Highly Sensitive and Stable Multifunctional Self-Powered Triboelectric Sensor Utilizing Mo2CTx/PDMS Composite Film for Pressure Sensing and Non-Contact Sensing.

Sensors based on triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are increasingly gaining attention because of their self-powered capabilities and excellent sensing performance. In this work, we report a Mo2CTx-based triboelectric sensor (Mo-TES) consisting of a Mo2CTx/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite film. The impact of the mass fraction (wt%) and force of Mo2CTx particles on the output performance of Mo-TES was systematically explored. When Mo2CTx particles is 3 wt%, Mo-TES3 achieves an open-circuit voltage of 86.89 V, a short-circuit current of 578.12 nA, and a power density of 12.45 µW/cm2. It also demonstrates the ability to charge capacitors with varying capacitance values. Additionally, the Mo-TES3 demonstrates greater sensitivity than the Mo-TES0 and a faster recovery time of 78 ms. Meanwhile, the Mo-TES3 also demonstrates excellent stability in water washing and antifatigue testing. This demonstrates the effectiveness of Mo-TES as a pressure sensor. Furthermore, leveraging the principle of electrostatic induction, the triboelectric sensor has the potential to achieve non-contact sensing, making it a promising candidate for disease prevention and safety protection.

Astrocyte-derived Interleukin-31 causes poor prognosis in elderly patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.

The incidence of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is increasing every year, with very high rates of mortality and disability. The prognosis of elderly ICH patients is extremely unfavorable. Interleukin, as an important participant in building the inflammatory microenvironment of the central nervous system after ICH, has long been the focus of neuroimmunology research. However, there are no studies on the role IL31 play in the pathologic process of ICH. We collected para-lesion tissue for immunofluorescence and flow cytometry from the elderly and young ICH patients who underwent surgery. Here, we found that IL31 expression in the lesion of elderly ICH patients was significantly higher than that of young patients. The activation of astrocytes after ICH releases a large amount of IL31, which binds to microglia through IL31R, causing a large number of microglia to converge to the hematoma area, leading to the spread of neuroinflammation, apoptosis of neurons, and ultimately resulting in poorer recovery of nerve function. Interfering with IL31 expression suppresses neuroinflammation and promotes the recovery of neurological function. Our study demonstrated that elderly patients release more IL31 after ICH than young patients. IL31 promotes the progression of neuroinflammation, leading to neuronal apoptosis as well as neurological decline. Suppression of high IL31 concentrations in the brain after ICH may be a promising therapeutic strategy for ICH.

Assessment and evaluation of online education and virtual simulation technology in dental education: a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: The global outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has led medical universities in China to conduct online teaching. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a blended learning approach that combines online teaching and virtual reality technology in dental education and to evaluate the acceptance of the blended learning approach among dental teachers and students. METHODS: The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist was followed in this study. A total of 157 students' perspectives on online and virtual reality technology education and 54 teachers' opinions on online teaching were collected via questionnaires. Additionally, 101 students in the 2015-year group received the traditional teaching method (TT group), while 97 students in the 2017-year group received blended learning combining online teaching and virtual reality technology (BL group). The graduation examination results of students in the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The questionnaire results showed that most students were satisfied with the online course and the virtual simulation platform teaching, while teachers held conservative and neutral attitudes toward online teaching. Although the theoretical score of the BL group on the final exam was greater than that of the TT group, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.805). The skill operation score of the BL group on the final exam was significantly lower than that of the TT group (P = 0.004). The overall score of the BL group was lower than that of the TT group (P = 0.018), but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.112). CONCLUSIONS: The blended learning approach combining online teaching and virtual reality technology plays a positive role in students' learning and is useful and effective in dental education.

Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) reduces apoptosis and improves neurological function after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by modulating microglia inflammation.

