Prediction of urinary tract infection using machine learning methods: a study for finding the most-informative variables.

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a frequent health-threatening condition. Early reliable diagnosis of UTI helps to prevent misuse or overuse of antibiotics and hence prevent antibiotic resistance. The gold standard for UTI diagnosis is urine culture which is a time-consuming and also an error prone method.

Regulation of calcium homeostasis in endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria crosstalk: implications for skeletal muscle atrophy.

This review comprehensively explores the critical role of calcium as an essential small-molecule biomessenger in skeletal muscle function. Calcium is vital for both regulating muscle excitation-contraction coupling and for the development, maintenance, and regeneration of muscle cells. The orchestrated release of calcium from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is mediated by receptors such as the ryanodine receptor (RYR) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R), which is crucial for skeletal muscle contraction.

Batch and semi-continuous fermentation with Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius DSM 6285 for H production.

Background: Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius is a facultatively anaerobic thermophile that is able to produce hydrogen (H) gas from the oxidation of carbon monoxide through the water-gas shift reaction when grown under anaerobic conditions. The water-gas shift (WGS) reaction is driven by a carbon monoxide dehydrogenase-hydrogenase enzyme complex. Previous experiments exploring hydrogenogenesis with P.

A novel homozygous intronic variant in CDT1 that alters splicing causes Meier-Gorlin syndrome, and a review of published mutations and growth hormone treatments.

Background: Meier-Gorlin syndrome (MGORS) is a rare autosomal inherited form of primordial dwarfism. Pathogenic variants in 13 genes involved in DNA replication initiation have been identified in this disease, but homozygous intronic variants have never been reported. Additionally, whether growth hormone (GH) treatment can increase the height of children with MGORS is unclear.

Inhibition of macrophage polarization and pyroptosis in collagen-induced arthritis through MSC-exo and ginsenoside Rh2.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation, tissue damage, and fibrosis, significantly affecting the quality of life. While there are currently some effective treatments available, they often come with side effects. There is an urgent need to find new treatments that can further improve therapeutic outcomes and reduce side effects.

Integrated bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation of exosome-related gene signature in steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Background: Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SIONFH) is a universal hip articular disease and is very hard to perceive at an early stage. The understanding of the pathogenesis of SIONFH is still limited, and the identification of efficient diagnostic biomarkers is insufficient. This research aims to recognize and validate the latent exosome-related molecular signature in SIONFH diagnosis by employing bioinformatics to investigate exosome-related mechanisms in SIONFH.

Putative effects of moringa oil or its nano-emulsion on the growth, physiological responses, blood health, semen quality, and the sperm antioxidant-related genes in ram.

Phytochemicals have been effectively used to enhance the growth and productivity of farm animals, while the potential roles of essential oils and their nano-emulsions are limited. This plan was proposed to investigate the impacts of orally administered moringa oil (MO) or its nano-emulsion (NMO) on the growth, physiological response, blood health, semen attributes, and sperm antioxidant-related genes in rams. A total of 15 growing Rahmani rams were enrolled in this study and allotted into three groups.

Hypoxic BMSC-derived exosomal miR-210-3p promotes progression of triple-negative breast cancer cells via NFIX-Wnt/β-catenin signaling axis.

Background: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are a crucial component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), with hypoxic conditions promoting their migration to tumors. Exosomes play a vital role in cell-to-cell communication within the TME. Hypoxic TME have a great impact on the release, uptake and biofunctions of exosomes.

The activity of a herbal medicinal product of Phyllanthus niruri and Silybum marianum powdered extracts (Heptex®) in patients with apparent risk factors for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: a phase II, multicentered, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Background: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a severe form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) characterized by damage and inflammation of hepatocytes. Some medicinal plants have shown antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on liver cells. We aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Heptex® capsules containing 200 mg of Dukung Anak (a powdered extract from aerial parts of Phyllanthus niruri) and 100 mg of Milk Thistle (a powdered extract from fruits of Silybum marianum) in patients with an apparent risk factor for NASH.

Characterization and dosimetric predictors for absolute lymphocyte count changes during neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with or without pembrolizumab for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: an analysis of a prospective cohort.

Aim: To characterize the differences of dynamic changes for absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) among esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) with or without pembrolizumab, as well as to investigate the clinical and lymphocyte-related organs dosimetric parameters that would impact ALC nadir during nCRT.

Materials And Methods: A total of 216 ESCC patients who received nCRT (with pembrolizumab 144; without pembrolizumab: 72) were identified from a prospective cohort. Weekly and 1-month post-nCRT ALC were identified.

Effects of EGFR-TKIs combined with intracranial radiotherapy in EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer patients with brain metastases: a retrospective multi-institutional analysis.

Background: Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are prone to developing brain metastases (BMs), particularly those with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. In clinical practice, treatment-naïve EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients with asymptomatic BMs tend to choose EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) as first-line therapy and defer intracranial radiotherapy (RT). However, the effectiveness of upfront intracranial RT remains unclear.

Efficacy of tranilast in preventing exacerbating cardiac function and death from heart failure in muscular dystrophy patients with advanced-stage heart failure: a single-arm, open-label, multicenter study.

