Lateralised courtship behaviour and its impact on mating success in Ostrinia furnacalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae).

Lateralisation is a well-established phenomenon observed in an increasing number of insect species. This study aims to obtain basic details on lateralisation in courtship and mating behaviour in Ostrinia furnacalis, the Asian corn borer. We conducted laboratory investigations to observe lateralisation in courtship and mating behaviours in adult O. furnacalis. Our goal was also to detect lateralised mating behaviour variations during sexual interactions and to elucidate how these variances might influence the mating success of males. Our findings reveal two distinct lateralised traits: male approaches from the right or left side of the female and the direction of male turning displays. Specifically, males approaching females from their right side predominantly exhibited left-biased 180° turning displays, while males approaching females from the left-side primarily displayed right-biased 180° turning displays. Notably, left-biased males, executing a 180° turn for end-to-end genital contact, initiated copulation with fewer attempts and began copulation earlier than their right-biased approaches with left-biased 180° turning displays. Furthermore, mating success was higher when males subsequently approached the right side of females during sexual encounters. Left-biased 180° turning males exhibited a higher number of successful mating interactions. These observations provide the first report on lateralisation in the reproductive behaviour of O. furnacalis under controlled laboratory conditions and hold promise for establishing reliable benchmarks for assessing and monitoring the quality of mass-produced individuals in pest control efforts.

Mex-3 RNA binding family member A (MEX3A)/circMPP6 complex promotes colorectal cancer progression by inhibiting autophagy.

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs)-RNA networks have contributed to cancer development. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are considered as protein recruiters; nevertheless, the patterns of circRNA-protein interactions in colorectal cancer (CRC) are still lacking. Processing bodies (PBs) formed through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) are membrane-less organelles (MLOs) consisting of RBPs and RNA. Previous evidence suggests a connection between PBs dynamics and cancer progression. Despite the increasingly acknowledged crucial role of RBPs and RNA in the accumulation and maintenance of MLOs, there remains a lack of specific research on the interactions between PBs-related RBPs and circRNAs in CRC. Herein, we identify that MEX-3 RNA binding family member A (MEX3A), frequently upregulated in CRC tissues, predicts poorer patient survival. Elevated MEX3A accelerates malignance and inhibits autophagy of CRC cells. Importantly, MEX3A undergoes intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs)-dependent LLPS in the cytoplasm. Specifically, circMPP6 acts as a scaffold to facilitate the interaction between MEX3A and PBs proteins. The MEX3A/circMPP6 complex modulates PBs dynamic and promotes UPF-mediated phosphodiesterase 5A (PDE5A) mRNA degradation, consequently leading to the aggressive properties of CRC cells. Clinically, CRC patients exhibiting high MEX3A expression and low PDE5A expression have the poorest overall survival. Our findings reveal a collaboration between MEX3A and circMPP6 in the regulation of mRNA decay through triggering the PBs aggregation, which provides prognostic markers and/or therapeutic targets for CRC.

Comparative analysis of granular starch hydrolysis and multi-structural changes by diverse α-amylases sources: Insights from waxy rice starch.

Three cultivars of waxy rice starch with different multi-scale structures were subjected to α-amylase hydrolysis to determine amylopectin fine structure, production of oligosaccharides, morphology, and crystallinity of the partially hydrolyzed starch granules. α-amylases hydrolyzed the amylopectin B2 chain during the initial stage of hydrolysis, suggesting that it is primarily located in the outer shell of the granules. For waxy rice starch with loose structure, α-amylases attacked the crystalline and amorphous regions simultaneously in the initial stage, while for starch granules with compact structure, the outer shell blocklet (crystalline structure) can be a hurdle for α-amylases to proceed to hydrolysis of the internal granule structure. The ability of α-amylases from porcine pancreatic α-amylases to attack the outer shell crystalline structure was lower than that of α-amylases from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Aspergillus oryzae. These results show that α-amylase source and rice cultivar combinations can be used to generate diverse structures in degraded waxy rice starch.

High-voltage pulsed radiofrequency improves ultrastructure of DRG and enhances spinal microglial autophagy to ameliorate neuropathic pain induced by SNI.

