Elevated level of platelet factor 4 in follicular fluid is associated with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: This present study aimed to measure platelet factor 4 (PF4) protein level in follicular fluid of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and analyzed the correlation between follicular PF4 level with clinical characteristics.

Methods: Sixty-seven women (36 PCOS patients vs. 31 non-PCOS women) were enrolled in the study.

A preliminary study on cause‑of‑death discrimination and the pathological stage identification in acute ischemia heart disease (AIHD) based on plasma lipidomic technique and machine learning algorithms.

The sudden death discrimination of acute ischemia heart disease (AIHD) and the determination of the AIHD pathological stage are the difficulties in forensic medicine. More potential biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity still need to be identified to diagnose AIHD. Current studies have linked concentration variation in lipid characteristics after death to the identification of causes of death, providing a potential strategy for diagnosing AIHD.

Identification of a cancer stem cell-like subpopulation that promotes HCC metastasis.

Background & Aims: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are well-established drivers of tumorigenesis, but their role in regulating tumor metastasis remains poorly understood. Here, we report the identification and characterization of a cluster of metastasis-promoting CSC-like cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: CSC-like cells in HCC were identified through the analysis of single cell RNA-sequencing data from 19 HCC samples.

Synergistic activation of the human phosphate exporter XPR1 by KIDINS220 and inositol pyrophosphate.

Inorganic phosphate (Pi) is essential for life, and its intracellular levels must be tightly regulated to avoid toxicity. XPR1, the sole known phosphate exporter, is critical for maintaining this balance. Here we report cryo-EM structures of the human XPR1-KIDINS220 complex in substrate-free closed and substrate-bound outward-open states, as well as an XPR1 mutant in a substrate-bound inward-facing state.

ZUP1 is a key component of the MAVS complex and acts as a protector of host against viral invasion.

Zinc finger-containing ubiquitin peptidase 1 (ZUP1) is a protein characterized by four N-terminal zinc finger domains and a C-terminal deubiquitinase (DUB) domain. While it is associated with the DNA damage response, the role of ZUP1 in innate immunity remains unclear. Here, we identify ZUP1 as a crucial component of the mitochondrial antiviral signaling (MAVS) complex, essential for host antiviral defense.

The Monochoria genome provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying floral heteranthery.

Heteranthery, the occurrence of functionally and structurally distinct stamens within a flower, represents a striking example of convergent evolution among diverse animal-pollinated lineages. Although the ecological basis of this somatic polymorphism is understood, the developmental and molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. To address this knowledge gap, we selected Monochoria elata (Pontederiaceae) as our study system due to its typical heterantherous floral structure.

Response of endophytic fungi communities with high antioxidant capacity in riparian plants Salix variegate to water flooding.

Riparian plants exhibit strong antioxidant capacity due to the constant periodic flooding and the resulted oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to determine whether the endophytes are involved in oxidative stress pathway of the host. In the study, we isolated the endophytic fungi from a shrub of Salix variegate before and after natural flooding, and characterized through taxonomical characterization of 18S ITS sequences.

Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase negatively regulates metastasis-promoting property of cancer-associated fibroblasts in lung adenocarcinoma.

Background: Recurrence and metastasis remain significant challenges in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) after radical resection. The mechanisms behind the recurrence and metastasis of LUAD remain elusive, and deregulated cellular metabolism is suspected to play a significant role. This study explores the metabolic and epigenetic regulation mediated by nicotinamide N-methyl transferase (NNMT) in LUAD.

Metabolomics and lipidomics in pectus excavatum: preliminary screening of biomarkers for early diagnosis.

Background: Pectus excavatum (PE) is the most common chest wall deformity, characterized by an insidious onset, gradual progression, and challenges in early diagnosis. It is often accompanied by emaciation and distinctive metabolic traits, which may provide valuable insights into its internal physiological and biochemical mechanisms. Our study attempted to screen out biomarkers by identifying the metabolic characteristics of PE, and the results provide a scientific basis for the early diagnosis of PE.

Single cell atlas reveals multilayered metabolic heterogeneity across tumour types.

Background: Metabolic reprogramming plays a pivotal role in cancer progression, contributing to substantial intratumour heterogeneity and influencing tumour behaviour. However, a systematic characterization of metabolic heterogeneity across multiple cancer types at the single-cell level remains limited.

Methods: We integrated 296 tumour and normal samples spanning six common cancer types to construct a single-cell compendium of metabolic gene expression profiles and identify cell type-specific metabolic properties and reprogramming patterns.

Multi-omic analysis identifies metabolic biomarkers for the early detection of breast cancer and therapeutic response prediction.

Reliable blood-based tests for identifying early-stage breast cancer remain elusive. Employing single-cell transcriptomic sequencing analysis, we illustrate a close correlation between nucleotide metabolism in the breast cancer and activation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the tumor microenvironment, which shows distinctions between subtypes of patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and non-TNBC, and is likely to impact cancer prognosis through the A2AR-Treg pathway. Combining machine learning with absolute quantitative metabolomics, we have established an effective approach to the early detection of breast cancer, utilizing a four-metabolite panel including inosine and uridine.

Characterization of a ST137 multidrug-resistant Campylobacter jejuni strain with a tet(O)-positive genomic island from a bloodstream infection patient.

Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) is a major cause of gastroenteritis and rarely cause bloodstream infection. Herein, we characterized a multidrug-resistant C.

CD36+ Proinflammatory Macrophages Interact with ZCCHC12+ Tumor Cells in Papillary Thyroid Cancer Promoting Tumor Progression and Recurrence.

