MDMA as well as amphetamine and alcohol increase feelings of social closeness in healthy adults.

Psychoactive drugs such as alcohol and stimulants are typically used in social settings such as bars, parties or small groups. Yet, relatively little is known about how social contexts affect responses to drugs, or how the drugs alter social interactions. It is possible that positive social contexts enhance the rewarding properties of drugs, perhaps increasing their potential for repeated use and abuse.

Metabolic immunoengineering approaches to enhance CD8 T cell-based cancer immunotherapy.

Many cancer immunotherapies rely on robust CD8 T cells capable of eliminating cancer cells and establishing long-term tumor control. Recent insights into immunometabolism highlight the importance of nutrients and metabolites in T cell activation and differentiation. Within the tumor microenvironment (TME), CD8 tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) undergo metabolic adaptations to survive but compromise their effector function and differentiation.

Early rectal neoplasm in dual-layer spectral detector computed tomography: dual-layer spectral computed tomography (CT) images improve tumor detection and staging.

Background: Early rectal neoplasms can be treated endoscopically with good prognosis, yet usually present with unspecific or an absence of signs and symptoms and are detected largely by invasive endoscopy with less compliance to screening. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to explore the diagnostic value of dual-layer spectral detector computed tomography (DSCT) imaging for early rectal neoplasm.

Methods: Patients who underwent DSCT for evaluation of rectal lesion or routine examination between September 2022 to September 2023 at West China Hospital were prospectively included and identified as group A (control, n=76), group B (rectal advanced adenomas and ≤T1 rectal cancer, n=59), and group C (≥T2 staging rectal cancer, n=74).

CircRNA-mediated heterogeneous ceRNA regulation mechanism in periodontitis and peri-implantitis.

Background: Performing a comprehensive study on the differential expression of mRNAs, miRNAs, and circRNAs in the context of peri-implantitis and periodontitis has beneficial advantages to identify unique molecular signatures and pathways that may contribute to our understanding of these conditions.

Methods: Gingival tissues from healthy individuals and peri-implantitis and periodontitis patients were obtained to identify differential expression genes (DEG) by Illumina HiSeq 2500 instrument. Differential expression analysis was conducted using R statistical software, with significance set at P < 0.

Altered Immune Cell Profiles in the Follicular Fluid of Patients with Poor Ovarian Response According to the POSEIDON Criteria.

Objective: This study aims to investigate alterations in immune cell counts within preovulatory follicles of patients with poor ovarian response (POR) during assisted reproductive technology (ART), classified according to the POSEIDON criteria.

Methods: This single-centre cross-sectional study included 543 women undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment, selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria: 292 with normal ovarian response and 251 with poor response. Follicular fluid (FF) was collected on the day of oocyte retrieval and analysed by flow cytometry to determine the proportions of macrophages (Mφs), M1 and M2 Mφs, T cells (CD4 and CD8 T cells), dendritic cells (DCs), including type 1 conventional dendritic cells (cDC1) and type 2 conventional dendritic cells (cDC2), and neutrophils.

Declining Influenza Vaccination Uptake, Attitudes, and Knowledge Among Healthcare Workers in Chengdu, China, in the Post-COVID-19 Era.

Purpose: Despite the benefits of influenza vaccination, particularly for healthcare workers (HCWs) at higher risk, vaccination coverage among HCWs in China remains low. This study aims to provide updated insights into the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and barriers related to influenza vaccination among HCWs in China post-COVID-19 era, to inform strategies for improving vaccination rates and healthcare safety.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between December 2023 and January 2024 at two tertiary hospitals in Chengdu, China.

Intranasal oxytocin alleviates postsurgical pain and comorbid anxiety in mice: Participation of BK(Ca) channels in the hippocampus.

The affective dimension in postsurgical pain is still poorly understood. Since neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) has been implicated in a broad spectrum of pain and negative emotion, we investigated the potential therapeutic effect of intranasal OXT on postsurgical pain and associated anxiety in a mice model of plantar incision. The role of large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK(Ca)) channels was explored by using behavioral pharmacology experiments.

Characterization of two new alginate lyases from Pseudomonas mendocina E03.

Alginate lyases, which degrade alginate into oligosaccharides, have broad applications in biorefinery, biomedical, and industrial fields. The Polysaccharide Lyase Family 7 (PL7) is particularly notable for its alginate lyase activity. In this study, two novel alginate lyases, PmAlg7A and PmAlg7B, from Pseudomonas mendocina E03 were cloned, heterologously expressed, and characterized.

Screening of Lactic Acid Bacteria Strains from Chinese Fermented Food (Suanshui) and its Protective Effect on Acute Liver Injury in Mice.

Suanshui is a traditional fermented vegetable food in the southwest of China that is a rich source of probiotics. This study aimed to screen probiotics from Suanshui that have a protective effect against liver injury using in vivo and in vitro experiments. Eleven strains were isolated according to acid-producing capacity and probiotic properties, including antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria, tolerance to artificial gastrointestinal fluid and bile salts, heat resistance, antioxidant capacity, hydrophobicity, autoaggregation capacity, and adhesion capacity.

Meta-analysis of the clinical efficacy and safety of T-DM1 in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer.

This meta-analysis aims to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy and safety of T-DM1 in treating HER2-positive breast cancer, providing insights for clinical practice. We conducted a literature search in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases up to September 2023, collecting randomized controlled trials and cohort studies on T-DM1 for HER2-positive breast cancer. Out of 316 initially retrieved articles, 12 studies meeting the quality and inclusion criteria were included after a rigorous screening process.

cGAS/STING pathway and gastrointestinal cancer: Mechanisms and diagnostic and therapeutic targets (Review).

The health of individuals is seriously threatened by intestinal cancer, which includes pancreatic, colorectal, esophageal, gastric and gallbladder cancer. Most gastrointestinal cancers do not have typical and specific early symptoms, and lack specific and effective diagnostic markers and treatment methods. It is critical to understand the etiology of gastrointestinal cancer and develop more efficient methods of diagnosis and treatment.

Fast and efficient hard X-ray projection imaging below 10 nm resolution.

High-resolution X-ray imaging of noncrystalline objects is often achieved through the approach of scanning coherent diffractive imaging known as ptychography. The imaging resolution is usually limited by the scattering properties of the sample, where weak diffraction signals at the highest scattering angles compete with parasitic scattering. Here, we demonstrate that X-ray multilayer Laue lenses with a high numerical aperture (NA) can be used to create a strong reference beam that holographically boosts weak scattering from the sample over a large range of scattering angles, enabling high-resolution imaging that is tolerant of such background.

Hemoglobin concentrations in early pregnancy and their associations with adverse pregnancy outcomes in Western China: a population-based study.

Background: Despite the global standardization of hemoglobin (Hb) testing in early pregnancy, the impact of first trimester Hb concentrations on pregnancy outcomes remains inadequately understood. Also, the early pregnancy Hb concentrations have not been well documented in Western China. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the Hb concentrations during early pregnancy and their associations with adverse pregnancy outcomes in Western China.

Development and validation of a cross-modality tensor fusion model using multi-modality MRI radiomics features and clinical radiological characteristics for the prediction of microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objectives: To develop and validate a cross-modality tensor fusion (CMTF) model using multi-modality MRI radiomics features and clinical radiological characteristics for the prediction of microvascular invasion (MVI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials And Methods: This study included 174 HCC patients (47 MVI-positive and 127 MVI-negative) confirmed by postoperative pathology. The synthetic minority over-sampling technique was used to augment MVI-positive samples.

Multi-Scale Attention Network for Vertical Seed Distribution in Soybean Breeding Fields.

The increase in the global population is leading to a doubling of the demand for protein. Soybean (), a key contributor to global plant-based protein supplies, requires ongoing yield enhancements to keep pace with increasing demand. Precise, on-plant seed counting and localization may catalyze breeding selection of shoot architectures and seed localization patterns related to superior performance in high planting density and contribute to increased yield.

Gastrokine 1 transferred by gastric cancer exosomes inhibits growth and invasion of gastric cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

In gastric cancer, gastrokine 1 (GKN1) is a potential theragnostic marker while the related mechanisms remain elusive. Exosomes mediate intercellular communications via transferring various molecules, yet there are limited research studies on the specific cargos of gastric cancer exosomes and the associated mechanisms in this disease. In the present study, AGS and N87-C cells were transfected with an overexpressed GKN1 plasmid, followed by extraction of exosomes.

Abnormal expression of LiASY1 and LiDMC1 is the main cause of sterility in F hybrids developed from Lagerstroemia speciosa and Lagerstroemia indica 'Ebony Embers'.

Lagerstroemia × 'Xiaoxiang Huaxiu' (an F hybrid of Lagerstroemia speciosa and Lagerstroemia indica 'Ebony Embers') exhibits significant sterility. Cytological studies have revealed numerous abnormal chromosomal behaviors during the meiotic division of pollen mother cells in L. × 'Xiaoxiang Huaxiu'.

Child-friendly healthcare: A concept analysis.

Objective: This study aims to analyze the concept of Child-friendly Healthcare (CFH) using Walker and Avant's conceptual analysis framework to clarify its meaning, attributes, and implications for clinical practice.

Method: The study employed Walker and Avant's conceptual analysis method, which involves a systematic process comprising concept selection, setting objectives, exploring potential uses, defining attributes, constructing a model case, identifying contrary cases, determining antecedents and consequences, and examining empirical referents. A scoping review was conducted across multiple sources, including online dictionaries, scientific databases, and grey literature, with a focus on literature relevant to CFH.

Mycoplasma bovis activates apoptotic caspases to suppress xenophagy for its intracellular survival.

Mammalian caspases are categorized into apoptotic and inflammatory types. Apoptotic caspases mediate apoptosis activation, while inflammatory caspases participate in inflammasome activation. Previous studies have shown that apoptotic caspases regulate autophagy in both cancer and pharmacological treatment models.

Tunable Activated Esters Enable Lysine-Selective Protein Labeling and Profiling.

Lysine residues on protein surfaces are abundant and often found in enzyme active sites, making them critical targets for studying undruggable proteins. However, the varied microenvironment surrounding lysine residues results in a wide range of p values, complicating site-specific covalent binding. In this study, we address the challenges posed by the diverse reactivity of amino side chains by modulating the amide reaction activity of heteroaromatic activated esters.