Ferroptosis Contributes to Microvascular Dysfunction in Diabetic Retinopathy.

Ferroptosis is a new form of cell death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Whether ferroptosis is involved in retinal microvascular dysfunction under diabetic condition is not known. Herein, the expression of ferroptosis-related genes in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy and in diabetic mice was determined with quantitative RT-PCR. Reactive oxygen species, iron content, lipid peroxidation products, and ferroptosis-associated proteins in the cultured human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) and in the retina of diabetic mice were examined. The association of ferroptosis with the functions of endothelial cells in vitro was evaluated. After administration of ferroptosis-specific inhibitor, Fer-1, the retinal microvasculature in diabetic mice was assessed. Characteristic changes of ferroptosis-associated markers, including glutathione peroxidase 4, ferritin heavy chain 1, long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4, transferrin receptor protein 1, and cyclooxygenase-2, were detected in the retinal fibrovascular membrane of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, cultured HRMECs, and the retina of diabetic mice. Elevated levels of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, and iron content were found in the retina of diabetic mice and in cultured HRMECs. Ferroptosis was found to be associated with HRMEC dysfunction under high-glucose condition. Inhibition of ferroptosis with specific inhibitor Fer-1 in diabetic mice significantly reduced the severity of retinal microvasculopathy. Ferroptosis contributes to microvascular dysfunction in diabetic retinopathy, and inhibition of ferroptosis might be a promising strategy for the therapy of early-stage diabetic retinopathy.

Carbon Dots with Spatially-Mediated-N/S-Co-Doping Enabling One-Year Stable Lubricant with Oil Leakage Detection Capability.

The dispersion stability of nano-lubricating additives is crucial for the shelf life of lubricant and its practical applications. Nitrogen-sulfur co-doped carbon dots (N,S@CDs) via a one-step hydrothermal method with nitropyrene and thiourea as raw materials are hereby presented. The N and S elements are selectively distributed throughout the entire carbon skeleton with a doping amount of 22.6 at%. The as-synthesized N,S@CDs exhibit excellent dispersion stability in PEG200 and maintain stability for over one year. The experiment results indicate that N,S@CDs significantly improve the anti-wear and friction reduction properties of PEG200, while the friction coefficient is reduced from 0.25 to 0.09 with 1.5 wt% N,S@CDs addition, and the wear volume, depth, and width are reduced by 68%, 52%, and 57%, respectively. The good lubrication performance is attributed to N,S@CDs excellent dispersion stability, enhanced filling and polishing effects, and complex tribochemical reactions caused by heteroatom doping to form a stable protective film on the worn surface. Furthermore, the as-prepared N,S@CDs exhibit intrinsic fluorescence intensity in PEG200 with the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 12.5% and remain fluorescent stable during the long-term friction process, therefore the N,S@CDs have a potential application prospect in non-destructive detection of oil leakage via fluorescence labeling method.

Performance of a polymerization-based electrochemically assisted persulfate process on a real coking wastewater treatment.

Industrial wastewater should be treated with caution due to its potential environmental risks. In this study, a polymerization-based cathode/Fe3+/peroxydisulfate (PDS) process was employed for the first time to treat a raw coking wastewater, which can achieve simultaneous organics abatement and recovery by converting organic contaminants into separable solid organic-polymers. The results confirm that several dominant organic contaminants in coking wastewater such as phenol, cresols, quinoline and indole can be induced to polymerize by self-coupling or cross-coupling. The total chemical oxygen demand (COD) abatement from coking wastewater is 46.8% and the separable organic-polymer formed from organic contaminants accounts for 62.8% of the abated COD. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) abatement of 41.9% is achieved with about 89% less PDS consumption than conventional degradation-based process. Operating conditions such as PDS concentration, Fe3+ concentration and current density can affect the COD/DOC abatement and organic-polymer yield by regulating the generation of reactive radicals. ESI-MS result shows that some organic-polymers are substituted by inorganic ions such as Cl-, Br-, I-, NH4+, SCN- and CN-, suggesting that these inorganic ions may be involved in the polymerization. The specific consumption of this coking wastewater treatment is 27 kWh/kg COD and 95 kWh/kg DOC. The values are much lower than those of the degradation-based processes in treating the same coking wastewater, and also are lower than those of most processes previously reported for coking wastewater treatment.

Ferrostatin-1 attenuates pathological angiogenesis in oxygen-induced retinopathy via inhibition of ferroptosis.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vision-threatening ocular disease that occurs in premature infants, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Since oxidative stress has been well documented in the ROP development, we aimed to investigate whether ferroptosis, a new type of cell death characterized by lipid peroxidation and iron overload, is also involved in ROP. We detected the lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress and the expression of ferroptosis markers in the retina of mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy. After ferroptosis inhibitor, ferrostatin-1, was administered by intravitreal injection, ferroptosis marker, lipid peroxidation, retinal vasculature and glial cell activation were examined. We found decreased expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4, increased expression of FTH1 and TFRC, as well as increase of lipid peroxidation in the retina of OIR mice. Ferrostatin-1 administration significantly reduced lipid peroxidation, and also reversed the change of ferroptosis marker. Neovascular area and avascular area were suppressed and the pathological vasculature changes including acellular vessels and ghost pericytes were decreased. Microglial cell and Müller cell activation was not evidently influenced by ferrostatin-1 treatment. Our findings suggest that ferroptosis is involved in the pathological angiogenesis and might be a promising target for ROP therapy.

Down-regulation of HuR inhibits pathological angiogenesis in oxygen-induced retinopathy.

HuR (also known as ELAV1), a ubiquitous RNA-binding protein, is implicated in the pathogenesis of diverse diseases via the mechanism of post-transcriptional regulation. Whether it is involved in pathological angiogenesis in oxygen-induced retinopathy is not clear. In this study, we detected HuR expression was increased in the retina of mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) as well as in vascular endothelial cells exposed to hypoxia. With gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies using adenovirus infection, we found HuR over-expression promoted while HuR knockdown inhibited the migration, proliferation and tube formation of vascular endothelial cells. Moreover, HuR regulated the expression of VEGFA in vascular endothelial cells. We also found the retinal pathological angiogenesis in mouse OIR model was greatly reduced with HuR knockdown using recombinant AAV expressing HuR specific shRNA which was administered by intravitreal injection. The results of this study suggest HuR is involved in pathological angiogenesis via regulating angiogenic behaviors of endothelial cells, providing a potential target for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity.

Abatement of Aromatic Contaminants from Wastewater by a Heat/Persulfate Process Based on a Polymerization Mechanism.

A novel approach to the abatement of pollutants consisting of their conversion to separable solid polymers is explored by a heat/persulfate (PDS) process for the treatment of high-temperature wastewaters. During this process, a simultaneous decontamination and carbon recovery can be achieved with minimal use of PDS, which is significantly different from conventional degradation processes. The feasibility of this process is demonstrated by eight kinds of typical organic pollutants and by a real coking wastewater. For the treatment of the selected pollutants, 30.2-91.9% DOC abatement was achieved with 24.8-91.2% carbon recovery; meanwhile, only 5.2-47.0% of PDS was consumed compared to a conventional degradation process. For the treatment of a real coking wastewater, 71.0% DOC abatement was achieved with 66.0% carbon recovery. With phenol as a representative compound, our polymerization-based heat/PDS process is applicable in a wide pH range (3.5-9.0) with a carbon recovery of >87%. Both SO4•- and HO• can be initiators for polymerization, with different contribution ratios under various conditions. Phenol monomers are semioxidized to form phenolic radicals, which are polymerized via chain transfer or chain growth processes to form separable solid phenol polymers, benzenediol polymers, and cross-linked polymers.

Numerical simulation of flow characteristics in a permeable liver sinusoid with leukocytes.

Double-layered channels of sinusoid lumen and Disse space separated by fenestrated liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) endow the unique mechanical environment of the liver sinusoid network, which further guarantees its biological function. It is also known that this mechanical environment changes dramatically under liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, including the reduced plasma penetration and metabolite exchange between the two flow channels and the reduced Disse space deformability. The squeezing of leukocytes through narrow sinusoid lumen also affects the mechanical environment of liver sinusoid. To date, the detailed flow-field profile of liver sinusoid is still far from clear due to experimental limitations. It also remains elusive whether and how the varied physical properties of the pathological liver sinusoid regulate the fluid flow characteristics. Here a numerical model based on the immersed boundary method was established, and the effects of Disse space and leukocyte elasticities, endothelium permeability, and sinusoidal stenosis degree on fluid flow as well as leukocyte trafficking were specified upon a mimic liver sinusoid structure. Results showed that endothelium permeability dominantly controlled the plasma penetration velocity across the endothelium, whereas leukocyte squeezing promoted local penetration and significantly regulated wall shear stress on hepatocytes, which was strongly related to the Disse space and leukocyte deformability. Permeability and elasticity cooperatively regulated the process of leukocytes trafficking through the liver sinusoid, especially for stiffer leukocytes. This study will offer new insights into deeper understanding of the elaborate mechanical features of liver sinusoid and corresponding biological function.

Cost-effectiveness of artificial intelligence screening for diabetic retinopathy in rural China.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) has become a leading cause of global blindness as a microvascular complication of diabetes. Regular screening of diabetic retinopathy is strongly recommended for people with diabetes so that timely treatment can be provided to reduce the incidence of visual impairment. However, DR screening is not well carried out due to lack of eye care facilities, especially in the rural areas of China. Artificial intelligence (AI) based DR screening has emerged as a novel strategy and show promising diagnostic performance in sensitivity and specificity, relieving the pressure of the shortage of facilities and ophthalmologists because of its quick and accurate diagnosis. In this study, we estimated the cost-effectiveness of AI screening for DR in rural China based on Markov model, providing evidence for extending use of AI screening for DR. METHODS: We estimated the cost-effectiveness of AI screening and compared it with ophthalmologist screening in which fundus images are evaluated by ophthalmologists. We developed a Markov model-based hybrid decision tree to analyze the costs, effectiveness and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of AI screening strategies relative to no screening strategies and ophthalmologist screening strategies (dominated) over 35 years (mean life expectancy of diabetes patients in rural China). The analysis was conducted from the health system perspective (included direct medical costs) and societal perspective (included medical and nonmedical costs). Effectiveness was analyzed with quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). The robustness of results was estimated by performing one-way sensitivity analysis and probabilistic analysis. RESULTS: From the health system perspective, AI screening and ophthalmologist screening had incremental costs of $180.19 and $215.05 but more quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) compared with no screening. AI screening had an ICER of $1,107.63. From the societal perspective which considers all direct and indirect costs, AI screening had an ICER of $10,347.12 compared with no screening, below the cost-effective threshold (1-3 times per capita GDP of Chinese in 2019). CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis demonstrates that AI-based screening is more cost-effective compared with conventional ophthalmologist screening and holds great promise to be an alternative approach for DR screening in the rural area of China.

Influence of microflow on hepatic sinusoid blood flow and red blood cell deformation.

Hepatic sinusoids present complex anatomical structures such as the endothelial sieve pores and the Disse space, which govern the microscopic blood flow in the sinusoids and are associated with structural variations in liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. However, the contributions of the permeability of endothelial and collagen layers and the roughness of hepatocyte microvilli to the features of this microflow remain largely unknown. Here, an immersed boundary method coupled with a lattice Boltzmann method was adopted in an in vitro hepatic sinusoidal model, and flow field and erythrocyte deformation analyses were conducted by introducing three new source terms including permeability of the endothelial layer, resistance of hepatocyte microvilli and collagen layers, and deformation of red blood cells (RBCs). Numerical calculations indicated that alterations in endothelial permeability could significantly affect the flow velocity and flow rate distributions in hepatic sinusoids. Interestingly, a biphasic regulating pattern of shear stress occurred simultaneously on the surface of hepatocytes and the lower side of endothelium, i.e., the shear stress increased with increased thickness of hepatocyte microvilli and collagen layer when the endothelial permeability was high but decreased with the increase of the thickness at low endothelial permeability. Additionally, this specified microflow manipulates typical RBC deformation inside the sinusoid, yielding one-third of the variation of deformable index with varied endothelial permeability. These simulations not only are consistent with experimental measurements using in vitro liver sinusoidal chip but also elaborate the contributions of endothelial and collagen layer permeability and wall roughness. Thus, our results provide a basis for further characterizing this microflow and understanding its effects on cellular migration and deformation in the hepatic sinusoids.

