Progress in antisenescence biomaterials for improved osteoarthritis therapy.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease closely associated with aging for which current treatments are limited primarily to symptomatic relief and fail to reverse pathological progression. A growing body of evidence indicates that the accumulation of senescent cells is a central driver of OA pathogenesis. This review systematically summarizes the latest advancements in antisenescence biomaterials for OA therapy, emphasizing their potential to overcome the limitations of conventional approaches by improving drug targeting, prolonging drug release kinetics, and increasing bioavailability.

Metabolic Remapping at "Point-Line-Plane" Levels With Central Dysfunction in Cerebral Small Vessel Disease.

Background: This study is aimed at investigate the glucose metabolic patterns of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) at "point-line-plane" levels.

Methods: We retrospectively collected the F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/MRI images of 174 CSVD patients and 206 healthy controls. First, the brain FDG-PET of each subject was divided into 7 classical networks, and the mean standard uptake value (SUV) was calculated.

Nav1.6 drives colorectal cancer proliferation and invasion through MAPK signaling pathway.

Background: Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs, or Navs) are highly expressed in various tumors and play a critical role in tumor metastasis and invasion.

Aim: To identify Nav1.6-associated cancer genes through bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation, with the goal of determining the role of Nav1.

Functional-structural co-dependent brain mapping of metamemory in amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

Background: Metamemory, a measure of introspective awareness of memory performance, provides an internally-generated drive, profoundly impacting external memory activities. Given its role in regulating memory along internal-external axis, understanding metamemory and underlying neural mechanisms in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is crucial for memory improvement. The present study was aimed to explore metamemory alterations and structural and functional remodeling characteristics underlying metamemory, as well as key brain regions that potentially moderated its intrinsic associations with age, education, and first-order cognition in aMCI.

Mediating role of feeder connections in the relationship between brain network efficiency and episodic memory in amnestic MCI.

Objectives: Advances in connectomics and network neuroscience have opened new avenues for the in-depth study of complex brain networks. However, the mechanisms of brain neuroplasticity associated with fiber connections ("lines") and networks ("planes") for the integration of episodic memory remain largely unknown. This study aimed to: (1) analyze the topological properties of individual structural networks using multi-shell, multi-tissue, constrained spherical deconvolution (MSMT-CSD) based on high-angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI) data and (2) explore the mediation among network efficiency, the three types of connections in individual structural networks, and episodic memory.

Brain-thyroid crosstalk: 18F-FDG-PET/MRI evidence in patients with follicular thyroid adenomas.

Objective: The hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis has been well-known. However, whether follicular thyroid adenoma (FTA) could affect brain glucose metabolism is still unknown. Therefore, we explored the brain glucose metabolic characteristics of FTA with Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging.

Impact of effective connectivity within the Papez circuit on episodic memory: moderation by perivascular space function.

Background And Objectives: The formation and retrieval of episodic memory is dependent on the coordinated activity of multiple brain regions and neural networks, with the Papez circuit playing a critical role in this process. Recently, the role of the perivascular space (PVS) in cognitive function has garnered increasing attention. However, the role of PVS function between neural circuits and cognitive function in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) patients remains unknown.

Altered cerebellar activity and cognitive deficits in Type 2 diabetes: Insights from resting-state fMRI.

Objective: To investigate alterations in brain activity in patients with Type 2 Diabetes and explore the relationship between altered regions and neuropsychological performances.

Methods: A total of 36 patients with Type 2 Diabetes and 40 age- and education-matched healthy controls were recruited for this case-control study. All participants underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (Resting-state fMRI) and neuropsychological tests.

Neural Correlates and Adaptive Mechanisms in Vascular Cognitive Impairment: Exploration of a Structure-Function Coupling Network.

Background: Cerebral small vessel disease exacerbates cognitive decline, yet the structural-functional coupling mechanisms in vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) remain unclear.

Methods: This study included 121 participants, with 68 individuals with VCI and 53 healthy controls. Participants underwent neuropsychological assessments and multimodal imaging.

Rewiring the disordered connectome with circuit-based paired stimulation after stroke-a randomized, double-blind and controlled Phase II trial.

The cortico-cortical paired associative stimulation, a combined stimulation based on two brain regions, may be an effective strategy for stroke rehabilitation. Our aim was to confirm that the cortico-cortical paired associative stimulation strengthens the connection between brain regions in the motor circuit and promotes improvements in motor function. This was a randomized double-blind, controlled Phase II trial.

Investigating autonomic dysfunction in post-COVID-19 syndrome from skin to brain: A case-control study using EMG-SSR and fNIRS.

Background: Autonomic dysfunction is a well-recognized complication associated with post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS). ANS maladaptation could underlie a potential pathogenetic mechanism of PCS, contributing to PCS symptoms. However, there remains an ongoing debate regarding whether autonomic and neuropathic symptoms observed in PCS patients are indicative of central or peripheral ANS pathology.

Mapping individual cortico-basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical circuits integrating structural and functional connectome: implications for upper limb motor impairment poststroke.

This study investigated alterations in functional connectivity (FC) within cortico-basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical (CBTC) circuits and identified critical connections influencing poststroke motor recovery, offering insights into optimizing brain modulation strategies to address the limitations of traditional single-target stimulation. We delineated individual-specific parallel loops of CBTC through probabilistic tracking and voxel connectivity profiles-based segmentation and calculated FC values in poststroke patients and healthy controls, comparing with conventional atlas-based FC calculation. Support vector machine (SVM) analysis distinguished poststroke patients from controls.

Altered Resting-State Electroencephalogram Microstate Characteristics in Stroke Patients.

Background: Stroke remains a leading cause of disability globally and movement impairment is the most common complication in stroke patients. Resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) microstate analysis is a non-invasive approach of whole-brain imaging based on the spatiotemporal pattern of the entire cerebral cortex. The present study aims to investigate microstate alterations in stroke patients.

Biomarkers of lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer: update.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, trailing only behind lung cancer, and stands as the third most prevalent malignant tumor, following lung and breast cancers. The primary cause of mortality in colorectal cancer (CRC) stems from distant metastasis. Among the various routes of metastasis in CRC, lymph node metastasis predominates, serving as a pivotal factor in both prognostication and treatment decisions for patients.

Machine learning and single-cell analysis identify the mitophagy-associated gene TOMM22 as a potential diagnostic biomarker for intervertebral disc degeneration.

Background: Mitophagy selectively eliminates potentially cytotoxic and damaged mitochondria and effectively prevents excessive cytotoxicity from damaged mitochondria, thereby attenuating inflammatory and oxidative responses. However, the potential role of mitophagy in intervertebral disc degeneration remains to be elucidated.

Methods: The GSVA method, two machine learning methods (SVM-RFE algorithm and random forest), the CIBERSORT and MCPcounter methods, as well as the consensus clustering method and the WGCNA algorithm were used to analyze the involvement of mitophagy in intervertebral disc degeneration, the diagnostic value of mitophagy-associated genes in intervertebral disc degeneration, and the infiltration of immune cells, and identify the gene modules that were closely related to mitophagy.

The moderating role of information processing speed in the relationship between brain remodeling and episodic memory in amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

Introduction: The role of information processing speed (IPS) on relationships between episodic memory (EM) and central remodeling features in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) was investigated.

Methods: Neuropsychological evaluations and multimodal magnetic resonance imaging were performed on 48 patients diagnosed with aMCI and 50 healthy controls (HC). Moderation models explored the moderating effect of IPS on associations between EM and imaging features at single-region, connectivity, and network levels.

Alterations of contralesional hippocampal subfield volumes and relations to cognitive functions in patients with unilateral stroke.

Background: The volumes of the hippocampal subfields are related to poststroke cognitive dysfunctions. However, it remains unclear whether contralesional hippocampal subfield volume contributes to cognitive impairment. This study aimed to investigate the volumetric differences in the contralesional hippocampal subfields between patients with left and right hemisphere strokes (LHS/RHS).

Altered Brain Functional and Effective Connectivity Induced by Electroacupuncture in Rats Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Transection.

Background: The chronic pain arising from knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent clinical manifestation. As a traditional Chinese approach, electroacupuncture (EA) has a positive influence in relieving chronic pain from KOA. The study aims to explore functional connectivity (FC) and effective connectivity (EC) alterations induced by EA in anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) rat model of KOA using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Integrative rehabilitation in the treatment of lumbosacral muscle strain in elite trampoline athletes: a pilot study.

Background: Lumbosacral muscle strain (LMS) is common in Chinese elite trampoline athletes. Advanced lumbar muscle activation is necessary for postural control before upper extremity voluntary movements, called anticipatory postural adjustment to reduce internal postural interference (IPI). The potential of delayed lumbar muscle activation has been reported in patients with non-specific LBP (NLBP) in response to IPI.

Peripheral nerve transfers for dysfunctions in central nervous system injuries: a systematic review.

Background: The review highlights recent advancements and innovative uses of nerve transfer surgery in treating dysfunctions caused by central nervous system (CNS) injuries, with a particular focus on spinal cord injury (SCI), stroke, traumatic brain injury, and cerebral palsy.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted regarding nerve transfer for restoring sensorimotor functions and bladder control following injuries of spinal cord and brain, across PubMed and Web of Science from January 1920 to May 2023. Two independent reviewers undertook article selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment with several appraisal tools, including the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool, the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist, and SYRCLE's ROB tool.

Tongue coating-dependent superior temporal sulcus remodeling in amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

Tongue coating affects cognition, and cognitive decline at early stage also showed relations to functional and structural remodeling of superior temporal sulcus (STS) in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). The potential correlation between disparate cognitive manifestations in aMCI patients with different tongue coatings, and corresponding mechanisms of STS remodeling remains uncharted. In this case-control study, aMCI patients were divided into thin coating (n = 18) and thick coating (n = 21) groups.

Motor imagery-based brain-computer interface rehabilitation programs enhance upper extremity performance and cortical activation in stroke patients.

Background: The most challenging aspect of rehabilitation is the repurposing of residual functional plasticity in stroke patients. To achieve this, numerous plasticity-based clinical rehabilitation programs have been developed. This study aimed to investigate the effects of motor imagery (MI)-based brain-computer interface (BCI) rehabilitation programs on upper extremity hand function in patients with chronic hemiplegia.

Sports promote brain evolution: a resting-state fMRI study of volleyball athlete.

Background: Long-term skill learning can lead to structure and function changes in the brain. Different sports can trigger neuroplasticity in distinct brain regions. Volleyball, as one of the most popular team sports, heavily relies on individual abilities such as perception and prediction for high-level athletes to excel.

Electroacupuncture modulates abnormal brain connectivity after ischemia reperfusion injury in rats: A graph theory-based approach.

Background: Electroacupuncture (EA) has been shown to facilitate brain plasticity-related functional recovery following ischemic stroke. The functional magnetic resonance imaging technique can be used to determine the range and mode of brain activation. After stroke, EA has been shown to alter brain connectivity, whereas EA's effect on brain network topology properties remains unclear.