A stable and biocompatible shortwave infrared nanoribbon for dual-channel in vivo imaging.

The shortwave infrared (SWIR) region is an ideal spectral window for next-generation bioimaging to harness improved penetration and reduced phototoxicity. SWIR spectral activity may also be accessed via supramolecular dye aggregation. Unfortunately, development of dye aggregation remains challenging.

ANK Deficiency-Mediated Cytosolic Citrate Accumulation Promotes Aortic Aneurysm.

Background: Disturbed metabolism and transport of citrate play significant roles in various pathologies. However, vascular citrate regulation and its potential role in aortic aneurysm (AA) development remain poorly understood.

Methods: Untargeted metabolomics by mass spectrometry was applied to identify upregulated metabolites of the tricarboxylic acid cycle in AA tissues of mice.

Genetically Determined Plasma Hepatocyte Growth Factor Levels Are Associated With the Risk and Prognosis of Ischemic Stroke.

Background: Observational studies suggest that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is associated with the risk and prognosis of ischemic stroke, but the causality of these associations remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to explore the associations of genetically determined plasma HGF levels with the risk and prognosis of ischemic stroke.

Methods: A total of 13 single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with plasma HGF were selected as genetic instruments based on the data from a genome-wide association study with 21 758 European participants.

Lysosome-Related Genes and RNF19B as Prognostic Markers for Survival and Immunotherapy Efficacy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) poses a considerable worldwide health concern due to its associated high risk of death. The heterogeneity of HCC poses challenges in developing practical risk stratification tools and identifying prognostic markers for personalized targeted treatments. Recently, lysosomes were shown to be crucial contributors to numerous cellular activities, including tumor initiation and immune response regulation.

Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: A Multicenter Study.

Background: The pathogenesis of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is multifactorial and growing evidence has indicated that hematological disorders are involved. Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) has recently been associated with an increased risk of both hematological malignancies and cardiovascular diseases. However, the prevalence and clinical relevance of CHIP in patients with CTEPH remains unclear.

VV116 versus Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir for Oral Treatment of Covid-19.

Background: Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir has been authorized for emergency use by many countries for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). However, the supply falls short of the global demand, which creates a need for more options. VV116 is an oral antiviral agent with potent activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Genome-Wide DNA Methylation and Gene Expression Profiling Characterizes Molecular Subtypes of Esophagus Squamous Cell Carcinoma for Predicting Patient Survival and Immunotherapy Efficacy.

Background: Immunotherapy is recently being used to treat esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC); however, response and survival benefits are limited to a subset of patients. A better understanding of the molecular heterogeneity and tumor immune microenvironment in ESCC is needed for improving disease management.

Methods: Based on the DNA methylation and gene expression profiles of ESCC patients, we identify molecular subtypes of patients and construct a predictive model for subtype classification.

PHB2 Maintains the Contractile Phenotype of VSMCs by Counteracting PKM2 Splicing.

Background: Phenotypic transition of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) accounts for the pathogenesis of a variety of vascular diseases during the early stage. Recent studies indicate the metabolic reprogramming may be involved in VSMC phenotypic transition. However, the definite molecules that link energy metabolism to distinct VSMC phenotype remain elusive.

Vision Prognosis and Associated Factors of Optic Neuritis in Dependence of Glial Autoimmune Antibodies.

Purpose: To assess the visual prognosis of optic neuritis (ON) in dependence of the glial autoimmune antibody status and associated factors.

Design: Longitudinal observational cohort study.

Methods: Patients with ON and measurements of serum concentrations of glial autoantibodies were consecutively and longitudinally examined with a minimal follow-up of 3 months.

The flavonoid procyanidin C1 has senotherapeutic activity and increases lifespan in mice.

Ageing-associated functional decline of organs and increased risk for age-related chronic pathologies is driven in part by the accumulation of senescent cells, which develop the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Here we show that procyanidin C1 (PCC1), a polyphenolic component of grape seed extract (GSE), increases the healthspan and lifespan of mice through its action on senescent cells. By screening a library of natural products, we find that GSE, and PCC1 as one of its active components, have specific effects on senescent cells.

Targeting chondrocytes for arresting bony fusion in ankylosing spondylitis.

Bony fusion caused by pathological new bone formation manifests the clinical feature of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here we discovered spontaneous kyphosis, arthritis and bony fusion in mature CD4-Cre;Ptpn11 mice, which present the pathophysiological features of AS.

Angiocrine FSTL1 (Follistatin-Like Protein 1) Insufficiency Leads to Atrial and Venous Wall Fibrosis via SMAD3 Activation.

Objective: Angiocrine factors, mediating the endothelial-mural cell interaction in vascular wall construction as well as maintenance, are incompletely characterized. This study aims to investigate the role of endothelial cell-derived FSTL1 (follistatin-like protein 1) in vascular homeostasis. Approach and Results: Using conditional knockout mouse models, we show that loss of FSTL1 in endothelial cells () led to an increase of pulmonary vascular resistance, resulting in the heart regurgitation especially with tricuspid valves.

Anti-inflammatory fusicoccane-type diterpenoids from the phytopathogenic fungus Alternaria brassicicola.

Altering the cultivation conditions, such as temperature, media compositions, illumination, aeration, the shape of the culturing flask, etc., is regarded as a useful strategy for the exploitation of structurally novel and bioactive secondary metabolites, which inspired us to explore the chemical and pharmacological diversities from the genetically powerful fungus Alternaria brassicicola. As a result, twelve fusicoccane-type diterpenoids, including eight new ones, termed brassicicenes Q-X (1-8), were isolated from a modified rice medium.

Demarcation Line in the Human Cornea After Surface Ablation Observed by Optical Coherence Tomography and Confocal Microscopy.

Purpose: To investigate the long-term changes in anterior corneal structure after surface ablation.

Methods: In this retrospective study, patients who received surface ablation including laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) and epipolis laser in situ keratomileusis at the Department of Ophthalmology of Fudan University Eye and Ear, Nose and Throat (EENT) Hospital (Shanghai, People's Republic of China) were telephoned. Patients were asked to follow-up at the refractive center.

Temporal Relationship Between Hyperuricemia and Insulin Resistance and Its Impact on Future Risk of Hypertension.

Although hyperuricemia and insulin resistance significantly correlated, their temporal sequence and how the sequence influence on future risk of hypertension are largely unknown. This study assessed temporal relationship between uric acid and insulin resistance and its impact on future risk of hypertension by examining a longitudinal cohort including 8543 subjects aged 20 to 74 years from China, with an average follow-up of 5.3 years.

Mutations in TUBB8 and Human Oocyte Meiotic Arrest.

Background Human reproduction depends on the fusion of a mature oocyte with a sperm cell to form a fertilized egg. The genetic events that lead to the arrest of human oocyte maturation are unknown. Methods We sequenced the exomes of five members of a four-generation family, three of whom had infertility due to oocyte meiosis I arrest.

Exposure to fine airborne particulate matters induces hepatic fibrosis in murine models.

Background & Aims: Hepatic fibrosis, featured by the accumulation of excessive extracellular matrix in liver tissue, is associated with metabolic disease and cancer. Inhalation exposure to airborne particulate matter in fine ranges (PM2.5) correlates with pulmonary dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome.

Balancing the Expression and Production of a Heterodimeric Protein: Recombinant Agkisacutacin as a Novel Antithrombotic Drug Candidate.

Agkisacucetin extracted from the venom of Agkistrodon acutus has been demonstrated to be a promising antithrombotic drug candidate in clinical studies due to its function as a novel platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) Ib inhibitor. Agkisacucetin is a heterodimeric protein composed of α- and β-subunits with seven disulphide bonds. Both subunits form inactive homodimeric products, which cause difficulties for recombinant production.

Hydrogen Activates ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter A1-Dependent Efflux Ex Vivo and Improves High-Density Lipoprotein Function in Patients With Hypercholesterolemia: A Double-Blinded, Randomized, and Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Context: We have found that hydrogen (dihydrogen [H2]) decreases plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and improves high-density lipoprotein (HDL) function in patients with potential metabolic syndrome in a before-after self-controlled study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to further characterize the effects of H2-rich water (0.9 L/day) on the content, composition, and biological activities of plasma lipoproteins on patients with hypercholesterolemia and their underlying mechanisms in a double-blinded, randomized, and placebo-controlled trial.

Dietary energy density is positively associated with risk of pancreatic cancer in urban Shanghai Chinese.

Regular consumption of energy-dense foods predisposes to obesity and type 2 diabetes, both of which are suggested risk factors for pancreatic cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate whether energy density of foods is an independent risk factor for pancreatic cancer. In this population-based case-control study in urban Shanghai, 908 patients with pancreatic cancer and 1067 normal controls, aged 35-79 y, were recruited.

Rad GTPase deficiency leads to cardiac hypertrophy.

Background: Rad (Ras associated with diabetes) GTPase is the prototypic member of a subfamily of Ras-related small G proteins. The aim of the present study was to define whether Rad plays an important role in mediating cardiac hypertrophy.

Methods And Results: We document for the first time that levels of Rad mRNA and protein were decreased significantly in human failing hearts (n=10) compared with normal hearts (n=3; P<0.