Modulation of Cerebrospinal Fluid Dysregulation via a SPAK and OSR1 Targeted Framework Nucleic Acid in Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is one of the most common brain disorders and a life-long incurable condition. An empirical "one-size-fits-all" approach of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunting remains the mainstay of hydrocephalus treatment and effective pharmacotherapy options are currently lacking. Macrophage-mediated ChP inflammation and CSF hypersecretion have recently been identified as a significant discovery in the pathogenesis of hydrocephalus. In this study, a pioneering DNA nano-drug (TSOs) is developed by modifying S2 ssDNA and S4 ssDNA with SPAK ASO and OSR1 ASO in tetrahedral framework nucleic acids (tFNAs) and synthesis via a one-pot annealing procedure. This construct can significantly knockdown the expression of SPAK and OSR1, along with their downstream ion channel proteins in ChP epithelial cells, thereby leading to a decrease in CSF secretion. Moreover, these findings indicate that TSOs effectively inhibit the M0 to M1 phenotypic switch of ChP macrophages via the MAPK pathways, thus mitigating the cytokine storm. In in vivo post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) models, TSOs significantly reduce CSF secretion rates, alleviate ChP inflammation, and prevent the onset of hydrocephalus. These compelling results highlight the potential of TSOs as a promising therapeutic option for managing hydrocephalus, with significant applications in the future.

Framework Nucleic Acids-Based VEGF Signaling Activating System for Angiogenesis: A Dual Stimulation Strategy

Angiogenesis is crucial for tissue engineering, wound healing, and regenerative medicine. Nanomaterials constructed based on specific goals can be employed to activate endogenous growth factor-related signaling. In this study, based on the conventional single-stranded DNA self-assembly into tetrahedral framework nucleic acids (tFNAs), the Apt02 nucleic acid aptamer and dimethyloxallyl glycine (DMOG) small molecule are integrated into a complex via a template-based click chemistry reaction and toehold-mediated strand displacement reaction. Thus, being able to simulate the VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) function and stabilize HIF (hypoxia-inducible factor), a functional whole is constructed and applied to angiogenesis. Cellular studies demonstrate that the tFNAs-Apt02 complex (TAC) has a conspicuous affinity to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Further incubation with DMOG yields the tFNAs-Apt02-DMOG complex (TACD), which promotes VEGF secretion, in vitro blood vessel formation, sprouting, and migration of HUVECs. Additionally, TACD enhances angiogenesis by upregulating the VEGF/VEGFR and HIF signaling pathways. Moreover, in a diabetic mouse skin defect repair process, TACD increases blood vessel formation and collagen deposition, therefore accelerating wound healing. The novel strategy simulating VEGF and stabilizing HIF promotes blood-vessel formation in vivo and in vitro and has the potential for broad applications in the vascularization field.

Effects of tension on mitochondrial autophagy and osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells

This study aimed to explore the osteogenic ability and mitochondrial autophagy of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) under cyclic tensile stress (CTS). Primary PDLSCs were isolated from the periodontal membrane and cultured by passage. Alizarin red staining, alkaline phosphatase detection, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and Western blotting were used to detect the osteogenic differentiation level of PDLSCs. Mitochondrial autophagy in PDLSCs after CTS was measured using a mitochondrial autophagy detection kit, and the expression levels of autophagy-related proteins LC3B, LAMP1 and Beclin1 were measured using cellular immunofluorescence technology, RT-PCR and Western blot. After applying CTS, the osteogenic differentiation ability of PDLSCs was significantly improved, and the expression of alkaline phosphatase on the surface of the cell membrane and the formation of calcium nodules in PDLSCs were significantly increased respectively. We also studied the relevant mechanism of action and found that applying CTS can promote the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs and is related to the activation of mitochondrial autophagy. This study provides new insights into the mechanism of increased osteogenic differentiation on the tension side of orthodontic teeth and provides new experimental evidence for the involvement of mitochondrial autophagy in the regulation of osteogenic differentiation.

