Dietary nitrate maintains intestinal epithelia homeostasis in aged mice.

The intestinal tract, which is the primary site of digestion and absorption of nutrients, is one of the most vulnerable organs during aging. Dietary nitrate, which is mainly derived from the diet and absorbed in the intestinal tract, is a key messenger that connecting oral and general health. However, whether dietary nitrate regulates intestinal tract homeostasis remains unclear. Our data revealed that the serum and salivary nitrate levels decreased during mice aging. The functional proteins of the epithelial barrier (E-cadherin, Claudin-1 and Zonula Occludens-1) in the colon tissues decreased during the aging process. Long-term nitrate supplement in drinking water restored the serum and salivary nitrate levels and increased the functional proteins expression of the colon epithelial barrier. Dietary nitrates increase the relative abundance of some intestinal probiotics, particularly those associated with the production of short-chain fatty acids, such as Blautia, Alloprevotella, Butyricicoccus, and Ruminococcaceae, while promoting the butyric acid production in the colon. Moreover, the expression of Sialin (encoded by Slc17a5), which is a nitrate transporter, increased in the colon epithelial cells by nitrate supplementation. The epithelial cell-conditional Slc17a5-knockout mutant mice (K14-cre; Slc17a5fl/fl) revealed that the functional proteins expression of the colon epithelial barrier and the proliferation of PCNA-positive intestinal epithelial cells in the colon crypts was significantly decreased compared with those of the K14-cre; Slc17a5fl/+ mice. Taken together, our findings suggested that nitrate supplementations were associated with the increased expression of colonic epithelial barriers-related proteins and the increased Sialin expression. Nitrate may serve as a potential therapeutic approach in maintaining aged colonic homeostasis.

A complete 3D-printed tool kit for Solid-State NMR sample and rotor handling.

Solid state NMR (SSNMR) is a highly versatile and broadly applicable method for studying the structure and dynamics of biomolecules and materials. For scientists entering the field of SSNMR, the many quotidian activities required in the workflow to prepare samples for data collection can present a significant barrier to adoption. These steps include transfer of samples into rotors, marking the reflective surfaces for high sensitivity tachometer signal detection, inserting rotors into the magic-angle spinning (MAS) stator, achieving stable spinning, and removing and storing rotors to ensure reproducibility of data collection conditions. Even experienced spectroscopists experience occasional problems with these operations, and the cumulative probability of a delay to successful data collection is high enough to cause frequent disruptions to instrument schedules, particularly in the context of large facilities serving a diverse community of users. These problems are all amplified when utilizing rotors smaller than about 4 mm in diameter. Therefore, to improve the reliability and robustness of SSNMR sample preparation workflows, here we describe a set of tools for rotor packing, unpacking, tachometer marking, extraction and storage. Stereolithography 3D printing was employed as a cost-effective and convenient method for prototyping and manufacturing a full range of designs suitable for several types of probes and rotor geometries.

Higher Order Structure Differences Among Insulin Crystalline Drugs Revealed by 2D heteronuclear NMR.

During therapeutic protein development, two-dimensional (2D) heteronuclear NMR spectra can be a powerful analytical method for measuring protein higher order structure (HOS) in solution since the spectra exhibit much higher resolution than homonuclear 1H spectra. However, 2D NMR capabilities for characterizing protein HOS in crystalline states remain to be assessed, given the low 13C natural abundance and intrinsically broader lines in solid-state NMR (SSNMR). Herein, high-resolution heteronuclear correlation (HETCOR) SSNMR was utilized to directly measure intact crystal drug products of insulin human, insulin lispro and insulin aspart. The fingerprint regions in 2D 1H-13C HETCOR spectra were identified, which distinguished the insulin crystals in their primary structure, HOS heterogeneity and dynamics, as well as the manufacturing processes. The HOS heterogeneity in insulin analogs is consistent with their therapeutic effect of rapid action. Therefore, heteronuclear NMR could be broadly applicable to study protein drug dosage forms from liquid to solid, yielding improved molecular level structure data for assessing drug HOS in biosimilar drug development.

