Development and validation of a non-invasive prediction model for identifying high-risk children with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in pediatric populations and establish a novel health index scoring system derived from key risk parameters for early identification of high-risk children with MAFLD.

Method: In this cross-sectional study, a systematic random sampling method was employed to recruit children (6-18 years) with MAFLD. Data collection involved standardized questionnaires and comprehensive anthropometric measurements.

Immune imbalance underlying depressive symptoms in COPD patients: a study based on BDNF, PD-1, MMP-9, and inflammatory cytokines.

Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is frequently accompanied by a high prevalence of depressive symptoms, particularly during acute exacerbations (AECOPD). However, the immunoinflammatory mechanisms underlying AECOPD-associated depression remain poorly elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the potential roles of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and key inflammatory cytokines-interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-α)-in mediating depressive symptoms among hospitalized AECOPD patients.

Multifunctional copper-light synergistic prodrug nanosystems for specific reprogramming of tumour immunogenic endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Inducing lethal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is a key initiative to counteract tumour resistance and induce anti-tumour immunity. However, conventional ER stress inducers are largely limited by hypoxia and off-target effects to induce tumour-lethal ER stress. Here, we encapsulated Cu-bridged eosin Y (CuBY) in ER-targeting peptide (pardaxin)-modified mesoporous silica and successfully constructed an oxygen-independent multifunctional copper-light synergistic prodrug nanosystems (MP@CuBY).

C-Arg9-APCR3-VHL promotes β-catenin degradation via the VHL-mediated ubiquitin-proteasome system in APC-mutant colorectal cancer.

Mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene are common in colorectal cancer (CRC) and result in deregulation of β-catenin, a key driver of tumor initiation and progression. Despite its central role, targeted degradation of β-catenin remains an unmet therapeutic need in APC-mutant CRC. This study introduces and evaluates C-Arg9-APCR3-VHL, a novel PROTAC designed to promote β-catenin degradation via the VHL-Mediated ubiquitin-proteasome pathway.

Reliability of Ultrasonic Hepatorenal Indices in Assessing Hepatic Steatosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The accuracy of the ultrasound hepatorenal index (HRI) in diagnosing hepatic steatosis has varied significantly in different clinical trials. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis aimed at exploring the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound HRI in the quantitative assessment of hepatic steatosis. Thirteen eligible studies published up to May 3, 2025, were obtained through a comprehensive search.

A novel bispecific aptamer targeting LAG3 and HER2 enhances T cell-mediated immunotherapy against HER2-positive cancer cells.

Objective: Malignant tumors are one of the leading causes of human death worldwide. In recent years, immunotherapy has become an emerging treatment method following surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. The study focused on two critical targets: human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), a well-established tumor biomarker overexpressed in malignancies such as non-small cell lung cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma, and lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG3), an immune checkpoint molecule predominantly expressed on activated T lymphocytes and natural killer cells.

E3 ubiquitin ligase FBXW11-mediated downregulation of S100A11 promotes sensitivity to PARP inhibitor in ovarian cancer.

Resistance to poly adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribose polymerase inhibitor (PARPi) presents a considerable obstacle in the treatment of ovarian cancer. F-box and tryptophan-aspartic (WD) repeat domain containing 11 (FBXW11) modulates the ubiquitination of growth-and invasion-related factors in lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and osteosarcoma. The function of FBXW11 in PARPi therapy is still ambiguous.

The development suitability analysis for the Qinghai-Xizang-Plateau: Condition, quality, and risk.

The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau (QXP) is a globally unique ecological barrier and a vast repository of natural resources. However, its harsh ecological environment presents a critical challenge in balancing environmental protection with sustainable resource development and economic growth. To fill this gap, this study develops a development suitability index system and evaluation model that includes three key dimensions of development condition, quality, and risk.

Sex disparity of liver cancer recurrence following surgery: sex-determining region Y gene promotes immunosuppressive microenvironment and favors metastasis.

Background: Male sex is a risk factor of the development and prognosis of primary liver cancers. However, sex difference of tumor recurrence following curative resection and the underlying mechanism needs to be clarified.

Methods: Sex and outcomes among patients undergoing resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) were investigated in two international multi-institutional databases.

Cryptotanshinone attenuates lactate-induced nucleus pulposus cells injury by modulating the STAT3/SIRT3 signaling axis.

Introduction: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) stands out as one of the prevalent root causes of low back pain (LBP). In degenerated discs, the dysregulation of glucose metabolism and the impairment of nutrient transport result in the accumulation of lactate, which exacerbates oxidative stress in the microenvironment of the intervertebral disk thereby inducing senescence, apoptosis and metabolic imbalance of the extracellular matrix in the nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs). In this context, elucidating the precise pathogenesis of disc degeneration and advancing the development of targeted molecular therapies hold significant therapeutic implications for future medical interventions.

Twenty-Four-Month Outcomes of Heparin-Bonded Covered Stents and Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty in Femoropopliteal Artery Occlusion.

Background: The clinical outcomes of comparing covered stents (CSs) and drug-coated balloons (DCBs) angioplasty in femoropopliteal artery occlusion remain unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the midterm efficacy of CS and DCB procedures in patients with FPO.

Methods: All 194 patients were divided into CS (94 patients) and DCB (100 patients) groups in this multicenter retrospective study.

Sprayable ciprofloxacin loaded chitosan nanospheres-based topical formulation for eliminating multidrug-resistant bacteria and accelerating infected wound healing.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria represent a formidable global health crisis with a substantial risk of prolonged infections due to the diminishing efficacy of traditional antibiotic therapies against these resilient pathogens. A dual strategy offering rapid inactivation of MDR bacteria and reduction in wound area could effectively promote wound healing. In this work, we developed a sprayable topical formulation by integrating a biocompatible biopolymer chitosan with a chemotherapeutic drug ciprofloxacin.

Real-time magnetic resonance visualization of tumor acidosis as a precognition indicator of therapeutic efficacy.

Traditional antitumor strategies often require sufficient time to assess the effectiveness according to changes in tumor structure. Once ineffective, patients may miss the critical window for pursuing alternative treatment options. Herein, a manganese sulfide nanoplatform loaded with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) is developed.

Plasticizer contamination in irrigation water: Residue characteristics and toxic effects of DBP and DEHP on wheat growth and metabolism.

The accumulation and transfer of plasticizers in agricultural soil environments have garnered significant attention, but studies on their accumulation, transfer, and impact in agricultural irrigation water remain scarce. This study investigates the effects of Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in irrigation water on wheat focusing on growth, metabolism, and accumulation in roots and leaves. Low concentrations of DBP or DEHP promoted the accumulation of plant height, root length, and biomass of wheat, whereas high concentrations inhibited these parameters.

Will emergency order shifting perform better than recovery waiting at costs of carbon tax and carbon emission reduction?

In recent years, frequent extreme disasters have challenged supply chain operations while smart risk warning systems are developed to facilitate firms' emergency order shifting to a new manufacturer. It is noted that reliable manufacturers are usually located in countries/regions levying carbon tax to achieve high ESG scores, so we consider a cross-border supply chain consisting of a global brand, a local brand, an overseas manufacturer and a local manufacturer to investigate the main tradeoffs for the global brand to emergently shift orders from the overseas manufacturer facing disruptions to a stable local manufacturer subject to carbon tax cost. The global brand has the option to wait for the recovery of overseas production but if it chooses emergent order shifting, it has to invest in carbon emission reduction due to ESG requirements.

The Mechanism of Matrilin-2 Inhibiting the Progression of In-Stent Restenosis for Lower Extremity Arteriosclerosis Obliterans via TGF-β/Smad Signaling Pathway.

Background: To evaluate differential expression of matrilin-2/transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/Smad signaling pathway components and downstream targets in primary atherosclerotic plaques versus in-stent restenosis (ISR) lesions of femoropopliteal arteries in lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans (LEASO) patients and to explore the mechanistic role of this pathway in regulating vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotypic modulation for preventing postinterventional restenosis.

Methods: Femoropopliteal intimal tissues were collected from 20 primary LEASO patients and 20 ISR patients with matched baseline characteristics. Western blot quantified matrilin-2, TGF-β, contractile (TAGLN) versus synthetic (MYH10) VSMC markers, and Smad phosphorylation levels.

RiceReceptor: The Cell-Surface and Intracellular Immune Receptors of the Genus.

Introduction: Rice, a cornerstone of global food security, faces escalating demands for enhanced yield and disease resistance. We collected 300 high-quality genomes, representing both cultivated (, , and ) and wild species (, , and ).

Methods: Leveraging HMMER, NLR-Annotator, and OrthoFinder, we systematically identified 148,077 leucine-rich repeat (LRR) and 143,459 nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) genes, with LRR receptor-like kinases (LRR-RLKs) dominating immune receptor proportions, followed by coiled-coil domain containing (CNL)-type NLRs and LRR receptor-like proteins (LRR-RLPs).

Physiological Responses and Transcriptome Analysis of Under Low-Temperature Stress.

species are highly ornamental but sensitive to habitat temperature, making cross-border domestication challenging. In this study, physiological indicators and transcriptome data of 'shizhitou' were analyzed to identify key factors involved in the response to cold. The findings provide a scientific basis for the conservation of germplasm resources and breeding of cold-tolerant varieties.

Macromolecular crowding effect on the β-galactosidase cascade reaction under multivalency and chain overlapping conditions of glycopolymers.

Enzymes catalyze cascade reactions in a crowded cellular environment where as much as half of cell volume is occupied by various macromolecules. Nonspecific interaction between enzymes and crowders and excluded volume of the crowders can superimpose on each other and complicate catalytic activity of the enzymes. This study investigates the interaction between a β-galactosidase (β-Gal) and glycosylated acrylamide polymer (P(Glc-β-EAAm)) and unravels the macromolecular crowding effect of the glycopolymer on enzymatic cascade catalysis consisting of β-Gal, glucose oxidase and hydrogen peroxidase.

Peripheral Blood T-Cell Receptor Repertoire Diversity as a Potential Biomarker in the Diagnosis and Treatment Evaluation of Colorectal and Lung Cancers: A Prospective Observational Study.

Background: T-cell receptor (TCR) diversity 50 (D50) values could assess peripheral blood (PB) TCR diversity and immunity. This study aimed to evaluate the potential D50 value in the diagnosis and treatment evaluation of colorectal cancer (CRC) and nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: This prospective observational study enrolled patients with CRC, benign colorectal disease (BCD), NSCLC, or benign nodule controls (BNC) and healthy donors (HD) at Yunnan Cancer Hospital between January 2021 and June 2022.

Evaluation of a Machine Learning Model Based on Laboratory Parameters for the Prediction of Influenza A and B in Chongqing, China: Multicenter Model Development and Validation Study.

Background: Influenza viruses are major pathogens responsible for acute respiratory infections in humans, which present with symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, muscle pain, and fatigue. While molecular diagnostics remain the gold standard, their limited accessibility in resource-poor settings underscores the need for rapid, cost-effective alternatives. Routine blood parameters offer promising predictive value but lack integration into intelligent diagnostic systems for influenza subtyping.

Detection of HO and redox potential of an acute wound of rabbits with different sugar intakes based on a SERS-active microneedle.

To detect HO and redox potential of an acute wound simultaneously, a SERS-active microneedle was fabricated by integrating HO and redox potential SERS probes into two grooves of an acupuncture needle, respectively. When the SERS-active microneedle was inserted into tissues, an acute wound was formed and the two SERS probes were introduced into the wound to sense HO and redox potential of the wound. The feasibility of the SERS-active microneedle was evaluated and .

Rapid formation of partial denitrification biofilm using gas-liquid separation membrane as carrier: Performance and mechanism.

Partial denitrification (PD) can ensure stable supply of electron acceptors for anaerobic ammonia oxidation, and biofilm is an effective method to prevent biomass loss, which are crucial for stable operation of PD. In this study, hydrophobic hollow-fiber gas-liquid separation membranes were placed in a denitrification sequencing batch reactor, and dense biofilms were formed within just 3 days. Confocal laser microscopy showed the preferential attachment of the protein (PN) content in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) to the membrane surface, followed by exopolysaccharides.