Higher PEPC activity and vein density contribute to improve cotton leaf water use efficiency under water stress.

Plants with the C photosynthetic pathway can withstand water stress better than plants with C metabolism. However, it is unclear whether C photosynthesis can be preliminarily activated in droughted cotton leaves, and if this contributes to increase in water use efficiency (WUE). An upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.

Multi-omics analysis and experimental verification reveal testicular fatty acid metabolism disorder in non-obstructive azoospermia.

Increasing evidence implicates disruptions in testicular fatty acid metabolism as a contributing factor in non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), a severe form of male infertility. However, the precise mechanisms linking fatty acid metabolism to NOA pathogenesis have not yet been fully elucidated. Multi-omics analyses, including microarray analysis, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and metabolomics, were utilized to investigate disruptions in fatty acid metabolism associated with NOA using data from public databases.

The effect of physical cues on platelet storage lesion.

Background: Platelet concentrates play an important role in clinical treatment such as platelet function disorders and thrombocytopenia. In the process of preparation and storage of platelets, centrifugation, leukofiltration, and agitation will cause morphological changes and impaired function of platelets, which is associated with the increase of platelet transfusion refractoriness, and named as platelet storage lesion (PSL).

Method: This paper proposes three major operations (centrifugation, agitation, and leukofiltration) that platelets experience during the preparation and storage process, to explore the effect of physical cues on PSL.

Lateral Atrial Expression Patterns Provide Insights into Local Transcription Disequilibrium Contributing to Disease Susceptibility.

Background: Transcriptional dysregulation, possibly affected by genetic variation, contributes to disease development. Due to dissimilarities in development, function, and remodeling during disease progression, transcriptional differences between the left atrial (LA) and right atrial (RA) may provide insight into diseases such as atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Lateral differences in atrial transcription were evaluated in CATCH ME (Characterizing Atrial fibrillation by Translating its Causes into Health Modifiers in the Elderly) using a 2-stage discovery and replication design.

Gut Microbiota Alterations in Patients With Kawasaki Disease.

The intestinal microbiota influences many host biological processes, including metabolism, intestinal barrier functions, and immune responses in the gut and distant organs. Alterations in its composition have been associated with the development of inflammatory disorders and cardiovascular diseases, including Kawasaki disease (KD). KD is an acute pediatric vasculitis of unknown etiology and the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children in the United States.

Classification and characteristics of bacterial glycosaminoglycan lyases, and their therapeutic and experimental applications.

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), as animal polysaccharides, are linked to proteins to form various types of proteoglycans. Bacterial GAG lyases are not only essential enzymes that spoilage bacteria use for the degradation of GAGs, but also valuable tools for investigating the biological function and potential therapeutic applications of GAGs. The ongoing discovery and characterization of novel GAG lyases has identified an increasing number of lyases suitable for functional studies and other applications involving GAGs, which include oligosaccharide sequencing, detection and removal of specific glycan chains, clinical drug development and the design of novel biomaterials and sensors, some of which have not yet been comprehensively summarized.

MicroRNA Expression in High-Grade B-Cell Lymphoma With 11q Aberration.

Mature aggressive B-cell lymphomas, such as Burkitt lymphoma (BL) and Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), show variations in microRNA (miRNA) expression. The entity of High-grade B-cell lymphoma with 11q aberration (HGBCL-11q) shares several biological features with both BL and DLBCL but data on its miRNA expression profile are yet scarce. Hence, this study aims to analyze the potential differences in miRNA expression of HGBCL-11q compared to BL and DLBCL.

Urinary lipoarabinomannan for diagnosis of Tuberculosis in an HIV-negative population: A scoping review.

Background:  Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of mortality in low-resource settings and poses a diagnostic challenge in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative populations because of limitations in traditional diagnostic methods such as sputum smear microscopy (SSM) and sputum Xpert Ultra. There is a lack of effective, non-invasive diagnostic options for TB diagnosis in HIV-negative populations. This scoping review explores the potential of urinary lipoarabinomannan (ULAM) as a point-of-care diagnostic tool for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in HIV-negative individuals.

The Disturbed Microbial Niches of Itchy Scalp.

Background: Scalp itch without evident cause is an uncomfortable symptom that annoys many people in life but lacks adequate attention in academic.

Aims: To investigate the relationship between scalp itching and microorganisms, and identify the key microbes and predicted functions associated with scalp itching, furtherly to provide useful targets for scalp itch solution.

Methods: We performed microbial comparison between 44 normal subjects and 89 subjects having scalp itching problem with un-identified origin based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and ddPCR (digital droplet PCR), and identified itch relevant microbes and predicted functions.

Impact of eggshell membrane on metabolism and cell adhesion in oxidatively stressed canine chondrocytes.

Eggshell membrane (ESM) is a rich source of bioactive compounds, including proteins, peptides, and antioxidants, contributing to its potential therapeutic benefits. These natural antioxidants might help neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) and modulate inflammatory responses, which are often linked with chondrocyte damage in osteoarthritis. In this study, we investigated the functional effects of ESM proteins on HO-induced oxidative stress in a neonatal canine chondrocytes.

Se-methylselenocysteine inhibits inflammatory response in an LPS-stimulated chicken HD11 macrophage-like cell model through the NFKB2 pathway.

Among the various sources of selenium supplementations, the Se-methylselenocysteine (SeMC) is a natural organic selenium compound that has been demonstrated to have multiple advantages in terms of metabolism efficiency and biosafety in animals. Nevertheless, the genome-wide impact of SeMC on gene transcription remains to be elucidated. In this study, we employed an LPS-stimulated chicken HD11 macrophage-like cell model to identify the principal transcription factors involved in transcriptome regulation responsible for SeMC treatment.

Col1A1 as a new decoder of clinical features and immune microenvironment in ovarian cancer.

Backgrounds: Collagen type I alpha 1 chain (COL1A1) is a key protein encoding fibrillar collagen, playing a crucial role in the tumor microenvironment (TME) due to its complex functions and close association with tumor invasiveness. This has made COL1A1 a focal point in cancer biology research. However, studies investigating the relationship between COL1A1 expression levels and clinical characteristics of ovarian cancer (OC) remain limited.

Golgi protein 73: the driver of inflammation in the immune and tumor microenvironment.

Golgi Protein 73 (GP73) is a Golgi-resident protein that is highly expressed in primary tumor tissues. Initially identified as an oncoprotein, GP73 has been shown to promote tumor development, particularly by mediating the transport of proteins related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), thus facilitating tumor cell EMT. Though our previous review has summarized the functional roles of GP73 in intracellular signal transduction and its various mechanisms in promoting EMT, recent studies have revealed that GP73 plays a crucial role in regulating the tumor and immune microenvironment.

Diagnostic accuracy of -specific triple-color FluoroSpot assay in differentiating tuberculosis infection status in febrile patients with suspected tuberculosis.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a (MTB)-specific triple-color FluoroSpot assay (IFN-γ/IL-2/TNF-α) in the differentiation of tuberculosis (TB) infection status in febrile patients.

Method: Febrile patients with suspected active TB (ATB) were consecutively enrolled. The frequencies and proportions of MTB-specific T cells secreting IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α were detected at the single-cell level by triple-color FluoroSpot assay.

Protective or limited? Maternal antibodies and RSV-associated lower respiratory tract infection in hospitalized infants aged 28-90 days.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of severe health problems in newborns and young children. The protective role and limitations of serum maternal RSV antibodies in infants under 3 months remain controversial.

Methods: A two-center prospective study from 2020 to 2023 recruited infants (n=286) admitted to the respiratory departments of two children's hospitals in southwestern and southeastern China during RSV epidemic.

Infiltrating T lymphocytes and tumor microenvironment within cholangiocarcinoma: immune heterogeneity, intercellular communication, immune checkpoints.

