Rule-based omics mining reveals antimicrobial macrocyclic peptides against drug-resistant clinical isolates.

Antimicrobial resistance remains a significant global threat, driving up mortality rates worldwide. Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides have emerged as a promising source of novel peptide antibiotics due to their diverse chemical structures. Here, we report the discovery of new aminovinyl-(methyl)cysteine (Avi(Me)Cys)-containing peptide antibiotics through a synergistic approach combining biosynthetic rule-based omics mining and heterologous expression. We first bioinformatically identify 1172 RiPP biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) responsible for Avi(Me)Cys-containing peptides formation from a vast pool of over 50,000 bacterial genomes. Subsequently, we successfully establish the connection between three identified BGCs and the biosynthesis of five peptide antibiotics via biosynthetic rule-guided metabolic analysis. Notably, we discover a class V lanthipeptide, massatide A, which displays excellent activity against gram-positive pathogens, including drug-resistant clinical isolates like linezolid-resistant S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.25 µg/mL. The remarkable performance of massatide A in an animal infection model, coupled with a relatively low risk of resistance and favorable safety profile, positions it as a promising candidate for antibiotic development. Our study highlights the potential of Avi(Me)Cys-containing peptides in expanding the arsenal of antibiotics against multi-drug-resistant bacteria, offering promising drug leads in the ongoing battle against infectious diseases.

Structure, thermal stability, physicochemical and functional characteristics of insoluble dietary fiber obtained from rice bran with steam explosion treatment: Effect of different steam pressure and particle size of rice bran.

Rice bran was modified by steam explosion (SE) treatment to investigate the impact of different steam pressure (0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, and 2.0 MPa) with rice bran through 60 mesh and rice bran pulverization (60, 80, and 100 mesh) with the steam pressure of 1.2 MPa on the structure, thermal stability, physicochemical and functional characteristics of insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) extracted from rice bran. IDF with SE treatment from scanning electron microscopy images showed a porous honeycomb structure, and lamellar shape in IDF became obvious with the increase of steam pressure. The relative crystallinity and polymerization degree of crystalline regions in IDF from rice bran with SE treatment from X-ray diffraction analysis were decreased. Differential scanning calorimetry results showed that thermal stability of IDF with SE treatment increased with the increase of crushing degree. The results of FT-IR also suggested that some glycosidic and hydrogen bonds in IDF could be broken, and some cellulose and hemicellulose were degraded during SE process. The physicochemical and functional characteristics of IDF, including water-holding capacity, oil-holding, glucose adsorption capacity, α-amylase and pancreatic lipase inhibition capacity were decreased with the increase of steam pressure and crushing degree. The swelling and nitrite adsorption capacities of IDF were increased first and then decreased with the increase of steam pressure. The physicochemical and functional characteristics of IDF from rice bran were improved after SE treatment, which might provide references for the utilization of IDF from rice bran with SE treatment.

Bortezomib in previously treated phosphatase and tension homology-deficient patients with advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: An open-label, prospective and single-centre phase II trial.

INTRODUCTION: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is characterized by a dismal prognosis with limited therapeutic alternatives. To explore phosphatase and tension homolog (PTEN) as a biomarker for proteasome inhibition in ICC, we conducted a phase II trial to assess the second-line efficacy of bortezomib in PTEN-deficient advanced ICC patients. METHODS: A total of 130 patients with advanced ICC in our centre were screened by PTEN immunohistochemical staining between 1 July 2017, and 31 December 2021, and 16 patients were ultimately enrolled and treated with single-agent bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2 on days 1, 4, 8 and 11 of a 21-day cycle. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate (ORR) according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors v1.1. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 6.55 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.7-19.9 months). Among the 16 enrolled patients, the ORR was 18.75% (3/16) and the disease control rate was 43.75% (7/16). The median progress-free survival was 2.95 months (95% CI: 2.1-5.1 months) and the median overall survival (mOS) was 7.2 months (95% CI: 0.7-21.6 months) in the intent-to-treat-patients. Treatment-related adverse events of any grade were reported in 16 patients, with thrombopenia being the most common toxicity. Patients with PTEN staining scores of 0 were more likely to benefit from bortezomib than those with staining scores > 0. CONCLUSIONS: Bortezomib yielded an encouraging objective response and a favourable OS as a second-line agent in PTEN-deficient ICC patients. Our findings suggest bortezomib as a promising therapeutic option for patients with PTEN-deficient ICC. HIGHLIGHTS: There is a limited strategy for the second-line option of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). This investigator-initiated phase 2 study evaluated bortezomib in ICC patients with phosphatase and tension homology deficiency. The overall response rate was 18.75% and the overall survival was 7.2 months in the intent-to-treat cohort. These results justify further developing bortezomib in ICC patients with PTEN deficiency.

