Nonacademic predictors of China medical licensing examination.

Background: National Medical Licensing Examination (NMLE) is the entrance exam for medical practice in China, and its general medical knowledge test (GMKT) evaluates abilities of medical students to comprehensively apply medical knowledge to clinical practice. This study aimed to identify nonacademic predictors of GMKT performance, which would benefit medical schools in designing appropriate strategies and techniques to facilitate the transition from medical students to qualified medical practitioners.

Methods: In 1202 medical students, we conducted the deletion-substitution-addition (DSA) and structural equation model (SEM) analyses to identify nonacademic predictors of GMKT performance from 98 candidate variables including early life events, physical conditions, psychological and personality assessments, cognitive abilities, and socioeconomic conditions.

CircCCT2/miR-146a-5p/IRAK1 axis promotes the development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), a highly invasive malignancy with a poor prognosis, is one of the most common cancers globally. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have become key regulators of human malignancies, but further studies are necessary to fully understand their functions and possible causes in HNSCC.

Methods: CircCCT2 expression levels in HNSCC tissues and cells were measured via qPCR.

Effects of antidiabetic agents on lipid metabolism of skeletal muscle: A narrative review.

Metabolic syndrome-related diseases frequently involve disturbances in skeletal muscle lipid metabolism. The accumulation of lipid metabolites, lipid-induced mitochondrial stress in skeletal muscle cells, as well as the inflammation of adjacent adipose tissue, are associated with the development of insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction. Consequently, when antidiabetic medications are used to treat various chronic conditions related to hyperglycaemia, the impact on skeletal muscle lipid metabolism should not be overlooked.

Avenanthramide A potentiates Bim-mediated antineoplastic properties of 5-fluorouracil targeting KDM4C//GSK-3 negative feedback loop in colorectal cancer.

Chemoresistance to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a significant challenge in treating colorectal cancer (CRC). Novel combined regimens to thwart chemoresistance are therefore urgently needed. Herein, we demonstrated that the combination of Avenanthramide A (AVN A) and 5-FU has significant therapeutic advantages against CRC.

Effects of non-pharmacological interventions on depressive and anxiety symptoms in pregnant women: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: Given the distinctive physiological characteristics of pregnant women, non-pharmacological therapies are increasingly being used to improve depressive and anxiety symptoms. Our objective was to explore and compare the impact of various non-pharmacological interventions in improving depressive and anxiety symptoms, and to identify the most effective strategies for pregnant women with depressive and/or anxiety symptoms.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared non-pharmacological interventions to usual care, from the inception of each database up to October 5, 2024.

Targeted Analysis of VOCS in Exhaled Breath of Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis Patients, An Exploratory Study.

Introduction: Pneumoconiosis represents the most prevalent occupational disease in China, with coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) showing the highest incidence. Analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the exhaled breath of CWP patients may provide novel insights into its pathogenesis.

Methods: Study data were collected through questionnaires and medical examinations.

Coal Worker's Pneumoconiosis-Targeted Lipidomics Reveals Aberrant Phospholipid Metabolism for Early-Stage Diagnosis.

Introduction: Pneumoconiosis is the most prevalent occupational disease in China, with coal worker pneumoconiosis (CWP) demonstrating the highest incidence. Studies have indicated that phospholipids may be associated with CWP.

Methods: In this study, serum was obtained from 62 patients with pneumoconiosis, 105 coal dust-exposed workers, and 50 healthy individuals and analyzed via targeted lipidomics using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS).

Association of serum PD-L1 and IGFBP-2 levels with prognosis in patients with esophageal carcinoma.

This study investigates the prognostic value of serum biomarkers PD-L1 and IGFBP-2 in patients with esophageal carcinoma. It finds a significant positive correlation between these biomarkers and established tumor markers CEA and CYFRA21-1. The 3-year survival rate for the patient cohort was 45.

Supportive care needs of the family caregivers of urostomy patients: a qualitative study.

Family caregivers play a vital role during the home care of urostomy patients by providing direct care and support. The role of family caregivers may extend to several years, even over ten years, in certain cases. In this process, the caregivers are impacted in various ways due to the patient's conditions and may not be able to identify and address their own needs, which often get ignored and remain unfulfilled.

Identification of aberrant plasma vesicles containing AAK1 and CCDC18-AS1 in adolescents with major depressive disorder and preliminary exploration of treatment efficacy.

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) during adolescence significantly jeopardizes both mental and physical health. However, the etiology underlying MDD in adolescents remains unclear.

Methods: A total of 74 adolescents with MDD and 40 health controls (HCs) who underwent comprehensive clinical and cognitive assessments were enrolled.

Efficacy and Safety of Shexiang Baoxin Pill (MUSKARDIA) in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease Across Different Weight Subgroups.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Shexiang Baoxin Pill (MUSKARDIA), a traditional Chinese patent medicine, plays a crucial role in both preventing and treating diverse cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction (MI), and heart failure. Preclinical research has demonstrated that the cardioprotective effects of MUSKARDIA are achieved through multiple pathways, such as enhancing coronary artery dilation, fostering new blood vessel growth, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, improving lipid metabolism, and protecting vascular endothelium.

Aim Of The Study: This subgroup analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Baoxin Pill (MUSKARDIA) plus optimal medical therapy (OMT) across different weight categories in treating stable coronary artery disease (CAD).

Structural and load-dependent arterial stiffness across the adult life span.

Background: The arterial stiffening is attributed to the intrinsic structural stiffening and/or load-dependent stiffening by increased blood pressure (BP). The respective lifetime alterations and major determinants of the two components with normal aging are not clear.

Methods: A total of 3053 healthy adults (1922 women) aged 18-79 years were enrolled.

Development and validation of a risk prediction model related to inflammatory and nutritional indexes for postoperative pulmonary infection after radical colorectal cancer surgery.

Objective: To develop and validate a risk prediction model related to inflammatory and nutritional indexes for postoperative pulmonary infection (POI) after radical colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Participants: This study analysed 866 CRC patients after radical surgery at a tertiary hospital in China.

The non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio as a predictive indicator of CKD risk in NAFLD patients: NHANES 2017-2020.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are both closely related to dyslipidemia. However, the relationship between dyslipidemia in patients with NAFLD and CKD is not yet clear. The non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHHR) is an innovative and comprehensive lipid index.

The effects of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway on the in vitro differentiation of rat BMSCs into leydig cells.

Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) refers to sexual and non-sexual symptoms in men caused by age-related decreases in circulating testosterone. Leydig cells (LCs) transplantation is considered to be one of a viable approach for LOH therapy, but the limited source of LCs limits the application of this approach. The aim of this study was to induce the directed differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into LCs in vitro, and explore the potential involvement of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the differentiation process.

The burden of Gastric Cancer and possible risk factors from 1990 to 2021, and projections until 2035: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Background And Objective: Gastric cancer (GC) remains a significant global health challenge, characterized by high incidence and mortality rates, particularly in East Asia. A comprehensive understanding of the disease burden of gastric cancer is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies. However, comprehensive global assessments of the disease burden of gastric cancer remain limited.

Structure-based discovery of dual-target inhibitors of the helicase from bagaza virus.

Bagaza virus (BAGV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus and has caused significant avian death in many regions, and also garnered recognition as a significant human pathogen causing diseases like encephalitis. The genome of BAGV encodes ten proteins including three structural proteins and seven nonstructural proteins. The C-terminus of the BAGV NS3 helicase serves as a helicase during BAGV replication, aiding in ATP hydrolysis and unwinding of double-stranded RNA.

Mapping the current trends and hotspots of extracellular vesicles in Alzheimer's disease: a bibliometric analysis.

Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have garnered significant attention in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research over the past decade, largely due to their potential in diagnostics and therapeutics. Although the investigation of EVs in AD is a relatively recent endeavor, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of this rapidly growing field has yet to be conducted.

Methods: This study aims to elucidate and synthesize the relationship between EVs and AD, offering critical insights to guide future research and expand therapeutic possibilities.

Anti-inflammatory, anti-colitis, and antioxidant effects of columbianadin against DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in rats via alteration of HO-1/Nrf2 and TLR4-NF-κB signaling pathway.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a significant inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that typically arises from chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract. Report suggest that anti-inflammatory drug plays a crucial role in the protection of UC. The recent study demonstrated that columbianadin has a protective effect against UC induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in rats through the modulation of HO-1/Nrf2 and TLR4-NF-κB signaling pathways.

Microplastics induce human kidney development retardation through ATP-mediated glucose metabolism rewiring.

Recent research has revealed an accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in the environment and human tissues, giving rise to concerns about their potential toxicity. The kidney is a vital organ responsible for various physiological functions. Early kidney development is crucial for ensuring proper structure and function.

Association of sleep duration and sleep disorders with post-stroke depression and all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in US stroke survivors: results from NHANES 2005-2018.

Background: Sleep disturbance is a common concern among stroke survivors, yet the association of sleep duration and sleep disorders with post-stroke depression and all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality remains elusive. We aimed to explore these associations using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Methods: Adult stroke survivors from NHANES 2005-2018 were included.

Integrated Mendelian Randomization and Single-Cell Transcriptomics Analysis Identifies Critical Blood Biomarkers and Potential Mechanisms in Epilepsy.

Background: Epilepsy has a genetic predisposition, yet causal factors and the dynamics of the immune environment in epilepsy are not fully understood.

Methods: We analyzed peripheral blood samples from epilepsy patients, identifying key genes associated with epilepsy risk through Mendelian randomization, using eQTLGen and genome-wide association studies. The peripheral immune environment's composition in epilepsy was explored using CIBERSORT.

NIR II Laser-Triggered Photothermal Nanoplatform for Multimodal Imaging-Guided Synergistic Therapy toward Colon Cancer.

Colon cancer is one kind of malignant digestive tract tumor with high morbidity and mortality worldwide, treatments for which still face great challenges. Recently emerged intervention strategies such as phototherapy and gas therapy have displayed promising effects in the treatment of colon cancer, but their application are still hindered due to insufficient tumor targeting and deeper tissue penetrating capacity. Herein, in the present study, we developed one theranostic nanoplatform Cet-CDs-SNO (CCS) to realize multimodal imaging-guided synergistic colon cancer therapy.