Neurturin-Induced Activation of GFRA2-RET Axis Potentiates Pancreatic Cancer Glycolysis via Phosphorylated Hexokinase 2.

Pancreatic cancer, characterized by its insidious onset, high invasiveness, resistance to chemotherapy, and a grim prognosis, with a five-year survival rate hovering below 10%. The identification of novel therapeutic targets addressing tumor progression is therefore critically important. While perineural invasion (PNI) is recognized as a pathological hallmark and key driver of pancreatic cancer progression, its role in metabolic reprogramming of malignant cells has not been fully elucidated.

Gastric duplication cysts with mixed hemangioma treated by endoscopic submucosal dissection: A case report and literature review.

Gastric duplication cysts (GDCs) are rare cystic neoplasms that are often difficult to distinguish from other entities. Accurate diagnosis of cysts before resection is difficult even using the most advanced imaging techniques. We present a case of a gastric duplication cyst in a 17-year-old female, presenting with discomfort in the upper abdomen.

A Chromatography Test Strip of Exonuclease III-Amplified Aptamer for Rapid Identification of Prorocentrum minimum.

Recently, the scale and frequency of harmful algae blooms (HABs) have gradually increased, posing a serious threat to human health, marine ecosystems and economic development. For early warning, a method is required that can quickly detect and monitor microalgae. It is proposed to use aptamer targeted to Prorocentrum minimum, along with exonuclease III (Exo III), gold nanoparticles, target single-stranded DNA and hairpin structure probe to construct a new method, i.

Antihypertensive effects of rice peptides involve intestinal microbiome alterations and intestinal inflammation alleviation in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Gut dysbiosis serves as an underlying risk factor for the development of hypertension. The resolution of this dysbiosis has emerged as a promising strategy in improving hypertension. Food-derived bioactive protein peptides have become increasingly more attractive in ameliorating hypertension, primarily due to their anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities.

Short-Term Efficacy of LCBDE+LC Versus ERCP/EST+LC in the Treatment of Cholelithiasis Combined with Common Bile Duct Stones: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Minimally invasive treatments for cholelithiasis have gained popularity. The complexity of diagnosing and treating choledocholithiasis offers multiple surgical options, including laparoscopic common bile duct exploration plus laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LCBDE+LC) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and/or endoscopic sphincterotomy plus laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ERCP/EST+LC). To compare outcomes in patients with typical signs, symptoms, laboratory, and imaging features of cholelithiasis combined with common bile duct stones, we retrospectively analyzed the short-term outcomes of LCBDE+LC and ERCP/EST+LC.

Short-Term Efficacy of Transumbilical Single-Incision Versus Conventional Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

With the rising demand for minimally invasive and cosmetically appealing surgeries, transumbilical single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) has been increasingly adopted, albeit in a limited number of medical centers. Our team has successfully executed transumbilical SILC for benign gallbladder diseases. This study retrospectively analyzed and compared the efficacy of transumbilical SILC with that of conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC).

Non-pathogenic E. coli displaying decoy-resistant IL18 mutein boosts anti-tumor and CAR NK cell responses.

The tumor microenvironment can inhibit the efficacy of cancer therapies through mechanisms such as poor trafficking and exhaustion of immune cells. Here, to address this challenge, we exploited the safety, tumor tropism and ease of genetic manipulation of non-pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) to deliver key immune-activating cytokines to tumors via surface display on the outer membrane of E.

Overcoming Biopotency Barriers: Advanced Oral Delivery Strategies for Enhancing the Efficacy of Bioactive Food Ingredients.

Bioactive food ingredients contribute to the promotion and maintenance of human health and wellbeing. However, these functional ingredients often exhibit low biopotency after food processing or gastrointestinal transit. Well-designed oral delivery systems can increase the ability of bioactive food ingredients to resist harsh environments inside and outside the human body, as well as allow for controlled or triggered release of bioactives to specific sites in the gastrointestinal tract or other tissues and organs.

A one-way street recognition approach to mediate allogeneic immune cell therapies.

CD54 and CD58 are adhesion proteins that mediate efficient immune synapse formation. Hammer et al. now show that the abrogation of these molecules in T and NK cells prevents their immune rejection while maintaining their effector function.

Microencapsule delivery systems of functional substances for precision nutrition.

Microencapsulation, a typical core-shell structure technology, encapsulates functional active ingredients for protection, controlled release, and targeted delivery. In precise nutrition, the focus is on utilizing microcapsule delivery systems for personalized dietary supplements and disease intervention. This chapter outlines the morphological structure of microcapsules, common wall materials, and preparation techniques.

Enhancing the effects of curcumin on oxidative stress injury in brain vascular endothelial cells using lactoferrin peptide nano-micelles: antioxidant activity and mechanism.

Background: Curcumin is widely known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but its mechanism of action in mitigating oxidative stress injury in brain vascular endothelial cells remains unclear. Due to the poor bioavailability of curcumin, it is challenging to achieve effective concentrations at the target sites. Nano-micelles are known for their ability to improve the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of hydrophobic compounds like curcumin.

Expression and pathogenesis of insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 in a mouse model of ulcerative colitis.

Background And Aim: Insulin-like growth factor-1 may be involved in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition process. It can mitigate adverse effects when interacting with insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3. This study aimed to explore alterations in the expression of these two factors in the colonic tissue of mice with ulcerative colitis.

Interfacial engineering of Pickering emulsions stabilized by pea protein-alginate microgels for encapsulation of hydrophobic bioactives.

