Impact of Fenton aging on the incipient motion of microplastic particles in open-channel flow.

Upon entering the environment, Microplastics (MPs) experience aging processes that modify their properties and integrity. Previous methods for predicting the incipient motion of MPs have been validated using pristine plastics, which do not account for the effects of aging. This can lead to uncertainties in both quantification and characterization. This study investigates the effect of aging on the incipient motion of MPs with different bed roughness (smooth and rough beds) and MP properties (e.g., grain sizes and densities) in an open-channel flow. Five types of MPs were subjected to four different degrees of aging using the Fenton reagent, and their incipient velocities were tested on beds with two distinct roughness. The results suggest that the incipient velocity of MPs increases linearly with aging. However, this increase is not uniform across different particles and bed roughness. Upon comparing various commonly employed sediment incipient velocity equations, experimental results are in agreement with Ruijin Zhang's equation as the most precise. The parameters in Ruijin Zhang's equation are modified to enhance its applicability for predicting the incipient velocity of aged MPs. This study provides novel insights into the incipient motion of aged MPs in an open-channel flow, highlighting the intricate interaction between aged MP characteristics and bed roughness.

Development and Characterization of a New TILLING Population for Forward and Reverse Genetics in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.).

Mutagenesis is an important tool in crop improvement and free of the regulatory restrictions imposed on genetically modified organisms. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a diploid species with a genome smaller than those of other members of the Triticeae crops, making it an attractive model for genetic studies in Triticeae crops. In this study, we report an ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS)-mutagenized population in the Chinese barley landrace TX9425, which is tolerant to both abiotic and biotic stress. A TILLING (Targeting Induced Locus Lesion in Genomes) population consisting of 2000 M2 lines was also constructed based on the CEL I enzyme with subsequent polyacrylamide electrophoresis, which decreased the cost and labor investment. The mutant phenotypes of the M2 and M3 generations were scored and revealed the presence of a wide spectrum of morphological diversity. The population was evaluated by screening for induced mutations in five genes of interest. A detailed analysis was performed for the HvGLR3.5 gene and three mutations were identified by screening in 2000 M2 lines. Two of three mutations displayed tuft and yellow striped leaves compared to the wild type. Altogether, our study shows the efficiency of screening and the great potential of the new TILLING population for genetic studies in the barley crop model system.

Bimetallic MOFs-Derived Metal Oxides Co3O4/SnO2 Microspheres for Ultrahigh Response n-Butanol Gas Sensors.

The construction of p-n heterojunctions is expected to be one of the effective means to improve gas sensitivity. In this research, p-n heterojunctions are successfully constructed by metal oxides derived from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). MOFs-derived bimetallic Co3O4/SnO2 microspheres are prepared by precipitation. Gas-sensing performance shows that the Co3O4/SnO2 sensor exhibits an extremely high response (Ra/Rg = 641) to 20 ppm of n-butanol at 200 °C, which is 19 times that of pristine SnO2. It can detect n-butanol gas at low concentrations, has good selectivity to alcohol gas, and reduces the interference of benzene gas. The improved gas sensitivity can be attributed to the formation of a stable heterojunction between Co3O4 and SnO2, resulting in a greater resistance change of Co3O4/SnO2. Co3O4/SnO2 inherits the characteristic of high specific surface area of MOFs, which provides abundant sites for the reaction of the target gas and oxygen molecules. Finally, the gas-sensing mechanism of the Co3O4/SnO2-based sensor is discussed in detail.

The biochemistry of melanogenesis: an insight into the function and mechanism of melanogenesis-related proteins.

Melanin is an amino acid derivative produced by melanocyte through a series of enzymatic reactions using tyrosinase as substrate. Human skin and hair color is also closely related to melanin, so understanding the mechanisms and proteins that produce melanin is very important. There are many proteins involved in the process of melanin expression, For example, proteins involved in melanin formation such as p53, HNF-1α (Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α), SOX10 (Sry-related HMg-Box gene 10) and pax3 (paired box gene 3), MC1R(Melanocortin 1 Receptor), MITF (Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor), TYR (tyrosinase), TYRP1 (tyrosinase-related protein-1), TYRP2 (tyrosinase-related protein-2), and can be regulated by changing their content to control the production rate of melanin. Others, such as OA1 (ocular albinism type 1), Par-2 (protease-activated receptor 2) and Mlph (Melanophilin), have been found to control the transfer rate of melanosomes from melanocytes to keratinocytes, and regulate the amount of human epidermal melanin to control the depth of human skin color. In addition to the above proteins, there are other protein families also involved in the process of melanin expression, such as BLOC, Rab and Rho. This article reviews the origin of melanocytes, the related proteins affecting melanin and the basic causes of related gene mutations. In addition, we also summarized the active ingredients of 5 popular whitening cosmetics and their mechanisms of action.

Wastewater treatment plant effluents increase the global warming potential in a subtropical urbanized river.

Rivers play a pivotal role in global carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) biogeochemical cycles. Urbanized rivers are significant hotspots of greenhouse gases (GHGs, N2O, CO2 and CH4) emissions. This study examined the GHGs distributions in the Guanxun River, an effluents-receiving subtropical urbanized river, as well as the key environmental factors and processes affecting the pattern and emission characteristics of GHGs. Dissolved N2O, CO2, and CH4 concentrations reached 228.0 nmol L-1, 0.44 mmol L-1, and 5.2 µmol L-1 during the wet period, and 929.8 nmol L-1, 0.7 mmol L-1, and 4.6 µmol L-1 during the dry period, respectively. Effluents inputs increased C and N loadings, reduced C/N ratios, and promoted further methanogenesis and N2O production dominated by incomplete denitrification after the outfall. Increased urbanization in the far downstream, high hydraulic residence time, low DO and high organic C environment promoted methanogenesis. The strong CH4 oxidation and methanogenic reactions inhibited by the effluents combined to suppress CH4 emissions in downstream near the outfall, and the process also contributed to CO2 production. The carbon fixation downstream from the outfall were inhibited by effluents. Ultimately, it promoted CO2 emissions downstream from the outfall. The continuous C, N, and chlorine inputs maintained the high saturation and production potential of GHGs, and altered microbial community structure and functional genes abundance. Ultimately, the global warming potential downstream increased by 186 % and 84 % during wet and dry periods on the 20-year scale, and increased by 91 % and 49 % during wet and dry periods on the 100-year scale, respectively, compared with upstream from the outfall. In urbanized rivers with sufficient C and N source supply from WWTP effluents, the large effluent equivalently transformed the natural water within the channel into a subsequent "reactor". Furthermore, the IPCC recommended EF5r values appear to underestimate the N2O emission potential of urbanized rivers with high pollution loading that receiving WWTP effluents. The findings of this study might aid the development of effective strategies for mitigating global climate change.

Retigabine increases the conformational stability of the visual photoreceptor rhodopsin.

Rhodopsin is the key photoreceptor protein that mediates vision in low-light conditions. Mutations in rhodopsin are the cause of retinal degenerative diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa. Some of these mutations cause a decreased stability of the receptor. It is, therefore, of interest to find new approaches that can help improving rhodopsin conformational stability. In this study, we have analyzed the effect of retigabine, an anticonvulsant formerly used to treat epilepsy, on rhodopsin thermal stability, regeneration capacity, and signal transduction by means of UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. We find that retigabine enhances the thermal stability of dark-state rhodopsin and improves chromophore regeneration without disrupting the photobleaching process. Furthermore, retigabine does not significantly affect transducin activation. These results provide novel insights into the potential therapeutic applications of retigabine in the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa caused by rhodopsin mutations that cause a decreased stability of the mutated receptors.

A novel measure for long-term sediment reduction inspired by dragonfly wings.

The sediment accumulation in drainage pipes has long been recognized as a significant concern in the environmental field. This study addresses sediment accumulation in drainage pipes by introducing an innovative bioinspired approach using various shapes and angles of plates for long-term sediment reduction. Through experiments and numerical simulations, the velocity field, the turbulent kinetic energy, the head loss, and the dynamic pressure distribution in the pipeline with plates are analyzed. Results demonstrate significant increases in local velocity, dynamic pressure, and turbulence energy due to the presence of plates. The sediment reduction performance shows a positive correlation with the angle for folded plates and a non-linear relation with curvature for curved plates. Notably, the superior performance of folded plates is attributed to their exceptional ability to induce vortex formation. The head loss due to sediment reduction measures increases linearly as the angle and the curvature increase. Furthermore, the intentional induction of strong eddies and high shear flow using the undulating topography created by the locally installed folding plates in the pipeline was the main cause of sediment reduction. This novel approach holds promise for more efficient and sustainable sediment reduction in drainage systems.

Lanthanum-based dendritic mesoporous nanoplatform for tumor microenvironment activating synergistic anti-glioma efficacy.

Lanthanum (La)-based nanotherapeutics are therapeutically advantageous due to cytoplasmic oxygen species (ROS) levels for mediating intrinsic and extrinsic tumor cell apoptosis. While they have not been extensively explored for their potential to suppress malignancies in vivo. Correspondingly, we have formulated a unique lanthanum nanocarrier with high specific surface area, dendritic-divergent mesopores, importantly, exposing more active lanthanum sites. After surface PEGlytion and ICG loading in mesoporous channels, this fantastic nanoplatform can efficaciously enrich in malignant glioblastoma regions. Meaningfully, it can be sensitively dissociated for La ions release under weak acid (pH = 6.5) tumor microenvironment. Upon 808 nm light irradiation, high light-heat conversion efficiency is further proved, then this satisfied thermal in the tumor site progressively enhances ROS production by La ions. Owing to the synergistic oxidative therapy and photothermal therapy of our dendritic La nanoplatform, glioblastoma is efficaciously and synergistically prevented both in vitro and in vivo. All outcomes highlight the therapeutic potency of La based nanoplatform with radial mesopores to treat malignant cancer in vivo and encourage future translational exploration.

Local TSH/TSHR signaling promotes CD8+ T cell exhaustion and immune evasion in colorectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Dysfunction of CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) contributes to tumor immune escape and immunotherapy tolerance. The effects of hormones such as leptin, steroid hormones, and glucocorticoids on T cell function have been reported previously. However, the mechanism underlying thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)/thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) signaling in CD8+ T cell exhaustion and tumor immune evasion remain poorly understood. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of TSH/TSHR signaling on the function of CD8+ T cells and immune evasion in colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: TSHR expression levels in CD8+ T cells were assessed with immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Functional investigations involved manipulation of TSHR expression in cellular and mouse models to study its role in CD8+ T cells. Mechanistic insights were mainly gained through RNA-sequencing, Western blotting, chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase activity assay. Immunofluorescence, flow cytometry and Western blotting were used to investigate the source of TSH and TSHR in CRC tissues. RESULTS: TSHR was highly expressed in cancer cells and CD8+ T cells in CRC tissues. TSH/TSHR signaling was identified as the intrinsic pathway promoting CD8+ T cell exhaustion. Conditional deletion of TSHR in CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) improved effector differentiation and suppressed the expression of immune checkpoint receptors such as programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 2 (HAVCR2 or TIM3) through the protein kinase A (PKA)/cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway. CRC cells secreted TSHR via exosomes to increase the TSHR level in CD8+ T cells, resulting in immunosuppression in the TME. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) was the main source of TSH within the TME. Low expression of TSHR in CRC was a predictor of immunotherapy response. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings highlighted the role of endogenous TSH/TSHR signaling in CD8+ T cell exhaustion and immune evasion in CRC. TSHR may be suitable as a predictive and therapeutic biomarker in CRC immunotherapy.

Enhancing Gene Transfection Efficiency of Star-Shaped Poly(ß-amino ester)s via "Top-down" Hydrolysis.

Gene therapy has emerged as a potent tool for treating a wide range of hereditary and acquired disorders. However, the development of high-performance nonviral gene delivery vectors remains a significant challenge. Here we report the development of a new type of star-shaped poly(ß-amino ester) (SPAE) through a "top-down" hydrolysis approach and demonstrate its exceptional DNA transfection efficiency and safety profiles. Two SPAEs with different monomer combinations are first synthesized using an "arm first" strategy and then hydrolyzed sequentially to produce h-SPAEs with varied chemical compositions and molecular weights. Results demonstrate that hydrolysis significantly influences the physiological characteristics of the resulting h-SPAEs and h-SPAE/DNA polyplexes. Dependent on the chemical composition, h-SPAEs with low to moderate hydrolysis degrees exhibit superior gene transfection efficiency and cell viability across various cell types. Notably, the leading candidate, h-SPAE-1-5h, achieves up to 88.8% gene transfection efficiency, which was 154-257% higher compared to SPAE-1. This study not only establishes an easy-to-operate "top-down" approach for reshaping the topological structure and chemical composition of SPAEs, but also identifies promising candidates for effective gene transfection. This strategy can be applied to other cationic polymers to enhance their gene transfection performance.

Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 activation in periodontal ligament cells mediates orthodontic tooth movement via the MAPK signaling pathway.

PURPOSE: Periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) play a significant role in orthodontic force induced bone remodeling. However, the molecular mechanisms by which PDLCs respond to mechanical stimuli and influence osteoclastic activities remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the role of UCHL1, a key deubiquitinating enzyme involved in protein degradation and cellular responses, in force-treated PDLCs during orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we conducted in vivo and in vitro experiments using human PDLCs and a rat model of OTM. Mechanical stress was applied to PDLCs, and UCHL1 expression was analyzed through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), Western blot, and immunofluorescence staining. UCHL1 knockdown was achieved using siRNA, and its effects on osteoclast differentiation were assessed. The role of the MAPK/ERK pathway was investigated using the MEK-specific inhibitor U0126. An animal model of OTM was established, and the impact of UCHL1 inhibitor-LDN57444 on OTM and osteoclastic activity was evaluated through micro-CT analysis, histological staining, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Mechanical force induced UCHL1 expression in PDLCs during OTM. UCHL1 knockdown downregulated the RANKL/OPG ratio in PDLCs, affecting osteoclast differentiation. LDN57444 inhibited OTM and osteoclastic activity. UCHL1 activation correlated with ERK1/2 phosphorylation in force-treated PDLCs. CONCLUSIONS: Mechanical force mediated UCHL1 activation in PDLCs promotes osteoclast differentiation via the ERK1/2 signaling pathway during OTM.

Polyketide Derivatives from the Mangrove-Derived Fungus Penicillium sp. HDN15-312.

Four new polyketides, namely furantides A-B (1-2), talamin E (3) and arugosinacid A (4), and two known polyketides were obtained from the mangrove-derived fungus Penicillium sp. HDN15-312 using the One Strain Many Compounds (OSMAC) strategy. Their chemical structures, including configurations, were elucidated by detailed analysis of extensive NMR spectra, HRESIMS and ECD. The DPPH radicals scavenging activity of 3, with an IC50 value of 6.79 µM, was better than vitamin C.

Effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on the mineralization of force-treated cementoblasts and orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption via the Lamin A/C-Yes associated protein axis.

AIMS: Orthodontic treatment commonly results in orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption (OIIRR). This condition arises from excessive orthodontic force, which triggerslocal inflammatory responses and impedes cementoblasts' mineralization capacity. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) shows potential in reducing OIIRR. However, the precise mechanisms through which LIPUS reduces OIIRR remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the effects and mechanisms of LIPUS on the mineralization of force-treated cementoblasts and its impact on OIIRR. METHODS: We established a rat OIIRR model and locally administered LIPUS stimulation for 7 and 14 days. We analyzed root resorption volume, osteoclast differentiation, and the expression of osteocalcin and yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), hematoxylin and eosin, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry staining. In vitro, we applied compressive force and LIPUS to the immortalized mouse cementoblasts (OCCM30). We assessed mineralization using alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, alizarin red staining, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: In rats, LIPUS reduced OIIRR, as evidenced by micro-CT analysis and histological staining. In vitro, LIPUS enhanced mineralization of force-treated OCCM30 cells, as indicated by ALP and alizarin red staining, upregulated mRNA expression of mineralization-related genes, and increased protein expression of mineralization markers. Mechanistically, LIPUS activated YAP1 signaling via the cytoskeleton-Lamin A/C pathway, supported by immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that LIPUS promotes mineralization in force-treated cementoblasts and reduces OIIRR by activating YAP1 through the cytoskeletal-Lamin A/C signaling pathway. These findings provide fresh insights into how LIPUS benefits orthodontic treatment and suggest potential strategies for preventing and treating OIIRR.

High Frequency Ultrasound Transducer Based on Sm-Doped Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.28PbTiO3 Ceramic for Intravascular Ultrasound Imaging.

Sm-doped Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.28PbTiO3 (PMN-0.28PT) ceramic has been reported to exhibit very large piezoelectric response (d33~1300 pC/N) that can be comparable with PMN-0.30PT single crystal. Based on the Sm-doped PMN-0.28PT ceramics, a high frequency ultrasound transducer with the center frequency above 30 MHz has been designed and fabricated for intravascular ultrasound imaging, and the performance of the transducer was investigated via ultrasound pulse-echo tests. Further, for a porcine vessel wall, the 2D and 3D ultrasound images were constructed using signal acquisition and processing from the fabricated high-frequency transducer. The obtained details of the vessel wall by the IVUS transducer indicate that Sm-doped PMN-0.28PT ceramic is a promising candidate for high frequency transducers.

Stability of oil-in-water emulsion and immunomodulating activity in S180 tumor-bearing mice.

The stability and nutritional integrity of emulsions are susceptible to various factors including thermal treatment, solid-liquid ratio, and sterilization. In this study, the physicochemical stability and immunomodulatory activities of an oil-in-water emulsion containing immune peptides (TUFSE) were assessed through particle size, zeta potential, related cytokines, and so on. When the temperature was 70°C and a solid-liquid ratio of 1:4, the emulsion revealed stability at high-pressure homogenization, with the small particle size. The loss rates of vitamins were 8.57%-62.26% in 6 months at 25°C. After treatment with cyclophosphamide (CTX), lymphocyte proliferation activity in TUFSE-H group increased (p < 0.05), and immune globulin levels were notably elevated (p < 0.05) in TUFSE groups compared to model group. It confirms the parameters of the emulsion, suggesting its ability to be prepared with minimal vitamin loss while simultaneously improving the disease status in CTX-treated tumor-bearing mice. It shows potential as an immune-enhancing supplement with significant potential value. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study validated the parameters of the oil-in-water emulsion and showed that it can be stably prepared with minor vitamin loss while simultaneously improving the disease status in CTX-treated tumor-bearing mice. TUFSE-H group exhibited a notable increase in lymphocytes proliferation activity, whereas serum cytokines and immune globulin levels were elevated compared to MC group, indicating its potential as an immune-enhancing supplement with substantial value.

CALCOCO2 prevents AngII-induced atrial remodeling by regulating the interaction between mitophagy and mitochondrial stress.

