Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): from mechanistic insights to therapeutic strategies.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a clinical syndrome of acute hypoxic respiratory failure caused by diffuse lung inflammation and edema. ARDS can be precipitated by intrapulmonary factors or extrapulmonary factors, which can lead to severe hypoxemia. Patients suffering from ARDS have high mortality rates, including a 28-day mortality rate of 34.

Loss of Type 2 Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptor Activates NOD-Like Receptor Family Protein 3/Gasdermin E-Mediated Pyroptosis in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is an incurable disease initiated by endothelial dysfunction, secondary to vascular inflammation and occlusive pulmonary arterial vascular remodeling, resulting in elevated pulmonary arterial pressure and right heart failure. Previous research has reported that dysfunction of type 2 bone morphogenetic protein receptor (BMPR2) signaling pathway in endothelium is inclined to prompt inflammation in PAH models, but the underlying mechanism of BMPR2 deficiency-mediated inflammation needs further investigation. This study was designed to investigate whether BMPR2 deficiency contributes to pulmonary arterial hypertension via the NLRP3 (NOD-like receptor family protein 3)/GSDME (gasdermin E)-mediated pyroptosis pathway.

Cardioprotective effects of the electrolyte solution sterofundin and the possible underlying mechanisms.

Background: Sterofundin (SF) is one of the most widely used electrolyte solutions in almost all areas of medicine, with particular importance in intensive care. It provides powerful correction of acid-base imbalances, ion fluctuations, and impaired energy metabolism, which are the three most important characteristics after myocardial infarction (MI). However, whether and how SF protects the heart from post-MI damage are largely unknown.

Targeting intracellular cancer proteins with tumor-microenvironment-responsive bispecific nanobody-PROTACs for enhanced therapeutic efficacy.

Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are pivotal in cancer therapy for their ability to degrade specific proteins. However, their non-specificity can lead to systemic toxicity due to protein degradation in normal cells. To address this, we have integrated a nanobody into the PROTACs framework and leveraged the tumor microenvironment to enhance drug specificity.

A novel allosteric driver mutation of β-glucuronidase promotes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma progression through STT3B-mediated PD-L1 N-glycosylation.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) develops and advances because of the accumulation of somatic mutations located in orthosteric and allosteric areas. However, the biological effects of allosteric driver mutations during tumorigenesis are mostly unknown. Here, we mapped somatic mutations generated from 10 tumor-normal matched HNSCC samples into allosteric sites to prioritize the mutated allosteric proteins via whole-exome sequencing and AlloDriver, identifying the specific mutation H351Q in β-glucuronidase (GUSB), a lysosomal enzyme, as a novel allosteric driver mutation, which considerably encouraged HNSCC progression both in vitro and in vivo.

Patient-derived xenograft model in cancer: establishment and applications.

The patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model is a crucial in vivo model extensively employed in cancer research that has been shown to maintain the genomic characteristics and pathological structure of patients across various subtypes, metastatic, and diverse treatment histories. Various treatment strategies utilized in PDX models can offer valuable insights into the mechanisms of tumor progression, drug resistance, and the development of novel therapies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the establishment and applications of PDX models.

Effects of Klotho in epilepsy: An umbrella review of observational and mendelian randomization studies.

Background: Klotho is a geroprotective protein which has been recognized for its anti-aging properties. Pre-clinical evidence suggested that boosting Klotho might hold therapeutic potential in ageing and disease. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by its recurrent seizures.

H3K14la drives endothelial dysfunction in sepsis-induced ARDS by promoting SLC40A1/transferrin-mediated ferroptosis.

Pulmonary endothelial cell (EC) activation is a key factor in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In sepsis, increased glycolysis leads to lactate buildup, which induces lysine lactylation (Kla) on histones and other proteins. However, the role of protein lactylation in EC dysfunction during sepsis-induced ARDS remains unclear.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation: cause, molecular mechanism, diagnosis, and therapy.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a complex and serious condition characterized by widespread activation of the coagulation cascade, resulting in both thrombosis and bleeding. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of DIC, emphasizing its clinical significance and the need for improved management strategies. We explore the primary causes of DIC, including sepsis, trauma, malignancies, and obstetric complications, which trigger an overactive coagulation response.

