Baicalin improves isoproterenol-induced cardiac remodeling by regulating the Nrf2-dependent signaling pathway.

Background: Cardiovascular disease carries the highest mortality rate among diseases, and pharmacological interventions have limited efficacy. Baicalin (Bai) promotes biological metabolic processes, eliminates oxygen free radicals, and is anti-inflammatory. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Bai on the cardiac injury model induced by isoproterenol in mice.

Glycyrrhizin Attenuates White Matter Injury by Inhibiting Neuroinflammation through the HMGB1/TLR4 Pathway.

White matter injury (WMI) is a common complication of preterm birth, potentially resulting in long-term behavioral and motor abnormalities. The objective of this study is to investigate the neuroprotective effects of glycyrrhizin (GLY) on WMI, and try to elucidate the potential mechanisms. In vivo chronic hypoxia-induced WMI mouse model and in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) induced WMI cell model were established, and the effects of GLY on WMI were explored through multiple assays, such as western blotting, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, behavioral experiments, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), transmission electron microscope (TEM), molecular docking, and bioinformatics analysis.

Chondrocyte-targeted bilirubin/rapamycin carrier-free nanoparticles alleviate oxidative stress and modulate autophagy for osteoarthritis therapy.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent chronic disease, characterized by the destruction of joint cartilage and synovitis, affects over 7 % of people worldwide. Disease-modifying treatments for OA still face significant challenges. Chondrocytes, as the exclusive cellular component of articular cartilage, play a pivotal role in synthesizing the intricate matrix of cartilage, thereby assuming a critical responsibility in facilitating its renewal and repair processes.

Neuroepithelial cell transforming 1 as a key regulator in non-small cell lung cancer: unveiling causal links and therapeutic potentials.

Background: High incidence and mortality rates underscore lung cancer as a significant global health issue. Understanding the molecular mechanisms driving its progression is crucial for developing effective treatments. This study explores a potential molecular regulator that may contribute to the progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by utilizing bioinformatics analyses and laboratory experiments, aiming to provide insights that could inform future therapeutic strategies.

Empagliflozin promotes skin flap survival by activating AMPK signaling pathway.

Flaps are widely used in surgical wound repair, yet distal necrosis poses a significant postoperative challenge, stemming from potential factors such as inadequate blood perfusion, inflammation, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, mitochondrial impairment, and subsequent ferroptosis. Empagliflozin (EMPA), a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, has pharmacological activities that promote angiogenesis, mitophagy, and inhibit inflammation, I/R injury, and ferroptosis. However, it is unclear whether EMPA can enhance flap survival.

Pericardial-Esophageal Fistula After Combined Ablation and Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation.

Pericardial-esophageal fistula is a rare complication after radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation. A 52-year-old man developed pneumopericardium, which was revealed by echocardiogram and computed tomography, after a combined ablation and left atrial appendage occlusion procedure for atrial fibrillation. He was diagnosed with a pericardial-esophageal fistula and underwent surgical pericardial and mediastinal drainage tube placement.

Relationship Between Preoperative Serum Albumin and Uric Acid and One-year Cure Rate in Patients With Herpes Zoster.

Background: Herpes zoster (HZ) is a common condition that causes severe pain mostly in middle-aged and older adults. It is currently treated with a combination of medication and surgery. However, some patients do not experience complete pain relief even after surgery and often experience a period of mild pain until a complete cure.

Intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics based on ultrasound for the differentiation of follicular thyroid neoplasm.

Background: Although ultrasound (US) has been widely adopted as the preferred imaging modality for thyroid nodule evaluation, its reliability in distinguishing follicular adenomas from adenocarcinomas based on US features has been a subject of debate. The primary objective of our study was to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of US-derived intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics in preoperatively differentiating follicular thyroid adenomas from adenocarcinomas, thereby contributing to the ongoing discussion regarding this challenging distinction.

Methods: In total, 195 patients who were pathologically diagnosed with thyroid follicular neoplasm were retrospectively enrolled in this study.

Disulfiram and cancer immunotherapy: Advanced nano-delivery systems and potential therapeutic strategies.

The initial focus of the clinical application of disulfiram was its efficacy in treating alcoholism. However, recent research has revealed its potential as an anti-tumor agent and even as an enhancer of cancer immunotherapy. Disulfiram has received safety approval from the FDA, indicating its safety advantages over other substances used for disease treatment.

FGF20 promotes spinal cord injury repair by inhibiting the formation of necrotic corpuscle P-MLKL/P-RIP1/P-RIP3 in neurons.

The disruption of the local microenvironment subsequent to spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to a substantial loss of neurons in the affected region, which is a major contributing factor to impaired motor function recovery in patients. Fibroblast growth factor 20 (FGF20) is a neurotrophic factor that plays a crucial role in neuronal development and homeostasis. In this study, the recombinant human FGF20 (rhFGF20) was found to mitigate the process of necroptosis in a mouse model of SCI, thereby reducing neural functional deficits and promoting SCI repair.

Cyclopiazonic acid suppresses the function of Leydig cells in prepubertal male rats by disrupting mitofusin 1-mediated mitochondrial function.

