The association between peripheral eosinophil count and chronic kidney disease: evidence from NHANES 1999-2018

BACKGROUND

Renal impairment has been previously linked to peripheral eosinophil count (PEC), prompting an investigation into its potential relationship with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This cross-sectional study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 1999-2018) to comprehensively explore the association between PEC and CKD.

METHODS

Survey-weighted generalized multivariate linear regression was employed to evaluate the associations between PEC, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), with meticulous adjustment for potential covariates. To assess non-linear correlations, a restricted cubic spline analysis was conducted. Sensitivity analysis was performed to test the stability of results.

RESULTS

The study included a total of 9224 participants with non-dialysis CKD. In the multivariate linear regression model, after comprehensive adjustment for potential covariates, PEC showed a negative association with eGFR (β per 100 cells/uL increase in PEC, -0.71; 95% CI, -1.04, -0.37), while demonstrating a positive trend with UACR (β per 100 cells/uL increase in PEC, 10.21; 95% CI, 1.37, 19.06). The restrictive cubic spline curve analysis suggested that these associations occurred within the range of 0 to 400 cells/uL for PEC. Sensitivity analysis supported the stability of the observed results.

CONCLUSIONS

Circulating eosinophil levels are negatively correlated with eGFR and demonstrate a positive trend with UACR, when PEC falls within the range of less than 400 cells/uL among adults with CKD. Further research is warranted to validate these findings.

Epstein-Barr virus-driven metabolic alterations contribute to the viral lytic reactivation and tumor progression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Metabolic reprogramming induced by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) often mirrors metabolic changes observed in cancer cells. Accumulating evidence suggests that lytic reactivation is crucial in EBV-associated oncogenesis. The aim of this study was to explore the role of metabolite changes in EBV-associated malignancies and viral life cycle control. We first revealed that EBV (LMP1) accelerates the secretion of the oncometabolite D-2HG, and serum D-2HG level is a potential diagnostic biomarker for NPC. EBV (LMP1)-driven metabolite changes disrupts the homeostasis of global DNA methylation and demethylation, which have a significantly inhibitory effect on active DNA demethylation and 5hmC content. We found that loss of 5hmC indicates a poor prognosis for NPC patients, and that 5hmC modification is a restriction factor of EBV reactivation. We confirmed a novel EBV reactivation inhibitor, α-KG, which inhibits the expression of EBV lytic genes with CpG-containing ZREs and the latent-lytic switch by enhancing 5hmC modification. Our results demonstrate a novel mechanism of which metabolite abnormality driven by EBV controls the viral lytic reactivation through epigenetic modification. This study presents a potential strategy for blocking EBV reactivation, and provides potential targets for the diagnosis and therapy of NPC.

Photoswitching the fluorescence of nanoparticles for advanced optical applications

The dynamic optical response properties and the distinct features of nanomaterials make photoswitchable fluorescent nanoparticles (PF NPs) attractive candidates for advanced optical applications. Over the past few decades, the design of PF NPs by coupling photochromic and fluorescent motifs at the nanoscale has been actively pursued, and substantial efforts have been made to exploit their potential applications. In this perspective, we critically summarize various design principles for fabricating these PF NPs. Then, we discuss their distinct optical properties from different aspects by highlighting the capability of NPs in fabricating new, robust photoswitch systems. Afterwards, we introduce the pivotal role of PF NPs in advanced optical applications, including sensing, anti-counterfeiting and imaging. Finally, current challenges and future development of PF NPs are briefly discussed.

[Comparison of the efficacy of different surgical strategies in the treatment of patients with initially resectable gastric cancer liver metastases]

Objective: To examine the impact of varied surgical treatment strategies on the prognosis of patients with initial resectable gastric cancer liver metastases (IR-GCLM). Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. Employing a retrospective cohort design, the study selected clinicopathological data from the national multi-center retrospective cohort study database, focusing on 282 patients with IR-GCLM who underwent surgical intervention between January 2010 and December 2019. There were 231 males and 51 males, aging (M(IQR)) 61 (14) years (range: 27 to 80 years). These patients were stratified into radical and palliative treatment groups based on treatment decisions. Survival curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method and distinctions in survival rates were assessed using the Log-rank test. The Cox risk regression model evaluated HR for various factors, controlling for confounders through multivariate analysis to comprehensively evaluate the influence of surgery on the prognosis of IR-GCLM patients. A restricted cubic spline Cox proportional hazard model assessed and delineated intricate associations between measured variables and prognosis. At the same time, the X-tile served as an auxiliary tool to identify critical thresholds in the survival analysis for IR-GCLM patients. Subgroup analysis was then conducted to identify potential beneficiary populations in different surgical treatments. Results: (1) The radical group comprised 118 patients, all undergoing R0 resection or local physical therapy of primary and metastatic lesions. The palliative group comprised 164 patients, with 52 cases undergoing palliative resections for gastric primary tumors and liver metastases, 56 cases undergoing radical resections for gastric primary tumors only, 45 cases undergoing palliative resections for gastric primary tumors, and 11 cases receiving palliative treatments for liver metastases. A statistically significant distinction was observed between the groups regarding the site and the number of liver metastases (both P<0.05). (2) The median overall survival (OS) of the 282 patients was 22.7 months (95%CI: 17.8 to 27.6 months), with 1-year and 3-year OS rates were 65.4% and 35.6%, respectively. The 1-year OS rates for patients in the radical surgical group and palliative surgical group were 68.3% and 63.1%, while the corresponding 3-year OS rates were 42.2% and 29.9%, respectively. A comparison of OS between the two groups showed no statistically significant difference (P=0.254). Further analysis indicated that patients undergoing palliative gastric cancer resection alone had a significantly worse prognosis compared to other surgical options (HR=1.98, 95%CI: 1.21 to 3.24, P=0.006). (3) The size of the primary gastric tumor significantly influenced the patients' prognosis (HR=2.01, 95%CI: 1.45 to 2.79, P<0.01), with HR showing a progressively increasing trend as tumor size increased. (4) Subgroup analysis indicates that radical treatment may be more effective compared to palliative treatment in the following specific cases: well/moderately differentiated tumors (HR=2.84, 95%CI 1.49 to 5.41, P=0.001), and patients with liver metastases located in the left lobe of the liver (HR=2.06, 95%CI 1.19 to 3.57, P=0.010). Conclusions: In patients with IR-GCLM, radical surgery did not produce a significant improvement in the overall prognosis compared to palliative surgery. However, within specific patient subgroups (well/moderately differentiated tumors, and patients with liver metastases located in the left lobe of the liver), radical treatment can significantly improve prognosis compared to palliative approaches.

Perspectives on Protein-Nanoparticle Interactions at the In Vivo Level

The distinct features of nanoparticles have provided a vast opportunity of developing new diagnosis and therapy strategies for miscellaneous diseases. Although a few nanomedicines are available in the market or in the translation stage, many important issues are still unsolved. When entering the body, nanomaterials will be quickly coated by proteins from their surroundings, forming a corona on their surface, the so-called protein corona. Studies have shown that the protein corona has many important biological implications, particularly at the in vivo level. For example, they can promote the immune system to rapidly clear these outer materials and prevent nanoparticles from playing their designed role in therapy. In this Perspective, the available techniques for characterizing protein-nanoparticle interactions are critically summarized. Effects of nanoparticle properties and environmental factors on protein corona formation, which can further regulate the in vivo fate of nanoparticles, are highlighted and discussed. Moreover, recent progress on the biomedical application of protein corona-engineered nanoparticles is introduced, and future directions for this important yet challenging research area are also briefly discussed.

Immunoactivation by Cutaneous Blue Light Irradiation Inhibits Remote Tumor Growth and Metastasis

An improved innate immunity will respond quickly to pathogens and initiate efficient adaptive immune responses. However, up to now, there have been limited clinical ways for effective and rapid consolidation of innate immunity. Here, we report that cutaneous irradiation with blue light of 450 nm rapidly stimulates the innate immunity through cell endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulation in a noninvasive way. The iron porphyrin-containing proteins, mitochondrial cytochrome c (Cyt-c), and cytochrome p450 (CYP450) can be mobilized by blue light, which boosts electron transport and ROS production in epidermal and dermal tissues. As a messenger of innate immune activation, the increased level of ROS activates the NF-κB signaling pathway and promotes the secretion of immunomodulatory cytokines in skin. Initiated from skin, a regulatory network composed of cytokines and immune cells is established through the circulation system for innate immune activation. The innate immunity activated by whole-body blue light irradiation inhibits tumor growth and metastasis by increasing the infiltration of antitumor neutrophils and tumor-associated macrophages. Our results elucidate the remote immune modulation mechanism of blue light and provide a clinically applicable way for innate immunity activation.

