Zinc Combined with Metformin Corrects Zinc Homeostasis and Improves Steroid Synthesis and Semen Quality in Male Type 2 Diabetic Mice by Activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway.

Male infertility is a common complication of diabetes. Diabetes leads to the decrease of zinc (Zn) content, which is a necessary trace element to maintain the normal structure and function of reproductive organs and spermatogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of metformin combined with zinc on testis and sperm in diabetic mice.

Short-term efficacy and safety of PreserFlo MicroShunt in Japanese patients with medically treated primary open-angle glaucoma.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of PreserFlo MicroShunt (PMS) combined with mitomycin C in patients with medically treated primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

Study Design: A retrospective observational study.

Methods: The study examined 83 eyes from 83 patients with medically treated glaucoma surgery naive POAG.

State-of-the-Art Liver Cancer Organoids: Modeling Cancer Stem Cell Heterogeneity for Personalized Treatment.

Liver cancer poses a global health challenge with limited therapeutic options. Notably, the limited success of current therapies in patients with primary liver cancers (PLCs) may be attributed to the high heterogeneity of both hepatocellular carcinoma (HCCs) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCAs). This heterogeneity evolves over time as tumor-initiating stem cells, or cancer stem cells (CSCs), undergo (epi)genetic alterations or encounter microenvironmental changes within the tumor microenvironment.

Backbone resonance assignments of PhoCl, a photocleavable protein.

PhoCl is a photocleavable protein engineered from a green-to-red photoconvertible fluorescent protein by circular permutation, and has been used in various optogenetic applications including precise control of protein localization and activity in cells. Upon violet light illumination, PhoCl undergoes a β-elimination reaction to be cleaved at the chromophore, resulting in spontaneous dissociation into a large empty barrel and a small C-terminal peptide. However, the structural determinants and the mechanism of the PhoCl photocleavage remain elusive, hindering the further development of more robust photocleavable optogenetic tools.

Backbone assignment of the N-terminal domain of the A subunit of the Bacillus cereus GerI germinant receptor.

The nutrient germinant receptors (GRs) in spores of Bacillus species consist of a cluster of three proteins- designated A, B, and C subunits- that play a critical role in initiating the germination of dormant spores in response to specific nutrient molecules. The Bacillus cereus GerI GR is essential for inosine-induced germination; however, the roles of the individual subunits and the mechanism by which germinant binding activates GR function remain unclear. In this study, we report the backbone chemical shift assignments of the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the A subunit of GerI (GerIA).

Diagnostic Accuracy of Furosemide Stress Test and Cystatin-C for Predicting Acute Kidney Injury Progression in Children: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objectives: To evaluate the predictive ability of furosemide stress test (FST), serum and urine cystatin-C in identifying progressive acute kidney injury (AKI) and the need for kidney replacement therapy (KRT).

Methods: Children aged one month to 18 y admitted in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with Kidney Diseases Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) stage-1/2 AKI were enrolled. FST and serum and urine cystatin-C levels were performed and analyzed.

Pancreas-guided C-shaped surgical procedure: a safer and more efficient procedure for laparoscopic left hemicolectomy in obese patients.

The surgical risk is higher for obese patients undergoing laparoscopic left hemicolectomy. To enhance the surgical safety and efficacy for obese patients, we have innovatively integrated the advantages of various surgical approaches to modify a pancreas-guided C-shaped surgical procedure. The safety and quality were assessed through a retrospective analysis.

Light buckets and laser beams: mechanisms and applications of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy.

Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy, a non-thermal light therapy using nonionizing light sources, has shown therapeutic potential across diverse biological processes, including aging and age-associated diseases. In 2023, scientists from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) Intramural and Extramural programs convened a workshop on the topic of PBM to discuss various proposed mechanisms of PBM action, including the stimulation of mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase, modulation of cell membrane transporters and receptors, and the activation of transforming growth factor-β1. They also reviewed potential therapeutic applications of PBM across a range of conditions, including cardiovascular disease, retinal disease, Parkinson's disease, and cognitive impairment.

Recent Advances in Radical Coupling Reactions Directly Involving Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (BCP).

BCP (bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane) is an ideal saturated carbon bioisostere, instead of the traditional benzene group, which has been extensively developed.

Intraoperative vascular anastomosis occlusion due to cold agglutinin disease during brain surgery: a case report.

Background: Cold agglutinin disease (CAD) is an autoimmune hemolytic anemia that induces blood coagulation and hemolysis upon exposure to cold temperatures. Strict temperature control is essential to mitigate these effects, especially during surgical procedures where hypothermia is possible.

Case Presentation: A 57-year-old male, 165 cm and 72 kg, diagnosed with CAD, underwent cerebral vascular anastomosis.

Development of Electrospinning Setup for Vascular Tissue-Engineering Application with Thick-Hierarchical Fiber Alignment.

Background: Tissue engineering holds promise for vascular repair and regeneration by mimicking the extracellular matrix of blood vessels. However, achieving a functional and thick vascular wall with aligned fiber architecture by electrospinning remains a significant challenge.

Methods: A novel electrospinning setup was developed that utilizes an auxiliary electrode and a spring.

Exogenous melatonin and grafting improved the growth and physiological characteristics of Citrullus lanatus seedlings under cadmium stress.

Citrullus lanatus is an important vegetable crop, but it is heavily polluted by cadmium. In this study, we used C. Lanatus as experimental material to investigate effects of different concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, 400 µmolL) of exogenous melatonin, and grafting on the physiological growth index and anatomical structure of seedlings were studied by simulating Cd (180 mg L) stress environment.

Assessment of the Potential Clinical and Economic Impact of Weight Loss in the Adult Population with Obesity and Associated Comorbidities in Spain.

Introduction: Obesity and its complications are associated with high morbidity/mortality and a significant healthcare cost burden in Spain. It is therefore essential to know the potential clinical and economic benefits of reducing obesity. The objective of this study is to predict the decrease in rates of onset of potential complications associated with obesity and the cost savings after a weight loss of 15% over 10 years in Spain.

Circulating chemokine levels and receptor polymorphisms have potential as biomarkers for fibrosis stages in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection.

Background: Chemokines and their receptors, which regulate lymphoid organ development and immune cell trafficking, are integral to the mechanisms underlying viral control, hepatic inflammation, and liver damage in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection. This study explores the potential relationship between serum chemokine levels/polymorphisms and hepatitis C infection in affected individuals, with a particular focus on their utility as biomarkers across different stages of fibrosis.

Methods And Results: Serum levels of the chemokines CXCL11, CXCL12, and CXCL16 were measured in patients with mild/moderate and advanced fibrosis due to CHC, as well as in healthy controls, using the ELISA method.

IL-7 secreted by keratinocytes induces melanogenesis via c-kit/MAPK signaling pathway in Melan-a melanocytes.

Abnormal melanin synthesis within melanocytes can result in pigmentary skin disorders. Although pigmentation alterations associated with inflammation are frequently observed, the precise reason for this clinical observation is still unknown. More specifically, although many cytokines are known to be critical for inflammatory skin processes, it is unclear how they affect epidermal melanocyte function.

Fluoxetine exerts anti-proliferative effect in human epidermal keratinocytes.

We have recently shown that fluoxetine (FX) suppressed polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid-induced inflammatory response and endothelin release in human epidermal keratinocytes, via the indirect inhibition of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-pathway. Because PI3K-signaling is a positive regulator of the proliferation, in the current, highly focused follow-up study, we assessed the effects of FX (14 µM) on the proliferation and differentiation of human epidermal keratinocytes. We found that FX exerted anti-proliferative actions in 2D cultures (HaCaT and primary human epidermal keratinocytes [NHEKs]; 48- and 72-h; CyQUANT-assay) as well as in 3D reconstructed epidermal equivalents (48-h; Ki-67 immunohistochemistry).

Pro-Arg, The Potential Anti-Diabetes Peptide, Screened from Almond by In-Silico Analysis.

Insulin resistance was considered to be the most important clinical phenotype of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Almond is a widely-consumed nut and long-term intake was beneficial to alleviating insulin resistance in patients with T2DM. Hence, screening of anti-diabetic peptides from almond proteins was feasible based on the effectiveness of peptides in the treatment of T2DM.

IL-35 modulates Tfh2 and Tfr cell balance to alleviate allergic rhinitis.

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) represents a persistent inflammatory condition affecting the upper respiratory tract, characterized by abnormal initiation of the immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated cascade. Follicular helper T (Tfh) cells and regulatory T (Tfr) cells are pivotal in orchestrating the development of IgE production in AR patients. IL-35, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, secreted by various cellular subpopulations.

Estimation of PHA concentrations from cell density data in Cupriavidus necator.

The production of biodegradable and biobased polymers is one way to overcome the present plastic pollution while using cheap and abundant feedstocks. Polyhydroxyalkanoates are a promising class of biopolymers that can be produced by various microorganisms. Within the production process, batch-to-batch variation occurs due to changing feedstock composition when using waste streams, slightly different starting conditions, or biological variance of the microorganisms.

Analysis of IL10 gene promoter haplotypes and changes in mRNA expression and soluble levels in patients with basal cell carcinoma.

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an immunomodulatory molecule that may play an immunosuppressive role in nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC), specifically basal cell carcinoma (BCC). We analyzed the role of IL10 promoter variants in genetic determinants of BCC susceptibility and their association with IL10 mRNA and IL-10 serum levels. Three promoter variants (- 1082 A > G, - 819 T > C, and - 592 A > C) were examined in 250 BCC patients and 250 reference group (RG) individuals.

The global prevalence of interstitial lung disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study aims to review the literature and estimate the global pooled prevalence of interstitial lung disease among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA-ILD). The influence of risk factors like geography, socioeconomic status, smoking and DMARD use will be explored. A systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA and JBI guidelines.

Cerebrovascular risk in rheumatoid arthritis patients: insights from carotid artery atherosclerosis in the Paracelsus 10,000 study.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease marked by systemic inflammation. While RA primarily affects the joints, its systemic effects may lead to an increased cerebro- and cardiovascular risk. Atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries is a significant risk factor for cerebrovascular events and serves as a surrogate marker for cardiovascular risk.

Cryoblebbing with 5-fluorouracil versus cryoblebbing with melanocyte keratinocyte transplant procedure or cryoblebbing alone in treatment of stable vitiligo.

Both the surgical non-cultured melanocyte-keratinocyte transplant procedure (MKTP) and intradermal injection of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) are effective in the treatment of vitiligo. Intrablisters injection of MKTP was done in one study with better results than MKTP application after ablative CO2 laser of the reciepient area. However, intrablister injection of 5-FU was not done before.

Treponema denticola major surface protein (Msp): a key player in periodontal pathogenicity and immune evasion.

Treponema denticola, a bacterium that forms a "red complex" with Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia, is associated with periodontitis, pulpitis, and other oral infections. The major surface protein (Msp) is a surface glycoprotein with a relatively well-established overall domain structure (N-terminal, central and C-terminal regions) and a controversial tertiary structure. As one of the key virulence factors of T.

Assessing Changes in Permethrin Toxicity to Juvenile Inland Silversides (Menidia beryllina) Under Different Temperature Scenarios.

Aquatic systems are impacted by temperature fluctuations which can alter the toxicity of pesticides. Increased temperatures related to climate change have elevated pest activity, resulting in an escalation of pesticide use. One such pesticide class, pyrethroids, has replaced the use of several banned pesticides due to its low mammalian toxicity.