Near-Infrared Fluorescent Nanoprobes for Adenosine Triphosphate-Guided Imaging in Cancer and Fatty Liver Mice.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), as an indispensable biomolecule, is the main energy source of cells and is used as a marker for diseases such as cancer and fatty liver. It is of great significance to design a near-infrared fluorescent nanoprobe with excellent performance and apply it to various disease models. Here, a near-infrared fluorescent nanoprobe (ZIF-90@SiR) based on a zeolitic imidazole framework is proposed. The fluorescent nanoprobes are synthesized by encapsulating the dye (SiR) into the framework of ZIF-90. Upon the addition of ATP, the structure of the ZIF-90@SiR nanoprobe is disrupted and SiR is released to generate near-infrared fluorescence at 670 nm. In the process of ATP detection, ZIF-90@SiR shows high sensitivity and good selectivity. Moreover, the ZIF-90@SiR nanoprobe has good biocompatibility due to its low toxicity to cells. It is used for fluorescence imaging of ATP in living cells and thus distinguishing normal cells and cancer cells, as well as distinguishing fatty liver cells. Due to excellent near-infrared fluorescence properties, the ZIF-90@SiR nanoprobe can not only distinguish normal mice and tumor mice but also differentiate normal mice and fatty liver mice for the first time.

Downregulation of DDIT4 ameliorates abnormal behaviors in autism by inhibiting ferroptosis via the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex disease with unclear etiology. Studies have shown that ferroptosis is also related to ASD progression, but the specific mechanism is still unclear. Valproic acid (VPA) induced neuronal ferroptosis in vitro. Mechanistic studies showed that both VPA and ferroptosis inducers promoted the expression of DDIT4 in neurons, thereby inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway. DDIT4 increased the accumulation of ROS, MDA and Fe2+, inhibited neuronal viability and downregulated GPX4 expression by inactivating the PI3K/Akt pathway. Ferroptosis inhibitors reversed the anti-survival effect of DDIT4, indicating that DDIT4 enhances ferroptosis through the PI3K/Akt pathway, thereby inhibiting neuronal viability. Further in vivo experiments found that autistic mice had high levels of ROS, MDA and Fe2+, increased DDIT4 expression, and downregulated expression levels of GPX4, p-PI3K and p-Akt; after downregulation of DDIT4 expression, the accumulation of ROS, MDA and Fe2+ was significantly reduced, while the expression levels of GPX4, p-PI3K and p-Akt were upregulated, indicating that DDIT4 knockdown reduces ferroptosis in autistic mice. In addition, DDIT4 downregulation, PI3K/Akt pathway activation, and ferroptosis inhibitors all improved social behavior deficits, repetitive stereotyped and compulsive behaviors, anxiety and exploratory behaviors in autistic mice, but PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitors significantly blocked the rescue of abnormal behaviors by DDIT4 downregulation in autistic mice. Therefore, downregulation of DDIT4 expression ameliorates abnormal behaviors in autism by inhibiting ferroptosis via the PI3K/Akt pathway, indicating that DDIT4, the PI3K/Akt pathway and ferroptosis have key roles in autism.

Habitat-related plastome evolution in the mycoheterotrophic Neottia listeroides complex (Orchidaceae, Neottieae).

BACKGROUND: Mycoheterotrophs, acquiring organic carbon and other nutrients from mycorrhizal fungi, have evolved repeatedly with substantial plastid genome (plastome) variations. To date, the fine-scale evolution of mycoheterotrophic plastomes at the intraspecific level is not well-characterized. A few studies have revealed unexpected plastome divergence among species complex members, possibly driven by various biotic/abiotic factors. To illustrate evolutionary mechanisms underlying such divergence, we analyzed plastome features and molecular evolution of 15 plastomes of Neottia listeroides complex from different forest habitats. RESULTS: These 15 samples of Neottia listeroides complex split into three clades according to their habitats approximately 6 million years ago: Pine Clade, including ten samples from pine-broadleaf mixed forests, Fir Clade, including four samples from alpine fir forests and Fir-willow Clade with one sample. Compared with those of Pine Clade members, plastomes of Fir Clade members show smaller size and higher substitution rates. Plastome size, substitution rates, loss and retention of plastid-encoded genes are clade-specific. We propose to recognized six species in N. listeroides complex and slightly modify the path of plastome degradation. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide insight into the evolutionary dynamics and discrepancy of closely related mycoheterotrophic orchid lineages at a high phylogenetic resolution.

