Simultaneous In Vivo Imaging of Neutrophil Elastase and Oxidative Stress in Atherosclerotic Plaques Using a Unimolecular Photoacoustic Probe.

Atherosclerosis is a primary global health concern due to its high morbidity and mortality. This disease is characterized by a complex interplay of chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and proteolytic enzymes. Traditional imaging techniques struggle to capture the dynamic biochemical processes within atherosclerotic plaques. Herein, we have developed a novel unimolecular photoacoustic probe (UMAPP) that combines specific recognition sites for neutrophil elastase (NE) and the redox pair O2•‒/GSH into a cohesive molecular platform, allowing in vivo monitoring of oxidative stress and activated neutrophils within plaques. UMAPP features a boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) core linked to a hydrophilic NE-cleavable tetrapeptide, and dual oxidative stress-responsive catechol moieties, enabling NE-mediated modulation of photoinduced electron transfer, affecting the photoacoustic intensity at 685 nm (PA685), while oxidation and reduction of the catechol groups by O2•‒ and GSH lead to reversible, ratiometric changes in the photoacoustic spectrum. Preliminary applications of UMAPP have successfully differentiated between atherosclerotic and healthy mice, assessed the impact of pneumonia on plaque composition, and validated the probe's efficacy in drug-treatment studies, detecting molecular changes prior to observable histopathological alterations. UMAPP's integrated molecular imaging approach holds significant promise for advancing the diagnosis and management of atherosclerosis by enabling earlier and more precise detection of vulnerable plaques.

Eosinophilic solid and cystic renal cell carcinoma with aggressive behavior: Two case reports.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic solid and cystic (ESC) renal cell carcinoma (RCC), a unique and emerging subtype of RCC, has an indolent nature; in some rare instances, it may exhibit metastatic potential. Current cases are inadequate to precisely predict the clinical outcome of ESC RCC and determine treatment choices. CASE SUMMARY: Herein, we report two patients with ESC RCC. Patient 1 was a young woman with classical pathological characteristics. Patient 2 was a 52-year-old man with multifocal metastases, involving the pulmonary hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes, liver, brain, mesosternum, vertebra, rib, femur, and symphysis pubis. Awareness of ESC RCC, along with its characteristic architecture and immunophenotype, would contribute to making a definitive diagnosis, even on core biopsy samples. CONCLUSION: The discovery of ESC RCC molecular signatures may provide new therapeutic strategies in the future.

Bibliometric Analysis of Alzheimer's Disease and Depression.

BACKGROUND: The link between Alzheimer's disease and depression has been confirmed by clinical and epidemiological research. Therefore, our study examined the literary landscape and prevalent themes in depression-related research works on Alzheimer's disease through bibliometric analysis. METHODS: Relevant literature was identified from the Web of Science core collection. Bibliometric parameters were extracted, and the major contributors were defined in terms of countries, institutions, authors, and articles using Microsoft Excel 2019 and VOSviewer. VOSviewer and CiteSpace were employed to visualize the scientific networks and seminal topics. RESULTS: The analysis of literature utilised 10,553 articles published from 1991 until 2023. The three countries or regions with the most publications were spread across the United States, China, and England. The University of Toronto and the University of Pittsburgh were the major contributors to the institutions. Lyketsos, Constantine G., Cummings, JL were found to make outstanding contributions. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease was identified as the most productive journal. Furthermore, "Alzheimer's", "depression", "dementia", and "mild cognitive decline" were the main topics of discussion during this period. LIMITATIONS: Data were searched from a single database to become compatible with VOSviewer and CiteSpace, leading to a selection bias. Manuscripts in English were considered, leading to a language bias. CONCLUSION: Articles on "Alzheimer's" and "depression" displayed an upward trend. The prevalent themes addressed were the mechanisms of depression-associated Alzheimer's disease, the identification of depression and cognitive decline in the early stages of Alzheimer's, alleviating depression and improving life quality in Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers, and diagnosing and treating neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer. Future research on these hot topics would promote understanding in this field.

Mucin phenotype and microvessels in early gastic cancer: Magnifying endoscopy with narrow band imaging.

Backgrounds: In order to detect early gastric cancer (EGC), this research sought to assess the diagnostic utility of magnifying endoscopy (ME) as well as the significance of mucin phenotype and microvessel features. Methods: 402 individuals with an EGC diagnosis underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) at the Department of ME between 2012 and 2020. After adjusting for image distortion, high-magnification endoscopic pictures were taken and examined to find microvessels in the area of interest. The microvessel density was measured as counts per square millimeter (counts/mm2) after segmentation, and the vascular bed's size was computed as a percentage of the area of interest. To identify certain properties of the microvessels, such as end-points, crossing points, branching sites, and connection points, further processing was done using skeletonized pixels. Results: According to the research, undifferentiated tumors often lacked the MS pattern and showed an oval and tubular microsurface (MS) pattern, but differentiated EGC tumors usually lacked the MS pattern and presented a corkscrew MV pattern. Submucosal invasion was shown to be more strongly associated with the destructive MS pattern in differentiated tumors as opposed to undifferentiated tumors. While lesions with a corkscrew MV pattern and an antrum or body MS pattern revealed greater MUC5AC expression, lesions with a loop MV pattern indicated higher MUC2 expression. Furthermore, CD10 expression was higher in lesions with a papillary pattern and an antrum or body MS pattern. Conclusion: These results imply that evaluating mucin phenotype and microvessel features in conjunction with magnifying endoscopy (ME) may be a useful diagnostic strategy for early gastric cancer (EGC) detection. Nevertheless, further investigation is required to confirm these findings and identify the best course of action for EGC diagnosis.

The effect of Chinese vocational college students' perception of feedback on online learning engagement: academic self-efficacy and test anxiety as mediating variables.

Enhancing learning engagement is a critical challenge in online education. While previous research underscores the importance of feedback, recent studies have shifted focus to students' perceptions of feedback, which significantly impact learning performance. However, empirical evidence on how these perceptions affect online learning outcomes is limited. Drawing on Self-Determination Theory, this study addresses this gap by employing SEM to analyze the relationships among feedback perception, academic self-efficacy, test anxiety, and online learning engagement. A total of 402 Chinese vocational college students (ages 18-19) completed questionnaires, with statistical analysis conducted using SPSS and Mplus. The study found that perception of feedback directly influences online learning engagement and indirectly affects it through academic self-efficacy and test anxiety, with a total effect value of 0.416. The findings offer valuable insights for educators and suggest directions for future research on feedback perception and online learning engagement.

Gastrodin Ameliorates the Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Extracellular Matrix Degradation of IL-1ß-Mediated Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes via Suppressing the Gremlin-1/NF-κB Pathway.

BACKGROUND: Synovial inflammation plays a crucial role in osteoarthritis (OA). Gastrodin (GAS), an active ingredient derived from the Gastrodia elata Blume rhizome, possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pharmacological effects. This research aimed to evaluate the function and molecular mechanism of GAS on human fibroblast-like synoviocytes of osteoarthritis (HFLS-OA) induced by interleukin (IL)-1ß. METHODS: The impact of GAS on the viability of IL-1ß-treated HFLS-OA cells was assessed using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was employed to detect changes in IL-8, IL-6, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and Gremlin-1 mRNA expression in each group. Corresponding kits were utilized to measure the catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, as well as the nitric oxide (NO) level. Western blot analysis was conducted to examine the expression of extracellular matrix degradation-associated proteins and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway-correlated proteins in each group. RESULTS: GAS significantly promoted the proliferation of IL-1ß-induced HFLS-OA cells and concurrently down-regulated Gremlin-1 mRNA expression (p < 0.05). Through the down-regulation of Gremlin-1 expression, GAS exhibited the following effects: decreased IL-8, IL-6, and TNF-α mRNA expression, as well as NO levels (p < 0.05); increased SOD and CAT activities (p < 0.05); down-regulated matrix metallopeptidase 13 (MMP-13) and MMP-1 protein expression levels (p < 0.01); and up-regulated collagen II protein expression level (p < 0.01) in IL-1ß-treated HFLS-OA cells. Additionally, GAS decreased phospho-inhibitory kappa B (p-IκB)/IκB, phospho-inhibitory kappa B kinase (p-IKK)/IKK, and p-p65/p65 ratios in IL-1ß-induced HFLS-OA cells by inhibiting Gremlin-1 expression (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: GAS demonstrates a positive impact on inflammation, oxidative stress, and extracellular matrix degradation in IL-1ß-mediated HFLS-OA cells. This effect is achieved by suppressing Gremlin-1 expression and reducing NF-κB pathway activity.

Reducing Application of Nitrogen Fertilizer Increases Soil Bacterial Diversity and Drives Co-Occurrence Networks.

Reducing nitrogen fertilizer application highlights its role in optimizing soil bacterial communities to achieve sustainable agriculture. However, the specific mechanisms of bacterial community change under these conditions are not yet clear. In this study, we employed long-term field experiments and high-throughput sequencing to analyze how varying levels of nitrogen application influence the soil bacterial community structure and co-occurrence networks. The results show that reducing the nitrogen inputs significantly enhances the diversity and evenness of the soil bacterial communities, possibly due to the diminished dominance of nitrogen-sensitive taxa, which in turn liberates the ecological niches for less competitive species. Furthermore, changes in the complexity and stability of the bacterial co-occurrence networks suggest increased community resilience and a shift toward more mutualistic interactions. These findings underline the potential of reduced nitrogen application to alleviate competitive pressures among bacterial species, thereby promoting a more diverse and stable microbial ecosystem, highlighting the role of competitive release in fostering microbial diversity. This research contributes to our understanding of how nitrogen management can influence soil health and offers insights into sustainable agricultural practices.

Properties and functions of acylated starch with short-chain fatty acids: a comprehensive review.

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are the primary energy source of colonic epithelial cells, but oral SCFAs are digested, absorbed, or degraded before reaching the colon. The acylated starch with SCFAs can be fermented and release specific SCFAs under the action of colonic intestinal microbiota. This review first introduces the preparation method, reaction mechanism, and substitution factors. Second, the structure, physical and chemical properties, in vitro function, and mechanism of acylated starch were expounded. Finally, the application of acylated starch in foods is introduced, and its safety is evaluated, providing a basis for the further development of acylated starch-based foods. The acylated starch obtained by different acylation types and preparation methods is different in particle, molecular, and crystal structures, leading to changes in the function and physicochemical properties. Meanwhile, acylated starch has the functional potential of targeted delivery of SCFAs to the colon, which can increase SCFAs in feces and intestine, selectively regulate the intestinal microbiota, and produce a prebiotic effect conducive to host health. The safety of acetylated starch has been supported by relevant studies, which have been widely used in various food fields and have great potential in the food industry.

FGF18 encoding circular mRNA-LNP based on glycerolipid engineering of mesenchymal stem cells for efficient amelioration of osteoarthritis.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit substantial potential for osteoarthritis (OA) therapy through cartilage regeneration, yet the realization of optimal therapeutic outcomes is hampered by their limited intrinsic reparative capacities. Herein, MSCs are engineered with circular mRNA (cmRNA) encoding fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF18) encapsulated within lipid nanoparticles (LNP) derived from a glycerolipid to facilitate OA healing. A proprietary biodegradable and ionizable glycerolipid, TG6A, with branched tails and five ester bonds, forms LNP exhibiting above 9-fold and 41-fold higher EGFP protein expression in MSCs than commercial LNP from DLin-MC3-DMA and ALC-0315, respectively. The introduction of FGF18 not only augmented the proliferative capacity of MSCs but also upregulated the expression of chondrogenic genes and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content. Additionally, FGF18 enhanced the production of proteoglycans and type II collagen in chondrocyte pellet cultures in a three-dimensional culture. In an OA rat model, transplantation with FGF18-engineered MSCs remarkably preserved cartilage integrity and facilitated functional repair of cartilage lesions, as evidenced by thicker cartilage layers, reduced histopathological scores, maintenance of zone structure, and incremental type II collagen and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Taken together, our findings suggest that TG6A-based LNP loading with cmRNA for engineering MSCs present an innovative strategy to overcome the current limitations in OA treatment.

[Study on optimal harvesting period and rational medicinal parts of Zanthoxylum nitidum based on statistics of main effective components].

To determine the optimal harvesting period and rational medicinal parts of Zanthoxylum nitidum, the main effective components of cultivated Z. nitidum samples, which originate from various growth years, harvesting months, and different parts were analyzed and compared with the wild samples. HPLC was performed on a Kinetex C18 column(4. 6 mm×100 mm, 2. 6 µm) with the gradient elution of 0. 3% phosphoric acid solution-acetonitrile(80 ∶ 20) containing 0. 2% triethylamine. The flow rate was 1. 0 m L·min-1, and the detection wavelength was 273 nm. The column temperature was 30 ℃. Nitidine chloride and chelerythrine, the main effective components, were determined as the markers. The results showed there was no significant difference in the contents of the main effective components among the roots of wild and cultivated Z. nitidum, as well as the roots and roots + stems of cultivated Z. nitidum. The statistical results of HCA and PCA indicated that the roots and stems could be clearly distinguished, but no distinction could be made between wild and cultivated products, which was consistent with the results of the significance analysis. The total contents of nitidine chloride and chelerythrine in roots and stems of Z. nitidum of 1-6 years old were 0. 114%-0. 256% and 0. 030%-0. 133%, respectively. These results suggested a positive correlation between the content of the main effective components and the growth years. No significant difference was observed between the contents of samples harvested in different seasons, indicating that the harvest season had no effect on the content of the main effective components of the Z. nitidum samples. The total contents of nitidine chloride and chelerythrine of the dried Z. nitidum samples(excluding branches) from three plantation bases were 0. 308%±0. 123% in Yunfu, 0. 192%±0. 025% in Maoming, and 0. 197%±0. 052% in Nanning, respectively, and they were all not less than 0. 15%, or in other words, the roots(including fibrous roots, taproots, and underground stems) and stems(aboveground stems) of Z. nitidum transplanted for more than 2. 5 years can meet the medical requirements. This study demonstrates that the cultivated Z. nitidum could be used as a valid substitute for the wild Z. nitidum, which provides a guarantee for the sustainable development and the application of Z. nitidum resources. The stems and roots could be considered medicinal parts of Z. nitidum. It is recommended to revise the medicinal parts of Z. nitidum to dried roots and stems in the next edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and the medicinal parts can be harvested all year round. In order to ensure the content of effective components and clinical effectiveness, the root and stem should be harvested for medical use after the seedlings of Z. nitidum have been transplanted for more than three years.

The influence of processing technologies on the biological activity of carbohydrates in food.

Food processing transforms raw materials into different food forms using physical or chemical techniques. Recently, carbohydrates have gained attention for their diverse biological activities like antioxidant, anticancer, and antimutagenic effects. Selecting suitable processing methods is crucial to preserve the beneficial properties of carbohydrates. This review discusses the impact of non-thermal and thermal processing on the physicochemical and biological traits of carbohydrates, highlighting the need for understanding the mechanisms underlying these changes. Future research will focus on enhancing and safeguarding the biological and functional aspects of carbohydrates through improved processing techniques. The goal is to optimize methods that maintain the beneficial properties of carbohydrates, maximizing their health benefits for consumers.

Silencing of ZNF610 suppresses cell proliferation and migration in lung adenocarcinoma.

Zinc finger proteins (ZNFs) play a significant role in the initiation and progression of tumors. Nevertheless, the specific contribution of ZNF610 to lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains poorly understood. This study sought is to elucidate the role of ZNF610 in LUAD. Transcript data of LUAD were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) database and processed via R program. The expression of ZNF610 was assessed in various cell lines. To compare the proliferative capacity of cells with or without ZNF610 silencing, CCK8, cell colony formation assay, and Celigo label-free cell counting assay were employed. Furthermore, transwell migration and invasion assays were conducted to evaluate the migratory and invasive abilities of the cells. The expression levels of genes and proteins were assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot techniques. In different LUAD cells, the expression level of ZNF610 was found to be significantly higher in LUAD cells compared to MRC-5 and BASE-2B cells. Moreover, the silencing of ZNF610 resulted in a decrease in cell proliferation and migration abilities. Additionally, the apoptosis rate of cells increased upon silencing ZNF610. Notably, the proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase increased, while the proportion of cells in the S phase decreased following ZNF610 silencing. Finally, ß-catenin and snail were identified as downstream targets of ZNF610 in cells. Our findings suggest that silencing ZNF610 could inhibit LUAD cell proliferation and migration, possibly through the downregulation of ß-catenin and snail.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection induces a novel type of cell death: Ferroptosis.

Ferroptosis is a lipid peroxidation-driven and iron-dependent form of programmed cell death, which is involved in a variety of physical processes and multiple diseases. Numerous reports have demonstrated that ferroptosis is closely related to the pathophysiological processes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) infection and is characterized by the accumulation of excess lipid peroxides on the cell membrane. In this study, the various functions of ferroptosis, and the therapeutic strategies and diagnostic biomarkers of tuberculosis, were summarized. Notably, this review provides insights into the molecular mechanisms and functions of M. tuberculosis-induced ferroptosis, suggesting potential future therapeutic and diagnostic markers for tuberculosis.

LncRNA MIR181A2HG inhibits keratinocytes proliferation through miR-223-3p/SOX6 axis.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a complex and recurrent chronic inflammatory skin disease, and the abnormal proliferation of keratinocytes plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an indispensable role in regulating cellular functions. This research aims to explore the potential impact of lncRNA MIR181A2HG on the regulation of keratinocyte proliferation. METHODS: The expression level of MIR181A2HG and the mRNA level of KRT6, KRT16, and SOX6 were assessed using qRT-PCR. The viability and proliferation of keratinocytes were evaluated using CCK-8 and EdU assays. Cell cycle analysis was performed using flow cytometry. Dual-luciferase reporter assays were applied to test the interaction among MIR181A2HG/miR-223-3p/SOX6. Protein level was detected by Western blotting analysis. RESULTS: The findings indicated that psoriasis lesions tissue exhibited lower levels of MIR181A2HG expression compared to normal tissue. The overexpression of MIR181A2HG resulted in the inhibition of HaCaT keratinocytes proliferation. The knockdown of MIR181A2HG promoted cell proliferation. The dual-luciferase reporter assay and rescue experiments provided evidence of the interaction among MIR181A2HG, SOX6, and miR-223-3p. CONCLUSIONS: The lncRNA MIR181A2HG functions as a miR-223-3p sponge targeting SOX6 to regulate the proliferation of keratinocytes, which suggested that MIR181A2HG/miR-223-3p/SOX6 might be potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets for psoriasis.

Screening, characterization, and optimization of the fermentation conditions of a novel cellulase-producing microorganism from soil of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Cellulases play an important role in the bioconversion of lignocellulose. Microorganisms found in extreme environments are a potentially rich source of cellulases with unique properties. Due to the uniqueness of the environment, the abundant microbial resources in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) are worth being explored. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize an acidic, mesophilic cellulase-producing microorganism from QTP. Moreover, the fermentation conditions for cellulase production were optimized for future application of cellulase in the development of lignocellulose biomass. A novel cellulase-producing strain, Penicillium oxalicum XC10, was isolated from the soil of QTP. The cellulase produced by XC10 was a mesophilic cellulase that exhibited good acid resistance and some cold-adaptation properties, with maximum activity at pH 4.0 and 40°C. Cellulase activity was significantly enhanced by Na+ (p < 0.05) and inhibited by Mg2+, Ca2+, Cu2+, and Fe3+ (p < 0.05). After optimization, maximum cellulase activity (8.56 U/mL) was increased nearly 10-fold. Optimal fermentation conditions included an inoculum size of 3% (v/v) in a mixture of corn straw (40 g/L), peptone (5 g/L), and Mg2+ (4 g/L), at pH 4.0, 33°C, and shaking at 200 rpm. The specific properties of the P. oxalicum XC10 cellulase suggest the enzyme may serve as an excellent candidate for the bioconversion and utilization of lignocellulose biomass generated as agricultural and food-processing wastes.

Deficiency in Prader-Willi syndrome gene necdin leads to attenuated cardiac contractility.

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder characterized by behavioral disturbances, hyperphagia, and intellectual disability. Several surveys indicate that PWS is also associated with cardiac abnormalities, possibly contributing to a high incidence of sudden death. However, the pathological mechanisms underlying cardiac dysfunction in PWS remain unclear. In this study, we found that deficiency in necdin, an intronless gene within PWS region, led to heart systolic and diastolic dysfunction in mice. Through yeast two-hybrid screening, we identified an interaction between necdin and non-muscle myosin regulatory light chain 12a/b (MYL12 A/B). We further showed that necdin stabilized MYL12 A/B via SGT1-heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) chaperone machinery. The zebrafish lacking the MYL12 A/B analog, MYL12.1, exhibited impaired heart function, while cardiac-specific overexpression of MYL12A normalized the heart dysfunction in necdin-deficient mice. Our findings revealed necdin dysfunction as a contributing factor to cardiomyopathy in PWS patients and emphasized the importance of HSP90 chaperone machinery and non-muscle myosin in heart fitness.

Blood-supplementing effect of low molecular weight peptides of E-Jiao on chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression: evaluation of pharmacological activity and identification of bioactive peptides released in vivo.

Background: Equus asinus L. [Equidae; Asini Corri Colla] (donkey-hide gelatin, E-Jiao) is a traditional Chinese medicine renowned for its exceptional blood-supplementing effect. However, the specific components that contribute to its efficacy remain elusive. This study aimed to demonstrate that peptides are responsible for E-Jiao's blood-supplementing effect and to explore the specific peptides contributing to its efficacy. Methods: The low molecular weight peptides of E-Jiao (LMEJ) were obtained using an in vitro digestion method. LMEJ and peptides in the rat bloodstream were characterized by peptidomics analysis. The blood-supplementing effect of LMEJ was assessed using blood-deficient zebrafish and mouse models. The effect of the peptides detected in rat blood was evaluated using the same zebrafish model, and network pharmacology analysis was performed to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Results: A total of 660 unique peptides were identified within LMEJ. Both E-Jiao and LMEJ significantly alleviated myelosuppression in mice but only LMEJ attenuated myelosuppression in zebrafish. After the administration of E-Jiao to rats, 67 E-Jiao-derived peptides were detected in the bloodstream, 41 of which were identical to those identified in LMEJ. Out of these 41 peptides, five were synthesized. Subsequent verification of their effects revealed that two of them were able to alleviate myelosuppression in zebrafish. Network pharmacology study suggested that E-Jiao may exert a blood-supplementing effect by regulating signaling pathways such as JAK-STAT, IL-17 and others. These results indicated that peptides are at least partially responsible for E-Jiao's efficacy. Conclusion: This study provides a crucial foundation for further exploration of the bioactive components of E-Jiao.

The function of CD36 in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

CD36 is a scavenger receptor that has been reported to function as a signaling receptor that responds to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and could integrate metabolic pathways and cell signaling through its dual functions. Thereby influencing activation to regulate the immune response and immune cell differentiation. Recent studies have revealed that CD36 plays critical roles in the process of lipid metabolism, inflammatory response and immune process caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. This review will comprehensively investigate CD36's functions in lipid uptake and processing, inflammatory response, immune response and therapeutic targets and biomarkers in the infection process of M. tuberculosis. The study also raised outstanding issues in this field to designate future directions.

Liquid biopsy for human cancer: cancer screening, monitoring, and treatment.

Currently, tumor treatment modalities such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy have more stringent requirements for obtaining tumor growth information and require more accurate and easy-to-operate tumor information detection methods. Compared with traditional tissue biopsy, liquid biopsy is a novel, minimally invasive, real-time detection tool for detecting information directly or indirectly released by tumors in human body fluids, which is more suitable for the requirements of new tumor treatment modalities. Liquid biopsy has not been widely used in clinical practice, and there are fewer reviews of related clinical applications. This review summarizes the clinical applications of liquid biopsy components (e.g., circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor DNA, extracellular vesicles, etc.) in tumorigenesis and progression. This includes the development process and detection techniques of liquid biopsies, early screening of tumors, tumor growth detection, and guiding therapeutic strategies (liquid biopsy-based personalized medicine and prediction of treatment response). Finally, the current challenges and future directions for clinical applications of liquid biopsy are proposed. In sum, this review will inspire more researchers to use liquid biopsy technology to promote the realization of individualized therapy, improve the efficacy of tumor therapy, and provide better therapeutic options for tumor patients.