Prognostic effect of triglyceride glucose-related parameters on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in the United States adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

BACKGROUNDS: Insulin resistance (IR) plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of the metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). However, it remains unclear whether triglyceride-glucose (TyG) related parameters, which serve as useful biomarkers to assess IR, have prognostic effects on mortality outcomes of MASLD. METHODS: Participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database from 1999 to 2018 years were included. TyG and its related parameters [TyG-waist circumference (TyG-WC) and TyG-waist to height ratio (TyG-WHtR)] were calculated. Kaplan-Meier curves, Cox regression analysis, and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were conducted to evaluate the association between TyG-related indices with the all-cause and cardiovascular mortality of adults with MASLD. The concordance index (C-index) was used to evaluate the prediction accuracy of TyG-related indices. RESULTS: A total of 8208 adults (4209 men and 3999 women, median age 49.00 years) with MASLD were included in this study. Multivariate-adjusted Cox regression analysis revealed that high quartile levels of TyG-related indices were significantly associated with the all-cause mortality of participants with MASLD [TyGadjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-1.50, P = 0.014; TyG-WCaHR for all-cause mortality = 1.28, 95% CI 1.07-1.52, P = 0.006; TyG-WHtRaHR for all-cause mortality = 1.50, 95% CI 1.25-1.80, P < 0.001; TyG-WCaHR for cardiovascular mortality = 1.81, 95% CI 1.28-2.55, P = 0.001; TyG-WHtRaHR for cardiovascular mortality = 2.22, 95% CI 1.55-3.17, P < 0.001]. The C-index of TyG-related indices for predicting all-cause mortality was 0.563 for the TyG index, 0.579 for the TyG-WC index, and 0.585 for the TyG-WHtR index, respectively. Regarding cardiovascular mortality, the C-index was 0.561 for the TyG index, 0.607 for the TyG-WC index, and 0.615 for the TyG-WHtR index, respectively. Nonlinear trends were observed between TyG and TyG-WC indices with all-cause mortality of MASLD (P < 0.001 and = 0.012, respectively). A non-linear relationship was observed between the TyG index and cardiovascular mortality of MASLD (P = 0.025). Subgroup analysis suggested that adults aged < 65 years old and those without comorbidities were more sensitive to the mortality prediction of TyG-related indices. CONCLUSION: Findings of this study highlight the predictive value of TyG-related indices, especially the TyG-WHtR index, in the mortality outcomes of adults with MASLD. TyG-related indices would be surrogate biomarkers for the clinical management of MASLD.

Effects of meditation on neural responses to pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of fMRI studies.

This systematic review investigates the impact of meditation on neural responses to pain, as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Up to March 2024, we conducted searches across four databases for human studies implementing fMRI to assess the efficacy of meditation for pain relief. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Our systematic review indicates that activation of the insula, anterior cingulate cortex, and orbitofrontal cortex is positively associated with meditation for pain relief, while activity in regions like the amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex is negatively correlated with pain relief. Meta-analyses consistently reveal the involvement of various brain regions, including the insula, putamen, amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex, precentral gyrus, postcentral gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, superior temporal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, and caudate nucleus, in meditation-induced alleviation of pain. These findings suggest ccthat meditation acts on specific brain regions related to pain, mood, and cognition, providing insight into the potential mechanisms underlying the pain-alleviating effects of meditation on both pain sensations and emotional experiences.

A preliminary study of roxadustat in the treatment of aplastic anemia patients with inadequate erythroid responses.

Some aplastic anemia(AA) patients only have partial hematological responses after immunosuppressive therapy. Failure to achieve complete normalization of blood counts, particularly hemoglobin, will reduce their quality of life. This open-label pilot study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of roxadustat in this setting. A total of 14 patients with AA who had inadequate erythroid response after immunosuppressive therapy were included in the study. The primary efficacy endpoint was hemoglobin response at week 8 after roxadustat treatment. The median duration of roxadustat therapy was 14 (4-30) weeks, with 12 patients receiving roxadustat for ≥ 8 weeks. At week 8, nine patients (9/14, 64.3%) had their hemoglobin rising for at least 15 g/L, with two patients (2/14, 14.3%) achieving normal hemoglobin levels. By the last follow-up, hemoglobin responses were observed in 10 patients (10/14, 71.4%), with 4 patients(4/14, 28.6%) having normal hemoglobin levels. Roxadustat was tapered or discontinued in four responded patients; one relapsed after 12 weeks of tapering, and three maintained their response. Four patients (4/14, 28.6%) experienced mild adverse effects during therapy. Roxadustat is safe and well tolerated by patients with AA. Treatment with the hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor improves hemoglobin levels in AA patients with inadequate erythroid responses.

