Environmentally relevant concentrations of antimony pose potential risks to human health: An evaluation on human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Antimony (Sb) ore exploitation and the use of Sb-containing drugs pose known health risks. This study investigated the toxicity of environmentally relevant concentrations of Sb (0.12-12 mg L) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Latent class analysis of death coping ability among palliative care nurses and its association with their emotional labor.

Objective: Death coping ability is a critical professional skill for palliative care nurses. This study aimed to identify subgroups of death coping ability among Chinese palliative care nurses based on their assessments using the Death Coping Ability Scale, and to analyze the relationship between these subgroups and their emotional labor.

Method: Convenient sampling was employed to survey 868 palliative care nurses from medical institutions in Beijing, Jiangsu Province, Anhui Province, and Hunan Province.

Treatment Approaches, Risk Factors, and Perinatal Outcomes in Pregnancy Complicated by Nephrolithiasis: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

Objective: Nephrolithiasis is a common non-obstetric cause of abdominal pain during pregnancy. This study aimed to investigate various treatment approaches for nephrolithiasis during pregnancy, identify the associated risk factors, and evaluate perinatal outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical treatment of 208 patients diagnosed with nephrolithiasis during pregnancy, admitted to Fujian Maternal and Child Health Hospital, China, between January 2020 and December 2023.

Mechanical Evaluation of Stenting for Saccular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Using Fluid Structure Interaction Analysis.

One of the factors that contribute to the development of aortic aneurysms is hemodynamic factors. In this study, we analyzed the hemodynamic changes in a stented saccular abdominal aortic aneurysm model to improve hemodynamic factors. We discovered that stenting reduced wall shear stress, mean flow velocity in the aneurysm, energy loss, and pressure loss coefficient, and improved hemodynamics around the saccular abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the Mediator Complex Subunit Gene Family in Cassava.

The Mediator complex (MED) functions as a co-activator in plants, transmitting transcriptional signals to regulate gene expression, including responses to environmental stresses. While the MED gene family has been identified in several species, it has not yet been reported in cassava. In this study, we identified 32 members of the gene family in cassava ( Crantz) distributed across 13 chromosomes.

GDF15 Neutralization Ameliorates Muscle Atrophy and Exercise Intolerance in a Mouse Model of Mitochondrial Myopathy.

Background: Primary mitochondrial myopathies (PMMs) are disorders caused by mutations in genes encoding mitochondrial proteins and proteins involved in mitochondrial function. PMMs are characterized by loss of muscle mass and strength as well as impaired exercise capacity. Growth/Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15) was reported to be highly elevated in PMMs and cancer cachexia.

Role of the platelet-lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic indicator in patients with intracranial hemorrhage: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The prognostic value of platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in ischemic stroke had been investigated in previous studies. However, the results of studies on PLR in patients with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) are inconsistent. We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to determine the prognostic value of PLR in predicting functional outcome and mortality in patients with ICH.

Structure-Activity Relationship Studies of DNA Methyltransferase 1 Monovalent Degraders.

DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), which catalyzes maintenance methylation of hemimethylated DNA during DNA replication, is overexpressed in cancer. Recently, the first-in-class DNMT1-selective noncovalent small-molecule inhibitors, GSK3484862 and GSK3685032, were discovered. These inhibitors were also reported to degrade DNMT1.

Bio-inspired mineralized collagen scaffolds with precisely controlled gradients for the treatment of severe osteoarthritis in a male rabbit model.

Osteoarthritis affects approximately 500 million individuals globally, with severe cases often leading to osteochondral defects. Biomimetic collagen-hydroxyapatite scaffolds have been investigated for the treatment of osteochondral defects. However, achieving precise mimicry of the intricate composition, gradient nanostructure, and biological function of native tissue remains a formidable challenge.

Tumor cell-derived N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate reshapes the tumor microenvironment to facilitate breast cancer metastasis.

Neurotransmitters are increasingly recognized to play important roles in limiting anti-tumor immunity. N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate (NAAG) has been extensively studied in neurological disorders; however, its potential role in restricting anti-tumor immunity has not been investigated. Here, we demonstrated that NAAG or its synthetase RimK-like family member B (RIMKLB) significantly disrupted anti-tumor immunity by rewiring the myeloid progenitor differentiation of polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs), which in turn promoted breast cancer growth and metastasis.

Developing a simplified measure to predict the risk of autism spectrum disorders: Abbreviating the M-CHAT-R using a machine learning approach in China.

Background: Early screening for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is crucial, yet current assessment tools in Chinese primary child care are limited in efficacy.

Objective: This study aims to employ machine learning algorithms to identify key indicators from the 20-item Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, revised (M-CHAT-R) combining with ASD-related sociodemographic and environmental factors, to distinguish ASD from typically developing children.

Methods: Data from our prior validation study of the Chinese M-CHAT-R (August 2016-March 2017, n = 6,049 toddlers) were reviewed.

Two-hit mouse model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction combining diet-induced obesity and renin-mediated hypertension.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is increasingly common but its pathogenesis is poorly understood. The ability to assess genetic and pharmacologic interventions is hampered by the lack of robust preclinical mouse models of HFpEF. We developed a novel "two-hit" model, which combines obesity and insulin resistance with chronic pressure overload to recapitulate clinical features of HFpEF.

