Nationwide data-driven quality improvement in ultrasound medicine: insights from an indicator-based initiative in China.

Background: There are only a limited number of countries systematically tracking the quality of ultrasound at the national and institutional levels. Our study presents an example of a national, data-driven approach to ultrasound medicine quality measurement and improvement through indicators.

Aim: This study aims to establish a nationwide, indicator-based framework for measuring and improving the quality of ultrasound medicine in China.

The role of microflow patterns combined with greyscale ultrasound in enhancing diagnostic validity and reducing unnecessary biopsy rate of thyroid nodules.

Objective: To explore the value of microflow patterns based on superb microvascular imaging (SMI) combined with greyscale ultrasound in thyroid nodule diagnosis and biopsy recommendation.

Materials And Methods: Adult patients with thyroid nodules were recruited from May 2023 to February 2024. The greyscale features of nodules were evaluated according to the five ultrasound risk stratification systems (RSSs).

Complete genome sequences of strains Y and N, capable of conjugated diene biohydrogenation.

We report the complete genome sequences of two acetogenic strains, Y and N, isolated from river sediment. Under anaerobic acetogenic conditions, strain Y biohydrogenates isoprene, while strain N transforms 1,3-butadiene to 1-butene.

Extracellular volume fraction based on dual-layer spectral computed tomography in assessment of gastric cancer: feasibility analysis of low-dose equilibrium phase scanning.

Background: The extracellular volume fraction (fECV) based on equilibrium phase iodine density images (IDIs) of dual-layer spectral detector computed tomography (DLCT) can be used in the assessment of gastric cancer (GC). However, obtaining the equilibrium phase images requires a higher radiation dose. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the feasibility of low-dose equilibrium phase scans on DLCT for fECV acquisition in histological grading assessment of GC.

Mitochondrial Extracellular Vesicles: A Novel Approach to Mitochondrial Quality Control.

Mitochondria are central to cellular energy metabolism and play a key role in regulating important physiological processes, including apoptosis and oxidative stress. Mitochondrial quality control has recently garnered significant attention, with the underlying mechanisms traditionally considered to be mitophagy and its dynamics. Various studies have demonstrated that extracellular vesicles are crucial for the transmission of mitochondria and their components.

Van der Waals Magnetic Tunnel Junctions Based on Two-Dimensional 1T-VSe and Rotationally Aligned h-BN Monolayer.

Magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) are pivotal for spintronic applications such as magneto resistive memory and sensors. Two-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures offer a promising platform for miniaturizing MTJs while enabling the twist-angle engineering of their properties. Here, we investigate the impact of twisting the insulating barrier layer on the performance of a van der Waals MTJ with the structure graphene/1T-VSe/h-BN/1T-VSe/graphene, where 1T-VSe serves as the ferromagnetic electrodes and the monolayer h-BN acts as the tunnel barrier.

STIL-TA: A new model of traffic flow forecasting based on spatiotemporal interactive learning and temporal attention.

Accurate traffic flow forecasting plays a critical role in alleviating urban road congestion. Despite the success of existing models (e.g.

Inclusive leadership and employee job performance: mediation of leader-member exchange and organizational identification.

Background: Previous studies indicated that inclusive leadership is related to a series of positive working outcomes, but the internal acting mechanism remains unclear. This study used a three-month longitudinal design to investigate the acting mechanism of inclusive leadership on individual job performance by introducing leader-member exchange and organizational identification as mediators.

Methods: The data were collected through self-reported questionnaires and a leader-rated survey of 206 employees of a car battery manufacturer in central China.

Dysregulated macrophage immunity in infection: unveiling mechanistic insights and therapeutic implications.

() is a microaerophilic, gram-negative spirochete that primarily colonizes the human gastric mucosa. It is strongly linked to gastritis, ulcers, and the development of malignant tumors. Macrophages, as one of the key components of the innate immune system, play a crucial role in maintaining immune homeostasis through a range of functions, including pathogen phagocytosis, antigen recognition and presentation, inflammation regulation and tumor immune surveillance.

