Selenate simultaneously alleviated cadmium and arsenic accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa L.) via regulating transport genes.

Cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) have contrasting biogeochemical behaviors in paddy soil, which posed an obstacle for reducing their accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa L.) simultaneously. In this study, selenate exhibited a more effective ability than selenite on simultaneous alleviation of Cd and As accumulation in rice under Cd-As co-exposure, and the mechanisms need to be further investigated. The results showed that selenate significantly decreased the root Cd and As contents by 59%-83% and 43%-72% compared to Cd-As compound exposure, respectively. Correspondingly, it significantly down-regulated the expression of uptake-related genes OsNramp5 (87.1%) and OsLsi1 (95.5%) in rice roots. Decreases in Cd (64.5%) and As (16.2%) contents in shoots were also found after selenate addition. Moreover, selenate may promoted the reduction of As(V) to As(Ⅲ) and As(III) efflux to the external medium, resulting in decreased As accumulation and As(Ⅲ) proportion in rice shoots and roots. In addition, selenate could promote the binding of Cd (by 14%-24%) and As (by 9%-15%) in the cell wall, and significantly reduced the oxidative stress by elevating levels of antioxidant enzymes (by 10%-105%) and thiol compounds (by 6%-210%). Additionally, selenate significantly down-regulated the expression of OsNramp1 (49.3%) and OsLsi2 (82.1%) associated with Cd and As transport in rice. These findings suggest selenate has the potential to be an effective material for the simultaneous reduction of Cd and As accumulation in rice under Cd-As co-contamination.

Chiral inversion induced by aromatic interactions in short peptide assembly.

Although hydrophobic interactions provide the main driving force for initial peptide aggregation, their role in regulating suprastructure handedness of higher-order architectures remains largely unknown. We here interrogate the effects of hydrophobic amino acids on handedness at various assembly stages of peptide amphiphiles. Our studies reveal that relative to aliphatic side chains, aromatic side chains set the twisting directions of single ß-strands due to their strong steric repulsion to the backbone, and upon packing into multi-stranded ß-sheets, the side-chain aromatic interactions between strands form the aromatic ladders with a directional preference. This ordering not only leads to parallel ß-sheet arrangements but also induces the chiral flipping over of single ß-strands within a ß-sheet. In contrast, the lack of orientational hydrophobic interactions in the assembly of aliphatic peptides implies no chiral inversion upon packing into ß-sheets. This study opens an avenue to harness peptide aggregates with targeted handedness via aromatic side-chain interactions.

Aspirin suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression by inhibiting platelet activity.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common malignant liver disease in the world. Platelets (PLTs) are known to play a key role in the maintenance of liver homeostasis and the pathophysiological processes of a variety of liver diseases. Aspirin is the most classic antiplatelet agent. However, the molecular mechanism of platelet action and whether aspirin can affect HCC progression by inhibiting platelet activity need further study. AIM: To explore the impact of the antiplatelet effect of aspirin on the development of HCC. METHODS: Platelet-rich plasma, platelet plasma, pure platelet, and platelet lysate were prepared, and a coculture model of PLTs and HCC cells was established. CCK-8 analysis, apoptosis analysis, Transwell analysis, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to analyze the effects of PLTs on the growth, metastasis, and inflammatory microenvironment of HCC. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the effects of platelet activation on tumor-related signaling pathways. Aspirin was used to block the activation and aggregation of PLTs both in vitro and in vivo, and the effect of PLTs on the progression of HCC was detected. RESULTS: PLTs significantly promoted the growth, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and formation of an inflammatory microenvironment in HCC cells. Activated PLTs promoted HCC progression by activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase/protein kinase B/signal transducer and activator of transcription three (MAPK/ AKT/STAT3) signaling axis. Additionally, aspirin inhibited HCC progression in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting platelet activation. CONCLUSION: PLTs play an important role in the pathogenesis of HCC, and aspirin can affect HCC progression by inhibiting platelet activity. These results suggest that antiplatelet therapy has promising application prospects in the treatment and combined treatment of HCC.

Fabrication of Nanocollagen Using Enhanced Cryogenic Milling Method with Graphene Oxide.

