ROS-responsive resiquimod prodrug nanoparticles for macrophage reprogramming and enhanced immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in bladder cancer.

Bladder cancer remains a formidable challenge, especially for patients who fail to respond adequately to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The suboptimal efficacy of current treatments underscores an urgent need for more effective immunomodulatory strategies. Here, we propose a ROS-responsive resiquimod (R848) prodrug (R-P) that improves drug delivery and reshapes the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.

Cost and cost-effectiveness analysis of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in obstetrics: a systematic review protocol.

Introduction: Facing the profound health impacts and economic challenges posed by the high maternal mortality ratio worldwide, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has shown its potential to enhance diagnostic efficiency, reduce healthcare costs and improve health outcomes. However, concerns regarding the explicit and implicit costs as well as actual clinical outcomes of POCUS also exist. This systematic review protocol aims to synthesise existing evidence regarding the costs and cost-effectiveness of POCUS in obstetric care to provide a clearer understanding of its economic and clinical impact, ultimately guaranteeing global maternal and neonatal health and supporting the vision of the 2030 sustainable development goals.

Thrombus enhancement as a predictor of embolic in acute basilar artery occlusion.

Thrombus enhancement sign (TES) is a potential imaging biomarker for differentiating embolic large vessel occlusion (embo-LVO) from intracranial atherosclerosis-related LVO (ICAS-LVO) in basilar artery occlusion (BAO). This study evaluates the association between TES and BAO etiology and its predictive value in distinguishing embo-LVO from ICAS-LVO. We conducted a prospective, two-center cohort study of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with BAO who underwent EVT between January 2020 and September 2024.

Global, regional, and national burden of chronic kidney disease and its associated anemia, 1990 to 2021 and predictions to 2050: an analysis of the global burden of disease study 2021.

Background: Our objective was to conduct a thorough evaluation of the burden of CKD and its associated anemia by age and sex at the global, regional, and national levels, with projections extending to 2050.

Methods: The data from the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) 2021 were used to describe relevant indicators of CKD and its associated anemia. At different geographic levels, subgroup analysis was carried out by sex, age, and Socio-Demographic Index (SDI).

Zuoqing granules attenuate ulcerative colitis via macrophage polarization modulation: involvement of the PPAR-γ/NF-κB/STAT1 signaling axis.

Background: Although our prior clinical study demonstrated the efficacy of Zuoqing granules (ZQGs) in treating ulcerative colitis (UC), the underlying immunomodulatory mechanisms remained unclear. This study systematically investigated ZQG's therapeutic effects through macrophage polarization modulation and related signaling pathways using both and models.

Methods: , dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC rats were divided into normal control, DSS model, and ZQG treatment groups (high/medium/low doses).

Engineered T cells stimulate dendritic cell recruitment and antigen spreading for potent anti-tumor immunity.

Current T cell-based immunotherapeutic strategies show limited success in treating solid tumors due to insufficient dendritic cell (DC) activity, particularly cross-presenting conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1s). DC scarcity and dysfunction hinder T cell expansion and differentiation, greatly limiting anti-tumor responses. In this study, we propose a T cell engineering strategy to enhance interaction with XCR1 cDC1s.

Stroke-associated pneumonia with low PaO/FiO ratio in acute large vessel occlusion after endovascular therapy: risk factors and prognosis.

Background: Stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) often occurs after ischemic stroke. A deterioration in SAP manifests itself in a decreased partial pressure oxygen (PaO)/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO) ratio, indicating gas exchange dysfunction. We aimed to investigate independent predictors and outcomes of SAP with low PaO/FiO ratio among patients with acute large vessel occlusion (ALVO) undergoing endovascular therapy.

Succinate preserves CD8 T cell fitness to augment antitumor immunity.

Succinate, a tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediate, accumulates in tumors with succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) mutations. Although succinate is recognized for modulating CD8 T cell cytotoxicity, its impact on T cell differentiation remains poorly understood. Here, we reveal that succinate accumulation in tumors lacking the SDH subunit B (SDHB) enhanced tumor-reactive CD8 T cell-mediated immune responses.

Preparation of ″Five-in-One″ Chitosan Hydrogel for Infectious Wound Repair.

