Non-invasive methods for heart rate measurement in fish based on photoplethysmography.

Heart rate is a crucial physiological indicator for fish, but current measurement methods are often invasive or require delicate manipulation. In this study, we introduced two non-invasive and easy-to-operate methods based on photoplethysmography, namely reflectance-type photoplethysmography (PPG) and remote photoplethysmography (rPPG), which we applied to the large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea). PPG showed perfect synchronization with electrocardiogram (ECG), with a Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.99999. For rPPG, the results showed good agreement with ECG. Under active provision of green light, the Pearson's correlation coefficient was 0.966, surpassing the value of 0.947 under natural light. Additionally, the root mean square error was 0.810, which was lower than the value of 1.30 under natural light, indicating not only that the rPPG method had relatively high accuracy but also that green light may have the potential to further improve its accuracy.

Multiple physical crosslinked highly adhesive and conductive hydrogels for human motion and electrophysiological signal monitoring.

Hydrogel-based flexible electronic devices serve as a next-generation bridge for human-machine interaction and find extensive applications in clinical therapy, military equipment, and wearable devices. However, the mechanical mismatch between hydrogels and human tissues, coupled with the failure of conformal interfaces, hinders the transmission of information between living organisms and flexible devices, which resulted in the instability and low fidelity of signals, especially in the acquisition of electromyographic (EMG) and electrocardiographic (ECG) signals. In this study, we designed an ion-conductive hydrogel (ICHgel) utilizing multiple physical interactions, successfully applied for human motion monitoring and the collection of epidermal physiological signals. By incorporating fumed silica (F-SiO2) nanoparticles and calcium chloride into an interpenetrating network (IPN) composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyacrylamide (AAm)/acrylic acid (AA) chains, the ICHgel exhibited exceptional tunable stretchability (>1450% strain) and conductivity (10.58 ± 0.85 S m-1). Additionally, the outstanding adhesion of the ICHgel proved to be a critical factor for effective communication between epidermal tissues and flexible devices. Demonstrating its capability to acquire stable electromechanical signals, the ICHgel was attached to different parts of the human body. More importantly, as a flexible electrode, the ICHgel outperformed commercial Ag/AgCl electrodes in the collection of ECG and EMG signals. In summary, the synthesized ICHgel with its outstanding conformal interface capabilities and mechanical adaptability paves the way for enhanced human-machine interaction, fostering the development of flexible electronic devices.

Pre- and postpartum fear of childbirth and its predictors among rural women in China.

BACKGROUND: Fear of childbirth (FOC) can influence both maternal and child health. Research on FOC in China is scarce, especially on rural women. This study aimed to assess pre- and postpartum FOC and its predictors among Chinese rural women. METHODS: This was a prospective correlation study. A total of 569 women completed the prenatal questionnaire in the third trimester, and 477 of them completed the postpartum questionnaire within three days after childbirth. Maternal socio-demographic information, clinical information, childbirth self-efficacy and prenatal and postpartum FOC were investigated. FOC was evaluated using the Wijma Childbirth Expectancy/ Experience Questionnaire (WDEQ). Descriptive, bivariate, multivariate linear regression analysis, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: The mean pre- and postpartum FOC scores were 64.5 (standard deviation: 25.1) and 64.3 (standard deviation: 23.9), respectively, with 20.8% of women reporting severe fear before childbirth and 18.2% after childbirth. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed predictors for higher levels of prenatal FOC including higher education level, nullipara, higher monthly household income, lower family support, and lower childbirth self-efficacy (p < 0.05) and the predictors for higher levels of postpartum FOC included unemployed status, lower childbirth self-efficacy, and higher prenatal FOC (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression showed that higher childbirth self-efficacy reduced the likelihood of severe prenatal FOC (OR: 0.99, p < 0.001), while severe prenatal FOC increased the likelihood of severe postpartum FOC (OR: 3.57, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The rural women have high levels of FOC before and after childbirth, with approximately 20% experiencing severe FOC during both periods. Higher education level, nullipara, higher monthly household income, lower family support, and lower childbirth self-efficacy are predictors of heightened prenatal FOC. Unemployed status, lower childbirth self-efficacy, and higher prenatal FOC are predictors of heightened postpartum FOC. Notably, enhancing childbirth self-efficacy emerges as crucial in mitigating severe prenatal FOC, while severe prenatal FOC significantly increases the likelihood of severe postpartum FOC. The development of targeted intervention strategies for the above factors can help reduce women's FOC level and improve their overall pregnancy and childbirth experience.

