Cold exposure-induced plasma exosomes impair bone mass by inhibiting autophagy.

Recently, environmental temperature has been shown to regulate bone homeostasis. However, the mechanisms by which cold exposure affects bone mass remain unclear. In our present study, we observed that exposure to cold temperature (CT) decreased bone mass and quality in mice. Furthermore, a transplant of exosomes derived from the plasma of mice exposed to cold temperature (CT-EXO) can also impair the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and decrease bone mass by inhibiting autophagic activity. Rapamycin, a potent inducer of autophagy, can reverse cold exposure or CT-EXO-induced bone loss. Microarray sequencing revealed that cold exposure increases the miR-25-3p level in CT-EXO. Mechanistic studies showed that miR-25-3p can inhibit the osteogenic differentiation and autophagic activity of BMSCs. It is shown that inhibition of exosomes release or downregulation of miR-25-3p level can suppress CT-induced bone loss. This study identifies that CT-EXO mediates CT-induced osteoporotic effects through miR-25-3p by inhibiting autophagy via targeting SATB2, presenting a novel mechanism underlying the effect of cold temperature on bone mass.

Changes in Levels of Serum Cytokines and Chemokines in Perforated Appendicitis in Children.

Appendicitis is primarily diagnosed based on intraoperative or histopathological findings, and few studies have explored pre-operative markers of a perforated appendix. This study aimed to identify systemic biomarkers to predict pediatric appendicitis at various time points. The study group comprised pediatric patients with clinically suspected appendicitis between 2016 and 2019. Pre-surgical serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), intercellular cell-adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and endothelial selectin (E-selectin) levels were tested from day 1 to day 3 of the disease course. The biomarker values were analyzed and compared between children with normal appendices and appendicitis and those with perforated appendicitis (PA) and non-perforated appendicitis. Among 226 pediatric patients, 106 had non-perforated appendicitis, 102 had PA, and 18 had normal appendices. The levels of all serum proinflammatory biomarkers were elevated in children with acute appendicitis compared with those in children with normal appendices. In addition, the serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels in children with PA were significantly higher, with an elevation in TNF-α levels from days 1 and 2. In addition, serum IL-6 levels increased significantly from days 2 and 3 (both p < 0.05). Serum ICAM-1 and E-selectin levels were elevated in the PA group, with consistently elevated levels within the first three days of admission (all p < 0.05). These results indicate that increased serum levels of proinflammatory biomarkers including IL-6, TNF-α, ICAM-1, and E-selectin could be used as parameters in the prediction and early diagnosis of acute appendicitis, especially in children with PA.

Advancements in Allergen Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects individuals of all age groups, manifesting as a spectrum of symptoms varying from mild to severe. Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) involves the administration of allergen extracts and has emerged as a potential treatment strategy for modifying immune responses. Its pathogenesis involves epidermal barrier dysfunction, microbiome imbalance, immune dysregulation, and environmental factors. Existing treatment strategies encompass topical steroids to systemic agents, while AIT is under investigation as a potential immune-modifying alternative. Several studies have shown reductions in the severity scoring of atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) scores, daily rescue medication use, and visual analog scale (VAS) scores following AIT. Biomarker changes include increased IgG4 levels and decreased eosinophil counts. This review provides valuable insights for future research and clinical practice, exploring AIT as a viable option for the management of AD.

The NR2B-targeted intervention alleviates the neuronal injuries at the sub-acute stage of cerebral ischemia: an exploration of stage-dependent strategy against ischemic insults.

Stroke is reported to be the second leading cause of death worldwide, among which ischemic stroke has fourfold greater incidence than intracerebral hemorrhage. Excitotoxicity induced by NMDAR plays a central role in ischemic stroke-induced neuronal death. However, intervention targeted NMDARs against ischemic stroke has failed, which may result from the complex composition of NMDARs and the dynamic changes of their subunits. In this current study, the levels of NR1, NR2A and NR2B subunits of NMDARs were observed upon different time points during the reperfusion after 1 h ischemia with the western blot assay. It was found that the changes of NR1 subunit were only detected after ischemia 1 h/reperfusion 1 day (1 d). While, the changes of NR2A and NR2B subunits may last to ischemia 1 h/reperfusion 7 day(7 d), indicating that NR2subunits may be a potential target for ischemia-reperfusion injuries at the sub-acute stage of ischemic stroke. Simultaneously, mitochondrial injuries in neurons were investigated with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and mitochondrial dysfunction was evaluated with mitochondrial membrane proteins oxidative respiratory chain complex and OCR. When the antagonist of NMDARs was used before ischemic exposure, the neuronal mitochondrial dysfunction was alleviated, suggesting that these aberrant deviations of NMDARs from basal levels led to mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, when the antagonist of NR2B was administrated intracerebroventricularly at the sub-acute cerebral ischemia, the volume of cerebral infarct region was decreased and the neural functions were improved. To sum up, the ratio of NR2B-containing NMDARs is vital for mitochondrial homeostasis and then neuronal survival. NR2B-targeted intervention should be chosen at the sub-acute stage of cerebral ischemia.

Vascular wall microenvironment: exosomes secreted by adventitial fibroblasts induced vascular calcification.

Vascular calcification often occurs in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF), which significantly increases the incidence of cardiovascular events in CRF patients. Our previous studies identified the crosstalk between the endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and the paracrine effect of VSMCs, which regulate the calcification of VSMCs. Herein, we aim to investigate the effects of exosomes secreted by high phosphorus (HPi) -induced adventitial fibroblasts (AFs) on the calcification of VSMCs and the underlying mechanism, which will further elucidate the important role of AFs in high phosphorus vascular wall microenvironment. The conditioned medium of HPi-induced AFs promotes the calcification of VSMCs, which is partially abrogated by GW4869, a blocker of exosomes biogenesis or release. Exosomes secreted by high phosphorus-induced AFs (AFsHPi-Exos) show similar effects on VSMCs. miR-21-5p is enriched in AFsHPi-Exos, and miR-21-5p enhances osteoblast-like differentiation of VSMCs by downregulating cysteine-rich motor neuron 1 (Crim1) expression. AFsHPi-Exos and exosomes secreted by AFs with overexpression of miR-21-5p (AFsmiR21M-Exos) significantly accelerate vascular calcification in CRF mice. In general, AFsHPi-Exos promote the calcification of VSMCs and vascular calcification by delivering miR-21-5p to VSMCs and subsequently inhibiting the expression of Crim1. Combined with our previous studies, the present experiment supports the theory of vascular wall microenvironment.

Cold exposure protects against medial arterial calcification development via autophagy.

Medial arterial calcification (MAC), a systemic vascular disease different from atherosclerosis, is associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular events. Several studies have demonstrated that ambient temperature is one of the most important factors affecting cardiovascular events. However, there has been limited research on the effect of different ambient temperatures on MAC. In the present study, we showed that cold temperature exposure (CT) in mice slowed down the formation of vitamin D (VD)-induced vascular calcification compared with room temperature exposure (RT). To investigate the mechanism involved, we isolated plasma-derived exosomes from mice subjected to CT or RT for 30 days (CT-Exo or RT-Exo, respectively). Compared with RT-Exo, CT-Exo remarkably alleviated the calcification/senescence formation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and promoted autophagy by activating the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) and inhibiting phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR). At the same time, CT-Exo promoted autophagy in ß-glycerophosphate (ß-GP)-induced VSMCs. The number of autophagosomes and the expression of autophagy-related proteins ATG5 and LC3B increased, while the expression of p62 decreased. Based on a microRNA chip microarray assay and real-time polymerase chain reaction, miR-320a-3p was highly enriched in CT-Exo as well as thoracic aortic vessels in CT mice. miR-320a-3p downregulation in CT-Exo using AntagomiR-320a-3p inhibited autophagy and blunted its anti-calcification protective effect on VSMCs. Moreover, we identified that programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) is a target of miR-320a-3p, and silencing PDCD4 increased autophagy and decreased calcification in VSMCs. Treatment with CT-Exo alleviated the formation of MAC in VD-treated mice, while these effects were partially reversed by GW4869. Furthermore, the anti-arterial calcification protective effects of CT-Exo were largely abolished by AntagomiR-320a-3p in VD-induced mice. In summary, we have highlighted that prolonged cold may be a good way to reduce the incidence of MAC. Specifically, miR-320a-3p from CT-Exo could protect against the initiation and progression of MAC via the AMPK/mTOR autophagy pathway.

Predictors of bacteremia in febrile infants under 3 months old in the pediatric emergency department.

INTRODUCTION: Fever may serve as the primary indicator of underlying infection in children admitted to the pediatric emergency department (PED), especially in high-risk young infants. This study aimed to identify early clinical factors that could help predict bacteremia in young febrile infants. METHODS: The study included infants under 90 days of age who were admitted to the PED due to fever. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of bacteremia and further divided into three age groups: (1) less than 30 days, (2) 30 to 59 days, and (3) 60 to 90 days. Several clinical and laboratory variables were analyzed, and logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were used to identify potential risk factors associated with bacteremia in young febrile infants. RESULTS: A total of 498 febrile infants were included, of whom 6.4% were diagnosed with bacteremia. The bacteremia group had a higher body temperature (BT) at triage, especially in neonates, higher pulse rates at triage, longer fever subsidence time, longer hospital stays, higher neutrophil counts, and higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels than those of the non-bacteremia group. ROC analysis showed that the best cut-off values for predicting bacteremia in infants with pyrexia were a BT of 38.7 °C, neutrophil count of 57.9%, and CRP concentration of 53.8 mg/L. CONCLUSIONS: A higher BT at triage, increased total neutrophil count, and elevated CRP levels may be useful for identifying bacteremia in young febrile infants admitted to the PED.

The efficacy of steroid-eluting stents on the local inflammation of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis after endoscopic sinus surgery: a multicenter prospective longitudinal study.

PURPOSE: Attenuating local inflammation of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) was crucial. Corticosteroids were generally exploited to ameliorate the postoperative state of CRSwNP. This study aims to verify the efficacy of steroid-eluting stents on the local inflammation of CRSwNP following ESS. METHODS: 57 CRSwNP were enrolled from September 2021 to April 2022. 30 were with stents, and 27 were without stents after ESS. Eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), eosinophil, and neutrophil levels in nasal secretions, as well as visual analog scale (VAS) and modified perioperative sinus endoscopy (POSE) scores, were assessed preoperatively and after 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. RESULTS: All subjects of CRSwNP exhibited reduced results of eosinophil levels, neutrophil levels, nasal obstruction, nasal discharge, loss of smell, and total VAS scores after 12 weeks compared to the preoperative ones (p < 0.05). Compared with control subjects, CRSwNP with stents acquired lower levels of ECP, MPO, loss of smell, total VAS, and POSE scores at four follow-up visits, as well as reduced eosinophil and neutrophil levels in nasal secretions after 12 weeks (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that postoperative ECP and MPO levels of CRSwNP in nasal secretions correlated strongly with eosinophil and neutrophil levels, respectively, as well as POSE scores (r > 0.6). CONCLUSION: These findings indicated that steroid-eluting stents might be an acclaimed option for CRSwNP in alleviating local inflammation to acquire a superior state after ESS.

Diagnostic value of myeloperoxidase and eosinophil cationic protein in nasal secretions for endotypes of chronic rhinosinusitis.

OBJECTIVES: To explore associations between inflammatory endotypes and clinical presentations in CRS. To investigate the value of secretions myeloperoxidase (MPO) and eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) detections in the diagnosis of endotypes of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), so as to provide guidance for the clinical application of MPO and ECP detection in secretions. METHODS: We collected clinical symptom scores from patients with CRS and examined the differences between endotypes in clinical features. Patients' nasal secretions and polyps (or middle turbinate for control) were collected and their NEU number, EOS%, MPO and ECP levels were measured. Correlation analysis was performed for these biomarkers in secretions and tissues, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to assess the predictive potential of the biomarkers mentioned above in nasal secretions. RESULTS: Patients with Eos+Neu+ and Eos+Neu-CRS scored highest in most clinical symptom scores, while Eos-Neu+ and Eos-Neu-CRS scored lowest. Correlation analysis showed that tissues NEU number was correlated with NEU number and MPO level in nasal secretions (R = 0.4088; 0.6613); tissues EOS % was correlated with EOS% and ECP level in nasal secretions (R = 0.2344; 0.5774). To diagnose Neu+CRS, the highest area under the curve (AUC) (0.8961) was determined for MPO in secretions; the highest AUC (0.7400) was determined for NEU number in secretions. To diagnose Eos+Neu-CRS from Eos-Neu-CRS in Neu-CRS, the highest AUC (0.8801) was determined for ECP in secretions. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical presentations are directly associated with CRS endotypes. Measurement of MPO and ECP in nasal secretions is useful for the endotypes diagnosis of CRS.

