YAP1 Inhibition Induces Phenotype Switching of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts to Tumor Suppressive in Prostate Cancer.

Prostate cancer (PCa) rarely responds to immune-checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are critical components of the immunologically "cold" tumor microenvironment and are considered a promising target to enhance the immunotherapy response. In this study, we aimed to reveal the mechanisms regulating CAF plasticity to identify potential strategies to switch CAFs from pro-tumorigenic to anti-tumor phenotypes and enhance ICB efficacy in PCa. Integration of four PCa single-cell RNA-sequencing datasets defined pro-tumorigenic and anti-tumor CAFs, and RNA-seq, flow cytometry, and a PCa organoid model demonstrated the functions of two CAF subtypes. Extracellular matrix-associated CAFs (ECM-CAF) promoted collagen deposition and cancer cell progression, and lymphocyte-associated CAFs (Lym-CAF) exhibited an anti-tumor phenotype and induced the infiltration and activation of CD8+ T cells. YAP1 activity regulated the ECM-CAF phenotype, and YAP1 silencing promoted switching to Lym-CAFs. NF-κB p65 was the core transcription factor in the Lym-CAF subset, and YAP1 inhibited nuclear translocation of p65. Selective depletion of YAP1 in ECM-CAFs in vivo promoted CD8+ T-cell infiltration and activation and enhanced the therapeutic effects of anti- PD-1 treatment in PCa. Overall, this study revealed a mechanism regulating CAF identity in PCa and highlighted a therapeutic strategy for altering the CAF subtype to suppress tumor growth and increase sensitivity to ICB.

Effect of Dissolved Organic Matter on the Photodegradation of Decachlorobiphenyl (PCB-209) in Heterogeneous Systems: Experimental Analysis and Excited-State Theory Calculations.

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) can affect the transformation of pollutants through photosensitization, but most current research focuses on hydrophilic pollutants, making it such that less attention is paid to hydrophobic pollutants. In this paper, the effect and action mechanism of coexisting DOM on the photodegradation of decachlorobiphenyl (PCB-209) on suspended particles collected from the Yellow River were systematically investigated in a heterogeneous system using DOM standards and model compounds. Through molecular probe experiments, mass spectrometry analysis and theoretical calculations, we found that the excited triplet state of DOM (3DOM*) could excite PCB-209 to undergo dechlorination reaction. Due to the different modes of electron transition, the presence of carbonyl groups decreased the energy of 3DOM*, whereas the electron-donating groups made the energy of 3DOM* higher. DOM containing phenolic hydroxyl groups led to a higher steady-state concentration of •OH, and DOM containing phenyl ketone structures had a stronger ability to produce •O2-. Compared with aqueous •OH, •O2- produced from hydrophobic microregions could react more readily with PCB-209. This study deepens the understanding of the role of different functional groups of DOM in the photosensitized transformation of hydrophobic compounds.

Ultrasensitive pH-switchablenitrogen doped carbon dots for MnO4- detection and fluorescent anti-counterfeiting.

Herein, high-efficiency green fluorescence nitrogen doped CDs (G-CDs) were prepared using acetaminophen and ethylenediamine as precursors. The G-CDs exhibited good anti-photobleaching, salttolerance and low cytotoxicity. Interestingly, the G-CDs revealed excellent fluorescence stability in the pH range of 6-12, however, the intensity of the G-CDs was almost completely quenched in other pH values. The MnO4- demonstrated strong fluorescence quenching capability on our G-CDs with the mechanism involving dynamic quenching caused by energy transfer. G-CDs exhibited a strong linear relationship with MnO4- concentration in the range of 0-75 µmol/L, with a low limit detection of 7.6 nmol/L. What was even more interesting was that the G-CDs displayed bright green solid-state fluorescence, and exhibited potential application in anti-counterfeiting.

Investigation of super-resolution in microsphere-assisted microscopy with the Poynting vector of the dipole model.

In this paper, the Fourier spectrum of an image in microsphere-assisted microscopy (MAM) and the wavenumber decomposition of the Poynting vector of the dipole model are compared for the first time to study the super-resolution performance within several wavelengths in MAM. Firstly, an experiment using microsphere-assisted microscopy is performed, and the fast Fourier transformation (FFT) spectra of the images along the distance are studied. Then the Poynting vector in the point dipole field is theoretically investigated based on the spectral decomposition of dyadic Green's function. Our study finds that the result of decomposition of the Poynting vector corresponds with the propagation results of components with different transverse wavenumbers kρ in an experiment. Even when kρ reaches 1.7k0, the waves can still arrive outside one wavelength. Our work is the first effort (to our knowledge) to associate the Fourier spectrum and the decomposition of the Poynting vector together, and it may contribute to the quantitative exploration of super-resolution performance in MAM in the future.

KDM1A, a potent and selective target, for the treatment of DNMT3A-deficient non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: DNMT3A is a crucial epigenetic regulation enzyme. However, due to its heterogeneous nature and frequent mutation in various cancers, the role of DNMT3A remains controversial. Here, we determine the role of DNMT3A in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to identify potential treatment strategies. METHODS: To investigate the role of loss-of-function mutations of DNMT3A in NSCLC, CRISPR/Cas9 was used to induce DNMT3A-inactivating mutations. Epigenetic inhibitor library was screened to find the synthetic lethal partner of DNMT3A. Both pharmacological inhibitors and gene manipulation were used to evaluate the synthetic lethal efficacy of DNMT3A/KDM1A in vitro and in vivo. Lastly, MS-PCR, ChIP-qPCR, dual luciferase reporter gene assay and clinical sample analysis were applied to elucidate the regulation mechanism of synthetic lethal interaction. RESULTS: We identified DNMT3A is a tumour suppressor gene in NSCLC and KDM1A as a synthetic lethal partner of DNMT3A deletion. Both chemical KDM1A inhibitors and gene manipulation can selectively reduce the viability of DNMT3A-KO cells through inducing cell apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. We clarified that the synthetic lethality is not only limited to the death mode, but also involved into tumour metastasis. Mechanistically, DNMT3A deficiency induces KDM1A upregulation through reducing the methylation status of the KDM1A promoter and analysis of clinical samples indicated that DNMT3A expression was negatively correlated with KDM1A level. CONCLUSION: Our results provide new insight into the role of DNMT3A in NSCLC and elucidate the mechanism of synthetic lethal interaction between KDM1A and DNMT3A, which might represent a promising approach for treating patients with DNMT3A-deficient tumours.

Cynomorium songaricum: UHPLC/ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS analysis and mechanistic study on insulin sensitivity of a flavonoid-enriched fraction.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels, posing a significant global health concern due to its increasing prevalence. Insulin resistance (IR) plays a major role in the development of T2DM and is often linked to factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and a sedentary lifestyle. Recently, there has been growing interest in exploring the potential of natural products for improving insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. Among these, Cynomorium songaricum Rupr., an edible parasitic plant, has shown promising antidiabetic effects. However, research on its beneficial effects on IR is still nascent. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the application of a Cynomorium songaricum flavonoid-enriched fraction (CSF) in the treatment of IR in T2DM, along with elucidating the chemical and biochemical mechanisms involved. METHOD: First, UHPLC/ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS was utilized to perform a chemical profiling of CSF. Subsequently, glycogen synthesis, gluconeogenesis and glucose consumption assays were conducted on HepG2 cells with a high glucose high insulin-induced IR model to illustrate the favorable impacts of CSF on IR. Then, an innovative network pharmacology analysis was executed to predict the potential chemical components and hub genes contributing to CSF's protective effect against IR. To further elucidate molecular interactions, molecular docking studies were performed, focusing on the binding interactions between active constituents of CSF and crucial targets. Additionally, an RNA-sequencing assay was employed to uncover the underlying biochemical signaling pathway responsible for CSF's beneficial effects. To validate these findings, western blot and qPCR assays were employed to verify the pathways related to IR and the potential signaling cascades leading to the amelioration of IR. RESULTS: The UHPLC/ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS analysis successfully identified a total of thirty-six flavonoids derived from CSF. Moreover, CSF was shown to significantly improve glycogen synthesis and glucose consumption as well as inhibit gluconeogenesis in HepG2 cells of IR. An innovative network pharmacology analysis unveiled key hub genes-AKT1 and PI3K-integral to metabolic syndrome-related signaling pathways, which contributed to the favorable impact of CSF against IR. Noteworthy active ingredients including quercetin, ellagic acid and naringenin were identified as potential contributors to these effects. The results of western blot and qPCR assays provided compelling evidence that CSF improved insulin sensitivity by modulating the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Subsequent RNA-sequencing analysis, in tandem with western blot assays, delved deeper into the potential mechanisms underlying CSF's advantageous effects against IR, potentially associated with the enhancement of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteostasis. CONCLUSION: CSF exhibited a remarkable ability to enhance insulin sensitivity in the IR model of HepG2 cells. This was evident through enhancements in glycogen synthesis and glucose consumption, along with its inhibitory impact on gluconeogenesis. Furthermore, CSF demonstrated an improvement in the insulin-mediated PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. The potential active constituents were identified as quercetin, ellagic acid and naringenin. The underlying biochemical mechanisms responsible for CSF's beneficial effects against IR were closely linked to its capacity to mitigate ER stress, thereby offering a comprehensive understanding of its protective action.

Ion-Selective Transport Promotion Enabled by Angstrom-Scale Nanochannels in Dendrimer-Assembled Polyamide Nanofilm for Efficient Electrodialysis.

The ion permeability and selectivity of membranes are crucial in nanofluidic behavior, impacting industries ranging from traditional to advanced manufacturing. Herein, we demonstrate the engineering of ion-conductive membranes featuring angstrom-scale ion-transport channels by introducing ionic polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers for ion separation. The exterior quaternary ammonium-rich structure contributes to significant electrostatic charge exclusion due to enhanced local charge density; the interior protoplasmic channels of PAMAM dendrimer are assembled to provide additional degrees of free volume. This facilitates the monovalent ion transfer while maintaining continuity and efficient ion screening. The dendrimer-assembled hybrid membrane achieves high monovalent ion permeance of 2.81 mol m-2 h-1 (K+), reaching excellent mono/multivalent selectivity up to 20.1 (K+/Mg2+) and surpassing the permselectivities of state-of-the-art membranes. Both experimental results and simulating calculations suggest that the impressive ion selectivity arises from the significant disparity in transport energy barrier between mono/multivalent ions, induced by the "exterior-interior" synergistic effects of bifunctional membrane channels.

IL-4/IL-4R axis signaling drives resistance to immunotherapy by inducing the upregulation of Fcγ receptor IIB in M2 macrophages.

In recent years, immunotherapy, particularly PD-1 antibodies, have significantly enhanced the outcome of gastric cancer patients. Despite these advances, some patients do not respond well to treatment, highlighting the need to understand resistance mechanisms and develop predictive markers of treatment effectiveness. This study retrospectively analyzed data from 106 patients with stage IV gastric cancer who were treated with first-line immunotherapy in combination with chemotherapy. By comparing plasma cytokine levels between patients resistant and sensitive to PD-1 antibody therapy, the researchers identified elevated IL-4 expression in the resistant patients. Mechanical investigations revealed that IL-4 induces metabolic changes in macrophages that activate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. This alteration promotes ATP production, enhances glycolysis, increases lactic acid production, and upregulates FcγRIIB expression in macrophages. Ultimately, these changes lead to CD8+ T cell dysfunction and resistance to PD-1 antibody therapy in gastric cancer. These findings highlight the role of IL-4-induced macrophage polarization and metabolic reprogramming in immune resistance and verify IL-4 as potential targets for improving treatment outcomes in gastric cancer patients.

Time association study on a sub-acute mouse model of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a severe neurodegenerative disease that disturbs human health. In the laboratory researches about PD, the mice model induced by intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) was widely used. However, there has been controversy about the model effectiveness to simulate PD symptoms and pathology, and the time-varying development of behavioral and pathological characteristic after MPTP treatment remains unclear. In order to solve these problems, we designed a series of experiments to evaluate this PD model at different time points. We constructed the subacute PD mouse model by intraperitoneal injection of MPTP for 5 consecutive days. The rotarod test, open field test and the immunohistochemical staining of tyrosine hydroxylase were conducted at -5, 1, 5, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after the last injection of MPTP. The results showed that 5 days after the last MPTP administration, typical motor disorders with significant balance function damage in rotarod test began to appear and remained stable throughout the entire experiment. Simultaneously, we also observed the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive cells in the substantia nigra compacta and reduction of TH content in the striatum but this pathological change in the substantia nigra compacta reversed 21 days after injection. Besides, the spontaneous movement of mice in open field test remained unchanged by MPTP. This research indicated the time-dependence of MPTP neurotoxicity that impair the motor function and histological features and confirmed the symptom occurrence time after MPTP injection, which provides a reference for the future research about MPTP-induced PD.

Pharmacokinetic enhancement of oncolytic virus M1 by inhibiting JAK‒STAT pathway.

