Short-term dietary teprenone improved thermal tolerance and mitigated liver damage caused by heat stress in juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides).

Heat stress seriously threatens fish survival and health, demanding immediate attention. Teprenone is a gastric mucosal protective agent that can induce heat shock protein expression. This research investigated the effects of teprenone on largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) subjected to heat stress. Juvenile fish were assigned to different groups: group C (control group, 0 mg teprenone/kg diet), T0, T200, T400, and T800 (0, 200, 400, and 800 mg teprenone/kg diet, respectively), which were fed for 3 days, followed by a day without the diet. All groups except group C were subjected to acute heat stress (from 24 °C to 35 °C at 1 °C per hour and then maintained at 35 °C for 3 h). The results were as follows: The critical thermal maxima were significantly higher in the T200, T400, and T800 groups compared with the T0 group (P < 0.05). Heat stress caused severe damage to the tissue morphology of the liver, while teprenone significantly reduced this injury (P < 0.05). Serum cortisol concentration decreased gradually as teprenone concentration increased, and the lowest concentration was observed in the T800 group (P < 0.05). Compared with the T0 group, the serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase were significantly lower in the T200, T400, and T800 groups (P < 0.05). The liver activities of catalase, total superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase were significantly higher in the T200 group than in the T0 group (P < 0.05). Transcript levels of the heat shock proteins (hsp90, hsp70, hspa5, and hsf1) and caspase family (caspase3 and caspase9) in the liver of the T200 group were significantly higher than those of the T0 group (P < 0.05). Western blot results showed that HSP70 and HSPA5 in the liver were significantly upregulated in the T200 group compared with the T0 group (P < 0.05). In summary, dietary teprenone improved thermal tolerance, alleviated heat stress damage in the liver, enhanced antioxidant capacity, and upregulated heat shock proteins in juvenile largemouth bass. This study offers theoretical support for applying teprenone in aquaculture to reduce financial losses caused by abiotic factors.

Adaptive phase-shifting interferometry based on a phase-shifting digital holography algorithm.

Phase-shifting interferometry (PSI) requires accurate phase shifts between interferograms for realizing high-accuracy phase retrieval. This paper presents an adaptive PSI through synchronously capturing phase shifts measurement interferograms and phase measurement interferograms, in which the former is a series of spatial carrier frequency phase-shifting interferograms generated by an additional assembly and the phase shifts are calculated with the single-spectrum phase shifts measurement algorithm (SS-PSMA), the latter is employed for phase retrieval with an adaptive phase-shifting digital holography algorithm (PSDHA) based on complex amplitude recovery. In addition to exhibiting excellent reliability, high-accuracy phase retrieval (0.02 rad), and short calculation time (<25 ms), the proposed adaptive PSDHA is suitable for various interferograms with different fringe shapes and numbers. Importantly, both simulation analysis and experimental result demonstrate that this adaptive PSI based on PSDHA can effectively eliminate phase-shifting errors caused by phase shifter and external disturbance, ensuring high-accuracy phase shifts measurement and phase retrieval, meanwhile significantly reducing phase-shifting interferograms acquisition time and phase retrieval calculation time.

Identification and prognostic analysis of ferroptosis­related gene HSPA5 to predict the progression of lung squamous cell carcinoma.

