Utilizing a novel model of PANoptosis-related genes for enhanced prognosis and immune status prediction in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma.

Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) is the most common histopathologic type of renal cell carcinoma. PANoptosis, a cell death pathway that involves an interplay between pyroptosis, apoptosis and necroptosis, is associated with cancer immunity and development. However, the prognostic significance of PANoptosis in KIRC remains unclear. RNA-sequencing expression and mutational profiles from 532 KIRC samples and 72 normal samples with sufficient clinical data were retrieved from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. A prognostic model was constructed using differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to PANoptosis in the TCGA cohort and was validated in a Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) cohorts. Incorporating various clinical features, the risk model remained an independent prognostic factor in multivariate analysis, and it demonstrated superior performance compared to unsupervised clustering of the 21 PANoptosis-related genes alone. Further mutational analysis showed fewer VHL and more BAP1 alterations in the high-risk group, with alterations in both genes also associated with patient prognosis. The high-risk group was characterized by an unfavorable immune microenvironment, marked by reduced levels of CD4 + T cells and natural killer cells, but increased M2 macrophages and regulatory T cells. Finally, the risk model was predictive of response to immune checkpoint blockade, as well as sensitivity to sunitinib and paclitaxel. The PANoptosis-related risk model developed in this study enables accurate prognostic prediction in KIRC patients. Its associations with the tumor immune microenvironment and drug efficacy may offer potential therapeutic targets and inform clinical decisions.

Identification of HK3 as a promising immunomodulatory and prognostic target in sepsis-induced acute lung injury.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a life-threatening global disease with a significant impact on human health. Acute lung injury (ALI) has been identified as one of the primary causes of mortality in septic patients. This study aimed to identify candidate genes involved in sepsis-induced ALI through a comprehensive approach combining bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation. METHODS: The datasets GSE65682 and GSE32707 obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database were merged to screen for sepsis-induced ALI related differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Functional enrichment and immune infiltration analyses were conducted on DGEs, with the construction of protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks to identify hub genes. In vitro and in vivo models of sepsis-induced ALI were used to study the expression and function of hexokinase 3 (HK3) using various techniques including Western blot, real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Cell Counting Kit-8, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and flow cytometry. RESULTS: The results of bioinformatics analysis have identified HK3, MMP9, and S100A8 as hub genes with diagnostic and prognostic significance for sepsis-induced ALI. The HK3 has profound effects on sepsis-induced ALI and exhibits a correlation with immune regulation. Experimental results showed increased HK3 expression in lung tissue of septic mice, particularly in bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells. In vitro studies demonstrated upregulation of HK3 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated lung epithelial cells, with cytoplasmic localization around the nucleus. Interestingly, following the knockdown of HK3 expression, lung epithelial cells exhibited a significant decrease in proliferation activity and glycolytic flux, accompanied by an increase in cellular inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: It was observed for the first time that HK3 plays a crucial role in the progression of sepsis-induced ALI and may be a valuable target for immunomodulation and therapy.Bioinformatics analysis identified HK3, MMP9, and S100A8 as hub genes with diagnostic and prognostic relevance in sepsis-induced ALI. Experimental findings showed increased HK3 expression in the lung tissue of septic mice, particularly in bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells. In vitro experiments demonstrated increased HK3 levels in lung epithelial cells stimulated with LPS, with cytoplasmic localization near the nucleus. Knockdown of HK3 expression resulted in decreased proliferation activity and glycolytic flux, increased inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis in lung epithelial cells.

Video snapshot compressive imaging using adaptive progressive coding for high-quality reconstruction under different illumination circumstances.

We consider capturing high-speed color video under different illumination conditions using a video snapshot compressive imaging system (video SCI). An adaptive progressive coding method is proposed, and we conduct an integrated design of the imaging system in terms of optics, mechanics, and control. Compared to previous video SCI systems, this adaptive progressive coding method mitigates the image stability issues in various illumination conditions, ensuring high-quality imaging while greatly improving the light throughput of the system. Based on the analysis of both simulation and real experimental results, we found that this imaging system can achieve color video shooting under an illumination range of 2 lux to 60 lux.

Antitumor immunity and prognosis value elicited by FAT3 and LRP1B co-mutation in endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: FAT3 and LRP1B are two tumor suppressor genes with high mutation frequency in multiple cancer types, we sought to investigate the prognostic and immunological significance of these two genes in EC. METHODS: Based on a cohort of 502 EC samples, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of its multidimensional data types including genomic, transcriptomic, and clinical information, the potential impact of FAT3 and LRP1B co-mutation on antitumor immune response and prognosis were systematically discussed. RESULTS: We observed that FAT3 and LRP1B co-mutation was not only defined a dataset with prominently increased TMB, decreased tumor aneuploidy, and specially enriched in MSI-H subtype, but also manifested increased expression of immune-related markers, especially exclusive upregulation of PD-L1 levels and higher PD-L1+/CD8A+ proportion. Further analysis focused on lymphocyte infiltration and pathway enrichment explored the immune cell composition of the microenvironment and underlying molecular mechanisms affecting tumor development. Furthermore, EC patients with FAT3 and LRP1B co-mutation possessed significantly prolonged PFS and OS, and the co-mutation status was proved to be an independent prognostic factor. And a nomogram with high predictive performance was constructed by incorporating co-mutation with clinical features. More strikingly, the prognosis of MSI-H patients in EC with co-mutation was significantly improved, and their survival reached a level consistent with the POLE subtype. CONCLUSIONS: In endometrial cancer, co-mutation of FAT3 and LRP1B not only leads to activation of the immune state, but also represents a subgroup with an improved prognosis, particularly in the MSI-H subtype.

[Investigation on the recommended dose of prebiotic in health food in China in 1996-2022].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the recommended dose distribution of prebiotic-containing health food in China. METHODS: The overall recommended dose of prebiotic health food was available from the label information of approved prebiotic health food from 1996 to 2022; the recommended dose distribution of prebiotic-containing health food was analyzed from different healthy functions and different ways of addition. RESULTS: There were 174 prebiotic-containing health food products with clear dose information, respectively, involving 5 prebiotics including Fructooligosaccharides, Galactooligosaccharides, Isomaltooligosaccharides, Xylo-oligosaccharides and Polydextrose, and the majority of prebiotics were added in combination, with 159 products. The recommended dose range of prebiotic-containing health food products was wide, and in general, the dose of prebiotic-containing health food products used alone was higher than the dose used in combination. The recommended daily intake range of health food containing Fructooligosaccharides was 5.28-17 500 mg/d, the recommended daily intake range of health food containing Isomaltooligosaccharides was 220-28 000 mg/d, the dose range of health food containing Xylo-oligosaccharides was 8.4-2 800 mg/d, the dose range of health food containing Polydextrose was 4-12 120 mg/d, the number of Galacto-Oligosaccharides products Only two kinds of products were included, with doses of 259.8 mg/d and 3500 mg/d, respectively. The claimed functions of prebiotic health food products were focused on laxative function, immunity enhancement, and regulation of intestinal flora. The application dose of prebiotic health food with different functional compounding additions was close to the overall dose. CONCLUSION: The recommended dosage range of prebiotics in health food containing prebiotics in China is large, and prebiotics in products are mainly added by compounding.

Ultra-broadband dual-polarization and arbitrary ratio power splitters based on Bezier curve optimized multimode interference.

We propose and demonstrate two types of 1 × 2 power splitters based on multimode interference (MMI), which are ultra-compact, fabrication friendly, and low loss. The contours of MMI and output tapers are optimized with Bezier curves, which can implement arbitrary ratio power splitters (ARPSs) and ultra-broadband dual-polarization power splitters (UDPSs). For ARPSs, the experimental results show that arbitrary power splitting ratios can be obtained with an average excess loss (EL) of 0.17 dB at 1550 nm for fundamental TE polarization. For UDPSs, the experimental results show that the ELs for fundamental TE and TM polarization are less than 0.63 dB and 0.44 dB over a large bandwidth of 415 nm (1260-1675 nm). The footprints of the proposed devices are less than 10 µm × 2.5 µm (without input straight waveguide) with large fabrication tolerance.

Ionization induced by the ponderomotive force in intense and high-frequency laser fields.

Atomic stabilization is a universal phenomenon that occurs when atoms interact with intense and high-frequency laser fields. In this work, we systematically study the influence of the ponderomotive (PM) force, present around the laser focus, on atomic stabilization. We show that the PM force could induce tunneling and even over-barrier ionization to the otherwise stabilized atoms. Such effect may overweigh the typical multiphoton ionization under moderate laser intensities. Our work highlights the importance of an improved treatment of atomic stabilization that includes the influence of the PM force.

Analytical strategies in neurotransmitter measurements: A mini literature review.

Neurotransmitters (NTs) are endogenous, polar, low-molecular-weight compounds that play multiple pivotal roles in the central nervous system. NTs are involved in communicating information, responding to stress, regulating motor coordination, and allowing interneuronal communication in living organisms. It is essential to determine the distribution of NTs in brain regions to better understand drug dependence and abuse, neurological disorders, psychological disorders, and aging. Monitoring NT levels is also important in diagnosing and avoiding serious illnesses. We here review chromatography-based analytical techniques, including pretreatment methods (e.g., microdialysis and solid-phase microextraction), as well as detection strategies (e.g., MS and electrochemistry), focusing on developments in these techniques over the past 5 years. We then highlight recent advances in electrochemical and fluorescence imaging methods in vivo and the disadvantages and advantages of such technologies, including high spatiotemporal resolution, polymer specificity, and high sensitivity. Finally, we summarize and compare the complementary advantages of chromatography-based analytical techniques and biosensors and discuss trends in the development of NT detection technologies.

Hybrid Multi-Dimensional Attention U-Net for Hyperspectral Snapshot Compressive Imaging Reconstruction.

In order to capture the spatial-spectral (x,y,λ) information of the scene, various techniques have been proposed. Different from the widely used scanning-based methods, spectral snapshot compressive imaging (SCI) utilizes the idea of compressive sensing to compressively capture the 3D spatial-spectral data-cube in a single-shot 2D measurement and thus it is efficient, enjoying the advantages of high-speed and low bandwidth. However, the reconstruction process, i.e., to retrieve the 3D cube from the 2D measurement, is an ill-posed problem and it is challenging to reconstruct high quality images. Previous works usually use 2D convolutions and preliminary attention to address this challenge. However, these networks and attention do not exactly extract spectral features. On the other hand, 3D convolutions can extract more features in a 3D cube, but increase computational cost significantly. To balance this trade-off, in this paper, we propose a hybrid multi-dimensional attention U-Net (HMDAU-Net) to reconstruct hyperspectral images from the 2D measurement in an end-to-end manner. HMDAU-Net integrates 3D and 2D convolutions in an encoder-decoder structure to fully utilize the abundant spectral information of hyperspectral images with a trade-off between performance and computational cost. Furthermore, attention gates are employed to highlight salient features and suppress the noise carried by the skip connections. Our proposed HMDAU-Net achieves superior performance over previous state-of-the-art reconstruction algorithms.

[Comparative study on the essential composition content of commercial follow-up formula for older infant with the requirements in the new national food safety standard in China from 2017 to 2022].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the distribution of the content range of essential ingredients in commercial follow-up formula for older infants in China, analyze the differences between the content of essential ingredients in commercial older infant formula milk powder in China and the requirements of the new national standard(GB 10766-2021). METHODS: The label information of 478 commercial follow-up formula for older infant registered and approved from January 2017 to June 2022 were collected and entered. The distribution of essential ingredients was statistically analyzed, which was compared with the requirements of the new national food safety standard. RESULTS: The new national standard has 31 essential components. Compared with the old national standard(GB 10767-2010), five indicators of carbohydrate, α-linolenic acid, choline, selenium and manganese were added. The new national standard has 28 essential component requirements revised, including 13 adjusted the lower limit, 7 adjusted the upper limit, and 16 essential components added the upper limit. Among the approved 478 older infant formula milk powders, the distribution of 11 essential ingredients were all in line with the new national standard, and 14 essential ingredients were less than the lower limit of the new national standard. The essential ingredients whose minimum value was less than the lower limit of the new national standard and the proportion exceeds 50% were vitamin D, iodine and choline. with the proportions(number of cases) of 98.33%(470 cases), 74.06%(354 cases) and 72.37%(275 cases), respectively. The maximum value of essential ingredients exceeded the maximum requirements stipulated in the new national standard, and the protein in 13.18%(63 cases) of the older infant formula milk powder was higher than the maximum requirements of the new national standard. CONCLUSION: The content of essential components in most commercial products in China meets the new national standard requirements. Some essential ingredients need to be adjusted.