A new surgical method of vasoepididymostomy for epididymal obstructive azoospermia to improve the success rate in the rat.

Background: Two-suture longitudinal intussusception vasoepididymostomy (LIVE) surgery has been confirmed by many studies in the treatment of epididymal obstruction; however, the success rate and anastomotic patency rate are not high, which cannot meet the modern human demand for a cure rate for this disease. Based on our preliminary research, we have reason to speculate that the new 2-suture circular intussusception vasoepididymostomy (CIVE) surgery group can greatly improve the anastomosis rate and success rate of treating epididymal obstruction patients. LIVE has become the preferred technique for epididymal and vas deferens anastomosis in North America, Europe, and globally for 22 years.

Development of a predictive model for progression to castration-resistant prostate cancer in patients with high bone tumor burden.

Objective: To identify key risk factors and construct a predictive model for the progression of high bone tumor burden prostate cancer (HBTB-PCa) to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

Methods: This retrospective study included 367 HBTB-PCa patients treated between January 2018 and May 2021, with 286 cases progressed to CRPC (progression group) and 81 cases did not (non-progression group). Patients were randomly divided into training (n=257) and validation (n=110) sets at a 7:3 ratio.

Natural variation in GNP3 determines grain number and grain yield in rice.

Grain number per panicle critically determines rice yield. Although many underlying genes have been reported, yet the molecular mechanisms linking ethylene to panicle development remain unclear. Here, we identify GRAIN NUMBER PER PANICLE 3 (GNP3) as a regulator of GNP through genome-wide association study (GWAS) combined with map-based cloning.

Elite haplotype of STRONG1 enhances rice yield by improving lodging resistance, panicle and plant architecture.

Culm diameter directly affects lodging and yield traits in cereal crops. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of these interrelated, complex agronomic traits remain unclear. Here, we identify a quantitative trait locus for culm diameter in rice (Oryza sativa) and cloned the candidate gene, STRONG1.

A novel nomogram for predicting osteoporosis with low back pain among the patients in Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of China.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common symptoms of osteoporosis (OP), but LBP caused by osteoporosis can easily be masked by other causes, leading to misdiagnosis. However, there are currently no convenient tools available to identify patients with low back pain caused by osteoporosis.

Methods: We consecutively enrolled 769 patients diagnosed with low back pain in our hospital from January 2019 to March 2024.

Clinical efficacy and biomarkers of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Neoadjuvant immunotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy for treating esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). This study evaluates the therapeutic efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy (nICT) in ESCC and explores potential biomarkers associated with treatment outcomes.

Methods: Patients with locally advanced ESCC were enrolled and received two cycles of nICT followed by surgical resection.

Research Progress and Application Prospects of Plant Fibers in Geopolymer Concrete: A Review.

Plant fibers, characterized by their low density, renewable nature, and environmentally friendly characteristics, offer considerable potential as reinforcement materials in geopolymer composites. This review provides a critical and thorough examination of recent developments and emerging trends in plant fiber-reinforced geopolymer concrete (PFRGC). The paper commences by detailing the inherent characteristics of plant fibers and the mechanisms governing their interfacial adhesion with the geopolymer matrix, with specific emphasis on the impact of fiber surface modification on interface properties.

CALB2 facilitates macrophage M2 polarization to promote the growth and metastasis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Tumor-associated macrophages mainly differentiate into M2 phenotypes, which secrete cytokines that reshape the tumor microenvironment and promote tumor progression. This study was to explore the mechanism of CALB2 in M2 polarization and pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD). Clinical tissue samples of PAAD were collected, followed by detection of WTAP, FOSL1, and CALB2 expression.

[Value of biomarkers related to routine blood tests in early diagnosis of allergic rhinitis in children].

Objective To mine and analyze the routine blood test data of children with allergic rhinitis (AR), identify routine blood parameters related to childhood allergic rhinitis, establish an effective diagnostic model, and evaluate the performance of the model. Methods This study was a retrospective study of clinical cases. The experimental group comprised a total of 1110 children diagnosed with AR at the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University during the period from December 12, 2020 to December 12, 2021, while the control group included 1109 children without a history of allergic rhinitis or other allergic diseases who underwent routine physical examinations during the same period.

Exploring genomic regions and genes modulating plant height and flag leaf morphology in rice.

Plant height and flag leaf morphology critically affect plant yield because they determine above-ground plant biomass and photosynthate production. However, few genetic basis analyses and gene mining studies on plant height, flag leaf length, and flag leaf width have been performed, and there is little available information about the evolution and utilization of the underlying natural alleles. This study conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using 689 rice accessions collected from diverse regions across the globe.

The role of intestinal homeostasis in sevoflurane-induced myelin development and cognitive impairment in neonatal mice.

Background: Inhalational anesthetic sevoflurane is commonly used in pediatric anesthesia. Multiple exposures to sevoflurane in early postnatal life have been associated with long-term abnormalities in myelin development and cognitive and memory impairments, although the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Disruption of gut microbiota is recognized as an important contributor to neurological diseases.

An innovative method of vacuum cooling for cooked pork meat: Uninterrupted operation between immersion vacuum cooling and vacuum cooling.

To address the challenges associated with cooling large, cooked meat products, we developed a novel cooling method: uninterrupted operation between immersion vacuum cooling and vacuum cooling (UO-IVC&VC) while comparing its performance with traditional methods, including air blast (AB), vacuum cooling (VC), and immersion vacuum cooling (IVC). Our results showed that UO-IVC&VC effectively integrated IVC and VC under isobaric conditions. The time required to reduce the core temperature from 72 to 4 °C with UO-IVC&VC was 59.

Effect of Intravenous Dexmedetomidine Premedication on Sufentanil Median Effective Concentration During Tracheal Intubation in Obese Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Purpose: Sufentanil is a potent opioid analgesic frequently used to suppress the tracheal intubation response. The pathophysiological changes of obesity may affect opioid pharmacokinetics and increase the risk of opioid-induced adverse effects. Dexmedetomidine as an adjunct to anesthetic induction could save the dosage of sufentanil and attenuate hemodynamic response to tracheal intubation.

Single-Cell RNA Sequencing in Unraveling Acquired Resistance to EGFR-TKIs in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: New Perspectives.

Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but acquired resistance greatly reduces efficacy and poses a significant challenge to patients. While numerous studies have investigated the mechanisms underlying EGFR-TKI resistance, its complexity and diversity make the existing understanding still incomplete. Traditional approaches frequently struggle to adequately reveal the process of drug resistance development through mean value analysis at the overall cellular level.

Natural variation of indels in the CTB3 promoter confers cold tolerance in japonica rice.

Improvement of cold tolerance at the booting stage (CTB) in rice is a key strategy for cultivation in high-altitude and high-latitude regions. Here, we identify CTB3 gene, encoding a calmodulin-binding transcriptional activator that positively regulates cold tolerance at the booting stage in japonica rice. Two indels (57-bp and 284-bp) in the CTB3 promoter confer a differential transcriptional response to cold between the japonica and indica subspecies.

Natural variation of CTB5 confers cold adaptation in plateau japonica rice.

During cold acclimation in high-latitude and high-altitude regions, japonica rice develops enhanced cold tolerance, but the underlying genetic basis remains unclear. Here, we identify CTB5, a homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-Zip) transcription factor that confers cold tolerance at the booting stage in japonica rice. Four natural variations in the promoter and coding regions enhance cold response and transcriptional regulatory activity, enabling the favorable CTB5 allele to improve cold tolerance.

CTB6 Confers Cold Tolerance at the Booting Stage by Maintaining Tapetum Development in Rice.

Rice is highly sensitive to cold stress, particularly at the booting stage, which significantly threatens rice production. In this study, we cloned a gene, CTB6, encoding a lipid transfer protein involved in cold tolerance at the booting stage in rice, based on our previous fine-mapped quantitative trait locus (QTL) qCTB10-2. CTB6 is mainly expressed in the tapetum and young microspores of the anther.

The MYB61-STRONG2 module regulates culm diameter and lodging resistance in rice.

Lodging reduces grain yield and quality in cereal crops. Lodging resistance is affected by the strength of the culm, which is influenced by the culm diameter, culm wall thickness, and cell wall composition. To explore the genetic architecture of culm diameter in rice (Oryza sativa), we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS).

Volatile organic compounds exposure in relation to glucose homeostasis and type 2 diabetes in older adults from the NHANES.

The impact of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on type 2 diabetes (T2D) among older adults is unknown. The multiple linear regression model and the multiple binary logistic regression were used to evaluate the relationships between mVOCs and glucose homeostasis/T2D, respectively. Among the 19 mVOCs, the higher levels of urinary N-acetyl-S-(2-hydroxypropyl)-L-cysteine (2HPMA, compound CID:44146439) and N-acetyl-S-(2-hydroxypropyl)-L-cysteine (HPMMA, compound CID:107774684) were significantly associated with higher odds of T2D (OR = 1.

NtSAP9 confers freezing tolerance in Nicotiana tabacum plants.

Abiotic stresses, such as extreme temperatures, drought, and salinity, significantly affect plant growth and productivity. Among these, cold stress is particularly detrimental, impairing cellular processes and leading to reduced crop yields. In recent years, stress-associated proteins (SAPs) containing A20 and AN1 zinc-finger domains have emerged as crucial regulators in plant stress responses.

Insights into the Therapeutic Potential of Active Ingredients of in Combatting Sarcopenia: An In Silico Approach.

Sarcopenia is a systemic medical disorder characterized by a gradual decline in muscular strength, function, and skeletal muscle mass. Currently, there is no medication specifically approved for the treatment of this condition. Therefore, the identification of new pharmacological targets may offer opportunities for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

The configuration path of the balanced compulsory education resources supply in the context of equal rights to rent and purchase: Based on the fsQCA analysis of 31 cities in China.

Equal rights to rent and purchase affects the supply of compulsory education resources. How to promote the balanced compulsory education resources supply in the context of equal rights to rent and purchase is currently a hot issue amongst government and society. To achieve such balance, conducting research in the context of equal rights to rent and purchase becomes crucial.

The OsNAC41-RoLe1-OsAGAP module promotes root development and drought resistance in upland rice.

Drought is a major environmental stress limiting crop yields worldwide. Upland rice (Oryza sativa) has evolved complex genetic mechanisms for adaptative growth under drought stress. However, few genetic variants that mediate drought resistance in upland rice have been identified, and little is known about the evolution of this trait during rice domestication.

Natural variation in the Tn1a promoter regulates tillering in rice.

Rice tillering is an important agronomic trait that influences plant architecture and ultimately affects yield. This can be genetically improved by mining favourable variations in genes associated with tillering. Based on a previous study on dynamic tiller number, we cloned the gene Tiller number 1a (Tn1a), which encodes a membrane-localised protein containing the C2 domain that negatively regulates tillering in rice.