AGER-dependent macropinocytosis drives resistance to KRAS-G12D-targeted therapy in advanced pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) driven by the mutation presents a formidable health challenge because of limited treatment options. MRTX1133 is a highly selective and first-in-class KRAS-G12D inhibitor under clinical development. Here, we report that the advanced glycosylation end product-specific receptor (AGER) plays a key role in mediating MRTX1133 resistance in PDAC cells.

Construction of Photosensitizer Candidates in Photodynamic Therapy: Computer Aided Design, Calculation, and Screening.

Thiophene and pyrrole units are extensively utilized in light-responsive materials and have significantly advanced the field of organic photovoltaics (OPV). This progress has inspired our exploration of photosensitizers (PS) for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Currently, traditional PS face limitations in clinical application, including a restricted variety and narrow applicability.

Differences in clinical characteristics between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and influenza: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic has brought major challenges to the global health system, and influenza is also a problem that cannot be ignored. We aimed to explore and compare the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 and influenza to deepen the understanding of these two diseases and provide some guidance for clinicians to make differential diagnoses. We searched PubMed, Embase and Web of Science for articles and performed a meta-analysis using Stata 14.

Increased TSPO alleviates neuropathic pain by preventing pyroptosis via the AMPK-PGC-1α pathway.

Neuropathic pain poses a significant clinical challenge, largely due to the incomplete understanding of its molecular mechanisms, particularly the role of mitochondrial dysfunction. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that pyroptosis and inflammatory responses induced by spared nerve injury (SNI) in the spinal dorsal horn play a critical role in the initiation and persistence of neuropathic pain. Among the factors involved, TSPO (translocator protein) emerged as a key regulator.

HDAC3 and Snail2 complex promotes melanoma metastasis by epigenetic repression of IGFBP3.

The treatment of metastatic melanoma has long posed a complex challenge within clinical practice. Previous studies have found that EMT transcription factors are essential in the development of various cancers through their induction of EMT. Here, we demonstrate that Snail2 expression is dramatically increased in melanoma and is associated with an adverse prognosis.

Gluteus medius contracture: A case report and review of the literature.

Rationale: Bilateral gluteus medius contractures in adults are rare in clinical practice, with only a few cases reported. These contractures may result from repeated intramuscular injections during childhood. Understanding the clinical manifestations, diagnostic process, treatment, and outcomes can provide insights into effective management strategies.

A Simple and Sensitive RT-qPCR Technology for Rapid Detection of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus.

To establish a rapid and sensitive detection method for the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), gene-specific primers and a TaqMan probe were designed based on the gene of PRRSV, and a new stable fully pre-mixed reverse transcription real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) reaction mixture was developed. A simple and rapid RT-qPCR detection method for PRRSV was developed by optimizing nucleic acid amplification conditions. The results showed that the method was able to specifically detect PRRSV without cross-reactivity with the other 11 porcine susceptible viruses.

Unlocking the potential for optic nerve regeneration over long distances: a multi-therapeutic intervention.

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) generally fail to regenerate axons, resulting in irreversible vision loss after optic nerve injury. While many studies have shown that modulating specific genes can enhance RGCs survival and promote optic nerve regeneration, inducing long-distance axon regeneration through single-gene manipulation remains challenging. Nevertheless, combined multi-gene therapies have proven effective in significantly enhancing axonal regeneration.

Mesenchymal stromal cell exosomes for drug delivery of prostate cancer treatments: a review.

Interest in prostate cancer as a research topic has gradually increased. As a result, a series of innovative treatment strategies have emerged with an in-depth understanding of the disease. Owing to their unique biological characteristics, mesenchymal stromal cell exosomes (MSC-Exos) have garnered significant attention for their potential to deliver targeted drugs and enable precise prostate cancer treatment.

Case report: A case of lateral neck mass: ectopic thyroid carcinoma or lymph node metastasis?

Objective: To review a rare case of a lateral neck mass pathologically confirmed as an encapsulated papillary thyroid carcinoma in our center for complementing the lack of management of rare cases, and to explore the differentiation of primary ectopic thyroid carcinoma and metastatic disease in the context of the presence of malignant tumors within the situ thyroid gland.

Methods: We searched for studies on lateral neck ectopic thyroid cancer to compare and analyze it with metastatic carcinoma of the thyroid gland in terms of clinical features, imaging manifestations, pathological features at molecular level, and treatment principles.

Results: Based on available data, we concluded that the mass of this patient was consistent with metastatic lateral neck ectopic thyroid carcinoma.

Relationship between freezing of gait in Parkinson disease and locus coeruleus dysfunction: a neuromelanin-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging study.

Background: Preliminary scientific evidence suggests that freezing of gait (FoG) in patients with Parkinson disease (PD) is linked to noradrenergic dysfunction in the locus coeruleus (LC). However, definitive findings regarding the correlation between FoG occurrence and the LC are lacking. This study thus aimed to investigate the relationship between the FoG occurrence and LC degeneration in patients with PD by analyzing the signal characteristics of the LC in neuromelanin-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (NM-MRI).

Effects of upper extremity blood flow restriction training on muscle strength and hypertrophy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Low load resistance training with blood flow restriction (LL-BFRT) has been shown to improve muscle strength and hypertrophic function. The effect of LL-BFRT on lower extremity muscle improvement has been widely discussed. However, no studies have discussed the effect of this training method on the upper extremity muscles until now.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) of the recurrent laryngeal nerve during minimally invasive esophagectomy.

