Size-Dependent Uptake and Depuration of Nanoplastics in Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and Distinct Intestinal Impacts.

Nanoplastics (NPs, <1 µm) are of great concern worldwide because of their high potential risk toward organisms in aquatic systems, while very little work has been focused on their tissue-specific toxicokinetics due to the limitations of NP quantification for such a purpose. In this study, NPs with two different sizes (86 and 185 nm) were doped with palladium (Pd) to accurately determine the uptake and depuration kinetics in various tissues (intestine, stomach, liver, gill, and muscle) of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in water, and subsequently, the corresponding toxic effects in the intestine were explored. Our results revealed uptake and depuration constants of 2.70-378 L kg-1 day-1 and 0.138-0.407 day-1 for NPs in tilapia for the first time, and the NPs in tissues were found to be highly dependent on the particle size. The intestine exhibited the greatest relative accumulation of both sizes of NPs; the smaller NPs caused more severe damage than the larger NPs to the intestinal mucosal layer, while the larger NPs induced a greater impact on microbiota composition. The findings of this work explicitly indicate the size-dependent toxicokinetics and intestinal toxicity pathways of NPs, providing new insights into the ecological effects of NPs on aquatic organisms.

Nanoplastic Exposure at Environmental Concentrations Disrupts Hepatic Lipid Metabolism through Oxidative Stress Induction and Endoplasmic Reticulum Homeostasis Perturbation.

In this study, we investigated the mechanism underlying the perturbation of hepatic lipid metabolism in response to micro/nanoplastic (MP/NP) exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations. Polystyrene (PS) MPs/NPs with different sizes (0.1, 0.5, and 5.0 µm) were studied for their effects on the homeostasis and function of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) liver. Results showed that PS MPs/NPs were readily internalized and accumulated in various internal organs/tissues, especially in fish liver and muscle. Smaller-sized NPs caused more severe toxicity than larger MPs, including hepatic steatosis, inflammatory response, and disturbed liver function. Mechanistically, PS NPs with a particle size of 100 nm perturbed protein homeostasis in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by inhibiting the expression of chaperone proteins and genes involved in ER-associated degradation. This led to the activation of the PERK-eIF2α pathway, which caused dysfunction of hepatic lipid metabolism. Induction of oxidative stress and activation of the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway were also involved in the PS NP-induced hepatic lipid accumulation. These findings highlight the potential adverse effects of environmental MPs/NPs on aquatic organisms, raising concerns about their ecotoxicity and food safety.

Heart-targeting exosomes from human cardiosphere-derived cells improve the therapeutic effect on cardiac hypertrophy.

Exosomes of human cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) are very promising for treating cardiovascular disorders. However, the current challenge is inconvenient delivery methods of exosomes for clinical application. The present study aims to explore the potential to enhance the therapeutic effect of exosome (EXO) from human CDCs to myocardial hypertrophy. A heart homing peptide (HHP) was displayed on the surface of exosomes derived from CDCs that were forced to express the HHP fused on the N-terminus of the lysosomal-associated membrane protein 2b (LAMP2b). The cardiomyocyte-targeting capability of exosomes were analyzed and their therapeutic effects were evaluated in a mouse model of myocardial hypertrophy induced by transverse aorta constriction (TAC). The molecular mechanisms of the therapeutic effects were dissected in angiotensin II-induced neonatal rat cardiomyocyte (NRCMs) hypertrophy model using a combination of biochemistry, immunohistochemistry and molecular biology techniques. We found that HHP-exosomes (HHP-EXO) accumulated more in mouse hearts after intravenous delivery and in cultured NRCMs than control exosomes (CON-EXO). Cardiac function of TAC mice was significantly improved with intravenous HHP-EXO administration. Left ventricular hypertrophy was reduced more by HHP-EXO than CON-EXO via inhibition of ß-MHC, BNP, GP130, p-STAT3, p-ERK1/2, and p-AKT. Similar results were obtained in angiotensin II-induced hypertrophy of NRCMs, in which the beneficial effects of HHP-EXO were abolished by miRNA-148a inhibition. Our results indicate that HHP-EXO preferentially target the heart and improve the therapeutic effect of CDCs-exosomes on cardiac hypertrophy. The beneficial therapeutic effect is most likely attributed to miRNA-148a-mediated suppression of GP130, which in turn inhibits STAT3/ERK1/2/AKT signaling pathway, leading to improved cardiac function and remodeling.

