A dual αvβ1/αvβ6 integrin inhibitor Bexotegrast (PLN-74809) ameliorates organ injury and fibrogenesis in fibrotic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health problem, involving about 10% of the global population. Unfortunately, there are currently no effective drugs. Kidney fibrosis is the main pathology of CKD, where integrins play crucial roles in renal fibrogenesis.

Microscopic and submicroscopic exploration of diplolepideae peristome structures in hygroscopic movement.

Background: The Diplolepideae are the larger group within the Arthrodontae mosses, characterized by peristomes formed from residual cell walls. It is now understood that these peristomes exhibit diverse hygroscopic movements, playing a crucial role in spore release. However, the exact mechanism behind this movement remains unclear, lacking direct evidence.

Analysis of Antioxidant Compounds in Leaves Using Offline 2D-LC-ECD and LC-MS/MS.

has strong antioxidant activity, but its primary antioxidant components are not clear. In this study, the antioxidant components were screened by offline two-dimensional liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection (2D-LC-ECD) and subsequently assessed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) identification, radical scavenging capacity, and molecular docking. Various fractions were isolated from leaves, and 39 antioxidant components were screened and identified.

Bioaccumulation, transfer characteristics of metals in six vascular plants, and soil pollution assessment from Wachangping karst bauxite residue areas.

Bauxite residue (BR) is a large volume by-product generated during bauxite smelting process and metal pollution problem is becoming increasingly prominent in residue areas. Accumulation and transfer of metals in six vascular plants were analyzed and soil environment was evaluated. Results found levels of Al (2,110-26,280 mg kg), Fe (990 to 9,880 mg kg), Ca (8,020 to 49,250 mg kg), Mg (2,060 to 17,190 mg kg), K (16,840 to 39,670 mg kg), and Ti (80 to 1,240 mg kg) in plants.

Antioxidative effect of extract on dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis through activation of the Nrf2 signal.

Context: L. (Blattariae) is used as a treatment for ulcerative colitis (UC) in Chinese traditional medicine.

Objective: To evaluate the antioxidative activity of whole body ethanol extract (PAE) on UC mice and whether glycine and proline could be used for quality control and identification of active PAE components.

BJTJ-1837, a novel FXI activation-blocking antibody.

Background: Factor (F)XI contributes to thrombosis development while it plays a limited role in normal hemostasis. FXI targeting has the potential for preventing and treating thrombosis with little bleeding risk.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop novel antibody therapeutics against FXI for the treatment of thrombosis-related diseases.

Biomechanical evaluation of percutaneous anterograde and retrograde screw implantation for superior ramus pubis fractures: a finite element analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the biomechanical characteristics of percutaneous anterograde and retrograde screw implantation for superior ramus pubis fractures.

Methods: Mimics software was used to reconstruct the normal pelvis. 3-Matic software was used to establish a model for superior ramus pubis fracture, and percutaneous anterograde/retrograde screw implantation was used to simulate the treatment of a superior ramus pubis fracture.

A nanohybrid synthesized by polymeric assembling Au(I)-peptide precursor for anti-wrinkle function.

A major sign of aging is wrinkles (dynamic lines and static lines) on the surface of the skin. In spite of Botulinum toxin's favorable therapeutic effect today, there have been several reports of its toxicity and side effects. Therefore, the development of an effective and safe wrinkle-fighting compound is imperative.

Establishment and validation of a T12-L2 3D finite element model for thoracolumbar segments.

Objective: To establish and verify the validity of a three-dimensional finite element model of the thoracolumbal segments T12-L2; the stress distribution of the model was analyzed, providing a theoretical basis for finite element analysis of thoracolumbal segment fracture as well as a surgical model.

Methods: A healthy female volunteer with no history of lumbar spine injury was selected to obtain CT scan data of the T12-L2 vertebral bodies. Mimics 3D reconstruction software was used to generate the T12-L2 3D model, and surface mesh and body mesh were generated by smoothing treatment and mesh division.

Finite Element Analysis of Unilateral versus Bipedicular Bone-Filling Mesh Container for the Management of Osteoporotic Compression Fractures.

The effect of unilateral and bilateral bone-filling mesh containers (BFC) on osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) was analyzed by the finite element method. The CT scan data of the T12-L2 vertebral body were obtained from a healthy female volunteer with no history of lumbar spine injury or obvious abnormality of vertebral body morphology. The normal finite element model of the T12-L2 vertebral body and the finite element model of osteoporosis were established, and the models were validated.

Determination of EGFR-overexpressing tumor cells by magnetic gold-decorated graphene oxide nanocomposites based impedance sensor.

This work developed an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) sensor for detection of EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor)-overexpressing tumor cell and preliminary estimation of EGFR expression. Here, EGFR antibodies as the specific antibodies for cancer cells were conjugated on magnetic gold-decorated graphene oxide nanocomposites, which were used to capture the EGFR-overexpressing tumor cells. The magnetically responsive tumor cells were enriched and immobilized on a magnetic glassy carbon electrode (mGCE) surface, leading to increased electron-transfer resistance (R) utilized for determination of cells and preliminary evaluation of EGFR expression level.

The Application of Digital Design Combined with 3D Printing Technology in Skin Flap Transplantation for Fingertip Defects during the COVID-19 Epidemic.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the advantages of preoperative digital design of skin flaps to repair fingertip defects during the COVID-19 pandemic. We combined digital design with a 3D-printed model of the affected finger for preoperative communication with fingertip defect patients under observation in a buffer ward.

Methods: From December 2019 to January 2021, we obtained data from 25 cases of 30 fingertip defects in 15 males and 10 females, aged 20-65 years old (mean 35 ± 5 years).

Caffeic acid reduces A53T α-synuclein by activating JNK/Bcl-2-mediated autophagy in vitro and improves behaviour and protects dopaminergic neurons in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease.

The human A53T mutant of α-synuclein tends to aggregate and leads to neurotoxicity in familial Parkinson's disease (PD). The aggregation of α-synuclein is also found in sporadic PD. Thus, targeting α-synuclein clearance could be used as a drug-discovery strategy for PD treatment.

Inhibition of Histone Deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) Mediates Ischemic Preconditioning and Protects Cortical Neurons against Ischemia in Rats.

Brain ischemic preconditioning (PC) provides vital insights into the endogenous protection against stroke. Genomic and epigenetic responses to PC condition the brain into a state of ischemic tolerance. Notably, PC induces the elevation of histone acetylation, consistent with evidence that histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors protect the brain from ischemic injury.

Nuclear Accumulation of Histone Deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) Exerts Neurotoxicity in Models of Parkinson's Disease.

Histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) is a class II HDAC which is highly expressed in the brain. Previous reports have shown that HDAC4 is essential for normal brain physiology and its deregulation leads to several neurodegenerative disorders. However, it remains unclear whether dysregulation of HDAC4 is specifically involved in the development of Parkinson's disease.

Chronic mild stress accelerates the progression of Parkinson's disease in A53T α-synuclein transgenic mice.

Daily stress is associated with increased risk for various diseases, and numerous studies have provided evidence that environmental stress leads to deleterious effects on the central nervous system. However, it remains unclear whether chronic stress exacerbates the progression of Parkinson's disease (PD). To investigate this hypothesis, we determined the effect of chronic mild stress (CMS) on the pathogenesis of PD in a transgenic mice line that overexpresses the human A53T mutant α-synuclein (A53T Tg mice).

Sox17 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma progression by downregulation of KIF14 expression.

Sox17, an antagonist of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling, inhibits several malignant carcinogenesis and progression. However, little is known about Sox17 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we found that Sox17 is downregulated in HCC tissue.

Biomonitoring persistent organic pollutants in the atmosphere with mosses: performance and application.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have aroused environmentalists and public concerns due to their toxicity, bioaccumulation and persistency in the environment. However, monitoring atmospheric POPs using conventional instrumental methods is difficult and expensive, and POP levels in air samples represent an instantaneous value at a sampling time. Biomonitoring methods can overcome this limitation, because biomonitors can accumulate POPs, serve as long-term integrators of POPs and provide reliable information to assess the impact of pollutants on the biota and various ecosystems.