Design and optimization of a high-definition transcranial electrical stimulation device with envelope wave.

Objectives: Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) has been widely used in neuroscience research, and the spatial focusing and penetration of the process are currently the main constraints on the effectiveness of treatment.

Methods: A high-definition electrical stimulation (HD-tES) device with envelope waves was designed. The device utilized a 4 × 1 electrode structure and was designed with an impedance adjustment circuit to evenly distribute the current among the four return channels.

BC99: A Novel Adjunct to Protein Supplementation for Enhancing Exercise Endurance and Reducing Fatigue.

Adequate protein consumption is essential for optimal physical fitness and enhancing athletic performance. This study explored the impact of BC99 on protein-supplemented male fatigued mice, examining aspects such as protein digestion, exercise endurance, fatigue-related biochemistry, oxidative stress, and gut microbiota alterations. Results indicate that the synergistic effect of probiotics and protein significantly boosts the activity of protein-digesting enzymes, enhances protein absorption, and reduces serum levels of urea nitrogen, lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, malondialdehyde, and the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 in skeletal muscle.

Elevated prolactin levels before endometrial transformation negatively impact reproductive outcomes in frozen embryo transfer cycles under hormone replacement therapy.

Introduction: Prolactin (PRL) plays a key role in the regulation of reproductive functions. However, its impact on outcomes in infertility women undergoing assisted reproductive technology remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the relationship between PRL levels and reproductive outcomes in frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles under hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Development of an MRI based artificial intelligence model for the identification of underlying atrial fibrillation after ischemic stroke: a multicenter proof-of-concept analysis.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) represents a major risk factor of ischemic stroke recurrence with serious management implications. However, it often remains undiagnosed due to lack of standard or prolonged cardiac rhythm monitoring. We aim to create a novel end-to-end artificial intelligence (AI) model that uses MRI data to rapidly identify high AF risk in patients who suffer from an acute ischemic stroke.

Tumor-Adhesive Chitosan-Derived Multi-Immune Agonist Unleashes Strong and Durable Anti-Cancer Immunity.

The immunomodulation of the tumor microenvironment is critical for effective cancer immunotherapy, particularly for tumors that exhibit limited responses to conventional treatments. However, current immune agonists developed for tumor immunomodulation face several challenges, such as poor intratumoral retention, inadequate biocompatibility, and restricted cellular targets, which ultimately hamper their therapeutic efficacy and clinical application. In this study, a tumor-adhesive chitosan-tethered immune agonist construct (TACTIC) is introduced, which demonstrates good biocompatibility and robust immunostimulatory effects, enhancing the immunogenicity of tumor cells while simultaneously stimulating pro-inflammatory responses in various immune cell populations.

Identification of Covalent Cyclic Peptide Inhibitors Targeting Protein-Protein Interactions Using Phage Display.

Peptide macrocycles are promising therapeutics for a variety of disease indications due to their overall metabolic stability and potential to make highly selective binding interactions with targets. Recent advances in covalent macrocycle peptide discovery, driven by phage and mRNA display methods, have enabled the rapid identification of highly potent and selective molecules from large libraires of diverse macrocycles. However, there are currently limited examples of macrocycles that can be used to disrupt protein-protein interactions and even fewer examples that function by formation of a covalent bond to a target protein.

Identification of Pathogens in HIV-Infected Patients Using Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing (mNGS) as Compared to Conventional Microbiological Tests (CMTs).

Background: The rapid and accurate identification of infectious pathogens in HIV-infected patients remains a challenge. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is a panpathogen assay for rapid diagnosis of infectious diseases. Here, the diagnostic value of mNGS was evaluated in HIV-infected patients and compared with conventional microbiological tests (CMTs).

CuO@TiC Integrated Photothermal Nanofibers with Antibacterial, Anti-Inflammatory, and Hemostatic Properties for Promoting Infected Diabetic Wound Healing.

