Single-exposure quantitative differential interference contrast microscopy using bandlimited image and its Fourier transform constraints.

Phase microscopy that records the bandlimited image and its Fourier image simultaneously (BIFT) is a phase retrieval method with unique and rapid convergence. In this paper, we present a single-exposure quantitative differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy based on BIFT method. The contrasts of the recorded DIC image and its Fourier image, analyzed by simulation and experiment, can be largely improved by the initial phase difference between two sheared lights (bias), however their trends with biases are opposite. By adding the optimized bias with the compromise of the contrasts in image and Fourier space, the phase sensitivity can be improved than BIFT method only. We have experimentally demonstrated that a sample of 25 nm height can be successfully recovered from a single exposure. The presented single-exposure quantitative DIC microscopy provides a promising technique for real-time phase imaging.

LINC01002 functions as a ceRNA to regulate FRMD8 by sponging miR-4324 for the development of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has developed various strategies to evade the antiviral impact of type I IFN. Non-structural proteins and auxiliary proteins have been extensively researched on their role in immune escape. Nevertheless, the detailed mechanisms of structural protein-induced immune evasion have not been well elucidated. METHODS: Human alveolar basal epithelial carcinoma cell line (A549) was stimulated with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (PIC) and independently transfected with four structural proteins expression plasmids, including nucleocapsid (N), spike (S), membrane (M) and envelope (E) proteins. By RT-qPCR and ELISA, the structural protein with the most pronounced inhibitory effects on IFN-ß induction was screened. RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) and two differential analysis strategies were used to obtain differentially expressed genes associated with N protein inhibition of IFN-ß induction. Based on DIANA-LncBase and StarBase databases, the interactive competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network for N protein-associated genes was constructed. By combining single-cell sequencing data (GSE158055), lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA axis was further determined. Finally, RT-qPCR was utilized to illustrate the regulatory functions among components of the ceRNA axis. RESULTS: SARS-CoV-2 N protein inhibited IFN-ß induction in human alveolar epithelial cells most significantly compared with other structural proteins. RNA-Seq data analysis revealed genes related to N protein inhibiting IFNs induction. The obtained 858 differentially expressed genes formed the reliable ceRNA network. The function of LINC01002-miR-4324-FRMD8 axis in the IFN-dominated immune evasion was further demonstrated through integrating single-cell sequencing data. Moreover, we validated that N protein could reverse the effect of PIC on LINC01002, FRMD8 and miR-4324 expression, and subsequently on IFN-ß expression level. And LINC01002 could regulate the production of FRMD8 by inhibiting miR-4324. CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 N protein suppressed the induction of IFN-ß by regulating LINC01002 which was as a ceRNA, sponging miR-4324 and participating in the regulation of FRMD8 mRNA. Our discovery provides new insights into early intervention therapy and drug development on SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Advanced multifunctional hydrogels for diabetic foot ulcer healing: Active substances and biological functions.

AIM: Hydrogels with excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability can be used as the desirable dressings for the therapy of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). This review aimed to summarize the biological functions of hydrogels, combining with the pathogenesis of DFU. METHODS: The studies in the last 10 years were searched and summarized from the online database PubMed using a combination of keywords such as hydrogel and diabetes. The biological functions of hydrogels and their healing mechanism on DFU were elaborated. RESULTS: In this review, hydrogels were classified by their active substances such as drugs, cytokines, photosensitizers, and biomimetic peptide. Based on this, the biological functions of hydrogels were summarized by associating the pathogenesis of DFU, including oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, cell phenotype change, vasculopathy, and infection. This review also pointed out some of the shortcomings of hydrogels in present researches. CONCLUSIONS: Hydrogels were classified into carrier hydrogels and self-functioning hydrogels in this review. Besides, the functions and components of existing hydrogels were clarified to provide assistance for future researches and clinical applications.

Whole-transcriptome analysis reveals mechanisms underlying antibacterial activity and biofilm inhibition by a malic acid combination (MAC) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a highly prevalent bacterial species known for its ability to cause various infections and its remarkable adaptability and biofilm-forming capabilities. In earlier work, we conducted research involving the screening of 33 metabolites obtained from a commercial source against two prevalent bacterial strains, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Through screening assays, we discovered a novel malic acid combination (MAC) consisting of malic acid, citric acid, glycine, and hippuric acid, which displayed significant inhibitory effects. However, the precise underlying mechanism and the potential impact of the MAC on bacterial biofilm formation remain unknown and warrant further investigation. Methods: To determine the antibacterial effectiveness of the MAC against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, we conducted minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques were employed to observe bacterial morphology and biofilm formation. We further performed a biofilm inhibition assay to assess the effect of the MAC on biofilm formation. Whole-transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were employed to elucidate the antibacterial mechanism of the MAC. Additionally, the expression levels of differentially expressed genes were validated using the real-time PCR approach. Results: Our findings demonstrated the antibacterial activity of the MAC against P. aeruginosa. SEM analysis revealed that the MAC can induce morphological changes in bacterial cells. The biofilm assay showed that the MAC could reduce biofilm formation. Whole-transcriptome analysis revealed 1093 differentially expressed genes consisting of 659 upregulated genes and 434 downregulated genes, in response to the MAC treatment. Mechanistically, the MAC inhibited P. aeruginosa growth by targeting metabolic processes, secretion system, signal transduction, and cell membrane functions, thereby potentially compromising the survival of this human pathogen. This study provides valuable insights into the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of the MAC, a synergistic and cost-effective malic acid combination, which holds promise as a potential therapeutic drug cocktail for treating human infectious diseases in the future.

Unique phase retrieval with a bandlimited image and its Fourier transformed constraints.

Phase retrieval is a long-standing issue in imaging science; however, it always faces the problems of uniqueness and algorithm stagnation. Current methods to solve such problems rely heavily on support from prior information of the imaged object. In this paper, we propose an imaging method that leverages a bandlimited image and its Fourier transformed constraints for unique phase retrieval. This method can remove both trivial and nontrivial ambiguities by using the inherent constraints of the imaging system itself-without relying on prior information of the object. Furthermore, the proposed method has also been shown to succeed in special cases, including symmetric and pure phase objects. Improvement of convergence achieved by our approach is supported by numerical simulations.

SUV39H1 is a novel biomarker targeting oxidative phosphorylation in hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: As a histone methyltransferase, suppressor of variegation 3-9 homolog 1 (SUV39H1) plays an important role in the occurrence and development of cancer. To explore the mechanism and biological function of SUV39H1 in hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC) can gain an insight into the pathogenesis of HBV-HCC. METHODS: The effect of HBV infection on SUV39H1 in hepatoma cells was detected. CCK-8, colony growth assay and wound healing assay were used to assess the proliferation and migration of HBV-positive hepatoma cells. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was applied to find differential genes and enriched pathways. The serum SUV39H1 level in HBV-HCC patients was detected and its correlation with clinical indicators was analyzed. RESULTS: SUV39H1 was increased by HBV infection and promoted the proliferation and migration of hepatoma cells. SUV39H1 could upregulate the expression of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway-related genes. OXPHOS pathway inhibitors could reduce the capacity of proliferation and migration of hepatoma cells after overexpressing SUV39H1. Serum SUV39H1 levels were higher in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients than in healthy controls and higher in HBV-HCC patients than in CHB patients. In the diagnosis of HCC, the predictive value of SUV39H1 combined with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was better than that of AFP alone. CONCLUSION: SUV39H1 is regulated by HBV infection and promotes the proliferation and migration of hepatoma cells by targeting OXPHOS pathway. It indicates that SUV39H1 may be a new biomarker of the diagnosis of HCC.

Research on the biological mechanism and potential application of CEMIP.

Cell migration-inducing protein (CEMIP), also known as KIAA1199 and hyaluronan-binding protein involved in hyaluronan depolymerization, is a new member of the hyaluronidase family that degrades hyaluronic acid (HA) and remodels the extracellular matrix. In recent years, some studies have reported that CEMIP can promote the proliferation, invasion, and adhesion of various tumor cells and can play an important role in bacterial infection and arthritis. This review focuses on the pathological mechanism of CEMIP in a variety of diseases and expounds the function of CEMIP from the aspects of inhibiting cell apoptosis, promoting HA degradation, inducing inflammatory responses and related phosphorylation, adjusting cellular microenvironment, and regulating tissue fibrosis. The diagnosis and treatment strategies targeting CEMIP are also summarized. The various functions of CEMIP show its great potential application value.

