Utilization of preventative health checkup services in China among middle-aged and older adult population: evidence from China's 28 provinces.

Introduction: Research on the utilization of outpatient and inpatient medical and health services for residents and the factors influencing them is well established, however, there are fewer relevant studies analyzing the utilization of preventive health check-up services for middle-aged and older adult people in China. In this study, we hope to understand the utilization of preventive health care services and identify the factors that influence such utilization, thereby providing insights for health policy and resource allocation.

Methods: The study uses data from the 2020 CHARLS survey, including 17,200 participants aged 45 and older.

Spatiotemporal pattern formation and selection induced by cross-diffusion in a cancer growth model with Allee effect.

In this paper, we study the temporal and spatiotemporal dynamics of a cancer growth model with the Allee effect. For the temporal model, we first prove its well-posedness and analyze its rich local bifurcations, such as the transcritical bifurcation, the saddle-node bifurcation, the Hopf bifurcation, and the Bogdanov-Takens bifurcation. For the diffusion system, we first prove that cross-diffusion is a key mechanism for the formation of spatial patterns.

Comprehensive analysis of the transcription factor CREB3L4/RASEF signaling axis in lung adenocarcinoma: implications for pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies.

Objectives: This study aims to elucidate the role of cAMP responsive element binding protein 3 like 4 (CREB3L4) in the pathogenesis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and to provide new insights and approaches for its effective treatment. An analysis was conducted on the expression and prognostic implications of CREB3L4 in LUAD.

Methods: Potential downstream target genes regulated by CREB3L4 were identified through chromatin immunoprecipitation assay sequencing and mRNA sequencing analyses, and the regulatory relationship, mechanism, and prognostic significance of the identified target gene in LUAD were subsequently confirmed.

Pancreatic agenesis and altered m6A methylation in the pancreas of PDX1-mutant cynomolgus macaques.

As an essential transcriptional activator, plays a crucial role in pancreatic development and β-cell function. Mutations in the gene may lead to type 4 maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY4) and neonatal diabetes mellitus. However, the precise mechanisms underlying MODY4 remain elusive due to the paucity of clinical samples and pronounced differences in pancreatic architecture and genomic composition between humans and existing animal models.

Comprehensive assessment of distinct abdominal fat compartments beyond liver content in overweight/obese patients using MRI and ultrasound imaging.

Background: Ectopic fat deposition, involving lipid infiltration within organs and fat accumulating surrounding organs, plays a crucial role in the development of metabolic abnormalities in obesity. Current imaging measurements of obesity primarily focus on lipid infiltration within liver, neglecting fat deposition in other areas. This study aims to explore the methods of measuring and correlating different types of abdominal ectopic fat deposition in obese patients using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound techniques, and to investigate the relationship between these fat parameters and obesity-related metabolic markers.

Arsenic-induced downregulation of BRWD3 suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis in lung adenocarcinoma cells through the p53 and p65 pathways.

Bromodomain and WD-repeat domain-containing protein 3 (BRWD3) exhibits high expression in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) tissues and cells; however, its function in arsenic-induced toxicological responses remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate BRWD3 expression in response to arsenic-induced conditions and its impact on the proliferation and apoptosis of LUAD cell line SPC-A1 upon BRWD3 knockdown. The results revealed a decrease in BRWD3 expression in SPC-A1 cells treated with sodium arsenite (NaAsO), but not sodium arsenite's metabolites.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists rescued diabetic vascular endothelial damage through suppression of aberrant STING signaling.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) protect against diabetic cardiovascular diseases and nephropathy. However, their activity in diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains unclear. Our retrospective cohort study involving 1626 T2DM patients revealed superior efficacy of GLP-1 RAs in controlling DR compared to other glucose-lowering medications, suggesting their advantage in DR treatment.

Cellular communication network factor 1 promotes retinal leakage in diabetic retinopathy via inducing neutrophil stasis and neutrophil extracellular traps extrusion.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major cause of blindness and is characterized by dysfunction of the retinal microvasculature. Neutrophil stasis, resulting in retinal inflammation and the occlusion of retinal microvessels, is a key mechanism driving DR. These plugging neutrophils subsequently release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which further disrupts the retinal vasculature.

Heterogeneous-Structure-Based AuNBs@TiO Nano-Photosensitizers for Computed Tomography Imaging Guided NIR-II Photodynamic Therapy and Cancer Metastatic Prevention.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally invasive cancer treatment that, despite its significant attention, faces limitations in penetration depth, which restrict its effectiveness. Herein, it is found that gold nanobipyramid (AuNBs) coated with TiO can form a core-shell heterogeneous structure (AuNBs@TiO) with strong absorption at second near infrared (NIR-II) region. A substantial quantity of reactive oxygen species (ROS), including singlet oxygen (O), superoxide anion radicals, and hydroxyl radicals, can be rapidly generated when subjecting the AuNBs@TiO aqueous suspension to 1064 nm laser irradiation.

CircRNA LDLR promotes proliferation and aerobic glycolysis of gastric cancer cells by targeting CHD1 with miR-449b-5p.

Background/aim: Circular RNAs can serve as detection biomarkers and therapeutic targets for tumors. Our study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms associated with circRNA LDLR (circLDLR) in gastric cancer (GC) proliferation and aerobic glycolysis.

Materials And Methods: Expression signatures of circLDLR, miR-449b-5p, and CHD1 were examined in GC samples using quantitative PCR.

Stimuli-responsive peptide hydrogels for biomedical applications.

Stimuli-responsive hydrogels can respond to external stimuli with a change in the network structure and thus have potential application in drug release, intelligent sensing, and scaffold construction. Peptides possess robust supramolecular self-assembly ability, enabling spontaneous formation of nanostructures through supramolecular interactions and subsequently hydrogels. Therefore, peptide-based stimuli-responsive hydrogels have been widely explored as smart soft materials for biomedical applications in the last decade.

SBC (Sanhuang Xiexin Tang combined with Baihu Tang plus Cangzhu) alleviates NAFLD by enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis and ameliorating inflammation in obese patients and mice.

In the context of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), characterized by dysregulated lipid metabolism in hepatocytes, the quest for safe and effective therapeutics targeting lipid metabolism has gained paramount importance. Sanhuang Xiexin Tang (SXT) and Baihu Tang (BHT) have emerged as prominent candidates for treating metabolic disorders. SXT combined with BHT plus Cangzhu (SBC) has been used clinically for Weihuochisheng obese patients.

The two-way immunotoxicity in native fish induced by exudates of Microcystis aeruginosa: Immunostimulation and immunosuppression.

Secondary metabolites of cyanobacterial blooms have caused serious risks to aquatic animals. The immune system is an important barrier for fish against pollutants in aquatic systems. The immunetoxic mechanism of the exudates of Microcystis aeruginosa (MaE) on fish was lacking due to the complex components of MaE.

CRISPR screen identifies the role of RBBP8 in mediating unfolded protein response induced liver damage through regulating protein synthesis.

Unfolded protein response (UPR) maintains the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis, survival, and physiological function of mammalian cells. However, how cells adapt to ER stress under physiological or disease settings remains largely unclear. Here by a genome-wide CRISPR screen, we identified that RBBP8, an endonuclease involved in DNA damage repair, is required for ATF4 activation under ER stress in vitro.

Lactic acid bacteria with a strong antioxidant function isolated from "Jiangshui," pickles, and feces.

Excessive free radicals and iron death lead to oxidative damage, which is one of the main causes of aging and diseases. In this field of antioxidation, developing new, safe, and efficient antioxidants is the main research focus. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are natural antioxidants with good antioxidant activity and can regulate gastrointestinal microecological balance and immunity.

Workplace violence against healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Workplace violence (WPV) is a prevalent phenomenon, especially in the healthcare setting. WPV against healthcare workers (HCWs) has increased during the COVID-19 epidemic. This meta-analysis determined the prevalence and risk factors of WPV.

Novel Gene Signatures Promote Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in Glucose Deprivation-Based Microenvironment to Predict Recurrence-Free Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Current research studies have suggested that glucose deprivation (GD)-based tumor microenvironment (TME) can promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of tumor cells, leading to tumor invasion and metastasis. However, no one has yet studied detailedly the synthetic studies that include GD features in TME with EMT status. In our research, we comprehensively developed and validated a robust signature regarding GD and EMT status to provide prognostic value for patients with liver cancer.

Secreted MUP1 that reduced under ER stress attenuates ER stress induced insulin resistance through suppressing protein synthesis in hepatocytes.

Disturbed endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response driven by the excessive lipid accumulation in the liver is a characteristic feature in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Restoring metabolic homeostasis by targeting ER stress is a potentially therapeutic strategy for NAFLD. Here we aim to identify novel proteins or pathways involved in regulating ER stress response and therapeutic targets for alleviating NAFLD.

Hyperlipidemia induces proinflammatory responses by activating STING pathway through IRE1α-XBP1 in retinal endothelial cells.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most prevalent microvascular complications caused by diabetes mellitus. Previous studies demonstrate that microvascular endothelial inflammation caused by chronic hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia plays a key role in the pathogenesis of DR. However, the detailed mechanisms on how endothelial inflammation contributes to DR are not fully understood.

EDTA Combined with C-Pilot Files and Microultrasound for Root Canal Calcification: Dredging Effect and Safety Analysis.

Objective: This paper discussed the dredging effect and safety of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) combined with C-pilot files and microultrasound (mUS) on root canal calcification.

Methods: From October 2021 to January 2022, 132 patients with calcified root canals treated in our hospital were selected as the research subjects. Among them, 64 cases who received EDTA combined with C-pilot Files and mUS plus ultrasonic instruments to dredge calcified root canals were regarded as the research group (RG), and another 68 cases given ultrasonic instruments plus C-pilot files were regarded as the control group (CG).

Characterization of dietary and herbal sourced natural compounds that modulate SEL1L-HRD1 ERAD activity and alleviate protein misfolding in the ER.

Dysregulated production of peptide hormones is the key pathogenic factor of various endocrine diseases. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) associated degradation (ERAD) is a critical machinery in maintaining ER proteostasis in mammalian cells by degrading misfolded proteins. Dysfunction of ERAD leads to maturation defect of many peptide hormones, such as provasopressin (proAVP), which results in the occurrence of Central Diabetes Insipidus.

A high-resolution study of PM accumulation inside leaves in leaf stomata compared with non-stomatal areas using three-dimensional X-ray microscopy.

Plant leaves retain atmospheric particulate matter (PM) on their surfaces, helping PM removal and risk reduction of respiratory tract infection. Several processes (deposition, resuspension, rainfall removal) can influence the PM accumulation on leaves and different leaf microstructures (e.g.

Comprehensive analysis of endoplasmic reticulum-related and secretome gene expression profiles in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the principal organelle for protein synthesis, such as hepatokines and transmembrane proteins, and is critical for maintaining physiological function. Dysfunction of ER is associated with metabolic disorders. However, the role of ER homeostasis as well as hepatokines in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains to be elucidated.

Role of high mobility group box protein 1 in depression: A mechanistic and therapeutic perspective.

As a common and serious psychiatric disorder, depression significantly affects psychosocial functioning and quality of life. However, the mechanism of depression is still enigmatic and perplexing, which limits its precise and effective therapeutic methods. Recent studies demonstrated that neuroinflammation activation plays an important role in the pathophysiology of depression.