Taxonomic and functional diversity of alkali-tolerant bacteria enriched from the Taklimakan Desert.

The Taklimakan Desert is a naturally alkaline ecosystem harboring a rich diversity of alkali-resistant microorganisms. However, systematic studies on their distribution, diversity, and biotechnological potential remain limited. In this study, five representative soil samples were collected from the central region of the Taklimakan Desert, where the original soil pH ranged from 8.

The global, regional, and national brain and central nervous system cancer burden and trends from 1990 to 2021: an analysis based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Background: Brain and central nervous system (CNS) cancers remain a significant contributor to mortality worldwide. This study aims to provide the latest assessment of the prevalence, incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) rates of brain and CNS cancers from 1990 to 2021 at the global, regional, and national levels, stratified by sex, age, and the Sociodemographic Index (SDI).

Methods: Data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database were used to analyze the age-standardized prevalence (ASPR), incidence (ASIR), mortality (ASDR), and DALY rates of brain and CNS cancers.

Proteome-wide Mendelian randomization and colocalization analysis identify therapeutic targets for stroke.

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, yet its treatment still faces significant challenges. Mendelian randomization (MR) has been widely used to discover new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This study aimed to identify therapeutic targets for stroke within the plasma proteome range using MR.

Accurate prediction of mediolateral episiotomy risk during labor: development and verification of an artificial intelligence model.

Objective: The study developed an intelligent online evaluation system for mediolateral episiotomy, which incorporated machine learning algorithms and integrated maternal physiological data collected during delivery.

Methods: In this study, a predictive model for mediolateral episiotomy was constructed first, and based on this, an early warning system using open-source R software was established. The physiological data of 1191 parturients who delivered at Deyang People's Hospital in western China from January 2022 to December 2022 were collected and divided into training set and test set according to a ratio of 8:2.

Flexible Thermoelectric Electrode with a New Nitrogen-Modified MXene/SWCNT Layered Structure for Efficient Low-Grade Thermal Energy Collection.

Confronting the global challenge of energy efficiency in the backdrop of environmental concerns, the innovation of a flexible thermoelectric electrode marks a significant stride forward, especially in the realm of low-temperature heat recovery. This investigation unveils a pioneering electrode material, a nitrogen-doped SWCNT/MXene bilayer thin film, which was meticulously engineered for thermoelectric systems. Surpassing the conventional Pt electrode with inherent inflexibility and prohibitive cost, our proposed electrode showcases excellent ductility alongside commendable thermoelectric properties.

Pediatric WNT medulloblastoma predisposition in intraoperative blood loss: a retrospective observational cohort study.

Introduction: Molecular subgroups influence the vascular architecture within medulloblastomas, particularly the wingless (WNT) subgroup, which contributes to its propensity for primary tumor hemorrhage. Whether this mechanism affects intraoperative blood loss remains unknown. This study aimed to assess the association between WNT medulloblastoma and the predisposition for blood loss.

Neurosurgical short-term outcomes for pediatric medulloblastoma patients and molecular correlations: a 10-year single-center observation cohort study.

This study examined the risk factors for short-term outcomes, focusing particularly on the associations among molecular subgroups. The analysis focused on the data of pediatric patients with medulloblastoma between 2013 and 2023, as well as operative complications, length of stay from surgery to adjuvant treatment, 30-day unplanned reoperation, unplanned readmission, and mortality. 148 patients were included.

Inhibiting MMP13 Attenuates Deep Vein Thrombosis in a Mouse Model by Reducing the Expression of Pdpn.

Objective: Matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) is an extracellular matrix protease that affects the progression of atherosclerotic plaques and arterial thrombi by degrading collagens, modifying protein structures and regulating inflammatory responses, but its role in deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has not been determined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential effects of MMP13 and MMP13-related genes on the formation of DVT.

Methods: We altered the expression level of MMP13 in vivo and conducted a transcriptome study to examine the expression and relationship between MMP13 and MMP13-related genes in a mouse model of DVT.

Room-temperature highly sensitive triethylamine detection by few-layer NbCTMXene nanosheets.

MXene, a class of two-dimensional materials that are emerging as rising stars in the field of materials, are receiving much attention in sensing. TiCTMXene, the most maturely researched MXene, is widely used in energy, biomedical, laser, and microwave shielding applications and has also been expanded to gas sensing and wearable electronics applications. Compared with TiCT, NbCTMXene is more difficult to etch and has higher resistances at room temperature; so, few studies have been reported on their use in the sensing field.

The detection efficacy of noninvasive prenatal genetic testing (NIPT) for sex chromosome abnormalities and copy number variation and its differentiation in pregnant women of different ages.

Objective: To analyze the efficacy of noninvasive prenatal genetic testing (NIPT) in detecting fetal sex chromosome abnormalities and copy number variation (CNV), compare the efficacy between NIPT and serological screening alone, and further analyze the fetal sex chromosome abnormalities and CNV differentiation in pregnant women of different ages, so as to provide a reference for the prevention and control of fetal birth defects.

Methods: Clinical data from 22,692 pregnant women admitted to our hospital from January 2013 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. All participants underwent serological screening and NIPT screening to compare fetal chromosomal abnormalities between the two screening modalities.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Necessitating Cerebrospinal Fluid Diversion Following Medulloblastoma Surgery in Children.

Background: There are insufficient data on pediatric patients with medulloblastoma who require cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion following resection. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the incidence and the characteristics associated with it in this subset of patients.

Methods: We conducted a single-center, retrospective, observational cohort study of patients aged 18 years or less who underwent medulloblastoma resection at our department between 2010 and 2021.

Nickel nanoparticle decorated silicon carbide as a thermal filler in thermal conductive aramid nanofiber-based composite films for heat dissipation applications.

Aramid nanofibers (ANFs) have shown potential applications in the fields of nanocomposite reinforcement, battery separators, thermal insulation and flexible electronics. However, the inherent low thermal conductivity limits the application of ANFs, currently, to ensure long lifetime in electronics. In this work, new nickel (Ni) nanoparticles were employed to decorate the silicon carbide (SiC) filler by a rapid and non-polluting method, in which nickel acetate tetrahydrate (Ni(CHCOO)·4HO) and SiC were mixed and heated under an inert atmosphere.

The insertion and management of an external ventricular drain in pediatric patients with hydrocephalus associated with medulloblastoma.

An external ventricular drain (EVD) is used to facilitate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) removal in medulloblastoma patients suffering from hydrocephalus. It is essential to recognize that EVD management plays a crucial role in influencing the incidence of drain-related complications. However, the ideal method for EVD management remains undetermined.

Research progress in intelligent control of intrapartum oxytocin (unrevised version).

With the development of precision medicine and artificial intelligence, the infusion of many drugs has been intelligently controlled according to patients' conditions. However, the infusion of oxytocin (OT) still relies on medical staff responsible for implementing artificial regulation based on observation of fetal electronic monitoring and other maternal and fetal conditions. In this review, we discussed recent trends in intelligent infusion systems, the development status and dilemma of intelligent control of OT infusion, the drug intelligent feedback control system principle, and current risks and challenges to further promote obstetric informatization.

Impact of de-branched starch molecules and fatty acid complexes on the attenuation of ageing-induced cognitive impairment.

Background: Ageing and associated cognitive impairments are becoming serious issues around the world. In this study, the physiological properties of three kinds of complexes of fatty acid (capric, stearic and oleic acid, respectively) and de-branched starch molecules were investigated via a d-galactose-induced ageing model. This study revealed differences in the regulation of cognitive impairment and brain damage following intervention of different complexes, which might highlight a potent approach for the prevention of this chronic disease.

A phase III randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the denosumab biosimilar QL1206 in postmenopausal Chinese women with osteoporosis and high fracture risk.

The current study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a denosumab biosimilar, QL1206 (60 mg), compared to placebo in postmenopausal Chinese women with osteoporosis and high fracture risk. At 31 study centers in China, a total of 455 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and high fracture risk were randomly assigned to receive QL1206 (60 mg subcutaneously every 6 months) or placebo. From baseline to the 12-month follow-up, the participants who received QL1206 showed significantly increased bone mineral density (BMD) values (mean difference and 95% CI) in the lumbar spine: 4.

Advances of Drugs Electroanalysis Based on Direct Electrochemical Redox on Electrodes: A Review.

The strong development of mankind is inseparable from the proper use of drugs, and the electroanalytical research of drugs occupies an important position in the field of analytical chemistry. This review mainly elaborates the research progress of drugs electroanalysis based on direct electrochemical redox on various electrodes for the recent decade from 2011 to 2021. At first, we summarize some frequently used electrochemical data processing and electrochemical mechanism research derivation methods in the literature.

Photonic Crystal-Embedded Molecularly Imprinted Contact Lenses for Controlled Drug Release.

As a noninvasive eye disease detection and drug delivery device, contact lenses can improve eye bioavailability and enable continuous drug delivery. In order to monitor the release of drugs in real time, molecularly imprinted contact lenses (MICLs) based on photonic crystals (PCs) were prepared for the treatment of diabetes-related diseases. The specific adsorption of molecularly imprinted polymers on dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DSP) increased the drug loading and optimized the drug release behavior.

Prognostic Value of miR-137 in Children with Medulloblastoma and its Regulatory Effect on Tumor Progression.

Medulloblastoma is a malignant tumor with high incidence and poor prognosis in adolescents and children. MicroRNA-137 (miR-137) has been found to be abnormally expressed in cancers such as pancreatic cancer. The purpose of this study is to explore the expression of miR-137 in MB and its role in cell physiological activities to determine the significance of miR-137 in the prognosis of MB.

mRNA Profiling for miR-124-mediated Repair in Spinal Cord Injury.

The miRNA miR-124 has been reported to be a promising target for the repair of spinal cord injury (SCI), which is a devastating neurological condition. This study aimed to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of miR-124-mediated SCI repair. We established miR-124 SCI model rats and further treated them with agomiR-124 for 14 days.

Transcriptome analysis of Klf15‑mediated inhibitory functions in a mouse deep venous thrombosis model.

Krüppel‑like family (KLF) members are important regulators of proinflammatory activation in the vasculature. A transcriptome study involving RNA sequencing (RNA‑seq) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) was performed to investigate Klf15 and Klf15‑regulated gene levels in C57BL/6 mice with inferior vena cava thrombi and in control (Blank) mice. A total of 2,206 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 1,330 upregulated and 876 downregulated genes, were identified between the deep venous thrombosis (DVT) group and the Blank group.

Applications of Hydrogels with Special Physical Properties in Biomedicine.

As a polymer matrix containing a large amount of water, hydrogels have been widely used in many fields such as biology and medicine due to its similarity to extracellular matrix components, and its contact with blood, body fluids, and human tissue does not affect the metabolic processes of living organisms. However, due to the lack of unique physical properties of traditional polymer hydrogels, its further application in the high-end field is limited. With the progress of study, a series of hydrogels with special structures, such as double network hydrogel, composite hydrogel, Tetra-PEG gel, and topological gel, have improved the situation to a large extent.

Upregulation of the long noncoding RNA lncPolE contributes to intervertebral disc degeneration by negatively regulating DNA polymerase epsilon.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are critical regulators of gene transcription. Our previous results have demonstrated that iron deficiency accelerates intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) by affecting the stability of the DNA polymerase epsilon (Polε) complex. Here, we discovered that the novel lncRNA lncPolE functions as a negative regulator of Polε.

Iron deficiency accelerates intervertebral disc degeneration through affecting the stability of DNA polymerase epsilon complex.

Iron serves as an important cofactor of iron-containing proteins that play critical roles in the maintenance of DNA stability and cell cycle progression. The disturbed iron homeostasis results in the pathogenesis of many diseases such as cancer and anemia. In this study, we found a clear correlation between iron deficiency and intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD).