Mechanisms of exacerbation of Th2-mediated eosinophilic allergic asthma induced by plastic pollution derivatives (PPD): A molecular toxicological study involving lung cell ferroptosis and metabolomics.

Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) are plastic pollution derivatives (PPDs) commonly found in the natural environment. To investigate the effects of PPD exposure on the risk of allergic asthma, we established a PPD exposure group in a mouse model. The dose administered for PS-MP was 0.1 mg/d and for DBP was 30 mg/kg/d, with a 5-week oral administration period. The pathological changes of airway tissue and the increase of oxidative stress and inflammatory response confirmed that PPD aggravated eosinophilic allergic asthma in mice. The mitochondrial morphological changes and metabolomics of mice confirmed that ferrotosis and oxidative stress played key roles in this process. Treatment with 100 mg/Kg deferoxamine (DFO) provided significant relief, and metabolomic analysis of lung tissue supported the molecular toxicological. Our findings suggest that the increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the lungs lead to Th2-mediated eosinophilic inflammation, characterized by elevated IL-4, IL-5, and eosinophils, and reduced INF-γ levels. This inflammatory response is mediated by the NFκB pathway and exacerbates type I hypersensitivity through increased IL-4 production. In this study, the molecular mechanism by which PPD aggravates asthma in mice was elucidated, which helps to improve the understanding of the health effects of PPD and lays a theoretical foundation for addressing the health risks posed by PPD.

Conditioned culture medium of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells promotes phenotypic transformation of microglia by regulating mitochondrial autophagy.

Objective: To study the mechanism by which conditioned medium of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs-CM) facilitates the transition of pro-inflammatory polarized microglia to an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Methods: BV2 cells, a mouse microglia cell line, were transformed into a pro-inflammatory phenotype using lipopolysaccharide. The expression of phenotypic genes in BV2 cells was detected using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure inflammatory cytokine levels in BV2 cells co-cultured with BMSCs-CM. The expressions of mitophagy-associated proteins were determined using western blot. The mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP levels in BV2 cells were measured using JC-1 staining and an ATP assay kit, respectively. Additionally, we examined the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of C8-D1A cells, a mouse astrocyte cell line, co-cultured with BV2 cells. Results: After co- culture with BMSCs -CM, the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and inducible nitric oxide synthase significantly decreased in pro-inflammatory BV2 cells, whereas the expression of CD206 and arginase-1 significantly increased. Moreover, TNF-α and interleukin-6 levels significantly decreased, whereas transforming growth factor-ß and interleukin-10 levels significantly increased. Furthermore, co-culture with BMSCs-CM increased mitophagy-associated protein expression, ATP levels, mitochondrial and lysosomal co-localization in these cells and decreased reactive oxygen species levels. Importantly, BMSCs-CM reversed the decrease in the proliferation and migration of C8-D1A cells co-cultured with pro-inflammatory BV2 cells and inhibited the apoptosis of C8-D1A cells. Conclusion: BMSCs-CM may promote the transition of polarized microglia from a pro-inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory phenotype by regulating mitophagy and influences the functional state of astrocytes.

Inoculation with Funneliformis mosseae promotes selenium accumulation and transformation in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.).

Selenium (Se) is one of the fifteen essential nutrients required by the human body. Mycorrhizal microorganisms play a crucial role in enhancing selenium availability in plants. However, limited research exists on the impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on selenium accumulation and transport in pepper plants. This study employed a pot experiment to investigate the changes in pepper plant growth, selenium accumulation, and transformation following inoculation with AMF and varying concentrations of exogenous selenium. The results indicate that exogenous selenium application in pepper has dual effects. At low concentrations (≤8 mg L⁻1), it promotes growth and nutrient accumulation, whereas high concentrations (>16 mg L⁻1) inhibit these processes. AMF inoculation positively influences selenium accumulation and transport in peppers, significantly increasing yield per plant by 17.89%, vitamin C content by 67.36%, flavonoid content by 43.26%, capsaicin content by 14.82%, DPPH radical scavenging rate by 18.18%, and ABTS radical scavenging rate by 27.81%. Additionally, it significantly reduces selenocysteine methyltransferase (SMT) enzyme activity, while minimally affecting ATP sulfurylase (ATPS) and adenosyl sulfate reductase (APR) enzyme activities. The combined treatment of AMF and 8 mg L⁻1 exogenous selenium has been proven to be the most effective for selenium enrichment in peppers, offering new insights into utilizing exogenous selenium and AMF inoculation to enhance selenium content in peppers.

New perspectives on migraine treatment: a review of the mechanisms and effects of complementary and alternative therapies.

Migraine is a prevalent and disabling neurovascular disorder, with women being more susceptible, characterized by unilateral throbbing headache, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting, and often associated with various comorbidities such as brain and cardiovascular diseases, which can have a serious impact on quality of life. Although nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the main first-line medications for the treatment of pain, long-term use often leads to side effects and drug addiction, which emphasizes the need to investigate alternative pain management strategies with fewer adverse effects. Complementary and alternative medicine is a viable pain intervention often used in conjunction with traditional medications, including acupuncture, herbs, moxibustion, transcutaneous electrical stimulation, bio-supplements, and acupressure, which offer non-pharmacological alternatives that are now viable pain management options. This review focuses on the mechanistic doctrine of migraine generation and the role and potential mechanisms of Complementary and Alternative Therapies (CAT) in the treatment of migraine, summarizes the research evidences for CAT as an adjunct or alternative to conventional therapies for migraine, and focuses on the potential of novel migraine therapies (calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonists and pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) antagonists) with the aim of evaluating CAT therapies as adjunctive or alternative therapies to conventional migraine treatment, thereby providing a broader perspective on migraine management and the design of treatment programs for more effective pain management.

Research on Dynamic Response under the External Impact of Paper Honeycomb Sandwich Board.

The dynamic mechanical behavior and cushioning performance of honeycomb sandwich panels, which are extensively employed in product cushioning packaging due to their exceptional energy absorption capabilities, were examined using a combination of experimental and numerical methods. Several factors, such as maximum acceleration-static stress, cushioning coefficient-static stress, and other curves, were analyzed under various impact conditions. The simulated stress-strain, deformation modes, cushioning coefficients, and other parameters demonstrate consistency with the experimental results. The acceleration, maximum compression, and cushioning coefficient obtained from the experiment and simulation calculation were 30.68 g, 15.44 mm, and 2.65, and 31.96 g, 14.91 mm, and 2.79, respectively. The results indicate that all error values were less than 5%, confirming the precision and reliability of the model. Furthermore, the model was utilized to simulate and predict the cushioning performance of honeycomb sandwich panels with different cell structures and paper thicknesses. These results provide a solid basis for enhancing the design of subsequent honeycomb element structures.

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Mechanism of Exogenous Selenium in Alleviating Cadmium Stress in Purple Flowering Stalks (Brassica campestris var. purpuraria).

In China, cadmium (Cd) stress has a significant role in limiting the development and productivity of purple flowering stalks (Brassica campestris var. purpuraria). Exogenous selenium supplementation has been demonstrated in earlier research to mitigate the effects of Cd stress in a range of plant species; nevertheless, the physiological and molecular processes by which exogenous selenium increases vegetable shoots' resistance to Cd stress remain unclear. Purple flowering stalks (Brassica campestris var. purpuraria) were chosen as the study subject to examine the effects of treatment with sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) on the physiology and transcriptome alterations of cadmium stress. Purple flowering stalk leaves treated with exogenous selenium had higher glutathione content, photosynthetic capacity, and antioxidant enzyme activities compared to the leaves treated with Cd stress alone. Conversely, the contents of proline, soluble proteins, soluble sugars, malondialdehyde, and intercellular CO2 concentration tended to decrease. Transcriptome analysis revealed that 2643 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were implicated in the response of exogenous selenium treatment to Cd stress. The metabolic pathways associated with flavonoid production, carotenoid synthesis, glutathione metabolism, and glucosinolate biosynthesis were among those enriched in these differentially expressed genes. Furthermore, we discovered DEGs connected to the production route of glucosinolates. This work sheds fresh light on how purple flowering stalks' tolerance to cadmium stress is improved by exogenous selenium.

Intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted MRI for the evaluation of early spleen involvement in acute leukemia.

Background: The spleen is a frequent organ of leukemia metastasis. This study aimed to investigate the value of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for assessing pathologic changes in the spleen and identifying early spleen involvement in patients with acute leukemia (AL). Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed AL and healthy controls were recruited between June 2020 and November 2022. All participants underwent abdominal IVIM diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) at our hospital. IVIM parameters [pure diffusion coefficient (D); pseudo-diffusion coefficient (D*); and pseudo-perfusion fraction (f)] of the spleen were calculated by the segmented fitting method, and perfusion-diffusion ratio (PDR) was further calculated from the values of D, D* and f. Spleen volumes (SVs) were obtained by manually segmenting the spleen layer by layer. Clinical biomarkers of AL patients were collected. Patients were divided into splenomegaly group and normal SV group according to the individualized reference intervals for SV. IVIM parameters were compared among the control group, AL with normal SV group, and AL with splenomegaly group using one-way analysis of variance, followed by pairwise post hoc comparisons. The correlations of IVIM parameters with clinical biomarkers were analyzed in AL patients. The diagnostic performances of IVIM parameters and their combinations for differentiating among the three groups were compared. Results: Seventy-nine AL patients (AL with splenomegaly: n=54; AL with normal SV: n=25) and 55 healthy controls were evaluated. IVIM parameters were significantly different among the three groups (P<0.001 for D, D* and f; P=0.001 for PDR). D and PDR showed significant differences between the control and AL with normal SV groups in pairwise comparisons (P<0.001, and P=0.031, respectively). D was correlated with white blood cell (WBC) counts (r=-0.424; 95% CI: -0.570, -0.211; P<0.001), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (r=-0.285; 95% CI: -0.486, -0.011; P=0.011), and bone marrow blasts (r=-0.283; 95% CI: -0.476, -0.067; P=0.012). D* (r=-0.276; 95% CI: -0.470, -0.025; P=0.014), f (r=0.514; 95% CI: 0.342, 0.664; P<0.001) and PDR (r=0.343; 95% CI: 0.208, 0.549; P=0.002) were correlated with LDH. The combination of IVIM parameters (AUC: 0.830; 95% CI: 0.729, 0.905) demonstrated better diagnostic efficacy than the single D* (AUC: 0.721; 95% CI: 0.608, 0.816; Delong test: Z=2.012, P=0.044) and f (AUC: 0.647; 95% CI: 0.532, 0.752; Delong test: Z=2.829, P=0.005), but was not significantly different from the single D (AUC: 0.756; 95% CI: 0.647, 0.846; Delong test: Z=1.676, P=0.094) in differentiating the splenomegaly group and normal SV group. Conclusions: IVIM diffusion-weighted MRI could be a potential alternative for assessing pathologic changes in the spleen from cellularity and angiogenesis, and D and PDR may be viable indicators to identify early spleen involvement in patients with AL.

Corrigendum: The elevated visceral adiposity index increases the risk of hyperuricemia in Chinese hypertensive patients: a cross-sectional study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1038971.].

Association between bilirubin and chronic kidney disease in hypertensive patients: The China hypertension registry study.

Limited data exists on the association between Direct bilirubin (DBIL) and Indirect bilirubin (IBIL) with the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among patients with hypertension. This study aimed to assess the relationship between DBIL and IBIL with the risk of CKD in a cohort of Chinese adults diagnosed with hypertension. This study included 14 182 Chinese patients with hypertension between the ages of 27 and 96. CKD, the outcome variable, was defined by an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 . The study employed multivariate linear and multivariate logistic regression analysis to evaluate the correlation between DBIL and IBIL with the risk of CKD. The prevalence of CKD in the study population was 9.77%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the increase in DBIL (OR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.71) and IBIL (OR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.71, 0.81) were independently and negatively correlated with CKD. Further analyses using a restricted cubic spline (smooth-fitting curve) confirmed the linearly negative association between DBIL and IBIL with the risk of CKD. The subgroup analysis showed that the correlation between IBIL and CKD was stronger among men and populations <65 years of age (p for interaction <.05). DBIL and IBIL were independently and negatively associated with CKD. Furthermore, the correlation between DBIL and IBIL with CKD in the hypertensive population is more significant in those under 65 years of age. These findings may inform future strategies for the management of CKD.

Quantitative tumor burden imaging parameters of the spleen at MRI for predicting treatment response in patients with acute leukemia.

Objectives: To study the value of standardized volume and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters of the spleen based on tumor burden for predicting treatment response in newly diagnosed acute leukemia (AL). Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed AL were recruited and underwent abdominal IVIM diffusion-weighted imaging within one week before the first induction chemotherapy. Quantitative parameters of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) included the standardized volume (representing volumetric tumor burden) and IVIM parameters (standard apparent diffusion coefficient [sADC]; pure diffusion coefficient [D]; pseudo-diffusion coefficient [D∗]; and pseudo-perfusion fraction [f], representing functional tumor burden) of the spleen. Clinical biomarkers of tumor burden were collected. Patients were divided into complete remission (CR) and non-CR groups according to the treatment response after the first standardized induction chemotherapy, and the MRI and clinical parameters were compared between the two groups. The correlations of MRI parameters with clinical biomarkers were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine the independent predictors for treatment response. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to analyze the predicted performance. Results: 76 AL patients (CR: n = 43; non-CR: n = 33) were evaluated. Standardized spleen volume, sADC, D, f, white blood cell counts, and lactate dehydrogenase were significantly different between CR and non-CR groups (all p < 0.05). Standardized spleen volume, sADC, and D were correlated with white blood cell and lactate dehydrogenase, and f was correlated with lactate dehydrogenase (all p < 0.05). Standardized spleen volume (hazard ratio = 4.055, p = 0.042), D (hazard ratio = 0.991, p = 0.027), and f (hazard ratio = 1.142, p = 0.008) were independent predictors for treatment response, and the combination of standardized spleen volume, D, and f showed more favorable discrimination (area under the curve = 0.856) than individual predictors. Conclusion: Standardized volume, D, and f of the spleen could be used to predict treatment response in newly diagnosed AL, and the combination of morphological and functional parameters would further improve the predicted performance. IVIM parameters of the spleen may be viable indicators for evaluating functional tumor burden in AL.

Integrated network pharmacology to investigate the mechanism of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge in the treatment of myocardial infarction.

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge is a natural drug for treating myocardial infarction (MI). However, the targets and mechanisms of S. miltiorrhiza Bunge in the treatment of MI are yet to be elucidated. Traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology (TCMSP) data were used to screen out chemical constituents, and UniProt was used to predict relevant targets. Disease targets were obtained from the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man and GeneCards databases. We used the STRING platform to build a protein-protein interaction network and used Cytoscape_v3.8.1 software to make a Drug-Ingredients-Gene Symbols-Disease network map. The Metascape database was used to perform gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses for drug-disease overlapping gene symbols. The targets identified by network pharmacology were further verified by in vitro and in vivo experiments. Seventy-five active components of S. miltiorrhiza Bunge were obtained from the TCMSP database, while 370 disease targets and 29 cross-targets were obtained from the Genecards database. The KEGG pathway enrichment results suggested that the mechanism of S. miltiorrhiza Bunge in the treatment of MI was significantly related to the VEGF signalling pathway. In vitro and in vivo experiments were used to evaluate the reliability of some important active ingredients and targets. S. miltiorrhiza Bunge alleviated the damage to cardiac function, attenuated myocardial fibrosis and protected endothelial cell function by increasing the expression of TGF-ß and VEGFA. S. miltiorrhiza Bunge showed the therapeutic effect of MI by promoting the expression of VEGFA signalling pathway, providing a reliable basis for exploring herbal treatment of MI.

Prevalence and genetic variation of the M, N, and S2 genes of feline coronavirus in Shandong Province, China.

Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is the causative agent of feline infectious peritonitis and diarrhoea in kittens worldwide. In this study, a total of 73 feline diarrhoeal faecal samples were collected from animal hospitals and pet markets in ShanDong province from 2017 to 2019. FCoV was detected in 58.23% (46/73) of the samples, using the RT-PCR method. The results showed that the detection rate of FCoV in healthy cats and sick cats was 41.7% (10/24) and 81.6% (40/49), respectively. Full gene amplification and sequencing of the N, M, and S2 genes of FCoV isolates were performed. An amino acid mutation (M1058L) in the S2 gene was found that can be used as a marker for distinguishing feline enteric coronavirus (FECV) from feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV). This study provides new epidemiological information about FCoV that will aid in the prevention of FCoV in China.

Decreased TAX1BP1 participates in systemic lupus erythematosus by regulating monocyte/macrophage function.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) involves disorders of innate and adaptive immune pathways. Tax1-binding protein 1 (TAX1BP1) modulates the production of antibodies in B cells and the T-cell cycle by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway. However, the potential association of TAX1BP1 with SLE and its role in monocytes/macrophages have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we utilized whole-exome sequencing (WES) in combination with Sanger sequencing and identified 16 gene mutations, including in TAX1BP1, in an SLE family. TAX1BP1 protein expression with western blotting detection was reduced in SLE patients and correlated with disease activity negatively. Furthermore, RNA sequencing and 4D Label-Free Phosphoproteomic analysis were employed to characterize the transcriptome and phosphoproteome profiles in THP-1 and THP-1-differentiated M1 macrophages with TAX1BP1 knockdown. Silencing of TAX1BP1 in THP-1 and THP-1-differentiated M1 macrophages led to an increase in cluster of differentiation 80 (CD80) expression and differential changes in CD14 and CD16 expression, as assessed by flow cytometry. Additionally, western blot analysis showed that knockdown of TAX1BP1 led to a reduction in TRAF6 and p-p65 in THP-1-differentiated macrophages, with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α stimulation. Taken together, our findings suggest that TAX1BP1 participates in SLE activity by regulating antigen presentation in monocytes and inflammatory responses in M1 macrophages.

A novel MIL-125(Ti)-based nanocomposite for enhanced adsorption and catalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride: Synergetic mechanism of calcination and the nitrogen-containing reticulated surface layer.

A multi-nitrogen conjugated organic molecule (TPE-2Py) was selected to surface modify the calcined MIL-125(Ti) to prepare a nanocomposite (TPE-2Py@DSMIL-125(Ti)) for adsorption and photodegradation of organic pollutant (tetracycline hydrochloride) under visible light. A novel reticulated surface layer was formed on the nanocomposite, and the adsorption capacity of TPE-2Py@DSMIL-125(Ti) for tetracycline hydrochloride can reach 157.7 mg/g under neutral conditions, which is higher than that of most other reported materials. Kinetic and thermodynamic studies show that the adsorption is a spontaneous heat absorption process, dominated by chemisorption, in which electrostatic interaction, π-π conjugation and Ti-N covalent bonds played dominant roles. The photocatalytic study shows that the visible photo-degradation efficiency of TPE-2Py@DSMIL-125(Ti) for tetracycline hydrochloride can further reach 89.1% after adsorption. Mechanism studies reveal that •O2- and h+ play a major role in the degradation process, and the separation and transfer rate of photo-generated carriers increase, improving its visible photocatalytic performance. This study revealed the relationship between the adsorption/photocatalytic properties of the nanocomposite and the structure of the molecular as well as the calcination, providing a convenient strategy to regulate the removal efficiency of MOFs materials towards organic pollutants. Furthermore, TPE-2Py@DSMIL-125(Ti) exhibits good reusability and even better removal efficiency for tetracycline hydrochloride in real water samples, indicating its sustainable treatment of pollutants in contaminated water.

Multisequence magnetic resonance imaging-based radiomics models for the prediction of microsatellite instability in endometrial cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the performance of multisequence magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based radiomics models in the assessment of microsatellite instability (MSI) status in endometrial cancer (EC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective multicentre study included 338 EC patients with available MSI status and preoperative MRI scans, divided into training (37 MSI, 123 microsatellite stability [MSS]), internal validation (15 MSI, 52 MSS), and external validation cohorts (30 MSI, 81 MSS). Radiomics features were extracted from T2-weighted images, diffusion-weighted images, and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images. The ComBat harmonisation method was applied to remove intrascanner variability. The Boruta wrapper algorithm was used for key feature selection. Three classification algorithms, logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF), and support vector machine (SVM), were applied to build the radiomics models. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated to compare the diagnostic performance of the models. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was conducted to determine the clinical usefulness of the models. RESULTS: Among the 1980 features, Boruta finally selected nine radiomics features. A higher MSI prediction performance was achieved after running the ComBat harmonisation method. The SVM algorithm had the best performance, with AUCs of 0.921, 0.903, and 0.937 in the training, internal validation, and external validation cohorts, respectively. The DCA results showed that the SVM algorithm achieved higher net benefits than the other classifiers over a threshold range of 0.581-0.783. CONCLUSION: The multisequence MRI-based radiomics models showed promise in preoperatively predicting the MSI status in EC in this multicentre setting.

Thiolated chitosan nanoparticles for stable delivery and smart release of As2O3 for liver cancer through dual actions.

In this work, multifunctional thiolated chitosan derivatives (DCA-CS-PEG-FA-NAC) were synthesized, and arsenic trioxide (ATO) was loaded onto the derivatives through glutathione (GSH)-sensitive AsIII-S bonds, and stable CS-ATO nanodrugs were prepared by simple self-assembly method. By adjusting the thiol substitution degree of CS, the drug loading capacity of the nanodrugs was significantly improved, which could reach 20 ATO per CS molecule (DCA10.7-CS-PEG3.1-FA-NAC20.2-ATO). In vitro release studies obviously showed the low leakage of ATO under physiological conditions while over 95 % ATO was released after 24 h under GSH. In vitro and in vivo investigations demonstrated that the DCA10.7-CS-PEG3.1-FA-NAC20.2-ATO nanodrug could significantly enhance the tumor intracellular accumulation of ATO, reduce the toxic and side effects of ATO on healthy organs, and improve the therapeutic effect of ATO on the HepG2 mice tumor model (tumor inhibition rate was as high as 86.4 %), indicating the potential application of ATO in clinical treatment of liver cancer.

Genetic diversity and gene expression diversity shape the adaptive pattern of the aquatic plant Batrachium bungei along an altitudinal gradient on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau.

It is an intriguing issue of evolutionary biology how genetic diversity and gene expression diversity shape the adaptive patterns. Comparative transcriptomic studies of wild populations in extreme environments provide critical insights into the relative contribution of genetic and expressive components. In this study, we analyzed the genetic diversity and gene expression diversity of 20 populations of the aquatic plant Batrachium bungei along elevations ranging from 2690 to 4896 m on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau (QTP). Based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and gene expression data from 100 individuals of B. bungei, we found that variation in genetic sequence was more sensitive to detect weak differentiation than gene expression. Using 292,613 high-quality SNPs, we documented a significant phylogeographical structure, a low within-population genetic diversity, and a high inter-population genetic differentiation in B. bungei populations. Analysis of relationship between geographic distance, genetic distance, and gene expression similarity showed that geographic isolation shaped gene flow patterns but not gene expression patterns. We observed a negative relationship between genetic diversity and gene expression diversity within and among B. bungei populations, and we demonstrated that as environmental conditions worsen with increasing altitude, genetic diversity played an increased role in maintaining the stability of populations, while the corresponding role of gene expression diversity decreased. These results suggested that genetic diversity and gene expression diversity might act as a complementary mechanism contributing to the long-term survival of B. bungei in extreme environments.

Diffusion-weighted imaging-based radiomics in epithelial ovarian tumors: Assessment of histologic subtype.

