MCM8 promotes lung cancer progression through upregulating DNAJC10.

MCM8 is a helicase, which participates in DNA replication and tumorigenesis and is upregulated in many human cancers, including lung cancer (LC); however, the function of MCM8 in LC tumour progression is unclear. In this study, we found that MCM8 was expressed at high levels in LC cells and tissues. Further, MCM8 upregulation was associated with advanced tumour grade and lymph node metastasis, and indicated poor prognosis. Silencing of MCM8 suppressed cell growth and migration in vitro and in vivo, while ectopic MCM8 expression promoted cell cycle progression, as well as cell migration, proliferation, and apoptosis. Mechanistically, DNAJC10 was identified as a downstream target of MCM8, using gene array and CO-IP assays. DNAJC10 overexpression combatted the inhibitory activity of MCM8 knockdown on LC progression, while silencing DNAJC10 alleviated the oncogenic function of MCM8 overexpression. MCM8 expression was positively correlated with that of DNAJC10 in LC samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, and DNAJC10 upregulation was also associated with poor overall survival of patients with LC. This study indicated that MCM8/DNAJC10 axis plays an important role in in LC development, and maybe as a new potential therapeutic target or a diagnostic biomarker for treating patients with LC.

Simultaneous bilateral video-assisted thoracic surgery is safe and feasible for multiple primary lung cancers.

BACKGROUND: The treatment for bilateral synchronous multiple primary lung cancers (MPLC) remains challenging. Simultaneous bilateral video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) may be an optimal treatment with curative intent, but its safety and feasibility are controversial. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-eight patients who underwent simultaneous bilateral VATS (simultaneous group) and 79 who underwent two-staged bilateral VATS (two-staged group) were included in this study. Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: The majority of patients were female and non-smokers. The most common surgical plan was lobectomy and contralateral wedge resection in both groups. There was no significant difference in the postoperative complication rate between the simultaneous groups and two-staged group (13.3% vs. 11.4%, p = 0.73). Patients who underwent simultaneous bilateral resection had shorter hospital stays, shorter anesthesia time and less chest drainage compared with those who underwent two-staged resection. Advanced TNM stage, complicated surgical plan and aggressive lymph node resection were risk factors for postoperative complications in simultaneous bilateral VATS. Patients in two groups had similar overall survival and disease free survival (p = 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous bilateral VATS for bilateral lung nodule resection is as safe and feasible as two-staged bilateral VATS. Patients who underwent simultaneous bilateral resection had similar or even better outcomes compared to that of the two-staged group. Simultaneous bilateral VATS is potentially an optimal treatment option for patients with erarly cTNM stage and good physical condition.

Lentivirus-modified hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy for advanced symptomatic juvenile metachromatic leukodystrophy: A long-term follow-up pilot study.

Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is an inherited disease caused by a deficiency of the enzyme arylsulfatase A (ARSA). Lentivirus-modified autologous hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy (HSCGT) has recently been approved for clinical use in pre- and early-symptomatic children with MLD to increase ARSA activity. Unfortunately, this advanced therapy is not available for most patients with MLD who have progressed to more advanced symptomatic stages at diagnosis. Patients with late-onset juvenile MLD typically present with a slower neurological progression of symptoms and represent a significant burden to the economy and healthcare system, whereas those with early-onset infantile MLD die within a few years of symptom onset. We conducted a pilot study to determine the safety and benefit of HSCGT in patients with post-symptomatic juvenile MLD and report preliminary results. The safety profile of HSCGT was favorable in this long-term follow-up over nine years. The most common adverse events (AEs) within two months of HSCGT were related to busulfan conditioning, and all AEs resolved. No HSCGT-related AEs and no evidence of distorted hematopoietic differentiation during long-term follow-up for up to 9.6 years. Importantly, to date, patients have maintained remarkably improved ARSA activity with a stable disease state, including increased Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score and decreased magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesion score. This long-term follow-up pilot study suggests that HSCGT is safe and provides clinical benefit to patients with post-symptomatic juvenile MLD.

Enhancing mechanical and water barrier properties of starch film using chia mucilage.

