Dexmedetomidine Inhibits Paraventricular Corticotropin-releasing Hormone Neurons that Attenuate Acute Stress-induced Anxiety-like Behavior in Mice.

BACKGROUND: Dexmedetomidine has repeatedly shown to improve anxiety, but the precise neural mechanisms underlying this effect remain incompletely understood. This study aims to explore the role of corticotropin-releasing hormone-producing hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (CRHPVN) neurons in mediating the anxiolytic effects of dexmedetomidine. METHODS: A social defeat stress mouse model was used to evaluate the anxiolytic effects induced by dexmedetomidine through the elevated plus maze, open-field test, and measurement of serum stress hormone levels. In vivo Ca2+ signal fiber photometry and ex vivo patch-clamp recordings were used to determine the excitability of CRHPVN neurons and investigate the specific mechanism involved. CRHPVN neuron modulation was achieved through chemogenetic activation or inhibition. RESULTS: Compared with saline, dexmedetomidine (40 µg/kg) alleviated anxiety-like behaviors. Additionally, dexmedetomidine reduced CRHPVN neuronal excitability. Chemogenetic activation of CRHPVN neurons decreased the time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze and in the central area of the open-field test. Conversely, chemogenetic inhibition of CRHPVN neurons had the opposite effect. Moreover, the suppressive impact of dexmedetomidine on CRHPVN neurons was attenuated by the α2-receptor antagonist yohimbine. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the anxiety-like effects of dexmedetomidine are mediated via α2-adrenergic receptor-triggered inhibition of CRHPVN neuronal excitability in the hypothalamus.

Attenuation of Sepsis-Induced Acute Kidney Injury by Exogenous H2S via Inhibition of Ferroptosis.

Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) results in significant morbidity and mortality, and ferroptosis may play a role in its pathogenesis. Our aim was to examine the effect of exogenous H2S (GYY4137) on ferroptosis and AKI in in vivo and in vitro models of sepsis and explore the possible mechanism involved. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in male C57BL/6 mice, which were randomly divided into the sham, CLP, and CLP + GYY4137 group. The indicators of SA-AKI were most prominent at 24 h after CLP, and analysis of the protein expression of ferroptosis indicators showed that ferroptosis was also exacerbated at 24 h after CLP. Moreover, the level of the endogenous H2S synthase CSE (Cystathionine-γ-lyase) and endogenous H2S significantly decreased after CLP. Treatment with GYY4137 reversed or attenuated all these changes. In the in vitro experiments, LPS was used to simulate SA-AKI in mouse renal glomerular endothelial cells (MRGECs). Measurement of ferroptosis-related markers and products of mitochondrial oxidative stress showed that GYY4137 could attenuate ferroptosis and regulate mitochondrial oxidative stress. These findings imply that GYY4137 alleviates SA-AKI by inhibiting ferroptosis triggered by excessive mitochondrial oxidative stress. Thus, GYY4137 may be an effective drug for the clinical treatment of SA-AKI.

Glycemic control and neonatal outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus treated using glyburide, metformin, or insulin: a pairwise and network meta-analysis.

AIMS: We aimed to assess the comparative efficiency and safety of the use of glyburide, metformin, and insulin in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: We searched for randomized controlled trials that compared glyburide, metformin, and insulin in GDM. Data regarding glycemic control and neonatal safety were collected and analyzed in pairwise and network meta-analyses. RESULTS: A total of 4533 individuals from 23 trials were included. Compared with glyburide, metformin reduced 2-h postprandial blood glucose (2HPG) to a greater extent (standard mean difference (SMD) 0.18; 95% credible interval (CI) 0.01, 0.34). There were significantly lower prevalence of neonatal hypoglycemia (risk difference (RD) - 0.07; 95%CI - 0.11, - 0.02) and preeclampsia (RD - 0.03; 95%CI - 0.06, 0) in the metformin group than in the insulin group. The metformin group had significantly lower birth weight (SMD - 0.17; 95%CI - 0.25, - 0.08) and maternal weight gain (SMD - 0.61; 95%CI - 0.86,- 0.35) compared with the insulin group. Network meta-analysis suggested that metformin had the highest probability of successfully controlling glycemia and preventing neonatal complications. CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis suggests that metformin may be as effective as insulin for glycemic control and is the most promising drug for the prevention of neonatal and maternal complications.

