The correlation between the level of cellular classification in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of children with severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae and clinical characteristics.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) is a common respiratory tract infection disease in children. To date, there have been few studies on the relationship between cytological changes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and clinical features. The objective of this study is to investigate the correlation between changes in the proportion of cell classifications in BALF and the clinical features in children with severe MPP (SMPP). In total, the study included 64 children with SMPP requiring bronchoalveolar lavage who were admitted to our hospital between March and September 2022 (study group) and 11 children with bronchial foreign bodies without co-infection (control group), who were admitted during the same period. The proportion of cell classifications in BALF was determined by microscopic examination after performing Wright-Giemsa staining. Patients were grouped according to different clinical characteristics, and between-group comparisons were made regarding the variations in the proportion of cell classifications in BALF. The levels of blood routine neutrophil percentage (GRA%), C-reactive protein, D-dimer and lactate dehydrogenase in the study group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). There were differences in the GRA% and macrophage percentage in the BALF between the two groups (P < 0.05). The GRA% and blood lymphocyte percentage were associated with pleural effusion. Multiple indicators correlated with extrapulmonary manifestations (P < 0.05). Moreover, the percentage of lymphocytes in the BALF correlated with pleural effusion, extrapulmonary manifestations and refractory MPP (RMPP) (P < 0.05). Logistic regression showed that BALF lymphocytes were protective factors for RMPP, while serum amyloid A and extrapulmonary manifestations were risk factors (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The BALF of children with SMPP is predominantly neutrophilic. A lower percentage of lymphocytes is related to a higher incidence of pleural effusion, extrapulmonary manifestations and progression to RMPP, as well as a longer length of hospitalisation. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Mycoplasma pneumonia in children is relatively common in clinical practice. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a routine clinical procedure. WHAT IS NEW: However, there are relatively few studies focusing on the cytomorphological analysis of cells in BAL fluid.

Discovery and characterization of the PpqI/R quorum sensing system activated by GacS/A and Hfq in Pseudomonas protegens H78.

Pseudomonas protegens can generally produce multiple antibiotics including pyoluteorin (Plt), 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG), and pyrrolnitrin (Prn). In this study, we discovered and characterized a quorum sensing (QS) system, PpqI/R, in P. protegens H78. PpqI/R, encoded by two open reading frames (ORFs) (H78_01960/01961) in P. protegens H78 genome, is a LuxI/R-type QS system. Four long-chain acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) signaling molecules, 3-OH-C10-HSL, 3-OH-C12-HSL, C12-HSL, and 3-OH-C14-HSL, are produced by H78. Biosynthesis of these AHLs is catalyzed by PpqI synthase and activated by the PpqR regulator in H78 and in Escherichia coli when heterologously expressed. PpqR activates ppqI expression by targeting the lux box upstream of the ppqI promoter in cooperation with corresponding AHLs. The four aforementioned AHLs exhibited different capabilities to induce ppqI promoter expression, with 3-OH-C12-HSL showing the highest induction activity. In H78 cells, ppqI/R expression is activated by the two-component system GacS/A and the RNA chaperone Hfq. Differential regulation of the PpqI/R system in secondary metabolism has a negative effect on DAPG biosynthesis and ped operon (involved in volatile organic compound biosynthesis) expression. In contrast, Plt biosynthesis and prn operon expression were positively regulated by PpqI/R. In summary, PpqI/R, the first characterized QS system in P. protegens, is activated by GacS/A and Hfq and controls the expression of secondary metabolites, including antibiotics.

Anisodamine Hydrobromide ameliorates acute lung injury via inhibiting pyroptosis in murine sepsis model.

OBJECTIVE: Sepsis can have severe implications on lung function, leading to acute lung injury (ALI), a major contributor to sepsis-related mortality. Anisodamine hydrobromide (Ani HBr), a bioactive constituent derived from the root of Scopolia tangutica Maxim, a plant endemic to China, has demonstrated efficacy in treating septic shock. We aim to explore whether Ani HBr can alleviate sepsis-triggered acute lung injury (ALI) and elucidate the fundamental mechanisms involved. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The protective effects of Ani HBr were assessed in two models: in vitro, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, and in vivo, cecal ligation puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis. To measure the cell viability of RAW264.7 cells after Ani HBr treatment, we used the CCK-8 assay. We quantified the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines expression using ELISA. We also measured the expression of pyrotosis indicators by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blotting, and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Our study demonstrates that Ani HBr can alleviate pulmonary edema, bleeding, and excessive inflammation induced by CLP. Additionally, it exhibits protective effects against cytotoxicity induced by LPS in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Furthermore, Ani HBr downregulates the mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-18, and IL-1ß in both animal models and cell cultures, thereby inhibiting pyroptosis in a similar mechanism to AC-YVAD-CMK (AYC)'s blockade of Caspase-1. Moreover, Ani HBr suppresses the production and release of proinflammatory cytokines. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that Ani HBr could serve as a protective agent against sepsis-induced ALI by suppressing pyroptosis.

Magnetic excitations in strained infinite-layer nickelate PrNiO2 films.

Strongly correlated materials respond sensitively to external perturbations such as strain, pressure, and doping. In the recently discovered superconducting infinite-layer nickelates, the superconducting transition temperature can be enhanced via only ~ 1% compressive strain-tuning with the root of such enhancement still being elusive. Using resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS), we investigate the magnetic excitations in infinite-layer PrNiO2 thin films grown on two different substrates, namely SrTiO3 (STO) and (LaAlO3)0.3(Sr2TaAlO6)0.7 (LSAT) enforcing different strain on the nickelates films. The magnon bandwidth of PrNiO2 shows only marginal response to strain-tuning, in sharp contrast to the enhancement of the superconducting transition temperature Tc in the doped superconducting samples. These results suggest the bandwidth of spin excitations of the parent compounds is similar under strain while Tc in the doped ones is not, and thus provide important empirics for the understanding of superconductivity in infinite-layer nickelates.

Loss of microbial functional diversity following Spartina alterniflora invasion reduces the potential of carbon sequestration and nitrogen removal in mangrove sediments-from a gene perspective.

Mangrove ecosystems play an important role in carbon (C) sequestration and nitrogen (N) removal. Although Spartina alterniflora has successively invaded native mangrove habitats during the preceding two decades, the effects of this invasion on the microbial functional potential involved in nutrient cycling remain unclear. In this study, metagenomic sequencing was used to investigate microbial C and N cycling in sediments derived from S. alterniflora and three native mangrove species (Kandelia obovata, Avicennia marina, and Aegiceras corniculatum). Greater differences in functional profiles of C and N cycling-related genes were observed between S. alterniflora and mangrove sediments than between different mangrove sediments. Functional diversity was lower in S. alterniflora sediments than in native mangrove sediments. The growth of Thaumarchaeota and Proteobacteria, was enhanced due to their resilience to diversity loss, while the growth of oligotrophs, such as Chloroflexi and Firmicutes, was inhibited in S. alterniflora sediments. Compared to mangrove sediments, the abundance of genes involved in C fixation and methane production was lower in S. alterniflora sediments. However, S. alterniflora significantly increased the gene abundance of pmo which controlled the oxidation process of CH4 to carbon dioxide. Additionally, genes involved in nitrification were enriched, whereas genes involved in N reduction processes, such as denitrification and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium, N immobilization, and N mineralization, were depleted in S. alterniflora sediments compared to mangrove sediments. Partial least squares regression models demonstrated that the decrease in soil organic C and increase in pH after S. alterniflora invasion induced the loss of microbial functional diversity, which was the main driver of changes in the abundances of genes involved in C and N cycling. Overall, our findings indicate that S. alterniflora invasion modifies the microbial functional profile of nutrient cycling in native mangrove ecosystems and potentially weakens the capacity of mangroves to sequester carbon and remove nitrogen.

Degradable and Recyclable Hydrogels for Sustainable Bioelectronics.

Hydrogel bioelectronics has been widely used in wearable sensors, electronic skin, human-machine interfaces, and implantable tissue-electrode interfaces, providing great convenience for human health, safety, and education. The generation of electronic waste from bioelectronic devices jeopardizes human health and the natural environment. The development of degradable and recyclable hydrogels is recognized as a paradigm for realizing the next generation of environmentally friendly and sustainable bioelectronics. This review first summarizes the wide range of applications for bioelectronics, including wearable and implantable devices. Then, the employment of natural and synthetic polymers in hydrogel bioelectronics is discussed in terms of degradability and recyclability. Finally, this work provides constructive thoughts and perspectives on the current challenges toward hydrogel bioelectronics, providing valuable insights and guidance for the future evolution of sustainable hydrogel bioelectronics.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate Inhibits LPS/AßO-induced Neuroinflammation in BV2 Cells through Regulating the ROS/TXNIP/NLRP3 Pathway.

Neuroinflammation is a key factor in cognitive dysfunction and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), so inhibiting neuroinflammation is considered as a potential treatment for AD. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a polyhydroxyphenol of green tea, has been found to exhibit anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of EGCG on inflammation and its mechanism. In this study, BV2 cells were simultaneously exposed to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and the amyloid-ß oligomer (AßO) to induce inflammatory microenvironments. Inflammatory cytokines and NLRP3 inflammasome-related molecules were detected by RT-PCR and Western Blot. The results show that EGCG inhibits LPS/AßO-induced inflammation in BV2 cells through regulating IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α. Meanwhile, EGCG reduces the activation of the NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and levels of intracellular ROS in BV2 cells treated with LPS/AßO by affecting the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Further research found that EGCG inhibited MMP through regulating thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) in LPS/AßO-induced neuroinflammation. In conclusion, EGCG may alleviate LPS/AßO-induced microglial neuroinflammation by suppressing the ROS/ TXNIP/ NLRP3 pathway. It may provide a potential mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory properties of EGCG for alleviating AD.

Anal intraepithelial neoplasia screening in women from the largest center for lower genital tract disease in China.

This study aimed to provide comprehensive clinical screening data for anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN). This study included 312 patients who underwent high-resolution anoscopy (HRA) examinations between January 1, 2020 and April 15, 2024. Clinical data, including demographic information, clinical history, cytology/high-risk human papilloma virus (hrHPV) results, and HRA records, were analyzed. The median age of all patients was 42 years (interquartile range: 33-52 years). Approximately 26.3% reported a history of VIN2/3+, 13.5% had a history of VaIN2/3+, 29.8% had a history of CIN2/3+, 44.6% had persistent cervical HPV16 infection, and 12.5% had immune suppression. Among the 312 patients, 14.4% were diagnosed with AIN2/3, 25.0% with AIN1 and 60.6% were normal. Anal cytological abnormalities were found in 41.3% of all patients, with a significantly higher rate in AIN2/3 patients than in ≤AIN1, 71.1% versus 36.3%, p < 0.001. The hrHPV positivity rate was 89.7%, with HPV16 being the most prevalent. The complete agreement rate for HRA impressions was 79.5%. Multi-variable analysis revealed immune suppression (odds ratio [OR]: 3.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.42-8.5) and VIN2/3+ (OR: 2.82, 95% CI: 1.27-6.28) were independent risk factors for AIN2/3. Abnormal cytology results (OR: 3.3, 95% CI: 1.52-7.17) and anal HPV16 infection (OR: 3.2, 95% CI: 1.26-8.12) demonstrated similar ORs for AIN2/3. Early screening for AIN2/3+ is crucial in Chinese women with lower genital tract precancerous and cancerous lesions, particularly in those with VIN2/3+ and immune suppression.

Dynamin-related protein 1 mediates the therapeutic effect of isoliquiritigenin in diabetic intimal hyperplasia via regulation of mitochondrial fission.

Phenotypic shift of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays a key role in intimal hyperplasia, especially in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). This study aimed to investigate the role of dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) in mitochondrial fission-mediated VSMC phenotypic shift and to clarify whether DRP1 is the therapeutic target of isoliquiritigenin (ISL). Wire injury of carotid artery or platelet-derived growth factor treatment was performed in DM mice or high-glucose cultured human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs), respectively. The effects of DRP1 silencing on DM-induced intimal hyperplasia were investigated both in vivo and in vitro. Phenotypic shift of HASMCs was evaluated by detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, cell viability, and related protein expressions. The effects of ISL on DM-induced intimal hyperplasia were evaluated both in vivo and in vitro. DRP1 silencing and ISL treatment attenuated DM-induced intimal hyperplasia with reduced ROS generation, cell viability, and VSMC dedifferentiation. The GTPase domain of DRP1 protein played a critical role in mitochondrial fission in DM-induced VSMC phenotypic shift. Cellular experiments showed that ISL inhibited mitochondrial fission and reduced the GTPase activity of DRP1, which was achieved by the directly binding to K216 of the DRP1 GTPase domain. ISL attenuated mouse intimal hyperplasia by reducing GTPase activity of DRP1 and inhibiting mitochondrial fission in vivo. In conclusion, increased GTPase activity of DRP1 aggregated DM-induced intimal hyperplasia by increasing mitochondrial fission-mediated VSMC phenotypic shift. ISL attenuated mouse intimal hyperplasia by reducing DRP1 GTPase activity and inhibiting mitochondrial fission of VSMCs.

