Acid and weakly acidic reflux characteristics in pediatric airway malacia by pH and multiple intraluminal impedance monitoring: a retrospective cohort study.

Unlabelled: The objective of this study was to analyze the 24-h pH and multiple intraluminal impedance (pH-MII) monitoring results in pediatric patients with airway malacia, with the aim of comprehensively understanding the characteristics of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in these patients and exploring their potential roles in the pathogenesis of airway malacia. This retrospective cohort study enrolled pediatric patients who underwent 24-h pH-MII monitoring and bronchoscopy at Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province from January 2017 to October 2023. Among 64 pediatric patients with airway malacia, 24 (37.

COVID-19-associated neuroinflammation and astrocyte death in the brain linked to ORF3a-induced activation of Sur1-mediated ion channels.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disproportionately affected individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, such as neurocognitive disorders. Premorbid neurocognitive conditions compounded by COVID-19 can escalate into COVID-associated neurological complications, leading to severe illness or even death. As COVID-19 continues to persist and vaccines lose efficacy against emerging variants, individuals with neurocognitive disorders often experience prolonged symptoms that are further exacerbated by repeated breakthrough infections of highly diversified viral variants due to emergence of new viral mutations.

Hyaluronic acid-based composite hydrogels embedded with core-shell microgels with properties of mucosal adhesion and combined drug administration for chemoradiotherapy induced oral mucositis.

Chemoradiotherapy-induced oral mucositis (CIOM), characterized by high incidence and delayed healing, severely impairs patient recovery and quality of life. Current treatments face challenges due to poor wet adhesion, dynamic oral environments, and lack of multiple active substances for mucosal repair. This situation makes an urgent need for therapeutic platforms that combine robust mucosal adhesion with multifunctionality.

Distinct Virologic Properties of African and Epidemic Zika Virus Strains: The Role of the Envelope Protein in Viral Entry, Immune Activation, and Neuropathogenesis.

The 2016 Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic has largely subsided, but a key question remains. How did ZIKV evolve to become a virulent human pathogen compared to the virus of its original discovery? What specific virologic and pathologic changes contributed to increased pathogenicity in humans? Phylogenetic studies have identified two genetically distinct ZIKV, the African and Asian lineages, which differ in their pathogenicity. Previous studies including ours suggest that the envelope (E) protein plays a key role in viral entry, immune activation, and neuropathogenesis.

Fluorine- and Trifluoromethyl-Substituted Biphenyl Derivatives: Promising Antimicrobial Agents Targeting Escherichia coli FabH.

This study investigates the synthesis, antibacterial activity, structure-activity relationships (SARs), and molecular docking of F- and CF-substituted biphenyl derivatives (5A-5K) as potential antimicrobial agents. Ten novel biphenyl derivatives were synthesized, incorporating trifluoromethyl (CF) and fluorine (F) substitutions, to evaluate their efficacy against various bacterial strains, including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Antimicrobial assays demonstrated that the F substitution significantly enhanced antibacterial activity, with the bis-F derivative (5D) showing improved potency compared to the other compounds.

A Multisite Fusion-Based Deep Convolutional Neural Network for Classification of Helicobacter pylori Infection Status Using Endoscopic Images: A Multicenter Study.

Background And Aim: We aimed to develop a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) that integrates features from multiple sites of the stomach to classify Hp infection status, distinguishing between uninfected, previously infected, and currently infected.

Methods: Ten deep learning architectures were employed to develop DCNN models using a training dataset comprising 3380 white-light images collected from 676 subjects across eight centers. External validation was conducted with a separate dataset consisting of images from 126 individuals.

Multicomponent Tandem Reactions for the Synthesis of -Dibromo Compounds via an ATRA/Elimination/Nucleophilic Substitution Process.

We developed a metal-free tandem atom transfer radical addition/elimination/nucleophilic substitution of alkenes with CBr and amines to synthesize a series of α-amino-substituted -dibromo compounds which are useful building blocks in diverse organic synthesis. Moreover, this transformation avoids the usage of any catalysts and external additives and also exhibits a broad substrate scope and high functional group compatibility, as demonstrated by the late-stage modification of a pharmaceutically relevant molecule (ibuprofen). Notably, secondary amines play a dual role as bases and nucleophiles in this reaction.

