Targeting stromal cells in tumor microenvironment as a novel treatment strategy for glioma.

Glioma is the most common primary malignant tumor of the central nervous system in adults, characterized by high mortality, low cure rate and high recurrence rate. Among gliomas, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant subtype. Currently, the standard treatment for patients with GBM is maximum surgical excision combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

A comprehensive review of the roles of T-cell immunity in preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia (PE) is an obstetrical disorder that occurs after the 20th week of gestation. It is recognized as one of the "Great Obstetrical Syndromes" and principally contributes to maternal morbidity and mortality. PE has been associated with a range of immune disorders, including a preponderance of T helper (Th) 1 over Th2 cells and imbalanced levels of Th17 and T regulatory cells (Tregs).

Vision-Threatening Complications of Juxtapapillary Retinal Capillary Hemangioma: A Case of Retinal Artery Occlusion.

BACKGROUND Juxtapapillary retinal capillary hemangioma (JRCH) is a rare vascular hamartoma that, when present, can cause many complications. We report a case of branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) in the setting of progressive exophytic JRCH, which, to the best of our knowledge, has not been reported until now. CASE REPORT The patient was 34-year-old woman who presented with visual blurring and visual field defects of the left eye and with no significant medical history.

Complex Role of Circulating Triglycerides in Breast Cancer Onset and Survival: Insights From Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study.

Background: Reducing the incidence of breast cancer and improving its prognosis have become significant challenges for the global public health sector. We aimed to investigate the role of circulating triglycerides in the occurrence and survival of patients with breast cancer, while focusing on the possible differential effects by molecular subtypes of breast cancer.

Methods: We used a Mendelian randomization approach to analyze publicly accessible genome-wide association study data, including triglyceride levels, breast cancer risk, and survival prognosis.

The role of complement in tumor immune tolerance and drug resistance: a double-edged sword.

The domain of cancer treatment has persistently been confronted with significant challenges, including those associated with recurrence and drug resistance. The complement system, which serves as the foundation of the innate immune system, exhibits intricate and nuanced dual characteristics in the evolution of tumors. On the one hand, the complement system has the capacity to directly inhibit cancer cell proliferation via specific pathways, thereby exerting a beneficial anti-tumor effect.

Personal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons-bound particulate matter during pregnancy and umbilical inflammation and oxidative stress.

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), particularly when bound to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), is an emerging concern for adverse prenatal health outcomes. This study investigates the associations between prenatal exposure to PAHs-bound PM and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in umbilical cord blood.

Potential application and prospects of ROS-sensitive biomaterials in cancer therapy: a immune microenvironment triggered nanomaterial.

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) is the collective term used for the extremely reactive molecules that are important mediators in physiological processes as well as the development of various disease conditions. Normal cells maintain a delicate equilibrium, known as redox homeostasis, between antioxidants and ROS levels. Any imbalance in the redox homeostasis of the body results in oxidative stress which can result in inflammation, necrosis, apoptosis, cell death, and eventually a disease state.

Astaxanthin alleviates spinal nerve ligation-induced neuropathic pain by modulating propionic acid levels.

Background: The treatment for neuropathic pain (NP) remains challenging. Propionic acid (PA), derived from gut microbiota, is a promising therapeutic target for NP. However, the precise role of PA in NP is nebulous; further, whether Astaxanthin (AST), which exhibits analgesic properties, is involved in regulating PA in NP remains unknown.

Long Non-Coding RNAs: Key Regulators of Tumor Epithelial/Mesenchymal Plasticity and Cancer Stemness.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNA molecules with transcripts longer than 200 bp, which were initially thought to be noise from genomic transcription without biological function. However, since the discovery of H19 in 1980 and Xist in 1990, increasing evidence has shown that lncRNAs regulate gene expression at epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional levels through specific regulatory actions and are involved in the development of cancer and other diseases. Despite many lncRNAs being expressed at lower levels than those of protein-coding genes with less sequence conservation across species, lncRNAs have become an intense area of RNA research.

Prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and blood pressure in the early life of children.

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been associated with many adverse health outcomes. This cohort study investigates the association between prenatal exposure to PAHs and blood pressure in children aged 4-6 years. Conducted in Shenyang, China, the study includes 5642 children whose mothers provided urine samples in the third trimester, which were analyzed for PAH metabolites.

Immune microenvironment features underlying the superior efficacy of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy over chemotherapy in local advanced gastric cancer.

Background: The therapeutic efficacy of neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy (Io+Chemo) is superior than chemotherapy alone (Chemo). However, the mechanism of Io+Chemo superiority remains to be further elucidated.

Methods: The study included 128 patients with resectable stage II-III gastric cancer, in which 63 were given neoadjuvant Io+Chemo, and 65 Chemo alone.

Enarodustat for the Treatment of Anemia in Chinese Patients with Non-Dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease: A Phase 3 Trial.

Introduction: Renal anemia is a common complication among patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (ND-CKD), and there remains an unmet need for more efficient and convenient daily oral medications to improve patient outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of enarodustat, a hypoxia-inducible factor-prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor, in treating anemia for ND-CKD patients.

Methods: This phase 3 study was conducted at 48 centers across China, enrolling 156 ND-CKD patients.

Evaluation of the transmission-blocking potential of antigen Pvg37 using transgenic rodent parasites and clinical isolates.

Background: is a major cause of malaria, particularly outside Africa, necessitating effective strategies for public health management. Transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) have shown the potential to inhibit malaria transmission by targeting antigens expressed in sexual-stage parasites. Pbg37, a conserved protein expressed in sexual stages from gametocyte to ookinete in the rodent parasite , is a viable target for TBV development.

Advancements in the study of T lymphocytes in thoracic aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection.

Thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissection (TAAD) is a critical, life-threatening cardiovascular condition characterized by immune-mediated inflammatory infiltration and structural degradation of the aorta wall, which are pivotal in its etiology. In recent years, the significance of T lymphocytes in TAAD has increasingly garnered scientific attention. TAAD is a multifaceted vascular disorder characterized by the involvement of many immune cells, with T lymphocytes playing a pivotal role, particularly in the modulation of inflammatory responses, immunological control, and tissue damage.

A high-performance chitosan-grafted Cu(Ⅱ) coating improves endothelialization and mitigates the degradation of biodegradable magnesium alloy stents.

As biodegradable scaffolds with great application potential, magnesium alloy stents face problems in terms of their fast degradation rate and dysendothelialization of larger meshes. The present solution strategy was to achieve proper and long-term release of Cu(Ⅱ) ions by preparing a chitosan-grafted Cu(Ⅱ) coating to promote the endothelialization process and then reduce the degradation rate of magnesium alloy stents by improving their service environment. In this work, the effects of a functional coating on the corrosion resistance, endothelialization and blood compatibility of AZ31 magnesium alloy stents were systematically studied in vitro, and the relevant function of the coated stent was verified by implantation into the rabbit carotid artery.

Somatic gain-of-function mutation in TLR7 causes early-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: We identified a case of early-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) characterised by acute immune thrombocytopenia, recurrent fever, pneumonia, myocardial damage, thyroid dysfunction, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and intracranial calcification. Our objective was to investigate the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying the disease.

Methods: Whole exome sequencing and targeted sequencing were performed and a somatic mutation in TLR7 was identified.

Exploring the Associations of Obesity and Glycemic Traits with Retinal Vein Occlusion: A Univariate and Multivariable Mendelian Randomization Study.

Purpose: To explore the genetic links between obesity, glycemic traits and retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

Methods: Summary-level statistics for obesity and glycemic traits were extracted from publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of European participants in the IEU Open GWAS database. Genetic associations with clinically diagnosed RVO were obtained from the FinnGenresearch project (372 cases and 182,573 controls).

Role of plasma metabolome in mediating the effect of plasma lipidome on NAFLD: a Mendelian randomization study.

Background: This study explored the causal connection among the plasma lipidome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and potential metabolome mediators through Mendelian randomization (MR).

Methods: We obtained summary statistics for 179 plasma lipidome traits ( = 7,174), 1,400 plasma metabolome traits ( = 8,299), and one NAFLD trait from publicly available genome-wide association studies. A two-sample MR analysis was conducted to infer causality.

Global, regional, and national disease burden attributable to high systolic blood pressure in youth and young adults: 2021 Global Burden of Disease Study analysis.

Background: High systolic blood pressure (HSBP) can cause adverse cardiovascular events and is therefore associated with a heavy global disease burden. However, this disease burden is poorly understood in youth and young adults. We aimed to explore this population to better understand the evolving trends in HSBP-related disease burden, which is crucial for effectively controlling and mitigating harmful effects.

Identification of potential druggable targets for endometriosis through Mendelian randomization analysis.

Introduction: Endometriosis (EM) is a widely recognized disorder in gynecological endocrinology. Although hormonal therapies are frequently employed for EM, their side effects and outcome limitations underscore the need to explore the genetic basis and potential drug targets for developing innovative therapeutic approaches. This study aimed to identify both cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma protein markers as promising therapeutic targets for EM.

Salt Substitution and Recurrent Stroke and Death: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The direct effect of consumption of salt substitutes on recurrent stroke and mortality among patients with stroke remains unclear.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of salt substitutes vs regular salt on the incidence of recurrent stroke and mortality among patients with stroke.

Design, Setting, And Participants: The Salt Substitute and Stroke Study (SSaSS), an open-label, cluster randomized clinical trial, was conducted in 600 northern Chinese villages (clusters).

Comparative study on the bioavailability and bioequivalence of rifapentine capsules in humans.

Introduction: : Rifapentine, a potent semi-synthetic member of the rifamycin class, is approved for the treatment of tuberculosis due to its effective bactericidal properties. It is essential to assess the bioequivalence and bioavailability of different rifapentine formulations to ensure consistent clinical outcomes. This study compares the pharmacokinetic profiles of test and reference rifapentine capsules in healthy male volunteers.

Association between plasma perfluoroalkyl substances and high-grade serous ovarian cancer overall survival: A nested case-control study.

Background: Although evidence suggests that perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are positively correlated to several disease risks, no studies have proven if plasma PFASs are related to ovarian cancer survival.

Objective: To explore the association between plasma PFASs and high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) overall survival (OS) in the population who did not smoke.

Methods: We conducted a nested case-control study within the Ovarian Cancer Follow-Up Study, matching 159 dead patients and 159 survival ones based on body mass index, sample date, and age at diagnosis.

Association of low-sodium salt intervention with osteoporosis: A cross-sectional study based on the SSaSS study.

Unlabelled: Low-sodium salt has a protective effect on BMD and also reduces the risk of osteopenia due to elevated blood glucose. This provides a direct and effective way to improve bone health in patients with hyperglycemia.

Objective: There is no consensus on the relationship between salt type and bone mineral density (BMD).