Search Results (34,639)

IgG Fc binding protein (FcGBP) is a mucin-like protein that binds strongly to IgG and IgG–antigen complexes in intestinal mucus. FcGBP presence and its altered expression levels in meconium accumulating in the fetal intestine and amniotic fluid flowing in the intestine may provide new knowledge of the mechanisms responsible for the immune adaptation of the fetus to extrauterine life. FcGBP concentrations were measured by ELISA in the first-pass meconium and amniotic fluid samples collected from 120 healthy neonates delivered by either vaginal birth (n = 35) or cesarean section (n = 85) at 36 to 41 weeks gestation. The meconium FcGBP concentrations (405.78 ± 145.22 ng/g) decreased (r = −0.241, p = 0.007) over the course of 36 to 41 weeks gestation, but there were no significant changes (p > 0.05) in the amniotic fluid FcGBP (135.70 ± 35.83 ng/mL) in the same period. Both meconium and amniotic fluid FcGBP concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) in neonates delivered by cesarean section. Decreases in the meconium FcGBP concentrations correlated (r = −0.37, p = 0.027) with the gestational age in neonates delivered by vaginal birth but not in those delivered by cesarean section (p > 0.05). No association was found between the FcGBP concentrations in meconium and amniotic fluid and the birth weight (p > 0.05). With the development of the mucosal immune system in the fetal intestine over the course of the third trimester of gestation, the meconium FcGBP concentrations decrease. Increased FcGBP concentrations measured in the meconium and amniotic fluid of neonates delivered by cesarean section may possibly indicate altered intestinal mucosal function. Intrauterine growth is not associated with the intestinal mucosal barrier maturation involving FcGBP. Full article

Protein-bound uraemic toxins (PBUTs), such as indoxyl sulphate (IS) and p-cresyl sulphate (PCS), are poorly cleared by conventional haemodialysis (HD) or haemodiafiltration (HDF). Haemoadsorption combined with HD (HAHD) using the novel pHA130 cartridge may increase PBUT removal, and this trial aimed to compare its efficacy and safety with HDF in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In this single-centre, open-label trial, 30 maintenance HD patients were randomized (1:1:1) to HDF once every two weeks (HDF-q2w), HAHD once every two weeks (HAHD-q2w), or HAHD once weekly (HAHD-q1w) for 8 weeks, with the primary endpoint being the single-session reduction ratio (RR) of IS. The combined HAHD group (n = 20) demonstrated a significantly greater IS reduction than the HDF-q2w group (n = 10) (46.9% vs. 31.8%; p = 0.044) and superior PCS clearance (44.6% vs. 31.4%; p = 0.003). Both HAHD regimens significantly reduced predialysis IS levels at Week 8. Compared with HDF, weekly HAHD provided greater relief from pruritus and improved sleep quality, with comparable adverse events among groups. In conclusion, HAHD with the pHA130 cartridge is more effective than HDF for enhancing single-session PBUT removal and alleviating uraemic symptoms in patients with ESRD, with weekly application showing optimal symptomatic benefits. Full article

This study aimed to develop an innovative resin composite with anti-biofouling properties, tailored to prosthesis fabrication in dentistry using a digital light processing (DLP) 3D-printing technique. The resin composite was formulated using a blend of dental monomers, with the integration of 2-methacryloyloxylethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) with anti-biofouling behavior and γ-MPS-treated silica-zirconia powder for simultaneous mechanical reinforcement. The overall characterization of the resin composite was carried out using various contents of MPC incorporated into the resin (0–7 wt%) for examining the rheological behavior, photopolymerization, flexural strength/modulus, microstructure and anti-biofouling efficiency. The resin composite demonstrated a significant reduction in bacterial adhesion (97.4% for E. coli and 86.5% for S. aureus) and protein adsorption (reduced OD value from 1.3 ± 0.4 to 0.8 ± 0.2) with 7 wt% of MPC incorporation, without interfering with photopolymerization to demonstrate potential suitability for 3D printing without issues (p < 0.01, and p < 0.05, respectively). The incorporation and optimization of γ-MPS-treated silica-zirconia powder (10–40 vol%) enhanced mechanical properties, leading to a reasonable flexural strength (103.4 ± 6.1 MPa) and a flexural modulus (4.3 ± 0.4 GPa) at 30 vol% (n = 6). However, a further increase to 40 vol% resulted in a reduction in flexural strength and modulus; nevertheless, the results were above ISO 10477 standards for dental materials. Full article

To enhance the effectiveness of sustainable preservation of modified corn wet distillers’ grains plus solubles (mcWDGS), various additives were tested under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. In Experiment I, the mcWDGS was stored under aerobic conditions for 5 days at 25 °C. Treatments included different organic acids applied at 0.3% or 0.6% of fresh matter (FM). In Experiment II, the mcWDGS was ensiled anaerobically for 8 weeks at 25 °C using organic acids, a commercial acid mixture, or a microbial inoculant at 0.2% FM. In aerobic conditions, the best preservability was achieved with propionic and formic acids at 0.6% FM, as indicated by the lowest temperature, pH, and microbial counts on days 3 and 5 (p ≤ 0.01). Under anaerobic storage, the highest lactic acid concentrations were recorded in the control, citric acid, and commercial acid mixture variants (p ≤ 0.01). Acetic acid levels were highest in the control (p ≤ 0.01). The highest NH3-N content was found in the formic acid variant and the lowest in the inoculant variant (p ≤ 0.01). Aerobic stability after ensiling was greatest in the control and propionic acid groups (p ≤ 0.01). Nutritional analysis showed that the citric acid group had the highest dry matter content (p ≤ 0.01), while the control group contained the most crude protein (p ≤ 0.01) and saturated fatty acids (p ≤ 0.05). The propionic acid and commercial acid mixture variants had the highest unsaturated fatty acids (p ≤ 0.05). Antioxidant capacity was also greatest in the control (p ≤ 0.01). In conclusion, mcWDGS can be effectively preserved aerobically with 0.6% FM of propionic or formic acid, and anaerobically via ensiling, even without additives. These findings support its potential as a stable and nutritious feed ingredient. Full article

Background and Objectives: The uric acid to HDL-cholesterol ratio (UHR) has recently emerged as a promising biomarker reflecting systemic inflammation and metabolic disturbances. Elevated liver transaminases are clinical indicators of hepatic injury and underlying metabolic dysfunction. Many Middle Eastern countries face constrained clinical and laboratory resources, where access to comprehensive diagnostic tools may be limited. In such settings, identifying simple and easily accessible markers could offer significant practical value in detecting and monitoring health disorders. This study investigates the potential association between UHR and elevated liver transaminases levels in the Saudi general population. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 9618 subjects, and the association between the UHR and elevated liver transaminases, alanine transaminase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST), was comprehensively analysed. In addition, the study assessed risk indicators including the prevalence ratio (PR) and odds ratio (OR) as well as the diagnostic accuracy of UHR and C-reactive protein (CRP) in detecting liver transaminases abnormalities, with analyses stratified by age and gender. Results: UHR was significantly elevated in subjects with increased ALT and AST activities, and this pattern was consistent across all age and gender categories. High UHR was significantly associated with elevated ALT (OR = 2.32, 95% CI: 2.12–2.53, p < 0.001) and AST (OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.25–1.52, p < 0.001), with stronger associations observed in males and for ALT activity. In addition, elevated UHR was more prevalent among individuals with increased liver transaminase activities. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that UHR outperformed CRP in identifying elevated liver transaminases, with better discriminative ability for ALT than AST activity. Conclusions: These findings highlight a significant association between UHR and liver transaminase abnormalities in the general population, underscoring the potential utility of UHR as a simple and accessible indicator for liver function assessment in clinical settings. Full article

