Global, regional, and national burden of lead-attributable intellectual developmental disability in children and adolescents from 1990 to 2021, with projections up to 2040: the global burden of disease 2021 study.

Unlabelled: Long-term lead exposure damages the central nervous system, with chronic poisoning strongly linked to intellectual developmental disability (IDD) and disproportionately affecting children and adolescents. Using the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database, this study analyzed temporal, spatial, and population-specific trends in lead-attributable IDD burden among global children/adolescents (1990-2021) and projected trends to 2040 to inform global public health strategies. GBD 2021 data characterized global, regional, and national distributions of lead-attributable IDD burden.

Machine learning-based analysis and prediction of factors influencing mental health among children and adolescents in Jiangsu Province.

Background: This study investigates the current mental health status among children and adolescents in Jiangsu Province by analyzing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress using standardized psychological scales. Machine learning models were utilized to identify key influencing variables and predict mental health outcomes, aiming to establish a rapid psychological well-being assessment framework for this population.

Objective: A cross-sectional survey was conducted via random cluster sampling across 98 counties (cities/districts) in Jiangsu Province, enrolling 141,725 students (47,502 primary, 47,274 junior high, 11,619 vocational high school students, and 35,330 senior high ).

Genome-wide identification and characterization of heat shock protein superfamily in the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii: phylogenetic, structural, and expression profiles analyses.

The cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii, belonging to Hemiptera Aphididae is a worldwide pest on various plants. This pest is particularly notorious for its high tolerance to both temperature and insecticides. Heat shock proteins (HSPs), which have been recognized as molecular chaperones, play pivotal roles in the response of insects to environmental stress.

PtoNAC90 is a positive regulator for secondary xylem development in Populus.

Secondary growth is regulated by numerous transcription factors under multi-level transcriptional control; however, only a few are considered as key regulators of secondary cell walls biosynthesis in Populus. This study identified PtoNAC90 as a transcription factor crucial for xylem development in Populus. PtoNAC90 is specifically expressed in developing xylem tissues.

Adrenomedullin-RAMP2 System Modulates Inflammation and Tissue Repair in Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis Via T-Cell and M2 Macrophage Regulation.

Purpose: Adrenomedullin (AM), a peptide produced by various cells, exerts diverse physiological effects and is regulated by receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMP2 and 3). Experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) is a well-established model for studying human autoimmune uveitis. Hence, we investigated the pathophysiological roles of the AM-RAMP system in uveitis using an optimized EAU mouse model.

Unveiling the Mechanism of Negative Poisson's Ratio in Phosphorus-like 2D MX Materials Driven by Geometric and Electronic Structures.

Two-dimensional black-phosphorus-like materials with a re-entrant structure have been reported exhibiting positive or negative Poisson's ratio (NPR). However, uncovering the underlying geometric-electronic interplay and identifying design principles for NPR materials remain challenging. Using first-principles calculations, we investigate 26 two-dimensional black-phosphorus-like MX monolayers with 10 valence electrons (M = cation, X = anion).

Plasma-based ultrasensitive detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis ESAT6/CFP10 fusion antigen using a CRISPR-driven aptamer fluorescence testing (CRAFT).

Tuberculosis (TB) screening in clinical diagnosis is challenging due to issues such as sputum dependence, time-consuming procedures, and high costs. In this study, we introduce a CRAFT (CRISPR-Driven Aptamer Fluorescence Testing), an aptamer-based CRISPR/Cas12a assay designed for the rapid and sensitive detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) antigens from peripheral blood. Aptamer 3 (Ap3) and the aptamer-mediated probe (Aptamer-blocker 3-7) were selected through the Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX).

Role of DLAT in cuproptosis and autophagy in hippocampal tissue of PTSD rats with high-voltage electrical burns.

Background: The mechanisms behind high-voltage electrical burn (HVEB)-induced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remain unclear. Accordingly, we aimed to identify the molecular changes in hippocampal tissue following HVEB-induced PTSD.

Methods: The GSE60303 dataset was used to identify differentially expressed cuproptosis-related genes (DE-CRGs) and to perform weighted gene co-expression network analysis.

Mixed methods feasibility study of Music Attuned Technology Care via eHealth (MATCH) for people with complex behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia within an acute psychogeriatric ward.

Introduction: Music-based strategies can reduce distress, agitation, and promote wellbeing in people with dementia. Research in specialized dementia care units is limited.

Methods: Mixed-methods pre-post study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary effects of Music Attuned Technology Care via eHealth (MATCH) in a dementia-specialized inpatient ward.

Realization of 2D metals at the ångström thickness limit.

Two-dimensional (2D) metals are appealing for many emergent phenomena and have recently attracted research interests. Unlike the widely studied 2D van der Waals (vdW) layered materials, 2D metals are extremely challenging to achieve, because they are thermodynamically unstable. Here we develop a vdW squeezing method to realize diverse 2D metals (including Bi, Ga, In, Sn and Pb) at the ångström thickness limit.

Validation of a Multi-Channel Ambient Sensor to Measure Vital Signs in Patients Within the Ward and at Home.

Hospitalised, unwell patients have vital signs such as heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SpO) and temperature measured multiple times a day to detect clinical deterioration and monitor health trajectories. Advancements in contact-free (ambient) sensors (AS) to measure vital signs can help mitigate risks due to skin injury and infection transmission seen in conventional hospital equipment. This prospective, observational clinical study aims to validate vital sign measurements from a multi-channel AS compared to conventional equipment in three cohorts: patients in a hospital ward, patients at home within a Hospital-at-Home service, and healthy volunteers.

Terahertz Metamaterial Absorber and Equivalent Circuit Model for Refractive Index Sensing.

As a kind of important functional device, terahertz metamaterial absorbers (TMA) have been focused on by many researchers for their capacity to absorb electromagnetic waves and wide application fields. In this work, we designed a terahertz metamaterial absorber with narrow-band absorption for refractive index sensing, which consisted of a circular metal ring resonator and a square metal ring resonator. The simulation results show that the absorptivity of the proposed TMA reached over 68.

SHoes for Adolescent PatEllofemoral pain: study protocol for the SHAPE Australian community-based, randomised clinical trial.

Introduction: Patellofemoral pain affects one-third of adolescents, with most experiencing symptoms into adulthood. Guidelines recommend exercise and foot orthoses based on clinical trials in adults; however, these approaches have been found to be ineffective and have poor adherence in adolescents. 'Minimalist' shoes can reduce patellofemoral joint forces in adults; and may therefore be a promising low burden management approach for patellofemoral pain.

Effects of X-ray-based diagnosis and explanation of knee osteoarthritis on patient beliefs about osteoarthritis management: A randomised clinical trial.

Background: Although X-rays are not recommended for routine diagnosis of osteoarthritis (OA), clinicians and patients often use or expect X-rays. We evaluated whether: (i) a radiographic diagnosis and explanation of knee OA influences patient beliefs about management, compared to a clinical diagnosis and explanation that does not involve X-rays; and (ii) showing the patient their X-ray images when explaining radiographic report findings influences beliefs, compared to not showing X-ray images.

Methods And Findings: This was a 3-arm randomised controlled trial conducted between May 23, 2024 and May 28, 2024 as a single exposure (no follow-up) online survey.

Burden of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Asia from 1990 to 2021.

Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the disease burden of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in Asia.

Material And Methods: The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 data evaluated NPC metrics by sex, and age in Asia. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were calculated to assess the trends of NPC burden.

Adrenomedullin 2/Intermedin Exerts Cardioprotective Effects by Regulating Cardiomyocyte Mitochondrial Function.

Background: Adrenomedullin 2 (AM2) plays critical roles in regulating blood pressure and fluid balance. However, the specific involvement of AM2 in cardiac hypertrophy has not been comprehensively elucidated, warranting further investigation into its molecular mechanisms and therapeutic implications.

Methods: Cardiac hypertrophy was induced in adult mice lacking AM2 (AM2-/-) using transverse aortic constriction surgery.

TFEB activator protects against ethanol toxicity-induced cardiac injury by restoring mitophagy and autophagic flux.

Excessive alcohol consumption is a major cause of alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM) and myocardial injury. This study aims to investigate the role of transcription factor EB (TFEB) in ethanol-induced cardiac anomalies using a murine model, AC16 human cardiomyocytes, and human plasma. Wild-type mice treated with a TFEB activator (Compound 1) or vehicle (25 mg/kg/d) were challenged with or without ethanol (3 g/kg/d, i.

Characterization of an Ecdysone Oxidase from (L.) and Its Role in Bt Cry1Ac Resistance.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying insect resistance to (Bt) pesticidal proteins is crucial for sustainable pest management. Here, we found that downregulation of the ecdysone oxidase gene () in the normal feeding stages contributes to increased 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) titer and mediates resistance to the Bt Cry1Ac toxin. The gene was cloned and its expression was significantly downregulated in the midgut of Bt-resistant and Cry1Ac-selected .

Sophoricoside reduces inflammation in type II collagen-induced arthritis by downregulating NLRP3 signaling.

Immune responses, especially NLRP3 signaling in macrophages, play critical roles in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune and inflammatory disease. In this study, we aimed to identify novel therapies for RA. We focused on sophoricoside (SOP), an isoflavone glycoside isolated from .

Advanced neuroprosthetic electrode design optimized by electromagnetic finite element simulation: innovations and applications.

Based on electrophysiological activity, neuroprostheses can effectively monitor and control neural activity. Currently, electrophysiological neuroprostheses are widely utilized in treating neurological disorders, particularly in restoring motor, visual, auditory, and somatosensory functions after nervous system injuries. They also help alleviate inflammation, regulate blood pressure, provide analgesia, and treat conditions such as epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease, offering significant research, economic, and social value.

An unsupervised online Tai Chi program for people with knee osteoarthritis ("My Joint Tai Chi"): Study protocol for the RETREAT randomised controlled trial.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading contributor to global disability, with exercise proven to be an effective treatment. Tai Chi is a recommended type of exercise, but it is primarily done in person which imposes an accessibility issue. This study aims to evaluate the effects of an online unsupervised program, when provided with online educational information and exercise adherence support, on changes in knee pain and physical function, when compared to online education control for people with knee OA.

Anisotropic Heat Transfer in a Fibrous Membrane with Hierarchically Assembled 2D Materials.

Effective heat redistribution in specific directions is vital for advanced thermal management, significantly enhancing device performance by optimizing spatial heat configurations. We have designed and fabricated a hierarchical fibrous membrane that enables precise heat directing. By integrating hierarchical structure design with the anisotropic thermal conductivity of two-dimensional (2D) materials, we developed a fibrous membrane for anisotropic heat transfer.

Tailoring silk-based covering material with matched mechanical properties for vascular tissue engineering.

Vascular covered stents play a significant therapeutic role in cardiovascular diseases. However, the poor compliance and biological inertness of commercial materials cause post-implantation complications. Silk fibroin (SF), as a biomaterial, possesses satisfactory hemocompatibility and tissue compatibility.

Network Pharmacology and Experimental Analysis to Explore the Effect and Mechanism of Modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction in the Treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy.

Purpose: Preventing and treating diabetic nephropathy (DN) are global challenges due to the complexity and diversity of its causes and manifestations. It is important to find effective medications to treat DN.

Patients And Methods: Gene expression files of DN were downloaded from the GEO database to identify the differentially expressed genes.