Genes related to neural tube defects and glioblastoma.

There are many similarities between early embryonic development and tumorigenesis. The occurrence of neural tube defects (NTDs) and glioblastoma (GBM) are both related to the abnormal development of neuroectodermal cells. To obtain genes related to both NTDs and GBM, as well as small molecule drugs with potential clinical application value.

A single-cell RNA sequencing dataset of peripheral blood cells in long COVID patients on herbal therapy.

Following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the rise of long COVID, characterized by persistent respiratory and cognitive dysfunctions, has become a significant health concern. This leads to an increased role of complementary and alternative medicine in addressing this condition. However, our comprehension of the effectiveness and safety of herbal medicines for long COVID remains limited.

Transformer-generated atomic embeddings to enhance prediction accuracy of crystal properties with machine learning.

Accelerating the discovery of novel crystal materials by machine learning is crucial for advancing various technologies from clean energy to information processing. The machine-learning models for prediction of materials properties require embedding atomic information, while traditional methods have limited effectiveness in enhancing prediction accuracy. Here, we proposed an atomic embedding strategy called universal atomic embeddings (UAEs) for their broad applicability as atomic fingerprints, and generated the UAE tensors based on the proposed CrystalTransformer model.

Biocatalytic enantioselective formation and ring-opening of oxetanes.

Although biocatalysis offers complementary or alternative approaches to traditional synthetic methods, the limited range of available enzymatic reactions currently poses challenges in synthesizing a diverse array of desired compounds. Consequently, there is a significant demand for developing novel biocatalytic processes to enable reactions that were previously unattainable. Herein, we report the discovery and subsequent protein engineering of a unique halohydrin dehalogenase to develop a biocatalytic platform for enantioselective formation and ring-opening of oxetanes.

Advancing the genetic engineering toolbox by combining AsCas12a knock-in mice with ultra-compact screening.

Cas12a is a next-generation gene editing tool that enables multiplexed gene targeting. Here, we present a mouse model that constitutively expresses enhanced Acidaminococcus sp. Cas12a (enAsCas12a) linked to an mCherry fluorescent reporter.

Prospective Investigation Unravels Plasma Proteomic Links to Dementia.

Investigating plasma proteomic signatures of dementia offers insights into its pathology, aids biomarker discovery, supports disease monitoring, and informs drug development. Here, we analyzed data from 48,367 UK Biobank participants with proteomic profiling. Using Cox and generalized linear models, we examined the longitudinal associations between proteomic signatures and dementia-related phenotypes.

Cryo-EM structures reveal the H/citrate symport mechanism of INDY.

I'm Not Dead Yet (INDY) functions as a transporter for citrate, a key metabolite in the citric acid cycle, across the plasma membrane. Partial deficiency of INDY extends lifespan, akin to the effects of caloric restriction. In this work, we use cryo-electron microscopy to determine structures of INDY in the presence and absence of citrate and in complex with the well-known inhibitor 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-disulfonic acid stilbene (DIDS) at resolutions ranging from 2.

Cloning and functional characterization of the caffeine oxidase gene CsCDH from Camellia sinensis.

Theacrine, a purine alkaloid with pharmacological effects such as calming and anti-depressive activities, is biosynthesized through a key rate-limiting enzyme, caffeine oxidase. Despite its importance, the caffeine oxidase gene (CsCDH) in Camellia sinensis has not been cloned to date. We successfully isolated the full-length CsCDH cDNA, which contains a 501-bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 166-amino-acid protein with a calculated molecular weight of 18.

A biomass-based "double-encapsulation structure" heightens the flame retardancy, antimicrobial effectiveness, and hydrophobicity of cotton fabric.

Due to the non-renewable nature of petroleum resources, there has been a notable shift toward utilizing biomass materials to confer flame retardant properties to cotton fabrics. However, endow solely with single function cannot meet the application requirements across various fields. Therefore, there is considerable impetus to develop multifunctional cotton fabrics integrating flame retardant, antimicrobial, and hydrophobic properties sourced from biomass.

Cheek acupuncture reduces postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Cheek acupuncture, a recently established microneedle therapy, has been proven to effectively reduce pain, but its potential antiemetic effects remain unconfirmed. Thus, This study aimed to compare the antiemetic efficacy of cheek acupuncture with ondansetron and evaluate the cumulative effect in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery.

Design: A single-center randomized controlled trial SETTING: A university teaching hospital.

Phase separation of EEF1E1 promotes tumor stemness via PTEN/AKT-mediated DNA repair in hepatocellular carcinoma.

This study aimed to investigate the associations of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and tumor stemness in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). LLPS-related genes were extracted from DrLLPS, LLPSDB and PhaSepDB databases. Stemness index (mRNAsi) was calculated based on the data from TCGA and Progenitor Cell Biology Consortium.

Synergistic Enhancement of Radio-immunotherapy Efficacy by IL-15 via Macrophage Activation and Memory T Cell Response.

Successful immunotherapy requires systemic activation of the immune system. Radio-immunotherapy has a synergistic effect, enhancing this activation, but still faces many challenges, requiring methods to further improve its efficacy. Interleukin 15 (IL-15) is considered a potential therapeutic agent because of its broad immunoregulatory activity.

Improving hemodialysis patient depression outcomes with acupuncture: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture as a supplementary treatment for mild to moderate depression in hemodialysis patients.

Method: This multicenter, randomized, controlled, single-masked trial included 64 hemodialysis patients aged 18-75 divided into two groups. One group received genuine acupuncture, while the other received sham acupuncture over 12 weeks.

Bioinspired nanofiber dressings with counter-transport of exudate and drug for treating heavily exuding wounds.

Heavily exuding wounds are difficult to heal due to the accumulation of a large amount of exudates and the difficulty in efficient delivery of drugs by conventional wound dressings. Herein, inspired by the microstructure and function of octopus sucker (OS) and tree trunk (TT), we propose a bioinspired strategy to fabricate novel bioinspired OS&TT bilayered wound dressing, assembled by a lower OS-like nanofiber membrane with concave convex arrays and an upper TT-like nanofiber sponge with vertically aligned pores. The integration of bioinspired concave arrays and vertically aligned pores endows the bioinspired OS&TT dressing with dual vertical suction property, enabling effective drainage of significant amount of accumulated liquid.

CBX2 suppresses interferon signaling to diminish tumor immunogenicity via a noncanonical corepressor complex.

Chromobox 2 (CBX2), a crucial component of the polycomb repressive complex (PRC), has been implicated in the development of various human cancers. However, its role in the regulation of tumor immunogenicity and immune evasion remains inadequately understood. In this study, we found that ablation of CBX2 led to tumor growth inhibition, activation of the tumor immune microenvironment, and enhanced therapeutic efficacy of anti-PD1 or adoptive T cell therapies by using murine syngeneic tumor models.

Applications of mass spectrometry imaging in botanical research.

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) serves as a valuable tool enabling researchers to scrutinize various compounds, peptides, and proteins within a sample, providing detailed insights at both elemental and molecular levels. This innovative technology transforms information obtained from a mass spectrometer- encompassing ionic strength, mass-to-charge ratio, and ionized molecule coordinates-within a defined region into a pixel-based model. Consequently, it reconstructs the spatial distribution of ions, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of molecular landscapes.

Winter forage crops influence soil properties through establishing different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi communities in paddy field.

Winter planting is promising for improving the utilization rate of fallow paddy fields in southern China by establishing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) communities. However, the effects of different winter forage crops on AMF community construction remain unknown. The AMF community establishment of different winter planting forage crops were conducted in oat, rye, Chinese milk vetch, and ryegrass, with winter fallow as a control.

In-Cell Mass Spectrometry and Ultraviolet Photodissociation Navigates the Intracellular Protein Heterogeneity.

Directly probing the heterogeneous conformations of intracellular proteins within their native cellular environment remains a significant challenge in mass spectrometry (MS). Here, we establish an in-cell MS and ultraviolet photodissociation (UVPD) strategy that directly ejects proteins from living cells into a mass spectrometer, followed by 193 nm UVPD for structural analysis. Applying this approach to calmodulin (CaM), we reveal that it adopts more extended conformations within living cells compared with purified samples , highlighting the unique influence of intracellular environments on protein folding.

Reconstruction of the Severe Cervical Scar Contracture Using a Combination of the Pre-expanded Bipedicled Forehead Flap and Lower Trapezius Musculocutaneous Flap.

Reconstructing severe cervical scar contractures (SCSC) remains a considerable challenge. This study presents a novel approach to SCSC reconstruction using a combination of pre-expanded bipedicled forehead and lower trapezius musculocutaneous flaps. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 25 patients who underwent this procedure between April 2004 and July 2020.

Aptamer-Modified TiCT MXene Fluorescent Nanoprobe for Monitoring ATP and GTP during a Mild-Photothermal-Activated Nucleolar Stress Process in Living Cells.

Understanding the molecular energy metabolism of single cells in the nucleolus stress response induced by mild-photothermal therapy (mPTT) is of great importance for investigating the photothermal lethal mechanism. Herein, we successfully fabricated a "turn-on"-type fluorescent nanoprobe based on the fluorescently labeled aptamers (FAM-ATP-apt and Cy3-GTP-apt) and TiCT MXene. When the adapters on the nanoprobes bonded to intracellular ATP and GTP, the fluorescence of the nanoprobes was restored.

Precision nutrition-based interventions for the management of obesity in children and adolescents up to the age of 19 years.

Background: Precision nutrition-based methods develop tailored interventions and/or recommendations accounting for determinants of intra- and inter-individual variation in response to the same diet, compared to current 'one-size-fits-all' population-level approaches. Determinants may include genetics, current dietary habits and eating patterns, circadian rhythms, health status, gut microbiome, socioeconomic and psychosocial characteristics, and physical activity. ​​​​In this systematic review, we examined the evidence base for the effect of interventions based on precision nutrition approaches on overweight and obesity in children and adolescents to help inform future research and global guidelines.

Global, regional, and national burden inequality of chronic kidney disease, 1990-2021: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2021.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant global health issue, often linked to diabetes, hypertension, and glomerulonephritis. However, aggregated statistics can obscure heterogeneity across subtypes, age, gender, and regions. This study aimed to analyze global CKD trends from 1990 to 2021, focusing on age, gender, socio-demographic index (SDI), and regional variations.

Health workers' adoption of digital health technology in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the facilitators of and barriers to the acceptance and use of digital health technology by health workers in low- and middle-income countries.

Methods: We searched several databases for relevant articles published until 25 April 2024. We extracted data on four unified theories of acceptance and use of technology factors (performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions) and six additional factors (attitude, habit, incentive, risk, trust and self-efficacy); how these affected the outcomes of behavioural intention and actual use; and the strength of association if reported.

Feasibility of the area reduction post-closure technique for bedside weaning of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the area reduction post-closure technique for bedside weaning of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO).

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted from December 2022 to November 2023, analyzing data from patients who underwent V-A ECMO weaning at our center. The area reduction post-closure technique, utilizing two ProGlide devices (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA), was adopted as a standard practice.