Identification of genetic factors underlying severe retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants.

Objective: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a pathological condition characterized by abnormal proliferation of retinal vessels and it represents the primary cause of visual impairment in preterm infants. There is increasing backing for the involvement of genetic factors in the onset of ROP.

Methods: A prospective cohort study assessed the allele frequency and genotype distribution of gene polymorphisms in angiogenesis, inflammation and oxygen-sensing pathways in preterm infants with severe ROP.

Association between antenatal corticosteroids and neonatal outcomes among very preterm infants born to mothers with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a multicenter cohort study.

Background: The relationship between antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) and preterm infants born to mothers with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) remains a subject of debate. To evaluate whether the use of ACS before delivery was associated with neonatal outcomes in very preterm infants born to mothers with HDP.

Methods: This multicenter cohort study enrolled all infants with gestational age at 24 to 31 week and admitted to tertiary NICUs of the Chinese Neonatal Network (CHNN) within 24 h of birth from 2019 to 2021.

Expression of SIRPα-Fc by oncolytic virus enhances antitumor efficacy through tumor microenvironment reprogramming.

Oncolytic viruses (OVs) selectively replicate within tumors, directly killing cancer cells and promoting a systemic immune response by releasing tumor antigens. These features make OVs a promising approach in tumor immunotherapy, offering targeted treatment with fewer side effects. Despite these advantages, OVs are primarily administered via intratumoral injection, limiting their effectiveness for advanced, systemic cancers.

Exploration of ω-9MUFAs: mitigating effect on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury.

Given the demonstrated mitigating effect of omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acids (ω-9MUFAs) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI), we deeply explored corresponding mechanisms. Sprague-Dawley rats experienced ALI modeling, and received ω-9 MUFAs (3 mg/kg) injection via the tail vein. Post incubation in 100 ng/mL phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate and 100 ng/mL LPS for 24 h each, THP-1 macrophages were transfected with shHSPH1 and c-MYC overexpression plasmid.

Aspirin enhances the antibacterial activity of colistin against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PSA), recently reclassified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a high-priority antimicrobial-resistant pathogen, continues to impose a substantial global health burden due to escalating resistance and stagnant therapeutic innovation. Colistin retains critical clinical utility against MDR P. aeruginosa infections; however, its dose-limiting nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity necessitate strategies to optimise therapeutic indices.

Fe-doped TiO nanosheet exposure accelerates the spread of antibiotic resistance genes by promoting plasmid-mediated conjugative transfer.

The widespread dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) via plasmid-mediated conjugation poses a serious threat to public health. Conjugation can be accelerated by selective pressures caused by antibiotics and other environmental pollutants. Fe-doped TiO nanosheets (FTNs) are widely used for the photocatalytic treatment of wastewater, raising concerns about their potential presence in the environment and their role in exerting selective pressure on conjugation.

Coupling analysis of diffusion tensor imaging analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) with abnormal cerebral blood flow in methamphetamine-dependent patients and its application in machine-learning-based classification.

Background: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) analysis along the perivascular space (ALPS) index is currently widely employed to evaluate the neurophysiological activity in various neuropsychiatric disorders. However, there remains a scarcity of studies assessing the DTI-ALPS index in individuals with methamphetamine (MA) dependence. Recent studies on animals have demonstrated a significant correlation between glymphatic activity and alterations in cerebral blood flow (CBF).

mPFC DCC coupling with CaMKII neuronal excitation participates in behavioral despair in male mice.

A longed lack of control over harmful stimuli can lead to learned helplessness (LH), a significant factor in depression. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying LH, and eventually behavioral despair, remain largely unknown. The deleted in colorectal cancer (dcc) gene is associated with the risk of depression.

Phase transition, structural stability and electrical properties of V or Mn doped ZnSe composites under high pressure.

The structural parameters and enthalpies of pure ZnSe and different concentrations of V/Mn:ZnSe at high pressures were calculated using the first principles calculation method based on density functional theory. The lattice constants and bond lengths of all the systems decrease under pressure, and the respective phase transition pressures are obtained from the enthalpy-pressure relationship curves, which show that V/Mn elemental doping reduces the phase transition pressure of ZnSe, and the phase transition pressure further decreases with the increase of the doping concentration. The doping formation energies and the elastic constant criterion at atmospheric and high pressures confirm the structural stability of all the systems within the pressures of this study, and the pugh ratio confirms that they are all ductile structures.

An alternative approach to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria: new insights into traditional Chinese medicine monomers combined with antibiotics.

Antibiotic treatment is crucial for controlling bacterial infections, but it is greatly hindered by the global prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Although traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) monomers have shown high efficacy against MDR infections, the inactivation of bacteria induced by TCM is often incomplete and leads to infection relapse. The synergistic combination of TCM and antibiotics emerges as a promising strategy to mitigate the limitations inherent in both treatment modalities when independently administered.

Development and Assessment of Intracellular Infection Models for Staphylococcus aureus.

S. aureus can invade and persist within host cells, including immune cells, which allows it to evade immune detection and clearance. This intracellular persistence contributes to chronic and recurrent infections, complicating treatment and prolonging the disease.

Emerging PFAS Exposure Is More Potent in Altering Childhood Lipid Levels Mediated by Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose potential health risks to lipid metabolism, but the effects of emerging PFAS alternatives, particularly in children, remain unclear. This cross-sectional study investigated the association between emerging PFAS exposure and lipid levels in 294 Chinese children aged 7-10 years, analyzing blood samples for 14 PFAS and lipid profiles, including triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), and apolipoprotein B (ApoB). Exposure to 6:2 Cl-PFESA, PFO4DA, and PFO5DoDA was associated with higher TC, TG, and LDL levels, with PFO4DA increasing the TC by 1.

