Inhibition of AIM2 inflammasome activation by SOX/ORF37 promotes lytic replication of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus.

Inflammasomes are one kind of important innate immune defense against viral and bacterial infections. Several inflammasome-forming sensors detect molecular patterns of invading pathogens and then trigger inflammasome activation and/or pyroptosis in infected cells, and viruses employ unique strategies to hijack or subvert inflammasome activation. Infection with herpesviruses induces the activation of diverse inflammasomes, including AIM2 and IFI16 inflammasomes; however, how Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) counteracts inflammasome activation largely remains unclear. Here, we reveal that the KSHV ORF37-encoded SOX protein suppresses AIM2 inflammasome activation independent of its viral DNA exonuclease activity and host mRNA turnover. SOX interacts with the AIM2 HIN domain through the C-terminal Motif VII region and disrupts AIM2:dsDNA polymerization and ASC recruitment and oligomerization. The Y443A or F444A mutation of SOX abolishes the inhibition of AIM2 inflammasome without disrupting SOX nuclease activity, and a short SOX peptide is capable of inhibiting AIM2 inflammasome activation; consequently, infection with SOX-null, Y443A, or F444A Bac16 recombinant viruses results in robust inflammasome activation, suppressed lytic replication, and increased pyroptosis in human lymphatic endothelial cells in an AIM2-dependent manner. These results reveal that KSHV SOX suppresses AIM2 inflammasome activation to promote KSHV lytic replication and inhibit pyroptosis, representing a unique mechanism for evasion of inflammasome activation during KSHV lytic cycle.

Suppression of KSHV lytic replication and primary effusion lymphoma by selective RNF5 inhibition.

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), a rare aggressive B-cell lymphoma in immunosuppressed patients, is etiologically associated with oncogenic γ-herpesvirus infection. Chemotherapy is commonly used to treat PEL but usually results in poor prognosis and survival; thus, novel therapies and drug development are urgently needed for PEL treatment. Here, we demonstrated that inhibition of Ring finger protein 5 (RNF5), an ER-localized E3 ligase, suppresses multiple cellular pathways and lytic replication of Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) in PEL cells. RNF5 interacts with and induces Ephrin receptors A3 (EphA3) and EphA4 ubiquitination and degradation. RNF5 inhibition increases the levels of EphA3 and EphA4, thereby reducing ERK and Akt activation and KSHV lytic replication. RNF5 inhibition decreased PEL xenograft tumor growth and downregulated viral gene expression, cell cycle gene expression, and hedgehog signaling in xenograft tumors. Our study suggests that RNF5 plays the critical roles in KSHV lytic infection and tumorigenesis of primary effusion lymphoma.

SARS-CoV-2 Nsp8 suppresses MDA5 antiviral immune responses by impairing TRIM4-mediated K63-linked polyubiquitination.

Melanoma differentiation-associated gene-5 (MDA5) acts as a cytoplasmic RNA sensor to detect viral dsRNA and mediates antiviral innate immune responses to infection by RNA viruses. Upon recognition of viral dsRNA, MDA5 is activated with K63-linked polyubiquitination and then triggers the recruitment of MAVS and activation of TBK1 and IKKα/ß, subsequently leading to IRF3 and NF-κB phosphorylation. However, the specific E3 ubiquitin ligase for MDA5 K63-polyubiquitination has not been well characterized. Great numbers of symptomatic and severe infections of SARS-CoV-2 are spreading worldwide, and the poor efficacy of treatment with type I interferon and antiviral immune agents indicates that SARS-CoV-2 escapes from antiviral immune responses via several unknown mechanisms. Here, we report that SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 8 (nsp8) acts as a suppressor of antiviral innate immune and inflammatory responses to promote infection of SARS-CoV-2. It downregulates the expression of type I interferon, IFN-stimulated genes and proinflammatory cytokines by binding to MDA5 and TRIM4 and impairing TRIM4-mediated MDA5 K63-linked polyubiquitination. Our findings reveal that nsp8 mediates innate immune evasion during SARS-CoV-2 infection and may serve as a potential target for future therapeutics for SARS-CoV-2 infectious diseases.

Hydration-Accelerated Crown Ether Diffusion within Single Three-Dimensional Covalent Organic Frameworks.

In this contribution, we report on the visualization of 12-crown-4 molecular diffusion behavior within a single-crystal particle of covalent organic framework-300 (COF-300) using operando dark-field optical microscopy. The diffusion area and front of 12-crown-4 are directly tracked in real time, offering key information for quantifying the diffusion coefficient (D). The direction of the diffusion and variation of D reveal intraparticle and interparticle heterogeneity. Notably, an unexpected hydration-accelerated diffusion process of 12-crown-4 within the pore channels of COF-300 is captured, in which a relatively low concentration of 12-crown-4 aqueous solution induces a fast diffusion, whereas the pure 12-crown-4 liquid cannot access the framework. The observed acceleration diffusion is demonstrated to arise from the hydrogen-bonding interactions between surface water molecules of hydrated 12-crown-4 and the imine groups of COF-300. These findings expand the mechanistic understanding of the noncovalent interactions between COFs and crown ethers (CEs), which will help to design and prepare CE-based COFs with improved performance.

Causal Effects of Stochastic PrEP Interventions on HIV Incidence Among Men Who Have Sex With Men.

Antiretroviral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective in preventing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, but uptake has been limited and inequitable. Although interventions to increase PrEP uptake are being evaluated in clinical trials among men who have sex with men (MSM), those trials cannot evaluate effects on HIV incidence. Estimates from observational studies of the causal effects of PrEP-uptake interventions on HIV incidence can inform decisions about intervention scale-up. We used longitudinal electronic health record data from HIV-negative MSM accessing care at Fenway Health, a community health center in Boston, Massachusetts, from January 2012 through February 2018, with 2 years of follow-up. We considered stochastic interventions that increased the chance of initiating PrEP in several high-priority subgroups. We estimated the effects of these interventions on population-level HIV incidence using a novel inverse-probability weighted estimator of the generalized g-formula, adjusting for baseline and time-varying confounders. Our results suggest that even modest increases in PrEP initiation in high-priority subgroups of MSM could meaningfully reduce HIV incidence in the overall population of MSM. Interventions tailored to Black and Latino MSM should be prioritized to maximize equity and impact.

Tree-based scan statistics to generate drug repurposing hypotheses: a test case using sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors.

Most drug repurposing studies using real-world data focused on validating, instead of generating, hypotheses. We used tree-based scan statistics to generate repurposing hypotheses for sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i). We used an active-comparator, new-user design to create a 1:1 propensity-score matched cohort of SGLT2i and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) initiators in the MerativeTM MarketScan® Research Databases. Tree-based scan statistics were estimated across an ICD-10-CM-based hierarchical outcome tree using incident outcomes identified from hospital and outpatient diagnoses. We used an adjusted P≤0.01 as the threshold for statistical alert to prioritize associations for evaluation as repurposing signals. We varied the analyses by tree size, scanning level, and clinical settings for outcomes. There were 80,510 matched SGLT2i-DPP4i initiator pairs with 215,333 outcomes among SGLT2i initiators and 223,428 outcomes among DPP4i initiators. There were 18 prioritized associations, which included chronic kidney disease (P=0.0001), an expected signal, and anemia (P=0.0001). Heart failure (P=0.0167), another expected signal, was identified slightly beyond the statistical alert threshold. Narrowing the outcome tree, scanning at different tree levels, and including outcomes from different clinical settings influenced the scan statistics. We identified signals aligning with recently approved indications of SGLT2i, plus potential repurposing signals supported by existing evidence but requiring future validation.

PagARGOS promotes low-lignin wood formation in poplar.

Wood formation, which occurs mainly through secondary xylem development, is important not only for supplying raw material for the 'ligno-chemical' industry but also for driving the storage of carbon. However, the complex mechanisms underlying the promotion of xylem formation remain to be elucidated. Here, we found that overexpression of Auxin-Regulated Gene involved in Organ Size (ARGOS) in hybrid poplar 84 K (Populus alba × Populus tremula var. glandulosa) enlarged organ size. In particular, PagARGOS promoted secondary growth of stems with increased xylem formation. To gain further insight into how PagARGOS regulates xylem development, we further carried out yeast two-hybrid screening and identified that the auxin transporter WALLS ARE THIN1 (WAT1) interacts with PagARGOS. Overexpression of PagARGOS up-regulated WAT1, activating a downstream auxin response promoting cambial cell division and xylem differentiation for wood formation. Moreover, overexpressing PagARGOS caused not only higher wood yield but also lower lignin content compared with wild-type controls. PagARGOS is therefore a potential candidate gene for engineering fast-growing and low-lignin trees with improved biomass production.

Prevalence of diverse colorectal polyps and risk factors for colorectal carcinoma in situ and neoplastic polyps.

BACKGROUND: Most colorectal cancers originate from precancerous polyps. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of colorectal polyps with diverse pathological morphologies and to explore the risk factors for colorectal carcinoma in situ (CCS) and neoplastic polyps. METHODS: Inpatients admitted from January 2018 to May 2023 were screened through the hospital information system. Polyps were classified according to pathological morphology. The prevalence of polyps was described by frequency and 95% confidence interval. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to explore the risk factors for CCS and neoplastic polyps. RESULTS: In total, 2329 individuals with 3550 polyps were recruited. Among all patients, 76.99% had neoplastic polyps and 44.31% had advanced adenomas. Tubular adenoma had the highest prevalence at 60.15%, and the prevalence of CCS was 3.86%. Patients with a colorectal polyp diameter ≥ 1.0 cm or number ≥ 3 were 8.07 times or 1.98 times more likely to develop CCS than were those with a diameter < 1.0 cm or number < 3, respectively (OR 8.07, 95%CI 4.48-14.55, p < 0.0001; and OR 1.98, 95%CI 1.27-3.09, p = 0.002). The risk of CCS with schistosome egg deposition was also significantly increased (OR 2.70, 95%CI 1.05-6.98). The higher the levels of carbohydrate antigen (CA) 724 (OR 1.01, 95%CI 1.00-1.02) and CA211 (OR 1.16, 95%CI 1.03-1.32) in patients with colorectal polyps were, the greater the risk of CCS. When colorectal neoplastic polyps were analyzed, we discovered that for each 1-year increase in age, the risk of neoplastic polyps increased by 3% (OR 1.03, 95%CI 1.02-1.04), p < 0.0001. Patients with a polyp diameter ≥ 1.0 cm had a 2.11-fold greater risk of neoplastic polyps compared to diameter < 1.0 cm patients (OR 3.11, 95%CI 2.48-3.92), p < 0.0001. In addition, multiple polyps and CA199 levels are risk factors for neoplastic polyps. CONCLUSION: More than 3/4 of colorectal polyp patients have neoplastic polyps. Patients are more inclined to develop CCS and neoplastic polyps if they have large polyps (> 1.0 cm) or multifocal polyps. The levels of the tumor markers CA724 and CA211 show some potential usefulness for predicting CCS and may be exploited for early identification of high-risk populations.

Exploring the role of non-canonical splice site variants in aberrant splicing associated with reproductive genetic disorders.

Whole-exome sequencing (WES) is frequently utilized in diagnosing reproductive genetic disorders to identify various genetic variants. Canonical ±1,2 splice sites are typically considered highly pathogenic, while variants at the 5' or 3' ends of exon boundaries are often considered synonymous or missense variants, with their potential impact on abnormal gene splicing frequently overlooked. In this study, we identified five variants located at the last two bases of the exons and two canonical splicing variants in five distinct families affected by reproductive genetic disorders through WES. Minigene analysis, RT-PCR and Quantitative Real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) confirmed that all seven variants induced aberrant splicing, with six variants altering gene transcriptional expression levels. These findings underscore the crucial role of splice variants, particularly non-canonical splice sites variants, in reproductive genetic disorders, with all identified variants classified as pathogenic.

Identification of a novel phenotype of external ear deformity related to Coffin-Siris syndrome-9 and literature review.

De novo germline variants of the SRY-related HMG-box 11 gene (SOX11) have been reported to cause Coffin-Siris syndrome-9 (CSS-9), a rare congenital disorder associated with multiple organ malformations, including ear anomalies. Previous clinical and animal studies have found that intragenic pathogenic variant or haploinsufficiency in the SOX11 gene could cause inner ear malformation, but no studies to date have documented the external ear malformation caused by SOX11 deficiency. Here, we reported a Chinese male with unilateral microtia and bilateral sensorineural deafness who showed CSS-like manifestations, including dysmorphic facial features, impaired neurodevelopment, and fingers/toes malformations. Using trio-based whole-exome sequencing, a de novo missense variant in SOX11 (NM_003108.4: c.347A>G, p.Y116C) was identified and classified as pathogenic variant as per American College of Medical Genetics guidelines. Moreover, a systematic search of the literature yielded 12 publications that provided data of 55 SOX11 intragenic variants affecting various protein-coding regions of SOX11 protein. By quantitatively analyzing phenotypic spectrum information related to these 56 SOX11 variants (including our case), we found variants affecting different regions of SOX11 protein (high-mobility group [HMG] domain and non-HMG regions) appear to influence the phenotypic spectrum of organ malformations in CSS-9; variants altering the HMG domain were more likely to cause the widest range of organ anomalies. In summary, this is the first report of CSS with external ear malformation caused by pathogenic variant in SOX11, indicating that the SOX11 gene may be not only essential for the development of the inner ear but also critical for the morphogenesis of the external ear. In addition, thorough clinical examination is recommended for patients who carry pathogenic SOX11 variants that affect the HMG domain, as these variants may cause the widest range of organ anomalies underlying this condition.

Single-Molecule Magnet Rods: Remarkably Elongated Lanthanide Phosphonate Cores with Quasilinear Hydrazones.

Large metal-phosphonate clusters typically exhibit regular polyhedral, wheel-shaped, spherical, or capsule-shaped morphologies more effectively than high-aspect ratio topologies. A system of elongated lanthanide core topologies has now been synthesized by the reaction of lanthanide 1-naphthylmethylphosphonates and four differently terminated pyrazinyl hydrazones. Four new rod-shaped dysprosium phosphonate clusters, [Dy6(O3PC11H9)4(L1)4(µ4-O)(DMF)4]·2DMF·3MeCN·3H2O (1), [Dy8(O3PC11H9)4(L2)4(µ3-O)4(CO2)4(H2O)4]·6DMF·4MeCN·3H2O (2), [Dy12Na(O3PC11H9)6(L3)6(µ3-O)2(pyr)6]·DMF·2MeCN·H2O (3), and [Dy14(O3PC11H9)12(L4)8(µ3-O)2(DMF)4(MeOH)2(H2O)4]·5DMF·2MeCN·H2O (4), were obtained. Four single-pyrazinyl hydrazones function as pentadentate bis-chelate terminal co-ligands, coordinating the periphery of dysprosium phosphonate rods. A sodium ion serves as a cation template for constructing heterobimetallic 3 by occupying the void, demonstrating the ability to reliably control cluster length by modifying the hydrazone co-ligand structure and cation template. Additionally, it was observed that the elongation of the rods has a significant directional impact on the magnetic relaxation behavior, transitioning from a one-step process in 1 to a three-step process in 2, a two-step process in 3, and finally a two-step process in 4.

Serum metabolomic profiling of patients with liver cirrhosis at different stages.

