A Novel Approach for Treating Lipomas: Percutaneous Microwave Ablation Combined with Liposuction.

Lipomas, benign adipose tissue tumors, are a common occurrence but currently, the options for their treatment are limited, with surgical excision being the most frequently used management pathway. This scenario can often lead to unsatisfactory cosmetic results and significant patient discomfort. This paper introduces a novel technique, percutaneous microwave ablation with liposuction, to address these challenges. The innovative procedure aims to enhance patient satisfaction, minimize post-operative discomfort, and improve aesthetic outcomes. The technique involves two key steps: (1) the application of percutaneous microwave ablation to selectively disrupt the lipoma cells, followed by (2) a targeted liposuction procedure to remove the ablated lipoma tissue. Our approach optimizes the removal of the lipoma and preserves the surrounding healthy tissue, reducing the risk of local recurrence and improving the cosmetic result. The use of preoperative ultrasound imaging allows for precise localization and delineation of the lipoma, aiding in the planning and execution of the procedure. This novel approach to lipoma treatment is reliable, associated with minimal morbidity, and consistently yields effective results. Additionally, it provides a new perspective on lipoma management, potentially changing the paradigm of current treatment approaches.Level of Evidence IV This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Green and Efficient Extraction of Phenolic Components from Plants with Supramolecular Solvents: Experimental and Theoretical Studies.

The supramolecular solvent (SUPRAS) has garnered significant attention as an innovative, efficient, and environmentally friendly solvent for the effective extraction and separation of bioactive compounds from natural resources. However, research on the use of a SUPRAS for the extraction of phenolic compounds from plants, which are highly valued in food products due to their exceptional antioxidant properties, remains scarce. The present study developed a green, ultra-sound-assisted SUPRAS method for the simultaneous determination of three phenolic acids in Prunella vulgaris using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The experimental parameters were meticulously optimized. The efficiency and antioxidant properties of the phenolic compounds obtained using different extraction methods were also compared. Under optimal conditions, the extraction efficiency of the SUPRAS, prepared with octanoic acid reverse micelles dispersed in ethanol-water, significantly exceeded that of conventional organic solvents. Moreover, the SUPRAS method demonstrated greater antioxidant capacity. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) images revealed the spherical droplet structure of the SUPRAS, characterized by a well-defined circular fluorescence position, which coincided with the position of the phenolic acids. The phenolic acids were encapsulated within the SUPRAS droplets, indicating their efficient extraction capacity. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations combined with CLSM supported the proposed method's mechanism and theoretically demonstrated the superior extraction performance of the SUPRAS. In contrast to conventional methods, the higher extraction efficiency of the SUPRAS can be attributed to the larger solvent contact surface area, the formation of more types of hydrogen bonds between the extractants and the supramolecular solvents, and stronger, more stable interaction forces. The results of the theoretical studies corroborate the experimental outcomes.

m6A epitranscriptomic modification of inflammation in cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease is currently the number one cause of death endangering human health. There is currently a large body of research showing that the development of cardiovascular disease and its complications is often accompanied by inflammatory processes. In recent years, epitranscriptional modifications have been shown to be involved in regulating the pathophysiological development of inflammation in cardiovascular diseases, with 6-methyladenine being one of the most common RNA transcriptional modifications. In this review, we link different cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and myocardial ischemia-reperfusion, with inflammation and describe the regulatory processes involved in RNA methylation. Advances in RNA methylation research have revealed the close relationship between the regulation of transcriptome modifications and inflammation in cardiovascular diseases and brought potential therapeutic targets for disease diagnosis and treatment. At the same time, we also discussed different cell aspects. In addition, in the article we also describe the different application aspects and clinical pathways of RNA methylation therapy. In summary, this article reviews the mechanism, regulation and disease treatment effects of m6A modification on inflammation and inflammatory cells in cardiovascular diseases in recent years. We will discuss issues facing the field and new opportunities that may be the focus of future research.

Professional self-concept of BSN students: A cross-sectional correlational study.

BACKGROUND: Professional self-concept consists of one's judgments, attitudes about oneself professionally, and one's own perception as a professional. A positive professional self-concept can support students and new nurses throughout their nursing careers. OBJECTIVE: To describe levels of self-concept among pre-licensure undergraduate students. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: The participants were nursing students in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in the United States. DESIGN/METHODS: This is a cross-sectional correlational study with self-report instruments, including demographics and the Professional Self-Concept of Nurses Instrument. Data (N = 103) were analyzed with SPSS/WIN 29.0. Descriptive statistics and professional self-concept scores were examined with independent t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlations. RESULTS: Most participants were female (n = 90), with a mean age of 20 years (SD = 1). The mean professional self-concept of nurses score was 78 (SD = 7), ranging from 27 to 108, and professional self-concept was positively correlated with receiving tutoring through the university's program, working as a tutor for nursing students or students in prerequisite classes, transferring into the nursing program, and participating in campus nursing organizations. Professional self-concept was negatively correlated with advancement in semesters of the nursing program, being a first-generation college student, having a family member who is a nurse, GPA, and having clinical-related work experience in healthcare. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of exposure to nursing may be related to lower professional self-concept. This is important to recognize and it may generalize to other nursing schools and health-related departments. Schools of nursing should enhance students' resilience by promoting self-concept. Our findings also shade light on self-care and the mental health of healthcare professionals.

Insights into the mechanism of color formation of the freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) revealed by de novo assembly transcriptome analysis.

Body color is an important visual indicator of crustacean quality and plays a major role in consumer acceptability, perceived quality, and the market price of crustaceans. The freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) has two distinct phenotypic variations, characterized by dark blue and light yellow body colors. However, the underlying mechanisms regulating the body color of M. rosenbergii remain unclear. In this study, the composition of shell color parameters and pigment cells of raw and cooked dark blue and light yellow M. rosenbergii was investigated and the mechanisms associated with body color were elucidated by transcriptome analysis. The results showed significant differences in the raw shells of the dark blue and light yellow M. rosenbergii (L: 26.20 ± 0.53 vs. 29.25 ± 0.45; a: -0.88 ± 0.19 vs. 0.35 ± 0.18; b: 1.73 ± 0.20 vs. 3.46 ± 0.37; dE: 70.33 ± 0.53 vs. 67.34 ± 0.45, respectively, p = 0.000) as well as the cooked shells (L: 58.14 ± 0.81 vs. 55.78 ± 0.55; a: 19.30 ± 0.56 vs. 16.42 ± 0.40; b: 23.60 ± 0.66 vs. 20.30 ± 0.40, respectively, p < 0.05). Transcriptome differential gene analysis obtained 39.02 Gb of raw data and 158,026 unigenes. Comprehensive searches of the SwissProt, Nr, KEGG, Pfam, and KOG databases resulted in successful annotations of 23,902 (33 %), 40,436 (25.59 %), 32,015 (20.26 %), 26,139 (16.54 %), and 22,155 (14.02 %) proteins, respectively. By KEGG pathway analysis, numerous differentially expressed genes were related to pigmentation-related pathways (MAPK signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway, melanin production, tyrosine metabolism, and cell-cell communication process). Candidate DEGs that may be involved in body color included apolipoprotein D, crustacyanin, cytochrome P450, and tyrosinase, as verified by quantitative real-time PCR. The results of this study provide useful references to further elucidate the molecular mechanisms of color formation of M. rosenbergii and other crustaceans.

Compound heterozygous with Hb G-Taipei and Hb Lepore-Boston-Washington: An unexpected finding triggered by HbA1c measurement.

Background: Hemoglobin A1c has been widely used to diagnose and monitor diabetes. However, the accuracy of HbA1c analysis can be significantly affected by hemoglobin variants, leading to falsely low or elevated levels and misdiagnosis or inappropriate diabetes management. Case report: In this study, we present the case of a 23-year-old man with undetectable HbA1c levels during his annual checkup by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE). To investigate the reason for HbA1c absence, Sanger sequencing, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification assay (MLPA), long-read single molecule real-time sequencing (SMRT) and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS) were performed, and the proband was identified as compound heterozygous of ß-thalassemia with Hb G-Taipei (HBB:c.68A > G) and Hb Lepore-Boston-Washington (NG_000007.3:g.63632_71046del). Conclusion: The combination of these molecular technologies including MLPA, long-read SMRT sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS is beneficial for identifying rare hemoglobin variants. This case also provides essential evidence for uncovering the effect of compound heterozygosity for Hb Lepore-Boston-Washington and Hb G-Taipei on hematological phenotypes and HbA1c analysis.

A FRET-based multifunctional fluorescence probe for the simultaneous detection of sulfite and viscosity in living cells.

Viscosity and sulfur dioxide derivatives were significant indicators for the assessment of health threat and even cancers, therefore, on-site and real time detection of viscosity and sulfur dioxide derivatives has obtained considerable attentions. An FRET-based fluorescence probe JZX was designed and synthesized based on a novel energy donor of N,N-diethyl-4-(1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazol-2-yl)benzamide fluorophore. JZX exhibited a large Stokes shift (230 nm), high energy transfer efficiency, wide emission channel gap (135 nm) and excellent stability and biocompatibility. JZX detected sulfur dioxide with low detection limit (55 nM), fast responding (16 min), high selectivity and sensitivity. Additionally, JZX tend to target endoplasmic reticulum of which normal metabolism will be disturbed by the abnormal levels of viscosity and sulfur dioxide derivatives. Prominently, JZX could concurrently detect viscosity and sulfur dioxide derivatives depending on different fluorescence signals in living cells for the screening of cancer cells. Hence, probe JZX will be a promising candidate for the detection of viscosity and sulfur dioxide derivatives, and even for the diagnosis of liver cancers.

Insights Into Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Multidatabase Cohort Study of Over 1.5 Million Taiwanese.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant public health concern. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness of fecal immunochemical test (FIT) screening on CRC incidence and mortality, leveraging the scale of over 1.5 million randomly selected Taiwanese and more than 11.7 million person-years of follow-up. METHODS: This prospective cohort study merges data from 3 robust Taiwanese health databases: the CRC screening program, cancer registration, and death registration databases. Incidence and mortality rates of CRC were calculated based on age, sex, urbanization, and past screening status. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association between screening statuses and CRC incidence or mortality, adjusting for age, sex, and urbanization levels. Statistical analysis of the data was conducted in 2021-2022. RESULTS: FIT screening was associated with a 33% reduction in CRC incidence and a 47% reduction in mortality. The study identified a dose-response relationship between the fecal hemoglobin concentration (f-HbC) levels and CRC risk. Participants with consistent FIT-negative results had significantly reduced CRC incidence and mortality risks, while those with one or more positive FIT results faced increased risks. Notably, compliance with follow-up examinations after a positive FIT significantly lowered mortality risk. CONCLUSIONS: This large-scale study validates the efficacy of FIT screening in reducing CRC incidence and mortality. It offers a nuanced understanding of how various screening statuses impact CRC risks, thus providing valuable insights for public health strategies aimed at CRC prevention.

Successful Treatment of Cutaneous Protothecosis Due to Prototheca wickerhamii with Terbinafine.

Protothecosis, an infrequent human infection, is caused by achlorophyllic algae belonging to the genus Prototheca, particularly Prototheca wickerhamii. The skin stands as the most commonly affected organ. This report documents a case involving an 82-year-old male with Protothecosis. Histopathological analysis revealed granulomatous inflammation in the dermis, exhibiting necrotic features and hosting numerous non-budding spherical organisms. These organisms were positively stained using methenamine silver and periodic acid-Schiff stains, confirming identification as P. wickerhamii after validation through tissue culture and sequencing procedures. Initially, the patient received oral itraconazole at a dosage of 200 mg daily, accompanied by topical 1% naftifine-0.25% ketoconazole cream for a duration of 4 weeks, resulting in significant improvement. Subsequently, due to gastrointestinal discomfort presumably linked to itraconazole, terbinafine was administered. Over a span of 3 months, the patient received oral terbinafine at a dosage of 250 mg/day alongside the application of topical 1% naftifine-0.25% ketoconazole cream, leading to complete healing of the skin lesion, leaving behind a fibrotic scar.

The Role of Macrophage Death in Periodontitis: A Review.

