CEBPD aggravates apoptosis and oxidative stress of neuron after ischemic stroke by Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

CCAAT enhancer binding protein delta (CEBPD) is a transcription factor and plays an important role in apoptosis and oxidative stress, which are the main pathogenesis of ischemic stroke. However, whether CEBPD regulates ischemic stroke through targeting apoptosis and oxidative stress is unclear. Therefore, to answer this question, rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) reperfusion model and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) primary cortical neuron were established to mimic ischemic reperfusion injury. We found that CEBPD was upregulated and accompanied with increased neurological deficit scores and infarct size, and decreased neuron in MCAO rats. The siRNA targeted CEBPD inhibited CEBPD expression in rats, and meanwhile lentivirus system was used to blocked CEBPD expression in primary neuron. CEBPD degeneration decreased neurological deficit scores, infarct size and brain water content of MCAO rats. Knockdown of CEBPD enhanced cell viability and reduced apoptosis as well as oxidative stress in vivo and in vitro. CEBPD silencing promoted the translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) to the nucleus and the expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1). Newly, CEBPD facilitated the transcription of cullin 3 (CUL3), which intensified ischemic stroke through Nrf2/HO-1 pathway that was proposed by our team in the past. In conclusion, targeting CEBPD-CUL3-Nrf2/HO-1 axis may be contributed to cerebral ischemia therapy.

High-Intensity Progressive Rehabilitation Versus Routine Rehabilitation After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of high-intensity progressive rehabilitation training with routine training in the early treatment of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. METHODS: There were 78 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty and were randomized into high-intensity progressive training and routine rehabilitation training groups (RRT). The primary outcome measures were the American Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Score (HSS), with secondary outcomes including patient satisfaction, visual analog pain score, first time of standing after surgery, 6-minute walk test, 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), and length of hospital stay. The incidence of postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: The HSS scores were higher in the intervention group at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months postoperatively (P < .001). The RRT group had higher visual analog pain scores than the intervention group at 24 hours, 3 days, and 2 weeks after surgery (P < .001). The intervention group had an earlier the first time of standing after surgery and a longer 6-minute walk test distance (P < .001, P = .028, P < .001, P < .001). Patient satisfaction was higher in the intervention group, with a higher quality of life rating at 3 months postoperatively (P < .001). However, 1 year after surgery, the 2 groups had no significant differences in mental component summaries. The length of hospital stay was shorter in the intervention group than in the RRT group. CONCLUSION: Compared to routine training, high-intensity progressive rehabilitation training is more effective. It reduces postoperative patient pain, accelerates recovery of joint function, increases patient satisfaction, improves quality of life, shortens hospital stays, and promotes rapid recovery.

Complex insoluble dietary fiber alleviates obesity and liver steatosis, and modulates the gut microbiota in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet.

BACKGROUND: Obesity has been demonstrated as a risk factor that seriously affects health. Insoluble dietary fiber (IDF), as a major component of dietary fiber, has positive effects on obesity, inflammation and diabetes. RESULTS: In this study, complex IDF was prepared using 50% enoki mushroom IDF, 40% carrot IDF, and 10% oat IDF. The effects and potential mechanism of complex IDF on obesity were investigated in C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet. The results showed that feeding diets containing 5% complex IDF for 8 weeks significantly reduced mouse body weight, epididymal lipid index, and ectopic fat deposition, and improved mouse liver lipotoxicity (reduced serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase), fatty liver, and short-chain fatty acid composition. High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA and analysis of fecal metabolomics showed that the intervention with complex IDF reversed the high-fat-diet-induced dysbiosis of gut microbiota, which is associated with obesity and intestinal inflammation, and affected metabolic pathways, such as primary bile acid biosynthesis, related to fat digestion and absorption. CONCLUSION: Composite IDF intervention can effectively inhibit high-fat-diet-induced obesity and related symptoms and affect the gut microbiota and related metabolic pathways in obesity. Complex IDF has potential value in the prevention of obesity and metabolic syndrome. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Electro-optic fs pulsed laser deflection in KTN crystals using UV illumination.

