Glymphatic system dysfunction in pediatric tourette syndrome Neuroimaging evidence from MRI metrics.

Background And Objectives: The glymphatic system, vital for brain waste clearance, is implicated in neurodevelopmental diseases, but its role in pediatric Tourette syndrome (TS) is not well understood. This study investigates structural and functional alterations in the glymphatic system in pediatric TS using non-invasive MRI techniques.

Methods: This case-control study included 37 children with Tourette syndrome (TS) and 37 age- and gender-matched typically developing (TD) controls.

The source-specific health risk and biological effect assessment of PAHs in Mactra veneriformis from the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea.

Source-specific risk assessment has been widely used to analyze the source of pollution risk instead of pollutant content for more accurate control of pollution. However, due to limitations in data type, assessment of source-specific biological effect has not been reported, which is highly significant for organism protection. This study conducted a comprehensive assessment of the health risk and biological effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) bioaccumulated in the clam Mactra veneriformis from two typical bays in China.

Dual role of Baimao-Longdan-Congrong-Fang in inhibiting Staphylococcus aureus virulence factors and regulating TNF-α/TNFR1/NF-κB/MMP9 axis.

Background: Baimao-Longdan-Congrong-Fang (BLCF), a traditional Chinese herbal formula described in the Taiping Shenghui Fang (998 AD), consists of medicinal plants with heat-clearing and tonifying properties. BLCF has a promise as a treatment for Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) pneumonia, according to its historical use and current pharmacological research.

A structural equation model for assessing toxic effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on scallop Chlamys farreri and the establishment of a novel integrated biomarker index.

Persistent organic pollutants (POP) occur in coastal areas worldwide and seriously affect marine ecosystems, especially aquatic organisms. Here, we assessed the bioaccumulation, biological effects, and health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), one typical kind of global POPs, in the scallop Chlamys farreri from typical bays of the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea, China. Results revealed higher PAH bioaccumulation in scallops from Laizhou Bay and Jiaozhou Bay compared to Rushan Bay and Haizhou Bay.

Brain Iron Alteration in Pediatric Tourette Syndrome: A Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping Study.

Background: The cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuits play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Tourette syndrome (TS). While iron deficiency has been reported in adult TS, the iron content in pediatric TS remains poorly understood. This study aims to quantitatively assess whole-brain iron deposition in pediatric TS compared to typically developing (TD) children using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM).

Epigenetic downregulation of the proapoptotic gene in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Homeobox A5 () has been identified as a tumor suppressor gene in breast cancers, but its role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has not been confirmed. The Illumina GoldenGate Assay for methylation identified that DNA methylation patterns differ between tumorous and normal tissues in the oral cavity and that is one of the genes that are hypermethylated in oral tumor tissues. The present study obtained more‑complete information on the methylation status of by using the Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip and bisulfite sequencing assays.

Helicid: A novel Anti-Staphylococcus aureus adjuvant.

Staphylocoagulase (Coa) plays a critical role in the pathogenicity of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The present study was undertaken to investigate the underlying mechanism which helicid (HEL) suppressed the virulence factor Coa, as well as to assess the synergistic inhibitory effects of HEL in conjunction with antibiotics, thereby establishing the potential of HEL as an antibacterial adjuvant.

Plant PI4P is required for bacteria to translocate type-3 effectors.

Type-3 effectors (T3E) of phytopathogenic Gram-negative bacteria fulfill a virulent role, causing disease, or an avirulent role, inducing immunity, following their translocation into plant cells. This study aimed to validate the hypothesis that bacterial T3E translocation requires lipidic compounds in plant cell membranes. Based on genetic, molecular, and biochemical assays, we determined that phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P) associated with plant cell membranes is essential for the translocation of T3E by bacterial pathogens.

Long-term safety and influence on growth in patients receiving sirolimus: a pooled analysis.

Background: Sirolimus is increasingly utilized in treating diseases associated with mTOR pathway overactivation. Despite its potential, the lack of evidence regarding its long-term safety across all age groups, particularly in pediatric patients, has limited its further application. This study aims to assess the long-term safety of sirolimus, with a specific focus on its impact on growth patterns in pediatric patients.

Light-induced manipulation of ultra-low surface tension droplets on stable quasi-liquid surfaces.

Hypothesis: Perfluorocarbon is commonly used as a coolant, chemical reaction carrier solvent, medical anti-hypoxic agents and blood substitutes. The realization of non-contact complex manipulation of perfluorocarbon liquids is urgently needed in human life and industrial production. However, most liquid-repellent interfaces are ineffective for the transport of ultra-low surface tension perfluorocarbon liquids, and struggle to maintain good durability due to unstable air or oil cushions in the surface.

Clinical and genetic analysis of 23 Chinese children with epilepsy associated with KCNQ2 gene mutations.

Objective: To summarize the clinical features and genetic mutation characteristics of Chinese children with KCNQ2-related epilepsy.

Methods: A cohort of children with genetically caused epilepsy was evaluated at Linyi People's Hospital from January 2017 to December 2023. After next-generation sequencing and pathogenicity analysis, we summarized the medical records and genetic testing data of the children who had KCNQ2 gene mutations.

