Changes in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in rats with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and the intervention effect of dexamethasone were observed to explore the theoretical basis of dexamethasone in the treatment of ARDS. Seventy-two rats were randomly divided into normal control group (group N, n=24), ARDS model group (group L, n=24) and dexamethasone group (group D, n=24). The ARDS rat model was established by jointly injecting oleic acid and lipopolysaccharide via the caudal vein, while rats in group D received intervention with dexamethasone. The wet/dry weight ratios of lung tissues were measured, and the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10 and VEGF in serum and BALF were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The wet/dry weight ratio of lung tissues of rats in group D was significantly decreased compared with that in group L (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and VEGF in serum and BALF of rats in group L and D were obviously increased compared with those in group N at each time point (P<0.01). The levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and VEGF in serum and BALF of rats in group D were significantly decreased compared with those in group L (P<0.01). In conclusion, there is a serious imbalance between anti-inflammatory response and inflammatory response in rats with ARDS induced by oleic acid combined with lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli, whereas dexamethasone can alleviate lung injury through inhibiting expression levels of inflammatory factors and promoting expression levels of anti-inflammatory factors.

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Osteosarcoma is a common malignancy seen mainly in children and adolescents. The disease is characterized by poor overall prognosis and lower survival due to a lack of predictive markers. Many gene signatures with diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive values were evaluated to achieve better clinical outcomes. Two public data series, GSE21257 and UCSC Xena, were used to identify the minimum number of robust genes needed for a predictive signature to guide prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma. The lasso regression algorithm was used to analyze sequencing data from TCGA-TARGET, and methods such as Cox regression analysis, risk factor scoring, receiving operating curve, KMplot prognosis analysis, and nomogram were used to characterize the prognostic predictive power of the identified genes. Their utility was assessed using the GEO osteosarcoma dataset. Finally, the functional enrichment analysis of the identified genes was performed. A total of twenty-gene signatures were found to have a good prognostic value for predicting patient survival. Gene ontology analysis showed that the key genes related to osteosarcoma were categorized as peptide–antigen binding, clathrin-coated endocytic vesicle membrane, peptide binding, and MHC class II protein complex. The osteosarcoma related genes in these modules were significantly enriched in the processes of antigen processing and presentation, phagocytosis, cell adhesion molecules, Staphylococcus aureus infection. Twenty gene signatures were identified related to osteosarcoma, which would be helpful for predicting prognosis of patients with OS. Further, these signatures can be used to determine the subtypes of osteosarcoma.

Currently, there is a lack of clinically safe and effective treatment for spinal cystic echinococcosis (CE). Recent studies have shown that albendazole chitosan microspheres (ABZ-CS-MPS) and irradiation have certain anti-abdominal echinococcosis ability, so this study aims to compare the in vitro and in vivo therapeutic effects of ABZ-CS-MPs, Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and the combination therapy on spinal echinococcosis. Firstly, protoscolices were processed by different treatments to evaluate their respective anti-echinococcosis effect by monitoring the viability change of protoscoleces. Then, the apoptotic status of protoscoleces was evaluated by detecting the changes of mitochondrial membrane potential, the expression of apoptosis proteins and the ultrastructural alterations of protoscoleces. After that, we constructed a gerbil model of spinal CE and further applied B-ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging technology to assess the size of hydatid in vivo. Finally, the cysts were obtained and weighed to compare the inhibition rate in different groups. The combined therapy increased protoscoleces mortality to over 90% after 18 days, which showed the highest scolicidal effect. Moreover, confocal imaging, expression of apoptotic proteins and ultrastructural changes of protoscoleces showed the highest apoptotic rate in this group. In vivo, the combination treatment also exhibited the highest cyst inhibition rate (61.4%). In conclusion, our results showed that ABZ-CS-MPs combined with IMRT could be a new treatment option for spinal CE. We also provided a method to evaluate the growth and metastasis of hydatid in animals with B-ultrasound and MRI imaging technologies.