Effect of sesame cake fertilizer with γ-PGA on soil nutrient, water and nitrogen use efficiency.

γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA), as an environmentally sustainable material, is extensive applied in agriculture for enhancing water and fertilizer utilization efficiency, augmenting crop yield, and ameliorating soil conditions. However, the effect of γ-PGA in conjunction with sesame cake fertilizer on the soil environment remains uncertain.The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of γ-PGA on soil nutrients, water use efficiency (WUE) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and maize yield across various levels of sesame cake fertilizer. Additionally, the study seeks to identify the optimal ratio to establish a theoretical and practical foundation for sustainable agricultural development and the promotion of ecological agriculture. Through field experiments, nine treatments were established, comprising three levels of sesame cake fertilizer application rates (B1 = 900 kg/hm2 for low fertility, B2 = 1100 kg/hm2 for medium fertility, and B3 = 1300 kg/hm2 for high fertility) and three levels of γ-PGA application rates (R1 = 200 kg/hm2, R2 = 400 kg/hm2, and R3 = 600 kg/hm2). The results can be outlined as follows: (1) When γ-PGA application rate increased, total nitrogen (TN) exhibited a synergistic effect under B1 treatment, but an antagonistic effect under B2 and B3 treatments. At the 6-leaf stage (V6), 12-leaf stage (V12), and tasseling stage (VT), available phosphorus (AP) exhibited antagonistic effects. However, at the filling stage (R2) and maturity stage (R6), AP in B1 and B2 treatments at various depths underwent partial transformation into a synergistic effect. The levels of available potassium exhibited a notable antagonistic effect, leading to a decrease in harvest index (HI). B2 treatment demonstrated superior results compared to the B1 and B3 treatments, with the highest levels observed under B2R1 treatment; (2) TN content in the 0-40 cm soil layer increased during the filling period, and it was uniformly distributed in the 40-60 cm soil layer. When the soil AP was located in the 0-60 cm soil layer, there was an increase in AP content during the mature period. Following the tasseling period, different treatments exhibited varying patterns of increase in response to the presence of potassium within the 0-60 cm soil layer. Consequently, in cases where the sesame cake fertilizer content is low, the interaction between γ-PGA can compensate for the deficiency of fertilizer, thereby enhancing water and nitrogen utilization efficiency. The optimal fertilization strategy for enhancing soil nutrient distribution, WUE and NUE, and yield is proposed to be the application of 1100 kg/hm2 sesame cake fertilizer and 200 kg/hm2 γ-PGA.

Alterations in the Salivary Microbiome and Metabolism in Patients With Carotid Atherosclerosis from Rural Northeast China.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis and atherosclerosis are both chronic inflammatory diseases with a high prevalence. Increasing evidence supports the independent association between severe periodontitis and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, in which oral microorganisms may play an important role. We aimed to evaluate the characteristic changes of salivary microbiome and metabolome in patients with carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) and periodontitis. METHODS AND RESULTS: The subjects were obtained from a cross-sectional study that included 1933 participants aged 40 years or older from rural northeast China. The study enrolled 48 subjects with CAS and 48 controls without CAS matched by sex, age, body mass index, and prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. We performed full-length 16S rDNA gene sequencing and untargeted metabolomics of saliva samples from 96 subjects. We found that CAS was closely associated with an increased abundance of Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, and Cutibacterium. Furthermore, patients with CAS had higher prevalence of severe periodontitis than the control group. Notably, periodontal pathogens such as Tannerella and Anaeroglobus were not only associated with periodontitis but also enriched in patients with CAS, whereas periodontal health-associated Neisseria was more abundant in those without CAS. We also identified 2 lipid metabolism pathways, including glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism, as associated with CAS. The levels of trimethylamine N-oxide and inflammatory mediator leukotriene D4 were significantly higher in patients with CAS, whereas the levels of carnosine were significantly lower, than those in controls. Additionally, serum levels of inflammatory marker high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were significantly increased in CAS and positively correlated with the abundance of Anaeroglobus and leukotriene D4 in saliva. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that characteristic changes in salivary microbiota and metabolites are closely related to CAS, and periodontitis and associated microorganisms may be involved in the initiation and progression of CAS.

Solid-State NMR 13C sensitivity at high magnetic field.

Sensitivity is the foundation of every NMR experiment, and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) should increase with static (B0) magnetic field, by a proportionality that primarily depends on the design of the NMR probe and receiver. In the low B0 field limit, where the coil geometry is much smaller than the wavelength of the NMR frequency, SNR can increase in proportion to B0 to the power 7/4. For modern magic-angle spinning (MAS) probes, this approximation holds for rotor sizes up to 3.2 mm at 14.1 Tesla (T), corresponding to 600 MHz 1H and 151 MHz 13C Larmor frequencies. To obtain the anticipated benefit of larger coils and/or higher B0 fields requires a quantitative understanding of the contributions to SNR, utilizing standard samples and protocols that reproduce SNR measurements with high accuracy and precision. Here, we present such a systematic and comprehensive study of 13C SNR under MAS over the range of 14.1 to 21.1 T. We evaluate a range of probe designs utilizing 1.6, 2.5 and 3.2 mm rotors, including 24 different sets of measurements on 17 probe configurations using five spectrometers. We utilize N-acetyl valine as the primary standard and compare and contrast with other commonly used standard samples (adamantane, glycine, hexamethylbenzene, and 3-methylglutaric acid). These robust approaches and standard operating procedures provide an improved understanding of the contributions from probe efficiency, receiver noise figure, and B0 dependence in a range of custom-designed and commercially available probes. We find that the optimal raw SNR is obtained with balanced 3.2 mm design at 17.6 T, that the best mass-limited SNR is achieved with a balanced 1.6 mm design at 21.1 T, and that the raw SNR at 21.1 T reaches diminishing returns with rotors larger than 2.5 mm.

Topical Application of Nitrate Ameliorates Skin Fibrosis by Regulating ST2+CD4+ T Cells in Systemic Sclerosis Mouse Model.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by intractable multiorgan fibrosis caused by vascular and immune dysfunction. Currently, effective therapeutic options for patients with SSc are limited. Nitrate, an abundant nutrient in the diet, has been demonstrated to be preventative and therapeutic for several diseases. To determine whether nitrate can slow or reverse SSc progression, topical application of nitrate delivered by dissolving microneedles was used to treat a bleomycin (BLM)-induced dermal fibrosis mouse model. In this study, nitrate considerably attenuated dermal thickness, stiffness, and collagen deposition. Bulk RNA sequencing of skin revealed that Cd4 was a key hub gene in SSc nitrate therapy. Additionally, BLM-induced cytokines and chemokines were inhibited by nitrate, and CD4+ T cells infiltration markedly declined. Il4, Il6, Il13, and Tgfb expression in CD4+ T cells isolated from skin biopsies also significantly decreased. Mechanistically, Il1rl1, a type2 immune response inducer, was markedly repressed in isolated CD4+ T cells and dermal tissues after nitrate treatment. Remarkably, compared with wild type mice, mice lacking Il1rl1 showed impaired transcriptional profiles after intradermal BLM injection. Adoptive transfer of ST2+CD4+ T cells promoted bleomycin-induced Rag2-/- mice dermal fibrosis. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that nitrate targeting ST2+CD4+ T cells is an effective therapeutic option for SSc.

LIM homeobox 8 reduced apoptosis and promoted periodontal tissue regeneration function of dental pulp stem cells.

Stem cell-mediated tissue regeneration is a promising strategy for repairing tissue defects and functional reconstruction in periodontitis, a common disease that leads to the loss of alveolar bone and teeth. However, stem cell apoptosis, widely observed during tissue regeneration, impairs its efficiency. Therefore, the regulation of stem cell apoptosis is critical for improving regeneration efficiency. The LIM homeobox 8 gene LHX8, belongs to the LIM homeobox family, which was involved in tooth morphogenesis. Here, we found that LHX8 was significantly expressed in dental pulp. LHX8 knockdown significantly increased dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells (DPSCs) apoptosis, as confirmed by RT-PCR, western blotting, flow cytometry, and transmission electron microscopy. Additionally, LHX8 overexpression inhibited apoptosis and enhanced the osteo/odontogenic differentiation potential of hDPSCs in vitro. Furthermore, LHX8-overexpression could enhance the periodontal tissue regeneration efficiency of hDPSCs in mice with periodontitis. In conclusion, the present study indicates that LHX8 inhibits stem cell apoptosis and promotes functional tissue formation in stem cell-based tissue regeneration engineering, suggesting a new therapeutic target to increase the efficacy of periodontal tissue regeneration.

