Hibernating/Awakening Nanomotors Promote Highly Efficient Cryopreservation by Limiting Ice Crystals.

The disruptions caused by ice crystal formation during the cryopreservation of cells and tissues can cause cell and tissue damage. Thus, preventing such damage during cryopreservation is an important but challenging goal. Here, a hibernating/awakening nanomotor with magnesium/palladium covering one side of a silica platform (Mg@Pd@SiO2) is proposed. This nanomotor is used in the cultivation of live NCM460 cells to demonstrate a new method to actively limit ice crystal formation and enable highly efficient cryopreservation. Cooling Mg@Pd@SiO2 in solution releases Mg2+/H2 and promotes the adsorption of H2 at multiple Pd binding sites on the cell surface to inhibit ice crystal formation and cell/tissue damage; additionally, the Pd adsorbs and stores H2 to form a hibernating nanomotor. During laser-mediated heating, the hibernating nanomotor is activated (awakened) and releases H2, which further suppresses recrystallization and decreases cell/tissue damage. These hibernating/awakening nanomotors have great potential for promoting highly efficient cryopreservation by inhibiting ice crystal formation.

Mechanism of multistability in chaotic maps.

This research aims to investigate the mechanisms of multistability in chaotic maps. The study commences by examining the fundamental principles governing the development of homogeneous multistability using a basic one-dimensional chain-climbing map. Findings suggest that the phase space can be segmented into distinct uniform mediums where particles exhibit consistent movement. As critical parameter values are reached, channels emerge between these mediums, resulting in deterministic chaotic diffusion. Additionally, the study delves into the topic of introducing heterogeneous factors on the formation of heterogeneous multistability in the one-dimensional map. A thorough examination of phenomena such as multistate intermittency highlights the intimate connection between specific phase transition occurrences and channel formation. Finally, by analyzing two instances-a memristive chaotic map and a hyperchaotic map-the underlying factors contributing to the emergence of multistability are scrutinized. This study offers an alternative perspective for verifying the fundamental principles of homogenous and heterogeneous multistability in complex high-dimensional chaotic maps.

Survey of mosquito species in intensive pig farms in Hunan province, China.

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are one of the most studied groups of arthropods worldwide due to their high transmission capacity for pathogens, including viruses and parasites. During June to October 2022, the prevalence of mosquito species in 12 intensive pig farms from 12 representative administrative regions in Hunan province of China was investigated using traps with ultraviolet light. All collected mosquitoes were counted and identified to species according to morphological and molecular methods. A total of 4,443 mosquito specimens were collected in the pig farms, and they represented one family, four genera and nine species. Culex pipiens pipiens (24%) was the most common mosquito species, followed by Armigeres subalbatus (23.4%) and Culex tritaeniorhynchus (20.6%). Phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial cox1 sequences revealed all mosquito species from present study grouping into distinct monophyletic groups corresponding to nine known mosquito species with strongly supported. The results of the present investigation have implications for the ongoing control of mosquito infestation in pig farms in Hunan province, China. This is the first report of mosquito populations in intensive pig farms in Hunan province, China.

Design, synthesis, and in vivo and in vitro biological screening of pseudolaric acid B derivatives as potential anti-tumor agents.

Pseudolaric Acid B (PAB), a natural product with remarkable anti-tumor activity, is a starting point for new anticancer therapeutics. We designed and synthesized 27 PAB derivatives and evaluated their anti-proliferative activities against four cancer cell lines: MCF-7, HCT-116, HepG2, and A549. Compared with unmodified PAB, the PAB derivatives showed stronger anti-proliferative activity. The ability of compound D3 (IC50 = 0.21 µM) to inhibit HCT-116 cells was approximately 5.3 times that of PAB (IC50 = 1.11 µM) and the antiproliferative action was unrelated to cytotoxicity (SI=20.38), indicating its superior safety profile (PAB; SI=0.95). Compound D3 effectively suppressed the EdU-positive rate and reduced colony formation, arrested HCT-116 cells in the S and G2/M phases and induced apoptosis. In vivo experiments further demonstrated low toxicity of compound D3 while suppressing tumor growth in mice. In summary, given its strong anti-proliferative effect and relative safety, further development of compound D3 is warranted.

The short- and mid-term efficacy and safety of elagolix in the management of pain associated with endometriosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Elagolix, an approved non-peptide GnRH antagonist, shows promise in relieving endometriosis-related pain, but its short- and mid-term efficacy and potential side effects are still under investigation. OBJECTIVE: The aim is to provide data for therapeutic applications by methodically evaluating elagolix's safety and effectiveness in treating endometriosis-related pain. METHODS: Databases such as PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, and others were thoroughly searched. The search time was from the establishment date to September 2023. The study included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the efficacy of elagolix versus placebo in treating endometriosis-associated pain. After data extraction and literature scanning, quality assessment was carried out using Quality evaluation was carried out using the bias risk assessment tool suggested by the Cochrane Reviewers' Handbook 5.1.0 after literature screening and data extraction. Stata 15.0 was used to do the meta-analysis. RESULTS: In total, five RCTs involving 2056 patients were included in the analysis. The meta-analysis demonstrated a significant superiority of elagolix over placebo in the management of endometriosis-related pain, specifically in endometriosis pain [WMD=-0.77, 95% CI (-1.00, -0.53), P<0.001], as well as in non-menstrual pelvic pain, daily assessment of dysmenorrhea (DYS), and dyspareunia (DYSP), all of which are associated with endometriosis. Regarding safety, no discernible variation was observed in the incidence of serious adverse responses between the elagolix and placebo groups [RR=0.90, 95% CI (0.58, 1.40), P=0.643]. Conversely, the elagolix group exhibited a significantly higher incidence rate of general adverse responses [RR = 1.34, 95% CI (1.18, 1.52), P<0.001] compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of elagolix in reducing pain in premenopausal women with endometriosis has been demonstrated over the short- to mid-term. However, careful monitoring for potential adverse effects is essential throughout the treatment duration.

Corrigendum: Characterizing the neutrophilic inflammation in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.793073.].

Fc receptor-like A promotes malignant behavior in renal cell carcinoma and correlates with tumor immune infiltration.

BACKGROUND: Our study aims to investigate the mechanisms through which Fc receptor-like A (FCRLA) promotes renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and to examine its significance in relation to tumor immune infiltration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The correlation between FCRLA and data clinically related to RCC was explored using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), then validated using Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) gene chip data. Enrichment and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analyses were performed for FCRLA and its co-expressed genes. FCRLA was knocked down in RCC cell lines to evaluate its impact on biological behavior. Then the potential downstream regulators of FCRLA were determined by western blotting, and rescue experiments were performed for verification. The relevance between FCRLA and various immune cells was analyzed through GSEA, TIMER, and GEPIA tools. TIDE and ESTIMATE algorithms were used to predict the effect of FCRLA in immunotherapy. RESULTS: Fc receptor-like A was associated with clinical and T stages and could predict the M stage (AUC = 0.692) and 1-3- and 5-year survival rates (AUC = 0.823, 0.834, and 0.862) of RCC patients. Higher expression of FCLRA predicted an unfavorable overall survival (OS) in TCGA-RCC and GSE167573 datasets (p = 0.03, p = 0.04). FCRLA promoted the malignant biological behavior of RCC cells through the pERK1/2/-MMP2 pathway and was associated with tumor immune microenvironment in RCC. CONCLUSION: Fc receptor-like A is positively correlated with poor outcomes in RCC patients and plays an oncogenic role in RCC through the pERK1/2-MMP2 pathway. Patients with RCC might benefit from immunotherapy targeting FCRLA.

O-Carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticles: A novel approach to enhance water stress tolerance in maize seedlings.

Water stress, a significant abiotic stressor, significantly hampers crop growth and yield, posing threat to food security. Despite the promising potential of nanoparticles (NPs) in enhancing plant stress tolerance, the precise mechanisms underlying the alleviation of water stress using O-Carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticles (O-CMC-NPs) in maize remain elusive. In this study, we synthesized O-CMC-NPs and delved into their capacity to mitigate water stress (waterlogging and drought) in maize seedlings. Structural characterization revealed spherical O-CMC-NPs with a size of approximately 200 nm. These NPs accumulated near the seed embryo and root tip, resulting in a substantial increase in fresh and dry weights. The application of O-CMC-NPs to water-stressed maize seedlings remarkedly elevated the chlorophyll content and activity of various antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO). The malondialdehyde (MDA) content was significantly reduced compared to the untreated control. Additionally, the expression of stress-responsive genes, such as ZmSOD, ZmCAT, ZmPOD, ZmTIFY, ZmACO, ZmPYL2, ZmNF-YC12, and ZmEREB180, were significantly upregulated in the O-CMC-NPs treated seedlings. These findings unveil the novel role of O-CMC-NPs in enhancing plant stress tolerance, suggesting their potential application in safeguarding maize seedlings under water stress conditions and facilitating the recovery from oxidative damage.

Pan-cancer analyses reveal the molecular and clinical characteristics of TET family members and suggests that TET3 maybe a potential therapeutic target.

The Ten-Eleven Translocation (TET) family genes are implicated in a wide array of biological functions across various human cancers. Nonetheless, there is a scarcity of studies that comprehensively analyze the correlation between TET family members and the molecular phenotypes and clinical characteristics of different cancers. Leveraging updated public databases and employing several bioinformatics analysis methods, we assessed the expression levels, somatic variations, methylation levels, and prognostic values of TET family genes. Additionally, we explored the association between the expression of TET family genes and pathway activity, tumor microenvironment (TME), stemness score, immune subtype, clinical staging, and drug sensitivity in pan-cancer. Molecular biology and cytology experiments were conducted to validate the potential role of TET3 in tumor progression. Each TET family gene displayed distinct expression patterns across at least ten detected tumors. The frequency of Single Nucleotide Variant (SNV) in TET genes was found to be 91.24%, primarily comprising missense mutation types, with the main types of copy number variant (CNV) being heterozygous amplifications and deletions. TET1 gene exhibited high methylation levels, whereas TET2 and TET3 genes displayed hypomethylation in most cancers, which correlated closely with patient prognosis. Pathway activity analysis revealed the involvement of TET family genes in multiple signaling pathways, including cell cycle, apoptosis, DNA damage response, hormone AR, PI3K/AKT, and RTK. Furthermore, the expression levels of TET family genes were shown to impact the clinical staging of tumor patients, modulate the sensitivity of chemotherapy drugs, and thereby influence patient prognosis by participating in the regulation of the tumor microenvironment, cellular stemness potential, and immune subtype. Notably, TET3 was identified to promote cancer progression across various tumors, and its silencing was found to inhibit tumor malignancy and enhance chemotherapy sensitivity. These findings shed light on the role of TET family genes in cancer progression and offer insights for further research on TET3 as a potential therapeutic target for pan-cancer.

Glycolysis-related genes predict prognosis and indicate immune microenvironment features in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is a major contributor to cancer-related mortality. Glycolysis plays a pivotal role in tumor microenvironment (TME) reprogramming. In this research, the functions of glycolysis-associated genes (GRGs) were evaluated to predict the outcome and reveal the characteristics of the immune microenvironment in individuals with stomach cancer. METHODS: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) cohort provided gene expression and clinical data for gastric cancer (GC) patients, which were further authenticated using datasets sourced from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). By referencing the Molecular Signatures Database (MSigDB), a total of 326 GRGs were pinpointed. The various subtypes of GC were outlined through consensus clustering, derived from the expression patterns of these GRGs. Utilizing multivariate Cox regression analysis, a multigene risk score model was formulated. Both the CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE algorithms played a pivotal role in assessing the immune microenvironment. To delve into the biological functions of the key genes, wound healing, transwell invasion, and MTT assays were conducted. RESULTS: Based on the expression patterns of GRGs, patients were categorized into two distinct groups: the metabolic subtype, designated as cluster A, and the immune subtype, labeled as cluster B. Patients belonging to cluster B exhibited a poorer prognosis. A prognostic risk score model, formulated upon the expression levels of six key GRGs - ME1, PLOD2, NUP50, CXCR4, SLC35A3, and SRD35A3 - emerged as a viable tool for predicting patient outcomes. The downregulation of CXCR4 notably diminished the glycolytic capacity of gastric cancer (GC) cells, alongside their migratory, invasive, and proliferative capabilities. Intriguingly, despite the adverse prognostic implications associated with both the immune subtype (cluster B) and the high-risk cohort, these groups exhibited a favorable immune microenvironment coupled with elevated expression of immune checkpoint genes. Our investigations revealed a positive correlation between high CXCR4 expression and low ME1 expression with the infiltration of CD8+ T cells, as well as an enhanced responsiveness to treatment with an anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we discovered that the expression profiles of GRGs hold the potential to forecast the prognosis of gastric cancer (GC) patients, thereby possibly aiding in clinical treatment decision-making.

A comparison of the clinical efficacy of total hip arthroplasty via direct anterior approach and posterior approach: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The approach of total hip arthroplasty (THA) has long been controversial, and many studies have compared different approaches. However, there is still a lack of consistent conclusions and comprehensive, systematic comparisons and evaluations. METHODS: This study retrieved 7 databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Database. The search time ranged from the establishment of each database to November 1, 2023. Data analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4, and outcome was presented as the weighed mean difference for continuous data and risk/odds ratio for dichotomous data. We used the Mantel-Haneszel method and random effects model to obtain the overall effects of the differences in the impact of 2 surgical methods on clinical outcomes in all included studies. RESULTS: A total of 33 articles were included in this study, including 14478 participants, 4911 participants in DAA group and 9567 participants in PA group. The visual analogue scale scores of the DAA group at 1 day and 2 days after THA were significantly lower than those of the PA group (mean difference [MD] = -0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.83 to -0.30, P < .01) at 1 day and (MD = -0.67, 95% CI: -1.16 to -0.17, P = .01) at 2 days. The risk of intraoperative fracture (odds ratio = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.11-4.29, P = .05) and lateral femoral nerve injury (risk ratio = 7.84, 95% CI: 1.69-36.42, P < .01) in the DAA group was significantly higher than that of the PA group. The number of prostheses in the Lewinnek safe zone of the DAA group was significantly higher than that of the PA group (risk ratio = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.00-1.27, P = .05). The results showed no significant difference between the DAA group and the PA group in the time to stop using walking aids, dislocation rate, groin pain, incision complications, heterotopic ossification, intraoperative blood loss, and acetabular anterior (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Compared with the PA group, patients in the DAA group showed more ideal anatomical and imaging results, shorter hospital stay, and showing advantages in postoperative pain, but with a higher incidence of intraoperative complications.

