Au/Ag@ZnS yolk-shell photocatalysts enhanced with noble metals and hyaluronic acid for efficient hydrogen production in rheumatoid arthritis therapy.

Rheumatoid arthritis, characterized by the abnormal proliferation of synovial cells and extensive macrophage infiltration, is a chronic inflammatory disease. Molecular hydrogen, known for its antioxidant properties, has shown promise in eliminating reactive oxygen species. However, the low solubility and bioavailability of hydrogen limit the effectiveness of this therapy. To overcome these issues, we developed a novel yolk-shell heterostructure, H-AAZS (Au/Ag@ZnS modified hyaluronic acid), utilizing a hydrothermal cation exchange process. Through ion doping, semiconductor hybridization, and Schottky barriers in H-AAZS, photocatalysis for hydrogen generation has been successfully implemented using 660 nm laser irradiation. Additionally, the H-AAZS demonstrate the capacity for mild photothermal therapy, inducing apoptosis in synovial cells with Au's hot electrons with 660 nm laser irradiation. This strategy not only improves the abnormal proliferation of synovial cells but also avoids the exacerbation of inflammation caused by thermal stimulation. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments validate the synergistic effects of hydrogen production mediated anti-inflammatory responses, macrophage polarization and photothermal therapy. Therefore, this work represents a significant advancement as it ingeniously harnesses photocatalysis to modulate the synovial microenvironment while mitigating the side effects associated with photothermal therapy. This nanocrystal provides new and valuable insights into the potential treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis.

Exploring extrahepatic metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma based on methylation driver genes and establishing a prognostic model for hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), theseventh most common cancer worldwide, is characterized by a high mortality rate, advanced diagnosis, and susceptibility to extrahepatic metastasis. Numerous studies have shown that DNA methylation is a crucial factor in epigenetic modifications and regulation of carcinogenesis. METHODS: HCC patient data were sourced from the TCGA dataset as a training set, while GSE116174 was used as an external validation set for verification. Differential methylation and expression analyses were performed on HCC samples with and without extrahepatic metastasis. In the intersecting genes, the relationship between methylation and expression levels of the intersecting genes was analyzed. Genes with a correlation coefficient≥|0.30| and P<0.05 were identified as methylation driver genes. Cox regression analysis was conducted to identify genes associated with HCC prognosis and establish a risk score. Subsequently, a prognostic model was established and validated using Cox regression analysis incorporating the risk score and other clinical factors. Using immunohistochemistry to evaluate the expression of DHX58 and EIF5A2 in HCC tissues with and without extrahepatic metastasis. Immunoinfiltration analysis was performed on the HCC samples using CIBERSORT. RESULTS: Our research identified eight methylation driver genes for HCC extrahepatic metastasis, of which two genes (DHX58 and EIF5A2) were associated with HCC patient prognosis. And the study further constructed and validated the risk score and prognostic model. Immunoinfiltration analysis showed that M0 macrophage abundance was correlated with the prognosis of HCC patients. Immunohistochemistry revealed differences in DHX58 and EIF5A2 expression between HCC tissues with and without extrahepatic metastasis, consistent with our bioinformatics findings.

Removal of Moxifloxacin from Aqueous Solutions Using GO/Cr-MOFs.

The composite material, consisting of graphene oxide (GO) and chromium metal-organic frameworks (Cr-MOFs), was successfully synthesized by using a solvothermal method. The organic ligand employed was 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid, while chromium acetate served as the source of the metal. The resulting material underwent characterization through Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques. Subsequently, the adsorption capacity of the composite material toward moxifloxacin was evaluated. The results indicated a gradual increase in the moxifloxacin removal rate from GO/Cr-MOFs over time until reaching an equilibrium with a maximum removal rate of 90.4%. Additionally, it was observed that higher temperatures led to a decrease in the adsorption capacity. By incorporating 30 mg of GO/Cr-MOFs into a solution containing 40 ppm of moxifloxacin, the adsorption capacity could be maximized at 222.25 mg/g. Experimental data on MOF adsorption of moxifloxacin were analyzed using pseudo-first-order kinetics (PFO), pseudo-second-order kinetics (PSO), and Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherm models for theoretical research purposes. Results showed that the PSO model exhibited a better correlation than the PFO model did. Furthermore, experimental data demonstrated good agreement with the Freundlich isothermal model, suggesting its effectiveness in accurately describing the adsorption process. Henceforth, it can be concluded that chemisorption plays a significant role in removing moxifloxacin by GO/Cr-MOFs. The van't Hoff equation analysis revealed an exothermic and spontaneous nature of moxifloxacin adsorption onto GO/Cr-MOFs. Compared to other materials, the GO/Cr-MOF composite exhibited high potential for applications such as drug removal or related fields.

