Dendrobine alleviates oleic acid-induced lipid accumulation by inhibiting FOS/METTL14 pathway.

Dendrobine (DDB), an alkaloid isolated from the Chinese herb Dendrobium, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects; however, whether DDB reduces oleic acid (OA)-induced lipid accumulation remains unclear. OA-induced lipid accumulation model of HepG2 cells were treated with DDB. Cellular lipid deposition was assessed by Oil Red O (ORO) staining and triglyceride and total cholesterol detection. RNA-Sequencing (RNA-seq), biological function analysis, and transcription factor (TFs) prediction were combined to identify key TF in the DDB-treated OA model. Finally, the roles of FOS and METTL14 were examined using a DDB-induced lipid accumulation model. DDB inhibited OA-induced lipid accumulation. We identified 895 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that were mainly enriched in various biological processes of lipid synthesis and transport. Four transcription factors (SOX9, MLXIPL, FOS, and JUN) associated with lipid metabolism and FOS levels in the OA-induced lipid accumulation model after DDB treatment had the greatest changes in expression change. Overexpression of FOS alleviates the inhibitory effect of DDB on OA-induced lipid accumulation. METTL14 is a target gene of FOS, and simultaneous interference with METTL14 in cells with high FOS expression restored the alleviating effect of DDB on lipid accumulation. DDB alleviated OA-induced lipid accumulation by inhibiting the FOS/METTL14 pathway.

A prospective phase 2 study of combination epigenetic therapy against relapsed/refractory peripheral T cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral T cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are prototypical epigenetic malignancies with invariably poor prognoses. Novel and effective therapeutic strategies are needed to improve clinical outcomes, particularly in relapsed/refractory patients. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter phase 2 study to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of azacitidine and chidamide, alone or in combination with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (GemOx), in patients with relapsed/refractory PTCLs (registration number: ChiCTR2000037232). The primary endpoint was the best overall response rate. FINDINGS: As of May 1st, 2024, thirty patients were evaluable for efficacy and toxicity. The best overall response rate was 53.3%, meeting its primary endpoint. Among the patients with angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (AITL; N = 19), a numerically higher response rate was observed, regardless of whether chemotherapy was combined, compared to patients with non-AITL. After a median follow-up of 36.6 months, median progression-free survival and overall survival were 7.1 and 8.7 months, respectively. Patients with AITL who received combination chemotherapy (N = 12) achieved the most promising response rates (overall response rate, 91.7%; complete remission rate, 66.7%) and survival outcomes (median progression-free survival, 17.2 months; median overall survival, 38.8 months). The most common grade 3-4 toxicities were neutropenia (40.0%) and thrombocytopenia (30.0%). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of epigenetic therapy with GemOx was well tolerated and highly effective in patients with relapsed/refractory PTCLs. Patients with AITL, in particular, may benefit more from this combination treatment and should be the focus of future studies. FUNDING: This work was funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (BK20232039).

Zinc finger protein 180 induces an apoptotic phenotype by activating METTL14 transcriptional activity in colorectal cancer.

Zinc finger protein 180 (ZNF180) is a multifunctional protein that interacts with nucleic acids and regulates various cellular processes; however, the function of ZNF180 in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. The present study investigated the role and function of ZNF180 in CRC, and aimed to reveal the underlying molecular mechanism. The results revealed that ZNF180 was downregulated in CRC tissues and was associated with a good prognosis in patients with CRC. Additionally, the expression of ZNF180 was downregulated by methylation in CRC. In vivo and in vitro experiments revealed that ZNF180 overexpression was functionally associated with the inhibition of cell proliferation and the induction of apoptosis. Mechanistically, chromatin immunoprecipitation­PCR and luciferase assays demonstrated that ZNF180 markedly regulated the transcriptional activity of methyltransferase 14, N6­adenosine­methyltransferase non­catalytic subunit (METTL14) by directly binding to and activating its promoter region. Simultaneous overexpression of ZNF180 and knockdown of METTL14 indicated that the reduction of METTL14 could suppress the effects of ZNF180 on the induction of apoptosis. Clinically, the present study observed a significant positive correlation between ZNF180 and METTL14 expression levels, and low expression of ZNF180 and METTL14 predicted a poor prognosis in CRC. Overall, these findings revealed a novel mechanism by which the ZNF180/METTL14 axis may modulate apoptosis and cell proliferation in CRC. This evidence suggests that this axis may serve as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in patients with CRC.