Chlorhexidine gluconate versus povidone-iodine for nasal bacteria decolonization before transsphenoidal surgery in patients with pituitary neuroendocrine tumors: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, non-inferiority trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the nasal decolonization efficacy and comfort between chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) and povidone-iodine (PVP) to provide an evidence basis for clinical guidance. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, single-blinded, noninferior clinical trial was conducted in 174 patients with pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) who were scheduled to undergo transsphenoidal surgery. The noninferiority margin was δ=-0.1. The primary outcome was the effective rate of disinfection. The secondary outcomes included post-operative inflammatory indicators, the intracranial infection rate, and the proportion of intracranial infection. RESULTS: The effective clearance rate of post-operative nasal bacteria was nonsignificantly different between the CHG and PVP groups (88.64% vs. 82.56%; between-group difference 6.10%; 95% CI [-5.30 to 17.50]). There was no significant difference in the incidence of post-operative central nervous system infections or serum inflammation-related indications between the two groups, but sterilization tended to occur quicker and last longer in the CHG group. CHG seemed to have advantages in terms of comfort, including less nasal irritation, less pungency, and better intranasal coloration. CONCLUSION: CHG and PVP have equal efficacy in nasal decolonization before transsphenoidal surgery, but CHG seems to have comfort-related advantages in terms of less nasal irritation, less pungency, and better intranasal coloration.

A review: simulation tools for genome-wide interaction studies.

Genome-wide association study (GWAS) is essential for investigating the genetic basis of complex diseases; nevertheless, it usually ignores the interaction of multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Genome-wide interaction studies provide crucial means for exploring complex genetic interactions that GWAS may miss. Although many interaction methods have been proposed, challenges still persist, including the lack of epistasis models and the inconsistency of benchmark datasets. SNP data simulation is a pivotal intermediary between interaction methods and real applications. Therefore, it is important to obtain epistasis models and benchmark datasets by simulation tools, which is helpful for further improving interaction methods. At present, many simulation tools have been widely employed in the field of population genetics. According to their basic principles, these existing tools can be divided into four categories: coalescent simulation, forward-time simulation, resampling simulation, and other simulation frameworks. In this paper, their basic principles and representative simulation tools are compared and analyzed in detail. Additionally, this paper provides a discussion and summary of the advantages and disadvantages of these frameworks and tools, offering technical insights for the design of new methods, and serving as valuable reference tools for researchers to comprehensively understand GWAS and genome-wide interaction studies.

Evaluation of the accuracy of remote emission sensing measurements via real-world vehicle dynamic tests.

To evaluate the measurement accuracy of horizontal and vertical remote emission sensing (RES) equipment, a real-world dynamic test was carried out in Chengdu by using electric vehicles equipped with various concentrations of standard gases. In addition, a new vertical remote sensing spectral data algorithm based on image processing (ISPA) was developed to improve the measurement capability. The results showed that the ISPA provided a greater percentage of valid data and lower relative errors; thus, our new algorithm could more effectively analyze the spectral data to measure vehicle emission levels. The percentages of valid horizontal and vertical RES data were 71% and 84%, respectively. The mean relative errors of CO2, CO, HC and NO measured by the vertical RES were about 5%, 20%, 20% and 40%, respectively, and those of CO2, CO and NO measured by the horizontal RES were 3%, 13% and 15%, respectively. For the common vehicle emission concentration, the percentage of valid data for the two RES types increased with increasing gas concentration. As the vehicle speed increased, the relative errors of the horizontal RES equipment showed an increasing trend for the same concentration of gas. Furthermore, for the same speed segment, the relative errors of the horizontal RES equipment increased as the simulated emission concentration decreased. The vertical RES equipment did not exhibit a consistent trend in terms of changes. This study provides a data quality reference for further RES applications.

Bioinspired molecular catalysts with a unique tricopper architecture for highly efficient oxygen reduction reaction.

In situ growth of intertwined trinuclear copper complexes (nCu3) on a cellulose-derived carbon support (CMC) produced a high-performance electrocatalyst (CMC-nCu3) for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), which demonstrated superior performance in zinc-air batteries compared to a commercial Pt/C catalyst. This work highlights the importance of copper-based molecular catalysts with rich and intertwined tricopper structures for boosting both ORR activity and stability.

Visible-Light-Driven Method for the Selective Synthesis of Amides and N-Acylureas from Carboxylic Acids and Thioureas.

In this work, we developed a visible-light-driven method for the selective synthesis of amides and N-acylureas from carboxylic acids and thioureas. This protocol was featured as avoidance of additional oxidants and transition metal catalysts, simple manipulations, low cost, broad substrate scope, and good functional group tolerance. As only oxygen serves as the oxidation reagent, this method provides a promising synthesis candidate for the formation of N-aryl amides and N-acylureas, including late-stage functionalization of complex pharmaceutical molecules and biologically active molecules.

Anomalous diffusion in external-force-affected deterministic systems.

This study investigates the impact of external forces on the movement of particles, specifically focusing on a type of box piecewise linear map that generates normal diffusion akin to Brownian motion. Through numerical methods, the research delves into the effects of two distinct external forces: linear forces linked to the particle's current position and periodic sinusoidal forces related to time. The results uncover anomalous dynamical behavior characterized by nonlinear growth in the ensemble-averaged mean-squared displacement (EAMSD), aging, and ergodicity breaking. Notably, the diffusion pattern of particles under linear external forces resembles an Ehrenfest double urn model, with its asymptotic EAMSD coinciding with the Langevin equation under linear potential. Meanwhile, particle movement influenced by periodic sinusoidal forces corresponds to an inhomogeneous Markov chain, with its external force amplitude and diffusion coefficient function exhibiting a "multipeak" fractal structure. The study also provides insights into the formation of this structure through the turnstiles dynamics.

Exploring of exosomes in pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapeutic of osteonecrosis of the femoral head: the mechanisms and signaling pathways.

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a refractory disease affecting young adults, resulting in severe hip pain, femoral head collapse, and disabling dysfunction. By far, the underlying mechanism of its pathology is unclear, and still lack of a mature and effective treatment. Exosomes, a regulator of cell-cell communication, their cargos may vary in response to different physiological or pathological conditions. To date, many studies have demonstrated that exosomes have the potential to become a diagnostic marker and therapeutic agent in many human diseases including ONFH. As a cell-free therapeutic agent, exosomes are becoming a promising tool within this field due to their crucial role in osteogenesis and angiogenesis in recent decades. Usually, exosomes from ONFH tissues could promote ONFH damage, while stem cells derived exosomes could delay diseases and repair femoral head necrosis. Herein, we describe the properties of exosomes, discuss its effect on pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment potential in ONFH, and examine the involvement of different signaling pathways. We also propose our suggestions for the future research of exosomes in ONFH field and hope to provide a potential therapeutic strategy for patients with ONFH.

Identification of UNC5B as a novel aggressive biomarker for osteosarcoma based on basement membrane genes.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of patients with metastatic osteosarcoma is poor, and the variation of basement membrane genes (BMGs) is associated with cancer metastasis. However, the role of BMGs in osteosarcoma has been poorly studied. METHODS: BMGs were collected and differentially expressed BMGs (DE-BMGs) were found through difference analysis. DE-BMGs were further screened by univariate Cox regression and Lasso regression analyses, and six key BMGs were identified and defined as basement membrane genes signatures (BMGS). Then, BMGS was used to construct the osteosarcoma BMGS risk score system, and the osteosarcoma patients were divided into high- and low-risk groups based on the median risk score. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) and ESTIMATE scores were used to investigate the differences in immune infiltration between the two scoring groups. Additionally, we investigated whether UNC5B affects various features in tumors by bioinformatic analysis and whether UNC5B was involved in multiple biological functions of osteosarcoma cells by wound healing assay, transwell assay, and western blot. RESULTS: The osteosarcoma BMGS risk score reliably predicts the risk of metastasis, patient prognosis, and immunity. UNC5B expression was elevated in osteosarcoma, and correlated with various characteristics such as immune infiltration, prognosis, and drug sensitivity. In vitro assays showed that UNC5B knockdown reduced osteosarcoma cells' capacity for migration and invasion, and EMT process. CONCLUSION: A novel BMGS risk score system that can effectively predict the prognosis of osteosarcoma was developed and validated. The UNC5B gene in this system is one of the key aggressive biomarkers of osteosarcoma.