Daratumumab for Bortezomib-Refractory Proliferative Glomerulonephritis With Monoclonal Immunoglobulin Deposits in Kidney Allograft: A Case Report.

Despite treatment with immunosuppressive or clone-targeted chemotherapy, patients with proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal immunoglobulin deposit (PGNMID) frequently progress into end-stage kidney failure, and early recurrence of PGNMID after kidney transplantation is common. The standard management of PGNMID has been unclear, currently based on data from small cohorts, which requires a need for additional therapeutic regimens in this disease. A human IgG monoclonal antibody that targets CD38 (daratumumab) was recently identified as a potential therapeutic option for treating PGNMID.

Hyaluronic acid-functionalized nanoparticles enable enhanced chemo/chemodynamic therapy for the targeted treatment of colon cancer.

Colon cancer (CC) is the third most common cancer globally and one of the leading causes of death. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop an efficient and low-toxicity CC treatment regimen. The combination of chemotherapy (CT) and chemodynamic therapy (CDT) has great potential in cancer treatment.

Two-Month Cognitive Changes Enhance Prediction of Non-Remission in Clinical High-Risk Individuals.

Background: Longitudinal changes in cognitive function may be crucial in predicting clinical outcomes in clinical high risk (CHR) individuals. This study aims to investigate the predictive value of baseline cognitive impairment and short-term cognitive changes for non-remission and conversion to psychosis in individuals at CHR for psychosis, compared with healthy controls (HC).

Methods: This study employed a multiple-group prospective design with a 3-year follow-up.

KMO-driven metabolic reconfiguration and its impact on immune cell infiltration in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a new avenue for immunotherapy.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a malignant epithelial tumor, is characterized by a complex tumor microenvironment (TME) and closely associated with metabolic dysfunction. Mitochondrial metabolism plays a crucial role in supporting the rapid proliferation of tumor cells. However, the specific response of mitochondria to the NPC microenvironment and their role in regulating the metabolic heterogeneity of the tumor remain poorly understood.

Safety and efficacy of oral administrated cepharanthine in non-hospitalized, asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 patients: a Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial : Author detials.

Cepharanthine (CEP) is a natural remedy that potently inhibits SARS-CoV-2 activity both in vitro and in vivo. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of CEP compared with placebo in adults with asymptomatic or mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), we conducted a proof-of-concept, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Patients were randomized to receive 120 mg/day of CEP, 60 mg/day CEP or placebo for 5 days.

Bi-directional communication between intrinsic enteric neurons and ILC2s inhibits host defense against helminth infection.

Emerging studies reveal that neurotransmitters and neuropeptides play critical roles in regulating anti-helminth immune responses, hinting at the potential of intrinsic enteric neurons (iENs) in orchestrating intestinal immunity. Whether and how iENs are activated during infection and the potential neuroimmune interactions involved remain poorly defined. Here, we found that helminth infection activated a subset of iENs.

Assessment of the Properties and Mechanism of Three Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) Parts for Sleep Improvement.

Lotus leaves (LL), petals (LP), and seeds (LS) are believed to have properties that can potentially improve sleep. However, their efficacy in improving sleep has not yet been fully validated. This study aimed to investigate the multitarget mechanisms of extracts from these lotus parts for sleep improvement using chemical analysis, bioactivity assessment, meta-analysis, network pharmacology evaluation, and molecular docking studies.

Analysis of physical activity levels and influencing factors in cancer survivors after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Introduction: Physical activity is becoming more important in cancer patient care. However, there are limited studies investigating physical activity levels in cancer survivors after pancreaticoduodenectomy. This study aims to assess the present status of physical activity levels in cancer survivors after pancreaticoduodenectomy and whether perioperative metrics and length of follow-up have an impact on physical activity levels in survivorship.

Arginase 1 genetic variation is associated with the risk of vascular complications in type 2 diabetes.

Objective: This study aims to explore the association between arginase 1 (ARG1) genetic variation and susceptibility to type 2 diabetes (T2DM) vascular complications, a primary cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetics.

Methods: ARG1, a risk gene for cardiovascular disease, was identified from GEO datasets GSE22255 and GSE58294. The ENCODE database identified four candidate single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci.

A study on the effect of blue light on kidney stone formation in rats via the brain-kidney axis.

Kidney stones, a common urological disease, may involve the brain-kidney axis in their formation, though the specific mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of blue light on relevant metabolic indicators and oxidative stress status in rats with kidney stones through the brain-kidney axis. A rat model of kidney stones was established by administering 1% ethylene glycol and 2% ammonium chloride.

High glucose/ChREBP-induced Hif-1α transcriptional activation in CD4 T cells reduces the risk of diabetic kidney disease by inhibiting the Th1 response.

Aims/hypothesis: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) features intrarenal inflammation, in which T cells play a part. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), a key transcription factor regulating cellular responses to hypoxia, is reportedly involved in the course of inflammation. The role of HIF-1α in DKD has been investigated, but the conclusions are controversial so far.

N7-methylguanosine modification in cancers: from mechanisms to therapeutic potential.

N7-methylguanosine (m7G) is an important RNA modification involved in epigenetic regulation that is commonly observed in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Their influence on the synthesis and processing of messenger RNA, ribosomal RNA, and transfer RNA allows m7G modifications to affect diverse cellular, physiological, and pathological processes. m7G modifications are pivotal in human diseases, particularly cancer progression.

Diagnostic utility of LEF1 and β-catenin in WNT pathway tumors with CTNNB1 mutation.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the expression of lymphoid enhancer factor 1 (LEF1) and β-catenin in basal cell adenoma (BA), desmoid-type fibromatosis (DF), and pancreatic solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) to evaluate their diagnostic utility in tumors associated with the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway harboring the mutation of CTNNB1 gene 3 exon.

Methods: Eighty tumor patients, including 26 BAs, 30 DFs, and 24 SPNs, were analyzed. Immunohistochemical staining was identified positive (nuclear staining of LEF1 and β-catenin in > 50% of tumor cells).

3D-AttenNet model can predict clinically significant prostate cancer in PI-RADS category 3 patients: a retrospective multicenter study.

Purposes: The presence of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) is equivocal for patients with prostate imaging reporting and data system (PI-RADS) category 3. We aim to develop deep learning models for re-stratify risks in PI-RADS category 3 patients.

Methods: This retrospective study included a bi-parametric MRI of 1567 consecutive male patients from six centers (Centers 1-6) between Jan 2015 and Dec 2020.

Global regional and national burden of intracerebral hemorrhage between 1990 and 2021.

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) represents one of the most devastating forms of stroke, characterized by spontaneous bleeding into the brain parenchyma. This neurological emergency carries a substantial burden of mortality and long-term disability worldwide. A comprehensive understanding of ICH's evolving global impact from 1990 to 2021 remains essential for healthcare planning and resource allocation.

RNA methylation homeostasis in ocular diseases: All eyes on Me.

RNA methylation is a pivotal epigenetic modification that adjusts various aspects of RNA biology, including nuclear transport, stability, and the efficiency of translation for specific RNA candidates. The methylation of RNA involves the addition of methyl groups to specific bases and can occur at different sites, resulting in distinct forms, such as N6-methyladenosine (mA), N1-methyladenosine (mA), 5-methylcytosine (mC), and 7-methylguanosine (mG). Maintaining an optimal equilibrium of RNA methylation is crucial for fundamental cellular activities such as cell survival, proliferation, and migration.

Thermal-crosslinked acellular dermal matrix combined with adipose-derived stem cells to regenerate vascularized adipose tissue.

The reconstruction of large-sized soft tissue defects remains a substantial clinical challenge, with adipose tissue engineering emerging as a promising solution. The acellular dermal matrix (ADM), known for its intricate spatial arrangement and active cytokine involvement, is widely employed as a scaffold in soft tissue engineering. Since ADM shares high similarity with decellularized adipose matrix, it holds potential as a substitute for adipose tissue.

Hepatocyte-derived liver progenitor-like cells attenuate liver cirrhosis via induction of apoptosis in hepatic stellate cells.

Background: Cell therapy demonstrates promising potential as a substitute therapeutic approach for liver cirrhosis. We have developed a strategy to effectively expand murine and human hepatocyte-derived liver progenitor-like cells (HepLPCs) in vitro. The primary objective of the present study was to apply HepLPCs to the treatment of liver cirrhosis and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms responsible for their therapeutic efficacy.

Health risks related to environmental and occupational lead exposure.

Lead is a ubiquitous toxic metal. This review summarizes the toxicokinetics and toxicology of lead, and the methods to measure blood lead (BL), summarizes recently published studies, and ends with an appraisal of recent regulations to protect exposed workers. Lead exposure is caused via inhalation of lead-contaminated particulate and via gastrointestinal uptake.

Oestrogen suppresses the adipogenesis of fibro/adipogenic progenitors through reactivating the METTL3-ESR1-mediated loop in post-menopausal females.

Background: Post-menopausal women experience more severe muscular fatty infiltration, though the mechanisms remain unclear. The decline in estrogen levels is considered as a critical physiological alteration during post-menopause. Fibro/adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) are identified as major contributors to muscular fatty infiltration.

Impact of salpingectomy on the risk and characteristics of ectopic pregnancy after IVF/ICSI in patients with ectopic pregnancy history: A large retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a serious clinical gynecological emergency. Patients with EP history are at higher risk of EP resulting from IVF/ICSI (IVF-EP). Besides, studies have suggested that previous EP treatments may affect the incidence of IVF-EP.

Extracellular Vesicles From Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages Enriched in ARG1 Enhance Microglial Phagocytosis and Haematoma Clearance Following Intracerebral Haemorrhage.

Microglial phagocytosis of haematomas is crucial for neural functional recovery following intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), a process regulated by various factors from within and outside the central nervous system (CNS). Extracellular vesicles (EVs), significant mediators of intercellular communication, have been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis and progression of CNS diseases. However, the regulatory role of endogenous EVs on the phagocytic capacity of microglia post-ICH remains elusive.

Assessment of hemodynamic disturbances and impaired ventricular filling in asymptomatic fontan patients: A 4D flow CMR study.

Background: The Fontan procedure is a surgical intervention designed for patients with single ventricle physiology, wherein the systemic venous return is redirected into the pulmonary circulation, thereby facilitating passive pulmonary blood flow without the assistance of ventricular propulsion. Consequently, long-term follow-up of individuals who have undergone the asymptomatic Fontan procedure is essential.

Objectives: The aims of this investigation were to: 1) examine the impact of flow components and kinetic energy (KE) parameters on hemodynamic disturbances in asymptomatic Fontan patients and control group; 2) Assess left ventricular diastolic dysfunction through the analysis of 4D flow parameters across different Fontan sub-groups; 3) Compare intracardiac flow parameters among Fontan sub-groups based on morphological features of the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV).