Value of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Combined with Immune-Inflammatory Markers in Predicting Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis of Breast Cancer.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) combined with immune-inflammatory markers in predicting axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM) in breast cancer patients. METHODS: From January 2020 to June 2023, the clinicopathological data and ultrasound features of 401 breast cancer patients who underwent biopsy or surgery were recorded. Patients were randomly divided into a training set (321 patients) and a validation set (80 patients). The risk factors for ALNM were determined using univariate, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and multivariate logistic regression analysis, and prediction models were constructed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to assess their diagnostic performance. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that systemic immunoinflammatory index (SII), CA125, Ki67, pathological type, lesion size, enhancement pattern and Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category were significant risk factors for ALNM. Three different models were constructed, and the combined model yielded an AUC of 0.903, which was superior to the clinical model (AUC=0.790) and ultrasound model (AUC=0.781). A nomogram was constructed based on the combined model, calibration curves and DCA demonstrated its satisfactory performance in predicting ALNM. CONCLUSION: The nomogram combining ultrasound features and immune-inflammatory markers could serve as a valuable instrument for predicting ALNM in breast cancer patients. DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT: The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article. Further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding authors.

Low expression of ELOVL6 may be involved in fat loss in white adipose tissue of cancer-associated cachexia.

BACKGROUND: Cancer-associated cachexia (CAC) arises from malignant tumors and leads to a debilitating wasting syndrome. In the pathophysiology of CAC, the depletion of fat plays an important role. The mechanisms of CAC-induced fat loss include the enhancement of lipolysis, inhibition of lipogenesis, and browning of white adipose tissue (WAT). However, few lipid-metabolic enzymes have been reported to be involved in CAC. This study hypothesized that ELOVL6, a critical enzyme for the elongation of fatty acids, may be involved in fat loss in CAC. METHODS: Transcriptome sequencing technology was used to identify CAC-related genes in the WAT of a CAC rodent model. Then, the expression level of ELOVL6 and the fatty acid composition were analyzed in a large clinical sample. Elovl6 was knocked down by siRNA in 3T3-L1 mouse preadipocytes to compare with wild-type 3T3-L1 cells treated with tumor cell conditioned medium. RESULTS: In the WAT of patients with CAC, a significant decrease in the expression of ELOVL6 was found, which was linearly correlated with the extent of body mass reduction. Gas chromatographic analysis revealed an increase in palmitic acid (C16:0) and a decrease in linoleic acid (C18:2n-6) in these tissue samples. After treatment with tumor cell-conditioned medium, 3T3-L1 mouse preadipocytes showed a decrease in Elovl6 expression, and Elovl6-knockdown cells exhibited a reduction in preadipocyte differentiation and lipogenesis. Similarly, the knockdown of Elovl6 in 3T3-L1 cells resulted in a significant increase in palmitic acid (C16:0) and a marked decrease in oleic acid (C18:1n-9) content. CONCLUSION: Overall, the expression of ELOVL6 was decreased in the WAT of CAC patients. Decreased expression of ELOVL6 might induce fat loss in CAC patients by potentially altering the fatty acid composition of adipocytes. These findings suggest that ELOVL6 may be used as a valuable biomarker for the early diagnosis of CAC and may hold promise as a target for future therapies.

Living Materials Based Dynamic Information Encryption via Light-Inducible Bacterial Biosynthesis of Quantum Dots.

Microbial biosynthesis, as an alternative method for producing quantum dots (QDs), has gained attention because it can be conducted under mild and environmentally friendly conditions, distinguishing it from conventional chemical and physical synthesis approaches. However, there is currently no method to selectively control this biosynthesis process in a subset of microbes within a population using external stimuli. In this study, we have attained precise and selective control over the microbial biosynthesis of QDs through the utilization of an optogenetically engineered Escherichia coli (E. coli). The recombinant E. coli is designed to express smCSE enzyme, under the regulation of eLightOn system, which can be activated by blue light. The smCSE enzymes use L-cysteine and Cd2+ as substrates to form CdS QDs. This system enables light-inducible bacterial biosynthesis of QDs in precise patterns within a hydrogel for information encryption. As the biosynthesis progresses, the optical characteristics of the QDs change, allowing living materials containing the recombinant E. coli to display time-dependent patterns that self-destruct after reading. Compared to static encryption using fluorescent QD inks, dynamic information encryption based on living materials offers enhanced security.

Fucoidan-functionalized gelatin methacryloyl microspheres ameliorate intervertebral disc degeneration by restoring redox and matrix homeostasis of nucleus pulposus.

Loss of extracellular matrix (ECM) and dehydration of the nucleus pulposus (NP) are major pathological characteristics of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD), the leading cause of low back pain. Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by proinflammatory cytokines substantially contribute to IVDD pathogenesis. This study aimed to examine the potential of fucoidan in protecting the matrix metabolism of NP cells and its therapeutic efficacy in the prevention of IVDD. In an inflammatory environment induced by interleukin (IL)-1ß, fucoidan treatments demonstrated a dose-dependent enhancement of ECM production in NP cells, while concurrently reducing the expression of matrix degradation enzymes. The protective effect of fucoidan was mediated through the activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and subsequent induction of antioxidant enzymes, whereas silencing Nrf2 abrogated the protection of fucoidan on NP cells against IL-1ß-induced oxidative stress. Moreover, a novel fucoidan-functionalized gelatin methacryloyl microsphere (Fu@GelMA-MS) was synthesized. The in vivo application of Fu@GelMA-MS via in situ injection in a rat caudal IVD model effectively conserved the ECM components and maintained the hydration of the NP tissue, thereby preventing IVDD caused by puncture. Collectively, fucoidan-functionalized hydrogel microspheres represent a promising strategy for the regeneration of NP and the treatment of IVDD.

