Novel insight into MDA-7/IL-24: A potent therapeutic target for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Melanoma differentiation-associated gene-7 (MDA-7)/interleukin-24 (IL-24) is a pleiotropic member of the IL-10 family of cytokines, and is involved in multiple biological processes, including cell proliferation, cell differentiation, tissue fibrosis, the inflammatory response, and antitumor activity. MDA-7/IL-24 can regulate epithelial integrity, homeostasis, mucosal immunity and host resistance to various pathogens by enhancing immune and inflammatory responses. Our recent study revealed the mechanism of MDA-7/IL-24 in promoting airway inflammation and airway remodeling through activating the JAK/STAT3 and ERK signaling pathways in bronchial epithelial cells.

Screening and staging of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with deep learning based on chest X-ray images and clinical parameters.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is underdiagnosed with the current gold standard measure pulmonary function test (PFT). A more sensitive and simple option for early detection and severity evaluation of COPD could benefit practitioners and patients.

Methods: In this multicenter retrospective study, frontal chest X-ray (CXR) images and related clinical information of 1055 participants were collected and processed.

Exosomes Derived from Astragaloside IV-pretreated Endothelial Progenitor Cells (AS-IV-Exos) Alleviated Endothelial Oxidative Stress and Dysfunction Via the miR-210/ Nox2/ROS Pathway.

Background: Chronic hyperglycemia in diabetes induces oxidative stress, leading to damage to the vascular system. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects and mechanisms of AS-IV-Exos in alleviating endothelial oxidative stress and dysfunction caused by high glucose (HG).

Methods: Histopathological changes were observed using HE staining, and CD31 expression was assessed through immunohistochemistry (IHC).

[Shenqi Dihuang Decoction inhibits high-glucose induced ferroptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells via Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 pathway].

This study aims to explore the effects of Shenqi Dihuang Decoction on high-glucose induced ferroptosis and the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)/glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4) axis in human renal tubular epithelial cells(HK-2) and to clarify the underlying mechanism. The cell injury model was established by exposing HK-2 to high glucose, and the Shenqi Dihuang Decoction-medicated serum was prepared. The optimal concentration and intervention time of Shenqi Dihuang Decoction were determined.

Endothelial Progenitor-Cell-Derived Exosomes Induced by Astragaloside IV Accelerate Type I Diabetic-wound Healing via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway in Rats.

Objective: We explore the effects of endothelial progenitor cell (EPC)-derived exosomes (EPCexos) and of astragaloside IV (ASIV)-stimulated EPCexos (ASIV-EPCexos) on type I diabetic-wound healing, and determine the basic molecular mechanisms of action.

Methods: EPCs were exposed to different concentrations of ASIV to generate ASIV-EPCexos. A chronic-wound healing model involving streptozotocin-stimulated diabetic rats was established.

Interplay of IL-33 and IL-35 Modulates Th2/Th17 Responses in Cigarette Smoke Exposure HDM-Induced Asthma.

Cigarette smoke (CS) facilitates adverse effects on the airway inflammation and treatment of asthma. Here, we investigated the mechanisms by which CS exacerbates asthma. The roles of IL-33 and IL-35 in asthma development were examined by treatment with IL-33 knockout (IL-33 KO) or transfection of adenovirus encoding IL-35 (Ad-IL-35) in a murine model of cigarette smoke-exposure asthma.

IL-38 alleviates airway remodeling in chronic asthma via blocking the profibrotic effect of IL-36γ.

Airway remodeling is a major feature of asthma. Interleukin (IL)-36γ is significantly upregulated and promotes airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) in asthma, but its role in airway remodeling is unknown. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of IL-36γ in airway remodeling, and whether IL-38 can alleviate airway remodeling in chronic asthma by blocking the effects of IL-36γ.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of S. Q. Tong & Y. M. Xia (Zingiberaceae).

Here, the complete chloroplast genome sequence of is described using MGI paired-end sequencing. The genome is 163,428 bp in length and contains a small single-copy region (SSC) of 15,782 bp, a large single-copy region (LSC) of 88,142 bp, and two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 29,752 bp. The overall GC content is 36.

Down-expression of Foxj1 on airway epithelium with impaired cilia architecture in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis implies disease severity.

Introduction: The pathogenesis of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis has not been clearly clarified. This study aimed to investigate the expression of ciliary regulating protein forkhead box protein j1 (Foxj1) on airway epithelium in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis and its association with airway cilia structure disorder and disease severity.

Methods: Lung tissue sections excised from 47 patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis were included between January 2018 and June 2021.

A CpG-Oligodeoxynucleotide Suppresses Th2/Th17 Inflammation by Inhibiting IL-33/ST2 Signaling in Mice from a Model of Adoptive Dendritic Cell Transfer of Smoke-Induced Asthma.

Tobacco smoke exposure is a major environmental risk factor that facilitates the development and progression of asthma. Our previous study showed that CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG-ODN) inhibits thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP)-dendritic cells (DCs) to reduce Th2/Th17-related inflammatory response in smoke-related asthma. However, the mechanism underlying CpG-ODN -downregulated TSLP remains unclear.

IL-24 Contributes to Neutrophilic Asthma in an IL-17A-Dependent Manner and Is Suppressed by IL-37.

Purpose: Neutrophilic asthma is associated with asthma exacerbation, steroid insensitivity, and severe asthma. Interleukin (IL)-24 is overexpressed in asthma and is involved in the pathogenesis of several allergic inflammatory diseases. However, the role and specific mechanism of IL-24 in neutrophilic asthma are unclear.

IL-37 protects against airway remodeling by reversing bronchial epithelial-mesenchymal transition via IL-24 signaling pathway in chronic asthma.

Background: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is one of the mechanisms of airway remodeling in chronic asthma. Interleukin (IL)-24 has been implicated in the promotion of tissue fibrosis, and increased IL-24 levels have been observed in the nasal secretions and sputum of asthmatic patients. However, the role of IL-24 in asthmatic airway remodeling, especially in EMT, remains largely unknown.

Astragaloside IV drug-loaded exosomes (AS-IV EXOs) derived from endothelial progenitor cells improve the viability and tube formation in high-glucose impaired human endothelial cells by promoting miR-214 expression.

Introduction: The high glucose changes caused by diabetes mellitus (DM) can damage the vascular system. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) can improve diabetes and promote angiogenesis. Exosomes (EXOs) help to carry specific drugs into cells efficiently.

Main pulmonary artery enlargement predicts 90-day readmissions in Chinese COPD patients.

Background: Numerous studies have shown pulmonary artery enlargement when measured by chest computed tomography (CT) could predict a worse outcome in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Herein, we studied the prognostic implication of main pulmonary artery diameter (MPAD) in Chinese COPD patients.

Methods: This is an observational case-control study.

Deep Learning-Based Available and Common Clinical-Related Feature Variables Robustly Predict Survival in Community-Acquired Pneumonia.

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although there are many predictors of death for CAP, there are still some limitations. This study aimed to build a simple and accurate model based on available and common clinical-related feature variables for predicting CAP mortality by adopting machine learning techniques.

Bioinspired Heteromultivalent Chitosan--Fe₂O₃/Gadofullerene Hybrid Composite for Enhanced Antibiotic-Resistant Bacterial Pneumonia.

Herein, we have designed and developed a heteromultivalent chitosan base -Fe₂O₃/Gadofullerene (GdF) hybrid composite through a simple chemical precipitation method. Unlike other methods, the addition of external stabilizing agents to generate GdF nanoparticles (NPs) was not necessary herein. The prepared chitosan--Fe₂O₃/GdF hybrid nanocomposites were characterized using UV, FT-IR, XRD and morphological microscopic analyses.

CpG oligodeoxynucleotides attenuate RORγt-mediated Th17 response by restoring histone deacetylase-2 in cigarette smoke-exposure asthma.

Background: Cigarette smoke (CS) exposure increases corticosteroid insensitive asthma related to increased Th17 phenotype, and new treatment strategies are needed for CS-associated asthma. Histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2), found in the airway epithelium, is critical for ameliorating glucocorticoids insensitivity. We recently demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effects of CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODNs) on CS-exposure asthma.

Combined Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and CURB-65 Score as an Accurate Predictor of Mortality for Community-Acquired Pneumonia in the Elderly.

Purpose: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is common among the elderly; it typically has a poor prognosis and high mortality. This study evaluated the factors predicting CAP-related in-hospital mortality in the elderly to identify a simpler and more accurate predictor.

Patients And Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective study.

Oxidovanadium(V) and Dioxidomolybdenum(VI) Complexes of N'-(3,5-Dichloro-2-hydroxybenzylidene)-4-fluorobenzohydrazide: Synthesis, Characterization, Crystal Structures and Catalytic Property.

N'-(3,5-Dichloro-2-hydroxybenzylidene)-4-fluorobenzohydrazide (H2L) was used to prepare oxidovanadium(V) complex [VOL(OEt)(MeOH)] (1) and dioxidomolybdenum(VI) complex [MoO2L(OH2)]·[MoO2L(EtOH)] (2). The complexes were characterized by IR, UV-Vis, NMR spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. X-ray analysis indicates that the complexes are mononuclear species with the metal atoms in octahedral coordination.

Feasibility study on recycled vegetable oil waste and recycled polyethylene for the modification of aged asphalt.

The application of reclaimed asphalt pavement has been widely encouraged due to its significant economic and environmental benefits. However, it is necessary to add rejuvenators to ensure its performance. Currently, bio-oil-based regenerants have attracted attention owing to their advantages of renewability and cost savings.

Panton-valentine leucocidin carrying Staphylococcus aureus causing necrotizing pneumonia inactivates the JAK/STAT signaling pathway and increases the expression of inflammatory cytokines.

Purpose: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carrying Panton-Valentine leukocidin, a pore-forming toxin, is a common cause of necrotizing pneumonia. However, the early pulmonary inflammatory response following PVL(+) MRSA infection is unknown. The purpose of this study was to use a murine model to determine the effect of PVL(+) MRSA on lung tissues and the expression of cytokines and JAK and STAT mRNA and protein.

A promising approach for screening pulmonary hypertension based on frontal chest radiographs using deep learning: A retrospective study.

Background: To date, the missed diagnosis rate of pulmonary hypertension (PH) was high, and there has been limited development of a rapid, simple, and effective way to screen the disease. The purpose of this study is to develop a deep learning approach to achieve rapid detection of possible abnormalities in chest radiographs suggesting PH for screening patients suspected of PH.

Methods: We retrospectively collected frontal chest radiographs and the pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) value measured by Doppler transthoracic echocardiography from 762 patients (357 healthy controls and 405 with PH) from three institutes in China from January 2013 to May 2019.