Secretions released from mesenchymal stem cells improve spermatogenesis restoration of cytotoxic treatment with busulfan in azoospermia mice.

This study aimed at the efficacy of sequential treatment of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell secretion for busulfan-treated azoospermia in mice. The conditioned media (CM) was obtained from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or 293 cells. Chemically induced azoospermia mice received 200 µl MSC-CM or 293-CM twice a week intravenously for three consecutive weeks. The histological assessment of spermatogenic recovery quantifying the expression of meiosis-associated genes, and Sertoli cell barrier functional factors were assessed. The characteristics of TM4 cells (Sertoli cell line) after pre-incubation of MSC-CM in vitro were also obtained. The MSC-CM group had the most spermatogenic colonies among the three groups (p < .05), but no spermatids were seen. Expressions of the meiosis-associated genes Dazl, Vasa, Miwi, Stra8, CyclinA1, Pgk2 and Scp3 in MSC-CM testis were remarkably higher compared with 293-CM and busulfan groups respectively (p < .05). The levels of Sertoli cell barrier functional factors, for example ICAM-1 and N-cadherin, were significantly increased during MSC-CM treatment (p < .05). Moreover, pre-incubation of MSC-CM particularly accelerated the CD54 (ICAM-1) and CD44 expressions of TM4 cells and promoted cell inherent adhesion. MSC-CM treatment can significantly improve the short-term restoration of spermatogonial structures of chemically induced azoospermia related to facilitating Sertoli cell adhesion integrity.

Role of anti-Müllerian hormone and testosterone in follicular growth: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is now considered the best serum biomarker of ovarian reserve, while basal sex hormones are classic markers used for assessing ovarian reserve. The interaction between AMH and sex hormones are complicated and not sufficiently addressed. In this study, we took diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) as two extremes of ovarian reserve (deficient and excessive respectively) to investigate the role of AMH and sex hormones in follicular growth. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional survey was performed. The patients assessed AMH and basal sex hormones in the Second Hospital of Zhejiang University from April 2016 to March 2019 were involved in this study. Serum AMH and sex hormone concentrations were tested with electrochemiluminescence method. Stepwise linear regression and binary logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of AMH level and to explore the involved factors determining DOR and PCOS. RESULTS: In the present study, we found that age and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were main negative correlation factors, and luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) were main positive factors of AMH. In DOR group, age, FSH and estradiol (E2) increased and T decreased, while in PCOS group, LH and T increased. Binary logistic regression found that age, weight, FSH, E2, and T were the significant factors which independently predicted the likelihood of DOR, and that age, body mass index (BMI), AMH, LH, and T predicted the likelihood of PCOS. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that age, FSH, and T were factors that most closely correlated with AMH level, and T was involved in both DOR and PCOS. Since DOR and PCOS are manifested with insufficient AMH and excessive AMH respectively, it is suggested that total testosterone correlated with AMH closely and plays an important role in follicular growth. More attention should be given to testosterone level during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) process.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of benzofuran-based 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzamide derivatives as novel tubulin polymerization inhibitors.

A new series of derivatives characterized by the presence of the 3,4,5-trimethoxylbenzamide substituted benzofurans were synthesized and evaluated for antiproliferative activity against four cancer cell lines and one normal human cell line. Among them, derivative 6g with greatest cytotoxicity significantly inhibited the growth of MDA-MB-231, HCT-116, HT-29 and HeLa cell lines with IC50 values of 3.01, 5.20, 9.13, and 11.09 µM, respectively. Importantly, 6g possessed excellent selectivity over non-tumoral cell lines HEK-293 (IC50 > 30 µM). Moreover, mechanistic studies revealed that 6g induced HeLa cells arrested in G2/M phase in a concentration-dependent manner, and inhibited polymerization of tubulin via a consistent way with CA-4. In general, these observations suggest that 6g is a promising anti-cancer lead and is worth further investigation to generate potential antitumor agents.

[Progress on application of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy in identification of traditional Chinese medicine].

With the increasing demand for traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs), the resources of TCMs are gradually rare, and the phenomenon that TCMs fake is a common occurrence. Consequently, we need to urgently improve identification technique of TCMs. Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy(THz-TDS) is a newly emerging spectroscopy technology that has been widely used in image, security inspection, biological detection, medicine, material technology, aerospace, oil exploration and other fields. Which is currently used as a simple and quick method to identify the origins, fake products, processed products and pesticide residues of TCMs, hence, it plays a significant role in supplementing and improving the quality control levels of TCMs. In this paper, the composition principle of THz-TDS and its advantages in authentification of TCMs have been summarized. Additionally, the current situation and application prospects of THz-TDS in the field of TCM identification have also been reviewed.

Discovery and optimization of 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl substituted triazolylthioacetamides as potent tubulin polymerization inhibitors.

Based on our previous research, three series of new triazolylthioacetamides possessing 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl moiety were synthesized, and evaluated for antiproliferative activities and inhibition of tubulin polymerization. The most promising compounds 8b and 8j demonstrated more significant antiproliferative activities against MCF-7, HeLa, and HT-29 cell lines than our lead compound 6. Moreover, analogues 8f, 8j, and 8o manifested more potent antiproliferative activities against HeLa cell line with IC50 values of 0.04, 0.05 and 0.16 µM, respectively, representing 100-, 82-, and 25-fold improvements of the activity compared to compound 6. Furthermore, the representative compound, 8j, was found to induce significant cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase in HeLa cell lines via a concentration-dependent manner. Meanwhile, compound 8b exhibited the most potent tubulin polymerization inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 5.9 µM, which was almost as active as that of CA-4 (IC50 = 4.2 µM). Additionally, molecular docking analysis suggested that 8b formed stable interactions in the colchicine-binding site of tubulin.

Mesenchymal stem cell-secreted factors delayed spermatogenesis injuries induced by busulfan involving intercellular adhesion molecule regulation.

The present study was designed to investigate the therapeutic effect of bone marrow MSC-derived factors on gonadotropic toxicity induced by busulfan in vivo. The conditioned media (CM) was obtained from MSCs in serum-free incubation for 48 hr and concentrated ~25-fold by ultrafiltration. The CM of HEK 293 cells was treated as control (293-CM). MSC-CM was injected into busulfan mice via caudal veins after 1 day of busulfan treatment for 2 weeks (200 µl per dose/twice weekly）. Compared to the 293-CM group, testicular injury was delayed in MSC-CM group, including reduced vacuolations of cells in the basal compartment of the seminiferous epithelium and detachment of cells from basement membrane. Apoptotic spermatogenic cells were significantly decreased in MSC-CM group (p ï¼œ 0.05). Interesting N-cadherin，ICAM-1 and P-cadherin expressions significantly increased in MSC-CM group, while occludin, ZO-1 and connexin 43 expressions showed no difference among MSC-CM, 293-CM and busulfan groups. Present results suggest MSC-secreted factors protect spermatogenesis impairment after busulfan treatment by reducing the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells and enhancing intercellular adhesion molecule expressions.

[Correlation Between MTHFR Mutation and Idiopathic Premature Ovarian Failure in Chinese Han Women].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C/T polymorphisms were related to the prevalence of 46,XX premature ovarian failure (POF) in Chinese Han women. METHODS: Infertile Chinese Han women were divided into 2 groups: POF group (n=147) and control group (n=166).The expression of MTHFR gene in peripheral blood was determined by RT-PCR. The 677C/T genotype of MTHFR gene was identified by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Genotype frequencies and allele frequencies were counted. PCR product were randomly examined for gene sequencing to verify whether the amplified fragment. Relationship between MTHFR gene polymorphism and clinical characteristics of idiopathic POF was analyzed. RESULTS: The results of gene sequencing showed that the PCR amplification fragment was the target gene fragment, and the sequencing showed that the genotype was 100% consistent with the enzymatic display genotype. The MTHFR 677C/T genotype distribution in both the POF group and the control group was consistent with the Hardy-Weinbreg balance law (P>0.05). The frequencies of CC, CT and TT genotypes of MTHFR 677C/T were 48.3%, 40.8% and 10.9% in the POF group, and 37.3%, 47.6% and 15.1% in the control group, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of genotypes between the two groups (χ2=4.04, P>0.05). The T, C allele frequencies were 31.3% and 68.7% in POF, 38.9% and 61.1% in control group, there were no significant differences in the frequencies of T, C alleles between the two groups (χ2=3.90, P=0.05). Subgroup analyzes in POF group, no significant difference were detected between CC and CT+TT genotypes in menopause age, FSH, E2, endometrial thickness and antral follicle number. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of the MTHFR 677C/T polymorphisms in Chinese Han POF population was not significantly different from controls, implying that MTHFR gene polymorphisms may not be the risk factor of idiopathic POF occurred in Chinese.

Relationship between myocardial infarction and atrial fibrillation: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.

Many studies have shown that myocardial infarction (MI) is significantly associated with atrial fibrillation (AF), but the causal relationship between MI and AF has not been established. Therefore, we performed this Mendelian randomization (MR) study to investigate the relationship between MI and AF. We used a publicly available summary statistical dataset for MI based on genome-wide analysis studies (GWAS; ebi-a-GCST011364; 14,825 cases and 2680 controls) and a summary statistical dataset for AF based on an European GWAS (finn-b-I9_AF_REIMB; 10,516 cases and 116,926 controls). The 2-sample bidirectional MR analysis was performed using the inverse-variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, and weighted median methods. The causal effect of MI on AF was analyzed using 30 MI-specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were characterized as instrumental variables (IVs) based on the GWAS data. The causal effect of MI on AF was confirmed by the IVW (odds ratio [OR] 1.42; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27-1.58; P < .001), MR-Egger (OR: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.15-1.93; P = .005), and weighted median (OR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.24-1.63; P < .001) analyses. Furthermore, in the reverse MR analyses, the causal effect of AF on MI was analyzed using 20 AF-specific SNPs that were screened as IVs. The causal effect of AF on MI was significant based on the results from the IVW method (OR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.00-1.09; P = .033). In conclusion, the bidirectional MR analyses demonstrated a clear bidirectional causal association between MI and AF.

Multi-omics analysis reveals that Cas13d contributes to PI3K-AKT signaling and facilitates cell proliferation via PFKFB4 upregulation.

The CRISPR-Cas system is a powerful gene editing technology, the clinical application of which is currently constrained due to safety concerns. A substantial body of safety research concerning Cas9 exists; however, scant attention has been directed toward investigating the safety profile of the emergent Cas13 system, which confers RNA editing capabilities. In particular, uncertainties persist regarding the potential cellular impacts of Cas13d in the absence of reliance on a cleavage effect. In this study, we conducted an initial exploration of the effects of Cas13d on HeLa cells. Total RNA and protein samples were extracted after transfection with a Cas13d-expressing plasmid construct, followed by transcriptomic and proteomic sequencing. Differential gene expression analysis identified 94 upregulated and 847 downregulated genes, while differential protein expression analysis identified 185 upregulated and 231 downregulated proteins. Subsequently, enrichment analysis was conducted on the transcriptome and proteome sequencing data, revealing that the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway is a common term. After intersecting the differentially expressed genes enriched in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway with all the differentially expressed proteins, it was found that the expression of the related regulatory gene PFKFB4 was upregulated. Moreover, western blot analysis demonstrated that Cas13d can mediate PI3K-Akt signaling upregulation through overexpression of PFKFB4. CCK-8 assay, colony formation, and EdU experiments showed that Cas13d can promote cell proliferation. Our data demonstrate, for the first time, that Cas13d significantly impacts the transcriptomic and proteomic profiles, and proliferation phenotype, of HeLa cells, thus offering novel insights into safety considerations regarding gene editing systems.

Assessment of adverse events of the novel cardiovascular drug vericiguat: a real-world pharmacovigilance study based on FAERS.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to analyze the adverse event reports (AERs) to vericiguat using data from the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) and provide evidence for the clinical use. METHODS: AERs due to vericiguat from 2021Q1 to 2024Q1 identified as the primary suspect were screened, with duplicate reports subsequently eliminated. Various quantitative signal detection methods, including reporting odds ratio (ROR), proportional reporting ratio (PRR), Bayesian confidence propagation neural network, and multi-item gamma poisson shrinker, were then employed for data mining and analysis. Signal strength is represented by the 95% confidence interval, information component (IC), and empirical Bayesian geometric mean (EBGM). RESULTS: A total of 617 vericiguat-related AERs were identified. Strong signals were observed in 21 system organ classes. Furthermore, the most frequently reported preferred terms (PT) was hypotension (n = 86, ROR 25.92, PRR 24.11, IC 4.59, EBGM 24.07), followed by dizziness (n = 52, ROR 6.44, PRR 6.20, IC 2.63, EBGM 6.20), malaise (n = 25, ROR 3.59, PRR 3.54, IC 1.82, EBGM 3.54), blood pressure decreased (n = 23, ROR 20.00, PRR 19.64, IC 4.29, EBGM 19.61), and anemia (n = 21, ROR 6.67, PRR 6.57, IC 2.72, EBGM 6.57). CONCLUSIONS: This study extended the adverse reactions documented in the FDA instruction and provided supplementary evidence regarding the clinical safety of vericiguat.

Identification of Shared Signature Genes and Immune Microenvironment Subtypes for Heart Failure and Chronic Kidney Disease Based on Machine Learning.

Background: A complex interrelationship exists between Heart Failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study aims to clarify the molecular mechanisms of the organ-to-organ interplay between heart failure and CKD, as well as to identify extremely sensitive and specific biomarkers. Methods: Differentially expressed tandem genes were identified from HF and CKD microarray datasets and enrichment analyses of tandem perturbation genes were performed to determine their biological functions. Machine learning algorithms are utilized to identify diagnostic biomarkers and evaluate the model by ROC curves. RT-PCR was employed to validate the accuracy of diagnostic biomarkers. Molecular subtypes were identified based on tandem gene expression profiling, and immune cell infiltration of different subtypes was examined. Finally, the ssGSEA score was used to build the ImmuneScore model and to assess the differentiation between subtypes using ROC curves. Results: Thirty-three crosstalk genes were associated with inflammatory, immune and metabolism-related signaling pathways. The machine-learning algorithm identified 5 hub genes (PHLDA1, ATP1A1, IFIT2, HLTF, and MPP3) as the optimal shared diagnostic biomarkers. The expression levels of tandem genes were negatively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction and glomerular filtration rate. The CIBERSORT results indicated the presence of severe immune dysregulation in patients with HF and CKD, which was further validated at the single-cell level. Consensus clustering classified HF and CKD patients into immune and metabolic subtypes. Twelve immune genes associated with immune subtypes were screened based on WGCNA analysis, and an ImmuneScore model was constructed for high and low risk. The model accurately predicted different molecular subtypes of HF or CKD. Conclusion: Five crosstalk genes may serve as potential biomarkers for diagnosing HF and CKD and are involved in disease progression. Metabolite disorders causing activation of a large number of immune cells explain the common pathogenesis of HF and CKD.

Identification of circadian rhythm-related gene classification patterns and immune infiltration analysis in heart failure based on machine learning.

