Evaluation of Monomer-containing Isocyanate Groups on Stabilizing Demineralized Dentin Matrix Against Bond Interface Degradation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of urethane methacrylate precursor (UMP) on the enzymatic resistance of demineralized dentin (DD) matrices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental treatments containing 0 (control), 1, and 5 mmol/L UMP dissolved in an acetone (Ace) solution were formulated. Dentin matrix specimens were demineralized in vitro and immersed in the experimental treatments for 1 h. The treated specimens were then stored in 0.1 mg/mL collagenase solution for 24 h, after which their dry mass loss and hydroxyproline (HYP) release were assessed. The swelling ratios of specimens in each group were also evaluated. The interaction between UMP and the dentin matrix was observed using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Endogenous enzyme activity in dentin was evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). RESULTS: Compared with the other treatment groups, treatment with 1 mM and 5 mM UMP-Ace significantly decreased the dry mass loss, HYP release and swelling ratio of the DD matrix (p < 0.05). FE-SEM and CLSM observations showed that treatment with UMP-Ace protected the structure of the dentin matrix and decreased porosity within the dentin-collagen network. CONCLUSION: Treatment with 1 mM and 5 mM UMP-Ace protects DD matrix against collagenase degradation and may be clinically useful for improving the durability of the hybrid layer.

From electricity to vitality: the emerging use of piezoelectric materials in tissue regeneration.

The unique ability of piezoelectric materials to generate electricity spontaneously has attracted widespread interest in the medical field. In addition to the ability to convert mechanical stress into electrical energy, piezoelectric materials offer the advantages of high sensitivity, stability, accuracy and low power consumption. Because of these characteristics, they are widely applied in devices such as sensors, controllers and actuators. However, piezoelectric materials also show great potential for the medical manufacturing of artificial organs and for tissue regeneration and repair applications. For example, the use of piezoelectric materials in cochlear implants, cardiac pacemakers and other equipment may help to restore body function. Moreover, recent studies have shown that electrical signals play key roles in promoting tissue regeneration. In this context, the application of electrical signals generated by piezoelectric materials in processes such as bone healing, nerve regeneration and skin repair has become a prospective strategy. By mimicking the natural bioelectrical environment, piezoelectric materials can stimulate cell proliferation, differentiation and connection, thereby accelerating the process of self-repair in the body. However, many challenges remain to be overcome before these concepts can be applied in clinical practice, including material selection, biocompatibility and equipment design. On the basis of the principle of electrical signal regulation, this article reviews the definition, mechanism of action, classification, preparation and current biomedical applications of piezoelectric materials and discusses opportunities and challenges for their future clinical translation.

Mesobacterium hydrothermale sp. nov., isolated from shallow-sea hydrothermal systems off Kueishantao Island.

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, aerobic bacterium, designated as strain TK19101T, was isolated from the intermediate seawater of yellow vent in the shallow-sea hydrothermal system located near Kueishantao Island. The strain was found to grow at 10-40 °C (optimum, 35 °C), at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum, 7.0), and in 0-5% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1%). Strain TK19101T was catalase-positive and oxidase-positive. The predominant fatty acids (> 10%) in strain TK19101T cells were C16:0, summed feature 8 (C18:1 ω6c and/or C18:1 ω7c), and C18:0. The predominant isoprenoid quinone of strain TK19101T was ubiquinone-10. The polar lipids of strain TK19101T comprised phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phospholipid, and unknown polar lipid. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain TK19101T belonged to the genus Mesobacterium. Strain TK19101T exhibited highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity value to Mesobacterium pallidum MCCC M24557T (97.48%). The estimated average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain TK19101T and the closest related species Mesobacterium pallidum MCCC M24557T were 74.88% and 20.30%, respectively. The DNA G + C content was 63.49 mol%. On the basis of the analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, genotypic and phylogenetic data, strain TK19101T has a unique phylogenetic status and represents a novel species of genus Mesobacterium, for which the name Mesobacterium hydrothermale sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TK19101T (= MCCC 1K08936T = KCTC 8354T).

Preparation of Al@FTCS/P(VDF-HFP) Composite Energetic Materials and Their Reaction Properties.

Strengthening the interfacial contact between the reactive components effectively boosts the energy release of energetic materials. In this study, we aimed to create a close-knit interfacial contact condition between aluminum nanoparticles (Al NPs) and Polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene (P(VDF-HFP)) through hydrolytic adsorption and assembling 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-Perfluorododecyltrichlorosilane (FTCS) on the surface of Al NPs. Leveraging hydrogen bonding between -CF and -CH and the interaction between C-F⋯F-C groups, the adsorbed FTCS directly leads to the growth of the P(VDF-HFP) coating layer around the treated Al NPs, yielding Al@FTCS/P(VDF-HFP) energetic composites. In comparison with the ultrasonically processed Al/P(VDF-HFP) mixture, thermal analysis reveals that Al@FTCS/P(VDF-HFP) exhibits a 57 °C lower reaction onset temperature and a 1646 J/g increase in heat release. Associated combustion tests demonstrate a 52% shorter ignition delay, 62% shorter combustion time, and a 288% faster pressurization rate. These improvements in energetic characteristics stem from the reactivity activation of FTCS towards Al NPs by the etching effect to the surface Al2O3. Moreover, enhanced interfacial contact facilitated by the FTCS-directed growth of P(VDF-HFP) around Al NPs further accelerates the whole reaction process.

Dual-Lumen Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Cannulation Technique Using Only Transthoracic Echocardiography - A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Bicaval dual lumen cannula (DLC) is gaining popularity in veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO) for having less recirculation and facilitating mobilization. It is usually inserted under fluoroscopic or transesophageal echocardiographic guidance to prevent potentially fatal complications. Thus, their utilization was limited during the COVID-19 outbreak due to stringent quarantine policy and manpower shortage, especially when emergency insertion was required. PURPOSE: To describe our experience on DLC insertion using transthoracic echocardiography alone during the pandemic, with a focus on safety considerations by using detail step-by-step procedural guide. OUTCOME: Four patients were performed V-V ECMO using the transthoracic echocardiographic-guided DLC cannulation technique during the fifth wave of the COVID-19 outbreak, with no cannulation-related complications. CONCLUSION: Transthoracic echocardiographic guidance for DLC insertion is feasible and probably safe with a detailed guide, which can be adopted as a supplementary tool during future endemic outbreaks.

Activation of peracetic acid by electrodes using biogenic electrons: A novel energy- and catalyst-free process to eliminate pharmaceuticals.

Peracetic acid (PAA) has received increasing attention as an alternative oxidant for wastewater treatment. However, existing processes for PAA activation to generate reactive species typically require external energy input (e.g., electrically and UV-mediated activation) or catalysts (e.g., Co2+), inevitably increasing treatment costs or introducing potential new contaminants that necessitate additional removal. In this work, we developed a catalyst-free, self-sustaining bioelectrochemical approach within a two-chamber bioelectrochemical system (BES), where a cathode electrode in-situ activates PAA using renewable biogenic electrons generated by anodic exoelectrogens (e.g., Geobacter) degrading biodegradable organic matter (e.g., acetic acid) in wastewater at the anode. This innovative BES-PAA technique achieved 98 % and 81 % removal of 2 µM sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in two hours at pH 2 (cation exchange membrane) and pH 6 (bipolar membrane) using 100 µM PAA without external voltage. Mechanistic studies, including radical quenching, molecular probe validation, electron spin resonance (ESR) experiments, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, revealed that SMX degradation was driven by reactive species generated via biogenic electron-mediated OO cleavage of PAA, with CH3C(O)OO• contributing 68.1 %, •OH of 18.4 %, and CH3C(O)O• of 9.4 %, where initial formation of •OH and CH3C(O)O• rapidly reacts with PAA to produce CH3C(O)OO•. The presence of common water constituents such as anions (e.g., Cl-, NO3-, and H2PO4-) and humic acid (HA) significantly hinders SMX removal via the BES-PAA technique, whereas CO32- and HCO3- ions have a comparatively minor impact. Additionally, the study investigated the removal of various pharmaceuticals present in secondary treated municipal wastewater, attributing differences in removal efficiency to the selective action of CH3C(O)OO•. This research demonstrates a novel PAA activation method that is ecologically benign, inexpensive, and capable of overcoming catalyst deactivation and secondary pollution issues.

3D modular bioceramic scaffolds for the investigation of the interaction between osteosarcoma cells and MSCs.

