Finerenone Alleviates Over-Activation of Complement C5a-C5aR1 Axis of Macrophages by Regulating G Protein Subunit Alpha i2 to Improve Diabetic Nephropathy.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus (DM), accounts for a major cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) worldwide, with a complicated pathogenesis and limited effective strategies nowadays. The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) is a classical ligand-activated nuclear transcription factor. It is expressed in the renal intrinsic and immune cells, especially macrophages.

Continuous R-DA-EDOCH alternated with high-dose Ara-C induces deep remission and overcomes high-risk factors in young patients with newly diagnosed mantle cell lymphoma.

Objective: Our previous studies have indicated potentially higher proliferative activity of tumor cells in Chinese patients with mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL) than those in Western. Given the success and tolerability of R-DA-EDOCH immunochemotherapy in treating aggressive B-cell lymphomas, we designed a prospective, phase 3 trial to explore the efficacy and safety of alternating R-DA-EDOCH/R-DHAP induction therapy for young patients with newly diagnosed MCL. The primary endpoint was the complete remission rate (CRR) at the end of induction (EOI).

Advances in gut microbiota-related treatment strategies for managing colorectal cancer in humans.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major contributor to global cancer-related mortality with increasing incidence rates in both developed and developing regions. Therefore, CRC presents a significant challenge to global health. The development of innovative tools for enhancing early CRC screening and diagnosis, along with novel treatments and therapies for improved management, remains an urgent necessity.

Acoustic shock wave-induced formation of an undefined high-pressure carbon allotrope.

Carbon is nothing less than a rock star in the world of research on allotropes which has a tremendous ability to form several simple and complex allotropic structures of various sp, sp and sp hybridizations, thanks to its flexible chemical structure. By high-pressure experimental and theoretical approaches, new carbon forms were synthesized from known carbon structures. Herein, we report the phase transition from amorphous carbon nanoparticles to a novel thermodynamically stable carbon allotropic structure, denominated as SD carbon (Sivakumar-Dai carbon), obtained through the impact of acoustic shock waves with a transient pressure of 16.

Exploring the standardization of human nasal antibody measurements.

Mucosal immunity is crucial for preventing the infection and transmission of respiratory viruses. Nasal antibody is inversely correlated with a lower risk of infection with respiratory viruses. However, the current reference standard for nasal antibody assessment is serum-based, mainly consisting of monomeric IgG and IgA.

High-Throughput Proteoform Imaging for Revealing Spatial-Resolved Changes in Brain Tissues Associated with Alzheimer's Disease.

Spatially resolved characterization of proteoforms has substantial potential to significantly advance the understanding of physiological and disease mechanisms. However, challenges remain regarding throughput and coverage. A robust method is developed for high-throughput proteoform imaging (HTPi) by combining matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI MSI) and region-specific top-down proteomic analysis.

Research progress of cycloartane triterpenoids and pharmacological activities.

Cycloartane triterpenoids are widely distributed in the plant kingdom, and there have been reports of hundreds of families containing cycloartane triterpenoids. But the types and content of cycloartane are different among various plants. In recent years, a large amount of cycloartane triterpenoids have been extracted and studied from different plants, and some types of cycloartane triterpenoids exhibit great pharmacological activities in terms of antiaging, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiarrhythmic effects, and so on.

Characterization and Engineering of a Bisabolene Synthase Reveal an Unusual Hydride Shift and Key Residues Critical for Mono-, Bi-, and Tricyclic Sesquiterpenes Formation.

Sesquiterpene synthases (STSs) catalyze carbocation cascade reactions with various hydrogen shifts and cyclization patterns that generate structurally diverse sesquiterpene skeletons. However, the molecular basis for hydrogen shifts and cyclizations, which determine STS product distributions, remains enigmatic. In this study, an elusive STS SydA was identified in the biosynthesis of sydonol, which synthesized a new bisabolene-type sesquiterpene with a unique saturated terminal pendant isopentane.

