Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Materials: Tailoring Carbon Dioxide-Based Polycarbonate with POSS-SH Crosslinking.

A novel functional polycarbonate (PAGC), characterized by the presence of double bonds within its side chain, was successfully synthesized through a ternary copolymerization of propylene oxide (PO), allyl glycidyl ether (AGE), and carbon dioxide (CO2). Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes octamercaptopropyl (POSS-SH) was employed as a crosslinking agent, contributing to the formation of organic-inorganic hybrid materials. This incorporation was facilitated through thiol-ene click reactions, enabling effective interactions between the POSS molecules and the double bonds in the side chains of the polycarbonate. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed a homogeneous distribution of silicon (Si) and sulfur (S) in the polycarbonate matrix. The thiol-ene click reaction between POSS-SH and the polycarbonate led to a micro-crosslinked structure. This enhancement significantly increased the tensile strength of the polycarbonate to 42 MPa, a notable improvement over traditional poly (propylene carbonate) (PPC). Moreover, the cross-linked structure exhibited enhanced solvent resistance, expanding the potential applications of these polycarbonates in various plastic materials.

Comparative Analysis of Main Agronomic Traits of Different Pleurotus giganteus Germplasm Resources.

Agronomic traits are key components in variety protection, cultivar development, and the formulation of DUS (distinct, uniform, and stable) test guidelines. P. giganteus is an increasingly popular and commercially promising edible macrofungi. In this study, both mycelial performance and fruiting body characters of 15 Pleurotus giganteus strains were investigated. The temperature gradient culture test indicated that, although most of the strains achieved optimal mycelial growth between 24 and 28 °C, a statistical difference in mycelial growth rates and temperature adaptability among strains were found, supporting that this trait has the potential to be adopted as an indicator in distinguishing strains. In the fruiting performance tests, the coefficient of variation (CV) of tested traits ranged from 5.30% (pileus diameter) to 18.70% (individual mushroom weight). The mushroom yields ranged from 103.37 g/bag (strain No. 15) to 275.76 g/bag (strain No. 9). The large divergence observed in individual mushroom weight tested strains, ranging from 40.88 g to 78.39 g (with median between 37.69 and 79.395 g), make it highly selective and a potential indicator in variety development. Strain No. 9 had the advantages of forming larger, heavier fruiting bodies and a more obvious funnel shape, which also exhibited the highest biological efficiency (15.61%). The results suggested some morphological traits showed high variety difference, such as pileus diameter (55.75 mm to 66.48 mm), stipe length (92.59 mm to 177.51 mm), stipe diameter (16.14 mm to 23.52 mm), and pileus thickness (13.38 mm to 19.75 mm). In the cluster analysis, the tested strains were grouped into four clusters based on agronomic traits: cluster Ⅰ comprised six strains (No. 6, No. 11, No. 8, No. 1, No. 14, and No. 9) with high mushroom yield; cluster Ⅱ included four strains (No. 3, No. 10, No. 7, and No. 4) with large pileus diameter and short stipe; cluster ⅡI consisted of four strains (No. 5, No. 12, No. 13, and No. 15) with relatively lower yields; and cluster Ⅳ included only strain No. 2 which was low in yield, individual mushroom weight, and biological efficiency, accompanied by smaller pileus size and shorter stipe. The results of the correlation analysis indicated three traits, including individual mushroom weight, stipe length, and pileus weight, were positively associated with high yield. This study suggested P. giganteus germplasm resources are of high abundance and their agronomic diversity is useful in distinguishing and developing different varieties. The findings of this work provide knowledge on the agronomic traits and cultivation performance of various P. giganteus strains, laying a foundation for the development of its DUS test guidelines and variety protection, as well as providing reference for the breeding and phenotype selection of high-quality cultivars.

