Caspase-11 signaling promotes damage to hippocampal CA3 to enhance cognitive dysfunction in infection.

Background: Cognitive dysfunction caused by infection frequently emerges as a complication in sepsis survivor patients. However, a comprehensive understanding of its pathogenesis remains elusive.

Methods: In our in vivo experiments, an animal model of endotoxemia was employed, utilizing the Novel Object Recognition Test and Morris Water Maze Test to assess cognitive function.

The relationship between follicle-stimulating hormone and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in men.

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between male hormones and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in males.

Methods: Data from the Fangchenggang Area Male Health and Examination Survey (FAMHES) were used to analyze the male hormone levels between MAFLD patients and controls. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for MAFLD.

Enhancing the Inhibition of Breast Cancer Growth Through Synergistic Modulation of the Tumor Microenvironment Using Combined Nano-Delivery Systems.

Purpose: Breast cancer is a prevalent malignancy among women worldwide, and malignancy is closely linked to the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we prepared mixed nano-sized formulations composed of pH-sensitive liposomes (Ber/Ru486@CLPs) and small-sized nano-micelles (Dox@CLGs). These liposomes and nano-micelles were modified by chondroitin sulfate (CS) to selectively target breast cancer cells.

A pH‑responsive hyaluronic acid nano‑vehicle co‑encapsulating doxorubicin and all‑trans retinoic acid for the inhibition of hepatic stellate cell‑induced tumor growth and metastasis.

All‑trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has been implicated in the differentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). In the present study, the liver‑targeting hyaluronic acid micelles (ADHG) were prepared for co‑delivery of ATRA and doxorubicin (DOX) to block the HSC‑hepatoma interrelation. To simulate the tumor microenvironment, an dual‑cell model and an co‑implantation mouse model were established for anticancer studies.

Copy number variant analysis for syndromic congenital heart disease in the Chinese population.

Background: Syndromic congenital heart disease (CHD) is among the most severe conditions in the pediatric population. Copy number variant (CNV) is an important cause of syndromic CHD, but few studies focused on CNVs related to these patients in China. The present study aimed to identify pathogenic CNVs associated with syndromic CHD in the Chinese population.

X-linked BCOR variants identified in Chinese Han patients with congenital heart disease.

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) frequently manifests as a complex phenotype and approximately one-third of cases may be caused by genetic factors. BCOR, an X-linked gene encoding the corepressor of BCL6, has been demonstrated to be closely involved in human heart development. However, whether BCOR variants represent the genetic etiology underlying CHD needs further investigation.

Curcumin and berberine co-loaded liposomes for anti-hepatocellular carcinoma therapy by blocking the cross-talk between hepatic stellate cells and tumor cells.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major component of the tumor microenvironment (TME). In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), quiescent hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) could be activated to become CAFs, which play a critical role in tumor progression and drug resistance. Therefore, recent efforts have been focused on combining anti-HSC and pro-apoptotic activities to improve anti-tumor efficacy of drugs.

Therapeutic Response of Multifunctional Lipid and Micelle Formulation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), as an important part of the tumor microenvironment (TME), could be activated by tumor cells as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), thereby promoting the production of extracellular matrix (ECM) and favoring the development of tumors. Therefore, blocking the "CAFs-ECM" axis is a promising pathway to improve antitumor efficacy. Based on this, we developed a multifunctional nanosized delivery system composed of hyaluronic acid-modified pH-sensitive liposomes (CTHLs) and glycyrrheic acid-modified nanomicelles (DGNs), which combines the advantages of targeted delivery, pH-sensitivity, and deep drug penetration.

Identification of mite-specific eosinophils in the colon of patients with ulcerative colitis.

The pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC) is unclear. House dust mite (HDM) is associated with immune inflammation in the body. This study is designed to identify the association between HDM and UC clinical symptoms.

GA&HA-Modified Liposomes for Co-Delivery of Aprepitant and Curcumin to Inhibit Drug-Resistance and Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a vital role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Mounting evidence indicates that peripheral nerves could induce a shift from quiescent hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) by secreting substance P (SP). The anti-tumor strategy by targeting "SP-HSCs-HCC" axis might be an effective therapy to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis.

PTPN11 Gene Mutations and Its Association with the Risk of Congenital Heart Disease.

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital birth defect, with a prevalence of 8.98‰ of all live births in China. PTPN11 has been known to be closely involved in heart developments.

Propionic acid regulates immune tolerant properties in B Cells.

Interleukin 10 (IL-10)-producing B cells (B10 cells) are a canonical cell fraction for regulating other activities of immune cells. Posttranscriptional modification of IL-10 in B10 cells is not yet fully understood. Short-chain fatty acids play an important role to regulate the functions of immune cells.

CD38 B cells affect immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis.

Background: Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is the mainstay in the treatment of allergic diseases, but the therapeutic effects of AIT need to be improved. CD38 B cells are an immune cell fraction involved in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases as well as in immune regulation.

Objective: We sought to elucidate the role of antigen-specific CD38 B cells in AIT.

CpG site hypomethylation at ETS1‑binding region regulates DLK1 expression in Chinese patients with Tetralogy of Fallot.

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is the most common cyanotic congenital heart malformation accounting for ~10% of cases. Although the pathogenesis of TOF is complex and largely unknown, epigenetics plays a huge role, specifically DNA methylation. The protein δ like non‑canonical Notch ligand 1 (DLK1) gene encodes a non‑canonical ligand of the Notch signaling pathway, which is involved in heart development.

Combined anti-hepatocellular carcinoma therapy inhibit drug-resistance and metastasis via targeting "substance P-hepatic stellate cells-hepatocellular carcinoma" axis.

