Identification of serum tRNA-derived small RNAs biosignature for diagnosis of tuberculosis.

The tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are a new class of non coding RNAs, which are stable in body fluids and can be used as potential biomarkers for disease diagnosis. However, the exact value of tsRNAs in the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) is still unclear. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the performance of the serum tsRNAs biosignature to distinguish between active TB, healthy controls, latent TB infection, and other respiratory diseases.

Hypoxia-induced circPLOD2a/b promotes the aggressiveness of glioblastoma by suppressing XIRP1 through binding to HuR.

Hypoxia is a common feature of glioblastoma (GBM). Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are identified as regulators in cancers. However, the role of circRNAs in GBM remains elusive.

Revisiting the role of light signaling in plant responses to salt stress.

As one of the grave environmental hazards, soil salinization seriously limits crop productivity, growth, and development. When plants are exposed to salt stress, they suffer a sequence of damage mainly caused by osmotic stress, ion toxicity, and subsequently oxidative stress. As sessile organisms, plants have developed many physiological and biochemical strategies to mitigate the impact of salt stress.

Identification and Validation of Potential Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets of COVID-19-related Depression.

Background: The prevalence of depression in COVID-19 patients is notably high, disrupting daily life routines and compounding the burden of other chronic health conditions. In addition, to elucidate the connection between COVID-19 and depression, we conducted an analysis of commonly differentially expressed genes [co-DEGs], uncovering potential biomarkers and therapeutic avenues specific to COVID-19-related depression.

Methods: We obtained gene expression profiles from the Gene Expression Omnibus [GEO] database with strategic keyword searches ["COVID-19", "depression," and "SARS"].

Effectiveness of meaning-centered interventions on anxiety and depressive symptoms, sense of meaning, and quality of life in patients with advanced cancer: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: The effect of Meaning-Centered Interventions (MCI) in advanced cancer patients requires further comprehensive research.

Methods: Two researchers independently searched the PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Cochrane, and PsycINFO databases to investigate the impact of MCI on anxiety and depressive symptoms, sense of meaning, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with advanced cancer from inception to April 2024. Statistical analyses were conducted using standardized mean difference (SMD) as the effect size with Stata 17.

Effectiveness of family dignity intervention for patients in palliative care and their family caregivers-a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objectives: This study explores the impact of family dignity interventions (FDI) on palliative patients and their family caregivers through a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for RCTs related to family-centered dignity interventions, with the search period extending from the inception of the databases up to July 2024. Statistical analyses were conducted using standardized mean difference (SMD) as the effect size with Stata 17.

Integrative development of a concise screening questionnaire for early detection of pregnant women at risk for dystrophy.

Background: Maintaining a healthy diet during pregnancy is vital for reducing the risk of adverse birth outcomes. However, conventional methods of assessing the dietary behavior of pregnant women, such as the FFQ, are often time-consuming. This study aims to develop a concise nutritional screening questionnaire tailored for pregnant women, empowering prenatal healthcare providers to quickly identify key adverse dietary behaviors and provide targeted guidance.

A One-Stone-Two-Birds Strategy for Intervertebral Disc Repair: Constructing a Reductive Chelation Hydrogel to Mitigate Oxidative Stress and Promote Disc Matrix Reconstruction.

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is characterized by fibrosis of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells and accelerated surrounding extracellular matrix catabolism. Bioactive hydrogels have shown significant potential in regulating cellular functions and tissue homeostasis. In this work, a dynamic hydrogel (HA-NCSN/Cu) is designed via the reductive chelation of hyaluronic acid grafted with thiourea (HA-NCSN) and Cu.

Versatile roles for neutrophil proteinase 3 in hematopoiesis and inflammation.

Neutrophil proteinase 3 (PR3), cathepsin G, elastase, and neutrophil serine protease 4 constitute the neutrophil serine protease family. These four members share varying sequence homology and functional similarities with each other. However, PR3 stands out as a unique autoantigen, serving as a primary autoantigen in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis.

Manipulation of artificial light environment improves plant biomass and fruit nutritional quality in tomato.

Introduction: The yield and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum. L) are often decreased when plants suffer from low light intensity and short-photoperiod in winter. Manipulation of the artificial light environment is a feasible technology to promote off-seasonal production and improve fruit nutritional quality in the greenhouse.

Effects of electron beam irradiation on microbial load, physicochemical properties, sensory quality, stability of active components, and antioxidant activity of Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC.

Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC.

Association between alcohol drinking frequency and depression among adults in the United States: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Depression is a major contributor to the global burden of diseases, and alcohol intake is often considered to be associated with depression. However, the relationship between alcohol drinking frequency and depression remains unclear. This study aims to explore the association between alcohol drinking frequency and depression.

f.a. sp. nov., a new ascomycetous yeast species from Daqu-making environment and other sources.

In the survey of yeast diversity in high-temperature Daqu, which is a fermentation starter for Chinese sauce-flavoured Baijiu, six yeast strains representing one novel species of the genus were isolated from samples of Daqu and surrounding environments collected in Zunyi city, Guizhou Province, China. Phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene indicate that these six strains are conspecific with three other strains isolated from flowers and duckweed collected in Samoa, India and Thailand. The representative strain QFC-8 of the new species differs from the closet species resolved by the D1/D2 sequence analysis by 13 (3.

Oligomeric proanthocyanidin ameliorates sepsis-associated renal tubular injury: involvement of oxidative stress, inflammation, PI3K/AKT and NFκB signaling pathways.

Sepsis is a potentially fatal infectious disease that easily causes shock and numerous organ failures. The kidney is one of the most susceptible to injury. Early intervention and renal protection significantly minimize patient mortality.

Distribution Patterns of Urban Spontaneous Vegetation Diversity and Their Response to Habitat Heterogeneity: A Case Study of Five Cities in Heilongjiang Province, China.

Spontaneous vegetation is an important component of urban biodiversity and an excellent agent for exploring the mutual feedback mechanism between urbanization and urban ecosystems. Rapid urbanization has had a significant impact on the composition, structure, and distribution patterns of urban spontaneous vegetation diversity. Studying the diversity distribution patterns and causes of urban plant communities is beneficial for understanding the formation and maintenance mechanisms of plant diversity in specific urban habitats.

Microbial community assembly patterns at the species level in different parts of the medium temperature Daqu during fermentation.

Medium-temperature Daqu (MT-Daqu) serves as a crucial saccharifying and fermentation agent in the production of strong-flavor Baijiu. Due to the spatial heterogeneity of solid fermentation, significant differences occurred in the fermentation state and appearance features in different parts of Daqu during fermentation. Currently, the understanding of the underlying mechanism behind this phenomenon remains limited.

Glycyrrhizic acid and patchouli alcohol in Huoxiang Zhengqi attenuate intestinal inflammation and barrier injury via regulating endogenous corticosterone metabolism mediated by 11β-HSD1.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, has become a significant public health challenge due to the limited effectiveness of available therapies. Huoxiang Zhengqi (HXZQ), a well-established traditional Chinese formula, shows potential in managing UC, as suggested by clinical and pharmacological studies. However, the active components and mechanisms responsible for its effects remain unclear.

Development of a CD39 nanobody and its enhancement to chimeric antigen receptor T cells efficacy against ovarian cancer in preclinical studies.

: CD39, a key ectonucleotidase that drives adenosine production, acts as a critical immunosuppressive checkpoint in cancer. Although it has shown promise as a therapeutic target, clinical trials are demonstrating the need for more potent targeting approaches. This need is driving innovation towards the development of novel antibodies and the exploration of strategic combinations with a range of immunotherapies.

Applications of metal nanoclusters supported on the two-dimensional material graphene in electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction.

Metal nanoclusters (MNCs) have been demonstrated to exhibit superior catalytic performance compared to single nanoparticles. This is attributed to their quantized electronic structure, unique geometrical stacking and abundant active sites. While the exposed metal atoms can markedly enhance the efficiency of catalysis, unfortunately, MNCs are susceptible to agglomeration, which impairs their catalytic activity and stability.

Integrated analyses reveal IDO1 as a prognostic biomarker coexpressed with PD-1 on tumor-associated macrophages in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Inhibition of indolamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) has been proposed as a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy; however, it has failed in clinical trials. Macrophages in the tumor microenvironment (TME) contribute to immune escape and serve as potential therapeutic targets. This study investigated the expression pattern of IDO1 in TME and its impact on prognosis and therapeutic response of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Prenatal co-exposure to phthalate metabolites and bisphenols among non-syndromic cleft lip and/or palate in offspring.

Phthalate metabolites and bisphenols can cause adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, there is no study to evaluate the associations of prenatal exposure to phthalate metabolites and bisphenols with non-syndromic cleft lip and/or palate (NSCL/P) risk in offspring. A population-based case-control study was conducted in a multicenter setting from 2005 to 2021, enrolling 448 pregnant women.

Theoretical Design and Study of a Single-Atom Catalyst in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries: Edge-Type FeN Active Site Electron Density Redistribution Driven by Heteroatoms.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are considered to be the most promising next-generation high energy density storage systems. However, they still face challenges, such as the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and slow sulfur oxidation-reduction kinetics. In this work, heteroatom (P and S)-doped edge-type Fe single-atom catalytic materials (FeNS/P-DG) for sulfur reduction reactions (SRRs) and sulfur oxidation reactions in Li-S batteries are investigated using density functional theory calculations.