Article
Immunology
Krishnamoorthi Sumaiya, Kalimuthusamy Natarajaseenivasan
Summary: This study found that MIF -173G/C gene promoter polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility and severity of human leptospirosis, with GC and CC genotypes being significantly associated with disease susceptibility and severity.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2022)
Article
Dermatology
Junhua Qi, Yu Zhang, Lvya Zhang, Gang Nie
Summary: This study conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between MIF-173G/C polymorphism and psoriasis risk. The results showed that carriers of the C allele and the GC genotype may have a higher risk of developing psoriasis.
INDIAN JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY VENEREOLOGY & LEPROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Mengqi Zhang, F. Richard Guo
Summary: Single-cell sequencing has revolutionized the identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by providing high resolution for heterogeneous cell tissues. However, current analysis mainly focuses on comparing different cell types within the same individual. This study proposes a nonparametric method called barycenter single-cell differential expression (BSDE) to identify DEGs in case-control studies. The method overcomes the limitations of parametric approaches and accurately detects differential expressions. It is demonstrated through simulations and real data analysis that BSDE can effectively identify cell type-specific DEGs. The availability of the R package and datasets further facilitate its application in research.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yoo Sang Baek, Eun-Jung Kwak, Young Chan Kim, Ko Eun Kim, Hae Jun Song, Jiehyun Jeon
Summary: A nationwide retrospective cohort study found that periodontal disease is not an independent risk factor for psoriasis, despite previous suggestions of a potential association.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Jun Yang, Zhenzhen Yuan, Jiajia Ma, Wenmin Feng, Zhigang Ding, Li Huang
Summary: The results of the study show that the expression of APQ4 was the highest in the M group and cerebral edema was detected. After cerebral trauma, cerebral edema is evident and the expressions of AQP4 and ERK1/2 are significantly increased. Dex can inhibit the expressions of AQP4 and ERK1/2 and alleviate cerebral edema, confirming the protective effect of Dex inhibiting AQP4 through the ERK1/2 pathway against cerebral trauma-induced cerebral edema.
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Richard J. Allen, Justin M. Oldham, David A. Jenkins, Olivia C. Leavy, Beatriz Guillen-Guio, Carl A. Melbourne, Shwu-Fan Ma, Jonathan Jou, John S. Kim, William A. Fahy, Eunice Oballa, Richard B. Hubbard, Vidya Navaratnam, Rebecca Braybrooke, Gauri Saini, Katy M. Roach, Martin D. Tobin, Nik Hirani, Moira K. B. Whyte, Naftali Kaminski, Yingze Zhang, Fernando J. Martinez, Angela L. Linderholm, Ayodeji Adegunsoye, Mary E. Strek, Toby M. Maher, Philip L. Molyneaux, Carlos Flores, Imre Noth, R. Gisli Jenkins, Louise Wain
Summary: In this study, a genetic variant associated with disease progression in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) was identified, and the PKN2 gene was proposed as a potential target for novel therapeutic approaches. This finding provides insights into the biological mechanisms underlying IPF and offers potential implications for its treatment.
LANCET RESPIRATORY MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Reham El-Mandy, Tahia H. Saleem, Osman M. Essam, Magdy Algowhary
Summary: The study suggests that the GG genotype of MIF rs755622 gene polymorphism may be a potential genetic risk factor for heart failure, especially in patients with HFrEF. MIF genotype assay could serve as an early predictor and help identify those at high risk of developing heart failure.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Arpan Dey Bhowmik, Tanmoy Das, Ansuman Chattopadhyay
Summary: Globally, 200 million people suffer from toxic manifestations of fluoride, including dental and skeletal fluorosis, with no currently available treatment. A study on mice exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of fluoride revealed that fluoride may adversely affect collagen, leading to skeletal fluorosis. The study also found epigenetic regulation and changes in gene expression associated with impaired collagen synthesis and mineralization.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Pediatrics
Daojing Ying, Mengjie Jiang, Liping Rong, Hongjie Zhuang, Lizhi Chen, Yuanyuan Xu, Xiaoyun Jiang
Summary: The meta-analysis found that MIF-173 G > C polymorphism was significantly associated with increased susceptibility to idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) in heterozygous and dominant genetic models. However, it was not likely to affect steroid responsiveness. More studies are needed to confirm these findings.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2021)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Jorge Hernandez-Bello, Miroslaba Rodriguez-Puente, Jorge Gutierrez-Cuevas, Samuel Garcia-Arellano, Jose Francisco Munoz-Valle, Mary Fafutis-Morris, Delfina Guadalupe Villanueva-Quintero, Anabell Alvarado-Navarro
Summary: The study found significant differences in genotypic and allelic frequencies for the MIF -173 G>C polymorphism, with carriers of the GC genotype and the C allele having higher odds of developing PP. The 6C haplotype was also associated with increased PP risk, and the -173 CC genotype was linked to elevated MIF serum levels.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Zhihua Chen, Diwen Yao, Dongchun Guo, Yuan Sun, Lu Liu, Mingxing Kou, Xiuqin Yang, Shengwei Di, Jiancheng Cai, Xibiao Wang, Buyue Niu
Summary: The present study identified functional mutations in the promoter of porcine STAT3 that are associated with piglet diarrhea. Further analysis revealed that one of the mutations, SNP1: g.-870 G>A, directly affected the transcription efficiency of STAT3, potentially contributing to susceptibility or resistance to piglet diarrhea.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Dermatology
Danfeng Wang, Shuhui Min, Xiao Lin, Guan Jiang
Summary: The study found significant associations between IFIH1 H843R and IL6-572G/C gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to non-segmental vitiligo (NSV) in the Chinese population, as well as their relationships with clinical characteristics of vitiligo. There was a higher frequency of MIF-173G/C allele distribution in patients with active NSV compared to stable NSV. The IFIH1 H843R allele was associated with early-onset, active, or family history of NSV.
CLINICAL COSMETIC AND INVESTIGATIONAL DERMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Dermatology
Vildan Manav, Seval Dogruk Kacar, Pinar Ozuguz, Saliha Handan Yildiz, Mujgan Ozdemir Erdogan, Tulay Koken
Summary: This study investigated serum MIF levels and MIF gene polymorphisms in 100 psoriasis patients in Turkey. While significantly higher serum MIF levels were found in psoriasis patients, there was no association between gene polymorphisms rs755622 or rs1007888 and psoriasis. Further research in larger populations is needed to understand the role of MIF in psoriasis.
TURKDERM-TURKISH ARCHIVES OF DERMATOLOGY AND VENEROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Krishnamoorthi Sumaiya, Dianne Langford, Kalimuthusamy Natarajaseenivasan, Santhanam Shanmughapriya
Summary: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a key cytokine involved in immune response and physiological processes. It has diverse biological functions, playing a protective role during infectious diseases while also promoting detrimental inflammation and cancer progression. The functional activities of MIF are regulated by genetic and physiological factors. A review on the regulation, functional mechanisms, and MIF-targeting therapies will provide insights into the significance of this protein.
PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Yan-yan Li, Hui Wang, Yang-yang Zhang
Summary: The MIF gene rs755622 G/C polymorphism is significantly associated with CAD, especially in the Chinese population. Individuals carrying the C allele of the MIF gene rs755622 G/C polymorphism may have a higher susceptibility to CAD.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Renzhong Xue, Liuyang Zhao, Siyuan Chen, Hongxuan Chen, Mengru Cui, Xintao Bai, Tao Li, Dewei Liu, Haiyang Dai
Summary: The effects of A-site transition from Ca2+ to Cd2+ on the microstructure, morphology, and electrical properties of Ca(1-x)CdxCu(3)Ti(4)O(12) thin films were investigated. The films exhibited smooth and compact surfaces without cracks. The transition from Ca2+ to Cd2+ resulted in changes in grain size and electrical properties. In particular, the simultaneous occupancy of A sites by Ca2+ and Cd2+ improved the dielectric and nonlinear properties of Ca1-xCdxCu3Ti4O12 films.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Junxian Zhao, Lijian Yan, Chen Wang, Yun Zhou, Ruobing Chen, Tak -Ming Chan
Summary: This paper investigates the damage-control design and seismic behavior of BRB-MFs with sliding gusset connections. The test results show that the sliding gusset connections effectively reduce the frame action at the system level, and the BRB-MF designed with the damage-control design procedure demonstrates excellent seismic performance under multiple earthquake loading levels.
ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Xiao-Jia Liu, Tian-Meng Lv, Sheng Sun, Jing-Yi Xu, Qi Guan, Jia-Hui Hao, Zhen-Chi Zhou, Sheng-Li Niu, Hui-Ming Hua
Summary: Researchers conducted a systematic phytochemical investigation on Garcinia nujiangensis and isolated four new compounds and four known compounds. One of the new compounds showed significant antiproliferative effects against HepG2 human cancer cells.
Review
Neurosciences
Zheng Wang, Hui Xu, Hang Zhou, Yang Lei, Lulu Yang, Juan Guo, Yuxia Wang, Yunfeng Zhou
Summary: This systematic review found that tuina therapy can significantly improve the clinical efficacy and sleep quality of patients with primary insomnia, providing a theoretical basis and treatment guidance for these patients.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hong-Liu Jin, Xiao-Jia Liu, Xiao-Ying Feng, Wen-Ting Zhu, Sen-Ling Feng, Li-Ping Cao, Zhong-Wen Yuan
Summary: This study investigated the pharmacological effects and molecular mechanism of quercetin 7-rhamnoside (Q7R) in the treatment of cholestatic hepatitis induced by alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT). The results showed that Q7R could decrease the level of CYP7A1, increase FXR and CYP27A1 levels, improve abnormal bile acid secretion, and alleviate inflammation by reducing TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, PTGS1, PTGS2, NCOA2, and NF-kappa B levels. Therefore, Q7R has an effective therapeutic effect on ANIT-induced cholestatic hepatitis by regulating bile acid secretion and inhibiting inflammatory responses.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Yun Zhou, Hetian Shao, Eric M. Lui, Genquan Zhong, Zhuang Li
Summary: This study presents an experimental and numerical investigation of a novel buckling-restrained brace made from an elliptical steel tube with a dog bone-shaped core plate (CEST-DBRB). Two CEST-DBRB specimens with different major-to-minor axis ratios were subjected to displacement-controlled cyclic loading tests. The results indicate that both specimens exhibit stable hysteretic behavior without overall buckling. However, local bulging of the steel tube was observed under large displacement amplitudes. Finite element models were developed using ABAQUS to analyze these buckling-restrained braces and to investigate stress concentrations contributing to local instability. Compared to circular BRBs, these elliptical BRBs demonstrate comparable hysteretic behavior, while being lighter and smaller in volume by 30%-40%. Additionally, a criterion to prevent steel tube bulging is proposed, along with an equation to calculate the lateral force exerted on the restraining unit by the core plate.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wei Yu, Yufeng Jiang, Hui Xu, Yafeng Zhou
Summary: HFpEF is a disease without definitive and effective treatment, affecting more than 50% of HF patients. Gut microbiota (GMB) has been shown to be related to HFpEF. In HFpEF patients, the composition of GMB is significantly altered and tends towards dysbiosis. Metabolites of GMB mediate various pathophysiological mechanisms of HFpEF.
Article
Mechanics
Bo Liu, Yunfei Zhou
Summary: In this paper, the damage failure mechanism of unidirectional SiCf/SiC composites under uniaxial tension was studied. The interfacial shear stress was described using Coulomb's law based on the conventional shear-lag model. The matrix cracking stress and interface debonding length were calculated using energy balance and fracture mechanics debonding criterion. The effects of various factors on the matrix cracking stress and the stress-strain curve of the composites were discussed.
COMPOSITE STRUCTURES
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Zhiming He, Fei Shi, Zicheng Lin, Chao Zhang, Yun Zhou, Feng Zhao
Summary: This study investigates the mechanical behavior of a viscoelastic damper (VED) under monotonic and cyclic loading, with a focus on the cyclic stability of VEDs' mechanical properties. The VED consists of 2 layers of elastomer compound sandwiched between 3 steel plates. Nine damper specimens are tested to examine the effects of strain amplitude, loading frequency, strain history, and high-cycle fatigue loading on the mechanical properties of VED. The experimental results demonstrate that VED has a high damping capacity, low frequency dependency, and significant sensitivity to strain amplitude and loading frequency in high-cycle fatigue performance.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mingming Fu, Yifeng Shen, Hao Zhou, Xiaojia Liu, Wenjun Chen, Xing Ma
Summary: Gallium-based liquid metals have unique properties that have attracted significant interest in the biomedical field. Photothermal therapy has shown great development in antitumor treatment and the photothermal capability of gallium-based liquid metals provides unparalleled advantages. This review presents the major preparation methods of liquid metal micro/nanoparticles, the mechanism of liquid metal photothermal conversion, and discusses the factors affecting the photothermal properties of liquid metals. The biological applications, challenges, and opportunities for the clinical translation of liquid metals in biomedical applications are also discussed.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qiong Wu, Gaojie Yan, Linghua Tan, Weihua Zhu, Yunping Zhou
Summary: A total of 24 nitrogen-rich fused-ring energetic metal complexes were designed and studied. The structures were modified by introducing different metals and energetic groups, resulting in compounds with higher energy and lower sensitivity compared to a well-known high energy compound. The effects of different metals and small energetic groups on the structure and properties were investigated. The results showed that copper, NO2, and C(NO2)(3) increased the energy, while cobalt and NH2 helped reduce the sensitivity.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MODELING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yang Yang, Haiyan Pei, Zejun Ye, Jiaming Sun
Summary: Amorphous Al2O3-Y2O3:Er nanolaminate films are prepared on silicon using atomic layer deposition, and the resulting metal-oxide-semiconductor light-emitting devices exhibit similar electroluminescence (EL) at 1530 nm. The addition of Y2O3 in Al2O3 reduces the electric field for Er excitation and significantly enhances the EL performance without affecting electron injection and radiative recombination of doped Er3+ ions. The 0.2 nm Y2O3 cladding layers for Er3+ ions increase the external quantum efficiency from around 3% to 8.7% and the power efficiency by nearly one order of magnitude to 0.12%. The EL is attributed to impact excitation of Er3+ ions by hot electrons, originated from Poole-Frenkel conduction mechanism within the Al2O3-Y2O3 matrix.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mingxiao Yin, Jingwen Dong, Cuicui Sun, Xiaojia Liu, Zhirui Liu, Lu Liu, Zean Kuang, Na Zhang, Dian Xiao, Xinbo Zhou, Hongbin Deng
Summary: The study identifies Raddeanin A (RA) as a potent immunogenic cell death (ICD) inducer that enhances antitumor immunity by inducing tumor cell immunogenicity and reprogramming the tumor microenvironment. RA directly binds to TDP-43 and induces its localization to mitochondria and mtDNA leakage, leading to upregulation of nuclear factor kappa B and type I interferon signaling and enhancing antigen cross-presentation and T cell activation.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Chengnan Li, Yingying Gan, Zongshao Li, Mengjing Fu, Yuzhen Li, Xinran Peng, Yongqiang Yang, Guo-bao Tian, Yi Yan Yang, Peiyan Yuan, Xin Ding
Summary: This study reports a neutrophil-inspired antibacterial delivery system for targeted photothermal treatment, stimuli-responsive antibiotic release, and endotoxin neutralization. The system is composed of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles loaded with indocyanine green and rifampicin, coated with neutrophil membrane. The delivery system exhibited specific targeting properties, endotoxin neutralization, and synergistic antibacterial effect.
BIOMATERIALS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yunyun Zhou, Lingzhi Zhao, Juanjuan Peng, Xueshen Wang, Lulu Yang, Jian Wang, Keqiang Lu
Summary: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a severe disease that often leads to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Efficient targeted drug delivery to the damaged kidney is crucial for AKI treatment. In this study, silica cross-linked micelles (SCLMs) were prepared to specifically target and accumulate in the injured renal tubules. The SCLMs showed selective localization in the damaged tubular cells and could be used for imaging the injured kidney. Atorvastatin-loaded SCLMs effectively improved renal function indexes in AKI and CKD, such as tubular necrosis, collagen deposition, and inflammation.
ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS
(2023)