Association between cardiovascular health and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Evidence concerning the effect of cardiovascular health (CVH) on the risk of metabolic dysfunctional-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is scarce. This study aimed to investigate the association between CVH and MASLD.

Methods: 5680 adults aged ≥ 20 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-March 2020 were included.

Harnessing the tumor microenvironment: targeted cancer therapies through modulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is integral to cancer progression, impacting metastasis and treatment response. It consists of diverse cell types, extracellular matrix components, and signaling molecules that interact to promote tumor growth and therapeutic resistance. Elucidating the intricate interactions between cancer cells and the TME is crucial in understanding cancer progression and therapeutic challenges.

Elevated SREBP1 accelerates the initiation and growth of pancreatic cancer by targeting SOX9.

Pancreatic cancer is a lethal disease with an insidious onset, and little is known about its early molecular events. Here, we found that the sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1) expression is gradually upregulated during the initiation of pancreatic cancer. Through in vitro 3D culture of pancreatic acinar cells and experiments in LSL-Kras;Pdx1-Cre (KC) mice, we found that pharmacological inhibition of SREBP1 suppressed pancreatic tumorigenesis.

Aminoguanidine hemisulfate improves mitochondrial autophagy, oxidative stress, and muscle force in Duchenne muscular dystrophy via the AKT/FOXO1 pathway in mdx mice.

Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a prevalent, fatal degenerative muscle disease with no effective treatments. Mdx mouse model of DMD exhibits impaired muscle performance, oxidative stress, and dysfunctional autophagy. Although antioxidant treatments may improve the mdx phenotype, the precise molecular mechanisms remain unclear.

The effects of diacylglycerol edible oil intervention in patients with chronic metabolic syndrome combined with asymptomatic hyperuricemia: study protocol for a multicenter, prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of diacylglycerol (DAG) edible oil intervention in patients with chronic metabolic syndrome complicated by asymptomatic hyperuricemia through a multicenter, prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial.

Methods: A multicenter, double-blind, and randomized controlled trial involving 176 patients was designed. All patients with chronic metabolic syndrome complicated by asymptomatic hyperuricemia who meet inclusion and exclusion criteria will be included in the study and will be randomized to either group A or group B.

The virome composition of respiratory tract changes in school-aged children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.

Background: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is a common pathogen for respiratory infections in children. Previous studies have reported respiratory tract microbial disturbances associated with MP infection (MPI); however, since the COVID-19 pandemic, respiratory virome data in school-aged children with MPI remains insufficient. This study aims to explore the changes in the respiratory virome caused by MPI after the COVID-19 pandemic to enrich local epidemiological data.

Lipid droplets in central nervous system and functional profiles of brain cells containing lipid droplets in various diseases.

Lipid droplets (LDs), serving as the convergence point of energy metabolism and multiple signaling pathways, have garnered increasing attention in recent years. Different cell types within the central nervous system (CNS) can regulate energy metabolism to generate or degrade LDs in response to diverse pathological stimuli. This article provides a comprehensive review on the composition of LDs in CNS, their generation and degradation processes, their interaction mechanisms with mitochondria, the distribution among different cell types, and the roles played by these cells-particularly microglia and astrocytes-in various prevalent neurological disorders.

Characterization of a chitinase from Trichinella spiralis and its immunomodulatory effects on allergic airway inflammation in mice.

Background: A fundamental tenet of the hygiene theory is the inverse association between helminth infections and the emergence of immune-mediated diseases. Research has been done to clarify the processes by which helminth-derived molecules can inhibit immunological disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of Trichinella spiralis chitinase (Ts-chit) to ameliorate the symptoms of allergic airway inflammation.

Long non-coding RNA NEAT1 promotes ovarian granulosa cell proliferation and cell cycle progression via the miR-29a-3p/IGF1 axis.

Background: Granulosa cell proliferation and survival are essential for normal ovarian function and follicular development. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as important regulators of cell proliferation and differentiation. Nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) has been implicated in various cellular processes, but its role in granulosa cell function remains unclear.

CEST imaging combined with H-MRS reveal the neuroprotective effects of riluzole by improving neurotransmitter imbalances in Alzheimer's disease mice.

Background: The imbalance of glutamate (Glu) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter system plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Riluzole is a Glu modulator originally approved for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis that has shown potential neuroprotective effects in various neurodegenerative disorders. However, whether riluzole can improve Glu and GABA homeostasis in AD brain and its related mechanism of action remain unknown.

Optical coherence tomography angiography reveals abnormal retinal vascular density and perfusion in patients with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (XALD) can affect the eyes. Existing therapies are hampered by early quantitative examination methods. This study used an optical coherence tomography angiography system (OCTA) to investigate retinal microvascular density and perfusion in XALD patients.

Autophagy in brain tumors: molecular mechanisms, challenges, and therapeutic opportunities.

Autophagy is responsible for maintaining cellular balance and ensuring survival. Autophagy plays a crucial role in the development of diseases, particularly human cancers, with actions that can either promote survival or induce cell death. However, brain tumors contribute to high levels of both mortality and morbidity globally, with resistance to treatments being acquired due to genetic mutations and dysregulation of molecular mechanisms, among other factors.

Targeting lipid metabolism: novel insights and therapeutic advances in pancreatic cancer treatment.

Lipid metabolism in cancer is characterized by dysregulated lipid regulation and utilization, critical for promoting tumor growth, survival, and resistance to therapy. Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly aggressive malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract that has a dismal 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. Given the essential function of the pancreas in digestion, cancer progression severely disrupts its function.

The prognostic value of systemic immune-inflammation index in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma treated with immune-based therapy.

Background: Predicting the efficacy of immune-based therapy in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a clinical challenge. This study aims to evaluate the prognostic value of the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in forecasting treatment response and survival outcomes for HCC patients undergoing immune-based therapy.

Methods: We analyzed a cohort of 268 HCC patients treated with immune-based therapy from January 2019 to March 2023.

Identification and functional characterization of AsWRKY9, a WRKY transcription factor modulating alliin biosynthesis in garlic (Allium sativum L.).

Background: The variations in alliin content are a crucial criterion for evaluating garlic quality and is the sole precursor for allicin biosynthesis, which is significant for the growth, development, and stress response of garlic. WRKY transcription factors are essential for enhancing stress resistance by regulating the synthesis of plant secondary metabolites. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating alliin biosynthesis remain unexplored.

The microenvironment cell index is a novel indicator for the prognosis and therapeutic regimen selection of cancers.

Background: It is worthwhile to establish a prognostic prediction model based on microenvironment cells (MCs) infiltration and explore new treatment strategies for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Methods: The xCell algorithm was used to quantify the cellular components of the TNBC microenvironment based on bulk RNA sequencing (bulk RNA-seq) data. The MCs index (MCI) was constructed using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox (LASSO-Cox) regression analysis.

Electroacupuncture alleviates paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy by reducing CCL2-mediated macrophage infiltration in sensory ganglia and sciatic nerve.

Background: Paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN) is prevalent among patients receiving paclitaxel chemotherapy, which results in sensory abnormality as well as neuropathic pain. Conventional medications lack effectiveness on PIPN. Clinical trials identified beneficial effects of acupuncture on PIPN among patients receiving chemotherapy.

Predictive value of machine learning for the progression of gestational diabetes mellitus to type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: This systematic review aims to explore the early predictive value of machine learning (ML) models for the progression of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: A comprehensive and systematic search was conducted in Pubmed, Cochrane, Embase, and Web of Science up to July 02, 2024. The quality of the studies included was assessed.

Phosphatidylinositol promoted the proliferation and invasion of pituitary adenoma cells by regulating POU1F1 expression.

Invasiveness of pituitary adenoma is the main cause of its poor prognosis, mechanism of which remains largely unknown. In this study, the differential proteins between invasive and non-invasive pituitary tumors (IPA and NIPA) were identified by TMT labeled quantitative proteomics. The differential metabolites in venous bloods from patients with IPA and NIPA were analyzed by untargeted metabolomics.

Prognostic value and clinicopathological significance of pre-and post-treatment systemic immune-inflammation index in colorectal cancer patients: a meta-analysis.

Background: In recent years, the association between systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) has remained a topic of considerable debate. To address this, the present study was carried out to investigate the prognostic significance of SII in CRC.

Methods: Databases including PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Web of Science were scrutinized up to March 27, 2024.

Growth of microbes in competitive lifestyles promotes increased ARGs in soil microbiota: insights based on genetic traits.

Background: The widespread selective pressure of antibiotics in the environment has led to the propagation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, the mechanisms by which microbes balance population growth with the enrichment of ARGs remain poorly understood. To address this, we employed microcosm cultivation at different antibiotic (i.

Emerging role of exosomes in cancer therapy: progress and challenges.

This review highlights recent progress in exosome-based drug delivery for cancer therapy, covering exosome biogenesis, cargo selection mechanisms, and their application across multiple cancer types. As small extracellular vesicles, exosomes exhibit high biocompatibility and low immunogenicity, making them ideal drug delivery vehicles capable of efficiently targeting cancer cells, minimizing off-target damage and side effects. This review aims to explore the potential of exosomes in cancer therapy, with a focus on applications in chemotherapy, gene therapy, and immunomodulation.

The relationship of spatial visualization ability and number representation: evidence from multiple tasks.

It is well established in the literature that the relation of spatial ability and the number representation, but the intrinsic relation of spatial visualization ability and number representation are not well understood. In the Current study, Chinese Preschool children (N = 200; 107 girls; Mage = 5.47years, SD = 0.

Comparative effectiveness of physical activity interventions on cognitive functions in children and adolescents with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Physical activity (PA) interventions have been shown to yield positive effects on cognitive functions. However, it is unclear which type of PA intervention is the most effective in children and adolescents with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs). This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of different types of PA interventions on cognitive functions in children and adolescents with NDDs, with additional analyses examining intervention effects across specific NDD types including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Managing malice in negative environments: the mediating effect of coping styles on the relationship between negative sense of place and malevolent creativity among Chinese high school students.

Background: Creativity motivated by negative intentions can be referred to as malevolent creativity. While existing findings have largely focused on environmental or individual factors influencing malevolent creativity, less attention has been directed towards understanding how the sense of place-derived from individual-environment interaction-affects malevolent creativity. Additionally, the role of coping styles as mediating mechanisms in negative environments has been insufficiently explored.