Impacts of short-term exposure to ambient air pollutants on outpatient visits for respiratory diseases in children: a time series study in Yichang, China.

Background: There is growing evidence that the occurrence and severity of respiratory diseases in children are related to the concentration of air pollutants. Nonetheless, evidence regarding the association between short-term exposure to air pollution and outpatient visits for respiratory diseases in children remains limited. Outpatients cover a wide range of disease severity, including both severe and mild cases, some of which may need to be transferred to inpatient treatment.

Novel findings on the mitochondria in ciliates, with description of mitochondrial genomes of six representatives.

Unlabelled: Determining and comparing mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) are essential for assessing the diversity and evolution of mitochondria. Ciliates are ancient and diverse unicellular eukaryotes, and thus are ideal models for elucidating the early evolution of mitochondria. Here, we report on six new mitogenomes of spirotrichs, a dominant ciliate group, and perform comparative analyses on 12 representative species.

ARv7 promotes the escape of prostate cancer cells from androgen deprivation therapy-induced senescence by mediating the SKP2/p27 axis.

Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) induces cellular senescence and tumor stasis, thus serving as the standard treatment for prostate cancer (PCa). However, continuous suppression of canonical androgen receptor signaling actually leads to the switch from androgen-responsive growth to androgen-independent growth, contributing to "escape" from this ADT-induced senescence (AIS) and, subsequently, the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Unfortunately, the mechanism underlying this phenomenon remains elusive.

Dapagliflozin exerts anti-apoptotic effects by mitigating macrophage polarization modulation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway.

Background: Macrophages are central to the orchestration of immune responses, inflammatory processes, and the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. The dynamic polarization of macrophages into M1 and M2 phenotypes critically modulates inflammation and contributes to the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors such as dapagliflozin, which are acclaimed for their efficacy in diabetes management, may influence macrophage polarization, thereby ameliorating diabetic nephropathy.

TERT de novo mutation-associated dyskeratosis congenita and porto-sinusoidal vascular disease: a case report.

Background: Dyskeratosis congenita is a rare genetic disease due to telomere biology disorder and characterized by heterogeneous clinical manifestations and severe complications. "Porto-sinusoidal vascular disease" has been recently proposed, according to new diagnostic criteria, to replace the term "idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension." TERT plays an important role in telomeric DNA repair and replication.

Molecular-level insights of microplastic-derived soluble organic matter and heavy metal interactions in different environmental occurrences through EEM-PARAFAC and FT-ICR MS.

The interactions between microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter (MPs-DOM) and heavy metals (Cu, Pb, and Cd) regulate the complex environmental transport behavior of pollutants in terrestrial and aquatic environments. In this study, fluorescence excited emission matrix spectroscopy combined with parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC) and electrospray ionization coupled Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI FT-ICR MS) were employed to investigate the complexation mechanism of MPs-DOM with heavy metals, as well as the effects of different environmental occurrences of MPs-DOM on the transport behaviors of heavy metals in saturated porous medium. The findings demonstrated that MPs-DOM, particularly humic-like substances containing aromatic structures and various oxygen functional groups, could form stable complexes with heavy metals.

Improving the storage quality of sweet cherry by natamycin nanoparticles/chitosan coating.

In this study, natamycin nanoparticles were prepared by anti-solvent method, and natamycin nanoparticles/chitosan coating was prepared and investigated for the preservation of sweet cherry. The results of particle size showed that the prepared natamycin nanoparticles were nano-sized, with a particle size of 209 ± 10 nm. The results of scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that the apparent morphology was a uniform spherical structure.

Bioinformatic Analysis and Molecular Docking Identify Isorhamnetin Is a Candidate Compound in the Treatment of Pulmonary Artery Hypertension.

Background: The current study aims to identify the key pathways and potential therapeutic targets for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and to further evaluate the anti-PAH effects of isorhamnetin.

Methods: The dataset of gene expression profiling for PAH (GSE113439) was downloaded from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. Isorhamnetin target genes were extracted from the comparative toxicogenomics database (CTD).

ECM1 attenuates hepatic fibrosis by interfering with mediators of latent TGF-β1 activation.

Objective: Extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) serves as a gatekeeper of hepatic fibrosis by maintaining transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in its latent form. ECM1 knockout (KO) causes latent (L) TGF-β1 activation, resulting in hepatic fibrosis with rapid mortality. In chronic liver disease (CLD), ECM1 decreases with increasing CLD severity.

Dietary influences on urinary tract infections: unraveling the gut microbiota connection.

This study employs Mendelian randomization to investigate the causal relationships between dietary factors, gut microbiota, and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Our analysis revealed statistically significant associations, including high alcohol intake, cheese, and oily fish consumption with UTI risk, as well as links between UTI risk and specific gut microbiota, such as , , , and . Additionally, we observed associations with inflammatory markers, including C-Reactive Protein and Interleukin-6.

Coronary artery calcification burden, atherogenic index of plasma, and risk of adverse cardiovascular events in the general population: evidence from a mediation analysis.

Background: Dyslipidemia and abnormal cholesterol metabolism are closely related to coronary artery calcification (CAC) and are also critical factors in cardiovascular disease death. In recent years, the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) has been widely used to evaluate vascular sclerosis. This study aimed to investigate the potential association of AIP between CAC and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs).

Metabolic Labeling and Digital Microfluidic Single-Cell Sequencing for Single Bacterial Genotypic-Phenotypic Analysis.

Accurate assessment of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of bacteria can facilitate comprehensive cataloguing of all the resistance factors for better understanding of antibiotic resistance. However, current methods primarily focus on individual phenotypic or genotypic profiles across different colonies. Here, a Digital microfluidic-based automated assay for whole-genome sequencing of single-antibiotic-resistant bacteria is reported, enabling Genotypic and Phenotypic Analysis of antibiotic-resistant strains (Digital-GPA).

Retinoic acid generates a beneficial microenvironment for liver progenitor cell activation in acute liver failure.

Background: When massive necrosis occurs in acute liver failure (ALF), rapid expansion of HSCs called liver progenitor cells (LPCs) in a process called ductular reaction is required for survival. The underlying mechanisms governing this process are not entirely known to date. In ALF, high levels of retinoic acid (RA), a molecule known for its pleiotropic roles in embryonic development, are secreted by activated HSCs.

Molecular characterization and zoonotic potential of Entamoeba spp., Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Blastocystis from captive wild animals in northwest China.

Background: Parasites Entamoeba spp., Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Blastocystis are prevalent pathogens causing gastrointestinal illnesses in animals and humans. Consequently, researches on their occurrence, distribution and hosts are crucial for the well-being of both animals and humans.

Curcumin-based residue-free and reusable photodynamic inactivation system for liquid foods and its application in freshly squeezed orange juice.

To enhance curcumin's application in photodynamic inactivation (PDI) of liquid foods, a supramolecular complex of biotin-modified β-cyclodextrin and curcumin (Biotin-CD@Cur) was synthesized. This complex significantly improves curcumin's solubility, stability, and PDI efficiency. Following PDI, Biotin-CD@Cur can be magnetically separated from the liquid matrix using streptavidin-coated magnetic beads (SA-MBs).

Research progress on Helicobacter pylori infection related neurological diseases.

Helicobacter pylori, a type of gram-negative bacterium, infects roughly half of the global population. It is strongly associated with gastrointestinal disorders like gastric cancer, peptic ulcers, and chronic gastritis. Moreover, numerous studies have linked this bacterium to various extra-gastric conditions, including hematologic, cardiovascular, and neurological issues.

Hepatic-derived BMP9 is involved in hepatic fibrosis-induced kidney injury through inhibition of renal VEGFA.

Clinical observations suggest that acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in approximately 20-50% of hospitalized cirrhotic patients, suggesting a link between the liver and kidney. Bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) is a protein produced primarily by the liver and can act on other tissues at circulating systemic levels. Previous studies have demonstrated that controlling abnormally elevated BMP9 in acute liver injury attenuates liver injury; however, reports on whether BMP9 plays a role in liver injury-induced AKI are lacking.

Vascular calcification: High incidence sites, distribution, and detection.

Vascular calcification is an important pathological change in a variety of disease states such as atherosclerosis (AS), diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), hypertension, and is a strong predictor of cardiovascular events. The distribution and location of calcification in different vessels may have different clinical effects and prognosis. Therefore, the study of high-risk sites of vascular calcification will help us to better understand the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of related diseases, as well as to evaluate the efficacy and prognosis.