Associations of Pregnancy Timing Relative to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Maternal SARS-CoV-2 Infection, and Adverse Perinatal Outcomes.

Purpose: To examine associations between COVID-19 pandemic and maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection with perinatal outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 189,097 singleton births in South Carolina (2018-2021). Pregnancy timing relative to the pandemic was classified as pre-pandemic (delivered before March 1, 2020), partial pandemic overlap (conceived before and delivered during the pandemic), or pandemic (conceived and delivered during the pandemic).

IBI310 plus sintilimab vs. placebo plus sintilimab in recurrent/metastatic cervical cancer: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Background: It remains unclear whether adding CTLA-4 blockade to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade improves clinical outcomes in cervical cancer (CC).

Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04590599), patients with recurrent/metastatic CC (R/M CC) who experienced disease progression after or during platinum-based chemotherapy were enrolled from 37 centers across China and randomly assigned (1:1), stratified by PD-L1 expression and prior treatment lines, to receive either IBI310 plus sintilimab or placebo plus sintilimab intravenously every 3 weeks for 12 weeks, followed by sintilimab alone.

A multi-constraint representation learning model for identification of ovarian cancer with missing laboratory indicators.

Objectives: To evaluate the performance of a multi-constraint representation learning classification model for identifying ovarian cancer with missing laboratory indicators.

Methods: Tabular data with missing laboratory indicators were collected from 393 patients with ovarian cancer and 1951 control patients. The missing ovarian cancer laboratory indicator features were projected to the latent space to obtain a classification model using the representational learning classification model based on discriminative learning and mutual information coupled with feature projection significance score consistency and missing location estimation.

HnRNPM modulates alternative splicing in germ cells by recruiting PTBP1.

Background: Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein M (HnRNPM) is a key splicing factor involved in various biological processes, including the epithelial‒mesenchymal transition and cancer development. Alternative splicing is widely involved in the process of spermatogenesis. However, the function of hnRNPM as a splicing factor during spermatogenesis remains unknown.

Neural Precursor Cell-Expressed Developmentally Downregulated Protein 4 (NEDD4)-Mediated Ubiquitination of Glutathione Peroxidase 4 (GPX4): A Key Pathway in High-Glucose-Induced Ferroptosis in Corpus Cavernosum Smooth Muscle Cells.

Pharmacological treatment of diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction (DMED) has become increasingly challenging due to the limited efficacy of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i). As the global prevalence of DM continues, there is a critical need for novel therapeutic strategies to address DMED. In our previous studies, we found that Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), a ferroptosis inhibitor, can ameliorate DMED in diabetic rats.

From Adipose to Ailing Kidneys: The Role of Lipid Metabolism in Obesity-Related Chronic Kidney Disease.

Obesity has emerged as a significant public health crisis, closely linked to the pathogenesis and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This review explores the intricate relationship between obesity-induced lipid metabolism disorders and renal health. We discuss how excessive free fatty acids (FFAs) lead to lipid accumulation in renal tissues, resulting in cellular lipotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation, ultimately contributing to renal injury.

Boosting bulk photovoltaic effect in transition metal dichalcogenide by edge semimetal contact.

Oxide materials with a non-centrosymmetric structure exhibit bulk photovoltaic effect (BPVE) but with a low cell efficiency. Over the past few years, relatively larger BPVE coefficients have been reported for two-dimensional (2D) layers and stacks with asymmety-induced spontaneous polarization. Here, we report a crucial breakthrough in boosting the BPVE in 3R-MoS by adopting edge contact (EC) geometry using bismuth semimetal electrode.

The transcription factor TGA2 orchestrates salicylic acid signal to regulate cold-induced proline accumulation in Citrus.

Plants subjected to cold stress have been observed to accumulate proline, but the underlying regulatory mechanism remains to be elucidated. In this study, we identified a pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (P5CS)-encoding gene (CtrP5CS1) from trifoliate orange (Citrus trifoliata L.), a cold-hardy citrus species, as a critical gene for cold-induced proline accumulation.

Relaxin-2 improves type I diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction in rats by protecting cavernous endothelial and smooth muscle function, and inhibiting penile fibrosis and apoptosis.

Background: Diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction (DMED) responds poorly to first-line treatments, necessitating the development of new therapeutic strategies. Relaxin-2 (RLX-2) plays a crucial role in protecting vascular endothelium, vasodilatation, and antifibrosis in various diseases. However, its effects and mechanisms on DMED remain unclear.

Optimal circulatory arrest temperature for total aortic arch replacement: Outcomes of neurological complications.

Objective: The optimal hypothermic circulatory arrest temperature during total arch replacement and the impact of hypothermic circulatory arrest temperature on postoperative neurological complications are still uncertain. The aim of this study is to explore the impact of hypothermic circulatory arrest temperature on short-term postoperative outcomes, especially neurological complications, for patients who undergo total arch replacement.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data of 2351 patients who underwent total arch replacement at 1 of 7 selected aortic centers from January 2016 to June 2023.

Racial and Ethnic and Rural Variations in the Use of Hybrid Prenatal Care in the US.