Background: Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 2 (TRPV2) functions as a stretch-sensitive calcium channel, with overexpression in the sarcolemma of skeletal and cardiac myocytes leading to detrimental calcium influx and triggering muscle degeneration. In our previous pilot study, we showed that tranilast, a TRPV2 inhibitor, reduced brain natriuretic peptide levels in two patients with muscular dystrophy and advanced heart failure. Building on this, we performed a single-arm, open-label, multicenter study herein to evaluate the safety and efficacy of tranilast in the treatment of advanced heart failure in patients with muscular dystrophy.

Protective mechanism of safflower yellow injection on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by activating NLRP3 inflammasome.

Objectives: This study intended to explore whether the protective effect safflower yellow injection (SYI) on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats mediated of the NLRP3 inflammasome signaling.

Methods: The I/R model was prepared by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery for 45 min and then releasing the blood flow for 150 min. 96 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham group, I/R group, Hebeishuang group (HBS), SYI high-dose group (I/R + SYI-H), SYI medium-dose group (I/R + SYI-M) and SYI low-dose group (I/R + SYI-L).

Exploring the effects of gut microbiota on cholangiocarcinoma progression by patient-derived organoids.

Background: Recent research indicates a role of gut microbiota in development and progression of life-threatening diseases such as cancer. Carcinomas of the biliary ducts, the so-called cholangiocarcinomas, are known for their aggressive tumor biology, implying poor prognosis of affected patients. An impact of the gut microbiota on cholangiocarcinoma development and progression is plausible due to the enterohepatic circulation and is therefore the subject of scientific debate, however evidence is still lacking.

LOX-induced tubulointerstitial fibrosis via the TGF-β/LOX/Snail axis in diabetic mice.

Background: The partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is emerging as a significant mechanism in diabetic nephropathy (DN). LOX is a copper amine oxidase conventionally thought to act by crosslinking collagen. However, the role of LOX in partial EMT and fibrotic progression in diabetic nephropathy has not been investigated experimentally.

Engineering Saccharomyces cerevisiae for medical applications.

Background: During the last decades, the advancements in synthetic biology opened the doors for a profusion of cost-effective, fast, and ecologically friendly medical applications priorly unimaginable. Following the trend, the genetic engineering of the baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, propelled its status from an instrumental ally in the food industry to a therapy and prophylaxis aid.

Main Text: In this review, we scrutinize the main applications of engineered S.

Broadening horizons: molecular mechanisms and disease implications of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition.

Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is defined as an important process of cellular differentiation by which endothelial cells (ECs) are prone to lose their characteristics and transform into mesenchymal cells. During EndMT, reduced expression of endothelial adhesion molecules disrupts intercellular adhesion, triggering cytoskeletal reorganization and mesenchymal transition. Numerous studies have proved that EndMT is a multifaceted biological event driven primarily by cytokines such as TGF-β, TNF-α, and IL-1β, alongside signaling pathways like WNT, Smad, MEK-ERK, and Notch.

High matrix stiffness accelerates migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through the integrin β1-Plectin-F-actin axis.

Background: Abundant research indicates that increased extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness significantly enhances the malignant characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Plectin, an essential cytoskeletal linker protein, has recently emerged as a promoter of cancer progression, particularly in the context of cancer cell invasion and metastasis. However, the responsiveness of plectin to changes in ECM stiffness and its impact on HCC progression remain unclear.

Diagnostic role of circulating long non-coding RNA LINC00312 in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective study.

Background: LINC00312 has shown to play a suppressive role in the development and progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the expression pattern and diagnostic role of circulating LINC00312 in NSCLC remain to be confused.

Methods: A total of 319 patients diagnosed with NSCLC and 180 healthy volunteers were enrolled from the First Affiliated Hospital of Huzhou University between January, 2022 and December, 2023.

High taurocholic acid concentration induces ferroptosis by downregulating FTH1 expression in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

Background: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is the most common liver disorder associated with pregnancy and is usually diagnosed based on high serum bile acid. However, the pathogenesis of ICP is unclear. Ferroptosis has been reported as an iron-dependent mechanism of cell death.

Exploring the potential of gemcitabine-metal-organic frameworks in combating pancreatic cancer under ketogenic conditions.

Background: Inadequate treatment responses, chemotherapy resistance, significant heterogeneity, and lengthy treatment durations create an urgent need for new pancreatic cancer therapies. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of gemcitabine-loaded nanoparticles enclosed in an organo-metallic framework under ketogenic conditions in inhibiting the growth of MIA-PaCa-2 cells.

Methods: Gemcitabine was encapsulated in Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and its morphology and size distribution were examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Dynamic light scattering (DLS) with further characterization including FTIR analysis.

Fedratinib combined with ropeginterferon alfa-2b in patients with myelofibrosis (FEDORA): study protocol for a multicentre, open-label, Bayesian phase II trial.

Background: Myelofibrosis (MF) is a clonal haematopoietic disease, with median overall survival for patients with primary MF only 6.5 years. The most frequent gene mutation found in patients is JAK2, causing constitutive activation of the kinase and activation of downstream signalling.

The expression of exosomal and cellular miRNAs in predicting oxaliplatin resistance in colorectal cancer cells: an in silico and in vitro study.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common gastrointestinal cancer, and even though oxaliplatin chemotherapy is effective, there is a high likelihood of relapse, indicating the presence of oxaliplatin-resistant CRC. Therefore, it is crucial to comprehend the molecular mechanisms of oxaliplatin resistance and develop effective strategies to counter drug resistance. Numerous studies have demonstrated the close association between microRNAs (miRNAs) and drug resistance in CRC.