miRNA-21-5p is an important contributor to the promotion of injured peripheral nerve regeneration using hypoxia-pretreated bone marrow-derived neural crest cells.

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202501000-00035/figure1/v/2024-05-14T021156Z/r/image-tiff Our previous study found that rat bone marrow-derived neural crest cells (acting as Schwann cell progenitors) have the potential to promote long-distance nerve repair. Cell-based therapy can enhance peripheral nerve repair and regeneration through paracrine bioactive factors and intercellular communication. Nevertheless, the complex contributions of various types of soluble cytokines and extracellular vesicle cargos to the secretome remain unclear. To investigate the role of the secretome and extracellular vesicles in repairing damaged peripheral nerves, we collected conditioned culture medium from hypoxia-pretreated neural crest cells, and found that it significantly promoted the repair of sensory neurons damaged by oxygen-glucose deprivation. The mRNA expression of trophic factors was highly expressed in hypoxia-pretreated neural crest cells. We performed RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis and found that miR-21-5p was enriched in hypoxia-pretreated extracellular vesicles of neural crest cells. Subsequently, to further clarify the role of hypoxia-pretreated neural crest cell extracellular vesicles rich in miR-21-5p in axonal growth and regeneration of sensory neurons, we used a microfluidic axonal dissociation model of sensory neurons in vitro, and found that hypoxia-pretreated neural crest cell extracellular vesicles promoted axonal growth and regeneration of sensory neurons, which was greatly dependent on loaded miR-21-5p. Finally, we constructed a miR-21-5p-loaded neural conduit to repair the sciatic nerve defect in rats and found that the motor and sensory functions of injured rat hind limb, as well as muscle tissue morphology of the hind limbs, were obviously restored. These findings suggest that hypoxia-pretreated neural crest extracellular vesicles are natural nanoparticles rich in miRNA-21-5p. miRNA-21-5p is one of the main contributors to promoting nerve regeneration by the neural crest cell secretome. This helps to explain the mechanism of action of the secretome and extracellular vesicles of neural crest cells in repairing damaged peripheral nerves, and also promotes the application of miR-21-5p in tissue engineering regeneration medicine.

A novel electrochemical sensor for rapid detection of sulfathiazole by integrating [(4,4'-bipy/P2Mo17Co)n] modified electrode.

In this study, we focused on the successful construction of [(4,4'-bipy/P2Mo17Co)6] modified electrodes using the layer-by-layer assembly method for the sensitive detection of sulfathiazole (ST). The redox reaction between ST and the metal ions in the modified layer leads to the transfer of electrons, resulting in the generation of the electrical signal. The introduction of 4,4'-bipyridine (4,4'-bipy) enhanced the molecular recognition of ST by the modified electrode. Under the combined effect of P2Mo17Co and 4,4'-bipy, the sensor exhibited good performance for ST detection (LOD: 0.5616 µM, linear ST concentration range: 0-50 µM). The spiked recoveries of the two groups were 84.4%-103.2% and 90.9%-109.4% for the determination of ST residues in large yellow croaker and South American white shrimp, respectively. In addition, the electrode showed excellent performance in terms of stability, reproducibility, and anti-interference ability.

Visual mental imagery of nonpredictive central social cues triggers automatic attentional orienting.

Previous research has demonstrated that social cues (e.g., eye gaze, walking direction of biological motion) can automatically guide people's focus of attention, a well-known phenomenon called social attention. The current research shows that voluntarily generated social cues via visual mental imagery, without being physically presented, can produce robust attentional orienting similar to the classic social attentional orienting effect. Combining a visual imagery task with a dot-probe task, we found that imagining a non-predictive gaze cue could orient attention towards the gazed-at hemifield. Such attentional effect persisted even when the imagery gaze cue was counter-predictive of the target hemifield, and could be generalized to biological motion cue. Besides, this effect could not be simply attributed to low-level motion signal embedded in gaze cues. More importantly, an eye-tracking experiment carefully monitoring potential eye movements demonstrated the imagery-induced attentional orienting effect induced by social cues, but not by non-social cues (i.e., arrows), suggesting that such effect is specialized to visual imagery of social cues. These findings accentuate the demarcation between social and non-social attentional orienting, and may take a preliminary step in conceptualizing voluntary visual imagery as a form of internally directed attention.

