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Abstract Gasdermin-E (GSDME), the executioner of pyroptosis when cleaved by caspase 3, plays a crucial role in tumor defense and the response to chemotherapy drugs in cells. So far, there are poorly known mechanisms for the expression regulation of GSDME during cell death. Here, we identify the transcription factor Sp1 (Specificity protein 1) as a positive regulator of GSDME-mediated pyroptosis. Sp1 directly interacts with the GSDME promoter at −36 ~ −28 site and promotes GSDME gene transcription. Further, Sp1 knockdown or inhibition suppresses GSDME expression, thus reducing chemotherapy drugs (topotecan, etoposide, doxorubicin, sorafinib and cisplatin) induced cell pyroptosis. The regulation process synergizes with STAT3 (Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) activity and antagonizes with DNA methylation but barely affects GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis or TNF-induced necroptosis. Our current finding reveals a new regulating mechanism of GSDME expression, which may be a viable target for the intervention of GSDME-dependent inflammatory diseases and cancer therapy.

This study investigated the beliefs, attitudes, and motivation of Thai and Chinese undergraduate students in relation to English language learning. Utilizing a mixed-method, explanatory sequential design, it aims to provide a better understanding of the three variables mentioned above. The quantitative data analysis showed disparities between the cohorts, with Chinese undergraduate students often displaying more robust orientations. However, the qualitative data analysis showed that both groups valued immersive learning experiences and technological integration. The research advocates for pedagogical frameworks in English education that align with overarching global paradigms while respecting individual cultural nuances. Such revelations are important for refining teaching practices and curricula to enhance genuine global literacy. It is also recommended that future research efforts diversify their cultural purview and give due consideration to variations in socio-economic contexts.

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS), commonly known as stroke, is a debilitating condition characterized by the interruption of blood flow to the brain, resulting in tissue damage and neurological deficits. Early diagnosis is crucial for effective intervention and management, as timely treatment can significantly improve patient outcomes. Therefore, novel methods for the early diagnosis of AIS are urgently needed. Several studies have shown that bioactive molecules contained in extracellular vesicles, especially circRNAs, could be ideal markers for the diagnosis of many diseases. However, studies on the effects of exosomes and their circRNAs on the development and prognosis of AIS have not been reported extensively. Therefore, we explored the feasibility of using circRNAs in plasma brain-derived exosomes as biomarkers for AIS. By high-throughput sequencing, we first identified 358 dysregulated circRNAs (including 23 significantly upregulated circRNAs and 335 significantly downregulated circRNAs) in the plasma brain-derived exosomes of the brain infarct patient group compared to those of the noninfarct control group. Five upregulated circRNAs (hsa_circ_0007290, hsa_circ_0049637, hsa_circ_0000607, hsa_circ_0004808, and hsa_circ_0000097) were selected for further validation via Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR (qRT‒PCR) in a larger cohort based on the exclusion criteria of log2FC > 1, p < 0.05 and measurable expression. We found that the expression levels of hsa_circ_0007290, hsa_circ_0049637, hsa_circ_0000607, hsa_circ_0004808 and hsa_circ_0000097 were significantly upregulated in AIS patients and could serve as potential biomarkers for AIS with high specificity and sensitivity. Moreover, the expression levels of hsa_circ_0007290, hsa_circ_0049637, hsa_circ_0000607, hsa_circ_0004808 and hsa_circ_0000097 were also found to be positively correlated with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NISS) and modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores, which indicated that the presence of these circRNAs in plasma brain-derived exosomes could also determine the progression of AIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the beliefs, attitudes, and motivation of Thai and Chinese undergraduate students in relation to English language learning. Utilizing a mixed-method, explanatory sequential design, it aims to provide a better understanding of the three variables mentioned above. The quantitative data analysis showed disparities between the cohorts, with Chinese undergraduate students often displaying more robust orientations. However, the qualitative data analysis showed that both groups valued immersive learning experiences and technological integration. The research advocates for pedagogical frameworks in English education that align with overarching global paradigms while respecting individual cultural nuances. Such revelations are important for refining teaching practices and curricula to enhance genuine global literacy. It is also recommended that future research efforts diversify their cultural purview and give due consideration to variations in socio-economic contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] The study of genetic diversity in oat germplasm resources not only contributes to the collection and evaluation of germplasm resources, but also has important guiding significance for the production and breeding of oats. [Methods] This study analyzed the diversity, variation, and clustering of 20 morphological traits in 260 oat germplasm resources, evaluated the genetic variation level of their morphological traits, and examined the traits and genetic diversity of oat germplasm resources, aiming to provide a basis for oat germplasm innovation and variety improvement. [Results] There was a significant genetic diversity of morphological traits in the 260 oat germplasm resources. The genetic diversity index of the qualitative traits was the highest in grain color (1.53) and the lowest in awn color (0.76). The genetic diversity index of the 12 quantitative traits was normally distributed, and that of the quantitative traits was the largest in thousand grain weight (2.03) and the smallest in effective tillers (1.22). The highest variable coefficient was the effective tillering number (89.02%), while the lowest was the plant height (11.19%). According to genetic difference of each characteristic varieties, the 260 accessions should be classified into 6 categories by cluster analysis. Germplasm group Ⅰ included 42 accessions which could be used as parent materials for seed type selection. Germplasm group Ⅱ had 31 accessions that could be used as parent materials for breeding high-yield forage varieties. Germplasm group Ⅳ includes 41 accessions that could be used for breeding large grain varieties. Germplasm group Ⅴ includes 46 accessions that could be used as parents for oat dwarfing. Germplasm group Ⅲ included 46 accessions and group Ⅵ included 54 accessions, and both were not outstanding in comprehensive characters analyzed. [Conclusion] This study could provide theoretical basis for the protection, development and utilization of oat germplasm resources in eastern Inner Mongolia.

Background: Early enteral nutrition (EN) is recommended for sepsis management, but its optimal timing and clinical benefits remain uncertain. This study evaluates whether early EN improves outcomes compared to delayed EN in patients with sepsis., Methods: We analyzed data of septic patients from the MIMIC-IV 2.2 database, focusing on those in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) and Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU). Patients who initiated EN within 3 days were classified into the early EN group, while those who started EN between 3 and 7 days were classified into the delayed EN group. Propensity score matching was used to compare outcomes between the groups., Results: Among 1,111 patients, 786 (70.7%) were in the early EN group and 325 (29.3%) were in the delayed EN group. Before propensity score matching, the early EN group demonstrated lower mortality (crude OR = 0.694; 95% CI: 0.514-0.936; p = 0.018) and shorter ICU stays (8.3 [5.2, 12.3] vs. 10.0 [7.5, 14.2] days; p < 0.001). After matching, no significant difference in mortality was observed. However, the early EN group had shorter ICU stays (8.3 [5.2, 12.4] vs. 10.1 [7.5, 14.2] days; p < 0.001) and a lower incidence of AKI stage 3 (49.3% vs. 55.5%; p = 0.030). Subgroup analysis revealed that early EN significantly reduced the 28-day mortality rate in sepsis patients with lactate levels ≤4 mmol/L, with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 0.579 (95% CI: 0.361, 0.930; p = 0.024)., Conclusion: Early enteral nutrition may not significantly reduce overall mortality in sepsis patients but may shorten ICU stays and decrease the incidence of AKI stage 3. Further research is needed to identify specific patient characteristics that benefit most from early EN., 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 © 2024 Xu, Xu, Ma, Xu, Gu, Lu and Wang.)