Exploring the mediating role of telomere length in the association between physical activity and bone mineral density.

Background: Physical activity may mitigate osteoporosis progression by modulating telomere shortening processes.

Aims: To explore the mediating role of telomere length (TL) in the relationship between physical activity and bone mineral density (BMD).

Methods: This study enrolled 2,394 participants aged 50 years and older from the U.

Antimicrobial peptide PK34 modification enhances the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of bone-derived mesenchymal stem cells in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

Background: New therapeutic strategies are needed to treat tuberculosis (TB). The antimicrobial peptide PK34 has a good ability to clear Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and is not prone to drug resistance and adverse reactions. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can also be used as an adjunctive therapy for the treatment of TB.

Ultrack: pushing the limits of cell tracking across biological scales.

Tracking live cells across two-dimensional, three-dimensional (3D) and multichannel time-lapse recordings is crucial for understanding tissue-scale biological processes. Despite advancements in imaging technology, accurately tracking cells remains challenging, particularly in complex and crowded tissues where cell segmentation is often ambiguous. We present Ultrack, a versatile and scalable cell tracking method that tackles this challenge by considering candidate segmentations derived from multiple algorithms and parameter sets.

Current status and influencing factors of blue carbon in seagrass beds: An extensive survey and comprehensive analysis in the Yellow and Bohai Seas, China.

Seagrass beds constitute a unique blue carbon ecosystem that mitigates climate change by capturing and sequestering CO over extended periods. Despite being recognized as potent carbon sinks, there is still limited information on the quantification, regional variability, and drivers influencing their blue carbon stocks. In this study, we established 108 sampling sites to estimate organic carbon (C), sediment accumulation rates (SARs), and carbon accumulation rates (CARs) across 13 seagrass beds located in the Yellow and Bohai Seas of China.

Sex differences in 10-year cardiovascular risk of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and subclinical hypothyroidism: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To evaluate gender-specific variations in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk stratification and its modifiable determinants among individuals concurrently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH).

Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted involving 2,357 patients with T2DM (1,120 males and 1,237 females) who were hospitalized at Wuxi Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between 2018 and 2024. Participants were categorized into the SCH (n=196) and the euthyroid subgroups (n=2,161).

Enhanced B cell electroporation efficiency via inhibition of DNA-induced apoptosis and pyroptosis with pan-caspase inhibitor.

B cells have immense potential as gene therapy carriers because of their ability to secrete therapeutic proteins and mediate immunological memory and tolerogenic functions. However, efficient gene delivery into primary B cells remains a challenge, as DNA electroporation frequently induces significant cell death. Here, we demonstrate that primary murine B cells undergo apoptosis and pyroptosis after DNA electroporation, which is driven primarily by activation of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway in response to cytoplasmic double-stranded DNA (dsDNA).

FLASH radiotherapy at a crossroads: a bibliometric perspective on progress and challenges.

Background: Flash radiotherapy (FLASH-RT), an emerging modality utilizing ultra-high dose-rate (UHDR) irradiation (typically > 40 Gy/s), has demonstrated a unique capacity to preserve normal tissue integrity while maintaining tumor control efficacy compared to conventional radiotherapy. Despite exponential growth in FLASH-RT research over the past decade, its scientific landscape has not yet been systematically characterized through bibliometric analysis. This study only includes articles from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) and is limited to English-language publications, which may introduce database and language biases.

[Effect of Guilu Taohong Formula on semen quality and spermatogenic cell apoptosis in a varicocele model of rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of Guilu Taohong Formula on semen quality in varicocele (VC) models of rats, and to explore its possible mechanism.

Methods: Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups (sham group, model group, Guilu Taohong Formula group and L-carnitine group). After the establishment of models, the rats were treated with intragastric administration for eight consecutive weeks.

Fibro-NPC: a pathogenic subtype identified at single-cell resolution with secreted SFRP4 as a biomarker in intervertebral disc degeneration.

Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a primary cause of low back pain and, in severe cases, can lead to disability. Current treatments for low back pain remain limited in efficacy, underscoring the need for a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving IDD. The degeneration process is primarily driven by an imbalance in the extracellular matrix, largely due to the senescence of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs).

Cancer therapy and cachexia.

A central challenge in cancer therapy is the effective delivery of anticancer treatments while minimizing adverse effects on patient health. The potential dual impact of therapy is clearly illustrated in cancer-associated cachexia, a multifactorial syndrome characterized by involuntary weight loss, systemic inflammation, metabolic dysregulation, and behavioral alterations such as anorexia and apathy. While cachexia research often focuses on tumor-driven mechanisms, the literature indicates that cancer therapies themselves, particularly chemotherapies and targeted treatments, can initiate or exacerbate the biological pathways driving this syndrome.

Prognostic value of lipid accumulation product in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: a retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: To evaluate lipid accumulation product (LAP) as a predictor of all-cause mortality in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Results: Among 926 T2DM-HFrEF patients followed for 29.9 months (median), high LAP independently predicted increased mortality risk (adjusted HR: 3.

Theoretical Insights into Stabilities and Configuration Selectivity of Yttrium Cyanide Clusterfullerenes YNC@C.

A series of monometallic cyanide clusterfullerenes (mono-CYCFs) have been obtained in experiment, but the structural characterization of them is still ambiguous since the carbon and nitrogen atoms of the CN group can hardly be distinguished experimentally. In this study, theoretical investigations for the stability and configuration preference for the C-based yttrium cyanide clusterfullerenes (YNC@C) have been performed. Based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations in conjunction with the statistical thermodynamic analyses, four YNC@C structures, including the experimentally recognized YNC@(51581)-C and three newly disclosed ones, YNC@(51591)-C, YNC@(51583)-C, and YNC@(51580)-C, have been identified as thermodynamically stable isomers.

Uncovering chromatin accessibility dynamics in early maize endosperm and seed coat differentiation.

The early development of maize kernels plays a crucial role in determining yield and grain quality. Deciphering chromatin accessibility dynamics can further advance our understanding of tissue-specific regulatory networks. In this study, we performed an integrated multiomics analysis to explore chromatin accessibility dynamics during cell fate transitions in early kernel development.

Retrospective Analysis of Surgical Outcomes Following Scarless Orchiopexy via Either Scrotal Incision or Single-site Transumbilical Laparoscopy.

Purpose: The surgical approach to pediatric cryptorchidism has traditionally been the inguinal pathway. However, that has changed with the increased use of scrotal incision and single-site transumbilical laparoscopy, both of which result in a scarless surgical incision. We aimed to review our experience with the combined utilization of these two methods for the treatment of pediatric cryptorchidism and evaluate the surgical outcomes.

A Quantum-Classical Hybrid Model for Long-term Network Traffic Prediction.

Network traffic prediction, a critical application of time series analysis, is essential for network management and optimization. Traditional statistical models and machine learning methods have been employed for network traffic prediction, where recent advancements in multi-layer perception mixer architectures, particularly TSMixer, have achieved state-of-the-art performance. However, TSMixer faces challenges with periodic signals and long-term predictions.

Combination therapy for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer: a novel at-home regimen with envafolimab, lenvatinib, and etoposide.

Background: Effective and tolerable treatment for patients with platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer remains a great challenge in clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of envafolimab, the first subcutaneously administered programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor, combined with lenvatinib and etoposide in patients with platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer.

Methods: This was an open-label, single-arm, phase 2 trial (ENLEN-OC-001).

Metallic Bond Induces Soft Phonon Mode and Anharmonicity in Heusler Alloy.

The fruitful functional performances of metastable Heusler alloys originate from the martensitic transformation driven by the transverse acoustic soft phonon mode, regulated by anharmonicity. However, the origins of the soft mode and the anharmonicity in these alloys remain unclear. In this work, using ab-initio calculations combined with self-consistent phonon theory (SCPH) and compressed sensing techniques in machine learning, a link among chemical bonding, long-range interaction, soft mode, and anharmonicity is established using NiMnGa as a model system.

Impact of altitude on hemoglobin dynamics and prognosis in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma receiving antiangiogenic TKIs: A propensity score matched study.

Purpose: Antiangiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are associated with elevated hemoglobin [Hb] levels, potentially influencing prognosis in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. However, the impact of altitude on Hb dynamics and its prognostic significance remains underexplored. This study aimed to assess altitude-related Hb changes and their relationship with treatment outcomes in patients following TKI treatment.

Integrated bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing reveals a cuproptosis-related LncRNA prognostic signature in neuroblastoma.

Background: Neuroblastoma (NB), the most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood, originates from developing sympathetic nervous system. While cuproptosis has emerged as a critical regulator in oncobiology, its mechanistic involvement in NB remains poorly characterized.

Methods: RNA-seq data of NB patients was analyzed using limma and ClusterProfiler.

Machine Learning Interatomic Potential-Enabled Discovery of Chlorofullerenes.

Chlorination is an effective method for stabilizing fullerenes with pentagon adjacencies, transforming reactive sp carbon sites into sp hybridization to release local strain and reorganize orbital and spin distributions. Yet, the immense variety of fullerene isomers and their diverse chlorination sites pose significant challenges for accurate structural prediction. This study introduces a density functional theory (DFT)-accurate machine learning potential (MLP) for the C-Cl system, facilitating high-throughput screening of chlorinated fullerenes.

Optimization of rotor-side controller parameters in doubly fed induction generators based on an improved NSGA-II.

Herein, an advanced control strategy to enhance the operational stability of wind turbine generators during grid-voltage surges is presented. In particular, a multiobjective optimization framework based on an improved nondominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) is proposed by establishing a dynamic model of the rotor-side converter and investigating the operational dynamics of proportional-integral-derivative controllers under voltage transients. Comparative simulations using the traditional NSGA-II, a multiobjective particle swarm optimization algorithm, and a multiobjective gray wolf optimization algorithm are conducted to validate the proposed algorithm.

The relationship between college students' psychological resilience and autonomous fitness behavior: a moderated mediation model.

Objective: This paper aims to explore the influence of psychological resilience on autonomous fitness behavior among college students, as well as the mechanism of perceived social support and exercise self-efficacy in this relationship.

Methods: Using literature review, questionnaire surveys, and mathematical statistics, we conducted a survey among 985 college students, administering the Psychological Resilience Scale, Autonomous Fitness Behavior Scale, the Perceived Social Support Scale, and the Exercise Self-efficacy Scale.

Results: (1) College students' psychological resilience has a direct impact on their autonomous fitness behavior and can positively predict it ( = 0.

Nomogram based on radiomics and CT features for predicting visceral pleural invasion of invasive adenocarcinoma ≤ 2 cm: A multicenter study.

Objective: To explore the value of a nomogram based on radiomics and computed tomography (CT) features for preoperative prediction of visceral pleural invasion (VPI) of subpleural, small (≤2 cm) invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) of the lung.

Methods: For this retrospective study, 457 cases of invasive lung adenocarcinoma ≤ 2 cm were collected from three tertiary hospitals in Guangxi and used in a training group (n = 254), validation group (n = 112), and test group (n = 91). Risk factors for IAC VPI were screened by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, and a CT model was constructed.