Comprehensively evaluating the relationships between marital status and other family factors with cardiovascular disease and long-term overall mortality in the elderly: a study of 48 510 Chinese individuals.

BACKGROUND: Marital status is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence and overall mortality, yet limited research on this topic in elderly individuals is available. Our aim was to comprehensively assess the impact of marital status and other family factors on CVD incidence and long-term mortality among elderly people. METHODS: Data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (2002/2005/2008-2018) for participants aged ≥60 years were analysed. A cross-sectional study initially examined the correlation between spouses, offspring, living arrangements, and CVD using logistic regression. Subsequently, a retrospective cohort study investigated the long-term associations of these factors with overall mortality via Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: The study involved 48 510 subjects (average age: 87 years). The cross-sectional analysis revealed a correlation between living with a spouse and an increased incidence of heart disease (adjusted OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.04-1.55) and cerebrovascular disease/stroke (adjusted OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.11-1.42). According to the retrospective cohort analysis, living with a spouse significantly reduced overall mortality (adjusted HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.80-0.87), irrespective of marital relationship quality. Conversely, living with offspring (adjusted HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.08-1.16), having more children (adjusted Pnonlinearity = 0.427) or cohabitants (adjusted Pnonlinearity < 0.0001) were associated with increased overall mortality. CONCLUSION: In the elderly population, being married and living with a spouse were not significantly associated with a decrease in CVD incidence but were associated with a reduction in long-term overall mortality. Living with offspring, having more children, or having a larger family size did not replicate the protective effect but indicated greater overall mortality.

Association between red blood cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio and prognosis in non-ischaemic heart failure.

AIMS: Red blood cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio (RAR), an innovate biomarker of inflammation, can independently predict adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, the association between RAR and prognosis in patients with non-ischaemic heart failure (NIHF) remains unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 2077 NIHF patients admitted to the Heart Failure Care Unit, Fuwai Hospital, were consecutively enrolled from December 2006 to October 2017 in this retrospective study. The primary endpoint was a composite outcome of all-cause mortality and heart transplantation. The correlation between RAR and the composite outcome was assessed by the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the Cox regression analysis. Incremental predictive values and the clinical performance of RAR for all-cause mortality or heart transplantation were also assessed based on a 12-variable traditional risk model. The median follow-up time in this study was 1433 (1341, 1525) days. As the gender no longer satisfied the Cox proportional risk assumption after 1150 days, we set 1095 days as the follow-up time for analysis. A total of 500 patients reached the composite outcome. Multivariable Cox regression showed that per log2 increase of RAR was significantly associated with a 132.9% [hazard ratio 2.329, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.677-3.237, P < 0.001] increased risk of all-cause mortality or heart transplantation. Better model discrimination [concordance index: 0.766 (95% CI 0.754-0.778) vs. 0.758 (95% CI 0.746-0.770), P < 0.001], calibration (Akaike information criterion: 1487.3 vs. 1495.74; Bayesian information criterion: 1566.25 vs. 1569.43; Brier score: 1569.43 vs. 1569.43; likelihood ratio test P < 0.001), and reclassification (integrated discrimination improvement: 1.35%, 95% CI 0.63-2.07%, P < 0.001; net reclassification improvement: 13.73%, 95% CI 2.05-27.18%, P = 0.034) were improved after adding RAR to the traditional model (P < 0.001 for all). A higher overall net benefit was also obtained in the threshold risk probability of 20-55%. CONCLUSIONS: High level of RAR was an independent risk factor of poor outcome in NIHF.

Oral vitamin D supplementation on the prevention of peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis: A pilot randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis is independently associated with low serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] levels. Our objective is to examine the feasibility of conducting a large, randomised controlled trial to determine the effects of vitamin D supplementation on the risk of PD-related peritonitis. DESIGN: Pilot, prospective, open-label randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Peking University First Hospital, China. PARTICIPANTS: Patients receiving PD who had recovered from a recent episode of peritonitis between 30 September 2017 and 28 May 2020. INTERVENTIONS: Oral natural vitamin D supplementation (2000 IU per day) versus no vitamin D supplementation for 12 months. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes were feasibility (recruitment success, retention, adherence, safety) and fidelity (change in serum 25(OH)D level during follow-up) for a large, randomised controlled trial in the future to determine the effects of vitamin D on PD-related peritonitis. Secondary outcomes were time to peritonitis occurrence and outcome of subsequent peritonitis. RESULTS: Overall, 60 among 151 patients were recruited (recruitment rate was 39.7%, 95% CI 31.9-47.5%, recruitment rate among eligible patients was 61.9%, 95% CI 52.2-71.5%). Retention and adherence rates were 100.0% (95% CI 100.0-100.0%) and 81.5% (95% CI 66.8-96.1%), respectively. During follow-up, serum 25(OH)D levels increased in the vitamin D (VD) group (from 19.25 ± 10.11 nmol/L to 60.27 ± 23.29 nmol/L after 6 months, p < 0.001, n = 31), and remained higher (p < 0.001) than those in the control group (n = 29). No differences were observed between the two groups with respect to time to subsequent peritonitis (hazard ratio 0.85, 95% CI 0.33-2.17) or any of the peritonitis outcomes. Adverse events were uncommon. CONCLUSIONS: A randomised controlled trial of the effect of vitamin D supplementation on peritonitis occurrence in patients receiving PD is feasible, safe and results in adequate serum 25(OH)D levels.

Single Idiosyncratic Ionic Generator Working in Iso-Osmotic Solutions Via Ligand Confined Assembled in Gaps Between Nanosheets.

Numerous reported bioinspired osmotic energy conversion systems employing cation-/anion-selective membranes and solutions with different salinity are actually far from the biological counterpart. The iso-osmotic power generator with the specific ionic permselective channels (e.g., K+ or Na+ channels) which just allow specific ions to get across and iso-osmotic solutions still remain challenges. Inspired by nature, we report a bioinspired K+ -channel by employing a K+ selective ligand, 1,1,1-tris{[(2'-benzylaminoformyl)phenoxy]methyl}ethane (BMP) and graphene oxide membrane. Specifically, the K+ and Na+ selectivity of the prepared system could reach up to ≈17.8, and the molecular dynamics simulation revealed that the excellent permselectivity of K+ mainly stemmed from the formed suitable channel size. Thus, we assembled the K+ -selective iso-osmotic power generator (KSIPG) with the power density up to ≈15.1 mW/m2 between equal concentration solutions, which is higher than traditional charge-selective osmotic power generator (CSOPG). The proposed strategy has well shown the realizable approach to construct single-ion selective channels-based highly efficient iso-osmotic energy conversion systems and would surely inspire new applications in other fields, including self-powered systems and medical materials, etc.

Video-rate 3D imaging of living cells using Fourier view-channel-depth light field microscopy.

Interrogation of subcellular biological dynamics occurring in a living cell often requires noninvasive imaging of the fragile cell with high spatiotemporal resolution across all three dimensions. It thereby poses big challenges to modern fluorescence microscopy implementations because the limited photon budget in a live-cell imaging task makes the achievable performance of conventional microscopy approaches compromise between their spatial resolution, volumetric imaging speed, and phototoxicity. Here, we incorporate a two-stage view-channel-depth (VCD) deep-learning reconstruction strategy with a Fourier light-field microscope based on diffractive optical element to realize fast 3D super-resolution reconstructions of intracellular dynamics from single diffraction-limited 2D light-filed measurements. This VCD-enabled Fourier light-filed imaging approach (F-VCD), achieves video-rate (50 volumes per second) 3D imaging of intracellular dynamics at a high spatiotemporal resolution of ~180 nm × 180 nm × 400 nm and strong noise-resistant capability, with which light field images with a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) down to -1.62 dB could be well reconstructed. With this approach, we successfully demonstrate the 4D imaging of intracellular organelle dynamics, e.g., mitochondria fission and fusion, with ~5000 times of observation.

Organic fluorescent probes for live-cell super-resolution imaging.

