Fundus Image Enhancement With Pyramid Conditional Flow.

Deep learning-based approaches, which learn pixel-to-pixel mapping from input to output images, have demonstrated exceptional performance in enhancing low-quality fundus images. However, due to the ambiguous definition of the ground-truth high-quality image, the pixel-to-pixel mapping encounters an ill-posed problem arising from the complex one-to-many relationship between low-quality fundus images and their corresponding high-quality versions. To address this problem, this work proposes a PCFlow, the first normalizing flow method that learns the complex distributions of high-quality fundus images rather than a pixel-to-pixel mapping.

[Expert consensus on prognostic evaluation of cochlear implantation in hereditary hearing loss].

Hearing loss is the most prevalent disabling disease. Cochlear implantation（CI） serves as the primary intervention for severe to profound hearing loss. This consensus systematically explores the value of genetic diagnosis in the pre-operative assessment and efficacy prognosis for CI.

RegGAN-based contrast-free CT enhances esophageal cancer assessment: multicenter validation of automated tumor segmentation and T-staging.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a deep learning (DL) framework using registration-guided generative adversarial networks (RegGAN) to synthesize contrast-enhanced CT (Syn-CECT) from non-contrast CT (NCCT), enabling iodine-free esophageal cancer (EC) T-staging.

Methods: A retrospective multicenter analysis included 1,092 EC patients (2013-2024) divided into training (N = 313), internal (N = 117), and external test cohorts (N = 116 and N = 546). RegGAN synthesized Syn-CECT by integrating registration and adversarial training to address NCCT-CECT misalignment.

Computed tomography derived FFR and plaque features in prognosis of aortic stenosis combined with coronary artery disease after TAVR.

To assess the value of computed tomography angiography (CTA)-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) and high-risk plaque characteristics (HRPC) in the prediction of prognosis in patients with concomitant aortic stenosis (AS) and coronary artery disease (CAD) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The study was a post hoc analysis from a multicenter TAVR registry. Patients with AS and obstructive CAD who underwent successful TAVR treatment were enrolled.

A biopiezocatalyst harnessing mechanical energy to enhance bioplastic production from CO and organic carbon.

The sustainable bioproduction of chemicals from CO remains far from reaching its full potential. The productivity of autotrophic bioprocesses could benefit from harnessing ubiquitous mechanical energy sources, which are inaccessible for energizing bioproduction systems to this day. In this work, we develop a hybrid system where the efficient piezocatalyst zinc oxide (ZnO) harnesses mechanical vibration to stimulate the growth of the chemolithoautotrophic bacterium Cupriavidus necator and its production of the bioplastic polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) from CO.

Virtual noncontrast images of adrenal lesions: a photon-counting CT prospective study.

Background: The value of virtual noncontrast (VNC) images from photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) for evaluating adrenal lesions and diagnosing adrenal adenomas remains to be clarified.

Materials And Methods: Participants with adrenal masses who underwent unenhanced and portal venous phase PCCT were prospectively included. Portal-venous phase images were reconstructed using conventional VNC (VNC) and PureCalcium VNC (VNC).

Sugar-responsive packaging system combined with zein nanoparticle-enhanced coacervates for controlled release of natural preservatives and food preservation.

Food spoilage contributes significantly to global food waste, while concerns over the health risks of traditional chemical preservatives have accelerated the search for natural alternatives. Tea polyphenols (TP) are natural antioxidants with antibacterial effects. However, their poor stability leads to oxidation and degradation, reducing their functional activity.

Weight loss practices in Chinese national and international-level Sanda athletes.

Background: Sanda is an unarmed combat sport (CS) comprises punching, kicking, throwing, wrestling, and defensive techniques that has increased in popularity. To ensure athletes compete against opponents of similar body size and weight for fairness, Sanda competition is classified according to weight classes. Previous studies revealed that CS athletes tend to intentionally lose weight to gain a competitive advantage over their opponents.

Long-Term Neuroprotective Effects of Hydrogen-Rich Water and Memantine in Chronic Radiation-Induced Brain Injury: Behavioral, Histological, and Molecular Insights.

Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) has shown neuroprotective effects in acute brain injury, but its role in chronic radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI) remains unclear. This study investigated the long-term efficacy of HRW in mitigating cognitive impairment and neuronal damage caused by chronic RIBI. Fifty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: control, irradiation (IR), IR with memantine, IR with HRW, and IR with combined treatment.

Influence of Hip Prosthesis Position on Postoperative Gait After Primary THA in Patients With Unilateral Femoral Head Necrosis.

To investigate the effect of hip component position on gait after primary THA in patients with unilateral femoral head necrosis. A total of 40 patients underwent primary THA due to unilateral femoral head osteonecrosis were enrolled in this study. The gait data and CT images of the hip and knee joints were obtained before and 3 months after operation.

Surgical treatment and levator muscle protein analysis of congenital ptosis in craniosynostosis: A case-control study.

In this study, we compared the differences between children with craniosynostosis and those diagnosed with severe congenital ptosis who received conjoint fascial sheath suspension surgery. This study included 39 children, 19 craniosynostosis children (23 eyes, 10 males, and 9 females), and 20 children (23 eyes, 10 males, and 10 females) in the control group. All the patients were diagnosed with congenital ptosis and underwent conjoint fascial sheath suspension surgery.

Reevaluating the definition of rapid weight loss in sports: a call for change.

Background: Pre-competition weight loss (WL) is a widely adopted strategy in weight-sensitive sports, particularly among combat sport. This strategy enables athletes to compete at a weight or weight classes below their habitual body mass (BM). Although research on WL for weight-sensitive sports has steadily grown, it mostly employs the term "RWL".