Neuropathic pain (NeP) is intractable for which many therapies are ineffective. High-voltage pulsed radiofrequency (HVPRF) on dorsal root ganglion (DRG) is considered an effective treatment for NeP. The aim of this study is to explore the therapeutic voltage for the optimal efficacy of PRF and the underlying mechanisms. The radiofrequency electrode was placed close to the L5 DRG of rats with spared nerve injury (SNI) and emitted current by the corresponding voltage in different groups. Four different voltages (45 V, 65 V, 85 V, and 100 V) of PRF on DRG significantly alleviated the SNI-induced NeP, reduced the levels of activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) in DRG, improved the ultrastructure of DRG, and promoted autophagy in spinal microglia to varying degrees and partially reversed the increased expression of TNF-α and the reduced expression of IL-10 in spinal cord dorsal horn (SCDH). The beneficial effect of 85V-PRF was superior to those of other three PRF treatments. The underlying mechanisms may be related to repairing the DRG damage and improving the DRG ultrastructure while regulating spinal microglial autophagy and thereby alleviating neuroinflammation.

Dual specific phosphatase 4 suppresses ferroptosis and enhances sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIMS: This investigation aims to elucidate the mechanism underlying sorafenib-induced ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: The role of dual specificity phosphatase 4 (DUSP4) in sorafenib-treated HCC was investigated using comprehensive assessments both in vitro and in vivo, including Western blotting, qRT-PCR, cell viability assay, lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, immunohistochemistry, and xenograft tumor mouse model. Additionally, label-free quantitative proteomics was employed to identify potential proteins associated with DUSP4. RESULTS: Our study revealed that suppression of DUSP4 expression heightens the susceptibility of HCC cells to ferroptosis inducers, specifically sorafenib and erastin, in both in vitro and in vivo settings. Furthermore, we identified DUSP4-mediated regulation of key ferroptosis-related markers, such as ferritin light chain (FTL) and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1). Notably, label-free quantitative proteomics unveiled the phosphorylation of threonine residue T148 on YTH Domain Containing 1 (YTHDC1) by DUSP4. Further investigations unraveled that YTHDC1, functioning as an mRNA nuclear export regulator, is a direct target of DUSP4, orchestrating the subcellular localization of FTL and FTH1 mRNAs. Significantly, our study highlights a strong correlation between elevated DUSP4 expression and sorafenib resistance in HCC. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings introduce DUSP4 as a negative regulator of sorafenib-induced ferroptosis. This discovery opens new avenues for the development of ferroptosis-based therapeutic strategies tailored for HCC treatment.

Reliability and validity evaluation of the stigma of loneliness scale in Chinese college students.

BACKGROUND: The stigma of loneliness exacerbates the negative effect of loneliness, reduces the willingness to seek help, damages interpersonal relationships, and threatens health status. However, there is currently no valid scale for measuring the stigma of loneliness in China. The study aims to translate the Stigma of Loneliness Scale (SLS) and evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version. METHODS: The investigation was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, the SLS was used to conduct a questionnaire survey on 657 college students aged 17 to 24; in the second phase, the SLS, the UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-8), the Distress Disclosure Index (DDI), the Revised Cheek and Buss Shyness Scale (RCBS), the Self-Concealment Scale (SCS), the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS), the Social Phobia Scale (SPS), the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) were used to conduct the questionnaire survey on 801 college and graduates students aged 18 to 39. RESULTS: Two dimensions of Self-stigma of Loneliness and Public Stigma of Loneliness were extracted with a cumulative factor interpretation rate of 74.60% when conducting exploratory factor analysis on the first-stage data. The factor loading of each item ranged from 0.585 to 0.890, and the commonality ranged from 0.609 to 0.735. The confirmatory factor analysis and reliability and validity test were carried out on the data gathered in the second phase, indicating that the two-factor model fits well. In addition, the scores of SLS and all dimensions were significantly positively correlated with the total scores of ULS-8, RCBS, SCS, SIAS, SPS, and K10, and negatively correlated with those of DDI and RSES. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients for SLS and SSL and PSL dimensions were 0.957, 0.941, and 0.955. The cross-group invariance test found that the SLS was equivalent for males and females. Meanwhile, males scored significantly higher than females on both the total scores of SLS score and each dimension. CONCLUSIONS: The Chinese version of SLS displayed satisfactory psychometric properties and can be a valid tool to assess the stigma of loneliness among Chinese young people.

