Efficacy and safety of peripheral magnetic stimulation for the treatment of intractable hiccups after stroke: a prospective, blinded, parallel randomized controlled clinical trial.

Aims: Preclinical studies indicate that magnetic stimulation may be an efficacious treatment for intractable hiccups in post-stroke patients. This study aimed to investigate repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) potential efficacy and safety for treating intractable hiccups.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial randomly assigned 60 patients with stroke with intractable hiccups to receive rPMS ( = 30) or metoclopramide ( = 30).

High-performance liquid chromatography with post-column fluorescence derivatization for accurate detection of multi-alkylresorcinols in grain products.

Alkylresorcinols (ARs), recognized for their bioactivity and as biomarkers for whole grains, were sensitively determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with post-column fluorescence derivatization. Dopamine (DA) was employed as the fluorescence derivatizing agent, which rapidly reacts with ARs to produce strong fluorescence, thereby enhancing sensitivity and anti-interference. The method effectively determined five ARs homologs, including 5-heptadecylresorcinol (C17:0), 5-nonadecylresorcinol (C19:0), 5-heneicosylresorcinol (C21:0), 5-tricosylresorcinol (C23:0), and 5-pentacosylresorcinol (C25:0).

The Critical Role and Effects of Patient-Centered Communication in Psychotherapy: A Narrative Review.

Patient-centered communication has emerged as a fundamental component of effective psychotherapy, significantly influencing the therapeutic process and outcomes. This narrative review examined 53 studies selected from PsycINFO, PubMed, and CINAHL databases published between 2010-2024, focusing on empirical and theoretical work on patient-centered communication in psychotherapy. A significant portion of this review is dedicated to analyzing the effects of patient-centered communication on therapeutic outcomes.

Farnesyltransferase Inhibitor (R115777) Targets CENPF to Inhibit Breast Cancer Bone Metastasis by Regulating the PI3k/AKT/mTOR/PTHrP Pathway.

Background: Farnesyltransferase inhibitor R115777 has shown promising antitumor effects in various types of cancer by targeting RAS proteins and CENPF farnesylation. To explore its potential in breast cancer (BC), In our study, we aimed to uncover its specific efficacy and underlying mechanisms.

Methods: Through knockdown experiments, we observed that inhibiting CENPF effectively suppressed the growth and metastasis of BC cells, both in vitro and in vivo.

Green-emissive carbon dots for multitarget staining of cells, fungi, and bacteria: Insights into mechanisms and clinical applications.

Biological staining is essential for imaging, functional investigation, and disease diagnostics. In this research, innovative green-emissive carbon dots (G-CDs) were hydrothermally prepared from 1,2,4-triaminobenzene and ascorbic acid (AA) and further explored for versatile imaging of mammalian cells, plant cells, and microorganisms. The G-CDs, exhibiting fluorescence enhancement, outperform conventional dyes in terms of staining efficiency and specificity across various biological systems.

Multistable metamaterials enabled by arched beams for high-efficiency energy absorption.

Energy-absorbing materials with high absorption efficiency are ideal candidates for impact protection. Multistable metamaterials, composed of bistable primitives, have attracted much attention in recent years owing to their unique advantages in energy absorption. However, developing multistable metamaterials with excellent energy absorption performance remains a formidable challenge.

Genome-Wide Identification of the Gene Family in Pepper () and Its Expression Profiles During Seed Germination.

The () family plays key regulatory roles in seed dormancy and germination. However, a genome-wide analysis of genes has not been performed for pepper (), one of the agriculturally important species, and no studies have been conducted to characterize their expression profiles. Based on genome information, the identification and expression analysis of gene family members through bioinformatics approaches can provide a theoretical foundation for subsequent studies on the biological functions of and the improvement of seed traits in breeding.

Tetramethylpyrazine attenuates the blood-brain barrier damage against ischemic stroke by targeting endothelin-1/Akt pathway in astrocytes.

Our study focused on the role of traditional Chinese medicine in stroke therapy, specifically targeting endothelin-1 (ET-1) in astrocytes to alleviate ischemic brain injury. Utilizing oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) and middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) models, we mimicked cerebral ischemia in both cell cultures and mice. Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), a component of the Chinese medicine, was identified as a potential therapeutic agent.

Identifying Immune Response Protein Biomarkers in Parkinson's-Related Cognitive Impairment and Depression.

A distinct immune microenvironment may develop in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), influenced by the severity of cognitive impairment and the presence of depression. We aimed to identify blood-based immune response markers in patients with PD using a proximity extension assay (PEA). Peripheral plasma samples from 58 patients with PD and 30 healthy controls (HCs) were analyzed for 92 immune response-associated proteins using Olink's PEA technology.

Preventing Posterior Collapse with DVAE for Text Modeling.

This paper introduces a novel variational autoencoder model termed DVAE to prevent posterior collapse in text modeling. DVAE employs a dual-path architecture within its decoder: path A and path B. Path A makes the direct input of text instances into the decoder, whereas path B replaces a subset of word tokens in the text instances with a generic unknown token before their input into the decoder.

Knowledge of Parkinson's disease among non-PD specialists: a web-based survey in South China.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent, disabling neurodegenerative disorder. Early diagnosis and treatment of PD remains challenging due to the absence of definitive diagnostic tests and the non-specificity of its clinical manifestations. Initial consultations for PD symptoms often involve specialists who are not specifically trained in PD.

The microclimatic and ecohydrological effects of photovoltaic facilities in arid/semi-arid regions of China: An integrated modeling study.

