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The type I interferon (IFN) pathway is a key component of innate immune response upon invasion of foreign pathogens. It is also under precise control to prevent excessive upregulation and undesired inflammation cascade. In the present study, we report that Riok3, an atypical kinase, negatively regulates retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I)-like receptors (RLRs) sensing-induced type I IFN signaling. Riok3 deficiency selectively inhibits RNA viral replication in vitro, resulting from an upregulated type I IFN pathway. Mice with myeloid-specific Riok3 knockout also show a more robust induction of type I IFN upon RNA virus infection and are more resistant to RNA virus-induced pathogenesis. Mechanistically, Riok3 recruits and interacts with the E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM40, leading to the degradation of RIG-I and melanoma differentiation-associated gene-5 (MDA5) via K48- and K27-linked ubiquitination. Collectively, our data reveal the mechanism that Riok3 employs to be a negative regulator of antiviral innate immunity.

Objectives. This study aimed to use laboratory and clinical data of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients to construct prediction models for fundus complications in SLE. Methods. Routine blood test data and clinical information of 277 SLE patients were collected retrospectively. Based on their fundus examination, they were divided into two groups, with or without fundus lesions, defined as retinopathy and choroidopathy in this study. The data of the two groups were compared, and the prediction model was established using binary logistic regression analysis. Results. There were 85 patients in the fundus lesions' group and 192 patients in the control group. Between the two groups, age, SLEDAI, serositis, hypertension, diabetes, anticardiolipin antibody (ACA), anti‐Sm antibody, C‐reactive protein (CRP), hemoglobin (Hb), platelet count (PLT), albumin (Alb), serum creatinine(Scr), urea, uric acid(UA), and immunoglobulin G(IgG) were significantly different (p < 0.05). Besides, age, SLEDAI, serositis, hypertension, diabetes, anti‐SSB, CRP, Hb, PLT, FIB, Alb, Scr, urea, UA, GLU, and IgG were significantly correlated with SLE‐related fundus lesions. PLT, fibrinogen (FIB), IgG, and urea were independent risk factors of SLE‐related fundus lesions. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.830 (p < 0.001; 95% CI = 0.762–0.898), and the nomogram was established with great evaluation efficiency demonstrated by the calibration curve and the Hosmer–Lemeshow test. The result of k‐fold cross‐validation also showed high prediction accuracy. Conclusions. We have found the independent risk factors of SLE‐related fundus lesions and developed a model to improve the prediction of fundus lesions in SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Widespread prevalence of multidrug and pandrug-resistant bacteria has prompted substantial concern over the global dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Environmental compartments can behave as genetic reservoirs and hotspots, wherein resistance genes can accumulate and be laterally transferred to clinically relevant pathogens. In this work, we explore the ARG copy quantities in three environmental media distributed across four cities in California and demonstrate that there exist city-to-city disparities in soil and drinking water ARGs. Statistically significant differences in ARGs were identified in soil, where differences in blaSHV gene copies were the most striking; the highest copy numbers were observed in Bakersfield (6.0 × 10-2 copies/16S-rRNA gene copies and 2.6 × 106 copies/g of soil), followed by San Diego (1.8 × 10-3 copies/16S-rRNA gene copies and 3.0 × 104 copies/g of soil), Fresno (1.8 × 10-5 copies/16S-rRNA gene copies and 8.5 × 102 copies/g of soil), and Los Angeles (5.8 × 10-6 copies/16S-rRNA gene copies and 5.6 × 102 copies/g of soil). In addition, ARG copy numbers in the air, water, and soil of each city are contextualized in relation to globally reported quantities and illustrate that individual genes are not necessarily predictors for the environmental resistome as a whole.

Objective To study the effects of different concentrated sulfuric acid etching durations on the shear bond strength between polyether-ketone-ketone (PEKK) and dentin, providing a scientific basis for the clinical bonding procedures of PEKK prosthesis. Methods Forty-four PEKK specimens were prepared and randomly divided into four groups: group A was the control group, which was only polished with abrasive papers, group B, group C and group D were experimental groups, which were etched by 98% concentrated sulfuric acid for 5 s, 30 s and 60 s, respectively. In addition, one sample was randomly selected from each group, and the profile was prepared by a slow cutting machine. The surface morphology of the profile was observed under SEM. After the four groups of specimens and dentin were bonded by resin, they were soaked in distilled water at 37 ℃ for 24 h. After the shear bonding strengths were measured, the fracture interfaces of the specimens were examined by the scanning electron microscopy and stereomicroscopy, and failure models of bonding were analyzed. Results After acid etching treatments, the cross-sectional images in group B presented uniform spongy shapes, while the cross-sectional images in group C and group D showed destructive pore structures. The shear bond strengths of group B (16.84 ± 1.84) MPa, group C (12.33 ± 1.22) MPa and group D (6.44 ± 1.18) MPa were higher than that of group A (3.99 ± 1.06) MPa (P < 0.05). The highest shear bond strength was observed in group B (16.84 ± 1.84) MPa. Conclusion The surface treatment of 98% sulfuric acid etching for 5 s manifested the best bond strength between PEKK and dentin.

Aqueous supercapacitors have occupied a significant position among various types of stationary energy storage equipment, while their widespread application is hindered by the relatively low energy density. Herein, N/F co-doped carbon materials activated by manganese clusters (NCM) are constructed by the straightforward experimental routine. Benefiting from the elevated conductivity structure at the microscopic level, the optimized NCM-0.5 electrodes exhibited a remarkable specific capacitance of 653 F g−1 at 0.4 A g−1 and exceptional cycling stability (97.39% capacity retention even after 40,000 cycles at the scanning rate of 100 mV s−1) in a neutral 5 M LiCl electrolyte. Moreover, we assembled an asymmetric device pairing with a VOx anode (NCM-0.5//VOx), which delivered a durable life span of 95% capacity retention over 30,000 cycles and an impressive energy density of 77.9 Wh kg−1. This study provides inspiration for transition metal element doping engineering in high-energy storage equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]