Triterpenoids from Meehania fargesii with Cytotoxic Activity1

In the investigation of Meehania fargesii, eighteen triterpenoids were isolated and identified, including a previously unknown compound with an 13,27-cycloursane skeleton, using techniques like 1D and 2D NMR, and HR-MS. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of these compounds were evaluated against HCT116, MCF-7, and AGS cell lines using the CCK-8 method to examine their structure–activity relationship. Remarkably, compounds 13 and 16 exhibited higher cytotoxicity across all three cell lines compared to the positive drug. Western blot analysis revealed that these compounds activated apoptosis in HCT116 cells by promoting the Bax protein and inhibiting the Bcl-2 protein. This suggests that compounds 13 and 16 have potential as apoptosis-inducing agents in HCT116 cells.     

Induction of programmed cell death in a dorsal root ganglia × neuroblastoma cell line

Growth factor-dependent neurons die when they are deproved of their specific growth factor. This “programmed” cell death (PCD) requires macromolecular synthesis and is distinct from necrotic cell death. To investigate the mechanisms involved in neuronal PCD, we have studied the sequence of events that occur when a neuronal cell line (F-11: Mouse neuroblastoma X rat dorsal root ganglia) is deprived of serum in a manner analogous to growth factor deprivation from neurons. Protein synthesis was inhibited within the first 8 h of serum deprivation, while DNA cleavage into nucleosome ladders was prominent by 24 h. The DNA cleavage could be inhibited by cycloheximide, consistent with a requirement for protein synthesis. In contrast, mitochondrial function was not compromised by serum deprivation. Rather, the cells appeared to be metabolically activated after serum removal as shown by an increased reduction of MTT by mitochondrial dehydrogenases and an increase in cellular autofluorescence, which is thought to be due to elevated levels of NADH and flavoproteins. Assessment of cell viability by propidium iodide staining showed no indication of cell death within 24 h. After 48 h of serum deprivation, cells decreased in size and increased propidium iodide uptake. Thus, serum deprivation activates PCD in F-11 cells and may be a useful model to study the intracellular events responsible for PCD. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Mechanism of inhibitory action of capsaicin on particulate axoplasmic transport in sensory neurons in culture

The inhibitory effect of capsaicin on axoplasmic transport in cultured dorsal root ganglion cells was analyzed by video-enhanced contrast microscopy. Capsaicin inhibited particle transports in a dose-dependent manner, irrespective of the diameter of axons. The effect of capsaicin was reversible at low concentrations. Capsaicin affected both the anterograde and retrograde transport. Large organelles were more sensitive to capsaicin than small ones in the retrograde transport. An experiment using calcium-sensitive dye, Fura 2, indicated that capsaicin raised the intraneuronal free calcium concentration preceding the inhibition of the transport. Electron microscopy revealed that microtubules and neurofilaments are disorganized and disoriented by capsaicin. We reached a conclusion that capsaicin inhibits fast axoplasmic transport of both anterograde and retrograde directions in all types of somatosensory neurons in culture by disorganizing intraaxonal cytoskeletal structures, through the elevated intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Biocompatible scaffolds based on collagen and oxidized dextran for endothelial cell survival and function in tissue engineering

Angiogenesis is a vital step in tissue regeneration. Hence, the current study aimed to prepare oxidized dextran (Odex)/collagen (Col)-hydrogels with laminin (LMN), as an angiogenic extracellular matrix (ECM) component, for promoting human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation and function. Odex/Col scaffolds were constructed at various concentrations and temperatures. Using oscillatory rheometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and cell viability testing, the scaffolds were characterized, and then HUVEC proliferation and function was compared with or without LMN. The gelation time could be modified by altering the Odex/Col mass ratio as well as the temperature. SEM showed that Odex/Col hydrogels had a more regular three-dimensional (3D) porous structure than the Col hydrogels. Moreover, HUVECs grew faster in the Col scaffold (12 mg/mL), whereas the Odex (30 mg/mL)/Col (6 mg/mL) scaffold exhibited the lowest apoptosis index. Furthermore, the expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA in the group without LMN was higher than that with LMN, and the Odex (30 mg/mL)/Col (6 mg/mL) scaffold without LMN had the highest VEGF protein secretion, allowing the cells to survive and function effectively. Odex/Col scaffolds, with or without LMN, are proposed as a tissue engineering construct to improve HUVEC survival and function for angiogenesis.     

Benzotriazole-Based Polymer Acceptor for High-Efficiency All-Polymer Solar Cells with High Photocurrent and Low Voltage Loss

The power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of all-polymer solar cells (all-PSCs) have already exceeded 17%. However, the limited absorption range of an all-polymer system results in significantly reduced short-circuit current density (J_sc), which eventually influences the PCE improvement. To broaden the light absorption of polymer acceptors, herein, benzotriazole is introduced in the core unit of small molecule acceptors and thus two narrow-bandgap polymer acceptors named PTz-BO and PTz-C11 featuring the same molecular backbone and different side-chain length are synthesized. Compared with PTz-C11, the PTz-BO based-all PSCs deliver a slightly reduced J_sc, a large open-circuit voltage (V_oc) and a low voltage loss below 0.50 V. Moreover, ternary all-PSCs are constructed by introducing PTz-C11 as a guest component. Benefiting from the reduced recombination, improved exciton generation and dissociation, and balanced charge transport, a high efficiency of 16.58% is obtained for the ternary all-PSCs, with a high J_sc over 25 mA cm⁻² without sacrificing the V_oc. Such result represents the highest efficiency reported for benzotriazole-based all-PSCs in the literature thus far. This work demonstrates the great potential of benzotriazole for the synthesis of efficient narrow-bandgap polymer acceptors.     

Applying single-cell highly multiplexed secretome proteomics to characterize immunotherapeutic products and predict clinical responses

Genetically and phenotypically identical immune cell populations can be highly heterogenous in terms of their immune functions and protein secretion profiles. The microfluidic chip-based single-cell highly multiplexed secretome proteomics enables characterization of cellular heterogeneity of immune responses at different cellular and molecular layers. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that polyfunctional T cells that simultaneously produce 2+ proteins per cell at the single-cell level are key effector cells that contribute to the development of potent and durable cellular immunity against pathogens and cancers. The functional proteomic technology offers a wide spectrum of cellular function assessment and can uniquely define highly polyfunctional cell subsets with cytokine signatures from live individual cells. This high-dimensional single-cell analysis provides deep dissection into functional heterogeneity and helps identify predictive biomarkers and potential correlates that are crucial for immunotherapeutic product design optimization and personalized immunotherapy development to achieve better clinical outcomes.     

不同FIGO分期子宫内膜癌患者外周血红细胞分布宽度、血清对氧磷酶-1表达水平差异及其诊断价值分析

摘要 目的：探讨不同国际妇产科学联合会（FIGO）分期子宫内膜癌患者外周血红细胞分布宽度（RDW）、血清对氧磷酶-1（PON-1）表达水平差异及其诊断价值。方法：选取我院2018年1月到2020年1月收治的80例子宫内膜癌患者作为研究对象,根据FIGO分期对所有患者进行分组,分为Ⅰ期组23例,Ⅱ期组22例,Ⅲ期组18例,Ⅳ期组17例。另选取同期来我院体检的30名健康志愿者作为对照组,对比所有受检者RDW、PON-1表达水平,并应用ROC曲线分析外周血红细胞分布宽度、血清对氧磷酶-1表达水平对不同FIGO分期子宫内膜癌的诊断价值。对80例子宫内膜癌患者进行2年随访,将2年内死亡的25例患者分为死亡组,将其余55例患者分为存活组,对比死亡组与存活组临床一般情况与RDW、PON-1表达水平,并应用logistic回归分析分析RDW、PON-1对子宫内膜癌的预后预测价值。结果：五组受检者RDW、PON-1水平对比差异显著,Ⅳ期组RDW水平高于Ⅲ期组、Ⅱ期组、Ⅰ期组和对照组,Ⅳ期组PON-1水平低于Ⅲ期组、Ⅱ期组、Ⅰ期组和对照组（P＜0.05）;RDW结合PON-1联合诊断的准确度、敏感度、阳性预测值高于RDW单一诊断和PON-1单一诊断（P＜0.05）。RDW诊断子宫内膜癌不同分期价值曲线下面积为89.63,最佳诊断着色界限值为75.73 %,PON-1的曲线下面积为78.89,最佳诊断着色界限值为82.53 %,两者联合的曲线下面积为84.26,最佳诊断着色界限值为87.57 %;存活组与死亡组患者性别、年龄、病理类型对比无明显差异（P＞0.05）,两组患者FIGO分期、基层浸润、组织分化程度、血清RDW与PON-1表达水平对比差异显著（P＜0.05）;logistic回归分析结果表明：基层浸润、RDW与PON-1为子宫内膜癌患者预后的独立影响因素（P＜0.05）。结论：RDW、PON-1联合对子宫内膜癌FIGO分期的诊断价值较高,且基层浸润、RDW与PON-1为子宫内膜癌患者预后的独立影响因素。临床上需针对基层浸润、RDW升高与PON-1水平降低的患者采取相关措施,改善治疗方案,降低患者死亡率情况。     