Background: Circadian rhythms play a key role in the failing heart, but the exact molecular mechanisms linking changes in the expression of circadian rhythm-related genes to heart failure (HF) remain unclear. Methods: By intersecting differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between normal and HF samples in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database with circadian rhythm-related genes (CRGs), differentially expressed circadian rhythm-related genes (DE-CRGs) were obtained. Machine learning algorithms were used to screen for feature genes, and diagnostic models were constructed based on these feature genes. Subsequently, consensus clustering algorithms and non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) algorithms were used for clustering analysis of HF samples. On this basis, immune infiltration analysis was used to score the immune infiltration status between HF and normal samples as well as among different subclusters. Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) evaluated the biological functional differences among subclusters. Results: 13 CRGs showed differential expression between HF patients and normal samples. Nine feature genes were obtained through cross-referencing results from four distinct machine learning algorithms. Multivariate LASSO regression and external dataset validation were performed to select five key genes with diagnostic value, including NAMPT, SERPINA3, MAPK10, NPPA, and SLC2A1. Moreover, consensus clustering analysis could divide HF patients into two distinct clusters, which exhibited different biological functions and immune characteristics. Additionally, two subgroups were distinguished using the NMF algorithm based on circadian rhythm associated differentially expressed genes. Studies on immune infiltration showed marked variances in levels of immune infiltration between these subgroups. Subgroup A had higher immune scores and more widespread immune infiltration. Finally, the Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) method was utilized to discern the modules that had the closest association with the two observed subgroups, and hub genes were pinpointed via protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks. GRIN2A, DLG1, ERBB4, LRRC7, and NRG1 were circadian rhythm-related hub genes closely associated with HF. Conclusion: This study provides valuable references for further elucidating the pathogenesis of HF and offers beneficial insights for targeting circadian rhythm mechanisms to regulate immune responses and energy metabolism in HF treatment. Five genes identified by us as diagnostic features could be potential targets for therapy for HF.

Genetic Causality between Type 1 Diabetes and Arrhythmia Identified by a Two-sample Mendelian Randomization Study.

BACKGROUND: Clinical studies have shown that cardiovascular diseases in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are often atypical or asymptomatic. The link between T1D and arrhythmia remains unclear. To infer causality between T1D and arrhythmia at the genetic level, we conducted a Mendelian randomization study through the genetic tools of T1D. METHODS: In this study, we used genetic variables and summary statistics from genome-wide association studies of T1D and arrhythmia. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were selected based on the assumptions of instrumental variables. The inverse variance-weighted method was used as the primary analysis to summarize the causal effects between exposure and outcome. The weighted median and weighted mode methods were used as secondary methods. We tested for horizontal pleiotropy using the MR-Egger method and detected heterogeneity using the Q-test. A leave-one-out sensitivity analysis was performed. Scatter plots, forest plots, and funnel plots were used to visualize the results of the MR analysis. RESULTS: In this study, we selected 28 T1D-related SNPs as instrumental variables. The IVW [odds ratio (OR) = 0.98, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 0.97-1.00, P = 0.008], weighted median (OR = 0.98, 95 % CI = 0.96 - 0.99, P = 0.009), and weighted mode (OR = 0.98, 95 % CI = 0.96-0.99, P = 0.018) analysis methods suggested a causal effect of T1D on arrhythmia. The MR-Egger method indicated no horizontal pleiotropy (P = 0.649), and the Q-test showed no heterogeneity (IVW, P = 0.653). CONCLUSIONS: Our MR analysis revealed a causal association between T1D and the development of arrhythmia, indicating that patients with T1D had a higher risk of arrhythmia.

In vivo imaging reveals a synchronized correlation among neurotransmitter dynamics during propofol and sevoflurane anesthesia.

General anesthesia is widely applied in clinical practice. However, the precise mechanism of loss of consciousness induced by general anesthetics remains unknown. Here, we measured the dynamics of five neurotransmitters, including γ-aminobutyric acid, glutamate, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and dopamine, in the medial prefrontal cortex and primary visual cortex of C57BL/6 mice through in vivo fiber photometry and genetically encoded neurotransmitter sensors under anesthesia to reveal the mechanism of general anesthesia from a neurotransmitter perspective. Results revealed that the concentrations of γ-aminobutyric acid, glutamate, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine increased in the cortex during propofol-induced loss of consciousness. Dopamine levels did not change following the hypnotic dose of propofol but increased significantly following surgical doses of propofol anesthesia. Notably, the concentrations of the five neurotransmitters generally decreased during sevoflurane-induced loss of consciousness. Furthermore, the neurotransmitter dynamic networks were not synchronized in the non-anesthesia groups but were highly synchronized in the anesthetic groups. These findings suggest that neurotransmitter dynamic network synchronization may cause anesthetic-induced loss of consciousness.

OMA1 competitively binds to HSPA9 to promote mitophagy and activate the cGAS-STING pathway to mediate GBM immune escape.