To determine the association between FGFR4 (rs351855 and rs7708357) gene variants, serum levels, and immunohistochemical markers (Ki-67 and p53) in pituitary adenoma (PA), a case-control study was conducted involving 300 subjects divided into two groups: the control group (n = 200) and a group of PA (n = 100). The genotyping of FGFR4 rs351855 and rs7708357 was carried out using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. The serum FGFR4 levels were measured using the ELISA method. Immunohistochemical analysis (Ki-67 and p53) was conducted. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 30.0 software. There were no statistically significant differences after analyzing the genotypes and alleles of FGFR4 rs351855 and rs7708357 in patients with PA and control groups (all p > 0.05). After evaluating the distribution of genotypes and alleles of FGFR4 rs351855 and rs7708357 in micro/macro, invasiveness, activity, and recurrence of PA and the control groups, the analysis showed no statistically significant differences between the groups (p > 0.05). Similarly, no significant differences in FGFR4 levels were observed between PA patients and control group (median (IQR): 3642.41 (1755.08) pg/mL vs. 3126.24 (1334.15) pg/mL, p = 0.121). Immunohistochemistry for Ki-67 revealed a labeling index (LI) of <1% in 25.5% of patients with PA, an LI of 1% in 10.9%, and an LI of >1% in 63.6% of patients. Further analyses showed no statistically significant associations with tumor size, invasiveness, activity, or recurrence. Immunohistochemistry for p53 revealed that macroadenomas had a significantly higher p53 H-score compared to microadenomas (median (IQR): 30.33 (28.68) vs. 18.34 (17.65), p = 0.005). Additionally, a moderate, statistically significant positive correlation between the Ki-67 LI and the p53 expression was found (Spearman’s ρ = 0.443, p = 0.003, n = 43). FGFR4 variants and serum protein levels were not significantly associated with PA risk or tumor features. Conversely, immunohistochemical markers Ki-67 and p53 were more informative, with higher p53 expression in macroadenomas and a moderate positive correlation between Ki-67 and p53, highlighting their potential relevance in tumor growth assessment. Full article

Background and Objectives: Discrimination between various causes of exudative pleural effusion (PE) remains a major clinical challenge, and to date, definitive biochemical markers for this discrimination remain lacking. An increasing number of studies have reported that serum C-reactive protein (CRPs), pleural fluid CRP (CRPpf), and CRPpf/CRPs ratio (CRPr) are useful for the differential diagnosis of exudative PE; however, their efficacy rate is not similar in these studies. The majority of these studies were conducted on small groups of subjects, and the efficacy of the gradient between CRPs and CRPpf (CRPg—calculated as CRPs—CRPpf) in this differentiation has not been previously investigated. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy rate of CRPs, CRPpf, CRPg, and CRPr in the differential diagnoses of various causes of exudative PE in a relatively large cohort of patients. Materials and Methods: The research group included 282 subjects with exudative PE—146 had parapneumonic effusion (PPE), 126 had malignant pleural effusion (MPE), and 10 had tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE). The values are presented as mean ± SD. Results: The mean CRPs level was significantly higher in the PPE group compared to the MPE group (p < 0.0001) and the TPE group (p < 0.001), and also significantly higher in the TPE group than in the MPE group (p = 0.0009). Similarly, the mean CRPpf level was significantly higher in the PPE group than in the MPE group (p < 0.0001) and the TPE group (p = 0.04), and also significantly higher in the TPE group than in the MPE group (p < 0.0001). The mean CRPg level was significantly higher in the PPE group than in both the MPE group (p < 0.0001) and the TPE group (p < 0.002). The mean CRPr level did not differ significantly among these groups of exudate. Conclusions: CRPs, CRPpf, and CRPg are effective in the differential diagnosis of exudative PE, while CRPr was not effective in this regard. The main limitation of this study is that the sample size of the TPE group is very small. Full article

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is an important factor in female infertility and is often associated with oxidative stress. Alginate oligosaccharides (AOSs), derived from the degradation of alginate, have been demonstrated to have protective effects against various oxidative stress-related diseases. However, the impact of AOSs on POI has not been previously explored. The current study explored the effects of AOSs on ovarian dysfunction in a mouse model of POI induced by D-galactose (D-gal). Female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups: the control (CON), POI model (D-gal), and low-, medium-, and high-dose AOS groups (AOS-L, 100 mg/kg/day; AOS-M, 150 mg/kg/day; AOS-H, 200 mg/kg/day). For 42 consecutive days, mice in the D-gal, AOS-L, AOS-M, and AOS-H groups received daily intraperitoneal injections of D-gal (200 mg/kg/day), whereas those in the CON group received equivalent volumes of sterile saline. Following D-gal injection, AOSs were administered via gavage at the specified doses; mice in the CON and D-gal groups received sterile saline instead. AOS treatment markedly improved estrous cycle irregularities, normalized serum hormone levels, reduced granulosa cell apoptosis, and increased follicle counts in POI mice. Moreover, AOSs significantly reduced ovarian oxidative stress and senescence in POI mice, as indicated by lower levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), higher activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and decreased protein expression of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), nitrotyrosine (NTY), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and p16 in ovarian tissue. Analysis of the gut microbiota through 16S rRNA gene sequencing and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) analysis revealed significant differences in gut microbiota composition and SCFA levels (acetic acid and total SCFAs) between control and D-gal-induced POI mice. These differences were largely alleviated by AOS treatment. AOSs changed the gut microbiota by increasing the abundance of Ligilactobacillus and decreasing the abundance of Clostridiales, Clostridiaceae, Marinifilaceae, and Clostridium_T. Additionally, AOSs mitigated the decline in acetic acid and total SCFA levels observed in POI mice. Notably, the total SCFA level was significantly correlated with the abundance of Ligilactobacillus, Marinifilaceae, and Clostridium_T. In conclusion, AOS intervention effectively mitigates ovarian oxidative stress, restores gut microbiota homeostasis, and regulates the microbiota–SCFA axis, collectively improving D-gal-induced POI. Therefore, AOSs represent a promising therapeutic strategy for POI management. Full article

Neuroinflammation is the major contributor to the pathology of neonatal hypoxic–ischemic (HI) brain injury. Our previous studies have demonstrated that microRNA210 (miR210) inhibition with antisense locked nucleic acid (LNA) inhibitor mitigates neuroinflammation and provides neuroprotection after neonatal HI insult. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. In the present study, using miR210 knockout (KO) mice and microglial cultures, we tested the hypothesis that miR210 promotes microglial activation and neuroinflammation through suppressing mitochondrial function in microglia after HI. Neonatal HI brain injury was conducted on postnatal day 9 (P9) wild-type (WT) and miR210 knockout (KO) mouse pups. We found that miR210 KO significantly reduced brain infarct size at 48 h and improved long-term locomotor functions assessed by an open field test three weeks after HI. Moreover, miR210 KO mice exhibited reduced IL1β levels, microglia activation and immune cell infiltration after HI. In addition, in vitro studies of microglia exposed to oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) revealed that miR210 inhibition with LNA reduced OGD-induced expression of Il1β and rescued OGD-mediated downregulation of mitochondrial iron–sulfur cluster assembly enzyme (ISCU) and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation activity. To validate the link between miR210 and microglia activation, isolated primary murine microglia were transfected with miR210 mimic or negative control. The results showed that miR210 mimic downregulated the expression of mitochondrial ISCU protein abundance and induced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines similar to the effect observed with ISCU silencing RNA. In summary, our results suggest that miR210 is a key regulator of microglial proinflammatory activation through reprogramming mitochondrial function in neonatal HI brain injury. Full article

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is characterized by proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, edema, and hyperlipidemia. Apart from the traditional causes of NS, such as minimal change disease, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, diabetes, infections, malignancies, autoimmune conditions, and nephrotoxic agents, there are also rare causes of NS, whose knowledge is of the utmost importance. The aim of this article was to highlight the less well-known causes that have a significant impact on diagnosis and treatment. Genetic syndromes such as Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia, familial lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency with two clinical variants (fish-eye Disease and the p.Leu364Pro mutation), lead to NS through mechanisms involving podocyte and lipid metabolism dysfunction. Congenital disorders of glycosylation and Nail–Patella Syndrome emphasize the role of deranged protein processing and transcriptional regulation in glomerular injury. The link of NS with type 1 diabetes, though rare, suggests an etiology on the basis of common HLA loci and immune dysregulation. Histopathological analysis, particularly electron microscopy, shows mainly podocyte damage, mesangial sclerosis, and alteration of the basement membrane, which aids in differentiating rare forms. Prompt recognition of these novel etiologies by genetic analysis, renal biopsy, and an interdisciplinary panel is essential to avoid delays in diagnosis and tailored treatment. Full article

Hericium coralloides is a highly valued gourmet and medicinal species with growing market demand across East Asia, though industrial production remains limited by cultivation challenges. This study investigated the molecular characteristics, biological traits, domestication potential, and cultivation protocols of Hericium coralloides strains collected from the Changbaishan Nature Reserve (Jiling, China). Optimal conditions for mycelial growth included mannose as the preferred carbon source, peptone as the nitrogen source, 30 °C incubation temperature, pH 5.5, and magnesium sulfate as the essential inorganic salt. The fruiting bodies had a protein content of 2.43% g/100 g (fresh sample meter). Total amino acids comprised 53.3% of the total amino acid profile, while essential amino acids accounted for 114.11% relative to non-essential amino acids, indicating high nutritional value. Under optimized domestication conditions—70% hardwood chips, 20% cottonseed hulls, 8% bran, 1% malic acid, and 1% gypsum—bags reached full colonization in 28 days, with a 15-day maturation phase and initial fruiting occurring after 12–14 days. The interval between flushes was 10–12 days. The average yield reached 318.65 ± 31.74 g per bag, with a biological conversion rate of 63.73%. These findings demonstrate that Hericium coralloides possesses significant potential for edible and commercial applications. This study provides a robust theoretical foundation and resource reference for its artificial cultivation, supporting its broader industrial and economic utilization. Full article

Bamboo shoot boiled liquid (BSBL), a processing byproduct containing soluble proteins, peptides, amino acids, carbohydrates, and phenolics, is typically discarded, causing resource waste and environmental issues. This study analyzed metabolic changes in BSBL during Pediococcus pentosaceus B49 fermentation. The result of partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) revealed significant metabolite profile differences across fermentation times (0 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 96 h). The most substantial alterations occurred within the first 24 h, followed by stabilization. Compared to unfermented BSBL, fermented samples exhibited significantly elevated signal intensities for 5,7-dimethoxyflavone, cinnamic acid, 3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one, 6,8-dimethyl-4-hydroxycoumarin, and 2-hydroxycinnamic acid (p < 0.05), showing upward trends over time. Conversely, (+)-gallocatechin intensity decreased gradually. Bitter peptides, such as alanylisoleucine, isoleucylisoleucine, leucylvaline, and phenylalanylisoleucine, in BSBL exhibited a significant reduction following fermentation with P. pentosaceus B49 (p < 0.05). KEGG enrichment indicated tyrosine metabolism (ko00350) and arginine/proline metabolism (ko00330) as the most impacted pathways. These findings elucidate metabolic regulation in BSBL fermentation, supporting development of functional fermented bamboo products. Full article