Recent advances in bone tissue engineering have shown promise for bone repair post osteosarcoma excision. However, conflicting research on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has raised concerns about their potential to either promote or inhibit tumor cell proliferation. It is necessary to thoroughly understand the interactions between MSCs and tumor cells. Most previous studies only focused on the interactions between cells within the tumor tissues. It has been challenging to develop an in vitro model of osteosarcoma excision sites replicating the complexity of the bone microenvironment and cell distribution. In this work, we designed and fabricated modular bioceramic scaffolds to assemble into a co-culture model. Because of the bone-like composition and mechanical property, tricalcium phosphate bioceramic could mimic the bone microenvironment and recapitulate the cell-extracellular matrix interaction. Moreover, the properties for easy assembly enabled the modular units to mimic the spatial distribution of cells in the osteosarcoma excision site. Under this co-culture model, MSCs showed a noticeable tumor-stimulating effect with a potential risk of tumor recurrence. In addition, tumor cells also could inhibit the osteogenic ability of MSCs. To undermine the stimulating effects of MSCs on tumor cells, we present the methods of pre-differentiated MSCs, which had lower expression of IL-8 and higher expression of osteogenic proteins. Both in vitro and in vivo studies confirm that pre-differentiated MSCs could maintain high osteogenic capacity without promoting tumor growth, offering a promising approach for MSCs' application in bone regeneration. Overall, 3D modular scaffolds provide a valuable tool for constructing hard tissue in vitro models. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Bone tissue engineering using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and biomaterials has shown promise for bone repair post osteosarcoma excision. However, conflicting researches on MSCs have raised concerns about their potential to either promote or inhibit tumor cell proliferation. It remains challenges to develop in vitro models to investigate cell interactions, especially of osteosarcoma with high hardness and special composition of bone tissue. In this work, modular bioceramic scaffolds were fabricated and assembled to co-culture models. The interactions between MSCs and MG-63 were manifested as tumor-stimulating and osteogenesis-inhibiting, which means potential risk of tumor recurrence. To undermine the stimulating effect, pre-differentiation method was proposed to maintain high osteogenic capacity without tumor-stimulating, offering a promising approach for MSCs' application in bone regeneration.

Guidance for triangulating data and estimates of HIV prevalence among pregnant women and coverage of PMTCT using the Spectrum AIDS Impact Module.

Background: Most countries use the Spectrum AIDS Impact Module (Spectrum-AIM), antenatal care routine HIV testing, and antiretroviral treatment data to estimate HIV prevalence among pregnant women. Non-representative programme data may lead to inaccurate estimates HIV prevalence and treatment coverage for pregnant women. Setting: 154 locations in 126 countries. Methods: Using 2023 UNAIDS HIV estimates, we calculated three ratios: (1) HIV prevalence among pregnant women to all women 15-49y (prevalence), (2) ART coverage before pregnancy to women 15-49y ART coverage (ART pre-pregnancy), and (3) ART coverage at delivery to women 15-49y ART coverage (PMTCT coverage). We developed an algorithm to identify and adjust inconsistent results within regional ranges in Spectrum-AIM, illustrated using Burkina Faso's estimates. Results: In 2022, the mean regional ratio of prevalence among pregnant women to all women ranged from 0.68 to 0.95. ART coverage pre-pregnancy ranged by region from 0.40 to 1.22 times ART coverage among all women. Mean regional PMTCT coverage ratios ranged from 0.85 to 1.51. The prevalence ratio in Burkina Faso was 1.59, above the typical range 0.62-1.04 in western and central Africa. Antenatal clinics reported more PMTCT recipients than estimated HIV-positive pregnant women from 2015 to 2019. We adjusted inputted PMTCT programme data to enable consistency of HIV prevalence among pregnant women from programmatic routine HIV testing at antenatal clinics with values typical for Western and central Africa. Conclusion: These ratios offer Spectrum-AIM users a tool to gauge the consistency of their HIV prevalence and treatment coverage estimates among pregnant women with other countries in the region.

Hydrophobic tagging of small molecules: an overview of the literature and future outlook.

INTRODUCTION: Hydrophobic tagging (HyT) technology presents a distinct therapeutic strategy diverging from conventional small molecule drugs, providing an innovative approach to drug design. This review aims to provide an overview of the HyT literature and future outlook to offer guidance for drug design. AREAS COVERED: In this review, the authors introduce the composition, mechanisms and advantages of HyT technology, as well as summarize the detailed applications of HyT technology in anti-cancer, neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and other fields. Furthermore, this review discusses key aspects of the future development of HyT molecules. EXPERT OPINION: HyT emerges as a highly promising targeted protein degradation (TPD) strategy, following the successful development of proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTAC) and molecular glue. Based on exploring new avenues, modification of the HyT molecule itself potentially enhances the technology. Improved synthetic pathways and emphasis on pharmacokinetic (PK) properties will facilitate the development of HyT. Furthermore, elucidating the biochemical basis by which the compound's hydrophobic moiety recruits the protein homeostasis network will enable the development of more precise assays that can guide the optimization of the linker and hydrophobic moiety.

Homocysteine concentration in coronary artery disease and severity of coronary lesions.

Our previous study reckons that the impact of the rs1801133 variant of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) on coronary artery disease (CAD) is possibly mediated by cardiometabolic disorder. This study is performed to verify this hypothesis. Four hundred and thirty CAD patients and 216 CAD-free individuals were enrolled in this case-control study. The rs1801133 variant was genotyped by PCR-RFLP. Severity of coronary lesions was evaluated by number of stenotic coronary vessels and extent of coronary stenosis. The rs1801133 T allele significantly increased homocysteine levels in patients with CAD and CAD-free individuals. Individuals with the T allele of rs1801133 had an increased risk of developing CAD. In contrast, individuals with the TT genotype of rs1801133 were at high risk of multiple vessel lesions. The carriers of CT genotype had higher levels of systolic blood pressure (SBP), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and lower levels of apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1) than those with CC genotype in male patients with CAD. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and precision-recall (PR) curve indicated that hyperhomocysteinemia was sensitive to predict the severity of CAD. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that homocysteine, rs1801133, age, smoking, weight, body mass index (BMI), lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], and hs-CRP were independent risk factors for CAD. The increased risk of CAD and severity of coronary lesions associated with rs1801133 in the Chinese Han population were attributed, at least partly, to high homocysteine levels. Hyperhomocysteinemia had a high predictive value for severe CAD or multiple vessel lesions.

In vivo evaluation of T-Scan in quantifying occlusal contact.

BACKGROUND: The T-scan system has been used previously to analyse occlusion, but the quantitative analysis of occlusal contact by T-Scan system has yet to be reported. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the reliability and validity of T-Scan system for quantitatively measuring occlusal contact area and occlusal contact number. METHODS: Twenty-two individuals with normal occlusion, 11 men and 11 women, were recruited for the study. Two occlusal analysis methods, including silicone transmission analysis method (STA) and T-Scan occlusion analysis method (TSO), were used to make quantitative analysis to measure occlusal contact area (OCA) and occlusal contact number (OCN). A test-retest check was performed with an interval of 2 weeks. The values of intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) between test-retest of each method were calculated for reliability evaluation. Pearson correlations analysis, paired t-tests, regression analysis and Bland-Altman analysis were performed for validity evaluation. RESULTS: The ICC values of STA were greater than those of TSO for OCA while for OCN, ICC values of TSO were greater than STA. The higher OCA and OCN values were found in TSO compared with STA. Pearson's correlation coefficient indicated strong relations between TSO and STA (0.730-0.812) for OCA, while good relations between then (0.569-0.583) for OCN. Paired t-test showed a significant difference between the OCA and OCN values between TSO and STA. Bland-Altman analysis showed good agreement between OCA and OCN values of TSO and STA both in men and women. Regression analysis identified a linear correlation between OCA values obtained from these two methods. CONCLUSIONS: T-Scan method showed strong reliability for measuring OCA and OCN quantitatively. Strong correlations were found between OCA values from TSO and STA method, but the validity of TSO for measuring OCN needs to be promoted. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: T-Scan system demonstrates good potential in quantitative analysis of occlusion, which will expand its clinical application.

Transgenerational increases in DNA methylation in Arabidopsis plants defective in active DNA demethylation.

Spontaneous gain or loss of DNA methylation occurs in plant and animal genomes, and DNA methylation changes can lead to meiotically stable epialleles that generate heritable phenotypic diversity. However, it is unclear whether transgenerational epigenetic stability may be regulated by any cellular factors. Here, we examined spontaneously occurring variations in DNA methylation in wild-type and ros1 mutant Arabidopsis plants that were propagated for ten generations from single-seed descent. We found that the ros1 mutant, which is defective in active DNA demethylation, showed an increased transgenerational epimutation rate. The ros1 mutation led to more spontaneously gained methylation than lost methylation at individual cytosines, compared to the wild type which had similar numbers of spontaneously gained and lost methylation cytosines. Consistently, transgenerational differentially methylated regions were also biased toward hypermethylation in the ros1 mutant. Our results reveal a genetic contribution of the ROS1 DNA demethylase to transgenerational epigenetic stability and suggest that ROS1 may have an unexpected surveillance function in preventing transgenerational DNA methylation increases.

