Integrating UPLC-MS/MS Bioinformatics and In Vivo Experiments Validation to Elucidate the Mechanism of Wenzi Jiedu Decoction in Suppressing Colorectal Cancer.

Objectives: We used ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), bioinformatics, and in vivo experiments to study the anti-colorectal cancer (CRC) effects of Wenzi Jiedu Decoction (WJD).

Methods: Detected the main components of WJD by UPLC-MS/MS. Obtained WJD targets and CRC targets through the open source database.

Quantitative electroencephalography predicts postoperative delirium in adult cardiac surgical patients from a prospective observational study.

The diagnostic and prognostic value of quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) in the the onset of postoperative delirium (POD) remains an area of inquiry. We aim to determine whether qEEG could assist in the diagnosis of early POD in cardiac surgery patients. We prospectively studied a cohort of cardiac surgery patients undergoing qEEG for evaluation of altered mental status.

Phenome-wide investigation of bidirectional causal relationships between major depressive disorder and common human diseases.

The high comorbidity of major depressive disorder (MDD) with other diseases has been well-documented. However, the pairwise causal connections for MDD comorbid networks are poorly characterized. We performed Phenome-wide Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to explore bidirectional causal associations between MDD (N = 807,553) and 877 common diseases from FinnGen datasets (N = 377,277).

Disrupted methionine cycle triggers muscle atrophy in cancer cachexia through epigenetic regulation of REDD1.

The essential amino acid methionine plays a pivotal role in one-carbon metabolism, facilitating the production of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), a critical supplier for DNA methylation and thereby a modulator of gene expression. Here, we report that the methionine cycle is disrupted in skeletal muscle during cancer cachexia, leading to endoplasmic reticulum stress and DNA hypomethylation-induced expression of the DNA damage inducible transcript 4 (Ddit4) gene, encoding the regulated in development and DNA damage response 1 (REDD1) protein. Targeting DNA methylation by depletion or pharmacological inhibition of DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) exacerbates cachexia, while restoring DNMT3A expression or REDD1 knockout alleviates cancer cachexia-induced skeletal muscle atrophy in mice.

Clinical Features and Transition of Acute Hepatitis B Virus Infection.

Acute hepatitis B (AHB) is generally a self-limiting illness in adults and most patients achieve hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance within 6 months. We aimed to investigate the proportion and influencing factors of chronic outcome in adult AHB patients. A total of 126 consecutive AHB patients were included between January 2013 and October 2018.

Determining the Optimal Age for Extracranial-Intracranial Bypass Surgery: A Post Hoc Analysis of the CMOSS Randomized Trial.

Background: Previous trials have failed to demonstrate the benefits of extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass surgery for patients with carotid or middle cerebral artery occlusion. However, little evidence has focused on the effect of age on prognosis. This study aimed to explore whether EC-IC bypass surgery can provide greater benefits than medical therapy alone in specific age groups.

Rhaponticin Alleviates Collagen-induced Arthritis by Inhibiting NLRP3/GSDMD-mediated Neutrophil Extracellular Traps.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play an important role in the inflammatory response and progressive joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Rhaponticin (Rha) is a stilbene glycoside compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of Rha in RA, with a specific focus on its effects on NETs and on the underlying mechanisms of Rha.

Loss of glomerular aldolase B in diabetic nephropathy promotes renal fibrosis via activating Akt/GSK/β-catenin axis.

Objective: Diabetic nephropathy (DN), characterized by a complex and multifaceted pathogenesis, stands as the foremost catalyst behind end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This study aims to analyze the level and non-metabolic role of glomerular aldolase B (ALDOB) in DN progression.

Methods: Glomerular proteomics and transcriptome are analyzed from 50 DN patients and 25 controls, respectively.

Shikonin hastens diabetic wound healing by inhibiting M1 macrophage polarisation through the MAPK signaling pathway.

Diabetes is an endocrine disorder characterized by abnormally elevated blood glucose levels. Diabetic patients often exhibit impaired wound healing capabilities, particularly in the lower limbs, which is one of the numerous complications of diabetes. This is a significant factor leading to recurrent inflammation, disability, and even amputation.

Nitric Oxide-Releasing Mesoporous Hollow Cerium Oxide Nanozyme-Based Hydrogel Synergizes with Neural Stem Cell for Spinal Cord Injury Repair.

Neural stem cell (NSCs) transplantation is a promising therapeutic strategy for spinal cord injury (SCI), but its efficacy is greatly limited by the local inhibitory microenvironment. In this study, based on l-arginine (l-Arg)-loaded mesoporous hollow cerium oxide (AhCeO) nanospheres, we constructed an injectable composite hydrogel (AhCeO-Gel) with microenvironment modulation capability. AhCeO-Gel protected NSCs from oxidative damage by eliminating excess reactive oxygen species while continuously delivering Nitric Oxide to the lesion of SCI in a pathological microenvironment, the latter of which effectively promoted the neural differentiation of NSCs.

Contrasting responses of soil bacterial and fungal networks to photovoltaic power station.

The rapid expansion of solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation raises concerns regarding its impact on terrestrial ecosystems. Although the influence of PV panels on soil conditions and plant biomass is acknowledged, their effects on the assembly processes and co-occurrence networks of soil microbial communities remain understudied. Clarifying this influence is crucial for understanding the effects of photovoltaic panels on soil ecosystem functions.

Research on the mechanism of core acupoints in electroacupuncture for functional constipation based on data mining and network acupuncture.

