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Abstract Ubiquitination is a post-translational modification (PTM), which is critical to maintain cell homeostasis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 24 (USP24) plays roles in various diseases, the mechanisms by which USP24 regulates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain poorly understood. In this study, USP24 is found to be significantly downregulated in HCC. Knocking down USP24 promotes HCC proliferation and migration, whereas USP24 overexpression inhibits HCC in vitro and in vivo. The endogenous interaction between USP24 and Beclin1 is confirmed. Mechanically, USP24 delays Beclin1 degradation by reducing its K48-linked ubiquitination, the effects of overexpressing USP24 on HCC proliferation can be partially reversed by silencing Beclin1. We find that increased autophagy is accompanied by ferroptosis in USP24 overexpressed HCC cells and USP24 increases the susceptibility of HCC to sorafenib. Collectively, this study highlights the critical role of USP24 in regulating autophagy-dependent ferroptosis by decreasing Beclin1 ubiquitination, suggesting that targeting USP24 may be a strategy for treating HCC.

Abstract Traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (TCSCI) often causes varying degrees of motor dysfunction, common assessed by the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI), in association with the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale. Accurate prediction of motor function recovery is extremely important for formulating effective diagnosis, therapeutic and rehabilitation programs. The aim of this study is to investigate the validity of a novel nested ensemble algorithm that uses the very early ASIA motor score (AMS) of ISNCSCI examination to predict motor function recovery 6 months after injury in TCSCI patients. This retrospective study included complete data of 315 TCSCI patients. The dataset consisting of the first AMS at ≤ 24 h post-injury and follow-up AMS at 6 months post-injury was divided into a training set (80%) and a test set (20%). The nested ensemble algorithm was established in a two-stage manner. Support Vector Classification (SVC), Adaboost, Weak-learner and Dummy were used in the first stage, and Adaboost was selected as second-stage model. The prediction results of the first stage models were uploaded into second-stage model to obtain the final prediction results. The model performance was evaluated using precision, recall, accuracy, F1 score, and confusion matrix. The nested ensemble algorithm was applied to predict motor function recovery of TCSCI, achieving an accuracy of 80.6%, a F1 score of 80.6%, and balancing sensitivity and specificity. The confusion matrix showed few false-negative rate, which has crucial practical implications for prognostic prediction of TCSCI. This novel nested ensemble algorithm, simply based on very early AMS, provides a useful tool for predicting motor function recovery 6 months after TCSCI, which is graded in gradients that progressively improve the accuracy and reliability of the prediction, demonstrating a strong potential of ensemble learning to personalize and optimize the rehabilitation and care of TCSCI patients.

Abstract Many DNA viruses develop various strategies to inhibit cell death to facilitate their replication. However, whether influenza A virus (IAV), a fast-replicating RNA virus, attenuates cell death remains unknown. Here, we report that IAV infection induces TAK1 phosphorylation in a murine alveolar epithelial cell line (LET1) and a murine fibroblastoma cell line (L929). The TAK1-specific inhibitor 5Z-7-Oxzeneonal (5Z) and TAK1 knockout significantly enhance IAV-induced apoptosis, as evidenced by increased PARP, caspase-8, and caspase-3 cleavage. TAK1 inhibition also increases necroptosis as evidenced by increased RIPK1S166, RIPK3T231/S232, and MLKLS345 phosphorylation. Mechanistically, TAK1 activates IKK, which phosphorylates RIPK1S25 and inhibits its activation. TAK1 also activates p38 and its downstream kinase MK2, which phosphorylates RIPK1S321 but does not affect RIPK1 activation. Further investigation revealed that the RIPK1 inhibitor Nec-1 and RIPK1 knockout abrogate IAV-induced apoptosis and necroptosis; re-expression of wild-type but not kinase-dead (KD)-RIPK1 restores IAV-induced cell death. ZBP1 knockout abrogates IAV-induced cell death, whereas RIPK3 knockout inhibits IAV-induced necroptosis but not apoptosis. 5Z treatment enhances IAV-induced cell death and slightly reduces the inflammatory response in the lungs of H1N1 virus-infected mice and prolongs the survival of IAV-infected mice. Our study provides evidence that IAV activates TAK1 to suppress RIPK1-dependent apoptosis and necroptosis, and that RIPK3 is required for IAV-induced necroptosis but not apoptosis in epithelial cells.

ABSTRACT Budd-Chiari syndrome (B-CS) is a rare and lethal condition characterized by hepatic venous outflow tract blockage. Gut microbiota has been linked to numerous hepatic disorders, but its significance in B-CS pathogenesis is uncertain. First, we performed a case-control study (Ncase = 140, Ncontrol = 63) to compare the fecal microbiota of B-CS and healthy individuals by metagenomics sequencing. B-CS patients’ gut microbial composition and activity changed significantly, with a different metagenomic makeup, increased potentially pathogenic bacteria, including Prevotella, and disease-linked microbial function. Imbalanced cytokines in patients were demonstrated to be associated with gut dysbiosis, which led us to suspect that B-CS is associated with gut microbiota and immune dysregulation. Next, 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing on fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) mice models examined the link between gut dysbiosis and B-CS. FMT models showed damaged liver tissues, posterior inferior vena cava, and increased Prevotella in the disturbed gut microbiota of FMT mice. Notably, B-CS-FMT impaired the morphological structure of colonic tissues and increased intestinal permeability. Furthermore, a significant increase of the same cytokines (IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-13) and endotoxin levels in B-CS-FMT mice were observed. Our study suggested that gut microbial dysbiosis may cause B-CS through immunological dysregulation.IMPORTANCEThis study revealed that gut microbial dysbiosis may cause Budd-Chiari syndrome (B-CS). Gut dysbiosis enhanced intestinal permeability, and toxic metabolites and imbalanced cytokines activated the immune system. Consequently, the escalation of causative factors led to their concentration in the portal vein, thereby compromising both the liver parenchyma and outflow tract. Therefore, we proposed that gut microbial dysbiosis induced immune imbalance by chronic systemic inflammation, which contributed to the B-CS development. Furthermore, Prevotella may mediate inflammation development and immune imbalance, showing potential in B-CS pathogenesis.

Influenza A virus (IAV) infection initiates a complex interplay of cell death modalities, including apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and their integration, known as PANoptosis, which significantly impacts host immune responses and tissue integrity. These pathways are intricately regulated by viral proteins and host factors, contributing to both viral clearance and pathogenesis-related tissue damage. This review comprehensively explores the molecular mechanisms underlying these cell death processes in influenza infection. We highlight the roles of key regulatory proteins, such as ZBP1 (Z-DNA binding protein 1) and RIPK3 (receptor-interacting protein kinase 3), in orchestrating these responses, emphasizing the dual roles of cell death in both antiviral defense and tissue injury. Furthermore, we discuss emerging therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways, aiming to enhance antiviral efficacy while minimizing collateral tissue damage. Future research should focus on targeted approaches to modulate cell death mechanisms, aiming to reduce tissue damage and improve clinical outcomes for patients with severe influenza.

In the control of network terminal power, due to the overall low analysis of network state, the adaptive regulation ability of communication network terminal power is poor.Therefore, the power line carrier communication network terminal power control method based on adaptive hash function was proposed.Considering the dynamic fluctuation of the actual operating state of the power line carrier communication network, the adaptive mechanism was set for the hash function, and the adaptive hash function was constructed for the original running state data, and the final hash value was obtained in the variable chaotic mapping system.In the power control stage of the power line carrier communication network terminal, the communication network terminal was affected by the interference of other communication network terminals, and it was used as the input value of the adaptive hash function to realize the power control of each communication network terminal.In the test results, the proposed control method not only effectively reduces the increase range of network terminal power under constant communication conditions, but also effectively reduces the network terminal power output under dynamic communication conditions, which has a high adaptive adjustment ability.

Background. This work focused on investigating the role of programmed death ligand 2 (PD-L2) in the progression of breast cancer by utilizing breast cancer specimens and cells. Materials and Methods. The serum levels of soluble PD-L2 (sPD-L2) in breast cancer patients and healthy individuals were analyzed by means of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the PD-L2 levels within 416 resected breast cancer specimens were assessed through immunohistochemistry. Concurrently, in vitro cell experiments and in vivo animal experiments were carried out to analyze the relationship between PD-L2 and the invasion and migration of breast cancer. Results. The concentration of sPD-L2 in breast cancer patients significantly increased compared to that in the control groups. Additionally, breast cancer patients with high concentrations of sPD-L2 had higher Ki67 values (≥30%) and tumor grades. PD-L2 was expressed in 79.09% of the cancer samples, which exhibited a positive correlation with the progesterone receptor (PR) and the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Furthermore, we discovered that knockdown of PD-L2 inhibited the migratory and invasive abilities of both MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 cells. Conclusion. Our findings demonstrated that knockdown of PD-L2 suppressed tumor growth, providing novel insights into important biological functions.

ABSTRACT Xylella fastidiosa is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes disease in many economically important crops. It colonizes the plant host xylem and the mouthparts of its insect vectors where it produces exopolysaccharide (EPS) and forms robust biofilms. Typically, the ability to form a biofilm enhances virulence, but X. fastidiosa does not fit neatly into that paradigm. Instead, X. fastidiosa enters into biofilms to attenuate its movement in the xylem, which, in turn, slows disease progression. In most of its over 600 known plant hosts, X. fastidiosa behaves as a benign commensal, but in some hosts like Vitis vinifera grapevines, it acts as a pathogen. Its ability to attenuate its own virulence in susceptible hosts may be a remnant of its commensal lifestyle in other hosts. Here, we demonstrate that X. fastidiosa utilizes a β-1,4 endoglucanase to cleave its self-produced β-1,4-glucan exopolysaccharide polymer to process it from a higher molecular weight to a lower molecular weight polymer. This processing mediates surface adherence of the cells and ultimately governs overall biofilm architecture, indicating enzymatic pruning of the EPS plays a key role in biofilm-mediated attenuation of X. fastidiosa in planta and, thus, is a key vestige that links its commensal behaviors to its parasitic behaviors in specific hosts. IMPORTANCE It is well established that exopolysaccharide (EPS) is an integral structural component of bacterial biofilms necessary for assembly and maintenance of the three-dimensional architecture of the biofilm. However, the process and role of EPS turnover within a developing biofilm is not fully understood. Here, we demonstrated that Xylella fastidiosa uses a self-produced endoglucanase to enzymatically process its own EPS to modulate EPS polymer length. This enzymatic processing of EPS dictates the early stages of X. fastidiosa’s biofilm development, which, in turn, affects its behavior in planta. A deletion mutant that cannot produce the endoglucanase was hypervirulent, thereby linking enzymatic processing of EPS to attenuation of virulence in symptomatic hosts, which may be a vestige of X. fastidiosa’s commensal behavior in many of its other non-symptomatic hosts.

Abstract Background The aim of our study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and pathogenesis of tumor-induced acute pancreatitis (AP), and to develop a reliable prediction model of the clinical features to guide the diagnosis and treatment. Methods Patients with AP between January 2013 and December 2021 were enrolled in the study and were subdivided into the tumor group and the non-tumor group. The tumor group was subdivided into three groups based on the primary sites. Characteristic parameters, laboratory and imaging results were compared between groups. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression model, XGBoost and random forest model were used to select the predictors associated with tumor-induced AP. Logistic regression analysis was used to validate the performance of the selected predictors and a nomogram was established to provide individualized probability of a tumor origin for AP. Results A total amount of 8970 patients were admitted for AP during the study period, and 8637 AP patients were enrolled in the study. Of these, 100 cases (1.16%) were tumor-induced AP. The tumor group was significantly older than the non-tumor group (t = 6.050, p = 0.000). Mild AP was observed in 90 cases, moderate AP in 9 cases and severe AP in one case. Tumors respectively originated from distal bile duct (14 cases), ampulla (13 cases) and pancreas (73 cases). The median time from initial AP to tumor diagnosis was 8.57 weeks and the median number of episode was 2 in the tumor group, which significantly surpassed the non-tumor group (p = 0.000). Age, white blood cell count, percentage of neutrophils, pancreatic or bile duct dilation and recurrent attacks were selected independent predictors for tumor origin. A nomogram model based on these factors was established. Conclusion For patients with agnogenic AP, elderly man, recurrent attacks, pancreatic or bile duct dilatation and continuous no significant increase of inflammatory markers prompt to further screening of pancreatic biliary and ampulla.

Abstract Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and inflammatory autoimmune disease. Macrophage pyroptosis, a proinflammatory form of cell death, is critically important in RA; however, the detailed mechanism underlying pyroptosis induction is not yet well understood. Here, we report that DNA polymerase β (Pol β), a key enzyme in base excision repair, plays a pivotal role in RA pathogenesis. Our data shows that Pol β expression is significantly decreased in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from active RA patients and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice, and Pol β deficiency increases the incidence of RA, macrophage infiltration, and bone destruction in CIA mouse models. In vitro, experiments showed that Pol β deficiency exacerbated macrophage pyroptosis induced by LPS plus ATP, while overexpression of Pol β inhibited macrophage pyroptosis. Further characterization revealed that Pol β knockout resulted in DNA damage accumulation and cytosolic dsDNA leakage, which activated the cGAS-STING-NF-κB signaling pathway and upregulated the expression of NLRP3, IL-1 β, and IL-18. In conclusion, our findings clarify the influence of Pol β on the development of RA and provide a detailed explanation for the STING-NF-κB pathway to induce macrophage pyroptosis.

Blockchain is widely used in the manufacturing industry. This paper establishes a dual-channel supply chain composed of a manufacturer and an e-retailer. A monopoly manufacturer conducts indirect online selling through retailers as well as direct offline selling. The manufacturer chooses to adopt a self-built blockchain traceability system (SBT) or a third-party blockchain traceability system (TBT). Game analysis is developed to depict the pricing decision for the manufacturer and e-retailer. The optimal pricing decisions of the supply chain between manufacturer and e-retailer for different blockchain traceability strategies are obtained. We explore the influence of consumers’ traceability awareness on the decisions of dual-channel supply chain members when adopting different blockchain traceability strategies. The main results show that when the fee paid to the blockchain service provider is low, the manufacturer will prefer to adopt TBT. Moreover, we prove that consumers’ traceability awareness, the cost of adopting TBT, the blockchain traceability technology level, and the research and development cost factor of blockchain technology could affect the decisions of supply chain members. Finally, some management suggestions are provided.

Ruan et al. investigate the effect of H5N1 infection on the expression of intercellular junction proteins (E-cadherin, Occludin, Claudin-1, and ZO-1), which they find results in reduced expression of these proteins via activation of TAK1, p38, and ERK, leading to an induction of Itch. The authors report that Itch activation then results in ubiquitination and degradation of these cellular junction proteins.

SMAD4 mutation was recently implicated in promoting invasion and poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer (PACA) by regulating the tumor immune microenvironment. However, SMAD4-driven immune landscape and clinical significance remain elusive. In this study, we applied the consensus clustering and weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) to identify two heterogeneous immune subtypes and immune genes. Combined with SMAD4-driven genes determined by SMAD4 mutation status, a SMAD4-driven immune signature (SDIS) was developed in ICGC-AU2 (microarray data) via machine learning algorithm, and then was validated by RNA-seq data (TCGA, ICGC-AU and ICGC-CA) and microarray data (GSE62452 and GSE85916). The high-risk group displayed a worse prognosis, and multivariate Cox regression indicated that SDIS was an independent prognostic factor. In six cohorts, SDIS also displayed excellent accuracy in predicting prognosis. Moreover, the high-risk group was characterized by higher frequencies of TP53/CDKN2A mutations and SMAD4 deletion, superior immune checkpoint molecules expression and more sensitive to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Meanwhile, the low-risk group was significantly enriched in metabolism-related pathways and suggested the potential to target tumor metabolism to develop specific drugs. Overall, SDIS could robustly predict prognosis in PACA, which might serve as an attractive platform to further tailor decision-making in chemotherapy and immunotherapy in clinical settings.

Obesity-induced metabolic cardiomyopathy (MC), characterized by lipotoxicity and excessive oxidative stress, emerges as the leading cause of heart failure in the obese patients. Yet, its therapy remains very limited. Here, we demonstrated that isoginkgetin (IGK), a bioactive biflavonoid isolated from medicinal herb Ginkgo Biloba, protected against obesity-induced cardiac diastolic dysfunction and adverse remodeling. Transcriptomics profiling revealed that IGK activated Nrf2 signaling in the heart tissues of the obese mice. Consistent with this observation, IGK treatment increased the nuclear translocation of Nrf2, which in turn trigger the activation of its downstream target genes (e. g. HO-1 and NQO1). In addition, IGK significantly rejuvenated mitochondrial defects in obese heart tissues as evidenced by enhancing mitochondrial respiratory capacity and resisting the collapse of mitochondrial potential and oxidative stress both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, IGK stabilized Nrf2 protein via inhibiting the proteasomal degradation, independent of transcription regulation. Moreover, molecular docking and dynamics simulation assessment demonstrated a good binding mode between IGK and Nrf2/Keap1. Of note, the protective effects conferred by IGK against obesity-induced mitochondrial defects and cardiac dysfunction was compromised by Nrf2 gene silencing both in vitro and in vivo, consolidating a pivotal role of Nrf2 in IGK-elicited myocardial protection against MC. Thus, the present study identifies IGK as a promising drug candidate to alleviate obesity-induced oxidative stress and cardiomyocyte damage through Nrf2 activation, highlighting the therapeutic potential of IGK in ameliorating obesity-induced cardiomyopathy.

Abstract Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common gastrointestinal disorder significantly decreasing patients’ lives of quality and placing huge economic burden on our society. Existing studies indicated that the therapeutic effects maintained for a period of time after the treatments were discontinued. It is clinically important to assess these post-treatment therapeutic effects (PTTE), which prevent IBS from relapsing. To assess the PTTE in pinaverium treatment and obtain high-quality evidence to justify the use of PTTE for long-term IBS management, we performed this controlled, double blind study on patients with IBS who were randomized to pinaverium 50 mg (n = 132) or placebo (n = 132), three times daily, for 4 weeks, and were followed up for 57 weeks after the treatments. The primary endpoints were abdominal pain and stool consistency. The secondary endpoints were pain frequency and stool frequency. The tertiary endpoints were global overall symptom and adverse events. Three days after pinaverium was discontinued, endpoints rebounded only 23.2–42.8% (P 0.05)], during which an average of 51.5–56.4% of patients (pool pinaverium and placebo data together) had IBS symptoms. These results provide clinical insights into efficient and cost-effective management of refractory IBS, and lend support to the IBS management that the selection of a therapy should consider both its effectiveness during treatment and its PTTE after the treatment. Trial registration number: NCT02330029 (16/08/2016).

Diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a highly relapsing gastrointestinal disorder decreasing the quality of life. Existing studies indicated that the therapeutic effects maintained for a period of time after the treatments were discontinued (post-treatment therapeutic effects or PTTE). In this study, we aim to assess the PTTE of tongxie. We performed a multiple center, controlled, double blind study of patients with IBS randomized to tongxie (n = 120) or placebo (n = 120) for 4 weeks and followed up for 57 weeks. The primary outcomes were abdominal pains and stool consistency. The secondary outcomes were pain frequency and stool frequency. Tertiary outcomes were adverse effects and global overall symptom. The outcome data were collected at days 1, 2, 3, weeks 1 and 4 during the treatment and at days 1, 2, 3, until week 57 during the post-treatment. Significantly more patients receiving tongxie were clinical responders to the primary and secondary endpoints from day 1 until the end of the treatment. The positive effects of tongxie were maintained until 17–25 weeks after tongxie was discontinued. The relapse-free probabilities in the tongxie group were significantly higher than those in the placebo group (P

The 3,3′-((4-(methylthio)phenyl)methylene)bis(1H-indole) (TPBI) of indole derivative was synthesized through the reaction of indole (ID) with 4-(methylthio)benzaldehyde. The electrochemical investigation showed that TBPI served as mixed-type inhibitor to protect copper against corrosion more efficiently than ID, which was further demonstrated by comprehensive characterizations. The efficient inhibitive performance was attributed to the self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on the copper surface formed by the interaction of N and S atoms of TPBI with copper (I). Quantum calculations results further confirmed that the inhibitory effect of TPBI was better than ID. Keywords: Copper corrosion, Indole derivative, Self-assembled monolayers, Electrochemical experiments, Quantum calculations