Effects of tetrahedral DNA nanostructures on the treatment of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis (OP) is a common disease characterized by bone loss and bone tissue microstructure degradation. Drug treatment is a common clinical treatment that aims to increase bone mass and bone density. Tetrahedral DNA nanostructures (TDNs) are three-dimensional tetrahedral frames formed by folding four single-stranded DNA molecules, which have good biological safety and can promote bone regeneration. In this study, a mouse model of OP was established by ovariectomy (OVX) and TDN was injected into the tail vein for 8 weeks. We found that ovariectomized mice could simulate some physiological changes in OP. After treatment with TDNs, some of this destruction in mice was significantly improved, including an increase in the bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and bone trabecular number (Tb. N), decrease in bone separation (Tb. SP), reduction in the damage to the mouse cartilage layer, reduction in osteoclast lacunae in bone trabecula, and reduction in the damage to the bone dense part. We also found that the expression of ALP, β-Catenin, Runx2, Osterix, and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)2 significantly decreased in OVX mice but increased after TDN treatment. Therefore, this study suggests that TDNs may regulate the Wnt/β-Catenin and BMP signalling pathways to improve the levels of some specific markers of osteogenic differentiation, such as Runx2, ALP, and Osterix, to promote osteogenesis, thus showing a therapeutic effect on OP mice.

MicroRNA-29c-tetrahedral framework nucleic acids: Towards osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and bone regeneration in critical-sized calvarial defects

Certain miRNAs, notably miR29c, demonstrate a remarkable capacity to regulate cellular osteogenic differentiation. However, their application in tissue regeneration is hampered by their inherent instability and susceptibility to degradation. In this study, we developed a novel miR29c delivery system utilising tetrahedral framework nucleic acids (tFNAs), aiming to enhance its stability and endocytosis capability, augment the efficacy of miR29c, foster osteogenesis in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), and significantly improve the repair of critical-sized bone defects (CSBDs). We confirmed the successful synthesis and biocompatibility of sticky ends-modified tFNAs (stFNAs) and miR29c-modified stFNAs (stFNAs-miR29c) through polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, microscopy scanning, a cell counting kit-8 assay and so on. The mechanism and osteogenesis effects of stFNAs-miR29c were explored using immunofluorescence staining, western blotting, and reserve transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Additionally, the impact of stFNAs-miR29c on CSBD repair was assessed via micro-CT and histological staining. The nano-carrier, stFNAs-miR29c was successfully synthesised and exhibited exemplary biocompatibility. This nano-nucleic acid material significantly upregulated osteogenic differentiation-related markers in BMSCs. After 2 months, stFNAs-miR29c demonstrated significant bone regeneration and reconstruction in CSBDs. Mechanistically, stFNAs-miR29c enhanced osteogenesis of BMSCs by upregulating the Wnt signalling pathway, contributing to improved bone tissue regeneration. The development of this novel nucleic acid nano-carrier, stFNAs-miR29c, presents a potential new avenue for guided bone regeneration and bone tissue engineering research.

A DNA nanostructure-Hif-1α inducer complex as novel nanotherapy against cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury

Since its discovery in 1978, cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens have served a pivotal role in human cancer treatment, saving millions of lives. However, its high risk still poses a significant challenge for cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI), which occurs in 30% of cisplatin-treated patients. Unfortunately, no effective solution for preventing or managing this severe complication, which greatly impacts its clinical administration. Kidney is the main organ injured by cisplatin, and the injury is related to cisplatin-induced cell apoptosis and DNA injury. Therefore, to achieve the safe use of cisplatin in tumour treatment, the key lies in identifying a kidney treatment that can effectively minimize cisplatin nephrotoxicity. Here, we successfully synthesized and applied a DNA-nanostructure complex, named TFG, which contains tetrahedral framework nucleic acids (tFNAs) and FG-4592, a novel Hif-1α inducer. As cargo, TFG is composed entirely of DNA strands. It possesses low nephrotoxicity and renal aggregation properties while FG-4592 is able to relieve renal injury by downregulating the apoptosis signal pathways. And it can relieve cisplatin-induced renal injury when taken cisplatin treatment. This work aims to enhance chemotherapy protection in tumour patients by using TFG, a DNA-based nanomedicines to kidney. This work has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of renal diseases, particularly drug-induced kidney injury, leading to improved clinical outcomes.

A Novel Bioswitchable miRNA Mimic Delivery System: Therapeutic Strategies Upgraded from Tetrahedral Framework Nucleic Acid System for Fibrotic Disease Treatment and Pyroptosis Pathway Inhibition

There has been considerable interest in gene vectors and their role in regulating cellular activities and treating diseases since the advent of nucleic acid drugs. MicroRNA (miR) therapeutic strategies are research hotspots as they regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally and treat a range of diseases. An original tetrahedral framework nucleic acid (tFNA) analog, a bioswitchable miR inhibitor delivery system (BiRDS) carrying miR inhibitors, is previously established; however, it remains unknown whether BiRDS can be equipped with miR mimics. Taking advantage of the transport capacity of tetrahedral framework nucleic acid (tFNA) and upgrading it further, the treatment outcomes of a traditional tFNA and BiRDS at different concentrations on TGF-β- and bleomycin-induced fibrosis simultaneously in vitro and in vivo are compared. An upgraded traditional tFNA is designed by successfully synthesizing a novel BiRDS, carrying a miR mimic, miR-27a, for treating skin fibrosis and inhibiting the pyroptosis pathway, which exhibits stability and biocompatibility. BiRDS has three times higher efficiency in delivering miRNAs than the conventional tFNA with sticky ends. Moreover, BiRDS is more potent against fibrosis and pyroptosis-related diseases than tFNAs. These findings indicate that the BiRDS can be applied as a drug delivery system for disease treatment.

