Explore the vast range of titles available.

The efficacy and safety of misoprostol alone for missed abortion varied with different regimens. To evaluate existing evidence for the medical management of missed abortion using misoprostol, we undertook a comprehensive review and meta-analysis. The electronic literature search was conducted using PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, EBSCOhost Online Research Databases, Springer Link, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Ovid Medline and Google Scholar. 18 studies of 1802 participants were included in our analysis. Compared with vaginal misoprostol of 800 ug or sublingual misoprostol of 600 ug, lower-dose regimens (200 ug or 400 ug) by any route of administration tend to be significantly less effective in producing abortion within about 24 hours. In terms of efficacy, the most effective treatment was sublingual misoprostol of 600 ug and the least effective was oral misoprostol of 400 ug. In terms of tolerability, vaginal misoprostol of 400 ug was reported with fewer side effects and sublingual misoprostol of 600 ug was reported with more side effects. Misoprostol is a non-invasive, effective medical method for completion of abortion in missed abortion. Sublingual misoprostol of 600 ug or vaginal misoprostol of 800 ug may be a good choice for the first dose. The ideal dose and medication interval of misoprostol however needs to be further researched.

The development of advanced high-power-density laser-driven light source requires durable and color-tunable inorganic phosphor-in-glass film composites as color converter. One challenge remains for the phosphor-in-glass film is the thermal erosion and degradation of phosphor, as harsh condition or long duration time is required to densify the film for conventional sintering. Here we develop a rapid thermal annealing technique that achieves high film densification (porosity < 3%) within seconds utilizing high-power (>10 kW) infrared irradiation. As demonstrated by high-resolution electron microscopy observation, a trivial interfacial reaction occurs, leading to almost intact phosphor particles and thus restrained luminous loss. For instance, the red-emitting Sr 0.8 Ca 0.2 AlSiN 3 :Eu 2+ exhibits a record internal quantum efficiency of 91.2% in the processed film and achieves a luminous flux of 2379 lm and efficacy of 140 lm W −1 after fabricating a phosphor wheel. This method reduces energy consumption, enables high-throughput screening, and offers material universality and design flexibility, paving the way for new opto-functional materials and applications. High-power laser lighting requires stable phosphor-in-glass films, but conventional sintering damages phosphors. Here, the authors develop infrared annealing which enables seconds-scale fabrication, minimizes interfacial damage and retains luminescence.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods Patients who underwent THA in the Department of Joint Surgery at the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from September 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively selected based on inclusion criteria. They were divided into the DVT group ( n  = 65) and the non-DVT group ( n  = 397) according to the occurrence of postoperative DVT. The following variables were reviewed for both groups: age, sex, Body Mass Index (BMI), affected limb, previous history (smoking and drinking), diabetes, hypertension, operation time, total cholesterol, triglycerides, fibrinogen, hemoglobin, albumin, platelets, D-dimer, International Normalized Ratio (INR), and fibrin degradation products. Univariate analysis was conducted on these factors, and those with statistical significance were further analyzed using a binary logistic regression model to assess their correlation with DVT after THA. Results A total of 462 patients were included in the study, with the DVT group representing approximately 14% and the non-DVT group approximately 86%. The DVT group had an average age of 67.27 ± 4.10 years, while the non-DVT group had an average age of 66.72 ± 8.69 years. Univariate analysis revealed significant differences in diabetes mellitus, preoperative fibrinogen, preoperative D-dimer, preoperative INR, and preoperative and postoperative fibrin degradation products between the DVT and non-DVT groups. Binary logistic regression analysis identified diabetes mellitus, elevated preoperative fibrinogen, preoperative D-dimer, and preoperative INR ( p  < 0.05) as risk factors for DVT after THA. Conclusion This study found that diabetes mellitus, elevated preoperative fibrinogen, preoperative D-dimer, and preoperative INR are independent risk factors for DVT following THA. Surgeons should thoroughly assess these risk factors, implement timely and effective interventions, and guide patients to engage in functional exercises as early as possible to reduce the incidence of DVT, thereby improving the outcomes of THA and improving patient quality of life.

