Comprehensive genomic and transcriptomic analyses of the anaerobic degradation of microcystin in Alcaligenes faecalis D04.

Microcystin LR (MC-LR) pollution is a serious threat to aquatic ecosystems and public health in China and is an environmental problem that urgently needs to be solved. However, few studies have investigated the anaerobic degradation pathway and related molecular biological mechanisms of MC-LR. In this study, a bacterium capable of degrading MC-LR with a degradation efficiency of 0.

Gender disparities in industry payments to neurosurgeons: a comprehensive analysis of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Open Payments data (2016-2022).

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the extent of gender disparities in financial interactions between neurosurgeons and the medical device industry, examining the differences in the number, amount, and types of payments made to male and female neurosurgeons.

Methods: Utilizing data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Open Payments database covering 2016-2022, the authors conducted a comprehensive analysis of industry payments to neurosurgeons. This methodology included univariate and multivariate analyses to examine the disparities in payments, with a focus on identifying significant differences in compensation across genders.

Clonal Hematopoiesis in Women With Breast Cancer.

Purpose: Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) has been associated with a variety of adverse outcomes, most notably hematologic malignancy and ischemic cardiovascular disease. A series of recent studies also suggest that CH may play a role in the outcomes of patients with solid tumors, including breast cancer. Here, we review the clinical and biological data that underlie potential connections between CH, inflammation, and breast cancer, with a focus on the prevalence and impact of clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential in patients with breast cancer.

Dysregulation of the Kynurenine Pathway in Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis and Its Correlations With Progressive Neurodegeneration.

Background And Objectives: Despite the absence of acute lesion activity in multiple sclerosis (MS), chronic neurodegeneration continues to progress, and a potential underlying mechanism could be the kynurenine pathway (KP). Prolonged activation of the KP from chronic inflammation is known to exacerbate the progression of neurodegenerative diseases through the production of neurotoxic metabolites. Among the 8 KP metabolites, six of them, namely kynurenine (KYN), 3-hydroxylkynurenine (3HK), anthranilic acid (AA), kynurenic acid (KYNA), and quinolinic acid (QUIN), have been associated with neurodegeneration.

The nuclear localization signal of CPSF6 governs post-nuclear import steps of HIV-1 infection.

The early stages of HIV-1 infection include the trafficking of the viral core into the nucleus of infected cells. However, much remains to be understood about how HIV-1 accomplishes nuclear import and the consequences of the import pathways utilized on nuclear events. The host factor cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor 6 (CPSF6) assists HIV-1 nuclear localization and post-entry integration targeting.

Polydopamine Nanohydrogel Decorated Adhesive and Responsive Hierarchical Microcarriers for Deafness Protection.

Cisplatin-induced ototoxicity is attributed to the aberrant accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the inner ear. Antioxidants represented by α-lipoic acid (ALA) have been demonstrated to scavenge ROS in the cochlea, while effective delivery of these agents in vivo remains a major challenge. Here, a novel polydopamine (PDA) nanogel decorated adhesive and responsive hierarchical microcarriers for controllable is presented ALA delivery and deafness prevention.

Squamocin Suppresses Tumor Growth through Triggering an Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Associated Degradation of EZH2/MYC Axis.

Despite substantial advances in the antitumor effects of annonaceous acetogenins (ACGs), the absence of a defined biological action mechanism remains a major barrier to their clinical application. Here, it is found that squamocin effectively depletes both EZH2 and MYC in multiple cancer cell lines, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and gastric and colorectal cancer, demonstrating potent efficacy in suppressing these in vivo tumor models. Through the combination of surface plasmon resonance (SPR), differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF), and cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), heat shock protein 90α (HSP90α) is identified as the direct binding target of squamocin.

Translation, adaptation and validation of an epilepsy screening instrument in two Ghanaian languages.

Introduction: The prevalence of epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa varies considerably, and the exact estimate for Ghana remains unclear, particularly in peri-urban areas where data are scarce. More community-based studies are required to understand better the actual burden of epilepsy in these areas and the difficulties in accessing healthcare.

Objective: To adapt and validate a household survey epilepsy-screening instrument in Shai-Osudoku and Ningo-Prampram District of Greater Accra Region, Ghana.

H-Dots: Renal Clearable Zwitterionic Nanocarriers for Disease Diagnosis and Therapy.

Nanocarriers have shown significant promise in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases, utilizing a wide range of biocompatible materials such as metals, inorganic substances, and organic components. Despite diverse design strategies, key physicochemical properties, including hydrodynamic diameter, shape, surface charge, and hydrophilicity/lipophilicity, are crucial for optimizing biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic efficacy. However, these properties are often influenced by drug payload, presenting an ongoing challenge in developing versatile platform technologies for theranostics.

Derivation and Validation of D-RISK: An Electronic Health Record-Driven Risk Score to Detect Undiagnosed Dysglycemia in Clinical Practice.

Objective: We derive and validate D-RISK, an electronic health record (EHR)-driven risk score to optimize and facilitate screening for undiagnosed dysglycemia (prediabetes + diabetes) in clinical practice.

Research Design And Methods: We used retrospective EHR data (derivation sample) and a prospective diabetes screening study (validation sample) to develop D-RISK. Logistic regression with backward selection was used to predict dysglycemia (HbA1c ≥5.

