Triangle-toothed gear occlude-guided universal nanotechnology constructs 3D symmetric DNA polyhedra with high assembly efficiency for precision cancer therapy.

Chemotherapy is commonly used to treat malignant tumors. However, conventional chemotherapeutic drugs often cannot distinguish between tumor and healthy cells, resulting in adverse effects and reduced therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, zigzag-shaped gear-occlude-guided cymbal-closing (ZGC) DNA nanotechnology was developed based on the mirror-symmetry principle to efficiently construct symmetric DNA polyhedra. This nanotechnology employed simple mixing steps for efficient sequence design and assembly. A targeting aptamer was installed at a user-defined position using an octahedron as a model structure. Chemotherapeutic drug-loaded polyhedral objects were subsequently delivered into tumor cells. Furthermore, anticancer drug-loaded DNA octahedra were intravenously injected into a HeLa tumor-bearing mouse model. Assembly efficiency was almost 100 %, with no residual building blocks identified. Moreover, this nanotechnology required a few DNA oligonucleotides, even for complex polyhedrons. Symmetric DNA polyhedrons retained their structural integrity for 24 h in complex biological environments, guaranteeing prolonged circulation without drug leakage in the bloodstream and promoting efficient accumulation in tumor tissues. In addition, DNA octahedra were cleared relatively slowly from tumor tissues. Similarly, tumor growth was significantly inhibited in vivo, and a therapeutic outcome comparable to that of conventional gene-chemo combination therapy was observed. Moreover, no systemic toxicity was detected. These findings indicate the potential application of ZGC DNA nanotechnology in precision medicine.

Intake of compound probiotics accelerates the construction of immune function and gut microbiome in Holstein calves.

Acquired immunity is an important way to construct the intestinal immune barrier in mammals, which is almost dependent on suckling. To develop a new strategy for accelerating the construction of gut microbiome, newborn Holstein calves were continuously fed with 40 mL of compound probiotics (containing Lactobacillus plantarum T-14, Enterococcus faecium T-11, Saccharomyces cerevisiae T-209, and Bacillus licheniformis T-231) per day for 60 days. Through diarrhea rate monitoring, immune index testing, antioxidant capacity detection, and metagenome sequencing, the changes in diarrhea incidence, average daily gain, immune index, and gut microbiome of newborn calves within 60 days were investigated. Results indicated that feeding the compound probiotics reduced the average diarrhea rate of calves by 42.90%, increased the average daily gain by 43.40%, raised the antioxidant indexes of catalase, superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, and Glutathione peroxidase by 22.81%, 6.49%, 8.33%, and 13.67%, respectively, and increased the immune indexes of IgA, IgG, and IgM by 10.44%, 4.85%, and 6.12%, respectively. Moreover, metagenome sequencing data showed that feeding the compound probiotics increased the abundance of beneficial strains (e.g., Lactococcus lactis and Bacillus massionigeriensis) and decreased the abundance of some harmful strains (e.g., Escherichia sp. MOD1-EC5189 and Mycobacterium brisbane) in the gut microbiome of calves, thus contributing to accelerating the construction of healthy gut microbiome in newborn Holstein calves. IMPORTANCE: The unstable gut microbiome and incomplete intestinal function of newborn calves are important factors for the high incidence of early diarrhea. This study presents an effective strategy to improve the overall immunity and gut microbiome in calves and provides new insights into the application of compound probiotics in mammals.

Spherical Nucleic Acid-Mediated Spatial Matching-Guided Nonenzymatic DNA Circuits for the Prediction and Prevention of Malignant Tumor Invasion.

Detection of intracellular miRNAs, especially sensitive imaging of in vivo miRNAs, is vital to the precise prediction and timely prevention of tumorgenesis but remains a technical challenge in terms of nuclease resistance and signal amplification. Here, we demonstrate a gold nanoparticle-based spherical nucleic acid-mediated spatial matching-guided nonenzymatic DNA circuit (SSDC) for efficient screening of intracellular miRNAs and, in turn, finding cancerous tissues in living organisms before the appearance of clinical symptoms. Due to the substantially enhanced nuclease resistance, the false positive signal is avoided even in a complex biological medium. Target miRNA can straighten out the hairpin DNA probe to be linear, allowing the probe to penetrate into the internal region of a core/shell DNA-functionalized signal nanoampfilier and initiate a strand displacement reaction, generating an amplified fluorescence signal. The detection limit is as low as 17 pM, and miRNA imaging is in good accordance with the gold standard polymerase chain reaction method. The ability to image intracellular miRNAs is substantially superior to that of conventional fluorescence in situ hybridization techniques, making in vivo SSDC-based imaging competent for the precise prediction of tumorigenesis. By intratumoral chemotherapy guided by SSDC-based imaging, tumorigenesis and progression are efficiently controlled before the onset of clinical symptoms.