A nanofluidic chemoelectrical generator with enhanced energy harvesting by ion-electron Coulomb drag.

A sufficiently high current output of nano energy harvesting devices is highly desired in practical applications, while still a challenge. Theoretical evidence has demonstrated that Coulomb drag based on the ion-electron coupling interaction, can amplify current in nanofluidic energy generation systems, resulting in enhanced energy harvesting. However, experimental validation of this concept is still lacking. Here we develop a nanofluidic chemoelectrical generator (NCEG) consisting of a carbon nanotube membrane (CNTM) sandwiched between metal electrodes, in which spontaneous redox reactions between the metal and oxygen in electrolyte solution enable the movement of ions within the carbon nanotubes. Through Coulomb drag effect between moving ions in these nanotubes and electrons within the CNTM, an amplificated current of 1.2 mA cm-2 is generated, which is 16 times higher than that collected without a CNTM. Meanwhile, one single NCEG unit can produce a high voltage of ~0.8 V and exhibit a linear scalable performance up to tens of volts. Different from the other Coulomb drag systems that need additional energy input, the NCEG with enhanced energy harvesting realizes the ion-electron coupling by its own redox reactions potential, which provides a possibility to drive multiple electronic devices for practical applications.

Study on the differentiation of sensory quality of mainstream Jiang-flavor baijiu in the Chinese market based on Pivot Profile.

Jiang-flavor baijiu (JFB) is a prominent type of Chinese baijiu, known for its unique flavor attributes, sensory experience, and high tasting value. Previous research has mainly focused on the detection and identification of its flavor substances, but in-depth studies on the precise sensory description and differentiation of its flavor qualities are still lacking. In this study, a rapid sensory analysis method, Pivot Profile (PP), was applied to 30 mainstream JFBs in the Chinese market, generating 91 sensory attributes with independent definitions, from which 29 main sensory attributes were established that were easy to perceive and descriptive, as well as convenient for transmitting their sensory qualities and distinguishing differences in price and production region, including color (one descriptor), aroma (21 descriptors), taste, and mouthfeel (seven descriptors). The nine key sensory attributes that distinguish JFB quality are as follows: Jiang, Grain, Chen, Qu, Rancid, Acid, Sweet, Fullness, and Harmony. It was found that price was positively correlated with sensory quality, with greater variation in the quality of samples within the medium price range (RMB 500-1000). All samples from MTCQ1 (the core production area of Maotai Town) performed better in sensory quality. In addition, salted vegetable showed a high degree of regional characteristics, concentrated in most of the production regions of Guizhou Province. Aroma attributes were more suitable than taste and mouthfeel as sensory indicators for distinguishing production regions. This study has opened the direction of systematic construction of sensory description of JFB and provided a successful case for the evaluation of Chinese baijiu using novel sensory analysis techniques.

Application and Research Progress of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy in Agricultural Product Inspection.

The quality and safety of agricultural products are of paramount importance in ensuring the health of the food supply chain. Additionally, the composition and trace elements in agricultural products significantly influence their quality and nutritional value. Therefore, the need for rapid and accurate analysis techniques for agricultural product composition is particularly crucial. In the current landscape of evolving compositional analysis technologies, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology is emerging as a promising analytical tool with broad applications in agricultural product testing. Its characteristics of being rapid, real-time, and capable of simultaneous detection of multiple elements provide an efficient and reliable means for assessing the quality, monitoring safety, and tracing the origin of agricultural products. This technology is expected to play a significant role in controlling and managing the agricultural industry chain and can offer consumers safer and healthier agricultural products. This paper provides an overview of the research status and recent developments of LIBS technology in agricultural product testing applications in recent years. Based on the current research landscape, challenges and opportunities of applying LIBS technology in fields such as agricultural product quality and safety assessment, soil analysis, assessment of crop nutrition, detection of plant diseases, and identification of agricultural product varieties have been evaluated. Moreover, recommendations for further expanding the application of LIBS technology in the agricultural sector are proposed.

Association between statin use and dry eye disease in patients with hyperlipidemia: A population-based retrospective cohort study.

Higher serum cholesterol levels have been associated with an increased risk of dry eye disease (DED). The relationship between statin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor) use and DED in patients with hyperlipidemia remains unclear. To investigate the association between statin use and the risk of DED in patients with hyperlipidemia, we conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study utilizing data from Taiwan's Longitudinal Generation Tracking Database. Patients were categorized into statin users and nonusers, with a 5-year follow-up period. The study identified patients with newly diagnosed hyperlipidemia, excluding those with prior DED diagnoses. Matching and adjustments for covariates resulted in 41,931 individuals in each group. Patients receiving statin therapy were compared with those unexposed. Cumulative exposure doses were also evaluated to assess dose-response relationships. The primary outcome was the incidence of DED diagnosed during the follow-up period. Cox proportional hazards regression models estimated the risk of DED, and conditional logistic regression analyzed the dose-response effect of statin exposure. Among 41,931 matched pairs, statin users exhibited a slightly increased risk of developing DED compared with nonusers (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02-1.11; p < 0.01). However, no dose-response relationship was observed between statin exposure and DED risk. Statin use among patients with hyperlipidemia is associated with a marginally higher risk of DED. These findings underscore the importance of regular eye examinations in this patient population to facilitate early detection and management of DED.

Graded Progressive Home-Based Resistance Combined with Aerobic Exercise in Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Sarcopenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: This randomized parallel controlled trial aimed to determine the effectiveness of graded progressive home-based resistance combined with aerobic exercise in improving physical fitness in community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenia. Patients and Methods: Community-dwelling older adults (≥60 years) with sarcopenia were randomly assigned to the intervention group (IG), receiving 12 weeks of graded progressive home-based resistance and aerobic exercise training, and the control group (CG), maintaining lifestyle unchanged. The primary outcomes were knee extensor muscle strength and the six-minute walk distance (6MWD). Intention-to-treat analysis was applied to the data from all participants in the CG and IG. Post-intervention differences between the intervention and control groups were determined using a generalized estimated equation model with pre-values adjusted. Results: Data from all the participants in the IG (n=41) and CG (n=45) were analyzed. After the intervention, knee extensor muscle strength (95% CI: 0.140-3.460, P=0.036), 6MWD (95% CI: 35.350-80.010, P<0.001), flexor muscle strength and the results of 30s bicep curls, 30s chair stand, the chair sit and reach test and back stretch test in the IG were larger and value of the timed up-and-go test was smaller than those in the CG (P<0.05). The body composition, quality of life and their changes showed no group differences. The attendance rates were 82.9% and 85.4% for resistance and aerobic exercise, respectively. Conclusion: The 12-week graded progressive home-based resistance and aerobic exercise intervention improved muscle strength, balance, flexibility, and cardiorespiratory fitness in community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenia, whereas body composition and quality of life remained unchanged. The research was approved by the Ethics Committee of Soochow University (ECSU-2019000161) and registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1900027960, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=45968).

Advances in nucleic acid aptamer-based detection of respiratory virus and bacteria: a mini review.

Respiratory pathogens infecting the human respiratory system are characterized by their diversity, high infectivity, rapid transmission, and acute onset. Traditional detection methods are time-consuming, have low sensitivity, and lack specificity, failing to meet the needs of rapid clinical diagnosis. Nucleic acid aptamers, as an emerging and innovative detection technology, offer novel solutions with high specificity, affinity, and broad target applicability, making them particularly promising for respiratory pathogen detection. This review highlights the progress in the research and application of nucleic acid aptamers for detecting respiratory pathogens, discussing their selection, application, potential in clinical diagnosis, and future development. Notably, these aptamers can significantly enhance the sensitivity and specificity of detection when combined with detection techniques such as fluorescence, colorimetry and electrochemistry. This review offers new insights into how aptamers can address the limitations of traditional diagnostic methods and advance clinical diagnostics. It also highlights key challenges and future research directions for the clinical application of nucleic acid aptamers.

Senegenin suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating O-GlcNAcylation.

BACKGROUND: Based on current knowledge, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a condition with numerous etiologies and risk factors. However, the pathogenesis of HCC remains unclear. AIM: To investigate the roles of senegenin and O-GlcNAcylation in the growth and metastasis of HCC. METHODS: The levels of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase (OGT) and O-GlcNAcylation in HCC cells and tissues were detected using western blot analysis. The effects of senegenin and O-GlcNAcylation on the proliferation of HCC cells were investigated in vitro using cell counting kit-8 and clonogenic assays. The potential effects of senegenin and O-GlcNAcylation on HCC metastasis were examined using the transwell migration assay. O-GlcNAcylation levels were altered via drug treatment and lentiviral infection, and western blot analysis was used to detect proteins involved in various pathways. RESULTS: Western blot analysis revealed that OGT and O-GlcNAcylation levels were significantly elevated in HCC tissues and cells. O-GlcNAcylation levels in HCC cells were significantly altered by drug treatment and lentiviral infection. An increase in the glycosylation level was linked to enhanced proliferation, invasiveness, clonogenicity, and metastatic potential of cancer cells. O-GlcNAcylation induced by senegenin was found to slow the proliferation and migration of HCC cells. The levels of proteins involved in nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways, which are associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress, were altered. CONCLUSION: Senegenin lowers O-GlcNAcylation levels, decreases OGT expression, and inhibits cancer cell growth and metastasis by regulating proteins involved in NF-κB and JNK pathways.

Prognostic value of PEA3 subfamily gene expression in cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a lethal malignancy with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. The PEA3 subfamily of E26 transformation specific genes: ETV1, ETV4, and ETV5 are known to play significant roles in various cancers by influencing cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. AIM: To analyze PEA3 subfamily gene expression levels in CCA and their correlation with clinical parameters to determine their prognostic value for CCA. METHODS: The expression levels of PEA3 subfamily genes in pan-cancer and CCA data in the cancer genome atlas and genotype-tissue expression project databases were analyzed with R language software. Survival curve and receiver operating characteristic analyses were performed using the SurvMiner, Survival, and Procr language packages. The gene expression profiling interactive analysis 2.0 database was used to analyze the expression levels of PEA3 subfamily genes in different subtypes and stages of CCA. Web Gestalt was used to perform the gene ontology/ Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (GO/KEGG) analysis, and STRING database analysis was used to determine the genes and proteins related to PEA3 subfamily genes. RESULTS: ETV1, ETV4, and ETV5 expression levels were significantly increased in CCA. There were significant differences in ETV1, ETV4, and ETV5 expression levels among the different subtypes of CCA, and predictive analysis revealed that only high ETV1 and ETV4 expression levels were significantly associated with shorter overall survival in patients with CCA. GO/KEGG analysis revealed that PEA3 subfamily genes were closely related to transcriptional misregulation in cancer. In vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that PEA3 silencing inhibited the invasion and metastasis of CCA cells. CONCLUSION: The expression level of ETV4 may be a predictive biomarker of survival in patients with CCA.

Anti-inflammatory effects of Tao Hong Si Wu Tang in mice with lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer (LC) combined with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common combination of comorbidities. Anti-inflammation and modulation of oxidative/antioxidative imbalance may prevent COPD-induced LC, and are also crucial to the treatment of LC combined with COPD. Modern studies have shown that Tao Hong Si Wu Tang (THSW) has vasodilatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-fatigue, anti-shock, immunoregulatory, lipid-reducing, micronutrient-supplementing, and anti-allergy effects. AIM: To observe the effects of THSW on COPD and LC in mice. METHODS: A total of 100 specific pathogen-free C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into five groups: Blank control group (group A), model control group (group B), THSW group (group C), IL-6 group (group D), and THSW + IL-6 group (group E), with 20 mice in each group. A COPD mouse model was established using fumigation plus lipopolysaccharide intra-airway drip, and an LC model was replicated by in situ inoculation using the Lewis cell method. RESULTS: The blank control group exhibited a clear alveolar structure. The model control and IL-6 groups had thickened alveolar walls, with smaller alveolar lumens, interstitial edema, and several inflammatory infiltrating cells. Histopathological changes in the lungs of the THSW and THSW + IL-6 groups were less than those of the model control group. The serum IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α levels and IL-6R, JAK, p-JAK, STAT1/3, p-STAT1/3, FOXO, p-FOXO, and IL-7R expression levels in lung tissues of mice in the rest of the groups were significantly higher than those of the blank control group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model control group, the IL-6 group demonstrated significantly higher levels for the abovementioned proteins in the serum and lung tissues (P < 0.01), and the THSW group had significantly higher serum IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α levels and IL-7R expression levels in lung tissues (P < 0.01) but significantly decreased IL-6R, JAK, p-JAK, STAT1/3, p-STAT1/3, FOXO, p-FOXO, and IL-7R levels (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: THSW reduces the serum IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in the mouse model with anti-inflammatory effects. Its anti-inflammatory mechanism lies in inhibiting the overactivation of the JAK/STAT1/3 signaling pathway.

Study on the Commercial Metalized Plastic Current Collector PET-Cu and PP-Cu Toward High-Energy Lithium-Ion Battery.

Commercial metalized plastic current collector (MPCC) is receiving widespread attention from the business and academic communities, due to its properties of excellent electrical conductivity and low mass density. However, the application of MPCC on the side of copper is rarely studied. Herein, sandwich-like polyethylene terephthalate-based (PET) and polypropylene-based (PP) copper (Cu) current collectors via magnetron sputtering and electroplating are fabricated. Most importantly, the electrical performance, mechanical safety quality, and revealed the corresponding failure mechanism for the MPCC cells are first systematically evaluated. First, during the 45 °C electrical cycling tests, PET-Cu CC (82.67%) and PP-Cu CC (82.32%) cells both have comparable capacity retention with the traditional Cu CC (Tra-Cu CC) cell (84.55%) after 500 cycles. The slight reduction in the cycling performance is induced by the crack of the Cu layer around the embedded SiO2 particle for PET-Cu CC cell and the detachment of Cu layer for PP-Cu CC cell. Second, during the nail-penetration test, MPCC cells maintain no fire and explosion for more than 5 min, since the heat-shrinkable function of polymeric film can interrupt the continuous Joule heat released by internal short-circuit. This work provides important guidance for the large-scale application of MPCC in the field of lithium-ion batteries.

A Liquid Band-Aid with Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes for Wound Healing in Mice.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the effect of a human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome (hUC-MSC-Exo) liquid band-aid on wound healing in mice. METHODS: hUC-MSC-Exos were prepared from the supernatant via ion exchange chromatography. The composition ratio of the chitosan liquid band-aid was optimized to form a film and encapsulate hUC-MSC-Exo. The biological effects of chitosan exosome liquid band-aid on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were observed, and its anti-bacterial properties were tested. BALB/c mice with back skin injury were randomly divided into chitosan exosome liquid band-aid group (CS-Exo), chitosan liquid band-aid group (CS), and normal saline control group (Con), and wound healing was evaluated post-treatment. Skin tissue samples posttreatment were collected for H&E staining. RESULTS: The hUC-MSC-Exo was prepared and characterized. The optimum conditions for film formation were 1% chitosan solution and 15% poloxamer 407/poloxamer 188 (pH 5.0 ~ 7.0). The chitosan exosome liquid band-aid promoted HUVEC proliferation and migration and markedly inhibited Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus growth in vitro. In vivo, the wound healing rate in the CS-Exo group was higher than that in the Con and CS groups. Fourteen days post-treatment, the wounds completely healed, and hair grew normally, which was consistent with H&E results. Mouse weights in each group did not change significantly after administration, indicating that the chitosan exosome liquid band-aid had no obvious toxic side effects. CONCLUSION: Local chitosan exosome liquid band-aid application can promote wound healing in mice, and the mechanism could be related to hUC-MSC-Exo-induced vascular endothelial cell proliferation and migration.

Preconcentration of Cinnamic Acid Derivatives in Traditional Chinese Medicines by an Effective Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction Based on a Hydrophobic Deep Eutectic Solvent.

A dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent (hDES) was developed for the extraction and quantification of four cinnamic acid derivatives in traditional Chinese medicines coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection. In this method, a hDES (tetrabutylammonium chloride-hexanoic acid, molar ratio of 1:2) was prepared as the extractant. It only took 15 s to handle multiple samples simultaneously by hand-assisted dispersion. The use of a narrow-bore tube reduced the amount of the hydrophobic extractant with easier recovery. The approach was influenced by several key parameters, including the composition and consumption of the DES, sample phase pH, salt amount, extraction time, and centrifugation time, all of which had been investigated and optimized. Moreover, the formation of the DES was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Under the optimal conditions, enrichment factors of the target analytes ranged from 135 to 220. Satisfactory linearities (r ≥ 0.9977), detection limits (0.2-0.4 ng/mL), precision (<8.5%), and accuracy (recoveries: 90.0%-104.6%) were obtained. The method has been successfully applied to the simultaneous extraction and preconcentration of four cinnamic acid derivatives in Chinese medicinal samples with rapidness, high efficiency, and convenience.

Advanced Electrochemical Biosensing toward Staphylococcus aureus Based on the RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a System and Conductive Nanocomposite.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a prevalent foodborne pathogen that poses significant challenges to food safety. Herein, a sensitive and specific electrochemical biosensor based on RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a is developed for evaluating S. aureus. In the presence of S. aureus, the extracted target DNA fragments are efficiently amplified by recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA). The designed crRNA, binding to Cas12a, effectively recognizes the target fragment cleaving hpDNA. The signal molecule of hpDNA is cleaved from the sensing interface, resulting in a reduction of current response. Under optimal experimental conditions, the developed electrochemical biosensor exhibits remarkable sensitivity in detecting S. aureus. The linear range for quantifying S. aureus in pure culture is 1.04 × 101-1.04 × 108 CFU/mL, with a detection limit as low as 3 CFU/mL. In addition, the biosensor enables the accurate and sensitive detection of S. aureus in milk within a linear range of 1.07 × 101-1.07 × 107 CFU/mL. The electrochemical biosensor enhances anti-interference capability owing to the specific amplification of RPA primers and the single-base recognition ability of crRNA. The RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a biosensor exhibits exceptional anti-interference capability, precision, and sensitivity, thereby establishing a robust foundation for real-time monitoring of microbial contamination.

Mapping the evolution of 3D printing in cardio-thoracic diseases: a global bibliometric analysis.

BACKGROUND: Despite the growing research on 3D printing (3DP) in cardio-thoracic diseases, comprehensive bibliometric analyses remain scarce. This study aims to bridge this gap by identifying key research trends and hotspots within the field. METHODS: A bibliometric analysis was conducted on publications from 1991 to 2024 using data from the Web of Science Core Collection, with analysis performed using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and the R package 'bibliometrix'. RESULTS: The analysis included 2,836 documents authored by 14,206 researchers across 85 countries. A significant rise in annual publications was observed, with the United States, China, and the United Kingdom leading in contributions. Prominent institutions, including Stanford University, were highlighted, while Scientific Reports and Biomaterials were identified as influential journals. Key research areas encompass cardiovascular, lung, and breast diseases, along with chest wall reconstructions, with emerging trends focusing on advanced materials for drug delivery and tissue engineering. CONCLUSION: This comprehensive bibliometric analysis of 3DP in cardio-thoracic diseases reveals global research trends, emerging themes, and the crucial role of 3DP in advancing medical education and personalized treatment, highlighting areas for future research and development.

LncRNA H19 promoted alcohol-associated liver disease through dysregulation of alternative splicing and methionine metabolism.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Long noncoding RNAs constitute a significant portion of the human genome. Among these, lncRNA H19, initially identified for its high expression during fetal development followed by a decline in the liver postnatally, re-emerges in various liver diseases. However, its specific role in alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) remains unclear. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Elevated H19 levels were detected in peripheral blood and livers of patients with alcohol-associated cirrhosis and hepatitis, as well as in livers of ethanol-fed mice. Hepatic overexpression of H19 exacerbated ethanol-induced liver steatosis and injury. Metabolomics analysis revealed decreased methionine levels in H19-overexpressed mouse livers, attributable to H19-mediated inhibition of betaine homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT), a crucial enzyme in methionine synthesis. H19 regulated BHMT alternative splicing through polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 1 (PTBP1), resulting in a reduced Bhmt protein-coding variant. The maternally specific knockout of H19 (H19Mat+/-) or liver-specific knockout of the H19 differentially methylated domain (H19DMDHep-/-) in ethanol-fed mice upregulated BHMT expression and ameliorated hepatic steatosis. Furthermore, BHMT restoration counteracted H19-induced ethanol-mediated hepatic steatosis. CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies a novel mechanism whereby H19, via PTBP1-mediated BHMT regulation, influences methionine metabolism in ALD. Targeting the H19-PTBP1-BHMT pathway may offer new therapeutic avenues for ALD.

Untargeted Metabolomic Study of Patients with Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Aqueous Humor.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to ascertain metabolic biomarkers and investigate the metabolic alterations associated with aqueous humor (AH) in wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: AH samples were collected from a total of 20 participants, including 10 individuals diagnosed with wet AMD and 10 individuals undergoing cataract surgery, serving as the control group. Metabolomics analysis was performed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to identify and quantify metabolites. Results: A total of 155 metabolites were identified in the AH samples. Among them, 10 metabolites emerged as potential biomarkers capable of differentiating patients with wet AMD from the control group. In the AH of wet AMD patients, there was increased expression of Cardiolipin (CL) (72:5), Diglyceride (DG) (18:3_18:2), DG (36:5e) and Triglyceride (TG) (24:7), while the expression of Ceramides (Cer) (d32:0), Cer (d34:0), Cer (d36:0), Monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) (16:1_18:3), Sphingosine (SPH) (d18:0) and TG (16:0_10:4_16:0) was down regulated. Conclusion: Through metabolomics analysis of AH, this study successfully uncovered valuable metabolic biomarkers linked to wet AMD. These findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis of wet AMD and offer potential avenues for the development of innovative treatment strategies for this condition.

FERMT1 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition of hepatocellular carcinoma by activating EGFR/AKT/ß-catenin and EGFR/ERK pathways.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of fermitin family member 1 (FERMT1) on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) via the EGFR/AKT/ß-catenin and EGFR/ERK pathways. METHODS: The expression of FERMT1 encoding protein kindlin-1 in HCC tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry, and FERMT1 mRNA expression in HCC tissues and cell lines was analyzed by qRT-PCR. After the FERMT1 expression of SNU182 and SNU387 interfered with siRNA, the cell viability, invasion, migration, and EMT were tested by CCK-8, transwell invasion, scratching, immunofluorescence/WB, respectively. Similarly, the effects of FERMT1 on the viability and metastasis of HCC were investigated in transplanted tumor and lung metastasis mouse models. The protein expressions of EGFR/AKT/ß-catenin and EGFR/ERK pathways were analyzed by WB. In addition, the relationship between FERMT1 and EGFR was further determined by immunofluorescence double staining and Co-IP. RESULTS: FERMT1 was significantly upregulated in HCC, and silencing FERMT1 inhibited the viability, invasion, migration, and EMT of HCC. Silencing FERMT1 also inhibited the activation of EGFR/AKT/ß-catenin and EGFR/ERK pathways. In addition, inhibition of EGFR, AKT, or ERK confirmed that EGFR/AKT/ß-catenin and EGFR/ERK pathways were involved in the promoting effects of FERMT1 on HCC. Co-IP and immunofluorescence experiments confirmed the targeting relationship between FERMT1 and EGFR. CONCLUSION: FERMT1 was highly expressed in HCC and promoted viability, invasion, migration, and EMT of HCC by targeting EGFR to activate the EGFR/AKT/ß-catenin and EGFR/ERK pathways. Our study revealed the role of FERMT1 in HCC and suggested that FERMT1 exerts biological effects through activating the EGFR/AKT/ß-catenin and EGFR/ERK pathways.