Concanavalin A promotes angiogenesis and proliferation in endothelial cells through the Akt/ERK/Cyclin D1 axis.

CONTEXT: Concanavalin A (Con A) exhibited multiple roles in cancer cells. However, the role of Con A in endothelial cells was not reported. OBJECTIVE: Our present study investigated the potential angiogenic role of Con A in endothelial cells and ischaemic hind-limb mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells and Ea.hy926 cells were employed to determine the effect of Con A (0.3, 1, and 3 µg/mL) or vehicle on angiogenesis and cell proliferation with tube formation, ELISA, flow cytometry, EdU, and western blot. Hind-limb ischaemic mice were conducted to determine the pro-angiogenic effect of Con A (10 mg/kg) for 7 days. RESULTS: Con A promoted tube formation to about three-fold higher than the control group and increased the secretion of VEGFa, PDGFaa, and bFGF in the medium. The cell viability was promoted to 1.3-fold by Con A 3 µg/mL, and cell cycle progression of G0G1 phase was decreased from 77% in the vehicle group to 70% in Con A 3 µg/mL, G2M was promoted from 15 to 19%, and S-phase was from 7 to 10%. Con A significantly stimulated phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2 and expression of cyclin D1 and decreased the expression of p27. These effects of Con A were antagonised by the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 (10 µM) and MEK pathway antagonist PD98059 (10 µM). Moreover, Con A (10 mg/kg) exhibited a repair effect in ischaemic hind-limb mice. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: This study will provide a new option for treating ischaemic disease by local injection with Con A.

Protein Corona-Mediated Extraction for Quantitative Analysis of Nanoplastics in Environmental Waters by Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry.

There is a growing concern about the effects of nanoplastics on biological safety and human health because of their global ubiquity in the environment. Methodologies for quantitative analysis of nanoplastics are important for the critical evaluation of their possible risks. Herein, a sensitive yet simple and environmentally friendly extraction approach mediated by protein corona is developed and coupled to pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) for nanoplastic determination in environmental waters. The developed methodology involved the formation of protein corona by addition of bovine serum albumin (BSA) to samples and protein precipitation via salting out. Then, the resulting extract was directly introduced to Py-GC/MS for nanoplastic mass quantification. Taking 50 nm polystyrene (PS) particles as a model, the highest extraction efficiency for nanoplastics was achieved under the extraction conditions of BSA concentration of 20 mg/L, equilibration time of 5 min, pH 3.0, 10% (w/v) NaCl, incubation temperature of 80 °C, and incubation period of 15 min. The extraction was confirmed to be mediated by the protein corona by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of the extracted nanoplastics. In total, 1.92 and 2.82 µg/L PS nanoplastics were detected in river water and the influent of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), respectively. Furthermore, the feasibility of the present methodology was demonstrated by applying to extract PS and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanoplastics from real waters with recoveries of 72.1-98.9% at 14.2-50.4 µg/L spiked levels. Consequently, our method has provided new insights and possibilities for the investigation of nanoplastic pollution and its risk assessment in the environment.

Sequential Isolation of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Environmental Waters by Membrane Filtration, Followed by Cloud-Point Extraction.

Respective detection of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) is of great importance for their different environmental behaviors and toxicities. Using spherical polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) plastics as models, the efficiency for sequential isolation of MPs and NPs by membrane filtration and cloud-point extraction was evaluated. After filtering through a glass membrane (1 µm pore size), over 90.7% of MPs were trapped on the membrane, whereas above 93.0% of NPs remained in the filtrate. The collected MPs together with the glass membrane were frozen in liquid nitrogen, ground, and suspended in water (1 mL) and subjected to pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) determination. The NPs in the filtrate were concentrated by cloud-point extraction, heated at 190 °C to degrade the extractant, and then determined by Py-GC/MS. For MPs and NPs spiked in pure water, the method detection limits are in the range of 0.05-1.9 µg/L. The proposed method is applied to analyze four real water samples, with the detection of 1.6-7.6 µg/L PS MPs and 0.6 µg/L PMMA MPs in three samples, and spiked recoveries of 75.0-102% for MPs and 67.8-87.2% for NPs. Our method offers a novel sample pretreatment approach for the respective determination of MPs and NPs.