Posttranscriptional regulation of MMP-9 by HuR contributes to IL-1ß-induced pterygium fibroblast migration and invasion.

Inflammation is considered to be critical in the pterygium progression and recurrence. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is not well understood. Herein, we investigated the potential role of RNA binding protein human antigen R (HuR) responsible for the impact of inflammation on pterygium development. The expression of HuR and matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9) in pterygium and normal conjunctiva was detected with immunohistochemistry and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The influence of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) on HuR expression and cellular distribution was determined with western blot and immunofluorescence. The pterygium fibroblast (PTF) migration was determined with scratch wound healing assay and Transwell migration assay. MMP-9 production was determined with qRT-PCR and gelatin zymography. The interaction between HuR and MMP-9 was investigated with RNP immunoprecipitation (IP) followed by RT-PCR and messenger RNA (mRNA) stability analysis. HuR and MMP-9 expression are elevated in pterygium, especially progressive pterygium compared with normal conjunctiva. IL-1ß could increase the expression and nucleus-cytoplasm shuttle of HuR in cultured PTFs. HuR mediated the stimulatory effect of IL-1ß on PTF migration and MMP-9 production. HuR bound to MMP-9 mRNA and in turn increased it stability. Our results suggest that posttranscriptional regulation of MMP-9 via stabilizing mRNA by HuR might contribute to the stimulatory effect of inflammatory factor IL-1ß on pterygium progression. These findings shed light on the pathogenesis of pterygium and provide a promising target for adjuvant treatment of pterygium.

Quantitative proteomic analysis of human corneal epithelial cells infected with HSV-1.

HSV-1 infection in corneal epithelium initiates the process of herpes simplex keratitis. We investigated the dynamic change of the host proteins in corneal epithelial cells infected with HSV-1 to understand the virus-host interaction. iTRAQ coupled with LC-MS/MS was applied to quantitatively analyze the protein profiles in HSV-1 infected corneal epithelial cells at 6 and 24 h post-infection (hpi), and the results were validated by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). We also performed bioinformatic analysis to investigate the potentially important signal pathways and protein interaction networks in the host response to HSV-1 infection. We identified 292 proteins were up-regulated and 168 proteins were down-regulated at 6 hpi, while 132 proteins were up-regulated and 89 proteins were down-regulated at 24 hpi, which were validated by MRM analysis. We found the most enriched GO terms were translational initiation, cytosol, poly(A) RNA binding, mRNA splicing via spliceosome and extracellular exosome for the dysregulated proteins. KEGG pathway analysis revealed significant changes in metabolism pathway characterized by decreased tricarboxylic acid cycle activity and increased glycolysis. Proteins interaction network analysis indicated several proteins including P4HB, ACLY, HSP90AA1 and EIF4A3, might be critical proteins in the host-virus response. Our study for the first time analyzed the protein profile of HSV-1 infected primary corneal epithelial cells by quantitative proteomics. These findings help to better understand the host-virus interaction and the pathogenesis of herpes simplex keratitis.

[Molecular mechanism of Shaofu Zhuyu decoction in treating endometriosis dysmenorrhea based on GPER2/MAPK/STAT1 axis].

