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Background: It is vital to distinguish between inflammatory and malignant lymphadenopathy in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals. The purpose of our study was to differentiate the variations in the clinical characteristics of HIV patients, and apply 18F-FDG PET/CT parameters for distinguishing of malignant lymphoma and inflammatory lymphadenopathy in such patients.Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 59 consecutive HIV-infected patients who underwent whole-body 18F-FDG PET/CT. Of these patients, 37 had biopsy-proven HIV-associated lymphoma, and 22 with HIV-associated inflammatory lymphadenopathy were used as controls. The determined parameters were the maximum of standard uptake value (SUVmax), SUVmax of only lymph nodes (SUVLN), the most FDG-avid lesion-to-liver SUVmax ratio (SURmax), laboratory examinations and demographics. The optimal cut-off of 18F-FDG PET/CT value was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC).Results: Considering the clinical records, the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scores in patients with inflammatory lymphadenopathy were obviously higher than those in patients with malignant lymphoma (P = 0.015), whereas lymphocyte counts and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were obviously lower (P = 0.014 and 0.010, respectively). For the 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging, extra-lymphatic lesions, especially digestive tract and Waldeyer's ring, occurred more frequently in malignant lymphoma than inflammatory lymphadenopathy. Furthermore, the SURmax and SUVLN in malignant lymphoma were markedly higher than those in inflammatory lymphadenopathy (P = 0.000 and 0.000, respectively). The cut-off point of 3.1 for SURmax had higher specificity (91.9%) and relatively reasonable sensitivity (68.2%) and the cut-off point of 8.0 for the SUVLN had high specificity (89.2%) and relatively reasonable sensitivity (63.6%).Conclusion: Our study identified the distinctive characteristics of the clinical manifestations, the SURmax, SUVLN and detectability of extra-lymphatic lesions on 18F-FDG PET, and thus provides a new basis for distinguishing of malignant lymphoma from inflammatory lymphadenopathy in HIV-infected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, an environmentally friendly and simple one‐pot synthesis method to prepare polyaniline‐silver composite materials is presented by using glucose as the reducing agent. The structure and morphology of the composites are confirmed and characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Based on the SEM micrographs, the polyaniline‐silver composites with typical morphology of intercalated nanoflowers are synthesized for the first time. In addition, the electrical conductivity, oxidation resistance, and antibacterial property of the composites are enhanced compared with those of polyaniline. This study is expected to provide insights and opportunities for improving the preparation methods and conditions of polyaniline‐silver composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH) is a rare but fatal complication in idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) patients. The clinical value of radiological manifestations and serum cytokines remain unknown in this systemic crisis. This study aims to investigate the clinical value of PET/CT scan and cytokine profiles in predicting and understanding sHLH in IIM patients. Methods: Adult IIM patients who were admitted to the four divisions of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (FAHZJU) from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2020 were reviewed. PET/CT scan, cytokine profiles, and other factors of patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were collected and analyzed. Results: Sixty-nine out of 352 IIM patients were finally enrolled into the study. Ten patients developed sHLH and 70.0% of them died within 6 months. After false discovery rate (FDR) correction and multivariate logistic regression analysis, increased serum interferon (IFN)-γ level (p = 0.017), higher spleen mean standard uptake value (SUVmean, p = 0.035), and positivity of anti-MDA5 antibody (p = 0.049) were found to be significantly correlated with development of sHLH in IIM patients. The combination of serum IFN-γ, spleen SUVmean, and anti-MDA5 antibody found a balanced and satisfying predictor with a cutoff value of 0.047 and AUC of 0.946. A moderate correlation was identified between ferritin and spleen SUVmean (p = 0.001, r = 0.380) as well as serum IFN-γ(p = 0.001, r = 0.398). Before FDR correction, higher bilateral lung SUVmean (p = 0.034) and higher colon/rectum SUVmean (p = 0.013) were also observed in IIM patients who developed sHLH. By narrowing down to IIM patients with sHLH, anti-MDA5-antibody-positive DM patients tended to suffer from unfavorable outcome (p = 0.004) in Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Conclusion: Increased serum level of IFN-γ, elevated splenic FDG uptake, and positivity of anti-MDA5 antibody were significantly correlated with development of sHLH in IIM patients. Lung and lower digestive tract might also be affected due to systemic immune activation in IIM patients with sHLH. In addition, splenic FDG uptake, in combination with serum IFN-γand anti-MDA5 antibody, was found valuable in predicting development of sHLH in IIM patients. Among IIM patients with sHLH, anti-MDA5-antibody-positive DM patients showed higher tendency for unfavorable outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates individuals' adoption of containment measures (e.g., wearing masks) from the perspectives of cultural values and trust in two countries—China and the US. Distinguished from previous definitions that characterise cultural values as rigid and fixed concepts, this study reconceptualizes collectivism to be a context‐sensitive construct. With survey data from a collectivism‐prevalent culture (China, n = 1578) and an individualism‐prevalent culture (the US, n = 1510), it unfolds the underlying mechanism by which collectivism influences people's adoption of containment measures in both countries. Results indicate that institutional trust serves as a significant mediator in this relationship. In both countries, individuals who hold a collectivistic value on the pandemic are more likely to endorse the adoption of containment measures. This endorsement is driven by their trust in public institutions, which stems from their collectivistic values. Additionally, slight distinctions emerge, revealing that collectivistic values directly predict the behaviours among Chinese individuals, whereas such a direct effect is not observed in the US. Practical implications will be offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presented new field measurement data on the particle size distributions, morphological characteristics, and elemental composition of particulate matter (PM)2.5 (particle diameter less than 2.5 mm) from 12 industrial boilers, including eight circulating fluidized bed boilers (CFB) and four bubbling fluidized bed boilers (BFB). Measurement in situ was taken with an electrical low-pressure impactor equipped with a two-stage dilution sampling system. Morphological characteristics were determinded by electron microscope (SEM), and elemental compositions of the samples were determinded by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP). The results show that before and after the dust removal, the number concentration distributions of PM2.5 display bimodal distributions, one peak is between 0.07 and 0.12 μm, and the other peak is between 0.32 and 0.48 μm. And the particle concentrations of PM2.5 depended mainly on submicron particles (less than 1 µm in diameter), formed by gasification-condensation mechanisms. The mass concentration distributions of PM2.5 showing no peak distribution and increase with the particle size. Compared to electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) and fabric filters (FFs) , the ESPs has a lower removal efficiency of PM2.5. The morphological characteristics of PM2.5 before and after dust removal contain irregular particles and spherical particles. The mass percentages of Na, K, and Fe in PM2.5 after the dust removal are nearly the same as those before the dust removal, but Si, Ca, and Al in PM2.5 decreased after dust removal and S in PM2.5 increased after dust removal. Although the hazardous elements Cr, V, Mn, and Ni in PM2.5 after dust removal did not change significantly, the Pb, Cd, As, Se, and Hg increased after dust removal. These data clearly show that the composition of PM2.5 changes as dust are removed by air pollution control devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovarian cancer stem cells (OCSCs) are sources of tumor chemoresistance and recurrence. A hypoxic microenvironment contributes to the chemoresistance of cancer stem cells (CSCs), but the underlying mechanism is not fully understood yet. Here, we show that increased HIF‐2α expression is associated with enhanced stemness of OCSCs and poor outcomes in ovarian cancer patients. OVCAR‐3 and CAOV‐3 sphere‐forming (OVCAR‐3 S and CAOV‐3 S) cells with OCSC‐like properties showed strong resistance to adriamycin (ADR). Hypoxia (1% O2) induced high expression of both HIF‐1α and especially HIF‐2α, and increased the resistance of OVCAR‐3 S and CAOV‐3 S cells to ADR. Notably, treatment with ADR further increased the expression of HIF‐2α, but not that of HIF‐1α. Knockdown of HIF‐2α expression substantially attenuated the resistance of OVCAR‐3 S and CAOV‐3 S cells to ADR, and the HIF‐2α overexpression had the opposite effect. Furthermore, in mouse models xenografted with OCSCs, HIF‐2α depletion significantly inhibited tumor growth and sensitized OCSCs to ADR in vivo. Mechanistically, HIF‐2α directly promotes transcription/expression of BCRP, a gene encoding a transporter protein responsible for pumping drugs (e.g., ADR) out of cells, which in turn increases drug resistance due to increased drug transportation. Collectively, our studies reveal a novel drug‐resistant mechanism in ovarian cancer by which hypoxia (and ADR treatment)‐induced HIF‐2α overexpression endows OCSCs with resistance to ADR by promoting BCRP expression and ADR transportation. Therefore, targeting the HIF‐2α/BCRP axis holds therapeutic potential for treating drug‐resistant ovarian cancer. Hypoxia‐inducible factor‐2α (HIF‐2α) is a major member of the HIF family. Our studies reveal a novel drug‐resistant mechanism in ovarian cancer by which hypoxia (and ADR treatment)‐induced HIF‐2α overexpression endows OCSCs with resistance to ADR by promoting BCRP expression and ADR transportation. Therefore, targeting the HIF‐2α/BCRP axis holds therapeutic potential for treating drug‐resistant ovarian cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlike specific expression in the skin of wild mice, the agouti signaling protein (ASIP) is expressed widely in the tissue of cattle, including adipose and muscle tissue. Hence, it has been suggested that ASIP plays a role in bovine fat metabolism. An inserted L1-BT element was recently identified upstream of the ASIP locus which led to an ectopic expression of ASIP mRNA in cattle. In this study, we detected the indel of the L1-BT element at g. -14643 nt and three SNPs in introns of the ASIP gene (g. -568 A > G, g. -554 A > T, and g. 4805A > T) in a Chinese Simmental steer population. The association analysis between variants of ASIP and economic traits showed that the homozygous genotype of L1-BT element insertion, AA genotype of g. -568 A > G, and AT genotype of g. 4805A > T were significantly correlated with carcass and fat-related traits, such as live weight and back fat thickness. Moreover, three haplotypes (H1: AT; H2: AA; H3: GT) were identified by linkage disequilibrium analysis and formed six combined genotypes. Results indicated that Chinese Simmental steers with an H1H2 combined genotype had a higher measured value of fat-deposition-related traits (p<0.05), including thickness of back fat and percentage of carcass fat coverage, but a lower content of linoleic acid and α -linolenic acid (p<0.05). Individuals of an H3H3 combination had a lower marbling score, perirenal fat weight, and carcass weight (p<0.05). This suggests that these three SNPs and two combined haplotypes might be molecular markers for beef cattle breeding selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intermuscular bones (IBs), distributed specifically in the myosepta on both sides of lower teleosts, negatively affect palatability and processing. Recent research in zebrafish and several economically important farmed fishes has led to the breakthrough discovery of the mechanism of IBs formation and generation of IBs-loss mutants. This study explored the ossification patterns of IBs in juvenile Culter alburnus. Besides, some key genes and bone-related signaling pathways were identified by transcriptomic data. Furthermore, PCR microarray validation revealed that claudin1 could potentially regulate IBs formation. Additionally, we created several IBs-reduced mutants of C. alburnus by loss of the function of bone morphogenetic proteins 6 (bmp6) gene using CRISPR/Cas9 editing. These results suggested that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated bmp6 knockout was promising approach for breeding IBs-free strain in other cyprinids. • We explored the ossification patterns of IBs formation in Culter alburnus juveniles. • Transcriptome analysis revealed that claudin1 had a potential function to regulate IBs formation. • IBs-reduced mutants of C. alburnus was created by loss of the function of bmp6 gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Fe(II) alleviated the humic acid inhibition on the SNAD system. • Fe(II) and humic acid formed the low water-soluble HA-Fe complex. • HA-Fe complex existed biogeobattery effect in the SNAD system. • HA-Fe enhanced the electron transfer and metabolism activity of the SNAD system. • HA-Fe promoted the symbiosis of electroactive and nitrogen functional bacteria. The role of Fe(II) on the humic acid (HA) transformation and the effects of humic acid Fe (HA-Fe) on simultaneous partial nitrification, anammox and denitrification (SNAD) system were investigated. After adding Fe(II), the HA content decreased and the HA inhibition on the SNAD system was released. Results showed that Fe(II) and HA formed the lower water-soluble HA-Fe, promoting the HA removal. HA-Fe with stronger electron transfer capacity constituted the interface with microorganisms to forming the biogeobattery effect. This accelerated the microbial electron transfer, as well as improved the key enzymes and ATP, indicating that HA-Fe stimulated the microbial activity of the SNAD system. Microbial community and quorum sensing analysis further demonstrated that HA-Fe enhanced the mutual symbiosis between electroactive and nitrogen removal bacteria, to ensure the stability of the SNAD system. The study provided references for efficient HA removal and revealed the biogeobattery effect of HA-Fe in the SNAD system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor tumor penetration is the most significant barrier to the clinical translation of nanomedicines. Despite numerous studies, little is known about how the physicochemical properties and tumor-associated environments impact liposome intratumoral penetration from a multi-factorial perspective. Thus, we developed a set of model liposomes to explore the laws of their intratumoral penetration. Our comprehensive analysis revealed that zeta potential, membrane fluidity, and size of liposomes could influence their penetration in the peripheral, intermediate, or central areas of the tumor, respectively. Moreover, protein corona and stromal cells primarily impeded liposome penetration in the tumor periphery, while the vascular vessels had a similar effect in the tumor center. Our results also revealed a non-monotonic relationship, indicating that the best condition for a single factor may not necessarily be the optimal choice when considering all the factors. The preferred size, zeta potential, and membrane fluidity for excellent tumor penetration are within the ranges of 52–72 nm, 16–24 mV, and 230–320 mp, respectively. Our study provides a comprehensive understanding of the influence of physicochemical properties and tumor-associated environments on liposome intratumoral penetration, offering explicit guidance for the precise design and rational optimization of anti-tumor liposomes. This work comprehensively analyzed the influence of physicochemical properties and tumor-associated environments on liposome intratumoral penetration from periphery to center and offered the preferred ranges of liposome physicochemical properties. [Display omitted] • Comprehensive analysis of factors that determine liposome intratumoral penetration. • Influence of liposome properties, tumor-associated environments, and their co-effect. • A non-monotonic relationship between properties and intratumoral penetration. • Offering preferred ranges of size, zeta potential, and membrane fluidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]