Whole genome sequence analysis of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol across 246 K individuals.

Background: Rare genetic variation provided by whole genome sequence datasets has been relatively less explored for its contributions to human traits. Meta-analysis of sequencing data offers advantages by integrating larger sample sizes from diverse cohorts, thereby increasing the likelihood of discovering novel insights into complex traits. Furthermore, emerging methods in genome-wide rare variant association testing further improve power and interpretability.

Nuclear paxillin functions as a molecular switch for alternative splicing in neurons during a critical period of brain development.

During a critical period of postnatal brain development, neural circuits undergo significant refinement coincident with widespread alternative splicing of hundreds of genes, which undergo altered splice site selection for the generation of isoforms essential for synaptic plasticity. Here, we reveal that neuronal activity-dependent phosphorylation of paxillin at its serine 119 (p-paxillin) acts as a molecular switch in the nucleus for the control of alternative splicing during this period. We show that following NMDA receptor activation, nuclear p-paxillin is recruited to nuclear speckles, where it interacts with splicing factors, such as U2AFs.

Bi-layered microflap surgery for the treatment of anterior glottic web.

Introduction: Anterior glottic webs are epithelium-covered fibrous tissue formations at the anterior commissure, leading to synechiae between the bilateral vocal folds. They manifest with symptoms ranging from hoarseness to airway obstruction. However, treating anterior glottic webs are challenging due to their high recurrence rates.

Risk factors associated with the need for colonoscopic hemostasis for acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

Background And Purpose: Colonoscopy is an essential diagnostic and therapeutic tool for lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB), with colonoscopic hemostasis needed in a subset of patients. We aim to identify risk factors associated with colonoscopic hemostasis requirement in acute LGIB patients.

Methods: This retrospective study examined consecutive patients who underwent colonoscopy for acute LGIB at a single tertiary hospital between November 2020 and May 2023.

Development and psychometric evaluation of knowledge, attitude, and behavior questionnaire on fall risk-increasing drugs (KABQ-FRID).

Background: Fall risk-increasing drugs (FRIDs) increase the risks of falls, injuries, and fractures among older adults. However, limited evidence exists on how older adults perceive and manage FRID use, particularly in Indonesia.

Objective: This study developed and psychometrically evaluated a questionnaire for assessing knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KABs) related to FRID use (hereafter KABQ-FRID) among older adults.

Myocardial Perfusion Imaging and Revascularization Predict Long-term All-cause Mortality in Patients with Suspected CAD.

Rationale And Objectives: The prognostic implications of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) are imperative to provide proper management of coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aimed to quantify the long-term prognostic value of MPI under routine clinical conditions.

Materials And Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study evaluated all-cause mortality and cause-specific survival according to MPI findings in patients with suspected or known CAD who underwent diagnostic evaluation or assessment of myocardial ischemia and viability in a tertiary referral cardiovascular center.

Spiritual Support for People Affected by Dementia: A Scoping Review.

As a life-limiting illness, dementia requires a holistic approach to care, where spiritual support plays a crucial role in helping individuals and their caregivers find meaning and solace. Our aim was to systematically map the research conducted on psychosocial interventions developed to provide spiritual support for people living with dementia and their caregivers from diagnosis and across the disease trajectory. A scoping review was conducted to explore the breadth of research on 'spiritual support' in dementia care, encompassing interventions, service delivery models, programs, toolkits, approaches, and activities.

Effects of a Board Game on Tic Management and Psychosocial Functioning in Adolescents With Tourette Syndrome: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Tics and comorbidities significantly impact the social interactions and mental health of adolescents with Tourette syndrome (TS). Psychoeducation is an initial intervention for TS. Gamification is a common psychoeducational intervention for youths with chronic conditions.

Acute Metabolic and Muscle Oxygenation Responses to Different Eccentric Tempos Under a Fixed Velocity-Loss Threshold in Squat.

Purpose: This study explored the acute physiological effects of different eccentric tempos, explosive speed (EXP), volitional speed, and 4-second tempo during 5 sets of velocity-based squat training.

Methods: Twelve healthy males performed parallel squats under 3 eccentric conditions using a randomized crossover design. Each session included 5 sets at a relative load, initiated with a concentric mean velocity of 0.

