ObjectiveThe malaria parasites remodel the host erythrocyte structure by exporting parasite proteins that interact with the membrane skeleton proteins of red blood cells (RBCs), facilitating their intracellular survival and pathogenicity. Skeleton-binding protein 1 (SBP1) is a conserved exported protein across Plasmodium species. In Plasmodium falciparum, SBP1 has been reported to interact with erythrocyte membrane skeleton proteins 4.1R and spectrin, while its contribution to erythrocyte remodeling and parasite virulence in Plasmodium berghei (Pb) remains unclear. This study aims to determine whether PbSBP1 associates with the host cytoskeletal protein 4.1R and to investigate its role in the remodeling of host RBCs and the pathogenicity of Plasmodium berghei. MethodsIn Plasmodium berghei, the relationship between PbSBP1 and the erythrocyte cytoskeletal protein 4.1R was examined using co-immunoprecipitation. A Pbsbp1 gene knockout mutant of Plasmodium berghei (Pbsbp1∆) was generated based on the principle of double crossover homologous recombination. The deformability of erythrocytes infected with Pbsbp1∆ parasites was assessed using microfluidic methods. Microchannels with an array of cylindrical pillars were used to detect modifications in infected RBC deformability. The infected RBCs were squashed between the rows and recovered between the columns and the transit velocity (μm/s) of infected RBCs travelling through the microchannel was recorded. The component of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton junctional complex, tropomodulin (TMOD), was fluorescently labeled, and the cytoskeletal network of infected erythrocytes was imaged using super-resolution stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) to analyze ultrastructural changes in the cytoskeleton of wild-type (WT) and Pbsbp1∆-infected erythrocytes. Actin-based junctional complexes were displayed as individual clusters by the labeled TMOD in the STORM images, and the cluster densities and distances between adjacent clusters of infected RBCs were calculated. Additionally, rodent malaria models (BALB/c mice) and experimental cerebral malaria models (C57BL/6 mice) were employed to monitor the growth of Pbsbp1∆ and WT parasites during the intraerythrocytic stage and their capacity to induce cerebral malaria in mice. ResultsPbSBP1 may participate in the remodeling of infected erythrocytes through direct or indirect interaction with the erythrocyte cytoskeletal protein 4.1R. Microfluidic assays revealed that the deformability of erythrocytes infected with Pbsbp1∆ parasites was significantly enhanced compared to those infected with WT parasites. STORM imaging further demonstrated that the ultrastructure of the erythrocyte cytoskeleton in Pbsbp1∆-infected cells was altered relative to that in WT-infected erythrocytes. The distances between nearest neighbors of clusters had a tendency to increase while the cluster densities were decreased in Pbsbp1∆-infected RBCs compared to WT-infected RBCs. Subsequent phenotypic analysis indicated that the growth rate of Pbsbp1∆ parasites during the intraerythrocytic stage was significantly slower than that of WT parasites, and their ability to induce cerebral malaria in mice was also attenuated. These findings suggest that PbSBP1 is involved in the remodeling of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton, likely through its direct or indirect interaction with protein 4.1R, thereby regulating the deformability of infected erythrocytes and influencing the pathogenicity of the blood-stage parasites. ConclusionThis study establishes a role for PbSBP1 in host erythrocyte remodeling and parasite virulence, providing new research strategies for the prevention and treatment of malaria.

With the rising incidence of colon cancer, several studies have indicated that aquaporin 1 (AQP1) expression is associated with the development of colon cancer. This study aims to elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms between them. Methods: We screened data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and retrospectively examined AQP1 protein expression in 127 colon cancer patients to analyze the relationship between AQP1 expression and pathological stages, prognosis. We created stable colon cancer cell lines with differential AQP1 expression, the effect of AQP1 expression on the proliferation and migration of colon cancer cells was assessed by in vitro and in vivo studies, and explored potential molecular mechanisms through Western blotting. Results: High AQP1 expression was associated with poorer survival (overall survival [OS], p = .028) in colon cancer patients from the TCGA database. Similarly, retrospective clinical data indicated that high AQP1 expression was associated with reduced disease-free survival and OS (p = .036 and p = .017, respectively). The low-expressing AQP1 colon cancer cells exhibited a decrease in proliferation and migration ability of colon cancer cells compared to the overexpressing AQP1 group (p < .05) in vitro and in vivo. Immunohistochemistry and western blotting experiments validated heightened expression of N-cadherin, vimentin, and claudin- 1 in the tumor tissues of the overexpressing AQP1 group. Conversely, reduced AQP1 expression resulted in decreased expression of claudin- 1. Conclusions: AQP1 correlates with unfavorable prognosis in colon cancer and potentially enhances the proliferation and migration of colon cancer by up-regulating claudin-1 expression.

Objective:To investigate the changes in brain functional network and structural-functional network coupling in children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), and to analyze their correlation with cognitive function, disease duration, and age of onset.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study. Clinical and imaging data of 19 children with DRE who received consultation and treatment at the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University from August 2021 to August 2023 (DRE group) were prospectively included. Another 27 age-and sex-matched healthy children were collected as the healthy control group. All subjects had 3D-T 1WI, T 2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scans and Wechsler Intelligence Scale assessments. Independent sample t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze the global and local topological attributes, as well as the structural-functional coupling (SFC) values at the whole brain and modular levels in two groups. Correlations between abnormal resting state brain functional network indicators and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale score [verbal comprehension index (VCI), perceptual reasoning index (PRI), working memory index (WMI), processing speed index (PSI), full scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ)], disease duration and age of onset was evaluated using a Spearman or Pearson correlation analysis. Results:Compared to the healthy control group, DRE group exhibited decreased VCI, PRI, WMI, PSI, FSIQ and the differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.05). Both brain functional networks had small world attributes. There was a statistically significant difference in the area under the curve of sparsity of degree centrality (DC) in the left pallidum between the DRE group and healthy control group (2.998±0.942, 4.992±1.945, t=-4.07, FDR corrected P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the DRE group had decreased SFC within the limbic network (LN) ( P<0.05), increased SFC within the sensorimotor (SMN) ( P<0.05), decreased SFC between the default mode network-LN ( P<0.05), and increased SFC between the SMN-attentional network (AN) ( P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in SFC at the whole brain level between the two groups. Correlation analysis indicated that DC in left pallidum in DRE group negatively correlated with the PSI ( r=-0.537, P=0.018), and SFC between the SMN and AN demonstrated a negative correlation with age of onset ( r=-0.537, P=0.018). Conclusion:The altered DC in left pallidum may be related to cognitive impairment in children with DRE, providing biomarker information for the study of neural mechanisms in children with DRE.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of machine learning-based CT radiomics model for radioresistance in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Methods:Clinical data of 185 patients with ESCC treated with radical radiotherapy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from December 2015 to July 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, and all patients were randomly divided into a training set ( n=129) and a validation set ( n=56) at a ratio of 7 : 3. The radiomics parameters of the primary lesion of esophageal cancer and the surrounding 5 cm region in the patients' CT arterial phase images were extracted, and 6 machine learning methods were used to screen the optimal radiomics model to obtain the optimal radiomics score (Radscore). Independent prognostic predictors of radioresistance in ESCC were obtained by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, which was used as the basis for constructing the nomogram. The predictive performance of different models was compared by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC). The predictive efficacy and clinical value of the combined model were evaluated using calibration curve, decision curve analysis and clinical impact curve, net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI). Results:The combined intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics model based on naive Bayesian classifier yielded the optimal prediction performance, with AUC of 0.859 and 0.936 in the training set and validation set, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Radscore and T stage were the independent prognostic predictors of radioresistance in ESCC patients, and the AUC of the combined model constructed based on these predictors in the training and validation sets were 0.942 and 0.959, respectively. Calibration curve, decision curve analysis and clinical impact curve, net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) all indicated higher clinical benefit and more consistent predictive efficacy of the combined model.Conclusions:Machine learning-based CT radiomics model is useful for the prediction of radioresistance in ESCC. The nomogram of radiomics and clinical parameters can further improve the prediction accuracy and provide novel reference for individualized treatment of patients with ESCC.

Objective:To explore the predictive value of models based on clinical parameters, deep learning radiomics (DLR) from CT images, and traditional handcrafted radiomics (HCR) in assessing pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant radiotherapy combined with medical therapy in patients with esophageal cancer.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 130 patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer who underwent neoadjuvant radiotherapy combined with medical therapy followed by surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China from August 1, 2018, to August 31, 2024. Patients were randomly divided into a training set ( n=91) and a validation set ( n=39) at a ratio of 7:3. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify clinical independent risk factors associated with pCR. DLR and HCR features were extracted from the tumor and the 5 mm peritumoral region on planning CT images. Features for modeling were selected using t-test, Mann-Whitney U test or Fisher exact probability method, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression to calculate the radiomics score (Rad-score). A nomogram was then constructed by integrating the clinical risk factors. The predictive performance of each model was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and decision curve analysis (DCA) to assess clinical benefits. Results:Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified body weight ( OR=1.101, 95% CI: 1.029-1.177, P=0.005) and lymph node positivity ( OR=0.100, 95% CI: 0.014-0.727, P=0.023) as independent predictors of pCR. The peritumoral DLR-HCR model showed superior predictive performance, with AUCs of 0.870 (95% CI: 0.799-0.942) in the training set and 0.866 (95% CI: 0.750-0.982) in the validation set. The combined model incorporating clinical parameters achieved the best performance, with AUCs of 0.903 (95% CI: 0.845-0.962) and 0.888 (95% CI: 0.782-0.994) in the training and validation sets, respectively. Conclusions:The combined model integrating peritumoral DLR-HCR features with clinical parameters provides excellent predictive value for pCR after neoadjuvant radiotherapy combined with medical therapy in esophageal cancer and offers valuable guidance for personalized treatment strategies.

Background:To compare the efficacy and safety of monthly administrations of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists LY01005 and Zoladex ? in Chinese patients with premenopausal breast cancer. Methods:From October 2020 to November 2021, 188 premenopausal breast cancer patients were enrolled in 34 hospitals and randomized 1:1 to receive either LY01005 or Zoladex ? every 28 days for a total of three injections. All patients concomitantly received oral tamoxifen (TAM). The primary efficacy endpoint was cumulative probability of maintaining menopausal level [oestradiol (E2) ≤30 pg/ml] from day 29 to day 85. The second efficacy endpoint included changes in E2, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) compared with the baseline. Pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and safety were analyzed. The study also evaluated the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of LY01005. Results:A total of 188 patients were randomised and 187 patients received either LY01005 or Zoladex ?. Cumulative probabilities of maintaining menopausal level (E2≤30 pg/ml) from day 29 to day 85 were 93.1% for LY01005 and 86.3% for Zoladex ?. The between-group difference was 6.8% (95% CI: -2.3%, 15.9%) and primary efficacy in the LY01005 group was not inferior to that in the Zoladex ? group. Changes in E2, LH, and FSH levels compared with the baseline were equivalent between the two groups (E2: 89.34% to 90.23% vs. 82.11% to 85.02%; LH: 88.89% to 95.52% vs. 89.70% to 97.02%; FSH: 75.36% to 80.85% vs.73.07% to 80.24%, respectively). After three consecutive doses of LY01005, the LH and FSH levels of the subjects showed a transient increase after the first dose, reached a peak on the second day and then started to decrease. The LH and FSH reached a lower level and remained at or below that level until the 85th day. Both treatments were well-tolerated. Conclusion:LY01005 is as effective as Zoladex ? in suppressing E2 to menopausal levels in Chinese patients with premenopausal breast cancer, with a similar safety profile.

Objective To construct a swallowing dynamic model for simulating dysphagia caused by reduced tongue movement am-plitude.Methods A swallowing dynamic model was established based on medical imaging data from CT and videofluoroscopic swallowing study(VFSS).The finite element method was used to simulate soft tissues,while the smoothed parti-cle hydrodynamics method(SPH)was used to simulate bolus.The model's posture at each time point was com-pared with the imaging data of VFSS from twelve patients with dysphagia,and a normalization method was used for quantitative evaluation of the model's validity.By adjusting the tongue movement amplitude under different viscosity conditions,the role of tongue movement in the swallowing process was investigated,and the swallow-ing safety and efficiency were assessed.Results The tongue posture and bolus trajectory presented by the swallowing dynamic model were consistent with the VFSS imaging.The brightness in the epiglottis area in VFSS images correlated with the equivalent brightness of SPH particles in the simulation results(r=0.97).As the tongue movement amplitude reducing by 20%,the num-ber of aspirated particles,swallowing efficiency and the average velocity of bolus particles in the oropharyngeal cavity all performed well.Pudding-like fluids exhibited favorable swallowing characteristics even when tongue movement amplitude reducing significantly.Conclusion The swallowing dynamic model can simulate the human swallowing process,providing good support for re-habilitation training of patients with dysphagia and the development of specialized medical foods,demonstrating significant potential for clinical applications.