Phase microscopy using band-limited image and its Fourier transform constraints.

In this Letter, we present a new, to the best of our knowledge, form of single-exposure quantitative phase microscopy based on the phase retrieval method by recording the band-limited image and its Fourier image simultaneously. Applying the intrinsic physical constraints of microscopy systems in the phase retrieval algorithm, we remove the inherent ambiguities of the reconstruction and achieve a rapid iterative convergence. In particular, this system does not require tight support of the object and the oversampling needed in coherent diffraction imaging. We have demonstrated that, in both simulations and experiments, the phase can be rapidly retrieved from a single-exposure measurement using our algorithm. The presented phase microscopy provides a promising technique for real-time quantitative biological imaging.

Analysis of the prevalence and influencing factors of anxiety and depression in the Chinese population: A cross-sectional survey.

To explore the prevalence and influencing factors of anxiety and depression symptoms among Chinese people in 2021. Investigation teams were recruited in 120 cities across the country. Based on the data from "the Seventh National Population Census in 2021″, quota sampling was conducted on the residents of these cities to obtain samples that conformed to population characteristics. Next, baseline information on research objects was collected, and the questionnaire survey was conducted through the online questionnaire Wenjuanxing platform. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) rating scale was used to evaluate the mental state of the subjects. The correlation between baseline information and different PHQ-9 risk intervals was analyzed using the Chi-square test and Logit model. The impact of relevant risk factors on PHQ-9 scores was analyzed using the decision tree. The Chi-square test results revealed that place of residence (p = 0.438) and obesity (p = 0.443) was not significantly correlated with PHQ-9 risk intervals. According to Logit model analysis, age (p = 0.001, 95%CI 0.84-0.96), marital status (p < 0.001, 95%CI 0.71-0.89), drinking (p < 0.001, 95%CI 1.07-1.18), diabetes or hypertension (p = 0.001, 95%CI 1.11-1.47), health care (p < 0.001, 95%CI 0.53-0.66), economic welfare (p = 0.022, 95%CI 0.85-0.99), COVID-19 vaccine (p < 0.001, 95%CI 1.28-1.72), and HPV vaccine (p < 0.001, 95%CI 0.46-0.57) were potential influencing factors of PHQ-9 risk intervals. Decision tree analysis results showed that the grouping strategy in the PHQ-9 two-side groups had a better classification effect on the questionnaire population according to the PHQ-9 score characteristics. The prevalence rate of moderate to severe depression among Chinese people was about 8.29%. Age, marital status, drinking, diabetes or hypertension, health care, economic well, COVID-19 vaccine, and HPV vaccine were potential influencing factors of anxiety and depression symptoms in Chinese people.

CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 as biomarkers of liver injury caused by chronic hepatitis B.

Background: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains a significant global health problem, leading to recurrent inflammation and liver-damaging diseases such as fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Currently, although diagnostic markers for CHB are well established, the indicators for predicting liver injury caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection still need to be further explored. Thus, the identification of credible infectious indicators is urgently needed to facilitate timely clinical intervention and avoid the progression of disease malignancy. Methods: The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database GSE83148 data set was used to explore the hub genes for HBV infection. The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to identify the impact of HBV infection on the expression of hub gene at the cell level. At the same time, serum samples and clinical information were collected from healthy, HBV-free and CHB patients. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to verify the results of cell experiments and Pearson correlation analysis was used to clarify hub genes correlation with HBV infection indicators and liver injury-related indicators. Finally, the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) database was used to analyze the differences in the expression of hub gene in liver injury diseases. Results: Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)8, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 were identified as hub genes in HBV infection. After HBV infection, the expression of the four chemokines was significantly increased and the concentrations secreted into serum were also increased. Moreover, the four chemokines were significantly correlated with HBV infection-related indicators and liver injury-related indicators, which were positively correlated with alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), and negatively correlated with AST/ALT ratio and hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb). In addition, the expression of CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 in HCC tissues was significantly higher than in normal tissues. Conclusion: Using a combination of bioinformatics, cell experiments, and clinical correlation analysis, this study showed that CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 can be used as serum biomarkers to forecast liver injury caused by HBV infection.

Graphene/Si Schottky solar cells: a review of recent advances and prospects.

Graphene has attracted tremendous interest due to its unique physical and chemical properties. The atomic thickness, high carrier mobility and transparency make graphene an ideal electrode material which can be applied to various optoelectronic devices such as solar cells, light-emitting diodes and photodetectors. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in developing graphene/silicon Schottky junction solar cells and the power conversion efficiency has reached up to 15.8% with an incredible speed. In this review, we introduce the structure and mechanism of graphene/silicon solar cells briefly, and then summarize several key strategies to improve the performance of the cells. Finally, the challenges and prospects of graphene/silicon solar cells are discussed in the development of the devices in detail.

miR-627/HMGB1/NF-κB regulatory loop modulates TGF-ß1-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a fibroproliferative disease that can eventually lead to fatal lung failure. It is characterized by abnormal proliferation of fibroblasts, dysregulated fibroblast differentiation to myofibroblast, and disorganized collagen and extracellular matrix production, deposition and degradation. There is still a lack of effective treatment strategies for PF. Extracellular high-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) induces PF through NF-κB-mediated TGF-ß1 release. Herein, we first validate the suppressive effect of HMGB1 knockdown on TGF-ß1-induced α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen I protein expression. In PF, miRNAs exert different effects through targeting various downstream target messenger RNAs. We searched an online database for dysregulated miRNAs in PF tissues; among them, miR-627 was predicted by online tools to target HMGB1 to inhibit its expression. miR-627 overexpression could partially reverse TGF-ß1-induced normal human lung fibroblast proliferation, as well as α-SMA and collagen I protein expression. miR-627 inhibition could partially reverse the suppressive effect of HMGB1 knockdown on TGF-ß1-induced α-SMA and collagen I protein expression through direct binding to the 3'-untranslated region of HMGB1. Moreover, miR-627/HMGB1 affected TGF-ß1 release through RAGE/NF-κB signaling; miR-627/HMGB1 and RAGE/NF-κB signaling formed a regulatory loop to modulate TGF-ß1-induced PF in vitro. In conclusion, miR-627 may be a potential agent that targets HMGB1 to inhibit its expression, thereby improving TGF-ß1-induced PF in vitro.

The association of serum neuron-specific enolase with other disease markers in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between serum neuron-specific enolase (sNSE) levels and gender, age, body mass index (BMI) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: This case-control study was carried out among 182 participants in Jiangxi Provincial chest hospital, Nanchang, China, in 2017. One hundred and two patients diagnosed with COPD based on the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) grading classification and 80 Non-COPD participants were recruited. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to examine whether or not sNSE and other indicators were independently associated with COPD. RESULTS: Serum NSE levels were not significantly different between the two groups (P=0.08). Whereas in COPD sub-groups, the levels of sNSE increased parallelly in a GOLD stage-dependent manner. There was a positive correlation between PH, PO2, pack-years, FEV1 and the presence of COPD, but there was no significant correlation between sNSE, PCO2 and the presence of COPD. CONCLUSIONS: Serum NSE gradually increased with the severity of COPD and its change reflected changes in brain cells. PH, PO2, pack-years and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), were independent risk factors for COPD patients.

Geodesic Video Stabilization in Transformation Space.

We present a novel formulation of video stabilization in the space of geometric transformations. With the setting of the Riemannian metric, the optimized smooth path is cast as the geodesics on the Lie group embedded in transformation space. While solving the geodesics has a closed-form expression in a certain space, path smoothing can be easily implemented by using geometric interpolation, rather than optimizing any space-time energy function. Specially, by using the geodesic solution in the space of rigid transformations, our approach even gains speedup 10× faster than state-of-the-art methods for path smoothing and motion compensation, and guarantees no extra distortion drawn into the stabilized frames. The experiments demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of our algorithm on stabilizing a variety of shaky videos.