A Shape-Recovery Polycationic Fibroin for Hemostasis-Regeneration Transition by Recapitulating Natural Coagulation Networks.

Large-scale and deep trauma restricts the effective hemostasis and tissue regeneration management, even causing death. The formation of the fibrin network is the initial stage of wound control. Inspired by Fn's characteristics during coagulation, an artificial polycationic fibroin (pCSF/β) is designed to achieve hemostasis-regeneration transition.

Effect of Hypertension on Long-term Adverse Clinical Outcomes and Liver Fibrosis Progression in MASLD.

Background & Aims: Hypertension is common in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), but its impact on long-term clinical outcomes and disease progression remains unclear. This study investigated the association of hypertension and risk of adverse clinical outcomes and progression of liver stiffness/fibrosis in MASLD.

Methods: Three multicenter prospective cohorts were analyzed: the UK BioBank (UKBB) cohort to assess the risk of adverse clinical outcomes, the VCTE-Prognosis cohort to assess liver stiffness/fibrosis progression, and the Paired Liver Biopsy cohort to assess histologic liver fibrosis progression.

Host-directed therapeutic targets in macrophages and their ligands against mycobacteria tuberculosis.

Although current combination regimens of antibiotics have significantly improved tuberculosis (TB) cure rates, substantial challenges persist in the global effort to end TB. These include poor patient compliance, the emergence of drug-resistant strains due to prolonged treatments, and the persistence of latent TB infections. Host-directed therapies (HDTs) have emerged as a promising complementary strategy, leveraging the modulation of host immune responses to combat (Mtb).

Albumin Encapsulation of Cyanine Dye for High-Performance NIR-II Imaging-Guided Photodynamic Therapy.

Albumin encapsulation is a powerful strategy for drug delivery, yet its potential has not been fully explored for photodynamic therapy (PDT) agents. Cl-containing near-infrared (NIR) cyanine dyes are intrinsically PDT agents and tend to covalently bind with albumin; however, their PDT efficiency in tumors is largely compromised due to limited accumulation of the complex (size less than 10 nm) to the tumor site. To maximize their PDT effect while retaining sufficient NIR brightness for imaging-guided PDT, we developed a DTT-promoted encapsulation strategy to enhance singlet oxygen release for Cl-containing dyes.

Effect of plasma adsorption and low-volume plasma exchange on intracranial pressure in acute-on-chronic liver failure: a prospective observational study.

Background: Patients with liver failure may be accompanied by cerebral edema and elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). The effect of plasma adsorption (PA) and low-volume plasma exchange (PE) on ICP were unclear.

Methods: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) receiving PA followed immediately by low-volume PE.

Global, regional, and national burden and trends of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis in adolescents and adults aged 15-49 years from 2010 to 2021: insights from the global burden of disease study 2021.

Background: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) among those aged 15-49 years pose a severe public health challenge, yet our understanding of the burden of these diseases in this age group remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the trends in MDR-TB and XDR-TB burden among this population from 2010 to 2021 across global, regional, and national levels.

Methods: This study extracted four key indicators-incidence, prevalence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 100,000 population-for MDR-TB and XDR-TB among 15-49 years from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study.

Longitudinal Changes in Fibrosis Markers: Monitoring Stiffness/Fibrosis Progression and Prognostic Outcomes in MASLD.

Background & Aims: Fibrosis-4 Index (FIB-4) is a noninvasive tool for assessing liver fibrosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). However, its role of dynamic FIB-4 for assessing fibrosis progression and predicting clinical outcomes remains unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the association between changes in FIB-4 and changes in liver stiffness, fibrosis progression, and outcomes in MASLD.

Piezo1 deletion ameliorates inflammation and functional recovery in spinal cord injury through altering microglia/macrophage phenotype.

Disruption of their homeostasis post-spinal cord injury (SCI) triggers severe secondary inflammation. This study focuses on Piezo1, a key mediator of macrophage/microglia-driven neuroinflammation. We aimed to promulgate the effect of deleting or inhibiting macrophage/microglial Piezo1 on the neural function after SCI in vitro and vivo.

Multifunctional MeHA hydrogel for living materials delivery with enhanced cartilage regeneration.

Particulated juvenile articular cartilage (PJAC) has emerged as a promising living material for articular defect treatment. However, the fragile nature of PJAC hinders its wide clinical application. Here, inspired by the chemical composition and hierarchical structure of natural cartilage, we developed a novel hydrogel carrier system for PJAC delivery.

Developing a generalized nonlinear mixed-effects biomass model at stand-level under different age conditions for Chinese fir based on LiDAR and ground survey data in southern China.

Introduction: Chinese fir is a crucial afforestation and timber species in southern China. Accurate estimation of its stand biomass is vital for forest resource assessment, ecological industry development, and ecosystem management. However, traditional biomass prediction methods often face limitations in terms of accuracy and efficiency, highlighting the need for more robust modeling approaches.

Association between volume of processed plasma and total bilirubin reduction during plasma adsorption for severe liver disease.

Background: The double plasma molecular adsorption system (DPMAS) is a crucial therapeutic modality for the management of severe liver disease. Current literature reports considerable variability in the volume of processed plasma (VPP) utilized during DPMAS treatment, and there is currently no consensus on the appropriate VPP. We aimed to investigate the relationship between VPP and changes in total bilirubin levels during DPMAS treatment.

Integrative anticoagulation of nafamostat mesylate in double plasma molecular adsorption system plus sequential half-dose plasmapheresis for patients with liver failure: a randomised controlled trial protocol.

Introduction: Nafamostat mesylate (NM) is widely recognised as a premier anticoagulant, especially in Japan and Korea. However, it has not yet been used as an anticoagulant in double plasma molecular adsorption system (DPMAS) plus sequential half-dose plasmapheresis (PE) therapy. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the safety and efficacy of NM-integrated anticoagulation during DPMAS plus sequential half-dose PE therapy for patients with liver failure.

Association between lactate-to-albumin ratio and all-cause mortality in critically ill cirrhotic patients with sepsis: a retrospective analysis of the MIMIC-IV database.

Background: The impact of lactate-to-albumin ratio (LAR) on mortality of critically ill cirrhotic patients with sepsis is scant.

Methods: Critically ill cirrhotic patients with sepsis were obtained from the MIMIC-IV database (v3.0).

Huc-MSCs-derived exosomes alleviate non-alcoholic steatohepatitis by regulating macrophages polarization through miR-24-3p/STING axis.

Background: There's a scarcity of drugs effective against nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Exosomes from Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (huc-MSCs) show potential in managing glycolipid metabolism and the immune response. Therefore, further investigations are required to explore their application in NASH and the underlying mechanisms.

Vitamin E (300 mg) in the treatment of MASH: A multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

The efficacy and safety of a lower dose of vitamin E for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) treatment are unclear. This multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study includes 124 non-diabetic participants with biopsy-proven MASH. Participants are randomly assigned to receive oral vitamin E 300 mg or the placebo in a 1:1 ratio.

Rodent models for dry eye syndrome (DES).

Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a range of ophthalmic conditions characterized by compromised tear film homeostasis, resulting from various pathological factors and primarily manifesting as ocular discomfort and impaired ocular surface integrity. With the rise in screen time due to modern lifestyles, the prevalence of DES is increasing annually, posing a significant global public health challenge. Pathophysiologically, DES involves damage to the lacrimal functional unit (LFU), including the lacrimal glands, meibomian glands, and corneoconjunctival epithelium, highlighting its multifactorial etiology.

Association between neutrophil percentage to albumin ratio and short term prognosis of acute on chronic liver failure treated with artificial liver support system.

