Identification, validation and candidate gene analysis of major QTL for Supernumerary spikelets in wheat.

BACKGROUND: The number of spikelets per spike is a key trait that affects the yield of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Identification of the QTL for spikelets per spike and its genetic effects that could be used in molecular assistant breeding in the future. RESULTS: In this study, four recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations were generated and used, having YuPi branching wheat (YP), with Supernumerary Spikelets (SS) phenotype, as a common parent. QTL (QSS.sicau-2 A and QSS.sicau-2D) related to SS trait were mapped on chromosomes 2 A and 2D through bulked segregant exome sequencing (BSE-Seq). Fourteen molecular markers were further developed within the localization interval, and QSS.sicau-2 A was narrowed to 3.0 cM covering 7.6 Mb physical region of the reference genome, explaining 13.7 - 15.9% the phenotypic variance. Similarly, the QSS.sicau-2D was narrowed to 1.8 cM covering 2.4 Mb physical region of the reference genome, and it explained 27.4 - 32.9% the phenotypic variance. These two QTL were validated in three different genetic backgrounds using the linked markers. QSS.sicau-2 A was identified as WFZP-A, and QSS.sicau-2D was identified a novel locus, different to the previously identified WFZP-D. Based on the gene expression patterns, gene annotation and sequence analysis, TraesCS2D03G0260700 was predicted to be a potential candidate gene for QSS.sicau-2D. CONCLUSION: Two significant QTL for SS, namely QSS.sicau-2 A and QSS.sicau-2D were identified in multiple environments were identified and their effect in diverse genetic populations was assessed. QSS.sicau-2D is a novel QTL associated with the SS trait, with TraesCS2D03G0260700 predicted as its candidate gene.

Continuous Erector Spinae Plane Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Elderly Patients After Thoracoscopic Lobectomy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of ultrasound-guided continuous erector spinae plane block to continuous thoracic paravertebral block on postoperative analgesia in elderly patients who underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Elderly patients (N = 50) who underwent nonemergent thoracoscopic lobectomy in the thoracic surgery department of our hospital from January 2019 to December 2020 were selected and randomly divided into continuous erector spinae block (ESPB; n = 25) group and continuous thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB; n = 25) group. The patients in the two groups were guided by ultrasound with ESPB or TPVB before anesthesia induction. The visual analog scale at rest and cough in 2 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours after surgery, the supplementary analgesic dosage of tramadol, time of tube placement, the stay time in postanesthesia care unit (PACU), the first ambulation time after surgery, the length of postoperative hospital stay and postoperative complications were recorded. FINDINGS: There were no significant differences between the two groups in visual analog scale score at rest and cough at each time point and supplementary analgesic dosage of tramadol within 48 hours after surgery (P > .05). The time of tube placement and the postoperative hospital stay in ESPB group was significantly shorter than that in TPVB group (P < .05). There were no differences in PACU residence time and first ambulation time between the two groups (P > .05). There were 4 patients in TPVB group and 2 patients in ESPB group who had nausea and vomiting (P > .05), 1 case of pneumothorax and 1 case of fever in the TPVB group. There were no incision infections or respiratory depression requiring clinical intervention in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Both ESPB and TPVB alleviated the patients postoperative pain effectively for elderly patients underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy. Compared with TPVB, patients with ESPB have a shorter tube placement time, fewer complications and faster postoperative recovery.

CT-guided hydrogel injection for brachytherapy in cervical cancer: A case report.

Rectal toxicity is a significant concern in cervical cancer radiotherapy. Despite advancements in image-guided brachytherapy (IGBT), rectal morbidity remains a challenge. Injectable hydrogel showed promise in creating a space between the vagina and rectum, reducing rectal radiation dose; however, the traditional ultrasound-guided injection revealed some problems, such as the inadequate separation of the upper edge of the cervix, which can be mitigated through adopting CT-guided injection. This case report presents the successful use of computed tomography (CT)-guided hydrogel injection to limit rectal doses and improve treatment outcomes. A forty-year-old female with stage IIIC1r cervical cancer received external-beam radiotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy. Due to the proximity of the tumor to the rectum, a CT-guided hydrogel injection was performed to increase the distance between the cervix and rectum. Post-injection, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated increased distances between the cervix and rectum. Subsequent MRI-based IGBT achieved high clinical target volume doses while limiting rectal doses. During the six-month follow-up, the patient reported only mild adverse effects. CT-guided hydrogel injection offers advantages over ultrasound-guided injection in cervical cancer radiotherapy. The technique allows for better puncture position adjustment, reduced reliance on specialized ultrasound expertise, and shorter puncture distances. This case report highlights the potential of hydrogel injection as a viable method to reduce rectal morbidity and improve treatment outcomes in a broader range of cervical cancer patients. Further studies are warranted to validate these findings and explore its applicability in larger cohorts.

Fluoxetine Successfully Treats Intracranial Enterovirus E18 Infection in a Patient with CD79a Deficiency Arising from Segmental Uniparental Disomy of Chromosome 19.

The pre BCR complex plays a crucial role in B cell production, and its successful expression marks the B cell differentiation from the pro-B to pre-B. The CD79a and CD79b mutations, encoding Igα and Igß respectively, have been identified as the cause of autosomal recessive agammaglobulinemia (ARA). Here, we present a case of a patient with a homozygous CD79a mutation, exhibiting recurrent respiratory infections, diarrhea, growth and development delay, unique facial abnormalities and microcephaly, as well as neurological symptoms including tethered spinal cord, sacral canal cyst, and chronic enteroviral E18 meningitis. Complete blockade of the early B cell development in the bone marrow of the patient results in the absence of peripheral circulating mature B cells. Whole exome sequencing revealed a Loss of Heterozygosity (LOH) of approximately 19.20Mb containing CD79a on chromosome 19 in the patient. This is the first case of a homozygous CD79a mutation caused by segmental uniparental diploid (UPD). Another key outcome of this study is the effective management of long-term chronic enteroviral meningitis using a combination of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and fluoxetine. This approach offers compelling evidence of fluoxetine's utility in treating enteroviral meningitis, particularly in immunocompromised patients.

Establishment and characterization of a golden pompano (Trachinotus blochii) fin cell line for applications in marine fish pathogen immunology.

Pompano fishes have been widely farmed worldwide. As a representative commercial marine species of the Carangidae family, the golden pompano (Trachinotus blochii) has gained significant popularity in China and worldwide. However, because of rapid growth and high-density aquaculture, the golden pompano has become seriously threatened by various diseases. Cell lines are the most cost-effective resource for in vitro studies and are widely used for physiological and pathological research owing to their accessibility and convenience. In this study, we established a novel immortal cell line, GPF (Golden pompano fin cells). GPF has been passaged over 69 generations for 10 months. The morphology, adhesion and extension processes of GPF were evaluated using light and electron microscopy. GPF cells were passaged every 3 days with L-15 containing 20 % fetal bovine serum (FBS) at 1:3. The optimum conditions for GPF growth were 28 °C and a 20 % FBS concentration. DNA sequencing of 18S rRNA and mitochondrial 16S rRNA confirmed that GPF was derived from the golden pompano. Chromosomal analysis revealed that the number pattern of GPF was 48 chromosomes. Transfection experiments demonstrated that GPF could be utilized to express foreign genes. Furthermore, heavy metals (Cd, Cu, and Fe) exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity against GPF. After polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) treatment, transcription of the retinoic acid-inducible gene I-like receptor (RLR) pathway genes, including mda5, mita, tbk1, irf3, and irf7 increased, inducing the expression of interferon (IFN) and anti-viral proteins in GPF cells. In addition, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation up-regulated the expression of inflammation-related factors, including myd88, irak1, nfκb, il1ß, il6, and cxcl10 expression. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the immune response signaling pathways of the golden pompano using an established fin cell line. In this study, we describe a preliminary investigation of the GPF cell line immune response to poly I:C and LPS, and provide a more rapid and efficient experimental material for research on marine fish immunology.

Molecular characterization, immune functions and DNA protective effects of peroxiredoxin-1 gene in Antheraea pernyi.

Peroxiredoxins are antioxidant proteins that detoxify peroxynitrite, hydrogen peroxide, and organic hydroperoxides, impacting various physiological processes such as immune responses, apoptosis, cellular homeostasis, and so on. In the present study, we identified and characterized peroxiredoxin 1 from Antheraea pernyi (thereafter designated as ApPrx-1) that encodes a predicted 195 amino acid residue protein with a 21.8 kDa molecular weight. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that the mRNA level of ApPrx-1 was highest in the hemocyte, fat body, and midgut. Immune-challenged larval fat bodies and hemocytes showed increased ApPrx-1 transcript. Moreover, ApPrx-1 expression was induced in hemocytes and the whole body of A. pernyi following exogenous H2O2 administration. A DNA cleavage assay performed using recombinant ApPrx-1 protein showed that rApPrx-1 protein manifests the ability to protect supercoiled DNA damage from oxidative stress. To test the rApPrx-1 protein antioxidant activity, the ability of the rApPrx-1 protein to remove H2O2 was assessed in vitro using rApPrx-1 protein and DTT, while BSA + DDT served as a control group. The results revealed that ApPrx-1 can efficiently remove H2O2 in vitro. In the loss of function analysis, we found that ApPrx-1 significantly increased the levels of H2O2 in ApPrx-1-depleted larvae compared to the control group. We also found a significantly lower survival rate in the larvae in which ApPrx-1 was knocked down. Interestingly, the antibacterial activity was significantly higher in the ApPrx-1 depleted larvae, compared to the control. Collectively, evidence strongly suggests that ApPrx-1 may regulate physiological activities and provides a reference for further studies to validate the utility of the key genes involved in reliving oxidative stress conditions and regulating the immune responses of insects.

Identification of PANoptosis-related biomarkers and analysis of prognostic values in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

PANoptosis plays a crucial role in cancer initiation and progression. However, the roles of PANoptosis-related genes (PARGs) in the prognosis and immune landscape of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remain unclear. Integrated bioinformatics analyses based on the data of HNSCC patients in the TCGA database were conducted. We extracted 48 PARGs expression profile and then conducted differentially expressed analysis, following building a Cox model to predict the survival of HNSCC patients. Subsequently, the relationships between the risk score, immune landscape, chemo-, and immune-therapy responses were analyzed, respectively. Moreover, we investigated the prognostic value, and further predicted the pathways influenced by PARGs. Finally, we identified the biological function of crucial PARGs. A total of 18 differentially expressed PARGs were identified in HNSCC, and a Cox model including CASP8, FADD, NLRP1, TNF, and ZBP1 was constructed, which showed that the risk score was associated with the prognosis as well as immune infiltration of HNSCC patients, and the risk score could be regarded as an independent biomarker. Additionally, patients with high-risk score might be an indicator of lymph node metastasis and advanced clinical stage. High-risk scores also contributed to the chemotherapy resistance and immune escape of HNSCC patients. In addition, FADD and ZBP1 played a crucial role in various cancer-related pathways, such as the MAPK, WNT, and MTOR signaling pathways. On the other hand, we suggested that FADD facilitated the progression and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resistance of HNSCC cells. A signature based on PANoptosis showed great predictive power for lymph node metastasis and advanced stage, suggesting that the risk score might be an independent prognostic biomarker for HNSCC. Meanwhile, FADD, identified as a prognostic biomarker, may represent an effective therapeutic target for HNSCC.

Defective Lamtor5 Leads to Autoimmunity by Deregulating v-ATPase and Lysosomal Acidification.

