Molecular Analysis Research Articles (Page 1)

Simultaneous stabilization of high-concentration multi-heavy metal(loid)s co-contaminated soil using Fe/Mn (hydr)oxide-humic acid composites:A novel approach towards sustainable environmental remediation.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Limited data exist regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying cerebellar involvement and the potential role of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in non-coding RNAs in MS. This study aimed to investigate the effects of CoQ10 on histomorphometric changes, motor behaviors, and the expression of BDNF and its regulatory ncRNA in the cerebellar tissue of a rat model of demyelination. The study included four groups: control, Q10 alone, cuprizone-induced demyelination (DM), and DM + Q10 (n = 6 rats/group). Demyelination was induced by administering 0.5% cuprizone mixed in rodent chow for 12weeks. CoQ10 (200mg/kg/day) was given by oral gavage, dissolved in 1% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. Behavioral tests (rotarod, open field, and inverted grid) were conducted to assess motor function. Histological analysis and molecular evaluations were conducted to assess BDNF protein levels and the expression of MALAT1, HOTAIR (HOX Transcript Antisense RNA), and phosphorylated CREB (P-CREB). The results indicated that, compared to the control group, the MS group exhibited reduced motor activity, along with histological alterations in cerebellar Purkinje cells, including decreased cell number and increased pyknosis. Molecular analyses showed a marked upregulation of non-coding RNAs MALAT1 and HOTAIR, alongside significant downregulation in the protein expression levels of BDNF and phosphorylated CREB (P-CREB). Treatment with CoQ10 notably ameliorated these histological changes by improving motor performance, restoring Purkinje cell integrity, reducing the expression of MALAT1 and HOTAIR, and enhancing the levels of BDNF and P-CREB in the cerebellum. Our results indicated that CoQ10, by modulating BDNF signaling and its regulatory non-coding RNAs, effectively counteracted molecular and cellular damage in the cerebellum, improving motor performance. This study provides new insight into the role of CoQ10 in cerebellar protection, an area that has received limited attention in demyelinating disease research.

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of neurocutaneous melanosis in children caused by NRAS gene variants. Methods: Three cases of neurocutaneous melanosis from Children's Hospital of Fudan University (case 1 and case 2) and Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine Shanghai Jiaotong University (case 3) from July 2022 to February 2023 were collected. The clinical, histopathological, immunohistochemical and genetic results of three patients were retrospectively analyzed. The literatures were reviewed. Results: The patients were all female, aged 5, 4 and 3 years, respectively. The patients presented with severe headache with other symptoms of increased intracranial pressure. Physical examination showed multiple congenital melanocytic nevi throughout the body. Imaging examination showed intracranial masses, which were located in the right cerebellum, pineal gland and left temporal lobe, respectively. The maximum diameters were 39.1 mm, 72.8 mm and 52.2 mm, respectively. Histologically, the tumor showed diffuse sheets of round or oval-shaped cells arranged in nests, with marked nuclear atypia, eosinophilic cytoplasm, dark nuclei, and prominent nucleoli. Giant tumor cells were seen and mitotic figures were easily observed. There were hemorrhage and necrosis. Pigment granules were found in the cytoplasm and stroma in case 1 and case 2. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed diffuse and strong staining of SOX10, S-100, HMB45 and Melan A, but did not express GFAP and CKpan. The Ki-67 proliferation index ranged from 30% to 80%. Genetic testing showed that case 1 and case 2 had NRAS Q61K matation, and case 3 had NRAS Q61R mutation. Case 1 and case 3 underwent complete resection of the tumor combined with chemotherapy. Case 2 was diagnosed by biopsy and underwent resection after chemotherapy and radiotherapy. All patients were followed up for 18, 21 and 25 months, respectively. All patients died due to complications such as increased intracranial pressure and hydrocephalus. Conclusions: Neurocutaneous melanosis is a congenital neurocutaneous syndrome caused by abnormal development of embryonic neuroectodermal melanoblasts. Most cases are associated with somatic mutations of NRAS gene. Clinicians should pay attention to the skin manifestations and neuroimaging examination in patients with unexplained intracranial hypertension or epilepsy. The diagnosis of neurocutaneous melanosis depends on histopathology and genetic testing.

Adzuki bean [Vigna angularis (Willd.) Ohwi & H. Ohashi] is a high-value legume crop widely cultivated globally, primarily in Asia, for its nutritional benefits and economic importance. In 2023, an epidemic outbreak of stem rot disease was observed in commercial adzuki bean fields in Shangzhi City, Heilongjiang Province, China. Through tissue isolation and fulfillment of Koch's postulates, nine pathogenic fungal isolates were obtained from diseased stems. Morphological, molecular, and phylogenetic analyses identifiedFusarium graminearumSchwabe andF. oxysporum f. sp.glycinesas the causal agents,representing the first report of these fungi causing stem rot on adzuki bean in China. Pathogenicity testingof nine plant species (seven legumes and two cereals: corn and wheat)revealed thatall tested crops commonly cultivated in Northeast China were susceptible to infection byF. graminearumandF. oxysporum.In vitro screening identified high sensitivity ofF. graminearumto tebuconazole, with 80.0% mycelial growth inhibition at 4.3 × 10⁻⁴ g·mL⁻¹, and high sensitivity ofF. oxysporumto ethylicin, with 82.7% inhibition at 8.0 × 10⁻⁴ g·mL⁻¹. This study provides a comprehensive characterization of the pathogens, defines their host range, and identifies tebuconazole and ethylicin as effective candidates for field control, offering management strategies to protect adzuki bean production in Heilongjiang Province.

Objective: To investigate clinicopathological and molecular genetic characteristics of CD117-positive eosinophilic renal cell tumors (ERCTs) with unusual morphological and immunophenotypic features. Methods: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from 10 cases (9 cases from Xiangya Hospital, Central South University and 1 case from Bishan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University) of diagnostically challenging CD117-positive ERCTs between January 2017 and October 2024 were collected. Histological reviews were performed on HE-stained sections, followed by immunostaining and whole-exome sequencing (WES). Results: The 10 patients were composed of 4 males and 6 females, with ages ranging from 29 to 57 years, median 49.5 (36.8, 51.8) years. The sizes of tumors ranged from 2.5 to 6.0 cm, median 4.8(2.9,5.2) cm. All 10 ERCTs were composed of variably eosinophilic cells and characterized by prominent morphological features including exclusively eosinophilic (2 cases), focal chromophobe-like (3 cases), prominent nested (2 cases), prominent flocculent cytoplasm (1 case), a collision of renal oncocytoma (RO)/chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) (1 case), and diffusely degenerative atypia (1 case). Immunohistochemically, a subset of 10 tumors variably expressed CK7 (7/10) and vimentin (3/10), while they were all positive for CD117 (10/10), PAX8 (10/10), SDHB (10/10), and FH (10/10) and negative for CAⅨ (10/10) and 2SC (10/10). The Ki-67 proliferation index ranged from 1% to 5%. WES identified a GNAS mutation in one case of the RO/ChRCC collision tumor, while no characteristic mutations of other renal cell tumor types were detected in the remaining 9 cases. The analysis of copy number variations revealed complex karyotypic alterations in 4 tumors, harboring various gain of chromosomes 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, and 22, with 3 cases showing variable loss of chromosomes 1, 2, 6, 10, 13, and 17. These 4 cases were molecularly classified as eosinophilic ChRCC. The remaining 6 cases, including 2 cases with a normal diploid karyotype and 4 cases with slight karyotypic alterations, were molecularly classified as 5 ROs and 1 RO-dominant RO/ChRCC collision tumor. Finally, the original diagnosis was retained in 4 cases and revised in 6 cases. Conclusions: CD117-positive ERCTs with uncertain classification may exhibit various morphological overlaps, non-classic histological features, and aberrant immunophenotypes. Combined immunostaining of CK7, CD117, vimentin, SDHB, FH, and 2SC can greatly help discriminate among these tumors and their mimics. When the diagnosis is challenging based only on morphology and immunohistochemistry, molecular genetic tests may be useful.

Abstract Background Adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients remain underrepresented in neuro-oncology research. Despite being the second most common primary brain tumor in this population, meningiomas have not been studied using age-specific molecular analyses. DNA methylation–based classification and prognostic tools have transformed meningioma care. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of these tools across age groups. Methods We analyzed 1,568 meningiomas with DNA methylation and clinical data, including 18 pediatric patients (<15 years), 195 AYA patients (15–39 years), and 1,355 adult patients (>39 years). Pediatric and AYA (P/AYA) tumors were combined and compared with adult tumors. The performance of established molecular classifiers and recurrence predictors, as well as differences in chromosomal copy number alterations were compared across age groups. Results While histologic grading was comparable between cohorts, P/AYA tumors displayed significantly fewer aggressive molecular groups and lower frequencies of chromosomal arm losses, including 1p, 6q, and 14q. The adult-trained recurrence predictor failed in the P/AYA population (AUC 0.57), despite similar score distributions. Retraining the model on an age-specific cohort using an identical analytic framework improved performance (AUC 0.79) and enabled effective stratification of progression-free survival (p = 0.00054). Importantly, 1p loss retained prognostic significance within the P/AYA group, supporting its clinical utility. Conclusions Molecular tools developed in adult-dominant cohorts do not generalize to younger patients due to both biological divergence and exclusion from model development. These findings underscore the need for age-specific molecular frameworks and highlight the imperative of including P/AYA populations in precision neuro-oncology research to ensure lifespan-equitable care.

The Nicobar Archipelago, a biodiversity hotspot in the Bay of Bengal, harbours several poorly studied and endemic reptile lineages. Several species of snakes from these islands are known to science with just one or a handful of specimens. One such taxon, historically identified as Lycodon subcinctus Boie, 1827, has remained taxonomically unresolved, known only from a single sighting on Great Nicobar Island to date. Recent taxonomic revisions of the L. subcinctus complex enabled us to reassess the status of the population from the Nicobar Islands. Studies suggested that the species is distinct, and a re-examination of museum material and newly collected specimens, combined with molecular analyses, confirms the distinctiveness of the species and is here described as a new species, Lycodon irwini sp. nov. Given its rarity and restriction to Great Nicobar Island, and taking into account potential threats we recommend that the new species be classified as ‘Endangered’ under the IUCN Red List criteria.

Thelytokous parthenogenesis (thelytoky), in which females can produce female offspring without mating, can be caused by parthenogenesis-inducing endosymbiotic bacteria in the genus Wolbachia. This interaction is well known in hymenopteran parasitoids, where unfertilized eggs typically develop as males via haplodiploidy in the absence of parthenogenesis-inducing bacteria. We report on a case of thelytoky in Alloxysta brevis (Thomson) (Hymenoptera: Figitidae), a globally widespread aphid hyperparasitoid. A previous study had shown that sex ratios of this species collected in Minnesota (USA) were extremely female-biased, and we found here that unmated females reared from field-collected hosts produced female offspring without exposure to males. This result demonstrated thelytoky, and we tested for the role of bacterial endosymbionts by comparing offspring production of unmated females fed the antibiotic rifampicin to offspring production of control females not fed antibiotics. Antibiotic-fed females produced almost exclusively male offspring, and control females produced mainly females. This result showed that antibiotic treatment facilitated male production by unmated A. brevis females, thus implicating bacterial symbiosis in the expression of thelytoky. We then used full-length 16S rRNA sequencing to determine the identity of the symbiont. These analyses identified a Wolbachia strain from supergroup B and excluded other bacteria known to mediate parthenogenesis induction, such as Cardinium and Rickettsia. While Wolbachia had been previously detected by molecular analysis in this species, these are the first experiments demonstrating Wolbachia-mediated parthenogenesis in the figitid subfamily Charipinae. To our knowledge, this also constitutes the first documented case of endosymbiont-mediated thelytoky in any hyperparasitoid species.IMPORTANCEParthenogenesis induction in insects can have important environmental and economic consequences. This is especially true if pests or their natural enemies are affected. The case of Alloxysta brevis is of particular interest, as this species is a hyperparasitoid of aphids, meaning that they attack and kill primary parasitoids of aphids. The populations of many species of pest aphids are controlled by primary parasitoid species, and hyperparasitoids thus have the potential to interfere with this mechanism of control. The role of hyperparasitoid parthenogenesis in the suppression of aphids by primary parasitoids remains unexplored. Thus, the results of this set of studies provide a starting point for determining whether parthenogenesis-inducing Wolbachia in hyperparasitoids should be expected to improve or hinder biological control of pest aphids by primary parasitoids. The focus on A. brevis as a model for these questions could be particularly instructive, since it is a species of worldwide distribution that is involved in numerous economically important aphid-parasitoid interactions.

Finger millet productivity is strongly influenced by genotype × environment interaction (GEI), which complicates the identification of high-yielding and stable genotypes. This study evaluated 35 genetically diverse finger millet genotypes across three agro-ecological zones viz., Odisha (E1), Jharkhand (E2), and Bihar (E3) during two rabi seasons (2023-24 and 2024-25). A randomized block design with three replications was implemented and key quantitative traits i.e. grain yield per plant, 1000-grain weight, and number of fingers on the main ear were recorded. AMMI and GGE biplot analyses were applied to assess GEI, stability, and adaptability. Genotype G18 (VR-1176) consistently emerged as the most stable and high-yielding across environments, followed by G13 (VL-Mandia-352), G28 (Bada Mandia), G3 (PR-1639), G25 (Bada Kumnda), G26 (Badatara), G11 (VR-1223), G15 (VR-12-38), G14 (OEB-610), and G33 (FEZN-84). AMMI 1 and AMMI 2 biplots confirmed these findings, highlighting G18 and G15 as superior performers. Among sites, Jharkhand (E2) was identified as the most favourable environment. Additionally, molecular profiling using UGEP markers 46, 66, and 68 revealed polymorphic banding in high-yielding genotypes, which validates phenotypic observations. The integration of phenotypic and molecular analyses provides a robust framework for identifying finger millet genotypes with both high productivity and yield stability, supporting their recommendation for breeding programs and wider cultivation.

Pepper southern blight, caused by Agroathelia rolfsii (Sacc.) Redhead & Mullineux (syn. Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc.), is a serious soil-borne fungal disease. The overuse of chemical pesticides to control this disease has led to pathogen resistance and environmental pollution, making biological control methods a more sustainable alternative. In this study, a strain SEC-482 with significant antagonistic effect against A. rolfsii was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of peppers. It was identified as Bacillus velezensis through morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular analyses. The strain showed a high inhibition rate of 76.44% ± 0.37% against A. rolfsii in vitro and a control effect of 72.73% on pepper southern blight in pot experiments. Furthermore, it was observed to have a favourable impact on the growth of pepper plants. The genome sequencing and analysis revealed many genes related to antibiosis and growth promotion, as well as 14 secondary metabolite synthesis gene clusters. The strain's volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as 2,6-diethylpyrazine, isobutyric acid and 3,4-diaminophenol, 3,5-dimethyl-1-prop-2-ynyl-pyrazole, were identified as the main antimicrobial substances. This study demonstrates that B. velezensis SEC-482 has potential for the biological control of pepper southern blight, laying a foundation for subsequent field trials to confirm its practical application value. The identification of VOCs and the exploration of the strain's fermentation conditions provide valuable insights into its potential applications in sustainable agricultural practices.

Although the annual number of newly reported human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in Beijing has shown a continuous decline since 2016, the population of people living with HIV (PLWH) has maintained a persistent upward trend. This retrospective study aimed to analyse data from newly diagnosed PLWH from 2015 to 2023 in Beijing to develop precision interventions. All newly diagnosed PLWH were subjected to sequence splicing, quality control, information matching, and analysis for pretreatment drug resistance (PDR) and molecular transmission network. The Stanford Drug Resistance Database was used to analyse drug resistance, and Hyphy and Cytoscape software were used to construct a molecular transmission network with the gene distance threshold of 0.015. A total of 3,569 newly diagnosed PLWH were included in this study. A total of 42 HIV-1 subtypes were identified, with CRF01_AE being the most common subtype, followed by the CRF07_BC and B subtypes. However, for the first time, the dominant strain shifted from CRF01_AE to CRF07_BC in 2023. A total of 340 drug-resistant sequences were obtained, and the overall prevalence of PDR was 9.53% from 2015 to 2023. The most common mutations were distributed among V179, K103, M184, S68 and M46, which presented diverse distributions and combined mutation features. A total of 64 transmission clusters were identified in the network, among which CRF07_BC was dominated by large spreading clusters, whereas CRF01_AE was dominated by small- and medium-sized spreading clusters. The largest cluster for CRF07_BC expanded rapidly from 8 cases in 2015 to 161 cases in 2023. This study revealed the prevalence of HIV-1 drug resistance and molecular transmission network in Beijing. The change in the dominant HIV strain of participants should be emphasized. Subtype CRF07_BC is prone to forming fast-spreading clusters, and targeted interventions should be designed to prevent high-risk transmission sources and reduce new HIV infections.

Liver cirrhosis is a progressive chronic disease with high morbidity and mortality, thereby posing a major challenge to global health. Evidence suggests that thyroid dysfunction, particularly hypothyroidism, is linked to liver diseases. Hypothyroidism disrupts metabolism, immune homeostasis, and inflammatory pathways, processes central to cirrhosis pathophysiology. However, its causal role and molecular mechanisms remain unclear. The study initiated by analyzing the association between thyroid dysfunction and cirrhosis through retrospective analysis of longitudinal data obtained from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care clinical database. To assess genetic correlation, we applied linkage disequilibrium score regression, followed by bidirectional Mendelian randomization to explore potential causal relationships. Through transcriptome-wide association studies, we identified candidate genes, which were then prioritized using a combination of weighted gene co-expression network analysis and differential gene expression data integration. To interpret the biological relevance of these genes, we conducted functional enrichment analyses. We further explored gene function at the cellular level by leveraging single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA) to map cell-specific expression patterns, analyze intercellular communication, and simulate gene knockouts. Finally, we performed molecular docking and phenome-wide Mendelian randomization to identify potential therapeutic compounds targeting the prioritized genes. Through a combination of observational and genetic insights, we established a causal relationship between hypothyroidism and cirrhosis, identifying hypothyroidism as a risk factor for cirrhosis. Subsequent multi-omics analyses highlighted HLA-DQA1 and CD27 as potential therapeutic targets. ScRNA revealed key roles of these molecules in macrophages and CD8 ⁺ T cells, and simulated knockouts confirmed their importance in T cell activation and lymphocyte proliferation. Finally, molecular docking analysis identified glycyrrhizic acid and levothyroxine sodium as candidate drugs targeting HLA-DQA1 and CD27, while phenome-wide Mendelian randomization analysis revealed potential adverse effects associated with these targets. This study is the first to reveal a causal relationship between hypothyroidism and cirrhosis, potentially driven by immune dysregulation mediated by HLA-DQA1 and CD27. These findings offer novel insights into disease progression and identify HLA-DQA1 and CD27 as potential therapeutic targets, with glycyrrhizic acid and levothyroxine sodium as promising candidate drugs.

The study of soft, amorphous fascia has been constrained by definitional ambiguities regarding its fine structure, constituent and precise function. Here, a previously unrecognized CD34+ membranous cell (CMC) population was identified by single-cell RNA sequencing, which displayed a distinct spatial distribution in UMAP coordinates in the subcutaneous fascia of rat abdominal midline. Constituting one of the predominant cell populations in the fascia, CMCs were further validated morphologically in situ and in vitro. They exhibited lamina shapes and distributed alternating with the collagen bundles. Equipped with mechanosensors (integrins, cadherins, PIEZOs), CMCs are intricately interwoven with matrix fibers, forming the tensile mechanical apparatuses in the fascia. Enriched with Cx43 + gap junctions, Cdh1 + adherens junctions, integrin β1 + focal adhesions, Tsg101 + extracellular vesicles, F-actin + cytoskeletons, and caveolae, CMCs with marginal process foaming possessed typical evidence of signal conversion and transduction. The extensive membrane architecture of CMCs easily enabled their interactions with nerves, blood vessels, immune cells and interstitial fluid, promoting the integrations among different systems. In addition, functioning as membranous boundaries and signaling hubs, sheeting-like CMCs incompletely encapsulated or separated some structures, creating unique microenvironments. Molecular function analyses aligned with the ultrastructural features, distinguishing CMCs from other flat cells like fibroblasts. This discovery highlights a previously overlooked cell subpopulation, advancing our understanding of the fascial biology.

Asthma is a complex condition associated with increased morbidity, mortality, healthcare costs, and a diminished quality of life. It is now understood as a heterogeneous disease with various clinical manifestations rather than a single entity. Campesterol, a plant sterol, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in animal models. Allergic asthma was induced in BALB/c mice using ovalbumin through intraperitoneal sensitization on the 1st and 14th days of the study, followed by intranasal challenges from the 15th to the 21st day. The mice were then treated with three different doses of campesterol and the standard drug methylprednisolone for 7days post-intranasal challenge. The mRNA expression levels of IL-4, IL-5, AQP-1, and AQP-5 were assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Histopathological analysis of lung tissues was conducted using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Differential and total leukocyte counts were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and blood using an automatic hematology analyzer. The data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey's test. In silico molecular docking was performed to assess the binding affinity and interaction profiles of campesterol with target proteins, including JAK2, TNF-α, and NF-κB, which are involved in inflammatory pathways. Treatment with campesterol led to a reduction in total leukocyte count (TLC) and differential leukocyte count (DLC), as well as suppression of inflammatory cell infiltration. There was a significant decrease in the expression levels of IL-4 and IL-5, while the expression levels of AQP-1 and AQP-5 were significantly increased. Additionally, the lung wet/dry ratio was significantly reduced following campesterol treatment. In summary, the reduction in inflammation may be linked to decreased expression levels of IL-4 and IL-5 expression levels, while the reduction in pulmonary edema may be associated with increased expression levels of aquaporin 1 and aquaporin 5. The molecular docking revealed that campesterol exhibited stronger binding affinity across target proteins. The study suggests that campesterol could serve as an alternative therapy for treating allergic asthma. These findings may contribute to improved patient compliance by reducing inflammation and potentially offering a new avenue for asthma management. The docking results exhibited that campesterol has a stronger and more stable interaction profile with key pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory targets.

CXC motif chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) has an association with normal and abnormal progression. Previous studies have demonstrated the involvement of CXCR4 in breast cancer (BC), particularly in promoting metastatic progression. However, most of the existing evidence originates from basic research. Our study aims to evaluate novel the expression profiles of CXCR4 in BC. Computerized literature search was done on the online accessible databases, including ONCOMINE, Kaplan-Meier plotter, TCGA database and Breast Cancer Gene-Expression Miner v4.3 to explore the expression profile and prognostic roles of CXCR4. CXCR4 overexpression was associated with BC versus normal control. Elevated CXCR4 expression predicted better PFS, but no survival rate benefit in BC patients. Moreover, there is a survival rate benefit with high expression of CXCR4 mRNA in the negative ER but the positive ER group. CXCR4 was more frequently overexpressed in BC patients with negative expression of ER and PR and negative expression of HER-2. For molecular subtypes analysis, higher expression of CXCR4 was associated with Basal-like and HER-2 subtypes than luminal A and luminal B subtypes. Moreover, we demonstrate a positive correlation between high expression of CXCR4 and low expression of LASP1 and EIF4A1 via gene correlation targeted analysis, which is consistent with the result among the triple-negative breast cancer patients. Our results suggest that CXCR4 can be used as a biological factor to predict the prognosis of BC patients, especially those with triple-negative breast cancer, and is also a tumor marker with potential value in the future treatment of BC.

Microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter (MP-DOM) has attracted widespread attention due to their adverse effects on ecological health. However, the dynamic formation of MP-DOM at molecular level is not yet fully understood. Herein, the molecular level formation characteristics and mechanism of polyamide-microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter (MPPA-DOM) during irradiation were explored using fluorescence spectroscopy. Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS), and parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC). The results showed that the time-dependent fluorescence signatures revealed a dominant tyrosine-like component whose relative abundance increased from 49.63% to 89.62% during irradiation, suggesting a gradual accumulation of protein-related substances. Molecular element analyses of MPPA-DOM revealed the predominance of CHON molecules (78.82%-89.30%), which was attributed to the degradation of the C-N backbone structure. In contrast, CHO molecules exhibited a lower proportion (9.45%) under prolonged irradiation. Aliphatic/peptide-like compounds in MPPA-DOM remained the dominant component with percentage range of 66.4%-68.7%, while lignin-like compounds slightly increased with the increase of irradiation time. The reduced molecules were dominated in MPPA-DOM with percentage range of 96.4%-99.1%. As irradiation increased, the saturated compounds decreased from 91.53% to 82.45% and the unsaturated compounds increased from 7.6% to 14.1%. This study proposed a molecular-level formation mechanism of MPPA-DOM under irradiation. Nitrogen-rich molecules were persistent and highly stable during irradiation, indicating that they could play a more important role in the migration and transformation of MPPA-DOM. The findings in this study will provide support for assessing the potential ecological risks of MP-DOM in water systems.

Zhishe Tongluo capsule ameliorates experimental ischemic brain injury through regulating the CALB2/Ca2+/PKC pathway and glycerophospholipid metabolism.

Spirulina platensis (S. platensis) is a natural microalgae extract that exerts significant cytotoxic effects against different serious cancerous diseases. Lung cancer is one of the most common and leading causes of death all over the world. The purpose is to investigate the anti-proliferative cytotoxic effects of S. Platensis against the adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549 cell line). Also, molecular docking Analysis and pathway Map were investigated. The viability of the cells was determined via the MTT assay. Moreover the lipid peroxidation, total thiol, the protein concentration of Microtubule-associated tumor suppressor 1 (MTUS1), P16, Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (K-ras), the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr), and the molecular parameters (short stature homeobox 2 (SHOX2), Breast cancer metastasis suppressor 1 (BRMS1), B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) were assessed. In order to define interaction sites and classes, the current study investigates in detail the interactions between the ligand S. platensis and the Interleukin enhancer-binding factor 3 Receptor (IL-F3) of lung cancer. Covalent bonds, H-bonds, and hydrophobic interactions were observed to form with critical residues on the active site. Covalent bonds are identified in seventeen of the complexes. A correlation was observed between binding affinity and molecular size, branching, polar surface area of up to 199 Å2, hydrophilicity, and topological diameter for various bonds. In an effort to enhance pharmaceutical quality control, we utilized in silico methodologies to forecast the ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) of S. platensis. Results revealed a great anti-proliferative cytotoxic effect with a concentration gradient through decreasing the peroxidation content, and the epigenetic markers, with significant up-regulations of the BRMS1 and BAX. In addition to the kinetic and MAP pathways, docking analysis confirmed that S. platensis binds with the highest affinity to the predicted active sites of the tumor receptor IL-F3, thereby validating its antitumor activity. In conclusion, great suppression in the virulence of lung cancer was reported following treatment with S. platensis, illustrating its suspected mechanism of action, safety profile, kinetic properties, molecular docking results, toxicity, and internal pathways.