Indole-3-carbinol(I3C) is a tumor chemopreventive substance that can be extracted from cruciferous vegetables. Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we investigated the cerebral protective effects of I3C in an in vivo rats model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). 8-10 Week-Old male SD rat received I3C (150 mg/kg, once daily) for 3 days and underwent 3 h of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by reperfusion. The results showed that I3C pretreatment (150 mg/kg, once daily) prevented CIRI-induced cerebral infarction in rats. I3C pretreatment also decreased the mRNA expression levels of several apoptotic proteins, including Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-9, by increasing the mRNA expression levels of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Inhibited apoptosis in the brain cells of MCAO rats. In addition, we found that I3C pretreatment reduced neuronal loss, promoted neurological recovery after ischemia-reperfusion injury and increased seven-day survival in MCAO rats. I3C pretreatment also significantly reduced the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (INOS), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA in ischemic brain tissue; Increased expression of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) mRNA. At the same time, I3C pretreatment significantly decreased the expression of the M1 microglial marker IBA1 after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and increased the expression of these results in the M2 microglial marker CD206. I3C pretreatment also significantly decreased apoptosis and death of HAPI microglial cells after hypoxia induction, decreased interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA The expression of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) mRNAs was increased. These results suggest that I3C protects the brain from CIRI by regulating the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of microglia.

Recent Advances in Understanding of the Singlet Oxygen in Energy Storage and Conversion.

Singlet oxygen (term symbol 1 Δg , hereafter 1 O2 ), a reactive oxygen species, has recently attracted increasing interest in the field of rechargeable batteries and electrocatalysis and photocatalysis. These sustainable energy conversion and storage technologies are of vital significance to replace fossil fuels and promote carbon neutrality and finally tackle the energy crisis and climate change. Herein, the recent progresses of 1 O2 for energy storage and conversion is summarized, including physical and chemical properties, formation mechanisms, detection technologies, side reactions in rechargeable batteries and corresponding inhibition strategies, and applications in electrocatalysis and photocatalysis. The formation mechanisms and inhibition strategies of 1 O2 in particular aprotic lithium-oxygen (Li-O2 ) batteries are highlighted, and the applications of 1 O2 in photocatalysis and electrocatalysis is also emphasized. Moreover, the confronting challenges and promising directions of 1 O2 in energy conversion and storage systems are discussed.

Gut microbiota dysbiosis and intestinal barrier impairment in diarrhea caused by cold drink and high-fat diet.

Cold drink and high-fat diet (CDHFD) are common diet patterns. However, the potential risks remain unclear. We investigated the effects of CDHFD in adult mice and explored the mechanisms of action. Twenty adult male mice were randomly divided into control and model groups, and the control group was fed a normal diet, whereas the model group was fed CDHFD for 28 days. We found that mice in the model group developed diarrhea symptoms accompanied by fatigue and weakness. Analysis of the intestinal flora revealed that the model group had a lower diversity and richness of microorganism species in the gut than the control group. Furthermore, the characteristic analysis indicated that CDHFD downregulated specific bacteria, such as norank_f_Muribaculaceae, Muribaculum, and Odoribacter, which are known to be associated with the systemic inflammatory response and mucosal barrier function. Blood tests showed that immune cells and inflammatory cytokines were significantly elevated in the model group, along with increased LPS induced by CDHFD. Pathological investigations demonstrated that CDHFD damages the intestinal mucosa while affecting the expression of tight junction proteins, including ZO-1, Claudin-1, Claudin-2, and Occludin, which may be attributed to the activation of the TRAF6/IκB/p65 signaling pathway. In conclusion, impaired gut microbial and mechanical barrier function is responsible for CDHFD-induced diarrhea. In this study, we constructed a model of diet-induced diarrhea by simulating human dietary patterns, evaluated the long-term effects of CDHFD on human intestinal barriers and immune systems, and revealed its mechanism of action based on chronic inflammation. This study validated the model's fit to provide an effective screening model for drug or functional food development.

Corporate social Responsibility's impact on passenger loyalty and satisfaction in the Chinese airport industry: The moderating role of green HRM.