Intelligent Reconfiguration-Promoted Cellular Internalization of Core-Shell DNA Nanoprobe Equipped with Successive Dual Stimuli-Responsive Protective Satellites for Amplification Fluorescence Imaging of Tumor Cells.

Although DNA probes have attracted increasing interest for precise tumor cell identification by imaging intracellular biomarkers, the requirement of commercial transfection reagents, limited targeting ligands, and/or non-biocompatible inorganic nanostructures has hampered the clinic translation. To circumvent these shortcomings, a reconfigurable ES-NC (Na+-dependent DNAzyme (E)-based substrate (S) cleavage core/shell DNA nanocluster (NC)) entirely from DNA strands is assembled for precise imaging of cancerous cells in a successive dual-stimuli-responsive manner. This nanoprobe is composed of a strung DNA tetrahedral satellites-based protective (DTP) shell, parallelly aligned target-responsive sensing (PTS) interlayer, and hydrophobic cholesterol-packed innermost layer (HCI core). Tetrahedral axial rotation-activated reconfiguration of DTP shell promotes the exposure of interior hydrophobic moieties, enabling cholesterol-mediated cellular internalization without auxiliary elements. Within cells, over-expressed glutathione triggers the disassembly of the DTP protective shell (first stimulus), facilitating target-stimulated signal transduction/amplification process (second stimuli). Target miRNA-21 is detected down to 10.6 fM without interference from coexisting miRNAs. Compared with transfection reagent-mediated counterpart, ES-NC displays a higher imaging ability, resists nuclease degradation, and has no detectable damage to healthy cells. The blind test demonstrates that the ES-NC is suitable for the identification of cancerous cells from healthy cells, indicating a promising tool for early diagnosis and prediction of cancer.

Role of serum alkaline phosphatase as a potential biomarker of severity and prognosis in intracerebral hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVES: Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) catalyzes the hydrolysis of pyrophosphate and facilitates vascular calcification. We aimed at investigating serum ALP levels in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients and ascertaining its relationship to severity and prognosis. METHODS: Serum ALP levels from 148 patients and 148 healthy controls were detected. Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score and hematoma volume at admission were recorded to evaluate hemorrhagic severity. Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score > 2 at 90 days after onset was judged as a poor prognosis. RESULTS: Serum ALP levels in patients with ICH were substantially elevated compared with healthy controls, and were significantly related to hematoma volume and GCS score. Serum ALP levels significantly distinguished ICH patients at risk for unfavorable prognosis. Serum ALP levels > 78.5 U/L in ICH patients may indicated a unfavorable prognosis with 69.1 % sensitivity and 83.6 % specificity, and served as an independent predictor for unfavorable prognosis. CONLUSIONS: Elevated serum ALP levels were intimately connected with increased severity and 90-day unfavorable prognosis in patients with ICH. Serum ALP could be a potential biomarker for severity and prognosis of ICH.

Penehyclidine hydrochloride improves rhabdomyolysis-mediated acute kidney injury by inhibiting ferroptosis through the HIF-1α/MT1G axis.

BACKGROUND: Penehyclidine hydrochloride (PHC) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of rhabdomyolysis (RM)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Our research sought to investigate the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of PHC on RM-induced AKI. METHODS: RM-induced AKI models were established by FeG treatment and glycerol injection. Cell viability was analyzed by CCK-8 assay. ROS levels were examined by Flow cytometry. The LDH, Fe2+, MPO, MDA and GSH levels were measured using the corresponding kits. The interaction between HIF-1α and MT1G was analyzed by dual luciferase reporter gene and ChIP assays. The kidney pathological alterations were examined by HE staining. The levels of Scr, UA and BUN were examined using ELISA. Ferroptosis-related proteins (SLC7A11, GPX4 and ACSL4) were analyzed by western blot. RESULTS: PHC administration increased FeG-treated HK-2 cell viability, reduced ROS, LDH, Fe2+, MPO, MDA and ACSL4 levels, and raised GSH, SLC7A11 and GPX4 levels in cells, suggesting that PHC improved FeG-induced HK-2 cell ferroptosis and injury. PHC protected against AKI primarily by suppressing ferroptosis. HIF-1α blocked the SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway by transcriptionally activating MT1G. PHC alleviated glycerol-induced kidney injury in rats by inhibiting ferroptosis. CONCLUSION: PHC improved RM-mediated AKI by inhibiting ferroptosis through the HIF-1α/MT1G/ SLC7A11/GPX4 axis.

[A comparative study of the effects of citrate and heparin anticoagulation on coagulation function and efficacy in children with septic shock undergoing continuous blood purification].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of citrate and heparin anticoagulation on coagulation function and efficacy in children with septic shock undergoing continuous blood purification (CBP), and to provide guidance for CBP anticoagulation in children with septic shock. METHODS: A case control study was conducted. Thirty-seven children with septic shock admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of the First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University from July 2019 to September 2022 were enrolled as the research subjects. The patients were divided into citrate local anticoagulation group and heparin systemic anticoagulation group according to different anticoagulation methods. The baseline data, the level of coagulation indicators [prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen (Fib), D-dimer] before treatment and 1 day after weaning from CBP, serum inflammatory mediators [interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), hypersensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), procalcitonin (PCT)], bleeding complications during CBP and 7-day mortality were collected. RESULTS: A total of 37 cases were enrolled finally, including 17 cases with citric acid local anticoagulation and 20 cases with heparin systemic anticoagulation. There was no statistically significant difference in general data such as gender, age, and body weight of children between the two groups. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline levels of coagulation indicators and inflammatory mediators before treatment of children between the two groups. One day after weaning from CBP, both groups showed varying degrees of improvement in coagulation indicators compared with those before treatment. Compared with before treatment, the PT of the heparin systemic anticoagulation group was significantly shortened after 1 day of weaning (s: 11.82±2.05 vs. 13.64±2.54), APTT and TT were significantly prolonged [APTT (s): 51.54±12.69 vs. 35.53±10.79, TT (s): 21.95±4.74 vs. 19.30±3.33], D-dimer level was significantly reduced (mg/L: 1.92±1.58 vs. 4.94±3.94), with statistically significant differences (all P < 0.05). While in the citrate local anticoagulation group, only APTT was significantly prolonged after treatment compared with that before treatment (s: 49.28±10.32 vs. 34.34±10.32, P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in other coagulation indicators compared with before treatment. Compared with the citric acid local anticoagulation group, the PT of the heparin systemic anticoagulation group was significantly shortened after treatment (s: 11.82±2.05 vs. 13.61±3.05, P < 0.05), and the D-dimer level was significantly reduced (mg/L: 1.92±1.58 vs. 3.77±2.38, P < 0.01). The levels of inflammatory mediators in both groups were significantly reduced 1 day after CBP weaning compared with those before treatment [citric acid local anticoagulation group: hs-CRP (mg/L) was 12.53±5.44 vs. 22.65±7.27, PCT (µg/L) was 1.86±1.20 vs. 3.30±2.34, IL-6 (ng/L) was 148.48±34.83 vs. 202.32±48.62, TNF-α (ng/L) was 21.38±7.71 vs. 55.14±15.07; heparin systemic anticoagulation group: hs-CRP (mg/L) was 11.82±4.93 vs. 21.62±8.35, PCT (µg/L) was 1.90±1.08 vs. 3.18±1.97, IL-6 (ng/L) was 143.81±33.41 vs. 194.02±46.89, TNF-α (ng/L) was 22.44±8.17 vs. 56.17±16.92, all P < 0.05]. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (all P > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in bleeding complication during CBP and 7-day mortality in children between the citrate local anticoagulation group and the heparin systemic anticoagulation group (5.9% vs. 30.0%, 17.6% vs. 20.0%, both P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Heparin for systemic anticoagulation and regional citrate anticoagulation can significantly reduce the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, hs-CRP and PCT in children with septic shock, and relieve inflammatory storm. Compared with citric acid local anticoagulation, heparin systemic anticoagulation can shorten the PT and reduce the level of D-dimer in children with septic shock, which may benefit in the prevention and treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

Identification of a key locus, qNL3.1, associated with seed germination under salt stress via a genome-wide association study in rice.

