Arabidopsis pentatricopeptide repeat protein GEND2 participates in mitochondrial RNA editing.

In Arabidopsis, RNA editing alters more than 500 cytidines (C) to uridines (U) in mitochondrial transcripts, a process involving the family of pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins. Here, we report a previously uncharacterized mitochondrial PLS-type PPR protein, GEND2, which functions in the mitochondrial RNA editing. The T-DNA insertion in the 5'-untranslated region of GEND2, referred to as gend2-1, results in defective root development compared to wild-type (WT) plants. A comprehensive examination of mitochondrial RNA editing sites revealed a significant reduction in the gend2-1 mutant compared to WT plants, affecting six specific mitochondrial RNA editing sites, notably within the mitochondrial genes CcmFn-1, RPSL2 and ORFX. These genes encode critical components of cytochrome protein maturation pathway, mitochondrial ribosomal subunit, and twin arginine translocation subunits, respectively. Further analysis of the transcriptional profile of the gend2-1 mutant and wild type revealed a striking induction of expression in a cluster of genes associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and regulated by ANAC017, a key regulator coordinating organelle functions and stress responses. Intriguingly, the gend2-1 mutation activated an ANAC017-dependent signaling aimed at countering cell wall damage induced by cellulose synthase inhibitors, as well as an ANAC017-independent pathway that retarded root growth under normal condition. Collectively, our findings identify a novel mitochondrial PLS-type PPR protein GEND2, which participates in the editing of six specific mitochondrial RNA editing sites. Furthermore, the gend2-1 mutation triggers two distinct pathways in plants: an ANAC017-dependent pathway and ANAC017-independent pathway.

Proteomic Analysis Provides a New Sight Into the CRABP1 Expression in the Pathogenesis of Hirschsprung Disease.

Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is the most common developmental disorder of the enteric nervous system and its etiology and pathogenesis remain largely unknown. This study aims to identify the differential proteomic patterns linked to the occurrence and development of Hirschsprung disease in colonic tissues. Biopsies were obtained from the aganglionic colon in human HSCR and the corresponding ganglionic colon segments for direct quantitative determination of the data-independent acquisition (DIA) followed by bioinformatics analysis. The differentially expressed main proteins were confirmed by Western blot and immunostaining. A total of 5832 proteins were identified in human colon tissues. Among them, 97 differentially expressed proteins (DEP) with fold change (FC) > 1.2 were screened, including 18 upregulated proteins and 79 downregulated proteins, and GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed on differential proteins. By comparing down-regulated proteins with highly connected protein nodes in the PPI network with those related to intracellular metabolic processes in the above analysis, we identified cellular retinoic acid binding protein 1(CRABP1). Its expression was verified in the aganglionic part of the colon by western blotting in an expanded sample set (P = 0.0031). The immunostaining results revealed that CRABP1 was highly expressed in the myenteric plexus ganglion in ganglionic colons compared to aganglionic segments (P = 0.0004). This study demonstrated the down-regulation of CRABP1 in the aganglionic hindgut of HSCR, which could provide potential markers or promising new candidate actors for the pathogenesis of HSCR.

Investigating the impact of long-term bristlegrass coverage on rhizosphere microbiota, soil metabolites, and carbon-nitrogen dynamics for pear agronomic traits in orchards.

Background: Grass coverage (GC) under no-tillage systems in orchards signifcantly infuences underground carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) sequestration, primarily through promoting mineral nutrient utilization by rhizospheric microorganisms. However, the comprehensive impact of GC on microbial communities and plant responses using soil metabolomics remains inadequately recognized. Methods: We investigated two rhizosphere types established since 2002: bristlegrass (Setaria viridis (L.) P. Beauv.) coverage (SC) and clean cultivation (CC) to assess their efects on soil parameters, enzyme activities, and key pear agronomic traits, including yield (single fruit weight (SFW)) and qualities (soluble solids content (SSC), and total soluble sugar (TSS)). We combined microbiological analysis (16S rRNA sequencing) and non-targeted metabolomics (UPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS) to explore how microbial communities infuence fruit agronomic traits and soil nutrient dynamics in pear orchards under SC conditions. Results: Our fndings indicate that SC signifcantly enhances soil organic carbon (SOC), soil organic nitrogen (SON), the C:N ratio, and available nitrogen (AN). Moreover, SC leads to pronounced increases in soil enzyme activities involved in the C cycle and storage, including soil sucrase, ß-glucosidase, polyphenol oxidase and cellulase. Microbiome analysis revealed substantial diferences in microbial community composition and diversity indices between SC and CC rhizosphere soils within the 0-40 cm depth. Metabolomic analysis demonstrated significant alterations in metabolite profiles across both the 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm layers under SC conditions. The identifed metabolites primarily involve sugar and amino acid-related metabolic pathways, refecting perturbations in C and N metabolism consistent with shifts in bacterial community structure. Several plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) taxa (e.g., Haliangium, Bacteroides, mle1-7, Subgroup_22, Ellin6067, MND1, Flavobacterium, and Cellvibrio) were enriched under SC, associated with metabolites such as sucrose, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, N-acetyl-L-glutamic acid, rhamnose, UDP-GlcNAc and D-maltose. These fndings suggest their roles in promoting C and N sequestration processes through sucrose synthesis and glycolytic pathways in the soil, which was signifcantly correlated with the formation of agronomic traits such as fruit yield, SFW SSC and TSS (p<0.05), and SC treatments signifcantly increased yields by 35.40-62.72% and sucrose content in TSS by 2.43-3.96 times than CC treatments. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the efects of SC on soil microbial communities and plant physiology, enhancing our understanding of their implications for sustainable orchard management.

Enhanced production of health-promoting phenolic compounds using a novel endophytic fungus Talaromyces neorugulosus R-209 isolated from pigeon pea in a natural habitat by l-phenylalanine feeding.

In this study, nine endophytic fungi capable of producing multiple phenolic compounds were screened and identified from 152 fungi isolated from pigeon pea in a natural habitat (Honghe, Yunnan Province, China). Talaromyces neorugulosus R-209 exhibited the highest potential for phenolic compound production. L-phenylalanine feeding was used to enhance phenolic compound production in T. neorugulosus R-209 cultures. Under the optimal feeding conditions (l-phenylalanine dose of 0.16 g/L and feeding phase of 6 days), the yields of genistein, apigenin, biochanin A, and cajaninstilbene acid increased by 15.59-fold, 7.20-fold, 25.93-fold, and 10.30-fold over control, respectively. T. neorugulosus R-209 fed with l-phenylalanine was found to be stable in the production of phenolic compounds during ten successive subcultures. Moreover, bioactivities of extracts of T. neorugulosus R-209 cultures were significantly increased by l-phenylalanine feeding. Overall, l-phenylalanine feeding strategy made T. neorugulosus R-209 more attractive as a promising alternative source for the production of health-beneficial phenolic compounds in the nutraceutical/medicinal industries.

SORBS2-Mediated inhibition of malignant behaviors in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma through TIMP3.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is characterized by high invasiveness and poor prognosis. The role of Sorbin and SH3 domain-containing protein 2 (SORBS2) in ESCC remains largely unexplored. METHODS: The expression levels of SORBS2 in ESCC were detected using RNA-seq and proteomics data. The biological functions of SORBS2 in ESCC were investigated through in vivo and in vitro experiments. The mechanism of SORBS2 was explored using RIP-seq technology, which identified the key downstream molecule metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP3). The interaction between SORBS2 and TIMP3, including specific binding sites, was validated through RIP-qPCR and RNA pull-down assays. The impact of altered SORBS2 expression in ESCC on HUVECs was assessed using endothelial tube formation assays. RESULTS: SORBS2 expression was significantly downregulated in ESCC tissues, and its decreased expression was associated with poor prognosis. Overexpression of SORBS2 in ESCC cell lines inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, SORBS2 bound to the 3' UTR of TIMP3 mRNA, enhancing its stability and thereby regulating TIMP3 expression. Rescue experiments demonstrated that increased TIMP3 expression could reverse the promotive effects of SORBS2 knockdown on ESCC, confirming TIMP3 as a critical downstream molecule of SORBS2. Furthermore, downregulation of SORBS2 in ESCC cells was associated with activation of HUVEC functions, whereas upregulation of TIMP3 could reverse this effect. The SORBS2/TIMP3 axis may exert tumor suppressive effects by influencing extracellular matrix degradation. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that SORBS2 inhibits ESCC tumor progression by regulating extracellular matrix degradation through TIMP3, providing a potential therapeutic target for future treatment interventions.

Clinical multi-dimensional prognostic nomogram for predicting the efficacy of immunotherapy in NSCLC.

The advent of immunotherapy has greatly improved the prognosis of non-small cell lung (NSCLC) patients. However, given its low response rate and high cost of treatment, the search for valuable predictive markers of treatment efficacy is necessary. Considering the complexity and heterogeneity of the tumour and tumour microenvironment, the construction of a multi-dimensional prediction model is necessary. Therefore, we aimed to integrate clinical parameters, radiomic features, and immune signature data from NSCLC patients receiving immunotherapy to construct a multi-dimensional prediction model to better predict the efficacy of immunotherapy. The current study enrolled 137 NSCLC patients who received immunotherapy. We collected baseline clinical information, CT images, and tumour tissue specimens. Using 3D-Slicer software, radiomic features were extracted from patient CT images, and tumor tissue samples obtained before immunotherapy were subjected to immunohistochemical staining. Then, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analysis was applied to downscale the data, and the radiomic features and immune signatures associated with the prognosis of immunotherapy patients were identified. The modified lung immune predictive index (mLIPI), radiomics score (Radioscore), immune score and multi-dimensional model nomogram were constructed. The C-index and area under the curve (AUC) were applied to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the models. Three radiomic features and three immune signatures that could predict the efficacy of immunotherapy were eventually screened. Multivariate analysis showed that the mLIPI, Radioscore, and immune score were independent predictive factors for PFS and OS (P < 0.05 for all models). The multi-dimensional model combining the three models showed better predictive efficacy than the mLIPI, Radioscore, and immune score (PFS: 0.721 vs. 0.662 vs. 0.610 vs. 0.610; OS: 0.727 vs. 0.661 vs. 0.601 vs. 0.602 respectively). The multi-dimensional model showed the best predictive efficacy, with C-index for PFS and OS higher than mLIPI, radioscore and immune score: 0.721 vs. 0.662 vs. 0.610 vs. 0.610 for PFS and 0.727 vs. 0.661 vs. 0.601 vs. 0.602 for OS, respectively. The AUC for the multi-dimensional model also performed better than those of the individual models: 0.771 vs. 0.684 vs. 0.715 vs. 0.711 for PFS and 0.768 vs. 0.662 vs. 0.661 vs. 0.658 for OS, respectively. The multi-dimensional model combining the three models had better predictive efficacy than any single model and was more likely to help provide patients personalized and precision medicine.

Sequestration of DBR1 to stress granules promotes lariat intronic RNAs accumulation for heat-stress tolerance.

Heat stress (HS) poses a significant challenge to plant survival, necessitating sophisticated molecular mechanisms to maintain cellular homeostasis. Here, we identify SICKLE (SIC) as a key modulator of HS responses in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). SIC is required for the sequestration of RNA DEBRANCHING ENZYME 1 (DBR1), a rate-limiting enzyme of lariat intronic RNA (lariRNA) decay, into stress granules (SGs). The sequestration of DBR1 by SIC enhances the accumulation of lariRNAs, branched circular RNAs derived from excised introns during pre-mRNA splicing, which in turn promote the transcription of their parental genes. Our findings further demonstrate that SIC-mediated DBR1 sequestration in SGs is crucial for plant HS tolerance, as deletion of the N-terminus of SIC (SIC1-244) impairs DBR1 sequestration and compromises plant response to HS. Overall, our study unveils a mechanism of transcriptional regulation in the HS response, where lariRNAs are enriched through DBR1 sequestration, ultimately promoting the transcription of heat stress tolerance genes.

PODXL promotes malignant progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by activating PI3K/AKT pathway.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents challenges due to inadequate early monitoring and diagnostic precision, resulting in rising incidence and mortality rates. Identifying reliable predictive biomarkers is imperative. This study investigates PODXL expression in HCC and its mechanisms in tumor onset and progression. Clinical samples were analyzed for PODXL expression in HCC tissues, correlating with clinical features and prognosis. In vitro experiments and bioinformatics analysis validated PODXL's role in HCC, particularly in HCCLM3 cells, highlighting its impact on proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Enhanced PODXL expression, associated with poor prognosis, was observed in HCC tissues and cells. Downregulating PODXL reduced HCCLM3 cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, while promoting apoptosis. Bioinformatics analysis linked abnormal PODXL expression to the PI3K/AKT pathway. Moreover, PODXL downregulation and PI3K/AKT activation verified PODXL's role in promoting HCCLM3 cell progression via this pathway. This study underscores PODXL's significance in HCC prognosis and suggests its potential as a diagnostic or therapeutic target.

Elevated preoperative plasma D-dimer level is an independent prognostic factor for pediatric patients with Wilms tumor.

INTRODUCTION: Elevated plasma D-dimer levels are an unfavorable prognostic indicator for various tumors. However, its predictive value for prognosis in pediatric patients with Wilms tumor (WT) remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the clinical and prognostic value of preoperative plasma D-dimer levels and other clinicopathological characteristics in patients with favorable histology WT (FHWT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical data of 74 children with FHWT from January 2010 to January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinicopathologic characteristics, preoperative laboratory parameter results, including D-dimer level, and follow-up data were collected. Based on the postoperative recovery status, the patients were divided into tumor-free survival and disease progression groups. The risk factors affecting disease progression in pediatric patients with WT and the impact of plasma D-dimer levels on overall survival (OS) were evaluated. RESULTS: Over a median follow-up of 33 months (range: 2-145 months), 56 patients survived without progression. Relapses and metastases occurred in 18 patients, of which four survived and 14 died. Higher preoperative plasma D-dimer levels (>0.865) (Odds ratio [OR] = 7.240, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.276-33.272, P = 0.011) and tumor rupture (OR = 19.984, 95% CI = 1.182-338.013, P = 0.038) were independent prognostic factors for disease progression. Additionally, patients with elevated D-dimer levels demonstrated a worse 5-year OS than those with low D-dimer levels (Hazard ratio (HR) =4.278, 95% CI = 1.074-17.035, P = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated D-dimer levels are a prognostic factor for a poorer outcome in pediatric patients with WT and are expected to become a clinical biomarker for predicting the prognosis of WT.

Epiphytic Patterns Impacting Metabolite Diversity of Drynaria roosii Rhizomes Based on Widely Targeted Metabolomics.

Drynaria roosii Nakaike, a fern widely distributed in China and some countries in Southeast Asia, is a commonly used herbal medicine in tonic diets and Chinese patented medicine. The metabolites of its dried rhizomes are easily affected by the epiphytic pattern, whether on rock tunnels (RTs) or tree trunks (TTs). The current research focused on rhizomes from these two patterns, RTs and TTs (further divided into subclasses TA, TB, TC, and TD, based on trunk differences) and conducted a widely targeted metabolomics analysis. A total of 1435 components were identified across 13 categories, with flavonoids, amino acids, and their derivative, lipids, identified as the main components. They accounted for 19.96%, 12.07%, and 12.14% of all metabolites, respectively. The top five flavonoids in TB were eriodicty-ol-7-O-(6″-acetyl)glucoside, quercetin-3-O-sophoroside (baimaside), dihydrochar-cone-4'-O-glucoside, morin, and hesperetin-7-O-glucoside, with relative contents 76.10, 24.20, 17.02, 15.84, and 14.64 times higher than in RTs. Principal component analysis revealed that samples with different epiphytic patterns clustered into five groups. The RT patterns revealed unique metabolites that were not detected in the other four epiphytic species (TA, TB, TC, and TD), including 16 authenticated metabolites: 1 alkaloid, 1 amino acid derivative, 7 flavonoids, 2 lignans, 1 lipid, 1 alcohol, 1 aldehyde, and 2 phenolic acids. These differences in epiphytic patterns considerably affected the accumulation of both primary and secondary metabolites. The comparison of diversity between RTs and TTs can guide the selection of a cultivation substance and the grading of collective rhizomes in the wild. This comprehensive analysis of D. roosii rhizome metabolites also offers fundamental insights for identifying active components and understanding the mechanisms underlying their potential pharmacological activities.

Femoral artery and vein injuries in a child due to firecracker explosion: a case report.

Background: Traumatic vascular injuries in the pediatric patient population are uncommon, especially firecracker blast injuries. Extremities are more frequently affected. Vascular lesions in children have unique characteristics compared to adults, including small vessel diameters, continued growth and development, and susceptibility to vasospasm. There are no clear guidelines for vascular repair and postoperative drug therapy. This may present some challenges during treatment. The study's purpose is to retrospectively analyze a case of femoral artery and vein injuries in a child due to firecracker explosion, and to summarize the characteristics of femoral artery and vein rupture in children and the diagnostic and therapeutic experience. Case Description: We reported a 9-year-old boy with a firecracker injury to the perineum resulting in a left femoral artery and femoral vein rupture. In particular, the wound from firecracker explosion is located at the point of body projection of the spermatic cord, rather than the femoral artery and femoral vein. Emergency compression of the wound to stop bleeding provided an opportunity for subsequent surgical treatment. The intraoperative exploration revealed that the left femoral artery was mostly dissected along a 3-cm long section with a disfigured wall, and the left femoral vein was partially dissected with its anterior wall partially disrupted and missing. The child was subjected to left femoral artery autologous great saphenous vein interposition and left femoral vein repair with patch plasty. The patient had a successful surgery with good follow-up. Conclusions: Pediatric femoral arteriovenous injury is a rare and complex condition, often associated with critical complications, challenging surgical interventions, and a high risk of mortality and disability. The location of body wounds may contribute to delayed diagnosis of the condition, emphasizing the importance of timely physical examination for early diagnosis. Timely and accurate vascular repair is paramount for saving lives and minimizing the risk of limb amputation. Long-term postoperative follow-up is necessary to monitor the patency of the repaired vessels and promptly detect any complications.

Preventing periprosthetic osteolysis in aging populations through lymphatic activation and stem cell-associated secretory phenotype inhibition.

With increases in life expectancy, the number of patients requiring joint replacement therapy and experiencing periprosthetic osteolysis, the most common complication leading to implant failure, is growing or underestimated. In this study, we found that osteolysis progression and osteoclast differentiation in the surface of the skull bone of adult mice were accompanied by significant expansion of lymphatic vessels within bones. Using recombinant VEGF-C protein to activate VEGFR3 and promote proliferation of lymphatic vessels in bone, we counteracted excessive differentiation of osteoclasts and osteolysis caused by titanium alloy particles or inflammatory cytokines LPS/TNF-α. However, this effect was not observed in aged mice because adipogenically differentiated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) inhibited the response of lymphatic endothelial cells to agonist proteins. The addition of the JAK inhibitor ruxolitinib restored the response of lymphatic vessels to external stimuli in aged mice to protect against osteolysis progression. These findings suggest that inhibiting SASP secretion by adipogenically differentiated MSCs while activating lymphatic vessels in bone offers a new method to prevent periprosthetic osteolysis during joint replacement follow-up.

Generic mitigating and promoting effect of zeolite on anaerobic digestion: Physicochemical and metataxonomic data.

This article provides comprehensive data on degradation performance and microbial dynamics derived from a set of 24 lab-scale batch anaerobic digesters involving various types of inhibitors and the addition of zeolite as a support material. In the first series of 12 digesters, three inhibitors were investigated at the following concentrations: 20 g/L of sodium chloride, 400 mg/L of erythromycin, and 5 mg/L of S-metolachlor. Each inhibitor was tested in triplicate, along with a control condition without inhibition. A parallel series was set up identically, except that 15 g/L of zeolite was introduced into each digester to mitigate the inhibition and promote the degradation process. The provided data comprises information regarding the experimental setup, monitoring measurements that assess the degradation performance (production, composition, and apparent isotopic factor of biogas, pH, dissolved inorganic and organic carbon and volatile fatty acids concentrations), microbial samples information, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing data that decipher changes in microbial structure. This datapaper is associated with research article [1] and presents both the sequencing data and the associated physicochemical data in a structured table format. The sequencing data were generated using the Ion Torrent PGM sequencer and have been deposited in the European Nucleotide Archive (ENA) database at EMBL-EBI under accession number PRJEB65129 (https://www.ebi.ac.uk/ena/browser/view/PRJEB65129), with sample accession numbers ranging from ERS16257742 to ERS16257691 [2]. The data serves as a valuable resource for comparisons with data from other studies on lab-scale batch anaerobic digesters, particularly those utilizing zeolite as a support material or involving inhibition caused by similar types of inhibitors (salts, antibiotics, or pesticides).

Dominant-negative chaperonin mutation ptCPN60α1S57F uncovers redundancy in chloroplast rRNA processing.

The biogenesis of functional forms of chloroplast ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) is crucial for the translation of chloroplast mRNAs into polypeptides. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the proper processing and maturation of chloroplast rRNA species are poorly understood. Through a genetic approach, we isolated and characterized an Arabidopsis mutant, α1-4, harboring a missense mutation in the plastid chaperonin-60α1 gene. Using allelism tests and transgenic manipulation, we determined functional redundancy among ptCPN60 subunits. The ptCPN60α1S57F mutation caused specific defects in the formation of chloroplast rRNA species, including 23S, 5S, and 4.5S rRNAs, but not 16S rRNAs. Allelism tests suggested that the dysfunctional ptCPN60α1S57F competes with other members of the ptCPN60 family. Indeed, overexpression of the ptCPN60α1S57F protein in wild-type plants mimicked the phenotypes observed in the α1-4 mutant, while increasing the endogenous transcriptional levels of ptCPN60α2, ß1, ß2, and ß3 in the α1-4 mutant partially mitigated the abnormal fragmentation processing of chloroplast 23S, 5S, and 4.5S rRNAs. Furthermore, we demonstrated functional redundancy between ptCPN60ß1 and ptCPN60ß2 in chloroplast rRNA processing through double-mutant analysis. Collectively, our data reveal a novel physiological role of ptCPN60 subunits in generating the functional rRNA species of the large 50S ribosomal subunit in Arabidopsis chloroplasts.

Topologically Localized Vibronic Excitations in Second-Layer Graphene Nanoribbons.

It is of fundamental importance to characterize the intrinsic properties, like the topological end states, in the on-surface synthesized graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), but the strong electronic interaction with the metal substrate usually smears out their characteristic features. Here, we report our approach to investigate the vibronic excitations of the topological end states in self-decoupled second-layer GNRs, which are grown using an on-surface squeezing-induced spillover strategy. The vibronic progressions show highly spatially localized distributions at the second-layer GNR ends, which can be ascribed to the decoupling-extended lifetime of charging through resonant electron tunneling at the topological end states. In combination with theoretical calculations, we assign the vibronic progressions to specific vibrational modes that mediate the vibronic excitations. The spatial distribution of each resolved excitation shows evident characteristics beyond the conventional Franck-Condon picture. Our work by direct growth of second-layer GNRs provides an effective way to explore the interplay between the intrinsic electronic, vibrational, and topological properties.

Functional Characterization of an Odorant Receptor Expressed in Newly Hatched Larvae of Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda.

In the past decade, Spodoptera frugiperda has emerged as a significant invasive pest globally, posing a serious threat to agriculture due to its broad diet, migratory behavior, and ability to cause extensive plant damage. While extensive research has focused on the olfactory capabilities of adult S. frugiperda, understanding of the olfactory process in larvae remains limited, despite larvae playing a crucial role in crop damage. To address this gap, we identified an odorant receptor (OR), SfruOR40, expressed in the first-instar larvae through phylogenetic analysis. Using quantitative real-time PCR, we compared SfruOR40 expression levels in larvae and adults. We then characterized the function of SfruOR40 against 67 compounds using the Xenopus oocyte expression system and found that SfruOR40 responded to three plant volatiles. Further, behavioral experiments revealed a larval attraction to (-)-trans-Caryophyllene oxide. This study elucidates SfruOR40's role in the olfactory recognition of newly hatched S. frugiperda larvae, expanding our knowledge of such mechanisms in Noctuid moths. Furthermore, it highlights the potential of plant-derived natural products for biological pest control from a behavioral ecology perspective.