ObjectiveLittoral cell angioma (LCA) is currently considered to be a rare splenic tumor with malignant potential. As the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, treatment, and prognosis remain unclear, the clinical diagnosis and treatment of LCA have not been standardized. Hence, we performed a comprehensive analysis of 189 observational studies comprising 435 patients to improve the current status of diagnosis and treatment.MethodsPubMed, Embase, WanFang and CNKI were searched from inception to May 2021 to identify LCA studies that were published in English and Chinese. The clinical information of LCA patients were extracted and analyzed.ResultsThe LCA has a male-to-female ratio of 0.90 and a solitary-to-multiple ratio of 0.31. In terms of clinical features, 69.7% of the patients showed splenomegaly, 49.7% were asymptomatic, and 39.2% experienced epigastric discomfort. As the imaging findings of patients with LCA were nonspecific, an image-guided biopsy (10/12) was a safe and effective method for diagnosing in this condition. Notably, results of the prognostic analysis indicated that LCA has a lower risk of recurrence and metastasis. The patient may develop a stable disease or the tumor will grow but will not metastasize. Besides, the novel immunohistochemical pattern of LCA was described as CD31+/ERG+/FVIII Antigen+/CD68+/CD163+/lysozyme+/CD8−/WT1−.ConclusionLCA should be reconsidered as a benign primary splenic vascular neoplasm, which is more like an intra-splenic manifestation of abnormal body function. Image-guided biopsy with follow-up might be a beneficial choice for LCA patients. For LCA patients with abdominal discomfort, pathological uncertainty or continuous tumor enlargement, splenectomy remains the preferred treatment.

Blockchain technology allows fresh agricultural enterprises to share records stored on the chain, and the technology can benefit information management systems, such as decentralization and transparency. This study uses game theory to examine a blockchain introduction strategy for fresh agricultural enterprises in a competitive environment, considering consumer traceability preferences. We establish a pricing decision model in traditional and blockchain traceability modes and identify optimal solutions. Additionally, we analyze the impact of the blockchain introduction strategy, consumer preferences, and blockchain influence factor on optimal pricing decisions. The results indicate that the introduction of blockchain could improve the profits of enterprises under certain conditions. Moreover, consumer traceability preferences and the blockchain influence factor could significantly affect the blockchain introduction strategy. We also discover that when the blockchain influence factor meets a certain range, introducing blockchain technique in the traceability system could shift demand from traditional enterprises to blockchain enterprises. The total market demand for blockchain enterprises under the blockchain traceability mode will increase, whereas that of traditional enterprises under the blockchain traceability mode will decrease. Both consumer traceability preferences and the blockchain influence factor could significantly affect optimal pricing. Finally, some management suggestions are provided for the traceability of fresh agricultural enterprises based on the research conclusions.

We investigated the effects of gut microbiota and serum metabolite levels in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (B-CS) and their importance for guiding clinical management strategies. In total, 214 B-CS patients (93 untreated and 121 treated) and 41 healthy controls were enrolled. Gut microbiota and serum metabolome were analysed using shotgun metagenomics and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The gut microbiota of the patients showed abundance of Campylobacter and low levels of Saccharomyces, Deinococcus, and Thiomonas (P < 0.05). Thirty metabolites, including taurocholate and (R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid, were identified in the patients (VIP > 1, P < 0.05 and FC > 1.2 or FC < 0.83). Random forest (RF) models showed that serum metabolome could effectively identify B-CS from healthy controls and RF-metabolomics exhibited perfect discrimination (AUC = 100%, 95% CI: 100% – 100%), which was significantly higher than that achieved by RF-metagenomics (AUC = 58.48%, 95% CI: 38.46% – 78.5%). Campylobacter concisus and taurocholate showed significant positive correlation in patients with clinical manifestations (P < 0.05). Actinobacteria levels were significantly higher in untreated patients than in treated patients (P < 0.05). Campylobacter and Veillonella levels were significantly higher in treated patients than in healthy controls (P < 0.05). We identified major alterations in the gut microbiota and serum metabolome of patients with B-CS. Faecal metagenomics- and serum metabolomics-guided management strategies are required for patients with B-CS.

As China’s second largest energy-use sector, residential consumption has a great potential for carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction and energy saving or transition. Thus, here, using the methods of social network analysis (SNA) and geographically weighted regression (GWR), we investigated the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of China’s residential CO2 emissions (RCEs) from direct energy use and proposed some policy suggestions for regional energy transition. (1) From 2000 to 2019, the total direct RCEs rose from 396.32 Mt to 1411.69 Mt; the consumption of electricity and coal were the primary sources. Controlling coal consumption and increasing the proportion of electricity generated from renewable energy should be the effective way of energy transition. (2) The spatial associations of direct RCEs show an obvious spatial network structure and the number of associations is increasing. Provinces with a higher level of economic development (Beijing, Shanghai, and Jiangsu) were at the center of the network and classified as the net beneficiary cluster in 2019. These provinces should be the priority areas of energy transition. (3) The net spillover cluster (Yunnan, Shanxi, Xinjiang, Gansu, Qinghai, Guizhou) is an important area to develop clean energy. People in this cluster should be encouraged to use more renewable energy. (4) GDP and per capita energy consumption had a significant positive influence on the growth of direct RCEs. Therefore, the national economy should grow healthily and sustainably to provide a favorable economic environment for energy transition. Meanwhile, residential consumption patterns should be greener to promote the use of clean energy.

BackgroundFerroptosis is essential for tumorigenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The heterogeneity of ferroptosis and its relationship with tumor microenvironment (TME) have still remain elusive.MethodsBased on 74 ferroptosis related genes (FRGs) and 3,933 HCC samples from 32 datasets, we comprehensively explored the heterogenous ferroptosis subtypes. The clinical significance, functional status, immune infiltration, immune escape mechanisms, and genomic alterations of different subtypes were further investigated.ResultsWe identified and validated two heterogeneous ferroptosis subtypes: C1 was metabolismlowimmunityhigh subtype and C2 was metabolismhighimmunitylow subtype. Compared to C2, C1 owned worse prognosis, and C1 tended to occur in the patients with clinical characteristics such as younger, female, advanced stage, higher grade, vascular invasion. C1 and C2 were more sensitive to immunotherapy and sorafenib, respectively. The immune escape mechanisms of C1 might be accumulating more immunosuppressive cells, inhibitory cytokines, and immune checkpoints, while C2 was mainly associated with inferior immunogenicity, defecting in antigen presentation, and lacking leukocytes. In addition, C1 was characterized by BAP1 mutation, MYC amplification, and SCD1 methylation, while C2 was characterized by the significant alterations in cell cycle and chromatin remodeling processes. We also constructed and validated a robust and promising signature termed ferroptosis related risk score (FRRS) for assessing prognosis and immunotherapy.ConclusionWe identified and validated two heterogeneous ferroptosis subtypes and a reliable risk signature which used to assess prognosis and immunotherapy. Our results facilitated the understood of ferroptosis as well as clinical management and precise therapy of HCC.

Suppliers are important members of the agricultural supply chain. Moreover, their behavior decisions may affect the sustainable development of the agricultural supply chain. Considering agricultural supplier trust, this study examines the direct impact of trust perception on relationship quality and the indirect impact of supplier fairness perception on relationship quality. Based on the survey data of agricultural product suppliers, this study uses the structural equation model method for empirical analysis. The analysis results show that both fairness perception and trust perception have a significant positive impact on the relationship quality of the agricultural supply chain. Trust perception particularly has a positive direct impact on the relationship quality of the agricultural supply chain, while fairness perception has an indirect influence on the relationship quality of the agricultural supply chain through trust perception. In addition, information sharing, price satisfaction, income level, and environmental certainty have a significant positive impact on suppliers’ fairness perception. Therefore, retailers comprehensively consider both fairness perception and trust perception of suppliers, which will help improve the relationship quality of the supply chain.

Objective This study was performed to evaluate the effect of care bundles on the prevention of central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) and improvement of patients’ experience. Methods In total, 212 patients with central venous catheter insertions were enrolled in this study. All patients were matched by sex, age, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, body mass index, department, and catheter insertion site and were randomly divided into case and control groups (n = 106 each). The control group was given conventional care, and the case group was given care bundles including nurse education, hand hygiene, maximal sterile barrier precautions, bedside observation, and evaluation. The anxiety scores, hospitalization days, CRBSI rate, and degree of satisfaction with hospitalization were compared between the two groups. Results The patients’ mean self-rating anxiety scale score and self-rating depression scale score after nursing intervention were significantly lower in the case group than in the control group. The mean number of hospitalization days and CRBSI rate were significantly lower and the satisfaction rate was significantly higher in the case group. Conclusion Care bundles are essential for preventing CRBSI. They can improve patients’ psychological state and hospitalization satisfaction and reduce the hospitalization days.

Ferroptosis is a newly identified form of nonapoptotic regulated cell death (RCD) characterized by iron-dependent accumulation of lipid peroxides. It is morphologically and biochemically different from known types of cell death. Ferroptosis plays a vital role in the treatment of tumors, renal failure, and ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI). Inhibition of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), starvation of cysteine, and peroxidation of arachidonoyl (AA) trigger ferroptosis in the cells. Iron chelators, lipophilic antioxidants, and specific inhibitor prevent ferroptosis. Although massive researches have demonstrated the importance of ferroptosis in human, its mechanism is not really clear. In this review, we distanced ourselves from this confusion by dividing the mechanisms of ferroptosis into two aspects: processes that facilitate the formation of lipid peroxides and processes that suppress the reduction of lipid peroxides. At the same time, we summarize the relations between ferroptosis and several types of cell death.

Objectives To study the pathogenic bacterial profile and drug resistance in older patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in outpatients with fever, and provide evidence to diagnose and treat CAP timely and accurately. Methods We studied older (>60 years) patients with CAP in Beijing Shijitan Hospital from 2016 to 2017. Pathogenic bacteria from sputum of patients were isolated and identified and their resistance to antibiotics was tested. Risk factors for multidrug-resistant CAP (MDR-CAP) and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Results A total of 5563 outpatients with fever were recruited and 391 had CAP. A total of 117 isolates of pathogenic bacteria were obtained from 176 CAP cases. The main pathogenic bacteria were Klebsiella pneumoniae (27.4%), Escherichia coli (17.9%), Staphylococcus aureus (12.0%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.3%), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (9.4%). A drug sensitivity test (DST) showed that K. pneumoniae , E. coli , and P. aeruginosa had good sensitivity to imipenem, cefoperazone/sulbactam, piperacillin/tazobactam, and amikacin. Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae had strong sensitivity to vancomycin, linezolid, and levofloxacin. Previous multiple antibiotic treatment was an independent risk factor for MDR-CAP. Conclusions Gram-negative bacteria are the main pathogenic bacteria in older patients with CAP. Identification and DSTs of pathogens could enable accurate diagnosis and treatment of CAP.

The preparation of organic electroluminescent diodes (OLEDs) by printing with the potential advantages of high material utilization, low equipment cost, simple process flow, and favorable for large-area device preparation, is expected to be the next generation of OLED fabrication method. In this paper, PEDOT: PSS and CDBP: Ir(bt)2acac functional layers were prepared by spin coating/printing and characterized, respectively. The results show that the double layer printing device achieved the best performance, the maximum brightness and external quantum efficiency reach 4357cd/m2 and 2.45%, even better than that of the spin coated reference. It indicates that the ink-jet printing process has a potential to overwhelm the spin-coating one for constructing high performance OLED.

Although many studies have suggested that the relationship between different supply chain members significantly affects agricultural product quality, suppliers’ perceptions of fairness, which greatly influence their decisions on building the relationship quality, are often overlooked. Particularly, the empirical evidence to investigate the impacts of suppliers’ fairness on the relationship quality and the factors that affect the suppliers’ fairness is missing, and therefore this knowledge gap needs to be filled by new research. Herein, we conducted a survey of 450 agricultural product suppliers and systemically analyzed the impact of antecedents on fairness perception and the impact of fairness perception on relationship quality. In addition, we developed a structural equation model and found that information sharing and price satisfaction had significantly positive effects on procedural fairness and distributive fairness, respectively. Furthermore, our studies demonstrated that procedural fairness is more important in improving the relationship quality than distributive fairness. However, supplier dependence is another important impact factor, and it greatly decreases the positive effects of suppliers’ fairness on relationship quality. In summary, the study results provide several managerial implications and extend our understanding of the importance of suppliers’ fairness in the relationship quality, which involves product development with respect to the supplier’s performance.

