Degradation of carbamazepine by the UVA-LED365/ClO2/NaClO process: Kinetics, mechanisms and DBPs yield.

A mixed oxidant of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) and NaClO was often used in water treatment. A novel UVA-LED (365 nm)-activated mixed ClO2/NaClO process was proposed for the degradation of micropollutants in this study. Carbamazepine (CBZ) was selected as the target pollutant. Compared with the UVA365/ClO2 process, the UVA365/ClO2/NaClO process can improve the degradation of CBZ, with the rate constant increasing from 2.11×10-4 sec-1 to 2.74×10-4 sec-1. In addition, the consumption of oxidants in the UVA365/ClO2/NaClO process (73.67%) can also be lower than that of UVA365/NaClO (86.42%). When the NaClO ratio increased, both the degradation efficiency of CBZ and the consumption of oxidants can increase in the UVA365/ClO2/NaClO process. The solution pH can affect the contribution of NaClO in the total oxidant ratio. When the pH range of 6.0-8.0, the combination process can generate more active species to promote the degradation of CBZ. The change of active species with oxidant molar ratio was investigated in the UVA365/ClO2/NaClO process. When ClO2 acted as the main oxidant, HO• and Cl• were the main active species, while when NaClO was the main oxidant, ClO• played a role in the system. Both chloride ion (Cl-), bicarbonate ion (HCO3-), and nitrate ion (NO3-) can promote the reaction system. As the concentration of NaClO in the reaction solution increased, the generation of chlorates will decrease. The UVA365/ClO2/NaClO process can effectively control the formation of volatile disinfection by-products (DBPs), and with the increase of ClO2 dosage, the formation of DBPs can also decrease.

Cu/TiO2 adsorbents modified by air plasma for adsorption-oxidation of H2S.

In this study, non-thermal plasma (NTP) was employed to modify the Cu/TiO2 adsorbent to efficiently purify H2S in low-temperature and micro-oxygen environments. The effects of Cu loading amounts and atmospheres of NTP treatment on the adsorption-oxidation performance of the adsorbents were investigated. The NTP modification successfully boosted the H2S removal capacity to varying degrees, and the optimized adsorbent treated by air plasma (Cu/TiO2-Air) attained the best H2S breakthrough capacity of 113.29 mg H2S/gadsorbent, which was almost 5 times higher than that of the adsorbent without NTP modification. Further studies demonstrated that the superior performance of Cu/TiO2-Air was attributed to increased mesoporous volume, more exposure of active sites (CuO) and functional groups (amino groups and hydroxyl groups), enhanced Ti-O-Cu interaction, and the favorable ratio of active oxygen species. Additionally, the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results indicated the main reason for the deactivation was the consumption of the active components (CuO) and the agglomeration of reaction products (CuS and SO42-) occupying the active sites on the surface and the inner pores of the adsorbents.

Polydatin ameliorates early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage through up-regulating SIRT1 to suppress endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the inhibitory effect of Polydatin (PD) on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Methods: A standard intravascular puncture model was established to mimic SAH in mice. Neurological functions were assessed using neurological scoring, Grip test, and Morris water maze. Brain edema and Evans blue extravasation were measured to evaluate blood-brain barrier permeability. Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses were performed to examine protein and mRNA expressions related to ER stress. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was used to detect cell apoptosis, and transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of the endoplasmic reticulum. Results: The results indicated that PD significantly reduced brain edema and Evans blue extravasation after SAH, improving neurological function. Compared to the SAH group, the expression levels of ER stress-related proteins including glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), phosphorylated protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (p-PERK), phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (p-eIF2α), activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), were significantly lower in the PD-treated group. Moreover, PD significantly enhances the protein expression of Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). Validation with sh-SIRT1 confirmed the critical role of SIRT1 in ER stress, with PD's inhibitory effect on ER stress being dependent on SIRT1 expression. Additionally, PD attenuated ER stress-mediated neuronal apoptosis and SAH-induced ferroptosis through upregulation of SIRT1. Conclusion: PD alleviates ER stress following SAH by upregulating SIRT1 expression, thereby mitigating early brain injury. The protective effects of PD are mediated through SIRT1, which inhibits ER stress and reduces neuronal apoptosis and ferroptosis.

Defluorinative Haloalkylation of Unactivated Alkenes Enabled by Dual Photoredox and Copper Catalysis.

A three-component defluorinative haloalkylation of alkenes with trifluoromethyl compounds and TBAX (X = Cl, Br) via dual photoredox/copper catalysis is reported. The mild conditions are compatible with a wide array of activated trifluoromethyl aromatics bearing diverse substituents, and various nonactivated terminal and internal alkenes, enabling straightforward access to synthetically valuable γ-gem-difluoroalkyl halides with high efficiency. Mechanistic studies indicate that the [Cu] complexes not only serve as XAT catalysts but also facilitate the SET reduction of trifluoromethyl groups by photocatalysts. Additionally, the resulting alkyl halide products can serve as versatile conversion intermediates for the synthesis of a diverse range of γ-gem-difluoroalkyl compounds.

Effect of post-traumatic stress disorder on type 2 diabetes and the mediated effect of obesity: a Mendelian randomization study.

Objective: Whether the role of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on type 2 diabetes (T2D) is mediated by obesity or other mediating factors is controversial. This study was designed to assess the impact of PTSD on genetic susceptibility to T2D and mediating factors. Methods: The datasets for PTSD, T2D, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking status, and alcohol consumption were obtained from genome-wide association studies. Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to assess exposure-outcome causality, and inverse variance weighted was used as the primary tool for MR analysis. MR-Egger intercept, Cochran's Q, and leave-one-out sensitivity analysis were employed to assess horizontal pleiotropy, heterogeneity, and robustness, respectively. Results: The MR analysis showed that PTSD was associated with increased genetic susceptibility to T2D (OR, 1.036; 95% CI, 1.008-1.064; p = 0.011), obesity (OR, 1.033; 95% CI, 1.016-1.050; p < 0.001), and hypertension (OR, 1.002; 95% CI, 1.000-1.003; p = 0.015), but not not with genetic susceptibility to hyperlipidemia, alcohol consumption, and smoking status (p ≥ 0.05). Mediated effect analysis showed that PTSD increased genetic susceptibility to T2D by increasing genetic susceptibility to obesity and hypertension, with obesity accounting for 9.51% and hypertension accounting for 2.09%. MR-Egger intercept showed no horizontal pleiotropy (p ≥ 0.05). Cochran's Q showed no heterogeneity (p ≥ 0.05). Leave-one-out sensitivity analysis showed that the results were robust. Conclusion: This MR analysis suggests that PTSD increases the risk of T2D and that this effect is partially mediated by obesity and hypertension. Active prevention and treatment of PTSD can help reduce the risk of T2D.

Application of PCR Sequencing and Next-Generation Sequencing in the Diagnosis of Sporotrichosis.

Sporotrichosis is a common chronic fungal infection and the clinical manifestations are often untypical. Diagnosis of sporotrichosis relies conventionally on fungal culture, histopathological examination, and species identification by molecular test. We reported that a 70-year-old man presented with a cutaneous lesion on the back of his right hand (present for 6 months). The cutaneous bacterial infection was diagnosed at a local hospital and the lesion had not improved. Physical examination revealed an infiltrative reddish plaque with purulent secretion and crusts. Histopathological examination revealed scattered round yeast cells in the dermis. Fungal culture revealed multiple, velvety, brown colonies on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA). Sporothrix globosa was identified by PCR-sequencing and next generation sequencing (NGS) method. Finally, a case of sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix globosa was diagnosed by histopathological examination, mycological examination, and molecular identification. The patient was treated with oral itraconazole 400 mg/day for 2 months. The lesion was dramatically ameliorated.

Asteraceae genome database: a comprehensive platform for Asteraceae genomics.

Asteraceae, the largest family of angiosperms, has attracted widespread attention for its exceptional medicinal, horticultural, and ornamental value. However, researches on Asteraceae plants face challenges due to their intricate genetic background. With the continuous advancement of sequencing technology, a vast number of genomes and genetic resources from Asteraceae species have been accumulated. This has spurred a demand for comprehensive genomic analysis within this diverse plant group. To meet this need, we developed the Asteraceae Genomics Database (AGD; http://cbcb.cdutcm.edu.cn/AGD/). The AGD serves as a centralized and systematic resource, empowering researchers in various fields such as gene annotation, gene family analysis, evolutionary biology, and genetic breeding. AGD not only encompasses high-quality genomic sequences, and organelle genome data, but also provides a wide range of analytical tools, including BLAST, JBrowse, SSR Finder, HmmSearch, Heatmap, Primer3, PlantiSMASH, and CRISPRCasFinder. These tools enable users to conveniently query, analyze, and compare genomic information across various Asteraceae species. The establishment of AGD holds great significance in advancing Asteraceae genomics, promoting genetic breeding, and safeguarding biodiversity by providing researchers with a comprehensive and user-friendly genomics resource platform.

Efficient solar-driven freshwater generation through an inner hierarchical porous metal-carbon layer bridging synergistic photothermal evaporation and adsorption photodegradation.

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation has emerged as a promising avenue for clean water production, leveraging solar energy to extract water vapor from salty and polluted water sources. However, a critical challenge remains, during the photothermal evaporation process, organic pollutants and small water-soluble molecules can transfer into distilled steam, degrading the purity of the collected water. Herein, we develop a multifunctional clean water generation system that integrates photothermal conversion, adsorptive filtration and subsequent photocatalytic purification within a unified platform. This system features an inner hierarchical porous metal-carbon layer derived from ZIF-67 carbonization, seamlessly bridging a wood carbon scaffold and BiOBr nanosheets (BiOBr@ZCW) to smoothly facilitate synergistic actions between photothermal evaporation and adsorption-photodegradation processes. This BiOBr@ZCW configuration not only minimizes thermal dissipation, facilitating a high evaporation rate of 1.67 kg m-2 h-1 and an efficiency of 85% under standard solar irradiation but also enhances the photocatalytic degradation of the rhodamine B organic pollutant with a remarkable 98.43% degradation rate within just 20 minutes. This integrated system offers a robust solution to the challenges of water purification by ensuring both high efficiency in solar steam generation and effective pollutant degradation.

Comprehensive analysis and experimental verification of the mechanism of anoikis related genes in pancreatic cancer.

Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC), characterized by its aggressive nature and low patient survival rate, remains a challenging malignancy. Anoikis, a process inhibiting the spread of metastatic cancer cells, is closely linked to cancer progression and metastasis through anoikis-related genes. Nonetheless, the precise mechanism of action of these genes in PC remains unclear. Methods: Study data were acquired from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, with validation data accessed at the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differential expression analysis and univariate Cox analysis were performed to determine prognostically relevant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with anoikis. Unsupervised cluster analysis was then employed to categorize cancer samples. Subsequently, a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analysis was conducted on the identified DEGs to establish a clinical prognostic gene signature. Using risk scores derived from this signature, patients with cancer were stratified into high-risk and low-risk groups, with further assessment conducted via survival analysis, immune infiltration analysis, and mutation analysis. External validation data were employed to confirm the findings, and Western blot and immunohistochemistry were utilized to validate risk genes for the clinical prognostic gene signature. Results: A total of 20 prognostic-related DEGs associated with anoikis were obtained. The TCGA dataset revealed two distinct subgroups: cluster 1 and cluster 2. Utilizing the 20 DEGs, a clinical prognostic gene signature comprising two risk genes (CDKN3 and LAMA3) was constructed. Patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) were classified into high-risk and low-risk groups per their risk scores, with the latter exhibiting a superior survival rate. Statistically significant variation was noted across immune infiltration and mutation levels between the two groups. Validation cohort results were consistent with the initial findings. Additionally, experimental verification confirmed the high expression of CDKN3 and LAMA3 in tumor samples. Conclusion: Our study addresses the gap in understanding the involvement of genes linked to anoikis in PAAD. The clinical prognostic gene signature developed herein accurately stratifies patients with PAAD, contributing to the advancement of precision medicine for these patients.