Simultaneous Reconstruction of Gas Concentration and Temperature Using Acoustic Tomography.

Acoustic tomography utilizes sensor arrays to collect sound wave signals, enabling non-contact measurement of physical parameters within an area of interest. Compared to optical technologies, acoustic tomography offers the advantages of low cost, low maintenance, and easy installation. Current research in acoustic tomography mainly focuses on reconstruction algorithms for temperature fields, while monitoring the composition and concentration of gases is significant for ensuring safety and improving efficiency, such as in scenarios like boiler furnaces and aviation engine nozzles. In excitable gases, the speed of sound exhibits an S-shaped curve that changes with frequency, a characteristic that could be potentially useful for acoustic tomography. Therefore, this study primarily discusses the quantitative calculation of gas concentration and temperature based on the dispersion of the speed of sound. By employing graphic processing and pattern matching methods, a coupled relationship of the dispersion of the speed of sound with gas concentration and temperature is established. The projection intersection method is used to calculate the concentration and temperature of binary and ternary gas mixtures. Combined with the inversion method, a joint reconstruction method for gas concentration fields and temperature fields based on the dispersion of the speed of sound is developed. The feasibility of the proposed simultaneous reconstruction method for temperature and concentration fields is validated using numerical simulations. Additionally, an acoustic tomography experimental system was set up to conduct reconstruction experiments for binary gas concentration fields and temperature fields, confirming the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Ethnobotanical uses, phytochemistry and bioactivities of Cymbopogon plants: A review.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cymbopogon (Poaceae) plants have been used for various purposes by many indigenous peoples in all continents. In particular, almost all species in the genus have traditionally been used as folk medicine to treat ailments. Traditional application records indicated that Cymbopogon might be used extensively to treat cold, dizziness, headache, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, rheumatism, diarrhea, whole grass for cold, sore throat, tracheitis and others. AIMS OF THE REVIEW: Despite several research confirmed that Cymbopogon includes a range of active components, no review has been undertaken to consolidate information on its traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and/or quality control. Thus this article aims to update a comprehensive review about the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, cultivation techniques, economic benefits, trade, threats, and future conservation implications of Cymbopogon species. It may provide informative data for future development and further investigation of this important plant group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Traditional medicinal books and ethnomedicinal publications related to Cymbopogon from 1992 to 2023 were collated to investigate its ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological information. The online databases including Google Scholar, SciFinder, Web of Science, Scopus, Springer Link, PubMed, Wiley, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Baidu Scholar, and WanFang Database were screened. RESULTS: Cymbopogon (Gramineae or Poaceae) plants have been grown worldwide. Traditional Chinese medicine and other medicinal systems believes that Cymbopogon has the effect of relieve a cough, analgesia, treating dizziness, traumatic injury and can relieve abdominal pain. A total of 153 compounds, including flavonoids, terpenoids, fatty acid and other compounds were isolated or identified from Cymbopogon species by phytochemical studies. The extracts or compounds from Cymbopogon have exhibited numerous biological activities such as antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antiviral, antineoplastic, antiarrhythmic, antidiabetic and other activities. The rich contents of citronellal, citronellol and geraniol found in Cymbopogon also provide significant nutritional benefits. CONCLUSION: Based on their traditional uses, phytochemicals, and pharmacological activities, Cymbopogon plants are potential medicinal and edible resources with diverse pharmacological effects. Due to various advantages of this group, they possess huge application potential in food and pharmaceutical industries, and animal husbandry. Among them, citronella is very important in terms of economic development. Further comprehensive research to evaluate the medicinal properties of Cymbopogon species will be necessary for future development.

