Stimulated by retinoic acid 6 (STRA6) is widely recognized for its roles in the pathogenesis and progression of multiple cancers. However, its biological functions and molecular mechanisms in rectal cancer (RC) remain poorly understood. This study aims to elucidate the functional roles of STRA6 and investigate the mechanisms underlying its dysregulation in RC. We employed RNA-seq to identify differentially expressed genes. STRA6 expression levels and activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in RC were assessed using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and Western blotting. Functional implications of these genes were investigated through a series of assays, such as CCK-8, flow cytometry and transwell assays. Potential upstream transcription factors regulating STRA6 were predicted bioinformatically and validated using a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Finally, the in vivo relevance of these findings was evaluated in a xenograft mouse model. A marked increase in STRA6 and One cut domain family member 2 (ONECUT2) expression was observed in RC tissues, with particularly elevated levels detected in radiation -resistant RC tissues. Functionally, STRA6 overexpression enhanced RC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, while reducing apoptosis. Rescue experiments demonstrated that the oncogenic effects of ONECUT2 were partially reversed upon STRA6 knockdown. Mechanistically, ONECUT2 was identified as a transcription factor that binds directly to the STRA6 promoter and upregulates its expression, thereby activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway to facilitate RC progression and radiation resistance. ONECUT2/STRA6 axis exerts an oncogenic function in RC through activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target. STRA6 is widely recognized for its roles in the pathogenesis and progression of multiple cancers. but its role in rectal cancer (RC) remains unclear. This study clarified STRA6's function in RC and identified ONECUT2 as its upstream transcription factor regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway to facilitate RC progression and radiation resistance. The findings provide novel insights into the prognostic and functional role of STRA6 in RC and underscore its potential as a promising therapeutic target.
In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other autoimmune diseases, B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) play critical roles through three receptors, i.e., BAFF-Receptor (BAFF-R), transmembrane activator and calcium-modulator and cyclophilin ligand (CAML) interactor (TACI), and B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), promoting the survival of self-reactive B cells and supporting their differentiation into antibody-producing cells. Several biologic therapies with anti-BAFF and anti-BAFF/APRIL agents induce profound suppression of immunoglobulin production and B-cell survival with variable safety profiles. While belimumab has demonstrated significant improvement of overall disease activity in clinical trials, some cases of de novo lupus nephritis have been reported suggesting a potential lack of protection in certain cases. The sustained reduction in B cell populations expressing regulatory markers, alongside a rapid decline in IL-10 levels following belimumab initiation, suggests that BAFF may have a previously underappreciated role in supporting the development or function of regulatory B cells (Bregs). Given the complex receptor interactions of BAFF and APRIL, as well as the heterogeneous phenotype of regulatory B cells and their different mechanisms for regulating the immune response, the involvement of BAFF in regulatory immune responses remains difficult to fully elucidate. This review explores the current evidence on the anti-BAFF/APRIL therapies and examines the unresolved question of whether BAFF exerts a context-dependent role in supporting regulatory B cell function.
This work reports the effect of post-synthetic functionalization on iodine adsorption in a series of two-dimensional zinc coordination polymers (Zn-CP). Starting from a parent framework (Zn-CP, I), four derivatives were obtained through sequential modifications: solvent-free Zn-CP-df (II), ethylenediamine-functionalized Zn-CP-en (III), propane sultone-grafted Zn-CP-en-ps (IV), and 1,3-diaminopropane-cross-linked Zn-CP-dap (V). These transformations systematically tune the electronic environment of otherwise nonporous frameworks, enabling iodine uptake primarily through specific host-guest interactions rather than porosity. Among the series, Zn-CP-en (III) exhibits the highest iodine adsorption capacities, reaching 765.7 mg g-1 in solution and 1963.1 mg g-1 in the vapor phase, significantly exceeding those of the parent material (178.0 and 154.0 mg g-1, respectively). The enhanced performance correlates with the presence of electron-donating amine functionalities, which facilitate charge-transfer interactions with iodine. In contrast, sulfur- and oxygen-containing modifications and framework cross-linking provide more moderate improvements, highlighting the dominant role of amine groups in governing adsorption efficiency. These results demonstrate that in nonporous 2D coordination networks, electronic structure engineering via functional group incorporation can outweigh conventional porosity-driven design principles. This study provides insight into the design of functional group-controlled adsorbents for iodine capture relevant to environmental and nuclear waste remediation.
We often consider a visual space to be cluttered if it contains a large number of items that are crowded and untidy. However, measuring clutter is complex, and clutter has been quantified using objective measures, such as mathematical models, most of which capture different aspects of clutter, and subjective measures, such as human judgments. In this study, using a well-controlled semi-realistic image database, we examined the contributions of visual factors, such as the number of items in a scene, their spatial organization, and the complexity of the surface where items are placed, to clutter by testing the predictive performance of clutter metrics and collecting human judgments of perceived clutter with respect to these factors. Our results revealed that, although all factors contribute to clutter in visual scenes, estimates by humans and metrics account only for a subset of these factors, suggesting that visual clutter is a multifaceted construct, and subjective and objective clutter should be considered together to account for several of its dimensions as a more integrative measure.
Membranous nephropathy (MN), a leading cause of nephrotic syndrome, is associated with hypercoagulability and an increased risk of thromboembolic events; however, the relationship between coagulation-related alterations and the immune microenvironment remains incompletely understood. In this study, microarray datasets (GSE73953 and GSE140713) and single-cell RNA sequencing data (GSE233275) were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and a broad set of coagulation-related genes was retrieved from GeneCards. Differentially expressed coagulation-related genes (DECGs) between peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from MN patients and healthy controls were identified. Functional enrichment and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analyses were performed, and candidate hub genes were prioritized using multiple topological algorithms. Single-cell RNA sequencing data were analyzed exploratorily to evaluate the cellular distribution and disease-associated expression patterns of hub genes across immune cell populations. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the apparent discriminatory performance of hub genes between MN and healthy control PBMC samples in an exploratory manner. Immune cell infiltration was estimated using CIBERSORTx, and correlations between hub genes, immune cell subsets, and coagulation-related genes were evaluated. In addition, glomerular proteomics data from PXD054062 were independently analyzed to explore potential links between systemic PBMC alterations and the local renal microenvironment. A total of 413 DECGs were identified, and five hub genes (CCL5, CYBB, C3AR1, JUN, and TIMP1) were prioritized. Among them, C3AR1 was closely associated with monocyte-related signatures and was positively correlated with the coagulation-related gene F2R. Glomerular proteomics analysis indicated enrichment of complement- and coagulation cascade-related proteins in MN samples, suggesting that local complement-related alterations may coexist with procoagulant or thrombo-inflammatory features in the kidney. Taken together, this study proposes a hypothesis-driven model in which C3a/C3AR1-related monocyte activation and F2R/PAR-1 expression may be interrelated with procoagulant and inflammatory features in MN. This model remains exploratory and requires direct validation in patient samples and mechanistic experiments. These findings may help generate testable hypotheses for future studies on MN-associated hypercoagulability.
Studies investigating the relationship between trace element status and disease variability in humans are steadily increasing. Experimental and clinical data suggest that normal brain function critically depends on the homeostasis of several trace elements, and that disturbances in this balance may contribute to epileptogenesis. Trace elements in epilepsy have therefore emerged as a growing field of research, with numerous studies exploring the mechanisms by which different metal ions influence epileptic seizures in both animal models and patients. This review summarizes current evidence on the trace elements most frequently associated with epilepsy, including selenium, iron, copper, zinc and manganese, and highlights inherited metabolic disorders Menkes diseases and Congenital Hypomagnesemia, as well as selected mitochondrial syndromes, in which profound trace element imbalances converge with epileptic phenotypes. In addition, we discuss how antiepileptic drugs and the ketogenic diet can modify trace element levels in serum and other biological matrices. We performed a bibliographical synthesis to examine the correlation between epilepsy and abnormal concentrations of trace elements; namely zinc, copper, iron, selenium, manganese, magnesium and phosphorus, in blood and brain. Overall, available evidence suggests that trace element dysregulation may influence epileptogenesis, seizure susceptibility, and response to antiepileptic therapies.
暂无摘要（点击查看详情）
In perihilar cholangiocarcinoma major liver resections are often required to attain oncological radicality, but these approaches are associated with a high perioperative morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of minor resections compared to standard major liver resections. A single-institutional database was queried for all patients undergoing resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma between 2008 and 2024. Minor resections were defined as resections of the hilar bifurcation including up to three liver segments, whereas major resections exceeded 3 segments. The primary study endpoint was safety and feasibility of resection represented by 30-day mortality. Secondary endpoints included survival outcomes. The primary outcome was evaluated using logistic regression. Survival outcomes were analysed using Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression. Additionally, a propensity score matching was conducted, grouping variables by age and Bismuth-Classification. Two hundred sixteen patients underwent resection, 182 in the major resection and 34 in the minor resection group. Patients in the minor resection group were older (71.4 vs. 66.0 years, p = 0.007) and had more comorbidities (Charlson Comorbidity Index: 5.3 vs. 4.7, p = 0.03). After propensity score matching demographic data were balanced between groups. Minor resection was consistently associated with a trend toward lower 30-day mortality rate (2.9% vs. 13.7%, p = 0.057). Intraoperative blood loss requiring blood transfusion and length of surgery were independently associated with 30-day mortality, both of which were significantly lower in the minor resection group. Median overall survival was 30.1 months in the minor resection and 23.9 months in the major resection group (p = 0.84). Minor resection in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma was associated with a trend towards reduced and acceptable perioperative mortality at the expense of a lower surgical radicality and long-term survival compared to major resections.
The aim of this study was to examine the associations between chrononutrition variables (time of first meal, time of last meal, and eating window) and thyroid function. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 608 healthy adults aged ≥ 18 years. Chrononutrition variables were collected through a face-to-face interview. Fasting blood samples were collected to measure serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxine (FT4) levels. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to evaluate associations between chrononutrition variables and thyroid hormones. Among 608 healthy adults, later timing of the first meal was associated with higher TSH levels. In the fully adjusted model, participants who had their first meal after 08:30 had higher TSH levels than those who had their first meal at or before 07:30 (β = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.07 to 1.06; P trend = 0.02). In contrast, the time of last meal after 19:00 was not significantly associated with TSH levels (β = -0.07, 95% CI: -0.66 to 0.53; P trend = 0.63). An eating window longer than 11 h was also not significantly associated with TSH levels (β = -0.45, 95% CI: -0.97 to 0.08; P trend = 0.09). No significant associations were observed between the chrononutrition variables and FT3 or FT4 levels. Our study suggested that the time of first meal, rather than the time of last meal or eating window, may be particularly relevant for TSH regulation.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the early outcomes of metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) in younger and older patients with obesity and to investigate the impact of muscle mass on the outcomes. The study included 155 younger and older patients who underwent MBS. Postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, and preoperative muscle mass were evaluated. Older age was significantly associated with lower fat-free mass index (FFMI). Major complications were recorded only in older patients. The indirect effect of older age on early complications via FFMI was not significant, indicating that FFMI did not mediate the relationship between older age and in-hospital early complications in 72 h. In older patients who underwent MBS, low FFMI values were not associated with in-hospital early complications in 72 h and did not mediate the relationship between older age and early complications. These findings suggest that decreased muscle mass alone may be insufficient to explain acute postoperative risk in MBS population. Prospective studies incorporating comprehensive geriatric evaluation, imaging-based body composition methods, and standardized 30-day outcome definitions are needed to more definitively characterize perioperative risk in older adults undergoing MBS.
暂无摘要（点击查看详情）
Mg²⁺ deficiency has been linked to oxidative stress, inflammation, and hypertension. We have previously shown that Losartan increases plasma Mg²⁺ levels in Dahl salt-sensitive (Dahl) rats, suggesting that defective Mg²⁺ metabolism in this strain contributes to hypertension. Here, we investigated the effects of dietary Mg²⁺ supplementation (0.3% MgO) and/or Losartan (10 mg/kg/day, in drinking water) in male Dahl rats fed a high-NaCl (8%) or standard Na⁺ diet for six weeks. Six-week-old rats were randomly assigned to eight experimental groups. NO metabolites (nitrites and nitrates) were measured in plasma and kidney homogenates. Oxidative stress was assessed by lipid peroxidation in plasma and red blood cell ghosts (RBCG), and by erythrocyte osmotic fragility (OS₅₀). Both Losartan and Mg²⁺ supplementation protected against hypertension and high-salt-induced systemic and local oxidative stress, with differential regulation of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase and Na⁺-ATPase activity. A consistent "high Na⁺ effect" was observed across NaCl-fed groups, characterized by Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) activation, increased Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production, lipid peroxidation, osmotic fragility, and elevated Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity. Losartan normalized blood pressure (BP) by attenuating renal RAAS activity and reducing oxidative stress, whereas Mg²⁺ supplementation increased (Nitrites + Nitrates) NOX levels, improved red blood cell (RBC) membrane stability, and stimulated Na⁺-ATPase activity. These findings highlight distinct but complementary mechanisms through which AT1R blockade and Mg²⁺ supplementation attenuate salt-induced oxidative stress and reduce BP. Future studies incorporating immunohistochemistry and qPCR are warranted to further characterize ROS-mediated renal tissue damage across treatment groups.
Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) disrupts nerve function, there has been increasing focus on the role of macrophages in PNI. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of research trends and key topics related to macrophages in the field of PNI. We conducted a search in the Web of Science Core Collection database for studies published between 2000 and 2023 using "macrophages" and "PNI" as keywords. Bibliometric analysis was performed using visualization tools, including VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and GraphPad Prism 8, and others. As of December 31, 2023, a total of 905 relevant publications were identified. In terms of author contributions, Japanese researchers Kiguchi Norikazu and Kishioka Shiroh shared the highest number of publications, each with 15 articles. In terms of journals, Experimental Neurology published the most articles, while the University of Würzburg in Germany emerged as the leading institution in this field, with the highest publication output. Among the 51 countries involved in this research, the United States ranked first, followed by China. The keyword 'exosomes' first appeared in 2021, making it the most recent keyword. Cluster analysis categorized the keywords into four main groups: the role of macrophages in Wallerian degeneration, the role of macrophages in pathological peripheral neuropathic pain, macrophage-derived products after PNI, and role of macrophages in PNI repair and strategies for modulating their function using biomaterials. Macrophages are increasingly crucial in PNI research, and future studies integrating novel approaches may yield innovative therapies for nerve repair.
Angiogenesis is essential for tumor progression, MEN1 gene encodes the menin protein, which is known as a tumor suppressor in lung tissue. Our previous study have shown that vascular density is significantly increased in menin-deficient lung cancer, suggesting that menin deficiency may promote the malignant progression of lung cancer by enhancing angiogenesis. However, whether menin play an important role in angiogenesis of lung cancer and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, lung-specific KrasG12D mutation induced mouse lung cancer model, clinical human lung cancer tissues, lung cancer and vascular endothelial cell lines were utilized, RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, ChIP, tube formation, sprouting, invasion and migration experiments were applied to investigate the role and mechanism of MEN1 in lung cancer angiogenesis. The result show menin were negatively related to angiogenesis markers and phenotype. Menin deficiency indirectly upregulates MMP10 transcription through activation of the transcription factor JunD. The expression of MMP10 further activates the EGFR receptor in vascular endothelial cells, thereby initiating the AKT/ERK signaling pathway. Inhibition MMP10 reversed menin low expression induce angiogenic phenotype and tumor progress. In conclusion, menin deficiency promotes angiogenesis through upregulates MMP10, targeting MMP10 with inhibitor represent an effective anti-angiogenic strategy for treating MEN1-deficient lung cancer.
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most prevalent nutritional anemia worldwide and is frequently associated with reactive thrombocytosis. The physiological response to anemia includes increased production of erythropoietin (EPO); however, its role in the development of thrombocytosis in IDA remains unclear and controversial. To evaluate serum erythropoietin levels in patients with iron deficiency anemia associated with thrombocytosis and to assess the relationship between hemoglobin concentration, platelet count, and serum erythropoietin levels. This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care center over a period of 20 months. A total of 48 newly diagnosed cases of iron deficiency anemia with thrombocytosis were included. Complete blood count, peripheral smear examination, iron profile, serum ferritin, and serum erythropoietin levels were assessed. Anemia and thrombocytosis were graded using standard WHO and Dame-Sutor criteria, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 24, employing Pearson's correlation coefficient and Chi-square test. The study population showed female predominance (77.09%). Severe anemia was observed in 52.09% of cases, and mild thrombocytosis was the most common finding (91.6%). Elevated serum erythropoietin levels were noted in 83.3% of patients. However, no statistically significant correlation was found between hemoglobin concentration and serum erythropoietin levels (r = 0.01; p = 0.35) or between platelet count and serum erythropoietin levels (r = -0.06; p = 0.37). Although serum erythropoietin levels were elevated in the majority of patients with iron deficiency anemia and thrombocytosis, no significant association was observed between erythropoietin levels and platelet count. This suggests that erythropoietin alone does not play a decisive role in the development of thrombocytosis in iron deficiency anemia.
Globally, young people face escalating rates of mental health concerns, while traditional services often remain inaccessible. An emerging body of research suggests that participating in the arts, from everyday engagement to creative arts therapies, may benefit youth mental health, yet gaps persist in equitable access and youth perspectives. This research aimed to better understand young people's definitions of mental health and their perspectives on the role of the arts in supporting their mental health. This mixed-methods international study included an online survey, ups, qualitiative focus groups, dyadic interviews with youth aged 16-25 (N = 8) and poetic inquiry. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively (n = 56), while qualitative data from open survey responses and group discussions underwent Reflexive Thematic Analysis (N = 36). Recruitment prioritized diversity in age, geography, and lived experience, with ethical approval from New York University (NYU). Survey respondents revealed broad engagement across art forms, especially visual arts, literary arts, and music, as well as creative arts therapies. Arts participation was frequent, with 40% of respondents engaging daily. Among respondents who reported perceived mental health benefits (n = 44), 82% reported improved mood and 80% reported stress-management benefits. A combined 86% of respondents (n = 32/37) viewed youth voice as either very important or extremely important. Eight focus group participants further enriched the qualitative data. They associated mental health with being flexible and adaptable. Thematic analysis revealed core themes across the focus group and survey: the role of the arts in mental health promotion; art for social connection; personal development through the arts; young people believe art is essential; art leads to transformative experiences; and they identified barriers, enablers, and policy recommendations. Youth identified limited access and competitive environments as barriers, while low-barrier modalities, such as music-listening, fostered inclusion. Young people across diverse contexts view participating in the arts as essential to mental health and wellbeing, emphasizing that the arts should be embedded in public health and clinical care. They advocate for youth-led, culturally responsive, and multimodal arts initiatives embedded across schools, communities, and healthcare systems. Findings align with WHO youth mental health and country-specific recommendations, calling for greater investment in accessible, youth-driven programming, arts integration, and robust evaluation to capture health and social outcomes. This study reinforces the value of participating in the arts and creative arts therapies as a vital component of youth mental health promotion, prevention, and treatment, offering safe, expressive, and culturally resonant pathways for coping, healing, and thriving. How Young People Feel About the Arts for Their Mental HealthYouth mental health is a growing global concern. Traditional treatments are not always accessible or effective for everyone. The arts offer a promising additional way to support young people’s mental health, but there is limited knowledge about how youth experience and benefit from arts engagement in different contexts. This study asked, How do young people experience and engage with the arts? How do they define mental health? How does participation in the arts affect their mental health and wellbeing? What helps or hinders their access to arts-based mental health supports? The study combined online surveys and focus group discussions with youth aged 16 to 25 from multiple countries. Participants shared their experiences, perceptions, and recommendations about arts and mental health. Survey and focus group data were anonymized and analyzed to answer these questions. A group poem was co-created by participants during focus groups to capture what it means to engage in the arts. This study showed that youth valued participating in the arts and arts therapies as a way to support their mental health and wellbeing.
Mex3a has been implicated in tumor progression in several malignancies; however, its clinical significance and biological role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain incompletely understood. Mex3a expression patterns and prognostic relevance were first explored using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. A single-institution cohort of 59 patients with HCC was then analyzed to evaluate the association between Mex3a expression and clinicopathological characteristics, overall survival (OS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Survival outcomes were assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression. Functional assays in vitro and in vivo were performed to investigate the role of Mex3a in HCC progression. Mex3a was significantly upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues compared with non-tumor tissues in the TCGA cohort and was associated with poorer overall survival at the univariate level. In the clinical cohort, high Mex3a expression correlated with aggressive clinicopathological features. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that Mex3a expression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival after adjustment for established clinicopathological variables. In contrast, Mex3a expression was not independently associated with recurrence-free survival. Functional experiments revealed that Mex3a promoted malignant phenotypes of HCC cells in vitro and enhanced tumor progression in vivo. Mex3a is associated with aggressive tumor behavior and serves as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival, but not recurrence-free survival, in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. These findings suggest that Mex3a may contribute to disease progression and patient outcomes in HCC.
Coinoculation with growth-promoting microorganisms has proven to be an efficient strategy for enhancing the agronomic performance of onion (Allium cepa L.). This study evaluated the effect of inoculating Pantoea phytobeneficialis PF55 and Trichoderma harzianum ESALQ 1306, applied individually and in combination, on agronomic, biochemical, and microbiological variables of the Valessul cultivar. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with four treatments (non-inoculated, PF55, ESALQ 1306, and PF55 + ESALQ 1306) and 12 replications in Florianópolis, SC, Brazil. Inoculation was performed 14 days after seedling transplant. Inoculation with PF55 resulted in a measurable increase in productivity. The results indicate that PF55 application increased productivity, biomass, and nutrient accumulation, while coinoculation with T. harzianum ESALQ 1306 promoted specific effects, such as higher carotenoid contents and soil microbial activity. Isolated inoculation with T. harzianum ESALQ 1306 increased chlorophyll b and total contents, as well as soluble solids levels. These results confirm that the bacterium acts as the primary growth-promoting agent, while the fungus plays a modulating role, influencing physiological and edaphic processes in a more restricted manner.
Selenite (SeO32-) is a highly toxic and mobile oxyanion that poses serious risks to environmental and biological systems. Microbial transformation of selenium plays a key role in determining its fate under contaminated conditions; however, the cellular regulatory processes governing microbial tolerance and selenium handling are not fully understood. Here, we employed an integrated approach to the transcriptome and biochemical method to study the cellular responses of Bacillus licheniformis BLN313 under graded selenite exposure. Growth dynamics and antioxidant enzyme activities showed a concentration-dependent stress response, consisting of high catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione-associated activities, indicating activation of redox homeostasis mechanisms. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed widespread transcriptional reprogramming through oxidative stress responses, protein synthesis and translocation, membrane processes and central metabolism, suggesting coordinated cellular adaptation to selenium stress. Notably, selenite exposure caused repression of translational machinery coupled with up-regulation of stress-responsive and redox-related pathways, indicating an energy conservative strategy under toxic conditions. Integrative analysis supports the view that microbial selenium tolerance is controlled by regulated physiological responses and not solely by passive detoxification. Exploratory protein enrichment analysis implicated Sec translocon components as candidate stress-responsive proteins, converging with transcriptomic evidence. These findings provide systems-level mechanistic insight into microbial selenite tolerance with implications for bioremediation of selenium-contaminated environments.
The role of local hemodynamics on atherosclerosis at the carotid bifurcation has been the subject of study by computational fluid-dynamics (CFD) simulations for over three decades. Nevertheless, questions still swirl about the inherent rigid-wall assumption, especially with the introduction of increasingly predictive-but also increasingly intricate-hemodynamic parameters. Two-way-coupled fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulations were performed on a cohort of 10 carotid bifurcations with ostensibly normal lumen geometries, along with CFD simulations assuming rigid arterial walls. In FSI simulations, carotid wall mechanical properties were assumed to be anisotropic via a fiber-reinforced hyperelastic material model, also accounting for prestress and external tissue support. Three-element Windkessel models were used to impose pressure conditions consistent with patient-specific measured inflow rates and outflow divisions. Maximum cross-sectional area changes over the cardiac cycle were generally less than 21%. Qualitatively, only small-to-moderate differences were observed between FSI and CFD simulations in terms of wall shear stress (WSS) and intravascular flow patterns. Quantitatively, median differences in the surface areas exposed to low time-averaged WSS (TAWSS), high oscillatory shear index (OSI) and topological shear variation index (TSVI) were 4.1%, 1.4%, and 2.3%, respectively, and co-localized satisfactorily (median similarity index: 0.83, 0.79, and 0.68, respectively). CFD simulations assuming arterial rigid walls are generally sufficient to adequately capture hemodynamic features of biological/clinical relevance, even for sensitive quantities like TSVI. However, the benefits of FSI for computation of structural quantities and the ability to explore the synergistic relationship between these quantities and hemodynamic stresses on the endothelium should not be overlooked.