Associations between co-exposure to multiple heavy metals and age-related macular degeneration: A cross-sectional study.

Background & Aims: Accumulating evidence suggests that exposure to single heavy metal can facilitate the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, the effects of exposure to mixtures of heavy metals on AMD remain largely unexplored. This study aims to investigate both the joint and individual impacts of arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) on AMD within a co-exposure framework.

A novel, rapid, ultrasensitive diagnosis platform for detecting using restriction endonuclease-mediated real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification.

Introduction: (, CA) is an essential invasive fungus in clinical diagnosis. Although several detection methods exist, none meet the need for early diagnosis. A rapid, sensitive, and specific diagnostic tool is crucial for effective prevention and control of infections.

Pelvic Congestion Syndrome Related Vaginal Bleeding and the Efficacy of Transcatheter Foam Sclerotherapy in Managing This Condition: Two Case Reports.

Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) is a chronic condition primarily characterized by pelvic pain and heaviness, with vaginal bleeding being a rare but significant symptom. We present two cases of PCS-related vaginal bleeding, emphasizing the necessity of considering PCS in differential diagnoses for abnormal vaginal bleeding. A 28-year-old Chinese woman presented with abnormal vaginal bleeding exacerbated by abdominal pressure during activities like squatting or defecation.

Assessment of Left Ventricular Functional Impairment in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease Using Three-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Imaging.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is strongly linked to the incidence and mortality of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), with left ventricular myocardial damage being the most prevalent. This study aimed to assess left ventricle (LV) dysfunction using three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (3D-STI) in CKD patients.

Methods: A total of 110 CKD patients and 55 healthy volunteers underwent echocardiography.

NGF-BMSC-SF/CS composites for repairing knee joint osteochondral defects in rabbits: evaluation of the repair effect and potential underlying mechanisms.

Background: With the rapid growth of the ageing population, chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis have become one of the major diseases affecting the quality of life of elderly people. The main pathological manifestation of osteoarthritis is articular cartilage damage. Alleviating and repairing damaged cartilage has always been a challenge.

Neuroinflammation in the medullary visceral zone exert a powerful impaction on the systemic inflammation in sepsis through cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.

To investigate whether sepsis-induced neuroinflammation of medulla visceral zone (MVZ) predominates the systemic inflammation through cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP), and to explore the effect of central anti-inflammation on systemic inflammation. 112 adult Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into sepsis experimental group (n = 56) and neuroinflammation experimental group (n = 56). The two experimental groups were individually randomly divided into control group (n = 8), model group (n = 16), central anti-inflammatory group (n = 16) and vagus transection group (n = 16).

Sepsis-induced inflammatory demyelination in medullary visceral zone and cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway: Insights from a Rat's model study.

Background: Our previous studies have demonstrated that the activated Cholinergic Anti-inflammatory Pathway (CAP) effectively suppresses systemic inflammation and immunity in early sepsis. Some parameters of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) could be used to reflect the regulatory activity of CAP. However, in the early stages of severe sepsis of some patients, the inflammatory storm can still result in multiple organs dysfunction and even death, suggesting they lose CAP's modulation ability.

Fisetin reduces the resistance of MOLT-4 and K562 cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis through upregulation of TRAIL receptors.

TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a member of the TNF superfamily that is capable of apoptosis induction selectively in tumor cells. Although TRAIL has been harnessed in numerous clinical trials, resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis is a major challenge ahead of this therapy in various cancer models as well as in leukemia. Since histone deacetylases (HDACs) are known to affect drug resistance in malignant cells, the present study aimed to evaluate the potential of fisetin for sensitization of MOLT-4 and K-562 leukemic cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis.

Comparison of cell delivery and cell membrane camouflaged PLGA nanoparticles in the delivery of shikonin for colorectal cancer treatment.

Inspired by the "natural camouflage" strategy, cell-based biomimetic drug delivery systems (BDDS) have shown great potential in cancer therapy. Red blood cell (RBC) delivery vehicles and red blood cell membrane (RBCm)-camouflaged vehicles were commonly used strategies for drug delivery. We prepared shikonin-encapsulated PLGA nanoparticles (PLGA/SK) with different surface charges to obtain both RBC delivery and RBCm-camouflaged PLGA NPs.