Quantitative Analysis of Polystyrene and Poly(methyl methacrylate) Nanoplastics in Tissues of Aquatic Animals.

Micro- and nanoplastics unavoidably enter into organisms and humans as a result of widespread exposures through drinking waters, foods, and even inhalation. However, owing to the limited availability of quantitative analytical methods, the effect of nanoplastics inside animal bodies is poorly understood. Herein, we report a sensitive and robust method to determine the chemical composition, mass concentration, and size distribution of nanoplastics in biological matrices. This breakthrough is based on a novel procedure including alkaline digestion and protein precipitation to extract nanoplastics from tissues of aquatic animals, followed by quantitative analysis with pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The optimized procedure exhibited good reproducibility and high sensitivity with the respective detection limits of 0.03 µg/g for polystyrene (PS) nanoplastics and 0.09 µg/g poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanoplastics. This method also preserved the original morphology and size of nanoplastics. Furthermore, to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method, 14 species of aquatic animals were collected, and PS nanoplastics in a concentration range of 0.093-0.785 µg/g were detected in three of these animals. Recovery rates of 73.0-89.1% were further obtained for PS and PMMA nanospheres when they were spiked into the tissues of Zebra snail and Corbicula fluminea at levels of 1.84-2.12 µg/g. Consequently, this method provides a powerful tool for tracking nanoplastics in animals.

Speciation Analysis of Ag2S and ZnS Nanoparticles at the ng/L Level in Environmental Waters by Cloud Point Extraction Coupled with LC-ICPMS.

Toxicity and transport of metal-based nanoparticles (M-NPs) in environmental waters strongly depend on their speciation. A detailed understanding of the composition and speciation of M-NPs is necessary in order to move this field forward. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of analytical methods for metal-sulfide nanoparticles (MS-NPs) in the environment. In this work, a cloud point extraction (CPE) method combined with liquid chromatography hyphenated to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LC-ICPMS) is developed for sensitive determination of Ag2S- and ZnS-NPs. Under the condition of 0.15% (w/v) of Triton X-114 (TX-114), pH 5, 20 mM NaNO3, incubation temperature of 45 °C, and time of 15 min, MS-NPs and non-MS-NPs were extracted into the surfactant-rich phase. With the sequent addition of 10 mM bis(p-sulfonatophenyl)phenylphosphane dehydrate dipotassium (BSPP) aqueous solution (100 µL) into the CPE-obtained extract, the non-MS-NPs were selectively dissociated into their ionic counterparts while maintaining the original size and shape of Ag2S- and ZnS-NPs. Interestingly, the micelle-mediated behavior suddenly disappeared with the addition of BSPP. Thus, the extract can be injected to LC-ICPMS for speciation analysis of trace Ag2S- and ZnS-NPs. This method exhibited excellent reproducibility (relative standard deviations < 4.9%), high sensitivity with the respective detection limits of 8 ng/L for Ag2S-NPs and 15 ng/L for ZnS-NPs, enabling recoveries of 81.3-96.6% for Ag2S-NPs and 83.9-93.5% for ZnS-NPs when they were spiked into three environmental water samples. Due to its potential applicability to low concentrations of Ag2S- and ZnS-NPs, this method is particularly convenient for monitoring the transformations of AgNPs and ZnO-NPs in the environment.

[A Case of Acute Aortic Dissection Following Intrapartum in a Patient with Marfan ' s Syndrome].

A 33-year-old woman was admitted at 34 +4 weeks after embryo transfer and over 5 d of cutaneous pruritus. Over 2 years ago, the patient had a third-generation test tube baby due to Marfan's syndrome and gave birth to a live baby girl at full term. This time, the glucose tolerance test during the prenatal examination indicated that the patient was with gestational diabetes, and the blood glucose fluctuated within the normal range after the medical nutrition management and exercise control. The heart ultrasound examination during pregnancy showed that the aortic sinus was enlarged to 40 mm, and the left ventricular systolic function was normal. The patient was diagnosed as "intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (mild)". After admission, the gestational age was verified to be 37 +2 weeks according to the time of embryo transfer, and the diagnostic result was modified to be intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (severe). During the test, the patient complainted back pain, which might interpreted as a sign of aortic dissection. Cesarean section was carried out under multidisciplinary cooperation, during which the amount of bleeding was 600 mL, bilateral uterine artery ligation was performed and a live baby boy was delivered. The body mass of the baby was 3 020 g, and the Apgar scores (1-5-10 min after delivery) were 10-10-10. The postoperative CT angiography showed aortic dissection (Type B). It was found in the follow-up that the patient had no discomforts such as chest tightness and shortness of breath, and recovered well after the delivery.

Cloud-Point Extraction Combined with Thermal Degradation for Nanoplastic Analysis Using Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.

The contamination of micro- and nanoplastics in marine systems and freshwater is a global issue. Determination of micro- and nanoplastics in the aqueous environment is of high priority to fully assess the risk that plastic particles will pose. Although microplastics have been detected in a variety of aquatic ecosystems, the analysis of nanoplastics remains an unsolved challenge. Herein, for the first time, a Triton X-45 (TX-45)-based cloud-point extraction (CPE) was proposed to preconcentrate trace nanoplastics in environmental waters. Under the optimum extraction conditions, an enrichment factor of 500 was obtained for two types of nanoplastics with different compositions, polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), without disturbing their original morphology and sizes. Additionally, following thermal treatment at 190 °C for 3 h, the CPE-obtained extract could be submitted to pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) analysis for mass quantification of nanoplastics. Taking 66.2 nm PS nanoplastics and 86.2 nm PMMA nanoplastics as examples, the proposed method showed excellent reproducibility, and high sensitivity with respective detection limits of 11.5 and 2.5 fM. Feasibility of the proposed approach was verified by application of the optimized procedure to four real water samples. Recoveries of 84.6-96.6% at a spiked level of 88.6 fM for PS nanoplastics and 76.5-96.6% at a spiked level of 50.4 fM for PMMA nanoplastics were obtained. Consequently, this work provides an efficient approach for nanoplastic analysis in environmental waters.

Elemental Mass Size Distribution for Characterization, Quantification and Identification of Trace Nanoparticles in Serum and Environmental Waters.

Accurate characterization, quantification, and identification of nanoparticles (NPs) are essential to fully understand the environmental processes and effects of NPs. Herein, the elemental mass size distribution (EMSD), which measures particle size, mass, and composition, is proposed for the direct size characterization, mass quantification, and composition identification of trace NPs in complex matrixes. A one-step method for the rapid measurement of EMSDs in 8 min was developed through the online coupling of size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The use of a mobile phase with a relatively high ionic strength (a mixture of 2% FL-70 and 2 mM Na2S2O3) ensured the complete elution of different-sized NPs from the column and, therefore, a size-independent response. After application of a correction for instrumental broadening by a method developed in this study, the size distribution of NPs by EMSD determination agreed closely with that obtained from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. Compared with TEM, EMSD allows a more rapid determination with a higher mass sensitivity (1 pg for gold and silver NPs) and comparable size discrimination (0.27 nm). The proposed EMSD-based method was capable of identifying trace Ag2S NPs and core-shell nanocomposite Au@Ag, as well as quantitatively tracking the dissolution and size transformation of silver nanoparticles in serum and environmental waters.

Polyvinylidene Fluoride Micropore Membranes as Solid-Phase Extraction Disk for Preconcentration of Nanoparticulate Silver in Environmental Waters.

Efficient separation and preconcentration of trace nanoparticulate silver (NAg) from large-volume environmental waters is a prerequisite for reliable analysis and therefore understanding the environmental processes of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Herein, we report the novel use of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) filter membrane for disk-based solid phase extraction (SPE) of NAg in 1 L of water samples with the disk-based SPE system, which consists of a syringe pump and a syringe filter holder to embed the filter membrane. While the PVDF membrane can selectively adsorb NAg in the presence of Ag+, aqueous solution of 2% (m/v) FL-70 is found to efficiently elute NAg. Analysis of NAg is performed following optimization of filter membrane and elution conditions with an enrichment factor of 1000. Additionally, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis spectroscopy, and size-exclusion chromatography coupled with ICP-MS (SEC-ICP-MS) analysis showed that the extraction gives rise to no change in NAg size or shape, making this method attractive for practical applications. Furthermore, feasibility of the protocol is verified by applying it to extract NAg in four real waters with recoveries of 62.2-80.2% at 0.056-0.58 µg/L spiked levels. This work will facilitate robust studies of trace NAg transformation and their hazard assessments in the environment.

Speciation Analysis of Labile and Total Silver(I) in Nanosilver Dispersions and Environmental Waters by Hollow Fiber Supported Liquid Membrane Extraction.

Hollow fiber supported liquid membrane (HFSLM) extraction was coupled with ICP-MS for speciation analysis of labile Ag(I) and total Ag(I) in dispersions of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and environmental waters. Ag(I) in aqueous samples was extracted into the HFSLM of 5%(m/v) tri-n-octylphosphine oxide in n-undecane, and stripped in the acceptor of 10 mM Na2S2O3 and 1 mM Cu(NO3)2 prepared in 5 mM NaH2PO4-Na2HPO4 buffer (pH 7.5). Negligible depletion and exhaustive extraction were conducted under static and 250 rpm shaking to extract the labile Ag(I) and total Ag(I), respectively. The extraction equilibration was reached in 8 h for both extraction modes. The extraction efficiency and detection limit were (2.97 ± 0.25)% and 0.1 µg/L for labile Ag(I), and (82.3 ± 2.0)% and 0.5 µg/L for total Ag(I) detection, respectively. The proposed method was applied to determine labile Ag(I) and total Ag(I) in different sized AgNP dispersions and real environmental waters, with spiked recoveries of total Ag(I) in the range of 74.0-98.1%. With the capability of distinguishing labile and total Ag(I), our method offers a new approach for evaluating the bioavailability and understanding the fate and toxicity of AgNPs in aquatic systems.

Rapid chromatographic separation of dissoluble Ag(I) and silver-containing nanoparticles of 1-100 nanometer in antibacterial products and environmental waters.

Sensitive and rapid methods for speciation analysis of nanoparticulate Ag (NAg) and Ag(I) in complex matrices are urgently needed for understanding the environmental effects and biological toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Herein we report the development of a universal liquid chromatography (LC) method for rapid and high resolution separation of dissoluble Ag(I) from nanoparticles covering the entire range of 1-100 nm in 5 min. By using a 500 Å poresize amino column, and an aqueous mobile phase containing 0.1% (v/v) FL-70 (a surfactant) and 2 mM Na2S2O3 at a flow rate of 0.7 mL/min, all the nanoparticles of various species such as Ag and Ag2S were eluted in one fraction, while dissoluble Ag(I) was eluted as a baseline separated peak. The dissoluble Ag(I) was quantified by the online coupled ICP-MS with a detection limit of 0.019 µg/L. The NAg was quantified by subtracting the dissoluble Ag(I) from the total Ag content, which was determined by ICP-MS after digestion of the sample without LC separation. While the addition of FL-70 and Na2S2O3 into the mobile phase is essential to elute NAg and Ag(I) from the column, the use of 500 Å poresize column is the key to baseline separation of Ag(I) from ∼ 1 nm AgNPs. The feasibility of the proposed method was demonstrated in speciation analysis of dissoluble Ag(I) and NAg in antibacterial products and environmental waters, with very good chromatographic repeatability (relative standard deviations) in both peak area (<2%) and retention time (<0.6%), excellent spiked recoveries in the range of 84.7-102.7% for Ag(I) and 81.3-106.3% for NAg. Our work offers a novel approach to rapid and baseline separation of dissoluble metal ions from their nanoparticulate counterparts covering the whole range of 1-100 nm.

In Vitro Toxicity and Modeling Reveal Nanoplastic Effects on Marine Bivalves.

Nanoplastics (NPs) represent a growing concern for global environmental health, particularly in marine ecosystems where they predominantly accumulate. The impact of NPs on marine benthic organisms, such as bivalves, raises critical questions regarding ecological integrity and food safety. Traditional methods for assessing NP toxicity are often limited by their time-intensive nature and ethical considerations. Herein, we explore the toxicological effects of NPs on the marine bivalve Ruditapes philippinarum, employing a combination of in vitro cellular assays and advanced modeling techniques. Results indicate a range of adverse effects at the organismal level, including growth inhibition (69.5-108%), oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and DNA damage in bivalves, following exposure to NPs at concentrations in the range of 1.6 × 109-1.6 × 1011 particles/mL (p/mL). Interestingly, the growth inhibition predicted by models (54.7-104%), based on in vitro cellular proliferation assays, shows strong agreement with the in vivo outcomes of NP exposure. Furthermore, we establish a clear correlation between cytotoxicity observed in vitro and the toxicological responses at the organismal level. Taken together, this work suggests that the integration of computational modeling with in vitro toxicity assays can predict the detrimental effects of NPs on bivalves, offering insightful references for assessing the environmental risk assessment of NPs in marine benthic ecosystems.

Surface-Charge-Driven Ferroptosis and Mitochondrial Dysfunction Is Involved in Toxicity Diversity in the Marine Bivalve Exposed to Nanoplastics.

Nanoplastics (NPs) pervade daily life, posing serious threats to marine ecosystems. Despite the crucial role that surface charge plays in NP effects, there is a substantial gap in our understanding of how surface charge influences NP toxicity. Herein, by exposing Ruditapes philippinarum (R. philippinarum) to both positively charged NPs (p-NPs) and negatively charged NPs (n-NPs) at environmentally relevant particle number levels for a duration of 35 days, we unequivocally demonstrate that both types of NPs had discernible impacts on the clams depending on their surface charge. Through transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, we unveiled the primary mechanisms behind p-NP toxicity, which stem from induced mitochondrial dysfunction and ferroptosis. In contrast, n-NPs predominantly stimulated innate immune responses, influencing salivary secretion and modulating the complement and coagulation cascades. Furthermore, in vitro tests on clam immune cells confirmed that internalized p-NPs triggered alterations in mitochondrial morphology, a decrease in membrane potential, and the initiation of ferroptosis. Conversely, n-NPs, to a certain extent, moderated the expression of genes related to immune responses, thus mitigating their adverse effects. Taken together, these findings indicate that the differential surface-charge-driven ferroptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in clams play a critical role in the toxicity profile of NPs, providing an insightful reference for assessing the ecological toxicity associated with NPs.

Elevated expression of ECT2 as a diagnostic marker and prognostic indicator in endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The study aims to investigate genes associated with endometrial cancer (EC) progression to identify new biomarkers for early detection. METHODS: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs), Series test of cluster (STC) and protein-protein interaction analyses identified hub genes in EC. Clinical samples were utilized to examine the expression pattern of ECT2, assess its prognostic value, and evaluate its diagnostic potential. RESULTS: Upregulated DEGs were significantly enriched in cancer-related processes and pathways. Validations across databases identified ASPM, ATAD2, BUB1B, ECT2, KIF14, NUF2, NCAPG, and SPAG5 as potential hub genes, with ECT2 exhibiting the highest diagnostic efficacy. The expression levels of ECT2 varied significantly across different clinical stages, pathological grades, and metastasis statuses in UCEC. Furthermore, ECT2 mRNA was upregulated in the p53abn group, indicating a poorer prognosis, and downregulated in the MMRd and NSMP groups, suggesting a moderate prognosis. In clinical samples, ECT2 expression increased from normal endometria and endometrial hyperplasia without atypia (EH) to atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AH) and EC, effectively distinguishing between benign and malignant endometria. High ECT2 expression was associated with an unfavourable prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: ECT2 expression significantly rises in AH and EC, showing high accuracy in distinguishing between benign and malignant endometria. ECT2 emerges as a promising biomarker for diagnosing endometrial neoplasia and as a prognostic indicator in EC.

Regulating the reaction pathway of nZVI to improve the decontamination performance through magnetic spatial confinement effect.

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) shows high effectiveness in the catalyzed removal of contaminants in wastewater treatment. However, the uncontrolled interfacial electron transfer behavior and formation of surface iron oxide (FeOx) layer led to severe electron wasting and occasionally form highly toxic intermediates. Here, we constructed magnetic mesoporous SiO2 shell on surface of nZVI to stimulate a magnetic spatial confinement effect and regulate the electron transfer pattern. Therein, Fe atom facilely spread out from the nZVI core, orderly release electron to surface adsorbed H2O molecule, which is efficiently transformed into active hydrogen (H*). Meanwhile, in-situ Raman revealed that Fe atoms were involved in the formation of penetrable γ-FeOOH rather than FeOx layer, enabling the continuous inward diffusion of H2O and outward diffusion of H* . Employing the catalyzed removal of halogenated phenols as demo reaction, the presence of magnetic mesoporous SiO2 shell utilized the reaction between electrons and H2O to switch the reaction pathway from the reduction/oxidation hybrid process to hydrodehalogantion, and increased the conversion of halogenated phenols-to-phenols by 5.53 times. This study shows the forehand of improving the decontamination performance of nZVI through sophisticated designed surface coating, as well as fine regulating the environmental behavior of magnetic material via micro-magnetic field.

Cysteine modified small ligament Au nanoporous film: an easy fabricating and highly efficient surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization substrate.

Au nanoporous films (NPFs) with different surface modification and morphology were fabricated and utilized as substrates for the analysis of a series of compounds, including amino acids, drug, cyclodextrins, peptides, and polyethylene glycols, using surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SALDI-TOF MS). It was found that the size and interconnection state of the NPF ligament as well as the surface modification are key parameters that affect the laser desorption/ionization performance. Compared with 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, pristine NPF, and aminobenzenethiol or 3-mercaptopropanoic acid modified Au NPFs, cysteine modified Au NPF generated intense and background-suppressing mass spectra. Regarding the effect of Au NPF morphology, the Au NPF with nanopores in the range of 10-30 nm, ligament size of 5 nm, and electrochemistry surface area of 26.1 m(2)/g exhibited the highest performance as a substrate. This high-performance NPFs can be easily fabricated by capping agent replacement induced self-organization of ultrathin nanowires, followed by self-assembling of a monolayer (SAM) of cysteine. The good thermal/electroconductivity and uniformity of Au NPFs avoided the fragmentation of analytes, eliminated the intrinsic matrix ions interference, and provided good reproducibility (RSD ≤ 10%). Additionally, the fabricated NPFs can be easy divided into microarrays (a ~4 × 4 array from a 1 cm × 1 cm NPF). This work provides a simple and cost-effective route for acquiring an Au nanostructure as a SALDI substrate, which offers a new technique for high-speed analysis of low-molecular weight compounds.

Fabrication of a Au nanoporous film by self-organization of networked ultrathin nanowires and its application as a surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrate for single-molecule detection.

Due to its demonstrated usefulness in fields such as trace analysis, biodiagnosis, and in vivo study, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has received renewed interest in recent years. Development of SERS substrates is of great importance as the SERS intensity and reproducibility depend strongly on the SERS substrates. In this paper we report the fabrication of Au nanoporous film (NPFs) by self-organization of networked ultrathin Au nanowires for use as SERS substrates. The acquired Au NPFs display controllable thickness, low relative density, and considerable specific surface area. Furthermore, this self-organization of nanowires not only provides abundant junctions between nanowires, 5-20 nm nanopores, and three-dimensional nanowells, but also makes nanopores/nanogaps down to 1-2 nm. These nanoscale characteristics result in a high spatial density of hotspots with Raman enhancement factors up to 10(9). Combined with the uniformity and high purity, our Au NPF provides high-quality substrates for SERS sensing.