Screening and validation of atherosclerosis PAN-apoptotic immune-related genes based on single-cell sequencing.

Background: Carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) is a complication of atherosclerosis (AS). PAN-optosome is an inflammatory programmed cell death pathway event regulated by the PAN-optosome complex. CAS's PAN-optosome-related genes (PORGs) have yet to be studied. Hence, screening the PAN-optosome-related diagnostic genes for treating CAS was vital. Methods: We introduced transcriptome data to screen out differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in CAS. Subsequently, WGCNA analysis was utilized to mine module genes about PANoptosis score. We performed differential expression analysis (CAS samples vs. standard samples) to obtain CAS-related differentially expressed genes at the single-cell level. Venn diagram was executed to identify PAN-optosome-related differential genes (POR-DEGs) associated with CAS. Further, LASSO regression and RF algorithm were implemented to were executed to build a diagnostic model. We additionally performed immune infiltration and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) based on diagnostic genes. We verified the accuracy of the model genes by single-cell nuclear sequencing and RT-qPCR validation of clinical samples, as well as in vitro cellular experiments. Results: We identified 785 DEGs associated with CAS. Then, 4296 module genes about PANoptosis score were obtained. We obtained the 7365 and 1631 CAS-related DEGs at the single-cell level, respectively. 67 POR-DEGs were retained Venn diagram. Subsequently, 4 PAN-optosome-related diagnostic genes (CNTN4, FILIP1, PHGDH, and TFPI2) were identified via machine learning. Cellular function tests on four genes showed that these genes have essential roles in maintaining arterial cell viability and resisting cellular senescence. Conclusion: We obtained four PANoptosis-related diagnostic genes (CNTN4, FILIP1, PHGDH, and TFPI2) associated with CAS, laying a theoretical foundation for treating CAS.

Toxicity effects and mechanism of micro/nanoplastics and loaded conventional pollutants on zooplankton: An overview.

Micro/nanoplastics in aquatic environments is a noteworthy environmental problem. Zooplankton, an important biological group in aquatic ecosystems, readily absorb micro/nanoplastics and produce a range of toxic endpoints due to their small size. This review summarises relevant studies on the effects of micro/nanoplastics on zooplankton, including combined effects with conventional pollutants. Frequently reported adverse effects include acute/chronic lethal effects, oxidative stress, gene expression, energetic homeostasis, and growth and reproduction. Obstruction by plastic entanglement and blockage is the physical mechanism. Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity are molecular mechanisms. Properties of micro/nanoplastics, octanol/water partition coefficients of conventional pollutants, species and intestinal environments are important factors influencing single and combined toxicity. Selecting a wider range of micro/nanoplastics, focusing on the aging process and conducting field studies, adopting diversified zooplankton models, and further advancing the study of mechanisms are the outstanding prospects for deeper understanding of impacts of micro/nanoplastics on aquatic ecosystem.

A fungal pathogen secretes a cell wall-associated ß-N-acetylhexosaminidase that is co-expressed with chitinases to contribute to infection of insects.

BACKGROUND: ß-N-acetylhexosaminidases (HEXs) are widely distributed in fungi and involved in cell wall chitin metabolism and utilization of chitin-containing substrates. However, details of the fungal pathogens-derived HEXs in the interaction with their hosts remain limited. RESULTS: An insect nutrients-induced ß-N-acetylhexosaminidase, BbHex1, was identified from the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana, which was involved in cell wall modification and degradation of insect cuticle. BbHex1 was localized to cell wall and secreted, and displayed enzyme activity to degrade the chitinase-hydrolyzed product (GlcNAc)2. Disruption of BbHex1 resulted in a significant decrease in the level of cell wall chitin in the presence of insect nutrients and during infection of insects, with impaired ability to penetrate insect cuticle, accompanying downregulated cell wall metabolism-involved and cuticle-degrading chitinase genes. However, the opposite phenotypes were examined in the gene overexpression strain. Distinctly altered cell wall structures caused by BbHex1 mutation and overexpression led to the easy activation and evasion (respectively) of insect immune response during fungal infection. As a result, BbHex1 contributed to fungal virulence. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that promoters of some co-expressed chitinase genes with the BbHex1 promoter shared conserved transcription factors Skn7, Msn2 and Ste12, and CreA-binding motifs, implying co-regulation of those genes with BbHex1. CONCLUSION: These data support a mechanism that the fungal pathogen specifically expresses BbHex1, which is co-expressed with chitinases to modify cell wall for evasion of insect immune recognition and to degrade insect cuticle, and contributes to the fungal virulence against insects. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Unveiling the molecular mechanisms of size-dependent effect of polystyrene micro/nano-plastics on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii through proteomic profiling.

