Visible light photocatalytic NOx removal with suppressed poisonous NO2 byproduct generation over simply synthesized triangular silver nanoparticles coupled with tin dioxide.

The treatment or conversion of air pollutants with a low generation of secondary toxic substances has become a hot topic in indoor air pollution abatement. Herein, we used triangle-shaped Ag nanoparticles coupled with SnO2 for efficient photocatalytic NO removal. Ag triangular nanoparticles (TNPs) were synthesized by the photoreduction method and SnO2 was coupled by a simple chemical impregnation process. The photocatalytic NO removal activity results show that the modification with Ag TNPs significantly boosted the removal performance up to 3.4 times higher than pristine SnO2. The underlying roles of Ag TNPs in NO removal activity improvement are due to some advantages of Ag TNPs. Moreover, the Ag TNPs contributed photogenerated holes as the main active species toward enhancing the NO oxidation reaction. In particular, the selectivity toward green products significantly improved from 52.78% (SnO2) to 86.99% (Ag TNPs/SnO2). The formation of reactive radicals under light irradiation was also verified by DMPO spin-trapping experiments. This work provides a potential candidate for visible-light photocatalytic NO removal with low toxic byproduct generation.

Downregulation of otulin induces inflammasome activation in neutrophilic asthma.

BACKGROUND: Neutrophilic asthma (NA) is a severe asthma phenotype associated with steroid resistance and IL-1ß overproduction; however, the exact mechanism remains unclear. Moreover, the dysfunction of TNF-α signaling pathway, a regulator of IL-1ß production, was associated with the deficiency of ovarian tumor protease deubiquitinase with linear linkage specificity (otulin) in autoimmune patients. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that otulin downregulation in macrophages (Mφ) could trigger Mφ activation via the nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome signaling pathway. METHODS: We assessed the expressions of otulin in blood monocyte subsets from NA patients and in alveolar Mφ from NA mice. Additionally, we evaluated the functional consequences of otulin deficiency in bone marrow-derived Mφ. The effects of inhibiting receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK)-1 and RIPK-3 on neutrophils and group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) were assessed in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: When comparing nonclassical monocytes, a significant downregulation of otulin in the intracellular components was observed in NA patients compared to healthy controls (P = .005). Moreover, isolated alveolar Mφ from the NA mice exhibited lower otulin expression compared to those from control mice. After otulin knockdown in bone marrow-derived Mφ, we observed spontaneous IL-1ß production depending on NLRP3 inflammasome. Moreover, the infiltrated neutrophils and ILC3s were significantly decreased by combined treatment of RIPK-1 and RIPK-3 inhibitors through blocking IL-1ß release in NA. CONCLUSIONS: IL-1ß overproduction caused by a deficiency of otulin, an upstream triggering factor, could be a promising diagnostic and therapeutic target for NA.

Revisionary notes on the genus Aulacocentrum Brues (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Macrocentrinae) from Vietnam.

This paper contains descriptions and illustrations of five new species of the genus Aulacocentrum Brues, 1922, from Vietnam, viz. Aulacocentrumassitum Long & Pham, sp. nov.; A.glabrum Long, sp. nov.; A.imparum Long & van Achterberg, sp. nov.; A.intermedium Long & van Achterberg, sp. nov.; and A.simulatum Long, sp. nov. Additionally, Aulacocentrumseticella van Achterberg & He is newly recorded for Vietnam's braconid fauna. A checklist and a key to the Oriental and East Palaearctic Aulacocentrum species is provided and the in-country distribution of the Vietnamese species is given.

Staphylococcus aureus Pneumonia in Can Tho, Vietnam: Clinical Characteristics, Antimicrobial Resistance Profile and Risk Factors of Mortality.

INTRODUCTION: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is an important pathogen in both community-acquired and hospital-acquired pneumonia. S. aureus pneumonia has a high mortality rate and serious complications. Resistance to multiple antibiotics is a major challenge in the treatment of S. aureus pneumonia. Understanding the antibiotic resistance profile of S. aureus and the risk factors for mortality can help optimize antibiotic regimens and improve patient outcomes in S. aureus pneumonia. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 118 patients diagnosed with S. aureus pneumonia between May 2021 and June 2023 was conducted, with a 30-day follow-up period. Demographic information, comorbidities, Charlson Comorbidity Index, clinical characteristics, outcomes, and complications were collected for each enrolled case. The data were processed and analyzed using R version 3.6.2. RESULTS: S. aureus pneumonia has a 30-day mortality rate of approximately 50%, with complication rates of 22% for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), 26.3% for septic shock, and 14.4% for acute kidney injury (AKI). Among patients with methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) pneumonia treated with vancomycin (n = 40), those with a vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≤ 1 had significantly higher cumulative survival at day 30 compared to those with MIC ≥ 2 (log-rank test p = 0.04). The prevalence of MRSA among S. aureus isolates was 84.7%. Hemoptysis, methicillin resistance, acidosis (pH < 7.35), and meeting the Infectious Diseases Society of America/American Thoracic Society (IDSA/ATS) criteria for severe pneumonia were significantly associated with mortality in a multivariate Cox regression model based on the adaptive least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO). CONCLUSIONS: S. aureus pneumonia is a severe clinical condition with high mortality and complication rates. MRSA has a high prevalence in Can Tho City, Vietnam. Hemoptysis, methicillin resistance, acidosis (pH < 7.35), and meeting the IDSA/ATS criteria for severe pneumonia are risk factors for mortality in S. aureus pneumonia.

Immune Cell-Mediated Autoimmune Responses in Severe Asthma.

Severe asthma (SA) has heterogeneous inflammatory phenotypes characterized by persistent airway inflammation (eosinophilic and/or neutrophilic inflammation) and remodeling. Various immune cells (eosinophils, neutrophils, and macrophages) become more activated and release inflammatory mediators and extracellular traps, damaging the protective barrier of airway epithelial cells and further activating other immune and structural cells. These cells play a role in autoimmune responses in asthmatic airways, where the adaptive immune system generates autoantibodies, inducing immunoglobulin G-dependent airway inflammation. Recent studies have suggested that adult asthmatics had high titers of autoantibodies associated with asthma severity, although pathogenic factors or diagnostic criteria are not well-defined. This challenge is further compounded by asthmatics with the autoimmune responses showing therapy insensitivity or failure to current pharmacological and biological treatment. This review updates emerging mechanisms of autoimmune responses in asthmatic airways and provides insights into their roles, proposing potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for SA.

Inhibition of Pancreatic Lipase by Flavonoid Derivatives: In Vitro and In Silico Investigations.

Obesity, characterized by excessive adipose tissue accumulation, has emerged as a crucial determinant for a wide range of chronic medical conditions. The identification of effective interventions for obesity is of utmost importance. Widely researched antiobesity agents focus on pancreatic lipase, a significant therapeutic target. This study presented the evaluation of ten flavonoid compounds in terms of their inhibitory activities against pancreatic lipase, utilizing both in vitro and in silico approaches. The results indicated that all tested compounds demonstrated modest and weaker inhibitory activities compared to the reference compound, orlistat. Among the compounds investigated, F01 exhibited the highest potency, with an IC50 value of 17.68 ± 1.43 µM. The enzymatic inhibition kinetic analysis revealed that F01 operated through a competitive inhibition mechanism with a determined Ki of 7.16 µM. This value suggested a moderate binding affinity for the pancreatic lipase enzyme. Furthermore, the associated Vmax value was quantified at 0.03272 ΔA·min-1. In silico studies revealed that F01 displayed a binding mode similar to that of orlistat, despite lacking an active functional group capable of forming a covalent bond with Ser152 of the catalytic triad. However, F01 formed a hydrogen bond with this crucial amino acid. Furthermore, F01 interacted with other significant residues at the enzyme's active site, particularly those within the lid domain. Based on these findings, F01 demonstrates substantial potential as a candidate for further investigations.

ST2-Mediated Neutrophilic Airway Inflammation: A Therapeutic Target for Patients With Uncontrolled Asthma.

PURPOSE: Suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) has been proposed as the receptor contributing to neutrophilic inflammation in patients with type 2-low asthma. However, the exact role of ST2 in neutrophil activation remains poorly understood. METHODS: A total of 105 asthmatic patients (classified into 3 groups according to control status: the controlled asthma [CA], partly-controlled asthma [PA], and uncontrolled asthma [UA] groups), and 104 healthy controls were enrolled to compare serum levels of soluble ST2 (sST2) and interleukin (IL)-33. Moreover, the functions of ST2 in neutrophils and macrophages (Mϕ) were evaluated ex vivo and in vivo. RESULTS: Serum sST2 levels were significantly higher in the UA group than in the CA or PA groups (P < 0.05 for all) with a negative correlation between serum sST2 and forced expiratory volume in 1 second % (r = -0.203, P = 0.038). Significantly higher expression of ST2 receptors on peripheral neutrophils was noted in the UA group than in the PA or CA groups. IL-33 exerted its effects on the production of reactive oxygen species, the formation of extracellular traps from neutrophils, and Mϕ polarization/activation. In neutrophilic asthmatic mice, treatment with anti-ST2 antibody significantly suppressed proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha and IL-17A) as well as the numbers of immune cells (neutrophils, Mϕ, and group 3 innate lymphoid cells) in the lungs. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that IL-33 induces the activation of neutrophils and Mϕ via ST2 receptors, leading to neutrophilic airway inflammation and poor control status of asthma. ST2 could be a therapeutic target for neutrophilic airway inflammation in patients with UA.

Contribution of monocyte and macrophage extracellular traps to neutrophilic airway inflammation in severe asthma.

BACKGROUND: Increased blood/sputum neutrophil counts are related to poor clinical outcomes of severe asthma (SA), where we hypothesized that classical monocytes (CMs)/CM-derived macrophages (Mφ) are involved. We aimed to elucidate the mechanisms of how CMs/Mφ induce the activation of neutrophils/innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) in SA. METHODS: Serum levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) were measured from 39 patients with SA and 98 those with nonsevere asthma (NSA). CMs/Mφ were isolated from patients with SA (n = 19) and those with NSA (n = 18) and treated with LPS/interferon-gamma. Monocyte/M1Mφ extracellular traps (MoETs/M1ETs) were evaluated by western blotting, immunofluorescence, and PicoGreen assay. The effects of MoETs/M1ETs on neutrophils, airway epithelial cells (AECs), ILC1, and ILC3 were assessed in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: The SA group had significantly higher CM counts with increased migration as well as higher levels of serum MCP-1/sST2 than the NSA group. Moreover, the SA group had significantly greater production of MoETs/M1ETs (from CMs/M1Mφ) than the NSA group. The levels of MoETs/M1ETs were positively correlated with blood neutrophils and serum levels of MCP-1/sST2, but negatively correlated with FEV1%. In vitro/in vivo studies demonstrated that MoETs/M1ETs could activate AECs, neutrophils, ILC1, and ILC3 by increased migration as well as proinflammatory cytokine production. CONCLUSIONS: CM/Mφ-derived MoETs/M1ETs could contribute to asthma severity by enhancing neutrophilic airway inflammation in SA, where modulating CMs/Mφ may be a potential therapeutic option.

Intra-Articular Calcaneus Osteoid Osteoma With an Ankle Varus and a Red-Brown Synovial Fluid in the Affected Joint, a Case Report.

Background: Only one article described ankle varus as a typical symptom in the late stage of the intra-articular osteoid osteoma of the calcaneus. And the red-brown color of synovial fluid in the affected joint hasn't been reported. This report shows a patient with intra-articular osteoid osteoma of the calcaneus who had the 2 above symptoms. Case presentation: A 39-year-old man had left ankle pain and the diagnosis was delayed for 20 months. At the late stage, the ankle was gradually varus. In our hospital, the withdrawal of the subtalar joint gave a red-brown synovial fluid. Together with the typical lesion on MRI, the diagnosis of intra-articular osteoid osteoma of the calcaneus was made. An open operation was performed for treatment. In the procedure, the red-brown synovial fluid was exuded. A specimen was harvested for biopsy confirming osteoid osteoma. Conclusions: It is still essential that intra-articular calcaneal osteoid osteoma should be considered in patients with prolonged pain and varus of the ankle. The red-brown synovial may be used as a finding for diagnosis.

Microplastics in sediments from urban and suburban rivers: Influence of sediment properties.

Although sediments are considered to be a major sink for microplastics (MP), there is still a relative lack of knowledge on the factors that influence the occurrence and abundance of MP in riverine sediments. The present study investigated the occurrence and distribution of MP in riverine sediments collected at twelve sites representative of different populated and urbanized rivers (To Lich, Nhue and Day Rivers) located in the Red River Delta (RRD, Vietnam, during dry and rainy seasons. MP concentrations ranged from 1600 items kg-1 dw to 94,300 items kg-1dw. Fiber shape dominated and MP were made of polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) predominantly. An absence of seasonal effect was observed for both fragments and fibers for each rivers. Decreasing MP concentrations trend was evidenced from the To Lich River, to the Nhue River and to the Day River, coupled with a decreasing fiber length and an increasing fragment area in the surface sediment from upstream to downstream. Content of organic matter was correlated to MP concentrations suggesting that, high levels of organic matter could be MP hotspots in urban rivers. Also, high population density as well as in highly residential areas are related to higher MP concentrations in sediments. Finally, a MP high ecological risk (RI: 866 to 4711) was calculated in the RDD.

Controllable structural and optical properties of NaYF4:Tm, Yb microparticles by Yb3+ doping for anti-counterfeiting.

Hexagonal NaYF4:Tm, Yb upconversion (UC) phosphors with excellent UC luminescence quantum efficiency and chemical stability meet demands for applications in bioimaging and anti-counterfeiting printing. In this work, a series of NaYF4:Tm, Yb upconversion microparticles (UCMPs) with different concentrations of Yb were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. Then, the UCMPs become hydrophilic through surface oxidation of the oleic acid (C-18) ligand to azelaic acid (C-9) using the Lemieux-von Rodloff reagent. The structure and morphology of UCMPs were investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The optical properties were studied using diffusion reflectance spectroscopy and photoluminescent spectroscopy under 980 nm laser irradiation. The emission peaks of the Tm3+ ions are 450, 474, 650, 690, and 800 nm, attributed to the transitions from the excited state to ground state 3H6. These emissions are the results of two or three photon absorption through multi-step resonance energy transfer from excited Yb3+, confirmed via a power-dependent luminescence study. The results show that the crystal phases and luminescence properties of the NaYF4:Tm, Yb UCMPs are controlled by changing the Yb doping concentration. The printed patterns are readable under the excitation of a 980 nm LED. Moreover, the zeta potential analysis shows that the UCMPs after surface oxidation are water dispersible. In particular, the naked eye can observe the enormous upconversion emissions in UCMPs. These findings indicated that this fluorescent material is an ideal candidate for anti-counterfeiting and biological applications.

Pectins from the sea grass Enhalus acoroides (L.f.) Royle: Structure, biological activity and ability to form nanoparticles.

Two pectins from the seagrass Enhalus acoroides (L.f.) Royle were isolated for the first time. Their structures and biological activities were investigated. NMR spectroscopy showed one of them to consist exclusively from the repeating →4-α-d-GalpUA→ residue (Ea1), while the other had a much more complex structure that also included 1→3-linked α-d-GalpUA residues, 1→4-linked ß-apiose residues and small amounts of galactose and rhamnose (Ea2). The pectin Ea1 showed noticeable dose-dependent immunostimulatory activity, the Ea2 fraction was less effective. Both pectins were used to create pectin-chitosan nanoparticles for the first time, and the influence of pectin/chitosan mass ratio on their size and zeta potential was investigated. Ea1 particles were slightly smaller than Ea2 particles (77 ± 16 nm vs 101 ± 12 nm) and less negatively charged (-23 mV vs -39 mV). Assessment of their thermodynamic parameters showed that only the second pectin could form nanoparticles at room temperature.

Role of club cell 16-kDa secretory protein in asthmatic airways.

BACKGROUND: Club cell 16-kDa secretory protein (CC16) is a pneumoprotein and functions as an anti-inflammatory or antioxidant protein. However, altered levels of serum CC16 as well as their effect on airways inflammation have not been fully evaluated. METHODS: We recruited 63 adult asthmatics on maintenance medications and 61 healthy controls (HCs). The asthmatic subjects were divided into two groups according to the result of bronchodilator responsiveness (BDR) test: the present BDR (n = 17) and absent BDR (n = 46) groups. Serum CC16 levels were measured by ELISA. As an in vitro study, the effect of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus antigen 1 (Der p1) on the production of CC16 in airways epithelial cells (AECs) according to a time-dependent manner was assessed; the effects of CC16 protein on oxidative stress system, airways inflammation and remodelling were tested. RESULTS: Serum CC16 levels showed significantly higher in the asthmatics than in the HCs (p < .001) with a positive correlation with FEV1 % (r = .352, p = .005). The present BDR group had significantly lower levels of serum CC16, FEV1 % and MMEF%, but showed higher level of FeNO than the absent BDR group. Serum CC16 levels (below 496.0 ng/mL) could discriminate the present BDR group from the absent BDR group (area under the curve = 0.74, p = .004). In vitro testing demonstrated that Der p1 exposure significantly induced CC16 release from AECs for 1 h, which was progressively decreased after 6 h and followed by MMP-9 and TIMP-1 production. These findings were associated with oxidant/antioxidant disequilibrium and restored by CC16 treatment (but not dexamethasone). CONCLUSION: Decreased CC16 production contributes to persistent airways inflammation and lung function decline. CC16 may be a potential biomarker for asthmatics with BDR.

A Multiplex PCR Method for Simultaneous Detection of Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus and Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale.

To date, many fluorescence- and gel-based multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays have been developed for the simultaneous detection of multiple infectious agents of respiratory disease in poultry. However, PCR assays are not available for other important emerging respiratory bacteria, such as Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT). We aimed to fill this gap by establishing a new duplex PCR method for the simultaneous detection of infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) and ORT. Multiplex primer design software was used to select the compatible multiplex primer pairs. It was determined that an annealing temperature of 65 °C and an initial concentration of 2.5 pmol/µL for each primer set were the most suitable conditions for multiplex PCR. The assay was confirmed to be specific, as it only detected the target pathogens, even in the presence of six non-target agents. The limit of detection was up to 103 copies/µL of template DNA for both ILTV and ORT. In the screening of 304 field samples, 23, 88, and 44 were positive for both ILTV and ORT, solely for ILTV, and solely ORT, respectively.

The clinical features and genomic epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections at a tertiary hospital in Vietnam.

OBJECTIVES: To characterise the clinical features of Acinetobacter baumannii infections and investigate the phylogenetic structure and transmission dynamics of A. baumannii in Vietnam. METHODS: Between 2019 and 2020, a surveillance of A. baumannii (AB) infections was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Risk factors for in-hospital mortality were analysed using logistic regressions. Whole-genome sequence data were used to characterise genomic species, sequence types (STs), antimicrobial resistance genes, surface antigens, and phylogenetic relatedness of AB isolates. RESULTS: Eighty-four patients with AB infections were enrolled in the study, 96% of whom were hospital-acquired. Half of the AB isolates were identified from ICU-admitted patients, while the remaining isolates were from non-ICU patients. The overall in-hospital mortality was 56%, with associated risk factors including advanced age, ICU stay, exposure to mechanical ventilation/central venous catheterization, pneumonia as source of AB infection, prior use of linezolid/aminoglycosides, and AB treatment with colistin-based therapy. Nearly 91% of isolates were carbapenem-resistant; 92% were multidrug-resistant; and 6% were colistin-resistant. ST2, ST571, and ST16 were the three dominant carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) genotypes, exhibiting distinct AMR gene profiles. Phylogenetic analysis of CRAB ST2 isolates together with previously published ST2 collection provided evidence of intra- and inter-hospital transmission of this clone. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights a high prevalence of carbapenem resistance and multidrug resistance in A. baumannii and elucidates the spread of CRAB within and between hospitals. Strengthening infection control measures and routine genomic surveillance are crucial to reducing the spread of CRAB and detecting novel pan-drug-resistant variants in a timely fashion.

Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 Enhances Eosinophilic Airway Inflammation in Severe Asthma.

PURPOSE: Severe asthma (SA) is characterized by persistent airway inflammation and remodeling, followed by lung function decline. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in the pathogenesis of SA. METHODS: We enrolled 250 adult asthmatics (54 with SA and 196 with non-SA) and 140 healthy controls (HCs). Serum TIMP-1 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The release of TIMP-1 from airway epithelial cells (AECs) in response to stimuli as well as the effects of TIMP-1 on the activations of eosinophils and macrophages were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: Significantly higher levels of serum TIMP-1 were noted in asthmatics than in HCs, in the SA group than in non-SA group, and in the type 2 SA group than in non-type 2 SA group (P < 0.01 for all). A negative correlation between serum TIMP-1 and FEV1% values (r = -0.400, P = 0.003) was noted in the SA group. In vitro study demonstrated that TIMP-1 was released from AECs in response to poly I:C, IL-13, eosinophil extracellular traps (EETs) and in coculture with eosinophils. TIMP-1-stimulated mice showed eosinophilic airway inflammation, which was not completely suppressed by steroid treatment. In vitro and in vivo functional studies showed that TIMP-1 directly activated eosinophils and macrophages, and induced the release of EETs and macrophages to polarize toward M2 subset, which was suppressed by anti-TIMP-1 antibody. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that TIMP-1 enhances eosinophilic airway inflammation and that serum TIMP-1 may be a potential biomarker and/or therapeutic target for type 2 SA.

Endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure augments neutrophilic inflammation in severe asthma through the autophagy pathway.

Corticosteroid resistance, progressive lung function decline, and frequent asthma exacerbations are the hallmarks of neutrophilic asthma (NA). However, the potential contributors and their mechanisms of NA aggravation have not yet been fully clarified. This study was conducted to assess the precise mechanism and inflammatory effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals using mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) on an NA model. BALB/c mice from normal control and LPS/OVA-induced NA groups were treated with or without MnBP. The effects of MnBP on the airway epithelial cells (AECs), macrophages (Mφ), and neutrophils were investigated in vitro and in vivo. NA mice exposed to MnBP had significantly increased airway hyperresponsiveness, total and neutrophil cell counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and the percentage of M1Mφ in the lung tissues compared to those non-exposed to MnBP. In in vitro study, MnBP induced the human neutrophil activation to release neutrophil DNA extracellular traps, Mφ polarizing toward M1Mφ, and AEC damage. Treatment with hydroxychloroquine (an autophagy inhibitor) reduced the effects of MnBP in vivo and in vitro. The results of our study suggest that MnBP exposure may increase the risk of neutrophilic inflammation in severe asthma and autophagy pathway-targeted therapeutics can help control MnBP-induced harmful effects in asthma.

m6A-driven SF3B1 translation control steers splicing to direct genome integrity and leukemogenesis.

SF3B1 is the most mutated splicing factor (SF) in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs), which are clonal hematopoietic disorders with variable risk of leukemic transformation. Although tumorigenic SF3B1 mutations have been extensively characterized, the role of "non-mutated" wild-type SF3B1 in cancer remains largely unresolved. Here, we identify a conserved epitranscriptomic program that steers SF3B1 levels to counteract leukemogenesis. Our analysis of human and murine pre-leukemic MDS cells reveals dynamic regulation of SF3B1 protein abundance, which affects MDS-to-leukemia progression in vivo. Mechanistically, ALKBH5-driven 5' UTR m6A demethylation fine-tunes SF3B1 translation directing splicing of central DNA repair and epigenetic regulators during transformation. This impacts genome stability and leukemia progression in vivo, supporting an integrative analysis in humans that SF3B1 molecular signatures may predict mutational variability and poor prognosis. These findings highlight a post-transcriptional gene expression nexus that unveils unanticipated SF3B1-dependent cancer vulnerabilities.

Lateral supramalleolar flap for soft-tissue coverage of ankle and foot defects.

The reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the foot and ankle remains a big challenge due to the anatomical characteristics of this area. This study evaluated the long-term effectiveness of covering by lateral supramalleolar flap in patients with soft tissue defects around the ankle and foot. We conducted a retrospective study from January 2017 to December 2020 at the Hospital for Traumatology and Orthopedics, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Data about patients' characteristics, detailed injuries, perioperative information, intraprocedural dossier, and complications of this method were recorded and analyzed. There were 31 male and 17 female patients, with an average age of 39.8 (ranging from 11 to 77) years. The skin defects ranged from 8 cm2 to 120 cm2. The blood supply for the flap included a mixed-flow pattern (n = 30) and retrograde flow (n = 18). The success rate was 94%. Forty-two patients had been successfully covered, five patients had partial flap necrosis (in which two cases needed skin graft afterwards and three cases got spontaneous healing), only one patient had total flap necrosis. In conclusion, the lateral supramalleolar flap can cover the soft tissue of ankle and foot defects in both mixed-blood supply pattern or retrograde pattern with high success rates. However, the risk of venous congestion should be considered, particularly when using the retrograde pattern flap.

Fe2O3/diatomite materials as efficient photo-Fenton catalysts for ciprofloxacin removal.

In this study, we used Fe2O3/diatomite material system toward ciprofloxacin (CIP) photo-Fenton removal in water under visible light (vis) excitation. The characterization of Fe2O3/diatomite catalysts was determined by X-ray diffraction patterns, Fourier-transform infrared analysis, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and scanning electron microscopy. The photo-Fenton catalytic activity of the Fe2O3/diatomite was appraised by the removal efficiency of the CIP throughout the effect of the H2O2 with various parameters such as initial pH, catalyst amount, and H2O2 amount. The results indicate that 0.2 gL-1 Fe2O3/diatomite catalysts achieved the highest performance at approximately 90.03% with a 50 µL H2O2 concentration. Furthermore, the Fe2O3/diatomite catalysts have high stability, with over 80% CIP removed after five cycles. This study is inspired to develop a potential material for photo-Fenton degradation of antibiotics in wastewater.