Exploring the causal association between uric acid and lung cancer in east Asian and European populations: a mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer still ranks first in the mortality rate of cancer. Uric acid is a product of purine metabolism in humans. Its presence in the serum is controversial; some say that its high levels have a protective effect against tumors, others say the opposite, that is, high levels increase the risk of cancer. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the potential causal association between serum uric acid levels and lung cancer. METHODS: Mendelian randomization was used to achieve our aim. Sensitivity analyses was performed to validate the reliability of the results, followed by reverse Mendelian analyses to determine a potential reverse causal association. RESULTS: A significant causal association was found between serum uric acid levels and lung cancer in East Asian and European populations. Further sublayer analysis revealed a significant causal association between uric acid and small cell lung cancer, while no potential association was observed between uric acid and non-small cell lung cancer, squamous lung cancer, and lung adenocarcinoma. The sensitivity analyses confirmed the reliability of the results. Reverse Mendelian analysis showed no reverse causal association between uric acid and lung cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggested that serum uric acid levels were negatively associated with lung cancer, with uric acid being a potential protective factor for lung cancer. In addition, uric acid level monitoring was simple and inexpensive. Therefore, it might be used as a biomarker for lung cancer, promoting its wide use clinical practice.

PD-L1 knockdown suppresses vasculogenic mimicry of non-small cell lung cancer by modulating ZEB1-triggered EMT.

BACKGROUND: PD-L1 overexpression is commonly observed in various malignancies and is strongly correlated with poor prognoses for cancer patients. Moreover, PD-L1 has been shown to play a significant role in promoting angiogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) processes across different cancer types. METHODS: The relationship between PD-L1 and vasculogenic mimicry as well as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was explored by bioinformatics approach and immunohistochemistry. The functions of PD-L1 in regulating the expression of ZEB1 and the EMT process were assessed by Western blotting and q-PCR assays. The impact of PD-L1 on the migratory and proliferative capabilities of A549 and H1299 cells was evaluated through wound healing, cell invasion, and CCK8 assays following siRNA-mediated PD-L1 knockdown. Tube formation assay was utilized to evaluate the presence of VM structures. RESULTS: In this study, increased PD-L1 expression was observed in A549 and H1299 cells compared to normal lung epithelial cells. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a higher prevalence of VM structures in the PD-L1-positive group compared to the PD-L1-negative group. Additionally, high PD-L1 expression was also found to be significantly associated with advanced TNM stage and increased metastasis. Following PD-L1 knockdown, NSCLC cells exhibited a notable reduction in their ability to form tube-like structures. Moreover, the levels of key EMT and VM-related markers, including N-cadherin, MMP9, VE-cadherin, and VEGFA, were significantly decreased, while E-cadherin expression was upregulated. In addition, the migration and proliferation capacities of both cell lines were significantly inhibited after PD-L1 or ZEB1 knockdown. CONCLUSIONS: Knockdown PD-L1 can inhibit ZEB1-mediated EMT, thereby hindering the formation of VM in NSCLC.

High-Performance and Stable Colloidal Quantum Dots Imager via Energy Band Engineering.

Solution-processed colloidal quantum dot (CQD) photodiodes are compatible for monolithic integration with silicon-based readout circuitry, enabling ultrahigh resolution and ultralow cost infrared imagers. However, top-illuminated CQD photodiodes for longer infrared imaging suffer from mismatched energy band alignment between narrow-bandgap CQDs and the electron transport layer. In this work, we designed a new top-illuminated structure by replacing the sputtered ZnO layer with a SnO2 layer by atomic layer deposition. Benefiting from matched energy band alignment and improved heterogeneous interface, our top-illuminated CQD photodiodes achieve a broad-band response up to 1650 nm. At 220 K, these SnO2-based devices exhibit an ultralow dark current density of 3.5 nA cm-2 at -10 mV, reaching the noise limit for passive night vision. The detectivity is 4.1 × 1012 Jones at 1530 nm. These SnO2-based devices also demonstrate exceptional operation stability. By integrating with silicon-based readout circuitry, our CQD imager realizes water/oil discrimination and see-through smoke imaging.

Biomineralized tetramethylpyrazine-loaded PCL/gelatin nanofibrous membrane promotes vascularization and bone regeneration of rat cranium defects.

Conventional electrospinning produces nanofibers with smooth surfaces that limit biomineralization ability. To overcome this disadvantage, we fabricated a tetramethylpyrazine (TMP)-loaded matrix-mimicking biomineralization in PCL/Gelatin composite electrospun membranes with bubble-shaped nanofibrous structures. PCL/Gelatin membranes (PG), PCL/Gelatin membranes containing biomineralized hydroxyapatite (HA) (PGH), and PCL/Gelatin membranes containing biomineralized HA and loaded TMP (PGHT) were tested. In vitro results indicated that the bubble-shaped nanofibrous surface increased the surface roughness of the nanofibers and promoted mineralization. Furthermore, sustained-release TMP had an excellent drug release efficiency. Initially released vigorously, it reached stabilization at day 7, and the slow-release rate stabilized at 61.0 ± 1.8% at 28 days. All membranes revealed an intact cytoskeleton, cell viability, and superior adhesion and proliferation when stained with Ghost Pen Cyclic Peptide, CCK-8, cell adhesion, and EdU. In PGHT membranes, the osteogenic and vascularized gene expression of BMSCs and human vascular endothelial cells was significantly upregulated compared with that in other groups, indicating the PGHT membranes exhibited an effective vascularization role. Subsequently, the membranes were implanted in a rat cranium defect model for 4 and 8 weeks. Micro-CT and histological analysis results showed that the PGHT membranes had better bone regenerative patterns. Additionally, the levels of CD31 and VEGF significantly increased in the PGHT membrane compared with those in other membranes. Thus, PGHT membranes could accelerate the repair of cranium defects in vivo via HA and TMP synergistic effects.

Significant methane ebullition from large shallow eutrophic lakes of the semi-arid region of northern China.

Eutrophic lakes are a major source of the atmospheric greenhouse gas methane (CH4), and CH4 ebullition emissions from inland lakes have important implications for the carbon cycle. However, the spatio-temporal heterogeneity of CH4 ebullition emission and its influencing factors in shallow eutrophic lakes of arid and semi-arid regions remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the mechanism of CH4 emission via eutrophication in Lake Ulansuhai, a large shallow eutrophic lake in a semi-arid region of China.To this end, monthly field surveys were conducted from May to October 2021, and gas chromatography was applied using the headspace equilibrium technique with an inverted funnel arrangement. The total CH4 fluxes ranged from 0.102 mmol m-2 d-1 to 59.296 mmol m-2 d-1 with an average value of 4.984 ± 1.82 mmol m-2 d-1. CH4 ebullition emissions showed significant temporal and spatial variations. The highest CH4 ebullition emission was observed in July with a grand mean of 9.299 mmol m-2 d-1, and the lowest CH4 ebullition emissions occurred in October with an average of 0.235 mmol m-2 d-1. Among seven sites (S1-S7), the maximum (3.657 mmol m-2 d-1) and minimum (1.297 mmol m-2 d-1). CH4 ebullition emissions were observed at S2 and S7, respectively. As the main route of CH4 emission to the atmosphere in Lake Ulansuhai, the CH4 ebullition flux during May to October accounted for 69% of the total CH4 flux. Statistical analysis showed that CH4 ebullition was positively correlated with temperature (R = 0.391, P < 0.01) and negatively correlated with air pressure (R = 0.286, P < 0.00). Temperature and air pressure were found to strongly regulate the production and oxidation of CH4. Moreover, nutritional status indicators such as TP and NH4+-N significantly affect CH4 ebullition emissions (R = 0.232, P < 0.01; R = -0.241, P < 0.01). This study reveals the influencing factors of CH4 ebullition emission in Lake Ulansuhai, and provides theoretical reference and data support for carbon emission from eutrophic lakes. Nevertheless, research on eutrophic shallow lakes needs to be further strengthened. Future research should incorporate improved flux measurement techniques with process-based models to improve the accuracy from regional to large-scale estimation of CH4 emissions and clarify the carbon budget of aquatic ecosystems. In this manner, the understanding and predictability of CH4 ebullition emission from shallow lakes can be improved.

LncRNA MIR100HG affects the proliferation and metastasis of lung cancer cells through mediating the microRNA-5590-3p/DCBLD2 axis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) MIR100HG on the proliferation and metastasis of lung cancer cells by mediating the microRNA (miR)-5590-3p/DCBLD2 axis. METHODS: RNA levels of MIR100HG, miR-5590-3p, and DCBLD2 in lung cancer tissues and cells were detected by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and protein level was assessed by Western blot. Effects of MIR100HG or miR-5590-3p on proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung cancer cells were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, and Transwell assays. Luciferase reporter assay and RNA-immunoprecipitation assay confirmed the target relationship between miR-5590-3p and MIR100HG or DCBLD2. RESULTS: MIR100HG and DCBLD2 were highly expressed, while miR-5590-3p was lowly expressed in lung cancer tissues and cells. Silencing MIR100HG or upregulating miR-5590-3p impeded lung cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. MIR100HG could up-regulate DCBLD2 by sponging miR-5590-3p. Downregulation of miR-5590-3p partly overturned the suppressive effect of silencing MIR100HG on lung cancer cell proliferation and metastasis, and overexpression of DCBLD2 also reversed the effect of overexpression of miR-5590-3p on lung cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. CONCLUSION: LncRNA MIR100HG promotes lung cancer progression by targeting and negatively regulating DCBLD2 through binding with miR-5590-3p.

The Influence of Strain Aging at Different Temperatures on the Mechanical Properties of Cold-Drawn 10B21 Steel Combined with an Electron Microscope Study of the Structures.

The effect of aging treatments at various temperatures on the mechanical properties and microstructure of 10B21 cold heading steel with a 20% reduction in area (ε = 0.1) was investigated. The mechanical properties were evaluated based on tensile tests and hardness tests, while the evolution of microstructure was observed by using an optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results reveal that aging treatment enhance the strength and hardness of 10B21 cold heading steel after drawing, and the highest values of strength and hardness are attained at an aging temperature of 300 °C. Specifically, the yield and ultrahigh tensile strength after aging at 300 °C are measured at 620 MPa and 685 MPa, respectively, which are 30 MPa and 50 MPa higher than the cold-drawn sample. Moreover, the hardness after aging at 300 °C reaches 293 HV, which has an increase of 30 HV compared to the cold-drawn state. The improvement in mechanical properties may be related to the strain-aging mechanism and the increased density of dislocations. In addition, the analysis of the TEM results reveal that the presence of the second-phase Ti(C,N) contributes to pinning the dislocations, whereas the dislocations are pinned between the cementite (Fe3C) lamellar and stacked at the grain boundaries, leading to strain hardening of the material.

Coaxial Electrospun Polycaprolactone/Gelatin Nanofiber Membrane Loaded with Salidroside and Cryptotanshinone Synergistically Promotes Vascularization and Osteogenesis.

Background: Salidroside (SAL) is the most effective component of Rhodiola rosea, a traditional Chinese medicine. Cryptotanshinone (CT) is the main fat-soluble extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza, exhibiting considerable potential for application in osteogenesis. Herein, a polycaprolactone/gelatin nanofiber membrane loaded with CT and SAL (PSGC membrane) was successfully fabricated via coaxial electrospinning and characterized. Methods and Results: This membrane capable of sustained and controlled drug release was employed in this study. Co-culturing the membrane with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells revealed excellent biocompatibility and demonstrated osteogenic and angiogenic capabilities. Furthermore, drug release from the PSGC membrane activated the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway and promoted osteogenic differentiation and vascularization. Evaluation of the membrane's vascularization and osteogenic capacities involved transplantation onto a rat's subcutaneous area and assessing rat cranium defects for bone regeneration, respectively. Microcomputed tomography, histological tests, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence staining confirmed the membrane's outstanding angiogenic capacity two weeks post-operation, with a higher incidence of osteogenesis observed in rat cranial defects eight weeks post-surgery. Conclusion: Overall, the SAL- and CT-loaded coaxial electrospun nanofiber membrane synergistically enhances bone repair and regeneration.

Identification of a novel immunogenic death-associated model for predicting the immune microenvironment in lung adenocarcinoma from single-cell and Bulk transcriptomes.

