Haem transporter HRG-1 is essential in the barber's pole worm and an intervention target candidate.

Parasitic roundworms (nematodes) have lost genes involved in the de novo biosynthesis of haem, but have evolved the capacity to acquire and utilise exogenous haem from host animals. However, very little is known about the processes or mechanisms underlying haem acquisition and utilisation in parasites. Here, we reveal that HRG-1 is a conserved and unique haem transporter in a broad range of parasitic nematodes of socioeconomic importance, which enables haem uptake via intestinal cells, facilitates cellular haem utilisation through the endo-lysosomal system, and exhibits a conspicuous distribution at the basal laminae covering the alimentary tract, muscles and gonads. The broader tissue expression pattern of HRG-1 in Haemonchus contortus (barber's pole worm) compared with its orthologues in the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans indicates critical involvement of this unique haem transporter in haem homeostasis in tissues and organs of the parasitic nematode. RNAi-mediated gene knockdown of hrg-1 resulted in sick and lethal phenotypes of infective larvae of H. contortus, which could only be rescued by supplementation of exogenous haem in the early developmental stage. Notably, the RNAi-treated infective larvae could not establish infection or survive in the mammalian host, suggesting an indispensable role of this haem transporter in the survival of this parasite. This study provides new insights into the haem biology of a parasitic nematode, demonstrates that haem acquisition by HRG-1 is essential for H. contortus survival and infection, and suggests that HRG-1 could be an intervention target candidate in a range of parasitic nematodes.

The mrp-3 gene is involved in haem efflux and detoxification in a blood-feeding nematode.

BACKGROUND: Haem is essential but toxic for metazoan organisms. Auxotrophic nematodes can acquire sufficient haem from the environment or their hosts in the meanwhile eliminate or detoxify excessive haem through tightly controlled machinery. In previous work, we reported a role of the unique transporter protein HRG-1 in the haem acquisition and homeostasis of parasitic nematodes. However, little is known about the haem efflux and detoxification via ABC transporters, particularly the multiple drug resistance proteins (MRPs). RESULTS: Here, we further elucidate that a member of the mrp family (mrp-3) is involved in haem efflux and detoxification in a blood-feeding model gastrointestinal parasite, Haemonchus contortus. This gene is haem-responsive and dominantly expressed in the intestine and inner membrane of the hypodermis of this parasite. RNA interference of mrp-3 resulted in a disturbance of genes (e.g. hrg-1, hrg-2 and gst-1) that are known to be involved in haem homeostasis and an increased formation of haemozoin in the treated larvae and lethality in vitro, particularly when exposed to exogenous haem. Notably, the nuclear hormone receptor NHR-14 appears to be associated the regulation of mrp-3 expression for haem homeostasis and detoxification. Gene knockdown of nhr-14 and/or mrp-3 increases the sensitivity of treated larvae to exogenous haem and consequently a high death rate (> 80%). CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that MRP-3 and the associated molecules are essential for haematophagous nematodes, suggesting novel intervention targets for these pathogens in humans and animals.

Activated Wake Systems in Narcolepsy Type 1.

OBJECTIVE: Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) is assumed to be caused solely by a lack of hypocretin (orexin) neurotransmission. Recently, however, we found an 88% reduction in corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-positive neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). We assessed the remaining CRH neurons in NT1 to determine whether they co-express vasopressin (AVP) to reflect upregulation. We also systematically assessed other wake-systems, since current NT1 treatments target histamine, dopamine, and norepinephrine pathways. METHODS: In postmortem tissue of people with NT1 and matched controls, we immunohistochemically stained and quantified neuronal populations expressing: CRH and AVP in the PVN, and CRH in the Barrington nucleus; the key neuronal histamine-synthesizing enzyme, histidine decarboxylase (HDC) in the hypothalamic tuberomammillary nucleus (TMN); the rate-limited-synthesizing enzyme, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), for dopamine in the mid-brain and for norepinephrine in the locus coeruleus (LC). RESULTS: In NT1, there was: a 234% increase in the percentage of CRH cells co-expressing AVP, while there was an unchanged integrated optical density of CRH staining in the Barrington nucleus; a 36% increased number of histamine neurons expressing HDC, while the number of typical human TMN neuronal profiles was unchanged; a tendency toward an increased density of TH-positive neurons in the substantia nigra compacta; while the density of TH-positive LC neurons was unchanged. INTERPRETATION: Our findings suggest an upregulation of activity by histamine neurons and remaining CRH neurons in NT1. This may explain earlier reports of normal basal plasma cortisol levels but lower levels after dexamethasone suppression. Alternatively, CRH neurons co-expressing AVP neurons are less vulnerable. ANN NEUROL 2023;94:762-771.

