Effectiveness of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with quadriceps strength training in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is associated with decreased quadriceps strength and decreased activation of central motor cortex. It is necessary to investigate intervention strategies that combine central and peripheral treatments.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in conjunction with quadriceps strength training for 12 weeks in the treatment of KOA.

Blades and barriers: Oral vaccines for conquering cancers and warding off infectious diseases.

Global public health faces substantial challenges from malignant tumors and infectious diseases. Vaccination provides an approach for treating and preventing these diseases. Oral vaccinations are particularly advantageous in disease treatment and prevention due to their non-invasive nature, high patient compliance, convenience, cost-effectiveness, and capacity to stimulate comprehensive and adaptive immune responses.

Transboundary conflict from surface water scarcity under climate change.

Transboundary river basins (TRBs) are at risk of water scarcity-induced conflicts, especially given the rising water demand and impacts of climate change. Despite extensive efforts and some progress, the mechanisms linking water scarcity to conflicts in TRBs remain insufficiently understood, and identifying effective mitigation and adaptation strategies remains a challenge. In this study, we introduce a framework for predicting TRBs vulnerable to water scarcity-induced conflicts, based on the concept of water dependency, defined by monthly water scarcity.

How does an external electric field in the normal-direction affect the cyclo[18]carbon molecule?-a DFT study.

This investigation explores the impact of an external electric field (EEF) in the normal-direction on cyclo[18]carbon, scrutinizing changes in molecular conformation, electronic structure, reactivity, and spectroscopic properties. Utilizing Gaussian16 and Multiwfn, we modeled the molecule under EEF conditions. The EEF induced an expansion of the cyclo[18]carbon ring and increased bond lengths.

Tumor Microenvironment Specifically Regulated Nano Chemoamplifier for Chemosensitization and Activation of Anti-Tumor Immune Response by Coordinating Intracellular Magnesium Overload.

Chemotherapy is an established treatment modality for breast cancer; however, it is impaired by issues such as highly refractory chemoresistance and significant side effects. Magnesium ions (Mg), inorganic metal ions with anti-tumor bioactivity, sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy by depressing P-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression. Moreover, Mg functions as an immunoadjuvant to potentiate anti-tumor immune responses, while excessive Mg can induce marked tumor cell apoptosis.

Host-Dependent Variation in Fitness and Microbiota Composition Across Strawberry Cultivars.

, commonly known as the two-spotted spider mite, is a highly adaptable and polyphagous arthropod in the family Tetranychidae, capable of feeding on over 1200 plant species, including strawberries ( Duch.). The fitness and microbiota of herbivorous arthropods can vary significantly across different plant species and cultivars.

The Influence of Heat Treatment Process on the Residual Ferrite in 304L Austenitic Stainless Steel Continuous Casting Slab.

This study investigates the distribution characteristics of residual ferrite in 304L austenitic stainless steel continuous casting slab and the impact of heat treatment processes on its content. Through optical microscopy (OM), thermodynamic calculation software (Thermo-Calc) and heat treatment experiments, it is found that the residual ferrite content along the thickness direction at the width center of the slab exhibits an "M"-shaped distribution-lowest at the edges (approximately 3%) and highest near the center (approximately 13%). Within the triangular zone of the slab, the residual ferrite content varies between 1.

Pesticide and Liver Biomarkers Among Ecuadorian Adolescents and Adults Living in Agricultural Settings.

Experimental studies suggest that some insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides can result in liver cell death, but population-based evidence is lacking. We investigated associations between urinary pesticide metabolites and liver biomarkers among adolescents and adults in an Ecuadorian agricultural area. We examined participants in 2016 (N = 528, 11-17 years) and 2022 (N = 505, 17-24 years).

Preliminary screening of urinary host protein biomarkers for Schistosomiasis haematobium: A proteome profiling study identifying candidate diagnostic targets in school-aged children.

