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1.
Small ; : e2405379, 2024 Oct 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39363823

ABSTRACT

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are considered as a promising energy storage system because of good safety, low cost, abundant resources, and environmental friendliness. However, the bottlenecks including dendrite growth, hydrogen evolution, and corrosion seriously limit their practical application. Herein, a novel ZnSn(OH)6 coating layer with rich hydroxyl groups is employed to achieve highly stable Zn anode. The hydroxyl groups can feasibly interact with H2O molecules, contributing to the desolvation of hydrated Zn2+ and the inhibition of side reactions on Zn anode surface. Furthermore, according to the DFT calculation, the adsorption energy of Zn2+ among various sites on the surface of ZnSn(OH)6 coating layer is relatively large, which helps the uniform distribution of Zn2+ flux and the prevention of dendrite growth. Consequently, the ZnSn(OH)6@Zn anode delivers ultra-long cycle life (6770 h), low polarization voltage (27 mV), and high Coulombic efficiency (99.2% over 800 cycles) at 1 mA cm-2, 1 mAh cm-2. Besides, the assembled NaV3O8·xH2O//ZnSn(OH)6@Zn full cell can operate stably for 1500 cycles at 2 A g-1 with a high specific capacity of 144.9 mAh g-1, demonstrating an excellent application potential. This simple and effective coating layer with high electrochemical performance provides an appealing strategy for the development of rechargeable AZIBs.

2.
FASEB J ; 38(18): e70054, 2024 Sep 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39297783

ABSTRACT

Excessive proinflammatory cytokine release induced by pyroptosis plays a vital role in intestinal mucosal inflammation in ulcerative colitis (UC). Several pyroptosis-related factors are regulated by the centrosome. Pericentriolar material 1 (PCM1) is a primary component of centriolar satellites that is present as cytoplasmic granules around the centrosome. Our previous study revealed that PCM1 was highly expressed in UC patients, but the role of PCM1 in UC remains unknown. This study aimed to elucidate the role of PCM1 in the development of UC, especially the mechanism in pyroptosis process of UC. Clinical mucosal sample and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse were used to reveal the association between PCM1 and intestinal inflammation. Intestinal epithelial cell-specific PCM1-knockout mice were constructed to determine the role of PCM1 in colitis. Finally, PCM1 RNA interference and overexpression assays in THP1 cells were employed to study the molecular mechanisms of PCM1 in inflammatory responses and pyroptosis. We found that PCM1 expression was upregulated in the colonic mucosa of UC patients and positively correlated with inflammatory indicators. PCM1 expression was elevated in DSS-induced colitis mice and was reduced after methylprednisolone treatment. In the DSS colitis model, intestinal-specific PCM1-knockout mice exhibited milder intestinal inflammation and lower pyroptosis levels than wild-type mice. In cell level, PCM1 exerted a proinflammatory effect by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome and triggering subsequent gasdermin D-mediated pyroptosis to release IL-1ß and IL-18. In conclusion, PCM1 mediates activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and gasdermin D-dependent pyroptosis, ultimately accelerating intestinal inflammation in UC. These findings revealed a previously unknown role of PCM1 in initiating intestinal mucosal inflammation and pyroptosis in UC, and this factor is expected to be a regulator in the complex inflammatory network of UC.


Subject(s)
Colitis, Ulcerative , Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins , Macrophages , Mice, Knockout , NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein , Phosphate-Binding Proteins , Pyroptosis , Animals , NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism , NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics , Pyroptosis/physiology , Colitis, Ulcerative/metabolism , Colitis, Ulcerative/chemically induced , Colitis, Ulcerative/pathology , Mice , Humans , Phosphate-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Phosphate-Binding Proteins/genetics , Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism , Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics , Macrophages/metabolism , Male , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Inflammation/metabolism , Inflammation/pathology , Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism , Intestinal Mucosa/pathology , Female , Dextran Sulfate/toxicity , Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism , Cell Cycle Proteins/genetics , Gasdermins
3.
Inorg Chem ; 63(39): 18103-18109, 2024 Sep 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39285848

ABSTRACT

Realizing the regulation of photophysical properties by precisely controlling the molecular composition and configuration, thereby obtaining high-performance optical materials, remains of great significance. Due to the directionality and reversibility of the coordination bond, coordination-driven self-assembly endows the molecule with customized thermodynamically stable structures and desired properties. In this paper, a luminous metal-organic cage [Zn12L6] (S) was elaborately designed and quantitatively synthesized by self-assembly of tetrapodal TQPP chromophore-containing terpyridine ligand L with Zn2+. Complex S possessed a rigid cage-like structure, which endows a higher fluorescence quantum efficiency both in solution (∼88%) and neat solid (16%) than the corresponding ligand L. Further, using complex S as the photoactive component, two light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were successfully fabricated and the emission of pure white light (CIE coordinates: 0.3341, 0.3300) was achieved. These results afford a method to obtain enhanced luminescence performance via the formation of rigid coordination-driven supramolecular architectures.

4.
Food Chem X ; 23: 101625, 2024 Oct 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39100251

ABSTRACT

Cherry kernels are a by-product of cherries that are usually discarded, leading to waste and pollution. In this study, the chemical composition of 21 batches of cherry kernels from two different cherry species was analyzed using untargeted metabolomics. The in vitro antioxidant activity, cellular antioxidant activity, and antiproliferative activity of these kernel extracts were also determined, and a correlation analysis was conducted between differential compounds and biological activity. A total of 49 differential compounds were screened. The kernels of Prunus tomentosa were found to have significantly higher total phenol, total flavonoid content, and biological activity than those of Prunus pseudocerasus (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that flavonoids had the greatest contribution to biological activity. The study suggests that both species of cherry kernel, particularly Prunus tomentosa, could be a potential source of bioactive compounds that could be used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries.

5.
Anim Biotechnol ; 35(1): 2380766, 2024 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39034460

ABSTRACT

Increasing the number of teats in sheep helps to improve the survival rate of sheep lambs after birth. In order to analyze the candidate genes related to the formation of multiple teats in Hu sheep, the present study was conducted to investigate the genetic pattern of multiple teats in Hu sheep. In this study, based on genome-wide data from 157 Hu sheep, Fst, xp-EHH, Pi and iHS signaling were performed, and the top 5% signal regions of each analyzed result were annotated based on the Oar_v4.0 for sheep. The results show that a total of 142 SNP loci were selected. We found that PTPRG, TMEM117 and LRP1B genes were closely associated with polypodium formation in Hu sheep, in addition, among the candidate genes related to polypodium we found genes such as TMEM117, SLC25A21 and NCKAP5 related to milk traits. The present study screened out candidate genes for the formation of multiple teats at the genomic level in Hu sheep.


Subject(s)
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Animals , Sheep/genetics , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics , Female , Genome-Wide Association Study/veterinary
6.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 15705, 2024 07 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38977802

ABSTRACT

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the intestinal tract. Various programmed cell death pathways in the intestinal mucosa are crucial to the pathogenesis of UC. Disulfidptosis, a recently identified form of programmed cell death, has not been extensively reported in the context of UC. This study evaluated the expression of disulfidptosis-related genes (DRGs) in UC through public databases and assessed disulfide accumulation in the intestinal mucosal tissues of UC patients and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice via targeted metabolomics. We utilized various bioinformatics techniques to identify UC-specific disulfidptosis signature genes, analyze their potential functions, and investigate their association with immune cell infiltration in UC. The mRNA and protein expression levels of these signature genes were confirmed in the intestinal mucosa of DSS-induced colitis mice and UC patients. A total of 24 DRGs showed differential expression in UC. Our findings underscore the role of disulfide stress in UC. Four UC-related disulfidptosis signature genes-SLC7A11, LRPPRC, NDUFS1, and CD2AP-were identified. Their relationships with immune infiltration in UC were analyzed using CIBERSORT, and their expression levels were validated by quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting. This study provides further insights into their potential functions and explores their links to immune infiltration in UC. In summary, disulfidptosis, as a type of programmed cell death, may significantly influence the pathogenesis of UC by modulating the homeostasis of the intestinal mucosal barrier.


Subject(s)
Colitis, Ulcerative , Intestinal Mucosa , Colitis, Ulcerative/genetics , Colitis, Ulcerative/chemically induced , Colitis, Ulcerative/metabolism , Colitis, Ulcerative/pathology , Animals , Humans , Mice , Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism , Intestinal Mucosa/pathology , Dextran Sulfate , Apoptosis/genetics , Male , Disease Models, Animal , Female , Gene Expression Profiling , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Computational Biology/methods
7.
Front Vet Sci ; 11: 1442931, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39055862

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is widely used in the timed artificial insemination protocol for sheep. However, there remains a debate regarding its impact on pregnancy rates during artificial insemination. This study aims to evaluate the effect of GnRH on the pregnancy rates in Huyang ewes, analyze the pre-implantation metabolite changes caused by GnRH using metabolomics, and elucidate the mechanism effect on pregnancy rates. Methods: All ewes were administered a vaginal progesterone sponge containing 45 mg of flurogestone acetate for 12 days and received 330 units of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) intramuscularly after sponge removal. The experimental group (n = 69) received an intramuscular treatment of 17 µg GnRH agonist triptorelin 48 h after sponge removal on Day 0, while the control group (n = 41) received 1 mL of sterile saline solution. All ewes underwent a single vaginal insemination 58 h after the withdrawal of the progesterone sponge. The difference in pregnancy rates between the two groups was calculated. Metabolomic analysis was performed on plasma samples collected on Day 7 after the treatment of GnRH agonist. Results: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) treatment significantly reduced the pregnancy rate in the experimental group compared with the control group (72.2 vs. 82.9%, p < 0.05). Metabolomic analysis indicated that GnRH treatment affected metabolites involved in collagen synthesis and prostaglandin synthesis in the endometrial tissue, which includes a marked decrease in hydroxyproline amino acid content and a significant increase in corticosterone and prostaglandin D2 lipids and unsaturated fatty acids. Conclusion: In summary, the injection of GnRH agonist Triptorelin 48 h after progesterone sponges removal reduces the pregnancy rate of Huyang ewe following artificial insemination. It also affects the metabolite levels related to endometrial collagen and prostaglandin synthesis, harming embryo implantation.

8.
Cell Rep ; 43(7): 114392, 2024 Jul 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38944836

ABSTRACT

Heterogeneous resistance to immunotherapy remains a major challenge in cancer treatment, often leading to disease progression and death. Using CITE-seq and matched 40-plex PhenoCycler tissue imaging, we performed longitudinal multimodal single-cell analysis of tumors from metastatic melanoma patients with innate resistance, acquired resistance, or response to immunotherapy. We established the multimodal integration toolkit to align transcriptomic features, cellular epitopes, and spatial information to provide deeper insights into the tumors. With longitudinal analysis, we identified an "immune-striving" tumor microenvironment marked by peri-tumor lymphoid aggregates and low infiltration of T cells in the tumor and the emergence of MITF+SPARCL1+ and CENPF+ melanoma subclones after therapy. The enrichment of B cell-associated signatures in the molecular composition of lymphoid aggregates was associated with better survival. These findings provide further insights into the establishment of microenvironmental cell interactions and molecular composition of spatial structures that could inform therapeutic intervention.


Subject(s)
Drug Resistance, Neoplasm , Immunotherapy , Melanoma , Single-Cell Analysis , Tumor Microenvironment , Tumor Microenvironment/immunology , Humans , Immunotherapy/methods , Melanoma/therapy , Melanoma/immunology , Melanoma/pathology , Multiomics
9.
Front Plant Sci ; 15: 1392904, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38766469

ABSTRACT

Mercury (Hg), as a global pollutant, is persistent, migratory, insidious, highly biotoxic and highly enriched, and is widely distributed in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and lithosphere. Wetland ecosystems, as active mercury reservoirs, have become the most important sources and sinks of heavy metal mercury. Distinguished from natural wetlands, artificial wetlands located in urban sections of rivers face problems such as diverse urban pollution sources and complex spatial and temporal changes. Therefore, in this study, five intermittently distributed artificial wetlands were selected from the upstream to the downstream of the Changchun section of the Yitong River, a tributary of the Songhua River basin in the old industrial base of Northeast China. The mercury levels in the water bodies, sediments and plants of the artificial wetlands were collected and tested in four quarters from April 2023 to analyse the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of total mercury. The results showed that the mercury levels in the water bodies, sediments and plants of the five wetlands showed a fluctuating trend with the river flow direction and had certain spatial and temporal distribution characteristics. This phenomenon was attributed to the sinking of external mercury pollution sources. In general, the wetland ecosystems showed a decreasing trend in the total Hg output of the downstream watershed. This may be due to the retention of particulate matter by aquatic plants in artificial wetlands to regular salvage of dead aquatic plants. At the same time urbanization and industrialization affect mercury levels in aquatic environments, so the risk of residential exposure needs to be looked at.

10.
Int J Mol Sci ; 25(8)2024 Apr 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38674070

ABSTRACT

Cancer comprises malignant cells surrounded by the tumor microenvironment (TME), a dynamic ecosystem composed of heterogeneous cell populations that exert unique influences on tumor development. The immune community within the TME plays a substantial role in tumorigenesis and tumor evolution. The innate and adaptive immune cells "talk" to the tumor through ligand-receptor interactions and signaling molecules, forming a complex communication network to influence the cellular and molecular basis of cancer. Such intricate intratumoral immune composition and interactions foster the application of immunotherapies, which empower the immune system against cancer to elicit durable long-term responses in cancer patients. Single-cell technologies have allowed for the dissection and characterization of the TME to an unprecedented level, while recent advancements in bioinformatics tools have expanded the horizon and depth of high-dimensional single-cell data analysis. This review will unravel the intertwined networks between malignancy and immunity, explore the utilization of computational tools for a deeper understanding of tumor-immune communications, and discuss the application of these approaches to aid in diagnosis or treatment decision making in the clinical setting, as well as the current challenges faced by the researchers with their potential future improvements.


Subject(s)
Computational Biology , Immunotherapy , Neoplasms , Single-Cell Analysis , Tumor Microenvironment , Humans , Tumor Microenvironment/immunology , Immunotherapy/methods , Neoplasms/therapy , Neoplasms/immunology , Single-Cell Analysis/methods , Computational Biology/methods , Animals
11.
Oncol Res ; 32(4): 643-658, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38560570

ABSTRACT

The platinum-based chemotherapy is one of the most frequently used treatment protocols for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), and chemoresistance, however, usually results in treatment failure and limits its application in the clinic. It has been shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a significant role in tumor chemoresistance. In this study, miR-125b was identified as a specific cisplatin (DDP)-resistant gene in LUAD, as indicated by the bioinformatics analysis and the real-time quantitative PCR assay. The decreased serum level of miR-125b in LUAD patients was correlated with the poor treatment response rate and short survival time. MiR-125b decreased the A549/DDP proliferation, and the multiple drug resistance- and autophagy-related protein expression levels, which were all reversed by the inhibition of miR-125b. In addition, xenografts of human tumors in nude mice were suppressed by miR-125b, demonstrating that through autophagy regulation, miR-125b could reverse the DDP resistance in LUAD cells, both in vitro and in vivo. Further mechanistic studies indicated that miR-125b directly repressed the expression levels of RORA and its downstream BNIP3L, which in turn inhibited autophagy and reversed chemoresistance. Based on these findings, miR-125b in combination with DDP might be an effective treatment option to overcome DDP resistance in LUAD.


Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma of Lung , Lung Neoplasms , MicroRNAs , Tumor Suppressor Proteins , Animals , Mice , Humans , Cisplatin/pharmacology , Cisplatin/therapeutic use , Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy , Lung Neoplasms/genetics , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Mice, Nude , Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics , Cell Line, Tumor , Apoptosis/genetics , Adenocarcinoma of Lung/drug therapy , Adenocarcinoma of Lung/genetics , MicroRNAs/genetics , MicroRNAs/metabolism , Autophagy/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 1/genetics , Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 1/metabolism , Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 1/pharmacology , Membrane Proteins/genetics , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Proto-Oncogene Proteins/genetics
12.
Nat Commun ; 15(1): 3014, 2024 Apr 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38589406

ABSTRACT

The biological underpinnings of therapeutic resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in adolescent and young adult (AYA) melanoma patients are incompletely understood. Here, we characterize the immunogenomic profile and spatial architecture of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in AYA (aged ≤ 30 years) and older adult (aged 31-84 years) patients with melanoma, to determine the AYA-specific features associated with ICI treatment outcomes. We identify two ICI-resistant spatiotypes in AYA patients with melanoma showing stroma-infiltrating lymphocytes (SILs) that are distinct from the adult TME. The SILhigh subtype was enriched in regulatory T cells in the peritumoral space and showed upregulated expression of immune checkpoint molecules, while the SILlow subtype showed a lack of immune activation. We establish a young immunosuppressive melanoma score that can predict ICI responsiveness in AYA patients and propose personalized therapeutic strategies for the ICI-resistant subgroups. These findings highlight the distinct immunogenomic profile of AYA patients, and individualized TME features in ICI-resistant AYA melanoma that require patient-specific treatment strategies.


Subject(s)
Melanoma , Humans , Adolescent , Young Adult , Aged , Melanoma/therapy , Immunotherapy , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/pharmacology , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Immune Checkpoint Proteins , Tumor Microenvironment
13.
Front Plant Sci ; 15: 1347945, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38516667

ABSTRACT

Background: The cochineal cactus (Opuntia cochenillifera), notable for its substantial agricultural and industrial applications, predominantly undergoes clonal reproduction, which presents significant challenges in breeding and germplasm innovation. Recent developments in mitochondrial genome engineering offer promising avenues for introducing heritable mutations, potentially facilitating selective sexual reproduction through the creation of cytoplasmic male sterile genotypes. However, the lack of comprehensive mitochondrial genome information for Opuntia species hinders these efforts. Here, we intended to sequence and characterize its mitochondrial genome to maximize the potential of its genomes for evolutionary studies, molecular breeding, and molecular marker developments. Results: We sequenced the total DNA of the O. cochenillifera using DNBSEQ and Nanopore platforms. The mitochondrial genome was then assembled using a hybrid assembly strategy using Unicycler software. We found that the mitochondrial genome of O. cochenillifera has a length of 1,156,235 bp, a GC content of 43.06%, and contains 54 unique protein-coding genes and 346 simple repeats. Comparative genomic analysis revealed 48 homologous fragments shared between mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes, with a total length of 47,935 bp. Additionally, the comparison of mitochondrial genomes from four Cactaceae species highlighted their dynamic nature and frequent mitogenomic reorganizations. Conclusion: Our study provides a new perspective on the evolution of the organelle genome and its potential application in genetic breeding. These findings offer valuable insights into the mitochondrial genetics of Cactaceae, potentially facilitating future research and breeding programs aimed at enhancing the genetic diversity and adaptability of O. cochenillifera by leveraging its unique mitochondrial genome characteristics.

14.
Heliyon ; 10(2): e24875, 2024 Jan 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38312708

ABSTRACT

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a refractory inflammatory disease with imbalances in intestinal mucosal homeostasis. Cuproptosis serves as newly identified programmed cell death (PCD) form involved in UC. In the study, UC-related datasets were extracted from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. A comparison of UC patients and healthy controls identified 11 differentially expressed cuproptosis-related genes (DE-CRGs), where FDX1, LIAS, and DLAT were differentially expressed in UC groups from the mouse models and clinical samples, with their expression correlating with disease severity. By comprehending weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and differential expression analysis, the key genes common to the module genes relevant to different cuproptosis-related clusters and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) both in different clusters and patients with and without UC were identified using several bioinformatic analysis. Furthermore, the mRNA levels of four characteristic genes with diagnostic potential demonstrated significant decrease in both mouse models and clinical UC samples. Our discoveries offer a theoretical foundation for cuproptosis effect in UC.

15.
Mol Clin Oncol ; 20(3): 25, 2024 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38410186

ABSTRACT

Ailanthone (AIL), a monomer derived from ailanthus in Chinese medicine, has been demonstrated to have antitumor effects, albeit the underlying mechanism is unknown. Autophagy and ferroptosis are two modes of cell death that have been championed as potential mechanisms implicated in the antitumor effects of various drugs. The present study demonstrated that AIL effectively suppresses the Lewis cell proliferation in non-small cell lung cancer using MTT and colony formation assays. Autophagy and ferroptosis were verified using western blotting, immunofluorescence and ferroptosis detection. Additionally, the findings revealed that regulating the AMPK/mTOR/p70S6k signaling pathway may be the underlying mechanism for the antitumor effect of AIL. The present study established a theoretical foundation for further research into the utilization of AIL as a novel antitumor approach.

16.
Biomed Pharmacother ; 172: 116255, 2024 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38325261

ABSTRACT

Inflammation is one of the main pathogenic factors of atherosclerosis (AS), and the phenotypic transformation of macrophages in human vascular smooth muscle cells (HVSMCs) contributes to the inflammatory injury of blood vessels and the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Artesunate reportedly exerts anti-inflammatory activity against AS. Herein, we aimed to explore the artesunate-mediated anti-inflammatory and HVSMC phenotypic switch effects against AS and elucidate potential underlying mechanisms. In vitro, artesunate decreased expression of NLRP3, caspase-1, and interleukin (IL)- 1ß. Artesunate significantly inhibited low-density lipoprotein (LDL) expression in HVSMCs and macrophages. In vivo, artesunate reduced atherosclerotic plaque formation in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed ApoE-/- mice, as well as decreased NLRP3 and CD68 expression in atherosclerotic plaques. Artesunate decreased serum levels of triglycerides and increased high-density lipoprotein levels in HFD-med mice; however, serum levels of total cholesterol and LDL were unaltered. Treatment with artesunate substantially increased α-smooth muscle actin expression in aortic tissues while inhibiting expression levels of NLRP3, IL-1ß, heparinase, matrix metalloproteinase 9, and Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4). Collectively, our findings suggest that artesunate-mediated effects may involve inhibition of the ERK1/2/NF-κB/IL-1ß pathway in HVSMCs via the downregulation of NLRP3 expression. Thus, artesunate could serve as a novel strategy to treat AS by inhibiting AS plaque formation and suppressing macrophage-like phenotype switching of HVSMCs.


Subject(s)
Atherosclerosis , Plaque, Atherosclerotic , Humans , Mice , Animals , Plaque, Atherosclerotic/pathology , Artesunate/pharmacology , Artesunate/therapeutic use , NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism , Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism , Atherosclerosis/pathology , Macrophages/metabolism , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/metabolism , Phenotype
17.
Genes (Basel) ; 15(1)2024 01 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38254977

ABSTRACT

The classification and phylogenetic relationships within the Phaseoleae tribe (Leguminosae) have consistently posed challenges to botanists. This study addresses these taxonomic intricacies, with a specific focus on the Glycininae subtribe, by conducting a comprehensive analysis of the highly conserved plastome in Amphicarpaea edgeworthii Benth., a critical species within this subtribe. Through meticulous genomic sequencing, we identified a plastome size of 148,650 bp, composed of 128 genes, including 84 protein-coding genes, 36 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Comparative genomic analysis across seven Glycininae species illuminated a universally conserved circular and quadripartite structure, with nine genes exhibiting notable nucleotide diversity, signifying a remarkable genomic variability. Phylogenetic reconstruction of 35 Phaseoleae species underscores the affinity of Amphicarpaea with Glycine, placing Apios as a sister lineage to all other Phaseoleae species, excluding Clitorinae and Diocleinae subtribes. Intriguingly, Apios, Butea, Erythrina, and Spatholobus, traditionally clumped together in the Erythrininae subtribe, display paraphyletic divergence, thereby contesting their taxonomic coherence. The pronounced structural differences in the quadripartite boundary genes among taxa with unresolved subtribal affiliations demand a reevaluation of Erythrininae's taxonomic classification, potentially refining the phylogenetic contours of the tribe.


Subject(s)
Fabaceae , Swine , Animals , Fabaceae/genetics , Phylogeny , Arachis , Genomics , China
18.
Psychol Med ; 54(5): 847-873, 2024 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38173096

ABSTRACT

The reading the mind in the eyes test (RMET) - which assesses the theory of mind component of social cognition - is often used to compare social cognition between patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls. There is, however, no systematic review integrating the results of these studies. We identified 198 studies published before July 2020 that administered RMET to patients with schizophrenia or healthy controls from three English-language and two Chinese-language databases. These studies included 41 separate samples of patients with schizophrenia (total n = 1836) and 197 separate samples of healthy controls (total n = 23 675). The pooled RMET score was 19.76 (95% CI 18.91-20.60) in patients and 25.53 (95% CI 25.19-25.87) in controls (z = 12.41, p < 0.001). After excluding small-sample outlier studies, this difference in RMET performance was greater in studies using non-English v. English versions of RMET (Chi [Q] = 8.54, p < 0.001). Meta-regression analyses found a negative association of age with RMET score and a positive association of years of schooling with RMET score in both patients and controls. A secondary meta-analysis using a spline construction of 180 healthy control samples identified a non-monotonic relationship between age and RMET score - RMET scores increased with age before 31 and decreased with age after 31. These results indicate that patients with schizophrenia have substantial deficits in theory of mind compared with healthy controls, supporting the construct validity of RMET as a measure of social cognition. The different results for English versus non-English versions of RMET and the non-monotonic relationship between age and RMET score highlight the importance of the language of administration of RMET and the possibility that the relationship of aging with theory of mind is different from the relationship of aging with other types of cognitive functioning.


Subject(s)
Schizophrenia , Social Cognition , Theory of Mind , Humans , Theory of Mind/physiology , Schizophrenia/physiopathology , Schizophrenic Psychology , Neuropsychological Tests , Adult
19.
PLoS One ; 19(1): e0296183, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38175851

ABSTRACT

This paper mainly studies the dynamical behavior of the infectious disease model affected by white noise and Lévy noise. First, a stochastic model of infectious disease with secondary vaccination affected by noises is established. Besides, the existence and uniqueness of the global positive solution for the stochastic model are proved based on stochastic differential equations and Lyapunov function, then the asymptotic behavior of the disease-free equilibrium point is studied. Moreover, the sufficient conditions for the extinction of the disease are obtained and the analysis showed that different noise intensity could affect the extinction of infectious disease on different degree. Finally, the theoretical results are verified by numerical simulation and some suggestions have been put forward on how to prevent the spread of diseases are presented.


Subject(s)
Communicable Diseases , Humans , Stochastic Processes , Computer Simulation , Immunization, Secondary
20.
Adv Mater ; 36(1): e2307024, 2024 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37739404

ABSTRACT

Solution processing of hybrid perovskite semiconductors is a highly promising approach for the fabrication of cost-effective electronic and optoelectronic devices. However, challenges with this approach lie in overcoming the controllability of the perovskite film morphology and the reproducibility of device efficiencies. Here, a facile and practical aging treatment (AT) strategy is reported to modulate the perovskite crystal growth to produce sufficiently high-quality perovskite thin films with improved homogeneity and full-coverage morphology. The resulting AT-films exhibit fewer defects, faster charge carrier transfer/extraction, and suppressed non-radiative recombination compared with reference. The AT-devices achieve a noticeable improvement in the reproducibility, operational stability, and photovoltaic performance of devices, with the average efficiency increased by 16%. It also demonstrates the feasibility and scalability of AT strategy in optimizing the film morphology and device performance for other perovskite components including MAPbI3 , (MAPbBr3 )15 (FAPbI3 )85 , and Cs0.05 (MAPbBr3 )0.17 (FAPbI3 )0.83 . This method opens an effective avenue to improve the quality of perovskite films and photovoltaic devices in a scalable and reproducible manner.

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