Search

A unique porous ternary MnTiO3/TiO2/C composite is obtained from Mn2O3/polyaniline precursor through the liquid phase deposition (LPD) method and subsequent carbonization process. When the MnTiO3/TiO2/C composite is evaluated as anode materials for lithium ion batteries (LIBs), it displays enhanced electrochemical performance, including superior cycling stability (418 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles at 500 mA g−1), favorable rate capability (270 mAh g−1 at 4 A g−1), and supernal coulombic efficiency (>98% after 200 cycles), compared with pristine Mn2O3 and Mn2O3/TiO2 composite. The enhanced electrochemical performance of ternary composite is mainly ascribed to the unique structural design and the synergistic effect of various components. Therefore, the resultant porous ternary MnTiO3/TiO2/C composite would have great potential as a new generation of anode materials for LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive and heterogeneous hematologic malignancy. In elderly patients, AML incidence is high and has a poor prognosis due to a lack of effective therapies. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) play integral roles in physiologic processes and human diseases. Particularly, one third of adhesion GPCRs, the second largest group of GPCRs, are highly expressed in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells or lineage cells. Here, we investigate the role of adhesion GPCRs in AML and whether they could be harnessed as antileukemia targets. Systematic screening of the impact of adhesion GPCRs on AML functionality by bioinformatic and functional analyses revealed high expression of ADGRE2 in AML, particularly in leukemic stem cells, which is associated with poor patient outcomes. Silencing ADGRE2 not only exerts antileukemic effects in AML cell lines and cells derived from patients with AML in vitro, but also delays AML progression in xenograft models in vivo. Mechanistically, ADGRE2 activates phospholipase Cβ/protein kinase C/MEK/ERK signaling to enhance the expression of AP1 and transcriptionally drive the expression of DUSP1, a protein phosphatase. DUSP1 dephosphorylates Ser16 in the J-domain of the co-chaperone DNAJB1, which facilitates the DNAJB1-HSP70 interaction and maintenance of proteostasis in AML. Finally, combined inhibition of MEK, AP1, and DUSP1 exhibits robust therapeutic efficacy in AML xenograft mouse models. Collectively, this study deciphers the roles and mechanisms of ADGRE2 in AML and provides a promising therapeutic strategy for treating AML. Significance: Increased expression of the adhesion GPCR member ADGRE2 in AML supports leukemia stem cell self-renewal and leukemogenesis by modulating proteostasis via an MEK/AP1/DUSP1 axis, which can be targeted to suppress AML progression., (©2024 American Association for Cancer Research.)

Background/aim: This study aimed to assess expression changes of serum sPD-1 levels in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients with entecavir treatment and explore the correlation with the curative effect. Materials and methods: A total of 220 HBeAg-positive CHB patients and 207 healthy individuals were included. sPD-1 levels and virological and biochemical responses were assessed at baseline and at 12, 24, and 48 weeks in CHB patients after antiviral therapy. Results: sPD-1 levels in HBeAg-positive CHB patients before treatment were significantly lower than those of healthy controls. After entecavir treatment, sPD-1 levels increased gradually over time. At 48 weeks after entecavir treatment, sPD-1 amounts in the HBeAg seroconversion group were significantly higher than the values of the HBeAg-negative and HBeAg-positive groups. sPD-1 levels in patients with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) returning to normal were significantly higher than in those with ALT not returning to normal. sPD-1 levels in treated patients with no HBV-DNA were significantly higher than in those with HBV-DNA remaining positive. sPD-1 was negatively correlated with ALT and HBV-DNA at 12, 24, and 48 weeks after entecavir treatment. Conclusion: sPD-1 may play a certain role in chronic hepatitis B and has a close relationship with the curative effect of entecavir.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a common complication of cirrhosis. Based on our current understanding of SBP, the most common etiologies for SBP in cirrhosis are Enterobacter and Streptococcal species. Th e Aeromonas species are ubiquitous in fresh or sea water. Aeromonas caviae is never identified as etiology in cases of SBP. A patient, who had a history of liver cirrhosis related to chronic hepatitis B virus infection for 1 year, presented with diarrhea. He had diarrhea 1 week later returned from coastal city. He was hospitalized and treated with norfloxacin after 7 days of severe symptoms, including fever, abdominal distention, and diarrhea. Analysis of the ascitic specimen revealed a white-cell count of 4.42 × 109 cells/L with 88% neutrophils. Analysis of stool specimen showed a white-cell count of 60 cells per high-power field. Th e patient started the injection of cefriaxone at a dose of 4 g/d. However, the situation was not improved. Th ree days later, stool and ascitic fluid culture showed positive for Aeromonas caviae. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed that imipenem, meropenem, amikacin, and cefoperazone-sulbactam were highly sensitive to the Aeromonas caviae. However, the bacilli resisted to ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, ampicillin-sulbactam, levofloxacin, and sulfamethoxazole. Ceftriaxone was then switched to imipenem. The patient was fully recovered 14 days later. Aeromonas caviae is a rare pathogen of SBP in cirrhosis. It resists to third-generation of cephalosporin and fluroquinolone, which are of frequently used dependent on clinical experience. It needs a special attention.