Long-read RNA sequencing enables full-length chimeric transcript annotation of transposable elements in lung adenocarcinoma.

Background: Transposable elements (TEs), which constitute nearly half of the human genome, have long been regarded as genomic "dark matter". However, their reactivation in tumor cells, resulting in the production of TE-chimeric transcripts (TCTs), has emerged as a potential driver of cancer progression. The complexity and full extent of these transcripts remain elusive, largely due to the limitations of short-read next-generation sequencing technologies.

Visual Deficits in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Without Retinopathy: From Retinal Structure to Higher-Level Visual Functions.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate deficits at varying levels of visual system in diabetes without clinical retinopathy (NoDR) and to explore the optimal method for detecting early diabetic visual disorders among functional and retinal structural assessments included.

Methods: This cross-sectional study examined eyes by the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) charts, visual psychophysical tests, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCT angiography (OCTA). Visual psychophysical metrics included grating acuity (GA), and contrast sensitivity to first-order motion stimuli (1stM), second-order contrast-modulated stationary stimuli (2ndS), and second-order motion stimuli (2ndM).

Multisite long-read sequencing reveals the early contribution of somatic structural variations to HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma tumorigenesis.

Somatic structural variations (SVs) represent a critical category of genomic mutations in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the accurate identification of somatic SVs using short-read high-throughput sequencing (HTS) is challenging. Here, we applied long-read nanopore sequencing and multisite sampling in a cohort of 42 samples from five patients.

Effect of goji berry rootstock grafting on growth and physiological metabolism of tomato under high-temperature stress.

In this study, the effects of goji berry (Lycium barbarum L.) grafting on tomato growth, photosynthesis, antioxidant metabolism and osmoregulatory substances under high-temperature stress were studied with black goji berry and red goji berry as grafting rootstocks and 'Sufen 14' tomato as scions. It was found that under room temperature conditions, the growth of goji berry grafted tomato plants was inhibited compared to self-rooted tomato plants, and goji berry rootstock grafting could alleviate the adverse effects of high-temperature stress on plant height, stem diameter, and root activity.

Evolutionary factors and habitat filtering affect the pattern of Gerbillinae diversity.

How ecological and evolutionary factors affect small mammal diversity in arid regions remains largely unknown. Here, we combined the largest phylogeny and occurrence dataset of Gerbillinae desert rodents to explore the underlying factors shaping present-day distribution patterns. In particular, we analyzed the relative contributions of ecological and evolutionary factors on their species diversity using a variety of models.

Effect of surgery on overall survival and cancer-specific survival in patients with primary HCC: A study based on PSM in the SEER cohort.

This study was designed to assess the effects of surgery method on overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This is a retrospective study. Patients diagnosed with primary HCC (N = 10,174) were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database from 2010 to 2017 and categorized into surgical (N = 4950) and nonsurgical (N = 5224) groups.

Novel Silicon-Based Fluorescent Nanocomposite Drug Carriers for Natural Compound Delivery in Melanoma Treatment.

Melanoma, a highly aggressive cancer, is closely associated with an elevated tumor mutation burden (TMB) and an active tumor microenvironment (TME). Melanin synthesis, a key feature of melanoma progression, is primarily regulated by tyrosinase (TYR), the rate-limiting enzyme controlled by the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). Resveratrol (Res), a natural polyphenol known for its antioxidant and anticancer properties, faces limitations including poor solubility, low bioavailability, and rapid metabolism.

A near-infrared fluorescent probe toward β-Gal with dual-targeting potential of hepatocytes and lysosomes: Design, synthesis, and evaluation.

In this work, a novel near-infrared fluorescent probe of benzopyranonitrile toward β-Gal was developed with high selectivity and low detection limits. DCM-Mor-Gal could effectively distinguish hepatocellular cells (HepG2) from SGC7901, HeLa, A549, and human normal liver cells (HL-7702) under the mediation of the galactose group, and effectively aggregate in the lysosomes under the acidity-alkalinity attraction, showing a notable dual-targeting potential of hepatocytes and lysosomes. The zebrafish experiments confirmed the utility of DCM-Mor-Gal in detecting β-Gal in vivo, which is expected to be an effective tool for the clinical detection of related diseases.

Virtual torque control combining with modal decoupling research for hydraulic-driven lower limb exoskeleton robot.

The hydraulic-driven lower limb exoskeleton robot (HDLLER) can provide excellent assistance during human walking. However, complex torque coupling disturbances exist between each joint, negatively impacting the precise torque tracking of each joint channel of the robot. To address the coupling force disturbances between HDLLER joints and the human-robot interactions, this paper proposes a virtual torque control (VTC) strategy based on modal decoupling.

Discovery of novel biphenyl compounds bearing hydroxamic acid moiety as the first PD-L1/class I HDACs dual inhibitors.

Herein, we firstly reported a series of biphenyl compounds bearing hydroxamic acid moiety as PD-L1/class I HDACs dual inhibitors. Among them, compound displayed the strongest inhibitory activity against HDAC2 and HDAC3 with IC values of 27.98 nM and 14.

Simultaneous determination of nirmatrelvir, ritonavir, and beta-D-N4-hydroxycytidine in human plasma and epithelial lining fluid using LC-MS/MS and its clinical application to compare rates of achieving effective concentrations.

Currently, the trials found that the clinical efficacy of molnupiravir is lower than ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir. An explanation for these different efficacies in clinical treatments is still limited. The analysis method was developed and validated to simultaneously quantify nirmatrelvir, ritonavir, and beta-D-N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC) in human plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

Physiological arterial pressure improves renal performance during normothermic machine perfusion in a porcine kidney DCD model.

Background: Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) provides a platform for kidney quality assessment. Donation after circulatory death (DCD) donor kidneys are associated with great ischemic injury and high intrarenal resistance (IRR). This experimental study aims to investigate the impact of different perfusion pressures on marginal kidney function and injury during NMP.

ERBB4 selectively amplifies TGF-β pro-metastatic responses.

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is well known to play paradoxical roles in tumorigenesis as it has both growth-inhibitory and pro-metastatic effects. However, the underlying mechanisms of how TGF-β drives the opposing responses remain largely unknown. Here, we report that ERBB4, a member of the ERBB receptor tyrosine kinase family, specifically promotes TGF-β's metastatic response but not its anti-growth response.

Enhanced recovery in type A aortic dissection evaluating the efficacy and feasibility of early myocardial reperfusion.

Background: This study investigates the feasibility and early outcomes of early myocardial reperfusion in patients with type A aortic dissection (TAAD), evaluating its effectiveness and potential benefits compared to traditional cardioplegic arrest techniques.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 168 patients diagnosed with TAAD who underwent surgery at the General Hospital of the Northern Theater Command in China from January 2021 to July 2024. Patients were divided into two groups: early myocardial reperfusion (EMR group,  = 66) and cardioplegic arrest (CA group,  = 102).

The correlation and predictive value of Hb, RDW and their association for short-term and long-term mortality in patients with acute aortic dissection.

Background: This study examines the relationship between Hb, RDW and their association and both short-term and long-term mortality in patients with acute aortic dissection (AAD), aiming to establish combined effect between Hb and RDW as a potential prognostic biomarker for AAD outcomes.

Methods: We extracted clinical data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC) databases for this analysis. Using adjusted Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier survival curve analyses, we assessed the relationship between Hb, RDW and their association at admission and mortality at multiple post-discharge intervals (30 days, 90 days, 1 year, and 5 years) among patients with AAD.

Efficacy of double filtration plasmapheresis combined with immunosuppressive agents in the treatment of severe lupus nephritis.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of double filtration plasmapheresis combined with immunosuppressive agents in the treatment of severe lupus nephritis.

Method: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of 102 cases of severe lupus nephritis treated between January 2021 and December 2022 in the General Practice Department at the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College. Patients who received immunosuppressive agents were included in the control group and those who received additional double filtration plasmapheresis were included in the observation group.

3D-printed constructs deliver bioactive cargos to expedite cartilage regeneration.

