Melatonin attenuates degenerative disc degression by downregulating DLX5 via the TGF/Smad2/3 pathway in nucleus pulposus cells.

Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is the leading cause of low back pain, and apoptosis plays a key role in its pathogenesis. Distal-less homeobox 5 (Dlx5) has been reported to induce cell apoptosis. Melatonin, as a powerful antiapoptotic agent, has been widely reported.

Sulforaphane and ophthalmic diseases.

Sulforaphane (SFN) is an organosulfur compound categorized as an isothiocyanate (ITC), primarily extracted from cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage. The molecular formula of sulforaphane (SFN) is CHNOS. SFN is generated by the hydrolysis of glucoraphanin (GRP) through the enzyme myrosinase, showing notable properties including anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-angiogenic, and anticancer attributes.

Citraconate promotes the malignant progression of colorectal cancer by inhibiting ferroptosis.

Metastasis is a principal factor in the poor prognosis of colorectal cancer. Recent studies have found microbial metabolites regulate colorectal cancer metastasis. By analyzing metabolomics data, we identified an essential fecal metabolite citraconate that potentially promotes colorectal cancer metastasis.

Elucidating cuproptosis-related gene SLC31A1 diagnostic and prognostic values in cancer.

Objectives: Cancer remains a global health challenge, necessitating the identification of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Cuproptosis, a recently recognized form of cell death linked to copper metabolism, presents a promising avenue for anticancer strategies. We investigated the clinical significance of SLC31A1, a key regulator of cuproptosis, in multiple cancer types, aiming to elucidate its potential as a diagnostic biomarker, prognostic, indicator and therapeutic target.

Deep learning-based detection and classification of lumbar disc herniation on magnetic resonance images.

Background: The severity assessment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) on MR images is crucial for selecting suitable surgical candidates. However, the interpretation of MR images is time-consuming and requires repetitive work. This study aims to develop and evaluate a deep learning-based diagnostic model for automated LDH detection and classification on lumbar axial T2-weighted MR images.

The inhibition of Mpro, the primary protease of COVID-19, by and its active compounds: a network pharmacology and molecular docking study.

is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that can clear dampness, promote diuresis, and strengthen the spleen and stomach. has been detected in many TCM compounds that are used for COVID-19 intervention. However, the active ingredients and mechanisms associated with the effect of on COVID-19 remain unclear.

Hypersensitivity in the lungs is responsible for acute respiratory failure in COVID-19 patients: Case series of patients who received high-dose/short-term methylprednisolone.

Background: COVID-19 is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Patients with severe disease have a high fatality rate and face a huge medical burden due to the need for invasive mechanical ventilation. Hypoxic respiratory failure is the major cause of death in these patients.

Chronic Cardio-Metabolic Disease Increases the Risk of Worse Outcomes Among Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19: A Multicenter, Retrospective, and Real-World Study.

Background Although chronic cardio-metabolic disease is a common comorbidity among patients with COVID-19, its effects on the clinical characteristics and outcome are not well known. Methods and Results This study aimed to explore the association between underlying cardio-metabolic disease and mortality with COVID-19 among hospitalized patients. This multicenter, retrospective, and real-world study was conducted from January 22, 2020 to March 25, 2020 in China.

The preventive effect of seamless nursing care on pressure ulcer and related complications in elderly inpatients.

Objective: To study the preventive effect of seamless nursing care on pressure ulcer and related complications in elderly inpatients.

Methods: This study was performed in 132 elderly patients aged over 65 years. According to the random number table, these patients were allocated to the control group (n=66) and the experimental group (n=66).

A new 7-gene survival score assay for pancreatic cancer patient prognosis prediction.

Gene expression features that are valuable for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) prognosis are still largely unknown. We aimed to explore pivotal molecular signatures for PDAC progression and establish an efficient survival score to predict PDAC prognosis. Overall, 163 overlapping genes were identified from three statistical methods, including differentially expressed genes (DEGs), coexpression network analysis (WGCNA), and target genes for miRNAs that were significantly related to PDAC patients' overall survival (OS).

Paeoniflorin exhibits antitumor effects in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells through downregulation of NEDD4.

Paeoniflorin (PF), which is isolated from the paeony root, possesses tumor suppressive function in a variety of malignancies. However, it is unknown whether PF possesses anticancer activity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and which molecular mechanism is involved in PF-triggered antitumor function. In the current study, we measured cell proliferation, apoptotic death, cell cycle, cell motility in NPC cells after PF exposure.

The incidence and survival analysis for anaplastic thyroid cancer: a SEER database analysis.

Background: Thyroid carcinoma is the most common malignant endocrine tumor; the anaplastic thyroid cancer subtype is aggressive and has a poor prognosis. However, there is no effective treatment for this disease.

Methods: This study was analyzed using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.

Trends in incidence and survival in patients with melanoma, 1974-2013.

Melanoma is a rare malignancy that invades the skin and the mucosa. Research has been conducted on melanoma incidence and the survival of patients with melanoma; however, no studies in melanoma incidence and the survival spanning 40 years and based on a large population have thus far been reported. We obtained data on patients with melanoma for each decade from 1974 to 2013 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.

Inhibition of P2Y11R ameliorated TNF-α-induced degradation of extracellular matrix in human chondrocytic SW1353 cells.

Osteoarthritis is a major global health burden. Joint destruction resulting from excessive degradation of type II collagen and aggrecan in the articular extracellular matrix by metalloproteinases and aggrecanases, respectively, is a major pathological hallmark of osteoarthritis. However, the exact mechanisms remain poorly understood.

Antibacterial activity and mechanism of action of a thiophenyl substituted pyrimidine derivative.

The issue of multidrug resistant bacteria is a worldwide health threat. To develop new antibacterial agents with new mechanisms of action is thus an urgent request to address this antibiotic resistance crisis. In the present study, a new thiophenyl-pyrimidine derivative was prepared and utilized as an effective antibacterial agent against Gram-positive strains.

Gene expression profiling: identification of gene expression in human MSC chondrogenic differentiation.

Understanding the mechanisms that govern cell fate will lead to the development of techniques for the induction of human mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into desired cell outcomes and the production of an autologous source of tissue for regenerative medicine. Here, we demonstrate that stem cells derived from adult bone marrow grown with 3D pellets take on characteristics similar to human cartilage. The NFAT signaling pathway is primarily linked to cell differentiation and influences chondrogenic differentiation.

Erratum: Meprin α combined with CEA and CA19-9 improves prognostic prediction for surgically treated colorectal cancer patients.

[This corrects the article on p. 10441 in vol. 10, PMID: 31966381.

The prognostic significance of FBXO2 expression in colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer is the third most frequently diagnosed malignancy, and the prognosis at advanced tumor stages remains poor. FBXO2, a member of the F-box protein family, is a cytoplasmic protein and an ubiquitin ligase. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of FBXO2 in colorectal cancer.

MicroRNA-144-3p inhibits cell proliferation and induces cell apoptosis in prostate cancer by targeting CEP55.

Previous research reported that miR-144-3p functions as tumor suppressor in several tumors, including glioblastoma and hepatocelluar carcinoma, but the role of miR-144-3p in prostate cancer (PCa) remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to analyze the role of miR-144-3p in PCa. By RT-qPCR, we found that expression of miR-144-3p was markedly down-regulated in PCa tissues and cell lines compared with that in paired adjacent normal tissues and normal cell lines.

High expression of ZBED1 affects proliferation and apoptosis in gastric cancer.

Background: ZBED1 (zinc finger BED-type containing 1) is a transcription factor. However, its expression, role and clinical significance in cancer are unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the expression of ZBED1 and its effect on the proliferation of gastric cancer (GC).

Meprin α combined with CEA and CA19-9 improves prognostic prediction for surgically treated colorectal cancer patients.

Background: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) are generally used as tumour markers in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), and meprin α might be an additional marker.

Methods: The preoperative expression of serum CEA and CA19-9 was evaluated using a C12 protein biochip system, and tissue meprin α expression in CRC cells was detected by immunohistochemistry. The relationships of these indexes with clinicopathological parameters and the survival of CRC patients were analysed.

Elevated cerebrospinal fluid uric acid during relapse of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

Introduction: Previous studies have shown that serum uric acid (UA) modulates outcomes of neurological diseases, although little is known about cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) UA levels in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs).

Methods: Cerebrospinal fluid and serum UA levels were measured in samples from 68 patients, including NMOSDs during relapse (= 38) and controls with noninflammatory and non-neurodegenerative diseases (CTLs, = 30). Correlation analysis was performed between CSF UA and clinical characteristics, serum UA, and blood-brain barrier integrity in NMOSDs.

MicroRNA-10b regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition by modulating KLF4/Notch1/E-cadherin in cisplatin-resistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an initiating event in tumor cell invasion and metastasis that contributes to therapeutic resistance to compounds including cisplatin. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been associated with EMT as well as resistance to standard therapies. However, the underlying mechanisms by which miRNAs control the development of resistance to cisplatin (DDP), and the accompanying EMT-like properties are required to elucidate.

The association between elevated cystatin C levels with myocardial infarction: a meta-analysis.

Objective: Cystatin C is a well established marker of kidney function. There is evidence that cystatin C concentrations are also associated with myocardial infarction. The purpose of the present study is to clarify the link between cystatin C with myocardial infarction using a meta-analysis approach.