Influenza A virus NS2 protein acts on vRNA-resident polymerase to drive the transcription to replication switch.

The heterotrimeric RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of influenza A virus catalyzes viral RNA transcription (vRNA→mRNA) and replication (vRNA→cRNA→vRNA) by adopting different conformations. A switch from transcription to replication occurs at a relatively late stage of infection. We recently reported that the viral NS2 protein, expressed at later stages from a spliced transcript of the NS segment messenger RNA (mRNA), inhibits transcription, promotes replication and plays a key role in the transcription-to-replication switch.

Innovative epitopes in Protein-A an immuno-informatics approach to combat MDR-MRSA infections.

Background: Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) poses a significant challenge in clinical environments due to its resistance to standard antibiotics. Protein A (SpA), a crucial virulence factor of MRSA, undermines host immune responses, making it an attractive target for vaccine development. This study aimed to identify potential epitopes within SpA that could elicit robust immune responses, ultimately contributing to the combat against multidrug-resistant (MDR) MRSA.

Efficacy and Safety of Proactive Therapy with 2% Crisaborole Ointment in Children with Mild-to-Moderate Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Background: The effectiveness of crisaborole for proactive treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) is not well established.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of a proactive treatment strategy with 2% crisaborole ointment for managing mild-to-moderate AD in children.

Patients And Methods: In this 16-week randomized-controlled trial, children aged 2-17 years with mild-to-moderate AD were enrolled.

Identification of a pancreatic stellate cell gene signature and lncRNA interactions associated with type 2 diabetes progression.

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has become a significant global health threat, yet its precise causes and mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to identify gene expression patterns specific to T2D pancreatic islet cells and to explore the potential role of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) in T2D progression through regulatory networks involving lncRNA-mRNA interactions.

Methods: In this study, we screened for upregulated genes in T2D pancreatic islet samples using bulk sequencing (bulkseq) datasets and mapped these gene expression profiles onto three T2D single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) datasets.

Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter components with obesity in children and adolescents in China: The age-sex disparities and key effect modifiers.

Long-term fine particulate matter (PM) exposure was associated with childhood obesity. However, the key PM components and whether PM effect may vary by obesity type, growth stage, sex, and individual/family characteristics have yet been examined. In this study, we investigated 213,907 Chinese children and adolescents aged 3-18 years in 2017-2019.

Functional and structural connectivity of the subregions of the amygdala in ADHD children with or without ODD.

Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate the structural and functional connectivity of the subregions of the amygdala in children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) only or comorbid with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD).

Methods: A total of 354 children with ADHD-only, 161 children with ADHD and ODD (ADHD + ODD), and 100 healthy controls were enrolled. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) were filled out by caregivers.

Cross-cultural validation and reference norms for the DCDDaily-Q questionnaire Chinese version (DCDDaily-Q-CN): evaluating children's motor performance in activities of daily living.

Background: The DCDDaily-questionnaire (DCDDaliy-Q) evaluates children's performance and participation in motor-based activities of daily living (ADLs), meeting diagnostic criterion B for developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Currently, there are no Chinese translations or growth references available. Thus, this study aimed to culturally adapt, validate, and establish reference norms for the DCDDaily-Q in Chinese children.

Strains of a virtuoso: pacemaker infection and ventricular tachycardia in a violinist.

Purpose: Pacemaker-related infections are serious complications of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). This case report aims to describe the occurrence of pacemaker pocket infection and recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) in a Chinese amateur violinist with sick sinus syndrome (SSS), and to explore the possible connection between occupational habits and the infection, as well as VT.

Methods: A 76-year-old male violinist with a Biotronik Evia DR dual-chamber pacemaker presented with syncope and signs of a pacemaker pocket infection three years after implantation.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic measures on hospitalizations and epidemiological patterns of twelve respiratory pathogens in children with acute respiratory infections in southern China.

Objectives: To investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic measures on hospitalizations and the alterations and persistence of the epidemiological patterns of 12 common respiratory pathogens in children during the COVID-19 pandemic and after the cessation of the "zero-COVID-19" policy in southern China.

Methods: Respiratory specimens were collected from hospitalized children with acute respiratory infections at Shenzhen Children's Hospital from January 2020 to June 2024. Twelve common respiratory pathogens were detected using multiplex PCR.

Assessment of glymphatic function and white matter integrity in children with autism using multi-parametric MRI and machine learning.

Objectives: To assess glymphatic function and white matter integrity in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using multi-parametric MRI, combined with machine learning to evaluate ASD detection performance.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study collected data from 110 children with ASD (80 exploratory, 43 validation) and 68 typically developing children (50 exploratory, 18 validation) from two centers. The automated diffusion tensor imaging along the perivascular space (aDTI-ALPS), fractional anisotropy (FA), cerebrospinal fluid volume, and perivascular space (PVS) volume indices were extracted from DTI, three-dimensional T1-weighted, and T2-weighted images.

SNHG17 Reprograms Energy Metabolism of Breast Cancer by Activating Mitochondrial DNAs Transcription.

In most solid tumors, cellular energy metabolism is primarily dominated by aerobic glycolysis, which fulfills the high demand for biomacromolecules at the expense of reduced ATP production efficiency. Elucidation of the mechanisms by which rapidly proliferating malignant cells acquire sufficient energy in this state of inefficient ATP production from glycolysis could enable development of metabolism targeted therapeutic strategies. In this study, we observed a significant association between elevated expression levels of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) SNHG17 and unfavorable prognosis in breast cancer (BCa).

Reproducibility of automatic adipose tissue segmentation using proton density fat fraction images between 1.5 and 3.0 T magnetic resonance.

Background: Deep learning (DL)-based adipose tissue segmentation methods have shown great performance and efficacy for adipose tissue distribution analysis using magnetic resonance (MR) images, an important indicator of metabolic health and disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of whole-body adipose tissue distribution analysis using proton density fat fraction (PDFF) images at different MR strengths.

Methods: A total of 24 volunteers were imaged using both 1.

Optimizing the production and efficacy of antimicrobial bioactive compounds from in combating multi-drug-resistant pathogens.

Background: The rise of antibiotic-resistant pathogens has intensified the search for novel antimicrobial agents. This study aimed to isolate from local soil samples and evaluate its antimicrobial properties, along with optimizing the production of bioactive compounds.

Methods: Soil samples were collected from local regions, processed, and analysed for Streptomyces strains isolation using morphological characteristics and molecular identification through 16S rRNA gene PCR assay.

Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between serum vitamin D and continuous metabolic syndrome score among children and adolescents: roles of levels of inflammation in peripheral blood.

Background: Serum vitamin D deficiency is intricately linked to metabolic disorders, however, evidence on its association with continuous metabolic risk in children and adolescents remains insufficient. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and continuous metabolic risk.

Methods: The cross-sectional analysis involved 4490 participants aged 6 ~ 18, and the longitudinal investigation included 1398 individuals aged 6 ~ 12 years.

A DNA phosphorothioation pathway via adenylated intermediate modulates Tdp machinery.

In prokaryotes, the non-bridging oxygen in the DNA sugar-phosphate backbone can be enzymatically replaced by a sulfur atom, resulting in phosphorothioate (PT) modification. However, the mechanism underlying the oxygen-to-sulfur substitution remains enigmatic. In this study, we discovered a hypercompact DNA phosphorothioation system, TdpABC, in extreme thermophiles.

Reversal of Mucin 1 Reduction-Induced Enterocyte Apoptosis by Retinoic Acid through the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway in an In vitro Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the roles of Mucin 1 (MUC1), the PI3K/AKT pathway, and enterocyte apoptosis in Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC).

Methods: Using an NEC Caco-2 cell model, retinoic acid treatment and MUC1 gene silencing were employed. Flow cytometry was used to assess apoptosis, while quantitative PCR and western blot analyses were conducted to evaluate the gene and protein expressions of MUC1, PI3K, Akt, and factors related to apoptotic modulation.

Acute inflammation induces acute megakaryopoiesis with impaired platelet production during fetal hematopoiesis.

Hematopoietic development is tightly regulated by various factors. The role of RNA m6A modification during fetal hematopoiesis, particularly in megakaryopoiesis, remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that loss of m6A methyltransferase METTL3 induces formation of double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) and activates acute inflammation during fetal hematopoiesis.

An Efficient Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Screen Framework Based on Multi-Modal Deep Neural Network.

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a leading cause of death among pediatric malignancies. Early diagnosis of ALL is crucial for minimizing misdiagnosis, improving survival rates, and ensuring the implementation of precise treatment plans for patients.

Methods: In this study, we propose a multi-modal deep neural network-based framework for early and efficient screening of ALL.

Inhibition of NETs prevents doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by attenuating IL-18-IFN-γ-Cx43 axis induced cardiac conduction abnormalities.

Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC) is one of the most severe side effects of doxorubicin, yet the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Our results showed that Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) accumulated in plasma and cardiac tissue after doxorubicin treatment. The inhibition of NETs formation by Pad4 gene ablation significantly attenuated doxorubicin-induced arrhythmia, prolonged survival time and reduced the levels of Troponin T (cTnT) and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) in mice.

BMP4 regulates differentiation of nestin-positive stem cells into melanocytes.

Hair follicle (HF) development and pigmentation are complex processes governed by various signaling pathways, such as TGF-β and FGF signaling pathways. Nestin + (neural crest like) stem cells are also expressed in HF stem cells, particularly in the bulge and dermal papilla region. However, the specific role and differentiation potential of these Nestin-positive cells within the HF remain unclear, especially regarding their contribution to melanocyte formation and hair pigmentation.

Direct reprogramming of human fibroblasts into hair-inducing dermal papilla cell-like cells by a single small molecule.

Dermal papilla cells (DPCs) are a crucial subset of mesenchymal cells in the skin responsible for regulating hair follicle development and growth, making them invaluable for cell-based therapies targeting hair loss. However, obtaining sufficient DPCs with potent hair-inducing abilities remains a persistent challenge. In this study, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug library was utilized to screen small molecules capable of reprogramming readily accessible human skin fibroblasts into functional DPCs.

Electroactive Asymmetric Dressing for Spatiotemporal Deep Burn Scarless Healing and Management.

Burn care and treatment differ markedly from other types of wounds, as they are significantly more prone to infections and struggle to maintain fluid balance post-burn. Moreover, the limited self-healing abilities exacerbate the likelihood of scar formation, further complicating the recovery process. To tackle these issues, an asymmetric wound dressing comprising a quercetin-loaded poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (P34HB@Qu) hydrophilic layer and a zinc oxide nanoparticle-loaded, thermally treated polyvinylidene fluoride (HPVDF@ZnO) hydrophobic layer is designed.

Clonorchiasis, Marked Eosinophilia, and the Lack of Blasts in the Circulation Delaying the Diagnosis of Pediatric B-Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Eosinophilia is rare in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In this report, we present a case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia with marked eosinophilia, whose diagnosis was delayed because of clonorchiasis.

TGM2-mediated histone serotonylation promotes HCC progression via MYC signalling pathway.

Background & Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive malignancy with few effective treatment options. H3Q5ser, a serotonin-based histone modification mediated by transglutaminase 2 (TGM2), affects diverse biological processes, such as neurodevelopment. The role of TGM2-mediated H3Q5ser in HCC progression remains unclear.