Targeting N4-acetylcytidine suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression by repressing eEF2-mediated HMGB2 mRNA translation.

BACKGROUND: N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) represents a novel messenger RNA (mRNA) modification, and its associated acetyltransferase N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) plays a crucial role in the initiation and progression of tumors by regulating mRNA functionality. However, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development and prognosis is largely unknown. This study aimed to elucidate the role of NAT10-mediated ac4C in HCC progression and provide a promising therapeutic approach. METHODS: The ac4C levels were evaluated by dot blot and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with harvested HCC tissues. The expression of NAT10 was investigated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining across 91 cohorts of HCC patients. To explore the underlying mechanisms of NAT10-ac4C in HCC, we employed a comprehensive approach integrating acetylated RNA immunoprecipitation and sequencing, RNA sequencing and ribosome profiling analyses, along with RNA immunoprecipitation, RNA pull-down, mass spectrometry, and site-specific mutation analyses. The drug affinity responsive targets stability, cellular thermal shift assay, and surface plasmon resonance assays were performed to assess the specific binding of NAT10 and Panobinostat. Furthermore, the efficacy of targeting NAT10-ac4C for HCC treatment was elucidated through in vitro experiments using HCC cells and in vivo HCC mouse models. RESULTS: Our investigation revealed a significant increase in both the ac4C RNA level and NAT10 expression in HCC. Notably, elevated NAT10 expression was associated with poor outcomes in HCC patients. Functionally, silencing NAT10 suppressed HCC proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, NAT10 stimulates the ac4C modification within the coding sequence (CDS) of high mobility group protein B2 (HMGB2), which subsequently enhances HMGB2 translation by facilitating eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) binding to the ac4C sites on HMGB2 mRNA's CDS. Additionally, high-throughput compound library screening revealed Panobinostat as a potent inhibitor of NAT10-mediated ac4C modification. This inhibition significantly attenuated HCC growth and metastasis in both in vitro experiments using HCC cells and in vivo HCC mouse models. CONCLUSIONS: Our study identified a novel oncogenic epi-transcriptome axis involving NAT10-ac4C/eEF2-HMGB2, which plays a pivotal role in regulating HCC growth and metastasis. The drug Panobinostat validates the therapeutic potential of targeting this axis for HCC treatment.

The bacterial and fungal profiles of patients hospitalized with non-COVID-19 lower respiratory tract infections in Wuhan, China, 2019-2021.

AIMS: A severe lockdown occurred in Wuhan during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a remission phase in the pandemic's aftermath. This study analyzed the bacterial and fungal profiles of respiratory pathogens in patients hospitalized with non-COVID-19 lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) during this period to determine the pathogen profile distributions in different age groups and hospital departments in Wuhan. METHODS AND RESULTS: We collected reports of pathogen testing in the medical records of patients hospitalized with non-COVID-19 LRTI between 2019 and 2021. These cases were tested for bacterial and fungal pathogens using 16S and internal transcribed spacer sequencing methods on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples. The study included 1368 cases. The bacteria most commonly identified were Streptococcus pneumoniae (12.50%) and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (8.33%). The most commonly identified fungi were Aspergillus fumigatus (2.49%) and Pneumocystis jirovecii (1.75%). Compared to 2019, the S. pneumoniae detection rates increased significantly in 2021, and those of M. pneumoniae decreased. Streptococcus pneumoniae was detected mainly in children. The detection rates of almost all fungi were greater in the respiratory Intensive Care Unit compared to respiratory medicine. Streptococcus pneumoniae and M. pneumoniae were detected more frequently in the pediatric department. CONCLUSIONS: Before and after the COVID-19 outbreak, a change in the common pathogen spectrum was detected in patients with non-COVID-19 in Wuhan, with the greatest change occurring among children. The major pathogens varied by the patient's age and the hospital department.

Association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and the risk of pulmonary nodules in patients with intestinal polyps.

