A case series in vertebral body tethering results in improvement in coronal Cobb angle but deterioration in axial rotation: a 3-dimensional analysis.

Background: Vertebral body tethering (VBT) has shown improvements in coronal and sagittal plane correction in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients, but axial correction over time remains unexplored. Three-dimensional (3D) spine reconstruction was used to analyse correctional changes in all spinal planes post VBT surgery.

Case Description: AIS subjects who underwent thoracic VBT surgery with a minimum 2-year follow-up were assessed.

Characterization and comparative analysis of volatile organic compounds in four aromatic wild strawberry species using HS-SPME-GC-MS.

Strawberries are valued for their aroma, which is mainly determined by volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Wild strawberries, with broader and more intense VOC profiles, are especially important in breeding programs. Using HS-SPME-GC-MS, 126 VOCs were identified in the ripe fruit of 22 cultivars from four wild strawberry species.

Effects of foliar applications of γ-polyglutamic acid and alginic acid on the quality and antioxidant activity of Marselan grapes and wines.

This study investigated the effects of γ-polyglutamic acid (PGA) and alginic acid (ALA) on grapes and wines. Marselan grapes were utilized to assess the accumulation and synthesis of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. The 0.

Social contact patterns and their impact on the transmission of respiratory pathogens in rural China.

Introduction: Social contact patterns significantly influence the transmission dynamics of respiratory pathogens. Previous surveys have quantified human social contact patterns, yielding heterogeneous results across different locations. However, significant gaps remain in understanding social contact patterns in rural areas of China.

Estimating cumulative infection rate of COVID-19 after adjusting the dynamic zero-COVID policy in China.

Background: At the end of 2022, China adjusted its coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention and control strategy. How this adjustment affected the cumulative infection rate is debated, and how second booster dose vaccination affected the pandemic remains unclear.

Methods: We collected COVID-19 case data for China's mainland from December 7, 2022, to January 7, 2023, reported by the World Health Organization.

Global infectious disease early warning models: An updated review and lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.

An early warning model for infectious diseases is a crucial tool for timely monitoring, prevention, and control of disease outbreaks. The integration of diverse multi-source data using big data and artificial intelligence techniques has emerged as a key approach in advancing these early warning models. This paper presents a comprehensive review of widely utilized early warning models for infectious diseases around the globe.

Application of a new composite genetic marker semen-specific methylation-microhaplotype in the analysis of semen-vaginal fluid mixtures.

DNA mixtures containing semen and vaginal fluid are common biological samples in forensic analysis. However, the analysis of semen-vaginal fluid mixtures remains challenging. In this study, to solve these problems, it is proposed to combine semen-specific CpG sites and closely related microhaplotype sites to form a new composite genetic marker (semen-specific methylation-microhaplotype).

Unlocking Biochar's Potential: Innovative Strategies for Sustainable Remediation of Heavy Metal Stress in Tobacco Plants.

Tobacco, being a globally cultivated crop, holds significant social and economic importance. Tobacco plants are susceptible to the adverse effects of heavy metals (HMs), particularly cadmium (Cd), which hinders root development, disrupts water balance, and impedes nutrient absorption. Higher concentrations of HMs, especially Cd, naturally accumulate in tobacco leaves due to complex interactions within the plant-soil continuum.

Seamless augmented reality integration in arthroscopy: a pipeline for articular reconstruction and guidance.

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat joint problems. The clinical workflow of arthroscopy typically involves inserting an arthroscope into the joint through a small incision, during which surgeons navigate and operate largely by relying on their visual assessment through the arthroscope. However, the arthroscope's restricted field of view and lack of depth perception pose challenges in navigating complex articular structures and achieving surgical precision during procedures.

Therapeutic efficacy and prognostic indicators in re-resection for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma: Insights from a retrospective study.

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of re-resection in recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (rHCC), identify prognostic factors, and provide clinical guidance.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 130 rHCC patients undergoing re-resection and 60 primary HCC patients undergoing initial hepatectomy at Peking University People's Hospital (2014-2022). Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared.

Multiple crosslinked, self-healing, and shape-adaptable hydrogel laden with pain-relieving chitosan@borneol nanoparticles for infected burn wound healing.

Next-generation wound dressings with multiple biological functions hold promise for addressing the complications and pain associated with burn wounds. A hydrogel wound dressing loaded with a pain-relieving drug was developed for treating infected burn wounds. Polyvinyl alcohol chemically grafted with gallic acid (PVA-GA), sodium alginate chemically grafted with 3-aminobenzeneboronic acid (SA-PBA), Zn, and chitosan-coated borneol nanoparticles with anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving activities were combined to afford a nanoparticle-loaded hydrogel with a PVA-GA/Zn/SA-PBA network crosslinked via multiple physicochemical interactions.

Hypoxia-responsive nanoparticles for fluorescence diagnosis and therapy of cancer.

Hypoxia, caused by rapid tumor growth and insufficient oxygen supply, is a defining characteristic of numerous solid tumors and exerts a significant influence on tumor growth, metastasis, and invasion. Early diagnosis and effective killing of tumor cells are crucial for cancer treatment. In recent years, the emergence of nanomaterials has overcome the difficulties in the delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs and contrast agents to tumor area.

Acylglycerol kinase inhibits macrophage anti-tumor activity via limiting mtDNA release and cGAS-STING-type I IFN response.

: Tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) are critical components in regulating the immune statuses of the tumor microenvironments. Although TAM has been intensively studied, it is unclear how mitochondrial proteins such as AGK regulate the TAMs' function. : We investigated the AGK function in TAMs using macrophage-specific deficient mice with B16 and LLC syngeneic tumor models.

JARID1D-dependent androgen receptor and JunD signaling activation of osteoclast differentiation inhibits prostate cancer bone metastasis through demethylating H3K4.

Bone metastasis and skeletal-related complications are primary causes of mortality in advanced-stage prostate cancer (PCa). Epigenetic regulation, particularly histone modification, plays a key role in this process; however, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. In mouse models, JARID1D was an important mediator of both visceral and bone metastases.

A novel ROR1-targeting antibody-PROTAC conjugate promotes BRD4 degradation for solid tumor treatment.

Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) are bifunctional compounds that have been extensively studied for their role in targeted protein degradation (TPD). The capacity to degrade validated or undruggable targets provides PROTACs with significant potency in cancer therapy. However, the clinical application of PROTACs is limited by their poor potency and unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties.

Ultrasound-activated erythrocyte membrane-camouflaged Pt (II) layered double hydroxide enhances PD-1 inhibitor efficacy in triple-negative breast cancer through cGAS-STING pathway-mediated immunogenic cell death.

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) offers a promising avenue for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, optimizing immune responses remains a formidable challenge. This study presents the design of RBCm@Pt-CoNi layered double hydroxide (RmPLH), an innovative sonosensitizer for sonodynamic therapy (SDT), aimed at enhancing the efficacy of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors by inducing robust ICD responses.

Revisiting the unobtrusive role of exogenous stem cells beyond neural circuits replacement in spinal cord injury repair.

Stem cell transplantation is a promising strategy to establish neural relays in situ for spinal cord injury (SCI) repair. Recent research has reported short-term survival of exogenous cells, irrespective of immunosuppressive drugs (ISD), results in similar function recovery, though the mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to validate this short-term repair effect and the potential mechanisms in large animals.

Optimized circular RNA vaccines for superior cancer immunotherapy.

Circular RNA (circRNA) has gained attention as a promising platform for mRNA vaccines due to its stability, sustained protein expression, and intrinsic immunostimulatory properties. This study aimed to design and optimize a circRNA cancer vaccine platform by screening for efficient internal ribosome entry sites (IRES) and enhancing circRNA translation efficiency for improved cancer immunotherapy. We screened 29 IRES elements to identify the most efficient one for immune cell translation, ultimately discovering the A (EV-A) IRES.

Targeting KAT7 inhibits the progression of colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Epigenetic modifications play a significant role in the progression of CRC. KAT7, a histone acetyltransferase, has an unclear role in CRC.

RPS23RG1 inhibits SORT1-mediated lysosomal degradation of MDGA2 to protect against autism.

Mutations in the synaptic protein MAM domain containing glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor 2 (MDGA2) have been associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Therefore, elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of MDGA2 can help develop effective treatments for ASD. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was carried out to identify proteins interacting with the extracellular domain of RPS23RG1 and with MDGA2, followed by co-immunoprecipitation assays to confirm protein-protein interactions.

Macrophage-based pathogenesis and theranostics of vulnerable plaques.

Vulnerable plaques, which are high-risk features of atherosclerosis, constitute critical elements in the disease's progression due to their formation and rupture. Macrophages and macrophage-derived foam cells are pivotal in inducing vulnerability within atherosclerotic plaques. Thus, understanding macrophage contributions to vulnerable plaques is essential for advancing the comprehension of atherosclerosis and devising novel therapeutic and diagnostic strategies.

Light-eye-body axis: exploring the network from retinal illumination to systemic regulation.

The human body is an intricate system, where diverse and complex signaling among different organs sustains physiological activities. The eye, as a primary organ for information acquisition, not only plays a crucial role in visual perception but also, as increasing evidence suggests, exerts a broad influence on the entire body through complex circuits upon receiving light signals which is called non-image-forming vision. However, the extent and mechanisms of light's impact on the body through the eyes remain insufficiently explored.

Discovery of indole analogue Tc3 as a potent pyroptosis inducer and identification of its combination strategy against hepatic carcinoma.

Hepatic carcinoma, one of the most malignant cancers in the world, has limited success with immunotherapy and a poor prognosis in patients. While pyroptosis is considered as a promising immunotherapy strategy for tumors, it still suffers from a lack of effective inducers. We designed, synthesized and screened an indole analogue, , featuring a 2, 4-thiazolidinedione substituted indole scaffold.

PCBP2-dependent secretion of miRNAs via extracellular vesicles contributes to the EGFR-driven angiogenesis.

The EGFR-driven angiogenesis is crucial in solid tumors, particularly through the delivery of biomolecules via extracellular vesicles (EVs), but the mechanism by which EGFR regulates EV cargo is still unclear. First, cell co-culture and murine tumor models were employed to examine the impact of EGFR overexpression on the pro-angiogenic properties of small EVs (sEVs) derived from oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Small RNA sequencing was then used to compare the miRNA profiles of OSCC-sEVs with and without EGFR overexpression, followed by functional enrichment and motif analyses of the differentially expressed miRNAs.

Cardiomyocyte S1PR1 promotes cardiac regeneration via AKT/mTORC1 signaling pathway.

Lower vertebrates and some neonatal mammals are known to possess the ability to regenerate cardiomyocyte and fully recover after heart injuries within a limited period. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of heart regeneration and exploring new ways to enhance cardiac regeneration hold significant promise for therapeutic intervention of heart failure. Sphingosine 1-phospahte receptor 1 (S1PR1) is highly expressed in cardiomyocytes and plays a crucial role in heart development and pathological cardiac remodeling.