Molecular mechanism of nanomaterials induced liver injury:A review

The unique physicochemical properties inherent to nanoscale materials have unveiled numerous potential applications,spanning beyond the pharmaceutical and medical sectors into various consumer industries like food and cosmetics.Consequently,humans encounter nanomaterials through diverse exposure routes,giving rise to potential health considerations.Noteworthy among these materials are silica and specific metallic nanoparticles,extensively utilized in consumer products,which have garnered substantial attention due to their propensity to accumulate and induce adverse effects in the liver.This review paper aims to provide an exhaustive examination of the molecular mechanisms underpinning nanomaterial-induced hepatotoxicity,drawing insights from both in vitro and in vivo studies.Primarily,the most frequently observed manifestations of toxicity following the exposure of cells or animal models to various nanomaterials involve the initiation of oxidative stress and inflammation.Additionally,we delve into the existing in vitro models employed for evaluating the hepatotoxic effects of nanomaterials,emphasizing the persistent endeavors to advance and bolster the reliability of these models for nanotoxicology research.

Morphological and molecular analyses of a Philine kinglipini outbreak in summer of 2022 in Jiaozhou Bay,China

A sudden and unprecedented outbreak of molluscan Philine kinglipini occurred in summer 2022 in Jiaozhou Bay,Shandong,China,causing substantial damage to local mariculture industry of the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum.Although P.kinglipini has been found in many coastal regions of China,the molecular research of P.kinglipini has not been extensively studied,making it difficult to accurately identify and track P.kinglipini samples in field using molecular methods.Samples were collected during the outbreak and their morphological features and molecular sequences were analyzed.Results show that the causative species of the outbreak was P.kinglipini.The mitochondrial genome(mt DNA)of P.kinglipini was constructed for the first time,based on which phylogenetic analysis of the mt DNAs of P.kinglipini and related species in the order Cephalaspidea was carried out.As revealed by metabarcoding analysis of 18S rDNA V4,the seasonal change of P.kinglipini and closely related Philine species was striking with peaks between April and August.Therefore,metabarcoding analysis is applicable tool for monitoring the bloom development of P.kinglipini and related species.This study generated for the first time essential molecular marker sequences and mtDNA of P.kinglipini,which provided a reference for future characterization and monitoring of its outbreaks and for phylogenetic analysis of Philine species.

Adverse effects of early-life stress:focus on the rodent neuroendocrine system

Early-life stress is associated with a high prevalence of mental illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorders,attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder,schizophrenia,and anxiety or depressive behavior,which constitute major public health problems.In the early stages of brain development after birth,events such as synaptogenesis,neuron maturation,and glial differentiation occur in a highly orchestrated manner,and external stress can cause adverse long-term effects throughout life.Our body utilizes multifaceted mechanisms,including neuroendocrine and neurotransmitter signaling pathways,to appropriately process external stress.Newborn individuals first exposed to early-life stress deploy neurogenesis as a stress-defense mechanism;however,in adulthood,early-life stress induces apoptosis of mature neurons,activation of immune responses,and reduction of neurotrophic factors,leading to anxiety,depression,and cognitive and memory dysfunction.This process involves the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and neurotransmitters secreted by the central nervous system,including norepinephrine,dopamine,and serotonin.The rodent early-life stress model is generally used to experimentally assess the effects of stress during neurodevelopment.This paper reviews the use of the early-life stress model and stress response mechanisms of the body and discusses the experimental results regarding how early-life stress mediates stress-related pathways at a high vulnerability of psychiatric disorder in adulthood.

The dual role of striatal interneurons:circuit modulation and trophic support for the basal ganglia

Striatal interneurons play a key role in modulating striatal-dependent behaviors,including motor activity and reward and emotional processing.Interneurons not only provide modulation to the basal ganglia circuitry under homeostasis but are also involved in changes to plasticity and adaptation during disease conditions such as Parkinson's or Huntington's disease.This review aims to summarize recent findings regarding the role of striatal cholinergic and GABAergic interneurons in providing circuit modulation to the basal ganglia in both homeostatic and disease conditions.In addition to direct circuit modulation,striatal interneurons have also been shown to provide trophic support to maintain neuron populations in adulthood.We discuss this interesting and novel role of striatal interneurons,with a focus on the maintenance of adult dopaminergic neurons from interneuronderived sonic-hedgehog.

Histopathological impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the liver:Cellular damage and long-term complications

Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),caused by the highly pathogenic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),primarily impacts the respiratory tract and can lead to severe outcomes such as acute respiratory distress syndrome,multiple organ failure,and death.Despite extensive studies on the pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2,its impact on the hepatobiliary system remains unclear.While liver injury is commonly indicated by reduced albumin and elevated bilirubin and transaminase levels,the exact source of this damage is not fully understood.Proposed mechanisms for injury include direct cytotoxicity,collateral damage from inflammation,drug-induced liver injury,and ischemia/hypoxia.However,evidence often relies on blood tests with liver enzyme abnormalities.In this comprehensive review,we focused solely on the different histopathological manifestations of liver injury in COVID-19 patients,drawing from liver biopsies,complete autopsies,and in vitro liver analyses.We present evidence of the direct impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the liver,substantiated by in vitro observations of viral entry mechanisms and the actual presence of viral particles in liver samples resulting in a variety of cellular changes,including mitochondrial swelling,endoplasmic reticulum dilatation,and hepatocyte apoptosis.Additional ly,we describe the diverse liver pathology observed during COVID-19 infection,encompassing necrosis,steatosis,cholestasis,and lobular inflammation.We also discuss the emergence of long-term complications,notably COVID-19-related secondary sclerosing cholangitis.Recognizing the histopathological liver changes occurring during COVID-19 infection is pivotal for improving patient recovery and guiding decision-making.

Unveiling DNA methylation in Alzheimer’s disease:a review of array-based human brain studies

The intricacies of Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis are being increasingly illuminated by the exploration of epigenetic mechanisms,particularly DNA methylation.This review comprehensively surveys recent human-centered studies that investigate whole genome DNA methylation in Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology.The examination of various brain regions reveals distinctive DNA methylation patterns that associate with the Braak stage and Alzheimer’s disease progression.The entorhinal cortex emerges as a focal point due to its early histological alterations and subsequent impact on downstream regions like the hippocampus.Notably,ANK1 hypermethylation,a protein implicated in neurofibrillary tangle formation,was recurrently identified in the entorhinal cortex.Further,the middle temporal gyrus and prefrontal cortex were shown to exhibit significant hypermethylation of genes like HOXA3,RHBDF2,and MCF2L,potentially influencing neuroinflammatory processes.The complex role of BIN1 in late-onset Alzheimer’s disease is underscored by its association with altered methylation patterns.Despite the disparities across studies,these findings highlight the intricate interplay between epigenetic modifications and Alzheimer’s disease pathology.Future research efforts should address methodological variations,incorporate diverse cohorts,and consider environmental factors to unravel the nuanced epigenetic landscape underlying Alzheimer’s disease progression.

Erratum to Clinical management and survival outcomes of patients with different molecular subtypes of diffuse gliomas in China(2011-2017):a multicenter retrospective study from CGGA

In the published version of Figure 21,an error appeared in Figure 2C on page 1468.In Figure 2C,the Kaplan-Meier estimation of the overall survival of patients with recurrent DG classified according to molecular subtypes was mistakenly covered by the curves of patients with primary DGs during the figure layout process,while the number statistic under the figure is correct.Figure 2C has been updated to correct this mistake.The error does not affect the conclusions of this article.We apologize for the error and for any confusion that it might have caused.

Integration of scRNA-Seq and Bulk RNA-Seq to analyze the heterogeneity ofcolorectal cancer immune cells and establish a molecular risk model

Background:Colorectal cancer(CRC)is a highly heterogeneous malignant tumor that significantly impacts clinical diagnosis and treatment.Single-cell RNA sequencing is an innovative method for exploring tumor heterogeneity and understanding its role at cellular and genetic levels.Method:The colorectal cancer Single-cell RNA sequencing data were analysed on the immune.RNA-seq data in bulk form was utilized to assess the major genes of the immune cell subsets linked to CRC.We conducted an analysis of the abundance of immune cells in the microenvironment of CRC,and also performed weighted gene co-expression network analysis.Gene set enrichment analysis helped perform two analytical procedures of subtype groups.Furthermore,Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression was employed to analyse and screen for a gene signature.Finally,quantitative PCR Was performed to detect the expression levels of signature genes in CRC.Results:The Single-cell RNA sequencing(GSE146771)dataset was integrated to obtain 9 cell clusters.The Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis showed that the related gene expression of T-cell subsets of different functional statuses could vary greatly between patients with GSE146771.Immune cell analysis of TCGA-CRC indicated an improved overall survival rate for patients with elevated Th2 cell abundance.Five-gene signature(Risk Score=-0.205×CDC25C-0.231×GSTCD-0.010×KPNA2-0.002×KIF15-0.171×ORC1)was developed by weighted correlation network analysis,and lasso Cox regression.Then,the risk prediction efficacy of the signature was validated in four GSE datasets.Furthermore,the expression of five genes was reduced in CRC tissue by quantitative PCR.Conclusion:Five-gene signature based on CRC heterogeneity was developed as a prognosis predictor,which can serve as a potential treatment target.

Polyethylene glycol fusion repair of severed sciatic nerves accelerates recovery of nociceptive sensory perceptions in male and female rats of different strains

Successful polyethylene glycol fusion(PEG-fusion)of severed axons following peripheral nerve injuries for PEG-fused axons has been reported to:(1)rapidly restore electrophysiological continuity;(2)prevent distal Wallerian Degeneration and maintain their myelin sheaths;(3)promote primarily motor,voluntary behavioral recoveries as assessed by the Sciatic Functional Index;and,(4)rapidly produce correct and incorrect connections in many possible combinations that produce rapid and extensive recovery of functional peripheral nervous system/central nervous system connections and reflex(e.g.,toe twitch)or voluntary behaviors.The preceding companion paper describes sensory terminal field reo rganization following PEG-fusion repair of sciatic nerve transections or ablations;howeve r,sensory behavioral recovery has not been explicitly explored following PEG-fusion repair.In the current study,we confirmed the success of PEG-fusion surgeries according to criteria(1-3)above and more extensively investigated whether PEG-fusion enhanced mechanical nociceptive recovery following sciatic transection in male and female outbred Sprague-Dawley and inbred Lewis rats.Mechanical nociceptive responses were assessed by measuring withdrawal thresholds using von Frey filaments on the dorsal and midplantar regions of the hindpaws.Dorsal von Frey filament tests were a more reliable method than plantar von Frey filament tests to assess mechanical nociceptive sensitivity following sciatic nerve transections.Baseline withdrawal thresholds of the sciatic-mediated lateral dorsal region differed significantly across strain but not sex.Withdrawal thresholds did not change significantly from baseline in chronic Unoperated and Sham-operated rats.Following sciatic transection,all rats exhibited severe hyposensitivity to stimuli at the lateral dorsal region of the hindpaw ipsilateral to the injury.However,PEG-fused rats exhibited significantly earlier return to baseline withdrawal thresholds than Negative Control rats.Furthermore,PEG-fused rats with significantly improved Sciatic Functional Index scores at or after 4 weeks postoperatively exhibited yet-earlier von Frey filament recove ry compared with those without Sciatic Functional Index recovery,suggesting a correlation between successful PEG-fusion and both motor-dominant and sensory-dominant behavioral recoveries.This correlation was independent of the sex or strain of the rat.Furthermore,our data showed that the acceleration of von Frey filament sensory recovery to baseline was solely due to the PEG-fused sciatic nerve and not saphenous nerve collateral outgrowths.No chronic hypersensitivity developed in any rat up to 12 weeks.All these data suggest that PEG-fusion repair of transection peripheral nerve injuries co uld have important clinical benefits.

A-kinase anchoring protein-mediated compartmentalization of pro-survival signaling in the retina

The retina plays a fundamental role in the process of vision,serving as the primary interface between external visual stimuli and the central nervous system.Because the retina is exposed to a variety of environmental stresses and deleterious insults,it is susceptible to a spectrum of pathological conditions that can detrimentally affect vision.This often leads to irreversible vision loss due to the injury of specific cell types.For instance,inherited retinal degeneration and age-related macular degeneration can lead to the death of photoreceptors,while conditions like glaucoma and optic nerve injury can result in the loss of ganglion cells.The precise pathological mechanisms driving retinal degeneration remain largely elusive,although research utilizing mouse models suggests that disruptions in intracellular signal transduction pathways may play a pivotal role.Signaling pathways within the retina orchestrate various aspects of retinal physiology,including phototransduction,synaptic transmission,and neuronal survival.

Pathogenic contribution of cholesteryl ester accumulation in the brain to neurodegenerative disorders

Cholesteryl esters(CEs) have been increasingly implicated in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease(AD).Alois Alzheimer noted three prominent neuropathologic features in his original analysis of the AD brain:senile plaques,neurofibrillary tangles,and lipid granule accumulation.Senile plaques,which are aggregates of amyloid-beta(Aβ),and neurofibrillary tangles,which are aggregates of phosphorylated tau,have been regarded as more consistent characteristics of the AD brain compared with lipid granule accumulation and thus have been studied more intensively(Foley,2010).

Mathematical Modeling of Cell Polarity Establishment of Budding Yeast

The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a powerful model system for studying the cell polarity establishment.The cell polarization process is regulated by signaling molecules,which are initially distributed in the cytoplasm and then recruited to a proper location on the cell membrane in response to spatial cues or spontaneously.Polarization of these signaling molecules involves complex regulation,so the mathematical models become a useful tool to investigate the mechanism behind the process.In this review,we discuss how mathematical modeling has shed light on different regulations in the cell polarization.We also propose future applications for the mathematical modeling of cell polarization and morphogenesis.

Neural membrane repair at the core of regeneration

Loss of plasma membrane integrity can compromise cell functioning and viability.To countera ct this eminent threat,euka ryotic cells have developed efficient repair mechanisms,which seem to have co-evolved with the emergence of vital membrane processes(Cooper and McNeil,2015).This relationship between basic cellular functioning and membrane repair highlights the fundamental significance of preserving membrane integrity for cellular life.

Role of fullerenols derivative 3HFWC in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Fullerenes:The extensive development of nanoscience that has marked this century continues to evolve,producing new materials,structures,and devices for the treatments of diverse pathologies.Fullerenes are a family of nanoparticles with great applicative promise due to their small size(approximately 1 nm in diameter),structure,and capacity to cross biological barriers.

Migratory mode transition of astrocyte progenitors in the cerebral cortex: an intrinsic or extrinsic cell process?

The cerebral cortex is comprised of properly localized cell types that exert their specific functions.In the developing brain,cells migrate from the germinal region to their functional locations(Silva et al.,2019;Cossart and Garel,2022).For example,neocortical excitatory neurons are generated in the cerebral ventricular and subventricular zones,move to the developing cortical plate via radial migration,and reside in a radial array of six neuronal layers(Oishi and Nakajima,2018).On the other hand,cortical interneurons are mainly generated in ganglionic eminences,migrate tangentially across the cerebral cortex,and reach their final destinations in the cortex(Lim et al.,2018).The failure of neuronal migration leads to defects in cortical layer formation.While the mechanisms of neuronal distribution have been well examined,how astrocytes are diffusely distributed in the cortex is still unclear.Astrocytes are glial cells in the cerebral cortex with several functions,including metabolic support and synapse formation(Abbott et al.,2006;Bosworth and Allen,2017;Allen and Lyons,2018).For example,astrocytes establish synaptic connectivity in the developing brain while they contact numerous synapses and maintain optimal neuronal activity in the adult brain.In the developing brain,astrocytes are primarily generated from radial glia after the neurogenic period.While a certain type of astrocyte called fibrous astrocytes populates the white matter,protoplasmic astrocytes migrate to the cortical plate during neural network formation.

Interleukin-1 receptor associated kinase 2 is a functional downstream regulator of complement factor D that controls mitochondrial fitness in diabetic cardiomyopathy

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a disorder of the cardiac muscle that affects patients with diabetes.The exact mechanisms underlying diabetic cardiomyopathy are mostly unknown,but several factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of the disease and its progression towards heart failure,including endothelial dysfunction,autonomic neuropathy,metabolic alterations,oxidative stress,and alterations in ion homeostasis,especially calcium transients[1].In Military Medical Research,Jiang et al.[2]sought to determine the functional role of complement factor D(Adipsin)in the pathophysiology of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Enhanced axonal regeneration and functional recovery of the injured sciatic nerve in a rat model by lithium-loaded electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds

Increasing evidence indicates that engineered nerve grafts have great potential for the regeneration of peripheral nerve injuries(PNIs).While most studies have focused only on the topographical features of the grafts,we have considered both the biophysical and biochemical manipulations in our applied nanoscaffold.To achieve this,we fabricated an electrospun nanofibrous scaffold(ENS)containing polylactide nanofibers loaded with lithium(Li)ions,a Wnt/β-catenin signaling activator.In addition,we seeded human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells(hADMSCs)onto this engineered scaffold to examine if their differentiation toward Schwann-like cells was induced.We further examined the efficacy of the scaffolds for nerve regeneration in vivo via grafting in a PNI rat model.Our results showed that Li-loaded ENSs gradually released Li within 11 d,at concentrations ranging from 0.02 to(3.64±0.10)mmol/L,and upregulated the expression of Wnt/β-catenin target genes(cyclinD1 and c-Myc)as well as those of Schwann cell markers(growth-associated protein 43(GAP43),S100 calcium binding protein B(S100B),glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP),and SRY-box transcription factor 10(SOX10))in differentiated hADMSCs.In the PNI rat model,implantation of Li-loaded ENSs with/without cells improved behavioral features such as sensory and motor functions as well as the electrophysiological characteristics of the injured nerve.This improved function was further validated by histological analysis of sciatic nerves grafted with Li-loaded ENSs,which showed no fibrous connective tissue but enhanced organized myelinated axons.The potential of Li-loaded ENSs in promoting Schwann cell differentiation of hADMSCs and axonal regeneration of injured sciatic nerves suggests their potential for application in peripheral nerve tissue engineering.

Comparing role of ATP between acute pain in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and peripheral neuropathic pain

In this article, we present our previous research, which highlighted adenosine triphosphate(ATP) as the cause of neuropathic pain during the acute phase of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder(NMOSD). In NMOSD pathology, damageassociated molecular patterns(DAMPs), including ATP, are released from damaged astrocytes, triggering the activation of innate immune cells. ATP is a central mediator of acute pain in NMOSD.

Generation of brain vascular heterogeneity:recent advances from the perspective of angiogenesis

Heterogeneous proper t i es of vascular endothelial cells in the brain:The brain displays large energy dynamics and consumption,and this high level of metabolic demands is fulfilled by a continuous supply of glucose and oxygen through its vascular networks.Brain vasculature consists of highly divergent blood vessel branches,giving rise to a dense network of capillaries that supply blood to all cells across the brain.This elaborated vascular network is thought to develop via angiogenesis,a process in which new blood vessels grow from pre-existing vasculature.Brain capillaries exhibit organotypic features distinct from other tissues and are formed primarily by two major endothelial cell(EC)types:those that form the semi-permeable blood-brain barrier(BBB)and those that develop highly permeable pores known as fenestrae(Matsuoka et al.,2022).The structural and functional differences between BBB and fenestrated vascular ECs represent a fundamental feature of brain vasculature and form the foundation for both brain function and homeostasis.

Apoer2/Lrp8:the undercover cop of synaptic homeostasis

Apolipoprotein E receptor 2(ApoER2)is a receptor for the protein ApoE,the most common genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease(AD).It is also a key modulator of syna ptic homeostasis,in part through its effect on the expression of neuronal genes including those implicated in AD and other neuropsychiatric disorders.In this perspective,we highlight several genes affected by ApoER2 and its alternatively spliced forms and how aberrant expression can be rescued by the reintroduction of the ApoER2 intracellular domain in the mouse hippocampus.