Interpretable machine learning approaches for predicting prostate cancer by using multiple heavy metal exposures based on the data from NHANES 2003-2018.

Environmental pollution plays a major role in the development of prostate cancer (PCA). However, there has been no research on machine learning (ML) modelling between multiple heavy metal exposures and PCA risk. Based on the 8022 samples from the 2003-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database, we utilized the information pertaining to the concentrations of 18 blood and urinary heavy metals and minerals as well as 14 covariates.

A robust and powerful GWAS method for family trios supporting within-family Mendelian randomization analysis.

Effect size estimates in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and Mendelian randomization (MR) studies for independent individuals may be biased due to dynastic effect (DE) and residual population stratification (RPS). Existing GWAS methods for family trios effectively controlled such biases, while only using parental and offspring's genotypes and offspring's phenotype, and not incorporating parental phenotypes, which causes loss in estimation accuracy and test power. Therefore, we proposed a novel GWAS method based on structural equation modelling for family trios, denoted by FT-SEM.

Peptide Cy accelerates hair regeneration in diabetic mice by binding to the Frizzled-7 receptor.

Individuals with diabetes frequently face serious challenges, including delayed wound healing and increased risk of infection. Notably, the regeneration of hair follicles plays a crucial role in accelerating diabetic skin damage repair, reducing the risk of infection, and enhancing overall skin health. Research has predominantly emphasized the re-epithelialization of diabetic wounds, with a paucity of in-depth studies on hair follicle regeneration.

Trends in maternal and child health in China and its urban and rural areas from 1991 to 2020: a joinpoint regression model.

The long-term trends in maternal and child health (MCH) in China and the national-level factors that may be associated with these changes have been poorly explored. This study aimed to assess trends in MCH indicators nationally and separately in urban and rural areas and the impact of public policies over a 30‒year period. An ecological study was conducted using data on neonatal mortality rate (NMR), infant mortality rate (IMR), under-five mortality rate (U5MR), and maternal mortality ratio (MMR) nationally and separately in urban and rural areas in China from 1991 to 2020.

Engineered Exosomes Containing microRNA-29b-2 and Targeting the Somatostatin Receptor Reduce Presenilin 1 Expression and Decrease the β-Amyloid Accumulation in the Brains of Mice with Alzheimer's Disease.

Purpose: Exosomes are membrane vesicles secreted by various cells and play a crucial role in intercellular communication. They can be excellent delivery vehicles for oligonucleotide drugs, such as microRNAs, due to their high biocompatibility. MicroRNAs have been shown to be more stable when incorporated into exosomes; however, the lack of targeting and immune evasion is still the obstacle to the use of these microRNA-containing nanocarriers in clinical settings.

Assessment of hepatic fat content and prediction of myocardial fibrosis in athletes by using proton density fat fraction sequence.

Purpose: To explore the characteristics of the hepatic fat content in athletes, and predict late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) based on magnetic resonance imaging-proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF).

Material And Methods: From March 2020 to March 2021, 233 amateur athletes and 42 healthy sedentary controls were prospectively recruited. The liver fat content of four regions of interest (ROIs 1-4), the mean liver fat fraction (FF), cardiac function, and myocardium LGE were recorded, respectively.

Trend in the incidence of hepatitis A in mainland China from 2004 to 2017: a joinpoint regression analysis.

Background: China has experienced a continuous decreasing trend in the incidence of hepatitis A in recent years. Temporal trend analyses are helpful in exploring the reasons for the changing trend. Thus, this study aims to analyse the incidence trend of viral hepatitis A by region and age group in mainland China from 2004 to 2017 to evaluate the effectiveness of prevention and control measures.

Association of Overlapped and Un-overlapped Comorbidities with COVID-19 Severity and Treatment Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study from Nine Provinces in China.

Objective: Several COVID-19 patients have overlapping comorbidities. The independent role of each component contributing to the risk of COVID-19 is unknown, and how some non-cardiometabolic comorbidities affect the risk of COVID-19 remains unclear.

Methods: A retrospective follow-up design was adopted.

Liposome Consolidated with Cyclodextrin Provides Prolonged Drug Retention Resulting in Increased Drug Bioavailability in Brain.

Although butylidenephthalide (BP) is an efficient anticancer drug, its poor bioavailability renders it ineffective for treating drug-resistant brain tumors. However, this problem is overcome through the use of noninvasive delivery systems, including intranasal administration. Herein, the bioavailability, drug stability, and encapsulation efficiency (EE, up to 95%) of BP were improved by using cyclodextrin-encapsulated BP in liposomal formulations (CDD1).

Integration of PEG 400 into a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system improves drug loading capacity and nasal mucosa permeability and prolongs the survival of rats with malignant brain tumors.

Kolliphor EL (K-EL) is among the most useful surfactants in the preparation of emulsions. However, it is associated with low hydrophobic drug loading in the resulting emulsified formulation. In this study, a formulation for intranasal administration of butylidenephthalide (Bdph), a candidate drug against glioblastoma (GBM), was prepared.

Effect of Cinnamomum osmophloeum Kanehira Leaf Aqueous Extract on Dermal Papilla Cell Proliferation and Hair Growth.

In this study, we explored the effect of the water extract of Cinnamomum osmophloeum Kanehira (COK) leaves on hair growth by in vitro and in vivo assays. Using an in vitro 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, it was found that the proliferation of rat vibrissae and human hair dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) was significantly enhanced by the COK leaf extract treatment. As determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of some hair growth-related factors including vascular endothelial growth factor, keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), and transforming growth factor-β2 were found to be higher in the cultured hDPCs exposed to COK leaf extract than those in the untreated control group.

Investigating the mincing method for isolation of adipose-derived stem cells from pregnant women fat.

The success of stem cell application in regenerative medicine, usually require a stable source of stem or progenitor cells. Fat tissue represents a good source of stem cells because it is rich in stem cells and there are fewer ethical issues related to the use of such stem cells, unlike embryonic stem cells. Therefore, there has been increased interest in adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) for tissue engineering applications.

Genetic and epigenetic instability of stem cells.

Recently, research on stem cells has been receiving an increasing amount of attention, both for its advantages and disadvantages. Genetic and epigenetic instabilities among stem cells have been a recurring obstacle to progress in regenerative medicine using stem cells. Various reports have stated that these instabilities can transform stem cells when transferred in vivo and thus have the potential to develop tumors.

Cells and materials for liver tissue engineering.

Liver transplantation is currently the most efficacious treatment for end-stage liver diseases. However, one main problem with liver transplantation is the limited number of donor organs that are available. Therefore, liver tissue engineering based on cell transplantation that combines materials to mimic the liver is under investigation with the goal of restoring normal liver functions.

Adipose-derived stem cells can abrogate chemical-induced liver fibrosis and facilitate recovery of liver function.

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are easy to harvest and have the ability for self-renewal and to differentiate into various cell types, including those of the hepatic lineage. Studies on the use of ADSCs for liver transplantation are, however, limited. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using human ADSCs and to better understand their mechanism of action for the repair of liver damage in a thioacetamide (TAA)-induced model of chronic liver damage in the rat.

Functional cells cultured on microcarriers for use in regenerative medicine research.

Microcarriers have been successfully used for many years for growing anchorage-dependent cells and as a means of delivering cells for tissue repair. When cultured on microcarriers, the number of anchorage-dependent cells, including primary cells, can easily be scaled up and controlled to generate the quantities of cells necessary for therapeutic applications. Recently, stem cell technology has been recognized as a powerful tool in regenerative medicine, but adequate numbers of stem cells that retain their differentiation potential are still difficult to obtain.

Transplantation of human Wharton's Jelly-derived stem cells alleviates chemically induced liver fibrosis in rats.

There is currently no effective treatment method available for liver fibrosis. We therefore evaluated the use of Wharton's jelly stem cells (WJSCs; the major umbilical cord stem cell population) to treat chemically induced liver fibrosis via intraperitoneal injection of thioacetamide. WJSCs were transplanted into liver-damaged rats via the portal vein and the treatment was evaluated by assessing serum biochemistry and histopathology.