Synergistic toxicity of nanoplastics and Helicobacter pylori on digestive system in mice.

Nanoplastics, in combination with pathogenic microorganisms or toxic substances, have been shown to induce oxidative stress and disrupt energy and lipid metabolism, posing significant health risks. This study evaluated the toxic effects of co-exposure to nanoplastics and Helicobacter pylori on the digestive system of mice. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the accumulation of AuPS-NPs (Au-core polystyrene nanoplastics) in the stomach, colon, and liver, while hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed dose-dependent pathological damage in these tissues.

pH-Responsive Polyethylene Glycol Engagers for Enhanced Brain Delivery of PEGylated Nanomedicine to Treat Glioblastoma.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) remains a major obstacle for effective delivery of therapeutics to treat central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Although transferrin receptor (TfR)-mediated transcytosis is widely employed for brain drug delivery, the inefficient release of therapeutic payload hinders their efficacy from crossing the BBB. Here, we developed a pH-responsive anti-polyethylene glycol (PEG) × anti-TfR bispecific antibody (pH-PEG engager) that can complex with PEGylated nanomedicine at physiological pH to trigger TfR-mediated transcytosis in the brain microvascular endothelial cells, while rapidly dissociating from PEGylated nanomedicine at acidic endosomes for efficient release of PEGylated nanomedicine to cross the BBB.

NEK2 promotes the progression of osteoarthritis by stabilizing ATF2 through phosphorylation at Ser-112 and inhibiting autophagy.

NEK2 (NIMA-related kinase 2) has recently gained attention for its potential role in osteoarthritis (OA) chondrocytes, however, its specific involvement remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of NEK2 in OA progression and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Primary mouse knee chondrocytes were stimulated with IL-1β to establish an in vitro OA model, followed by the knockdown of NEK2 or ATF2.

Expected 8-Week Prenatal vs 12-Week Perinatal Tenofovir Alafenamide Prophylaxis to Prevent Mother-to-Child Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus: A Multicenter, Prospective, Open-Label, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: The course of maternal antiviral prophylaxis to prevent mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV-MTCT) varies greatly, and it has not been demonstrated in a randomized controlled study.

Methods: In this multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial, eligible pregnant women with HBV DNA of 5.3-9.

The identification of potent dual-target monopolar spindle 1 (MPS1) and histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8) inhibitors through pharmacophore modeling, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and biological evaluation.

Background: Overexpression of monopolar spindle 1 (MPS1) and histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8) is associated with the proliferation of liver cancer cells, so simultaneous inhibition of both MPS1 and HDAC8 could offer a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of liver cancer. Dual-targeted MPS1/HDAC8 inhibitors have not been reported.

Methods: A combined approach of pharmacophore modeling and molecular docking was used to identify potent dual-target inhibitors of MPS1 and HDAC8.

Short-Term Efficacy of Tenofovir Alafenamide in Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure: A Single Center Experience.

Background: Patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) who take entecavir (ETV) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) experience a reduction in hepatic events and mortality. The effectiveness of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) was not well investigated. This study was aim to compare the antiviral efficacy and mortality between TAF and ETV in patients with ACLF caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Integrin-Linked Kinase in the Development of Gastric Tumors Induced by Helicobacter pylori: Regulation and Prevention Potential.

Background: Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is crucial in solid tumors by regulating the Hippo-Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP) pathway. This study aimed to uncover how Helicobacter pylori influences ILK levels and its role in regulating YAP during H. pylori-induced gastric cancer.

Volatile Profile Characterization of Jujube Fruit via HS-SPME-GC/MS and Sensory Evaluation.

Current research does not fully elucidate the key compounds and their mechanisms that define the aroma profile of fresh jujube fruits. Therefore, this study conducted a comprehensive analysis of both free and glycosidically bound aroma compounds in fresh jujube fruits of ten cultivars. Utilizing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), we identified 76 volatile free aroma compounds and 19 glycosidically bound volatile compounds, with esters, aldehydes, and ketones emerging as the predominant volatile compounds in the jujube fruits.

Exploring the multifaceted effects of Interleukin-1 in lung cancer: From tumor development to immune modulation.

Lung cancer, acknowledged as one of the most fatal cancers globally, faces limited treatment options on an international scale. The success of clinical treatment is impeded by challenges such as late diagnosis, restricted treatment alternatives, relapse, and the emergence of drug resistance. This predicament has led to a saturation point in lung cancer treatment, prompting a rapid shift in focus towards the tumor microenvironment (TME) as a pivotal area in cancer research.

Mirabegron Add-On Tamsulosin for Men with Overactive Bladder Symptoms: A Pooled Analysis of Four Randomized Controlled Trials.

Introduction: Overactive bladder symptoms (OABSs) affect patients' quality of life (QOL) worldwide. This pooled analysis compared the efficacy and safety of mirabegron add-on tamsulosin with those of tamsulosin add-on placebo in OABS treatment.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trial Register databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the efficacy of mirabegron add-on therapy to tamsulosin in the treatment of OABS.

The changes of gut microbiota and metabolites in different drug-induced liver injuries.

The increasing incidence of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) has become a major concern. Gut microbiota, as another organ of the human body, has been studied in various tumors, cardiovascular metabolic diseases, inflammatory bowel disease and human immunity. The studies mentioned above have confirmed its important impact on the occurrence and development of DILI.

Prognostic Value of Pre-Treatment Neutrophil-To-Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-To-Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients With Brain Metastasis From Lung Cancer: A systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

In modern clinical medicine, lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, and the brain is a routine organ of metastasis. Recently, researchers have evaluated hematologic indicators, such as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and confirmed that they are valid indices for predicting the outcome of patients with lung cancer. However, their prognostic significance for patients with lung cancer who have progressed to brain metastasis (BM) has not been clarified.

Development of an Albumin-Masked mutPD-1Ig as a Tumor Lesion-Selective Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor.

The antitumor effects elicited by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed cancer treatments. However, severe immune-related adverse events (irAEs) resulting from these treatments have restricted the application of ICIs. To overcome the adverse events, we developed a tumor lesion-selective pro-PD-1Ig that is activated by proteases overexpressed in tumors.

Advances of Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway in Lung Cancer: A review.

Lung cancer is currently the leading cause of cancer mortality and morbidity worldwide and greatly burdens humanity. Therefore, the prevention and treatment of lung cancer remains a serious global problem. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway also regulates tumor cell growth and invasion through epithelial-mesenchymal transition and tumor stem cells.

The pathogenesis of gut microbiota in hepatic encephalopathy by the gut-liver-brain axis.

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neurological disease occurring in patients with hepatic insufficiency and/or portal-systemic blood shunting based on cirrhosis. The pathogenesis is not completely clear till now, but it is believed that hyperammonemia is the core of HE. Hyperammonemia caused by increased sources of ammonia and decreased metabolism further causes mental problems through the gut-liver-brain axis.

Layout pattern analysis and coverage evaluation in computational lithography.

In advanced semiconductor technology nodes, the model accuracy of optical proximity correction (OPC) is the key for integrated circuit (IC) chip mask tape out, yield ramp up, and product time-to-market. An accurate model means a small prediction error for the full chip layout. As the full chip layout usually has large pattern variety, an optimal pattern set with good coverage is desired during the model calibration process.

Risk factors for postoperative myasthenia gravis in patients with thymoma without myasthenia gravis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: According to the principle, thymomas combined with myasthenia gravis (MG) require surgical treatment. However, patients with non-MG thymoma rarely develop MG and early- or late-onset MG after surgery is called postoperative MG (PMG). Our study used a meta-analysis to examine the incidence of PMG and risk factors.

A lesion-selective albumin-CTLA4Ig as a safe and effective treatment for collagen-induced arthritis.

Background: CTLA4Ig is a dimeric fusion protein of the extracellular domain of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte protein 4 (CTLA4) and an Fc (Ig) fragment of human IgG that is approved for treating rheumatoid arthritis. However, CTLA4Ig may induce adverse effects. Developing a lesion-selective variant of CTLA4Ig may improve safety while maintaining the efficacy of the treatment.

Beneficial effect of the mitochondrial ATP‑sensitive potassium channel‑specific opener nicorandil on the collapsed lung via inhibition of apoptosis in clinical thoracic surgery.

With the use of thoracoscopic surgery technology, one‑lung ventilation (OLV) is becoming more crucial as a basic requirement for enhanced recovery after surgery; however, it can lead to severe pulmonary injury, which is an issue for anesthesiologists. Therefore, it is important to protect pulmonary function during thoracic surgery anesthesia, particularly to protect the function of the collapsed lung. Our previous study on rabbits reported that nicorandil, a US Food and Drug Administration‑approved mitochondrial ATP‑sensitive potassium channel‑specific opener, can protect against lung injury in the collapsed lung.

The Misdiagnosis of Intravesical Ectopic Prostatic Tissue as a Tumor.

Ectopic prostatic tissue is rare, and it is usually only discovered by chance during imaging examinations or surgery. However, between 1967 and 2021, reports of ectopic prostatic tissue in the medical literature increased. It is rarely reported that ectopic prostatic tissue can be misdiagnosed as a nephrogenic adenoma (NA).

Inhibition of IRAK1 Is an Effective Therapy for Autoimmune Hypophysitis in Mice.

Autoimmune hypophysitis (AH) is an autoimmune disease of the pituitary for which the pathogenesis is incompletely known. AH is often treated with corticosteroids; however, steroids may lead to considerable side effects. Using a mouse model of AH (experimental autoimmune hypophysitis, EAH), we show that interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) is upregulated in the pituitaries of mice that developed EAH.

Non-covalent cyclic peptides simultaneously targeting Mpro and NRP1 are highly effective against Omicron BA.2.75.

Available vaccine-based immunity may at high risk of being evaded due to substantial mutations in the variant Omicron. The main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 and human neuropilin-1 (NRP1), two less mutable proteins, have been reported to be crucial for SARS-CoV-2 replication and entry into host cells, respectively. Their dual blockade may avoid vaccine failure caused by continuous mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 genome and exert synergistic antiviral efficacy.