The pro-fibrotic role of autophagy in renal intrinsic cells: mechanisms and therapeutic potential in chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a significant global public health burden, affecting over 10% of the world's population. Its high morbidity, multifactorial complications, and substantial mortality impose significant burdens on healthcare systems and patients, necessitating considerable investment in healthcare resources. Renal fibrosis (RF) is a key pathological feature and driver of CKD progression.

Current status of vocational delay of gratification among practicing nursing students and its influencing factors: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Practicing nursing students play a critical role in addressing the nursing workforce shortage. Their vocational delay of gratification influences career planning and practice quality. This study aimed to assess the level of vocational delay of gratification among nursing students and identify its influencing factors.

The Association of ACA on Embryonic Development and Pregnancy Outcomes in Patients Undergoing IVF/ICSI Treatment.

Objective: To investigate whether anti-centromere antibody (ACA) is associated with embryonic development and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment.

Materials And Methods: Women who underwent fresh or frozen embryo transfer cycles at a reproductive center between January 1, 2017 and January 1, 2023, were retrospectively studied. Women were divided into ACA- group and ACA+ group according to ACA levels.

Tm-Based Downshifting Nanoprobes with Enhanced Luminescence at 1680 nm for In Vivo Vascular Growth Monitoring.

Optical imaging in the 1500-1700 nm region, known as near-infrared IIb (NIR-IIb), shows potential for noninvasive in vivo detection owing to its ultrahigh tissue penetration depth and spatiotemporal resolution. Rare earth-doped nanoparticles have emerged as widely used NIR-IIb probes because of their excellent optical properties. However, their downshifting emissions rarely exhibit sufficient brightness beyond 1600 nm.

Metabolic Syndrome Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Male Mouse With Adeno-Associated Viral Renin as a Novel Model for Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) currently accounts for more than half of patients with HF, with limited approved evidence-based therapies. HFpEF is a complex multifactorial disease associated with hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and renal dysfunction. In addition to our limited understanding of HFpEF pathophysiology, the development of new therapies is partially hindered by the existing translationally relevant preclinical HFpEF models.

Hepatovirus translation requires PDGFA-associated protein 1, an eIF4E-binding protein regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress responses.

The overexpression and misfolding of viral proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) may cause cellular stress, thereby inducing a cytoprotective, proteostatic host response involving phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 subunit alpha (eIF2α). Here, we show that hepatitis A virus, a positive-strand RNA virus responsible for infectious hepatitis, adopts a stress-resistant, eIF2α-independent mechanism of translation to ensure the synthesis of viral proteins within the infected liver. Cap-independent translation directed by the hepatovirus internal ribosome entry site and productive hepatovirus infection of mice both require platelet-derived growth factor subunit A (PDGFA)-associated protein 1 (PDAP1), a small phosphoprotein of unknown function with eIF4E-binding activity.

Discovery of First Branched-Chain Ketoacid Dehydrogenase Kinase (BDK) Inhibitor Clinical Candidate PF-07328948.

Inhibition of branched-chain ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase (BDK or BCKDK), a negative regulator of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism, is hypothesized to treat cardio-metabolic diseases. From a starting point with potential idiosyncratic toxicity risk, modification to a benzothiophene core and discovery of a cryptic pocket allowed for improved potency with 3-aryl substitution to arrive at PF-07328948, which was largely devoid of protein covalent binding liability. This BDK inhibitor was shown also to be a BDK degrader in cells and in vivo rodent studies.

Establishing a Mouse Model of Thin Endometrium.

Thin endometrium (TE) has been widely recognized as a critical cause of infertility. However, the pathogenesis of TE remains unclear, and satisfactory treatment options are still urgently needed. Several animal models of TE have been developed, but the mouse model involving abdominal surgery and injection of 95% ethanol presents a formidable challenge due to the high mortality rate and risk of intrauterine adhesions if not performed correctly.

Bacterial cellulose is a desirable biological macromolecule that can prevent obesity via modulating lipid metabolism and gut microbiota.

Obesity has attracted great concern because of its undesirable effects on our life quality. Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a biological macromolecule that can improve gut homeostasis and lipid metabolism. However, its potential role in preventing obesity and associated mechanisms is still poorly understood.

Effective Determination of Diosmin Using Nitrogen Doped Carbon Dots as Probe Based on Internal Filtering Effect.

The establishment of a convenient and efficient testing method is crucial and needed for the monitoring of diosmin. In this study, nitrogen doped carbon dots (N-CDs) with the particle size distribution of 2.5-5.

Investigating the impact of climatic and environmental factors on HFRS prevalence in Anhui Province, China, using satellite and reanalysis data.

Introduction: Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) is the most commonly diagnosed zoonosis in Asia. Despite taking various preventive measures, HFRS remains prevalent across multiple regions in China. This study aims to investigate the impact of climatic and environmental factors on the prevalence of HFRS in Anhui Province, China, utilizing satellite and reanalysis data.