Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Care for HIV Prevention.

Background: HIV continues to disproportionately impact men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States (US). Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective, but disparities persist. Limited studies have conducted systematic evaluations of social determinants of health (SDOH) and their effects on PrEP persistence among MSM.

Response and variation mechanisms of RDX crystals under strong magnetic loading.

To fully understand the variation in performance of cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) crystals under strong magnetic field exposure, the strong magnetic loading of RDX was conducted in both stable and alternating magnetic fields. The morphological changes of RDX crystals exposed to magnetic fields were studied under a scanning electron microscope. Then, the lattice changes of RDX exposed to magnetic fields were analyzed through X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy.

Synthesis and characterization of silk fibroin-MXene composite electrospun fibers for biomedical applications.

Introduction: Two-dimensional (2D) MXene, recognized for its outstanding physical and chemical properties,has gained attention as a promising material in the biomedical field. However, its potential in tissue engineering applications remains underexplored. This study focuses on synthesizing SF-MXene composite electrospun fibers and evaluating their suitability for biomedical applications.

Curcumin targets CXCL16-mediated podocyte injury and lipid accumulation in diabetic kidney disease treatment.

Among the complications of diabetes, diabetic kidney disease (DKD) frequently emerges, typified by the detrimental effects on renal function, manifesting through inflammation, dysregulated lipid metabolism, and harm to podocytes. Existing research underscores the significance of the soluble form of C-X-C chemokine ligand 16 (CXCL16) within the context of renal impairments. However, whether CXCL16 is involved in the pathogenesis of DKD remains elusive.

Implementing a Community-Based LGBTQ+ and Sexual Health Program in Providence, Rhode Island.

Background: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) communities experience significant health disparities related to sexual health, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Improved access to culturally congruent primary care and sexual health services, including HIV/STI prevention and care, are needed. We describe how we developed a new community-based LGBTQ+ primary care clinic and implemented safety-net sexual health and STI screening and care services in Providence, Rhode Island.

Nanobiohybrid Extracellular Vesicle Nanoreactor with Improving Metabolical Activity for Biocatalytic Therapy.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) hosting enzymatic activities that function as independent metabolic units are attractive natural biocatalytic platforms. However, directly using these metabolically active nanoreactors for effective biocatalytic applications remains challenging, mainly due to their constrained catalytic capabilities. Here, we construct an EV-templated nanobiohybrid system by engineering an EV surface with a photoresponsive zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF).

Dual Photoswitching of a Diarylethene Ligand-Anchored Hofmann-Type Spin-Crossover Compound.

A diarylethene ligand-anchored two-dimensional Hofmann-type compound [Fe(BTEPy){Pt(CN)}](CHOH) (BTEPy = 1,2-bis[2-methyl-5-(4-pyridyl)-3-thienyl]cyclopentene) is synthesized, which undergoes a two-step spin-state transition and dual photoinduced magnetic switching.

Role of intestinal testosterone-degrading bacteria and 3/17β-HSD in the pathogenesis of testosterone deficiency-induced hyperlipidemia in males.

Testosterone deficiency can cause abnormal lipid metabolism in men, leading to hyperlipidemia. We identified the testosterone-degrading bacterium Pseudomonas nitroreducens in the fecal samples of male patients with hyperlipidemia. Gastric administration of P.

The SBP-box transcription factor PlSPL2 negatively regulates stem development in herbaceous peony.

The SBP-box transcription factor PlSPL2 silencing in herbaceous peony enhanced stem strength by regulating xylem development, whereas its overexpression in tobacco resulted in weaker stem strength and undeveloped xylem. The strength of plant stems is a critical determinant of lodging resistance of plants, which significantly affects crop yield and cut-flower quality. Squamosa promoter binding (SBP) protein-like (SPL) transcription factors (TFs), participate in multiple regulatory processes, particularly in stem development.

UCF101 Rescues against Diabetes-Evoked Cardiac Remodeling and Contractile Anomalies through AMP-Activated Protein Kinase-Mediated Induction of Mitophagy.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is known to provoke devastating anomalies in myocardial structure and function, while effective therapeutic regimen is still lacking. The selective protease inhibitor UCF101 (5-[5-(2-nitrophenyl) furfuryl iodine]-1,3-diphenyl-2-thiobarbituric acid) has been shown to fend off ischemic heart injury, although its impact on diabetic cardiomyopathy remains elusive.