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death driven by excessive lipid peroxidation, is implicated in the development and therapeutic responses of cancer. However, the role of ferroptosis-related gene profiles in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) remains largely unknown. The present study aimed to identify the prognostic roles of ferroptosis-related genes in LSCC. Sequencing data from the Cancer Genome Atlas were analyzed and ferroptosis-related gene expression between tumor and para-tumor tissue was identified. The prognostic role of these genes was also assessed using Kaplan-Meier analyses and univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model analyses. Immunological correlation, tumor stemness, drug sensitivity and the transcriptional differences of heat shock protein (HSP)A5 in LSCC were also analyzed. Thereafter, the expression of HSPA5 in 100 patients with metastatic LSCC was evaluated using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and the clinical significance of these markers with different risk factors was assessed. Of the 22 ferroptosis-related genes, the expression of HSPA5, HSPB1, glutathione peroxidase 4, Fanconi anemia complementation group D2, CDGSH iron sulfur domain 1, farnesyl-diphosphate farnesyltransferase 1, nuclear factor erythroid 2 like 2, solute carrier (SLC)1A5, ribosomal protein L8, nuclear receptor coactivator 4, transferrin receptor and SLC7A11 was significantly increased in LSCC compared with adjacent tissues. However, only high expression of HSPA5 was able to predict progression-free survival (PFS) and disease-free survival in LSCC. Although HSPA5 was also significantly elevated in patients with lung adenocarcinoma, HSPA5 expression did not predict the prognosis of patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Of note, a higher expression of HSPA5 was related to higher responses to chemotherapy but not to immunotherapy. In addition, HSPA5 expression was positively correlated with 'ferroptosis', 'cellular responses to hypoxia', 'tumor proliferation signature', 'G2M checkpoint', 'MYC targets' and 'TGFB'. IHC analysis also demonstrated that a high expression of HSPA5 in patients with metastatic LSCC in the study cohort was associated with shorter PFS and overall survival. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that the expression of the ferroptosis-related gene HSPA5 may be a negative prognostic marker for LSCC.

Understanding the Molecular Mechanisms of H2's Regulatory Effect on miR-29s for Brain Protection during Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest.

INTRODUCTION: Research regarding post-operative brain protection after deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) has gained attracted significant attention. We previously demonstrated that hydrogen can significantly reverse DHCA-induced brain damage. METHOD: In the current research, we have established the DHCA model successfully using a modified four-vessel occlusion method and injected miR-29s compounds into the hippocampal tissue of rats. RESULT: We were surprised to find hydrogen increased miR-29s expression in the hippocampal tissue of a DHCA rat model. The administration of agomiR-29s counteracted DHCA-induced hippocampal tissue injury, while the antamiR-29s had the opposite effects. CONCLUSION: Based on the above facts, the brain protection mechanism of hydrogen in DHCAtreated rats may be related to the upregulation of miR-29s, which can exert its beneficial effects by alleviating apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidation.

Insufficient recovery of proprioception in chronic ankle instability after surgical restabilization: A systematic review.

Surgical repair or reconstruction of the lateral ligaments for patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI) could, logically, restore the proprioception of ankle through retensing receptors. To validate this hypothesis, seven databases were systematically searched, and thirteen studies comprising a total of 347 patients with CAI were included. Although five studies reported improved proprioceptive outcomes after surgeries, the other five studies with between-limb/group comparisons reported residual deficits at final follow-up, which does not consistently support proprioceptive recovery after existing surgical restabilization for CAI. More controlled studies are needed to provide evidence-based protocols to improve proprioceptive recovery after ankle restabilization for CAI.

A protective role of ABCA5 in response to elevated sphingomyelin levels in Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that affects the motor system. Increasing evidence indicates that lysosomal dysfunction is pivotal in the pathogenesis of PD, typically characterized by dysregulation of sphingolipids in lysosomes. ATP-binding cassette subfamily A member 5 (ABCA5) is a lysosomal transporter that mediates the removal of excess sphingomyelin from lysosomes. We therefore investigated whether the expression levels of ABCA5 are associated with sphingomyelin levels and α-synuclein pathology in PD. Firstly, we undertook a comprehensive assessment of the six sphingolipid classes that are part of the lysosomal salvage pathway in the disease-affected amygdala and disease-unaffected visual cortex using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. We found that sphingomyelin levels were significantly increased in PD compared to controls and correlated with disease duration only in the amygdala, whereas, the five other sphingolipid classes were slightly altered or unaltered. Concomitantly, the expression of ABCA5 was upregulated in the PD amygdala compared to controls and correlated strongly with sphingomyelin levels. Using neuronal cells, we further verified that the expression of ABCA5 was dependent on cellular levels of sphingomyelin. Interestingly, sphingomyelin levels were strongly associated with α-synuclein in the amygdala and were related to α-synuclein expression. Finally, we revealed that sphingomyelin levels were also increased in PD plasma compared to controls, and that five identical sphingomyelin species were increased in both the brain and the plasma. When put together, these results suggest that in regions accumulating α-synuclein in PD, ABCA5 is upregulated to reduce lysosomal sphingomyelin levels potentially as a protective measure. This process may provide new targets for therapeutic intervention and biomarker development for PD.

Postural Control Deficits During Static Single-leg Stance in Chronic Ankle Instability: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

CONTEXT: Postural control deficits arising from injured ankles are central to chronic ankle instability (CAI) and its persistent symptoms. This is usually measured by recording the center of pressure (CoP) trajectory during static single-leg stance using a stable force plate. However, existing studies have produced conflicting results on whether this mode of measurement adequately reveals the postural deficits in CAI. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether postural control during static single-leg stance is impaired in CAI patients when compared with uninjured healthy controls. DATA SOURCES: Literature databases, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus, were searched from inception to April 1, 2022, using ankle-, injury-, and posture-related terms. STUDY SELECTION: Two authors independently performed the step-by-step screening of article titles, abstracts, and full texts to select peer-reviewed studies investigating CoP trajectory during static single-leg stance using a stable force plate in CAI patients and healthy controls. A total of 13,637 studies were reviewed, and 38 studies (0.003%) met the selection criteria. STUDY DESIGN: Meta-analyses of descriptive epidemiological study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4. DATA EXTRACTION: CoP parameters, sway directions, visual condition, and numerical data (means and standard deviations) were extracted. RESULTS: The injured ankles of CAI patients had higher standard deviations of sway amplitude in both anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.36 and 0.31, respectively) under conditions of open eyes than controls. Higher mean sway velocity in anterior-posterior, medial-lateral, and total directions (SMD = 0.41, 0.37, and 0.45, respectively) with closed eyes was also found. CONCLUSION: CAI patients had deficits of postural control during static single-leg stance, and these deficits were identified by the CoP trajectory. Further methodological explorations of CoP parameters and corresponding test conditions are required to enhance the sensitivity and reliability of postural deficit assessments in CAI using force plates.

Bone marrow edema at ligament insertion is an accurate MRI sign of deltoid ligament injury.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is effective in diagnosing deltoid ligament (DL) injury but its sensitivity in chronic cases is low. Additional diagnostic signs are required to reduce the risk of a false negative diagnosis. PURPOSE: To evaluate the added diagnostic value of bone marrow edema at the ligament insertion (BMELI) of DL to the MRI assessment of chronic DL injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred patients who consecutively came to our institution between November 2018 and December 2021 and underwent arthroscopic surgery for chronic ankle instability (CAI) were enrolled in the present study. Preoperative MR images were retrospectively reviewed by two orthopedic surgeons to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and interobserver reliability of three MRI signs in diagnosing chronic DL injury, namely, abnormal ligamentous morphological characteristics (ALMC), BMELI and medial clear space (MCS). RESULTS: Taking arthroscopy as the reference standard, there were 34 patients with and 66 without DL injury. ALMC had 64.71% (22/34; 46.47-79.70) sensitivity and 83.33% (55/66; 71.71-91.00) specificity, BMELI had 70.59% (24/34; 52.33-84.29) sensitivity and 95.45% (63/66; 86.44-98.82) specificity and MCS had 26.47% (9/34; 13.51-44.65) sensitivity and 92.42% (61/66; 82.50-97.18) specificity. Compared with ALMC, BMELI had similar efficacy in superficial cases (P = 0.06) and greater efficacy in deep cases (P = 0.04). All three signs showed good interobserver agreement (kappa values all above 0.7). CONCLUSION: BMELI can reliably indicate concomitant injury to the DL in CAI patients. Using BMELI as a sign of chronic DL injury when ALMC is unclear may reduce the risk of a false negative diagnosis.

Satisfactory outcomes from the double-row fixation procedure for ankle lateral ligaments injury with os subfibulare.