Extracellular matrix stiffening is a quintessential feature of cartilage aging, a leading cause of knee osteoarthritis. Yet, the downstream molecular and cellular consequences of age-related biophysical alterations are poorly understood. Here, we show that epigenetic regulation of α-Klotho represents a novel mechanosensitive mechanism by which the aged extracellular matrix influences chondrocyte physiology. Using mass spectrometry proteomics followed by a series of genetic and pharmacological manipulations, we discovered that increased matrix stiffness drove Klotho promoter methylation, downregulated Klotho gene expression, and accelerated chondrocyte senescence in vitro. In contrast, exposing aged chondrocytes to a soft matrix restored a more youthful phenotype in vitro and enhanced cartilage integrity in vivo. Our findings demonstrate that age-related alterations in extracellular matrix biophysical properties initiate pathogenic mechanotransductive signaling that promotes Klotho promoter methylation and compromises cellular health. These findings are likely to have broad implications even beyond cartilage for the field of aging research. Matrix stiffening is a quintessential feature of aged tissues. Authors show that an aged (stiff) matrix epigenetically represses the gene encoding the longevity factor, α-Klotho, resulting in chondrocyte dysfunction, a leading cause of osteoarthritis.

Protein phosphatase PPM1B, a member of the serine/threonine phosphatase family, has been implicated in various human cancers. In this study, our objective was to investigate the role of PPM1B in GC growth and explore the underlying mechanisms. Our findings revealed that PPM1B expression was downregulated in GC tissues, and higher levels of PPM1B expression were associated with improved overall survival in GC patients. Overexpression of PPM1B significantly inhibited cell proliferation, induced G1 phase cell cycle arrest, and suppressed tumor growth. Conversely, knockdown or knockout of PPM1B yielded opposite effects. Mechanistically, we identified that PPM1B exerted its inhibitory role in GC cell growth and cell cycle regulation through the TRIM25/PPM1B/CDK2 signaling pathway. Specifically, we demonstrated that TRIM25 physically interacts with PPM1B, leading to enhanced degradation of PPM1B and subsequent modulation of CDK2 phosphorylation and GC cell growth. PPM1B emerges as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in GC. These findings hold clinical significance by offering opportunities to improve diagnosis and treatment strategies for GC patients. Furthermore, this study provides novel insights into the pathogenesis and progression of GC, expanding our understanding of this disease.

Soil stabilization is a critical step in numerous engineering projects, preventing soil erosion, increasing soil strength, and reducing the risk of subsidence. Due to its inexpensive cost and potential environmental benefits, waste materials, such as waste marble powder (WMP), have been used as additives for soil stabilization in recent years. This study investigates waste marble powder’s effects on unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and clayey soil’s ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) at different water contents and curing times, and artificial neural networks (ANNs) are also used to predict the UCS and UPV values based on three input variables (percentage of waste marble dust, curing time, and moisture content). Geo-engineering experiments (Atterberg limits, compaction characteristics, specific gravity, UCS, and UPV) and analytical methods (ANNs) are used. The study results indicate that the soil is high-plasticity clay (CH) using the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS), and adding waste marble powder (WMP) can significantly improve the UCS and UPV of clay soils, especially at optimal water content, curing times of 28 days, and 60% WMP. It is found that the ANN models accurately predict the UCS and UPV values with high correlation coefficients approaching 1. In addition, this study shows that the optimum water content and curing time for stabilized clay soils depend on the grade and amount of waste marble powder utilized. Overall, the study demonstrates the potential of waste marble dust as a soil stabilization additive and the usefulness of ANNs in predicting UCS and UPV values. This study’s results are relevant to engineers and researchers working on soil stabilization projects, such as foundations and backfills. They can contribute to the development of sustainable and cost-effective soil stabilization solutions.