Effect of Jianpi Shengxue Tablet on Iron Metabolism and Nutritional Status in Patients with Renal Anemia: A Prospective, Randomized, Open, Parallel Controlled and Multicenter Clinical Study.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the clinical efficacy of the Jianpi Shengxue tablet for treating renal anemia.

Methods: A total of 200 patients with renal anemia from December 2020 to December 2022 were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups. Patients in the control group were treated with polysaccharide-iron complex, and those in the experimental group were administered Jianpi Shengxue tablet.

Regulating effect of miR-132-3p on the changes of MAPK pathway in rat brains and SH-SY5Y cells exposed to excessive fluoride by targeting expression of MAPK1.

Background: Although the changes of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in the central nervous system (CNS) induced by excessive fluoride has been confirmed by our previous findings, the underlying mechanism(s) of the action remains unclear. Here, we investigate the possibility that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the aspect.

Methods: As a model of chronic fluorosis, SD rats received different concentrations of fluoride in their drinking water for 3 or 6 months and SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to fluoride.

Molecular mechanism of high glucose-induced mitochondrial DNA damage in retinal ganglion cells.

Mitochondrial DNA damage in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) may be closely related to lesions of glaucoma. RGCs were cultured with different concentrations of glucose and grouped into 3 groups, namely normal control (NC) group, Low-Glu group, and High-Glu group. Cell viability was measured with cell counting kit-8, and cell apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry.

Sjögren's syndrome and Parkinson's Disease: A bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Previous observational studies have reported an association between Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and an increased risk of Parkinson's Disease (PD). However, the causal relationship between these conditions remains unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the causal impact of SS on the risk of developing PD, utilizing the Mendelian randomization (MR) approach.

Morphological study of superficial palmar arch and the significance in clinical operation.

Background: The superficial palmar arch is a crucial blood supply to the palm. However, it exhibits significant variations, posing challenges in surgical procedures. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between different types, physiological indices, and the clinical significance of the superficial palmar arch will enhance the accuracy of diagnosing and treating patients.

Associations of the circulating levels of cytokines with risk of systemic sclerosis: a bidirectional Mendelian randomized study.

Objective: Systemic sclerosis(SSc) remains unclear, studies suggest that inflammation may be linked to its pathogenesis. Hence, we conducted a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to evaluate the association between cytokine and growth factor cycling levels and the risk of SSc onset.

Methods: In our study, the instrumental variables(IVs) for circulating cytokines were sourced from the genome-wide association study (GWAS) dataset of 8293 Finnish individuals.

Achromobacter species (sp.) outbreak caused by hospital equipment containing contaminated water: risk factors for infection.

Background: Nosocomial outbreaks of urinary tract infections caused by Achromobacter spp. have been rare in recent decades.

Aim: To identify the origin of an Achromobacter sp.

The causal effect of cytokine cycling levels on osteoarthritis: a bidirectional Mendelian randomized study.

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent joint disease globally, serving as a primary cause of pain and disability. However, the pathological processes underlying OA remain incompletely understood. Several studies have noted an association between cytokines and OA, yet the causal link between them remains ambiguous.

The efficacy and safety of third-generation antiseizure medications and non-invasive brain stimulation to treat refractory epilepsy: a systematic review and network meta-analysis study.

Background: The new antiseizure medications (ASMs) and non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) are controversial in controlling seizures. So, this network meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of five third-generation ASMs and two NIBS therapies for the treatment of refractory epilepsy.

Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases.

Immediate implantation of ultrafine fiber slow-release system based on cell electrospinning to induce osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells.

This study presents the development and evaluation of a poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (P34HB) ultrafine fiber slow-release system for osteogenic induction of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUCMSCs). Utilizing dual-nozzle and cell electrospinning techniques, the system encapsulates L-ascorbic acid-2-phosphate magnesium (ASP), β-glycerophosphate sodium and dexamethasone (DEX) within the fibers, ensuring sustained osteogenic differentiation. The scaffold's morphology, characterization, hydrophilicity, mechanical properties and cellular behavior were examined.