Complement C3a/C3aR and C5a/C5aR deposits accelerate the progression of advanced IgA nephropathy to end-stage renal disease.

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is still one of the leading causes of end-stage kidney disease (ESRD), and complement system activation is a key to the pathogenesis of IgAN. The role of complement C3a/C3aR and C5a/C5aR in late stage of IgAN remains unknown. Renal specimens of 75 IgAN patients at the stage 4 CKD were stained using immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and death. Associations of complement components with baseline clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes were assessed using multivariable Cox regression and Spearman analyses. During a median follow-up of 15.0 months, 27 patients progressed to ESRD and none died. Lower eGFR [hazards ratio (HR), 0.827, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.732-0.935; P = 0.002] and glomerular C3 deposition (HR, 3.179, 95% CI, 1.079-9.363; P = 0.036) were predictive of time to ESRD in stage 4 CKD IgAN. Higher expression of C3a (P = 0.010), C3aR (P = 0.005), C5a (P = 0.015), and C5aR (P < 0.001) was identified in ESRD group than in non-ESRD group. Glomerular C3a/C3aR and C5a/C5aR deposits were both correlated with a lower baseline eGFR, higher baseline 24 h-urinary protein (24 h-UP) and faster decline of eGFR. Besides, C3a and C5a deposits were found in patients with high S (S1) and T (T1/2) scores, respectively. Complement C3a/C3aR and C5a/C5aR in IgAN patients with stage 4 CKD may portend a faster deterioration of kidney function.

Scalp acupuncture guidance for identifying the optimal site for transcranial electrical stimulation of the hand.

Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) often targets the EEG-guided C3/C4 area that may not accurately represent M1 for hand muscles. This study aimed to determine if the neuroanatomy-based scalp acupuncture-guided site (AC) was a more effective spot than the C3 site for neuromodulation. Fifteen healthy subjects received one 20-minute session of high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation (HD-tACS) intervention (20 Hz at 2 mA) at the AC or C3 sites randomly with a 1-week washout period. Subjects performed ball-squeezing exercises with the dominant hand during the HD-tACS intervention. The AC site was indiscernible from the finger flexor hotspot detected by TMS. At the baseline, the MEP amplitude from finger flexors was greater with less variability at the AC site than at the C3 site. HD-tACS intervention at the AC site significantly increased the MEP amplitude. However, no significant changes were observed after tACS was applied to the C3 site. Our results provide evidence that HD-tACS at the AC site produces better neuromodulation effects on the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) muscle compared to the C3 site. The AC localization approach can be used for future tES studies.

Attapulgite-intercalated g-C3N4/ZnIn2S4 3D hierarchical Z-scheme heterojunction for boosting photocatalytic hydrogen production.

Construction of hierarchical architecture with suitable band alignment for graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) played a pivotal role in enhancing the efficiency of photocatalysts. In this study, a novel attapulgite-intercalated g-C3N4/ZnIn2S4 nanocomposite material (ZIS/CN/ATP, abbreviated as ZCA) was successfully synthesized using the freeze-drying technique, thermal polymerization, and a simple low-temperature hydrothermal method. Attapulgite (ATP) was intercalated into g-C3N4 to effectively regulate its interlayer structure. The results reveal a substantial enlargement of its internal space, thereby facilitating the provision of additional active sites for improved dispersibility of ZnIn2S4. Notably, the optimized photocatalyst, comprising a mass ratio of ATP, g-C3N4, and ZnIn2S4 at 1:1:2.5 respectively, achieves an outstanding hydrogen evolution rate of 3906.15 µmol g-1h-1, without the need for a Pt co-catalyst. This rate surpasses that of pristine g-C3N4 by a factor of 475 and ZnIn2S4 by a factor of 5, representing a significant improvement in performance. This significant enhancement can be primarily attributed to the higher specific surface area, richer active sites, broadened light response range, and efficient interfacial charge transfer channels of the ZCA composite photocatalyst. Furthermore, the Z-scheme photocatalytic mechanism for the sandwich-like layered structure heterojunction was thoroughly investigated using diverse characterization techniques. This work offers new insights for enhancing photocatalytic performance through the expanded utilization of natural minerals, paving the way for future advancements in this field.

Construction of an interface interaction in a g-C3N4/CdS/NiS for photoreforming of plastic and clean hydrogen regeneration.

Converting plastics into organic matter by photoreforming is an emerging way to deal with plastic pollution and produce valuable organic matter. Water shortage can be alleviated by using seawater resources. To solve these problems, we synthesize a ternary heterostructure composite g-C3N4/CdS/NiS. Heterojunctions are formed between graphitized carbon nitride (g-C3N4), cadmium sulfide (CdS) and nickel sulfide (NiS), which effectively improve the problem of fast charge recombination of pure g-C3N4 and CdS. The results of the g-C3N4/CdS/NiS photocatalytic tests show that the hydrogen production rates in seawater and pure water for 5 h are 30.44 and 25.79 mmol/g/h, respectively. In stability test, the hydrogen production rate of the g-C3N4/CdS/NiS in seawater and pure water is similar. This suggests that seawater can replace pure water as a source of hydrogen. While H2 is generated, the lactate obtained by polylactic acid (PLA) hydrolysis is oxidized to form small organic compounds such as formate, acetate and pyruvate. Our study shows that g-C3N4/CdS/NiS can not only use seawater as a hydrogen source to produce H2, but also photoreformate plastics dissolved in seawater into valuable small organic molecules. This has a positive impact on the production and use of clean energy, as well as on plastic pollution and water scarcity.

A novel photoelectrochemical aptasensor based on 3D flower-like g-C3N4/BiOI p-n heterojunction for the sensitive detection of kanamycin.

BACKGROUND: Kanamycin (KAN) residues in animal-derived foods continuously enter the human body, which will pose serious threats to human health such as hearing loss, nephrotoxicity and other complications. Therefore, to sensitively detect KAN residues by a reliable technology is extremely urgent in food quality and safety. Compared with traditional methods being limited by cost and complexity, photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensors benefit from some merits such as rapid response, excellent sensitivity and good stability. In this study, the construction of a highly efficient PEC platform to realize KAN residues detection is discussed. RESULTS: Herein, a novel p-n heterojunction consisting of flower-like BiOI microspheres and graphite carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanoflakes was developed to establish a PEC aptasensor for KAN detection at 0 V. The prepared g-C3N4/BiOI heterostructure showed not only significantly enhanced PEC activity due to the larger specific surface area but also greatly increased charge separation efficiency owing to the strong internal electric field. Meanwhile, using g-C3N4/BiOI as a highly efficient photoactive material for binding amine-functionalized aptamers to capture KAN, the photocurrent signals showed a 'turn off' mode to achieve the sensitive detection of KAN. The proposed PEC aptasensor exhibited linear response for KAN from 5 × 10-9 to 3 × 10-7 mol L-1 with a low detection limit of 1.31 × 10-9 mol L-1, and satisfactory recoveries (97.44-107.38 %) were obtained in real food samples analysis. SIGNIFICANCE: This work presented a novel p-n heterojunction-based PEC aptasensor with strong selectivity and stability, rendering it allowed to detect KAN in animal-derived foods including milk, honey and pork. Additionally, the detection range satisfied the MRLs for KAN specified by the national standards, demonstrating the potential application for food analysis. The study provides a new insight into the development of efficient and practical biosensors for antibiotic residues detection.

Integrity of neural extracellular matrix is required for microglia-mediated synaptic remodeling.

Microglia continuously remodel synapses, which are embedded in the extracellular matrix (ECM). However, the mechanisms, which govern this process remain elusive. To investigate the influence of the neural ECM in synaptic remodeling by microglia, we disrupted ECM integrity by injection of chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) into the retrosplenial cortex of healthy adult mice. Using in vivo two-photon microscopy we found that ChABC treatment increased microglial branching complexity and ECM phagocytic capacity and decreased spine elimination rate under basal conditions. Moreover, ECM attenuation largely prevented synaptic remodeling following synaptic stress induced by photodamage of single synaptic elements. These changes were associated with less stable and smaller microglial contacts at the synaptic damage sites, diminished deposition of calreticulin and complement proteins C1q and C3 at synapses and impaired expression of microglial CR3 receptor. Thus, our findings provide novel insights into the function of the neural ECM in deposition of complement proteins and synaptic remodeling by microglia.

Infantile Bullous Pemphigoid: A Case Report.