Assessment of cheese sign and its association with vascular risk factors: Data from PUMCH dementia cohort

BACKGROUND

In the clinic, practitioners encounter many patients with an abnormal pattern of dense punctate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal in the basal ganglia, a phenomenon known as "cheese sign". This sign is reported as common in cerebrovascular diseases, dementia, and old age. Recently, cheese sign has been speculated to consist of dense perivascular space (PVS). This study aimed to assess the lesion types of cheese sign and analyze the correlation between this sign and vascular disease risk factors.

METHODS

A total of 812 patients from Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) dementia cohort were enrolled. We analyzed the relationship between cheese sign and vascular risk. For assessing cheese sign and defining its degree, the abnormal punctate signals were classified into basal ganglia hyperintensity (BGH), PVS, lacunae/infarctions and microbleeds, and counted separately. Each type of lesion was rated on a four-level scale, and then the sum was calculated; this total was defined as the cheese sign score. Fazekas and Age-Related White Matter Changes (ARWMC) scores were used to evaluate the paraventricular, deep, and subcortical gray/white matter hyperintensities.

RESULTS

A total of 118 patients (14.5%) in this dementia cohort were found to have cheese sign. Age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.090, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.064-1.120, P <0.001), hypertension (OR: 1.828, 95% CI: 1.123-2.983, P = 0.014), and stroke (OR: 1.901, 95% CI: 1.092-3.259, P = 0.025) were risk factors for cheese sign. There was no significant relationship between diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and cheese sign. The main components of cheese sign were BGH, PVS, and lacunae/infarction. The proportion of PVS increased with cheese sign severity.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk factors for cheese sign were hypertension, age, and stroke. Cheese sign consists of BGH, PVS, and lacunae/infarction.

Multifunctional Gold Nanozyme-Engineered Amphotericin B for Enhanced Antifungal Infection Therapy

Chronic wounds of significant severity and acute injuries are highly vulnerable to fungal infections, drastically impeding the expected wound healing trajectory. The clinical use of antifungal therapeutic drug is hampered by poor solubility, high toxicity and adverse reactions, thereby necessitating the urgent development of novel antifungal therapy strategy. Herein, this study proposes a new strategy to enhance the bioactivity of small-molecule antifungal drugs based on multifunctional metal nanozyme engineering, using amphotericin B (AmB) as an example. AmB-decorated gold nanoparticles (AmB@AuNPs) are synthesized by a facile one-pot reaction strategy, and the AmB@AuNPs exhibit superior peroxidase (POD)-like enzyme activity, with maximal reaction rates (Vmax ) 3.4 times higher than that of AuNPs for the catalytic reaction of H2 O2 . Importantly, the enzyme-like activity of AuNPs significantly enhanced the antifungal properties of AmB, and the minimum inhibitory concentrations of AmB@AuNPs against Candida albicans (C. albicans) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) W303 are reduced by 1.6-fold and 50-fold, respectively, as compared with AmB alone. Concurrent in vivo studies conducted on fungal-infected wounds in mice underscored the fundamentally superior antifungal ability and biosafety of AmB@AuNPs. The proposed strategy of engineering antifungal drugs with nanozymes has great potential for enhanced therapy of fungal infections and related diseases.

Exosomal non-coding RNAs in colorectal cancer metastasis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a type of gastrointestinal cancer with high morbidity and mortality rates, and is often accompanied by distant metastases. Metastasis is a major cause of shortened survival time and poor treatment outcomes for patients with CRC. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the metastasis of CRC remain unclear. Exosomes are a class of small extracellular vesicles that originate from almost all human cells and can transmit biological information (e.g., nucleic acids, lipids, proteins, and metabolites) from secretory cells to target recipient cells. Recent studies have revealed that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) can be released by exosomes into the tumour microenvironment or specific tissues, and play a pivotal role in tumorigenesis by regulating a series of key molecules or signalling pathways, particularly those involved in tumour metastasis. Exosomal ncRNAs have potential as novel therapeutic targets for CRC metastasis, and can also be used as liquid biopsy biomarkers because of their specificity and sensitivity. Therefore, further investigations into the biological function and clinical value of exosomal ncRNAs will be of great value for the prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of CRC metastasis.

Generation and characterization of an iPS cell line (PUMCi006-A) from skin fibroblasts of a patient with an M239T mutation in PSEN2 gene

Presenilin-2 (PSEN2) mutation is one of the pathogenic factors of autosomal dominant early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD). We generated a human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line from fibroblasts of an EOAD patient carrying PSEN2 mutation (c.716 T > C) utilizing Sendai reprogramming kit. The resulting iPSC line carried patient-specific point mutation, exhibited typical iPSC morphology, retained a normal karyotype, expressed pluripotency markers, and could form embryoid bodies. Established iPSC line serve as valuable resource for EOAD disease pathogenesis modelling and drug screening.

Metal Ion-Regulated Fluorescent Sensor Array Based on Gold Nanoclusters for Physiological Phosphate Sensing

The detection of physiological phosphates (PPs) is of great importance due to their essential roles in numerous biological processes, but the efficient detection of different PPs simultaneously remains challenging. In this work, we propose a fluorescence sensor array for detecting PPs based on metal-ion-regulated gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) via an indicator-displacement assay. Zn2+ and Eu3+ are selected to assemble with two different AuNCs, resulting in quenching or enhancing their fluorescence. Based on the competitive interaction of metal ions with AuNCs and PPs, the fluorescence of AuNCs will be recovered owing to the disassembly of AuNC-metal ion ensembles. Depending on different PPs' distinct fluorescence responses, a four-channel sensor array was established. The array not only exhibits good discrimination capability for eight kinds of PPs (i.e., ATP, ADP, AMP, GTP, CTP, UTP, PPi, and Pi) via linear discriminant analysis but also enables quantitative detection of single phosphate (e.g., ATP) in the presence of interfering PPs mixtures. Moreover, potential application of the present sensor array for the discrimination of different PPs in real samples (e.g., cell lysates and serum) was successfully demonstrated with a good performance. This work illustrates the great potential of a metal ion-regulated sensor array as a new and efficient sensing platform for differential sensing of phosphates as well as other disease-related biomolecules.

Multi-Functional Formaldehyde-Nitrate Batteries for Wastewater Refining, Electricity Generation, and Production of Ammonia and Formate

As bulky pollutants in industrial and agricultural wastewater, nitrate and formaldehyde pose serious threats to the human health and ecosystem. Current purification technologies including chemical and bio-/photo-/electro-chemical methods, are generally high-cost, time-consuming, or energy-intensive. Here, we report a novel formaldehyde-nitrate battery by pairing anodic formaldehyde oxidation with cathodic nitrate reduction, which simultaneously enables wastewater purification, electricity generation, and the production of high-value-added ammonia and formate. As a result, the formaldehyde-nitrate battery remarkably exhibits an open-circuit voltage of 0.75 V, a peak power density of 3.38 mW cm-2 and the yield rates of 32.7 mg h-1  cm-2 for ammonia and 889.4 mg h-1  cm-2 for formate. In a large-scale formaldehyde-nitrate battery (25 cm2 ), 99.9 % of nitrate and 99.8 % of formaldehyde are removed from simulated industrial wastewater and the electricity of 2.03 W⋅h per day is generated. Moreover, the design of such a multi-functional battery is universally applicable to the coupling of NO3 - or NO2 - reduction with various aldehyde oxidization, paving a new avenue for wastewater purification and chemical manufacturing.

Carbon emissions and low-carbon development in Olefin industry

Olefin industry as a vital part in economic development is facing a problem of high CO2 emission. In this work, for the global and China's olefin industry under different development scenario, the carbon emission is predicted after the revealing of carbon footprint in different olefin routes. The results show that the carbon footprint of the natural gas liquids (NGLs)-derived route is highly lower than that of the oil- and coal-derived routes. The carbon emission from the global olefin industry in 2015 is 553 million ton CO2 (MtCO2). In 2030, it will be ranged between 739 and 924 MtCO2 under different scenarios. Under sustainable development scenario, 15% reduction space is existed, whereas 6% growth is observed under the hybrid-development scenario compared to the business-as-usual situation. In the case of China, its carbon emission is 120 MtCO2 in 2015. Its potential carbon emission in 2030 will increase to 264-925 MtCO2, depending on the rest new capacity from low-carbon or high-carbon routes. The large gap implies the significant influence of the development route choice. However, if most new capacity is from the existed planned olefin projects, the carbon emission will be ranged between 390 and 594 MtCO2. Finally, the low-carbon roadmaps as well as polices are proposed for sustainable development of olefin industry.

[Quality control of perioperative management after radical surgery for locally advanced gastric cancer]

Gastric cancer is a common malignant tumor in China. Most gastric cancer patients are already in the locally advanced stage when they seek medical treatment. Radical surgery is the main treatment for gastric cancer. The quality control of postoperative perioperative management is of great significance in improving the surgical treatment effect and the quality of life of patients. This article systematically summarizes seven aspects, including diet and nutrition management, antimicrobial drug management, pain management, prophylactic anticoagulation management, airway management, postoperative complication management, and discharge and follow-up management, establishes clear quality standards, and achieves the goals of reducing postoperative complications, standardizing perioperative medication use, reducing hospitalization time and costs, thereby reducing patient burden and improving the economic and social benefits of medical institutions.

Heavy-to-light electron transition enabling real-time spectra detection of charged particles by a biocompatible semiconductor

The current challenge of wearable/implantable personal dosimeters for medical diagnosis and radiotherapy applications is lack of suitable detector materials possessing both excellent detection performance and biocompatibility. Here, we report a solution-grown biocompatible organic single crystalline semiconductor (OSCS), 4-Hydroxyphenylacetic acid (4HPA), achieving real-time spectral detection of charged particles with single-particle sensitivity. Along in-plane direction, two-dimensional anisotropic 4HPA exhibits a large electron drift velocity of 5 × 105 cm s-1 at "radiation-mode" while maintaining a high resistivity of (1.28 ± 0.003) × 1012 Ω·cm at "dark-mode" due to influence of dense π-π overlaps and high-energy L1 level. Therefore, 4HPA detectors exhibit the record spectra detection of charged particles among their organic counterparts, with energy resolution of 36%, (μt)e of (4.91 ± 0.07) × 10-5 cm2 V-1, and detection time down to 3 ms. These detectors also show high X-ray detection sensitivity of 16,612 μC Gyabs-1 cm-3, detection of limit of 20 nGyair s-1, and long-term stability after 690 Gyair irradiation.

Au Nanocluster Assisted Microstructural Reconstruction for Buried Interface Healing for Enhanced Perovskite Solar Cell Performance

The heterogeneity of perovskite film crystallization along the vertical direction leads to voids and traps at the buried interfaces, hampering both efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells. Here, bovine serum albumin-functionalized Au nanoclusters (ABSA), combined with heavy gravity, high surface charge density, and strong interactions with the electron transport layer, are designed to reconstruct the buried interfaces for not only high-quality crystallization, but also improved carrier transfer. The ABSA macromolecules with amine function groups and larger surface charge density interact with the perovskite to improve the crystallinity, and gradually migrate towards the buried interface, healing the defective voids, hence suppressing surface recombination velocity from 3075 to 452 cm s-1 . The healed buried interface and the higher surface potential of ABSA-modified TiO2 lead to improved carrier extraction at the interface. The resulting solar cell attains a power conversion efficiency of 25.0% with negligible hysteresis and remarkable stability, maintaining 92.9% of their initial efficiency after 3200 h of exposure to the ambient atmosphere, they also exhibit better continuous irradiation stability compared to control devices. These findings provide a new metal-protein complex to eliminate the deleterious voids and defects at the buried interface for improved photovoltaic performance and stability.

Wearable Plasmonic Sensors Engineered via Active-Site Maximization of TiVC MXene for Universal Physiological Monitoring at the Molecular Level

Two-dimensional transition metal carbon/nitrides (MXenes) are promising candidates to revolutionize next-generation wearable sensors as high-performance surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates. However, low sensitivity of pure MXene nanosheets and weak binding force or uncontrolled in situ growth of plasmonic nanoparticles on hybrid MXene composites limit their progress toward universal and reliable sensors. Herein, we designed and manufactured a highly sensitive, structurally stable wearable SERS sensor by in situ fabrication of plasmonic nanostructures on the flexible TiVC membranes via the maximization of chemically reducing sites using alkaline treatment. DFT calculations and experimental characterization demonstrated that the hydroxyl functional groups on the surface of MXenes can facilitate the reduction of metal precursors and the nucleation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and can be covalently attached to AuNPs. Thus, the fabricated flexible TiVC-OH-Au sensor satisfied the rigorous mechanical requirements for wearable sensors. In addition, combining the electromagnetic (EM) enhancement from dense AuNPs formed by the activation of nucleation sites and charge transfer (CT) between target molecule and substrate induced by the abundant DOS near the Fermi level of TiVC, the fabricated sensor exhibits ultrasensitivity, long-term stability, good signal repeatability, and excellent mechanical durability. Moreover, the proof-of-concept application of the wearable SERS sensor in sweat sensing was demonstrated to monitor the content of nicotine, methotrexate, nikethamide, and 6-acetylmorphine in sweat at the molecular level, which was an important step toward the universality and practicality of the wearable sensing technology.

Smart Bactericidal Capsules Based on Cationic Luminescent Nanoclusters for Controllable Treatment of Drug-Resistant Bacterial Infection

Effective treatment of drug-resistant bacteria infected wound has been a longstanding challenge for healthcare systems. In particular, the development of novel strategies for controllable delivery and smart release of antimicrobial agents is greatly demanded. Herein, the design of biodegradable microcapsules carrying bactericidal gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) as an attractive platform for the effective treatment of drug-resistant bacteria infective wounds is reported. AuNC capsules are fabricated via the well-controlled layer-by-layer strategy, which possess intrinsic near-infrared fluorescence and good biocompatibility. Importantly, these AuNC capsules exhibit strong, specific antibacterial activity toward both S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Further mechanistic studies by fluorescence confocal imaging and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry reveal that these AuNC capsules will be degraded in the S. aureus environment rather than E. coli, which then controllably release the loaded cationic AuNCs to exert antibacterial effect. Consequently, these AuNC capsules show remarkable therapeutic effect for the MRSA infected wound on a mouse model, and intrinsic fluorescence property of AuNC capsules enables in situ visualization of wound dressings. This study suggests the great potential of microcapsule-based platform as smart carriers of bactericidal agents for the effective treatment of drug-resistant bacterial infection as well as other therapeutic purposes.

Therapeutic effect of iturin A on Candida albicans oral infection and its pathogenic factors

Candida albicans is responsible for conditions ranging from superficial infections such as oral or vaginal candidiasis to potentially fatal systemic infections. It produces pathogenic factors contributing to its virulence. Iturin A, a lipopeptide derived from Bacillus sp., exhibits a significant inhibitory effect against C. albicans. However, its exact mechanism in mitigating the pathogenic factors of C. albicans remains to be elucidated. This study aimed to explore the influence of iturin A on several pathogenic attributes of C. albicans, including hypha formation, cell membrane permeability, cell adhesion, biofilm formation, and therapeutic efficacy in an oral C. albicans infection model in mice. The minimal inhibitory concentration of iturin A against C. albicans was determined to be 25 µg/mL in both YEPD and RPMI-1640 media. Iturin A effectively inhibited C. albicans hyphal formation, decreased cell viability within biofilms, enhanced cell membrane permeability, and disrupted cell adhesion in vitro. Nonetheless, iturin A did not significantly affect the phospholipase activity or hydrophobicity of C. albicans. A comparative study with nystatin demonstrated the superior therapeutic efficacy of iturin A in a mouse model of oral C. albicans infection, significantly decreasing C. albicans count and inhibiting both fungal hypha formation and tongue surface adhesion. High-dose iturin A treatment (25 µg/mL) in mice had no significant effects on blood indices, tongue condition, or body weight, indicating the potential for iturin A in managing oral infections. This study confirmed the therapeutic potential of iturin A and provided valuable insights for developing effective antifungal therapies targeting C. albicans pathogenic factors.

Comorbidity of Dementia: A Cross-Sectional Study of PUMCH Dementia Cohort

BACKGROUND

Comorbidities reduce quality of life for people with dementia and caregivers. Some comorbidities share a genetic basis with dementia.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to assess comorbidity in patients with different dementia subtypes in order to better understand the pathogenesis of dementias.

METHODS

A total of 298 patients with dementia were included. We collected some common comorbidities. We analyzed the differences in comorbidities among patients with dementia according to clinical diagnosis, age of onset (early-onset: < 65 and late-onset: ≥65 years old) and apolipoprotein (APOE) genotypes by using the univariate and multivariate approaches.