BACKGROUND:Patch clamp technique has been developed for more than 40 years as the"gold standard"for the study of ion channels.However,the research content of scientific research institutions is relatively independent,and the existing research results are not systematically summarized,which leads to the phenomenon of high repeatability and weak innovation in the existing research.Therefore,it is urgent to make a comprehensive review of patch clamp technology to clarify the current research status,hot spots,and future development direction.OBJECTIVE:To summarize the research status and development trend of patch clamp technique in recent 10 years.METHODS:Publications on patch clamp technology from 2013 to 2023 were collected using the Web of Science core collection database.CiteSpace and VOSviewer software were used to quantify the number of publications and analyze the network of literature entries,including countries,institutions,journals,authors,keywords,highly cited literature,and co-cited references.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In recent 10 years,the research in the field of patch clamp technology has gradually entered a stage of stable development.(2)China and the United States are the leading countries in this regard.The Chinese Academy of Sciences is an institution with core influence.Journal of Neuroscience is the main publication.Park,Won Sun team(Jeonbuk National University)and Chu,Li team(Hebei Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Research on Cardio-Cerebrovascular Disease)have made outstanding contributions in this field,but there is less collaboration and communication between the teams and no network cooperation model has been formed.(3)Patch clamp technology is mainly used in the electrophysiological characteristics of the nervous system and the pathological mechanism of the disease,which is the focus of researchers'continuous attention.(4)In the study of electrophysiological characteristics of cardiovascular system and its pathological mechanism,the electrophysiological characteristics of primary cardiomyocytes and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and the pathological mechanism of atrial fibrillation,cardiotoxicity,sudden cardiac death,hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases have been the focus of research in recent years.(5)In the application of patch clamp technology combined with other biotechnology,it will be an important research direction to focus on the cross fusion with optogenetics,two-photon calcium imaging and other technologies.(6)In the research of drug screening and identification of therapeutic targets,especially the research of patch clamp technology and traditional Chinese medicine compound,it will become a great help in the future research of component traditional Chinese medicine.

Objective To conduct preoperative simulations of three different osteotomy line design schemes under centric occlusion based on two distinct material assignment methods,evaluate biomechanical properties of the models,and explore which osteotomy line design schemes are more suitable for different types of mandibles.Methods Three types of mandibles were selected,and CT images were obtained for three-dimensional(3D)reconstruction.Material assignment was completed using the cortical/cancellous bone assignment method and the gray value assignment method.Osteotomy was simulated according to the three osteotomy line design schemes,followed by finite element analysis.Results In all simulation results of the mandibles,the maximum stress was 81.10 MPa,the maximum strain was 0.035 52,and the maximum displacement was 432.4 μm.The stress distributions obtained by the cortical/cancellous bone assignment method showed a larger stress distribution range than that that by the gray value assignment methods,but the maximum stress,strain,and displacement were generally lower.For the outflare type and common type mandibles,Scheme 1 showed lower maximum stress,strain,and displacement under both material assignment methods,but no clearly suitable scheme was found for the retracted type.Conclusions The outflare type and common type mandibles are more suitable for adopting the osteotomy line design scheme of Scheme 1.For the retracted type,other mandibular angle osteotomy plastic surgery methods may be considered to ensure better biomechanical characteristics.Whether choosing the osteotomy line design scheme or the modeling material assignment method,it is necessary to make the final decision based on the specific analysis objective and resource conditions.

Aim To evaluate the role of the glucose transporter protein 1(GLUT1)-dependent glycolytic in the attenuation of oxygen-glucose deprivation-reoxygen-ation(OGD/R)injury in HK-2 cells by dexmedetomi-dine(Dex).Methods C57/BL6 mice were random-ly divided into three groups(n=6),namely,sham operation group(Sham group),renal ischemia reper-fusion group(I/R group)and Dex group(I/R+Dex group).Serum creatinine(Cr)and urea nitrogen(BUN)were measured,while the levels of key glyco-lytic enzymes HK2,PFKFB3 and GLUT1 were meas-ured.HK-2 cells were cultured and randomised into seven groups(n=6),which was treated with OGD/R,overexpression or interference with GLUT1,Dex and glycolysis inhibitor 2-DG.CCK-8 and LDH activi-ty were used to detect cellular damage.Glycolysis lev-els were detected by lactate and ECAR.The inflamma-tory level was reflected by qRT-PCR for IL-6 and TNF-α.qRT-PCR and Western blot were performed to de-tect the levels of GLUT1,HK2,and PFKFB3.Results Dex significantly ameliorated kidney injury and HK-2 cell injury(P＜0.05).Dex inhibited the OGD/R-induced rise in lactate and extracellular acidification rate(ECAR),as evidenced by suppression of the ex-pression of GLUT1,HK2 and PFKFB3(P＜0.05).In vitro experiments showed that GLUT1 knockdown sig-nificantly improved OGD/R-induced cellular damage.Lactate,ECAR,glycolysis-related mRNAs and pro-teins were inhibited by GLUT1 knockdown(P＜0.05).Significantly,there were no significant differ-ences in above indexes after Dex treatment based on GLUT1 knockdown.Overexpression of GLUT1 abroga-ted the protective effects of Dex,while reversing the inhibitory effects of Dex on the expression of GLUT1,HK2,and PFKFB3(P＜0.05).Conclusions Dexmedetomidine attenuates OGD/R induced injury in HK-2 cells by inhibiting GLUT1-dependent glycolysis.