CT-sensitized nanoprobe for effective early diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

Early diagnosis is critical for providing a timely window for effective therapy in pulmonary fibrosis (PF); however, achieving this remains a significant challenge. The distinct honeycombing patterns observed in computed tomography (CT) for the primary diagnosis of PF are typically only visible in patients with moderate to severe disease, often leading to missed opportunities for early intervention. In this study, we developed a nanoprobe designed to accumulate at fibroblastic foci and loaded with the CT sensitizer iodide to enable effective early diagnosis of PF.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles alleviate diabetes-exacerbated atherosclerosis via AMPK/mTOR pathway-mediated autophagy-related macrophage polarization.

Introduction: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (BMSC-EVs) are widely used for therapeutic purposes in preclinical studies. However, their utility in treating diabetes-associated atherosclerosis remains largely unexplored. Here, we aimed to characterize BMSC-EV-mediated regulation of autophagy and macrophage polarization.

Primary extraskeletal osteosarcoma of rectal mesentery: a rare case and literature review.

Background: Extraskeletal osteosarcoma (ESOS) is a rare kind of sarcoma with a low preoperative diagnosis and a poor prognosis. ESOS arising from abdominal mesentery is extremely rare. Increasing diagnostic methods and standardizing treatment protocols are crucial issues of ESOS.

The histone demethylase KDM5C enhances the sensitivity of acute myeloid leukemia cells to lenalidomide by stabilizing cereblon.

Background: The protein cereblon (CRBN) mediates the antileukemia effect of lenalidomide (Len). Len binds to CRBN, recruits IKZF1/IKZF3, and promotes their ubiquitination and degradation, through which Len exhibits its antileukemia and antimyeloma activity. Therefore, the protein level of CRBN might affect the antiproliferative effect of Len.

Cecropin AD ameliorates pneumonia and intestinal injury in mice with mycoplasma pneumoniae by mediating gut microbiota.

Animals infected with mycoplasma pneumoniae not only develop respiratory diseases, but also cause digestive diseases through the lung-gut axis mediated by the intestinal flora, and vice versa. Antimicrobial peptides are characterized by their bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, and intestinal flora-regulating properties. However, the effect of cecropin AD (CAD) against mycoplasma pneumonia remains unclear.

The effects of the positioning of a bolt in the femoral neck system on the short-term outcomes of middle-aged and young adults with displaced femoral neck fractures.

Background: To analyze the effects of the positioning of a bolt in the femoral neck system (FNS) on the short-term outcomes of middle-aged and young adults with displaced femoral neck fractures (FNFs).

Methods: This was a retrospective study involving 114 middle-aged and young adults with displaced FNFs who were surgically treated with internal fixation via the FNS in the Department of Orthopedics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, from December 2019 to January 2023. The degree of deviation of the central axis of the femoral head and neck from the tip of the bolt (W), the tip‒apex distance (TAD) and the length of femoral neck shortening (LFNS) were measured on postoperative X-ray and computed tomography (CT) scan images.

The impact of digital literacy in enhancing individuals' health in China.

Background: Health is the cornerstone of individual well-being and a vital factor in socioeconomic development. In an increasingly digitalized world, digital literacy has emerged as one of the indispensable abilities, which not only pertains to an individual's capacity to acquire, analyze, evaluate, and utilize information but also profoundly influences their health behaviours, health decisions, and overall well-being. This paper uses the 2020 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) data to explore digital literacy's impact on individuals' health.

Cardiometabolic index as a predictor of gallstone incidence in U.S. adults: insights from NHANES 2017-2020.

Background: Gallstone disease (GSD) is associated with obesity. The Cardiometabolic Index (CMI), a metric that accurately assesses central adiposity and visceral fat, has not been extensively studied in relation to GSD risk. This study investigates the link between CMI and GSD incidence in U.

Vitamin D3/VDR alleviates double-stranded RNA virus -induced biliary epithelial cell damage by inhibiting autophagy.

Background: The increased apoptosis of bile duct epithelial cells (BECs) due to some damage factors is considered the initiating factor in the occurrence and progression of biliary atresia (BA). Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is thought to play a crucial role in maintaining the intrinsic immune balance and integrity of bile duct epithelial cells (BECs). To investigate the role of VDRs in the pathogenesis and progression of BA using in vitro and in vivo models.

Analysis of feasibility, effectiveness and safety of transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery(vNOTES) of ectopic pregnancy: a retrospective study.

Background: vNOTES has been documented as a viable approach for conducting benign gynecologic surgery; however, its application in ectopic pregnancy cases remains relatively scarce. The principal objective of this investigation was to assess the practicability, effectiveness, and safety of vNOTES in surgical procedures related to ectopic pregnancy.

Methods: Clinical data pertaining to patients diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy at Beijing Hospital between January 2018 and August 2023 were retrospectively collected (This study retrospectively registered with the China Clinical Trial Registry with the registration number ChiCTR2100052223 in September 22, 2021.

Modeling and simulation of distribution and drug resistance of major pathogens in patients with respiratory system infections.

Background: Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The increase in antimicrobial resistance in respiratory pathogens poses a major challenge to the effective management of these infections.

Objective: To investigate the distribution of major pathogens of RTIs and their antimicrobial resistance patterns in a tertiary care hospital and to develop a mathematical model to explore the relationship between pathogen distribution and antimicrobial resistance.

Associations between sedentary behaviour and sarcopenia among patients aged 40 and older with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and sarcopenia experience poorer clinical prognosis. Although sedentary behaviour (SB) is common risk factor for COPD, its relationship with sarcopenia in this specific population remains unclear.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey of participants aged 40 and above with COPD, involving 27 communities and 2 hospitals' outpatient departments.

6-thioguanine inhibits EV71 replication by reducing BIRC3-mediated autophagy.

Background: Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is one of the major causative agents of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), and can cause severe cerebral complications and even fatality in children younger than 5 years old. However, there is no specific medication for EV71 infection in clinical practice. Our previous studies had identified the 6-thioguanine (6-TG), an FDA-approved anticancer drug, as a potential antiviral agent, but its anti-EV71 activity is largely unknown, therefore, we aim to explore the antiviral effect of 6-TG on EV71.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis in children: the value of ultrasound in diagnosis and follow-up.

Background: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease, most prevalent in children. Ultrasound is a noninvasive, cheap, and widely available technique. However, systematic elucidation of sonographic features of LCH and treatment related follow-up are relatively few, resulting in overall underestimation of the clinical value of ultrasound in diagnosing and monitoring LCH.

Associations between systemic inflammatory biomarkers and metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease: a cross-sectional study of NHANES 2017-2020.

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a primary cause of chronic liver disease, with potential progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although systemic inflammatory biomarkers are associated with liver diseases, their specific role in MASLD remains unclear. This study examines the association between systemic inflammatory biomarkers and MASLD.

Ectopic thyroid tissue in the airway: a case report.

Background: Ectopic thyroid tissue (ETT) is a rare congenital anomaly caused by the abnormal embryonic migration of thyroid tissue, leading to its presence outside its usual pretracheal location. This condition can lead to diagnostic challenges, especially when located within the airway, as it mimics other respiratory disorders such as asthma.

Case Presentation: We report the case of a 69-year-old man with endotracheal ETT presenting with severe dyspnea, and the lesion was initially suspected to be malignant.

Prediction of pulmonary function decline in fibrous interstitial lung abnormalities based on quantitative chest CT parameters.

Background: Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) are a proposed imaging concept. Fibrous ILA have a higher risk of progression and death. Clinically, computed tomography (CT) examination is a frequently used and convenient method compared with pulmonary function tests.

The relationship between sarcopenia and mental health status in Chinese older adults: the mediating role of activities of daily living.

Background: Most existing studies focus on either the relationship between sarcopenia and depressive symptoms or sarcopenia and cognitive functions. Few studies have examined depressive symptoms and cognitive functions simultaneously. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between sarcopenia and both depressive symptoms and cognitive functions in the elderly by introducing activities of daily living to explore the mediating role of activities of daily living between sarcopenia and mental health.

Sex reversal induced by 17β-estradiol may be achieved by regulating the neuroendocrine system of the Pacific white shrimp Penaeus vannamei.

Background: Due to sexual dimorphism in growth of penaeid shrimp, all-female cultivation is desirable for the aquaculture industry. 17β-estradiol (E2) has the potential to induce the male-to-female sex reversal of decapod species. However, the mechanisms behind it remain poorly understood.

Critical factors influencing live birth rates in fresh embryo transfer for IVF: insights from cluster ensemble algorithms.

Infertility has emerged as a significant global health concern. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) assists numerous infertile couples in conceiving, yet some experience repeated, unsuccessful cycles. This study aims to identify the pivotal clinical factors influencing the success of fresh embryo transfer of in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Optimization of the intron sequences combined with the CMV promoter increases recombinant protein expression in CHO cells.

To meet the requirements of the biopharmaceutical industry, improving the yield of recombination therapeutic protein (RTP) from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells is necessary. The human cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter is widely used for RTP expression in CHO cells. To further improve RTP production, we truncated the human CMV intron and further evaluated the effect of four synthetic introns, including ctEF-1α first, EF-1α first, chimeric, and β-globin introns combined with the CMV promoter on recombinant expression levels in transient and stably recombinant CHO cells.

A volumetric study of the choroid plexus in neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus.

Much evidence suggests that the choroid plexus (CP) plays an important role in the pathophysiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but its imaging profile in neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE) remains unexplored. To evaluate CP volume in NPSLE patients using MRI. This retrospective study evaluated patients with SLE who underwent MRI of the brain, including three-dimensional T1-weighted imaging.

Altered mitochondrial unfolded protein response and FGF21 secretion in MASLD progression and the effect of exercise intervention.

A high-calorie diet and lack of exercise are the most important risk factors contributing to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) initiation and progression. The precise molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial function alteration during MASLD development remain to be fully elucidated. In this study, a total of 60 male C57BL/6J mice were maintained on a normal or amylin liver NASH (AMLN) diet for 6 or 10 weeks.

Hsa_circ_0001304 promotes vascular neointimal hyperplasia accompanied by autophagy activation.

Aberrant autophagy in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is associated with the progression of vascular remodeling diseases caused by neointimal hyperplasia. Platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB)-induced vascular remodeling is accompanied by autophagy activation, however, the involvement of circular RNAs (circRNAs) remains unclear. Here, we show the role of PDGF-BB-regulated hsa_circ_0001304 (circ-1304) in neointimal hyperplasia and its potential involvement in VSMC autophagy, while also elucidating the potential mechanisms.

Thermostable terahertz metasurface enabled by graphene assembly film for plasmon-induced transparency.

With the increasing demand on high-density integration and better performance of micro-nano optoelectronic devices, the operation temperatures are expected to significantly increase under some extreme conditions, posing a risk of degradation to metal-based micro-/nano-structured metasurfaces due to their low tolerance to high temperature. Therefore, it is urgent to find new materials with high-conductivity and excellent high-temperature resistance to replace traditional micro-nano metal structures. Herein, we have proposed and fabricated a thermally stable graphene assembly film (GAF), which is calcined at ultra-high temperature (~ 3000 ℃) during the reduction of graphite oxide (GO).