Multiple features of cell-free mtDNA for predicting transarterial chemoembolization response in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the primary treatment modality for advanced HCC, yet its efficacy assessment and prognosis prediction largely depend on imaging and serological markers that possess inherent limitations in terms of real-time capability, sensitivity, and specificity. Here, we explored whether multiple features of cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cf-mtDNA), including copy number, mutations, and fragmentomics, could be used to predict the response and prognosis of patients with HCC undergoing TACE treatment.

Methods: A total of 60 plasma cell-free DNA samples were collected from 30 patients with HCC before and after the first TACE treatment and then subjected to capture-based mtDNA sequencing and whole-genome sequencing.

Dicoumarol sensitizes hepatocellular carcinoma cells to ferroptosis induced by imidazole ketone erastin.

Introduction: Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death, is characterized by the lethal accumulation of lipid peroxides on cellular membranes. It not only inhibits tumor growth but also enhances immunotherapy responses and overcomes drug resistance in cancer therapy. The inhibition of the cystine-glutamate antiporter, system Xc-, induces ferroptosis.

Achievement and Challenges in Orthohantavirus Vaccines.

Orthohantaviruses (also known as hantaviruses) are pathogens that cause two distinct, yet related forms of severe human disease: hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). These diseases pose a significant threat to global public health due to their high case fatality rates, which can range from 1% to 50%. In recent years, an increasing number of countries and regions have reported human cases, underscoring the urgent need for improved understanding, prevention, and treatment strategies.

Rejuvenation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Mechanisms and Their Application in Senile Osteoporosis Treatment.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) are multipotent cells present in bone marrow; they play a crucial role in the process of bone formation. Cellular senescence is defined as a stable state of cell cycle arrest that impairs the functioning of cells. Research has shown that aging triggers a state of senescence in BM-MSCs, leading to a reduced capacity for osteogenic differentiation and the accumulation of senescent cells, which can accelerate the onset of various diseases.

Mitofilin-mtDNA Axis Mediates Chronic Lead Exposure-Induced Synaptic Plasticity Impairment of Hippocampal and Cognitive Deficits.

Neurotoxic damage resulting from lead pollution exposure constitutes a significant public health concern. The regulatory impact of lead (Pb) exposure on neuronal dendritic spine plasticity, a crucial mechanism for neuronal adaptation, warrants further investigation. To elucidate the role and mechanism of the Mitofilin-mtDNA axis in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and learning and memory impairment induced by lead exposure, in this study, both in vivo and in vitro models were subjected to chronic lead exposure.

Combining molecular characteristics and therapeutic analysis of PDOs predict clinical responses and guide PDAC personalized treatment.

Background: The emergence of targeted therapies and immunotherapy has broadened treatment options for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Despite this, traditional drug selection, predominantly relies on tumor markers and clinical staging, has underutilized these drugs due to ignoring patient genomic diversity. Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) and corresponding patient-derived organoid xenograft (PDOX) models offer a way to better understand and address this.

Fascia-derived stem cells enhance fat graft retention by promoting vascularization through the HMOX1-HIF-1α pathway.

Background: Adipose tissue is a widely used autologous soft tissue filler in plastic surgery, particularly for volumetric restoration in cases of soft tissue deficiency. However, effectively controlling the retention rate of transplanted fat remains a major challenge. Therefore, this study aims to explore strategies to enhance fat graft retention.

Increased risk of chronic diseases and multimorbidity in middle-aged and elderly individuals with early vision, hearing, or dual sensory impairments: insights from prospective cohort studies and Mendelian randomization analysis.

Background: Sensory impairments (SI), including vision (VI), hearing (HI), and dual sensory impairments (DSI), are prevalent with aging, but their impact on disease risk remains unclear. This study investigates the epidemiological and genetic associations between SIs and 10 chronic disease categories and multimorbidity.

Methods: Using the CHARLS study, participants were classified by their self-reported VI/HI/DSI status in 2011 and 2013 into groups: "new onset, remission, persistent, and no SI.

Decrease in Escherichia-Shigella in the gut microbiota of ESKD patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.

Background: Gut dysbiosis is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). However, differences in the composition and function of gut microbiota in hemodialysis patients are not consistently concluded.

Methods: A total of 20 patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) treatment at the Blood Purification Center of Bethune International Peace Hospital from March 2021 to December 2022 were included based on the inclusion criteria.

Towards automatical tumor segmentation in radiomics: a comparative analysis of various methods and radiologists for both region extraction and downstream diagnosis.

Objective: By discussing the difference, stability and classification ability of tumor contour extracted by artificial intelligence and doctors, can a more stable method of tumor contour extraction be obtained?

Methods: We propose a novel framework for the automatic segmentation of lung tumor contours and the differential diagnosis of downstream tasks. This framework integrates four key modules: tumor segmentation, extraction of radiomic features, feature selection, and the development of diagnostic models for clinical applications. Using this framework, we conducted a study involving a cohort of 1,429 patients suspected of lung cancer.

High-fat intake during lactation ameliorates cardiac fatty acid metabolic disorders and dysfunction in mouse offspring undergoing prenatal poly (I:C) stimulation.

Prenatal inflammation exposure (PIE) is associated with increased prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in offspring, including heart failure and hypertension. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the prenatal programming of cardiac function. Pregnant mice were injected with poly (I:C) (20 mg/kg, i.

Circadian disruption by simulated shift work aggravates periodontitis via orchestrating BMAL1 and GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis.

Approximately 20% to 30% of the global workforce is engaged in shift work. As a significant cause of circadian disruption, shift work is closely associated with an increased risk for periodontitis. Nevertheless, how shift work-related circadian disruption functions in periodontitis remains unknown.

[Image reconstruction for cerebral hemorrhage based on improved densely-connected fully convolutional neural network].

Cerebral hemorrhage is a serious cerebrovascular disease with high morbidity and high mortality, for which timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a functional imaging technique which is able to detect abnormal changes of electrical property of the brain tissue at the early stage of the disease. However, irregular multi-layer structure and different conductivity properties of each layer affect image reconstruction of the brain EIT, resulting in low reconstruction quality.

Research progress on the mechanism and treatment of cachexia based on tumor microenvironment.

Cachexia is a prevalent multifactorial syndrome characterized by a substantial decrease in food intake, which results from processes such as proteolysis, lipolysis, inflammatory activation, and autophagy, ultimately leading to weight loss. In cancer patients, this condition is referred to as cancer-related cachexia (CRC) and affects over 50% of this population. A comprehensive understanding of the intricate interactions between tumors and the host organism is essential for the development of effective treatments for tumor cachexia.

A multicenter prospective clinical trial reveals cell free DNA methylation markers for early esophageal cancer.

Background: Current methods for detecting esophageal cancer (EC) are generally invasive or exhibit limited sensitivity and specificity, especially for the identification of early-stage tumors.

Methods: We identified potential methylated DNA markers (MDM) from multiple genomic regions in a discovery cohort and a diagnostic model was developed and verified in a model-verification cohort of 297 participants. The accuracy of the MDM panel was validated in a multicenter, prospective cohort (n = 1429).

Discriminating bacterial types in oral and maxillofacial space infections (OMSIs) via smelling diagnosis.

Objectives: To explore the feasibility of using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in the diagnosis of bacterial types of oral and maxillofacial space infections (OMSIs).

Methods: Staphylococcus aureus was cultured to produce a full spectrum of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These VOCs were collected and identified using VOC collectors and GC-MS.

Targeted Delivery of α-ketoglutarate to Macrophages in Bone: A Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Improving Fracture Healing in Type 2 Diabetes.

Impaired fracture healing is a common complication in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with limited effective treatments. This study investigates the role of macrophages in bone repair and introduces a novel therapeutic strategy. Reduced glutaminase (GLS) expression and glutaminolysis are found in macrophages from T2DM mice and monocytes from T2DM patients.

CA3 Pyramidal Neuron Activation Promotes Cognitive Resilience to Inflammation-Induced Cognitive Inflexibility.

Aims: Cognitive dysfunction represents a prominent symptom in numerous prevalent mental illnesses, with systemic inflammation induced by cytokines recognized as a critical factor contributing to cognitive impairments. However, a significant proportion of individuals exposed to systemic inflammation do not develop cognitive dysfunction; instead, they exhibit adaptive responses to this adverse condition. This study aims to investigate the neural activity patterns within the hippocampus and the potential mechanisms that mediate cognitive resilience, particularly in the context of inflammation.

Recent advances in epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease: Insights from the past two years.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, is a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract with unknown etiology. The cause of IBD is widely considered multifactorial, with prevailing hypotheses suggesting that the microbiome and various environmental factors contribute to inappropriate activation of the mucosal immune system in genetically susceptible individuals. Although the incidence of IBD has stabilized in Western countries, it is rapidly increasing in newly industrialized countries, particularly China, making IBD a global disease.

S1R mediates NRF2 dependent ferroptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells to promote renal fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy.

: Tubulointerstitial fibrosis is a key pathological aspect of diabetic nephropathy (DN) linked to reduced kidney function. Recent research has identified varied functions of the sigma-1 receptor (S1R) in the pathological fibrosis processes of cardiac, pulmonary, and trabecular meshwork tissues. Nonetheless, the specific roles of S1R in renal fibrosis remain inadequately understood.

BAP31-ELAVL1-SPINK6 axis induces loss of cell polarity and promotes metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Tumor metastasis is the main cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) related death. Loss of cell polarity may lead to weakened cell adhesion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and metastasis of HCC. However, the mechanism involved in HCC cells polarity loss is still less studied.

DNMT3a promotes LUAD cell proliferation and metastasis by activating the HDAC7 signalling pathway.

Changes in DNA methylation patterns, in which DNA methyltransferases such as DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha (DNMT3a) play important roles, are closely related to the occurrence and development of tumours. However, the role and mechanism of DNMT3a in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effect of DNMT3a on LUAD cell proliferation and metastasis and explore the underlying molecular mechanism.

Immunoregulatory Neuro-Vascularized Osseointegration Driven by Different Nano-Morphological CaTiO Bioactive Coatings on Porous Titanium Alloy Scaffolds.

Up to now, how to implement the optimal regenerative repair of large load-bearing bone defects using artificial bone prosthesis remains to be an enormous challenge in clinical practice. Titanium-based alloys, especially Ti6Al4V, are applied as artificial bone grafts due to their favorable mechanical property and biocompatibility, assisted by personalized customization of 3D-printing to completely match with the bone defect. However, their bioinert peculiarity restricts osteointegration at the interface between bone and titanium-based implants and bone growth into porous titanium-based scaffolds, for lack of bone regeneration with the aid of blood vessels and neural networks.

Scattering Reduction and Axial Resolution Enhancement in Light-Sheet Fluorescence Microscopy.

Light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) provides an ideal tool for long-term observation of live specimens due to its low photodamage and fast volumetric imaging speed. The wavefront distortions in the illumination path of LSFM will reduce the intensity and broaden the light-sheet thickness, thereby degrading the image quality. We propose to use the wavefront shaping technique to reduce the scattering effect and shrink the light-sheet thickness.

Enhanced exosome secretion regulated by microglial P2X7R in the medullary dorsal horn contributes to pulpitis-induced pain.

Background: Pulpitis is a prevalent oral disease characterized by severe pain. The activation of microglia in the medullary dorsal horn (MDH) is reportedly essential for the central sensitization mechanism associated with pulpitis. The P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) on microglia can trigger the secretion of exosomes enriched with IL-1β, which is involved in inflammation.