Disrupted individual-level morphological brain network in spinal muscular atrophy types 2 and 3.

Background And Objective: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is one of the most common monogenic neuromuscular diseases, and the pathogenesis mechanisms, especially the brain network topological properties, remain unknown. This study aimed to use individual-level morphological brain network analysis to explore the brain neural network mechanisms in SMA.

Methods: Individual-level gray matter (GM) networks were constructed by estimating the interregional similarity of GM volume distribution using both Kullback-Leibler divergence-based similarity (KLDs) and Jesen-Shannon divergence-based similarity (JSDs) measurements based on Automated Anatomical Labeling 116 and Hammersmith 83 atlases for 38 individuals with SMA types 2 and 3 and 38 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs).

[Analysis of a child with SPONASTRIME dysplasia due to compound heterozygous variants of TONSL gene].

Objective: To explore the clinical features and genetic etiology of a child with SPONASTRIME dysplasia (SD).

Methods: A 9-month-old female who had presented at the Linyi People's Hospital in August 2022 for short stature was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the child were collected, and whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out.

De novo variants of IRF2BPL result in developmental epileptic disorder.

Background: Pathogenic variants of the IRF2BPL gene have been reported to cause neurodevelopmental disorders; however, studies focused on IRF2BPL in zebrafish are limited.

Results: We reported three probands diagnosed with developmental delay and epilepsy and investigated the role of IRF2BPL in neurodevelopmental disorders in zebrafish. The clinical and genetic characteristics of three patients with neurodevelopmental disorder with regression, abnormal movements, loss of speech and seizures (NEDAMSS) were collected.

[Clinical features and genetic analysis of five children with epilepsies due to variants of SCN8A gene].

Objective: To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of five children with epilepsies due to variants of SCN8A gene.

Methods: Clinical data of five children (four males and one female) admitted to Linyi People's Hospital due to hereditary epilepsies between August 2015 and August 2022 were collected. Whole exome sequencing was carried out for these children, and candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing.

Methane-dependent complete denitrification by a single Methylomirabilis bacterium.

Methane-dependent nitrate and nitrite removal in anoxic environments is thought to rely on syntrophy between ANME-2d archaea and bacteria in the genus 'Candidatus Methylomirabilis'. Here we enriched and purified a single Methylomirabilis from paddy soil fed with nitrate and methane, which is capable of coupling methane oxidation to nitrate reduction via nitrite to dinitrogen independently. Isotope labelling showed that this bacterium we name 'Ca.

Comparative efficacy of 2% minoxidil alone against combination of 2% minoxidil and low-level laser therapy in female pattern hair loss-A randomized controlled trial in Chinese females.

Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of combination of 655 nm low level laser helmet device with topical 2 % minoxidil solution at FPHL in Chinese population.

Materials And Methods: Randomized, parallel, controlled, single-blind clinical trial was conducted. FPHL subjects were randomly allocated into 2 % minoxidil group and combination group.

Refractory alopecia areata with single hairs imitating frontal fibrosing alopecia: a prospective observational study.

Background: Lonely hair sign is considered as a clue to the diagnosis of frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA).

Objective: To report an undescribed variant of alopecia areata (AA) with which the patient developed single hairs and other features similar to FFA and to determine the underlying mechanism.

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study in patients who presented with receding hairline and single hairs, evaluating the clinical, trichoscopic, and histological features and their correlation.

Clinical phenotype and genetic characteristics of SZT2 related diseases: A case report and literature review.

Purpose: Seizure threshold 2 protein homolog gene (SZT2, MIM: 615463) related diseases are extremely rare autosomal recessive disorders with a wide spectrum of clinical phenotypes ranging from mild intellectual impairment to severe developmental epileptic encephalopathy (DEE). Most SZT2 related diseases are accompanied by craniofacial malformation and corpus callosum malformation. This study attempts to analyze and summarize the clinical phenotype and genetic characteristics of SZT2 related diseases, providing a basis for early diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

The assessment of bioavailability and environmental risk of dissolved and particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the seawater of typical bays.

The pollution of dissolved and particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in coastal waters has been increasing in recent decades. However, limited research has been conducted on the characteristics of dissolved and particulate PAHs in seawater and their associated risk assessment. Here, we focused on the bioavailability and environmental risk of PAHs in four typical bays of Shandong Province, China, and used scallop Chlamys farreri and clam Mactra veneriformis as sentinel species.

Source-specific ecological and health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the adjacent coastal area of the Yellow River Estuary, China.

Industrialization and urbanization have led to increasing levels of PAH pollution in highly urbanized estuaries and their adjacent coastal areas globally. This study focused on the adjacent coastal area of the Yellow River Estuary (YRE) and collected surface seawater, surface sediment, and clams and at four sites (S1 to S4) in May, August, and October 2021 to analyze the source-specific ecological and health risks and bioeffects. The findings revealed that the main sources of PAHs were traffic emission (25.