequencing-based neuroanatomical techniques and provides a potential path for mapping synaptic connectivity of neuronal types at scale.

Trajectories of quality of life and cognition in different multimorbidity patterns: Evidence from SHARE

OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to observe the trajectory of quality of life (QoL) and cognition, and to a analyze the bidirectional association between cognition and QoL for diverse multimorbidity patterns.

METHODS

In total, 16,153 older participants age ≥50 years were included from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). We used latent class analysis (LCA) to identify multimorbidity patterns in the baseline population. We used linear mixed models (LMM) to examine the trajectory of cognition and QoL in different multimorbidity patterns. A cross-lagged model was employed to analyze the bidirectional association between cognition and QoL in diverse multimorbidity patterns.

RESULTS

Latent class analysis identified four multimorbidity patterns: high and low comorbidity burden (HC and LC), cardiometabolic (CA), and osteoarthrosis (OS). The HC group had the poorest cognitive function and QoL (p for trend < 0.001). Delayed and immediate episodic memory in the OS group declined at a highest rate (p for trend < 0.001). Additionally, a bidirectional association between cognition and QoL was observed. The effect of cognitive function on QoL was relatively stronger than the reverse in the CA and LC groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of decline in cognition and QoL over the time differs in diverse multimorbidity patterns, and patients with four or more chronic diseases should be specially considered. Notably, early monitoring of cognitive function and can help break the vicious cycle between cognitive deterioration and poor QoL in patients with OS or CA diseases.

Portable and Recyclable Luminescent Lanthanide Coordination Polymer Film Sensors for Adenosine Triphosphate in Urine

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a small molecule that is released to the urine from bladder urothelial cells and the bladder mucosal band of the human body. In certain cases, ATP can serve as a biomarker in bladder disease. For the practical applicability of luminescent sensors for ATP in urine, it is significant to find a new strategy for making the detection progress simple and available for in-field urine analysis. Here, a novel luminescent lanthanide coordination polymer (Tb-BPA) was designed and synthesized for quick and sensitive detection of ATP through luminescence quenching with a quenching constant of 4.90 × 103 M-1 and a detection limit of 0.55 × 10-6 M. Besides, Tb-BPA has excellent anti-interference ability and can detect ATP in simulated urine with a small relative standard deviation (<4%). Moreover, the luminescent polyacrylonitrile nanofiber films modified by Tb-BPA were prepared by electrospinning and were used for ATP visual detection. Notably, this film is easy to recover and reuse, and maintains good detection performance after at least 7 cycles.

The prognostic value of dynamic changes in SII for the patients with STEMI undergoing PPCI

BACKGROUND

Predicting the prognosis of primary percutaneous coronary intervention(PPCI) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients in the perioperative period is of great clinical significance. The inflammatory response during the perioperative period is also an important factor. This study aimed to investigate the dynamic changes in the systemic immune inflammatory index (SII) during the perioperative period of PPCI and evaluate its predictive value for in-hospital and out-of-hospital outcomes in patients with STEMI.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 324 consecutive patients with STEMI who were admitted to the cardiac care unit. Blood samples were collected before PPCI, 12 h (T1), 24 h, 48 h after PPCI, the last time before hospital discharge (T2), and 1 month after hospital discharge. The SII was calculated as (neutrophils×platelets)/lymphocytes. Based on whether the primary endpoint occurred, we divided the patients into event and non-event groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors that might influence the occurrence of the primary endpoint. Dynamic curves of SII were plotted, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn for each node to calculate the optimal critical value, sensitivity, and specificity to assess their predictive ability for in-hospital and out-of-hospital courses. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to analyze the differences in survival rates at different SII inflammation levels.

RESULTS

High levels of SII were individually related to the occurrence of the in-hospital period and long-term outcomes during the post-operative follow-up of STEMI patients (in-hospital SII: T1:OR 1.001,95%CI 1.001-1.001, P < 0.001; SII following hospital discharge: T1M: OR 1.008,95%CI 1.006-1.010, P < 0.001). Patients with high SII levels had lower survival rates than those with low SII levels. The analysis showed that the SII 12 h after (T1) and SII 1 month (T1M) had excellent predictive values for the occurrence of in-hospital and out-of-hospital outcomes, respectively (AUC:0.896, P < 0.001; AUC:0.892, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

There is a significant relationship between the dynamic status of SII and prognosis in patients with STEMI. This study found that the 12 h and SII 1 month affected in-hospital and out-of-hospital outcomes, respectively. Consequently, we focused on the dynamic changes in the SII.