KEY MESSAGE: Two causal OsTTL and OsSAPK1 genes of the key locus qNL3.1 significantly associated with seed germination under salt stress were identified via a genome-wide association study, which could improve rice seed germination under salt stress. Rice is a salt-sensitive crop, and its seed germination determines subsequent seedling establishment and yields. In this study, 168 accessions were investigated for the genetic control of seed germination under salt stress based on the germination rate (GR), germination index (GI), time at which 50% germination was achieved (T50) and mean level (ML). Extensive natural variation in seed germination was observed among accessions under salt stress. Correlation analysis showed significantly positive correlations among GR, GI and ML and a negative correlation with T50 during seed germination under salt stress. Forty-nine loci significantly associated with seed germination under salt stress were identified, and seven of these were identified in both years. By comparison, 16 loci were colocated with the previous QTLs, and the remaining 33 loci might be novel. qNL3.1, colocated with qLTG-3, was simultaneously identified with the four indices in two years and might be a key locus for seed germination under salt stress. Analysis of candidate genes showed that two genes, the similar to transthyretin-like protein OsTTL and the serine/threonine protein kinase OsSAPK1, were the causal genes of qNL3.1. Germination tests indicated that both Osttl and Ossapk1 mutants significantly reduced seed germination under salt stress compared to the wild type. Haplotype analysis showed that Hap.1 of OsTTL and Hap.1 of OsSAPK1 genes were excellent alleles, and their combination resulted in high seed germination under salt stress. Eight accessions with elite performance of seed germination under salt stress were identified, which could improve rice seed germination under salt stress.

Intuitive thinking impedes cooperation by decreasing cooperative expectations for pro-self but not for pro-social individuals.

This study conducted two experiments to explore the effects of intuitive thinking and social value orientation (SVO) on cooperative behavior and assess the mediating effect of cooperative expectations. It manipulated intuitive thinking by increasing the participants' need for cognitive closure, classified SVO using the triple-dominance measure, measured cooperative behavior using the prisoner's dilemma game, and considered cooperative expectations based on participants' assessments of the cooperativeness of their counterparts. Both experiments showed that intuitive thinking increased and decreased the cooperation of pro-social and pro-self individuals, respectively. In pro-self individuals, cooperative expectations mediated the effect of intuitive thinking on cooperation.

The complement C3a-C3aR and C5a-C5aR pathways promote viability and inflammation of human retinal pigment epithelium cells by targeting NF-κB signaling.

Retinal detachment (RD) and its special form of rhegmatogenous RD associated with choroidal detachment (RRDCD) feature similar pathological alterations, including enhanced retinal cell inflammation. Although the importance of the complement components C3a and C5a and their corresponding receptors in retinal maintenance has been demonstrated, the relevance of these molecules to the pathogenesis of RD or RRDCD remains to be investigated. The contents of C3a, C5a and inflammatory factors, such as TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and prostaglandin (PG)E2, in related clinical samples were examined by ELISA. Subsequently, human retinal pigment epithelial (HRPE) cells were subjected to challenge with the C3a and C5a recombinant proteins with or without C3a and C5a antagonists and NF-κB inhibitor, and the cell viability and inflammatory cytokines were then determined by a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and ELISA, respectively. In addition, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blot analyses were utilized to examine the mRNA or/and protein levels of C3a and its receptor C3aR, as well as C5a and its receptor C5aR, and NF-κB. In addition, the correlation of C3a and C5a with the aforementioned inflammatory factors was analyzed. The inflammatory factor levels of C3a and C5a were considerably elevated in patients with RRDCD compared to those in the controls. Consistently, C3a and C5a treatment led to increased cell viability and aggravated inflammation in HRPE cells. Accordingly, C3a and C5a induced upregulation of their corresponding receptors C3aR and C5aR, which was in turn observed to be linked to the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation of the complements C3a and C5a with individual TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and PGE2. Taken together, the C3a-C3aR and C5a-C5aR pathways were indicated to promote cell viability and inflammation of HRPE cells by targeting the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Quantitative proteomics analysis of human vitreous in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment associated with choroidal detachment by data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry.

The prognosis of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with choroidal detachment (RRDCD) is often poor and complicated. This study focused on the identification of the characteristic proteins and signal pathways associated with the etiology of RRDCD and to provide guidance for diagnosis and treatment of RRDCD. In this study, vitreous humor samples were obtained from 16 RRDCD patients, 14 with RRD, 12 with idiopathic epiretinal macular membrane (IEMM), and 5 healthy controls from donated corpse eyes. Data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry and bioinformatics analysis were employed to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). In the vitreous humor, 14,842 peptides were identified. Patients with RRDCD had 249 DEPs (93 upregulated and 156 downregulated), with 89 in patients with RRD and 61 in patients with IEMM. Enrichment analysis of the GO and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes DEP databases indicated functional clusters related to inflammation and immunity, protein degradation and absorption, cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), the hedgehog signaling pathway, and lipid metabolism. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis showed that DEPs with positive co-expression of RRDCD participated in immune-related pathways led by the complement and coagulation cascade, whereas DEPs with negative co-expression of RRDCD participated in protein degradation and absorption, CAMs, and the hedgehog signaling pathway. In summary, our study provides important clues and the theoretical basis for exploring the pathogenesis, progression, and prognosis of ocular fundus disease.

The Complement System in Retinal Detachment with Choroidal Detachment.

PURPOSE: This study aims to explore the differences in the levels of complement components and complement regulatory factors in the vitreous humor of patients with retinal detachment with choroidal detachment (RRDCD), patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). METHODS: A prospective case-control study design was used to recruit 20 patients with RRDCD and 20 patients with RRD in consecutive cases who underwent pars plana vitrectomy from March 2019 to January 2020. The control group comprised 15 patients with epiretinal membrane and 5 eyes from cadavers. The concentrations of complement C2, complement C4b, complement C5/C5a, complement C9, complement factor D (CFD), lectin, and complement factor I (CFI) were measured using Multiplex Luminex Assay, and the concentration of soluble decay acceleration factor (sDAF) was measured using ELISA. RESULTS: As compared with the RRD and control groups, complement C2, complement C4b, complement C5/C5a, complement C9, CFD, lectin, CFI, and sDAF were significantly increased in the RRDCD group. Additionally, as compared with the control group, the concentrations of complement component C2 and CFD were significantly increased in the vitreous humor of the RRD group. CONCLUSION: Components of all three complement pathways were elevated in eyes with RRDCD. Interestingly, while there was evidence of early complement activation in RRD, the final common pathway components were not elevated. In contrast, RRDCD eyes showed significant elevations of the MAC complex components, underscoring a potential pathophysiologic impact of complement activation in this condition.

Nonenzymatic Autonomous Assembly of Cross-Linked Network Structures from Only Two Palindromic DNA Components for Intracellular Fluorescence Imaging of miRNAs.

The abnormal expression of miRNA-21 is often found in tumor specimens and cell lines, and thus, its specific detection is an urgent need for the diagnosis and effective therapy of cancers. In this contribution, we demonstrate a palindrome-based hybridization chain reaction (PHCR) upon the stimuli of a short oligonucleotide trigger to perform the autonomous assembly of cross-linked network structures (CNSs) for the amplification detection of miRNA-21 and sensitive fluorescence imaging of cancerous cells. The building blocks are only two palindromic hairpin-type DNA strands that are separately modified with different fluorophores (Cy3 and Cy5), which is easily combined with the catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) technique that can further amplify the signal output. Utilizing the CHA-PHCR assay system, a small amount of miRNA-21 can activate many triggers via CHA and in turn induce the PHCR-based CNS assembly from more DNA building blocks, bringing Cy3 and Cy5 into close proximity to each other and generating ultrasensitive fluorescence resonance energy transfer signals. As a result, target miRNA can be quantitatively detected down to as low as 10 pM with high assay specificity. The coexisting nontarget miRNAs and other biomacromolecules do not interfere with signal transduction. The developed assay system is suitable for screening different expression levels of miRNA-21 in living cells by fluorescence imaging. The palindrome-based cross-linking assembly can enhance the intracellular stability of assembled nanostructures by at least fivefold and exhibit the good universality for the detection of other miRNAs. Moreover, cancerous cells can be distinguished from healthy cells, and the CHA-PHCR assay is in good accordance with the gold standard PCR method, indicating a promising platform for the diagnosis of human cancers and other genetic diseases.

Two heterozygous mutations associated with type I protein C deficiency in two Chinese independent families.

To explore the pathogenesis of protein C (PC) deficiency in two independent families by mutations detection and bioinformatics analysis. The PC activity (PC:A) and PC antigen (PC:Ag) were detected by chromogenic substrate and ELISA, respectively. The PROC sequencing was performed to identify the mutational sites. The molecular pathogenesis of the mutations were studied by the conservation, bioinformatics and model analysis. The PC:A and PC:Ag of the proband 1 were observably reduced at 35 and 44%, respectively. Gene sequencing analysis revealed the p.Leu278Pro derived from a heterozygous c.833T>C point mutations in exon 9 of PROC gene. For proband 2, the PC:A and PC:Ag were decreased to 40 and 51%, respectively, caused p.Ala178Pro missense mutation by a heterozygous point mismatch of c.532G>C in exon 5 of PROC gene. Bioinformatics and model analysis indicated that it was the Leu278Pro and Ala178Pro that caused clinical PC deficiency (PCD). The heterozygous mutations Leu278Pro and Ala178Pro were observed in two independent families. The Leu278Pro mutation in the PROC gene has not been described elsewhere. The two mutations can both lead to the type I hereditary PCD, and probably be the major causes of PCD in the families.

Nuclease-resistant signaling nanostructures made entirely of DNA oligonucleotides.

Nucleic acid probes have the advantages of excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, versatile functionalities and remarkable programmability. However, the low biostability of nucleic acid probes under complex physiological conditions limits their in vivo application. Despite impressive progress in the development of inorganic material-mediated biostable nucleic acid nanostructures, uncertain systemic toxicity of composite nanocarriers has hindered their application in living organisms. In the field of biomedicine, as a promising alternative capable of avoiding potential cytotoxicity, biologically stable nanostructures composed entirely of DNA oligonucleotides have been rapidly developed in recent years, offering an exciting in vivo tool for cancer diagnosis and clinical treatment. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the development of nuclease-resistant DNA nanostructures with different geometrical shapes, such as tetrahedron, octahedron, DNA triangular prism (DTP), DNA nanotubes and DNA origami, introduce innovative assembly strategies, and discuss unique structural advantages and especially biological applications in cellular imaging and targeted drug delivery in an organism. Finally, we conclude with the challenges in the clinical development of DNA nanostructures and present an outlook of the future of this rapidly expanding field.

Effect of Different Iron Sources on In-Situ Growth of Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks-8: For Efficient Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts.

Transition metal and nitrogen co-doped carbon-based catalysts (TM-N-C) have become the most promising catalysts for Pt/C due to their wide range of sources, low cost, high catalytic activity, excellent stability and strong resistance to poisoning, especially Fe-N-C metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which are some of the most promising precursors for the preparation of Fe-N-C catalysts due to their inherent properties, such as their highly ordered three-dimensional framework structure, controlled porosity, and tuneable chemistry. Based on these, in this paper, different iron sources were added to synthesis a sort of zeolitic imidazole frameworks (ZIF-8). Then the imidazole salt in ZIF-8 was rearranged into high N-doped carbon by high-temperature pyrolysis to prepare the Fe-N-C catalyst. We studied the physical characteristics of the catalysts by different iron sources and their effects on the catalytic properties of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). From the point of morphology, various iron sources have a positive influence on maintaining the morphology of ZIF-8 polyhedron. Fe-N/C-Fe(NO3)3 has the same anion as zinc nitrate, and can maintain a polyhedral morphology after high-temperature calcination. It had the highest ORR catalytic activity compared to the other four catalyst materials, which proved that there is a certain relationship between morphology and performance. This paper will provide a useful reference and new models for the development of high-performance ORR catalysts without precious metals.

The Structure of Rhizosphere Fungal Communities of Wild and Domesticated Rice: Changes in Diversity and Co-occurrence Patterns.

