Prognostic Implications of Cardiac Geometry in Cirrhosis: Findings From a Large Cohort.

Background And Aims: Cirrhosis is characterised by hyperdynamic circulation, which contributes to cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM). However, the expert consensus on CCM did not initially include cardiac structure because of scant evidence. Therefore, this study investigated the associations of cardiac chamber geometry with mortality and CCM.

Persistent pre-exhausted CD8+ T cells shape the tumor immune microenvironment in anaplastic thyroid cancer.

Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer (ATC) is an aggressive form of cancer with poor prognosis, heavily influenced by its tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Understanding the cellular and gene expression dynamics within the TIME is crucial for developing targeted therapies. This study analyzes the immune microenvironment of ATC and Papillary Thyroid Cancer (PTC) using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq).

Xanthohumol attenuates TXNIP-mediated renal tubular injury in vitro and in vivo diabetic models.

Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), as a pivotal protein in the cellular stress response, plays a significant role in the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Consequently, therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting TXNIP may offer novel interventions for patients with DN. Our study is to explore the therapeutic potential of targeting TXNIP in mitigating renal tubular injury induced by hyperglycemia.

A novel quantitative angiogenesis assay based on visualized vascular organoid.

Angiogenesis describes the sprouting of blood vessels from existing vasculatures and it plays a pivotal role in disease progress such as diabetes, age-related macular degeneration and cancer. However, the most widely used anti-angiogenic agents targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway still lacked of specificity and therapeutic efficacy. To establish a method suitable for high-throughput drug screening and faithfully recapitulate the feature of in vivo angiogenesis, we generated a PECAM1-mRuby3-secNluc; ACTA2-EGFP dual reporter human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) line and utilizing the cell line to establish a visualized and quantifiable in vitro angiogenesis model with stem cell-derived vascular organoid.

FcRn-guided antigen trafficking enhances cancer vaccine efficacy.

The development of tumor vaccines represents a significant focus within cancer therapeutics research. Nonetheless, the efficiency of antigen presentation in tumor vaccine remains suboptimal. We introduce an innovative mRNA-lipid nanoparticle platform designed to express tumor antigenic epitopes fused with the transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic tail of the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn).

Distinct immune signatures for predicting the immunotherapy efficacy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) are distinct histological subtypes of esophageal cancer. The tumor microenvironment of each subtype significantly influences the efficacy of immunotherapy. However, the characteristics of the tumor microenvironments of both subtypes, as well as their specific impacts on immunotherapy outcomes, still require further elucidation.

Smartphone-integrated colorimetric sensor for rapid detection of phenolic compounds based on the peroxidase-mimicking activity of copper/cerium-aspartic acid metal-organic framework.

A smartphone-integrated colorimetric sensor is introduced for the rapid detection of phenolic compounds, including 8-hydroquinone (HQ), p-nitrophenol (NP), and catechol (CC). This sensor relies on the peroxidase-mimicking activity of aspartate-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) such as Cu-Asp, Ce-Asp, and Cu/Ce-Asp. These MOFs facilitate the oxidation of a colorless substrate, 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), by reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from hydrogen peroxide (HO), resulting in the formation of blue-colored oxidized TMB (ox-TMB).

Neohesperidin Improves Depressive-Like Behavior Induced by Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress in Mice.

Depression is a common and complex neuropsychiatric disorder affecting people of all ages worldwide, associated with high rates of relapse and disability. Neohesperidin (NEO) is a dietary flavonoid with applications in therapeutics; however, its effects on depressive-like behavior remain unknown. Here, we evaluated the effects of NEO on depressive-like behavior induced by chronic and unpredictable mild stress (CUMS).

The transcription factor NnNAC100 positively regulates amylopectin biosynthesis by activating NnSBEII in the rhizome of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.

NnNAC100-NnSBEII modules enhance starch content of the rhizome in Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. is a popular aquatic vegetable and traditional Chinese medicine whose quality and taste are mainly determined by the starch.

TDO2 + cancer-associated fibroblasts mediate cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma immune escape via impeding infiltration of CD8 + T cells.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common skin cancer, originating from the malignant proliferation of squamous epithelial cells. However, its pathogenesis remains unclear. To further explore the mechanisms underlying cSCC, we analyzed the data from one single-cell RNA sequencing study and discovered a significant upregulation of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2) in the cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs).

Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 and F-FDG PET/CT: a head-to-head comparison for peritoneal carcinomatosis diagnostic accuracy.

Purpose: The study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of Ga-DOTA-FAPI-04 (Ga-FAPI) and F-FDG PET/CT for peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) in patients with various types of cancer.

Methods: The study enrolled 113 patients with suspected peritoneal malignancy, each of whom underwent Ga-FAPI and F-FDG PET/CT scans. Lesions in all patients were confirmed through pathology or radiological follow-up.

Learning curve insights in Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic (UBE) spinal procedures: proficiency cutoffs and the impact on efficiency and complications.