Objective: Collagen, a widely used natural biomaterial polymer in skin tissue engineering, can be innovatively processed into nanocollagen through cryogenic milling to potentially enhance skin tissue healing. Although various methods for fabricating nanocollagen have been documented, there is no existing study on the fabrication of nanocollagen via cryogenic milling, specifically employing graphene oxide as separators to prevent agglomeration. Methods: In this study, three research groups were created using cryogenic milling: pure nanocollagen (Pure NC), nanocollagen with 0.005% graphene oxide (NC + 0.005% GO), and nanocollagen with 0.01% graphene oxide (NC+0.01% GO). Characterization analyses included transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction (XRD), zeta potential (ZP), and polydispersity index (PDI). Results: TEM and SEM analysis revealed that nanocollagen groups alone exhibited particle sizes of less than 100 nm. FTIR spectroscopic investigations indicated the presence of amide A, B, and I, II, and III (1800 to 800 cm-1) in all nanocollagen study groups, with the characteristic C-O-C stretching suggesting the incorporation of graphene oxide (GO). XRD data exhibited broadening of the major peak as the proportion of GO increased from pure NC to the nanocollagen groups with GO. Zeta potential measurements indicated electrostatic attraction of the samples to negatively charged surfaces, accompanied by sample instability. PDI results depicted size diameters ranging from 800 to 1800 nm, indicating strong polydispersity with multiple size populations. Conclusion: This research demonstrated that collagen can be successfully fabricated into nanoparticles with sizes smaller than 100 nm.

Mid-term clinical effect of resecting posterior longitudinal ligament in anterior approach for cervical spondylosis with sympathetic symptoms: retrospective cohort analysis.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort analysis. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the removal of the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) affects the mid-term outcome of anterior cervical fusion for cervical spondylosis with sympathetic symptoms(CSSS). METHODS: From January 2012 to July 2013, 66 patients who were diagnosed with CSSS with ≥ 10-year follow-up at our institution were assessed. All patients were divided into two groups: Group A (36 cases) in which patients underwent anterior cervical fusion with PLL resection and Group B (30 cases) in which patients underwent anterior cervical fusion without PLL resection. The sympathetic symptom 20-point system was used to evaluate the sympathetic symptoms, such as tinnitus, headache and vertigo, etc. And the neurological status was assessed by the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores. Clinical and radiologic data were evaluated preoperatively, 9 days, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 24 months, 60 months, and 120 months postoperatively. Data collected included all perioperative complications as morbidities that occurred during the period of follow-up. RESULTS: The postoperative JOA scores and 20-point score can be significantly improved compared with preoperative whether the PLL is removed in both groups. However, the postoperative 20-point score of patients in group A was significantly different from that in group B. No loosening and displacement of prosthesis occurred. CONCLUSION: A better clinical effect could be attained when resecting the PLL in the operation. The PLL may play an important role in CSSS. The mid-term outcomes of anterior cervical fusion with PLL resection were satisfied in treating CSSS.

Current treatment for male infertility: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

This umbrella review aimed to summarize and provide a general evaluation of the effectiveness of current treatments for male infertility and assess the quality of evidence and possible biases. An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses available in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, covering studies published up to October 2023, was conducted. Sperm concentration, morphology, and motility were used as endpoints to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatments. Of 2998 studies, 18 published meta-analyses were extracted, yielding 90 summary effects on sperm concentration (n = 36), sperm morphology (n = 26), and sperm motility (n = 28) on 28 interventions. None of the meta-analyses were classified as having low methodological quality, whereas 12 (66.7%) and 6 (33.3%) had high and moderate quality, respectively. Of the 90 summary effects, none were rated high-evidence quality, whereas 53.3% (n = 48), 25.6% (n = 23), and 21.1% (n = 19) were rated moderate, low, and very low, respectively. Significant improvements in sperm concentration, morphology, and motility were observed with pharmacological interventions (N-acetyl-cysteine, antioxidant therapy, aromatase inhibitors, selective estrogen receptor modulators, hormones, supplements, and alpha-lipoic acid) and nonpharmacological interventions (varicocele repair and redo varicocelectomy). In addition, vitamin supplementation had no significant positive effects on sperm concentration, motility, or morphology. Treatments for male infertility are increasingly diverse; however, the current evidence is poor because of the limited number of patients. Further well-designed studies on single treatment and high-quality meta-analysis of intertreatment comparisons are recommended.

Urine multi-index intelligent detection based on polymer/paper hybrid microfluidic biochip for hyperuricemia monitoring.

Hyperuricemia (HUA) has gradually become a public health burden as an independent risk factor for a variety of chronic diseases. Herein, a user-friendly point-of-care (POC) detection system (namely "Smart-HUA-Monitor") based on smartphone-assisted paper-based microfluidic is proposed for colorimetric quantification of HUA urinary markers, including uric acid (UA), creatinine (CR) and pH. The detection limits of UA and CR were 0.0178 and 0.5983 mM, respectively, and the sensitivity of pH were 0.1. The method was successfully validated in artificial urine samples and 100 clinical samples. Bland-Altman plots showed a high consistency between µPAD and the testing instruments (HITACHI 7600 Automatic Analyzer, URIT-500B Urine Analyzer and AU5800B automatic biochemical analyzer) in hospital. Smart-HUA-Monitor provides an accurate quantitative, rapid, low-cost and reliable tool for the monitoring and early diagnosis of HUA urine indicators.

Association of Body Mass Index and Central Obesity with Spinopelvic Alignment Parameters in a Chinese Population: A Prospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of central obesity on spinal sagittal balance in adults aged 18 and older by examining correlations between waist circumference (WC) and abdominal circumference (AC) and spinopelvic alignment parameters. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 350 adults aged 18 and older. Participants underwent whole-body biplanar radiography using the EOS imaging system. Spinal and pelvic parameters were measured and correlated with body mass index, WC, and AC. Statistical analyses included one-way analysis of variance, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests for data with nonhomogeneous variances, and chi-squared tests for categorical data. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients, with subsequent analyses to explore correlations between body measurements and spinal parameters. RESULTS: The study found significant correlations between increased WC and AC and changes in spinopelvic parameters. However, obesity did not uniformly influence all sagittal alignment parameters. Significant variations in spinal measurements indicate that central obesity plays a role in altering spinal stability and alignment. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the impact of central obesity on spinal alignment and emphasize the importance of considering central obesity in clinical assessments of spinal pathologies. Further research is essential to better understand the relationship between obesity, spinal sagittal balance, and related health conditions.

Calycosin promotes axon growth by inhibiting PTPRS and alleviates spinal cord injury.

Our former studies have identified the alleviating effect of Calycosin (CA) on spinal cord injury (SCI). In this study, our purpose is to explore the influence of CA on SCI from the perspective of promoting axon growth. The SCI animal model was constructed by spinal cord compression, wherein rat primary cortex neuronal isolation was performed, and the axonal growth restriction cell model was established via chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) treatment. The expressions of axon regeneration markers were measured via immunofluorescent staining and western blot, and the direct target of CA was examined using silver staining. Finally, the expression of the protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type S (PTPRS) was assessed using western blot. CA treatment increased neuronal process outgrowth and the expressions of axon regeneration markers, such as neurofilament H (NF-H), vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (vGlut1), and synaptophysin (Syn) in both SCI model rats and CSPG-treated primary cortical neurons, and PTPRS levels were elevated after SCI induction. In addition, PTPRS was the direct target of CA, and according to in vivo findings, exposure to CA reduced the PTPRS content. Furthermore, PTPRS overexpression inhibited CA's enhancement of axon regeneration marker content and neuronal axon lengths. CA improves SCI by increasing axon development through regulating PTPRS expression.

Effect of RAS and BRAF mutations on peritoneal metastasis risk and cytoreductive surgery/hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy efficacy in colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with peritoneal metastasis (CRC-PM) have a worse prognosis than those with liver and lung metastases. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) followed by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is an effective locoregional treatment for CRC-PM. To date, the prognostic analysis of CRS/HIPEC mostly focuses on clinical and pathological characteristics; however, genetic characteristics, such as RAS/BRAF mutation status, are not sufficient. This study aimed to systematically assess the correlation between RAS/BRAF status and PM risk, as well as the prognostic efficacy of CRS/HIPEC for CRC. METHOD: This study was written in accordance with the 2020 guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library with the following keywords: "Peritoneal Neoplasms," "raf Kinases" and "ras Proteins". The fixed-effects model and inverse variance method were used for analysis. Odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were used to reflect the risk of PM associated with RAS/BRAF mutations. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95 % CI were used to evaluate the effects of RAS/BRAF mutations on the prognosis of CRS/HIPEC. RESULT: Eighteen articles included 5567 patients. In the risk analysis of PM, patients with BRAF mutation were more likely to have PM than those with wild-type BRAF (OR = 2.28, 95 % CI = 1.73-3.01, P < 0.001, I2 = 0 %). In contrast, there was no significant difference in the effect of RAS mutation and wild-type on PM of CRC (OR = 1.28, 95 % CI = 0.99-1.66, P = .06, I2 = 0 %). In a prognostic analysis of CRS/HIPEC, RAS mutation predicted poor overall survival (HR = 1.68, 95 % CI = 1.39-2.02, P < 0.001, I2 = 1 %) and disease-free survival (HR = 1.61, 95 % CI = 1.34-1.94, P < 0.001, I2 = 42 %). The results for BRAF mutation was consistent with the prognostic impact of RAS mutation's overall survival (HR = 2.57, 95 % CI = 1.93-3.44, P < 0.001, I2 = 0 %) and disease-free survival (HR = 1.90, 95 % CI = 1.40-2.56, P < 0.001, I2 = 82 %). CONCLUSION: BRAF mutation, rather than RAS mutation, was a high-risk factor for CRC-PM. And both BRAF and RAS mutations negatively affected the prognosis of CRS/HIPEC in CRC-PM patients. Our results could provide suggestions for the selection of comprehensive treatment for CRC-PM with RAS/BRAF mutations.

Progress in Wound-Healing Products Based on Natural Compounds, Stem Cells, and MicroRNA-Based Biopolymers in the European, USA, and Asian Markets: Opportunities, Barriers, and Regulatory Issues.

Wounds are breaks in the continuity of the skin and underlying tissues, resulting from external causes such as cuts, blows, impacts, or surgical interventions. Countless individuals suffer minor to severe injuries, with unfortunate cases even leading to death. In today's scenario, several commercial products are available to facilitate the healing process of wounds, although chronic wounds still present more challenges than acute wounds. Nevertheless, the huge demand for wound-care products within the healthcare sector has given rise to a rapidly growing market, fostering continuous research and development endeavors for innovative wound-healing solutions. Today, there are many commercially available products including those based on natural biopolymers, stem cells, and microRNAs that promote healing from wounds. This article explores the recent breakthroughs in wound-healing products that harness the potential of natural biopolymers, stem cells, and microRNAs. A comprehensive exploration is undertaken, covering not only commercially available products but also those still in the research phase. Additionally, we provide a thorough examination of the opportunities, obstacles, and regulatory considerations influencing the potential commercialization of wound-healing products across the diverse markets of Europe, America, and Asia.

gCTRP3 inhibits oophorectomy­induced osteoporosis by activating the AMPK/SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling pathway in mice.

