CLIPB4 is a central node in the protease network that regulates humoral immunity in Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes.

Insect humoral immune responses are regulated in part by protease cascades, whose components circulate as zymogens in the hemolymph. In mosquitoes, these cascades consist of clip domain serine proteases (cSPs) and/or their non-catalytic homologs (cSPHs), which form a complex network, whose molecular make-up is not fully understood. Using a systems biology approach, based on a co-expression network of gene family members that function in melanization and co-immunoprecipitation using the serine protease inhibitor (SRPN)2, a key negative regulator of the melanization response in mosquitoes, we identify the cSP CLIPB4 from the African malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae as a central node in this protease network.

Intermittent hypoxia induces hepatic senescence through promoting oxidative stress in a mouse model.

Purpose: Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is an aging-related disease. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may cause MAFLD. This study aimed to explore whether or not intermittent hypoxia (IH), the hallmark of OSA, induces liver aging through oxidative stress.

Thermal Behavior of Pea and Egg White Protein Mixtures.

The partial substitution of animal protein by plant protein is a new opportunity to produce sustainable food. Hence, to control the heat treatment of a composite protein ingredient, this work investigated the thermal behavior of mixtures of raw egg white (EW) and a laboratory-prepared pea protein isolate (PPI). Ten-percentage-by-weight protein suspensions prepared with different PPI/EW weight ratios (100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, 0/100) at pH 7.

GeCoNet-Tool: a software package for gene co-expression network construction and analysis.

Background: Network analysis is a powerful tool for studying gene regulation and identifying biological processes associated with gene function. However, constructing gene co-expression networks can be a challenging task, particularly when dealing with a large number of missing values.

Results: We introduce GeCoNet-Tool, an integrated gene co-expression network construction and analysis tool.

Creaky voice identification in Mandarin: The effects of prosodic position, tone, pitch range and creak locality.

Creaky voice, a non-modal aperiodic phonation that is often associated with low pitch targets, has been found to not only correlate linguistically with prosodic boundary, tonal categories, and pitch range, but also socially with age, gender, and social status. However, it is still not clear whether co-varying factors such as prosodic boundary, pitch range, and tone could, in turn, affect listeners' identification of creak. To fill this gap, this current study examines how creaky voice is identified in Mandarin through experimental data, aiming to enhance our understanding of cross-linguistic perception of creaky voice and, more broadly, speech perception in multi-variable contexts.

Integrated analysis of single-cell and Bulk RNA sequencing reveals a malignancy-related signature in lung adenocarcinoma.

Background: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), the most common histotype of lung cancer, may have variable prognosis due to molecular variations. The research strived to establish a prognostic model based on malignancy-related risk score (MRRS) in LUAD.

Methods: We applied the single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from Tumor Immune Single Cell Hub database to recognize malignancy-related geneset.

Impact of the bromination of carbazole-based D-π-A organic dyes on their optical and electrochemical properties and visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution.

Brominated dyes, 2C- ( = 1-5), 3C-4 and 4C-4, were prepared through bromination of three carbazole-based D-π-A dyes, 2C, 3C and 4C with -bromosuccinimide (NBS). The detailed structures of the brominated dyes were confirmed by H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS). The introduction of the Br atom on the 1,8-positon of carbazole moieties led to blueshifted UV-vis and photoluminescence (PL) spectra, increased initial oxidation potentials and enlarged dihedral angles, indicating bromination enhanced non-planarity of the dye molecules.

Nanoparticles Hitchhike on Monocytes for Glioblastoma Treatment after Low-Dose Radiotherapy.

Glioblastomas (GBMs) are aggressive primary brain tumors with fatal outcome. Traditional chemo-radiotherapy has poor therapeutic effect and significant side effects, due to the drug and radiotherapy (RT) resistance, natural blood-brain barrier, and high-dose RT damage. Even more, tumor-associated monocytes (macrophages and microglia, TAMs) constitute up to 30%-50% of the GBM cellular content, and the tumor microenvironment (TME) in GBM is extremely immunosuppressive.

Learning curve of trans-areola single-site endoscopic thyroidectomy in a high-volume center: A CUSUM-based assessment.

Background: Limited attempts have been made in trans-areola single-site endoscopic thyroidectomy (TASSET) due to technical challenges and the lengthy time for proficiency. This study aimed to define the learning curve of TASSET and to describe improvements in operative performance over time.

Methods: Based on 222 consecutive TASSET procedures, the learning curve was established according to the operation time by using cumulative sum analysis (CUSUM).

Total biflavonoids extraction from Selaginella chaetoloma utilizing ultrasound-assisted deep eutectic solvent: Optimization of conditions, extraction mechanism, and biological activity in vitro.

In this study, the deep eutectic solvent based ultrasound-assisted extraction (DES-UAE) was investigated for the efficient and environmentally friendly extraction of Selaginella chaetoloma total biflavonoids (SCTB). As an extractant for optimization, tetrapropylaminium bromide-1,4-butanediol (Tpr-But) was employed for the first time. 36 DESs were created, with Tpr-But producing the most effective results.

Three New Benzophenone Derivatives from .

Six compounds including three new benzophenones, selagibenzophenones D-F (-), two known selaginellins (-) and one known flavonoid (), were isolated from . The structures of new compounds were established by 1D-, 2D-NMR and HR-ESI-MS spectral analyses. Compound represents the second example of diarylbenzophenone from natural sources.

Percutaneous balloon compression for trigeminal neuralgia: experience and surgical techniques from a single institution.