Corporate social responsibility has been extensively discussed and linked to the firm performance by the researchers. However, a significant research gap remains unexplored and that is measuring the association between corporate social responsibility, passenger satisfaction, and loyalty in the context of two international airports in China. This research also measures the moderating impact of green human resources management on the relationship between CSR, passengers' satisfaction, and loyalty. Data from two international airports in China were collected through a questionnaire. A total of 269 questionnaires were used for statistical analysis using Smart PLS 3.3. The findings from the statistical analysis revealed that corporate social responsibility in the airport affected passenger satisfaction and loyalty positively and significantly. Moreover, green human resource management in an airport plays a moderating role between corporate social responsibility, passengers' satisfaction, and loyalty. Overall, the study's findings enrich the literature on CSR, customer satisfaction, and loyalty, portray GHRM's role in the airport setting, and suggest practical indications for services industries. Discussions, limitations, and future recommendations are also given.

Correlation between triglyceride glucose index and collateral circulation formation in patients with chronic total occlusion of coronary arteries in different glucose metabolic states.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the correlation between triglyceride glucose index (TyG) and collateral circulation in patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO) of coronary arteries in different glucose metabolic states. METHODS: A total of 681 patients who underwent coronary angiography between January 2020 and December 2021 to determine the presence of CTO lesions in at least one major coronary artery were retrospectively included in this study. Patients were categorized into a group with poor collateral circulation formation (Rentrop grade 0-1, n = 205) and a group with good collateral circulation formation (Rentrop grade 2-3, n = 476) according to the Rentrop scale. They were also categorized according to their glucose metabolism status: normal glucose regulation (NGR) (n = 139), prediabetes mellitus (Pre-DM) (n = 218), and diabetes mellitus (DM) (n = 324). Correlation between TyG index and collateral circulation formation was analyzed by logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: Among patients with CTO, TyG index was significantly higher in the group with poor collateral circulation formation than in the group with good collateral circulation formation. Logistic regression analysis showed that TyG index was an independent risk factor for poor collateral circulation formation (OR 5.104, 95% CI 3.323-7.839, P < 0.001). The accuracy of TyG index in predicting collateral circulation formation was evaluated by the ROC curve, which had an area under the curve of 0.779 (95% CI 0.738-0.820, P < 0.001). The restrictive cubic spline curves showed that the risk of poor collateral circulation formation in the Pre-DM and DM groups was initially flat and finally increased rapidly, except for the NGR group. TyG index was significantly associated with an increased risk of poor collateral circulation formation in the Pre-DM and DM groups. CONCLUSIONS: TyG index was significantly associated with the risk of poor collateral circulation formation in patients with CTO, especially those with Pre-DM and DM.

Targeting the AKT-P53/CREB pathway with epicatechin for improved prognosis of traumatic brain injury.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of epicatechin, on neurological recovery and neuroinflammation after traumatic brain injury (TBI) to investigate its potential value in clinical practice. METHODS: TBI model was established in adult rats by CCI method. The effect of epicatechin was evaluated after intraperitoneal injection. Neurological recovery after TBI was assessed by Morris Water Maze, mNSS score, Rotarod test and Adhesive removal test. Protein and gene expression was assessed by Western blot, ELISA, PCR and immunofluorescence. Furthermore, the use of AKT pathway inhibitors blocked the therapeutic effects of epicatechin clarifying AKT-P53/CREB as a potential pathway for the effects of epicatechin. RESULTS: Administering epicatechin after TBI prevented neuronal death, reduced neuroinflammation, and promoted neurological function restoration in TBI rats. Network pharmacology study suggested that epicatechin may exert its therapeutic benefits through the AKT-P53/CREB pathway CONCLUSION: These results indicate that epicatechin, a monomeric compound derived from tea polyphenols, possesses potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties after TBI. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of the AKT-P53/CREB signal pathway.

Mixed Potential Type Acetone Sensor with Ultralow Detection Limit for Diabetic Ketosis Breath Analysis.