Skeletal muscle development is a critical economic trait in livestock, governed by myogenic satellite cell regulation. Integrins mediate mechanical anchorage to the ECM and enable ECM–intracellular signaling. CIB2, as an EF-hand-domain protein involved in mechanotransduction, shows significant developmental regulation in goat muscle. Although the role of CIB2 in skeletal muscle growth is poorly characterized, we observed pronounced developmental upregulation of IB2 in postnatal goat muscle. CIB2 expression increased >20-fold by postnatal day 90 (P90) compared to P1, sustaining elevation through P180 (p < 0.05). Functional investigations indicated that siRNA-mediated knockdown of CIB2 could inhibit myoblast proliferation by inducing S-phase arrest (p < 0.05) and downregulating the expression of CDK4/Cyclin D/E. Simultaneously, CIB2 interference treatment was found to decrease the proliferative activity of goat myogenic satellite cells, yet it significantly promoted differentiation by upregulating the expression of MyoD/MyoG/MyHC (p < 0.01). Mechanistically, CTCF was identified as a transcriptional repressor binding to an intragenic region of the CIB2 gene locus (ChIP enrichment: 2.3-fold, p < 0.05). Knockdown of CTCF induced upregulation of CIB2 (p < 0.05). RNA-seq analysis established CIB2 as a calcium signaling hub: its interference activated IL-17/TNF and complement cascades, while overexpression suppressed focal adhesion/ECM–receptor interactions and enriched neuroendocrine pathways. Collectively, this study identifies the CTCF-CIB2–integrin α7β1–PI3K/AKT axis as a novel molecular mechanism that regulates the balance of myogenic fate in goats. These findings offer promising targets for genomic selection and precision breeding strategies aimed at enhancing muscle productivity in ruminants. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cancer is a complex disease that affects patients’ nutritional and psychological status. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of patients diagnosed with lung and gastrointestinal system cancers and evaluate its association with anthropometric measurements, nutrient intake, and psychological symptoms. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 180 patients with lung and gastrointestinal system cancers. Data were collected face-to-face by a questionnaire that included the Subjective Global Assessment-(SGA), Cachexia Assessment Criteria, 24 h Food Consumption Record, and Symptom Checklist-90-Revised-(SCL-90-R). Some anthropometric measurements were collected. Results: Body Mass Index (BMI) was found to be significantly lower (p < 0.001) in SGA-B (moderately malnourished) and SGA-C (severely malnourished) compared to those in SGA-A (well-nourished). The calf circumference was significantly lower (p = 0.002) in SGA-C compared to those in SGA-A and SGA-B. The mean SGA scores were found to be higher in cachexia-diagnosed participants (p < 0.001). The energy intake of SGA-C was significantly lower than SGA-A and SGA-B (p < 0.001). In addition, the energy intake of SGA-B was lower than SGA-A (p < 0.001). The protein intake of SGA-C was lower than SGA-A and SGA-B (p < 0.001). The protein intake of SGA-B was lower than SGA-A (p < 0.001). Regarding the intake of vitamins A, C, E, B1, and B6 and carotene, folate, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc, SGA-B and SGA-C were significantly lower than SGA-A (p < 0.001). Additionally, only phobic anxiety was found to be significantly higher in SGA-B than in SGA-A (p: 0.024). Conclusions: As the level of malnutrition increased, a reduction in some nutrient intake and anthropometric measurements was observed. No significant difference was found in any psychological symptoms except phobic anxiety. With this in mind, it is important that every cancer patient, regardless of the stage of the disease, is referred to a dietitian from the time of diagnosis. Full article

The purpose of this work was to study the effects of lactoferrin (Lf) on acute (days 3 and 15) and early-delayed (day 30) changes in the dentate gyrus of mouse hippocampus caused by whole-body gamma-irradiation. Male C57BL/6 mice received Lf (4 mg per mouse, i.p. injection) immediately after whole-body gamma-irradiation at a dose of 7.5 Gy from a ⁶⁰Co source. The effect of Lf on mouse behavior was evaluated using “Open field” and “Elevated plus-maze” tests. The proportion of cells with DNA replication was determined by 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation (thymidine analog) and detected by a click reaction with azide Alexa Fluor 568. Lf treatment increased animal survival during the experiment (30 days), compensated for radiation-induced body weight loss, and prevented suppression of motor and exploratory activities. A pronounced anti-radiation effect of Lf on mouse brain cells has been demonstrated. A single injection of the protein allowed preserving 2-fold more proliferating cells and immature neurons in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus of irradiated animals during the acute period of post-radiation injury development. Full article