A novel conditioning regimen with pre-transplantation immunosuppression reduces the complication rates in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia.

Background: Allo-HSCT is a curative therapy for patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT). The high incidence of transplant-related complications is becoming an obstacle to safe and effective unrelated donor (URD) transplantation.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we reported the survival outcomes and complications of transplantation in thalassemia patients using a novel regimen consisting of pre-transplantation immunosuppression (PTIS) and modified myeloablative conditioning based on intravenous busulfan, cyclophosphamide, fludarabine, and rabbit anti-human thymocyte immunoglobulin.

Development of imaged capillary isoelectric focusing as a platform mispairing byproduct testing method for asymmetric WuXiBody-based bispecific antibodies.

This study explores the application of imaged capillary isoelectric focusing (icIEF) to distinguish and quantify mispairing byproducts in asymmetric WuXiBody-based bispecific antibodies (AsWXbsAbs). Bispecific antibody (BsAb), developed using Knobs-into-Holes (KiH) technology, often result in byproducts such as knob-knob (KK) and hole-hole (HH) homodimers, which share similar sizes with the target BsAb, complicating their separation by traditional methods like size exclusion chromatography-high performance liquid chromatography (SEC-HPLC). Our approach leverages the unique pI differences introduced by substituting the CH1/CL domain with the T cell receptor (TCR) constant domain in AsWXbsAbs.

Multi-target detection of waste composition in complex environments based on an improved YOLOX-S model.

The identification of waste composition based on target-detection is crucial in promoting sustainable solid waste management. However, discrimination of different solid waste categories in the presence of incomplete and insufficient feature information remains a challenge in multi-target detection. This paper proposes an improved You Only Look Once (YOLOX-S) model that enables the effective recognition of different waste components in complex environments, which enhances feature-information extraction ability regarding different dimensions by introducing a convolutional block attention module, an adaptive spatial feature fusion module, and an improved efficient intersection-over-union loss function.

Automatic tooth periodontal ligament segmentation of cone beam computed tomography based on instance segmentation network.

Objective: The three-dimensional morphological structures of periodontal ligaments (PDLs) are important data for periodontal, orthodontic, prosthodontic, and implant interventions. This study aimed to employ a deep learning (DL) algorithm to segment the PDL automatically in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Method: This was a retrospective study.

Tooth pattern, development, and replacement in the yellow catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco.

Studies of teleost teeth are important for understanding the evolution and mechanisms of tooth development, replacement, and regeneration. Here, we used gross specimens, microcomputed tomography, and histological analysis to characterize tooth structure, development, and resorption patterns in adult Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. The oral and pharyngeal teeth are villiform and conical.

Evaluation of the accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography image segmentation of isolated tooth roots based on the dynamic threshold method.

Objective: Accurate quantification of the root surface area (RSA) plays a decisive role in the advancement of periodontal, orthodontic, and restorative treatment modalities. In this study, we aimed to develop a dynamic threshold-based computer-aided system for segmentation and calculation of the RSA of isolated teeth on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to assess the accuracy of the measured data.

Method: We selected 24 teeth to be extracted, including single-rooted and multi-rooted teeth, from 22 patients who required tooth extraction.

miR-153-3p suppresses the differentiation and proliferation of neural stem cells via targeting GPR55.

Alzheimer's disease is the most frequent neurodegenerative disease and is characterized by progressive cognitive impairment and decline. NSCs (neural stem cells) serve as beneficial and promising adjuncts to treat Alzheimer's disease. This study aimed to determine the role of miR-153-3p expression in NSC differentiation and proliferation.

Proper organic substitution attenuated both NO and NO emissions derived from AOB in vegetable soils by enhancing the proportion of Nitrosomonas.

The ammonia oxidation process driven by microorganisms is an essential source of nitrous oxide (NO) and nitric oxide (NO) emissions. However, few evaluations have been performed on the changes in the community structure and abundance of soil ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) under substituting portion of chemical fertilizers with organic manure (organic substitution) and their relative contribution to the ammonia oxidation process. Here, five long-term fertilization strategies were applied in field (SN: synthetic fertilizer application; OM: organic manure; M1N1: substituting 50 % of chemical N fertilizer with organic manure; M1N4: substituting 20 % of chemical N fertilizer with organic manure; and CK: no fertilizer).

Impact of posttransplant cyclophosphamide on the outcome of patients undergoing unrelated single-unit umbilical cord blood transplantation for pediatric acute leukemia.

Background: Umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) from unrelated donors is one of the successful treatments for acute leukemia in childhood. The most frequent side effect of UCBT is peri-engraftment syndrome (PES), which is directly associated with the greater prevalence of acute and chronic graft-versus-host-disease (aGvHD and cGvHD). In haploidentical stem cell transplantation, posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCY) has been demonstrated to be an effective method against GvHD.

Combined External Ventricular Drainage and Endoscope-Assisted Microsurgery Using the Middle Frontal Gyrus Approach in Severe Ventricular Hemorrhage with Casting of the Fourth Ventricle.

Objective: To investigate combined external ventricular drainage and endoscope-assisted microsurgery using the middle frontal gyrus approach in patients with severe ventricular hemorrhage with casting of the fourth ventricle and patients' recovery after this treatment.

Methods: Patients with severe ventricular hemorrhage with casting of the fourth ventricle (n = 41) were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Modified Graeb score was used to assess 3-day hematoma clearance rate before and after surgery, drainage tube extubation time for the 2 groups was compared, and time when blood clot in the fourth ventricle was not blocked with cerebrospinal fluid was compared.

Soil organic carbon decomposition responding to warming under nitrogen addition across Chinese vegetable soils.

Chemical fertilization in excess and warming disrupt the soil microbes and alter resource stoichiometry, particularly in intensive vegetable soils, while the effects of these variables on the temperature sensitivity of soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition (Q) and SOC stability remain elusive. Thus, we collected six long-term vegetable soils along a climatic gradient to examine the microbial mechanisms and resource stoichiometry effects on fluctuations in Q and SOC stability induced by warming and fertilization from vegetable soils. Our results showed that the SOC decomposition was dominated by microbes and regulated by stoichiometry.

HOXC6 Regulates the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition through the TGF-/Smad Signaling Pathway and Predicts a Poor Prognosis in Glioblastoma.

Background: The HOX gene family of transcription factors, characterized by conserved homeodomains, is positively correlated with the resistance to chemotherapy drugs and poor prognosis, as well as the initiating potential of gliomas. However, there are few studies regarding the HOXC6 gene in glioma cells. Therefore, in the present study, we explored the regulatory roles and detailed mechanisms underlying the relationship between HOXC6 and the progression of GBM.

LncRNA FER1L4 promotes differentiation and inhibits proliferation of NSCs via miR-874-3p/Ascl2.

Neural stem cells (NSCs) may offer beneficeial and promising adjuncts for treatment of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and spinal cord injuries. Previous studies showed that LncRNA FER1L4 plays crucial roles in many biological procedures such as invasion, metabolism, apoptosis, and stem cell differentiation. However, the role of FER1L4 in differentiation and growth of NSCs remains unknown.

Biochar addition stabilized soil carbon sequestration by reducing temperature sensitivity of mineralization and altering the microbial community in a greenhouse vegetable field.

Biochar is widely used for soil carbon sequestration and fertility improvement. However, the effects of biochar interacted with nitrogen (N) on the mineralization of soil organic carbon (SOC) and microbial community have not been thoroughly understood, particularly no reports have been published on the long term effects of biochar in vegetable field. Here, we examined soil properties, SOC mineralization and microbial community affecting by biochar (0, 20 and 40 t ha; C0, C1 and C2, respectively), N (0 or 240 t ha; N0 or N1, respectively) and their interaction in a greenhouse vegetable field.

A pyruvate kinase deficiency child with novel PK-LR gene mutations was successfully cured by matched unrelated donor peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

Background: Pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a PK-LR gene mutation. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is an effective cure for PKD. However, the experience of applying HCT in PKD is limited.

Immune Microenvironment in Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis: Potential Prognostic Indicators.

In this study, the immune microenvironment in Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) was characterized to determine if immune indices are predictive of severity. Serum samples from 54 treatment-naïve patients were analyzed quantitatively for inflammatory cytokines and immunoglobulins before and after the induction of chemotherapy. The initial serum sIL-2R, TNF-α, and IL-10 of untreated LCH patients with risk organ involvement (RO+) were significantly higher than those with single-system (SS) involvement.

Prediction, management, and prognosis of mixed chimerism after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in transfusion-dependent pediatric thalassemia patients.

Background: Early-onset mixed chimerism (MC) with a high proportion of residual host cells is considered a signal of graft rejection in patients undergoing allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for transfusion-dependent thalassemia. In order to prevent graft rejection and minimize the risk of treatment-related graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), we established a hierarchical management system based on chimerism analysis.

Method: This retrospective study provides a comprehensive review of the characteristics, interventions, and outcomes of the 38 patients who developed MC after transplantation among the 144 pediatric thalassemia patients between July 2007 and January 2019 at our center.

Risk Factors and Metabolism of Different Brain Regions by Positron Emission Tomography in Parkinson Disease with Disabling Dyskinesia.

Objective: Dyskinesia is the most common motor complication in advanced Parkinson's Disease (PD) and has a severe impact on daily life. But the mechanism of dyskinesia is still poorly understood. This study aims to explore risk factors for disabling dyskinesia in PD and further analyze the Vesicular Monoamine Transporter 2 (VMAT2) distribution (labeled with 18F-AV133) in the corpus striatum and the 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) metabolism of different brain regions by PET-CT.

The Purely Endoscopic Supracerebellar Infratentorial Approach for Resecting Pineal Region Tumors with Preservation of Cerebellomesencephalic Vein: Technical Note and Preliminary Clinical Outcomes.

Background: The cerebellomesencephalic vein (CMV) was frequently sacrificed in surgery approached via the supracerebellar infratentorial (SCIT) route for resecting pineal region tumors, which resulted in potential risk of neurologic deficit. Preserving the CMV in the SCIT approach could enhance the safety and effectiveness of this natural corridor surgery. The aim of this article was to identify the probability and safety of preserving the CMV through the application of neuroendoscopy in the SCIT approach.

The effects of dentoalveolar distraction extraction on alveolar ridge preservation: Cone-beam computed tomography and X-ray analysis in canine model.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effect of dentoalveolar distraction extraction (DDE) on site preservation, and to evaluate how the technique keeps the height and width of alveolar bones to a greater extent.

Methods: 12 beagle dogs, randomly divided into three groups (DDE group, NH group, BOG group), were used. In the dogs of three groups, the root of the left or right third mandibular premolars were respectively extracted by three methods namely, DDE, traditional extraction with natural healing, and traditional extraction with Bio-Oss bone dust implanted and guided bone regeneration (GBR).

Priming effect of root-applied silicon on the enhancement of induced resistance to the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne graminicola in rice.

Background: Silicon (Si) can confer plant resistance to both abiotic and biotic stress. In the present study, the priming effect of Si on rice (Oryza sativa cv Nipponbare) against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne graminicola and its histochemical and molecular impact on plant defense mechanisms were evaluated.

Results: Si amendment significantly reduced nematodes in rice roots and delayed their development, while no obvious negative effect on giant cells was observed.

Sub-optimal Specificity of Modified Ziehl-Neelsen Staining for Quick Identification of Tuberculous Meningitis.

Microbiological confirmation of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) remains problematic. We assessed the diagnostic performance of a modified Ziehl-Neelsen (MZN) staining method that showed promise in earlier studies. Patients evaluated for TBM in Shaanxi province, China, were prospectively enrolled from May, 2011 to April, 2013.

Mutations in Acetylcholinesterase2 (ace2) increase the insensitivity of acetylcholinesterase to fosthiazate in the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita.

The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita causes severe damage to continuously cropping vegetables. The control of this nematode relies heavily on organophosphate nematicides in China. Here, we described resistance to the organophosphate nematicide fosthiazate in a greenhouse-collected resistant population (RP) and a laboratory susceptible population (SP) of M.

High rate of drug resistance among tuberculous meningitis cases in Shaanxi province, China.

The clinical and mycobacterial features of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) cases in China are not well described; especially in western provinces with poor tuberculosis control. We prospectively enrolled patients in whom TBM was considered in Shaanxi Province, northwestern China, over a 2-year period (September 2010 to December 2012). Cerebrospinal fluid specimens were cultured for Mycobacterium tuberculosis; with phenotypic and genotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST), as well as genotyping of all positive cultures.