Photobiomodulation (PBM) utilizing 1064 nm near-infrared light, renowned for its deep tissue penetration capabilities, has demonstrated significant therapeutic potential in addressing brain disorders; however, its specific effects and underlying mechanisms in traumatic brain injury (TBI) remain poorly understood. This study investigated the therapeutic efficacy of 1064 nm light-emitting diodes (LED) treatment on emotional and cognitive impairments in a murine TBI model, and elucidating potential molecular mechanisms. C57BL/6 mice were systematically allocated into Sham, TBI, and TBI + PBM intervention groups, with the latter receiving daily 1064 nm light treatment (25 mW/cm2, 12 min/day) for 14 consecutive days post-TBI induction. Comprehensive behavioral assessments were conducted to evaluate emotional and cognitive functions. Advanced molecular analyses encompassing transcriptome sequencing, immunofluorescence, quantitative RT-PCR, and Western blot were employed to examine brain tissue damage, neurogenesis, synaptic remodeling, and inflammatory responses. The 1064 nm LED treatment demonstrated remarkable therapeutic effects, significantly ameliorating anxiety, depression-like behaviors, and spatial cognitive deficits in TBI mice. Behavioral improvements were evidenced by enhanced rotarod performance, increased exploratory behavior in open field and elevated plus maze tests, and improved Y-maze alternation rates. At the molecular level, PBM intervention exhibited multifaceted neuroprotective effects, including inhibition of neuronal apoptosis, reduction of brain injury, promotion of neurogenesis and synaptic remodeling, and upregulation of neurotrophic factors. Furthermore, the treatment enhanced blood-brain barrier integrity through upregulation of tight junction proteins and modulated neuroinflammation by shifting microglia and astrocytes toward anti-inflammatory phenotypes. These findings collectively demonstrate that 1064 nm wavelength PBM treatment effectively promotes functional recovery and mitigates both emotional and cognitive impairments in TBI mice, providing novel mechanistic insights and a promising wavelength option for PBM-based therapeutic strategies in TBI management.

The genus Aphelenchoides Fischer, 1894, encompasses nearly 200 species with significant ecological and economic importance, yet its taxonomy remains complex due to morphological similarities among species and limited molecular data. In this study, we describe a new species, Aphelenchoides vinhphucensis sp. n., collected from the rhizosphere of rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Vinh Phuc Province, Vietnam. The new species is distinguished by its morphological characteristics, including a slender stylet (9.6-12.7 μm), distinct lateral fields with four lines, a conical tail with a pointed mucro, and a well-developed post-uterine sac. Males feature three pairs of caudal papillae and arcuate spicules. Scanning electron microscopy provided detailed insights into surface features, complementing light microscopy observations. Molecular analyses of the D2-D3 regions of 28S rRNA and 18S rRNA supported the distinct phylogenetic placement of Aphelenchoides vinhphucensis sp. n., differentiating it from closely related species. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis confirmed its divergence, contributing to our understanding of biodiversity of the genus Aphelenchoides. This integrative approach highlights the importance of combining classical morphological methods with modern molecular tools for accurate species identification. The discovery of Aphelenchoides vinhphucensis sp. n. underscores the nematode diversity in Vietnam, especially those associated with rice cultivation.