Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Significance of serglycin and its binding partners in autocrine promotion of metastasis in esophageal cancer

Rationale: Little is known about the roles of proteoglycans in esophageal cancer. This study aims to investigate the roles and mechanisms of serglycin (SRGN) proteoglycan in promoting metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods: Reverse phase protein array analysis was used to identify activated signaling pathways in SRGN-overexpressing cells. Chemokine array was used to identify differentially secreted factors from SRGN-overexpressing cells. Binding between SRGN and potential interacting partners was evaluated using proximity ligation assay and co-immunoprecipitation. The glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains of SRGN were characterized using fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis. Tissue microarray and serum samples were used to determine the correlation of SRGN expression with clinicopathological parameters and patient survival. Results: In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that SRGN promoted invasion and metastasis in ESCC via activating ERK pathway, stabilizing c-Myc and upregulating the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases. SRGN-knockdown suppressed tumorigenic hallmarks. These SRGN-elicited functions were carried out in an autocrine manner by inducing the secretion of midkine (MDK), which was further identified as a novel binding partner of SRGN for the formation of a SRGN/MDK/CD44 complex. In addition, SRGN interacted with MDK and matrix metalloproteinase 2 in ESCC via its GAG chains, which were mainly decorated with chondroitin sulfate comprising of ∆di-4S and ∆di-6S CS. Clinically, high expression of serum SRGN in serum of patients with ESCC was an independent prognostic marker for poor survival. Conclusions: This study provides the first evidence that elevated serum SRGN has prognostic significance in patients with ESCC, and sheds light on the molecular mechanism by which elevated circulating SRGN in cancer patients might promote cancer progression.
A high triglyceride-glucose index is associated with left ventricular dysfunction and atherosclerosis

Background: The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has been reported to be a simple and reliable surrogate marker of insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between the TyG index and echocardiographic parameters including left ventricular mass (LVM), left atrial diameter (LAD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and markers of peripheral artery disease, ankle-brachial index (ABI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Methods: A total of 823 (483 males and 340 females) patients were enrolled from 2007 to 2011 at a regional hospital in southern Taiwan. Multivariable stepwise linear regression analysis was performed to identify the factors related to echocardiographic parameters and peripheral artery disease. Results: The patients were stratified into four groups according to TyG index quartile. Multivariable stepwise linear regression analysis showed that a higher TyG index was associated with elevated observed/predicted LVM (p = 0.081), increased LAD (p = 0.004), decreased LVEF (p = 0.003) and lower ABI (p = 0.030), but not observed/predicted LVM and baPWV. Conclusions: A high TyG index was significantly associated with high LAD, low LVEF and low ABI. However, the TyG index was not significantly associated with inappropriate LVM or baPWV. The results suggest that the TyG index, as a simple indicator of insulin resistance, may reflect cardiac remodeling and dysfunction and atherosclerosis.
Catalytic patch with redox Cr/CeO2 nanozyme of noninvasive intervention for brain trauma

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a sudden injury to the brain, accompanied by the production of large amounts of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) and acute neuroinflammation responses. Although traditional pharmacotherapy can effectively decrease the immune response of neuron cells via scavenging free radicals, it always involves in short reaction time as well as rigorous clinical trial. Therefore, a noninvasive topical treatment method that effectively eliminates free radicals still needs further investigation. Methods: In this study, a type of catalytic patch based on nanozymes with the excellent multienzyme-like activity is designed for noninvasive treatment of TBI. The enzyme-like activity, free radical scavenging ability and therapeutic efficacy of the designed catalytic patch were assessed in vitro and in vivo. The structural composition was characterized by the X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy technology. Results: Herein, the prepared Cr-doped CeO2 (Cr/CeO2) nanozyme increases the reduced Ce3+ states, resulting in its enzyme-like activity 3-5 times higher than undoped CeO2. Furthermore, Cr/CeO2 nanozyme can improve the survival rate of LPS induced neuron cells via decreasing excessive RONS. The in vivo experiments show the Cr/CeO2 nanozyme can promote wound healing and reduce neuroinflammation of mice following brain trauma. The catalytic patch based on nanozyme provides a noninvasive topical treatment route for TBI as well as other traumas diseases. Conclusions: The catalytic patch based on nanozyme provides a noninvasive topical treatment route for TBI as well as other traumas diseases.
Psychological Impact on Maxillofacial Trauma Patients – An Observational Study

Facial disfigurement due to trauma is very common as the face is a prominent part of the body and is susceptible to injuries. A protocol for the diagnosis and intervention for psychological problems of trauma patients should be implemented in the Indian hospitals as they lack policies for assessing the mental status of such patients. This study was conducted to analyze and determine the psychological implications and need for mental health services of maxillofacial trauma patients. Fifty patients with maxillofacial trauma above 18 years of age were included in this study. The assessment was done using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Trauma Screening Questionnaire (TSQ), which are considered as the standard tools for assessment of psychological disorders post-trauma. We observed psychological stress in 84% of the patients at the baseline, which reduced to 24% after one month at the first follow-up visit and further reduced to 22% at the second follow-up visit. The reduction in the percentage from the first to the second follow-up visit was less significant. However, the change in HADS and TSQ scores was found to be significant, suggesting that the intensity of trauma decreases with the time-lapse. Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress are prevalent in patients with maxillofacial trauma, which may lead to impaired day-to-day life. Our results suggest that there is a need for psychological care in patients with maxillofacial trauma.
Neutrophils infiltrate into the spiral ligament but not the stria vascularis in the cochlea during lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation

It has been challenging to apply intravital imaging for monitoring the inner ear, as the anatomical location and intricate structure hamper the access of imaging instruments to the inner ear of live mice. By employing intravital imaging of the cochlea in live mice with two-photon microscopy, we investigated neutrophil infiltration into the cochlea tissue and its characteristics under a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory state. Methods: Cochlea inflammation was induced by LPS injection to the middle ear. Using two-photon intravital microscopy with specifically designed surgical exteriorization of the cochlea in live mice, we investigated the dynamic features of neutrophils in the lateral wall of the cochlea. The molecular expression pattern of the cochlea lateral wall was also investigated during the LPS-induce inflammation. Results: Despite the contention of whether neutrophils are recruited to the spiral ligament (SL) during inflammation, we observed that LPS-induced inflammation of the middle ear, which mimics acute otitis media, triggered neutrophil migration to the SL in the lateral wall. Notably, massive neutrophil infiltration to the SL occurred 2 days after LPS inoculation, but there was no neutrophil infiltration into the stria vascularis (SV) region. At 1 day after LPS-induced cochlear inflammation, increased mRNA expression of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 were identified in both the SL and SV, while the ICAM-1 mRNA expression increased only in the SL. The differential reactivity of ICAM-1 is likely responsible for the different neutrophil recruitment pattern in the cochlea. Conclusion: Intravital imaging of the cochlea revealed that neutrophil recruitment and infiltration during inflammation are spatially controlled and exclusively observed in the SL but not in the SV and organ of Corti.
Atom–atom potentials from ab initio calculations

Recent developments in ab initio intermolecular perturbation theory, using density functional theory, have made it possible to calculate intermolecular interactions between organic molecules of 30 or more atoms routinely and accurately. Related methods can provide accurate distributed properties of such molecules (multipoles and polarizabilities). These developments open up new possibilities for accurate ab initio atom–atom potentials, at a time when applications have raised new challenges, in that aspects of the interaction energy that were once ignored must now be accounted for. This review seeks to show how modern ab initio methods in intermolecular perturbation theory, and new methods for distributing molecular response properties, can be used to develop a new generation of atom–atom potentials.
(−)-Kusunokinin as a Potential Aldose Reductase Inhibitor: Equivalency Observed via AKR1B1 Dynamics Simulation

(−)-Kusunokinin performed its anticancer potency through CFS1R and AKT pathways. Its ambiguous binding target has, however, hindered the next development phase. Our study thus applied molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation to predict the protein target from the pathways. Among various candidates, aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B1 (AKR1B1) was finally identified as a (−)-kusunokinin receptor. The predicted binding affinity of (−)-kusunokinin was better than the selected aldose reductase inhibitors (ARIs) and substrates. The compound also had no significant effect on AKR1B1 conformation. An intriguing AKR1B1 efficacy, with respect to the known inhibitors (epalrestat, zenarestat, and minalrestat) and substrates (UVI2008 and prostaglandin H2), as well as a similar interactive insight of the enzyme pocket, pinpointed an ARI equivalence of (−)-kusunokinin. An aromatic ring and a γ-butyrolactone ring shared a role with structural counterparts in known inhibitors. The modeling explained that the aromatic constituent contributed to π–π attraction with Trp111. In addition, the γ-butyrolactone ring bound the catalytic His110 using hydrogen bonds, which could lead to enzymatic inhibition as a consequence of substrate competitiveness. Our computer-based findings suggested that the potential of (−)-kusunokinin could be furthered by in vitro and/or in vivo experiments to consolidate (−)-kusunokinin as a new AKR1B1 antagonist in the future.
Seeded Growth Combined with Cation Exchange for the Synthesis of Anisotropic Cu2–xS/ZnS, Cu2–xS, and CuInS2 Nanorods

Colloidal copper(I) sulfide (Cu2–xS) nanocrystals (NCs) have attracted much attention for a wide range of applications because of their unique optoelectronic properties, driving scientists to explore the potential of using Cu2–xS NCs as seeds in the synthesis of heteronanocrystals to achieve new multifunctional materials. Herein, we developed a multistep synthesis strategy toward Cu2–xS/ZnS heteronanorods. The Janus-type Cu2–xS/ZnS heteronanorods are obtained by the injection of hexagonal high-chalcocite Cu2–xS seed NCs in a hot zinc oleate solution in the presence of suitable surfactants, 20 s after the injection of sulfur precursors. The Cu2–xS seed NCs undergo rapid aggregation and coalescence in the first few seconds after the injection, forming larger NCs that act as the effective seeds for heteronucleation and growth of ZnS. The ZnS heteronucleation occurs on a single (100) facet of the Cu2–xS seed NCs and is followed by fast anisotropic growth along a direction that is perpendicular to the c-axis, thus leading to Cu2–xS/ZnS Janus-type heteronanorods with a sharp heterointerface. Interestingly, the high-chalcocite crystal structure of the injected Cu2–xS seed NCs is preserved in the Cu2–xS segments of the heteronanorods because of the high-thermodynamic stability of this Cu2–xS phase. The Cu2–xS/ZnS heteronanorods are subsequently converted into single-component Cu2–xS and CuInS2 nanorods by postsynthetic topotactic cation exchange. This work expands the possibilities for the rational synthesis of colloidal multicomponent heteronanorods by allowing the design principles of postsynthetic heteroepitaxial seeded growth and nanoscale cation exchange to be combined, yielding access to a plethora of multicomponent heteronanorods with diameters in the quantum confinement regime.
Combination of Fractional CO2 Laser and Rhodamine-Intense Pulsed Light in Facial Rejuvenation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: This randomized controlled trial aims to verify the efficacy of a combined fractional CO2 laser and rhodamine-intense pulsed-light (r-IPL) protocol in the photoaging therapy. Background: Skin aging is related to multiple environmental and genetic factors that give rise to different manifestations. In recent years many techniques have been proposed for the rejuvenation of the skin of the face such as ablative and nonablative procedures. Combination of laser or light sources with different wavelengths represents a safe and effective treatment method. r-IPL is a new pulsed-light technique capable to generate wavelengths varying from 550 to 650 nm proposed in nonablative photorejuvenation with a good efficacy and safety profile. Methods: Twenty-two patients (skin phototypes II-III, aged 46-67 years) were randomly allocated into two groups: group A was treated only with a therapeutic standard dose of the fractional CO2 laser, whereas group B was treated with a combined therapy of r-IPL and fractional CO2 laser. All patients were treated up to three times at a 2-month interval. Efficacy of the procedures was assessed thanks to the Fitzpatrick Wrinkle Severity Scale (scores 1-9) before treatment and at a 4-month follow-up from the last treatment. Results: Patients treated with the combination of r-IPL and fractional CO2 laser showed better results in terms of wrinkle reduction according to the Fitzpatrick Wrinkle Severity score (2.82 ± 0.87 vs. 3.09 ± 1.14), with a statistically significant reduction in healing times (7.82 ± 0.75 vs. 13.82 ± 1.94 days, p ≤ 0.001) and duration of post-treatment erythema (3.55 ± 0.93 vs. 8.18 ± 1.47 days, p ≤ 0.001). Patient satisfaction was higher after combined fractional CO2 laser and r-IPL treatment. Conclusions: Our data suggest that combined use of fractional CO2 laser and r-IPL may lead to excellent results in terms of skin rejuvenation with a simple post-treatment management and an optimal tolerability.
Investigating the Thioredoxin and Glutathione Systems’ Response in Lymphoma Cells after Treatment with [Au(d2pype)2]Cl

Lymphoma is a blood cancer comprising various subtypes. Although effective therapies are available, some patients fail to respond to treatment and can suffer from side effects. Antioxidant systems, especially the thioredoxin (Trx) and glutathione (GSH) systems, are known to enhance cancer cell survival, with thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) recently reported as a potential anticancer target. Since the GSH system can compensate for some Trx system functions, we investigated its response in three lymphoma cell lines after inhibiting TrxR activity with [Au(d2pype)2]Cl, a known TrxR inhibitor. [Au(d2pype)2]Cl increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and induced caspase-3 activity leading to cell apoptosis through inhibiting both TrxR and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) activity. Expression of the tumour suppresser gene TXNIP increased, while GPX1 and GPX4 expression, which are related to poor prognosis of lymphoma patients, decreased. Unlike SUDHL2 and SUDHL4 cells, which exhibited a decreased GSH/GSSG ratio after treatment, in KMH2 cells the ratio remained unchanged, while glutathione reductase and glutaredoxin expression increased. Since KMH2 cells were less sensitive to treatment with [Au(d2pype)2]Cl, the GSH system may play a role in protecting cells from apoptosis after TrxR inhibition. Overall, our study demonstrates that inhibition of TrxR represents a valid therapeutic approach for lymphoma.
Electron-Transfer Reaction of Oxygen Species on TiO2 Nanoparticles Induced by Sub-band-gap Illumination

Molecular oxygen species formed on the surface of partially reduced TiO2 (rutile) nanoparticles have been studied by in situ electron spin resonance (ESR) and diffuse-reflectance spectroscopies. ESR signals due to O2− (gz = 2.020) and Ti3+ appeared upon visible-light illumination at 77 K and vanished by raising the temperature in the dark. The numbers of O2− and Ti3+ radicals formed by sub-band-gap illumination were equal, suggesting a reversible electron transfer between peroxo O22− species and the adjacent Ti4+ ion at an oxygen vacancy site on the TiO2 surface: Ti4+···O22−···Ti4+ → Ti3+ + O2−···Ti4+ (forward reaction). The ESR intensity was saturated by a prolonged illumination and a surface coverage of O2 molecules adsorbed at the oxygen vacancy site was evaluated as 1.3 × 1013 sites cm−2. The spectral response for the generation rate of O2− exhibited a broad peak at around 480 nm, in agreement with the absorption band observed by the diffuse-reflectance measurements. It was concluded that F-type color.
Kellgren/Lawrence Grading in Cohort Studies: Methodological Update and Implications Illustrated Using Data From a Dutch Hip and Knee Cohort

The Cohort Hip and Cohort Knee (CHECK) is a cohort of middle‐aged individuals with hip or knee pain. Radiographs were assigned Kellgren/Lawrence (K/L) scores under different conditions at each follow‐up visit for 10 years. We aimed to describe and consolidate each scoring approach, then illustrate implications of their use by comparing baseline K/L scores assigned using 2 of these approaches, and evaluating their respective associations with joint replacement and incident radiographic osteoarthritis (ROA).
Self-Catalyzed InSb/InAs Quantum Dot Nanowires

The nanowire platform offers great opportunities for improving the quality and range of applications of semiconductor quantum wells and dots. Here, we present the self-catalyzed growth of InAs/InSb/InAs axial heterostructured nanowires with a single defect-free InSb quantum dot, on Si substrates, by chemical beam epitaxy. A systematic variation of the growth parameters for the InAs top segment has been investigated and the resulting nanowire morphology analyzed. We found that the growth temperature strongly influences the axial and radial growth rates of the top InAs segment. As a consequence, we can reduce the InAs shell thickness around the InSb quantum dot by increasing the InAs growth temperature. Moreover, we observed that both axial and radial growth rates are enhanced by the As line pressure as long as the In droplet on the top of the nanowire is preserved. Finally, the time evolution of the diameter along the entire length of the nanowires allowed us to understand that there are two In diffusion paths contributing to the radial InAs growth and that the interplay of these two mechanisms together with the total length of the nanowires determine the final shape of the nanowires. This study provides insights in understanding the growth mechanisms of self-catalyzed InSb/InAs quantum dot nanowires, and our results can be extended also to the growth of other self-catalyzed heterostructured nanowires, providing useful guidelines for the realization of quantum structures with the desired morphology and properties.
Gas exchange in modified atmosphere packaging. 1. A new theoretical approach for micro-perforated packs

Gas transport and exchange through the perforations in micro-perforated packs used in modified atmosphere packaging were numerically modelled by using Stephan-Maxwell laws, and, outside these perforations, by Fick's law. the model accounts simultaneously for oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, argon and water vapour. Fruit and vegetable respiration was approximated by Michaelis-Menten kinetics depending on oxygen concentration with an uncompetitive inhibition due to carbon dioxide. Concentration equilibrium was reached after 2 to 3 days, depending on the void volume and on the diffusion properties of the packs. the equilibrium concentrations were dependent on the number of perforations, their diameter, the thickness of the film and the temperature. However, a pack which makes 10% oxygen possible within the pack at 10°C might induce anaerobiosis at 20°C.
Astrocytic cAMP modulates memory via synaptic plasticity

Significance Astrocytes have been suggested as important modulators of memory. However, intracellular signaling that regulates astrocytic function in memory modulation remains to be clarified. Here, we generated a transgenic mouse line, Mlc1-bPAC, in which astrocytes increase their intracellular cAMP levels upon blue light stimulation. Using this method, we have uncovered that light-induced increase in astrocytic cAMP is sufficient to induce synaptic plasticity and modulate memory. Furthermore, we have shown that an increase in astrocytic cAMP activates the astrocyte–neuron lactate shuttle, which is essential for synaptic plasticity and memory modulation. These findings indicate the importance of astrocytic cAMP in synaptic plasticity and memory and provide a method for investigating astrocyte functions in vivo in the future. Astrocytes play a key role in brain homeostasis and functions such as memory. Specifically, astrocytes express multiple receptors that transduce signals via the second messenger cAMP. However, the involvement of astrocytic cAMP in animal behavior and the underlying glial–neuronal interactions remains largely unknown. Here, we show that an increase in astrocytic cAMP is sufficient to induce synaptic plasticity and modulate memory. We developed a method to increase astrocytic cAMP levels in vivo using photoactivated adenylyl cyclase and found that increased cAMP in hippocampal astrocytes at different time points facilitated memory formation but interrupted memory retention via NMDA receptor–dependent plasticity. Furthermore, we found that the cAMP-induced modulation of memory was mediated by the astrocyte–neuron lactate shuttle. Thus, our study unveils a role of astrocytic cAMP in brain function by providing a tool to modulate astrocytic cAMP in vivo.