Vitiligo: are microbes to blame?

Vitiligo is a prevalent acquired depigmenting disease that is distinguished by the depletion of functional melanocytes and epidermal melanin. Despite significant advancements in comprehending vitiligo, the precise etiology and pathogenesis of the condition remain elusive. So far, the treatment of vitiligo is still one of the most difficult dermatological challenges.

Sarcopenia as a Prognostic Factor and Multimodal Interventions in Breast Cancer.

Objective: This study aims to demonstrate the impact of sarcopenia on the prognosis of early breast cancer and its role in early multimodal intervention.

Methods: The clinical data of patients (n=285) subjected to chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer diagnosed pathologically between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2020, in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Accordingly, the recruited subjects were divided into sarcopenia (n=85) and non-sarcopenia (n=200) groups according to CT diagnosis correlating with single-factor and multifactorial logistic regression analyses.

The prevalence of herbal medicine use and related factors among diabetic patients in Tabriz, Iran, 2023: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: This study was designed to characterize the prevalence, pattern of herbal use, and related factors among diabetic patients in Tabriz, Iran.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 322 diabetic patients with random cluster sampling of specialized and subspecialized clinics in Tabriz, Iran. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between predictor variables (sociodemographic and disease-related characteristics and patient preference for treatment type) with herb use Interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire from October 1, 2022, to April 23, 2023.

Elucidating the mechanism of stigmasterol in acute pancreatitis treatment: insights from network pharmacology and / experiments.

Introduction: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a severe inflammatory disease of the pancreas that could trigger a systemic inflammation and multi-organ dysfunction. Stigmasterol, a natural plant sterol found in various herbs and vegetables, exhibits a significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cholesterol-lowering effects. However, its therapeutic potential in AP have not been thoroughly investigated.

Zhili decoction ameliorates ulcerative colitis by modulating gut microbiota and related metabolite, and inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway.

Ethnopharmacological Importance: Zhili decoction (ZLD) is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription for ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the mechanism by which ZLD exerts its therapeutic effects in the context of UC remains unclear.

Aim Of Study: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ZLD on the gut microbiota and related fecal metabolite levels using a mouse model of UC.

Safety assessment of deutetrabenazine: real-world adverse event analysis from the FAERS database.

Background: Deutetrabenazine is a widely used drug for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia (TD), and post-marketing testing is important. There is a lack of real-world, large-sample safety studies of deutetrabenazine. In this study, a pharmacovigilance analysis of deutetrabenazine was performed based on the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database to evaluate its relevant safety signals for clinical reference.

Safety evaluation of medroxyprogesterone acetate: a pharmacovigilance analysis using FDA adverse event reporting system data.

Background: Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), a synthetic progestogen, is extensively used for the treatment of various conditions, including contraception, irregular menstruation, functional uterine bleeding, and endometriosis. However, like all pharmaceutical agents, MPA is associated with adverse drug reactions. This study aimed to evaluate the adverse events (AEs) associated with MPA in by analyzing real-world data from the U.

Exosomal communication: a pivotal regulator of bone homeostasis and a potential therapeutic target.

Bone homeostasis encompasses two interrelated aspects: bone remodeling and cartilage metabolism. Disruption of bone homeostasis can lead to the development of metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. The maintenance of bone homeostasis is a complex process that does not solely rely on the functions of the bone tissue itself.

Biocompatible nanoparticles self-assembled by PEGylated polyphosphoesters for combination of photodynamic therapy and hypoxia-activated chemotherapy against breast cancer.

Introduction: Although photodynamic therapy (PDT) shows considerable potential for cancer treatment due to its precise spatial control and reduced toxicity, effectively eliminating residual cells under hypoxic conditions remains challenging because of the resistance conferred by these cells.

Methods: Herein, we synthesize an amphiphilic PEGylated polyphosphoester and present a nanocarrier (NP) specifically designed for the codelivery of hydrophobic photosensitizer (chlorin e6, Ce6) and hypoxia-activated prodrugs (tirapazamine, TPZ). We investigate the antitumor effect of NP on both cellular and animal level.

An exploratory study evaluated the 30 most commonly reported medications in the United States food and drug administration's adverse event reporting system that are associated with the occurrence of kidney stones.

Objective: This research project aimed to identify and analyze the top 30 drugs most commonly associated with kidney stone formation using data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database.

Comprehensive review on neprilysin (NEP) inhibitors: design, structure-activity relationships, and clinical applications.

Neprilysin (NEP), a zinc-dependent membrane-bound metallopeptidase, regulates various bioactive peptides, particularly in kidneys, vascular endothelium, and the central nervous system. NEP's involvement in metabolizing natriuretic peptides, insulin, and enkephalins makes it a promising target for treating cardiovascular and Alzheimer's diseases. Several NEP inhibitors, such as sacubitril and omapatrilat, have been approved for clinical use, which inhibit NEP activity to prolong the bioactivity of beneficial peptides, thereby exerting therapeutic effects.

The role of artificial intelligence in preoperative planning for Total Hip Arthroplasty: a systematic review.

Background: Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) is a transformative surgical intervention for hip joint disorders, necessitating meticulous preoperative planning for optimal outcomes. With the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), preoperative planning paradigms have evolved, leveraging AI algorithms for enhanced decision support and imaging analysis. This systematic review aims to comprehensively evaluate the role of AI in THA preoperative planning, synthesizing evidence from studies exploring various AI techniques and their applications.

Integrating machine learning with bioinformatics for predicting idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis prognosis: developing an individualized clinical prediction tool.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic interstitial lung disease with a poor prognosis. Its non-specific clinical symptoms make accurate prediction of disease progression challenging. This study aimed to develop molecular-level prognostic models to personalize treatment strategies for IPF patients.

