A Report of Primary Pyogenic Ventriculitis Caused by Diagnosed by Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing.

Background: Primary ventriculitis is a rare but serious brain infection characterized by inflammation of the ependyma and purulence within the ventricular system. Due to the challenges in early diagnosis and the potential for suboptimal treatment, this condition carries a significant risk of complications such as recurrence, hydrocephalus, and death. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) enables the rapid and broad-spectrum identification of pathogens, facilitating timely and precise diagnosis.

Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation Model Induced by Monosodium Urate and Phorbol Myristate Acetate: Involvement in MAPK Signaling Pathways.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation is a key process in inflammatory diseases like gout, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to establish a model to examine the formation of NETs induced by monosodium urate (MSU) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and to elucidate their molecular pathways. Laser confocal microscopy was used to visualize NET formation, while flow cytometry was employed to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.

Corrigendum to "Dietary Kaempferol exerts anti-obesity effects by inducing the browning of white adipocytes via the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway" [Curr. Res. Food Sci. 8 (2024) 100728].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.crfs.

Analysis of the correlation between the levels of HIF-1α and miR-199a in lesions and the psoriasis severity index.

Introduction: The pathogenesis of psoriasis is complex. Previous bioinformatics studies have found differential expression of HIF-1α and miR-199 in psoriasis, but the correlation between miR-199a and HIF-1α and the severity of psoriasis is still unclear. This study found differential expression of HIF-1α and miR-199a levels in the skin lesions of patients with different degrees of psoriasis.

Hepatic Stellate Cell Membrane-Camouflaged Nanoparticles for Targeted Delivery of an Antifibrotic Agent to Hepatic Stellate Cells with Enhanced Antifibrosis Efficacy.

Liver fibrosis is characterized by the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins primarily produced by activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The activation of HSCs plays a pivotal role in driving the progression of liver fibrosis. Achieving specific targeted delivery of antifibrotic agents toward activated HSCs remains a formidable challenge.

Corneal higher-order aberrations and their relationship with choroid in myopic patients.

Background: To investigate corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) and choroidal characteristics in myopic individuals and explore the association between HOAs and choroidal parameters.

Methods: Myopic participants were categorized into three groups based on axial lengths (ALs). We compared corneal HOAs, including spherical (Z), comatic (Z  and Z), and trefoil (Z  and Z) aberrations, as well as choroidal vascularity index (CVI) and choroidal thickness (CT).

Diosmin alleviates NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent cellular pyroptosis after stroke through RSK2/CREB pathway.

In the context of our previous analyses on the main active ingredients of Jieyudan, a classic formula targeting aphasia in stroke, we further delve into the function and mechanisms of its active ingredient, Diosmin (DM), which may exert neuroprotective effects, in ischemic stroke. Herein, bioinformatics analysis revealed targets of DM and their intersection with differentially expressed genes in ischemic stroke. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats and oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) cells were used to construct in vivo and in vitro models of ischemic stroke.

Kaempferol attenuates hyperuricemia combined with gouty arthritis via urate transporters and NLRP3/NF-κB pathway modulation.

Hyperuricemia (HUA), caused by purine disorders, can lead to gouty arthritis (GA). Kaempferol (KPF), a natural flavonoid, has anti-inflammatory properties, though its mechanism in treating HUA combined with GA remains unclear. This study used a mouse model of HUA combined with GA and models with HK-2 and THP-1 cells to explore KPF's effects.

Global trend analysis, mechanistic insights and future directions of autoimmune ear diseases: Based on comprehensive findings over the past 20 years.

Background: In recent years, Autoimmune diseases (ADs) and hearing loss are both significant public health burdens worldwide. An increasing number of studies are focusing on the potential link between these two diseases and exploring how hearing loss can be prevented and treated in the context of autoimmune diseases. In response to this focus, it is very necessary to conduct bibliometric analysis and molecular mechanism exploration to provide guidance for the exploration of basic mechanisms and clinical management.

Folic acid and ferritin functionalized reduced Iron-based metal-organic frameworks for anticancer therapy.

Anticancer chemotherapies damage normal tissues, and various drug carriers are under consideration to address this issue. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising due to their drug-carrying capacity and tunable properties. Target-inspired surface functionalization may further magnify their potential.

Adaptive Strategies and Underlying Response Mechanisms of Ciliates to Salinity Change with Note on Fluctuation Properties.

The adaptability of marine organisms to changes in salinity has been a significant research area under global climate change. However, the underlying mechanisms of this adaptability remain a debated subject. We hypothesize that neglecting salinity fluctuation properties is a key contributing factor to the controversy.

Clinical prediction of insufficient vaults after implantable collamer lens implantation.

Aim: To determine the factors related to preoperative ocular characters that are predictive of insufficient vault (<250 µm) after implantable collamer lens (ICL V4c; STAAR Surgical) implantation.

Methods: The participants underwent ICL surgery and were divided into the low (<250 µm) and normal (250-1000 µm) vault groups based on the postoperative vault at 3mo. The preoperative biometric parameters and clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups.

Astilbin inhibited neutrophil extracellular traps in gouty arthritis through suppression of purinergic P2Y6 receptor.

Background: Gouty arthritis (GA), a common inflammatory condition triggered by monosodium urate crystal accumulation, often necessitates safer treatment alternatives due to the limitations of current therapies. Astilbin, a flavonoid from Smilax glabra Roxb, has demonstrated potential in traditional Chinese medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties. However, the anti-GA effect and its underlying mechanism have not been fully elucidated.

Trio-based whole-exome sequencing reveals mutations in early-onset high myopia.

Purpose: Myopia, especially high myopia (HM), represents a widespread visual impairment with a globally escalating prevalence. This study aimed to elucidate the genetic foundations associated with early-onset HM (eoHM) while delineating the genetic landscape specific to Shaanxi province, China.

Methods: A comprehensive analysis of whole-exome sequencing was conducted involving 26 familial trios displaying eoHM.

The histone methyltransferase SUV420H2 regulates brown and beige adipocyte thermogenesis.

Activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis increases energy expenditure and alleviates obesity. Here we discover that histone methyltransferase suppressor of variegation 4-20 homolog 2 (Suv420h2) expression parallels that of Ucp1 in brown and beige adipocytes and that Suv420h2 knockdown significantly reduces - whereas Suv420h2 overexpression significantly increases - Ucp1 levels in brown adipocytes. Suv420h2 knockout (H2KO) mice exhibit impaired cold-induced thermogenesis and are prone to diet-induced obesity.

Osthole ameliorates early diabetic kidney damage by suppressing oxidative stress, inflammation and inhibiting TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway.

Background: Osthole is a natural active ingredient extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine Cnidium monnieri. It has been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and anti-hyperglycemic properties. However, its effect on diabetic kidney disease (DKD) remains uncertain.

Anti-lymphangiogenesis for boosting drug accumulation in tumors.

The inadequate tumor accumulation of anti-cancer agents is a major shortcoming of current therapeutic drugs and remains an even more significant concern in the clinical prospects for nanomedicines. Various strategies aiming at regulating the intratumoral permeability of therapeutic drugs have been explored in preclinical studies, with a primary focus on vascular regulation and stromal reduction. However, these methods may trigger or facilitate tumor metastasis as a tradeoff.

Dietary kaempferol exerts anti-obesity effects by inducing the browing of white adipocytes via the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway.

Browning of white adipose tissue is a novel approach for the management of obesity and obesity-related metabolic disorders. Kaempferol (KPF) is a common dietary nutrient found abundantly in many fruits and vegetables and has been shown to have the potential to regulate lipid metabolism. However, the detailed mechanism by which it affects the browning of white adipose tissue remains unclear.

Targeting Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Gouty Arthritis: Insights into Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Potential.

Gouty arthritis (GA) is an immune-mediated disorder characterized by severe inflammation due to the deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in the joints. The pathophysiological mechanisms of GA are not yet fully understood, and therefore, the identification of effective therapeutic targets is of paramount importance. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), an intricate structure of DNA scaffold, encompassing myeloperoxidase, histones, and elastases - have gained significant attention as a prospective therapeutic target for gouty arthritis, due to their innate antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties.

Exploring the causal associations of micronutrients on urate levels and the risk of gout: A Mendelian randomization study.

Background & Aims: Growing evidence has indicated a potential association between micronutrient levels, urate levels, and the risk of gout. However, the causal association underlying these associations still remains uncertain. Previous observational studies and randomized controlled trials investigating the association between micronutrients, urate levels, and the risk of gout have been limited in their scope and depth.

Enhancing Vault Prediction and ICL Sizing Through Advanced Machine Learning Models.

Purpose: To use artificial intelligence (AI) technology to accurately predict vault and Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) size.

Methods: The methodology focused on enhancing predictive capabilities through the fusion of machine-learning algorithms. Specifically, AdaBoost, Random Forest, Decision Tree, Support Vector Regression, LightGBM, and XGBoost were integrated into a majority-vote model.

Disruption of Super-Enhancers in Activated Pancreatic Stellate Cells Facilitates Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy in Pancreatic Cancer.

One major obstacle in the drug treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is its highly fibrotic tumor microenvironment, which is replete with activated pancreatic stellate cells (a-PSCs). These a-PSCs generate abundant extracellular matrix and secrete various cytokines to form biophysical and biochemical barriers, impeding drug access to tumor tissues. Therefore, it is imperative to develop a strategy for reversing PSC activation and thereby removing the barriers to facilitate PDAC drug treatment.

Predictability comparison of sizing parameters for postoperative vault after implantable Collamer lens implantation.

Purpose: This study aims to assess the accuracy of three parameters (white-to-white distance [WTW], angle-to-angle [ATA], and sulcus-to-sulcus [STS]) in predicting postoperative vault and to formulate an optimized predictive model.

Methods: In this retrospective study, a cohort of 465 patients (comprising 769 eyes) who underwent the implantation of the V4c implantable Collamer lens with a central port (ICL) for myopia correction was examined. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and classification models were used to predict postoperative vault.