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Aquaporin is a membrane channel protein widely expressed in body tissues, which can control the input and output of water in cells. AQPs are differentially expressed in different cardiovascular tissues and participate in water transmembrane transport, cell migration, metabolism, inflammatory response, etc. The aberrant expression of AQPs highly correlates with the onset of ischemic heart disease, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, heart failure, etc. Despite much attention to the regulatory role of AQPs in the cardiovascular system, the translation of AQPs into clinical application still faces many challenges, including clarification of the localization of AQPs in the cardiovascular system and mechanisms mediating cardiovascular pathophysiology, as well as the development of cardiovascular-specific AQPs modulators.Therefore, in this study, we comprehensively reviewed the critical roles of AQP family proteins in maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis and described the underlying mechanisms by which AQPs mediated the outcomes of cardiovascular diseases. Meanwhile, AQPs serve as important therapeutic targets, which provide a wide range of opportunities to investigate the mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases and the treatment of those diseases.

Background: Ionizing radiation can induce bystander effects (RIBE), and Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) have a protective effect against RIBE. It has been proved that RIBE occurred and APS played the inhibitory effects on the RIBE when radiation was carried out only one time. However, whether RIBE happened by multiple irradiations and the effects of APS on the RIBE are unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether APS suppress RIBE damage induced by multiple irradiations. Materials and Methods: A549 cells were irradiated with 2 Gy X-rays to obtain a conditioned medium. Bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) was incubated with the conditioned medium 5 times every 3 days or APS. Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 and colony formation assay, and genomic instability and DNA damages were detected by the micronucleus and immunofluorescence assay. The protein associated with methylation and cancer-associated proteins in BMSCs were detected by western blot. Results: After five stimulations with a conditioned medium, the proliferative capacity of BMSCs decreased; APS pre-intervention promoted the proliferation of BMSCs. And conditional medium intervention increased the micronucleus rate and a number of 53BP1 foci; APS pre-intervention reduced the micronucleus rate and number of 53BP1 foci. In addition, the conditional medium intervention reduced the expression of methylation-related proteins and increased the expression of cancer-related proteins, while APS pre-intervention reversed this trend. Conclusion: Irradiated A549 conditioned medium can induce RIBE of BMSCs, which might be related to methylation and cancer-associated proteins and APS may block RIBE by multiple irradiations in BMSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalysis is a promising technology for removing contaminant in water. However, the rapid recombination of photogenerated charge carriers limits the performance of photocatalysis in water treatment. Here, a novel light response B/W-TiO2 homojunction catalyst based on the black TiO2 (B-TiO2) and TiO2 (W-TiO2) was successfully synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. The mass ratio of B-TiO2 to W-TiO2 was tuned to study its effect on homojunction formation and photocatalytic performance. Beneficial from the band difference between B-TiO2 and W-TiO2, the conduction band (CB) electrons of W-TiO2 can migrate to the CB of B-TiO2 and the valence band (VB) holes of B-TiO2 transfer to the VB of W-TiO2, hence effectively promoting the separation of photogenerated charge carriers. The formation of homojunction can dramatically improve the photocatalytic ability of B/W-TiO2; the kinetic constant of rhodamine B degradation of B/W-TiO2 with optimal mass ratio is nearly 3.9 and 5.2 times higher than that of B-TiO2 and W-TiO2, respectively. Moreover, the superoxide radical (O2·−) and hydroxyl radicals (·OH) species play a crucial role in the photodegradation process. The enhancement of photocatalytic activity is attributed to the construction of B/W-TiO2 homojunction, which is beneficial to improve the separation efficiency of photogenerated electron–holes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Guiqi Baizhu Decoction (GQBZD) has a good protective effect on radiation-induced intestinal edema (RIIE). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms need further elucidation.Purpose: To reveal the potential mechanism of RIIE and GQBZD treatment.Methods: SD rats were irradiated with 6Gy X-ray to establish RIIE model. The general condition of the rats was observed; the dry/wet weight ratio of colon tissue was detected; the morphological changes of colon tissue were observed by HE staining; the expressions of ROS, HIF-1α and AQP4 in colon tissue were detected by confocal laser scanning; the expression of edema-related proteins was detected by Western blot. In addition, human colon epithelial cells (NCM460) was irradiated with 2Gy X-ray, and HIF-1α expression in NCM460 was knocked down by small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection, and the activity of Na+/K+-ATPase was detected by enzyme activity kit; the ROS expression was detected by flow cytometer; the AQP4 expression was detected by laser confocal microscopy; and the expression of edema-related proteins were detected by Western blot.Results: We found that after irradiation, the colon tissue of rats was significantly edema, mainly manifested as mucosal and submucosal edema, and the ultrastructure was reflected in the structural damage of nucleus and mitochondria. ROS, HIF-1α and AQP4 were significantly expressed, and Na+/K+-ATPase expression/activity was decreased. After the intervention of GQBZD, the edema of the colon tissue of the rats was improved, the expressions of ROS, HIF-1α and AQP4 were decreased, and the expression/activity of Na+/K+-ATPase was increased.Conclusion: Ionizing radiation (IR) can cause significant intestinal edema. AQP4 and Na+/K+-ATPase are the key factors of RIIE, which are regulated by ROS and HIF-1α. GQBZD can improve hypoxia and oxidative stress, regulate the expression of AQP4 and Na+/K+-ATPase, and achieve a protective effect on RIIE. This study is the first to reveal the mechanism of RIIE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The association of coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) and left ventricular (LV) myocardium measurements with cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) is limited., Objectives: In this study, the authors sought to evaluate the changes in coronary arteries and LV myocardium in patients with left breast cancer (BC) receiving anthracycline with or without radiotherapy, with the use of coronary CTA., Methods: Participants with left BC receiving anthracycline with or without radiotherapy were prospectively included. All participants underwent coronary CTA before and after treatment, including nonenhanced calcium-scoring scan, computed tomography angiography, and dual-energy late enhancement scan. Computed tomographic fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR), pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) CT attenuation, and LV segments' extracellular volume (ECV) before and after treatment were compared. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between baseline coronary CTA parameters and CTRCD., Results: Eighty participants receiving anthracycline and 59 participants receiving anthracycline with radiotherapy were included. CT-FFR decreased and PCAT CT attenuation and LV global and segments' ECV increased after treatment (all P < 0.05). After chemoradiotherapy, CT-FFR was lower and PCAT CT attenuation and LV myocardial ECV were higher than after chemotherapy. Twenty-four participants developed CTRCD. After adjustment by Heart Failure Association-International Cardio-Oncology Society risk in multivariable logistic regression analysis, baseline stenosis of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) (OR: 1.987 [95% CI: 1.322-2.768]; P = 0.021), left circumflex artery (LCX) (OR: 1.895 [95% CI: 1.281-2.802]; P = 0.031), and right coronary artery (RCA) (OR: 1.920 [95% CI: 1.405-2.811]; P = 0.028), and baseline CT-FFR of the LAD (OR: 3.425 [95% CI: 1.621-9.434]; P < 0.001), LCX (OR: 2.058 [95% CI: 1.030-5.076]; P = 0.006), and RCA (OR: 2.469 [95% CI: 1.232-6.944]; P = 0.004) were associated with CTRCD., Conclusions: Multiparameter coronary CTA contributes to comprehensive assessment of the coronary arteries and myocardium in patients with left BC receiving anthracycline with or without radiotherapy. Baseline coronary artery stenosis and CT-FFR might be imaging markers for predicting CTRCD in these patients., Competing Interests: Funding Support and Author Disclosures This study has received funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number 82071883), the Chongqing University Cancer Hospital Scientific Research Capacity Improvement Project (grant number 2023nlts004), the Chongqing Natural Science Foundation (grant number cstc2021jcyj-msxmX0398), the 2023 SKY Imaging Research Fund of the Chinese International Medical Exchange Foundation (grant number Z-2014-07-2301), the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing municipality (grant number CSTB2023NSCQ-MSX0787), the Chongqing Shapingba District 2023 Technology Innovation and Application Development Project (grant number 202388), and the Chongqing medical research project of a combination of science and medicine (grant number 2024MSXM096). The authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