Stem Cell Therapy in Children with Traumatic Brain Injury.

Pediatric traumatic brain injury is a cause of major mortality, and resultant neurological sequelae areassociated with long-term morbidity. Increasing studies have revealed stem cell therapy to be a potential new treatment. However, much work is still required to clarify the mechanism of action of effective stem cell therapy, type of stem cell therapy, optimal timing of therapy initiation, combination of cocurrent medical treatment and patient selection criteria. This paper will focus on stem cell therapy in children with traumatic brain injury.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of COVID-19.

Since the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many lives have been tragically lost to severe infections. The COVID-19 impact extends beyond the respiratory system, affecting various organs and functions. In severe cases, it can progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multi-organ failure, often fueled by an excessive immune response known as a cytokine storm. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have considerable potential because they can mitigate inflammation, modulate immune responses, and promote tissue regeneration. Accumulating evidence underscores the efficacy and safety of MSCs in treating severe COVID-19 and ARDS. Nonetheless, critical aspects, such as optimal routes of MSC administration, appropriate dosage, treatment intervals, management of extrapulmonary complications, and potential pediatric applications, warrant further exploration. These research avenues hold promise for enriching our understanding and refining the application of MSCs in confronting the multifaceted challenges posed by COVID-19.

Personalized Medicine in Severe Asthma: From Biomarkers to Biologics.

Severe asthma is a complex and heterogeneous clinical condition presented as chronic inflammation of the airways. Conventional treatments are mainly focused on symptom control; however, there has been a shift towards personalized medicine. Identification of different phenotypes driven by complex pathobiological mechanisms (endotypes), especially those driven by type-2 (T2) inflammation, has led to improved treatment outcomes. Combining biomarkers with T2-targeting monoclonal antibodies is crucial for developing personalized treatment strategies. Several biological agents, including anti-immunoglobulin E, anti-interleukin-5, and anti-thymic stromal lymphopoietin/interleukin-4, have been approved for the treatment of severe asthma. These biological therapies have demonstrated efficacy in reducing asthma exacerbations, lowering eosinophil count, improving lung function, diminishing oral corticosteroid use, and improving the quality of life in selected patients. Severe asthma management is undergoing a profound transformation with the introduction of ongoing and future biological therapies. The availability of novel treatment options has facilitated the adoption of phenotype/endotype-specific approaches and disappearance of generic interventions. The transition towards precision medicine plays a crucial role in meticulously addressing the individual traits of asthma pathobiology. An era of tailored strategies has emerged, allowing for the successful targeting of immune-inflammatory responses that underlie uncontrolled T2-high asthma. These personalized approaches hold great promise for improving the overall efficacy and outcomes in the management of severe asthma. This article comprehensively reviews currently available biological agents and biomarkers for treating severe asthma. With the expanding repertoire of therapeutic options, it is becoming increasingly crucial to comprehend the influencing factors, understand the pathogenesis, and track treatment progress in severe asthma.

Modulated Synthesis of Self-Standing Covalent Organic Framework Films.

The weak interaction of covalent organic framework (COF) nanoparticles makes the preparation of self-standing COF films difficult. Herein, a modulated strategy for the facile synthesis of self-standing COF films with good crystallinity and tunable thickness is reported. As compared with the non-modulated approach, the modulated strategy changes the COF morphology from nanoparticles to nanofibers, enabling the facile preparation of self-standing COF films with improved mechanical properties. The Young's modulus of the self-standing COF film obtained via the modulated strategy could increase by 26 times. Moreover, self-standing LZU-8 film can be used as a membrane for efficient removal of 99 % mercury ions from aqueous solution. Our results open up a new approach to prepare self-standing COF thin films for practical applications.

Coordination-Directed Construction of Molecular Links.

Since the emergence of the concept of chemical topology, interlocked molecular assemblies have graduated from academic curiosities and poorly defined species to become synthetic realities. Coordination-directed synthesis provides powerful, diverse, and increasingly sophisticated protocols for accessing interlocked molecules. Originally, metal ions were employed solely as templates to gather and position building blocks in entwined or threaded arrangements. Recently, metal centers have increasingly featured within the backbones of the integral structural elements, which in turn use noncovalent interactions to self-assemble into intricate topologies. By outlining ingenious recent examples as well as seminal classic cases, this Review focuses on the role of metal-ligand paradigms in assembling molecular links. In addition, the ever-evolving approaches to efficient assembly, the structural features of the resulting architectures, and their prospects for the future are also presented.

Protective role of small extracellular vesicles derived from HUVECs treated with AGEs in diabetic vascular calcification.

The pathogenesis of vascular calcification in diabetic patients remains elusive. As an effective information transmitter, small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) carry abundant microRNAs (miRNAs) that regulate the physiological and pathological states of recipient cells. In the present study, significant up-regulation of miR-126-5p was observed in sEVs isolated from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) stimulated with advanced glycation end-products (A-EC/sEVs). Intriguingly, these sEVs suppressed the osteogenic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) by targeting BMPR1B, which encodes the receptor for BMP, thereby blocking the smad1/5/9 signalling pathway. In addition, knocking down miR-126-5p in HUVECs significantly diminished the anti-calcification effect of A-EC/sEVs in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes. Overall, miR-126-5p is highly enriched in sEVs derived from AGEs stimulated HUVECs and can target BMPR1B to negatively regulate the trans-differentiation of VSMCs both in vitro and in vivo.

The Effect of Task Interruption on Working Memory Performance.

OBJECTIVE: This study used electroencephalography to explore the behavioral and electrophysiological effects of task interruption on performance. BACKGROUND: Task interruption is known to harm work performance, especially on working memory-related tasks. However, most studies pay little attention to cognitive processes by exploring brain activity and ignore the cumulative effect of sequential interruptions. METHOD: Thirty-four healthy participants performed a spatial 2-back in three conditions: (1) interruptions with simple math questions, (2) suspensions with prolonged fixation cross, and (3) a pure 2-back. The measured outcomes comprise performance data, ERP amplitudes, EEG power, and subjective workload. RESULTS: Work performance decreased in the resumption trials, and cumulative interruptions had a more destructive effect on performance. EEG results showed that the P2 and P3 amplitudes induced by the 2-back task significantly increased after interruptions; theta and alpha power increased after interruptions. The P3 amplitude and alpha power induced by interruptions were significantly higher than that induced by suspensions. CONCLUSION: Behavioral data revealed the disruptive effect of interruptions on postinterruption performance and the cumulative effect of interruptions on accuracy. Changes in ERP amplitudes and EEG power indicate the mechanisms of attention reallocation and working memory during interruptions. Larger P3 amplitudes and alpha power after interruptions than after suspensions suggested the inhibition of irrelevant information. These results may support the memory for goals model and improve the understanding of the effects of interruption on working memory. APPLICATION: Focusing upon the mechanisms at play during the interruption process can support interruption management to ensure work safety and efficiency.

Genetic Deletion of HLJ1 Does Not Affect Blood Coagulation in Mice.

HLJ1 (also called DNAJB4) is a member of the DNAJ/Hsp40 family and plays an important role in regulating protein folding and activity. However, there is little information about the role of HLJ1 in the regulation of physiological function. In this study, we investigated the role of HLJ1 in blood coagulation using wild-type C57BL/6 mice and HLJ1-null (HLJ1-/-) mice. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were used to assess the expression and distribution of HLJ1 protein, respectively. The tail bleeding assay was applied to assess the bleeding time and blood loss. A coagulation test was used for measuring the activity of extrinsic, intrinsic and common coagulation pathways. Thromboelastography was used to measure the coagulation parameters in the progression of blood clot formation. The results showed that HLJ1 was detectable in plasma and bone marrow. The distribution of HLJ1 was co-localized with CD41, the marker of platelets and megakaryocytes. However, genetic deletion of HLJ1 did not alter blood loss and the activity of extrinsic and intrinsic coagulation pathways, as well as blood clot formation, compared to wild-type mice. Collectively, these findings suggest that, although HLJ1 appears in megakaryocytes and platelets, it may not play a role in the function of blood coagulation under normal physiological conditions.

Effects of Different Component Contents of Colistin Methanesulfonate on the Pharmacokinetics of Prodrug and Formed Colistin in Human.

PURPOSES: To evaluate the effects of component contents in different colistin methanesulfonate (CMS) formulas on their clinical pharmacokinetics of the prodrug CMS and the formed colistin. METHODS: Two CMS formulas (CTTQ and Parkedale) were investigated in a single dose, randomized, open-label, crossover study conducted in 18 healthy Chinese subjects. Both CMS formulas met the requirements of European Pharmacopoeia 9.2 with 12.1% difference in the two major active components (CMS A and CMS B). The PK parameters after a single intravenous infusion of CMS at 2.5 mg/kg were calculated and the steady-state plasma colistin concentrations (Css,avg) following multiple dosing, once every 12 h for 7 days, were simulated with the non-compartment model. RESULTS: The systemic exposure (AUC0-inf) of CMS were 59.49 ± 5.90 h·µg/mL and 51.09 ± 4.70 h·µg/mL, and the AUC0-inf of colistin were 15.39 ± 2.63 h·µg/mL and 12.36 ± 2.10 h·µg/mL for CTTQ and Parkedale, respectively. The ratios (90% CI) of geometric mean of AUC0-inf of CTTQ to Parkedale were 116.38% (112.95%, 119.91%) and 124.49% (120.76%, 128.35%) for CMS and colistin, respectively. The predicted Css,avg (95% CI) were 0.92 (0.85, 0.99) µg/mL and 0.74 (0.69, 0.79) µg/mL for CTTQ and Parkedale, respectively. CONCLUSION: The difference in component content in the two CMS formulas had a significant (P < 0.001) impact on the systemic exposure of colistin in human, thus, warranted essential considerations in clinical applications.

MYDGF attenuates podocyte injury and proteinuria by activating Akt/BAD signal pathway in mice with diabetic kidney disease.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Myeloid-derived growth factor (MYDGF), mainly secreted by bone marrow-derived cells, has been known to promote glucagon-like peptide-1 production and improve glucose/lipid metabolism in mouse models of diabetes, but little is known about the functions of MYDGF in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Here, we investigated whether MYDGF can prevent the progression of DKD. METHODS: In vivo experiments, both loss- and gain-of-function strategies were used to evaluate the effect of MYDGF on albuminuria and pathological glomerular lesions. We used streptozotocin-treated Mydgf knockout and wild-type mice on high fat diets to induce a model of DKD. Then, albuminuria, glomerular lesions and podocyte injury were evaluated in Mydgf knockout and wild-type DKD mice treated with adeno-associated virus-mediated Mydgf gene transfer. In vitro and ex vivo experiments, the expression of slit diaphragm protein nephrin and podocyte apoptosis were evaluated in conditionally immortalised mouse podocytes and isolated glomeruli from non-diabetic wild-type mice treated with recombinant MYDGF. RESULTS: MYDGF deficiency caused more severe podocyte injury in DKD mice, including the disruption of slit diaphragm proteins (nephrin and podocin) and an increase in desmin expression and podocyte apoptosis, and subsequently caused more severe glomerular injury and increased albuminuria by 39.6% compared with those of wild-type DKD mice (p < 0.01). Inversely, MYDGF replenishment attenuated podocyte and glomerular injury in both wild-type and Mydgf knockout DKD mice and then decreased albuminuria by 36.7% in wild-type DKD mice (p < 0.01) and 34.9% in Mydgf knockout DKD mice (p < 0.01). Moreover, recombinant MYDGF preserved nephrin expression and inhibited podocyte apoptosis in vitro and ex vivo. Mechanistically, the renoprotection of MYDGF was attributed to the activation of the Akt/Bcl-2-associated death promoter (BAD) pathway. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The study demonstrates that MYDGF protects podocytes from injury and prevents the progression of DKD, providing a novel strategy for the treatment of DKD. Graphical abstract.

Discrete Supramolecular Stacks Based on Multinuclear Tweezer-Type Rhodium Complexes.

By taking advantage of self-complementary π-π stacking and CH-π interactions, a series of discrete quadruple stacks were constructed through the self-aggregation of U-shaped dirhodium metallotweezer complexes featuring various planar polyaromatic ligands. By altering the conjugate stacking strength and bridging ligands, assemblies with a range of topologies were obtained, including a binuclear D-shaped macrocycle, tetranuclear open-ended cagelike frameworks, and duplex metallotweezer stacking structures. Furthermore, a rare stacking interaction resulting in selective C-H activation was observed during the self-assembly process of these elaborate architectures.