Biodegradable microplastics pose greater risks than conventional microplastics to soil properties, microbial community and plant growth, especially under flooded conditions.

Biodegradable plastics (bio-plastics) are often viewed as viable option for mitigating plastic pollution. Nevertheless, the information regarding the potential risks of microplastics (MPs) released from bio-plastics in soil, particularly in flooded soils, is lacking. Here, our objective was to investigate the effect of polylactic acid MPs (PLA-MPs) and polyethylene MPs (PE-MPs) on soil properties, microbial community and plant growth under both non-flooded and flooded conditions. Our results demonstrated that PLA-MPs dramatically increased soil labile carbon (C) content and altered its composition and chemodiversity. The enrichment of labile C stimulated microbial N immobilization, resulting in a depletion of soil mineral nitrogen (N). This specialized environment created by PLA-MPs further filtered out specific microbial species, resulting in a low diversity and simplified microbial community. PLA-MPs caused an increase in denitrifiers (Noviherbaspirillum and Clostridium sensu stricto) and a decrease in nitrifiers (Nitrospira, MND1, and Ellin6067), potentially exacerbating the mineral N deficiency. The mineral N deficit caused by PLA-MPs inhibited wheatgrass growth. Conversely, PE-MPs had less effect on soil ecosystems, including soil properties, microbial community and wheatgrass growth. Overall, our study emphasizes that PLA-MPs cause more adverse effect on the ecosystem than PE-MPs in the short term, and that flooded conditions exacerbate and prolong these adverse effects. These results offer valuable insights for evaluating the potential threats of bio-MPs in both uplands and wetlands.

Enantioselective Transformations by "1 + x" Synergistic Catalysis with Chiral Primary Amines.

ConspectusSynergistic catalysis is a powerful tool that involves two or more distinctive catalytic systems to activate reaction partners simultaneously, thereby expanding the reactivity space of individual catalysis. As an established catalytic strategy, organocatalysis has found numerous applications in enantioselective transformations under rather mild conditions. Recently, the introduction of other catalytic systems has significantly expanded the reaction space of typical organocatalysis. In this regard, aminocatalysis is a prototypical example of synergistic catalysis. The combination of aminocatalyst and transition metal could be traced back to the early days of organocatalysis and has now been well explored as an enabling catalytic strategy. Particularly, the acid-base properties of aminocatalysis can be significantly expanded to include usually electrophiles generated in situ via metal-catalyzed cycles. Later on, aminocatalyst has also been exploited in synergistically combining with photochemical and electrochemical processes to facilitate redox transformations. However, synergistically combining one type of aminocatalyst with many different catalytic systems remains a great challenge. One of the most daunting challenges is the compatibility of aminocatalysts in coexistence with other catalytic species. As nucleophilic species, aminocatalysts may also bind with metal, which leads to mutual inhibition or even quenching of the individual catalytic activity. In addition, oxidative stability of aminocatalyst is also a non-neglectable issue, which causes difficulties in exploring oxidative enamine transformations.In 2007, we developed a vicinal diamine type of chiral primary aminocatalysts. This class of primary aminocatalysts was developed and evolved as functional and mechanistic mimics to the natural aldolase and has been widely applied in a number of enamine/iminium ion-based transformations. By following a "1 + x" synergistic strategy, the chiral primary amine catalysts were found to work synergistically or cooperatively with a number of transition metal catalysts, such as Pd, Rh, Ag, Co, and Cu, or other organocatalysts, such as B(C6F5)3, ketone, selenium, and iodide. Photocatalysis and electrochemical processes can also be incorporated to work together with the chiral primary amine catalysts. The 1 + x catalytic strategy enabled us to execute unexploited transformations by fine-tuning the acid-base and redox properties of the enamine intermediates and to achieve effective reaction and stereocontrol beyond the reach individually. During these efforts, an unprecedented excited-state chemistry of enamine was uncovered to make possible an effective deracemization process. In this Account, we describe our recent efforts since 2015 in exploring synergistic chiral primary amine catalysis, and the content is categorized according to the type of synergistic partner such that in each section the developed synergistic catalysis, reaction scopes, and mechanistic features are presented and discussed.

