Therapeutic Potential of Oligo-Fucoidan in Mitigating Peritoneal Dialysis-Associated Fibrosis.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) serves as a home-based kidney replacement therapy with increasing utilization across the globe. However, long-term use of high-glucose-based PD solution incites repeated peritoneal injury and inevitable peritoneal fibrosis, thus compromising treatment efficacy and resulting in ultrafiltration failure eventually. In the present study, we utilized human mesothelial MeT-5A cells for the in vitro experiments and a PD mouse model for in vivo validation to study the pathophysiological mechanisms underneath PD-associated peritoneal fibrosis.

Prevention of Muscle Atrophy by Low-Molecular-Weight Fraction from Mycelium.

Muscle atrophy, an age-related condition, presents a growing healthcare concern within the context of global population aging. While studies have investigated for its potential antifatigue properties, reports on its active components remain limited. This study evaluated the efficacy of mycelium extract on muscle health, utilizing a 1:1 water-ethanol preparation administered to C57BL/6 mice exhibiting acute hind leg atrophy.

SPP1 mRNA Expression Is Associated with M2 Macrophage Infiltration and Poor Prognosis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

(1): Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an especially aggressive form of breast cancer defined by a poor prognosis and a lack of effective treatment options. There is a pressing need for validated predictive and prognostic biomarkers to assist in making treatment decisions and improve the prognostic accuracy for patients with this challenging disease. (2): We analyzed the RNA-seq data from three TNBC tissue samples alongside their corresponding normal tissues.

Revolutionizing Epithelial Differentiability Analysis in Small Airway-on-a-Chip Models Using Label-Free Imaging and Computational Techniques.

Organ-on-a-chip (OOC) devices mimic human organs, which can be used for many different applications, including drug development, environmental toxicology, disease models, and physiological assessment. Image data acquisition and analysis from these chips are crucial for advancing research in the field. In this study, we propose a label-free morphology imaging platform compatible with the small airway-on-a-chip system.

The Clinical Characteristics of a Stage II Colorectal Cancer T4 Tumor: A Ten-Year Single-Center Research Report.

Aim: The tumor staging of colorectal cancer (CRC) plays a significant role in both treatment and prognosis, impacting surgical planning and adjuvant therapy decisions. Currently, the staging of CRC is based on the TNM system developed by the American Joint Committee on Cancer. Prior studies have suggested that survival rates and recurrent rates of T4a tumors appear to be worse than that of T4b tumors, although there is currently no consensus.

Bioactive Deep Eutectic Solvent-Involved Sprayable Versatile Hydrogel for Monkeypox Virus Lesions Treatment.

To address the issues of infectious virus, bacterial secondary infections, skin pigmentation, and scarring caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV), a sprayable hydrogel with versatile functions was developed with comprehensive properties. Based on current research, the bioactive deep eutectic solvent (DES) of rosmarinic acid-proanthocyanidin-glycol (RPG) was designed and synthesized as active agent, and molecular docking was applied to discover its binding to MPXV proteins through H-bonds and van der Waals interactions, and the docking results show the binding energies between RA, PC, Gly and MPXV proteins are -58.7188, -50.

Enhanced Antibody Response to the Conformational Non-RBD Region DNA Prime-Protein Boost Elicits Broad Cross-Neutralization Against SARS-CoV-2 Variants.

Preventing immune escape of SARS-CoV-2 variants is crucial in vaccine development to ensure broad protection against the virus. Conformational epitopes beyond the RBD region are vital components of the spike protein but have received limited attention in the development of broadly protective SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. In this study, we used a DNA prime-protein boost regimen to evaluate the broad cross-neutralization potential of immune response targeting conformational non-RBD region against SARS-CoV-2 viruses in mice.

Evaluation of a Telemonitoring System Using Electronic National Early Warning Scores for Patients Receiving Medical Home Care: Pilot Implementation Study.

Background: Telehealth programs and wearable sensors that enable patients to monitor their vital signs have expanded due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The electronic National Early Warning Score (e-NEWS) system helps identify and respond to acute illness.

Objective: This study aimed to implement and evaluate a comprehensive telehealth system to monitor vital signs using e-NEWS for patients receiving integrated home-based medical care (iHBMC).

Changes in sST2 and NT-proBNP levels predict early cardiac arrhythmia in breast cancer patients treated with anthracycline-containing chemotherapies.

Background: Cardiovascular biomarkers are crucial for monitoring cancer therapy-related cardiac toxicity, but the effects on early stage are still inadequate. To screen biomarkers in patients with breast cancer who receive anthracycline-containing chemotherapy, we studied the behavior of six biomarkers during chemotherapy and their association with chemotherapy-related cardiac toxicity.

Methods: In a prospective cohort of 73 patients treated with anthracycline-containing chemotherapy, soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2), high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), myoglobin, creatine kinase isoenzyme MB, and heart-fatty acid binding protein were measured at baseline, during chemotherapy cycle (C1-C6).

Inflammation and nutritional status in relation to mortality risk from cardio-cerebrovascular events: evidence from NHANES.

Objective: Inflammation and nutritional status are closely associated with the mortality risk of survivors of cardio-cerebrovascular events. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between inflammation and nutritional indices and mortality among, identifying the most predictive indices.

Methods: This study included cohort data of the survivors of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 1999-2010.

Effect of periodic vibration-isolation piles on soil vibration in deep-buried tunnels of suburban railways.

This study aims to investigate the impact of isolation piles on soil vibrations in the environment surrounding suburban railways. Initially, a comprehensive numerical model of the train was established to simulate the wheel-rail interaction forces, which were then applied to a three-dimensional coupled track-soil model. The accuracy of the model was validated through comparison with measured data.

Spatiotemporal-controllable ROS-responsive camptothecin nano-bomb for chemo/photo/immunotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer.

Chemotherapy is still one of the major approaches in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatment. The development of new formulations for classic chemotherapeutic drugs remains interests in studies. Camptothecin (CPT) is powerful antitumor agents in TNBC treatment though its clinic applications are limited by its low water solubility and systemic toxicity.

Structural-functional connectivity decoupling in multiscale brain networks in Parkinson's disease.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease associated with functional and structural alterations beyond the nigrostriatal dopamine projection. However, the structural-functional (SC-FC) coupling changes in combination with subcortical regions at the network level are rarely investigated in PD.

Methods: SC-FC coupling networks were systematically constructed using the structural connectivity obtained by diffusion tensor imaging and the functional connectivity obtained by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging in 53 PD and 72 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs).

High sound pressure piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers using sputtered potassium sodium niobate.

This work presents air-coupled piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (pMUTs) with high sound pressure level (SPL) under low-driving voltages by utilizing sputtered potassium sodium niobate KNaNbO (KNN) films. A prototype single KNN pMUT has been tested to show a resonant frequency at 106.3 kHz under 4 V with outstanding characteristics: (1) a large vibration amplitude of 3.

The epigenetic mechanisms of adaption to the hot and humid climate in Hu sheep (Ovis aries).

Hu sheep is characterized by its excellent fecundity and high adaptability to various ecological environments. To reveal the molecular basis involved in Hu sheep, we first examined the 10 index of neuroendocrine and metabolism in blood in Hu sheep during non-stress period (April-May) and stress period (July-August) using ELISA, including CRH, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, aldosterone, adrenaline, T3,T4, SOD, GSH-PX, and T-AOC. Then we conducted the Whole genome DNA methylation sequencing in blood and performed the comparative analysis of global DNA methylation between the non-stress period and the stress period.

Institutional variation of smoking cessation success in Taiwan: A multi-level analysis of the National Second-Generation Tobacco Cessation Program Data.

Introduction: Although the relationships between personal factors and smoking abstinence are well-documented, institutional variation in smoking abstinence remains underexplored. This study investigates institutional variation in the six-month smoking abstinence prevalence among institutions participating in Taiwan's Second-Generation Tobacco Cessation Program (SGTCP) and examines institutional characteristics associated with smoking cessation success.

Methods: The analysis included 304,757 pharmacotherapy and health education sessions from 160,336 participants who received smoking cessation services across 2420 institutions under the SGTCP between 2000 and June 2022.

Histone lactylation-driven YTHDC1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression via lipid metabolism remodeling.

Lipid metabolism reprogramming is critical for the initiation and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, how the dysregulation of lipid metabolism contributes to HCC development remains largely unknown. Here, we report that the mA reader YTHDC1-mediated epigenetic regulation of the long noncoding RNA NEAT1 activates stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD)-associated lipid metabolic processes during HCC progression.

Vodobatinib overcomes cancer multidrug resistance by attenuating the drug efflux function of ABCB1 and ABCG2.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) remains a significant obstacle in cancer treatment, primarily attributable to the overexpression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters such as ABCB1 and ABCG2 within cancer cells. These transporters actively diminish the effectiveness of cytotoxic drugs by facilitating ATP hydrolysis-dependent drug efflux, thereby reducing intracellular drug accumulation. Given the absence of approved treatments for multidrug-resistant cancers and the established benefits of combining tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) with conventional anticancer drugs, we investigate the potential of vodobatinib, a potent c-Abl TKI presently in clinical trials, to restore sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents in multidrug-resistant cancer cells overexpressing ABCB1 and ABCG2.

The spatiotemporal and paradoxical roles of NRF2 in renal toxicity and kidney diseases.

Over 10% of the global population is at risk to kidney disorders. Nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), a pivotal regulator of redox homeostasis, orchestrates antioxidant response that effectively counters oxidative stress and inflammatory response in a variety of acute pathophysiological conditions, including acute kidney injury (AKI) and early stage of renal toxicity. However, if persistently activated, NRF2-induced transcriptional cascade may disrupt normal cell signaling and contribute to numerous chronic pathogenic processes such as fibrosis.

Targeted metals extraction from spent LiNiCoMnO batteries via thermochemical-induced sulfation roasting: Thermodynamics & kinetics.

To alleviate the energy crisis and control environmental pollution raised by spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the development of efficient and economic methods for their recycling is crucial for sustainable development of new energy industry. Herein, a combined pyro - hydrometallurgical process was adopted for recovery of valuable metal elements for spent LiNiCoMnO (NCM523). Different from conventional pyrometallurgical methods with high temperature and energy consumption, the NHHSO roasting strategy works at 400 °C and achieves remarkable leaching efficiencies of Li, Co, Mn, and Ni achieved 97.

Zebrafish tailfin as an in vivo model for capturing tissue-scale cell dynamics.

The intricate control of collective cell dynamics is crucial for enabling organismic development and tissue regeneration. Despite the availability of various in vitro and in vivo models, studies on tissue-scale cell dynamics and associated emergent properties in living systems remain methodically challenging. Here, we describe key advantages of using the adult zebrafish tailfin (caudal fin) as a robust in vivo model for dissecting millimeter-scale collective cell dynamics during regeneration and wound healing in a complex tissue.

Design, Synthesis, and Fungicidal Activity of α-Methylene-γ-Butyrolactone Derivatives Bearing a Diphenyl Ether Moiety.

The γ-butyrolactone scaffold, commonly present in natural products and bioactive compounds, has played a crucial role in the development of novel pesticides. In this study, a series of α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone derivatives containing a diphenyl ether moiety were designed and synthesized using the scaffold splicing strategy. Bioassays revealed that several target compounds demonstrated potent fungicidal activities, particularly against and .

Synchronous bilateral Wilms tumors are prone to develop independently and respond differently to preoperative chemotherapy.

Wilms tumor (WT) is the most common kidney cancer in infants and young children. The determination of the clonality of bilateral WTs is critical to the treatment, because lineage-independent and metastatic tumors may require different treatment strategies. Here we found synchronous bilateral WT (n = 24 tumors from 12 patients) responded differently to preoperative chemotherapy.