Biodegradable packaging materials are increasingly being investigated due to rising concerns about food safety and environmental conservation. This study examines the incorporation of chia mucilage (CM) into starch-based films using the casting method, aiming to understand its effects on the structure and functionality of the films. CM, an anionic heteropolysaccharide, is hypothesized to enhance the mechanical and barrier properties of the films through polymer interactions and hydrogen bonding. Our findings confirm that CM incorporation results in films with uniformly smooth surfaces, indicating high compatibility and homogeneity within the starch matrix. Notably, CM improves film transparency and crystallinity. Mechanical assessments show a remarkable elevation in tensile strength, soaring from 5.21 MPa to 12.38 MPa, while elongation at break decreases from 61.73 % to 31.42 %, indicating a trade-off between strength and flexibility. Additionally, water solubility decreases from 57.97 % to 41.40 %, and water vapor permeability is reduced by 30 % with CM loading. These results highlight the role of CM in facilitating the formation of a dense, interconnected polymeric network within the starch matrix. Given the soluble dietary fiber nature of CM, the CS/CM (corn starch/chia mucilage) blended films are expected to be safe for food packaging and applicable as edible films with health benefits.

A Zn2+ cross-linked sodium alginate/epigallocatechin gallate hydrogel scaffold for promoting skull repair.

The optimal material for repairing skull defects should exhibit outstanding biocompatibility and mechanical properties. Specifically, hydrogel scaffolds that emulate the microenvironment of the native bone extracellular matrix play a vital role in promoting osteoblast adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, thereby yielding superior outcomes in skull reconstruction. In this study, a composite network hydrogel comprising sodium alginate (SA), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and zinc ions (Zn2+) was developed to establish an ideal osteogenic microenvironment for bone regeneration. Initially, physical entanglement and hydrogen bonding between SA and EGCG resulted in the formation of a primary network hydrogel known as SA-EGCG. Subsequently, the inclusion of Zn2+ facilitated the creation of a composite network hydrogels named SA-EGCG-Zn2+ via dynamic coordination bonds with SA and EGCG. The engineered SA-EGCG2 %-Zn2+ hydrogels offered an environment mimicking the native extracellular matrix (ECM). Moreover, the sustained release of Zn2+ from the hydrogel effectively enhanced cell adhesion, promoted proliferation, and stimulated osteoblast differentiation. In vitro experiments have shown that SA-EGCG2 %-Zn2+ hydrogels greatly enhance the attachment and growth of osteoblast precursor cells (MC3T3-E1), while also increasing the expression of genes related to osteogenesis in these cells. Additionally, in vivo studies have confirmed that SA-EGCG2 %-Zn2+ hydrogels promote new bone formation and accelerate the regeneration of bone in situ, indicating promising applications in the realm of bone tissue engineering.

A redox homeostasis disruptor based on a biodegradable nanoplatform for ultrasound (US) imaging-guided high-performance ferroptosis therapy of tumors.

The synergistic disruption of intracellular redox homeostasis through the combination of ferroptosis/gas therapy shows promise in enhancing the antitumor efficacy. However, the development of an optimal delivery system encounters significant challenges, including effective storage, precise delivery, and controlled release of therapeutic gas. In this study, we propose the utilization of a redox homeostasis disruptor that is selectively activated by the tumor microenvironment (TME), in conjunction with our newly developed nanoplatforms (MC@HMOS@Au@RGD), for highly efficient ferroptosis therapy of tumors. The TME-triggered degradation of HMOS initiates the release of MC and AuNPs from the MC@HMOS@Au@RGD nanoplatform. The released MC subsequently reacts with endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and H+ to enable the on-demand release of CO gas, leading to mitochondrial damage. Simultaneously, the released AuNPs exhibit GOx-like activity, catalyzing glucose to generate gluconic acid and H2O2. This process not only promotes the decomposition of MnCO to enhance CO production but also enhances the Fenton-like reaction between Mn2+ and H2O2, generating ROS through the modulation of the H+ and H2O2-enriched TME. Moreover, the generation of CO bubbles enables the monitoring of the ferroptosis treatment process through ultrasound (US) imaging. The efficacy of our prepared MC@HMOS@Au@RGD disruptors in ferroptosis therapy is validated through both in vitro and in vivo experiments.

A strategy of disrupted redox homeostasis specifically initiated by the tumor microenvironment and our constructed MC@HMOS@Au@RGD nanoplatforms is proposed for ultrasound (US) imaging-guided potent ferroptosis therapy of tumors.

Volume development changes in the occipital lobe gyrus assessed by MRI in fetuses with isolated ventriculomegaly correlate with neurological development in infancy and early childhood.

OBJECTIVE: This study was to systematically assess the occipital lobe gray and white matter volume of isolated ventriculomegaly (IVM) fetuses with MRI and to follow up the neurodevelopment of participants. METHOD: MRI was used to evaluate 37 IVM fetuses and 37 control fetuses. The volume of gray and white matter in each fetal occipital gyrus was manually segmented and compared, and neurodevelopment was followed up and assessed in infancy and early childhood. RESULT: Compared with the control group, the volume of gray matter in occipital lobe increased in the IVM group, and the incidence of neurodevelopmental delay increased. CONCLUSION: We tested the hypothesis that prenatal diagnosis IVM represents a biological marker for development in fetal occipital lobe. Compared with the control group, the IVM group showed differences in occipital gray matter development and had a higher risk of neurodevelopmental delay.

Key postnatal magnetic resonance characteristics for differentiating cystic biliary atresia from choledochal cyst.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the ability of magnetic resonance (MR) to identify cystic biliary atresia (CBA) and choledochal cyst (CC). METHODS: Infants (≤ 1 year old) who were diagnosed with CBA or CC type I/IV from January 2010 to July 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Imaging characteristics on MR were compared between the CBA and CC groups. Binary logistic regression and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were analyzed for the identification of CBA. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients with CBA (median age, 30 days) and 172 patients with CC (median age, 60 days) were included. Gallbladder (GB) wall thickness (cutoff, 1.2 mm) showed 98.4% sensitivity and 100% specificity (AUC, 0.998). MR-triangular cord thickness (MR-TCT) (cutoff, 4.1 mm) showed 100% sensitivity and 95.9% specificity (AUC, 0.986). The bile duct loop visualization showed 96.8% sensitivity and 100% specificity (AUC, 0.984). Proximal bile duct (PBD) diameter (cutoff, 1.3 mm) showed 92.1% sensitivity and 95.3% specificity (AUC, 0.977). Cyst wall thickness (cutoff, 1 mm) showed 77.8% sensitivity and 95.3% specificity (AUC, 0.942). The combination of GB wall thickness > 1.2 mm and MR-TCT > 4.1 mm, GB wall thickness > 1.2 mm and loop visualization, GB wall thickness > 1.2 mm, and cyst wall thickness > 1 mm showed 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity (AUC, 1.000). CONCLUSIONS: Imaging characteristics on MR might be used to identify CBA and CC, and the combination of GB wall thickness and MR-TCT, or loop visualization, or cyst wall thickness, has a perfect diagnostic value. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Early and accurate differentiation of CBA and CC is essential, but current methods rely on inherently subjective ultrasound. Biliary features on MRI allow for an objective, accurate diagnosis.

Ensemble multiclassification model for predicting developmental toxicity in zebrafish.

In recent years, with the rapid development of society, organic compounds have been released into aquatic environments in various forms, posing a significant threat to the survival of aquatic organisms. The assessment of developmental toxicity is an important part of environmental safety risk systems, helping to identify the potential impacts of organic compounds on the embryonic development of aquatic organisms and enabling early detection and warning of potential ecological risks. Additionally, binary classification models cannot accurately classify organic compounds. Therefore, it is crucial to construct a multiclassification model for predicting the developmental toxicity of organic compounds. In this study, binary and multiclassification models were developed based on the ToxCast™ Phase I chemical library and literature data. The random forest, support vector machine, extreme gradient boosting, adaptive gradient boosting, and C5.0 decision tree algorithms, as well as 8 types of molecular fingerprint were used to establish a multiclassification base model for predicting developmental toxicity through 5-fold cross-validation and external validation. Ultimately, a multiclassification ensemble model was derived through a voting method. The performance of the binary ensemble model, as measured by the balanced accuracy, was 0.918, while that of the multiclassification model was 0.819. The developmental toxicity voting ensemble model (DT-VEM) achieved accuracies of 0.804, 0.834, and 0.855. Furthermore, by utilizing the XGBoost machine learning algorithm to construct separate models for molecular descriptors and substructure molecular fingerprints, we identified several substructures and physical properties related to developmental toxicity. Our research contributes to a more detailed classification of developmental toxicity, providing a new and valuable tool for predicting the developmental toxicity effects of unknown compounds. This supplement addresses the limitations of previous tools, as it offers an enhanced ability to predict potential developmental toxicity in novel compounds.

A Multifunctional Nanozyme Integrating Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Pro-Vascularity for Skin Wound Management.

Background: Skin wounds are a prevalent issue that can have severe health consequences if not treated correctly. Nanozymes offer a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of skin wounds, owing to their advantages in regulating redox homeostasis to reduce oxidative damage and kill bacteria. These properties make them an effective treatment option for skin wounds. However, most of current nanozymes lack the capability to simultaneously address inflammation, oxidative stress, and bacterial infection during the wound healing process. There is still great potential for nanozymes to increase their therapeutic functional diversity and efficacy. Methods: Herein, copper-doped hollow mesopores cerium oxide (Cu-HMCe) nanozymes with multifunctional of antioxidant, antimicrobial and pro-vascularity is successfully prepared. Cu-HMCe can be efficiently prepared through a simple and rapid solution method and displays sound physiological stability. The biocompatibility, pro-angiogenic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties of Cu-HMCe were assessed. Moreover, a full-thickness skin defect infection model was utilized to investigate the wound healing capacity, as well as anti-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic properties of nanozymes in vivo. Results: Both in vitro and in vivo experiments have substantiated Cu-HMCe's remarkable biocompatibility. Moreover, Cu-HMCe possesses potent antioxidant enzyme-like catalytic activity, effectively clearing DPPH radicals (with a scavenging rate of 80%), hydroxyl radicals, and reactive oxygen species. Additionally, Cu-HMCe exhibits excellent antimicrobial and pro-angiogenic properties, with over 70% inhibition of both E. coli and S. aureus. These properties collectively promote wound healing, and the wound treated with Cu-HMCe achieved a closure rate of over 90% on the 14th day. Conclusion: The results indicate that multifunctional Cu-HMCe with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and pro-angiogenic properties was successfully prepared and exhibited remarkable efficacy in promoting wound healing. This nanozymes providing a promising strategy for skin repair.

Patient-derived tumor-like cell clusters for personalized chemo- and immunotherapies in non-small cell lung cancer.

Many patient-derived tumor models have emerged recently. However, their potential to guide personalized drug selection remains unclear. Here, we report patient-derived tumor-like cell clusters (PTCs) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), capable of conducting 100-5,000 drug tests within 10 days. We have established 283 PTC models with an 81% success rate. PTCs contain primary tumor epithelium self-assembled with endogenous stromal and immune cells and show a high degree of similarity to the original tumors in phenotypic and genotypic features. Utilizing standardized culture and drug-response assessment protocols, PTC drug-testing assays reveal 89% overall consistency in prospectively predicting clinical outcomes, with 98.1% accuracy distinguishing complete/partial response from progressive disease. Notably, PTCs enable accurate prediction of clinical outcomes for patients undergoing anti-PD1 therapy by combining cell viability and IFN-γ value assessments. These findings suggest that PTCs could serve as a valuable preclinical model for personalized medicine and basic research in NSCLC.

[Analysis of clinical manifestations and imaging features of facial nerve schwannomas].

Objective:To explore the clinical manifestations and imaging characteristics, and to clarify the imaging value in the diagnosis of facial nerve schwannomas. Methods:Retrospectively analyze the data of 23 patients with facial nerve schwannomas confirmed by surgery and pathology in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of the First Affiliated Hospital of the Air Force Military Medical University from September 2020 to September 2022, including 8 males and 15 females, aged 18-66 years old. Summarize and analyze their clinical symptoms, specialized examinations, and imaging findings. Results:The clinical manifestations were facial nerve paralysis in 15 cases（2 cases of HB Ⅳ, 6 cases of HB Ⅴ, 7 cases of HB Ⅵ）, hearing loss in 14 cases（5 cases of conductive deafness, 2 cases of mixed deafness, and 7 cases of severe sensorineural hearing loss）, 8 cases tinnitus, 7 cases ear pain, 4 cases dizziness, 4 cases headache, 2 cases ear pus, and parotid gland tumors in 6 cases presenting as local masses. Endoscopic examination revealed 8 cases of external ear canal tumors and 3 cases of intratympanic tumors. Combining temporal bone HRCT, MRI enhanced scanning, and CPR imaging techniques, 1 case involved the internal auditory canal segment, 2 cases in the tympanic segment, 6 cases in the parotid gland area. A total of 14 cases involved two or more segments of the internal auditory canal segment, the labyrinthine segment, geniculate ganglion, the tympanic segment, and the mastoid segment. When the tumors were large, adjacent structures were involved. It was found that 8 cases invaded the external auditory canal and tympanic cavity, ossicles were displaced or bony destruction; 3 cases invaded the jugular foramen area, and 1 case grew to the middle cranial fossa region with temporal lobe brain parenchymal compression. Conclusion:The clinical manifestations of facial nerve schwannomas are diverse. The combination of various imaging techniques will be conducive to topical and qualitative diagnosis and provide an important basis for treatment strategies.

Post-anthesis dry matter and nitrogen accumulation, partitioning, and translocation in maize under different nitrate-ammonium ratios in Northwestern China.

Introduction: An appropriate supply of ammonium (NH4+) in addition to nitrate (NO3-) can greatly improve plant growth and promote maize productivity. However, knowledge gaps exist regarding the mechanisms by which different nitrogen (N) fertilizer sources affect the enzymatic activity of nitrogen metabolism and non-structural carbohydrates during the post-anthesis period. Methods: A field experiment across 3-year was carried out to explore the effects of four nitrateammonium ratio (NO3-/NH4+ = 1:0 (N1), 1:1 (N2), 1:3 (N3), and 3:1 (N4)) on postanthesis dry matter (DM) and N accumulation, partitioning, transportation, and grain yield in maize. Results: NO3-/NH4+ ratio with 3:1 improved the enzymatic activity of N metabolism and non-structural carbohydrate accumulation, which strongly promoted the transfer of DM and N in vegetative organs to reproductive organs and improved the pre-anthesis DM and nitrogen translocation efficiency. The enzymatic activities of nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, glutamine synthetase, glutamine oxoglutarate aminotransferase, and non-structural carbohydrate accumulation under N4 treatment were increased by 9.30%-32.82%, 13.19%-37.94%, 4.11%-16.00%, 11.19%-30.82%, and 14.89%-31.71% compared with the other treatments. Mixed NO3--N and NH4+-N increased the total DM accumulation at the anthesis and maturity stages, simultaneously decreasing the DM partitioning of stem, increasing total DM, DM translocation efficiency (DMtE), and contribution of pre-anthesis assimilates to the grain (CAPG) in 2015 and 2017, promoting the transfer of DM from stem to grain. Furthermore, the grain yield increased by 3.31%-9.94% (2015), 68.6%-26.30% (2016), and 8.292%-36.08% (2017) under the N4 treatment compared to the N1, N2, and N3 treatments. Conclusion: The study showed that a NO3-/NH4+ ratio of 3:1 is recommended for high-yield and sustainable maize management strategies in Northwestern China.

Relative Mediastinal Displacement Index (RMDI): A Prenatal MRI Indicator of Adverse Events in Fetuses With Isolated Left Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), has partly improved congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) outcomes, yet the overall morbidity and mortality remain high. Existing prenatal indicators for CDH fetuses are operator-dependent, time-consuming, or less accurate, a new simple and accurate indicator to indicate adverse events in CDH patients is needed. PURPOSE: To propose and assess the association of a new MRI parameter, the relative mediastinal displacement index (RMDI), with adverse events including in-hospital deaths or the need for ECMO in fetuses with isolated left CDH (iLCDH). STUDY TYPE: Retrospective analysis. SUBJECTS: One hundred thirty-nine fetuses were included in the iLCDH group (24 with adverse events and 115 without) and 257 fetuses were included in the control group from two centers in Guangzhou. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3.0 T, T2WI-TRUFI; 1.5 T, T2WI-FIESTA. ASSESSMENT: Three operators independently measured the → DL $$ \underset{\mathrm{DL}}{\to } $$ , → DR $$ \underset{\mathrm{DR}}{\to } $$ , and DH on the axial images. The calculation formula of the RMDI was ( → DL $$ \underset{\mathrm{DL}}{\to } $$ + → DR $$ \underset{\mathrm{DR}}{\to } $$ )/DH . STATISTICAL TESTS: The independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test, Chi-square test continuity correction, Fisher's test, linear regression analysis, logistic regression analysis, intraclass correlation coefficient, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, and Delong test. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The RMDI did not change with gestational age in the iLCDH group (with [P = 0.189] and without [P = 0.567] adverse events) and the control group (P = 0.876). There were significant differences in RMDI between the iLCDH group (0.89 [0.65, 1.00]) and the control group (-0.23 [-0.34, -0.16]). In the iLCDH group, RMDI was the only indicator left for indicating adverse events, and the best cutoff value was 1.105. Moreover, there was a significant difference in diagnostic accuracy between the RMDI (AUC = 0.900) and MSA (AUC = 0.820), LHR (AUC = 0.753), o/e LHR (AUC = 0.709), and o/e TFLV (AUC = 0.728), respectively. DATA CONCLUSION: The RMDI is expected to be a simple and accurate tool for indicating adverse events in fetuses with iLCDH. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 4 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1.

Injectable and In Situ Formed Dual-Network Hydrogel Reinforced by Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles and Loaded with BMP-4 for the Closure and Repair of Skull Defects.

Bone defects are a common and challenging orthopedic problem with poor self-healing ability and long treatment cycles. The difficult-to-heal bone defects cause a significant burden of medical expenses on patients. Currently, biomaterials with mechanical stability, long-lasting action, and osteogenic activity are considered as a suitable way to effectively heal bone defects. Here, an injectable double network (DN) hydrogel prepared using physical and chemical cross-linking methods is designed. The first rigid network is constructed using methylpropenylated hyaluronic acid (HAMA), while the addition of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) forms a second flexible network by physical cross-linking. The mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) loaded with bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) were embedded into DN hydrogel, which not only enhanced the mechanical stability of the hydrogel, but also slowly released BMP-4 to achieve long-term skull repair. The designed composite hydrogel showed an excellent compression property and deformation resistance. In vitro studies confirmed that the HAMA/COS/MSN@BMP-4 hydrogel had good biocompatibility and showed great potential in supporting proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of mouse embryo osteoblast precursor (MC3T3-E1) cells. Furthermore, in vivo studies confirmed that the DN hydrogel successfully filled and closed irregular skull defect wounds, effectively promoted bone regeneration, and significantly promoted bone repair compared with the control group. In addition, HAMA/COS/MSN@BMP-4 hydrogel precursor solution can quickly form hydrogel in situ at the wound by ultraviolet light, which can be applied to the closure and repair of wounds of different shapes, which provides the new way for the treatment of bone defects.

Citrus pectin protects mice from burn injury by modulating intestinal microbiota, GLP-1 secretion and immune response.

Water-soluble rhamnogalacturonan-I enriched citrus pectin (WRP) has promising effect on antimicrobial defense. We aim to determine whether the modified acidic (A) or neutral (B) WRP solutions can improve intestinal microbial dysbiosis in burn-injured mice. Male Balb/c mice were gavaged with WRPs at 80, 160, 320 mg/kg. Body weight daily for 21 days before exposed to thermal injury of 15 % total body surface area and mortality was monitored. Mice with 80 mg/kg WRPs were also subjected to fecal DNAs and T cell metabonomics analysis, intestinal and plasma glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) detection, plasma defensin, immunoglobin and intestinal barrier examinations at 1 and 3d postburn (p.b.). Burn-induced mortality was only improved by low dose WRP-A (P = 0.039). Both WRPs could prevent the dysbiosis of gut microbiota in burn injury by reducing the expansion of inflammation-promoting bacteria. Both WRPs suppressed ileum GLP-1 production at 1d p.b. (P = 0.002) and plasma GLP-1 levels at 3d p.b. (P = 0.013). Plasma GLP-1 level correlated closely with ileum GLP-1 production (P = 0.019) but negatively with microbiota diversity at 1d p.b. (P = 0.003). Intestinal T cell number was increased by both WRPs in jejunum at 3d p.b. However, the exaggerated splenic T cell metabolism in burn injury was reversed by both WRPs at 1d p.b. The burn-increased plasma defensin ß1 level was only reduced by WRP-B. Similarly, the intestinal barrier permeability was only rescued by WRP-B at 1d p.b. WRP-A rather than WRP-B could reduce burn-induced mortality in mice by suppressing intestinal GLP-1 secretion, restoring gut microbiota dysbiosis and improving adaptive immune response.

Excellent coagulation performance of polysilicate aluminum ferric for treating oily wastewater from Daqing gasfield: Responses to polymer properties and coagulation mechanism.

The polysilicate aluminum ferric (PSAF) was synthesized via copolymerization of polysilicic acid (PSi), AlCl3 and FeCl3 for treating oily wastewater from Daqing gas field. This study investigated the effects of key preparation factors such as the degree of PSi's preactivation and the ratio of (Fe + Al)/Si and Al/Fe on both polymerization and coagulation performance exhibited by PSAF. To determine the optimal timing for introducing Al3+ and Fe3+, zeta potential, viscosity and particle size were investigated. Additionally, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, polarizing microscopy and scanning electron microscope analysis were employed to investigate the structure and morphology of PSAF. The results indicate that under conditions characterized by a SiO2 mass fraction of 2.5% and pH = 4.5, an optimal timing for introducing Al3+ and Fe3+ is at 100 min when PSi exhibits moderate polymerization along with sufficient stability. When considering molar ratios such as (Al + Fe)/Si being 6:4 and Al/Fe being 5:5, respectively, PSAF falls within a "stable zone" enabling storage period up to 32 days. Moreover, Jar test results demonstrate that at a dosage of 200 mg/L PSAF for oily wastewater treatment in gas fields could reach the maximum turbidity removal efficiency up to 99.5% while oil removal efficiency reach 88.6% without pH adjustment. The copolymerization facilitates the formation of larger PSAF aggregates with positive potential, thereby augmenting the coagulants' adsorption bridging and charge neutralization capabilities. As a result, PSAF has great potential as a practical coagulant for treating oil-containing wastewater in industrial settings.

From macro- to nano- scales: Effect of fibrillary celluloses from okara on performance of edible starch film.

Starch/cellulose composite is one of the most promising systems since both matrix and reinforce agent have same chemical unite glucose, which results in an excellent compatibility. In this work, edible starch film was developed by compositing starch with diverse fibrillary celluloses (FCs) derived from okara, employing a confluence of chemical interactions and mechanical influences. Since diameter of the FCs can be easily controlled by processing methodologies, it is the first time to systematically investigate the effect of diameter of the FCs from macro to nano-scales on the performances of starch-based film. The fabricated macro- and nano-fibrillar celluloses and reinforced starch films were characterized by scanning electron microscope, optical microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Rheometer and contact angle. Results showed that the FCs increased modulus (about 170 %) and tensile strength (about 180 %) significantly as expected since they are well-compatible and some chemical interactions. It was found that nano-fibrillary celluloses (CNFs) improve the toughness (about 20 %) of the starch film more efficiently, which improved the well-recognized weakness of starch-based materials. The nano-scale roughness on the surface of the starch film caused by different shrinkage ratios between starch and CNFs during drying reduced water sensitivity, which is another well-recognized weakness of starch film.

Influence of Storage Temperature on Starch Retrogradation and Digestion of Chinese Steamed Bread.

Chinese steamed bread (CSB), which is widely consumed in East Asia, usually undergoes storage before consumption, but it is unclear how different storage temperatures affect CSB starch retrogradation and digestion properties, which are important for consumers. CSB was stored for 2 days at 25 °C, 4 °C, -18 °C, 4 °C/25 °C temperature cycling (i.e., 24 h at 4 °C, followed by 24 h at 25 °C) and -18 °C/ 25 °C temperature cycling. The results revealed for the first time that more orderly starch double helices are formed when CSB was stored at 4 °C or 4 °C/25 °C. Storage under -18 °C produced lower amounts of, but more heterogenous, starch double helices, with fewer B-type, but more V-type, crystallites. Compared to other storage temperatures, more long-range intermolecular interactions formed between the starch and protein at 4 °C or 4 °C/25 °C. CSB samples showed the slowest starch digestibility when stored at 4 °C. The impact of storage temperature on the starch retrogradation properties and digestibility of CSB also depended on the wheat variety, attributed to differences in the starch molecular structure. These results have significance and practical applications to help the CSB food industry to control starch retrogradation and digestibility. For example, CSB could be stored at 4 °C for 2 days in order to reduce its starch digestibility.

Intrapulmonary migration of a fractured acupuncture needle: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medical treatment, has been gaining popularity over the years. However, it also presents certain risks. We report a case of a patient who discovered a foreign body in their lung several years after undergoing acupuncture. CASE PRESENTATION: A middle-aged woman presented to our hospital with chest pain. An X-ray revealed a needle-like foreign body in the middle lobe of her right lung. The patient had previously undergone acupuncture treatment for local pain in her lower back and lower extremities many years prior. Based on the imaging findings and her medical history, we hypothesized that the foreign body in her lung was a result of a dislodged acupuncture needle. Through preoperative 3-dimensional reconstruction and indocyanine green localization, we were able to locate the foreign body in the lateral segment of the right middle lobe. We successfully removed the foreign body via wedge resection, and the patient made a smooth recovery post-surgery. CONCLUSION: Acupuncturists and surgeons should remain vigilant about the potential risks associated with acupuncture.