Infected diabetic wounds represent a significant challenge in clinical care due to persistent inflammation and impaired healing. To address these issues, the development of novel wound dressings with both antibacterial and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging properties is essential. Herein, we prepare a novel wound dressing composed of CuO nanoparticles decorated on TiC MXene (CuO@TiC) and integrate it into a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix to form electrospun nanofibers (CuO@TiC@PVA).

3D-QSAR, design, molecular docking and dynamics simulation studies of novel 6-hydroxybenzothiazole-2-carboxamides as potentially potent and selective monoamine oxidase B inhibitors.

Background: 6-hydroxybenzothiazole-2-carboxamide is a novel, potent and specific inhibitor of monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), which can be used to study the molecular structure and develop new neuroprotective strategies.

Objective: The aim of this study was to create an effective predictive model from 6-hydroxybenzothiazole-2-carboxamide derivatives to provide a reliable predictive basis for the development of neuroprotective MAO-B inhibitors for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Methods: First, the compounds were constructed and optimized using ChemDraw and Sybyl-X software.

Serum C-Reactive Protein to Hemoglobin Ratio: Novel Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Chronic Periprosthetic Joint Infection.

Background: Despite several markers being evaluated and available in recent years, diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) remains challenging. There is a pressing need to explore reliable, economical, convenient, highly sensitive, and specific diagnostic biomarkers to diagnose PJI. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of combined serum markers with CRP and ESR in PJI.

A Multicenter Study of Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis in China.

Objective: Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv) is an autosomal dominant genetic disease characterized by the misfolding and deposition of the transthyretin (TTR) protein. This study aimed to describe the clinical and genetic characteristics of ATTRv in a large multicenter Chinese cohort.

Methods: Patients from 14 centers were included in the study.

Capsule mutations serve as a key strategy of phage resistance evolution of K54 hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Phage therapy is a promising antibacterial strategy against the antibiotic resistance crisis. The evolved phage resistance could pose a big challenge to clinical phage therapy. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive analysis of phage resistance mechanisms during treatment.

Continuous Provisioning Increases Breeding Success of Black-and-White Snub-Nosed Monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti) in the Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve, Yunnan, China.

The high energy demands of primates during pregnancy and lactation often limit their breeding success due to the availability of food resources. Until now, few studies have focused on the effects of continuous provisioning on primate reproduction. To assess the impact of continuous provisioning on breeding success, we collected data on female reproductive status (primiparous or multiparous), maternal age of births, births, deaths, and sex of infants in a free-ranging semi-provisioned band (FSB) of Rhinopithecus bieti in China from 2010 to 2023.

Exploring Acute Kidney Injury Incidence in Hip Periprosthetic Joint Infection Treatment With Combined Intravenous and Intra-articular Antibiotic Infusion.

Background: Periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) are a significant complication following total hip arthroplasty, impacting patient health and healthcare costs. This study examines the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing hip PJI treatment with a combination of intravenous and intra-articular antibiotic infusion therapies.

Methods: A retrospective review of 151 patient records from May 1, 2010 to December 30, 2022 was conducted at a single academic hospital.

Regenerative fibroblasts derived from autologous skin tissue for the treatment of Sjögren's syndrome: a case report.

Background: Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune disease, with major symptoms including dry mouth and dry eyes, for which there is no effective treatment. Recent studies have demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are effective in the treatment of SS, but the efficacy of allogeneic MSCs is affected by variability among different cell donors, and they are easily cleared by the immune system of the recipient. Autologous MSCs are one of the ideal options for the treatment of SS; however, their function decreases with age.

Acid sphingomyelinase modulates anxiety-like behavior likely through toll-like receptor signaling pathway.

Recent studies have shown that abnormal activity of acid sphingomyelinase (Asm) has been associated with a range of psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia and depression. However, the role of Asm in the regulation of anxiety remains unclear. In the present study, we employed Asm-knockout (Asm KO) mice to investigate the association between Asm and anxiety using behavioral tests, RNA sequencing, q-PCR, immunohistochemical staining, and other methods.

Bcl-Xl Protects ASS1-Deficient Cancers From Arginine Starvation Induced Apoptosis.