C1q/tumor necrosis factor­related protein 3 (CTRP3) expression is markedly reduced in the serum of patients with osteoporosis. The present study aimed to investigate whether CTRP3 reduces bone loss in oophorectomy (OVX)­induced mice via the AMP­activated protein kinase (AMPK)/sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factor E2­related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway. Female C57BL/6J mice and MC3T3­E1 cells were used to construct in vivo and in vitro models of osteoporosis, respectively. The left femurs of mice were examined using micro­computed tomography scans and bone­related quantitative morphological evaluation was performed. Pathological changes and the number of osteoclasts in the left femurs of mice were detected using hematoxylin and eosin, and tartrate­resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. Runt­related transcription factor­2 (RUNX2) expression in the left femurs was detected using immunofluorescence analysis, and the serum levels of bone resorption markers (C­telopeptide of type I collagen and TRAP) and bone formation markers [osteocalcin (OCN) and procollagen type 1 N­terminal propeptide] were detected. In addition, osteoblast differentiation and calcium deposits were examined in MC3T3­E1 cells using alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Alizarin red staining, respectively. Moreover, RUNX2, ALP and OCN expression levels were detected using reverse transcription­quantitative PCR, and the expression levels of proteins associated with the AMPK/SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling pathway were detected using western blot analysis. The results revealed that globular CTRP3 (gCTRP3) alleviated bone loss and promoted bone formation in OVX­induced mice. gCTRP3 also facilitated the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3­E1 cells through the AMPK/SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling pathway. The addition of an AMPK inhibitor (Compound C), SIRT1 inhibitor (EX527) or Nrf2 inhibitor (ML385) reduced the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3­E1 cells via inhibition of gCTRP3. In conclusion, gCTRP3 inhibits OVX­induced osteoporosis by activating the AMPK/SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Associations between Physical Activity and the Incidence of Cerebrovascular Disease or All-Cause Mortality among 146,742 Older Adults: A 13-Year Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: Although studies have indicated that physical activity (PA) is related to cardiovascular disease, the specific association between PA and incident cerebrovascular disease (CBVD) remains uncertain. The current study aimed to investigate the associations between PA levels and the CBVD incidence or all-cause mortality. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: Older participants (aged >60 years) from the UK Biobank. METHODS: The baseline PA was classified as total, light, moderate, and vigorous PA based on the metabolic equivalent-minutes per week (MET-min/wk) and considered as exposures, whereas CBVD incidence and all-cause mortality were considered as the outcomes. Cox proportional hazards were used to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for the influence of the association between PA and CBVD incidence and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: A total of 146,742 participants aged 60 years and older were included. During a median follow-up period of 13.5 years (interquartile range of 12.8-14.2), 9338 older individuals developed CBVD and 3033 death were recorded (including 767 CBVD-related deaths). High volumes of PA were consistently associated with lower risks of CBVD and all-cause mortality. The lowest risk of CBVD incidence was observed at 2001-2500 MET-min/wk of total PA (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.53-0.70), and the lowest risk of all-cause mortality was observed at 2501-5000 MET-min/wk (HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.43-0.63) in older adults. Total PA at 2001-2500 MET-min/wk significantly reduced the CBVD incidence in older women (HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.46-0.71), which was more pronounced than that in older men (HR for 2001-2500 MET-min/wk: 0.64, 95% CI 0.50-0.77). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Total PA at 2001-2500 MET-min/wk significantly reduced the risk of incident CBVD and all-cause mortality in adults aged >60 years, although the extents of risk reduction vary in men and women.

Normal spinopelvic parameters and correlation analysis in 217 asymptomatic children.

BACKGROUND: Understanding spinal sagittal balance is crucial for assessing and treating spinal deformities in pediatric populations. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present observational study is to examine the parameters of sagittal alignment of the regional spine and spinopelvic region in asymptomatic pediatric populations and the characteristics of these parameters with age and sex. METHODS: We enrolled 217 participants, consisting of 112 males (51.6%) and 105 females (48.4%), aged between 4 and 15 years, with an average age of 12.19 years. Pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt, sacral slope, lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, T1 slope, C7 slope, cervical sagittal vertical axis, and C2-7 Cobb angle were measured. Three spine surgeons conducted radiographic measurements utilizing the PACS software. The measurement reliability was assessed through ICCs. RESULTS: Our results show significant age-related changes in pelvic tilt and cervical sagittal vertical axis, with notable gender differences in pelvic tilt, lumbar lordosis, and thoracic kyphosis. Girls have larger PT, boys have larger cSVA. PI, PT, and cSVA also differ among different age groups. Correlation analysis shows that a series of relationships that align with adult population patterns between pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt, sacral slope, lumbar lordosis, and thoracic kyphosis. CONCLUSION: Significant variations in PT and cSVA across diverse age cohorts highlights notable disparities in the distribution of PT and cSVA values within the pediatric population. Gender-based differences in PT, LL, and TK and correlation in spinopelvic parameter could enhances our understanding of compensatory mechanisms.

Magnetic-field induced shape memory hydrogels for deformable actuators.

Magnetic hydrogel actuators exhibit promising applications in the fields of soft robotics, bioactuators, and flexible sensors owing to their inherent advantages such as remote control capability, untethered deformation and motion control, as well as easily manipulable behavior. However, it is still a challenge for magnetic hydrogels to achieve adjustable stiffness and shape fixation under magnetic field actuation deformation. Herein, a simple and effective approach is proposed for the design of magnetic shape memory hydrogels to accomplish this objective. The magnetic shape memory hydrogels, consisting of methacrylamide, methacrylic acid, polyvinyl alcohol and Fe3O4 magnetic particles, which crosslinked by hydrogen bonds, are facilely prepared via one-pot polymerization. The dynamic nature of noncovalent bonds offers the magnetic hydrogels with excellent mechanical properties, precisely controlled stiffness, and effective shape fixation. The presence of Fe3O4 particles renders the hydrogels soft when subjected to an alternating current field, facilitating their deformation under the influence of an actuation magnetic field. After the elimination of the alternating current magnetic field, the hydrogels stiffen and attain a fixed actuated shape in the absence of any external magnetic field. Moreover, this remarkable magnetic shape memory hydrogel is effectively employed as an underwater soft gripper for lifting heavy objects. This work provides a novel strategy for fabricating magnetic hydrogels with non-contact reversible actuation deformation, tunable stiffness and shape locking.

Methionine and Leucine Promote mTOR Gene Transcription and Milk Synthesis in Mammary Epithelial Cells through the eEF1Bα-UBR5-ARID1A Signaling.

Amino acids are essential for the activation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), but the corresponding molecular mechanism is not yet fully understood. We previously found that Met stimulated eukaryotic elongation factor α (eEF1Bα) nuclear localization in bovine mammary epithelial cells (MECs). Herein, we explored the role and molecular mechanism of eEF1Bα in methionine (Met)- and leucine (Leu)-stimulated mTOR gene transcription and milk synthesis in MECs. eEF1Bα knockdown decreased milk protein and fat synthesis, cell proliferation, and mTOR mRNA expression and phosphorylation, whereas eEF1Bα overexpression had the opposite effects. QE-MS analysis detected that eEF1Bα was phosphorylated at Ser106 in the nucleus and Met and Leu stimulated p-eEF1Bα nuclear localization. eEF1Bα knockdown abrogated the stimulation of Met and Leu by mTOR mRNA expression and phosphorylation, and this regulatory role was dependent on its phosphorylation. Akt knockdown blocked the stimulation of Met and Leu by eEF1Bα and p-eEF1Bα expression. ChIP-PCR detected that p-eEF1Bα bound only to the -548 to -793 nt site in the mTOR promoter, and ChIP-qPCR further detected that Met and Leu stimulated this binding. eEF1Bα mediated Met and Leu' stimulation on mTOR mRNA expression and phosphorylation through inducing AT-rich interaction domain 1A (ARID1A) ubiquitination degradation, and this process depended on eEF1Bα phosphorylation. p-eEF1Bα interacted with ARID1A and ubiquitin protein ligase E3 module N-recognition 5 (UBR5), and UBR5 knockdown rescued the decrease of the ARID1A protein level by eEF1Bα overexpression. Both eEF1Bα and p-eEF1Bα were highly expressed in mouse mammary gland tissues during the lactating period. In summary, we reveal that Met and Leu stimulate mTOR transcriptional activation and milk protein and fat synthesis in MECs through eEF1Bα-UBR5-ARID1A signaling.

Investigating the impact of cartilaginous endplate herniation on recovery from percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of herniation of cartilaginous endplates on postoperative pain and functional recovery in patients undergoing percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) for lumbar disc herniation (LDH). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 126 patients with LDH treated with PELD at the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2021 to January 2022. Whether cartilaginous endplates had herniated was identified by analyzing these specific findings from MRI scans: posterior marginal nodes, posterior osteophytes, mid endplate irregularities, heterogeneous low signal intensity of extruded material, and Modic changes in posterior corners and mid endplates. Patients were assessed for postoperative pain using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and functional recovery using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Modified MacNab criteria. Statistical analyses compared outcomes based on the presence of herniation of cartilaginous endplates. RESULTS: Patients with herniation of cartilaginous endplates experienced higher pain scores early postoperatively but showed significant improvement in pain and functional status over the long term. The back pain VAS scores showed significant differences between the groups with and without herniation of cartilaginous endplates on postoperative day 1 and 1 month (P < 0.05). Leg pain VAS scores showed significant differences on postoperative day 1 (P < 0.05). Modic changes were significantly associated with variations in postoperative recovery, highlighting their importance in predicting patient outcomes. In patients with herniation of cartilaginous endplates, there were statistically significant differences in the back pain VAS scores at 1 month postoperatively and the ODI functional scores on postoperative day 1 between the groups with and without Modic changes (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the surgical outcomes between patients with and without these conditions regarding the Modified MacNab criteria (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Herniation of cartilaginous endplates significantly affect early postoperative pain and functional recovery in LDH patients undergoing PELD. These findings emphasize the need for clinical consideration of these imaging features in the preoperative planning and postoperative management to enhance patient outcomes and satisfaction.