UPLC-QTOF-MS-Based Plasma Lipidomic Profiling Reveals Biomarkers for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Diagnosis.

Identification of new biomarkers may help in the early diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this study, ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography equipped with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) was used to analyze the untargeted lipidomics and compare plasma lipid profiles between IBD patients and control subjects. The principal component analysis and partial least-squares-discriminant analysis were carried out to distinguish IBD patients from control subjects.

RNASeqR: An R Package for Automated Two-Group RNA-Seq Analysis Workflow.

RNA-Seq analysis has revolutionized researchers' understanding of the transcriptome in biological research. Assessing the differences in transcriptomic profiles between tissue samples or patient groups enables researchers to explore the underlying biological impact of transcription. RNA-Seq analysis requires multiple processing steps and huge computational capabilities.

Highly Transparent and Surface-Plasmon-Enhanced Visible-Photodetector Based on Zinc Oxide Thin-Film Transistors with Heterojunction Structure.

Highly transparent zinc oxide (ZnO)-based thin-film transistors (TFTs) with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) capable of detecting visible light were fabricated through spray pyrolysis on a fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate. The spray-deposited channel layer of ZnO had a thickness of approximately 15 nm, and the thickness exhibited a linear increase with an increasing number of sprays. Furthermore, the ZnO thin-film exhibited a markedly smoother channel layer with a significantly lower surface roughness of 1.

High-risk human papilloma virus infection and cervical neoplasm in female inflammatory bowel disease patients: a cross-sectional study.

Background And Aim: This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) infection, especially types 16 and 18, and cervical neoplasia in female Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients.

Methods: From July 2014 to January 2017, sexually active, female, Chinese IBD patients (21-60 years) and age-matched controls underwent cervical ThinPrep cytology testing (TCT) and high-risk HPV-DNA detection, and completed questionnaires about awareness of cervical cancer and HPV. Cervical dysplasia was categorized as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1, 2 and 3.

Recurrent TTN metatranscript-only c.39974-11T>G splice variant associated with autosomal recessive arthrogryposis multiplex congenita and myopathy.

We present eight families with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita and myopathy bearing a TTN intron 213 extended splice-site variant (NM_001267550.1:c.39974-11T>G), inherited in trans with a second pathogenic TTN variant.

Nucleoside diphosphate-linked moiety X-type motif 15 R139C genotypes impact 6-thioguanine nucleotide cut-off levels to predict thiopurine-induced leukopenia in Crohn's disease patients.

Background: Thiopurine-induced leukopenia (TIL) is a life-threatening toxicity and occurs with a high frequency in the Asian population. Although nucleoside diphosphate-linked moiety X-type motif 15 () variants significantly improve the predictive sensitivity of TIL, more than 50% of cases of this toxicity cannot be predicted by this mutation. The potential use of the 6-thioguanine nucleotide (6TGN) level to predict TIL has been explored, but no decisive conclusion has been reached.

A facile and label-free SERS approach for inspection of fipronil in chicken eggs using SiO@Au core/shell nanoparticles.

Fipronil is a phenylpyrazole insecticide commonly used in agriculture and residential applications. In this paper, we reported a novel label-free surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) method for detection of fipronil residues in chicken eggs (mostly accumulated on the egg membrane). We fabricated the SERS substrates composed of the SiO@Au core/shell nanoparticles and probed the contamination of fipronil residue on the egg membrane.

MSTO1 mutations cause mtDNA depletion, manifesting as muscular dystrophy with cerebellar involvement.

MSTO1 encodes a cytosolic mitochondrial fusion protein, misato homolog 1 or MSTO1. While the full genotype-phenotype spectrum remains to be explored, pathogenic variants in MSTO1 have recently been reported in a small number of patients presenting with a phenotype of cerebellar ataxia, congenital muscle involvement with histologic findings ranging from myopathic to dystrophic and pigmentary retinopathy. The proposed underlying pathogenic mechanism of MSTO1-related disease is suggestive of impaired mitochondrial fusion secondary to a loss of function of MSTO1.

Removal of N-Linked Glycosylation Enhances PD-L1 Detection and Predicts Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 Therapeutic Efficacy.

Reactivation of T cell immunity by PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade has been shown to be a promising cancer therapeutic strategy. However, PD-L1 immunohistochemical readout is inconsistent with patient response, which presents a clinical challenge to stratify patients. Because PD-L1 is heavily glycosylated, we developed a method to resolve this by removing the glycan moieties from cell surface antigens via enzymatic digestion, a process termed sample deglycosylation.

The different impact of stimulation duration on oocyte maturation and pregnancy outcome in fresh cycles with GnRH antagonist protocol in poor responders and normal responders.

Objective: To study the impact of stimulation duration on intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) - embryo transfer (ET) outcome in poor and normal responders during controlled ovarian stimulation using gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol.

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. There were 1481 women undergoing ICSI-ET cycles.

Genome Sequencing Identifies the Pathogenic Variant Missed by Prior Testing in an Infant with Marfan Syndrome.

We describe an infant with a phenotype typical of early onset Marfan syndrome whose genetic evaluation, including Sanger sequencing and deletion/duplication testing of FBN1 and exome sequencing, was negative. Ultimately, genome sequencing revealed a deletion missed on prior testing, demonstrating the unique utility of genome sequencing for molecular genetic diagnosis.

Intracellular Delivery of an Antibody Targeting Gasdermin-B Reduces HER2 Breast Cancer Aggressiveness.

Purpose: Gasdermin B (GSDMB) overexpression/amplification occurs in about 60% of HER2 breast cancers, where it promotes cell migration, resistance to anti-HER2 therapies, and poor clinical outcome. Thus, we tackle GSDMB cytoplasmic overexpression as a new therapeutic target in HER2 breast cancers.

Experimental Design: We have developed a new targeted nanomedicine based on hyaluronic acid-biocompatible nanocapsules, which allow the intracellular delivery of a specific anti-GSDMB antibody into HER2 breast cancer cells both and .

Detection of Additives and Chemical Contaminants in Turmeric Powder Using FT-IR Spectroscopy.

Yellow turmeric () is widely used for culinary and medicinal purposes, and as a dietary supplement. Due to the commercial popularity of , economic adulteration and contamination with botanical additives and chemical substances has increased. This study used FT-IR spectroscopy for identifying and estimating white turmeric (), and Sudan Red G dye mixed with yellow turmeric powder.

Respiratory Management in Smoke Inhalation Injury.

Smoke inhalation injury (SII) is a major morbidity and cause of mortality in patients with burns. Damage caused by inhalation of thermal or chemical irritants, including toxic fumes and chemicals, leads to respiratory cilia and epithelial cell injuries, which turn to severe bronchospasm and alveolar damage and results in acute respiratory distress syndrome. Respiratory management plays a vital role in the treatment of SII.

Prognostic relevance of programmed cell death-ligand 1 expression and CD8+ TILs in rectal cancer patients before and after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

Purpose/background: Radiotherapy has been recently reported to boost the therapeutic response of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB); however, few studies have focused on programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients who receive preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (neoCRT). The aim of the present study was to investigate the PD-L1 expression status and CD8+ intra-tumoral infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) before and after neoCRT and its association with clinicopathological characteristics in rectal cancer.

Materials And Methods: Immunostainings of PD-L1 and CD8+ TILs were performed in 112 pair-matched LARC patients treated by neoCRT.

Recessive mutations in muscle-specific isoforms of FXR1 cause congenital multi-minicore myopathy.

FXR1 is an alternatively spliced gene that encodes RNA binding proteins (FXR1P) involved in muscle development. In contrast to other tissues, cardiac and skeletal muscle express two FXR1P isoforms that incorporate an additional exon-15. We report that recessive mutations in this particular exon of FXR1 cause congenital multi-minicore myopathy in humans and mice.

Circulating microRNA146b-5p is superior to C-reactive protein as a novel biomarker for monitoring inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Owing to the importance of early treatment, simple and reliable methods for monitoring inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are needed.

Aims: To determine whether circulating microRNAs are reliable biomarkers for IBD monitoring.

Methods: Serum levels of 17 candidate microRNAs were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in a discovery cohort (n = 120).

ACTN2 mutations cause "Multiple structured Core Disease" (MsCD).

The identification of genes implicated in myopathies is essential for diagnosis and for revealing novel therapeutic targets. Here we characterize a novel subclass of congenital myopathy at the morphological, molecular, and functional level. Through exome sequencing, we identified de novo ACTN2 mutations, a missense and a deletion, in two unrelated patients presenting with progressive early-onset muscle weakness and respiratory involvement.

Genetic and Physical Mapping of a Putative Leymus mollis-Derived Stripe Rust Resistance Gene on Wheat Chromosome 4A.

Wheat stripe rust is one of the most damaging diseases of wheat worldwide. The wheat-Leymus mollis introgression line M8664-3 exhibits all-stage resistance to Chinese stripe rust races. Genetic analysis of stripe rust resistance was performed by crossing M8664-3 with the susceptible line Mingxian169.

Correction to: Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells protect against experimental colitis via CD5+ B regulatory cells.

The original article [1] contains a duplication error within Figure 3.

Colon Visualization on Bone Scan Due to Recto-abscess Fistula From Urinoma.

The accumulation of the bone-seeking agent in the bowel during a bone scan is rare. A 68-year-old man with colon cancer underwent bone scintigraphy for staging. Whole-body images revealed an abnormal accumulation of hot radioactivity in the abdominal cavity and the colon.

Stressors experienced by children with autism spectrum disorder in Taiwan: Perspectives of children and their parents.

Autism spectrum disorder has only recently been recognized as a developmental disability in Taiwan. We conducted an exploratory qualitative descriptive study with children (n = 14, mean age = 13.57 years) and their parents to understand stressors experienced by children with autism spectrum disorder in Taiwan.