Tetrahedral framework nucleic acid loaded with glabridin: A transdermal delivery system applicated to anti-hyperpigmentation

Topical application of tyrosinase inhibitors, such as hydroquinone and arbutin, is the most common clinical treatment for hyperpigmentation. Glabridin (Gla) is a natural isoflavone that inhibits tyrosinase activity, free radical scavenging, and antioxidation. However, its water solubility is poor, and it cannot pass through the human skin barrier alone. Tetrahedral framework nucleic acid (tFNA), a new type of DNA biomaterial, can penetrate cells and tissues and can be used as carriers to deliver small-molecule drugs, polypeptides, and oligonucleotides. This study aimed to develop a compound drug system using tFNA as the carrier to transport Gla and deliver it through the skin to treat pigmentation. Furthermore, we aimed to explore whether tFNA-Gla can effectively alleviate the hyperpigmentation caused by increased melanin production and determine whether tFNA-Gla exerts substantial synergistic effects during treatment. Our results showed that the developed system successfully treated pigmentation by inhibiting regulatory proteins related to melanin production. Furthermore, our findings showed that the system was effective in treating epidermal and superficial dermal diseases. The tFNA-based transdermal drug delivery system can thus develop into novel, effective options for non-invasive drug delivery through the skin barrier.

Polystyrene nanoplastics induce apoptosis of human kidney proximal tubular epithelial cells via oxidative stress and MAPK signaling pathways

Polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) have recently been found to be present in human blood and kidney. However, the renal toxicity of PS-NPs and the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Here, we found that exposure of PS-NPs induced apoptosis of human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) in a size- and dose-dependent manner as revealed by AnnexinV-FITC assay. In addition, PS-NPs promoted ROS production and caused structure changes of mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum. Mechanistically, transcriptional sequencing indicated the involvement of MAPK pathway in apoptosis, which was further confirmed by the upregulation of p-p38, p-ERK, CHOP, BAX, cytochrome C, and caspase 3 expression. This study clarified the molecular mechanism underlying PS-NP-induced apoptosis in HK-2 cells and contributed to our risk estimation of PS-NPs in human kidney.

Transcutaneous Immunotherapy for RNAi: A Cascade-Responsive Decomposable Nanocomplex Based on Polyphenol-Mediated Framework Nucleic Acid in Psoriasis

Skin is the first barrier against external threats, and skin immune dysfunction leads to multiple diseases. Psoriasis is an inflammatory, chronic, common, immune-related skin disease that affects more than 125 million people worldwide. RNA interference (RNAi) therapy is superior to traditional therapies, but rapid degradation and poor cell uptake are the greatest obstacles to its clinical transformation. The transdermal delivery of siRNA and controllable assembly/disassembly of nanodrug delivery systems can maximize the therapeutic effect. Tetrahedral framework nucleic acid (tFNA) is undoubtedly the best carrier for the transdermal transport of genes due to its excellent noninvasive transdermal effect and editability. The authors combine acid-responsive tannic acid (TA), RNase H-responsive sequences, siRNA, and tFNA into a novel transdermal RNAi drug with controllable assembly and disassembly: STT. STT has heightened resistance to enzyme, serum, and lysosomal degradation, and its size is similar to that of tFNA, enabling easy transdermal transport. After transdermal administration, STT can specifically silence nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) p65, thereby maintaining the stability of the skin's microenvironment and reshaping normal skin immune defense. This work demonstrates the advantages of STT in RNAi therapy and the potential for future treatment of skin-related diseases.