UV-illuminated, paraelectric-phased potassium tantalate niobate (KTN) single crystals mitigate the beam deformation effects of femtosecond pulsed lasers in KTN deflectors. UV light illumination can control the amount of trapped charge present and minimize domain inversion in KTN deflectors, owing to its generated electron-hole pairs. This enables high beam quality deflection of fs pulsed lasers, with access to larger deflection angles, deflection speeds, and modulation switching ratios. These results enable the use of KTN deflectors in many fs pulsed laser applications and hasten the advancement of fs applications that require these deflection qualities.

Single-cell omics traces the heterogeneity of prostate cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment.

Prostate cancer is one of the more heterogeneous tumour types. In recent years, with the rapid development of single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptome technologies, researchers have gained a more intuitive and comprehensive understanding of the heterogeneity of prostate cancer. Tumour-associated epithelial cells; cancer-associated fibroblasts; the complexity of the immune microenvironment, and the heterogeneity of the spatial distribution of tumour cells and other cancer-promoting molecules play a crucial role in the growth, invasion, and metastasis of prostate cancer. Single-cell multi-omics biotechnology, especially single-cell transcriptome sequencing, reveals the expression level of single cells with higher resolution and finely dissects the molecular characteristics of different tumour cells. We reviewed the recent literature on prostate cancer cells, focusing on single-cell RNA sequencing. And we analysed the heterogeneity and spatial distribution differences of different tumour cell types. We discussed the impact of novel single-cell omics technologies, such as rich omics exploration strategies, multi-omics joint analysis modes, and deep learning models, on future prostate cancer research. In this review, we have constructed a comprehensive catalogue of single-cell omics studies in prostate cancer. This article aimed to provide a more thorough understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. We summarised and proposed several key issues and directions on applying single-cell multi-omics and spatial transcriptomics to understand the heterogeneity of prostate cancer. Finally, we discussed single-cell omics trends and future directions in prostate cancer.

Crowned dens syndrome: A rare form of acute neck pain and headache that can be misdiagnosed or missed.

Crowned dens syndrome (CDS) occurs due to the deposition of calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) in the ligament tissue around the odontoid process of the axis. CDS is characterized by acute neck pain, stiffness, fever, and elevated inflammatory markers. It is a rare cause of neck pain among older people. We report a 71-year-old female patient who presented with acute neck pain, headache, with dizziness. Body temperature showed normal, with elevated C-reactive protein and ESR in the blood. Over the past 5 years, the patient has experienced neck and head pain several times.MRI of the head and CT scan of the neck showed calcification of the transverse atlantoaxial and cruciate ligament in combination with mild compression of the medulla oblongata. The patient was given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and colchicine for 10 days, with significant symptom improvement and no recurrence at 10 months of follow-up.

Role of SPAK-NKCC1 signaling cascade in the choroid plexus blood-CSF barrier damage after stroke.

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms underlying dysfunction of choroid plexus (ChP) blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier and lymphocyte invasion in neuroinflammatory responses to stroke are not well understood. In this study, we investigated whether stroke damaged the blood-CSF barrier integrity due to dysregulation of major ChP ion transport system, Na+-K+-Cl- cotransporter 1 (NKCC1), and regulatory Ste20-related proline-alanine-rich kinase (SPAK). METHODS: Sham or ischemic stroke was induced in C57Bl/6J mice. Changes on the SPAK-NKCC1 complex and tight junction proteins (TJs) in the ChP were quantified by immunofluorescence staining and immunoblotting. Immune cell infiltration in the ChP was assessed by flow cytometry and immunostaining. Cultured ChP epithelium cells (CPECs) and cortical neurons were used to evaluate H2O2-mediated oxidative stress in stimulating the SPAK-NKCC1 complex and cellular damage. In vivo or in vitro pharmacological blockade of the ChP SPAK-NKCC1 cascade with SPAK inhibitor ZT-1a or NKCC1 inhibitor bumetanide were examined. RESULTS: Ischemic stroke stimulated activation of the CPECs apical membrane SPAK-NKCC1 complex, NF-κB, and MMP9, which was associated with loss of the blood-CSF barrier integrity and increased immune cell infiltration into the ChP. Oxidative stress directly activated the SPAK-NKCC1 pathway and resulted in apoptosis, neurodegeneration, and NKCC1-mediated ion influx. Pharmacological blockade of the SPAK-NKCC1 pathway protected the ChP barrier integrity, attenuated ChP immune cell infiltration or neuronal death. CONCLUSION: Stroke-induced pathological stimulation of the SPAK-NKCC1 cascade caused CPECs damage and disruption of TJs at the blood-CSF barrier. The ChP SPAK-NKCC1 complex emerged as a therapeutic target for attenuating ChP dysfunction and lymphocyte invasion after stroke.