The development of super-resolution technology has made it possible to investigate the ultrastructure of intracellular organelles by fluorescence microscopy, which has greatly facilitated the development of life sciences and biomedicine. To realize super-resolution imaging of living cells, both advanced imaging systems and excellent fluorescent probes are required. Traditional fluorescent probes have good availability, but that is not the case for probes for live-cell super-resolution imaging. In this review, we first introduce the principles of various super-resolution technologies and their probe requirements, then summarize the existing designs and delivery strategies of super-resolution probes for live-cell imaging, and finally provide a brief conclusion and overview of the future.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and low NT-proBNP levels.

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients hospitalized with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and low N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels. Seven hundred ninety consecutive patients hospitalized with HFpEF from 2006 to 2017 were enrolled. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared between low NT-proBNP group (<300 ng/L) and elevated NT-proBNP group (≥300 ng/L). 108 HFpEF patients (13.7%) presented with low NT-proBNP levels. Age, body mass index, atrial fibrillation, New York Heart Association functional class, and albumin were independent predictors of low NT-proBNP levels in HFpEF patients. During the median follow-up duration of 1103 days, 11 patients (10.2%) in low NT-proBNP group suffered from primary endpoint event. Elevated NT-proBNP group had a higher risk of all-cause death or heart transplantation than low NT-proBNP group (adjusted HR [95%CI]: 2.36 [1.24,4.49], P = .009). Stratified analyses showed that the association between NT-proBNP (elevated NT-proBNP group vs low NT-proBNP group) and risk of all-cause death or heart transplantation was stronger in non-atrial fibrillation patients than in atrial fibrillation patients (P value for interaction = .025). Furthermore, the associations between NT-proBNP and risk of all-cause death or heart transplantation were stronger in younger and male patients than in older and female patients. However, both subgroups only reached borderline significant (P values for interaction = .062 and .084, respectively). Our findings suggest that low NT-proBNP levels were common in patients hospitalized with HFpEF. Patients with HFpEF and low NT-proBNP levels had a better prognosis than those with elevated NT-proBNP levels, particularly in younger, male, and non-atrial fibrillation patients.

HNEAP Regulates Necroptosis of Cardiomyocytes by Suppressing the m5 C Methylation of Atf7 mRNA.

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are highly expressed in various cardiovascular diseases. However, their role in cardiomyocyte death caused by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, especially necroptosis, remains elusive. In this study, a heart necroptosis-associated piRNA (HNEAP) is found that regulates cardiomyocyte necroptosis by targeting DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1)-mediated 5-methylcytosine (m5 C) methylation of the activating transcription factor 7 (Atf7) mRNA transcript. HNEAP expression level is significantly elevated in hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-exposed cardiomyocytes and I/R-injured mouse hearts. Loss of HNEAP inhibited cardiomyocyte necroptosis and ameliorated cardiac function in mice. Mechanistically, HNEAP directly interacts with DNMT1 and attenuates m5 C methylation of the Atf7 mRNA transcript, which increases Atf7 expression level. ATF7 can further downregulate the transcription of Chmp2a, an inhibitor of necroptosis, resulting in the reduction of Chmp2a level and the progression of cardiomyocyte necroptosis. The findings reveal that piRNA-mediated m5 C methylation is involved in the regulation of cardiomyocyte necroptosis. Thus, the HNEAP-DNMT1-ATF7-CHMP2A axis may be a potential target for attenuating cardiac injury caused by necroptosis in ischemic heart disease.

Three-dimensional multi-color optical nanoscopy at sub-10-nm resolution based on small-molecule organic probes.

Achieving nanometer-scale resolution remains challenging in expansion microscopy due to photon loss. To address this concern, here we develop a multi-color expansion stimulated emission depletion technique based on small-molecule probes to realize high labeling density and intensity. Our method substantially lowers the barrier to visualizing diverse intracellular proteins and their interactions in three dimensions. It enables us to achieve sub-10-nm resolution in structures such as microfilaments, lysosomes, and mitochondria, providing new insights into cell biology.

[Clinical Value of Genetic Susceptibility Genes for Myeloid Neoplasm in Myeloproliferative Neoplasm].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of genetic susceptibility genes for myeloid tumors on the clinical characteristics of patients with myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN). METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-two patients with MPN diagnosed at the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from September 2017 to December 2021 were collected, myeloid neoplasm-related genes were detected by targeted next-generation sequencing, and germline mutations were verified. The clinical characteristics and prognosis of MPN patients with germlines mutations in the genetic susceptibility gene for myeloid neoplasm were analyzed. RESULTS: The germline mutation carrier rate of myeloid neoplasm genetic susceptibility gene in MPN patients was 21.6% (50/232), and the PV, ET and PMF patients carrying germline mutations of genetic susceptibility gene for myeloid neoplasm were 25/114 (21.9%), 8/69 (11.6%) and 17/49 (34.7%), respectively, among which PMF patients had the highest carrier rate (P=0.01) and were older (P=0.02). The incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in MPN patients carrying the genetic susceptibitity genes for myeloid neoplasm was higher than that in the non-carrier group (26.5% vs 11.8%, P=0.05). Germline mutations in the genetic susceptibility gene of myeloid neoplasm in MPN patients were mainly concentrated in the RAS pathway, and patients with germline mutations in the genetic susceptibility gene of myeloid neoplasm associated with the RAS pathway had shorter survival without AML progression (P<0.0001). The overall survival time in MPN patients with CBL and TP53 germline mutations was shorter than that of non-carrier group (P=0.001; P=0.043). CONCLUSION: In MPN, PMF patients are more likely to carry germline mutations in the genetic susceptibility gene for myeloid neoplasm. MPN patients with germline mutations carring the genetic susceptibility gene for myeloid neoplasm are prone to chromosomal abnormalities; Patients with MPN who have germline mutations in the genetic susceptibility gene for myeloid neoplasm in the RAS pathway are more likely to develop AML; CBL and TP53 germline mutations affect the overall survival of MPN patients.

An eco-friendly photo-responsive hyaluronic acid-based supramolecular polysaccharide hybrid hydrogels for plant growth regulation and heavy metal ions adsorption.

Agrochemicals are widely used in agricultural production, but they may cause agrochemicals residues and environmental pollution. Polysaccharide-based materials have emerged as a promising biopolymer carrier for agrochemicals delivery. Herein, an eco-friendly, photo-responsive supramolecular polysaccharide hybrid hydrogels (HA-AAP-Guano-CD@LP) was constructed from arylazopyrazole-modified hyaluronic acid (HA-AAP), guanidinium functionalized ß-cyclodextrin (Guano-CD), and laponite clay (LP) via synergistic host-guest and electrostatic interactions, which could realize the controlled release of plant growth regulators such as naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and gibberellin (GA) and promote the growth of Chinese cabbage and alfalfa. More interestingly, after releasing the cargo, the hydrogels could be used to capture heavy metal ions via strong complexation between the ions and carboxyl groups. This polysaccharide-based supramolecular hybrid hydrogels may provide a new strategy to realize the precision agriculture by the controlled delivery of plant growth regulators and synergetic adsorption of pollutants.

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome without STK11 mutation may correlate with less severe clinical manifestations in Chinese patients.

BACKGROUND: Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is an autosomal dominant genetic disease with skin mucosal pigment spots and gastrointestinal (GI) multiple hamartoma polyps as clinical characteristics. At present, it is considered that the germline mutation of STK11 gene is the genetic cause of PJS. However, not all PJS patients can be detected STK11 germline mutations. The specific clinical characteristics of these PJS patients without STK11 mutation is an interesting clinical question. Or, like wild type GI stromal tumor, whether these PJS without STK11 mutation are also called PJS is worth discussing. Therefore, we designed the study to understand the clinical characteristics of these PJS patients without STK11 mutation. AIM: To investigates whether PJS patients with known STK11 mutations have a more severe spectrum of clinical phenotypes compared to those without. METHODS: A total of 92 patients with PJS admitted to the Air Force Medical Center from 2010 to 2022 were randomly selected for study. Genomic DNA samples were extracted from peripheral blood samples, and pathogenic germline mutations of STK11 were detected by high-throughput next-generation gene sequencing. Clinical-pathologic manifestations of patients with and without STK11/LKB1 mutations were compared. RESULTS: STK11 germline mutations were observed in 73 patients with PJS. Among 19 patients with no detectable STK11 mutations, six had no pathogenic germline mutations of other genes, while 13 had other genetic mutations. Compared with PJS patients with STK11 mutations, those without tended to be older at the age of initial treatment, age of first intussusception and age of initial surgery. They also had a lower number of total hospitalizations relating to intussusception or intestinal obstruction, and a lower load of small intestine polyps. CONCLUSION: PJS patients without STK11 mutations might have less severe clinical-pathologic manifestations than those with.

Sensitivity investigation of a biosensor with resonant coupling of propagating surface plasmons to localized surface plasmons in the near infrared region.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) can be used to improve the performance of propagating surface plasmon resonance (PSPR) refractive index sensors. The resonant coupling effect between PSPR and localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) supported by AuNPs on sensitivity remains to be elucidated in terms of evanescent field intensity and distribution. In this study, we directly compare the sensitivity of the PSPR sensor and the resonant coupling mode between the PSPR and LSPR sensors in the wavelength scanning mode. The sensitivity of PSPR can be significantly improved in the near-infrared region excitation wavelength. 1,6-Hexanedithiol was used to achieve a AuNP modified gold film (GF-AuNP). The PSPR excited by the prism coupling mechanism can effectively stimulate LSPR supported by AuNPs in the GF-AuNP, and then resonant coupling is generated. Compared with PSPR, the resonant coupling mode shows a decrease in penetration depth by 28 times and an increase in the surface electric field intensity by 4.6 times in the numerical simulations. The decrease in the penetration depth in the GF-AuNP is made at the expense of bulk sensitivity. The biosensing sensitivity of the GF-AuNP shows up to 7-fold improvement in the carcinoembryonic antigen immunoassay and the GF-AuNP is proven to be a better biosensor. The experimental measurements are in excellent agreement with the theoretical model. This study can be also considered as a guide for the design of plasmonic sensors for detecting multiple substances at different scales, such as cells and proteins.

Circular RNA FEACR inhibits ferroptosis and alleviates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by interacting with NAMPT.

BACKGROUND: Emerging research has reported that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play important roles in cardiac cell death after myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). Ferroptosis, a new form of cell death discovered in recent years, has been proven to participate in the regulation of myocardial I/R. This study used circRNA sequencing to explore the key circRNA in the regulation of cardiac ferroptosis after I/R and study the mechanisms of potential circRNA function. METHODS: We performed circRNA sequencing to explore circRNAs differentially expressed after myocardial I/R. We used quantitative polymerase chain reactions to determine the circRNA expression in different tissues and detect the circRNA subcellular localization in the cardiomyocyte. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were aimed to examine the function of circRNAs in cardiomyocyte ferroptosis and cardiac tissue damage after myocardial I/R. RNA pull-down was applied to explore proteins interacting with circRNA. RESULTS: Here, we identified a ferroptosis-associated circRNA (FEACR) that has an underlying regulatory role in cardiomyocyte ferroptosis. FEACR overexpression suppressed I/R-induced myocardial infarction and ameliorated cardiac function. FEACR inhibition induces ferroptosis in cardiomyocytes and FEACR overexpression inhibits hypoxia and reoxygenation-induced ferroptosis. Mechanistically, FEACR directly bound to nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) and enhanced the protein stability of NAMPT, which increased NAMPT-dependent Sirtuin1 (Sirt1) expression, which promoted the transcriptional activity of forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) by reducing FOXO1 acetylation levels. FOXO1 further upregulated the transcription of ferritin heavy chain 1 (Fth1), a ferroptosis suppressor, which resulted in the inhibition of cardiomyocyte ferroptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our finding reveals that the circRNA FEACR-mediated NAMPT-Sirt1-FOXO1-FTH1 signaling axis participates in the regulation of cardiomyocyte ferroptosis and protects the heart function against I/R injury. Thus, FEACR and its downstream factors could be novel targets for alleviating ferroptosis-related myocardial injury in ischemic heart diseases.