RESULTS

Among 298 participants, there were 183 Alzheimer's disease (AD), 40 vascular dementia (VaD), 37 frontotemporal dementia (FTLD), 20 Lewy body dementia (LBD), and 18 other types of dementia. Based on age of onset, 156 cases had early-onset dementia and 142 cases had late-onset dementia. The most common comorbidities observed in all dementia patients were hyperlipidemia (68.1%), hypertension (39.9%), insomnia (21.1%), diabetes mellitus (19.5%), and hearing impairment (18.1%). The prevalence of hypertension and cerebrovascular disease was found to be higher in patients with VaD compared to those with AD (p = 0.002, p < 0.001, respectively) and FTLD (p = 0.028, p = 0.004, respectively). Additionally, patients with late-onset dementia had a higher burden of comorbidities compared to those with early-onset dementia. It was observed that APOE ɛ4/ɛ4 carriers were less likely to have insomnia (p = 0.031).

CONCLUSIONS

Comorbidities are prevalent in patients with dementia, with hyperlipidemia, hypertension, insomnia, diabetes, and hearing impairment being the most commonly observed. Comorbidity differences existed among different dementia subtypes.

A Novel Germline Mutation of BRCA1 and Integrated Analysis With Somatic Mutation in a Chinese Multi-Cancer Family

The presence of mutations in the BRCA1 gene (MIM: 113705) is widely recognized as a significant genetic predisposition for ovarian cancer. This study investigated the genomic mutations in a Chinese family with a history of ovarian, breast, and rectal adenocarcinoma. A novel germline mutation (Phe1695Val) in BRCA1 was identified through whole-exome sequencing. Subsequently, we performed whole-genome sequencing to identify somatic mutations and analyze mutational signatures in individuals carrying the novel germline mutation. Our findings revealed a correlation between somatic mutational signatures and the BRCA1 germline mutation in the proband with ovarian cancer, while no such association was observed in the tumor tissue from the patient with breast cancer. Furthermore, distinct somatic driver mutations were identified, a truncated mutation in the TP53 gene in the ovarian tumor tissue, and a hotspot mutation in the PIK3CA gene in the breast cancer. According to our findings, the BRCA1 F1695V mutation is linked to ovarian cancer susceptibility in the family and causes specific somatic mutational profiles.

Association Between Serum Klotho and All-Cause Mortality in Chronic Kidney Disease: Evidence From a Prospective Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between circulating soluble Klotho concentration and all-cause mortality in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study involving 2,456 participants with CKD from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles spanning from 2007 to 2016. Complex sampling-weighted multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the association between serum Klotho level and all-cause mortality, presenting hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Additionally, a restricted cubic spline analysis was performed to explore potential non-linear associations.

RESULTS

During a median of 82 months of follow-up, 550 (22.40%) all-cause deaths were recorded. The median serum Klotho concentration was 760 pg/ml (interquartile ranges, 624, 958). After adjusting for potential covariates, the risk of all-cause mortality decreased by 4% for every 100 pg/ml increase in Klotho (HR = 0.96, 95% CI, 0.92, 0.99). The HR for the fourth quartile of Klotho compared to the first quartile was 0.73 (95% CI, 0.56, 0.96). The restricted cubic spline model revealed a distinctive "L"-shaped association between serum Klotho and all-cause mortality among patients with CKD, with a Klotho concentration of 760 pg/ml at the inflection point. When Klotho concentration was less than 760 pg/ml, a significant negative correlation between Klotho and all-cause mortality was observed (HR per 100 pg/ml increase in Klotho = 0.86, 95% CI, 0.78, 0.95).

CONCLUSION

This study documented a distinctive "L"-shaped association between serum Klotho levels and all-cause mortality among individuals with CKD. Further research is needed to validate these findings.

Association Between Wnt Target Genes and Cortical Volumes in Alzheimer's Disease

The disproportionate cortical atrophy is an established biomarker for the pathophysiological process of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the genetic basis underlying the cortical atrophy remains poorly defined. Herein, we aim to illustrate the effect of the Wnt target genes on the cortical volumes of AD patients. 82 sporadic AD patients were recruited. All the subjects had history survey, blood biochemical examination, cognitive assessment, MRI morphometry and whole exome sequencing. This report focused on 84 common variants (minor allele frequency > 0.01) of 32 Wnt target genes, including the APC, DAAM1, DACT1, DISC1, LATS2, TLR2, WDR61, and the AXIN, DVL, FZD, LRP, TCF/LEF, WNT family genes. The Wnt target genes showed asymmetric effects on the cortical volumes of AD patients. The right temporal/parietal/occipital cortices were more affected than left temporal/parietal/occipital cortices. Nevertheless, the reverse applied to the frontal cortex. The DACT1 affected the cortical thickness most, followed by the TCF3 and APC. The DACT1 rs698025-GG genotype displayed greater right temporal pole and left medial orbito-frontal gyrus than rs698025-GA genotype (2.4 ± 0.4 vs. 2.0 ± 0.6, P = 0.005; 5.2 ± 0.6 vs. 5.0 ± 0.6, P = 0.001). The brain region most influenced by the Wnt target genes was the right calcarine cortex. In conclusion, the common variants of the Wnt target genes exert asymmetric effects on the cortical volumes of AD patients. The Wnt signaling pathway may play a role in the cortical atrophy of AD patients.

Chirality-Dependent Angiogenic Activity of MoS2 Quantum Dots toward Regulatable Tissue Regeneration

Despite great advances in understanding the biological behaviors of chiral materials, the effect of chirality-configured nanoparticles on tissue regeneration-related biological processes remains poorly understood. Herein, the chirality of MoS2 quantum dots (QDs) is tailored by functionalization with l-/d-penicillamine, and the profound chiral effects of MoS2 QDs on cellular activities, angiogenesis, and tissue regeneration are thoroughly investigated. Specifically, d-MoS2 QDs show a positive effect in promoting the growth, proliferation, and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) in d-MoS2 QDs group is substantially up-regulated, resulting in enhanced tube formation activity. This distinct phenomenon is largely due to the higher internalization efficiency of d-MoS2 QDs than l-MoS2 QDs and chirality-dependent nano-bio interactions. In vivo angiogenic assay shows the expression level of angiogenic markers in newly-formed skin tissues of d-MoS2 QDs group is higher than that in l-MoS2 QDs group, leading to an accelerated re-epithelialization and improved skin regeneration. The findings of chirality-dependent angiogenesis activity of MoS2 QDs provide new insights into the biological activity of MoS2 nanomaterials, which also opens up a new path to the rational design of chiral nanomaterials for tissue regeneration application.

The impacts of economic policy uncertainty on firm cash holding in China

Cash holding is an important strategic decision of enterprises. As a macro-level factor, economic policy uncertainty causes risks, affecting enterprises' cash holdings. Taking the quarterly financial data of China's A-share non-financial listed firms for 2010-2020 as a sample, this study adopts the OLS and fixed effect models to investigate how corporate cash holdings are affected by economic policy uncertainty. The findings indicate that economic policy uncertainty is directly proportional to the level of cash that listed corporations hold. The higher the uncertainty, the more cash the company holds. Among them, state-owned enterprises and the manufacturing industry are more significantly affected by economic policy uncertainty. Finally, considering the regional marketization level and the differences in financing constraints enterprises face, it is concluded through grouping empirical studies that enterprises located in regions with lower marketization levels are more susceptible to policy uncertainty, while financially constrained enterprises are more susceptible to economic policy uncertainty. The study of economic policy uncertainty is helpful to guide enterprises to realize the importance of coping strategies in advance under the background of intensifying economic policy uncertainty. Therefore, this paper proposes to introduce policies on the premise of fully considering the smoothness of the economy and the differences in the conditions of firms of different natures, as well as some proposals to alleviate financing constraints, reduce the adverse effects of uncertainty on firms, and bolster the marketization process.

Genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity among Chinese pediatric genetic white matter disorders

BACKGROUND

The pediatric genetic white matter disorders are characterized by a broad disease spectrum. Genetic testing is valuable in the diagnosis. However, there are few studies on the clinical and genetic spectrum of Chinese pediatric genetic white matter disorders.

METHODS

The participants were enrolled from the cohort of Peking Union Medical College Hospital. They all received history collection, brain MRI and gene sequencing. Their neurologic complaints which were related to white matter disorders occurred before 18. Brain MRI indicated periventricular and/or deep white matter lesions, fazekas grade 2-3.