The Influence of the Gut Microbiota on Alzheimer's Disease: A Narrative Review.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease that tends to occur in the elderly. The main symptom is hypomnesia. More and more older people are suffering from this disease worldwide. By 2050, 152 million people worldwide are expected to have AD. It is thought that the aggregation of amyloid-beta peptides and hyper-phosphorylated tau tangles contribute to AD. The microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis appears as a new concept. The MGB axis is a collection of microbial molecules produced in the gastrointestinal tract that influence the physiological function of the brain. In this review, we discuss how the gut microbiota (GM) and its metabolites affect AD in different ways. Dysregulation of the GM has been shown to be involved in various mechanisms involved in memory and learning functions. We review the current literature on the role of the entero-brain axis in the pathogenesis of AD and its potential role as a future therapeutic target in the treatment and/or prevention of AD.

Outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Infection in a Centralized Quarantine Location in Hangzhou, China.

This cohort study assesses whether transmission of COVID-19 occurred among individuals staying on different floors at a hotel used as a centralized quarantine location in Hangzhou, China.

Living and Regenerative Material Encapsulating Self-Assembled Shewanella oneidensis-CdS Hybrids for Photocatalytic Biodegradation of Organic Dyes.

Reductive biodegradation by microorganisms has been widely explored for detoxifying recalcitrant contaminants; however, the biodegradation capacity of microbes is limited by the energy level of the released electrons. Here, we developed a method to self-assemble Shewanella oneidensis-CdS nanoparticle hybrids with significantly improved reductive biodegradation capacity and constructed a living material by encapsulating the hybrids in hydrogels. The material confines the nano-bacteria hybrids and protects them from environmental stress, thus improving their recyclability and long-term stability (degradation capacity unhindered after 4 weeks). The developed living materials exhibited efficient photocatalytic biodegradation of various organic dyes including azo and nitroso dyes. This study highlights the feasibility and benefits of constructing self-assembled nano-bacteria hybrids for bioremediation and sets the stage for the development of novel living materials from nano-bacteria hybrids.

Corresponding risk factors between cognitive impairment and type 1 diabetes mellitus: A narrative review.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a type of diabetes caused by the destruction of pancreatic ß cells and the absolute lack of insulin secretion. T1DM usually starts in adolescence or develops directly as a severe disease state of ketoacidosis. T1DM and its complications make many people suffer and have psychological problems, which make us have to pay more attention to the prevention and early control of T1DM. Cognitive impairment (CI) is one of the major complications of T1DM. It can further develop into Alzheimer's disease, which can seriously affect the quality of life of the elderly. Furthermore, the relationship between T1DM and CI is unclear. Hence, we conducted a narrative review of the existing literature through a PubMed search. We summarized some risk factors that may be associated with the cognitive changes in T1DM patients, including onset age and duration, education and gender, glycemic states, microvascular complications, glycemic control, neuropsychology and emotion, intestinal flora, dyslipidemia, sleep quality. We aimed to provide some content related to CI in T1DM, and hoped that it could play a role in early prediction and treatment to reduce the prevalence.

Recent Advances in Microfluidic Devices for the Radiosynthesis of PET-imaging Probes.

In order to accommodate the growing demand for positron emission tomography (PET), it will be necessary to create innovative radiochemical and engineering technologies to optimize the manufacture and development of PET probes. Microfluidic devices allow radiosynthesis to be performed in microscale amounts, significantly impacting PET tracer production. Compared to traditional methods, microfluidic devices can produce PET tracers in a shorter time, higher yields, with lower reagent consumption, higher molar activity, and faster purification. This review examines microfluidic devices from an engineering perspective. Recently developed microfluidic radiosynthesis devices are classified into three categories according to their reaction volume: continuous-flow, batch-flow, and droplet-based microreactors. The principles of device architecture, radiosynthesis process, and the relative strengths and limitations of each category are emphasized by citing typical examples. Finally, the possible future applications of this technology are outlined. A flexible, miniature, fully automated radiochemical microfluidic platform will offer more straightforward and cheaper molecular imaging procedures and the potential for precision medicine that could allow operators to create customized tracers for individual patient doses.

Synthetic biology-powered microbial co-culture strategy and application of bacterial cellulose-based composite materials.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a carbohydrate polymer that is widely produced by diverse bacteria with unique structural features and properties. BC has a high water-retention capacity, appealing mechanical properties, and higher purity compared to plant cellulose. Due to these attractive properties, BC has been exploited in many applications, including biomedical treatment, textiles, architecture, and environmental engineering. Recently, taking advantage of synthetic biology concepts and techniques, the integration of genetically engineered microorganisms and BC produces composite materials with intriguing characteristics, for example, responsiveness to stimuli and capability to regenerate. These synthetic biology-inspired BC-based composite materials greatly extend the scopes of applications of BC. In this review, we discuss the construction and application of BC-based composite materials with an emphasis on those produced by genetically engineered microorganisms and by microbial co-culture approaches. We highlight the advantages of the synthetic biology-inspired fabrication strategy of BC-based composites and consider the challenges that need to be addressed by future work.