Prognostic value of plasma microRNAs for non-small cell lung cancer based on data mining models

BACKGROUND

As biomarkers, microRNAs (miRNAs) are closely associated with the occurrence, progression, and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the prognostic predictive value of miRNAs in NSCLC has rarely been explored. In this study, the value in prognosis prediction of NSCLC was mined based on data mining models using clinical data and plasma miRNAs biomarkers.

METHODS

A total of 69 patients were included in this prospective cohort study. After informed consent, they filled out questionnaires and had their peripheral blood collected. The expressions of plasma miRNAs were examined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The Whitney U test was used to analyze non-normally distributed data. Kaplan-Meier was used to plot the survival curve, the log-rank test was used to compare with the overall survival curve, and the Cox proportional hazards model was used to screen the factors related to the prognosis of lung cancer. Data mining techniques were utilized to predict the prognostic status of patients.

RESULTS

We identified that smoking (HR = 2.406, 95% CI = 1.256-4.611), clinical stage III + IV (HR = 5.389, 95% CI = 2.290-12.684), the high expression group of miR-20a (HR = 4.420, 95% CI = 1.760-11.100), the high expression group of miR-197 (HR = 3.828, 95% CI = 1.778-8.245), the low expression group of miR-145 ( HR = 0.286, 95% CI = 0.116-0.709), and the low expression group of miR-30a (HR = 0.307, 95% CI = 0.133-0.706) was associated with worse prognosis. Among the five data mining models, the decision trees (DT) C5.0 model performs the best, with accuracy and Area Under Curve (AUC) of 93.75% and 0.929 (0.685, 0.997), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that the high expression level of miR-20a and miR-197, the low expression level of miR-145 and miR-30a were strongly associated with poorer prognosis in NSCLC patients, and the DT C5.0 model may serve as a novel, accurate, method for predicting prognosis of NSCLC.

Development of AKR1B10 inhibitors from Ajuga nipponensis based on diseases and targets

Ten compounds (1-10) including one new neoclerodane diterpenoid (1) and nine known compounds were isolated from the whole plants of Ajuga nipponensis. Their structures were established by performing detailed analysis of NMR, the structure of 1 was determined using HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, UV, and IR. Compounds 1 and 4-10 were isolated from Ajuga nipponensis for the first time. And it was the first time to report compounds 9 and 10 as natural products. Based on network pharmacology methods, 45 key targets were selected, which were compounds mapping to diseases. And compounds 2, 3, 7, and a (ajugacumbin B) exhibited excellent AKR1B10 inhibitory activities, with IC50 values of 53.05 ± 0.75, 87.22 ± 0.85, 61.85 ± 0.66, and 85.19±1.02 nM respectively, with Epalrestat used as the positive control (82.09 ± 1.62 nM). Additionally, the interaction between active compounds and AKR1B10 had been discussed according to the molecular docking results. Ultimately, the analysis of GO and KEGG enrichment indicated that the key signaling pathway of the active compounds may be related to prostate cancer. Our study results demonstrate the hypoglycemic and anti-tumor properties of A. nipponensis for the first time, and provide a comprehensive understanding of its application in traditional medicine. Furthermore, this article establishes a reference for further research on the optimized experimental design of novel AKR1B10 inhibitors.

Preparation of Nanoparticles Loaded with Quercetin and Effects on Bacterial Biofilm and LPS-Induced Oxidative Stress in Dugesia japonica

Quercetin is a kind of flavonol compound, which has been widely concerned because of its good pharmacological effects. However, its poor water solubility and poor oral absorption limit its application. To address the above problems, the optimal technological conditions for preparing quercetin-loaded chitosan sodium alginate nanoparticles (Q-CSNPs) were obtained through single-factor experiment method. Q-CSNPs were characterized by particle size analyzer, scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Biofilm experiment evaluated the antibacterial activity of five different concentrations of Q-CSNPs against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging experiments determined their antioxidant activity. The effect of Q-CSNPs labeled with FITC on the oxidative stress of planarian was determined. The results showed that quercetin was successfully encapsulated and had good antibacterial and antioxidant capacity in vitro. In vivo experiments of planarians also showed that Q-CSNPs could inhibit the oxidative stress induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and especially alleviate the decrease of CAT activity and the increase of MDA content in planarians induced by LPS. After being supported by future in vivo studies, this preparation will provide research possibilities for the development of quercetin nano-drugs, quercetin dietary supplement, and so on.