RESULTS

Among the 13 subjects, there were 11 males and two females. The average age of onset was 10.0 ± 5.5 years old. The potential genetic variants were found in 84.6% (11/13) subjects. The ABCD1 showed the greatest mutation frequency (30.8%, 4/13). The EIF2B3 A151fs, EIF2B4 c.885 + 2T > G, EIF2B5 R129X and MPV17 Q142X were novel pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants. 100% (4/4) ABCD1 carriers were accompanied by visual impairment, whereas 100% (3/3) EIF2B carriers developed dysuria. 100% (4/4) ABCD1 carriers exhibited diffuse white matter hyperintensities mainly in the posterior cortical regions, while the EIF2B4 and EIF2B5 carriers were accompanied by cystic degeneration.

CONCLUSION

There is genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity among Chinese subjects with pediatric genetic white matter disorders. The knowledge of these clinical and genetic characteristics facilitates an accurate diagnosis of these diseases.

The BET degrader ZBC260 suppresses stemness and tumorigenesis and promotes differentiation in triple-negative breast cancer by disrupting inflammatory signaling

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are resistant to standard therapies, facilitate tumor dissemination, and contribute to relapse and progression. Super-enhancers are regulators of stemness, and BET proteins, which are critical for super-enhancer function, are a potential therapeutic target. Here, we investigated the effects of BET proteins on the regulation of breast cancer stemness using the pan-BET degrader ZBC260.

METHODS

We evaluated the effect of ZBC260 on CSCs in TNBC cell lines. We assessed the effect of ZBC260 on cellular viability and tumor growth and measured its effects on cancer stemness. We used RNA sequencing and stemness index to determine the global transcriptomic changes in CSCs and bulk cells and further validated our findings by qPCR, western blot, and ELISA.

RESULTS

ZBC260 potently inhibited TNBC growth both in vitro and in vivo. ZBC260 reduced stemness as measured by cell surface marker expression, ALDH activity, tumorsphere number, and stemness index while increasing differentiated cells. GSEA analysis indicated preferential downregulation of stemness-associated and inflammatory genes by ZBC260 in ALDH+ CSCs.

CONCLUSIONS

The BET degrader ZBC260 is an efficient degrader of BET proteins that suppresses tumor progression and decreases CSCs through the downregulation of inflammatory genes and pathways. Our findings support the further development of BET degraders alone and in combination with other therapeutics as CSC targeting agents.

Comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of endemic disease prevention and control in Jiangsu Province, China, 2013-2022

As a strong economic and populous province in China, Jiangsu is home to four endemic diseases. Despite efforts in the past decade, the prevention and control of these four endemic diseases are not uniform because of the different etiological chains and influencing factors of these diseases. Among the evaluation methodologies for endemic disease control, only one method is currently available for each disease. In this study, we selected 14 indicators to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of endemic disease control in Jiangsu between 2013 and 2022. We improved the method for calculating the weights of the indicators and established a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model based on the weighted Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution model and a weighted grey relational analysis model. The results of the comprehensive evaluation showed that the progress of endemic disease control in Jiangsu was not always in line with our expectations of improvement, with the top five years of better control occurring in 2015, 2013, 2021, 2022, and 2014. The results of the sensitivity analysis confirm the reliability and accuracy of these findings. We discovered that measures such as the reform of the salt industry, use of thyroid ultrasound, and new water supply projects for residents in Jiangsu affected the progress of endemic disease prevention and control. The tracking of endemic disease status should consider the potential effects of changes in policies implemented in other industries on endemic disease prevention and control. Additionally, the results of this study provide a theoretical basis for enhancing prevention and control practices in other regions of China.

Ligand-protected nanocluster-mediated photoswitchable fluorescent nanoprobes towards dual-color cellular imaging

Development of robust multi-color photoswitchable fluorescent probes is critical for many optical applications, but it remains a challenge to rationally design these probes. Here, we report a new design of Förster resonance energy transfer-based dual-color photoswitchable fluorescent nanoparticles (DPF NPs) by taking advantage of the distinct properties of ligand-protected gold nanoclusters (AuNCs). Detailed photophysical studies revealed that ultrasmall-sized AuNCs not only act as the FRET donors due to their intrinsic fluorescence properties, but also play a significant role in regulating the photochromic and aggregate properties of spiropyran through ligand-spiropyran interactions. These DPF NPs exhibit a high fluorescence on/off ratio (∼90%) for both green and red fluorescence emission, and good reversibility during cycled photo-stimulation. Cell imaging experiments showed that DPF NPs could specifically accumulate in lipid droplets, and enable photoswitchable dual-color imaging in living cells. Moreover, by labeling mitochondria with a green-emitting marker, we demonstrated that DPF NPs can distinguish different targets based on dynamic and static fluorescence signals at the sub-cellular level in two emission channels reliably. This study provides a new strategy for designing robust photoswitchable fluorescent probes by modulating the properties of photochromic dyes through ligand-protected nanoclusters, which can be generalized for the development of other photoswitch systems towards advanced optical applications.

Gold Nanocluster-Based Fluorescent Microneedle Platform toward Visual Detection of ATP

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) participates in the regulation of most biological processes, and the ATP level is closely associated with many diseases. However, it still remains challenging to achieve on-site monitoring of ATP in an equipment-free and efficient way. Microneedles, a minimally invasive technology that can extract biomarkers from liquid biopsies, have recently emerged as useful tools for early diagnosis of a broad range of diseases. In this work, we developed hydrogel microneedles that are loaded with ATP-specific dual-emitting gold nanoclusters (RhE-AuNCs) for fast sampling and on-needle detection of ATP. These RhE-AuNCs were photo-crosslinked to the hydrogel matrix to form a fluorescent microneedle patch. Based on the ATP-induced Förster resonance energy transfer in RhE-AuNCs, a highly selective, sensitive, and reliable ATP sensor was developed. Moreover, simultaneous capture and visual detection of ATP was achieved by the AuNC-loaded microneedle sensing platform, which exhibits promising sensing performance. This work provides a new approach to design a point-of-care ATP sensing platform, which also holds great potential for the further development of microneedle-based analytical devices.

CNN-LSTM Hybrid Model to Promote Signal Processing of Ultrasonic Guided Lamb Waves for Damage Detection in Metallic Pipelines

The ultrasonic guided lamb wave approach is an effective non-destructive testing (NDT) method used for detecting localized mechanical damage, corrosion, and welding defects in metallic pipelines. The signal processing of guided waves is often challenging due to the complexity of the operational conditions and environment in the pipelines. Machine learning approaches in recent years, including convolutional neural networks (CNN) and long short-term memory (LSTM), have exhibited their advantages to overcome these challenges for the signal processing and data classification of complex systems, thus showing great potential for damage detection in critical oil/gas pipeline structures. In this study, a CNN-LSTM hybrid model was utilized for decoding ultrasonic guided waves for damage detection in metallic pipelines, and twenty-nine features were extracted as input to classify different types of defects in metallic pipes. The prediction capacity of the CNN-LSTM model was assessed by comparing it to those of CNN and LSTM. The results demonstrated that the CNN-LSTM hybrid model exhibited much higher accuracy, reaching 94.8%, as compared to CNN and LSTM. Interestingly, the results also revealed that predetermined features, including the time, frequency, and time-frequency domains, could significantly improve the robustness of deep learning approaches, even though deep learning approaches are often believed to include automated feature extraction, without hand-crafted steps as in shallow learning. Furthermore, the CNN-LSTM model displayed higher performance when the noise level was relatively low (e.g., SNR = 9 or higher), as compared to the other two models, but its prediction dropped gradually with the increase of the noise.

Photochromic Tungsten Oxide Quantum Dots-based Fluorescent Photoswitches towards Dual-mode Anti-counterfeiting Application

Development of new anti-counterfeiting technology to increase the difficulty of imitation and decoding is becoming increasingly important, but still remains challenging yet. In this work, we report the design of new fluorescence photoswitches based on photochromic tungsten oxide quantum dots (WO₃ QDs) for dual-mode anti-counterfeiting applications. Complexing photochromic WO₃ QDs with fluorescent gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) enables the construction of a photoswitchable fluorescence system (WO₃-AuNCs) based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Detailed spectral and photophysical characterization showed that WO₃ QDs well-retain the photochromic properties within the WO₃-AuNCs composite. Importantly, photoresponsive and highly reversible switching of both color and fluorescence signals was successfully achieved by simply alternating the irradiation with UV and visible light. Potential utility of photoswitchable WO₃-AuNCs composite as novel dual-mode anti-counterfeiting materials has been successfully demonstrated, including photoswitchable ink, rewritable paper and number encryption. Compared with other anti-counterfeiting materials, the present photochromic WO₃ QDs-based fluorescent switches are easily synthesized and handled, and they can provide dual security mode (color and fluorescence). This work provides a generable WO₃ QDs-assisted strategy of fabricating advanced fluorescence photoswitches for versatile optical counterfeiting applications.

Surface Engineering of MoS2 Quantum Dots via Cyclodextrin-Based Host-Guest Chemistry as Versatile Platforms for Enhanced Cell Imaging Application

Transition metal chalcogenide quantum dots (QDs), especially MoS₂ QDs, are an emerging class of novel optical probes for versatile bioanalytical applications owing to their distinct physicochemical properties. However, the reasonable use of these QDs for biological imaging has been largely restricted due to the challenge of controllable surface functionalization. In this work, we report a new strategy to engineer the surface of MoS₂ QDs by taking advantage of cyclodextrin (CD)-based host-guest chemistry. The prepared β-CD-modified QDs (β-CD-MoS₂ QDs) exhibit enhanced fluorescence properties, excellent biocompatibility, and good stability, making them promising as novel optical probes for bioimaging. Cellular imaging experiments revealed that these β-CD-MoS₂ QDs can enter living cells through multiple internalization pathways, which differs significantly from pristine QDs. Particularly, we observed that the intracellular accumulation of MoS₂ QDs in lipid droplets was enhanced owing to the specific binding of β-CD to cholesterol, which was then harnessed for monitoring the lipid metabolism in living cells via fluorescence imaging. Furthermore, we also demonstrated the potential use of β-CD-MoS₂ QDs for targeted cell imaging and microplate-based cell recognition, which can be easily achieved via bioconjugation with functional motifs (e.g., folate acid) through host-guest chemistry. Altogether, these results illustrate the great potential of engineering the surface of MoS₂ QDs and other analogous materials via CD-based host-guest chemistry for advancing their cell imaging applications.

LncRNA XIST regulates breast cancer stem cells by activating proinflammatory IL-6/STAT3 signaling

Aberrant expression of XIST, a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) initiating X chromosome inactivation (XCI) in early embryogenesis, is a common feature of breast cancer (BC). However, the roles of post-XCI XIST in breast carcinogenesis remain elusive. Here we identify XIST as a key regulator of breast cancer stem cells (CSCs), which exhibit aldehyde dehydrogenase positive (ALDH+) epithelial- (E) and CD24loCD44hi mesenchymal-like (M) phenotypes. XIST is variably expressed across the spectrum of BC subtypes, and doxycycline (DOX)-inducible knockdown (KD) of XIST markedly inhibits spheroid/colony forming capacity, tumor growth and tumor-initiating potential. This phenotype is attributed to impaired E-CSC in luminal and E- and M-CSC activities in triple-negative (TN) BC. Gene expression profiling unveils that XIST KD most significantly affects cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions, leading to markedly suppressed expression of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 in ALDH- bulk BC cells. Exogenous IL-6, but not IL-8, rescues the reduced sphere-forming capacity and proportion of ALDH+ E-CSCs in luminal and TN BC upon XIST KD. XIST functions as a nuclear sponge for microRNA let-7a-2-3p to activate IL-6 production from ALDH- bulk BC cells, which acts in a paracrine fashion on ALDH+ E-CSCs that display elevated cell surface IL-6 receptor (IL6R) expression. This promotes CSC self-renewal via STAT3 activation and expression of key CSC factors including c-MYC, KLF4 and SOX9. Together, this study supports a novel role of XIST by derepressing let-7 controlled paracrine IL-6 proinflammatory signaling to promote CSC self-renewal.

Novel Human Meningioma Organoids Recapitulate the Aggressiveness of the Initiating Cell Subpopulations Identified by ScRNA-Seq

High-grade meningioma has an unsatisfactory outcome despite surgery and postoperative radiotherapy; however, the factors driving its malignancy and recurrence remain largely unknown, which limits the development of systemic treatments. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) technology is a powerful tool for studying intratumoral cellular heterogeneity and revealing the roles of various cell types in oncogenesis. In this study, scRNA-Seq is used to identify a unique initiating cell subpopulation (SULT1E1⁺ ) in high-grade meningiomas. This subpopulation modulates the polarization of M2-type macrophages and promotes meningioma progression and recurrence. A novel patient-derived meningioma organoid (MO) model is established to characterize this unique subpopulation. The resulting MOs fully retain the aggressiveness of SULT1E1⁺ and exhibit invasiveness in the brain after orthotopic transplantation. By targeting SULT1E1⁺ in MOs, the synthetic compound SRT1720 is identified as a potential agent for systemic treatment and radiation sensitization. These findings shed light on the mechanism underlying the malignancy of high-grade meningiomas and provide a novel therapeutic target for refractory high-grade meningioma.

Differentiation of Alzheimer’s Disease from Frontotemporal Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment Based on Arterial Spin Labeling Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study from PUMCH Dementia Cohort

Background: Arterial spin labeling (ASL) is helpful in early diagnosis and differential diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with advantages including no exposure to radioactivity, no injection of a contrast agent, more accessible, and relatively less expensive. Objective: To establish the perfusion pattern of different dementia in Chinese population and evaluate the effectiveness of ASL in differentiating AD from cognitive unimpaired (CU), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Methods: Four groups of participants were enrolled, including AD, FTD, MCI, and CU based on clinical diagnosis from PUMCH dementia cohort. ASL image was collected using 3D spiral fast spin echo–based pseudo-continuous ASL pulse sequence with background suppression and a high resolution T1-weighted scan covering the whole brain. Data processing was performed using Dr. Brain Platform to get cerebral blood flow (ml/100g/min) in every region of interest cortices. Results: Participants included 66 AD, 26 FTD, 21 MCI, and 21 CU. Statistically, widespread hypoperfusion neocortices, most significantly in temporal-parietal-occipital cortices, but not hippocampus and subcortical nucleus were found in AD. Hypoperfusion in parietal lobe was most significantly associated with cognitive decline in AD. Hypoperfusion in parietal lobe was found in MCI and extended to adjacent temporal, occipital and posterior cingulate cortices in AD. Significant reduced perfusion in frontal and temporal cortices, including subcortical nucleus and anterior cingulate cortex were found in FTD. Hypoperfusion regions were relatively symmetrical in AD and left predominant especially in FTD. Conclusion: Specific patterns of ASL hypoperfusion were helpful in differentiating AD from CU, MCI, and FTD.

Association of APOE ε4/ε4 with fluid biomarkers in patients from the PUMCH dementia cohort

Background

Apolipoprotein-E (APOE) ε4 is a major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Current studies, which were mainly based on the clinical diagnosis rather than biomarkers, come to inconsistent conclusions regarding the associations of APOE ε4 homozygotes (APOE ε4/ε4) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of AD. In addition, few studies have explored the associations of APOE ε4/ε4 with plasma biomarkers. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the associations of APOE ε4/ε4 with fluid biomarkers in dementia and biomarker-diagnosed AD.

Methods

A total of 297 patients were enrolled. They were classified into Alzheimer’s continuum, AD, and non-AD, according to CSF biomarkers and/or β amyloid PET results. AD was a subgroup of the AD continuum. Plasma Amyloid β (Aβ) 40, Aβ42, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neurofilament light chain (NFL), and phosphorylated tau (P-tau)181 were quantified in 144 of the total population using an ultra-sensitive Simoa technology. We analyzed the associations of APOE ε4/ε4 on CSF and plasma biomarkers in dementia and biomarker diagnosed AD.

Results

Based on the biomarker diagnostic criteria, 169 participants were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s continuum and 128 individuals with non-AD, and among the former, 120 patients with AD. The APOE ε4/ε4 frequencies were 11.8% (20/169), 14.2% (17/120), and 0.8% (1/128) in Alzheimer’s continuum, AD and non-AD, respectively. Only CSF Aβ42 was shown to be decreased in APOE ε4/ε4 carriers than in non-carriers for patients with AD (p = 0.024). Furthermore, we did not find any associations of APOE ε4 with plasma biomarkers of AD and non-AD. Interestingly, we found that in non-AD patients, APOE ε4 carriers had lower CSF Aβ42 (p = 0.018) and higher T-tau/Aβ42 ratios (p &lt; 0.001) and P-tau181/Aβ42 ratios (p = 0.002) than non-carriers.

