Advances in Microfluidic Cochlea-On-A-Chip.

The current understanding of the human auditory system has been primarily based on studies using animal and cellular models. Organoids have been used to simulate cochlear structures and replicate cochlear functions. However, the physical and chemical cues required to control the development of cochlear organoids accurately remain poorly understood, limiting research advances on cochlea-on-a-chip systems.

Effects of water and fertilizer combination on the dynamic variations in glycyrrhizic acid levels in distinct regions of Glycyrrhiza uralensis grown in arid territories.

Licorice derived from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. is a significant component of traditional Chinese medicine. Proper irrigation and fertilization are essential for its successful cultivation.

Stellate ganglion, inflammation, and arrhythmias: a new perspective on neuroimmune regulation.

Current research on the stellate ganglion (SG) has shifted from merely understanding its role as a collection of neurons to recognizing its importance in immune regulation. As part of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), the SG plays a crucial role in regulating cardiovascular function, particularly cardiac sympathetic nerve activity. Abnormal SG function can lead to disordered cardiac electrical activity, which in turn affects heart rhythm stability.

Duck hepatitis A virus 1-encoded 2B protein disturbs ion and organelle homeostasis to promote NF-κB/NLRP3-mediated inflammatory response.

Previous studies by our group and others have highlighted the critical role of hyperinflammation in the pathogenicity of duck hepatitis A virus 1 (DHAV-1), an avian picornavirus that has caused significant devastation in the duck industry worldwide for decades. However, the precise mechanisms by which DHAV-1 infection regulates the inflammatory responses, particularly the production of IL-1β, remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that DHAV-1 infection triggers NF-κB- and NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated IL-1β production.

Efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in treating sudden sensorineural hearing loss: an umbrella review.

Introduction: Our objective was to explore the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen in the treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss by conducting an umbrella review of all existing evidence.

Methods: We conducted an umbrella review, searching for related articles in the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus databases. The search period covered from the inception of each database until April 2024.

The successful use of rituximab in IgA nephropathy patients with podocytopathy: a case series.

Background: Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) with podocytopathy is a rare pathological type of glomerular disease. The use of rituximab (RTX) in the treatment of glomerular diseases has increased in recent decades, but the efficacy of RTX in the treatment of patients with IgAN and podocytopathy has rarely been reported.

Methods: This was a single-centre retrospective study of IgAN patients with podocytopathy who were treated with RTX as second-line therapy was conducted at our centre from 2019 to 2022.

Correction: Motivating factors for physical activity participation among individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A qualitative study applying the motivation, opportunity, and ability model.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Motivating factors for physical activity participation among individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A qualitative study applying the motivation, opportunity, and ability model.

Objective: The study aims to explore the driving forces behind physical activity engagement among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, focusing on motivation, opportunity, and capability.

Design: A phenomenological qualitative study applied the motivation, opportunity, and capability model, conducted in two respiratory units of a Chinese university hospital.

Methods: Participants, selected by age, gender, and illness duration, included inpatients during the interview sessions and those recently discharged within six months.

Quantifying carboxymethyl lysine and carboxyethyl lysine in human plasma: clinical insights into aging research using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Objective: The objective of this study was to establish a methodology for determining carboxymethyl lysine (CML) and carboxyethyl lysine (CEL) concentrations in human plasma using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The test results were also used for clinical aging research.

Methods: Human plasma samples were incubated with aqueous perfluorovaleric acid (NFPA), succeeded by precipitation utilizing trichloroacetic acid, hydrolysis facilitated by hydrochloric acid, nitrogen drying, and ultimate re-dissolution utilizing NFPA, followed by filtration.

Maternal Selenium-Enriched Yeast Supplementation in Sows Enhances Offspring Growth and Antioxidant Status through the Nrf2/Keap1 Pathway.

This study evaluated the effects of maternal selenium-enriched yeast (SeY) supplementation during late gestation and lactation on sow performance, transfer of selenium (Se) and redox status, and gut microbiota community, as well as on the gut health of offspring. Seventy pregnant sows on day 85 of gestation were randomly allocated to the following two treatments: (1) sows who were fed a basal diet (basal diet contained 0.3 mg/kg Se as NaSeO, = 35); (2) and sows who were fed a SeY-supplemented diet (basal diet with 0.

First Report of Causing Walnut Leaf Spot Disease in China.

China ranks first in the production and harvest area of walnut ( L.) worldwide. Currently, the poor health and low yield of walnut caused by pathogen infection is of concern.

Visual impairment and blindness caused by retinal diseases: A nationwide register-based study.

Background: Retinal disorders cause substantial visual burden globally. Accurate estimates of the vision loss due to retinal diseases are pivotal to inform optimal eye health care planning and allocation of medical resources. The purpose of this study is to describe the proportion of visual impairment and blindness caused by major retinal diseases in China.

Clinical Application Value of left Ventricular Pressure-Strain Loop Examination of Myocardial Dysfunction in Patients with Hypertension at Various Risk Levels.

Objective: This study aims to determine the variations in myocardial work among patients with essential hypertension at varying risk levels by analyzing the left ventricular pressure-strain loop. Additionally, this research aims to investigate the potential diagnostic significance of myocardial work parameters in identifying myocardial dysfunction in patients with essential hypertension.

Methods: We conducted a study with 79 patients who have essential hypertension and 30 healthy adults.

Identification and Fungicide Screening of Fungal Species Associated with Walnut Anthracnose in Shaanxi and Liaoning Provinces, China.

Walnut is cultivated around the world for its precious woody nut and edible oil. Recently, walnut infected by spp. resulted in a great yield and quality loss.

Environmental Risk Factors, Protective Factors, and Biomarkers for Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Umbrella Review of the Evidence.

Many potential environmental risk factors, protective factors, and biomarkers of AR have been published, but so far, the strength and consistency of their evidence are unclear. We conducted a comprehensive review of environmental risk, protective factors, and biomarkers for AR to establish the evidence hierarchy. We systematically searched Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science electronic database from inception to December 31, 2022.

Leucine and arginine enhance milk fat and milk protein synthesis via the CaSR/G/mTORC1 and CaSR/G/mTORC1 pathways.

Background And Aims: Amino acids (AAs) not only constitute milk protein but also stimulate milk synthesis through the activation of mTORC1 signaling, but which amino acids that have the greatest impact on milk fat and protein synthesis is still very limited. In this study, we aimed to identify the most critical AAs involved in the regulation of milk synthesis and clarify how these AAs regulate milk synthesis through the G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) signaling pathway.

Methods: In this study, a mouse mammary epithelial cell line (HC11) and porcine mammary epithelial cells (PMECs) were selected as study subjects.

Nanoscale Insight into the Effect of Calcium on Early-Age Polymerization of CNASH Gels.

Sodium-containing calcium-alumino-silicate-hydrate (CNASH) gels, the primary binder phase of alkali-activated materials (AAMs), significantly impact the performance of the AAM. Although the effect of the calcium content on the AAM has been extensively studied in the past, few studies focus on the effect of calcium on the structure and performance of gels at a molecular scale. As an important element in gels, the effect of calcium in gels on its atomic-scale properties remains unclear.

Sodium acetate regulates milk fat synthesis through the activation of GPR41/GPR43 signaling pathway.

Background: Fat is a critical component in milk, which provided energy for the early growth and development of mammals. Milk fat is positively related to the concentration of acetate in the blood, while the underlying mechanism is still unclear.

Objective: This study is to investigate the effects of sodium acetate (NaAc) on milk fat synthesis in the mammary gland, and explored the underlying mechanism.

Maternal supplementation with glycerol monolaurate improves the intestinal health of suckling piglets by inhibiting the NF-κB/MAPK pathways and improving oxidative stability.

Glycerol monolaurate (GML) is a food safe emulsifier and a kind of MCFA monoglyceride that has been proven to confer positive benefits in improving animal health, production and feed digestibility as a feed additive. This study aims to evaluate whether supplementation of a sow diet with GML could affect the intestinal barrier function and antioxidant status of newborn piglets and to explore its regulatory mechanism. A total of 80 multiparous sows were divided into two groups, which were fed a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with 0.

Niacin/β-hydroxybutyrate regulates milk fat and milk protein synthesis the GPR109A/G/mTORC1 pathway.

As a crucial receptor of BHBA and niacin, GPR109A is largely expressed in the mammary gland. However, the role of GPR109A in milk synthesis and its underlying mechanism is still largely unknown. In this study, we first investigated the effect of GPR109A agonists (niacin/BHBA) on milk fat and milk protein synthesis in a mouse mammary epithelial cell line (HC11) and PMECs (porcine mammary epithelial cells).

Pharmacokinetic and bioequivalence of lenalidomide in multiple myeloma patients.

Purposes: The physiological and pathological conditions of individuals could influence the absorption and metabolism of drugs in vivo, so this study assessed the bioequivalence and pharmacokinetics of lenalidomide 25 mg capsules (test formulation) and Revlimid 25 mg capsules (reference formulation) in Chinese patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

Materials And Methods: A multicenter, open-label, randomized, two-period, crossover trial was established to evaluate a single capsule of test and reference formulations under fasting conditions. Pharmacokinetic parameters were assessed, and adverse events (AEs) were monitored throughout.

In-Situ Growth of Graphene Films to Improve Sensing Performances.

Graphene films made by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) are a popular method to modify sensors by virtue of large-scale and reproducibility, but suffer from various surface contamination and structural defects induced during transfer procedures. In-situ growth of graphene films is proposed in this review article to improve sensing performance. Root causes of the surface contamination and structural defects are revealed with several common transfer methods.

Fabrication of Boron-Doped Diamond Film Electrode for Detecting Trace Lead Content in Drinking Water.

This work aimed to fabricate a boron-doped diamond film electrode for detecting trace amounts of lead in drinking water so as to safeguard it for the public. Available detectors suffer from high costs and complex analytical processes, and commonly used electrodes for electrochemical detectors are subject to a short life, poor stability, and secondary pollution during usage. In this work, a boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode was prepared on a porous titanium substrate, and the microstructure and electrochemical properties of the BDD electrode were systematically studied.

First report of Colletotrichum fioriniae causing leaf spot on Schima superba in the world.

Schima superba Gardn. et Champ. is a subtropical evergreen tree species naturally distributed mainly in China, Japan, and Vietnam.

Maternal Nutrition During Late Gestation and Lactation: Association With Immunity and the Inflammatory Response in the Offspring.

The immature immune system at birth and environmental stress increase the risk of infection in nursing pigs. Severe infection subsequently induces intestinal and respiratory diseases and even cause death of pigs. The nutritional and physiological conditions of sows directly affect the growth, development and disease resistance of the fetus and newborn.