A rare case of an endobronchial mass due to Neurospora intermedia.

The ascomycete filamentous fungus Neurospora intermedia is commonly used in the food industry and considered nonpathogenic to humans. This study characterizes four N. intermedia isolates recovered from three patients. The first patient had a mediastinal germ cell tumor with multiple metastases. N. intermedia was recovered from his endotracheal aspirate and from the endobronchial mass obtained by bronchoscopic forceps biopsy. Histopathology of the biopsy tissue revealed necrotic tissue mixed with septate fungal hyphae with right-angle branching. An endobronchial mass caused by N. intermedia was thus diagnosed. Another two N. intermedia isolates were recovered from the endotracheal aspirates of two critically ill patients. In vitro, N. intermedia grows rapidly and forms orange, conidiating colonies composed of septate hyphae. Two isolates from the first patient belong to mating type a; the other two isolates belong to mating type A. Coculture of isolates of opposite mating types yielded dark ascomata containing ascospores, supporting that N. intermedia is a heterothallic fungus. N. intermedia isolates cross-reacted with the Aspergillus galactomannan antigen assay and were susceptible to amphotericin B and voriconazole. In conclusion, this report describes the first human infection (endobronchial mass) caused by N. intermedia, highlighting its potential to invade the human respiratory tract.

Effects of cyclosporine on steroid-refractory dry eyes.

PURPOSE: The purpose is to compare the effects of cyclosporine (CsA) on the steroid-refractory mixed-type dry eye (MTDE) and aqueous deficient dry eye (ADDE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 71 patients with levels 3 and 4 dry eye that were refractory to artificial tears and topical steroids. The effects were analyzed using the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) and standard patient evaluation of eye dryness (SPEED) questionnaires, Schirmer test II, blink patterns, lipid layer thickness (LLT), meibomian gland expressibility (MGE) and extent of meibomian gland (MG) dropout (meiboscale). RESULTS: MTDE patients (LLT ≤60 nm, n = 38) were younger than those in ADDE (LLT >60 nm, n = 33). Before CsA treatment, they had higher Schirmer scores, less MGE, and a thinner LLT. There was no statistically significant difference in OSDI/SPEED scores between groups. CsA improved the OSDI in the ADDE group but not in the MTDE group. CsA treatment decreased the severity of superficial punctate keratitis (SPK) in both groups, but it significantly decreased partial blinks, total blinks, and partial blink rates in the ADDE group only. CsA did not increase the Schirmer score, LLT, MGE, or meiboscale grade in both groups. CsA could significantly improve subjective symptoms, SPK, and blink patterns in dry eyes refractory to topical steroids, which were more pronounced in ADDE than in MTDE. CONCLUSION: In MTDE cases, concurrent MG treatment modalities, such as intense pulse light and/or thermal pulsation, could be considered to maximize the effects of CsA treatment.

Diploid and tetraploid genomes of Acorus and the evolution of monocots.

Monocots are a major taxon within flowering plants, have unique morphological traits, and show an extraordinary diversity in lifestyle. To improve our understanding of monocot origin and evolution, we generate chromosome-level reference genomes of the diploid Acorus gramineus and the tetraploid Ac. calamus, the only two accepted species from the family Acoraceae, which form a sister lineage to all other monocots. Comparing the genomes of Ac. gramineus and Ac. calamus, we suggest that Ac. gramineus is not a potential diploid progenitor of Ac. calamus, and Ac. calamus is an allotetraploid with two subgenomes A, and B, presenting asymmetric evolution and B subgenome dominance. Both the diploid genome of Ac. gramineus and the subgenomes A and B of Ac. calamus show clear evidence of whole-genome duplication (WGD), but Acoraceae does not seem to share an older WGD that is shared by most other monocots. We reconstruct an ancestral monocot karyotype and gene toolkit, and discuss scenarios that explain the complex history of the Acorus genome. Our analyses show that the ancestors of monocots exhibit mosaic genomic features, likely important for that appeared in early monocot evolution, providing fundamental insights into the origin, evolution, and diversification of monocots.

Species distribution and antifungal susceptibility of clinical Aspergillus isolates: A multicentre study in Taiwan, 2016-2020.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological knowledge is important to guide antifungal therapy. OBJECTIVE: This multicentre study aimed to investigate the species distribution and antifungal susceptibility of Aspergillus isolates in Taiwan. METHOD: Four hundred and ninety-two clinical Aspergillus isolates, collected during 2016-2020, were identified by calmodulin sequencing and tested for antifungal susceptibility using CLSI M38-A3. The Cyp51A sequences of azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus isolates were analysed. RESULTS: This collection comprised 30 species from eight Aspergillus sections-Flavi (33.5%), Nigri (26.0%), Fumigati (24.2%), Terrei (10.0%), Nidulantes (5.1%), Circumdati (0.8%), Restricti (0.2%) and Aspergillus (0.2%). Sections Fumigati, Flavi and Terrei were primarily represented by A. fumigatus (99.2%), A. flavus (95.8%) and A. terreus (100%), respectively. Section Nigri comprised nine species, mostly A. welwitschiae (60.2%), A. niger (12.5%), A. brunneoviolaceus (10.9%) and A. tubingensis (10.2%). A. fumigatus (39.6%) and A. flavus (26.4%) predominated among 53 isolates from lower respiratory samples, whereas section Nigri species (46.2%) and A. terreus (29.2%) predominated among 65 isolates from ear samples. Reduced susceptibility to amphotericin B (minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) > 1 µg/mL) was noted in A. flavus (7.0%), A. terreus (6.1%), A. nidulans and section Circumdati (A. flocculosus, A. subramanianii and A. westerdijkiae) isolates. Acquired azole resistance was observed in seven A. fumigatus (5.9%), all of which carried TR34 /L98H or TR34 /L98H/S297T/F495I mutation, and three A. flavus (1.9%), one of which carried G441S mutation. Reduced susceptibility to itraconazole (MIC >1 µg/mL) was noted in 55.5% of section Nigri isolates, mainly in A. welwitschiae, A. niger and A. tubingensis, whereas A. brunneoviolaceus, A. aculeatinus and A. japonicus were hypersusceptible to azoles. Anidulafungin was active against all isolates except for one isolate. CONCLUSIONS: This study depicted the molecular epidemiology and species-specific characteristics of Aspergillus in Taiwan, which aids in appropriate antifungal therapy and underlines the need of speciation and susceptibility testing of disease-causing Aspergillus.

Bioinspired Stabilization of Amorphous Calcium Carbonate by Carboxylated Nanocellulose Enables Mechanically Robust, Healable, and Sensing Biocomposites.

Nature builds numerous structurally complex composites with fascinating mechanical robustness and functionalities by harnessing biopolymers and amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC). The key to successfully mimicking these natural designs is efficiently stabilizing ACC, but developing highly efficient, biodegradable, biocompatible, and sustainable stabilizing agents remains a grand challenge since anhydrous ACC is inherently unstable toward crystallization in the wet state. Inspired by the stabilized ACC in crustacean cuticles, we report the efficient stabilization ability of the most abundant biopolymer-cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) for ACC. Through the cooperative stabilizing effect of surface carboxyl groups and a rigid segregated network, the CNFs exhibit long-term stability (more than one month) and achieved a stabilization efficiency of 3.6 and 4.4 times that of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and alginate, respectively, even higher than poly(acrylic acid). The resulting CNF/ACC dispersions can be constructed into transparent composite films with the high strength of 286 MPa and toughness up to 28.5 MJ/m3, which surpass those of the so far reported synthetic biopolymer-calcium carbonate/phosphate composites. The dynamic interfacial interaction between nanocomponents also provides the composite films with good self-healing properties. Owing to their good wet stability, the composite films present high humidity sensitivity for monitoring respiration and finger contact.

OrchidBase 5.0: updates of the orchid genome knowledgebase.