Ethnobotanical studies on rice landraces under on-farm conservation in Xishuangbanna of Yunnan Province, China.

BACKGROUND: A complex interaction and mutual influence exists among landscapes, cultures, and landraces, with rice culture being a typical embodiment of this relationship. The conservation of landraces operates alongside preserving traditional practices. The Xishuangbanna region stands out as a hub for the genetic diversity of landraces, boasting rich genetic resources. Despite the diverse rice resources in this region, a comprehensive and systematic study has not been undertaken. METHODS: From October to November 2023, we collected rice landraces under the on-farm conservation in 18 townships including Menghai, Mengla and Jinghong in Xishuangbanna. Employing semi-structured interviews and various methods, we investigated factors influencing the preservation and loss of rice landraces in the region. Statistical analysis was applied to the agronomic traits of collected local rice, encompassing indica or japonica, glutinous or non-glutinous, grain shape, and hull color as second category traits. The second category included quantitative traits like thousand grain weight and grain length. Rice diversity among different regions, traits, and ethnic groups was assessed using the Shannon-Wiener index. Additionally, clustering analysis via the UPGMA method depicted the distribution characteristics of the resources. RESULTS: A total of 70 rice landraces were collected in the Xishuangbanna region, each exhibiting distinct characteristics. Differences were observed across regions, trait, naming, and ethnic groups. Diversity analysis revealed that Mengla had the highest diversity, followed by Menghai, while Jinghong exhibited the lowest diversity. The second category of traits displayed broader diversity than the first, with the Dai people's glutinous rice showcasing greater diversity than other ethnic groups. Cluster analysis categorized the 70 samples into seven groups at a genetic distance of 1.15. Ethnobotanical interviews emphasized the rapid loss of rice landraces resources in Xishuangbanna, with indigenous ethnic cultures playing a vital role in the conservation of rice landraces. Dai traditions, in particular, played a crucial role in protecting glutinous rice resources, showcasing a mutual dependence between Dai culture and glutinous rice. CONCLUSIONS: The rich natural environment and diverse ethnic cultures in Xishuangbanna have given rise to various rice landraces. The Dai, primary cultivators of glutinous rice with higher diversity, intertwine their traditional ethnic culture with the conservation of glutinous rice resources. At the same time, the preserving glutinous rice resources promotes the inheritance of Dai ethnic culture. However, rice landraces are facing the risk of loss. Hence, collecting and documenting rice landraces is crucial. Encourage local communities to sustain and expand their cultivation, promoting on-farm conservation. These measures contribute valuable germplasm and genes for rice breeding and serve as a means of cultural preservation.

Efficacy and predictors of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with gallbladder cancer.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown promising efficacy in multiple cancers including biliary tract cancers (BTCs). However, the data focusing on the efficacy of ICIs in patients with gallbladder cancer (GBC) is still limited. In this study, we aim to assess the efficacy of ICIs in GBC and explore the clinicopathologic and molecular markers associated with ICI benefit. We retrospective analyzed 69 GBC patients who had received ICI therapy between January 2016 and December 2020. Tumor samples were obtained for genomic sequencing and immunohistochemical analysis. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was 4.4 months and 8.5 months, respectively. Multivariate analysis indicated that alcohol intake history, carcinoma embryonic antigen (CEA) level ≥100 U/mL, and cutaneous immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were independent prognostic factors for PFS. CEA level ≥100 U/mL and cutaneous irAEs were independent prognostic factors for OS. The objective response rate and disease control rate (DCR) were 15.9% and 37.7%, respectively. Patients with cutaneous irAEs, high CD8+ T cell infiltrated or immune inflamed GBCs had higher DCR. Patients with high CD8+ T cell infiltrated or immune inflamed GBCs also had a notably improved prognosis. These results suggest that ICIs were effective in patients with GBC. High CEA level, cutaneous irAEs, high CD8+ T cell infiltration, and immune inflamed phenotype could be useful for predicting the efficacy of ICIs in GBC.

