Sperm DNA fragmentation index: limited effectiveness on predicting embryo quality in assisted reproduction technology treatments.

Purpose: Prior sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) thresholds for diagnosing male infertility and predicting assisted reproduction technology (ART) outcomes fluctuated between 15 and 30%, with no agreed standard. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the sperm DFI on early embryonic development during ART treatments and establish appropriate DFI cut-off values.

Methods: Retrospectively analyzed 913 couple's ART cycles from 2021 to 2022, encompassing 1,476 IVF and 295 ICSI cycles, following strict criteria.

Efficacy and compatibility mechanism of bear bile powder in Shexiang Tongxin dropping pills for acute myocardial infarction treatment.

Background: Bear bile powder (BBP), a unique animal-derived medicine with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, is used in Shexiang Tongxin dropping pills (STDP), which is applied to treat cardiovascular diseases, including acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The efficacy and compatibility mechanisms of action of BBP in STDP against cardiovascular diseases remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the compatibility effects of BBP in STDP in rats with AMI.

CSPG4 overexpression implicates higher risks of recurrence and tumorigenesis after surgical intervention of vocal fold Leukoplakia.

Background: Vocal fold leukoplakia (VFL), a precancerous lesion of the larynx, is characterized by white plaques on the vocal fold mucous membrane. Currently, there are no reliable biomarkers to predict the recurrence and malignant transformation of VFL. Considering chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) as a biomarker for malignant tumors such as laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), we conducted this cohort study to evaluate the prognostic influence of CSPG4 expression on VFL patients.

No causal association between gut microbiota and kawasaki disease: a two-sample mendelian randomization study.

Background: Despite prior observational studies suggesting a link between gut microbiota to Kawasaki disease (KD), these findings remain debated. This study aimed to assess the association between gut microbiota and KD on a genetic level using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Methods: This two-sample MR analysis utilized summary statistics from the largest genome-wide association study meta-analysis on gut microbiota conducted by the MiBioGen consortium.

Investigation into the PSD characteristics of internally unstable soils susceptible to suffosion.

Internal instability of embankment soils under seepage can occur in two distinct ways: suffusion and suffosion. Suffusion involves the removal of fine particles from the matrix without causing significant disturbance to the soil skeleton, while suffosion is characterized by the movement of fine particles accompanied by skeleton collapse or deformation. In terms of dam safety, suffosion poses a greater threat than suffusion.

Potential value of novel multiparametric MRI radiomics for preoperative prediction of microsatellite instability and Ki-67 expression in endometrial cancer.

Exploring the potential of advanced artificial intelligence technology in predicting microsatellite instability (MSI) and Ki-67 expression of endometrial cancer (EC) is highly significant. This study aimed to develop a novel hybrid radiomics approach integrating multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), deep learning, and multichannel image analysis for predicting MSI and Ki-67 status. A retrospective study included 156 EC patients who were subsequently categorized into MSI and Ki-67 groups.

Icaritin alleviates motor impairment and osteoporosis in Parkinson's disease mice via the ER-PI3K/Akt pathway.

This study investigates the role of flavonoid Icaritin (ICT) in estrogen-deficient ovariectomized (OVX) female mice by activating the Estrogen receptor (ER)/ Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway, potentially delaying Parkinson's disease (PD) progression post-castration. Seventy-five 8-week-old C57BL/6J female mice underwent ovariectomy, followed by MPTP (20 mg/kg) injection for 7 days. ICT (20 mg/kg) was administered for 14 days, and motor function was assessed using various behavioral tests.

Carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals mediated flower-like zinc oxide for antimicrobial without activation of light.

Conventional light-driven antimicrobial strategies of zinc oxide (ZnO) are limited by inadequate illumination in dark environments. In this study, carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals (MCNC) mediated flower-like ZnO (C@Z) with self-promoted reactive oxygen species release under dark is fabricated. The adsorption of Zn ions on MCNC prompts the growth of ZnO along the (002) crystal plane, forming a flower-like hybrid with superior dispersibility and oxygen vacancies compared to MCNC-free ZnO, which exposes the (100) plane.

The synergistic roles of MsRCI2B and MsRCI2E in the regulation of ion balance and ROS homeostasis in alfalfa under salt stress.

Under salt stress, plasma membrane proteins regulate ion homeostasis and the balance between reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we investigated the functions of two small membrane proteins-MsRCI2B (tailless) and MsRCI2E (tailed)-encoded by the RCI2 (Rare Cold Inducible 2) gene family in Medicago sativa (alfalfa). We identified the distinct subcellular localization and expression patterns of these proteins under salt stress.

Photothermal/photodynamic synergistic antibacterial Nanocellulose film modified with antioxidant MXene-PANI Nanosheets.

TEMPO-CNF film modified by two-dimension transition metal MXene has certain antibacterial properties. However, the problem of long-lasting stability greatly restricts the feasibility of long-term use of the composite film. Here, we introduced polyaniline (PANI) as a modifying molecule, which was electrostatically adsorbed on the surface of the MXene nanosheets to prevent its self-stacking and delay its oxidation.

The Cry2Aa protein is not enough to pose a threat to Pardosa astrigera.

