Percutaneous nephrolithotomy under total X-ray free technique in horseshoe kidney stones: a 10-year experience from a large stone center.

Objectives: To report outcomes of complete ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for horseshoe kidney (HSK) stones at a high-volume center and evaluate a novel technique (Needle-perc-assisted endoscopic surgery, NAES) for these patients.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all HSK stone patients who underwent PCNL at our institution over a 10-year period. The NAES technique was utilized during the most recent 4 years.

Revealing Cell-Free Mitochondrial DNA Breakage Patterns as Novel Biomarkers for Sepsis.

Accurate early diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis remain major clinical challenges. This study explores specific plasma cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cfmtDNA) breakage patterns as potential biomarkers for sepsis. Plasma samples from ten non-sepsis control patients and 63 sepsis patients are analyzed using mitochondrial DNA fragmentomics, revealing distinct breakage sites in the RNR2 (positions 2474-2478) and COX2 (positions 7761, 7775, 7776, 7777, and 7783) regions, which are intact in healthy individuals but exhibited high-frequency breakage in sepsis patients.

CircEGLN1 alleviates calcium oxalate-induced renal injury via miR-212-5p/STARD7 axis, offering a potential strategy for kidney stone prevention.

Renal tubular injury driven by calcium oxalate (CaOx)-induced oxidative stress constitutes a major contributor to kidney stone formation, while the regulatory role of circRNAs in this process remains poorly characterized. Through high-throughput circRNA sequencing using a calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM)-induced HK-2 cell model, we identified the evolutionarily conserved circEGLN1 as a critical protective factor against oxidative damage. Functional assays in a CaOx nephrolithiasis mouse model and in COM-treated cells, including rescue experiments, demonstrated that circEGLN1 reduces oxidative injury by sequestering miR-212-5p, thereby upregulating STARD7 and mitigating oxidative stress.

A calcium-sensing receptor allelic series and underdiagnosis of genetically driven hypocalcemia.

The availability of genomic sequencing has revealed that variants in genes that cause rare monogenic disorders are relatively common, which raises the question of variant pathogenicity. Autosomal-dominant hypocalcemia type 1 (ADH1) is a rare genetic form of hypoparathyroidism caused by gain-of-function (GoF) variants in the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) encoded by CASR. We examined the prevalence, penetrance, and expressivity of GoF CASR variants in the UK Biobank (UKB; n = 433,793), All of Us (AOU; n = 229,987), and Mass General Brigham Biobank (n = 39,081).

Hall technology and conventional PMC technology: Progress and remaining challenge in extensive caries treatment.

Preformed metal crown restoration technology is widely used in the treatment of large area caries of deciduous molars, which can not only restore the tooth shape but also restore the chewing function of children. Preformed mental crown restoration technology includes conventional preformed mental crown technology and Hall technology. In this paper, the application scope, clinical curative effect, and research progress of clinical-related problems of premolar metal crown in large area caries of children were summarized.

Atomic-level cation occupation and magnetic properties of Ce-doped ZnFeO spinel ferrite.

Rare-earth doping has been proven to be an effective strategy for tailoring the magnetic properties of ferrites. In this study, we report a direct experimental observation of the precise occupation of cations in Ce-doped spinel ZnFeO ferrites. We demonstrate that divalent Zn cations and trivalent Fe cations respectively occupy all tetrahedral A sites and all octahedral B sites in ZnFeO nanofibers, which aligns well with the normal spinel structure.

Is negative urine culture necessary for PCNL safety? Experience from a large-volume stone center.

Objectives: To present our large single-center experience in managing patients with positive urine cultures and kidney stones with total ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) and to redefine the role of urine culture in modifying these patients' treatment plans.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients who had undergone PNL in our department from January 2016 to December 2020 and identified 422 eligible patients. These patients were allocated to two groups according to pre-operative urine culture results: negative (Group 1,  = 278) and positive (Group 2,  = 144).

Exosomes containing long non-coding RNA AGAP2-AS1 promote the differentiation of CD4 T cells through the miR-424-5p/SGK1 axis in psoriasis.

Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Our previous research demonstrated that AGAP2-AS1 in keratinocytes is involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, but its effect on CD4 T cell differentiation remains unclear.

Methods: Exosomes were extracted from HaCaT cells using a reagent kit and verified by TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope), NTA (Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis), and Western Blot.

Calculus Cholecystitis Complicated with Variations of Extrahepatic Bile Duct: Clinical Experience and Aeromedical Analysis of 3 Cases in Aviation Pilots.

Introduction: For aviation personnel, calculous cholecystitis often requires surgical treatment because of the potential risks to flight safety whether symptomatic or asymptomatic. Although much effort has been put on the precaution of gallstone formation, the incidence of long-term post-cholecystectomy syndrome (PCS) seems more apparent in the limited number of cases undergoing cholecystectomy. The purpose of article was to elucidate the possible mechanism of gallstone formation and the development of long-term PCS caused by variations of bile duct, as well as choice of surgical treatments, just in this particular group of aviation personnel.

UreteroPyeloVisClear catheter: a new frontier in ureteroscopic lithotripsy for ureteral stones.

Conventional semirigid ureteroscopy for ureteral stones faces challenges such as stone retropulsion, poor intraoperative vision, and elevated intrarenal pressure. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of a novel multi-channel negative pressure suction catheter (UreteroPyeloVisClear Catheter, VCC) in ureteroscopic lithotripsy. To compare the performance of VCC with conventional rigid ureteroscopy, this study evaluated operative time, stone clearance rates, and complication incidence between VCC and traditional semirigid ureteroscopy.

Spatio-Temporal Regulation of IGFs in Enamel Development: Molecular Mechanisms From Ameloblast Polarity to Mineralization Homeostasis.

The development of enamel relies on the precise regulation of ameloblast differentiation, enamel matrix secretion, and mineralization. The formation of enamel is crucial for the normal function of dental tissues, and promoting enamel remineralization is of significant importance for the treatment of dental caries. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of enamel development is essential for oral therapy and provides a bridge to tooth regeneration.

Profile of colorectal polyps in young patients: A retrospective study.

There is an increased incidence of colorectal cancer in young patients, however, the relationship between polyp characteristics and histology is not clearly understood. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of different histological types of polyps in young patients and risk factors associated with advanced histology. Young patients (aged <45) who underwent polypectomy at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital (2015-2017, Zhejiang, China) and West China Xiamen Hospital (2023-2024, Xiamen, China) were included.

Evaluating the learning curve of total ultrasound guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy in complex renal stones using"30-degree triangulation"technique.

Purpose: To investigate the learning curve of in the training of total ultrasound(US) guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy(PCNL) in complex renal stones using "30-degree principle" technique.

Patients And Methods: A total of 80 patients were included in this study to evaluate the learning curve of US guided PCNL in an inexperienced novice. They were divided into 8 groups based on timing of the surgery to evaluate the outcomes within the groups.

Retraction Notice to: LncRNA LINC00963 Promotes Tumorigenesis and Radioresistance in Breast Cancer by Sponging miR-324-3p and Inducing ACK1 Expression.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.

Age-associated reduction in ER-Mitochondrial contacts impairs mitochondrial lipid metabolism and autophagosome formation in the heart.

The accumulation of dysfunctional giant mitochondria is a hallmark of aged cardiomyocytes. This study investigated the core mechanism underlying this phenomenon, focusing on the disruption of mitochondrial lipid metabolism and its effects on mitochondrial dynamics and autophagy, using both naturally aging mouse models and etoposide-induced cellular senescence models. In aged cardiomyocytes, a reduction in endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondrial (ER-Mito) contacts impairs lipid transport and leads to insufficient synthesis of mitochondrial phosphatidylethanolamine (PE).

Genomic analysis of 11,555 probands identifies 60 dominant congenital heart disease genes.

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of infant mortality. We analyzed de novo mutations (DNMs) and very rare transmitted/unphased damaging variants in 248 prespecified genes in 11,555 CHD probands. The results identified 60 genes with a significant burden of heterozygous damaging variants.

Prevalence and correlates of generalized anxiety disorder and subthreshold anxiety symptoms in south China: A network perspective.

Aims: To investigate the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and subthreshold anxiety symptoms (SAS) in Guangdong province of China, and to identify the central anxiety symptoms, while further exploring their associations with sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and somatic diseases.

Methods: This survey was conducted in 21 administrative regions of Guangdong province with multistage-stratified cluster random sampling method. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and their 95 % confidence intervals (CIs).

Interlayer reconstruction phase transition in van der Waals materials.

Van der Waals materials display rich structural polymorphs with distinct physical properties. An atomistic understanding of the phase-transition dynamics, propagation pathway and associated evolution of physical properties is essential for capturing their potential in practical technologies. However, direct visualization of the rapid phase-transition process is fundamentally challenging due to the inherent trade-offs among atomic resolution, field of view and imaging frame rate.

Direct Observation of Dipole Interlocking Effect Occurrence in Two-Dimensional Ferroelectricity.

The electric dipole in materials is closely associated with their electronic transport, optical properties, and mechanical behavior. Here, we have employed the differential phase contrast (DPC) technique of the scanning transmission electron microscopy technique (STEM) to directly analyze the local electric dipole at the sub-Angstrom scale. By utilizing DPC-STEM technology, we successfully visualized the ferroelectric polarization of van der Waals material 3R α-InSe and directly confirmed the dipole interlocking effect (DIE) between in-plane (IP) and out-of-plane (OOP) polarizations.

Implication of CCNG1 in radiosensitivity via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in esophageal squamous cells.

Esophageal cancer (EC) poses a substantial threat to human health. The development of radioresistance in esophageal cancer cells is a critical factor contributing to local treatment failure and an unfavorable prognosis in affected patients. A comprehensive analysis was performed using bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) samples.

Repair Engineering of Crystal Structure in van der Waals Materials by Probe Electron Beam.

The advancement of electronic technology has led to increasing research on performance and stability. Continuous electrical pulse stimulation can cause crystal structure changes, affecting performance and accelerating aging. Controlled repair of these defects is crucial.

Targeting mitochondrial quality control: new therapeutic strategies for major diseases.

Mitochondria play a crucial role in maintaining the normal physiological state of cells. Hence, ensuring mitochondrial quality control is imperative for the prevention and treatment of numerous diseases. Previous reviews on this topic have however been inconsistencies and lack of systematic organization.

PGC-1α loss promotes mitochondrial protein lactylation in acetaminophen-induced liver injury via the LDHB-lactate axis.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affected people worldwide, and fever is one of the major symptoms of this disease. Although Acetaminophen (APAP) is a common fever-reducing medication, it can also mediate liver injury. However, the role of PGC-1α in regulating mitochondrial quality control by lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB), a vital enzyme catalyzing the conversion of lactate to pyruvate, in APAP-induced hepatotoxicity, is unclear.