Carotid Endarterectomy Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment in Clinical and Experimental Unilateral Carotid Artery Stenosis.

Background: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is widely used to treat carotid artery stenosis (CAS). However, the effects of CEA on unilateral CAS-induced cognitive impairment and the underlying mechanism remain poorly understood.

Methods And Results: Thirteen patients diagnosed with unilateral severe CAS underwent pre- and post-CEA assessments, including fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging, cognitive assessments, and routine blood tests before and after CEA.

Association between autoimmune gastritis and gastric polyps: Clinical characteristics and risk factors.

Background: The relationship between autoimmune gastritis (AIG) and gastric polyps (GPs) is not well understood.

Aim: To explore the clinical characteristics and risk factors of AIG with GPs in patients.

Methods: This double center retrospective study included 530 patients diagnosed with AIG from July 2019 to July 2023.

Construction and evaluation of a multifactorial clinical model for discriminating benign and malignant breast tumors using LASSO algorithm based on retrospective cohort study.

Breast cancer is one of the malignant tumors that seriously threaten women's health, and early diagnosis and detection of breast cancer are crucial for effective treatment. Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is an important diagnostic tool that allows for the dynamic observation of blood flow characteristics of breast tumors, including small lesions within the affected tissue. Currently, it is widely used in clinical practice and has been shown promising prospects.

Human adipose-derived multipotent stromal cells enriched with IL-10 modRNA improve diabetic wound healing: Trigger the macrophage phenotype shift.

Diabetic wounds present a significant challenge in regenerative medicine due to impaired healing, characterized by prolonged inflammation and deficient tissue repair, primarily caused by a skewed pro-inflammatory macrophage phenotype. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of interleukin-10 (IL-10) chemically modified mRNA (modRNA)-enriched human adipose-derived multipotent stromal cells (hADSCs) in a well-established murine model of diabetic wounds. The modRNAs used in this study were chemically modified using N1-methylpseudouridine-5'-triphosphate (m1Ψ) by substituting uridine-5-triphosphate.

Dissolving microneedles: A transdermal drug delivery system for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that impacts around 1% of the global population. Up to 20% of people become disabled within a year, which has a severely negative impact on their health and quality of life. RA has a complicated pathogenic mechanism, which initially affects small joints and progresses to larger ones over time.

Drug-phospholipid conjugate nano-assembly for drug delivery.

Phospholipid-based liposomes are among the most successful nanodrug delivery systems in clinical use. However, these conventional liposomes present significant challenges including low drug-loading capacity and issues with drug leakage. Drug-phospholipid conjugates (DPCs) and their assemblies offer a promising strategy for addressing these limitations.

Altered zygotic gene expression caused by sperm with variants disrupts early embryonic development.

The precise mechanisms behind early embryonic arrest due to sperm-related factors and the most effective strategies are not yet fully understood. Here, we present two cases of male infertility linked to novel variants, associated with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) and early embryonic arrest. To investigate the underlying mechanisms and promising therapeutic approaches, knock-in and knock-out mice were generated.

Microfluidic-based electrically driven particle manipulation techniques for biomedical applications.

Microfluidic chips exhibit unique advantages in both economy and rapidity, particularly for the separation and detection of biomolecules. In this review, we first introduced the mechanisms of several electrically driven methods, such as electrophoresis, dielectrophoresis, electro-wetting and electro-rotation. We then discussed in detail the application of these methods in nucleic acid analysis, protein manipulation and cell treatment.

Correlation between quality change and hydrogen sulfide in aquatic product: Detection of hydrogen sulfide and its potential applications using bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) model during cold storage.

Hydrogen sulfide (HS) is an metabolic product of tuna during the spoilage, and relationship between HS and tuna quality has not been specifically studied. This study detected changes in HS content, HS precursor substances, and related enzymes based on the formation pathway of HS. HS content increased of tuna resulted in significant increases in contents of cystathionine β-synthase, cystathionine γ-lyase, 3-mercapto pyruvate sulfotransferase, cysteine aminotransferase and methionine, while content of cysteine decreased which provided HS formation.

Caregiving in Asia: Priority areas for research, policy, and practice to support family caregivers.

Population aging presents a growing societal challenge and imposes a heavy burden on the healthcare system in many Asian countries. Given the limited availability of formal long-term care (LTC) facilities and personnel, family caregivers play a vital role in providing care for the increasing population of older adults. While awareness of the challenges faced by caregivers is rising, discussions often remain within academic circles, resulting in the lived experiences, well-being, and needs of family caregivers being frequently overlooked.

Establishment of a survival rabbit model for laryngotracheal stenosis: A prospective randomized study.

Objective: To develop a reproducible survival rabbit model for laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS).

Methods: Seventy New Zealand white (NZW) rabbits were randomly divided into experimental groups ( = 30) and a control group ( = 40). In experimental groups, a nylon brush was inserted retrograde from the tracheotomy through the subglottis and rotated until a full layer circumferential mucosal injury to cartilage exposure, assisted by fiberoptic laryngoscopy (FOL) visualization.

Decoding the regulatory role of ATP synthase inhibitory factor 1 (ATPIF1) in Wallerian degeneration and peripheral nerve regeneration.

ATP synthase inhibitory factor 1 (ATPIF1), a key modulator of ATP synthase complex activity, has been implicated in various physiological and pathological processes. While its role is established in conditions such as hypoxia, ischemia-reperfusion injury, apoptosis, and cancer, its involvement remains elusive in peripheral nerve regeneration. Leveraging ATPIF1 knockout transgenic mice, this study reveals that the absence of ATPIF1 impedes neural structural reconstruction, leading to delayed sensory and functional recovery.

Artificial dynamic structure ensemble-guided rational design of a universal RNA aptamer-based sensing tag.

Artificially functional RNAs, such as fluorogenic RNA aptamer (FRApt)-based biosensing tag, represent significant advancements in various biological applications but are limited by the lack of insight into dynamic structure ensembles and universal design concepts. Through the development of an artificial RNA structure ensemble, we rationally established an RNA reconstitution model, "SSPepper-Apt," to generate a universal fluorogenic RNA biosensing tag. By utilizing various target-recognizing RNA motifs, SSPepper-Apt enables the modular generation of sensing tags for low-background, highly selective imaging of metabolites, peptides, and proteins in living cells.

Transurethral resection of bladder tumor with Bacille Calmette-Guerin intravesical instillation for HRNMIBC and factors influencing recurrence.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of combining transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) with Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) intravesical instillation in treating high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (HRNMIBC).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data from 118 HRNMIBC patients treated at Tongren Hospital between March 2020 and June 2022. The patients were categorized into two groups based on their treatment regimen: the control group (n=60) which received regular pirarubicin intravesical instillation, and the observation group (n=58) which received additional BCG intravesical instillation alongside pirarubicin.

KLF14 inhibits tumor progression via FOSL1 in glioma.

Background: Glioma, the most frequent central nervous system malignancy, is often promoted by the overexpression of Fos-like antigen 1 (FOSL1). However, the regulation of FOSL1 remains unexplored. The present study aimed to investigate the regulatory mechanism of FOSL1 to identify potential therapeutic targets for glioblastoma.

Investigating the causal links between inflammatory cytokines and scoliosis through bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis.

Background: Scoliosis, characterized by a lateral curvature of the spine, affects millions globally. The role of inflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of scoliosis is increasingly acknowledged, yet their causal relationships remain poorly defined.

Aims: This study aims to explore the genetic-level causal relationships between inflammatory cytokines and scoliosis utilizing bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.