Transgenic studies reveal the positive role of LeEIL-1 in regulating shikonin biosynthesis in Lithospermum erythrorhizon hairy roots

Time-course accumulation of shikonin in four typical hairy root lines. Value of Ei-19 or EO-13 is significantly different from that of the control line WT-1 or EV-9 at each time point from 3 to 12 days, respectively (Student’s t-test, P < 0.05). (TIF 125 kb

Exploring the relationship between abnormally high expression of NUP205 and the clinicopathological characteristics, immune microenvironment, and prognostic value of lower-grade glioma

Nuclear pore complex (NPC) is a major transport pivot for nucleocytoplasmic molecule exchange. Nucleoporin 205 (NUP205)—a main component of NPC—plays a key regulatory role in tumor cell proliferation; however, few reports document its effect on the pathological progression of lower-grade glioma (LGG). Therefore, we conducted an integrated analysis using 906 samples from multiple public databases to explore the effects of NUP205 on the prognosis, clinicopathological characteristics, regulatory mechanism, and tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) formation in LGG. First, multiple methods consistently showed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of NUP205 were higher in LGG tumor tissue than in normal brain tissue. This increased expression was mainly noted in the higher WHO Grade, IDH-wild type, and 1p19q non-codeleted type. Second, various survival analysis methods showed that the highly expressed NUP205 was an independent risk indicator that led to reduced survival time of patients with LGG. Third, GSEA analysis showed that NUP205 regulated the pathological progress of LGG via the cell cycle, notch signaling pathway, and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis. Ultimately, immune correlation analysis suggested that high NUP205 expression was positively correlated with the infiltration of multiple immune cells, particularly M2 macrophages, and was positively correlated with eight immune checkpoints, particularly PD-L1. Collectively, this study documented the pathogenicity of NUP205 in LGG for the first time, expanding our understanding of its molecular function. Furthermore, this study highlighted the potential value of NUP205 as a target of anti-LGG immunotherapy

Clinical manifestations and imaging and pathological features of giant cell angioblastoma: Report of four cases and literature review

Giant cell angioblastoma is a relatively rare vasogenic tumour. To date, studies on its clinical manifestations, imaging characteristics, pathological features, and prognosis are extremely limited and unknown, with only a few cases recorded. In this study, four cases of giant cell angioblastoma confirmed by pathological examination were reported to improve our understanding and deep exploration of the tumour spectrum. All cases in our study were male, including two adults and two boys. The lesions were located in the lower segment of the femur, medial condyle of the femur, knee joint, and popliteal fossa. Regarding the imaging characteristics, two patients with lesions in bone showed bone destruction, while the other two had lesions that invaded soft tissues, showing irregular, abnormal signal shadows and obvious enhancement. Histopathological analysis revealed that the nodular tumour tissue was mainly composed of oval and spindle cells, with varying numbers of osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells, and the interstitial tissues were often filled with blood vessels of different sizes. The immunophenotype demonstrates that endothelial cells of small vessels in nodules expressed CD31, SMA, and ERG, while osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells and histiocytes expressed CD68 and CD163, and the surrounding cells expressed SMA. All four patients were treated with surgical resection. One of them relapsed 1 month after surgery and received a second surgical resection. No distant metastasis or death occurred during the follow-up period. This study indicates that giant cell angioblastoma is a local invasive vascular tumour that can develop both in children and adults with skin, mucous membrane, soft tissue, and bone involvement. Imaging characteristics show bone destruction and irregular, abnormal signal shadows; in addition, obvious pathological morphological features can be observed. Currently, the treatment is mainly surgical resection, and interferons may be used as adjuvant chemotherapy

Antifungal mechanisms of the antagonistic bacterium Bacillus mojavensis UTF-33 and its potential as a new biopesticide

Biological control has gradually become the dominant means of controlling fungal disease over recent years. In this study, an endophytic strain of UTF-33 was isolated from acid mold (Rumex acetosa L.) leaves. Based on 16S rDNA gene sequence comparison, and biochemical and physiological characteristics, this strain was formally identified as Bacillus mojavensis. Bacillus mojavensis UTF-33 was sensitive to most of the antibiotics tested except neomycin. Moreover, the filtrate fermentation solution of Bacillus mojavensis UTF-33 had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of rice blast and was used in field evaluation tests, which reduced the infestation of rice blast effectively. Rice treated with filtrate fermentation broth exhibited multiple defense mechanisms in response, including the enhanced expression of disease process-related genes and transcription factor genes, and significantly upregulated the gene expression of titin, salicylic acid pathway-related genes, and H2O2 accumulation, in plants; this may directly or indirectly act as an antagonist to pathogenic infestation. Further analysis revealed that the n-butanol crude extract of Bacillus mojavensis UTF-33 could retard or even inhibit conidial germination and prevent the formation of adherent cells both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the amplification of functional genes for biocontrol using specific primers showed that Bacillus mojavensis UTF-33 expresses genes that can direct the synthesis of bioA, bmyB, fenB, ituD, srfAA and other substances; this information can help us to determine the extraction direction and purification method for inhibitory substances at a later stage. In conclusion, this is the first study to identify Bacillus mojavensis as a potential agent for the control of rice diseases; this strain, and its bioactive substances, have the potential to be developed as biopesticides

A simple deterministic plastoelastohydrodynamic lubrication (PEHL) model in mixed lubrication

Most power transmitting components operate under mixed lubrication conditions. Concentrated pressures and smaller lubricant film thickness may cause surface and subsurface stresses to exceed the material yield limit causing permanent geometrical changes. A model was developed to include elastoplastic behaviour within a deterministic unified mixed lubrication framework. Model details are presented and the model is validated against published simulation data. A parametric study to address the effect of material yielding on the contact parameters is performed. It is found that the model successfully produces all the key features of the PEHL contact. The model provides a valuable tool to analyse the PEHL contacts with minimal increase in computational effort and complexity

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat