Characterizing progenitor cells in developing and injured spinal cord: Insights from single-nucleus transcriptomics and lineage tracing.

Various mature tissue-resident cells exhibit progenitor characteristics following injury. However, the existence of endogenous stem cells with multiple lineage potentials in the adult spinal cord remains a compelling area of research. In this study, we present a cross-species investigation that extends from development to injury.

Growth and non-structural carbohydrates response patterns of under salt and drought stress.

Introduction: Salinity and droughts are severe abiotic stress factors that limit plant growth and development. However, the differences and similarities of non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) responses patterns of trees under the two stress conditions remain unclear.

Methods: We determined and compared the growth, physiology, and NSCs response patterns and tested the relationships between growth and NSCs concentrations (or pool size) of seedlings planted in field under drought and salt stress with different intensities and durations.

Preparing a novel baicalin-loaded microemulsion-based gel for transdermal delivery and testing its anti-gout effect.

We previously demonstrated that baicalin had efficacy against gouty arthritis (GA) by oral administration. In this paper, a novel baicalin-loaded microemulsion-based gel (B-MEG) was prepared and assessed for the transdermal delivery of baicalin against GA. The preparation method and transdermal capability of B-MEG was screened and optimized using the central composite design, Franz diffusion cell experiments, and the split-split plot design.

Molecular stratification of the human fetal vaginal epithelium by spatial transcriptome analysis.

The human vaginal epithelium is a crucial component of numerous reproductive processes and serves as a vital protective barrier against pathogenic invasion. Despite its significance, a comprehensive exploration of its molecular profiles, including molecular expression and distribution across its multiple layers, has not been performed. In this study, we perform a spatial transcriptomic analysis within the vaginal wall of human fetuses to fill this knowledge gap.

[Design of Remote Slit Lamp Diagnosis Platform Based on IoT Technology].

In order to realize the diagnosis of slit lamp in cross-regional patients and improve the real-time and convenience of diagnosis, a remote slit lamp diagnosis platform based on Internet of Things (IoT) technology is designed. Firstly, the feasibility of remote slit lamp is analyzed. Secondly, the IoT platform architecture of doctor/server/facility (D/S/F) is proposed and a remote slit lamp is designed.

Contezolid-Containing Regimen Successfully Treated Multiple Drug Resistance Mycobacterium Abscessus Complex Infection of Skin: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Background: In recent decades, there has been a substantial surge in the incidence of non-tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) infections. However, the diagnosis and management of NTM globally present significant challenges, particularly in cases involving (MABC) infection where effective therapeutic options are limited.

Case Presentation: We reported a 38-year-old female patient who was infected with MABC of skin due to "beauty needle" at a beauty salon, with mass on both cheeks, accompanied by redness, and pain, and some of them was ulcered and effused.

The positivity rates and drug resistance patterns of using nucleotide MALDI-TOF MS assay among suspected tuberculosis patients in Shandong, China: a multi-center prospective study.

Objective: To investigate the positivity rates and drug resistance characteristics of (MTB) among suspected tuberculosis (TB) patients in Shandong Province, the second-largest population province in China.

Methods: A prospective, multi-center study was conducted from April 2022 to June 2023. Pathogen and drug resistance were identified using nucleotide matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (nucleotide MALDI-TOF MS).

Mutual communication between radiosensitive and radioresistant esophageal cancer cells modulates their radiosensitivity.

Radiotherapy is an important treatment modality for patients with esophageal cancer; however, the response to radiation varies among different tumor subpopulations due to tumor heterogeneity. Cancer cells that survive radiotherapy (i.e.

Patterns of deep fine root and water utilization amongst trees, shrubs and herbs in subtropical pine plantations with seasonal droughts.

Introduction: Seasonal droughts will become more severe and frequent under the context of global climate change, this would result in significant variations in the root distribution and water utilization patterns of plants. However, research on the determining factors of deep fine root and water utilization is limited.

Methods: We measured the fine root biomass and water utilization of trees, shrubs and herbs, and soil properties, light transmission, and community structure parameters in subtropical pine plantations with seasonal droughts.

Chemical-induced phase transition and global conformational reorganization of chromatin.

Chemicals or drugs can accumulate within biomolecular condensates formed through phase separation in cells. Here, we use super-resolution imaging to search for chemicals that induce phase transition within chromatin at the microscale. This microscopic screening approach reveals that adriamycin (doxorubicin) - a widely used anticancer drug that is known to interact with chromatin - specifically induces visible local condensation and global conformational change of chromatin in cancer and primary cells.

Novel affibody molecules as potential agents in molecular imaging for MAGE-A3-positive tumor diagnosis.

Background: The cancer-testis protein melanoma antigen A3 (MAGE-A3) is highly expressed in a broad range of malignant tumor forms. It has been confirmed that affibody molecules, a novel family of small (∼6.5 kDa) targeting proteins, are useful agents for molecular imaging and targeted tumor treatment.

Ferroptosis contributes to endometrial fibrosis in intrauterine adhesions.

Intrauterine adhesions (IUA), characterized by endometrial fibrosis, is a challenging clinical issue in reproductive medicine. We previously demonstrated that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and fibrosis of endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) played a vital role in the development of IUA, but the precise pathogenesis remains elucidated. Ferroptosis has now been recognized as a unique form of oxidative cell death, but whether it is involved in endometrial fibrosis remains unknown.

Active thermally tunable and highly sensitive terahertz smart windows based on the combination of a metamaterial and phase change material.

A thermally tunable terahertz window based on the combination of a metamaterial and the phase change material VO is proposed. The window is composed of two vanadium oxide films with a SiO layer sandwiched between them. The thermochromic phase change properties of VO are the key to the functionality of the window.

Association of MLL3 and TGF-β signaling gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility and prognostic outcomes of Stanford type B aortic dissection : MLL3 with TGF-β signal pathway association with Stanford type B AD.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the association of lysine methyltransferase 2 C (MLL3) and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling-related gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility of Stanford type B aortic dissection (AD) and its clinical prognostic outcomes. The methods involved investigating the MLL3 (rs10244604, rs6963460, rs1137721), TGFβ1 (rs1800469), TGFβ2 (rs900), TGFR1 (rs1626340) and TGFR2 (rs4522809) gene polymorphisms. Logistic regression was performed to investigate the association between 7 single nucleotide gene polymorphisms (SNPs) and Stanford type B aortic dissection.

Quantification of Endometrial Fibrosis Using Noninvasive MRI T2 Mapping: Initial Findings.

Background: Endometrial fibrosis may cause infertility. Accurate evaluation of endometrial fibrosis helps clinicians to schedule timely therapy.

Purpose: To explore T2 mapping for assessing endometrial fibrosis.

Engineered human spinal cord-like tissues with dorsal and ventral neuronal progenitors for spinal cord injury repair in rats and monkeys.

Transplanting human neural progenitor cells is a promising method of replenishing the lost neurons after spinal cord injury (SCI), but differentiating neural progenitor cells into the diverse types of mature functional spinal cord neurons is challenging. In this study, engineered human embryonic spinal cord-like tissues with dorsal and ventral neuronal characters (DV-SC) were generated by inducing human neural progenitor cells (hscNPCs) to differentiate into various types of dorsal and ventral neuronal cells on collagen scaffold . Transplantation of DV-SC into complete SCI models in rats and monkeys showed better therapeutic effects than undifferentiated hscNPCs, including pronounced cell survival and maturation.

Spinal cord tissue engineering using human primary neural progenitor cells and astrocytes.

Neural progenitor cell (NPC) transplantation is a promising approach for repairing spinal cord injury (SCI). However, cell survival, maturation and integration after transplantation are still major challenges. Here, we produced a novel centimeter-scale human spinal cord neural tissue (hscNT) construct with human spinal cord neural progenitor cells (hscNPCs) and human spinal cord astrocytes (hscAS) on a linearly ordered collagen scaffold (LOCS).

C:N:P stoichiometric variations of herbs and its relationships with soil properties and species relative abundance along the Xiaokai River irrigation in the Yellow River Delta, China.

Introduction: Soil salinity is known to affect plant performance and nutrient stoichiometry by altering their ecophysiology, and thus playing a crucial role in determining plant distribution patterns and nutrient cycles in salinized ecosystems. However, there was little consensus on the effects of salinity stress on plant C, N, and P stoichiometries. Moreover, determining the relationships between species relative species abundance and plant C, N, and P stoichiometries can help to understand the different adaptive strategies between the common and rare species as well as the community assembly process.

Ultra-short pulse burst laser around 1.98 µm obtained through an all-fiber nonlinear wavelength converter and Tm-doped fiber amplifier.

We report an all-fiber ultra-short pulse burst laser operating at around 1.98 µm that is obtained through a nonlinear wavelength converter and Tm-doped fiber amplifier. A mode-locked Er-doped fiber laser was first built and then amplified in subsequent amplifiers to an average power of 1.

Novel Affibody Molecules Specifically Bind to SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein and Efficiently Neutralize Delta and Omicron Variants.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has been an unprecedented public health disaster in human history, and its spike (S) protein is the major target for vaccines and antiviral drug development. Although widespread vaccination has been well established, the viral gene is prone to rapid mutation, resulting in multiple global spread waves. Therefore, specific antivirals are needed urgently, especially those against variants.

Fibrillin-1 Gene Polymorphisms (rs145233125, rs11070646, rs201170905) Are Associated With the Susceptibility and Clinical Prognosis of DeBakey Type III Aortic Dissection in Chinese Han Population.

We aim to investigate whether genetic variants of the Fibrillin-1 (FBN1) gene were associated with DeBakey type III aortic dissection (AD) and its clinical prognosis in Chinese Han population. Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs145233125, rs11070646, rs201170905) in FBN1 were analyzed in patients with DeBakey type III AD (159) and healthy subjects (216). Gene-environment interactions were evaluated to use generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction.

Association of gene polymorphisms in FBN1 and TGF-β signaling with the susceptibility and prognostic outcomes of Stanford type B aortic dissection.

Background: This study is aimed at investigating the association of Fibrillin-1 (FBN1) and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling-related gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility of Stanford type B aortic dissection (AD) and its clinical prognostic outcomes.

Methods: Five single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) (FBN1rs 145233125, rs201170905, rs11070646, TGFB1rs1800469, and TGFB2rs900) were analyzed in patients with Stanford type B AD (164) and healthy controls (317). Gene-gene and gene-environment interactions were assessed by generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction.

Defective autophagy contributes to endometrial epithelial-mesenchymal transition in intrauterine adhesions.

Intrauterine adhesions (IUA), characterized by endometrial fibrosis, is a common cause of uterine infertility. We previously demonstrated that partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the loss of epithelial homeostasis play a vital role in the development of endometrial fibrosis. As a pro-survival strategy in maintaining cell and tissue homeostasis, macroautophagy/autophagy, conversely, may participate in this process.