Background: Studies on immunogenic death (ICD) in lung adenocarcinoma are limited, and this study aimed to determine the function of ICD in LUAD and to construct a novel ICD-based prognostic model to improve immune efficacy in lung adenocarcinoma patients. Methods: The data for lung adenocarcinoma were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and the National Center for Biotechnology Information (GEO). The single-cell data were obtained from Bischoff P et al. To identify subpopulations, we performed descending clustering using TSNE. We collected sets of genes related to immunogenic death from the literature and identified ICD-related genes through gene set analysis of variance (GSVA) and weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA). Lung adenocarcinoma patients were classified into two types using consistency clustering. The difference between the two types was analyzed to obtain differential genes. An immunogenic death model (ICDRS) was established using LASSO-Cox analysis and compared with lung adenocarcinoma models of other individuals. External validation was performed in the GSE31210 and GSE50081 cohorts. The efficacy of immunotherapy was assessed using the TIDE algorithm and the IMvigor210, GSE78220, and TCIA cohorts. Furthermore, differences in mutational profiles and immune microenvironment between different risk groups were investigated. Subsequently, ROC diagnostic curves and KM survival curves were used to screen ICDRS key regulatory genes. Finally, RT-qPCR was used to verify the differential expression of these genes. Results: Eight ICD genes were found to be highly predictive of LUAD prognosis and significantly correlated with it. Multivariate analysis showed that patients in the low-risk group had a higher overall survival rate than those in the high-risk group, indicating that the model was an independent predictor of LUAD. Additionally, ICDRS demonstrated better predictive ability compared to 11 previously published models. Furthermore, significant differences in biological function and immune cell infiltration were observed in the tumor microenvironment between the high-risk and low-risk groups. It is noteworthy that immunotherapy was also significant in both groups. These findings suggest that the model has good predictive efficacy. Conclusions: The ICD model demonstrated good predictive performance, revealing the tumor microenvironment and providing a new method for evaluating the efficacy of pre-immunization. This offers a new strategy for future treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.

Biomimetic Hydroxyapatite on 3D-Printed Nanoattapulgite/Polycaprolactone Scaffolds for Bone Regeneration of Rat Cranium Defects.

Nanoattapulgite (nano-ATP), a magnesium-aluminum silicate clay, can absorb substances and is a suitable material for bone repair and regeneration. In this study, using three-dimensional printing technology, a nano-ATP/polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold was fabricated and modified using NaOH to form a rough surface. Biomimetic hydroxyapatite (HA) on nano-ATP/PCL scaffolds was fabricated using a biomineralized approach. The scaffold provided structural support through PCL and was modified with ATP and HA to improve hydrophilicity and promote the delivery of nutrients. The biocompatibility and osteogenic induction of scaffolds were assessed in vitro using mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. According to the in vitro study results, the nano-ATP/PCL/HA composite scaffold significantly boosted the expression levels of genes related to osteogenesis (p < 0.05), attributed to its superior alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium deposition capabilities. The outcomes of in vivo experimentation demonstrated an augmentation in bone growth at the rat cranial defect site when treated with the ATP/PCL/HA composite scaffold. It can be inferred from the results that the implementation of ATP and HA for the bone tissue engineering repair material displays encouraging prospects.

Identification of T-cell exhaustion-related genes and prediction of their immunotherapeutic role in lung adenocarcinoma.

Background: Lung adenocarcinoma ranks as the second most widespread form of cancer globally, accompanied by a significant mortality rate. Several studies have shown that T cell exhaustion is associated with immunotherapy of tumours. Consequently, it is essential to comprehend the possible impact of T cell exhaustion on the tumor microenvironment. The purpose of this research was to create a TEX-based model that would use single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) and bulk-RNA sequencing to explore new possibilities for assessing the prognosis and immunotherapeutic response of LUAD patients. Methods: RNA-seq data from LUAD patients was downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and the National Center for Biotechnology Information (GEO). 10X scRNA sequencing data, as reported by Bischoff P et al., was utilized for down-sampling clustering and subgroup identification using TSNE. TEX-associated genes were identified through gene set variance analysis (GSVA) and weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA). We utilized LASSO-Cox analysis to establish predicted TEX features. External validation was conducted in GSE31210 and GSE30219 cohorts. Immunotherapeutic response was assessed in IMvigor210, GSE78220, GSE35640 and GSE100797 cohorts. Furthermore, we investigated differences in mutational profiles and immune microenvironment between various risk groups. We then screened TEXRS key regulatory genes using ROC diagnostic curves and KM survival curves. Finally, we verified the differential expression of key regulatory genes through RT-qPCR. Results: Nine TEX genes were identified as highly predictive of LUAD prognosis and strongly correlated with disease outcome. Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that patients in the low-risk group had significantly better overall survival rates compared with those in the high-risk group, highlighting the model's ability to independently predict LUAD prognosis. Our analysis revealed significant variation in the biological function, mutational landscape, and immune cell infiltration within the tumor microenvironment of both high-risk and low-risk groups. Additionally, immunotherapy was found to have a significant impact on both groups, indicating strong predictive efficacy of the model. Conclusions: The TEX model showed good predictive performance and provided a new perspective for evaluating the efficacy of preimmunization, which provides a new strategy for the future treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.

