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In this experiment, a series of poly(propylene 2,5-furan dicarboxylate)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) (PPFEG) copolymers with different ratios were synthesized using melt polycondensation of dimethylfuran-2,5-dicarboxylate (DMFD), 1,3-propanediol (PDO) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The effect of PEG content on the crystallization behavior of the poly(propylene 2,5-furan dicarboxylate) (PPF) copolymers was investigated. For PPF, the nucleation density of the β-crystals was higher than that of α-crystals. As Tc increases, the β crystals are suppressed more, but at Tc = 140 °C, the bulk of PPF has already been converted to α crystals, which crystallize faster at higher nucleation densities, resulting in a difference in polymer properties. For this case, we chose to add a soft segment material, PEG, which led to an early multi–melt crystallization behavior of the PPF. The addition of PEG led to a decrease in the crystallization temperature of PPF, as well as a decrease in the cold crystallization peak of PPF. From the crystalline morphology, it can be seen that the addition of PEG caused the transformation of the PPF crystalline form to occur earlier. From the crystalline morphology of PPF at 155 °C, it can be observed that the ring-banded spherical crystals of the PPF appear slowly with increasing time. With the addition of PEG, spherical crystals of the ring band appeared earlier, and even appeared first, and then disappeared slowly.

Objective To investigate the hepatoprotective effect and anti-hepatocyte pyroptosis effect of Yinchenhao decoction synergized with umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UcMSCs) in vitro and vivo models of acute liver failure (ALF), as compared to single-drug treatment. Methods UcMSCs were extracted from umbilical cords and identified using electron microscopy and flow cytometry. Then the exosomes released from ucMSCs (UcMSCs-exo) were isolated through ultracentrifugation, and ucMSCs-exo were identified by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), transmission electron microscopy, and Western blot for CD63 and CD9. Human hepatocyte cell line LO2 cells were stimulated by 100 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and 5 mmol/L adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to construct a vitro model of ALF. The cells were randomly divided into the following groups: a normal control group, a model group, a Yinchenhao decoction treatment group, a ucMSCs-exo treatment group, and a combination treatment group. The morphological changes of LO2 were observed under the electron microscope, the mortality of LO2 cells was detected by flow analysis, the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins Caspase-1 and Cleaved-Caspase-1 was detected by Western blot, and the expression of pyroptosis-related cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 was detected by ELISA. Then, fifty 6-8-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the following groups: normal control group, model group, Yinchenhao decoction treatment group, ucMSCs-exo treatment group, and combined treat- ment group. Each group consisted of 10 mice. The ALF mouse model was constructed by intraperitoneal injection of 10 μg/kg LPS and 800 mg/kg D-galactosamine (D-GalN). After successful modeling, each group was given the appropriate drug interventions, and the ucMSCs-exo and combined treatment groups were injected with ucMSCs-exo interventions in the tail vein, and the drugs were administered continuously for 3 days. After 12 hours of intervention, serum specimens and liver tissues were collected from each group. The expression levels of ALT and AST were detected, and the liver tissues were stained with HE to observe the pathological changes. Results In the ALF cell model, hepatic cell death was inhibited in the Yinchenhao decoction treatment group, the ucMSCs-exo treatment group, and the combination group (P < 0.05). The rate of hepatic cell death in the combination treatment group was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Initially, the study aimed to explore the effect on hepatic cell pyroptosis, and it was found that the combination treatment group could effectively suppress hepatocellular cell death more effectively compared to the single treatment groups. The combined treatment group significantly reduced the expression of the pyroptosis-related protein Cleaved-Caspase-1, as well as the cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 (P < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the expression of Caspase-1 (P > 0.05). In the vivo model, the single Yinchenhao decoction treatment group, the ucMSCs-exo treatment group, and the combined treatment group were able to effectively reduce the serum ALT and AST levels compared to the model group(P < 0.05). Additionally, these treatments were found to attenuate hepatocellular necrosis and the infiltration of inflammatory cells. Compared to the group treated with only Yinchenhao decoction or only ucMSCs-Exo, the group that received combined treat- ment showed a greater decrease in serum ALT and AST levels. Additionally, there was a reduction in the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the extent of cell death in the liver tissues (P < 0.05). Conclusions The combination of Yinchenhao decoction and ucMSCs-exo demonstrated a significantly better hepatoprotective effect in the ALF vivo model compared to the individual treatments of Yinchenhao decoction or ucMSCs-exo alone. Furthermore, this combination treatment was able to effectively inhibit hepatocyte pyroptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An on-line immunoaffinity extraction with liquid chromatography/membrane introduction mass spectmmetry (IAE/LC/MIMS) method for the determination of BTEX compounds in complex sample matrixes is described. This method uses an immunoaffinity column (1 mm i.d. x 20 mm) for on-line sample cleanup and enrichment, a 5-[[micro]meter] [C.sub.18] trapping column (2 mm i.d. x 20 mm) for analyte focusing, a 3-[[micro]meter] [C.sub.18] analytical column (3.2 mm i.d. x 100 mm) for separation, and a membrane introduction mass spectrometer for quantitation. The immunoaffinity column was evaluated in terms of binding capacity, recovery, and enrichment factor. The method was optimized for the determination of BTEX compounds in a mixture of 30 volatile organic compounds, which showed no matrix interference and a dramatic improvement of the detection limit over that of the LC/MIMS method (up to 474-fold). This method was also used for the determination of BTEX compounds in several gasoline-contaminated water samples, and the results were compared with the EPA reference methods.

Novel antibacterial agents are urgently needed to address the infections caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria. Urinary tract infections are common infectious diseases in clinical. Most of these infections are caused by drug-resistant uropathogenic Escherichia coli. PPK1 is an essential kinase for bacterial motility, biofilm formation, quorum sensing, and virulence factors in the expression of uropathogenic E. coli. In the present study, two small molecules potentially targeting PPK1 were discovered through virtual screening and biological assays. The in vitro and in vivo results suggested that the interaction of these compounds with PPK1 can disrupt biofilm formation of uropathogenic E. coli and reduce invasive ability and resistance to oxidative stress of this strain. Moreover, the compounds exhibit good antibacterial bacterial activity in the mice with urinary tract infection. Taken together, our findings could provide a new chemotype for the development of antibacterials targeting PPK1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) are widely spread across the world. Asymptomatic or inconspicuous CT/NG infections are difficult to diagnose and treat. Traditional methods have the disadvantages of low detection rate, inaccurate results, and long detection time. However, Xpert CT/NG makes up for the aforementioned shortcomings and has research value and popularization significance. Methods. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were systematically searched, and studies were screened using Xpert CT/NG for diagnosing CT/NG. QUADAS-2 was used to evaluate the quality of the eligible studies. Then, two groups of researchers independently extracted data from these studies. Meta-analyses of sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and the area under the curve (AUC) of the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve were conducted using Meta-DiSc 1.4. Finally, Deek's funnel plots were made using Stata 12.0 to evaluate publication bias. Results. 14 studies were identified, and 46 fourfold tables were extracted in this meta-analysis. The pooled SEN, SPE, PLR, NLR, DOR, and AUC in diagnosing CT were 0.94 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.93–0.95), 0.99 (95% CI: 0.99–1.00), 97.17 (95% CI: 56.76–166.32), 0.07 (95% CI: 0.04–0.12), 1857.25 (95% CI: 943.78–3654.86), and 0.9960, respectively. The pooled SEN, SPE, PLR, NLR, DOR, and AUC in diagnosing NG were 0.95 (95% CI: 0.93–0.96), 1.00 (95% CI: 1.00–1.00), 278.15 (95% CI: 152.41–507.63), 0.08 (95% CI: 0.06–0.12), 4290.70 (95% CI: 2161.78–8516.16), and 0.9980, respectively. Conclusions. Xpert CT/NG had high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for CT and NG. However, more evidence is required to confirm that Xpert CT/NG might serve as the primary method for detecting CT and NG and even the gold standard for diagnosis in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) is the causative pathogen of puerperal sepsis in pregnant women and pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis in infants. Infection of GBS is responsible for the increased morbidity in pregnant women and the elderly, and bring challenges to clinical diagnosis and treatment. However, culture-based approaches to detect S.agalactiae is time-consuming with limited sensitivity. Besides, real-time quantitative PCR demands expensive instruments with tedious steps. Thus, we aim to establish a new detection method for more accurate and rapid detection of S.agalactiae. Results: The ddPCR primer targeted the CpsE gene showed better amplified efficiency in the reaction. The limit of detection for GBS DNA with ddPCR was able to reach 5 pg/μL. Moreover, no positive amplified signals could be detected in the reactions which served 11 non-GBS strains DNA as templates. Furthermore, the coefficient of variation of this method was 4.5%, indicating excellent repeatability of ddPCR assay. Conclusions: In our study, ddPCR was performed as a rapid detection of S.agalactiae with high sensitivity and specificity. This technique can promote the accuracy of the diagnosis of GBS infection and provide a scientific basis for clinical treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consequences of COVID-19 infecting pregnant women and the potential risks of vertical transmission have become a major issue. Since little is currently known about COVID-19 in pregnancy, the understanding of COVID-19 in this particular group will be updated in time, and a comprehensive review will be useful to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 in pregnancy. Based on recently published literature and official documents, this review provides an introduction to the pathogenesis, pathology, and clinical features of COVID-19 and has focused on the current researches on clinical features, pregnancy outcomes and placental histopathological analysis from pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 in comparison with SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. These viruses trigger a cytokine storm in the body, produce a series of immune responses, and cause changes in peripheral leukocytes and immune system cells leading to pregnancy complications that may be associated with viral infections. The expression of ACE2 receptors in the vascular endothelium may explain the histological changes of placentas from pregnant women infected by SARS-CoV-2. Pregnant women with COVID-19 pneumonia show similar clinical characteristics compared with non-pregnant counterparts. Although there is no unequivocal evidence to support the fetal infection by intrauterine vertical transmission of SARS, MERS and SARS-CoV-2 so far, more and more articles began to report maternal deaths due to COVID-19. In particular, from February 26, 2020 (date of the first COVID-19 case reported in Brazil) until June 18, 2020, Brazil reported 124 maternal deaths. Therefore, pregnant women and neonates require special attention regarding the prevention, diagnosis and management of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The homeoprotein Bapx1 is an important regulator of gastroduodenal tract morphogenesis. Here, we investigated how Bapx1 influences gastric cancer (GC) prognosis and elucidated the underlying mechanisms. Bapx1 expression was greater in GC tissues compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues and expression was positively correlated with mortality, lymph node and distance metastasis. Silencing Bapx1 diminished cell invasion/migration and decreased mesenchymal phenotypes. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) induced Bapx1 expression and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in GC cells. However, down-regulated Bapx1 reversed TGF-β induced invasion, migration, morphological changes, and EMT. In summary, Bapx1 indicates poor prognosis for GC by promoting tumor migration and invasion via TGF-β-induced EMT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on soluble polymeric thin-film transistor, the characteristics of organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) with various fabrication processing conditions were compared. The results demonstrated that the characteristic of OTFTs isn't almost influenced by spin-coating with air or N2 atmosphere, yet it is seriously influenced by annealing with air or N2 atmosphere. From the point of field- effect mobility, it demonstrated that the mobility of OTFT devices with annealing in N2 atmosphere is more than two times as much as that with annealing in air, when the annealing temperature is the range from 100 °C to 190 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A patterned inverted cone (PIC) structure on flexible substrate produced by focused femtosecond laser was demonstrated for the out-coupling efficiency enhancement of electroluminescent devices. A green Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) with PIC structure on flexible substrate was employed to verify the effect of the proposed method, which exhibited a current efficiency enhancement by a factor of 2.2 at 10 mA/cm2 without any emission spectrum altered, compared with conventional flexible OLED. The PIC structure is compatible with current device fabrication process and applicable for full color OLED display and lighting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure of niobium-doped SrBiTiO was calculated by using density function and discrete variation method (DFT-DVM). By comparing the total energy of different doping sites, the total energy is found to be lower when Nb ion was substituted into the Ti site in the upper perovskite layer, which is far from the two bismuth (Bi) ions in the perovskite layer. The bonding strength of Nb (3)-O increases and the electronic conductivity of the SBT decreases after Nb doping. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the microwave-assisted molten salt method (MAMSS) and molten salt method (MSS) were used to synthesize SrBi4Ti4O15 (SBT). The phase constitution was determined by powder X-ray diffraction and the microstructure of powder was examined by scanning electron microscopy. In contrast to the conventional MSS method, MAMSS produces more distinct plate-like grains and synthesizes both SBT and Bi4Ti3O12 (BTO) at 600°C with a 30-min soaking time. The increase of temperature and soaking time can make the plate-like grains of BTO more distinct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The single-phase Ba(Mg1/3 Nb2/3)O3 (BMN) powder was successfully prepared by the KCl molten salt synthesis (MSS) method. The temperature for single-phase BMN powders by MSS was about 400°C lower than that by the solid-phase method. The average particle size (APS) was about 0.91 μm at 900°C and increased with increasing synthesis temperature. Based on the APS, the activation energy for particle growth in the MSS, whose value was 64.1 kJmol-1, was attained. The sinterability of the powder prepared by MSS method was better than that prepared by solid-phase method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient interface modification is introduced to improve the performance of polymeric thin film transistors. This efficient interface modification is first achieved by 4-fluorothiophenol (4-FTP) self-assembled monolayers (SAM) to chemically treat the silver source–drain (S/D) contacts while the silicon oxide (SiO2) dielectric interface is further primed by either hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) or octyltrichlorosilane (OTS-C8). Results show that contact resistance is the dominant factor that limits the field effect mobility of the PTDPPTFT4 transistors. With proper surface modification applied to both the dielectric surface and the bottom contacts, the field effect mobilities of the bottom-gate bottom-contact PTDPPTFT4 transistors were significantly improved from 0.15 cm2·V−1·s−1 to 0.91 cm2·V−1·s−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use the photon Green-function method to study the quantum resonant dipole–dipole interaction (RDDI) induced by an Ag nanosphere (ANP). As the distance between the two dipoles increases, the RDDI becomes weaker, which is accompanied by the influence of the higher-order mode of the ANP on RDDI declining more quickly than that of the dipole mode. Across a broad frequency range (above 0.05 eV), the transfer rate of the RDDI is nearly constant since the two dipoles are fixed at the proper position. In addition, this phenomenon still exists for slightly different radius of the ANPs. We find that the frequency corresponding to the maximum transfer rate of RDDI exhibits a monotonic decrease by moving away one dipole as the other dipole and the ANP are kept fixed. In addition, the radius of ANP has little effect on this. When the two dipoles are far from the ANP, the maximum transfer rate of the RDDI takes place at the frequency of the dipole mode. In contrast, when the two dipoles are close to the ANP, the higher-order modes come into effect and they will play a leading role in the RDDI if they match the transition frequency of the dipole. Our results may be used in a biological detector and have a certain guiding significance for further application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was to investigate clinical significance, biological functions and underlying mechanisms of BTB Domain and CNC Homolog 1(BACH1) deregulation in human colorectal cancer (CRC). The result showed that BACH1 upregulation was significantly associated with enhanced tumor invasion ( P  = 0.014) and gender ( P  = 0.028) of CRC patients. Kaplan-Meier method results showed that the overall survival of CRC patients with high BACH1 mRNA expression was markedly shorter than those with low expression ( P  = 0.015), and multivariate analyzes results showed that BACH1 was an independent prognostic predictor for CRC patients ( P  = 0.049). In vitro studies revealed that BACH1 efficiently promoted invasion and migration of CRC cell line. In vitro studies proved that the HCT116 cell stably expressing BACH1 formed significantly larger tumor nodules and remarkably accelerated tumor xenografts growth. In addition, Immunohistochemical scores of CD31 and Vimentin were significantly higher than those of the control group. Finally, correlation analysis indicated that BACH1 expression was positively correlated with C -X-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 4(CXCR4) in tumor tissues and cell lines. Together, BACH1 serves as an oncogene to promote CRC progression and an independent prognostic factor for survival and metastasis. BACH1 may inhibit the progression of CRC through BACH1/CXCR4 pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is considered to be a potentially curative therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, insufficient RFA (IRFA) can promote rapid progression of the residual tumor. The mechanisms underlying IRFA-induced tumor promotion remain poorly understood. In the present study, we have established a subcutaneous xenograft mouse model and monitored the location and extent of IRFA by dual monitoring with ultrasonography and a thermal imager. For the first time, we provide evidence of the activation of autophagic pathways in mice exposed to IRFA. We show that autophagy plays an important role in relapse and proliferation after IRFA and that hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) can suppress these effects. Our findings indicate that autophagy is involved in experimental IRFA and that inhibition of autophagy may be a novel approach in the treatment of local recurrences of HCC after IRFA in the clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Aurivillius-type Bi2VO5.5-δ series doped by magnetic cations may have a significant electronic contribution to their total conductivity and special magnetoelectric properties which extend potential applications to magnetoelectronic and spintronic fields. Bi2(V1-xMnx)O5.5-δ and (Bi2-xMnx)VO5.5-δ (x=0.10–0.30) compounds with nominal composition doped by manganese cation on the Bi- or V-site were prepared via a solid-state reaction. Results show that partial substitution of Mn on the V-site stabilizes Bi2(V1-xMnx)O5.5-δ in the high-temperature tetragonal structure of Bi2VO5.5-δ for compositions in the range 0.10≤x<0.25. The geometric magnetic frustration was observed through magnetic susceptibility analysis. The crystal structure was refined by the Rietveld method based on a four-oxygen-site model. The resulting solid-solution limit confirms the equatorial vacancy model which assumes that all vacancies are located on the equatorial oxygen sites. The possible substitution mechanism is determined which supports V↔Mn, rather than Bi↔Mn in the MnO-doped Bi2VO5.5-δ series. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Previous studies have demonstrated that polydatin, a crystal component extracted from the root stem of the perennial herbage Polygonum Cuspidatum Sieb.et Zucc, exerts a neuroprotective effect on cerebral injury induced by ischemia/reperfusion. To investigate the possible mechanism of this action, we determined the effects of polydatin on the expression of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) after ischemia-induced cerebral injury. Rats were treated with polydatin (i.v.) immediately after the operation of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 1 h. It was found that polydatin improved neurological deficits and reduced the volume of brain infarction. In addition, polydatin decreased the levels of CAMs relative to the control (MCAO alone); these included intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin, L-selectin and Integrins. These results suggest that polydatin exerts protective effects likely via inhibition of the expression of various CAMs; polydatin may be a potential agent for treatment of brain injury associated with stroke. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The effect of BaWO4 addition on the microstructures, the phase formation, 1:2 ordering and microwave dielectric properties of Ba(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 was investigated. Ba5Nb4O15 and BaWO4 secondary phases were found in all specimens containing BaWO4. The B-site ordering parameter (S) and the lattice constant (c/a) values increased with BaWO4 increased. Ba(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 ceramics with BaWO4 addition can be sintered to 95% theoretical density at 1500 °C due to the liquid phase effect of BaWO4. At 0.03 mol BaWO4, the specimen shows the maximum Qf value of 82 300 GHz attributed to high density and ordering degree. The decrease of Qf value with further addition of BaWO4 is due to the increase of secondary phases BaWO4 and Ba5Nb4O15, which have lower Qf values than Ba(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 phase. The variation of #x03B5;r and τf was also explained based on the logarithmic mixture rule and the volume mixture ruler, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an effective therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, incomplete radiofrequency ablation (IRFA) can promote the progression of residual cancer cells, which is a serious problem in the clinical application of RFA. Therefore, it is of great significance to explore the mechanism and countermeasures of the progression of residual tumors after IRFA. Our previous study confirmed that IRFA can activate the hypoxia/ autophagy pathway of residual tumors in mice and then induce the proliferation of residual tumor cells. Additionally, we found a metal ruthenium complex [Ru(bpy)2(ipad)](ClO4)2 (Ru, where bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine and ipad = 2-(anthracene-9,10-dione-2-yl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline) can effectively inhibit hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) and has good anti-tumor effect in a hypoxic environment; however, whether Ru could suppress the proliferation of residual tumor cells after IRFA is unknown., Objective: This study intends to evaluate the effect of Ru in suppressing the proliferation of residual hepatocellular carcinoma after IRFA in a mice model., Methods: The Hepa1-6 xenograft mouse model was established in C57BL/6 mice to simulate clinical IRFA. H&E staining was used to evaluate the biosafety of major organs in the treated mice. TUNEL assay was employed to assess the antitumor effect. Immunohistochemically and immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect the expression of HIF-1α and autophagy-related proteins. The ELISA assay was used to examine the cytokines of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin 10 (IL-10)., Results: Our findings revealed that the residual tumor relapsed via the HIF-1α/LC3B/P62 autophagy- related pathway after IRFA, while Ru could suppress this process. In addition, it was demonstrated that Ru could effectively activate the immune system of the mice and reverse the tumor immune suppression microenvironment after IRFA., Conclusion: The ruthenium complex Ru could suppress the proliferation of residual hepatocellular carcinoma cells after IRFA in the mice model. This study introduces a novel approach that combines the use of ruthenium complexes with IRFA, offering a potential solution to address the reoccurrence of residual liver cancer following IRFA in clinical settings., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a severe liver disease caused by disruptions in the body's immune microenvironment. In the early stages of ALF, Kupffer cells (KCs) become depleted and recruit monocytes derived from the bone marrow or abdomen to replace the depleted macrophages entering the liver. These monocytes differentiate into mature macrophages, which are activated in the immune microenvironment of the liver and polarized to perform various functions. Macrophage polarization can occur in two directions: pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages and anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages. Controlling the ratio and direction of M1 and M2 in ALF can help reduce liver injury. However, the liver damage caused by pyroptosis should not be underestimated, as it is a caspase-dependent form of cell death. Inhibiting pyroptosis has been shown to effectively reduce liver damage induced by ALF. Furthermore, macrophage polarization and pyroptosis share common binding sites, signaling pathways, and outcomes. In the review, we describe the role of macrophage polarization and pyroptosis in the pathogenesis of ALF. Additionally, we preliminarily explore the relationship between macrophage polarization and pyroptosis, as well as their effects on ALF., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Xie and Ouyang.)

Background: Drug exposure during gestation or in prematurely born children represents a significant risk to congenital heart disease (CHD). Amantadine is an antiviral agent also effective in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. However, while its potential side effects associated with tetralogy of fallot (ToF) and birth defects were implicated, its underlying etiologic mechanisms of action remain unknown. Here, we report teratogenic effects of amantadine drug during early cardiogenesis through developing a novel zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) knock-in (KI) animal model and explore the underlying mechanisms., Methods: Homologous recombination (HR) pathway triggered by CRISPR/Cas9 system was utilized to generate an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) KI zebrafish animal model. Dynamic fluorescence imaging coupled with a whole-mount in-situ hybridization (WISH) assay was employed to compare the spatial and temporal expression patterns of the EGFP reporter in the KI animal model with the KI-targeted endogenous gene. Heart morphology and EGFP expression dynamics in the KI animal models were monitored to assess cardiac side effects of different doses of amantadine hydrochloride. Expression of key genes required for myocardium differentiation and left-right (LR) asymmetry was analyzed using WISH and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR)., Results: A novel EGFP KI line targeted at the ventricular myosin heavy chain ( vmhc) gene locus was successfully generated, in which EGFP reporter could faithfully recapitulate the endogenous expression dynamics of the ventricle chamber-specific expression of the vmhc gene. Amantadine drug treatment-induced ectopic expression of vmhc gene in the atrium and caused cardiac-looping or LR asymmetry defects to dose-dependently during early cardiogenesis, concomitant with dramatically reduced expression levels of key genes required for myocardium differentiation and LR asymmetry., Conclusion: We generated a novel zebrafish KI animal model in which EGFP reports the ventricle chamber-specific expression of vmhc gene dynamics that is useful to effectively assess drug safety on the cardiac morphology in vivo . Specifically, this study identified teratogenic effects of amantadine drug during early cardiogenesis dose dependent, which could be likely conveyed by inhibiting expression of key genes required for cardiac myocardium differentiation and LR asymmetry., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Ouyang, Qin, Niu, Ding and Deng.)