Cerebral circulation time on DSA after thrombectomy associated with hemorrhagic transformation in acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the association between cerebral circulation time (CCT) on digital subtraction angiography immediately after thrombectomy and hemorrhagic transformation (HT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). METHODS: Retrospectively enrolled consecutive AIS patients presented with large vessel occlusion who received thrombectomy and achieved successful recanalization between January 2019 and June 2021. The time interval from the beginning of the siphon segment of internal carotid artery visualization until the end of the arterial phase during cerebral angiography was calculated as CCT. The independent association of CCT with HT was evaluated using logistic regression analyses. The receiver operating characteristic curve was analyzed to evaluate the association between CCT and HT. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-four patients were included, of whom 86 (38.4%) suffered HT. Compared with patients without HT, patients with HT were of advanced age, less commonly male, had more diabetes mellitus, had higher baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, lower Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomographic Score, and shorter CCT (P < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression suggested that CCT was independently associated with HT (adjusted odds ratio, 0.170; 95% confidence interval, 0.004-0.450; P < 0.001). According to the receiver operating characteristic curve, the optimal cut-off value for the strong correlation between CCT and HT was 1.72 s, which had 76.6% sensitivity, 81.6% specificity, and the area under the curve was 0.846. CONCLUSION: Shorter post-thrombectomy CCT was independently associated with HT.

Zeaamine, a new amine from roots of Zea mays and its cytotoxic activity against CT26 and SW480 cell lines.

A new amine, zeaamine (1), along with nine known compounds (2-10), were isolated from the roots of Zea mays. Among these, compound 2 was first isolated from this plant, and compound 3 was first isolated from the roots. In the current investigation, the cytotoxicity against CT26 and SW480 cells of the compounds were evaluated. Zeaamine (1) exhibited moderately affected CT26 and SW480 cells with IC50 values of 17.91 and 10.21 µM.

Alpha 2-Macroglobulin Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Alzheimer's Disease: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Based on 62 Studies.

Background: The relationship between alpha 2-macroglobulin (A2M) gene and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been widely studied across populations; however, the results are inconsistent. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association of A2M gene with AD by the application of meta-analysis. Methods: Relevant studies were identified by comprehensive searches. The quality of each study was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Allele and genotype frequencies were extracted from each of the included studies. Odds ratio (OR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) was calculated using a random-effects or fixed-effects model. The Cochran Q statistic and I2 metric was used to evaluate heterogeneity, and Egger's test and Funnel plot were used to assess publication bias. Results: A total of 62 studies were identified and included in the current meta-analysis. The G allele of rs226380 reduced AD risk (OR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.47-0.87, pFDR = 0.012), but carrier with the TT genotype was more likely to develop AD in Asian populations (OR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.12-2.19, pFDR = 0.0135). The V allele of the A2M-I/V (rs669) increased susceptibility to AD in female population (OR, 95% CI: 2.15, 1.38-3.35, pFDR = 0.0024); however, the II genotype could be a protective factor in these populations (OR, 95% CI: 0.43, 0.26-0.73, pFDR = 0.003). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the reliability of the original results. Conclusions: Existing evidence indicate that A2M single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may be associated with AD risk in sub-populations. Future studies with larger sample sizes will be necessary to confirm the results.

Roots of Zea mays L.: As a Potential Source to Treat Sodium Oxalate-Induced Renal Cell Injury.

Zea mays L. is an annual grass of the Gramineae family and is known as one of the cereal crops. Its by-products exhibited significant medicinal properties. In some regions of China, water extracts of Z. mays roots (RM) are utilized to treat kidney stones, but no research has been reported. In our present study, a bioassay-guided isolation method was used to yield five new lignans (1-5) as well as 15 known components, among which 8-15 and 17-20 were first identified from the genus. The fractions and all components were evaluated for their abilities to inhibit sodium oxalate-induced injury to human proximal tubular HK-2 cells. Fraction 50W and compounds 3, 4, and 11 exhibited the most potent activities. Further investigation indicated that these potential agents inhibited the LDH release, decreased the MDA and H2O2 concentrations, and increased the level of SOD2 in HK-2 cells. These results indicated that RM is a promising and valuable crop waste for further development and utilization in nephrolithiasis pharmaceutical research.

Two New Alkaloids from Roots of Zea mays and Their Cytotoxic Activity against Hep3B and SW480 Cells.

Two undescribed alkaloids, along with seven known compounds, were isolated from the roots of Zea mays (RM). Their chemical structures were elucidated based on extensive analyses of HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR, and CD spectra. Two new alkaloids exhibited moderate inhibition of Hep3B (IC50 values of 11.7±2.4 and 14.2±3.6 µM) and SW480 cells (IC50 values of 33.4±8.2 and 47.3±5.8 µM) compared to that of the positive control compound, Oxaliplatin, IC50 value of 8.4±1.7 and 45.8±5.6 µM, respectively.

STARD12/14 are diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of lung adenocarcinoma associated with epigenetic regulation, immune infiltration and ferroptosis.

Background: Metabolic reprogramming plays an important role in tumor progression and antitumor immunity. START domain-containing proteins (STARDs) are responsible for lipid metabolism. However, the underlying functions of STARDs in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) have not been clarified yet. Methods: Oncomine, UALCAN, TCGA and CPTAC were used to explore the expression landscape and clinicopathological characteristics of STARDs in LUAD. Diagnostic and prognostic values were assessed by Kaplan-Meier Plotter, Cox regression analysis, and ROC curve. GeneMANIA, GO, KEGG and GSEA were applied for exploring the potential biological functions. Epigenetic process, including mutation and m6A modification were analyzed by cBioPortal and TCGA. TIMER, TISIDB and TCGA cohort provided an immune signature. The correlation between STARDs expression and ferroptosis was analyzed by TCGA. Finally, the STARDs expression were confirmed by RT-qPCR and western blot. Results: STARD5/10/14 were overexpressed in LUAD compared with normal, while STARD4/7/8/11/12/13 were relatively low. STARD5/12/14 levels were positively related to clinical and lymph node stage. Survival analysis showed high STARD12 expression was associated with favorable overall survival, disease special survival as well as disease free survival, while STARD14 showed the opposite. GSEA analysis found STARD12 and STARD14 were associated with glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation and tumor related signaling pathways. STARD12 co-expressed genes participated in cell cycle and DNA replication, and STARD14 were enriched in ECM-receptor interaction. Both STARD12 and STARD14 were corelated with epigenetic regulation, especially TP53 mutation and m6A modification. STARD12 expression was positively correlated with TMB level. The level of STARD12 was significantly associated with the abundance of infiltrating immune cells, including B cells, CD8+T cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and chemokine, receptor, MHC, immunostimulatory related genes. STARD14 was negatively associated with the infiltration of CD8+T cells, while positively with CCL28 and immune checkpoints, including CTLA4 as well as PD-L2. In addition, STARD12/14 could regulate the ferroptosis related genes. Conclusion: STARD12 and STARD14 were expected to be potential biomarkers for LUAD, which were associated with epigenetic regulation, immune infiltration and ferroptosis.

Identification of geothermal potential based on land surface temperature derived from remotely sensed data.

With the continuous development of thermal infrared remote sensing technology and the maturation of remote sensing inversion algorithms based on surface temperatures, identifying high-temperature anomalous areas by inverting surface temperatures has become an crucial approach to finding geothermal potential areas. The eastern region of Longyang in western Yunnan Province is renowned for geothermal resources, though the distribution area of geothermal potential remains unknown. Therefore, this study used Landsat-8 TIRS data and four surface temperature inversion algorithms, namely, mono-window algorithm, single-channel algorithm, Du split window algorithm (SWD), and Jiménez-Muñoz split window algorithm (SWJ), to explore the astern region of Longyang. The inversion results were compared with Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Land Surface Temperature (MODIS LST) results for analysis and cross-validation to select the optimal algorithm. A multi-view remote sensing temperature anomaly information extraction method was adopted. Moreover, the overall threshold method, the fracture structure buffer method, and the joint analysis of diurnal temporal data were combined for the reduction of the thermal anomaly area as well as for comprehensively defining the geothermal prospective area in the study area. The results demonstrated that the mono-window algorithm had the highest accuracy with a Pearson coefficient of 0.77, which is more suitable for the surface temperature inversion in Longyang area. Furthermore, three geothermal anomalies (A, B, and C) were identified in the study area, with larger thermal anomaly in A and C, but a smaller one in B. All three areas had hot spring points verified, with A and C exhibiting more significant development potential. The research results provide a reliable methodological basis for the development of geothermal resources in the region.