Genome-wide transcriptome and gene family analysis reveal candidate genes associated with potassium uptake of maize colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

BACKGROUND: Potassium (K) is an essential nutrient for plant growth and development. Maize (Zea mays) is a widely planted crops in the world and requires a huge amount of K fertilizer. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are closely related to the K uptake of maize. Genetic improvement of maize K utilization efficiency will require elucidating the molecular mechanisms of maize K uptake through the mycorrhizal pathway. Here, we employed transcriptome and gene family analysis to elucidate the mechanism influencing the K uptake and utilization efficiency of mycorrhizal maize. METHODS AND RESULTS: The transcriptomes of maize were studied with and without AMF inoculation and under different K conditions. AM symbiosis increased the K concentration and dry weight of maize plants. RNA sequencing revealed that genes associated with the activity of the apoplast and nutrient reservoir were significantly enriched in mycorrhizal roots under low-K conditions but not under high-K conditions. Weighted gene correlation network analysis revealed that three modules were strongly correlated with K content. Twenty-one hub genes enriched in pathways associated with glycerophospholipid metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, and anthocyanin biosynthesis were further identified. In general, these hub genes were upregulated in AMF-colonized roots under low-K conditions. Additionally, the members of 14 gene families associated with K obtain were identified (ARF: 38, ILK: 4, RBOH: 12, RUPO: 20, MAPKK: 89, CBL: 14, CIPK: 44, CPK: 40, PIN: 10, MYB: 174, NPF: 79, KT: 19, HAK/HKT/KUP: 38, and CPA: 8) from maize. The transcript levels of these genes showed that 92 genes (ARF:6, CBL:5, CIPK:13, CPK:2, HAK/HKT/KUP:7, PIN:2, MYB:26, NPF:16, RBOH:1, MAPKK:12 and RUPO:2) were upregulated with AM symbiosis under low-K conditions. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that AMF increase the resistance of maize to low-K stress by regulating K uptake at the gene transcription level. Our findings provide a genome-level resource for the functional assignment of genes regulated by K treatment and AM symbiosis in K uptake-related gene families in maize. This may contribute to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of maize response to low K stress with AMF inoculation, and provided a theoretical basis for AMF application in the crop field.

Effects of long-term continuous cultivation on the structure and function of soil bacterial and fungal communities of Fritillaria Cirrhosa on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Fritillaria cirrhosa, an endangered medicinal plant in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is facing resource scarcity. Artificial cultivation has been employed to address this issue, but problems related to continuous cultivation hinder successful transplantation. Imbalanced microbial communities are considered a potential cause, yet the overall changes in the microbial community under continuous cropping systems remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effects of varying durations of continuous cropping on the bacterial and fungal communities, as well as enzymatic activities, in the rhizospheric soil of F. cirrhosa. Our findings revealed that continuous cropping of F. cirrhosa resulted in soil acidification, nutrient imbalances, and increased enzyme activity. Specifically, after 10 years of continuous cropping, there was a notable shift in the abundance and diversity (e.g., Chao1 index) of soil bacteria and fungi. Moreover, microbial composition analyses revealed a significant accumulation of harmful microorganisms associated with soil-borne diseases (e.g., Luteimonas, Parastagonospora, Pseudogymnoascus) in successively cropped soils, in contrast to the significant reduction of beneficial microorganisms (e.g., Sphingomonas, Lysobacter, Cladosporium) that promote plant growth and development and protect against diseases such as Fusarium sp.These changes led to decreased connectivity and stability within the soil microbial community. Structural equation modeling and redundancy analysis revealed that alkaline hydrolytic nitrogen and available phosphorus directly influenced soil pH, which was identified as the primary driver of soil microbial community changes and subsequently contributed to soil health deterioration. Overall, our results highlight that soil acidification and imbalanced rhizosphere microbial communities are the primary challenges associated with continuous cropping of F. cirrhosa. These findings establish a theoretical foundation for standardized cultivation practices of F. cirrhosa and the bioremediation of continuously cultivated soils.

Discovery of TK-642 as a highly potent, selective, orally bioavailable pyrazolopyrazine-based allosteric SHP2 inhibitor.

Src homology-2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2) is a promising therapeutic target for cancer therapy. In this work, we presented the structure-guided design of 5,6-fused bicyclic allosteric SHP2 inhibitors, leading to the identification of pyrazolopyrazine-based TK-642 as a highly potent, selective, orally bioavailable allosteric SHP2 inhibitor (SHP2WT IC50 = 2.7 nmol/L) with favorable pharmacokinetic profiles (F = 42.5%; t 1/2 = 2.47 h). Both dual inhibition biochemical assay and docking analysis indicated that TK-642 likely bound to the "tunnel" allosteric site of SHP2. TK-642 could effectively suppress cell proliferation (KYSE-520 cells IC50 = 5.73 µmol/L) and induce apoptosis in esophageal cancer cells by targeting the SHP2-mediated AKT and ERK signaling pathways. Additionally, oral administration of TK-642 also demonstrated effective anti-tumor effects in the KYSE-520 xenograft mouse model, with a T/C value of 83.69%. Collectively, TK-642 may warrant further investigation as a promising lead compound for the treatment of esophageal cancer.

GSH-responsive polymeric micelles-based augmented photoimmunotherapy synergized with PD-1 blockade for eliciting robust antitumor immunity against colon tumor.

Phototherapy is a promising antitumor modality, which consists of photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). However, the efficacy of phototherapy is dramatically hampered by local hypoxia in tumors, overexpression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) on tumor cells. To address these issues, self-assembled multifunctional polymeric micelles (RIMNA) were developed to co-deliver photosensitizer indocyanine green (ICG), oxygenator MnO2, IDO inhibitor NLG919, and toll-like receptor 4 agonist monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA). It is worth noting that RIMNA polymeric micelles had good stability, uniform morphology, superior biocompatibility, and intensified PTT/PDT effect. What's more, RIMNA-mediated IDO inhibition combined with programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1)/PD-L1 blockade considerably improved immunosuppression and promoted immune activation. RIMNA-based photoimmunotherapy synergized with PD-1 antibody could remarkably inhibit primary tumor proliferation, as well as stimulate the immunity to greatly suppress lung metastasis and distant tumor growth. This study offers an efficient method to reinforce the efficacy of phototherapy and alleviate immunosuppression, thereby bringing clinical benefits to cancer treatment.

