Analysis of MRI-based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) scores in patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis.

Introduction: Degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) often causes various issues such as neural symptoms and osteoporosis (OP). Vertebral bone quality (VBQ) is a crucial factor that surgeons take into consider prior to surgery. However, little attention has been given to the use of VBQ in evaluating vertebral bone mass in DLS patients.

Targeting the NF-κB p65-MMP28 axis: Wogonoside as a novel therapeutic agent for attenuating podocyte injury in diabetic nephropathy.

Background: Although recent progress provides mechanistic insights into diabetic nephropathy (DN), effective treatments remain scarce. DN, characterized by proteinuria and a progressive decline in renal function, primarily arises from podocyte injury, which impairs the glomerular filtration barrier. Wogonoside, a bioactive compound from the traditional Chinese herb Scutellaria baicalensis, has not been explored for its role in DN.

Comprehensive characterization of the bHLH transcription factor family in Curcuma wenyujin and functional elucidation of CwbHLH27 in jasmonate-regulated sesquiterpenoid biosynthesis.

Curcuma wenyujin is acknowledged as a crucial medicinal plant containing essential oils, primarily composed of sesquiterpenoids. While numerous sesquiterpenoids exhibit versatile physiological activities, their levels in C. wenyujin are generally low, particularly the pivotal anti-cancer component elemene.

Quantitative Evaluation of Multiple Treatment Regimens for Treatment-Resistant Depression.

Objective: This study aims to quantitatively evaluate the efficacy and safety of various treatment regimens for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) across oral, intravenous, and intranasal routes to inform clinical guidelines.

Methods: A systematic review identified randomized controlled trials on TRD, with efficacy measured by changes in the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). We developed pharmacodynamic and covariate models for different administration routes, using Monte Carlo simulations to estimate efficacy distribution.

Two Small Peptides from Hydrolysates Exhibit Antitumor Activity Through Inhibition of TNF-α-Mediated Signal Transduction Pathways.

The scorpion Karsch is edible and has been an essential resource in traditional Chinese medicine for treating numerous diseases. In this study, two small peptides from hydrolysates were examined to elucidate their potential against gastric cancer. The small peptides (AK and GK) were identified using the LC-QTOF-MS-based approach.

Pharmacodynamic Mechanisms of Cicadae Periostracum in Parkinson's Disease: A Metabolomics-Based Study.

Cicadae Periostracum (CP) is a traditional Chinese animal-derived medicine with the potential to treat Parkinson's disease (PD). This study aims to explore the pharmacodynamic mechanisms of CP against PD-based on metabolomics technology and provide a theoretical basis for developing new anti-PD medicine. First, MPP-induced SH-SY5Y cells were used to evaluate the anti-PD activity of CP.

Effects of physical activity on depressive and anxiety symptoms of women in the menopausal transition and menopause: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Depression and anxiety may significantly affect women in the menopausal transition and menopause. In addition to traditional treatment strategies such as hormone therapy, antidepressants, and psychotherapy, physical activity (PA) have been increasingly studied, but there is no consensus about their role in menopausal women with depression and anxiety.

Objective: The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of PA on the severity of depressive (DS) and anxiety (AS) symptoms in women during the menopausal transition and menopause.

Non-linear relationship between urinary creatinine and diabetic kidney disease: implications for clinical practice.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the relationship between urinary creatinine (UCr) and the risk and severity of Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD) in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). The goal is to establish UCr as a potential biomarker for early DKD detection and severity assessment.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted using medical records of T2DM patients.

Heterogeneous focal adhesion cytoskeleton nanoarchitectures from microengineered interfacial curvature to oversee nuclear remodeling and mechanotransduction of mesenchymal stem cells.

Background: Interfacial heterogeneity is widely explored to reveal molecular mechanisms of force-mediated pathways due to biased tension. However, the influence of cell density,, curvature, and interfacial heterogeneity on underlying pathways of mechanotransduction is obscure.

Methods: Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based stencils were micropatterned to prepare the micropores for cell culture.

A machine learning based algorithm accurately stages liver disease by quantification of arteries.

A major histologic feature of cirrhosis is the loss of liver architecture with collapse of tissue and vascular changes per unit. We developed qVessel to quantify the arterial density (AD) in liver biopsies with chronic disease of varied etiology and stage. 46 needle liver biopsy samples with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), 48 with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and 43 with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) were collected at the Shuguang Hospital.

Stem-leaf saponins of Panax notoginseng attenuate experimental Parkinson's disease progression in mice by inhibiting microglia-mediated neuroinflammation via P2Y2R/PI3K/AKT/NFκB signaling pathway.

Stem-leaf saponins from Panax notoginseng (SLSP) comprise numerous PPD-type saponins with diverse pharmacological properties; however, their role in Parkinson's disease (PD), characterized by microglia-mediated neuroinflammation, remains unclear. This study evaluated the effects of SLSP on suppressing microglia-driven neuroinflammation in experimental PD models, including the 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPTP)-induced mouse model and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 microglia. Our findings revealed that SLSP mitigated behavioral impairments and excessive microglial activation in models of PD, including MPTP-treated mice.

Roles of NLRC4 inflammasome in neurological disorders: Mechanisms, implications, and therapeutic potential.