Oncolytic viruses (OVs), a group of replication-competent viruses that can selectively infect and kill cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact, are emerging as promising living anticancer agents. Unlike traditional drugs composed of non-replicating compounds or biomolecules, the replicative nature of viruses confer unique pharmacokinetic properties that require further studies. Despite some pharmacokinetics studies of OVs, mechanistic insights into the connection between OV pharmacokinetics and antitumor efficacy remain vague. Here, we characterized the pharmacokinetic profile of oncolytic virus M1 (OVM) in immunocompetent mouse tumor models and identified the JAK‒STAT pathway as a key modulator of OVM pharmacokinetics. By suppressing the JAK‒STAT pathway, early OVM pharmacokinetics are ameliorated, leading to enhanced tumor-specific viral accumulation, increased AUC and Cmax, and improved antitumor efficacy. Rather than compromising antitumor immunity after JAK‒STAT inhibition, the improved pharmacokinetics of OVM promotes T cell recruitment and activation in the tumor microenvironment, providing an optimal opportunity for the therapeutic outcome of immune checkpoint blockade, such as anti-PD-L1. Taken together, this study advances our understanding of the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationship in OV therapy.

Factors associated with glycemic control in patients with T2DM: evidence from a cross-sectional study in China.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the factors influencing glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: Baseline data, encompassing basic information, lifestyle habits, and treatment of 305 T2DM patients from March 2021 to January 2023, were collected and analyzed using SPSS 26.0 software. RESULTS: Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses identified insulin therapy (OR = 2.233; 95%Cl = 1.013-4.520; P = 0.026) and regular clinic visits (OR = 0.567; 95%Cl = 0.330-0.973; P = 0.040) as independent factors influencing glycemic control. No observed interactions between the two variables were noted. CONCLUSION: History of insulin therapy and regular clinic visits were significantly and independently associated with glycated hemoglobin control in T2DM patients. Tailored interventions based on individual circumstances are recommended to optimize glycemic control.

A panoramic view of the virosphere in three wastewater treatment plants by integrating viral-like particle-concentrated and traditional non-concentrated metagenomic approaches.

Wastewater biotreatment systems harbor a rich diversity of microorganisms, and the effectiveness of biotreatment systems largely depends on the activity of these microorganisms. Specifically, viruses play a crucial role in altering microbial behavior and metabolic processes throughout their infection phases, an aspect that has recently attracted considerable interest. Two metagenomic approaches, viral-like particle-concentrated (VPC, representing free viral-like particles) and non-concentrated (NC, representing the cellular fraction), were employed to assess their efficacy in revealing virome characteristics, including taxonomy, diversity, host interactions, lifestyle, dynamics, and functional genes across processing units of three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Our findings indicate that each approach offers unique insights into the viral community and functional composition. Their combined use proved effective in elucidating WWTP viromes. We identified nearly 50,000 viral contigs, with Cressdnaviricota and Uroviricota being the predominant phyla in the VPC and NC fractions, respectively. Notably, two pathogenic viral families, Asfarviridae and Adenoviridae, were commonly found in these WWTPs. We also observed significant differences in the viromes of WWTPs processing different types of wastewater. Additionally, various phage-derived auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs) were active at the RNA level, contributing to the metabolism of the microbial community, particularly in carbon, sulfur, and phosphorus cycling. Moreover, we identified 29 virus-carried antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) with potential for host transfer, highlighting the role of viruses in spreading ARGs in the environment. Overall, this study provides a detailed and integrated view of the virosphere in three WWTPs through the application of VPC and NC metagenomic approaches. Our findings enhance the understanding of viral communities, offering valuable insights for optimizing the operation and regulation of wastewater treatment systems.

The Lithofacies of Sandstones Interbedded with Shales: Implication for Organic Matter Accumulation of Triassic Deep Lacustrine Setting, Southern Ordos Basin.

The sandstones interbedded with shales in the lacustrine black shale have great potential to become important targets for oil and gas exploration, but there has been a lack of systematic research regarding their types and genesis. This study focused on the investigation of the Triassic Chang 73 member deep lacustrine sandstone. Eleven lithofacies are identified and classified into three different types of deposits: ash fall and intra- and extra-basinal turbidite deposits. Vitric tuff, pumice-bearing shale, and ash are the main ash fall lithofacies. The presence of reverse grading and a significant concentration of plant fragments/micas suggest extra-basinal turbidite deposits. However, the collapse of deltaic intrabasinal sediments has been well sorted and does not contain plant debris and low-density materials. These three different types of sediments combined with a humid climate are the main causes for the deposition of a large number of sandstone layers in the deep lacustrine environment. Furthermore, the abundant volcanic eruptions are associated with increased organic matter accumulation and promoted the bloom of algae. In addition, the generated oil in the black shales would then migrate and accumulate in the interbedded sandstones. This research provides geological evidence for the prospective prediction of lacustrine shale oil accumulations.

Application of soy protein isolate-naringenin complexes as fat replacers in low-fat cream: Based on protein conformational changes, aggregation states and interfacial adsorption behavior.

In this study, changes in the structural and functional properties of soybean protein isolate (SPI)-naringenin (NG) complexes under different amounts of naringenin treatments were explored, elucidating the effect of the complexes as fat replacers at the 15 % substitution level on the properties of low-fat cream. Finally, the correlation between the structure and function of the complex and the properties of low-fat cream was further analyzed. The addition of NG promotes the increase of SPI aggregation and particle size, and reduces the interfacial tension of the complex. Meanwhile, at the mass ratio of 48:3, NG and SPI formed a dendritic network structure suitable for stabilizing cream. The fat properties of cream indicate that low-fat creams stabilized by appropriate proportions of SPI-NG complexes displayed small and dense fat crystal network structures. In addition, low-fat cream stabilized by the SPI-NG complexes have improved whipping time, overrun, firmness, storage stability and rheological properties compared to natural SPI. It is worth noting that the overall quality of the cream stabilized by the SPI-NG complex with a mass ratio of 48:3 was almost close to that of full-fat cream. Therefore, this study promotes the potential applications of protein-polyphenol complexes as fat replacers in the food industry.

Development of a highly sensitive ultra-small ratiometric fluorescence nanosphere probe for Sunset Yellow detection.

A highly sensitive ultra-small ratiometric fluorescence nanosphere probe was successfully manufactured to detect Sunset Yellow (SY). The probe, CMCS@N, S-CDs/Rh6G, was formed through the encapsulation of N, S-CDs and Rh6G within carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) through in situ cross-linking. Remarkably, our nanosphere probe had an average grain diameter of 6.80 nm and exhibited excellent dispersibility without the need for additional solvents. The probe exhibited a strong linear relationship with SY concentration in the range of 0.26-100 µM, with a low detection limit of 0.078 µM. Furthermore, SY demonstrated strong fluorescence quenching capability on our nanosphere probe, with the fluorescence quenching mechanism involving a combined effects of inner filter effect (IFE) and static quenching. Notably, our nanosphere probe retained the bacteriostatic properties of CMCS, with a substantial bacteriostasis rate of 77.58 %, introducing novel potential applications.

Nonlinear Optical Saturable Absorption Properties of 2D VP Nanosheets and Application as SA in a Passively Q-Switched Nd:YVO4 Laser.

Two-dimensional (2D) violet phosphorus (VP) plays a significant role in the applications of photonic and optoelectronic devices due to its unique optical and electrical properties. The ultrafast carrier dynamics and nonlinear optical absorption properties were systematically investigated here. The intra- and inter-band ultrafast relaxation times of 2D VP nanosheets were measured to be ~6.83 ps and ~62.91 ps using the pump-probe method with a probe laser operating at 1.03 µm. The nonlinear absorption coefficient ßeff, the saturation intensity Is, the modulation depth ΔR, and the nonsaturable loss were determined to be -2.18 × 104 cm/MW, 329 kW/cm2, 6.3%, and 9.8%, respectively, by using the Z-scan and I-scan methods, indicating the tremendous saturable absorption property of 2D VP nanosheets. Furthermore, the passively Q-switched Nd:YVO4 laser was realized with the 2D VP nanosheet-based SA, in which the average output power of 700 mW and the pulse duration of 478 ns were obtained. These results effectively reveal the nonlinear optical absorption characteristics of VP nanosheets, demonstrating their outstanding light-manipulating capabilities and providing a basis for the applications of ultrafast optical devices. Our results verify the excellent saturable absorption properties of 2D VP, paving the way for its applications in pulsed laser generation.

Unlocking the crucial role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in tumor metastasis: Mechanisms and therapeutic prospects.

BACKGROUND: Tumor metastasis represents a stepwise progression and stands as a principal determinant of unfavorable prognoses among cancer patients. Consequently, an in-depth exploration of its mechanisms holds paramount clinical significance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), constituting the most abundant stromal cell population within the tumor microenvironment (TME), have garnered robust evidence support for their pivotal regulatory roles in tumor metastasis. AIM OF REVIEW: This review systematically explores the roles of CAFs at eight critical stages of tumorigenic dissemination: 1) extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, 2) epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), 3) angiogenesis, 4) tumor metabolism, 5) perivascular migration, 6) immune escape, 7) dormancy, and 8) premetastatic niche (PMN) formation. Additionally, we provide a compendium of extant strategies aimed at targeting CAFs in cancer therapy. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW: This review delineates a structured framework for the interplay between CAFs and tumor metastasis while furnishing insights for the potential therapeutic developments. It contributes to a deeper understanding of cancer metastasis within the TME, facilitating the utilization of CAF-targeting therapies in anti-metastatic approaches.

A method for extracting corneal reflection images from multiple eye images.

The incident light reflected from the cornea is rich in information about the human surroundings, and these reflected rays are imaged by the camera, which can be used for research on human consciousness and gaze analysis, and produce certain help in the fields of psychology, human computer interaction and disease diagnosis. However, limited by the low corneal reflection ability, when a high-definition camera captures corneal reflecting rays, a large amount of color and texture interference from the iris can seriously contaminate the corneal reflection images, resulting in low usability and ubiquity of corneal reflection images. In this paper, we propose a corneal reflection image extraction method with multiple eye images as input. We align the iris regions of multiple eye images with the help of iris localization method, and by comparing multiple iris regions, we obtain the complementary iris regions, so that the iris interference in the corneal reflection region can be stripped completely. A large number of experiments have demonstrated that our work can effectively mitigate iris interference and effectively improve the quality of corneal reflection images.

RSAD2, a pyroptosis-related gene, predicts the prognosis and immunotherapy response for colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most prevalent malignant tumors, known for its high heterogeneity. Although many treatments and medications are available, the long-term survival rate of CRC patients is far from satisfactory. Pyroptosis is closely related to tumor progression. This study aimed to identify pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) and candidate biomarkers to predict the prognosis of CRC patients. Used bioinformatics, we identified PRGs and subsequently screened 288 co-expression genes between pyroptosis-related modules and differentially expressed genes in CRC. Among these hub genes, we selected the top 24 for further analysis and found that Radical S-Adenosyl Methionine Domain Containing 2 (RSAD2) was a novel biomarker associated with the progression of CRC. We developed a risk model for RSAD2, which proved to be an independent prognostic indicator. The receiver operator characteristic analysis showed that the model had an acceptable prognostic value for patients with CRC. In addition, RSAD2 also affects the tumor immune microenvironment and prognosis of CRC. We further validated RSAD2 expression in CRC patients using RT-qPCR and the role of RSAD2 in pyroptosis. Taken together, this study comprehensively assessed the expression and prognostic value of RSAD2 in patients with CRC. These findings may offer a new direction for early CRC screening and development of future immunotherapy strategies.

Commercial Production of Highly Rehydrated Soy Protein Powder by the Treatment of Soy Lecithin Modification Combined with Alcalase Hydrolysis.

The low rehydration properties of commercial soy protein powder (SPI), a major plant-based food ingredient, have limited the development of plant-based foods. The present study proposes a treatment of soy lecithin modification combined with Alcalase hydrolysis to improve the rehydration of soy protein powder, as well as other processing properties (emulsification, viscosity). The results show that the soy protein-soy lecithin complex powder, which is hydrolyzed for 30 min (SPH-SL-30), has the smallest particle size, the smallest zeta potential, the highest surface hydrophobicity, and a uniform microstructure. In addition, the value of the ratio of the α-helical structure/ß-folded structure was the smallest in the SPH-SL-30. After measuring the rehydration properties, emulsification properties, and viscosity, it was found that the SPH-SL-30 has the shortest wetting time of 3.04 min, the shortest dispersion time of 12.29 s, the highest solubility of 93.17%, the highest emulsifying activity of 32.42 m2/g, the highest emulsifying stability of 98.33 min, and the lowest viscosity of 0.98 pa.s. This indicates that the treatment of soy lecithin modification combined with Alcalase hydrolysis destroys the structure of soy protein, changes its physicochemical properties, and improves its functional properties. In this study, soy protein was modified by the treatment of soy lecithin modification combined with Alcalase hydrolysis to improve the processing characteristics of soy protein powders and to provide a theoretical basis for its high-value utilization in the plant-based food field.