Associations between ethylene oxide exposure and chronic bronchitis: results from the NHANES 2013-2018.

Introduction: Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a reactive gas commonly used in the production of various chemical compounds. Research has linked EtO exposure to respiratory conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. However, its potential effects on chronic bronchitis (CB) remain unclear, highlighting the need for further study to understand its role in respiratory health.

Increased burden of enlarged perivascular spaces in patients with patent foramen ovale.

Introduction: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) patients may experience states of hypoxia and hypoperfusion, which may increase the burden of enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS). However, to our knowledge, no data are available regarding EPVS in PFO patients. This study sought to investigate if patients with PFO exhibit a heightened burden of EPVS and to identify the mediating factors between PFO and EPVS.

Bone morphogenetic proteins, DNA methylation, and gut microbiota interaction in lumbar disc degeneration: A multi-omics Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) is a ubiquitous finding in low back pain. Many different etiology factors may explain the LDD process, such as bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), DNA methylation, and gut microbiota. Until recently the mechanisms underlying the LDD process have been elusive.

Case report: Giant meningioma of the left hemisphere.

Meningiomas are some of the most prevalent primary brain tumors in adults, and are typically non-neuroglial in nature. A variety of symptoms may be observed, including headaches, fluctuations in mental status, ataxia, muscle weakness, nausea and vomiting, seizures, visual changes, speech disorders, and sensory abnormalities. The World Health Organization (WHO) has a grading system for meningiomas based on histological criteria, which is as follows: Grade 1 meningiomas are considered benign; Grade 2 meningiomas have a moderately aggressive nature and usually present with histological atypia; and Grade 3 meningiomas exhibit aggressive malignant behavior.

Huang-Lian-Jie-Du Decoction ameliorates sepsis through dynamic regulation of immune response and gut microbiota-metabolite axis.

Sepsis remains a life-threatening condition with high mortality rates despite current therapeutic approaches. While Huang-Lian-Jie-Du Decoction (HLJDD), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, has been historically used to treat inflammatory conditions, its therapeutic potential in sepsis and underlying mechanisms remain unexplored. This study investigated HLJDD's comprehensive effects on sepsis pathophysiology using a rat cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model.

Association between composite dietary antioxidant index and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease: a cross-sectional study from NHANES.

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a typical hepatic steatosis with metabolic dysfunction. The composite dietary antioxidant index (CDAI) measures individual antioxidant capacity, and the relationship with MAFLD has received little attention. Our goal is to explore the association of CDAI with MAFLD.

Revealing induced pluripotent stem cells' potential as a better alternative to embryonic stem cells for Parkinson's disease treatment based on single-cell RNA-seq.

Both embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and the successful reprogramming of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer an unprecedented therapeutic potential for Parkinson's disease (PD), allowing for the replacement of depleted neurons in PD-affected brain regions, thereby achieving therapeutic goals. This study explored the differences in cell types between iPSCs and ESCs in the PD brain to provide a feasible theoretical basis for the improved use of iPSCs as a replacement for ESCs in treating PD. Signal cell RNA sequencing data and microarray data of ESCs and iPSCs were collected from the GEO database.

Therapeutic efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin A injection in plantar fasciitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin A (BTA) injections for treatment of plantar fasciitis (PF).

Methods: This review adhered to the PRISMA guidelines, conducting a comprehensive search of the PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases for eligible studies from their inception to December 30 2023. The inclusion criteria were limited to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing BTA injections with control interventions in terms of pain reduction, functional improvement, or the occurrence of adverse events in treating patients with PF were extracted for meta-analysis.

Mo(CO)-catalyzed reductive coupling reaction to synthesize benzimidazoquinazolinones and dihydroquinazolinoquinazolinones.

A series of benzimidazoquinazolinone and dihydroquinazolinoquinazolinone derivatives were synthesized by deploying a method in which Mo(CO) was used as both reductant and cyclization accelerator. The preliminary anti-cancer activities of the obtained products were measured and several compounds were revealed to exhibit anti-cancer activities.

Prognostic significance of elevated expression levels of protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 3G in thyroid carcinoma.

The prognosis of the poorly differentiated subtype of thyroid carcinoma (THCA) is less favorable due to its aggressive nature, which also increases the likelihood of metastasis to distant organs. The present study aimed to assess the potential application of protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 3G (PPP1R3G) as a molecular biomarker for early identification and prognosis prediction in THCA. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used to identify genes associated with prognosis and differentially expressed genes in THCA.

Procalcitonin-guided use of antibiotic in hospitalized patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized clinical trial.

Objectives: To analyze the effect and safety of PCT-guided antibiotic therapy in patients with AECOPD.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial among patients hospitalized for AECOPD in six hospitals in China. Enrolled patients were randomly assigned to either the PCT-guided group or the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease（GOLD）strategy -guided group.

Hypoxia-selective prodrug restrains tumor cells through triggering mitophagy and inducing apoptosis.

Hypoxia is a common feature of various solid tumors, which reduces the sensitivity of tumor cells to both radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, hypoxia also presents an opportunity for tumor-selective therapy. The prodrug strategy, leveraging the hypoxic nature of the tumor microenvironment, shows significant potential for clinical application.

Identification of cuproptosis-related genes in septic shock based on bioinformatic analysis.

Background: Septic shock is a life-threatening condition characterized by a failure of organ systems and a high mortality rate. Cuproptosis is a new form of cell death that is triggered by copper overload. However, the relationship between cuproptosis-related genes and septic shock remains unclear.

Atypical presentation of acute retinal necrosis mimicking Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease leading to misdiagnosis: a case report.

Acute retinal necrosis (ARN) is a serious, sight-threatening condition characterized by rapidly progressive necrotizing retinitis, most commonly caused by varicella-zoster virus and herpes simplex virus. We report an atypical case of ARN in a 57-year-old immunocompetent male, initially misdiagnosed as Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease. This case highlights the challenges in the early differential diagnosis of infectious and non-infectious uveitis.

Progress in the application of auto-concentrated growth factor (CGF) in wound repair.

Auto-concentrated growth factor (CGF) constitutes the latest generation of plasma extract, and has high concentrations of growth factors and white blood cells. Due to the continuous variable speed centrifugation used during preparation, the tensile strength of the fibrin is also higher. CGF preparation does not involve the use of animal serum, minimizing the risk of infection and immune rejection.

Impaired Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Neuron GDNF Signaling Contributes to Perioperative Sleep Deprivation-Induced Chronicity of Postsurgical Pain in Mice Through Regulating Cholinergic Neuronal Activity, Apoptosis, and Autophagy.

Aims: This study investigated the roles of lateral basal forebrain glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) signaling and cholinergic neuron activity, apoptosis, and autophagy dysfunction in sleep deprivation-induced increased risk of chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) in mice.

Methods: Sleep deprivation (6 h per day from -1 to 3 days postoperatively) was administered to mice receiving skin/muscle incision and retraction (SMIR) to determine whether perioperative sleep deprivation induces mechanical and thermal pain hypersensitivity, increases the risk of chronic pain, and causes changes of basal forebrain neurons activity (c-Fos immunostaining), apoptosis (cleaved Caspase-3 expression), autophagy (LC3 and p62 expression) and GDNF expression. Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-GDNF was microinjected into the basal forebrain to see whether increased GDNF expression could reverse sleep deprivation-induced changes in pain duration and cholinergic neuron apoptosis and autophagy.

Novel plasma cytokines identified and validated in children during lead exposure according to the new updated BLRV.

Lead is a pervasive environmental contaminant with significant health risks, particularly to children. It is known for its neurotoxic and immunotoxic effects, causing developmental, cognitive, and behavioral impairments. Despite extensive research, the mechanisms of lead toxicity remain unclear.

ITGB1 Alleviates High Glucose-Induced Myocardial Cell Injury by Inhibiting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Cell Apoptosis.

Diabetic cardiopathy is a common clinical complication of diabetes and is one of the main causes of mortality in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. In this study, we examined the effect and mechanism of integrin β1 (ITGB1) on high glucose-induced myocardial cell injury. High glucose exposure inhibits the expression of ITGB1 in myocardial cells.

Boosting antitumor immunity in breast cancers: Potential of adjuvants, drugs, and nanocarriers.

Despite advancements in breast cancer treatment, therapeutic resistance, and tumor recurrence continue to pose formidable challenges. Therefore, a deep knowledge of the intricate interplay between the tumor and the immune system is necessary. In the pursuit of combating breast cancer, the awakening of antitumor immunity has been proposed as a compelling avenue.