Utilizing hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate-based amorphous solid dispersions to enhance oral bioavailability and antifibrotic activity of nintedanib.

Nintedanib is a first-line therapeutic agent for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial lung disease. However, its weakly basic nature leads to low dissolution in the intestines, resulting in poor oral bioavailability and limited antifibrotic efficacy. This study aimed to develop amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) systems of nintedanib to enhance its oral bioavailability and antifibrotic efficacy.

The Evolving Role of Zika Virus Envelope Protein in Viral Entry and Pathogenesis.

Zika virus (ZIKV) was first discovered in Uganda's Zika Forest in 1947. The early African viruses posed little or no health risk to humans. Since then, ZIKV has undergone extensive genetic evolution and adapted to humans, and it now causes a range of human diseases, including neurologically related diseases in adults and congenital malformations such as microcephaly in newborns.

Completely thoracoscopic surgical stabilization of rib fractures: balancing minimally invasive benefits against technique-specific complications: a single-center retrospective study.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the surgical outcomes and complications of completely thoracoscopic surgical stabilization of rib fractures (cTSSRF) in patients with rib fractures in the posterior chest wall area.

Method: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 30 patients who underwent completely thoracoscopic surgical stabilization of rib fractures (cTSSRF) between September 2019 and October 2023. Clinical data were gathered to compare and analyze the clinical outcomes of complications of cTSSRF and open surgical stabilization of rib fractures (oSSRF).

AAVone: A cost-effective, single-plasmid solution for efficient AAV production with reduced DNA impurities.

Currently, the most common approach for manufacturing good manufacturing practice (GMP)-grade adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors involves transiently transfecting mammalian cells with three plasmids that carry the essential components for production. Here, we developed an all-in-one, single-plasmid AAV production system, called AAVone, in which the adenovirus helper genes (, , and ), AAV packaging genes ( and ), and the vector transgene cassette are consolidated into a single compact plasmid with a 13-kb backbone. The AAVone system achieves a 2- to 4-fold increase in yields, exhibits low batch-to-batch variation, eliminates the need for fine-tuning the ratios of the three plasmids, and simplifies the production process, compared with the traditional triple-plasmid system.

Rationally designed photosensitizers with enhanced spin-orbit coupling for high quantum yield and potent antibacterial activity.

As a novel approach to killing bacteria, photodynamic therapy holds great potential in antibacterial treatment. However, the majority of traditional photosensitizers exhibit relatively low reactive oxygen species (ROS) quantum yield. Therefore, it is essential to develop photosensitizers with high ROS quantum yield to effectively kill bacteria.

Clinical Study of the Results of Sac Prefilling Performed to Prevent Type II Endoleaks After Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

Objectives: This study investigated the effectiveness and safety of sac prefilling (SP) with fibrin glue and/or a coil to prevent type II endoleaks (T2ELs) after endovascular aneurysm repair. The main outcome measure was prevalence of incidence of T2ELs.

Methods: First, this is a retrospective observational study on patients treated in our institution.

ZNL-13 Modulates Intestinal Barrier Damage and Gut Microbiota in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed Mice.

Cyclophosphamide (CTX) is a widely used anticancer drug in clinical practice; however, its administration can lead to gastrointestinal damage and immune suppression. () has been shown to regulate immune cell activity and protect the gastrointestinal system, showing potential application as a functional food. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of ZNL-13 on CTX-induced intestinal mucosal injury and gut microbiota in mice.

Lignin-Mediated Dual Conductive Hydrogels with High Conductivity, Antibacterial Activity and Biocompatibility for Chronic Wound Repair.

In recent years, conductive polymer hydrogels based on polypyrrole (PPy) combined with electrical stimulation (ES) have emerged as a promising approach for chronic wound repair. However, in practical applications, PPy often exhibits limitations such as poor water dispersion, weak inherent conductivity and a lack of biological functionality. To address these challenges, this study proposes an innovative design of a conductive hydrogel that employs a natural biopolymer, lignin sulfonate (Lgs), as both a dispersant and dopant for PPy, while incorporating silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) to confer the hydrogel antibacterial properties.

Enhanced apoptosis in damaged laminar tissue of acute laminitis induced by oligofructose overload in dairy cows.

Dairy cow laminitis leads to massive financial losses and animal health issues in the worldwide dairy sector. Apoptosis may be an important factor in the epidermal attachment failure. This study explored the laminar tissue apoptotic-related gene and protein status with oligofructose (OF)-induced laminitis in dairy cows.

High-Frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation enhances white matter integrity in a rat model of ischemic stroke: A diffusion tensor imaging study using tract-based spatial statistics.

Ischemic stroke leads to white matter damage and neurological deficits. Previous studies have revealed that high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) has beneficial effects on white matter reorganization and neurological recovery after stroke. However, the characteristics of poststroke white matter repair after treatment with HF-rTMS remain unclear.

Zearalenone Depresses Lactation Capacity Through the ROS-Mediated PI3K/AKT Pathway.

The effects of zearalenone (ZEA), a fungal toxin in food and feed, remain unclear on the mammary gland and lactation. This study examines ZEA-induced damage in lactating mice and bovine mammary epithelial cells (MAC-T), focusing on the role of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway in regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis. The results demonstrated that exposure to ZEA at different doses (5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 20 mg/kg) reduced lactation in female mice and slowed weight gain in their offspring.

Injectable thermosensitive hydrogel based on hyaluronic acid and poloxamer for sustained bupivacaine release and prolonged analgesia.

Local anesthetics are commonly used for postoperative pain relief but have limited effectiveness due to their short half-life and low molecular weight. Various sustained-release systems have been explored but face challenges such as low encapsulation efficiency in liposomes, rapid degradation and limited release durations of hydrogel, and difficulties with injectability in combined microsphere/hydrogel. This study presents a double cross-linked hydrogel (Bup/PO) made from aminated poloxamer 407 (P407) and oxidized hyaluronic acid (OHA), cross-linked via oxime bonds and hydrophobic interactions.

Deciphering the association between gut microbiome and varicose veins: A mendelian randomization study.

Despite the well-documented influence of traditional risk factors on varicose veins, the potential causal role of the gut microbiome in this condition remains underexplored. This study aims to elucidate the association between specific gut microbial taxa and varicose veins using a Mendelian Randomization (MR) approach. Utilizing genome-wide association study datasets from the MiBioGen Consortium and the Finnish database, this study carefully selected instrumental variables based on their genetic association with the gut microbiome and stringent statistical criteria.

Progress in Polysaccharide-Based Hydrogels for Preventing Postoperative Adhesions: A Review.

Postoperative adhesions are common complications following surgery, often accompanied by pain and inflammation that significantly diminish patients' quality of life. Moreover, managing postoperative adhesions incurs substantial cost, imposing a considerable financial burden on both patients and healthcare systems. Traditional anti-adhesion materials are confronted with limitations, such as inadequate tissue adherence in a moist environment and poor degradability, underscoring the urgent need for more effective solutions.

Overcoming immunotherapy resistance in colorectal cancer through nano-selenium probiotic complexes and IL-32 modulation.

Background And Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major global health burden, with immunotherapy often limited by immune tolerance and resistance. This study introduces an innovative approach using Selenium Nanoparticles-Loaded Extracellular Vesicles combined with Interleukin-32 and Engineered Probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (SeNVs@NE-IL32-EcN) to enhance CD8 T cell-mediated immune responses and overcome immunotherapy resistance.

Methods: Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and transcriptomic analyses were performed to identify key immune cells and regulators involved in CRC immunotherapy resistance, focusing on CD8 T cells and the regulatory factor IL32.

Clinical value of microRNA-4449 of non-small cell lung cancer patients undergoing thoracic paravertebral block thoracotomy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of microRNA-4449 (miR-4449) in patients attacked by non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) thoracotomy.

Methods: A total of 122 patients diagnosed with NSCLC and 101 healthy individuals were recruited in this case-control study. Quantitative real-time polymerase reaction time (qRT-PCR) assay was applied to quantify the serum levels of miR-4449 in all participants.

Current status, challenges, and prospects of artificial intelligence applications in wound repair theranostics.

Skin injuries caused by physical, pathological, and chemical factors not only compromise appearance and barrier function but can also lead to life-threatening microbial infections, posing significant challenges for patients and healthcare systems. Artificial intelligence (AI) technology has demonstrated substantial advantages in processing and analyzing image information. Recently, AI-based methods and algorithms, including machine learning, deep learning, and neural networks, have been extensively explored in wound care and research, providing effective clinical decision support for wound diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and rehabilitation.