Structure and function relationships of mucociliary clearance in human and rat airways.

Mucociliary clearance is a vital defense mechanism of the human airways, protecting against harmful particles and infections. When this process fails, it contributes to respiratory diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. While advances in single-cell transcriptomics have revealed the complexity of airway composition, much of what we know about how airway structure impacts clearance relies on animal studies.

SmGRAS5 acts as a positive regulator in GA-induced biosynthesis of tanshinones in Salvia miltiorrhiza hairy roots.

GA is an important phytohormone that regulates root growth and secondary metabolism. GRAS family transcription factors (TFs) are the key regulators of GA signaling. Here, we found that SmGRAS5 was co-expressed in the root periderm with tanshinones in Salvia miltiorrhiza.

The Role of Placental MFF-Mediated Mitochondrial Fission in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) refers to hyperglycemia first recognized during pregnancy, characterized by decreased insulin sensitivity and impaired glucose metabolism. Dynamic fusion and fission processes within mitochondria play critical roles in maintaining glucose metabolism homeostasis. Given the fundamental role of mitochondrial fission factor (MFF) in mitochondrial fission, the intention of this study was to investigate mitochondrial dynamics in the placentae of GDM patients and explore the role of MFF in the etiopathogenesis and progression of GDM through the modulation of glucose metabolism and insulin resistance.

Unravelling the fouling behavior of cation exchange membrane (CEM) by waste salt containing decyltrimethylammonium chloride during membrane electrolysis.

With the implementation of the zero liquid discharge (ZLD) process for industrial wastewater treatment, the generation of large quantities of industrial waste salts has become a growing concern. The presence of organic contaminants, however, limits the reuse of NaCl waste salts for ion exchange membrane electrolysis, and the fouling behavior during the electrolysis process needs to be investigated. In this study, decyltrimethylammonium chloride (DTAC)-containing salt was employed as a model industrial waste salt to evaluate the fouling of cation exchange membrane (CEM) during ion exchange membrane electrolysis involving waste salt reuse.

Prevalence and associated factors with low birth weight among human immunodeficiency virus exposed infants between 2004 and 2021 in Hubei, China: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Low birth weight (LBW, < 2500 g) is an essential indicator of neonatal death and poor infant development, but data on LBW among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-exposed infants in China is inadequate.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the temporal trend and factors associated with the LBW among HIV-exposed infants in Hubei province, China.

Methods: The pregnant women living with HIV in Hubei province, China between Jan 2004 and Dec 2021 were enrolled this study.

Nanoplastics enhance tebuconazole toxicity in lettuce by promoting its accumulation and disrupting phenylalanine metabolism: Importance of Trojan horse effect.

Nanoplastics (NPs) are ubiquitous in agricultural environments and may exacerbate environmental risks of pesticides. This study investigates how NPs influence the toxicity of tebuconazole in lettuce. In a hydroponic model, NPs (10 and 50 mg/L) enhanced tebuconazole accumulation in roots and exacerbated its toxicity.

Clinical, genomic, and histopathologic diversity in cerebral cavernous malformations.

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are hemorrhagic vascular disorders with varied clinical and radiological presentations, occurring sporadically due to MAP3K3 or PIK3CA mutations or through inherited germline mutations of CCM genes. This study aimed to clarify the clinical, genetic, and pathological features of CCMs using a multicenter cohort across three Chinese centers. We analyzed 290 surgical specimens from symptomatic CCM patients, utilizing whole-exome sequencing, droplet digital PCR, and targeted panel sequencing, alongside immunohistology to examine genotypic and phenotypic differences.

Application of copy number variation sequencing combined with whole exome sequencing in prenatal left-right asymmetry disorders.

Background: Left-right (LR) asymmetry disorders present a complex etiology, with genetic factors emerging as a primary contributor. This study aims to explore the genetic underpinnings of chromosomal variants and individual genes in fetuses afflicted with prenatal LR asymmetry disorder.

Methods: Through a retrospective analysis conducted between 2020 and 2023 at Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, genetic outcomes of LR asymmetric disorder were scrutinized utilizing copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) and whole exome sequencing (WES) methodologies.

Low Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA5248, XBB15 and JN1 by Homologous Booster and Breakthrough Infection.

Immunity against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can be induced through either infection with the virus or vaccination, providing protection against reinfection or reducing the risk of severe clinical outcomes. In this study, we recruited 172 volunteers who received different vaccination regimens, including 124 individuals who had recovered from breakthrough infections caused by the Omicron variant (27 with 2 doses, 49 with 3 doses, and 48 with 4 doses) and 48 healthy donors who did not experience breakthrough infections (all of whom received a fourth dose during the infection wave). We measured neutralizing antibody levels against Omicron BA.

High-throughput Mucus Microrheology for Phenotyping and Disease Modeling.

Mucus plays an integral role for the barrier function of many epithelial tissues. In the human airways, mucus is constantly secreted to capture inhaled microbes and pollutants and cleared away through concerted ciliary motion. Many important respiratory diseases exhibit altered mucus flowability and impaired clearance, contributing to respiratory distress and increased risk of infections.

A novel pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 isolated from a sick racing pigeon in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China shows high virulence in chickens.

Pigeon paramyxovirus type-1 (PPMV-1) is the causative agent of pigeon Newcastle disease (ND), which has caused huge losses to the pigeon industry. In this study, a PPMV-1 strain, PPMV-1/QH-01/CH/23, was isolated from a sick racing pigeon in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China in 2023. The mean death time of chicken embryos and the intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI) were 76.

