Developing a predictive nomogram model for incidence of adverse outcomes in oral and maxillofacial tumor patients undergoing free flap reconstruction.

Background: Surgical treatment of oral and maxillofacial tumors is complex, and the factors contributing to adverse outcomes remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to identify independent risk factors and develop an efficient nomogram for predicting such outcomes.

Methods: Potential risk factors were identified using univariate logistic regression, followed by multivariate logistic regression to determine independent predictors.

CD9 downregulation activates EGFR/ERK/WAVE2 pathway to remodel F-actin and promote proliferation and migration of cholesteatoma epithelial cells.

Although overproliferation and high migration of keratinocytes are the key pathological features of middle ear cholesteatoma (MEC), the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We found low CD9 and high ADAM17 expression in MEC specimens, alone with their colocalization, and elevated EGF levels. To investigate the role of CD9 in MEC, we created stable CD9-knockdown keratinocyte cell lines.

Immobilization of phosphorus in sediment-water system by hydrous iron oxide and hydrous iron oxide/calcite mixture under feed input condition.

The efficiency and mechanism of hydrous iron oxide (HFO) and HFO/calcite mixture to inactivate the phosphorus in the overlying water (OW)/sediment system under the feed adding condition were explored, and the effect of HFO and HFO/calcite mixture addition on the diversity, composition and function of bacterial communities in the sediment was examined. HFO and HFO/calcite mixture direct addition can effectively lower the concentration of soluble reactive phosphorus (RSP) and diffusion gradient in thin film-unstable phosphorus (P) in OW and inactivate the P in the upper sediment. The elimination efficiencies of RSP by the direct HFO and HFO/calcite mixture addition were 48.

Ensemble machine learning algorithm for anti-VEGF treatment efficacy prediction in diabetic macular edema.

Background: Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a leading cause of vision loss in diabetes, with variable responses to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy in DME patients. Current diagnosis relies on optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging, but manual interpretation is limited. This study aims to integrate 3D-OCT features and clinical variables to develop machine learning (ML) models for predicting anti-VEGF treatment outcomes.

Integrated single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing analysis establishes a cancer associated fibroblast-related signature for predicting prognosis and therapeutic responses in neuroblastoma.

Background: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) greatly contribute to the growth, invasion, metastasis and drug resistance of neuroblastoma (NB). This study aimed to construct a CAF-related prognostic model and identify the immune status of patients with NB via single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq).

Methods: ScRNA-seq data of NB acquired from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were used to identify cellular subpopulations.

Mendelian randomization analyses support causal relationship between brain imaging-derived phenotypes and risk of low back pain.

Low back pain (LBP) has long been the leading cause of worldwide productivity loss and the top cause of years lived with disability. Observational studies have reported associations between brain imaging-derived phenotypes (IDPs) and LBP; however, it is uncertain whether these relationships are causal. Bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were applied to explore the causal relationship between IDPs and LBP.

Assessing the impact of common pain medications on gut microbiota composition and metabolites: insights from a Mendelian randomization study.

The relationship between analgesic use and gut microbiota alterations has garnered increasing attention. However, the causal link between these two factors remains to be elucidated. Given the prevalence of analgesic use and the significant role of gut microbiota in human health, clarifying this relationship is of great importance.

Development and validation of a 3-D deep learning system for diabetic macular oedema classification on optical coherence tomography images.

Objectives: To develop and validate an automated diabetic macular oedema (DME) classification system based on the images from different three-dimensional optical coherence tomography (3-D OCT) devices.

Design: A multicentre, platform-based development study using retrospective and cross-sectional data. Data were subjected to a two-level grading system by trained graders and a retina specialist, and categorised into three types: no DME, non-centre-involved DME and centre-involved DME (CI-DME).

Application of generative adversarial networks in the restoration of blurred optical coherence tomography images caused by optical media opacity in eyes.

Purpose: To assess the application of generative adversarial networks (GANs) to restore the blurred optical coherence tomography (OCT) images caused by optical media opacity in eyes.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a spectral-domain OCT (Zeiss Cirrus 5000, Germany) was used to scan the macula of 510 eyes from 272 Chinese subjects. Optical media opacity was simulated with an algorithm for training set (420 normal eyes).

Distinctive clinical features of early and late-onset Ménière's disease.

Purpose: To compare the clinical characteristics of patients with early and late-onset Ménière's disease (MD) and to investigate the impact of psychological factors between the two groups.

Methods: The patients were divided into two groups based on their age of onset: early-onset (<45 years old) and late-onset (>55 years old). The differences in clinical symptoms, auditory, vestibular examination, gadolinium-enhanced MRI, vertigo, and psychological assessment were compared.

Mediating effect of AI attitudes and AI literacy on the relationship between career self-efficacy and job-seeking anxiety.

As artificial intelligence (AI) technology quickly grows, college students have new worries and fears. Using Marx's theory of labour alienation, this study explores the complex relationship between college students' job-seeking anxiety (JSA) and career self-efficacy (CSE) in the context of the AI era. A structural equation modeling (SEM) study of data from 455 Chinese students indicates that CSE adversely affects JSA.

Effects of Sodium Acetate and Sodium Butyrate on the Volatile Compounds in Mare's Milk Based on GC-IMS Analysis.

This study aims to explore the impact of adding sodium acetate and sodium butyrate on the composition, blood biochemical parameters, and volatile flavor compounds of lactating mares' milk. By assessing the influence of these additives on milk flavor enhancement, the findings provide scientific evidence for optimizing flavor characteristics and offer new strategies for improving the sensory attributes of mare milk products. Eighteen lactating Yili mares were randomly assigned to three groups: a control group, a sodium acetate group (85 mg/kg·BM), and a sodium butyrate group (85 mg/kg·BM).

Discovering genetically-supported drug targets for multisite chronic pain through multi-omics Mendelian randomization and single-cell RNA-sequencing.

Multisite chronic pain (MCP) is a highly prevalent disorder with substantial unmet therapeutic needs.We conducted multi-omics Mendelian randomization and Bayesian colocalization to identify potential therapeutic targets for MCP. Summary-level data of gene expressions and protein abundance levels were obtained from corresponding quantitative trait loci studies, respectively.

AFB1 consolidates HBV harm to induce liver injury and carcinogenic risk by inactivating FTCD-AS1-PXR-MASP1 axis.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) has been reported to synergize with hepatitis B virus (HBV) to induce development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Precise daily exposure to AFB1 and its contribution to liver injury have not been quantified and have even been disregarded due to lack of convenient detection, and the strong species specificity of HBV infection has restricted research on their synergistic harm. Hence, our objective was to investigate the molecular mechanisms by which AFB1 exacerbates HBV-related injury.

Effect of school entrance age on myopia among primary schoolchildren using mixed-effect model: The Shantou Myopia Study (SMS).

Purpose: To investigate the association between children's school entrance age and refractive status and prevalence of myopia in southern China.

Methods: Population-based Cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2020 to June 2021 in Shantou, southern China, enrolling primary schoolchildren in the city. The school entrance age was calculated as the months from the birth date to the entrance date, divided by 12.

Control of phosphorus release from sediment by the combined use of Elodea nuttallii, hydrous ferric oxide, zeolite and calcite: Efficiency, mechanism and response of bacterial communities.

The effectiveness of Elodea nuttallii combined with a mixture of hydrous ferric oxide, zeolite and calcite (HZC) to reduce the internal loading of phosphorus (P) from sediment and its mechanism were studied, and the effect of Elodea nuttallii combined with HZC on the composition and function of the microbial communities in the surface sediment was also investigated. The results showed that the combination utilization of Elodea nuttallii and HZC can decrease the risk of phosphorus liberation from sediment to the overlying water, and the controlling efficiency of Elodea nuttallii combined with HZC was higher than that of Elodea nuttallii or HZC alone. The passivation of labile P measured by diffusive gradient in thin film device and mobile P played a crucial role in the control of internal P loading from sediment by the combined Elodea nuttallii + HZC treatment.

Synthesis of a Zn-MOF fluorescent material for sensitive detection of biothiols an inner filter effect with MnO nanosheets.

In this study, zinc ions were employed as the central metal, while 4,4',4''-nitrilotribenzoic acid (HNTB) served as the fluorescent organic ligand. Through a single-step solvothermal approach, a novel Zn-based metal-organic framework (Zn-MOF) fluorescent material was successfully synthesized. The Zn-MOFs exhibit a cubic morphology, outstanding fluorescence properties, excellent water dispersibility, and robust resistance to high temperature and strong alkaline conditions.

Associations Between Advanced Lung Cancer Inflammation Index and Chronic Pain: Insights From National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2004.

Introduction: Nutrition and inflammation are known factors in chronic pain, but their combined influence is not fully understood. This study investigates the associations between advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI) and various types of pain, including joint pain, neck pain, low back pain, and severe headaches and migraines.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 3842 participants were recruited from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2004.

Altered cortical functional networks in Wilson's Disease: A resting-state electroencephalogram study.

The neuropsychiatric symptoms are common in Wilson's disease (WD) patients. However, it remains unclear about the associated functional brain networks. In this study, source localization-based functional connectivity analysis of close-eye resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) were implemented to assess the characteristics of functional networks in 17 WD patients with neurological involvements and 17 healthy controls (HCs).

Genetic liability to higher frailty index may increase the risk of ophthalmic disease.

Purpose: Frailty and age-related eye diseases are common in older people; however, whether there is a causal link remains unknown. We aimed to explore the causal associations between the frailty index (FI) and ophthalmic traits and identify modifiable mediators.

Methods: Linkage disequilibrium score regression and two-sample Mendelian randomization were applied to identify genetic correlations and causal associations between FI and ophthalmic traits.

Multi-dimensional epidemiology and informatics data on COVID-19 wave at the end of zero COVID policy in China.

Background: China exited strict Zero-COVID policy with a surge in Omicron variant infections in December 2022. Given China's pandemic policy and population immunity, employing Baidu Index (BDI) to analyze the evolving disease landscape and estimate the nationwide pneumonia hospitalizations in the post Zero COVID period, validated by hospital data, holds informative potential for future outbreaks.

Methods: Retrospective observational analyses were conducted at the conclusion of the Zero-COVID policy, integrating internet search data alongside offline records.

Preparation of Pt and bamboo charcoal co-modified TiO for formaldehyde sensing at room temperature.

Anatase TiO has evolved into one of the most attractive materials for gas sensing owing to its strong oxidation activity and excellent sensing properties. In this study, we prepared Pt and bamboo charcoal co-modified nano-TiO using a one-pot hydrothermal process and applied it to detect formaldehyde. The successful incorporation of the precious metal Pt and bamboo charcoal onto TiO was confirmed by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometer, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.