Intestinal Akkermansia muciniphila complements the efficacy of PD1 therapy in MAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are not effective for metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD)-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, and identifying the key gut microbiota that contributes to immune resistance in these patients is crucial. Analysis using 16S rRNA sequencing reveals a decrease in Akkermansia muciniphila (Akk) during MAFLD-promoted HCC development. Administration of Akk ameliorates liver steatosis and effectively attenuates the tumor growth in orthotopic MAFLD-HCC mouse models.

Longitudinal metagenomic analysis on antibiotic resistome, mobilome, and microbiome of river ecosystems in a sub-tropical metropolitan city.

Rivers play an important role as reservoirs and sinks for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, it remains underexplored for the resistome and associated mobilome in river ecosystems, and hosts of riverine ARGs particularly the pathogenic ones are rarely studied. This study for the first time conducted a longitudinal metagenomic analysis to unveil the resistome, mobilome, and microbiome in river water, by collecting samples from 16 rivers in Hong Kong over a three-year period and using both short-read and long-read sequencing.

Formative evaluation of a mobile chat-based intervention (ChatEx) for promoting exercise behaviour in older cancer survivors.

Purpose: To conduct a formative evaluation of ChatEx to increase and maintain exercise among older cancer survivors.

Methods: ChatEx is a blended intervention involving 12 weeks of theory-based instant messages and two in-person training sessions. This pilot study comprises three phases: (1)intervention development: developing a message library reviewed by experts; (2)message library pretesting: exploring the views of older cancer survivors toward the message library and making modifications (n = 20); and (3)intervention pilot testing: piloting the ChatEx using a non-randomized quasi-experimental design using quantitative and qualitative methods among cancer survivors aged 65+ who do not meet current exercise guidelines and have completed treatment (n = 40).

Analysis of healthcare utilization before the diagnosis of radiologically isolated syndrome.

Background: Previous studies have shown that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) had frequent healthcare visits up to 10 years before being diagnosed but with no information from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the connection with the radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS).

Objective: To analyze healthcare use 3 years before the RIS diagnosis.

Methods: We examined healthcare usage before the first scan in RIS cases from 2010 to 2019.

Starvation Metabolism Adaptations in Tick Embryonic Cells BME26.

Ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites that transmit pathogens and inflict significant economic losses on the cattle industry. Remarkably, they can survive extended periods of starvation in the absence of a host. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the metabolic adaptations that enable the tick to endure starvation using the BME26 cell line as a model system.

Development of Composite Semiconductor Films Based on Organotin Complexes Doped with Cobalt Porphine for Applications in Organic Diodes.

In this work, we present the green synthesis of complex - derived from β-hidroxymethylidene indanones by ultrasound, which allowed for the obtaining of compounds in a shorter time and with good yields. These organotin complexes were then doped with cobalt porphine and incorporated into a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonate) matrix to manufacture composite semiconductor films. The semiconductor films were characterized through atomic force microscopy, examining their topography, Knoop hardness (around 17 HK), and tensile strength, which varied from 5 × 10 to 7 × 10 Pa.

Improved Consistency of Lung Nodule Categorization in CT Scans with Heterogeneous Slice Thickness by Deep Learning-Based 3D Super-Resolution.

: Accurate volumetric assessment of lung nodules is an essential element of low-dose lung cancer screening programs. Current guidance recommends applying specific thresholds to measured nodule volume to make the following clinical decisions. In reality, however, CT scans often have heterogeneous slice thickness which is known to adversely impact the accuracy of nodule volume assessment.

Bladder mucosal smoothness predicts early recovery of urinary continence after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

Background: To propose the bladder mucosal smoothness (BMS) grade and validate a predictive model including MRI parameters preoperatively that can evaluate the early recovery of urinary continence (UC) after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 203 patients (83 patients experienced UI at the three-month follow-up) who underwent LRP in our medical center and were diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa) from June 2016 to March 2020. Patients' clinicopathological data were collected.

GC1126A, a novel ADAMTS13 mutein, evades autoantibodies in immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) is a rare and life-threatening blood disorder characterized by the formation of blood clots in small blood vessels. It is caused by antibodies targeting the A disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 repeats, member 13 (ADAMTS13), which plays a role in cleaving von Willebrand factor. Most patients with iTTP have autoantibodies against specific domains of the ADAMTS13 protein, particularly the cysteine-rich and spacer domains.

Discovering Cell-Targeting Ligands and Cell-Surface Receptors by Selection of DNA-Encoded Chemical Libraries against Cancer Cells without Predefined Targets.

Small molecules that can bind to specific cells have broad application in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Screening large chemical libraries against live cells is an effective strategy for discovering cell-targeting ligands. The DNA-encoded chemical library (DEL or DECL) technology has emerged as a robust tool in drug discovery and has been successfully utilized in identifying ligands for biological targets.

Temporally dissociable neural representations of pitch height and chroma.

The extraction and analysis of pitch underpin speech and music recognition, sound segregation, and other auditory tasks. Perceptually, pitch can be represented as a helix composed of two factors: height monotonically aligns with frequency, while chroma cyclically repeats at doubled frequencies. Although the early perceptual and neurophysiological mechanisms for extracting pitch from acoustic signals have been extensively investigated, the equally essential subsequent stages that bridge to high-level auditory cognition remain less well understood.

LTX-315 is a novel broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptide against clinical multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Introduction: Infections stemming from multidrug-resistant bacteria present a substantial threat to public health today. Discovering or synthesizing novel compounds is crucial to alleviate this pressing situation.

Objective: The main purpose of this study is to verify the antibacterial activity of LTX-315 and explore its primary action mode.

Cirsii Herba glycoprotein promotes macrophage M1 polarization through MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways via interaction with TLR4.

The present study aimed to extract and purify the glycoprotein from Cirsii Herba (CHPs), and investigate its immunomodulatory activity and molecular mechanism in RAW264.7 macrophages. The results showed that CHPs contained 14.

Recombinant collagen microneedles for transdermal delivery of antibacterial copper-DNA nanoparticles to treat skin and soft tissue infections.

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) include bacterial infections of the skin, muscles, and connective tissue such as ligaments and tendons. SSTI in patients with immunocompromising diseases may lead to chronic, hard-to-heal infected wounds, resulting in disability, amputation, or even death. To treat SSTI and rebuild the defensive barrier of the skin, here we utilize recombinant type XVII collagen protein (rCol XVII) to construct biodegradable, regenerative collagen microneedles (rCol-MNs) for transdermal delivery of antibacterial agents.

Phase 1/2 trial of brogidirsen: Dual-targeting antisense oligonucleotides for exon 44 skipping in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe muscle disorder caused by mutations in the DMD gene, leading to dystrophin deficiency. Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-mediated exon skipping offers potential by partially restoring dystrophin, though current therapies remain mutation specific with limited efficacy. To overcome those limitations, we developed brogidirsen, a dual-targeting ASO composed of two directly connected 12-mer sequences targeting exon 44 using phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers.

Bergenin inhibits ferritinophagy and ferroptosis in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury by activating the p-GSK3β/Nrf2/PPARγ pathway.

Ferroptosis plays a key role in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Bergenin, which is extracted from Ardisiae Japonicae Herba and has long been used in folk tea and herbal tea drinks, is known to activate Nrf2 and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, however, its protective influence on CI-AKI has not been elucidated. We used models of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in vitro and CI-AKI models in vivo.

Laminaran potentiates cGAS-STING signaling to enhance antiviral responses.

Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway, an essential element in the innate antiviral immune responses, has emerged as a key component of innate immune system to modulate type I IFNs production and response by recognizing both exogenous and endogenous DNA. Although some cGAS-STING signaling small molecule agonists have been developed, there are few natural polysaccharides reported to activate cGAS-STING signaling for the treatment of infectious diseases. Here, we reported that Laminaran, a low molecular weight β-glucan storage polysaccharide present in brown algae, potentiates cGAS-STING signaling to promote type I IFNs production and antiviral response.

Unveiling hidden reaction kinetics of carbon dioxide in supercritical aqueous solutions.

Dissolution of CO in water followed by the subsequent hydrolysis reactions is of great importance to the global carbon cycle, and carbon capture and storage. Despite numerous previous studies, the reactions are still not fully understood at the atomistic scale. Here, we combined ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations with Markov state models to elucidate the reaction mechanisms and kinetics of CO in supercritical water both in the bulk and nanoconfined states.

Comparative genomic analysis unveiling the mutational landscape associated with premalignant lesions and early-stage gastric cardia cancer.

This study enrolled 10 patients diagnosed with premalignant lesions and early-stage gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA), confirmed through endoscopic examination. These patients were subjected to next-generation sequencing (NGS) using a customized 1123-gene panel to identify genetic alterations and signaling pathways. The results were compared to stage IIB to IV GCA samples from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) and a cohort of Hong Kong patients.

Estimated prevalence of post-intensive care cognitive impairment at short-term and long-term follow-ups: a proportional meta-analysis of observational studies.

Objective: Evidence of the overall estimated prevalence of post-intensive care cognitive impairment among critically ill survivors discharged from intensive care units at short-term and long-term follow-ups is lacking. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of the post-intensive care cognitive impairment at time to < 1 month, 1 to 3 month(s), 4 to 6 months, 7-12 months, and > 12 months discharged from intensive care units.

Methods: Electronic databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL Plus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO via ProQuest were searched from inception through July 2024.

Geophysical and geochemical characterization of Odogbo Dumpsite, Ijebu Ijesa, Southwestern Nigeria.

Due to incessant contamination of the groundwater system near the dumpsite in southwestern Nigeria Basement Complex, this study seeks to evaluate the impact of the Odogbo dumpsite on the local groundwater system by integrating geophysical and geochemical methodologies. Aeromagnetic data covering the study area was acquired, processed, and enhanced to delineate basement features that could potentially be passing plumes to the groundwater system. Concurrently, geoelectric methods using 2-D dipole-dipole imaging and vertical electrical sounding (VES) were utilized to characterize the vulnerability indices of the lithologies underlying the dumpsite.

The Effect of Executive Function on Word Recognition: Comparison Between Native Chinese and Learners with Chinese as A Second Language (CSL).

Word recognition is a fundamental reading skill that relies on various linguistic and cognitive abilities. While executive functions (EF) have gained attention for their importance in developing literacy skills, their interaction with domain-specific skills in facilitating reading among different learner groups remains understudied. This study examines the relationship between EF, orthographic awareness, morphological awareness, and Chinese word recognition in 204 Chinese as a second language (CSL) students and 419 native Chinese primary students.