Development, Characterization, and Investigation of In Vivo Targeted Delivery Efficacy of Luteolin-Loaded, Eudragit S100-Coated mPEG-PLGA Nanoparticles.

Luteolin (Lu) is a kind of flavonoid that has been proved to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by alleviating intestinal microbiota disorder. In this study, luteolin was coated with methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolic acid) (mPEG-PLGA) using an emulsion solvent evaporation method, and the optimum preparation process was determined by a single-factor experiment combined with response surface methodology (RSM). Methacrylic acid-methyl methacrylate (1:2) copolymer (Eudragit S100) was then used to coat the surface of Lu/mPEG-PLGA nanoparticles. The physical parameters of Eudragit S100-coated Lu/mPEG-PLGA nanoparticles (Lu-NPs), such as appearance, particle size, potential, particle size distribution and drug release, and stability in vitro, were evaluated. In addition, its cytotoxicity in vitro, pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, and toxicity in vivo were also studied. The results showed that the prepared Lu-NPs had uniform particle size distribution, high encapsulation efficiency, and good stability. Normal colonic epithelial cells showed good tolerance to Lu-NPs. After oral administration, the blood concentration of luteolin peaked at 8 h, and the main tissue distribution was within the colon, confirming its colon-targeted profile. Safety assessments also indicated that no significant changes were observed in main organs after administration of Lu-NPs. The use of Eudragit S100-coated Lu/mPEG-PLGA nanoparticles is a new strategy for colon-targeted delivery of luteolin that encourages luteolin to fulfill its role in the colon.

Attenuating vascular stenosis-induced astrogliosis preserves white matter integrity and cognitive function.

BACKGROUND: Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) causes white matter damage and cognitive impairment, in which astrogliosis is the major pathology. However, underlying cellular mechanisms are not well defined. Activation of Na+/H+ exchanger-1 (NHE1) in reactive astrocytes causes astrocytic hypertrophy and swelling. In this study, we examined the role of NHE1 protein in astrogliosis, white matter demyelination, and cognitive function in a murine CCH model with bilateral carotid artery stenosis (BCAS). METHODS: Sham, BCAS, or BCAS mice receiving vehicle or a selective NHE1 inhibitor HOE642 were monitored for changes of the regional cerebral blood flow and behavioral performance for 28 days. Ex vivo MRI-DTI was subsequently conducted to detect brain injury and demyelination. Astrogliosis and demyelination were further examined by immunofluorescence staining. Astrocytic transcriptional profiles were analyzed with bulk RNA-sequencing and RT-qPCR. RESULTS: Chronic cerebral blood flow reduction and spatial working memory deficits were detected in the BCAS mice, along with significantly reduced mean fractional anisotropy (FA) values in the corpus callosum, external capsule, and hippocampus in MRI DTI analysis. Compared with the sham control mice, the BCAS mice displayed demyelination and axonal damage and increased GFAP+ astrocytes and Iba1+ microglia. Pharmacological inhibition of NHE1 protein with its inhibitor HOE642 prevented the BCAS-induced gliosis, damage of white matter tracts and hippocampus, and significantly improved cognitive performance. Transcriptome and immunostaining analysis further revealed that NHE1 inhibition specifically attenuated pro-inflammatory pathways and NADPH oxidase activation. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that NHE1 protein is involved in astrogliosis with pro-inflammatory transformation induced by CCH, and its blockade has potentials for reducing astrogliosis, demyelination, and cognitive impairment.

Nanostructure enabled lower on-state resistance and longer lock-on time GaAs photoconductive semiconductor switches.

We report a new, to the best of our knowledge, type of SI-GaAs photoconductive semiconductor switch (PCSS) with nanostructures. Since light can enter from both the top and side surfaces of nanostructures, the effective penetration depth is significantly increased. Lower on-state resistance and a longer lock-on time have been achieved in the nonlinear mode with this design, as well as a lower triggering fluence in the linear mode. This could be highly useful for a variety of applications that require lower on-state resistance and/or longer lock-on time such as pulsed power systems and firing set switches.

Analysis on the electric field distribution in a relaxor ferroelectric KTN crystal near field-induced phase transition using optical deflection measurements.

Spatially analyzing non-uniform distributions of electric phenomena such as electric field and permittivity in ferroelectric devices is very challenging. In this study, we apply an optical beam deflection method to map the non-uniform electric phenomena in relaxor ferroelectric potassium tantalate niobate (KTN) crystals. To adequately correlate the physical parameters and their spatial distributions in KTN crystals, a general model that describes the giant electro-optic response and associated beam deflection is derived. The proposed model is in good agreement with the experimental results and is envisioned to be useful for analyzing electric field-induced phenomena in non-linear dielectric materials and devices.

Anomalous bi-directional scanning electro-optic KTN devices with UV-assisted electron and hole injections.

In this Letter, we reported anomalous electro-optic potassium tantalate niobate (KTN) devices, in which both electrons and holes were injected into the KTN crystal via ultraviolet (UV) illumination-assisted charge injection. This could not only significantly enhance the performance of electro-optic devices (e.g., a 270% increase in the deflection angle in terms of the KTN deflector) but also enable the new bi-directional scanning capability. The results in this work would be very useful for a variety of devices and applications, such as electro-optic based vari-focal lenses.

Enhanced electro-optic beam deflection of relaxor ferroelectric KTN crystals by electric-field-induced high permittivity.

Most applications of a ferroelectric-based electro-optic (EO) beam deflector have been limited by the high applied voltage. In this Letter, we report a dramatically increased EO beam deflection in relaxor ferroelectric potassium tantalate niobate (KTN) crystals by using the electric-field-enhanced permittivity. Due to the existence of the electric-field-induced phase transition in relaxor ferroelectric materials, the dielectric permittivity can be substantially increased by the applied electric field at a certain temperature. Both the theoretical study and the experimental verifications on the enhanced beam deflection and EO effect in the case with the electric-field-induced high permittivity were conducted. The experimental results confirmed that there was a three-fold increase in the deflection angle, which represented a dramatic increase in the deflection angle. By offering a wider deflection range and a lower driving voltage, such a largely enhanced beam deflection is of great benefit to the KTN deflector.

Enhanced electro-optic beam deflection of relaxor ferroelectric KTN crystals by electric-field-induced high permittivity: publisher's note.

This publisher's note contains corrections to Opt. Lett.44, 5557 (2019)OPLEDP0146-959210.1364/OL.44.005557.

Enhanced recovery after surgery combined with quantitative rehabilitation training in early rehabilitation after total knee replacement: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The number of patients undergoing total knee replacement (TKR) is increasing yearly; however, there is still a relative lack of specific, individualized, and standardized protocols for functional exercise after TKR. Quantitative rehabilitation training was developed to improve the recovery of postoperative joint function, increase patient satisfaction, shorten the length of the hospital stay, improve the quality of life, and promote rapid patient recovery. AIM: We aimed to compare the effectiveness of quantitative rehabilitation training based on the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) concept with conventional rehabilitation training in the early rehabilitation of patients with TKR. DESIGN: This was a single-centre, prospective, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Inpatient department. POPULATION: Participants were patients who underwent unilateral total knee replacement. METHODS: Based on the ERAS concept, a quantitative rehabilitation training program was developed for the quantitative group, and the control group underwent conventional rehabilitation training. Seventy-eight patients undergoing TKR were randomly divided into two blinded groups: the quantitative rehabilitation group and the conventional rehabilitation group. The analysis was performed according to per-protocol practice. The primary outcome metric was the Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Score (HSS Score), and secondary outcomes included patient satisfaction, Visual Analog Pain Score (VAS), time to get out of bed for the first time after surgery, 6-minute-walk test (6MWT), quality-of-life score (SF-36), and number of days in the hospital. The incidence of postoperative complications was also recorded. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in HSS scores between the two groups before surgery (P=0.967), but the quantitative rehabilitation training group had significantly higher scores at two weeks (P=0.031), 3 months (P<0.01), and 12 months (P<0.01) after surgery than did the conventional rehabilitation training group, and both groups had higher HSS scores than before surgery. The quantitative training group had significantly higher VAS scores at 24 hours and three days postoperatively than the conventional training group (P<0.01), while there was no statistical significance at any other time points. The quantitative rehabilitation group had an earlier time to get out of bed for the first time after surgery (P<0.01), a longer 6MWT distance (P=0.028), and higher patient satisfaction and quality of life scores (SF-36) (P<0.01) that did the control group. The number of days in the hospital was lower in the quantitative training group than in the control group (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with conventional rehabilitation training, quantitative rehabilitation training based on the ERAS concept was found to be safe and effective and can accelerate the recovery of joint function after surgery, shorten hospitalization time, improve patient satisfaction, and promote rapid recovery. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: The quantitative rehabilitation training based on the ERAS concept provides a new program for rehabilitation exercises after total knee arthroplasty, which is safe and reliable, accelerates the recovery of joint function, and should be considered for clinical promotion.

Apparent differences in prostate zones: susceptibility to prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis.

Men are inevitably plagued by prostate disease throughout their lives. However, the understanding of the pathogenesis of prostate diseases is still limited. In the 1960s, McNeal proposed the theory of prostate zones: the prostate was divided into three main zones: transition zone, central zone, and peripheral zone. Over the past 50 years, significant differences between different prostate zones have been gradually revealed. We summarized the most significant differences in different zones of the prostate. For the first time, we proposed the "apparent difference in prostate zones" concept. This new concept has been proposed to understand the different zones of the prostate better. It also provided new ideas for exploring the susceptibility of lesions in different prostate zones. Despite the reported differences between zones, the treatment of prostate-related diseases remains partition agnostic. Therefore, we also discussed the clinical significance of the "apparent difference in the prostate zone" and emphasized the necessity of prostate zones.

[Hydrochemical and Stable Isotopic Characteristics and Transformation Relationship of Water Bodies in the Guohe River Basin, Anhui Province].

The Guohe River Basin in Anhui Province was selected as the research area for this study. By collecting surface water, shallow groundwater, and middle-deep groundwater samples, various hydrochemical parameters and stable isotopes of water in different water bodies were analyzed using methods such as the Gibbs diagram, ion ratios, and MixSIAR model to reveal and quantify the transformation relationships between these water bodies. The results indicated that both surface water and groundwater in the study area were predominantly neutral to weakly alkaline. The hydrochemical types of surface water were mainly characterized by Cl·SO4·HCO3-Na and Cl·SO4-Na types, whereas the shallow groundwater exhibited HCO3-Ca·Mg and HCO3-Mg·Na types, and the middle-deep groundwater was of the Cl·HCO3-Na type. The hydrochemical characteristics of various water bodies were influenced by multiple factors such as rock weathering, evaporation concentration, and positive cation exchange. The distribution characteristics of δ18O and δ2H values in surface water and groundwater indicated that atmospheric precipitation was the main water source. The δ18O and δ2H in groundwater were significantly correlated with K+, Na+, Cl-, SO42-, and NO3-. According to the analysis using the MixSIAR model, the contribution of atmospheric precipitation to surface water was 46.5 %, whereas the contribution from shallow groundwater was 53.5 %. The sources of shallow groundwater were identified as atmospheric precipitation (57.4 %) and surface water (42.6 %), and the main source of supply for middle-deep groundwater was lateral flow from upstream groundwater.

Edaravone dexborneol protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced blood-brain barrier damage by inhibiting ferroptosis via activation of nrf-2/HO-1/GPX4 signaling.

