The brain-bone axis: unraveling the complex interplay between the central nervous system and skeletal metabolism.

The brain-bone axis has emerged as a captivating field of research, unveiling the intricate bidirectional communication between the central nervous system (CNS) and skeletal metabolism. This comprehensive review delves into the current state of knowledge surrounding the brain-bone axis, exploring the complex mechanisms, key players, and potential clinical implications of this fascinating area of study. The review discusses the neural regulation of bone metabolism, highlighting the roles of the sympathetic nervous system, hypothalamic neuropeptides, and neurotransmitters in modulating bone remodeling.

Steering CO Electroreduction to C Products via Enhancing Localized *CO Coverage and Local Pressure in Conical Cavity.

The electrochemical carbon dioxide (CO) reduction reaction (CORR) involves a multistep proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) process that generates a variety of intermediates, making it challenging to transform them into target products with high activity and selectivity. Here, a catalyst featuring a nanosheet-stacked sphere structure with numerous open and deep conical cavities (OD-CCs) is reported. Under the guidance of the finite-element method (FEM) simulations and theoretical analysis, it is shown that exerting control over the confinement space results in diffusion limitation of the carbon intermediates, thereby increasing local pressure and subsequently enhancing localized *CO coverage for dimerization.

Identification of ONECUT3 as a stemness-related transcription factor regulating NK cell-mediated immune evasion in pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a dismal response to the current T cell-based immunotherapies, which is attributed to intratumoral heterogeneity caused by PDAC stem cells and lack of major histocompatibility complex class I required for neoantigen presentation. Although this scenario makes natural killer (NK) cells attractive candidates for immunotherapeutic agents targeting MHC-I-deficient cancer stem cells in heterogeneous PDACs, little is known about PDAC stem cell immunology. In our study, PDAC-specific datasets from public databases were collected for in-depth bioinformatic analysis.

Evaluation of F-FAPI-04 Imaging in Assessing the Therapeutic Response of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Purpose: Fibroblast activating protein (FAP) is highly expressed in the synovial tissues of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of PET imaging with an Al[F] F-NOTA-labeled FAP inhibitor 04(F-FAPI-04) for the evaluation of arthritic progression and therapeutic response in experimental arthritis.

Methods: Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) were obtained from patients with RA or osteoarthritis (OA), and the relationship between F-FAPI-04 uptake and the inflammatory activity of RA FLSs was investigated.

Identification of CEACAM5 as a stemness-related inhibitory immune checkpoint in pancreatic cancer.

Background: Immunotherapy has emerged as a new cancer treatment modality. However, tumour heterogeneity can diminish checkpoint blockade response and shorten patient survival. As a source of tumour heterogeneity, cancer stem cells act as an indispensable reservoir for local recurrence and distant metastasis.

ATF6α contributes to rheumatoid arthritis by inducing inflammatory cytokine production and apoptosis resistance.

Objective: The contribution of activating transcription factor 6α (ATF6α) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis, especially on fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs), has been suggested by its sensitivity to inflammatory stimulus. However, the exact role and therapeutic potential of ATF6α in RA remains to be fully elucidated.

Methods: ATF6α expression was determined in joint tissues and FLS, and gain-of-function and loss-of-function analyses were applied to evaluate the biological roles of ATF6α in RA FLSs.

Preclinical evaluation and pilot clinical study of [F]AlF-NOTA-FAPI-04 for PET imaging of rheumatoid arthritis.

Purpose: Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) are key effector cells in the inflamed joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Previous studies have suggested that fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is highly expressed in RA-derived FLSs and is a specific marker of activated RA FLSs. In this study, we developed aluminum-[F]-labeled 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-N,N',N″-triacetic acid-conjugated FAP inhibitor 04 ([F]AlF-NOTA-FAPI-04) to image RA-FLSs in vitro and arthritic joints in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice and RA patients.

Nogo-A Is a Potential Prognostic Marker for Spinal Cord Injury.

Objective: Spinal cord injury (SCI) has become prevalent worldwide in recent years, and its prognosis is poor and the pathological mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Nogo-A is one of the isoforms of the neurite outgrowth inhibitory protein reticulon 4. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Nogo-A could be used as a marker for predicting the prognosis of SCI.

miRNA-34c-5p targets Fra-1 to inhibit pulmonary fibrosis induced by silica through p53 and PTEN/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Silica dust particles are representative of air pollution and long-term inhalation of silicon-containing dust through the respiratory tract can cause pulmonary fibrosis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) plays an important role in the development of fibrosis. This process can relax cell-cell adhesion complexes and enhance cell migration and invasion properties of these cells.

Euphorbia factor L3 ameliorates rheumatoid arthritis by suppressing the inflammatory response by targeting Rac family small GTPase 1.

Euphorbia factor L3 (EFL3) is extracted from and is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. This study focused on the potential anti-inflammatory and therapeutic effects of EFL3 on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) and arthritis animal models. Functional analysis showed that EFL3 could ameliorate the inflammatory phenotype of FLSs derived from RA patients, as evidenced by the decreases in cell viability, migration, invasion and cytokine production.

Revealing the magic of acupuncture based on biological mechanisms: A literature review.

Acupuncture has been used to treat various disease for more than 3,000 years in China and other Asian countries. As a complementary and alternative therapy, it has gained increasing popularity and acceptance among public and healthcare professionals in the West. Over the past few decades, basic and clinical research on acupuncture has made considerable progress.

Azithromycin alleviates the severity of rheumatoid arthritis by targeting the unfolded protein response component of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78).

Background And Purpose: Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic with anti-inflammatory properties. We aim to substantiate the treatment potential of azithromycin in rheumatoid arthritis.

Experimental Approach: Gene expression profiles were collected by RNA sequencing and the effects of azithromycin were assessed by in vitro and in vivo assays on the effects of azithromycin-mediated blockade of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78).

Identification of inhibitory immune checkpoints and relevant regulatory pathways in breast cancer stem cells.

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has become one of the most promising approaches to activating antitumor immunity. However, only a small subset of patients with breast cancer benefit from ICB treatment. To improve the therapeutic effect in the clinic, precision immunotherapy is proposed to accurately eliminate cancer stem cells that contribute to local recurrence or metastasis, but currently little is known about their immunological properties.

Cyclic Mechanical Stretch Ameliorates the Degeneration of Nucleus Pulposus Cells through Promoting the ITGA2/PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway.

Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is one of the major causes of low back pain and motor deficiency. Nucleus pulposus (NP) degeneration plays a key role in the process of IVDD. The mechanical and biological interactions involved in NP degeneration have not been elucidated.

Serum IL-37 Level Is Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Disease Activity: A Meta-Analysis.

Interleukin-37 (IL-37) inhibits the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) via downregulating proinflammatory cytokines. Accordingly, we performed an analysis to accurately assess the relationship between serum IL-37 cytokine levels and disease activity of RA. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were applied to explore the sources of heterogeneity.

Corrigendum: Altered Gray Matter Volume in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.

Altered Gray Matter Volume in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Many imaging studies have reported structure alterations in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) by using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Nevertheless, the results reported were inconsistent and had not been reviewed quantitatively. Accordingly, the quantitative meta-analysis which including VBM studies of patients with T1DM was conducted.

Complement component 1, q subcomponent binding protein (C1QBP) in lipid rafts mediates hepatic metastasis of pancreatic cancer by regulating IGF-1/IGF-1R signaling.

Pancreatic cancer shows a remarkable predilection for hepatic metastasis. Complement component 1, q subcomponent binding protein (C1QBP) can mediate growth factor-induced cancer cell chemotaxis and distant metastasis by activation of receptor tyrosine kinases. Coincidentally, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) derived from the liver and cancer cells itself has been recognized as a critical inducer of hepatic metastasis.

Impact of postoperative glycemic control and nutritional status on clinical outcomes after total pancreatectomy.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of glycemic control and nutritional status after total pancreatectomy (TP) on complications, tumor recurrence and overall survival.

Methods: Retrospective records of 52 patients with pancreatic tumors who underwent TP were collected from 2007 to 2015. A series of clinical parameters collected before and after surgery, and during the follow-up were evaluated.

Preoperative evaluation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with synchronous liver metastasis: Diagnosis and assessment of unresectability.

Aim: To identify predictors for synchronous liver metastasis from resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and assess unresectability of synchronous liver metastasis.

Methods: Retrospective records of PDAC patients with synchronous liver metastasis who underwent simultaneous resections of primary PDAC and synchronous liver metastasis, or palliative surgical bypass, were collected from 2007 to 2015. A series of pre-operative clinical parameters, including tumor markers and inflammation-based indices, were analyzed by logistic regression to figure out predictive factors and assess unresectability of synchronous liver metastasis.

Process of hepatic metastasis from pancreatic cancer: biology with clinical significance.

Purpose: Pancreatic cancer shows a remarkable preference for the liver to establish secondary tumors. Selective metastasis to the liver is attributed to the development of potential microenvironment for the survival of pancreatic cancer cells. This review aims to provide a full understanding of the hepatic metastatic process from circulating pancreatic cancer cells to their settlement in the liver, serving as a basic theory for efficient prediction and treatment of metastatic diseases.

Toll-like receptor 4 in bone marrow-derived cells contributes to the progression of diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major microvascular complication in diabetics, and its mechanism is not fully understood. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of the inflammatory state during DR, and the deletion of TLR4 eventually alleviates the diabetic inflammatory state. To further elucidate the mechanism of DR, we used bone marrow transplantation to establish reciprocal chimeric animals of TLR4 mutant mice and TLR4 WT mice combined with diabetes mellitus (DM) induction by streptozotocin (STZ) treatment to identify the role of TLR4 in different cell types in the development of the proinflammatory state during DR.