Biofortification of tomatoes with beta-carotene through targeted gene editing.

Vitamin A deficiency is one of the most severe micronutrient-related health issues worldwide. Tomatoes, a widely cultivated crop for their adaptability, nutritional value, and lycopene content (a beta-carotene precursor), are ideal candidates for biofortification. In this study, CRISPR-mediated knockout mutants (cr-SlLCYe and cr-SlBCH) were generated to enhance the precursor supply to the β-carotene biosynthetic pathway and reduce its degradation.

FGF9-FGFR2 Signaling via Osteocytes-Preosteoblasts Crosstalks to Mediate Mechanotransduction-Driven Intramembranous Osteogenesis in the Underdeveloped Maxilla.

Maxillary underdevelopment is a critical component of skeletal Class III malocclusion, closely linked to altered biomechanical signaling. Mechanical stimulation through early facemask protraction can effectively promote maxillary growth, yet the underlying mechanotransduction mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) is identified as a key biomechanical responder in maxillary development.

Colorectal mucosal exposure area assessment based on artificial intelligence: a multi-center, prospective, observational study.

Background: This study proposed a new quality control indicator, cumulative colorectal mucosal exposure area (CCMEA) for colonoscopy to assess mucosal exposure, constructed CCMEA system based on deep learning. and validated the indicator in a multi-center prospective observational study.

Methods: The CCMEA system worked based on ResNet50 and UNet++.

AI-assisted feedback and reflection in vocal music training: effects on metacognition and singing performance.

Introduction: Metacognition plays a vital role in enhancing learning outcomes and has received increasing attention in recent years. Studies have shown that accomplished musicians typically demonstrate high levels of metacognition, and that reflection and feedback are effective strategies for promoting metacognitive development. This study explores the impact of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and e-learning tools into vocal music training.

Safety and clinical efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in pediatric hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: Pediatric hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rare, with surgical resection and liver transplantation as primary treatments. No standard options exist for unresectable/metastatic disease. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) show efficacy in adults, their pediatric safety and efficacy remain unestablished.

Fabrication and Dose-Response Simulation of Soft Dual-Sided Deep Brain Stimulation Electrode.

A 16-channel dual-sided flexible electrode based on a polyimide substrate was designed and fabricated using micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) technology. The electrode exhibited an average impedance of 5.9 kΩ at 1 kHz and a charge storage capacity (CSC) of 10.

Recent Progress in Health Benefits of Hederagenin and Its Glycosides.

Hederagenin, a pentacyclic triterpenoid saponin from various medicinal plants, shows immense therapeutic potential; however, its inherent low bioavailability severely hinders its clinical translation. This comprehensive review synthesizes recent studies on the health benefits of hederagenin and its glycosides, critically the chemical modification strategies and pharmacological mechanisms aimed at optimizing its bioactivity. Key findings reveal that its broad anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities largely stem from its capacity to modulate crucial cellular signaling pathways, including the NF-κB, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK.

Liupao Tea Extract Alleviates Rheumatoid Arthritis in Mice by Regulating the Gut-Joint Axis Mediated via Fatty Acid Metabolism.

As a highly disabling chronic inflammatory disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) necessitates novel interventions. Liupao tea is a traditional Chinese dark tea known for its favorable anti-inflammatory properties. This study aims to elucidate the active ingredients and action mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of Liupao tea extract (LPTE) in RA.

Homocysitaconate controls inflammation through reshaping methionine metabolism and N-homocysteinylation.

Inflammation and its metabolic-network interactions generate novel regulatory molecules with translational implications. Here, we identify the immunometabolic crosstalk that generates homocysitaconate, a metabolite formed by homocysteine and itaconate adduction catalyzed by S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase (AHCY). Homocysitaconate increases 152-fold during inflammation and exhibits anti-inflammatory effects.

Impact of Tracheotomy and Its Timing on Outcomes in Pediatric Patients with Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation: A Multicenter Study in China.

Introduction: To assess the impact of tracheotomy and its timing on outcomes in pediatric patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV).

Methods: This is a multicenter retrospective study based on patients across eleven PICUs in China from 2017 to 2022. Inclusion criteria encompassed patients aged between 29 days and 18 years who necessitated prolonged mechanical ventilation more than 6 hours per day for at least 21 days.

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Play an Analgesic Role Through a Npy2r Sensory Neuron-Mediated Lung-to-Brain Axis.

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have emerged as a promising therapeutic option for neuropathic pain (NP), but the mechanisms remain elusive. Using murine pain models, it is demonstrated that MSC effectively alleviates pain, with efficacy comparable to dexmedetomidine, a moderate analgesic. Mechanistically, peripheral delivery of MSC-activated pulmonary Npy2r-expressing vagal sensory neurons, which project to the nucleus tractus solitarius and ventral lateral periaqueductal gray area, drives analgesia via the vagal lung-to-brain pathway.

An explainable radiomics-based machine learning model for preoperative differentiation of parathyroid carcinoma and atypical tumors on ultrasound: a retrospective diagnostic study.

Background: Parathyroid carcinoma (PC) and atypical parathyroid tumors (APT), constituting rare endocrine malignancies, demonstrate overlapping clinical-radiological presentations with benign adenomas. This study aimed to investigate the predictive performance of three radiomics-based machine learning models for the identification of PC/APT from solitary parathyroid lesions using ultrasound.

Methods: This retrospective diagnostic study analyzed 913 surgically-confirmed parathyroid neoplasms (mean age 54.

Variable π-d orbital hybridization in 2D transition metal-organic frameworks.

Two-dimensional metal-organic frameworks (2D MOFs) have emerged as promising platforms for exploring novel quantum phenomena and tunable electronic functionalities. Here, we investigate π-d orbital hybridization in monolayer M(HAT) (M = Ni, Co, Fe; HAT = 1,4,5,8,9,12-hexaazatriphenylene) frameworks by combining density functional theory (DFT) calculations and scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS) characterization. Despite identical lattice geometries, the Ni-HAT framework exhibits a dispersive, gapless band structure, while the Co- and Fe-HAT frameworks display localized electronic states and semiconducting bandgaps.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding home-based cardiac rehabilitation in patients with chronic heart failure.

Chronic heart failure (CHF) represents an escalating public health issue characterized by high rates of morbidity, mortality, and increasing healthcare expenditures. Although home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR) has been proven effective in managing CHF, patient engagement remains suboptimal. This study aimed to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) associated with HBCR in patients with CHF.

Is the pay-for-performance program associated with better quality of life among type 2 diabetes patients, including those with gastrointestinal conditions, in Taiwan? A cross-sectional survey.

Background: Many studies have shown that Taiwan's diabetes pay-for-performance (P4P) program can improve several patients' clinical outcomes; however, it remains unclear whether P4P initiatives yield effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for all diabetes patients as well as those with comorbidities, especially comorbid gastrointestinal conditions.

Purpose: In this study, we evaluated the effects of the diabetes P4P program on QoL among all patients as well as the effects of this program on QoL among patients with comorbid gastrointestinal conditions.

Methods: Data were collected across 6 hospitals.

Effects of direction and gender on lower limb biomechanics during forward lunges in badminton players: a preliminary analysis.

Background: The lunge is a critical movement in badminton, facilitating rapid and efficient court coverage and enabling players to promptly reach the hitting position. While previous studies have examined the influence of lunge direction on lower limb biomechanics, the effects of gender have yet to be explored. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the combined effects of direction and gender on lower limb biomechanics during forehand and backhand forward lunges in amateur badminton players.

Identification and utilization of a novel large-effect QTL and linked markers for enhancing protein concentration in peanut.

A novel large-effect QTL qPCB03 for protein concentration was identified, and a KASP marker linked to qPCB03 was developed and validated to enhance protein concentration by 1.23 to 1.57 percentage points in the RIL populations.

Genome-wide identification and functional characterization of oleosin genes in peanut ( L.).

Peanut is a worldwide important oil crop and serves as a major source of vegetable oil. Seed oil is stored as oil bodies (OB), which are subcellular structures in the cytoplasm. Oil bodies accumulate triacylglycerols (TAGs) inside and surrounded by a monolayer of phospholipids (PL) with oil-body-membrane proteins.

An Ultra-High Throughput Cell-Based Mass Spectrometry Flux Assay as a Pathway-Selective In Situ Screening Approach.

Acoustic ejection mass spectrometry (Echo-MS) is a viable biochemical screening platform enabling direct detection of biologically relevant enzymatic activities with throughput approaching or meeting the cycle time of conventional optical readouts. Here, we present a cell-based in situ approach for the application of an MS-based screening technique using a well-characterized isotope-enriched metabolite as a tracer of cellular activity through the glutaminase 1 (GLS1) pathway. This assay was validated as a proof-of-concept screen in biochemical and primary human cellular high-throughput screening (HTS) formats using known inhibitors of the human GLS1 target.

Anti-plasma cell therapy in patients with monoclonal gammopathy-associated refractory pure red cell aplasia: A report of three cases and literature review.

Acquired pure red cell aplasia (aPRCA) is a clinical syndrome that may be secondary to a diverse array of diseases. It is rarely secondary to monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Currently, there is no consensus on when to initiate anti-plasma cell therapy.

A Novel Transfer Learning-Based Hybrid EEG-fNIRS Brain-Computer Interface for Intracerebral Hemorrhage Rehabilitation.

Motor imagery (MI)-based neurorehabilitation shows promise for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) recovery, yet conventional unimodal brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) face critical limitations in cross-subject generalization. This study presents a multimodal electroencephalography (EEG)-functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) fusion framework incorporating a Wasserstein metric-driven source domain selection method that quantifies inter-subject neural distribution divergence. Through comparative neuroactivation analysis of 17 normal controls and 13 ICH patients during MI tasks, the transfer learning model achieved 74.

KAT6A chimeras form a self-reinforcing epigenetic module with NURF and MLL/COMPASS to sustain AML.

Background: KAT6A-CBP (K/C) and KAT6A-P300 (K/P) fusions are recurrent genetic alterations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) associated with poor prognosis. Despite their strong oncogenic potential, the mechanisms underlying their genomic targeting and leukemogenic function remain unclear. A major challenge has been their large size, which has impeded preclinical model development and mechanistic studies.

Antidiabetic potential of buffalo milk casein hydrolysates through enzymatic hydrolysis and bioactive peptide identification as α-glucosidase inhibitors.

This study investigated the potential of buffalo milk protein hydrolysates, particularly casein, as α-glucosidase inhibitors. Enzymatic hydrolysis was conducted using pepsin, alcalase, and papain, yielding high degree of hydrolysis (68-100 %). Pepsin-extracted casein hydrolysates showed the strongest α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, reaching 55.

The glutaminase inhibitor JHU-083 mitigates cognitive dysfunction in a mouse model of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by symptoms including re-experiencing, avoidance, hyperarousal, and negative alterations in cognition and mood as defined by DSM-5. It is frequently accompanied by comorbid conditions such as anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairments, which are primarily attributed to abnormal hippocampal neuronal damage and impaired synaptic plasticity. Glutaminase (GLS), a key enzyme in the synthesis of glutamate within the brain, plays a role in regulating neurodevelopment and synaptic excitability.