Objective. Recently, a new consensus algorithm for classification of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) and PAN had been proposed by Watt et al. for epidemiological studies. In order to evaluate this ...algorithm, the current study used the algorithm to reclassify the patients with AAV and PAN in our centre. Methods. Five hundred and fifty Chinese patients with primary systemic vasculitis diagnosed in our referral diagnostic centre during the past 10 years were retrospectively studied. Four hundred and ninety-three out of 550 were ANCA positive. We compared the new consensus algorithm and the 1994 Chapel Hill Consensus Conference (CHCC) definitions supplemented with surrogate parameters, in the same cohort of patients with primary systemic vasculitis. Results. Applying the CHCC definitions with surrogate parameters, the diagnoses were Churg–Strauss syndrome (CSS) (n = 0), WG (n = 127), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) (n = 363), PAN (n = 4) and unclassified (n = 56). Using the new consensus algorithm, the diagnoses were CSS (n = 2), WG (n = 199), MPA (n = 329), PAN (n = 0) and unclassified (n = 20). Conclusions. Watts’ algorithm was a useful method to classify patients into a single category, with less unclassified patients and without overlapping diagnosis, which allows their use in epidemiological studies.
Engineering clinically relevant cells in vitro holds promise for regenerative medicine, but most protocols fail to faithfully recapitulate target cell properties. To address this, we developed ...CellNet, a network biology platform that determines whether engineered cells are equivalent to their target tissues, diagnoses aberrant gene regulatory networks, and prioritizes candidate transcriptional regulators to enhance engineered conversions. Using CellNet, we improved B cell to macrophage conversion, transcriptionally and functionally, by knocking down predicted B cell regulators. Analyzing conversion of fibroblasts to induced hepatocytes (iHeps), CellNet revealed an unexpected intestinal program regulated by the master regulator Cdx2. We observed long-term functional engraftment of mouse colon by iHeps, thereby establishing their broader potential as endoderm progenitors and demonstrating direct conversion of fibroblasts into intestinal epithelium. Our studies illustrate how CellNet can be employed to improve direct conversion and to uncover unappreciated properties of engineered cells.
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•The CellNet network biology platform evaluates cell-fate engineering strategies•CellNet reveals incomplete conversion of engineered macrophages and hepatocytes•Conversion to induced hepatocytes specifies intestinal fate, regulated by Cdx2•Induced hepatocytes are endoderm progenitors that can functionally engraft colon
A network biology platform, CellNet, enables a more accurate assessment of the fidelity of cellular engineering (e.g., directed differentiation and directed conversion) and provides strategies for improving cell derivations.
We experimentally and theoretically investigate the anisotropic speed of sound of an atomic superfluid (SF) Bose-Einstein condensate in a 1D optical lattice. Because the speed of sound derives from ...the SF density, this implies that the SF density is itself anisotropic. We find that the speed of sound is decreased by the optical lattice, and the SF density is concomitantly reduced. This reduction is accompanied by the appearance of a zero entropy normal fluid in the purely Bose condensed phase. The reduction in SF density-first predicted A. J. Leggett, Phys. Rev. Lett. 25, 1543 (1970).PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.25.1543 in the context of supersolidity-results from the coexistence of superfluidity and density modulations, but is agnostic about the origin of the modulations. We additionally measure the moment of inertia of the system in a scissors mode experiment, demonstrating the existence of rotational flow. As such we shed light on some supersolid properties using imposed, rather than spontaneously formed, density order.
Ageratina adenophora is one of the most hazardous invasive weeds in China. It can form a single species community quickly and cause extensive ecological harm. The belowground microbial community can ...participate in nutrient transformation in soil and plays an important role in the invasiveness of exotic plant species.
We selected sampling sites with different invasion levels of A. adenophora. The soil property and soil biogeochemical activity were measured in both bulk and rhizosphere soil under the aggressive weed A. adenophora and under adjacent native plants. The composition of bacterial communities was investigated using high‐throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
We found that the rhizosphere habitat selectively accumulated Sphingomonas and Steroidobacter and reduced the abundance of Gaiella and Gp6 regardless of plant host. The presence of A. adenophora caused a switch in microbial composition from Aeromicrobium and Marmoricola to Reyranella and Bradyrhizobium in the bulk soil, and from Gp4, Pirellula, Lysobacter and Aridibacterrae to Reyranella and Streptomyces in the rhizosphere soil. We also revealed specific microbes that closely related with N‐cycling processes. In addition, soil pH was the main factor affecting microbial communities in both bulk and rhizosphere soil.
Our study confirmed that the rhizosphere environment imposed homogenous microbial communities. The invasion of A. adenophora selected specialized bacterial communities in soils and specific microbes that potentially mediated soil nutrition cycling. Our findings provide ecological explanation to explain how the underground microbes help A. adenophora invasive.