Zn/Cr-MOFs/TiO2 Composites as Adsorbents for Levofloxacin Hydrochloride Removal.

The Zn/Cr-MOFs/TiO2 composites were synthesized using the solvothermal method. XRD, FTIR, and SEM techniques were utilized to characterize the Zn/Cr-MOFs/TiO2 composites employed for simulating levofloxacin hydrochloride in wastewater. The impact of the mass of the Zn/Cr-MOFs/TiO2 composite, concentration of levofloxacin hydrochloride, solution pH, and temperature on the adsorption performance was investigated. Experimental findings indicated that at pH 6, the maximum removal efficiency of levofloxacin hydrochloride by the Zn/Cr-MOFs/TiO2 composite was achieved at 88.8%, with an adsorption capacity of 246.3 mg/g. To analyze the experimental data, both pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetics models were applied, revealing that the pseudo-second-order model provided a better fit to the data. Additionally, Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were used to study equilibrium adsorption behavior and showed good agreement with both kinetic modeling and Langmuir isotherm analysis results. These observations suggest that monolayer adsorption predominates during the removal process of levofloxacin hydrochloride by Zn/Cr-MOFs/TiO2 composites.

Application of Computer-Assisted Endoscopic Ultrasonography Based on Texture Features in Differentiating Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors from Benign Gastric Mesenchymal Tumors.

BACKGROUND/AIMS:  Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are common gastric mesenchymal tumors that are potentially malignant. However, endoscopic ultrasonography is poor in diagnosing gastrointestinal stromal tumors. The study investigated the efficacy of texture features extracted from endoscopic ultrasonography images to differentiate gastrointestinal stromal tumors from gastric mesenchymal tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  The endoscopic ultrasonography examinations of 120 patients with confirmed gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors, leiomyoma, or schwannoma were evaluated. Histology was considered the gold standard. Three feature combinations were extracted from endoscopic ultrasonography images of each lesion: 48 gray-level co-occurrence matrix-based features, 48 gray-level co-occurrence matrix-based features plus 3 global gray features, and 15 gray-gradient co-occurrence matrix-based features. Support vector machine classifiers were constructed by using feature combinations to diagnose gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were used to evaluate the diagnostic performance. The support vector machine model's diagnostic performance was compared with the endoscopists. RESULTS:  The 3 feature combinations had better performance in differentiating gastrointestinal stromal tumors: gray-gradient cooccurrence matrix-based features yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.90, which was significantly greater than an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.83 in gray-level co-occurrence matrix-based features and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.84 in the texture features plus 3 global features. The support vector machine model (81.67% accuracy, 81.36% sensitivity, and 81.97% specificity) was also better than endoscopists (an average of 69.31% accuracy, 65.54% sensitivity, and 72.95% specificity) Conclusion: Texture features in computer-assisted endoscopic ultrasonography diagnosis are useful to differentiate gastrointestinal stromal tumors from benign gastric mesenchymal tumors and compare favorably with endoscopists. Support vector machine model using gray-gradient co-occurrence matrix-based texture features revealed the best diagnostic performance in diagnosing gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Exploring the Mechanism of Adult Users' Cyber-Aggression Against Adolescents: The Roles of Online Communication, Age Group Identity, and Online Moral Disengagement.

The increasing prevalence of adults' prejudice against adolescents on the Internet could cause opposing attitudes and even online aggression against teenagers. Yet, such age discrimination is less challenged compared to other social biases in cyberspace. Employing a social identity approach, this study aims to explore how features of online communication, teen-related personal experiences, and the dual identity of adult aggressors influence online moral disengagement (OMD), motives, and behaviors for cyber-aggression. We conducted an online survey of 767 Chinese adults in May 2023. The results demonstrated that perceived controllability of online speech, negative teen-related online experiences, and generation-based bias were positively associated with OMD. Next, adult respondents' self-serving motives positively predicted moderate and severe cyber-aggression, while educational motives only increased moderate cyber-aggression. Mediation analysis revealed that generation-based bias was the sole significant factor that amplified OMD, self-serving motives, educational motives, and cyber-aggression behaviors. In contrast, the effects of lifestage-based bias were insignificant. Our findings yield insights into individuals' moral transgressions in digital environments and shed light on the dynamics of the identity of adult aggressors in age-based discrimination. This study suggests that empathy from adults and age-appropriate prevention by online platforms are crucial to address online aggression against young generations.

Co/Cd-MOF-Derived Porous Carbon Materials for Moxifloxacin Adsorption from Aqueous Solutions.

In this study, Co/Cd-MOFs were synthesized via a solvothermal method. The resulting material was subjected to calcination at 900 °C for 2 h and characterized using FT-IR, XRD, and SEM techniques to assess its efficacy in moxifloxacin removal. The experimental findings revealed that the maximum adsorption capacity of Co/Cd-MOFs for moxifloxacin was observed at 350.4 mg/g within a 5 h timeframe. Furthermore, the analysis based on the pseudo-second-order kinetic model demonstrated that the adsorption process adhered to this specific model. Additionally, the adsorption isotherm analysis indicated that Freundlich multilayer adsorption provided the best description of the interaction between moxifloxacin and the Co/Cd-MOF material. These experimental and theoretical results collectively suggest that employing Co/Cd-MOFs as adsorbents holds promise for wastewater treatment applications.

A Study on the Dynamic Switching Characteristics of p-GaN HEMT Power Devices.

This study employs an innovative dynamic switching test system to investigate the dynamic switching characteristics of three p-GaN HEMT devices. The dynamic switching characteristics are different from the previous research on the dynamic resistance characteristics of GaN devices, and the stability of GaN devices can be analyzed from the perspective of switching characteristics. Based on the theory of dynamic changes in threshold opening voltage and capacitance caused by electrical stress, the mechanism of dynamic switching characteristics of GaN HEMT devices is studied and analyzed in detail. The test results have shown that electrical stress induces trap ionization within the device, resulting in fluctuations in electric potential and ultimately leading to alterations in two critical factors of the dynamic switching characteristics of GaN HEMT devices, the parasitic capacitance and the threshold voltage. The dynamic changes in capacitance before and after electrical stress vary among devices, resulting in different dynamic switching characteristics. The test system is capable of extracting the switching waveform for visual comparison and quantitatively calculating the changes in switching parameters before and after electrical stressing. This test provides a prediction for the drift of switch parameters, offering pre-guidance for the robustness of the optimized application scheme.

Stimulation by exosomes from hypoxia-preconditioned hair follicle mesenchymal stem cells facilitates mitophagy by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway to alleviate ulcerative colitis.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an intestinal inflammatory disease that is strongly associated with mitochondrial damage and dysfunction as well as mitophagy and lacks of satisfactory treatments. Hair follicle mesenchymal stem cell (HF-MSC)-derived exosomes owe benefit effectiveness on inflammatory therapies. Hypoxia-preconditioned HF-MSCs exhibit enhanced proliferation and migration abilities, and their exosomes exert stronger effects than normal exosomes. However, the therapeutic function of Hy-Exos in UC is unknown. Methods: The inflammation model was established with LPS-treated MODE-K cells, and the mouse UC model was established by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) administration. The therapeutic effects of HF-MSC-derived exosomes (Exos) and hypoxia-preconditioned HF-MSC-derived exosomes (Hy-Exos) were compared in vitro and in vivo. Immunofluorescence staining and western blotting were used to explore the effects of Hy-Exos on mitochondrial function, mitochondrial fission and fusion and mitophagy. MiRNA sequencing analysis was applied to investigate the differences in components between Exos and Hy-Exos. Results: Hy-Exos had a better therapeutic effect on LPS-treated MODE-K cells and DSS-induced UC mice. Hy-Exos promoted colonic tight junction proteins expression, suppressed the oxidative stress response, and reduced UC-related inflammatory injury. Hy-Exos may exert these effects via miR-214-3p-mediated inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, maintenance of mitochondrial dynamic stability, alleviation of mitochondrial dysfunction and enhancement of mitophagy. Conclusion: This study revealed a vital role for Hy-Exos in suppressing inflammatory progression in UC and suggested that miR-214-3p is a potential critical target for Hy-Exos in alleviating UC.