BACKGROUND: The biological functions of mitochondrial complexes are closely related to the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). Calcium binding and coiled-coil domain 2 (CALCOCO2) is a novel and specific receptor for mitophagy; however, its function in AF remains unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role and molecular mechanisms of CALCOCO2 in AF, especially its regulatory mechanism in mitophagy and mitochondrial stress. METHODS: Mice and HL-1 cells were treated with AngII to establish in vitro and in vivo AF models. Additionally, we examined the effect of CALCOCO2 or DAP3 Binding Cell Death Enhancer 1 (DELE1) overexpression on mitophagy and mitochondrial stress in AF models. To investigate the role of mitophagy in the regulatory effects of CALCOCO2 in AF, HL-1 cells were treated with chloroquine, a mitophagy inhibitor. Moreover, mitochondrial parameters were examined using specific fluorescent probes, transmission electron microscopy, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and confocal microscopy. RESULTS: AngII severely impaired the normal morphology and function of mitochondria; inhibited mitophagy; promoted atrial mitochondrial stress, fibrosis, and oxidative stress; and accelerated the progression of atrial remodeling in atrial myocytes. However, CALCOCO2 overexpression reversed/ameliorated these AF-induced changes. Additionally, CALCOCO2 overexpression restored mitochondrial homeostasis in atrial muscle by activating mitophagy and ameliorating mitochondrial stress. Mechanistically, DELE1 overexpression increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species level and the expression of mitochondrial stress proteins (HRI, eIF2α, and ATF4) even in CALCOCO2-expressing in vitro AF models.. CONCLUSIONS: CALCOCO2 may serve as a potential target for AF therapy to prevent or reverse the progression of atrial remodeling by regulating mitophagy and DELE1-mediated mitochondrial stress.

Efficient degradation of haloacetic acids by vacuum ultraviolet-activated peroxymonosulfate: Kinetics, mechanisms and theoretical calculations.

Efficient degradation of haloacetic acids (HAAs) is crucial due to their potential risks. This study firstly proposed vacuum ultraviolet - activated peroxymonosulfate (VUV/PMS) to remove HAAs (i.e., monochloroacetic acid (MCAA), monobromoacetic acid (MBAA), dichloroacetic acid (DCAA), etc). VUV/PMS achieved 99.51 % MCAA and 63.29 % TOC removal within 10 min. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), quenching and probe experiments demonstrated that •OH was responsible for MCAA degradation. MCAA degradation followed pathways of dehalogenation (major) and decarboxylation (minor). VUV/PMS showed application potential under various reaction parameters. Broad spectrum of VUV/PMS on various HAAs was further explored. Chlorinated HAAs (Cl-HAAs) were primarily degraded by oxidation reactions, while brominated HAAs (Br-HAAs) by direct VUV photolysis. The density functional theory-based calculations (DFT) revealed that reaction rates of HAAs correlated with the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and energy gap (ΔE), indicating that HAAs degradation depends on their chemical structures. The Fukui function (f0 values) and bond length showed vulnerability of the halogen atom in Cl-HAAs and C-Br bond in Br-HAAs. Overall, this study provides an in-depth perspective on the oxidation performance and mechanism of HAAs using VUV/PMS. It not only demonstrates a green and efficient method but also inspires new strategies for HAAs remediation.

Functional analysis on the role of HvHKT1.4 in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) salinity tolerance.

High-affinity potassium transporters (HKTs) are well known proteins that govern the partitioning of Na+ between roots and shoots. Six HvHKTs were identified in barley and designated as HvHKT1.1, HvHKT1.3, HvHKT1.4, HvHKT1.5, HvHKT2.1 and HvHKT2.2 according to their similarity to previously reported OsHKTs. Among these HvHKTs, HvHKT1.4 was highly up-regulated under salinity stress in both leaves and roots of Golden Promise. Subcellular localization analysis showed that HvHKT1.4 is a plasma-membrane-localized protein. The knockout mutants of HvHKT1.4 showed greater salinity sensitivity and higher Na+ concentration in leaves than wild-type plants. Haplotype analysis of HvHKT1.4 in 344 barley accessions showed 15 single nucleotide substitutions in the CDS region, belonging to five haplotypes. Significant differences in mean salinity damage scores, leaf Na+ contents and Na+/K+ were found between Hap5 and other haplotypes with Hap5 showing better salinity tolerance. The results indicated that HvHKT1.4 can be an effective target in improving salinity tolerance through ion homeostasis.

Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver in children: our experience in four difficult cases and three-dimensional practical exploration.

AIMS: To explore rare and difficult cases of undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver (UESL) in children in a single centre, summarize the diagnosis and treatment experience and analyse the role of a computer-assisted surgery system (Hisense CAS), thus providing a new global vision and three-dimensional perspective. METHODS: We retrospectively collected the clinical data including the diagnoses and treatment processes, of children with UESL confirmed by histopathological examination in our hospital from January 2009 to December 2020. The relationship between the tumour volume and important blood vessels and between the liver volume and tumour volume, as well as other three-dimensional characteristics in the reconstructed three-dimensional model were analysed using Hisense CAS. The findings from this analysis can be used to aid in surgical decision-making and preoperative planning. RESULTS: Four children-3 girls and 1 boy-with UESL were included in the study. The age at onset ranged from 6 to 8 years. All four children presented with symptoms of abdominal discomfort, and abdominal masses were detected during physical examination. Owing to the wishes of their parents and the possibility that the disease was benign, all four children underwent one-stage radical surgery. For patient 1, a three-dimensional reconstruction was created during the initial diagnosis, which made accurate evaluation and planning of the preoperative procedure challenging. In patient 2, the tumour was located in the middle lobe of the liver and involved the first and second hepatic hilum. For patient 3, the pathological diagnosis of the tumour after surgery was challenging, but eventually, the diagnosis was confirmed through histochemistry and consultation with higher-level hospitals. Patient 4 had a giant tumour, which had a preoperative simulated future liver remnant volume (FLV) that was 21.0% of the total volume of the liver and tumour (TLTV). According to the standard liver volume (SLV) for children, the FLV was 77.0% of the SLV, making surgery feasible. All four children underwent complete resection, and only patient 4 experienced recurrence below the diaphragm 19 months after surgery. Currently, the 3-year overall survival rate is 100%, and the 3-year event-free survival rate is 75%. CONCLUSION: UESL in children is rare, and the key to diagnosis and treatment is complete surgical resection. Through individualized three-dimensional surgical planning, accurate and complete resection of difficult and complex UESL in children can be achieved, leading to a favourable prognosis.

Human placental mesenchymal stromal cells alleviate intestinal oxidative damage in mice with graft-versus-host disease via CD73/adenosine/PI3K/Akt/GSK-3ß axis.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal damage is a common and serious complication in patients with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Human placental mesenchymal stromal cells (hPMSCs) ameliorate GVHD tissue damage by exerting anti-oxidative effects; however, the underlying mechanisms remain not fully clear. METHODS: A GVHD mouse model and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-stimulated human colon epithelial cell lines NCM460 and HT-29 cells were used to investigate the mechanisms of hPMSCs alleviating GVHD-induced intestinal oxidative damage. RESULTS: hPMSCs reduced TNF-α concentrations and the number of CD3+TNF-α+ T-cells, which were negatively correlated with the expression of claudin-1, occludin, and ZO-1, through CD73 in the colon tissue of GVHD mice. Meanwhile, hPMSCs reduced the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), promoted superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) activities, as well as claudin-1, occludin, and ZO-1 expression, in colonic epithelial cells of GVHD mice and TNF-α-stimulated cells via CD73. Moreover, hPMSCs upregulated adenosine (ADO) concentrations in GVHD mice and TNF-α-stimulated cells and mitigated the loss of tight junction proteins via the CD73/ADO/ADO receptors. Further analysis showed that hPMSCs diminished Fyn expression and enhanced Nrf2, GCLC, and HO-1 expression in both TNF-α-stimulated cells and colonic epithelial cells of GVHD mice by activating PI3K/Akt/GSK-3ß pathway. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that hPMSC-mediated redox metabolism balance and promoted tight junction protein expression were achieved via CD73/ADO/PI3K/Akt/GSK-3ß/Fyn/Nrf2 axis, by which alleviating intestinal oxidative injury in GVHD mice.