Restore the Activity and Stability of Nicotinamide Riboside Kinase by α-Helix Reconstruction and Semi-Rational Design.

Nicotinamide riboside kinase (NRK) is an important enzyme in the nicotinamide riboside (NR) metabolic pathway, converting NR to nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), which has promising industrial applications. However, structural collapse in many NRKs reduces their activity and thermal stability, limiting their industrial potential. Herein, we developed an α-helix reconstruction method on a Kag-NRK from Kluyveromyces marxianus for restore its activity and stability together.

Bioactive components from Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae 'Chachi' alleviates ulcerative colitis by PI3K/AKT signaling pathway: Network pharmacology, molecular docking and experimental verification.

Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium 'Chachi' (PCRC), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with dual applications in medicine and food, has demonstrated significant efficacy in treating gastrointestinal disorders. Especially, researches have highlighting PCRC's therapeutic effects on ulcerative colitis (UC). However, bioactive ingredients of PCRC and their molecular mechanisms are still unclear.

Refractory Crohn's disease complicated with Guillain-Barré syndrome: A case report.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises a group of chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders, including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis, with uncertain etiologies. The natural course of IBD can be accompanied by extraintestinal manifestations involving the skin, mucous membranes, musculoskeletal structures, eyes, cardiovascular system and nervous system. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a type of peripheral neuropathy.

Combination of culprit plaque enhancement ratio and hypoperfusion contributes to short-term outcomes of patients with atherosclerotic stenosis in the middle cerebral artery.

Objective: To investigate the differences in intracranial culprit plaque characteristics in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and in hypoperfusion between patients with and without favourable functional outcomes and to explore the association of functional outcome of patients with ischaemic cerebrovascular events.

Methods: A total of 121 patients with acute/subacute ischaemic stroke stemming from atherosclerotic plaques in the MCA were retrospectively enrolled and grouped into patients with favourable functional outcomes and those with unfavourable functional outcomes. Each patient underwent high-resolution vessel wall imaging and dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced perfusion weighted imaging on a 3.

Etiology Control for Reducing Hepatic Vein Pressure Gradient in Patients With Cirrhosis and Portal Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: Etiological therapy has been documented to improve portal hypertension. We aimed to analyze the effectiveness of etiological therapy on hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) reduction by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: Literature search of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library was performed to identify studies involving patients with PHT published up to January 2024.

Leaf Nutrient Resorption of Vascular Epiphytes Is Regulated by Stoichiometry and Nutrient Limitation Control Strategies.

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) resorption are assumed to be crucial for epiphyte growth in nutrient-poor canopies, yet remain poorly understood due to unique habitats and limited access. We examined the N, P and N natural abundance in mature and senesced leaves of 10 vascular epiphyte species in southwest subtropical China, integrating data from a previous study in tropical lowland forest. We found that subtropical epiphytes experienced N-limitation, likely because of the high P availability, making N relatively scarce.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Dementia: Evidence Triangulation from a Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies and Mendelian Randomization Study.

Objective: Observational studies have found associations between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer's dementia (AD) and vascular dementia (VD); however, these findings are inconsistent. It remains unclear whether these associations are causal.

Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis by systematically searching for observational studies on the association between IBD and dementia.

Primary duodenal T/histiocyte-rich large B-cell lymphoma complicated with obstructive jaundice: A case report and review of literature.

Background: T/histiocyte-rich large B-cell lymphoma (T/HRBCL) is a highly aggressive subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma characterized histologically by the presence of a few neoplastic large B cells amidst an abundant background of reactive T lymphocytes and/or histiocytes. T/HRBCL commonly affects the lymph nodes, followed by extranodal sites, such as the spleen, liver, and bone marrow, with rare occurrences in the gastrointestinal tract. Primary gastrointestinal T/HRBCL lacks specific clinical and endoscopic manifestations, and it is difficult to differentiate from inflammatory diseases, nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma, and other diseases on a histological basis, thereby hindering early diagnosis.

Transcription coactivator YAP1 promotes CCND1/CDK6 expression, stimulating cell proliferation in cloned cattle placentas.

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has been successfully employed across various mammalian species, yet cloned animals consistently exhibit low pregnancy rates, primarily due to placental abnormalities such as hyperplasia and hypertrophy. This study investigated the involvement of the Hippo signaling pathway in aberrant placental development in SCNT-induced bovine pregnancies. SCNT-derived cattle exhibited placental hypertrophy, including enlarged abdominal circumference and altered placental cotyledon morphology.

Screening and Predictive Biomarkers for Down Syndrome Through Amniotic Fluid Metabolomics.

Background: Down syndrome (DS) is a congenital disorder caused by the presence of an extra copy of all or part of chromosome 21. It is characterized by significant intellectual disability, distinct facial features, and growth and developmental challenges. The utilization of metabolomics to analyze specific metabolic markers in maternal amniotic fluid may provide innovative tools and screening methods for investigating the early pathophysiology of trisomy 21 at the functional level.

Ultrasomics differentiation of malignant and benign focal liver lesions based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

Objectives: To establish a nomogram for differentiating malignant and benign focal liver lesions (FLLs) using ultrasomics features derived from contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).

Methods: 527 patients were retrospectively enrolled. On the training cohort, ultrasomics features were extracted from CEUS and b-mode ultrasound (BUS).

AQP4 is upregulated in schizophrenia and Its inhibition attenuates MK-801-induced schizophrenia-like behaviors in mice.

Background: The pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms of schizophrenia (SCZ) remain unclear, and the effective treatment resources are still limited. The goal of this study is to identify the expression of AQP4 in SCZ patients and explore whether AQP4 inhibition could ameliorate schizophrenia-like behaviors and its mechanisms.

Methods: Microarray datasets of PFC compared with healthy control were searched in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed with the GEO2R online tool.

Schizophrenia-Like Deficits and Impaired Glutamate/Gamma-aminobutyric acid Homeostasis in Zfp804a Conditional Knockout Mice.

Background And Hypothesis: Zinc finger protein 804A (ZNF804A) was the first genome-wide associated susceptibility gene for schizophrenia (SCZ) and played an essential role in the pathophysiology of SCZ by influencing neurodevelopment regulation, neurite outgrowth, synaptic plasticity, and RNA translational control; however, the exact molecular mechanism remains unclear.

Study Design: A nervous-system-specific Zfp804a (ZNF804A murine gene) conditional knockout (cKO) mouse model was generated using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat/Cas9 technology and the Cre/loxP method.

Results: Multiple and complex SCZ-like behaviors, such as anxiety, depression, and impaired cognition, were observed in Zfp804a cKO mice.

Transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation for consciousness recovery in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (TAVREC): study protocol for a multicenter, triple-blind, randomized controlled trial in China.

Introduction: Prolonged disorders of consciousness (pDoC) are a catastrophic condition following brain injury with few therapeutic options. Transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS), a safe, non-invasive intervention modulating thalamo-cortical connectivity and brain function, is a possible treatment option of pDoC. We developed a protocol for a randomised controlled study to evaluate the effectiveness of taVNS on consciousness recovery in patients with pDoC (TAVREC).

Bioinformatics-based screening and analysis of the key genes involved in the influence of antiangiogenesis on myeloid-derived suppressor cells and their effects on the immune microenvironment.

This study aimed to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in the influence of antiangiogenic therapy on myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) infiltration and investigate their mechanisms of action. Data on DEGs after the action of antiangiogenic drugs in a pan-cancer context were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed using the clusterProfiler package in R software.

Molecular Insights into Water-Chloride and Water-Water Interactions in the Supramolecular Architecture of Aconine Hydrochloride Dihydrate.

Despite the previous preparation of aconine hydrochloride monohydrate (AHM), accurate determination of the crystal's composition was hindered by severely disordered water molecules within the crystal. In this study, we successfully prepared a new dihydrate form of the aconine hydrochloride [CHNOCl·2(HO), aconine hydrochloride dihydrate (AHD)] and accurately refined all water molecules within the AHD crystal. Our objective is to elucidate both water-chloride and water-water interactions in the AHD crystal.

Dynamic changes and clinical value of lipocalin 2 in liver diseases caused by microbial infections.

Lipocalin 2 (LCN2) plays a pivotal role in iron metabolism, particularly in the context of microbial infection resistance (, viruses, bacteria, parasites, ). LCN2 combats microbial infection by directly assisting the body in competing with microorganisms for iron, inducing immune cells to secrete various cytokines to enhance systemic immune responses, or recruiting neutrophils to infectious sites. The liver serves as the primary organ for LCN2 secretion during microbial infections.

Biosynthesis of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide: Synthesis Method, Enzyme, and Biocatalytic System.

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) has garnered substantial interest as a functional food product. Industrial NMN production relies on chemical methods, facing challenges in separation, purification, and regulatory complexities, leading to elevated prices. In contrast, NMN biosynthesis through fermentation or enzyme catalysis offers notable benefits like eco-friendliness, recyclability, and efficiency, positioning it as a primary avenue for future NMN synthesis.

Single-port insufflation endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy in early breast cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in female patients. In recent years, more and more studies have focused on how to improve the appearance and the quality of life for patients. This study aimed to compare the oncologic safety, aesthetic results, and upper extremity function between single-port insufflation endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy (SIE-NSM) and conventional open mastectomy (C-OM) in early-stage breast cancer treatment.

Impact of immunosuppression level on liver allograft fibrosis after pediatric liver transplantation: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Liver allograft fibrosis (LAF) is prevalent among children with long-term survival after liver transplantation (LT). The authors aimed to identify clinical risk factors, with a focus on the impact of immunosuppression (IS) level in the early post-transplant period on LAF.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on pediatric LT recipients with at least 1-year of follow-up.

Single-port endoscopic-sentinel lymph node biopsy combined with indocyanine green and carbon nanoparticles in breast cancer.

Background: In order to explore the surgical safety and the reliability of axillary staging of single-port endoscopic-sentinel lymph node biopsy, we combined it with indocyanine green that was excited by near-infrared fluorescence endoscopy and carbon nanoparticles as a tracer and compared this method to conventional open sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Methods: This is a retrospective and observational study, there were 20 patients in each group and the total sample size was 60: Group 1, single-port endoscopic-sentinel lymph node biopsy combined with indocyanine green and carbon nanoparticles; Group 2, single-port endoscopic-sentinel lymph node biopsy with carbon nanoparticles only; Group 3, conventional sentinel lymph node biopsy with indocyanine green and carbon nanoparticles. Sentinel lymph node detection and upper extremity function were determined to measure the safety and efficacy of the novel single-port endoscopic-sentinel lymph node biopsy (SPE-SLNB) technique to the standard conventional sentinel lymph node biopsy technique.

Transglutaminase-Catalyzed Glycosylation Improved Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Protein Fraction.

has high nutritional value and abundant protein. In order to develop and utilize edible mushroom protein, this study was designed to investigate the effects of TGase-catalyzed glycosylation and cross-linking on the physicochemical and functional properties of protein fraction. The results showed that within a certain time, glycosylation and TGase-catalyzed glycosylation decreased the total sulfydryl, free sulfydryl, disulfide bond, surface hydrophobicity, β-fold and α-helix, but increased the fluorescence intensity, random coil, β-turn, particle size and thermal stability.

NIR-induced improvement of catalytic activity and antibacterial performance over AuAg nanorods in Rambutan-like FeO@AgAu@PDA magnetic nanospheres.

Pathogenic bacteria and difficult-to-degrade pollutants in water have been serious problems that always plague people. Therefore, finding a "one stone-two birds" method that can quickly catalyze the degradation of pollutants and show effective antibacterial behavior become an urgent requirement. This work reports a facile one-step strategy for fabricating a Rambutan-like FeO@AgAu@PDA (FeO@AgAu@Polydopamine) core/shell nanosphere with both catalytic and antibacterial activities which can be critically improved by externally applying an NIR laser irradiation (NIR, 808 nm) and a rotating magnetic field.