Current status of electronic health literacy among pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus and their perceptions of online health information: a mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: Women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus often rely on internet-based health information for managing their condition. This study aims to investigate the present state of electronic health literacy among women with gestational diabetes mellitus, analyze the influencing factors, and explore their experiences regarding accessing, comprehending, evaluating, and applying online health information pertinent to gestational diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A sequential explanatory mixed methods research design was adopted in this study. Initially, 235 women with gestational diabetes mellitus participated in a cross-sectional survey. The research tools included general information and the Chinese version of the electronic Health Literacy Scale (eHEALS). Descriptive analyses were conducted to describe the characteristics of the sample, and multiple linear regression analyses were used to explore the factors influencing electronic health literacy among women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Secondly, 11 women with gestational diabetes mellitus joined semi-structured in-depth interviews to obtain their perceptions about online health information. The data were analyzed using inductive content analysis to develop themes. RESULTS: The median score of eHEALS in the Chinese version among 235 women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus was 29 (interquartile range [IQR], 26 to 32). Factors influencing electronic health literacy among these women included accessing health information from medical professionals (ß = 0.137, p = 0.029) and utilizing health information from applications (ß = 0.159, p = 0.013). From the qualitative phase of the study, four thematic categories emerged: reasons and basis for accessing health information from the Internet; address barriers to accessing and applying online health information; desires for a higher level of online health information services; outcomes of accessing and applying online health information. CONCLUSION: The electronic health literacy of women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus remains suboptimal and warrants improvement. The sources of access to health information affect electronic health literacy in women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Moreover, women facing gestational diabetes encounter numerous impediments when attempting to access health-related information online, underscoring the necessity for enhanced online health information services to meet their needs.

Effect of Bright Light Therapy on Perinatal Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Effet de la luminothérapie sur la dépression périnatale: une revue systématique et une méta-analyse.

OBJECTIVE: This study represents the inaugural attempt to systematically review and analyse the efficacy of bright light therapy on depression among women experiencing major depressive disorder or depressive symptoms during the perinatal period, encompassing its efficacy on depression scores, remission rates, and response rates. METHODS: We searched 10 databases for randomized controlled trials examining bright light therapy's efficacy on perinatal depression up to January 2024. Data extraction was performed independently by 2 investigators. The Cochrane Handbook guidelines appraised the study quality, and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) approach assessed evidence certainty. RESULTS: We incorporated 6 studies, encompassing 151 participants. When contrasted with dim light therapy, bright light therapy did not significantly alter depression scores (standard mean difference = -0.29, 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.62 to 0.04, P = 0.08, I² = 34%) or response rates (risk ratio [RR] = 1.56, 95% CI, 0.98 to 2.49, P = 0.06, I² = 0%) in women experiencing perinatal depression. Conversely, bright light therapy was associated with a substantial increase in remission rates (RR = 2.63, 95% CI, 1.29 to 5.38, P = 0.008, I² = 2%). CONCLUSION: Bright light therapy did not show efficacy in treating perinatal depression in terms of depression scores and response rates. However, regarding the remission rate, bright light did show efficacy compared to control conditions. Due to the limited sample size in the included studies, type II err or may occur. To obtain more conclusive evidence, future studies must employ larger sample sizes.

Membrane-Based Preparation Process and Antioxidant and Anti-AGEs Activities of a Novel Propolis Ultrafiltrate.