Background: Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) can lead to a severe complication known as recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis (RLNP). Existing literature supports that recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury is the principal etiology of RLNP, a complication potentially mitigated through intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM). In this study, we examined the comprehensive effectiveness of IONM during esophageal resection by performing a meta-analysis.

Tumor microenvironment-responsive and modulatory manganese-based nanoenzyme for enhanced tumor immunotherapy.

The characteristics of the tumor microenvironment (TME) have a close and internal correlation with the effect of cancer immunotherapy, significantly affecting the progression and metastasis of cancer. The rational design of nanoenzymes that possess the ability to respond to and regulate the TME is driving a new direction in catalytic immunotherapy. In this study, we designed a multifunctional manganese (Mn)-based nanoenzyme that is responsive to acidic pH and overxpressed HO at tumor site and holds capability of modulating hypoxic and immunosuppressive TME for synergistic anti-tumor photothermal/photodynamic/immunotherapy.

Mammalian nucleophagy: process and function.

The nucleus is a highly specialized organelle that houses the cell's genetic material and regulates key cellular activities, including growth, metabolism, protein synthesis, and cell division. Its structure and function are tightly regulated by multiple mechanisms to ensure cellular integrity and genomic stability. Increasing evidence suggests that nucleophagy, a selective form of autophagy that targets nuclear components, plays a critical role in preserving nuclear integrity by clearing dysfunctional nuclear materials such as nuclear proteins (lamins, SIRT1, and histones), DNA-protein crosslinks, micronuclei, and chromatin fragments.

Epicatechin protects mice against OVA-induced asthma through inhibiting airway inflammation and modulating gut microbiota.

Allergic asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory reaction that seriously affects people's quality of life and even endangers their lives. The aim of this study was to explore the role of epicatechin (EC) on asthma and its potential mechanism. A mice model of allergic asthma was established by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin (OVA) with aluminum hydrogen solution, and nebulized inhalation of OVA to stimulate.

Gut microbial metabolite indole-3-propionic acid alleviates polycystic ovary syndrome in mice by regulating the AhR-NLRP3 axis.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disorder that significantly impacts female reproductive health and increases the risk of metabolic and reproductive diseases. Emerging evidence suggests that alterations in gut microbiota and their metabolic activities contribute to PCOS pathogenesis, although the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. In the current study, we found that patients with PCOS had altered metabolic profiles, particularly characterized by reduced levels of indole-3-propionic acid (IPA).

Multicenter study of thermal ablation versus partial thyroidectomy for paratracheal papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.

Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes of patients with unifocal paratracheal papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) after thermal ablation (TA) vs. partial thyroidectomy (PT).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective multicenter study included 436 patients with unifocal, clinical N0 paratracheal PTMC who underwent TA (210 patients) or PT (236 patients) between June 2014 and December 2020.

Angiographic signs during mechanical thrombectomy as predictors of post-stroke epilepsy: a multicenter retrospective study.

Background: Post-stroke epilepsy (PSE) is a major complication of stroke. However, data about the predictors of PSE in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) undergoing mechanical thrombectomy are limited.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between intraoperative angiographic signs and PSE risk in patients with anterior circulation AIS who underwent mechanical thrombectomy.

Dyadic effects of illness perception and maladaptive cognitive-emotional regulation strategies on the fear of cancer recurrence in breast cancer patients and spouses: an actor-partner interdependence mediation model.

Purpose: Breast cancer, as a stressful event, profoundly impacts the entire family, especially patients and their spouses. This study used a dyadic analysis approach to explore the dyadic effects of illness perception on the fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and whether maladaptive cognitive-emotional regulation strategies acted as a mediator in breast cancer patient-spouse dyads.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, and 202 dyads of breast cancer patients and their spouses were enrolled.

Synergistic enhancement of angiogenesis and osseointegration in 3D-printed porous polyetheretherketone scaffolds using biomimetic coatings of bone morphogenetic protein-2/fibronectin.

This study explored a novel modification method for porous polyetheretherketone (PEEK) implants using a biomimetic coating to achieve synergistic enhancement of vascularization and bone regeneration. Inspired by the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) structure (consists of growth factors and matrix proteins), a biomimetic dual-factor coating capable of releasing bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and fibronectin (FN) was coated on the surface of 3D-printed porous PEEK scaffolds using polydopamine (PDA) as a binder. Experiments conducted with MC3T3-E1 cells or HUVECs in co-culture with scaffolds revealed that the biomimetic coating not only synergically promoted cell migration, adhesion and proliferation, but also enhanced angiogenesis and osteogenic differentiation simultaneously in vivo.

Antibacterial carbon dots.

Bacterial infections significantly threaten human health, leading to severe diseases and complications across multiple systems and organs. Antibiotics remain the primary treatment strategy for these infections. However, the growing resistance of bacteria to conventional antibiotics underscores the urgent need for safe and effective alternative treatments.

Bowel preparation before colonoscopy: Consequences, mechanisms, and treatment of intestinal dysbiosis.

The term "gut microbiota" primarily refers to the ecological community of various microorganisms in the gut, which constitutes the largest microbial community in the human body. Although adequate bowel preparation can improve the results of colonoscopy, it may interfere with the gut microbiota. Bowel preparation for colonoscopy can lead to transient changes in the gut microbiota, potentially affecting an individual's health, especially in vulnerable populations, such as patients with inflammatory bowel disease.