To investigate the protective effect of Quercetin (Que) on lung epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) induced bystander effect (RIBE) after heavy ion irradiation of A549 cells. A549 cells were irradiated with 2 Gy X heavy ion rays to obtain a conditioned medium. BEAS-2B was incubated with a conditioned medium or Que. CCK-8 assay was used to screen the optimal effective concentration of Que and detect cell proliferation. Cell number was measured by cell counter and apoptosis rate was measured by flow cytometry. HMGB1 and ROS levels were measured by ELISA. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of HMGB1, TLR4, p65, Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase3 and Cleaved Caspase3. The growth and proliferation rate of BEAS-2B decreased while the apoptosis rate increased after conditioned medium stimulation, and Que intervention inhibited this effect. The expression of HMGB1 and ROS increased after conditioned medium stimulation, and this effect was inhibited by Que intervention. In addition, the conditioned medium increased the levels of proteins of HMGB1, TLR4, p65, Bax, Caspase3 and Cleaved Caspase 3, and decreased levels of Bcl-2 protein, but Que intervention decreased the levels of HMGB1, TLR4, p65, Bax, Caspase3 and Cleaved Caspase 3proteins, and increased levels of Bcl-2 protein. The RIBE of BEAS-2B induced by irradiation of A549 is associated with HMGB1TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in conditioned medium inducing apoptosis by activating ROS, and Que may block RIBE-induced apoptosis by regulating HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathway.

Background: Guiqi Baizhu Decoction (GQBZD) has a good protective effect on radiation-induced intestinal edema (RIIE). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms need further elucidation., Purpose: To reveal the potential mechanism of RIIE and GQBZD treatment., Methods: SD rats were irradiated with 6Gy X-ray to establish RIIE model. The general condition of the rats was observed; the dry/wet weight ratio of colon tissue was detected; the morphological changes of colon tissue were observed by HE staining; the expressions of ROS, HIF-1α and AQP4 in colon tissue were detected by confocal laser scanning; the expression of edema-related proteins was detected by Western blot. In addition, human colon epithelial cells (NCM460) was irradiated with 2Gy X-ray, and HIF-1α expression in NCM460 was knocked down by small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection, and the activity of Na + /K + -ATPase was detected by enzyme activity kit; the ROS expression was detected by flow cytometer; the AQP4 expression was detected by laser confocal microscopy; and the expression of edema-related proteins were detected by Western blot., Results: We found that after irradiation, the colon tissue of rats was significantly edema, mainly manifested as mucosal and submucosal edema, and the ultrastructure was reflected in the structural damage of nucleus and mitochondria. ROS, HIF-1α and AQP4 were significantly expressed, and Na + /K + -ATPase expression/activity was decreased. After the intervention of GQBZD, the edema of the colon tissue of the rats was improved, the expressions of ROS, HIF-1α and AQP4 were decreased, and the expression/activity of Na + /K + -ATPase was increased., Conclusion: Ionizing radiation (IR) can cause significant intestinal edema. AQP4 and Na + /K + -ATPase are the key factors of RIIE, which are regulated by ROS and HIF-1α. GQBZD can improve hypoxia and oxidative stress, regulate the expression of AQP4 and Na + /K + -ATPase, and achieve a protective effect on RIIE. This study is the first to reveal the mechanism of RIIE., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest statement The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier GmbH.)

Motivated by the hot debate on the mechanism of laser-like emission at 391 nm from N 2 gas irradiated by a strong 800 nm pump laser and a weak 400 nm seed laser, we theoretically study the temporal profile, optical gain, and modulation of the 391 nm signal from N 2+. Our calculation sheds light on the long standing controversy on whether population inversion is indispensable for optical gain and show the Ramsey fringes of the emission intensity at 391 nm formed by additionally injecting another 800 nm pump or 400 nm seed, which provides strong evidence for the coherence driven modulation of transition dipole moment and population transfer between the A 2 Π u ( ν =2)- X 2 Σ g + states and the B 2 Σ u +( ν =0)- X 2 Σ g + states. Our results show that the 391 nm optical gain is susceptible to the population inversion within N 2+ states manipulated by the Ramsey technique and thus clearly reveal their symbiosis. This study reveals not only the physical picture of producing N 2+ population inversion but also versatile control of the N 2+ air laser.

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor and the leading cause of cancer-related death in women. The ubiquitin-proteasome system regulates the stability of most proteins controlling various biological processes in human cells. PSMD7, as a core component of the 26S proteasome, is critical for the degradation of ubiquitinated proteins in the proteasome. Currently, PSMD7 expression and its roles in the progression of breast cancer remain largely unknown. In this study, we assessed the level of PSMD7 in breast cancer tissues and investigated the underlying molecular events by which PSMD7 could play a role in tumor progression. The results showed that the PSMD7 level was significantly upregulated in breast cancer tissues. PSMD7 expression was closely associated with tumor subtype, tumor size, lymph node invasion, and TNM stage. A high PSMD7 level predicted poor overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in breast cancer patients. Furthermore, univariate Cox regression analysis indicated that lymph node invasion, distant metastasis, and PSMD7 expression were associated with OS and DFS. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that PSMD7 was an independent predictor of OS (HR=1.310, 95% CI=1.038-1.652). Importantly, PSMD7 knockdown induced cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase, leading to cell senescence and apoptosis. PSMD7 knockdown inhibited the expression of key cell cycle-related proteins and promoted the stability of p21 and p27 in breast cancer cells. PSMD7 may be a valuable prognostic indicator and potential therapeutic target for breast cancer., Competing Interests: None., (AJTR Copyright © 2020.)

Introduction: HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR), a long non-coding RNA transcribed from the antisense strand of the HOXC gene locus, has been reported to be overexpressed in various carcinomas and is thought to be an indicator of poor prognosis., Evidence Acquisition: We performed a meta-analysis using qualified relevant literatures to evaluate the prognostic significance of HOTAIR in various solid tumors. Eligible studies were identified from PubMed, EMBASE and ISI Web of Science through multiple search strategies. We extracted and estimated the hazard ratios (HRs) for overall survival (OS), which compared the high and low expression levels of HOTAIR in patients with a variety of solid carcinomas. HRs and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated to pool the effect size., Evidence Synthesis: A total of 2407 patients from 21 studies with various solid carcinomas were included. For OS, higher HOTAIR expression could significantly predict worse outcome with the pooled HR of 2.21 (95 % CI 1.77-2.74, P<0.00001). The subgroup analysis suggested that the elevated levels of HOTAIR appears to be worse OS in Asian population (HR=2.06, 95% CI 1.80-2.37, P<0.00001) and digestive system cancers (HR=2.27, 95% CI 1.93-2.67, P<0.00001) including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (HR=2.27, 95% CI 1.62-3.18, P<0.00001) and colorectal cancer (HR=4.65, 95 % CI 2.39-9.05, P<0.00001)., Conclusions: The present meta-analysis revealed that the high level of HOTAIR is associated with an adverse OS in numerous solid cancers, suggesting that HOTAIR may be a predictor of poor prognosis for the development of solid tumors.