Single-cell RNA analysis to identify five cytokines signaling in immune-related genes for melanoma survival prognosis

Melanoma is one of the deadliest skin cancers. Recently, developed single-cell sequencing has revealed fresh insights into melanoma. Cytokine signaling in the immune system is crucial for tumor development in melanoma. To evaluate melanoma patient diagnosis and treatment, the prediction value of cytokine signaling in immune-related genes (CSIRGs) is needed. In this study, the machine learning method of least absolute selection and shrinkage operator (LASSO) regression was used to establish a CSIRG prognostic signature of melanoma at the single-cell level. We discovered a 5-CSIRG signature that was substantially related to the overall survival of melanoma patients. We also constructed a nomogram that combined CSIRGs and clinical features. Overall survival of melanoma patients can be consistently predicted with good performance as well as accuracy by both the 5-CSIRG signature and nomograms. We compared the melanoma patients in the CSIRG high- and low-risk groups in terms of tumor mutation burden, infiltration of the immune system, and gene enrichment. High CSIRG-risk patients had a lower tumor mutational burden than low CSIRG-risk patients. The CSIRG high-risk patients had a higher infiltration of monocytes. Signaling pathways including oxidative phosphorylation, DNA replication, and aminoacyl tRNA biosynthesis were enriched in the high-risk group. For the first time, we constructed and validated a machine-learning model by single-cell RNA-sequencing datasets that have the potential to be a novel treatment target and might serve as a prognostic biomarker panel for melanoma. The 5-CSIRG signature may assist in predicting melanoma patient prognosis, biological characteristics, and appropriate therapy

Instantons on Young diagrams with matters

We present the unrefined instanton partition functions of various 5d gauge theories with matter beyond the fundamental representation as sums over Young diagrams. By using these partition functions, we verify a range of dualities predicted by the fivebrane web and representation theory

An Identification Method for Rotor Direction Based on Charge Induction

The detection of rotor motion is always key to ensure the normal operation of industrial sewing machines. This paper presents a novel method for rotor detection based on charge induction mechanism, which is suitable for industrial environments with high noise and electromagnetic radiation and is easy to install. Firstly, the principle of measuring rotor rotation based on charge induction is given. Then, the detection model of rotor direction identification based on two detection electrodes is established. Finally, details are given of the detection circuit design and the experiment that was carried out. The results show that the proposed method can effectively identify the noncontact rotor direction with and without occlusion, indicating that the method has excellent anti-interference capability. The accuracy of the method can be further improved by increasing the sampling rate and sampling points of the system

Association of Red Blood Cell Life Span with Abnormal Changes in Cardiac Structure and Function in Non-Dialysis Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Stages 3–5

Introduction: With the invention and improvement of the carbon monoxide (CO) breath test, the role of shortened red blood cell life span (RBCLS) in renal anemia, an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), is gradually attracting attention. Considering that heart failure is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with CKD, this study investigated the correlation between the RBCLS and the cardiac structure and function in non-dialysis patients with CKD stages 3–5, aiming to provide new ideas to improve the long-term prognosis of CKD patients. Methods: One hundred thirty-three non-dialysis patients with CKD stages 3–5 were tested for RBCLS. We compared the serological data, cardiac ultrasound results, and follow-up prognosis of patients with different RBCLS. Results: As the RBCLS shortened, the patients’ blood pressure, BNP, and CRP gradually increased, most significantly in patients with an RBCLS < 50 d. Patients with an RBCLS < 50 d had substantially lower hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit, and albumin levels than those with an RBCLS ≥ 50 d. The cardiac ultrasound results show that patients with an RBCLS < 50 d had significantly larger atrial diameters than those with an RBCLS ≥ 50 d and were associated with more severe diastolic dysfunction. Patients with an RBCLS < 50 d had a 3.06 times greater risk of combined heart failure at baseline than those with an RBCLS ≥ 70 d and a higher risk of heart failure at follow-up. CKD stage 5 patients with an RBCLS < 50 d were more likely to develop heart failure and require renal replacement therapy earlier than patients with an RBCLS ≥ 50 d. Conclusions: In non-dialysis patients with CKD stages 3–5, there is a correlation between the red blood cell life span and cardiac structure and function. The RBCLS may also impact the renal prognosis of CKD patients

High-performance alkaline hybrid zinc batteries with heterostructure nickel/cobalt sulfide

Despite their high energy density, great safety, and environmental friendliness, zinc-air batteries (ZABs) has insufficient energy efficiency and low discharge voltage for wide application. Constructing alkaline hybrid zinc battery (AHZB) by coupling ZABs with alkaline zinc-transition metal batteries can effectively address these issues. Herein, we report a nickel/cobalt sulfide heterostructure supported on nickel foam (Ni3S4@CoSx-NF), which exhibits excellent redox properties and high bifunctional oxygen catalytic activities. The aqueous AHZB with Ni3S4@CoSx-NF cathode demonstrates unprecedented energy efficiency (∼90%), high discharge voltage (1.70 V at 50 mA cm−2), and outstanding cycling stability. The evolution of valence states and phases of key materials observed through ex-situ characterizations suggests that Ni4+ and Co4+ contribute to the high redox activity. The solid-state AHZB with polyacrylamide-based gel electrolyte and Ni3S4@CoSx-NF cathode shows high power density over 100 mW cm−2, preceding that of self-supported solid ZAB. Importantly, it can operate at temperatures between −40 and 80 °C.Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)Submitted/Accepted versionThe authors are grateful for the financial supports from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51871126), Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China Grant (Grant No. LY21E010002) and K.C. Wong Magna Fund in Ningbo University. H.L. would like to thank A*STAR Science & Engineering Research Council MTC IRG funding (M21K2c0118)

