Heightened innate immunity may trigger chronic inflammation, fatigue and post-exertional malaise in ME/CFS.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is characterized by unexplained fatigue, post-exertional malaise (PEM), and cognitive dysfunction. ME/CFS patients often report a prodrome consistent with infection. We present a multi-omics analysis based on plasma metabolomic and proteomic profiling, and immune responses to microbial stimulation, before and after exercise.

Risk factors for and a prediction nomogram of physical frailty in older patients hospitalized with acute calculous cholecystitis.

Frailty increases the risk of complications and delays recovery in older patients with acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC). Early identification is crucial to improving outcomes. Subjects were 386 older inpatients with ACC at two hospitals who were randomly divided into a training set ( = 270) and validation set ( = 116).

Quality analysis of DSPs with different edges in DIC-based deformation measurements.

The digital speckle pattern (DSP) is one of the key factors in digital image correlation (DIC), and its quality directly determines the accuracy of the computations. In practical DIC calculations, factors such as non-uniform illumination and imaging system limitations result in nonlinear shifts in image gray-scale values and a reduction in contrast, thereby causing alterations in the actual edges. Therefore, it is essential to determine the optimal production parameters for DSPs based on edge conditions and to clarify the impact of these production parameters on the DSP quality.

High-precision 3D reconstruction of multiple objects based on an adaptive phase error correction method.

Fringe projection profilometry is widely used in fields such as intelligent manufacturing and cultural heritage preservation. With the growing demand for large field of view 3D measurements, additional environmental factors are introduced as the measurement area expands, affecting the phase accuracy during the measurement process. To reduce the extra phase error introduced by the large field of view in real scenarios, this paper proposes an adaptive phase error correction method with minimal phase error, namely, the segmentation-correction-block (SCB) method.

Heightened innate immunity may trigger chronic inflammation, fatigue and post-exertional malaise in ME/CFS.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is characterized by unexplained fatigue, post-exertional malaise (PEM), and cognitive dysfunction. ME/CFS patients often report a prodrome consistent with infection. We present a multi-omics analysis based on plasma metabolomic and proteomic profiling, and immune responses to microbial stimulation, before and after exercise.

Decoupled dynamics of absolute and relative lymphocyte counts and age-polarized CD4/CD8 ratio in infants versus older adults.

Background: Significant phenotypic and functional differences in peripheral lymphocyte subsets between infants and the elderly contribute to age-related variations in disease susceptibility and clinical outcomes. However, we are unable to specifically analyze the underlying causes owing to a lack of data on lymphocyte absolute counts and functional markers from two extremes of age.

Methods: A total of 111 infants (≤ 6 months) and 111 older adults (≥ 65 years) were enrolled to assess the percentages and absolute counts of peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) subsets.

Hydrophobic chitosan-based films for sustained release of essential oils: Synergy via dual crosslinking and supramolecular assembly.

The hydrophilicity of polysaccharide-based films and the volatility of essential oils limited their application in food packaging as active materials. A hydrophobic chitosan-based essential oils sustained release film was prepared through dual crosslinking and supramolecular assembly strategy. Composite essential oil (cinnamon and oregano essential oil) was encapsulated by A-type gelatin and gum arabic (GA) and then incorporated into the chitosan-based film-forming solution, supplemented by hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) to fabricate the composite films (CS-EO-HPβCD-CMC).

High-speed mapping of whole-mouse peripheral nerves at subcellular resolution.

In contrast to the rapid advancements in mesoscale connectomic mapping of the mammalian brain, similar mapping of the peripheral nervous system has remained challenging due to the body size and complexity. Here, we present a high-speed blockface volumetric imaging system with an optimized workflow of whole-body clearing, capable of imaging the entire adult mouse at micrometer resolution within 40 h. Three-dimensional reconstruction of individual spinal fibers in Thy1-EGFP mice reveals distinct morphological features of sensory and motor projections along the ventral and dorsal rami.

Building Unit Engineering Toward COF Membranes with Controlled Stacking for H Purification.

Hydrogen purification by membrane technology offers a sustainable path to meet the escalating demands of green energy. However, conventional polymeric membranes are constrained by permeability-selectivity trade-off and instability under real-world operating conditions. While covalent organic framework (COF) membranes hold promise, their overlarge pores and poor film-processibility are to be imperatively solved.

Milk free of A1 β-casein supports superior gains in cognition and quality of life, relative to conventional milk, in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

Objectives: To determine whether the regular consumption of milk free from A1 β-casein (A1PF milk) improves cognitive performance to a greater extent than conventional milk, and if so, whether such improvements are associated with an increase in the serum titres of reduced glutathione (GSH).

Design: A multi-centre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial with two parallel arms, conducted from 7 March 2023 to 13 October 2023.

Setting: Two hospitals in Tianjin, China.

Chinese expert consensus on sequential surgery following conversion therapy based on combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors and antiangiogenic targeted drugs for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (2024 edition).

Up to half of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, for which effective treatment options are lacking, resulting in a poor prognosis. Over the past few years, the combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors and anti-angiogenic targeted therapy has proven highly efficacious in treating advanced HCC, significantly extending patients' survival and providing a potential for sequential curative surgery. After sequential curative hepatectomy or liver transplantation following conversion therapy, patients can receive long-term survival benefits.

RPF2 and CARM1 cooperate to enhance colorectal cancer metastasis via the AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway.

RPF2 plays a crucial role in promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and regulating metastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC). By analyzing data from the TCGA and GEO databases, we observed significantly elevated RPF2 expression in CRC, which correlated with EMT markers. Further investigations using stable RPF2 overexpression and knockdown cell lines demonstrated that RPF2 facilitates EMT activation through the AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway.

New insights into molecular mechanisms underlying malignant transformation of endometriosis: BANCR promotes miR-612/CPNE3 pathway activity.

Research Question: Does LncRNA BANCR promote the malignant transformation of endometriosis by activating the miR-612/CPNE3 pathway?

Design: The expression patterns of BANCR, miR-612 and CPNE3 in normal endometrium, eutopic endometrium from endometriosis, eutopic endometrium or malignant tissues from endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer. On the basis of primary normal endometrial stromal cells (NESC) and eutopic endometrial stromal cells (EESC), the regulatory relationships between BANCR, miR-612 and CPNE3, and the potential mechanisms that promote the malignant transformation of endometriosis, were elucidated in vitro and in vivo.

Results: The expression levels of BANCR and CPNE3 were lowest in normal endometrium, significantly increased in eutopic endometrium (P < 0.

Molecular Weaving Towards Flexible Covalent Organic Framework Membranes for Efficient Gas Separations.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) exhibit considerable potential in gas separations owing to their remarkable stability and tunable pore structures. Nevertheless, their application as gas separation membranes is hindered by limited size-sieving capabilities and poor processability. In this study, we propose a novel molecular weaving strategy that combines hydroxyl polymers and 2D TpPa-SOH COF nanosheets, achieving high gas separation efficiency.

Trem2 acts as a non-classical receptor of interleukin-4 to promote diabetic wound healing.

Background: The immunoglobulin superfamily protein Trem2 (triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2) is primarily expressed on myeloid cells where it functions to regulate macrophage-related immune response induction. While macrophages are essential mediators of diabetic wound healing, the specific regulatory role that Trem2 plays in this setting remains to be established.

Objective: This study was developed to explore the potential importance of Trem2 signalling in diabetic wound healing and to clarify the underlying mechanisms through which it functions.

A cross-sectional survey study on the correlation analysis of nutritional status and intestinal flora in patients with esophageal cancer.

Objective: This study aims to examine the nutritional status of individuals diagnosed with esophageal cancer and compare the nutritional indicators and intestinal flora between malnourished and non-malnourished patients. The findings aim to contribute to the early prevention of malnutrition and the development of interventions targeting the intestinal flora to treat esophageal cancer.

Methods: An 80-patient sample of hospitalized individuals with esophageal cancer was selected from the radiotherapy department of our hospital between July 2021 and July 2022 to evaluate NRS2002 scores and PG-SGA scores.

Enriched environment treatment promotes neurofunctional recovery by regulating the ALK5/Smad2/3/Gadd45β signaling pathway in rats with cerebral ischemia /reperfusion injury.

It has been demonstrated that an enriched environment (EE) treatment can alter neuroplasticity in neurodegenerative diseases. However, the role of EE treatment in ischemic stroke remains unclear. Previous findings have revealed that EE treatment can promote cerebral activin-receptor-like-kinase-5 (ALK5) expression after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Multi-region calcium imaging in freely behaving mice with ultra-compact head-mounted fluorescence microscopes.

To investigate the circuit-level neural mechanisms of behavior, simultaneous imaging of neuronal activity in multiple cortical and subcortical regions is highly desired. Miniature head-mounted microscopes offer the capability of calcium imaging in freely behaving animals. However, implanting multiple microscopes on a mouse brain remains challenging due to space constraints and the cumbersome weight of the equipment.

Feasibility of novel intraoperative navigation for anatomical liver resection using real-time virtual sonography combined with indocyanine green fluorescent imaging technology.

To analyze the feasibility and clinical effect of novel intraoperative navigation of real-time virtual sonography (RVS) combined with indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescent imaging technology in anatomical liver resection (ALR) for hepatocellular carcinoma. The clinical data of 41 patients who underwent ALR using RVS intraoperative navigation combined with ICG fluorescent imaging technology in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Peking University International Hospital from January 2020 to May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. RVS was applied to guide the surgical plane through fusing real-time intraoperative ultrasound images with corresponding preoperative CT or MRI images.

Associations of fruit, whole grain, and total energy intakes with gut microbiome diversity and composition.

Background: The relationship between fruit, whole grain, and total energy consumption and the gut microbiome in the Chinese population remains unclear.

Objective: We investigated the relationship between intakes of fruits, whole grains, and energy, and the diversity and composition of gut microbiota.

Design: This cross-sectional study included 167 subjects aged 40-75 years who underwent colonoscopy at Nankai Hospital in Tianjin, China.

Comparison of Efficacy and Safety of Anti-Programmed Cell Death-1 Antibody Plus Lenvatinib and Chemotherapy as First-Line Therapy for Patients with Stage IV Gallbladder Cancer: A Real-World Study in a Chinese Population.

The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) antibody plus lenvatinib (tyrosine kinase inhibitor) therapy and chemotherapy as the first-line treatment to unresectable stage IV gallbladder cancer (GBC). We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with stage IV GBC who received chemotherapy or anti-PD-1 antibody combined with lenvatinib therapy at our hospital from March 2018 to October 2022. Patients with previous antitumor treatment were excluded.

The Association between Vitamin D Deficiency and Changes in Cognitive Functions in Chinese Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Along with the problem of population aging, the prevalence of dementia is gradually increasing. Associations between vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and cognitive functions remain unclear.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the relationship between VDD and changes in cognitive performance in community-dwelling older adults.

Design of Novel Knot-like Structures Based on Ovotransferrin Fibril-Gum Arabic Complexes: Effective Strategies to Stabilize Pickering Emulsions.

This work aimed to clarify the effects of gum arabic (GA) on the morphology and properties of ovotransferrin fibrils (OVTFs). By constructing OVTF-GA complexes and exploring the dispersion stability, turbidity and the ζ-potential of the complexes, the optimum mass ratio of OVTFs to GA and pH for complex formation were confirmed as being 1:1 and pH 4.6, respectively.