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway, in addition to its pro-proliferative and antiapoptotic effects on tumor cells, contributes to DNA damage repair (DDR). We hypothesized that GDC-0980, a dual PI3K-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, would induce an efficient antitumor effect in BRCA-competent triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) model when combined with ABT888 and carboplatin. Mechanism-based in vitro studies demonstrated that GDC-0980 treatment alone or in combination led to DNA damage (increased pγH2AXS139; Western blot, immunofluorescence), gain in poly ADP-ribose (PAR), and a subsequent sensitization of BRCA-competent TNBC cells to ABT888 plus carboplatin with a time-dependent 1) decrease in proliferation signals (pAKTT308/S473, pP70S6KT421/S424, pS6RPS235/236), PAR/poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) ratios, PAR/pγH2AX ratios, live/dead cell ratios, cell cycle progression, and three-dimensional clonogenic growths and 2) increase in apoptosis markers (cleaved caspases 3 and 9, a pro-apoptotic BH3-only of Bcl-2 family (BIM), cleaved PARP, annexin V). The combination was effective in vitro in BRCA-wild-type PIK3CA-H1047R-mutated BT20 and PTEN-null HCC70 cells. The combination blocked the growth of established xenograft tumors by 80% to 90% with a concomitant decrease in tumor Ki67, CD31, phosphorylated vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, pS6RPS235/236, and p4EBP1T37/46 as well as an increase in cleaved caspase 3 immunohistochemistry (IHC) levels. Interestingly, a combination with GDC-0941, a pan-PI3K inhibitor, failed to block the tumor growth in MDA-MB231. Results demonstrate that the dual inhibition of PI3K and mTOR regulates DDR. In a BRCA-competent model, GDC-0980 enhanced the antitumor activity of ABT888 plus carboplatin by inhibiting both tumor cell proliferation and tumor-induced angiogenesis along with an increase in the tumor cell apoptosis. This is the first mechanism-based study to demonstrate the integral role of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway in DDR-mediated antitumor action of PARP inhibitor in TNBC.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in immune related gene may influence the susceptibility of cancer. We selected inducible T cell costimulator (ICOS) rs4404254 T>C, rs10932029 T>C, CD28 rs3116496 T>C and CD80 rs7628626 C>A SNPs and assessed the potential relationship of these SNPs with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk. A total of 584 HCC cases and 923 healthy controls were recruited. And SNPscan™ genotyping assay was used to obtain the genotypes of ICOS, CD28 and CD80 polymorphisms. We found that ICOS rs10932029 T>C polymorphism significantly increased the risk of HCC (additive model: adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.59; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.13–2.22; P=0.007; homozygote model: adjusted OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.31–4.03; P=0.867; dominant model: adjusted OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.14–2.19; P=0.007 and recessive model: adjusted OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.28–3.68; P=0.974). However, ICOS rs4404254 T>C, CD28 rs3116496 T>C and CD80 rs7628626 C>A SNPs were not associated with the risk of HCC. To evaluate the effects of ICOS rs10932029 T>C on HCC risk according to different age, gender, chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, tobacco consumption and drinking status, we carried out a stratification analysis. We found that ICOS rs10932029 T>C polymorphism might increase the risk of HCC in male, ≥53 years, never smoking, never drinking and non-chronic HBV infection subgroups. Our study highlights that ICOS rs10932029 T>C polymorphism may confer the susceptibility to HCC. It may be beneficial to explore the relationship between variants in immune related genes and the development of HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst, the activity in acid medium of nitrogen and sulphur co-doped graphene with carbon defect (V-N,S-gra) is investigated via density functional theory (DFT), including the activity sites, the reaction pathways as well as free energy diagrams. Based on the spin-polarized calculations, six kinds of O2 adsorption configurations are found and the reaction sites are all carbon atoms adjacent to the dopants. However, they are physisorption in the neighboring carbon of nitrogen, unlikely to initialize the ORR process. Otherwise, if the adsorption sites are in the adjacent carbon of sulphur, the catalyst activity is associated with the adsorption energy, that is, we find a best ORR pathway with a gentle adsorption (-0.03eV). An energy barrier of 0.82eV is found in this favorable process in which the adsorbed O2 molecular is prone to be hydrogenated continuously to give rise to H2O molecular, promising a four-electron pathway. On the other hand, in the O2 strongly adsorbed configurations, the intermediate *OH is not easily to be hydrogenated in the final step. At last, the effect of electrode potential is simulated and for the best reaction pathway all the elemental reactions are downhill until the potential is as large as 0.31eV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early ampullary cancers present with good prognosis. Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) has been standard treatment for ampullary cancers, but it remains high rate of postoperative complications. So there raises a discussion on the role of local ampullectomy for early ampullary cancers (mainly focusing on pT1). Methods: 89 patients with pT1 ampullary cancer who underwent surgical treatment between 1978 and 2010 were retrospectively studied. Results: Rate of postoperative complications, especially post-operative pancreatic fistula (P = 0.009), after PD was higher than after local ampullectomy, . Multivariate analysis showed that tumor size (HR 2.204; P = 0.014), lymph node metastasis (HR 4.362; P < 0.001), lymph vascular invasion (HR 4.258; P < 0.001), and perineural invasion (HR 4.467; P < 0.001), gross morphology (HR 2.536; P = 0.004) and tumor grade (HR 4.213; P = 0.001) were independent risk factors for long-term survival, as well as risk factors for failure of ampullectomy in early ampullary cancer. For patients absent of these factors, local ampullectomy would achieve a good prognosis. Conclusions: Because of high rate of lymph node metastasis, PD should be preferably performed for radical resection. Local ampullectomy could be an alternative for patients in high operative risk; and would achieve a good outcome in patients whose tumors were well differentiated and showed polypoid gross morphology and size ≤1 cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study based on Budd-Chiari syndrome, a blockage of the hepatic vein. As mentioned, study revealed that transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) could manage refractory ascites more effectively than large-volume paracentesis. It also says that formation of intra and extrahepatic collaterals leads to improvement of liver function and can lead to the improvement this disease.

Background Metabolism-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is considered as a major cause of increased morbidity and mortality from liver disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a driving factor in the progression of MAFLD. Estimated glucose processing rate (eGDR) is a simple evaluation indicator of insulin resistance in patients with T2DM, while its relationship with MAFLD has been rarely studied. Objective To investigate the correlation between eGDR and MAFLD in type 2 Diabetes and its predictive value. Methods A total of 1 434 patients with T2DM who were hospitalized in Hebei Provincial People's Hospital from 2019-01-01 to 2019-12-31 were selected as the study subjects. baseline data of the patients was collected, with their venous blood from the elbow collected for laboratory examination, and liver condition examined by abdominal ultrasound. According to the results of abdominal ultrasonography, T2DM patients were divided into MAFLD group (n=734) and non-MAFLD group (n=700). The subjects were divided into T1 group (eGDR≤5.09, n=477), T2 group (5.097.11, n=479) according to the eGDR tertiles. Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between eGDR and baseline data. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of combined MAFLD. The multiplicative interactions of eGDR with gender, age, hypertension, glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), BMI and glutamyl transferase (GGT) were evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to evaluate the predictive value of combined prediction model, FBG and HbA1c for MAFLD in T2DM and areas under curve (AUC) were calculated and compared by Delong test. Results Age, disease course, HDL-C and eGDR of MAFLD group were lower than non-MAFLD group. BMI, alcohol consumption, proportions of hypertension and smoking, fasting blood glucose (FBG), uric acid (UA), total cholesterol (TC), TG, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), GGT and ALB were higher than non-MAFLD group (P