Does alendronate enhance survival rates in osteoporosis patients? A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

ObjectivesThis systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate whether alendronate therapy improves survival rates in patients with osteoporosis, in addition to its known benefits in reducing fracture risk.MethodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted across Embase, Web of Science, Medline, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov to identify randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials involving alendronate therapy in osteoporosis patients.

Comparison of Artificial Intelligence and Traditional Methods in Preoperative Planning for Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Although the application of artificial intelligence in orthopedics is becoming increasingly widespread, and initial progress has been made particularly in total hip arthroplasty (THA), its use in preoperative planning remains in the exploratory stage. Most existing studies are small-scale observational studies with inconsistent results, making it difficult to establish a unified clinical consensus. Therefore, our study aims to explore the latest research developments and potential unique advantages of artificial intelligence in preoperative planning for THA.

Growth of Fractal Crystalline C Films on Hexagonal Boron Nitride With Efficient Charge Transport Property.

The growth of organic semiconductor films with long-range ordered structures on device substrates is crucial for transistor performance and functionality. Wide-bandgap 2D materials, characterized by their atomic-level cleanness and inert surface properties, are considered ideal for growing high-quality organic films. However, there is still a lack of sufficient understanding regarding the growth behavior of organic molecules on 2D materials.

Mechanism of ITGB2 in Osteoclast Differentiation in Osteoarthritis.

Transcriptomics studies have identified integrin receptor β2 subunit (ITGB2) as a core gene in osteoarthritis (OA), strongly linked to osteoclast function in the subchondral bone. However, the mechanism through which ITGB2 regulates osteoclast function in OA remains unclear. In this study, we found that ITGB2 was negatively correlated with ITGB1 in the human subchondral bone.

Calreticulin-driven immunogenic cell death promotes osteoclast differentiation and osteoarthritis progression via the LRP1/Rac1 signaling.

Aberrant osteoclast activation in subchondral bone is a hallmark of osteoarthritis (OA). This study identifies calreticulin (CALR), a key immunogenic cell death (ICD) marker, as a critical regulator of osteoclast differentiation and OA pathogenesis. Proteomic analysis revealed elevated CALR expression in subchondral bone from OA patients, which was further validated in human specimens and a destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM)-induced murine OA model.

Maintaining high levels of HIF-1α protects osteoarthritis cartilage by activating autophagy.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage degradation and subchondral bone remodeling, with hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) playing a pivotal role in chondrocyte survival under hypoxic and inflammatory conditions. This study investigated the protective mechanisms of HIF-1α in OA by examining its effects on autophagy and oxidative stress in both human OA cartilage samples and murine models. Proteomic and immunohistochemical analyses revealed elevated HIF-1α expression alongside reduced autophagy markers Microtubule-Associated Protein 1 Light Chain 3(LC3) and increased cartilage damage indicators Matrix Metalloproteinase 13(MMP13), decreased Type 2 Collagen (COL2) in OA-affected tissues.

Organic Photonic Synapses with UV-Vis-NIR Broadband Perception Based on Organic Electrochemical Transistors.

Organic photonic synaptic devices have shown immense potential for emulating the visual perception function of the human retina. In particular, organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) with photoresponse ability are considered promising choices because of their advantages in low-voltage operation, mechanical flexibility, and biocompatibility. However, current research is limited, and deeper investigations into the materials, devices, and their perception capability are needed.

Application of cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT) for quantitative assessment of left atrial function in nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to measure the diameter and volume of the left atrium in patients with nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (NOHCM). However, these morphological data cannot explain the complexity of left atrial (LA) function. The study aimed to evaluate LA function by applying cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT) for LA strain analysis in patients with NOHCM, and to examine the impact of NOHCM on LA and left ventricular (LV) structure and function.

The active metabolite of Epimedii Folium promotes hippocampal neurogenesis in APP/PS1 mice by alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction.

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, currently has no effective cure. Epimedii Folium (EF), a traditional Chinese medicine known as Yin-yang-huo, has demonstrated significant neuroprotective properties.

Methods: In this study, neural stem cells overexpressing the APPswe gene (APP-NSCs) were used as an AD model.

Risk factors for the progression from pulmonary tuberculosis to spinal tuberculosis: a logistic regression analysis.

Purpose: This study aims to identify the risk factors for the progression from pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) to spinal tuberculosis (STB), which is crucial for early disease intervention, optimizing treatment strategies, and improving patient prognosis.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 326 patients diagnosed with PTB between January 2017 and October 2024. Demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic data were collected, including age, gender, body mass index (BMI), Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002) score, diabetes, per capita income, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and a history of recurrent PTB.

Study on the Influence of Different Surfactants on Cement Particles.

The cementitious foam material is the key technology to prevent coal spontaneous combustion, but the mechanism of different surfactants on cement particles is not clear. In this paper, four surfactants, anionic, cationic, and nonionic, were screened out by foam index. The adsorption characteristics of different surfactants and cement particles were analyzed by surface tension test, zeta potential test, Fourier infrared spectrum test, and contact angle test.

A novel signature of cartilage aging-related immunophenotyping biomarkers in osteoarthritis.

The objective of this study was to identify aging-related immunophenotypic biomarkers associated with osteoarthritis (OA) using advanced machine learning techniques. We employed a combination of lasso regression and random forest algorithms to analyze transcriptomic data obtained from OA patients. Differential expression analysis and functional enrichment analysis were conducted to identify aging-related differentially expressed genes (ag-DEGs) and annotate their biological functions.

Neuroprotective effect of sinapic acid in APP/PS1 mouse model and PC12 Cells of Alzheimer's disease via activation of PI3K/Akt/GSK3β signaling pathways.

To explore the neuroprotective effects of Sinapic Acid (SA) in APP/PS1 mouse model and amyloid beta-peptide (Aβ)-induced neuronal cell apoptosis using PC12 cells of Alzheimer's disease. In vivo, the Morris water maze (MWM) test assessed learning and memory abilities, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test and immunohistochemistry were conducted to plaque deposition and content of Aβ. Western blotting was performed to p-P13K, P13K, p-Akt, Akt, p-GSK3β and GSK3β expression of the hippocampus in mice, respectively.

Curcumin encapsulation in self-assembled nanoparticles based on amphiphilic stearic acid-grafted inulin: Preparation, characterization, and functional evaluation.

The clinical application of curcumin (CUR) is restricted by its low solubility, instability, and poor bioavailability. To overcome these limitations, we developed a novel stearic acid-grafted inulin-based nano-delivery system for CUR encapsulation. The structure of stearoyl inulin (SA-IN) was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance, thermogravimetric analysis, and contact angle measurements.

Anisotropic Plasmon Resonance in TiCT MXene Enables Site-Selective Plasmonic Catalysis.

The ever-growing interest in MXenes has been driven by their distinct electrical, thermal, mechanical, and optical properties. In this context, further revealing their physicochemical attributes remains the key frontier of MXene materials. Herein, we report the anisotropic localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) features in TiCT MXene as well as site-selective photocatalysis enabled by the photophysical anisotropy.

Genome Mining Analysis Uncovers the Previously Unknown Biosynthetic Capacity for Secondary Metabolites in Verrucomicrobia.

Bacteria of the phylum Verrucomicrobia is widely distributed in diverse ecological environments. Their limited cultivability has greatly caused the significant knowledge gap surrounding their secondary metabolites and their mediating ecological functions. This study delved into the diversity and novelty of secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) of Verrucomicrobia by employing a gene-first approach to investigate 2323 genomes.

Recent Advances in Discovery, Structure, Bioactivity, and Biosynthesis of -AT Polyketides.

Bacterial -acyltransferase polyketide synthases (-AT PKSs) are among the most complex enzymes, which are responsible for generating a wide range of natural products, identified as -AT polyketides. These polyketides have received significant attention in drug development due to their structural diversity and potent bioactivities. With approximately 300 synthesized molecules discovered so far, -AT PKSs are found widespread in bacteria.

Phylogenomic analysis uncovers an unexpected capacity for the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in Pseudoalteromonas.

Pseudoalteromonas is a genus of marine bacteria and a promising source of natural products with antibacterial, antifungal, and antifouling bioactivities. To accelerate the exploration of new compounds from this genus, we applied the gene-first approach to study 632 public Pseudoalteromonas genomes. We identified 3968 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and classified them into 995 gene cluster families (GCFs).

Enhancing the performance of organic phototransistors using a sandwich-heterostructure.

To weaken the adverse effects of traditional planar heterojunctions on phototransistors, an effective strategy for achieving low dark-current and high photoresponsive organic phototransistors constructing a sandwich heterostructure is demonstrated. This work offers a new route for the design and development of high-performance phototransistor devices.

Can Bisphosphonate Therapy Reduce Overall Mortality in Patients With Osteoporosis? A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: For patients with osteoporosis, bisphosphonate therapy can reduce the risk of fractures, but its effect on reducing mortality remains unclear. Previous studies on this topic have produced conflicting results and generally have been too small to definitively answer the question of whether bisphosphonate therapy reduces mortality. Therefore, a meta-analysis may help us arrive at a more conclusive answer.

Unveiling the Role of Sik1 in Osteoblast Differentiation: Implications for Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disease characterized by subchondral osteosclerosis, mainly due to osteoblast activity. This research investigates the function of Sik1, a member of the AMP-activated protein kinase family, in OA. Proteomic analysis was conducted on clinical samples from 30 OA patients, revealing a negative correlation between Sik1 expression and OA.

Unveiling the role of RhoA and ferroptosis in vascular permeability: Implications for osteoarthritis.

Abnormal angiogenesis and increased vascular permeability of subchondral bone are key mechanisms related to osteoarthritis (OA). However, the precise mechanisms responsible for heightened vascular permeability in OA remain unclear. The present study used proteomics to identify protein expression in damaged subchondral bone compared with normal subchondral bone.

Do coronary stent policies affect the cost-effectiveness of percutaneous coronary intervention among patients with acute coronary syndrome in Shanghai? A retrospective cohort study based on real-world and propensity score-matched data.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess whether the national centralised volume-based procurement policy and the Shanghai government's supportive measures (coronary stent policies) implemented in Shanghai, China, on 20 January 2021 affected the cost-effectiveness of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the year after surgery.

Design: A retrospective cohort study based on real-world data and propensity score (PS)-matched data was conducted to compare the cost-effectiveness of PCI before and after policy implementation.

Patients And Setting: Patients with ACS who had undergone first-time PCI over 1 year previously in hospitals in Shanghai and were discharged between 1 March 2019 and 30 April 2022 were included in the study.

Bulk Trapping Organic Semiconductor with Amino-Additive Enabling Ultrasensitive NO Sensors.

Organic semiconductor (OSC) gas sensors have garnered considerable attention due to their promising selectivity and inherent flexibility. Introducing a functional group or modification layer is an important route to modulate the doping/trapping state of the active layer and the gas absorption/desorption process. However, the majority of the functionalization lies in the surface/interface assembling process, which is difficult to control the functional group density.