Quantitative characterization of types 1 and 2 macular neovascularization in neovascular age-related macular degeneration with intravitreal conbercept: an analysis utilizing optical coherence tomography angiography.

Aim: To quantitatively assess central macular thickness (CMT), macular neovascularization (MNV) area, vascular tortuosity (VT), and vascular dispersion (VDisp) in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), type 1 and type 2 MNV, by means of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) techniques.

Methods: In this retrospective and observational case series, patients were classified into type 1 or type 2 MNV groups. A comprehensive panel of OCT and OCTA metrics was evaluated, including CMT, MNV area, VT, and VDisp.

Integrating Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation to Elucidate the Mechanism Underlying Ligusticum chuanxiong's Alleviation of Hyperlipidemia.

Ligusticum Chuanxiong (LC), as a raw material of food and medicinal homologous, was shown to reduce lipid accumulation and modulate gene expression associated with lipid metabolism in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice, but its underlying alleviating mechanism of alleviating hyperlipidemia symptoms has not been systematically evaluated. This study aims to assess its potential mechanism by combining a computer-aided screening strategy with in vivo analysis. Results revealed that LC compounds could participate in the regulation of 40 potential hub targets related to hyperlipidemia.

Demonstration of a low-pressure Rb amplifier with an FADOF-coupled ultra-narrowed diode pumping source.

Diode-pumped alkali lasers (DPALs) are promising candidates for high-energy lasers. Traditionally, the volume Bragg grating coupled diode lasers were used as pumping sources with a spectral linewidth of ∼100 pm (FWHM). To match the pump spectrum, buffer gases such as helium at atmospheric pressure are typically employed to broaden the alkali atomic absorption line.

Characteristics and risk factors for medical malpractice among obstetric and gynecologic physicians in China.

Background: Limited information is available on malpractice claims against obstetricians and gynecologists in China. This study identifies risk factors associated with malpractice and explores the correlation between the hospital characteristics and medical errors in obstetrics and gynecology.

Methods: This observational study analyzed all obstetric and gynecologic malpractice claims submitted to the Chinese Medical Association (CMA) from 2016 to 2023.

FGFR2 identified as a NETs-associated biomarker and therapeutic target in diabetic foot ulcers.

Background: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is characterized by impaired wound healing and chronic inflammation, partly driven by the excessive formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). However, the molecular mediators linking NETs to failed tissue regeneration remain poorly understood. This study aimed to identify and validate novel NETs-associated biomarkers in DFU using an integrative bioinformatics and machine learning approach.

Transcriptome analysis reveals that regulation network of the genes related to unique double flowers in tropical viviparous water lily.

Among tropical viviparous water lilies (Nymphaea L.), double-petaled cultivars are exceptionally rare, and the molecular mechanisms underlying their floral organ development remain largely unexplored. In this study, we identified Nymphaea 'Candy Rain' as the sole known tropical water lily cultivar exhibiting a double-petaled phenotype, characterized by complete petaloid conversion of innermost stamens.

Optimizing ultrasound evaluation of carotid artery stenosis in Takayasu's Arteritis: a focus on residual inner diameter as a key parameter.

Objectives: Takayasu's arteritis (TAK) is a chronic inflammatory disease that often leads to stenosis or occlusion of the common carotid artery (CCA), posing significant risks such as stroke and cognitive impairment. Despite the widespread use of ultrasound in diagnosing and monitoring TAK, the lack of standardized criteria for assessing CCA stenosis has resulted in inconsistent evaluations. This study aims to establish standardized ultrasound diagnostic criteria for CCA stenosis in TAK, focusing on residual inner diameter and wall thickness.

Nomogram-based risk stratification to analyze the value of receiving postoperative adjuvant therapy after neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy for patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous carcinoma.

Purpose: To develop a prognosis nomogram for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (LA-ESCC) patients after neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy (NICT) and assess postoperative adjuvant therapy (PAT) value through survival risk stratification.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 297 LA-ESCC patients (2019-2023) receiving NICT with or without PAT, randomly divided into the training and validation cohorts. Independent prognostic factors were determined by Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (Lasso) regression and multivariate Cox analysis.

Significance of APOB/APOA1 Ratio in the Prediction of Calcific Aortic Valve Disease.

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a prevalent heart valve disease. The ratio of two apolipoproteins with distinct functions, Apolipoprotein B/Apolipoprotein A1 (APOB/APOA1), has been proposed as a novel assessment index for the evaluation of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this article is to discuss the role of lipid parameters such as APOB/APOA1 in CAVD and the risk factors for CAVD, to develop a predictive model for CAVD, and to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of this model.

Deficiency Promotes Heart Regeneration by Enhancing Cardiomyocyte Proliferation in Neonatal Mice.

Background: Heart regeneration requires renewal of lost cardiomyocytes. However, the mammalian heart loses its proliferative capacity soon after birth, and the molecular signaling underlying the loss of cardiac proliferation postnatally is not fully understood.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the role of Catenin alpha 3 (), coding for alpha T catenin (αT-catenin) protein in regulating cardiomyocyte proliferation and heart regeneration during the neonatal period.

SERPINH1 promotes malignant progression of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma via COL7A1-mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

Background: Serpin peptidase inhibitor clade H member 1 (SERPINH1) is implicated in collagen processing and tumor progression, yet its role in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the clinical significance and molecular mechanism of SERPINH1 in LSCC.

Methods: Multi-cohort bioinformatics analysis (TCGA, GEO) identified SERPINH1 as a prognostic marker.

Lithium Lactate Modified Polyolefin Separators for High-Performance Lithium Metal Batteries.

As the fast-paced evolution of high energy density rechargeable batteries continues, the lower lithium ion (Li) mobility of polyolefin separators has become a major bottleneck in the adoption of lithium metal electrodes. With undesired Li-anion solvated structures in the electrolyte, previous separator modification strategies are generally confronted with the dilemma of concurrently enhancing the Li transference number and reducing the anion transference number, as well as overall conductivity. Here, a strategy are reported to prepare high-performance separators with polyolefin separators coated by lactic acid lithium with the assistance of dopamine hydrochloride and triethanolamine, which can achieve a stable LMB operation at 1 C for 600 cycles with a capacity retention of 92%, substantially outperforming pristine PP separator.

Rational design of freeze-crosslinked polysaccharide sponges for efficient non-compressible hemostasis and liver repair.

Non-compressible hemorrhage is a life-threatening challenge, and shape-memory hemostatic sponges that require no removal are ideal for inaccessible hemorrhage wounds. In this study, we freeze-crosslinked two polysaccharides by tuning their ratios to fully utilize their inherent physiochemical properties. The obtained shape memory sponges exhibit tunable mechanical properties, high absorbent capacities, and compression resilience.

O-RADS US versus IOTA simple rules in the diagnosis of benign and malignant adnexal masses: a prospective study.

Background: Although many studies have validated the diagnostic performance of Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data Systems ultrasound (O-‎RADS US), most have been observed by experienced sonologists, and relatively few by junior sonologists. The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic performance of the O-RADS US and the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) Simple Rules (SRs) in senior and junior sonologists to determine a more suitable assessment model for general clinical use.

Methods: We prospectively recruited 228 patients diagnosed with adnexal masses (AMs).

Transplantation of miR-216a-5p-overexpressing mesenchymal stem cells encapsulated in a thermosensitive hydrogel promotes functional recovery in a rat model of spinal cord injury.

To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) overexpressing miR-216a-5p delivered via a thermosensitive hydrogel in a rat model of spinal cord injury (SCI). A thermosensitive hydrogel was engineered to encapsulate MSCs overexpressing miR-216a-5p (MSC-miR-216a-5p). The hydrogel-cell construct was characterized for its physical properties and transplanted into rats with contusion SCI.