Periodontitis, an infectious inflammatory disease influenced by various factors, disrupts the delicate balance between the host microbiota and immunity. The resulting excessive immune response exacerbates the progressive destruction of the supporting periodontal tissue. Macrophages are essential elements of the host innate immune system. They are pivotal components in the periodontal immune microenvironment and actively participate in both physiological and pathological processes of periodontal tissue. When confronted with periodontitis-related irritant factors, macrophages may differentiate to pro- or anti-inflammatory subtypes that affect tissue homeostasis. Additionally, macrophages may die in response to bacterial infections, potentially affecting the severity of periodontitis. This article reviews the typical mechanisms underlying macrophage death and its effects on periodontitis. We describe five forms of macrophage death in periodontitis: apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, and ETosis. Our review of macrophage death in the pathophysiology of periodontitis enhances comprehension of the pathogenesis of periodontitis that will be useful for clinical practice. Although our review elucidates the complex mechanisms by which macrophage death and inflammatory pathways perpetuate periodontitis, unresolved issues remain, necessitating further research.

A simple and highly sensitive flexible sensor with extended-gate field-effect transistor for epinephrine detection utilizing InZnSnO sensing films.

This study introduces a straightforward method for depositing InZnSnO films onto flexible polyimide substrates at room temperature, enabling their application in electrochemical pH sensing and the detection of epinephrine. A comprehensive analysis of these sensing films, spanning structural, morphological, compositional, and profiling characteristics, was conducted using diverse techniques, including X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and secondary ion mass spectroscopy. The investigation into the influence of oxygen flow rates on the performance of InZnSnO sensitive films revealed a significant correlation between their structural properties and sensing capabilities. Notably, exposure to an oxygen flow rate of 30/2 (Ar/O2) the ratio of resulted in the InZnSnO sensitive film demonstrating outstanding pH sensitivity at 59.58 mV/pH within a broad pH range of 2-12, surpassing the performance observed with other oxygen flow rates. Moreover, under this specific condition, the film exhibited excellent stability, with a minimal drift rate of 0.14 mV/h at pH 7 and a low hysteresis voltage of 1.8 mV during a pH cycle of 7 â†’ 4→7 â†’ 10→7. Given the critical role of epinephrine in mammalian central nervous and hormone systems, monitoring its levels is essential for assessing human health. To facilitate the detection of epinephrine, we utilized the carboxyl group of 4-formylphenylboronic acid to enable a reaction with the amino group of the 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane-coated InZnSnO film. Through optimization, the resulting InZnSnO-based flexible sensor displayed a broad and well-defined linear relationship within the concentration range of 10-7 to 0.1 µM. In practical applications, this sensor proved effective in analyzing epinephrine in human serum, showcasing notable selectivity, stability, and reproducibility. The promising outcomes of this study underscore the potential for future applications, leveraging the advantages of electrochemical sensors, including affordability, rapid response, and user-friendly operation.

HIF-1α and adaptor protein LIM and senescent cell antigen-like domains protein 1 axis promotes tubulointerstitial fibrosis by interacting with vimentin in angiotensin II-induced hypertension.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Activation of the renin-angiotensin system, as a hallmark of hypertension and chronic kidney diseases (CKD) is the key pathophysiological factor contributing to the progression of tubulointerstitial fibrosis. LIM and senescent cell antigen-like domains protein 1 (LIMS1) plays an essential role in controlling of cell behaviour through the formation of complexes with other proteins. Here, the function and regulation of LIMS1 in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension and tubulointerstitial fibrosis was investigated. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: C57BL/6 mice were treated with Ang II to induce tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) renal tubular-specific knockout mice or LIMS1 knockdown AAV was used to investigate their effects on Ang II-induced renal interstitial fibrosis. In vitro, HIF-1α or LIMS1 was knocked down or overexpressed in HK2 cells after exposure to Ang II. KEY RESULTS: Increased expression of tubular LIMS1 was observed in human kidney with hypertensive nephropathy and in murine kidney from Ang II-induced hypertension model. Tubular-specific knockdown of LIMS1 ameliorated Ang II-induced tubulointerstitial fibrosis in mice. Furthermore, we demonstrated that LIMS1 was transcriptionally regulated by HIF-1α in tubular cells and that tubular HIF-1α knockout ameliorates LIMS1-mediated tubulointerstitial fibrosis. In addition, LIMS1 promotes Ang II-induced tubulointerstitial fibrosis by interacting with vimentin. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: We conclude that HIF-1α transcriptionally regulated LIMS1 plays a central role in Ang II-induced tubulointerstitial fibrosis through interacting with vimentin. Our finding represents a new insight into the mechanism of Ang II-induced tubulointerstitial fibrosis and provides a novel therapeutic target for progression of CKD.

Exosomal YB-1 facilitates ovarian restoration by MALAT1/miR-211-5p/FOXO3 axis.

Premature ovarian failure (POF) affects many adult women less than 40 years of age and leads to infertility. Mesenchymal stem cells-derived small extracellular vesicles (MSCs-sEVs) are attractive candidates for ovarian function restoration and folliculogenesis for POF due to their safety and efficacy, however, the key mediator in MSCs-sEVs that modulates this response and underlying mechanisms remains elusive. Herein, we reported that YB-1 protein was markedly downregulated in vitro and in vivo models of POF induced with H2O2 and CTX respectively, accompanied by granulosa cells (GCs) senescence phenotype. Notably, BMSCs-sEVs transplantation upregulated YB-1, attenuated oxidative damage-induced cellular senescence in GCs, and significantly improved the ovarian function of POF rats, but that was reversed by YB-1 depletion. Moreover, YB-1 showed an obvious decline in serum and GCs in POF patients. Mechanistically, YB-1 as an RNA-binding protein (RBP) physically interacted with a long non-coding RNA, MALAT1, and increased its stability, further, MALAT1 acted as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to elevate FOXO3 levels by sequestering miR-211-5p to prevent its degradation, leading to repair of ovarian function. In summary, we demonstrated that BMSCs-sEVs improve ovarian function by releasing YB-1, which mediates MALAT1/miR-211-5p/FOXO3 axis regulation, providing a possible therapeutic target for patients with POF.

Placental inflammatory injury induced by chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (F-53B) through NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate, commercially known as F-53B, has been associated with adverse birth outcomes. However, the reproductive toxicology of F-53B on the placenta remains poorly understood. To address this gap, we examined the impact of F-53B on placental injury and its underlying molecular mechanisms in vivo. Pregnant C57BL/6 J female mice were randomly allocated to three groups: the control group, F-53B 0.8 µg/kg/day group, and F-53B 8 µg/kg/day group. After F-53B exposure through free drinking water from gestational day (GD) 0.5-14.5, the F-53B 8 µg/kg/day group exhibited significant increases in placental weights and distinctive histopathological alterations, including inflammatory cell infiltration, heightened syncytiotrophoblast knots, and a loosened trophoblastic basement membrane. Within the F-53B 8 µg/kg/day group, placental tissue exhibited increased apoptosis, as indicated by increased caspase3 activation. Furthermore, F-53B potentially induced the NF-κB signaling pathway activation through IκB-α phosphorylation. Subsequently, this activation upregulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines and components of the NLRP3 inflammasome, including activated caspase1, IL-1ß, IL-18, and cleaved gasdermin D (GSDMD), ultimately leading to pyroptosis in the mouse placenta. Our findings reveal a pronounced inflammatory injury in the placenta due to F-53B exposure, suggesting potential reproductive toxicity at concentrations relevant to the human population. Further toxicological and epidemiological investigations are warranted to conclusively assess the reproductive health risks posed by F-53B.

Childhood Listening and Associated Cognitive Difficulties Persist Into Adolescence.