Following damage to the skin and mucous membranes, bacterial infections, and excessive oxidative stress often lead to inflammatory responses and impaired wound healing, which can even be life-threatening. Surgical dressing combined with antimicrobial agent use is the major therapy. However, traditional gauze dressings are prone to causing secondary injuries, while systemic antibiotic therapy often fails to deliver sufficient drug concentrations at the wound site and carries the risk of systemic toxic side effects.

Characteristics of asthmatic patients with IL18R1 differential expression in induced sputum.

Background: IL18R1 is involved in the pathogenesis of asthma and atopic phenotypes. However, IL18R1 expression level in induced sputum supernatant of asthma remains unclear.

Methods: IL18R1, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IFN-r, and MUC5AC protein expression in induced sputum supernatant was detected by ELISA in patients with asthma, and the correlation of IL18R1 expression with clinical parameters (FeNO, peripheral blood eosinophil count, serum IgE, and lung function), Th1 cytokine (IFN-r), Th2 cytokine (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) and mucus (MUC5AC) were analyzed.

Association between Chinese youth's sources of sexual knowledge and sexual and reproductive health: a mediation analysis of sexual knowledge level.

Changing sexual behaviours among Chinese youth have emerged along with China's rapid socioeconomic transition. In the context of enduring Confucian traditions and limited formal sexuality education, there is an increasing demand from Chinese youth for accessible and inclusive sexuality education. This research explores how young people in China seek out and engage with sexual knowledge within this shifting cultural landscape.

Co-occurrence and associated factors of developmental delay, functional disability, and undernutrition in early childhood: evidence from 15 population-based surveys in sub-Saharan African countries.

Background: Early childhood developmental delay, functional disability, and undernutrition pose critical public health challenges in low-resource settings. However, the co-occurrence of these conditions remains poorly understood. This study examined co-occurrence patterns of these three major global health concerns and associated risk factors among children aged 36-59 months in 15 sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries using cross-sectional data.

Nanoparticles induced cuproptosis to enhance antitumor immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy is a highly promising cancer treatment method. However, it is limited by low immunogenicity and an immunosuppressive microenvironment, which could be relieved by immunogenic cell death (ICD). Currently, effective ICD is primarily achieved through apoptosis induction, but tumor cells' resistance to apoptosis limits its antitumor efficacy.

The value of 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose PET/computed tomography radiomics in epidermal growth factor receptor mutation subtypes prediction and progression-free survival in advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients with first-line epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors therapy.

Objective: Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) improve survival of EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD); however, outcomes vary with genetic subtypes and tumor heterogeneity in late-stage. We aimed to construct pretreatment 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose PET/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) radiomics models for EGFR-subtype prediction and prognosis in first-line TKIs-treated patients.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 131 EGFR-mutated advanced LUAD patients from 2017 to 2024: 72 exon 19 deletion (19Del) and 59 exon 21 L858R (21L858R) mutations.

Global burden of urinary tract infections in older women from 1990 to 2021 with projections to 2040: a trend analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Background: Comprehensive estimations regarding the worldwide burden of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in older women aged ≥ 65 years are lacking. This study first explored the trends in the burden of UTIs among older women from 1990 to 2021 with projections to 2040.

Methods: The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 analytical tool was adopted to calculate the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), and age-standardized disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) rate (ASDR).

The MFGE8/integrin β3 axis mitigates experimental neutrophilic asthma by suppressing NLRP3-Caspase-1 pathway-mediated NETosis.

Background: Neutrophilic asthma, characterized by the relative accumulation of neutrophils in the airways, constitutes a distinct endotype of asthma resistant to corticosteroid and associated with severe and uncontrolled cases. Milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 (MFGE8) is a soluble glycoprotein functioning in phagocytosis, tissue repair, angiogenesis, and the regulation of neutrophil activity. However, the role of this glycoprotein in neutrophilic asthma has not been thoroughly investigated.

Cephalotaxus harringtonia and Their Constituents Harringtonine Alkaloids Inhibit FoxO1 and 3a Activity and Atrophy-Related Gene Expression in C2C12 Myotubes.

The expression of the forkhead box O (FoxO) transcription factor, FoxO, in the skeletal muscle is involved in muscle atrophy caused by disuse, fasting, diabetes, and cachexia. Since inhibition of FoxO activity has been shown to be effective in preventing muscle atrophy in genetically engineered animals, inhibition of FoxO activity by dietary components may contribute to the prevention of muscle atrophy. In this study, 4,006 plant extracts were evaluated for FoxO1 and FoxO3a inhibitory activity using a reporter gene assay system, and the extracts from Cephalotaxus harringtonia showed potent inhibitory activities.