Propolis is one functional supplement with hundreds of years of usage. However, it's rarely consumed directly for its resinous property. Herein, a pre-treated process which can remove the impurity while preserve its bioactivities is needed to maximise its therapeutic opportunities. In the present study, a membrane-based ultrafiltration process was developed on a KM1812-NF experimental instrument. Using Brazilian green propolis as testing material, all experimental steps and parameters were sequentially optimized. In addition, a mathematical model was developed to fit the process. As a result, the optimum solvent was 60 % ethanol adjusted to pH 8-9, while the optimum MWCO (molecular weight cut-off) value of membrane was 30 KDa. The membrane filtration dynamic model fitted with the function y=(ax+b)/(1+cx+dx2 ). The resulting propolis ultrafiltrate from Brazilian green propolis, termed P30K, contains the similar profile of flavonoids and phenolic acids as raw propolis. Meanwhile, the ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) value of P30K is 11429.45±1557.58 µM TE/g and the IC50 value of inhibition of fluorescent AGEs (advanced glycation end products) formation is 0.064 mg/mL. Our work provides an innovative alternative process for extraction of active compounds from propolis and reveals P30K as an efficient therapeutic antioxidant.

Zinc finger Protein207 orchestrates glioma migration through regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

BACKGROUND: Glioma represents the predominant primary malignant brain tumor. For several years, molecular profiling has been instrumental in the management and therapeutic stratification of glioma, providing a deeper understanding of its biological complexity. Accumulating evidence unveils the putative involvement of zinc finger proteins (ZNFs) in cancer. This study aimed to elucidate the role and significance of ZNF207 in glioma. METHODS: Utilizing online data such as The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA), the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project, the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC), and the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) databases, in conjunction with bioinformatics methodologies including GO, KEGG, GSEA, CIBERSORT immune cell infiltration estimation, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis, enabled a comprehensive exploration of ZNF207's involvement in gliomagenesis. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR techniques were employed to validate the expression level of ZNF207 in glioma samples. Subsequently, the biological effects of ZNF207 on glioma cells were explored through in vitro assays. RESULTS: Our results demonstrate elevated expression of ZNF207 in gliomas, correlating with unfavorable patient outcomes. Stratification analyses were used to delineate the prognostic efficacy of ZNF207 in glioma with different clinicopathological characteristics. Immunocorrelation analysis revealed a significant association between ZNF207 expression and the infiltration levels of T helper cells, macrophages, and natural killer (NK) cells. Utilizing ZNF207 expression and clinical features, we constructed an OS prediction model and displayed well discrimination with a C-index of 0.861. Moreover, the strategic silencing of ZNF207 attenuated glioma cell advancement, evidenced by diminished cellular proliferation, weakened cell tumorigenesis, augmented apoptotic activity, and curtailed migratory capacity alongside the inhibition of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway. CONCLUSIONS: ZNF207 may identify as a prospective biomarker and therapeutic candidate for glioma prevention, providing valuable insights into understanding glioma pathogenesis and treatment strategies.

Neoadjuvant immunotherapy for advanced, resectable non-small cell lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant immunotherapy (nIT) is a rapidly emerging paradigm for advanced resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The objectives of this PRISMA/MOOSE/PICOD-guided systematic review and meta-analysis were (1) to assess the safety and efficacy of nIT, (2) to compare the safety and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy (nCIT) versus chemotherapy alone (nCT), and (3) to explore predictors of pathologic response with nIT and their association with outcomes. METHODS: Eligibility was resectable stage I-III NSCLC and the receipt of programmed death-1/programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1)/cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 inhibitors before resection; other forms and modalities of neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant therapies were allowed. For statistical analysis, the Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effect or random-effect model was used, depending on the heterogeneity (I2 ). RESULTS: Sixty-six articles met the criteria (eight randomized studies, 39 prospective nonrandomized studies, and 19 retrospective studies). The pooled pathologic complete response (pCR) rate was 28.1%. The estimated grade ≥3 toxicity rate was 18.0%. Compared with nCT, nCIT achieved higher rates of pCR (odds ratio [OR], 7.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.49-12.97; p < .001), progression-free survival (PFS) (hazard ratio [HR] 0.51; 95% CI, 0.38-0.67; p < .001), and overall survival (OS) (HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.36-0.74; p = .0003) but yielded similar toxicity rates (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.67-1.52; p = .97). The results remained robust on sensitivity analysis when all retrospective publications were removed. pCR was associated with improved PFS (HR, 0.25; 0.15-0.43; p < .001) and OS (HR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.10-0.67; p = .005). PD-L1 expressors (≥1%) were more likely to achieve a pCR (OR, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.22-7.03; p = .02). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with advanced resectable NSCLC, neoadjuvant immunotherapy was safe and efficacious. nCIT improved pathologic response rates and PFS/OS over nCT, particularly in patients who had tumors that expressed PD-L1, without increasing toxicities. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: This meta-analysis of 66 studies showed that neoadjuvant immunotherapy for advanced resectable non-small cell lung cancer is safe and efficacious. Compared with chemotherapy alone, chemoimmunotherapy improved pathologic response rates and survival, particularly for patients who had tumors that expressed programmed cell death ligand-1, without increasing toxicities.

