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In the present study, the bioinformatics analysis tool BATMAN-TCM was employed to explore the molecular mechanism of action of Catharanthus roseus (C. roseus) in cancer treatment. The potential targets of C. roseus were predicted using BATMAN-TCM, and the GeneCards database was utilized to identify cancer-related targets. A compound-disease-target interaction network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.7.0 software. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were performed to determine the gene functions of C. roseus in counteracting cancer. Nine types of active ingredients were identified from C. roseus, and a compound-disease-target network was established. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of C. roseus targets was constructed using the STRING database, comprising 55 nodes and 328 interaction relationships. Key nodes in the network included CTNNB1, JUN, VEGFA, ESR1, HIF1A, FOS, and MTOR. GO analysis identified 73 items, such as RNA polymerase II-specific DNA-binding transcription factor binding, DNA-binding transcription factor binding, ubiquitin protein ligase binding, and ubiquitin-like protein ligase binding. In the KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, 106 signaling pathways were identified, with the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and HIF-1 signaling pathway emerging as key pathways related to cancer. Overall, the research demonstrated that C. roseus exerted its anticancer effects through the synergistic regulation of multiple components, targets, and pathways. These findings provided a theoretical and scientific basis for the application of C. roseus in cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNAs (miRs) are small noncoding RNAs that play a critical role in gene regulation. Recently, traces of cancer-related miRs have been identified in body fluids, which make them remarkable noninvasive biomarkers. In this study, a new nanopore-based detection scheme utilizing a borosilicate micropipette and an assay of complementary ?-peptide nucleic acid (?-PNA) probes conjugated to polystyrene beads have been reported for the detection of miR-204 and miR-210 related to the clear cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC). Electroosmotic flow (EOF) is induced as the driving force to transport PNA-beads harboring target miRs to the tip of the pore (sensing zone), which results in pore blockades with unique and easily distinguishable serrated shape electrical signals. The concentration detection limit is investigated to be 1 and 10 fM for miR-204 and miR-210, respectively. The EOF transport mechanism enables highly sensitive detection of molecules with low surface charge density with 97.6% detection accuracy compared to the conventional electrophoretically driven methods. Furthermore, resistive-pulse experiments are conducted to study the correlation of the particles' surface charge density with their translocation time and verify the detection principle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 68-year-old patient was admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology at the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University and underwent a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) under local anesthesia using iodixanol injection for high pressure imaging. After 15 min, the patient developed symptoms, such as a drop in blood pressure and skin itching, indicating anaphylactic shock. We promptly administered emergency measures, including antiallergic and anti-shock treatment. The patient’s vital signs gradually recovered, and the symptoms of anaphylactic shock disappeared. Ultimately, the operation was successfully completed without any complications. This article analyzed the rescue measures and treatment of a patient who experienced anaphylactic shock due to an iodixanol injection during TIPS. The purpose was to increase awareness of the safe use of iodixanol. When iodixanol is used for contrast, a patient may experience a drop in blood pressure and skin itching within a short period of time, potentially leading to anaphylactic shock. During the operation, it is crucial to closely monitor the patient’s condition and promptly recognize allergic symptoms for effective treatment. This is the key to rescuing a patient experiencing anaphylactic shock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recovering matrices from compressive and grossly corrupted observations is a funda- mental problem in robust statistics, with rich applications in computer vision and machine learning. In theory, under certain conditions, this problem can be solved in polynomial time via a natural convex relaxation, known as compressive principal component pursuit (CPCP). However, many existing provably convergent algorithms for CPCP su er from superlinear periteration cost, which severely limits their applicability to large-scale problems. In this paper, we propose provably convergent, scalable, and efficient methods to solve, CPCP with (essentially) linear periteration cost. Our method combines classical ideas from Frank{Wolfe and proximal methods. In each iteration, we mainly exploit Frank-Wolfe to update the low-rank component with rank-one singular value decomposition and exploit the proximal step for the sparse term. Convergence results and implementation details are discussed. We demonstrate the practicability and scalability of our approach with numerical experiments on visual data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quorum sensing (QS) has been recognized as a general phenomenon in microorganisms and plays an important role in many pathogenic bacteria. In this report, we used the Agrobacterium tumefaciens biosensor strain NT1 to rapidly screen for autoinducer-quenching inhibitors from bacteria. After initial screening 5389 isolates obtained from land and beach soil, 53 putative positive strains were identified. A confirmatory bioassay was carried out after concentrating the putative positive culture supernatant, and 22 strains were confirmed to have anti-LasR activity. Finally, we determined the strain JM2, which could completely inhibit biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, belonged to the genus Pseudomonas by analysis of 16S rDNA. Partially purified inhibitor factor(s) F5 derived from culture supernatants specifically inhibited LasR-controlled elastase and protease in wild type P. aeruginosa PAO1 by 68% and 73%, respectively, without significantly affecting growth; the rhl-controlled pyocyanin and rhamnolipids were inhibited by 54% and 52% in the presence of 100 µg/mL of F5. The swarming motility and biofilm of PAO1 were also inhibited by F5. Real time RT-PCR on samples from 100 µg/mL F5-treated P. aeruginosa showed downregulation of autoinducer synthase (LasRI and rhlI) and cognate receptor (lasR and rhlR) genes by 50%, 28%, 48%, and 29%, respectively. These results provide compelling evidence that the F5 inhibitor(s) interferes with the las system and significantly inhibits biofilm formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung cancer causes an extreme threat to human health, and the mortality rate due to lung cancer has not decreased during the last decade. Prognosis or early diagnosis could help reduce the mortality rate. If microRNA and tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), as well as the corresponding autoantibodies, can be detected prior to clinical diagnosis, such high sensitivity of biosensors makes the early diagnosis and prognosis of cancer realizable. This review provides an overview of tumor-associated biomarker identifying methods and the biosensor technology available today. Laboratorial researches utilizing biosensors for early lung cancer diagnosis will be highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a low cost, disposable polymer microfluidic sample preparation device to perform rapid concentration of bacteria from liquid samples using enhanced evaporation targeted at downstream detection using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The device is composed of a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) liquid sample flow layer, a reusable metal airflow layer, and a porous PTFE (Teflon™) membrane sandwiched in between the liquid and air layers. The concentration capacity of the device was successfully demonstrated with fluorescently tagged Escherichia coli(E. coli). The recovery concentration was above 85% for all initial concentrations lower than 1 × 104CFU mL−1. In the lowest initial concentration cases, 100 µL initial volumes of bacteria solution at 100 CFU mL−1were concentrated into 500 nL droplets with greater than 90% efficiency in 15 min. Subsequent tests with SERS on clinically relevant Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus(MSSA) after concentration in this device proved more than 100-fold enhancement in SERS signal intensity compared to the signal obtained from the unconcentrated sample. The concentration device is straightforward to design and use, and as such could be used in conjunction with a number of detection technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Rho GTPase members and their effector proteins, such as the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP), play critical roles in regulating actin dynamics that affect cell motility, endocytosis, cell division, and transport. It is well established that Caenorhabditis elegans wsp-1 plays an essential role in embryonic development. We were interested in the role of the C. elegans protein WSP-1 in the adult nematode. In this report, we show that a deletion mutant of wsp-1 exhibits a strong sensitivity to the neuromuscular inhibitor aldicarb. Transgenic rescue experiments demonstrated that neuronal expression of WSP-1 rescued this phenotype and that it required a functional WSP-1 Cdc42/Rac interactive binding domain. WSP-1-GFP fusion protein was found localized presynaptically, immediately adjacent to the synaptic protein RAB-3. Strong genetic interactions with wsp-1 and other genes involved in different stages of synaptic transmission were observed as the wsp-1 (gm324) mutation suppresses the aldicarb resistance seen in unc-13(e51), unc-11(e47), and snt-1 (md290) mutants. These results provide genetic and pharmacological evidence that WSP-1 plays an essential role to stabilize the actin cytoskeleton at the neuronal active zone of the neuromuscular junction to restrain synaptic vesicle release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a research study conducted for efficient treatment of chronic lung infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. It is noted that researchers developing ultrasound-responsive catalytic microbubbles with biofilm elimination and immune activation properties to combat chronic lung infection induced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms.

• Travel satisfaction of delivery electric two-wheeler riders are analyzed. • Built environment variables affect delivery travel satisfaction. • Delivery convenience is the most significant variable. • Delivery punishment has a negative impact on travel satisfaction. • Policy-level interventions and recommendations are established. Sustainable transport policies aim to promote the well-being of all transport participants. Although the travel satisfaction of ordinary travelers has received extensive attention in previous studies, few have focused on the important bearer groups of the last mile urban logistics, especially with the current influx of delivery electric two-wheeler (DETW) riders on the road. This study aims to quantitatively explore the impact of riding perception, delivery attributes, built environment, and demographic variables on delivery travel satisfaction of DETW riders. Data were collected in Nanjing, China, through a questionnaire survey. The results show that the inclusion of built environment variables has provided additional variance explanation and proved their direct or indirect effect on delivery travel satisfaction. Besides, safety and accessibility, environmental comfort, delivery convenience, policy acceptance, and perceived stress positively affect delivery travel satisfaction, while delivery punishment has a negative effect. Delivery convenience is the most important variable explaining delivery travel satisfaction. Finally, policies at all levels, including individual riders, platforms, consumers, and public administration, are proposed to enhance the DETW riders' well-being and make the food delivery industry more sustainable and appealing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize (Zea mays L.) stalk rot is a devastating disease worldwide, causing severe yield losses. Although previous studies have focused on the genetic dissection of maize resistance to stalk rot, the mechanisms of resistance remain largely unknown. We used a comparative proteomics approach to identify candidate proteins associated with stalk rot resistance. Statistical analyses revealed 763 proteins differentially accumulated between Fusarium graminearum and mock-inoculated plants. Among them, the antioxidant protein ZmPrx5, which was up-accumulated in diseased plants, was selected for further study. ZmPrx5 transcripts were present in root, stalk, leaf, ear, and reproductive tissues. The expression of ZmPrx5 in three inbred lines increased significantly upon F. graminearum infection. ZmPrx5 was localized in the cytoplasm. Compared to control plants, maize plants overexpressing ZmPrx5 showed increased resistance to F. graminearum infection, and ZmPrx5 mutant plants were more susceptible than wild-type plants. Defense-associated pathways including plant-pathogen interactions, phenylalanine metabolism, and benzoxazinoid and flavonoid biosynthesis were suppressed in ZmPrx5 homozygous mutant plants compared with wild-type plants. We suggest that ZmPrx5 positively regulates resistance against stalk rot in maize, likely through defense-oriented transcriptome reprogramming. These results lay a foundation for further research on the roles of Prx5 subfamily proteins in resistance to plant fungal diseases, and provide a potential genetic resource for breeding disease-resistance maize lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Widely distributed in plants, ent-kaurane diterpenoids could reduce the incidence of inflammatory. The most important active ingredient of Isodon serra (Maxim.) Hara is ent-kaurane diterpenoids, which contribute to the anti-inflammatory pharmacological effects of Isodon serra. However, the ingredients, the active compounds, drug targets, inflammatory targets and exact molecular mechanism of Isodon serra in treating inflammatory are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to use the method of network pharmacological analysis to find the active compounds in Isodon serra. These active compounds match the library of ent-kaurane diterpenoids compounds we established, and we find all the eligible ent-kaurane diterpenoids compounds. Isodon serra related and anti-inflammatory targets were found and then combined to get intersection, which represented potential anti-inflammatory targets of active compounds in Isodon serra. Moreover, anti-inflammatory targets and active compounds targets protein-protein interaction network were merged to get the protein-protein interaction network intersection and core genes in anti -inflammatory target protein-protein interaction network. For the anti-inflammatory targets of Isodon serra, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were executed to confirm gene functions of Isodon serra in antagonizing inflammation. Finally, TCMSP analysis identified 10 active compounds out of 48 ent-kaurane. The pathway analysis showed enrichment for different pathways like AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, small cell lung cancer and human cytomegalovirus infection, which were all connected to inflammatory. On the whole, the proposed method clearly identified the ent-kaurane diterpenoids of Isodon serra and the results gave the active compounds of Isodon serra for the first time. The combining use of the qualitative analysis of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and network pharmacological methods could discover potential drug targets and reveal the biological process of TCM, which would open up a new approach in the study of TCM in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α induces cytoskeleton and intercellular junction remodeling in tubular epithelial cells; the underlying mechanisms, however, are incompletely explored. We have previously shown that ERK-mediated stimulation of the RhoA GDP/GTP exchange factor GEF-H1/Lfc is critical for TNF-α-induced RhoA stimulation. Here we investigated the upstream mechanisms of ERK/GEF-H1 activation. Surprisingly, TNF-α-induced ERK and RhoA stimulation in tubular cells were prevented by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibition or silencing. TNF-α also enhanced phosphorylation of the EGFR. EGF treatment mimicked the effects of TNF-α, as it elicited potent, ERK-dependent GEF-H1 and RhoA activation. Moreover, EGF-induced RhoA activation was prevented by GEF-H1 silencing, indicating that GEF-H1 is a key downstream effector of the EGFR. The TNF-α-elicited EGFR, ERK, and RhoA stimulation were mediated by the TNF-α convertase enzyme (TACE) that can release EGFR ligands. Further, EGFR transactivation also required the tyrosine kinase Src, as Src inhibition prevented TNF-α-induced activation of the EGFR/ERK/GEF-H1/RhoA pathway. Importantly, a bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay and electric cell substrate impedance-sensing (ECIS) measurements revealed that TNF-α stimulated cell growth in an EGFR-dependent manner. In contrast, TNF-α-induced NFκB activation was not prevented by EGFR or Src inhibition, suggesting that TNF-α exerts both EGFR-dependent and -independent effects. In summary, in the present study we show that the TNF-α-induced activation of the ERK/GEF-H1/RhoA pathway in tubular cells is mediated through Src- and TACE-dependent EGFR activation. Such a mechanism could couple inflammatory and proliferative stimuli and, thus, may play a key role in the regulation of wound healing and fibrogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]