Health Literacy of General Surgery Patients: A Cross-sectional Study.

Purpose: Health literacy is a complex issue that affects the health outcomes of surgical patients. This study aimed to determine the health literacy of general surgery patients.

Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study.

Cardiovascular problems in rabbits in reference to hypothyroidism - a four-year retrospective study.

The effects of T4 are mainly manifested by positive ino- and chronotropism. The syndrome accompanying hypothyroidism in rabbits (impaired myocardial contractility and reduced ejection capacity) is caused by a deficiency of thyroid hormones - especially T4. The study group consisted of a total of 41 animals: 15 males and 26 females, ranging in age from 2 months to 8 years, with echocardiogram showing reduced fractional shortening (<30%), with normal results of heamatological and biochemical tests.

Biomass-Based Microbial Protein Production: A Review of Processing and Properties.

A rise in population and societal changes have increased pressure on resources required to meet the growing demand for food and changing dietary preferences. The increasing demand for animal protein is concerning and raises questions regarding sustainability due to its environmental impact. Subsequently, scientists seek alternative proteins, such as microbial proteins (MPs), as an environmentally friendly choice.

Combined Use of Intranasal Methylprednisolone and Allopregnanolone: Revisiting Anti-inflammatory and Remyelinating Treatment in a Murine Model of Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating, neuroinflammatory, progressive disease that severely affects human health of young adults. Neuroinflammation (NI) and demyelination, as well as their interactions, are key therapeutic targets to halt or slow disease progression. Potent steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as methylprednisolone (MP) and remyelinating neurosteroids such as allopregnanolone (ALLO) could be co-administered intranasally to enhance their efficacy by providing direct access to the central nervous system (CNS).

Differential Response to Cisplatin between Co-cultured Cells and Pure Cultured Cells Based on Single-cell RNA Sequencing of Three-dimensional-cultured Breast Cancer Cells.

Objective: The current study aimed to develop an experimental approach for the direct co-culture of three-dimensional breast cancer cells using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq).

Methods: The following four cell culture groups were established in the Matrigel matrix: the untreated Michigan Cancer Foundation (MCF)-7 cell culture group, the MCF-7 cell culture plus cisplatin group, the untreated co-culture group, and the cell co-culture plus cisplatin group. For cell co-culture, MCF-7 cells, human mammary fibroblasts, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells were mixed at a ratio of 1:1:1.

Machine Learning Reveals Aneuploidy Characteristics in Cancers: The Impact of BEX4.

Background: Aneuploidy is crucial yet under-explored in cancer pathogenesis. Specifically, the involvement of brain expressed X-linked gene 4 () in microtubule formation has been identified as a potential aneuploidy mechanism. Nevertheless, 's comprehensive impact on aneuploidy incidence across different cancer types remains unexplored.

Optimization of Existing RNA Visualization Methods Reveals Novel Dendritic mRNA Dynamics.

Background: Spatial-temporal control of mRNA translation in dendrites is important for synaptic plasticity. In response to pre-synaptic stimuli, local mRNA translation can be rapidly triggered near stimulated synapses to supply the necessary proteins for synapse maturation or elimination, and 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) are responsible for proper localization of mRNAs in dendrites. Although is a robust technique for analyzing RNA localization in fixed neurons, live-cell imaging of RNA dynamics remains challenging.

Cognitive Impairment in MASLD is associated with Amygdala-Related Connectivity Dysfunction in the Prefrontal and Sensory Cortex.

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a common metabolism-related multisystem clinical disorder, often accompanied by a high comorbidity of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Increasing evidence suggests that the amygdala is crucial in cognitive processing during metabolic dysfunction. Nevertheless, the role of the amygdala in the neural mechanisms of MASLD with MCI (MCI_MASLD) remains unclear.

Hyperactivity in the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis: An Invisible Killer for Anxiety and/or Depression in Coronary Artherosclerotic Heart Disease.