Matrine suppression of self-renewal was dependent on regulation of LIN28A/Let-7 pathway in breast cancer stem cells.

Matrine, a natural product extracted from the root of Sophora flavescens Ait, was the main chemical ingredient of compounds of Kushen injection, which has been widely used for its remarkable anticancer effects for years. The underlying mechanisms for Matrine regulations of human breast cancer stem cells (BrCSCs) are barely known. LIN28, a well-characterized suppressor of Let-7 microRNA biogenesis, playing vital roles in regulations of stem cells' renewal and tumorigenesis. Here we show that the compounds of Kushen injection derived Matrine could suppress the BrCSCs differentiation and self-renewal through downregulating the expression of Lin28A, resulting in the inactivation of Wnt pathway through a Let-7b-dependent way. In opposite to Matrine, Cisplatin treatment increases the ability of tumorsphere formation and the expression of BrCSCs markers, which was partially blocked by either Let-7b overexpression or CCND1 inhibition. Furthermore, Matrine sensitized BrCSCs to cisplatin's suppression of cancer expansion in vitro and in vivo. Our study uncovers the role of the LIN28A/Let-7 in BrCSCs renewal, and more importantly, elucidated a novel mechanism by which Matrine induces breast cancer involution.

Predicting the Survival of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in Different Stages: A SEER Population Based Research Referring to Clinicopathological Factors.

To evaluate prognosis of breast cancer patients, a total of 16,618 TNBC patients from SEER database were involved. High grade, unmarried status, tumor site were the main factors reduced OS in stage I. Black race, unmarried, large tumor size, and nodes metastasis would make worse prognosis in stage II. Compared with stage II, race and marital status had no significant effect on the prognosis in stage III. In stage IV, married status significantly improved the OS and DSS. Surgery and chemotherapy improve survival time in all of stages. Clinicopathological status correlated with the prognosis of patients with differentially staged TNBC.

[Optimization of Formulation of Panax notoginseng Saponins Transfersomes].

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the formulation of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) transfersomes. METHODS: PNS transfersomes were prepared by film hydration-dispersion process. Based on the entrapment efficiency (EE) of ginsenoside Rg1 and ginsenoside Rb1, the effects of formulated quantity of sodium deoxycholate and cholesterol, the relative ion strength and pH value of hydration liquid were investigated. The formulation of PNS transfersomes were optimized by single-factor experiment and uniform design experiment. The in vitro characteristics of the optimized transfersomes were evaluated. RESULTS: The optimum formulation were as follows: egg phospholipid 0.45 g, cholesterol 0.05 g,vitamin E 0.01 g, sodium deoxycholate 0.119 g, PNS 0.1 g,10 mL of hydration liquid with pH at 4.75 (a mixture of 0.1 mol/L citric acid solution and 0.2 mol/L disodium orthophosphate solution, which corresponded to appropriate ion strength). The optimized PNS transfersomes had an average size of (121.8 ± 3.9) nm with a PDI of 0.136 ± 0.007 and a Zeta potential of (-8. 24 ± 0. 63) mV. The EE of ginsenoside Rg1 and ginsenoside Rb1 was 88.0% and 98.7% respectively. CONCLUSION: The formulation of PNS transfersomes can be optimized by uniform design experiment combined with single-factor experiment.

[Incidence of accident proneness and its influencing factors in rural children].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of accident proneness and its influencing factors in rural children. METHODS: By random cluster sampling, 1 560 children were enrolled from one rural area in Hunan Province, China, and were surveyed with self-designed general and injury questionnaires. Unconditional multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the major risk factors for accident-prone children. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-seven accident-prone children were screened out and the incidence of accident proneness was 9.42%. Univariate analysis showed that gender (P<0.01), academic record (P<0.01), left-behind status (P<0.05), family type (P<0.05), family economic status (P<0.01), guardian's gender (P<0.05), guardian's marital status (P<0.05), guardian's occupation (P<0.05), and family educational mode (P<0.05) were influencing factors for accident proneness in rural children. Multivariate logistic regression analysis further revealed that low grade (OR=3.683, 95%CI: 1.028-4.283) and very low grade (OR=2.099, 95% CI: 1.587-8.546) in academic record, poverty in family economic status (OR=2.353, 95% CI: 1.222-4.533), and indulgence or indifference (OR=1.914, 95% CI: 1.029-3.559) and fickleness (OR=4.153, 95% CI: 1.847-9.338) in guardian's educational mode were risk factors for accident proneness in rural children, while female gender (OR=0.539, 95% CI: 0.369-0.788) was a protective factor. CONCLUSIONS: Low academic record, poor family economy, and incorrect family education mode (indulgence or indifference and fickleness) would increase the incidence of accident proneness in rural children, but girls have less accident proneness than boys.

Genetic diversity of vector-borne zoonotic pathogens in companion dogs and cats, Tianjin, China.

Background: Dogs and cats are the hosts of many vector-borne human pathogens that can be transmitted to humans. Given their direct and intimate contact with humans, companion dogs and cats are considered direct sentinels of vector-borne human pathogens. However, limited information is currently available regarding canine and feline zoonotic pathogens in China. This study detected canine and feline vector-borne human pathogens to better understand the potential risk to humans. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 275 domestic companion animals (117 dogs and 158 cats) living in Tianjin city, China, and the presence of DNA from Anaplasma, Babesia, Bartonella, and Rickettsia was detected by semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR products of the expected size were sequenced, and these newly generated sequences were subjected to BLASTN, nucleotide identity, and phylogenetic analyses. Results: A total of 24 blood samples tested positive for vector-borne pathogens in companion dogs and cats in Tianjin city, China, with a relatively low positive rate of 8.7%. Specifically, seven human pathogens, including Rickettsia raoultii, Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis, Rickettsia sibirica, Rickettsia felis, Babesia venatorum, Bartonella tribocorum, and Bartonella Henselae, were identified. In addition, Anaplasma ovis with zoonotic potential and Candidatus A. cinensis were detected. Conclusion: Our results indicate substantial genetic diversity in the vector-borne human pathogens circulating in companion dogs and cats. Interventions based on "One Health" should be taken to reduce the potential risks of contracting infection from companion dogs and cats in Tianjin, China.

Risk factors for postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing heart valve surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for postoperative delirium (POD) in elderly patients undergoing heart valve surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). METHODS: Elderly patients undergoing elective heart valve surgery with CPB in The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between March 2022 and March 2023 were selected for this investigation. They were divided into a POD group and a non-POD group. Their baseline information was collected and recorded, and the patients were subjected to neurocognitive function assessment using the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scales before surgery. We also recorded their intraoperative indicators such as duration of surgery, duration of CPB, duration of aortic cross-clamp, blood transfusion, and postoperative indicators such as duration of mechanical ventilation, postoperative 24-hour drainage volume, and pain score. Regional cerebral oxygen saturation was monitored intraoperatively by near-infrared spectroscopy based INVOS5100C Regional Oximeter. Patients were assessed for the occurrence of POD using Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit, and logistic regression analysis of risk factors for POD was performed. RESULTS: The study finally included 132 patients, with 47 patients in the POD group and 85 ones in the non-POD group. There were no significant differences in baseline information and preoperative indicators between the two groups. However, marked differences were identified in duration of surgery, duration of CPB, duration of aortic cross-clamp, duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation, postoperative length of stay in cardiac intensive care unit, postoperative length of hospital stay, intraoperative blood transfusion, postoperative pain score, and postoperative 24-hour drainage volume between the two groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, the two groups had significant differences in rScO2 at each intraoperative time point and in the difference of rScO2 from baseline at each intraoperative time point (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that duration of surgery > 285 min (OR, 1.021 [95% CI, 1.008-1.035]; p = 0.002), duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation > 23.5 h (OR, 6.210 [95% CI, 1.619-23.815]; p = 0.008), and postoperative CCU stay > 3.5 d (OR, 3.927 [95% CI, 1.046-14.735]; p = 0.043) were independent risk factors of the occurrence of POD while change of rScO2 at T1>50.5 (OR, 0.832 [95% CI 0.736-0.941]; p = 0.003) was a protective factor for POD. CONCLUSION: Duration of surgery duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation and postoperative CCU stay are risk factors for POD while change of rScO2 at T1 is a protective factor for POD in elderly patients undergoing heart valve surgery with CPB.

Anaplasma, Bartonella, and Rickettsia infections in Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus), Hebei, China.

Rodents have been confirmed as hosts of various vector-borne zoonotic pathogens and are important for the maintenance of these microbes in nature. However, surveillance for zoonotic pathogens is limited for many wild rodent species in China, so our knowledge of pathogen ecology, genetic diversity, and the risk of cross-species transmission to humans is limited. In this study, 165 spleen samples of Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus) were collected from Weichang Manchu and the Mongolian Autonomous County of Hebei Province, China, and Rickettsia, Bartonella, and Anaplasma were identified by DNA detection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Sequence analysis identified eight bacterial pathogens: R. raoultii, R. sibirica, Candidatus R. longicornii, B. washoensis, B. grahamii, B. jaculi, A. capra, and Candidatus Anaplasma cinensis. Co-infection of B. grahamii and R. raoultii in one sample was observed. Our results demonstrated the genetic diversity of bacteria in Daurian ground squirrels and contributed to the distribution of these pathogens. Six species, A. capra, R. raoultii, R. sibirica, Candidatus R. longicornii, B. washoensis, and B. grahamii, are known to be pathogenic to humans, indicating a potential public health risk to the local human population, especially to herders who frequently have close contact with Daurian ground squirrels and are thus exposed to their ectoparasites.

A near-infrared fluorescent probe for imaging peroxynitrite levels in paw edema mice and drug evaluation.

A near-infrared fluorescent probe (TX-P) for detecting peroxynitrite is constructed. The probe has a near-infrared emission (725 nm), large Stokes shift (125 nm) and excellent sensitivity and selectivity. In addition, TX-P can be used to visualize ONOO- in living cells, image ONOO- in paw edema mice and evaluate anti-inflammatory drugs.

Great genetic diversity of vector-borne bacteria and protozoan in wild rodents from Guangxi, China.