BACKGROUND: Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors, especially those targeting programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1)/PD-1 ligand (PD-L1), is increasingly recognized as a highly promising therapeutic modality for malignancies. Nevertheless, the efficiency of immune checkpoint blockade therapy in treating glioblastoma (GBM) is constrained. Hence, it is imperative to expand our comprehension of the molecular mechanisms behind GBM immune escape (IE). METHODS: Protein chip analysis was performed to screen aberrantly expressed OMA1 protein in PD-1 inhibitor sensitive or resistant GBM. Herein, public databases and bioinformatics analysis were employed to investigate the OMA1 and PD-L1 relation. Then, this predicted relation was verified in primary GBM cell lines through distinct experimental methods. To investigate the molecular mechanism behind OMA1 in immunosuppression, a series of experimental methods were employed, including Western blotting, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), mass spectrometry (MS), immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and qRT-PCR. RESULTS: Our findings revealed that OMA1 competitively binds to HSPA9 to induce mitophagy and mediates the IE of GBM. Data from TCGA indicated a significant correlation between OMA1 and immunosuppression. OMA1 promoted PD-L1 levels in primary cells from patients with GBM. Next, the results of Co-IP and MS conducted on GBM primary cells revealed that OMA1 interacts with HSPA9 and induces mitophagy. OMA1 promoted not only cGAS-STING activity by increasing mitochondrial DNA release but also PD-L1 transcription by activating cGAS-STING. Eventually, OMA1 has been found to induce immune evasion in GBM through its regulation of PD-1 binding and PD-L1 mediated T cell cytotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS: The OMA1/HSPA9/cGAS/PD-L1 axis is elucidated in our study as a newly identified immune therapeutic target in GBM.

A nomogram for predicting postoperative overall survival of patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma: A SEER-based study.

Background: Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is a common subtype of non-small cell lung cancer. Our study aimed to construct and validate a nomogram for predicting overall survival (OS) for postoperative LSCC patients. Methods: A total of 8,078 patients eligible for recruitment between 2010 and 2015 were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Study outcomes were 1-, 2- and 3-year OS. Analyses performed included univariate and multivariate Cox regression, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve construction, calibration plotting, decision curve analysis (DCA) and Kaplan-Meier survival plotting. Results: Seven variables were selected to establish our predictive nomogram. Areas under the ROC curves were 0.658, 0.651 and 0.647 for the training cohort and 0.673, 0.667 and 0.658 for the validation cohort at 1-, 2- and 3-year time-points, respectively. Calibration curves confirmed satisfactory consistencies between nomogram-predicted and observed survival probabilities, while DCA confirmed significant clinical usefulness of our model. For risk stratification, patients were divided into three risk groups with significant differences in OS on Kaplan-Meier analysis (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Here, we designed and validated a prognostic nomogram for OS in postoperative LSCC patients. Application of our model in the clinical setting may assist clinicians in evaluating patient prognosis and providing highly individualized therapy.

Case report: Resection of a giant right ventricular myxoma.

Myxoma constitutes the main subtype of all benign cardiac tumors, tending to be more common in women and occurring mostly in the left and right atria. Its classic clinical presentations are intracardiac obstruction, embolization, and systemic or constitutional symptoms, such as fever, in decreasing order. Several imaging techniques such as echocardiography, computed tomography, and angiocardiography contribute to the diagnosis of myxoma, ruling out significant coronary diseases, and assessment of myocardial invasion and tumor involvement of adjacent structures. Surgical resection is the only effective therapeutic option for patients with cardiac myxoma. Here, we report a unique case of a middle-aged man who presented with a giant myxoma and a 3-day history of chest tightness and shortness of breath after physical activity. Subsequently, transthoracic echocardiography revealed a mass of solid echodensity located within the right ventricle, complicated by abnormal hemodynamics. A cardiac computed tomographic angiography showed a large homogeneous density filling defect consuming most parts of the right ventricle and protruding from beat to beat. A surgical resection and histological study later successfully confirmed the diagnosis, and the patient's postoperative recovery course was found to be uneventful.