Schistosomiasis is a major public health challenge and a globally neglected tropical disease. Schistosoma haematobium, the causative agent of urogenital schistosomiasis, is endemic in African countries; with school-aged children ages 7-15 years being the most vulnerable population. Current diagnostic methods rely on microscopy to identify parasite eggs in urine; which is labor-intensive, requires specialized skills, and often lacks sensitivity, especially in mild infections.

Effects of oral gavage with periodontal pathogens and plaque biofilm on gut microbiota ecology and intestinal tissue architecture in mice: a mechanistic study.

Objective: This study aimed to establish an model simulating periodontal biofilm architecture with three representative periodontal pathogens and evaluate its systemic impact through oral gavage administration in C57BL/6 mice. The findings provide mechanistic insights into the oral-gut axis dysbiosis, elucidating potential pathways linking periodontal inflammation to gastrointestinal pathophysiology.

Methods: Fifty 7-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomized into five groups(n=10/group): control (H), (F), (P), (S) and biofilm (BF, + + ) groups.

Effects of Tissue-Bone Homeostasis Manipulation at Different Time Points on Pain and Brain Mechanisms in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis Based on Circadian Rhythm: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is characterized by pain and dysfunction. Tissue-bone homeostasis manipulation (TBHM) has been shown to have a good effect on KOA. However, its optimal application time and related mechanism of action are still unclear.

Dual-channel deep-NIR-emissive N-embedded PAHs with hybridized local and charge-transfer excited-state.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules have been extensively investigated, and they showcase excellent optoelectronic properties, which are promising for optical applications, including deep-penetration bioimaging and NIR lasers. However, constructing PAHs with deep-NIR (800-1700 nm) photoluminescence is a long-standing challenge, owing to the limitation of the energy gap law. Herein, three N-atom-doped PAHs APAH-a-c with electronic acceptor-donor-acceptor (A-D-A) configuration were produced a facile sandwich-like -fusion pathway.

Family sports intergenerational influence effect and related factors analysis in the Yangtze Delta of China.

Background: The intergenerational influence of family sports behavior is not only related to the interaction and imitation between the two generations, but also to factors such as family culture and socioeconomic status.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the intergenerational influence and determinants of family physical activity behavior in the Yangtze River Delta region of China.

Methods: This study investigated sports motivation, sports conditions, and sports rating through parent-child scales distributed to 288 families with school-age children aged 9-19 in the same area.

Spatial transcriptomics elucidates localized immune responses in atherosclerotic coronary artery.

Atherosclerosis is characterized by the accumulation of lipids and immune cells in the arterial wall, leading to the narrowing and stiffening of blood vessels. Innate and adaptive immunity are involved in the pathogenesis of human atherosclerosis. However, spatial organization and roles of immune cells during disease progression remain poorly understood.

Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Lower Extremity Maximum Dynamic Strength and Isokinetic Muscle Strength among Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This systematic review aimed to examine the effects of blood flow restriction training (BFRT) on lower extremity muscle strength of athletes. This study followed the PRISMA-P guidelines. A comprehensive search for literature up to August 2024 was conducted on Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed and EBSCOhost to determine the eligible studies based on the inclusion criteria.

Conditional immortalization of olfactory ensheathing cells for intelligently regulating their proliferation state.

Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are among the most promising cell types for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI) and other neural traumas. However, primary OECs cultured in vitro are constrained by their inherent "Hayflick limit," resulting in poor proliferative and passaging capacities, which restricts their large-scale application in both basic and clinical research. Conditional immortalization technology provides an excellent solution for rapid, large-scale, and controllable proliferation of primary OECs.

Red Meat Diet Exacerbates Colitis by Promoting the Accumulation of Myeloid Cells and Disrupting Gut Microbiota.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) poses a significant threat to public health, yet its exact etiology remains unclear. Epidemiological studies reveal a strong correlation between red meat consumption and the development of IBD. In this study, we aimed to determine whether intake of different red meats increased colitis sensitivity and to explore the underlying mechanisms.

A competency-based instructional design: A progressive blended case-based teaching method.

Background: Competency-based medical education requires innovative teaching models, yet limited evidence exists on the combined effectiveness of blended and case-based learning. This study aimed to evaluate a progressive blended case-based teaching model's effectiveness in enhancing the clinical competencies of medical students.

Methods: From September 2022 to January 2023, 258 5th-year clinical medical students were prospectively enrolled and randomly assigned to either a "3-tier progressive" case-based teaching group (experimental, n = 123) or a traditional lecture-based group (control, n = 135) for an integrated urology module.

Immunogenicity and safety of a recombinant gE-Fc fusion protein subunit vaccine for herpes zoster in adults ≥50 years of age: a randomised, active-controlled, non-inferiority trial.

The licensed adjuvanted recombinant glycoprotein E (gE) subunit vaccine (HZ/su) is highly effective against herpes zoster (HZ). This randomised, active-controlled, non-inferiority trial (ChiCTR2300079076) compared the immunogenicity and safety of a novel gE-Fc fusion protein vaccine candidate (LZ901) with HZ/su in 300 healthy adults aged ≥50 years without prior HZ vaccination in Wuxi, China. Participants received either two doses of LZ901 (30-day interval; n = 151) or HZ/su (60-day interval; n = 149).

Repeat renal biopsy findings in 82 lupus nephritis patients: a clinicopathological study.

Objective: Lupus nephritis (LN) is among the most severe complications of systemic lupus erythematosus and is associated with increased mortality. The aim of this study was to explore the value and clinical utility of repeat renal biopsies in patients with LN.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with biopsy-proven LN who had undergone at least two renal biopsies at First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from June 1, 2012 to March 31, 2024.

tRNA is a molecular thermometer of species' optimal growth temperature.

Non coding RNAs have the potential to serve as a molecular thermometer due to their rapid and specific responses to heat. To investigate the relationship between non coding RNAs with optimal growth temperature (OGT), we analyzed tRNA and rRNA sequences from 1957 species across archaea, bacteria, and eukaryotes. Our results revealed that tRNA composition correlates more strongly with OGT than rRNA, particularly in archaea.

Effects of time-restricted eating on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes: A 12-week quasi-experimental single-arm study with 1-year follow-up.

Background & Aims: Time-restricted eating (TRE) is a newly emerging dietary strategy that reduces body weight and improves glucose tolerance in individuals with overweight or obesity. However, whether TRE is effective in improving glycemic control in individuals with diabetes remains unexplored. Herein, we aimed to investigate the effects of TRE intervention on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Epidemiology, Clinical Features, and Molecular Basis of TTMV::RARA-driven Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia.

Integration of torque teno mini virus (TTMV) generating the TTMV::RARA fusion represents a newly recognized subtype of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) that merits detailed investigation. We present the first comprehensive characterization of its epidemiologic profile, clinical presentation, virologic characteristics, and underlying molecular mechanisms. Our findings indicate that TTMV::RARA is more prevalent in pediatric patients and represents the second most common retinoic acid receptor fusion after PML::RARA.

A new model for the global patterning of spores and pollen grains.

Spores of fungi and seedless plants, and pollen grains of seed plants, are usually characterized by variable global patterns on the surface. However, the mechanisms responsible for the development of these patterns have not been fully understood. We hypothesize that the global pattern of a spore or pollen grain is induced by the stresses resulted from the mismatch between a faster-growing outer part and a slower-growing inner part within the grain and tried to verify the hypothesis by simplifying the developing spores and pollen grains as stressed core/shell structures, simulating the buckling patterns of such structures with different shapes and shell thicknesses through finite element method, and comparing the simulated models with natural spores and pollen grains observed under microscopes.

The Influence of Crystal Anisotropy in Femtosecond Laser Processing of Single-Crystal Diamond.

The single-crystal diamond (SCD), owing to its extreme physical and chemical properties, serves as an ideal substrate for quantum sensing and high-frequency devices. However, crystal anisotropy imposes significant challenges on fabricating high-quality micro-nano structures, directly impacting device performance. This work investigates the effects of femtosecond laser processing on the SCD under two distinct crystallographic orientations via single-pulse ablation.