Post-modification of covalent organic framework functionalized aminated carbon nanotubes with active site (Fe) for the sensitive detection of luteolin.

In this research, the TT-COF(Fe)@NH2-CNTs was innovatively prepared through a post-modification synthetic process functionalized TT-COF@NH2-CNTs with active site (Fe), where TT-COF@NH2-CNTs was prepared via a one-pot strategy using 5,10,15,20-tetrakis (para-aminophenyl) porphyrin (TTAP), 2,3,6,7-tetra (4-formylphenyl) tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and aminated carbon nanotubes (NH2-CNTs) as raw materials. The complex TT-COF(Fe)@NH2-CNTs material possessed porous structures, outstanding conductivity and rich catalytic sites. Thus, it can be adopted to construct electrochemical sensor with glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The TT-COF(Fe)@NH2-CNTs/GCE can selectively detect luteolin (Lu) with a wide linear plot ranging from 0.005 to 3 µM and a low limit of detection (LOD) of 1.45 nM (S/N = 3). The Lu residues in carrot samples were determined using TT-COF(Fe)@NH2-CNTs sensor and UV-visible (UV-Vis) approach. This TT-COF(Fe)@NH2-CNTs/GCE sensor paves the way for the quantification of Lu through a cost-efficient and sensitive electrochemical approach, which can make a significant step in the sensing field based on crystalline COFs.

GREM1 Negatively Regulates Osteo-/Dentinogenic Differentiation of Dental Pulp Stem Cells via Association with YWHAH.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biological regulatory function of Gremlin1 (GREM1) and tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein eta (YWHAH) in dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), and determine the underlying molecular mechanism involved. METHODS: Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, alizarin red staining, scratch migration assays and in vitro and in vivo osteo-/dentinogenic marker detection of bone-like tissue generation in nude mice were used to assess osteo-/dentinogenic differentiation. Coimmunoprecipitation and polypeptide microarray assays were employed to detect the molecular mechanisms involved. RESULTS: The data revealed that knockdown of GREM1 promoted ALP activity, mineralisation in vitro and the expression of osteo-/dentinogenic differentiation markers and enhanced osteo-/ dentinogenesis of DPSCs in vivo. GREM1 bound to YWHAH in DPSCs, and the binding site was also identified. Knockdown of YWHAH suppressed the osteo-/dentinogenesis of DPSCs in vitro, and overexpression of YWHAH promoted the osteo-/dentinogenesis of DPSCs in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION: Taken together, the findings highlight the critical roles of GREM1-YWHAH in the osteo-/dentinogenesis of DPSCs.

Abnormal multimodal neuroimaging patterns associated with social deficits in male autism spectrum disorder.

Atypical social impairments (i.e., impaired social cognition and social communication) are vital manifestations of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patients, and the incidence rate of ASD is significantly higher in males than in females. Characterizing the atypical brain patterns underlying social deficits of ASD is significant for understanding the pathogenesis. However, there are no robust imaging biomarkers that are specific to ASD, which may be due to neurobiological complexity and limitations of single-modality research. To describe the multimodal brain patterns related to social deficits in ASD, we highlighted the potential functional role of white matter (WM) and incorporated WM functional activity and gray matter structure into multimodal fusion. Gray matter volume (GMV) and fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations of WM (WM-fALFF) were combined by fusion analysis model adopting the social behavior. Our results revealed multimodal spatial patterns associated with Social Responsiveness Scale multiple scores in ASD. Specifically, GMV exhibited a consistent brain pattern, in which salience network and limbic system were commonly identified associated with all multiple social impairments. More divergent brain patterns in WM-fALFF were explored, suggesting that WM functional activity is more sensitive to ASD's complex social impairments. Moreover, brain regions related to social impairment may be potentially interconnected across modalities. Cross-site validation established the repeatability of our results. Our research findings contribute to understanding the neural mechanisms underlying social disorders in ASD and affirm the feasibility of identifying biomarkers from functional activity in WM.

Effects of soil microplastic heterogeneity on plant growth vary with species and microplastic types.

Microplastics are heterogeneously distributed in soils. However, it is unknown whether soil microplastic heterogeneity affects plant growth and root foraging responses and whether such effects vary with plant species and microplastic types. We grew each of seven herbaceous species (Platycodon grandiflorus, Trifolium repens, Portulaca oleracea, Medicago sativa, Taraxacum mongolicum, Perilla frutescenst, and Paspalum notatum) in heterogeneous soil (patches without microplastics and patches with 0.2 % microplastics) and homogeneous soil (patches with 0.1 % microplastics). Three microplastic types were tested: polypropylene (PP), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), and polyester (PET). P. frutescens showed no response to soil microplastic heterogeneity. For P. grandiflora, microplastic heterogeneity tended to decrease its biomass (total, shoot and root) when the microplastic was PAN and also shoot biomass when it was PET, but had no effect when it was PP. For T. repens, microplastic heterogeneity promoted biomass when PAN was used, decreased total and root biomass when PET was used, but showed no effect when PP was used. Microplastic heterogeneity increased biomass of P. oleracea and decreased that of M. sativa when PET was used, but had no effect when PP or PAN was used. For T. mongolicum, microplastic heterogeneity reduced biomass when the microplastic was PAN, tended to increase total and root biomass when it was PP, but showed no effect when it was PET. For P. notatum, microplastic heterogeneity increased biomass when the microplastic was PP, decreased it when PET was used, but had no effect when PAN was used. However, biomass of none of the seven species showed root foraging responses at the patch level. Therefore, soil microplastic heterogeneity can influence plant growth, but such effects depend on species and microplastic types and are not associated with root foraging. Our findings highlight the roles of soil microplastic heterogeneity, which may influence species interactions and community structure and productivity.

Targeting mitochondrial quality control: new therapeutic strategies for major diseases.

Mitochondria play a crucial role in maintaining the normal physiological state of cells. Hence, ensuring mitochondrial quality control is imperative for the prevention and treatment of numerous diseases. Previous reviews on this topic have however been inconsistencies and lack of systematic organization. Therefore, this review aims to provide a comprehensive and systematic overview of mitochondrial quality control and explore the possibility of targeting the same for the treatment of major diseases. This review systematically summarizes three fundamental characteristics of mitochondrial quality control, including mitochondrial morphology and dynamics, function and metabolism, and protein expression and regulation. It also extensively examines how imbalances in mitochondrial quality are linked to major diseases, such as ischemia-hypoxia, inflammatory disorders, viral infections, metabolic dysregulations, degenerative conditions, and tumors. Additionally, the review explores innovative approaches to target mitochondrial quality control, including using small molecule drugs that regulate critical steps in maintaining mitochondrial quality, nanomolecular materials designed for precise targeting of mitochondria, and novel cellular therapies, such as vesicle therapy and mitochondrial transplantation. This review offers a novel perspective on comprehending the shared mechanisms underlying the occurrence and progression of major diseases and provides theoretical support and practical guidance for the clinical implementation of innovative therapeutic strategies that target mitochondrial quality control for treating major diseases.

Decoding the RNA viromes in shrew lungs along the eastern coast of China.

Shrews being insectivores, serve as natural reservoirs for a wide array of zoonotic viruses, including the recently discovered Langya henipavirus (LayV) in China in 2018. It is crucial to understand the shrew-associated virome, viral diversity, and new viruses. In the current study, we conducted high-throughput sequencing on lung samples obtained from 398 shrews captured along the eastern coast of China, and characterized the high-depth virome of 6 common shrew species (Anourosorex squamipes, Crocidura lasiura, Crocidura shantungensis, Crocidura tanakae, Sorex caecutiens, and Suncus murinus). Our analysis revealed numerous shrew-associated viruses comprising 54 known viruses and 72 new viruses that significantly enhance our understanding of mammalian viruses. Notably, 34 identified viruses possess spillover-risk potential and six were human pathogenic viruses: LayV, influenza A virus (H5N6), rotavirus A, rabies virus, avian paramyxovirus 1, and rat hepatitis E virus. Moreover, ten previously unreported viruses in China were discovered, six among them have spillover-risk potential. Additionally, all 54 known viruses and 12 new viruses had the ability to cross species boundaries. Our data underscore the diversity of shrew-associated viruses and provide a foundation for further studies into tracing and predicting emerging infectious diseases originated from shrews.

Plasmid-mediated azithromycin resistance in non-typhoidal Salmonella recovered from human infections.

