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Ulcerative colitis (UC) is associated with gut microbiota imbalance, and probiotics may restore gut flora and improve intestinal health. Sea buckthorn, which is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, may enhance these effects when combined with probiotics. In this study, we incorporated our screened strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum YHG-87 (L. plantarum YHG-87) into sea buckthorn fermented milk to examine its additional benefits in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC mouse model. Five groups (n = 6) were included: healthy control, DSS-induced colitis, regular fermented milk, sea buckthorn fermented milk, and sea buckthorn probiotic fermented milk (SC group). Results indicated that SC group significantly alleviated UC symptoms, such as weight loss, bloody stools, and colon shortening (p < 0.05), and these improvements were more pronounced than those observed in the sea buckthorn fermented milk group. Moreover, the SC group exhibited stronger anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, including reduced IL-6, increased IL-4 and IL-10, elevated glutathione, and reduced myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde (p < 0.05). Additionally, the SC intervention led to notable shifts in gut microbial community composition. In conclusion, the addition of L. plantarum YHG-87 to sea buckthorn fermented milk provided enhanced protective effects against UC, suggesting that the combination of bioactive plant components with selected probiotics offers promising potential for UC prevention and therapy.

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance neurography (CE-MRN) holds promise for diagnosing brachial plexopathy by enhancing nerve visualization and revealing additional imaging features in various lesions. This study aims to validate CE-MRN’s efficacy in improving brachial plexus (BP) imaging across different patient cohorts. Seventy-one subjects, including 19 volunteers and 52 patients with BP compression/entrapment, injury, and neoplasms, underwent both CE-MRN and plain MRN. Two radiologists assessed nerve visibility, with inter-reader agreement evaluated. Quantitative parameters such as signal intensity (SI), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and contrast ratio (CR) of the C7 nerve were measured. Both qualitative scoring and quantitative metrics were compared between CE-MRN and plain MRN within each patient group. Patient classification followed the Neuropathy Score Reporting and Data System (NS-RADS), summarizing additional imaging features for each brachial plexopathy type. Inter-reader agreement for qualitative assessment was strong. CE-MRN significantly enhanced BP visualization and nerve-tissue contrast across all cohorts, particularly in volunteers and patients with injuries. It also uncovered additional imaging features such as hypointense signals in ganglia, compressed nerve sites, and neoplastic enhancements. CE-MRN effectively mitigated muscle edema and vascular contamination, enabling precise classification of BP injuries. Overall, CE-MRN consistently enhances BP visualization and provides valuable imaging features for accurate diagnosis.

Background Fusobacterium necrophorum (F. necrophorum) -induced necrotizing pneumonia is a rare but severe pulmonary infection. Insufficient microbiological detection methods can lead to diagnostic difficulties. Methods We report a case of F. necrophorum lung abscess diagnosed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Results BALF-NGS detected F. necrophorum , guiding subsequent targeted antibiotic therapy. With active drainage and metronidazole treatment, the patient’s condition was effectively treated. Conclusion BALF-NGS is a valuable tool for the rapid diagnosis of infections caused by difficult-to-culture bacteria. It played a decisive role in the early identification of F. necrophorum , enabling timely and targeted antibiotic intervention. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial for the management of F. necrophorum pneumonia.

Background Bladder cancer (BC) is a prevalent malignancy characterized by significant cellular heterogeneity. While single-cell multi-omics studies have provided valuable insights, much of the existing data remains underexplored, limiting our understanding of BC’s molecular mechanisms. Uncovering the pathogenesis of BC and finding new treatment methods are urgent problems to be solved. This study aims to address this gap by re-analyzing available single-cell datasets to uncover novel insights into BC. Methods In this study, we retrieved three single-cell transcriptome datasets by searching the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, focusing on single-cell sequencing of normal mouse bladder within the past 5 years. Through quality control and batch effect elimination, we obtained a total of 24,930 cells including epithelial, stromal, and immune cells. Subgroup analysis, pseudotemporal analysis, cell–cell communication, and transcription factor analysis were conducted specifically on epithelial cells to identify a transitional state during basal cell differentiation. We further compared the expression profiles of key transcription factors in cancer and normal tissues. In addition, we also performed immunohistochemical staining and survival analysis for key transcription factors. Results Subgroup analysis revealed multiple subtypes of epithelial cells, including basal, umbrella, and intermediate cells. Through pseudotemporal analysis, we discovered the developmental trajectory from basal cells to umbrella cells and further found that Basal_I is a transitional state for basal cell differentiation. Cell-to-cell communication analyses highlighted the pivotal role of Basal_I in cell–cell interactions, and key ligand-receptor pairs associated with cancer progression were also identified. Furthermore, elevated expression levels of key transcription factors in Basal_I were found to be closely associated with the stage and prognosis of BC. Immunohistochemical staining results further confirmed the upregulated expression of these transcription factors in BC. Conclusions Collectively, we found a transitional state of basal cells in normal bladder epithelial cells in mice, which may be related to the occurrence and development of BC, providing important clues for further understanding of the pathogenesis of BC. Our study provided possible molecular mechanisms or target for the research and treatment of BC.

Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common form of leukemia among adults and is characterized by uncontrolled proliferation and clonal expansion of hematopoietic cells. There has been a significant improvement in the treatment of younger patients, however, prognosis in the elderly AML patients remains poor. Methods: We used computational methods and machine learning (ML) techniques to identify and explore the differential high-risk genes (DHRGs) in AML. The DHRGs were explored through multiple in silico approaches including genomic and functional analysis, survival analysis, immune infiltration, miRNA co-expression and stemness features analyses to reveal their prognostic importance in AML. Furthermore, using different ML algorithms, prognostic models were constructed and validated using the DHRGs. At the end molecular docking studies were performed to identify potential drug candidates targeting the selected DHRGs. Results: We identified a total of 80 DHRGs by comparing the differentially expressed genes derived between AML patients and normal controls and high-risk AML genes identified by Cox regression. Genetic and epigenetic alteration analyses of the DHRGs revealed a significant association of their copy number variations and methylation status with overall survival (OS) of AML patients. Out of the 137 models constructed using different ML algorithms, the combination of Ridge and plsRcox maintained the highest mean C-index and was used to build the final model. When AML patients were classified into low- and high-risk groups based on DHRGs, the low-risk group had significantly longer OS in the AML training and validation cohorts. Furthermore, immune infiltration, miRNA coexpression, stemness feature and hallmark pathway analyses revealed significant differences in the prognosis of the low- and high-risk AML groups. Drug sensitivity and molecular docking studies revealed top 5 drugs, including carboplatin and austocystin-D that may significantly affect the DHRGs in AML. Conclusion: The findings from the current study identified a set of high-risk genes that may be used as prognostic and therapeutic markers for AML patients. In addition, significant use of the ML algorithms in constructing and validating the prognostic models in AML was demonstrated. Although our study used extensive bioinformatics and machine learning methods to identify the hub genes in AML, their experimental validations using knock-out/-in methods would strengthen our findings.

Background: Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been applied in various types of surgery for hemostasis purposes. The efficacy and safety of TXA are still controversial in different surgeries. Guidelines for clinical application of TXA are needed. Materials and method: We systematically searched multiple medical databases for meta-analyses examining the efficacy and safety of TXA. Types of surgery included joint replacement surgery, other orthopedic surgeries, cardiac surgery, cerebral surgery, etc. Outcomes were blood loss, blood transfusion, adverse events, re-operation rate, operative time and length of hospital stay, hemoglobin (Hb) level, and coagulation function. Assessing the methodological quality of systematic reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2) and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) were used for quality assessment of the included meta-analyses. Overlapping reviews were evaluated by calculating the corrected covered area (CCA). Result: In all, we identified 47 meta-analyses, of which 44 of them were of “high” quality. A total of 319 outcomes were evaluated, in which 58 outcomes were assessed as “high” quality. TXA demonstrates significant hemostatic effects in various surgeries, with lower rates of blood transfusion and re-operation, shorter operative time and length of stay, and higher Hb levels. Besides, TXA does not increase the risk of death and vascular adverse events, but it is a risk factor for seizure (a neurological event) in cardiac surgery. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that TXA has a general hemostatic effect with very few adverse events, which indicates TXA is the recommended medication to prevent excessive bleeding and reduce the blood transfusion rate. We also recommend different dosages of TXA for different types of adult surgery. However, we could not recommend a unified dosage for different surgeries due to the heterogeneity of the experimental design. Systematic Review Registration: clinicaltrials.gov/ , identifier CRD42021240303

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) is a type of cell death sparking adaptive immune responses that can reshape the tumor microenvironment. Exploring key ICD-related genes in bladder cancer (BLCA) could enhance personalized treatment. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) BLCA patients were divided into two ICD subtypes: ICD-high and ICD-low. High ICD expression linked to increased immune cell infiltration and longer survival, but with potentially suppressed immune function. The high ICD group responded better to PD1-targeted therapy. A risk-scoring model with four ICD-related genes (CALR, IL1R1, IFNB1, IFNG) was validated across TCGA, GEO datasets, and tissue samples, showing higher risk score correlated with weaker anti-tumor immune function, more tumor-promoting elements, lower immunotherapy response rates, and shorter patient survival. This study connects ICD-related genes to BLCA prognosis and immune infiltration, offering a vital tool for personalized treatment guidance.