Methylprednisolone Modulates the Tfr/Tfh ratio in EAE-Induced Neuroinflammation through the PI3K/AKT/FoxO1 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signalling Pathways.

Methylprednisolone (MP) is a potent glucocorticoid that can effectively inhibit immune system inflammation and brain tissue damage in Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. T follicular helper (Tfh) cells are a subpopulation of activated CD4 + T cells, while T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells, a novel subset of Treg cells, possess specialized abilities to suppress the Tfh-GC response and inhibit antibody production. Dysregulation of either Tfh or Tfr cells has been implicated in the pathogenesis of MS. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of MP therapy on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a representative model for MS, remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of MP treatment on EAE and elucidate the possible underlying molecular mechanisms involed. We evaluated the effects of MP on disease progression, CNS inflammatory cell infiltration and myelination, microglia and astrocyte activation, as well as Tfr/Tfh ratio and related molecules/inflammatory factors in EAE mice. Additionally, Western blotting was used to assess the expression of proteins associated with the PI3K/AKT pathway. Our findings demonstrated that MP treatment ameliorated clinical symptoms, inflammatory cell infiltration, and myelination. Furthermore, it reduced microglial and astrocytic activation. MP may increase the number of Tfr cells and the levels of cytokine TGF-ß1, while reducing the number of Tfh cells and the levels of cytokine IL-21, as well as regulate the imbalanced Tfr/Tfh ratio in EAE mice. The PI3K/AKT/FoxO1 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways were found to be involved in EAE development. However, MP treatment inhibited their activation. MP reduced neuroinflammation in EAE by regulating the balance between Tfr/Tfh cells via inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/FoxO1 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathways.

Microbial community structure in an uranium-rich acid mine drainage site: implication for the biogeochemical release of uranium.

The generation of acid mine drainage (AMD) characterized by high acidity and elevated levels of toxic metals primarily results from the oxidation and dissolution of sulfide minerals facilitated by microbial catalysis. Although there has been significant research on microbial diversity and community composition in AMD, as well as the relationship between microbes and heavy metals, there remains a gap in understanding the microbial community structure in uranium-enriched AMD sites. In this paper, water samples with varying levels of uranium pollution were collected from an abandoned stone coal mine in Jiangxi Province, China during summer and winter, respectively. Geochemical and high-throughput sequencing analyses were conducted to characterize spatiotemporal variations in bacterial diversity and community composition along pollution groups. The results indicated that uranium was predominantly concentrated in the AMD of new pits with strong acid production capacity, reaching a peak concentration of 9,370 µg/L. This was accompanied by elevated acidity and concentrations of iron and total phosphorus, which were identified as significant drivers shaping the composition of bacterial communities, rather than fluctuations in seasonal conditions. In an extremely polluted environment (pH < 3), bacterial diversity was lowest, with a predominant presence of acidophilic iron-oxidizing bacteria (such as Ferrovum), and a portion of acidophilic heterotrophic bacteria synergistically coexisting. As pollution levels decreased, the microbial community gradually evolved to cohabitation of various pH-neutral heterotrophic species, ultimately reverting back to background level. The pH was the dominant factor determining biogeochemical release of uranium in AMD. Acidophilic and uranium-tolerant bacteria, including Ferrovum, Leptospirillum, Acidiphilium, and Metallibacterium, were identified as playing key roles in this process through mechanisms such as enhancing acid production rate and facilitating organic matter biodegradation.