Microplastics have become a prevalent environmental pollutant due to widespread release and production. Algae, as primary producers, play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of freshwater environments. Despite reports on the inhibition of microalgae by microplastics, the size-dependent effects on microalgae and associated molecular mechanism remain poorly understood. This study investigates the impacts of three polystyrene micro/nano-plastics (PS-MNPs) with different sizes (100 nm, 350 nm, and 6 µm) and concentrations (25-200 mg/L) on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (C. reinhardtii) throughout its growth period. Results reveal size- and concentration-dependent growth inhibition and induction of oxidative stress by PS-MNPs, with microalgae exhibiting increased vulnerability to smaller-sized and higher-concentration PS-MNPs. Proteomics analysis elucidates the size-dependent suppression of proteins involved in the photosynthesis process by PS-MNPs. Photosynthetic activity assays demonstrate that smaller PS-MNPs more significantly reduce chlorophyll content and the maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem II. Finally, electron microscope and Western blot assays collectively confirm the size effect of PS-MNPs on microalgae growth is attributable to suppressed protein expression rather than shading effects. This study contributes to advancing our understanding of the intricate interactions between micro/nano-plastics and algae at the molecular level, emphasizing the efficacy of proteomics in dissecting the mechanistic aspects of microplastics-induced biological effects on environmental indicator organisms.

Fluorene-9-bisphenol acts on the gut-brain axis by regulating oxytocin signaling to disturb social behaviors in zebrafish.

Previous studies have identified the exposure to ubiquitous environmental endocrine disruptors may be a risk factor of neurological disorders. However, the effects of fluorene-9-bisphenol (BHPF) in environmental exposure concentrations associated with these disorders are poorly understood. In this study, classic light-dark and social behavior tests were performed on zebrafish larvae and adults exposed BHPF exposure to evaluate social behavioral disorders and the microbiota-gut-brain axis was assessed to reveal the potential mechanisms underlying the behavioral abnormalities observed. Our results demonstrated that zebrafish larvae exposed to an environmentally relevant concentration (0.1 nM) of BHPF for 7 days showed a diminished response to external environmental factors (light or dark). Zebrafish larvae exposed to BHPF for 7 days or adults exposed to BHPF for 30 days at 1 µM displayed significant behavioral inhibition and altered social behaviors, including social recognition, social preference, and social fear contagion, indicating autism-like behaviors were induced by the exposure. BHPF exposure reduced the distribution of Nissl bodies in midbrain neurons and significantly reduced 5-hydroxytryptamine signaling. Oxytocin (OXT) levels and expression of its receptor oxtra in the gut and brain were down-regulated by BHPF exposure. In addition, the expression levels of genes related to the excitation-inhibitory balance of synaptic transmission changed. Microbiomics revealed increased community diversity and altered abundance of some microflora, such as an elevation in Bacillota and Bacteroidota and a decline in Mycoplasmatota in zebrafish guts, which might contribute to the abnormal neural circuits and autism-like behaviors induced by BHPF. Finally, the rescue effect of exogenous OXT on social behavioral defects induced by BHPF exposure was verified in zebrafish, highlighting the crucial role of OXT signaling through gut-brain axis in the regulatory mechanisms of social behaviors affected by BHPF. This study contributes to understanding the effects of environmental BHPF exposure on neuropsychiatric disorders and attracts public attention to the health risks posed by chemicals in aquatic organisms. The potential mental disorders should be considered in the safety assessments of environmental pollutants.