Role and potential therapeutic value of histone methyltransferases in drug resistance mechanisms in lung cancer.

Lung cancer, ranking second globally in both incidence and high mortality among common malignant tumors, presents a significant challenge with frequent occurrences of drug resistance despite the continuous emergence of novel therapeutic agents. This exacerbates disease progression, tumor recurrence, and ultimately leads to poor prognosis. Beyond acquired resistance due to genetic mutations, mounting evidence suggests a critical role of epigenetic mechanisms in this process. Numerous studies have indicated abnormal expression of Histone Methyltransferases (HMTs) in lung cancer, with the abnormal activation of certain HMTs closely linked to drug resistance. HMTs mediate drug tolerance in lung cancer through pathways involving alterations in cellular metabolism, upregulation of cancer stem cell-related genes, promotion of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and enhanced migratory capabilities. The use of HMT inhibitors also opens new avenues for lung cancer treatment, and targeting HMTs may contribute to reversing drug resistance. This comprehensive review delves into the pivotal roles and molecular mechanisms of HMTs in drug resistance in lung cancer, offering a fresh perspective on therapeutic strategies. By thoroughly examining treatment approaches, it provides new insights into understanding drug resistance in lung cancer, supporting personalized treatment, fostering drug development, and propelling lung cancer therapy into novel territories.

Dynamic changes of quality and flavor characterization of Zhejiang rosy vinegar during fermentation and aging based on untargeted metabolomics.

Zhejiang Rosy Vinegar (ZRV) is a traditional condiment in Southeast China. This study aimed to track the physicochemical, microbiological, sensory changes, and metabolomic profiles of ZRV during fermentation and aging. The increase of acidity and decrease of reducing sugar were associated with the dominant growth of Lactobacillus and Acetobacter. The total 35 volatile compounds were identified in ZRV, mainly containing alcohols, esters, acids, aldehydes, ketones acids, phenols and nitrogen-containing. Compared to phenethyl acetate with sweet aroma in fresh vinegar, the compound with high odor activity values was isoamyl acetate with fruity aromas in aged vinegar. Furthermore, 1309 types of non-volatile components were identified, and histidine metabolism and arginine biosynthesis were revealed as main pathways during fermenting and aging. Concurrently, various bioactive substances in ZRV were identified. This study enriched the knowledge on the components and flavor of ZRV, and assist to improve the production quality of vinegar.

A new method based on additive vegetation index for mapping Huangtai algae coverage in Lake Ulansuhai.

Huangtai algal blooms are key indicators of eutrophication and lake-ecosystem damage. Understanding the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of their growth is critical for preserving the ecological environment. The dimidiate pixel model is commonly used to estimate vegetation coverage; however, indices such as the normalized difference vegetation index have not been specifically constructed for the Huangtai algae spectrum and thus are not specific or sufficiently precise for use as indicators. Therefore, we propose a new dimidiate pixel model based on a novel additive vegetation index to calculate the Huangtai algal coverage for each pixel using Landsat multispectral satellite images with 30-m resolution. The results showed that the additive vegetation index with R2 = 0.994 is a better indicator than the normalized difference vegetation index, enhanced vegetative index, and ratio vegetative index, with the accuracy of the new model reaching 86.61%. Monthly Landsat images from 2006 to 2016 were used to calculate the Huangtai algal coverage. Analysis of the inter-monthly variation indicated increased coverage from May to July, with an annual maximum and minimum of 14.43% and 0.33% in 2008 and 2013, respectively. This study provides a new reference map of Huangtai algal cover, which is important for monitoring and protecting the Lake Ulansuhai environment.

Clinical and Biomechanical Study of Laminoplasty for Thoracic and Lumbar Intradural Tumors.