The aim of this paper is to study the molecular mechanism of Shaofu Zhuyu decoction in treating dysmenorrhea of endometriosis based on GPER2/MAPK/STAT1 axis. In this study, HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the rats in each group. The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were detected by ELISA assay. The mRNA expressions of neurotransmitter receptor (NK1) and GPER were detected by qPCR. The protein contents of MAPK and STAT1 were detected by Western blot. According to the results, compared with the model group, Shaofu Zhuyu decoction could significantly improve the inflammation of the ectopic uterine cavity tissue, decrease the contents of TNF-α and IL-6 in the uterine cavity, the mRNA expressions of NK1 and GPER, and the protein expressions of MAPK and STAT1. In conclusion, Shaofu Zhuyu decoction could effectively inhibit the expressions of GPER2, MAPK and STAT1, decrease the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and NK1 mRNA and relieve the inflammatory pain in patients with endometriosis.

[Review of high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography for the assessment of bone microstructure and strength].

Trabecular microstructure is an important factor in determining bone strength and physiological function. Normal X-ray and computed tomography (CT) cannot accurately reflect the microstructure of trabecular bone. High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) is a new imaging technique in recent years. It can qualitatively and quantitatively measure the three-dimensional microstructure and volume bone mineral density of trabecular bone in vivo. It has high precision and relative low dose of radiation. This new imaging tool is helpful for us to understand the trabecular microstructure more deeply. The finite element analysis of HR-pQCT data can be used to predict the bone strength accurately. We can assess the risk of osteoporosis and fracture with three-dimensional reconstructed images and trabecular microstructure parameters. In this review, we summarize the technical flow, data parameters and clinical application of HR-pQCT in order to provide some reference for the popularization and extensive application of HR-pQCT.

Leaf Traits Explain the Growth Variation and Nitrogen Response of Eucalyptus urophylla × Eucalyptus grandis and Dalbergia odorifera in Mixed Culture.

Mixed cultivation with legumes may alleviate the nitrogen (N) limitation of monoculture Eucalyptus. However, how leaf functional traits respond to N in mixed cultivation with legumes and how they affect tree growth are unclear. Thus, this study investigated the response of leaf functional traits of Eucalyptus urophylla × Eucalyptus grandis (E. urophylla × E. grandis) and Dalbergia odorifera (D. odorifera) to mixed culture and N application, as well as the regulatory pathways of key traits on seedling growth. In this study, a pot-controlled experiment was set up, and seedling growth indicators, leaf physiology, morphological parameters, and N content were collected and analyzed after 180 days of N application treatment. The results indicated that mixed culture improved the N absorption and photosynthetic rate of E. urophylla × E. grandis, further promoting seedling growth but inhibiting the photosynthetic process of D. odorifera, reducing its growth and biomass. Redundancy analysis and path analysis revealed that leaf nitrogen content, pigment content, and photosynthesis-related physiological indicators were the traits most directly related to seedling growth and biomass accumulation, with the net photosynthetic rate explaining 50.9% and 55.8% of the variation in growth indicators for E. urophylla × E. grandis and D. odorifera, respectively. Additionally, leaf morphological traits are related to the trade-off strategy exhibited by E. urophylla × E. grandis and D. odorifera based on N competition. This study demonstrated that physiological traits related to photosynthesis are reliable predictors of N nutrition and tree growth in mixed stands, while leaf morphological traits reflect the resource trade-off strategies of different tree species.

Transformation of metoprolol in UV/PDS process: Role and mechanisms of degradation and polymerization.

Advanced oxidation processes for the treatment of organic pollutants in wastewater suffer from difficulties in mineralization, potential risks of dissolved residues, and high oxidant consumption. In this study, radical-initiated polymerization is dominated in an UV/peroxydisulfate (PDS) process to eliminate organic pollutant of pharmaceutical metoprolol (MTP). Compared with an ideal degradation-based UV/PDS process, the present process can save four fifths of PDS consumption at the same dissolved organic carbon removal of 47.3%. Simultaneously, organic carbon can be recovered from aqueous solution by separating solid polymers at a ratio of 50% of the initial chemical oxygen demand. The chemical structure of products was analyzed to infer the transformation pathways of MTP. Unlike previous studies on simple organic pollutants that the polymerization can occur independently, the polymerization of MTP is dependent on the partial degradation of MTP, and the main monomer in polymerization is a dominant degradation product (4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenol, denoted as DP151). The separated solid polymers are formed by repeated oxidation and coupling of DP151 or its derivatives through a series of intermediate oligomers. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the advantage of polymerization-dominated mechanism on dealing with large organic molecules with complex structures, as well as the potential of UV/PDS process for simultaneous organic pollution reduction and organic carbon recovery from aqueous solution.

Dynamic Directional Ultrasonically In Situ-Generated N,S-Codoped Carbon Dots in Poly(ethylene glycol) for Improved Tribological Performance.

The dispersion stability of nanomaterials in lubricants significantly influences tribological performance, yet their addition as lubricant additives often presents challenges in secondary dispersion. Here, we present a straightforward method for in situ preparation of N,S-codoped CDs (N,S-CDs)-based lubricants using heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons containing N/S elements in poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) base oil by a directional ultrasound strategy. Two types of N,S-CDs were successfully prepared via the directional ultrasound treatment of PEG with benzothiazole (BTA) and benzothiadiazole (BTH) separately. The resultant N,S-CDs have a uniform distribution of N and S elements and maintain good colloidal dispersion stability in PEG even after 9 months of storage. The N,S-CDs can enter the surface gap of the friction pairs and then induce a tribochemical reaction. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of N and S activating elements, a robust and stable protective film consisting of iron sulfides, iron oxides, carbon nitrides, and amorphous carbonaceous compounds is formed, thus endowing N,S-CDs-based lubricants with improved antiwear and friction-reducing performance. Compared with pure PEG, the coefficient of friction (COF) of the N,S-CDs(BTH)-based lubricant decreased to 0.108 from 0.292, accompanied by a 91.2% reduction in wear volume, and the maximum load carrying capacity increased to 450 from 150 N.

Catalytic ozonation of reverse osmosis concentrate from coking wastewater reuse by surface oxidation over Mn-Ce/γ-Al2O3: Effluent organic matter transformation and its catalytic mechanism.

Degradation of organics in high-salinity wastewater is beneficial to meeting the requirement of zero liquid discharge for coking wastewater treatment. Creating efficient and stable performance catalysts for high-salinity wastewater treatment is vital in catalytic ozonation process. Compared with ozonation alone, Mn and Ce co-doped γ-Al2O3 could remarkably enhance activities of catalytic ozonation for chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal (38.9%) of brine derived from a two-stage reverse osmosis treatment. Experimental and theoretical calculation results indicate that introducing Mn could increase the active points of catalyst surface, and introducing Ce could optimize d-band electronic structures and promote the electron transport capacity, enhancing HO• bound to the catalyst surface ([HO•]ads) generation. [HO•]ads plays key roles for degrading the intermediates and transfer them into low molecular weight organics, and further decrease COD, molecular weights and number of organics in reverse osmosis concentrate. Under the same reaction conditions, the presence of Mn/γ-Al2O3 catalyst can reduce ΔO3/ΔCOD by at least 37.6% compared to ozonation alone. Furthermore, Mn-Ce/γ-Al2O3 catalytic ozonation can reduce the ΔO3/ΔCOD from 2.6 of Mn/γ-Al2O3 catalytic ozonation to 0.9 in the case of achieving similar COD removal. Catalytic ozonation has the potential to treat reverse osmosis concentrate derived from bio-treated coking wastewater reclamation.

Integrative Analysis of miRNA and circRNA Expression Profiles and Interaction Network in HSV-1-Infected Primary Corneal Epithelial Cells.