The impact of neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio (NPAR) on the outcome of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is scant. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in patients with ACLF treated with artificial liver support system (ALSS). The ACLF was diagnosed according to the Chinese Group on the Study of Severe Hepatitis B-ACLF (COSSH ACLF) criteria.

L-shaped association of body mass index with prognosis in individuals with sepsis: a multicenter cohort study.

Objective: The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and sepsis prognosis remains highly controversial and uncertain. This study investigated the association between BMI and prognosis in patients with sepsis.

Methods: This retrospective observational cohort study included adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with sepsis from Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV version 2.

Injectable microspheres filled with copper-containing bioactive glass improve articular cartilage healing by regulating inflammation and recruiting stem cells.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a frequent chronic illness in orthopedics that poses a major hazard to patient health. cell therapy is emerging as a therapeutic option, but its efficacy is influenced by both the inflammatory milieu and the amount of stem cells, limiting its use. In this study, we designed a novel injectable porous microsphere (PM) based on microfluidic technology that can support mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy by combining polylactic-glycolic acid copolymer, kartogenin, polydopamine, stromal cell-derived factor-1, and copper-doped bioactive glass (CuBG).

Association Between Artificial Liver Support System and Prognosis in Hepatitis B Virus-Related Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure.

Objective: The artificial liver support system (ALSS) has been recruited as an available method for patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), but its impact on the outcome of ACLF remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the association between ALSS treatment and short-term prognosis of hepatitis B-related ACLF (HBV-ACLF).

Methods: This was a retrospective observational cohort study, and data were obtained from the Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, between Mar 2015 and December 2021.

Albumin-seeking NIR dyes for high-sensitive imaging of glomerular filtration barrier breakdown.

The kidney, vital for metabolic balance, faces risks of severe diseases if dysfunctional. The glomerular filtration barrier (GFB), crucial for blood filtration, disrupts in conditions like diabetic nephropathy or nephritides, resulting in proteinuria or even renal failure. Monitoring GFB integrity is essential for early diagnosis or prognostic monitoring.

Utilizing liquid-liquid biopolymer regulators to predict the prognosis and drug sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is essential for the formation of membraneless organelles and significantly influences cellular compartmentalization, chromatin remodeling, and gene regulation. Previous research has highlighted the critical function of liquid-liquid biopolymers in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: This study conducted a comprehensive review of 3,685 liquid-liquid biopolymer regulators, leading to the development of a LLPS related Prognostic Risk Score (LPRS) for HCC through bootstrap-based univariate Cox, Random Survival Forest (RSF), and LASSO analyses.

Wild-Type and rtA181T/sW172* Mutant Strains of Hepatitis B Virus Drive Hepatocarcinogenesis via Distinct GRP78-Mediated ER Stress Pathways.

Glucose-regulated protein 78 kDa (GRP78), a key marker of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), is upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues, but its role in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-induced tumorigenesis remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the contribution of GRP78 to HBV-associated tumor development and explore the ERS pathways involved. The results showed that increased GRP78 expression in patients with HBV-related HCC was associated with a poor prognosis within the first 2 years following diagnosis.

The potential therapeutic role of melatonin in organ fibrosis: a comprehensive review.

Organ fibrosis is a pathological process characterized by the inability of normal tissue cells to regenerate sufficiently to meet the dynamic repair demands of chronic injury, resulting in excessive extracellular matrix deposition and ultimately leading to organ dysfunction. Despite the increasing depth of research in the field of organ fibrosis and a more comprehensive understanding of its pathogenesis, effective treatments for fibrosis-related diseases are still lacking. Melatonin, a neuroendocrine hormone synthesized by the pineal gland, plays a crucial role in regulating biological rhythms, sleep, and antioxidant defenses.

Non-obese non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and the risk of chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Data on risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) between non-obese and obese non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients are limited. We aimed to reveal the risk difference of incident CKD between non-obese and obese NAFLD patients.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases for studies which reported the incidence of CKD in non-obese and obese NAFLD from inception to 10 March 2024.