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Fulltext Protein Post-Translational Modifications in the Regulation of Ferroptosis: New Opportunities and Challenges for Cancer Immunotherapy

Xie X, Song L, Li Z, Hu J, Lin Z, Guo Y, et al.

Int J Biol Sci, 2026;22(14):7963-8007.
PMID: 42807916 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.135689

Ferroptosis is an emerging form of programmed cell death driven by the excessive accumulation of iron-dependent lipid peroxides, which plays a pivotal regulatory role in suppressing tumor initiation and progression. In recent years, protein post-translational modification (PTM), as a core molecular mechanism regulating protein function, stability, and subcellular localization, occupies a central position in the precise targeted regulation of ferroptosis. This review systematically summarizes and elucidates the core molecular regulatory mechanisms of ferroptosis, focusing on the dynamic regulatory pathways and effects of common protein PTM (including ubiquitination, phosphorylation, acetylation and lactylation) on key ferroptosis regulators. Meanwhile, it deeply analyzes the complex interactive regulatory network between ferroptosis and tumor immunity, and elaborates on the specific pathways by which ferroptosis remodels the tumor immune microenvironment through inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD) and releasing damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). More importantly, this paper systematically discusses the potential application value of ferroptosis-related protein PTM in overcoming tumor immune escape, enhancing the antitumor activity of T cells and natural killer cells, and improving the clinical efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Finally, it summarizes the core challenges existing in this research field and prospects the future development of novel PTM-based combination antitumor strategies targeting ferroptosis and personalized antitumor therapy. This review aims to provide new theoretical references and experimental evidence for the clinical prevention, treatment and intervention of malignant tumors.
Fulltext A rare collision tumor of paraganglioma and intravascular large B-cell lymphoma: a case report and literature review

Li Z, Ding J, Mu R, Shaharuddin B, Sandai D, Su W

Am J Cancer Res, 2026;16(9):3907-3915.
PMID: 42908868 DOI: 10.62347/XXRD5209

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare and aggressive subtype of extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. It is characterized by the selective proliferation of lymphoma cells within the lumina of small blood vessels. Collision tumors involving IVLBCL are exceedingly rare, and no cases involving paraganglioma as a collision component have been reported to date. We report the case of an 80-year-old man who presented with nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms and intermittent fever. Imaging studies suggested biliary and intra-abdominal malignancies. Surgical resection revealed a mesenteric mass. Histopathological examination demonstrated features consistent with paraganglioma. Notably, numerous atypical lymphoid cells were identified within the lumina of small vessels in the tumor. Immunohistochemical analysis showed positivity for CD20, CD19, PAX5, MUM1, and BCL2, supporting a diagnosis of IVLBCL. Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA (EBER) in situ hybridization was negative. Systemic involvement was excluded based on clinical evaluation and imaging findings. The final diagnosis was IVLBCL in collision with paraganglioma. Given the patient's advanced age and poor performance status, intensive chemotherapy was considered unsuitable, and targeted therapy with 'Surufatinib' was initiated. During follow-up, no recurrence of the primary tumor was observed. However, the patient subsequently developed duodenal adenocarcinoma and received appropriate treatment. The patient died approximately two years after the initial diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge, based on a systematic literature search in PubMed up to April 2026, this is the first reported case of a collision tumor composed of paraganglioma and IVLBCL. This case underscores the diagnostic challenges of IVLBCL due to its nonspecific presentation and its potential to be overlooked when coexisting with other tumors. Careful histopathological evaluation, particularly of intravascular components, is essential for accurate diagnosis. Increased awareness may facilitate early detection and improve patient outcomes.
Fulltext Decision-Architecture Dependence and Patient-Gender-Conditioned Allocation in Large-Language-Model-Assisted Nursing Allocation: A Multi-Model Counterfactual Audit

Li Z, Zhu W, Jiang L, Wei X, Zhou J, Yang W, et al.

Healthcare (Basel), 2026 Oct 21;14(20).
PMID: 42940596 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare14203549

Background/Objectives: Large language models (LLMs) may support healthcare workforce allocation, but their decisions can be sensitive to demographic cues and decision architecture. This study examined gender-task congruity, Candidate-A dependence under the tested decision architecture, and patient-gender-conditioned nursing allocation. Methods: Three provider-specific LLM configurations were audited across 24 nursing tasks. Male and female nurses were professionally equivalent and counterbalanced across Candidate A/B; patient gender was varied in six intimate-care tasks. Sixty conditions were repeated three times per model, yielding 540 valid outputs. Results: Male nurses were selected in 50.0% of Technical/Procedural and Relational/Educational allocations. Candidate A was selected in all 288 observations, although 285 (99.0%) assigned identical suitability scores. Because A/B assignment was bundled with labeling, presentation order, evaluation order, and response-template anchoring, this pattern indicates Candidate-A dependence under the tested decision architecture rather than an isolated position effect. Changing patient gender from female to male produced 57 female-to-male nurse switches and no reverse switches (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The audited configurations showed no generalized gender-task pattern but demonstrated decision-architecture dependence and patient-gender-conditioned allocation. Fairness audits should assess equivalent-candidate handling, patient preference, and counterfactual stability.
Rehabilitation playthings design to promote positive emotions among people living with Alzheimer's Disease: a conceptual synthesis

You D, Ramli SH, Ibrahim R, Romli MH, Chu Q, Yu X, et al.

Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol, 2025 Apr 07.
PMID: 40193318 DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2025.2484624

Purpose: Cognitive decline and social isolation pose significant challenges to the well-being of people with Alzheimer's disease (AD). While recreational activities and rehabilitation playthings (RPTs) have demonstrated benefits in fostering positive emotions among this population, there remains a scarcity of playthings specifically designed to address their unique needs. This study aims to develop a conceptual framework for RPTs design to enhance emotional well-being in people living with AD. Materials and Methods: Guided by research question construct classification, this study identified three key research questions. A systematic literature review was conducted using Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed to address these questions. Selected articles were evaluated based on their relevance to RPTs and their focus on improving social engagement and positive emotions in individuals with AD. Results: Through meticulous review and analysis, fifty-seven articles were selected and systematically categorized into sub-themes include: types of RPTs, meaningful activities associated with RPTs, design characteristics, and design principles and strategies. The results are further synthesized to formulate a potential theoretical proposition for future investigation. Conclusion: The proposed conceptual framework recommends that by integrating positive emotion design, compassionate design, co-creation, and suitable play experiences in RPTs design could preserve personhood and elicit positive emotions among people living with AD.
Fulltext Functional Genomic Validation of the Roles of Soluble Starch Synthase IIa in Japonica Rice Endosperm

Jr VMB, Luo J, Li Z, Gidley MJ, Bird AR, Tetlow IJ, et al.

Front Genet, 2020;11:289.
PMID: 32300357 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00289

The enzyme starch synthase IIa (SSIIa) in cereals has catalytic and regulatory roles during the synthesis of amylopectin that influences the functional properties of the grain. Rice endosperm SSIIa is more active in indica accessions compared to japonica lines due to functional SNP variations in the coding region of the structural gene. In this study, downregulating the expression of japonica-type SSIIa in Nipponbare endosperm resulted in either shrunken or opaque grains with an elevated proportion of A-type starch granules. Shrunken seeds had severely reduced starch content and could not be maintained in succeeding generations. In comparison, the opaque grain morphology was the result of weaker down-regulation of SSIIa which led to an elevated proportion of short-chain amylopectin (DP 6-12) and a concomitant reduction in the proportion of medium-chain amylopectin (DP 13-36). The peak gelatinization temperature of starch and the estimated glycemic score of cooked grain as measured by the starch hydrolysis index were significantly reduced. These results highlight the important role of medium-chain amylopectin in influencing the functional properties of rice grains, including its digestibility. The structural, regulatory and nutritional implications of down-regulated japonica-type SSIIa in rice endosperm are discussed.
Fulltext A replication study confirms the association of dendritic cell immunoreceptor (DCIR) polymorphisms with ACPA - negative RA in a large Asian cohort

Guo J, Wu X, Too CL, Yin F, Lu X, He J, et al.

PLoS One, 2012;7(7):e41228.
PMID: 22829930 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041228

OBJECTIVES: Dendritic cell immunoreceptor (DCIR) has been implicated in development of autoimmune disorders in rodent and DCIR polymorphisms were associated with anti-citrullinated proteins antibodies (ACPA)-negative rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Swedish Caucasians. This study was undertaken to further investigate whether DCIR polymorphisms are also risk factors for the development of RA in four Asian populations originated from China and Malaysia.

METHODS: We genotyped two DCIR SNPs rs2377422 and rs10840759 in Han Chinese population (1,193 cases, 1,278 controls), to assess their association with RA. Subsequently, rs2377422 was further genotyped in three independent cohorts of Malaysian-Chinese subjects (MY_Chinese, 254 cases, 206 controls), Malay subjects (MY_ Malay, 515 cases, 986 controls), and Malaysian-Indian subjects (MY_Indian, 378 cases, 285 controls), to seek confirmation of association in various ethnic groups. Meta-analysis was preformed to evaluate the contribution of rs2377422 polymorphisms to the development of ACPA-negative RA in distinct ethnic groups. Finally, we carried out association analysis of rs2377422 polymorphisms with DCIR mRNA expression levels.

RESULTS: DCIR rs2377422 was found to be significantly associated with ACPA -negative RA in Han Chinese (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.27-2.90, P=0.0020). Meta-analysis confirms DCIR rs2377422 as a risk factor for ACPA-negative RA across distinct ethnic groups (OR(overall) =1.17, 95% CI 1.06-1.30, P=0.003). The SNP rs2377422 polymorphism showed significant association with DCIR mRNA expression level, i.e. RA-risk CC genotype exhibit a significant increase in the expression of DCIR (P=0.0023, Kruskal-Wallis).

CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide evidence for association between DCIR rs2377422 and RA in non-Caucasian populations and confirm the influence of DCIR polymorphisms on RA susceptibility, especially on ACPA-negative RA.
An immune-enhanced multivalent DNA nanovaccine to prevent H7 and H9 avian influenza virus in mice

Xu S, Lan H, Teng Q, Li X, Jin Z, Qu Y, et al.

Int J Biol Macromol, 2023 Aug 12;251:126286.
PMID: 37579904 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126286

H7 avian influenza virus has caused multiple human infections and poses a severe public health threat. In response to the highly variable nature of AIVs, a novel, easily regenerated DNA vaccine has great potential in treating or preventing avian influenza pandemics. Nevertheless, DNA vaccines have many disadvantages, such as weak immunogenicity and poor in vivo delivery. To further characterize and solve these issues and develop a novel H7 AIV DNA vaccine with enhanced stability and immunogenicity, we constructed nine AIV DNA plasmids, and the immunogenicity screened showed that mice immunized with pβH7N2SH9 elicited stronger hemagglutination-inhibiting (HI) antibodies than other eight plasmid DNAs. Then, to address the susceptibility to degradation and low transfection rate of DNA vaccine in vivo, we developed pβH7N2SH9/DGL NPs by encapsulating the pβH7N2SH9 within the dendrigraft poly-l-lysines nanoparticles. As expected, these NPs exhibited excellent physical and chemical properties, were capable of promote lymphocyte proliferation, and induce stronger humoral and cellular responses than the naked pβH7N2SH9, including higher levels of HI antibodies than naked pβH7N2SH9, as well as the production of cytokines, namely, IL-2, IFN-α. Taken together, our results suggest that the construction of an immune-enhanced H7-AIV DNA nanovaccine may be a promising strategy against most influenza viruses.
Resource utilization of rice straw to prepare biochar as peroxymonosulfate activator for naphthalene removal: Performances, mechanisms, environmental impact and applicability in groundwater

Zhang JB, Dai C, Wang Z, You X, Duan Y, Lai X, et al.