Objective: This study systematically assesses the learning curve of Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic (UBE) techniques across various spinal surgeries, focusing on its influence on operative efficiency and complication rates to guide optimized training and practice.

Methods: Systematic searches in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library identified studies on UBE learning curves for patients aged 18 or older, comparing early and mastery phases. Two reviewers independently extracted data on surgery type, operative time, and complications.

Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurological disease with complex genetic etiology, yet most known loci were only identified from the late-onset type of European ancestry.

Method: We performed a two-stage genome-wide association study (GWAS) of AD totaling 6,878 Chinese and 487,511 European individuals.

Result: We demonstrated a shared genetic architecture between early- and late-onset AD.

The Interplay Between Accumulation of Amyloid-Beta and Tau Proteins, PANoptosis, and Inflammation in Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common progressive neurodegenerative disorder, and the vast majority of cases occur in elderly patients. Recently, the accumulation of Aβ and tau proteins has drawn considerable attention in AD research. This review explores the multifaceted interactions between these proteins and their contribution to the pathological landscape of AD, encompassing synaptic dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and PANoptosis.

A normative database of Swahili-Chinese paired associates.

Over the past few decades, Swahili-English and Lithuanian-English word pair databases have been extensively utilized in research on learning and memory. However, these normative databases are specifically designed for generating study stimuli in learning and memory research involving native (or fluent) English speakers. Consequently, they are not suitable for investigations that encompass populations whose first language is not English, such as Chinese individuals.

Spatiotemporal characteristics and dynamic prediction of agricultural carbon compensation potential in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River Basin.

Climate change, driven by carbon emissions, has emerged as a pressing global ecological and environmental challenge. Here, we leverage the panel data of five provinces and above prefecture-level cities in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River Basin to estimate the agricultural carbon emissions (CEs), carbon sinks (CSs), carbon compensation rate (CCR), and carbon compensation potential (CCP) from 2001 to 2022 and investigate the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics for this region. We propose an improved GLM-stacking ensemble learning method for CE prediction with limited sample data.

Gene Deficiency of δ Subunit-Containing GABA Receptor in mPFC Lead Learning and Memory Impairment in Mice.

Maintaining GABAergic inhibition within physiological limits in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is critical for working memory. While synaptic GABAR typically mediate the primary component of mPFC inhibition, the role of extrasynaptic δ-GABAR in working memory remains unclear. To investigate this, we used fiber photometry to examine the effects of δ-GABAR in freely moving mice.

Cytokine profile of bronchoalveolar lavage in patients with and without checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis.

Background: Checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis (CIP) that develops following immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment can be difficult to distinguish from other common etiologies of lung inflammation in cancer patients. Here, we evaluate the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) for potential biomarkers specific to CIP.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients who underwent standard of care bronchoscopy to compare the cytokines of interest between patients with and without CIP and with and without immune-mediated pulmonary diseases.

STC1 encapsulated in small extracellular vesicles from laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells induces CD8 T cell dysfunction by reprogramming tumor-associated macrophages into M2-like macrophages.

Background: Tumor-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) play an essential role in reprogramming the tumor microenvironment. Metabolic reprogramming is an essential prerequisite for M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). This M2 phenotype is closely related to the immune dysfunction of CD8 T cells and subsequent tumor progression.

Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: We previously discovered that Aβ accumulates in the cortical/supranuclear region of the lens in people with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) (Goldstein et al., 2003) and Down Syndrome (DS; (Moncaster et al., 2010).

Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk and progression are significantly influenced by ApoE genotypes, with ApoE4 increasing and ApoE2 decreasing the susceptibility compared to ApoE3. Understanding metabolic pathways affected by ApoE genotypes will help decipher disease development and identify new therapeutic targets.

Method: This study investigates the impact of ApoE genotypes on aging brain metabolic trajectories using human ApoE-targeted replacement mice.

Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: An increasing body of evidence has suggested that the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is not confined to the neurons but instead that neuroinflammation plays a significant role in the disease, with an interplay between the brain and the immune system. So far, their shared genetic components have not been systematically studied.

Method: We investigated the shared genetic architecture between AD and a plethora of immune-mediated diseases using the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary statistics data: allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, hypothyroidism, primary sclerosing cholangitis, RA, systemic lupus erythematosus, ulcerative colitis, and vitiligo.

Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD), an age-associated neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by progressive neuronal loss and the accumulation of misfolded proteins such as amyloid-β and tau. While neuroinflammation, mediated by microglia and brain-resident macrophages, plays a pivotal role in AD pathogenesis, the intricate interactions among age, genes, and other risk factors remain elusive. Somatic mutations, known to accumulate with age, instigate clonal expansion across diverse cell types, impacting both cancer and non-cancerous conditions.

Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: Cerebrovascular injury is a common pathological feature of a spectrum of neurological disorders, including traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and aging. Vascular manifestations among these conditions are similar indeed, including the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). However, whether there is a unique molecular mechanism underlying the vascular changes among these conditions remains elusive.