Fluorine Domains Induced Ultrahigh Nitrogen Solubility in Ionic Liquids.

Fluorinated ionic liquids (ILs) are well-known as electrolytes in the nitrogen (N2) electroreduction reaction due to their exceptional gas solubility. However, the influence of fluorinated functional group on N2 solvation and solubility enhancement remains unclear. Massive molecular dynamics simulations and free energy perturbation methods are conducted to investigate the N2 solubility in 11 traditional and 9 fluorinated ILs. It shows that the fluorinated IL of 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tris(pentafluoroethyl) trifluorophosphate ([Emim]FAP) exhibits ultrahigh solubility, 4.844 × 10-3, approximately 118 times higher than that of traditional IL 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium nitrate ([Emim]NO3). Moreover, fluorinated ILs with more than 10 C-F bonds possess higher N2 solubility than others and show an exothermic nature during solvation. As the C-F bonds number in ILs decreases, the N2 solubility decreases significantly and displays the opposite endothermic behavior. To understand the ultrahigh N2 solubility in fluorinated ILs, we propose a concept of fluorine densification energy (FDE), referring to the average strength of interaction between atoms per unit volume in ILs with fluorine domains, demonstrating a linear relationship with C-F bonds. Physically, lower FDE results in lower N2-anion pair dissociation energy and higher free volume, finally enhancing the N2 solubility. Consequently, medium to long alkyl fluorine tails within a polar environment defines a distinct fluorine domain, emphasizing FDE's role in enhancing N2 solubility. Overall, these quantitative results will not only deepen the understanding of N2 solvation in ILs but may also shed light on the rational design of IL-based high-performance N2 capture and conversion technologies.

Ionic liquids inhibit the dynamic transition from α-helices to ß-sheets in peptides.

Abnormalities in the transition between α-helices and ß-sheets (α-ß transition) may lead to devastating neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's syndrome and Alzheimer's disease. Ionic liquids (ILs) are potential drugs for targeted therapies against these diseases because of their excellent bioactivity and designability of ILs. However, the mechanism through which ILs regulate the α-ß transition remains unclear. Herein, a combination of GPU-accelerated microsecond molecular dynamics simulations, correlation analysis, and machine learning was used to probe the dynamical α-ß transition process induced by ILs of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C n mim]Cl) and its molecular mechanism. Interestingly, the cation of [C n mim]+ in ILs can spontaneously insert into the peptides as free ions (n ≤ 10) and clusters (n ≥ 11). Such insertion can significantly inhibit the α-ß, transition and the inhibiting ability for the clusters is more significant than that of free ions, where [C10mim]+ and [C12mim]+ can reduce the maximum ß-sheet content of the peptide by 18.5% and 44.9%, respectively. Furthermore, the correlation analysis and machine learning method were used to develop a predictive model accounting for the influencing factors on the α-ß transition, which could accurately predict the effect of ILs on the α-ß transition. Overall, these quantitative results may not only deepen the understanding of the role of ILs in the α-ß transition but also guide the development of the IL-based treatments for related diseases.

Diurnal humidity cycle driven selective ion transport across clustered polycation membrane.

The ability to manipulate the flux of ions across membranes is a key aspect of diverse sectors including water desalination, blood ion monitoring, purification, electrochemical energy conversion and storage. Here we illustrate the potential of using daily changes in environmental humidity as a continuous driving force for generating selective ion flux. Specifically, self-assembled membranes featuring channels composed of polycation clusters are sandwiched between two layers of ionic liquids. One ionic liquid layer is kept isolated from the ambient air, whereas the other is exposed directly to the environment. When in contact with ambient air, the device showcases its capacity to spontaneously produce ion current, with promising power density. This result stems from the moisture content difference of ionic liquid layers across the membrane caused by the ongoing process of moisture absorption/desorption, which instigates selective transmembrane ion flux. Cation flux across the polycation clusters is greatly inhibited because of intensified charge repulsion. However, anions transport across polycation clusters is amplified. Our research underscores the potential of daily cycling humidity as a reliable energy source to trigger ion current and convert it into electrical current.

Clinical application of eight-zone laparoscopic dissection strategy for rectal cancer: Experience and discussion.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of rectal cancer is increasing worldwide, and surgery remains the primary treatment modality. With the advent of total mesorectal excision (TME) technique, the probability of tumor recurrence post-surgery has significantly decreased. Surgeons' focus has gradually shifted towards minimizing the impact of surgery on urinary and sexual functions. Among these concerns, the optimal dissection of the rectal lateral ligaments and preservation of the pelvic floor neurovascular bundle have become critical. To explore the optimal surgical technique for TME and establish a standardized surgical protocol to minimize the impact on urinary and sexual functions, we propose the eight-zone dissection strategy for pelvic floor anatomy. AIM: To compare the differences in surgical specimen integrity and postoperative quality of life satisfaction between the traditional pelvic floor dissection strategy and the innovative eight-zone dissection strategy. METHODS: We analyzed the perioperative data of patients who underwent laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University between January 1, 2021 and December 1, 2023. This study included a total of 218 patients undergoing laparoscopic radical surgery for rectal cancer, among whom 109 patients underwent traditional pelvic floor dissection strategy, and 109 patients received the eight-zone dissection strategy. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in general characteristics between the two groups. Patients in the eight-zone dissection group had higher postoperative specimen integrity (88.1% vs 78.0%, P = 0.047). At the 3-month follow-up, patients in the eight-zone surgery group had better scores in urinary issues (6.8 ± 3.3 vs 5.3 ± 2.5, P = 0.045) and male sexual desire (2.2 ± 0.6 vs 2.5 ± 0.5, P = 0.047) compared to the traditional surgery strategy group. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the eight-zone dissection strategy for laparoscopic lateral ligament dissection of rectal cancer is safe and effective. Compared with the traditional pelvic floor dissection strategy, this approach can reduce the risk of nerve injury and minimize the impact on urinary and sexual functions. Therefore, we recommend the clinical application of this strategy to better serve patients with rectal cancer.

Ultrastrong MXene film induced by sequential bridging with liquid metal.

Assembling titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) MXene nanosheets into macroscopic films presents challenges, including voids, low orientation degree, and weak interfacial interactions, which reduce mechanical performance. We demonstrate an ultrastrong macroscopic MXene film using liquid metal (LM) and bacterial cellulose (BC) to sequentially bridge MXene nanosheets (an LBM film), achieving a tensile strength of 908.4 megapascals. A layer-by-layer approach using repeated cycles of blade coating improves the orientation degree to 0.935 in the LBM film, while a LM with good deformability reduces voids into porosity of 5.4%. The interfacial interactions are enhanced by the hydrogen bonding from BC and the coordination bonding with LM, which improves the stress-transfer efficiency. Sequential bridging provides an avenue for assembling other two-dimensional nanosheets into high-performance materials.

Constructing static two-electron lithium-bromide battery.

Despite their potential as conversion-type energy storage technologies, the performance of static lithium-bromide (SLB) batteries has remained stagnant for decades. Progress has been hindered by the intrinsic liquid-liquid redox mode and single-electron transfer of these batteries. Here, we developed a high-performance SLB battery based on the active bromine salt cathode and the two-electron transfer chemistry with a Br-/Br+ redox couple by electrolyte tailoring. The introduction of NO3- improved the reversible single-electron transition of Br-, and more impressively, the coordinated Cl- anions activated the Br+ conversion to provide an additional electron transfer. A voltage plateau was observed at 3.8 V, and the discharge capacity and energy density were increased by 142 and 159% compared to the one-electron reaction benchmark. This two-step conversion mechanism exhibited excellent stability, with the battery functioning for 1000 cycles. These performances already approach the state of the art of currently established Li-halogen batteries. We consider the established two-electron redox mechanism highly exemplary for diversified halogen batteries.

Selective ion migration in a polyelectrolyte driving a high-performance flexible moisture-electric generator.

We propose a novel moisture-electric generator that utilizes the unique properties of a blended poly(4-styrene sulfonic acid) and poly(vinyl alcohol) with phytic acid by screen printing and scrape coating, achieving an impressive open-circuit voltage of 0.88 V from ambient humidity. This innovative design significantly enhances ion transport, moisture adsorption, and flexibility, making a marked improvement in converting environmental humidity to electrical energy.

Ionic Liquid Gating Induces Anomalous Permeation through Membrane Channel Proteins.

Membrane channel proteins (MCPs) play key roles in matter transport through cell membranes and act as major targets for vaccines and drugs. For emerging ionic liquid (IL) drugs, a rational understanding of how ILs affect the structure and transport function of MCP is crucial to their design. In this work, GPU-accelerated microsecond-long molecular dynamics simulations were employed to investigate the modulating mechanism of ILs on MCP. Interestingly, ILs prefer to insert into the lipid bilayer and channel of aquaporin-2 (AQP2) but adsorb on the entrance of voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav). Molecular trajectory and free energy analysis reflect that ILs have a minimal impact on the structure of MCPs but significantly influence MCP functions. It demonstrates that ILs can decrease the overall energy barrier for water through AQP2 by 1.88 kcal/mol, whereas that for Na+ through Nav is increased by 1.70 kcal/mol. Consequently, the permeation rates of water and Na+ can be enhanced and reduced by at least 1 order of magnitude, respectively. Furthermore, an abnormal IL gating mechanism was proposed by combining the hydrophobic nature of MCP and confined water/ion coordination effects. More importantly, we performed experiments to confirm the influence of ILs on AQP2 in human cells and found that treatment with ILs significantly accelerated the changes in cell volume in response to altered external osmotic pressure. Overall, these quantitative results will not only deepen the understanding of IL-cell interactions but may also shed light on the rational design of drugs and disease diagnosis.

Protein Interface Regulating the Inserting Process of Imidazole Ionic Liquids into the Cell Membrane.

Ionic liquids (ILs) have shown promising potential in membrane protein extraction; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Herein, we employed GPU-accelerated molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the dynamic insertion process of ILs into cell membranes containing membrane proteins. Our findings reveal that ILs spontaneously insert into the membrane, and the presence of membrane proteins significantly decelerates the rate of IL insertion into the membrane. Specifically, the relationship between the insertion rate and inserting free energy exhibits non-monotonic changes, which can be attributed to interfacial effects. The protein-water interface acts as trap for free ions and ionic clusters, while free ions preferentially insert into the membrane from the protein-lipid interface, which limits the insertion rate due to its narrowness. Thus, the insertion rate is governed by a combination of the free energy and interfacial effects. These findings provide valuable insights into the interfacial effects of protein-lipid bilayers and have implications for various biochemical-related applications.

Diversities of Mechanism in Patients with VHL Syndrome and diabetes: A Report of Two Cases and Literature Review.

Background: Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome is characterized by tumorous lesions affecting multiple organs. Pancreatic involvement in VHL syndrome can present as endocrine tumors and pancreatic cysts, which can interfere with both exocrine and endocrine functions of the pancreas. Diabetes is an uncommon complication of VHL syndrome. Purpose: This study aims to summarize the various mechanisms of diabetes in VHL syndrome by reporting two cases and conducting a literature review. Methods: We analyzed the clinical and imaging data of two patients with VHL syndrome and diabetes. Additionally, we reviewed the existing literature to explore the clinical diversities and management strategies for VHL syndrome complicated with diabetes. Results: The first patient presented with liver metastasis of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor and multiple pheochromocytoma. After surgery, the patient's diabetic control improved, as evidenced by a significant reduction in insulin dosage. This indicates a potential insulin resistance due to elevated metanephrine levels prior to surgery and partial insulin deficiency caused by distal pancreatectomy. The second patient had multiple hemangioblastomas, as well as multiple pancreatic cysts and positive pancreatic islet autoantibodies. Diabetes in this case may be attributed to pancreatic lesions and the coexistence of autoimmune insulitis. A literature review of other patients with VHL combined with diabetes revealed multiple mechanisms, including increased catecholamine levels, pancreatic lesions, surgical removal of pancreatic tissue, endocrine treatment, and possibly the coexistence of autoimmune insulitis. Conclusion: VHL syndrome complicated with diabetes involves diverse mechanisms.

HRU-Net: A high-resolution convolutional neural network for esophageal cancer radiotherapy target segmentation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The effective segmentation of esophageal squamous carcinoma lesions in CT scans is significant for auxiliary diagnosis and treatment. However, accurate lesion segmentation is still a challenging task due to the irregular form of the esophagus and small size, the inconsistency of spatio-temporal structure, and low contrast of esophagus and its peripheral tissues in medical images. The objective of this study is to improve the segmentation effect of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma lesions. METHODS: It is critical for a segmentation network to effectively extract 3D discriminative features to distinguish esophageal cancers from some visually closed adjacent esophageal tissues and organs. In this work, an efficient HRU-Net architecture (High-Resolution U-Net) was exploited for esophageal cancer and esophageal carcinoma segmentation in CT slices. Based on the idea of localization first and segmentation later, the HRU-Net locates the esophageal region before segmentation. In addition, an Resolution Fusion Module (RFM) was designed to integrate the information of adjacent resolution feature maps to obtain strong semantic information, as well as preserve the high-resolution features. RESULTS: Compared with the other five typical methods, the devised HRU-Net is capable of generating superior segmentation results. CONCLUSIONS: Our proposed HRU-NET improves the accuracy of segmentation for squamous esophageal cancer. Compared to other models, our model performs the best. The designed method may improve the efficiency of clinical diagnosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma lesions.

Water-induced strong isotropic MXene-bridged graphene sheets for electrochemical energy storage.

Graphene and two-dimensional transition metal carbides and/or nitrides (MXenes) are important materials for making flexible energy storage devices because of their electrical and mechanical properties. It remains a challenge to assemble nanoplatelets of these materials at room temperature into in-plane isotropic, free-standing sheets. Using nanoconfined water-induced basal-plane alignment and covalent and π-π interplatelet bridging, we fabricated Ti3C2Tx MXene-bridged graphene sheets at room temperature with isotropic in-plane tensile strength of 1.87 gigapascals and moduli of 98.7 gigapascals. The in-plane room temperature electrical conductivity reached 1423 siemens per centimeter, and volumetric specific capacity reached 828 coulombs per cubic centimeter. This nanoconfined water-induced alignment likely provides an important approach for making other aligned macroscopic assemblies of two-dimensional nanoplatelets.

Effect of Interlayer Spaces and Interfacial Structures on High-Performance MXene/Ionic Liquid Supercapacitors: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation.

The combination of high-capacitance MXenes and wide-electrochemical-window ionic liquids (ILs) has exhibited bright prospects in supercapacitors. Several strategies, such as surficial functionalization and interlayer spacing tuning, have been used to enhance the electrochemical performance of supercapacitors. However, the lack of theoretical guidance on these strategies, including the effects of the microenvironment in the interlayer of confined ILs, hindered the further exploration of such devices. Herein, we performed molecular dynamics simulations to comprehensively investigate the effects of the interlayer space and surface terminations of MXene electrodes on capacity. The results show that the electrical double layer (EDL) structure was found to form on the interface between the MXene electrode and ILs electrolyte by analyzing the ion number density and charge density in the nanometer confined spaces. Under the same potential, the -OH terminations significantly impact the ion orientation in the EDL, particularly near the electrode surface, where cations tend to align vertically, allowing the retention of more cations at the electrode surfaces. Interestingly, such an orientation distribution was decisively from the hydrogen bonds expressed by O-H···O between the -OH termination of MXene and -OH groups of ILs. The differential capacitances of the supercapacitors were calculated by the surficial electron density, and it showed that the capacitance is a nearly one-quarter increase in the 14 Å interlayer spacing compared with that of 10 Å under an applied potential of 2 V. At the same time, the Ti3C2(OH)2 electrode had a higher differential capacitance than the Ti3C2O2 electrode, which possibly originates from the stronger hydrogen bonds to contribute to the vertical aggregation of the cations. Our results highlighted the roles of the interlayer spacing distance and surface terminations of the MXene on the performance of the type of supercapacitor.

Nanofluid-Guided Janus Membrane for High-Efficiency Electricity Generation from Water Evaporation.

Harvesting electricity from widespread water evaporation provides an alternative route to cleaner power generation technology. However, current evaporation power generation (EPG) mainly depends on the dissociation process of certain functional groups (e.g., SO3H) in water, which suffers from low power density and short-term output. Herein, the Janus membrane is prepared by combining nanofluid and water-grabbing material for EPG, where the nanoconfined ionic liquids (NCILs) serve as ion sources instead of the functional groups. Benefiting from the selective and fast transport of anions in NCILs, such EPG demonstrates excellent power performance with a voltage of 0.63 V, a short-circuit current of 140 µA, and a maximum power density of 16.55 µW cm-2 while operating for at least 180 h consistently. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and surface potential analysis reveal the molecular mechanism, that is, the diffusion of Cl- anions during evaporation is much faster than that of cations, generating the voltage and current across the membrane. Furthermore, the device performs well in varying environmental conditions, including different water temperatures and sources of evaporating water, showcasing its adaptability and integrability. Overall, the nanofluid-guided Janus membrane can efficiently transform low-grade thermal energy in evaporation into electricity, showing a competitive advantage over other sustainable applied approaches.

Modified Approach for Extraperitoneal Colostomy Creation in Laparoscopic Abdominoperineal Resection.

BACKGROUND: Parastomal hernia is a major long-term complication after abdominoperineal resection. Extraperitoneal colostomy has been proposed as an effective step for parastomal hernia prevention, but it has not been widely used as it is technically demanding and time-consuming. We proposed a modified approach for extraperitoneal colostomy creation by entering the extraperitoneal space through the arcuate line of the posterior rectus sheath. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety, difficulty, and efficacy of long-term parastomal hernia prevention of the modified approach for extraperitoneal colostomy creation compared with the conventional transperitoneal colostomy approach. DESIGN: This was a retrospective evaluation of a surgical and video database. SETTINGS: This was a single-institution retrospective study. PATIENTS: Clinical data of 74 patients who underwent laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection surgery from January 2019 to January 2020 in the Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, were retrospectively reviewed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Baseline characteristics, time required for colostomy creation (from skin incision to colostomy maturation), perioperative complications, and long-term colostomy-related complications were compared. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics did not differ between the 2 approaches. The BMI level ranged from 19.5 to 29.4 for patients undergoing extraperitoneal approach. Time required for colostomy creation median [interquartile range], (22 [21-25] minutes for extraperitoneal vs 23 [21-25] minutes for transperitoneal, p = 0.861) were comparable between the 2 approaches. The cumulative incidence of parastomal hernia was significantly greater with transperitoneal colostomy than extraperitoneal colostomy at 2 and 3 years postoperatively (16.2% vs 0%, p = 0.025, and 21.6% vs 0%, p = 0.005). The remaining perioperative complications and long-term colostomy-related complications did not differ between the 2 approaches. LIMITATIONS: This study is limited by its retrospective design and small sample size. CONCLUSIONS: The modified approach for extraperitoneal colostomy creation is safe, technically simple, and effective for long-term parastomal hernia prevention in patients with a BMI of 19.5 to 29.4.

New Dipyrroloquinones from a Plant-Derived Endophytic Fungus Talaromyces sp.

Two new dipyrroloquinones, namely talaroterreusinones A (1) and B (2), together with four known secondary metabolites, terreusinone A (3), penicillixanthone A (4), isorhodoptilometrin (5), and chrysomutanin (6), were isolated from the solid culture of the endophytic fungus Talaromyces sp. by integrating mass spectrometry-based metabolic profiling and a bioassay-guided method. Their planar structures and stereochemistry were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis including NMR and MS. The absolute configuration at C-1″ of terreusinone A (1) was established by applying the modified Mosher's method. Compounds 1-6 were evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity and cytotoxicity. As a result, 1-3 inhibited the LPS-stimulated NO production in macrophage RAW264.7 cells, with IC50 values of 20.3, 30.7, and 20.6 µM, respectively. Penicillixanthone A (4) exhibited potent cytotoxic activity against Hep G2 and A549 cell lines, with IC50 values of 117 nM and 212 nM, respectively, and displayed significant antitumour effects in A549 cells by inhibiting the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signalling pathway.

Pituitary stalk interruption syndrome and liver cirrhosis associated with diabetes and an inactivating KCNJ11 gene mutation: a case report and literature review.

Background: Pituitary stalk interruption syndrome (PSIS) is a congenital disease commonly found in patients with combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD). Most PSIS patients manifest growth retardation and delayed puberty. We report a rare case of PSIS with tall stature, liver cirrhosis and diabetes, possibly caused by an inactivating KCNJ11 gene mutation. Case presentation: A 37-year-old female patient initially presented with liver cirrhosis and diabetes, without any secondary sexual characteristics. Endocrine investigation indicated CPHD. Small anterior pituitary, invisible pituitary stalk and no eutopic posterior lobe hypersignal in the sella turcica viewed in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed the diagnosis of PSIS. Despite receiving no growth hormone or sex hormone therapy, she reached a final height of 186 cm. Liver histopathology revealed nonalcoholic fatty cirrhosis. Genetic testing identified a heterozygous p.Arg301Cys mutation in the KCNJ11 gene. Conclusion: This is a rare case of PSIS with liver cirrhosis and diabetes associated with an inactivating KCNJ11 gene mutation. It's supposed that early hyperinsulinism caused by the KCNJ11 gene mutation, as well as delayed epiphyseal closure due to estrogen deficiency, contributed to the patient's exceptionally tall stature. Untreated growth hormone deficiency (GHD) resulted in increased visceral fat, leading to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cirrhosis. The decline in ß cell function with age, combined with NAFLD, may have played a role in the development of diabetes.

Diagnostic performance of ultrasound with computer-aided diagnostic system in detecting breast cancer.

Purpose: This study aims to examine the performance of breast ultrasound with a computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) system in detecting malignant breast cancer compared to conventional ultrasound and investigate the effects on smaller tumor sizes (≤20 mm). Methods: This retrospective analysis included 123 patients with breast masses between March 2021 and July 2023. By using pathology results from biopsies or surgeries as the gold standard, we calculated and compared the diagnostic performances of conventional ultrasound and CAD, including sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, accuracy, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). A subgroup analysis of masses ≤20 mm in size was performed. Results: Twenty-seven patients were pathologically diagnosed with malignant breast cancer. CAD had a higher specificity (92.71 % vs. 62.5 %) and accuracy (93.5 % vs. 69.92 %) than conventional ultrasound. The AUC of CAD was significantly greater than that of conventional ultrasonography (0.9450 vs. 0.7940, p < 0.0001). The agreement between the CAD and pathology results was almost perfect (kappa = 0.82, p < 0.0001). In patients with masses ≤20 mm, the effect was consistent: CAD had higher specificity (91.43 % vs. 51.43 %), higher accuracy (90.70 % vs. 58.14 %), and a higher AUC (0.8946 vs. 0.6946, p < 0.0001) than conventional ultrasound. Thirty-one downgrades were observed in BI-RADS 4A and 4B based on CAD, all of which were proven to be benign. Conclusion: Compared to conventional breast ultrasound, CAD had better diagnostic performance, with higher specificity, accuracy, and AUC. CAD can help recognize benign lesions, especially in patients with BI-RADS 4A, and avoid unnecessary invasive procedures.

Can XunTian Tai Chi intervention improve the level of emotional regulation of crew members in the Controlled Ecological Life Support System?

To explore the appropriate exercise methods and means for astronauts in confined and small isolation conditions, a set of XunTian Tai Chi suitable for the spaceflight workforce was created, with the aim of discovering the practical effects of XunTian Tai Chi and providing a scientific basis for the subsequent development of new astronaut health maintenance techniques with Chinese characteristics. Using the Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) as a research platform, we observed the changes in a crew member's emotion regulation-related indexes during 180 days of working and living in a confined isolation chamber through periodic interventions of the XunTian Tai Chi and conducted statistical analyses. During the 180-day cabin mission, expression suppression, cognitive reappraisal, attention index, and relaxation index were all lower than those before entering the cabin, suggesting that the crew member's emotion regulation ability decreased during the in-cabin mission. A single Tai Chi exercise could cause favorable changes in the indicators, positively affecting the crew member's emotional regulation. The attention and relaxation indices of the occupants were improved significantly by both single and periodic Tai Chi exercises. After the Tai Chi exercise cycle, the results of each index showed a certain degree of effect. The 180-day ground-based simulation of Tai Chi in the confinement of a space capsule positively affects the occupant's emotional regulation.

Fusobacterium nucleatum promotes colorectal cancer metastasis by excretion of miR-122-5p from cells via exosomes.

Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) infection and microRNAs (miRNAs) are closely associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) development, but the mechanism by which Fn regulates tumor-suppressive miRNAs via exosomes and facilitates CRC metastasis remains unclear. Here, we identified that Fn infection significantly increased exosomal miR-122-5p levels in the serum of CRC patients and CRC cell culture supernatants through two miRNA panels of high-throughput sequencing and RT-qPCR analysis. In Fn-infected patients, the serum exosomal levels of miR-122-5p were negatively associated with their expression levels of tissues. Downregulated miR-122-5p was demonstrated to enhance the migration, invasion, and metastasis abilities of CRC cells in vivo and in vitro. Secretion of miR-122-5p into exosomes is mediated by hnRNPA2B1. Mechanistically, Fn activated the TGF-ß1/Smads signaling pathway to promote EMT by regulation of the miR-122-5p/FUT8 axis. In conclusion, Fn infection may stimulate CRC cells to excrete exosome-wrapped miR-122-5p, and activate the FUT8/TGF-ß1/Smads axis to promote metastasis.