Water Res, 2023 Oct 01;244:120555.
PMID: 37666149 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120555

Herein, biochar was prepared using rice straw, and it served as the peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activator to degrade naphthalene (NAP). The results showed that pyrolysis temperature has played an important role in regulating biochar structure and properties. The biochar prepared at 900°C (BC900) had the best activation capacity and could remove NAP in a wide range of initial pH (5-11). In the system of BC900/PMS, multi-reactive species were produced, in which 1O2 and electron transfer mainly contributed to NAP degradation. In addition, the interference of complex groundwater components on the NAP removal rate must get attention. Cl- had a significant promotional effect but risked the formation of chlorinated disinfection by-products. HCO3-, CO32-, and humic acid (HA) had an inhibitory effect; surfactants had compatibility problems with the BC900/PMS system, which could lead to unproductive consumption of PMS. Significantly, the BC900/PMS system showed satisfactory remediation performance in spiked natural groundwater and soil, and it could solve the problem of persistent groundwater contamination caused by NAP desorption from the soil. Besides, the degradation pathway of NAP was proposed, and the BC900/PMS system could degrade NAP into low or nontoxic products. These suggest that the BC900/PMS system has promising applications in in-situ groundwater remediation.
Fulltext Health systems efficiency in China and ASEAN, 2015-2020: a DEA-Tobit and SFA analysis application

Kang J, Peng R, Feng J, Wei J, Li Z, Huang F, et al.

BMJ Open, 2023 Sep 06;13(9):e075030.
PMID: 37673450 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075030

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the health systems efficiency in China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries from 2015 to 2020.
DESIGN: Health efficiency analysis using data envelopment analysis (DEA) and stochastic frontier approach analysis.
SETTING: Health systems in China and ASEAN countries.
METHODS: DEA-Malmquist model and SFA model were used to analyse the health system efficiency among China and ASEAN countries, and the Tobit regression model was employed to analyse the factors affecting the efficiency of health system among these countries.
RESULTS: In 2020, the average technical efficiency, pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency of China and 10 ASEAN countries' health systems were 0.700, 1 and 0.701, respectively. The average total factor productivity (TFP) index of the health systems in 11 countries from 2015 to 2020 was 0.962, with a decrease of 1.4%, among which the average technical efficiency index was 1.016, and the average technical progress efficiency index was 0.947. In the past 6 years, the TFP index of the health system in Malaysia was higher than 1, while the TFP index of other countries was lower than 1. The cost efficiency among China and ASEAN countries was relatively high and stable. The per capita gross domestic product (current US$) and the urban population have significant effects on the efficiency of health systems.
CONCLUSIONS: Health systems inefficiency is existing in China and the majority ASEAN countries. However, the lower/middle-income countries outperformed high-income countries. Technical efficiency is the key to improve the TFP of health systems. It is suggested that China and ASEAN countries should enhance scale efficiency, accelerate technological progress and strengthen regional health cooperation according to their respective situations.
Remote sensing for chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) monitoring research 2003-2022: A bibliometric analysis based on the web of science core database

Li Z, Zhang F, Shi J, Chan NW, Tan ML, Kung HT, et al.

Mar Pollut Bull, 2023 Nov;196:115653.
PMID: 37879130 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115653

Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) occupies a critical part in biogeochemistry and energy flux of aquatic ecosystems. CDOM research spans in many fields, including chemistry, marine environment, biomass cycling, physics, hydrology, and climate change. In recent years, a series of remarkable research milestone have been achieved. On the basis of reviewing the research process of CDOM, combined with a bibliometric analysis, this study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the development and applications of remote sensing in monitoring CDOM from 2003 to 2022. The findings show that remote sensing data plays an important role in CDOM research as proven with the increasing number of publications since 2003, particularly in China and the United States. Primary research areas have gradually changed from studying absorption and fluorescence properties to optimization of remote sensing inversion models in recent years. Since the composition of oceanic and freshwater bodies differs significantly, it is important to choose the appropriate inversion method for different types of water body. At present, the monitoring of CDOM mainly relies on a single sensor, but the fusion of images from different sensors can be considered a major research direction due to the complex characteristics of CDOM. Therefore, in the future, the characteristics of CDOM will be studied in depth inn combination with multi-source data and other application models, where inversion algorithms will be optimized, inversion algorithms with low dependence on measured data will be developed, and a transportable inversion model will be built to break the regional limitations of the model and to promote the development of CDOM research in a deeper and more comprehensive direction.
A strategy for bioremediation of nuclear contaminants in the environment

Li Z, He Y, Sonne C, Lam SS, Kirkham MB, Bolan N, et al.

Environ Pollut, 2023 Feb 15;319:120964.
PMID: 36584860 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120964

Radionuclides released from nuclear contamination harm the environment and human health. Nuclear pollution spread over large areas and the costs associated with decontamination is high. Traditional remediation methods include both chemical and physical, however, these are expensive and unsuitable for large-scale restoration. Bioremediation is the use of plants or microorganisms to remove pollutants from the environment having a lower cost and can be upscaled to eliminate contamination from soil, water and air. It is a cheap, efficient, ecologically, and friendly restoration technology. Here we review the sources of radionuclides, bioremediation methods, mechanisms of plant resistance to radionuclides and the effects on the efficiency of biological adsorption. Uptake of radionuclides by plants can be facilitated by the addition of appropriate chemical accelerators and agronomic management, such as citric acid and intercropping. Future research should accelerate the use of genetic engineering and breeding techniques to screen high-enrichment plants. In addition, field experiments should be carried out to ensure that this technology can be applied to the remediation of nuclear contaminated sites as soon as possible.
Fulltext Mitochondrial Cardiomyopathy: Molecular Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Models, and Therapeutic Management

Yang J, Chen S, Duan F, Wang X, Zhang X, Lian B, et al.

Cells, 2022 Nov 06;11(21).
PMID: 36359908 DOI: 10.3390/cells11213511

Mitochondrial cardiomyopathy (MCM) is characterized by abnormal heart-muscle structure and function, caused by mutations in the nuclear genome or mitochondrial DNA. The heterogeneity of gene mutations and various clinical presentations in patients with cardiomyopathy make its diagnosis, molecular mechanism, and therapeutics great challenges. This review describes the molecular epidemiology of MCM and its clinical features, reviews the promising diagnostic tests applied for mitochondrial diseases and cardiomyopathies, and details the animal and cellular models used for modeling cardiomyopathy and to investigate disease pathogenesis in a controlled in vitro environment. It also discusses the emerging therapeutics tested in pre-clinical and clinical studies of cardiac regeneration.
Botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, edible uses, and quality control of Lablab semen Album: A systematic review

Yao L, Xia Z, Tang P, Deng J, Hao E, Du Z, et al.

J Ethnopharmacol, 2024 Nov 15;334:118507.
PMID: 38945467 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118507

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Lablab Semen Album (lablab), the white and dried mature fruit of Lablab purpureus in the Lablab genus of the Fabaceae family, is a renowned traditional medicinal herb with a long history of use in China. In Chinese medicine, lablab is often combined with other drugs to treat conditions such as weak spleen and stomach, loss of appetite, loose stools, excessive leucorrhoea, summer dampness and diarrhea, chest tightness, and abdominal distension.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Comprehensive information on lablab was gathered from databases including Web of Science, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Springer, PubMed, CNKI, Wanfang, and ancient materia medica.
RESULTS: Lablab, a member of the lentil family, thrives in warm and humid climates, and is distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Traditionally, lablab is used to treat various ailments, such as spleen and stomach weakness, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. Phytochemical analyses reveal that lablab is a rich source of triterpenoid saponins, glucosides, volatile components, polysaccharides, and amino acids. Lablab extracts exhibit diverse biological activities, including hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antitumoral, antiviral properties, and more. Besides its medicinal applications, lablab is extensively used in the food industry due to its high nutrient content. Additionally, the quality of lablab can be regulated by determining the levels of key chemical components pivotal to its medicinal effects, ensuring the herb's overall quality.
CONCLUSION: Lablab is a promising medicinal and edible plant ingredient with diverse pharmacological effects, making it a valuable ingredient for food, pharmaceuticals, and animal husbandry. However, it has inherent toxicity if not properly prepared. Additionally, some traditional uses and pharmacological activities lack scientific validation due to incomplete methods, unclear results, and insufficient clinical data. Thus, further in vivo and in vitro studies on its pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology, along with clinical efficacy evaluations, are needed to ensure lablab's safety and effectiveness. As an important traditional Chinese medicine, lablab deserves more attention.
Facilitating Rapid Na+ Storage through MoWSe/C Heterostructure Construction and Synergistic Electrolyte Matching Strategy

Wang J, Shao Y, Ma Y, Zhang D, Aziz SB, Li Z, et al.