Time-Averaged Hematuria as a Prognostic Indicator of Renal Outcome in Patients with IgA Nephropathy

We aim to investigate the association of time-averaged hematuria (TA-hematuria) with the progression of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Based on TA-hematuria during follow-up, 152 patients with IgAN were divided into a hematuria remission group (≤28 red blood cells [RBCs]/μL) and a persistent hematuria group (>28 RBCs/μL). The persistent hematuria group had a higher percentage of patients with macroscopic hematuria, lower levels of hemoglobin and TA-serum albumin, and more severe renal pathologic lesions. The composite endpoint is defined as a doubling of the baseline SCr level (D-SCr), or the presence of ESRD. During the mean follow-up of 58.08 ± 23.51 months, 15 patients (9.9%) reached the primary outcome of ESRD and 19 patients (12.5%) reached the combined renal endpoint. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the persistent hematuria group had a lower renal survival rate. The persistent hematuria patients who were incorporated with proteinuria (≥1.0 g/day) and low TA-serum albumin (p = 0.010) was independently associated with the progression of IgAN. Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated the optimal TA-hematuria cutoff value for predicting the progression of IgAN was 201.21 RBCs/μL in females and 37.25 RBCs/μL in males

Table_1_Single-cell RNA analysis to identify five cytokines signaling in immune-related genes for melanoma survival prognosis.xlsx

Melanoma is one of the deadliest skin cancers. Recently, developed single-cell sequencing has revealed fresh insights into melanoma. Cytokine signaling in the immune system is crucial for tumor development in melanoma. To evaluate melanoma patient diagnosis and treatment, the prediction value of cytokine signaling in immune-related genes (CSIRGs) is needed. In this study, the machine learning method of least absolute selection and shrinkage operator (LASSO) regression was used to establish a CSIRG prognostic signature of melanoma at the single-cell level. We discovered a 5-CSIRG signature that was substantially related to the overall survival of melanoma patients. We also constructed a nomogram that combined CSIRGs and clinical features. Overall survival of melanoma patients can be consistently predicted with good performance as well as accuracy by both the 5-CSIRG signature and nomograms. We compared the melanoma patients in the CSIRG high- and low-risk groups in terms of tumor mutation burden, infiltration of the immune system, and gene enrichment. High CSIRG-risk patients had a lower tumor mutational burden than low CSIRG-risk patients. The CSIRG high-risk patients had a higher infiltration of monocytes. Signaling pathways including oxidative phosphorylation, DNA replication, and aminoacyl tRNA biosynthesis were enriched in the high-risk group. For the first time, we constructed and validated a machine-learning model by single-cell RNA-sequencing datasets that have the potential to be a novel treatment target and might serve as a prognostic biomarker panel for melanoma. The 5-CSIRG signature may assist in predicting melanoma patient prognosis, biological characteristics, and appropriate therapy.</p

Association of time-averaged serum uric acid level with clinicopathological information and long-term outcomes in patients with IgA nephropathy

Objective Whether serum uric acid (SUA) at baseline could been identiûed as a risk factor for progression in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients remains unclear, therefore, long- term SUA control levels must be monitored. We aimed to investigate the relevant factors affecting time-averaged SUA (TA-SUA) and to assess the prognostic value of TA-SUA in IgAN. Methods This retrospective study included 152 patients with IgAN. The relationships between TA-SUA and clinicopathological features and renal outcomes (defined as the doubling of the baseline serum creatinine level or end-stage renal disease) were analyzed in groups divided by quartiles of TA-SUA levels, the presence of hyperuricemia, and sex. Results Patients with high TA-SUA levels had higher levels of baseline SUA, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), triglycerides, serum C3 and serum C4 and were more likely to be male and have hypertension, proteinuria, poor renal function, and pathological injuries including high grades of tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis (T1–T2). These patients had a poorer prognosis compared with patients with low TA-SUA levels. The TA-SUA level was positively correlated with baseline age and BUN, triglycerides, serum C3, and serum C4 levels, and negatively correlated with baseline eGFR. Survival curve analysis indicated that persistent hyperuricemia was associated with significantly poorer renal outcomes than normo-uricemia in both men and women. The TA-SUA level also was an independent predictor of renal outcome in patients with IgAN, with optimal cutoû values of 451.38 µmol/L (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.934) for men and 492.83 µmol/L (AUC = 0.768) for women. Conclusions The TA-SUA level is associated with triglyceride level, complement component levels, renal function, and pathological severity of IgAN, and it may be a prognostic indicator in male and female patients with IgAN

Acute kidney injury in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy: influencing factors and prognosis

AbstractAim Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) is a common type of nephrotic syndrome, and is associated with acute kidney injury (AKI). We investigated the association of multiple variables with AKI in patients with IMN.Methods The data of 187 patients with biopsy-proven IMN were examined. Renal outcome was defined as progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Binary logistic regression and Kaplan–Meier’s analysis were used for statistical analysis.Results During follow-up, 46 (24.6%) patients developed AKI. The incidence of AKI was greater in males than females (p < .01). The AKI group had higher uric acid, lower serum PLA2R antibody positive, and worse baseline kidney function (all p < .01). Most patients in the AKI group had stage I (71.74%) or stage II (21.74%). The AKI group had higher renal tubular injury score and chronicity index (both p < .05). Binary logistic regression indicated that uric acid and baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were independent risk factors for AKI in patients with IMN (p < .05). The optimal cutoff value of serum uric acid for predicting AKI was 402.50 μmol/L and the baseline eGFR was 96.83 mL/min/1.73 m2. Kaplan–Meier’s analysis showed that the cumulative renal survival rate was lower in the AKI group (p = .047).Conclusions AKI increases the risk of poor prognosis in IMN patients and the high uric acid and low baseline eGFR were considered independent predictors for developing AKI in patients with IMN