The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family caspase recruitment domain containing 4 (NLRC4) inflammasome, a vital component of the innate immune system, is known for defending against bacterial infections. However, recent insights have revealed its significant impact on neurological disorders. This comprehensive review discussed the mechanisms underlying the activation and regulation of the NLRC4 inflammasome, highlighting the complexity of its response to cellular stress and damage signals.

Eleutherococcus senticosus Alleviates Aristolochic-Acid-Induced Acute Kidney Damage by Inhibiting the NLRP3/IL-1β Signaling Pathway in Mice.

(ES) exerts various pharmacological effects, including renoprotection in a rat model of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, the mechanisms of these effects remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects and mechanisms of ES on aristolochic acid (AA)-induced acute kidney injury in mice.

Recent advances in small molecule design strategies against hepatic fibrosis.

Hepatic fibrosis, a widespread pathological process observed across various liver diseases, is acknowledged as a potentially reversible condition. In recent years, liver fibrosis has garnered extensive research attention, with a primary emphasis on developing drugs that can directly block or reverse this condition. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the design strategies for various anti-hepatic fibrosis agents that have been many efficacious small-molecule drugs.

NK cell exhaustion in Wilson's disease revealed by single-cell RNA sequencing predicts the prognosis of cholecystitis.

Metabolic abnormalities associated with liver disease have a significant impact on the risk and prognosis of cholecystitis. However, the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. Here, we investigated this issue using Wilson's disease (WD) as a model, which is a genetic disorder characterized by impaired mitochondrial function and copper metabolism.

The efficacy of acupuncture in relieving postoperative pain in patients with low simple anal fistula: Protocol of a prospective, randomised, controlled trial.

Background: Anal fistula surgery often leads to postoperative pain, which can hinder recovery and negatively impact patients' quality of life. This prospective, randomised, controlled trial (RCT) aims to investigate the efficacy of acupuncture in alleviating postoperative pain and reducing the usage of analgesic medications following anal fistula surgery.

Methods: This single-centre, patient-blinded, assessor-blinded, placebo-controlled randomised controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted at a tertiary referral hospital.

Probiotics interventions modulating gut microbiota composition in individuals with intestinal constipation: Protocol of a systemic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: Intestinal constipation is a substantive global health concern, significantly impairing patient quality of life. An emerging view is that the gut microbiota plays a critical role in intestinal function, and probiotics could offer therapeutic benefits. This study aims to consolidate evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assess the effectiveness of probiotics in modulating microbiota and ameliorating symptoms of constipation.

A Multi-Scale Computational Model of the Hepatic Circulation Applied to Predict the Portal Pressure After Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS).

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a widely used surgery for portal hypertension. In clinical practice, the diameter of the stent forming a shunt is usually selected empirically, which will influence the postoperative portal pressure. Clinical studies found that inappropriate portal pressure after TIPS is responsible for poor prognosis; however, there is no scheme to predict postoperative portal pressure.

Determination of Puberulic Acid in Monascus-Fermented Red Yeast Rice by LC-MS/MS Combined with Precolumn Derivatization.

Puberulic acid (PA) is a mycotoxin produced by a species of . It has received widespread attention as a significant contributor to the reported fatalities associated with red yeast rice dietary supplements. However, the detection of PA, especially at low concentration levels, poses a considerable challenge, with no detection methods reported thus far.

Osteopenia Metabolomic Biomarkers for Early Warning of Osteoporosis.

: This study aimed to capture the early metabolic changes before osteoporosis occurs and identify metabolomic biomarkers at the osteopenia stage for the early prevention of osteoporosis. : Metabolomic data were generated from normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis groups with 320 participants recruited from the Nicheng community in Shanghai. We conducted individual edge network analysis (iENA) combined with a random forest to detect metabolomic biomarkers for the early warning of osteoporosis.

Notoginsenoside R1 Attenuates H/R Injury in H9c2 Cells by Maintaining Mitochondrial Homeostasis.

Mitochondrial homeostasis is crucial for maintaining cellular energy production and preventing oxidative stress, which is essential for overall cellular function and longevity. Mitochondrial damage and dysfunction often occur concomitantly in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI). Notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1), a unique saponin from the traditional Chinese medicine Panax notoginseng, has been shown to alleviate MIRI in previous studies, though its precise mechanism remains unclear.

ViT-Based Face Diagnosis Images Analysis for Schizophrenia Detection.

Objectives: Computer-aided schizophrenia (SZ) detection methods mainly depend on electroencephalogram and brain magnetic resonance images, which both capture physical signals from patients' brains. These inspection techniques take too much time and affect patients' compliance and cooperation, while difficult for clinicians to comprehend the principle of detection decisions. This study proposes a novel method using face diagnosis images based on traditional Chinese medicine principles, providing a non-invasive, efficient, and interpretable alternative for SZ detection.

Neoplasms in the Nasal Cavity Identified and Tracked with an Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Nasal Endoscopic Diagnostic System.

Objective: We aim to construct an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted nasal endoscopy diagnostic system capable of preliminary differentiation and identification of nasal neoplasia properties, as well as intraoperative tracking, providing an important basis for nasal endoscopic surgery.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 1050 video data of nasal endoscopic surgeries involving four types of nasal neoplasms. Using Deep Snake, U-Net, and Att-Res2-UNet, we developed a nasal neoplastic detection network based on endoscopic images.