Conclusion

Our data confirmed that of the three groups (AD continuum, AD, and non-AD), those with AD had the highest frequency of APOE ɛ4/ɛ4 genotypes. The APOE ɛ4/ɛ4 was associated with CSF levels of Aβ42 but not tau for AD and non-AD, suggesting that APOE ɛ4/ɛ4 affected the Aβ metabolism of both. No associations between APOE ε4/ɛ4 and plasma biomarkers of AD and non-AD were found.

Genomic architecture of leaf senescence in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

Leaf senescence in sorghum is primarily controlled by the progression, but not by the onset of senescence. The senescence-delaying haplotypes of 45 key genes accentuated from landraces to improved lines. Leaf senescence is a genetically programmed developmental process and plays a central role for plant survival and crop production by remobilising nutrients accumulated in senescent leaves. In theory, the ultimate outcome of leaf senescence is determined by the onset and progression of senescence, but how these two processes contribute to senescence is not fully illustrated in crops and the genetic basis for them is not well understood. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), which is known for the remarkable stay-green trait, is ideal for dissecting the genomic architecture underlying the regulation of senescence. In this study, a diverse panel of 333 sorghum lines was explored for the onset and progression of leaf senescence. Trait correlation analysis showed that the progression of leaf senescence, rather than the onset of leaf senescence, significantly correlated with variations of the final leaf greenness. This notion was further supported by GWAS, which identified 31 senescence-associated genomic regions containing 148 genes, of which 124 were related to the progression of leaf senescence. The senescence-delaying haplotypes of 45 key candidate genes were enriched in lines with extremely prolonged senescence duration, while senescence-promoting haplotypes in those with extremely accelerated senescence. Haplotype combinations of these genes could well explain the segregation of the senescence trait in a recombinant inbred population. We also demonstrated that senescence-delaying haplotypes of candidate genes were under strong selection during sorghum domestication and genetic improvement. Together, this research advanced our understanding of crop leaf senescence and provided a suite of candidate genes for functional genomics and molecular breeding.

Highly biocompatible Ag nanocluster-reinforced wound dressing with long-term and synergistic bactericidal activity

Clinical application of antibiotic-free agents like silver nanoparticle-derived materials remains a critical challenge due to their limited long-term antibacterial activity and potential system toxicity. Herein, a highly biocompatible Ag nanocluster-reinforced hydrogel with enhanced synergistic antibacterial ability has been developed. Specifically, bioactive curcumin was incorporated into lysozyme-protected ultrasmall Ag nanoclusters (LC-AgNCs) and further integrated with sodium alginate (Sa) hydrogel (LC-AgNCs@Sa) through multiple interaction forces. Due to the synergistic antibacterial activity, LC-AgNCs could effectively kill both S. aureus and E. coli bacteria with a concentration down to 2.5 μg mL^-1. In-depth mechanism investigations revealed that the bactericidal effect of LC-AgNCs lies in their bacterial membrane destruction, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, glutathione depletion and prooxidant-antioxidant system disruption ability. Curcumin can mediate the intracellular ROS balance to protect NIH 3T3 cells from oxidative stress and improve the biocompatibility of LC-AgNCs@Sa. LC-AgNCs@Sa with long-term antibacterial ability can effectively protect the wound from bacterial invasion in vivo, and significantly accelerate the wound healing process due to their distinctive functions of inhibiting inflammatory factor (TNF-α) production, promoting collagen deposit and facilitating re-epithelization. This study provides a new, versatile strategy for the design of high-performance antibacterial dressing for broad infectious disease therapy.

Spatial and temporal change determined co-occurrence networks stability and community assembly processes of epipelagic seawater microbial community in the Nordic Sea

The Nordic Sea has a vital impact on the global climate change, occupies a significant status in the physical oceanography research, on account of its intersection of complex ocean currents. To explore the influence of seasonal and spatial heterogeneity in its epipelagic seawater on the microbial community structure, a total of 54 seawater samples from 18 stations and 3 water layers (0 m, 50 m, 100 m) were collected in the summer of 2017 and the autumn of 2018 from the Norwegian Sea, the Greenland Sea and the vicinity of Jan Mayen Island in the Nordic Sea. Alpha- and Beta- diversity analysis showed that significant differences were found between characteristic bacterial groups in detached or mixed currents of corresponding seasons, as endemic OTUs with seasonal and ocean current characteristics which revealed the existence of spatiotemporal patterns of microbial communities in the Nordic Sea. Moreover, co-occurrence networks were conducted to show different degree of complexity and stability of microbial community response to spatiotemporal dynamic changes. Furthermore, the flow and collision between ocean currents do have an impact on the community assembly processes by affecting the migration and dispersal of microbial communities. This study reflects the response of microbial communities to the spatiotemporal dynamics and reveals the microbial community assembly mechanisms under complex hydrological condition represented in the Nordic Sea.

Supercharged Protein Nanosheets for Cell Expansion on Bioemulsions

Cell culture at liquid-liquid interfaces, for example, at the surface of oil microdroplets, is an attractive strategy to scale up adherent cell manufacturing while replacing the use of microplastics. Such a process requires the adhesion of cells at interfaces stabilized and reinforced by protein nanosheets displaying not only high elasticity but also presenting cell adhesive ligands able to bind integrin receptors. In this report, supercharged albumins are found to form strong elastic protein nanosheets when co-assembling with the co-surfactant pentafluorobenzoyl chloride (PFBC) and mediate extracellular matrix (ECM) protein adsorption and cell adhesion. The interfacial mechanical properties and elasticity of supercharged nanosheets are characterized by interfacial rheology, and behaviors are compared to those of native bovine serum albumin, human serum albumin, and α-lactalbumin. The impact of PFBC on such assembly is investigated. ECM protein adsorption to resulting supercharged nanosheets is then quantified via surface plasmon resonance and fluorescence microscopy, demonstrating that the dual role supercharged albumins are proposed to play as scaffold protein structuring liquid-liquid interfaces and substrates for the capture of ECM molecules. Finally, the adhesion and proliferation of primary human epidermal stem cells are investigated, at pinned droplets, as well as on bioemulsions stabilized by corresponding supercharged nanosheets. This study demonstrates the potential of supercharged proteins for the engineering of biointerfaces for stem cell manufacturing and draws structure-property relationships that will guide further engineering of associated systems.

Chirality-Dependent Dynamic Evolution of the Protein Corona on the Surface of Quantum Dots

Elucidating the biological behavior of engineered nanoparticles, for example, the protein corona, is important for the development of safe and efficient nanomedicine, but our current understanding is still limited due to its highly dynamic nature and lack of adequate analytical tools. In the present work, we demonstrate the establishment of a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based platform for monitoring the dynamic evolution behavior of the protein corona in complex biological media. With human serum albumin and lysozyme as the model serum proteins, the protein exchange process of the preformed corona on the surface of chiral quantum dots (QDs) upon feeding either individual protein or human serum was monitored in situ by FRET. Important parameters characterizing the evolution process of protein corona could be obtained upon quantitative analysis of FRET data. Further combining real-time FRET monitoring with gel electrophoresis experiments revealed that the nature of the protein initially adsorbed on the surface of QDs significantly affects the subsequent dynamic exchange behavior of the protein corona. Furthermore, our results also revealed that only a limited proportion of proteins are involved in the protein exchange, and the exchange process exhibits a significant dependence on the surface chirality of QDs. This work demonstrates the feasibility of FRET as a powerful tool to exploit the dynamic evolution process of the protein corona, which can provide theoretical guidance for further design of advanced nanomaterials for biomedical applications.

Auditory verbal hallucination can be evoked by prefrontal epileptic seizure

Auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) have been reported in neocortical temporal epileptic seizures and have been considered highly associated with implication of auditory cortex by epileptic discharges or electrical stimulation. Herein, we report two rare frontal epilepsy cases in which AVHs featured the habitual seizures. The epileptogenic zones of these two patients were localized in the dorsal and orbitomedial prefrontal cortex, respectively by stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) monitoring. Comparing with the AVHs in schizophrenia, we postulated that the phenomenological similarities between the two sets of AVHs imply homology in mechanisms. Ictal SEEG confirmed that the wide involvement of prefrontal-cingulate-auditory cortical network by low-voltage fast activity corresponded the occurrence with AVHs during frontal epileptic seizures. Electrical stimulation study of one of the two cases highlighted the causal role of prefrontal-cingulate cortex in the emergence of AVHs. Based on our clinical observation, SEEG findings, and electrical cortical stimulation, we supposed that wide implication of prefrontal-cingulate-auditory cortical network during epileptic seizure underlie the emergence of AVHs, and further hypothesized that AVHs could be yielded by transient deficit of self-monitoring for inner speech in focal epileptic seizures.

