Association between matrix metalloproteinase-3 gene polymorphism and susceptibility to chronic periodontitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: This study aimed to explore the correlation between the Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) 1171 5A/6A gene polymorphism and susceptibility to Chronic Periodontitis (CP).

Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted across four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) without any time or language limitations. The selection criteria included case-control studies examining the association between the MMP-3 gene polymorphism and CP.

Shared genetic architecture of type 2 diabetes with muscle mass and function and frailty reveals comorbidity etiology and pleiotropic druggable targets.

Background: Delineating the shared genetic architecture of type 2 diabetes with muscle mass and function and frailty is essential for unraveling the common etiology and developing holistic therapeutic strategies for these co-existing conditions.

Methods: In this genome-wide pleiotropic association study, we performed multi-level pairwise trait pleiotropic analyses using genome-wide association study summary statistics from up to 461,026 European ancestry individuals to dissect the shared genetic factors and causal relationships of type 2 diabetes and seven glycemic traits with four muscle mass- and function-related phenotypes and the frailty index.

Results: We first identified 27 pairs with significant genetic correlations through the linkage disequilibrium score regression and high-definition likelihood analysis.

Emerging treatment strategies in dry eye disease: potential of blood-derived approaches and natural plant-based products.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a common ocular condition characterized by chronic inflammation and tear film disruption. It affects millions of people worldwide, causing significant eye discomfort and vision disturbances. Despite its prevalence, DED remains a complex condition that is not yet fully understood.

Immunomodulatory and anti-ovarian cancer effects of novel astragalus polysaccharide micelles loaded with podophyllotoxin.

Ovarian cancer, a highly lethal form of gynecological cancer globally, has witnessed notable advancements in its treatment through the integration of nanotechnology and immunotherapy. Here, we designed a novel astragalus polysaccharide vector (PDA), encapsulating podophyllotoxin (PPT), and modifying methotrexate (DSPE-PEG-MTX) on its surface for targeting ovarian cancer cells with high folate receptor expression. We prepared novel MTX-modified PPT-loaded astragalus polysaccharide micelles (MTX-PPT-micelles) by dialysis method and evaluated their characterization, stability, safety and targeting ability.

CTFFIND5 provides improved insight into quality, tilt, and thickness of TEM samples.

Images taken by transmission electron microscopes are usually affected by lens aberrations and image defocus, among other factors. These distortions can be modeled in reciprocal space using the contrast transfer function (CTF). Accurate estimation and correction of the CTF is essential for restoring the high-resolution signal in cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM).