Plasma-Activated Solutions Regulate Surface-Terminating Groups Enhancing Pseudocapacitive Ti3 C2 Tx Electrode Performance.

2D transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes) are actively pursued as pseudocapacitive materials for supercapacitors owing to their advantages in electronic conductivity and surface reactivity. Increasing the fraction of ─O terminal groups in Ti3 C2 Tx is a promising approach to improve the pseudocapacitive charge storage in H2 SO4 electrolytes, but it suffers from a lack of effective functionalization methods and stability of the groups in practical operation. Here a low-temperature and environment-friendly approach via the interaction of nonequilibrium plasmas with Ti3 C2 Tx dispersion is demonstrated to generate abundant and stable surface-terminating O groups. The impact of the discharge environment (Ar, O2 , and H2 ) on the structural characteristics and electrochemical performance of Ti3 C2 Tx nanosheets is studied. The Ti3 C2 Tx modified in Ar and H2 maintains their original morphology but a significantly lower F content. Consequently, an extraordinarily high content (78.5%) of surface-terminating O groups is revealed by the high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra for the Ti3 C2 Tx samples modified in H2 plasma-treated solutions. Additionally, the Ti3 C2 Tx treated using H2 plasmas exhibits the best capacitive performance of 418.3 F g-1 at 2 mV s-1 , which can maintain 95.88% capacity after 10 000 cycles. These results contribute to the development of advanced nanostructured pseudocapacitive electrode materials for renewable energy storage applications.

Fluorescent Quinolinium Derivative as Novel Mitochondria Probe and Function Modulator by Targeting Mitochondrial RNA.

Mitochondria have a crucial role in regulating energy metabolism and their dysfunction has been linked to tumorigenesis. Cancer diagnosis and intervention have a great interest in the development of new agents that target biomolecules within mitochondria. However, monitoring and modulating mitochondria RNA (mtRNA), an essential component in mitochondria, in cells is challenging due to limited functional research and the absence of targeting agents. In this study, we designed and synthesized a fluorescent quinolinium derivative, QUCO-1, which actively lit up with mtRNA in both normal and cancer cells in vitro. Additionally, we evaluated the function of QUCO-1 as an mtRNA ligand and found that it effectively induced severe mitochondrial dysfunction and OXPHOS inhibition in RKO colorectal cancer cells. Treatment with QUCO-1 resulted in apoptosis, cell cycle blockage at the G2/M phase, and the effective inhibition of cell proliferation. Our findings suggest that QUCO-1 has great potential as a promising probe and therapeutic agent for mtRNA, with the potential for treating colorectal cancer.

Challenges and prospects of high-voltage aqueous electrolytes for energy storage applications.

Aqueous electrolytes have attracted widespread attention as they are safe, environmentally benign and cost effective, holding great promise for future low-cost and sustainable energy storage devices. Nonetheless, the narrow electrochemical stability window caused by water electrolysis, as well as the trade-off between the stability window and other properties remain the bottleneck problem for the practical applications of aqueous electrolytes. Deep insights into the correlations between the microscopic physicochemical and electrochemical mechanisms and the macroscopic properties of aqueous electrolyte are essential for the envisaged applications, yet a systematic analysis of the recent progress in this area is still lacking. In this Perspective article, the basic mechanisms and influencing factors of water electrolysis including the hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution reactions is critically examined. We systematically review the current state-of-the-art on high-voltage aqueous electrolytes focusing on the fundamental mechanisms of ion kinetics leading to dynamic electrolyte restructuring. Recent advances on the optimization of high-voltage aqueous electrolytes are also summarized. The existing challenges are identified and perspectives for exploring and developing future high-voltage aqueous electrolytes are provided.

Sensing mechanism of the nano-confined space constructed by graphene.

Multilayer graphene with dense interlayer space is the most explored two-dimensional material (2DMs) in high performance gas sensor. Herein, the insertion and the diffusion behaviors of NO, NO2, NH3and H2S in the nano-confined space of graphene are investigated using density functional theory calculations. The optimum interlayer distance is found to be 6-7 Å, in which the interaction strength is enhanced by 2 -3 times compared to monolayer graphene. Based on the optimum interlayer spacing, a barrierless diffusion process is observed due to the negligible influence of adsorption sites on the adsorption energy. Besides, an enhanced adsorption of NO2is found at the edge, which leads to a small barrier (<0.15 eV) during the its inserting into graphene layers, while the barrierless process is observed for NO, NH3and H2S. As for sensing performance, an increased sensitivity is observed for NO and NO2at the edge because of the significant energy level shift and charge transfer. Meanwhile, multilayer graphene shows good selectivity towards NO2gas. Therefore, modulating the interlayer spacing of graphene layers is a promising strategy for fabricating practical low-cost gas sensors, which may facilitate future exploration of high performance gas sensor using multilayer 2DMs.

The exploration of artificial incubation of Cherax quadricarinatus eggs.

The redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus, is an economically valuable freshwater crayfish. However, some production obstacles, such as a low egg hatching rate and asynchronous hatching, are hindering its development in the aquaculture industry. Artificial incubation of eggs may solve these problems. This study explored the technology of artificial incubation of redclaw crayfish eggs. The following results were obtained: 1) 75% alcohol as a disinfectant for 60 s had a preferable antibacterial effect and promoted the hatching rate; 2) densities of 300 and 600 eggs/incubator resulted in significantly higher hatching and survival rates than a density of 900 eggs/incubator; 3) at a density of 600 eggs/incubator, the optimum number of net pieces for attachment of freshly hatched juveniles was 20 per incubator; 4) with a density of 600 eggs/incubator and 20 net pieces/incubator, the hatching rate was 82.05% ± 4.09%, the survival rate was 55.12% ± 7.51%, and a total of 129,200 SPF (specific pathogen-free) seedlings were cultivated. This artificial incubation system was maintained at close to an aseptic state, with an absence of white spot virus, iridovirus, Vibrio and ciliates; this was true for all water sources used and for incubation of both eggs and juvenile crayfish. In conclusion, if we implement reasonable methods of disinfection, SPF detection and pathogen isolation and utilize optimal egg densities and incubation systems, large-scale production of SPF seedlings of Cherax quadricarinatus is possible.

Ab initio characterization and experimental validation on the roles of oxygen-containing groups in graphene based formaldehyde sensors.

The development of formaldehyde (HCHO) sensors employing reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as sensing materials calls for a profound, atomic level understanding on the roles of oxygen-containing groups. In this work, the performances of rGO-based HCHO sensors were investigated using ab initio calculations and experimental validation. Density functional theory (DFT) simulations were performed to calculate the adsorption energy (Eads) and charge transfer (ΔQ) for the adsorption of HCHO on pristine graphene, rGO with epoxides, rGO with hydroxyl groups, and rGO with carboxyl groups. The results show that the incorporation of oxygen-containing groups leads to an obvious increase of Eads and ΔQ values, with an order of carboxyl group > hydroxyl group > epoxides > pristine graphene. The increase of Eads and ΔQ values could increase the variation in the concentration of charge carriers, the change of conductance of the sensing materials, and hence the sensor response. The experimental measurements indicate that with a decrease in the C/O atomic ratio from 16.2 to 6.6, the sensor response to 1 ppm HCHO increases from 0.10% to 0.73%, confirming the DFT calculation results. Moreover, even with a certain C/O atomic ratio of ∼6.6, rGO with 6.80% carboxyl groups exhibits a distinctly larger response to 0.2-3 ppm HCHO, compared with the counterpart with 3.09% carboxyl groups. The as-obtained insights into the effects of oxygen-containing groups on the response of rGO to HCHO could be instructive for preparing rGO-based HCHO sensors for advanced performances.

Temperature dependence of ion diffusion coefficients in NaCl electrolyte confined within graphene nanochannels.

The behavior of ion diffusion in nano-confined spaces and its temperature dependence provide important fundamental information about electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) employing nano-sized active materials. In this work, the ion diffusion coefficients of NaCl electrolyte confined within neutral and charged graphene nanochannels at different temperatures are investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. The results show that ions confined in neutral nanochannels diffuse faster (along the graphene surfaces) than those in bulk solution, which could be attributed to the relatively smaller concentration in confined spaces and the solvophobic nature of graphene surfaces. In charged nanochannels where the electrostatic interactions between counter-ions and charged channel surfaces govern the motion of ions, the diffusion coefficients are found to be lower than those in the neutral counterparts. The increase of temperature will lead to enhanced vibrant thermal motion of ions. Due to the significant role of ion-surface interactions, ion diffusion coefficients in nano-confined spaces are more stable, that is, insensitive to the temperature variation, than those in bulk solution. The electrical conductivity is further estimated using the Nernst-Einstein equation. The findings of the current work could provide basic data and information for research studies on the thermal effects of graphene-based EDLCs.

Negative pressure wound therapy for serious dog bites of extremities: a prospective randomized trial.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to investigate the emergency treatment of serious dog bite lacerations on limbs and to identify whether negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) was beneficial in these instances. METHODS: A total of 580 cases with serious limb lacerations due to dog bites were randomly divided into 2 groups. After thorough debridement, the limb lacerations of group A (n = 329) were left open. The remaining cases (n = 251) were randomly divided into 2 subgroups, group B and group C, which were treated with 125 and 75 mm Hg of continuous negative pressure, respectively. Antibiotics were only used in cases where there were systemic signs of wound infection, and were not given prophylactically. The infection rate, infection time, and healing time were analyzed. RESULTS: The wound infection rates of groups A, B, and C were 9.1%, 4.1%, and 3.9%, respectively. The infection times of the 3 groups were 26.3 ± 11.6, 159.8 ± 13.4, and 166.4 ± 16.2 hours, respectively. The recovery times of the infection patients in the 3 groups were 19.2 ± 4.6, 13.2 ± 2.1, and 12.7 ± 2.3 days, respectively, and in the noninfection patients, the recovery times were 15.6 ± 2.7, 10.1 ± 2.3, and 10.5 ± 1.9 days, respectively. In groups B (-125 mm Hg) and C (-75 mm Hg), the infection rate, infection time, and healing time showed no significant differences. CONCLUSION: Patients with serious dog bite laceration on limbs could benefit from NPWT. Compared with the traditional treatment of leaving the wounds open, NPWT reduced the infection rate and shortened recovery time. When NPWT was performed, low negative pressure (-75 mm Hg) had the same positive effects as high pressure (-125 mm Hg). Prophylactic antibiotics administration is not recommended for treating this kind of laceration. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/care management, level II.

Clinical Results and Metal Ion Levels After Ceramic-on-Metal Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Mean 50-Month Prospective Single-Center Study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to investigate the clinical results and serum metal ion levels in a cohort of patients who received total hip arthroplasty (THA) with ceramic-on-metal (CoM) bearings. METHODS: From September 2009 to December 2011, 78 patients (89 hips) who underwent THA with CoM bearings were involved in this study. Harris Hip Score, Short-Form 12, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores were measured and radiographs were taken for radiographic analysis. Serum metal ion levels of cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), and titanium (Ti) were measured using high-resolution inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Severy-four patients (85 hips) were followed up at a mean of 50 months. At the end of follow-up, HSS, Short-Form 12, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores were improved significantly compared with preoperative values. No intraoperative and postoperative complications occurred, and no radiolucency, osteolysis, and loosening was found from radiographic examination. Metal ion analysis showed that serum metal ions levels were significantly elevated compared with normal values. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that there was a correlation between 3 metal ion levels and body mass index(Co: r = 0.49, P < .01; Cr: r = 0.47, P < .01; Mo: r = 0.36, P = .04). No correlation was found between metal ion levels and age, cup abduction angle, cup anteversion angle, acetabular version, bilateral arthroplasty, cup screw used, hip stem implant type, or femoral head size. CONCLUSION: Our study concluded that the use of a CoM THA is effective clinically, but the systemic metal ion levels are significantly elevated at midterm follow-up. Whether the elevated metal ion levels will induce an adverse reaction is unknown and long-term follow-up is need.

Emerging energy and environmental applications of vertically-oriented graphenes.

Graphene nanosheets arranged perpendicularly to the substrate surface, i.e., vertically-oriented graphenes (VGs), have many unique morphological and structural features that can lead to exciting properties. Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition enables the growth of VGs on various substrates using gas, liquid, or solid precursors. Compared with conventional randomly-oriented graphenes, VGs' vertical orientation on the substrate, non-agglomerated morphology, controlled inter-sheet connectivity, as well as sharp and exposed edges make them very promising for a variety of applications. The focus of this tutorial review is on plasma-enabled simple yet efficient synthesis of VGs and their properties that lead to emerging energy and environmental applications, ranging from energy storage, energy conversion, sensing, to green corona discharges for pollution control.

Palladium-Catalyzed Arylation of Unactivated γ-Methylene C(sp(3) )-H and δ-C-H Bonds with an Oxazoline-Carboxylate Auxiliary.

A palladium-catalyzed arylation of unactivated γ-methylene C(sp(3) )H and remote δ-CH bonds by using an oxazoline-carboxylate directing group has been developed. Arylation occurs with a broad substrate scope and high tolerance of functional groups (i.e., halogen, nitro, cyano, ether, trifluoromethyl, amine, and ester). The oxazoline-type auxiliary can be removed under acidic conditions.

A Single-Step Process to Produce Carbon Nanotube-Zinc Compound Hybrid Materials.

An atmospheric-pressure plasma system is developed and is used to treat carbon nanotube assemblies, producing a hybrid carbon-zinc structure. This system is integrated into a floating-catalyst chemical vapor deposition furnace used for the synthesis of macroscopic assemblies of carbon nanotubes to allow for the in-line, continuous, and single-step production of nano-composite materials. Material is deposited from a sacrificial zinc wire in the form of nanoparticles and can coat the surface of the individual carbon nanotubes as they form. Additionally, it is found that the deposited materials penetrate further into the carbon nanotube matrix than a comparable post-synthesis deposition, improving the uniformity of the material through the thickness. Thus, a single-step metal-based coating and carbon nanotube synthesis process which can form the basis of production scale manufacturing of metal-carbon nanotube composite materials with an atmospheric-pressure plasma system are demonstrated.

Bactericidal Effects and Quality Impact of Peroxyacetic Acid and Sodium Hypochlorite on Chicken Carcasses.

There is an urgent need to develop efficient and environmentally friendly decontaminants for poultry products. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the practical application of peroxyacetic acid (PAA) as a replacement for sodium hypochlorite (SH) to sterilize fresh chicken carcasses, using microbial, color, and electronic-nose analyses. We evaluated the decontamination effects of different concentrations of PAA and SH on chicken carcasses. The bactericidal effects of PAA at pH 3, 7, and 9, and SH at pH 10, at concentrations ranging from 100 to 500 ppm on coliform bacteria, total bacteria, and Salmonella spp. were evaluated. PAA induced a similar bactericidal effect at lower concentrations than SH. Therefore, at the same concentration and treatment time, PAA showed better bactericidal effects than SH. Although treatment with PAA (pH 3) and SH (pH 10) resulted in considerable discoloration, the degree of discoloration decreased when the pH of PAA was increased to 7 and 9. Therefore, by increasing the pH of PAA, the discoloration effect on chicken carcasses can be reduced without altering the microbial-reduction effect. Electronic-nose analysis showed that the flavor of the chicken was almost unaffected by volatile components at a treatment time < 30 min. Therefore, this study experimentally identified the optimal PAA concentration for the decontamination of chicken carcasses. The study findings provide a theoretical basis for the replacement of traditional bactericides, such as SH, with PAA for the production of poultry products.

Effect of dissolved oxygen and ammonia nitrogen on Culter alburnus: Physiology, biochemistry, and molecular analyses.

Culter alburnus (topmouth culter)is an economically valuable freshwater fish. However, its insufficient tolerance to dissolved oxygen (DO) and ammonia nitrogen (AN) hinders its industrialisation. 360 experimental fish (4.87 ± 1.10 g) were placed in breathing chambers (oxygen level was 0.70-6.50 mg/L) or water tanks (control AN, 0 mg/L; low AN, 8 mg/L; high AN, 16 mg/L). This study analysed the effects of DO and AN on C. alburnus at physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels. (1) Physiology level: the floating point, coma critical point, and coma point at 20 °C group were significantly higher than those at 30 °C. The oxygen consumption rate of C. alburnus at 20 °C, 25 °C, and 30 °C was (256.65 ± 25.87), (470.47 ± 83.84), and (520.87 ± 55.40) mg/kg.h. The LC50 of AN after 96 h was 24.13 mg/L, and the safe concentration was 2.41 mg/L. The survival rate in the high AN group was significantly lower than that in the other two groups. (2) Biochemistry level: The change curves of antioxidant enzyme activity in the liver tissue under hypoxic stress reached a maximum at 12 h and then decreased. In addition, the increase and decrease in enzyme activity (except malondialdehyde) in the high AN group was lower than that in the low AN group. (3) Molecular level: the angiotensin-converting enzyme and carboxypeptidase genes were the major differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in hypoxic stress, and the DEGs were mainly enriched in the ABC transporter signal transduction pathway. In addition, the serum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinase, stearoyl-CoA desaturase, and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase genes were among the major DEGs under high AN stress. The DEGs were mainly enriched in steroid biosynthesis or glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism transporter signal transduction pathways. In summary, it is necessary to focus on the DO and AN during C. alburnus breeding.

An ultralight, pulverization-free integrated anode toward lithium-less lithium metal batteries.

The high-capacity advantage of lithium metal anode was compromised by common use of copper as the collector. Furthermore, lithium pulverization associated with "dead" Li accumulation and electrode cracking deteriorates the long-term cyclability of lithium metal batteries, especially under realistic test conditions. Here, we report an ultralight, integrated anode of polyimide-Ag/Li with dual anti-pulverization functionality. The silver layer was initially chemically bonded to the polyimide surface and then spontaneously diffused in Li solid solution and self-evolved into a fully lithiophilic Li-Ag phase, mitigating dendrites growth or dead Li. Further, the strong van der Waals interaction between the bottommost Li-Ag and polyimide affords electrode structural integrity and electrical continuity, thus circumventing electrode pulverization. Compared to the cutting-edge anode-free cells, the batteries pairing LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 with polyimide-Ag/Li afford a nearly 10% increase in specific energy, with safer characteristics and better cycling stability under realistic conditions of 1× excess Li and high areal-loading cathode (4 milliampere hour per square centimeter).

Advances in diagnosis and treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma -- a review.

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HC) is a rare tumor that causes devastating disease. In the late stages, this carcinoma primarily invades the portal vein and metastasizes to the hepatic lobes; it is associated with a poor prognosis. HC is diagnosed by its clinical manifestation and results of imaging techniques such as ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography. Preoperative hepatic bile drainage can improve symptoms associated with insufficient liver and kidney function, coagulopathy, and jaundice. Surgical margin-negative (R0) resection, including major liver resection, is the most effective and potentially curative treatment for HC. If the tumor is not resected, then liver transplantation with adjuvant management can improve survival. We conducted a systematic review of developments in imaging studies and major surgical hepatectomy for HC with positive outcomes regarding quality of life.

Emergency treatment on facial laceration of dog bite wounds with immediate primary closure: a prospective randomized trial study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the emergency treatment on facial laceration of dog bite wounds and identify whether immediate primary closure is feasible. METHODS: Six hundred cases with facial laceration attacked by dog were divided into two groups randomly and evenly. After thorough debridement, the facial lacerations of group A were left open, while the lacerations of group B were undertaken immediate primary closure. Antibiotics use was administrated only after wound infected, not prophylactically given. The infection rate, infection time and healing time were analyzed. RESULTS: The infection rate of group A and B was 8.3% and 6.3% respectively (P>0.05); the infection time was 26.3 ± 11.6h and 24.9 ± 13.8h respectively (P>0.05), the healing time was 9.12 ± 1.30 d and 6.57 ± 0.49 d respectively (P<0.05) in taintless cases, 14.24 ± 2.63 d and 10.65 ± 1.69 d respectively (P<0.05) in infected cases.Compared with group A, there was no evident tendency in increasing infection rate (8.3% in group A and 6.3% in group B respectively) and infection period (26.3 ± 11.6h in group A and 24.9 ± 13.8h in group B respectively) in group B. Meanwhile, in group B, the wound healing time was shorter than group A statistically in both taintless cases (9.12 ± 1.30 d in group A and 6.57 ± 0.49 d in group B respectively) and infected cases (14.24 ± 2.63 d in group A and 10.65 ± 1.69 d in group B respectively). CONCLUSION: The facial laceration of dog bite wounds should be primary closed immediately after formal and thoroughly debridement. And the primary closure would shorten the healing time of the dog bite wounds without increasing the rate and period of infection. There is no potentiality of increasing infection incidence and infection speed, compared immediate primary closure with the wounds left open. On the contrary, primary closure the wounds can promote its primary healing. Prophylactic antibiotics administration was not recommended. and the important facial organ or tissue injuries should be secondary reconditioned.

Binary ionic liquids hybrid electrolyte based supercapacitors with high energy & power density.

