Exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles disrupts the BTB by interfering with the assembly of stress granules in germ cells.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO NPs) are among the most prevalent nanomaterials utilized in industrial and medical fields. However, their impact on spermatogenesis and male fertility remains insufficiently characterized. This study addresses the reproductive toxicity of TiO NPs and elucidates the underlying molecular mechanisms involved.

CircMETTL9 targets CCAR2 to induce neuronal oxidative stress and apoptosis via mitochondria-mediated pathways following traumatic brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a principal factor in neurological disorders, often resulting in significant morbidity due to secondary neuroinflammatory and oxidative stress responses. While circular RNAs are recognized for their high expression levels in the nervous system and play crucial roles in various neurological processes, their specific contributions to the pathophysiology of TBI remain underexplored. In this study, the possible molecular mechanisms through which circMETTL9 modulated oxidative stress and neurological outcomes following TBI were investigated.

Identification of AXL as a novel positive regulator of lipid raft in gastric cancer.

Lipid rafts are highly heterogeneous and dynamic microdomains involved in molecule trafficking and signaling transduction. This study investigates the role of lipid rafts in gastric cancer and their key regulators. Analyzing FFPE samples from 111 gastric cancer patients, we found that high lipid raft levels predict poor prognosis.

Preimplantation genetic testing for structural rearrangements by genome-wide SNP genotyping and haplotype analysis: a prospective multicenter clinical study.

Background: Preimplantation genetic testing for chromosomal structural rearrangements (PGT-SR) has been widely utilized to select euploid embryos in patients carrying balanced chromosomal rearrangements (BCRs) by chromosome copy number analysis. However, reliable and extensively validated PGT-SR methods for selecting embryos without BCRs in large-cohort studies are lacking.

Methods: In this prospective, multicenter, cohort study, carriers with BCRs undergoing PGT-SR were recruited across 12 academic fertility centers within China.

Human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate atrophic gastritis in aging mice by participating in mitochondrial autophagy through Ndufs8 signaling.

Background: Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is a chronic disease of the gastric mucosa characterized by a reduction or an absolute disappearance of the original gastric glands, possibly replaced by pseudopyloric fibrosis, intestinal metaplasia, or fibrosis. CAG develops progressively into intestinal epithelial metaplasia, dysplasia, and ultimately, gastric cancer. Epidemiological statistics have revealed a positive correlation between the incidence of CAG and age.

Combined immunotherapy with dendritic cells and cytokine-induced killer cells for solid tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Immunotherapy utilizing dendritic cells (DCs) and cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells is a promising treatment approach for solid tumors. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DC-CIK immunotherapy by assessing overall survival, progression-free survival, overall response rate, disease control rate, and adverse events in relevant randomized controlled trials. The results of this analysis will contribute to optimizing treatment strategies and improving cancer immunotherapy outcomes.

Osthole ameliorates wear particle-induced osteogenic impairment by mitigating endoplasmic reticulum stress via PERK signaling cascade.

Background: Periprosthetic osteolysis and subsequent aseptic loosening are the leading causes of failure following total joint arthroplasty. Osteogenic impairment induced by wear particles is regarded as a crucial contributing factor in the development of osteolysis, with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress identified as a key underlying mechanism. Therefore, identifying potential therapeutic targets and agents that can regulate ER stress adaption in osteoblasts is necessary for arresting aseptic loosening.

Current status and influencing factors of nutrition management in patients with digestive tract cancer from the integrated perspective of medical care staff, patients, and family caregivers: a qualitative study.

Background: The research aimed to collect experience and viewpoints related to the nutrition management of patients with digestive tract cancers from medical care staff, patients, and family caregivers and provide reasonable and effective references for the mode of nutrition management of these patients.

Methods: Using a phenomenological qualitative research method, six physicians, six nurses, three nutritionists, six patients, and six family caregivers from a tertiary A cancer hospital in Jiangsu Province were chosen by purposive sampling methods from February to June 2023. Data was collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and analyzed by the content analysis method.

Potential therapeutic effects of IL28RA inhibition on acute myocardial infarction through phosphorylated JAK1/STAT1 signaling pathways.

While current coronary intervention therapies and surgical bypass procedures are widely utilized, the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the elderly continues to pose significant challenges. Following AMI, the body's immune system is activated, resulting in the release of inflammatory mediators that exacerbate myocardial damage. Interleukin 28A (IL28A) and interleukin 28B (IL28B) may play a role in immune regulation post-AMI by specifically binding to interleukin 28 receptor alpha (IL28RA).

Cardiac surgery with valve replacement temporarily disrupts the hippocampal memory network.

Background: Systemic inflammation after heart valve replacement surgery commonly results in complications including cognitive impairment. This study was designed to investigate whether valvular heart disease itself and inflammation after valve replacement surgery affects cognition and the related functional connectivity (FC) of the hippocampal memory network.

Methods: Forty-three patients with valvular heart disease were screened for recruitment and assessed with cognition function tests, blood inflammatory cytokine measurements, and functional magnetic resonance imaging scans before surgery and on postoperative day 7 and 30.

The mechanism of different orexin/hypocretin neuronal projections in wakefulness and sleep.

Since the discovery of orexin/hypocretin, numerous studies have accumulated evidence demonstrating its key role in various aspects of neuromodulation, including addiction, motivation, and arousal. This paper focuses on the projection of orexin neurons to specific target brain regions through distinct neural pathways to regulate sleep and arousal. We provide a detailed discussion of the projection mechanisms of orexin neurons to downstream neurons, particularly emphasizing their activation of monoaminergic and cholinergic neurons associated with arousal.

A combined model of circulating tumor DNA methylated SHOX2/SCT/HOXA7 and clinical features facilitates the discrimination of malignant from benign pulmonary nodules.

Background: Despite the advancements in early lung cancer detection attributed to the widespread use of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT), this technology has also led to an increasing number of pulmonary nodules (PNs) of indeterminate significance being identified. Therefore, this study was aimed to develop a model that leverages plasma methylation biomarkers and clinical characteristics to distinguish between malignant and benign PNs.

Methods: In a training cohort of 210 patients with PNs, we evaluated plasma circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) for the presence of three lung cancer-specific methylation markers: SHOX2, SCT, and HOXA7.

Association between cathepsins and cardiomyopathy: A Mendelian randomization study.

Research suggests that cathepsins, due to their extensive mechanisms of action, may play a crucial role in cardiomyopathies. However, further studies are necessary to establish causality. This study aims to investigate the causal relationship between cathepsins and various types of cardiomyopathies.

Survival analysis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma based on radiomics and deep learning features from CT images.

Purpose: To create a nomogram for accurate prognosis of patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) based on computed tomography images.

Methods: Eight hundred twenty-two ccRCC patients with contrast-enhanced computed tomography images involved in this study were collected. A rectangular region of interest surrounding the tumor was used to extract quantitative radiomics and deep-learning features, which were filtered by Cox proportional hazard regression model and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator.

Analysis of associated malformations by computed tomography in adults with polysplenia syndrome: A pilot study.

Objective: To analytically depict the associated malformations of polysplenia syndrome (PS) in adults via computed tomography (CT).

Materials And Methods: The incidence of malformations associated with PS in twelve adult patients was retrospectively analyzed via CT imaging.

Results: The number of splenic nodules ranged from three to twelve; the splenic nodules were located in the left upper quadrant in nine patients and in the right upper quadrant in three patients.

Homozygous deleterious variants in MYCBPAP induce asthenoteratozoospermia involving abnormal acrosome biogenesis, manchette structure and sperm tail assembly in humans and mice.

Asthenoteratozoospermia is a common cause of male infertility. To further define the genetic causes underlying asthenoteratozoospermia, we performed whole-exome sequencing in a cohort of Han Chinese men with asthenoteratozoospermia. Homozygous deleterious variants of MYCBPAP were first identified in two unrelated Chinese cases.

Trends and prevalence of eating disorders in children and adolescents.

Background: Eating disorders (EDs) have increasingly become a public health problem globally, especially among children and adolescents.

Aim: To estimate the burden of EDs in children and adolescents (ages 5-19 years) at the global, regional, and national levels.

Methods: Retrieved from Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 for EDs, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, we extracted the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and prevalence rates with 95% uncertainty intervals between 1990-2019.

Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy reduced postoperative pain than three-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with large gallstone, a retrospective study.

Aim: To compare the short-term outcomes between SILC and TILC depending on gallstone size.

Material And Methods: Data from 114 patients with gallstones who underwent cholecystectomy hospitalized in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between June 2022 and October 2023 were collected. The gallstone diameter, the operation time, estimated blood loss, post-operative pain, complications post-operation, and length of hospital stay were all collected and examined.

Immune-related diagnostic markers for benign prostatic hyperplasia and their potential as drug targets.

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common issue among older men. Diagnosis of BPH currently relies on imaging tests and assessment of urinary flow rate due to the absence of definitive diagnostic markers. Developing more accurate markers is crucial to improve BPH diagnosis.

Development and validation of a psychotherapy change motivation scale.

Objective: Develop a Psychotherapy Change Motivation Scale (PCMS) with robust psychometric properties.

Method: A literature review, semi-structured interviews, and expert evaluation were used to draft the scale. The scale was administered to participants receiving psychological counseling or therapy at specialized hospital psychological intervention centers, university mental health education centers, and social psychological counseling agencies using convenience sampling.

Investigating the common genetic architecture and causality of metabolic disorders with neurodegenerative diseases.

Background: The co-occurrence of metabolic dysfunction and neurodegenerative diseases suggests a genetic link, yet the shared genetic architecture and causality remain unclear. We aimed to comprehensively characterise these genetic relationships.

Methods: We investigated genetic correlations among four neurodegenerative diseases and seven metabolic dysfunctions, followed by bidirectional Mendelian randomisation (MR) to assess potential causal relationships.

Cognitive Remediation in Patients With Bipolar Disorder: A Randomized Trial by Sequential tDCS and Navigated rTMS Targeting the Primary Visual Cortex.

Background: Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS), such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), has emerged as a promising alternative in the precise treatment of clinical symptoms, such as the cognitive impairment of bipolar disorder (BD). Optimizing the neurocognitive effects by combining tDCS and rTMS to strengthen the clinical outcome is a challenging research issue.

Objective: In this randomized, controlled trial, we first combined tDCS and neuronavigated rTMS targeting the V1 region to explore the efficacy on neurocognitive function in BD patients with depressive episodes.

Plasma FSTL-1 as a noninvasive diagnostic biomarker for patients with advanced liver fibrosis.

Background And Aims: Reliable novel noninvasive biomarkers for the diagnosis of advanced liver fibrosis are urgently needed in clinical practice. We aimed to investigate the accuracy of plasma Follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL-1) in the diagnosis of advanced liver fibrosis in chronic liver diseases.

Approach And Results: We collected cross-sectional clinical data for a derivation cohort (n = 86) and a validation cohort (n = 431), totaling 517 subjects with liver biopsy.