Background Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and nadroparin calcium are commonly used to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) following joint replacement surgery. In this study, we compared the effects of tranexamic acid combined with either LMWH or nadroparin calcium in preventing DVT after joint replacement surgery. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent unilateral THA/TKA at the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from September 2021 to June 2023. Patients were divided into two groups based on the anticoagulant used: Tranexamic Acid + Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin group ( n  = 80) and Tranexamic Acid + Nadroparin Calcium group ( n  = 85), both treated for 2 weeks. The perioperative indicators [blood loss, hospital stay, operation time, transfusion rate, transfusion volume, and total hospitalization cost], complications DVT, muscle compartment vein thrombosis (MCVT), incision infection, pulmonary thromboembolism, and postoperative hematoma], coagulation indicators [D-dimer, prothrombin activity, international normalized ratio, and fibrinogen], hematological parameters [platelets, hemoglobin, hematocrit], and inflammatory factors [procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α)] were compared between the two groups. Result The preoperative indicators of both groups were statistically indistinguishable ( P  > 0.05). Comparisons of intraoperative blood loss, overt blood loss, covert blood loss, total blood loss, hospital stay duration, operation time, transfusion rate, and transfusion volume showed no significant differences between the groups ( P  > 0.05). The TXA + LMWH group exhibited significantly lower D-dimer, PT activity, international normalized ratio, and fibrinogen levels on postoperative days 1 and 5 compared to the TXA + Nadroparine group, with significant differences observed ( P  < 0.05). No significant differences between the two groups were found in platelet count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, PCT, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α levels on postoperative days 1 and 5 ( P  > 0.05). The total hospitalization costs in the TXA + LMWH group were significantly lower than those in the TXA + Nadroparine group, with a significant difference ( P  < 0.05). Conclusion This study found that the clinical efficacy and safety of the TXA + Nadroparine and TXA + LMWH groups were basically the same after joint replacement surgery. However, the TXA + LMWH group demonstrated better prevention of thrombosis and significantly lower overall hospitalization costs compared to the TXA + Nadroparine group.

Objective This study compares the efficacy and complications of endoscopic transforaminal lumbar fusion (Endo-TLIF) and minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar fusion (MIS-TLIF) in treating lumbar degenerative diseases. It aims to provide reference data for clinical decision-making. Methods We identified randomized controlled studies and non-randomized controlled studies on Endo-TLIF and MIS-TLIF for treating lumbar degenerative diseases based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were managed with Endnote X9 software and meta-analyzed using Revman 5.3 software. Extracted outcomes included lower back VAS score, lower extremity pain VAS score, low back pain ODI score, complication rate, fusion rate, time to surgery, blood loss, and length of hospital stay. Results ① Thirteen high-quality studies were included in this meta-analysis, totaling 1015 patients—493 in the Endo-TLIF group and 522 in the MIS-TLIF group. ② Meta-analysis results revealed no significant differences in preoperative, postoperative 6-month, and final follow-up waist VAS scores, lower limb pain VAS score, ODI index, complications, and fusion rate between the two groups ( P  > 0.05). The MIS-TLIF group had a shorter operative time (MD = 29.13, 95% CI 10.86, 47.39, P  = 0.002) than the Endo-TLIF group. However, the Endo-TLIF group had less blood loss (MD = − 76.75, 95% CI − 111.59, − 41.90, P  < 0.0001), a shorter hospital stay (MD = − 2.15, 95% CI − 2.95, − 1.34, P  < 0.00001), and lower lumbar VAS scores both immediately postoperative (≤ 2 week) (MD = − 1.12, 95% CI − 1.53, − 0.71, P  < 0.00001) compared to the MIS-TLIF group. Conclusion Meta-analysis results indicated that Endo-TLIF is similar to MIS-TLIF in terms of long-term clinical outcomes, fusion rates, and complication rates. Although MIS-TLIF has a shorter operation time, Endo-TLIF can significantly reduce blood loss and hospital stay duration. Endo-TLIF offers the advantages of less surgical trauma, reduced blood loss, faster recovery, and early alleviation of postoperative back pain.

Gefitinib has been widely applied for the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). However, the long-term application of gefitinib usually leads to acquired drug resistance in tumour patients, resulting in clinical treatment failure. Small nucleolar host gene 17 (SNHG17) has been shown to play a regulatory role in LUAD progression. Nevertheless, the role of SNHG17 in LUAD gefitinib resistance remains elusive. The expression pattern of SNHG17 was examined in tissues and cell lines of gefitinib-sensitive and gefitinib-resistant LUAD, respectively. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were employed to assess the biological functions of SNHG17 in cell proliferation and apoptosis, as well as aggressive phenotypes of LUAD cells. MeRIP-qPCR and colorimetric quantificational analysis were performed to detect m6A modifications and contents. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) and subcellular fractionation analysis were used to reveal the distribution of SNHG17. RIP and ChIP assays were performed to further validate the SNHG17/EZH2/LATS2 regulatory axis. A xenograft tumour growth assay was conducted to evaluate the role of SNHG17 in LUAD gefitinib resistance in vivo. SNHG17 was upregulated in gefitinib-resistant LUAD tissues and cell lines. Functional assays showed that SNHG17 aggravated the malignant phenotypes of gefitinib-resistant LUAD cells. In addition, METTL3-mediated N 6 -methyladenosine modification could induce the upregulation of SNHG17by stabilising its RNA transcript. Mechanistically, SNHG17 epigenetically repressed the expression of LATS2 by recruiting EZH2 to the promoter region of LATS2. The regulatory role of the SNHG17/EZH2/LATS2 axis in LUAD gefitinib resistance was further supported in vivo. Collectively, our findings suggested that SNHG17 induced by METTL3 could promote LUAD gefitinib resistance by epigenetically repressing LATS2 expression.

Background Phytophthora capsici root rot (PRR) is a disastrous disease in peppers ( Capsicum spp .) caused by soilborne oomycete with typical symptoms of necrosis and constriction at the basal stem and consequent plant wilting. Most studies on the QTL mapping of P. capsici resistance suggested a consensus broad-spectrum QTL on chromosome 5 named Pc.5.1 regardless of P. capsici isolates and resistant resources. In addition, all these reports proposed NBS-ARC domain genes as candidate genes controlling resistance. Results We screened out 10 PRR-resistant resources from 160 Capsicum germplasm and inspected the response of locus Pc.5.1 and NBS-ARC genes during P. capsici infection by comparing the root transcriptomes of resistant pepper 305R and susceptible pepper 372S. To dissect the structure of Pc.5.1 , we anchored genetic markers onto pepper genomic sequence and made an extended Pc5.1 ( Ext-Pc5.1 ) located at 8.35 Mb–38.13 Mb on chromosome 5 which covered all Pc5.1 reported in publications. A total of 571 NBS-ARC genes were mined from the genome of pepper CM334 and 34 genes were significantly affected by P. capsici infection in either 305R or 372S. Only 5 inducible NBS-ARC genes had LRR domains and none of them was positioned at Ext -Pc5.1 . Ext-Pc5.1 did show strong response to P. capsici infection and there were a total of 44 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), but no candidate genes proposed by previous publications was included. Snakin-1 ( SN1 ), a well-known antimicrobial peptide gene located at Pc5.1 , was significantly decreased in 372S but not in 305R. Moreover, there was an impressive upregulation of sugar pathway genes in 305R, which was confirmed by metabolite analysis of roots. The biological processes of histone methylation, histone phosphorylation, DNA methylation, and nucleosome assembly were strongly activated in 305R but not in 372S, indicating an epigenetic-related defense mechanism. Conclusions Those NBS-ARC genes that were suggested to contribute to Pc5.1 in previous publications did not show any significant response in P. capsici infection and there were no significant differences of these genes in transcription levels between 305R and 372S. Other pathogen defense-related genes like SN1 might account for Pc5.1 . Our study also proposed the important role of sugar and epigenetic regulation in the defense against P. capsici .