Containing the largest number of species, the orchid family provides not only materials for studying plant evolution and environmental adaptation, but economically and culturally important ornamental plants for human society. Previously, we collected genome and transcriptome information of Dendrobium catenatum, Phalaenopsis equestris, and Apostasia shenzhenica which belong to two different subfamilies of Orchidaceae, and developed user-friendly tools to explore the orchid genetic sequences in the OrchidBase 4.0. The OrchidBase 4.0 offers the opportunity for plant science community to compare orchid genomes and transcriptomes and retrieve orchid sequences for further study.In the year 2022, two whole-genome sequences of Orchidoideae species, Platanthera zijinensis and Platanthera guangdongensis, were de novo sequenced, assembled and analyzed. In addition, systemic transcriptomes from these two species were also established. Therefore, we included these datasets to develop the new version of OrchidBase 5.0. In addition, three new functions including synteny, gene order, and miRNA information were also developed for orchid genome comparisons and miRNA characterization.OrchidBase 5.0 extended the genetic information to three orchid subfamilies (including five orchid species) and provided new tools for orchid researchers to analyze orchid genomes and transcriptomes. The online resources can be accessed at https://cosbi.ee.ncku.edu.tw/orchidbase5/.

Bioinspired Chiral Template Guided Mineralization for Biophotonic Structural Materials.

Nature provides numerous biomineral design inspirations for constructing structural materials with desired functionalities. However, large-scale production of damage-tolerant Bouligand structural materials with biologically comparable photonics remains a longstanding challenge. Here, an efficient and scalable artificial molting strategy, based on self-assembly of cellulose nanocrystals and subsequent mineralization of amorphous calcium carbonate, is developed to produce biomimetic materials with an exceptional combination of mechanical and photonic properties that are usually mutually exclusive in synthetic materials. These biomimetic composites exhibit tunable mechanics from "strong and flexible", which exceeds the benchmark of natural chiral materials, to "stiff and hard", which is comparable to natural and synthetic counterparts. Especially, the biomimetic composites possess ultrahigh stiffness of 2 GPa in their fully water-swollen state-a value well beyond hydrated crab exoskeleton, cartilage, tendon, and stiffest synthetic hydrogels, combined with exceptional strength and resilience. Additionally, these composites are distinguished by the tunable chiral structural color and water-triggered switchable photonics that are absent in most artificial mineralized materials, as well as unique hydroplastic properties. This study opens the door for a scalable synthesis of resilient biophotonic structural materials in practical bulk form.

ABAT gene expression associated with the sensitivity of hypomethylating agents in myelodysplastic syndrome through CXCR4/mTOR signaling.

The factors that affect hypomethylating agents (HMAs) sensitivity in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) are complex and multifaceted. They include DNA methylation, gene expression, mutation, etc. However, the underlying mechanisms are still not clearly illustrated. In the present work, ABAT gene expression was associated with HMAs sensitivity. It was found that ABAT gene interference increased the sensitivity of HL-60 and THP-1 cells to HMAs treatment, while ABAT overexpression decreased its sensitivity. RNA-sequencing analysis showed that ABAT knockdown activated both interferon I and interferon-gamma signaling while inhibiting the secondary metabolic synthesis and arginine metabolic process. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) based metabolic profiling also demonstrated that ABAT gene knockdown affected arginine, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism, in addition to the biosynthesis of valine, leucine, and isoleucine, and the metabolism of beta-alanine. The ABAT gene expression downregulation could activate the CXCR4/mTOR signaling pathway, which was related to HMAs sensitivity. CXCR4 expression was regulated by mTOR activity and vice versa. In vivo, mice injected with ABAT gene knockdown cells lived longer than control mice after HMAs treatment. Overall, this study elucidates the novel regulatory mechanisms of HMAs sensitivity and provides a potential therapeutic target in MDS.

Association between Dry Eye Parameters Depends on Tear Components.

How tear components contribute to dry-eye symptoms/signs remains less well-defined. This observational cross-sectional study enrolled 4817 (F/M = 3590/1227) patients. Subjective symptoms were evaluated with the SPEED and OSDI questionnaires. Fluorescein tear breakup time (FTBUT), superficial punctate keratitis (SPK) grading, Schirmer scores, number of expressible meibomian glands (MGE), lipid layer thickness (LLT), blink/partial blink rates and meibography were recorded. Patients were divided into 4 types according to their Schirmer scores and LLT, i.e., Type 1 (N = 1494): Schirmer > 5 mm, LLT > 60 nm; Type 2 (N = 698): Schirmer > 5 mm, LLT ≤ 60 nm; Type 3 (N = 1160): Schirmer ≤ 5 mm, LLT ≤ 60 nm; Type 4 (N = 1465): Schirmer ≤ 5 mm, LLT > 60 nm. Lipid deficiency (LLT ≤ 60 nm) and aqueous deficiency (Schirmer score ≤ 5 mm) were found in 38.6% and 54.5% of patients, respectively. The majority (62.4%) of lipid-deficient patients were also aqueous deficient, while 44.2% of aqueous-deficient patients were also lipid-deficient. Type 3 patients (mixed type) had the highest symptom scores (p = 0.008 and 0.007 for SPEED and OSDI, respectively), more total blinks (p < 0.001) and the shortest FTBUT (p < 0.001). Stepwise multiple regression demonstrated that LLT and Schirmer score were significant contributors to FTBUT in all 4 types. The FTBUT correlated with SPK severity in all 4 types, with Schirmer score in types 1 and 4, and with LLT in type 3 patients. SPK correlated with LLT and MGE in types 1 and 4. Age correlated with dry eye parameters more significantly than sex. Subtyping by aqueous and lipid components facilitates the understanding of dry eye pathophysiology.

Dermatochalasis Aggravates Meibomian Gland Dysfunction Related Dry Eyes.

This study aimed to investigate the relationships between subjective symptoms, objective signs, and dermatochalasis severity in dry-eye patients and the effects of lid hygiene on dry-eye parameters. We retrospectively enrolled 2328 patients who underwent dry-eye examinations and classified them into four groups by dermatochalasis severity. The SPEED and OSDI questionnaires were used to evaluate subjective symptoms. LipiView® II interferometry was used to measure lipid-layer thickness (LLT) and blink/incomplete blink rates and perform meibography. A slit-lamp-aided standardized evaluator measured meibomian gland expressibility (MGE). A meiboscale was used to grade meibomian gland dropout. Fluorescein tear-film break-up time (FTBUT) and superficial punctate keratitis (SPK) were recorded. The Schirmer test II with anesthetics was used to evaluate aqueous tear secretion. The effects of lid hygiene were evaluated in 644 patients who underwent second comprehensive examinations. The median age of patients was 55.3 [46.0-66.0] years (76.0% female). Patients with more severe dermatochalasis were less symptomatic and had less MGE, higher meiboscale grades and average LLT. Dermatochalasis severity was significantly associated with MGE and meiboscale grade in the upper lid. There were no significant differences in the Schirmer test, FTBUT, and SPK among the severity groups. Females were older and had higher LLT and less severe dermatochalasis. Lid hygiene significantly decreased subjective symptoms, LLT, and Schirmer results, increased FTBUT, but did not change MGE or meiboscale grades. Dermatochalasis severity participated in the pathophysiology of dry eyes. Lid hygiene significantly improved subjective symptoms and reduced LLT, more significantly in patients with less severe dermatochalasis.

Genomes of leafy and leafless Platanthera orchids illuminate the evolution of mycoheterotrophy.

To improve our understanding of the origin and evolution of mycoheterotrophic plants, we here present the chromosome-scale genome assemblies of two sibling orchid species: partially mycoheterotrophic Platanthera zijinensis and holomycoheterotrophic Platanthera guangdongensis. Comparative analysis shows that mycoheterotrophy is associated with increased substitution rates and gene loss, and the deletion of most photoreceptor genes and auxin transporter genes might be linked to the unique phenotypes of fully mycoheterotrophic orchids. Conversely, trehalase genes that catalyse the conversion of trehalose into glucose have expanded in most sequenced orchids, in line with the fact that the germination of orchid non-endosperm seeds needs carbohydrates from fungi during the protocorm stage. We further show that the mature plant of P. guangdongensis, different from photosynthetic orchids, keeps expressing trehalase genes to hijack trehalose from fungi. Therefore, we propose that mycoheterotrophy in mature orchids is a continuation of the protocorm stage by sustaining the expression of trehalase genes. Our results shed light on the molecular mechanism underlying initial, partial and full mycoheterotrophy.

