Redox-architected signaling networks in cardiac fibrosis.

Cardiac fibrosis is a maladaptive response in which excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition stiffens the myocardium and compromises systolic and diastolic function. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) sit at the hub of this process, acting as initiators and amplifiers of four key pro-fibrotic signaling cascades, including transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt). Crosstalk among these pathways forms a self-sustaining network that perpetuates fibroblast activation, ECM synthesis and inflammatory cytokine release.

Cyber-Creativity: A Decalogue of Research Challenges.

Creativity is the primary driver of our cultural evolution. The astonishing potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and its possible application in the creative process poses an urgent and dramatic challenge for humanity; how can we maximize the benefits of AI while minimizing the associated risks? In this article, we identify all forms of human-AI collaboration in this realm as cyber-creativity. We introduce the following two forward-looking scenarios: a utopian vision for cyber-creativity, in which AI serves to enhance and not replace human creativity, and a dystopian view associated with the pre-emption of all human creative agency caused by the rise of AI.

Aqueduct-fourth ventricle-cisterna magna shunting as a prophylactic procedure for postoperative hydrocephalus in selective fourth ventricular tumors: A retrospective study.

Surgery for fourth ventricular tumors (FVT) is plagued by potential CSF blockage after the tumor removal due to a plethora of reasons. Thus, we explored the use of aqueduct-fourth ventricle-cisterna magna (AFVCM) shunting as prophylactic procedure for postoperative hydrocephalus after FVT resection. We retrospectively gathered the data of patients who underwent surgery of the fourth ventricle tumor between January 2019 and December 2021 at the Department of Neurosurgery in West China Hospital of Sichuan University.

Honeybee-Gilliamella synergy in carbohydrate metabolism enhances host thermogenesis in cold acclimation.

How gut symbionts contribute to host adaptation remains largely elusive. Studying co-diversified honeybees and gut bacteria across climates, we found cold-adapted species (Apis mellifera, A. cerana) exhibit enhanced genomic capacity for glucose, pyruvate, lipid and glucuronate production versus tropical species.

Risk prediction model for overall survival in lung cancer based on inflammatory and nutritional markers.

This study aims to develop a multidimensional risk prediction model, identify characteristic inflammation-nutrition biomarkers, and optimize clinical decision-making. The study included 500 lung cancer patients diagnosed between October 2019 and October 2024 at a tertiary medical institution in Guiyang, China. The exposure variables included eight inflammation-nutrition biomarkers: neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), hemoglobin-albumin-lymphocyte-platelet score (HALP), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), hemoglobin-to-red cell distribution width ratio (HRR), and albumin-to-globulin ratio (ALB/GLB).

Long-Read Sequencing Reveals Tumor-Specific Splicing Isoforms as Therapeutic Targets In NSCLC.

Despite extensive transcriptomic alterations observed in tumors, the global landscape of isoform-level alternative splicing in cancer remains largely unexplored. Leveraging long-read sequencing, we successfully identified and characterized full-length isoforms, along with tumor-specific splicing events in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Our analysis identified 38,058 previously unannotated isoforms, which were subsequently validated using orthogonal multi-omics datasets to confirm their transcriptional and translational activities.

Inflammation-nutrition biomarker model for survival prediction in lung cancer patients with concurrent tuberculosis.

Objectives: To explore the prognostic value of eight inflammation-nutrition biomarkers in patients with lung cancer and tuberculosis as no multidimensional prognostic models for this comorbid population are available currently.

Methodology: A retrospective study included 100 patients with lung cancer and tuberculosis admitted to a tertiary hospital from October 2019 to October 2024. Eight inflammation-nutrition markers (NLR, PLR, SII, LMR, PNI, HALP, HRR, ALB/GLB) were chosen as predictors while overall survival (OS) was the major event.

Current Status and Typing of Physical Activity in Lung Cancer Patients Post Surgery at Home Which Patients Need Support in Activities?

Background: Postsurgery physical activity is crucial for lung cancer rehabilitation. However, patients often lack sufficient activity at home, and the types of activities they engage in have not been well studied in China.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify physical activity profiles and assess their relationship with demographic and clinical characteristics, postoperative symptoms, and health capabilities in Chinese patients with lung cancer post surgery at home.

The oral CDK9 inhibitor voruciclib combined with venetoclax for patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia.

The antiapoptotic protein myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl-1) promotes cell survival in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and its overexpression is associated with resistance to venetoclax. Voruciclib, an oral cyclin-dependent kinase 9 inhibitor, indirectly decreases Mcl-1 protein expression and has synergistic activity with venetoclax in AML preclinical models. We hypothesized that voruciclib in combination with venetoclax would induce responses in patients with AML with disease progression after venetoclax therapy.

BnaGSK3-BnaIDD16 module negatively regulates branch angle in Brassica napus.

Brassinosteroids (BRs) play a key role in regulating plant height and leaf angle in plants. However, the mechanism underlying the BR signaling pathway involved in branch angle regulation is poorly understood. Here, we isolated a rapeseed (Brassica napus L.

SLC7A11 upregulation via AR and NEDD4L ubiquitination contributes to ferroptosis inhibition and enzalutamide resistance in castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Advanced prostate cancer (PCa) is associated with a poor prognosis, particularly in patients who progress to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The emergence of enzalutamide (Enz), a second-generation androgen receptor inhibitor, has effectively extended the median survival of these patients. However, drug resistance frequently develops during clinical use.

Identification of the governing equation of stimulus-response data for run-and-tumble dynamics.

The run-and-tumble behavior is a simple yet powerful mechanism that enables microorganisms to efficiently navigate and adapt to their environment. These organisms run and tumble alternately, with transition rates modulated by intracellular chemical concentration. We introduce a neural network-based model capable of identifying the governing equations underlying run-and-tumble dynamics.

Survival and pathological response in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma after preoperative therapy with PD-1 blockade plus chemoradiotherapy followed by surgical resection.

Background: Neoadjuvant PD-1 blockade plus chemoradiotherapy has resulted in improved clinical response in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC); however, the effects on pathological response (PR) and survival remain unknown. This study was to identify the survival and PR of patients with PDAC undergoing surgery after neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) with PD-1 blockade plus chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed for PDAC patients undergoing resection after NAT, analyzing PR and survival prediction using clinicopathological and survival data.

Percutaneous endocardial septal radiofrequency ablation in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

Objective: Percutaneous endocardial septal radiofrequency ablation (PESA) shows promise as a treatment for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). We aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of PESA require further study during a long-term follow-up.

Methods: We enrolled 25 patients HOCM who underwent PESA.

Epidemiological characteristics of acute viral and mycoplasma respiratory infections in Yongzhou, China: a retrospective descriptive study.

Background: Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are major global public health concerns. Understanding the epidemiological characteristics and evolution patterns of respiratory pathogens before and after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is crucial for disease control and prevention. This study identified the epidemiological characteristics and pathogen distribution in hospitalized patients with ARIs in Yongzhou, China.

Colorectal cancer epidemiology (1990-2050): lessons from the Australasian experience.

Background: CRC is regarded as a worldwide health issue, exhibiting considerable geographic differences. The current research examines the global epidemiology of CRC (1990-2021) and forecasts trends until 2050, focusing specifically on Australasia.

Methods: We performed an extensive analysis using data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study to calculate age-standardized incidence and mortality rates (ASIR/ASMR) for CRC from 1990 to 2021.

MnO nanozyme-based ratiometric fluorescent nanoplatform for glutathione detection and intracellular imaging.

Ratiometric fluorescent nanoplatforms with self-calibrating capabilities offer enhanced detection accuracy by minimizing environmental interference. However, challenges such as signal cross-interference and nanomaterial instability persist in complex biological systems. To address these issues, we developed a glutathione (GSH)-responsive ratiometric fluorescent nanoprobe by integrating a porphyrin-based metal-organic framework (PCN-224) with MnO nanosheets (NSs).

Combination of PI-RADS version 2.1 and amide proton transfer values for the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer.

Background: The goal of this study was to assess whether combining amide proton transfer (APT)-weighted MRI with the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System scoring system version 2.1 (PI-RADS V2.1) could increase diagnostic accuracy compared to PI-RADS V2.

Green and efficient electrospinning of ethyl cellulose-based nanofibrous membrane for high-performance and antibacterial air filtration.

The environmentally friendly, economical, and efficient production of high-performance and multifunctional bio-based air filter membranes is crucial for the protection of human health and sustainable development. However, this endeavor is significantly limited by the current gap in material selection and process routes. This study proposes a strategy for advanced functionalization and structural optimization of ethyl cellulose (EC) to effectively develop a high-performance, fully bio-based air filter membrane exhibiting superior antibacterial properties.

Impacts of Various Straw Mulching Strategies on Soil Water, Nutrients, Thermal Regimes, and Yield in Wheat-Soybean Rotation Systems.

Straw mulching is an important strategy for regulating soil moisture, nutrient availability, and thermal conditions in agricultural systems. However, the mechanisms by which the mulching period, thickness, and planting density interact to influence yield formation in wheat-soybean rotation systems remain insufficiently understood. In this study, we systematically examined the combined effects of straw mulching at the seedling and jointing stages of winter wheat, as well as varying mulching thicknesses and soybean planting densities, on soil properties and crop yields through field experiments.

Comprehensive Insights Into Mitophagy: Mechanisms, Disease Associations, and Therapeutic Implications.

Mitophagy, a selective autophagic process, is critical for maintaining mitochondrial quality and cellular homeostasis. It plays a dual role, facilitating cell survival by removing damaged mitochondria or contributing to programmed cell death in certain conditions. Dysregulation of mitophagy is implicated in various diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic syndromes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers.

Cryptococcal infection of the femur misdiagnosed as a primary bone tumor: A case report and literature review.

Cryptococcal infections are uncommon, and musculoskeletal involvement of the femur is extremely rare, often resulting in diagnostic challenges. A woman in her early 70s presented with a 20-day history of progressive left thigh pain that was aggravated by limb movement. Initial evaluation at a local hospital suspected a primary bone tumor based on radiographic findings of an osteolytic lesion in the midshaft of the left femur.

Black Tea Aqueous Extract Extends Yeast Longevity via Antioxidant Gene Activation: Transcriptomic Analysis of Anti-Aging Mechanisms.

Although tea polyphenols have antiaging potential, the molecular interplay between black tea components and cellular longevity remains unclear. This study has pioneered a dual approach combining lifespan assays with comprehensive transcriptomics to dissect how black tea aqueous extract (BTAE) extends the chronological lifespan (CLS). Remarkably, BTAE induced a dose-dependent lifespan extension (34.