Background: Infantile bullous pemphigoid (IBP) is an exceptionally rare acquired autoimmune subepidermal bullous disorder characterized by vesicles, bullae, and additional manifestations, such as urticarial and infiltrated papules, plaques, or eczematous lesions. These skin lesions can lead to eroded and crusted regions after healing, and in some cases, rapid blister rupturing causes extensively eroded areas. Reporting these rare cases is crucial to improving our understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of IBP. Case Presentation: In this report, we present the clinical case of a 4-month-old male infant with generalized tense bullae causing irritability and sleeplessness. This case highlights the distinctive clinical features of IBP, including the development of multiple generalized tense bullae over 2 weeks. The pathological examination findings confirmed the diagnosis of IBP. Conclusion: This case emphasizes the significance of early identification and proper management of IBP. Our thorough assessment, which incorporates pathological verification and therapeutic interventions, has advanced our understanding of IBP. Additionally, this case underscores the vital need for timely diagnosis and personalized treatment approaches for affected infants.

Coumarin-based Aldo-Keto Reductase Family 1C (AKR1C) 2 and 3 Inhibitors.

A series of 7-substituted coumarin derivatives have been characterized as pan-aldo-keto reductase family 1C (AKR1C) inhibitors. The AKR1C family of enzymes are overexpressed in numerous cancers where they are involved in drug resistance development. 7-hydroxy coumarin ethyl esters and their corresponding amides have high potency for AKR1C3 and AKR1C2 inhibition. Coumarin amide 3a possessed IC50 values of 50 nM and 90 nM for AKR1C3 and AKR1C2, respectively, and exhibits 'drug-like' metabolic stability and half-life in human and mouse liver microsomes and plasma. Compound 3a was employed as a chemical tool to determine pan-AKR1C2/3 inhibition effects both as a radiation sensitizer and as a potentiator of chemotherapy cytotoxicity. In contrast to previously reported pan-AKR1C inhibitors, 3a demonstrated no radiation sensitization effect in a radiation-resistant prostate cancer cell line model. Pan-AKR1C inhibition also did not potentiate the in vitro cytotoxicity of ABT-737, daunorubicin or dexamethasone, in two patient-derived T-cell ALL and pre-B-cell ALL cell lines.  In contrast, a highly selective AKR1C3 inhibitor, compound K90, enhanced the cytotoxicity of both ABT-737 and daunorubicin in the T-cell ALL cell line model. Thus, the inhibitory profile of the AKR1C family inhibitor required to effect enhancement of chemotherapeutic cytotoxicity may be chemotherapeutic agent-specific in leukemia.

Recent advances on cyanidin-3-O-glucoside in preventing obesity-related metabolic disorders: A comprehensive review.

Anthocyanins, found in various pigmented plants as secondary metabolites, represent a class of dietary polyphenols known for their bioactive properties, demonstrating health-promoting effects against several chronic diseases. Among these, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) is one of the most prevalent types of anthocyanins. Upon consumption, C3G undergoes phases I and II metabolism by oral epithelial cells, absorption in the gastric epithelium, and gut transformation (phase II & microbial metabolism), with limited amounts reaching the bloodstream. Obesity, characterized by excessive body fat accumulation, is a global health concern associated with heightened risks of disability, illness, and mortality. This comprehensive review delves into the biodegradation and absorption dynamics of C3G within the gastrointestinal tract. It meticulously examines the latest research findings, drawn from in vitro and in vivo models, presenting evidence underlining C3G's bioactivity. Notably, C3G has demonstrated significant efficacy in combating obesity, by regulating lipid metabolism, specifically decreasing lipid synthesis, increasing fatty acid oxidation, and reducing lipid accumulation. Additionally, C3G enhances energy homeostasis by boosting energy expenditure, promoting the activity of brown adipose tissue, and stimulating mitochondrial biogenesis. Furthermore, C3G shows potential in managing various prevalent obesity-related conditions. These include cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and hypertension through the suppression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, enhancement of endogenous antioxidant enzyme levels, and inhibition of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway and by exercising its cardioprotective and vascular effects by decreasing pulmonary artery thickness and systolic pressure which enhances vascular relaxation and angiogenesis. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and insulin resistance (IR) are also managed by reducing gluconeogenesis via AMPK pathway activation, promoting autophagy, protecting pancreatic ß-cells from oxidative stress and enhancing glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Additionally, C3G improves insulin sensitivity by upregulating GLUT-1 and GLUT-4 expression and regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway. C3G exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, and shifting macrophage polarization from the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype to the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. C3G demonstrates antioxidative effects by enhancing the expression of antioxidant enzymes, reducing ROS production, and activating the Nrf2/AMPK signaling pathway. Moreover, these mechanisms also contribute to attenuating inflammatory bowel disease and regulating gut microbiota by decreasing Firmicutes and increasing Bacteroidetes abundance, restoring colon length, and reducing levels of inflammatory cytokines. The therapeutic potential of C3G extends beyond metabolic disorders; it has also been found effective in managing specific cancer types and neurodegenerative disorders. The findings of this research can provide an important reference for future investigations that seek to improve human health through the use of naturally occurring bioactive compounds.

