Open Life Sciences最新文献

Brain metastases (BMs) usually occur in the advanced stage of cancers with a poor prognosis. This study aimed to compare the clinical efficacy and effects on cognitive function of immunotherapy combined with whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and immunotherapy combined with WBRT plus sequential integrated boost (SEB) in the treatment of multiple BMs. A total of 57 patients diagnosed with BMs were included in Kezhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University between 2021 and 2023. Patients were allocated into the WBRT group (n = 27) and the WBRT + SEB group (n = 30) based on whether to receive a boost. The WBRT + SEB group showed a higher complete response rate and objective response rate compared to the WBRT group (26.7 vs 14.8%, 90.0 vs 66.7%) (all P < 0.05). The two groups had a median overall survival (OS) time of 11.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.3-13.1) and 9.4 months (95% CI: 6.2-12.6), respectively, with no statistically significant difference (P = 0.176). There was no difference in the levels of mini-mental state examination score at 1, 3, and 6 months, as well as the risk of adverse events, after WBRT between the two groups. In conclusion, SEB may improve the remission rate of lesions but not prolong the OS time. The boost would neither increase serious side effects nor would it aggravate cognitive impairment caused by WBRT.

Although citrus essential oils, including lemongrass essential oil, have antibacterial, anti-biofilm, and antioxidant properties, their biological instability and poor water solubility render them unsuitable for industrial usage. Thus, this study aimed to prepare both lemongrass essential oil emulsion (LEO-E) and lemongrass essential oil nanoemulsion (LEO-NE), and evaluate their different bioactivities. Characterization by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and evaluation of antimicrobial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, and anticancer activities were carried out. GC-MS results illustrated that D-limonene compound is the dominant among other compounds in LEO. According to transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering, LEO-NE appeared as spherical-shaped droplets with a constant size spanning from 29.1 to 37.4 nm with a polydispersity index value of 0.163. Antimicrobial results showed that LEO-NE exhibited promising antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and Austromerope brasiliensis with inhibition zones of 25.33 ± 1.1, 26.5 ± 0.5, 22 ± 1, 24.33 ± 0.5, 28.6 ± 1, and 27.97 ± 0.9 mm, respectively. Moreover, LEO-NE showed considerable antiـbiofilm efficacy toward S. aureus and P. aeruginosa with inhibition percentages at 1/2 of MIC of 98.92 and 92.62%, respectively. Furthermore, LEO-NE exhibited antioxidant activity using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl method with 88.5% at 100 µg/mL concentration. In addition, LEO-NE displayed potential anticancer activity toward the human prostate cancer cell line (PC3) and human liver cancer cell line (Hep-G2), where IC₅₀ values were 170.09 and 105.06%, respectively. In conclusion, the prepared LEO-NE in the current study had antimicrobial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, and anticancer activities, which can be used in the medical and pharmaceutical fields.

This article aims to explore the effects of salmon demineralized bone matrix (DBM) combined with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) on bone formation. Salmon DBM, with its high water absorption capacity, was used to construct a composite material with rhBMP-2 under pH 7.0 and optimal temperature conditions. The compound effects of the composite material were evaluated by measuring its mechanical strength, microstructure, and biocompatibility through scanning electron microscopy and cell culture experiments. The effect of rhBMP-2 within the composite was assessed by in vivo fluorescence imaging. rhBMP-2 was successfully loaded onto salmon DBM and released slowly. The composite material's structure, strength, and cell compatibility were unaffected. The compressive strength was 2.87 MPa, slightly higher than DBM alone (2.27 MPa). In vivo imaging showed slow release of rhBMP-2, with more than 50% fluorescence intensity remaining after 3 days. Cytotoxicity tests showed no harmful effects, with over 95% cell growth. Rats with rhBMP-2-loaded DBM had higher serum calcium (1,569 ± 114 mg/L) than those with DBM alone (1,349 ± 110 mg/L, p < 0.05). Histology showed more bone growth and calcium deposition around rhBMP-2-loaded DBM. Loading rhBMP-2 onto DBM does not alter its physical, chemical, or biological properties; it enhances the osteogenic potential of DBM.

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerular disease in China; there is an urgent need to identify more effective treatments for IgAN. A 34-year-old woman presented with proteinuria of >2 years' duration. She was diagnosed with IgA nephropathy and was treated with a combination of telitacicept and half-dose glucocorticoids. At the time of writing, the patient's urinary protein concentration and renal function were normal. A combination of telitacicept and half-dose glucocorticoids is an effective way to treat IgAN.

Gene regulation is important during tissue formation, but redundant systems make it difficult to study in vivo. The protein Jazf-1 is a member of the NuA4/TIP60 histone-modifying complex, and a transcriptional repressor has been suggested to be important for Drosophila melanogaster eye development. We used the GAL4-UAS system to determine the impact of altering gene expression. GAL4-UAS manipulations of Jazf-1 in the eye caused variable and not fully penetrant phenotypes. Increased expression of Jazf-1 has been shown to suppress a Lobe ² small eye phenotype. We found that Lobe ² produces a sensitive background for an in vivo assay to monitor gene regulatory complexes. Depleting Jazf-1 and other NuA4/TIP60 complex members significantly enhanced the eye phenotype. We also tested Hr78, which directly interacts with Jazf-1, and found it inversely modifies the Lobe ² phenotype. An Hr78 mutation predicted to uncouple the Jazf-1 interaction but still capable of interactions with transcriptional activators further enhanced the Lobe ² mutant phenotype, suggesting the loss of a repressing complex. We believe that Hr78 is acting as an anchor for repressing and activating complexes and the NuA4/TIP60 complex helps repress genes that can negatively impact eye formation in the context of Lobe ² .

The present study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of Indigofera oblongifolia with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and chloroquine (CQ) 10 mg/kg in treating lung inflammation caused by Plasmodium chabaudi infection in a mouse model. Fifty female C57BL/6 mice were divided into five groups: control, Indigofera oblongifolia leaf extract (IOLE) AgNPs treated, P. chabaudi infected, infected and IOLE AgNPs treated, infected and CQ 10 mg/kg treated. Lung histopathology was assessed using microscopic analysis and immunohistochemistry investigation for TNF-α and IL-6. The results showed that the positive control of AgNPs slightly triggered proinflammatory cytokines and created an oxidative stress status in lung tissue. The group IOLE AgNPs treatment significantly restored the normal organization of the control lung tissue. It reduced alveolar and septal congestion, edema, and necrosis compared to the infected lung. Therefore I. oblongifolia as a natural medical plant displayed significant antimalarial and anti-oxidant properties effectively, reducing inflammatory signs and cytokine levels in P. chabaudi-infected lungs and treating the harmful impact of AgNPs in P. chabaudi-infected + I. oblongifolia with AgNPs lung. While CQ shows limited efficiency, it showed moderate improvement in the histological architecture such as thicker alveolar and bronchiolar walls and restricted expansion. However, the septal and alveolar congestion, hemosiderin concentration, edema, and necrotic cells were still present. Also, immunohistochemistry expression of proinflammatory cytokines is still expressed. In conclusion, this study highlights the therapeutic potential of I. oblongifolia for malaria management. Also, this study uniquely explored the combined influences of I. oblongifolia leaf extract and AgNPs on lung inflammation caused by P. chabaudi infection. Previous studies may have explored these components separately, but the current study examines their synergistic potential in treating malaria-related lung pathology. Consequently, the study compared the efficacy of I. oblongifolia with that of CQ, revealing that the latter exhibited limited efficiency due to drug resistance and its inability to restore the normal features of its histology. This comparison highlights the potential impact of I. oblongifolia as a more effective alternative in malaria treatment, particularly in cases where conventional drugs fail.

