Multi-task learning for classification and prediction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis based on fringe-projection three-dimensional imaging.

Purpose: This study aims to address the limitations of radiographic imaging and single-task learning models in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis assessment by developing a noninvasive, radiation-free diagnostic framework.

Methods: A multi-task deep learning model was trained using structured back surface data acquired via fringe projection three-dimensional imaging. The model was designed to simultaneously predict the Cobb angle, curve type (thoracic, lumbar, mixed, none), and curve direction (left, right, none) by learning shared morphological features.

Molecular Mechanisms of Human Pancreatic Islet Dysfunction Under Overnutrition Metabolic Stress.

Unlabelled: Metabolic stress elicits functional changes in pancreatic islets, contributing to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying overnutrition stress in islet cells is not well understood. In our study, we subjected human islets to overnutrition with 25 mmol/L glucose and 0.

Integrative single-cell multi-omics profiling of human pancreatic islets identifies T1D-associated genes and regulatory signals.

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified over 100 signals associated with type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, it has been challenging to translate any given T1D GWAS signal into mechanistic insights, such as causal variants, their target genes, and the specific cell types involved. Here, we present a comprehensive multi-omic integrative analysis of single-cell/nucleus resolution profiles of gene expression and chromatin accessibility in human pancreatic islets under baseline and T1D-stimulating conditions.

Separation-free cholesterol detection using an enzyme-doped hydrogel opto-microfluidic hybrid chip via colorimetry and light extinction spectroscopy.

Cholesterol levels serve as a critical biomarker for the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. However, conventional detection methods are often time-consuming and reliant on specialized laboratory equipment. In this study, we present a novel microfluidic lab-on-a-chip platform designed for the rapid and accurate detection of cholesterol, employing an enzyme-doped agarose hydrogel combined with colorimetric analysis.

Epigenetic adaptation of beta cells across lifespan and disease: age-related demethylation is advanced in type 2 diabetes.

Although the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) increases with age, most adults maintain normoglycemia despite rising insulin resistance, largely due to the adaptive capacity of pancreatic beta cells to meet increased metabolic demand. However, persistent insulin resistance can lead to beta cell dysfunction and T2D onset. Here, leveraging cell-type-specific methylome data from the Human Pancreas Analysis Program (HPAP), we investigate the epigenomic basis of beta cell adaptation by mapping genome-wide DNA methylation (DNAm) patterns across the human lifespan.

ChemPerturb-seq screen identifies a small molecule cocktail enhancing human beta cell survival after subcutaneous transplantation.

Traditional chemical screens have focused on a single assay per screen, making them labor intensive and costly. Here, we combined a chemical screen with single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to perform Chemical Perturb-seq (ChemPerturb-seq), enabling a systematic analysis of the molecular changes of human beta cells upon individual small molecule treatments. Using this platform, we performed an in vivo barcoded screen and discovered a small molecule cocktail, including beta-lipotropin 61-91, insulin growth factor-1, and prostaglandin E2, with which preconditioning human beta cells and primary islets significantly enhanced function and survival when transplanted subcutaneously to female, but not to male, mice.

Spatial transcriptomics from pancreas and local draining lymph node tissue reveals a lymphotoxin-β signature in human type 1 diabetes.

This study explores the inflammatory response observed in pancreata and pancreatic lymph node (pLN) samples obtained throughout the natural history of type 1 diabetes (T1D) including non-diabetic individuals and non-diabetic autoantibody positive individuals with high susceptibility using spatial transcriptomics (ST). Integration of ST with public single-cell RNA sequencing data enabled interrogation of transcriptional alterations in T1D pathogenesis across both tissues and cellular scales. In the T1D pancreas, we observed global upregulation of multiple inflammation-associated transcripts, including regenerating islet-derived () family genes, complement factor 3 (), , and , and highlighted cellular candidates potentially contributing to these signatures.

Research on the Influence of Microstructured Surface Characterization Parameters on Blood Damage.

Background: Mechanical circulatory support devices (MCSDs) are among the most effective treatments of end-stage heart failure. Despite their efficacy, patients often experience hemocompatibility issues such as hemolysis and gastrointestinal bleeding caused by blood damage. The surface characteristics of blood-contacting materials significantly affect hemocompatibility, and designing specific surface microstructures may help mitigate blood damage.

The influence of arterial stenosis on blood damage under continuous flow.

Arterial stenosis, resulting from plaque accumulation, can lead to serious conditions such as thrombosis and von Willebrand syndrome. This study investigates how variations in stenosis shape and severity affect red blood cell (RBC) and von Willebrand factor (VWF) damage through simulations and experimental approaches. A continuous flow generation device was utilized to create a blood circulation platform.

A data augmentation approach for an automatic speech recognition system using laser Doppler vibrometer technology.

In challenging conditions such as low signal-to-noise ratios and distant speech, microphone-based automatic speech recognition (ASR) struggles with clarity. To remedy this, laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) technology is integrated into the ASR system and a data augmentation approach is employed to generate training data containing LDV attributes. The performance of the ASR, assessed using word error rates, showed superior results with the data augmentation approach compared to the baseline ASR system trained solely on real LDV data.

Immune perturbations in human pancreas lymphatic tissues prior to and after type 1 diabetes onset.

Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β cells results in type 1 diabetes (T1D), with pancreatic immune infiltrate representing a key feature in this process. However, characterization of the immunological processes occurring in human pancreatic lymphatic tissues is lacking. Here, we conduct a comprehensive study of immune cells from pancreatic, mesenteric, and splenic lymphatic tissues of non-diabetic control (ND), β cell autoantibody-positive non-diabetic (AAb+), and T1D donors using flow cytometry and CITEseq.

Sodium butyrate promotes synthesis of testosterone and meiosis of hyperuricemic male mice.

Hyperuricemia (HUA) impaires spermatogenesis. This study was carried out, aiming to determine whether butyric acid (NaB) avoids the HUA-induced decline of sperm quality HUA mice were developed through intra-peritoneal injection of the potassium oxalate combined with intragastric uric acid (UA) and by tube feeding 300 mg·kg-1·d-1NaB. The effect of NaB on the reproduction of HUA male mice was determined by measuring sperm count, sperm motility and testosterone content.

SEL1L-HRD1 ER-Associated Degradation Facilitates Prohormone Convertase 2 Maturation and Glucagon Production in Islet α Cells.

Proteolytic cleavage of proglucagon by prohormone convertase 2 (PC2) is required for islet α cells to generate glucagon. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying this process remain largely unclear. Here, we report that SEL1L-HRD1 endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation (ERAD), a highly conserved protein quality control system responsible for clearing misfolded proteins from the ER, plays a key role in glucagon production by regulating turnover of the nascent proform of the PC2 enzyme (proPC2).

Injectable Hydrogel Loaded with Plasma-Rich Platelets Repairing Endometrial Injury and Remodeling Reproductive Function by Regulating PI3K/AKT Pathway.

Infertility resulting from uterine damage has emerged as a significant challenge confronting the development of modern society. Existing therapeutic approaches frequently encounter limitations due to the intricate physical and physiological environment of uterus. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a concentrate of platelets enriched with various growth factors, has been used in uterine injury repair.

Electroactive soft actuators utilizing PEDOT:PSS and 3D lithium-ion-conducting phosphate columnar liquid crystals embedded in a porous polyethylene membrane.

This study introduces a novel supramolecular thermotropic columnar liquid-crystalline (LC) electrolyte tailored for high-performance ionic electroactive polymer (iEAP) actuators. The electrolyte is designed by integrating lithium salts into a taper-shaped molecule with bisphosphate moieties (BPO), which self-assembles into a columnar hexagonal (Col) phase, forming 3D continuous ion-conductive pathways. This architecture achieves high ionic conductivity of up to 2 × 10 S cm at room temperature.

Survival and prognostic factors for primary lung extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma: a retrospective study of data from China and the SEER database.

Background And Aim: Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) is a rare and aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that most commonly affects the nasal cavity and nasopharynx. The lung is a rare site for ENKTL involvement, and its clinical behavior and prognostic factors are not well understood. This study aimed to analyze survival outcomes and identify prognostic factors in patients with primary lung ENKTL.

Biliary atresia susceptibility gene EFEMP1 regulates extrahepatic bile duct elastic fiber formation and mechanics.

Background & Aims: EGF-containing fibulin extracellular matrix protein 1 (EFEMP1, also called fibulin-3) is an extracellular matrix protein linked in a genome-wide association study to biliary atresia, a fibrotic disease of the neonatal extrahepatic bile duct. Fibulin-3 is deposited in most tissues and null mice have decreased elastic fibers in visceral fascia; however, fibulin-3 does not have a role in the development of large elastic fibers and its overall function in the extrahepatic bile ducts remains unclear.

Methods: We used staining and histology to define the amount and organization of key extracellular matrix components in the extrahepatic bile ducts.

β-Cell Secretory Capacity Predicts Metabolic Outcomes Over 6 Years After Human Islet Transplantation.

Transplanted islet functional β-cell mass is measured by β-cell secretory capacity derived from the acute insulin response to glucose-potentiated arginine (AIRpot); however, data are limited beyond 1 year posttransplantation for individuals with type 1 diabetes. We evaluated changes in β-cell secretory capacity in a single-center longitudinal analysis and examined relationships with measures of islet cell hormone metabolism and clinical measures of graft function (mixed-meal tolerance test [MMTT] C-peptide, BETA-2 score, and continuous glucose monitoring [CGM]). Eleven individuals received purified human pancreatic islets over one or two intraportal infusions to achieve insulin independence and were observed over a median of 6 (interquartile range 5-7) years.

Immune perturbations in human pancreas lymphatic tissues prior to and after type 1 diabetes onset.

Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β cells results in type 1 diabetes (T1D), with pancreatic immune infiltrate representing a key feature in this process. Studies of human T1D immunobiology have predominantly focused on circulating immune cells in the blood, while mouse models suggest diabetogenic lymphocytes primarily reside in pancreas-draining lymph nodes (pLN). A comprehensive study of immune cells in human T1D was conducted using pancreas draining lymphatic tissues, including pLN and mesenteric lymph nodes, and the spleen from non-diabetic control, β cell autoantibody positive non-diabetic (AAb+), and T1D organ donors using complementary approaches of high parameter flow cytometry and CITEseq.

Dopamine Regulates Its Own Synthesis via MdORG2 to Improve Low-Nitrogen Tolerance in Apple Plants.

Nitrogen (N) is crucial for plant growth and development. Exogenous dopamine has been shown to improve the N-deficiency tolerance of apple. However, the potential regulatory mechanisms by which dopamine mitigates low-N stress remain unclear.

Pyridine-Anchored Small Molecule Interlayer Enables Defect Passivation and Enhanced Carrier Transport for Perovskite Solar Cells.

Engineering of the interface between the perovskite and hole transport layer (HTL) has been crucial to achieving high performance. In this study, two interfacial materials, MN-CZ and CN-CZ, are designed by systematically regulating the group substitution site to study the relationship between spatial conformation and the passivation effect. The passivation groups of CN-CZ molecules exhibit a stronger "vector addition" effect, resulting in larger molecular dipoles and enhanced defect passivation and energy level regulation effects.

Human Vascularized Macrophage-Islet Organoids to Model Immune-Mediated Pancreatic β cell Pyroptosis upon Viral Infection.

There is a paucity of human models to study immune-mediated host damage. Here, we utilized the GeoMx spatial multi-omics platform to analyze immune cell changes in COVID-19 pancreatic autopsy samples, revealing an accumulation of proinflammatory macrophages. Single cell RNA-seq analysis of human islets exposed to SARS-CoV-2 or Coxsackievirus B4 (CVB4) viruses identified activation of proinflammatory macrophages and β cell pyroptosis.