Correlation of ACE gene polymorphisms and platelet parameters with morning peak blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

Objective: To analyze the relationship between platelet parameters, morning peak blood pressure (MPBP) in hypertensive patients, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphisms.

Methods: This study included 245 primary hypertensive patients treated between February 2019 and February 2022, who were divided into two groups based on MPBP status: 144 patients with MPBP and 101 without MPBP. Baseline data and early morning fasting blood samples from the antecubital vein were collected.

Unveiling the truth: Pathogen infections linked to miscarriage: A STROBE-Compliant Mendelian randomization study.

Miscarriage represents a prevalent yet insufficiently studied adverse pregnancy outcome. The definitive causal links between various pathogens and miscarriage remain to be established. To investigate the causal connections between pathogen infections and miscarriage, we utilized a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Application of double-needle bi-direction barbed sutures in laparoscopic common bile duct suture: a propensity score matching analysis.

Laparoscopic exploration of the common bile duct (CBD) has emerged as a predominant method in hepatobiliary surgery owing to its minimally invasive nature and favorable outcomes compared to traditional open surgery. Suturing the CBD during laparoscopic procedures is critical for ensuring proper bile drainage and reducing postoperative complications. This retrospective study enrolled patients who underwent laparoscopic exploration of the CBD for choledocholithiasis at the Wujin Hospital Affiliated with Jiangsu University between January 2016 and December 2023.

Association between 25(OH) vitamin D and schizophrenia: shared genetic correlation, pleiotropy, and causality.

Background: This study delves into the complex interplay between genetics, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), and schizophrenia (SCZ). It leverages extensive sample data derived from Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) to uncover genetic correlations.

Methods: Employing Linkage Disequilibrium Score Regression (LDSC) and S-LDSC, this study investigates genetic connections between 25OHD and SCZ.

Unveiling the mystery: Investigating the debate surrounding mitochondrial DNA copy number and Sjögren syndrome using Mendelian randomization analysis.

Numerous studies have investigated the relationship between mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number and Sjögren syndrome (SS). However, the conclusions remain inconclusive, with conflicting findings. The genome-wide association study summary statistics for mtDNA copy number were obtained from 2 sources: a cohort of 465,809 White individuals from the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology consortium and the UK Biobank, and a dataset of 395,718 UK Biobank participants.

The past, present, and future of endoscopic management for biliary strictures: technological innovations and stent advancements.

Biliary stricture can be induced by intrinsic narrowing and extrinsic compression, with the majority of cases being malignant. Clinically, distinguishing between benign and malignant biliary strictures remains a considerable challenge, and the ongoing disagreement over the optimal choice of biliary stents significantly influences treatment strategies and impacts patients' survival and prognosis. The utilization and advancement of endoscopic techniques have heightened the diagnostic sensitivity for biliary strictures.

Association between 25(OH) vitamin D and multiple sclerosis: cohort, shared genetics, and Causality.

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disorder causing demyelination and neurological damage, has been linked to 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels, suggesting its role in immune response and MS onset. This study used GWAS datasets to investigate genetic associations between 25OHD and MS.

Methods: We utilized a large-scale prospective cohort to evaluate serum 25OHD levels and MS risk.

Microscopic messengers: microbiota-derived bacterial extracellular vesicles in inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a persistent and complex condition accomplished by inflammation of the gastrointestinal system, encompassing Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). This condition is caused by the combination of genetic predispositions, environmental triggers, and dysregulated immunological responses, which complicates diagnosis and treatment. The latest developments in gastroenterology have revealed the critical significance of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of IBD.

A review of enhanced recovery after surgery concept in perioperative radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer.

Radical prostatectomy (RP) is the main treatment for early-stage localized prostate cancer. With the improvement of medical technology, radical prostatectomy is mainly performed under laparoscopy or robot assistance. With the continuous deepening of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) concept in clinical practice, patients have increasingly high requirements for postoperative recovery.

The methyltransferase KIAA1429 potentiates cervical cancer tumorigenesis via modulating LARP1 mRNA m6A modification and stability.

Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most common gynecological malignancies in the world and poses a great threat to public health. There is inadequate knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying CC. This study aimed to explore the prognostic value of KIAA1429 (VIRMA, vir-Like m6A methyltransferase associated) in patients with CC and analyze its molecular mechanisms.

Causal associations of Sjögren's syndrome with cardiovascular disease: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Study Objectives: Observational and cohort studies have associated Sjögren's syndrome (SS) with various types of cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet causal relationships have not been established. We employed Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate potential causal links between SS and CVD in the general population.

Methods: We conducted a two-sample MR analysis using data from four distinct sources for 11 genome-wide significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with SS and data for 13 types of CVD sourced from FinnGen, IEU OpenGWAS, and GWAS catalog.

IRAK2 overexpression restrains prostate cancer progression by regulation of TRAF6 ubiquitination.

Prostate cancer is recognized as one of the most common tumors among men worldwide, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying its progression remain to be fully understood. In this study, we explored the role of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 2 (IRAK2) in the progression of prostate cancer. We discovered that IRAK2 expression is downregulated in prostate cancer tissues and cells.

An electrochemiluminescence device for visualized detection of lead in practical samples.

Lead (Pb) pollution poses a significant threat to human health due to its potential accumulation through the food chain. In response to this challenge, an array of electrochemiluminescence (ECL) devices has been developed for the accurate and visualized detection of trace Pb, achieving an ultra-low limit of detection (LOD) of 9.8 pg L.

In vivo imaging of alkaline phosphatase in lipid metabolic diseases with a photoacoustic probe.

Lipid metabolic diseases have become an important challenge to global public health. Along with lifestyle changes, the incidence of obesity, diabetes and other metabolic syndromes is on the rise, and the number of patients with fatty liver disease is also increasing. Therefore, it is particularly important to develop effective lipid imaging strategies to monitor and manage fatty liver disease.

Deciphering STAT3's negative regulation of LHPP in ESCC progression through single-cell transcriptomics analysis.

Background: Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC) remains a predominant health concern in the world, characterized by high prevalence and mortality rates. Advances in single-cell transcriptomics have revolutionized cancer research by enabling a precise dissection of cellular and molecular diversity within tumors.

Objective: This study aims to elucidate the cellular dynamics and molecular mechanisms in ESCC, focusing on the transcriptional influence of STAT3 (Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3) and its interaction with LHPP, thereby uncovering potential therapeutic targets.

Decoding skin mysteries: Unveiling the link between microbiota and keloid scars through a Mendelian randomization study.

The cause of keloids remains unclear, but studies suggest a link between skin microbiota and keloid formation. However, the causal relationship has not been confirmed. This study utilized Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) data from 2 population-based German cohorts, comprising a total of 1656 skin samples.

Correlation between body mass index and gender-specific 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To investigate the potential correlation between body mass index (BMI) and the 28-day mortality rate among sepsis patients and the gender difference in this association.

Design: The current research was a retrospective cohort study.

Participants: A total of 14,883 male and female cohorts of sepsis patients were included in the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV V2.

USP9X-enriched MSC-sEV inhibits LSEC angiogenesis in MASH mice by downregulating the IκBα/NF-κB/Ang-2 pathway.

Pathological angiogenesis of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) plays a crucial role in the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)-induced liver fibrosis. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived small extracellular vesicles (MSC-sEV) have shown promising therapeutic potential against MASH. This study aimed to investigate the impact of MSC-sEV on LSEC angiogenesis and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Tregs ST2 deficiency enhances the abscopal anti-tumor response induced by microwave ablation.

Background: Thermal ablation (TA), including radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and Microwave ablation (MWA) could reduce tumor burden and can stimulate an immune response, but it cannot maintain a lasting immune response. The alarming cytokine IL-33 is constitutively expressed by epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts, but is released during tissue injury to alert the immune system. The presence of ST2Tregs in TME may act as a barrier contributing to this phenomenon.

Natural killer cell-based cancer immunotherapy: from basics to clinical trials.

Cellular immunotherapy exploits the capacity of the human immune system in self-protection and surveillance to achieve the anti-tumor effects. Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes of innate immune system and they display a unique inherent ability to identify and eliminate tumor cells. In this review, we first introduce the basic characteristics of NK cells in the physiological and pathological milieus, followed by a discussion of their effector function and immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment.