pH-dependent response of soil microbial community and multifunctionality to long-term low and moderate mercury pollution.

Low and moderate concentrations represent the predominant forms of mercury pollution in contaminated regions. Nevertheless, the responses of soil microbial communities to these pollution levels are still poorly understood. Here, under field conditions, we evaluated the impact of long-term exposure to low and moderate Hg pollution (0.

Effects of cognitive flexibility on sociocultural adaptation: A moderated parallel mediation SEM in China's international students.

Research sociocultural adaptation mechanisms of international students are crucial for advancing global higher education. This study investigates how cognitive flexibility facilitates sociocultural adaptation through Parallel mediation pathways of self-efficacy and perceived social support, while examining the moderating role of length of residence. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 207 international students in eastern China.

zDHHC8 suppresses infection-induced necroptosis in monocyte/macrophages through palmitoylation of necrosome components in large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea).

Palmitoylation, a reversible post-translational modification, regulates a wide range of cellular processes by modulating protein localization, stability, and interactions. The zinc finger Asp-His-His-Cys (zDHHC) family of palmitoyltransferases is central to this process, yet their functions in immune cell death of lower vertebrates, remain poorly understood. Here, we investigate the role of zDHHC8 in modulating immune responses and necroptosis during infection in large yellow croaker (LczDHHC8).

A fish-specific antimicrobial peptide Piscidin2 inactivates MSRV and confers protection in largemouth bass.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent an evolutionarily conserved component of innate immunity with broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antiviral activities. However, the antiviral potential of fish-specific piscidins against emerging aquatic viruses largely remains to be explored. In this study, we evaluated the antiviral properties of three piscidins (designated here as Piscidin1, Piscidin2 and Piscidin3) identified from largemouth bass () against rhabdovirus (MSRV), a major pathogen causing high mortality in farmed largemouth bass.

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate liver metabolism in diabetic rats with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) are common metabolic disorders, and their coexistence can exacerbate the progression of either disease. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hUC-MSC) therapy has shown promising potential in the treatment of several metabolic diseases.

Aim: To investigate how hUC-MSCs affect liver metabolism in diabetic rats with MAFLD and assess their therapeutic potential and underlying mechanisms.

Neoadjuvant with low-dose radiotherapy, tislelizumab, albumin-bound paclitaxel, and cisplatin for resectable locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: phase II single-arm trial.

Although pathological complete response (pCR) and major pathological response (MPR) rates of neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) trials remain suboptimal, emerging evidence highlights the synergistic potential of combining low-dose radiotherapy with immunotherapy to promote the efficacy of immunotherapy. This phase II, open-label, single-arm, multicenter trial (NCT05343325) enrolled 28 patients with untreated stage III-IVB HNSCC (NeoRTPC02). Patients received neoadjuvant low-dose radiotherapy, the programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitor tislelizumab, albumin-bound paclitaxel, and cisplatin for two cycles, followed by radical resection ~4 weeks after treatment completion.

Cutaneous anthrax rapidly progressed into septic anthrax resulting in death - A case report.

Anthrax is a fatal zoonotic disease and the acute risk associated with it cannot be underestimated. Cutaneous anthrax accounts for more than 95 % of anthrax and usually does not lead to death. We present a case of severe cutaneous anthrax treated with a three-day course of combination antibiotics therapy, which culminated into death due to multiple organ failure.

Injectable hydrogel microsphere orchestrates immune regulation and bone regeneration via sustained release of calcitriol.

Repairing bone defects in inflammatory conditions remains a significant clinical challenge. An ideal scaffold material for such situations should enable minimally invasive implantation and integrate capabilities for immunomodulation, anti-infection therapy, and enhanced bone regeneration. In this study, we developed injectable calcitriol@polydopamine@gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel microspheres (CAL@PDA@GMs) using microfluidic technology.

Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of Atlantoaxial or Occipitocervical Fixation and Fusion in Patients With Cervical Myelopathy due to Idiopathic Retro-Odontoid Pseudotumor.

Background And Objective: A retro-odontoid pseudotumor (ROP) is commonly associated with atlantoaxial dislocation and rheumatoid arthritis in the craniovertebral junction. The formation of ROP without rheumatoid arthritis and atlantoaxial dislocation represents an extremely rare condition known as idiopathic retro-odontoid pseudotumor (IROP). The objective of this study is to investigate the pathogenesis of IROP subsequent to long-segment subaxial cervical spine fusion and assess the efficacy of atlantoaxial or occipitocervical fixation and fusion surgery in its management.

PRMT5-mediated arginine methylation stabilizes GPX4 to suppress ferroptosis in cancer.

The activation of ferroptosis has shown great potential for cancer therapy from an unconventional perspective, but revealing the mechanisms underlying the suppression of tumour-intrinsic ferroptosis to promote tumorigenesis remains a challenging task. Here we report that methionine is metabolized into S-adenosylmethionine, which functions as a methyl-group donor to trigger symmetric dimethylation of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) at the conserved arginine 152 (R152) residue, along with a prolonged GPX4 half-life. Inhibition of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5), which catalyses GPX4 methylation, decreases GPX4 protein levels by impeding GPX4 methylation and increasing ferroptosis inducer sensitivity in vitro and in vivo.

Oral administration of LEAP2 enhances immunity against Edwardsiella tarda through regulation of gut bacterial community and metabolite in mudskipper.

The liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2) is gaining recognition for its immune regulatory functions beyond direct antimicrobial activity. In this study, we investigated the role of mudskipper (Boleophthalmus pectinirostris) LEAP2 (BpLEAP2) in enhancing the survival, gut health, and immune resilience against Edwardsiella tarda infection. Pre-oral delivery of BpLEAP2 significantly improved survival rates and mitigated infection-induced damage to the gut, as evidenced by preserved villus length and goblet cell count.

Palmitoylation-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation in teleosts highlights evolutionary divergence in immune regulation.

NLRP3 inflammasome activation is pivotal for cytokine secretion and pyroptosis in response to diverse stimuli, playing a crucial role in innate immunity. While extensively studied in mammals, the regulatory mechanisms governing NLRP3 activation in non-mammalian vertebrates remain largely unexplored. Teleosts, as basal vertebrates, represent an ideal model for exploring the evolutionary trajectory of inflammasome regulation.

Synergistic Effect and Mechanism of Combined Astaxanthin and Curcumin Administration on Ovarian Function in PCOS Mice.

To investigate the synergistic effect of astaxanthin and curcumin on ovarian function in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) mice and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms, fifty 4-week-old female mice were randomly divided into five groups: (i) normal control group; (ii) PCOS model group; (iii) PCOS + astaxanthin group; (iv) PCOS + curcumin group; and (v) PCOS + astaxanthin-curcumin. Throughout the study, various parameters were meticulously evaluated, including serum levels of key reproductive hormones (testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)), as well as monitoring alterations in the estrous cycle, follicle development, and ovulation rates. Additionally, markers of oxidative stress and inflammation were measured.

Consecutive palmitoylation and phosphorylation orchestrates NLRP3 membrane trafficking and inflammasome activation.

NLRP3 inflammasome activation, essential for cytokine secretion and pyroptosis in response to diverse stimuli, is closely associated with various diseases. Upon stimulation, NLRP3 undergoes subcellular membrane trafficking and conformational rearrangements, preparing itself for inflammasome assembly at the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC). Here, we elucidate an orchestrated mechanism underlying these ordered processes using human and murine cells.

Efficacy and Safety of Phaco-Goniosynechialysis in Advanced Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma With Severe Visual Field Loss.

Prcis: Phacoemulsification with goniosynechialysis (phaco-GSL) demonstrates promise in safely and efficiently managing advanced primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) cases with tunnel vision or limited temporal visual field. However, caution is advised for patients with only one functioning eye or high visual expectations.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of phaco-GSL in patients with end-stage PACG exhibiting tubular vision or temporal field island.

Unraveling Estrogen and PCSK9's Roles in Lipid Metabolism Disorders among Ovariectomized Mice.

We explore the interaction between estrogen and PCSK9 and their collective impact on lipid metabolism, especially concerning the regulation of low-density lipoprotein receptor levels. Utilizing both animal and cellular models, including ovariectomized mice and HepG2 cell lines, we demonstrate that estrogen deficiency leads to a disruption in lipid metabolism, characterized by elevated levels of total cholesterol and LDL-C. The study commences with mice undergoing ovariectomy, followed by a diet regimen comprising either high-fat diet or normal feed for a four-week duration.

The anti-inflammatory role of zDHHC23 through the promotion of macrophage M2 polarization and macrophage necroptosis in large yellow croaker ().

Zinc finger Asp-His-His-Cys motif-containing (zDHHC) proteins, known for their palmitoyltransferase (PAT) activity, play crucial roles in diverse cellular processes, including immune regulation. However, their non-palmitoyltransferase immunomodulatory functions and involvement in teleost immune responses remain underexplored. In this study, we systematically characterized the zDHHC family in the large yellow croaker (), identifying 22 members.

Bone Regeneration Facilitated by Autologous Bioscaffold Material: Liquid Phase of Concentrated Growth Factor with Dental Follicle Stem Cell Loading.

The application of bioengineering techniques for achieving bone regeneration in the oral environment is an increasingly prominent field. However, the clinical use of synthetic materials carries certain risks. The liquid phase of concentrated growth factor (LPCGF), as a biologically derived material, exhibits superior biocompatibility.

Targeting LYPLAL1-mediated cGAS depalmitoylation enhances the response to anti-tumor immunotherapy.

Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) binds pathogenic and other cytoplasmic double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) to catalyze the synthesis of cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP), which serves as the secondary messenger to activate the STING pathway and innate immune responses. Emerging evidence suggests that activation of the cGAS pathway is crucial for anti-tumor immunity; however, no effective intervention method targeting cGAS is currently available. Here we report that cGAS is palmitoylated by ZDHHC9 at cysteines 404/405, which promotes the dimerization and activation of cGAS.

A case report and literature review on a rare subtype of triple-negative breast cancer in children.

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a type of breast tumor with a poor prognosis because it lacks or expresses low levels of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2). TNBC is more common in middle-aged and older women, and cases of TNBC in children are rarely reported. This is the only case of childhood SBC in our hospital in more than 70 years, and the disease is extremely rare internationally.

Expression of aldose reductase in mouse endometrial epithelial cells and its role in sperm capacitation.

The survival, motility and capacitation of sperm in the female reproductive tract are important prerequisites for fertilization. The uterus is the main location for sperm capacitation. One of the most important physiological functions of the endometrial epithelium is to create a suitable uterine environment under the regulation of ovarian hormones, to ensure sperm capacitation.