Analysis of Changes in KPS Scores and Imaging Signs in Deep Brain Gliomas by DWI Combined with Intraoperative Ultrasound Resection.

Objective: This study investigates the efficacy of DWI combined with intraoperative ultrasound for deep brain glioma treatment, analyzing changes in Karnofsky performance status (KPS) scores and imaging signs. Objectives include elucidating the approach's advantages, addressing knowledge gaps, and contributing insights into its effectiveness for enhancing deep brain glioma management. Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed a total of 346 patients with deep brain glioma who underwent surgical treatment at our hospital from July 2015 to January 2022. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 310 patients were selected and categorized into a control group (n = 150) and an observation group (n = 160) based on different auxiliary techniques of surgical treatment. The degree of resection and Karnofsky performance status (KPS) scores were assessed at 1 day preoperatively, 1 week, and 1 month postoperatively for both groups. Additionally, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of DWI and ultrasound imaging signs among patients with different grades of deep brain glioma. The study duration covered the specified period, and statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the outcomes. Results: In our study, the observation group demonstrated significantly improved resection degrees, with a total resection rate of 82.50% compared to the control group's 65.33%. Preoperative Karnofsky performance status scores showed no significant difference between groups (P > .05), but postoperative scores at 1 week and 1 month were significantly higher in the observation group (P < .05). Intraoperative ultrasound and DWI revealed distinct imaging signs differentiating low-grade and high-grade patients. These results highlight the efficacy of DWI combined with intraoperative ultrasound resection in enhancing resection outcomes and influencing postoperative Karnofsky performance status. Conclusions: DWI combined with intraoperative ultrasonic resection in deep brain glioma has a significant effect, with specific imaging signs, which can effectively improve the total resection rate and KPS score, and is worthy of clinical promotion. DWI combined with intraoperative ultrasound has important clinical significance in the resection of deep brain gliomas. The better resection results and improved postoperative Karnofsky performance-status score that we observed suggest a possible benefit in patient outcomes, which could influence treatment strategies. The precise imaging signs identified by this method provide valuable guidance for targeted and effective tumor resection.

Acyl-CoA oxidase ACOX-1 interacts with a peroxin PEX-5 to play roles in larval development of Haemonchus contortus.

Hypobiosis (facultative developmental arrest) is the most important life-cycle adaptation ensuring survival of parasitic nematodes under adverse conditions. Little is known about such survival mechanisms, although ascarosides (ascarylose with fatty acid-derived side chains) have been reported to mediate the formation of dauer larvae in the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Here, we investigated the role of a key gene acox-1, in the larval development of Haemonchus contortus, one of the most important parasitic nematodes that employ hypobiosis as a routine survival mechanism. In this parasite, acox-1 encodes three proteins (ACOXs) that all show a fatty acid oxidation activity in vitro and in vivo, and interact with a peroxin PEX-5 in peroxisomes. In particular, a peroxisomal targeting signal type1 (PTS1) sequence is required for ACOX-1 to be recognised by PEX-5. Analyses on developmental transcription and tissue expression show that acox-1 is predominantly expressed in the intestine and hypodermis of H. contortus, particularly in the early larval stages in the environment and the arrested fourth larval stage within host animals. Knockdown of acox-1 and pex-5 in parasitic H. contortus shows that these genes play essential roles in the post-embryonic larval development and likely in the facultative arrest of this species. A comprehensive understanding of these genes and the associated ß-oxidation cycle of fatty acids should provide novel insights into the developmental regulation of parasitic nematodes, and into the discovery of novel interventions for species of socioeconomic importance.

Genome-Scale Metabolic Model's multi-objective solving algorithm based on the inflexion point of Pareto front including maximum energy utilization and its application in Aspergillus niger DS03043.

The solution of Genome-Scale Metabolic Model (GSMM) directly affects the simulation accuracy of the metabolic process in digital cells. Single-objective optimization methods, such as flux balance analysis (FBA), which is widely used in solving GSMM, have limitations when simulating actual biological processes, which leads to unrealistic results due to other biological constraints being ignored. A novel multi-objective differential evolution algorithm based on general FBA (i.e., differential evolution FBA [DEFBA]) is hence proposed to solve GSMM. First, in accordance with the assumption that cells minimize resource consumption and maximize resource utilization, the maximum specific growth rate and the minimum cellular production rate of ATP, NADPH, and NADH are defined as the multi-objective functions of DEFBA. Second, FBA is used to produce the initial individuals of DEFBA by changing the upper bound of biomass reaction in GSMM. Third, mutation and selection operations help in generating new individuals in the solution space to search the Pareto front. Finally, the optimal solution is selected by analyzing the inflexion point of the Pareto front. In DEFBA, multi-objective technology and optimal solution judging technology can introduce the biological constraints into the GSMM solving method, such that the solution can be more consistent with the essential biological mechanism. DEFBA is applied to solve Aspergillus niger's GSMM. The improved results show that DEFBA can be an effective general solving algorithm for GSMM.

Effects of valerate on intestinal barrier function in cultured Caco-2 epithelial cell monolayers.

BACKGROUND: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are a group of microbial metabolites of undigested dietary fiber, protein and unabsorbed amino acids in the colon, well-known for their gut health promoting benefits. A relatively high intestinal level of valerate was found in the healthy human subjects. However, the intestinal protection effects and the underlying mechanism of valerate are waiting to be verified and elucidated. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the present study, valerate, a SCFAs mainly converted from proteins or amino acids, was demonstrated to promote intestinal barrier function at its physiological concentrations of 0-4 mM in the Caco-2 cell monolayer model of intestinal barrier using transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) assay and paracellular permeability assay. Valerate achieved the maximum increase in the TEER at 2 mM and reduced the paracellular permeability. Its intestinal barrier function promoting activity is similar to that of butyrate, with a broader range of effective concentrations than the later. Through western blot analysis, this activity is linked to the valerate-induced AMPK activation and tight junctions (TJs) assembly, but not to the reinforced expression of TJs related proteins. CONCLUSIONS: It provides direct experimental evidence supporting valerate's function in intestinal health, implying the once under-valued function of valerate and its amino acid precursors. The valerate's role in regulating intestine homeostasis and its possible synergetic effects with other SCFAs warranted to be further investigated.

Raddeanin A (RA) reduced acute inflammatory injury in mouse experimental cerebral hemorrhage by suppression of TLR4.

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is associated with high mortality and disability rates. The microglia-induced inflammatory response is a critical factor determining brain tissue damage after ICH. Raddeanin A (RA) is a natural triterpenoid compound with anti-inflammatory effects, although its effects on ICH and the underlying molecular mechanism have not been elucidated. In this study, we found that RA reduced the volume of cerebral hematoma and cerebral edema, attenuated neuronal apoptosis and improved the behavioral indices in a murine model of acute cerebral hemorrhage. Mechanistically, RA downregulated the TLR4-mediated pro-inflammatory effectors, reduced infiltration of microglia in peri-intracerebral hemorrhage and inhibited apoptosis of neurons co-cultured with activated microglia. In conclusion, RA can alleviate ICH-related tissue damage and promote the recovery of neuronal function by suppressing microglia-induced inflammation and apoptosis.

Integration of enzyme constraints in a genome-scale metabolic model of Aspergillus niger improves phenotype predictions.

BACKGROUND: Genome-scale metabolic model (GSMM) is a powerful tool for the study of cellular metabolic characteristics. With the development of multi-omics measurement techniques in recent years, new methods that integrating multi-omics data into the GSMM show promising effects on the predicted results. It does not only improve the accuracy of phenotype prediction but also enhances the reliability of the model for simulating complex biochemical phenomena, which can promote theoretical breakthroughs for specific gene target identification or better understanding the cell metabolism on the system level. RESULTS: Based on the basic GSMM model iHL1210 of Aspergillus niger, we integrated large-scale enzyme kinetics and proteomics data to establish a GSMM based on enzyme constraints, termed a GEM with Enzymatic Constraints using Kinetic and Omics data (GECKO). The results show that enzyme constraints effectively improve the model's phenotype prediction ability, and extended the model's potential to guide target gene identification through predicting metabolic phenotype changes of A. niger by simulating gene knockout. In addition, enzyme constraints significantly reduced the solution space of the model, i.e., flux variability over 40.10% metabolic reactions were significantly reduced. The new model showed also versatility in other aspects, like estimating large-scale [Formula: see text] values, predicting the differential expression of enzymes under different growth conditions. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that incorporating enzymes' abundance information into GSMM is very effective for improving model performance with A. niger. Enzyme-constrained model can be used as a powerful tool for predicting the metabolic phenotype of A. niger by incorporating proteome data. In the foreseeable future, with the fast development of measurement techniques, and more precise and rich proteomics quantitative data being obtained for A. niger, the enzyme-constrained GSMM model will show greater application space on the system level.

Molecular Detection and Quantification of Xanthomonas albilineans in Juice from Symptomless Sugarcane Stalks Using a Real-Time Quantitative PCR Assay.

Leaf scald, a bacterial disease caused by Xanthomonas albilineans (Ashby) Dowson, is a major limiting factor for sugarcane production worldwide. Accurate identification and quantification of X. albilineans is a prerequisite for successful management of this disease. A sensitive and robust quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay was developed in this study for detection and quantification of X. albilineans using TaqMan probe and primers targeting a putative adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette (ABC) transporter gene (abc). The novel qPCR assay was highly specific to the 43 tested X. albilineans strains belonging to different pulsed-field gel electrophoresis groups. The detection thresholds were 100 copies/µl of plasmid DNA, 100 fg/µl of bacterial genomic DNA, and 100 CFU/ml of bacterial suspension prepared from pure culture. This qPCR assay was 100 times more sensitive than a conventional PCR assay. The pathogen was detected by qPCR in 75.1% (410/546) of symptomless stalk samples, whereas only 28.4% (155/546) of samples tested positive by conventional PCR. Based on qPCR data, population densities of X. albilineans in symptomless stalks of the same varieties differed between two sugarcane production areas in China, Beihai (Guangxi Province) and Zhanjiang (Guangdong Province), and no significant correlation between these populations was identified. Furthermore, no relationship was found between these populations of the pathogen in asymptomatic stalks and the resistance level of the sugarcane varieties to leaf scald. The newly developed qPCR assay proved to be highly sensitive and reliable for the detection and quantification of X. albilineans in sugarcane stalks.

Characteristics of chest high resolution computed tomography images of COVID-19: A retrospective study of 46 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristics of chest high resolution computed tomography (CT) images of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: This is a retrospective study analyzing the clinical records and chest high-resolution CT images of 46 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 by nucleic acid tests and treated at our hospitals between January 2020 and February 2020. RESULTS: Abnormalities in the CT images were found in 44 patients (95.6%). The lesions were unilateral in eight patients (17.4%), bilateral in 36 patients (78.3%), single in seven patients (15.9%), and multiple in 37 patients (84.1%). The morphology of the lesions was scattered opacity in 10 patients (21.7%), patchy opacity in 38 patients (82.6%), fibrotic cord in 17 patients (37.0%), and wedge-shaped opacity in two patients (4.3%). The lesions can be classified as ground-glass opacity in eight patients (17.4%), consolidation in one patient (2.2%), and ground-glass opacity plus consolidation in 28 patients (60.9%). CONCLUSION: Most COVID-19 patients showed abnormalities in chest CT images and the most common findings were ground-glass opacity plus consolidation.

Epistatic interaction between PKD2 and ABCG2 influences the pathogenesis of hyperuricemia and gout.

BACKGROUND: Genetic background affects serum urate concentration and gout risk, especially regarding these variants in the urate-transporter gene ABCG2. However, the role of epistasis between PKD2 and ABCG2 on the pathogenesis of gout is poorly understood. Here we assess this epistatic interaction in the progression from elevated serum urate to gout. RESULTS: We identified two epistatic interaction pairs (rs2728121: rs1481012 and rs2728121: rs2231137) were associated with urate levels in 4914 Chinese individuals (Pint = 0.018 and 0.004, respectively). Using subgroup analysis for gender and BMI, we found the degree of associations was varied by gender and BMI. The SNP pair rs2728121:rs1481012 influenced urate levels in females and overweight subjects (Pint = 0.006 and 0.022, respectively), but rs2728121:rs2231137 did in males, overweight and normal-weight subjects (Pint = 0.017, 0.047 and 0.013, respectively). Consistent results were also observed in associations between these epistatic interactions with hyperuricemia. Next, the SNP pair rs2728121:rs2231137 was identified to influence the development of gout from both hyperuricemia and healthy (Pint = 0.035 and 0.001, respectively), especially in males (Pint = 0.030 and 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, we demonstrated that interacting regions were enriched by regulatory elements. Finally, we observed a strong gene co-expression pattern between PKD2 and ABCG2 (r = 0.743, P = 5.83E-06). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate epistasis between PKD2 and ABCG2 influence serum urate concentrations, hyperuricemia and gout risk, thus providing insight into the pathogenesis of gout.

The Orally Active Noncompetitive AMPAR Antagonist Perampanel Attenuates Focal Cerebral Ischemia Injury in Rats.

Inhibition of ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) is a potential target of therapy for ischemic stroke. Perampanel is a potent noncompetitive α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate receptor (AMPAR) antagonist with good oral bioavailability and favorable pharmacokinetic properties. Here, we investigated the potential protective effects of perampanel against focal cerebral ischemia in a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model in rats. Oral administration with perampanel significantly reduced MCAO-induced brain edema, brain infarct volume, and neuronal apoptosis. These protective effects were associated with improved functional outcomes, as measured by foot-fault test, adhesive removal test, and modified neurological severity score (mNSS) test. Importantly, perampanel was effective even when the administration was delayed to 1 h after reperfusion. The results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that perampanel significantly decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß and TNF-α, whereas it increased the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-ß1 after MCAO. In addition, perampanel treatment markedly decreased the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), and also inhibited nitric oxide (NO) generation in MCAO-injured rats at 24 and 72 h after reperfusion. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the orally active AMPAR antagonist perampanel protects against experimental ischemic stroke via regulating inflammatory cytokines and NOS pathways.

Recent insights into the pathophysiology of narcolepsy type 1.

Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) is a sleep-wake disorder in which people typically experience excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy and other sleep-wake disturbances impairing daily life activities. NT1 symptoms are due to hypocretin deficiency. The cause for the observed hypocretin deficiency remains unclear, even though the most likely hypothesis is that this is due to an auto-immune process. The search for autoantibodies and autoreactive T-cells has not yet produced conclusive evidence for or against the auto-immune hypothesis. Other mechanisms, such as reduced corticotrophin-releasing hormone production in the paraventricular nucleus have recently been suggested. There is no reversive treatment, and the therapeutic approach is symptomatic. Early diagnosis and appropriate NT1 treatment is essential, especially in children to prevent impaired cognitive, emotional and social development. Hypocretin receptor agonists have been designed to replace the attenuated hypocretin signalling. Pre-clinical and clinical trials have shown encouraging initial results. A better understanding of NT1 pathophysiology may contribute to faster diagnosis or treatments, which may cure or prevent it.

Caregiver burden among parents of school-age children with asthma: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To investigate the caregiver burden of parents of school-age children with asthma and analyze the factors influencing their caregiver burden. Methods: A convenience sampling method was used to select 366 parents of school-age children with asthma who visited the outpatient departments of three tertiary hospitals in Sichuan Province, China, from January 2021 to July 2021. A general information questionnaire and the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) were used to assess the current caregiver burden and analyze the influencing factors. Results: The caregiver burden score of parents of school-age children with asthma was 27 (17, 39), with 40.43% of parents experiencing moderate to high levels of burden. Detailed results of univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in caregiver burden scores based on parents' gender, highest education level, number of children, occupation, family history of asthma, monthly family income, annual medical expenses for the child, child's gender, whether the child had undergone lung function tests, number of emergency visits due to asthma exacerbation in the past 3 months, and whether the child had missed school due to asthma exacerbation in the past 3 months (p < 0.1). Detailed results of multivariate analysis showed that parents' gender, occupation, family history of asthma, monthly family income, annual medical expenses for the child, number of emergency visits due to asthma exacerbation in the past 3 months, and whether the child had missed school due to asthma exacerbation in the past 3 months were independent risk factors for caregiver burden in parents of school-age children with asthma (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Parents of school-age children with asthma experience a certain level of caregiver burden, with over one-third of parents experiencing moderate to high levels of burden. Being a mother, being a worker, having no family history of asthma, having low monthly family income, having high annual medical expenses for the child, having frequent emergency visits due to asthma exacerbation in the past 3 months, and having missed school due to asthma exacerbation in the past 3 months are independent risk factors for caregiver burden in parents of school-age children with asthma, healthcare providers should develop feasible coping strategies, such as paying attention to caregivers' psychological condition to reduce the burden of caring for parents of school-age children with asthma. The entire society should also make efforts in improving social support and strengthening healthcare coverage in order to achieve the aforementioned goals.

Risk Factors of Sarcopenia in COPD Patients: A Meta-Analysis.

Objective: Sarcopenia is a common complication of COPD associated with an age-related reduction in skeletal muscle mass associated with decreased muscle strength and / or reduced mobility. The incidence of sarcopenia in patients with COPD is twice that of non-COPD patients and is associated with poor prognosis, this study aimed to investigate the influencing factors of sarcopenia in COPD patients. Methods: Selected studies from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Wanfang, Wanfang, CNKI, CBM, and Wanfang databases as of November 12023. Patients aged 18 were selected; data were then independently extracted by two reviewers using a standard data collection form. Results: In total, 17 articles reporting on 5408 patients were included. Age (OR = 1.083; 95% CI, 1.024-1.145), ALB (OR = 0.752; 95% CI, 0.724-0.780), BMI(OR = 0.701; 95% CI, 0.586-0.838), smoking (OR = 1.859; 95% CI, 1.037-3.334), diabetes (OR = 1.361; 95% CI, 1.095-1.692), qi deficiency (OR = 9.883; 95% CI, 2.052, 47.593), GOLD C (OR =2.232; 95% CI, 1.866, 2.670) and GOLD D (OR = 2.195; 95% CI, 1.826-2.637) were factors affecting muscle loss in COPD patients. Conclusion: Sarcopenia is more prevalent in patients with COPD. Age, body mass index, smoking, diabetes mellitus, qi deficiency, ALB, and GOLD grade were the contributing factors for sarcopenia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In the future, medical staff should not only pay attention to the early screening of sarcopenia in high-risk groups, but also provide relevant prevention information.

Macrophage-mediated mechanisms of lung injury in the sensitization reaction to Echinococcus granulosus.

Objective: In this study, the impact of inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway on lung oxidative damage induced by Echinococcus granulosus cyst fluid was investigated. Methods: Twenty-four mice were randomly assigned to four groups. Three months after inoculation with hydatid cyst segments, mice in group A were treated with intraperitoneal and intratracheal saline injections; mice in group B were administered a caudal vein injection of a PI3K inhibitor, followed by cyst fluid sensitization; mice in group C received an AKT inhibitor via caudal vein, followed by cyst fluid sensitization; and mice in group D were subjected to cyst fluid sensitization without any inhibitor treatment. Cellular changes in lung tissues across all groups were evaluated, including pathological section analysis. Analysis of pulmonary tissue and serum from these mice included the assessment of PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway proteins, inflammatory factors, and related mRNA levels. Results: Mice in groups B and C exhibited a higher proportion of M2-type macrophages and significantly lower levels of PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway proteins, inflammatory factors (interleukin-6 [IL-6]/tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α]), and oxidative markers in lung tissues compared to mice in group D (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results in this study indicate that activation of the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway contributed to an increase in the M1 macrophage phenotype, leading to enhanced secretion of peroxidases and inflammatory factors. This mechanism plays a crucial role in the oxidative and inflammatory lung damage associated with allergic reactions to E. granulosus cyst fluid.

Mapping nucleosome-resolution chromatin organization and enhancer-promoter loops in plants using Micro-C-XL.

Although chromatin organizations in plants have been dissected at the scales of compartments and topologically associating domain (TAD)-like domains, there remains a gap in resolving fine-scale structures. Here, we use Micro-C-XL, a high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C)-based technology that involves micrococcal nuclease (instead of restriction enzymes) and long cross-linkers, to dissect single nucleosome-resolution chromatin organization in Arabidopsis. Insulation analysis reveals more than 14,000 boundaries, which mostly include chromatin accessibility, epigenetic modifications, and transcription factors. Micro-C-XL reveals associations between RNA Pols and local chromatin organizations, suggesting that gene transcription substantially contributes to the establishment of local chromatin domains. By perturbing Pol II both genetically and chemically at the gene level, we confirm its function in regulating chromatin organization. Visible loops and stripes are assigned to super-enhancers and their targeted genes, thus providing direct insights for the identification and mechanistic analysis of distal CREs and their working modes in plants. We further investigate possible factors regulating these chromatin loops. Subsequently, we expand Micro-C-XL to soybean and rice. In summary, we use Micro-C-XL for analyses of plants, which reveal fine-scale chromatin organization and enhancer-promoter loops and provide insights regarding three-dimensional genomes in plants.

Acute paraplegia after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: Case report of a rare complication with a 2­year follow­up.

The current overall incidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is ~9/100,000 individuals/year and rupture of an intracranial aneurysm is the main cause of SAH, accounting for ~85% of cases. Only a small number of cases of paraplegia after intracranial aneurysmal SAH have so far been reported and its pathogenesis has remained to be fully elucidated. The present study reports the case of a patient with an aneurysm localized in the medial and inferior lateral wall of the C5 segment of the right internal carotid artery that was treated by coil interventional embolization. The muscle strength of both lower extremities of the patient was grade I and grade 0 before and after the operation, respectively. Lumbar and thoracic magnetic resonance imaging examinations revealed slight hematoma in the subarachnoid space below the L2 level. At two weeks after the operation, the muscle strength of both lower extremities was grade II, while the muscle strength was grade III and grade V at 30 and 60 days after the operation, respectively.

Engineering a modular double-transmembrane synthetic receptor system for customizing cellular programs.

Implementation of designer receptors in engineered cells confers them to sense a particular physiological or disease state and respond with user-defined programs. To expand the therapeutic application scope of engineered cells, synthetic receptors realized through different strategies are in great demand. Here, we develop a synthetic receptor system that exerts dual control by incorporating two transmembrane helices for the signal chain. Together with a sensor-actuator device with minimal background signals and a positive loop circuit, this receptor system can sensitively respond to extracellular protein signals. We demonstrate that this synthetic receptor system can be readily adapted to respond to various inputs, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), and HER2, and release customized outputs, including fluorescence signals and the therapeutic molecule IL-2. The robust signaling ability and generality of this receptor system promise it to be a useful tool in the field of cell engineering for fundamental research and translational applications.