A rapid and sensitive method for determination of methylene-diphosphonate in rat bone using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of methylene-diphosphonate (MDP) in rat bone. This method employed derivatization of MDP and allowed rapid and sensitive quantification of MDP in rat shin bone. The analyte was extracted from the bone tissues with phosphoric acid and derivatized to MDP tetramethyl phosphonate using trimethylsilyl diazomethane (TMS-DAM). MDP tetramethyl phosphonate was then quantified by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), with high selectivity, accuracy, and precision. The total run time was 6.5 min. The lower limit of quantification was 2.00 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-assay precision (in RSD) calculated from quality control samples was less than 15%, and the accuracy was between 98.1% and 100.2%. The analytical process for the determination of MDP in rat bone is fully described, which is a pivotal step for further biomedical research on MDP.

Comparative analysis of proteomes and transcriptomes revealed the molecular mechanism of development and nutrition of Pleurotus giganteus at different fruiting body development stages.

Pleurotus giganteus is a commercially cultivated high-temperature mushroom. Investigating the molecular mechanism of fruiting body development will help us to better understand the regulation of substrates and energy in this process. However, little information has been reported on the development and nutrients of the P. giganteus fruiting body. In the present study, P. giganteus is cultivated in a climate chamber, and comparative transcriptome, proteome, and nutritional analysis of P. giganteus fruiting bodies were performed. Our results revealed that Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases and hydrophobin proteins play important roles during the differentiation in the elongation stage. Later, carbon metabolism dominate the fruiting body metabolism and genes related to the carbohydrate metabolic process, glycolytic process, and gluconeogenesis were up-regulated in the mature fruiting bodies. The up-regulation of carbohydrate substrates utilization CAZymes genes and inconsistent protein expression in pileus indicated a reverse transportation of mRNA from the fruiting body to vegetative mycelia. In addition, protein concentration in the pileus is higher than that in the stem, while the stem is the major nitrogen metabolic and amino acid synthetic location. The integrated transcriptomic, proteomic, and nutritional analysis indicated a two-way transportation of substrates and mRNAs in P. giganteus. Stem synthesizes amino acids and transported them to pileus with reducing sugars, while pileus induces the expression of substrate degradation mRNA according to the needs of growth and development and transports them in the other direction.

Identification of Genes Associated with Prognosis and Immunotherapy Prediction in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer via M1/M2 Macrophage Ratio.

Background and Objectives: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a highly aggressive and heterogeneous subtype of breast cancer, accounts for ap-proximately 10-15% of all breast cancer cases. Currently, there is no effective therapeutic target for TNBC. Tu-mor-associated macrophages (TAMs), which can be phenotypically classified into M1 and M2 subtypes, have been shown to influence the prognosis of various cancers, including ovarian cancer. This study aimed to investigate the role of M1/M2 macrophages in the TNBC tumor microenvironment (TME), with a focus on identifying prognostic genes and predicting immunotherapy response. Materials and Methods: The study employed the CIBERSORT algorithm to analyze immune cell expression in the TME. Genes associated with the M1/M2 macrophage ratio were identified using Pearson correlation analysis and used to classify patients into dis-tinct clusters. Dimensionality reduction techniques, including univariate Cox regression and Lasso, were applied to these genes. The expression of prognostic genes was validated through immunohistochemistry. Results: The study found a high prevalence of TAMs in the TME. Among the patient clusters, 109 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Three significant DEGs (LAMP3, GZMB, and CXCL13) were used to construct the riskScores. The riskScore model effectively stratified patients based on mortality risk. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) associated the riskScore with several significant pathways, including mismatch repair, JAK/STAT3 signaling, VEGF signaling, antigen processing presentation, ERBB signaling, and P53 signaling. The study also predicted patient sensitivity to im-munotherapy using the riskScores. The expression of the three significant DEGs was validated through immunohisto-chemistry. Conclusions: The study concluded that the riskScore model, based on the M1/M2 macrophage ratio, is a valid prognostic tool for TNBC. The findings underscore the importance of the TME in TNBC progression and prognosis and highlight the po-tential of the riskScore model in predicting immunotherapy response in TNBC patients.

Cancer stem cells promote lymph nodes metastasis of breast cancer by reprogramming tumor microenvironment.

Breast cancer progression and metastasis are governed by a complex interplay within the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), involving numerous cell types. Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is a key prognostic marker associated with distant organ metastasis and reduced patient survival, but the mechanisms underlying its promotion by breast cancer stem cells (CSCs) remain unclear. Our study sought to unravel how CSCs reprogram TIME to facilitate LNM. Utilizing single-cell RNA sequencing, we profiled TIME in primary cancer and corresponding metastatic lymph node samples from patients at our institution. To verify the derived data, we cultured CSCs and performed validation assays employing flow cytometry and CyTOF. Our analysis revealed distinct differences in cellular infiltration patterns between tumor and LNM samples. Importantly, RAC2 and PTTG1 double-positive CSCs, which exhibit the highest stem-like attributes, were markedly enriched in metastatic lymph nodes. These CSCs are hypothesized to foster metastasis via activation of specific metastasis-related transcription factors and signaling pathways. Additionally, our data suggest that CSCs might modulate adaptive and innate immune cell evolution, thereby further contributing to metastasis. In summary, this study illuminates a critical role of CSCs in modifying TIME to facilitate LNM. The enrichment of highly stem-like CSCs in metastatic lymph nodes offers novel therapeutic targeting opportunities and deepens our understanding of breast cancer metastasis.

Discovery of a natural small-molecule AMP-activated kinase activator that alleviates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a primary cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Unfortunately, there is no approved drug treatment for NASH. AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) is an important metabolic sensor and whole-body regulator. It has been proposed that AMPK activators could be used for treating metabolic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and NASH. In this study, we screened a marine natural compound library by monitoring AMPK activity and found a potent AMPK activator, candidusin A (CHNQD-0803). Further studies showed that CHNQD-0803 directly binds recombinant AMPK with a KD value of 4.728 × 10-8 M and activates AMPK at both molecular and intracellular levels. We then investigated the roles and mechanisms of CHNQD-0803 in PA-induced fat deposition, LPS-stimulated inflammation, TGF-ß-induced fibrosis cell models and the MCD-induced mouse model of NASH. The results showed that CHNQD-0803 inhibited the expression of adipogenesis genes and reduced fat deposition, negatively regulated the NF-κB-TNFα inflammatory axis to suppress inflammation, and ameliorated liver injury and fibrosis. These data indicate that CHNQD-0803 as an AMPK activator is a novel potential therapeutic candidate for NASH treatment. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-023-00168-z.

Muscle-derived stem cell exosomes with overexpressed miR-214 promote the regeneration and repair of rat sciatic nerve after crush injury to activate the JAK2/STAT3 pathway by targeting PTEN.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the effect of muscle-derived stem cell (MDSC) exosomes with overexpressed miR-214 on the regeneration and repair of rat sciatic nerve after crush injury and its molecular mechanism. Methods: First, primary MDSCs, Schwann cells (SCs) and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons were isolated and cultured, and the characteristics of MDSCs-derived exosomes were identified by molecular biology and immunohistochemistry. NC mimics and miR-214 mimics were transfected to obtain exo-NC and exo-miR-214. An in vitro co-culture system was established to determine the effect of exo-miR-214 on nerve regeneration. The restoration of sciatic nerve function of rats by exo-miR-214 was evaluated by walking track analysis. Immunofluorescence for NF and S100 was used to detect the regeneration of axon and myelin sheath in injured nerve. The Starbase database was used to analyze the downstream target genes of miR-214. QRT-PCR and dual luciferase reporter assays were used to validate the miR-214 and PTEN interaction relationship. And the expression of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway-related proteins in sciatic nerve tissues were detected by western blot. Results: The above experiments showed that MDSCs-derived exosomes with overexpressed miR-214 was found to promote the proliferation and migration of SCs, increase the expression of neurotrophic factors, promote axon extension of DRG neurons and positively affect the recovery of nerve structure and function. In addition, PTEN was a target gene of miR-214. Exo-miR-214 can significantly inhibit the expression level of PTEN, increase the protein expression levels of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 and the ratio of p-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3, also MDSCs-derived exosomes with overexpressed miR-214 can reduce the occurrence of denervated muscle atrophy. Conclusion: In summary, the MDSCs-derived exosomes with overexpressed miR-214 is involved in peripheral nerve regeneration and repair in rats after sciatic nerve crush injury to activate the JAK2/ STAT3 pathway by targeting PTEN.

Enterprise stents versus low-profile visualized intraluminal support stents for stent-assisted coiling of unruptured paraclinoid aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: The microsurgical treatment of paraclinoid aneurysms can be challenging due to the anatomical structures that surround them. OBJECTIVE: This study compared the clinical and angiographic outcomes of unruptured paraclinoid aneurysms treated with enterprise (EP) stents and low-profile visualized intraluminal support (LVIS) stents. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the clinical and radiological data from 133 patients with 139 unruptured paraclinoid aneurysms, who received an EP or an LVIS stent between January 2017 and June 2021 at Taizhou People's Hospital, was performed. Immediate postoperative and follow-up angiographic results were analyzed retrospectively using the Raymond-Roy occlusion classification (RROC). Any complications following the procedure and the patients' clinical outcomes were noted. RESULTS: Enterprise stents were used for stent-assisted coiling in 64 patients with 68 aneurysms and LVIS stents were used in 69 patients with 71 aneurysms. Both groups exhibited an increase in the proportion of aneurysms meeting the criteria for RROC class I, but the LVIS group demonstrated a higher rate of aneurysms meeting the class I criteria compared with the EP group, both on immediate postoperative angiography (45.1% vs. 11.8%, p< 0.001) and on follow-up angiography (94.9% vs. 80.6%, p= 0.025). Procedure-related complications were experienced by 9.4% of patients in the EP group (one coil prolapse, two parent artery occlusions, and three thromboembolic events), and 8.7% of patients in the LVIS group (three stent-related thrombosis and three thromboembolic events). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in relation to perioperative complications (p= 0.746) or favorable clinical outcomes (p= 0.492). CONCLUSION: A greater proportion of aneurysms in the LVIS group met the criteria for RROC class I compared with the EP group. There is no significant difference in procedural complications or clinical outcomes between EP and LVIS stents. Although no aneurysm recurrence was observed during the short follow-up period, continued monitoring is required.

Study on the Influence of PCA Pre-Treatment on Pig Face Identification with Random Forest.

To explore the application of a traditional machine learning model in the intelligent management of pigs, in this paper, the influence of PCA pre-treatment on pig face identification with RF is studied. By this testing method, the parameters of two testing schemes, one adopting RF alone and the other adopting RF + PCA, were determined to be 65 and 70, respectively. With individual identification tests carried out on 10 pigs, accuracy, recall, and f1-score were increased by 2.66, 2.76, and 2.81 percentage points, respectively. Except for the slight increase in training time, the test time was reduced to 75% of the old scheme, and the efficiency of the optimized scheme was greatly improved. It indicates that PCA pre-treatment positively improved the efficiency of individual pig identification with RF. Furthermore, it provides experimental support for the mobile terminals and the embedded application of RF classifiers.

Noninvasive Imaging OX40+ Activated T Cells Provides Early Warning of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to develop an imaging probe-IRDye-680RD-OX40 mAb-that can be used for noninvasive imaging and optical imaging of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). OX40/OX40 ligand (OX40L) interactions have been shown to exert potent costimulatory effects on T cell activation. Detectable change in T cell activation profiles was observed in early RA. METHODS: OX40 expression pattern was analyzed by flow cytometry. N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) esters are used to label proteins selectively on free amino groups of OX40 monoclonal antibody (mAb). Characterization of IRDye-680RD-OX40 mAb was measured and a fluorescence spectrum gathered. Cell binding assay was also performed between activated and naïve murine T cells. Longitudinal near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging of the probe was performed on day 8, day 9, day 10, and day 11 of adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) mouse model. Paw thickness and body weight were compared between the OX40 mAb and IgG injection groups. RESULTS: NIRF imaging with IRDye-680RD-OX40 mAb revealed strong OX40-positive responses with high specificity. Flow analysis showed that OX40 was specifically expressed on the surface of T cells in RP and spleen of AIA model. The AIA group was significantly differentiated from the control group at all time points with imaging monitoring. The region of interest (ROI) was in line with ex vivo imaging and biodistribution study. This study highlights the potential utility of the OX40 NIRF imaging as a new strategy for RA prediction and T cell monitoring. CONCLUSION: The results provide evidence that IRDye-680RD-OX40 mAb detects organized T cells activation in early RA. The optical probe was capable of detection of RA pathogenesis. It identified transcriptional responses to RA that mediate its immune functions. Thus, it may be an ideal probe for RA imaging.

m6A reader IGF2BP1 accelerates apoptosis of high glucose-induced vascular endothelial cells in a m6A-HMGB1 dependent manner.

Emerging evidence indicates that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) plays a critical role in vascular biological characteristic. In diabetes mellitus pathophysiology, high glucose (HG)-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction is associated with diabetes vascular complications. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism of high glucose (HG)-related m6A regulation on vascular endothelial cells is still unclear. Results indicated that m6A reader insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1) was up-regulated in HG-treated human umbilical vascular endothelium cells (HUVECs) comparing to normal group. Functionally, results indicated that IGF2BP1 knockdown recovered the proliferation of HUVECs inhibited by HG-administration. Besides, IGF2BP1 knockdown reduced the apoptosis induced by HG-administration. Mechanistically, IGF2BP1 interacted with HMGB1 mRNA and stabilized its expression of m6A-modified RNA. Therefore, these findings provided compelling evidence demonstrating that m6A reader IGF2BP1 contributes to the proliferation and apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells in hyperglycaemia, serving as a target for development of diabetic angiopathy therapeutics.

By-Products of Zea mays L.: A Promising Source of Medicinal Properties with Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities: A Comprehensive Review.

Zea mays (Z. mays) is one of the main cereal crops in the world, and it's by-products have exhibited medicinal properties to explore. This article intends to review the chemical compositions and pharmacological activities of by-products of Z. mays (corn silks, roots, bract, stems, bran, and leaves) which support the therapeutic potential in the treatment of different diseases, with emphasis on the natural occurring compounds and detailed pharmacological developments. Based on this review, 231 natural compounds are presented. Among them, flavonoids, terpenes, phenylpropanoids, and alkaloids are the most frequently reported. The by-products of Z. mays possess diuretic effects, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, plant protection activity, and other activities. This article reviewed the phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of Z. mays for comprehensive quality control and the safety and effectiveness to enhance future application.