Mechanisms and Countermeasures for Muscle Atrophy in Microgravity.

Previous studies have revealed that muscle atrophy emerges as a significant challenge faced by astronauts during prolonged missions in space. A loss in muscle mass results in a weakening of skeletal muscle strength and function, which will not only contribute to a decline in overall physical performance but also elevate the risk of various age-related diseases. Skeletal muscle atrophy in the microgravity environment is thought to be associated with changes in energy metabolism, protein metabolism, calcium ion homeostasis, myostatin levels, and apoptosis.

Integrative Analysis of Chromatin Accessibility and Transcriptional Landscape Identifies Key Genes During Muscle Development in Pigs.

Many efforts have been made to reveal the mechanisms underlying skeletal muscle development because of its importance in animals. However, knowledge on chromatin accessibility, a prerequisite for gene expression, remains limited. Here, dynamic changes in chromatin accessibility were analyzed in the skeletal muscles of Min pigs at the ages of 30, 90, and 210 d using an assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq).

The Role and Mechanism of TRIM Proteins in Gastric Cancer.

Tripartite motif (TRIM) family proteins, distinguished by their N-terminal region that includes a Really Interesting New Gene (RING) domain with E3 ligase activity, two B-box domains, and a coiled-coil region, have been recognized as significant contributors in carcinogenesis, primarily via the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) for degrading proteins. Mechanistically, these proteins modulate a variety of signaling pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/AKT, and TGF-β/Smad, contributing to cellular regulation, and also impact cellular activities through non-signaling mechanisms, including modulation of gene transcription, protein degradation, and stability via protein-protein interactions. Currently, growing evidence indicates that TRIM proteins emerge as potential regulators in gastric cancer, exhibiting both tumor-suppressive and oncogenic roles.

Sex and Age Differences in Glucocorticoid Signaling After an Aversive Experience in Mice.

Background: glucocorticoids may play an important role in the formation of fear memory, which is relevant to the neurobiology of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In our previous study, we showed the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) forms a protein complex with FKBP51, which prevents translocation of GR into the nucleus to affect gene expression; this complex is elevated in PTSD patients and by fear-conditioned learning in mice, and disrupting this complex blocks the storage and retrieval of fear-conditioned memories. The timing of release of glucocorticoid relative to the formation of a traumatic memory could be important in this process, and remains poorly understood.

Mechanical Stretch Control of Adipocyte AKT Signaling and the Role of FAK and ROCK Mechanosensors.

Adipose tissue in vivo is physiologically exposed to compound mechanical loading due to bodyweight bearing, posture, and motion. The capability of adipocytes to sense and respond to mechanical loading milieus to influence metabolic functions may provide a new insight into obesity and metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). Here, we evidenced physiological mechanical loading control of adipocyte insulin signaling cascades.

The Interplay Between Muscular Activity and Pattern Recognition of Electro-Stimulated Haptic Cues During Normal Walking: A Pilot Study.

This pilot study explored how muscle activation influences the pattern recognition of tactile cues delivered using electrical stimulation (ES) during each 10% window interval of the normal walking gait cycle (GC). Three healthy adults participated in the experiment. After identifying the appropriate threshold, ES as the haptic cue was applied to the gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) and biceps brachii (BB) of participants walking on a treadmill.

Defining a Critical Partition Zone for Sagittal Alignment in Lumbar Spine Fusion Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Background: Sagittal alignment in the lumbar spine is essential for spinal stability and functionality, with significant implications in surgical planning for spinal deformity correction. However, standardized lumbar partitioning, particularly identifying a critical sagittal alignment zone, remains underdefined. This study aims to establish a reliable lumbar partition to guide surgical decisions and optimize clinical outcomes.

Keypoints-Based Multi-Cue Feature Fusion Network (MF-Net) for Action Recognition of ADHD Children in TOVA Assessment.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder among children and adolescents. Behavioral detection and analysis play a crucial role in ADHD diagnosis and assessment by objectively quantifying hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms. Existing video-based action recognition algorithms focus on object or interpersonal interactions, they may overlook ADHD-specific behaviors.

A Dual-Branch Residual Network with Attention Mechanisms for Enhanced Classification of Vaginal Lesions in Colposcopic Images.

Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN), linked to HPV infection, is a condition that is often overlooked during colposcopy, especially in the vaginal vault area, as clinicians tend to focus more on cervical lesions. This oversight can lead to missed or delayed diagnosis and treatment for patients with VAIN. Timely and accurate classification of VAIN plays a crucial role in the evaluation of vaginal lesions and the formulation of effective diagnostic approaches.

Hydronephrosis-Induced Polycythemia with Low Erythropoietin Level: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Introduction: Polycythemia is a rare condition that can be either primary or secondary. We report a case of an adolescent with progressive hydronephrosis-induced polycythemia and low erythropoietin levels, along with a thorough literature review.

Report Of A Case: A 17-year-old girl with epilepsy had progressively elevated hemoglobin levels and low erythropoietin levels.

The Effect of Increasing the Body's Core Temperature and Improving Blood Flow by Using Far-Infrared Rays Emitted from Functional Loess Bio-Balls.

Background: Low-energy far-infrared rays (FIRs) are widely used in the treatment of wounds, lymphedema, and various vascular diseases, and various types of products that emit infrared rays are being used at home for patients with blood flow-related diseases without experimental evidence.

Methods: Blood flow and epidermal temperature were measured while applying conductive heat and FIRs via an electric mat (non-intervention) or a loess bio-ball mat (intervention).

Results: In the control group ( = 30), there was a minimal change in blood flow and epidermal temperature in the right and left middle fingers (LMF, RMF) as the mat temperature gradually increased.

D-Serine May Ameliorate Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity Impairment Induced by Patients' Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor Antibodies in Mice.

: To establish a mouse model of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis and assess the potential therapeutic benefits of D-serine supplementation in mitigating synaptic plasticity impairments induced by anti-NMDAR antibodies. : Anti-NMDAR antibodies were purified from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of patients diagnosed with anti-NMDAR encephalitis and verified using a cell-based assay. CSF from patients with non-inflammatory neurological diseases served as the control.

Research Progress on the Relationship Between Artificial Sweeteners and Breast Cancer.

Artificial sweeteners, as low-calorie sugar substitutes, have attracted much attention in recent years, especially in terms of their potential health effects. Although they add almost no calories, studies have shown that artificial sweeteners may affect metabolism by stimulating insulin secretion and changing the intestinal microbiota, increasing the risk of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Breast cancer, as the most common cancer in the world, is related to multiple factors such as genetics and hormone levels.

Beneficial Actions of 4-Methylumbelliferone in Type 1 Diabetes by Promoting β Cell Renewal and Inhibiting Dedifferentiation.

: This study aims to investigate the effects of 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU) on islet morphology, cell phenotype and function, and to explore possible mechanisms of β cell regeneration. : The Type 1 diabetes (T1D) model was induced by continuous dose injection of streptozotocin (STZ), and mice were treated with 4-MU for 3 weeks. Plasma insulin level, islet cell phenotype and immune infiltration were determined by IPGTT, ELISA, HE and immunofluorescence.

The Promising Potency of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors in the Prevention of and as Treatment for Cognitive Impairment Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), accounting for the majority of diabetes mellitus prevalence, is associated with an increased risk of cognition decline and deterioration of cognition function in diabetic patients. The sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), located in the renal proximal tubule, plays a role in urine glucose reabsorption. SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), have shown potential benefits beyond cardiac and renal improvement in preventing and treating cognitive impairment (CI), including mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia in T2DM patients.

Crosstalk Within the Intestinal Epithelium: Aspects of Intestinal Absorption, Homeostasis, and Immunity.

Gut health is crucial in many ways, such as in improving human health in general and enhancing production in agricultural animals. To maximize the effect of a healthy gastrointestinal tract (GIT), an understanding of the regulation of intestinal functions is needed. Proper intestinal functions depend on the activity, composition, and behavior of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs).

Early Alpha-Fetoprotein Response Predicts Sustained Tumor Response Following Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Combined with Targeted Therapy in Liver Cancer.

Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized liver cancer treatment, some patients experience early tumor progression after therapy, missing the window for other potential treatments, such as neoadjuvant therapy. Therefore, identifying the predictive factors for early progression is critical for timely therapeutic adjustment and the optimization of patient outcomes. This retrospective study enrolled patients with liver cancer who received their first ICI combined with targeted therapy at the Fifth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital between June 2022 and December 2023.

DENV-1 Infection of Macrophages Induces Pyroptosis and Causes Changes in MicroRNA Expression Profiles.

Background: Dengue virus (DENV) is the most widespread mosquito-borne virus, which can cause dengue fever with mild symptoms, or progress to fatal dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. As the main target cells of DENV, macrophages are responsible for the innate immune response against the virus.

Methods: In this study, we investigated the role of pyroptosis in the pathogenic mechanism of dengue fever by examining the level of pyroptosis in DENV-1-infected macrophages and further screened differentially expressed microRNAs by high-throughput sequencing to predict microRNAs that could affect the pyroptosis of the macrophage.

Echinacoside Alleviates Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via Nrf2/HMOX1 Pathway.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic lipid accumulation, and echinacoside (ECH) has demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects across multiple conditions, it has demonstrated hepatoprotective effects. Ferroptosis represents a novel mechanism of cell demise, differing from apoptosis and autophagy. Emerging research indicates that ferroptosis in hepatocytes plays a role in the development of alcoholic liver disease.

Integrative Multi-Omics Analysis Reveals Critical Molecular Networks Linking Intestinal-System Diseases to Colorectal Cancer Progression.

: Colorectal cancer (CRC) frequently co-occurs with intestinal system diseases (ISDs), yet their molecular interplay remains poorly understood. We employed a comprehensive bioinformatics approach to elucidate shared genetic signatures and pathways between CRC and ISDs. : We systematically analyzed 12 microarray and RNA-seq datasets encompassing 989 samples across seven ISDs and CRC.

Pan-Cancer Analysis Reveals the Potential of PLOD1 as a Prognostic and Immune Biomarker for Human Cancer.

Procollagen-lysine, 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 1 (PLOD1) is known as an enhancer of collagen fiber deposition and cross-linking stability. However, there is limited information on its function in tumors. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the function and potential mechanism of action of PLOD1 across cancers.

Correction: Yang et al. Acute Effects of Percussive Massage Therapy on Thoracolumbar Fascia Thickness and Ultrasound Echo Intensity in Healthy Male Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Trial. 2023, , 1073.

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Testing a Family Conflict Intervention for Parents and Typically Developing Adolescent Siblings of Individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities.

Parents and typically developing (TD) youth siblings of individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) often experience greater caregiving burden, stress, and hardships in family functioning. They are at increased risk of family conflict and youth adjustment problems when TD siblings are adolescents since they need to balance caregiving responsibilities and various changes that naturally occur during adolescence. However, there is a lack of intervention research on parents and TD adolescent siblings that focuses on family conflict and family-wide participation.

Encourage or Reject Employee Involvement: Value Creation in Human Resource Management in the AI Era-An Evolutionary Game Analysis of Enterprises and Employees.

In the context of globalization and rapid technological advancement, the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought new opportunities and challenges to Human Resource Management (HRM). This study constructs an evolutionary game model to explore the strategy choices and evolutionary paths of enterprises and employees in HRM value co-creation with AI involvement. We numerically simulated the dynamic evolution of strategies under different scenarios, revealing the equilibrium characteristics of strategic interactions between enterprises and employees in the AI context.

Trait Anxiety Leads to "Better" Performance? A Study on Acute Stress and Uncertain Decision-Making.

In uncertain situations, individuals seek to maximize rewards while managing risks. Yet, the effects of acute stress and anxiety on decision-making in ambiguous and risky contexts are unclear. This study aims to contribute to the exploration of how acute stress influences sensitivity to immediate vs.