Virulence gene polymorphisms in Shandong Helicobacter pylori strains and their relevance to gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) virulence factors, particularly the cagA and vacA genotypes, play important roles in the pathogenic process of gastrointestinal disease. METHODS: The cagA and vacA genotypes of 87 H. pylori strains were determined by PCR and sequencing. The EPIYA and CM motif patterns were analyzed and related to clinical outcomes. We examined the associations between the virulence genes of H. pylori and gastrointestinal diseases in Shandong, and the results were analyzed via the chi-square test and logistic regression model. RESULTS: Overall, 76 (87.36%) of the strains carried the East Asian-type CagA, with the ABD types being the most prevalent (90.79%). However, no significant differences were observed among the different clinical outcomes. The analysis of CagA sequence types revealed 8 distinct types, encompassing 250 EPIYA motifs, including 4 types of EPIYA or EPIYA-like sequences. Additionally, 28 CM motifs were identified, with the most prevalent patterns being E (66.67%), D (16.09%), and W-W (5.75%). Notably, a significant association was discovered between strains with GC and the CM motif pattern D (P < 0.01). With respect to the vacA genotypes, the strains were identified as s1, s2, m1, m2, i1, i2, d1, d2, c1, and c2 in 87 (100%), 0 (0), 26 (29.89%), 61 (70.11%), 73 (83.91%), 14 (16.09%), 76 (87.36%), 11 (12.64%), 18 (20.69%), and 69 (79.31%), respectively. Specifically, the vacA m1 and c1 genotypes presented a significantly greater prevalence in strains from GC compared to CG (P < 0.05). Following adjustment for age and sex, the vacA c1 genotype demonstrated a notable association with GC (OR = 5.174; 95% CI, 1.402-20.810; P = 0.012). This association was both independent of and more pronounced than the correlations between vacA m1 and GC. CONCLUSIONS: CagA proteins possessing CM motif pattern D were more frequently observed in patients with GC (P < 0.01), implying a potentially higher virulence of CM motif pattern D than the other CM motif patterns. Moreover, a strong positive association was identified between the vacA c1 genotype and GC, indicating that the vacA c1 genotype is a robust risk indicator for GC among male patients aged ≥55 years in Shandong.

Potential mechanisms of rheumatoid arthritis therapy: Focus on macrophage polarization.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects multiple organs and systems in the human body, often leading to disability. Its pathogenesis is complex, and the long-term use of traditional anti-rheumatic drugs frequently results in severe toxic side effects. Therefore, the search for a safer and more effective antirheumatic drug is extremely important for the treatment of RA. As important immune cells in the body, macrophages are polarized. Under pathological conditions, macrophages undergo proliferation and are recruited to diseased tissues upon stimulation. In the local microenvironment, they polarize into different types of macrophages in response to specific factors and perform unique functions and roles. Previous studies have shown that there is a link between macrophage polarization and RA, indicating that certain active ingredients can ameliorate RA symptoms through macrophage polarization. Notably, Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) monomer component and compounds demonstrate a particular advantage in this process. Building upon this insight, we reviewed and analyzed recent studies to offer valuable and meaningful insights and directions for the development and application of anti-rheumatic drugs.

The "crosstalk" between gut microbiota, metabolites and genes in diet-induced hepatic steatosis mice intervened with Cordyceps guangdongensis polysaccharides.

Cordyceps guangdongensis, a novel edible mushroom in China, has shown many positive health effects. In this study, we extracted the C. guangdongensis polysaccharides (CGP) from the fruiting bodies, and investigated the mechanism for CGP improved high-fat diet-induced (HFDI) metabolic diseases. We found that CGP notably reduced fat mass, improved blood lipid levels and hepatic damage, and restored the gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by high-fat diet (HFD). Metabolome analyses showed that CGP changed the composition of bile acids, and regulated HFDI metabolic disorder in hepatic tissue. Transcriptome comparison showed that the improvement of hepatic steatosis for CGP was mainly related to lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Association analysis result revealed that Odoribacter, Bifidobacterium and Bi. pseudolongum were negatively correlated to fat and blood lipid indicators, and were significantly associated with genes and metabolites related to carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Collectively, these results indicate that CGP may be a promising supplement for the treatment of obesity and related metabolic diseases.

Suppression of SENP3 enhances macrophage alternative activation by mediating IRF4 de-SUMOylation in ESCC progression.

Esophageal cancer is common worldwide, with ESCC being the most frequent tumor in East Asia. Tumor-associated macrophages are an important component of the ESCC microenvironment. SUMOylation is a post-translational modification of proteins, and SUMO-specific proteases (SENPs) play an important role in de-SUMOylation. In human patients, we discovered that the levels of SENP3 were upregulated in the tumor-associated macrophages. Furthermore, the loss of SENP3 enhanced the alternative activation of macrophages in the 4-NQO-induced ESCC mice model. This is the first study to identify SENP3-mediated macrophage polarization via the de-SUMOylation of interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) at the K349 site. Alternative activation of macrophages increases the migration and invasion potential of ESCC cells and promotes their progression in vivo. Moreover, patients with relatively low SENP3 expression in macrophages exhibit higher primary PET SUVmax value and lymph node metastasis rates. In summary, this study revealed that SENP3-mediated IRF4 de-SUMOylation is crucial for the alternative activation of macrophages and influences the progression of ESCC.

An Online Nanoinformatics Platform Empowering Computational Modeling of Nanomaterials by Nanostructure Annotations and Machine Learning Toolkits.

Modern nanotechnology has generated numerous datasets from in vitro and in vivo studies on nanomaterials, with some available on nanoinformatics portals. However, these existing databases lack the digital data and tools suitable for machine learning studies. Here, we report a nanoinformatics platform that accurately annotates nanostructures into machine-readable data files and provides modeling toolkits. This platform, accessible to the public at https://vinas-toolbox.com/, has annotated nanostructures of 14 material types. The associated nanodescriptor data and assay test results are appropriate for modeling purposes. The modeling toolkits enable data standardization, data visualization, and machine learning model development to predict properties and bioactivities of new nanomaterials. Moreover, a library of virtual nanostructures with their predicted properties and bioactivities is available, directing the synthesis of new nanomaterials. This platform provides a data-driven computational modeling platform for the nanoscience community, significantly aiding in the development of safe and effective nanomaterials.

Despite Higher Rates of Minimally Recommended Depression Treatment, Transgender and Gender Diverse Medicare Beneficiaries with Depression Have Poorer Mental Health Outcomes: Analysis of 2009-2016 Medicare Data.

Purpose: Little is known about depression treatment for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) older adults or TGD people with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to characterize receipt of minimally recommended depression treatment and outcomes for TGD Medicare beneficiaries. Methods: Using Medicare claims data from 2009 to 2016, we identified potential TGD beneficiaries with depression (n=2223 TGD older adult beneficiaries and n=8752 TGD beneficiaries with a disability) and compared their rates of minimally recommended mental health treatment, inpatient mental health hospitalizations, psychotropic medication fills, and suicide attempt to a group of Comparison beneficiaries with depression (n=499,888 adults aged 65+ years and n=287,583 who qualified due to disability). We estimated disparities in outcomes between TGD and non-TGD beneficiaries (separately by original reason for Medicare eligibility: age 65+ years vs. a disability) using a rank-and-replace method to adjust for health needs. Results: After adjustment, rates of minimally recommended mental health treatment and psychotropic medication fills were higher among TGD versus Comparison beneficiaries, as were rates of inpatient mental health visits and suicide attempts (predicted mean of disparities estimates for older adult subgroup: 0.092, 0.096, 0.006, and 0.002, respectively, all p<0.01; and in subgroup with disability: 0.091, 0.115, 0.015, and 0.003, respectively, all p<0.001). Conclusion: Despite higher mental health treatment rates, TGD beneficiaries with depression in this study had more adverse mental health outcomes. Minimum recommended treatment definitions derived in general population samples may not capture complex mental health needs of specific marginalized populations.

Stereolithography 3D Printing of Stimuli-Responsive Spin Crossover@Polymer Nanocomposites with Optimized Actuating Properties.

We used stereolithography to print polymer nanocomposite samples of stimuli-responsive spin crossover materials in the commercial photo-curable printing resins DS3000 and PEGDA-250. The thermomechanical analysis of the SLA-printed objects revealed not only the expected reinforcement of the polymer resins by the introduction of the stiffer SCO particles, but also a significant mechanical damping, as well as a sizeable linear strain around the spin transition temperatures. For the highest accessible loads (ca. 13-15 vol.%) we measured transformation strains in the range of 1.2-1.5%, giving rise to peaks in the coefficient of thermal expansion as high as 10-3 °C-1, which was exploited in 3D printed bilayer actuators to produce bending movement. The results pave the way for integrating these advanced stimuli-responsive composites into mechanical actuators and 4D printing applications.