Age affects intraocular lens attributes preference in cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of age on intraocular lens (IOL) attributes preference. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 4213 eyes that underwent smooth phacoemulsification and IOL implantation between January 2005 and June 2018. Patients were subdivided into six groups according to their ages, i.e.,≤40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70, 71-80, and ≥ 81 years old. The difference in preference of IOL attributes regarding age, gender, and year of surgery was analyzed separately. The analyzed IOL attributes included asphericity, astigmatism-correction, presbyopia-correction, and blue-blocking function. RESULTS: The patients averaged 68.3 ± 11.6 years old at the time of surgery. There was no significant difference in age between males and females. There were 1980 patients (47.0%) selected aspheric IOL, 822 patients (19.5%) selected multifocal (MF) IOL, 93 patients (2.2%) selected toric IOL, and 859 patients (20.4%) selected blue-blocking IOL. Adoption of aspheric and MF IOL increased significantly during the study (P < 0.001 for both attributes). There were more young patients selected aspheric and MF IOL (P < 0.001 for both), and the change in the trend of adoption over the years was also most significant in the young group (P < 0.001 for both). The proportion of patients that selected blue-blocking IOL decreased significantly after 2011 (P < 0.001). There was no gender preference in aspheric, MF, and toric IOL selection. However, there were more male patients selected blue-blocking IOL (P = 0.018). CONCLUSION: The adoption of IOLs with emerging technologies increased significantly over the years. Younger adults tended to adopt advanced technology IOL more than the older ones.

OrchidBase 4.0: a database for orchid genomics and molecular biology.

BACKGROUND: The Orchid family is the largest families of the monocotyledons and an economically important ornamental plant worldwide. Given the pivotal role of this plant to humans, botanical researchers and breeding communities should have access to valuable genomic and transcriptomic information of this plant. Previously, we established OrchidBase, which contains expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from different tissues and developmental stages of Phalaenopsis as well as biotic and abiotic stress-treated Phalaenopsis. The database includes floral transcriptomic sequences from 10 orchid species across all the five subfamilies of Orchidaceae. DESCRIPTION: Recently, the whole-genome sequences of Apostasia shenzhenica, Dendrobium catenatum, and Phalaenopsis equestris were de novo assembled and analyzed. These datasets were used to develop OrchidBase 4.0, including genomic and transcriptomic data for these three orchid species. OrchidBase 4.0 offers information for gene annotation, gene expression with fragments per kilobase of transcript per millions mapped reads (FPKM), KEGG pathways and BLAST search. In addition, assembled genome sequences and location of genes and miRNAs could be visualized by the genome browser. The online resources in OrchidBase 4.0 can be accessed by browsing or using BLAST. Users can also download the assembled scaffold sequences and the predicted gene and protein sequences of these three orchid species. CONCLUSIONS: OrchidBase 4.0 is the first database that contain the whole-genome sequences and annotations of multiple orchid species. OrchidBase 4.0 is available at http://orchidbase.itps.ncku.edu.tw/.

Wolfberry genomes and the evolution of Lycium (Solanaceae).