Computational approaches of modelling human papillomavirus transmission and prevention strategies: a systematic review.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. Persistent oncogenic HPV infection has been a leading threat to global health and can lead to serious complications such as cervical cancer. Prevention interventions including vaccination and screening have been proven effective in reducing the risk of HPV-related diseases.

Aucubin Promotes BMSCs Proliferation and Differentiation of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Patients by Regulating Ferroptosis and BMP2 Signalling.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is a chronic systemic bone metabolism disorder. Promotion in the patterns of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) differentiation towards osteoblasts contributes to alleviating osteoporosis. Aucubin, a natural compound isolated from the well-known herbal medicine Eucommia, was previously shown to possess various pharmacological effects.

Describing ZYN-related content on TikTok: content analysis.

Introduction: Nicotine pouches are the fastest-growing oral smokeless tobacco or nicotine product category in the United States, and there are concerns about their potential appeal to youth. Few studies have surveilled discussions about nicotine pouches on TikTok, an audiovisual platform popular among youth. To address this gap, this study conducted a content analysis of TikTok posts related to the leading nicotine pouch brand, ZYN.

Effectiveness of behavioural and psychological interventions for managing obesity in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis framed using minimal important difference estimates based on GRADE guidance to inform a clinical practice guideline.

Objective: Conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of behavioural and psychological interventions for managing paediatric obesity.

Methods: Eligible studies, published between 1985 and 2022, included 0 to 18 year olds with outcomes reported ≥3 months post-baseline, including patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), cardiometabolic and anthropometric outcomes, and adverse events (AEs). We pooled data using a random effects model and assessed certainty of evidence (CoE) related to minimally important difference estimates for outcomes using GRADE.

Exploring the link between inflammation and brain function after metabolic-bariatric surgery: A year-long fMRI study.

Background: Metabolic-bariatric surgery (MBS) transcends weight loss and offers wide-ranging health benefits, including positive effects on brain function. However, the mechanisms behind these effects remain unclear, particularly in the context of significant postoperative changes in the inflammatory profile characteristic of MBS. Understanding how inflammation influences postoperative brain function can enhance our decision-making on patient eligibility for MBS and create new opportunities to improve the outcomes of this popular treatment.

Efficacy of Radiofrequency Ablation-Guided by Ultrasound in Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Radiofrequency ablation guided by ultrasound (RFA-USG) is an alternative treatment for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) patients. Despite showing accurate precision and minimal invasion, its efficacy remains questionable.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Portal Regional da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), Web of Science databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies evaluating RFA-USG in PHPT patients.

Effects of HMG CoA reductase (HMGCR) deficiency on skeletal muscle development.

Pathogenic variants in HMGCR were recently linked to a limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) phenotype. The protein product HMG CoA reductase (HMGCR) catalyzes a key component of the cholesterol synthesis pathway. The two other muscle diseases associated with HMGCR, statin-associated myopathy (SAM) and autoimmune anti-HMGCR myopathy, are not inherited in a Mendelian pattern.

Efficacy of peripheral nerve stimulation in refractory postamputation pain: A narrative review.

The management of postamputation pain remains a significant clinical challenge, with existing therapeutic approaches often yielding inconsistent outcomes. Neuromodulation techniques, particularly peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS), have emerged as promising interventions. However, the evidence supporting their effectiveness in treating phantom limb pain (PLP) and residual limb pain (RLP) remains limited.

Thirteen serum biochemical indexes and five whole blood coagulation indices in a point-of-care testing analyzer: ideal protocol for evaluating pulmonary and critical care medicine.

The accurate and timely detection of biochemical coagulation indicators is pivotal in pulmonary and critical care medicine. Despite their reliability, traditional laboratories often lag in terms of rapid diagnosis. Point-of-care testing (POCT) has emerged as a promising alternative, which is awaiting rigorous validation.

Post-hoc analysis of the tofogliflozin post-marketing surveillance study (J-STEP/LT): Tofogliflozin improves liver function in type 2 diabetes patients regardless of BMI.

Aims/introduction: Patients with type 2 diabetes are at high risk of developing steatotic liver disease (SLD). Weight loss has proven effective in treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in obese patients with type 2 diabetes, with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors showing promising results. However, lean MASLD is more prevalent in Japan, necessitating alternative approaches to body weight reduction.

The MIR181A2HG/miR-5680/VCAN-CD44 Axis Regulates Gastric Cancer Lymph Node Metastasis by Promoting M2 Macrophage Polarization.

Background: Lymphatic metastasis in gastric cancer (GC) profoundly influences its prognosis, but the precise mechanism remains elusive. In this study, we identified the long noncoding RNA MIR181A2HG as being upregulated in GC and associated with LNs metastasis and prognosis.

Methods: The expression of MIR181A2HG in GC was identified through bioinformatics screening analysis and qRT-PCR validation.

Effectiveness of oral vancomycin as prophylaxis against infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients.

Objective: Patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT) are at increased risk for infection (CDI). The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of oral vancomycin prophylaxis (OVP) for CDI in HSCT patients.

Design: Single-center, retrospective cohort.

Optimal extent of lymph node dissection in clinical early-stage right colon cancer: a retrospective analysis.

Purpose: Determining the extent of radical lymphadenectomy at clinical early stage is challenging. We aimed to investigate the appropriate extent of lymphadenectomy in clinical early-stage right colon cancer.

Methods: Patients with clinical stage 0 or I right colon cancer who underwent curative surgery from January 2007 to December 2021 were included in this retrospective study.