Progressive multifocal exophytic pontine glioblastoma: a case report with literature review

Multifocal pontine glioblastoma exhibiting an exophytic growth pattern in the cerebello-pontine angle(CPA) is rare.We present a case of a 5-year-old girl with consecutive neurological imaging and other clinical findings indicating progressive multifocal exophytic pontine glioblastoma.Three lesions were reported,of which two were initially presented,and one was developed 2 months later.One lesion demonstrated a progressing exophytic extension in the cistern of the left side of the CPA.The other two lesions were located and confined within the pons.Initial magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography-computed tomography indicated low-grade glioma or inflammatory disease.However,2 and 3 months later,subsequent magnetic resonance spectroscopy(MRS) displayed elevated choline and depressed N-acetyl aspartate peaks compared with the peaks on the initial MRS,indicating a high-grade glioma.Subtotal resection was performed for the CPA lesion.Histopathologic examination showed discrepant features of different parts of the CPA lesion.The patient received no further chemotherapy or radiotherapy and died 2 months after surgery.The multifocal and exophytic features of this case and the heterogeneous manifestations on neurological images were rare and confusing for both diagnosis and surgical decision-making.Our case report may contribute knowledge and helpful guidance for other medical doctors.

Novel evolutionary insights into nemacheilid cavefi sh: evidence from comparative analysis of mitochondrial genomes

Cavefi sh can be important models for understanding the relationships among evolution,adaptation,and development in extreme environments.However,cavefi sh remain poorly studied,particularly at the genome level.Here,we sequenced the complete mitogenome of three cavefi sh in the family Nemacheilidae(Paranemachilus pingguoensis,Oreonectes polystigmus,and Heminoemacheilus longibarbatus),which were collected from karst caves in South China.The mitogenomes each contained 37 genes(13 protein coding,22 tRNA,and two rRNA genes)and a single control region,with the same genetic arrangement and distribution as those found in vertebrates.The non-synonymous/synonymous mutation ratios(Ka/Ks)of the mitogenomes indicated that the protein-coding genes(PCGs)of the three cavefi sh evolved under purifying selection.The mitogenomes of the three cavefi sh exhibit nucleotide composition biases for PCGs,tRNAs,rRNAs,and the whole genome,indicating that the mitochondrial DNA might have been subjected to evolutionary selection in response to extreme cave environments.Divergence time and evolutionary history analyses suggested that the speciation and diversifi cation of the cavefi sh coincided with the Miocene uplift of the southern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,which greatly changed cave habitats.Overall,our study sheds light on the mitogenomes,phylogeny,and evolutionary history of nemacheilid cavefi sh.

西华大学体质不合格学生体质特征及影响因素分析

本研究通过体质测试法及问卷调查法探讨西华大学体质不合格学生体质特征及影响因素,为提高学生体质成绩及培养学生的终身体育健康理念提供参考。方法:对841名男生和1249名女生进行体质测试及问卷调查。结果显示:男女学生体质不合格者在50m跑、立定跳远、坐位体前屈引体向上和体脂率方面均显著低于合格者;文科生的身体素质不合格者是理科生的2.494倍;相对体脂率正常而言,低体脂率者、超重和肥胖者身体素质不合格者是体脂率正常者的6.046、5.422和3.558倍;不吸烟者出现体质率不合格者出现的几率是吸烟者的58.4%;运动负荷也是影响体质的重要因素。结论认为:西华大学体质不合格学生整体主要表现在50m、坐位体前屈、体脂率和长跑成绩不理想,同时男学生引体向上和女学生的仰卧起坐成绩较差。影响体质不合格的因素为文科生、男学生、超重、肥胖及低体脂率、吸烟、每周锻炼时间、强度和次数不达标者,而感染新冠病毒后3月对体质没有显著影响。

Exploration and functionalization of M1-macrophage extracellular vesicles for effective accumulation in glioblastoma and strong synergistic therapeutic effects

Glioblastoma multiforme(GBM)is a highly aggressive brain tumor with an extremely low survival rate.New and effective approaches for treatment are therefore urgently needed.Here,we successfully developed M1-like macrophage-derived extracellular vesicles(M1EVs)that overcome multiple challenges via guidance from two macrophage-related observations in clinical specimens from GBM patients:enrichment of M2 macrophages in GBM;and origination of a majority of infiltrating macrophage from peripheral blood.To maximize the synergistic effect,we further functionalized the membranes of M1EVs with two hydrophobic agents(the chemical excitation source CPPO(C)and the photosensitizer Ce6(C))and loaded the hydrophilic hypoxiaactivated prodrug AQ4N(A)into the inner core of the M1EVs.After intravenous injection,the inherent nature of M1-derived extracellular vesicles CCA-M1EVs allowed for blood-brain barrier penetration,and modulated the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment via M2-to-M1 polarization,which increased hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2))levels.Furthermore,the reaction between H_(2)O_(2) and CPPO produced chemical energy,which could be used for Ce6 activation to generate large amounts of reactive oxygen species to achieve chemiexcited photodynamic therapy(CDT).As this reaction consumed oxygen,the aggravation of tumor hypoxia also led to the conversion of non-toxic AQ4N into toxic AQ4 for chemotherapy.Therefore,CCA-M1EVs achieved synergistic immunomodulation,CDT,and hypoxia-activated chemotherapy in GBM to exert a potent therapeutic effect.Finally,we demonstrated the excellent effect of CCA-M1EVs against GBM in cell-derived xenograft and patient-derived xenograft models,underscoring the strong potential of our highly flexible M1EVs system to support multi-modal therapies for difficult-to-treat GBM.

