Atherosclerosis (AS) is a prevalent clinical vascular condition and serves as a pivotal pathological foundation for cardiovascular diseases. Understanding the pathogenesis of AS has significant clinical and societal implications, aiding in the development of targeted drugs. Neutrophils, the most abundant leukocytes in circulation, assume a central role during inflammatory responses and closely interact with AS, which is a chronic inflammatory vascular disease. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are substantial reticular formations discharged by neutrophils that serve as an immune defense mechanism. These structures play a crucial role in inducing dysfunction of the vascular barrier following endothelial cell injury. Components released by NETs pose a threat to the integrity of vascular endothelium, which is essential as it acts as the primary barrier to maintain vascular wall integrity. Endothelial damage constitutes the initial stage in the onset of AS. Recent investigations have explored the intricate involvement of NETs in AS progression. The underlying structures of NETs and their active ingredients, including histone, myeloperoxidase (MPO), cathepsin G, neutrophil elastase (NE), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), antimicrobial peptide LL-37, alpha-defensin 1-3, and high mobility group protein B1 have diverse and complex effects on AS through various mechanisms. This review aims to comprehensively examine the interplay between NETs and AS while providing insights into their mechanistic underpinnings of NETs in this condition. By shedding light on this intricate relationship, this exploration paves the way for future investigations into NETs while guiding clinical translation efforts and charting new paths for therapeutic interventions.
Extracellular Traps/physiology* ; Humans ; Atherosclerosis/immunology* ; Neutrophils/physiology* ; Leukocyte Elastase/metabolism* ; Peroxidase/physiology* ; Matrix Metalloproteinases/physiology* ; Cathepsin G/metabolism* ; Cathelicidins ; HMGB1 Protein/physiology* ; Histones ; Animals ; Endothelium, Vascular

Arginine methylation is a critical post-translational modification that plays multifaceted biological functions. However, the manipulation of protein arginine methylation largely depends on genetic or pharmaceutic inhibition of the regulatory enzymes, protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs), or non-methylation substitution of corresponding arginine residue to lysine or alanine of protein of interest (POI), which inevitably affects other substrates, or disrupts the structure of POI. Thus, it urges an approach to specifically modulate the arginine methylation of a POI under physiological conditions. To this end, we report the discovery of a methylation tagging system (MeTAG), that enables targeted modification of protein arginine methylation. Through bridging the methyltransferase PRMT5 proximity to a POI, MeTAG facilitates the arginine methylation of POIs, including known arginine methylated proteins, androgen receptor (AR) and protein kinase B (AKT), as well as a neo-substrate E1A binding protein (p300), in a reversible and PRMT5-dependent manner. Moreover, MeTAG can regulate downstream signaling in a methylation dependent manner, leading to downregulation of PSMA mRNA level and activation of AKT. Therefore, MeTAG represents a feasible approach to modulate protein methylation and thereby perturbs protein function in biological and therapeutic contexts.

Background The mental health status of prison officers is crucial to the efficiency, security, and stability of a prison, and it is essential to pay attention to the factors that influence their mental health. Objective To understand the mental health status of prison officers, and analyze how nature exposure affects their mental health problems and a potential mediating role of mental fatigue. Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out from May to June 2022 among 1392 prison officers from eight prisons in a province, and a total of 1284 valid questionnaires were recovered. The Nature Exposure Scale, Mental Fatigue Scale, and Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale were used to assess nature exposure, mental fatigue, and mental health indicators among prison officers, and to explore the effect of nature exposure on mental health problems and a potential mediating role of mental fatigue. Results The recruited prison officers showed high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. The prevalence rates of depression, anxiety, and stress were 59.11% (759/1284), 60.67% (779/1284),and 43.93% (564/1284), respectively. The results of correlation analysis revealed that nature exposure was negatively related with mental fatigue and mental health indicators (depression, anxiety, and stress) (r_s=−0.242, −0.308, −0.235, −0.254, P<0.01), while mental fatigue was positively correlated with mental health indicators (depression, anxiety, and stress) (r_s=0.546, 0.533, 0.536, P<0.01). The PROCESS macro results showed that the level of nature exposure among prison officers negatively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress (β=−0.180, −0.104, −0.123), and mental fatigue played a mediating role, with indirect effects of −0.200, −0.192, and −0.199, respectively. Conclusion The levels of depression, anxiety, and stress of prison officers are higher than those of other occupations. Nature exposure negatively associates with depression, anxiety, and stress, that is, it may directly alleviate the mental health problems of prison officers; and it may also alleviate mental health problems by relieving mental fatigue.

Nanozymes, a groundbreaking discovery by Chinese scientists, represent a novel and remarkable property of nanomaterials. They not only exhibit catalytic activity comparable to natural enzymes, but also boast exceptional stability, tunable reactivity, and the ability to catalyze reactions under mild conditions. The identification of nanozymes has unveiled the biocatalytic potential of inorganic nanomaterials. In parallel, inorganic minerals have long been regarded as pivotal catalysts in the origin of life, driving the synthesis of early biomolecules. These minerals not only facilitate redox reactions that convert simple inorganic compounds into organic molecules but also enable chiral selection, the synthesis of biomacromolecules, and radioprotective functions via their surface structures. Recent advances suggest that inorganic nanomaterials can delicately catalyze the formation of biomolecules, aid in macromolecular assembly, and provide radiation shielding. Furthermore, nanominerals are found in abundance across Earth and extraterrestrial environments. This paper seeks to explore the potential of nanozymes as catalytic agents in the processes that gave rise to life, integrating the catalytic roles of inorganic minerals with the unique attributes of nanozymes, which will provide a new perspective for research of origin of life.

Objective To explore clinical value of the expression levels of cell surface transmembrane glycoprotein molecule 44(CD44)mRNA,cell surface transmembrane glycoprotein molecule 24(CD24)mRNA,and protein in the placenta of severe preeclampsia(SPE)patients.Methods The SPE patients who were delivered by cesarean section in the Second People's Hospital of Liaocheng from June 2019 to June 2022 were further divided into 45 patients in early onset SPE group(gestational age≤34 weeks)and 55 patients in late onset SPE group(gestational age＞34 weeks)according to the different gestational age.The control group consisted of 100 normal cases in the same period.The expression of CD44 and CD24 in placenta of SPE patients was detected by fluorescent quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry,Pearson method was used to analyze the difference of their expression levels and their correlation with the clinical characteristics of SPE disease,and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of SPE.Results Compared with the control group,the expression levels of CD44 mRNA(0.55±0.12 vs 1.02±0.33)and CD24 mRNA(0.68±0.19 vs 1.05±0.11)in SPE placental tissues decreased significantly,the differences were statistically significant(t=13.385,16.853,P＜0.05).The immunohistochemical staining results showed that CD44 and CD24 were mostly negative or weakly positive in the SPE group placental tissue,while they were mostly positive in the control group,the positive rates of CD44 and CD24 in the SPE placental tissue were lower than those in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(χ2=9.696,14.346,P＜0.05).Compared to the early onset SPE group,the expression levels of CD44(0.65±0.17 vs 0.42±0.11)and CD24(0.77±0.23 vs 0.58±0.13)mRNA in placental tissue of late onset SPE were higher,and the differences were statistically significant(t=7.830,4.932,P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,the BMI,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,urinary protein,Cr,LDH and BUN were significantly increased in SPE group(t=5.360～30.241,all P＜0.05).In SPE group,the gestational age was earlier,the MPV and ALB were lower,the newborn's birth length was shorter,and the body weight than control group,the differences were statistically great(t=3.232～11.109,all P＜0.05).The expression of CD44 and CD24 in SPE placenta was positively correlated(r=0.698,P＜0.05),the expression of CD44 in SPE placenta was positively correlated with CD24,gestational week of delivery,MPV and neonatal birth length(r=0.611,0.639,0.612,0.465,all P＜0.05),and was negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure,urinary protein and LDH(r=-0.604,-0.569,-0.593,all P＜0.05).The expression of CD24 was positively correlated with gestational age,MPV and newborn birth length(r=0.605,0.584,0.640,all P＜0.05),and was negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure,urinary protein and LDH(r=-0.637,-0.593,-0.561,all P＜0.05).The results of logistic regression analysis showed that MPV(95％CI:1.429～4.350),urinary protein(95％CI:1.529～2.709),and LDH(95％CI:1.425～3.932)were all independent risk factors for SPE(all P＜0.05).High levels of CD44(95％CI:0.561～0.940)and CD24(95％CI:0.495～0.814)were independent protective factors for SPE(P＜0.05).Conclusion The low expression levels of CD44 and CD24 in placenta of SPE patients are independent protective factors of SPE,which can provide direction for the follow-up treatment of SPE.

AIM: To report three cases of viral keratitis caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2).METHODS: Slit lamp, intraocular pressure, corneal fluorescence staining, anterior segment photography, in vivo confocal microscopy(IVCM), and routine fundus screening were performed in the three confirmed patients. Treatment involved Ganciclovir, artificial tears and glucocorticoid eye drops.RESULTS: Three patients with SARS-CoV-2 keratitis(SCK)recovered well after standard treatment.CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 keratitis typically presents as corneal subepithelial infiltration and can result in a decrease in corneal subepithelial nerve fiber density and an increase in dendritic cells(DC). Antiviral therapy in combination with glucocorticoid has proven to be effective.

