Exosomes derived from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells promote healing of complex perianal fistulas in rats.

Background: Complex perianal fistulas, challenging to treat and prone to recurrence, often require surgical intervention that may cause fecal incontinence and lower quality of life due to large surgical wounds and potential sphincter damage. Human umbilical cord-derived MSCs (hUC-MSCs) and their exosomes (hUCMSCs-Exo) may promote wound healing.

Methods: This study assessed the efficacy, mechanisms, and safety of these exosomes in treating complex perianal fistulas in SD rats.

Clinically-enhanced digital health program for respiratory care associated with better medication use and retention.

Digital health platforms for asthma self-management have demonstrated promise in improving clinical and quality of life outcomes. However, few studies have examined such an approach in a real-world, fully remote setting. As such, we evaluated the benefit of an evidence-based digital self-management platform for asthma-both on its own and when integrated into an established virtual clinical service.

Prognostic value and immune infiltration of a tumor microenvironment-related PTPN6 in metastatic melanoma.

Background: Cutaneous melanoma is one of the most invasive and lethal skin malignant tumors. Compared to primary melanoma, metastatic melanoma (MM) presents poorer treatment outcomes and a higher mortality rate. The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a critical role in MM progression and immunotherapy resistance.

Association of 3-year change in frailty index with risk of all-cause mortality among older Chinese population: a national cohort study.

Background: Evidence on the association of dynamic change in frailty index (FI) with risk of all-cause mortality in the older Chinese population is limited. This study aimed to explore the association of 3-year change in FI with risk of all-cause mortality in an older Chinese population.

Methods: We analyzed the data of 4969 participants from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey.

Bias in machine learning applications to address non-communicable diseases at a population-level: a scoping review.

Background: Machine learning (ML) is increasingly used in population and public health to support epidemiological studies, surveillance, and evaluation. Our objective was to conduct a scoping review to identify studies that use ML in population health, with a focus on its use in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). We also examine potential algorithmic biases in model design, training, and implementation, as well as efforts to mitigate these biases.

Immunologic assessment of the impact of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine booster doses on humoral immunity: a cross-sectional study in morocco.

To assess the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 booster dose on the immune response against COVID-19, we conducted a cross-sectional study in the Casablanca-Settat region of Morocco. The study included 2,802 participants from 16 provinces, all of whom had received three doses of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. IgG antibodies targeting the S1 RBD subunit of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were quantified using the SARS-CoV-2 IgG II Quant assay and measured on the Abbott Architect i2000SR instrument.

Early Lung Adenocarcinoma Manifesting as Irregular Subsolid Nodules: Clinical and CT Characteristics.

Rationale And Objectives: To explore the clinical and computed tomography (CT) characteristics of early-stage lung adenocarcinoma (LADC) that presents with an irregular shape.

Materials And Methods: The CT data of 575 patients with stage IA LADC and 295 with persistent inflammatory lesion (PIL) manifesting as subsolid nodules (SSNs) were analyzed retrospectively. Among these patients, we selected 233 patients with LADC and 140 patients with PIL, who showed irregular SSNs, hereinafter referred to as irregular LADC (I-LADC) and irregular PIL (I-PIL), respectively.

Cellular senescence offers distinct immunological vulnerabilities in cancer.

Chronic damage following oncogene induction or cancer therapy can produce cellular senescence. Senescent cells not only exit the cell cycle but communicate damage signals to their environment that can trigger immune responses. Recent work has revealed that senescent tumor cells are highly immunogenic, leading to new ways to activate antitumor immunosurveillance and potentiate T cell-directed immunotherapies.

Evaluating the adherent perinephric fat risk score in East Asian populations and its correlation with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background And Aims: This study evaluated the predictive value of the APF risk score in East Asian patients undergoing open nephrectomy and its correlation with hypertension and NAFLD.

Methods And Results: A retrospective study used the clinical data of 82 patients who underwent ON between January 2010 and December 2022. Per their APF score, patients were categorized into groups A (0-2 points) and B (3-4 points).

Beyond punishment: psychological foundations of restorative interventions.

Work on the psychology of justice has largely focused on punishment. However, punishment is not our only strategy for dealing with conflict. Rather, emerging work suggests that people often respond to transgressions by compensating victims, involving third-party mediators, and engaging in forgiveness.

Targeting molecular pathways to control immune checkpoint inhibitor toxicities.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed cancer treatment but are frequently associated with immune-related adverse events (irAEs). This article offers a novel synthesis of findings from both preclinical and clinical studies, focusing on the molecular mechanisms driving irAEs across diverse organ systems. It examines key immune cells, such as T cell subsets and myeloid cells, which are instrumental in irAE pathogenesis, alongside an in-depth analysis of cytokine signaling [interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17, IL-4), interferon γ (IFN-γ), IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)], integrin-mediated interactions [integrin subunits αITGA)4 and ITGB7], and microbiome-related factors that contribute to irAE pathology.

Prediction of functional remission in patients with schizophrenia after antipsychotic discontinuation (FURSAD): protocol for a real-world case-control study.

Introduction: Although maintenance treatment is recommended for the prevention of relapse, in real-world settings, a subset of patients discontinue antipsychotics while having a good prognosis. The prediction of functional remission in patients with schizophrenia after antipsychotic discontinuation (FURSAD) study aims to obtain real-world knowledge regarding the characteristics of schizophrenia (SCZ) patients who achieve functional remission after antipsychotic discontinuation for 1 year or more. This study also aims to establish a prediction model to identify patients likely to benefit from antipsychotic discontinuation.

Conscientious objection: a global health perspective.

Conscientious objection is a critical topic that has been sparsely discussed from a global health perspective, despite its special relevance to our inherently diverse field. In this Analysis paper, we argue that blanket prohibitions of a specific type of non-discriminatory conscientious objection are unjustified in the global health context. We begin both by introducing a nuanced account of conscience that is grounded in moral psychology and by providing an overview of discriminatory and non-discriminatory forms of objection.

Tracking Cr(VI) removal with Spectral Induced Polarization under ZVI and AC Synergetic Remediation.

The structure and active components of the filling material play a critical role in the contamination remediation performance of permeable reactive barriers. However, current methods lack a comprehensive understanding of the structural evolution and long-term performance of these materials during remediation processes. This study utilizes column experiments combined with spectral induced polarization (SIP) monitoring to investigate the effectiveness of zero-valent iron (ZVI), activated carbon (AC), and their composite with sand in removing Cr(VI).

Mitigation of irreversible membrane biofouling by CNTs-PVDF conductive composite membrane.

Biofouling has been one of the major challenges impacting the long-term stable operation of ultrafiltration processes. Irreversible biofouling is considerably more harmful than reversible biofouling. Conductive membrane, as a new technology to effectively mitigate membrane fouling, lack research of controlling irreversible biofouling.

Network structure of phasic and tonic irritability in adults: A Bayesian Gaussian graphical model.

Background: Tonic (i.e., irritable mood) and phasic (i.

TIMP-2 Promotes Wound Healing by Suppressing Matrix Metalloproteinases and Inflammatory Cytokines in Corneal Epithelial Cells.

Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) modulate extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling for maintaining homeostasis and promoting cell migration and proliferation. Pathological conditions can alter TIMP homeostasis and aggravate disease progression. The roles of TIMPs have been studied in tissue-related disorders; however, their contributions to tissue repair during corneal injury are undefined.

A3AR antagonism mitigates metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease by exploiting monocyte-derived Kupffer cell necroptosis and inflammation resolution.

Background & Aims: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver (MASLD) progression is driven by chronic inflammation and fibrosis, largely influenced by Kupffer cell (KC) dynamics, particularly replenishment of pro-inflammatory monocyte-derived KCs (MoKCs) due to increased death of embryo-derived KCs. Adenosine A3 receptor (A3AR) plays a key role in regulating metabolism and immune responses, making it a promising therapeutic target. This study aimed to investigate the impact of selective A3AR antagonism for regulation of replenished MoKCs, thereby improving MASLD.

Differential Efficacy of Advanced Therapies in Inducing Remission in Ulcerative Colitis Based on Prior Exposure to TNF Antagonists.

Background And Aims: We sought to ascertain how prior exposure to TNF antagonists impacts treatment response with various classes of advanced therapies in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: Through a systematic review of multiple databases through June 30, 2024, we identified 17 RCTs in 8871 adults with moderate-severe UC who were treated with different advanced therapies vs. placebo, and reported efficacy in induction of clinical remission, stratified by prior exposure to TNF antagonists.

Protein palmitoylation in hepatic diseases: Functional insights and therapeutic strategies.

Background: Liver pathologies represent a spectrum of conditions ranging from fatty liver to the aggressive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as well as parasitic infections, which collectively pose substantial global health challenges. S-palmitoylation (commonly referred to as palmitoylation), a post-translational modification (PTM) characterized by the covalent linkage of a 16-carbon palmitic acid (PA) chain to specific cysteine residues on target proteins, plays a pivotal role in diverse cellular functions and is intimately associated with the liver's physiological and pathological states.

Aim Of Review: This study aims to elucidate how protein palmitoylation affects liver disease pathophysiology and evaluates its potential as a target for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

Lonicera caerulea genome reveals molecular mechanisms of freezing tolerance and anthocyanin biosynthesis.

Introduction: Lonicera caerulea L. (blue honeysuckle) is a noteworthy fleshy-fruited tree and a prominent medicinal plant, which possesses notable characteristics such as exceptional resilience to winter conditions and early maturation, and the richest source of functional anthocyanins, particularly cyanidin-3-glucoside. The molecular mechanisms responsible for its freezing tolerance and anthocyanin biosynthesis remain largely unknown.

NSUN2-Mediated R-loop Stabilization as a Key Driver of Bladder Cancer Progression and Cisplatin Sensitivity.

R-loops are critical structures that play pivotal roles in regulating genomic stability and modulating gene expression. This study investigates the interactions between the 5-methylcytosine (mC) methyltransferase NOP2/Sun RNA methyltransferase 2 (NSUN2) and R-loops in the transcriptional dynamics and damage repair process of bladder cancer (BCa) cells. We observed markedly elevated levels of R-loops in BCa cells relative to normal urothelial cells.

Aerobic plus resistance exercise attenuates skeletal muscle atrophy induced by dexamethasone through the HDAC4/FoxO3a pathway.

This study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms by which physical exercise mitigates muscle atrophy induced by Dexamethasone (Dex). A muscle atrophy model was established in the mouse C2C12 cell line and 8-week-old mice treated with Dex, with subsequent verification of phenotype and atrogene expression. The potential benefits of combined aerobic and resistance exercise in mitigating muscle atrophy were then examined.