Novel Perspectives Focused on the Relationship Between Herpesvirus Encephalitis and Anti-GFAP-Antibody-Positive Astrocytopathy.

Virus encephalitis (VE), recognized as one of the common kinds of central nervous system (CNS) diseases after virus infection, has a surprising correlation with autoimmune encephalitis (AE) when autoimmune antibodies emerge in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or serum. Herpes simplex virus and Epstein-Barr virus are the most critical agents worldwide. By molecular mimicry, herpes viruses can invade the brain directly or indirectly.

Entropy Engineering-Modulated D-Band Center of Transition Metal Nitrides for Catalyzing Polysulfide Conversion in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

The sluggish sulfur redox kinetics and severe polysulfide shuttle effect seriously restrict the cycling stability and lower the sulfur utilization of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. Efficient catalytic conversion of polysulfides is deemed a crucial strategy to address these issues, but still suffers from an unclear electronic structure-activity relationship and a limited catalysis performance. Herein, entropy engineering-induced electronic state modulation of metal nitride nanoparticles embedded within hollow N-doped carbon (HNC) polyhedra are theoretically and experimentally constructed as a catalyst to accelerate the redox process of sulfur and suppress polysulfide migration in Li-S batteries.

The liquid-to-solid transition of FUS is promoted by the condensate surface.

A wide range of macromolecules can undergo phase separation, forming biomolecular condensates in living cells. These membraneless organelles are typically highly dynamic, formed reversibly, and carry out essential functions in biological systems. Crucially, however, a further liquid-to-solid transition of the condensates can lead to irreversible pathological aggregation and cellular dysfunction associated with the onset and development of neurodegenerative diseases.

Combination of novel oncolytic herpesvirus with paclitaxel as an efficient strategy for breast cancer therapy.

Background: New strategies are needed to improve the treatment of patients with breast cancer (BC). Oncolytic virotherapy is a promising new tool for cancer treatment but still has a limited overall durable antitumor response. A novel replicable recombinant oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 called VG161 has been developed and has demonstrated antitumor effects in several cancers.

Oncolytic virotherapy: basic principles, recent advances and future directions.

Oncolytic viruses (OVs) have attracted growing awareness in the twenty-first century, as they are generally considered to have direct oncolysis and cancer immune effects. With the progress in genetic engineering technology, OVs have been adopted as versatile platforms for developing novel antitumor strategies, used alone or in combination with other therapies. Recent studies have yielded eye-catching results that delineate the promising clinical outcomes that OVs would bring about in the future.

VG161 activates systemic antitumor immunity in pancreatic cancer models as a novel oncolytic herpesvirus expressing multiple immunomodulatory transgenes.

The VG161 represents the first recombinant oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 carrying multiple synergistic antitumor immuno-modulating factors. Here, we report its antitumor mechanisms and thus provide firm theoretical foundation for the upcoming clinical application in pancreatic cancer. Generally, the VG161-mediated antitumor outcomes were analyzed by a collaboration of techniques, namely the single-cell sequencing, airflow-assisted desorption electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry imaging (AFADSI-MSI) and nanostring techniques.

Aquabots.

Soft robots, made from elastomers, easily bend and flex, but deformability constraints severely limit navigation through and within narrow, confined spaces. Using aqueous two-phase systems we print water-in-water constructs that, by aqueous phase-separation-induced self-assembly, produce ultrasoft liquid robots, termed aquabots, comprised of hierarchical structures that span in length scale from the nanoscopic to microsciopic, that are beyond the resolution limits of printing and overcome the deformability barrier. The exterior of the compartmentalized membranes is easily functionalized, for example, by binding enzymes, catalytic nanoparticles, and magnetic nanoparticles that impart sensitive magnetic responsiveness.

Line optical tweezers as controllable micromachines: techniques and emerging trends.

In the past three decades, the technology of optical tweezers has made significant contributions in various scientific areas, including optics, photonics, and nanosciences. Breakthroughs include manipulating particles in both static and dynamic ways, particle sorting, and constructing controllable micromachines. Advances in shaping and controlling the laser beam profile enable control over the position and location of the trap, which has many possible applications.

Vimentin intermediate filaments and filamentous actin form unexpected interpenetrating networks that redefine the cell cortex.

The cytoskeleton of eukaryotic cells is primarily composed of networks of filamentous proteins, F-actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. Interactions among the cytoskeletal components are important in determining cell structure and in regulating cell functions. For example, F-actin and microtubules work together to control cell shape and polarity, while the subcellular organization and transport of vimentin intermediate filament (VIF) networks depend on their interactions with microtubules.

Living-DNA Nanogel Appendant Enables Modulation and Quantification of Regulation Effects on Membrane Proteins.

Screening appendants on membrane proteins to understand their varied regulation effects is desirable for finding the potential candidates of the membrane-protein-targeted drugs. However, most artificial appendants can hardly support condition screening because they cannot evolve , neither can they send out signals to reflect the modulation. Here, we designed living-DNA appendants to enable such screening.

Combined targeted therapy and immunotherapy for cancer treatment.

Although targeted therapies and immunotherapies have been effective against several malignancies, the respective monotherapies are limited by low and/or short-term responses. Specific inhibitors of oncogenic signaling pathways and tumor-associated angiogenesis can activate the anti-tumor immune responses by increasing tumor antigen presentation or intratumor T cell infiltration. Additional insights into the effects and mechanisms of targeted therapies on the induction of anti-tumor immunity will facilitate development of rational and effective combination strategies that synergize rapid tumor regression and durable response.

