Ending the HIV Epidemic: Development and Evaluation of CyberGIS-HIV, a Web-Based Prediction Application.

Officials from US state and county health departments perceive the need to adopt new methods for making epidemiological decisions about HIV. Hence, a web-based prediction modeling application, CyberGIS-HIV, was developed and systematically compared with currently used approaches (e.g.

Feasibility study for dose calculation with a radiation treatment planning system using a fixed-size electron cone applicator for small electron fields.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of radiation treatment planning using a commercial treatment planning system (TPS) for small fixed-size electron cone electron applicators not natively supported by the TPS.

Methods: Dosimetric characteristics, including beam profiles and output factors (OFs), were compared between a 6 MeV electron beam collimated by a small fixed-size electron cone applicator and a cerrobend cutout-based general applicator. Measurements were performed using a micro-diamond detector in a water phantom for field sizes of 2, 3, 4, and 5 cm.

Numerical Study of Stud Welding Temperature Fields on Steel-Concrete Composite Bridges.

Non-uniform temperature fields are developed during the welding of studs in steel-concrete composite bridges. Due to uneven thermal expansion and reversible solid-state phase transformations between ferrite/martensite and austenite structures within the materials, residual stresses are induced, which ultimately degrades the mechanical performance of the structure. For a better understanding of the influence on steel-concrete composite bridges' structural behavior by residual stress, accurate simulation of the spatio-temporal temperature distribution during stud welding under practical engineering conditions is critical.

Risk Factors for Long-Term Delayed Gastric Emptying and Its Impact on the Quality of Life After Laparoscopic Pylorus-Preserving Gastrectomy in Patients with Gastric Cancer: Secondary Analysis of the Prospective Multicenter Trial KLASS-04.

Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is a well-known complication of laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (LPPG). Patients who underwent LPPG in the KLASS-04 trial, which was a multicenter prospective randomized control trial comparing LPPG and laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG), showed an unneglectable incidence of long-term DGE compared to patients who underwent LDG. This study aimed to identify the multifactorial risk factors associated with DGE and to analyze the quality of life (QoL) of patients with DGE following LPPG.

Norepinephrine exacerbates LPS-induced cardiomyopathy via SIRT3/HO-1 axis-mediated ferroptosis.

Background: Norepinephrine (NE) is a first-line vasopressor for patients with septic shock, and its overuse can lead to "catecholamine adverse effects", including cardiovascular diseases. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cardiomyopathy is one of the leading causes of mortality in septic patients. Previous studies have revealed that catecholamine can accentuate LPS-induced cardiomyopathy, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive.

Electrically tunable transmission characteristics in the type-I band based on grating graphene/h-BN heterostructures.

The graphene/h-BN heterostructures exhibit a unique plasmon-phonon polaritons coupling mode in the mid-IR frequency spectrum, with adjustable excitation intensity through external voltage. Such an innovation opens up avenues for designing low-power, subwavelength, and electrically tunable devices. A grating structure is introduced in this paper to overcome the constraints posed by previous probe-based methods for wavevector matching.

Global trends in the burden of alcohol use disorders in the working-age population from 1990 to 2021 and projections for the next 20 years.

Introduction: Alcohol use disorders (AUD) have long been among the most disabling mental disorders and a leading cause of health loss. However, data on the burden and trends of these disorders among the working-age population are scarce.

Methods: This study aimed to assess trends in the burden of AUD among people aged 15-64 years from 1990 to 2021 at the global, regional and national levels and to project future trends.

Solid solvation structure design improves all-solid-state organic batteries.

Organic electrode materials offer a versatile, sustainable approach for next-generation lithium-ion batteries but are limited by low working voltages and poor cycling stability. Here we report a solid-solvation-structure design strategy to improve both the voltage and stability of organic electrode materials in all-solid-state batteries. As a proof of concept, we incorporate halide electrolytes as solid solutes and tetrachloro-o-benzoquinone as a solid solvent to form homogeneous solid cathode solutions.

Aloe-emodin mediates the inhibitory effect of LncRNA D63785 on the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are dysregulated in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), yet their interplay with pharmacological agents like aloe-emodin (AE) remains unclear. This study explores AE's anti-NPC mechanisms via lncRNA D63785 and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

Methods: NPC cells (CNE1, C666-1) were treated with AE, followed by qRT-PCR and Western blotting to assess lncRNA D63785 and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway proteins.

Acid-resistant iron sludge-based fly ash geopolymer foam for efficient arsenic removal with pH self-regulation.

Acidic arsenic-containing wastewater requires efficient treatment technologies due to its high toxicity and environmental risks. This study developed a novel adsorbent (Iron Sludge-Based Fly Ash Geopolymer Foam) by combining fly ash-based geopolymer foam as a carrier with iron-containing sludge, aiming to synergistically enhance arsenic adsorption performance and pH self-regulation under acidic conditions. By adjusting the iron sludge content to optimize the porous structure and mechanical properties, the optimal fly ash/iron sludge ratio was determined to be 4:1.

Corticosteroids for treatment of leptospirosis.

Background: Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease caused by Leptospira spp, a zoonotic pathogen spread via contaminated soil and water. Corticosteroids have been used for the treatment or prevention of severe manifestations of disease, but the indications for their use and treatment efficacy remain uncertain. This review evaluates the existing evidence for the use of corticosteroids in leptospirosis from randomised trials.

Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score for predicting all-cause mortality in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention after acute myocardial infarction: a cohort study.

Background: Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score, a novel marker reflecting the malnutrition, has been demonstrated to predict all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in a wide range of diseases. The research intends to assess the clinical effects of malnutrition on patients who have percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we consecutively enrolled 3258 patients diagnosed with AMI from 2010 to 2016.

Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health, genetic predisposition and incident risk of psoriasis.

Background: Limited evidence exists concerning the relationship between cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) health and the incidence and prognosis of psoriasis.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the associations between CKM status, genetic risk and the risk of developing psoriasis, as well as to examine the impact of CKM syndrome on life expectancy in patients with psoriasis.

Method: This prospective cohort study included 392,454 participants free of psoriasis from the UK Biobank.

Interfacial Coordination Engineering to Boost Li-Ion Conduction in Economic Zr-Based Halide Electrolytes.

Halide solid electrolytes (HSEs) have seen rapid progress in the development of all-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs), offering favorable lithium-ion transport properties, broad electrochemical stability, and strong interfacial compatibility with high-voltage oxide cathodes. However, developing HSEs that simultaneously offer high ionic conductivity and low cost remains a significant challenge. Most high-conductivity halides rely on expensive metal elements, whereas cost-effective Zr-based halides are limited by their relatively low ionic conductivity.

Advances in ERECTA Family Regulation of Female Gametophyte Development in .

The female gametophyte is central to the reproductive success of flowering plants, with its development being tightly controlled by an intricate network of genes and signaling pathways. A deeper understanding of these regulatory mechanisms is essential for uncovering the complexities of plant growth and development. Recent studies have shed light on various aspects of female gametophyte development, highlighting the role of specific gene and signaling networks.

Long-term outcomes of laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for locally advanced gastric cancer: An individual patient data meta-analysis of KLASS-02 and CLASS-01 randomized controlled trials.

Objective: Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) has potential as a surgical treatment option for locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC). However, there is uncertainty regarding the generalizability of LDG efficacy across diverse patient populations and treatment settings. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of LDG .

Short-term Outcomes of Linear vs. Circular Stapling for Esophagojejunostomy in Gastric Cancer: an Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting Analysis.

Purpose: Minimally invasive surgery for gastric cancer has become popular owing to its proven technical feasibility and oncological safety compared with conventional open gastrectomy. Although intracorporeal (IC) esophagojejunostomy (EJ) is commonly performed, a standardized method remains undetermined. This study compared short-term outcomes of IC EJ using circular versus linear stapling techniques.

Mast cells boost anti-tumor potency of MAIT cells via inflammasome-dependent secretion of IL-18.

Mast cells (MC) serve as pivotal sentinels in the regulation of immune responses and inflammation, yet their function in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains largely neglected. To decode their heterogeneity, we perform single-cell transcriptomic analysis of LUAD-infiltrating MCs. Our study uncovers the complexity in MC composition and identifies 9 distinct states, including proinflammation, chemotaxis, and antigen presentation.

Comparison of effects of cyclosporine 0.05% and 0.1% in dry eye with Sjögren's syndrome.

Purpose: To compare the effects of cyclosporine 0.05% and 0.1% in dry eye with Sjögren's syndrome.

Brainstem noradrenergic modulation of the kisspeptin neuron GnRH pulse generator in mice.

Brainstem noradrenaline (NA) neurons modulate the activity of many neural networks including those responsible for the control of fertility. Using brain slice electrophysiology, we demonstrate that the arcuate nucleus kisspeptin (ARN) neurons, recently identified to be the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulse generator, are directly hyperpolarized by NA through both alpha 2- and beta-adrenergic receptors. Retrograde viral tracing shows that NA innervation of the ARN is primarily from the dorsal subdivision of the locus coeruleus (LC)-NA cell group and is substantially greater in females compared to males.

Viral non-SARS-CoV-2 etiology of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Southeast Asia: a review and pooled analysis.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, including in Southeast Asia (SEA). While bacterial causes are well studied, viral etiologies are less characterized. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the significance of viral pneumonia, alongside ongoing concerns from zoonotic influenza, human metapneumovirus, and other outbreaks.

Comparison of treatment strategies for submucosal tumors originating from the muscularis propria at esophagogastric junction or cardia.

Background: The spectrum of gastric submucosal tumors (SMTs) in the upper gastrointestinal system ranges from non-neoplastic to malignant lesions, with gastrointestinal stromal tumors exhibiting inherent malignant potential. However, the diagnosis of SMTs remains challenging, and treatment methods, especially for tumors located at the cardia or esophagogastric junction (EGJ), are not well established. Minimally invasive techniques - such as endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER), and laparoscopic wedge resection (LWR) - have been developed for these lesions.

A cost-effective all-in-one halide material for all-solid-state batteries.

All-solid-state batteries require advanced cathode designs to realize their potential for high energy density and economic viability. Integrated all-in-one cathodes, which eliminate inactive conductive additives and heterogeneous interfaces, hold promise for substantial energy and stability gains but are hindered by materials lacking sufficient Li/e conductivity, mechanical robustness and structural stability. Here we present LiFeCl, a cost-effective halide material that overcomes these challenges.

Left Renal Vein Transection and Reconstruction for Functional Paraganglioma Resection: A Case Report.

Paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors originating from extra-adrenal chromaffin cells and often require surgical management. We report the case of a 55-year-old male with a retroperitoneal paraganglioma diagnosed by imaging and elevated catecholamine metabolite levels. Preoperative management included alpha-blocker administration to control blood pressure.

Comparative Analysis of GnRH Pulse Generator Activity in Intact and Gonadectomized Male and Female Mice.

A subpopulation of kisspeptin neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARN) of the hypothalamus functions as the GnRH pulse generator, driving the pulsatile secretion of LH from the anterior pituitary. Recent advances in in vivo GCaMP fiber photometry have allowed the direct measurement of ARN kisspeptin (ARNKISS) neuronal population activity in mice. In both sexes, ARNKISS neurons display large, brief calcium activity episodes, termed synchronization episodes, each corresponding to a correlated LH pulse.