Cuproptosis-related gene SLC31A1 expression correlates with the prognosis and tumor immune microenvironment in glioma.

Cuproptosis is a newly discovered form of cell death. It is regulated by a string of genes. The genes are identified to influence the tumor progression, but in glioma, the cuproptosis-related genes are little studied. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) were used to screen for SLC31A1 gene expression in glioma and healthy tissue samples. The results were validated using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The Human Protein Atlas (HPA) and the National Cancer Institute's Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) were used to validate our results at the protein level. Multivariable analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to examine the relationship among SLC31A1 gene expression, clinical parameters, and survival rates. The online Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) was used to find the genes and proteins that correlate to SLC31A1. The immune infiltration analysis was performed using the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) databases. Small interfering RNA was used to knock down the SLC31A1 expression, and the cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration were analyzed using cell counting kit-8, flow cytometry, and transwell. The glioma patients have higher SLC31A1 expression levels, which increase as the World Health Organization (WHO) grade escalates. The survival analysis illustrates that the SLC31A1 gene expression negatively correlates with overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and disease-specific survival (DSS). The immune infiltration analysis shows the SLC31A1 gene positively correlates with T helper 2 (Th2) cells, macrophages, and M2-type macrophages and negatively correlates with plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), natural killer (NK) CD56bright cells, and CD8 T cells. The in vitro KD experiment shows the SLC31A1 knockdown depressed the glioma cell proliferation and migration and promoted the apoptosis rate. The SLC31A1 gene expression can shorten the survival time of glioma patients. In vitro study shows that SLC31A1 can promote cell proliferation, and migration, and depress the cell apoptosis of glioma cells. It also can promote the formation of a tumor-suppressive microenvironment.

Different clinical and cytogenetic features of primary skull base meningiomas and non-skull base meningiomas.

PURPOSE: To investigate the different clinical and cytogenetic features of skull base meningiomas (SBMs) and non-SBMs (NSBMs). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study on a series of 316 patients with primary intracranial meningiomas. The t-test and the Chi-square test were used to analyze the differences between 194 SBMs and 122 NSBMs. The Cox analysis was used to determine prognostic factors for tumor recurrence. RESULTS: Compared with NSBMs, on average, the age of patients with SBMs was about 2.88 years younger (p = 0.024); the duration of operation of SBMs was 2.73 h longer (p < 0.001); the duration of hospital stays of patients with SBMs was about 6.76 days longer (p < 0.001); the tumor volume was 7.69 cm3 smaller (p = 0.025); the intraoperative blood loss was 147.61ml more (p = 0.039); the total cost of SBMs was 1.39 times more (p < 0.001); the preoperative KPS, postoperative KPS, and follow-up KPS of patients with SBMs were all respectively lower (p < 0.001); Gross total resection was less achieved (p < 0.001). SBMs (average of 20.80 per sample) had a smaller total number of copy number variations (CNVs) than NSBMs (29.98 per sample) (p = 0.009). Extremely large CNVs (> 5 Mb) were more likely to present in NSBMs (p < 0.001). Cox analysis showed that subtotal resection (p = 0.002) and the total number of CNVs (p = 0.015) were independent risk factors for tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical and cytogenetic features of SBMs were different from NSBMs. Moreover, the degree of resection and the total number of whole-genome CNVs were independent prognostic factors for tumor recurrence.

Exosomal hsa_circRNA_047733 integrated with clinical features for preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis risk in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate whether exosomal circRNAs could serve as diagnostic biomarkers for the accurate preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis (LNM) risk in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients. METHODS: A combinative strategy of exosomal circRNAs microarray and qRT-PCR verification was employed to dig LNM-related circRNA signatures. Then, a dynamic nomogram was developed based on candidate circRNAs and preoperative clinical features and the calibration, discrimination, and clinical use of the nomogram were evaluated. RESULTS: According to the microarray, three circRNAs derived from the tumor were associated with preoperative LNM risk, including hsa_circRNA_047733, hsa_circRNA_024144 and hsa_circRNA_403472. The hsa_circRNA_047733 was further verified to be significantly downregulated in patients with LNM (+) as compared with those with LNM (-) (p = 0.007). Patients with the higher expression of hsa_circRNA_047733 showed a lower risk of LNM (multivariate-adjusted OR = 0.22, 95%CI: 0.06-0.83). The bioinformatics prediction showed that hsa_circRNA_047733 might sponge miR-4464/miR-4748 to regulate RPS21 expression. A dynamic nomogram integrating exosomal hsa_circRNA_047733 with five clinicopathological characteristics (tumor site, leukocyte level, maximum tumor diameter, and LNM reported by MRI and preoperative biopsy differentiation) was developed. The model displayed an excellent discrimination ability (AUC = 0.868, 95%CI: 0.781-0.955) and great calibration. The decision curve revealed a higher net benefit superior to the baseline model at an 80% threshold probability. CONCLUSION: The data provide preliminary evidence that exosomal hsa_circRNA_047733 might be a novel biomarker for the LNM of OSCC. The hsa_circRNA_047733-based dynamic nomogram could serve as a convenient preoperative assessment tool to predict the risk of LNM for OSCC patients.

Resection of sigmoid cancer with bladder invasion using laparoscopic combined with a cystoscopic holmium laser: an innovative surgical procedure.

The aim of this study was to introduce a new surgical procedure for the resection of sigmoid colon tumours invading the bladder by combining laparoscopy and cystoscopy, and the feasibility and safety of the method were verified. The data of 6 patients with sigmoid colon cancer invading the bladder in a tertiary hospital in Chongqing from January 2020 to October 2022 were collected, sigmoid colon tumour resection was performed by this procedure, and the data related to the surgery were recorded. All six patients successfully underwent sigmoid colon tumour resection, and all sigmoid colon and bladder resections had negative margins. The mean total operative time was 211.66 ± 27.33 min, and the mean resection time of the bladder tumour was 22.16 ± 4.63 min. The median blood loss was 100 ml, and the mean number of retrieved lymph nodes was nineteen. There were no serious intraoperative complications in any of the cases. After operation, the first flatus and defecation were 4 and 4.5 days, respectively. The mean time of drainage tube retention and the time of bladder flushing were 3 and 1.5 days, respectively. The mean time of urinary tube retention was 7.5 days. There were no intestinal obstructions, dysuria, or other complications. For patients with sigmoid colon tumours invading the bladder, this method can effectively resect sigmoid colon tumours and minimize the loss of bladder tissue at the same time, which helps to prolong the survival of these patients. The surgical method is safe, reliable, and feasible.

A novel "on-off" SERS nanoprobe based on sulfonated cellulose nanofiber-Ag composite for selective determination of NADH in human serum.