Photovoltaic (PV) facilities play a pivotal role in restructuring energy systems and mitigating carbon emissions. However, they also alter local microclimates and ecohydrological conditions, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. Most existing studies focus on individual environmental factors and overlook the coupled interactions among soil, vegetation, atmosphere, and PV infrastructure.

Multi-scale conv-attention U-Net for medical image segmentation.

U-Net-based network structures are widely used in medical image segmentation. However, effectively capturing multi-scale features and spatial context information of complex organizational structures remains a challenge. To address this, we propose a novel network structure based on the U-Net backbone.

WTX-L/β-arrestin2/LCN2 axis controls vulnerability to ferroptosis in gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most prevalent and lethal cancers worldwide. Ferroptosis is a form of iron-dependent regulated cell death emerging as a promising strategy for cancer therapy, whereas the regulation mechanism remains unclear. WTX has been recognized as a potential tumor suppressor, but attempts at targeted therapy have not achieved substantial progress.

Head-to-Tail Packing to Facilitate [2+2] Cycloaddition for Green Synthesis of Cyclobutane Derivatives in Specific Configuration.

Topological [2+2] cycloaddition is known to provide a convenient synthetic route for cyclobutane derivatives from favorably dispositioned dienes. In this study, new (2Z,4E)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-5-phenylpenta-2,4-dienenitrile (HDE), (2Z,4E)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-5-(p-tolyl)penta-2,4-dienenitrile (MeDE), (2Z,4E)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)penta-2,4-dienenitrile (ClDE), (2Z,4E)-5-(4-bromophenyl)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)penta-2,4-dienenitrile (BrDE), (2Z,4E)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl) penta-2,4-dienenitrile (MeODE), and (2Z,4E)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-5-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)penta-2,4-dienenitrile (MeNDE) were synthesized, and their reactivity and selectivity were investigated in relation to their molecular packing in the respective crystals. HDE and MeDE, with head-to-tail (HT) arrangement, yielded only one type of photodimer.

Sleep traits causally affect epigenetic age acceleration: a Mendelian randomization study.

Sleep disorders (SDs) are a common issue in the elderly. Epigenetic clocks based on DNA methylation (DNAm) are now considered highly accurate predictors of the aging process and are associated with age-related diseases. This study aimed to investigate the causal relationship between sleep traits and the epigenetic clock using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Cancer-secreted exosomal miR-1825 induces angiogenesis to promote colorectal cancer metastasis.

Background: Angiogenesis is one of the important factors related to tumorigenesis, invasion, and metastasis. Cancer-secreted exosomes are essential mediators of intercellular cross-talk and participate in angiogenesis and metastasis. Unveiling the mechanism of angiogenesis is an important way to develop anti-angiogenesis therapeutic strategies to against cancer progression.

Major depressive disorder and the development of cerebral small vessel disease: A Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Although observational studies indicate a complex, bidirectional association between major depressive disorder (MDD) and cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), the results are frequently inconsistent. This study investigated the potential correlation of MDD with both CSVD clinical outcomes and radiological markers, utilizing a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) study design.

Methods: Instrumental variables for MDD were obtained from the latest and largest genome-wide association study (GWAS).

Cancer-secreted exosomal miR-1246 promotes colorectal cancer liver metastasis by activating hepatic stellate cells.

Colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM) are the primary cause of mortality in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, highlighting the importance of understanding the underlying mechanisms. The tumor microenvironment (TME) and its interaction with tumor cells play a crucial role in CRLM progression. Notably, the stability and peak levels of tumor-derived exosomal miRNAs facilitate intercellular communication in the TME.

Broadband-Light-Induced [2+2] Cycloaddition and Thermoinduced Cycloreversion-Powered Dynamic Molecular Crystals.

Photomechanically responsive dynamic molecular crystals are central to developing efficient, rapid, and robust materials capable of conversion of light energy to mechanical work. However, unlike some other, mainly photochromic molecular solar thermal energy storage (MOST) systems, solids that undergo photoinduced [2+2] cycloaddition have not been thoroughly explored for powering reversible actuation, despite that this reaction system carries potential in the heavily strained bonds of the cyclobutane ring. In this study, we propose that broadband-light-induced [2+2] cycloaddition can be used to store energy and actuate dynamic organic crystals by irradiation with visible light.

Chinese medicine for headaches in emergency department: a retrospective analysis of real-world electronic medical records.

Background: Headaches are common complaints in the emergency department (ED) and have raised concern about acute medication overuse. Chinese medicine is a major complementary and alternative medicine in China and effective for headaches. This study aims to summarize characteristics of headache patients at EDs and the utilization of Chinese medicine for headache managements in EDs.

Rapid and dual-mode nitrite detection with improved sensitivity by nanointerface-regulated ultrafast Griess assay.

Background: The rapid and sensitive detection of nitrite is important to human health protection due to its carcinogenic and teratogenic risks with excessive intake. The Griess assay is widely applied for the design of nitrite detection system. However, its relatively slow reaction kinetics and sole colorimetry mode might limit it's the sensitivity and practical application.

Free electron terahertz source based on dielectric gratings.

Terahertz wave sources are essential for the development of terahertz technology. A terahertz radiation source based on dielectric gratings driven by free electrons is proposed in this paper. Electrons emitted by the emitter excite spoof surface plasmons (SSPs) when passing above the structure.

Insights about exosomal circular RNAs as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for hepatocellular carcinoma.

One of the most prevalent pathological types of Primary Liver Cancer (PLC) is the Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) poses a global health issue. The high recurrence and metastasis rate of HCC, coupled with a low 5-year survival rate, result in a bleak prognosis. Exosomes, small extracellular vesicles released by various cells, contain diverse non-coding RNA molecules, including circular RNAs (circRNAs), which play a significant role in intercellular communication and can impact HCC progression.