Behavior and outcomes of 141 acquired lacrimal sac mucoceles treated endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy.

Aim: To investigate the clinical profile of patients with acquired lacrimal sac mucocele (ALSM) and evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (En-DCR) for this condition.

Methods: En-DCRs were performed on 141 patients with ALSM patients from January 2016 to March 2022. The clinical baseline information and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images were recorded and summarized.

Senescent macrophages trigger a pro-inflammatory program and promote the progression of rheumatoid arthritis.

This study explores the complex mechanisms between Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and cellular senescence, with a focus on the role of four key genes (MMP1, CCL7, CXCL1, HK3) identified through transcriptome analysis in the GEO database. These genes are closely related to IL-17 signalling and the pathogenesis of RA. In a macrophage senescence model induced by hydrogen peroxide (HO) and bleomycin (BLM), quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot confirmed the significant upregulation of these genes and an increase in the secretion of the cytokine IL-17, which promotes an inflammatory environment for the polarization of macrophages to M1.

Hotspots and trends in stem cell therapy for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis: A bibliometric analysis.

Background: Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis are global medical challenges that require safe and effective treatments. In the past two decades, there has been a surge in research on stem cell therapy for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the research hotspots and trends in this field through bibliometrics.

Foamy Melamine Resin-Silica Aerogel Composite-Derived Thermal Insulation Coating.

A novel class of SiO aerogel-based resin composite with a self-formed foamy structure and an extremely low thermal conductivity, as well as excellent fire resistance, was fabricated via a room temperature and atmospheric pressure route. The self-formed foamy structure was achieved by utilizing SiO aerogel particles not only as a thermal insulative functional additive filler but also as nano-sized solid particles in a Picking emulsion system, adjusting the surface tension as a stabilizer at the interface between the two immiscible phases (liquid and air in this case). The results of foamy structure analyses via scanning electron microscopy, micro-CT, and N adsorption-desorption isotherms validate the successful generation of a micro-scale porous structure with the enhancement of the aerogel nano-scale solid particles at the wall as a stabilizer.

Spatiotemporal differences induced changes in the structure and function of the gut microbiota in an endangered ungulate.

The composition and function of animal gut microbiota are shaped by various factors, among which diet is one of the major factors. Diet is affected by seasonal shifts and geographical differences, which in turn impact the host's nutritional levels. To adapt to these environmental changes, the gut microbiome often produces matching responses.

Single-cell RNA sequencing identifies endothelial-derived HBEGF as promoting pancreatic beta cell proliferation in mice via the EGFR-Kmt5a-H4K20me pathway.

Aims/hypothesis: Pancreatic beta cell mass is dynamically regulated in response to increased physiological and pathological demands. Understanding the mechanisms that control physiological beta cell proliferation could provide valuable insights into novel therapeutic approaches to diabetes. Here, we aimed to analyse the intracellular and extracellular signalling pathways involved in regulating the physiological proliferation of beta cells using single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) and in vitro functional assays.

An approach based on ecosystem services for assessing progress towards sustainable development goals at both national and provincial levels in China.

Ecosystem services (ESs), the benefits nature provides to people, are an important basis for fulfilling sustainable development goals (SDGs). Therefore, an ES-based approach will help deepen our understanding of the relationships between natural systems and human well-being and provide co-benefit pathways for sustainable development. However, monitoring progress towards achieving the SDGs based on the contributions of ESs to SDGs is lacking.

The well-defined three-dimensional matrix of a micro-sized silicon/carbon composite promoting lithium-ion transportation.

Micro-sized silicon is a promising anode material due to its high theoretical capacity and low cost. However, its bulk particle size poses a challenge during electrochemical cycling, and the long ion/electron transport paths within it limit the rate capability. Herein, we propose a structural engineering approach for establishing a well-defined three-dimensional (3D) micro-sized silicon/carbon matrix to achieve efficient omnidirectional ionic and electronic conductivity within micro-sized silicon and effectively mitigate the volume changes.

Controlled Interfacial Tailoring of Hierarchical Silicon Synergizes Charge Transport Enabling Stable and Fast Lithium Storage.

Silicon is a promising anode material candidate but encounters volume change and capacity decay issues. Although diverse demonstrations in structural and interfacial engineering, the performance toward industrial applications remains to be improved. Herein, a controlled interfacial tailoring strategy is proposed for micro-nano hierarchically structured silicon.

Immunoregulation and male reproductive function: Impacts and mechanistic insights into inflammation.

This paper investigates the complex relationship between the immune system and male reproductive processes, emphasizing how chronic inflammation can adversely affect male reproductive health. The immune system plays a dual role; it protects and regulates reproductive organs and spermatogenesis while maintaining reproductive health through immune privilege in the testes and the activities of various immune cells and cytokines. However, when chronic inflammation persists or intensifies, it can disrupt this balance, leading to immune attacks on reproductive tissues and resulting in infertility.

Screening and Validation of Leaf Width-Related Genes in Inbred Maize Lines.

Leaf width is a key determinant of planting density and photosynthetic efficiency. In an effort to determine which genes regulate maize plant leaf width, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 1.49 × 106 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 80 sequenced backbone inbred maize lines in Jilin Province, China, based upon phenotypic leaf width data from two years.

Laser-Induced Interference to Infrared Detector Using Continuous Wave and Short-Pulse Lasers.

The response of a DPbS3200 infrared detector irradiated by a nanosecond pulsed laser and CW laser has been investigated to study laser-induced interference. A laser interference experiment system was constructed to measure the time-varying response signal. A nanosecond pulsed laser and a CW laser of 10 Hz were used, with a 1064 nm wavelength and a millimeter-scale irradiation spot diameter.

Increased oxygen stimulation promotes chemoresistance and phenotype shifting through PLCB1 in gliomas.

Gliomas, the most common CNS (central nerve system) tumors, face poor survival due to severe chemoresistance exacerbated by hypoxia. However, studies on whether altered hypoxic conditions benefit for chemo-sensitivity and how gliomas react to increased oxygen stimulation are limited. In this study, we demonstrated that increased oxygen stimulation promotes glioma growth and chemoresistance.

Risk assessment of exposure to 12 kinds of mycotoxins through consumption of Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae collected from Three Gorges Reservoir area of China.

A method for simultaneous determination of 12 mycotoxins in Pericarpium Citri Reticulataeby HPLC-MS/MS was established to analyze the residues of mycotoxins, inwhich from Three Gorges Reservoir area of China, including AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2, T-2, FB1, FB2, FB3, ZEN, OTA, OTB and DON.In addition, a probabilistic assessment model based on Monte Carlo simulation method was established in combination with pollution data, and the health risk assessment was carried out by the exposure limit method (MOE).The results showed that the method with strong specificity, good linearity and accurate recovery was established and could be used for the determination of 12 mycotoxins in Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae.

Advances in Nanotechnology for Enhancing the Solubility and Bioavailability of Poorly Soluble Drugs.

This manuscript offers a comprehensive overview of nanotechnology's impact on the solubility and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs, with a focus on BCS Class II and IV drugs. We explore various nanoscale drug delivery systems (NDDSs), including lipid-based, polymer-based, nanoemulsions, nanogels, and inorganic carriers. These systems offer improved drug efficacy, targeting, and reduced side effects.

The impact of eco-preneurship and green technology on greenhouse gas emissions - An analysis of East Asian economies.

The pressing need to address the effects of rising greenhouse gas emissions on the environment has become a global concern. Policymakers, governments, and stakeholders advocate a sustainable clean environment. Therefore, green technology and eco-entrepreneurship initiatives are being implemented to reduce these emissions.

High fatigue resistance in a titanium alloy via near-void-free 3D printing.

The advantage of 3D printing-that is, additive manufacturing (AM) of structural materials-has been severely compromised by their disappointing fatigue properties. Commonly, poor fatigue properties appear to result from the presence of microvoids induced by current printing process procedures. Accordingly, the question that we pose is whether the elimination of such microvoids can provide a feasible solution for marked enhancement of the fatigue resistance of void-free AM (Net-AM) alloys.

Driving the implementation of hospital examination reservation system through hospital management.

Background: Hospital Examination Reservation System (HERS) was designed for reducing appointment examination waiting time and enhancing patients' medical satisfaction in China, but implementing HERS would encounter many difficulties. This study would investigate the factors that influence patients' utilization of HERS through UTAUT2, and provide valuable insights for hospital managements to drive the effective implementation of HERS. It is helpful for improving patients' medical satisfaction.

Comparison of the surgical outcomes of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy in chronic dacryocystitis with or without previous bicanalicular silicone tube intubation.

Aims: To compare the outcomes of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (En-DCR) in chronic dacryocystitis (CD) with or without previous bicanalicular silicone tube intubation (BSTI), and investigate whether previous BSTI influenced postoperative outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of medical records of CD patients (group A) who had previously undergone BSTI for nasolacrimal duct stenosis and an age- and sex-matched control group of CD patients (group B) without previous intubation receiving En-DCR from November 2017 to January 2022. Sixty-one patients (61 eyes) were included in group A and age- and sex-matched 122 patients (122 eyes) in group B.

Application of Human Menopausal Gonadotropins in the Treatment of Idiopathic Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism (IHH)-Based Infertility in Females: A Case Report.

Rationale: Idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) is a prevalent congenital genetic disorder with multiple inheritance patterns. IHH can manifest as normal hypogonadotrophic sexual hypofunction (nIHH) or with an abnormal sense of smell, known as Kallmann. It primarily affects the production and effectiveness of gonadotropin-releasing-hormone (GnRh), leading to reduced follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels.

Alfosbuvir plus Daclatasvir for Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection in China.

Introduction: A pan-genotypic and effective treatment regimen for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains an unmet medical need in China. Alfosbuvir is a novel potent HCV NS5B polymerase inhibitor in development for the treatment of chronic HCV infection. We conducted a phase 3 study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of alfosbuvir in combination with daclatasvir in Chinese patients with HCV infection.

Alleviation effect of GR24, a strigolactone analogue, on low-nitrogen stress in seedlings.

To investigate the efficacy of foliar application of GR24, a strigolactone analogue, in alleviating low-nitrogen stress in , we applied GR24 with different concentrations (0, 1, 5, 10, and 20 μmol·L) to leaves of plants under low nitrogen stress. We evaluated the changes in photosynthetic characteristics of leaves, reactive oxygen metabolism, and nitrogen assimilation in roots. The results showed that shoot biomass of seedling significantly decreased and root-shoot ratio increased under low-nitrogen stress.