A novel S-CNF-based nanocomposite was created using sulfonated cellulose nanofiber (S-CNF) to enable the detection of NADH in serum by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The numerous hydroxyl and sulfonic acid groups on the S-CNF surface absorbed silver ions and converted them to silver seeds, which formed the load fulcrum. After adding a reducing agent, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were firmly adhered to the S-CNF surface to form stable 1D "hot spots." The S-CNF-Ag NP substrate demonstrated outstanding SERS performance, including good uniformity with an RSD of 6.88% and an enhancement factor (EF) of 1.23 × 107. Owing to the anionic charge repulsion effect, the S-CNF-Ag NP substrate still maintains remarkable dispersion stability after 12 months of preservation. Finally, S-CNF-Ag NPs' surface was modified with 4-mercaptophenol (4-MP), a special redox Raman signal molecule, to detect reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). The results showed that the detection limit (LOD) of NADH was 0.75 µM; a good linear relationship (R2 = 0.993) was established in the concentration range 10-6 - 10-2 M. The SERS nanoprobe enabled rapid detection of NADH in human serum without any complicated sample pretreatment and provides a new potential to detect biomarkers.

[Sequencing Analysis of miRNAs in Brain-Derived Exosomes of Adolescent Mice With Depression-Like Behaviors].

Objective: To explore the differential expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in brain-derived exosomes (BDEs) of adolescent mice with depression-like behavior. Methods: The experimental group consisted of susceptible adolescent mice exposed to chronic social defeat stress (CSDS), and sucrose preference test (SPT) and open field test (OFT) were performed to evaluate their depression-like behaviors. BDEs were extracted by ultracentrifugation (UC). The morphology, particle size, and surface marker proteins of BDEs were examined by transmission electron microscopy, nano-flow cytometry and Western blot. The expression of miRNA in BDEs was evaluated by high-throughput RNA sequencing. GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were carried out based on bioinformatics. Results: The particle size of BDEs ranged between 50 to 100 nm and they displayed a typical disc-shaped vesicle structure. TSG101 and syntenin, the exosome-positive proteins, were detected. In the BDEs of mice with depression-like behaviors induced by CSDS, 13 miRNAs were significantly upregulated and 4 miRNAs were significantly downregulated. Go and KEGG analysis showed that differentially expressed miRNAs were significantly enriched in PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, axonal guidance, and hypoxic response. Conclusion: It was found in this study that exosomal miRNAs in brain tissue might be involved in such biological processes as insulin resistance, neuroplasticity, and hypoxic response, thereby regulating brain functions and causing depression-like behaviors.

A Spiro Phosphamide Catalyzed Enantioselective Proton Transfer of Ylides in a Free Carbene Insertion into N-H Bonds.

Free carbene readily causes multiple side reactions due to its high energy, thus its asymmetric transformation is very difficult. We present here our findings of high-pKa Brønsted acid catalysts that enable free carbene insertion into N-H bonds of amines to prepare chiral α-amino acid derivatives with high enantioselectivity. Under irradiation with visible light, diazo compounds produce high-energy free carbenes that are captured by amines to form free ylide intermediates, and then the newly designed high-pKa Brønsted acids, chiral spiro phosphamides, promote the proton transfer of ylides to afford the products. Computational and kinetic studies uncover the principle for the rational design of proton-transfer catalysts and explain how the catalysts accelerate this transformation and provide stereocontrol.

circEXOC6B interacting with RRAGB, an mTORC1 activator, inhibits the progression of colorectal cancer by antagonizing the HIF1A-RRAGB-mTORC1 positive feedback loop.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, an increasing number of studies have indicated that circular RNA plays crucial roles in regulating tumor development and chemoresistance. Using two high-throughput RNA sequence datasets, we previously found that circEXOC6B was downregulated in colon cancer. However, its role and mechanism in colorectal cancer (CRC) remained unknown. METHODS: Real-time quantitative PCR was used to examine the expression of circEXOC6B in CRC tissues. In vivo and in vitro functional experiments were performed to determine the suppressor role of circEXOC6B in CRC progression. RNA pull-down, mass spectrometry, RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation, co-immunoprecipitation, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and immunofluorescence were applied to investigate the possible mechanisms connecting circEXOC6B to CRC growth and 5-fluorouracil-induced apoptosis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation, dual-luciferase assay, western blot, and immunohistochemistry were used to explore the mechanisms underlying the HIF1A regulation of RRAGB transcription. RESULTS: circEXOC6B was downregulated in CRC tissues, and its lower expression was associated with poor prognosis of patients. Functional experiments showed that circEXOC6B inhibited growth and increased the 5-fluorouracil-induced apoptosis of CRC cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, circEXOC6B inhibited the heterodimer formation of RRAGB by binding to it, thereby suppressing the mTORC1 pathway and HIF1A level. In addition, HIF1A upregulated the transcription of RRAGB by binding to its promoter region. Altogether, the results demonstrated that a HIF1A-RRAGB-mTORC1 positive feedback loop drives tumor progression in CRC, which could be interrupted by circEXOC6B. CONCLUSIONS: circEXOC6B inhibits the progression of CRC and enhances the chemosensitivity of CRC cells to 5-fluorouracil by antagonizing the HIF1A-RRAGB-mTORC1 positive feedback loop. circEXOC6B is a possible therapeutic target for CRC treatment.

