ZBTB20 Regulates SERCA2a Activity and Myocardial Contractility Through Phospholamban.

BACKGROUND: Intracellular Ca2+ cycling determines myocardial contraction and relaxation in response to physiological demands. SERCA2a (sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase 2a) is responsible for the sequestration of cytosolic Ca2+ into intracellular stores during cardiac relaxation, and its activity is reversibly inhibited by PLN (phospholamban). However, the regulatory hierarchy of SERCA2a activity remains unclear. METHODS: Cardiomyocyte-specific ZBTB20 knockout mice were generated by crossing ZBTB20flox mice with Myh6-Cre mice. Echocardiography, blood pressure measurements, Langendorff perfusion, histological analysis and immunohistochemistry, quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, Western blot analysis, electrophysiological measurements, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay were performed to clarify the phenotype and elucidate the molecular mechanisms. RESULTS: Specific ablation of ZBTB20 in cardiomyocyte led to a significant increase in basal myocardial contractile parameters both in vivo and in vitro, accompanied by an impairment in cardiac reserve and exercise capacity. Moreover, the cardiomyocytes lacking ZBTB20 showed an increase in sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+ content and exhibited a remarkable enhancement in both SERCA2a activity and electrically stimulated contraction. Mechanistically, PLN expression was dramatically reduced in cardiomyocytes at the mRNA and protein levels by ZBTB20 deletion or silencing, and PLN overexpression could largely restore the basal contractility in ZBTB20-deficient cardiomyocytes. CONCLUSIONS: These data point to ZBTB20 as a fine-tuning modulator of PLN expression and SERCA2a activity, thereby offering new perspective on the regulation of basal contractility in the mammalian heart.

Genome-wide identification and integrated analysis of the FAR1/FHY3 gene family and genes expression analysis under methyl jasmonate treatment in Panax ginseng C. A. Mey.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Mey.) is an important and valuable medicinal plant species used in traditional Chinese medicine, and its metabolite ginsenoside is the primary active ingredient. The FAR1/FHY3 gene family members play critical roles in plant growth and development as well as participate in a variety of physiological processes, including plant development and signaling of hormones. Studies have indicated that methyl jasmonate treatment of ginseng adventitious roots resulted in a significant increase in the content of protopanaxadiol ginsenosides. Therefore, it is highly significant to screen the FAR1/FHY3 gene family members in ginseng and preliminarily investigate their expression patterns in response to methyl jasmonic acid signaling. In this study, we screened and identified the FAR1/FHY3 family genes in the ginseng transcriptome databases. And then, we analyzed their gene structure and phylogeny, chromosomal localization and expression patterns, and promoter cis-acting elements, and made GO functional annotations on the members of this family. After that, we treated the ginseng adventitious roots with 200 mM methyl jasmonate and investigated the trend of the expression of four genes containing the largest number of methyl jasmonate cis-acting elements at different treatment times. All four genes were able to respond to methyl jasmonate, the most significant change was in the PgFAR40 gene. This study provides data support for subsequent studies of this family member in ginseng and provides experimental reference for subsequent validation of the function of this family member under methyl jasmonic acid signaling.

Performance of fibroblast activating protein inhibitor PET imaging for pancreatic neoplasms assessment: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown the potential of fibroblast activating protein inhibitor (FAPI) PET imaging for pancreatic cancer assessment. PURPOSE: This article is dedicated to comparing the diagnostic efficacy of FAPI PET and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET in the evaluation of primary tumors, lymph nodes, and distant metastases in pancreatic cancer. METHODS: In this review, we conducted a systematic search of studies published in PubMed and Web of Science databases up to September 18, 2023. All included studies used radionuclide labeled FAPI and FDG as PET diagnostic tracers to evaluate their applicability in patients with pancreatic cancer. RESULTS: The FAPI PET imaging group showed significantly higher sensitivity in the detection of primary lesions (1.000, [95% CI: 0.999-1.000]), lymph node metastases (0.624 [95% CI: 0.391-0.834]) and distant metastatic (0.965 [95% CI: 0.804-1.000]) in pancreatic cancer compared to the FDG PET imaging group (0.889 [95% CI: 0.788-0.966], 0.373 [95% CI: 0.163-0.606] and 0.889 [95% CI: 0.689-0.999], respectively). Furthermore, the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in FAPI PET imaging is significantly higher than that in FDG imaging for primary lesions (mean difference (MD) = 7.51, 95% CI: 5.34-9.67). CONCLUSION: Compared with [18F]FDG PET/CT, FAPI PET imaging showed higher sensitivity, SUVmax. This method can be effectively utilized for the evaluation of pancreatic cancer. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Fibroblast activating protein inhibitor PET may be a better alternative to [18F]FDG in evaluating primary pancreatic cancer, lymph node metastases, and distant metastases. KEY POINTS: Fibroblast activating protein inhibitor (FAPI) PET is compared with FDG PET for evaluating pancreatic cancer. Multiple radiolabeled FAPI variants have shown promising results in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. FAPI PET imaging effectively helps clinicians diagnose and stage pancreatic cancer.

The additional role of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT in patients with unknown primary lesion with a negative or equivocal [18F]FDG.

PURPOSE: [18F]FDG PET/CT to detect unknown primary lesions is essential for clinical management but still has limitations. [68Ga]Ga-FAPI is a tumor-stromal imaging agent that provides a promising alternative to [18F]FDG for the assessment of malignancies. We aimed to investigate whether [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT has an additional role in identifying unknown primary lesions with negative or equivocal [18F] FDG PET/CT results. METHODS: This single-center prospective clinical study was conducted between March 2020 and March 2022 at Southwest Medical University Hospital. Patients underwent [18F]FDG PET/CT for the identification of unknown primary lesions. They underwent repeat [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT when [18F]FDG PET/CT results were negative or equivocal. Histopathological examination, surgery, or clinical follow-up (at least 3 months) for FAPI-positive lesions. The diagnostic efficacy of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI in identifying unknown primary lesions was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 44 participants (median age, 57 ± 12 [SD]; 22 [50%] men) were evaluated. Thirteen of the 44 patients had equivocal [18F]FDG PET/CT findings, while the diagnosis was clear on [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT. [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT also revealed primary lesions in additional 17 patients with negative [18F]FDG PET/CT findings. In fourteen of 44 patients, no primary lesion was detected by either tracer. On this basis, we analyzed 94 lymph node metastatic lesions. The mean SUVmax of lymph node metastases on [68Ga] Ga-FAPI PET/CT and [18F]FDG PET/CT were 9.2 ± 5.1, 7.9 ± 4.8 (p = 0.03) and the mean TBR were 9.1 ± 5.2, 4.9 ± 3.1 (p < 0.01), respectively. CONCLUSION: [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT showed great potential for identifying unknown primary lesions and has the potential to improve the detection rate of unknown primary lesions with negative or equivocal for [18F]FDG findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrial.gov. Identifier: ChiCTR2100044131.

Nickel-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reaction of Aryl Methyl Sulfides with Aryl Bromides.

A nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of aryl methyl sulfides with aryl bromides has been developed to access biaryls in yields of up to 86%. The reactions proceeded well using Ni(COD)2 as catalyst with the ligand BINAP (2,2'-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)-1,1'-binaphthalene) in the presence of magnesium. The method has a broad scope of substrates and is scalable. The wide availability of commercially available aryl bromides and the absence of preparation and preparation of organometallic reagents make the reaction of high application value.

Identification of cervical squamous cell carcinoma feature genes and construction of a prognostic model based on immune-related features.

As heterogeneity of cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), prognosis assessment for CSCC patients remain challenging. To develop novel prognostic strategies for CSCC patients, associated biomarkers are urgently needed. This study aimed to cluster CSCC samples from a molecular perspective. CSCC expression data sets were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas and based on the accessed expression profile, a co-expression network was constructed with weighted gene co-expression network analysis to form different gene modules. Tumor microenvironment was evaluated using ESTIMATE algorithm, observing that the brown module was highly associated with tumor immunity. CSCC samples were clustered into three subtypes by consensus clustering based on gene expression profiles in the module. Gene set variation analysis showed differences in immune-related pathways among the three subtypes. CIBERSORT and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis analyses showed the difference in immune cell infiltration among subtype groups. Also, Human leukocyte antigen protein expression varied considerably among subtypes. Subsequently, univariate, Lasso and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed on the genes in the brown module and an 8-gene prognostic model was constructed. Kaplan-Meier analysis illuminated that the low-risk group manifested a favorable prognosis, and receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the model has good predictive performance. qRT-PCR was used to examine the expression status of the prognosis-associated genes. In conclusion, this study identified three types of CSCC from a molecular perspective and established an effective prognostic model for CSCC, which will provide guidance for clinical subtype identification of CSCC and treatment of patients.

Research on Risk Contagion among Financial Submarkets in China Based on Complex Networks.

As the COVID-19 outbreak has an impact on the global economy, there will be interest in how China's financial markets function during the outbreak. To investigate the path of risk contagion in China's financial sub-markets before and after the COVID-19 outbreak, we divided the 2016-2021 period into two phases. Based on the time of the COVID-19 outbreak, we divided the new stage of economic development into pre-epidemic and post-epidemic stages and employed the DCC-GARCH model to investigate the dynamic correlation coefficients among the financial sub-markets in China. Furthermore, we employed complex network theory and the minimum tree model to describe the risk contagion path between two-stage Chinese financial submarkets. Finally, we provided pertinent recommendations for investors and policymakers and conducted a brief discussion based on the findings of the research.

Zbtb20 deficiency causes cardiac contractile dysfunction in mice.

The zinc-finger protein ZBTB20 regulates development and metabolism in multiple systems, and is essential for postnatal survival in mice. However, its potential role in the cardiovascular system remains undefined. Here, we demonstrate that ZBTB20 is critically involved in the regulation of cardiac contractility and blood pressure in mice. At the age of 16 days, the relatively healthy Zbtb20-null mice exhibited hypotension without obvious change of heart rate or other evidence for heart failure. Moreover, Zbtb20 deletion led to a marked reduction in heart size, left ventricular wall thickness, and cell size of cardiomyocytes, which was largely proportional to the decreased body growth. Notably, echocardiographic and hemodynamic analyses showed that cardiac contractility was greatly impaired in the absence of ZBTB20. Mechanistically, ZBTB20 deficiency decreased cardiac ATP contents, and compromised the enzyme activity of mitochondrial complex I in heart as well as L-type calcium current density in cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, the developmental activation of some mitochondrial function-related genes was significantly attenuated in Zbtb20-null myocardium, which included Hspb8, Ckmt2, Cox7a1, Tfrc, and Ogdhl. Put together, these results suggest that ZBTB20 plays a crucial role in the regulation of heart development, energy metabolism, and contractility.

Identification of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Receptor Type O (PTPRO) as a Synaptic Adhesion Molecule that Promotes Synapse Formation.

The proper formation of synapses-specialized unitary structures formed between two neurons-is critical to mediating information flow in the brain. Synaptic cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are thought to participate in the initiation of the synapse formation process. However, in vivo functional analysis demonstrates that most well known synaptic CAMs regulate synaptic maturation and plasticity rather than synapse formation, suggesting that either CAMs work synergistically in the process of forming synapses or more CAMs remain to be found. By screening for unknown CAMs using a co-culture system, we revealed that protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type O (PTPRO) is a potent CAM that induces the formation of artificial synapse clusters in co-cultures of human embryonic kidney 293 cells and hippocampal neurons cultured from newborn mice regardless of gender. PTPRO was enriched in the mouse brain and localized to postsynaptic sites at excitatory synapses. The overexpression of PTPRO in cultured hippocampal neurons increased the number of synapses and the frequency of miniature EPSCs (mEPSCs). The knock-down (KD) of PTPRO expression in cultured neurons by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) reduced the number of synapses and the frequencies of the mEPSCs. The effects of shRNA KD were rescued by expressing either full-length PTPRO or a truncated PTPRO lacking the cytoplasmic domain. Consistent with these results, the N-terminal extracellular domain of PTPRO was required for its synaptogenic activity in the co-culture assay. Our data show that PTPRO is a synaptic CAM that serves as a potent initiator of the formation of excitatory synapses.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The formation of synapses is critical for the brain to execute its function and synaptic cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) play essential roles in initiating the formation of synapses. By screening for unknown CAMs using a co-culture system, we revealed that protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type O (PTPRO) is a potent CAM that induces the formation of artificial synapse clusters. Using loss-of-function and gain-of-function approaches, we show that PTPRO promotes the formation of excitatory synapses. The N-terminal extracellular domain of PTPRO was required for its synaptogenic activity in cultured hippocampal neurons and the co-culture assay. Together, our data show that PTPRO is a synaptic CAM that serves as a potent initiator of synapse formation.

Regulation of plasma lipid homeostasis by hepatic lipoprotein lipase in adult mice.

LPL is a pivotal rate-limiting enzyme to catalyze the hydrolysis of TG in circulation, and plays a critical role in regulating lipid metabolism. However, little attention has been paid to LPL in the adult liver due to its relatively low expression. Here we show that endogenous hepatic LPL plays an important physiological role in plasma lipid homeostasis in adult mice. We generated a mouse model with the Lpl gene specifically ablated in hepatocytes with the Cre/LoxP approach, and found that specific deletion of hepatic Lpl resulted in a significant decrease in plasma LPL contents and activity. As a result, the postprandial TG clearance was markedly impaired, and plasma TG and cholesterol levels were significantly elevated. However, deficiency of hepatic Lpl did not change the liver TG and cholesterol contents or glucose homeostasis. Taken together, our study reveals that hepatic LPL is involved in the regulation of plasma LPL activity and lipid homeostasis.

MALT Lymphoma in Histologic Transformation: FDG-Avid but Pentixafor-Negative.

ABSTRACT: An 81-year-old woman experienced compression symptoms due to diffuse enlargement of the thyroid gland. The cytopathological results of thyroid fine-needle suggested malignancy. Therefore, she underwent bilateral thyroidectomy. Postoperative pathology indicated mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Three months later, she found a progressively enlarged mass in her neck. The biopsy showed MALT lymphoma with highly aggressive B-cell lymphoma transformation. 18F-FDG PET/CT showed increased metabolism in multiple lymph nodes. However, some of these lymph nodes were negative in 68Ga-pentxafor PET/CT. Our case demonstrated that 68Ga-pentixafor may have limited value in evaluating MALT lymphoma transformation.

68 Ga-FAPI and 18 F-FDG Uptake in a Patient With Esophageal Candida Infection.

ABSTRACT: A 67-year-old woman presented with dysphagia for 2 months. Enhanced chest CT suggested thickening of the esophageal wall, which was suspected to be a malignancy. The patient then underwent 18 F-FDG and 68 Ga-FAPI PET/CT. Increased uptake was observed in both tracers in the thickened esophageal wall. However, biopsy demonstrated candida infection of esophagus. After treatment, the symptoms of the patient were relieved.

Efficiency of copy number variation sequencing combined with karyotyping in fetuses with congenital heart disease and the following outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Both copy number variant-sequencing (CNV-seq) and karyotype analysis have been used as powerful tools in the genetic aetiology of fetuses with congenital heart diseases (CHD). However, CNV-seq brings clinicians more confusions to interpret the detection results related to CHD with or without extracardiac abnormalities. Hence, we conducted this study to investigate the clinical value of CNV-seq in fetuses with CHD. RESULTS: A total of 167 patients with fetal CHD including 36 single CHD (sCHD), 41 compound CHD (cCHD) and 90 non-isolated CHD (niCHD) were recruited into the study. 28 cases (16.77%, 28/167) were revealed with chromosomal abnormalities at the level of karyotype. The pathogenic detection rate (DR) of CNV-seq (23.17%, 19/82) was higher than that of karyotyping (15.85%, 13/82) in 82 cases by CNV-seq and karyotyping simultaneously. The DR of pathogenic copy number variations (PCNVs) (31.43%) was higher in niCHD subgroup than that in sCHD and cCHD (9.52% and 23.08%). Conotruncal defect (CTD) was one of the most common heart malformations with the highest DR of PCNVs (50%) in 7 categories of CHD. In terms of all the pregnancy outcomes, 67 (40.12%) cases were terminated and 100 (59.88%) cases were live neonates. Only two among 34 cases with a pathogenic genetic result chose to continue the pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: CNV-seq combined with karyotyping is a reliable and accurate prenatal technique for identifying pathogenic chromosomal abnormalities associated with fetal CHD with or without extracardiac abnormalities, which can assist clinicians to perform detailed genetic counselling with regard to the etiology and related outcomes of CHD.

Comparison of [18F]FDG and [68 Ga]pentixafor PET/CT in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the feasibility of [68 Ga]pentixafor positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). PROCEDURES: This prospective study included patients with NPC who underwent [68 Ga]pentixafor PET/CT and 2-[18F]fuoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([18F]FDG) PET/CT within one week between November 2022 and March 2023. The [68 Ga]pentixafor and [18F]FDG uptakes in primary and metastatic lesions were measured and compared. RESULTS: Twenty-five participants (21 patients for initial stage and four patients for recurrence detection) were enrolled in our study. The participants underwent [18F]FDG PET/CT and [68 Ga]pentixafor PET/CT. [68 Ga]pentixafor PET/CT had the same detection rate as [18F]FDG for primary tumor (96% vs. 96%). The [68 Ga]pentixafor maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) and target-to-background ratio (TBR) of primary tumors were lower than those of [18F]FDG (SUVmax: 8.13 ± 2.78 vs. 14.25 ± 6.45; P < 0.01; TBR: 5.17 ± 2.14 vs. 9.81 ± 5.30, P < 0.01). The difference between tumor volume of [68 Ga]pentixafor (TVpentixafor) and tumor volume of [18F]FDG (TVFDG) showed no significance (median: 16.01 vs. 9.56, P = 0.332). In the detection of suspected metastatic cervical lymph nodes (CLNs), [68 Ga]pentixafor PET possessed a lower SUVmax than [18F]FDG PET/CT (SUVmax: 6.86 ± 2.63 vs. 10.39 ± 5.28, P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference in the detection rate between [68 Ga]pentixafor and [18F]FDG PET/CT (96 vs. 98, P = 0.613). CONCLUSIONS: [68 Ga]pentixafor is a promising imaging tracer for detecting primary and metastatic NPC. [68 Ga]pentixafor PET/CT is comparable to [18F]FDG PET/CT in the detection rate of primary tumors and metastatic cervical lymph nodes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, but [68 Ga]pentixafor uptake was heterogeneous. [68 Ga]pentixafor PET/CT may help select patients most likely to benefit from CXCR4-directed endoradiotherapy. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NO: ChiCTR2200065902.

Reflections on the complex mechanisms of endometriosis from the perspective of ferroptosis.

Ferroptosis is a novel type of iron-dependent programmed cell death characterised by intracellular iron overload, increased lipid peroxidation and abnormal accumulation of reactive oxygen species.It has been implicated in the progression of several diseases including cancer, ischaemia-reperfusion injury, neurodegenerative diseases and liver disease. The etiology of endometriosis (EMS) is still unclear and is associated with multiple factors, often accompanied by various forms of cell death and a complex microenvironment. In recent decades, the role of non-traditional forms of cell death, represented by ferroptosis, in endometriosis has come to the attention of researchers. This article reviews the transitional role of iron homeostasis in the development of ferroptosis, the characteristics and regulatory mechanisms of ferroptosis, and focuses on summarising the links between iron death and various pathogenic mechanisms of EMS, including oxidative stress, dysregulation of lipid metabolism, inflammation, autophagy and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The possible applications of ferroptosis in the treatment of EMS, future research directions and current issues are discussed with the aim of providing new ideas for further understanding of EMS.

Regulation of ginseng adventitious root growth in Panax ginseng by the miR156-targeted PgSPL24-09 transcription factors.

MicroRNA (miRNA) is a class of non-coding endogenous small-molecule, single-stranded RNAs, and it is involved in post-transcriptional gene expression regulation in plants and plays an important role in plant growth and development. Among them, miRNA156 regulates members of target SPL gene family and thus participates in plant growth and development, hormonal response and adversity stress. However, it has not been reported in ginseng. In this study, based on the previous analysis of the SPL gene family, the age-related and stably expressed SPL gene PgSPL24-09 was obtained in roots. The binding site of miRNA156 to this gene was analyzed using target gene prediction tools, and the interactions between miRNA156 and PgSPL24-09 gene were verified by dual luciferase reporter gene assay and RT-qPCR. At the same time, miRNA156 silencing vector and overexpression vector were constructed and transformed into ginseng adventitious roots and Arabidopsis thaliana to analyze the molecular mechanism of miRNA156-SPL module in regulating the growth of ginseng adventitious roots. This study provides a theoretical basis for the in-depth study of the molecular role of miRNAs in ginseng growth, and also lays the foundation for the study of the role of miRNA156-SPL module in regulating the growth and development of ginseng.

The association between telomere length and diabetes mellitus: accumulated evidence from observational studies.

OBJECTIVE: In order to assess the associations between telomere length (TL) and diabetes mellitus (DM), especially type 2 diabetes (T2DM), we performed this systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were thoroughly searched up to July 11, 2023. The pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) were evaluated using the random-effects model. Age, sex, study design, duration of diabetes, region, sample size, and body mass index (BMI) were used to stratify subgroup analyses. RESULTS: A total of 37 observational studies involving 18,181 participants from 14 countries were included in the quantitative meta-analysis. In this study, patients with diabetes had shorter TL than the non-diabetic, whether those patients had T1DM (-2.70; 95% CI: -4.47, -0.93; P<0.001), T2DM (-3.70; 95% CI: -4.20, -3.20; P<0.001), or other types of diabetes (-0.71; 95% CI: -1.10, -0.31; P<0.001). Additionally, subgroup analysis of T2DM showed that TL was significantly correlated with age, sex, study design, diabetes duration, sample size, detection method, region, and BMI. CONCLUSION: A negative correlation was observed between TL and DM. To validate this association in the interim, more extensive, superior prospective investigations and clinical trials are required.

Pulmonary Cryptococcosis: Intense Uptake on Both 18 F-FDG and 68 Ga-FAPI PET/CT.

ABSTRACT: A 57-year-old woman without hepatitis B or immunodeficiency presented with right upper abdominal pain and cough for 3 months. CT revealed one nodule in the lung and another in the liver. Both 18 F-FDG and 68 Ga-FAPI PET/CT showed increased tracer uptake in these 2 nodules, suggesting pulmonary carcinoma with hepatic metastasis. Finally, biopsies of these 2 nodules demonstrated the diagnoses of hepatic adenocarcinoma and pulmonary cryptococcosis. This case highlights that cryptococcosis can be FAPI-avid.

Head-to-Head Comparison of 18 F-FDG and 68 Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT for Radiological Evaluation of Cervical Cancer.

PURPOSE: We aimed to compare the potential value of 68 Ga-FAPI-04 and 18 F-FDG PET/CT in primary cervical cancer and lymph node metastases. METHODS: Patients with cervical cancer underwent both 68 Ga-FAPI-04 and 18 F-FDG PET/CT. Histopathology and follow-up CT or MRI results (at least 3 months of follow-up) were used as reference criteria. Paired-sample t test was used to compare the SUV max of 18 F-FDG and 68 Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT for cervical cancer primary lesions and metastatic lymph nodes. RESULTS: A total of 35 patients with a mean age of 53 ± 11 years (range, 30-76 years) were included. The detection rate of both tracers for primary tumors was 100%. There was no significant correlation between 18 F-FDG and 68 Ga-FAPI-04 for SUV max (14.5 ± 5.7 vs 15.1 ± 6.2; P = 0.645). In addition, the detection rates of 68 Ga-FAPI-04 and 18 F-FDG for lymph node metastasis were 100% and 98%, respectively. No significant difference was found in SUV max between 18 F-FDG and 68 Ga-FAPI-04 groups (7.6 ± 4.0 vs 7.0 ± 3.5; P = 0.572). Twelve false-positive lymph nodes were detected in 8 patients with 18 F-FDG PET/CT, none of which were developed on 68 Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT. CONCLUSION: 68 Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT has a high tracer rate for the diagnosis of primary cervical cancer and lymph node metastases. Moreover, 68 Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT also showed good results in distinguishing metastatic lymph nodes from reactive lymph nodes of cervical cancer.

Mechanism of safener mefenpyr-diethyl biodegradation by a newly isolated Chryseobacterium sp. B6 from wastewater sludge and application in co-contaminated soil.

Safener mefenpyr-diethyl (MFD) was applied to cereal crops along with herbicides to improve herbicide selectivity for crops and weeds. However, the degradation mechanism of MFD in the environment remains unclear. One MFD-degrading bacterium, Chryseobacterium sp. B6, was isolated from activated sludge. According to Box-Behnken's optimal design, the degradation efficiency of MFD can reach 92% under conditions of pH 7.5, 30 °C, and a MFD concentration of 184 mg L-1. The degradation half-life experiment showed that a high concentration of MFD (300 mg L-1) inhibited the degradation ability of strain B6. Additionally, strain B6 was resistant to Ba2+, Cr3+, Li+, Zn2+, and Cu2+. The MFD degradation products of strain B6 were detected by GC/MS and its degradation pathway was proposed. MFD was first hydrolyzed by a hydrolase to an intermediate (RS)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-pyrazoline-5-carboxylic acid ethyl ester-3-carboxylic acid, and then further degraded by a decarboxylase to form the intermediate (RS)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-pyrazoline-5-carboxylic acid ethyl ester, finally, it is completely degraded by strain B6. Furthermore, strain B6 could effectively remove MFD from MFD-contaminated soil, and the half-life of MFD was also significantly reduced in MFD and Cu2+ co-contaminated soil after inoculating strain B6. To our knowledge, strain B6 was the first strain reported to degrade safener MFD, and this study provides a valuable candidate to remediate the co-contaminated soil with MFD and Cu2+.