Incorporation of human-wildlife interactions in ecosystem-based management to enhance conservation of endangered guitarfish.

Growing human use of the marine environment increases the proximity of humans to marine wildlife and thus likely increases human-wildlife interactions. Such interactions influence perceptions of nature and promote or undermine conservation. Despite their importance, human-wildlife interactions are rarely considered in ecosystem-based marine spatial planning (MSP). Ideally, these interactions should be identified and considered in ecosystem-based management (EBM), which is often purported to be the basis for MSP. We used Marxan software and data from a citizen science project documenting location, species, age, sex, and activity type to identify regions along Israel's coast with a high probability of encounters between people and 2 species of guitarfish. We considered the geographic distribution of these encounters and the various activities undertaken by the reporting observers. We ran 4 scenarios in Marxan. Two had conservation goals of 30% and 50% guitarfish habitat protection. In the third and fourth scenarios, we added a 50% conservation goal of human leisure activities to each guitarfish conservation goal. We also conducted a gap analysis between our guitarfish conservation goals and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority's master plan for marine protected areas. We found the park authority was close to meeting the 30% goal but was far from meeting the conservation goal of 50% of guitarfish habitat conservation. Different human uses were more likely to interact with different life stages of guitarfish, and different recreational activities occurred in different areas. Identifying areas of specific human use showed which activities should be addressed in conservation management decisions. Our addition of certain recreational uses to the model of habitat conservation showed how enhancing human dimensions in conservation planning can lead to more holistic ecosystem-based conservation necessary for effective marine planning.

Incorporación de las interacciones humano­fauna dentro de la gestión basada en el ecosistema para mejorar la conservación del pez guitarra en peligro Resumen El uso creciente que el humano le da al mar incrementa la cercanía de las personas con la fauna marina, lo que probablemente incrementa las interacciones humano­fauna. Dichas interacciones influyen sobre las percepciones que se tienen de la naturaleza y promueven debilitan la conservación. A pesar de su importancia, pocas veces se consideran las relaciones humano­fauna dentro de la planeación espacial basada en ecosistemas marinos (PEM). Lo ideal debería ser la identificación y consideración de estas interacciones dentro de la gestión basada en el ecosistema (GBE), la cual con frecuencia se considera como la base de la PEM. Usamos software Marxan y datos de un proyecto de ciencia ciudadana que documenta la ubicación, especie, edad, sexo y tipo de actividad para identificar las regiones de la costa de Israel con una alta probabilidad de encuentros entre las personas y dos especies de pez guitarra. Consideramos la distribución geográfica de estos encuentros y las diferentes actividades que realizan los observadores. En Marxan corrimos cuatro escenarios. Dos de los escenarios contaban objetivos de conservación del 30% y 50% de la protección del hábitat del pez guitarra. En los otros dos escenarios, añadimos un objetivo de conservación de 50% de las actividades humanas de recreación a los objetivos uno y dos. También realizamos un análisis de brecha entre los objetivos de conservación del pez guitarra y el plan maestro para las áreas marinas protegidas de la Autoridad de Parques y Naturaleza de Israel. Descubrimos que esta autoridad estaba cerca de lograr el objetivo del 30% pero lejos del de 50% de la conservación del hábitat del pez guitarra. Fue más probable que los diferentes usos humanos interactuaran con diferentes estadios de vida del pez guitarra y las diversas actividades recreativas ocurrieron en áreas distintas. La identificación de las áreas con un uso humano específico mostró cuáles actividades deberían abordarse en las decisiones de gestión de la conservación. La suma de ciertos usos recreativos al modelo de conservación del hábitat mostró cómo aumentar las dimensiones humanas en la planeación de la conservación puede derivar en una conservación basada en el ecosistema más holística, necesaria para la planeación marina eficiente.