Deciphering dengue: novel RNA barcoding segments for enhanced serotype-specific identification and global surveillance of dengue viruses.

Introduction: Dengue viruses (DENVs), the causative agents of dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome, undergo genetic mutations that result in new strains and lead to ongoing global re-infections.

Objectives: To address the growing complexity of identifying and tracking biological samples, this study screened RNA barcode segments for the four DENV serotypes, ensuring high specificity and recall rates for DENV identification using segments.

Results: Through analyzing complete genome sequences of DENVs, we screened eight barcode segments for DENV, DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4 identification.

A human monoclonal antibody isolated from Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine-vaccinated volunteer neutralizing various flaviviruses.

Introduction: Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) are prevalent in over 80 countries or territories worldwide, causing hundreds of thousands of cases annually. But currently there is a lack of specific antiviral agents and effective vaccines.

Methods: In the present study, to identify human neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) against JEV or/and ZIKV, we isolated ZIKV-E protein-binding B cells from the peripheral venous blood of a healthy volunteer who had received the JEV live-attenuated vaccine and performed 10× Genomics transcriptome sequencing and BCR sequencing analysis, we then obtained the V region amino acid sequences of a novel mAb LZY3412.

Overcoming (X)-harboring tigecycline resistance: a study on the efficacy of tigecycline-apramycin combinations.

Introduction: The emergence of the wide variety of novel tigecycline resistance (X) variants, including (X3), (X4), (X5), and (X6), has raised a serious threat to global public health and posed a significant challenge to the clinical treatment of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.

Methods: In this study, we evaluated the synergism of tigecycline combining with other antibiotics as a means of overcoming the (X)-mediated resistance in spp. Antibiotic synergistic efficacy was evaluated through chequerboard experiments, time-kill assays and dose-response curves.

Comparative analysis of gut microbiota in metabolic syndrome and obese children from Southeastern China.

The prevalence of childhood obesity is rising globally, with some obese children progressing to develop metabolic syndrome (MS). However, the specific differences between these groups remain unclear. To investigate the differences in gut microbiota, we conducted physiological and biochemical assessments, alongside 16S rRNA sequencing, in a cohort of 32 children from Southeastern China, which included 4 normal-weight children, 5 with mild obesity, 9 with moderate obesity, 9 with severe obesity, and 5 with metabolic syndrome.

dna2bit: high performance genomic distance estimation software for microbial genome analysis.

dna2bit is an ultra-fast software specifically engineered for microbial genome analysis, particularly adept at calculating genome distances within metagenome and single amplified genome datasets. Distinguished from existing software such as Mash and Dashing, dna2bit employs feature hashing technique and Hamming distance to achieve enhanced speed and memory utilization, without sacrifice in the accuracy of average nucleotide identity calculations. dna2bit has promising applications in various domains such as average nucleotide identity approximation, metagenomic sequence clustering, and homology querying.

Clinical review and drug sensitivity test of complex isolates in non-lactating patients with severe mastitis.

Background: Previous microbiological investigations have demonstrated a significant correlation between complex (CKC) infection and mastitis. Recent studies have confirmed the existence of the CKC, with () identified as the primary infectious agent. Examining the incidence of CKC in cases of severe non-lactational mastitis, alongside the clinical characteristics of infected patients, as well as evaluating the drug sensitivity testing protocols for CKC, can provide a more robust foundation for the diagnosis and treatment of CKC infections.

Effect of conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes mediated by plasmids on the microecology of different intestinal segments.

Introduction: The conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) mediated by plasmids occurred in different intestinal segments of mice was explored.

Methods: The location of ARG donor bacteria and ARGs was investigated by qPCR, flow cytometry, and small animal imaging. The resistant microbiota was analyzed by gene amplification sequencing.

Case Report and literature review: Delayed diagnosis of ARCL1B due to a newly reported homozygous mutation c.464A>C p. (Tyr155Ser) in the gene.

Background: Autosomal recessive cutis laxa type 1B (ARCL1B) is an extremely rare disease characterized by severe systemic connective tissue abnormalities, including cutis laxa, aneurysm and fragility of blood vessels, birth fractures and emphysema. The severity of this disease ranges from perinatal death to manifestations compatible with survival. To date, no cases have been reported in the Chinese population.

Integration of gene expression and DNA methylation data using MLA-GNN for liver cancer biomarker mining.

The early symptoms of hepatocellular carcinoma patients are often subtle and easily overlooked. By the time patients exhibit noticeable symptoms, the disease has typically progressed to middle or late stages, missing optimal treatment opportunities. Therefore, discovering biomarkers is essential for elucidating their functions for the early diagnosis and prevention.

Cervical Cancer and Cervical Cancer Screening in Women with HIV in Guangxi, China: A Model Simulation Study.

Unlabelled: Cervical cancer screening can effectively reduce the disease burden. In China, the current cervical cancer screening guidelines do not provide separate screening recommendations for women living with HIV (WLWH) to account for their increased risk. We developed a comprehensive individual-based simulation model to provide evidence to support tailored cervical cancer screening programs for WLWH in Guangxi, a region with a high prevalence of HIV in China.

The study on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular matrix promoting the repair of damaged chondrocytes by regulating the Notch1/RBPJ pathway.

Unlabelled: Cartilage and joint damage can lead to cartilage degeneration. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have the potential to address cartilage damage. Hence, this study probed the mechanism of BMSC-extracellular matrix (BMSC-ECM) in promoting damaged chondrocyte repair by regulating the Notch1/RBPJ pathway.