Synaptic-mitochondrial transport: mechanisms in neural adaptation and degeneration.

Synaptic plasticity is the basis for the proper functioning of the central nervous system. Synapses are the contact points between neurons and are crucial for information transmission, the structure and function of synapses change adaptively based on the different activities of neurons, thus affecting processes such as learning, memory, and neural development and repair. Synaptic activity requires a large amount of energy provided by mitochondria.

Bottlebrush Pastes as a Platform for Solvent-Free, Injectable, and Shape-Persistent Materials with Tissue-Mimetic Viscoelasticity.

Architecturally hindered crystallization of bottlebrush graft copolymers offers a reaction- and solvent-free pathway for creating injectable elastomers with tissue-mimetic softness. Currently, injectable materials involve solvents and chemical reactions, leading to uncontrolled swelling, leaching of unreacted moieties, and side reactions with tissue. To address this issue, bottlebrush copolymers with a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) amorphous block and crystallizable poly(lactic acid) (PLA) grafted chains (A--B) were synthesized, with grafted chains of controlled length arranged along the backbone at controlled spacing.

Conjugation of PDLA onto MgO microspheres: comparison between solution grafting and melt grafting methods.

Magnesium oxide (MgO) is known for its bioactivity and osteoconductivity when incorporated into biodegradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA), whereas the weak interfacial bonding between MgO microspheres (mMPs) and PLA often leads to suboptimal composite properties with uncontrollable functionality. Conjugation of mMPs with PLA may offer a good way to enhance their compatibility. In this study, we systematically investigated two grafting techniques, solution grafting (Sol) and melt grafting (Mel), to decorate poly (D-lactic acid) (PDLA) on mMPs pre-treated by prioritized hydration to obtain Sol MPs and Mel MPs, in order to optimize the grafting efficiency and improve their controllability in the properties including the crystal structure and surface morphology.

A case report of hypospadias combined with polyorchidism.

Hypospadias is a common congenital malformation of the reproductive system; however, to date, no cases of hypospadias complicated by polyorchidism have been reported in the literature. This article reports a case of a 1-year-old boy presenting with hypospadias, who was also diagnosed with polyorchidism combined with cryptorchidism. Preoperative Doppler ultrasound revealed two testes on the right side, and an atrophic testis on the left.

High paracrine activity of hADSCs cartilage microtissues inhibits extracellular matrix degradation and promotes cartilage regeneration.

Due to its unique structure, articular cartilage has limited self-repair capacity. Microtissues are tiny tissue clusters that can mimic the function of target organs or tissues. Using cells alone for microtissue construction often results in the formation of necrotic cores.

The microbial communities and metabolic profiles of follicular fluid in patients with premature ovarian insufficiency.

Introduction: Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a condition characterized by ovarian dysfunction occurring before the age of 40, and its etiology is multifactorial, including genetic, immunological, infectious, environmental, and iatrogenic factors, with over half of the cases remaining unexplained. Whether the microbial communities and metabolites in follicular fluid, which is the direct microenvironment for oocyte survival, are related to POI has not been reported.

Methods: In this study, Follicular fluid samples of 26 patients with POI and 27 controls with a normal ovarian reserve were collected and analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics.

Update on the treatment navigation for functional cure of chronic hepatitis B: expert consensus 2.0.

As new evidence emerges, treatment strategies toward the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B are evolving. In 2019, a panel of national hepatologists published a Consensus Statement on the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B. Currently, an international group of hepatologists has been assembled to evaluate research since the publication of the original consensus, and to collaboratively develop the updated statements.

The Association Between Aspartate Transaminase to Alanine Transaminase Ratio and Perioperative Ischemic Stroke in Patients With Diabetes: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Patients with diabetes are at a high risk for perioperative ischemic stroke (PIS). The use of biomarkers to identify high-risk patients and predict PIS may provide considerable reference value in clinical decision-making. The aspartate transaminase/alanine transaminase ratio (De Ritis ratio) has been proven to be associated with specific diabetic complications.

Clinician's perceptions and experiences with tobacco treatment in people who use cannabis: a qualitative study.

Introduction: Global demand for the treatment of cannabis use disorder has increased significantly, prompting a need to understand effective strategies for addressing concurrent cannabis and tobacco use. This study focuses on clinicians' experiences and perceptions in delivering tobacco cessation services to people who use cannabis.

Methods: Fifteen participants (12 females, 3 males) participated in three homogenous focus groups, including two groups with extensive experience in providing tobacco cessation among the substance use population in Catalonia, Spain, and one group of clinicians without such experience.

Autophagy-related long non-coding RNA MIR210HG plays a therapeutic role in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the role of the autophagy-related long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) MIR210HG in hepatocellular carcinoma and its potential as a therapeutic target.

Methods: LncRNA MIR210HG expression and its correlation with survival outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma patients were analyzed using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were conducted to assess survival correlations.

Association of the triglyceride glucose index with all cause and CVD mortality in the adults with diabetes aged < 65 years without cardiovascular disease.

Although the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has been established as a valuable predictor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cardiovascular mortality, there is limited research exploring its association with all-cause or CVD mortality specifically in adults with diabetes aged < 65 years without cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the TyG index and both all-cause and CVD mortality in this population within the United States. Our study recruited 1778 adults with diabetes aged < 65 years without cardiovascular disease from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2018.

Identification of glutamine as a potential therapeutic target in dry eye disease.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a prevalent inflammatory condition significantly impacting quality of life, yet lacks effective pharmacological therapies. Herein, we proposed a novel approach to modulate the inflammation through metabolic remodeling, thus promoting dry eye recovery. Our study demonstrated that co-treatment with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4) yielded the best therapeutic outcome against dry eye, surpassing monotherapy outcomes.

Ultra-sensitive and accurate multi-ion detection in biofluids via organic electrochemical transistors.

As an emerging ionic sensor with low-voltage operation (<1 V), biocompatibility, and stable operation in aqueous environments, organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) have attracted significant research interest for various biofluid-related ion detection, where minor ion concentration variations can effectively reflect health or pathology states. However, OECT-based ion sensors are currently limited by restricted device transconductance g and stabilites, which severely hinder their applications in actual ion sensing scenarios. Here, ultra-sensitive multi-ion sensors based on high-performance n-type vertical OECTs (accumulation mode, g = 58 mS) for Na, K, and Ca detection in a practical biofluid (effluent from continuous renal replacement therapy), are demonstrated with high accuracy and stability, which are comparable to conventional Roche method.

Lipidomic profiles of shaking-withering black tea and their metabolic conversion during tea processing.

Shaking-withering is a new technique in black tea manufacturing, which enables promoting aroma quality. Lipids are important tea aroma precursors. However, the lipids metabolism and its contribution to aroma formation of shaking-withering black tea (SBT) remain unknown.

Ultrasound Erosion of Rabbit Liver Induced by Locally Injected Phase-Shift Acoustic Droplets and With Lauromacrogol.

Objectives: Our previous studies have found that low-frequency, low-pressure, weakly focused ultrasound (FUS) can induce acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV) of perfluoropentane (PFP) droplets and result in localized liver and prostate tissue controllable cavitation resonance and mechanical damage. To further investigate the mechanical erosion induced by ultrasound and locally injected phase-shift acoustic droplets in rabbit liver.

Methods: The liver of each rabbit was treated with perfluoromethylcyclopentane (PFMCP) alone, FUS combined with PFMCP (FUS + PFMCP), and FUS combined with PFP (FUS + PFP).

Elucidation of the mechanism of berberine against gastric mucosa injury in a rat model with chronic atrophic gastritis based on a combined strategy of multi-omics and molecular biology.

Background: Berberine (BBR) is widely used to treat gastrointestinal diseases. However, the pharmacological mechanism of action of BBR in anti-chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of action of BBR in CAG by integration of molecular biology and multi-omics studies strategy.

Rituximab-associated adverse events in nephrotic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Rituximab (RTX) has been recommended to treat nephrotic syndrome (NS), but its safety has not been quantitatively analyzed.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched from inception to December 31, 2023, for randomized control trials (RCTs) and retrospective studies reporting the adverse events (AEs) related to RTX for treating NS. Data were expressed as odds ratios (OR) and risk difference (RD) with 95 % confidence interval (CI).

3D printing pen for patterning electrochemical sensors on a paper platform for capsaicin detection.

The development of a print-at-home, low-cost, and miniaturized paper-based cell with 3D-printed electrodes using a 3D-printing pen and a bespoke conductive filament for detecting capsaicin in hot sauce is reported herein. The material cost of producing each electrode was less than £0.01.

Burden of type 2 diabetes due to high body mass index in different SDI regions and projections of future trends: insights from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study.

Aim: The aim of our study was to assess the impact of high body mass index (BMI) on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in different Socio-Demographic Development Index (SDI) regions using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study.

Methods: Using data from the GBD study, the burden of disease for T2DM was measured by analyzing the age-standardized disability-adjusted life year rate (ASDR) and age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) for type 2 diabetes due to high BMI and the associated estimated annual percentage change (EAPC). Decomposition analyses, frontier analyses, and predictive models were used to analyze changes and influencing factors for each metric.

Expression of MMP1, MMP3, and TIMP1 in intervertebral discs under simulated overload and microgravity conditions.

Objective: This study aims to investigate changes in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) levels in the intervertebral discs of New Zealand white rabbits under simulated overload and microgravity conditions, focusing on the expression of MMP1, MMP3, and TIMP1. The findings aim to provide a theoretical foundation for preventing and delaying lumbar disc degeneration in these environments.

Methods: Overload was simulated using an animal centrifuge, and microgravity was mimicked through tail suspension.

Transcriptome analysis of liver injury of fatty liver disease induced by ALDH2 deficiency.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (Aldh2) Glu504Lys mutation, common in East Asians, is linked to various alcohol-related pathologies, notably fatty liver disease. Recent findings suggest that high ethanol-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae(HiAlc Kpn) exacerbates liver injury in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Our study investigated the combined effects of Aldh2 deficiency and HiAlc Kpn on NAFLD liver injury, transcriptome analyses to unearth potential mechanisms and therapeutic targets.

Photocatalytic upcycling of polylactic acid to alanine by sulfur vacancy-rich cadmium sulfide.

Photocatalytic conversion has emerged as a promising strategy for harnessing renewable solar energy in the valorization of plastic waste. However, research on the photocatalytic transformation of plastics into valuable nitrogen-containing chemicals remains limited. In this study, we present a visible-light-driven pathway for the conversion of polylactic acid (PLA) into alanine under mild conditions.

Novel Nitrogen Hybrid F Sensors Based on ESIPT Mechanism Achieving Super Low Detection Limits.

Two novel nitrogen hybrid fluorescent sensors based on the ESIPT mechanism were successfully synthesized for the detection of fluoride ions (F), and they exhibit high sensitivity and selectivity with a fast response. The detection limits even reach the parts per billion level. With the addition of F, both sensors showed a ratiometric fluorescence change with a large Stokes shift.

Simplifying Traditional Approaches for Accessible Analysis of Snake Venom Enzymes.

Snake venoms enzymes affect diverse physiological mechanisms leading to effects such as inflammation, edema, hemolysis, and blood clotting disorders. In this report, we describe modifications to classical assays for assessing the enzymatic activity of snake venom phospholipase A (PLA) and phosphodiesterase (PDE), including the adaptation of the PDE assay to an agar plate. A final staining step, using Stains-all®, was added to the PLA activity assay on an egg yolk-containing agar plate.

Three-dimensional genome architecture in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Purpose: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a common primary hepatic tumors with a 5-year survival rate of less than 20%. Therefore, it is crucial to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of ICC. Recently, the advance of high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) technology help us look insight into the three-dimensional (3D) genome structure variation during tumorigenesis.