ACS Nano, 2024 Apr 09;18(14):10230-10242.
PMID: 38546180 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c00599

The realization of sodium-ion devices with high-power density and long-cycle capability is challenging due to the difficulties of carrier diffusion and electrode fragmentation in transition metal selenide anodes. Herein, a Mo/W-based metal-organic framework is constructed by a one-step method through rational selection, after which MoWSe/C heterostructures with large angles are synthesized by a facile selenization/carbonization strategy. Through physical characterization and theoretical calculations, the synthesized MoWSe/C electrode delivers obvious structural advantages and excellent electrochemical performance in an ethylene glycol dimethyl ether electrolyte. Furthermore, the electrochemical vehicle mechanism of ions in the electrolyte is systematically revealed through comparative analyses. Resultantly, ether-based electrolytes advantageously construct stable solid electrolyte interfaces and avoid electrolyte decomposition. Based on the above benefits, the Na half-cell assembled with MoWSe/C electrodes demonstrated excellent rate capability and a high specific capacity of 347.3 mA h g-1 even after cycling 2000 cycles at 10 A g-1. Meanwhile, the constructed sodium-ion capacitor maintains ∼80% capacity retention after 11,000 ultralong cycles at a high-power density of 3800 W kg-1. The findings can broaden the mechanistic understanding of conversion anodes in different electrolytes and provide a reference for the structural design of anodes with high capacity, fast kinetics, and long-cycle stability.
Jellyfish-Inspired Soft Robot Driven by Pneumatic Bistable Actuators

Wang S, Qiao Z, Li Z, Zhang Y, Cheng A, Zhu B, et al.

Soft Robot, 2025 Feb;12(1):1-12.
PMID: 39078729 DOI: 10.1089/soro.2023.0212

Soft actuators offer numerous potential applications; however, challenges persist in achieving a high driving force and fast response speed. In this work, we present the design, fabrication, and analysis of a soft pneumatic bistable actuator (PBA) mimicking jellyfish subumbrellar muscle motion for waterjet propulsion. Drawing inspiration from the jellyfish jet propulsion and the characteristics of bistable structure, we develop an elastic band stretch prebending PBA with a simple structure, low inflation cost, exceptional driving performance, and stable driving force output. Through a bionic analysis of jellyfish body structure and motion, we integrate the PBA into a jellyfish-like prototype, enabling it to achieve jet propulsion. To enhance the swimming performance, we introduce a skin-like structure for connecting the soft actuator to the jellyfish-like soft robot prototype. This skin-like structure optimizes the fluid dynamics during jet propulsion, resulting in improved efficiency and maneuverability. Our study further analyzes the swimming performance of the jellyfish-like prototype, demonstrating a swimming speed of 3.8 cm/s (0.32 body length/s, BL/s) for the tethered prototype and 4.7 cm/s (0.38 BL/s) for the untethered prototype. Moreover, we showcase the jellyfish-like prototype's notable load-bearing capacity and fast-forward swimming performance compared to other driving methods for underwater biomimetic robots. This work provides valuable insights for the development of highly agile and fast responsive soft robots that imitate the subumbrellar muscle of jellyfish for efficient water-jet propulsion, utilizing skin-like structures to enhance swimming performance.
Fulltext Epigenetic changes driven by environmental pollutants in lung carcinogenesis: a comprehensive review

Zhang A, Luo X, Li Y, Yan L, Lai X, Yang Q, et al.

Front Public Health, 2024;12:1420933.
PMID: 39440184 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1420933

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, with environmental pollutants identified as significant risk factors, especially for nonsmokers. The intersection of these pollutants with epigenetic mechanisms has emerged as a critical area of interest for understanding the etiology and progression of lung cancer. Epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs, can induce alterations in gene expression without affecting the DNA sequence and are influenced by environmental factors, contributing to the transformation of normal cells into malignant cells. This review assessed the literature on the influence of environmental pollutants on lung cancer epigenetics. A comprehensive search across databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase yielded 3,254 publications, with 22 high-quality papers included for in-depth analysis. These studies demonstrated the role of epigenetic markers, such as DNA methylation patterns of genes like F2RL3 and AHRR and alterations in the miRNA expression profiles, as potential biomarkers for lung cancer diagnosis and treatment. The review highlights the need to expand research beyond homogenous adult male groups typically found in high-risk occupational environments to broader population demographics. Such diversification can reduce biases and enhance the relevance of findings to various clinical contexts, fostering the development of personalized preventive and therapeutic measures. In conclusion, our findings underscore the potential of innovative epigenetic therapies, such as DNA demethylating drugs and histone modification agents, to counter environmental toxins' carcinogenic effects. The growing interest in miRNA therapies and studies aiming to correct aberrant methylation patterns indicate significant strides toward better lung cancer management and a healthier future for global communities.
Effective Response Metric: a novel tool to predict relapse in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia using time-series gene expression profiling

Yeoh AE, Li Z, Dong D, Lu Y, Jiang N, Trka J, et al.

Br J Haematol, 2018 Jun;181(5):653-663.
PMID: 29808917 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.15252

Accurate risk assignment in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is essential to avoid under- or over-treatment. We hypothesized that time-series gene expression profiles (GEPs) of bone marrow samples during remission-induction therapy can measure the response and be used for relapse prediction. We computed the time-series changes from diagnosis to Day 8 of remission-induction, termed Effective Response Metric (ERM-D8) and tested its ability to predict relapse against contemporary risk assignment methods, including National Cancer Institutes (NCI) criteria, genetics and minimal residual disease (MRD). ERM-D8 was trained on a set of 131 patients and validated on an independent set of 79 patients. In the independent blinded test set, unfavourable ERM-D8 patients had >3-fold increased risk of relapse compared to favourable ERM-D8 (5-year cumulative incidence of relapse 38·1% vs. 10·6%; P = 2·5 × 10-3 ). ERM-D8 remained predictive of relapse [P = 0·05; Hazard ratio 4·09, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·03-16·23] after adjusting for NCI criteria, genetics, Day 8 peripheral response and Day 33 MRD. ERM-D8 improved risk stratification in favourable genetics subgroups (P = 0·01) and Day 33 MRD positive patients (P = 1·7 × 10-3 ). We conclude that our novel metric - ERM-D8 - based on time-series GEP after 8 days of remission-induction therapy can independently predict relapse even after adjusting for NCI risk, genetics, Day 8 peripheral blood response and MRD.
Fulltext The Role of 1-Methylcyclopropene in the regulation of ethylene biosynthesis and ethylene receptor gene expression in Mangifera indica L. (Mango Fruit)

Li L, Shuai L, Sun J, Li C, Yi P, Zhou Z, et al.

Food Sci Nutr, 2020 Feb;8(2):1284-1294.
PMID: 32148834 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.1417

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is respiratory climacteric fruit that ripens and decomposes quickly following their harvest. 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) is known to affect the ripening of fruit, delaying the decay of mango stored under ambient conditions. The objective of this study was to clarify the role of 1-MCP in the regulation of ethylene biosynthesis and ethylene receptor gene expression in mango. 1-MCP significantly inhibited the 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) content. The activity of ACC oxidase (ACO) increased on days 6, 8, and 10 of storage, whereas delayed ACC synthase (ACS) activity increased after day 4. The two homologous ethylene receptor genes, ETR1 and ERS1 (i.e., MiETR1 and MiERS1), were obtained and deposited in GenBank® (National Center for Biotechnology Information-National Institutes of Health [NCBI-NIH]) (KY002681 and KY002682). The MiETR1 coding sequence was 2,220 bp and encoded 739 amino acids (aa). The MiERS1 coding sequence was 1,890 bp and encoded 629 aa, similar to ERS1 in other fruit. The tertiary structures of MiETR1 and MiERS1 were also predicted. MiERS1 lacks a receiver domain and shares a low homology with MiETR1 (44%). The expression of MiETR1 and MiERS1 mRNA was upregulated as the storage duration extended and reached the peak expression on day 6. Treatment with 1-MCP significantly reduced the expression of MiETR1 on days 4, 6, and 10 and inhibited the expression of MiETR1 on days 2, 4, 6, and 10. These results indicated that MiETR1 and MiERS1 had important functions in ethylene signal transduction. Treatment with 1-MCP might effectively prevent the biosynthesis of ethylene, as well as ethylene-induced ripening and senescence. This study presents an innovative method for prolonging the storage life of mango after their harvest through the regulation of MiETR1 and MiERS1 expression.
Fulltext Clinical research linking Traditional Chinese Medicine constitution types with diseases: a literature review of 1639 observational studies

Liang X, Wang Q, Jiang Z, Li Z, Zhang M, Yang P, et al.

