Quantitative analysis of macular and optic disc microvascular parameters in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy using optical coherence tomography angiography.

Background: Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is a common chronic glomerulonephritis. The kidneys and eyes have structural and developmental similarities, but ocular microvascular changes in IgAN, especially in the macular and optic disc, are poorly studied. This study aimed to assess these microvascular parameters in IgAN patients using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) and explore their associations with clinical data.

Age-specific benefits of Vitamin D and its association with mortality.

Background: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble secosteroid that plays essential roles in calcium homeostasis, bone metabolism, and numerous other physiological processes. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased risk of various diseases and mortality. However, population-based studies examining the relationship between vitamin D and mortality across different age groups remain limited.

Differential effects of plant protein ratio on renal function and mortality across CKD stages.

Background: While plant protein has been suggested to offer renoprotective benefits, the optimal proportion of dietary plant protein and its relationship with outcomes across different stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unclear.

Methods: Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we examined the association between plant protein ratio and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) across CKD stages. Plant protein ratio was categorized as low (< 33%), medium (33%-66%), and high (≥ 66%).

Fucoidan treatment reverses hair loss and inhibits inflammatory responses in a mouse model of androgenetic alopecia.

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), a prevalent form of hair loss, is typically treated with minoxidil and finasteride, but their efficacy and safety are somewhat constrained. Previous studies have shown that fucoidan can regulate VEGF and Wnt signaling pathways, which are critical for hair growth. Based on bioactivity screening protocols for natural product, we hypothesized that fucoidan may exert beneficial effects on AGA, potentially through modulation of the Wnt pathway and other molecular mechanisms.

MRI-Based Models Using Habitat Imaging for Predicting Distinct Vascular Patterns in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background And Objectives: To develop two distinct models for predicting microvascular invasion (MVI) and vessels encapsulating tumor clusters (VETC) based on habitat imaging, and to integrate these models for prognosis assessment.

Methods: In this multicenter retrospective study, patients from two different institutions were enrolled and categorized for MVI (n=295) and VETC (n=276) prediction. Tumor and peritumoral regions on hepatobiliary phase images were segmented into subregions, from which all relevant features were extracted.

/-Carrageenan Blends in Plant Capsules: Achieving Harmony Between Mechanical and Disintegration Properties.

The fast-disintegrating capsules rapidly disintegrate in various physiological environments, ensuring therapeutic efficacy. The formulation of plant-based capsules with balanced mechanical and fast disintegration characteristics continues to present technical challenges in pharmaceutical development. In this study, natural marine polysaccharides were utilized to achieve both rapid disintegration and excellent mechanical properties by combining -Carrageenan (-C) and -Carrageenan (-C).

Achieving sustainable development in China: a moderated mediation model of guanxi HRM practices.

Introduction: Currently, few studies have examined the negative effects of human resource management (HRM) practices on employees' voice behavior and turnover intention. This study aims to explore the underlying mechanisms and boundary conditions by which guanxi HRM practices influence employees' turnover intention and voice behavior in the Chinese context, drawing on the conservation of resources theory.

Methods: Using a three-wave survey of 243 employees, we analyzed a moderated mediation model.

Mild Chronic Colitis Exacerbates Intracerebral Inflammation in Mice with Parkinson's Disease Through LRRK2-Mediated Regulation of NF-κB Activation and Inhibition of Nrf2.

Background And Objective: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a known risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD). Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), a protein associated with both disease, regulates inflammation in the colon and brain. However, the precise mechanism by which LRRK2 mediates the crosstalk between intestinal inflammation and PD neuropathology remains unclear.

The construction of HMME-PDT efficacy prediction model for port-wine stain based on machine learning algorithms.

Hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether-photodynamic therapy (HMME-PDT) is a safe and effective treatment for port-wine stain (PWS). Comprehensive methods for predicting HMME-PDT efficacy based on clinical factors are lacking. This study aims to develop and validate two machine learning models to predict the therapeutic effect of HMME-PDT for PWS.

A Mindfulness Breast Care App to reduce body image distress and stigma for breast cancer survivors: Development and preliminary quality assessment.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop and preliminarily assess the quality of a Mindfulness Breast Care (MBC) App to reduce body image distress and stigma among breast cancer survivors (BCSs).

Methods: The development process of the MBC App involved: 1) establishing a research group; 2) determining of the content of the MBC App based on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and 3) technical exploitation and maintenance. A mixed-methods study was conducted.

Surface reconstruction of natural wood-derived, monolithic chainmail catalyst enables robust water purification.

Chainmail catalysts, characterized by carbon layer-encapsulated active sites embedded within hierarchically porous carbon matrices, represent an optimal strategy for enhancing catalytic stability in the activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the degradation of organic pollutants. However, these powder catalysts face challenges such as agglomeration, sluggish diffusion kinetics, and difficulties in separation. In this study, we transformed low-cost natural wood into a monolithic, self-supported chainmail catalyst, Co@CW, by embedding Co nanoparticles within hierarchically porous carbonized wood.

Bamboo powder lignocellulose/polybutylene adipate terephthalate biodegradable bioplastic composite film for food packaging materials.

Herin, a biodegradable bioplastic composite packaging film was prepared by utilizing bamboo powder partially in replace of plastic. Bamboo powder lignocellulose and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) resin granules were mixed together with certain percentage to form bamboo-plastic complex, and then through hot-pressed to obtain the bamboo/PBAT bioplastic composite films. The effect of bamboo powder content on overall properties of the composite film was systematically investigated.

Validating attribute hierarchies in cognitive diagnosis models.

Cognitive diagnosis models (CDMs) are restricted latent class models that are widely used in educational and psychological fields. Attribute hierarchy, as an important structural feature of the CDM, can provide critical information for inferring examinees' attribute mastery patterns. Previous studies usually formulate likelihood ratio (LR) tests for full models and hierarchical models to validate attribute hierarchies, but their asymptotic distributions tend to become non-standard, resulting in test failures.

Pan-vaccinomics strategy for developing a universal multi-epitope vaccine against endocarditis-related pathogens.

Introduction: Endocarditis is a life-threatening infection of the heart valves, frequently caused by pathogenic bacteria. The growth of multidrug-resistant bacteria necessitates the development of innovative therapeutic techniques, such as vaccines.

Methods: The current study employed core proteome analysis and a computational-based reverse vaccinology approach across multiple bacterial pathogens associated with endocarditis to identify prospective universal vaccine candidates.

Rapid diagnosis of membranous nephropathy based on kidney tissue Raman spectroscopy and deep learning.

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is one of the most common glomerular diseases. Although the diagnostic method based on serum PLA2R antibodies has gradually been applied in clinical practice, only 52-86% of PLA2R-associated MN patients show positive anti-PLA2R antibodies. Therefore, renal biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosing MN.

Influential Factors in the Efficacy and Safety of Hemoporfin-Mediated Photodynamic Therapy for Facial Port-Wine Stains.

Background: Hemoporfin-mediated photodynamic therapy (HMME-PDT) is a novel and promising treatment for port-wine stains (PWS); however, the factors affecting the efficacy and safety are controversial.

Aim: In this study, the relationship between influential factors and the efficacy and safety of HMME-PDT for facial PWS was clarified.

Methods: In this retrospective study, 155 patients suffering from facial PWS who underwent HMME-PDT at 2-3 months interval were included.

Current trends in electromicrobiology of methane oxidation.

With many methane oxidation processes now recognized as being electrochemically driven, microbial methane oxidation is becoming an emerging focus in electromicrobiology. This review examines the current trends in the electromicrobiology of methane oxidation. We begin by reviewing recent advances in the understanding of the microbial and physiological diversity involved in microbial methane oxidation.

Effect of long-term silicone oil tamponade on the density of blood vessels in the macular and peripapillary region in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Objective Purpose: To use optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) to evaluate changes in microvascular parameters in the macular and peripapillary areas of patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) who received silicone oil (SO) tamponade for 6 months after vitrectomy.

Methods: Twenty-one eyes (21 patients) with macular-off RRD treated with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and SO tamponade were reviewed. All patients underwent OCTA to measure the vascular density (VD) and perfusion density (PD) in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), and optical coherence tomography to measure the central macular thickness (CMT) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness throughout the 6-month postoperative period.

A neuronal Slit1-dependent program rescues oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination under chronic hypoxic conditions.

Oligodendrocyte maturation arrest in hypoxia-induced white matter injury (WMI) results in long-term neurofunctional disabilities of preterm infants. Although neurons are closely linked to myelination regulation, how neurons respond to the above process remains elusive. Here, we identify a compensatory role of neuronal Slit1-dependent signaling in protecting against hypoxia-induced hypomyelination and ameliorating motor and cognitive disabilities.

The Impact of Weekend Catch-up Sleep on Hepatic Steatosis among Adults in the United States.

Short sleep duration significantly increases the risk of liver disease. This study aims to investigate the relationship between weekend catch-up sleep (WCS) duration and hepatic steatosis in adults with varying weekday sleep durations in the United States. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using adult participants from NHANES 2017 to March 2020.

Latitudinal patterns of tree β-diversity and relevant ecological processes vary across spatial extents in forests of southeastern China.

Latitudinal patterns of tree β-diversity reveal important insights into the biogeographical processes that influence forest ecosystems. Although previous studies have extensively documented β-diversity within relatively small spatial extents, the potential drivers of β-diversity along latitudinal gradients are still not well understood at larger spatial extents. In this study, we determined whether tree β-diversity is correlated with latitude in forests of southeastern China, and if so, what ecological processes contribute to these patterns of tree β-diversity.

Electroacupuncture as a promising therapeutic strategy for doxorubicin-induced heart failure: Insights into the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/ULK1 and AMPK /mTOR /ULK1 pathways.

Background: Electroacupuncture (EA), a traditional Chinese medicine therapy, exhibits cardioprotective and therapeutic effects against cardiac injury. However, the precise mechanisms underlying these benefits remain unclear.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the impact of EA on Doxorubicin-Induced heart failure and elucidate the mechanisms involved.

Retrospective analysis of clinical data from 171 low-income patients with hemophilia in Shandong Province.

To enhance attention on low-income patients with hemophilia, it is essential to urge governments and coagulation factor manufacturers to increase their investment in hemophilia care. This would ensure that low-income patients receive an adequate supply of clotting factors for both replacement therapy and prophylaxis. Clinical data from 171 low-income hemophilia patients were collected in Shandong Province between January 2017 and December 2019.

Differences in anti-obesity effects between raw and ripened Pu-erh tea polyphenols: impact on gut microbiota enterotypes.

Background: Pu-erh tea, a dark tea from China, is classified into raw and ripened types. Both have significant anti-obesity effects. Polyphenols are among their major bioactive components.

The clinical significance and biological function of tropomyosin 3 in ulcerative colitis.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a lifelong chronic inflammatory disease that is characterized by the absence of specific markers for diagnosis and prognosis. TPM3 is an integral component of the thin filament, responsible for the structural stability of actin filaments and modulation of cytoskeletal function. This study investigated the regulatory role of TPM3 in UC and its potential mechanisms.