Flexible and accurate total variation and cascaded denoisers-based image reconstruction algorithm for hyperspectrally compressed ultrafast photography.

Hyperspectrally compressed ultrafast photography (HCUP) based on compressed sensing and time- and spectrum-to-space mappings can simultaneously realize the temporal and spectral imaging of non-repeatable or difficult-to-repeat transient events with a passive manner in single exposure. HCUP possesses an incredibly high frame rate of tens of trillions of frames per second and a sequence depth of several hundred, and therefore plays a revolutionary role in single-shot ultrafast optical imaging. However, due to ultra-high data compression ratios induced by the extremely large sequence depth, as well as limited fidelities of traditional algorithms over the image reconstruction process, HCUP suffers from a poor image reconstruction quality and fails to capture fine structures in complex transient scenes. To overcome these restrictions, we report a flexible image reconstruction algorithm based on a total variation (TV) and cascaded denoisers (CD) for HCUP, named the TV-CD algorithm. The TV-CD algorithm applies the TV denoising model cascaded with several advanced deep learning-based denoising models in the iterative plug-and-play alternating direction method of multipliers framework, which not only preserves the image smoothness with TV, but also obtains more priori with CD. Therefore, it solves the common sparsity representation problem in local similarity and motion compensation. Both the simulation and experimental results show that the proposed TV-CD algorithm can effectively improve the image reconstruction accuracy and quality of HCUP, and may further promote the practical applications of HCUP in capturing high-dimensional complex physical, chemical and biological ultrafast dynamic scenes.

Association between air temperature and emergency admission for esophagogastric variceal bleeding: a case-crossover study in Beijing, China.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Studies concerning the impact of air temperature on esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB) have yielded conflicting results. Our study aimed to evaluate the correlation between air temperature and EGVB. METHODS: A time-stratified case-crossover study design was performed. Patients received emergency gastroscopic hemostasis for upper gastrointestinal bleeding between Jan 1, 2014, and Dec 31, 2018 in the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital were enrolled. Conditional logistic regression analysis was applied to determine the association between air temperature and EGVB for different lag structures. RESULTS: A total of 4204 cirrhotic patients diagnosed with EGVB and received emergency gastroscopic hemostasis were enrolled. The mean number of daily EGVB cases peaked in October (2.65 ± 1.69) and fell to the lowest level in July (1.86 ± 1.38), and was 2.38 ± 1.58 in spring, 2.00 ± 1.46 in summer, 2.37 ± 1.58 in autumn, and 2.45 ± 1.58 in winter, respectively (P < 0.0001). In conditional logistic regression analysis, no significant correlations between air temperature and EGVB were observed and no significant difference were found when stratified by age, sex, etiology, liver cancer status, and grade of varices. CONCLUSION: Emergency admission for EGVB showed significant monthly and seasonal fluctuations, while in conditional logistic regression analysis, no association between minimum temperature and emergency admission for EGVB were observed.

Weighted multi-scale denoising via adaptive multi-channel fusion for compressed ultrafast photography.

Being capable of passively capturing transient scenes occurring in picoseconds and even shorter time with an extremely large sequence depth in a snapshot, compressed ultrafast photography (CUP) has aroused tremendous attention in ultrafast optical imaging. However, the high compression ratio induced by large sequence depth brings the problem of low image quality in image reconstruction, preventing CUP from observing transient scenes with fine spatial information. To overcome these restrictions, we propose an efficient image reconstruction algorithm with multi-scale (MS) weighted denoising based on the plug-and-play (PnP) based alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) framework for multi-channel coupled CUP (MC-CUP), named the MCMS-PnP algorithm. By removing non-Gaussian distributed noise using weighted MS denoising during each iteration of the ADMM, and adaptively adjusting the weights via sufficiently exploiting the coupling information among different acquisition channels collected by MC-CUP, a synergistic combination of hardware and algorithm can be realized to significantly improve the quality of image reconstruction. Both simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed adaptive MCMS-PnP algorithm can effectively improve the accuracy and quality of reconstructed images in MC-CUP, and extend the detectable range of CUP to transient scenes with fine structures.

Hyperspectrally Compressed Ultrafast Photography.

The spatial, temporal, and spectral information in optical imaging play a crucial role in exploring the unknown world and unencrypting natural mysteries. However, the existing optical imaging techniques can only acquire the spatiotemporal or spatiospectral information of the object with the single-shot method. Here, we develop a hyperspectrally compressed ultrafast photography (HCUP) that can simultaneously record the spatial, temporal, and spectral information of the object. In our HCUP, the spatial resolution is 1.26 lp/mm in the horizontal direction and 1.41 lp/mm in the vertical direction, the temporal frame interval is 2 ps, and the spectral frame interval is 1.72 nm. Moreover, HCUP operates with receive-only and single-shot modes, and therefore it overcomes the technical limitation of active illumination and can measure the nonrepetitive or irreversible transient events. Using our HCUP, we successfully measure the spatiotemporal-spatiospectral intensity evolution of the chirped picosecond laser pulse and the photoluminescence dynamics. This Letter extends the optical imaging from three- to four-dimensional information, which has an important scientific significance in both fundamental research and applied science.

CO2 or air cholangiography reduces the risk of post-ERCP cholangitis in patients with Bismuth type IV hilar biliary obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic biliary stenting by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the most common form of palliation for malignant hilar obstruction. However, ERCP in such cases is associated with a risk of cholangitis. The incidence of post-ERCP cholangitis is particularly high in Bismuth type IV hilar obstruction, and this risk is further increased when the contrast injected for cholangiography is not drained. The present study aims to compare the incidence of cholangitis associated with the use of a contrast agent, air and CO2 for cholangiography in type IV hilar biliary lesions. METHODS: The clinical data of consecutive 70 patients with type IV hilar obstruction, who underwent ERCP from October 2013 to November 2017, were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into three groups based on the agent used for cholangiography: group A, contrast (n = 22); group B, air (n = 18); group C, CO2 (n = 30). These three methods of cholangiography were chronologically separated. Prior to the ERCP, MRCP was obtained from all patients to guide the endoscopic intervention. RESULTS: At baseline, there was no significant difference in terms of the patient's age, gender, symptoms and liver function tests among the three groups (P > 0.05). The complication rates were significantly higher in group A than in groups B and C (63.6% vs. 26.7 and 27.8%, P < 0.05). The incidence of post-ERCP cholangitis was significantly higher in group A (P < 0.05), while the incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis and bleeding were similar in the three groups. After the ERCP, the mean hospital stay was shorter in groups B and C, when compared to group A (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the 30-day mortality rate among the three groups (P > 0.05). Furthermore, there was no significant difference between groups B and C in terms of primary end points. CONCLUSION: CO2 or air cholangiography during ERCP for type IV hilar obstruction is associated with reduced risk of post-ERCP cholangitis, when compared to conventional contrast agents.

A novel pyroptosis-related model for prognostic prediction in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a bioinformatics analysis.

Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has a poor prognosis, and the 5-year survival rate is less than 30%. Better differentiation of patients at high risk of recurrence or metastasis could guide clinical treatment. The close relationship between pyroptosis and ESCC has been recently reported. Herein, we aimed to identify genes associated with pyroptosis in ESCC and construct a prognostic risk model. Methods: RNA-seq data of ESCC was obtained from the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Gene set variation analysis (GSVA) and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were used to calculate the pyroptosis-related pathway score (Pys). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and univariate Cox regression were used to screen for pyroptotic genes associated with prognosis, and Lasso regression was used to establish a risk score. Finally, the T test was used to compare the relationship between the model and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage. Furthermore, we compared the difference of immune infiltrating cells and immune checkpoints between the low- and high-risk groups. Results: Using WGCNA, 283 genes were significantly associated with N staging and Pys. Among them, univariate Cox analysis suggested that 83 genes were associated with prognosis of ESCC patients. After that, AADAC, GSTA1, and KCNS3 were identified as prognostic signatures separating high- and low-risk groups. Patients in the high- and low-risk groups had significantly different distributions of T (P=0.018) and N staging (P<0.05). Moreover, the 2 groups had remarkably different immune infiltrating cell scores and immune checkpoint expressions. Conclusions: Our study identified 3 prognosis pyroptosis-related genes in the ESCC and successfully build a prognostic model. AADAC, GSTA1, and KCNS3 may serve as promising therapeutic targets in ESCC.

PTPMT1 regulates mitochondrial death through the SLC25A6-NDUFS2 axis in pancreatic cancer cells.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a highly malignant cancer with poor prognosis, for which effective therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. The dual-specificity phosphatase PTPMT1 is localized in mitochondria and highly expressed in various cancers. Here, we investigated the function of PTPMT1 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. We inhibited its expression in pancreatic cancer cell lines using siRNAs or the specific PTPMT1 inhibitor alexidine dihydrochloride and observed that PTPMT1 silencing in pancreatic cancer cell lines drastically reduced cell viability, caused mitochondrial damage, and impaired mitochondrial function. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated that PTPMT1 could interact with SLC25A6 and NDUFS2, indicating that it may modulate mitochondrial function via the SLC25A6-NDUFS2 axis. Collecively, our data highlight PTPMT1 as an important factor in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and a potential therapeutic target.

Development and validation of an online calculator to predict the pathological nature of colorectal tumors.

BACKGROUND: No single endoscopic feature can reliably predict the pathological nature of colorectal tumors (CRTs). AIM: To establish and validate a simple online calculator to predict the pathological nature of CRTs based on white-light endoscopy. METHODS: This was a single-center study. During the identification stage, 530 consecutive patients with CRTs were enrolled from January 2015 to December 2021 as the derivation group. Logistic regression analysis was performed. A novel online calculator to predict the pathological nature of CRTs based on white-light images was established and verified internally. During the validation stage, two series of 110 images obtained using white-light endoscopy were distributed to 10 endoscopists [five highly experienced endoscopists and five less experienced endoscopists (LEEs)] for external validation before and after systematic training. RESULTS: A total of 750 patients were included, with an average age of 63.6 ± 10.4 years. Early colorectal cancer (ECRC) was detected in 351 (46.8%) patients. Tumor size, left semicolon site, rectal site, acanthosis, depression and an uneven surface were independent risk factors for ECRC. The C-index of the ECRC calculator prediction model was 0.906 (P = 0.225, Hosmer-Lemeshow test). For the LEEs, significant improvement was made in the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy (57.6% vs 75.5%; 72.3% vs 82.4%; 64.2% vs 80.2%; P < 0.05), respectively, after training with the ECRC online calculator prediction model. CONCLUSION: A novel online calculator including tumor size, location, acanthosis, depression, and uneven surface can accurately predict the pathological nature of ECRC.

Microstructural Variation of Clay during Land Subsidence and the Correlation between Macroscopic and Microscopic Parameters.

The nonlinear deformation, visco-elasto-plasticity and other macroscopic properties of soil are the concentrated manifestations of its microstructural state. In order to study the microstructural characteristics and variations of the clay under the action of additional stress caused by groundwater exploitation, borehole sampling was carried out on the clay layers at different depths in a typical land subsidence area. Consolidation tests, freeze-drying, ion sputtering, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were conducted in order to scan and analyze the microstructure of the test samples at different scales. The Particles and Cracks Analysis System (PCAS) was used to quantify the microscopic parameters, the variations of the microstructural parameters with consolidation loads at different sizes were revealed, and the correlation between the macroscopic and microscopic parameters were discussed. The results show that: (1) the microstructural characteristics of soils with different buried depths have directivity, to a certain extent; (2) as the consolidation load increases, the average unit area and average form factor of the soil microstructure generally decrease, the structural arrangement of the unit gradually tends to be orderly, and the average pore area, apparent void ratio and the number of pores generally show a decreasing trend; (3) under the action of a consolidation load, when the microstructure at a relatively large scale is basically stable, the microstructure at a smaller scale will continue to adjust; (4) the apparent void ratio has a good linear regression relationship with the conventional void ratio, and the apparent void ratio has a good exponential growth relationship with the compressibility.

A Network Pharmacology Approach for Uncovering the Antitumor Effects and Potential Mechanisms of the Sijunzi Decoction for the Treatment of Gastric Cancer.

Background: Sijunzi decoction (SJZD), a classic Chinese formula, has been clinically used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. However, few studies have uncovered its antitumor effects and its potential mechanisms against gastric cancer (GC). Therefore, this work aimed to identify the active compounds and putative targets of the SJZD and to further explore the potential mechanisms involved in the treatment of GC. Materials and Methods: The active compounds and potential targets of the SJZD and related genes for GC treatment were collected from a public database. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-compound-target-disease networks, Venn diagrams, protein-protein interactions (PPIs), gene ontology (GO), and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were used to obtain the bioactive compounds, key targets, and potential pathways. Next, the human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line NUGC-4 was inoculated subcutaneously into the right flank of NCG mice to build a tumor-bearing mouse model to further verify the findings. Results: There were 117 compounds in the SJZD in total. The SJZD and GC had 161 and 3288 potential targets, respectively, among which 123 targets overlapped. The network analysis showed that quercetin, kaempferol formononetin, ginsenoside, atractylenolide III, etc., were bioactive molecules. The tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), cellular tumor antigen p53 (TP53), transcription factor AP-1 (JUN), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) were potential targets. A KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed 110 pathways involved in the pathways for cancer, including the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. Validation experiments showed that the SJZD inhibited tumor growth and induced apoptosis in tumor cells. In addition, the SJZD downregulated expressions of VEGFA, iNOS, COX-2, and Bax/Bcl2 and inhibited the expressions of p-PI3K and p-AKT. Conclusion: The SJZD treats GC by inhibiting blood vessel hyperplasia and inducing cell apoptosis by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway.

MAC mediates mammary duct epithelial cell injury in plasma cell mastitis and granulomatous mastitis.

Plasma cell mastitis (PCM) and granulomatous mastitis (GM) are common inflammatory nonbacterial mastitis (NBM). However, the pathogenesis of NBM is still unclear. METHODS: In this study, we statistically analyzed the pathological features of PCM and GM using pathological HE staining and tissue transmission electron microscopy. The levels of MAC (C5b-9n), P-selectin, E-selectin, and ICAM-1 were detected through IHC, WB, ELISA, and qPCR. The expression level and location of MAC were observed by tissue immunological electron microscopy. In addition, exosomes were isolated from tissues, identified using transmission electron microscopy, and the densities were detected by Nano-FCM. Finally, the expression intensity of MAC in exosomes was detected by flow cytometry and immunoelectron microscopy. RESULTS: The damage and apoptosis of mammary duct epithelial cells are the common pathological features of PCM and GM. MAC is primarily located in the cell membrane of mammary ductal epithelial cells and is significantly expressed in PCM and GM. The density of exosomes in PCM and GM tissues was elevated, and MAC was highly expressed in exosomes. In addition, the expression of P-selectin, E-selectin, and ICAM-1 in PCM and GM was significantly higher than in the normal group. CONCLUSION: We found severe damage of the mammary duct epithelial cells in PCM and GM tissues, which was verified by relevant pathological methods. Earlier studies demonstrated that MAC is highly expressed in PCM and GM tissues and exosomes seem to play a very important role in the understanding of MAC. Furthermore, MAC is involved in inflammatory infiltration and lesion of mammary duct epithelial cells upregulated by P-selectin, E-selectin, and ICAM-1. These findings provide new insights into PCM and GM molecular mechanisms.

LncRNA AFAP1-AS1 Knockdown Represses Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Induced Apoptosis in Breast Cancer by Downregulating SEPT2 Via Sponging miR-497-5p.

