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INTRODUCTION: Following acute enterovirus (EV) infection, outcomes vary based on factors like the immune response, viral cell entry receptor expression levels, tissue tropism, and genetic factors of both the host and virus. While most individuals exhibit mild, self-limited symptoms, others may suffer severe complications or prolonged infections that can lead to autoimmune disorders. METHODS: To elucidate host responses to EV infection, we performed whole exome sequencing on blood samples from both infected and uninfected individuals. Our initial focus was on genes encoding EV entry receptors-PSGL-1, SCARB2, and ANAXA2 for EV-A71, and CD155 for poliovirus-and on host genes ACBD3 and PI4KΒ, crucial for EV replication. RESULTS: Although no specific genetic variants directly associated with EV infection were identified, we discovered 118 variants across 116 genes enriched in East Asian populations through multi-layered variant filtering. These variants were further analyzed for their potential impacts on organs, biological processes, and molecular pathways. Phenome-wide association studies were conducted to refine our understanding of their contributions to EV infection susceptibility. DISCUSSION: Our findings aim to develop a predictive panel based on these 118 variants, which could help susceptible individuals during EV outbreaks, guiding targeted clinical interventions and preventative strategies.

Rotator cuff tendinopathy is a common musculoskeletal disorder with limited pharmacological treatment strategies. This study aimed to investigate tenocytes’ functional in vitro response from a ruptured supraspinatus tendon to suramin administration and to elucidate whether suramin can enhance tendon repair and modulate the inflammatory response to injury. Tenocytes were obtained from human supraspinatus tendons (n = 6). We investigated the effect of suramin on LPS‐induced inflammatory responses and the underlying molecular mechanisms in THP‐1 macrophages. Suramin enhanced the proliferation, cell viability, and migration of tenocytes. It also increased the protein expression of PCNA and Ki‐67. Suramin‐treated tenocytes exhibited increased expression of COL1A1, COL3A1, TNC, SCX, and VEGF. Suramin significantly reduced LPS‐induced iNOS, COX2 synthesis, inflammatory cytokine TNF‐α production, and inflammatory signaling by influencing the NF‐κB pathways in THP‐1 cells. Our results suggest that suramin holds great promise as a therapeutic option for treating rotator cuff tendinopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an 11-year-old male child without any underlying disease. He was admitted to the emergency room after having felt severe pain in his right knee on kicking the ground while falling down earlier that day. Radiography showed an avulsion fracture of the lower pole of the patella and a high-riding patella. At the next day after the injury, we performed open reduction and internal fixation surgery. After surgery, the recovery of the patient was good.

Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass, bone microarchitecture disruption, and collagen loss, leading to increased fracture risk. In the current study, collagen peptides were extracted from milkfish scales (MS) to develop potential therapeutic candidates for osteoporosis. MS was used to synthesize a crude extract of fish scales (FS), collagen liquid (COL), and hydroxyapatite powder (HA). COL samples were further categorized according to the peptide size of total COL (0.1 mg/mL), COL < 1 kDa (0.1 mg/mL), COL: 1–10 kDa (0.1 mg/mL), and COL > 10 kDa (0.1 mg/mL) to determine it. Semi‐quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (sqRT‐PCR) and immunofluorescence labeling were used to assess the expression levels of specific mRNA and proteins in vitro. For in vivo studies, mice ovariectomy (OVX)‐induced postmenopausal osteoporosis were developed, while the sham surgery (Sham) group was treated as a control. Collagen peptides (CP) from MS inhibited osteoclast differentiation in RAW264.7 cells following an insult with nuclear factor kappa‐B ligand (RANKL). CP also enhanced osteoblast proliferation in MG‐63 cells, possibly through downregulating NFATc1 and TRAP mRNA expression and upregulating ALP and OPG mRNA levels. Furthermore, COL1 kDa also inhibited bone density loss in osteoporotic mice. Taken together, CP may reduce RANKL‐induced osteoclast activity while promoting osteoblast synthesis, and therefore may act as a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention and control of osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most popular imaging modality for investigating intervertebral disc herniation. However, it has a high chance for identifying incidental findings that are morphologically or structurally abnormal but not responsible for patients' symptoms. Although a previous study suggested that 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) may help identify neuroinflammation in lumbar radiculopathy, there is currently no direct evidence obtained from surgery. Here, we describe the case of a 32-year-old man with low back pain and right leg paresthesia for 7 months. MRI demonstrated disc herniation at the L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels, causing bilateral L5 and left S1 root compression. 18F-FDG PET/MRI demonstrated increased 18F-FDG uptake at the right L5 root, which was compatible with the patient's symptoms. Transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) was performed. Intraoperative images revealed a swollen nerve root at the right L5 after removal of the herniated disc. After surgery, the patient experienced immediate pain relief and had no recurrence at the 6-month follow-up. When performing PELD in patients with multilevel radiculopathy identified on MRI, the use of 18F-FDG PET/MRI can help in accurate localization of the symptomatic roots and minimize surgical incision and soft-tissue injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study focused on the use of pedagogical agents with sex appeal in a computer-assisted learning environment. The study adopted a 2 (male/female) × 3 (demure/seductive/overtly sexual) experimental design. The primary analysis consisted of 2 parts: (a) comparing the impact of effective learning on students' perceptions of demure, seductive, or overtly sexual pedagogical agents, and (b) exploring gender differences in the usage of pedagogical agents with sex appeal. The empirical study results revealed that the sex appeal of female pedagogical agents is more helpful in effective learning than those of male agents. The sexy appearances of pedagogical agents are perceived by students as attractive, untrustworthy, and unprofessional. A seductive appearance in pedagogical agents is the most beneficial for effective learning than demure or overtly sexual ones. Students' and pedagogical agents' gender affect the impact of pedagogical agents with sex appeal on effective learning.