腮腺肿瘤患者行游离保留SMAS术后的复发及预后影响因素分析

摘要 目的：探讨腮腺肿瘤患者行游离保留SMAS术后的复发及预后影响因素分析。方法：以我院2016年3月-2022年1月收治的60例腮腺肿瘤患者作为研究对象。所有患者均行游离保留SMAS联合全腮腺切除术治疗。术后进行随访。采用χ²检验和独立样本t检验进行腮腺肿瘤患者预后复发及预后存活情况的亚组分析。采用Pearson检验进行相关性分析;采用Cox回归模型计算腮腺肿瘤患者预后的独立危险因素。结果：复发和未复发患者性别、年龄、BMI、糖尿病病史和高血压病史无显著差异（P＞0.05）;复发和未复发患者的淋巴结转移、病理类型、TNM分期、AJCC临床分期差异显著（P<0.05）;预后死亡和预后存活患者性别、年龄、BMI、糖尿病病史和高血压病史无显著差异（P＞0.05）;预后死亡和预后存活患者的淋巴结转移、病理类型、TNM分期、AJCC临床分期和复发情况差异显著（P<0.05）;淋巴结转移、病理类型、TNM分期、复发、AJCC临床分期与腮腺肿瘤患者预后存活情况密切相关（P<0.05）;多因素Cox分析结果显示,淋巴结转移、病理类型、TNM分期、复发、AJCC临床分期是独立危险因素（P<0.05）。结论：疾病相关因素是导致腮腺恶性肿瘤患者复发和死亡的重要因素,临床早期可针对性调整治疗方案以降低患者术后复发和恶性肿瘤。     

A robust approach to estimate relative phytoplankton cell abundances from metagenomes

Phytoplankton account for >45% of global primary production, and have an enormous impact on aquatic food webs and on the entire Earth System. Their members are found among prokaryotes (cyanobacteria) and multiple eukaryotic lineages containing chloroplasts. Genetic surveys of phytoplankton communities generally consist of PCR amplification of bacterial (16S), nuclear (18S) and/or chloroplastic (16S) rRNA marker genes from DNA extracted from environmental samples. However, our appreciation of phytoplankton abundance or biomass is limited by PCR-amplification biases, rRNA gene copy number variations across taxa, and the fact that rRNA genes do not provide insights into metabolic traits such as photosynthesis. Here, we targeted the photosynthetic gene psbO from metagenomes to circumvent these limitations: the method is PCR-free, and the gene is universally and exclusively present in photosynthetic prokaryotes and eukaryotes, mainly in one copy per genome. We applied and validated this new strategy with the size-fractionated marine samples collected by Tara Oceans, and showed improved correlations with flow cytometry and microscopy than when based on rRNA genes. Furthermore, we revealed unexpected features of the ecology of these ecosystems, such as the high abundance of picocyanobacterial aggregates and symbionts in the ocean, and the decrease in relative abundance of phototrophs towards the larger size classes of marine dinoflagellates. To facilitate the incorporation of psbO in molecular-based surveys, we compiled a curated database of >18,000 unique sequences. Overall, psbO appears to be a promising new gene marker for molecular-based evaluations of entire phytoplankton communities.     

Comparison of mechanistic and hybrid modeling approaches for characterization of a CHO cultivation process: Requirements,pitfalls and solution paths

Despite the advantages of mathematical bioprocess modeling, successful model implementation already starts with experimental planning and accordingly can fail at this early stage. For this study, two different modeling approaches (mechanistic and hybrid) based on a four-dimensional antibody-producing CHO fed-batch process are compared. Overall, 33 experiments are performed in the fractional factorial four-dimensional design space and separated into four different complex data partitions subsequently used for model comparison and evaluation. The mechanistic model demonstrates the advantage of prior knowledge (i.e., known equations) to get informative value relatively independently of the utilized data partition. The hybrid approach displayes a higher data dependency but simultaneously yielded a higher accuracy on all data partitions. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that independent of the chosen modeling framework, a smart selection of only four initial experiments can already yield a very good representation of a full design space independent of the chosen modeling structure. Academic and industry researchers are recommended to pay more attention to experimental planning to maximize the process understanding obtained from mathematical modeling.