Background: Long non-coding RNA actin filament-associated protein1-antisense RNA 1 (AFAP1-AS1) was confirmed to be associated with tumorigenesis. However, the role of AFAP1-AS1 in breast cancer was little known. Materials and Methods: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the levels of AFAP1-AS1, microRNA-497-5p (miR-497-5p), and Septin 2 (SEPT2) in breast cancer tissues and cells. The cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis were tested by Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT), Transwell and Flow cytometry assays, respectively. The targeting relationship between genes was predicted by StarBase v.3.0 and confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Pearson's correlation coefficient was applied to examine the correlation between the two groups. SEPT2 protein expression was evaluated by Western blot. Xenograft models were established to investigate the role of AFAP1-AS1 knockdown in vivo. Results: AFAP1-AS1 was upregulated in breast cancer tissues and cells, and AFAP1-AS1 knockdown could hinder proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells, and contribute to cell apoptosis. MiR-497-5p, which was downregulated in breast cancer, was verified to be a target of AFAP1-AS1 and inversely correlated with AFAP1-AS1 expression. SEPT2, as a target gene of miR-497-5p, was negatively regulated by miR-497-5p and positively correlated with AFAP1-AS1 expression. Importantly, AFAP1-AS1 could upregulate SEPT2 expression by sponging miR-497-5p, and modulate cell progression by regulation of the miR-497-5p/SEPT2 axis in breast cancer. Conclusion: AFAP1-AS1 knockdown repressed the progression of breast cancer cells by sponging miR-497-5p and downregulating SEPT2.

ISMN-loaded PLGA-PEG nanoparticles conjugated with anti-Staphylococcus aureus α-toxin inhibit Staphylococcus aureus biofilms in chronic rhinosinusitis.

Background:Staphylococcus aureus biofilms were linked to negative postsurgical outcomes of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). This study aims to develop a targeted nanoparticle and characterize its bactericidal effects. Methods: The authors prepared ISMN-loaded poly-lactide-co-glycolide acid (PLGA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) nanoparticles conjugated with anti-S. aureus α-toxin (AA; ISMN-PLGA-PEG-AA), and determined its bactericidal and toxic effects. The antibiofilm propriety of ISMN-PLGA-PEG-AA was further investigated in a sheep CRS model. Results: ISMN-PLGA-PEG-AA had no toxic effect, while ISMN, ISMN-PLGA-PEG and ISMN-PLGA-PEG-AA had significantly anti-S. aureus effects. The blood concentrations and mRNA levels in sinus tissues of IL-4, IL-8 and IFN-γ in the sheep CRS model were significantly low. Conclusion: ISMN-PLGA-PEG-AA can effectively inhibit S. aureus biofilm, and is a promising drug for CRS treatment.

Composition and plasticity of triple-negative breast carcinoma-infiltrating regulatory T cells.

Low Foxp3+ regulatory T-cell (Treg) presence in the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is considered favorable in breast cancer, and numerous CD25-targeting agents have been applied in the attempt to remove Foxp3+ Treg cells, which typically present CD4+ CD25+/hi surface phenotype. However, CD25 is not Treg-exclusive and can be upregulated by effector T cells. Hence, CD25 depletion may cause the elimination of activated T cells that are responding to tumor-specific antigens. In this study, the composition and function of CD4+ CD25+ cells inside the microenvironment of triple-negative breast carcinoma (TNBC) were investigated. Directly ex vivo, the Foxp3+ Treg cells represented a minor subset in total CD4+ CD25+ TILs. Significant differences were observed in the expression of Treg-associated molecules between CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ TILs and CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3- TILs. While both the CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ and the CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3- TILs could express CTLA-4 and LAG-3, the expression levels were significantly higher in CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ TILs than in CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3- TILs. Upon TCR stimulation, the expression of TGF-beta was significantly higher in CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ TILs, while the expression of IL-10 was significantly higher in CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3- TILs. These differences were conserved in the blood counterparts of these cells. Interestingly, the level of CD25+ Foxp3+ cells in circulating CD4+ T cells was positively correlated with the level of CD25+ Foxp3+ cells in CD4+ TILs, but the level of CD25+ Foxp3- cells in circulating CD4+ T cells was not associated with the level of CD25+ Foxp3- cells in CD4+ TILs. Th17-polarizing medium could readily remodel CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3- , but not CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ , T cells into RORgammat and IL-17-expressing T cells, demonstrating stronger plasticity of the former subset. Together, these data demonstrated that the CD4+ CD25+ TILs were composed of distinctive Foxp3- and Foxp3+ cells, with the former representing the major subset. The antigen specificity and effector molecule expression of the CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3- thus require further analyses.

Molecular defect-containing bilayer graphene exhibiting brightened luminescence.

The electronic structure of bilayer graphene can be altered by creating defects in its carbon skeleton. However, the natural defects are generally heterogeneous. On the other hand, rational bottom-up synthesis offers the possibility of building well-defined molecular cutout of defect-containing bilayer graphene, which allows defect-induced modulation with atomic precision. Here, we report the construction of a molecular defect-containing bilayer graphene (MDBG) with an inner cavity by organic synthesis. Single-crystal x-ray diffraction, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy unambiguously characterize the structure of MDBG. Compared with its same-sized, defect-free counterpart, the MDBG exhibits a notable blue shift of optical absorption and emission, as well as a 9.6-fold brightening of its photoluminescence, which demonstrates that a single defect can markedly alter the optical properties of bilayer graphene.

Malignant glomus tumor of the intestinal ileum with multiorgan metastases: A case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Glomus tumors (GTs) are rare mesenchymal neoplastic lesions derived from cells of the glomus body. GTs rarely occurs in the visceral organs, where there may be few or no glomus bodies, and the majority of GTs are benign, rarely demonstrating aggressive or malignant behavior and histological features. CASE SUMMARY: We report a patient with malignant GTs of the intestinal ileum with multiorgan metastases who was admitted due to moderate anemia. Capsule endoscopy revealed a bleeding mass in the intestinal ileum, and the patient underwent segmental ileal resection through laparoscopic surgery. The histopathological and immunohistochemical diagnoses were consistent with malignant GT. Long-term follow-up showed that the GT had metastasized to multiple organs such as the colon, brain, and possibly the lung. CONCLUSION: This case was characterized by the highest degree of malignancy and by multiorgan metastases, and it was the first case of intestinal GT uncovered by capsule endoscopy.

[Niches and interspecific association of dominant shrimp species in the offshore waters of southern Zhejiang Province, China]. / 浙江南部近海主要虾类的时空生态位及种间联结性.

Based on data from November of 2015 (autumn), February (winter), May (spring), and August (summer) of 2016 in the offshore waters of southern Zhejiang Province, the relationships between major shrimps species were examined by niche breadth, niche overlap, variance ratio, chi-square test, association coefficient and species pair co-occurrence percentage. The results showed that temporal niche breadth of Atypopenaeus stenodactylu was the largest, spatial niche breadth of Solenocera crassicornis was the largest, and A. stenodactylu had the largest spatio-temporal niche breadth. The temporal niche overlap between Parapenaeus fissuroides and Parapenaeopsis tenella was the highest. The spatial niche overlap between Solenocera koelbeli and Penaeus chinensis, P. fissuroides and Heterocarpoides laevicarina were the highest. The spatio-temporal niche overlap between S. koelbeli and P. chinensis was the highest. The analysis of variance ratio showed that the main shrimp species were significantly positively correlated. Positive correlation existed in 13 pairs (χ2≥3.841). Results from the association coefficient (AC) and co-occurrence percentage (PC) indicated that the interspecific association tended to be positive. Our results provide supports for exploring niche breadth and niche overlap of major shrimp species and improving niche differentiation.

IL-9-producing CD8+ T cells represent a distinctive subset with different transcriptional characteristics from conventional CD8+ T cells, and partially infiltrate breast tumors.

Accumulating evidence suggests that IL-9 and IL-9-producing cells exert various roles in antitumor immunity. Our study examined the IL-9 production in CD8+ T cells from breast cancer patients as compared to healthy controls. IL-9 secretion was undetectable in CD8+ T cells ex vivo, but could be readily detected following anti-TCR or PMA + ionomycin stimulation, and was higher in breast cancer patients than in healthy controls. The capacity to express IL-9 was not universal to all CD8+ T cells, but was favored in IL-9Rhigh CD8+ T cells, which were also present in breast cancer patients at significantly higher frequency than in healthy controls. Interestingly, exogenous IL-9 could significantly increase the expression of both IL-9 and IL-9R in IL-9Rhigh, but not IL-9Rlow, CD8+ T cells. IL-9Rhigh CD8+ T cells ex vivo presented lower expression of KLRG-1, PD-1, and Tim-3 than IL-9Rlow CD8+ T cells. Additionally, IL-9Rhigh CD8+ T cells following anti-TCR and PMA + ionomycin stimulation presented higher IL-2 and IL-17 expression, and lower IFN-γ expression, than IL-9Rlow CD8+ T cells. IL-9-expressing CD8+ T cells could be found in some, but not all, resected breast tumors. IL-9R expression, on the other hand, was readily present in CD8+ T cells, but with high variability from patient to patient. Patients with high intratumoral IL-9 expression also tended to present high IL-9R expression. Together, these data demonstrate that a transcriptionally distinctive IL-9-producing CD8+ T cell subset was elevated in breast cancer patients and could be found inside the tumor, with higher capacity to produce IL-2 and IL-17 and lower expression of inhibitory receptors.

miRNA-106a Promotes Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation, Clonogenicity, Migration, and Invasion Through Inhibiting Apoptosis and Chemosensitivity.

To explore the effect of miR-106a in breast cancer cell behavior and sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents. Tumor tissue and adjacent normal tissue were derived from 40 breast cancer patients, and miR-106a expression was measured by reverse transcription-qPCR. Breast cancer cells, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7, were treated with miRNA-106a mimic (MM) or miRNA-106a inhibitor (MI) and negative controls. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay. Clonogenicity was measured by colony-forming assay. Cell migration and invasion ability were measured by scratch test and transwell assay, respectively. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry, and chemosensitivity to cisplatin was measured by MTT assay. Finally, protein expression of p53, Bax, Bcl-2, RUNX3, and ABCG2 was quantified by western blot. miR-106a expression was significantly upregulated in human breast cancer tissue relative to adjacent normal tissue. Upregulation of miR-106a enhanced breast cancer cell proliferation, colony-forming capacity, migration, and invasion of cultured breast cancer cells. Additionally, miR-106a overexpression significantly decreased breast cancer cell apoptosis and sensitivity to cisplatin. Finally, we showed miR-106a overexpression upregulated the levels of Bcl-2 and ABCG2, and downregulated the expression of P53, Bax, and RUNX3. miR-106a promotes breast cancer cell proliferation and invasion through upregulation of Bcl-2, ABCG2, and P53, and downregulation of Bax and RUNX3.

Molecular bilayer graphene.

Bilayer graphene consists of two stacked graphene layers bound together by van der Waals interaction. As the molecular analog of bilayer graphene, molecular bilayer graphene (MBLG) can offer useful insights into the structural and functional properties of bilayer graphene. However, synthesis of MBLG, which requires discrete assembly of two graphene fragments, has proved to be challenging. Here, we show the synthesis and characterization of two structurally well-defined MBLGs, both consisting of two π-π stacked nanographene sheets. We find they have excellent stability against variation of concentration, temperature and solvents. The MBLGs show sharp absorption and emission peaks, and further time-resolved spectroscopic studies reveal drastically different lifetimes for the bright and dark Davydov states in these MBLGs.