Integrating metagenomics and untargeted metabolomics to analyze the relationship between microbial dynamics and non-volatile metabolomic profiles in plant-derived microbial fuel cells (MFCs).

Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC) are an emerging biomass energy technology that harnesses the power of electroactive bacteria living on a bacterial biofilm to convert biomass energy within waste materials into usable electricity. A pivotal aspect of MFC research involves understanding the behavior and underlying mechanisms of electroactive bacteria during extracellular electron transfer to the anode, which plays a crucial role in energy conversion. In this paper, four MFCs were operated at external resistances of 500 and 1000 ohms, and the changes in the biofilm's electroactive bacterial composition due to altered external resistances were indicated by the voltage and power differences.

Genetically engineered T cell membrane-camouflaged nanoparticles triggered cuproptosis for synergistic bladder cancer photothermal-immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy has become a promising and transformative approach for treating advanced or treatment-resistant bladder cancer (BCa). However, its efficacy remains limited due to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and insufficient immune cell infiltration. Photothermal therapy (PTT), which could cause immunogenic cell death (ICD) in tumor tissue, has been explored as a synergistic approach for bladder cancer immunotherapy.

Flavor Characteristics of Different Varieties of Flue-Cured Tobacco Based on Headspace Gas Chromatography-Ion Mobility Spectrometry and Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.

In order to investigate characterization and the differences of volatile substances in different types of flue-cured tobacco, the volatile components (VOCs) and relative contents of six varieties of flue-cured tobacco were analyzed by headspace gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) and headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). Combined with the relative odor activity value (ROAV), important flavor substances were determined and different aroma components were screened by multivariate statistical analysis. The results showed that 93 and 80 kinds of compounds, such as esters, alcohols, and aldehydes, were detected by GC-IMS and HS-SPME-GC-MS in six flue-cured tobacco varieties, respectively.

Efficacy and safety of Shou Hui Tong Bian capsules in the treatment of functional constipation in middle-aged and elderly patients: A multicenter, randomized, controlled trial.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Shou Hui Tong Bian Capsules, rooted in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), are designed to treat functional constipation (FC) by balancing Yin and Qi, which are often disrupted in middle-aged and elderly individuals. These capsules contain a combination of herbs historically used in TCM to promote digestive health and improve bowel movement regularity, providing a potential alternative to conventional treatments.

Aim Of The Study: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shou Hui Tong Bian Capsules in treating functional constipation in middle-aged and elderly patients, compared with a conventional lactulose oral solution.

Ultrasound-triggered piezoelectric biomaterials for enhanced cancer sonodynamic immunotherapy.

Compared to traditional tumor treatment modalities, such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgical intervention, tumor immunotherapy offers potential benefits by enhancing the immune system's functionality, diminish immune evasion, and establish enduring immune memory, ultimately aiming for the destruction or eradication of tumor cells. However, the intricate tumor microenvironment (TME) poses challenges for immunotherapy due to its suppressive effects on immune cell activity, leading to issues such as low immune responsiveness and insufficient targeting. Sonodynamic immunotherapy (SDT) emerges as an innovative therapeutic approach， where sonosensitizers localize around tumor cells and, upon ultrasound (US) stimulation, generate substantial reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Role of Maternal Empowerment in Addressing Child Malnutrition: Evidence from Asian Developing Countries.

Background: Malnutrition among expectant mothers in underdeveloped areas is abundant and a serious public health concern. This study examines how maternal empowerment affects nutritional outcomes among under-five children in developing Asian nations.

Objective: With an emphasis on nutritional outcomes, including stunting, wasting, and underweight, the main objective of this study is to investigate the connection between mother empowerment and child malnutrition and explore how better child health in developing Asian nations can be achieved through empowering mothers.

Thermosensitive Resiquimod-Loaded Lipid Nanoparticles Promote the Polarization of Tumor-Associated Macrophages to Enhance Bladder Cancer Immunotherapy.

Bladder cancer is a common malignant tumor of the urinary system and is associated with high morbidity, recurrence, and mortality rates. Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors has shown great therapeutic outcomes and safety in bladder cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have also been approved as first- and second-line drugs for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic bladder cancer.

Corrigendum: The value of targeted CXCR4 F-AlF-NOTA-pentixafor PET/CT for subtyping primary aldosteronism.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2025.