Tailored Supramolecular Interactions in Host-Guest Complexation for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells and Modules.

Host-guest complexation offers a promising approach for mitigating surface defects in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Crown ethers are the most widely used macrocyclic hosts for complexing perovskite surfaces, yet their supramolecular interactions and functional implications require further understanding. Here we show that the dipole moment of crown ethers serves as an indicator of supramolecular interactions with both perovskites and precursor salts. A larger dipole moment, achieved through the substitution of heteroatoms, correlates with enhanced coordination with lead cations. Perovskite films incorporating aza-crown ethers as additives exhibited improved morphology, reduced defect densities, and better energy-level alignment compared to those using native crown ethers. We report power-conversion efficiencies (PCEs) exceeding 25% for PSCs, which show enhanced long-term stability, and a record PCE of 21.5% for host-guest complexation-based perovskite solar modules with an active area of 14.0 cm2.

Research progress on long non­coding RNAs in non­infectious spinal diseases (Review).

Spinal diseases, including intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), ankylosing spondylitis, spinal cord injury and other non­infectious spinal diseases, severely affect the quality of life of patients. Current treatments for IDD and other spinal diseases can only relieve symptoms and do not completely cure the disease. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore the causes of these diseases and develop new treatment approaches. Long non­coding RNA (lncRNA), a form of non­coding RNA, is abundant in diverse sources, has numerous functions, and plays an important role in the occurrence and development of spinal diseases such as IDD. However, the mechanism of action of lncRNAs has not been fully elucidated, and significant challenges remain in the use of lncRNAs as new therapeutic targets. The present article reviews the sources, classification and functions of lncRNAs, and introduces the role of lncRNAs in spinal diseases, such as IDD, and their therapeutic potential.

Cu Based Dilute Alloys for Tuning the C2+ Selectivity of Electrochemical CO2 Reduction.

Electrochemical CO2 reduction is a promising technology for replacing fossil fuel feedstocks in the chemical industry but further improvements in catalyst selectivity need to be made. So far, only copper-based catalysts have shown efficient conversion of CO2 into the desired multi-carbon (C2+) products. This work explores Cu-based dilute alloys to systematically tune the energy landscape of CO2 electrolysis toward C2+ products. Selection of the dilute alloy components is guided by grand canonical density functional theory simulations using the calculated binding energies of the reaction intermediates CO*, CHO*, and OCCO* dimer as descriptors for the selectivity toward C2+ products. A physical vapor deposition catalyst testing platform is employed to isolate the effect of alloy composition on the C2+/C1 product branching ratio without interference from catalyst morphology or catalyst integration. Six dilute alloy catalysts are prepared and tested with respect to their C2+/C1 product ratio using different electrolyzer environments including selected tests in a 100-cm2 electrolyzer. Consistent with theory, CuAl, CuB, CuGa and especially CuSc show increased selectivity toward C2+ products by making CO dimerization energetically more favorable on the dominant Cu facets, demonstrating the power of using the dilute alloy approach to tune the selectivity of CO2 electrolysis.

Lactate and Lactylation in Sepsis: A Comprehensive Review.

Sepsis is a disorder of the immune response to infection or infectious factors with high morbidity and mortality in clinical settings. The lactylation of lysine residues, fueled by lactate, plays a pivotal role in its pathophysiology. In conducting a literature review on sepsis-related research, we employed a systematic approach to ensure comprehensiveness and accuracy. Initially, we conducted an extensive literature search through the PubMed database, utilizing a range of keywords including "sepsis", "lactate", "lactylation", and "epigenetic modification". The aim was to capture the most recent research related to the pathophysiological mechanisms of sepsis, metabolic disorders, and the role of lactylation. The results of the literature review revealed a close link between sepsis and metabolic dysfunction, particularly the pivotal role of lactylation in regulating immune responses and inflammatory processes. Lactate, not only an energy metabolic byproduct produced during glycolysis, affects the activity of various proteins, including those involved in immune regulation and cell signaling, through lactylation. In the context of sepsis, changes in the levels of lactylation may be closely associated with the severity and prognosis of the disease. In summary, lactylation, as an emerging type of epigenetic modification, provides a new perspective for the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis. Future research needs to further elucidate the exact mechanisms of lactylation in sepsis and explore its potential as a therapeutic target.

The annual incidence and mortality rates associated with sepsis are on the rise, and to date, no medications or therapies have been proven effective in clinical practice. Glycolysis plays a pivotal role in regulating lactylation, a process derived from lactate generated by cellular glucose metabolism. In the context of sepsis, elevated lactate levels are indicative of a poor prognosis. It is imperative to delve into the mechanisms underlying lactylation alterations during sepsis to enhance our comprehension of its complex pathophysiology and to pinpoint innovative therapeutic targets for the condition.

Stretchable Ultrasound Metalens for Biomedical Zoom Imaging and Bone Quality Assessment with Subwavelength Resolution.

Ultrasound imaging is extensively used in biomedical science and clinical practice. Imaging resolution and tunability of imaging plane are key performance indicators, but both remain challenging to be improved due to the longer wavelength compared with light and the lack of zoom lens for ultrasound. Here, the ultrasound zoom imaging based on a stretchable planar metalens that simultaneously achieves the subwavelength imaging resolution and dynamic control of the imaging plane is reported. The proposed zoom imaging ultrasonography enables precise bone fracture diagnosis and comprehensive osteoporosis assessment. Millimeter-scale microarchitectures of the cortical bones at different depths can be selectively imaged with a 0.6-wavelength resolution. The morphological features of bone fractures, including the shape, size and position, are accurately detected. Based on the extracted ultrasound information of cancellous bones with healthy matrix, osteopenia and osteoporosis, a multi-index osteoporosis evaluation method is developed. Furthermore, it provides additional biological information in aspects of bone elasticity and attenuation to access the comprehensive osteoporosis assessment. The soft metalens also features flexibility and biocompatibility for preferable applications on wearable devices. This work provides a strategy for the development of high-resolution ultrasound biomedical zoom imaging and comprehensive bone quality diagnosis system.

AuNPs-BP-MWCNTs-COOH-based electrochemical immunosensor for the determination of deoxynivalenol in wheat flour.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) has drawn considerable attention for its obvious pathogenicity and wide use in agro-products, which cause a potential threat to human health. In this work, an electrochemical immunosensor is developed for the highly sensitive and selective detection of DON in wheat flour using AuNPs-BP-MWCNTs-COOH and antibodies. The AuNPs-BP-MWCNTs-COOH nanocomposite was prepared via an in situ reduction reaction and ultrasonic-assisted liquid-phase exfoliation. The nanocomposite exhibits a larger surface area, decent stability, excellent electron transfer capability, good protein binding capability and prominent specificity. The plentiful carboxyl group on the nanocomposite can bind to the amino group of the antibody, and AuNPs have an affinity for the sulfhydryl group of the antibody, which makes it feasible for the nanocomposite to load the antibody. The peak currents are plotted against the logarithm of DON concentration from 0.002 to 80 ng mL-1 with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.5 pg mL-1. This approach establishes an effective label-free immunosensor platform for the detection of DON with high sensitivity and selectivity in various food and agricultural products.

Modulating Carrier Dynamics in PdSe2: The Role of Pressure in Electronic and Phononic Interactions.

PdSe2 is a puckered transition metal dichalcogenide that has been reported to undergo a two-dimensional to three-dimensional structural transition under pressure. Here, we investigated the electronic and phononic evolution of PdSe2 under high pressure using pump-probe spectroscopy. We observed the electronic intraband and interband transitions occurring in the d orbitals of Pd, revealing the disappearance of the Jahn-Teller effect under high pressure. Furthermore, we found that the decay rates of interband recombination and intraband relaxation lifetimes change at 3 and 7 GPa, respectively. First-principles calculations suggest that the bandgap closure slows the decay rate of interband recombination after 3 GPa, while the saturation of phonon-phonon scattering is the main reason for the relatively constant intraband relaxation lifetime. Our work provides a novel perspective for understanding the evolution of the electron and modulation of the carrier dynamics by phonons under pressure.

CYTOSOLIC INVERTASE2 regulates flowering and reactive oxygen species-triggered programmed cell death in tomato.

Cytosolic invertase (CIN) in plants hydrolyzes sucrose into fructose and glucose, influencing flowering time and organ development. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Through expressional, genetic, and histological analyses, we identified a substantially role of SlCIN2 (localized in mitochondria) in regulating flowering and pollen development in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). The overexpression of SlCIN2 resulted in increased hexose accumulation and decreased sucrose and starch content. Our findings indicated that SlCIN2 interacts with Sucrose transporter2 (SlSUT2) to inhibit the sucrose transport activity of SlSUT2, thereby suppressing sucrose content in flower buds and delaying flowering. We found that higher levels of glucose in SlCIN2-overexpressing anthers result in the accumulation of abscisic acid (ABA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby disrupting programmed cell death (PCD) in anthers and delaying the end of tapetal degradation. Exogenous sucrose partially restored fertility in SlCIN2-overexpressing plants. This study revealed the mechanism by which SlCIN2 regulates pollen development and demonstrated a strategy for creating sugar-regulated gene male sterility lines for tomato hybrid seed production.

The selection of a surgical strategy for the treatment of adult degenerative scoliosis with "pear-shaped" decompression under open spinal endoscopy.

The prognoses of patients who undergo open spinal endoscopy (OSE) decompression significantly differ by scoliosis type and symptom despite the use of uniform standards and procedures for the decompression surgery. These differences may be directly related to the selection and formulation of surgical strategies but their cause remains unclear. The aim of this study was to verify and evaluate the efficacy of the "Symptom, Stenosis and Segment classification (SSS classification)" in determining an appropriate surgical strategy and to analyze the differences in the outcomes of different patients after receiving the selected surgical strategy. The results of this study ultimately provide a theoretical basis for the specific optimization of surgical strategies guided by the "SSS classification". This work was a retrospective study. We reviewed 55 patients with scoliosis and spinal stenosis who underwent "pear-shaped" decompression under OSE from May 2021 to June 2023 treated by our surgical team. To classify different types of patients, we defined the "SSS classification" system. The permutation and combination of subtypes in Symptom (including three subtypes: Convex = v, Concave = c and Bilateral = b), Stenosis (including three subtypes: Convex = v, Concave = c and Bilateral = b), and Segment (including two subtypes: Edge = e and Inside = i) yields 18 possible types (details in Table 1) in this classification system. To classify different types of surgeries, we also defined the operation system. The VAS Back and VAS Leg scores after surgical treatment were significantly lower in all patients 3 months after surgery than before surgery. (**P < 0.05). The Svve type accounted for the greatest proportion of patients (62.50%) in the VAS back remission group, and the Scce type accounted for the greatest proportion (57.14%) in the VAS back ineffective group. According to the VAS leg score, the percentage of patients in whom Svve was detected in the VAS leg remission group reached 60.87%, and the percentage of patients in whom Svve was detected in the VAS leg ineffective group reached 44.44%. Svve accounted for the greatest proportion of cases (61.22%) in the JOA-effective group, and Scce accounted for the greatest proportion of cases (50.00%) in the JOA-ineffective group. In the JOA-effective group, the Ovv type accounted for the greatest proportion (up to 79.59%), while in the JOA-ineffective group, Occ and Ovv accounted for 50.00% of the cases each. The proportions of Svve type were the highest in the healthy group (up to 60.00%) and the ODI-effective group (up to 50.00%). The Ovv type accounted for the greatest proportion of patients in the ODI-effective group (up to 80.00%), and the Occ type accounted for the greatest proportion of patients in the ODI-ineffective group (up to 60.00%). Most of the surgical plans formulated by the "SSS classification" method were considered appropriate, and only when the symptoms of patients were located on the concave side did the endoscopic decompression plan used in the present study have a limited ability to alleviate symptoms.

Natural biomass derived single-atom catalysts for energy and environmental applications.

Single atom catalysts (SACs) excel in various chemical processes, including electrocatalysis and industrial chemistry, due to their efficiency. In contrast to chemically synthesized precursors, biomass offers a greener and more cost-effective approach for SACs fabrication. To date, over forty types of SACs have been synthesized using natural sources like starch, cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose, proteins, and chitin. These catalysts incorporate metals such as Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Pt. This review concentrates on the preparation of SACs from biomass, exploring innovative techniques and their extensive applications in energy conversion and environmental conservation, including but not limited to reactions involving oxygen reduction, oxygen evolution, and hydrogen evolution. It also discusses current challenges and prospective advancements in this domain. This paper updates and expands on the knowledge of SACs derived from biomass, aiming to foster the development of more effective, low-cost catalyst materials from natural sources.

Epidemiological trends of subarachnoid hemorrhage at global, regional, and national level: a trend analysis study from 1990 to 2021.

BACKGROUND: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a subtype of hemorrhagic stroke characterized by high mortality and low rates of full recovery. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of SAH between 1990 and 2021. METHODS: Data on SAH incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) from 1990 to 2021 were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2021. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were calculated to evaluate changes in the age-standardized rate (ASR) of incidence and mortality, as well as trends in SAH burden. The relationship between disease burden and sociodemographic index (SDI) was also analyzed. RESULTS: In 2021, the incidence of SAH was found to be 37.09% higher than that in 1990; however, the age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) showed a decreased [EAPC: -1.52; 95% uncertainty interval (UI) -1.66 to -1.37]. Furthermore, both the number and rates of deaths and DALYs decreased over time. It was observed that females had lower rates compared to males. Among all regions, the high-income Asia Pacific region exhibited the highest ASIR (14.09/100,000; 95% UI 12.30/100,000 - 16.39/100,000) in 2021, with an EPAC for ASIR < 0 indicating decreasing trend over time for SAH ASIR. Oceania recorded the highest age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) and age-standardized DALYs rates among all regions in 2021 at values of respectively 8.61 (95% UI 6.03 - 11.95) and 285.62 (95% UI 209.42 - 379.65). The burden associated with SAH primarily affected individuals aged between 50 - 69 years old. Metabolic risks particularly elevated systolic blood pressure were identified as the main risk factors contributing towards increased disease burden associated with SAH when compared against environmental or occupational behavioral risks evaluated within the GBD framework. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of SAH varies by gender, age group, and geographical region. Although the ASRs have shown a decline over time, the burden of SAH remains significant, especially in regions with middle and low-middle SDI levels. High systolic blood pressure stands out as a key risk factor for SAH. More specific supportive measures are necessary to alleviate the global burden of SAH.

Comparative proteomic analysis of plasma exosomes reveals the functional contribution of N-acetyl-alphaglucosaminidase to Parkinson's disease.

ABSTRACT: Parkinson's disease is the second most common progressive neurodegenerative disorder, and few reliable biomarkers are available to track disease progression. The proteins, DNA, mRNA, and lipids carried by exosomes reflect intracellular changes, and thus can serve as biomarkers for a variety of conditions. In this study, we investigated alterations in the protein content of plasma exosomes derived from patients with Parkinson's disease and the potential therapeutic roles of these proteins in Parkinson's disease. Using a tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomics approach, we characterized the proteomes of plasma exosomes derived from individual patients, identified exosomal protein signatures specific to patients with Parkinson's disease, and identified N-acetyl-alpha-glucosaminidase as a differentially expressed protein. N-acetyl-alpha-glucosaminidase expression levels in exosomes from the plasma of patients and healthy controls were validated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blot. The results demonstrated that the exosomal N-acetyl-alpha-glucosaminidase concentration was not only lower in Parkinson's disease, but also decreased with increasing Hoehn-Yahr stage, suggesting that N-acetyl- alpha-glucosaminidase could be used to rapidly evaluate Parkinson's disease severity. Furthermore, western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis showed that N-acetyl-alpha-glucosaminidase levels were markedly reduced both in cells treated with methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) and cells overexpressing a-synuclein (α-syn) compared with control cells. Additionally, N-acetyl-alpha-glucosaminidase overexpression significantly increased cell viability and inhibited α-syn expression in MPP+-treated cells. Taken together, our findings demonstrate for the first time that exosomal N-acetyl-alpha-glucosaminidase may serve as a biomarker for Parkinson's disease diagnosis, and that N-acetyl-alpha- glucosaminidase may reduce α-syn expression and MPP+-induced neurotoxicity, thus providing a new therapeutic target for Parkinson's disease.

Evolutionary and functional analysis of metabotropic glutamate receptors in lampreys.

The metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR, GRM) family is involved in multiple signaling pathways and regulates neurotransmitter release. However, the evolutionary history, distribution, and function of the mGluRs family in lampreys have not been determined. Therefore, we identified the mGluRs gene family in the genome of Lethenteron reissneri, which has been conserved throughout vertebrate evolution. We confirmed that Lr-GRM3, Lr-GRM5, and Lr-GRM7 encode three types of mGluRs in lamprey. Additionally, we investigated the distribution of Lr-GRM3 within this species by qPCR and Western blotting. Furthermore, we conducted RNA sequencing to investigate the molecular function of Lr-GRM3 in lamprey. Our gene expression profile revealed that, similar to that in jawed vertebrates, Lr-GRM3 participates in multiple signal transduction pathways and influences synaptic excitability in lampreys. Moreover, it also affects intestinal motility and the inflammatory response in lampreys. This study not only enhances the understanding of mGluRs' gene evolution but also highlights the conservation of GRM3's role in signal transduction while expanding our knowledge of its functions specifically within lampreys. In summary, our experimental findings provide valuable insights for studying both the evolution and functionality of the mGluRs family.

Multidirectional Fate Path Model to Connect Phosphorus Emissions with Freshwater Eutrophication Potential.

Excessive anthropogenic phosphorus (P) emissions put constant pressure on aquatic ecosystems. This pressure can be quantified as the freshwater eutrophication potential (FEP) by linking P emissions, P fate in environmental compartments, and the potentially disappeared fraction of species due to increase of P concentrations in freshwater. However, previous fate modeling on global and regional scales is mainly based on the eight-direction algorithm without distinguishing pollution sources. The algorithm fails to characterize the fate paths of point-source emissions via subsurface pipelines and wastewater treatment infrastructure, and exhibits suboptimal performance in accounting for multidirectional paths caused by river bifurcations, especially in flat terrains. Here we aim to improve the fate modeling by incorporating various fate paths and addressing multidirectional scenarios. We also update the P estimates by complementing potential untreated point-source emissions (PSu). The improved method is examined in a rapidly urbanizing area in Taihu Lake Basin, China in 2017 at a spatial resolution of 100 m × 100 m. Results show that the contribution of PSu on FEP (62.6%) is greater than that on P emissions (58.5%). The FEP is more spatially widely distributed with the improved fate modeling, facilitating targeted regulatory strategies tailored to local conditions.

The effect of fascial manipulation therapy on lower limb spasticity and ankle clonus in stroke patients.

Lower limb spasticity and clonus are common sequelae after cerebral stroke. An important part of their etiopathogenesis has been related to the peripheral component of spasticity. Rheological properties of the tissues seem to be involved. Several studies highlighted anatomical and functional changes in the connective structures. The fasciae might be implicated in the pathological process. Thus, this study intends to investigate the effect of the Fascial Manipulation (FM) technique on triceps surae in stroke patients through a clinical randomized controlled trial, to provide a reference for clinical treatment of lower limb spasticity and ankle clonus. A total of 40 patients with post-stroke ankle clonus were selected and divided into a control group and an observation group by random number table method, with 20 cases in each group. Both groups received conventional rehabilitation therapy, while the FM group received Fascial Manipulation based on conventional rehabilitation therapy. Before the first treatment and after 3 weeks of treatment, the Comprehensive Spasticity Scale (CSS), the Passive Range Of Motion (PROM), the simplified Fugl-Meyer motor function score (FMA), and the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) were used to assess the degree of ankle clonus, ankle passive range of motion, and lower limb motor function of the two groups of patients. Before treatment, there was no statistically significant difference between the control group and the FM group in terms of CSS, PROM, FMA, and MAS of the affected lower limbs (P>0.05). After 3 weeks of treatment, the CSS and MAS of the affected lower limbs in the control group and FM group decreased, while PROM and FMA increased compared to pre-treatment evaluation, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Moreover, the FM group showed a statistically significant decrease in CSS and MAS, as well as an increase in PROM and FMA, compared to the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions: Fascial manipulation in addition to conventional therapy can effectively reduce spasticity and ankle clonus in stroke patients in a short time, and improve the passive range of motion of the ankle joint and the function of lower limbs.

The efficacy of lumbar erector spinae plane block for postoperative analgesia management in patients undergoing lumbar unilateral bi-portal endoscopic surgery: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and reliability of erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in posterior open lumbar spine surgery has been demonstrated; however, few randomized controlled trials of lumbar ESPB (L-ESPB) in lumbar unilateral bi-portal endoscopic (UBE) surgery have been reported. METHODS: A total of 120 patients, aged 18 to 65 (who underwent elective lumbar UBE surgery under general anesthesia and exhibited an American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status of I to III) were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the ESPB group and the Control group. Ultrasound(US)-guided unilateral single-shot 0.25% ropivacaine L-ESPB was performed in the ESPB group, but not in the control group. Postoperative analgesic strategy for all patients: patient controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA, diluted and dosed with fentanyl alone) was initiated immediately after surgery combined with oral compound codeine phosphate and ibuprofen sustained release tablets (1 tablet containing ibuprofen 200 mg and codeine 13 mg, 1 tablet/q12h) commenced 6 h postoperatively. We collected and compared patient-centred correlates intraoperatively and 48 h postoperatively. The primary outcomes were intraoperative and postoperative opioid consumption and postoperative quality of recovery-15 (QoR-15) scores. RESULTS: Compared to the control group (n = 56), the ESPB group (n = 58) significantly reduced intraoperative remifentanil consumption (estimated median difference - 280 mcg, 95% confidence interval [CI] - 360 to - 200, p < 0.001, power = 100%); significantly reduced fentanyl consumption at 24 h postoperatively (estimated median difference - 80mcg, 95%[CI] - 128 to - 32, p = 0.001, power = 90%); and significantly enhanced the QoR-15 score at 24 h postoperatively (estimated median difference 11, 95%[CI] 8 to 14, p < 0.001, power = 100%). Compared to the control group, the ESPB group enhanced the resting numeric rating scale (NRS) score up to 8 h postoperatively, and the active movement NRS score up to 4 h postoperatively. The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) (p = 0.015, power = 70%), abdominal distension (p = 0.024, power = 64%), and muscular calf vein thrombosis (MCVT) (p = 0.033, power = 58%) was lower in the ESPB group than in the control group. Moreover, the occurrence of L-ESPB related adverse reactions was not found herein. CONCLUSION: US-guided L-ESPB reduces intraoperative and 24 h postoperative opioid consumption and improves patients' QoR-15 scores at 24 h postoperatively. L-ESPB can be safely and effectively utilized in lumbar UBE surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2200061908 , date of registration: 10/07/2022. Registry URL.

The EFNA4 gene is a potential prognostic biomarker in pancreatic cancer: a bioinformatics analysis.

Background: Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis, and there is an urgent need to understand its molecular mechanisms for early diagnosis and treatment. Despite surgical resection being the only effective treatment, most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, missing the optimal window for therapy. Identifying novel biomarkers is crucial for prognostic assessment, treatment planning, and early intervention. Ephrin A4 (EFNA4), a member of the receptor tyrosine kinase family, is involved in vascular and epithelial development via regulation of cell migration and rejection. However, the role of EFNA4 in pancreatic cancer has not been reported. Therefore, our study aimed to clarify the role of EFNA4 in pancreatic cancer through bioinformatics analysis and vitro experiments. Methods: The expression of EFNA4 and its potential value as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in pancreatic cancer was analyzed using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) database. According to the expression level of EFNA4, patients were divided into high expression group and low expression group, and the correlation between overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) with different expression levels of EFNA4 and clinical parameters were analyzed. Subsequently, reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to detect EFNA4 expression. The proliferation, invasion, and cloning ability of the cells were detected via Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK8), Transwell, and plate cloning assays, respectively. Results: EFNA4 is highly expressed in pancreatic cancer, and upregulation of EFNA4 is associated with poor prognosis. In this study, EFNA4 expression was correlated with T stage and TNM (tumor-node-metastasis) stage of pancreatic cancer, and the median survival time and progression-free survival (PFS) were worse in those with high EFNA4 expression (394 days) than in those with low expression (525 days) [hazard ratio (HR): 1.47, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00-2.16, P=0.047]. In addition, EFNA4 was also found to be involved in the regulation of signal pathways such as cell adhesion, cyclic AMP, insulin secretion, pancreatic secretion, and protein digestion and absorption. In vitro experiments demonstrated that EFNA4 knockdown significantly inhibited the proliferation, cloning ability, and invasiveness of the PANC-1 and SW1990 pancreatic cancer cell lines. Conclusions: The abnormal expression of EFNA4 in pancreatic cancer is associated with poor prognosis. Knockout of EFNA4 gene could significantly inhibit the proliferation and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. Therefore, EFNA4 may be one of the molecular targets for poor prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer.

Effect of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors on tumor necrosis factor alpha levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) served as oral antidiabetic agents for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Although an action on glucose homeostasis was identified, no well-rounded illustration had been established on the changes of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) levels during DPP-4i treatment. This study aimed to explore the anti-inflammatory effect of DPP-4i on TNF-alpha in patients with T2DM. METHODS: PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library were systematically searched from inception to May 31, 2024. Randomized controlled trials exploring the impact of DPP-4i on TNF-alpha levels were identified. Risk of bias was assessed according to the Cochrane criteria. A fixed or random-effects model was selected to pool estimate on whether the heterogeneity was present. Subgroup analysis were performed to explore the potential factors that influenced heterogeneity. Related meta-analysis was conducted with the software of Revman 5.3 and STATA 12.0. RESULTS: Eleven trials involving 884 participants with T2DM were included. Pooled estimates suggested that DPP-4i did not significantly modulate TNF-alpha levels (WMD, - 0.70, 95% CI - 1.94 to 0.53, P = 0.26) in T2DM. DPP-4i produced a significant effect on TNF-alpha (WMD, - 4.50 pg/mL, 95% CI - 4.68 to - 4.32, P < 0.00001) when compared to placebo, and a comparable effect was demonstrated on TNF-alpha (WMD, 0.10 pg/mL, 95% CI - 0.11 to 0.30, P = 0.35) in comparison with active agents. Estimate was stable according to the sensitivity test. Subgroup analysis revealed that heterogeneity might not correlate with baseline glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), age or treatment duration. CONCLUSIONS: A significant effect of DPP-4i on TNF-alpha levels was present in T2DM when compared to placebo. Administration of DPP-4i produced no significant effect on TNF-alpha in comparison with active comparators. Further studies with large samples should be performed to illustrate the impact of DPP-4i on TNF-alpha levels in T2DM. Trial registration International Prospective Register for Systematic Review (PROSPERO) number: CRD42020185479.

Genetic Engineering for Enhancing Sugarcane Tolerance to Biotic and Abiotic Stresses.

Sugarcane, a vital cash crop, contributes significantly to the world's sugar supply and raw materials for biofuel production, playing a significant role in the global sugar industry. However, sustainable productivity is severely hampered by biotic and abiotic stressors. Genetic engineering has been used to transfer useful genes into sugarcane plants to improve desirable traits and has emerged as a basic and applied research method to maintain growth and productivity under different adverse environmental conditions. However, the use of transgenic approaches remains contentious and requires rigorous experimental methods to address biosafety challenges. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) mediated genome editing technology is growing rapidly and may revolutionize sugarcane production. This review aims to explore innovative genetic engineering techniques and their successful application in developing sugarcane cultivars with enhanced resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses to produce superior sugarcane cultivars.