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Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors, but its pathogenesis remains incompletely elucidated. Recently, many studies indicated that lipid remodeling plays an important role in the occurrence and development of HCC. Furthermore, lipids have been proven to be indispensable mediators in promoting communication between tumor cells and extracellular matrix in the tumor microenvironment. Thus, this study aims to comprehensively investigate the process of lipid remodeling during HCC metastasis based on the LC–electrospray ionization–MS (LC–ESI–MS) combined with multiple reaction monitoring technology. M2 tumor–associated macrophages and the recombinant human protein CXCL2 were used to simulate the tumor microenvironment. After co‐incubating SMMC7721 and MHCC97‐H cell lines with M2 tumor‐associated macrophages or the recombinant human protein CXCL2 for 48 h, LC–ESI–MS was used to quantify the levels of two major classes of lipid molecules, namely, glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids. Our results suggest that lipid remodeling in the tumor microenvironment may promote the migration and invasion of HCC cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yangbajing geothermal field, a renowned high-temperature geothermal resource in Tibet of southwestern China, has been utilized for power generation for several decades. To improve geothermal exploitation in the Yangbajing, genesis and mineral scaling have yet to be further revealed. In this study, hydrochemistry and D-O-Sr isotopy were employed for analyzing genesis and mineral scaling in the Yangbajing geothermal field. The geothermal waters were weakly alkaline and had a high TDS content (1400–2900 mg/L) with the Cl-Na, Cl·HCO3-Na, and HCO3·Cl-Na types. The dissolution of silicate minerals (sodium and potassium feldspars) and positive cation exchange controlled the hydrogeochemical process. The geothermal water was recharged from snow-melted water and meteoric water originating from the Nyainqentanglh Mountains and Tangshan Mountains. The geothermal waters possessed the highest reservoir temperature of 299 °C and the largest circulation depth of 2010 m according to various geothermometers. The geothermal waters can produce CaCO3 and SiO2 scaling during vertical and horizontal transport. These achievements can provide a scientific basis for the sustainable development and conservation of the high-temperature geothermal resources in Yangbajing and elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gas therapy has emerged as a forceful strategy for augmenting the effects of chemotherapeutic drugs against cancer cells. However, it remains extremely challenging to effectively deliver gas into tissues of interest and unravel its underlying mechanisms. Herein, we designed a near-infrared (NIR) light-switchable nitric oxide (NO) delivery nanosystem for high-efficacy multidrug resistance (MDR) reversal in cancer therapy based on a yolk-shell upconverting nanoparticles@magnesium silica (UCNP@MgSiO 3 ). The internal hollow cavity and flower-like mesoporous shell of UCNPs@MgSiO 3 not only enabled a significantly high encapsulation capacity for the NO precursor (BNN6) and doxorubicin (DOX) but also allowed the enhanced cellular uptake, resulting in NIR-triggered NO generation and low pH-triggered DOX release in cancer cells. Mechanistically, intracellular NO can downregulate the drug efflux-related P-glycoprotein and adenosine 5'-triphosphate-binding cassette transporters, thereby increasing the DOX accumulation in the cell nuclei. Such combination therapy of NO and DOX induced the apoptosis of MDR cells and completely inhibited in vivo MDR tumor growth. We further elucidated the therapy mechanism via proteomic profiling, showcasing the downregulation of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathway in the NO-treated MDR cells. Therefore, our findings develop a promising nanoscale gas/drug delivery paradigm for fighting MDR tumors and providing molecular insights into cancer therapy.

Background: Early diagnosis of invasive fungal disease (IFD) is challenging. High-resolution computed tomography (CT) may improve IFD diagnosis; however, there are no definitive imaging signs for differentiating between bacterial pneumonia and IFD., Methods: We retrospectively evaluated CT images of 208 patients with IFD (n = 102) or bacterial pneumonia (n = 106). We classified pulmonary opacities as consolidations, ground-glass opacities (GGOs), or nodules and recorded the presence of perinodular ground-glass halos, reversed halo sign (RSH), and cavitation (crescent-shaped or not)., Results: Consolidation appeared in 83.3% and 92.5% of patients with IFD and bacterial pneumonia, respectively. Multifocal non-segmental consolidation was more common in IFD (48%) than bacterial pneumonia (22.6%; P < 0.05). Segmental or subsegmental consolidation was more common in bacterial pneumonia (43.4%) than IFD (7.8%; P < 0.01). GGOs and nodules were more common in IFD than bacterial pneumonia (60.8% vs. 24.5% and 54.9% vs. 15.1%, respectively; each P < 0.05). Consolidation combined with GGO, nodules, or both GGO and nodules was more frequent in IFD than in bacterial pneumonia (each P < 0.05). Nodules with halo sign (n = 23) appeared in 22.5% and 3.8% of patients with IFD and bacterial pneumonia, respectively. Nodules with RSH appeared only in IFD, and those with cavitation appeared in 11.8% and 1.9% of patients with IFD and bacterial pneumonia, respectively., Conclusions: Consolidation plus GGO and nodules or consolidation plus nodules is suggestive for IFD. Segmental or subsegmental consolidations are more frequent in bacterial pneumonia than in IFD. Large nodules, as well as nodules with halo sign or both small and large nodules, are related to IFD., Competing Interests: None.

Objective: To research the algae-inhibitory effect and mechanism of a plant source n-caprylic acid extracted from coconut oil on M. aeruginosa., Methods: The M. aeruginosa were treated with 0, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 μL/L densities of coconut oil n-caprylic acid respectively. And the change of algal density, cell permeability and antioxidant ability were measured., Results: The greater the concentration of coconut oil n-caprylic acid, the stronger the inhibition on M. aeruginosa. When the concentration was 100 μL/L and processed time was 96 h, the inhibition ratio on M. aeruginosa reached 99%. Compared with the control group, the algal liquid conductivity, nucleic acid content and protein content of experimental groups increased significantly. The SOD activity enhanced with the increasing of coconut oil n-caprylic acid concentration (under 25 μL/L), but when beyond a certain concentration (exceed 25 μL/L), its activity weakened greatly. And the MDA content increased with the increasing of coconut oil n-caprylic acid concentration., Conclusion: Coconut oil n-caprylic acid has a significant inhibiting effect on M. aeruginosa. Its mechanism may be largely related to cell membrane permeability change and antioxidant capacity reducing.

Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) function is essential for glucocorticoid action on various effector cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mRNA expression profiles of GRα and GRβ in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and examine the association between the expression levels of the GR isoforms and the serological and virological hepatitis B virus (HBV) status in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). A total of 29 CHB patients were examined in the present study, which were divided into subgroups according to serological and virological markers. The levels of GRα and GRβ in PBMCs, HBV viral loads, HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), HBV e antigen (HBeAg) and pre‑S1Ag were measured. A total of 43 healthy individuals served as controls. GRα was present in the PBMCs of all CHB patients and healthy controls, whereas GRβ‑specific products were present in only 93.1% of the CHB patients and 86.0% of the healthy controls. The GRα levels were positively correlated with the expression of GRβ in the CHB patients (r=0.419; P<0.05) and were significantly lower compared with those observed in the healthy controls (60.51 ± 23.73, vs. 100.00 ± 40.75; P<0.001). Compared with the healthy controls, significant differences were observed in the mRNA expression of GRα in the CHB patients when stratified according to the HBeAg, pre‑S1Ag and HBV viral load status (P<0.05), but not in the pre‑S1Ag‑positive patients. These data demonstrated that the mRNA expression profile of GRα differed between the CHB patients and the healthy controls. In addition, the HBV serological and virological markers were not associated with the mRNA levels of the GR isoforms in the CHB patients.