Breath analysis using gas sensors is an emerging method for disease screening and diagnosis. Since it is closely related to the lipid metabolism and blood ketone concentration of the body, the detection of acetone content in exhaled breath is helpful for the screening and monitoring of diabetes and ketosis. The development of an acetone sensor with high selectivity, stability, and low detection limit has been the research focus for this purpose. Here, we developed a mixed potential type acetone sensor based on Gd2Zr2O7 solid electrolyte and CoSb2O6 sensing electrode. The developed sensor exhibits an extremely low detection limit of 10 ppb, enabling linear detection for acetone in an extremely wide range of 10 ppb-100 ppm. The good results of systematic evaluation on selectivity, repeatability, and stability prove the superior reliability of the sensor, which is a prerequisite for the application in actual breath detection. The ability of the sensor to distinguish healthy people from diabetic ketosis patients was confirmed by using the sensor to detect the breath of healthy people and diabetic patients, proving the feasibility of the sensor in the diagnosis and monitoring of diabetic ketosis.

Sec1 regulates intestinal mucosal immunity in a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common immune-mediated condition with its molecular pathogenesis remaining to be fully elucidated. This study aimed to deepen our understanding of the role of FUT2 in human IBD, by studying a new surrogate gene Sec1, a neighboring gene of Fut2 and Fut1 that co-encodes the α 1,2 fucosyltransferase in mice. CRISPR/Cas9 was used to prepare Sec1 knockout (Sec1-/-) mice. IBD was induced in mice using 3% w/v dextran sulphate sodium. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was employed to silence Sec1 in murine colon cancer cell lines CT26.WT and CMT93. IBD-related symptoms, colonic immune responses, proliferation and apoptosis of colon epithelial cells were assessed respectively to determine the role of Sec1 in mouse IBD. Impact of Sec1 on the expression of death receptor 5 (DR5) and other apoptosis-associated proteins were determined. Sec1 knockout was found to be associated with deterioration of IBD in mice and elevated immune responses in the colonic mucosa. Silencing Sec1 in CT26.WT and CMT93 cells led to greater secretion of inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α. Cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) assay, flow cytometry and TUNEL detection suggested that Sec1 expression promoted the proliferation of colon epithelial cells, inhibited cell apoptosis, reduced cell arrest in G0/G1 phase and facilitated repair of inflammatory injury. Over-expression of DR5 and several apoptosis-related effector proteins was noticed in Sec1-/- mice and Sec1-silenced CT26.WT and CMT93 cells, supporting a suppressive role of Sec1 in cell apoptosis. Our results depicted important regulatory roles of Sec1 in mouse IBD, further reflecting the importance of FUT2 in the pathogenesis of human IBD.

[Effect of Yunkang Oral Solution on pregnant mice with spleen deficiency syndrome].

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of Yunkang Oral Solution on the improvement of spleen deficiency and pregnancy outcomes in pregnant mice with spleen deficiency syndrome induced by irregular diet and over consumption of cold and bitter foods. To simulate human irregular diet and over consumption of cold and bitter foods leading to spleen deficiency, the pregnant mice with spleen deficiency syndrome were prepared using an alternate-day fasting and high-fat diet combined with oral administration of Sennae Folium. During the experiment, spleen deficiency-related indicators and diarrhea-related parameters were measured. Gastric and intestinal motility(gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsion rate) were evaluated. The levels of serum ghrelin, growth hormone(GH), gastrin(Gas), total cholesterol(TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-c), chorionic gonadotropin ß(ß-CG), progesterone(P), and estradiol(E_2) were measured. Intestinal barrier function in pregnant mice with spleen deficiency syndrome was assessed. Conception rate, ovarian coefficient, litter-bearing uterine coefficient, number of live fetuses, average fetal weight, and fetal length were calculated. The results showed that Yunkang Oral Solution significantly improved spleen deficiency-related indicators and diarrhea in pregnant mice with spleen deficiency syndrome, increased gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsion rate, elevated the levels of gastrointestinal hormones(ghrelin, GH, and Gas) in the serum, and reduced lipid levels(TC and LDL-c), thereby improving lipid metabolism disorders. It also improved colonic tissue morphology, increased the number of goblet cells, and promoted the mRNA and protein expression of occludin and claudin-1 in colonic tissues, thereby alleviating intestinal barrier damage. Yunkang Oral Solution also regulated the levels of pregnancy hormones(ß-CG, P, and E_2) in the serum of pregnant mice with spleen deficiency syndrome. Moreover, it increased the conception rate, ovarian coefficient, litter-bearing uterine coefficient, number of live fetuses, average fetal weight, and fetal length. These findings suggest that Yunkang Oral Solution can improve spleen deficiency-related symptoms in pregnant mice before and during pregnancy, regulate pregnancy-related hormones, and improve pregnancy outcomes.