Methods: Our present work was conducted to examine the effect of UCF101 on experimental diabetes-evoked cardiac geometric and functional abnormalities as well as mechanisms involved.

positively regulates high-temperature tolerance of herbaceous peony by scavenging reactive oxygen species.

Unlabelled: Herbaceous peony ( Pall.) is a widely used famous traditional flower in China. It prefers cold and cool climate, but is not resistant to high temperature during summer in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

Long-term outcomes in rapamycin on renal allograft function: a 30-year follow-up from a single-center experience.

Objectives: To evaluate long-term renal graft prognosis and the role of rapamycin from a single-center in China over a 30-year follow-up.

Methods: This study enrolled a total of 654 patients who underwent kidney transplantation between 1989 and 2020. The basic characteristics of the included patients were collected.

Placental growth factor alleviates hyperglycemia-induced trophoblast pyroptosis by regulating mitophagy.

Introduction: Hyperglycemia is closely related to trophoblast dysfunction during pregnancy and results in suppressed invasion, migration, and pro-inflammatory cell death of trophoblasts. Hyperglycemia is a dependent risk factor for gestational hypertension accompanied by decreased placental growth factor (PLGF), which is important for maternal and fetal development. However, there is currently a lack of evidence to support whether PLGF can alleviate trophoblast cell dysfunction caused by high blood sugar.

The chest CT perspective on sarcopenia: Exploring reference values for muscle mass quantity/quality and its application in elderly adults.

Objective: To determine reference values for diagnosing sarcopenia through chest CT scans and evaluate their suitability for use among the Chinese elderly population.

Methods: Chest CT scans were obtained from 500 healthy individuals aged 19-39. Skeletal muscle mass was assessed on chest CT at the level of T4 by the skeletal muscle area (T4SMA), skeletal muscle index (T4SMI), T12 erector spinae muscle area (T12ESMA), and T12 skeletal muscle index (T12SMI), as well as skeletal muscle density (SMD) at T4 and T12 levels.

PlWRKY47 Coordinates With Cytosolic Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase 2 Gene to Improve Thermotolerance Through Inhibiting Reactive Oxygen Species Generation in Herbaceous Peony.

Although WRKY transcription factors play crucial roles in plant responses to high-temperature stress, little is known about Group IIb WRKY family members. Here, we identified the WRKY-IIb protein PlWRKY47 from herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.), which functioned as a nuclear-localized transcriptional activator.

Analysis of metastasis‑related risk factors and clinical relevance in adult soft‑tissue sarcoma.

Metastasis occurs in nearly 50% of cases of adult soft-tissue sarcoma (ASTS), leading to a dismal prognosis, with a 2-year survival rate of ~30%. Consequently, a prognostic model that incorporates metastatic characteristics may be instrumental in predicting survival time and in crafting optimal personalized therapeutic strategies for patients with ASTS. In the present study, a prognostic prediction model for ASTS was developed by examining genes that are differentially expressed between non-metastatic and metastatic patients in the Gene Expression Omnibus dataset.

Perspectives on a peer-driven intervention to promote pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake among men who have sex with men in southern New England: a qualitative study.

Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective pharmaceutical intervention that prevents HIV infection, but PrEP uptake across the US has been slow among men who have sex with men (MSM), especially among Black/African American (B/AA) and Hispanic /Latino (H/L) MSM. This study investigates the acceptability and essential components of a peer-driven intervention (PDI) for promoting PrEP uptake among MSM, with a specific focus on B/AA and H/L communities.

Methods: We conducted 28 semi-structured, qualitative interviews with MSM in southern New England to explore the components of a PDI, including attitudes, content, and effective communication methods.

Clinical application of a modified wiltse approach in middle and lower thoracic vertebrae: a case-control study of thoracic fracture patients.

Background: The Wiltse approach has been extensively employed in thoracolumbar surgeries due to its minimal muscle damage. However, in the middle and lower thoracic spine, the conventional Wiltse approach necessitates the severance of the latissimus dorsi and trapezius muscles, potentially leading to muscular injury. Consequently, we propose a modified Wiltse approach for the middle and lower thoracic vertebrae, which may further mitigate muscular damage.