LncRNA MYLK antisense RNA 1 activates cell division cycle 42/Neutal Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein pathway via microRNA-101-5p to accelerate epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of colon cancer cells.

Long noncoding RNA MYLK antisense RNA 1 (MYLK-AS1) is the crux in multiple diseases. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the possible mechanism of MYLK-AS1. A total of 62 colon cancer (CC) specimens and paired adjacent normal tissues were collected, and the expression of MYLK-AS1, microRNA (miR)-101-5p/cell division cycle 42 (CDC42) was detected. CC cell lines were transfected with MYLK-AS1, miR-101-5p, CDC42-related plasmids, and the biological functions and markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were analyzed. The binding relationship between MYLK-AS1, miR-101-5p, and CDC42 was evaluated. In CC tissues and cell lines, MYLK-AS1 and CDC42 were highly expressed, and miR-101-5p was lowly expressed. Inhibition of MYLK-AS1 or upregulation of miR-101-5p can inhibit CC cell growth and EMT. miR-101-5p inhibited CDC42/N-wasp axis activation in CC cells by targeting CDC42. Knockdown of CDC42 or upregulation of miR-101-5p partially reversed the effects caused by upregulation of MYLK-AS1. MYLK-AS1, which is significantly upregulated in CC, may be a molecular sponge for miR-101-5p, and MYLK-AS1 promotes the activation of the CDC42/N-wasp axis in CC cells by targeting CDC42 through miR-101-5p, which in turn promotes tumor development. MYLK-AS1 may be a potential biomarker and target for CC therapy.

Exploring the catalytic diversity of two short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases from Stachybotrys chartarum.

Short-chain dehydrogenase/reductases (SDRs) belong to the NAD(P)(H)-dependent oxidoreductase superfamily, which have various functions of catalyzing oxidation/reduction reactions and have been generally used as powerful biocatalysts in the production of pharmaceuticals. In this study, ScSDR1 and ScSDR2, two new SDRs have been identified and characterized from Stachybotrys chartarum 3.5365. Substrate scope investigation revealed that both of the enzymes possessed the ability to oxidize ß-OH to ketone specifically, and exhibited substrate promiscuity and high stereo-selectivity for efficiently catalyzing the structurally different prochiral ketones to chiral alcohols. These findings not only suggest that ScSDR1 and ScSDR2 might be potent synthetic tools in drug research and development, but also provide good examples for further engineered enzymes with higher efficiency and stereo-selectivity.

Pulsed radiofrequency on DRG inhibits hippocampal neuroinflammation by regulating spinal GRK2/p38 expression and enhances spinal autophagy to reduce pain and depression in male rats with spared nerve injury.

Evidence indicates that microglial G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) is a key regulator of the transition from acute to chronic pain mediated by microglial products via the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in the spinal cord dorsal horn (SCDH). Increasing studies have shown that autophagic dysfunction in the SCDH and neuroinflammation in the hippocampus underlie NeP. However, whether GRK2/p38MAPK and autophagic flux in the SCDH and hippocampal neuroinflammation are involved in NeP and depression comorbidity has not been determined. Here, we explored the effects of high-voltage pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) (85 V-PRF; HV-PRF) to the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) on pain phenotypes in Wistar male rats with spared nerve injury (SNI) and the underlying mechanisms. The exacerbation of pain phenotypes was markedly relieved by PRF-DRG. The SNI-induced reduction in GRK2 expression, elevation of p-p38 MAPK levels in the SCDH, and increase in IL-1ß and TNF-α levels in the hippocampus were reversed by PRF, which was accompanied by an increase in autophagic flux in spinal microglia. The beneficial effect of 85 V-PRF was superior to that of 45 V-PRF. In addition, the improvements elicited by 85 V-PRF were reversed by intrathecal injection of GRK2 antisense oligonucleotide, and these changes were accompanied by GRK2 downregulation and p-p38 upregulation in the SCDH, increased pro-inflammatory factor levels in the hippocampus, and excessive autophagy in spinal microglia. In conclusion, our data indicate that the application of HV-PRF to the DRG could serve as an excellent therapeutic technique for regulating neuroimmunity and neuroinflammation to relieve pain phenotypes.

Larval competition analysis and its effect on growth of Ostrinia furnacalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) at natural conditions in Northeast China.

The Asian corn borer (Ostrinia furnacalis, Lepidoptera, Crambidae) and Oriental armyworm (Mythimna separata, Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) are 2 major lepidopteran pests of the maize plant, especially the whorls and tassels. The aim of this study was to investigate competition between 2 lepidopteran pests of maize. Intraspecific and interspecific competition occurs when O. furnacalis and M. separata larvae interact with various stages of the maize plant. Therefore, determining whether this competition can decrease larval damage by causing adverse effects on larval growth is crucial. During the maize growing season of 2022, the interaction of these species was assessed in the experimental field of Jilin Agricultural University, China. Interspecific and intraspecific competition of larvae in different maize tissues and the influence of competition on larval development was determined in the fields. The results showed that first, probing behavior was significantly frequent in O. furnacalis larvae; intraspecific and interspecific attack was significant at 4th instar (with leaf, silk, and kernel). Interspecific defense behavior was significant at 3rd instar (without food). O. furnacalis larvae showed attack behavior toward M. separata larvae frequently. Second, competition increased the mortality rate of O. furnacalis larvae (intraspecific, 67%; interspecific, 33%) and decreased pupation emergence rate. Thus, intraspecific and interspecific competition might affect the competitive displacement of pest species sharing the same ecological niche, as well as the prevalence and population dynamics of pests, and help to develop integrated pest management strategies.

Fabrication of Fe-Fe1-xO based 3D coplanar microsupercapacitors by electric discharge rusting of pure iron substrates.

Iron oxides with advanced functional properties show great potential for applications in the fields of water splitting, drug delivery, sensors, batteries and supercapacitors. However, it is challenging to develop a simple and efficient strategy for fabricating patterned iron oxide based electrodes for supercapacitor applications. Herein, a facile, simple, scalable, binder-free, surfactant-free and conductive additive-free electric discharge rusting (EDR) technique is proposed to directly synthesize Fe1-xO oxide layer on a pure iron substrate. This new EDR strategy is successfully adopted to fabricate Fe-Fe1-xO integrative patterned electrodes and coplanar microsupercapacitors (CMSC) in one step. The CMSC devices with different geometries could be directly patterned by EDR, which is automatically controlled by a computer numerical control system. The fabricated Fe-Fe1-xO based 3D 2F-CMSC exhibits a maximum areal specific capacitance of 112.4 mF cm-2. Another important finding is the fabrication of 3D 2F-CMSC devices, which show good capacitive behavior at an ultra high scanning rate of 20 000 mV s-1. The results prove that EDR is a low-cost and versatile strategy for the scalable fabrication of high-performance patterned supercapacitor integrative electrodes and devices. Furthermore, it is a versatile technique which shows a great potential for development of next generation microelectronic devices, such as microbatteries and microsensors.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Duodenum Secondary to Metastasis From Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer: A Case Report and Literature Review.

This report describes a case involving the diagnosis and treatment of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the duodenum, which was found to be a metastatic lesion originating from recurrent head and neck cancer (HNC) in a 74-year-old female patient. The patient had a past medical history of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), tonsillar SCC, and recurrent HNC. She presented with symptoms of burning, tingling, and numbness of the throat and left side of the tongue. Upon examination with an esophagogastroduodenoscopy, an ulcerated hard area mass was detected in the third portion of the duodenum. Biopsy results confirmed the mass to be a metastatic poorly differentiated SCC. The incidence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) metastasis to the duodenum is rare, likely due to the unique anatomic location and the lack of lymphatic drainage in the area. The patient was treated with a combination of paclitaxel, carboplatin, and pembrolizumab. This case underscores the significance of considering unusual sites of metastasis in HNSCC patients and utilizing advanced imaging modalities and immunotherapy to detect and treat these locations effectively.

Sublethal effects of spinetoram and emamectin benzoate on key demographic parameters of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under laboratory conditions.

Fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda, is a serious invasive pest of many crops that causes huge economic losses to agricultural commodities. Insecticides are employed for the management of S. frugiperda. In this study, we investigated the impact of sublethal concentration (LC10) and low lethal concentration (LC30) of spinetoram and emamectin benzoate on S. frugiperda using two-sex life table method. Bioassay results revealed that emamectin benzoate exhibited more toxicity on the 3rd instar of S. frugiperda (LC50 8.35 × 10-4 mgL-1) than spinetoram (LC50 2.6 × 10-2 mgL-1) after 48 h exposure. The total longevity, adult pre-ovipositional period (APOP) and total pre-ovipositional period (TPOP) were prolonged, while pre-adult survival rate and fecundity were reduced at both concentrations of spinetoram and emamectin benzoate. Moreover, the key demographic parameters, including the intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), and net reproductive rate (R0), were significantly lower in insecticide treated groups as compared to untreated insects. Our findings revealed that the sublethal and low lethal concentrations of both insecticides reduce the survival and reproductive capability of S. frugiperda. These results would be useful to assess the overall effect of both insecticides on S. frugiperda and can provide important implications for the rational utilization of insecticides against S. frugiperda.

AFG, an important maillard reaction product in red ginseng, alleviates D-galactose-induced brain aging in mice via correcting mitochondrial dysfunction induced by ROS accumulation.

Red ginseng is a classical processed product from Panax ginseng. C.A Meyer with many bioactive components formed through the Maillard reaction called Maillard reaction products. Maillard reaction refers to complex reversible reactions between amino acids or proteins and glycosides, which are used in food processing and storage, as well as in tobacco development, traditional Chinese medicine processing, and wine brewing. Arginyl-fructosyl-glucose (AFG) is a main non-saponin (ginsenoside) component produced in red ginseng processing, with high antioxidant, anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective efficiencies. However, its effects and mechanisms against oxidation stress in on the brain remain elusive. Therefore, this study aimed at exploring the therapeutic effect exerted by AFG on murine subacute brain aging induced by D-galactose (D-gal) and its potential molecular mechanism in the murine model, finding that AFG (40 and 80 mg/kg) significantly ameliorated D-gal-resulted changes in pathology. Besides, according to the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Western blot, AFG corrected the mitochondrial dysfunction resulted from ROS, thereby delaying the mice brain aging caused by D-gal.

20(S)-protopanaxatriol inhibited D-galactose-induced brain aging in mice via promoting mitochondrial autophagy flow.

Previous reports have confirmed that saponins (ginsenosides) derived from Panax ginseng. C. A. Meyer exerted obvious memory-enhancing and antiaging effects, and the simpler the structure of ginsenosides, the better the biological activity. In this work, we aimed to explore the therapeutic effect and underlying molecular mechanism of 20(S)-protopanaxatriol (PPT), the aglycone of panaxatriol-type ginsenosides, by establishing D-galactose (D-gal)-induced subacute brain aging model in mice. The results showed that PPT treatment (10 and 20 mg/kg) for 4 weeks could significantly restore the D-gal (800 mg/kg for 8 weeks)-induced impaired memory function, choline dysfunction, and redox system imbalance in mice. Meanwhile, PPT also significantly reduced the histopathological changes caused by D-gal exposure. Moreover, PPT could increase TFEB/LAMP2 protein expression to promote mitochondrial autophagic flow. Importantly, the results from molecular docking showed that PPT had good binding ability with LAMP2 and TFEB, suggesting that TFEB/LAMP2 might play an important role in PPT to alleviate D-gal-caused brain aging.

Clinical significance of the controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score in gastric cancer patients: A meta-analysis of 9,764 participants.

Background: The clinical value of the controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score has been widely reported in multiple malignancies. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between the CONUT score and clinical outcomes in patients with gastric cancer. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science was performed up to December 2022. The primary endpoints were survival outcomes and postoperative complications. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed during the pooled analysis. Results: Nineteen studies including 9,764 patients were included. The pooled results indicated that patients in the high CONUT group had a worse overall survival (HR = 1.70 95%CI: 1.54-1.87; P < 0.0001; I 2 = 33%) and recurrence-free survival (HR = 1.57; 95%CI: 1.36-1.82; P < 0.0001; I 2 = 30%), and a higher risk of complications (OR = 1.96; 95%CI: 1.50-2.57; P < 0.0001; I 2 = 69%). In addition, a high CONUT score was significantly associated with larger tumor size, higher percentage of microvascular invasion, later TNM stage and fewer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, but not with tumor differentiation. Conclusion: Based on existing evidence, the CONUT score could act as a valuable biomarker to predict clinical outcomes in patients with gastric cancer. Clinicians could use this useful indicator to stratify patients and formulate individual treatment plans.

[Heat-sensitive moxibustion: inheritance, innovation and development of moxibustion of traditional Chinese medicine].