Tert-Butylhydroquinone Mitigates Renal Dysfunction in Pregnant Diabetic Rats Via Attenuation of Oxidative Stress and Modulation of the iNOs/NFkB/TNF Alpha Signalling Pathway

Aim:

To determine the effect of tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) supplementation on some biochemical parameters in pregnant diabetic rats and the foetus.

Background:

The global incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been on the increase despite current interventional therapies, underscoring the need for alternative or complementary therapeutic approaches.

Objective:

To determine the effect of tBHQ on blood glucose, insulin resistance, body weights, relative liver and kidney weights, serum lipid profile (total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol), liver function (albumin, aspartate and alanine amino transaminases) and kidney function markers (urea, creatinine and uric acid) in the sera, maternal and foetal renal levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, foetal weights and histology of the kidney of streptozotocin (STZ) induced GDM in rats was studied.

Methods:

Twenty female pregnant rats were used and they were divided into four groups of five rats each made up of control (normal pregnancy), disease (diabetic untreated), metformin (received 200 mg/kg metformin dissolved in distilled water) and tBHQ groups (received 25 mg/kg tBHQ in 1% corn oil) respectively. GDM was induced in the disease and treated groups by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (45 mg/kg in sodium citrate buffer, pH 4.5).

Results:

STZ induction in the disease group, significantly increased their blood glucose levels (P<0.05), altered their body and foetal weights, relative liver and kidney weights, serum lipid profile, liver and kidney function markers in the sera (relative to the control), inducing oxidative stress and inflammation to the maternal and foetal kidneys and altered the maternal kidney histology which was improved following supplementation with tBHQ in a manner akin to or ever better than metformin.

Conclusion:

tBHQ was found beneficial in protecting the foetal kidneys against oxidative stress and the foetus against mortality arising from maternal hyperglycaemia. Finally, the study showed the potentials of tBHQ in mitigating histological changes in the maternal kidney arising from STZ induced hyperglycemia in rats.

Programmable Anisotropic Hydrogels with Localized Photothermal/Magnetic Responsive Properties

Programmable smart materials that can respond locally to specific stimuli hold great potential for many applications, but controllable fabrication of these materials remains challenging. This work reports the development of novel programmable anisotropic materials with both magnetic and photothermal stimuli-responsiveness, which are fabricated by anchoring thermosensitive poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAm) and magnetic Fe₃ O₄ nanoparticles on the surface of MoS₂ nanosheets. Further embedding PNIPAm-MoS₂ /Fe₃ O₄ into 3D-printed hydrogel cubes results in stimuli-responsive building blocks, and the magnetic field can precisely control their orientation and near-infrared (NIR) light absorbing property. Particularly, the variation of the orientation of MoS₂ /Fe₃ O₄ block results in obvious changes of their photothermal efficiency and optical property. By exploiting the anisotropy of MoS₂ /Fe₃ O₄ and their NIR light responsiveness, thermally-induced phase transitions in individual 3D printed hydrogel building block can be locally controlled for magnetic field-assisted programming a quick response (QR) code. Alternatively, fluorescent QR code with high contrast and security level can be achieved by photothermal-induced release of fluorescent dyes. These 3D printed magnetically programmed hydrogels hold great potential for application in information storage, intelligent materials, and precise therapy.

Associations among prenatal PM2.5, birth weight, and renal function

BACKGROUND

Low birth weight has long-term health effects, including neurodevelopmental delays, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes, through epigenetic changes and modifications. Numerous studies have identified that PM_2.5 is associated with low birth weight. However, the association between PM_2.5 and renal function, as well as the mediated effect of renal function on the association between prenatal PM_2.5 and birth weight are still under-recognized.

METHODS

A total of 8969 singleton live births born in 2015-2019 were included in this study. The inverse distance weighting method was applied to interpolate and calculate the average exposure to PM_2.5 during pregnancy for each pregnant woman. The multiple linear regression model was used to shed light on the associations among prenatal PM_2.5, birth weight, and renal function. In addition, the mediation analysis was performed to figure out the mediated effect of renal function on the association between prenatal PM_2.5 and birth weight, and the proportion of mediated effect = (indirect effect/total effect) × 100%.

RESULTS

Per 10 μg/m³ increment of prenatal PM_2.5 was associated with 8.98 g (95% CI: -16.94 to -1.02) decrease of birth weight, 0.49 (95% CI: -0.73 to -0.26) ml/min/1.73 m² decrease of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), 0.03 (95% CI: 0.01-0.05) mmol/L increase of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and 2.29 (95% CI: 0.86-3.72) μmol/L increase of uric acid (UA) after adjusting for the sociodemographic covariates, disease-related covariates and meteorological factors. Besides, the mediated effects of GFR and BUN on the association between prenatal PM_2.5 and birth weight were 5.02% and 14.96%, but there was no significant mediated effect being identified in UA.

CONCLUSION

Prenatal PM_2.5 is related to reduced birth weight and impaired renal function. Renal function plays a partial role in the association between prenatal PM_2.5 and birth weight. Appropriate guidelines should be formulated by the concerned authorities, and adequate efforts should be made to mitigate the detrimental health effects of PM_2.5.

[Characteristics and risk factors of functional constipation in children aged 0-4 years in Xi 'an]

Objective: To investigate the epidemiology, characteristics and risk factors of functional constipation (FC) in children aged 0-4 years in Xi'an. Methods: From October, 2020 to June, 2021, a prevalence survey was conducted among 2 615 children aged 0-4 years in Xi'an by group sampling. The related factors of FC were investigated by questionnaire designed based on Rome Ⅳ diagnostic criteria.The children were divided into FC group and non-FC group. The prevalence, symptoms and signs of FC were analyzed, and its risk factors were analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression. Results: A total of 2 985 valid questionnaires were handed out, and 2 711 (90.8%) were received back. A total of 2 615 questionnaires were valid, with an effective rate of 96.5%. There were 1 338 males (51.2%) and 1 277 females (48.8%). There were 260 cases in FC group and 2 355 cases in non-FC group. The prevalence of FC in children aged 0-4 years in Xi 'an was 10.6%.There were significant differences in FC prevalence among children of different ages and sex (χ²=14.58,4.39, both P<0.05), but not in urban or rural residence (χ²=3.29, P=0.070). The main symptoms of FC group in the last month were large-diameter feces (73.5%, 191/260), painful defecation or dry and hard defecation (65.8%, 171/260). In the last month, FC group had higher incidences of the Bristol type 1, 2 and 3 stool, fecal retention, prolonged defecation, abdominal pain and incomplete defecation compared with non-FC group, with statistical significance (all P<0.05). Parental history of childhood constipation (OR=2.13, 95%CI 1.55-2.92), fever in the last month (OR=1.86, 95%CI 1.32-2.63), history of constipation (OR=3.24, 95%CI 2.46-4.26) and taking probiotics in the last month (OR=1.45, 95%CI 1.11-1.91) were risk factors of FC in children aged 0-4 years. Stratified with age, the results showed that complementary feeding earlier than 5 months of age or later than 6 months of age (OR=2.42, 95%CI 1.13-5.20), dry stools during the complementary feeding (OR=11.27, 95%CI 5.15-24.66), history of constipation (OR=2.29, 95%CI 1.23-4.29) and taking probiotics in the last month (OR=1.88, 95%CI 1.10-3.23) were risk factors of FC in children aged 0-<1 year, and breastfeeding (OR=0.53, 95%CI 0.29-0.94) was a protective factor of FC in children aged 0-<1 year. Family members' recent constipation history (OR=2.02, 95%CI 1.06-3.85) and past history of constipation (OR=3.06, 95%CI 1.74-5.38) were FC risk factors for children aged 1-<2 years. Parental history of childhood constipation (OR=3.12, 95%CI 2.00-4.85), frequency of eating vegetables less than 3 times per week (OR=3.28, 95%CI 2.00-5.38), history of constipation (OR=3.66, 95%CI 2.42-5.53) and taking antibiotics in the last month (OR=1.65, 95%CI 1.06-2.55) were risk factors for FC in children aged 2-4 years. Conclusions: FC in children aged 0-4 years in Xi'an is mainly manifested with large-diameter feces and painful defecation or dry and hard defecation in the last month. It is associated with a variety of risk factors, which are different in different age groups.