The Pdgfd-Pdgfrb axis orchestrates tumor-nerve crosstalk in pancreatic cancer.

Nerves are an integral component of the tumor microenvironment, contributing to cancer progression, metastasis, morbidity, and mortality. In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), worse clinical outcomes are associated with perineural invasion (PNI), a process by which cancer cells surround and invade nerves. Here, we employed whole-transcriptome and single-cell spatial transcriptomics to identify candidate tumor-nerve interactions that promote PNI.

Investigation of the inhibitory effects of total flavonoids of litchi seed on -induced liver damage and fibrosis.

Background: (), which is prevalent in Asian countries, including China, Korea and Vietnam, is known to cause liver fibrosis, leading to various liver diseases and potentially fatal outcomes. Total flavonoids of litchi seed (TFL), a traditional Chinese medicine abundant in the Southern China, is known for its multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-fibrotic, anti-oxidative and hepato-protective properties. The present study explored the inhibitory effects of TFL on liver damage caused by infection in rats.

Synergistic fermentation of cottonseed meal using Lactobacillus mucosae LLK-XR1 and acid protease: Sustainable production of cottonseed peptides and depletion of free gossypol.

This study aimed to determine the optimal fermentation process for enhancing the content of small peptides (C) and the degradation efficiency of free gossypol (D), improving nutritional value. The results indicated that after fermentation, the D was reduced to 85.63 % (below both safety standards for human consumption (<200 mg/kg) and animal feed requirements (100-500 mg/kg)), and the C content was elevated to 46.

Neutrophils Induce P-Selectin Shedding from Activated Platelets Via Neutrophil Elastase.

It is suggested that neutrophil adhesion to P-selectin (P-sel) on activated platelet can induce P-sel shedding, however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study is to investigate the role of neutrophil in platelet P-sel shedding. Platelets were activated by thrombin, collagen or thrombin receptor agonist peptide (TRAP).

Predicting the Requirement of Blood Purification in Sepsis Disease Population: Development and Assessment of a New Nomogram.

Background: Sepsis is the leading cause of death for critically ill patients worldwide, and blood purification technology is an effective method for rapidly improving and treating sepsis. At present, there is a lack of sufficient clinical data on the timing of blood purification intervention for sepsis patients in China. This study aimed to develop an effective and straightforward tool for predicting the need for blood purification in the sepsis population using an evaluation model.

Integrated analysis of serum metabolomics and fecal microbiome in infants with necrotizing enterocolitis.

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a lethal gastrointestinal disorder in preterm infants, remains poorly understood in its pathology, and early diagnosis are critically limited. Multi-omics approaches present unprecedented opportunities to elucidate NEC pathogenesis and identify clinically translatable biomarkers.

Methods: Infants with Bell stage II-III NEC and gestational age-matched controls were enrolled.

Monocyte membrane-coated drug nanocrystals for enhanced targeted therapy of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder with increasing global prevalence. Despite substantial research efforts, the exact etiology of RA remains elusive, and its pathological environment involved appears complicated. To date first-line RA therapies primarily rely on pharmacological interventions, involving chemical and biologic agents that exert systemic immunosuppressive effects or inhibit single signaling molecule blockage.

Unraveling the Genetic Diversity and Phylogeography of the "King of Vitamin C" Fruit ( Trattinnick) in Chinese Southwest.

The southwestern region of China is one of the last repositories of biodiversity. Exploring the genetic diversity and phylogeographical structure of representative species in this area can not only provide insights into their evolutionary history but also help us specify protection plans. We conducted extensive sampling and combined ISSR, cpDNA (A-H, F-H, L-F, D-I, G-S), and single-copy nuclear gene ( and ) data with the MaxEnt model to investigate the genetic diversity, phylogeographic pattern and potential distribution of Trattinnick, the "King of Vitamin C" fruit, in this region.

Biyuantong decoction improves chronic rhinosinusitis by inhibiting inflammatory cell adhesion via NF-кB pathway modulation.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Biyuantong decoction (BYT), a traditional Chinese medicinal formulation, has been used for years to treat chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with good clinical results. However, the underlying mechanisms of its treatment for CRS remain to be fully elucidated.

Study Aim: This research investigates the molecular mechanism by which BYT ameliorates CRS and provide new perspectives for CRS treatment research.

Lack of consistency in poultry dust microbial taxa associated with high and low-performing commercial broiler flocks.

The microbial communities of the gastrointestinal tract play an essential role in poultry health and productivity. Poultry dust has been used to investigate bacterial taxa associated with performance in commercial broiler farms. This study investigated the commonalities of poultry dust microbial taxa associated with performance in samples collected from three broiler integrator companies and their stability in a successive flock of the same companies using deep sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene.

Acacetin as a natural cardiovascular therapeutic: mechanisms and preclinical evidence.

Globally, cardiovascular disease (CVD) has emerged as a leading cause of mortality and morbidity. As the world's population ages, CVD incidence is on the rise, and extensive attention has been drawn to optimizing the therapeutic regimens. Acacetin, a natural flavonoid derived from various plants, has been demonstrated to have a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-tumor activities, as well as protective effects on diverse tissues and organs.

Characteristics and immunoprotective functions of three cysteine proteases from .

Introduction: Cysteine proteases from , including various proteins, are essential for its pathogenicity and serve as potential vaccine candidates. This study assesses the protective effects of three cysteine proteases (CsCP1-3).

Methods: Mice immunized with recombinant CsCP1-3 and adjuvants were subsequently infected with metacercariae after three immunization rounds.

as a potential vector for bartonellosis.

spp. are most often transmitted by arthropod vectors or animal bites and scratches. However, the vector species involved in the transmission of human bartonellosis remain poorly understood.

Parenting Knowledge of Urban Chinese Postpartum Women: The Role of Spousal Support and Women's Affective Well-Being.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine parenting knowledge's perceived level, sources, and predictors among urban Chinese postpartum women, including sociodemographic and psychosocial factors.

Methods: Survey data was collected from 498 postpartum women who just gave birth within one year in Shanghai, China. Participants completed the Perceived Parenting Knowledge Questionnaire, the Postpartum Social Support Questionnaire (PSSQ), and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) and provided sociodemographic information.

Identification of novel antioxidant peptides from cottonseed meal co-fermented with Lactobacillus mucosae LLK-XR1 and acid proteases: In silico screening, molecular simulation, and in vitro functional analysis.

This study is the first to employ a microbe-enzyme synergistic fermentation process to produce bioactive peptides from cottonseed meal (CSM). The peptide profile of the fermented CSM was identified using LC-MS/MS analysis, and common bioactivities were predicted through computational models. Molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and cell experiments were conducted to validate the antioxidant functions and identify the potential best antioxidant peptides (AOP), S-7-H and E-7-H.

Three-dimensional breast imaging using Artificial-Intelligence-Based Automatic Measurement System.

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) image technology in breast measurement requires exploration. We aimed to evaluate a new automatic breast measurement system based on artificial intelligence (AI).

Methods: This prospective controlled study included all-women patients who underwent breast reconstruction from January to May 2022.

Silk fibroin protein-templated gold nanoclusters for in vivo fluorescence imaging.

Protein-templated synthesis has been proved to be an effective approach for building high-performance fluorescent bioimaging agents. Nevertheless, the high cost of proteins has restricted its wide application. Silk fibroin is a low cost natural protein with superior properties, which holds significant application prospects in many biomedical fields.

A single-nucleus and spatial transcriptomic atlas of the COVID-19 liver reveals topological, functional, and regenerative organ disruption in patients.

Background: The molecular underpinnings of organ dysfunction in severe COVID-19 and its potential long-term sequelae are under intense investigation. To shed light on these in the context of liver function, we perform single-nucleus RNA-seq and spatial transcriptomic profiling of livers from 17 COVID-19 decedents.

Results: We identify hepatocytes positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA with an expression phenotype resembling infected lung epithelial cells, and a central role in a pro-fibrotic TGFβ signaling cell-cell communications network.

Regional tissue oxygen saturation during minimal enteral feeding is associated with the subsequent feeding intolerance in very preterm infants.

Feeding intolerance (FI) is a common clinical problem in very preterm infants (VPIs) and it increases the risk for adverse outcomes. The value of regional tissue oxygen saturation in predicting FI remains unclear. A total of 57 VPIs were involved in this study, and the regional splanchnic and cerebral tissue oxygen saturation during minimal enteral feeding in the first 3 days after birth was monitored and analyzed.

VvARF19 represses VvLBD13-mediated cell wall degradation to delay softening of grape berries.

Fruit softening directly impacts its storage life, transportability, and customer acceptance. Auxin plays a key role during fruit ripening, but the underlying mechanisms of how auxin regulates fruit softening remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the regulatory roles of auxin on berry cell wall degradation during grape ( L.

Enhancing Antibiotic-Resistant Bacterial Infection Therapy: Self-Assembling Gemini Quaternary Ammonium-Functionalized Peptide Nanoassemblies with Multiple Antibacterial Mechanisms.

The rising threat of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) infections highlights the urgent need for effective antimicrobial agents and therapies. Peptide-based antimicrobial nanomaterials are well-placed to meet this need. Here, we explore the conjugation of antimicrobial gemini quaternary ammonium compounds (GQAs) with designed short hexapeptides to create cationic antimicrobial nanomaterials with low cytotoxicity and minimal resistance tendency.

The predictive effect of social support on new Chinese mothers' positive affect levels: Does the postpartum time period matter?

Timely intervention is essential to build resilience and foster positive emotional experiences as mothers navigate the challenges of motherhood. To support specific interventions, this study examined the mediating effect of maternal role adaptation on the relationship between perceived social support and new mothers' positive affect, as well as the moderating effect of the postpartum months in this relationship. The predictive effect of perceived social support on positive affect in the postpartum period remains unknown, particularly within specific time windows.

Gastrodin plays a protective role in alleviating hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury by regulating heme oxygenase-1 expression.

Hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury (HIRI) is a pathophysiological and complex systemic process involving multiple tissues and organs. Gastrodin (GSTD), a natural compound from Gastrodia elata, displays a variety of interesting pharmacological activities. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a stress-responsive protein, has a cytoprotective defense response against oxidative and inflammatory injuries.

TGF-β secreted by cancer cells-platelets interaction activates cancer metastasis potential by inducing metabolic reprogramming and bioenergetic adaptation.

Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths and poses a treatment challenge. Although studies have shown the importance of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metabolic reprogramming during cancer metastasis, the link between EMT and metabolic reprogramming, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms by which both mediate cancer cell invasion and metastasis have not been elucidated. Here, we observed that interactions between platelets and cancer cells promote the secretion of TGF-β, thereby initiating EMT, promoting the invasion, and altering the metastatic and metabolic potential of colon cancer cells.

High-density lipoprotein nanoparticles spontaneously target to damaged renal tubules and alleviate renal fibrosis by remodeling the fibrotic niches.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) ultimately causes renal fibrosis and end-stage renal disease, thus seriously threatens human health. However, current medications for CKD and fibrosis are inefficient, which is often due to poor targeting capability to renal tubule. In this study, we discover that biomimetic high-density lipoprotein (bHDL) lipid nanoparticles possess excellent targeting ability to injured tubular epithelial cells by kidney injury molecule-1(KIM-1) mediated internalization.