The paper reviews the inheritance, innovation and development of heat-sensitive moxibustion; and explores the path for the clinical development of moxibustion of traditional Chinese medicine moxibustion (TCM). Practice has shown that the laws of clinical research on TCM moxibustion refer to phenomenon discovery, exploration of rules, technological innovation, verification of curative effects, theory sublimation, returning to clinical practice, discipline construction, and experimental research. It is deeply realized that TCM research should be based on clinical practice, originated from classics, focused on theoretical innovation and in serve of clinical practice.

Single-nucleus RNA sequencing and mRNA hybridization indicate key bud events and LcFT1 and LcTFL1-2 mRNA transportability during floral transition in litchi.

In flowering plants, floral induction signals intersect at the shoot apex to modulate meristem determinacy and growth form. Here, we report a single-nucleus RNA sequence analysis of litchi apical buds at different developmental stages. A total of 41 641 nuclei expressing 21 402 genes were analyzed, revealing 35 cell clusters corresponding to 12 broad populations. We identify genes associated with floral transition and propose a model that profiles the key events associated with litchi floral meristem identity by analyzing 567 identified floral meristem cells at single cell resolution. Interestingly, single-nucleus RNA-sequencing data indicated that all putative FT and TFL1 genes were not expressed in bud nuclei, but significant expression was detected in bud samples by RT-PCR. Based on the expression patterns and gene silencing results, we highlight the critical role of LcTFL1-2 in inhibiting flowering and propose that the LcFT1/LcTFL1-2 expression ratio may determine the success of floral transition. In addition, the transport of LcFT1 and LcTFL1-2 mRNA from the leaf to the shoot apical meristem is proposed based on in situ and dot-blot hybridization results. These findings allow a more comprehensive understanding of the molecular events during the litchi floral transition, as well as the identification of new regulators.

A SARS-CoV-2-specific CAR-T-cell model identifies felodipine, fasudil, imatinib, and caspofungin as potential treatments for lethal COVID-19.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-induced cytokine storm is closely associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity and lethality. However, drugs that are effective against inflammation to treat lethal COVID-19 are still urgently needed. Here, we constructed a SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-specific CAR, and human T cells infected with this CAR (SARS-CoV-2-S CAR-T) and stimulated with spike protein mimicked the T-cell responses seen in COVID-19 patients, causing cytokine storm and displaying a distinct memory, exhausted, and regulatory T-cell phenotype. THP1 remarkably augmented cytokine release in SARS-CoV-2-S CAR-T cells when they were in coculture. Based on this "two-cell" (CAR-T and THP1 cells) model, we screened an FDA-approved drug library and found that felodipine, fasudil, imatinib, and caspofungin were effective in suppressing the release of cytokines, which was likely due to their ability to suppress the NF-κB pathway in vitro. Felodipine, fasudil, imatinib, and caspofungin were further demonstrated, although to different extents, to attenuate lethal inflammation, ameliorate severe pneumonia, and prevent mortality in a SARS-CoV-2-infected Syrian hamster model, which were also linked to their suppressive role in inflammation. In summary, we established a SARS-CoV-2-specific CAR-T-cell model that can be utilized as a tool for anti-inflammatory drug screening in a fast and high-throughput manner. The drugs identified herein have great potential for early treatment to prevent COVID-19 patients from cytokine storm-induced lethality in the clinic because they are safe, inexpensive, and easily accessible for immediate use in most countries.

[Advantages and application prospects of heat-sensitive moxibustion robot].

Moxibustion therapy is a unique health resource in China, which is advantageous by its irreplaceable effectiveness in treatment, disease prevention and healthcare. But, moxibustion therapy used in primary care institutions in China is far from the due role of this therapy played in medical practice. The authors believe that the heat-sensitive moxibustion (HSM) robot should be developed by integrating the manipulation of moxibustion therapy with modern artifical intelligence technology so that moxibustion therapy can be operated precisely and easily, deqi of moxibustion be effectively stimulated and the cost of its manual manipulation be reduced. Eventually, the technology of moxibustion therapy can be popularized in the primary care institutions to serve the health of the people. This paper introduces the creation of HSM technology, the research and development (R&D) of HSM robot, and its advantages, as well as the application prospects. It is anticipated that the R&D of HSM robot may speed up the development of moxibustion therapy worldwide.