A transcription factor-mediated regulatory network controls fungal pathogen colonization of insect body cavities.

Successful host tissue colonization is crucial for fungal pathogens to cause mycosis and complete the infection cycle, in which fungal cells undergo a series of morphological transition-included cellular events to combat with hosts. However, many transcription factors (TFs) and their mediated networks regulating fungal pathogen colonization of host tissue are not well characterized. Here, a TF (BbHCR1)-mediated regulatory network was identified in an insect pathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana, that controlled insect hemocoel colonization. BbHCR1 was highly expressed in fungal cells after reaching insect hemocoel and controlled the yeast (in vivo blastospores)-to-hyphal morphological switch, evasion of immune defense response, and fungal virulence. Comparative analysis of RNA sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing identified a core set of BbHCR1 target genes during hemocoel colonization, in which abaA and brlA were targeted to limit the rapid switch from blastospores to hyphae and fungal virulence. Two targets encoding hypothetical proteins, HP1 and HP2, were activated and repressed by BbHCR1, respectively, which acted as a virulence factor and repressor, respectively, suggesting that BbHCR1 activated virulence factors but repressed virulence repressors during the colonization of insect hemocoel. BbHCR1 tuned the expression of two dominant hemocoel colonization-involved metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters, which linked its regulatory role in evasion of immune response. Those functions of BbHCR1 were found to be collaboratively regulated by Fus3- and Hog1-MAP kinases via phosphorylation. These findings have drawn a regulatory network in which Fus3- and Hog1-MAP kinases phosphorylate BbHCR1, which in turn controls the colonization of insect body cavities by regulating fungal morphological transition and virulence-implicated genes.IMPORTANCEFungal pathogens adopt a series of tactics for successful colonization in host tissues, which include morphological transition and the generation of toxic and immunosuppressive molecules. However, many transcription factors (TFs) and their linked pathways that regulate tissue colonization are not well characterized. Here, we identified a TF (BbHCR1)-mediated regulatory network that controls the insect fungal pathogen, Beauveria bassiana, colonization of insect hemocoel. During these processes, BbHCR1 targeted the fungal central development pathway for the control of yeast (blastospores)-to-hyphae morphological transition, activated virulence factors, and repressed virulence repressors by tuning the expression of two dominant hemocoel colonization-involved immunosuppressive and immunostimulatory metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters. The BbHCR1 regulatory function was governed by Fus3- and Hog1-MAP kinases. These findings led to a new regulatory network composed of Fus3- and Hog1-MAP kinases and BbHCR1 that control insect body cavity colonization by regulating fungal morphological transition and virulence-implicated genes.

[Annual review of capillary electrophoresis technology in 2023].

This paper serves as an annual review of capillary electrophoresis (CE) technology for 2023. The journals were selected based on their impact factor (IF), a universally recognized academic performance metric, combined with experimental work closely related to CE technology, to facilitate the rapid acquisition of significant research and application advancements in CE technology in 2023. A thematic search of the ISI Web of Science database yielded 669 research papers on CE technology published in 2023. This review highlights five experimental papers published in journals with IFs greater than 10.0, including Nature Communications, Nucleic Acids Research, Engineering, Journal of Medical Virology, and Carbohydrate Polymers, and 31 experimental papers from representative journals with IFs between 5.0 and 10.0, such as Analytical Chemistry, Analytica Chimica Acta, Talanta, and Food Chemistry. It also provides an overview of experimental research in journals with focused reporting on CE technology but with IFs less than 5.0, such as Journal of Chromatography A and Electrophoresis, as well as significant experimental research from key domestic Chinese core journals (Peking University). In 2023, all the latest scientific advancements reported in journals with an IF greater than 10.0 utilized previously reported CE methods, offering new breakthroughs for the promotion and application of CE technology. Additionally, new applications of CE in conjunction with mass spectrometry remained a hot topic. An increase in reports on the hardware aspects of CE, such as 3D printing and underwater systems, and significant breakthroughs in the analysis of non-solution samples, such as solid particles, cell vesicles, cells, viruses, and bacteria, was noted. CE is advantageous for the analysis of drugs and their components. In Chinese journals, the number of papers on CE applications exceeded that in previous years, with particular focus on the field of printing for new applications.

Association of Lipoprotein(a) Levels With Myocardial Infarction in Patients With Low-Attenuation Plaque.

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) is associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI). However, the mechanism underlying this association has yet to be fully elucidated. OBJECTIVES: This multicenter study aimed to investigate whether association between Lp(a) and MI risk is reinforced by the presence of low-attenuation plaque (LAP) identified by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). METHODS: In a derivation cohort, a total of 5,607 patients with stable chest pain suspected of coronary artery disease who underwent CCTA and Lp(a) measurement were prospectively enrolled. In validation cohort, 1,122 patients were retrospectively collected during the same period. High Lp(a) was defined as Lp(a) ≥50 mg/dL. The primary endpoint was a composite of time to fatal or nonfatal MI. Associations were estimated using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 8.2 years (Q1-Q3: 7.2-9.3 years), the elevated Lp(a) levels were associated with MI risk (adjusted HR [aHR]: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.46-2.49; P < 0.001). There was a significant interaction between Lp(a) and LAP (Pinteraction <0.001) in relation to MI risk. When stratified by the presence or absence of LAP, Lp(a) was associated with MI in patients with LAP (aHR: 3.03; 95% CI: 1.92-4.76; P < 0.001). Mediation analysis revealed that LAP mediated 73.3% (P < 0.001) for the relationship between Lp(a) and MI. The principal findings remained unchanged in the validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated Lp(a) augmented the risk of MI during 8 years of follow-up, especially in patients with LAP identified by CCTA. The presence of LAP could reinforce the relationship between Lp(a) and future MI occurrence.

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of the Sciatic Nerve Mimicking Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Diagnostic Challenge.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs), which involve the proliferation of fibroblastic-myofibroblastic cells mixed with inflammatory infiltrates, are exceedingly rare in the extremities. There are no reported IMTs involving the sciatic nerve. This type of involvement may cause entrapment of the sciatic nerve, whose symptoms may mimic lumbar disc herniation (LDH), especially when it occurs in patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease. We describe the case of a 40-year-old male with lumbar degenerative disc disease accompanied by IMT involving the sciatic nerve whose symptoms mimicked LDH and posed a diagnostic challenge. We showed the course of the disease as well as the systematic imaging manifestations of IMTs involving the sciatic nerve and discussed their therapeutic management.

Correction: A differential-targeting core-shell microneedle patch with coordinated and prolonged release of mangiferin and MSC-derived exosomes for scarless skin regeneration.

Correction for 'A differential-targeting core-shell microneedle patch with coordinated and prolonged release of mangiferin and MSC-derived exosomes for scarless skin regeneration' by Shang Lyu et al., Mater. Horiz., 2024, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3MH01910A.

Melatonin protects zebrafish pancreatic development and physiological rhythms from sodium propionate-induced disturbances via the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis.

BACKGROUND: The widespread use of sodium propionate as a preservative in food may affect public health. We aimed to assess the effects of sodium propionate on circadian rhythms and pancreatic development in zebrafish and the possible underlying mechanisms. RESULTS: In this experiment, we analyzed the relationship between circadian rhythms and pancreatic development and then revealed the role of the thyroid endocrine system in zebrafish. The results showed that sodium propionate interfered with the rhythmic behavior of zebrafish, and altered the expression of important rhythmic genes. Experimental data revealed that pancreatic morphology and developmental genes were altered after sodium propionate exposure. Additionally, thyroid hormone levels and key gene expression associated with the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis were significantly altered. Melatonin at a concentration of 1 µmol L-1, with a mild effect on zebrafish, observably alleviated sodium propionate-induced disturbances in circadian rhythms and pancreatic development, as well as regulating the thyroid system. CONCLUSION: Melatonin, while modulating the thyroid system, significantly alleviates sodium propionate-induced circadian rhythm disturbances and pancreatic developmental disorders. We further revealed the deleterious effects of sodium propionate as well as the potential therapeutic effects of melatonin on circadian rhythm, pancreatic development and the thyroid system. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Identification of candidate genes for adult plant stripe rust resistance transferred from Aegilops ventricosa 2NvS into wheat via fine mapping and transcriptome analysis.