Supercapacitors with high energy and power densities have become highly desirable in practical applications. Ionic liquids (ILs) are considered as promising electrolytes of supercapacitors owing to their excellent electrochemical stability window (approx. 4-6 V) and good thermal stability. However, the high viscosity (up to 102 mPa s) and low electric conductivity (<10 mS cm-1) at room-temperature extremely reduce the ion diffusion dynamics in the energy storage process, resulting in the unsatisfactory power density and rate performance of supercapacitors. Herein we propose a novel binary ionic liquids (BILs) hybrid electrolyte composed of two kinds of ILs in an organic solvent. Along with the organic solvent with high dielectric constant and low viscosity, the addition of binary cations effectively improves the electric conductivity and reduces the viscosity of IL electrolytes. By mixing trimethyl propylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([TMPA][TFSI]) and N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([Pyr14][TFSI]) with an equal mole ratio in acetonitrile (1 M), the as-prepared BILs electrolyte shows superior electric conductivity (44.3 mS cm-1), low viscosity (0.692 mPa s), and a wide electrochemical stability window (4.82 V). The supercapacitors assembled with activated carbon electrodes (commercial mass loading) and this BILs electrolyte achieve a high working voltage of 3.1 V, leading to a maximum energy density of 28.3 W h kg-1 at 803.35 W kg-1 and a maximum power density of 32.16 kW kg-1 at 21.17 W h kg-1, which are obviously superior to those of commercial supercapacitors based on organic electrolytes (2.7 V).

Long noncoding RNA Regulating ImMune Escape regulates mixed lineage leukaemia protein-1-H3K4me3-mediated immune escape in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Predictive biomarkers for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) immunotherapy are lacking, and immunotherapy resistance remains to be addressed. The role of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) in ESCC immune escape and immunotherapy resistance remains to be elucidated. METHODS: The tumour-associated macrophage-upregulated lncRNAs and the exosomal lncRNAs highly expressed in ESCC immunotherapy nonresponders were identified by lncRNA sequencing and polymerase chain reaction assays. CRISPR-Cas9 was used to explore the functional roles of the lncRNA. RNA pull-down, MS2-tagged RNA affinity purification (MS2-TRAP) and RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) were performed to identify lncRNA-associated proteins and related mechanisms. In vivo, the humanized PBMC (hu-PBMC) mouse model was established to assess the therapeutic responses of specific lncRNA inhibitors and their combination with programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody (mAb). Single-cell sequencing, flow cytometry, and multiplex fluorescent immunohistochemistry were used to analyze immune cells infiltrating the tumour microenvironment. RESULTS: We identified a lncRNA that is involved in tumour immune evasion and immunotherapy resistance. High LINC02096 (RIME) expression in plasma exosomes correlates with a reduced response to PD-1 mAb treatment and poor prognosis. Mechanistically, RIME binds to mixed lineage leukaemia protein-1 (MLL1) and prevents ankyrin repeat and SOCS box containing 2 (ASB2)-mediated MLL1 ubiquitination, improving the stability of MLL1. RIME-MLL1 increases H3K4me3 levels in the promoter regions of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO-1), constitutively increasing the expression of PD-L1/IDO-1 in tumour cells and inhibiting CD8+ T cells infiltration and activation. RIME depletion in huPBMC-NOG mice significantly represses tumour development and improves the effectiveness of PD-1 mAb treatment by activating T-cell-mediated antitumour immunity. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals that the RIME-MLL1-H3K4me3 axis plays a critical role in tumour immunosuppression. Moreover, RIME appears to be a potential prognostic biomarker for immunotherapy and developing drugs that target RIME may be a new therapeutic strategy that overcomes immunotherapy resistance and benefits patients with ESCC.

Effect of Fermentation Duration on the Quality Changes of Godulbaegi Kimchi.

Fermentative and antioxidative characteristics of Godulbaegi kimchi (LGK), a traditional, fermented Korean food, were conducted. For the study, LGK kimchi was made of Godulbaegi kimchi with pepper powder, salted shrimp, refined salt, green onions, and so on, and fermented at 5C for 6 months. The pH was decreased, and total acidity was increased during fermentation. Furthermore, lactic acid bacteria and yeast were increased, while the total viable count was decreased. The LGK showed the highest DPPH-scavenging activity, phenol content, and nitrite-scavenging activity with methanol extract among methanol, ethanol, and water. In addition, we screened strains among LGK kimchi with high antimicrobial activity and isolated them. We tested antimicrobial activity for 20 lactic acid bacteria, and we separated and identified nine strains of lactic acid bacteria with high antimicrobial activity. Given these results, LGK is expected to be an effective food in considerable antioxidative activity with an antimicrobial effect. These results are expected to serve as basic data for the study of Godulbaegi kimchi.