Purpose: Argininosuccinate Synthetase 1 (ASS1) silencing in carcinomas and sarcomas leads to a dependence on extracellular arginine for survival. Arginine deprivation therapies, like PEGylated arginine deiminase (ADI-PEG20), have shown limited effectiveness, which may be due to underlying mechanisms that inhibit apoptosis.

Experimental Design: The effects of ADI-PEG20 on cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and Bcl-xL-mediated survival pathways in ASS1-deficient cancer cells were determined.

Roles of central nervous system resident and recruited macrophages in the brain barrier system.

Macrophages in the brain barrier system include microglia in the brain parenchyma, border-associated macrophages at the brain's borders, and recruited macrophages. They are responsible for neural development, maintenance of homeostasis, and orchestrating immune responses. With the rapid exploitation and development of new technologies, there is a deeper understanding of macrophages in the brain barrier system.

LPCAT1, the Enzyme Responsible for Converting LPC to PC, Promotes OPC Differentiation In Vitro.

Myelin is the key structure for high-speed information transmission and is formed by oligodendrocytes (OLs) which are differentiated from oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) in the central nervous system. Lipid is the main component of myelin and the role of lipid metabolism-related molecules in myelination attach increasing attention. Lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 (LPCAT1) mediates the conversion of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) to phosphatidylcholine (PC), and its role in myelination draws our interest as LPC is a classical demyelination inducer and PC is a major component of myelin.

Corrigendum to "Panax notoginseng saponins promotes angiogenesis after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury"[J Ginseng Res 48(6), November 2024, 592-602].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.

Tumor-targeted near-infrared/ultraviolet-triggered photothermal/gas therapy nanoplatform for effective cancer synergistic therapy.

The integration of photothermal therapy (PTT) and gas therapy (GT) on a nanoplatform shows great potential in cancer treatment. In this paper, a tumor-targeted near-infrared/ultraviolet (NIR/UV) triggered PTT/GT synergistic therapeutic nanoplatform, PB-CD-PLL(NF)-FA, was designed based on Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles, 5-chloro-2-nitrobenzotrifluoro (NF)-grafted polylysine (PLL(NF)), and folic acid (FA). PB serves as a core to load PLL(NF) through host-guest interaction and can further modify FA.

Establishment of a Virus-Induced Gene Silencing System in L.

L. (Jinhuakui, JHK) is widely cultivated for its pharmacological properties owing to its high flavonoid content and is commonly used as a garden landscape plant. However, the absence of an efficient genetic transformation system poses significant challenges for functional gene studies in this species.

Functional Analysis of Genes Encoding Juvenile Hormone Receptor and Transcription Factor in the Reproductive Capacity of Males.

This study focuses on the regulatory effects of genes encoding the juvenile hormone (JH) receptor methoprene-tolerant () and transcription factor krüppel homolog 1 () on the reproductive capacity of male adults. and expression levels were analyzed in males fed on artificial diets with and without JH by quantitative real-time PCR, and the effects of and on male reproduction were analyzed by RNA interference technology. transcription levels in 5- and 10-day-old males fed with a JH-supplemented diet were lower than those without JH.

The effect of propolis supplementation on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials.

Introduction: The current meta-analysis aimed to determine the efficacy of propolis supplementation on hypertension.

Evidence Acquisition: The systematic review and meta-analysis. were undertaken on five online databases to find clinical trials assessing the effects of propolis on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) markers up to October 2023.

How Often Does Bacteremia Occur in Patients With Chronic Periprosthetic Joint Infection? A Prospective, Observational Study.

Background: Bacteremia is sometimes observed in patients with prosthetic joint infection (PJI), and it is associated with a lower likelihood of infection control. However, the prevalence and association of bacteremia in chronic PJI remain unknown.

Questions/purposes: (1) What percentage of patients are diagnosed with bacteremia at the time of hospital admission and before surgery for chronic PJI? (2) What clinical factors are associated with positive blood cultures? (3) To what degree are positive blood cultures associated with infection-free implant survival in patients with chronic PJI?

Methods: This prospective study was conducted at a single academic institution from June 2021 to August 2022.