Background: Epithelial ovarian tumors (EOTs) are a group of heterogeneous neoplasms. It is importance to preoperatively differentiate the histologic subtypes of EOTs. Our study aims to investigate the potential of radiomics signatures based on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps for categorizing EOTs. Methods: This retrospectively enrolled 146 EOTs patients [34 with borderline EOT(BEOT), 30 with type I and 82 with type II epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC)]. A total of 390 radiomics features were extracted from DWI and ADC maps. Subsequently, the LASSO algorithm was used to reduce the feature dimensions. A radiomics signature was established using multivariable logistic regression method with 3-fold cross-validation and repeated 50 times. Patients with bilateral lesions were included in the validation cohort and a heuristic selection method was established to select the tumor with maximum probability for final consideration. A nomogram incorporating the radiomics signature and clinical characteristics was also developed. Receiver operator characteristic, decision curve analysis (DCA), and net reclassification index (NRI) were applied to compare the diagnostic performance and clinical net benefit of predictive model. Results: For distinguishing BEOT from EOC, the radiomics signature and nomogram showed more favorable discrimination than the clinical model (0.915 vs. 0.852 and 0.954 vs. 0.852, respectively) in the training cohort. In classifying early-stage type I and type II EOC, the radiomics signature exhibited superior diagnostic performance over the clinical model (AUC 0.905 vs. 0.735). The diagnostic efficacy of the nomogram was the same as that of the radiomics model with NRI value of -0.1591 (P = 0.7268). DCA also showed that the radiomics model and combined model had higher net benefits than the clinical model. Conclusion: Radiomics analysis based on DWI, and ADC maps serve as an effective quantitative approach to categorize EOTs.

Preparation of Three-Dimensional Porous Graphene by Hydrothermal and Chemical Reduction with Ascorbic Acid and its Electrochemical Properties.

Three-dimensional porous graphene (3D-PG) has attracted much attention due to its excellent electrochemical performance. Chemical reduction is one of common methods for preparing porous graphene. In order to develop a green and facile method for preparing three-dimensional porous graphene, in this paper, 3D-PG was fabricated by reduction of graphene oxide (GO) with ascorbic acid (AA) as reductant in hydrothermal condition based on non-toxic, non-flammable and mild reducing performance of ascorbic acid. It was found that the size and distribution of pores could be controlled by the reduction time and the concentration of AA in the solution. The pore sizes in R0, R1 and R2 were in the range of 0.5-1 µm, 1-1.5 µm, and 1.5-3 µm, respectively. It was found that the average pore size and volume increased along with the amount of reductants. Under optimal conditions - a reaction time of 20 h and a ratio of GO to AA=1 : 1 - the CV area of the so-obtained sample R1-20 at 100 mV was 0.06 and the specific capacitance of the 3D-PG electrode reaches 153.5 F ⋅ g-1 , which is suitable for use in supercapacitors.

Prevalence of polymyxin-induced nephrotoxicity and its predictors in critically ill adult patients: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Polymyxin-induced nephrotoxicity is a major safety concern in clinical practice due to long-term adverse outcomes and high mortality. AIM: To conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence and potential predictors of polymyxin-induced nephrotoxicity in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and Reference Citation Analysis database were searched for relevant studies from inception through May 30, 2022. The pooled prevalence of polymyxin-induced nephrotoxicity and pooled risk ratios of associated factors were analysed using a random-effects or fixed-effects model by Stata SE ver. 12.1. Additionally, subgroup analyses and meta-regression were conducted to assess heterogeneity. RESULTS: A total of 89 studies involving 12234 critically ill adult patients were included in the meta-analysis. The overall pooled incidence of polymyxin-induced nephrotoxicity was 34.8%. The pooled prevalence of colistin-induced nephrotoxicity was not higher than that of polymyxin B (PMB)-induced nephrotoxicity. The subgroup analyses showed that nephrotoxicity was significantly associated with dosing interval, nephrotoxicity criteria, age, publication year, study quality and sample size, which were confirmed in the univariable meta-regression analysis. Nephrotoxicity was significantly increased when the total daily dose was divided into 2 doses but not 3 or 4 doses. Furthermore, older age, the presence of sepsis or septic shock, hypoalbuminemia, and concomitant vancomycin or vasopressor use were independent risk factors for polymyxin-induced nephrotoxicity, while an elevated baseline glomerular filtration rate was a protective factor against colistin-induced nephrotoxicity. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that the incidence of polymyxin-induced nephrotoxicity among ICU patients was high. It emphasizes the importance of additional efforts to manage ICU patients receiving polymyxins to decrease the risk of adverse outcomes.