This research investigated the impact of cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), a mycotoxin, on the function of progenitor Leydig cells (PLCs) in prepubertal male rats, focusing on its potential disruption of mitochondrial integrity through mitofusin 1 (MFN1) modulation. In vivo, Sprague Dawley rats received CPA (0.2, 1, 5 mg/kg/day) via gavage from postnatal days 21-28 to evaluate PLC function and mitochondrial morphology using serum hormone levels, histology, qPCR, and Western blot analyses.

Chinese Yam-Derived Adhesive Microgel for Effective Management of Uncontrolled Hemorrhage and Trauma-Induced Skin Wounds.

Chinese yam (), a traditional medicinal plant, has gained renewed interest in contemporary research due to its broad therapeutic potential. In this study, we developed an adhesive yam microgel through a series of peeling, grinding, sieving, and rehydration processes. Our in vitro experiments demonstrated that the yam microgel was noncytotoxic, effectively scavenged free radicals, and promoted cell migration.

Association between platelet-to-red cell distribution width ratio and all-cause mortality in critically ill patients with non-traumatic cerebral hemorrhage: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between platelet-to-red cell distribution width ratio (PRR) and all-cause mortality in critically ill patients with non-traumatic cerebral hemorrhage (NCH).

Methods: The Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC-IV) database was used to identify patients with NCH who needed to be admitted to intensive care unit (ICU). The outcomes of the study included both ICU and in-hospital mortality.

Gut microbiota dysbiosis in patients with Alzheimer's disease and correlation with multiple cognitive domains.

Background: Accumulating evidence suggested that Alzheimer's disease (AD) was associated with altered gut microbiota. However, the relationships between gut microbiota and specific cognitive domains of AD patients have yet been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to explore microbial signatures associated with global cognition and specific cognitive domains in AD patients and to determine their predictive value as biomarkers.

Substrate stiffness regulates the proliferation and inflammation of chondrocytes and macrophages through exosomes.

Osteoarthritis (OA) progression is characterized by decreased cartilage stiffness and degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), which significantly influence cartilage behavior and fate. In contrast, processes such as chondrocyte calcification and aging often result in increased stiffness. Despite extensive studies on how ECM stiffness regulates cellular functions, the impact of substrate stiffness on the cartilage microenvironment and intercellular communications remains not well understood.

An enzyme-mimicking reactive oxygen species scavenger targeting oxidative stress-inflammation cycle ameliorates IR-AKI by inhibiting pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4.

: Ischemia-reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury (IR-AKI), characterized by the abrupt decline in renal function, is distinguished by the intricate interplay between oxidative stress and inflammation. In this study, a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger-CF@PDA was developed to effectively target antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways to disrupt the oxidative stress-inflammation cycle in IR-AKI. : UV-vis absorption spectra, FTIR spectra, and TEM were employed to determine the successful construction of CF@P.

Biomimetic Extracellular Vesicles Based on Composite Bioactive Ions for the Treatment of Ischemic Bone Disease.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have demonstrated considerable potential in the treatment of ischemic bone diseases, such as glucocorticoid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (GIONFH). However, the clinical application of EVs faces challenges such as low yield, poor bioactivity, and lack of targeting. Herein, we have developed a platform of multiengineered extracellular vesicle mimetics (EVMs) to address these challenges.

Persistent CD19 B cell lymphopenia in critically ill COVID-19 patients 50 days after symptom onset.

Introduction: Long COVID (LC) poses a persistent challenge in clinical practice due to limited understanding of its etiology. LC is hypothesized to stem from aberrant immune responses in COVID-19. Vaccinations, which boost immune cells to restore function, could help ease LC symptoms.

Coupling Probiotics with CaO Nanoparticle-Loaded CoFeCe-LDH Nanosheets to Remodel the Tumor Microenvironment for Precise Chemodynamic Therapy.

Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) has become an emerging cancer treatment strategy with advantages of tumor-specificity, high selectivity, and low systemic toxicity. However, it usually suffers from low therapeutic efficacy. This is caused by low hydroxyl radical (·OH) yield arising because of the relatively high pH, overexpressed glutathione, and low HO concentration in the tumor microenvironment (TME).

A potential therapeutic strategy using a miniature, implantable, wireless nerve stimulation device for treating stress urinary incontinence in rats.

Purpose: The present study examined the effects of a miniature, implantable, wireless stimulation device for treating stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in rats.

Methods: Twenty-four female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups: Group 1 (Control), Group 2 (Sham), and Group 3 (Stimulation). All animals underwent vaginal distension (VD) to mimic postpartum SUI.

Repair of Osteochondral Defect with Acellular Cartilage Matrix and Thermosensitive Hydrogel Scaffold.

In the present study, acellular cartilage matrix (ACM) was modified with poly-l-lysine/hyaluronic acid (PLL/HA) multilayers via detergent-enzyme chemical digestion and layer-by-layer self-assembly technology. This modified ACM was then loaded with Transforming Growth Factor Beta 3 (TGF-β3) and incorporated into a thermosensitive hydrogel (TH) to create a HA/PLL-ACM/TH composite scaffold with sustained-release function. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of this novel composite scaffold in promoting chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and facilitating osteochondral defect repair.