Purpose The advantages of en bloc resection of bladder tumors (ERBT) over transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) in terms of patient prognosis are not yet clear, and there are some technical limitations. We aimed to compare the tumor recurrence in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients with tumor diameter ≥ 3 cm undergoing either TURBT or thulium laser ERBT. Methods The patients included were those diagnosed with NMIBC based on pathological confirmation and underwent TURBT or modified thulium laser ERBT in the Department of Urology at Tongji Hospital from 2019 to 2024. The patients’ medical records were meticulously collected and postoperative follow-up was diligently conducted by trained personnel. Recurrence-free survival curves were generated utilizing the Kaplan–Meier method, and group comparisons were performed using the log-rank trend test. To minimize biases, we employed stratified survival analysis, alongside univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Results This study included a total of 396 patients with NMIBC, with 214 undergoing TURBT and 182 undergoing ERBT. For all patients, there was no significant difference ( P  = 0.180) in RFS between the TURBT and ERBT groups. For patients with tumor diameter ≥ 3 cm, stratified analysis revealed that the RFS of the ERBT group was significantly better than that of the TURBT group ( P  = 0.033). However, in patients with tumor diameter < 3 cm, there was no significant difference ( P  = 0.150) between the two groups. Univariate (HR: 0.52, 95% CI 0.28–0.96, P  = 0.036) and multivariate (HR: 0.49, 95% CI 0.25–0.93, P  = 0.031) Cox analyses revealed that ERBT was an independent protective factor for recurrence in NMIBC patients with tumor diameter ≥3cm. Conclusion This study found that thulium laser ERBT may offer advantages in managing NMIBC patients with tumor diameters ≥ 3 cm. This could potentially drive the clinical application of thulium laser ERBT. Trial registration Protocol was registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Register (ChiCTR) with number ChiCTR2000035407 on 12 August 2020.

This study analyzes the durability of brick-faced clay-core walls (BCWs) in the traditional residential architecture of Quanzhou—a UNESCO World Heritage City. Taking the northern gable of Ding Gongchen’s former residence as an example, the mechanical properties, microscopic structure, and changes in chemical symbol, oxides and minerals of the red bricks and clay-cores were analyzed using finite element mechanics analysis (FEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicate a triple mechanism: (1) The collaborative protection and reinforcement mechanism of “brick-wrapped-clay”. (2) The infiltration and destruction mechanism of external pollutants. (3) The material stability mechanism of silicate minerals. Therefore, the key to maintaining the durability of BCWs lies in the synergistic effect of brick and clay materials and the stability of silicate mineral materials, providing theoretical and methodological support for sustainable research into brick and clay constructions.

Aim. To analyze changes in peripheral blood monocytes and their clinical significance in patients with early stage of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). Methods. A total of 27 patients with early stage of IMN and 16 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) were recruited for the study. The monocyte subset counts in circulation were measured by flow cytometry, and serum interleukin- (IL-) 10 and IL-12 concentrations were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The potential association between clinical signs and monocyte subset counts was analyzed statistically. Results. Compared with the HCs, the patients with early stage of IMN had higher counts of CD14+CD163+, CD14+CD163+CD206+, and CD14+CD163+CD206+CD115+ M2-like monocytes. The CD14+CD163+CD206+ M2-like cell counts and intracellular IL-10 concentrations in the monocytes were positively correlated with progression in proteinuria. The levels of serum IL-10 were significantly higher in early IMN patients than in the HCs. Furthermore, CD14+CD163+CD206+ M2-like cell counts in the patients with incipient IMN were also positively related with 24 h urinary albumin levels and the values of serum M-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R). Conclusion. CD14+CD163+CD206+ M2-like monocytes may contribute to the pathologic process in early-stage IMN and could serve as potential markers for evaluating the disease severity.