Superresolution Fluorescence Microscopy of Platelet Subcellular Structures as a Potential Tumor Liquid Biopsy.

Blood-based tumor liquid biopsies are promising as an alternative or complement to tissue biopsies due to their noninvasiveness, convenience, and safety, and there is still a great demand for the discovery of new biomarkers for these biopsies. Here, nanoscale distribution patterns of subcellular structures in platelets, as imaged by structured illumination superresolution fluorescence microscopy, as a new type of potential biomarker for tumor liquid biopsies are presented. A standardized protocol for platelet sample preparation and developed an automated high-throughput image analysis workflow is established. The diagnostic capability based on the statistical analysis of 280 000 superresolution images of individual platelets from a variety of tumor patients, benign mass patients, and healthy volunteers (n = 206) is explored. These results suggest that the nanoscale distribution patterns of α-granules in platelets have the potential to be biomarkers for several cancers, including glioma and cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers, facilitating not only diagnosis but also therapeutic monitoring. This study provides a promising novel type of platelet parameter for tumor liquid biopsies at the subcellular level rather than the existing cellular or molecular level and opens up a new avenue for clinical applications of superresolution imaging techniques.

Enantiomeric separation and precise quantification of chiral volatiles in Wuyi rock teas using an efficient enantioselective GC × GC-TOFMS approach.

Chiral volatiles play important roles in the formation of aroma quality of foods. To date, enantiomeric characteristics of chiral volatiles in Wuyi rock tea (WRT) and their aroma contributions are still unclear. In this study, an efficient enantioselective comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Es-GC × GC-TOFMS) approach to separate and precisely quantitate 24 pairs of chiral volatiles in WRTs was established, and the enantiomeric distribution and aroma contribution of chiral volatiles among WRTs from four representative cultivars were investigated. Enantiomeric ratio (ER) of R-α-ionone (80%) in Dahongpao (DHP), ER of S-α-terpineol (57%) in Jinfo (JF), ERs of R-γ-heptanolactone (69%), S-γ-nonanolactone (55%), (2R, 5S)-theaspirane B (91%), concentration of S-(E)-nerolidol (313.37 ng/mL) in Rougui (RG) and concentration of R-α-ionone (33.01 ng/mL) in Shuixian (SX) were unique from other types of WRTs, which were considered as the potential chemical markers to distinguish WRT cultivars. The OAV assessment determined 7 volatile enantiomers as the aroma-active compounds, especially R-α-ionone and R-δ-octanolactone in SX, as well as S-(E)-nerolidol and (1R, 2R)-methyl jasmonate in RG contribute much to aroma formation of the corresponding WRTs. The above results provide scientific references for discrimination of tea cultivars and directed improvement of the aroma quality of WRT.

Quantitative structured illumination microscopy via a physical model-based background filtering algorithm reveals actin dynamics.

Despite the prevalence of superresolution (SR) microscopy, quantitative live-cell SR imaging that maintains the completeness of delicate structures and the linearity of fluorescence signals remains an uncharted territory. Structured illumination microscopy (SIM) is the ideal tool for live-cell SR imaging. However, it suffers from an out-of-focus background that leads to reconstruction artifacts. Previous post hoc background suppression methods are prone to human bias, fail at densely labeled structures, and are nonlinear. Here, we propose a physical model-based Background Filtering method for living cell SR imaging combined with the 2D-SIM reconstruction procedure (BF-SIM). BF-SIM helps preserve intricate and weak structures down to sub-70 nm resolution while maintaining signal linearity, which allows for the discovery of dynamic actin structures that, to the best of our knowledge, have not been previously monitored.

Effects of warming on quantity and structure of litter-derived dissolved organic matter in subtropical natural Castanopsis kawakamii forests.

Litter-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM) is an important source of soil DOM, and the response of which to climate warming may change forest soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics, such as soil carbon and nitrogen mineralization. In this study, we conducted a field manipulative warming experiment in natural Castanopsis kawakamii forests. Combined with litter leaching solution collected in the field and ultraviolet-visible and three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy analyses, we explored the effects of warming on the content and structure of litter-derived DOM in subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests. The results showed that litter-derived dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen content exhibited monthly dynamics, with the peak (in April) and the mean monthly content being 1.02 and 0.15 g·m-2, respectively. Litter-derived DOM had higher fluorescence index and lower biological index, indicating the microbial-origin of DOM from litter. The litter DOM mainly included humic-like fractions and tryptophan-like substances. Warming did not affect the content, aromaticity, hydrophobicity, molecular weight, fluorescence index, biological index and humification index of DOM, suggesting neutral effect of warming on the quantity and structure of litter DOM. Warming also did not affect the relative contribution of main components in DOM, indicating that the temperature variation exerted no effects on microbial degradation. In summary, warming did not change the quantity and quality of litter-derived DOM in subtropical evergreen broadleaved forests, indicating warming had little effect on litter-derived DOM input to soil.

PI4P-Containing Vesicles from Golgi Contribute to Mitochondrial Division by Coordinating with Polymerized Actin.

Golgi-derived PI4P-containing vesicles play important roles in mitochondrial division, which is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis. However, the mechanism of the PI4P-containing vesicle effect on mitochondrial division is unclear. Here, we found that actin appeared to polymerize at the contact site between PI4P-containing vesicles and mitochondria, causing mitochondrial division. Increasing the content of PI4P derived from the Golgi apparatus increased actin polymerization and reduced the length of the mitochondria, suggesting that actin polymerization through PI4P-containing vesicles is involved in PI4P vesicle-related mitochondrial division. Collectively, our results support a model in which PI4P-containing vesicles derived from the Golgi apparatus cooperate with actin filaments to participate in mitochondrial division by contributing to actin polymerization, which regulates mitochondrial dynamics. This study enriches the understanding of the pathways that regulate mitochondrial division and provides new insight into mitochondrial dynamics.

Clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: Experience with 566 Chinese cases.

BACKGROUND: Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is a clinically rare disease with pigmented spots on the lips and mucous membranes and extremities, scattered gastrointestinal polyps, and susceptibility to tumors as clinical manifestations. Effective preventive and curative methods are still lacking. Here we summarize our experience with 566 Chinese patients with PJS from a Chinese medical center with regard to the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment. AIM: To explore the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of PJS in a Chinese medical center. METHODS: The diagnosis and treatment information of 566 cases of PJS admitted to the Air Force Medical Center from January 1994 to October 2022 was summarized. A clinical database was established covering age, gender, ethnicity, family history, age at first treatment, time and sequence of appearance of mucocutaneous pigmentation, polyp distribution, quantity, and diameter, frequency of hospitalization, frequency of surgical operations, etc. The clinical data was retrospectively analyzed using SPSS 26.0 software, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of all the patients included, 55.3% were male and 44.7% were female. Median time to the appearance of mucocutaneous pigmentation was 2 years, and median time from the appearance of mucocutaneous pigmentation to the occurrence of abdominal symptoms was 10 years. The vast majority (92.2%) of patients underwent small bowel endoscopy and treatment, with 2.3% having serious complications. There was a statistically significant difference in the number of enteroscopies between patients with and without canceration (P = 0.004, Z = -2.882); 71.2% of patients underwent surgical operation, 75.6% of patients underwent surgical operation before the age of 35 years, and there was a statistically significant difference in the frequency of surgical operations between patients with and without cancer (P = 0.000, Z = -5.127). At 40 years of age, the cumulative risk of intussusception in PJS was approximately 72.0%, and at 50 years, the cumulative risk of intussusception in PJS was approximately 89.6%. At 50 years of age, the cumulative risk of cancer in PJS was approximately 49.3%, and at 60 years of age, the cumulative risk of cancer in PJS was approximately 71.7%. CONCLUSION: The risk of intussusception and cancer of PJS polyps increases with age. PJS patients ≥ 10 years old should undergo annual enteroscopy. Endoscopic treatment has a good safety profile and can reduce the occurrence of polyps intussusception and cancer. Surgery should be conducted to protect the gastrointestinal system by removing polyps.