ABSTRACT
Lipid droplets (LDs) are subcellular organelles that are dynamic and play a central role in energy homeostasis and lipid metabolism. They also contribute to the transport and maturation of cellular proteins and are closely associated with several diseases. The important role of the cellular microenvironment in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Changes in cell polarity, particularly in organelles, have been found to be strongly linked to inflammation, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and other illnesses. It is essential to check the polarity of the LDs. A series of arylated naphthalimide derivatives were synthesized using the Suzuki reaction. Modification of synthesized aryl naphthalimides using oligomeric PEG based on intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) mechanism. A series of fluorescent probes were designed to target LDs and detect their polarity. Nap-TPA-PEG3 probe exhibited high sensitivity to polarity. The addition of oligomeric polyethylene glycol (PEG) to the probe not only significantly improved its solubility in water, but also effectively reduced its cytotoxicity. In addition, the probe exhibited excellent aggregation-induced luminescence (AIE) properties and solvent discolouration effects. Nap-TPA-PEG3 probe exhibited high Pearson correlation coefficient (0.957163) in lipid droplet co-localization in cells. Nap-TPA-PEG3 could be used as an effective hand tool to monitor cell polarity.
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the effects of different external circuit loading mode on pollutants removal and power generation in microbial fuel cells (MFC). The results indicated that MFC exhibited distinct characteristics of higher maximum power density (Pmax) (named MFC-HP) and lower Pmax (named MFC-LP). And the capacitive properties of bioanodes may affect anodic electrochemistry. Reducing external load to align with the internal resistance increased Pmax of MFC-LP by 54.47 %, without no obvious effect on MFC-HP. However, intermittent external resistance loading (IER) mitigated the biotoxic effects of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) (a persistent organic pollutant) on chemical oxygen demand (COD) and NH4+-N removal and maintained high Pmax (424.33 mW/m2) in MFC-HP. Meanwhile, IER mode enriched electrochemically active bacteria (EAB) and environmental adaptive bacteria Advenella, which may reduce antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) accumulation. This study suggested that the external circuit control can be effective means to regulate electrochemical characteristics and pollutants removal performance of MFC.
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Single-element polarization in low dimensions is fascinating for constructing next-generation nanoelectronics with multiple functionalities, yet remains difficult to access with satisfactory performance. Here, spectroscopic evidences are presented for the spontaneous electronic polarization in tellurium (Te) films thinned down to bilayer, characterized by low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy. The unique chiral structure and centrosymmetry-breaking character in 2D Te gives rise to sizable in-plane polarization with accumulated charges, which is demonstrated by the reversed band-bending trends at opposite polarization edges in spatially resolved spectra and conductance mappings. The polarity of charges exhibits intriguing influence on imaging the moiré superlattice at the Te-graphene interface. Moreover, the plain spontaneous polarization robustly exists for various film thicknesses, and can universally preserve against different epitaxial substrates. The experimental validations of considerable electronic polarization in Te multilayers thus provide a realistic platform for promisingly facilitating reliable applications in microelectronic devices.
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Manipulating single electrons at the atomic scale is vital for mastering complex surface processes governed by the transfer of individual electrons. Polarons, composed of electrons stabilized by electron-phonon coupling, offer a pivotal medium for such manipulation. Here, using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM/STS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we report the identification and manipulation of a new type of polaron, dubbed van der Waals (vdW) polaron, within mono- to trilayer ultrathin films composed of Sb2O3 molecules that are bonded via vdW attractions. The Sb2O3 films were grown on a graphene-covered SiC(0001) substrate via molecular beam epitaxy. Unlike prior molecular polarons, STM imaging observed polarons at the interstitial sites of the molecular film, presenting unique electronic states and localized band bending. DFT calculations revealed the lowest conduction band as an intermolecular bonding state, capable of ensnaring an extra electron through locally diminished intermolecular distances, thereby forming an intermolecular vdW polaron. We also demonstrated the ability to generate, move, and erase such vdW polarons using an STM tip. Our work uncovers a new type of polaron stabilized by coupling with intermolecular vibrations where vdW interactions dominate, paving the way for designing atomic-scale electron transfer processes and enabling precise tailoring of electron-related properties and functionalities.
ABSTRACT
Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient for all living organisms but is also highly toxic in excess. Cellular homoeostasis of Cu is maintained by various transporters and metallochaperones. Here, we investigated the biological function of OsCOPT7, a member of the copper transporters (COPT) family, in Cu homoeostasis in rice. OsCOPT7 was mainly expressed in the roots and the expression was upregulated by Cu deficiency. OsCOPT7 was localized at the tonoplast and the endoplasmic reticulum. Knockout of OsCOPT7 increased Cu accumulation in the roots but decreased Cu concentrations in the shoots and grain. The knockout mutants contained higher concentrations of Cu in the roots cell sap but markedly lower concentrations of Cu in the xylem sap than wild-type plants. Seed setting and grain yield were reduced significantly in the knockout mutants grown in a low Cu soil. Knockout mutants were more tolerant to Cu toxicity. Yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays showed that OsCOPT7 interacts physically with the rice Cu chaperone antioxidant protein 1 (OsATX1). Taken together, our results indicate that OsCOPT7 is a specific Cu transporter functioning to export Cu from the vacuoles and the ER and plays an important role in controlling the root-to-shoot Cu translocation in rice.
Subject(s)
Copper , Endoplasmic Reticulum , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Oryza , Plant Proteins , Biological Transport , Cation Transport Proteins/metabolism , Cation Transport Proteins/genetics , Copper/metabolism , Edible Grain/metabolism , Edible Grain/genetics , Endoplasmic Reticulum/metabolism , Gene Knockout Techniques , Oryza/metabolism , Oryza/genetics , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Plant Proteins/genetics , Plant Roots/metabolism , Plant Shoots/metabolism , Seeds/metabolism , Seeds/genetics , Vacuoles/metabolismABSTRACT
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a catastrophic accidence with little effective treatment, and inflammation played an important role in that. Previous studies showed photobiomodulation (PBM) could effectively downregulate the process of inflammation with modification of macrophage polarization after SCI; however, the potential mechanism behind that is still unclear. In the presented study, we aimed to investigate the effect of PBM on the expression level of versican, a matrix molecular believed to be associated with inflammation, and tried to find the mechanism on how that could regulate the inflammation process. Using immunofluorescence technique and western blot, we found the expression level of versican is increased after injury and markedly downregulated by irradiation treatment. Using virus intrathecal injection, we found the knock-down of versican could produce the effect similar to that of PBM and might have an effect on inflammation and macrophage polarization after SCI. To further verify the deduction, we peptide the supernatant of astrocytes to induce M0, M1, and M2 macrophages. We found that the versican produced by astrocytes might have a role on the promotion of M2 macrophages to inflammatory polarization. Finally, we investigated the potential pathway in the regulation of M2 polarization with the induction of versican. This study tried to give an interpretation on the mechanism of inflammation inhibition for PBM in the perspective of matrix regulation. Our results might provide light on the inflammation regulation after SCI.
Subject(s)
Cell Polarity , Low-Level Light Therapy , Macrophages , Spinal Cord Injuries , Versicans , Animals , Male , Mice , Astrocytes/metabolism , Astrocytes/radiation effects , Cell Polarity/radiation effects , Inflammation/pathology , Inflammation/metabolism , Low-Level Light Therapy/methods , Macrophages/metabolism , Macrophages/radiation effects , Spinal Cord Injuries/metabolism , Spinal Cord Injuries/pathology , Spinal Cord Injuries/radiotherapy , Versicans/metabolism , Mice, Inbred C57BLABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Renal fibrosis is a common pathway that drives the advancement of numerous kidney maladies towards end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Suppressing renal fibrosis holds paramount clinical importance in forestalling or retarding the transition of chronic kidney diseases (CKD) to renal failure. Schisandrin A (Sch A) possesses renoprotective effect in acute kidney injury (AKI), but its effects on renal fibrosis and underlying mechanism(s) have not been studied. STUDY DESIGN: Serum biochemical analysis, histological staining, and expression levels of related proteins were used to assess the effect of PKCß knockdown on renal fibrosis progression. Untargeted metabolomics was used to assess the effect of PKCß knockdown on serum metabolites. Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction (UUO) model and TGF-ß induced HK-2 cells and NIH-3T3 cells were used to evaluate the effect of Schisandrin A (Sch A) on renal fibrosis. PKCß overexpressed NIH-3T3 cells were used to verify the possible mechanism of Sch A. RESULTS: PKCß was upregulated in the UUO model. Knockdown of PKCß mitigated the progression of renal fibrosis by ameliorating perturbations in serum metabolites and curbing oxidative stress. Sch A alleviated renal fibrosis by downregulating the expression of PKCß in kidney. Treatment with Sch A significantly attenuated the upregulated proteins levels of FN, COL-I, PKCß, Vimentin and α-SMA in UUO mice. Moreover, Sch A exhibited a beneficial impact on markers associated with oxidative stress, including MDA, SOD, and GSH-Px. Overexpression of PKCß was found to counteract the renoprotective efficacy of Sch A in vitro. CONCLUSION: Sch A alleviates renal fibrosis by inhibiting PKCß and attenuating oxidative stress.
Subject(s)
Cyclooctanes , Kidney Diseases , Lignans , Polycyclic Compounds , Ureteral Obstruction , Mice , Animals , Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism , Kidney Diseases/drug therapy , Kidney , Fibrosis , Ureteral Obstruction/pathology , Oxidative StressABSTRACT
The medium-chain fatty acid receptor GPR84, a member of the G protein-coupled receptor family, is mainly expressed in macrophages and microglia, and is involved in the regulation of inflammatory responses and retinal development in mammals and amphibians. However, structure, tissue distribution, and pharmacology of this receptor have rarely been reported in fish. In this study, we cloned the coding sequence (CDS) of common carp GPR84 (ccGPR84), examined its tissue distribution, and explored its cellular signaling function. The results showed that the CDS of ccGPR84 is 1191 bp and encodes a putative protein with 396 amino acids. Phylogenetic and chromosomal synteny analyses revealed that ccGPR84 was evolutionarily conserved with Cyprinids. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) indicated that ccGPR84 was predominantly expressed in the intestine and spleen. Luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that nonanoic acid, capric acid (decanoic acid), undecanoic acid and lauric acid could inhibit cAMP signaling pathway and activate MAPK/ERK signaling pathway, while the potencies of these four fatty acids on the two signaling pathways were different. Lauric acid has the highest inhibitory potency on cAMP signaling pathway, followed by undecanoic acid, nonanoic acid, and capric acid. While for MAPK/ERK signaling pathway, nonanoic acid has the highest activation potency, followed by undecanoic acid, capric acid, and lauric acid. These findings lay the foundation for revealing the roles of different medium-chain fatty acids in the inflammatory response of common carp.
Subject(s)
Carps , Animals , Carps/genetics , Carps/metabolism , Phylogeny , Fatty Acids/metabolism , Decanoic Acids , Lauric Acids , MammalsABSTRACT
Seeking an excellent electrocatalyst is the trickiest issue for the application of urea electro-oxidation and electro-detection. Phosphorus-doped nickel plating on carbon fibers (Ni-P/CF) is synthesized by simple electroless plating. SEM results exhibit that the Ni-P densely and uniformly grows onto the surface of carbon fibers (CF), forming carbon fibers-like nanoarchitectures. Benefiting from the carbon fibers-like nano architectures with abundant exposed active sites on the surface of CF, electron transfer can be synchronously facilitated, and Ni-P/CF displays superior urea electrooxidation (UOR) performance with potentials of 1.40 V to reach 100 mA cm-2. Impressively, it can maintain at 20 mA cm-2 for 48 h without evident activity attenuation, demonstrating robust durability. Cycle stability shows that the voltage has only increased by 10 mV at 300 mA cm-2 from the 10th to 20000th cycles. Most importantly, Ni-P/CF at a length of 100 cm with good reproducibility was successfully synthesized, denoting great potential for large-scale industrial production. Therefore, this work not only affords cost-effective tactics for urea-rich wastewater degradation but also can achieve practical medical applications.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical characteristics, pathology, and prognosis of children with diffuse endocapillary proliferative Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (DEP-HSPN). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical, pathological, and prognosis data of 44 children with DEP-HSPN and 765 children without DEP-HSPN. The children with DEP-HSPN were diagnosed by renal biopsy in Jiangxi Provincial Children's Hospital from January 2006 to December 2021. RESULTS: Among the 809 children with purpura nephritis, 44 (5.4%) had DEP-HSPN, with a mean age of (8±3) years, and there were 29 boys (65.9%) and 15 girls (34.1%). Compared with the non-DEP-HSPN group, the DEP-HSPN group had a significantly shorter time from onset to renal biopsy and a significantly higher proportion of children with respiratory infection or gross hematuria, and most children had nephrotic syndrome. The DEP-HSPN group had significantly higher levels of 24-hour urinary protein, urinary protein grading, microscopic hematuria grading, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen and significantly lower levels of serum albumin and complement C3 (P<0.05). The DEP-HSPN group had a higher pathological grading, with predominant deposition of IgA in the mesangial area and capillary loops, and higher activity scores in the modified semi-quantitative scoring system (P<0.05). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the renal complete remission rate between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Children with DEP-HSPN have a rapid onset, severe clinical manifestations and pathological grading, and high activity scores in the modified semi-quantitative scoring system. However, most of the children with DEP-HSPN have a good prognosis, with a comparable renal complete remission rate to the children without DEP-HSPN.
Subject(s)
IgA Vasculitis , Nephritis , Male , Female , Humans , Child , Child, Preschool , Hematuria , Retrospective Studies , PrognosisABSTRACT
Correlated states have emerged in low-dimensional systems owing to enhanced Coulomb interactions. Elucidating these states requires atomic-scale characterization and delicate control capabilities. Herein, spectroscopic imaging-scanning tunneling microscopy was employed to investigate the correlated states residing in 1D electrons of the monolayer and bilayer MoSe2 mirror twin boundary (MTB). The Coulomb energies, determined by the wire length, drive the MTB into two types of ground states with distinct respective out-of-phase and in-phase charge orders. The two ground states can be reversibly converted through a metastable zero-energy state with in situ voltage pulses, which tune the electron filling of the MTB via a polaronic process, substantiated by first-principles calculations. Our Hubbard model calculation with an exact diagonalization method reveals the ground states as correlated insulators from an on-site U-originated Coulomb interaction, dubbed the Hubbard-type Coulomb blockade effect. Our study lays a foundation for understanding and tailoring correlated physics in complex systems.
ABSTRACT
Increasing evidence indicates that mitochondrial fission imbalance plays an important role in delayed neuronal cell death. Our previous study found that photobiomodulation improved the motor function of rats with spinal cord injury. However, the precise mechanism remains unclear. To investigate the effect of photobiomodulation on mitochondrial fission imbalance after spinal cord injury, in this study, we treated rat models of spinal cord injury with 60-minute photobiomodulation (810 nm, 150 mW) every day for 14 consecutive days. Transmission electron microscopy results confirmed the swollen and fragmented alterations of mitochondrial morphology in neurons in acute (1 day) and subacute (7 and 14 days) phases. Photobiomodulation alleviated mitochondrial fission imbalance in spinal cord tissue in the subacute phase, reduced neuronal cell death, and improved rat posterior limb motor function in a time-dependent manner. These findings suggest that photobiomodulation targets neuronal mitochondria, alleviates mitochondrial fission imbalance-induced neuronal apoptosis, and thereby promotes the motor function recovery of rats with spinal cord injury.
ABSTRACT
As a classic noninvasive physiotherapy, photobiomodulation, also known as low-level laser therapy, is widely used for the treatment of many diseases and has anti-inflammatory and tissue repair effects. Photobiomodulation has been shown to promote spinal cord injury repair. In our previous study, we found that 810 nm low-level laser therapy reduced the M1 polarization of macrophages and promoted motor function recovery. However, the mechanism underlying this inhibitory effect is not clear. In recent years, transcriptome sequencing analysis has played a critical role in elucidating the progression of diseases. Therefore, in this study, we performed M1 polarization on induced mouse bone marrow macrophages and applied low-level laser therapy. Our sequencing results showed the differential gene expression profile of photobiomodulation regulating macrophage polarization. We analyzed these genes using gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses. Networks of protein-protein interactions and competing RNA endogenous networks were constructed. We found that photobiomodulation inhibited STAT3 expression through increasing the expression of miR-330-5p, and that miR-330-5p binding to STAT3 inhibited STAT3 expression. Inducible nitric oxide synthase showed trends in changes similar to the changes in STAT3 expression. Finally, we treated a mouse model of spinal cord injury using photobiomodulation and confirmed that photobiomodulation reduced inducible nitric oxide synthase and STAT3 expression and promoted motor function recovery in spinal cord injury mice. These findings suggest that STAT3 may be a potential target of photobiomodulation, and the miR-330-5p/STAT3 pathway is a possible mechanism by which photobiomodulation has its biological effects.
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Two chromenoquinoline-based fluorescent probes 1a-b have been synthesized and investigated. Photofading behaviors of compounds 1a-b showed that at least 89% absorption remained after 6 h irradiating, meanwhile, many of ions and amino acids had negligible impacts on their fluorescence intensity, which meant they had excellent photostability and selectivity. Probes 1a-b exhibited strong absorption and emission in organic solvents with large fluorescence quantum yields, even in water probe 1a still had a relatively large fluorescence quantum yield (20%). Combined with DFT calculation, the influence of alkylation on optical properties of 1b was elucidated. In addition, the fluorescence intensity of probe 1b with red emission enhanced by 5.4-fold and 5.3-fold after DNA and RNA added, and the fluorescence quantum yield increased from 3% to 17% and 14%, respectively, but the neutral molecule 1a had no response to nucleic acid. Furthermore, confocal microscopy imaging of probes 1a-b showed that 1a targeted lipid droplets while the methylated probe 1b to nucleus in living HeLa cells. The results indicated that the subcellular targeting zone could be changed by alkylation of nitrogen atom on chromenoquinoline-based conveniently, which provided a new idea for designing and synthesizing new subcellular labeled probes.
Subject(s)
Fluorescent Dyes , Nucleic Acids , Humans , HeLa Cells , Fluorescent Dyes/chemistry , Diagnostic Imaging , FluorescenceABSTRACT
Dysregulation in lipid metabolism is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and also the important risk factors for high morbidity and mortality. Although lipid abnormalities were identified in CKD, integral metabolic pathways for specific individual lipid species remain to be clarified. We conducted ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-definition mass spectrometry-based lipidomics and identified plasma lipid species and therapeutic effects of Rheum officinale in CKD rats. Adenine-induced CKD rats were administered Rheum officinale. Urine, blood and kidney tissues were collected for analyses. We showed that exogenous adenine consumption led to declining kidney function in rats. Compared with control rats, a panel of differential plasma lipid species in CKD rats was identified in both positive and negative ion modes. Among the 50 lipid species, phosphatidylcholine (PC), lysophosphatidylcholine (LysoPC) and lysophosphatidic acid (LysoPA) accounted for the largest number of identified metabolites. We revealed that six PCs had integral metabolic pathways, in which PC was hydrolysed into LysoPC, and then converted to LysoPA, which was associated with increased cytosolic phospholipase A2 protein expression in CKD rats. The lower levels of six PCs and their corresponding metabolites could discriminate CKD rats from control rats. Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that each individual lipid species had high values of area under curve, sensitivity and specificity. Administration of Rheum officinale significantly improved impaired kidney function and aberrant PC metabolism in CKD rats. Taken together, this study demonstrates that CKD leads to PC metabolism disorders and that the dysregulation of PC metabolism is involved in CKD pathology.
Subject(s)
Renal Insufficiency, Chronic , Rats , Animals , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/drug therapy , Phosphatidylcholines/adverse effects , Lipid Metabolism , Adenine/therapeutic use , Phospholipases/adverse effects , Phospholipases/metabolismABSTRACT
Renal fibrosis is an inevitable outcome of various manifestations of progressive chronic kidney diseases (CKD). The need for efficacious treatment regimen against renal fibrosis can therefore not be overemphasized. Here we show a novel protective role of Bacteroides fragilis (B. fragilis) in renal fibrosis in mice. We demonstrate decreased abundance of B. fragilis in the feces of CKD patients and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) mice. Oral administration of live B. fragilis attenuates renal fibrosis in UUO and adenine mice models. Increased lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels are decreased after B. fragilis administration. Results of metabolomics and proteomics studies show decreased level of 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG), a substrate of SGLT2, which increases after B. fragilis administration via enhancement of renal SGLT2 expression. 1,5-AG is an agonist of TGR5 that attenuates renal fibrosis by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation. Madecassoside, a natural product found via in vitro screening promotes B. fragilis growth and remarkably ameliorates renal fibrosis. Our findings reveal the ameliorative role of B. fragilis in renal fibrosis via decreasing LPS and increasing 1,5-AG levels.
Subject(s)
Biological Products , Gastrointestinal Microbiome , Kidney Diseases , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic , Ureteral Obstruction , Adenine/metabolism , Animals , Bacteroides fragilis , Biological Products/metabolism , Disease Models, Animal , Fibrosis , Kidney/metabolism , Kidney Diseases/pathology , Lipopolysaccharides/metabolism , Lipopolysaccharides/toxicity , Mice , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/pathology , Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2/metabolism , Ureteral Obstruction/metabolismABSTRACT
The G protein-coupled receptor 84 (GPR84) is a putative medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) receptor involved in immune regulation and other metabolic processes. Most available studies focused on the GPR84 characterization from mammals, neglecting vital information that could be obtained from other levels of life, such as amphibians, necessary for an apt evolutionary understanding of the orphan GPR84. Hence, this study molecularly characterized and functionally explored the GPR84 from the Chinese Giant Salamander (Andrias davidianus). Therefore, we report that the Chinese Giant Salamander (CGS), one of the world's largest amphibians, expresses a GPR84 protein having 376 amino acids, with about 70% homologous to other amphibians and around 50% to human GPR84. Investigating the relative localized expression of gpr84 mRNA in CGS using quantitative PCR revealed the highest expression in the kidney and liver. Furthermore, four medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) at micromolar levels activated CGS-GPR84 transfected and expressed in HEK293 cells. In HEK293 cells, four different concentrations of MCFAs inhibited forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation and resulted in a dose-dependent increase in extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). Interestingly, MCFAs activation of GPR84 concomitantly led to the upregulation of inflammatory mediators such as Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-κB) and IL-6. Conclusively, this study successfully elucidated the intriguing molecular and functional properties of CGS GPR84, particularly as an immune modulator, and has positioned the findings within the existing body of knowledge for a better overall understanding of GPR84, especially in amphibians.
Subject(s)
Interleukin-6 , NF-kappa B , Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled , Amino Acids , Animals , China , Colforsin/metabolism , Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolism , Fatty Acids/metabolism , HEK293 Cells , Humans , Inflammation Mediators/metabolism , Interleukin-6/metabolism , Mammals/genetics , NF-kappa B/metabolism , RNA, Messenger/genetics , Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics , Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism , UrodelaABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) are commonly found in imaging technologies, but are plagued by high false-positive rates. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify metabolic alterations in SPN etiology and diagnosis using less invasive plasma metabolomics and lipidomics. METHODS: In total, 1160 plasma samples were obtained from healthy volunteers (n = 280), benign SPNs (n = 157) and malignant SPNs (stage I, n = 723) patients enrolled from 5 independent centers. Gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GCâMS) and liquid chromatography-Q Exactive Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometry (LCâMS) were used to analyze the samples for untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: GCâMS-based metabolomics revealed 1336 metabolic features, while LCâMS-based lipidomics revealed 6088 and 2542 lipid features in the positive and negative ion modes, respectively. The metabolic and lipidic characteristics of healthy vs. benign or malignant SPNs exhibited substantial pattern differences. Of note, benign and malignant SPNs had no significant variations in circulating metabolic and lipidic markers and were validated in four other centers. This study demonstrates evidence of early metabolic alterations that can possibly distinguish SPNs from healthy controls, but not between benign and malignant SPNs.
Subject(s)
Lung Neoplasms , Solitary Pulmonary Nodule , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Lipidomics , MetabolomicsABSTRACT
In order to treat antibiotic wastewater with high efficiency and low energy consumption, this study proposed the coupling of electrocatalytic degradation and biodegradation, and explored a new modified electrocatalytic material in the coupling system. The stainless-steel mesh based molybdenum carbide (SS-Mo2C) was prepared by a low-cost impregnation method and showed superior electrocatalytic degradation ability for tetracycline (TC) when used as the anode in the electrocatalytic system. The degradation rate of TC with SS-Mo2C anode was 17 times higher than that of stainless-steel (SS) anode, and TC removal efficiency was 77% higher than that of SS anode. The electrocatalytic system prior to the biological reactor was proven to be the optimal coupling method. The external coupling system achieved a significantly higher TC removal (87.0%) than that of the internal coupling system (65.3%) and SS-Mo2C showed an excellent repeatable and stable performance. The fewer and smaller molecular weight intermediates products were observed in bio-electrocatalytic system, especially in the external coupling system. Alpha diversity analysis further confirmed that bio-electrocatalytic system increased the diversity of the microbial community. The stainless-steel mesh based molybdenum carbide (SS-Mo2C), which was prepared by a simple and low-cost impregnation method, significantly improved the electrocatalytic activity of anode, thus contributing to tetracycline removal in the bio-electrocatalytic system, especially in the external coupling system.
Subject(s)
Stainless Steel , Wastewater , Electrodes , Molybdenum , Tetracycline , Anti-Bacterial AgentsABSTRACT
Motion sickness (MS) was frequently introduced for rodents in research work through passive motion that disturbed vestibular signals in the presence of visual and aleatory, proprioceptive inputs. Inducement of MS in this way causes conflicting signals that activate intermixed neural circuits representing multimodal stimulation. From reductionism, a lab setup to elicit rat MS via vestibular stimulation was configured in the present study for MS study in connection with dissection of the central vestibular component causally underlying MS. The individual animal was blinded to light with a custom-made restrainer, and positioned at an inclination of 30° for otolith organs to receive unusual actions by gravitoinertial vector. Following a 2-h double-axis (earth-vertical) rotation involving angular acceleration/deceleration, a suit of behaviors characterizing the MS was observed to be significantly changed including pica (eating non-nutritive substance like kaolin), conditioned taste avoidance and locomotion (p < 0.05). Notably, for the statistical hypothesis testing, the utility of net increased amount of kaolin consumption as independent variables in data processing was expounded. In addition, Fos-immunostained neurons in vestibular nucleus complex were significantly increased in number, suggesting the rotation-induced MS was closely related to the vestibular activation. In conclusion, our work indicated that the present setup could effectively elicit the MS by disturbing vestibular signals in rat in the context of well-controlled proprioceptive inputs and lack of visual afference.