Identification of BANF1 as a novel prognostic biomarker in gastric cancer and validation via in-vitro and in-vivo experiments.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a widespread malignancy characterized by a notably high incidence rate and an unfavorable prognosis. We conducted a meticulous analysis of GC high-throughput sequencing data downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) repository to pinpoint distinctive genes associated with GC. Our investigation successfully identified three signature genes implicated in GC, with a specific focus on the barrier to autointegration factor 1 (BANF1), which exhibits elevated expression across various cancer types, including GC. Bioinformatic analysis has highlighted BANF1 as a prognostic indicator for patients with GC, with direct implications for immune cell infiltration. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the significance of BANF1 in GC, we performed a series of in vitro experiments to confirm its high expression in GC tissues and cellular components. Intriguingly, the induction of BANF1 knockdown resulted in a marked attenuation of proliferation, migratory capacity, and invasive potential in GC cells. Moreover, our in vivo experiments using nude mouse models revealed a notable impediment in tumor growth following BANF1 knockdown. These insights underscore the feasibility of BANF1 as a novel therapeutic target for GC.

MOF@Au NPs/aptamer fluorescent probe for the selective and sensitive detection of thiamethoxam.

The luminescence performance of fluorescent reagents plays a crucial role in fluorescence analysis. Therefore, in this study, a novel bi-ligand Zn-based metal-organic framework, Au nanoparticle (NP) fluorescent material was synthesized using a hydrothermal method with Zn as the metal source. Simultaneously, a DNA aptamer was introduced as a molecular recognition element to develop a Zn-based MOF@Au NPs/DNA aptamer fluorescent probe for the ultra-trace detection of thiamethoxam residues in agricultural products. The probe captured different concentrations of the target molecule, thiamethoxam, through the DNA aptamer, causing a conformational change in the DNA aptamer and bursting the fluorescence of the probe, therefore establishing a fluorometric method for thiamethoxam detection. This method is highly sensitive due to the excellent luminescence properties of the Zn-based MOF@Au NPs, and the DNA aptamer can specifically recognize thiamethoxam, offering high selectivity. The linear range of the method was 2.5-6000 × 10-11  mol L-1 , with a detection limit of 8.33 × 10-12  mol L-1 . This method was applied to the determination of actual samples, such as bananas, and the spiked recovery rate was found to be in the range 84.05-109.07%. Overall, the proposed probe has high sensitivity, high selectivity, and easy operation for the detection of thiamethoxam residues in actual samples.

Investigation on a family cluster of COVID-19 in Ningbo / 预防医学

Objective@#To report an investigation of a family cluster of coronavirus disease 2019 ( COVID-19 ) in Ningbo, so as to provide reference for the prevention and control measures.@*Methods@#According to the COVID-19 Prevention and Control Program ( fourth version ) , an epidemiological investigation was conducted to collect the demographic information, clinical features and exposure history, to find the close contacts, and to figure out the source and route of infection. @*Results@#Twelve confirmed cases and one asymptomatic case were reported. The attack rate was 16.05%. Among them, five were males and eight were females; the age ranged from 11 to 85 years old, with a median of 39 years old; most had mild symptoms. The incubation period was 2-13 days, with a median of 6.5 days. The first case ( Case 1 ) developed the symptoms on January 22, and had close contact with Zhang, an asymptomatic case, on January 20. Zhang was related to a cluster in the Buddhist assembly on January 19. Case 1, who caused the spread of the epidemic among family members, participated in several family visits and dinners from January 22 to 27 with other 24 families, resulting in six secondary cases and six third-generation cases. There were 54 close contacts except the family members, no infection was found. @*Conclusion@#This family cluster may result from the close contact with an asymptomatic case, and then spread within families through having dinners and living together.