Importance: Understanding whether there are racial and ethnic and residential disparities in prenatal telehealth uptake is necessary for ensuring equitable access and guiding implementation of future hybrid (ie, both telehealth and in-person) prenatal care.

Objective: To assess temporal changes in individuals using hybrid prenatal care before and during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) by race and ethnicity and residence location in the US.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This retrospective cohort study analyzed electronic health record data of prenatal care visits from the National COVID Cohort Collaborative Data Enclave, comprising data from 75 health systems and freestanding institutes in all 50 US states.

Effects of a behavioral intervention on physical activity, diet, and health-related quality of life in postpartum women with elevated weight: results of the HIPP randomized controlled trial.

Background: Approaches to improve physical activity (PA), diet, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) during postpartum in diverse women with elevated weight are needed.

Methods: Health In Pregnancy and Postpartum (HIPP) was a randomized controlled trial that followed African American and white women with overweight or obesity from pregnancy through 12 months postpartum. Participants were randomized to a behavioral intervention grounded in social cognitive theory (n = 112) or standard care (n = 107).

Full-length single-molecule sequencing uncovers novel insight into the global landscape of the cold stress response in trifoliate orange ().

Trifoliate orange ( (L.) Raf.) is a cold-hardy citrus species that contributes to citrus production by frequently serving as a rootstock.

CBL1/CIPK23 phosphorylates tonoplast sugar transporter TST2 to enhance sugar accumulation in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis).

Fruit taste quality is greatly influenced by the content of soluble sugars, which are predominantly stored in the vacuolar lumen. However, the accumulation and regulation mechanisms of sugars in most fruits remain unclear. Recently, we established the citrus fruit vacuole proteome and discovered the major transporters localized in the vacuole membrane.

Polyamines: The valuable bio-stimulants and endogenous signaling molecules for plant development and stress response.

Polyamines (PAs) are nitrogenous and polycationic compounds containing more than two amine residues. Numerous investigations have demonstrated that cellular PA homeostasis plays a key role in various developmental and physiological processes. The PA balance, which may be affected by many environmental factors, is finely maintained by the pathways of PA biosynthesis and degradation (catabolism).

Therapeutic potential of hesperidin in diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction through Nrf2-mediated ferroptosis and oxidative stress.

Background: Among erectile dysfunction (ED) caused by metabolic abnormalities, diabetes mellitus-induced ED (DMED) progresses rapidly, manifests with severe symptoms, and shows reduced responsiveness to conventional medications. Hyperglycemia in the corpus cavernosum has been linked to the induction of both ferroptosis and oxidative stress, which are mediated by nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2). Hesperidin (Hes), a flavonoid compound, has been revealed to activate Nrf2 in certain diabetic complications, yet the efficacy of Hes on DMED and the specific mechanism remain unclear.

Atractylenolide I inhibits angiogenesis and reverses sunitinib resistance in clear cell renal cell carcinoma through ATP6V0D2-mediated autophagic degradation of EPAS1/HIF2α.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is tightly associated with (von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor) mutation and dysregulated angiogenesis. Accumulating evidence indicates that antiangiogenic treatment abolishing tumor angiogenesis can achieve longer disease-free survival in patients with ccRCC. Atractylenolide I (ATL-I) is one of the main active compounds in root extract and exhibits various pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects.

Se-Methylselenocysteine Ameliorates DEHP-Induced Ferroptosis in Testicular Sertoli Cells via the Nrf2/GPX4 Axis.

Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is an important plasticizer in industrial production, and its toxic effects on testes are widely recognized. Se-methylselenocysteine (SMC) is a major selenium compound found in selenium-rich plants, which possesses unique biological properties such as antioxidants. However, the effect of SMC on DEHP-induced testicular injury and the specific mechanism remains unknown.

Artificial Intelligence-Augmented Clinical Decision Support Systems for Pregnancy Care: Systematic Review.

Background: Despite the emerging application of clinical decision support systems (CDSS) in pregnancy care and the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) over the last decade, it remains understudied regarding the role of AI in CDSS specialized for pregnancy care.

Objective: To identify and synthesize AI-augmented CDSS in pregnancy care, CDSS functionality, AI methodologies, and clinical implementation, we reported a systematic review based on empirical studies that examined AI-augmented CDSS in pregnancy care.

Methods: We retrieved studies that examined AI-augmented CDSS in pregnancy care using database queries involved with titles, abstracts, keywords, and MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms.

Cascade-responsive size/charge bidirectional-tunable nanodelivery penetrates pancreatic tumor barriers.

The pancreatic tumor microenvironment presents multiple obstacles for polymer-based drug delivery systems, limiting tumor penetration and treatment efficacy. Here, we engineer a hyaluronidase/reactive oxygen species cascade-responsive size/charge bidirectional-tunable nanodelivery (btND, G/R@TKP/HA) for co-delivery of gemcitabine and KRAS siRNA, capable of navigating through tumor barriers and augmenting anticancer efficiency. When penetrating the tumor stroma barrier, the hyaluronic acid shell of the nanodelivery undergoes degradation by hyaluronidase in an extracellular matrix, triggering size tuning from large to small and charge tuning from negative to positive, thereby facilitating deeper penetration and cellular internalization.