Co-infection dynamics of B. afzelii and TBEV in C3H mice: insights and implications for future research.

Ticks are important vectors of disease, particularly in the context of One Health, where tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are increasingly prevalent worldwide. TBDs often involve co-infections, where multiple pathogens co-exist in a single host. Patients with chronic Lyme disease often have co-infections with other bacteria or parasites. This study aimed to create a co-infection model with Borrelia afzelii and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in C3H mice and to evaluate symptoms, mortality, and pathogen level compared to single infections. Successful co-infection of C3H mice with B. afzelii and TBEV was achieved. Outcomes varied, depending on the timing of infection. When TBEV infection followed B. afzelii infection by 9 days, TBEV symptoms worsened and virus levels increased. Conversely, mice infected 21 days apart with TBEV showed milder symptoms and lower mortality. Simultaneous infection resulted in mild symptoms and no deaths. However, our model did not effectively infect ticks with TBEV, possibly due to suboptimal dosing, highlighting the challenges of replicating natural conditions. Understanding the consequences of co-infection is crucial, given the increasing prevalence of TBD. Co-infected individuals may experience exacerbated symptoms, highlighting the need for a comprehensive understanding through refined animal models. This study advances knowledge of TBD and highlights the importance of exploring co-infection dynamics in host-pathogen interactions.

Boosted photocatalytic performance of cobalt ferrite anchored g-C3N4 nanocomposite toward various emerging environmental hazardous pollutants degradation: insights into stability and Z-scheme mechanism.

In this study, a highly efficient CoFe2O4-anchored g-C3N4 nanocomposite with Z-scheme photocatalyst was developed by facile calcination and hydrothermal technique. To evaluate the crystalline structure, sample surface morphology, elemental compositions, and charge conductivity of the as-synthesized catalysts by various characterization techniques. The high interfacial contact of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles (NPs) with g-C3N4 nanosheets reduced the optical bandgap from 2.67 to 2.5 eV, which improved the charge carrier separation and transfer. The photo-degradation of methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (Rh B) aqueous pollutant suspension under visible-light influence was used to investigate the photocatalytic degradation activity of the efficient CoFe2O4/g-C3N4 composite catalyst. The heterostructured spinel CoFe2O4 anchored g-C3N4 photocatalysts (PCs) with Z-scheme show better photocatalytic degradation performance for both organic dyes. Meanwhile, the efficiency of aqueous MB and Rh B degradation in 120 and 100 min under visible-light could be up to 91.1% and 73.7%, which is greater than pristine g-C3N4 and CoFe2O4 catalysts. The recycling stability test showed no significant changes in the photo-degradation activity after four repeated cycles. Thus, this work provides an efficient tactic for the construction of highly efficient magnetic PCs for the removal of hazardous pollutants in the aquatic environment.

Pneumatic Vitreolysis using C3F8 Gas in Treatment Naive Patients with Vitreomacular Traction.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of the effectiveness of pneumatic vitreolysis in disrupting vitreomacular traction in our own cohort of patients. METHODOLOGY: Prospective follow-up of 21 eyes of 18 patients with focal VMT (adhesion width < 1500 µm) who underwent intravitreal injection of 0.3 ml of 100% perfluoropropane between January 2015 and December 2020. The patients were observed for 90 days. RESULTS: Release of VMT was achieved on the 28th day of observation in 15 out of 21 eyes (71.4%), and by the 90th day in 19 out of 21 eyes (90.5%). The average width of adhesion in our patients was 382 µm (±212 µm). Average best corrected visual acuity in our cohort was initially 0.77 (±0.21), after 28 days 0.74 (±0.30), and after 3 months 0.82 (±0.21). At the end of the follow-up period, we did not observe a statistically significant improvement in vision. Macular holes developed in two eyes, but spontaneously closed within 1 month of observation, and no more complications were observed in the cohort. CONCLUSION: Pneumatic vitreolysis by intravitreal injection of C3F8 gas is an effective and inexpensive option for the management of symptomatic vitreomacular traction. The incidence of serious adverse events in our follow-up was significantly lower than in recently published series. The method of management should be selected individually according to the parameters of adhesion, macular hole and associated ocular pathologies.