This study aims to investigate the effects of interfacial layer composition and structure on the formation, physicochemical properties and stability of Pickering emulsions. Interfacial layers were formed using pea protein isolate (PPI), PPI microgel particles (PPIMP), a mixture of PPIMP and sodium alginate (PPIMP-SA), or PPIMP-SA conjugate. The encapsulation and protective effects on different hydrophobic bioactives were then evaluated within these Pickering emulsions.

Treatment with walnut peptide ameliorates memory impairment in zebrafish and rats: promoting the expression of neurotrophic factors and suppressing oxidative stress.

Walnut peptide, a low molecular weight peptide separated from walnuts by enzymatic hydrolysis, is considered as a potential nutraceutical with a variety of biological activities. In this study, we characterized the walnut peptide prepared by alkaline protease hydrolysis and evaluated its neuroprotective effect in zebrafish and rat models of memory disorders. Series of concentrations of the walnut peptide were orally administered to zebrafish and rats to examine its impact on the behavior and biochemical indicators.

Advances in enhancing the mechanical properties of biopolymer hydrogels via multi-strategic approaches.

The limited mechanical properties of biopolymer-based hydrogels have hindered their widespread applications in biomedicine and tissue engineering. In recent years, researchers have shown significant interest in developing novel approaches to enhance the mechanical performance of hydrogels. This review focuses on key strategies for enhancing mechanical properties of hydrogels, including dual-crosslinking, double networks, and nanocomposite hydrogels, with a comprehensive analysis of their underlying mechanisms, benefits, and limitations.

Effectiveness of probiotic- and fish oil-loaded water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsions at alleviating ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a common chronic inflammatory disease that causes serious harm to human health. Probiotics have the effect of improving UC. This study evaluated the preventative potential of water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsions containing both probiotics and fish oil on UC and associated anxiety-like behavior using a mice model.

High internal phase double emulsions stabilized by modified pea protein-alginate complexes: Application for co-encapsulation of riboflavin and β-carotene.

The application of many hydrophilic and hydrophobic nutraceuticals is limited by their poor solubility, chemical stability, and/or bioaccessibility. In this study, a novel Pickering high internal phase double emulsion co-stabilized by modified pea protein isolate (PPI) and sodium alginate (SA) was developed for the co-encapsulation of model hydrophilic (riboflavin) and hydrophobic (β-carotene) nutraceuticals. Initially, the effect of emulsifier type in the external water phase on emulsion formation and stability was examined, including commercial PPI (C-PPI), C-PPI-SA complex, homogenized and ultrasonicated PPI (HU-PPI), and HU-PPI-SA complex.

Modulating peppermint oil flavor release properties of emulsion-filled protein gels: Impact of cross-linking method and matrix composition.

For some food applications, it is desirable to control the flavor release profiles of volatile flavor compounds. In this study, the effects of crosslinking method and protein composition on the flavor release properties of emulsion-filled protein hydrogels were explored, using peppermint essential oil as a model volatile compound. Emulsion-filled protein gels with different properties were prepared using different crosslinking methods and gelatin concentrations.

Oral delivery of probiotics using single-cell encapsulation.

Adequate intake of live probiotics is beneficial to human health and wellbeing because they can help treat or prevent a variety of health conditions. However, the viability of probiotics is reduced by the harsh environments they experience during passage through the human gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Consequently, the oral delivery of viable probiotics is a significant challenge.

The enhancement of energy supply in syngas-fermenting microorganisms.

After the second industrial revolution, social productivity developed rapidly, and the use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas increased greatly in industrial production. The burning of these fossil fuels releases large amounts of greenhouse gases such as CO, which has caused greenhouse effects and global warming. This has endangered the planet's ecological balance and brought many species, including animals and plants, to the brink of extinction.

EGCG-based nanoparticles: synthesis, properties, and applications.

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a natural phenolic substance found in foods and beverages (especially tea) that exhibits a broad spectrum of biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. Its potential in cardiovascular and brain health has garnered significant attention. However, its clinical application remains limited due to its poor physicochemical stability and low oral bioavailability.

Coca-Cola consumption fragmentation in the management of patients with phytobezoars: A prospective randomized controlled trial.

Background: Gastric phytobezoars (GPBs) are very common in northern China. Combined therapy involving carbonated beverage consumption and endoscopic lithotripsy has been shown to be effective and safe. Existing studies on this subject are often case reports highlighting the successful dissolution of phytobezoars through Coca-Cola consumption.

Enhanced functional properties of pea protein isolate microgel particles modified with sodium alginate: Mixtures and conjugates.

Protein microgels are emerging as versatile soft particles due to their desirable interfacial activities and functional properties. In this study, pea protein isolate microgel particles (PPIMP) were prepared by heat treatment and transglutaminase crosslinking, and PPIMP were non-covalently and covalently modified with sodium alginate (SA). The effects of polymer ratio and pH on the formation of PPIMP-SA mixtures and conjugates were investigated.

Enhancing pea protein isolate functionality: A comparative study of high-pressure homogenization, ultrasonic treatment, and combined processing techniques.

Pea protein has attracted widespread attention due to its high nutritional value, low allergenicity, non-GMO status, and broad availability. However, compared to animal proteins, pea protein has inferior functional properties, which limits its application in the food industry. This study used pea protein isolate (PPI) as the main raw material and investigated the effects of high-pressure homogenization (HPH), ultrasonic treatment (US), and the combination of the two in different orders on the structure and function of PPI.