Aim: Functional Constipation (FC) is a common gastrointestinal disorder that imposes a considerable strain on global health. It negatively impacts the quality of life and results in significant healthcare expenditures. Current treatments, such as lifestyle changes and medications, fail to meet patient satisfaction due to efficacy and safety issues.

In vivo self-assembled siRNAs within small extracellular vesicles attenuate LRRK2-induced neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease models.

Rationale: Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene play an important role in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis, and downregulation of LRRK2 has become a promising therapy for PD. Here, we developed a synthetic biology strategy for the self-assembly and delivery of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) of LRRK2 into the substantia nigra via small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) using a genetic circuit (in the form of naked DNA plasmid) to attenuate PD-like phenotypes in mouse model.

Methods: We generated the genetic circuit encoding both a neuron-targeting rabies virus glycoprotein (RVG) tag and a LRRK2 siRNA under the control of a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, and assessed its therapeutic effects using LRRK2 mouse models of PD.

Emerging Functional Porous Scaffolds for Liver Tissue Engineering.

Liver tissue engineering holds promising in synthesizing or regenerating livers, while the design of functional scaffold remains a challenge. Owing to the intricate simulation of extracellular matrix structure and performance, porous scaffolds have demonstrated advantages in creating liver microstructures and sustaining liver functions. Currently, various methods and processes have been employed to fabricate porous scaffolds, manipulating the properties and morphologies of materials to confer them with unique supportive functions.

ShK-modified UCMSCs Inhibit M1-Like Macrophage Polarization and Alleviate Osteoarthritis Progression via PI3K/Akt Axis.

The potassium channel Kv1.3 plays an important role in regulating immune cell functions in many inflammatory diseases whereas rarely in osteoarthritis (OA). Here, it is demonstrated that the Kv1.

Fatty Acid Oxidation-Glycolysis Metabolic Transition Affects ECM Homeostasis in Silica-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Silicosis is a fatal occupational pulmonary disease that is characterized by irreversible replacement of lung parenchyma by aberrant Exracellular matrix (ECM). Metabolic reprogramming is a crucial mechanism for fibrosis. However, how the metabolic rewiring shifts the ECM homeostasis toward overaccumulation remains unclear.

A new approach in generating stable crack propagation at twisted bilayer graphene/hBN heterostructures.

Thermodynamic theory suggests that the obvious mechanical behavior caused by temperature and interlayer angle will affect the physical properties of materials, such as mechanical properties and transportation behavior, and it is different from the behavior in three-dimensional bulk materials. We observe an abnormal physical effect of bilayer graphene/hexagonal boron nitride (G/BN)-carbon nanotube (CNT) heterostructures, with a normalized out-of-plane deformation and normalized bond angle percentage to almost several times higher those of pristine G/BN heterostructures (without CNT) at 700-800 K. Our combined finite element theory and molecular dynamics simulations confirmed that the combination of CNT and interlayer angle diverted and bridged the propagating crack and provided a stable crack propagation path and crack tip opening displacement, resulting in the stress fields to be controlled around the CNT at high temperature.

Latent profile analysis of spousal information concealment in patients with cancer: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate spousal information concealment in patients with cancer and analyse its influencing factors.

Methods: Between April and July 2024, 371 spouses of patients with cancer were surveyed using the Demographic and Clinical Characteristics Questionnaire, the Information Concealment Scale for Caregivers, Fear of Progression Questionnaires for Partners, and the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire. Influencing factors were analysed using latent profile analysis.

Multisystem clinicopathologic and genetic analysis of MELAS.

Background And Objectives: Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome is a maternally inherited mitochondrial disorder that mostly affects the central nervous system and skeletal muscle. This study provides a comprehensive summary of the clinical symptoms, multisystemic pathogenesis, and genetic characteristics of MELAS syndrome. The aim was to improve comprehension of clinical practice and gain a deeper understanding of the latest pathophysiological theories.

Accurate prediction of bleeding risk after coronary artery bypass grafting with dual antiplatelet therapy: A machine learning model vs. the PRECISE-DAPT score.

Background: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), although might be protective for ischemic events, can lead to varying degrees of bleeding, resulting in serious clinical events, including death. This study aims to develop accurate and scalable predictive tools for early identification of bleeding risks during the DAPT period post-CABG, comparing them with the PRECISE-DAPT score..

Robotic versus laparoscopic intersphincteric resection for patients with low rectal cancer: Short-term outcomes.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the short-term outcomes between laparoscopic intersphincteric resection (L-ISR) and robotic intersphincteric resection (R-ISR) for low rectal cancer.

Patients And Methods: We performed a retrospective clinical analysis between August 2018 and August 2021 at the Department Of General Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School.

Results: A total of 28 patients were recruited in this research.

Ectopic endometrial stromal cell-derived extracellular vesicles encapsulating microRNA-25-3p induce endometrial collagen I deposition impairing decidualization in endometriosis.

Endometrial collagen I undergoes dynamic degradation and remodelling in response to endometrial stromal cell (ESC) decidualization and embryo implantation. However, excessive collagen I deposition in the endometrium during the implantation window may impair decidualization, causing embryo implantation failure in patients with endometriosis (EMS). We found that endometrial collagen I expression during the mid-secretory phase was increased in the EMS group of patients.

Experiences and barriers in downward referral decision-making for palliative care patient caregivers under China's three-tiered linkage model: A qualitative study.

Objective: This study aimed to explore hospice caregivers' downward referral decision-making experiences and barriers under the triadic linkage model in China and to analyze the deeper social dynamics of hospice referral choices.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with caregivers handling hospice referrals from two primary hospice agencies in Nanjing, China. The themes were analyzed and summarized using the Colaizzi 7-step analysis.