Artesunate-multiple pharmacological effects beyond treating malaria.

Artesunate, a semisynthetic derivative of artemisinin, is not only recommended as the first-line drug for treating severe malaria but is also a significant member of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs), used in combination with other artemisinin derivatives for treating uncomplicated malaria. Beyond its potent anti-malarial activity, artesunate has garnered considerable attention for its pharmacological effects, which encompass broad-spectrum anti-tumor, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties. It has collectively demonstrated superior drug tolerance, low toxicity, and mild side effects in cell line experiments in vitro, experimental animal models, and clinical drug researches, as a monotherapy or in combination with other agents.

Quantification and clinical performance of serum parathyroid hormone 1-84 via immunocapture coupled to LC-MS/MS in chronic renal failure.

Accurate measurement of serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) is crucial for diagnosing and managing endocrine and osteological diseases. Conventional immunoassay methods struggle with cross reactivity issues between full-length PTH and truncated fragments or post-translationally modified forms. Both the standardization of PTH assays and the peptide's stability are concerning.

Age-specific abnormal glucose metabolism in HIV-positive people on antiviral therapy in China: a multicenter case-control study.

Background: Update, the link between HIV infection and abnormal glucose metabolism (AGM) is still unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of HIV infection on AGM, including insulin resistance (IR), impaired fasting glucose (IFG), and diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods: A multicenter case-control study was conducted in Zhejiang province, China.

Polydatin retards the progression of osteoarthritis by maintaining bone metabolicbalance and inhibiting macrophage polarization.

Background: Polydatin (PD), also known as tiger cane glycoside, is a natural compound extracted from the Japanese knotweed plant, which is often referred to as white resveratrol. It exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects in the treatment of various diseases. However, the potential molecular mechanisms of PD in osteoarthritis have not been clearly elucidated.

Functional connectivity analyses of individual hippocampal subregions in major depressive disorder with electroconvulsive therapy.

Background: The hippocampus has been widely reported to be involved in the neuropathology of major depressive disorder (MDD). All the previous researches adopted group-level hippocampus subregions atlas to investigate abnormal functional connectivities in MDD in absence of capturing individual variability. In addition, the molecular basis of functional impairments of hippocampal subregions in MDD remains elusive.

Application of Multifunctional Metal Nanoparticles in the Treatment of Glioma.

Glioma is the most common primary malignant brain tumor with a poor survival rate. It is characterized by diffuse and invasive growth and heterogeneity, which limits tumor identification and complete resection. Therefore, the precise detection and postoperative adjuvant therapy of gliomas have become increasingly important and urgent.

Gelatin/Poly (Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid)/Attapulgite Composite Scaffold Equipped with Teriparatide Microspheres for Osteogenesis in vitro and in vivo.

Background: Given the risks associated with autologous bone transplantation and the limitations of allogeneic bone transplantation, scaffolds in bone tissue engineering that incorporate bioactive peptides are highly recommended. Teriparatide (TPTD) plays a significant role in bone defect repair, although achieving controlled release of TPTD within a bone tissue engineering scaffold remains challenging. This work reports a new approach for treatment of teriparatide using a water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) microspheres be equipped on gelatin (GEL)/Poly lactic-glycolic acid (PLGA)/attapulgite (ATP) scaffold.

Health literacy assessment and analysis of influencing factors in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus in Southwest China.

Objective: The main objectives of our study are evaluating the health literacy level among women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Southwest China and explore the influencing factors, using a multidimensional health literacy assessment scale (Chinese version of the HLS-14). Given that the HLS-14 has not been used in GDM previously, its reliability and validity testing was included as a secondary objective.

Method: It was a cross-sectional survey with 565 GDM pregnancies.

Association of serum calcium level with periodontitis: a cross-sectional study from NHANES 2009-2014.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the association between serum calcium levels and periodontitis in a U.S. adult population, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009-2014.

The role of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in diagnosing and managing post-kidney transplantation infections.

Kidney transplantation (KT) is a life-saving treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease, but post-transplant infections remain one of the most significant challenges. These infections, caused by a variety of pathogens, can lead to prolonged hospitalization, graft dysfunction, and even mortality, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Traditional diagnostic methods often fail to identify the causative organisms in a timely manner, leading to delays in treatment and poorer patient outcomes.

Application value of two-dimensional ultrasound and shear-wave elastography parameters in evaluating sarcopenia with essential hypertension.

Background: Patients with essential hypertension have a high risk of muscle mass and strength decline. Ultrasound is a promising method for assessing sarcopenia. This study aimed to analyze the correlation between ultrasound and shear-wave elastography (SWE) features, and muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance, and to assess the clinical applicability of ultrasound in the diagnosis of sarcopenia in patients with essential hypertension.

Bibliometric analysis of research on the application of deep learning to ophthalmology.

