Activity and Heterogeneity of Astrocytes in Neurological Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets.

Astrocytes, the most prevalent glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS), play crucial roles in maintaining CNS homeostasis and responding to various pathological stimuli. They play key roles in neural development, neurotransmission, neuroinflammation, metabolic support, and tissue repair. Recent advancements in single-cell sequencing have revealed the remarkable heterogeneity of astrocytes, with distinct subpopulations differentially contributing to disease progression in neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and multiple sclerosis.

dd-cfDNA Significantly Improves Rejection Yield in Kidney Transplant Biopsies.

Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) is a biomarker that enables the early detection of immune-mediated graft injury. This study evaluated the clinical utility of dd-cfDNA in predicting the presence of biopsy-proven rejection (BPAR). We analyzed 1,070 biopsies from 1,743 kidney transplant recipients enrolled in the prospective, multicenter Kidney Allograft Outcomes AlloSure Registry (KOAR).

The role of uncharacterized protein Taf1 in regulating ATP levels and virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans.

The human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans poses significant health risks, particularly to immunocompromised individuals, such as those with HIV/AIDS. In this study, we investigate the role of an uncharacterized protein, Taf1, in regulating ATP levels and virulence in C. neoformans.

Advancing roles of nitric oxide in tuberculosis: Promising targets for novel anti-TB therapeutics.

Tuberculosis (TB), a chronic zoonotic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection, remains a major public health burden worldwide. The increasing threatens of multidrug-resistant/extensively drug-resistant TB, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection, lack of effective vaccines and diagnosis methods, as well as the low treatment efficacy of anti-TB therapeutics lead to multiple difficulties and challenges in TB control. Host immune defense is critical for the processes and outcome of Mtb infection control due to the complex immune evasion mechanisms of Mtb, thus, it's of vital importance to characterize the host immune responses and mechanisms during Mtb infection.

The potential functions of genes in regulating salt tolerance in barley.

The important roles of members in regulating abiotic and biotic stress tolerance have been demonstrated in many plants. However, fewer studies have explored the gene family and its role in the salt stress response in barley, a crop known for its superior salt tolerance compared to other major cereals. Here, we identified a total of 109 putative genes (nine , eight , 92 ) in barley.

miR-107-enriched exosomes promote ROS/wnt/autophagy, inhibit intracellular mycobacterial growth and attenuate lung infection.

Exosomes, known as small membrane vesicles of endocytic origin produced by most cell types, exist in a variety of body fluids including plasma. The roles of exosomes in immune responses against () infection remain poorly characterized. Here, we found that miR-107 highly expressed in exosomes from plasma of TB patients but not healthy control (HC) subjects.

Immune defense and immune evasion in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection: Inspirations and challenges for host directed therapy.

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), remains a major global public health issue, despite improvements in socioeconomic conditions and widespread use of antibiotics. Host immune defense against Mtb infection involve various cells like macrophages, dendritic cells, natural killer cells and T cell subsets, which play distinct roles. By inhibiting phagosome maturation, modulating reactive oxygen and nitrogen species production, regulating host cell death pathway, as well as suppressing antigen presentation and T cell immune responses, the immune escape help Mtb to survive and replicate in macrophages, which ultimately contributes to the development of latent or active TB.

CD8GZMKCD27CCR7 T cells mobilized by splenic sympathetic nerves aggravate brain ischemia‒reperfusion injury via CCL19-positive endothelial cells.

Splenic sympathetic activity critically modulates peripheral immunity after ischemic stroke, thus intervention in spleen sympathetic activity represents a promising therapeutic strategy for stroke. However, the mechanisms underlying spleen-brain-immune axis communication remain poorly understood. Here, we utilized a surgical denervation protocol to perform splenic sympathetic denervation (SDN), which significantly attenuated brain injury following stroke.

Wearable sensor-derived heart rate variability (LF/HF): a promising biomarker for predicting inadvertent perioperative hypothermia.

Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia (IPH) is a common perioperative complication in developing countries, and effective assessment tools for IPH risk stratification are still needed in these regions. In this letter, we report a validated mobile phone app-based heart rate variability (HRV) analysis procedure used in 220 adult patients scheduled for abdominal surgery to explore the relationship between preoperative 5-minute HRV metrics and IPH. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the HRV metric-the ratio of low-to high-frequency power (LF/HF)-as superior to previously reported clinical IPH predictors.

Anlotinib combined with benmelstobart as a chemo-free first-line treatment in advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: an exploratory multicenter, single-arm phase II clinical trial.

Background: No combined antiangiogenic and PD-1/PD-L1 blockade therapy has been investigated as a chemo-free first-line treatment for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of anlotinib combined with benmelstobart as a chemo-free treatment in previously untreated advanced ESCC, and identifies potential predictive biomarkers using next-generation sequencing (NGS).

Methods: ALTER-E-003, a single-arm, open-label phase II trial, enrolled patients with advanced ESCC across five Chinese centers.

Scutellarin prevents obesity-induced renal fibrosis via reduced activation of AP-1.

Background: Renal fibrosis is characterized by the formation of scar tissue in the kidney parenchyma. Obesity, with its rising global incidence, has become a significant cause of renal fibrosis. This study investigates the effect of Scutellarin (SCU) on obesity-induced renal fibrosis.

Protocol for measuring the Young's modulus of organoids using atomic force microscopy.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is extensively applied to measure cell and tissue mechanics but lacks a standardized organoid stiffness assessment. Here, we present a protocol for quantifying the Young's modulus of organoids via AFM, combining force-curve analysis with an optimized probe. We describe steps for preparing organoids, OCT embedding, slicing, AFM detection, and force-curve analysis.

Structural characterization, gelling properties, and beef preservation applications of pectin extracted from sweetpotato residue using a hydrothermal method.

The growing demand for sustainable food additives has spurred interest in pectin extracted from agricultural byproducts. This study investigated the structural, gelling, and antimicrobial properties of pectin extracted from sweetpotato residue (SPP) using a green hydrothermal method. Optimal extraction conditions (122.

The Impact of Cannabidiol (CBD) on Lipid Absorption and Lymphatic Transport in Rats.

Cannabidiol (CBD) exerts diverse metabolic effects, yet its influence on intestinal lipid metabolism remains unclear. In this study, we investigated whether short-term (one-week) CBD treatment affects lipid absorption and transport through the lymphatic system using a validated lymph fistula model. CBD treatment significantly enhanced the transport of radiolabeled triglycerides through the lymphatic system.

Genome-guided discovery of coublibactins from Nocardia coubleae and their gallium complexes with potent antileukemic activity.

The pursuit of highly effective and selective anticancer drugs remains a critical challenge. Metal-based complexes, particularly gallium-containing compounds, offer promising therapeutic avenues due to their unique mechanisms of action. To identify novel scaffolds for such complexes, we performed a comprehensive genomic analysis of Nocardia species, revealing the prevalence of siderophore biosynthetic gene clusters, including the highly conserved nocobactin NA-like clusters.

Therapeutic Delivery of circDYM by Perillyl Alcohol Nanoemulsion Alleviates LPS-Induced Depressive-Like Behaviors.

RNA therapeutics have recently shown significant promise in treating a variety of diseases, including cancers, infectious diseases, and genetic disorders. However, their potential in addressing neuropsychiatric disorders has been limited by the lack of an efficient delivery system to the central nervous system (CNS). Here, a novel nanoemulsion platform, perillyl alcohol nanoemulsions (PANEs) is introduced, designed for the therapeutic delivery of circDYM to brain and alleviated depressive-like behaviors.

Nose-to-Brain Delivery of Circular RNA SCMH1-Loaded Lipid Nanoparticles for Ischemic Stroke Therapy.

Ischemic stroke represents one of the leading cerebrovascular diseases with a high rate of mortality and disability globally. To date, there are no effective clinical drugs available to improve long-term outcomes for post-stroke patients. A novel nucleic acid agent circSCMH1 which can promote sensorimotor function recovery in rodent and nonhuman primate animal stroke models has been found.

Astrocyte heterogeneity in ischemic stroke: Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets.

Ischemic stroke is one of the major causes of death and disability in adults, bringing a significant economic burden to the society and families. Despite significant advancements in stroke treatment, focusing solely on neurons is insufficient for improving disease progression and prognosis. Astrocytes are the most ubiquitous cells in the brain, and they undergo morphological and functional changes after brain insults, which has been known as astrocyte reactivity.

Exploring the potential mechanisms of sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines based on RNA sequencing.

Background: Exploring the mechanisms underlying sorafenib resistance that arises in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may provide new treatment perspectives.

Methods: Drug-resistant and drug-sensitive HCC cell lines were constructed from existing HepG2 and Huh7 cell lines, and gene expression profiles were determined. Genes differentially expressed between the resistant and sensitive lines were identified and organized into modules based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis.

cGAS-mediated antibacterial immunotherapy against tuberculosis by macrophage-targeted manganese dioxide nanoagonist.

Tuberculosis (TB), induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection, remains one of the top killers among infectious diseases. The pathogenesis hallmarks for TB are complex immune escape mechanisms of Mtb and low targeting effects of anti-TB drugs. cGAS signaling, which is responsible for triggering host antibacterial immunity against Mtb infection, has shown potentials to serve as targets for anti-TB immunotherapy.

Case report: Lobular capillary hemangioma of the right main bronchus: a rare case with calcified and cystic lymph nodes.

Lobular capillary hemangioma (LCH), typically a benign vasoproliferative lesion of the skin or mucosal surfaces, is exceptionally rare in the trachea. Now, we present the second reported case of LCH found in the right intermediate bronchus, characterized by calcification within the lesion and cystic changes. These distinctive features should alert clinicians to consider LCH in the differential diagnosis of other benign vascular tumors and mediastinal lymphadenopathy, particularly when calcified and cystic lesions are observed.

Ferromagnetic transformation of α-FeO Co doping for efficient water oxidation under magnetic field.

The introduction of a magnetic field has great potential for enhancing oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance, but it requires the catalyst to be ferromagnetic and there is a lack of understanding of the fundamental mechanisms. Herein, we achieved the transformation of non-ferromagnetic α-FeO into ferromagnetic CoFeO by Co doping. Compared to α-FeO, the OER activity of CoFeO considerably increased under a magnetic field of 3000 Oe and is proportional to the magnetic field strength within a certain range.

[Diagnosis and treatment of special type of laryngeal foreign body with granuloma in children].

This article explores the diagnosis and treatment of a special type of laryngeal foreign body with granuloma in children, providing a clinical reference for standardized diagnosis and treatment. This article retrospectively analyzes one case admitted to our department and five other cases reported in relevant literature involving a special type of laryngeal foreign body with granuloma in children. It summarizes the clinical characteristics of this disease and explores its diagnosis and treatment.

Aging-enhanced autophagy activity promotes fibrotic progression via the TGF-β2/Smad signaling pathway in trabecular meshwork cells-a new insight from POAG.

Introduction: Glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness, is characterized by optic neuropathy and retinopathy, with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) being the most prevalent form. The primary pathogenic mechanism of POAG involves elevated intraocular pressure caused by chronic fibrosis of the trabecular meshwork (TM). Autophagy, a critical process for maintaining cellular homeostasis, has been implicated in fibrosis across various organs.

Proximity-activated guide RNA of CRISPR-Cas12a for programmable diagnostic detection and gene regulation.

The flexibility and programmability of CRISPR-Cas technology have made it one of the most popular tools for biomarker diagnostics and gene regulation. Especially, the CRISPR-Cas12 system has shown exceptional clinical diagnosis and gene editing capabilities. Here, we discovered that although the top loop of the 5' handle of guide RNA can undergo central splitting, deactivating CRISPR-Cas12a, the segments can dramatically restore CRISPR function through nucleic acid self-assembly or interactions with small molecules and aptamers.