Reduced expression of PDZK1 mediates fibroblast activation and cardiac fibrosis via EGFR phosphorylation in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Aims: To clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying PDZK1-mediated regulation of cardiac fibroblast (CF) activation and cardiac fibrosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Materials And Methods: DCM models were constructed using db/db mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and C57BL/6 mice induced by multiple low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) combined with HFD. PDZK1 expression in myocardial tissues was detected via molecular assays; cardiac function was evaluated using echocardiography, and cardiac fibrosis was assessed by histopathological staining.

Coal dust particles can upregulate the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome components in rat alveolar macrophages through phagocytosis.

Previous studies have demonstrated that silica can activate the NLRP3 inflammasome, and that macrophage phagocytosis is an essential step in this process. Although carbon is the primary component of coal dust particles, it also contains other impurities such as free silica, clay, sulfides, and carbonate minerals. Additional research is still necessary to discover if NLRP3 can be triggered due to the low silica content of coal dust particles.

Insights From Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay for Prognosis in Homologous Recombination-Deficient Ovarian Cancer.

Not all ovarian cancer patients with homologous recombination deficiency, especially those with germline BRCA mutations, can benefit from platinum-based and targeted therapy. Our study aimed to determine the value of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay, which targeted these mutations. The retrospective analysis of 797 ovarian cancer patients was performed using two public cohorts and one in-house cohort.

Exploring challenges and coping strategies in providing care for older adults with dementia: a qualitative study conducted in China.

Background: The increasing prevalence of dementias in China has imposed a substantial burden on caregivers, posing a serious threaten to their physical and mental well-being. It is imperative to explore practical measures to alleviate the stress experienced by those caregivers of older adults with dementia.

Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire was adopted for conducting interviews with the participants from December 2022 to January 2023.

Clinical study on horizontal bone augmentation using an alveolar mucosa-periosteal bone flap.

The current study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the alveolar bone mucosa- periosteal bone flap technique in horizontally augmenting the alveolar ridge during dental implant placement. This retrospective analysis included 20 patients with a total of 45 implants, and was designed to evaluate the alveolar ridge widths both before and after surgery. Preoperative measurements indicated an average alveolar ridge width of 3.

Inhibitory effects of circR-127aa on gastric cancer progression and tumor growth.

This study investigates the function of a newly identified 127-amino acid peptide, circR-127aa, encoded by hsa_circ_0075402 (circRACK1), in gastric cancer (GC), a condition with significant prevalence in China. Utilizing a comprehensive analysis of circular RNA (circRNA) ribosome profiling data alongside experimental validations through mass spectrometry, Western blot, and immunofluorescence, we demonstrate that circR-127aa Inhibits Malignant Phenotypes and suppresses tumor growth in nude mice models. Significantly, the interaction of circR-127aa with Vimentin, a crucial element in actin-actin-cytoskeletal remodeling, indicates that circR-127aa functions as a tumor suppressor by facilitating the ubiquitination of Vimentin.

Response of soil biochemical properties and ecosystem function to microplastics pollution.

Microplastics (MPs)-induced changes in soil nutrient cycling and microbial activity may pose a potential risk to soil ecosystem. Although some studies have explored these topics, there is still a large space for exploration and a relative lack of research on the mechanism by which soil health and its functions are affected by these changes. Thus, this study investigated the effects of polyethylene (PE) MPs with two particle sizes (13 μm and 130 μm) at five concentrations (0%, 1%, 3%, 6% and 10%, w/w) on soil biochemical properties and ecosystem function.

Morroniside Attenuates Rheumatoid Arthritis by Inhibiting Rheumatoid Synoviocytes Invasion through the NF-κB/MMPs Pathway.

Objective: Morroniside (MOR) has been reported to ameliorate inflammation in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease; however, its impact and mechanism on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the beneficial role of morroniside in treating RA and explore the anti-invasive mechanism of morroniside on joint destruction.

Methods: (using primary rat articular fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs)) a wound healing assay was used to detect the migration of primary rat FLSs.

Distribution and biomagnification of Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) in edible marine fish in the Beibu Gulf, China: Implication for seafood dietary risk.

Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) are legacy additive brominated flame retardant. In present study, the distribution, biomagnification and potential human health risk associated with HBCDs were investigated in six edible marine fish species collected from three bays in the Beibu Gulf, China, between March and October 2021. The concentration of HBCDs ranged from 0.

Targeted sequencing of DNA/RNA combined with radiomics predicts lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Objective: The aim of our study is to find a better way to identify a group of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with more aggressive behaviors and to provide a prediction model for lymph node metastasis to assist in clinic practice.

Methods: Targeted sequencing of DNA/RNA was used to detect genetic alterations. Gene expression level was measured by quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting or immunohistochemistry.

Genetic liability of gut microbiota for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and lung function: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Background: The microbiota-gut-lung axis has elucidated a potential association between gut microbiota and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, there is a paucity of population-level studies with providing robust evidence for establishing causality. This two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis aimed to investigate the causal relationship between the gut microbiota and IPF as well as lung function.

Phylogeography and population structure of (Richardson, 1845) (Tetraodontiformes, Tetraodontidae) in the South China Sea.

The climate fluctuations during the Late Pleistocene significantly influenced the phylogeographic structure and historical dynamics of marine fishes in the marginal seas of the western Pacific Ocean. The puffer fish, , holds substantial nutritional and economic value in the South China Sea. To investigate the demographic history and population structure of the , the mitochondrial DNA and Cyt gene datasets from 300 individuals across eight populations in the South China Sea were sequenced.

The efficacy of modified contrast-enhanced ultrasound Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (CEUS LI-RADS) using Sonazoid in diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The contrast-enhanced ultrasound Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (CEUS LI-RADS) is an algorithm for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk populations. Previous studies have shown the algorithm to have high specificity and moderate sensitivity. Nevertheless, it is designated for utilization solely with blood pool contrast agents.

Construction of novel Ag/AgI/BiTiO plasmonic heterojunction: A study focusing on the performance and mechanism of photocatalytic removal of tetracycline.

As a result of the insufficient absorption of visible light, the application of BiTiO in the field of photocatalysis is limited. Ag/AgI was uniformly modified on the surface of the nanoflower bulb of BiTiO by simple precipitation method and photodeposition. The fabricated Ag/AgI/BiTiO obtained an ultra-high tetracycline (TC) removal rate under visible light irradiation.

Effects of polyethylene microplastics stress on soil physicochemical properties mediated by earthworm Eisenia fetida.

Microplastics (MPs) are widely distributed in soil environments, but their ecological risks are not fully understood. To fill this knowledge gap, incubation experiments were conducted to explore the physiological response of Eisenia foetida (E. fetida) to polyethylene MP stress and its effects on soil physicochemical properties.

Organic phosphorus levels change the hyphosphere phoD-harboring bacterial community of Funneliformis mosseae.

The phoD-harboring bacterial community is responsible for organic phosphorus (P) mineralization in soil and is important for understanding the interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) at the community level for organic P turnover. However, current understanding of the phoD-harboring bacterial community associated with AM fungal hyphae responses to organic P levels remains incomplete. Here, two-compartment microcosms were used to explore the response of the phoD-harboring bacterial community in the hyphosphere to organic P levels by high-throughput sequencing.

Di-aldehyde tunicate cellulose nanocrystal (D-tCNC) aerogels for drug delivery: Effect of D-tCNC composition on aerogel structure and release properties.

Aerogels as drug carriers have the characteristics of a large specific surface area, high porosity and an elastic skeleton structure. Compared with traditional drug carriers, the use of aerogels as drug carriers can avoid the complexity of drug delivery and improve the efficiency of drug loading. In this work, the oxidation of tunicate cellulose nanocrystals (tCNCs) with NaIO was used to prepare di-aldehyde tunicate cellulose nanocrystals (D-tCNCs).

Heavy Metals in Surface Sediment of Plateau Lakes in Tibet, China: Occurrence, Risk Assessment, and Potential Sources.

Tibetan Plateau lakes have high ecological value and play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. This research aimed to study the pollution characteristics, ecological risk, and potential sources of eight heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in the surface sediments of 12 Tibetan Plateau lakes. The results of the toxicity risk index (TRI) showed that only Gongzhu Tso (28.