Background: Associations between metabolic risk factors and lung cancer remain elusive, and evidence on the linkage between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and pulmonary nodules is limited. This study sought to examine the independent association between NAFLD and the risk of pulmonary nodules. Methods: Cross-sectional analyses of 1,119 patients with intestinal polyps hospitalized at the Department of Gastroenterology, Minhang District Central Hospital of Shanghai, China, were conducted. NAFLD was diagnosed based on hepatic ultrasonography or computed tomography (CT) findings of hepatic steatosis, with exclusion criteria ensuring patients had no history of significant alcohol consumption, viral infections, or hepatic autoimmune diseases. The currently accepted definition of a pulmonary nodule is a solid or sub-solid shadow ≤3 cm in diameter that appears as a solid or semi-solid pattern on a chest CT scan (our specific treatment is pulmonary nodule size: 5 mm to 3 cm). Adjusted 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and odds ratios (ORs) for NAFLD and the clinical features connected with pulmonary nodule risk were determined using a multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Among the 979 intestinal polyp patients, the prevalence rates of NAFLD and pulmonary nodules were 25.9% and 32.8%, respectively. Patients with pulmonary nodules exhibited higher rates of NAFLD (31.5% vs. 23.3%, P=0.006) and obesity (41.4% vs. 32.5%, P=0.006) compared to those without pulmonary nodules. After removing all the possible confounding variables, the adjusted ORs for NAFLD, an older age, smoking, and obesity were 1.370 (95% CI: 1.006-1.867, P=0.04), 1.022 (95% CI: 1.010-1.033), 1.599 (95% CI: 1.033-2.475), and 1.410 (95% CI: 1.057-1.880), respectively (all P values <0.05). NAFLD showed a significant association with an increased risk of pulmonary nodules. Conclusions: NAFLD was independently linked to an increased incidence of pulmonary nodules in intestinal polyp patients, which emphasizes the importance of screening and managing these conditions in lung cancer prevention.

Disrupting CCDC137-mediated LZTS2 and ß-TrCP interaction in the nucleus inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma development via ß-catenin and AKT.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly heterogeneous solid tumor, with its biological characteristics intricately linked to the activation of oncogenes. This research specifically explored CCDC137, a molecule within the CCDC family exhibiting the closest association with HCC. Our investigation aimed to unravel the role, underlying mechanisms, and potential therapeutic implications of CCDC137 in the context of HCC. We observed a close correlation between elevated CCDC137 expression and poor prognosis in HCC patients, along with a promotive effect on HCC progression in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we identified LZTS2, a negative regulator of ß-catenin, as the binding protein of CCDC137. CCDC137 facilitated K48-linked poly-ubiquitination of LZTS2 at lysine 467 via recruiting E3 ubiquitin ligase ß-TrCP in the nucleus, triggering AKT phosphorylation and activation of ß-catenin pathway. Moreover, the 1-75 domain of CCDC137 was responsible for the formation of the CCDC137-LZTS2-ß-TrCP complex. Subsequently, designed peptides targeting the 1-75 domain of CCDC137 to disrupt CCDC137-LZTS2 interaction demonstrated efficacy in inhibiting HCC progression. This promising outcome was further supported by HCC organoids and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, underscoring the potential clinical utility of the peptides. This study elucidated the mechanism of the CCDC137-LZTS2-ß-TrCP protein complex in HCC and offered clinically significant therapeutic strategies targeting this complex.

Retroperitoneal dermoid cyst complicated with uterine adenomyoma: a case report and literature review.

Pelvic masses frequently originate from the pelvic cavity and are often associated with uterine, ovarian, or intestinal disorders. This report describes the case of a patient with a pelvic mass diagnosed as a retroperitoneal dermoid cyst at our hospital. We analyzed this case and conducted a literature review, to mitigate the risk of misdiagnosis and enhance the treatment of retroperitoneal masses.

IGSF8 is an innate immune checkpoint and cancer immunotherapy target.

Antigen presentation defects in tumors are prevalent mechanisms of adaptive immune evasion and resistance to cancer immunotherapy, whereas how tumors evade innate immunity is less clear. Using CRISPR screens, we discovered that IGSF8 expressed on tumors suppresses NK cell function by interacting with human KIR3DL2 and mouse Klra9 receptors on NK cells. IGSF8 is normally expressed in neuronal tissues and is not required for cell survival in vitro or in vivo. It is overexpressed and associated with low antigen presentation, low immune infiltration, and worse clinical outcomes in many tumors. An antibody that blocks IGSF8-NK receptor interaction enhances NK cell killing of malignant cells in vitro and upregulates antigen presentation, NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and T cell signaling in vivo. In syngeneic tumor models, anti-IGSF8 alone, or in combination with anti-PD1, inhibits tumor growth. Our results indicate that IGSF8 is an innate immune checkpoint that could be exploited as a therapeutic target.