Photoredox Synthesis of Silicon-Containing Isoindolin-1-ones and Deuterated Analogues Through Hydrosilylation and Deuterium-silylation.

An efficient, practical, and metal-free protocol for the synthesis of silicon-containing isoindolin-1-ones and deuterated analogues via the synergistic combination of an organic photoredox and hydrogen atom transfer process is described. This strategy features mild reaction conditions, high atom economy, and excellent functional group compatibility, delivering a myriad of structurally diverse and valuable products with good to excellent yields.

The Relationship Between Family Functioning and Defending Behaviors Among Junior High School Students: The Mediating Effect of Empathy and Moderating Effect of Gender.

Bystanders play a role in school bullying; more specifically, the defending behaviors of bystanders play an important role in stopping bullying. This study explores the relationship between defending behaviors and family functioning in the context of school bullying from a family perspective. The role played by individual characteristics (empathy and gender) in this relationship was also focused on. The participants were 994 adolescents (average age = 13.34 ± 0.92 years) from the east of China. They completed the McMaster Family Assessment Device, the Basic Empathy Scale, and the Defending Behaviors subscale of the Participant Role Questionnaire. After controlling for residence and age, we found that family functioning significantly and positively influenced defending behaviors, and cognitive empathy rather than affective empathy mediated the relationship between family functioning and defending behaviors. In addition, family functioning influenced defending behaviors in boys more strongly than in girls. This study may increase the likelihood that bystanders will engage in defending behaviors by informing interventions for school bullying.

Sophoraflavanone G Inhibits RANKL-Induced Osteoclastogenesis via MAPK/NF-κB Signaling Pathway.

Osteoporosis is a common chronic bone metabolism disorder characterized by decreased bone mass and reduced bone density in the bone tissue. Osteoporosis can lead to increased fragility of the skeleton, making it prone to brittle fractures. Osteoclasts are macrophage-like cells derived from hematopoietic stem cells, and their excessive activity in bone resorption leads to lower bone formation than absorption during bone remodeling, which is one of the important factors inducing osteoporosis. Therefore, how to inhibit osteoclast formation and reducing bone loss is an important direction for treating osteoporosis. Sophoraflavanone G, derived from Sophora flavescens Alt and Rhizoma Drynariae, is a flavonoid compound with various biological activities. However, there have been few studies on osteoporosis and osteoclasts so far. Therefore, we hypothesize that genistein G can inhibit osteoclast differentiation, alleviate bone loss phenomenon, and conduct in vitro and in vivo experiments for research and verification purposes.

Differential bioaccumulation and tolerances of massive and branching scleractinian corals to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in situ.

Scleractinian corals are capable of accumulating polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in reef environments; however, the mechanism behind their PAHs tolerance is unknown. This study investigated the occurrence and bioaccumulation of PAHs in coral reef ecosystems and examined the physiological responses induced by PAHs in coral hosts and their algal symbionts, the massive coral Galaxea fascicularis and branching coral Pocillopora damicornis. G. fascicularis had a higher PAHs accumulation capacity than P. damicornis. Both the coral hosts and algal symbionts preferentially accumulated acenaphthene, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene, and benzo(a)pyrene. The accumulated PAHs by G. fascicularis and P. damicornis hosts was accompanied by a reduction in detoxification ability. The accumulated PAHs could induce oxidative stress in P. damicorni hosts, thus G. fascicularis demonstrated a greater tolerance to PAHs compared to P. damicornis. Meanwhile, their algal symbionts had fewer physiological responses to accumulated PAHs than the coral hosts. Negative effects were not observed with benzo(a)pyrene. Taken together, these results suggest massive and branching scleractinian corals have different PAHs bioaccumulation and tolerance mechanisms, and indicate that long-term PAHs pollution could cause significant alterations of community structures in coral reef ecosystems.

Enantioselective transformation of phytoplankton-derived dihydroxypropanesulfonate by marine bacteria.

Chirality, a fundamental property of matter, is often overlooked in the studies of marine organic matter cycles. Dihydroxypropanesulfonate (DHPS), a globally abundant organosulfur compound, serves as an ecologically important currency for nutrient and energy transfer from phytoplankton to bacteria in the ocean. However, the chirality of DHPS in nature and its transformation remain unclear. Here, we developed a novel approach using chiral phosphorus-reagent labeling to separate DHPS enantiomers. Our findings demonstrated that at least one enantiomer of DHPS is present in marine diatoms and coccolithophores, and that both enantiomers are widespread in marine environments. A novel chiral-selective DHPS catabolic pathway was identified in marine Roseobacteraceae strains, where HpsO and HpsP dehydrogenases at the gateway to DHPS catabolism act specifically on R-DHPS and S-DHPS, respectively. R-DHPS is also a substrate for the dehydrogenase HpsN. All three dehydrogenases generate stable hydrogen bonds between the chirality-center hydroxyls of DHPS and highly conserved residues, and HpsP also form coordinate-covalent bonds between the chirality-center hydroxyls and Zn2+, which determines the mechanistic basis of strict stereoselectivity. We further illustrated the role of enzymatic promiscuity in the evolution of DHPS metabolism in Roseobacteraceae and SAR11. This study provides the first evidence of chirality's involvement in phytoplankton-bacteria metabolic currencies, opening a new avenue for understanding the ocean organosulfur cycle.

RGC32 promotes the progression of ccRCC by activating the NF-κB/SHP2/EGFR signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: The role and clinical significance of the response gene to complement 32 (RGC32) in various cancers have been documented, yet its implications in clear cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC) remain underexplored. METHODS: This study investigated RGC32's diagnostic and prognostic relevance in ccRCC using bioinformatics methods with data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The impact of RGC32 on ccRCC progression was assessed through nude mouse tumor assays. Immunohistochemistry evaluated RGC32 levels in ccRCC and adjacent normal tissues, while cell proliferation, migration, and invasion capabilities were analyzed using CCK-8, monoclonal proliferation assays, Transwell, and wound healing assays, respectively. Western blotting measured relevant protein expressions. RESULTS: Bioinformatics analysis highlighted RGC32's significant role in ccRCC pathogenesis. Elevated RGC32 expression in ccRCC tissues was linked to disease progression. Functionally, RGC32 was found to enhance the expression of proteins such as p-PI3K, CyclinA1, CyclinD1, p-STAT3, MMP2, MMP3, MMP9, p-SMAD2/3, Snail, Slug, and N-Cadherin via the NF-κB/SHP2/EGFR pathway, while decreasing E-cadherin levels. Moreover, RGC32 facilitated ccRCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). CONCLUSION: RGC32 is a pivotal factor in ccRCC development, primarily through the activation of the NF-κB/SHP2/EGFR signaling pathway.

Protocol for isolating small cytosolic dsDNA from cultured murine cells.

We recently identified a class of small cytosolic double-stranded DNA (scDNA) approximately 20-40 bp in size in human and mouse cells. Here, we present a protocol for scDNA isolation from cultured murine cells. We describe steps for cytosolic compartment separation, DNA isolation in the cytosolic fraction using phenol-chloroform extraction, and ethanol precipitation. We then detail procedures for denaturing purified cytosolic DNA through urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and obtaining scDNA in the cytosolic DNA fraction via gel purification. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Liu et al.1.

Terrihabitans rhizophilus sp. nov., isolated from the rhizosphere soil of plant in temperate semi-arid steppe.

A bacterial strain PJ23T was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Elymus dahuricus Turcz. sampled from a temperate semi-arid steppe in the northern of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. The strain is Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, light-pink, short rod-shaped, and non-spore-forming. Cell growth could be observed at 4-29℃ (optimal at 24℃), pH 6.0-8.6 (optimal at 8.0) and in the presence of 0-5.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimal at 2.5%). The major cellular fatty acids of strain PJ23T were Summed feature 8 (C18:1 ω6c and/or C18:1 ω7c) (39.42%) and C16:0 (9.60%). The polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine, two unidentified glycolipids, one unidentified aminophospholipid, and two other unidentified polar lipids. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10. Phylogeny analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences retrieved from the genomes showed that, the strain was closely related to the species Terrihabitans soli IZ6T and Flaviflagellibacter deserti SYSU D60017T, with the sequence similarities of 96.79% and 96.15%, respectively. The G + C content was 65.23 mol% calculated on draft genome sequencing. Between the strains PJ23T and Terrihabitans soli IZ6T, the average nucleotide identity (ANI), amino acid identity (AAI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) was 73.39%,71.12% and 15.7%, these values were lower than the proposed and generally accepted species boundaries of ANI, AAI and dDDH, respectively. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and phylogenetic characteristics, strain PJ23T represents a novel species of Terrihabitans, for which the name Terrihabitans rhizophilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PJ23T (= KCTC 92977 T = CGMCC 1.61577 T).