High-Throughput Zebrafish Screening Reveals Cardiotoxic Effects of Organophosphate Flame Retardants.

The toxicity of organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) remains poorly understood, despite their widespread environmental presence and potential risks to human and ecological health. This study aimed to characterize the cardiovascular developmental toxicity of OPFRs using a high-throughput zebrafish screening model. Over thirty representative OPFRs, classified into three major groups-alkyl, aryl, and halogenated-were evaluated.

Centurial sedimentary record of Cd sources and deposition in Chaohu Lake: insights from Cd stable isotopes.

Understanding the sources and deposition processes of cadmium (Cd) in freshwater lakes is essential for effective pollution management. This study investigated the Cd concentrations and isotopes in a sediment core from Chaohu Lake, spanning the past 200 years. The results revealed that the Cd concentrations in the sediments decreased with depth, ranging from 1.

Exploring synergistic interactions of ethyl acetate removal and community ecology using magnetite-entrapped biofilters.

Emissions of ethyl acetate (EA) exhaust from industrial sources can cause environmental and health risks. EA can be effectively removed by biological filtration with low operating costs and promising good benefits. This study demonstrated the synergistic effect of using magnetite and pebbles as bio-packing in promoting microbial activity and microbial abundance for EA degradation.

A critical review of microbial profiles in black and odorous waters.

Black and odorous waters (BOWs) are a serious environmental problem frequently reported over the past few decades. Microorganisms are identified as implementors of the black and odorous phenomenon, which play a crucial role in the decomposition and transformation of pollutants within the BOWs. However, the information on the role of microorganisms in BOWs remains elusive.

Advances in Biosensors: A Breakthrough in Rapid and Precise Brucellosis Detection.

Brucellosis, a significant zoonotic disease, poses a threat to both livestock and human health. Infections in livestock lead to abortion, infertility, and substantial economic losses in the industry. In humans, acute brucellosis can progress to a chronic condition, resulting in multisystemic infections with high morbidity and mortality rates.

Understanding Local Thermal Comfort and Physiological Responses in Older People Under Uniform Thermal Environments.

The ageing population has increased the attention on care services for older people, particularly concerning their health and thermal comfort. However, most existing studies focus on the overall thermal comfort of older people, with insufficient research into their local thermal needs for different body parts, impeding precise thermal adjustments and optimal thermal satisfaction. This study investigated the local thermal comfort and skin temperature of older people under various environmental conditions.

Mechanical properties, degradation action, and biocompatibility of in situ nanoparticle-reinforced MgZn/Zn composite prepared via roll bonding.

Zinc (Zn)-based alloys and composites are anticipated to emerge as a category of degradable metallic biomaterials with exceptional prospects for bone-implant applications owing to their superior biocompatibility and biofunctionality. Unfortunately, the limited strength of Zn alloys in their as-cast state restricts their use in clinical applications. In this study, we started with pure magnesium (Mg) powders and Zn sheets, and successfully fabricated MgZn/Zn composites using accumulative roll bonding (ARB).

Nanoparticle-based Drug Delivery Systems to Modulate Tumor Immune Response for Glioblastoma Treatment.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a primary central nervous system neoplasm, characterized by a grim prognosis and low survival rates. This unfavorable therapeutic outcome is partially attributed to the inadequate immune infiltration and an immunosuppressive microenvironment, which compromises the effectiveness of conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy. To this end, precise modulation of cellular dynamics in the immune system has emerged as a promising approach for therapeutic intervention.

Orally-Administrable Supramolecular Probiotic Capsules Enable Cooperative Colon-Targeted Inflammation Inhibition for Ameliorating Ulcerative Colitis.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a prevalent gastrointestinal disease characterized by the chronical and refractory inflammation of colorectal mucosa and walls, which severely impairs overall well-being of individuals. Probiotics has shown tremendous promise for UC therapy due to its multifaceted mucosal barrier restoration and immunomodulation capabilities. Nevertheless, the successful administration of probiotics remains a clinical obstacle.

Risk factors, microbiology, and prognosis of diabetic foot osteomyelitis: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To determine risk factors, microbiology, and prognosis of diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 456 persons diagnosed with diabetic foot (DF) disease admitted to a Grade-A tertiary hospital from January 2012 to December 2022. Multifactorial Cox regression was used to analyze independent risk factors for DFO.

The prevalence and outcomes of viremia in patients with acute respiratory viral infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Viremia has been detected in a significant proportion of patients with acute respiratory viral infection, yet its clinical value remains underappreciated.

Objectives: This study synthesized available evidence to comprehensively assess the prevalence of viremia and its impact on clinical outcomes.

Data Sources: Data were retrieved from Medline (via Ovid), Embase, and the WHO COVID-19 database.

Causal Associations Between Immune Cell Phenotypes and Varicose Veins: A Mendelian Randomization Analysis.

Background: Varicose veins (VVs) are a common chronic venous disorder with a complex pathophysiology involving immune dysregulation, inflammation, and genetic predisposition. This study aims to identify immune-related causal factors in the pathogenesis of VVs using Mendelian randomization (MR).

Methods: A two-sample MR analysis was conducted to assess the causal relationships between immune cell phenotypes and VVs.

Resveratrol loaded microglia-derived exosomes attenuate astrogliasis by restoring mitochondrial function to reduce spinal cord injury.

The activation of astrocytes in the injured lesion induces the progression of spinal cord injury (SCI). However, adverse side-effects during systemic administration have limited applications. Exosomes (Exos) are an emerging clinical treatment method that exerts anti-inflammatory effects by reducing pro-inflammatory factors and promoting functional recovery.

Senescent microglia: The hidden culprits accelerating Alzheimer's disease.

Ageing is a major risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD). Microglia, as the principal innate immune cells within the brain, exert homeostatic and active immunological defense functions throughout human lifespan. The age-related dysfunction of microglia is currently recognized as a pivotal trigger for brain diseases associated with aging.

The protection of nicotinamide riboside against diabetes mellitus-induced bone loss via OXPHOS.

Diabetes mellitus is a global disease that results in various complications, including diabetic osteoporosis. Prior studies have indicated a correlation between low levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and diabetes-related complications. Nicotinamide riboside (NR), a widely utilized precursor vitamin of NAD, has been demonstrated to enhance age-related osteoporosis through the Sirt1/FOXO/β-catenin pathway in osteoblast progenitors.

Beneficial Effects of the Herbal Medicine Zuo Gui Wan in a Mice Model of Alzheimer's Disease via Drp1-Mediated Inhibition of Mitochondrial Fission and Activation of AMPK/PGC-1α-regulated Mitochondrial Bioenergetics.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Zuo Gui Wan (ZGW) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine decoction used for approximately 400 years to treat age-related degenerative conditions, including cognitive impairment in older adults, osteoporosis, and general aging. However, the mechanism of action for ZGW remains unclear.

Aims Of The Study: This study aims to investigate the efficacy of ZGW in improving cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD) animal models and to explore the underlying mechanisms, presenting a novel perspective in the field.

Dan-Shen-Yin against ethanol-induced chronic gastric mucosal injury in rats by inhibiting apoptosis via IP3R-controlled calcium release.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The pathogenesis of alcoholic gastric injury has long been a significant topic in the medical field. Dan-Shen-Yin (DSY), a classic traditional Chinese medicine formula, has been shown to alleviate gastric mucosal injury and to treat stomachaches in clinical settings. However, the mechanism by which DSY against alcoholic gastric injury requires further investigation.

Qiangji Decoction mitigates neuronal damage, synaptic and mitochondrial dysfunction in SAMP8 mice through the regulation of ROCK2/Drp1-mediated mitochondrial dynamics.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Qiangji Decoction (QJD), a Chinese medicine, is widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat amnesia and Alzheimer's disease (AD), showing significant anti-AD effects. However, the precise mechanisms behind these effects are not well understood and require more research.

Aim Of The Study: This study aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which QJD ameliorates neuronal damage, synaptic dysfunction, and mitochondrial impairment in AD through the regulation of ROCK2/Drp1-mediated mitochondrial dynamics.

Betulinic acid from Inonotus obliquus ameliorates T2DM by modulating short-chain fatty acids producing bacteria and amino acids metabolism in db/db mice.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Inonotus obliquus has also been used as a traditional folk medicine in Europe and Northeastern China to treat metabolic diseases. Betulinic acid (BA) is a major ingredient with anti-diabetic property derived from I. obliquus, however, its bioavailability is limited.

Genome-wide transcriptome analysis of gene expression profiles in Goose Astrovirus-infected GEF cells.

As a novel emerging pathogen, mainly causing visceral and articular gout in goslings, the pathogenesis of goose astrovirus (GAstV) remains unclear, seriously impeding the development of effective prevention and control methods. To better understand the reprogrammed cellular genes due to GAstV infection, a high-throughput transcriptome analysis was performed with primary goose embryo fibroblasts (GEF) at 48 h after infection. A total of 2324 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis showed that most DEGs were closely associated with immune signal pathway and metabolic process.

Causal association and potential mediator between lung cancer and tuberculosis: a Mendelian randomization study.

Background: The coexistence of tuberculosis (TB) and lung cancer (LC) is not rare, but their causal association are underexplored. This study aims to elucidate these bidirectional correlations and investigate the mediating effects of immunophenotypes and plasma metabolites.

Methods: Genetic variants for TB and LC were sourced from the IEU Open GWAS Project, while data for 731 immunophenotypes and 1400 plasma metabolites from previously published GWAS.

Programmed cell death protein 5 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma progression by inducing pyroptosis through regulation of TGF-β/Smad2/3/Snail pathway.

Background: Programmed cell death protein 5 (PDCD5) is involved in apoptosis and is regarded as a tumor suppressor in various tumors. However, its role and underlying molecular mechanisms in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear.

Methods: PDCD5-overexpressing cell and xenograft tumor models were developed.