The widespread commercialization of genetically modified (GM) crops makes it important to assess the potential impact of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) on non-target organisms. Pardosa astrigera is an important predator in agroforestry ecosystems, and female and male spiders may react differently to Bt toxins due to their different activity habits and nutritional requirements. In this study, we found that exposure to Cry2Aa protein did not affect the survival and body weight of P.

Sivelestat sodium protects against renal ischemia/reperfusion injury by reduction of NETs formation.

Background: Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) often results in renal impairment. While the presence of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) is consistently observed, their specific impact on IRI is not yet defined. Sivelestat sodium, an inhibitor of neutrophil elastase which is crucial for NET formation, may offer a therapeutic approach to renal IRI, warranting further research.

Biological studies reveal the role of trpA gene in biofilm formation, motility, hemolysis and virulence in Vibrio anguillarum.

Vibrio anguillarum is a pathogen responsible for vibriosis in aquaculture animals. The formation of bacterial biofilm contributes to infections and increases resistance to antibiotics. Tryptophanase and its substrate tryptophan have been recognized as signal molecules regulating bacterial biofilm formation.

Determining the cosmetics usage patterns of consumers for exposure assessment in China.

Accurately understanding the usage patterns of cosmetics is crucial for realistic exposure assessment. However, reference values for consumer exposure to cosmetics in China have yet to be established. A continuous survey was conducted in Guangdong Province to address this deficiency.

Piplartine alleviates sepsis-induced acute kidney injury by inhibiting TSPO-mediated macrophage pyroptosis.

Sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (SI-AKI) is the most common organ dysfunction of sepsis, characterized with prolonged hospitalization periods and significantly elevated mortality rates. Piplartine (PLG), an alkaloid extracted from Piper longum within the Piperaceae family, has exhibited diverse pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic, and anti-tumor effects. Herein, we investigated whether the PLG could reverse SI-AKI and explore its possible anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Apathy in Alzheimer's disease: Eye movements characteristics and neurostructural basis.

Background: We sought to evaluate the characteristics of eye movements in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients with apathy (AD-A) and their ability to identify AD-A and explore the shared neurostructure of eye movements and apathy.

Methods: Total 32 normal controls, 36 AD-A and 72 AD with no apathy (AD-NA) patients were recruited. Parameters of smooth pursuit, fixation, prosaccade and antisaccade were compared among the three groups.

Astragaloside IV ameliorates autism-like behaviors in BTBR mice by modulating Camk2n2-dependent OXPHOS and neurotransmission in the mPFC.

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) represents a multifaceted set of neurodevelopmental conditions marked by social deficits and repetitive behaviors. Astragaloside IV (ASIV), a natural compound derived from the traditional Chinese herb Astragali Radix, exhibits robust neuroprotective effects. However, whether ASIV can ameliorate behavioral deficits in ASD remains unknown.

OXCT1 succinylation and activation by SUCLA2 promotes ketolysis and liver tumor growth.

Ketone bodies generated in hepatocytes in the adult liver are used for nonhepatic tissues as an energy source. However, ketolysis is reactivated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells with largely unelucidated mechanisms. Here, we demonstrate that 3-oxoacid CoA-transferase 1 (OXCT1), a rate-limiting enzyme in ketolysis, interacts with SUCLA2 upon IGF1 stimulation in HCC cells.

Antibiotic-based micelles with bone-targeting and pH-responsive properties for infectious osteomyelitis treatment.

We developed antibiotic-based micelles with bone-targeting and charge-switchable properties (P-CASMs) for treating infectious osteomyelitis. The amphiphilic molecules are formed by combining ciprofloxacin (CIP) with ligand 1 through a mild salifying reaction, and spontaneously self-assemble into antibiotic-based micelles (ASMs) in aqueous solution. Acrylate groups on ligand 1 enable cross-linking of ASMs with pentaerythritol tetra(mercaptopropionate) via a click reaction, forming pH-sensitive cross-linked micelles (CASMs).

Roles and opportunities of quorum sensing in natural and engineered anaerobic digestion systems.

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a biological process in which anaerobic microorganisms convert organic matter into methane-rich gas, contributing to the cycling of carbon and other nutrients. Quorum sensing (QS), a microbial communication mechanism, plays a critical role in regulating population-level behaviors within AD systems. This review systematically examines the roles and applications of QS in AD, emphasizing its importance in enhancing process efficiency.

Construction and bacteriostatic effect analyses of a recombinant thermostable Newcastle disease virus expressing cecropin AD.

Cecropin AD (CAD), a hybrid antimicrobial peptide composed of the first 11 residues of cecropin A and last 26 residues of cecropin D, is a promising antibiotic candidate. Therefore, an efficient and convenient method for producing CAD is necessary for commercial applications. The Newcastle disease virus (NDV) has been widely used as a platform for gene delivery and exogenous protein expression.

Ocean current modulation of the spatial distribution of microplastics in the surface sediments of the Beibu Gulf, China.

Microplastic pollution, a major global environmental issue, is gaining heightened attention worldwide. Marginal seas are particularly susceptible to microplastic contamination, yet data on microplastics in marine sediments remain scarce, especially in the Beibu Gulf. This study presents a large-scale investigation of microplastics in the surface sediments of the Beibu Gulf to deciphering their distribution, sources and risk to marginal seas ecosystems.