Bilirubin Reduces the Uptake of Estrogen Precursors and the Followed Synthesis of Estradiol in Human Placental Syncytiotrophoblasts via Inhibition and Downregulation of Organic Anion Transporter 4.

Estrogen biosynthesis in human placental trophoblasts requires the human organic anion transporter 4 (hOAT4)-mediated uptake of fetal derived precursors such as dehydroepiandrosterone-3-sulfate (DHEAS) and 16α-hydroxy-DHEA-S (16α-OH-DHEAS). Scant information is available concerning the contribution of fetal metabolites on the impact of placental estrogen precursor transport and the followed estrogen synthesis. This study substantiated the roles of bilirubin as well as bile acids (taurochenodeoxycholic acid, taurocholic acid, glycochenodeoxycholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid) on the inhibition of hOAT4-mediated uptake of probe substrate 6-carboxylfluorescein and DHEAS in stably transfected hOAT4-Chinese hamster ovary cells, with the IC50 of 1.53 and 0.98 µM on 6-carboxylfluorescein and DHEAS, respectively, for bilirubin, and 90.2, 129, 16.4, and 12.3 µM on 6-CF for taurochenodeoxycholic acid, glycochenodeoxycholic acid, taurocholic acid, and chenodeoxycholic acid. Bilirubin (2.5-10 µM) concentration-dependently inhibited the accumulation of estradiol precursor DHEAS in human choriocarcinoma JEG-3 cells (reduced by 60% at 10 µM) and primary human trophoblast cells (reduced by 80% at 10 µM). Further study confirmed that bilirubin (0.625-2.5 µM) concentration-dependently reduced the synthesis and secretion of estradiol in primary human trophoblast cells, among which 2.5 µM of bilirubin reduced the synthesis of estradiol by 30% and secretion by 35%. In addition, immunostaining and Western blot results revealed a distinct downregulation of hOAT4 protein expression in primary human trophoblast cells pretreated with 2.5 µM of bilirubin. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that bilirubin reduced the uptake of estrogen precursors and the followed synthesis of estradiol in human placenta via inhibition and downregulation of organic anion transporter 4. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Fetal metabolites, especially bilirubin, were first identified with significant inhibitory effects on the hOAT4-mediated uptake of estrogen precursor DHEAS in hOAT4-CHO, JEG-3 and PHTCs. Bilirubin concentration-dependently suppressed the estradiol synthesis and secretion in PHTCs treated with DHEAS, which was synchronized with the decline of hOAT4 protein expression. Additionally, those identified bile acids exhibited a weaker inhibitory effect on the secretion of estradiol.

Calcified aortic valve disease complicated with and without diabetes mellitus: the underlying pathogenesis.

As the most prevalent valvular heart disease, calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a major health problem with risk of severe morbidity and mortality in the absence of effective medical treatment beyond surgical or interventional aortic valve replacement. The pathology involved in CAVD is multifactorial, including valvular endothelial cells damage, valvular interstitial cells differentiation, extracellular matrix remodeling, inflammation, fibrosis and calcification. Various risk factors for CAVD have been reported, such as age, gender, smoking, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, obesity and bicuspid aortic valves. Recently, diabetes mellitus has also been shown to accelerate the progression of CAVD. CAVD patients complicated with diabetes mellitus may benefit from early aortic valve replacement when compared with those without diabetes mellitus. Hence, diabetes mellitus is considered as an independent risk factor for CAVD. Therefore, in-depth understanding of the pathogenesis of these two diseases and their relationship may help us find appropriate prevention and therapeutic strategies for CAVD patients complicated with diabetes mellitus.

