A review of obstructive sleep apnea and lung cancer: epidemiology, pathogenesis, and therapeutic options.

Despite undeniable advances in modern medicine, lung cancer still has high morbidity and mortality rates. Lung cancer is preventable and treatable, and it is important to identify new risk factors for lung cancer, especially those that can be treated or reversed. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a very common sleep-breathing disorder that is grossly underestimated in clinical practice. It can cause, exacerbate, and worsen adverse outcomes, including death and various diseases, but its relationship with lung cancer is unclear. A possible causal relationship between OSA and the onset and progression of lung cancer has been established biologically. The pathophysiological processes associated with OSA, such as sleep fragmentation, intermittent hypoxia, and increased sympathetic nervous excitation, may affect normal neuroendocrine regulation, impair immune function (especially innate and cellular immunity), and ultimately contribute to the occurrence of lung cancer, accelerate progression, and induce treatment resistance. OSA may be a contributor to but a preventable cause of the progression of lung cancer. However, whether this effect exists independently of other risk factors is unclear. Therefore, by reviewing the literature on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of lung cancer and OSA, we hope to understand the relationships between the two and promote the interdisciplinary exchange of ideas between basic medicine, clinical medicine, respiratory medicine, sleep medicine, and oncology.

Opportunities and Challenges for Inhalable Nanomedicine Formulations in Respiratory Diseases: A Review.

Lungs experience frequent interactions with the external environment and have an abundant supply of blood; therefore, they are susceptible to invasion by pathogenic microorganisms and tumor cells. However, the limited pharmacokinetics of conventional drugs in the lungs poses a clinical challenge. The emergence of different nano-formulations has been facilitated by advancements in nanotechnology. Inhaled nanomedicines exhibit better targeting and prolonged therapeutic effects. Although nano-formulations have great potential, they still present several unknown risks. Herein, we review the (1) physiological anatomy of the lungs and their biological barriers, (2) pharmacokinetics and toxicology of nanomaterial formulations in the lungs; (3) current nanomaterials that can be applied to the respiratory system and related design strategies, and (4) current applications of inhaled nanomaterials in treating respiratory disorders, vaccine design, and imaging detection based on the characteristics of different nanomaterials. Finally, (5) we analyze and summarize the challenges and prospects of nanomaterials for respiratory disease applications. We believe that nanomaterials, particularly inhaled nano-formulations, have excellent prospects for application in respiratory diseases. However, we emphasize that the simultaneous toxic side effects of biological nanomaterials must be considered during the application of these emerging medicines. This study aims to offer comprehensive guidelines and valuable insights for conducting research on nanomaterials in the domain of the respiratory system.

Advances in natural and synthetic macromolecules with stem cells and extracellular vesicles for orthopedic disease treatment.

Serious orthopedic disorders resulting from myriad diseases and impairments continue to pose a considerable challenge to contemporary clinical care. Owing to its limited regenerative capacity, achieving complete bone tissue regeneration and complete functional restoration has proven challenging with existing treatments. By virtue of cellular regenerative and paracrine pathways, stem cells are extensively utilized in the restoration and regeneration of bone tissue; however, low survival and retention after transplantation severely limit their therapeutic effect. Meanwhile, biomolecule materials provide a delivery platform that improves stem cell survival, increases retention, and enhances therapeutic efficacy. In this review, we present the basic concepts of stem cells and extracellular vesicles from different sources, emphasizing the importance of using appropriate expansion methods and modification strategies. We then review different types of biomolecule materials, focusing on their design strategies. Moreover, we summarize several forms of biomaterial preparation and application strategies as well as current research on biomacromolecule materials loaded with stem cells and extracellular vesicles. Finally, we present the challenges currently impeding their clinical application for the treatment of orthopedic diseases. The article aims to provide researchers with new insights for subsequent investigations.

High stability of EEG spectral power across polysomnography and multiple sleep latency tests in good sleepers and chronic insomniacs.

To assess the stability of electroencephalographic (EEG) spectral features across overnight polysomnography (PSG) and daytime multiple sleep latency tests (MSLTs) in chronic insomniacs (CIs) and normal controls (NCs). A total of 20 NCs and 22 CIs underwent standard PSG and MSLTs. Spectral analyses were performed on EEG data from PSG and MSLTs and absolute and relative power in central, frontal and occipital channels were obtained for wake (W) and non-rapid eye movement sleep stage 1 and 2 (N1, N2). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to assess the stability of EEG spectral power across PSG and MSLTs for W, N1 and N2. The absolute power of all frequency bands except delta exhibited high stability across PSG and MSLTs in both NCs and CIs (ICCs ranged from 0.430 to 0.978). Although delta absolute power was stable in NCs during N1 and N2 stages (ICCs ranged from 0.571 to 0.835), it tended to be less stable in CIs during W and sleep stages (ICCs ranged from 0.042 to 0.807). We also observed lower stability of relative power compared to absolute power though the majority of relative power outcomes maintained high stability in both groups (ICCs in relative power ranged from 0.044 to 0.962). Most EEG spectral bandwidths across PSG and MSLT in W, N1 and N2 show high stability in good sleepers and chronic insomniacs. EEG signals from either an overnight PSG or a daytime MSLT may be useful for reliably exploring EEG spectral features during wakefulness or sleep.

Antibacterial microneedle patch releases oxygen to enhance diabetic wound healing.

Cell growth and metabolism require an adequate supply of oxygen. However, obtaining sufficient oxygen from the blood circulating around diabetic wounds is challenging. Nevertheless, achieving a continuous and stable oxygen supply is required for these wounds to heal. Hence, in this study, we report a novel antibacterial oxygen-producing silk fibroin methacryloyl hydrogel microneedle (MN) patch comprising tips encapsulated with calcium peroxide and catalase and a base coated with antibacterial Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs). The tip of the MN patch continuously releases oxygen and inhibits the production of reactive oxygen species. This accelerates diabetic wound healing by promoting cellular accretion and migration, macrophage M2 polarization, and angiogenesis. The AgNPs at the base of the MN patch effectively combat microbial infection, further facilitating wound repair. These findings suggest that using this multifunctional oxygen-producing MN patch may be a promising strategy for diabetic wound healing in clinical settings.

LmNaTx15, a novel scorpion toxin, enhances the activity of Nav channels and induces pain in mice.

Polypeptide toxins are major bioactive components found in venomous animals. Many polypeptide toxins can specifically act on targets, such as ion channels and voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels, in the nervous, muscle, and cardiovascular systems of the recipient to increase defense and predation efficiency. In this study, a novel polypeptide toxin, LmNaTx15, was isolated from the venom of the scorpion Lychas mucronatus, and its activity was analyzed. LmNaTx15 slowed the fast inactivation of Nav1.2, Nav1.3, Nav1.4, Nav1.5, and Nav1.7 and inhibited the peak current of Nav1.5, but it did not affect Nav1.8. In addition, LmNaTx15 altered the voltage-dependent activation and inactivation of these Nav channel subtypes. Furthermore, like site 3 neurotoxins, LmNaTx15 induced pain in mice. These results show a novel scorpion toxin with a modulatory effect on specific Nav channel subtypes and pain induction in mice. Therefore, LmNaTx15 may be a key bioactive component for scorpion defense and predation. Besides, this study provides a basis for analyzing structure-function relationships of the scorpion toxins affecting Nav channel activity.

Transcriptome analysis reveals the peptide toxins diversity of Macrothele palpator venom.

Spider venom is a large pharmacological repertoire of different bioactive peptide toxins. However, obtaining crude venom from some spiders is challenging. Thus, studying individual toxins through venom purification is a daunting task. In this study, we constructed the cDNA library and transcriptomic sequencing from the Macrothele palpator venom glands. Subsequently, 718 high-quality expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were identified, and grouped into three categories, including 449 toxin-like (62.53 %), 136 cellular component (18.94 %) and 133 non-matched (18.52 %) based on the gene function annotation. Additionally, 112 non-redundant toxin-like peptides were classified into 13 families (families A-M) based on their sequence homology and cysteine framework. Bioinformatics analysis revealed a high sequence similarity between families A-J and the toxins from Macrothele gigas in the NR database. In contrast, families K-M had a generally low sequence homology with known spider peptide toxins and unpredictable biological functions. Taken together, this study adds many new members to the spider toxin superfamily and provides a basis for identifying various potential biological tools in M. palpator venom.

Effects of catalpol on asthma by airway remodeling via inhibiting TGF-ß1 and EGF in ovalbumin-induced asthmatic mice.

Airway remodeling represents the healing and alteration in the airway that occur as a consequence of chronic inflammation. Extracellular matrix synthesis regulated by transforming growth factor (TGF-ß1) and vascular remodeling regulated by epidermal growth factor (EGF) are important factors for the airway remodeling. This study aimed to probe the effect of catalpol, a major component of Radix Rehmanniae Preparata (Shudihuang), on airway remodeling and expression of TGF-ß1 and EGF in asthmatic mice. A mice model of asthma was induced by ovalbumin (OVA) treatment. BALB/c mice were randomly divided into blank control group, asthma model group, dexamethasone (DEX) group (positive control), high, medium and low dose of catalpol intervention group. Changes in lung histology were observed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. The levels of TGF-ß1 and EGF in mouse sera and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were examined by ELISA. The EGF mRNA and protein levels in mice tissues were determined. The results indicated that catalpol improved general conditions and reduced the damage of lung tissues in asthmatic mice. Moreover, results of ELISA revealed that catalpol significantly reduced the OVA-induced levels of TGF-ß1 and EGF in sera and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Additionally, results indicated that catalpol decreased the OVA-induced EGF mRNA and protein expression in lung tissues in asthmatic mice. Catalpol at a high dose was more efficient in decreasing the level of TGF-ß1 in mice sera and BALF comparing the DEX group. Current study has demonstrated that catalpol might effectively prevent airway remodeling in asthma via inhibiting TGF-ß1 and EGF.

Discrimination of CRISPR/Cas9-induced mutants of rice seeds using near-infrared hyperspectral imaging.

Identifying individuals with target mutant phenotypes is a significant procedure in mutant exploitation for implementing genome editing technology in a crop breeding programme. In the present study, a rapid and non-invasive method was proposed to identify CRISPR/Cas9-induced rice mutants from their acceptor lines (huaidao-1 and nanjing46) using hyperspectral imaging in the near-infrared (NIR) range (874.41-1733.91 nm) combined with chemometric analysis. The hyperspectral imaging data were analysed using principal component analysis (PCA) for exploratory purposes, and a support vector machine (SVM) and an extreme learning machine (ELM) were applied to build discrimination models for classification. Meanwhile, PCA loadings and a successive projections algorithm (SPA) were used for extracting optimal spectral wavelengths. The SVM-SPA model achieved best performance, with classification accuracies of 93% and 92.75% being observed for calibration and prediction sets for huaidao-1 and 91.25% and 89.50% for nanjing46, respectively. Furthermore, the classification of mutant seeds was visualized on prediction maps by predicting the features of each pixel on individual hyperspectral images based on the SPA-SVM model. The above results indicated that NIR hyperspectral imaging together with chemometric data analysis could be a reliable tool for identifying CRISPR/Cas9-induced rice mutants, which would help to accelerate selection and crop breeding processes.