Does One Shot Work? The Acute Impact of a Single Taurine Dose on Exercise Performance: A Meta-Analytic Review.

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the acute effects of a single dose of taurine supplementation on exercise performance and examined potential moderators related to participant characteristics, exercise modality, dosing, and administration protocols. Six electronic databases were searched up to July 2025, identifying 23 eligible randomized trials (k = 69, N = 308). A three-level random-effects meta-analysis indicated that acute taurine ingestion may be associated with small-to-moderate improvements in overall performance (g = 0.

Biocompatible Pickering Emulsions from Byproducts for Promoting Burn Wound Healing.

Biological dressings have emerged as a promising approach for effective wound treatment. However, despite extensive research, the fabrication of biomass-based dressings with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as high biocompatibility, remains a challenge. In this study, the byproducts of as raw materials were used to prepare a biomass-based Pickering emulsion.

Safety and efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve replacement using Sapien 3 balloon-expandable valve in type 0 bicuspid aortic valve stenosis patients.

Background: Data regarding the safety and efficacy of balloon expandable valves (BEVs) for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with Sievers type 0 bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) stenosis remain limited.

Aims: This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes of BEVs implantation in patients with Sievers type 0 BAV.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective study across 28 centers in China between October 2020 and March 2023.

Direct Implementation of High-Fidelity Three-Qubit Gates for Superconducting Processor with Tunable Couplers.

Three-qubit gates can be constructed using combinations of single-qubit and two-qubit gates, making their independent realization unnecessary. However, direct implementation of three-qubit gates reduces the depth of quantum circuits, streamlines quantum programming, and facilitates efficient circuit optimization, thereby enhancing overall performance in quantum computation. In this work, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a high-fidelity scheme for implementing a three-qubit controlled-controlled-z (ccz) gate in a flip-chip superconducting quantum processor with tunable couplers.

A multi-cohort validated OXPHOS signature predicts survival and immune profiles in grade II/III glioma patients.

Introduction: Grade II/III gliomas are invasive brain tumors with a high risk of malignant progression and significant clinical heterogeneity, highlighting the urgent need for reliable prognostic biomarkers to guide personalized treatment strategies. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms driving glioma progression and to identify potential therapeutic targets.

Methods: We analyzed 200 mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS)-related genes in 512 grade II/III glioma samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).

Fecal gut microbiome alterations and its association with lactose intolerance in children with rotavirus infection-related diarrhea.

Unlabelled: Rotavirus (RV), a major cause of childhood diarrhea, damages intestinal epithelium and may induce lactose intolerance in some patients. Increasing studies have emphasized the importance of dysregulated gut microbiome community in diseases. In this study, fecal samples from rotavirus-infected children (n = 48) and healthy controls (n = 29) were analyzed based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and clinical data.

Analysis of the trends in burden of meningitis in China from 1990 to 2021, and projections until 2036.

Background: This study aimed to describe the temporal trends in age and sex burdens of meningitis in China from 1990 to 2021 and to compare them with the global burden of the disease.

Methods: Using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021, this study analyzed the features of meningitis burden in China and globally, including incidence, prevalence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized rates of mortality (ASMR), age-standardized rates of prevalence (ASPR), and age-standardized DALY rate (ASDR). The average annual percentage change (AAPC) and associated 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were computed using Joinpoint.

Effects and moderator of high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training among children and adolescents with overweight or obese: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: This meta-analysis aimed to synthesize current evidence and address inconsistencies in the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on children and adolescents with overweight or obesity. We sought to: (1) assess the effects of HIIT and MICT non-exercise controls; (2) compare HIIT and MICT directly; and (3) identify potential moderators through subgroup analyses.

Methods: Systematic searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and CSTJ.

Study on the Fast Transient Process of Primary Equipment Operation in UHV Fixed Series Capacitors Based on PEEC Method.

This manuscript proposes a fast transient simulation method based on PEEC to model overvoltage caused by spark gap and disconnecting switch operations in UHV series compensation (FSC). It proposes a simulation method based on the Partial Element Equivalent Circuit (PEEC) for modeling the fast transient processes associated with the operation of primary equipment in UHV FSC. Initially, a multi-conductor system model for both primary and secondary equipment on the cascade platform is developed.

Establishment of chromatin architecture interplays with embryo hypertranscription.

After fertilization, early embryos undergo dissolution of conventional chromatin organization, including topologically associating domains (TADs). Zygotic genome activation then commences amid unusually slow de novo establishment of three-dimensional chromatin architecture. How chromatin organization is established and how it interplays with transcription in early mammalian embryos remain elusive.

Mechanistic insights into the small-molecule inhibition of influenza A virus entry.

Influenza A virus (IAV) is a zoonotic pathogen responsible for seasonal and pandemic flu. The extensive genetic and antigenic diversity within and between IAV phylogenetic groups presents major challenges for developing universal vaccines and broad-spectrum antiviral therapies. Current interventions provide limited protection due to the virus's high mutation rate and capacity for immune evasion.

Fabrication of pH-sensitive cellulose colorimetric papers for rapid detection of water content in transformer oil.

The combination of highly hydrophilic plant fiber and water molecule sensitive material can effectively detect the water content in transformer oil. In this study, two types of rapid response cellulose colorimetric papers (Rp and Bp) were fabricated through a simple impregnation method, with cellulosic fiber serving as the substrate, cresol red/thymol blue as the color developer, boric acid as the pH regulator, and silica aerosol as the filler. Rp and Bp were tested and analyzed using various characterization methods, and their performance in detecting bound water content in transformer oil was investigated.