Astragaloside IV Binds with RhoA, Inhibits EndMT and Ameliorates Myocardial Fibrosis in Mice.

Astragaloside IV (ASIV), the main active component of the traditional Chinese medicine HuangQi, exhibits ameliorating effects on myocardial fibrosis through unclear mechanisms. To investigate the effects of ASIV on Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in myocardial fibrosis, 10 ng/mL TGF-β1 was used to induce EndMT in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and a 5 mg/kg/d subcutaneous injection of Isoproterenol (ISO) was used to induce myocardial fibrosis in mice . The drug affinity-responsive target stability (DARTS) was used to identify the target proteins of ASIV in endothelial cells.

Berberine Sensitises Breast Cancer Cells to Radiation via the Attenuation of DNA Ligase III.

Berberine (BBR) is an isoquinoline alkaloid with a variety of biological activities, including anti-microbial and anti-tumoral activities. However, the cellular targets of BBR and the roles of BBR in the radiosensitivity of breast cancer cells are not well defined. In this study, we investigated the effects of BBR on the radiosensitivity of BT549 triple-negative breast cancer cells.

Multi-Omics Analysis Revealed Characterization of Gastric Microbiome and Metabolome in Helicobacter pylori-Induced Progression of MASLD.

Background: Several clinical studies have demonstrated that Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection may exacerbate the progression of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD); however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the characterization of the gastric microbiome and metabolome in relation to the progression of MASLD induced by Hp infection.

Methods: We established a high-fat diet (HFD) obese mouse model, both with and without Hp infection, to compare alterations in serum and liver metabolic phenotypes.

Research Progress of Surfactant-Free Microemulsions: A Review.

Surfactant is usually considered the key component to form microemulsion. surfactant-based microemulsion (SBME) can also be called traditional microemulsion. It has a wide range of applications.

Progress of a Novel Dentistry Teaching Model Based on the Combination of Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Optimizing Cognitive Load: A Systematic Review.

Background: Virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have advanced significantly over the past few decades, expanding into various fields, including dental education.

Purpose: To comprehensively review the application of VR and AI technologies in dentistry training, focusing on their impact on cognitive load management and skill enhancement. This study systematically summarizes the existing literature by means of a scoping review to explore the effects of the application of these technologies and to explore future directions.

TCR/BCR Secondary Rearrangement in Autoimmune Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms, Pathogenic Roles, and Therapeutic Frontiers.

Autoimmune diseases (AIDs) constitute a group of disorders where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's tissues. The pathogenesis of AIDs involve a breakdown in immune tolerance, culminating in an immune response that targets autoantigens. In adaptive immunity, secondary rearrangement of T cell receptors (TCRs) and B cell receptors (BCRs) involves sequential V(D)J recombination events during lymphocyte development.

Molecular Mechanism of Butyrate Modulating Treg/Th17 Balance in UC Through cAMP-PKA/mTOR Axis.

Objective: This study aims to elucidate how butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid, regulates the Treg/Th17 balance in ulcerative colitis (UC) via the cAMP-PKA/mTOR signaling pathway, offering novel treatment strategies.

Methods: Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) was used to induce ulcerative colitis in a mouse model. Various butyrate dosages were administered to the mice.

Evidence for cognitive compensation mechanism in the postoperative delirium: a prospective multi-modal neuroimaging cohort study.

To explore the effect of brain cognitive compensation on the pathogenesis of postoperative delirium (POD) in the frontal glioma patients. Eighty-four adult patients with unilateral frontal glioma who underwent elective craniotomy and 37 healthy controls were recruited. Primary outcomes were POD during postoperative 1-7 days, as assessed by Confusion Assessment Method.

Production and functional characteristics of a novel hirudin variant with better anticoagulant activities than bivalirudin.

Current antithrombotic therapies face dual constraints of bleeding complications and monitoring requirements. Although natural hirudin provides targeted thrombin inhibition, its clinical adoption is hindered by sourcing limitations. This study developed a recombinant hirudin variant HMg (rHMg) with enhanced anticoagulant activity through genetic engineering and established cost-effective large-scale production methods.

Molecular characterization of endosomal self RNA Rmrp-engaged TLR3 dimerization to prime innate activation.

The pre-dimerization of endosome-localized RNA sensor Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) is required for its innate recognition, yet how TLR3 pre-dimers are formed and precisely primed for innate activation remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that endosome-localized self RNA Rmrp directly binds to TLR3 and induces TLR3 dimerization in the early endosome but does not interact with endosome-localized TLR7, TLR8, TLR9 or cytoplasmic RNA sensor RIG-I under homeostatic conditions. Cryo-EM structure of Rmrp-TLR3 complex reveals a novel lapped conformation of TLR3 dimer engaged by Rmrp, which is distinct from the activation mechanism by dsRNA and the specific structural feature at the 3'-end of Rmrp is critical for its functional interaction with TLR3.

Multidimensional Research on Hair Loss in Young Chinese Females With Oily Scalps.

Background: In recent years, the problem of female alopecia has been increasing and has shown a trend toward youthfulness. However, there are fewer studies on young female alopecia in the existing literature.

Aim: We aimed to study the possible causes of hair loss in young Chinese females aged 18-35 with oily scalps.

Comparison of clinical manifestations, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, and carbapenem resistance determinants between Acinetobacter seifertii and Acinetobacter nosocomialis isolated in Taiwan.

Background: Acinetobacter seifertii, a recently identified member of the Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-Acinetobacter baumannii (Acb) complex, has emerged as a cause of severe human infections. It is closely related to Acinetobacter nosocomialis, a major pathogen of the Acb complex. Here, we aimed to explore the clinical and molecular differences between these two species.

Targeting Tregs in T1DM: bridging heterogeneity, mechanisms, and clinical progress.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a pivotal role in maintaining immune tolerance and sustaining immunological homeostasis. Emerging evidence indicates that Treg characteristics and functional alterations can significantly contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases including type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Notably, recent studies have established a positive correlation between diminished numbers of Tregs and the onset of T1DM.

Synergistic inhibition of autophagic flux and induction of apoptosis in cervical cancer cells by Mito-TEMPO and hyperthermia.

Background: Hyperthermia (HT), while a cancer treatment approach, isn't always effective alone. Therefore, identifying hyperthermia enhancers is crucial. We demonstrated that Mito-TEMPO ([2-[(1-Hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) amino]-2-oxoethyl]-triphenylphosphanium, MT) acts as a potent thermosensitizer, promoting cell death in human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells.

The relationship among inflammatory biomarkers, hyperuricemia and chronic kidney disease: analysis of the NHANES 2015-2020.

Background: Inflammation and hyperuricemia are closely associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are emerging as novel biomarkers. While, the synergistic effects of these biomarkers with hyperuricemia on CKD remain unclear.

RNA interference targeting cytochrome P450 cyp303a1 on the performance of Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata.

CYP303A1 is vital for metamorphosis in Locusta migratoria and Drosophila melanogaster. Here we uncovered that RNA interference (RNAi) against Hvcyp303a1 in the third instar larvae in a Coleopteran Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata caused severe phenotypic defects. The Hvcyp303a1 RNAi larvae grew slowly, had thin head capsule and soft scoli, and ate less potato foliage.

Molecular mechanism of Tralopyril-induced enteritis in Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) through multi-pathway modulation: Network toxicology and experimental validation.

Tralopyril (TP), a representative bromopyrrolonitrile, functions as a broad-spectrum insecticide, raising growing concerns about its potential impact on aquatic organisms and human intestinal health. However, the key targets and toxicity mechanisms underlying TP-induced enteritis remain unclear. In this study, we utilized network toxicology combined with molecular docking to comprehensively explore the potential molecular mechanisms underlying TP-induced enteritis.

Juvenile hormone signaling regulates apoptosis mediated chlorantraniliprole sensitivity in Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda, FAW) has developed varying degrees of resistance to chlorantraniliprole (CAP). Apoptosis serves as a critical defense mechanism against pesticide stress in insects. Here, we identified a juvenile hormone (JH)-mediated apoptotic pathway through RNA-seq, revealing nine JH-induced apoptosis-related genes (four positively correlated and five negatively correlated).

Molecular characterization of Spodoptera frugiperda nose resistant to fluoxetine protein 6 and its putative involvement in tolerance to cyantraniliprole.

Spodoptera frugiperda (FAW) is a notorious polyphagous pest that has developed resistance to various insecticides including diamide insecticides. Our previous study established a FAW cyantraniliprole-resistant (SfCYAN-R) strain by laboratory resistance selection of susceptible strain (SfCYAN-S), however, the potential resistance mechanisms of FAW to cyantraniliprole remain unclear. In this study, SfNrf6 encoding nose resistant to fluoxetine (Nrf) protein 6 was identified to be upregulated in SfCYAN-R strain compared with SfCYAN-S strain based on RNA-Seq data and RT-qPCR.

Comparison of the toxicity and pharmacological effects of two insecticides against the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis.

The Asian Corn Borer (ACB), Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée) is a devastating pest of maize, causing significant yield and economic losses in Asia. GABA receptor inhibitors have served as effective tools for controlling ACB larvae over the past several decades. However, the toxicity levels and pharmacological properties of two insecticides, fluxametamide and fipronil against the ACB are still unclear.

Risk assessment and underlying mechanisms of pydiflumetofen resistance in Alternaria tenuissima and Alternaria alternata.

Potato early blight is a prevalent disease that significantly impacts potato cultivation. Pydiflumetofen, a new succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor developed by Syngenta, has been registered for use on multiple crops in China. However, its resistance risk and mechanisms in Alternaria tenuissima and Alternaria alternata are still poorly understood.

Environmental stressor-induced functional and expression dynamics of glutathione S-transferase genes in bees.

As key pollinators, bees are increasingly threatened by environmental stressors such as heavy metals, pesticides, and temperature fluctuations, which can cause oxidative stress and disrupt cellular homeostasis. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) play crucial roles in antioxidant defense and detoxification, yet systematic studies on bee GST families remain limited. Here, we conducted a genome-wide analysis of cytosolic GST genes in 13 bee species, identifying 146 genes in total.