An accurate and non-invasive diagnosis of the clinical stage is critical for effectively managing liver cirrhosis. This study aimed to identify serum metabolite biomarkers and clinical features that may reliably predict high-risk cirrhosis. This cross-sectional study recruited 94 cirrhotic patients (70 for identification cohort, 24 for validation cohort) from Minhang Hospital Affiliated with Fudan University between 2018 and 2021, who were analyzed by targeted quantitative metabolomics technique. Baseline clinical characteristics were collected, and different stage cirrhosis classification was performed according to the presence or absence of decompensated events. Potential metabolite biomarkers were screened, and a model for predicting the decompensation stage was created. Finally, the incidence of decompensated outcomes was analyzed. A total of 560 metabolites were detected in the identification cohort. Indole-3-propionic acid (IPA) was the most significantly decreased metabolic biomarker in the decompensated group (P<0.01, |log2FC| >2), having the strongest correlation with hyaluronic acid (r=-0.50, P<0.01). It also performed well for differentiating decompensated cirrhosis with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.79(0.75 at internal validation). Another diagnostic model consisting of indole-3-propionic acid, hemoglobin, and albumin showed better predictive performance with an AUC of 0.97 (0.91 at internal validation). Also, 31 (44.29%) patients developed decompensated events at a median follow-up of 22.76±15.24 months. The cumulative incidence of decompensated events based on IPA subgroups (IPA <39.67ng/ml and ≥39.67ng/ml) showed a significant difference (P<0.01). "Indole-3-propionic acid" and a diagnostic model of hemoglobin and albumin can non-invasively identify cirrhotic populations at risk for decompensation, aiding in future management of liver cirrhosis.

Inhibition of PPP1R15A alleviates osteoporosis via suppressing RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis.

Osteoporosis results from overactivation of osteoclasts. There are currently few drug options for treatment of this disease. Since the successful development of allosteric inhibitors, phosphatases have become attractive therapeutic targets. Protein phosphatase 1, regulatory subunit 15 A (PPP1R15A), is a stress-responsive protein, which promotes the UPR (unfolded protein response) and restores protein homeostasis. In this study we investigated the role of PPP1R15A in osteoporosis and osteoclastogenesis. Ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporosis mouse model was established, osteoporosis was evaluated in the left femurs using micro-CT. RANKL-stimulated osteoclastogenesis was used as in vitro models. We showed that PPP1R15A expression was markedly increased in BMMs derived from OVX mice and during RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro. Knockdown of PPP1R15A or application of Sephin1 (a PPP1R15A allosteric inhibitor in a phase II clinical trial) significantly inhibited osteoclastogenesis in vitro. Sephin1 (0.78, 3.125 and 12.5 µM) dose-dependently mitigated the changes in NF-κB, MAPK, and c-FOS and the subsequent nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1) translocation in RANKL-stimulated BMMs. Both Sephin1 and PPP1R15A knockdown increased the phosphorylated form of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α); knockdown of eIF2α reduced the inhibitory effects of Sephin1 on NFATc1-luc transcription and osteoclast formation. Furthermore, Sephin1 or PPP1R15A knockdown suppressed osteoclastogenesis in CD14+ monocytes from osteoporosis patients. In OVX mice, injection of Sephin1 (4, 8 mg/kg, i.p.) every two days for 6 weeks significantly inhibited bone loss, and restored bone destruction and decreased TRAP-positive cells. This study has identified PPP1R15A as a novel target for osteoclast differentiation, and genetic inhibition or allosteric inhibitors of PPP1R15A, such as Sephin1, can be used to treat osteoporosis. This study revealed that PPP1R15A expression was increased in osteoporosis in both human and mice. Inhibition of PPP1R15A by specific knockdown or an allosteric inhibitor Sephin1 mitigated murine osteoclast formation in vitro and attenuated ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in vivo. PPP1R15A inhibition also suppressed pathogenic osteoclastogenesis in CD14+ monocytes from osteoporosis patients. These results identify PPP1R15A as a novel regulator of osteoclastogenesis and a valuable therapeutic target for osteoporosis.

Application of biofilm dispersion-based nanoparticles in cutting off reinfection.

Bacterial biofilms commonly cause chronic and persistent infections in humans. Bacterial biofilms consist of an inner layer of bacteria and an autocrine extracellular polymeric substance (EPS). Biofilm dispersants (abbreviated as dispersants) have proven effective in removing the bacterial physical protection barrier EPS. Dispersants are generally weak or have no bactericidal effect. Bacteria dispersed from within biofilms (abbreviated as dispersed bacteria) may be more invasive, adhesive, and motile than planktonic bacteria, characteristics that increase the probability that dispersed bacteria will recolonize and cause reinfection. The dispersants should be combined with antimicrobials to avoid the risk of severe reinfection. Dispersant-based nanoparticles have the advantage of specific release and intense penetration, providing the prerequisite for further antibacterial agent efficacy and achieving the eradication of biofilms. Dispersant-based nanoparticles delivered antimicrobial agents for the treatment of diseases associated with bacterial biofilm infections are expected to be an effective measure to prevent reinfection caused by dispersed bacteria. KEY POINTS: • Dispersed bacteria harm and the dispersant's dispersion mechanisms are discussed. • The advantages of dispersant-based nanoparticles in bacteria biofilms are discussed. • Dispersant-based nanoparticles for cutting off reinfection in vivo are highlighted.

Deep eutectic solvent self-assembled reverse nanomicelles for transdermal delivery of sparingly soluble drugs.

BACKGROUND: Transdermal delivery of sparingly soluble drugs is challenging due to their low solubility and poor permeability. Deep eutectic solvent (DES)/or ionic liquid (IL)-mediated nanocarriers are attracting increasing attention. However, most of them require the addition of auxiliary materials (such as surfactants or organic solvents) to maintain the stability of formulations, which may cause skin irritation and potential toxicity. RESULTS: We fabricated an amphiphilic DES using natural oxymatrine and lauric acid and constructed a novel self-assembled reverse nanomicelle system (DES-RM) based on the features of this DES. Synthesized DESs showed the broad liquid window and significantly solubilized a series of sparingly soluble drugs, and quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models with good prediction ability were further built. The experimental and molecular dynamics simulation elucidated that the self-assembly of DES-RM was adjusted by noncovalent intermolecular forces. Choosing triamcinolone acetonide (TA) as a model drug, the skin penetration studies revealed that DES-RM significantly enhanced TA penetration and retention in comparison with their corresponding DES and oil. Furthermore, in vivo animal experiments demonstrated that TA@DES-RM exhibited good anti-psoriasis therapeutic efficacy as well as biocompatibility. CONCLUSIONS: The present study offers innovative insights into the optimal design of micellar nanodelivery system based on DES combining experiments and computational simulations and provides a promising strategy for developing efficient transdermal delivery systems for sparingly soluble drugs.

Efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy combined with internal limiting membrane peeling and gas tamponade for treating myopic foveoschisis: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate and explore the efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling and gas tamponade in treating myopic foveoschisis (MF) through a meta-analysis. METHODS: Systematic searches were conducted on the PubMed, Web of Science and National Library of Medicine (NLM) English-language databases and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang Chinese-language databases. The primary outcome measures were postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central foveal thickness (CFT), with the secondary outcome being the postoperative complication rate. Data analysis was performed using RevMan5.3 software. RESULTS: A total of 10 studies involving 234 eyes were included. The meta-analysis results showed the following: (1) The average postoperative BCVA improved compared with preoperative levels, with an average improvement in the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution of 0.40, a statistically significant difference (95% CI: -0.44, - 0.20, p < 0.001); (2) the rate of postoperative BCVA improvement was 77% (95% CI: 65%, 90%, p < 0.001); (3) the postoperative CFT significantly decreased by an average of 385.92 µm, a statistically significant difference (95% CI: -437.85, - 333.98, p < 0.001); (4) the postoperative macular retinal complete reattachment rate was 90% (95% CI: 83%, 97%, p < 0.001); (5) the most common postoperative complication was a cataract, with an incidence of 55.9%. CONCLUSION: Using PPV combined with ILM peeling and gas tamponade to treat MF is reliable.

Sleeve gastrectomy improves cardiac function and glucose-lipid metabolism disorder in obese rats induced by a high-fat and high-sugar diet.

Obesity is affecting global health with multiple complications, including cardiac dysfunction. Currently, it is uncertain whether drug therapy should be applied in the early stages of obesity-induced cardiac dysfunction, with weight reduction as the first choice. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has been widely used to treat obesity and its complications, showing promising results. However, it remains unclear whether SG can alleviate obesity-induced cardiac dysfunction. A sudden decline in body weight and food intake was observed in both the obese and obese + SG groups, with a higher rate of increase observed in the Obese group. Elevated levels of plasma glucose, serum insulin, and glycated haemoglobin in obese rats were significantly reduced by SG. Markedly increased levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase albumin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, elevated values of heart rate, left ventricular end-systolic pressure, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, systolic pressure, and end diastolic pressure, and decreased value of stroke volume were observed in obese rats, which were sharply reversed by SG. Furthermore, enhanced pathological changes, including inflammatory cell infiltration and loss of cytoplasm striations, enhanced oil red O staining, increased TUNEL-positive cells, upregulated Bax and cleaved-caspase-3, and downregulated Bcl-2, were observed in obese rats, which were notably alleviated by SG. Lastly, the increased levels of relative proteins observed in obese rats were significantly reduced by SG. In conclusion, SG improved cardiac function and glucose-lipid metabolism disorders in obese rats induced by a high-fat and high-sugar diet.

The homeobox transcription factor MrHOX7 contributes to stress tolerance and virulence in the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium robertsii.

Entomopathogenic fungi, including Metarhizium species, represent promising environmentally friendly biopesticides. Understanding the molecular mechanisms governing their infection processes is vital for enhancing their effectiveness. Transcription factors (TFs) play critical roles in gene regulation, yet the functions of many TFs in M. robertsii remain unknown. Homeobox transcription factors, implicated in diverse cellular processes, have received limited attention in entomopathogenic fungi. Here, we identify and characterize, a homeobox TF, MrHOX7, in the model entomopathogenic fungus M. robertsii. Subcellular localization and transcriptional profiling revealed MrHOX7's nuclear localization and high expression during conidia and appressoria formation. Deletion of Mrhox7 (ΔMrhox7) enhanced conidial tolerance to heat and UV-B stress, accompanying with upregulated stress-related gene expression. Intriguingly, ΔMrhox7 exhibits inhibited virulence exclusively through topical inoculation. Further investigations unveiled reduced conidial adhesion and appressorium formation, with downregulation of the adhesion gene Mad1 and appressorium-related genes, as the underlying causes of the reduced fungal virulence. Our findings illuminate the role of MrHOX7 in stress tolerance and virulence, providing insights into the molecular basis of fungal biopesticides.

Assessing Heterogeneity of Treatment Effect in Real-World Data.

Increasing availability of real-world data (RWD) generated from patient care enables the generation of evidence to inform clinical decisions for subpopulations of patients and perhaps even individuals. There is growing opportunity to identify important heterogeneity of treatment effects (HTE) in these subgroups. Thus, HTE is relevant to all with interest in patients' responses to interventions, including regulators who must make decisions about products when signals of harms arise postapproval and payers who make coverage decisions based on expected net benefit to their beneficiaries. Prior work discussed HTE in randomized studies. Here, we address methodological considerations when investigating HTE in observational studies. We propose 4 primary goals of HTE analyses and the corresponding approaches in the context of RWD: to confirm subgroup effects, to describe the magnitude of HTE, to discover clinically important subgroups, and to predict individual effects. We discuss other possible goals including exploring prognostic score- and propensity score-based treatment effects, and testing the transportability of trial results to populations different from trial participants. Finally, we outline methodological needs for enhancing real-world HTE analysis.

Cartilage compositional MRI-a narrative review of technical development and clinical applications over the past three decades.

Articular cartilage damage and degeneration are among hallmark manifestations of joint injuries and arthritis, classically osteoarthritis. Cartilage compositional MRI (Cart-C MRI), a quantitative technique, which aims to detect early-stage cartilage matrix changes that precede macroscopic alterations, began development in the 1990s. However, despite the significant advancements over the past three decades, Cart-C MRI remains predominantly a research tool, hindered by various technical and clinical hurdles. This paper will review the technical evolution of Cart-C MRI, delve into its clinical applications, and conclude by identifying the existing gaps and challenges that need to be addressed to enable even broader clinical application of Cart-C MRI.