Inhibitors of apolipoprotein C3, triglyceride levels, and risk of pancreatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

In recent years, novel apoC3 inhibitor therapies for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia have been developed and assessed through phase II and III clinical trials. The objective of this study was to perform an updated meta-analysis on the impact of new apoC3 inhibitor drugs on triglyceride and apoC3 levels, as well as on the incidence of pancreatitis. We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled studies assessing the effects of apoC3 inhibitors therapy (antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNA) on triglyceride levels, apoC3 levels, and the occurrence of acute pancreatitis. This meta-analysis was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. The random-effects model was performed. Nine randomized clinical trials (n = 717 patients) were considered eligible for this systematic review. ApoC3 inhibitor drugs were consistently associated with decreased triglyceride levels (MD -57.0%; 95% CI -61.9 to -52.1, I2 82%) and lowered apoC3 values (MD -76; 95% CI -80.1 to -71.8, I2 77%) when compared to placebo. Furthermore, the use of apoC3 inhibitor drugs demonstrated a reduction in the risk of acute pancreatitis (OR 0.11; 95% CI 0.04 to 0.27, I2 0%). The present updated meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials demonstrated that the utilization of apoC3 inhibitors in patients with hypertriglyceridemia correlated with reduced apoC3 and triglyceride levels, along with a decreased risk of acute pancreatitis compared to the placebo.

Correlation between neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus and immunological markers: a real-world retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate disparities in clinical profiles and autoantibody patterns between patients with and without neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) in a cohort and to identify risk factors associated with NPSLE in the Chinese population. METHODS: SLE patients were retrospectively reviewed from two tertiary hospitals. The relationships between NPSLE and immunological biomarkers were explored. RESULTS: Among the 945 SLE patients, 75 (7.94%) were diagnosed with NPSLE. The most prevalent NP manifestations involved cognitive disorder (30.67%), headache (26.67%), seizure disorder (26.67%), and psychosis (26.67%).We observed significant associations between psychosis and anti-ß2GPI antibodies (F = 6.092, p = 0.015), polyneuropathy and anti-Scl70 antibodies (F = 20.161, p < 0.001), demyelinating syndrome and anti-cardiolipin antibodies (F = 6.637, p = 0.011), myasthenia gravis and anti-RNP (F = 5.864, p = 0.017), and anti-Smith antibodies (F = 5.096, p = 0.026). Multivariate logistics analysis showed that anti-prothrombin (aPT) IgM antibodies (OR = 10.985, CI 1.279-94.343, p = 0.029), age (OR = 1.169, CI 1.032-1.325, p = 0.014), and serum creatinine (SCr) (OR = 1.014, CI 1.003-1.025, p = 0.009) were independent risk factors of NPSLE, while anti-Sjogren syndrome antigen B (SSB) antibodies (OR 0.023, CI 0.002-0.622, p = 0.023) and high complement C3 (OR = 0.001, CI 0-0.045, p < 0.001) indicated reduced risk of NPSLE. CONCLUSION: Various neuropsychiatric manifestations in SLE were found to be correlated with specific autoantibodies. Independent risk factors for NPSLE included aPT IgM antibodies, age, and elevated serum creatinine, while the absence of anti-SSB antibodies and low complement C3 levels were associated with increased risk. KEY POINTS: •Significant associations were found between specific autoantibodies and neuropsychiatric symptoms, shedding light on potential biomarkers for predicting and understanding NPSLE. •The study identifies independent risk factors for NPSLE in the Chinese population, including the presence of anti-prothrombin IgM antibodies, older age, elevated serum creatinine, and lower complement C3 levels.

Erratum: Recent advances in ternary Z-scheme photocatalysis on graphitic carbon nitride based photocatalysts.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2024.1359895.].

Time-to-growth: photoperiod and photosynthesis make the call.

The intricate regulation of flowering time in response to day length has been extensively shown. A recent study has now revealed a similar mechanism for regulating vegetative growth. Wang et al. observed that plants measure daylength as the duration of photosynthesis and metabolite production to modulate vegetative growth.

A Tight-Connection g-C3N4/BiOBr (001) S-Scheme Heterojunction Photocatalyst for Boosting Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants.

