Peripheral Control of the Assembly and Chirality of Anion-Based Octanuclear Cubes by Cation-π Networks.

Self-assembly of sophisticated polyhedral cages has drawn much attention because of their elaborate structures and potential applications. Herein, we report the anion-coordination-driven assembly of the first A8L12 (A = anion, L = ligand) octanuclear cubic structures from phosphate anion and p-xylylene-spaced bis-bis(urea) ligands via peripheral templating of countercations (TEA+ or TPA+). By attaching terminal aryl rings (phenyl or naphthyl) to the ligand through a flexible (methylene) linker, these aryls actively participate in the formation of plenty of "aromatic pockets" for guest cation binding. As a result, multiple peripheral guests (up to 22) of suitable size are bound on the faces and vertices of the cube, forming a network of cation-π interactions to stabilize the cube structure. More interestingly, when chiral ligands were used, either diastereomers of mixed Λ- and Δ-configurations (with TEA+ countercation) for the phosphate coordination centers or enantiopure cubes (with TPA+) were formed. Thus, the assembly and chirality of the cube can be modulated by remote terminal groups and peripheral templating tetraalkylammonium cations.

Construction of Magnesium Phosphate Chemical Conversion Coatings with Different Microstructures on Titanium to Enhance Osteogenesis and Angiogenesis.

Titanium (Ti) and its alloys are widely used as hard tissue substitutes in dentistry and orthopedics, but their low bioactivity leads to undesirable osseointegration defects in the early osteogenic phase. Surface modification is an important approach to overcome these problems. In the present study, novel magnesium phosphate (MgP) coatings with controllable structures were fabricated on the surface of Ti using the phosphate chemical conversion (PCC) method. The effects of the microstructure on the physicochemical and biological properties of the coatings on Ti were researched. The results indicated that accelerators in PCC solution were important factors affecting the microstructure and properties of the MgP coatings. In addition, the coated Ti exhibited excellent hydrophilicity, high bonding strength, and good corrosion resistance. Moreover, the biological results showed that the MgP coatings could improve the spread, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of mouse osteoblast cells (MC3T3-E1) and vascular differentiation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), indicating that the coated Ti samples had a great effect on promoting osteogenesis and angiogenesis. Overall, this study provided a new research idea for the surface modification of conventional Ti to enhance osteogenesis and angiogenesis in different bone types for potential biomedical applications.

The changes of intestinal flora and its relevance with memory Tfh and B cells in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with csDMARDs and csDMARDs + bDMARDs.

BACKGROUND: A growing body of experimental and clinical evidence has implicated gut microbiota in the onset and course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The imbalance of intestinal flora in RA patients may lead to abnormal expression of immune cells and related cytokines. PURPOSE: Conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) and conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs combined with biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs + bDMARDs) are widely used to treat RA, but the characteristics of gut microbiota before and after treatment and their relationship with memory Tfh/B cells and cytokines remain unclear. METHODS: Stool samples were collected from 50 RA patients and 25 healthy controls (HCs) for 16SrRNA gene sequencing. We examined the proportion of lymphocyte subsets in healthy controls and RA patients. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of related cytokines in serum. The α and ß diversity of intestinal flora, and the correlation between intestinal flora and clinical indicators, lymphocyte subsets, cytokines were analyzed. RESULT: At the genus level, Ruminococcaceae_Ruminococcus was decreased in the csDMARDs and csDMARDs + bDMARDs treatment group, whereas Faecalibacterium was reduced in the csDMARDs treatment group, compared to untreated group. CD4+CD45RO+CCR7+CXCR5+central memory Tfh cells and CD4+CD45RO+CCR7-CXCR5+effector memory Tfh cells were significantly lower in the csDMARDs + bDMARDs treatment group than in untreated group. CD19+CD27+IgD+pre-switched memory B cells were higher in the csDMARDs and csDMARDs + bDMARDs treatment groups, whereas CD19+CD27+IgD-switched memory B cells were significantly lower than in untreated group. Ruminococcaceae_Ruminococcus was negatively correlated with CD19+CD27+IgD+ pre-switched memory B cells but positively correlated with CD4+CD45RO+CCR7-CXCR5+effector memory Tfh and CD19+CD27+IgD-switched memory B cells in patients with RA treated with DMARDs. CONCLUSION: The gut microbiota, memory Tfh cells, memory B cells, and cytokines of patients with RA changed significantly under different treatment regimens and had certain correlations with the clinical indicators of RA.

Integrated network pharmacology and experimental verification to explore the potential mechanism of San Ying decoction for treating triple-negative breast cancer.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used to treat triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a breast cancer subtype with poor prognosis. Clinical studies have verified that the Sanyingfang formula (SYF), a TCM prescription, has obvious effects on inhibiting breast cancer recurrence and metastasis, prolonging patient survival, and reducing clinical symptoms. However, its active ingredients and molecular mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, the active ingredients of each herbal medicine composing SYF and their target proteins are obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database. Breast cancer-related genes are obtained from the GeneCards database. Major targets and pathways related to SYF treatment in breast cancer are identified by analyzing the above data. By conducting molecular docking analysis, we find that the active ingredients quercetin and luteolin bind well to the key targets KDR1, PPARG, SOD1, and VCAM1. In vitro experiments verify that SYF can reduce the proliferation, migration, and invasion ability of TNBC cells. Using a TNBC xenograft mouse model, we show that SYF could delay tumor growth and effectively inhibit the occurrence of breast cancer lung metastasis in vivo. PPARG, SOD1, KDR1, and VCAM1 are all regulated by SYF and may play important roles in SYF-mediated inhibition of TNBC recurrence and metastasis.

Triplane technique for breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery: A case series report.

RATIONALE: Implant-based breast reconstruction is an important method for post-mastectomy breast reconstruction. Currently, the most commonly used technique is the biplane technique. However, the high rate of postoperative complications, the inability of pockets to accommodate larger implants, and the expensive costs of biological mesh make the development of new surgical methods urgent. The triplane technique for breast reconstruction is an ideal candidate method. PATIENT CONCERNS: The main local symptoms were breast lump, abnormal breast skin, nipple discharge, and abnormal nipple or areola in 24 patients. DIAGNOSES: The study included 24 female patients who underwent breast reconstruction using the triplane technique after radical breast cancer surgery. INTERVENTIONS: The surgical procedure involved measuring the dimensions of the breast, designing the incision, and creating a pocket for the implant using the triplane technique, which includes the pectoralis major muscle, the pectoralis major fascia continuing to the rectus abdominis fascia, and the latissimus dorsa muscle fascia continuing to the rectus abdominis fascia. Postoperative follow-up included regular assessments of pain and evaluation of breast appearance. OUTCOMES: No cases of postoperative infection were observed in all patients. During the 1-year follow-up period after surgery, 5 patients (20.8%) who needed radiotherapy after mastectomy for cancer showed slight darkening of skin flap pigment after using the triplane technique implant. No cases of exposure or infection of the expanders were reported, and 1 patient underwent expander replacement with a permanent prosthesis. All patients expressed satisfaction with the reconstructed breast shape. The 10 patients (41.7%) experiencing postoperative swelling and pain. However, the pain gradually subsided during the postoperative recovery period. No cases of local recurrence or distant metastasis of breast cancer were observed during the 1-year-follow-up period. LESSONS: The triplane technique for breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery provides good implant coverage, reduces the risk of complications, and is cost-effective.

tiRNA-Val-CAC-2 interacts with FUBP1 to promote pancreatic cancer metastasis by activating c­MYC transcription.

Cumulative studies have established the significance of transfer RNA-derived small RNA (tsRNA) in tumorigenesis and progression. Nevertheless, its function and mechanism in pancreatic cancer metastasis remain largely unclear. Here, we screened and identified tiRNA-Val-CAC-2 as highly expressed in pancreatic cancer metastasis samples by tsRNA sequencing. We also observed elevated levels of tiRNA-Val-CAC-2 in the serum of pancreatic cancer patients who developed metastasis, and patients with high levels of tiRNA-Val-CAC-2 exhibited a worse prognosis. Additionally, knockdown of tiRNA-Val-CAC-2 inhibited the metastasis of pancreatic cancer in vivo and in vitro, while overexpression of tiRNA-Val-CAC-2 promoted the metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Mechanically, we discovered that tiRNA-Val-CAC-2 interacts with FUBP1, leading to enhanced stability of FUBP1 protein and increased FUBP1 enrichment in the c-MYC promoter region, thereby boosting the transcription of c-MYC. Of note, rescue experiments confirmed that tiRNA-Val-CAC-2 could influence pancreatic cancer metastasis via FUBP1-mediated c-MYC transcription. These findings highlight a potential novel mechanism underlying pancreatic cancer metastasis, and suggest that both tiRNA-Val-CAC-2 and FUBP1 could serve as promising prognostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for pancreatic cancer.

Meta-analysis of FOXP3 polymorphisms and recurrent spontaneous abortion susceptibility.

BACKGROUND: The polymorphisms of the FOXP3 gene may mediate abnormalities in Tregs, leading to an imbalance in maternal-fetal immune tolerance and ultimately resulting in recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). This meta-analysis aims to assess the potential association between FOXP3 polymorphisms and susceptibility to RSA using five specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: By conducting a comprehensive search across databases such as EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, and CBM, we identified suitable studies for inclusion in the meta-analysis. The data extracted from these studies were subjected to analysis using Stata SE 15. To assess the degree of association, we utilized the odds ratio (OR) along with its corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Five specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were employed in assessing the connection between FOXP3 gene polymorphisms and RSA. RESULTS: The meta-analysis demonstrated a significant association between several polymorphisms (rs3761548, rs2232365, rs2232368, rs2280883, and rs2294021) and susceptibility to RSA. Conversely, the FOXP3 rs5902434 polymorphism was not associated with susceptibility to RSA. CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis suggests that these genetic variations within the FOXP3 gene might play a role in the progression of RSA disease. Meanwhile, large-scale studies that consider multiple factors are needed to validate this finding.

Incorporation of an Anion-Coordinated Triple Helicate into a Thin Film for Choline Recognition in an Aqueous System.

Functional thin films, being fabricated by incorporating discrete supramolecular architectures, have potential applications in research areas such as sensing, energy storage, catalysis, and optoelectronics. Here, we have determined that an anion-coordinated triple helicate can be solution-processed into a functional thin film by incorporation into a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) matrix. The thin films fabricated by the incorporation of the anion-coordinated triple helicate show multiple optical properties, such as fluorescence, CD, and CPL. In addition, the film has the ability to recognize choline and choline derivatives in a water system. The successful recognition of Ch+ by the film represents the first example of utilizing 'aniono'-supramolecular architectures for biomolecule detection in aqueous solution and opens up a new route for designing biocompatible functional materials.

Research progress of LSD1-based dual-target agents for cancer therapy.

Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) is a histone lysine demethylase that is significantly overexpressed or dysregulated in different cancers and plays important roles in cell growth, invasion, migration, immune escape, angiogenesis, gene regulation, and transcription. Therefore, it is a superb target for the discovery of novel antitumor agents. However, because of their innate and acquired resistance and low selectivity, LSD1 inhibitors are associated with limited therapeutic efficacy and high toxicity. Furthermore, LSD1 inhibitors synergistically improve the efficacy of additional antitumor drugs, which encourages numerous medicinal chemists to innovate and develop new-generation LSD1-based dual-target agents. This review discusses the theoretical foundation of the design of LSD1-based dual-target agents and summarizes their possible applications in treating cancers.

Effects of early enteral nutrition in patients with severe burns: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional problems in the early stages of severe burns are prominent and seriously affect the clinical outcomes of patients. Our aim is to analyze the effects of early enteral nutrition (EEN) in patients with severe burns. METHODS: In this study, relevant articles were searched in 8 English and Chinese data, with a time limit from the creation of the database to June 2023. Two researchers independently completed the search, screening and quality assessment of the articles. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that examined EEN therapy in people with severe burns. We compared the effects of EEN and non-EEN therapy in severely burned patients. The outcomes were mortality, gastrointestinal complications, nutritional indicators, gastrointestinal hormones, sepsis, length of hospital stay and wound healing time. Categorical variables were expressed as OR and 95% CI was calculated, and continuous variables were expressed as MD and 95% CI was calculated. The protocol for this systematic review was registered in PROSPERO on May 12, 2023 (identifier CRD42023422895). RESULTS: Nineteen studies with a total of 1066 participants met the inclusion criteria. When comparing EEN therapy with non-EEN therapy, the experiment group had significantly lower mortality [OR = 0.39, 95% CI (0.20, 0.74), P = .004], lower wound healing time [MD = -10.77, 95% CI (-13.66,-7.88), P < .00001], fewer gastrointestinal complications [OR = 0.18, 95% CI (0.09, 0.36), P < .00001], lower rates of gastrointestinal hemorrhage [OR = 0.12, 95% CI (0.04, 0.36), P = .0001], lower rates of sepsis [OR = 0.40, 95% CI (0.24, 0.66), P = .0005], shorter length of hospital stay [MD = -12.08, 95% CI (-13.61, 9.19-10.56), P < .00001], and higher prealbumin levels [MD = 29.04, 95% CI (21.98, 36.10), P < .00001], higher total albumin levels [MD = 6.74, 95% CI (4.29, 9.19), P < .00001], and gastrin levels [MD = 15.93, 95% CI (10.12, 21.73), P < .00001]. However, there was no significant difference in albumin between the 2 groups [MD = 2.62, 95% CI (-0.30, 5.55), P = .08] or motilin levels [MD = 12.48, 95% CI (-43.59, 68.56), P = .66]. CONCLUSIONS: EEN plays an important role in the rehabilitation of patients with severe burns. EEN is beneficial to reduce complications and the length of hospital stay, maintain organ function, optimize the nutritional status of patients, promote wound healing, and improve the survival rate of patients.

One-Electron (2c/1e) Tin···Tin Bond Stabilized by ortho-Phenylenediamido Ligands.

Odd-electron bonds, i.e., the two-center, three-electron (2c/3e), or one-electron (2c/1e) bonds, have attracted tremendous interest owing to their novel bonding nature and radical properties. Herein, complex [K(THF)6][LSn:···Sn:L] (1), featuring the first and unsupported 2c/1e Sn···Sn σ-bond with a long distance (3.2155(9) Å), was synthesized by reduction of stannylene [LSn:] (L = N,N-dpp-o-phenylene diamide) with KC8. The one-electron Sn-Sn bond in 1 was confirmed by the crystal structure, DFT calculations, EPR spectroscopy, and reactivity studies. This compound can be viewed as a stabilized radical by delocalizing to two metal centers and can readily mediate radical reactions such as C-C coupling of benzaldehyde.

Monitoring and Mapping Winter Wheat Spring Frost Damage with MODIS Data and Statistical Data.

Spring frost is an extreme temperature event that poses a significant threat to winter wheat production and consequently jeopardizes food security. In the context of climate change, the accelerated phenology of winter wheat due to global warming advances the frost-sensitive stage, thereby escalating the risk of spring frost damage. Present techniques for monitoring and assessing frost damage heavily rely on meteorological data, controlled field experiments and crop model simulations, which cannot accurately depict the actual disaster situation for winter wheat. In this study, we propose a novel method that utilizes remote sensing index and statistical data to ascertain the spatial distribution of spring frost damage to winter wheat and evaluate the extent of damage. This method was employed to monitor and assess the spring frost damage event that occurred in Shandong province from 3 to 7 April 2018. The result shows that beginning on 3 April, the daily minimum temperature in western Shandong Province dropped significantly (decreased by 17.93 °C), accompanied by precipitation. The daily minimum temperature reached the lowest on 7 April (-1.48 °C). The growth of winter wheat began to be inhibited on 3 April 2018, and this process persisted until 13 April. Subsequently, the impact of spring frost damage on winter wheat ceased and growth gradually resumed. The affected area of winter wheat spanned 545,000 mu with an accuracy rate of 89.72%. Severely afflicted areas are mainly located in the cities of Jining, Zaozhuang, Dezhou, Heze, Liaocheng, Jinan and Tai'an in western Shandong province, and the yield reduction rates were 5.27~12.02%. Our monitoring results were consistent with the distribution of county-level winter wheat yield in 2018 in Shandong province, the daily minimum temperature distribution during spring frost and severely afflicted areas reported by the news. This method proves effective in delineating the spatial distribution of agricultural disasters and monitoring the extent of disaster damage. Furthermore, it can provide reliable information of disaster area and geospatial location for the agricultural department, thereby aiding in disaster damage assessment and post-disaster replanting.

A scientometric analysis and visualization of kinesiophobia research from 2002 to 2022: A review.

Kinesiophobia is an excessive, irrational, debilitating fear of physical movement and activity caused by a sense of vulnerability to pain or re-injury, which can have a direct impact on physical functioning and mental well-being of patients. This paper aims to provide reliable support for future in-depth research on kinesiophobia through scientometrics and historical review. Studies on kinesiophobia published from 2002 to 2022 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. CiteSpace and VOSviewer were used to conduct bibliometric analysis of the included studies and map knowledge domains. Keywords were manually clustered, and the results were analyzed and summarized in combination with a literature review. A total of 4157 original research articles and reviews were included. Research on kinesiophobia is developing steadily and has received more attention from scholars in recent years. There are regional differences in the distribution of research. Chronic pain is the focus of research in this field. A multidisciplinary model of pain neuroscience education combined with physical therapy based on cognitive-behavioral therapy and the introduction and development of virtual reality may be the frontier of research. There is a large space for the study of kinesiophobia. In the future, to improve regional academic exchanges and cooperation, more attention should be given to the clinical applicability and translation of scientific work, which will be conducive to improving the quality of life and physical and mental health outcomes of kinesiophobia patients.

In Situ Photoisomerization of an Azobenzene-Based Triple Helicate with a Prolonged Thermal Relaxation Time.

The phosphate-coordination triple helicates A2 L3 (A=anion) with azobenzene-spaced bis-bis(urea) ligands (L) have proven to undergo a rare in situ photoisomerization (without disassembly of the structure) rather than the typically known, stepwise "disassembly-isomerization-reassembly" process. This is enabled by the structural self-adaptability of the "aniono" assembly arising from multiple relatively weak and flexible hydrogen bonds between the phosphate anion and bis(urea) units. Notably, the Z→E thermal relaxation rate of the isomerized azobenzene unit is significantly decreased (up to 20-fold) for the triple helicates compared to the free ligands. Moreover, the binding of chiral guest cations inside the cavity of the Z-isomerized triple helicate can induce optically pure diastereomers, thus demonstrating a new strategy for making light-activated chiroptical materials.

CAMSAP1 role in orchestrating structure and dynamics of manchette microtubule minus-ends impacts male fertility during spermiogenesis.

The manchette is a crucial transient structure involved in sperm development, with its composition and regulation still not fully understood. This study focused on investigating the roles of CAMSAP1 and CAMSAP2, microtubule (MT) minus-end binding proteins, in regulating manchette MTs, spermiogenesis, and male fertility. The loss of CAMSAP1, but not CAMSAP2, disrupts the well-orchestrated process of spermiogenesis, leading to abnormal manchette elongation and delayed removal, resulting in deformed sperm nuclei and tails resembling oligoasthenozoospermia symptoms. We investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms by purifying manchette assemblies and comparing them through proteomic analysis, and results showed that the absence of CAMSAP1 disrupted the proper localization of key proteins (CEP170 and KIF2A) at the manchette minus end, compromising its structural integrity and hindering MT depolymerization. These findings highlight the significance of maintaining homeostasis in manchette MT minus-ends for shaping manchette morphology during late spermiogenesis, offering insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying infertility and sperm abnormalities.

Characterization of quinolone resistance in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and its monophasic variants from food and patients in China.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to characterize the quinolone resistance of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and its monophasic variant (Salmonella enterica serovar 1,4,[5],12:i:-) isolated from food and patients in China. METHODS: All of the isolates were assessed for quinolone susceptibility via the broth microdilution method. Then, the isolates were checked for mutations within quinolone resistance-determining regions of gyrA, gyrB, parC, and parE and were examined for plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes. RESULTS: High rates of resistance to nalidixic acid in the S. Typhimurium (70.7%) and S. 1,4,[5],12:i:- (41.9%) isolates were observed, and a considerable proportion of isolates with reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin were also detected. The high frequency of mutations in GyrA (60.8%) and a variety of genes (aac[6']-Ib-cr [23.2%], oqxAB [19.2%], qnrS [13.6%], and qnrA [3.2%]) conferring quinolone resistance in these Salmonella isolates were noteworthy. Lastly, the isolates carrying qnrS for transferability and transmission of the quinolone resistance were analysed by conjugation. Multiple locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis profiles indicated that some qnrS-positive isolates were clonally related, whilst the other isolates were genetically divergent. This suggested that both clonal spread of resistant strains and horizontal transmission of the plasmid-mediated resistance genes contributed to the dissemination of qnrS-positive Salmonella isolates. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the prevalence of quinolone-resistant S. Typhimurium and S. 1,4,[5],12:i:- in China, posing a threat to public health.

pH-Dependent phosphate separation using a tripodal hexaurea receptor.

We demonstrate that a tripodal hexaurea receptor can selectively bind PO43- anions via 12 hydrogen bonds with up to 3.8 × 106 M-1 binding affinity in DMSO, which is 38-fold stronger than SO42-. This receptor facilitates the extraction of PO43- from strongly basic aqueous solutions into chloroform using liquid-liquid extraction, followed by its release as the H2PO4- anion into an acidic solution. This pH-dependent phosphate extraction successfully enables selective separation of phosphate and sulfate anions.

Cronobacter spp. Isolated from Quick-Frozen Foods in China: Incidence, Genetic Characteristics, and Antibiotic Resistance.

Cronobacter spp. are emerging foodborne pathogens that cause severe diseases. However, information on Cronobacter contamination in quick-frozen foods in China is limited. Therefore, we studied the prevalence, molecular characterization, and antimicrobial susceptibility of Cronobacter in 576 quick-frozen food samples collected from 39 cities in China. Cronobacter spp. were found in 18.75% (108/576) of the samples, and the contamination degree of the total positive samples was 5.82 MPN/g. The contamination level of frozen flour product samples was high (44.34%). Among 154 isolates, 109 were C. sakazakii, and the main serotype was C. sakazakii O1 (44/154). Additionally, 11 serotypes existed among four species. Eighty-five sequence types (STs), including 22 novel ones, were assigned, indicating a relatively high genetic diversity of the Cronobacter in this food type. Pathogenic ST148, ST7, and ST1 were the main STs in this study. ST4, epidemiologically related to neonatal meningitis, was also identified. All strains were sensitive to cefepime, tobramycin, ciprofloxacin, and imipenem, in which the resistance to cephalothin was the highest (64.94%).Two isolates exhibited multidrug resistance to five and seven antimicrobial agents, respectively. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the comparatively high contamination level of Cronobacter spp. in quick-frozen foods is a potential risk warranting public attention.