OBJECTIVES: Mechanisms of non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) resistance to azithromycin have rarely been reported. Here we investigate the epidemiology and genetic features of 10 azithromycin-resistant NTS isolates. METHODS: A total of 457 NTS isolates were collected from a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou. We performed antimicrobial susceptibility tests, conjugation experiments, efflux pump expression tests, whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis to conduct the study. RESULTS: The results showed that 10 NTS isolates (2.8%) were resistant to azithromycin with minimum inhibitory concentration values ranging from 128 to 512 mg/L and exhibited multidrug resistance. The phylogenetic tree revealed that 5 S. London isolates (AR1-AR5) recognized at different times and departments were closely related [3-74 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)] and 2 S. Typhimurium isolates (AR7 and AR8) were clones (<3 SNPs) at 3-month intervals. The azithromycin resistance was conferred by mph(A) gene found on different plasmids, including IncFIB, IncHI2, InFII, IncC and IncI plasmids. Among them, IncFIB, InFII and IncHI2 plasmids carried different IS26-class 1 integron (intI1) arrangement patterns that mediated multidrug resistance transmission. Conjugative IncC plasmid encoded resistance to ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone and azithromycin. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that mph(A)-positive plasmids closely related to 10 plasmids in this study were mainly discovered from NTS, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Enterobacter hormaechei. The genetic environment of mph(A) in 10 NTS isolates was IS26-mph(A)-mrx(A)-mphR(A)-IS6100/IS26 that co-arranged with intI1 harbour multidrug-resistant (MDR) gene cassettes on diverse plasmids. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlighted that the dissemination of these plasmids carrying mph(A) and various intI1 MDR gene cassettes would seriously restrict the availability of essential antimicrobial agents for treating NTS infections.

LT-102, an AMPA receptor potentiator, alleviates depression-like behavior and synaptic plasticity impairments in prefrontal cortex induced by sleep deprivation.

BACKGROUND: Sleep loss is closely related to the onset and development of depression, and the mechanisms involved may include impaired synaptic plasticity. Considering the important role of glutamate α-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate receptors (AMPARs) in synaptic plasticity as well as depression, we introduce LT-102, a novel AMPARs potentiator, to evaluate the potential of LT-102 in treating sleep deprivation-induced depression-like behaviors. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive behavioral assessment to evaluate the effects of LT-102 on depression-like symptoms in male C57BL/6J mice. This assessment included the open field test to measure general locomotor activity and anxiety-like behavior, the forced swimming test and tail suspension test to assess despair behaviors indicative of depressive states, and the sucrose preference test to quantify anhedonia, a core symptom of depression. Furthermore, to explore the impact of LT-102 on synaptic plasticity, we utilized a combination of Western blot analysis to detect protein expression levels, Golgi-Cox staining to visualize neuronal morphology, and immunofluorescence to examine the localization of synaptic proteins. Additionally, we utilized primary cortical neurons to delineate the signaling pathway modulated by LT-102. RESULTS: Treatment with LT-102 significantly reduced depression-like behaviors associated with sleep deprivation. Quantitative Western blot (WB) analysis revealed a significant increase in GluA1 phosphorylation in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), triggering the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II/cAMP response element-binding protein/brain-derived neurotrophic factor (CaMKII/CREB/BDNF) and forkhead box protein P2/postsynaptic density protein 95 (FoxP2/PSD95) signaling pathways. Immunofluorescence imaging confirmed that LT-102 treatment increased spine density and co-labeling of PSD95 and vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1) in the PFC, reversing the reductions typically observed following sleep deprivation. Golgi staining further validated these results, showing a substantial increase in neuronal dendritic spine density in sleep-deprived mice treated with LT-102. Mechanistically, application of LT-102 to primary cortical neurons, resulted in elevated levels of phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) and phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (p-GSK3ß), key downstream molecules in the BDNF signaling pathway, which in turn upregulated FoxP2 and PSD95 expression. LIMITATIONS: In our study, we chose to exclusively use male mice to eliminate potential influences of the estrous cycle on behavior and physiology. As there is no widely accepted positive drug control for sleep deprivation studies, we did not include one in our research. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that LT-102 is a promising therapeutic agent for counteracting depression-like behaviors and synaptic plasticity deficits induced by sleep deprivation, primarily through the activation of CaMKII/CREB/BDNF and AKT/GSK3ß/FoxP2/PSD95 signaling pathways.

The Impact of Fentanyl on the Effective Dose of Remimazolam-Induced Sedation in Elderly Female Patients: An Up-and-Down Sequential Allocation Trial.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the influence of fentanyl on the effective dose of remimazolam-induced sedation in elderly female patients undergoing general anesthesia. Patients and Methods: Sixty female patients aged 65-80 years undergoing selective general anesthesia were randomized into two groups: Group R+F received an initial dose of remimazolam (7.5 mg) with fentanyl (1 µg/kg), while Group R received remimazolam alone. Dosing adjustments (±2.5 mg) were made based on the response of the preceding patient using the up-and-down allocation technique. The ED50 and ED95 were calculated using a sequential formula and probit regression. Probit regression was also used to assess the relative potency of remimazolam between groups. Sedation levels were evaluated using the Modified Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (MOAA/S) scale. Results: The ED50 for remimazolam was significantly lower in Group R+F compared to Group R (p= 0.007). Probit regression estimated the ED50 and ED95 values for Group R+F at 4.878 mg (95% CI, 3.845-5.859) and 8.184 mg (95% CI, 6.636-13.546), respectively. In contrast, Group R demonstrated ED50 and ED95 values of 6.733 mg (95% CI, 5.533-8.068) and 11.298 mg (95% CI, 9.101-19.617), respectively. Conclusion: This study provides compelling evidence that the administration of 1 µg/kg of fentanyl significantly reduces the required sedative dose of remimazolam by approximately 30% during induction in elderly patients. Importantly, the concomitant use of 1 µg/kg of fentanyl does not increase the risk of adverse effects such as hypotension, respiratory depression.

[Research progress on striatal D2-MSNs plasticity mediated improvement of motor dysfunction by exercises in Parkinson's disease].

Parkinson's disease (PD), a prevalent neurodegenerative condition, manifests predominantly through the degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic (DA) pathways, culminating in a notable depletion of striatal dopamine. This pathophysiological process critically impairs the DA-mediated regulation of motor behaviors within the basal ganglia circuitry, particularly impacting various subtypes of striatal medium spiny neurons. Recent advancements in neuroscientific research have illuminated the pivotal role of D2-dopamine receptor expressing medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) plasticity in coordinating motor control in PD. Intriguingly, aerobic exercise emerges as a potent therapeutic intervention, capable of preventing or improving motor impairments. This ameliorative effect is mediated through the modulation of DA receptor activity and the consequent activation of downstream extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) signaling pathway. This article meticulously reviewed the intricate regulatory mechanisms governing the structural and functional plasticity of striatal D2-MSNs in the context of PD. It particularly emphasized the transformative impact of aerobic exercise on motor deficits in PD, attributing this effect to the modulation of striatal D2-MSNs.

Ecophysiological, transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses shed light on the response mechanism of Bruguiera gymnorhiza to upwelling stress.

Mangroves, due to their unique habitats, endure dual stressors from land to ocean and ocean to land directions. While extensive researches have been conducted on land-ocean stressors, studies on ocean-land stressors like upwelling are considerably scarce. In this study, ecophysiological, transcriptome, and metabolome analyses were conducted to determine the responses of mangrove plant (Bruguiera gymnorhiza, B. gymnorhiza) to upwelling stress. The results suggested that upwelling stress in B. gymnorhiza induces oxidative stress and membrane damage, which are mitigated by the synergistic actions of antioxidant enzymes and osmoprotectants. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that upregulated genes related to oxidation-reduction and carbohydrate metabolism, along with accumulated metabolites such as amino acids, lipids, phenols, and organic acids, contribute to enhancing antioxidant capacity and maintaining osmotic balance. Further analysis identified key KEGG pathways involved in the response to upwelling stress, including amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate and energy metabolism, flavonoid biosynthesis, and plant hormone signal transduction. These findings provide vital information into the multi-level response mechanisms of mangrove plants to upwelling stress.

Early Burst Suppression Similarity Association with Structural Brain Injury Severity on MRI After Cardiac Arrest.