Effects of sucrase enzymatic hydrolysis combined with Maillard reaction on soy protein hydrolysates: Bitterness and functional properties

In this study, sucrase was added to convert non-reducing sugars into reducing sugars in skim obtained by enzyme-assisted aqueous extraction processing (EAEP), then the variation of soy protein hydrolysates (SPH) from the skim under different Maillard reaction times were studied. We conducted one-factor experiment and selected 2 mg/mL sucrase for enzymatic hydrolysis for 2 h. The structure of SPH was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy, and amino acid composition. Results showed that the Maillard reaction loosened the SPH structure and produced new functional groups. Sensory evaluation, electronic tongue, electronic nose and GC-MS were used to study the sensory characteristics of SPH, we found that the bitterness value was significantly reduced to 1.71 from 4.63 after 2 h of the Maillard reaction. The change of bitterness was related to amino acid composition and the production of pyrazine. Additionally, the iron reduction ability, DPPH free radical scavenging ability, and emulsifying activity reached the highest at 2 h of reaction with 0.80, 73.94 %, and 56.09 %. The solubility, emulsifying stability, and foaming capacity increased and gradually stabilized with the increasing reaction time. Therefore, this paper presents an effective method for generating SPH with low bitterness and high functional properties.

Matrine Targets BTF3 to Inhibit the Growth of Canine Mammary Tumor Cells

The canine mammary tumor model is more suitable for studying human breast cancer, and the safety concentrations of matrine and the biotin-labeled matrine probe were determined in canine primary mammary epithelial cells, and then selected canine mammary tumor cell lines CHMm and CHMp were incubated with matrine, and cell viability was detected by CCK-8. The biotin-labeled matrine probe was used to pull-down the targets of matrine in canine mammary tumor cells, and the targets were screened in combination with activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) and Genecards database, and verified by qPCR and western blot. The results showed that the maximum non-cytotoxic concentrations of matrine and biotin-labeled matrine probe in canine primary mammary epithelial cells were 250 μg/mL and 500 μg/mL, respectively. Matrine and biotin-labeled matrine probe had a proliferation inhibitory effect time-dependently on CHMm and CHMp cells within a safe concentration range, and induced autophagy in cells. Then BTF3 targets were obtained by applying ABPP and Genecards screening. Cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) findings indicated that matrine could increase the heat stability of BTF3 protein. Pull-down employing biotin-labeled matrine probe with CHMm and CHMp cell lysates revealed that BTF3 protein was detected in the biotin-labeled matrine probe group and that BTF3 protein was significantly decreased by the addition of matrine. The qPCR and western blot findings of CHMm and CHMp cells treated with matrine revealed that matrine decreased the expression of the BTF3 gene and protein with the extension of the action time, and the impact was more substantial at the protein level, respectively.

Identification of neutrophil extracellular traps and crosstalk genes linking inflammatory bowel disease and osteoporosis by integrated bioinformatics analysis and machine learning

Musculoskeletal deficits are among the most common extra-intestinal manifestations and complications of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aimed to identify crosstalk genes between IBD and osteoporosis (OP) and potential relationships between crosstalk and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs)-related genes. Three common hub genes from different compared groups are actually the same, namely HDAC6, IL-8, and PPIF. ROC showed that the combined diagnostic value of HDAC6, IL-8, and PPIF was higher than each of the three key hub genes. Immune infiltration results showed that HDAC6 and IL-8 key genes negatively correlated with CD65 bright natural killer cells. USF1 was the common upstream TFs between HDAC6 and PPIF, and MYC was the common upstream TFs between IL-8 and PPIF in RegNetwork. Taken together, this study shows a linked mechanism between IBD and OP via NETs and crosstalk genes. These findings may show light on better diagnosis and treatment of IBD complicated with OP.