The efficient separation of photogenerated charge carriers and strong oxidizing properties can improve photocatalytic performance. Here, we combine the construction of a tightly connected S-scheme heterojunction with the exposure of an active crystal plane to prepare g-C3N4/BiOBr for the degradation of high-concentration organic pollutants. This strategy effectively improves the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers and the number of active sites. Notably, the synthesized g-C3N4/BiOBr displays excellent photocatalytic degradation activity towards various organic pollutants, including methylene blue (MB, 90.8%), congo red (CR, 99.2%), and tetracycline (TC, 89%). Furthermore, the photocatalytic degradation performance of g-C3N4/BiOBr for MB maintains 80% efficiency under natural water quality (tap water, lake water, river water), and a wide pH range (pH = 4-10). Its excellent photocatalytic activity is attributed to the tight connection between g-C3N4 and BiOBr in the S-scheme heterojunction interface, as well as the exposure of highly active (001) crystal planes. These improve the efficiency of the separation of photogenerated carriers, and maintain their strong oxidation capability. This work presents a simple approach to improving the separation of electrons and holes by tightly combining two components within a heterojunction.

Identification of Novel GANT61 Analogs with Activity in Hedgehog Functional Assays and GLI1-Dependent Cancer Cells.

Aberrant activation of hedgehog (Hh) signaling has been implicated in various cancers. Current FDA-approved inhibitors target the seven-transmembrane receptor Smoothened, but resistance to these drugs has been observed. It has been proposed that a more promising strategy to target this pathway is at the GLI1 transcription factor level. GANT61 was the first small molecule identified to directly suppress GLI-mediated activity; however, its development as a potential anti-cancer agent has been hindered by its modest activity and aqueous chemical instability. Our study aimed to identify novel GLI1 inhibitors. JChem searches identified fifty-two compounds similar to GANT61 and its active metabolite, GANT61-D. We combined high-throughput cell-based assays and molecular docking to evaluate these analogs. Five of the fifty-two GANT61 analogs inhibited activity in Hh-responsive C3H10T1/2 and Gli-reporter NIH3T3 cellular assays without cytotoxicity. Two of the GANT61 analogs, BAS 07019774 and Z27610715, reduced Gli1 mRNA expression in C3H10T1/2 cells. Treatment with BAS 07019774 significantly reduced cell viability in Hh-dependent glioblastoma and lung cancer cell lines. Molecular docking indicated that BAS 07019774 is predicted to bind to the ZF4 region of GLI1, potentially interfering with its ability to bind DNA. Our findings show promise in developing more effective and potent GLI inhibitors.

High-Efficiency Photo-Fenton-like Catalyst of FeOOH/g-C3N4 for the Degradation of PNP: Characterization, Catalytic Performance and Mechanism Exploration.

The composite photocatalyst FeOOH/g-C3N4 was prepared through thermal polycondensation and co-precipitation methods, followed by XRD, SEM and UV-vis characterization. The stability of FeOOH/g-C3N4 was explored by the recycling test. The active species in the reaction system were investigated by the capture experiment. The results indicated that the optimal preparation condition for g-C3N4 involved calcination at 600 °C for 4 h. XRD analysis revealed that g-C3N4 exhibits a high-purity phase, and Fe in FeOOH/g-C3N4 exists in a highly dispersed amorphous state. SEM analysis showed that FeOOH/g-C3N4 has a rough surface with an irregular layered structure. Element composition analysis confirmed that the content of elements in the prepared catalyst is consistent with the theoretical calculation. FeOOH/g-C3N4 possesses the largest specific surface area of 143.2 m2/g and a suitable pore distribution. UV-vis DRS analysis showed that the absorption intensity of FeOOH/g-C3N4 is stronger than that of g-C3N4. When the catalyst dosage was 1.0 g/L, the H2O2 dosage was 4 mmol/L, the PNP initial concentration was 10 mg/L and the initial pH value was 5, the PNP removal could reach 92% in 120 min. Even after 5 cycles, the efficiency of PNP removal by FeOOH/g-C3N4 remains nearly 80%. The capture experiment indicated that both •OH and •O2- play roles in the photocatalytic degradation of PNP, with •OH being more significant. These findings affirm that FeOOH has been successfully incorporated into g-C3N4, resulting in a conspicuous catalytic effect on the degradation of PNP in the visible light-assisted Fenton-like reaction.