KEY MESSAGE: An adult plant gene for resistance to stripe rust was narrowed down to the proximal one-third of the 2NvS segment translocated from Aegilops ventricosa to wheat chromosome arm 2AS, and based on the gene expression analysis, two candidate genes were identified showing a stronger response at the adult plant stage compared to the seedling stage. The 2NvS translocation from Aegilops ventricosa, known for its resistance to various diseases, has been pivotal in global wheat breeding for more than three decades. Here, we identified an adult plant resistance (APR) gene in the 2NvS segment in wheat line K13-868. Through fine mapping in a segregating near-isogenic line (NIL) derived population of 6389 plants, the candidate region for the APR gene was narrowed down to between 19.36 Mb and 33 Mb in the Jagger reference genome. Transcriptome analysis in NILs strongly suggested that this APR gene conferred resistance to stripe rust by triggering plant innate immune responses. Based on the gene expression analysis, two disease resistance-associated genes within the candidate region, TraesJAG2A03G00588940 and TraesJAG2A03G00590140, exhibited a stronger response to Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) infection at the adult plant stage than at the seedling stage, indicating that they could be potential candidates for the resistance gene. Additionally, we developed a co-dominant InDel marker, InDel_31.05, for detecting this APR gene. Applying this marker showed that over one-half of the wheat varieties approved in 2021 and 2022 in Sichuan province, China, carry this gene. Agronomic trait evaluation of NILs indicated that the 2NvS segment effectively mitigated the negative effects of stripe rust on yield without affecting other important agronomic traits. This study provided valuable insights for cloning and breeding through the utilization of the APR gene present in the 2NvS segment.

Evaluation of TikTok videos on acute pancreatitis: content quality and reliability analysis.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common acute digestive system disorder, with patients often turning to TikTok for AP-related information. However, the platform's video quality on AP has not been thoroughly investigated. OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of videos about AP on TikTok, and the secondary purpose is to study the related factors of video quality. METHODS: This study involved retrieving AP-related videos from TikTok, determining, and analyzing them based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Relevant data were extracted and compiled for evaluation. Video quality was scored using the DISCERN instrument and the Health on the Net (HONcode) score, complemented by introducing the Acute Pancreatitis Content Score (APCS). Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between video quality scores and user engagement metrics such as likes, comments, favorites, retweets, and video duration. RESULTS: A total of 111 TikTok videos were included for analysis, and video publishers were composed of physicians (89.18%), news media organizations (13.51%), individual users (5.41%), and medical institutions (0.9%). The majority of videos focused on AP-related educational content (64.87%), followed by physicians' diagnostic and treatment records (15.32%), and personal experiences (19.81%). The mean scores for DISCERN, HONcode, and APCS were 33.05 ± 7.87, 3.09 ± 0.93, and 1.86 ± 1.30, respectively. The highest video scores were those posted by physicians (35.17 ± 7.02 for DISCERN, 3.31 ± 0.56 for HONcode, and 1.94 ± 1.34 for APCS, respectively). According to the APCS, the main contents focused on etiology (n = 55, 49.5%) and clinical presentations (n = 36, 32.4%), followed by treatment (n = 24, 21.6%), severity (n = 20, 18.0%), prevention (n = 19, 17.1%), pathophysiology (n = 17, 15.3%), definitions (n = 13, 11.7%), examinations (n = 10, 9%), and other related content. There was no correlation between the scores of the three evaluation tools and the number of followers, likes, comments, favorites, and retweets of the video. However, DISCERN (r = 0.309) and APCS (r = 0.407) showed a significant positive correlation with video duration, while HONcode showed no correlation with the duration of the video. CONCLUSIONS: The general quality of TikTok videos related to AP is poor; however, the content posted by medical professionals shows relatively higher quality, predominantly focusing on clinical presentations and etiologies. There is a discernible correlation between video duration and quality ratings, indicating that a combined approach incorporating the guideline can comprehensively evaluate AP-related content on TikTok.

Characteristics and utility of high-resolution optical coherence microscopy images of endocervical canal lesions.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate optical coherence microscopy (OCM) imaging features and the application value of these high-resolution images for identifying endocervical canal lesions (ECLs), which is a clinical dilemma in cervical cancer screening programs. METHODS: In total, 520 OCM images were obtained by scanning the cervical canal lesions with an ultra-high-resolution OCM system (204 specimens from 73 patients). The OCM morphologic characteristics of ECLs were observed and summarized, and then 3 researchers performed a diagnostic test of OCM images of cervical canal lesions. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, 95% confidence interval of each parameter, and interinvestigator agreement (κ) were calculated. RESULTS: Normal endocervix, cysts, squamous metaplasia, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions involving glands, and invasive carcinoma had distinct OCM characteristics, which correlated well with corresponding H&E histologic sections. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the 3 researchers were 90.6%, 89.3% (95% CI, 86.5%-91.7%) and 91.6% (95% CI, 89.2%-93.5%), respectively. The positive predictive value was 90.1% (95% CI, 87.3%-92.4%), and the negative predictive value was 90.9% (95% CI, 88.5%-92.9%), with almost perfect agreement (κ = 0.874). CONCLUSIONS: The application of the OCM system in cervical canal lesions is feasible and could help improve detection of occult ECLs in cervical cancer screening programs. This study lays the foundation for further research on OCM in cervical canal lesions in vivo, which also has a potential impact on projecting pathologic evaluation beyond what is currently possible, perhaps globally.

Improved therapeutic effects on vascular intimal hyperplasia by mesenchymal stem cells expressing MIR155HG that function as a ceRNA for microRNA-205.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is an effective treatment for coronary heart disease, with vascular transplantation as the key procedure. Intimal hyperplasia (IH) gradually leads to vascular stenosis, seriously affecting the curative effect of CABG. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were used to alleviate IH, but the effect was not satisfactory. This work aimed to investigate whether lncRNA MIR155HG could improve the efficacy of MSCs in the treatment of IH and to elucidate the role of the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA). The effect of MIR155HG on MSCs function was investigated, while the proteins involved were assessed. IH was detected by HE and Van Gieson staining. miRNAs as the target of lncRNA were selected by bioinformatics analysis. qRT-PCR and dual-luciferase reporter assay were performed to verify the binding sites of lncRNA-miRNA. The apoptosis, Elisa and tube formation assay revealed the effect of ceRNA on the endothelial protection of MIR155HG-MSCs. We observed that MIR155HG improved the effect of MSCs on IH by promoting viability and migration. MIR155HG worked as a sponge for miR-205. MIR155HG/miR-205 significantly improved the function of MSCs, avoiding apoptosis and inducing angiogenesis. The improved therapeutic effects of MSCs on IH might be due to the ceRNA role of MIR155HG/miR-205.

Wdr17 Regulates Cell Proliferation, Cell Cycle Progression and Apoptosis in Mouse Spermatocyte Cell Line.

We identified Wdr17 as a highly expressed gene in pachytene spermatocytes by transcriptomic analysis of mouse testis. Germ cell-deficient infertile mouse models had significantly reduced Wdr17 expression. We performed gene interference and overexpression in the mouse spermatocyte cell line GC-2spd(ts) and investigated how Wdr17 affects spermatocyte growth and development. Our results showed that Wdr17 suppression significantly decreased cell growth rate and increased cell apoptosis in GC-2spd(ts) cells. Wdr17 suppression also arrested the cell cycle at the G1 phase. On the contrary, Wdr17 overexpression significantly promoted cell proliferation and inhibited cell apoptosis in GC-2spd(ts) cells. More cells were enriched at the S stage with a concomitant reduction of cells at the G1 stage. Wdr17 promotes mouse spermatocyte proliferation by advancing cell cycle progression and inhibiting cell apoptosis, indicating its potential role in regulating spermatogenesis in the mouse.

Neural mechanisms of Chinese character recognition, updating, and maintenance in the N-back task.

Using the N-back task, we investigated how memory load influences the neural activity of the Chinese character cognitive subprocess (recognition, updating, and maintenance) in Mainland Chinese speakers. Twenty-seven participants completed the Chinese character N-back paradigm while having their event-related potentials recorded. The study employed time and frequency domain analyses of EEG data. Results showed that accuracy decreased and response times increased with larger N values. For ERPs, N2pc and P300 amplitudes decreased and SW amplitude increased with larger N values. For time frequency analyses, the desynchronization of alpha oscillations decreased after stimulus onset, but the synchronization of alpha oscillations increased during the maintenance phase. The results suggest that greater memory load is related to a decrease in cognitive resources during updating and an increase in cognitive resources during information maintenance. The results of a behavioral-ERP data structural equation model analysis showed that the ERP indicators in the maintenance phase predicted behavioral performance.