Evolving insights into erythrocytes in synucleinopathies.

Synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple system atrophy (MSA), and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), are characterized by neuronal loss accompanied by α-synuclein (α-syn) accumulation in the brain. While research conventionally focused on brain pathology, there is growing interest in peripheral alterations. Erythrocytes, which are rich in α-syn, have emerged as a compelling site for synucleinopathies-related alterations. Erythrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), containing pathological α-syn species, can traverse the blood-brain barrier (BBB) under certain conditions and the gastrointestinal tract, where α-syn and gut microbiota interact extensively. This review explores the accumulating evidence of erythrocyte involvement in synucleinopathies, as well as their potential in disease pathogenesis and diagnosis. Given their unique properties, erythrocytes and erythrocyte-derived EVs may also serve as an ideal therapeutic platform for treating synucleinopathies and beyond.

Enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of NK cells in the treatment of ovarian cancer (Review).

Ovarian cancer is a prevalent gynecological malignancy associated with a high mortality rate and a low 5­year survival rate. Typically, >70% of patients present with an advanced stage of the disease, resulting in a high number of ovarian cancer­associated deaths worldwide. Over the past decade, adoptive cellular immunotherapy has been investigated in clinical trials, and the results have led to the increased use in cancer treatment. Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic lymphoid cells that recognize and lyse transformed cells, thereby impeding tumor growth. Thus, NK cells exhibit potential as a form of immunotherapy in the treatment of cancer. However, some patients with ovarian cancer treated with NK cells have experienced unsatisfactory outcomes. Therefore, further optimization of NK cells is required to increase the number of patients achieving long­term remission. In the present review article, studies focusing on improving NK cell function were systematically summarized, and innovative strategies that augment the anticancer properties of NK cells were proposed.

The relationship between nuclear factor-erythrocyte-related factor 2 and antioxidant enzymes in the placenta of patients with gestational diabetes and the metabolism of umbilical cord endothelial cells.

The paper aimed to explore the relationship between nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), antioxidant enzymes and the metabolism of umbilical cord endothelial cells in the placenta of patients with gestational diabetes (GDM). A total of 200 pregnant women who underwent an obstetric examination at the Municipal Maternity and Child Health Hospital from March 2018 to December 2019 were selected, with an average age of 30.91±3.24. According to the plasma glucose level and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), pregnant women were divided into a control group and an observation group. Blood samples were collected from these pregnant women, serum was removed, put into a centrifuge tube and stored in the refrigerator of the laboratory at - 80 °C. Placental tissue was collected for biochemical analysis. GSH level was detected by absorbance kit, and serum MDA content was detected by spectrophotometry. The expression levels of Heme oxygenase-1(HO-1), Nrf2, and NQO1 protein in placental tissue were analyzed by gel electrophoresis. Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein expression levels of Bach1 and Keap1 in endothelial cells. PCR real-time analysis was used to detect the expression of GSH and NQO1 mRNA. Results showed that the SOD and GSH levels in the serum of the observation group were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). The protein expression levels of HO-1, Nrf2 and NQO1 in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The GSH level of the HNE+ observation group was lower than that of the HNE+ control group before stimulation (P<0.05). 1.5 hours after the stimulation, the GSH levels of the two groups of cells were decreased. After 6 hours, the GSH levels of the two groups began to increase. The GSH level of HUVEC in the HNE+ observation group was lower than that of the HNE+ control group after 48 hours. The expression level of Bach1 protein in the HNE+ observation group was lower than that in the HNE+ control group (P<0.05). The expression level of Keap1 protein in the HNE+ observation group and HNE+ control group did not change (P>0.05). The expression levels of GSH and NQO1 mRNA in the HNE+Nrf2 silence group were lower than that in the Nrf2 silence group (P<0.05). The expression levels of GSH and NQO1 mRNA in the HNE+Nrf2 overexpression observation group were higher than those of the HNE+Nrf2 silence group (P<0.05). The apoptosis of trophoblast in the placenta of GDM patients was significantly decreased. The continuous lack of redox signals in fetal endothelial cells in patients with gestational diabetes can destroy the defense ability of cells in the uterus against oxidative stress. Nrf2 antioxidant defense pathway can provide therapeutic targets for reducing oxidative stress associated with diabetes and aging.

[Distribution and Emission Flux Estimation of Phosphorus in the Sediment and Interstitial Water of Xiangxi River].

The distribution and vertical variation of phosphorus forms in sediments along Xiangxi River were analyzed with Hedley classification method, meanwhile the influences of physical and chemical properties of overlying and interstitial water on the release of phosphorus in sediment were discussed. The major findings showed that the pH values in the overlying and interstitial water increased from 4.72 to 8.55, and were slightly acidic in summer, while weak alkaline in other seasons. The redox potential of sediment was in the reduction state overall. The annual variation range of total phosphorus (TP) content in the overlying and interstitial water, and that in the sediment was 0.02-0.48 mg·L-1 and 0.48-1.45 g·kg-1, respectively. The distribution features of TP content in the sediment were the same with those in the interstitial water along the Xiangxi River. It was interesting that the content of TP in the interstitial water in spring and summer was higher than that in autumn and winter, but that in the sediment of Xiangxi River was opposite. The content of different phosphorus (P) forms decreased successively:HCl-P (HCl extracted phosphorus)> Res-P (residual phosphorus)> NaOH-P (NaOH extracted phosphorus)> NaHCO3-P (NaHCO3 extracted phosphorus)> H2O-P (water-soluable phosphorus). The reductive environment of the interface between sediment and overlying water, and pH of water in spring (weak alkaline) and summer (slightly acidic), were conducive to phosphorus release from sediment into overlying water, increasing the eutrophication risk. TP content in the interstitial water was closely related to that in sediment. The PO43--P in 4 sampling areas diffused from the interstitial water into the overlying water with diffusive fluxes in the range of 0.01-0.04 mg·(m2·d)-1. All of these findings indicated that sediments is an important source of nutrient for the overlying water.

[Transfer characteristic and source identification of soil heavy metals from water-level-fluctuating zone along Xiangxi River, three-Gorges Reservoir area].

Transfer characteristics of heavy metals and their evaluation of potential risk were studied based on determining concentration of heavy metal in soils from water-level-fluctuating zone (altitude:145-175 m) and bank (altitude: 175-185 m) along Xiangxi River, Three Gorges Reservoir area. Factor analysis-multiple linear regression (FA-MLR) was employed for heavy metal source identification and source apportionment. Results demonstrate that, during exposing season, the concentration of soil heavy metals in water-level-fluctuation zone and bank showed the variation, and the concentration of soil heavy metals reduced in shallow soil, but increased in deep soil at water-level-fluctuation zone. However, the concentration of soil heavy metals reduced in both shallow and deep soil at bank during the same period. According to the geoaccumulation index,the pollution extent of heavy metals followed the order: Cd > Pb > Cu > Cr, Cd is the primary pollutant. FA and FA-MLR reveal that in soils from water-level-fluctuation zone, 75.60% of Pb originates from traffic, 62.03% of Cd is from agriculture, 64.71% of Cu and 75.36% of Cr are from natural rock. In soils from bank, 82.26% of Pb originates from traffic, 68.63% of Cd is from agriculture, 65.72% of Cu and 69.33% of Cr are from natural rock. In conclusion, FA-MLR can successfully identify source of heavy metal and compute source apportionment of heavy metals, meanwhile the transfer characteristic is revealed. All these information can be a reference for heavy metal pollution control.