Can C7 Slope Accurately Substitute for an Invisible T1 Slope According to Age and Cervical Morphology in Cervical Lateral Radiographs?

Study Design: A retrospective radiologic study.

Objectives: To identify age-associated changes in T1 slope (T1S) and C7 slope (C7S), as well as the difference between T1S and C7S (△, which was defined as T1S minus C7S) and to explore the cervical morphology that C7S can be the most accurate alternative for the invisible T1S.

Methods: 625 asymptomatic Chinese volunteers received cervical lateral radiographs from August 2021 to May 2022.

Strong bulk photovoltaic effect in engineered edge-embedded van der Waals structures.

Bulk photovoltaic effect (BPVE), a second-order nonlinear optical effect governed by the quantum geometric properties of materials, offers a promising approach to overcome the Shockley-Quiesser limit of traditional photovoltaic effect and further improve the efficiency of energy harvesting. Here, we propose an effective platform, the nano edges embedded in assembled van der Waals (vdW) homo- or hetero-structures with strong symmetry breaking, low dimensionality and abundant species, for BPVE investigations. The BPVE-induced photocurrents strongly depend on the orientation of edge-embedded structures and polarization of incident light.

Phase 1 evaluation of an elastomeric nucleus pulposus device as an option to augment disc at microdiscectomy: Experimental results from biomechanical and biocompatibility testing and first in human.

Objective: Whilst microdiscectomy is an excellent reliever of pain for recalcitrant lumbar disc herniation (LDH), it has a high failure rate over time due to the ensuing reduction in mechanical stabilization and support of the spine. One option is to clear the disc and replace it with a nonhygroscopic elastomer. Here, we present the evaluation of biomechanical and biological behavior of a novel elastomeric nucleus device (Kunovus disc device [KDD]), consisting of a silicone jacket and a two-part in situ curing silicone polymer filler.

The association between low virulence organisms in different locations and intervertebral disc structural failure: A meta-analysis and systematic review.

Many factors may trigger intervertebral disc (IVD) structural failure (intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) and endplate changes), including inflammation, infection, dysbiosis, and the downstream effects of chemical factors. Of these, microbial diversity in the IVD and elsewhere in the body has been considered as one of the potential reasons for disc structural failure. The exact relationships between microbial colonization and IVD structural failure are not well understood.

Efficient production of α-monoglucosyl hesperidin by cyclodextrin glucanotransferase from Bacillus subtilis.

α-Monoglucosyl hesperidin is a promising food additive with various activities. However, there are a few reports about the production of α-monoglucosyl hesperidin. Here, to develop a practical and safe process for α-monoglucosyl hesperidin synthesis, we used nonpathogenic Bacillus subtilis as a host to express cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) from Bacillus sp.

Promoter engineering for efficient production of sucrose phosphorylase in Bacillus subtilis and its application in enzymatic synthesis of 2-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid.

2-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2G), a stable glucoside derivative of L-ascorbic acid (L-AA), can be one-step synthesized by sucrose phosphorylase (SPase). In this study, we attempted to produce extracellular SPase in Bacillus subtilis WB800 for the food-grade production of AA-2G. The results showed that the secretion of SPases did not require signal peptide.

Synergistic effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid and melatonin on seed germination and cadmium tolerance in tomato.

The effects of exogenous γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and melatonin (MT) on tomato seed germination and shoot growth exposed to cadmium stress were investigated. On the one hand, treatment with MT (10-200 μM) or GABA (10-200 μM) alone could significantly relieve cadmium stress in tomato seedlings, which is reflected in increasing the germination rate, vigor index, fresh weight, dry weight and radicle lengths of tomato seeds, as well as the soluble content compared to the absence of exogenous treatment, and the alleviating effect reached the peak in the 200 µM GABA or 150 µM MT alone. On the other hand, exogenous MT and GABA showed synergistic effects on the germination of tomato seed under cadmium stress.

Understanding necroptosis and its therapeutic target for intervertebral disc degeneration.

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a complex pathological condition associated with the development of low back pain. Despite numerous studies, the specific molecular mechanisms underlying IVDD remain unclear. At the cellular level, IVDD involves a series of changes, including cell proliferation, cell death, and inflammation.

Comparison of long-term outcomes of splenectomy with periesophagogastric devascularization and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in treating cirrhotic portal hypertension patients with recurrent variceal bleeding.

Purpose: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and splenectomy with periesophagogastric devascularization (SPD) are widely used to treat cirrhotic portal hypertension (PH) and prevent variceal rebleeding. However, direct comparisons between these two approaches are rare. This study was designed to compare the long-term outcomes of TIPS and SPD in patients with cirrhotic PH and variceal rebleeding.

Hippo (YAP)-autophagy axis protects against hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury through JNK signaling.

Background: Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) remains a common complication during liver transplantation (LT) in patients. As a key downstream effector of the Hippo pathway, Yes-associated protein (YAP) has been reported to be involved in various physiological and pathological processes. However, it remains elusive whether and how YAP may control autophagy activation during ischemia-reperfusion.

Mitotic bookmarking by SWI/SNF subunits.

For cells to initiate and sustain a differentiated state, it is necessary that a 'memory' of this state is transmitted through mitosis to the daughter cells. Mammalian switch/sucrose non-fermentable (SWI/SNF) complexes (also known as Brg1/Brg-associated factors, or BAF) control cell identity by modulating chromatin architecture to regulate gene expression, but whether they participate in cell fate memory is unclear. Here we provide evidence that subunits of SWI/SNF act as mitotic bookmarks to safeguard cell identity during cell division.

Global Coronal Malalignment in Degenerative Lumbar Scoliosis and Priority-Matching Correction Technique to Prevent Postoperative Coronal Decompensation.

Study Design: A prospective case-control study.

Objective: To analyze global coronal malalignment (GCM) in degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) and to prospectively investigate the performance of priority-matching correction technique on preventing postoperative coronal imbalance.

Methods: A total of 444 DLS inpatients and outpatients were recruited.

Role of the gut microbiota in anticancer therapy: from molecular mechanisms to clinical applications.

In the past period, due to the rapid development of next-generation sequencing technology, accumulating evidence has clarified the complex role of the human microbiota in the development of cancer and the therapeutic response. More importantly, available evidence seems to indicate that modulating the composition of the gut microbiota to improve the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs may be feasible. However, intricate complexities exist, and a deep and comprehensive understanding of how the human microbiota interacts with cancer is critical to realize its full potential in cancer treatment.

Maternal separation leads to dynamic changes of visceral hypersensitivity and fecal metabolomics from childhood to adulthood.

We assessed dynamic changes in visceral hypersensitivity and fecal metabolomics through a mouse model of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) from childhood to adulthood. A mouse model of IBS was constructed with maternal separation (MS) in early life. Male mice aged 25, 40, and 70 days were used.

Sensing platform for nucleic-acid detection based on a 2-aminopurine probe sheared by trans-cleavage activity of the CRISPR/Cas12a system.

Target double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) or single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) can activate the trans-cleavage activity of the CRISPR/Cas12a, cutting the surrounding non-target ssDNA arbitrarily. In a typical CRISPR/Cas12a system, this non-target ssDNA, with a fluorescent tag and its quencher incorporated at both ends (ssDNA-FQ), is usually used as the reporter. Here, a 2-aminopurine probe (T-pro 4), made by inserting four 2-APs in non-target ssDNA, was screened for using as a reporter in the CRISPR/Cas12a system.

Prognostic Biomarker SLCO4A1 Is Correlated with Tumor Immune Infiltration in Colon Adenocarcinoma.

Background: Solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 4A1 (SLCO4A1), a member of solute carrier organic anion family, is a key gene regulating bile metabolism, organic anion transport, and ABC transport. However, the association of SLCO4A1 with prognosis and tumor immune infiltration in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) remains indistinct.

Methods: Firstly, we explored the expression level of SLCO4A1 in COAD via GEPIA, Oncomine, and UALCAN databases.

Anomalous enhancement of charge density wave in kagome superconductor CsVSb approaching the 2D limit.

The recently discovered kagome metals AVSb (A = Cs, Rb, K) exhibit a variety of intriguing phenomena, such as a charge density wave (CDW) with time-reversal symmetry breaking and possible unconventional superconductivity. Here, we report a rare non-monotonic evolution of the CDW temperature (T) with the reduction of flake thickness approaching the atomic limit, and the superconducting transition temperature (T) features an inverse variation with T. T initially decreases to a minimum value of 72 K at 27 layers and then increases abruptly, reaching a record-high value of 120 K at 5 layers.

Renal tubular epithelial cells treated with calcium oxalate up-regulate S100A8 and S100A9 expression in M1-polarized macrophages via interleukin 6.

Objectives: Calgranulins S100A8 and S100A9 are common in renal stones and they are up-regulated in both urinary exosomes and kidneys of stone patients. Renal sources and important regulators for S100A8 and S100A9 in nephrolithiasis were explored in this study.

Materials And Methods: We identified S100A8 and S100A9 abundance in various renal cells by searching the Single Cell Type Atlas.

Prognostic value of index of cardiac electrophysiological balance among US middle-aged adults.

Background: Index of cardiac electrophysiological balance (iCEB) has been widely used in clinical practice but no studies investigated the association between iCEB and prognosis in the general population.

Objective: To assess the correlation between the iCEB and the prognosis in the general population.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study involved adults aged 40-65 years who participated in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-III) and whose electrocardiograms were in sinus rhythm.

The Human Activity Radar Challenge: Benchmarking Based on the 'Radar Signatures of Human Activities' Dataset From Glasgow University.

Radar is an extremely valuable sensing technology for detecting moving targets and measuring their range, velocity, and angular positions. When people are monitored at home, radar is more likely to be accepted by end-users, as they already use WiFi, is perceived as privacy-preserving compared to cameras, and does not require user compliance as wearable sensors do. Furthermore, it is not affected by lighting conditions nor requires artificial lights that could cause discomfort in the home environment.

Comparison of long-term quality of life between Billroth-I and Roux-en-Y anastomosis after distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The results of studies comparing Billroth-I (B-I) with Roux-en-Y (R-Y) reconstruction on the quality of life (QoL) are still inconsistent. The aim of this trial was to compare the long-term QoL of B-I with R-Y anastomosis after curative distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Methods: A total of 140 patients undergoing curative distal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy in West China Hospital, Sichuan University from May 2011 to May 2014 were randomly assigned to the B-I group ( N  = 70) and R-Y group ( N  = 70).

Association between periodontitis and disc structural failure in older adults with lumbar degenerative disorders: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Bacterial microbiome as a putative trigger of inflammation might indicate the cascade of mouth-gut-disc axis for causing intervertebral disc (IVD) structural failures (such as IVD degeneration and endplate change) processed. However, direct evidence for the mouth-gut-disc axis still unclear. Therefore, it is interesting to explore periodontal inflammation related to IVD structural failures and clinical outcomes.

Nanosecond pulsed electric field ablates rabbit VX2 liver tumors in a non-thermal manner.

Background: Liver tumor remains an important cause of cancer-related death. Nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) are advantageous in the treatment of melanoma and pancreatic cancer, but their therapeutic application on liver tumors need to be further studied.

Methods: Hep3B cells were treated with nsPEFs.