Geomorphic impacts within Red River Fault and island shifting as witnessed by the phylogeography of the largest water strider.

Palaeogeological events and climate oscillations profoundly impact the demographics and distributions of small-range species, increasing the extinction risk. The largest water strider worldwide, Gigantometra gigas (Hemiptera: Gerridae), exhibits restricted distributions in Vietnam and southern China. Herein, we generated three genomic datasets (mitogenomes, 146 nuclear protein-coding genes and single nucleotide polymorphisms) with ecological niche modelling (ENM) to explicitly test whether the present-day distribution of G. gigas actually resulted from geographical and climatic effects. We found that the origin of this largest water strider reached the divergence time of the genus within Gerridae, providing a greater opportunity to explore its response to geographic movements. The right-lateral motion of the Red River Fault facilitated the divergence of two phylogeographic lineages, resulting in the "north-south component" genetic pattern in G. gigas. The Hainan and southeast Vietnam populations of the southern linage were completely separated by the Beibu Gulf but exhibited similar genetic compositions, confirming that Hainan had a continental origin and that Hainan Island joined with the Indo-China Peninsula to promote gene exchange among populations. Additionally, we noticed the low genetic diversity but long demographic history of the northern lineage, which displayed population dynamics opposite to those of other organisms. Integrating the demographic changes and ENM findings revealed that suitable habitat contraction and rapid demographic decline during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) triggered the low genetic diversity of the northern lineage. Overall, the demographic history of the largest water strider was mainly shaped by geographical features, and first provided evidence from the phylogeographic perspective of aquatic insects to support the hypothesis of Hainan Island shifting.

Aberrant DNA Methylation Profile of Dickkopf-1 in Ankylosing Spondylitis.

In recent years, the impact of methylation modifications on Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) in relation to ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has remained elusive. Our objective was to investigate the potential link between DKK1 methylation patterns and transcript levels and AS susceptibility. DNA methylation level of DKK1 was measured in 82 AS and 82 healthy controls (HCs) using targeted bisulfite sequencing. In addition, the transcript level of DKK1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 35 AS patients and 35 HCs was detected using real-time quantitative transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Our study showed that the DKK1 was significantly hypomethylated in AS patients (P < 0.001). The Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) showed that DKK1 methylation may be a potential biomarker. The results showed that the difference in DKK1 transcript levels between AS and HCs was not statistically significant. Further analysis showed that DKK1 methylation levels were positively correlated with age and negatively correlated with C-reactive protein levels, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR). The methylation level of DKK1 in PBMC of AS patients was significantly lower than that of HCs, and DKK1 methylation may be associated with susceptibility to AS. In addition, DNA methylation levels of DKK1 were negatively correlated with the level of inflammation in AS patients.

RNA N6-Methyladenosine Modification in DNA Damage Response and Cancer Radiotherapy.

The N6-methyladenosine (M6A) modification is the most common internal chemical modification of RNA molecules in eukaryotes. This modification can affect mRNA metabolism, regulate RNA transcription, nuclear export, splicing, degradation, and translation, and significantly impact various aspects of physiology and pathobiology. Radiotherapy is the most common method of tumor treatment. Different intrinsic cellular mechanisms affect the response of cells to ionizing radiation (IR) and the effectiveness of cancer radiotherapy. In this review, we summarize and discuss recent advances in understanding the roles and mechanisms of RNA M6A methylation in cellular responses to radiation-induced DNA damage and in determining the outcomes of cancer radiotherapy. Insights into RNA M6A methylation in radiation biology may facilitate the improvement of therapeutic strategies for cancer radiotherapy and radioprotection of normal tissues.

Ionic Strength-Mediated "DNA Corona Defects" for Efficient Arrangement of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes.

Single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides wrapping on the surface of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), described as DNA corona, are often used as a dispersing agent for SWCNTs. The uneven distribution of DNA corona along SWCNTs is related to the photoelectric properties and the surface activity of SWCNTs. An ionic strength-mediated "DNA corona defects" (DCDs) strategy is proposed to acquire an exposed surface of SWCNTs (accessible surface) as large as possible while maintaining good dispersibility via modulating the conformation of DNA corona. By adjusting the solution ionic strength, the DNA corona phase transitioned from an even-distributed and loose conformation to a locally compact conformation. The resulting enlarged exposed surface of SWCNTs is called DCDs, which provide active sites for molecular adsorption. This strategy is applied for the arrangement of SWCNTs on DNA origami. SWCNTs with ≈11 nm DCD, providing enough space for the adsorption of "capture ssDNA" (≈7 nm width required for 24-nt) extended from DNA origami structures are fabricated. The DCD strategy has potential applications in SWCNT-based optoelectronic devices.

A multifunctional CaCO3 bioreactor coated with coordination polymers enhances cancer immunotherapy.

Designing effective nanomedicines to induce durable anti-tumor immunity represents a promising strategy for improving moderate immune stimulation. In this study, we engineered a multifunctional nanoreactor (named SCGFP NPs) for remodeling the tumor microenvironment (TME) to improve the therapeutic efficacy of immunotherapy. The core of SCGFP NPs consists of CaCO3 loaded with SN38, prepared by the gas diffusion method, and coated with a significant amount of gallic acid-Fe3+-PEG coordination polymer on the surface. In the acidic TME, SCGFP NPs explosively release exogenous Ca2+ and SN38. The SN38-induced intracellular Ca2+ accumulation and exogenous Ca2+ synergistically trigger immunogenic cell death (ICD) through sustained Ca2+ overload. The ablation of tumors with high-intensity photothermal therapy (PTT) by near-infrared (NIR) irradiation of GA-Fe3+ induces tumor cell necrosis, further enhancing ICD activation. Additionally, SN38 upregulates PD-L1, amplifying tumor responsiveness to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). This study indicates that SCGFP NPs, through the integration of a trimodal therapeutic strategy, hold enormous potential for various types of tumor immunotherapy through distinct mechanisms or synergistic effects.

Genome-wide annotation and comparative analysis revealed conserved cuticular protein evolution among non-biting midges with varied environmental adaptability.

Chironomidae, non-biting midges, a diverse and abundant insect group in global aquatic ecosystems, represent an exceptional model for investigating genetic adaptability mechanisms in aquatic insects due to their extensive species diversity and resilience to various environmental conditions. The cuticle in insects acts as the primary defense against ecological pressures. Cuticular Proteins (CPs) determine cuticle characteristics, facilitating adaptation to diverse challenges. However, systematic annotation of CP genes has only been conducted for one Chironomidae species, Propsilocerus akamusi, by our team. In this study, we expanded this annotation by identifying CP genes in eight additional Chironomidae species, covering all Chironomidae species with available genome data. We identified a total of 889 CP genes, neatly categorized into nine CP families: 215 CPR RR1 genes, 272 CPR RR2 genes, 23 CPR RR3 genes, 21 CPF genes, 16 CPLCA genes, 19 CPLCG genes, 28 CPLCP genes, 77 CPAP genes, and 37 Tweedle genes. Subsequently, we conducted a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of CPs within the Chironomidae family. This expanded annotation of CP genes across diverse Chironomidae species significantly contributes to our understanding of their remarkable adaptability.

Exposure to volatile organic compounds and growth indicators in adolescents: Unveiling the association and potential intervention strategies.

Environmental pollutant is considered to be one of the important factors affecting adolescent growth. However, the effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exposure on adolescent growth have not been assessed. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2018 was used to examine the associations between VOCs exposure and adolescent growth indicators through three statistical models. The mediating effect of bone mineral density (BMD) on these associations was examined. The potential pathways and key targets were identified by the network pharmacology analysis methods. This study included 746 adolescents. Three statistical methods consistently showed a negative correlation between VOCs exposure and adolescent growth indicators. Furthermore, BMD mediated the relationship between VOCs exposure and adolescent growth indicators, with mediated proportion ranging from 4.3 % to 53.4 %. Network pharmacology analysis found a significant enrichment in IL-17 signaling pathway. Moreover, the adverse effects of VOCs exposure on adolescent growth were observed to significantly attenuate in adolescents with high serum vitamin D levels. Our results suggested that VOCs exposure was an adverse factor affecting adolescent growth, with BMD playing a significant regulatory role, and IL-17 signaling pathway was the underlying mechanism. Vitamin D supplementation may be a viable strategy to prevent VOCs exposure from affecting adolescent growth.