Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals immune regulatory mechanisms and molecular therapeutic strategies in the microenvironment of multiple myeloma.

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignancy marked by uncontrolled plasma cell proliferation, immune evasion, and drug resistance. Despite advances in treatment, the disease remains incurable due to relapses and drug resistance. This study aims to investigate the molecular and cellular interactions within the myeloma microenvironment using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), Mendelian randomization (MR), and pathway analysis to uncover therapeutic targets.

Towards bridging the synthetic-to-real gap in quantitative photoacoustic tomography via unsupervised domain adaptation.

The difficulty of obtaining absorption coefficient annotations hinders the practical application of deep learning in quantitative photoacoustic tomography. While training on synthetic data is easy to implement, the synthetic-to-real domain gap poses a significant challenge to model generalization. To address this, we propose a Decoder-enhanced unsupervised Domain Adaptation (DDA) framework to enable knowledge transfer from synthetic data to an unlabeled target domain.

Muscle-inspired elasto-electromagnetic mechanism in autonomous insect robots.

In nature, the dynamic contraction and relaxation of muscle in animals provide the essential force and deformation necessary for diverse locomotion, enabling them to navigate and overcome environmental challenges. However, most autonomous robotic systems still rely on conventional rigid motors, lacking the adaptability and resilience of muscle-like actuators. Existing artificial muscles, while promising for soft actuation, often require demanding operational conditions that hinder their use in onboard-powered small autonomous systems.

Collagen-Anchoring Polymer Dots Enable Rapid and Precise Detection of Microlesions in Inflammatory Bowel Disease through Perivascular Matrix Accumulation.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) poses substantial challenges in early diagnosis and the detection of small lesions due to clinical heterogeneity and limitations of existing imaging techniques. In this study, functional polymer dots (Pdots) are developed to rapidly and precisely image microlesions by extravasating from IBD-associated vasculature and anchoring within the perivascular matrix mediated by collagen. These Pdots are engineered with dual-channel fluorescence (visible/NIR windows) and photoacoustic (PA) imaging capabilities, making them suitable for non-invasive IBD diagnosis.

Effects of Personalized Nutrition Education on Lipid Profiles in Chinese Adults: A Medical Student-Implemented Community Intervention Study.

Background: Dyslipidemia affects over 30% of Chinese adults, with awareness rates below 20%. Promoting nutrition education programs in the general population is important, but few studies have investigated the specific strategies and their efficacy.

Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted in a representative sample of community-dwelling adults in Lu'an City, central-eastern China.

FusionMVSA: Multi-View Fusion Strategy with Self-Attention for Enhancing Drug Recommendation.

Leveraging the wealth of biomedical data available, we can derive insights into the relationships between biological entities from various angles. This underscores the complexity and significance of developing a dynamic approach for integrating data from multiple sources, a critical endeavor in drug recommendation. In this study, we introduce an innovative deep learning approach termed "Multi-View Fusion Strategy with Self-Attention" (FusionMVSA), designed to predict associations between drugs and diseases.

Dual-Site Activation for Efficient Acidic CO Electroreduction at Industrial-Level Current Densities.

Electroreduction of CO to formic acid in acidic media offers a promising approach for value-added CO utilization. However, achieving high selectivity for formic acid in acidic electrolytes remains challenging due to the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), particularly at industrially relevant current densities. Herein, a charge redistribution modulation strategy is demonstrated by constructing the CuS /SnS Mott-Schottky catalyst to enhance formic acid selectivity.

Biomineralized PEEK cages containing osteoinductive CaP bioceramics promote spinal fusion in goats.

Interbody fusion devices are critical in spinal surgery to restore spinal stability, reduce pain and improve function. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has become a commonly used alternative material for fusion cages owing to its excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility, but its biological inertness limits bone regeneration and may lead to poor fusion. In this study, a novel strategy for preparing bioactive biomineralized PEEK cages was developed using a unique combination of osteoinductive CaP bioceramic fillings in the cage window, acid sulfonation and simulated body fluid incubation.

Studying the Effect of Receptors Clustering on Hyaluronic Acid Binding with CD44 and the Cell Entry of Hyaluronic Acid Targeting Nanodrugs at Single Molecule/Particle Level.

Receptor-ligand interactions on cell membrane play key roles in many physiological and pathological processes, especially in the nanodrug targeted delivery system. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is the main ligand for binding CD44 to modulate the targeted delivery of nanodrugs; however, the corresponding receptor clustering mechanism remains unclear. The differential effects of HA on CD44 clustering are closely associated with the number of disaccharide units.

Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein-Loaded Organic and Inorganic Hybrid Aerogel Bone Scaffolds Regulate Bone Regeneration by Balancing Osteogenesis and Osteoclastogenesis.

Critical-sized bone defects present formidable challenges in orthopedic reconstruction due to the inability of existing biomaterial scaffolds to concurrently regulate osteogenic-osteoclastic coupling and vascularization. Conventional hydroxyapatite (HA)-based grafts often fail to stimulate angiogenesis and may impede remodeling by suppressing osteoclastogenesis. Herein, a PTHrp-loaded organic-inorganic hybrid aerogel scaffold (PTHrp-NCHA) is developed, designed to regulate bone regeneration by synergistically promoting osteoblast and osteoclast activity while enhancing vascularization.

Analyzing the distribution of cell membrane receptors in real-time based on multiple molecule force spectroscopy.

Most cellular activities are predicated on ligand-receptor interactions at the cell membrane, the distribution and expression level of receptors on cell membrane exhibit significant variability. In this study, we introduce a new method to analyze the distribution of cell membrane receptors in real-time. Herein, the multiple molecule force spectroscopy (MMFS) was employed by using ligands functionalized microsphere on AFM (atomic force microscopy) tip cantilever.

Reproducibility and validity of low-carbohydrate diet and low-fat diet scores derived from 24-hour dietary recalls.

The reproducibility and validity of low-carbohydrate diets (LCD) and low-fat diets (LFD) from 24-hour dietary recall (24HDR) remain unclear. We evaluated the performance of 24HDR-based assessments of 6 dietary patterns (overall, healthful, and unhealthful LCD/LFD) to determine the optimum number of 24HDR in epidemiologic studies. Participants (n = 432, 185 men and 247 women) aged 18-84 years from the Anhui Lifestyle Validation Study (ALVS) completed 4 quarterly 3 consecutive 24HDRs (2 weekdays and 1 weekend day) during July 2021 to July 2022.

Association between Hemoglobin-albumin-lymphocyte-platelet score and all-cause or cardiovascular mortality in patients with diabetes or prediabetes: mediated effects of renal function.

Objective: Hemoglobin-albumin-lymphocyte-platelet (HALP) score is considered to be a comprehensive indicator of inflammation and nutrition. We aimed to investigate the relationship of HALP score and the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in patients with diabetes (DM) or prediabetes (PDM).

Methods: 6,869 participants with DM or PDM from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005 to 2018 were enrolled.

Protein structure prediction via deep learning: an in-depth review.

The application of deep learning algorithms in protein structure prediction has greatly influenced drug discovery and development. Accurate protein structures are crucial for understanding biological processes and designing effective therapeutics. Traditionally, experimental methods like X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and cryo-electron microscopy have been the gold standard for determining protein structures.

A multimodal defect-rich nanoreactor triggers sono-piezoelectric tandem catalysis and iron metabolism disruption for implant infections.

Tracking and eradicating drug-resistant bacteria are critical for combating implant-associated infections, yet effective antibacterial therapies remain elusive. Herein, we propose an oxygen vacancy-rich (BiFe)(BaTi)O nanoreactor as a piezoelectric sonosensitizer by spatiotemporal ultrasound-driven sono- and chemodynamic tandem catalysis to amplify antibacterial efficacy. The piezoelectric charge carriers under a built-in electric field synchronize the reaction of O and HO, efficiently generating HO.

Longitudinal association of urinary DHPPA and DHBA with cardiometabolic risk markers in Chinese community-dwelling adults.

Purpose: Epidemiological studies using dietary biomarkers to investigate the association between whole grain intake and cardiometabolic health are lacking. We evaluate the 1-year longitudinal associations between urinary alkylresorcinol (AR) metabolites including 3-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-propanoic acid (DHPPA) and 3,5-dihydroxybenozoic acid (DHBA), biomarkers of whole grain wheat and rye intakes, and cardiometabolic risk markers.

Methods: Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting blood glucose, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were repeatedly measured at baseline and after 1-year in 482 Chinese community-dwelling adults.

10,000-h-stable intermittent alkaline seawater electrolysis.

Seawater electrolysis powered by renewable electricity provides an attractive strategy for producing green hydrogen. However, direct seawater electrolysis faces many challenges, primarily arising from corrosion and competing reactions at the anode caused by the abundance of halide ions (Cl, Br) in seawater. Previous studies on seawater electrolysis have mainly focused on the anode development, because the cathode operates at reducing potentials, which is not subject to electrode dissolution or chloride corrosion reactions during seawater electrolysis.

Validation of a food frequency questionnaire for measuring dietary intake of isoflavones and lignans using the method of triads.

Background: Emerging epidemiologic evidence suggested a protective association between dietary phytoestrogens and multiple chronic diseases, although validation studies on the 2 phytoestrogen subclasses, isoflavones and lignans, estimated from food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) are lacking.

Objectives: We evaluated the performance of the FFQ for measuring isoflavone and lignan intake among 892 free-living adults in the Anhui Lifestyle Validation Study (ALVS).

Methods: From July 2021 to July 2022, participants from the ALVS completed a 141-item FFQ and donated fasting morning urine specimens twice, 1-year apart, and completed twelve 24-h dietary recalls (24HDRs) that consisted of 4 quarterly 3 consecutive 24-h dietary recalls (i.

Postoperative Sclerotic Modic Changes After Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Whether It Is Different Between Nano-hydroxyapatite/Polyamide 66 and Polyetheretherketone Cage?

Objective: This study aimed to compare short-term outcomes between nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 (n-HA/PA66) cage and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage in sclerotic Modic changes (MCs) following transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and explore the effects of these cages on postoperative sclerotic MCs.

Methods: We retrospectively screened 1076 patients from September 2012 to September 2024 identifying 134 patients (154 levels) with sclerotic MCs after transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. Patients were divided into the n-HA/PA66 group and the PEEK group.

Research on blasting damage to tunnel surrounding rock based on acoustic full waveform signal analysis.

In order to study the application of Acoustic Full Waveform Signal analysis in blasting damage to tunnel surrounding rock, a formula for blasting damage increment considering cumulative effects was proposed by analyzing the Acoustic Full Waveform Signal before and after blasting, based on the concepts of elastic waves and damage degree. This formula allows the cumulative damage law of surrounding rock blasting to be calculated and analyzed. Furthermore, by introducing the Lorentz curve, Gini coefficient, and fractal theory, and combining them with the surrounding rock blasting damage law, their practicality in studying blasting damage was verified.

A non-electrical pneumatic hybrid oscillator for high-frequency multimodal robotic locomotion.

Pneumatic oscillators, incorporating soft non-electrical logic gates, offer an efficient means of actuating robots to perform tasks in extreme environments. However, the current design paradigms for these devices typically feature uniform structures with low rigidity, which restricts their oscillation frequency and limits their functions. Here, we present a pneumatic hybrid oscillator that integrates a snap-through buckling beam, fabric chambers, and a switch valve into its hybrid architecture.

Biodegradable origami enables closed-loop sustainable robotic systems.

Robots are increasingly integral across various sectors due to their efficiency and superior capabilities, which enable performance beyond human potential. However, the development of robotic systems often conflicts with the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations, as they generate considerable nondegradable waste and organic/inorganic pollutants throughout their life cycle. In this paper, we introduce a dual closed-loop robotic system that integrates biodegradable, sustainable materials such as plasticized cellulose films and NaCl-infused ionic conductive gelatin organogels.

Property-Based Design of Xanthine Derivatives as Potent and Orally Available TRPC4/5 Inhibitors for Depression and Anxiety.

Transient receptor potential canonical channels 4 and 5 (TRPC4/5) are nonselective cation channels involved in emotional regulation, positioning them to be promising targets for treating mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. HC-070, a potent TRPC4/5 inhibitor, exhibits significant anxiolytic and antidepressant effects in animal models, though its drug-like properties require optimization. In this study, we applied a property-based drug design (PBDD) approach to optimize HC-070, leading to the discovery of compound , which shows improved LipE and Fsp3 values, reduced hERG blocking activity, enhanced metabolic stability, increased aqueous solubility, and superior oral bioavailability.

Cumulative damage characteristics of tunnel initial support concrete under blasting load.

Relying on the Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway Cao Mao Shan tunnel project, blasting vibration monitoring and sound wave testing experiments were carried out. The monitoring results show that the blasting vibration velocity corresponding to the initial support satisfies the Sadowski formula. The results of the sonic test show that with the increase of blasting times, the cumulative damage increases gradually, but the blasting damage increment shows a downward trend.

Gut microbiota may modify the association between dietary polyphenol intake and serum concentrations of hippuric acid: results from a 1-year longitudinal study in China.

Background: Hippuric acid (HA), a host-microbe cometabolite, normally derives from gut microbial catabolism of dietary polyphenols.

Objectives: We investigated the potential interplay between dietary polyphenols and gut microbiota on circulating HA concentrations and examined the associations between serum concentrations of HA and cardiometabolic risk markers.

Methods: In a 1-y cohort of 754 community-dwelling adults, serum HA and its precursor [benzoic acid (BA)], and fecal microbiota were assayed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing, respectively.