Effect of miR-1297 on Kidney Injury in Rats with Diabetic Nephropathy through the PTEN/PI3K/AKT Pathway.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the influence of miR-1297 on kidney injury in rats with diabetic nephropathy (DN) and its causal role. METHODS: A DN rat model was established through right kidney resection and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Sham rats did not undergo right kidney resection or STZ injection. The DN rats were divided into the DN model and antagomiR-1297 treatment groups. Kidney morphology was observed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Renal function indices, including blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), and urinary protein, were measured using kits. Levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1ß, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were determined through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fibrin (FN), collagen type I (Col I), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were assessed through western blotting and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Apoptosis was detected using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining. miR-1297 targets were predicted using bioinformatic software and verified through luciferase reporter assay. Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN)/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway expression was analyzed through western blotting. RESULTS: AntagomiR-1297 reduced BUN (p = 0.005), SCr (p = 0.012), and urine protein (p < 0.001) levels and improved kidney tissue morphology. It prevented renal interstitial fibrosis by decreasing FN, Col I, and α-SMA protein levels (all p < 0.001). AntagomiR-1297 increased SOD (p = 0.001) and GSH-Px (p = 0.002) levels. Additionally, it reduced levels of cell inflammatory factors, including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß (all p < 0.001), and alleviated apoptosis (p < 0.001) in rat kidney tissue with DN. miR-1297 was pinpointed as a target for PTEN. AntagomiR-1297 increased PTEN expression and suppressed PI3K and AKT phosphorylation (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: AntagomiR-1297 can mitigate renal fibrosis, renal inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress levels through the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway.

Case literature analysis of Fournier's gangrene caused by sodium-glucose protein-2 inhibitors.

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and correlation of Fournier's gangrene induced by sodium-glucose cotransporter protein-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, providing references for safe clinical drug use. Methods: The CNKI, WanFang, and PubMed databases were searched, and relevant documents were collected and statistically analyzed. The basic information of patients, drug use information, adverse reactions and outcomes were extracted and analyzed. Results: A total of 12 patients (8 males and 4 females) were included, with an average age of 55.6 years (ranging from 34 to 72 years). SGLT-2 inhibitors associated with Fournier's gangrene include empagliflozin (5 cases), dapagliflozin (5 cases), and canagliflozin (2 cases). Among them, 10 cases reported the time of first medication, ranging from 1 month to 6 years for the occurrence of adverse reactions. The most common concomitant drug was metformin (7 cases). Adverse reactions mainly manifested as redness, swelling and pain in the buttocks, perineum, perianal, scrotum and other positions, accompanied by an increased white blood cell count. Following surgery and antibiotic treatment, all patients showed improved. Conclusion: Fournier's gangrene induced by SGLT-2 inhibitors is rare. If patients using SGLT-2 inhibitors are suspected of having Fournier's gangrene, it is recommended to discontinue the drugs immediately and initiate active treatment to ensure clinical safety.

Ulcerative colitis complicated with hypermucinous dysplasia.

Patients with ulcerative colitis are at increased risk for colorectal neoplasia compared to the general population. The risk factors include family history of colorectal cancer, wide extent of colitis, disease duration, cumulative inflammatory burden, and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Here, we report a case of colorectal neoplasia developed in a patient with ulcerative colitis.

Nocturnal ozone enhancement in Shandong Province, China, in 2020-2022: Spatiotemporal distribution and formation mechanisms.

Nighttime ozone enhancement (NOE) can increase the oxidation capacity of the atmosphere by stimulating nitrate radical formation and subsequently facilitating the formation of secondary pollutants, thereby affecting air quality in the following days. Previous studies have demonstrated that when nocturnal ozone (O3) concentrations exceed 80 µg/m3, it leads to water loss and reduction of plant yields. In this study, the characteristics and mechanisms of NOE over Shandong Province as well as its 16 cities were analyzed based on observed hourly O3 concentrations from 2020 to 2022. The analysis results show that NOE predominantly occurred in the periods of 0:00-3:00 (41 %). The annual mean frequency of NOE events was ~64 days/year, approximately 4-7 days per month. The average concentration of nocturnal O3 peak (NOP) was ~72.6 µg/m3. Notably, high NOP was observed in the period from April to September with the maximum in June. Coastal cities experienced more NOE events. Typical NOE events characterized by high NOP concentrations in the coastal cities of QingDao, WeiHai and YanTai in June 2021 were selected for detailed analysis with a regional chemical transport model. The results showed that high levels of O3 in eastern coastal cities during NOE events primarily originate from horizontal transport over the sea, followed by vertical transport. During the daytime, O3 and its precursors are transported to the Yellow Sea by westerly winds, leading to the accumulation of O3 near the sea and coastline. Consequently, under the influence of prevailing winds, the movement of O3 pollution belts from the sea to land causes rapid increases in near-surface O3 levels. Meanwhile, vertical transport can also contribute to NOE in coastal areas. The high-level O3 in the upper atmosphere generally originates from long-distance transport and turbulent transport of O3 produced near the ground during the daytime. At night, the absence of chemicals that consume O3 in the upper air and descending air flow carries O3 to the near-surface. The impacts of other O3-depletion processes (such as dry deposition) on NOE are less pronounced than those of transport processes.

