A Machine Learning Computational Framework Develops a Multiple Programmed Cell Death Index for Improving Clinical Outcomes in Bladder Cancer.

Comprehensive action patterns of programmed cell death (PCD) in bladder cancer (BLCA) have not yet been thoroughly investigated. Here, we collected 19 different PCD patterns, including 1911 PCD-related genes, and developed a multiple programmed cell death index (MPCDI) based on a machine learning computational framework. We found that in the TCGA-BLCA training cohort and the independently validated GSE13507 cohort, the patients with high-MPCDI had a worse prognosis, whereas patients with low-MPCDI had a better prognosis. By combining clinical characteristics with the MPCDI, we constructed a nomogram. The C-index demonstrated that the nomogram was significantly more accurate compared to other variables, including MPCDI, age, gender, and clinical stage. The results of the decision curve analysis demonstrated that the nomogram had a better net clinical benefit compared to other clinical variables. Subsequently, we revealed the heterogeneity of BLCA patients, with significant differences in terms of overall immune infiltration abundance, immunotherapeutic response, and drug sensitivity in the two MPCDI groups. Encouragingly, the high-MPCDI patients showed better efficacy for commonly used chemotherapeutic drugs than the low-MPCDI patients, which suggests that MPCDI scores have a guiding role in chemotherapy for BLCA patients. In conclusion, the MPCDI developed and verified in this study is not only an emerging clinical classifier for BLCA patients, but it also serves as a reliable forecaster for both chemotherapy and immunotherapy, which can guide clinical management and clinical decision-making for BLCA patients.

Translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of the Chinese standardized outcomes in nephrology-hemodialysis fatigue (C-SONG-HD fatigue) scale: a study of Chinese patients undergoing hemodialysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the standardized outcomes in nephrology-hemodialysis fatigue (SONG-HD fatigue) scale and to assess the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the SONG-HD fatigue (C-SONG-HD fatigue) scale. METHODS: Forward and back translations were used to translate the SONG-HD fatigue scale into Chinese. We used the C-SONG-HD fatigue scale to survey Chinese patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) in China. We examined the distribution of responses and floor and ceiling effects. Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega coefficient, intraclass coefficients, and Spearman correlations were used to assess internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, and convergent validity, respectively. Responsiveness was also evaluated. RESULTS: In total, 489 participants across southeast China, northwest China, and central China completed the study. The C-SONG-HD fatigue scale had good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient 0.861, omega coefficient 0.916), test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.695), and convergent validity (Spearman correlation 0.691). The analysis of all first-time HD patients did not show notable responsiveness, and only patients with temporary vascular access had good responsiveness with an effect size (ES) of 0.54, a standardized response mean (SRM) of 0.85, and a standard error of measurement (SEM) of 0.77. CONCLUSION: The Chinese version of the SONG-HD fatigue scale showed satisfactory reliability and validity in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) in China. It could be used as a tool to measure the fatigue of Chinese HD patients.

HIF-1α inhibition in macrophages preserves acute liver failure by reducing IL-1ß production.

The development of acute liver failure (ALF) is dependent on its local inducer. Inflammation is a high-frequency and critical factor that accelerates hepatocyte death and liver failure. In response to injury stress, the expression of the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in macrophages is promoted by both oxygen-dependent and oxygen-independent mechanisms, thus promoting the expression and secretion of the cytokine interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß). IL-1ß further induces hepatocyte apoptosis or necrosis by signaling through the receptor (IL-1R) on hepatocyte. HIF-1α knockout in macrophages or IL-1R knockout in hepatocytes protects against liver failure. However, whether HIF-1α inhibition in macrophages has a protective role in ALF is unclear. In this study, we revealed that the small molecule HIF-1α inhibitor PX-478 inhibits the expression and secretion of IL-1ß, but not tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). PX-478 pretreatment alleviates liver injury in LPS/D-GalN-induced ALF mice by decreasing the hepatic inflammatory response. In addition, preventive or therapeutic administration of PX-478 combined with TNFα neutralizing antibody markedly improved LPS/D-GalN-induced ALF. Taken together, our data suggest that PX-478 administration leads to HIF-1α inhibition and decreased IL-1ß secretion in macrophages, which represents a promising therapeutic strategy for inflammation-induced ALF.

Pien Tze Huang regulates phosphorylation of metabolic enzymes in mice of hepatocellular carcinoma.

The Chinese medicine formula Pien Tze Huang (PZH) has been applied to the treatment of various diseases, the reported anti-tumor mechanisms included regulation of inflammation-associated cytokine secretion and cancer growth pathways. However, the potential influence of PZH on tumor metabolism remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the global effect of PZH on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared with the anti-tumor agent sorafenib based on tandem mass tag (TMT) label proteomic and phosphoproteomic analysis in addition to parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) verification. It was observed that PZH could inhibit tumor weight by 59-69% in different concentrations. TMT proteomic studies indicated that fructose/mannose metabolism and glucagon signaling pathway in PZH group, and arachidonic acid metabolism and PPAR signaling pathway in sorafenib group, were significantly enriched, while glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathway was found to be enriched remarkably both in PZH and sorafenib groups in TMT phosphoproteomic study. PRM verification further indicated that both PZH and sorafenib could down-regulate phosphorylations of the glycolytic enzymes phosphofructokinases 1, fructose-bisphosphate Aldolase A, phosphoglycerate mutase 2 and lactate dehydrogenase A chain, while phosphorylations of long chain fatty acid CoA ligase in fatty acid activation and acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase in glycolysis were significantly inhibited by PZH and sorafenib, respectively. This study proposed that PZH shared a similar anti-tumor mechanism of metabolic regulation to sorafenib, but differed in the regulation of some metabolic nodes. This is the first time to uncover the relationship between the anti-tumor effect of PZH and metabolic related enzymes, which distinguished from the known mechanisms of PZH. These data provided the potential molecular basis for PZH acting as a therapeutic drug for HCC, and offered cues of manipulation on Warburg effect under the treatment of PZH.

[Effect of Pien Tze Huang against EV71].

This study aims to investigate the inhibitory effect of Pien Tze Huang(PZH) on enterovirus 71(EV71). To be speci-fic, chemiluminescence method was adopted to evaluate the toxicity of PZH to African green monkey kidney(Vero) cells and human rhabdomyosarcoma(RD) cells, and cytopathic effect(CPE) method to assess the inhibition on EV71-GFP reporter virus and EV71 C4 wild-type virus. The results showed that PZH had low cytotoxicity to Vero cells and RD cells, with the half-maximal cytotoxic concentration(CC_(50)) of about 0.691 3-0.879 2 mg·mL~(-1) for the two. In addition, PZH can effectively inhibit the replication of EV71 within the non-cytotoxic concentration range, and dose-dependently alleviate the cytopathic changes caused by virus infection, with the half-maximal effective concentration(EC_(50)) of 0.009 2-0.106 3 mg·mL~(-1). On the basis of the above results, the green fluorescent protein(GFP), indirect immunofluorescence assay(IFA), and median tissue culture infective dose(TCID_(50)) were employed to assess and verify the anti-EV71-GFP and anti-EV71 C4 activity of PZH. The results demonstrated that PZH can dose-dependently lower the expression of GFP by EV71-GFP and structural protein VP-1 by EV71 C4 and decrease the production of progeny infectious viruses. The EC_(50) of PZH for EV71-GFP and EV71 C4 was about 0.006 0-0.006 2 mg·mL~(-1) and 0.006 6-0.025 6 mg·mL~(-1), respectively. This study suggested that PZH may exert antiviral activity by acting on EV71 and interfering with the expression of VP-1. At the moment, there is still a lack of specific anti-EV71 drugs. This study proposed a new idea for the symptomatic treatment of EV71 infections such as hand-foot-mouth disease and verified an effective drug for the treatment of EV71 infections.

[Herbal textual research on Chuanxiong Rhizoma in Chinese classical prescriptions].

Fourteen classical prescriptions in the Catalog of 100 Ancient Classical Prescriptions(First Batch) promulgated in 2018 contain Chuanxiong Rhizoma, which reveals the high medicinal value and wide application of Chuanxiong Rhizoma. This paper systematically reviews the ancient herbal books and modern literature to explore the name, origin, genuine producing area, medicinal part, harvesting, and processing of Chuanxiong Rhizoma, thus facilitating the development of classical prescriptions containing Chuan-xiong Rhizoma. It is confirmed that Chuanxiong Rhizoma, formerly known as "Xiongqiong" in Chinese, was first called "Chuanxiong" in late Tang Dynasty, which has been gradually accepted as its official name due to the rise of the status of Chuanxiong Rhizoma produced in Sichuan. The main original plant of Chuanxiong Rhizoma in past dynasties has always been deemed to be Ligusticum chuan-xiong(Umbellifera), whose rhizome serves as the medicinal part. In general, it is best harvested in summer but the harvesting time can vary with different growth environments. Since the Song Dynasty, Sichuan province has been recognized as the genuine producing area of Chuanxiong Rhizoma in light of the high yield and good quality. It is suggested that Chuanxiong Rhizoma from Sichuan be used preferentially in the development of classical prescriptions. There are multiple processing methods of Chuanxiong Rhizoma recorded in ancient medical classics, and the raw(after purifying and slicing) or wine-processed or stir-fried Chuanxiong Rhizoma is still in use today. In the development of classical prescriptions containing Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Chuanxiong Rhizoma is advised to be processed in accordance with current processing standards if the specific processing method is described in the medical classics. If not, the raw Chuanxiong Rhizoma is preferred and then processed following the processing standards of Chuanxiong Rhizoma decoction pieces in Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

Facile Preparation of Carbon Shells-Coated O-Doped Molybdenum Carbide Nanoparticles as High Selective Electrocatalysts for Nitrogen Reduction Reaction under Ambient Conditions.

Electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) has been considered as a promising alternative to the traditional Haber-Bosch process for the preparation of ammonia (NH3) under ambient conditions. The development of cost-effective electrocatalysts with suppressive activity for hydrogen evolution reaction is critical for improving the efficiency of NRR. Herein, oxygen-containing molybdenum carbides (O-MoC) embedded in nitrogen-doped carbon layers (N-doped carbon) can be easily fabricated by pyrolyzing the chelate of dopamine and molybdate. A rate of NH3 formation of 22.5 µg·h-1·mgcat-1 is obtained at -0.35 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode with a high faradaic efficiency of 25.1% in 0.1 mM HCl + 0.5 M Li2SO4. Notably, the synthesized O-MoC@NC-800 also exhibits high selectivity (no formation of hydrazine) and electrochemical stability. The moderate electron structure induced by the interaction between O-MoC and N-doped carbon shells can effectively weaken the activity of hydrogen evolution reaction and increase the faradaic efficiency of NRR. Additionally, by applying the in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, an associative reaction pathway is proposed on O-MoC@NC-800. This work provides new insights into the rational design of carbon-encapsulated metal nanoparticles as efficient catalysts for NRR at ambient conditions.

Core-Shell Structured S@Co(OH)2 with a Carbon-Nanofiber Interlayer: A Conductive Cathode with Suppressed Shuttling Effect for High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Rechargeable lithium-sulfur batteries are potential candidates for storing electrochemical energy because of their extremely high energy density. However, their practical applications are prohibited by the sluggish charge transfer, the retarding Li ion diffusion, and the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides. We report here a high-performance cathode material in which a S submicrosphere with a mass fraction of 80% was encapsulated within a permeable Co(OH)2 nanoshell which functions as a physical barrier preventing the sulfur and polysulfides from leaking into the electrolyte and also contributes to the catalytic decomposition of polysulfides during the charge and discharge process. When an interlayer of carbon nanofibers is introduced between the S@Co(OH)2 cathode and the separator, the performance of the Li-S batteries can be further significantly enhanced. Specifically, the S@Co(OH)2 cathode possesses good cycling stability over 1000 cycles with an initial discharge capacity of 1100 mAh g-1 at 2 C and a reversible capacity of 606 mAh g-1. In particular, without the LiNO3 additive, this S@Co(OH)2 cathode also exhibits a Coulombic efficiency as high as 85%, just a little lower than that of commercial electrolyte with LiNO3 additive. Relevant mechanistic studies revealed that such superior performances are attributed to the enhanced internal electrical and ionic conductivity and suppressed shuttling effect, owing to the presence of the Co(OH)2 shell and the carbon-nanofiber interlayer. Theoretical simulations based on density functional theory were also carried out to figure out the interaction between the Co(OH)2 nanosheets and the polysulfides. It revealed that the Co(OH)2 nanoshell, rather than merely working as a physical barrier to trap the polysulfides, could also adsorb polysulfides and catalyze their decomposition during the cycling process, further helping to suppress the shuttling effect.

Proteomic studies on anti-tumor agent ansamitocin P-3 producer Actinosynnema pretiosum in response to ammonium and isobutanol.

Our previous work showed that the biosynthesis of ansamitocin P-3 (AP-3), an anti-tumor agent, by Actinosynnema pretiosum was depressed by ammonium but enhanced by isobutanol in the medium. Here we show proteomics analyses on A. pretiosum in different fermentation conditions with and without ammonium or isobutanol using two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization, and linear ion trap quadrupole mass spectrometry. Pairwise comparison of repetitive 2-DE maps was performed to find differentially expressed spots, and eight proteins were identified as functionally annotated ones. Among these proteins, D-3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PGDH) and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase showed statistically significant up-regulation in ammonium vs. basic or isobutanol medium, while fatty acid synthetase, histidine-tRNA ligase, transposase, molecular chaperone GroEL, SAM-dependent methyltransferase, and Crp/Fnr family transcriptional regulator were overexpressed in ammonium vs. basic medium. Based on the 2-DE data, exogenous L-serine which could inhibit the PGDH activity was added to the cultures with isobutanol, and a lower AP-3 production was confirmed under 2.5 mM serine addition (24 or 48 h).

Enhanced production of ansamitocin P-3 by addition of isobutanol in fermentation of Actinosynnema pretiosum.

Supply of isobutanol to enhance the production of anti-tumor agent ansamitocin P-3 (AP-3) in medium containing agro-industrial residues was investigated with analysis of gene transcription, enzyme activity, and intermediate accumulation. Under the optimal addition of isobutanol, about 4-fold improvement of AP-3 production was obtained, and the consumption of isobutanol and accumulation of isobutyrate, malonyl-CoA, and acetyl-CoA were observed. Compared to the control without isobutanol addition, activities of both isobutanol dehydrogenase and valine dehydrogenase were enhanced in isobutanol supplemented culture. Transcription level of genes in AP-3 biosynthetic and isobutyryl-CoA catabolic pathways responded to isobutanol addition in a similar way as AP-3 biosynthesis. It is concluded that isobutanol addition was an effective strategy for increasing AP-3 production via regulation of gene transcription and pools of precursors, and the information obtained might be helpful to the fermentation productivity improvement on large scale.

[Molecular docking of Bacillus pumilus xylanase and xylan substrate using computer modeling].

Bacillus pumilus xylanase was cloned and sequenced. Based on the tertiary structure that originated from homology modeling, the potential active pocket was searched and ligand-protein docking was performed using relative softwares. The information extracted from the molecular docking is analyzed; several amino acid residues might play a vital role in the xylanase catalytic reaction are obtained to instruct the further modification of xylanase directed-evolution.

[Cloning and expression of the genes encoding glycerol dehydratase reactivase and identification of its biological activity].

The gdrA, gdrB gene coding glycerol dehydratase reactivase factor were amplified by using the genomic DNA of Klebsiella pneumoniae as the template. The gdrA and gdrB were inserted in pMD-18T to yield the recombinant cloning vector pMD-gdrAB. After the DNA sequence was determined, the gdrAB gene was subcloned into expression vector pET-28a(+) to yield the recombinant expression vector pET-28gdrAB. Under screening pressure by ampicillin and kanamycin simultaneously, the activity of glycerol dehydratase reactivase was characterized by coexpression of pET-32gldABC, which carry the gldABC gene encoding glycerol dehydratase, and pET-28gdrAB in E. coli BL21(DE3).