Age- and sex-related variations of normal spleen T1rho and the more stable liver T1rho to spleen T1rho ratio.

We aim to evaluate the potential age- and sex-related variations of normative values of spleen T1rho.Two T1rho sequences were used, with one based on fast spin echo sequence (FSE) and the other based on gradient echo sequence (GRE). Spleen and liver FSE T1rho values were measured in 52 healthy volunteers (36 females, 16 males), and spleen and liver GRE T1rho values were measured in 14 healthy volunteers (6 females, 8 males).

Age and gender differences of normative values of spleen diffusion MRI parameters.

This study investigates age and gender differences of normative values of spleen diffusion MRI parameters.We recruited 124 volunteers with MRI conducted at 1.5T.

Finding key genes (UBE2T, KIF4A, CDCA3, and CDCA5) co-expressed in hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma based on multiple bioinformatics techniques.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the major causes of liver cirrhosis (LC) and HCC. Therefore, the discovery of common markers for hepatitis B or LC and HCC is crucial for the prevention of HCC.

TBX5 Variants are Associated with Susceptibility to and the Incidence of Liver Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Chinese Population: A Multicenter and Follow-Up Study.

Purpose: Liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are progressions affected by genetic predispositions, and persistent hepatitis B virus infection also demonstrates genetic susceptibility. All HBV-related outcomes have been compared in parallel to identify risk polymorphism in HBV progression.

Methods: The multiple-stage association study filtered and validated the risk SNPs for HBV progression and explored their association with persistent infection, with a total of 8906 subjects in China from three sites.

STK33 Phosphorylates Fibrous Sheath Protein AKAP3/4 to Regulate Sperm Flagella Assembly in Spermiogenesis.

Spermatogenesis defects are important for male infertility; however, the etiology and pathogenesis are still unknown. Herein, we identified two loss-of-function mutations of STK33 in seven individuals with non-obstructive azoospermia. Further functional studies of these frameshift and nonsense mutations revealed that Stk33 male mice were sterile, and Stk33 sperm were abnormal with defects in the mitochondrial sheath, fibrous sheath, outer dense fiber, and axoneme.

Association of male factors with recurrent pregnancy loss.

The role of male factors in recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is receiving increased attention since sperm quantity and quality, male genetic mutations, as well as epigenetic modifications, have all been associated with RPL. A growing number of studies have been published on the relationship between male factors and RPL; however, these reports are limited due to small sample sizes, inconsistent inclusion criteria, and detection methods. Herein, we investigate the effects of several male factors on RPL from a genetic and non-genetic perspective to aid clinicians in determining the etiology and optimal treatment strategy for patients with RPL.

Somatic nuclear auto-antigenic sperm protein sensitizes human breast cancer cells to 5-Fluorouracil.

Purpose: To assess the potential role of nuclear auto-antigenic sperm protein (NASP) in the cellular sensitivity to 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) in breast cancer cells.

Methods: The expression of two NASP isotypes, namely somatic NASP (sNASP) and testis NASP (tNASP) in breast cancer lines were detected under 5-FU treatment using real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot assays. NASP effect on cellular viability and apoptosis under 5-FU treatment were evaluated.

Dynamic Changes of Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in Close Contacts.

Introduction: Close contacts of individuals with COVID-19 may directly gain immunity against SARS-CoV-2 despite lacking a detectable infection. This study examined SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies levels based on gender, age, and exposure source in close contacts of individuals with COVID-19 and compared antibody levels to patients with an asymptomatic or symptomatic COVID-19 infection.

Methods: Two patients had confirmed COVID-19 infections at a community hospital in Qiongzhong, Hainan province.

XPG is Modulated by miR-4715-3p and rs873601 Genotypes in Lung Cancer.

Objective: (Xeroderma pigmentosum group G, ), a single strand-specific DNA endonuclease in the nucleotide excision repair pathway, has been implicated in lung cancer. Potentially functional rs873601 in is consistently associated with gastrointestinal cancer, and miR-4715-3p, targeting 3UTR of , also influences the process of gastrointestinal carcinogenesis, however, the relationships between and miR-4715-3p and rs873601 in lung cancer have not been elucidated.

Methods: A case-control study included 264 lung cancer patients and 264 cancer-free healthy controls and was designed to determine the relationships between rs873601 and lung cancer and the effect of miR-4715-3p on expression in lung cancer.

Sustained treatment of retinal vascular diseases with self-aggregating sunitinib microparticles.

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy are prevalent causes of vision loss requiring frequent intravitreous injections of VEGF-neutralizing proteins, and under-treatment is common and problematic. Here we report incorporation of sunitinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that blocks VEGF receptors, into a non-inflammatory biodegradable polymer to generate sunitinib microparticles specially formulated to self-aggregate into a depot. A single intravitreous injection of sunitinib microparticles potently suppresses choroidal neovascularization in mice for six months and in another model, blocks VEGF-induced leukostasis and retinal nonperfusion, which are associated with diabetic retinopathy progression.

Salicylic acid (SA)-eluting bone regeneration scaffolds with interconnected porosity and local and sustained SA release.

In previous work, we observed that localized and sustained delivery of an anti-inflammatory drug, salicylic acid (SA), via a SA-based polymer (SAP) powder significantly enhanced diabetic bone regeneration through long-term mitigation of local inflammation. In this study, SAP was formulated into uniform microspheres and then sintered into a scaffold with an interconnected porous structure and modulus suitable for bone regeneration. The SAP scaffolds have ∼45% SA loading, which is the highest among drug-eluting bone regeneration scaffolds to-date.

Sustained, localized salicylic acid delivery enhances diabetic bone regeneration via prolonged mitigation of inflammation.

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder caused by insulin resistance and/or deficiency and impairs bone quality and bone healing due to altered gene expression, reduced vascularization, and prolonged inflammation. No effective treatments for diabetic bone healing are currently available, and most existing treatments do not directly address the diabetic complications that impair bone healing. We recently demonstrated that sustained and localized delivery of salicylic acid (SA) via an SA-based polymer provides a low-cost approach to enhance diabetic bone regeneration.

Pinosylvin-Based Polymers: Biodegradable Poly(Anhydride-Esters) for Extended Release of Antibacterial Pinosylvin.

Pinosylvin is a natural stilbenoid known to exhibit antibacterial bioactivity against foodborne bacteria. In this work, pinosylvin is chemically incorporated into a poly(anhydride-ester) (PAE) backbone via melt-condensation polymerization, and characterized with respect to its physicochemical and thermal properties. In vitro release studies demonstrate that pinosylvin-based PAEs hydrolytically degrade over 40 d to release pinosylvin.

Linear, Mannitol-Based Poly(anhydride-esters) with High Ibuprofen Loading and Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

Sugar alcohols, such as mannitol and xylitol, are biocompatible polyols that have been used to make highly cross-linked polyester elastomers and dendrimers for tissue engineering and drug delivery. However, research that utilizes the secondary hydroxyl groups as sites for pendant bioactive attachment and subsequent polymerization is limited. This work is the first report of a linear, completely biodegradable polymer with a sugar alcohol backbone and chemically incorporated pendant bioactives that exhibits sustained bioactive release and high bioactive loading (∼70%).

Salicylic Acid-Based Polymers for Guided Bone Regeneration Using Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2.

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) is used clinically to promote spinal fusion, treat complex tibia fractures, and to promote bone formation in craniomaxillofacial surgery. Excessive bone formation at sites where BMP-2 has been applied is an established complication and one that could be corrected by guided tissue regeneration methods. In this study, anti-inflammatory polymers containing salicylic acid [salicylic acid-based poly(anhydride-ester), SAPAE] were electrospun with polycaprolactone (PCL) to create thin flexible matrices for use as guided bone regeneration membranes.

Biodegradable salicylate-based poly(anhydride-ester) microspheres for controlled insulin delivery.

Salicylate-based poly(anhydride-esters) (PAEs) chemically incorporate salicylic acid (SA) into the polymer backbone, which is then delivered in a controlled manner upon polymer hydrolysis. In this work, a salicylate-based PAE is a carrier to encapsulate and deliver insulin. Polymer microspheres were formulated using a water/oil/water double-emulsion solvent evaporation technique.