How Foraging Mode Sculpts Sensory Systems: Morphological Evidence From DiceCT and Histology in Sympatric Lizards.

The relationship between foraging modes and sensory system morphology is critical for understanding the ecological and evolutionary adaptations of lizards. This study investigates the nasal olfactory system (NOS) and vomeronasal system (VNS) of four sympatric lizards from the Turpan Basin, China, which exhibit distinct foraging strategies: the active foraging (Lacertidae), the sit-and-wait foraging (Agamidae) and (Gekkonidae), and the seasonally frugivorous (Sphaerodactylidae), which adopts active foraging during fruit-searching. Using diffusible iodine-based contrast-enhanced computed tomography (DiceCT) and histological sections, we compared the morphology and histology of their NOS and VNS.

Inhibition of MIF with an Allosteric Inhibitor Triggers Cell Cycle Arrest in Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a key modulator of innate and adaptive immunity that has been extensively reported to promote tumor cell survival, proliferation, and metastasis. A recent study focusing on the microenvironment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) showed that pharmacological inhibition of MIF signaling, as well as , reduces AML cell survival. Such data highlights the crucial role of MIF in AML pathogenesis and support the efforts for developing selective MIF modulators.

Association Between Enhanced Hydration Therapy and Improved Prognosis in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke Who Were Treated With Thrombolytics: A Preliminary Study.

Hypovolemia affects the clinical outcomes and efficacy of thrombolytic therapies such as recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA). Hence, it plays an essential role in stroke management. Blood urea nitrogen-to-creatinine ratio (BCR) is an indicator of hypovolemia and is a promising area of further investigation.

Seasonal variation in axial elongation in children with orthokeratology treatment.

Purpose: To investigate seasonal variations in changes of axial length (AL) among myopic children wearing orthokeratology (ortho-K) lenses.

Methods: The data of 600 children receiving ortho-K treatment, aged 7-13 years, were collected retrospectively. Data were classified as 'summer' or 'winter' based on the midpoint of the 6-month period between visits.

Bibliometric and Visual Analysis of the Status of Scleral Lens Research Based on the Web of Science Database and Scopus Database (2014-2024).

Objective: To examine the current status of research, identify key areas of interest, and explore emerging frontiers in the field of scleral lenses (SL) with the goal of informing and advancing further research in this field.

Methods: Bibliometric methods were utilized to retrieve SL-related literature published in the Web of Science and Scopus database from 2014 to 2024. Elements such as authors, country/region, institution, journal, and keywords were analyzed using CiteSpace information visualization and analysis software and Bibliometrix R package.

All roads lead to Rome: the plasticity of gut microbiome drives the extensive adaptation of the Yarkand toad-headed agama () to different altitudes.

The gut microbiome was involved in a variety of physiological processes and played a key role in host environmental adaptation. However, the mechanisms of their response to altitudinal environmental changes remain unclear. In this study, we used 16S rRNA sequencing and LC-MS metabolomics to investigate the changes in the gut microbiome and metabolism of the Yarkand toad-headed agama () at different altitudes (-80 m to 2000 m).

CD74 promotes the formation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in triple-negative breast cancer in mice by inducing the expansion of tolerogenic dendritic cells and regulatory B cells.

CD74 is a cell-surface receptor for the cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). MIF binding to CD74 induces a signaling cascade resulting in the release of its cytosolic intracellular domain (CD74-ICD), which regulates transcription in naïve B and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells. In the current study, we investigated the role of CD74 in the regulation of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Downregulation of adipose LPL by PAR2 contributes to the development of hypertriglyceridemia.

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) hydrolyzes circulating triglycerides (TGs), releasing fatty acids (FA) and promoting lipid storage in white adipose tissue (WAT). However, the mechanisms regulating adipose LPL and its relationship with the development of hypertriglyceridemia are largely unknown. WAT from obese humans exhibited high PAR2 expression, which was inversely correlated with the LPL gene.

A small-molecule allele-selective transcriptional inhibitor of the MIF immune susceptibility locus.

Functional variants of the gene for the cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) are defined by a 4-nucleotide promoter microsatellite (-794 CATT, rs5844572) and confer risk for autoimmune, infectious, and oncologic diseases. We describe herein the discovery of a prototypic, small molecule inhibitor of MIF transcription with selectivity for high microsatellite repeat number and correspondingly high gene expression. Utilizing a high-throughput luminescent proximity screen, we identify 1-carbomethoxy-5-formyl-4,6,8-trihydroxyphenazine (CMFT) to inhibit the functional interaction between the transcription factor ICBP90 (namely, UHRF1) and the MIF -794 CATT promoter microsatellite.

High-Energy Supplemental Feeding Shifts Gut Microbiota Composition and Function in Red Deer ().

Winter supplemental feeding (SF) is commonly used to improve the survival of captive wildlife. To investigate the impact of winter supplementation on the gut microbiota of wildlife, we assessed changes in the gut microbiota of red deer () during the supplementary and non-supplementary feeding (NSF) groups using 16S rRNA sequencing technology. We found no significant differences in the diversity of the gut microbiota between SF and NSF except for the Simpson's index.

MIF-Modulated Spinal Proteins Associated with Persistent Bladder Pain: A Proteomics Study.

Bladder pain is a prominent symptom in Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS). We studied spinal mechanisms of bladder pain in mice using a model where repeated activation of intravesical Protease Activated Receptor-4 (PAR4) results in persistent bladder hyperalgesia (BHA) with little or no bladder inflammation. Persistent BHA is mediated by spinal macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), and is associated with changes in lumbosacral proteomics.

Report of abnormal tail regeneration of (Sauria: Lacertidae) and its locomotor performance.

Caudal autotomy is a phenomenon observed in many reptile taxa, and tail loss is a pivotal functional trait for reptiles, with potentially negative implications for organism fitness due to its influence on locomotion. Some lizard species can regenerate a lost tail, which sometimes can lead to the development of more than one tail (i.e.

The effect of the back optic zone diameter on the treatment zone area and axial elongation in orthokeratology.

Purpose: To investigate the influence of corneal parameters on the treatment zone area (TZA) after Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT) with a 5.0-mm back optical zone diameter (BOZD) were worn and to compare changes in the axial length (AL) with traditional 6.0-mm BOZD lenses.

Potential role of RhoA GTPase regulation in type interferon signaling in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by abnormal activation of the type I interferon (IFN) pathway, which results in tissue inflammation and organ damage. We explored the role of the RhoA GTPase in the type I IFN activation pathway to provide a potential basis for targeting GTPase signaling for the treatment of SLE.

Methods: Total RNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of SLE patients and healthy controls, and the mRNA expression levels of RhoA and IFN-stimulated genes were measured by SYBR Green quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

A small molecule macrophage migration inhibitory factor agonist ameliorates age-related myocardial intolerance to ischemia-reperfusion insults via metabolic regulation.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an innate cytokine that regulates both inflammatory and homeostatic responses. MIF is expressed by cardiomyocytes, where it exerts a protective action against ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). This effect is attenuated in the senescent heart due to an intrinsic, age-related reduction in MIF expression.

Different efficacy in myopia control: Comparison between orthokeratology and defocus-incorporated multiple segment lenses.

Purpose: To compare the efficiency of orthokeratology (OK) and defocus-incorporated multiple segment (DIMS) lenses in myopia control in children.

Methods: This prospective study involved 540 subjects (7-14 years) categorized into three groups: DIMS lenses (180 cases), OK lenses (180 cases), or single-vision spectacles (SVS) (180 cases). After a one-year follow-up, changes in axial length (AL) and differences among the groups were analyzed.

Extracellular macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) downregulates adipose hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and contributes to obesity.

Attenuation of adipose hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) may impair lipolysis and exacerbate obesity. We investigate the role of cytokine, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in regulating adipose HSL and adipocyte hypertrophy. Extracellular MIF downregulates HSL in an autocrine fashion, by activating the AMPK/JNK signaling pathway upon binding to its membrane receptor, CD74.

The RhoA GTPase regulates Type I Interferon Signaling in Systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by abnormal activation of the type I interferon (IFN) pathway, which results in tissue inflammation and organ damage. We explored the role of the RhoA GTPase in the type I IFN activation pathway to provide a potential basis for targeting GTPase signaling for the treatment of SLE.

Methods: Total RNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of SLE patients and healthy controls, and the mRNA expression levels of RhoA and IFN-stimulated genes were measured by SYBR Green quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

Assessing the utilization of antimicrobial agents in pediatric pneumonia during the era of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine: A retrospective, single-center study.

Background And Purpose: Pneumonia and bronchopneumonia are the most common infectious diseases in children. This study aimed to analyze changes in causative pathogens and antibiotic use for bronchopneumonia or pneumonia after the introduction of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in children.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted from 2009 to 2019.

Urothelial Oxidative Stress and ERK Activation Mediate HMGB1-Induced Bladder Pain.

Activation of intravesical protease activated receptors-4 (PAR4) results in bladder pain through the release of urothelial macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1). We aimed to identify HMGB1 downstream signaling events at the bladder that mediate HMGB1-induced bladder pain in MIF-deficient mice to exclude any MIF-related effects. We studied whether oxidative stress and ERK activation are involved by examining bladder tissue in mice treated with intravesical disulfide HMGB1 for 1 h and analyzed with Western blot and immunohistochemistry.

The Influence of Accommodation on Retinal Peripheral Refraction Changes in Different Measurement Areas.

Background: The change in refraction caused by accommodation inevitably affects the peripheral defocus state and thus may influence the effect of retinal peripheral myopic defocus measures in myopia control. This study investigated accommodation changes in different peripheral retinas under cycloplegia to help improve myopia control.

Methods: Fifty-six eyes of fifty-six myopic subjects were recruited for this prospective study.

Effects of Orthokeratology Lens Decentration Induced by Paracentral Corneal Asymmetry on Axial Length Elongation.

Background: To determine the influence of the magnitude of treatment zone decentration on axial length (AL) elongation and to investigate the association between paracentral corneal asymmetry and orthokeratology (OK) lens decentration.

Methods: This retrospective study involved 268 subjects (7-14 years) who wore OK lenses for one year. The parameters that reflected the paracentral corneal asymmetry were recorded: corneal toricity; Q value; anterior corneal curvature; and elevation values at the 6-, 7-, and 8-mm chords along the horizontal meridian.

The impact of triglyceride-glucose index on ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Strokes significantly impair quality of life and incur high economic and societal burdens. The triglyceride and glucose (TyG) index is a biochemical marker of insulin resistance (IR) and may have important value in the prediction of strokes, especially ischemic stroke (IS). Our study aims to investigate the relationship between TyG index and IS and ascertain whether TyG index is independently associated with IS adverse outcomes.