Aberrant cortical morphology patterns are associated with cognitive impairment in patients with chronic heart failure.

A mounting body of evidences suggests that patients with chronic heart failure (HF) frequently experience cognitive impairments, but the neuroanatomical mechanism underlying these impairments remains elusive. In this retrospective study, 49 chronic HF patients and 49 healthy controls (HCs) underwent brain structural MRI scans and cognitive assessments. Cortical morphology index (cortical thickness, complexity, sulcal depth and gyrification) were evaluated. Correlations between cortical morphology and cognitive scores and clinical variables were explored. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify risk factors for predicting 3-year major adverse cardiovascular events. Compared with HCs, patients with chronic HF exhibited decreased cognitive scores (p < .001) and decreased cortical thickness, sulcal depth and gyrification in brain regions involved cognition, sensorimotor, autonomic nervous system (family-wise error correction, all p values <.05). Notably, HF duration and New York Heart Association (NYHA) demonstrated negative correlations with abnormal cortex morphology, particularly HF duration and thickness in left precentral gyrus (r = -.387, p = .006). Cortical morphology characteristics exhibited positive associations with global cognition, particularly cortical thickness in left pars opercularis (r = .476, p < .001). NYHA class is an independent risk factor for adverse outcome (p = .001). The observed correlation between abnormal cortical morphology and global cognition suggested that cortical morphology may serve as a promising imaging biomarker and provide insights into neuroanatomical underpinnings of cognitive impairment in patients with chronic HF.

Cytochrome P450 SmCYP78A7a positively functions in eggplant response to salt stress via forming a positive feedback loop with SmWRKY11.

Accumulating salinity in soil critically affected growth, development, and yield in plant. However, the mechanisms of plant against salt stress largely remain unknown. Herein, we identified a gene named SmCYP78A7a, which encoded a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase and belonged to the CYP78A sub-family, and its transcript level was significantly up-regulated by salt stress and down-regulated by dehydration stress. SmCYP78A7a located in the endoplasmic reticulum. Silencing of SmCYP78A7a enhanced susceptibility of eggplant to salt stress, and significantly down-regulated the transcript levels of salt stress defense related genes SmGSTU10 and SmWRKY11 as well as increased hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content and decreased catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) enzyme activities. In addition, SmCYP78A7a transient expression enhanced eggplant tolerance to salt stress. By chromatin immunoprecipitation PCR (ChIP-PCR), luciferase reporter assay, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), SmWRKY11 activated SmCYP78A7a expression by directly binding to the W-box 6-8 (W-box 6, W-box 7, and W-box 8) within SmCYP78A7a promoter to confer eggplant tolerance to salt stress. In summary, our finds reveal that SmCYP78A7a positively functions in eggplant response to salt stress via forming a positive feedback loop with SmWRKY11, and provide a new insight into regulatory mechanisms of eggplant to salt stress.

A non-canonical role of the inner kinetochore in regulating sister-chromatid cohesion at centromeres.

The 16-subunit Constitutive Centromere-associated Network (CCAN)-based inner kinetochore is well-known for connecting centromeric chromatin to the spindle-binding outer kinetochore. Here, we report a non-canonical role for the inner kinetochore in directly regulating sister-chromatid cohesion at centromeres. We provide biochemical, X-ray crystal structure, and intracellular ectopic localization evidence that the inner kinetochore directly binds cohesin, a ring-shaped multi-subunit complex that holds sister chromatids together from S-phase until anaphase onset. This interaction is mediated by binding of the 5-subunit CENP-OPQUR sub-complex of CCAN to the Scc1-SA2 sub-complex of cohesin. Mutation in the CENP-U subunit of the CENP-OPQUR complex that abolishes its binding to the composite interface between Scc1 and SA2 weakens centromeric cohesion, leading to premature separation of sister chromatids during delayed metaphase. We further show that CENP-U competes with the cohesin release factor Wapl for binding the interface of Scc1-SA2, and that the cohesion-protecting role for CENP-U can be bypassed by depleting Wapl. Taken together, this study reveals an inner kinetochore-bound pool of cohesin, which strengthens centromeric sister-chromatid cohesion to resist metaphase spindle pulling forces.

PARP1-DNA co-condensation: the driver of broken DNA repair.

DNA double-strand break (DSB) sites that prevent the disjunction of broken DNA ends are formed through poly (ADP-ribose) (PAR) polymerase 1 (PARP1)-DNA co-condensation. The co-condensates apply mechanical forces to hold the DNA ends together and generate enzymatic activity for the synthesis of PAR. PARylation can promote the release of PARP1 from DNA ends and recruit various proteins, such as Fused in sarcoma (FUS) proteins, thereby stabilizing broken DNA ends and preventing their separation.

Asymmetric C-H Dehydrogenative Alkenylation via a Photo-induced Chiral α­Imino Radical Intermediate.

The direct alkenylation with simple alkenes stands out as the most ideal yet challenging strategy for obtaining high-valued desaturated alkanes. Here we present a direct asymmetric dehydrogenative α-C(sp3)-H alkenylation of carbonyls based on synergistic photoredox-cobalt-chiral primary amine catalysis under visible light. The ternary catalytic system enables the direct coupling of ß-keto-carbonyls and alkenes through a cooperative radical addition-dehydrogenation process involving a chiral α-imino radical and Co(II)-metalloradical intermediate. A catalytic H-transfer process involving nitrobenzene is engaged to quench in situ generated cobalt hydride species, ensuring a chemoselective alkenylation in good yields and high enantioselectivities.

Predicting the pathways of string-like motions in metallic glasses via path-featurizing graph neural networks.

String-like motions (SLMs)-cooperative, "snake"-like movements of particles-are crucial for dynamics in diverse glass formers. Despite their ubiquity, questions persist: Do SLMs prefer specific paths? If so, can we predict these paths? Here, in Al-Sm glasses, our isoconfigurational ensemble simulations reveal that SLMs do follow certain paths. By designing a graph neural network (GNN) to featurize the environment around directional paths, we achieve a high-fidelity prediction of likely SLM pathways, solely based on the static structure. GNN gauges a structural measure to assess each path's propensity to engage in SLMs, akin to a "softness" metric, but for paths rather than for atoms. Our GNN interpretation reveals the critical role of the bottleneck zone along a path in steering SLMs. By monitoring "path softness," we elucidate that SLM-favored paths transit from fragmented to interconnected upon glass transition. Our findings reveal that, beyond atoms or clusters, glasses have another dimension of structural heterogeneity: "paths."

Coronary CTA-based Vascular Radiomics Predicts Atherosclerosis Development Proximal to LAD Myocardial Bridging.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac cycle morphological changes can accelerate plaque growth proximal to myocardial bridging (MB) in the left anterior descending artery (LAD). OBJECTIVE: To assess coronary CT angiography (CCTA)-based vascular radiomics for predicting proximal plaque development in LAD MB. METHODS: Patients with repeated CCTA scans showing LAD MB without proximal plaque in index CCTA were included from Jinling Hospital as development set. They were divided into training and internal testing in an 8:2 ratio. Patients from 4 other tertiary hospitals were set as external validation set. The endpoint was proximal plaque development of LAD MB in follow-up CCTA. Four vascular radiomics models were built: MB centerline (MB CL), proximal MB CL (pMB CL), MB cross section (MB CS), and proximal MB CS (pMB CS), whose performances were evaluated using area under the curve (AUC), integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) and net reclassification improvement (NRI). RESULTS: 295 patients were included in the development (n=192; median age, 54±11 years; 137 men) and external validation sets (n=103; median age, 57±9 years; 57 men). The pMB CS vascular radiomics model exhibited higher AUCs in training, internal test, and external sets (AUC=0.78, 0.75, 0.75) than the clinical and anatomical model (all p<0.05). Integration of the pMB CS vascular radiomics model significantly raised the AUC of the clinical and anatomical model from 0.56 to 0.75 (p=0.002), along with enhanced NRI (0.76 [0.37-1.14], p<0.001) and IDI (0.17 [0.07-0.26], p<0.001) in the external validation set. CONCLUSION: The CCTA-based pMB CS vascular radiomics model can predict plaque development in LAD MB.

Structure-based characterization and compound identification of the wild-type THF class-II riboswitch.

Riboswitches are conserved regulatory RNA elements participating in various metabolic pathways. Recently, a novel RNA motif known as the folE RNA motif was discovered upstream of folE genes. It specifically senses tetrahydrofolate (THF) and is therefore termed THF-II riboswitch. To unravel the ligand recognition mechanism of this newly discovered riboswitch and decipher the underlying principles governing its tertiary folding, we determined both the free-form and bound-form THF-II riboswitch in the wild-type sequences. Combining structural information and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) binding assays on structure-based mutants, we successfully elucidated the significant long-range interactions governing the function of THF-II riboswitch and identified additional compounds, including alternative natural metabolites and potential lead compounds for drug discovery, that interact with THF-II riboswitch. Our structural research on the ligand recognition mechanism of the THF-II riboswitch not only paves the way for identification of compounds targeting riboswitches, but also facilitates the exploration of THF analogs in diverse biological contexts or for therapeutic applications.

Accurate Protein pKa Prediction with Physical Organic Chemistry Guided 3D Protein Representation.

Protein pKa is a fundamental physicochemical parameter that dictates protein structure and function. However, accurately determining protein site-pKa values remains a substantial challenge, both experimentally and theoretically. In this study, we introduce a physical organic approach, leveraging a protein structural and physical-organic-parameter-based representation (P-SPOC), to develop a rapid and intuitive model for protein pKa prediction. Our P-SPOC model achieves state-of-the-art predictive accuracy, with a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.33 pKa units. Furthermore, we have incorporated advanced protein structure prediction models, like AlphaFold2, to approximate structures for proteins lacking three-dimensional representations, which enhances the applicability of our model in the context of structure-undetermined protein research. To promote broader accessibility within the research community, an online prediction interface was also established at isyn.luoszgroup.com.

Chrysin mitigated neuropathic pain and peripheral sensitization in knee osteoarthritis rats by repressing the RAGE/PI3K/AKT pathway regulated by HMGB1.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a chronic progressive osteoarthropathy. Chrysin's anti-KOA action has been demonstrated, however more research is needed to understand how chrysin contributes to KOA. METHODS: LPS/ATP-induced macrophages transfected with or without HMGB1 overexpression underwent 5 µg/mL chrysin. The cell viability and macrophage pyroptosis were examined by cell counting kit-8 and flow cytometer. In vivo experiments, rats were injected with 1 mg monosodium iodoacetate by the infrapatellar ligament of the bilateral knee joint to induce KOA. The histological damage was analyzed by Safranin O/Fast Green staining and hematoxylin and eosin staining. The PWT, PWL and inflammatory factors were analyzed via Von-Frey filaments, thermal radiometer and ELISA. Immunofluorescence assay examined the expressions of CGRP and iNOS. The levels of HMGB1/RAGE-, NLRP3-, PI3K/AKT- and neuronal ion channel-related markers were examined by qPCR and western blot. RESULTS: Chrysin alleviated macrophage pyroptosis by inhibiting HMGB1 and the repression of chrysin on HMGB1/RAGE pathway and ion channel activation was reversed by overexpressed HMGB1. HMGB1 facilitated neuronal ion channel activation through the RAGE/PI3K/AKT pathway. Chrysin could improve the pathological injury of knee joints in KOA rats. Chrysin suppressed the HMGB1-regulated RAGE/PI3K/AKT pathway, hence reducing KOA damage and peripheral sensitization. CONCLUSION: Chrysin mitigated neuropathic pain and peripheral sensitization in KOA rats by repressing the RAGE/PI3K/AKT pathway modulated by HMGB1.