PURPOSE: Ferroptosis has recently been recognized as a mechanism of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, attributed to blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption. Edaravone dexboneol (Eda.B) is a novel neuroprotective agent widely employed in ischemic stroke, which is composed of edaravone (Eda) and dexborneol. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Eda.B on the BBB in cerebral I/R and explore its potential mechanisms. METHODS: Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) Sprague-Dawley-rats model was used. Rats were randomly assigned to sham-operated group (sham, n = 20), model group (tMCAO, n = 20), Eda.B group (Eda.B, n = 20), Eda group (Eda, n = 20) and dexborneol group (dexborneol, n = 20), and Eda.B + Zinc protoporphyria group (Eda.B + ZnPP, n = 5). Infarct area, cellular apoptosis and neurofunctional recovery were accessed through TTC staining, TUNEL staining, and modified Garcia scoring system, respectively. BBB integrity was evaluated via Evans blue staining. Nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (Nrf-2)/heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) signaling were qualified by Western blot. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed alterations in ipsilateral brain tissue among groups. Glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and Fe2+ tissue content determination were detected. RESULTS: Eda.B effectively improved neurological deficits, diminished infarct area and cellular apoptosis, as well as ameliorated BBB integrity in tMCAO rats. Further, Eda.B significantly inhibited ferroptosis, as evidenced by ameliorated pathological features of mitochondria, down-regulated of MDA and Fe2+ levels and up-regulated GSH content. Mechanistically, Eda.B attenuated BBB disruption via Nrf-2-mediated ferroptosis, promoting nuclear translocation of Nrf-2, increasing HO-1, GPX4 expression, alleviating the loss of zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1) and occludin as well as decreasing 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) level. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed for the first time that Eda.B safeguarded the BBB from cerebral I/R injury by inhibiting ferroptosis through the activation of the Nrf-2/HO-1/GPX4 axis, providing a novel insight into the neuroprotective effect of Eda.B in cerebral I/R.

Downregulation of ST6GAL2 Correlates to Liver Inflammation and Predicts Adverse Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Purpose: ST6 Beta-Galactoside Alpha-2,6-Sialyltransferase 2 (ST6GAL2), a member of the sialic acid transferase family, is differentially expressed in diverse cancers. However, it remains poorly understood in tumorigenesis and impacts on immune cell infiltration (ICI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients and Methods: Herein, the expression, diagnosis, prognosis, functional enrichment, genetic alterations, immune characteristics, and targeted drugs of ST6GAL2 in HCC were researched by conducting bioinformatics analysis, in vivo, and in vitro experiments. Results: ST6GAL2 was remarkably decreased in HCC compared to non-tumor tissues, portending a poor prognosis associated with high DNA methylation levels. Functional enrichment and GSVA analyses revealed that ST6GAL2 might function through the extracellular matrix, PI3K-Akt signaling pathways, and tumor inflammation signature. We found that ST6GAL2 expression was proportional to ICI, immunostimulator, and immune subtypes. ST6GAL2 expression first increased and then decreased during the progression of liver inflammation to HCC. The dysfunctional experiment indicated that ST6GAL2 might exert immunosuppressive effects during HCC progression through regulating ICI. Several broad-spectrum anticancer drugs were obtained by drug sensitivity prediction analysis of ST6GAL2. Conclusion: In conclusion, ST6GAL2 was a reliable prognostic biomarker strongly associated with ICI, and could be a potential immunotherapeutic target for HCC.

Dysregulation of Ion Channels and Transporters and Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease and Vascular Dementia.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) plays a critical role in maintaining ion and fluid homeostasis, essential for brain metabolism and neuronal function. Regulation of nutrient, water, and ion transport across the BBB is tightly controlled by specialized ion transporters and channels located within its unique cellular components. These dynamic transport processes not only influence the BBB's structure but also impact vital signaling mechanisms, essential for its optimal function. Disruption in ion, pH, and fluid balance at the BBB is associated with brain pathology and has been implicated in various neurological conditions, including stroke, epilepsy, trauma, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, knowledge gaps exist regarding the impact of ion transport dysregulation on BBB function in neurodegenerative dementias. Several factors contribute to this gap: the complex nature of these conditions, historical research focus on neuronal mechanisms and technical challenges in studying the ion transport mechanisms in in vivo models and the lack of efficient in vitro BBB dementia models. This review provides an overview of current research on the roles of ion transporters and channels at the BBB and poses specific research questions: 1) How are the expression and activity of key ion transporters altered in AD and vascular dementia (VaD); 2) Do these changes contribute to BBB dysfunction and disease progression; and 3) Can restoring ion transport function mitigate BBB dysfunction and improve clinical outcomes. Addressing these gaps will provide a greater insight into the vascular pathology of neurodegenerative disorders.