Poststroke Translocator Protein Expression Dynamics and Correlations to Chronic Infarction: A -CLINDE-SPECT Study.

Background And Purpose: This study aims to investigate the longitudinal changes in translocator protein (TSPO) following stroke in different brain regions and potential associations with chronic brain infarction.

Methods: Twelve patients underwent SPECT using the TSPO tracer 6-Chloro-2-(4'-123I-Iodophenyl)-3-(N,N-Diethyl)-Imidazo[1,2-a]Pyridine-3-Acetamide, as well as structural MRI, at 10, 41, and 128 days (median) after ischemic infarction in the middle cerebral artery. TSPO expression was measured in lesional (MRI lesion and SPECT lesion), connected (pons and ipsilesional thalamus), and nonconnected (ipsilesional cerebellum and contralesional occipital cortex) regions.

Antihypertensive strategies for the prevention of secondary stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Stroke is an important contributor to disability and death globally. Hypertension is a main risk factor for recurrent stroke in patients with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke or transient ischemic attack. Higher systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure and mean arterial pressure at admission are independently associated with the risk of stroke recurrence.

Diamine Crosslinked Addition-Type Diblock Poly(Norbornene)s-Based Anion Exchange Membranes with High Conductivity and Stability for Fuel Cell Applications.

Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) as a kind of important functional material are widely used in fuel cells. However, synthetic AEMs generally suffer from low conductivity, poor alkaline stability, and poor dimensional stability. Constructing efficient ion transport channels is widely regarded as one of the most effective strategies for developing AEMs with high conductivity and low swelling ratio.

miR-141-3p inhibited BPA-induced proliferation and migration of lung cancer cells through PTGER4.

Unlabelled: The chemical substance bisphenol A (BPA) is widely used in household products, and its effect on human health has frequently been the focus of research. The aim of this study was to explore the potential molecular regulatory mechanism of BPA on the proliferation and migration of lung cancer cells. In this study, the H1299 and A549 lung cancer cell lines were selected as the study objects.

Anti-Hyperlipidemic, Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Antidiabetic Effect of Brucine Against Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Nephropathy in Rats.

Among the diabetes-related complications, diabetic nephropathy is the major complication and it leads to end-stage renal failure. In the current investigation, we examined the protection of brucine, an alkaloid extracted from the seeds of Strychnos nux vomica plant widely used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicines against diabetic-induced nephropathy. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, diabetic rats, diabetic-induced + 40 mg/kg brucine-treated rats, and diabetic-induced + 25 mg/kg metformin-treated rats.

DHA Improves neurodevelopmental abnormalities in offspring of gestational diabetes mellitus patients via the PPAR-γ/FATP4 pathway.

Offspring of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) face an increased risk of long-term neurodevelopmental abnormalities. This study explores the altered expression of key placental fatty acid transport proteins-FATP2, FATP4, FATP6, FABP4, and FAT/CD36-in GDM patients, and the potential of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to mitigate neurodevelopmental risks in offspring by enhancing their expression through activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ). Our findings demonstrate that placental FATP4 expression is reduced in GDM patients.

The association of RBP4 with chronic kidney diseases in southern Chinese population.

Background: Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4), as a novel adipokine, has been proven to be highly related to insulin resistance, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, hyperuricemia and other metabolic diseases, which are all risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, there is a lack of sufficient studies to explore the relationship between RBP4 and CKD, and no reports have described the predictive value of RBP4 for CKD. This study was designed to clarify the relationship between RBP4 and CKD and its potential predictive value.

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and antibody trajectories after easing of COVID-19 restrictions: a longitudinal study in China.

Background: We aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and investigate the trajectories of protective immunity and associated risk factors in eastern China between March and November 2023 after the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

Materials And Methods: We conducted repeated population-based seroepidemiologic studies using a multistage, population-stratified, cluster random sampling method. We measured neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) using a fluorescence immunoassay.

Gut microbiota metabolism of branched-chain amino acids and their metabolites can improve the physiological function of aging mice.

The metabolism of branched-chain amino acids by gut microbiota can improve overall health and may reverse aging. In this study, we investigated Parabacteroides merdae, a gut microbe that is known to catabolise branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). Three metabolites of BCAAs isovalerate, 2-methylbutyrate, and isobutyrate were used to treat D-gal induced aging mice.

An evidence-based nursing practice affects stress state, coagulation, complications and quality of life in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding in the emergency department: a retrospective observational study.

Background: Acute gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a common surgical emergency digestive system disorder with high morbidity and mortality.

Aim: This study sought to explore effects of evidence-based nursing practice (ENP) procedures on stress state, coagulation function, complications in patients with upper GIB (UGIB) and quantify of life in emergency department.

Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis and a total of 120 patients with UGIB were enrolled and divided into an experimental group with ENP interventions and a reference group with traditional nursing according to different nursing programs.

Gas immnuo-nanomedicines fight cancers.

Certain gas molecules, including hydrogen (H), nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (HS), oxygen (O) and sulfur dioxide (SO) exhibit significant biological functionalities that can modulate the immune response. Strategies pertaining to gas-based immune therapy have garnered considerable attention in recent years. Nevertheless, delivering various gas molecules precisely into tumors, which leads to enhanced anti-tumor immunotherapeutic effect, is still a main challenge.