Celastrol inhibits mouse B16-F10 melanoma cell survival by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and repressing HIF-1α expression.

OBJECTIVE: Melanoma, with its high degree of malignancy, stands as one of the most dangerous skin cancers and remains the primary cause of death from skin cancer. With studies demonstrating the potential of traditional Chinese medicine to intervene and treat melanoma, we turned our attention to celastrol. Celastrol is a triterpene compound extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine derived from Tripterygium wilfordii. Previous studies have shown that celastrol exerts inhibitory effects on various malignant tumors, including melanoma. Hence, our goal was to clarify the impact of celastrol on cell viability, apoptosis, and cell cycle progression by elucidating its effects on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. METHODS: CCK-8 and wound healing assays were used to determine the effect of celastrol on the viability and migration of B16-F10 cells. Changes in cell apoptosis, cell cycle, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial membrane potential were detected by flow cytometry. PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway proteins and HIF-α mRNA expression in B16-F10 cells were detected by western blotting and qPCR. Moreover, the addition of a PI3K activator demonstrated that celastrol could inhibit the function of B16-F10 cells via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. RESULTS: Celastrol inhibited the viability and migration of B16-F10 cells. Through the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway down-regulates the expression of HIF-α mRNA, thereby causing an increase of ROS in cells and a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential to promote cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. The inhibitory effect of celastrol on B16-F10 cells was further demonstrated by co-culturing with a PI3K activator. CONCLUSION: Celastrol inhibits the function of B16-F10 cells by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR cellular pathway and regulating the expression of downstream HIF-α mRNA.

Screening Key Sites of Class 2 Integron Integrase that Impact Recombination Efficiency.

By capturing and expressing exogenous resistance gene cassettes through site-specific recombination, integrons play important roles in the horizontal transfer of antimicrobial resistant genes among bacteria. The characteristics of integron integrase make it to be a potential gene editing tool enzyme. In this study, a random mutation library using error-prone PCR was constructed, and amino acid residues mutants that impact on attI2 × attC or attC × attC recombination efficiency were screened and analyzed. Thirteen amino acid mutations were identified to be critical impacted on site-specific recombination of IntI2, including the predicted catalyzed site Y301. Nine of 13 mutated amino acid residues that have critically impacted on IntI2 activity were relative concentrated and near the predicted catalyzed site Y301 in the predicted three-dimensional structure indicated the importance of this area in maintain the activity of IntI2. No mutant with obviously increased recombination activity (more than four-fold as high as that of wild IntI2) was found in library screening, except P95S, R100K slightly increased (within two-fold) the excision activity of IntI2, and S243T slightly increased (within two-fold) both excision and integration activity of IntI2. These findings will provide clues for further specific modification of integron integrase to be a tool enzyme as well as establishing a new gene editing system and applied practically.

Delta-sigma modulation supporting the 4194304QAM dual polarization signal at the W-band transmission over a 4.6†km wireless distance.

In this Letter, we propose a dual-polarized coherent millimeter-wave system based on differential delta-sigma modulation (D-DSM) intended for long-distance wireless transmission in the W-band. The proposed system can transmit polarization-division-multiplexed (PDM) D-DSM signals with modulation orders up to 4194304QAM over a wireless channel for 4.6 km at a signal baud rate of 20 G. After 4.6 km of wireless transmission, we successfully achieve a bit error rate (BER) lower than the hard-decision forward error correction (HD-FEC) of 3.8 × 10-3 for 34.51 Gbit/s PDM-524288QAM and a BER lower than the soft-decision forward error correction (SD-FEC) of 4.2 × 10-2 for 32.23 Gbit/s PDM-4194304QAM.

Clinical application of reserved gastric tube in neuroendoscopic endonasal surgery for pituitary tumor.

BACKGROUND: The neuroendoscopic approach has the advantages of a clear operative field, convenient tumor removal, and less damage, and is the development direction of modern neurosurgery. At present, transnasal surgery for sphenoidal pituitary tumor is widely used. But it has been found in clinical practice that some patients with this type of surgery may experience post-operative nausea and vomiting and other discomforts. AIM: To explore the effect of reserved gastric tube application in the neuroendoscopic endonasal resection of pituitary tumors. METHODS: A total of 60 patients who underwent pituitary adenoma resection via the endoscopic endonasal approach were selected and randomly divided into the experimental and control groups, with 30 in each group. Experimental group: After anesthesia, a gastric tube was placed through the mouth under direct vision using a visual laryngoscope, and the fluid accumulated in the oropharynx was suctioned intermittently with low negative pressure throughout the whole process after nasal disinfection, during the operation, and when the patient recovered from anesthesia. Control group: Given the routine intraoperative care, no gastric tube was left. The number of cases of nausea/vomiting/aspiration within 24 h post-operation was counted and compared between the two groups; the scores of pharyngalgia after waking up, 6 h post-operation, and 24 h post-operation. The frequency of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage and intracranial infection were compared. The hospitalization days of the two groups were statistically compared. RESULTS: The times of postoperative nausea and vomiting in the experimental group were lower than that in the control group, and the difference in the incidence of nausea was statistically significant (P < 0.05). After the patient woke up, the scores of sore throat 6 h after the operation and 24 h after operation were lower than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The number of cases of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage and intracranial infection was higher than that of the control group, but there was no statistically significant difference from the control group (P > 0.05). The hospitalization days of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Reserving a gastric tube in the endoscopic endonasal resection of pituitary tumors, combined with intraoperative and postoperative gastrointestinal decompression, can effectively reduce the incidence of nausea, reduce the number of vomiting and aspiration in patients, and reduce the complications of sore throat The incidence rate shortened the hospitalization days of the patients.

Feasibility of Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Axillary Artery Cannulation for Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and its Effect on the Recovery of Spontaneous Heartbeat in Patients with ECPR.

