Unraveling the causal impact of smoking and its DNA methylation signatures on cardiovascular disease: Mendelian randomization and colocalization analysis.

Background: To explore the mechanisms linking smoking to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) from an epigenetic perspective.

Methods: Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis was performed to assess the causal effects of smoking behavior and DNA methylation levels at smoking-related CpG sites on nine CVDs, including aortic aneurysm, atrial fibrillation, coronary atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, intracerebral hemorrhage, ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, subarachnoid hemorrhage. Colocalization analysis was used to further identify key smoking-related CpG sites from the MR causal estimates.

Non-Invasive Diagnosis of Moyamoya Disease Using Serum Metabolic Fingerprints and Machine Learning.

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a progressive cerebrovascular disorder that increases the risk of intracranial ischemia and hemorrhage. Timely diagnosis and intervention can significantly reduce the risk of new-onset stroke in patients with MMD. However, the current diagnostic methods are invasive and expensive, and non-invasive diagnosis using biomarkers of MMD is rarely reported.

Bioinformatics identification based on causal association inference using multi-omics reveals the underlying mechanism of Gui-Zhi-Shao-Yao-Zhi-Mu decoction in modulating rheumatoid arthritis.

Object: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a prevalent and currently incurable autoimmune disease. Existing conventional medical treatments are limited in their efficacy, prolonged disease may lead to bone destruction, joint deformity, and loss of related functions, which places a huge burden on RA patients and their families. For millennia, the use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), exemplified by the Gui-Zhi-Shao-Yao-Zhi-Mu decoction (GZSYZM), has been demonstrated to offer distinct therapeutic advantages in the management of RA.

The combination of decitabine with multi-omics confirms the regulatory pattern of the correlation between DNA methylation of the CACNA1C gene and atrial fibrillation.

Background: Studies have shown that DNA methylation of the CACNA1C gene is involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases and the mechanism of drug action. However, its relationship with atrial fibrillation (AF) remains largely unexplored.

Objective: To investigate the association between DNA methylation of the CACNA1C gene and AF by combining decitabine (5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine, AZA) treatment with multi-omics analysis.

A novel geminivirus-derived 3' flanking sequence of terminator mediates the gene expression enhancement.

Exploring the new elements to re-design the expression cassette is crucial in synthetic biology. Viruses are one of the most important sources for exploring gene expression elements. In this study, we found that the DNA sequence of the SBG51 deltasatellite from the Sweet potato leaf curl virus (SPLCV) greatly enhanced the gene expression when flanked downstream of the terminator.

An interpretable RNA foundation model for exploring functional RNA motifs in plants.

The complex 'language' of plant RNA encodes a vast array of biological regulatory elements that orchestrate crucial aspects of plant growth, development and adaptation to environmental stresses. Recent advancements in foundation models (FMs) have demonstrated their unprecedented potential to decipher complex 'language' in biology. In this study, we introduced PlantRNA-FM, a high-performance and interpretable RNA FM specifically designed for plants.

Evaluation of cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor-induced serum creatinine elevations in patients with hormone receptor positive breast cancer.

Background: Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) have improved the efficacy of endocrine therapy in hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer (BC) and are now used in both early-stage and metastatic disease. Recent case reports suggest that pseudo-serum creatinine (Scr) elevations are likely a class effect of CDK4/6i.

Methods: This single-center retrospective analysis included patients aged ≥18 years who received at least one dose of palbociclib, ribociclib, or abemaciclib for the treatment of HR+/HER2- BC in the early or advanced setting.

CircPTPN11 inhibits the replication of Coxsackievirus B5 through regulating the IFN-I pathway by targeting miR-152-3p/SIRPA axis.

Coxsackievirus B5 (CVB5) is a major pathogen responsible for hand-foot-mouth disease, herpangina, and even severe death. The mechanisms underlying CVB5-induced diseases are not fully elucidated, and no specific antiviral treatments are currently available. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a closed-loop molecular structure, have been reported to be involved in virus infectious diseases.

The cerebellar glucose metabolism in moyamoya vasculopathy and its correlation with neurocognitive performance after cerebral revascularization surgery: a [F]FDG PET study.

Background: The vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is quite common in moyamoya vasculopathy (MMV). However, the abnormality of cerebellar glucose metabolism in MMV and its relationship with patients' neurocognitive performance were few reported.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between neurocognitive performance and cerebellar glucose metabolism.

Flexible Ureteroscopy Combined with Novel Ultra-Flexible Ureteral Access Sheaths for Treating Allium Stent Encrustation: Initial Experience with 15 Cases.

Encrustation significantly affects the lifespan of Allium stents. Currently, there is no established treatment for Allium ureteral stent encrustation. This study introduces a method for treating these encrustations using a flexible ureteroscopy (F-URS) combined with a novel ultra-flexible ureteral access sheath (UF-UAS).

In situ self-reassembling nanosystem enhances PD-L1 blockade for cancer immunotherapy.

Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have made great progress in cancer treatment, their off-tumor distribution, low affinity of traditional ICIs and insufficient T cells infiltration at tumor site limit immunotherapeutic efficacy. Herein, we engineer a highly specific and effective PD-L1 inhibitor (PEC) that modulates the level of binding sites with PD-L1. Specifically, PEC is a hybrid system composed of E.

Antagonistic Effect of Nitrate Conversion on Photocatalytic Reduction of Aqueous Pertechnetate and Perrhenate.

Sustainable photocatalysis can effectively reduce the radioactive TcO to less soluble TcO·HO(s), but the reduction efficiency is highly susceptible to coexisting nitrate (NO). Here, we quantitatively investigate photocatalytic remediation conditions for Tc-contaminated water stimulated by the analogue perrhenate (ReO) in the presence of NO, and we elucidate the influence mechanism of NO by in situ characterizations. The interfering NO can compete with Re(VII) for the carbonyl radical (·CO) produced by formic acid (HCOOH) oxidation to generate nitrogen-containing products such as NH, NO, and NO, resulting in the decrease in the Re(VII) reduction ratio.

Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization for Nonacute Subdural Hematoma.

Background: The effect of embolization of the middle meningeal artery in patients with subacute or chronic subdural hematoma is uncertain.

Methods: We performed a multicenter, open-label, randomized trial in China, involving patients with symptomatic nonacute subdural hematoma with mass effect. Patients were assigned to undergo burr-hole drainage or receive nonsurgical treatment at the surgeon's discretion, and patients in each group were then randomly assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, to undergo middle meningeal artery embolization with liquid embolic material or to receive usual care.

Modified screw-rod fixation for management of posterior pelvic ring fractures: a retrospective study.

Background: Pelvic fractures are often associated with life-threatening damage and mechanical instability. Surgical therapy is a prior choice. To minimize surgical invasion and risk, bilateral screws combined with curved rod were applied to stabilize posterior pelvic ring.

Covalent triazine frameworks as particle electrode for three-dimensional photoelectrocatalytic degradation of oxytetracycline: Synergy effects, pathway, and mechanism.

Photoelectrocatalysis has been widely employed for degrading antibiotics due to its high efficiency. However, the application is significantly impeded by the rapid recombination of photogenerated charge carriers and the limited surface areas of photoelectrodes. In the study, high crystallinity covalent triazine frameworks were fabricated at low temperature of 150 °C and firstly used as particle photoelectrode in the three-dimensional photoelectrochemical reactor to degrade oxytetracycline (OTC).

Hyperuricemia suppresses lumican, exacerbating adverse remodeling after myocardial infarction by promoting fibroblast phenotype transition.

Background: Hyperuricemia is independently associated with a poor prognosis in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Furthermore, MI induces activation of the repair response in local fibroblasts, resulting in extracellular matrix accumulation that generates a stable fibrotic scar in the infarcted area. However, researchers have not determined whether hyperuricemia affects fibroblast activation and its involvement in postinfarction cardiac remodeling.

A preliminary exploration of quantitative models for evaluating binocular visual perception impairments among patients diagnosed with stroke.

The objective of this study is to formulate and implement graded biological models pertaining to binocular visual perception function with the use of computer algorithms. We aim to quantitatively assess the location, severity, and degree of impairment in binocular visual perception among patients who have suffered stroke, thereby providing valuable insights into the repercussions of cerebral tissue damage on the visual system. To overcome the shortcomings of previous instruments used to assess binocular function in terms of stereoscopic effects and the challenges posed by physiological and psychological interference during examinations, this study optimized its approach by integrating polarized stereovision technology with computer graphic modeling techniques.

Assessment of Intrarenal Pressure through Dilatation State of the Renal Collecting System.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to explore the relationship between the dilation states of the renal collecting system in flexible ureteroscopy (f-URS) view and intrarenal pressure (IRP).

Methods: Fifteen porcine kidneys were randomly selected and numbered 1 through 15. Pressure transducers were inserted into the renal calyx via puncture and adjusted to a zero position.

Chitosan-Polyaniline (Bio)Polymer Hybrids by Two Pathways: A Tale of Two Biocomposites.

Previous research highlights the potential of polyaniline-based biocomposites as unique adsorbents for humidity sensors. This study examines several preparative routes for creating polyaniline (PANI) and chitosan (CHT) composites: Type 1-in situ polymerization of aniline with CHT; Type 2-molecular association in acidic aqueous media; and a control, Type 3-physical mixing of PANI and CHT powders (without solvent). The study aims to differentiate the bonding nature (covalent vs.

Effects of Cement Dosage, Curing Time, and Water Dosage on the Strength of Cement-Stabilized Aeolian Sand Based on Macroscopic and Microscopic Tests.

Aeolian sand is distributed worldwide, exhibiting poor grading, low cohesion, and loose structure. Infrastructure construction in desert areas sometimes requires stabilization of the sand, with cement as the primary curing agent. This study first employed orthogonal experiments to evaluate critical factors, e.

Microbial communities and denitrification mechanisms of pyrite autotrophic denitrification coupled with three-dimensional biofilm electrode reactor.

Denitrification is of great significance for low C/N wastewater treatment. In this study, pyrite autotrophic denitrification (PAD) was coupled with a three-dimensional biofilm electrode reactor (BER) to enhance denitrification. The effect of current on denitrification was extensively studied.