Conference 2024: Building an innovative scientific research ecosystem for microbiome and One Health.

The Conference 2024 provides a platform to promote the development of an innovative scientific research ecosystem for microbiome and One Health. The four key components - Technology, Research (Biology), Academic journals, and Social media - form a synergistic ecosystem. Advanced technologies drive biological research, which generates novel insights that are disseminated through academic journals.

Cross-species comparative single-cell transcriptomics highlights the molecular evolution and genetic basis of male infertility.

In male animals, spermatogonia in testes differentiate into sperm, one of the most diverse cell types across species. Despite the evolutionary retention of key genes essential for spermatogenesis, the extent of their conservation remains unclear. To explore the genetic basis of spermatogenesis under strong selective pressure, we compare single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets from the testes of humans, mice, and fruit flies.

A deep learning based smartphone application for early detection of nasopharyngeal carcinoma using endoscopic images.

Nasal endoscopy is crucial for the early detection of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), but its accuracy relies heavily on the clinician's expertise, posing challenges for primary healthcare providers. Here, we retrospectively analysed 39,340 nasal endoscopic white-light images from three high-incidence NPC centres, utilising eight advanced deep learning models to develop an Internet-enabled smartphone application, "Nose-Keeper", that can be used for early detection of NPC and five prevalent nasal diseases and assessment of healthy individuals. Our app demonstrated a remarkable overall accuracy of 92.

A density-based MS disease diagnosis model using the capuchin search algorithm and an ensemble of deep neural networks.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a severe brain disease that permanently destroys brain cells, impacting vision, balance, muscle control, and daily activity. This research employs a weighted combination of deep neural networks and optimization techniques for MS disease diagnosis. This method uses slices of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images as input.

Haplotype-Resolved Genotyping and Association Analysis of 1,020 β-Thalassemia Patients by Targeted Long-Read Sequencing.

Despite the well-documented mutation spectra of β-thalassemia, the genetic variants and haplotypes of globin gene clusters modulating its clinical heterogeneity remain incompletely illustrated. Here, a targeted long-read sequencing (T-LRS) is demonstrated to capture 20 genes/loci in 1,020 β-thalassemia patients. This panel permits not only identification of thalassemia mutations at 100% of sensitivity and specificity, but also detection of rare structural variants (SVs) and single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in modifier genes/loci.

A multicentre, prospective cohort study comparing two endoscopic procedures for the treatment of gastric muscularis propria lesions.

To date, no prospective study has been conducted to compare the safety and effectiveness of endoscopic snare resection with an elastic band (ESR-EB) and endoscopic snare resection with a transparent cap (ESR-C) for treating gastric muscularis propria lesions. We aimed to compare the safety and effectiveness of ESR-EB with those of ESR-C for gastric muscularis propria lesions less than 10 mm in diameter. A total of 64 patients were enrolled prospectively from May 2023 to November 2023 at Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University, and the People's Hospital of Zhongshan City.

Association between triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and microalbuminuria in the Chinese population.

The evidence for the association between the triglyceride (TG) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) ratio and the risk of developing microalbuminuria is still limited in the Chinese population. Therefore, our research will endeavor to explore the relationship between the two. The cross-sectional survey enrolled 32,877 general population from eight regional centers in China.

Optimization of Ultrasound Extraction of Total Anthocyanin From Rupr. by Response Surface Methodology and Its Antihypertensive Effect.

Rupr. is a berry fruit shrub found in the north-western region of China, locally its fruit is consumed as a tea ingredient a part of the daily diet, for treatment of different diseases like eczema, and for cardiovascular care as a traditional remedy. In the current study, an optimized ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) method is developed using response surface methodology (RSM) to extract anthocyanins from the fruit.

Managing supraventricular tachyarrhythmia in pregnant patients within the emergency department.

Background: Pregnancy increases the risk of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) due to physiological changes. This study reviews the management of SVT in pregnant patients in the emergency department (ED).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 15 pregnant patients with SVT treated at Shenzhen Second People's Hospital ED from 2015 to 2023.

Relationship between leukocyte count and renal function in patients with lupus nephritis: a retrospective study of Chinese adults.

Objective: To explore the relationship between leukocyte count and renal function in patients with lupus nephritis (LN).

Methods: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study of 100 patients with LN admitted to the Department of Nephrology between 1 January 2015 and 30 December 2023. Based on tertile of leukocyte count, they were allocated to Low, Medium, or High groups.

CRISPR-Cas13a Targeting the FGFR3-TACC3 Fusion Gene Inhibits Proliferation of Bladder Cancer Cells in vitro and in vivo.

Introduction: The FGFR3-TACC3 fusion gene exists in a variety of malignant tumors, including bladder cancer. In our ongoing research on the CRISPR-Cas13a gene-editing system, we reported the use of CRISPR-Cas13a gene-editing system to knockout FGFR3-TACC3 and inhibit the proliferation of bladder tumor cells.

Purpose:  This study aimed to use the CRISPR-Cas13a gene-editing system to target the FGFR3-TACC3 fusion gene in bladder cancer cells, which has the potential to be a new and effective treatment for bladder cancer.

CXCL16/CXCR6/TGF-β Feedback Loop Between M-MDSCs and Treg Inhibits Anti-Bacterial Immunity During Biofilm Infection.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a leading cause of Periprosthetic  joint  infection (PJI), a severe complication after joint arthroplasty. Immunosuppression is a major factor contributing to the infection chronicity of S.

Senescent Fibroblasts Drive FAP/OLN Imbalance Through mTOR Signaling to Exacerbate Inflammation and Bone Resorption in Periodontitis.

Fibroblast activation protein (FAP), predominantly expressed in activated fibroblasts, plays a key role in inflammatory bone diseases, but its role in periodontitis remains unclear. Accordingly, this study identified a positive association between FAP levels and periodontitis susceptibility using Mendelian randomization analysis. Human and mouse periodontitis tissues show elevated FAP and reduced osteolectin (OLN), an endogenous FAP inhibitor, indicating a FAP/OLN imbalance.

Melodinines J Induces Apoptosis in Temozolomide-Resistant Glioma Cells by Disrupting TMX1-Dependent Homeostasis of Endoplasmic Reticulum-Mitochondria-Associated Membrane Contacts.

Glioma is recognized as one of the most lethal and aggressive brain tumors. Although the standard-of-care treatment for glioblastoma (GBM) involves maximal surgical resection and temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy, the discovery of novel anti-tumor agents from nature sources is an effective strategy for glioma treatment. In this study, we conducted a screening process to identify the bisindole alkaloid melodinine J (MDJ) from Melodinus tenuicaudatus.

Achieving Photocatalytic Overall Nitrogen Fixation via an Enzymatic Pathway on a Distorted CoP Configuration.

Photocatalytic nitrogen (N) fixation over semiconductors has always suffered from poor conversion efficiency owing to weak N adsorption and the difficulty of N≡N triple bond dissociation. Herein, a Co single-atom catalyst (SAC) model with a C-defect-evoked CoP distorted configuration was fabricated using a selective phosphidation strategy, wherein P-doping and C defects co-regulate the local electronic structure of Co sites. Comprehensive experiments and theoretical calculations revealed that the distorted CoP configuration caused a strong charge redistribution between the Co atoms and adjacent C atoms, minimizing their electronegativity difference.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy and Safety of Regorafenib in the Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

Background And Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Despite advances in treatment, metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) remains a significant challenge due to its heterogeneity and resistance to therapy. Regorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor, can inhibit tumor progression through multiple mechanisms, thereby improving patient prognosis.

Roseburia intestinalis-derived butyrate alleviates neuropathic pain.

Approximately 20% of patients with shingles develop postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). We investigated the role of gut microbiota in shingle- and PHN-related pain. Patients with shingles or PHN exhibited significant alterations in their gut microbiota with microbial markers predicting PHN development among patients with shingles.

Isolated Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the stomach in adults: An analysis of clinicopathologic characteristics and molecular genetics.

Isolated gastric Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) occurs extremely rarely in adults. We characterized the clinicopathological and molecular genetics of this rare entity. We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathologic and prognostic features of 3 patients with isolated gastric LCH during the past 10 years, with a review of an additional 20 patients from the literature.

iTRAQ proteomic analysis of exosomes derived from synovial fluid reveals disease patterns and potential biomarkers of Osteoarthritis.

Exosomes extracted from synovial fluid (SF-exo) reflect the status of their originating cells. The proteomic profiles of SF-exo are important for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis (OA). To delineate the proteomic differences between SF-exo from OA patients and healthy individuals, a quantitative proteomic study based on iTRAQ technology was performed.

Biomechanical research using advanced micro-nano devices: In-Vitro cell Characterization focus.

Background: Cells in the body reside in a dynamic microenvironment subjected to various physical stimuli, where mechanical stimulation plays a crucial role in regulating cellular physiological behaviors and functions.

Aim Of Review: Investigating the mechanisms and interactions of mechanical transmission is essential for understanding the physiological and functional interplay between cells and physical stimuli. Therefore, establishing an in vitro biomechanical stimulation cell culture system holds significant importance for research related to cellular biomechanics.

A High-Throughput and Logarithm-Serial-Dilution Microfluidic Chip for Combinational Drug Screening on Tumor Organoids.

Tumor organoids are biological models for studying precision medicine. Microfluidic technology offers significant benefits for high throughput drug screening using tumor organoids. However, the range of concentrations achievable with traditional linear gradient generators in microfluidics is restricted, generating logarithmic drug concentration gradients by adjusting the channel ratio in the chip is confined to single-drug dilution chips, significantly restricting the application of microfluidics in drug screening.

Human platelet lysate enhances small lipid droplet accumulation of human MSCs through MAPK phosphorylation.

Background: Human platelet lysate (hPL) has emerged as a promising serum substitute to enhance the self-renewal and multipotency of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Despite its potential, the specific biological mechanisms by which hPL influences MSC phenotypes remain inadequately understood.

Methods: We investigated the biological signaling activated by hPL in two common types of human MSCs: bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMSCs) and adipose-derived MSCs (ASCs).

Dust mite antigens endow dendritic cells with the capacity to induce a Th2 response by regulating their methylation profiles.

Background: It is well-known that Dendritic cells (DCs) are essential in the development of airway Th2 polarization and airway allergy (AA). The underlying mechanism is still not fully understood. The objective of this study is to examine the role of methyltransferase-like protein-5 (Mettl5), a methyltransferase involved in N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation, in altering DC's properties to facilitate the development of Th2 polarization and AA.