Analysis of influencing factors of risk perception among emergency nurses in China: An observational study.

To understand the current saturation of emergency nurses' risk perception and its influencing factors, and to explore the correlation between emergency nurses' risk perception and nurse's safety behavior. This study is a cross-sectional study. From January 2024 to February 2024 using the questionnaire star online survey method. The convenience sampling method was used to survey nurses in the emergency departments of 5 hospitals in China. Male and female emergency nurses (n = 189) from China were included in the final sample. Nursing risk perception questionnaire and nurses safety behavior scale were used for evaluation. The collected data were comprehensively analyzed using various statistical methods, including descriptive analysis, 2 independent samples t-test mean comparison, 1-way analysis of variance for differences, multiple linear regression analysis to identify influencing factors, and Pearson correlation analyze correlations. All analyses were performed using SPSS version 26.0, and P < .05 was considered statistically significant (2-sided). The emergency nurses score was (87.08 ±â€…20.18) on the risk perception scale, scoring rate 62.2%. The results of multiple regression showed that age, marital status, education level, professional title, monthly income level, and safety behaviors were the main factors influencing the risk perception of emergency nurses (P < .05). The results of correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the dimensions of nurses' risk perception and safety behaviors (R = 0.636, P < .01). Age, marriage, education level, years of work experience, professional title, duties. engagement type, monthly income level, participation in teaching work, safety training, and no adverse events were the influencing factors of risk perception. The research results emphasize that risk perception of emergency nurses has a positive prediction effect on safe behavior. It is suggested that nursing managers should optimize nursing workflow and human resource allocation, strategically add occupational risk training to vocational training, and strengthen nurses' safety behaviors.

Association between admission blood pressure and spontaneous reperfusion and long-term prognosis in STEMI patients: an observational and multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess the associations of admission systolic blood pressure (SBP) level with spontaneous reperfusion (SR) and long-term prognosis in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. METHODS: Data from 3809 STEMI patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention within 24 h, as recorded in the Chinese STEMI PPCI Registry (NCT04996901), were analyzed. The primary endpoint was SR, defined as thrombolysis in myocardial infarction grade 2-3 flow of IRA according to emergency angiography. The second endpoint was 2-year all-cause mortality. The association between admission BP and outcomes was evaluated using Logistic regression or Cox proportional hazards models with restricted cubic splines, adjusting for clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Admission SBP rather than diastolic BP was associated with SR after adjustment. Notably, this relationship exhibits a nonlinear pattern. Below 120mmHg, There existed a significant positive correlation between admission SBP and the incidence of SR (adjusted OR per 10-mmHg decrease for SBP ≤ 120 mm Hg: 0.800; 95% CI: 0.706-0.907; p<0.001); whereas above 120mmHg, no further improvement in SR was observed (adjusted OR per 10-mmHg increase for SBP >120 mm Hg: 1.019; 95% CI: 0.958-1.084, p = 0.552). In the analysis of the endpoint event of mortality, patients admitted with SBP ranging from 121 to 150 mmHg exhibited the lowest mortality compared with those SBP ≤ 120mmHg (adjusted HR: 0.653; 95% CI: 0.495-0.862; p = 0.003). In addition, subgroups analysis with Killip class I-II showed SBP ≤ 120mmHg was still associated with increased risk of mortality. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed admission SBP above 120 mmHg was associated with higher SR,30-d and 2-y survival rate in STEMI patients. The admission SBP could be a marker to provide clinical assessment and treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04996901), 07/27/2021.

The Elabela-APJ axis attenuates sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction by reducing pyroptosis by balancing the formation and degradation of autophagosomes.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a life-threatening severe inflammatory reaction caused by the host's dysregulated response to infection. Sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction (SIMD) has been confirmed to occur in 50 % of patients with septic shock. Currently, the pathophysiological mechanism of SIMD is complex, and there is no targeted treatment. Elabela is another endogenous ligand of Aplnr (APJ). The protective effect of APJ on the heart has been proven. Elabela (Ela) has been shown to have a variety of cardiovascular protective effects. However, there are no studies demonstrating the protective effect of Ela-APJ axis on SIMD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vivo, C57BL/J mice were injected subcutaneously with 1 mg/kg/d Ela for 2 weeks, and in vitro, AC16 cells were treated with 1 µM Ela for 24 h. A 7-0 thread was used to ligate the distal end of the cecum, followed by puncture with a 20-gauge needle. Once a small amount of fluid leaks out, release the cecum back into the abdominal cavity. We measured the survival rates of the mice, performed ultrasound on their hearts, and evaluated the effects of the treatments. The serum and cell supernatant were extracted to detect myocardial injury markers and pyroptosis-related indicators. Western blotting was used to detect autophagy and pyroptosis-related protein. Molecular docking and other experiments were also used to detect changes in related proteins. RESULTS: In vivo, Ela significantly improved the survival rate of septic mice, improved cardiac function, and reduced the production of myocardial injury markers, oxidative stress and pyroptosis. In vitro, Ela unblocked autophagy flow by affecting TFEB transcription. Autophagy reduces inflammation and oxidative stress by selectively degrading inflammatory bodies and ultimately alleviates pyroptosis. CONCLUSION: We had demonstrated for the first time that in sepsis, Ela promoted the degradation of inflammasomes, reduced oxidative stress, and inhibited the occurrence of pyroptosis by unblocking autophagy flow.

B4GALT1-dependent galectin-8 binding with TGF-ß receptor suppresses colorectal cancer progression and metastasis.

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß signaling is critical for epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis. Disruption of Smad-depednent TGF-ß signaling has been shown in CRC cells. However, TGF-ß receptor remains expressed on CRC cells. Here, we investigated whether the cooperation between tumor-associated N-glycosylation and a glycan-binding protein modulated the TGF-ß-driven signaling and metastasis of CRC. We showed that galectin-8, a galactose-binding lectin, hampered TGF-ß-induced EMT by interacting with the type II TGF-ß receptor and competing with TGF-ß binding. Depletion of galectin-8 promoted the migration of CRC cells by increasing TGF-ß-receptor-mediated RAS and Src signaling, which was attenuated after recombinant galectin-8 treatment. Treatment with recombinant galectin-8 also induces JNK-dependent apoptosis in CRC cells. The anti-migratory effect of galectin-8 depended on ß4-galactosyltransferase-I (B4GALT1), an enzyme involved in N-glycan synthesis. Increased B4GALT1 expression was observed in clinical CRC samples. Depletion of B4GALT1 reduced the metastatic potential of CRC cells. Furthermore, inducible expression of galectin-8 attenuated tumor development and metastasis of CRC cells in an intra-splenic injection model. Our results thus demonstrate that galectin-8 alters non-canonical TGF-ß response in CRC cells and suppresses CRC progression.

Clinicopathologic and prognostic characteristics of tumor budding-like in giant cell tumor of bone.

BACKGROUND: Currently, tumor budding (TB) is defined as an important factor for a poor prognosis in various types of cancers. The authors identified a significant presence of TB-like structures at the tumor invasive front in giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB), which may have the same biologic function as TB. The objective of this report was to describe the distribution of TB in GCTB and investigate its correlation with clinicopathologic characteristics, the immune microenvironment, survival prognosis, and response to denosumab treatment. METHODS: This multicenter cohort study included 426 patients with GCTB who received treatment between 2012 and 2021 at four centers. Two independent pathologists performed visual assessments of TBL structures in hematoxylin-and-eosin-stained tumor sections. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte subtypes (CD3-positive, CD4-positive, CD8-positive, CD20-positive, programmed cell death protein-1-positive, programmed cell death-ligand 1positive, and FoxP3-positive) as well as Ki-67 expression levels in 426 tissue samples. These parameters were then analyzed for associations with patient outcomes (local recurrence-free survival [LRFS] and overall survival [OS]), clinicopathologic characteristics, and response to denosumab treatment. RESULTS: High-grade TB was associated with poorer LRFS and OS in both patient groups. In addition, TB was correlated with various clinicopathologic features, tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte expression, and response to denosumab treatment. TB outperformed the traditional Enneking and Campanacci staging systems in predicting patient LRFS and OS. CONCLUSIONS: The current data support the assessment of TBL structures as a reliable prognostic tool in GCTB, potentially aiding in the development of personalized treatment strategies for patients.

Regulating the Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction Performance with Controllable Distribution of Unconventional Phase Copper on Alloy Nanostructures.

Electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) is emerging as a promising strategy for nitrate removal and ammonia (NH3) production using renewable electricity. Although great progresses have been achieved, the crystal phase effect of electrocatalysts on NO3RR remains rarely explored. Here, the epitaxial growth of unconventional 2H Cu on hexagonal close-packed (hcp) IrNi template, resulting in the formation of three IrNiCu@Cu nanostructures, is reported. IrNiCu@Cu-20 shows superior catalytic performance, with NH3 Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 86% at -0.1 (vs reversible hydrogen electrode [RHE]) and NH3 yield rate of 687.3 mmol gCu -1 h-1, far better than common face-centered cubic Cu. In sharp contrast, IrNiCu@Cu-30 and IrNiCu@Cu-50 covered by hcp Cu shell display high selectivity toward nitrite (NO2 -), with NO2 - FE above 60% at 0.1 (vs RHE). Theoretical calculations have demonstrated that the IrNiCu@Cu-20 has the optimal electronic structures for NO3RR due to the highest d-band center and strongest reaction trend with the lowest energy barriers. The high electroactivity of IrNiCu@Cu-20 originates from the abundant low coordination of Cu sites on the surface, which guarantees the fast electron transfer to accelerate the intermediate conversions. This work provides a feasible tactic to regulate the product distribution of NO3RR by crystal phase engineering of electrocatalysts.

Structural, mechanical, electronic, vibrational properties and hydrogen bonding of a novel energetic ionic 5, 5'-dinitroamino-3, 3'-azo-oxadiazole 4, 7-diaminopyridazino [4, 5-c] furoxan salt.

CONTEXT AND RESULTS: The structure, mechanical, electronic, vibration, and hydrogen bonding properties of a novel high-energy and low-sensitivity 5, 5'-dinitroamino-3, 3'-azo-oxadiazole 4, 7-diaminopyridazino [4, 5-c] furoxan salt have been studied by density functional theory. The calculated vibrational properties show that the low-frequency mode is mainly contributed by the vibration of the -NO2 group, and the high-frequency mode is mainly contributed by the vibration of the -NH2 group and the N7-H3 bond which protonates the cation. In addition, it is analyzed that the first bond to break may be the N-NO2 bond. The calculated hydrogen bond properties indicate that the hydrogen bond between water molecules and cations is N7-H3… O5 (1.563 Å), which is the shortest hydrogen bond among all hydrogen bonds. The presence of this exceptionally short hydrogen bond renders the N7-H3 and H6-O5 bonds resistant to disruption at high frequencies, underscoring the pivotal role of hydrogen bonding in stabilizing the structure of energetic materials. Given the absence of experimental and theoretical data on the electronic, mechanical, and vibrational properties of the material thus far, our calculations offer valuable theoretical insights into the ionic salts of high energy and low sensitivity. COMPUTATIONAL METHODS: All calculations have been carried out based on density functional theory (DFT) and implemented in the CASTEP code. The mode-conserving pseudopotential is utilized to describe the plane wave expansion function, while the PBE functional within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) is employed to characterize the exchange-correlation interaction. Additionally, dispersion correction is applied using Grimme's DFT-D method.

Alterations in the gut microbiome after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in patients with hepatitis B virus-related portal hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Gut microbiota (GM) affects the progression and response to treatment in liver diseases. The GM composition is diverse and associated with different etiologies of liver diseases. Notably, alterations in GM alterations are observed in patients with portal hypertension (PH) secondary to cirrhosis, with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection being a major cause of cirrhosis in China. Thus, understanding the role of GM alterations in patients with HBV infection-related PH is essential. AIM: To evaluate GM alterations in patients with HBV-related PH after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement. METHODS: This was a prospective, observational clinical study. There were 30 patients (with a 100% technical success rate) recruited in the present study. Patients with esophagogastric variceal bleeding due to HBV infection-associated PH who underwent TIPS were enrolled. Stool samples were obtained before and one month after TIPS treatment, and GM was analyzed using 16S ribosomal RNA amplicon sequencing. RESULTS: One month after TIPS placement, 8 patients developed hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and were assigned to the HE group; the other 22 patients were assigned to the non-HE group. There was no substantial disparity in the abundance of GM at the phylum level between the two groups, regardless of TIPS treatment (all, P > 0.05). However, following TIPS placement, the following results were observed: (1) The abundance of Haemophilus and Eggerthella increased, whereas that of Anaerostipes, Dialister, Butyricicoccus, and Oscillospira declined in the HE group; (2) The richness of Eggerthella, Streptococcus, and Bilophila increased, whereas that of Roseburia and Ruminococcus decreased in the non-HE group; and (3) Members from the pathogenic genus Morganella appeared in the HE group but not in the non-HE group. CONCLUSION: Intestinal microbiota-related synergism may predict the risk of HE following TIPS placement in patients with HBV-related PH. Prophylactic microbiome therapies may be useful for preventing and treating HE after TIPS placement.

Xanthoxylin Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Lung Injury through Modulation of Akt/HIF-1α/NF-κB and Nrf2 Pathways.

Xanthoxylin, a bioactive phenolic compound extracted from the traditional herbal medicine Penthorum Chinense Pursh, is renowned for its anti-inflammatory effects. While previous studies have highlighted the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of Xanthoxylin, its precise mechanisms, particularly concerning immune response and organ protection, remain underexplored. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of Xanthoxylin on inflammation and associated signaling pathways in a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI). ALI was induced via intratracheal administration of LPS, followed by intraperitoneal injections of Xanthoxylin at doses of 1, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg, administered 30 min post-LPS exposure. Lung tissues were harvested for analysis 6 h after LPS challenge. Xanthoxylin treatment significantly mitigated lung tissue damage, pathological alterations, immune cell infiltration, and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Additionally, Xanthoxylin modulated the expression of key proteins in the protein kinase B (Akt)/hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway, as well as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and oxidative markers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the context of LPS-induced injury. This study demonstrates that Xanthoxylin exerts protective and anti-inflammatory effects by down-regulating and inhibiting the Akt/HIF-1α/NF-κB pathways, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of ALI or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Emerging superconductivity rules in rare-earth and alkaline-earth metal hydrides.

Hydrides of alkaline-earth and rare-earth metals have garnered significant interest in high-temperature superconductor research due to their excellent electron-phonon coupling and high T c upon pressurization. This study explores the electronic structures and electron-phonon coupling of metal hydrides XHn (n = 4,6), where X includes Ca, Mg, Sc, and Y. The involvement of d-orbital electrons alters the Fermi surface, leading to saddle-point nesting and a charge density wave (CDW) phase transition, which opens the superconducting gap. For instance, in YH6, the exchange coupling between Y-4d and H-1s holes in the phonon softening region results in T c values up to 230 K. The study suggests that factors, such as the origin of the CDW order, hydrogen concentration, and d-orbital contributions are crucial to superconductivity. This work proposes a new rule for high T c superconductors, emphasizing the importance of double gaps and electron-phonon interactions at exchange coupling sites, and predicts potential high-quality superconductors among rare-earth hydrides.

Lymphocyte Infiltration Score and Spatial Characteristics Refined the Prognosis and Denosumab Treatment Responsiveness Indicators for Giant Cell Tumor of Bone.

PURPOSE: The prognostic value of lymphocyte infiltration score (LIS) and its nearest neighbor distance to tumor cells (NNDTC) in giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) is currently not well established. This study aims to characterize LIS and NNDTC and examine their correlation with denosumab treatment responsiveness, clinicopathologic features, and patient prognosis. METHODS: Using multiplexed quantitative immunofluorescence, LIS was evaluated in 253 tumor specimens, whereas NNDTC was computed using HALO software. Subsequently, we analyzed the association of these parameters with patient outcomes (progression-free survival [PFS] and overall survival [OS]), clinicopathologic features, and denosumab treatment responsiveness. RESULTS: Low LIS was indicative of both poor PFS and OS (both P < .001). In addition, LIS was significantly associated with sex (P = .046), Enneking staging (P < .001), Ki-67 expression (P = .007), and denosumab treatment responsiveness (P = .005). Lower CD8+ (tumor interior [TI]) NNDTC, and CD3+ (TI) NNDTC were associated with worse PFS (P = .003 and .038, respectively), whereas lower CD8+ (TI) NNDTC was associated with worse OS (P = .001), but CD8+ (tumor infiltrating margin) NNDTC had the opposite effect (P = .002). Moreover, NNDTC showed a correlation with several clinicopathologic features. Importantly, LIS outperformed Enneking and Campanacci staging systems in predicting the clinical outcomes of GCTB. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that LIS is a reliable predictive tool for clinically relevant outcomes and response to denosumab therapy in patients with GCTB. These parameters may prove to be useful in guiding prognostic risk stratification and therapeutic optimization for patients.

Disrupting the olfactory response in Monochamus saltuarius: Two potential target genes for controlling the vector insect of pine wilt disease.

Worldwide, pine forests have been threatened by a devastating pine wood disease caused by Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, with Monochamus saltuarius being a newly recorded vector of the disease in Northeast China. The olfactory system plays important roles in both feeding and oviposition during the adult stage of M. saltuarius, and olfactory gene function research is essential for gaining an understanding of the olfactory mechanisms of this pest. However, there is limited information available regarding olfactory gene functions in this pest. In the present study, we selected 7 olfactory genes, including 2 chemosensory proteins, 2 odorant-binding proteins, the odorant co-receptor and 2 odorant receptors, which were relatively highly expressed during the adult stage. We silenced these genes by RNA interference (RNAi), and real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect their expression levels after double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) injection. The results indicate that these genes were significantly downregulated at 2 d post-dsRNA injection, and this was sustained until 5 d post-injection. Electroantennography tests indicated that the knockdown of MsalOBP14 and MsalOrco impaired the olfactory response of M. saltuarius to 11 host volatiles and 1 sex pheromone compound. Y-tube experiments further confirmed that downregulated MsalOBP14 and MsalOrco expression led to olfactory dysfunction in M. saltuarius, which significantly lost selectivity. The results indicate that MsalOBP14 and MsalOrco play critical roles in sex communication and host volatile detection in M. saltuarius, and possibly represent 2 effective targets for controlling this forest pest through olfactory disruption.

First-principle calculations of the electronic, vibrational, and thermodynamic properties of nitrogen-rich salt of 3,6-dinitramino-1,2,4,5-tetrazine [(NH4)2(DNAT)].

CONTEXT: Energy-containing materials such as explosives have attracted considerable interest recently. In the field of high-energy materials, tetrazine and its derivatives can largely meet the requirements of high nitrogen content and oxygen balance. Nitrogen-rich energetic salts are important research subjects. Nitrogen-rich salt of 3,6-dinitramino-1,2,4,5-tetrazine is a high-energy nitrogen-rich material, but there are few related studies. This paper systematically studies the crystal structure and electronic, vibrational, and thermodynamic properties of (NH4)2(DNAT). The lattice parameters of (NH4)2(DNAT) are observed to align well with the experimental values. The properties of electrons are analyzed by band structure and density of states (DOS). The phonon dispersion curves indicate that the compound is dynamically stable. The vibrational modes of bonds and chemical groups are described in detail, and the peaks in the Raman and infrared spectra are assigned to different vibration modes. Based on the vibration characteristics, thermodynamic properties such as enthalpy (H), Helmholtz free energy (F), entropy (S), Gibbs free energy (G), constant volume heat capacity (CV), and Debye temperature (Θ) are analyzed. This article can pave the way for subsequent work or provide data support to other researchers, promoting further research. METHODS: In this study, we utilized the density functional theory (DFT) for our calculations. The exchange-correlation potential and van der Waals interactions were characterized based on the GGA-PBE + G function calculation. We obtained Brillouin zone integrals using Monkhorst-Pack k-point grids, with the k-point of the Brillouin zone set to a 2 × 2 × 2 grid. During the self-consistent field operation, we set the total energy convergence tolerance to 5 × 10-6 eV per atom. The cut-off energy for the calculation was established at 830 eV. Additionally, the states of H (1s1), C (2s2 2p2), N (2s2 2p3), and O (2s2 2p4) were treated as valence electrons in our study.

Catalytic elevation effect of methylglyoxal on invertase and characterization of MGO modification products.

Reactive carbonyl species can modify digestive enzymes upon intake due to their electrophilic nature. This study evaluated the effects of methylglyoxal (MGO), glyoxal, acrolein, and formaldehyde on invertase, an enzyme presents in digestive tract. Unexpectedly, MGO enhanced, rather than inhibited, invertase activity. Moreover, MGO counteracted the inhibitory effects of the other three carbonyls on invertase activity. Kinetic analyses revealed that 150 mmolLexp.-1 MGO resulted in a 2-fold increase in the Km and a 3.3-fold increase in Vmax, indicating that MGO increased the turnover rate of sucrose while reducing the substrate binding affinity of invertase. Additionally, MGO induced dynamic quenching of fluorescence, reduced free amino groups, increased hydrophobicity, the content of Amadori products, fluorescent and nonfluorescent AGEs, and amyloid fibrils of invertase. The specific modifications responsible for the elevated activity of MGO on invertase require further investigation.

Nucleic acid-based nanotherapeutics for treating sepsis and associated organ injuries.

In recent years, gene therapy has been made possible with the success of nucleic acid drugs against sepsis and its related organ dysfunction. Therapeutics based on nucleic acids such as small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), messenger RNAs (mRNAs), and plasmid DNAs (pDNAs) guarantee to treat previously undruggable diseases. The advantage of nucleic acid-based therapy against sepsis lies in the development of nanocarriers, achieving targeted and controlled gene delivery for improved efficacy with minimal adverse effects. Entrapment into nanocarriers also ameliorates the poor cellular uptake of naked nucleic acids. In this study, we discuss the current state of the art in nanoparticles for nucleic acid delivery to treat hyperinflammation and apoptosis associated with sepsis. The optimized design of the nanoparticles through physicochemical property modification and ligand conjugation can target specific organs-such as lung, heart, kidney, and liver-to mitigate multiple sepsis-associated organ injuries. This review highlights the nanomaterials designed for fabricating the anti-sepsis nanosystems, their physicochemical characterization, the mechanisms of nucleic acid-based therapy in working against sepsis, and the potential for promoting the therapeutic efficiency of the nucleic acids. The current investigations associated with nanoparticulate nucleic acid application in sepsis management are summarized in this paper. Noteworthily, the potential application of nanotherapeutic nucleic acids allows for a novel strategy to treat sepsis. Further clinical studies are required to confirm the findings in cell- and animal-based experiments. The capability of large-scale production and reproducibility of nanoparticle products are also critical for commercialization. It is expected that numerous anti-sepsis possibilities will be investigated for nucleic acid-based nanotherapeutics in the future.

Divergent Response of Two Bark Beetle-Fungal Symbiotic Systems to Host Monoterpenes Reflects Niche Partitioning Strategies.

The successful establishment of bark beetle-fungus symbionts on plants is required to overcome host defenses. However, little is known about how different bark beetle-fungus symbionts adapt to different niches on the same host plant. Here, we investigated the niche partitioning mechanism of two co-occurring bark beetle-fungus symbiotic systems, Ips nitidus-Ophiostoma bicolor and Dendroctonus micans-Endoconidiophora laricicola, on Qinghai spruce (Picea crassifolia) tree. The lower niche of the spruce trunk inhabited by D. micans showed a higher content of monoterpenes than the upper niche of the trunk inhabited by I. nitidus. Dendroctonus micans showed greater tolerance and higher metabolic efficiency toward monoterpenes than I. nitidus. However, both beetle species showed a similar metabolic profile toward α-pinene, albeit with different levels of metabolites. Additionally, O. bicolor, transmitted by I. nitidus, showed a significantly higher tolerance to monoterpenes and pathogenicity to spruce trees than E. laricicola, transmitted by D. micans. In particular, monoterpenoid metabolites were observed to attenuate the inhibitory effect of high-dose α-pinene on E. laricicola, thus increasing its fitness in a high-dose monoterpene microhabitat. These results show that these two bark beetle-fungus symbionts have adapted to different niches, leading to fitness differences in niche distribution that are at least partly related to the different distribution of monoterpene concentration in the spruce trunk. This research provides a novel perspective for understanding the coevolution between bark beetle-fungus symbionts and their host plants.

Understanding the molecular pathway of triclosan-induced ADHD-like behaviour: Involvement of the hnRNPA1-PKM2-STAT3 feedback loop.

Triclosan (TCS) is an environmental pollutant. In recent years, there has been increasing level of concern regarding the potential toxicity of TCS in animals and humans, especially its effects on the nervous system. However, whether TCS induces ADHD-like behaviour and the mechanism by which it affects neural function are unclear. The impact of 60 days of continuous exposure to TCS on the behaviour of offspring rats was assessed in this research. According to the results of this study, TCS exposure led to ADHD-like behaviour in offspring rats and activated microglia in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), inducing inflammatory factor release. In vitro studies showed that TCS increased the levels of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, in HMC3 cells. More importantly, we found that TCS regulated the STAT3 pathway by upregulating PKM2 via hnRNPA1. In summary, this study suggested that TCS can induce ADHD-like behaviour in offspring rats and continuously activate HMC3 microglia through the hnRNPA1-PKM2-STAT3 feedback loop, promoting inflammatory cytokine secretion.

Induction of antiherbivore defense responses in poplars using a methyl jasmonate and mesoporous silica nanoparticle complex.

BACKGROUND: Poplar in China has long been plagued by the fall webworm Hyphantria cunea. Enhancing plant immunity using chemical elicitors is an environmentally friendly approach to pest control. The phytohormone methyl jasmonate (MeJA) can stimulate the chemical defenses of poplars against herbivores but has been shown to have limited efficacy in practice. Here, we studied the effects of a MeJA and mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) complex (MeJA@MSN) regarding the induction of poplar resistance to H. cunea, which may provide strategies for the effective use of MeJA. RESULTS: The silicon-based phytohormone complex (MeJA@MSNs) exhibited excellent biological and physiochemical properties, such as excellent biocompatibility and plant tissue transportability. The changes in metabolites in poplar leaves induced by MeJA, MSNs, and MeJA@MSNs were investigated by metabolic analysis. MeJA@MSNs led to highly potent induced resistance along with elevated salicylaldehyde content, which increased with the dose administered. The salicylaldehyde metabolite showed a strong antifeedant effect on H. cunea larvae at a dosage of 1 µg, with the 50% lethal dose being 20.4 µg/mg. Furthermore, transcriptional analysis showed that MeJA@MSNs upregulated key genes in biosynthetic pathways more than MeJA and MSNs. CONCLUSION: Our results show that MeJA and MSNs interact positively in poplar, leading to salicylaldehyde accumulation and increased induced resistance to H. cunea, providing new insights into the underlying resistance mechanisms induced by MeJA@MSNs. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Single-pixel positron beam diagnosis via compressive sampling.

The morphology is a crucial indicator for diagnosing a low-energy, low-brightness particle beam. However, conventional positron beam diagnosis, based on the pixel scanning principle, is limited by physical constraints, such as the resolution of detector pixels. Here, we have presented a novel slow positron diagnosis method using compressive sampling. With a 100 × 100 pixel-sized mask, for example, the positron beam morphology can be significantly reconstructed with a peak signal-to-noise ratio of ∼40 dB, even at half the sampling rate compared to pixel scanning. It explores a promising approach for positron beam diagnosis with an ultra-high resolution and fast sampling rates.

Intraoperative Cavity Local Delivery System with NETs-Specific Drug Release for Post-Breast Cancer Surgery Recurrence Correction.

Postoperative breast cancer recurrence is tricky due to the limited therapeutic options. Transforming growth factors-ß (TGF-ß) is vital in promoting postoperative tumor recurrence. However, conventional blocking strategies fail to satisfy both bio-safety and sufficient relapse correction. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are essential for the spatiotemporal dynamics of TGF-ß at tumor-resection sites, whose unique mechanism for local TGF-ß amplification could remarkably increase the risk of relapse after surgery. Herein, the principle of NETs formation is ingeniously utilized to construct a surgical residual cavity hydrogel that mimics NETs formation. The hydrogel is prepared based on the electrostatic interaction between histidine (His) and sodium alginate (Alg). Then, arginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) protein is released during NETs formation. Simultaneously, the electrical property of His in hydrogel changes automatically, which further lead to promising localized release of anti-TGF-ß. The hydrogel system can realize specific and selective drug release at targeted NETs site over a prolonged period while exhibiting excellent biocompatibility. Superior breast cancer recurrence inhibition is achieved by suppressing TGF-ß and related indicators, impeding epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) progression, and rectifying the locally exacerbated immunosuppressive environment within NETs. The novel NETs local microenvironment drug release functional hydrogel will provide inspiration for postoperative recurrence correction strategies.