Gut microbiota, plasma metabolites, and osteoporosis: unraveling links via Mendelian randomization.

Objective: Osteoporosis, characterized by reduced bone density and heightened fracture risk, is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. This study investigates the interplay between gut microbiota, plasma metabolomics, and osteoporosis, identifying potential causal relationships mediated by plasma metabolites.

Methods: Utilizing aggregated genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data, a comprehensive two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis was performed involving 196 gut microbiota taxa, 1,400 plasma metabolites, and osteoporosis indicators.

Bladder cancer selective chemotherapy with potent NQO1 substrate co-loaded prodrug nanoparticles.

Currently, clinical intravesical instillation chemotherapy has been greatly compromised by the toxicological and physiological factors. New formulations that can specifically and efficiently kill bladder cancer cells are in urgent need to overcome the low residence efficiency and dose limiting toxicity of current ones. The combination of mucoadhesive nanocarriers and cancer cell selective prodrugs can to great extent address these limitations.

High serum miR-484 expression is associated with the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

The aim of the current study was to assess the expression and clinical significance of serum microRNA (miR)-484 in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine the expression of miR-484 in the serum of patients with NSCLC and NSCLC cell lines. Cell counting kit-8, flow cytometry, cell migration and cell invasion assays were performed to assess the role of miR-484 in the malignant changes associated with NSCLC cells.

A compact high-voltage pulse forming module with hundreds of nanoseconds quasi-squared output pulse.

A pulse forming module (PFM) with a multifunction of energy storage and a quasi-squared pulse output is developed to meet the challenge of a compact design and square output waveform in a high-power Marx generator. A simplified pulse forming circuit comprising only 2 parallel connected sections, in which every section contains an inductor and a capacitor in series, has been proposed and investigated carefully to obtain a quasi-squared waveform. Influences of inductance values in the circuit on its output waveform to a resistive load are investigated.

Higher expression of circulating miR-182 as a novel biomarker for breast cancer.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), present in the serum in a stable and reproducible manner, may be used as biomarkers for various diseases. Few studies have previously investigated circulating miRNAs in the peripheral blood of breast cancer (BC) patients. To identify the role of serum miR-182 levels in BC, the present study detected miR-182 levels in the serum of 46 BC patients and 58 controls, by quantitative PCR.

[Effects of adhesion releasing under nerve block and arthrolysis on adhesive scapulohumeral periarthritis: a comparative study].

Objective: To compare the effects of adhesion releasing under nerve block and arthrolysis on adhesive scapulohumeral periarthritis.

Methods: Sixty patients with adhesive scapulohumeral periarthritis 24 males and 36 females, aged 52.5 (40 - 67), were randomly divided into 4 equal groups: Group I, undergoing adhesion releasing under brachial plexus block, Group II, undergoing adhesion releasing under stellate ganglion block, Group III, undergoing limited adhesion releasing under stellate ganglion block, and Group IV undergoing arthrolysis under stellate ganglion block.