BACKGROUND: Rodents are recognized as the hosts of many vector-borne bacteria and protozoan parasites and play an important role in their transmission and maintenance. Intensive studies have focused on their infections in vectors, especially in ticks, however, vector-borne bacterial and protozoan infections in rodents are poorly understood although human cases presenting with fever may due to their infection have been found. METHODS: From May to October 2019, 192 wild rodents were trapped in wild environment of Guangxi Province, and the spleen samples were collected to reveal the presence of vector-borne bacterial and protozoan infections in them. The microorganisms in rodents were identified by detecting their DNA using (semi-)nested PCR. All the PCR products of the expected size were subjected to sequencing, and then analyzed by BLASTn. Furthermore, all the recovered sequences were subjected to nucleotide identity and phylogenetic analyses. RESULTS: As a result, 192 rodents representing seven species were captured, and Bandicota indica were the dominant species, followed by Rattus andamanensis. Based on the (semi-)nested PCR, our results suggested that Anaplasma bovis, Anaplasma capra, Anaplasma ovis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, "Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis", "Candidatus E. hainanensis", "Candidatus E. zunyiensis", three uncultured Ehrlichia spp., Bartonella coopersplainsensis, Bartonella tribocorum, Bartonella rattimassiliensis, Bartonella silvatica, two uncultured Bartonella spp., Babesia microti and diverse Hepatozoon were identified in six rodent species. More importantly, six species (including two Anaplasma, two Bartonella, "Ca. N. mikurensis" and Bab. microti) are zoonotic pathogens except Anaplasma bovis and Anaplasma ovis with zoonotic potential. Furthermore, dual infection was observed between different microorganisms, and the most common type of co-infection is between "Ca. N. mikurensis" and other microorganisms. Additionally, potential novel Bartonella species and Hepatozoon species demonstrated the presence of more diverse rodent-associated Bartonella and Hepatozoon. CONCLUSIONS: The results in this work indicated great genetic diversity of vector-borne infections in wild rodents, and highlighted the potential risk of human pathogens transmitted from rodents to humans through vectors.

Correlation and interaction visualization of altmetric indicators extracted from scholarly social network activities: dimensions and structure.

BACKGROUND: Citation counts for peer-reviewed articles and the impact factor of journals have long been indicators of article importance or quality. In the Web 2.0 era, growing numbers of scholars are using scholarly social network tools to communicate scientific ideas with colleagues, thereby making traditional indicators less sufficient, immediate, and comprehensive. In these new situations, the altmetric indicators offer alternative measures that reflect the multidimensional nature of scholarly impact in an immediate, open, and individualized way. In this direction of research, some studies have demonstrated the correlation between altmetrics and traditional metrics with different samples. However, up to now, there has been relatively little research done on the dimension and interaction structure of altmetrics. OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to reveal the number of dimensions that altmetric indicators should be divided into and the structure in which altmetric indicators interact with each other. METHODS: Because an article-level metrics dataset is collected from scholarly social media and open access platforms, it is one of the most robust samples available to study altmetric indicators. Therefore, we downloaded a large dataset containing activity data in 20 types of metrics present in 33,128 academic articles from the application programming interface website. First, we analyzed the correlation among altmetric indicators using Spearman rank correlation. Second, we visualized the multiple correlation coefficient matrixes with graduated colors. Third, inputting the correlation matrix, we drew an MDS diagram to demonstrate the dimension for altmetric indicators. For correlation structure, we used a social network map to represent the social relationships and the strength of relations. RESULTS: We found that the distribution of altmetric indicators is significantly non-normal and positively skewed. The distribution of downloads and page views follows the Pareto law. Moreover, we found that the Spearman coefficients from 91.58% of the pairs of variables indicate statistical significance at the .01 level. The non-metric MDS map divided the 20 altmetric indicators into three clusters: traditional metrics, active altmetrics, and inactive altmetrics. The social network diagram showed two subgroups that are tied to each other but not to other groups, thus indicating an intersection between altmetrics and traditional metric indicators. CONCLUSIONS: Altmetrics complement, and most correlate significantly with, traditional measures. Therefore, in future evaluations of the social impact of articles, we should consider not only traditional metrics but also active altmetrics. There may also be a transfer phenomenon for the social impact of academic articles. The impact transfer path has transfer, or intermediate, stations that transport and accelerate article social impact from active altmetrics to traditional metrics and vice versa. This discovery will be helpful to explain the impact transfer mechanism of articles in the Web 2.0 era. Hence, altmetrics are in fact superior to traditional filters for assessing scholarly impact in multiple dimensions and in terms of social structure.

Hypoglycemic mechanisms of Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide in db/db mice via regulation of glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathway and alteration of gut microbiota.

Polygonatum rhizoma polysaccharide (PP) is a main ingredient of Polygonatum rhizoma , which is both food and traditional herbal medicine. In this study, we aimed to investigate the hypoglycemic effect of PP and the underlying mechanisms in db/db mice. Our finding showed that PP significantly ameliorates diabetic symptoms by reducing glucose levels in blood and urine and increasing insulin and leptin abundance in the serum. Histopathological examination revealed that PP improved the pathological state and increased hepatic glycogen storage in liver. Additionally, RT-qPCR results indicated that PP significantly down-regulated the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1. Furthermore, 16s rRNA sequencing results demonstrated that PP intervention resulted in an increase in beneficial bacteria genus and a reduction in harmful genus. Redundancy analysis revealed the correlation between intestinal flora and clinical factors. Taken together, these results suggest that PP has a significant hypoglycemic effect on type 2 diabetes (T2D) through up-regulating serum insulin and leptin, as well as hepatic glycogen storage, and down-regulating hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 expression, as well as modulating gut microbiota composition. In conclusion, this study investigated the mechanisms of PP in the treatment of diabetes in db/db mice. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to explore the positive and negative correlations between gut microbiota and clinical factors, such as oxidative stress injury in liver and glucose related indicators in the blood.

Molecular evidence of Rickettsia canadensis in ticks, Hebei, China.

China was affected severely by tick-borne rickettsiosis, and more than 10 Rickettsia species pathogenic to humans have been identified. In recent years, several Rickettsia members, with unknown pathogenicity, firstly identified abroad have been found in China. In this study, parasitic and questing ticks were recovered from two sampling sites in Hebei, China. Specific primers targeting outer membrane protein B (ompB) gene were designed to test the presence of Rickettsia canadensis by nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). As a result, a total of 428 ticks, including 232 ticks (including 230 Haemaphysalis longicornis and two H. japonica) from Laiyuan County and 196 (H. longicornis) from Luanping County, were collected. Sequencing of PCR products with the expected size and subsequently BLAST showed that 38H. longicornis ticks tested positive for R. canadensis, with an overall positive rate of 8.8%. In addition, 800-bp ompB gene and nearly complete citrate synthase (gltA) gene were recovered from six randomly selected positive samples to better understand their genetic characteristics. Nucleotide identity and phylogenetic analyses showed that R. canadensis presented geographical clustering with evidence that variants identified in the current study presented closer genetic relationship with others identified in Asian than those found in North America. In addition, epidemiological data suggested that H. longicornis may be the competent vector, and more attention should be paid to R. canadensis due to its zoonotic potential. In sum, R. canadensis was confirmed to be present in Hebei Province, China, and its surveillance in ticks should be strengthened due to potential pathogenicity, higher positive rate in ticks and wide distribution of possible vector tick species.

CREB-binding protein silencing inhibits thrombin-induced endothelial progenitor cells angiogenesis.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are known to promote neovascularization in ischemic diseases. Recent evidence from our group suggested that CREB-binding protein (CBP) plays an important role in thrombin-induced EPCs migration. However, whether CBP could regulate EPCs angiogenic properties is unknown. In the present study, we investigated whether CBP silencing could inhibit thrombin-induced EPCs angiogenesis. EPCs isolated from the bone marrow of Sprague-Dawley rats were cultured and identified, and then were treated by thrombin alone or combined with CBP-shRNA lentivirus. The effect of CBP silencing on EPCs proliferation was assessed using BrdU incorporation assay. Cell adhesion and tube formation were detected to evaluate the angiogenic functions. Finally, mRNA and protein expression of relevant angiogenic genes were examined by real-time PCR, western-blot, and enzyme-linked immunoassay respectively. Luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to evaluate NF-κB activity. Administration of thrombin significantly promoted EPCs proliferation and adhesion. Thrombin also increased the tube formation in Matrigel assay. However, these effects of thrombin were abolished by CBP gene silencing. CBP silencing also abrogated thrombin-induced increases of integrin ß2 expression. In thrombin-induced EPCs, CBP silencing significantly decreased the secretion of VEGF, IL-6 and suppressed NF-κB activity. In conclusion, thrombin-induced EPCs proliferation, adhesion, and tube formation were inhibited by CBP silencing, indicating that CBP plays an important role in thrombin-induced EPCs neovascularization.

Comment "Asymptomatic small intestinal ulcerative lesions: Obesity and Helicobacter pylori are likely to be risk factors".

There are many causes of anemia. It is unreasonable to simply associate anemia with asymptomatic ulcers in the small intestine.

Comments on "Effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the prognosis of acute-on-chronic liver failure patients in China".

A study addressing the influence of type 2 diabetes on the prognosis of acute-on-chronic liver failure patients was reviewed. Some statistical deficiencies were found in the reviewed article, and the sample size was too small to support the study. In addition, age should have been considered as one of the prognostic factors.

Stem signatures associating SOX2 antibody helps to define diagnosis and prognosis prediction with esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: esophageal cancer is one of the deadliest diseases worldwide. Due to the ineffectual screening methods referring to early diagnosis, most people have lost their chance of radical resection when diagnosed with esophageal cancer. This aim of this study was designed to evaluate the latent values of the stem signatures-associated autoantibodies (AABS) in predicting the early diagnosis, and particularly seeking the precise predictive outcomes with sensitive SOX2. We also studied the potential immunotherapeutic targets and prospective long-term prognosis predicators of esophageal cancer. METHODS: The serum concentrations of selective antibodies were quantitated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and a total of 203 local cases were enrolled. The TCGA databases were used to analyse distinct expression patterns and prognostic values of related genes. The TIMER database was used to explore the signatures of immune cell infiltration in related genes. The TISIDB database was used to analyse the association between related genes and immune regulators. RESULTS: The stem signatures-associated with antibodies of TP53, PGP9.5, SOX2, and CAGE were highly expressed in esophageal cancer and were negatively correlated with the test group, the diagnostic sensitivity of P53, SOX2, PGP9.5 and CAGE reached to 54.3%, 56.5%, 80.4% and 47.8%, respectively, and the specificity reached 77.7%, 93.6%, 76.4% and 86.6%. Especially in stage I esophageal cancer, the diagnostic sensitivity of SOX2 reached 82.4% with a specificity of 85.4%, which demonstrated good value in early diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The stem signatures-associated antibodies could be used as an effective indicator in early esophageal cancer diagnosis and could help to precisely predicate survival and prognosis.Key MessagesThe stem signatures-associated immune-antibodies could be used as effective indicators in early diagnosis of esophageal cancer and help to precisely predicate the survival and prognosis.The potential immunotherapeutic targets referring to esophageal cancer are screened and analysed, and the high sensitivity of SOX2 in detecting early esophageal cancer will yield early and effective treatments.

A novel particulate matter sampling and cell exposure strategy based on agar membrane for cytotoxicity study.

Laboratories use different strategies to sample and extract atmospheric particulate matter (PM), some of which can be very complicated. Due to the absence of a standard protocol, it is difficult to compare the results of PM toxicity assessment across different laboratories. Here, we proposed a novel PM sampling and cell exposure strategy based on agar membrane. The agar membrane, prepared by a simple freeze-drying method, has a relatively flat surface and porous interior. We demonstrated that the agar membrane was a reliable substitute material for PM sampling. Then the PM on the agar membranes was directly extracted with the culture medium by vortex method, and the PM on the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filters was extracted with water by the traditional ultrasonic method for comparison. The extraction efficiency was evaluated and in vitro cytotoxicity assays were carried out to investigate the toxic effects of PM extracted with two strategies on macrophage cells. The results showed that the PM extracted from agar membranes induced higher cytotoxicity and more differentially expressed proteins. Overall, the novel PM sampling-cell exposure strategy based on the agar membrane is easy to operate, biocompatible and comparable, and has low disturbance, could be an alternative sampling and extraction method for PM toxicity assessment.