ARPES detection of superconducting gap sign in unconventional superconductors.

The superconducting gap symmetry is crucial in understanding the underlying superconductivity mechanism. Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) has played a key role in determining the gap symmetry in unconventional superconductors. However, it has been considered so far that ARPES can only measure the magnitude of the superconducting gap but not its phase; the phase has to be detected by other phase-sensitive techniques. Here we propose a method to directly detect the superconducting gap sign by ARPES. This method is successfully validated in a cuprate superconductor Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ with a well-known d-wave gap symmetry. When two bands have a strong interband interaction, the resulted electronic structures in the superconducting state are sensitive to the relative gap sign between the two bands. Our present work provides an approach to detect the gap sign and can be applied to various superconductors, particularly those with multiple orbitals like the iron-based superconductors.

Correction: Single molecule magnet features in luminescent lanthanide coordination polymers with heptacoordinate Dy/Yb(III) ions as nodes.

Correction for 'Single molecule magnet features in luminescent lanthanide coordination polymers with heptacoordinate Dy/Yb(III) ions as nodes' by Xiang-Tao Dong et al., Dalton Trans., 2023, 52, 12686-12694, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3DT02106H.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist exendin 4 ameliorates diabetes-associated vascular calcification by regulating mitophagy through the AMPK signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Vascular calcification (VC) is a complication in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Osteogenic phenotype switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays a critical role in diabetes-related VC. Mitophagy can inhibit phenotype switching in VSMCs. This study aimed to investigate the role of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist exendin 4 (EX4) in mitophagy-induced phenotype switching. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The status of VC in T2DM mice was monitored using Von Kossa and Alizarin Red S (ARS) staining in mouse aortic tissue. Human aortic smooth muscle cells were cultured in high glucose (HG) and ß-glycerophosphate (ß-GP) conditioned medium. Accumulation of LC3B and p62 was detected in the mitochondrial fraction. The effect of EX4 in vitro and in vivo was investigated by knocking down AMPKα1. RESULTS: In diabetic VC mice, EX4 decreased the percentage of von Kossa/ARS positive area. EX4 inhibited osteogenic differentiation of HG/ß-GP-induced VSMCs. In HG/ß-GP-induced VSMCs, the number of mitophagosomes was increased, whereas the addition of EX4 restored mitochondrial function, increased the number of mitophagosome-lysosome fusions, and reduced p62 in mitochondrial frictions. EX4 increased the phosphorylation of AMPKα (Thr172) and ULK1 (Ser555) in HG/ß-GP-induced VSMCs. After knockdown of AMPKα1, ULK1 could not be activated by EX4. The accumulation of LC3B and p62 could not be reduced after AMPKα1 knockdown. Knockdown of AMPKα1 negated the therapeutic effects of EX4 on VC of diabetic mice. CONCLUSION: EX4 could promote mitophagy by activating the AMPK signaling pathway, attenuate insufficient mitophagy, and thus inhibit the osteogenic phenotype switching of VSMCs.

Current applications of intestinal organoids: a review.

In the past decade, intestinal organoid technology has paved the way for reproducing tissue or organ morphogenesis during intestinal physiological processes in vitro and studying the pathogenesis of various intestinal diseases. Intestinal organoids are favored in drug screening due to their ability for high-throughput in vitro cultivation and their closer resemblance to patient genetic characteristics. Furthermore, as disease models, intestinal organoids find wide applications in screening diagnostic markers, identifying therapeutic targets, and exploring epigenetic mechanisms of diseases. Additionally, as a transplantable cellular system, organoids have played a significant role in the reconstruction of damaged epithelium in conditions such as ulcerative colitis and short bowel syndrome, as well as in intestinal material exchange and metabolic function restoration. The rise of interdisciplinary approaches, including organoid-on-chip technology, genome editing techniques, and microfluidics, has greatly accelerated the development of organoids. In this review, VOSviewer software is used to visualize hot co-cited journal and keywords trends of intestinal organoid firstly. Subsequently, we have summarized the current applications of intestinal organoid technology in disease modeling, drug screening, and regenerative medicine. This will deepen our understanding of intestinal organoids and further explore the physiological mechanisms of the intestine and drug development for intestinal diseases.

Optimizing the cell compatibility and mechanical properties in TiZrNbTa medium-entropy alloy/ß-Ti composites through phase transformation.

Medium-entropy alloys (MEAs) typically exhibit outstanding mechanical properties, but their high Young's modulus results in restricted clinical applications. Mismatched Young's modulus between implant materials and human bones can lead to "stress shielding" effects, leading to implant failure. In contrast, ß-Ti alloys demonstrate a lower Young's modulus compared to MEAs, albeit with lower strength. In the present study, based on the bimodal grain size distribution (BGSD) strategy, a series of high-performance TiZrNbTa/Ti composites are obtained by combining TiZrNbTa MEA powders with nano-scale grain sizes and commercially pure Ti (CP-Ti) powders with micro-scale grain sizes. Concurrently, Zr, Nb, and Ta that are ß-Ti stabilizer elements diffuse into Ti, inducing an isomorphous transformation in Ti from the high Young's modulus α-Ti phase to the low Young's modulus ß-Ti phase at room temperature, optimizing the mechanical biocompatibility. The TiZrNbTa/ß-Ti composite demonstrates a yield strength of 1490 ± 83 MPa, ductility of 20.7 % ± 2.9 %, and Young's modulus of 87.6 ± 1.6 GPa. Notably, the yield strength of the TiZrNbTa/ß-Ti composite surpasses that of sintered CP-Ti by 2.6-fold, and its ductility outperforms TiZrNbTa MEA by 2.3-fold. The Young's modulus of the TiZrNbTa/ß-Ti composite is reduced by 28 % and 36 % compared to sintered CP-Ti and TiZrNbTa MEA, respectively. Additionally, it demonstrates superior biocompatibility compared to CP-Ti plate, sintered CP-Ti, and TiZrNbTa MEA. With a good combination of mechanical properties and biocompatibility, the TiZrNbTa/ß-Ti composite exhibits significant potential for clinical applications as metallic biomaterials. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This work combines TiZrNbTa MEA with nano-grains and commercially pure Ti with micro-grains to fabricate a TiZrNbTa/ß-Ti composite with bimodal grain-size, which achieves a yield strength of 1490 ± 83 MPa and a ductility of 20.7 % ± 2.9 %. Adhering to the ISO 10993-5 standard, the TiZrNbTa/ß-Ti composite qualifies as a non-cytotoxic material, achieving a Class 0 cytotoxicity rating and demonstrating outstanding biocompatibility akin to commercially pure Ti. Drawing on element diffusion, Zr, Nb, and Ta serve not only as solvent atoms to achieve solid-solution strengthening but also as stabilizers for the transformation of the ß-Ti crystal structure. This work offers a novel avenue for designing advanced biomedical Ti alloys with elevated strength and plasticity alongside a reduced Young's modulus.

An important issue of burnout among pre-hospital emergency medical personnel in Chengdu: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This survey aims to comprehensively understand occupational burnout among pre-hospital emergency medical personnel and explore associated risk factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey using a census method was conducted between 15 July, 2023, and ends on 14 August, 2023, in Chengdu, SiChuan province, China. The questionnaire included general demographic information, the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) with 15 items, and the Fatigue Scale-14 (FS-14) with 14 items. Univariate analysis was conducted on all variables, followed by multivariate logistic regression models to examine the associations between occupational burnout and the risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 2,299 participants,99.57% completed the survey effectively The participants were from 166 medical institutions in Chengdu, comprising 1,420 nurses (61.50%) and 889 clinical doctors (38.50%). A total of 33.36% participants experienced burnout, predominantly mild (30.27%), followed by moderate (2.78%) and severe (0.3%). Physicians, higher fatigue scores, age, work experience appeared to be related to burnout. Logistic regression models revealed that individuals aged over 50 were less prone to experience burnout compared to medical staff aged 18-30 (OR: 0.269, 95% CI: 0.115-0.627, p = 0.002). Physicians were more prone to experience burnout compared to nursing staff (OR: 0.690, 95% CI: 0.531-0.898, p = 0.006). Those with 0-5 years of experience were more prone to experience burnout compared to those with 6-10 years or over 15 years of experience (OR: 0.734, 95% CI: 0.547-0.986, p = 0.040; OR: 0.559, 95% CI: 0.339-0.924, p = 0.023). Additionally, for each 1-point increase in the fatigue score, the likelihood of burnout in medical staff increased by 1.367 times (OR: 1.367, 95% CI: 1.323-1.412, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Pre-hospital emergency medical personnel demonstrate a notable prevalence of mild job burnout. These results provide a groundwork for future focus on the various stages of job burnout within pre-hospital emergency staff, alerting hospital and departmental managers to promptly address the mental well-being of their personnel and intervene as needed.

Representing Noisy Image Without Denoising.

A long-standing topic in artificial intelligence is the effective recognition of patterns from noisy images. In this regard, the recent data-driven paradigm considers 1) improving the representation robustness by adding noisy samples in training phase (i.e., data augmentation) or 2) pre-processing the noisy image by learning to solve the inverse problem (i.e., image denoising). However, such methods generally exhibit inefficient process and unstable result, limiting their practical applications. In this paper, we explore a non-learning paradigm that aims to derive robust representation directly from noisy images, without the denoising as pre-processing. Here, the noise-robust representation is designed as Fractional-order Moments in Radon space (FMR), with also beneficial properties of orthogonality and rotation invariance. Unlike earlier integer-order methods, our work is a more generic design taking such classical methods as special cases, and the introduced fractional-order parameter offers time-frequency analysis capability that is not available in classical methods. Formally, both implicit and explicit paths for constructing the FMR are discussed in detail. Extensive simulation experiments and robust visual applications are provided to demonstrate the uniqueness and usefulness of our FMR, especially for noise robustness, rotation invariance, and time-frequency discriminability.

Subdural effusion associated with COVID-19 encephalopathy: A case report.

BACKGROUND: The precise mechanism by which severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) impacts the central nervous system remains unclear, with manifestations spanning from mild symptoms (e.g., olfactory and gustatory deficits, hallucinations, and headache) to severe complications (e.g., stroke, seizures, encephalitis, and neurally demyelinating lesions). The occurrence of single-pass subdural effusion, as described below, is extremely rare. CASE SUMMARY: A 56-year-old male patient presented with left-sided limb weakness and slurred speech as predominant clinical symptoms. Through comprehensive imaging and diagnostic assessments, he was diagnosed with cerebral infarction complicated by hemorrhagic transformation affecting the right frontal, temporal, and parietal regions. In addition, an intracranial infection with SARS-CoV-2 was identified during the rehabilitation process; consequently, an idiopathic subdural effusion developed. Remarkably, the subdural effusion underwent absorption within 6 d, with no recurrence observed during the 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Subdural effusion is a potentially rare intracranial complication associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Spatiotemporal transcriptomic changes of human ovarian aging and the regulatory role of FOXP1.

Limited understanding exists regarding how aging impacts the cellular and molecular aspects of the human ovary. This study combines single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics to systematically characterize human ovarian aging. Spatiotemporal molecular signatures of the eight types of ovarian cells during aging are observed. An analysis of age-associated changes in gene expression reveals that DNA damage response may be a key biological pathway in oocyte aging. Three granulosa cells subtypes and five theca and stromal cells subtypes, as well as their spatiotemporal transcriptomics changes during aging, are identified. FOXP1 emerges as a regulator of ovarian aging, declining with age and inhibiting CDKN1A transcription. Silencing FOXP1 results in premature ovarian insufficiency in mice. These findings offer a comprehensive understanding of spatiotemporal variability in human ovarian aging, aiding the prioritization of potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic strategies.

Hybrid Hydrogels for Immunoregulation and Proangiogenesis through Mild Heat Stimulation to Accelerate Whole-Process Diabetic Wound Healing.

Intense and persistent oxidative stress, excessive inflammation, and impaired angiogenesis severely hinder diabetic wound healing. Bioactive hydrogel dressings with immunoregulatory and proangiogenic properties have great promise in treating diabetic wounds. However, the therapeutic effects of dressings always depend on drugs with side effects, expensive cytokines, and cell therapies. Herein, a novel dynamic borate-bonds crosslinked hybrid multifunctional hydrogel dressings with photothermal properties are developed to regulate the microenvironment of diabetic wound sites and accelerate the whole process of its healing without additional medication. The hydrogel is composed of phenylboronic acid-modified chitosan and hyaluronic acid (HA) crosslinked by tannic acid (TA) through borate bonds and Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) with photothermal response characteristics are embedded in the polymer networks. The results indicate hydrogels show inherent broad-spectrum antioxidative activities through the integrated interaction of borate bonds, TA, and PBNPs. Meanwhile, combined with the regulation of macrophage phenotype by HA, the inflammatory microenvironment of diabetic wounds is transformed. Moreover, the angiogenesis is then enhanced by the mild photothermal effect of PBNPs, followed by promoted epithelialization and collagen deposition. In summary, this hybrid hydrogel system accelerates all stages of wound repair through antioxidative stress, immunomodulation, and proangiogenesis, showing great potential applications in diabetic wound management.