Myricetin suppresses traumatic brain injury-induced inflammatory response via EGFR/AKT/STAT pathway.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common disease in neurosurgery with a high fatality and disability rate which imposes a huge burden on society and patient's family. Inhibition of neuroinflammation caused by microglia activation is a reasonable strategy to promote neurological recovery after TBI. Myricetin is a natural flavonoid that has shown good therapeutic effects in a variety of neurological disease models, but its therapeutic effect on TBI is not clear. We demonstrated that intraperitoneal injection of appropriate doses of myricetin significantly improved recovery of neurological function after TBI in Sprague Dawley rats and inhibited excessive inflammatory responses around the lesion site. Myricetin dramatically reduced the expression of toxic microglia markers generated by TBI and LPS, according to the outcomes of in vivo and in vitro tests. In particular, the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase 2, and some pro-inflammatory cytokines was reduced, which protected learning and memory functions in TBI rats. Through network pharmacological analysis, we found that myricetin may inhibit microglia hyperactivation through the EGFR-AKT/STAT pathway. These findings imply that myricetin is a promising treatment option for the management of neuroinflammation following TBI.

An empirical evaluation of technology acceptance model for Artificial Intelligence in E-commerce.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become essential to Electronic-Commerce technology over the past decades. Its fast growth has changed the way consumers do online shopping. Using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as a theoretical framework, this research examines how AI can be made more effective and profitable in e-commerce and how entrepreneurs can make AI technology to assist in achieving their business goals. In this regard, an online survey was conducted from the online purchasers of e-commerce firms. The Partial Least Square (PLS) Smart was used to examine the data. The broadly used TAM was identified as an appropriate hypothetical model for studying the acceptance of AI technology in e-commerce. The findings of this study show that Subjective Norms positively impact Perceived Usefulness (PU) and Pursued Ease of Use (PEU), trust has a positive effect on PEU, and PEU positively impacts PU and attitudes toward use. Similarly, PU also has a positive effect on attitudes toward use and intention to use. Furthermore, the findings do not support the impact of Trust on PU and attitudes towards behavioural intention to use. Lastly, behavioural intention to use positively impacted the actual use of AI technology. This study adds theoretical and practical knowledge for adopting the TAM model in the E-commerce sector. It helps entrepreneurs to implement the TAM model in their business to use AI in a better and more appropriate way.

MiR-200b-5p inhibits tumor progression in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma via targeting BTBD1.

Salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC) is a rare malignant tumor of the salivary gland. Studies have suggested that miRNA may play a crucial role in the invasion and metastasis of SACC. This study aimed to investigate the role of miR-200b-5p in SACC progression. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blot assay were used to detect the expression levels of miR-200b-5p and BTBD1. The biological functions of miR-200b-5p were evaluated via wound-healing assays, transwell assays, and xenograft nude mice model. The interaction between miR-200b-5p and BTBD1 was assessed using luciferase assay. Results showed that miR-200b-5p was downregulated in the SACC tissues while BTBD1 was upregulated. miR-200b-5p overexpression suppressed SACC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Bioinformatics prediction and luciferase reporter assay revealed that miR-200b-5p could directly bind to BTBD1. Besides, miR-200b-5p overexpression could rescue the tumor-promoting effect of BTBD1. miR-200b-5p inhibited tumor progression by modulating EMT-related proteins, targeting BTBD1 and inhibiting PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Overall, our findings indicate that miR-200b-5p can suppress SACC proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT by regulating BTBD1 and PI3K/AKT axis, providing a promising therapeutic target for SACC treatment.

Exosomes derived from mesenchymal stromal cells promote bone regeneration by delivering miR-182-5p-inhibitor.

Exosomes, small extracellular vesicles that function as a key regulator of cell-to-cell communication, are emerging as a promising candidate for bone regeneration. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of exosomes from pre-differentiated human alveolar bone-derived bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (AB-BMSCs) carrying specific microRNAs on bone regeneration. Exosomes secreted from AB-BMSCs pre-differentiated for 0 and 7 days were cocultured with BMSCs in vitro to investigate their effect on the differentiation of the BMSCs. MiRNAs from AB-BMSCs at different stages of osteogenic differentiation were analyzed. BMSCs seeded on poly-L-lactic acid(PLLA) scaffolds were treated with miRNA antagonist-decorated exosomes to verify their effect on new bone regeneration. Exosomes pre-differentiated for 7 days effectively promoted the differentiation of BMSCs. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that miRNAs within the exosomes were differentially expressed, including the upregulation of osteogenic miRNAs (miR-3182, miR-1468) and downregulation of anti-osteogenic miRNAs (miR-182-5p, miR-335-3p, miR-382-5p), causing activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The treatment of BMSC-seeded scaffolds with anti-miR-182-5p decorated exosomes demonstrated enhanced osteogenic differentiation and efficient formation of new bone. In conclusion, Osteogenic exosomes secreted from pre-differentiated AB-BMSCs were identified and the gene modification of exosomes provides great potential as a bone regeneration strategy. DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT: Data generated or analyzed in this paper partly are available in the GEO public data repository(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo).

Prognostic role of CD11b+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Introduction: Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are critically involved in cancer immune suppression and MDSC density has been recognized as a robust prognostic biomarker. Here, we sought to characterize the densities and locations of CD11b+ MDSCs in primary oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and determine their prognostic significance. Material and methods: A total of 144 eligible OSCC samples from a tertiary referral oral cancer center were retrospectively collected. Intensities of CD11b+ MDSCs at the tumor center (CT) and invasive margin (IM) in OSCC samples were detected by immunohistochemistry and automatically quantified using Image J software. The optimal cutoff values for CD11b CT and CD11b IM were determined by X-tile based on overall survival. The associations between CD11b+ MDSCs and clinicopathological parameters were assessed by the χ2 test. The prognostic value of CD11b+ MDSCs was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier plots, Cox regression analyses and receiver operating characteristics curves. Results: High density of CD11b+ MDSCs at CT or IM was significantly associated with inferior overall and disease-free survival (Kaplan-Meir, p < 0.05, log-rank test). CD11b CT and CD11b IM were identified as independent prognostic predictors for patient survival. The prediction accuracy and specificity of CD11b CT and CD11b IM were superior to other prognostic parameters. Conclusions: Our data indicated that increased densities of CD11b+ MDSCs in CT and IM regions were significantly associated with poor prognoses, which might be novel prognostic factors for OSCC.

circFNDC3B Accelerates Vasculature Formation and Metastasis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Emerging evidence has demonstrated that circular RNAs (circRNA) are involved in cancer metastasis. Further elucidation of the role of circRNAs in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) could provide insights into mechanisms driving metastasis and potential therapeutic targets. Here, we identify a circRNA, circFNDC3B, that is significantly upregulated in OSCC and is positively associated with lymph node (LN) metastasis. In vitro and in vivo functional assays showed that circFNDC3B accelerated the migration and invasion of OSCC cells and the tube-forming capacity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human lymphatic endothelial cells. Mechanistically, circFNDC3B regulated ubiquitylation of the RNA-binding protein FUS and the deubiquitylation of HIF1A through the E3 ligase MDM2 to promote VEGFA transcription, thereby enhancing angiogenesis. Meanwhile, circFNDC3B sequestered miR-181c-5p to upregulate SERPINE1 and PROX1, which drove epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) or partial-EMT (p-EMT) in OSCC cells and promoted lymphangiogenesis to accelerate LN metastasis. Overall, these findings uncovered the mechanistic role of circFNDC3B in orchestrating cancer cell metastatic properties and vasculature formation, suggesting circFNDC3B could be a potential target to reduce OSCC metastasis. SIGNIFICANCE: Dual functions of circFNDC3B in enhancing the metastatic ability of cancer cells and promoting vasculature formation through regulation of multiple pro-oncogenic signaling pathways drive lymph node metastasis of OSCC.

Linc00852 from cisplatin-resistant gastric cancer cell-derived exosomes regulates COMMD7 to promote cisplatin resistance of recipient cells through microRNA-514a-5p.

OBJECTIVE: Cisplatin (DDP)-based chemotherapy is commonly referred to as advanced gastric cancer (GC). The purpose of this study was to unravel whether Linc00852 from DDP-resistant tumor cell-derived exosomes (Exos) promotes DDP resistance of GC cells. METHODS: Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of Linc00852, miR-514a-5p, COMM domain protein 7 (COMMD7) mRNA, Bax mRNA, and Bcl-2 mRNA. Western blot was used to measure the expression of COMMD7 protein. The IC50 value of DDP is determined by MTT assay. The cell proliferation ability was measured by colony formation test. The apoptosis ability was measured by flow cytometry. The interaction between Linc00852, miR-514a-5p, and COMMD7 was confirmed by luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA pull-down assay. Xenograft tumor model was used to study the effect of Linc00852 on DDP resistance in vivo. RESULTS: Linc00852 was up-regulated in DDP-resistant GC cells and their secreted exosomes. Down-regulating Linc00852 facilitated the sensitivity of DDP-resistant GC cells to DDP. Linc00852 bound to miR-514a-5p and COMMD7 was a target of miR-514a-5p. Linc00852 could regulate COMMD7 expression via targeting miR-514a-5p. Exosomes from DDP-resistant GC cells enhanced the resistance of recipient GC cells to DDP via exosomal delivery of Linc00852. Depletion of Linc00852 repressed the growth and DDP resistance of GC cells in vivo. CONCLUSION: Linc00852 from DDP-resistant tumor cell-derived Exos regulates COMMD7 to promote drug resistance of GC cells through miR-514a-5p.

Regeneration mechanism of a novel high-performance biochar mercury adsorbent directionally modified by multimetal multilayer loading.

Biochar that is directly obtained by pyrolysis exhibits a low adsorption efficiency; furthermore, the process of recycling adsorbents is ineffective. To solve these problems, conventional chemical coprecipitation, sol-gel, multimetal multilayer loading and biomass pyrolysis coking processes have been integrated. After selecting specific components for structural design, a novel high-performance biochar adsorbent was obtained. The effects of the O2 concentration and temperature on the regeneration characteristics were explored. An isothermal regeneration method to repair the deactivated adsorbent in a specific atmosphere was proposed, and the optimal regeneration mode and conditions were determined. The microscopic characteristics of the regenerated samples were revealed along with the mechanism of Hg0 removal and regeneration by using temperature-programmed desorption technology and adsorption kinetics. The results show that doping multiple metals can reduce the pyrolysis reaction barrier of the modified biomass. On the modified surface of the sample, the doped metals formed aggregated oxides, and the resulting synergistic effect enhanced the oxidative activity of the biochar carriers and the threshold effect of Ce oxide. The optimal regeneration conditions (5% O2 and 600 °C) effectively coordinated the competitive relationship between the deep carbonization process and the adsorption/oxidation site repair process; in addition, these conditions provided outstanding structure-effect connections between the physico-chemical properties and Hg0 removal efficiency of the regenerated samples. Hg0 adsorption by the regenerated samples is a multilayer mass transfer process that involves the coupling of physical and chemical effects, and the surface adsorption sites play a leading role.