Predicting tumor response to TACE plus lenvatinib and PD-1 inhibitors for unresectable HCC: A multicenter observational study.

Objectives: Preoperatively identifying patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) who are likely to achieve an objective response to the treatment regimen of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus lenvatinib and programmed death-1 inhibitors (TLP) remains challenging. We aimed to develop and validate a predictive model for tumor response to TLP treatment in patients with uHCC.

Materials And Methods: Patients with uHCC who received TLP treatment were divided into training (n = 107), internal validation (n = 46), and external validation (n = 52) cohorts.

Natural variation in the GhTTL promoter modulates cotton fiber elongation through the GhTALE-GhTTL-GhBIN2 module.

Cotton fiber length, a key determinant of its industrial utility, is one of the most important agricultural traits subjected to domestication. However, the genetic determinants and molecular mechanisms underlying natural variation in fiber length remain inadequately characterized. We identified GhTTL as a critical positive regulator of fiber elongation through genome-wide association analysis (GWAS).

A family of homologous metal heteromaterials with chemically bonded metallic interface.

Heteromaterials made of two different components have been widely studied; their interfacial bonding is essential to control their properties. How to prepare a chemically bonded metallic interface remains elusive, despite its importance for structural and functional materials. Here we synthesized a family of homologous metal heteromaterials (HMHs) featuring chemically bonded metallic interfaces, which endow them with strong interfacial binding forces and metallic conductivity.

Reduction in within-litter variation of piglet birth weight through dietary supplementation of 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid in sows.

Within-litter variations in birth weight (BW) influence piglet postnatal growth and survival rate. The present study investigated the effects of the valine metabolite 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid (3-HIB) on the birth weight of piglets by supplementing the sow diet with 3-HIB during late pregnancy. Forty sows were assigned randomly to the control (Con) group and 3-HIB supplementation groups (15 mg/kg body weight), with 20 sows per group.

Downregulation of HDAC9 Alleviates Autophagy Dysfunction by Inducing Acetylation of ATG4B in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a prevalent hepatic metabolic disorder with a rising global incidence. Epigenetic modifications-such as methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination-play critical roles in the initiation and progression of MASLD. This study utilized two datasets, GSE89632 and GSE202379.

Upcycling of Waste PVC into CaCO/KOH-Modified Porous Carbon for Supercapacitor Applications.

This study introduces a green method for converting waste polyvinyl chloride (PVC) into hierarchical porous carbon materials. By using CaCO pre-activation to capture HCl and form meso/macroporous frameworks, followed by KOH activation to tune microporosity, high-surface-area porous carbon was successfully produced. The effects of KOH loading ratios (C-PVC:KOH = 1:1 to 1:3) on the primary activated carbon material were systematically investigated.

Visible-Light-Driven Photoredox-Catalyzed Radical Cyclization via a TEMPO-Intercepted Cascade: Regioselective and Access to Cyclopentene Skeletons.

A visible-light-driven regioselective intramolecular cyclization and oxidation cascade of γ-alkynyl β-sulfonylester is developed. This metal-free approach efficiently affords synthetically useful cyclopentene and cyclohexene skeletons under mild conditions, with TEMPO acting as a dual electron and oxygen atom donor. Mechanism investigations support a radical cyclization/TEMPO-trapping cascade.

Dual-faced CXCL5 holds the key to unlocking immunotherapy in obese pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the deadliest malignancies, characterized by a profoundly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and resistance to immunotherapy. Obesity, a modifiable risk factor that increases PDAC incidence, exacerbates this immune evasion through metabolic inflammation and adipokine-driven signaling. Recent studies have implicated CXC chemokines, particularly CXCL5, as central mediators in shaping the immune landscape of PDAC.

Deciphering aquaporin-4's influence on perivascular diffusion indices using DTI in rat stroke studies.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the dynamic changes of the perivascular space diffusion index (index for diffusivity along the perivascular space, ALPS) and its relationship with aquaporin 4 (AQP4) polarization after cerebral ischemia in rats.

Methods: Rats were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) and evaluated at 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days post-ischemia using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), and susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI). The ALPS index was determined from imaging data, focusing on periventricular and corpus callosum/cingulate regions.

High Throughput Detection of Onset Potentials of HER Electrodes by an Optical Polarization Imaging Method.

Efficient hydrogen production through water electrolysis relies on catalytic electrodes with low onset potentials and uniform activity. This study presents an optical polarization imaging technique for real-time, in situ mapping of the activity distribution on catalytic electrode surfaces during the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in water electrolysis. By monitoring changes in the degree of polarization (DoP) of the reflected light during bubble formation on the electrode surface, this technique quantitatively analyzes the hydrogen evolution activity.

Multi-omics derivation of a core gene signature for predicting therapeutic response and characterizing immune dysregulation in inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) presents unpredictable therapeutic responses and complex immune dysregulation. Current precision medicine approaches lack robust molecular tools integrating transcriptomic signatures with immune dynamics for personalized treatment guidance.

Methods: We performed multi-omics analyses of GEO datasets using machine learning algorithms (LASSO/Random Forest) to derive a four-gene signature.

Mapping the Phosphorylation Regulatory Network of Single-Celled Fibre Elongation Mediated by GhBIN2 in Cotton.

Protein phosphorylation plays a pivotal role in cellular signal transduction and plant development. The plant steroid hormone Brassinosteroids (BRs) signal transduction relies primarily on protein kinase-mediated phosphorylation cascades. However, the specific mechanisms of phosphorylation regulation in BR signalling remain to be fully elucidated.

Microbiome-metabolome generated bile acids gatekeep infliximab efficacy in Crohn's disease by licensing M1 suppression and Treg dominance.

Introduction: Despite the effectiveness of infliximab in treating Crohn's disease (CD), up to 40 % of patients fail to respond adequately.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify predictive biomarkers of primary non-response to infliximab in treatment-naïve CD patients by characterizing baseline gut microbiome-metabolome interactions and to validate their mechanistic role in driving therapeutic resistance.

Methods: In a prospective cohort of 100 CD patients initiating infliximab therapy and 49 healthy controls, we performed longitudinal 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics on pre-/post-treatment fecal samples.

Soy Isoflavone Supplementation in Sow Diet Enhances Antioxidant Status and Promotes Intestinal Health of Newborn Piglets.

This study aimed to explore the effects of dietary supplementation with soy isoflavones (SI) in the later stages of pregnancy on the antioxidant capacity of sows and intestinal health of newborn piglets. Forty sows with similar body weights and parity (average of 1-2 parity) were randomly divided into two groups ( = 20): the control group and SI group (dose: 100 mg/kg of feed). Feeding was started on day 85 of gestation and continued until farrowing.

Triplex DNA-Modified Gold Nanoparticles with a Tunable pH Detection Range for Multiple Colorimetric Sensing Scenarios.

Here, we design triplex DNA-modified gold nanoparticles that respond to a tunable pH range. Homopyrimidine strand-modified gold nanoparticles and homopurine/homopyrimidine duplexes are utilized in the system. Upon acidification, the duplexes bind to gold nanoparticle-conjugated strands through Watson-Crick and Hoogsteen base pairing, forming triplex DNA with blunt ends on the nanoparticle.

Six new bacterial species isolated from the phycosphere of marine macroalgae: a joint analysis based on taxonomy and polysaccharide utilization loci.

Marine macroalgae-associated play crucial roles in global carbon cycling through polysaccharide degradation, yet their taxonomic and functional diversity remains understudied. Here, we describe six novel species (strains 3-376, 4-2040, 2-473A, 4-528, 4-911 and 463) within the families , , and isolated from macroalgal surfaces in the coastal area of Weihai, China. Metagenomic read recruitment and 16S rRNA abundance analyses demonstrated host-specific associations.

Multimodal Deep Learning Integrating Tumor Radiomics and Mediastinal Adiposity Improves Survival Prediction in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Prognostic Modeling Study.

Background And Purpose: Prognostic stratification in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presents considerable challenges due to tumor heterogeneity. Emerging evidence has proposed that adipose tissue may play a prognostic role in oncological outcomes. This study investigates the integration of deep learning (DL)-derived computed tomography (CT) imaging biomarkers with mediastinal adiposity metrics to develop a multimodal prognostic model for postoperative survival prediction in NSCLC patients.

The Diagnostic Significance of Circulating Eicosanoid in Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is one of the most prevalent hereditary cardiovascular diseases. Eicosanoids are known to play a significant role in cardiovascular diseases and serve as biomarkers. In this study, plasma eicosanoids were profiled by LC-MS in a cohort of 78 healthy individuals and 73 patients diagnosed with HCM.

Oncostatin M Drives Th2 Polarized Allergic Airway Inflammation Through Fibroblast Reprogramming and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.

Background: Allergic airway inflammation, characterized by Th2 cytokine production and eosinophilic infiltration, is a hallmark of asthma. The airway epithelium plays a pivotal role in orchestrating allergic responses by releasing cytokines such as oncostatin M (OSM). This study investigates the role of OSM in dust mite extract (DME)-induced allergic airway inflammation and identifies a novel mechanism by which OSM drives Th2-polarized inflammation.

Zhengella sedimenti sp. nov. and Phycobacter sedimenti sp. nov., two novel bacteria isolated from coastal sediment with genomic and metabolic analysis.

In this study, two novel Gram-stain-negative bacterial strains, K97 and ZM62, were isolated from sediment samples collected along the coast of Weihai, China, and described using polyphasic taxonomic techniques. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain K97 exhibited the highest sequence similarity (98.34%) with Phycobacter azelaicus F10 within the genus Phycobacter, followed by Pseudooceanicola marinus AZO-C (97.

Characterization of T cell proliferation-associated hepatocellular carcinoma subtypes, predictive signatures, and candidate targets.

Background: T cells are essential mediators of antitumor immune responses. While T cell proliferation-related genes (TRGs) have been identified, how they relate to prognostic outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients remains uncertain. This study attempts to analyze the relationship between TRGs and the prognosis of patients with HCC from multiple perspectives.

Assessment of team skills during dragon boat training using VR devices.

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of learning teamwork skills (i.e., perspective-taking, synchrony, and communication) with VR devices against conventional dragon boat race training.

Frailty risk prediction models in maintenance hemodialysis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of model performance and methodological quality.

Background: Frailty affects outcomes in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, highlighting the need for reliable predictive tools. Despite the rise of predictive models, the clinical validity and scientific quality of these models remain unknown.

Objective: The purpose of this systematic review is to assess the clinical usefulness, predictive accuracy, and methodological quality of the current frailty risk prediction models in patients with MHD.

Management, Safety, and Efficacy Evaluation of Nutraceutical and Functional Food: A Global Perspective.

Growing health consciousness and aging populations have driven surging demand for traditional and complementary medicines (T&CM), including nutraceuticals, functional foods, and food and medicinal substances (FAMS). Chronic disease burdens and preventive healthcare trends further amplify this growth. However, fragmented regulatory frameworks, inconsistent definitions, and divergent safety evaluation systems across regions hinder global trade and consumer trust.