A Geometrically Flexible Three-Dimensional Nanocarbon.

The development of architecturally unique molecular nanocarbons by bottom-up organic synthesis is essential for accessing functional organic materials awaiting technological developments in fields such as energy, electronics, and biomedicine. Herein, we describe the design and synthesis of a triptycene-based three-dimensional (3D) nanocarbon, GFN-1, with geometrical flexibility on account of its three peripheral π-panels being capable of interconverting between two curved conformations. An effective through-space electronic communication among the three π-panels of GFN-1 has been observed in its monocationic radical form, which exhibits an extensively delocalized spin density over the entire 3D π-system as revealed by electron paramagnetic resonance and UV-vis-NIR spectroscopies. The flexible 3D molecular architecture of GFN-1, along with its densely packed superstructures in the presence of fullerenes, is revealed by microcrystal electron diffraction and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, which establish the coexistence of both propeller and tweezer conformations in the solid state. GFN-1 exhibits strong binding affinities for fullerenes, leading to host-guest complexes that display rapid photoinduced electron transfer within a picosecond. The outcomes of this research could pave the way for the utilization of shape and electronically complementary nanocarbons in the construction of functional coassemblies.

HCV 5-Methylcytosine Enhances Viral RNA Replication through Interaction with m5C Reader YBX1.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a positive-stranded RNA virus that mainly causes chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recently we confirmed m5C modifications within NS5A gene of HCV RNA genome. However, the roles of the m5C modification and its interaction with host proteins in regulating HCV's life cycle, remain unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that HCV infection enhances the expression of the host m5C reader YBX1 through the transcription factor MAX. YBX1 acts as an m5C reader, recognizing the m5C-modified NS5A C7525 site in the HCV RNA genome and significantly enhancing HCV RNA stability. This m5C-modification is also required for YBX1 colocalization with lipid droplets and HCV Core protein. Moreover, YBX1 facilitates HCV RNA replication, as well as viral assembly/budding. The tryptophan residue at position 65 (W65) of YBX1 is critical for these functions. Knockout of YBX1 or the application of YBX1 inhibitor SU056 suppresses HCV RNA replication and viral protein translation. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating that the interaction between host m5C reader YBX1 and HCV RNA m5C methylation facilitates viral replication. Therefore, hepatic-YBX1 knockdown holds promise as a potential host-directed strategy for HCV therapy.

LL37/FPR2 regulates neutrophil mPTP promoting the development of neutrophil extracellular traps in diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is characterized by chronic, low-grade inflammation. This state may be related to the heightened production of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) induced by high glucose (HG). Human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (LL37) is an endogenous ligand of G protein-coupled chemoattractant receptor formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2), expressed on neutrophils and facilitating the formation and stabilization of the structure of NETs. In this study, we detected neutrophils cultured under different conditions, the retinal tissue of diabetic mice, and fibrovascular epiretinal membranes (FVM) samples of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) to explore the regulating effect of LL37/FPR2 on neutrophil in the development of NETs during the process of DR. Specifically, HG or NG with LL37 upregulates the expression of FPR2 in neutrophils, induces the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), promotes the increase of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial ROS, and then leads to the rise of NET production, which is mainly manifested by the release of DNA reticular structure and the increased expression of NETs-related markers. The PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was activated in neutrophils, and the phosphorylation level was enhanced by FPR2 agonists in vitro. In vivo, increased expression of NETs markers was detected in the retina of diabetic mice and in FVM, vitreous fluid, and serum of PDR patients. Transgenic FPR2 deletion led to decreased NETs in the retina of diabetic mice. Furthermore, in vitro, inhibition of the LL37/FPR2/mPTP axis and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway decreased NET production induced by high glucose. These results suggested that FPR2 plays an essential role in regulating the production of NETs induced by HG, thus may be considered as one of the potential therapeutic targets.

Halicin: A New Horizon in Antibacterial Therapy against Veterinary Pathogens.

It is crucial to discover novel antimicrobial drugs to combat resistance. This study investigated the antibacterial properties of halicin (SU3327), an AI-identified anti-diabetic drug, against 13 kinds of common clinical pathogens of animal origin, including multidrug-resistant strains. Employing minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assessments, halicin demonstrated a broad-spectrum antibacterial effect. Time-killing assays revealed its concentration-dependent bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (E. coli ATCC 25922), Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 (S. aureus ATCC 29213), and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae S6 (APP S6) after 4 h of treatment at concentrations above the MIC. Halicin exhibited longer post-antibiotic effects (PAEs) and sub-MIC effects (PA-SMEs) for E. coli 25922, S. aureus 29213, and APP S6 compared to ceftiofur and ciprofloxacin, the commonly used veterinary antimicrobial agents, indicating sustained antibacterial action. Additionally, the results of consecutive passaging experiments over 40 d at sub-inhibitory concentrations showed that bacteria exhibited difficulty in developing resistance to halicin. Toxicology studies confirmed that halicin exhibited low acute toxicity, being non-mutagenic, non-reproductive-toxic, and non-genotoxic. Blood biochemical results suggested that halicin has no significant impact on hematological parameters, liver function, and kidney function. Furthermore, halicin effectively treated respiratory A. pleuropneumoniae infections in murine models. These results underscore the potential of halicin as a new antibacterial agent with applications against clinically relevant pathogens in veterinary medicine.

Dinuclear gold-catalyzed divergent dechlorinative radical borylation of gem-dichloroalkanes.

The enormous and widespread use of organoboronic acids has prompted the development of innovative synthetic methodologies to meet the demands on structural diversity and functional group tolerance. The existing photoinduced defunctionalization radical borylation, typically focused on the conversion of one C-X bond (X= Br, I, or other leaving group) into only one C-B bond. Herein, we disclose a divergent radical dechloroborylation reaction enabled by dinuclear gold catalysis with visible light irradiation. A wide range of structurally diverse alkyl boronic, α-chloroboronic, and gem-diboronic esters can be synthesized in moderate to good yields (up to 92%). Its synthetic robustness is further demonstrated on a preparative scale and applied to late-stage diversification of complex molecules. The process hinges on a C-Cl bond relay activation in readily available gem-dichloroalkanes through inner-sphere electron transfer, overcoming the redox potential limits of unreactive alkyl chlorides.

Smurf1-targeting microRNA-136-5p-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells combined with 3D-printed ß-tricalcium phosphate scaffolds strengthen osteogenic activity and alleviate bone defects.

Suitable biomaterials with seed cells have promising potential to repair bone defects. However, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), one of the most common seed cells used in tissue engineering, cannot differentiate efficiently and accurately into functional osteoblasts. In view of this, a new tissue engineering technique combined with BMSCs and scaffolds is a major task for bone defect repair. Lentiviruses interfering with miR-136-5p or Smurf1 expression were transfected into BMSCs. The effects of miR-136-5p or Smurf1 on the osteogenic differentiation (OD) of BMSCs were evaluated by measuring alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium deposition. Then, the targeting relationship between miR-136-5p and Smurf1 was verified by bioinformatics website analysis and dual luciferase reporter assay. Then, a rabbit femoral condyle bone defect model was established. miR-136-5p/BMSCs/ß-TCP scaffold was implanted into the defect, and the repair of the bone defect was detected by Micro-CT and HE staining. Elevating miR-136-5p-3p or suppressing Smurf1 could stimulate OD of BMSCs. miR-136-5p negatively regulated Smurf1 expression. Overexpressing Smurf1 reduced the promoting effect of miR-136-5p on the OD of BMSCs. miR-136-5p/BMSCs/ß-TCP could strengthen bone density in the defected area and accelerate bone repair. SmurF1-targeting miR-136-5p-modified BMSCs combined with 3D-printed ß-TCP scaffolds can strengthen osteogenic activity and alleviate bone defects.