Cartilage is solid connective tissue that recovers slowly from injury, and pain and dysfunction from cartilage damage affect many people. The treatment of cartilage injury is clinically challenging and there is no optimal solution, which is a hot research topic at present. With the rapid development of 3D printing technology in recent years, 3D bioprinting can better mimic the complex microstructure of cartilage tissue and thus enabling the anatomy and functional regeneration of damaged cartilage.

Priority analysis of educational needs related to geriatric nursing competence among Chinese undergraduate nursing students: Application of Borich needs assessment, importance-performance analysis and locus for focus model.

Aim: This study aimed to assess and identify the priority of educational needs for geriatric nursing competence among Chinese undergraduate nursing students.

Background: The increased aging population puts new challenges in geriatric nursing care. Competence in geriatric nursing is essential for nursing students to be well-equipped to be qualified nurses in their future work to meet the growing demand for geriatric nursing.

Development of nanofiber facial mask inspired by the multi-function of dried ginger (Zingiberis Rhizoma) essential oil.

Plant extracts, especially herbal extracts, are in line with the cosmetics development trend of natural and safe in today's world. Dried ginger essential oil (DGEO) is a fragrant oily liquid extracted from the dried roots of Zingiber officinale Rosc. This research investigated DGEO could effectively inhibit Staphylococcus aureus and Propionibacterium acnes.

Vi capsular polysaccharide of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi disturbs autophagy to increase intracellular survival in macrophages.

The autophagy pathway plays a crucial role in resistance to bacterial infection in the host. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi), a human restricted pathogen, causes a systemic infection known as typhoid fever.

Reciprocal regulation between bacterial secretion systems and host metabolism: Enhancing bacterial intracellular survival capability.

Secretion systems are intricate nanomachines present on many bacterial cell membranes that deliver various bacterially-encoded effector proteins into eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells. They are pivotal in bacterial invasion, host colonization, and pathogenesis. After infection, bacteria employ these machines to deliver toxic effectors to the cytoplasm of host cells that disrupt their metabolic balance, such as interfering with glucose metabolism, promoting lipid droplets formation, altering amino acid profiles and mitochondrial morphology, and reducing ROS levels, to ensure bacterial intracellular survival.

Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Attenuate the Effect of Poor Sleep Patterns on Chronic Kidney Disease Risk: A Prospective Study from the UK Biobank.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the impact of modifiable lifestyle behaviors on the association between sleep patterns and chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk.

Methods: This study included 294,215 UK Biobank participants initially without CKD, followed until 13 October 2023. Sleep patterns were derived from five sleep factors, including sleep duration, chronotype, insomnia, snoring, and daytime dozing.

Soluble TREM2 drives triple-negative breast cancer progression via activation of the AKT pathway.

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) plays a key role in immune regulation, particularly within tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). In triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), TREM2 TAMs have been shown to modulate the tumor microenvironment, but the role of its soluble form: soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (sTREM2), produced through proteolytic cleavage, remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of sTREM2 on TNBC progression.

Instruments to Assess Transition Readiness Among Adolescents With Chronic Disease: A COSMIN Systematic Review of Measurement Properties.

Background: Transition readiness is a key predictor of the success of the medical transition. There are numerous categories of assessment instruments for transition readiness in adolescents with chronic disease, but systematic integration and standardized evaluation of instruments are limited regarding measurement properties, complicating the selection of scientifically valid and reasonable instruments. This review aimed to critically appraise, compare, and summarize the transition readiness assessment instruments in adolescents with chronic diseases.

Analysis of Nirmatrelvir Entry into Pulmonary Lining Fluid in Patients with COVID-19: A Unique Perspective to Explore and Understand the Target Plasma Concentration of 292 ng/mL in Antiviral Activity.

Background: Currently, the applicant has chosen a target plasma trough concentration for nirmatrelvir, which is adjusted to 292 ng/mL based on the drug's molecular weight (499.54 Daltons), its binding to human plasma proteins (69%), and the in vitro antiviral EC value (181 nM). However, the current exposure-effect relationships (ER) analysis of viral load in patients enrolled in the EPIC-HR study has not revealed clinically significant trends in the ER.