Roles of human papillomavirus in cancers: oncogenic mechanisms and clinical use.

Human papillomaviruses, particularly high-risk human papillomaviruses, have been universally considered to be associated with the oncogenesis and progression of various cancers. The genome of human papillomaviruses is circular, double-stranded DNA that encodes early and late proteins. Each of the proteins is of crucial significance in infecting the epithelium of host cells persistently and supporting viral genome integrating into host cells.

Recent Advances in Electrolytes for Nonaqueous Lithium-Oxygen Batteries.

This paper emphasizes the critical role of electrolyte selection in enhancing the electrochemical performance of nonaqueous Li-O batteries (LOBs). It provides a comprehensive overview of various electrolyte types and their effects on the electrochemical performance for LOBs, offering insights for future electrolyte screening and design. Despite recent advancements, current electrolyte systems exhibit inadequate stability, necessitating the urgent quest for an ideal nonaqueous electrolyte.

derived outer membrane vesicles mediated bacterial virulence, antibiotic resistance, host immune responses and clinical applications.

is a gram-negative pathogen that can cause multiple diseases including sepsis, urinary tract infections, and pneumonia. The escalating detections of hypervirulent and antibiotic-resistant isolates are giving rise to growing public concerns. Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are spherical vesicles containing bioactive substances including lipopolysaccharides, peptidoglycans, periplasmic and cytoplasmic proteins, and nucleic acids.

Effects of exosomes from human dental pulp stem cells on the biological behavior of human fibroblasts.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dental pulp stem cell-derived exosomes (DPSCs-Exos) on the biological behaviour of fibroblasts, particularly on keloid fibroblasts (KFs) and normal skin fibroblasts (NFs), with a view to providing new insights into cellular regenerative medicine. We obtained DPSCs-Exos by ultracentrifugation and co-cultured it with KFs and NFs. We detected its effect on cell proliferation using the CCK-8 assay; cell migration ability by cell scratch and Transwell assays; extracellular matrix synthesis using the hydroxyproline content assay; the expression levels of genes associated with fibrosis by PCR assay; and the expression levels of proteins related to fibrosis in the cells using the Western Blot method.

Functionalized Microsphere Platform Combining Nutrient Restriction and Combination Therapy to Combat Bacterial Infections.

The escalating prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections has emerged as a critical global health crisis, undermining the efficacy of conventional antibiotic therapies. This pressing challenge necessitates the development of innovative strategies to combat MDR pathogens. Advances in multifunctional drug delivery systems offer promising solutions to reduce or eradicate MDR bacteria.

mRNA-based platform for preventing and treating by targeted staphylococcal enterotoxin B.

() possesses numerous virulence factors, with the increasing prevalence of drug-resistant strains heightening the threat posed by this pathogen. Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), a highly conserved toxin secreted by , is also recognized as a potential bioweapon with super-antigenic activity. SEB represents a promising target in efforts to combat infections caused by .

Associations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and alternatives with subclinical hypothyroidism in children: A cross-sectional study in China.

There is growing experimental and epidemiological evidence linking perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure to thyroid dysfunction; however, the association between PFAS and their alternatives to subclinical hypothyroidism in children remains to be elucidated. This study investigated the association between 30 PFASs and thyroid function using serum samples from 194 children (aged 3-17 years) who participated in the Zhejiang Human Biomonitoring Program. Various thyroid function indicators, including free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine (FT4), and thyrotropin, were tested, and subclinical hypothyroidism was diagnosed.

α-MnO catalysts with efficient ozone-catalyzed decomposition under high humidity conditions.

Ground-level ozone pollution poses significant risks to ecosystems and human health and requires effective control measures. This study focused on the monolithic ozone degradation catalyst based on powdered α-MnO and comprehensively investigated its catalytic performance, moisture resistance, and stability. The monolithic catalyst achieved the optimal catalytic activity with an ozone conversion rate of 99% after being calcined at 400 °C for 3 hours.

Promoting the Corrosion Resistance of Mo-FeCoP@MnO/NF via Double Protection Mechanisms Toward Electrolysis of Seawater at Ampere-Level Current Density.

Producing hydrogen via seawater electrolysis is pivotal for addressing both energy and environmental crises. An industrial-current-density electrocatalyst consisting of Mo-doped FeCoP nanorods decorated with MnO nanosheets is elaborately designed and grows in situ on nickel foam forming hierarchical Mo-FeCoP@MnO/NF (M-FCP@MnO/NF) for seawater electrolysis. Density functional theory calculations demonstrate that MnO species remarkably reduce the adsorption capacity of Cl, which enhances the corrosion resistance and selectivity of M-FCP@MnO/NF during seawater electrolysis.

The role of bacterial extracellular vesicles in promoting antibiotic resistance.

The burgeoning proliferation of infections attributed to multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens is profoundly undermining conventional chemotherapeutic modalities, portending a grave menace to global public health. The propagation of drug resistance among bacteria is fundamentally facilitated by bacterial interactions, with extracellular vesicles (EVs) assuming a critical role in interbacterial communication. Here, we briefly delineate the methodologies for isolation, extraction, and characterization of EVs from both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial origins.

Novel nanoliter spray enhanced microwave plasma ionization mass spectrometry for the simultaneous detection of heavy metals and organic plasticizers in soil: A case study in a lead-acid battery industrial park.

Soil pollution is predominantly attributed to the presence of heavy metal elements and organic compounds; However, current detection methodologies are restricted to the identification of only one of these two sources at a time. A novel analytical approach, known as nanoliter spray enhanced microwave plasma ionization mass spectrometry (Nano-Spray-EMPI-MS), has been developed to facilitate the simultaneous detection of both heavy metals and organic pollutants in soil samples. This technique is characterized by its requirement for minimal sample volumes, thereby allowing for efficient and rapid analysis.