J Tradit Chin Med, 2020 08;40(4):690-702.
PMID: 32744037 DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2020.04.019

OBJECTIVE: To analyze clinical studies on correlations between Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) body constitution types and diseases published in the past 10 years, and to provide an evidence base to support the use of such correlations for health maintenance and disease prevention.
METHODS: We searched five databases for the period April 2009 to December 2019: China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Wanfang Database, China Science and Technology Journal Database, PubMed and Embase. Three types of observational studies on correlation between constitution types and diseases were included: cross-sectional, case-control and cohort studies. Descriptive statistical methods were employed for data analysis.
RESULTS: A total of 1639 clinical studies were identified: 1452 (88.59%) cross-sectional studies, 115 (7.02%) case-control studies and 72 (4.39%) cohort studies covering 30 regions of China and five other countries (Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and France). The collection of studies comprised 19 disease categories and 333 different diseases. The 10 most commonly studied diseases were hypertension, diabetes, stroke, coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CAHD), sleep disorders, neoplasm of the breast, dysmenorrhea, fatty liver disease, chronic viral hepatitis B and dyslipidemia. We found high distributions for each biased constitution type in different patient populations as follows: Qi-deficiency constitution in stroke, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and hypertension; Yang-deficiency constitution in female infertility, osteoporosis, irritable bowel syndrome, gonarthrosis and dysmenorrhea; Yin-deficiency constitution in hypertension, diabetes, constipation, female climacteric states and osteoporosis; phlegm- dampness constitution in hypertension, stroke, fatty liver disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome; damp-heat constitution in acne, chronic gastritis, chronic viral hepatitis B, human papillomavirus infection and hyperuricemia; blood-stasis constitution in CAHD, endometriosis and stroke; Qi-stagnation constitution in hyperplasia and neoplasms of the breast, insomnia, depression and thyroid nodules; and inherited-special constitution in asthma and allergic rhinitis.
CONCLUSION: Eight biased TCM constitutions were closely related to specific diseases, and could be used to guide individualized prevention and treatment. More rigorously designed studies are recommended to further verify the constitution-disease relationship.
α-Sulfo alkyl ester surfactants: Impact of changing the alkyl chain length on the adsorption, mixing properties and response to electrolytes of the tetradecanoate

Wang Z, Li P, Ma K, Chen Y, Yan Z, Penfold J, et al.

J Colloid Interface Sci, 2021 Mar 15;586:876-890.
PMID: 33309145 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2020.10.122

HYPOTHESIS: The α-sulfo alkyl ester, AES, surfactants are a class of anionic surfactants which have potential for improved sustainable performance in a range of applications, and an important feature is their enhanced tolerance to precipitation in the presence of multivalent counterions. It is proposed that their adsorption properties can be adjusted substantially by changing the length of the shorter alkyl chain, that of the alkanol group in the ester.
EXPERIMENTS: Surface tension and neutron reflectivity have been used to investigate the variation in the adsorption properties with the shorter alkyl chain length (methyl, ethyl and propyl), the impact of NaCl on the adsorption, the tendency to form surface multilayer structures in the presence of AlCl3, and the effects of mixing the methyl ester sulfonate with the ethyl and propyl ester sulfonates on the adsorption.
FINDINGS: The variations in the critical micelle concentration, CMC, the adsorption isotherms, the saturation adsorption values, and the impact of NaCl illustrate the subtle influence of varying the shorter alkyl chain length of the surfactant. The non-ideal mixing of pairs of AES surfactants with different alkanol group lengths of the ester show that the extent of the non-ideality changes as the difference in the alkanol length increases. The surface multilayer formation observed in the presence of AlCl3 varies in a complex manner with the length of the short chain and for mixtures of surfactants with different chains lengths.

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