Objective: The measurement of the right and left axillary arteries and aortic arch and their vessels by multi-row spiral CT angiography provides the basis for clinical catheter selection and depth for axillary artery placement. This study reported the clinical experience of 7 patients who successfully underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous axillary artery cannulation for veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). Methods: Patients who had CT angiography of the thoracic aorta at our institution between January 2020 and March 2022 were assessed for eligibility and included. The diameters of the cephalic trunk (D1), right common carotid artery (D2), right axillary artery (D3), left common carotid artery (D4), left axillary artery opening (D5), right axillary artery cannulation length (L1), and left axillary artery cannulation length (L2) were measured. The tangential angles α, ß, and γ of the cephalic trunk, left common carotid artery and left subclavian and aorta was measured using an automatic angle-forming tool. The decision to use a 15F cannula for ultrasound-guided percutaneous axillary artery cannulation in veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) aims to achieve optimal vascular access. This cannula size strikes a balance, providing sufficient blood flow rates for ECMO support while minimizing the risk of complications associated with larger cannulas. Precise measurements of arterial dimensions, including the cephalic trunk, common carotid arteries, and axillary arteries, play a crucial role in guiding catheter selection and determining the depth of axillary artery placement. These measurements allow for tailored approaches based on individual patient characteristics, enhancing the safety and efficacy of the intervention. Additionally, measuring tangential angles (α, ß, and γ) provides insights into arterial alignment, optimizing the cannula trajectory for efficient blood flow. The use of an automatic angle-forming tool enhances measurement precision, contributing to procedural accuracy, minimizing complications, and ensuring the success of ultrasound-guided percutaneous axillary artery cannulation. In summary, the choice of a 15F cannula and precise measurements are essential components of the methodology, emphasizing safety, efficacy, and personalized approaches in VA-ECMO. From March to June 2022, 7 patients (6 males and 1 female) in our intensive care medicine department underwent successful ultrasound-guided percutaneous axillary artery cannulation for VA-ECMO with 15F cannula, including 3 cases with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) and 4 cases with circulatory collapse. Results: 292 patients met the study criteria, 215 males and 77 females, with a mean age of 67.2±14.2 years. The measurements showed that D1 was (13.1±2.0) mm, D2 was (8.8±2.5) mm, D3 was (6.1±1.2) mm, D4 was (8.3±3.5) mm, D5 was (6.1±1.1) mm, L1 was (114.1±17.8) mm, and L2 was (128.4±20.2) mm. The tangential angles α of the cephalic trunk left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery to the aorta were (43.8°±17.1°), ß was (50.7°±14.8°), and γ was (62.4°±19.1°). Males had significantly wider D3 and D5, longer L1 and L2, and smaller gamma angles than females (P < .05). Three ECPR cases showed no recovery of the spontaneous heartbeat with femoral artery cannulation for VA-ECMO but recovered spontaneous heartbeat after axillary artery cannulation for VA-ECMO was adopted. The measurements in this study have important implications for veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) procedures. They provide crucial information about arterial dimensions, including the cephalic trunk, common carotid arteries, and axillary arteries. This information guides clinicians in selecting catheters and determining the ideal depth for percutaneous axillary artery cannulation during ECMO interventions. Notable gender differences in arterial dimensions highlight the need for personalized approaches in ECMO procedures. Customizing catheter choices and cannulation depth based on individual patient characteristics, informed by these measurements, improves the safety and effectiveness of the intervention. The measured tangential angles (α, ß, and γ) offer insights into arterial alignment, crucial for optimizing cannula trajectory and ensuring proper alignment for efficient blood flow. The use of an automatic angle-forming tool enhances measurement precision, contributing to procedural accuracy and minimizing the risk of complications during ECMO procedures. In summary, these measurements directly enhance the precision and safety of VA-ECMO procedures, underscoring the importance of personalized approaches based on individual anatomical variations and improving overall intervention success and outcomes. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided percutaneous axillary artery cannulation for VA-ECMO with a 15F cannula is clinically feasible. Axillary artery cannulation for VA-ECMO contributes to the restoration of spontaneous heartbeat in ECPR patients more than femoral artery cannulation, and the possible mechanism is a better improvement of coronary blood flow. However, the study has limitations, including a modest sample size and a single-center, retrospective design, impacting its generalizability. To validate and extend these findings, further research with larger and diverse cohorts, including prospective investigations, is necessary to ensure their applicability across various clinical settings and patient demographics in VA-ECMO.

Serotonin signaling: a new player and therapeutic target beyond Long-haul coronavirus disease.

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a subset of individuals continues to suffer from symptoms including fatigue, post-exertional malaise, dyspnea, bone loss, and memory and neurocognitive dysfunction for months and even years after infection. This clinical phenomenon has been labeled 'Long-haul COVID' or 'post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC)'; however, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. In a recent study published in Cell, Wong et al. revealed that viral infection and type I interferon-driven reduction of peripheral serotonin impaired hippocampal responses and short-term memory through vagal neurons in patients with PASC. Therefore, the study provided novel insights into how serotonin links persistent viral inflammation with the neurocognitive symptoms of Long-haul COVID and actionable therapeutic targets for patients with PASC.