The coexistence of anxiety or depression with coronary heart disease (CHD) is a significant clinical challenge in cardiovascular medicine. Recent studies have indicated that hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity could be a promising focus in understanding and addressing the development of treatments for comorbid CHD and anxiety or depression. The HPA axis helps to regulate the levels of inflammatory factors, thereby reducing oxidative stress damage, promoting platelet activation, and stabilizing gut microbiota, which enhance the survival and regeneration of neurons, endothelial cells, and other cell types, leading to neuroprotective and cardioprotective benefits.

Excess Ub-K48 Induces Neuronal Apoptosis in Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: K48-linked ubiquitin chain (Ub-K48) is a crucial ubiquitin chain implicated in protein degradation within the ubiquitin-proteasome system. However, the precise function and molecular mechanism underlying the role of Ub-K48 in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and neuronal cell abnormalities remain unclear. The objective of this study was to examine the function of K48 ubiquitination in the etiology of AD, and its associated mechanism of neuronal apoptosis.

Effect of Virtual Reality-Based Training on Upper Limb Dysfunction during Post-Stroke Rehabilitation: A Meta-Analysis Combined with Meta-Regression.

Background: Recently, there has been a surge in virtual reality (VR)-based training for upper limb (UL) rehabilitation, which has yielded mixed results. Therefore, we aimed to explore the effects of conventional therapy combined with VR-based training on UL dysfunction during post-stroke rehabilitation.

Methods: Studies published in English before May 2023 were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library.

Current Progress on Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction: An Update.

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) represents a significant clinical concern, particularly among elderly surgical patients. It is characterized by a decline in cognitive performance, affecting memory, attention, coordination, orientation, verbal fluency, and executive function. This decline in cognitive abilities leads to longer hospital stays and increased mortality.

Flow-diverting stents in the management of extracranial carotid artery aneurysms.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the indications and therapeutic efficacy of flow-diverting stents (FDSs) in the management of extracranial carotid artery aneurysms (ECAAs) and dissections.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 18 patients treated for ECAAs with an FDS between 2010 and 2024. Patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, procedural details, and clinical and radiologic follow-up outcomes were extracted from medical records.

Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Electrocatalysts for Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers: Progress and Perspective.

For the aim of achieving the carbon-free energy scenario, green hydrogen (H) with non-CO emission and high energy density is regarded as a potential alternative to traditional fossil fuels. Over the last decades, significant breakthroughs have been realized on the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which is a fundamental advancement and efficient process to generate high-purity H in the laboratory. Based on this, the development of the practical industry-oriented anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMWE) is on the rise, showing competitiveness with the incumbent megawatt-scale H production technologies.

Tuning the Selectivity in the Nonoxidative Alkane Dehydrogenation Reaction by Potassium-Promoted Zeolite-Encapsulated Pt Catalysts.

The significance of the nonoxidative dehydrogenation of middle-chain alkanes into corresponding alkenes is increasing in the context of the world's declining demands on transportation fuels and the growing demand for chemicals and materials. The middle-chain alkenes derived from the dehydrogenation reaction can be transformed into value-added chemicals in downstream processes. Due to the presence of multiple potential reaction sites, the reaction mechanism of the dehydrogenation of middle-chain alkanes is more complicated than that in the dehydrogenation of light alkanes, and there are few prior studies on elucidating their detailed structure-reactivity relationship.

Metal-Independent Correlations for Site-Specific Binding Energies of Relevant Catalytic Intermediates.

Establishing energy correlations among different metals can accelerate the discovery of efficient and cost-effective catalysts for complex reactions. Using a recently introduced coordination-based model, we can predict site-specific metal binding energies (Δ ) that can be used as a descriptor for chemical reactions. In this study, we have examined a range of metals including Ag, Au, Co, Cu, Ir, Ni, Os, Pd, Pt, Rh, and Ru and found linear correlations between predicted Δ and adsorption energies of CH and O (Δ and Δ ) at various coordination environments for all the considered metals.

Sequential Pore Functionalization in MOFs for Enhanced Carbon Dioxide Capture.

The capture of carbon dioxide (CO) is crucial for reducing greenhouse emissions and achieving net-zero emission goals. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) present a promising solution for carbon capture due to their structural adaptability, tunability, porosity, and pore modification. In this research, we explored the use of a copper (Cu(II))-based MOF called .

Concatenating Microbial, Enzymatic, and Organometallic Catalysis for Integrated Conversion of Renewable Carbon Sources.

The chemical industry can now seize the opportunity to improve the sustainability of its processes by replacing fossil carbon sources with renewable alternatives such as CO, biomass, and plastics, thereby thinking ahead and having a look into the future. For their conversion to intermediate and final products, different types of catalysts-microbial, enzymatic, and organometallic-can be applied. The first part of this review shows how these catalysts can work separately in parallel, each route with unique requirements and advantages.

Role of NaCO as Nucleation Seeds to Accelerate the CO Uptake Kinetics of MgO-Based Sorbents.

There is an urgent need for inexpensive, functional materials that can capture and release CO under industrial conditions. In this context, MgO is a highly promising, earth-abundant CO sorbent. However, despite its favorable carbonation thermodynamics and potential for high gravimetric CO uptakes, MgO-based CO sorbents feature slow carbonation kinetics, limiting their CO uptake during typical industrial contact times.

Structure-Based Design of "Head-to-Tail" Macrocyclic PROTACs.

Macrocyclization is a compelling strategy for conventional drug design for improving biological activity, target specificity, and metabolic stability, but it was rarely applied to the design of PROTACs possibly due to the mechanism and structural complexity. Herein, we report the rational design of the first series of "Head-to-Tail" macrocyclic PROTACs. The resulting molecule exhibited pronounced Brd4 protein degradation with low nM DC values while almost totally dismissing the "hook effect", which is a general character and common concern of a PROTAC, in multiple cancer cell lines.

Exploring the Regulatory Mechanism of CXCL16 Molecule-Related Antigen Presentation Using lncRNA-mRNA Co-Expression Network Analysis.

Aim: To investigate the regulatory mechanism of CXCL16 molecule-related ( extract-induced antigen presentation in a mouse asthma model based on the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and mRNA expression profile.

Methods: knockout mice and wild-type mice were administered with . extract by intratracheal instillations to induce asthma airway inflammation.

Astragalus Polysaccharide Mitigates Rhabdomyolysis-Induced Acute Kidney Injury via Inhibition of M1 Macrophage Polarization and the cGAS-STING Pathway.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the impact of APS on acute kidney injury induced by rhabdomyolysis (RIAKI), exploring its association with macrophage M1 polarization and elucidating the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a normal control group, a RIAKI model group, and an APS treatment group. Techniques such as flow cytometry and immunofluorescence were employed to demonstrate that APS can inhibit the transition of renal macrophages to the M1 phenotype in RIAKI.

Individualized Cell-Free DNA Monitoring With Chromosomal Junctions for Mesothelioma.

Introduction: The spatially complex nature of mesothelioma and interventions like pleurodesis, surgery, and radiation often complicate imaging-based assessment. Further, cell-free DNA (cfDNA) based monitoring strategies are inadequate for mesothelioma, given the presence of a few recurring nonsynonymous somatic variants. However, patient-specific chromosomal rearrangements are commonly found in mesothelioma.

Mineral composition in mussel and clam from Faro Lake of Messina: risk assessment for human health.

Bivalve are exposed to a wide range of contaminants, some of which may be toxic to human health. The aim of this study was to detect essential and non-essential elements such as Na, Ca, Mg, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb, Hg, Be and Co in water, sediments, and and from Faro Lake. It is a lake of marine origin located on the northern coast of Messina (Sicily), where shellfish farming has been practiced for many years.

Outcome of Soft Tissue Popliteal Sarcomas: 15 Years of Experience.

Background: Soft-tissue sarcoma involving the popliteal fossa remains challenging because it is difficult to achieve wide margins with limb salvage in this location. Adjuvant therapy is frequently necessary, and limb function can be adversely affected. We reviewed our experience with these tumors.