Universal lithiophilic interfacial layers towards dendrite-free lithium anodes for solid-state lithium-metal batteries

Solid-state lithium-metal-batteries(SSLMBs)using garnet Li_(6.4)La_(3)Zr_(1.4)Ta_(0.6)O_(12)(LLZTO)as the solid electrolyte are expected to conquer the safety concerns of high energy Li batteries with organic liquid electrolytes owing to its nonflammable nature and good mechanical strength.However,the poor interfacial contact between the Li anode and LLZTO greatly restrains the practical applications of the electrolyte,because large polarization,dendritic Li formation and penetration can occur at the interfaces.Here,an effective method is proposed to improve the wettability of the LLZTO toward lithium and reduce the interfacial resistance by engineering universal lithiophilic interfacial layers.Thanks to the in-situ formed lithiophilic and ionic conductive Co/Li_(2)O interlayers,the symmetric Li/CoO-LLZTO/Li batteries present much smaller overpotential,ultra-low areal specific resistance(ASR,12.3 X cm^(2)),high critical current density(CCD,1.1 mA cm^(-2)),and outstanding cycling performance(1696 h at a current density of 0.3 mA cm^(-2))at 25℃.Besides,the solid-state Li/CoO-LLZTO/LFP cells deliver an excellent electrochemical performance with a high coulombic efficiency of~100%and a long cycling time over 185 times.Surprisingly,the high-voltage(4.6 V)solid state Li/CoO-LLZTO/Li_(1.4)Mn_(0.6)Ni_(0.2)Co_(0.2)O_(2.4)(LMNC622)batteries can also realize an ultra-high specific capacity(232.5 mAh g-1)under 0.1 C at 25℃.This work paves an effective way for practical applications of the dendrite-free SSLMBs.

Engineering of Co_(3O)_(4)@Ni_(2)P heterostructure as trifunctional electrocatalysts for rechargeable zinc-air battery and self-powered overall water splitting

Rational design of highly efficient,robust and nonprecious electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction(ORR),oxygen evolution reaction(OER)and hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)is highly demanded and challenging.Here,heterostructural Co_(3O)_(4)@Ni_(2)P arrays with numerous reaction sites,unique interfacial electronic structure and fast charge transfer kinetics are developed as electrocatalysts for rechargeable Zn-air batteries and overall water splitting.Both density functional theory calculation and X-ray absorption fine structure analysis manifest that the synergistic structural and abundant electronic modulations interfaces are formed,thus simultaneously promoting the electrocatalytic kinetics,activities and stabilities.Specifically,it can achieve an ultralow overpotential of 270 m V and 28 m V at 10 m A cm^(-2) for OER and HER,respectively.The water electrolyzer delivers a current density of 10 m A cm^(-2) at 1.563 V;furthermore,rechargeable Zn-air batteries triggered by this heterostructure can achieve excellent cyclic stability of 177 h(2 h per cycle)at 10 m A cm^(-2);both devices are superior to the Pt/C+Ir/C.This work not only designs an efficient trifunctional electrocatalyst but also paves an avenue to understand the heterostructure engineering for catalysts development and disclose the underlying relationship of interfacial electronic structures and catalytic properties.

单晶硅智能切削退火至开裂过程中氢离子、晶体缺陷和应力演化的分子动力学研究

利用分子动力学模拟了智能切削技术中的离子注入过程和退火至开裂过程,重点研究退火至开裂过程中注氢单晶硅微纳尺度下的开裂行为,以及氢原子数目、硅晶体缺陷大小和平均正应力等参数沿注入方向分布的演化规律.研究结果表明:硅晶体开裂经历空位点缺陷形核和生长,但无明显的空隙缺陷局部扩展、空位缺陷生长并引起显著的空隙缺陷局部扩展、空隙缺陷Ostwald生长等三个阶段.开裂位置与注入过程后氢原子分布的浓度峰重合.在三个阶段中,由于氢扩散和变形的影响,氢原子、晶体缺陷和应力的分布随退火至开裂过程进展呈现不同的演化特性.此外,化学成键分析表明氢与硅发生化学反应,形成不同形式的硅氢化合物,退火至开裂过程中硅氢化合物将发生转化.论文建立的系统定量分析智能切削中晶片开裂的数值方法,可进一步用于智能切削技术的改进和优化.

Molecular basis and homeostatic regulation of Zinc taste

Dear Editor,Among all the essential trace metals,zinc is of particular importance for its huge panoply of biological functions.As a pivotal element for hundreds of enzymes,either scarcity or accumulation of body zinc can lead to severe disorders(Maret,2017).Therefore,body zinc must be tightly regulated in order to keep a precise amount that is sufficient for cells’survival but does not cause toxicity.As diet is the major source of trace elements including zinc,animals must adjust their feeding amount and preference to avoid scarcity or accumulation.However,how animal utilize their gustatory organs to detect zinc in food and whether the taste is regulated with body zinc level are unknown.Metals often cause the sense of taste termed as metallic taste.While sodium of certain concentration range delivers hedonic salty taste,salt solutions of most metals taste aversive.It was reported that zinc,copper and other heavy metal ions trigger an unpleasant sense of astringent/drying,sour or bitter.Although taste receptor cells were found essential for the detection of some divalent ions,the molecular mechanisms for this detection are largely elusive.Recently,the receptors for calcium were unambiguously identified in fruit fly(Lee et al.,2018).However,a full repertoire of receptors for sensing divalent ions is still lacking.