The role of periodontitis in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in participants with the components of metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is important in individuals with metabolic syndrome components (MetS), and periodontitis may play an important role in this process. This study aims to evaluate the association between periodontitis and ASCVD in participants with the components of MetS, including obesity, dysglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study conducted followed the MOOSE reporting guidelines and the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. EMBASE, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed and OpenGrey were searched for observational studies about the linkage of periodontitis to ASCVD in people with MetS components up to April 9, 2023. Cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies were included after study selection. Quality evaluation was carried out using the original and modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale as appropriate. Random-effects model was employed for meta-analysis. RESULTS: Nineteen studies were finally included in the quality analysis, and all of them were assessed as moderate to high quality. Meta-analyses among fifteen studies revealed that the participants with periodontitis were more likely to develop ASCVD in those who have dysglycemia (RR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.13-1.37; p < 0.05), obesity (RR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.02-1.24; p < 0.05), dyslipidemia (RR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.13-1.65; p < 0.05), or hypertension (1.20, 95% CI = 1.05-1.36; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Periodontitis promotes the development of ASCVD in participants with one MetS component (obesity, dysglycemia, hypertension or dyslipidemia). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In people with MetS components, periodontitis may contribute to the ASCVD incidence.

Incorporation of PD-1 blockade into induction chemotherapy improved tumor response in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a retrospective patient cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short-term efficacy and safety of induction chemotherapy (IC) combined with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC). METHODS: A total of 217 patients diagnosed with LA-NPC at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, including 67 who received IC combined with anti-PD-1 and 150 who received IC, were retrospectively enrolled. Efficacy was evaluated at the end of the IC cycles and one month after radiotherapy based on RECIST v1.1 criteria. Acute toxicities were graded based on the CTCAE v5.0 criteria. Quantitative variables were compared by unpaired t-tests, and categorical variables were evaluated by Fisher Freeman-Halton test or Pearson Chi-square test. RESULTS: At the end of all induction therapy cycles, the objective response rate (ORR) of the IC + anti-PD-1 group was 88.1 % (59/67) as opposed to 70.0 % (105/150) in the IC group. Subgroup analysis showed that patients in both stage Ⅲ and ⅣA achieved a significant improvement in ORR with the inclusion of anti-PD-1 therapy. Patients with T3-4 or N2-3 category appeared to benefit more from anti-PD-1 compared to patients with T1-2 or N0-1 category. However, neither ORR nor the complete response (CR) rate was significantly different between the two treatment groups one month after the end of radiotherapy. In addition, the frequency of Grade 3-4 adverse events were also similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: IC combined with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy significantly improved the ORR of LA-NPC patients after induction therapy compared to IC alone.

PDZK1 confers sensitivity to sunitinib in clear cell renal cell carcinoma by suppressing the PDGFR-ß pathway.

BACKGROUND: Sunitinib has emerged as the primary treatment for advanced or metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) due to its significant improvement in patients' average survival time. However, drug resistance and adverse effects of sunitinib pose challenges to its clinical benefits. METHODS: The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with sunitinib sensitivity and resistance in ccRCC were investigated. Cell counting kit-8, plate colony formation, flow cytometry and subcutaneous xenograft tumor model assays were employed to explore the effects of PDZK1 on ccRCC. Further research on the molecular mechanism was conducted through western blot, co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence co-localization and immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: We elucidated that PDZK1 is significantly downregulated in sunitinib-resistant ccRCC specimens, and PDZK1 negatively regulates the phosphorylation of PDGFR-ß and the activation of its downstream pathways through interaction with PDGFR-ß. The dysregulated low levels of PDZK1 contribute to inadequate inhibition of cell proliferation, tumor growth, and insensitivity to sunitinib treatment. Notably, our preclinical investigations showed that miR-15b antagomirs enhance sunitinib cytotoxic effects against ccRCC cells by upregulating PDZK1 levels, suggesting their potential in overcoming sunitinib resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings establish the miR-15b/PDZK1/PDGFR-ß axis as a promising therapeutic target and a novel predictor for ccRCC patients' response to sunitinib treatment.

A tantalum-containing zirconium-based metallic glass with superior endosseous implant relevant properties.

Zirconium-based metallic glasses (Zr-MGs) are demonstrated to exhibit high mechanical strength, low elastic modulus and excellent biocompatibility, making them promising materials for endosseous implants. Meanwhile, tantalum (Ta) is also well known for its ideal corrosion resistance and biological effects. However, the metal has an elastic modulus as high as 186 GPa which is not comparable to the natural bone (10-30 GPa), and it also has a relative high cost. Here, to fully exploit the advantages of Ta as endosseous implants, a small amount of Ta (as low as 3 at. %) was successfully added into a Zr-MG to generate an advanced functional endosseous implant, Zr58Cu25Al14Ta3 MG, with superior comprehensive properties. Upon carefully dissecting the atomic structure and surface chemistry, the results show that amorphization of Ta enables the uniform distribution in material surface, leading to a significantly improved chemical stability and extensive material-cell contact regulation. Systematical analyses on the immunological, angiogenesis and osteogenesis capability of the material are carried out utilizing the next-generation sequencing, revealing that Zr58Cu25Al14Ta3 MG can regulate angiogenesis through VEGF signaling pathway and osteogenesis via BMP signaling pathway. Animal experiment further confirms a sound osseointegration of Zr58Cu25Al14Ta3 MG in achieving better bone-implant-contact and inducing faster peri-implant bone formation.

Application of Slice Culture System for Successional Dental Lamina in Diphyodont Mammals.

Replacement teeth develop from the successional dental lamina (SDL). Understanding how SDL transitions from quiescence to initiation is crucial for preserving dental lamina stem cells in the jawbone microenvironment and for complete tooth regeneration. Miniature pigs are good models for studying human tooth replacement because of their similarities to humans. However, the molecular mechanisms and cellular composition that initiate SDL development remain unclear. One possible reason for this is the limitations of the current methods for culturing SDL in vitro, such as the inability to directly observe tooth morphological changes during culture and low tissue viability. This study aimed to improve the in vitro culture method for SDL. Using a McIlwain Tissue Chopper, we obtained mandibular slices containing deciduous canine and SDL of permanent canine. The slices were approximately 500 µm thick and were cultured on a Transwell membrane supported with metal grids over medium. The SDL developed into the bud stage on the second day and entered the cap stage on the fifth day in vitro. The expression of proliferation markers, cell death markers, and key odontogenetic genes in vitro was similar to that observed in vivo. In conclusion, we successfully applied a slice culture system to the SDL of miniature pigs. This slice culture method allowed us to directly visualize SDL initiation and further elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the initiation of permanent tooth development.

Single-nucleus transcriptomics uncovers a geroprotective role of YAP in primate gingival aging.

Aging has a profound impact on the gingiva and significantly increases its susceptibility to periodontitis, a worldwide prevalent inflammatory disease. However, a systematic characterization and comprehensive understanding of the regulatory mechanism underlying gingival aging is still lacking. Here, we systematically dissected the phenotypic characteristics of gingiva during aging in primates and constructed the first single-nucleus transcriptomic landscape of gingival aging, by which a panel of cell type-specific signatures were elucidated. Epithelial cells were identified as the most affected cell types by aging in the gingiva. Further analyses pinpointed the crucial role of YAP in epithelial self-renew and homeostasis, which declined during aging in epithelial cells, especially in basal cells. The decline of YAP activity during aging was confirmed in the human gingival tissues, and downregulation of YAP in human primary gingival keratinocytes recapitulated the major phenotypic defects observed in the aged primate gingiva while overexpression of YAP showed rejuvenation effects. Our work provides an in-depth understanding of gingival aging and serves as a rich resource for developing novel strategies to combat aging-associated gingival diseases, with the ultimate goal of advancing periodontal health and promoting healthy aging.

Effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on hemoglobin A1c in periodontitis patients without diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review was aimed to evaluate the effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) on hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in periodontitis patients without diabetes mellitus (DM). DATA/SOURCES: The present systematic review and meta-analysis were performed through searching the following electronic databases: EMBASE, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Open GREY. Interventional studies of periodontitis patients without DM were investigated. HbA1c changes in these patients before and after NSPT were analyzed. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were employed to identify sources of heterogeneity. STUDY SELECTION: Three reviewers independently selected the eligible studies by screening the titles and abstract. Then, a full-text analysis was performed. The reasons for excluding studies were recorded. Any disagreements were settled by discussion with a fourth reviewer. All the four reviewers extracted and crosschecked the data, and disagreements were resolved by discussion. There are 21 case-series studies (self-controlled studies) and 1 non-randomized interventional studies (NRIs) were included. RESULTS: For periodontitis patients without DM, a total of 469 individuals from 22 studies were enrolled. The pooled analysis demonstrated that it was significantly changed in HbA1c levels at 3-month follow-up (0.16 with 95 % CI 0.04, 0.27; P = 0.008), and 6-month follow-up (0.17 % with 95 % CI 0.08, 0.27; P < 0.001) compared with baseline. Smoking, gender, experience of periodontal therapy and HbA1c value at baseline could be the sources of heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: NSPT is potentially beneficial for the management of HbA1c in periodontitis patients with high risks of DM. However, high-quality randomized controlled trials are still necessary to confirm these conclusions. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The systemic review evaluated the effect of NSPT on HbA1c in periodontitis patients without DM. The analysis may be beneficial to the management and control of the high risks of DM in periodontitis patients.

Salivary nitrate prevents osteoporosis via regulating bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells proliferation and differentiation.

Background: Nitrate, a key component of saliva, has been shown widely physiological functions in the human body. But its function on bone metabolism remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the function and mechanism of saliva nitrate on osteoporosis and the function of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Methods: Saliva nitrate removal or supplemental interventions were performed for 1 month in ovariectomized (OVX) osteopenia mice. The nitrate levels in saliva and serum were detected. The bone formation and bone microarchitecture in the OVX mouse model were investigated by quantitative Micro--computed tomography imaging, histological staining and serum bone biomarker analysis. The effects of nitrate on the functional homeostasis of BMSCs in OVX mice were explored by Ki67 immunofluorescence staining, Ki67 flow staining, alizarin red staining, qPCR and western blotting. Finally, downstream signaling pathways were screened by proteomics and verified by western blotting. Results: The results showed that nitrate deficiency exacerbated osteoporosis, while nitrate administration prevent osteoporosis in OVX mice. Nitrate increased the expression of PINP, a biomarker of bone formation, in OVX mice. Besides, nitrate enhanced the proliferative capacity and osteogenic function of BMSCs in OVX mice in vitro and in vivo. In addition, nitrate upregulated the expression levels of osteogenesis-related genes ALP, Run2 and OPN of BMSCs. EGFR and mTOR signaling were screened as the key downstream of nitrate, and phosphorylated protein levels of its subfamily members AKT, ERK and S6K were significantly upregulated by nitrate. Conclusion: The present results showed saliva nitrate preventively protects against osteoporosis through enhances the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation potential of BMSCs. The effects of nitrate on bone homeostasis are closely related to the EGFR/AKT/ERK and mTOR/S6K signaling axes. The translational potential of this article: Our study provides experimental evidence for the use of saliva nitrate as an effective candidate for the prevention of osteoporosis and maintenance of bone homeostasis.

ASCOD phenotyping of acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion treated by mechanical thrombectomy: insight from the PERSIST registry.

OBJECTIVE: Determining the underlying etiology of acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion (VBAO) is crucial for selecting an appropriate treatment approach. The authors aimed to investigate the distribution of etiology and the association with functional outcomes in patients with acute VBAO who underwent endovascular treatment in which atherosclerosis, small-vessel disease, cardiac pathology, other causes, and dissection (ASCOD) phenotyping was used. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted at 21 centers in China, involving patients with VBAO who received endovascular treatment within 24 hours of the estimated occlusion time. In the ASCOD phenotyping, each phenotype is graded based on the following categories: 1, likely to be causal; 2, uncertain if causal; and 3, unlikely to be causal. The authors defined a single possible cause as a cause graded 1 in a single domain, and multiple possible causes were graded 1 or 2 regardless of overlap. The primary outcome was unfavorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score of 3-6) at 90 days. The secondary outcomes included shift of mRS score at 90 days, 90-day mortality, successful reperfusion, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at 24 hours. Multivariable regression analysis was used to assess the association between etiological subtypes and functional outcomes. Multivariate competing-risk regression analysis was performed to analyze the association between etiological subtypes and the risk of recurrent stroke. RESULTS: A total of 577 patients were included in this study. Of these, 521 (90%) had a single possible cause. The most common etiology was A1 (382 cases, 73%), followed by C1 (111 cases, 21%) and O1 (28 cases, 5%-in this study the other causes and dissection subtypes were categorized under the umbrella term of "O" causes). Similar patterns were observed in the multiple possible causes. In the baseline characteristics of the cohort, as rescue therapy, stenting was more frequently used in patients in the A1 group than in the C1 group (53.2% vs 41.7%; p < 0.01). The proportion of atherosclerosis-type etiology increased when the occlusion was located more proximally (p < 0.01). Compared to the A1 group, patients in the C1 group had a lower incidence of unfavorable outcome (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.24-0.73), which was less likely to shift to a worse mRS score (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.39-0.91). The O1 subtype was not associated with unfavorable outcome (OR 1.35, 95% CI 0.46-4.01), whereas patients with the O1 subtype were more likely to shift to worse mRS score (OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.09-5.25) and to have a higher 90-day mortality rate (OR 2.60, 95% CI 1.07-6.31). Furthermore, there was no significant association between single etiological subtypes and stroke recurrence within 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: The most common etiology in patients with VBAO was atherosclerosis, followed by cardiac pathology and other. Compared to the A1 subgroup, the C1 subgroup showed better functional outcomes, whereas the O1 subgroup showed worse outcomes. Additionally, there was no statistically significant difference in the recurrence risk.

Preparation of landscape gardening soil using undersized fraction from aged MSW by EDTA or citric acid coupled with humic acid: Effect assessment, properties, and optimization.

Undersized fraction from aged municipal solid waste (UFAMSW), as a kind of soil-like material, has been proved effective in providing a large amount of organic matter and nutrients for soil and plants. The characteristics and effectiveness of heavy metal pollution removal in UFAMSW attracted tremendous research interest from scientists recently. In this study, the heavy metal removal efficiencies and bioavailability of washing on contaminated UFAMSW were evaluated with three washing reagents including ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA), citric acid (CA), and humic acid (HA). The effects of chelating agent concentration, pH, and washing time on metal removal were investigated and response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the washing conditions. The results indicated that the removal efficiencies of Cu, Zn, and Mn could be 53.68%, 52.12%, and 30.63% by EDTA/HA washing and 42.36%, 39.67% and 28.49% by CA/HA washing, respectively. The European Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction was applied to analyze the fraction change of heavy metals in UFAMSW before and after washing, and it was found that chelating agent combined with HA could contribute to the removal of the exchangeable fraction. Physical and chemical properties of UFAMSW were improved to some extent after washing with mixed HA and chelating agent and could achieve the quality standard of landscape gardening soil. Accordingly, the mixture of HA and other chelating agents could be a promising washing process for preparation of landscape gardening soil using UFAMSW.Implications: Our manuscript studies the removal of heavy metals from the contaminated undersized fraction from aged municipal solid waste (UFAMSW). UFAMSW, as a kind of soil-like material, has been proved effective in providing a large amount of organic matter and nutrients for soil and plants however often limited by heavy metal pollution. The UFAMSW used in this experiment was collected after the excavation and screening-sorting of aged refuse from Changshankou Domestic Waste Sanitary Landfill in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, Southern China. This study investigated the effects of EDTA, CA, HA, mixed EDTA/HA, and mixed CA/HA washing on heavy metal removal (Cu, Zn, and Mn), bioavailability of residual heavy metal and properties. The effects of chelating agent concentration, pH, and washing time on metal removal were investigated and then response surface methodology was employed to optimize the washing conditions. The results showed that washing by CA/HA and EDTA/HA, had a higher removal efficiency of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, and Mn) in UFAMSW compared to single HA. Meanwhile, HA has a higher removal for exchangeable fraction of heavy metals, the exchangeable concentration of Cu, Zn, and Mn in CA/HA and EDTA/HA washed UFAMSW were lower compared with UFAMSW washed by single CA and EDTA. Thus, mixing HA with EDTA or CA makes a less risk to environmental and the removal efficiency is acceptable. Additionally, CA/HA and EDTA/HA washing tend to improve soil physicochemical properties and soil fertility. Thus, mixing HA with different washing agent are potential methods for preparation of landscape gardening soil using UFAMSW.

Inhibition of biofouling by in-situ grown zwitterionic hydrogel nanolayer on membrane surface in ultralow-pressurized ultrafiltration process.

Ultralow-pressurized ultrafiltration membrane process with low energy consumption is promising in surface water purification. However, membrane fouling and low selectivity are significant barriers for the wide application of this process. Herein, an ultrathin zwitterionic hydrogel nanolayer was in-situ grown on polysulfone ultrafiltration membrane surface through interfacially-initiated free radical polymerization. The hydrogel-modified membrane possessed improved biological fouling resistance during the dynamic filtration process (bovine serum albumin, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus), comparing with commercial polysulfone membrane. The enhanced biofouling resistance ability of zwitterionic hydrogel nanolayer was derived from the foulant repulsion of hydration shell and the bactericidal effect of quaternary ammonium, according to the results of foulant-membrane interaction energy analyses and antibacterial performances. In surface water treatment, the zwitterionic hydrogel layer inhibited biofouling and resulted in the formation of a loose and thin biofilm. In addition, the hydrogel-modified membrane possessed 22% improvement in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal and 134% increasement in stable water flux, compared to commercial polysulfone membrane. The in-situ grown zwitterionic hydrogel nanolayer on membrane surface offers a prospectively alternative for biofouling control in ultralow-pressurized membrane process.

Robust and flexible polyester fiber membrane with under-liquid dual superlyophobicity for efficient on-demand oil-water separation.

Functional materials with under-liquid dual superlyophobicity have generated a great deal of concern from researchers due to their switchable separation ability oil-water mixtures and emulsions. Conceptually, under-liquid dual superlyophobicity is a Cassie state achievable under-liquid through the synergy of an under-liquid double lyophobic surface and the construction of a highly rough surface. However, obtaining an under-liquid dual superlyophobic surface remains difficult due to its thermodynamic contradiction and complex surface composition. Herein, we successfully prepared a functional coating by modifying the mixture of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and nano-TiO2 with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) via a simple method, then obtained a polyester fiber membrane with under-liquid dual superlyophobicity by roll coating method. The surface wettability of the polyester (PET) membrane was altered, transforming it from the original under-water oleophobic/under-oil superhydrophilic state to the under-water superoleophobic/under-oil superhydrophobic state after coated. The resulting membrane was applied to separate oil and water on-demand. The coated PET membrane exhibited high separation efficiency (>99 %) and high separation flux, effectively separating immiscible oil-water systems as well as oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions. The coated PET membrane also demonstrated the ability to perform alternate separation of oil-water mixtures through wetting, washing, and rewetting cycles, with repeated processes up to 10 times without significant reduction in separation efficiency. Furthermore, compared with the previous works, our approach offers a simpler and more convenient method for constructing under-liquid dual superlyophobic surface, making it more suitable for continuous corporate production. This study may provide inspiration for the production and application in large-scale of under-liquid dual superlyophobic membranes.