DREB7 in Glycine max (L) is a novel trans-acting transcription factor (TF) that binds to the cis-acting sequences of promoters to activate the expression of downstream genes in response to abiotic factors. This study presents the experimental results and analyzes the relationship between the overexpression of the GmDREB7 and GmP5CS, as well as the proline content, in transgenic soybean lines. The results of qRT-PCR analysis of four TG1 transgenic soybean lines (TG1-2, TG1-5, TG1-7, and TG1-10) showed that the GmDREB7 gene had significantly higher transcriptional expression under untreated and salt stress conditions. Under salt stress conditions, the two transgenic lines, TG1-5 and TG1-10, had the most significant increase in GmDREB7 and GmP5CS gene expression levels, as well as the highest proline accumulation (P < 0.05). The in silico molecular docking analysis confirmed a specific interaction between the DREB7 protein and GmP5CS promoter. These findings demonstrate that overexpression of the gene encoding the TF DREB7 enhanced the transcription of the GmP5CS gene and increased proline accumulation in soybean plants under salt stress conditions. The GmDREB7 gene can be a promising candidate for enhancing salt tolerance in soybeans.

This study investigates the diversity and distribution of Suillus fungi in Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica (PSM) forests across Inner Mongolia, with a focus on understanding the environmental factors influencing fungal communities. High-throughput sequencing was utilized to analyze soil fungal communities across 12 PSM forest sites, alongside assessments of meteorological variables and soil enzyme activities. Thirteen Suillus species were identified, with S. clintonianus being the dominant species. The diversity of Suillus fungi exhibited significant geographical variation, with diversity decreasing from east to west. Precipitation and leucine aminopeptidase activity were identified as key drivers of fungal distribution. The soil fungal community was predominantly saprotrophic, playing a crucial role in nutrient cycling and ecosystem stability. The findings provide a deeper understanding of the role of ectomycorrhizal fungi in sustaining forest health and offer valuable insights for sustainable forest management and restoration efforts in semi-arid regions.

This report presents a case of solitary pulmonary metastasis from colon cancer, characterized by cystic airspaces, which can mimic a second primary lung cancer (LC). Preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography in a patient with colon cancer revealed a pulmonary micronodule with a cystic cavity in the right upper lobe. The patient subsequently underwent left-sided hemicolectomy followed by six cycles of chemotherapy. During follow-up, computed tomography demonstrated resolution of the right upper lobe nodule. However, 36 months after chemotherapy, a solid nodule with cystic airspaces appeared in the right upper lobe, exhibiting marginal spiculation, traversing vessels, and enhancement, suggestive of cystic LC. Intraoperative frozen section analysis indicated features of intestinal adenocarcinoma. A right upper lobe wedge resection was performed, and postoperative histopathology confirmed the lesion as metastatic colon adenocarcinoma with cystic airspaces. Solitary pulmonary metastasis from colon cancer is relatively uncommon, particularly with cystic presentation. Clinicians and radiologists should maintain heightened suspicion in such atypical cases to avoid missed or delayed diagnoses.

Peripheral nerve injury-induced muscle atrophy is characterized by chronic inflammation and dysregulated macrophage polarization. RUNX1, a transcription factor upregulated in denervated muscle, has been implicated in linking muscle degeneration to inflammatory processes, but its downstream targets and mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this study is to delineate the RUNX1-JUNB-NF-κB axis in driving inflammation-mediated muscle atrophy. The GSE183802 single-nucleus RNA sequencing dataset was analyzed to identify RUNX1-associated pathways. A sciatic nerve transection model in mice was established to validate RUNX1 expression dynamics. Chromatin immunoprecipitation, dual-luciferase reporter assays, and siRNA-mediated knockdown were used to confirm RUNX1's transcriptional regulation of JUNB. In vitro models (C2C12 myotubes, RAW 264.7 macrophages) assessed RUNX1-driven inflammatory responses, NF-κB activation, and extracellular matrix remodeling. RUNX1 was significantly upregulated in denervated muscle, particularly in myonuclei and macrophage subclusters, correlating with elevated atrophy markers (MuRF1, Atrogin-1). RUNX1 overexpression directly activated JUNB transcription via promoter binding, leading to NF-κB pathway activation (increased p65 phosphorylation) and M1 macrophage polarization (enhanced IL-1β/TNF-α secretion). JUNB knockdown reversed RUNX1-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine release, NF-κB signaling, and muscle atrophy markers. This study identifies the RUNX1-JUNB-NF-κB axis as a central regulator of inflammation-driven muscle atrophy following denervation. Targeting this pathway may offer therapeutic potential to mitigate neurogenic muscle degeneration and immune-mediated damage in conditions such as peripheral nerve injuries or motor neuron diseases.