Smooth muscle cell-specific CD47 deletion suppresses atherosclerosis.

Background: Recent smooth muscle cell (SMC)-lineage tracing and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) experiments revealed a significant role of SMC-derived cells in atherosclerosis development. Further, thrombospondin-1 (TSP1), a matricellular protein, and activation of its receptor cluster of differentiation (CD) 47 have been linked with atherosclerosis. However, the role of vascular SMC TSP1-CD47 signaling in regulating VSMC phenotype and atherogenesis remains unknown.

Development of a Digital Platform to Promote Mother and Child Health in Underserved Areas of a Lower-Middle-Income Country: Mixed Methods Formative Study.

Background: Primary health care (PHC) is the backbone of universal health coverage, with community health workers (CHWs) being one of its critical pillars in lower-middle-income countries. Most CHW functions require them to be an efficient communicator, but their program development has been deficient in this area. Can IT provide some solutions? Moreover, can some IT-based CHW-delivered innovations help mothers and children in areas not covered by PHC services? We explored these questions during the development and feasibility testing of a digital application designed to improve the communication capacity of CHWs in two underserved areas of Islamabad.

Repetitive head impacts induce neuronal loss and neuroinflammation in young athletes.

Repetitive head impacts (RHI) sustained from contact sports are the largest risk factor for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Currently, CTE can only be diagnosed after death and the multicellular cascade of events that trigger initial hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) deposition remain unclear. Further, the symptoms endorsed by young individuals with early disease are not fully explained by the extent of p-tau deposition, severely hampering development of therapeutic interventions.

Hydrogen sulfide donor activates AKT-eNOS signaling and promotes lymphatic vessel formation.

The lymphatic network is pivotal for various physiological functions in the human body. Accumulated evidence supports the role of therapeutic lymphangiogenesis in the treatment of several pathologies. Endogenous gasotransmitter, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been extensively studied for its potential as a pro-angiogenic factor and vascular function modulator.

Interactive analysis of single-cell data using flexible workflows with SCTK2.

Analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data can reveal novel insights into the heterogeneity of complex biological systems. Many tools and workflows have been developed to perform different types of analyses. However, these tools are spread across different packages or programming environments, rely on different underlying data structures, and can only be utilized by people with knowledge of programming languages.

CD47 Activation by Thrombospondin-1 in Lymphatic Endothelial Cells Suppresses Lymphangiogenesis and Promotes Atherosclerosis.

Background: TSP1 (thrombospondin-1)-a well-known angiogenesis inhibitor-mediates differential effects via interacting with cell surface receptors including CD36 (cluster of differentiation) and CD47. However, the role of TSP1 in regulating lymphangiogenesis is not clear. Our previous study suggested the importance of cell-specific CD47 blockade in limiting atherosclerosis.

Differential expression of extracellular matrix proteins in the lesional skin of vitiligo patients.

Skin pigmentation is regulated by intricate interaction of the dermis and epidermis. The extracellular components present in the dermis play a very important role in the maintenance of skin homeostasis. Therefore, our objective was to check the expression of various ECM components secreted by the dermal fibroblasts in the lesional skin and non-lesional skin of vitiligo patients.

Lenalidomide Augments Differentiation of Cultured Hair Follicle Derived Melanocyte Stem Cells Into Functional Melanocytes.

Introduction: Melanocyte progenitors are embryonically derived from the neural crest and subsequently get localized in hair follicles and epidermis to provide hair and skin pigmentation. These progenitor cells in hair follicles repeatedly proliferate and differentiate to maintain pigmentation. Vitiligo, a pigmentary disorder, is associated with loss of melanocytes.

Matricellular proteins in atherosclerosis development.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an intricate network composed of various multi-domain macromolecules like collagen, proteoglycans, and fibronectin, etc., that form a structurally stable composite, contributing to the mechanical properties of tissue. However, matricellular proteins are non-structural, secretory extracellular matrix proteins, which modulate various cellular functions via interacting with cell surface receptors, proteases, hormones, and cell-matrix.

Molecular evolutionary analysis of human primary microcephaly genes.

Background: There has been a rapid increase in the brain size relative to body size during mammalian evolutionary history. In particular, the enlarged and globular brain is the most distinctive anatomical feature of modern humans that set us apart from other extinct and extant primate species. Genetic basis of large brain size in modern humans has largely remained enigmatic.

Immune-modulatory effects of lenalidomide inhibited the progression of lesions in a vitiligo mouse model.

Vitiligo, an autoimmune disorder, is associated with altered cytokine levels and T lymphocytes. Lenalidomide modulates immune system components by altering cytokine production and regulating T-cell stimulation. In this study, effect of lenalidomide was checked on the development of vitiligo lesions, level of various cytokines, and T lymphocytes in the mouse model.

Structural and physicochemical properties of mediated Mg(OH) nanoparticles and their antibacterial and cytotoxic potential.

In the present investigation, roots extract mediated magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles [Mg(OH) NPs] through the bio-inspired experimental technique were synthesised. Mg(OH) NPs were characterised by using various characterisation techniques such as field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The formation of Mg(OH) NPs was confirmed by X-ray diffraction.

Evolutionary and structural analysis of SARS-CoV-2 specific evasion of host immunity.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is spreading fast worldwide. There is a pressing need to understand how the virus counteracts host innate immune responses. Deleterious clinical manifestations of coronaviruses have been associated with virus-induced direct dysregulation of innate immune responses occurring via viral macrodomains located within nonstructural protein-3 (Nsp3).

Immune modulatory effects of lenalidomide on the cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells from vitiligo patients.

Vitiligo is a depigmentary disease in which epidermal melanocytes are lost. It is considered to be an autoimmune disease. Lenalidomide, an immunomodulatory drug is being employed in the treatment of various autoimmune and inflammatory disorders.

Biosynthesis of hematite nanoparticles using Rheum emodi and their antimicrobial and anticancerous effects in vitro.

The synthesis of magnetic Hematite nanoparticles (α-FeO) via green route has been a long lasting challenge for the scientific and technological fascination of many researchers. In the present investigation, iron oxide nanoparticles (α-FeO) were synthesized using Rheum emodi roots in a cost effective and ecofriendly method. Their physicochemical property orchestration involved techniques such as UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and Atomic force microscopy (AFM).

Community Curation and Expert Curation of Human Long Noncoding RNAs with LncRNAWiki and LncBook.

In recent years, the number of human long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) that have been identified has increased exponentially. However, these lncRNAs are poorly annotated compared to protein-coding genes, posing great challenges for a better understanding of their functional significance and elucidating their complex functioning molecular mechanisms. Here we employ both community and expert curation to yield a comprehensive collection of human lncRNAs and their annotations.

Evolutionary history of the human multigene families reveals widespread gene duplications throughout the history of animals.

Background: The hypothesis that vertebrates have experienced two ancient, whole genome duplications (WGDs) is of central interest to evolutionary biology and has been implicated in evolution of developmental complexity. Three-way and Four-way paralogy regions in human and other vertebrate genomes are considered as vital evidence to support this hypothesis. Alternatively, it has been proposed that such paralogy regions are created by small-scale duplications that occurred at different intervals over the evolution of life.

Quercetin Inhibits the Migration and Invasion of HCCLM3 Cells by Suppressing the Expression of p-Akt1, Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP) MMP-2, and MMP-9.

BACKGROUND Quercetin is a natural bioactive flavonoid that is present in a wide variety of vegetables and fruits and exhibits a promising anti-metastasis property in various human cancer cells. However, the effect of quercetin on human HCCLM3 cells is unclear. MATERIAL AND METHODS In the current study, a wound-healing assay was performed using quercetin-treated HCCLM3 cells to further explore whether quercetin affects the motility of human HCCLM3 cells.

Long and short intramedullary nails for fixation of intertrochanteric femur fractures (OTA 31-A1, A2 and A3): A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Unlabelled: Previous studies have reported conflicting findings concerning the efficacy and safety of the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures (OTA 31-A1,A2 and A3) using short intramedullary nails (SIN) and long intramedullary nails (LIN). The present meta-analysis and literature review investigated the outcomes of SIN and LIN, thereby providing guidance for the treatment of intertrochanteric femur fractures. When used to treat intertrochanteric femur fractures, LIN did not decrease the secondary femoral shaft refracture or reoperation rates.

Molecular evolution of WDR62, a gene that regulates neocorticogenesis.

Human brain evolution is characterized by dramatic expansion in cerebral cortex size. WDR62 (WD repeat domain 62) is one of the important gene in controlling human cortical development. Mutations in WDR62 lead to primary microcephaly, a neurodevelopmental disease characterized by three to four fold reduction in cerebral cortex size of affected individuals.

[Effect of Echinococcus multilocularis Infection on the Activities of Drug-metabolizing Enzymes in Gerbil Liver].

Objective: To study the effect of Echinococcus multilocularis infection on the activities of drug-metabolizing enzymes in gerbil liver.

Methods: Ten gerbils （Meriones unguiculatus） were randomly divided into 2 groups, the experimental group in which each animal was intraperitoneally injected with 300 μl E. multilocularis cyst homogenates （containing about 600 protoscoleces）, and the control group in which each animal received 300 μl saline（i.