Effect of contrast agent on T2-weighted fat-suppressed imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging in the diagnosis of breast tumors.

Background: Although previous studies have shown that the injection of contrast agents can improve image quality, the specific impact of this on T2-weighted fat-suppressed (T2 FS) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences in the diagnosis of breast cancer remains incompletely understood. In particular, there is insufficient research on how contrast agents affect the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values within these sequences, and how these changes influence the diagnosis of benign and malignant breast tumors. Methods: Breast magnetic resonance images (MRI) were obtained from 178 consecutive patients on a 3T scanner. The SNR and CNR of lesions on T2 FS sequence were calculated before and after contrast agent injection and compared. Differences between pre- and post-contrast ADC in identifying different tumor types were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis H-test and the paired comparison test. The accuracy of ADC values between pre- and post-contrast in distinguishing benign and malignant breast masses was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: The SNR and CNR of T2 FS sequence increased after contrast injection, and especially for invasive cancer and benign tumor, the increase was significant. For DWI, there was a slight increase or decrease of ADC values after contrast injection, but the ADC values before and after contrast had a similar effect in identifying different types of tumors. In the ROC curve analysis for assessing benign and malignant breast tumors, the area under the curve (AUC) before and after contrast showed similar results. Conclusions: Contrast agent injection can improve the SNR and CNR of T2 FS sequence, thus providing higher quality images for the diagnosis of breast lesions. Furthermore, injection of contrast agent had little effect on the ability of ADC values to identify different types of lesions and both ADC values before and after the contrast agent were able to distinguish between benign and malignant tumors with almost the same accuracy.

Association between Food or Nutrients and Gut Microbiota in Healthy and Helminth-Infected Women of Reproductive Age from Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Modulating the gut microbiota is recognised as one strategy for preventing and fighting diseases. While the significant impact of diet on the gut microbiota's composition and function has been extensively researched, there is a notable lack of studies on the interactions between diet, microbiota, and helminth infections. Here, we used a combination of self-reported food intake and a 16S rDNA sequencing approach to analyse the composition of the gut microbiota in women of reproductive age from the two main islands of the Zanzibar archipelago, where helminth infections are endemic. We also applied a Spearman correlation analysis to food/nutrients and gut microbiota. Our results reveal that, despite close ethnic and cultural ties, the participants' gut microbiota differs depending on their location. A nutrient intake analysis revealed deficiencies in minerals and vitamins, indicating an imbalanced diet. A correlation analysis identified bacterial taxa consistently correlated with specific food or nutrients in healthy women from both locations, and in two types of helminth infections. Escherichia/Shigella abundances, usually associated with Trichuris trichiura infection, consistently correlated with insufficient levels of vitamins B2 and B12. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the increased consumption of specific food like cassava and fish, as well as essential nutrients such as calcium, B vitamins, and vitamin A, may modulate the gut microbiota of populations residing in regions where helminth infections are endemic.

Preparation of Zn/Zr-MOFs by microwave-assisted ball milling and adsorption of lomefloxacin hydrochloride and levofloxacin hydrochloride in wastewater.

The Zn/Zr-MOFs were synthesized via microwave-assisted ball milling and subsequently characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal stability of the Zn/Zr-MOFs was evaluated through thermogravimetry (TGA). The results demonstrated the exceptional adsorption properties of the Zn/Zr-MOFs towards Lomefloxacin hydrochloride and Levofloxacin hydrochloride. At a concentration of 30 ppm for Lomefloxacin hydrochloride, the addition of 30 mg of Zn/Zr-MOFs material resulted in an adsorption capacity of 179.2 mg•g-1. Similarly, at a concentration of 40 ppm for Levofloxacin hydrochloride, the addition of 30 mg Zn/Zr-MOFs material led to an adsorption capacity of 187.1 mg•g-1. Kinetic analysis revealed that the experimental data aligned well with a pseudo-second order kinetic model. Overall, these findings highlight the significant potential application of Zn/Zr-MOF materials in wastewater treatment.