Human brain banks use a standardized protocol to collect,process and store post-mortem human brains and related tissues,along with relevant clinical information,and to provide the tissue samples and data as a resource to foster neuroscience research according to a standardized operating protocols(SOP).Human brain bank serves as the foundation for neuroscience research and the diagnosis of neurological disorders,highlighting the crucial rule of ensuring the consistency of standardized quality for brain tissue samples.The first version of SOP in 2017 was published by the China Human Brain Bank Consortium.As members increases from different regions in China,a revised SOP was drafted by experts from the China Human Brain Bank Consortium to meet the growing demands for neuroscience research.The revised SOP places a strong emphasis on ethical standards,incorporates neuropathological evaluation of brain regions,and provides clarity on spinal cord sampling and pathological assessment.Notable enhancements in this updated version of the SOP include reinforced ethical guidelines,inclusion of matching controls in recruitment,and expansion of brain regions to be sampled for neuropathological evaluation.

Quercetin can mediate the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling pathways to prevent osteoporosis(OP).This paper comprehensively discusses the interrelationship between MAPK and osteoporosis-related cells based on the latest domestic and international research.Additionally,it elucidates the research progress of quercetin in mediating the MAPK signaling pathway for OP prevention.The aim is to provide an effective foundation for the clinical prevention and treatment of OP and the in-depth development of quercetin.

Patients with severe trauma require an extremely timely treatment and transfusion plays an irreplaceable role in the emergency treatment of such patients. An increasing number of evidence-based medicinal evidences and clinical practices suggest that patients with severe traumatic bleeding benefit from early transfusion of low-titer group O whole blood or hemostatic resuscitation with red blood cells, plasma and platelet of a balanced ratio. However, the current domestic mode of blood supply cannot fully meet the requirements of timely and effective blood transfusion for emergency treatment of patients with severe trauma in clinical practice. In order to solve the key problems in blood supply and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma, Branch of Clinical Transfusion Medicine of Chinese Medical Association, Group for Trauma Emergency Care and Multiple Injuries of Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association, Young Scholar Group of Disaster Medicine Branch of Chinese Medical Association organized domestic experts of blood transfusion medicine and trauma treatment to jointly formulate Chinese expert consensus on blood support mode and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma patients ( version 2024). Based on the evidence-based medical evidence and Delphi method of expert consultation and voting, 10 recommendations were put forward from two aspects of blood support mode and transfusion strategies, aiming to provide a reference for transfusion resuscitation in the emergency treatment of severe trauma and further improve the success rate of treatment of patients with severe trauma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical and immunological characteristics of anti-synthetase syndrome (ASS) patients overlap with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on ASS patients with arthritis who were treated at Peking University People' s Hospital. Data collected included demographic information, clinical manifestations, laboratory features, lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood, and treatments. The patients with ASS were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of RA for comparative analysis. RESULTS: A total of 104 ASS patients with arthritis were included, among whom 23.1% (24/104) were diagnosed with RA. The ASS with RA group had a significantly higher incidence of rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) (41.7% vs. 17.6%, P=0.032), number of tender joints [10 (7, 14) vs. 4 (0, 8), P < 0.001], number of swollen joints [4 (2, 8) vs. 2 (0, 4), P=0.012], and rate of bone erosion (47.8% vs. 2.5%, P < 0.001) compared with the non-RA group. Levels of platelets [(289.57±68.74)×10³/μL vs. (247.94±77.04)×10³/μL, P=0.022], erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) [43 (19, 59) mm/h vs. 18 (10, 44) mm/h, P=0.019], and C-reactive protein (CRP) [19.20 (4.80, 55.36) mg/L vs. 5.68 (1.10, 14.96) mg/L, P=0.006] were found significantly higher in the ASS with RA group than those in non-RA group. Analysis of immune cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) showed that significantly decreased proportions of CLA⁺ Treg cells [(11.12±4.10)% vs. (17.22±8.49)%, P=0.003], B cells [8.56% (4.80%, 11.90%) vs. 14.55% (8.75%, 20.29%), P=0.025], and natural killer (NK) cells [7.56% (4.65%, 13.20%) vs. 13.25% (7.46%, 19.25%), P=0.045] in the overlap group compared with non-RA group. Proportion of Naïve Th cells [(52.66±17.66)% vs. (40.76±14.96)%, P=0.033)] was significantly increased in overlap group compared with non-RA group. Overlap group had lower rate of complete clinical response than non-RA group (16.7% vs. 43.8%, P=0.031). CONCLUSION Among ASS patients with arthritis, those with RA have more severe lung and joint involvement and a lower treatment response rate, highlighting the need for early recognition and aggressive intervention.
Humans ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/immunology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial/immunology* ; Male ; Myositis/blood* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Autoantibodies/blood*