Causal link between gut microbiota and obsessive-compulsive disorder: A two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis.

Background: Previous studies have indicated a potential link between the gut microbiota and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); however, the exact causal relationship remains uncertain. In this study, we employed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to evaluate the causal connection between gut microbiota and OCD.

Methods: We collected Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) summary data on gut microbiota (n = 18, 340) and OCD (n = 199, 169), using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as the instrumental variable.

The evolution and functional characterization of transcription factors E2Fs in lamprey, Lethenteron reissneri.

The E2 promoter binding factors (E2Fs) are a group of transcriptional regulators that govern the cell cycle and play crucial roles in various cellular physiological processes, including proliferation and embryonic development. In this study, we identified four homologous genes-Lr-E2F3, Lr-E2F4, Lr-E2F5, and Lr-E2F8-from the lamprey (Lethenteron reissneri) genome database. Phylogenetic tree analysis was conducted to elucidate the evolutionary relationships within the E2F family across different species.

Mining TCGA to reveal immunotherapy-related genes for soft tissue sarcoma.

Immunotherapy of soft tissue sarcoma is considered an important development direction for the future. Bioinformatics analysis of genetic changes in tumors and the immune microenvironment around tumors has proven to be a mature and reliable method for predicting tumor prognosis. By mining the Cancer Genome Atlas Program database, we found immunotherapy targets of soft tissue sarcoma and analyzed their biological behavior.

Association Between Heavy Metal Exposure and Central Nervous System Tumors: A Case-Control Study Using Single and Multi-Metal Models.

(1) Background: Neoplasms of the central nervous system (CNS) encompass a cluster of malignant diseases originating from tissues or structures within the CNS. Environmental factors, including heavy metals, may contribute to their development. Therefore, this research was to investigate the association between heavy metal exposure and CNS tumor susceptibility using single and muti-metal models.

Environmental and economic sustainability of the novel photovoltaic industrial wastewater treatment systems from life cycle perspective.

As the global photovoltaic industry expands, the production of solar cells generates significant quantities of wastewater, characterized by high concentrations of ammonia-nitrogen and fluorine. To sustainably manage this wastewater, it is crucial to evaluate and optimize existing treatment systems. In this study, three innovative photovoltaic wastewater treatment routes that integrate resource utilization processes are proposed.

Advancements in minimally invasive treatment of deltoid ligament injuries combined with distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injuries.

The deltoid ligament (medial collateral ligament) and the syndesmosis (a composite ligamentous structure at the distal tibiofibular junction) are critical for maintaining ankle stability. In cases of high-energy ankle fractures, these structures are often injured simultaneously, leading to instability and potential long-term complications such as post-traumatic arthritis. This review aims to explore advancements in minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of combined deltoid ligament and syndesmosis injuries, with a focus on optimizing surgical outcomes and reducing patient morbidity.

Morphological Characteristics of Inferior Pole Patellar Fractures and a Finite-Element Analysis Combined With a Retrospective Clinical Study of Anchor Suture and Titanium Cable Cerclage Treatment.

Objective: Inferior pole patellar fractures (IPPFs) pose a significant challenge due to their complex fracture patterns and high risk of complications associated with current treatment methods. This study aims to (1) characterize the fracture patterns of IPPFs using fracture mapping and (2) compare the biomechanical stability and clinical outcomes of treatment with anchor suture with patellar cerclage versus Kirschner-wire tension band combined with patellar cerclage.

Methods: (1) A retrospective analysis was conducted on 61 patients with IPPF.

RhoA/ROCK2 signaling pathway regulates Mn-induced alterations in tight junction proteins leading to cognitive dysfunction in mice.

Elevated manganese (Mn) exposure has been implicated in a broad spectrum of neurological disorders, including motor dysfunction and cognitive deficits. Previous studies have demonstrated that Mn induces neurotoxicity by disrupting the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a critical regulator in maintaining central nervous system homeostasis and a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of numerous neurological disorders. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying Mn-induced BBB disruption and its role in facilitating neurotoxicity remain incompletely understood.

Application of Different Surgical Strategies in Helicobacter pylori-Associated Gastric Ulcers with Perforation: A Comparative Study of Short-Term and Long-Term Outcomes and Complication Risks.

Aim: This study compared the short- and long-term efficacy of simple suture with omental patch repair (Graham patch) in open surgery versus laparoscopic omental patch repair (LOPR) in treating patients with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-associated gastric ulcers with perforation, and analyzed the incidence of complications.

Methods: The clinical information of patients who had stomach perforation repair surgery in Deqing People's Hospital between January 2021 and January 2022 was retrospectively analyzed.

Targeting FOXM1 condensates reduces breast tumour growth and metastasis.

Identifying phase-separated structures remains challenging, and effective intervention methods are currently lacking. Here we screened for phase-separated proteins in breast tumour cells and identified forkhead (FKH) box protein M1 (FOXM1) as the most prominent candidate. Oncogenic FOXM1 underwent liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) with FKH consensus DNA element, and compartmentalized the transcription apparatus in the nucleus, thereby sustaining chromatin accessibility and super-enhancer landscapes crucial for tumour metastatic outgrowth.

GFA-Net: Geometry-Focused Attention Network for Six Degrees of Freedom Object Pose Estimation.

Six degrees of freedom (6-DoF) object pose estimation is essential for robotic grasping and autonomous driving. While estimating pose from a single RGB image is highly desirable for real-world applications, it presents significant challenges. Many approaches incorporate supplementary information, such as depth data, to derive valuable geometric characteristics.

Biodegradable PHBVHHx-PEG/Collagen Hydrogel Scaffolds for Cartilage Repair.

Recently, there has been increased attention on the treatment of cartilage repair. Overall, we constructed PHBVHHx-COL, a composite hydrogel of PHBVHHx-co-PEG and collagen, and evaluated its cartilage repair efficacy through and studies using hydrogel loaded with peripheral blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PBMSCs). Rheological properties and compressive mechanical properties of the hydrogels were systematically evaluated.

Comparison of Nasal Packing, Trans-septal Suturing, and Submucosal Trans-septal Suturing Techniques After Septal Extension Grafts With Autogenous Costicartilage.

Background: Nasal packing (NP), trans-septal suturing (TSS), and submucosal trans-septal suturing (STSS) are common techniques to avoid dead space after the deviated septum is corrected. However, there is rare data about surgical complications and discomfort of these techniques after septal extension grafts (SEG) with autogenous costicartilage.

Objective: To compare the complications and discomfort of NP, TSS, and STSS techniques after SEG with autogenous costicartilage.

Exploring the impact of deubiquitination on melanoma prognosis through single-cell RNA sequencing.

Background: Cutaneous melanoma, characterized by the malignant proliferation of melanocytes, exhibits high invasiveness and metastatic potential. Thus, identifying novel prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets is essential.

Methods: We utilized single-cell RNA sequencing data (GSE215120) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, preprocessing it with the Seurat package.

A Genome-Wide CRISPR/Cas9 Screen Identifies Regulatory Genes for Stem Cell Aging.

Aging is a ubiquitous biological phenomenon, characterized by a gradual decline in physiological functions and an increased risk of various diseases. Although it is known that aging involves extensive changes in gene expression and disruptions in cellular metabolism, the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes remain incompletely understood. The CRISPR/Cas9 technology provides an efficient method for gene editing.

Ecological Scaling of Temporal Fluctuations with Bacterial Abundance in Gut Microbiota Depends on Functional Properties of Individual Microbial Species and Bacterial Communities.

Macroecological relationships that describe various statistical associations between species' abundances, their spatial, and temporal variability are among the most general laws in ecology and biology. One of the most commonly observed relationships is a power-law scaling between means and variances of temporal species abundances, known in ecology as Taylor's law. Taylor's law has been observed across many ecosystems, from diverse plant and animal ecosystems to complex microbial communities.

Tumor-Derived GDF15 Induces Tumor Associated Fibroblast Transformation From BMSCs and Fibroblasts in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the predominant stromal cell-type in the solid tumor microenvironment, originating from various cell types and playing a crucial role in promoting tumor progression and metastasis The generation of CAFs is influenced by complex factors secreted by tumor cells, with particular emphasis on transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). However, it remains largely unknown whether growth/differentiation factor-15 (GDF15), as a member of the TGF-β superfamily, exerts similar effects to TGF-β in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In this study, we investigated the impact of GDF15 derived from tumor cells on CAF transformation and elucidated the underlying mechanisms.

Novel catalyst-free activation of chlorine by visible light for micropollutant abatement.

This study systematically investigated the direct activation of chlorine by visible light emitting diode (Vis-LED). Vis-LED could effectively activate chlorine to degrade micropollutants with degradation efficiency and pseudo-first-order degradation rate constant range of 64.3-100 % and 0.

Effect of Fermented Mulberry Leaves on Gut Health of Finishing Pigs.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of supplementing fermented mulberry leaves (FML) on intestinal morphology, antioxidant capacity, and immune function in the gut of finishing pigs. Eighteen 132-day-old healthy crossbred (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) male castrated pigs were randomly divided into two treatment groups with nine replicates per group. The control (CON) group was fed the basal diet, and the FML group was fed the basal diet supplemented with 10% FML.

Developing the script "degenerate primer 111" to enhance the coverage of universal primers for the small subunit rRNA gene on target microorganisms.

Amplifying small subunit (SSU) rRNA genes with universal primers in assessing microbial populations diversity, but target microorganisms are sometimes omitted due to inadequate primer coverage. Adding degenerate bases to primers can help, but existing methods are complex and time-consuming. This study introduces a user-friendly tool called "Degenerate primer 111" for adding degenerate bases to existing universal primers.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts-derived exosomal ZNF250 promotes the proliferation, migration, invasion, and immune escape of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by transcriptionally activating PD-L1.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a lethal form of liver cancer, and the tumor microenvironment, particularly cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), plays a critical role in its progression. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which CAF-derived exosomes regulate the development of HCC. The study employed quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for mRNA expression analysis and western blot analysis for protein expression detection.