The specific bacterial groups selected by Ageratina adenophora potentially regulated soil nutrition cycling in response to plant invasion.
The pseudokinase mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) is a key component of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced necroptosis and plays a crucial role in necroptosis execution. However, the ...mechanisms that control MLKL activity are not completely understood. Here, we identify the molecular chaperone Hsp90 as a novel MLKL-interacting protein. We show that Hsp90 associates with MLKL and is required for MLKL stability. Moreover, we find that Hsp90 also regulates the stability of the upstream RIP3 kinase. Interference with Hsp90 function with the 17AAG inhibitor destabilizes MLKL and RIP3, resulting in their degradation by the proteasome pathway. Furthermore, we find that Hsp90 is required for TNF-stimulated necrosome assembly. Disruption of Hsp90 function prevents necrosome formation and strongly reduces MLKL phosphorylation and inhibits TNF-induced necroptosis. Consistent with a positive role of Hsp90 in necroptosis, coexpression of Hsp90 increases MLKL oligomerization and plasma membrane translocation and enhances MLKL-mediated necroptosis. Our findings demonstrate that an efficient necrotic response requires a functional Hsp90.
In this study, We demonstrated that Bax mitochondrial translocation plays a vital role in the initiation of the mitochondrial signaling pathway upon activation by heat stress. In addition, both p53 ...mitochondrial translocation and Ca(2+) signal mediated MPTP opening activate Bax mitochondrial translocation. Employing pifithrin-α (a p53 mitochondrial translocation inhibitor) and CsA (a permeability transition pore (MPTP) inhibitor), we found that heat stress induced Bax mitochondrial translocation was significantly inhibited in cells pretreated with both PFT and CsA. Furthermore, we demonstrated that generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a critical mediator in heat stress induced apoptosis and that the antioxidant MnTBAP significantly decreased heat stress induced p53 mitochondrial translocation and Ca(2+) signal mediated MPTP opening, as well as the subsequent Bax mitochondrial translocation and activation of the caspase cascade. Taken together, our results indicate that heat stress induces apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway with ROS dependent mitochondrial p53 translocation and Ca(2+) dyshomeostasis, and the ensuing intro Bax mitochondrial translocation as the upstream events involved in triggering the apoptotic process observed upon cellular exposure to heat stress.
Abstract Background A meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the much-debated relationship between the gene expression of programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and cancer patient prognosis. The ...prognostic value of measuring PD-L1 expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients was analyzed. Methods We searched PubMed for studies about the relationship between PD-L1 expression and NSCLC patient prognosis. Only studies with patient survival data related to PD-L1 expression in NSCLC patients with different characteristics were included. The effect size (ES) for this analysis was the hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for overall survival (OS). Results Six studies with 1157 patients were included with the defined including and excluding criteria. There is no significant heterogeneity among the studies (I2 = 0%, p = 0.683). PD-L1 expression was significantly associated with the differentiation of tumor (poor vs. well: OR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.33–2.75, p = 0.001). High PD-L1 expression was also correlated with poor prognosis in terms of the OS of patients with NSCLC (pooled HR = 1.75, 95% CI: 140–2.20, p < 0.001; heterogeneity test: I2 = 0%, p = 0.643). Conclusions NSCLC patients with positive PD-L1 expression exhibited poor OS. The PD-L1 expression was higher in tumors with poor differentiation.
Ten high-entropy alloys are prepared by an arc furnace. The microstructure and the properties of the alloys are investigated. FeNiCrCuCo and FeNiCrCuMo alloys consist of a single FCC solid solution. ...When Cu or Co in the alloys is substituted by Al, the microstructures of the alloys change to that of BCC solid solution or that of a BCC
+
FCC solid solution. The results show that Cu with a FCC structure promotes the formation of a FCC solid solution. Although Al has a FCC structure, it does not help the formation of a FCC solid solution. In addition, when Zr is added into the alloys, complicated compounds are present due to the stronger compound formation tendency between Zr and other components. It is found that the hardness of alloys with a BCC structure is higher than that of the alloys with a FCC structure. The hardness of the alloys increases with increasing of Al content. When complicated compounds are formed, the hardness increases further. The highest hardness reaches 566
HV due to the strengthening of the second phase precipitation.
In recent years, domestic and foreign research on smart fibers and smart textiles has achieved many results, and has been increasingly widely used in the textile field. This article introduces the ...functions of smart fibers and the main seven types of smart fibers, as well as a brief description of shape memory textiles, color-changing textiles, smart temperature control textiles, waterproof and moisture-permeable textiles, self-cleaning textiles, and electronic information smart textiles. At present, smart fibers and smart textiles are mainly used in the fields of medical health care, military protection, entertainment sports, and clothing consumption. At the same time, their prospects and markets are pointed out. Smart fibers and smart textiles have unlimited development potential and prospects.
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