Effects of Vimentin Intermediate Filaments on the Structure and Dynamics of In Vitro Multicomponent Interpenetrating Cytoskeletal Networks.

We investigate the rheological properties of interpenetrating networks reconstituted from the main cytoskeletal components: filamentous actin, microtubules, and vimentin intermediate filaments. The elastic modulus is determined largely by actin, with little contribution from either microtubules or vimentin. However, vimentin dramatically impacts the relaxation, with even small amounts significantly increasing the relaxation time of the interpenetrating network.

Biomaterial Cues Regulated Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells into GABAergic Neurons through Ca/c-Jun/TLX3 Signaling Promoted by Hydroxyapatite Nanorods.

Directed differentiation enables the production of a specific cell type by manipulating signals in development. However, there is a lack of effective means to accelerate the regeneration of neurons of particular subtypes for pathogenesis and clinical therapy. In this study, we find that hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanorods promote neural differentiation of neural stem cells due to their chemical compositions.

Topological analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma tumour microenvironment based on imaging mass cytometry reveals cellular neighbourhood regulated reversely by macrophages with different ontogeny.

Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumour microenvironment (TME) is highly complex with diverse cellular components organising into various functional units, cellular neighbourhoods (CNs). And we wanted to define CN of HCC while preserving the TME architecture, based on which, potential targets for novel immunotherapy could be identified.

Design: A highly multiplexed imaging mass cytometry (IMC) panel was designed to simultaneously quantify 36 biomarkers of tissues from 134 patients with HCC and 7 healthy donors to generate 562 highly multiplexed histology images at single-cell resolution.

A preoperative nomogram predicts prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation: a multicenter retrospective study.

Background: Although criteria for liver transplantation, such as the Milan criteria and Hangzhou experiences, have become popular, criteria to guide adjuvant therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation are lacking.

Methods: We collected data from all consecutive patients from 2012 to 2019 at three liver transplantation centers in China retrospectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to analyze preoperative parameters, such as demographic and clinical data.

Preoperative transarterial chemoembolization for barcelona clinic liver cancer stage A/B hepatocellular carcinoma beyond the milan criteria: a propensity score matching analysis.

Background: Debate continues about the benefits of preoperative transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to assess the impact of preoperative TACE on long-term outcomes after curative resection for HCC beyond the Milan criteria.

Methods: Patients who underwent HCC resection exceeding the Milan criteria without macrovascular invasion between 2015 and 2018 were identified (n = 393).

Oncolytic virus combined with traditional treatment versus traditional treatment alone in patients with cancer: a meta-analysis.

Background: Oncolytic virus therapy has shown benefits for multiple cancers, while limitations remain for traditional treatment. However, few studies have concentrated on comparing whether oncolytic virus combined with traditional treatment is better than traditional treatment alone in patients with cancer. We conducted a meta-analysis of the curative effect and safety of oncolytic virus combination therapy.

Effect of Divalent Cations on the Structure and Mechanics of Vimentin Intermediate Filaments.

Divalent cations behave as effective cross-linkers of intermediate filaments (IFs) such as vimentin IF (VIF). These interactions have been mostly attributed to their multivalency. However, ion-protein interactions often depend on the ion species, and these effects have not been widely studied in IFs.

Dissolvable Polyacrylamide Beads for High-Throughput Droplet DNA Barcoding.

Droplet-based single cell sequencing technologies, such as inDrop, Drop-seq, and 10X Genomics, are catalyzing a revolution in the understanding of biology. Barcoding beads are key components for these technologies. What is limiting today are barcoding beads that are easy to fabricate, can efficiently deliver primers into drops, and thus achieve high detection efficiency.

Oncolytic virotherapy in hepato-bilio-pancreatic cancer: The key to breaking the log jam?

Traditional therapies have limited efficacy in hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, and biliary tract cancer, especially for advanced and refractory cancers. Through a deeper understanding of antitumor immunity and the tumor microenvironment, novel immunotherapies are becoming available for cancer treatment. Oncolytic virus (OV) therapy is an emerging type of immunotherapy that has demonstrated effective antitumor efficacy in many preclinical studies and clinical studies.

Prediction of postoperative pancreatic fistula using a nomogram based on the updated definition.

Purpose: The International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula's definition of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) has recently been updated. This study aimed to identify risk factors for POPF in patients having pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and to generate a nomogram to predict POPF.

Methods: Data on 298 patients who underwent PD from March 2012 to October 2017 was retrospectively reviewed and POPF statuses were redefined.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization after curative resection for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate and determine those patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that would benefit from the administration of postoperative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (PA-TACE).

Methods: PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies up to July 30, 2019. The outcome of Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were extracted and converted to hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs).

Development of a Novel Multiparametric MRI Radiomic Nomogram for Preoperative Evaluation of Early Recurrence in Resectable Pancreatic Cancer.

Background: In pancreatic cancer, methods to predict early recurrence (ER) and identify patients at increased risk of relapse are urgently required.

Purpose: To develop a radiomic nomogram based on MR radiomics to stratify patients preoperatively and potentially improve clinical practice.

Study Type: Retrospective.

A nomogram for prediction of posthepatectomy liver failure in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A retrospective study.

To generate a nomogram to predict posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF), we attempted to elucidate salient risk factors in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).We performed a retrospective review of 665 patients with HCC who received hepatectomy in 2 academic institutions in China. Independent risk factors for PHLF were identified from putative demographic, intrinsic, biochemical, surgery-related, and volumetric data.