Cervical Disc Arthroplasty for the Treatment of Noncontiguous Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease: Results of Mid- to Long-Term Follow-up

OBJECTIVE

The long-term results of cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) for noncontiguous cervical degenerative disc disease (CDDD) are still uncertain. Moreover, it is unclear whether CDA delays or avoids the degeneration of the intermediate segment (IS), leading to controversy in the field. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the mid- to long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of CDA in treating noncontiguous CDDD and to explore whether the IS degenerated faster after CDA than other non-surgically treated adjacent segments.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed patients with noncontiguous CDDD who underwent CDA in our department between January 2008 and July 2018. The patients were divided into the CDA and hybrid surgery (HS) groups, and clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated at routine postoperative intervals. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA), neck disability index (NDI), and visual analogue scale (VAS), while radiographic outcomes included cervical lordosis (CL), C2-C7 range of motion (ROM), segmental ROM, and disc angle (DA) at the arthroplasty level. Complications were also evaluated.Pre- and postoperative values were compared using paired t-tests or Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Independent Student t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests analyzed continuous data between CDA and HS groups, while chi-square or Fisher exact tests assessed categorical data.

RESULTS

Sixty-four patients with noncontiguous CDDD, with 31 in the CDA group and 33 in the HS group, were evaluated. The mean follow-up time was over 70 months. The most frequently involved levels were C4/5 and C5/6. Both groups showed significant improvements in JOA, NDI, and VAS values after surgery. Although CL was maintained, the CL in the CDA group was consistently lower than that in the HS group (p < 0.05). There was a significant decrease in C2-C7 ROM (p < 0.05), but at the last follow-up, the C2-C7 ROM in the CDA group was greater than that in the HS group (p < 0.05). At the last follow-up, 44.3% of arthroplasty levels had developed heterotopic ossification (HO), and 48.45% had developed anterior bone loss (ABL). In addition, adjacent segment degeneration (ASDeg) was observed in the IS (22.7%), superior adjacent segment (20.6%)and inferior adjacent segment (21.9%).

CONCLUSION

CDA or CDA combined with fusion are viable treatments for noncontiguous CDDD, with satisfactory outcomes after mid-to-long-term follow-up. ASDeg is similar in non-surgical segments after 70 months of follow-up. ROM of the IS issimilar to preoperative levels, indicating CDA does not increase the risk of IS degeneration.

Shade Avoidance 3 Mediates Crosstalk Between Shade and Nitrogen in Arabidopsis Leaf Development

After nitrogen treatments, plant leaves become narrower and thicker, and the chlorophyll content increases. However, the molecular mechanisms behind these regulations remain unknown. Here, we found that the changes in leaf width and thickness were largely compromised in the shade avoidance 3 (sav3) mutant. The SAV3 gene encodes an amino-transferase in the auxin biosynthesis pathway. Thus, the crosstalk between shade and nitrogen in Arabidopsis leaf development was investigated. Both hypocotyl elongation and leaf expansion promoted by the shade treatment were reduced by the high-N treatment; high-N-induced leaf narrowing and thickening were reduced by the shade treatment; and all of these developmental changes were largely compromised in the sav3 mutant. Shade treatment promoted SAV3 expression, while high-N treatment repressed SAV3 expression, which then increased or decreased auxin accumulation in cotyledons/leaves, respectively. SAV3 also regulates chlorophyll accumulation and nitrogen assimilation and thus may function as a master switch responsive to multiple environmental stimuli.

Multi-attribute group decision-making for online education live platform selection based on linguistic intuitionistic cubic fuzzy aggregation operators

The purpose of this study is to propose a multi-attribute group decision-making (MAGDM) method for online education live platform selection based on proposed novel aggregation operators (AOs) under linguistic intuitionistic cubic fuzzy set (LICFS). First, the Archimedean copula and co-copula are extended to handle linguistic intuitionistic cubic fuzzy information (LICFI) and the operational law of linguistic intuitionistic cubic fuzzy variables (LICFVs) based on extended copula (EC) and extended co-copula (ECC) are given. In addition, linguistic intuitionistic cubic fuzzy copula weighted average (LICFCWA) operator and linguistic intuitionistic cubic fuzzy copula weighted geometric (LICFCWG) operator are proposed based on EC and ECC under LICFI; meanwhile, some special forms of LICFCWA and LICFCWG have been obtained by different types generators of ECs and ECCs. Third, a novel MAGDM approach based on proposed LICFCWA (LICFCWG) is constructed to solve the selection problem of the online education live platform in the period of the COVID-19, and a detailed parameter analysis was carried out. Fourthly, LICFS will degenerate into linguistic intuitionistic fuzzy set and intuitionistic cubic fuzzy set, respectively, in different cases. Finally, some comparisons are carried out with other existing proposed MAGDM approaches. By comparing different types of experiments, the effectiveness and flexibility of the proposed approach are also showed.

Impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on patterns of pregnant women's perception of threat and its relationship to mental state: A latent class analysis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to define the threatened perception types of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the correlations between the perception types and their demographic factors, their preventive knowledge of COVID-19 and their mental status in order to provide suggestions for pregnant women during pandemic.

METHODS

Latent class analysis were used to explore the optimal numbers of clusters. Multinomial logistic regression and multiple correspondence analysis were used to analyze the demographic variables of the latent categories. MANOVA was used to analyze the difference of knowledge of COVID-19 obtained among clusters and their psychological status, and chi-square test was used determine the relationship between the latent clusters and the participant's COVID-19 worry level.

RESULTS

Five clusters were found: the first cluster (n = 120, 39%) was unthreatened and confident. Cluster 2(n = 84, 28%) was unthreatened but not confident. Cluster 3 (n = 49, 17%) was threatened but confident. Cluster 4 (n = 25, 9%) was threaten, not confident and knowledgeable, and Cluster 5 (n = 20, 7%) was threatened, not confident and lacking knowledge. Three demographic variables were shown an effect on the classification, they were support from work, family support and intrapartum and postpartum complications.

CONCLUSION

This study can help assess the mental health risks of pregnant women during an epidemic. The results could be helpful for families, work units, communities and medical institutions to make targeted intervention decisions for pregnant women.

Development of a pH-responsive polymersome inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy blockade

Autophagy is involved in the occurrence and development of tumors. Here, a pH-responsive polymersome codelivering hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and tunicamycin (Tuni) drugs is developed to simultaneously induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and autophagic flux blockade for achieving an antitumor effect and inhibiting tumor metastasis. The pH response of poly(β-amino ester) and HCQ synergistically deacidifies the lysosomes, thereby blocking the fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes and lastly blocking autophagic flux. The function mechanism of regulating autophagy was systematically investigated on orthotopic luciferase gene-transfected, 4T1 tumor-bearing BALB/c mice through Western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses. The Tuni triggers ER stress to regulate the PERK/Akt signaling pathway to increase the autophagic level. The "autophagic stress" generated by triggering ER stress-induced autophagy and blocking autophagic flux is effective against tumors. The reduced expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 due to ER stress and reduced focal adhesions turnover due to the blockade of autophagic flux synergistically inhibit tumor metastasis.

Elucidation of the Relationship between Intrinsic Viscosity and Molecular Weight of Cellulose Dissolved in Tetra-N-Butyl Ammonium Hydroxide/Dimethyl Sulfoxide

The determination of molecular weight of natural cellulose remains a challenge nowadays, due to the difficulty in dissolving cellulose. In this work, tetra-n-butylammonium hydroxide (TBAH) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) aqueous solution (THDS) were used to dissolve cellulose in a few minutes under room temperature into true molecular solutions. That is to say, the cellulose was dissolved in the solution in molecular level, and the viscosity of the solution is linearly dependent on the concentration of cellulose. The relationship between the molecular weight of cellulose and the intrinsic viscosity tested in such dilute solutions has been established in the form of the Mark-Houwink equation, η=0.24×DP1.21. The value of 1.21 indicates that the cellulose molecules dissolve in THDS quite well. The cellulose dispersion in the THDS was proved to be in molecular level by atomic force microscope (AFM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The reliability of the established Mark-Houwink equation was cross-checked by the gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and traditional copper (II) ethylenediamine (CED) method. No considerate degradation was observed by comparing the intrinsic viscosity and the degree of polymerization (DP) values of the original with and the regenerated cellulose samples. The natural cellulose can be molecularly dispersed in the multiple-component solvent (THDS), and kept stable for a certain period. A time efficient and reliable method has been supplied for determination of the degree of polymerization and the molecular weight of cellulose.

Surface Modification of Cardiovascular Stent Material 316L SS with Estradiol-Loaded Poly (trimethylene carbonate) Film for Better Biocompatibility

A delay in the endothelialization process represents a bottleneck in the application of a drug-eluting stent (DES) during cardiovascular interventional therapy, which may lead to a high risk of late restenosis. In this study, we used a novel active drug, estradiol, which may contribute to surface endothelialization of a DES, and prepared an estradiol-loaded poly (trimethylene carbonate) film (PTMC-E5) on the surface of the DES material, 316L stainless steel (316L SS), in order to evaluate its function in improving surface endothelialization. All the in vitro and in vivo experiments indicated that the PTMC-E5 film significantly improved surface hemocompatibility and anti-hyperplasia, anti-inflammation and pro-endothelialization properties. This novel drug-delivery system may provide a breakthrough for the surface endothelialization of cardiovascular DES.