-Derived β-Glucan as a Novel Modulator of Tumor Microenvironment: Targeting Macrophage Polarization and Inducing Ferroptosis in Lung Cancer.

Introduction: Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a crucial role in the tumor microenvironment (TME), and their polarization state significantly influences patient outcomes. This study investigates the inhibitory effects of β-glucan extracted from Candida albicans on lung cancer progression, focusing on its impact on TAM polarization and the induction of ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death.

Methods: Utilizing both in vivo animal models and in vitro cellular assays, we assessed the impact of β-glucan on tumor growth, cellular proliferation, and migration.

Exploring Cistanche's therapeutic potential and molecular mechanisms in asthma treatment.

Asthma, a prevalent chronic respiratory disease, is characterized by airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness, significantly impacting global health. Current treatments, including corticosteroids, face limitations due to variable patient responses and side effects. This study explores the therapeutic potential of Cistanche, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, in an asthmatic mouse model induced by house dust mites (HDM).

Deciphering the microbial landscape of lower respiratory tract infections: insights from metagenomics and machine learning.

Background: Lower respiratory tract infections represent prevalent ailments. Nonetheless, current comprehension of the microbial ecosystems within the lower respiratory tract remains incomplete and necessitates further comprehensive assessment. Leveraging the advancements in metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) technology alongside the emergence of machine learning, it is now viable to compare the attributes of lower respiratory tract microbial communities among patients across diverse age groups, diseases, and infection types.

Toehold Strand Displacement-Mediated Exponential HCR for Highly Sensitive and Specific Analysis of miRNA in Living Cells.

As an important disease biomarker, the development of sensitive detection strategies for miRNA, especially intracellular miRNA imaging strategies, is helpful for early diagnosis of diseases, pathological research, and drug development. Hybridization chain reaction (HCR) is widely used for miRNA imaging analysis because of its high specificity and lack of biological enzymes. However, the classic HCR reaction exhibits linear amplification with low efficiency, limiting its use for the rapid analysis of trace miRNA in living cells.

A relaxin receptor gene RpGPCR41 is involved in the resistance of Rhopalosiphum padi to pyrethroids.

Rhopalosiphum padi is a global pest that poses a significant threat to wheat crops and has developed resistance to various insecticides. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), known for their crucial role in signaling and biological processes across insect species, have recently gained attention as a potential target for insecticides. GPCR has the potential to contribute to insect resistance through the regulation of P450 gene expression.

HO-1 upregulation promotes mitophagy-dependent ferroptosis in PM2.5-exposed hippocampal neurons.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been extensively implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Recent studies have revealed that PM2.

Dual miRNA-Triggered DNA Walker Assisted by APE1 for Specific Recognition of Tumor Cells.

The identification of a specific tumor cell is crucial for the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer. However, it remains a challenge due to the limited sensitivity and accuracy, long response time, and low contrast of the recent approaches. In this study, we develop a dual miRNA-triggered DNA walker (DMTDW) assisted by APE1 for the specific recognition of tumor cells.

Plasma transfusion in critically Ill patients with abnormal coagulation tests before invasive procedures: A propensity-adjusted cohort study.

Objective: To evaluate the association between plasma transfusion and bleeding complications in critically ill patients with an elevated international normalized ratios undergoing invasive procedures.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate a consecutive sample of critically ill adult patients undergoing invasive procedures (N = 487) with an international normalized ratio ≥ 1.5 between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019.

Prediction of the hardest BiFeO from first-principles calculations.

BiFeO is the only material with ferroelectric Curie temperature and Néel temperature higher than room temperature, making it one of the most well-studied multiferroic materials. Based on an evolutionary algorithm, we predicted a new cubic C-type antiferromagnetic structure (3̄-BiFeO) at ambient pressure. It was found that 3̄-BiFeO is the hardest BiFeO (Vickers hardness ∼ 9.

Isolation of a diazinon-degrading strain sp. DI-6 and its novel biodegradation pathway.

