Cumulative burden of estimated glomerular filtration rate and the risk of intracranial atherosclerosis: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) is a major cause of ischemic stroke. The longitudinal associations of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with ICAS are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association of cumulative eGFR burden with incident ICAS.

Understanding the toxicity induced by radiation-triggered neuroinflammation and the on-demand design of targeted peptide nanodrugs.

Radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI) represents a severe complication of cranial radiotherapy, substantially diminishing patients' quality of life. Unlike conventional brain injuries, RIBI evokes a unique chronic neuroinflammatory response that notably aggravates neurodegenerative processes. Despite significant progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms related to neuroinflammation, the specific and precise mechanisms that regulate neuroinflammation in RIBI and its associated toxicological effects remain largely unclear.

The combination of dietary active dry yeast and improves productive performance, egg quality, and immunity of aged breeder hens.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with active dry yeast (ADY) alone or in combination with (BS) on physiological parameters (laying performance, egg quality, blood indexes), reproductive traits, ileum microbiome, metabolome, and uterine gene expression in aged breeder hens. A total of 336 Hy-line brown layer hens aged 55 weeks were randomly assigned to three groups using a completely randomized design: control group (Con, basal diet), ADY group (1 g ADY/kg diet), and ADY-BS combination group ([1 g ADY + 0.1 g BS]/kg diet).

Health status of landscaping trees in different habitats in Beijing, China.

The health of urban trees is jointly influenced by species-specific environmental adaptability and habitat heterogeneity, posing severe challenges for management. We investigated landscaping trees in Beijing, established a five-tier health evaluation system (healthy, sub-healthy, unhealthy, severe decline, and moribund) comprising 14 indicators. Then, we analyzed current health status and the influence of six typical habitats: dense forest, sparse forest, tree belt, tree pond, waterside, and buildingside.

Intelligent Fault Diagnosis of Machinery Using BPSO-Optimized Ensemble Filters and an Improved Sparse Representation Classifier.

In this paper, we propose an ensemble approach for the intelligent fault diagnosis of machinery, which consists of six feature selection methods and classifiers. In the proposed approach, six filters, based on distinct metrics, are utilized. Each filter is combined with an improved sparse representation classifier (ISRC) to form a base model, in which the ISRC is an improved version of a sparse representation classifier and has the advantages of high classification accuracy and being less time consuming than the unimproved version.

Unlocking room-temperature phosphorescence in curved corannulene scaffolds multi-esterification and phenyl bridging.

The room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) properties of corannulene were successfully activated through multi-esterification and phenyl bridging strategies, where the ester groups enhanced spin-orbit coupling (SOC) to facilitate intersystem crossing (ISC), while the phenyl bridges improved RTP efficiency.

The Cumulative Atherogenic Index of Plasma Exposure in Carotid Plaque: A Cohort Study in China.

Background: Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) is recognized as a marker for atherosclerosis, but the impact of long-term AIP exposure on carotid plaque remains unknown.

Objectives: The objective of the study is to assess the associations of cumulative AIP (cumAIP), incorporating the time course of cumAIP accumulation with the risk of carotid plaque.

Methods: A total of 9,202 participants from the Beijing Health Management Cohort were followed up until December 31, 2021.

Hybrid-Ligand Metal-Organic Frameworks Enabling Radio-Radiodynamic-Chemodynamic Therapy Primes Checkpoint Blockade Immunotherapy in Hypoxic Tumors.

Radiodynamic therapy (RDT) offers a potential strategy to enhance radiation therapy (RT) efficacy by efficiently generating singlet oxygen (O) upon radiation. However, both RT and RDT can be compromised by tumor hypoxia. To relieve hypoxia while potentiating RT-RDT, we developed a hybrid-ligand nanoscale metal-organic framework (nMOF), LuMix, for radio-radiodynamic-chemodynamic therapy (RT-RDT-CDT) of tumors with low-dose X-ray.

Life Course Adversity, Premature Mortality, and Life Expectancy: Role of Life's Essential 8.

Aims: Life course adversity has been linked to various health outcomes, but the interrelationship between adversity, Life's Essential 8 (LE8), and premature mortality remains unclear. We aimed to examine the associations of childhood and adulthood adversity with premature mortality and life expectancy, and whether LE8 modifies these associations.

Methods: This study included 148,137 participants from the UK Biobank, with LE8 data available for 94,289 individuals.

Utilising Far-Red Light: Photosynthetic and Physiological Adaptations in Shade-Tolerant Fittonia albivenis.

Shade plants have varying capacities to utilise far-red (FR) light, which substantially influences their growth and adaptability to shaded environments, but how plants acclimate to low-light conditions is unclear. This study investigates physiological and photosynthetic adaptations in shade-tolerant Fittonia albivenis during prolonged FR exposure. Plants displayed mixed shade-avoidance (internode and petiole elongation, upward leaf orientation) and shade-tolerance traits (delayed senescence) under FR treatment.

Clinical Study on the Combined Application of Ultrasound Probes to Improve the Diagnostic Value of Adenomyosis at the Bottom of the Gallbladder.

Objective: This study aims to assess the diagnostic efficacy of using a combination of ultrasonic probes including convex array probe, linear array probe, and intracavitary probe, for the detection of adenomyosis at the gallbladder fundus.

Methods: A total of 121 outpatients with suspected diagnosis of gallbladder adenomyosis were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent conventional ultrasound examination of gallbladder floor with convex array probe, linear array probe and intraluminal probe.

Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum Extracellular Vesicles on Lipid Metabolism in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet.

This thesis aims to investigate the role of extracellular vesicles of Lactobacillus plantarum (LPEVs) in the regulation of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced disorders of lipid metabolism.We used ultracentrifugation to obtain LPEVs and performed preliminary characterization. After an obese mouse model was established via HFD feeding, LPEVs were used to treat mice with lipid metabolism disorders, and changes in the body weight, blood lipid levels, tissue levels, intestinal flora structure, differential metabolites, and regulation of key signaling pathway genes in these mice were observed.

Ice-breaking sign: A radiological sign influencing the treatment strategies for choledocholithiasis.

Background: Choledocholithiasis is a common benign disease of the biliary tract. We identified a particular type of choledocholithiasis characterized by sudden narrowing of the common bile duct at the site of impaction, which caused a marked increase in surgical difficulty and risk compared to treatment for typical choledocholithiasis. This phenomenon has not been described in previous studies.

Endogenous synthesis of n-3 PUFAs can reduce lipid synthesis in Fad3 transgenic cattle.

n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play important roles in the health, development and growth of mammals. However, most mammals, including humans, cannot synthesize n-6 and n-3 PUFAs and can only obtain them from the diet. The fatty acid desaturase 3 (Fad3) gene from flax encodes a fatty acid desaturase that convert n-6 PUFAs to n-3 PUFAs through desaturation at ∆15.

Cryoablation combined with programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors regulates myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) through the JAK2-STAT3-S100A8/A9 axis in mice with Lewis lung carcinoma.

Background: Cryoablation (Cryo) can enhance the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy, and the synergistic effect of Cryo with immune checkpoint inhibitors has been demonstrated in some tumor models. Because myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) accumulate in lung cancer patients and promote tumor progression, lung cancer can be treated by targeting MDSCs. At present, the effect and mechanism of action of combination Cryo + programmed cell death protein 1(PD-1) inhibitors on MDSCs in cancer patients are unclear.

An integrated analysis of miRNA and mRNA expressions in soybean response to boron stress.

Boron (B) fertilization significantly increased soybean seed yields and is an indispensable micronutrient in soybean growth. However, it is difficult to absorb in soil, which can seriously affect soybean growth. In this study, soybeans were planted under B deficiency and B sufficiency conditions, then physiological and biochemical indicators of soybean seedlings were measured.

A nondestructive and rapid method for in situ measurement of crude fat content in soybean grains.

Sample heterogeneity compromises near-infrared (NIR) accuracy for crude fat content (CFC) in soybeans, traditionally requiring destructive grinding. Existing methods lack real-time nondestructive alternatives. We hypothesized that Raman-NIR fusion via an enhanced machine learning framework could enable precise, non-destructive CFC quantification.

Emission characteristics and formation mechanisms of toluene during anaerobic degradation of cyanobacteria.

Aromatic hydrocarbons have emerged as critical precursors in tropospheric ozone formation and secondary organic aerosol production, drawing significant scientific interest. While anthropogenic emissions and biomass burning remain well-characterized sources, biogenic origins, particularly cyanobacterial blooms, have been increasingly recognized. However, uncertainties persist regarding emission dynamics and formation pathways during algal decomposition.

Transformable self-assembling peptide nanoplatforms with tumor microenvironment responsiveness for tumor stem cell suppression and immunomodulation.

Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) drive tumor formation and growth via self-renewal, differentiation, and high tumorigenic potential, and the persistence of BCSCs is an important cause of treatment failure in patients with breast cancer. In addition, the tumor microenvironment promotes the maintenance of BCSC stemness, inhibits immune cell activity, and forms an immune escape "barrier". In this study, we developed an amphiphilic peptide nanocarrier system, PA/Pep1, with an RGD-targeting sequence.

Gene fusion detection in long-read transcriptome sequencing data with GFvoter.

Gene fusion is a prevalent occurrence in cancer patients, and fusions are significant both as diagnostic biomarkers and as therapeutic targets for cancer. Long-read transcriptome sequencing technology provides new opportunities for gene fusion detection. In this research, we have developed GFvoter, a novel method that employs a multivoting strategy to identify gene fusions from long-read transcriptome sequencing data.

Associations between lipid parameters and depression with the moderating role of inflammation: Network analyses of 87,636 UK Biobank participants.

Background: Studies investigating lipid-depression associations have reported inconsistent findings, and few have considered the interrelationships among lipid parameters. Additionally, the moderating role of inflammation in these associations remains unclear. This study aims to (1) assess lipid-depression associations after controlling for other lipid parameters, and (2) explore the moderating effect of inflammation.

Regulation of Mitochondrial Metabolism by Gene Encoding Mitofusin Affects Cellular Proliferation and Histone Modification.

Mitochondria maintain cellular homeostasis through the dynamic balance of fusion and fission, which relies on nuclear-encoded mitochondrial fusion proteins, mitofusins 1 and 2 (Mfn1, Mfn2). Changes in and expression significantly affect mitochondrial fusion and fission, thereby affecting cellular metabolism. This study investigated the effect of expression on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and mitochondrial function by overexpressing (in OE-Mfn1 cells) and silencing using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) (in shMfn1 cells).

Author Correction: Identification and characterization of GLDC as host susceptibility gene to severe influenza.

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Study on changes in egg quality traits and genetic parameters of white leghorn hens from 35 to 100 weeks of age.

To enhance production efficiency, the egg industry increasingly extends the laying cycle of hens. However, this extension exacerbates the decline in egg quality during the late laying period. To improve egg quality throughout the extended laying period of laying hens, this study analyzed 11 egg quality traits: eggshell strength (ESS), eggshell thickness (EST), eggshell weight (ESW), eggshell ratio (ESR), egg weight (EW), yolk weight (YW), yolk ratio (YR), egg shape index (EI), Haugh unit (HU), yolk color (YC), and eggshell membrane thickness (ESMT) in 2,577 White Leghorn hens across 35, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 wk of age.

Discordance of Small Dense LDL Cholesterol Beyond LDL Cholesterol or Non-HDL Cholesterol and Carotid Plaque.

Background: Different low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles exhibit distinct proatherogenic properties.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate associations of small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (sdLDL-C), large buoyant low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (lbLDL-C), sdLDL-C/LDL-C ratio, and sdLDL-C/lbLDL-C ratio with carotid plaque (CP) risk in the general population, and to perform discordance analyses to determine which biomarker better reflects CP risk beyond low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C).

Methods: This study enrolled 20,369 participants from Beijing Health Management Cohort.