Blood Pressure Changes During Methotrexate Treatment: Results from a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial Among Patients with Cardiovascular Risk.

Objective: Low dose methotrexate (LD-MTX) has been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among patients with systemic rheumatic diseases but not among the general population. Prior reports suggest that LD-MTX may reduce blood pressure (BP). We studied the effect of LD-MTX on blood pressure.

Development of machine learning-based models to predict congenital heart disease: A matched case-control study.

Background: The current congenital heart disease (CHD) prediction tools lack adequate interpretability and convenience, hindering the development of personalized CHD management strategies. We developed a machine learning-based risk stratification model for CHD prediction.

Methods: This study utilized data from 1,759 participants in a case-control study of CHD conducted across six birth defects surveillance hospitals located in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, Northwest China, spanning from January 2014 to December 2016.

Neuropeptide-mediated activation of astrocytes improves stress resilience in mice by modulating cortical neural synapses.

Astrocytes are known to modulate synaptogenesis or neuronal activities, thus participating in mental functions. It has been shown that astrocytes are involved in the antidepressant mechanism. In this study we investigated the potential hormonal mediator governing the astrocyte-neuron interplay for stress-coping behaviors.

Safety and efficacy of intracardiac echocardiography-guided zero-fluoroscopy ablation in atrial fibrillation patients: a comparative study of high-power short-duration and low-power long-duration strategies.

Introduction: In atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, fluoroscopy has been a standard tool for catheter guidance. However, the combination of electroanatomic mapping systems (EAMs) and intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) now allows for minimal or zero-fluoroscopy procedures. Concurrently, high-power short-duration (HPSD) ablation has emerged as a promising technique, offering enhanced resistive heating while reducing conductive heating.

Evaluating a new obesity indicator for stroke risk prediction: comparative cohort analysis in rural settings of two nations.

Background: While the TyG index has been studied in relation to stroke risk, there is a lack of research integrating fat distribution indicators like Body Roundness Index (BRI) and Fat Mass Index (FMI). Additionally, comparative studies across multiple regions are scarce. This study investigates the association between obesity-related parameters and stroke incidence, examining the mediation effects of multimorbidity, using data from rural areas in China and the United Kingdom.

Probiotics combined with prebiotics alleviated seasonal allergic rhinitis by altering the composition and metabolic function of intestinal microbiota: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Background: Numerous studies have established that probiotics or prebiotics can relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR), but their mechanism of action remain underexplored. This study aimed to observe the clinical efficacy of probiotics combined with prebiotics in seasonal AR patients and explore their underlying mechanisms.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

VvFHY3 links auxin and endoplasmic reticulum stress to regulate grape anthocyanin biosynthesis at high temperatures.

Anthocyanins affect quality in fruits such as grape (Vitis vinifera). High temperatures reduce anthocyanin levels by suppressing the expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes and decreasing the biosynthetic rate. However, the regulatory mechanisms that coordinate these two processes remain largely unknown.

The RAAS system SNPs polymorphism is associated with essential hypertension risk in rural areas in northern China.

Epidemiological evidence has shown that genetics and environment are associated with the risk of hypertension. However, the specific SNP effects of a cluster of crucial genes in the RAAS system on the risk of hypertension are unclear. A case-control study was performed on the baseline participants of Environment and Chronic Disease in Rural Areas of Heilongjiang China (ECDRAHC) study.

The gut microbiota is essential for Trichinella spiralis-evoked suppression of colitis.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) increases the risk of colorectal cancer, and it has the potential to diminish the quality of life. Clinical and experimental evidence demonstrate protective aspects of parasitic helminth infection against IBD. However, studies on the inhibition of inflammation by helminth infection have overlooked a key determinant of health: the gut microbiota.

Uncovering specific genetic-respiratory disease endotypes for rheumatoid arthritis risk.

Objective: We aimed to identify specific genetic-respiratory disease endotypes for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk.

Methods: This case-control study used the Mass General Brigham (MGB) and Mayo Clinic (MC) Biobanks for discovery and replication, respectively. We matched criteria-confirmed incident RA cases to four non-RA controls on age, sex and health record history.

Biological characteristics and functions of a novel glutamate dehydrogenase from Trichinella spiralis.

Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) plays an important role in the metabolism of organisms. Its high abundance in mitochondria in particular highlights its core role in cellular physiological processes. GDH catalyzes the mutual conversion between L-glutamic acid and α-ketoglutaric acids.

A Novel Galectin Strengthens the Macrophage ADCC Killing of Larvae via Driving M1 Polarization.

Galectin recognizes β-galactosides through its carbohydrate recognition domains (CRDs). This study aimed to determine the biological features of a novel galectin (galactoside-binding lectin family protein, TsGLFP) and its role in driving macrophage M1 polarization and enhancing ADCC killing of larvae. TsGLFP belongs to the galectin family and has two CRDs.

Photooxidation of Toluene Derivatives under HAT and ROS Synergy.

The valorization of toluene offers a dual solution by addressing its environmental impact while also facilitating the synthesis of a diverse array of valuable fine chemicals and pharmaceutical intermediates, thus ensuring both ecological sustainability and economic viability. We report herein a synergistic approach that harmonizes hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) process with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under mild condition and low catalyst loading, which enables the efficient synthesis of a broad spectrum of esteemed benzoic acid derivatives and aryl ketones through the photocatalytic oxidation of toluene derivatives. Mechanistic elucidation reveals that the HAT reagent anthraquinone has both the capabilities to abstract hydrogen atoms and the ability to generate singlet oxygen (O) during energy transfer with triplet oxygen (O), and the combination of these two potencies significantly improves the catalytic efficiency of the reaction.

Peripheral Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio as a Predictive Factor for Early Neurological Deterioration in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Purpose: Previous studies have reported that lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) is associated with the prognosis of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS); however, the relationship between LMR and early neurological deterioration (END) in AIS patients has not been elucidated.

Patients And Methods: Patients were divided into two groups according to LMR by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Patients with END were confirmed as the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) increased ≥ 4 points between hospital days 0 and 5.