Predicting pharmacodynamic effects through early drug discovery with artificial intelligence-physiologically based pharmacokinetic (AI-PBPK) modelling.

A mechanism-based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model links the concentration-time profile of a drug with its therapeutic effects based on the underlying biological or physiological processes. Clinical endpoints play a pivotal role in drug development. Despite the substantial time and effort invested in screening drugs for favourable pharmacokinetic (PK) properties, they may not consistently yield optimal clinical outcomes. Furthermore, in the virtual compound screening phase, researchers cannot observe clinical outcomes in humans directly. These uncertainties prolong the process of drug development. As incorporation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the physiologically based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PBPK) model can assist in forecasting pharmacodynamic (PD) effects within the human body, we introduce a methodology for utilizing the AI-PBPK platform to predict the PK and PD outcomes of target compounds in the early drug discovery stage. In this integrated platform, machine learning is used to predict the parameters for the model, and the mechanism-based PD model is used to predict the PD outcome through the PK results. This platform enables researchers to align the PK profile of a drug with desired PD effects at the early drug discovery stage. Case studies are presented to assess and compare five potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB) compounds, after calibration and verification using vonoprazan and revaprazan.

Senescent fibroblast facilitates re-epithelization and collagen deposition in radiation-induced skin injury through IL-33-mediated macrophage polarization.

BACKGROUND: The need for radiotherapy among the elderly rises with increasing life expectancy and a corresponding increase of elderly cancer patients. Radiation-induced skin injury is one of the most frequent adverse effects in radiotherapy patients, severely limiting their life quality. Re-epithelialization and collagen deposition have essential roles in the recovery of skin injuries induced by high doses of ionizing radiation. At the same time, radiation-induced senescent cells accumulate in irradiated tissues. However, the effects and mechanisms of senescent cells on re-epithelialization and collagen deposition in radiation-induced skin injury have not been fully elucidated. RESULTS: Here, we identified a role for a population of senescent cells expressing p16 in promoting re-epithelialization and collagen deposition in radiation-induced skin injury. Targeted ablation of p16+ senescent cells or treatment with Senolytics resulted in the disruption of collagen structure and the retardation of epidermal coverage. By analyzing a publicly available single-cell sequencing dataset, we identified fibroblasts as a major contributor to the promotion of re-epithelialization and collagen deposition in senescent cells. Notably, our analysis of publicly available transcriptome sequencing data highlighted IL-33 as a key senescence-associated secretory phenotype produced by senescent fibroblasts. Neutralizing IL-33 significantly impedes the healing process. Finally, we found that the effect of IL-33 was partly due to the modulation of macrophage polarization. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our data suggested that senescent fibroblasts accumulated in radiation-induced skin injury sites participated in wound healing mainly by secreting IL-33. This secretion regulated the local immune microenvironment and macrophage polarization, thus emphasizing the importance of precise regulation of senescent cells in a phased manner.

Serum indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase and tryptophan-2, 3-dioxygenase: potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of major depressive disorder.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to observe the changes in the levels of indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) and tryptophan-2, 3-dioxygenase (TDO) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and investigate their potential role as novel biomarkers for diagnosing MDD. METHODS: A total of 55 MDD patients and 55 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled in the study. The severity of MDD was assessed using the 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-24) before and after treatment. The serum concentrations of IDO and TDO were measured at baseline and after treatment. The correlations between the serum levels of IDO and TDO and HAMD-24 scores were evaluated using Pearson's correlation test. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the area under the curve (AUC) of serum levels of IDO and TDO for discriminating MDD patients from HC. RESULTS: The serum IDO and TDO concentrations were significantly higher in patients with MDD at baseline than in healthy controls, and decreased significantly after 2 weeks or 1 month of treatment. The levels of IDO and TDO were significantly positively correlated with HAMD-24 scores. Furthermore, the AUC values for IDO and TDO were 0.999 and 0.966, respectively. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that serum IDO and TDO may serve as novel biomarkers for diagnosing MDD. These findings may lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of MDD and the development of new therapeutic targets.

HECTD3 inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and activation by blocking NLRP3-NEK7 interaction.

The NLRP3 inflammasome plays an important role in protecting the host from infection and aseptic inflammation, and its regulatory mechanism is not completely understood. Dysregulation of NLRP3 can cause diverse inflammatory diseases. HECTD3 is a E3 ubiquitin ligase of the HECT family that has been reported to participate in autoimmune and infectious diseases. However, the relationship between HECTD3 and the NLRP3 inflammasome has not been well studied. Herein, we show that HECTD3 blocks the interaction between NEK7 and NLRP3 to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and activation. In BMDMs, Hectd3 deficiency promotes the assembly and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and the secretion of IL-1ß, while the overexpression of HECTD3 inhibits these processes. Unexpectedly, HECTD3 functions in an E3 activity independent manner. Mechanically, the DOC domain of HECTD3 interacts with NACHT/LRR domain of NLRP3, which blocks NLRP3-NEK7 interaction and NLRP3 oligomerization. Furthermore, HECTD3 inhibits monosodium urate crystals (MSU)-induced gouty arthritis, a NLRP3-related disease. Thus, we reveal a novel regulatory mechanism of NLRP3 by HECTD3 and suggest HECTD3 could be a potential therapeutic target for NLRP3-dependent pathologies.

Study on medicinal food plants in the Gaoligongshan Biosphere Reserve, the richest biocultural diversity center in China.

BACKGROUND: Traditional knowledge associated with medicinal food plants (MFPs) plays a vital role in fighting hidden hunger and safeguarding the health of local people. MFPs resources are abundant in the Gaoligongshan area, a biosphere reserve with the richest biocultural diversity in China. Local people of different linguistic groups also have rich traditional botanical knowledge. However, there are still few comprehensive and systematic studies on MFPs there. METHODS: Ethnobotanical investigation including market survey, semi-structured interviews, free listing and key informant interviews was conducted in the Gaoligongshan area, Western Yunnan, Southwest China. A total of 13 local farmers' markets were selected and information about medicinal food plants, including food categories, medicinal and edible parts, modes of consumption, medicinal effects, and distribution were collected. The relative occurrence frequency (RFO) and cultural food significance index (CFSI) were calculated to identify the culturally significant MFPs. RESULTS: A total of 184 species of MFPs, belonging to 83 families, were collected in the Gaoligongshan area, including vegetables (77), medicinal diets (26), fruits (25), spices (18), herbal tea (13), tea substitutes (11), substitutes for staple food (8), nuts (5), oils and fats (4), and dye material (1). The most frequently used families were Fabaceae, Asteraceae and Apiaceae, with 11, 10, and 9 species, respectively. The most frequently used plant parts were the stems, followed by fruits and leaves. Based on the evaluation results of the CFSI and RFO indices, 18 species of MFPs with magnificent local cultural importance have been screened out, such as Houttuynia cordata, Eryngium foetidum, Sechium edule, Centella asiatica and Pseudocydonia sinensis. CONCLUSION: These findings have guiding significance for conservation of traditional knowledge associated with MFPs and facilitation of scientific utilization of MFPs to meet local people's needs for a healthy life.

Nanointegrative In Situ Reprogramming of Tumor-Intrinsic Lipid Droplet Biogenesis for Low-Dose Radiation-Activated Ferroptosis Immunotherapy.

Low-dose radiotherapy (LDR) has shown significant implications for inflaming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Surprisingly, we identify that FABP-dependent lipid droplet biogenesis in tumor cells is a key determinant of LDR-evoked cytotoxic and immunostimulatory effects and developed a nanointegrated strategy to promote the antitumor efficacy of LDR through cooperative ferroptosis immunotherapy. Specifically, TCPP-TK-PEG-PAMAM-FA, a nanoscale multicomponent functional polymer with self-assembly capability, was synthesized for cooperatively entrapping hafnium ions (Hf4+) and HIF-1α-inhibiting siRNAs (siHIF-1α). The TCPP@Hf-TK-PEG-PAMAM-FA@siHIF-1α nanoassemblies are specifically taken in by folate receptor-overexpressing tumor cells and activated by the elevated cellular ROS stress. siHIF-1α could readily inhibit the FABP3/7 expression in tumor cells via HIF-1α-FABP3/7 signaling and abolish lipid droplet biogenesis for enhancing the peroxidation susceptibility of membrane lipids, which synergizes with the elevated ROS stress in the context of Hf4+-enhanced radiation exposure and evokes pronounced ferroptotic damage in vital membrane structures. Interestingly, TCPP@Hf-TK-PEG-PAMAM-FA@siHIF-1α-enhanced ferroptotic biomembrane damage also facilitates the exposure of tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) to promote post-LDR immunotherapeutic effects, leading to robust tumor regression in vivo. This study offers a nanointegrative approach to boost the antitumor effects of LDR through the utilization of tumor-intrinsic lipid metabolism.

Binding dynamics of cavity solitons in a Kerr resonator with high order dispersion.

Cavity solitons are persistent light pulses arising from the externally driven Kerr resonators. Thanks to the passive parametric gain, cavity soliton has been endowed with the natural advantage of the chip-scaled integration since it was first experimentally generated in the fiber-based platform. Deterministic single soliton with smooth spectrum is a preferred state for numerous applications. However, multiple solitons are more common in the resonators with anomalous dispersion. In this condition, adjacent solitons are easily perturbed to attract and collide with each other. Some experimental observations deviated from the aforementioned description have recorded the stable soliton intervals that can last for a long time scale. This phenomenon is known as soliton binding and is attributed to the presence of narrow resonant sidebands in the spectrum. While the stationary configuration of two binding solitons has been investigated, the dynamical evolution remains an area for further exploration. In this paper, we discuss the binding dynamics of the cavity solitons in the presence of high-order dispersion. The proposed theoretical predictions match well with the numerical results, encompassing both the stationary stable intervals and dynamic trajectories. Our research will provide a comprehensive insight into the soliton motion induced by the internal perturbations.

On-chip silicon electro-optical modulator with ultra-high extinction ratio for fiber-optic distributed acoustic sensing.

Ultra-high extinction ratio (ER) optical modulation is crucial for achieving high-performance fiber-optic distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) for various applications. Bulky acousto-optical modulators (AOM) as one of the key devices in DAS have been used for many years, but their relatively large volume and high power consumption are becoming the bottlenecks to hinder the development of ultra-compact and energy-efficient DAS systems that are highly demanded in practice. Here, an on-chip silicon electro-optical modulator (EOM) based on multiple coupled microrings is demonstrated with ultra-high ER of up to 68 dB while the device size and power consumption are only 260 × 185 µm2 and 3.6 mW, respectively, which are at least two orders of magnitude lower than those of a typical AOM. Such an on-chip EOM is successfully applied to DAS with an ultra-high sensitivity of -71.2 dB rad2/Hz (4 pε/√Hz) and a low spatial crosstalk noise of -68.1 dB rad2/Hz, which are very similar to those using an AOM. This work may pave the way for realization of next-generation ultra-compact DAS systems by integration of on-chip opto-electronic devices and modules with the capability of mass-production.

Development and validation of a machine learning model for differential diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion using routine laboratory data.

BACKGROUND: The differential diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) and benign pleural effusion (BPE) presents a clinical challenge. In recent years, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) machine learning models for disease diagnosis has increased. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop and validate a diagnostic model for early differentiation between MPE and BPE based on routine laboratory data. DESIGN: This was a retrospective observational cohort study. METHODS: A total of 2352 newly diagnosed patients with pleural effusion (PE), between January 2008 and March 2021, were eventually enrolled. Among them, 1435, 466, and 451 participants were randomly assigned to the training, validation, and testing cohorts in a ratio of 3:1:1. Clinical parameters, including age, sex, and laboratory parameters of PE patients, were abstracted for analysis. Based on 81 candidate laboratory variables, five machine learning models, namely extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) model, logistic regression (LR) model, random forest (RF) model, support vector machine (SVM) model, and multilayer perceptron (MLP) model were developed. Their respective diagnostic performances for MPE were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: Among the five models, the XGBoost model exhibited the best diagnostic performance for MPE (area under the curve (AUC): 0.903, 0.918, and 0.886 in the training, validation, and testing cohorts, respectively). Additionally, the XGBoost model outperformed carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in pleural fluid (PF), serum, and the PF/serum ratio (AUC: 0.726, 0.699, and 0.692 in the training cohort; 0.763, 0.695, and 0.731 in the validation cohort; and 0.722, 0.729, and 0.693 in the testing cohort, respectively). Furthermore, compared with CEA, the XGBoost model demonstrated greater diagnostic power and sensitivity in diagnosing lung cancer-induced MPE. CONCLUSION: The development of a machine learning model utilizing routine laboratory biomarkers significantly enhances the diagnostic capability for distinguishing between MPE and BPE. The XGBoost model emerges as a valuable tool for the diagnosis of MPE.

Inhibition of glycolysis-driven immunosuppression with a nano-assembly enhances response to immune checkpoint blockade therapy in triple negative breast cancer.

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are promising modalities for treating triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, hyperglycolysis, a hallmark of TNBC cells, may drive tumor-intrinsic PD-L1 glycosylation and boost regulatory T cell function to impair ICI efficacy. Herein, we report a tumor microenvironment-activatable nanoassembly based on self-assembled aptamer-polymer conjugates for the targeted delivery of glucose transporter 1 inhibitor BAY-876 (DNA-PAE@BAY-876), which remodels the immunosuppressive TME to enhance ICI response. Poly ß-amino ester (PAE)-modified PD-L1 and CTLA-4-antagonizing aptamers (aptPD-L1 and aptCTLA-4) are synthesized and co-assembled into supramolecular nanoassemblies for carrying BAY-876. The acidic tumor microenvironment causes PAE protonation and triggers nanoassembly dissociation to initiate BAY-876 and aptamer release. BAY-876 selectively inhibits TNBC glycolysis to deprive uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine and downregulate PD-L1 N-linked glycosylation, thus facilitating PD-L1 recognition of aptPD-L1 to boost anti-PD-L1 therapy. Meanwhile, BAY-876 treatment also elevates glucose supply to tumor-residing regulatory T cells (Tregs) for metabolically rewiring them into an immunostimulatory state, thus cooperating with aptCTLA-4-mediated immune-checkpoint inhibition to abolish Treg-mediated immunosuppression. DNA-PAE@BAY-876 effectively reprograms the immunosuppressive microenvironment in preclinical models of TNBC in female mice and provides a distinct approach for TNBC immunotherapy in the clinics.

Determining the Number of Graphene Nanoribbons in Dual-Gate Field-Effect Transistors.

Bottom-up synthesized graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are increasingly attracting interest due to their atomically controlled structure and customizable physical properties. In recent years, a range of GNR-based field-effect transistors (FETs) has been fabricated, with several demonstrating quantum-dot (QD) behavior at cryogenic temperatures. However, understanding the relationship between the cryogenic charge-transport characteristics and the number of the GNRs in the device is challenging, as the length and location of the GNRs in the junction are not precisely controlled. Here, we present a methodology based on a dual-gate FET that allows us to identify different scenarios, such as single GNRs, double or multiple GNRs in parallel, and a single GNR interacting with charge traps. Our dual-gate FET architecture therefore offers a quantitative approach for comprehending charge transport in atomically precise GNRs.

Functionally Tailored Metal-Organic Framework Coatings for Mediating Ti Implant Osseointegration.

Owing to their mechanical resilience and non-toxicity, titanium implants are widely applied as the major treatment modality for the clinical intervention against bone fractures. However, the intrinsic bioinertness of Ti and its alloys often impedes the effective osseointegration of the implants, leading to severe adverse complications including implant loosening, detachment, and secondary bone damage. Consequently, new Ti implant engineering strategies are urgently needed to improve their osseointegration after implantation. Remarkably, metalorganic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of novel synthetic material consisting of coordinated metal species and organic ligands, which have demonstrated a plethora of favorable properties for modulating the interfacial properties of Ti implants. This review comprehensively summarizes the recent progress in the development of MOF-coated Ti implants and highlights their potential utility for modulating the bio-implant interface to improve implant osseointegration, of which the discussions are outlined according to their physical traits, chemical composition, and drug delivery capacity. A perspective is also provided in this review regarding the current limitations and future opportunities of MOF-coated Ti implants for orthopedic applications. The insights in this review may facilitate the rational design of more advanced Ti implants with enhanced therapeutic performance and safety.

Ethnobotanical study on edible flowers in Xishuangbanna, China.

BACKGROUND: Edible flowers (EFs) represent valuable sources of both food and medicinal resources, holding the promise to enhance human well-being. Unfortunately, their significance is often overlooked. Ethnobotanical studies on the EFs are lacking in comparison with their botanical and phytochemical research. The practice of consuming flowers as food has a rich culture and long history in China, especially among different linguistic groups in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan. However, economic activities have led to a decline of this tradition. Consequently, preserving the traditional knowledge and culture tied to the EFs in Xishuangbanna becomes both essential and pressing. METHODS: The field ethnobotanical survey was conducted in Xishuangbanna during five visits in April 2021 and May 2023, covering 48 villages and 19 local markets of all three county-level areas and 9 different linguistic groups. By conducting a comprehensive literature review and on-site field surveys, relevant information regarding the EFs of Xishuangbanna was systematically collected and documented. Additionally, the relative frequency of citation (RFC) values were calculated from the survey data. RESULTS: A total of 212 taxa (including species and varieties) of EFs from 58 families and 141 genera were documented in the study area. The edible parts of flowers were classified into 13 categories including peduncle, petal, flower buds, inflorescence as a whole, and etc. They were consumed in 21 ways and as 8 types of food. The inflorescence was the most commonly consumed category, accounting for 85 species (40.1%) of the total categories. They always eat flowers as vegetables (184 species, 86.8%). The preparing form of stir-frying was the preferred food preparation method (138, 65.1%). The Xishuangbanna locals had profound knowledge of which EFs required specific processing to remove their toxicity or bitterness. The dishes can be made from either exclusively from the flowers themselves or by incorporating them alongside other plant parts like stems and leaves. Some EFs with high RFC value, such as Musa acuminata and Bauhinia variegata var. candida, showed significant cultural meanings. These edible flowers occupy specific positions in local traditional culture. CONCLUSION: Traditional knowledge regarding edible flowers holds substantial significance and serves as a representative element of the flower-eating culture in Xishuangbanna. Nevertheless, this knowledge and cultural practice are currently decreasing. Serving as a bridge between tradition and modernity, the flower-eating culture, which derives from local people's practical experience, shows the potential of EFs and can be applied to the conservation of biocultural diversity, healthy food systems, and sustainable development.