(1) Background: Primary intraspinal tumors account for 2-15% of all central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Most intraspinal tumors are benign, and about 40% of them occur intradurally, for which early surgery is the preferred treatment. Laminectomy with pedicle screw fixation is the conventional surgical treatment. However, laminectomy with pedicle screw fixation is likely to reduce the spinal range of motion (ROM), with many other complications, although it can maintain the stability of the spine. The aim of this study is to determine whether laminoplasty as a new surgical approach for thoracic and lumbar intradural tumors is superior to laminectomy in preserving spinal ROM, maintaining spinal stability and reducing postoperative complications. (2) Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 50 patients who received intradural tumor resection, including 23 who received traditional laminectomy with pedicle screw fixation and 27 who received new laminoplasty. Spinal ROM was evaluated by lumbar flexion/extension radiograph and biomechanical evaluation. Spinal stability was evaluated by imaging observations of the spinal Cobb angle and laminar bone fusion. Postoperative complications were evaluated according to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage and the length of hospital stay. (3) Results: Compared with the laminectomy group, patients in the laminoplasty group exhibited a better spinal ROM (31.6 ± 12.0° vs. 21.7 ± 11.8°, p = 0.013), a smaller Cobb angle (9.6 ± 4.3 vs. 12.5 ± 5.3, p = 0.034), a lower incidence of CSF leakage (4/14.8% vs. 11/47.8%, p = 0.015), and a shorter length of hospital stay (13.1 ± 1.8 vs. 15.1 ± 2.3 days, p = 0.001). Most patients in the laminoplasty group had satisfactory bone fusion. The biomechanical experiment also demonstrated that spinal ROM in laminoplasty was larger than that in the laminectomy group. (4) Conclusions: Compared with the traditional surgery, the new laminoplasty surgery can better maintain the stability of the spine, preserve spinal ROM, and reduce postoperative complications. It is a surgical method that can be clinically popularized.

Upregulation of LPGAT1 Enhances Lung Adenocarcinoma Proliferation.

BACKGROUND: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. Lysophosphatidylglycerol acyltransferase (LPGAT1) regulates the biosynthesis of triacylglycerol, which is essential for maintaining phospholipid homeostasis and modulating the structural integrity of mitochondrial membranes. LPGAT1 has been demonstrated to be differentially expressed in normal lung tissue and LUAD tissues, and can serve as a metabolically relevant gene with potential prognostic value. However, the potential role of LPGAT1 in LUAD is still unknown. This study sought to determine the role of LPGAT1 in LUAD progression. METHODS: LPGAT1 expression was examined in LUAD cells and tumor tissues from LUAD patients. The effect of LPGAT1 was then assessed in both cell and animal models after LPGAT1 was knocked down by RNA interference. RESULTS: LPGAT1 was upregulated in LUAD tissues. Overexpression of LPGAT1 was associated with an unfavorable prognosis in LUAD patients, as revealed by univariate and multivariate Cox analyses. Knockdown of LPGAT1 abrogated tumor growth and proliferation in both cell and animal models. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that LPGAT1 promotes proliferation and inhibits apoptosis in LUAD. Hence, LPGAT1 may provide new treatment strategies for LUAD.

Flexible and broadband colloidal quantum dots photodiode array for pixel-level X-ray to near-infrared image fusion.

Combining information from multispectral images into a fused image is informative and beneficial for human or machine perception. Currently, multiple photodetectors with different response bands are used, which require complicated algorithms and systems to solve the pixel and position mismatch problem. An ideal solution would be pixel-level multispectral image fusion, which involves multispectral image using the same photodetector and circumventing the mismatch problem. Here we presented the potential of pixel-level multispectral image fusion utilizing colloidal quantum dots photodiode array, with a broadband response range from X-ray to near infrared and excellent tolerance for bending and X-ray irradiation. The colloidal quantum dots photodiode array showed a specific detectivity exceeding 1012 Jones in visible and near infrared range and a favorable volume sensitivity of approximately 2 × 105 µC Gy-1 cm-3 for X-ray irradiation. To showcase the advantages of pixel-level multispectral image fusion, we imaged a capsule enfolding an iron wire and soft plastic, successfully revealing internal information through an X-ray to near infrared fused image.

Large-area flexible colloidal-quantum-dot infrared photodiodes for photoplethysmogram signal measurements.

Epitaxially grown photodiodes are the foundation of infrared photodetection technology; however, their rigid structure and limited area scaling limit their use in advanced applications. Colloidal-quantum-dot (CQD) infrared photodiodes have increased active areas through solution processing, and are thus potential candidates for large-area flexible photodetection, but these large-area photodiodes have disadvantages such as large dark current density, poor homogeneity, and poor stability. Therefore, this study established a fabrication strategy for large-area flexible CQD photodiodes that involves introducing polyimide to CQD ink to improve CQD passivation, monodisperse ink persistence, and film morphology. The resulting CQD photodiodes exhibited reduced dark current density and improved homogeneity and work stability. Furthermore, the as-prepared photodiodes exhibited a detectivity (D*) of greater than 1013 Jones, which was higher than other reported CQD photodetectors. The CQD photodiodes developed in this study can be used for wearable photoplethysmogram (PPG) signal measurement under ambient light at reduced cost and power consumption.

Drivers of spatial and seasonal variations of CO2 and CH4 fluxes at the sediment water interface in a shallow eutrophic lake.

Shallow eutrophic lakes contribute disproportional to the emissions of CO2 and CH4 from inland waters. The processes that contribute to these fluxes, their environmental controls, and anthropogenic influences, however, are poorly constrained. Here, we studied the spatial variability and seasonal dynamics of CO2 and CH4 fluxes across the sediment-water interface, and their relationships to porewater nutrient concentrations in Lake Ulansuhai, a shallow eutrophic lake located in a semi-arid region in Northern China. The mean concentrations of CO2 and CH4 in porewater were 877.8 ± 31.0 µmol L-1 and 689.2 ± 45.0 µmol L-1, which were more than 50 and 20 times higher than those in the water column, respectively. The sediment was always a source of both gases for the water column. Porewater CO2 and CH4 concentrations and diffusive fluxes across the sediment-water interface showed significant temporal and spatial variations with mean diffusive fluxes of 887.3 ±124.7 µmol m-2 d-1 and 607.1 ± 68.0 µmol m-2 d-1 for CO2 and CH4, respectively. The temporal and spatial variations of CO2 and CH4 concentrations in porewater were associated with corresponding variations in dissolved organic carbon and dissolved nitrogen species. Temperature and dissolved organic carbon in surface porewater were the most important drivers of temporal variations in diffusive fluxes, whereas dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen were the main drivers of their spatial variations. Diffusive fluxes generally increased with increasing dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen in the porewater from the inflow to the outflow region of the lake. The estimated fluxes of both gases at the sediment-water interface were one order of magnitude lower than the emissions at the water surface, which were measured in a companion study. This indicates that diffusive fluxes across the sediment-water interface were not the main pathway for CO2 and CH4 emissions to the atmosphere. To improve the mechanistic understanding and predictability of greenhouse gas emissions from shallow lakes, future studies should aim to close the apparent gap in the CO2 and CH4 budget by combining improved flux measurement techniques with process-based modeling.

Low levels of spexin and adiponectin may predict insulin resistance in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver.

Adipose tissue is endocrine organ that responds by secreting numerous hormones that regulate metabolism in skeletal muscle and the liver. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of spexin and adiponectin in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver and evaluate the relationship between circulating adipocytokines and insulin resistance. Two groups of subjects were evaluated: 41 non-alcoholic fatty liver subjects (age 35.17 â€‹± â€‹12.29 year, BMI 30.97 â€‹± â€‹2.75 â€‹kg/m2) and 38 normal controls (age 38.47 â€‹± â€‹11.63 year, BMI 22.83 â€‹± â€‹3.00 â€‹kg/m2). Plasma concentrations of spexin and adiponectin were determined using immunosorbent assay kits. Insulin resistance was assessed using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) formula derived from fasting insulin and glucose levels. Compared to normal controls, plasma concentrations of spexin and adiponectin were significantly lower in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver (P â€‹< â€‹0.001). Spexin did not correlate with BMI but did significantly correlate with HOMA-IR (r â€‹= â€‹-0.368; P â€‹= â€‹0.018) and adiponectin (r â€‹= â€‹0.378; P â€‹= â€‹0.043), and this correlation remained significant after adjustment for gender and BMI. In this small group of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver we demonstrated that insulin resistance correlated strongly with spexin and adiponectin levels.