Vertical distributions and potential sources of wintertime atmospheric pollutants and the corresponding ozone production on the coast of Bohai Sea.

This study investigated the wintertime vertical distributions and source areas of aerosols, NO2, and HCHO in a coastal city of Dongying from December 2020 to March 2021, using ground-based multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) and a potential source contribution function (PSCF) model, respectively. Moreover, the chemical production sensitivity of O3 at different height layers was analyzed using HCHO/NO2 ratios. The results revealed that the wintertime averaged highest concentrations of aerosol (1.25 km-1), NO2 (14.81 ppb), and HCHO (2.32 ppb) were mainly distributed at the surface layer, 100-200 m layer, and 200-300 m layer, respectively. Regarding the diurnal cycles, high concentrations of aerosol (>1.4 km-1) and NO2 (>16.0 ppb) usually appeared in the early morning and late afternoon, while high concentrations of HCHO (>2.5 ppb) usually occurred during 12:00-15:00. The PSCF model revealed that the wintertime aerosol mainly originated from Shandong, northern Jiangsu, Korea, and the northwestern Mongolian Plateau. Below 200 m, NO2 was mainly from western Shandong, whereas above 600 m, it was mainly from northern Shandong and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region. The corresponding sources for HCHO were central and southern Shandong (below 200 m) and northern Shandong, northern Jiangsu, and southeastern BTH (above 600 m). In addition, the chemical production sensitivity of O3 below 100 m was observed only in the VOC-limited regime. The percentages of O3 production under the NOx-limited, NOx-VOC-limited, and VOC-limited regimes were 10.75% (31.18%), 4.30% (19.35%), and 84.95% (49.47%) at the 500-600 m (900-1000 m) layer. This study has guiding significance for the coordinated control of PM2.5 and O3, and can assist in the implementation of regional joint prevention and control strategies for air pollutants.

A national survey of HIV knowledge, sexual practices and attitude towards homosexuality for HIV elimination among young people in China.

Background Elimination of HIV is a public health priority in China, but there has been reports of an upsurge in HIV among young people. A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the awareness of HIV knowledge, attitudes towards homosexuality and practice of sexual behaviours among Chinese aged 15-24 years. METHODS: The face-to-face survey was conducted from June to August 2017, collecting data on sociodemographic characteristics, HIV-related knowledge, attitudes towards homosexuality and practice of sexual behaviours among Chinese senior high school and university students. A generalised linear model (GLM) was used to assess the different levels of HIV knowledge between groups, and identify the key contributors to HIV knowledge scores. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 73.6% (1355/1840) of the students approached. The overall level of HIV-related knowledge was low (58.9%, 10.6/18); 48.0% (650/1355) supported same-sex marriage; and 6.9% (93/1355) self-identified as homosexual or bisexual. The major factors associated with higher scores [mean ± standard deviation (s.d.)] in HIV knowledge among students included: having received school-based HIV education (11.47 ± 3.51 vs 9.02 ± 4.14, P < 0.05); support for same-sex marriage (11.69 ± 3.33 vs 9.49 ± 4.29, P < 0.05) and older age (11.61 ± 2.78 vs 9.87 ± 4.17, P < 0.05). Compared with females, males were significantly more likely (all P < 0.05) to report masturbation (60.7% vs 7.6%), pornography experiences (77.4% vs 35.3%), sexual encounters (24.6% vs 12.3%), casual sex (37.0% vs 18.1%) and sex under the influence of alcohol (29.5% vs 12.8%). CONCLUSIONS: There is is still much room for improvement in terms of HIV/AIDS prevention and health education for Chinese young people, and more comprehensive and diverse models of education for HIV prevention are urgently needed.