Macrophages and tumor-associated macrophages in the senescent microenvironment: From immunosuppressive TME to targeted tumor therapy.

In-depth studies of the tumor microenvironment (TME) have helped to elucidate its cancer-promoting mechanisms and inherent characteristics. Cellular senescence, which acts as a response to injury and can the release of senescence-associated secretory phenotypes (SASPs). These SASPs release various cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors, remodeling the TME.

Inefficacy of anti-VEGF therapy reflected in VEGF-mediated photoreceptor degeneration.

Retinal neovascularization (RNV) is primarily driven by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). However, current anti-VEGF therapies are limited by short half-lives and repeated injections, which reduce patient quality of life and increase medical risks. Additionally, not all patients benefit from anti-VEGF monotherapy, and some problems, such as unsatisfactory vision recovery, persist after long-term treatment.

Abnormal changes in metabolites caused by mA methylation modification: The leading factors that induce the formation of immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and their promising potential for clinical application.

Background: N6-methyladenosine (mA) RNA methylation modifications have been widely implicated in the metabolic reprogramming of various cell types within the tumor microenvironment (TME) and are essential for meeting the demands of cellular growth and maintaining tissue homeostasis, enabling cells to adapt to the specific conditions of the TME. An increasing number of research studies have focused on the role of mA modifications in glucose, amino acid and lipid metabolism, revealing their capacity to induce aberrant changes in metabolite levels. These changes may in turn trigger oncogenic signaling pathways, leading to substantial alterations within the TME.

Hif-1α expression targets the TMA/Fmo3/TMAO axis to participate in gallbladder cholesterol stone formation in individuals living in plateau regions.

The incidence of gallbladder cholesterol stones (GCS) increases rapidly among people living in high-altitude hypoxic environments compared to those in normoxic areas. Upregulation of hepatic hypoxia inducible factor 1α (Hif-1α) plays a key role in the formation of GCS. High plasma trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) levels are positively correlated with the occurrence of GCS.

Higher serum carotenoid concentrations were associated with the lower risk of cancer-related death: Evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

The study focuses on the association between serum carotenoids and cancer-related death. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2001-2006 and 2017-2018), the study encompasses 10,277 participants older than age 20 years, with recorded baseline characteristics and serum carotenoid concentrations (including α-carotene, trans-β-carotene, cis-β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, trans-lycopene, and lutein/zeaxanthin). We hypothesized that serum carotenoid concentrations were negatively associated with cancer-related death.

Work experience of breastfeeding nurses returning to work after maternity leave in Liaoning Province of China: A qualitative study.

Aim: With the implementation of China's three-child policy in 2021, the nurse population faces an increase in the number of breastfeeding nurses returning to work after maternity leave. This study aims to describe the work experience of breastfeeding nurses returning to work after maternity leave.

Design: A qualitative descriptive design.

Platelet-derived microparticles and their cargos: The past, present and future.

All eukaryotic cells can secrete extracellular vesicles, which have a double-membrane structure and are important players in the intercellular communication involved in a variety of important biological processes. Platelets form platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) in response to activation, injury, or apoptosis. This review introduces the origin, pathway, and biological functions of PMPs and their importance in physiological and pathological processes.

Activating transcription factor 4: a regulator of stress response in human cancers.

Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) is an adaptive response regulator of metabolic and oxidative homeostasis. In response to cellular stress, ATF4 is activated and functions as a regulator to promote cell adaptation for survival. As a transcriptional regulator, ATF4 also widely participates in the regulation of amino acid metabolism, autophagy, redox homeostasis and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Association of autoimmune and allergic diseases with senile cataract: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Many observational studies have been reported that patients with autoimmune or allergic diseases seem to have a higher risk of developing senile cataract, but the views are not consistent. In order to minimize the influence of reverse causality and potential confounding factors, we performed Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the genetic causal associations between autoimmune, allergic diseases and senile cataract.

Methods: Single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with ten common autoimmune and allergic diseases were obtained from the IEU Open genome-wide association studies (GWAS) database.

Engineering exosomes to reshape the immune microenvironment in breast cancer: Molecular insights and therapeutic opportunities.

Background: Breast cancer remains a global health challenge, necessitating innovative therapeutic approaches. Immunomodulation and immunotherapy have emerged as promising strategies for breast cancer treatment. Engineered exosomes are the sort of exosomes modified with surface decoration and internal therapeutic molecules.

Development of high-efficiency superparamagnetic drug delivery system with MPI imaging capability.

In this study, a high-efficiency superparamagnetic drug delivery system was developed for preclinical treatment of bladder cancer in small animals. Two types of nanoparticles with magnetic particle imaging (MPI) capability, i.e.

The correlation between iodine and metabolism: a review.

Iodine is involved in the synthesis of thyroid hormones and plays a crucial role in human life. Both iodine deficiency and excess are common issues in certain populations. Iodine also has extrathyroidal effects on organs that can uptake it independently of thyroid hormones.

Hsa_circ_0005320 affects cell proliferation and the cell cycle via the IGF2BP3/CDK2 axis in bladder cancer.

Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs), which are covalently closed non-coding RNAs, are frequently dysregulated in cancer. However, their precise role in bladder cancer (BCa) remains largely unknown.

Methods: Expression of hsa_circ_0005320 in tissues and cell lines was detected using quantitative real-time PCR.

The DDX6/KIFC1 signaling axis, as regulated by YY1, contributes to the malignant behavior of pancreatic cancer.

Human DEAD/H box RNA helicase DDX6 acts as an oncogene in several different types of cancer, where it participates in RNA processing. Nevertheless, the role of DDX6 in pancreatic cancer (PC), together with the underlying mechanism, has yet to be fully elucidated. In the present study, compared with adjacent tissues, the level of DDX6 was abnormally increased in human PC tissues, and this increased level of expression was associated with poor prognosis.

Demethylases in tumors and the tumor microenvironment: Key modifiers of N-methyladenosine methylation.

RNA methylation modifications are widespread in eukaryotes and prokaryotes, with N-methyladenosine (mA) the most common among them. Demethylases, including Fat mass and obesity associated gene (FTO) and AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5), are important in maintaining the balance between RNA methylation and demethylation. Recent studies have clearly shown that demethylases affect the biological functions of tumors by regulating their mA levels.

Lower glomerular filtration rate after mild stroke induces cognitive impairment by causing endothelial dysfunction.

The incidence of post stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) is high in patients with mild stroke (MIS), and the risk factors and mechanism are uncertain. Increased cystatin C (CysC) levels after stroke may reflect lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal impairment. Previous studies have suggested endothelial dysfunction (ED) is closely related to renal impairment and cognitive impairment, respectively.

Role of artificial intelligence in digital pathology for gynecological cancers.

The diagnosis of cancer is typically based on histopathological sections or biopsies on glass slides. Artificial intelligence (AI) approaches have greatly enhanced our ability to extract quantitative information from digital histopathology images as a rapid growth in oncology data. Gynecological cancers are major diseases affecting women's health worldwide.

CircRNA: a rising therapeutic strategy for lung injury induced by pulmonary toxicants.

Lung injury has been a serious medical problem that requires new therapeutic approaches and biomarkers. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that exist widely in eukaryotes. CircRNAs are single-stranded RNAs that form covalently closed loops.

The cell death-related genes machine learning model for precise therapy and clinical drug selection in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the prevailing subtype of hepatocellular malignancy. While previous investigations have evidenced a robust link with programmed cell death (PCD) and tumorigenesis, a comprehensive inquiry targeting the relationship between multiple PCDs and HCC remains scant. Our aim was to develop a predictive model for different PCD patterns in order to investigate their impact on survival rates, prognosis and drug response rates in HCC patients.

Multidisciplinary combined treatment based on bariatric surgery for metabolic syndrome: a review article.

As a chronic, multifactorial disease, obesity is associated with a global social and economic burden. This condition significantly affects normal daily life and healthy social interactions, and shortens the life expectancy of patients. Compared with traditional weight-loss methods, the emergence of bariatric surgery has effectively improved the management of obesity.