Background: Ossicles of avulsed fractures of the lateral malleolus can result in pain or chronic ankle instability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the arthroscopic double-row fixation procedure with anatomic ankle lateral ligaments reconstruction for the treatment of ankle lateral ligaments injury with os subfibulare. Methods: This retrospective study included 38 patients with ankle lateral ligaments injury with concomitant os subfibulare who were treated between July 2016 and November 2021. The patients were divided into a double-row fixation group (n = 19) and an ankle lateral ligaments reconstruction group (n = 19). The Karlsson and Peterson Scoring System for Ankle Function (KAFS), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, Tegner score, visual analog scale (VAS), and anterior drawer test (ADT) were obtained preoperatively and at the last post-operative follow-up. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was also performed at the last post-operative follow-up. Results: The KAFS, AOFAS, VAS, and Tegner scores increased significantly after the surgery. Furthermore, the pre- and post-operative functional scores were comparable between the two groups. The ADT was negative in all participants post-operatively. There were no significant differences between the double-row fixation and ligaments reconstruction groups regarding the proportions of patients who achieved a minimally clinically important difference (MCID) in KAFS, AOFAS, and Tegner scores. There was no significant difference in T2 mapping values for the tibial and talar side post-operatively between the two groups. Moreover, there were no significant differences in functional scores post-operatively between bony fusion and non-fusion patients in the double fixation group. Conclusion: The double-row fixation procedure provided similar satisfactory clinical outcomes when compared with lateral ligaments reconstruction for the treatment of ankle lateral ligaments injury with os subfibulare over a short follow-up duration.

A biomechanical comparison of the double-row suture fixation and compression screw techniques in the treatment of lateral malleolar avulsion fracture.

Background: Avulsion fractures of fibula occur with ankle sprains. The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical characteristics of double-row suture versus compression screw techniques in treatment of lateral malleolar avulsion fracturelarger than 10 mm in size, which is typically not associated with an anterior talofibular ligament injury. Methods: We simulated lateral malleolus avulsion fractures in six matched pairs of 12 human cadaveric ankles. These were then randomly divided into two groups: a double-row fixation group and a compression screw group. Biomechanical testing was performed after surgical fixation. The foot was rotated from the neutral position toward inversion at a rate of 1°/s until 12.5 N-m or structural failure was reached. The final rotation torque, rotation angle, stiffness, and displacement of the ossicles were recorded. Results: No significant difference was found in the final rotation torque (7.60 ± 3.70 vs 7.23 ± 2.06 N-m, p = 0.87), rotation angle (43.61 ± 14.77° vs 40.93 ± 10.94°, p = 0.56), stiffness (0.19 ± 0.08 vs 0.13 ± 0.07, p = 0.33), or displacement (6.11 ± 5.23 vs 7.09 ± 5.93 mm, p = 0.77) between the two groups. Conclusions: The stability of the double-row suture fixation was equivalent to compression screw fixation in treating a lateral malleolar avulsion fracture larger than 10 mm in size with ligament injury, as determined by our biomechanical testing.

Safe Talar Tunnel Placement During Reconstruction of the Deep Layer of the Deltoid Ligament: A Comparison of 4 Different Anatomic Landmarks on the Lateral Malleolus.

Background: Deltoid ligament reconstruction of the ankle can be considered when the ruptured ligament is insufficient for direct repair. Purpose: To compare the safety of talar tunnels oriented toward 4 different anatomic landmarks on the lateral malleolus during reconstruction of the deep layer of the deltoid ligament (DDL). Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: A total of 30 computed tomography scans of the ankle joint in healthy adults were collected to generate 3-dimensional models. Virtual talar tunnels with a diameter of 5 mm and with different lengths (20.0, 25.0, and 30.0 mm) were created from the talar insertion of the DDL and were oriented toward the talar neck as well as the most anterior, the most distal, and the most posterior points of the distal fibula. The minimal safe distance (MSD) of a drilling route was calculated for the tunnels, and the safe distance from the end of the tunnel to the bone surface was measured for each tunnel. The nonpaired Student t test was used to detect differences among the safe distances of the 4 different bone tunnels. Results: For the 20.0-mm tunnels, the safe distance of the tunnel oriented toward the talar neck (5.90 ± 1.16 mm) did not meet the MSD (6.0 mm). For the 25.0-mm tunnels, the safe distances of the tunnels oriented toward the talar neck (4.53 ± 1.13 mm) and the anterior point of the fibula (5.91 ± 1.52 mm) did not meet the MSD (6.9 mm). Conclusion: Tunnels that were 5 mm in diameter and 20.0 and 25.0 mm in length, oriented toward the most distal or most posterior point of the distal fibula, were safe for DDL reconstruction. Clinical Relevance: Knowledge of safe talar tunnel placement is important, especially to avoid bone surface penetration during DDL reconstruction.

Hydrogel-based molecular tension fluorescence microscopy for investigating receptor-mediated rigidity sensing.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) rigidity serves as a crucial mechanical cue impacting diverse biological processes. However, understanding the molecular mechanisms of rigidity sensing has been limited by the spatial resolution and force sensitivity of current cellular force measurement techniques. Here we developed a method to functionalize DNA tension probes on soft hydrogel surfaces in a controllable and reliable manner, enabling molecular tension fluorescence microscopy for rigidity sensing studies. Our findings showed that fibroblasts respond to substrate rigidity by recruiting more force-bearing integrins and modulating integrin sampling frequency of the ECM, rather than simply overloading the existing integrin-ligand bonds, to promote focal adhesion maturation. We also demonstrated that ECM rigidity positively regulates the pN force of T cell receptor-ligand bond and T cell receptor mechanical sampling frequency, promoting T cell activation. Thus, hydrogel-based molecular tension fluorescence microscopy implemented on a standard confocal microscope provides a simple and effective means to explore detailed molecular force information for rigidity-dependent biological processes.

Exploring Mechanical Responses of Cells to Geometric Information Using Micropatterned DNA-Based Molecular Tension Probes.

The geometric shape of a cell is strongly influenced by the cytoskeleton, which, in turn, is regulated by integrin-mediated cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions. To investigate the mechanical role of integrin in the geometrical interplay between cells and the ECM, we proposed a single-cell micropatterning technique combined with molecular tension fluorescence microscopy (MTFM), which allows us to characterize the mechanical properties of cells with prescribed geometries. Our results show that the curvature is a key geometric cue for cells to differentiate shapes in a membrane-tension- and actomyosin-dependent manner. Specifically, curvatures affect the size of focal adhesions (FAs) and induce a curvature-dependent density and spatial distribution of strong integrins. In addition, we found that the integrin subunit ß1 plays a critical role in the detection of geometric information. Overall, the integration of MTFM and single-cell micropatterning offers a robust approach for investigating the nexus between mechanical cues and cellular responses, holding potential for advancing our understanding of mechanobiology.

Helicobacter pylori infection increases the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Possible relationship from an updated meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has long been debated. Although it has been investigated in many observational studies, the results remain controversial. Therefore, we performed an updated meta-analysis to assess the association between H pylori infection and risk of NAFLD by collecting relevant articles. METHODS: Literature collections were conducted by searching PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases. Pooled odds ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated to estimate the strength of the link between H pylori infection and NAFLD using Stata 12.0 software. RESULTS: 28 studies with 68,047 cases of NAFLD patients and 134,866 controls were finally included in the meta-analysis. Overall, The results suggested a 27.5% increased risk of developing NAFLD in patients with H pylori infection (odds ratios 1.275 95% confidence intervals 1.179-1.379), although significant heterogeneity was observed. There is no significant publication bias observed based on the funnel plot and Begg test. Subgroup analysis revealed that variables of the study design, study region, publication year, and the method of diagnosing H pylori and NAFLD all contribute to the high heterogeneity, while the positive correlation was seen in all subgroup analysis. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis disclosed 1.275-fold increased risk of the occurrence and development of NAFLD in H pylori (+) group compared with the H pylori (-) group, indicating that H pylori is a serious risk factor in patients susceptible to NAFLD.

Renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma: A case report.