BACKGROUND: Identical bursts on electroencephalography (EEG) are considered a specific predictor of poor outcomes in cardiac arrest, but its relationship with structural brain injury severity on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is not known. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of clinical, EEG, and MRI data from adult comatose patients after cardiac arrest. Burst similarity in first 72 h from the time of return of spontaneous circulation were calculated using dynamic time-warping (DTW) for bursts of equal (i.e., 500 ms) and varying (i.e., 100-500 ms) lengths and cross-correlation for bursts of equal lengths. Structural brain injury severity was measured using whole brain mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) on MRI. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated between mean burst similarity across consecutive 12-24-h time blocks and mean whole brain ADC values. Good outcome was defined as Cerebral Performance Category of 1-2 (i.e., independence for activities of daily living) at the time of hospital discharge. RESULTS: Of 113 patients with cardiac arrest, 45 patients had burst suppression (mean cardiac arrest to MRI time 4.3 days). Three study participants with burst suppression had a good outcome. Burst similarity calculated using DTW with bursts of varying lengths was correlated with mean ADC value in the first 36 h after cardiac arrest: Pearson's r: 0-12 h: - 0.69 (p = 0.039), 12-24 h: - 0.54 (p = 0.002), 24-36 h: - 0.41 (p = 0.049). Burst similarity measured with bursts of equal lengths was not associated with mean ADC value with cross-correlation or DTW, except for DTW at 60-72 h (- 0.96, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Burst similarity on EEG after cardiac arrest may be associated with acute brain injury severity on MRI. This association was time dependent when measured using DTW.

Research progresses of imaging studies on preoperative prediction of microvascular invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the predominant form of primary liver cancer, accounting for approximately 90% of liver cancer cases. It currently ranks as the fifth most prevalent cancer worldwide and represents the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality. As a malignant disease with surgical resection and ablative therapy being the sole curative options available, it is disheartening that most HCC patients who undergo liver resection experience relapse within five years. Microvascular invasion (MVI), defined as the presence of micrometastatic HCC emboli within liver vessels, serves as an important histopathological feature and indicative factor for both disease-free survival and overall survival in HCC patients. Therefore, achieving accurate preoperative noninvasive prediction of MVI holds vital significance in selecting appropriate clinical treatments and improving patient prognosis. Currently, there are no universally recognized criteria for preoperative diagnosis of MVI in clinical practice. Consequently, extensive research efforts have been directed towards preoperative imaging prediction of MVI to address this problem and the relative research progresses were reviewed in this article to summarize its current limitations and future research prospects.

Pseudomeningocele Following Posterior Cranial Fossa Surgery Significantly Increases the Risk of Intracranial Infection: A 10-Year Retrospective Analysis.

Background: Posterior fossa craniotomy is commonly performed for various pathologies. However, intra-cranial infection following craniotomy causes morbidity. Pseudomeningocele is one of the main complications following posterior fossa operation. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that the risk of intra-cranial infection is increased in patients who undergo posterior fossa craniotomy with pseudomeningocele compared with those without pseudomeningocele. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients undergoing posterior fossa craniotomy for the management of neurological pathologies at our institute from 2011 to 2020. A total of 308 craniotomies were included, and the primary outcome of interest was the occurrence of intra-cranial infection. Standard statistical methods were used to explore associations between several parameters, including pseudomeningocele, intra-cranial infection, and wound leak. Results: Of the 308 craniotomies, 41 (13.3%) developed intra-cranial infection and 59 (19.2%) involved pseudomeningocele. Of cases involving pseudomeningocele, 27 (45.8%) developed an intra-cranial infection compared with only 14 of 249 without pseudomeningocele (5.6%; p < 0.001). In the multi-variable analysis, pseudomeningocele was associated with intra-cranial infection (odds ratio [OR] 8.56; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.145-23.299; p < 0.001) and wound leak (OR 91.339; 95% CI 10.437-799.364; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The findings indicate that patients undergoing posterior fossa craniotomy are at a greater risk of intra-cranial infection if there is pseudomeningocele after the operation.

Vitexicarpin suppresses malignant progression of colorectal cancer through affecting c-Myc ubiquitination by targeting IMPDH2.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality and is characterised by extensive invasive and metastatic potential. Previous studies have shown that vitexicarpin extracted from the fruits of Vitex rotundifolia can impede tumour progression. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in CRC treatment are still not fully established. PURPOSE: Our study aimed to investigate the anticancer activity, targets, and molecular mechanisms of vitexicarpin in CRC hoping to provide novel therapies for patients with CRC. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: The impact of vitexicarpin on CRC was assessed through various experiments including MTT, clone formation, EDU, cell cycle, and apoptosis assays, as well as a tumour xenograft model. CETSA, label-free quantitative proteomics, and Biacore were used to identify the vitexicarpin targets. WB, Co-IP, Ubiquitination assay, IF, molecular docking, MST, and cell transfection were used to investigate the mechanism of action of vitexicarpin in CRC cells. Furthermore, we analysed the expression patterns and correlation of target proteins in TCGA and GEPIA datasets and clinical samples. Finally, wound healing, Transwell, tail vein injection model, and tissue section staining were used to demonstrate the antimetastatic effect of vitexicarpin on CRC in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: Our findings demonstrated that vitexicarpin exhibits anticancer activity by directly binding to inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase 2 (IMPDH2) and that it promotes c-Myc ubiquitination by disrupting the interaction between IMPDH2 and c-Myc, leading to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) inhibition. Vitexicarpin hinders the migration and invasion of CRC cells by reversing EMT both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, these results were validated by the overexpression and knockdown of IMPDH2 in CRC cells. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that vitexicarpin regulates the interaction between IMPDH2 and c-Myc to inhibit CRC proliferation and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. These discoveries introduce potential molecular targets for CRC treatment and shed light on new mechanisms for c-Myc regulation in tumours.

Nomogram model of serum thymidine kinase 1 combined with ultrasonography for prediction of central lymph node metastasis risk in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma pre-surgery.

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop a nomogram, using serum thymidine kinase 1 protein (STK1p) combined with ultrasonography parameters, to early predict central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) pre-surgery. Methods: Patients with PTC pre-surgery in January 2021 to February 2023 were divided into three cohorts: the observation cohort (CLNM, n = 140), the control cohort (NCLNM, n = 128), and the external verification cohort (CLNM, n = 50; NCLNM, n = 50). STK1p was detected by an enzyme immunodot-blot chemiluminescence analyzer and clinical parameters were evaluated by ultrasonography. Results: A suitable risk threshold value for STK1p of 1.7 pmol/L was selected for predicting CLNM risk by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Multivariate analysis identified the following six independent risk factors for CLNM: maximum tumor size >1 cm [odds ratio (OR) = 2.406, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.279-4.526), p = 0.006]; capsule invasion [OR = 2.664, 95% CI (1.324-5.360), p = 0.006]; irregular margin [OR = 2.922; 95% CI (1.397-6.111), p = 0.004]; CLN flow signal [OR = 3.618, 95% CI (1.631-8.027), p = 0.002]; tumor-foci number ≥2 [OR = 4.064, 95% CI (2.102-7.859), p < 0.001]; and STK1p ≥1.7 pmol/L [OR = 7.514, 95% CI (3.852-14.660), p < 0.001]. The constructed nomogram showed that the area under the ROC curve for the main dataset was 0.867 and that for the validation dataset was 0.830, exhibiting effectivity, and was recalculated to a total score of approximately 383. Through monitoring the response post-surgery, all patients were assessed as tumor-free at 12 months post-surgery, which was significantly associated with a reduction in STK1p to disease-free levels. Conclusion: We demonstrate for the first time that a novel nomogram including STK1p combined with ultrasonography can assist in the clinical prevention of CLNM, by facilitating timely, individualized prophylactic CLNM dissection, thereby reducing the risk of secondary surgery and the probability of recurrence.

Create artilysins from a recombinant library to serve as bactericidal and antibiofilm agents targeting Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a critical pathogen and novel treatments are urgently needed. The out membrane of P. aeruginosa facilitates biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance, and hinders the exogenous application against Gram-negative bacteria of endolysins. Engineered endolysins are investigated for enhancing antimicrobial activity, exemplified by artilysins. Nevertheless, existing research predominantly relies on laborious and time-consuming approaches of individually artilysin identification. This study proposes a novel strategy for expedited artilysin discovery using a recombinant artilysin library comprising proteins derived from 38 antimicrobial peptides and 8 endolysins. In this library, 19 colonies exhibited growth inhibition against P. aeruginosa exceeding 50 %, and three colonies were designated as dutarlysin-1, dutarlysin-2 and dutarlysin-3. Remarkably, dutarlysin-1, dutarlysin-2 and dutarlysin-3 demonstrated rapid and enhanced antibacterial activity, even minimum inhibitory concentration of them killed approximately 4.93 lg units, 6.75 lg units and 5.36 lg units P. aeruginosa, respectively. Dutarlysins were highly refractory to P. aeruginosa resistance development. Furthermore, 2 µmol/L dutarlysin-1 and dutarlysin-3 effectively eradicated over 76 % of the mature biofilm. These dutarlysins exhibited potential broad-spectrum activity against hospital susceptible Gram-negative bacteria. These results supported the effectiveness of this artilysins discovery strategy and suggested dutarlysin-1 and dutarlysin-3 could be promising antimicrobial agents for combating P. aeruginosa.

