Targeted activation of ErbB4 receptor ameliorates neuronal deficits and neuroinflammation in a food-borne polystyrene microplastic exposed mouse model.

The impact of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) on the nervous system has been documented in the literature. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor 4 (ErbB4) is crucial in neuronal injury and regeneration processes. This study investigated the role of targeted activation of ErbB4 receptor through a small molecule agonist, 4-bromo-1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (C11H7BrO3, E4A), in mitigating PS-MPs-induced neuronal injury.

Horizontal impact of extensive incisor retraction on alveolar bone.

Objective: To explore the horizontal impact of extensive incisor retraction on alveolar bone and to investigate the relationship of changes in alveolar bone thickness (ΔBT) with horizontal retraction distance of the incisal edge (HRD) and horizontal retraction distance of alveolar ridge crest (HRD') in orthodontic treatment.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 84 patients who underwent orthodontic extraction treatment, involving extensive incisor retraction (≥ 3 mm). Pre-treatment (T0) and post-treatment (T1) cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) data were collected.

Modelling and optimization of Ge/GaAs uni-travelling carrier photodiodes.

Uni-Travelling-Carrier Photodiodes (UTC-PDs) are pivotal for the advancement of high-speed optical communication systems. Current UTC-PDs have a trade-off between high performance and low production costs. The performance of conventional Ge/Si UTC-PDs is limited by the materials, primarily due to the relatively low electron mobility of Si compared with that of GaAs and InP.

Efficacy of 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy for Olsen Grade 3 actinic keratosis: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common cutaneous keratinocyte dysplasia categorized by Olsen Grade (OG) 1-3. OG 3 AK, which has a higher risk of progressing to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), presents treatment challenges. While 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) is effective for non-hyperkeratotic AK (OG 1-2), its efficacy for OG 3 AK remains debated.

Performance of Raman Spectroscopy in biopsy tissue for rapid diagnosis of Tracheobronchial Tuberculosis: a prospective study.

Tracheobronchial tuberculosis (TBTB) is a specific form of pulmonary tuberculosis characterized by Mycobacterium tuberculosis involvement in the tracheobronchial tree. Rapid and accurate diagnostic tools for TBTB are crucial. Raman spectroscopy (RS) is a noninvasive tool that accesses molecular vibrations and sample characteristics, enabling the creation of a molecular fingerprint of biological samples, which has enormous potential on clinical diagnosis for TBTB.

CXCR4-Targeted Ultrasound Microbubbles for Imaging and Enhanced Chemotherapy/Immunotherapy in Liver Cancer.

Ultrasound molecular imaging is an innovative imaging modality that combines ultrasound with molecular probes to observe live biological processes at the cellular and molecular levels. C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) is a specific target in liver tumors and plays a crucial role in promoting tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis. This study pioneered the use of CXCR4-targeted ultrasound molecular imaging for visualized antitumor therapy and investigated the potential of CXCR4-targeted microbubbles (MBs) in sensitizing liver tumor treatment.

Genome-wide profiling of polymorphic short tandem repeats and their influence on gene expression and trait variation in diverse rice populations.

Short tandem repeats (STRs) modulate gene expression and contribute to trait variation. However, a systematic evaluation of the genomic characteristics of STRs has not been conducted, and their influence on gene expression in rice remains unclear. Here, we construct a map of 137,629 polymorphic STRs in the rice (Oryza sativa L.

A sinomenine derivative alleviates bone destruction in collagen-induced arthritis mice by suppressing mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress via the NRF2/HO-1/NQO1 signaling pathway.

Bone destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) leads to significant disability, yet effective treatments are limited. Sinomenine (Sino) demonstrates anti-arthritic and bone-protective effects but requires high doses. In this study, we developed a Sino derivative, SINX, and evaluated its efficacy in RA.

Decoupling of global signal and cerebrospinal fluid inflow is associated with cognitive decline in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea.

Objectives: The role of cortical glymphatic dysfunction in the cognitive impairment of the obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) requires further study. To compare the coupling between the resting-state blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signals and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) signals (BOLD-CSF coupling), a proxy for the cortical glymphatic function, across patients with differing severities of OSA and relate them with disease characteristics and treatment.

Methods: A total of 153 participants (89 OSA patients and 64 matched controls) were prospectively included.

OsMADS22 interacts with OsMADS50 to regulate floral transition in rice.

Appropriate flowering time is critical for reproductive transition and is closely related to crop yield. In Arabidopsis, SVP, MADS-box containing proteins, interact with FLC to form a repressor complex to repress the expression level of SOC1 and FT to control flowering time. OsMADS22, one of three SVP-clade MADS-box genes, has been shown that functions as a negative regulator on floral transition in rice.

Protective functions of liver X receptor α on calcified aortic valve: involvement of regulating endoplasmic reticulum-mediated osteogenic differentiation.

Aims: Effective therapeutic drugs for calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) are lacking, although its incidence has been increasing over the past decade, and is predicted to continue rising in the future. This study aimed to explore the role and potential mechanisms of liver X receptor α (LXRα) in CAVD, which offers a promising approach for treating CAVD.

Methods And Results: Osteogenic stimulation was performed following which a substantial downregulation of LXRα was observed in human calcific aortic valves and in valvular interstitial cells.

Estimated glucose processing rates and the association of chronic kidney disease and proteinuria in non-diabetic adults.

The study, which was based on NHANES data (1999-2018), included 21,234 nondiabetic individuals aged 20 years and older to investigate the associations between the estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR) and the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and proteinuria. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m, and proteinuria was defined as a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) exceeding 30 mg/g.

Liquid Metal Composite Organohydrogel Based on Water-Soluble Starch Stabilizer with Supertoughness, Self-Healing, and Harsh-Environmental Tolerance for an Advanced Strain Sensor.

In this work, a supertough, self-healable, and extreme-environment-tolerable liquid metal (LM) composite organohydrogel was fabricated by dispersing LM particles (LMPs) with water-soluble starch (WS) and leveraging multilevel hydrogen-bonding interactions. Attributed to the cooperation of the strong dual-hydrogen bonds and weak monohydrogen bonds, the organohydrogel obtained an outstanding tensile strength of 2.0 ± 0.

Effects of Different Antiviral Treatments on Liver Inflammation and Fibrosis in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B.

Oral nucleotide analogues (NAs) and peginterferon-α injections are commonly used for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study aims to evaluate the effects of different antiviral therapies on the degree of liver inflammation and fibrosis in CHB patients. This was a retrospective cohort study.

Apoptotic cell-derived extracellular vesicles-MTA1 confer radioresistance in cervical cancer by inducing cellular dormancy.

Background: Radioresistance presents a major challenge in the treatment of cervical cancer (CC). Apoptotic tumor cells can create an "onco-regenerative niche," contributing to radioresistance. However, the intercellular signaling mechanisms mediating the transfer of radioresistance from apoptotic to surviving cancer cells remain unclear.

Activation of central and peripheral transient receptor potential melastatin 8 increases susceptibility to spreading depolarization and facilitates trigeminal neuroinflammation.

Background: Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8), a gene encoding a nonselective cation channel responsive to cold stimuli, has been implicated in migraine susceptibility. Despite this association, the role of TRPM8 to migraine pathogenesis remains elusive. This study aims to elucidate the potential role of TRPM8 in migraine pathophysiology.

NEDD4 facilitates the progression of endometrial carcinoma by enhancing PAMR1 protein degradation through ubiquitination.

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is an epithelial malignant neoplasm that frequently appears in postmenopausal and perimenopausal women. PAMR1 is related to the prognosis of EC. Here, we probed into the significance of PAMR1 in EC progression and its acting mechanism.

Laparoscopic versus open secondary hepatectomy treating postoperative regional recurrent hepatolithiasis: a multicenter real-world study.

Background: Hepatectomy is the primary treatment for regional hepatolithiasis, but recurrence rates range from 10 to 20%, often necessitating repeat surgery. Although laparoscopic hepatectomy has been widely adopted for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma, its use in recurrent hepatolithiasis remains limited due to technical challenges, including severe adhesions, anatomical distortions, and increased risks of complications. No large-scale study has compared laparoscopic and open repeat hepatectomy for recurrent regional hepatolithiasis.

Unsedated emergent ERCP is feasible and efficient for acute cholangitis in old patients over 80 years.

Background: Acute cholangitis in elderly patients poses unique challenges due to comorbidities and frailty, necessitating timely intervention. This study evaluates the feasibility and efficiency of unsedated emergent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients over 80 years with acute cholangitis.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of elderly patients (≥ 80 years) presenting with acute cholangitis who underwent unsedated emergent ERCP between January 2020 and December 2023 was conducted.

Nucleus pulposus cell-mimicking nanoparticles for cell-specific HIF1A editing to modulate SASP-mediated disc inflammation via autophagy activation.

Traditional methods of plasmid delivery, including viral vectors, lipofection, and electroporation, are widely used for gene editing but have limitations, such as cellular toxicity, limited transfection efficiency in primary cells, and nonspecific side effects. Here, we report the development of nucleus pulposus cell (NPC)-mimicking nanoparticles (HIF1A@NNP) with an NPC membrane as the shell and pcDNA3.1-rHIF1A encapsulated in the core via extrusion.

Combined traditional Chinese medicine and probiotics (TCMP) alleviates lipid accumulation and improves metabolism in high-fat diet mice via the microbiota-gut-liver axis.

Lipid accumulation and metabolic disorders caused by a high-fat diet (HFD) pose significant threats to human health, and place a substantial burden on individuals and society. In this study, a novel combination comprising three traditional Chinese herbs (lotus leaf, hawthorn, and leaf of Chinese holly) and a probiotic (Bifidobacterium lactis BPL-1) (TCMP) was prepared. Then, its effects on growth performance, fat accumulation, hepatic function and gut microbiota in mice fed a high-fat diet were investigated.

CmbZIP19 inhibits lateral bud elongation via the brassinolide pathway in chrysanthemum.

Branching is the main factor that determines plant architecture and is closely related to plant adaptation to the environment. Cold stress can inhibit lateral bud elongation in plants, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Here, we report that the cold stress-induced bZIP family transcription factor CmbZIP19 inhibits lateral bud elongation in chrysanthemum.

Environmentally relevant concentrations of antimony pose potential risks to human health: An evaluation on human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Antimony (Sb) ore exploitation and the use of Sb-containing drugs pose known health risks. This study investigated the toxicity of environmentally relevant Sb concentrations (0.12-12 mg L) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Clinical predictive model for identifying high-risk factors in pleurisy tuberculoma patients.

Introduction: Pleurisy tuberculoma (PTM) is a neoplastic lesion that primarily affects the pleural wall or internal organs. The majority of PTM cases are observed during the treatment of tuberculous pleural effusion(TPE), and although the precise pathogenesis remains unclear, there is a significant association between these two conditions. To identify high-risk factors for the development of PTM, we developed a clinical predictive model aimed at providing more insightful information for the development of PTM.

Bisphenol S Promotes Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Progression by Modulating the WNT5A-Dependent EMT Pathway.

Bisphenol S (BPS) is widely used in the production of food containers and children's toys and is known to have endocrine-disrupting effects linked to various cancers; however, its role in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) development remains unclear. This study investigates the mechanisms by which BPS may promote RCC progression. The effects of BPS on proliferation and migration were evaluated in HK-2 and 786-O cells using CCK-8, scratch, and Transwell assays.