OBJECTIVE: Listening difficulty (LiD) refers to the challenges individuals face when trying to hear and comprehend speech and other sounds. LiD can arise from various sources, such as hearing sensitivity, language comprehension, cognitive function, or auditory processing. Although some children with LiD have hearing loss, many have clinically normal audiometric thresholds. To determine the impact of hearing and cognitive factors on LiD in children with a clinically normal audiogram, we conducted a longitudinal study. The Evaluation of Children's Listening & Processing Skills (ECLiPS), a validated and standardized caregiver evaluation tool, was used to group participants as either LiD or typically developing (TD). Our previous study aimed to characterize LiD in 6- to 13-year-old children during the project's baseline, cross-sectional phase. We found that children with LiD needed a higher signal-to-noise ratio during speech-in-speech tests and scored lower on all assessed components of the NIH Cognition Toolbox than TD children. The primary goal of this study was to examine if the differences between LiD and TD groups are temporary or enduring throughout childhood. DESIGN: This longitudinal study had three data collection waves for children with LiD and TD aged 6 to 13 years at Wave 1, followed by assessments at 2-year (Wave 2) and 4-year (Wave 3) intervals. Primary analysis focused on data from Waves 1 and 2. Secondary analysis encompassed all three waves despite high attrition at Wave 3. Caregivers completed the ECLiPS, while participants completed the Listening in Spatialized Noise-Sentences (LiSN-S) test and the NIH-Toolbox Cognition Battery during each wave. The analysis consisted of (1) examining longitudinal differences between TD and LiD groups in demographics, listening, auditory, and cognitive function; (2) identifying functional domains contributing to LiD; and (3) test-retest reliability of measures across waves. Mixed-effect models were employed to analyze longitudinal data. RESULTS: The study enrolled 169 participants, with 147, 100, and 31 children completing the required testing during Waves 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The mean ages at these waves were 9.5, 12.0, and 14.0 years. On average, children with LiD consistently underperformed TD children in auditory and cognitive tasks across all waves. Maternal education, auditory, and cognitive abilities independently predicted caregiver-reported listening skills. Significant correlations between Waves 1 and 2 confirmed high, long-term reliability. Secondary analysis of Wave 3 was consistent with the primary analyses of Waves 1 and 2, reinforcing the enduring nature of listening difficulties. CONCLUSION: Children with LiD and clinically normal audiograms experience persistent auditory, listening, and cognitive challenges through at least adolescence. The degree of LiD can be independently predicted by maternal education, cognitive processing, and spatial listening skills. This study underscores the importance of early detection and intervention for childhood LiD and highlights the role of socioeconomic factors as contributors to these challenges.

Strain-induced ferroelectric polarization reversal without undergoing geometric inversion in blue SiSe monolayer.

Ferroelectricity in two-dimensional (2D) systems generally arises from phonons and has been widely investigated. On the contrary, electronic ferroelectricity in 2D systems has been rarely studied. Using first-principles calculations, the ferroelectric behavior of the buckled blue SiSe monolayer under strain are explored. It is found that the direction of the out-of-plane ferroelectric polarization can be reversed by applying an in-plane strain. And such polarization switching is realized without undergoing geometric inversion. Besides, the strain-triggered polarization reversal emerges in both biaxial and uniaxial strain cases, indicating it is an intrinsic feature of such a system. Further analysis shows that the polarization switching is the result of the reversal of the magnitudes of the positive and negative charge center vectors. And the variation of buckling is found to play an important role, which results in the switch. Moreover, a non-monotonic variation of band gap with strain is revealed. Our findings throws light on the investigation of novel electronic ferroelectric systems.

"Demodicosis" Mimicking PreSeptal Cellulitis: Severe Periocular and Facial Inflammation Caused by "Normal" Skin Flora.

Due to their relatively high prevalence and commensalism, the pathogenicity of Demodex mites has been debated. Recent data, however, show Demodex to be associated with skin and ocular surface diseases such as rosacea, blepharitis, and keratitis. Here the authors report the first known case, to the best of the their knowledge, of Demodex infestation mimicking preseptal cellulitis in an adult human. A 29-year-old male bilaterally blind from advanced retinopathy of prematurity presented with a 2-month history of right-greater-than-left upper eyelid and periocular/cheek swelling, redness, and ocular discharge that did not resolve with oral antibiotics or oral steroids. Based on MRI findings, biopsies of the right lacrimal gland, right orbital fat, and right upper eyelid preseptal skin were obtained which revealed marked intrafollicular Demodex mite density and budding yeasts in the upper eyelid skin. This case serves to alert clinicians to this entity that may not otherwise be usually considered in ophthalmic clinical practice.

Response of microbial communities and biogeochemical cycling functions to sediment physicochemical properties and microplastic pollution under damming and water diversion projects.

Understanding the interactions among flow-sediment, microorganisms, and biogeochemical cycles is crucial for comprehending the ecological response mechanisms of dams and water diversion. This study focused on the spatial patterns of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur (CNPS) cycle functional genes in the water resource for the middle route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project in China, specifically the Danjiangkou Reservoir (comprising the Han and Dan reservoirs). The investigation incorporated sediment physicochemical properties and microplastic pollution. Numerous microbial species were identified, revealing that microbial communities demonstrated sensitivity to changes in sedimentary mud content. The communities exhibited greater ß diversity due to finer sediment particles in the Han Reservoir (HR), whereas in the Dan Reservoir (DR), despite having higher sediment nutrient content and MPs pollution, did not display this pattern. Regarding the composition and structure of microbial communities, the study highlighted that sediment N and P content had a more significant influence compared to particle size and MPs. The quantitative microbial element cycling (QMEC) results confirmed the presence of extensive chemolithotrophic microbes and strong nitrogen cycle activity stemming from long-term water storage and diversion operations. The denitrification intensity in the HR surpassed that of the DR. Notably, near the pre-dam area, biological nitrogen fixation, phosphorus removal, and sulfur reduction exhibited noticeable increases. Dam construction refined sediment, fostering the growth of different biogeochemical cycling bacteria and increasing the abundance of CNPS cycling genes. Furthermore, the presence of MPs exhibited a positive correlation with S cycling genes and a negative correlation with C and N cycling genes. These findings suggest that variations in flow-sediment dynamics and MPs pollution have significant impact the biogeochemical cycle of the reservoir.

Microglia-derived exosomes selective sorted by YB-1 alleviate nerve damage and cognitive outcome in Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: Neuroinflammation is a characteristic pathological change of Alzheimer's Diseases (AD). Microglia have been reported to participate in inflammatory responses within the central nervous system. However, the mechanism of microglia released exosome (EXO) contribute to communication within AD microenvironment remains obscure. METHODS: The interaction between microglia and AD was investigated in vitro and in vivo. RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) was used to investigate the mechanisms of miR-223 and YB-1. The association between microglia derived exosomal YB-1/miR-223 axis and nerve cell damage were assessed using Western blot, immunofluorescence, RT-PCR, ELISA and wound healing assay. RESULTS: Here, we reported AD model was responsible for the M1-like (pro-inflammatory) polarization of microglia which in turn induced nerve cell damage. While M2-like (anti-inflammatory) microglia could release miR-223-enriched EXO which reduced neuroinflammation and ameliorated nerve damage in AD model in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, YB-1 directly interacted with miR-223 both in cell and EXO, and participated in microglia exosomal miR-223 loading. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that anti-inflammatory microglia-mediated neuroprotection form inflammatory damage involves exporting miR-223 via EXO sorted by YB-1. Consequently, YB-1-mediated microglia exosomal sorting of miR-223 improved the nerve cell damage repair, representing a promising therapeutic target for AD.

Understanding reliability of the observer-reported communication ability measure within Angelman syndrome through the lens of generalizability theory.

AIMS: Caregivers rate improved communication ability as one of the most desired outcomes for successful interventions for individuals with Angelman syndrome (AS). When measuring communication ability in clinical trials, the reliability of such measures is critical for detecting significant changes over time. This study examined the reliability of the Observed-Reported Communication Ability (ORCA) measure completed by caregivers of individuals with AS. METHODS: The ORCA measure was completed by 249 caregivers with 170 caregivers completing the ORCA measure again after 5-12 days. Generalizability theory was used to examine the following sources of measurement error in ORCA scores: concepts, subdomains, assessment points, and the interactions among those facets and the object of measurement: communication ability. Three generalizability studies were conducted to understand the reliability of the ORCA measure for different measurement designs. Decision studies were carried out to demonstrate the optimization of measurement procedures of the ORCA measure. RESULTS: G and Phi coefficients of the original measurement design exceeded the 0.80 threshold considered sufficiently reliable to make relative and absolute decisions about the communication ability of individuals with AS based on their caregivers' observed scores. The optimization procedures indicated that increasing the number of communication concepts and/or assessment points leads to more reliable estimates of communication. CONCLUSION: The ORCA measure was able to reliably distinguish different levels of communication ability among individuals with AS. Multiple assessment points and or more concepts would provide more precise estimates of an individual's communication ability but at the cost of survey fatigue.