Peripheral nerves have emerged as the important components in tumor microenvironment (TME), which could activate hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) by secreting substance P (SP), leading to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) invasion and metastasis. Herein, we proposed a novel anti-HCC concept of blocking "SP-HSCs-HCC" axis for omnidirectional inhibition of HCC development. To pursue this aim, the novel CAP/GA-sHA-DOX NPs were developed for targeted co-delivery of capsaicin (CAP) and doxorubicin (DOX) using glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) modified sulfated-HA (sHA) as nanocarriers.

Co-Delivery of Curcumin and Capsaicin by Dual-Targeting Liposomes for Inhibition of aHSC-Induced Drug Resistance and Metastasis.

Recent research studies have shown that the low survival rate of liver cancer is due to drug resistance and metastasis. In the tumor microenvironment (TME), activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) have been proven to favor the development of liver cancer. Hence, the combination therapy dual-targeting aHSCs and tumor cells might be an effective strategy for treatment of liver cancer.

A Non-coding HES1 Variant Predisposes Children to Congenital Heart Disease in Chinese Population.

As a key component in the NOTCH signaling pathway, HES1 plays an important role in vertebrate heart development. Variants in the HES1 coding sequence are known to be associated with congenital heart disease (CHD). However, little is known about HES1 non-coding sequence variants and their association with the risk of developing CHD.

Galactose Modified Liposomes for Effective Co-Delivery of Doxorubicin and Combretastatin A4.

Background: Tumor angiogenesis plays a crucial role in tumor development, and recent efforts have been focused on combining proapoptotic and antiangiogenic activities to enhance antitumor therapy.

Methods: In this study, galactose-modified liposomes (Gal-LPs) were prepared for co-delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) and combretastatin A4 phosphate (CA4P). The co-cultured system composed of BEL-7402 and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) cells was established to effectively evaluate in vitro anti-tumor activity through cell viability and cell migration assay.

Characteristics of electrophysiological changes in the process of astrocytes pyroptosis after hyperoxia exposure.

Objectives: To observe the electrophysiological changes of astrocytes in the process of hyperoxia induced apoptosis and analyze the relationship between electrophysiological characteristics and morphological changes.

Methods: Astrocytes were exposed to 90% hyperoxia for 12-72 h. The electrophysiological characteristics of astrocytes in each group were detected by patch clamp technique, and the morphological characteristics of astrocytes were observed at the same time.

Liver-Targeting and pH-Sensitive Sulfated Hyaluronic Acid Mixed Micelles for Hepatoma Therapy.

Background: The tumor-targeting ability and pH-sensitive properties of intelligent drug delivery systems are crucial for effective drug delivery and anti-tumor therapy.

Methods: In this study, sHA-DOX/HA-GA mixed micelles were designed with the following properties: sulfated hyaluronic acid (sHA) was synthesized to block cell migration by inhibiting HAase; sHA-DOX conjugates were synthesized via pH-sensitive hydrazone bond to realize DOX-sensitive release. The introduction of HA-GA conjugate could improve active-targeting ability and cellular uptake.

Liver-targeted liposomes for codelivery of curcumin and combretastatin A4 phosphate: preparation, characterization, and antitumor effects.

Background: Recent efforts have been focused on combining two or more therapeutic approaches with different mechanisms to enhance antitumor therapy. Moreover, nanosize drug-delivery systems for codelivering two drugs with proapoptotic and antiangiogenic activities have exhibited great potential in efficient treatment of cancers.

Methods: Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA)-modified liposomes (GA LPs) for liver-targeted codelivery of curcumin (Cur) and combretastatin A4 phosphate (CA4P) were prepared and characterized.

Liver-Targeted Combination Therapy Basing on Glycyrrhizic Acid-Modified DSPE-PEG-PEI Nanoparticles for Co-delivery of Doxorubicin and Bcl-2 siRNA.

Combination therapy based on nano-sized drug delivery system has been developed as a promising strategy by combining two or more anti-tumor mechanisms. Here, we prepared liver-targeted nanoparticles (GH-DPP) composed of 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-polyethylene glycol-polyetherimide (DSPE-PEG-PEI) with Glycyrrhetinic acid-modified hyaluronic acid (GA-HA) for co-delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) and Bcl-2 siRNA. Particles size, zeta potential and morphology were determined for the drug-loaded GH-DPP nanoparticles (siRNA/DOX/GH-DPP).

Doxorubicin‑loaded dual‑functional hyaluronic acid nanoparticles: Preparation, characterization and antitumor efficacy in vitro and in vivo.

A novel GHH copolymer was synthesized using hyaluronic acid modified with glycyrrhetinic acid and L‑histidine (His), and doxorubicin‑loaded GHH nanoparticles (DOX/GHH) were prepared for liver‑targeted drug delivery and pH‑responsive drug release. In the present study, GHH nanoparticles were characterized, and their pH‑responsive behaviors were evaluated at different pH levels. The antitumor effect of the DOX/GHH nanoparticles was investigated in vitro and in vivo.

Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Imaging With Virtual Touch Tissue Quantification Enables Characterization of Mild Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Damage in Neonatal Rats.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the measurement of brain tissue stiffness using acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography with virtual touch tissue quantification can improve the early detection of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in rats.

Methods: Seven-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups: the mild asphyxia (n = 30), moderate asphyxia (n = 30), and sham control (n = 10) groups. Rats in the mild and moderate asphyxia groups were exposed to 8% oxygen (hypoxia) for 30 and 60 minutes, respectively, at 1 hour after ligation of the right common carotid artery.