Biomimetic fluorescence-enhanced platform based on photonic crystals and DNAzyme walker for visualization and quantification of miRNA-21.

Developing a fluorescence sensing platform for point-of-care detection of low abundance biomarkers is highly valuable for early diagnosis of disease. Herein, a biomimetic fluorescence-enhanced platform based on photonic crystals and DNAzyme walker was constructed and further applied to visualize and quantify the miRNA-21 in biological samples. The DNAzyme walker was orthogonally activated by the target miRNA-21, which enabled the unlocking of the DNAzyme walker strand and the subsequently repeated substrate cleavage, thus generating enhanced fluorescence signals.

A review of emission characteristics and risk assessments of volatile organic compounds in petrochemical industry areas.

As the petrochemical industry grows, environmental and human health issues associated with petroleum refining and chemical processes also increase. Consequently, several studies have been conducted on this topic. However, the results of the current research vary, and a comprehensive review is lacking.

The role of ferroptosis-related non-coding RNA in liver fibrosis.

Liver fibrosis represents a reversible pathophysiological process, caused by chronic inflammation stemming from hepatocyte damage. It delineates the initial stage in the progression of chronic liver disease. This pathological progression is characterized by the excessive accumulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), which leads to significant structural disruption and ultimately impairs liver function.

Framework Nucleic Acid-Nanobody Fusion Probe-Based Pharmacokinetics Modulation and Analysis for Efficient Positron Emission Tomography Imaging.

Nanobodies are promising for immunoPET imaging due to their excellent antigen recognition and tumor targeting, yet rapid clearance limits their tumor accumulation. Although multimerization and albumin binding can extend their circulation time and improve tumor targeting, a simple and universal method for creating protein multimers is still needed. Here, we leveraged the facile synthesis, controllable size, and precise assembly of DNA nanotechnology to construct CD47-targeted framework nucleic acid-nanobody fusion probes with multiple valences and sizes.

Gender differences in physical activity and sport participation in adults across 28 European countries between 2005 and 2022.

Objective: There is a lack of understanding of the specific types and intensities of physical activity driving the gender gap in overall levels of physical activity, and how these activities are changing over time. We examined the gender gap in specific types and intensities of physical activities in European adults from 2005 to 2022.

Study Design And Methods: This repeated cross-sectional study included data from adults from the Eurobarometer (2005-2022) from 28 European countries.

Mechanisms and therapeutic targets of mitochondria in the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) includes liver disease processes from simple fatty liver to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, which may progress to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As the incidence of HCC derived from viral hepatitis decreases, MASLD has emerged as a significant health threat, driven by lifestyle changes and rising obesity rates among patients. The pathogenesis of MASLD is complex, involving factors such as insulin resistance, gut microbiota imbalance, and genetic and epigenetic factors.

Implications of seawater characteristics on dissolved heavy metals in near-shore surface waters of the Yellow Sea.

To explore the response of dissolved heavy metals (HMs) along the Yellow Sea coast to seawater characteristics, we assessed the temporal and spatial variations as well as pollution levels of six dissolved HMs (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Hg, and As) in surface seawater from 2021 to 2023. The results indicated that the average concentrations of HMs in the seawater were ranked as follows: Zn > Cu > As > Pb > Cd > Hg, with specific concentration ranges of 4.70-7.

Does amide proton transfer-weighted MRI have diagnostic and differential value in ovarian cystic and predominantly cystic lesion?

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic value of amide proton transfer-weighted (APTw) imaging in distinguishing cystic or predominantly cystic ovarian lesions.

Materials And Methods: 49 patients underwent APTw imaging at 3T-MR before surgery, with 20 volunteers serving as the control group. Participants were divided into the following groups: solid components of normal ovaries (Group A, n = 29), solid components of malignant lesions (Group B, n = 7), cystic fluid of follicles (Group C, n = 31), cystic fluid of benign lesions (Group D, n = 46), functional cysts (Group d1, n = 8), endometriomas (Group d2, n = 28), cystadenomas (Group d3, n = 10), and cystic fluid of malignant lesions (Group E, n = 12).

Construction of flexible porous 3D biochar based on electrospun rice straw-derived cellulose acetate with excellent adsorption properties toward organic pollutants.

Cellulose was extracted from rice straw waste by the intergrated technique of CHOH/HO, dilute alkali treatment and HO bleaching process, and rice straw-derived cellulose acetate was obtained by the acetylation reaction of cellulose. Flexible porous 3D biochars were constructed by the electrospinning, NaBH foaming and calcination process. Effects of calcination temperature, adsorption time, pH, pollutant concentration, interfering anions, and cycle times on the adsorption performance of 3D biochar were systematically investigated.

Effects of combined exposure to PM, O, and NO on health risks of different disease populations in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

Air pollution adversely affects people's health. Under the current background of compound air pollution in China, the emission reduction potential of air pollution control has significantly decreased, and there are few studies on multi-pollutant emission reduction and synergistic effects. PM, O, and NO have caused the enormous disease burden and health risks.

Simulation and Prediction of Springback in Sheet Metal Bending Process Based on Embedded Control System.

Amidst the accelerating pace of automation in sheet metal bending, the need for small-batch, multi-varietal, efficient, and adaptable production modalities has become increasingly pronounced. To address this need and to enhance the efficacy of the bending process, this study presents the design and development of an embedded soft PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) rooted in the Codesys development platform and leveraging the ARM Cortex-A55 architecture. This controller employs the EtherCAT communication protocol to facilitate seamless and efficient interactions with fully electric servo-driven CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) bending machinery.

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Aging Cartilage Regeneration: A Review.

Cartilage degeneration is a key feature of aging and osteoarthritis, characterized by the progressive deterioration of joint function, pain, and limited mobility. Current treatments focus on symptom relief, not cartilage regeneration. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) offer a promising therapeutic option due to their capability to differentiate into chondrocytes, modulate inflammation, and promote tissue regeneration.

HDACi combination therapy with IDO1i remodels the tumor microenvironment and boosts antitumor efficacy in colorectal cancer with microsatellite stability.

Background: Immunotherapy for colorectal cancer (CRC) with microsatellite stability (MSS) and mismatch repair proficiency (pMMR) has shown limited success in clinical trials. The combination of immunomodulators and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is a potential strategy for treating CRC.

Methods: Histone deacetylase (HDAC) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) expression in CRC tissues and adjacent normal tissues was analyzed via database analysis, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting.

Associations of adiposity and device-measured physical activity with cancer incidence: UK Biobank prospective cohort study.

Background: High adiposity and low physical activity are associated with cancer risk. Whether different amounts and intensities of physical activity can mitigate this association is unclear. We aimed to examine the independent and combined associations of adiposity and device-measured physical activity levels of different intensities with cancer incidence and mortality.

Single-cell data-driven design of armed oncolytic virus and combination therapy to activate a cooperative innate-adaptive immunity against cancer.

Oncolytic viruses have been considered promising cancer immunotherapies. However, oncovirotherapy agents impart durable responses in only a subset of cancer patients. Thus, exploring the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the heterogeneous responses in patients can provide guidance to develop more effective oncolytic virus therapies.

Influence of enriched nitrate reducing bacteria communities on bacterial community structure and groundwater condition during in situ bioremediation of nitrate in acidic uranium-contaminated groundwater.

In-situ leaching (ISL) is the predominant technology used in uranium mining currently, although it leads to significant environmental challenges. Nitrates, a key component in leaching agents, not only pose a threat to human health but also impede the bioreduction of U(VI) in uranium-contaminated water. In this study, the nitrate reducing bacterial (NRB) communities adapted to acidic uranium-contaminated groundwater from a site in Northwest China were gained by an enrichment micro-model.

Impact of syndemic heavy drinking, smoking, and depression on mortality among MSM with and without HIV: A longitudinal study.

Background: Heavy drinking, smoking, and depression are common among men who have sex with men (MSM). The association of co-occurring longitudinal patterns of these conditions and mortality among MSM were tested, applying a syndemic framework - the interaction of two or more conditions that contribute to poor health outcomes.

Methods: Longitudinal data from 1999 to 2018 from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study of 3046 MSM were analyzed.

Ethyl Lactate Ameliorates Hepatic Steatosis and Acute-on-Chronic Liver Injury in Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease by Inducing Fibroblast Growth Factor 21.

Aberrant upregulation of hepatic lipogenesis induced by chronic and excessive alcohol consumption is a critical driver of the progression of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), however, no effective approaches inhibiting lipogenesis are currently available for treating ALD patients. Moreover, little is known about whether and how nonethanol ingredients in alcoholic beverages regulate the pathogenesis of ALD. Here the discovery of a small molecule that activates the production and secretion of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is reported.

Low-risk individuals with primary biliary cholangitis and significant liver stiffness: prognosis and treatment.

Background: Some patients treated with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) or combined fenofibrate had well-controlled biochemical parameters but high liver stiffness, and the prognosis as well as therapeutic options for these patients may be an area worthy of further exploration.

Aims: To explore the prognosis and treatment of patients with low-risk and high liver stiffness.

Methods: A retrospective study included 424 cases of UDCA monotherapy and 102 cases of combined fenofibrate treatment.

Successful Microablative Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser Therapy for Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: A Case Report and Mini-review.

Vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder affecting the vulvar region. VLS predominantly affects women, and most cases occur after menopause. Common symptoms include itching, skin-whitening, pain, discomfort, fissures, and scarring.

Multidimensional stress and self-harm in Chinese preadolescents: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Limited research has been conducted on self-harm among preadolescents in China. This study investigated the influence of multidimensional stress on high levels of self-harm behavior in preadolescents.

Method: This large-scale cross-sectional study of 7-14-year-old primary school students in grades 3-6 was conducted in Southwest China between September and December 2020.

Effects of factors influencing cesarean section rates between 2008 and 2018 in Taiwan: A population-based cross-sectional study.

Many factors can affect delivery mode decisions. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effects of maternal age, physician's sex, region, income, and hospital type on cesarean section (C/S) delivery rates between 2008 and 2018 in Taiwan. In this population-based cross-sectional study, data were extracted from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (2 million individuals).

Surgical outcomes of single-port vs multi-port laparoscopic hysterectomy for endometrial cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the surgical outcomes in patients with endometrial cancer who underwent either single-port laparoscopic hysterectomy (SPLH) or multi-port laparoscopic hysterectomy (MPLH).

Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search from the earliest records available up to May 2023. The databases searched included PubMed, Embase, ClinicalTrials.