To investigate the molecular mechanism of aging, the combination of module analysis and DNA methylation data was used to detect dynamically controlled modules for aging. Multiple differential expression networks (DENs) were constructed based on the microarray profiles across different aging groups (<70 years, 70–80 years, and >80 years). Next, a module-based approach was utilized to extract the common candidate modules across all age groups. We used Module Connectivity Dynamic Score (MCDS) to quantify the connectivity change of the common modules among the different age groups. Functional analyses were implemented for the genes in the common modules to further identify the significant biological processes. A total of two DENs were constructed. Overall 657 informative genes were screened out. When false discovery rate (FDR) was set as 0.05, we found that 148 modules were significant. Only 1 significant 2-differential modules (DMs) (module 493) with dynamic changes was discovered. Significantly, the genes in the module 493 participated in 7 significant pathways, including pentose phosphate pathway, carbon metabolism, and citrate cycle (TCA cycle). In conclusion, pathway functions [pentose phosphate pathway, carbon metabolism, citrate cycle (TCA cycle), chromosomal instability, ateroid biosynthesis, PPAR signaling pathway, and immune response] may serve as potential therapeutic targets in aging.

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) infection can cause a range of malignancies. The use of microRNA (miRNA) to combat viruses and inhibit tumor development has received increasing attention. However, it is difficult for free miRNA to enter into cells directly and to degrade easily. Therefore, the miRNA therapy alone often fails to achieve the expected effect. The selection of an appropriate delivery system for effective miRNA delivery and anti-KSHV is rarely considered. In this study, a β-cyclodextrin-grafted polyethylenimine (β-CD-PEI) was prepared by the chemical synthesis method, and folic acid was further coupled to a nanocarrier (β-CD-PEI-FA). Gel electrophoresis retardation experiments showed that β-CD-PEI-FA could combine with miR-34a-5p to form a drug-carrying nanocomplex β-CD-PEI-FA/miR-34a-5p, which effectively protected miR-34a-5p from serum and nuclease degradation. The particle size and potential were 203.13 ± 0.41 nm and 27.02 ± 0.72 mV, respectively, which were suitable for endocytosis. The cytotoxicity of the vector to KSHVpositive cells BCBL-1 and SK-RG cells was detected by the CCK-8 assay, which proved that the vector had good biosafety in vitro. Further cell experiments showed that β-CD-PEI-FA/miR-34a-5p not only had the ability to transport miR-34a-5p but also accelerated the G2-phase process of BCBL-1 and SK-RG cells and inhibited the proliferation of KSHV-infected cells. Most importantly, it can significantly reduce the expression levels of KSHV genes ORF26, K8.1A, and LANA. Therefore, the nanocarriers may be a promising antiviral drug delivery system with potential applications in the anti-KSHV therapy.

Bamboo culms or bamboo plywood possessing a native green surface color are highly valuable for use in interior decoration. However, the green surface color of bamboo can easily become discolored in ambient environments without any protection. In order to maintain the green surface color of Neosinocalamus affinis bamboo, this study used copper sulfate (CuSO4), phosphoric acid (H3PO4), and acetic acid (CH3COOH) solutions as protectors. The changes in surface color and characteristics of the bamboo samples before and after the treatment were evaluated. The results showed that the N. affinis bamboo samples treated with 2% CuSO4 solution at 80 °C for 3 h exhibited an attractive green color, with a* and b* values of -7.61 and 5.13, respectively. The indoor durability test result indicated that bamboo samples treated with CuSO4, CuSO4/H3PO4, and CuSO4/CH3COOH solutions all had excellent color durability. After the treatment, the relative copper content on the bamboo surface slightly increased, while the magnesium content decreased. The chlorophyll structure was changed, and reactions between chlorophyll and copper ions may have occurred. The silicon was almost completely removed, and the surface structure of the treated bamboo changed, resulting in good permeability for the treatment.