The rhizosphere fungal community affects the ability of crops to acquire nutrients and their susceptibility to pathogen invasion. However, the effects of rice domestication on the diversity and interactions of rhizosphere fungal community still remain largely unknown. Here, internal transcribed spacer amplicon sequencing was used to systematically analyze the structure of rhizosphere fungal communities of wild and domesticated rice. The results showed that domestication increased the alpha diversity indices of the rice rhizosphere fungal community. The changes of alpha diversity index may be associated with the enrichment of Acremonium, Lecythophora, and other specific rare taxa in the rhizosphere of domesticated rice. The co-occurrence network showed that the complexity of wild rice rhizosphere fungal community was higher than that of the domesticated rice rhizosphere fungal community. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and soilborne fungi were positively and negatively correlated with more fungi in the wild rice rhizosphere, respectively. For restructuring the rhizomicrobial community of domesticated crops, we hypothesize that microbes that hold positive connections with AMF and negative connections with soilborne fungi can be used as potential sources for bio-inoculation. Our findings provide a scientific basis for reshaping the structure of rhizomicrobial community and furthermore create potential for novel intelligent and sustainable agricultural solutions.

ASK1/p38­mediated NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway contributes to aberrant retinal angiogenesis in diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness among the working­age population in several countries. Despite the available treatments, some patients are diagnosed at the late stages of the disease when treatment is more difficult. Hence, it is crucial that novel targets are identified in order to improve the clinical therapy of DR. In the present study, an animal model of DR and a cell model using primary human retinal microvascular endothelial cells exposed to high glucose were constructed to examine the association between apoptosis signal­regulating kinase 1 (ASK1)/p38 and NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) in DR. The results revealed that DR induced inflammatory response and microvascular cell proliferation. NLRP3 contributed to DR­mediated inflammatory development and progression, which promoted the expression of inflammatory­related cytokines. In addition, NLRP3 promoted the tube formation of retinal microvascular endothelial cells and angiogenesis. Moreover, further research indicated that the NLRP3­mediated aberrant retinal angiogenesis in DR was regulated by ASK1 and p38. It was thus suggested that ASK1/p38 may be novel target for the treatment of DR.

Type II antithrombin deficiency caused by a novel missense mutation (p.Leu417Gln) in a Chinese family.

THE AIM OF THE REPORT WAS T: o explore the phenotype and genotype of a hereditary antithrombin deficient Chinese family. Functional and molecular analysis of the proband and his family members was performed. Online bioinformatics software was used to predict the pathogenicity of the novel mutation. ClustalX-2.1-win and PyMol software were applied to conservative analysis and generate molecular graphic images, respectively. Functional analysis had shown that the antithrombin (AT):A of the proband was reduced to 32% whereas AT:Ag was normal. Molecular analysis revealed a heterozygous missense mutation p. Leu417Gln in exon 7 of SERPINC1 gene. Bioinformatics and model analysis indicated that this mutation could affect the integrity of local intermolecular structures, resulting in a mild type of antithrombin deficiency but when combined with other genetic or acquired thrombophilic factors, patients may develop venous thrombosis. The p.Leu417Gln mutation was responsible for the decrease of AT:A in this family and caused type II antithrombin deficiency.

Analysis of an Inherited Dysfibrinogenemia Pedigree Associated with a Heterozygous Mutation in the FGA Gene.

OBJECTIVE: This article aims to analyze the phenotype and genotype of an inherited dysfibrinogenemia pedigree associated with a heterozygous mutation in the FGA gene, and to investigate the pathogenesis of this disease. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: The proband of interest is a 29-year-old woman. She was in her 37 weeks of gestation. Routine coagulation tests showed low fibrinogen activity (0.91 g/L; normal range: 2.0-4.0 g/L) and normal fibrinogen antigen (FIB:Ag) level (2.09 g/L; normal range: 2.0-4.0 g/L). TECHNIQUES: The prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, and activity of plasma fibrinogen (FIB:C) were detected by the one-stage clotting method. The FIB:Ag, D-dimer, and fibrinogen degradation products were tested by the immunoturbidimetry method. To identify the novel missense mutation, fibrinogen gene sequencing and molecular modeling were performed. We used ClustalX-2.1-win and online bioinformatic software to analyze the conservation and possible effect of the amino acid substitution on fibrinogen. RESULTS: Phenotypic analysis revealed that the FIB:C of the proband was significantly reduced while the FIB:Ag was normal. Sequencing analysis detected a heterozygous C.2185G > A point mutation in the FGA gene (AαGlu710Lys). Bioinformatic and modeling analyses indicated that the mutation probably caused harmful effects on fibrinogen. CONCLUSION: The heterozygous mutation of Glu710Lys in the FGA gene was identified that could cause the reduction of the FIB structure stability and result in the dysfibrinogenemia.