Magnetic-assisted and aptamer-based SERS biosensor for high enrichment, ultrasensitive detection of multicomponent heart failure biomarkers.

The high-sensitivity detection of low-concentration multicomponent biomarkers in the blood of heart failure (HF) patients using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) remains a significant challenge. In this study, an ultrasensitive biosensor for the detection of multicomponent HF biomarkers was designed. This biosensor utilizes Au@Ag nanoparticles (Au@Ag NPs) functionalized with Raman reporter molecules (RaRs) as SERS probes, and Ag-coated FeO nanoparticles (FeO-Ag NPs) modified with internal standard (IS) molecules as the capture substrate, offering the dual advantages of magnetic enrichment and SERS enhancement.

Harnessing haploid-inducer mediated genome editing for accelerated maize variety development.

The integration of haploid induction and genome editing, termed HI-Edit/IMGE, is a promising tool for generating targeted mutations for crop breeding. However, the technical components and stacking suitable for the maize seed industry have yet to be fully characterised and tested. Here, we developed and assessed three HI-Edit/IMGE maize lines: Edit, Edit, and Edit, using the haploid inducer CHOI3 and lines engineered using the CRISPR-Cas9 system targeting the Waxy1 (Wx1) and Shrunken2 (Sh2) genes.

TIGIT expression on natural killer cell subsets is an early indicator of alleviating liver inflammation following bulevirtide treatment in chronic hepatitis D.

Background And Aims: Bulevirtide (BLV) is a novel and the only approved treatment option for patients with chronic hepatitis D (CHD). BLV alleviates liver inflammation early during treatment when only minor HDV RNA changes are observed. We hypothesized that BLV treatment may influence immune cells in patients with CHD and performed a high-resolution analysis of natural killer (NK) cells before and during BLV therapy.

Positively charged cytoplasmic residues in corin prevent signal peptidase cleavage and endoplasmic reticulum retention.

Positively charged residues are commonly located near the cytoplasm-membrane interface, which is known as the positive-inside rule in membrane topology. The mechanism underlying the function of these charged residues remains poorly understood. Herein, we studied the function of cytoplasmic residues in corin, a type II transmembrane serine protease in cardiovascular biology.

Impact of number of passes and futile reperfusion in basilar artery occlusion acute ischaemic stroke.

Introduction: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is the standard of care in anterior circulation large vessel occlusion. A vital modifiable factor is successful reperfusion. While multiple passes improve the rates of successful reperfusion, previous studies have reported progressively diminishing returns.

Mid-term outcomes of atrioventricular valve repair in functional single ventricle patients.

Background: Surgical treatment of functional single ventricle combined with atrioventricular valve regurgitation remains a clinical challenge. The outcomes of atrioventricular valve repair in patients with single ventricle are limited.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of all 28 patients with functional single ventricle treated with single-ventricle palliation who underwent atrioventricular valve operation at the First Hospital of Tsinghua University between April 2007 and October 2022.

Decidualization-associated recruitment of cytotoxic memory CD8T cells to the maternal-fetal interface for immune defense.

Decidual CD8T (dCD8T) cells are pivotal in the maintenance of the delicate balance between immune tolerance towards the fetus and immune resistance against pathogens. The endometrium and decidua represent the uterine environments before and during pregnancy, respectively, yet the composition and phenotypic alterations of uterine CD8T cells in these tissues remain unclear. Using flow cytometry and analysis of transcriptome profiles, we demonstrated that human dCD8T and endometrial CD8T (eCD8T) cells exhibited similar T cell differentiation statuses and phenotypes of tissue infiltrating or residency, compared to peripheral CD8T (pCD8T) cells.

O-glycosylation is essential for cell surface expression of the transcobalamin receptor CD320.

CD320 is a cell surface receptor that mediates vitamin B uptake in most tissues. To date, the mechanisms that regulate CD320 expression on the cell surface are not fully understood. In this work, we studied CD320 expression in transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 and hepatoma HepG2 cells.

Cardiac corin and atrial natriuretic peptide regulate liver glycogen metabolism and glucose homeostasis.

Background: Cardiovascular function and metabolic homeostasis are closely linked, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Corin is a protease that activates atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), an essential hormone for normal blood pressure and cardiac function. The goal of this study is to investigate a potential corin and ANP function in regulating liver glycogen metabolism and glucose homeostasis.

CD36-mediated arachidonic acid influx from decidual stromal cells increases inflammatory macrophages in miscarriage.

Spontaneous abortion is associated with aberrant lipid metabolism, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we show that lipids are accumulated in decidual stromal cells (DSCs) and macrophages (dMφs) in women with miscarriage and mouse abortion-prone models. Moreover, we show that excessive lipids from DSCs are transferred to dMφs via a CD36-dependent mechanism that induces inflammation in dMφs.

Natural variation of CT2 affects the embryo/kernel weight ratio in maize.

Embryo size is a critical trait determining not only grain yield but also the nutrition of the maize kernel. Up to the present, only a few genes have been characterized affecting the maize embryo/kernel ratio. Here, we identify 63 genes significantly associated with maize embryo/kernel weight ratio using a genome-wide association study (GWAS).

Heterozygous fasciated ear mutations improve yield traits in inbred and hybrid maize lines.

Heterozygous mutations in two genes encoding key regulators of development improve kernel row number in inbred and hybrid maize, revealing their potential for yield improvement.

Chromosomal abnormalities detected by chromosomal microarray analysis and pregnancy outcomes of 4211 fetuses with high-risk prenatal indications.

With the gradual liberalization of the three-child policy and the development of assisted reproductive technology in China, the number of women with high-risk pregnancies is gradually increasing. In this study, 4211 fetuses who underwent chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) with high-risk prenatal indications were analysed. The results showed that the overall prenatal detection rate of CMA was 11.

Expediting Next-Generation Hybrid Technology in Recalcitrant Maize Inbreds through In Vivo Targeted Activity of CRISPR/Cas9.

The Manipulated Genic Male Sterile Maintainer (MGM) system, a next-generation hybrid seed technology, enables efficient production of sortable seeds from genic male sterile (GMS) lines. However, implementing robust MGM systems in commercial maize inbred lines requires stable transformation, a genotype-specific and laborious process. This study aimed to integrate MGM technology into the commercial maize inbred line Z372, developing both GMS and MGM lines.

A Galectin-9-Driven CD11c Decidual Macrophage Subset Suppresses Uterine Vascular Remodeling in Preeclampsia.

Background: Preeclampsia is a serious disease of pregnancy that lacks early diagnosis methods or effective treatment, except delivery. Dysregulated uterine immune cells and spiral arteries are implicated in preeclampsia, but the mechanistic link remains unclear.

Methods: Single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics were used to identify immune cell subsets associated with preeclampsia.

Corin deficiency alleviates mucosal lesions in a mouse model of colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium.

Aims: High dietary salt consumption is a risk factor for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Corin is a protease that activates atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), thereby regulating sodium homeostasis. Corin acts in multiple tissues, including the intestine.

The maize PLASTID TERMINAL OXIDASE (PTOX) locus controls the carotenoid content of kernels.

Carotenoids perform a broad range of important functions in humans; therefore, carotenoid biofortification of maize (Zea mays L.), one of the most highly produced cereal crops worldwide, would have a global impact on human health. PLASTID TERMINAL OXIDASE (PTOX) genes play an important role in carotenoid metabolism; however, the possible function of PTOX in carotenoid biosynthesis in maize has not yet been explored.

Wearable electrochemical sensors for plant small-molecule detection.

Small molecules in plants - such as metabolites, phytohormones, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inorganic ions - participate in the processes of plant growth and development, physiological metabolism, and stress response. Wearable electrochemical sensors, known for their fast response, high sensitivity, and minimal plant damage, serve as ideal tools for dynamically tracking these small molecules. Such sensors provide producers or agricultural researchers with noninvasive or minimally invasive means of obtaining plant signals.

Strategy and technique for surgical treatment of Ebstein's anomaly.

Background: Ebstein's anomaly (EA) is a rare and complex congenital heart anomaly, and the effect of surgical treatment is not ideal. This study aims to introduce our experience in management strategies, surgical techniques, and operative indications for patients with Ebstein's anomaly.

Methods: A retrospective study of 258 operations was performed in 253 patients by the same cardiac surgeon in The First Hospital of Tsinghua University between March 2004 and January 2020.

Surgical strategies and outcomes for myocardial bridges coexisting with other cardiac conditions.

Background: Myocardial bridges are congenital coronary artery anomalies. There are still many controversies surrounding surgical treatment strategies for myocardial bridges combined with other heart disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surgical treatment strategies and outcomes in patients with these conditions.