Background: Recently, deep learning has become a popular area of research, and has revolutionized the diagnosis and prediction of ocular diseases, especially fundus diseases. This study aimed to conduct a bibliometric analysis of deep learning in the field of ophthalmology to describe international research trends and examine the current research directions.

Methods: This cross-sectional bibliometric analysis examined the development of research on deep learning in the field of ophthalmology and its sub-topics from 2015 to 2024.

Development and validation of a clinical features-based nomogram for predicting neonatal cerebral microbleeds.

Background: Neonatal cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) occur infrequently, and during the initial phase, they often present without noticeable clinical symptoms, which can result in delays in both diagnosis and treatment. There has been relatively little research conducted on neonatal CMBs, with even less focus on their related risk factors. However, identifying risk factors and proactively preventing microbleeds is particularly crucial for effective treatment.

Oxidative stress and retinopathy: evidence from epidemiological studies.

Background: Previous studies have suggested oxidative stress may play a key role in the pathogenesis of retinopathy, while evidence from observational studies directly linking oxidative biomarkers to clinically relevant outcomes has been limited. This study aims to investigate the association between oxidative balance score (OBS) and prevalence of retinopathy in a nationally representative sample of U.S.

Autism screening tool validation for toddlers and young children: advantages and limitations.

Background: Early identification is crucial for children with autism. However, many children are diagnosed later due to the lack of specific assessment tools in primary care settings. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the STAT in screening autism across different age groups while assessing its advantages and limitations.

Specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators: a key player in resolving inflammation in autoimmune diseases.

Uncontrolled hyperactivation of the immune system is the central mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Timely control of the inflammatory response is essential to prevent inflammation progression and organ damage. Specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs) are autacoid molecules derived from essential polyunsaturated fatty acids during acute inflammatory responses.

The value of quantitative susceptibility mapping and morphometry in the differential diagnosis of Parkinsonism.

Background And Purpose: Differentiating Parkinson's Disease (PD) from Atypical Parkinsonism Syndrome (APS), including Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), is challenging, and there is no gold standard. Integrating quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) and morphometry can help differentiate PD from APS and improve the internal diagnosis of APS.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective study, we enrolled 55 patients with PD, 17 with MSA-parkinsonian type (MSA-P), 15 with MSA-cerebellar type (MSA-C), and 14 with PSP.

Evolved enzymes in the metabolism of biological poly-acids: Applications in otolaryngological biocatalysis.

This study explores evolved Hyaluronidase, Lipase, and Elastase's identification, characterization, and therapeutic potential to enhance tissue regeneration and drug delivery systems in otolaryngology. Hyaluronidase variant H5 exhibited a turnover number (k_cat) of 1500 min, a 200 % increase over wild-type (500 min), demonstrating superior hyaluronic acid degradation. Similarly, lipase variant L2 reached 1200 min (400 min wild-type), and elastase variant E3 showed a turnover of 2200 min (1000 min wild-type).

Caloric restriction exacerbates renal post-ischemic injury and fibrosis by modulating mTORC1 signaling and autophagy.

Objective: This study investigates the effects of caloric restriction (CR) on renal injury and fibrosis following ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), with a focus on the roles of the mechanistic/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling and autophagy.

Methods: A mouse model of unilateral IRI with or without CR was used. Renal function was assessed through serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels, while histological analysis and molecular assays evaluated tubular injury, fibrosis, mTORC1 signaling, and autophagy activation.

KRT9 is required for GBP5 suppression of human respiratory syncytial virus.

Unlabelled: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections continue to plague infants, young children, and older individuals worldwide. Since there is no specific treatment for RSV, characterizing the interactions between RSV and host factors remains crucial for the eventual development of robust therapeutic interventions. In our previous study, guanylate binding protein 5 (GBP5) was shown to promote excessive RSV-small hydrophobic (RSV-SH) protein secretion by microvesicles and inhibited viral replication.

The global, regional, and national burden of colorectal cancer attributable to smoking from 1990 to 2021: a population-based study.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with smoking being a significant risk factor. Understanding the temporal and spatial patterns of the CRC burden attributable to smoking is crucial for global public health strategies. Data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 were used to calculate the number of deaths, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) per 100 000 population, and age-standardized disability-adjusted life year rate (ASDR).

Exosomes: Key Messengers Mediating the Interaction Between Tumor Cells and CD8 T Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment.

In recent years, with an increasingly profound comprehension of the tumor microenvironment, it has been discovered that the constituent cells within the immune microenvironment, such as macrophages, CD4T cells, and CD8T cells, interact with tumor cells in manners conducive to tumorigenesis and progression. Exosomes play a pivotal role as essential mediators for intercellular material exchange and signal transmission in this context. Tumor cell-derived exosomes carrying cargo such as PD-L1 and ncRNAs engage with CD8T cells to induce cytotoxic responses and facilitate immune evasion, thereby promoting tumor advancement.