Association of Adiposity Markers, Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, and Frailty in Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Few studies have explored the combined association of adiposity and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] with frailty, particularly with newer adiposity markers. This study aimed to assess the independent and joint association of six adiposity markers and serum 25(OH)D with frailty.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 3569 adults aged ≥65 years from The Healthy Ageing and Biomarkers Cohort Study (2012-2018).

Methionine enkephalin upregulates the immune function of RAW264.7 cells to inhibit the infection of Nelson Bay orthoreoviruses.

Preliminary research has found that MENK can upregulate the antiviral state of macrophages to inhibit influenza virus infection. To further study the immunomodulatory mechanism of MENK in macrophages against reovirus, we used RNA-Seq technology to analyze the genomic changes between macrophages infected with Nelson Bay orthoreoviruses (Miyazaki) after MENK pretreatment and those infected with Miyazaki alone. A total of 3,624 genes were screened, with 1,817 genes upregulated and 1,447 genes downregulated.

Beyond lipids: fenofibrate in diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) and nephropathy (DN) are leading microvascular complications of diabetes, yet current therapies remain inadequate. Fenofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α agonist approved for dyslipidemia, has gained attention for its protective effects on the retina and kidney that extend beyond lipid modulation. Emerging preclinical and clinical evidence highlights the pleiotropic actions of fenofibrate (anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, neuroprotective, and antifibrotic), mediated through both PPAR-α-dependent and -independent pathways.

Mechanisms underlying the role of FeO in enhancing antibiotic degradation and mitigating the spread of antibiotic resistance in aquaculture sediment: Coupling dissimilatory iron reduction with methanogenesis.

Ferric oxides play a critical role in transforming organic contaminants within anaerobic aquaculture sediments; however, their effect on the removal of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) remains unexplored. This study revealed that the addition of FeO significantly promoted microbial Fe(III) reduction, SMX degradation, and methanogenesis by enhancing metabolic activity and facilitating electron transfer. While nutrient supplementation similarly improved SMX removal, it notably increased ARG abundance, unlike FeO, which effectively suppressed ARGs.

Accelerating Drug Translation: Role of Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Plaque Imaging Candidates as Surrogate Biomarkers.

There is an unmet need for new pathways to evaluate therapeutic targets and drugs for coronary artery disease (CAD). The use of major adverse cardiovascular events as a primary outcome is advantageous for rigor, but challenges related to large sample size requirements, long study durations, and associated costs and risks remain major disincentives for key stakeholders. Until now, a robust, well-validated surrogate biomarker for cardiovascular events that reflects atherosclerosis itself has been lacking.

Interactive effects of meteorological factors and ambient air pollutants on influenza incidences 2019-2022 in Huaian, China.

Background: Influenza is a global public health and economic burden. Its seasonality patterns differ considerably between geographic regions, but the factors underlying these differences are not well characterized.

Methods: The data on influenza were obtained from 2019 to 2022 in Huaian.

Global and regional temporal changes in cross-country inequalities of site-specific osteoarthritis burden, 1990-2021.

Objective: This study examined the global and regional temporal changes in cross-country inequalities of site-specific osteoarthritis (OA) burden from 1990 to 2021.

Methods: Age-standardized years lived with disability rate for site-specific OA across 204 countries/territories were obtained from the Global Burden of Diseases Study (GBD) 2021. The slope index of inequality (SII) and the concentration index (CCI) were calculated to quantify the absolute and relative cross-country inequalities.

Charting New Paths in Cancer Research: Insights from the Frontiers in Cancer Science Conference 2024.

The 16th annual Frontiers in Cancer Science conference convened leading experts to discuss the latest developments in cancer research. Key research themes included mechanisms of treatment resistance and innovative strategies to target resistant cancer cells, metabolic plasticity and its therapeutic vulnerabilities, modulation of the tumor microenvironment to enhance therapeutic efficacy, recent advances in immunotherapies and engineered immune cells, and strategies to overcome tumor immune evasion. The conference also highlighted the development of advanced spatial transcriptomic technologies as a powerful tool to decipher tumor heterogeneity and identify novel therapeutic targets.

Preparation and Optimization of Mn-Activated NaZnGeO Phosphors: Insights into Precursor Selection and Microwave-Assisted Solid-State Synthesis.

Mn-doped phosphors emitting green light have garnered significant interest due to their potential applications in display technologies and solid-state lighting. To facilitate the rapid synthesis of high-performance Mn-activated green phosphors, this research optimizes a microwave-assisted solid-state (MASS) method for the preparation of NaZnGeO:Mn. Leveraging the unique attributes of the MASS technique, a systematic investigation into the applicability of various Mn-source precursors was conducted.

Association of inactive pulmonary tuberculosis lesions with the risk of active disease development in the elderly: a population-based retrospective study.

Background: Individuals with inactive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) lesions were found to be high-risk populations for active PTB development. This retrospective study evaluated the association between different types of inactive PTB lesions and the development of active PTB aiming to provide epidemiological evidence for developing precise intervention strategies.

Methods: Based on a population-based PTB active-case-finding project conducted on the elderly, 154 028 subjects who had participated in the 2020 baseline survey were included in the current analysis.

Multienzyme-Mimicking CuO/AuPt with Efficient Photothermal Effects for Superior and Long-Term Antibacterial Performance.

Microbial evolution, combined with antibiotic overuse, has accelerated the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These bacteria pose significant risks to human health and the ecological environment. To address this challenge, researchers are increasingly focusing on multifunctional nanostructures with multiple antimicrobial mechanisms.

Excellent catalytic activity of in-situ formed TiC nanoparticles for boosting hydrogen release from light metal hydride.

Lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH) exhibits significant potential as a solid-state hydrogen storage medium. However, its practical implementation is restricted by high activation barriers, kinetic limitations, and irreversibility. In this work, a novel solvent-induced phase separation strategy was employed to synthesize TiC@C with excellent catalytic activity, aiming to improve the dehydrogenation performance of LiAlH.

Rosa roxburghii Tratt fruit extract ameliorate free fatty acid induced steatosis in HepG2 cells through activating PI3K-Akt and PPAR pathways.

There has been a continuous increase in the global incidence of obesity. Rosa roxburghii Tratt (RRT), a plant with medicinal and edible uses, contains active components that can alleviate obesity, indicating an anti-obesity potential. This research sought to investigate the anti-obesity effects of RRT fruit extract (RRTE) and elucidate the underlying mechanisms and components responsible for its action.

Impact of treatment time and waiting time on outcome for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma receiving definitive chemoradiotherapy.

Purpose: To assess the effect of treatment time and waiting time on clinical outcome for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated with definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

Methods And Materials: A retrospective analysis was conducted on ESCC patients treated with definitive CCRT between 2008 and 2024 at Xijing hospital. Analyses were performed according to the following separate definitions of treatment time and waiting time: (1) theoretical minimal radiotherapy time (TMRT); (2) overall treatment time (OTT); (3) exceeding time (ET); (4) time to start of radiotherapy (TSR); (5) overall waiting time (OWT).

Combined effects of physical activity, cognitive activity, and dietary patterns on cognitive impairment in older adults with consideration of APOE genotype: a cohort study.

Background: This study aims to evaluate the combination effects of physical activity (PA), cognitive activity (CA), and dietary patterns impacts cognitive impairment among older adults, and whether these associations differ by apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype.

Methods: A total of 18,909 adults aged 65 years or older at baseline were enrolled from 1998 to 2014 years. PA and CA was assessed using scores that reflected participation in various activities, and a total activity (TA) score was calculated as the sum of PA and CA scores.

High proportion of tuberculosis recent transmission in rural areas of Northeastern China: a 3-year prospective population-based genotypic and spatial analysis in Hinggan League, China.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health challenge in China, particularly in rural areas like Hinggan League (HL), Inner Mongolia. Understanding the genetic diversity and transmission dynamics of (MTB) strains is crucial for effective TB control. We conducted a prospective study from 2021 to 2023, sequencing 221 MTB isolates from HL.

Ultrasound-modulated wheat gliadin-dextran conjugates enhance the encapsulation and bioaccessibility of quercetin.

This research sought to develop ultrasound-modulated glycosylated wheat gliadin-dextran conjugates as nanocarriers to improve the stability and bioaccessibility of quercetin. Ultrasound pretreatment (400 W, 20 min) caused partial protein unfolding and enhanced the exposure of reactive groups, leading to the formation of high molecular weight molecules. Ultrasound-induced structural disorder improved the solubility and amphiphilicity of the protein, facilitating more effective self-assembly.

A rare case report of idiopathic renal infarction initially misdiagnosed as acute gastroenteritis.

Rationale: Idiopathic renal infarction refers to the sudden necrosis of kidney tissue due to a loss of blood supply, without an identifiable or specific underlying cause. It is a rare and often misdiagnosed condition owing to its nonspecific symptoms, with clinical manifestations similar to gastrointestinal or urinary disorders.

Patient Concerns: A 40-year-old male with no significant past medical history presented with sudden-onset right lower abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

HSP104 and HSP20-L Are Required by Aspergillus nidulans in Response to Attack by Fungivorous Springtail Sinella curviseta.

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are conserved biomolecules that are consistently expressed and upregulated in response to stress. However, whether fungi activate HSPs in response to fungivorous arthropods' attack remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the function of HSP104 and HSP20-L in Aspergillus nidulans upon Sinella curviseta stress.

Salinity-driven shifts in estuarine viral community composition and diversity near the Shenzhen coast.

Estuarine viral communities play a key role in microbial dynamics and ecosystem functioning. However, how viruses adapt to the highly dynamic estuarine environments remains largely underexplored. This study uses viromic sequencing to investigate the DNA viruses in estuarine water samples adjacent to the Shenzhen coast.

Joint analysis of whole-genome methylation and transcriptome in avian pullorum disease and validation of gene function.

Unlabelled: Pullorum disease caused by can negatively affect growth and egg-laying performance, resulting in significant economic losses in poultry farming. In this study, spleen tissues from SP-infected chickens (group P) and SP-uninfected chickens (group N) were analyzed for functional enrichment using whole-genome bisulfite and RNA sequencing. The function of the key gene was verified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Evaluating the generalizability of an automated coronary artery calcium segmentation and scoring algorithm using multi-vendor dataset.

Coronary artery calcification score (CACS), also known as the Agatston score, is a significant prognostic tool for cardiovascular disease (CVD) that utilizes computed tomography (CT). We expand our previously proposed algorithm, Residual-block Inspired Coordinate Attention U-Net (RICAU-Net), to evaluate its generalizability on CT data from previously unseen scanners for lesion-specific CAC segmentation. The multi-vendor datasets were 1,108 CT scans acquired by Siemens, GE, Philips, and Toshiba.

Driving style characteristics based lane-changing intention recognition research for truck drivers near highway ramps.

Objective: The research aims to analyze the driving styles and lane-changing intentions of truck drivers near the highway ramps.

Methods: Using principal component analysis (PCA), three principal components were selected for cluster analysis, examining driving styles from the perspectives of risk tolerance, longitudinal, and lateral driving characteristics. An intention recognition model for lane-changing was developed and trained, and its validity was verified with High-D dataset.

Enhancing rare disease detection with deep phenotyping from EHR narratives: evaluation on Jeune syndrome.

Background: Patients with rare diseases frequently experience misdiagnoses and long diagnostic delays. Accelerating their diagnosis is essential to ensure timely access to appropriate care. Given the increasing availability of EHRs, combining artificial intelligence and deep phenotyping from large-scale clinical databases offers a promising approach to identify undiagnosed patients.

Predicting survival time for critically ill patients with heart failure using conformalized survival analysis.

Heart failure (HF) is a significant public health challenge, especially among critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Predicting survival outcomes for these patients with calibrated uncertainty is both challenging and essential for guiding subsequent treatments. This study introduces conformalized survival analysis (CSA) as a novel method for predicting survival times in critically ill HF patients.