Hypoxia-Induced Ephrin-B2 Facilitates Proliferation and Induces Glycolytic Metabolism in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Modulating PKM2/HIF-1α Axis.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is a fatal disease characterized by metabolic dysregulation. The role of ephrin type-B receptor 2 (ephrin-B2), a crucial molecule in cancer cell biology, in regulating glycolysis and cell proliferation of cSCC is not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the biological pathways by which ephrin-B2 impacts the glycolysis and cell proliferation of cSCC. METHODS: Ephrin-B2 expression levels in cSCC were determined using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. Ephrin-B2 expression in cSCC cells was manipulated using overexpression and knockdown approaches. A series of in vitro assays, such as cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), Transwell assay, immunofluorescence assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), qRT-PCR, and Western blotting, were employed to delineate the biological roles of ephrin-B2/pyruvate kinase muscle isoenzyme 2 (PKM2)/hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) in proliferation, migration, invasion, and glucose metabolism of cSCC. RESULTS: This study highlights an upregulation of ephrin-B2 expression in cSCC. Knockdown of ephrin-B2 significantly suppressed the proliferation, migration, invasion, and glucose metabolism of cSCC cells. Moreover, ephrin-B2 expression was upregulated under hypoxic conditions. At the molecular level, ephrin-B2 knockdown resulted in the downregulation of PKM2 and HIF-1α expression. Additionally, the overexpression of PKM2 or HIF-1α successfully rescued the diminished proliferation, migration, invasion and glucose metabolism induced by ephrin-B2 knockdown in cSCC cells. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that ephrin-B2 suppression may hinder cSCC cell proliferation and glycolytic metabolism, potentially via the PKM2/HIF-1α axis modulation.

Cardiovascular comorbidities among patients with psoriasis: a national register-based study in China.

This study aims to illustrate epidemiology of comorbid CVD in the real-world clinical setting of patients with psoriasis in China. We used data of adult patients with psoriasis who were registered in the register of China National Clinical Center for Skin and Immune Diseases between August 2020 and September 2021. Psoriasis was clinically diagnosed following the national guidelines. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the factors associated with comorbid CVD in patients with psoriasis. Of the 11,560 psoriasis patients (age ≥ 18 years, mean age 41.87 years, 64.88% males), 236 were ascertained with CVD, with the overall prevalence being 2.62%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of CVD in psoriasis patients was 2.27 (2.03-2.54) for older age (per 10-year increment), 0.65 (0.48-0.90) for female, 2.07 (1.39-3.06) for obesity (BMI ≥ 28 vs. < 24 kg/m2), 2.55 (1.85-2.52) for smoking, 7.63 (5.86-9.94) for hypertension, 4.27 (3.76-4.85) for diabetes, 1.14 (1.00-1.30) for having a history of drug allergy, 2.27 (1.61-3.20) for having family history of psoriasis, and 1.76 (1.16-2.67) for severe disease (severe vs. mild) with a dose-response relationship (Ptrend < 0.001). In patients with psoriasis, comorbid CVD was associated with smoking, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, history of drug allergy, family history of psoriasis, and the psoriasis severity.

A practical nomogram for preoperatively predicting lateral cervical lymph node metastasis in medullary thyroid carcinoma: a dual-center retrospective study.

Purpose: Lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) is very common in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), but there is still controversy about how to manage cervical lateral lymph nodes, especially for clinically negative MTC. The aim of this study is to develop and validate a nomogram for predicting LLNM risk in MTC. Materials and methods: A total of 234 patients from two hospitals were retrospectively enrolled in this study and divided into LLNM positive group and LLNM negative group based on the pathology. The correlation between LLNM and preoperative clinical and ultrasound variables were evaluated by univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis. A nomogram was generated to predict the risk of the LLNM of MTC patients, validated by external dataset, and evaluated in terms of discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness. Results: The training, internal, and external validation datasets included 152, 51, and 31 MTC patients, respectively. According to the multivariable logistic regression analysis, gender (male), relationship to thyroid capsule and serum calcitonin were independently associated with LLNM in the training dataset. The predictive nomogram model developed with the aforementioned variables showed favorable performance in estimating risk of LLNM, with the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.826 in the training dataset, 0.816 in the internal validation dataset, and 0.846 in the external validation dataset. Conclusion: We developed and validated a model named MTC nomogram, utilizing available preoperative variables to predict the probability of LLNM in patients with MTC. This nomogram will be of great value for guiding the clinical diagnosis and treatment process of MTC patients.