Despite accumulating evidence linking defective lysosome function with autoimmune diseases, how the catabolic machinery is regulated to maintain immune homeostasis remains unknown. Late endosomal/lysosomal adaptor, MAPK and mTOR activator 5 (Lamtor5) is a subunit of the Ragulator mediating mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activation in response to amino acids, but its action mode and physiological role are still unclear. Here it is demonstrated that Lamtor5 level is markedly decreased in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In parallel, the mice with myeloid Lamtor5 ablation developed SLE-like manifestation. Impaired lysosomal function and aberrant activation of mTORC1 are evidenced in Lamtor5 deficient macrophages and PBMCs of SLE patients, accompanied by blunted autolysosomal pathway and undesirable inflammatory responses. Mechanistically, it is shown that Lamtor5 is physically associated with ATP6V1A, an essential subunit of vacuolar H+-ATPase (v-ATPase), and promoted the V0/V1 holoenzyme assembly to facilitate lysosome acidification. The binding of Lamtor5 to v-ATPase affected the lysosomal tethering of Rag GTPase and weakened its interaction with mTORC1 for activation. Overall, Lamtor5 is identified as a critical factor for immune homeostasis by intergrading v-ATPase activity, lysosome function, and mTOR pathway. The findings provide a potential therapeutic target for SLE and/or other autoimmune diseases.

Fabrication of a surface molecularly imprinted polymer membrane based on a single template and its application in the separation and extraction of phenytoin, phenobarbital and lamotrigine.

An innovative molecularly imprinted polymer membrane (MIPM) was prepared with polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) as the support, phenytoin (PHT) as the single template, methacrylic acid as the functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the cross-linking reagent, azobisisobutyronitrile as the initiator, and acetonitrile-dimethylformamide (1 : 1.5, v/v) as the porogen. These materials were characterized via scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Their adsorption performances were evaluated through a series of experiments including isothermal adsorption, kinetic adsorption, selective adsorption, adsorption-desorption, reusability, and preparation reproducibility. Additionally, the application was explored by investigating the extraction recovery of MIPMs towards PHT, phenobarbital (PHB) and lamotrigine (LTG) in different matrices including methanol, normal saline (NS), phosphate buffer solution (PBS) and plasma. The results showed that MIPMs with rough and porous surfaces were successfully constructed, which offered good preparation reproducibility, reusability and selectivity. The adsorption capacities of MIPMs towards PHT, PHB and LTG were 2.312, 2.485 and 2.303 mg g-1, respectively, while their corresponding imprinting factors were 8.538, 12.122 and 4.562, respectively. The adsorption equilibrium of MIPMs was achieved within 20 min at room temperature without stirring or ultrasonication. The extraction recoveries of MIPMs for PHT, PHB or LTG in methanol, NS and PBS were more than 80% with an RSD% value of less than 3.64. In the case of plasma, the extraction recovery of MIPMs for PHT and PHB was more than 80% with an RSD% value of less than 2.41, while that of MIPMs for LTG was more than 65% with an RSD% value of less than 0.99. All the results indicated that the preparation method for MIPMs was simple, stable, and reliable, and the prepared MIPMs possessed excellent properties to meet the extraction application of PHT, PHB and LTG in different matrices.

Screening of anti-melanoma compounds from Morus alba L.: Sanggenon C promotes melanoma cell apoptosis by disrupting intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Morus alba L. is a widespread plant that has long been considered to have remarkable medical values, including anti-inflammation in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The components of Morus Alba L. constituents have been extensively studied and have been shown to have high prospects for cancer therapy. However, limited investigations have been done on the bioactive compounds in Morus alba L. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to systematically examine the anticancer properties of 28 commercially available compounds from Morus alba L. against melanoma cells in vitro. Additionally, the anticancer mechanisms of the bioactive compound exhibiting the most significant potential were further studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anti-proliferative effects of Morus alba L.-derived compounds on melanoma cells were determined by colony formation assays. Their effects on cell viability and apoptosis were determined using the CCK8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The binding affinity of identified Morus alba L. compounds with anticancer activities towards melanoma targets was analyzed via molecular docking. The molecular mechanism of Sanggenon C was explored using soft agar assays, EdU incorporation assays, flow cytometry, western blotting, transcriptome analysis, and xenograft assays. RESULTS: Based on colony formation assays, 11 compounds at 20 µM significantly inhibited colony growth on a panel of melanoma cells. These compounds displayed IC50 values (half maximal inhibitory concentrations) ranging from 5 µM to 30 µM. Importantly, six compounds were identified as novel anti-melanoma agents, including Sanggenon C, 3'-Geranyl-3-prenyl-2',4',5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone, Moracin P, Moracin O, Kuwanon A, and Kuwanon E. Among them, Sanggenon C showed the most potent effects, with an IC50 of about 5 µM, significantly reducing proliferation and inducing apoptosis in melanoma cells. Based on the xenograft model assay, Sanggenon C significantly inhibited melanoma cell proliferation in vivo. Sanggenon C triggered ER stress in a dose-dependent manner, which further disrupted cellular calcium ion (Ca2+) homeostasis. The Ca2+ chelator BAPTA partially restored cell apoptosis induced by Sanggenon C, confirming that Ca2+ signaling contributed to the anticancer activity of Sanggenon C against melanoma. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, 11 compounds demonstrated anti-melanoma properties. Notably, Sanggenon C was found to promote apoptosis by disrupting the intracellular calcium homeostasis in melanoma cells. This study provides valuable information for the future development of novel cancer therapeutic agents from Morus alba L.

Mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf water extract attenuates type 2 diabetes mellitus by regulating gut microbiota dysbiosis, lipopolysaccharide elevation and endocannabinoid system disorder.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf is a well-known herbal medicine and has been used to treat diabetes in China for thousands of years. Our previous studies have proven mulberry leaf water extract (MLWE) could improve type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). However, it is still unclear whether MLWE could mitigate T2D by regulating gut microbiota dysbiosis and thereof improve intestinal permeability and metabolic dysfunction through modulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and endocannabinoid system (eCBs). AIM OF STUDY: This study aims to explore the potential mechanism of MLWE on the regulation of metabolic function disorder of T2D mice from the aspects of gut microbiota, LPS and eCBs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gut microbiota was analyzed by high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing. LPS, N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-ararchidonylglycerol (2-AG) contents in blood were determined by kits or liquid phase chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. The receptors, enzymes or tight junction protein related to eCBs or gut barrier were detected by RT-PCR or Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: MLWE reduced the serum levels of AEA, 2-AG and LPS, decreased the expressions of N-acylphophatidylethanolamine phospholipase D, diacylglycerol lipase-α and cyclooxygenase 2, and increased the expressions of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase (NAAA), alpha/beta hydrolases domain 6/12 in the liver and ileum and occludin, monoacylglycerol lipase and cannabinoid receptor 1 in the ileum of T2D mice. Furthermore, MLWE could change the abundances of the genera including Acetatifactor, Anaerovorax, Bilophila, Colidextribacter, Dubosiella, Gastranaerophilales, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Oscillibacter and Rikenella related to LPS, AEA and/or 2-AG. Moreover, obvious improvement of MLWE treatment on serum AEA level, ileum occludin expression, and liver FAAH and NAAA expression could be observed in germ-free-mimic T2D mice. CONCLUSION: MLWE could ameliorate intestinal permeability, inflammation, and glucose and lipid metabolism imbalance of T2D by regulating gut microbiota, LPS and eCBs.

Generation of a human iPSC line (CHCMUi002-A) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a chronic granulomatous disease patient.

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a rare X-linked recessive primary immunodeficiency disease (PID). Herein, a human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line was generated from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of a CGD patient with a mutation (c.785_786delTT) in the CYBB gene. These iPSCs showed the expression of pluripotency markers, the ability to differentiate into three germ layers. They offer a promising technique for studying the pathogenesis and conducting drug screening for CGD patients.

The application of 3D brachytherapy in cervical stump cancer: A retrospective study.

Purpose: Cervical stump cancer is a carcinoma that grows on the cervical stump after a sub-total hysterectomy. There have been no studies on the application of 3D brachytherapy in cervical stump cancer. In the present study, we aimed to compare the curative effects, toxicity, and dosimetry of 3D and 2D brachytherapy in cervical stump cancer. Material and methods: Thirty-one patients admitted between 2012 and 2021, who were concurrently treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy and brachytherapy for cervical stump cancer were divided into three groups according to the brachytherapy techniques: 2D brachytherapy, 3D image-guided brachytherapy (3D-IGBT), and 2D + 3D. For patients undergoing 2D brachytherapy and 3D-IGBT, data on survival, complications, and dose to target area or organs at risk (OARs) were collected and compared. Furthermore, dosimetry difference was investigated by reconstructing the 2D plan into a 3D plan. Results: The median follow-up duration of all patients was 58 months. The overall 5-year progression-free survival, overall survival, and local control rates were 69.6%, 90.2%, and 78.2%, respectively. Late complications in the rectum, sigmoid colon, and bladder were milder in 3D brachytherapy than in 2D brachytherapy. Concerning the D90 value of clinical target volume (CTV) and D2cm3 value of OARs in EQD2, the 3D brachytherapy provided a lower dose to CTV (76.5 Gy vs. 95.9 Gy, on average) and OARs compared with 2D brachytherapy. Conclusions: Despite lacking statistical significance, 3D brachytherapy showed better outcomes regarding late toxicity than 2D brachytherapy, owing to the lower dose coverage in the bladder, rectum, sigmoid colon, and small intestine.

Molecular and functional characterization of golden pompano (Trachinotus blochii) TBK1 on IFN regulation.

The golden pompano (Trachinotus blochii), a pivotal commercial marine species in China, has gained significant popularity worldwide. However, accompanied with rapid growth and high density aquaculture, golden pompano has been seriously threatened by Nervous necrosis virus (NNV), while its molecular biology research regarding the innate immune system remains unexplored, which is crucial for understanding the activation of interferon (IFN) production and antiviral responses. In this study, we aimed to identify the characterization and function of golden pompano TANK-binding kinase 1 (gpTBK1), thereby providing evidence of the conservation of this classical factor in the RLR pathway among marine fish. Initially, we found the expression of gpTBK1 upregulation in diseased golden pompano with NNV infection and we successfully cloned the full-length open reading frame (ORF) of gpTBK1, consisting of 2172 nucleotides encoding 723 amino acids, from the head kidney. Subsequent analysis of the amino acid sequence revealed homology between gpTBK1 and other fish TBK1 proteins, with conserved N-terminal Serine/Threonine protein kinases catalytic domain (S_TKc) and C-terminal coiled coil domain (CCD). Moreover, the expression pattern showed that gpTBK1 exhibited ubiquitous expression across all evaluated tissues. Furthermore, functional identification experiments indicated that gpTBK1 activated interferon promoters' activity in golden pompano and induced the expression of downstream IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). Notably, gpTBK1 was found to co-localize and interact with gpIRF3 in the cytoplasm. Collectively, these data provide a comprehensive analysis of the characterization and functional role of gpTBK1 in promoting interferon production. This research may facilitate the further study of the innate antiviral response, particularly the anti-NNV mechanisms, in golden pompano.

Maternal exposure to hyperbaric oxygen at the preimplantation stages increases apoptosis and ectopic Cdx2 expression and decreases Oct4 expression in mouse blastocysts via Nrf2-Notch1 upregulation and Nf2 downregulation.

BACKGROUND: The environmental oxygen tension has been reported to impact the blastocyst quality and cell numbers in the inner cell mass (ICM) during human and murine embryogenesis. While the molecular mechanisms leading to increased ICM cell numbers and pluripotency gene expression under hypoxia have been deciphered, it remains unknown which regulatory pathways caused the underweight fetal body and overweight placenta after maternal exposure to hyperbaric oxygen (HBO). RESULTS: The blastocysts from the HBO-exposed pregnant mice revealed significantly increased signals of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nuclear Nrf2 staining, decreased Nf2 and Oct4 expression, increased nuclear Tp53bp1 and active caspase-3 staining, and ectopic nuclear signals of Cdx2, Yap, and the Notch1 intracellular domain (N1ICD) in the ICM. In the ICM of the HBO-exposed blastocysts, both Nf2 cDNA microinjection and Nrf2 shRNA microinjection significantly decreased the ectopic nuclear expression of Cdx2, Tp53bp1, and Yap whereas increased Oct4 expression, while Nrf2 shRNA microinjection also significantly decreased Notch1 mRNA levels and nuclear expression of N1ICD and active caspase-3. CONCLUSION: We show for the first time that maternal exposure to HBO at the preimplantation stage induces apoptosis and impairs ICM cell specification via upregulating Nrf2-Notch1-Cdx2 expression and downregulating Nf2-Oct4 expression.

Personalized Brachytherapy for a Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich Syndrome Patient with Endometrial Cancer: A Case Report.

Purpose: Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is a common gynecological malignancy. Vaginal cuff brachytherapy (VBT) is an adjuvant treatment for EC. Since a single-channel cylinder sometimes delivers inadequate dose coverage to the vaginal apex, three-dimensional (3D) printing technology can be used to achieve satisfactory dose distribution. Here, we report the first case of an EC patient with Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome (HWWS) treated with VBT using 3D-printed applicators. Case Presentation: Here, we present a case study of an endometrial cancer patient with HWWS who underwent surgery. During adjuvant radiotherapy, 3D-printed applicators were used in VBT. To accomplish the reconstruction of the source pathways on magnetic resonance imaging, catheters with copper sulfate were placed in two 3D-printed applicators. The early tolerance of this treatment was positive. During the 6-month follow-up, locoregional recurrence was not detected. Conclusion: Our findings strongly indicate that VBT with 3D-printed applicators may be a reasonable treatment option for EC with HWWS.

Pollution characteristics and risk assessment of antimony and arsenic in a typical abandoned antimony smelter.

Antimony (Sb) and arsenic (As) co-contamination occurs in Sb smelting areas and is harmful to the surrounding ecological environment. The purpose of this study is to explore the spatial distribution characteristics of Sb and As in abandoned Sb smelting area and carry out risk assessments. Soil samples were collected from the smelting area profile and background points, and groundwater samples were also collected. Samples from two geological background sections were collected to understand the geological background characteristics of Sb and As. The spatial distribution was drawn via the inverse distance weighted interpolation method. The hazard assessment was carried out by the geo-accumulation index and potential ecological hazard methods. The results showed that special high geological background value of Sb and As in study area. Sb and As co-contamination is one of the characters in soil. And the contents of Sb and As decrease as depth increases, reflecting the weak migration capacity. The spatial distribution of Sb and As is affected by slag distribution and rainfall leaching. The Sb content in groundwater was higher in the wet and normal seasons than in the dry season, slag leaching may be one of the elements. The potential ecological hazards of Sb and As are high and considerable, respectively. In abandoned smelting area with high geological background values, it is necessary to focus on the pollution abatement and protection of ecological health.

Mulberry leaf water extract alleviates type 2 diabetes in mice via modulating gut microbiota-host co-metabolism of branched-chain amino acid.

Elevations in circling branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) levels associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Morus alba L. water extracts (MLE) show hypoglycemic function, but the precise mechanism remains obscure. This study is designed to investigate the association of the antidiabetes effect of MLE with the BCAAs co-metabolism modulated by host and gut microbiota. Tissue-specific expressions of BCAA-catabolizing enzymes were detected by RT-PCR and western blot, respectively. The components of the intestinal microflora were analyzed by high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that MLE administration improved blood glucose and insulin level, decreased inflammatory cytokines expression, and lowered serum and feces BCAAs levels. Furthermore, MLE reversed the abundance changes of the bacterial genera correlated with serum and feces BCAAs, such as Anaerovorax, Bilophila, Blautia, Colidextribacter, Dubosiella, Intestinimonas, Lachnoclostridium, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136, Oscillibacter, and Roseburia. Functionality prediction indicated that MLE potentially inhibited bacterial BCAAs biosynthesis, and promoted the tissue-specific expression of BCAAs catabolic enzyme. More importantly, MLE had obvious impacts on BCAA catabolism in germ-free-mimic T2DM mice. Those results indicated that MLE improving T2DM-related biochemical abnormalities is associated with not only gut microbiota modification but also the tissue-specific expression of BCAAs catabolic enzyme.