Cholangiocarcinoma is the second most common primary liver cancer, and its global incidence has increased in recent years. Radical surgical resection and systemic chemotherapy have traditionally been the standard treatment options. However, the complexity of cholangiocarcinoma subtypes often presents a challenge for early diagnosis.

Hypercholesterolemia triggers innate immune imbalance and transforms brain infarcts after ischemic stroke.

Post-stroke early activation of neutrophils contributes to intensive neuroinflammation and worsens disease outcomes. Other pre-existing patient conditions can modify the extent of their activation during disease, especially hypercholesterolemia. However, whether and how increased circulating cholesterol amounts can change neutrophil activation responses very early after stroke has not been studied.

Alternative splicing of modulatory immune receptors in T lymphocytes: a newly identified and targetable mechanism for anticancer immunotherapy.

Alternative splicing (AS) is a mechanism that generates translational diversity within a genome. Equally important is the dynamic adaptability of the splicing machinery, which can give preference to one isoform over others encoded by a single gene. These isoform preferences change in response to the cell's state and function.

Exploring the shared mechanism of fatigue between systemic lupus erythematosus and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: monocytic dysregulation and drug repurposing.

Background: SLE and ME/CFS both present significant fatigue and share immune dysregulation. The mechanisms underlying fatigue in these disorders remain unclear, and there are no standardized treatments. This study aims to explore shared mechanisms and predict potential therapeutic drugs for fatigue in SLE and ME/CFS.

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach with ideal response to neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy: a case report.

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach (HAS) is a rare subtype of gastric cancer characterized by histological features resembling hepatocellular carcinoma. Surgical intervention remains the preferred treatment modality for eligible patients. However, the efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy and alternative treatment regimens has been found to be suboptimal.

Maternal-fetal cytokine profiles in acute SARS-CoV-2 "breakthrough" infection after COVID-19 vaccination.

Objective: Vaccination is protective against severe COVID-19 disease, yet whether vaccination reduces COVID-19-associated inflammation in pregnancy has not been established. The objective of this study is to characterize maternal and cord cytokine profiles of acute SARS-CoV-2 "breakthrough" infection (BTI) after vaccination, compared with unvaccinated infection and uninfected controls.

Study Design: 66 pregnant individuals enrolled in the MGH COVID-19 biorepository (March 2020-April 2022) were included.

Murine model of cross-IgE sensitization and cross-anaphylactic reactions among multiple group food allergens.

Rationale: Approximately 32 million people in the United States suffer from food allergies. Some food groups, such as legumes - peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish, have a high risk of cross-reactivity. However, the murine model of multiple food group cross-reactivity is limited.

Impact of glioma metabolism-related gene ALPK1 on tumor immune heterogeneity and the regulation of the TGF-β pathway.

Background: Recent years have seen persistently poor prognoses for glioma patients. Therefore, exploring the molecular subtyping of gliomas, identifying novel prognostic biomarkers, and understanding the characteristics of their immune microenvironments are crucial for improving treatment strategies and patient outcomes.

Methods: We integrated glioma datasets from multiple sources, employing Non-negative Matrix Factorization (NMF) to cluster samples and filter for differentially expressed metabolic genes.

Unfolded protein responses in T cell immunity.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR) are integral to T cell biology, influencing immune responses and associated diseases. This review explores the interplay between the UPR and T cell immunity, highlighting the role of these cellular processes in T cell activation, differentiation, and function. The UPR, mediated by IRE1, PERK, and ATF6, is crucial for maintaining ER homeostasis and supporting T cell survival under stress.

Comprehensive analyses of immune activity in COVID-19-vaccinated idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal disease, characterized by impaired wound repair, tissue remodeling and fibrosis. Immune system may participate in the development and progression of the disease as indicated by altered activity in IPF sufferers. This study investigates the immune response to the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine in patients with IPF compared to healthy controls, with a particular focus on evaluation of antibody responses, interferon-gamma release, cytokine profiling and a broad panel of immune cell subpopulations.