Wolfberry Lycium, an economically important genus of the Solanaceae family, contains approximately 80 species and shows a fragmented distribution pattern among the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Although several herbaceous species of Solanaceae have been subjected to genome sequencing, thus far, no genome sequences of woody representatives have been available. Here, we sequenced the genomes of 13 perennial woody species of Lycium, with a focus on Lycium barbarum. Integration with other genomes provides clear evidence supporting a whole-genome triplication (WGT) event shared by all hitherto sequenced solanaceous plants, which occurred shortly after the divergence of Solanaceae and Convolvulaceae. We identified new gene families and gene family expansions and contractions that first appeared in Solanaceae. Based on the identification of self-incompatibility related-gene families, we inferred that hybridization hotspots are enriched for genes that might be functioning in gametophytic self-incompatibility pathways in wolfberry. Extremely low expression of LOCULE NUBER (LC) and COLORLESS NON-RIPENING (CNR) orthologous genes during Lycium fruit development and ripening processes suggests functional diversification of these two genes between Lycium and tomato. The existence of additional flowering locus C-like MADS-box genes might correlate with the perennial flowering cycle of Lycium. Differential gene expression involved in the lignin biosynthetic pathway between Lycium and tomato likely illustrates woody and herbaceous differentiation. We also provide evidence that Lycium migrated from Africa into Asia, and subsequently from Asia into North America. Our results provide functional insights into Solanaceae origins, evolution and diversification.

Fibroblast-enriched endoplasmic reticulum protein TXNDC5 promotes pulmonary fibrosis by augmenting TGFß signaling through TGFBR1 stabilization.

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a major public health problem with limited therapeutic options. There is a clear need to identify novel mediators of PF to develop effective therapeutics. Here we show that an ER protein disulfide isomerase, thioredoxin domain containing 5 (TXNDC5), is highly upregulated in the lung tissues from both patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and a mouse model of bleomycin (BLM)-induced PF. Global deletion of Txndc5 markedly reduces the extent of PF and preserves lung function in mice following BLM treatment. Mechanistic investigations demonstrate that TXNDC5 promotes fibrogenesis by enhancing TGFß1 signaling through direct binding with and stabilization of TGFBR1 in lung fibroblasts. Moreover, TGFß1 stimulation is shown to upregulate TXNDC5 via ER stress/ATF6-dependent transcriptional control in lung fibroblasts. Inducing fibroblast-specific deletion of Txndc5 mitigates the progression of BLM-induced PF and lung function deterioration. Targeting TXNDC5, therefore, could be a novel therapeutic approach against PF.

Author Correction: The Apostasia genome and the evolution of orchids.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Expression regulation of MALATE SYNTHASE involved in glyoxylate cycle during protocorm development in Phalaenopsis aphrodite (Orchidaceae).

Orchid (Orchidaceae) is one of the largest families in angiosperms and presents exceptional diversity in lifestyle. Their unique reproductive characteristics of orchid are attracted by scientist for centuries. One of the synapomorphies of orchid plants is that their seeds do not contain endosperm. Lipids are used as major energy storage in orchid seeds. However, regulation and mobilization of lipid usage during early seedling (protocorm) stage of orchid is not understood. In this study, we compared transcriptomes from developing Phalaenopsis aphrodite protocorms grown on 1/2-strength MS medium with sucrose. The expression of P. aphrodite MALATE SYNTHASE (PaMLS), involved in the glyoxylate cycle, was significantly decreased from 4 days after incubation (DAI) to 7 DAI. On real-time RT-PCR, both P. aphrodite ISOCITRATE LYASE (PaICL) and PaMLS were down-regulated during protocorm development and suppressed by sucrose treatment. In addition, several genes encoding transcription factors regulating PaMLS expression were identified. A gene encoding homeobox transcription factor (named PaHB5) was involved in positive regulation of PaMLS. This study showed that sucrose regulates the glyoxylate cycle during orchid protocorm development in asymbiotic germination and provides new insights into the transcription factors involved in the regulation of malate synthase expression.

A chalcone derivative, 1m-6, exhibits atheroprotective effects by increasing cholesterol efflux and reducing inflammation-induced endothelial dysfunction.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Atherosclerosis, resulting from lipid dysregulation and vascular inflammation, causes atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), which contributes to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Chalcone and its derivatives possess beneficial properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antitumour activity with unknown cardioprotective effects. We aimed to develop an effective chalcone derivative with antiatherogenic potential. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Human THP-1 cells and HUVECs were used as in vitro models. Western blots and real-time PCRs were performed to quantify protein, mRNA and miRNA expressions. The cholesterol efflux capacity was assayed by 3 H labelling of cholesterol. LDL receptor knockout (Ldlr-/- ) mice fed a high-fat diet were used as an in vivo atherogenesis model. Haematoxylin and eosin and oil red O staining were used to analyse plaque formation. KEY RESULTS: Using ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) expression we identified the chalcone derivative, 1m-6, which enhances ABCA1 expression and promotes cholesterol efflux in THP-1 macrophages. Moreover, 1m-6 stabilizes ABCA1 mRNA and suppresses the expression of potential ABCA1-regulating miRNAs through nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signalling. Additionally, 1m-6 significantly inhibits TNF-α-induced expression of adhesion molecules, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), plus production of proinflammatory cytokines via inhibition of JAK/STAT3 activation and the modulation of Nrf2/HO-1 signalling in HUVECs. In atherosclerosis-prone mice, 1m-6 significantly reduces lipid accumulation and atherosclerotic plaque formation. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Our study demonstrates that 1m-6 produces promising atheroprotective effects by enhancing cholesterol efflux and suppressing inflammation-induced endothelial dysfunction, which opens a new avenue for treating ASCVD. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Risk factors, comorbidities, and comedications in cardioprotection. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v177.23/issuetoc.

Fabrication and characterization of magnetically responsive Fe3O4@TiO2 core-shell adsorbent for enhanced thallium removal.

Thallium (Tl) contamination in natural waters can pose a severe risk to human health. In this study, a magnetically responsive Fe3O4@TiO2 core-shell adsorbent was developed for the effective removal of thallium(I) from water. The isoelectric point of the adsorbent surface was decreased from 6.0 to 4.8 due to the loading of nano-sized TiO2, leading to an enhanced electrostatic interaction between the adsorbent and Tl(I) ions in a wider pH range. The Fe3O4@TiO2 magnetic adsorbent exhibited a threefold higher BET specific surface area compared to pristine Fe3O4 particles. The kinetics study showed that approximately 82% of the maximum Tl(I) loading amount could be achieved within 30 min at the initial Tl(I) concentration of 8 mg/L and adsorbent dosage of 0.1 g/L. The adsorption of Tl(I) was significantly increased with increasing solution pH. The experimental data was better fitted by the Langmuir and Temkin isotherms than the Freundlich isotherm and the maximum adsorption capacity of the magnetic adsorbent was 101.5 mg/g at pH 7.0. The interference of co-existing cations in the Tl(I) adsorption followed the subsequence: Cu2+ > Mg2+ > Ca2+ > Na+. The hydroxyl groups bonded on titanium atoms might play a key role in the uptake of Tl(I) ions. During the adsorption, the Tl(I) ions can be effectively adsorbed on the adsorbent surface via the formation of Ti-O-Tl linkages. Graphical Abstract.

Hydrothermal synthesis of needle-shaped manganese oxide nanoparticle for superior adsorption of thallium(I): characterization, performance, and mechanism study.

Thallium as a highly toxic metal element has been listed as one of priority drinking water contaminants. In this study, manganese oxide nanoparticles were synthesized through a simple hydrothermal method and applied for the removal of thallium(I). The adsorbent was composed of numerous needle-like nanorods and had an average volume diameter of 230 nm after heat-drying procedure. The crystal form of adsorbent was determined as α-MnO2. The adsorbent exhibited a much faster adsorption rate than most of previously reported adsorbent, achieving over 66.4% of equilibrium adsorption capacity in the first 10 min. The adsorption process was found to be highly affected by solution pH and higher than 100 mg/g of adsorption capacity could be obtained in a wide pH range of 6.0-10.0. The isotherm study indicated that the adsorption of Tl(I) on the adsorbent was favorable and governed by a chemisorption process, with the maximum adsorption capacity of 505.5 mg/g at pH 7.0. The adsorption process was confirmed to be thermodynamically spontaneous and endothermic. The presence of Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, and Cu2+ cations had certain negative effects on the uptake of Tl(I). Based on the batch experiments and XPS analysis, the deprotonated hydroxyl groups that bonded to manganese atoms worked as the binding sites for the effective removal of Tl(I) ions and no redox reaction occurred during the adsorption process.