Diazinon is one of the most widely used organophosphate insecticides, one that is frequently detected in the environment. In this study, a diazinon-degrading bacterium, DI-6, previously isolated from diazinon-contaminated soil in China has been subsequently identified as sp. on the basis of its physiological and biochemical characteristics, as well as by virtue of a comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences.

Enhanced electronic and optical properties of multi-layer arsenic via strain engineering.

Solar cell is a kind of devices for renewable and environmentally friendly energy conversion. One of the important things for solar cells is conversion efficiency. While much attention has been drawn to improving efficiency, the role of strain engineering in two-dimensional materials is not yet well-understood.

The Sleep Quality of the Frontline Healthcare Workers and the Improving Effect of Tai Chi.

Background: A number of studies have documented that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) brought more negative impact on the physical and psychological functioning of frontline healthcare workers. Especially, sleep quality was focused. This study aimed to investigate the sleep quality of frontline healthcare workers, risk factors for sleep quality, and the effect of Tai Chi training.

New multiferroic BiFeO with large polarization.

BiFeO is one of the most widely studied multiferroic materials, because of its large spontaneous polarization at room temperature, as well as ferroelasticity and antiferromagnetism. Using an evolutionary algorithm, we found two new dynamically stable BiFeO structures (6 and 622) at ambient pressure. Their energy is only 0.

Zero Poisson's ratio in single-layer arsenic.

Zero (or near-zero) Poisson's ratio (ZPR) materials have important applications in the field of precision instruments because one of their faces is stable and will not be affected by strain. However, ZPR materials are extremely rare. Here, we report a novel ZPR material, two-dimensional 2/ arsenene, by first principles calculations.

Rate and Determinants of Recurrence at 1 Year and 5 Years After Stroke in a Low-Income Population in Rural China.

Recurrent stroke is becoming an increasingly important public health issue owing to the increased risk of disability and death. However, population-based studies investigating the rate of recurrent stroke in China are rare. We explored the rate and determinants of recurrent stroke within 1 and 5 years after the initial stroke in a rural population in China.

Sex Differences in the Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Nonvascular Cognitive Function in Rural, Low-Income Elderly in Tianjin, China.

Background: At the global level, dementia is the leading cause of dependence and disability among the elderly. Although the preponderant prevalence in women has been identified, the sex differences in risk factors were unclear. We aimed to evaluate the sex differences in the prevalence of nonvascular cognitive impairment and the risk factors among the elderly in rural China screened with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Author Correction: Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes on Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis.

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.

Correlation between hypertension and common carotid artery intima-media thickness in rural China: a population-based study.

We aimed to explore the impact of blood pressure (BP) levels on atherosclerosis in a rural Chinese population with a low-education level, low income, high incidence of stroke, and high prevalence of hypertension. B-mode ultrasonography was used to measure carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in adults aged ≥ 45 years with no history of stroke or cardiovascular disease. A total of 5403 eligible subjects were included in this study.

The association between elevated fasting plasma glucose levels and carotid intima-media thickness in non-diabetic adults: a population-based cross-sectional study.

We assessed the association between the mean carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels in a low-income population in rural China. Adults aged ≥45 years without a history of diabetes, stroke, or cardiovascular disease were recruited. All participants were categorized into four groups according to FPG level.

Meta-Analysis of Chinese Traditional Medicine Bushen Huoxue Prescription for Endometriosis Treatment.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Bushen Huoxue prescription (BSHXP) for endometriosis.

Methods: A meta-analysis was performed, and studies were searched from the seven databases from the date of database establishment to April 30, 2017. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that explored the efficacy and safety of BSHXP for patients with endometriosis were included.

Features and risk factors of carotid atherosclerosis in a population with high stroke incidence in China.

Epidemiological studies have reported associations between traditional cardiovascular risk factors and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) or carotid plaque. However, definite risk factors at different phases of carotid atherosclerosis remain controversial. We aimed to explore risk factors and characteristics of carotid atherosclerosis at different stages in a low-income population with a high incidence of stroke in China.