Efficient Metabolomics Profiling from Plasma Extracellular Vesicles Enables Accurate Diagnosis of Early Gastric Cancer.

Accurate diagnosis of early gastric cancer is valuable for asymptomatic populations, while current endoscopic examination combined with pathological tissue biopsy often encounters bottlenecks for early-stage cancer and causes pain to patients. Liquid biopsy shows promise for noninvasive diagnosis of early gastric cancer; however, it remains a challenge to achieve accurate diagnosis due to the lack of highly sensitive and specific biomarkers. Herein, we propose a protocol combining metabolomics profiling from plasma extracellular vesicles (EVs) and machine learning to identify the metabolomics discrepancies of early gastric cancer individuals from other populations.

Gap-free genome assemblies of two Pyrus bretschneideri cultivars and GWAS analyses identify a CCCH zinc finger protein as a key regulator of stone cell formation in pear fruit.

The Chinese white pear (Pyrus bretschneideri) is an economically significant fruit crop worldwide. Previous versions of the P. bretschneideri genome assembly contain numerous gaps and unanchored genetic regions.

The Relationship between Childhood Trauma and Depression in Early Adulthood: The Roles of Resilience and Personality Type.

Background: The relationship between childhood trauma and depression in early adulthood is complex and influenced by factors such as resilience and personality type. This study aims to investigate the mediating role of resilience and the moderating role of personality types in this relationship.

Methods: A total of 1059 undergraduates (mean age = 19.

Endothelial Serotonin Receptor 1B Acts as a Mechanosensor to Drive Atherosclerosis.

Background: Atherosclerosis is characterized by the accumulation of fatty and fibrotic plaques, which preferentially develop at curvatures and branches along the arterial trees that are exposed to disturbed flow. However, the mechanisms by which endothelial cells sense disturbed flow are still unclear.

Methods: The partial carotid ligation mouse model was used to investigate disturbed flow-induced atherogenesis.

Isoguanosine-Induced ER Stress via AMPK Enhances Chemosensitivity in OSCC.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignancy of the head and neck; however, the efficacy of existing treatment is limited and new effective strategies need to be explored. Our previous work demonstrates that isoguanosine (isoG) is a promising nucleoside molecule with superior self-assembly capability and significant anti-OSCC potential. However, the antitumor mechanism of isoG remains unclear.

Real-life Affective Forecasting in Young Adults with High Social Anhedonia: An Experience Sampling Study.

Background And Hypothesis: Affective forecasting (AF), the ability to forecast emotional responses for future events, is critical for optimal decision-making and mental health. Most previous AF studies were conducted using laboratory-based tasks but overlooked the impacts of real-life situations and social interactions. This study used the experience sampling method to examine real-life AF in young healthy adults and individuals with high social anhedonia.

Prevalence, incidence and modifiable factors for subtypes of mild cognitive impairment: results from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in China.

Background: As the population in China rapidly ages, the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is increasing considerably. However, the causes of MCI vary. The continued lack of understanding of the various subtypes of MCI impedes the implementation of effective measures to reduce the risk of advancing to more severe cognitive diseases.

Prediction of Flares in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus During Post-Remission Follow-up.

Purpose: Patients at high risk of SLE flares benefit from being identified before flares; this can be done by predictors of flares. This study aimed to explore the predictive factors and model of SLE flares after remission, providing basis for clinical decision-making.

Patients And Methods: SLE patients recruited at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), were all registered in the Chinese SLE treatment and research (CSTAR) registry cohort and had experienced at least one remission before December 31, 2020.

Changes in rat plasma proteomes during the first week after birth.

Blood plasma is the most informative body fluid, containing large amounts of substances that are released by active secretion or leakage from tissues and cells. Therefore, plasma changes reflect the body state. To explore changes in plasma during the early life of Wistar-rats, the plasma proteomes of newborn and first-week rats were investigated using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Size-dependent interactions between calciprotein particles and vascular endothelium.

The underlying mechanisms governing the interactions between nanoparticles and vascular endothelial barrier remain largely unexplored, which is crucial for the optimal design of nanoparticles for clinical applications. In this study, the size-dependent interactions between calciprotein particles (CPPs) and endothelial cells (ECs) were investigated using a rat model of chronic kidney disease (CKD) induced by 5/6 nephrectomy. Two primary types of CPP1 were studied: small-sized CPP1 (S-CPP1, <50 nm) and larger CPP1 (L-CPP1, <100 nm), detected three and five weeks post-surgery, respectively.

The conformational landscape of TRiC ring-opening and its underlying stepwise mechanism revealed by cryo-EM.

The TRiC/CCT complex assists in the folding of approximately 10% of cytosolic proteins through an ATP-driven conformational cycle, playing a crucial role in maintaining protein homeostasis. Despite our understanding of ATP-driven TRiC ring closing and substrate folding, the process and mechanisms underlying TRiC ring-opening and substrate release remain largely unexplored. In this study, by determining an ensemble of cryo-EM structures of yeast TRiC in the presence of ADP, including three intermediate transition states, we present a comprehensive picture of the TRiC ring-opening process.

Raman spectroscopy and bioinformatics-based identification of key genes and pathways capable of distinguishing between diffuse large B cell lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are subtypes of non-Hogkin lymphoma (NHL) that are generally distinct form one cases, but the transformation of one of these diseases into the other is possible. Some patients with CLL, for instance, have the potential to develop Richter transformation such that they are diagnosed with a rare, invasive DLBCL subtype. In this study, bioinformatics analyses of these two NHL subtypes were conducted, identifying key patterns of gene expression and then experimentally validating the results.

A more scientific blood lead reference value urgently needs to be updated in China: From a national and international insight.

Although blood lead levels (BLLs) in children have significantly decreased compared to two decades ago, incidents of lead poisoning and elevated BLLs among children continue to occur frequently. This trend suggests that China's current hygienic regulations are not sufficiently effective in managing children's lead exposure. This study analyzed the revision processes of blood lead reference values (BLRVs) in children from various countries, the current BLLs and their changing trends in China, potential sources of lead pollution and exposure, the requirements for managing and protecting children's health, as well as the national measures and strategies for lead emission management and control.

Pembrolizumab as an effective treatment for diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma with long‑term survival: A case report and literature review.

Primary diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPEM) is a malignant disease without standard treatments recommended. Recently, immunotherapy has revolutionized the field of tumor therapy. According to current clinical evidence, advanced MPEM may gain potential clinical benefits from immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Single-molecule techniques in studying the molecular mechanisms of DNA synapsis in non-homologous end-joining repair.

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are the most severe form of DNA damage, primarily repaired by the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway. A critical step in this process is DNA synapsis, where the two broken ends are brought together to facilitate timely repair. Deficiencies in NHEJ synapsis can lead to improper DNA end configurations, potentially resulting in chromosomal translocations.

Postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoproteins as predictors of carotid atherosclerosis in individuals with normal fasting lipid profiles: a prospective follow-up study.

Background: Carotid atherosclerosis (CAS), a key precipitator of cardiovascular incidents, is linked to postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL), as reflected by elevated triglycerides (TG) and remnant cholesterol (RC). This study explores the oral fat tolerance test (OFTT) for its predictive value in CAS, using postprandial TRL levels as a diagnostic biomarker.

Methods: A total of 107 volunteers with normal fasting lipid profiles and no CAS at baseline were included.

Clinical Analysis and Network Pharmacology in Revealing the Mechanism of Daifu Decoction on the Relapse of UC.

Background: Daifu Decoction (DFD), a patented herbal prescription used to prevent and treat ulcerative colitis (UC). This study aimed to reveal the effect of DFD on the relapse of UC and its mechanism via integrated retrospective clinical analysis, network pharmacology and in vivo and in vitro experimental validation.

Methods: First, the clinical data of UC patients treated with DFD were reviewed from a real-world study (RWS), and the relapse at 24 weeks after drug withdrawal was recorded to evaluate the relapse rate.