DNA nanotechnology-based strategies for gastric cancer diagnosis and therapy.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a formidable adversary in the field of oncology. The low early diagnosis rate of GC results in a low overall survival rate. Therefore, early accurate diagnosis and effective treatment are the key to reduce the mortality of GC.

Corrigendum: Modulation of local immunity by the vaginal microbiome is associated with triggering spontaneous preterm birth.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.

Discovery and mechanistic exploration of promiscuous xylosyltransferase based on protein engineering.

Glycosylation is an effective means to alter the structure and properties of plant compounds, influencing the pharmacological activity of natural products (NPs) to obtain highly active NPs. In nature, glucosides are the most widely distributed, while other glycosides such as xylosides are less common and present in lower quantities. This is due to the scarcity of xylosyltransferases with substrate promiscuity in nature, and the modification of their catalytic function is also quite challenging.

Research progress on the structural and anti-colorectal malignant tumor properties of Shikonin.

Colorectal cancer is the third most prevalent malignant tumor worldwide. Despite the advancements in surgical procedures and treatment options, CRC remains a considerable cause of cancer-related mortality. Shikonin is a naphthoquinone compound that exhibits multiple biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects as well as wound healing promotion.

Long non-coding RNA LINC01224 plays an oncogenic role in endometrial cancer via miR-4673/TPX2 axis and activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a prevalent gynecological malignancy with a rising incidence and poor prognosis in advanced cases. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in various cancers, including EC. This study explores the role of lncRNA Linc01224 in EC.

Gestational diabetes mellitus-derived miR-7-19488 targets PIK3R2 mRNA to stimulate the abnormal development and maturation of offspring-islets.

Aims: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) provides offspring with a hyper-metabolic intrauterine microenvironment. In this study, we aimed to identify key differential microRNAs in GDM-derived exosomes and explore the potential mechanisms of abnormal embryonic development of islets in offspring.

Main Methods: Exosomes were extracted from umbilical vein blood of GDM and non-GDM (NGDM) parturients for microRNA sequencing.

Longitudinal ozone exposure and SARS-CoV-2 infection in late pregnancy: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Atmospheric ozone is a common air pollutant with known impacts on maternal and fetal health. However, the relationship between gestational ozone exposure and susceptibility to respirovirus infection remains unclear. This study aims to assess the association between longitudinal ozone exposure during pregnancy and COVID-19 risk in late gestation.

Cep78 knockout causes sterility and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia in male mice.

Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) is a common cause of infertility among males, and the majority of cases of idiopathic OAT are thought to be attributed to genetic defects. In this study, the role of the CEP78 protein in spermatogenesis was initially investigated using Cep78 knockout (Cep78) mice. Notably, the male Cep78 mice exhibited the OAT phenotype and sterility.

A comprehensive review on the plant sources, pharmacological activities and pharmacokinetic characteristics of Syringaresinol.

Syringaresinol, a phytochemical constituent belonging to lignan, is formed from two sinapyl alcohol units linked via a β-β linkage, which can be found in a wide variety of cereals and medicinal plants. Medical researches revealed that Syringaresinol possesses a broad spectrum of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, anticancer, antibacterial, antiviral, neuroprotection, and vasodilation effects. These pharmacological properties lay the foundation for its use in treating various diseases such as inflammatory diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes and its complication, skin disorders, cancer, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular diseases.

PGRN protects against serum deprivation-induced cell death by promoting the ROS scavenger system in cervical cancer.

Progranulin (PGRN), an autocrine growth factor with tumorigenic roles in a variety of tumors, is a putative survival factor for normal and cancer cells in vitro. However, the fundamental mechanism of PGRN-mediated survival of cancer cells suffering from various types of microenvironmental stresses, such as serum deprivation, remains unknown. We show here that serum deprivation decreases intracellular PGRN protein levels in cervical cancer cells.

Analysis the Burden of Breast Cancer Among Adolescents and Young Adults Using the Global Burden of Disease 2021.

Background: Unique features and worse outcomes have been reported for breast cancers among adolescents and young adults (AYAs; age 15-39 years). However, there are few up-to-date and comprehensive data to analyze the disease burden of AYA breast cancer.

Patients And Methods: The data of incidence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) owing to breast cancer was obtained from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021.

The Crosstalk between Autophagy and Nrf2 Signaling in Cancer: from Biology to Clinical Applications.

Autophagy is a catabolic process that has been conserved throughout evolution, serving to degrade and recycle cellular components and damaged organelles. Autophagy is activated under various stress conditions, such as nutrient deprivation, viral infections, and genotoxic stress, and operates in conjunction with other stress response pathways to mitigate oxidative damage and maintain cellular homeostasis. One such pathway is the Nrf2-Keap1-ARE signaling axis, which functions as an intrinsic antioxidant defense mechanism and has been implicated in cancer chemoprevention, tumor progression, and drug resistance.

NOX4 deficiency improves the impaired viability, inhibited the apoptosis and suppressed autophagy of DHEA-treated ovarian granulosa cells through inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress via inactivating PERK/ATF4 pathway.

Background: PCOS is the most prevalent endocrine and metabolic problem in women of reproductive age. This current study was formulated to thoroughly expound the ovary-protecting effects of NOX4 deficiency in PCOS and probe into the intrinsic mechanisms underlying the protective effects of NOX4 deficiency against DHEA injury in ovarian GCs.

Methods: KGN cells were subjected to 20 nM DHEA for 48 h to establish PCOS cellular model.

Transcriptomic era of cancers in females: new epigenetic perspectives and therapeutic prospects.

In the era of transcriptomics, the role of epigenetics in the study of cancers in females has gained increasing recognition. This article explores the impact of epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA, on cancers in females, including breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers (1). Our findings suggest that these epigenetic markers not only influence tumor onset, progression, and metastasis but also present novel targets for therapeutic intervention.

Integrated bioinformatics analysis reveals that CCBP2 and GPR87 are new GPCR-associated biomarkers for preeclampsia.

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a multifaceted pregnancy syndrome marked by multiple system involvement and a significant contributor to maternal mortality. This condition is characterized by a critical lack of early diagnostic measures and viable therapeutic options, underscoring an urgent need for the identification of reliable markers with both diagnostic and therapeutic potential.

Methods: This study utilized Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) to explore the role of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in the pathogenesis of PE.

Association between microplastics in human amniotic fluid and pregnancy outcomes: Detection and characterization using Raman spectroscopy and pyrolysis GC/MS.

Microplastic contamination has emerged as a global environmental concern, while the limitation of single-technique identification methods in complex biological matrices calls for multi-analytical approaches for accurate microplastic detection. This study pioneers a dual-method approach, combining Raman spectroscopy and pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), to investigate microplastics in human amniotic fluid. In total, samples from 48 pregnant women were collected and analyzed under stringent quality control measures, then Raman spectroscopy and Py-GC/MS were employed for comprehensive polymer identification and verification.

HPV self-sampling for cervical cancer screening in China: A multi-center study.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling is a new method for collecting cervical isolated cells, but research been carried out in multi-ethnic and multi-regional areas of China is scarce.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the accuracy and acceptability of HPV self-sampling and analyze the characteristics of HPV infection.

Study Design: Women aged 25-65 years were recruited from 8 provinces in China.

Anxiety caused by chronic exposure to methylisothiazolinone in zebrafish: Behavioral analysis, brain histology and gene responses.

Methylisothiazolinones (MIT) are a class of preservatives and biocides extensively utilized in everyday products, industrial processes, and medical and healthcare applications. However, reports have indicated that MIT may cause skin irritation and neurotoxicity. Given its pervasive use, the neurotoxic potential of MIT has garnered increasing attention.

Target-centric analysis of hepatitis B: identifying key molecules and pathways for treatment.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) poses a significant global health challenge, potentially leading to severe liver conditions, with currently limited effective treatment options available. Xiao-Chai-Hu-Tang (XCHT), a well-known Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) prescription, shows promise in clinical trials for treating HBV. Therefore, screening the complex components of XCHT, identifying the active compounds, and closely exploring the targets associated with hepatitis B may constitute an effective strategy for the development of new therapeutic drugs for the treatment of this disease.

Pulmonary surfactant biogenesis blockage mediated polyhexamethylene guanidine disinfectant induced pulmonary fibrosis.

The widespread use of disinfectants and inhalation exposure to aerosolized forms is closely associated with adverse health effects on the respiratory system and pulmonary fibrosis, but the mechanism remains unclear. Here, we investigated the time-course pulmonary fibrosis effects of polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) disinfectant inhalation exposure and elucidated its underlying mechanism. Specifically, scRNA-seq analysis revealed an initial increase in epithelial cell numbers after 4 weeks of PHMG exposure during induced pulmonary fibrosis, followed by a subsequent decrease after 8 weeks of exposure.

Global pattern of persistent human papillomavirus infection in female genital tract: An update system review and meta-analysis.

We analyzed the type-specific persistent infection of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) across different continents, aiming to offer valuable insights into the implementation and development of HPV vaccines. There were 129 studies included 656,555 participants. The weighted mean time for any persistent HPV infection was 13.

Ovarian carcinosarcoma with lung metastasis characterized by persistent fever: A case report and literature review.

Rationale: Ovarian carcinosarcoma (OCS) is a rare malignant tumor prone to distant metastasis. Primary manifestations include pelvic and/or abdominal pain, bloating, and compression. Nevertheless, it is uncommon for OCS to present primarily with persistent fever.

Reproductive and developmental implications of micro- and nanoplastic internalization: Recent advances and perspectives.

A growing body of evidence exhibits the ubiquitous presence and accumulation of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in the air, drinking water, food, and even inside the body, which has raised concerns about their potential impact on reproductive and developmental health. To comprehensively examine the current state of knowledge regarding MNPs-induced reproductive and developmental toxicity, we conducted this systematic review by focusing on the prevalence of MNPs determined in reproductive tissues and their influences on parental reproduction and offspring development. Our findings demonstrate the detection of MNPs in various human reproductive tissues, including semen, placenta, and ovarian follicular fluid, as well as in reproductive tissues of diverse animal species.