PURPOSE: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are products of alternative splicing with roles as competitive endogenous RNAs or microRNA sponges, regulating gene expression and biological processes. However, the involvement of circRNAs in herpes simplex keratitis remains largely unexplored. METHODS: This study examines circRNA and miRNA expression profiles in primary human corneal epithelial cells infected with HSV-1, compared to uninfected controls, using microarray analysis. Bioinformatic analysis predicted the potential function of the dysregulated circRNAs and microRNA response elements (MREs) in these circRNAs, forming an interaction network between dysregulated circRNAs and miRNAs. RESULTS: A total of 332 circRNAs and 16 miRNAs were upregulated, while 80 circRNAs and six miRNAs were downregulated (fold change ≥2.0 and p < 0.05). Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analyses were performed on parental genes of dysregulated circRNAs to uncover potential functions in HSV-1 infection. Notably, miR-181b-5p, miR-338-3p, miR-635, and miR-222-3p emerged as pivotal miRNAs interacting with multiple dysregulated circRNAs. CONCLUSIONS: This comprehensive study offers insights into differentially expressed circRNAs and miRNAs during HSV-1 infection in corneal epithelial cells, shedding light on circRNA-miRNA interactions' potential role in herpes simplex keratitis pathogenesis.

The RNA-binding protein CUG-BP1 increases survivin expression in oesophageal cancer cells through enhanced mRNA stability.

Survivin, a member of the IAP (inhibitor of apoptosis protein) family, plays important roles in maintaining cellular homoeostasis and regulating cell-cycle progression. This IAP is overexpressed in oesophageal cancer cells, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and resistance to apoptosis. CUG-BP1 (CUG-binding protein 1) is an RNA-binding protein that regulates the stability and translational efficiency of target mRNAs. In the present paper, we report that CUG-BP1 is overexpressed in oesophageal cancer cell lines and human oesophageal cancer specimens. CUG-BP1 associates with the 3'-untranslated region of survivin mRNA, thereby stabilizing the transcript and elevating its expression in oesophageal cancer cells. Our results show that overexpression of CUG-BP1 in oesophageal epithelial cells results in increased survivin mRNA stability and consequently survivin protein expression. Conversely, silencing CUG-BP1 in oesophageal cancer cells destabilizes survivin mRNA, lowering the level of survivin protein. In addition, we have found that altering CUG-BP1 expression modulates susceptibility to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Overexpression of CUG-BP1 in oesophageal epithelial cells increases resistance to apoptosis, whereas silencing CUG-BP1 makes oesophageal cancer cells more susceptible to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Co-transfection experiments with small interfering RNA directed against survivin suggest that the anti-apoptotic role for CUG-BP1 is not entirely dependent on its effect on survivin expression.

Organics abatement and recovery from wastewater by a polymerization-based electrochemically assisted persulfate process: Promotion effect of chloride ion and its mechanism.

Ubiquitous chloride ion (Cl-) in wastewaters usually inhibits the degradation of organic contaminants and generates numerous toxic chlorinated products in conventional degradation-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). Herein, a more Cl- tolerant polymerization-based electrochemical AOP for organic contaminants abatement and simultaneous organic resource recovery was demonstrated with eight typical organic contaminants and two real industrial wastewaters for the first time. This process can significantly promote dissolved organic carbon (DOC) abatement in the presence of Cl-, differing greatly from conventional degradation-based processes. Compared to sulfate radical (SO4•-) (or hydroxyl radical (HO•)), dichloride radical (Cl2•-) derived from Cl- has moderate reactivity towards most contaminants, which facilitates the organics polymerization as it ensures the formation of polymerizable organic radicals while inhibiting their excessive degradation. Thus, high DOC abatement (over 75 %) and high organic resource recovery ratio (48-79 % separable organic-polymer yield) can be achieved for most contaminants. Both soluble chlorinated compounds and solid chlorinated polymers are formed in the presence of Cl-. The chlorinated products (e.g. chlorophenols) can be polymerized as new monomers, thus the concentration of dissolved organic chlorinated products is much lower than that in conventional degradation-based process. The tolerance of the present process to Cl- is tested in real coking wastewaters, and exceeding 60 % of the abated chemical oxygen demand (COD) is obtained in the form of recoverable organic-polymers.