Epithelioid angiomyolipoma (EAML) of the kidney is an uncommon neoplasm with malignant potential. It can occur sporadically or be associated with tuberous sclerosis. EAML is a monotypic variant of angiomyolipoma (AML), which is classified as neoplasm of the perivascular epithelioid cell or perivascular epithelioid cell tumor. Due to its epithelioid nature and paucity of fat components, unlike classic AML, which has abundant adipose tissue with characteristic features on CT scans, it is difficult to distinguish EAML from renal cell carcinoma and fat-poor AML on CT or MRI preoperatively, which may lead to misdiagnosis and unnecessary nephrectomy. The present report describes two cases of renal EAML, which were successfully treated by laparoscopic surgery. Preoperative diagnosis had not been achieved until surgery was performed and histological analysis was accomplished. No local recurrence or distal metastasis was observed during follow-up. Although the differential diagnosis was challenging preoperatively, a diagnosis of EAML should be considered and surgical excision was the preferred treatment strategy for the patients with localized tumors.

Sling Versus Abduction Brace Shoulder Immobilization After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: The optimal immobilization position of the shoulder after rotator cuff repair is controversial. Purpose: To compare the clinical outcomes and incidence of retears after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair between patients who used an abduction brace versus a sling for postoperative shoulder immobilization. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. We searched the PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase electronic databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared abduction brace and sling immobilization after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using single-row, double-row, or suture-bridge fixation. Clinical scores, pain severity, and retear rates were compared between patients with abduction brace versus sling immobilization. Results: Of 1572 retrieved studies, 4 RCTs with a total of 224 patients (112 patients with abduction brace and 112 patients with sling) were included in the qualitative analysis, and 3 of the RCTs were included in the quantitative analysis (meta-analysis). There were no significant differences between the abduction brace and sling immobilization groups in the Constant-Murley score at 3 months (weighted mean difference [WMD], 0.26 [95% CI, -1.30 to 1.83]; P = .74; I 2 = 84%), 6 months (WMD, 1.91 [95% CI, -0.17 to 4.00]; P = .07; I 2 = 85%), and 12 months (WMD, 0.55 [95% CI, -1.37 to 2.47]; P = .57; I 2 = 0%); the visual analog scale score for pain at 1 week (WMD, 0.10 [95% CI, -0.20 to 0.41]; P = .51; I 2 = 0%), 3 weeks (WMD, -0.12 [95% CI, -0.34 to 1.00]; P = .29; I 2 = 0%), 6 weeks (WMD, -0.12 [95% CI, -0.30 to 0.06]; P = .20; I 2 = 0%), and 12 weeks (WMD, -0.13 [95% CI, -0.27 to 0.02]; P = .09; I 2 = 18%); or the retear rate at 3 months (risk ratio, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.09 to 4.23]; P = .64; Z = 0.47%) postoperatively. Conclusion: Our systematic review demonstrated a lack of significant differences between the abduction brace and sling immobilization groups regarding postoperative clinical scores, pain severity, and tendon healing.

Molecular Force Imaging Reveals That Integrin-Dependent Mechanical Checkpoint Regulates Fcγ-Receptor-Mediated Phagocytosis in Macrophages.

Macrophages are a type of immune cell that helps eliminate pathogens and diseased cells. Recent research has shown that macrophages can sense mechanical cues from potential targets to perform effective phagocytosis, but the mechanisms behind it remain unclear. In this study, we used DNA-based tension probes to study the role of integrin-mediated forces in FcγR-mediated phagocytosis. The results showed that when the phagocytic receptor FcγR is activated, the force-bearing integrins create a "mechanical barrier" that physically excludes the phosphatase CD45 and facilitates phagocytosis. However, if the integrin-mediated forces are physically restricted at lower levels or if the macrophage is on a soft matrix, CD45 exclusion is significantly reduced. Moreover, CD47-SIRPα "don't eat me" signaling can reduce CD45 segregation by inhibiting the mechanical stability of the integrin barrier. These findings demonstrate how macrophages use molecular forces to identify physical properties and combine them with biochemical signals from phagocytic receptors to guide phagocytosis.

Risk Factors of Hypoxemia in the Postanesthesia Care Unit After General Anesthesia in Children.

PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of hypoxemia in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) after general anesthesia in children. DESIGN: A retrospective observational study. METHODS: Elective surgical patients (N = 3,840 patients) treated in a pediatric hospital were divided into a hypoxemia group and a nonhypoxemia group according to the presence of hypoxemia following transport to the PACU. The clinical data of the 3,840 patients were compared between these two groups to evaluate factors that were linked to the development of postoperative hypoxemia. Factors that showed a statistically significant difference (P < .05) in single-factor tests were then examined in multivariate regression analyses to identify hypoxemia risk factors. FINDINGS: In our study group of 3,840 patients, 167 (4.35%) patients developed hypoxemia, with an incidence of 4.35%. Univariate analysis indicated that age, weight, anesthesia method, and operation type were significantly associated with hypoxemia. Logistic regression analysis indicated that operation type was associated with hypoxemia. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery type is a primary risk factor for pediatric hypoxemia in the PACU following general anesthesia. Patients undergoing oral surgery are more prone to hypoxemia and should be more intensively monitored to ensure timely treatment if required.

Nano-Pt induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis and cytoprotective autophagy in human NSCLC cells.

Given that currently used classical chemotherapeutic drugs lack the ideal therapeutic effect and produce severe side effects, platinum nanomaterials (Pt-NMs) have gradually gained attention, and their antitumor effect has been initially explored. However, the specific mechanisms underlying the action of Pt-NMs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells remain unclear. Moreover, the interaction between Pt-NMs and autophagy in inducing apoptosis of NSCLC cells remains unexplored. In this study, we explored the anti-NSCLC effect of amine-caged Pt nanoclusters (Nano-Pt) using cell cycle, migration, proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy assays. We found that Nano-Pt significantly inhibited cell viability, reduced migration ability, caused DNA damage, induced S phase (period of DNA synthesis in the cell cycle) arrest, and promoted apoptosis in NSCLC cells. Nano-Pt also reduced mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), increased permeability transition, and promoted apoptosis by upregulating Bax and PARP expression. Nano-Pt-induced apoptosis was accompanied by protective autophagy, which could be enhanced by autophagy inhibitors. Our findings on the biological behavior and the interaction between autophagy and apoptosis can provide the clear anti-NSCLC molecular mechanism of Nano-Pt, which have a promising potential for the development of novel Pt-based antitumor chemotherapy drugs with excellent curative efficacy and fewer side effects.

The Effect of Hormone Types, Concentrations, and Treatment Times on the Rooting Traits of Morus 'Yueshenda 10' Softwood Cuttings.

Enhancing the capacity of fruit trees to propagate via cuttings is an important endeavor for the high-quality development of the fruit industry. Optimizing the conditions for the cutting propagation of mulberry seedlings is an important factor that influences the industrial production of this plant; however, the currently used mulberry breeding technology system is not mature. In this experiment, an orthogonal design was used to intercept semi-woody shoots of Yueshenda 10 as cuttings and set different hormone concentrations (200, 500, 800, and 1000 mg/L), different hormone types (NAA, IBA, IAA, and ABT-1), and different soaking times (10, 30, 60, and 120 min) for cuttings. The effects of the three factors on the rooting of mulberry cuttings were investigated by soaking the cuttings in clean water for 10 min as a control. The results showed that the primary and secondary order of the three factors affecting the rooting rate of cuttings was hormone concentration > hormone type > soaking time, and the concentration of exogenous hormones had a significant impact on all rooting indicators (p < 0.05). In addition, the rooting rate (66.24%), average number of roots (7.54 roots/plant), and rooting effect index (4.23) of Yueshenda 10 cuttings reached the optimal level when soaked with 800 mg/L ABT-1 for 30 min. The longest root length (10.20 cm) and average root length (4.44 cm) of cuttings achieved the best results when soaked with 800 mg/L NAA for 60 min and 500 mg/L NAA for 30 min, respectively. On balance, it is considered that the preferred solution is to soak the cuttings of Yueshenda 10 with 800 mg/L ABT1 solution for 0.5 h.