Local recurrence and distal metastasis negatively impact the survival and quality of life in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Therefore, identifying potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for PTC is clinically crucial. In this study, we performed a multiomics analysis that identified a subset of CD36+ proinflammatory macrophages within the tumor microenvironment of PTC.

NuSEA: Nuclei Segmentation With Ellipse Annotations.

Objective: Nuclei segmentation is a crucial pre-task for pathological microenvironment quantification. However, the acquisition of manually precise nuclei annotations for improving the performance of deep learning models is time-consuming and expensive.

Methods: In this paper, an efficient nuclear annotation tool called NuSEA is proposed to achieve accurate nucleus segmentation, where a simple but effective ellipse annotation is applied.

Establishment of a cholangiocarcinoma risk evaluation model based on mucin expression levels.

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a highly malignant cancer, characterized by frequent mucin overexpression. has been identified as a critical oncogene in the progression of CCA. However, the comprehensive understanding of how the mucin family influences CCA progression and prognosis is still incomplete.

Analysis of TLR2 in Primary Endocrine Resistant of Breast Cancer.

Background: Previous clinical studies have suggested that Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 had predictive function for endocrine resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer (BCa). Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether TLR2 would relate to development of endocrine therapy resistance in triple-positive breast cancer (TPBC).

Methods: Bioinformatic analysis of TLR2 was carried out through a database.

Tumor-Associated Monocytes Reprogram CD8 T Cells into Central Memory-Like Cells with Potent Antitumor Effects.

CD8 T cells are critical for host antitumor responses, whereas persistent antigenic stimulation and excessive inflammatory signals lead to T cell dysfunction or exhaustion. Increasing early memory T cells can improve T cell persistence and empower T cell-mediated tumor eradication, especially for adoptive cancer immunotherapy. Here, it is reported that tumor-associated monocytes (TAMos) are highly correlated with the accumulation of CD8 memory T cells in human cancers.

Structural and functional insights into the lipid regulation of human anion exchanger 2.

Anion exchanger 2 (AE2) is an electroneutral Na-independent Cl/HCO exchanger belongs to the SLC4 transporter family. The widely expressed AE2 participates in a variety of physiological processes, including transepithelial acid-base secretion and osteoclastogenesis. Both the transmembrane domains (TMDs) and the N-terminal cytoplasmic domain (NTD) are involved in regulation of AE2 activity.

CircPTEN-MT from PTEN regulates mitochondrial energy metabolism.

Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is a multifunctional gene involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are generated from back-splicing events during mRNA processing and participate in cell biological processes through binding to RNAs or proteins. However, PTEN-related circRNAs are largely unknown.

One-pot synthesis of novel mesoporous FeOOH modified NaZrH(PO)·HO for the enhanced removal of Co(II) from aqueous solution.

One-pot synthesis of a novel mesoporous hydroxyl oxidize iron functional Na-zirconium phosphate (FeOOH-NaZrH(PO)·HO) composites was firstly characterized and investigated its Co(II) adsorption from aqueous solution. Compared to NaZrH(PO)·HO (65.7 mg⋅g), the maximum Co(II) adsorption capacity of FeOOH-NaZrH(PO)·HO was improved to be 95.

Cancer metabolites: promising biomarkers for cancer liquid biopsy.

Cancer exerts a multitude of effects on metabolism, including the reprogramming of cellular metabolic pathways and alterations in metabolites that facilitate inappropriate proliferation of cancer cells and adaptation to the tumor microenvironment. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that aberrant metabolites play pivotal roles in tumorigenesis and metastasis, and have the potential to serve as biomarkers for personalized cancer therapy. Importantly, high-throughput metabolomics detection techniques and machine learning approaches offer tremendous potential for clinical oncology by enabling the identification of cancer-specific metabolites.

A Deep Learning-Based System Trained for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Screening Can Identify Multiple Types of Soft Tissue Tumors.

The accuracy and timeliness of the pathologic diagnosis of soft tissue tumors (STTs) critically affect treatment decision and patient prognosis. Thus, it is crucial to make a preliminary judgement on whether the tumor is benign or malignant with hematoxylin and eosin-stained images. A deep learning-based system, Soft Tissue Tumor Box (STT-BOX), is presented herein, with only hematoxylin and eosin images for malignant STT identification from benign STTs with histopathologic similarity.

MiR-135a-5p/SP1 Axis Regulates Spinal Astrocyte Proliferation and Migration.

Following spinal cord injury (SCI), astrocyte activation and proliferation result in the development of glial scars, which impede axonal growth and neurological recovery. Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) during SCI results in altered expression of downstream genes. Our previous study has revealed that miR-135a-5p regulates neuronal apoptosis and axonal growth by targeting specificity protein 1 (SP1).

Palbociclib plus endocrine therapy in hormone receptor-positive and HER2 negative metastatic breast cancer: a multicenter real-world study in the northwest of China.

Background: Real-world data of Palbociclib are insufficient in China. This study aimed to investigate the treatment pattern and real-world outcomes in hormone receptor positive and human epidermal growth factor 2 receptor negative (HR+/HER2-) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients treated with Palbociclib in the northwest of China.

Methods: HR+/HER2- MBC patients who received Palbociclib in 8 centers from July 2017 to September 2019 were retrospectively included in this study.

Separation and Purification of Two Saponins from var. by a Macroporous Resin.

An effective method for separating and purifying critical saponins (polyphyllin II and polyphyllin VII) from a var. extract was developed in this study which was environmentally friendly and economical. Static adsorption kinetics, thermodynamics, and the dynamic adsorption-desorption of macroporous resins were investigated, and then the conditions of purification and separation were optimized by fitting with an adsorption thermodynamics equation and a kinetic equation.