Objective: The treatment experience and the technical skill with percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) for treatment of primary trigeminal neuralgia (TN) were summarised in a single institution.

Methods: This is a retrospective review including consecutive patients with typical symptoms of uni-lateral primary TN who underwent PBC from June 2020 to September 2021 in our institution. We excluded secondary aetiologies of TN.

Investigation of the optimal indocyanine green dose in real-time fluorescent cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy with an ultra-high-definition 4K fluorescent system: a randomized controlled trial.

This study aimed to investigate the indocyanine green (ICG) dose in real-time fluorescent cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) with a 4K fluorescent system. A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in patients who underwent LC for treatment of cholelithiasis. Using the OptoMedic 4K fluorescent endoscopic system, we compared four different doses of ICG (1, 10, 25, and 100 µg) administered intravenously within 30 min preoperatively and evaluated the fluorescence intensity (FI) of the common bile duct and liver background and the bile-to-liver ratio (BLR) of the FI at three timepoints: before surgical dissection of the cystohepatic triangle, before clipping the cystic duct, and before closure.

Bone Marrow Stromal Cell-Secreted Extracellular Vesicles Containing miR-34c-5p Alleviate Lung Injury and Inflammation in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Through Promotion of PTEN Degradation by Targeting OTUD3.

Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the predominant chronic disorder in preterm neonates. This study explored impacts of miR-34c-5p carried by bone marrow stromal cells-secreted extracellular vesicles (BMSC-EVs) on BPD progression.

Methods: A BPD mouse model was established, followed by measurement of miR-34c-5p, OTUD3, and PTEN expression.

Fractional picosecond laser for atrophic acne scars: A meta-analysis.

Background: Conventional fractional lasers (FLs) are well-established treatments for acne scars with some inevitable adverse events. Fractional picosecond laser (FPL) is increasingly used for acne scars.

Aims: To compare the efficacy and safety of FPL with non-picosecond FLs for acne scars.

Effects of methotrexate combined with tocilizumab on growth and bone metabolism in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Objective: This study was designed to determine the effects of methotrexate combined with tocilizumab on growth and bone metabolism in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Methods: The medical records of 112 children with JIA treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from March 2019 to June 2021 were collected and analyzed retrospectively. There were 51 patients treated with methotrexate alone who were assigned to the control group.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Facial-Selective Hydroalkylation of Cyclopropenes.

Cyclopropene hydrofunctionalization has been a promising strategy for accessing multi-substituted cyclopropanes; however, cyclopropene hydroalkylation remains underdeveloped. Herein, we report a low-valent CoH-catalyzed facial-selective cyclopropene hydroalkylation to access multi-substituted cyclopropanes. This reaction exhibits a broad substrate scope of alkyl halides and cyclopropenes and tolerates many functional groups.

A Pilot Study of Ratiometric Creatine CEST MRI Assessment of Rabbit Skeletal Muscle Energy Metabolism at 3 T.

Background: pH MRI may provide useful information to evaluate metabolic disruption following ischemia. Radiofrequency amplitude-based creatine chemical exchange saturation transfer (CrCEST) ratiometric MRI is pH-sensitive, which could but has not been explored to examine muscle ischemia.

Purpose: To investigate skeletal muscle energy metabolism alterations with CrCEST ratiometric MRI.

The NuRD complex cooperates with SALL4 to orchestrate reprogramming.

Cell fate decision involves rewiring of the genome, but remains poorly understood at the chromatin level. Here, we report that chromatin remodeling complex NuRD participates in closing open chromatin in the early phase of somatic reprogramming. Sall4, Jdp2, Glis1 and Esrrb can reprogram MEFs to iPSCs efficiently, but only Sall4 is indispensable capable of recruiting endogenous components of NuRD.

in the promotion of tumor development and progression in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers and an important medical problem with poor prognosis. The role of messenger RNA (mRNA) has been broadly researched in the progression of different human cancers. Microarray analysis has demonstrated that kynurenine 3-monooxygenase () expression is lower in HCC, but the mechanism of in regulating the development of HCC remains unknown.

Impact of polyethylene glycol loxenatide on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes: study protocol for a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (BALANCE-3).

Introduction: Recent cardiovascular outcomes trials have demonstrated that glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) decreases the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Polyethylene glycol loxenatide (PEG-Loxe) is a once-weekly GLP-1RA obtained by modifying exendin-4. No clinical trials have been designed to assess the impact of PEG-Loxe on cardiovascular (CV) outcomes in individuals with T2DM.

Short-term efficacy and safety of personalized antiplatelet therapy for patients with acute ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack: A randomized clinical trial.

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine whether the testing strategy for clopidogrel and/or aspirin resistance using CYP2C19 genotyping or urinary 11-dhTxB2 testing has an impact on clinical outcomes.

Methods: A multicentre, randomized, controlled trial was conducted at 14 centres in China from 2019 to 2021. For the intervention group, a specific antiplatelet strategy was assigned based on the CYP2C19 genotype and 11-dhTxB2, a urinary metabolite of aspirin, and the control group received nonguided (ie, standard of care) treatment.

A Precise Frequency Recognition Method of Short-Time SSVEP Signals Based on Signal Extension.

Objective: Improving the Information Transfer Rate (ITR) is a popular research topic in steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP)-based brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). The higher recognition accuracy of short-time SSVEP signal is critical to improving ITR and achieving high-speed SSVEP-BCIs. However, the existing algorithms have unsatisfactory performance on recognizing short-time SSVEP signals, especially for calibration-free methods.