Oral Microbiota and Porphyromonas gingivalis Kgp Genotypes Altered in Parkinson's Disease with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Cognitive impairment (CI) is a common complication of the non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD), including PD with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) and PD dementia. Recent studies reported the oral dysbiosis in PD and CI, respectively. Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a pathogen of oral dysbiosis, plays an important role in PD, whose lysine-gingipain (Kgp) could lead to AD-type pathologies. No previous study investigated the composition of oral microbiota and role of P. gingivalis in PD-MCI. This study aimed to investigate the differences of oral microbiota composition, P. gingivalis copy number, and Kgp genotypes among PD-MCI, PD with normal cognition (PD-NC) and periodontal status-matched control (PC) groups. The oral bacteria composition, the copy number of P. gingivalis, and the Kgp genotypes in gingival crevicular fluid from PD-MCI, PD-NC, and PC were analyzed using 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing, quantitative real-time PCR, and MseI restriction. We found that the structures of oral microbiota in PD-MCI group were significantly different compared to that in PD-NC and PC group. The relative abundances of Prevotella, Lactobacillus, Megasphaera, Atopobium, and Howardella were negatively correlated with cognitive score. Moreover, there was a significant difference of Kgp genotypes among the three groups. The predominant Kgp genotypes of P. gingivalis in the PD-MCI group were primarily Kgp II, whereas in the PD-NC group, it was mainly Kgp I. The Kgp II correlated with lower MMSE and MoCA scores, which suggested that Kgp genotypes II is related to cognitive impairment in PD.

Effect of miR-1297 on Kidney Injury in Rats with Diabetic Nephropathy through the PTEN/PI3K/AKT Pathway

Abstract Purpose: This study aimed to determine the influence of miR-1297 on kidney injury in rats with diabetic nephropathy (DN) and its causal role. Methods: A DN rat model was established through right kidney resection and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Sham rats did not undergo right kidney resection or STZ injection. The DN rats were divided into the DN model and antagomiR-1297 treatment groups. Kidney morphology was observed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Renal function indices, including blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), and urinary protein, were measured using kits. Levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were determined through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fibrin (FN), collagen type I (Col I), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were assessed through western blotting and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Apoptosis was detected using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining. miR-1297 targets were predicted using bioinformatic software and verified through luciferase reporter assay. Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN)/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway expression was analyzed through western blotting. Results: AntagomiR-1297 reduced BUN (p = 0.005), SCr (p = 0.012), and urine protein (p < 0.001) levels and improved kidney tissue morphology. It prevented renal interstitial fibrosis by decreasing FN, Col I, and α-SMA protein levels (all p < 0.001). AntagomiR-1297 increased SOD (p = 0.001) and GSH-Px (p = 0.002) levels. Additionally, it reduced levels of cell inflammatory factors, including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β (all p < 0.001), and alleviated apoptosis (p < 0.001) in rat kidney tissue with DN. miR-1297 was pinpointed as a target for PTEN... (AU)

Spleen contributes to chronic restraint stress-induced lung injury through splenic CD11b+ cells.

Chronic stress can induce lung injury. The spleen, as the largest peripheral immune organ, plays a crucial role in various lung diseases. Our previous study found that the spleen underwent significant changes during chronic restraint stress (CRS). However, the exact role of the spleen in CRS-induced lung injury remains unclear. In this study, we found that CRS could increase lung index. CRS could lead to alterations of the lungs such as destruction of alveolar wall, thickening of alveolar septa, dilation of pulmonary capillaries, and increased inflammatory cell infiltration. CRS increases the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), decreases the level of surfactant protein A (SP-A), and elevates the levels of pro-inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß) in the lungs. Additionally, CRS could increase the proportions and numbers of CD11b+Ly6ChiLy6G- monocytes in the lung, while cannot alter proportions and numbers of CD3-NK1.1+ NK cells, CD3+CD4+ T cells, CD3+CD8+ T cells, and CD11b+Ly6G+ neutrophils. Moreover, the levels of inflammatory markers in lung tissues were positively correlated with the proportion of CD11b+Ly6ChiLy6G- monocytes. Interestingly, splenectomy inhibited CRS-induced lung injury and attenuated the alteration in the proportion of CD11b+Ly6ChiLy6G- monocytes in the lungs induced by CRS. Moreover, splenic CD11b+ cells, rather than splenic CD11b- cells, transfused into splenectomized mice, and subsequently exposed to CRS, can cause lung injury. These results suggest that CRS could induce lung injury and CD11b+Ly6ChiLy6G- monocytes aggregation in the lung. The spleen could contribute to CRS-induced lung injury. Furthermore, splenic CD11b+ cells might play an important role in CRS-induced lung injury.

Temporally and spatially resolved molecular profiling in fingerprint analysis using indium vanadate nanosheets-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry.

This study presents the first-ever synthesis of samarium-doped indium vanadate nanosheets (IVONSs:Sm) via microemulsion-mediated solvothermal method. The nanosheets were subsequently utilized as a nano-matrix in laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS). It was discovered that the as-synthesized IVONSs:Sm possessed the following advantages: improved mass spectrometry signal, minimal matrix-related background, and exceptional stability in negative-ion mode. These qualities overcame the limitations of conventional matrices and enabled the sensitive detection of small biomolecules such as fatty acids. The negative-ion LDI mechanism of IVONSs:Sm was examined through the implementation of density functional theory simulation. Using IVONSs:Sm-assisted LDI-MS, fingerprint recognitions based on morphology and chemical profiles of endogenous/exogenous compounds were also achieved. Notably, crucial characteristics such as the age of an individual's fingerprints and their physical state could be assessed through the longitudinal monitoring of particular biomolecules (e.g., ascorbic acid, fatty acid) or the specific biomarker bilirubin glucuronide. Critical information pertinent to the identification of an individual would thus be facilitated by the analysis of the compounds underlying the fingerprint patterns.

Characterization of the tumor microenvironment and identification of spatially predictive biomarkers associated with beneficial neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) has become the standard treatment for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). However, 20-40% of patients with LARC show little to no response to nCRT. Thus, comprehensively understanding the tumor microenvironment (TME), which might influence therapeutic efficacy, and identifying robust predictive biomarkers is urgently needed. Pre-treatment tumor biopsy specimens from patients with LARC were evaluated in detail through digital spatial profiling (DSP), public RNA sequencing datasets, and multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF). DSP analysis revealed distinct characteristics of the tumor stroma compared to the normal stroma and tumor compartments. We identified high levels of human leukocyte antigen-DR/major histocompatibility complex class II (HLA-DR/MHC-II) in the tumor compartment and B cells in the stroma as potential spatial predictors of nCRT efficacy in the Discovery cohort. Public datasets validated their predictive capacity for clinical outcomes. Using mIF in an independent nCRT cohort and/or the total cohort, we validated that a high density of HLA-DR/MHC-II+ cells in the tumor and CD20 + B cells in the stroma was associated with nCRT efficacy (all p ≤ 0.021). Spatial profiling successfully characterized the LARC TME and identified robust biomarkers with the potential to accurately predict nCRT response. These findings have important implications for individualized therapy.

Stratified management based on surface antibody for the prevention of hepatitis B virus reactivation in lymphoma patients.

This study aimed to investigate a stratified approach based on hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antibody (anti-HBs) for managing HBV reactivation (HBVr) in lymphoma patients with serological protection against HBV. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 209 lymphoma patients with a baseline anti-HBs titre of ≥10 iu/L, who were either positive or negative for HBV core antibody (anti-HBc). The results revealed that 15.7% of patients lost serological protection following 6-month anti-lymphoma therapy. With a median follow-up of 28.1 months, the cumulative rates of HBVr at 6 months, 2 years and 4 years were 2.9%, 4.7% and 6.3% respectively. Without intervention, the overall rate of reactivation was 2.0% for patients with isolated anti-HBs and 10.5% for those with positive anti-HBs and anti-HBc. To identify patients at high risk of losing seroprotection and susceptible to HBVr, a predictive model was developed. The high-risk group had significantly higher rates of serological protection loss (27.8% vs. 2.2%) and cumulative incidence of HBVr (22.0% vs. 0%) compared to the low-risk group. Overall, this study highlights the risk of HBVr in lymphoma patients with positive anti-HBs, with or without positive anti-HBc, and recommends periodic monitoring for low-risk patients and early intervention for high-risk patients.