Robust and Durable Photonic Crystal with Liquid-Repellent Property for Self-Cleaning Coatings and Structural Colored Textiles.

Photonic crystal coatings with unique structural colors and self-cleaning properties have been providing an efficient way for substrate coloration. However, the enhancement of the robustness and durability of structural colored coatings to meet the requirements in diverse environments remains a challenging task. Here, to realize the application of photonic crystal films under various kinds of conditions, we present a poly(fluoroalkyl acrylate)-based colloidal photonic crystal (fCPC) coating. Fluorinated core-interlayer-shell (FCIS) colloidal particles of polystyrene (PS) core, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) interlayer, and poly(fluoroalkyl acrylate-ethyl acrylate-butyl acrylate) (P(FA-EA-BA)) shell copolymers have been first prepared by a stepwise emulsion polymerization. fCPCs with self-supporting property, reprocessing ability, friction resistance, as well as excellent wettability and liquid-repellent properties are successfully obtained via the bending-induced ordering technique (BIOT). When applied in antifouling applications, the fCPC film exhibits resistance against various oil and inorganic liquids. Furthermore, the fCPC coatings demonstrate their durability under outdoor conditions by maintaining stable color appearances during rainy and sunny conditions. Additionally, an electronic product adhered with the fCPC coatings is presented, which exhibits a surface that remains clean even after prolonged usage in comparison to the conventional CPC coating. Structural colored textiles with enhanced stability and functionalized liquid-repellent properties are achieved through a one-step process using FCIS particles. Therefore, the developed self-cleaning and comprehensive fCPC coatings capable of withstanding diverse conditions may open up new avenues for the advancement of structural coloration in decoration, vehicle, textile, and building.

0.75% ropivacaine may be a suitable drug in pregnant women undergoing urgent cesarean delivery during labor analgesia period.

BACKGROUND: 3% chloroprocaine (CP) has been reported as the common local anesthetic used in pregnant women undergoing urgent cesarean delivery during labor analgesia period. However, 0.75% ropivacaine is considered a promising and effective alternative. Therefore, we conducted a randomized controlled trial to compare the effectiveness and safety of 0.75% ropivacaine with 3% chloroprocaine for extended epidural anesthesia in pregnant women. METHODS: We conducted a double-blind, randomized, controlled, single-center study from November 1, 2022, to April 30, 2023. We selected forty-five pregnant women undergoing urgent cesarean delivery during labor analgesia period and randomized them to receive either 0.75% ropivacaine or 3% chloroprocaine in a 1:1 ratio. The primary outcome was the time to loss of cold sensation at the T4 level. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the two groups in the time to achieve loss of cold sensation (303, 95%CI 255 to 402 S vs. 372, 95%CI 297 to 630 S, p = 0.024). There was no significant difference the degree of motor block (p = 0.185) at the Th4 level. Fewer pregnant women required additional local anesthetics in the ropivacaine group compared to the chloroprocaine group (4.5% VS. 34.8%, p = 0.011). The ropivacaine group had lower intraoperative VAS scores (p = 0.023) and higher patient satisfaction scores (p = 0.040) than the chloroprocaine group. The incidence of intraoperative complications was similar between the two groups, and no serious complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that 0.75% ropivacaine was associated with less intraoperative pain treatment, higher patient satisfaction and reduced the onset time compared to 3% chloroprocaine in pregnant women undergoing urgent cesarean delivery during labor analgesia period. Therefore, 0.75% ropivacaine may be a suitable drug in pregnant women undergoing urgent cesarean delivery during labor analgesia period. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER AND REGISTRY URL: The registration number: ChiCTR2200065201; http://www.chictr.org.cn , Principal investigator: MEN, Date of registration: 31/10/2022.