Centrosome dysfunction and autophagy dysregulation in renal cell carcinoma: Implications for tumor progression and therapy.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a heterogeneous kidney malignancy driven by complex genetic, molecular, and metabolic alterations. Emerging evidence implicates centrosome dysfunction and autophagy dysregulation in RCC initiation, progression, and resistance to therapy. The centrosome plays a critical role in mitotic fidelity, and its dysfunction often leads to chromosomal and genomic instability.

Lignin-mediated AgCoOS bimetal oxysulfide catalysts for highly efficient catalytic reduction of organic and Cr(VI) pollutants in the dark.

Lignin, a negatively charged, three-dimensional natural biopolymer, serves as an ideal support for metal catalysts due to its abundant functional groups and tunable chemical properties, which enable strong metal coordination and effective immobilization. Herein, we demonstrate a lignin-mediated Co/O co-doped AgS, symbolized as L-AgCoOS, bimetal oxysulfide catalyst via a facile hydrolysis method for the efficient reduction of toxic phenolic compounds (4-nitrophenol, 4-NP), organic dyes (methyl orange (MO), methylene blue (MB), rhodamine B (RhB), and heavy metal ions Cr(VI)) under dark conditions. Lignin, used to immobilize catalysts, also contributes to increasing the number of active catalytic sites and enhancing catalytic activity.

From Beetle to Bot: Bioinspired Design of Robotic Grippers Based on Stag Beetle Mandible Biomechanics.

Conventional rigid grippers remain the most-used robotic grippers in industrial assembly tasks. However, they are limited in their ability to handle a diverse range of objects. This study draws inspiration from nature to address these limitations, employing multidisciplinary methods, such as computer-aided design, parametric modeling, finite element analysis, 3D printing, and mechanical testing.

Nurses' perceptions of artificial intelligence adoption in healthcare: A qualitative systematic review.

Aim: This study aimed to systematically review and synthesize the most recent qualitative studies on frontline nurses' insights and perspectives regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in their clinical practice in hospital settings.

Background: There is limited information on frontline nurses' perceptions, attitudes and expectations regarding the adoption of AI in healthcare.

Design: A systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative evidence was conducted.

Effectiveness of augmented reality simulation on oncology nurses' knowledge and clinical reasoning in malignant fungating wound care: Randomized controlled trial.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of the CARES-MFW (Clinical Augmented Reality Education Simulation for Malignant Fungating Wounds) app in enhancing nurses' knowledge and clinical reasoning in the care of MFWs.

Background: Malignant fungating wounds (MFWs) affect many patients with advanced cancer, with nearly 50 % dying within six months of diagnosis. These wounds often present with heavy exudate, pain, malodor and bleeding, leading to profound physical and psychosocial distress.

Genomic analysis of the in Taiwan: a nationwide study from 2006 to 2022.

remains a leading respiratory pathogen for children and the elderly. In Taiwan, a national PCV13 catch-up vaccination programme for children began in March 2013. This study investigates the population structure and antimicrobial profiles of pneumococcal isolates in Taiwan from 2006 to 2022.

Two Cases of Primary Melanoma of the Uterine Cervix.

BACKGROUND This study reports on 2 cases of cervical melanoma with similar presentations but at different stages, and the treatment strategy varied accordingly, and we review the literature on the characteristics, diagnosis, and management of cervical melanoma. CASE REPORT Case 1: A 69-year-old woman with abnormal vaginal bleeding was diagnosed with advanced cervical melanoma, staged as International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Stage IVB, involving multiple metastases. Despite chemoradiotherapy and immunotherapy (nivolumab), the disease progressed rapidly, and the patient died 4 months after diagnosis.

Assessing Soil Pollution Potential through Spatial Heavy Metal Bioaccessibility for Health Risk Evaluation.

Incorporating bioaccessibility into health risk assessments enhances the accuracy of exposure estimates for heavy metal (HM) pollution, supports targeted remediation, and informs public health and policy decisions, particularly for vulnerable populations. Because HM bioaccessibility depends on local soil and geographic characteristics, identifying its relationship with soil properties is crucial for assessing soil pollution potential. Although HM concentrations can be measured relatively easily, bioaccessibility requires complex laboratory procedures, limiting routine applications in regulatory contexts.

Antithrombin-binding heparan sulfate is ubiquitously expressed in epithelial cells and suppresses pancreatic tumorigenesis.

3-O-sulfation of heparan sulfate (HS) is the key determinant for binding and activation of Antithrombin III (AT). This interaction is the basis of heparin treatment to prevent thrombotic events and excess coagulation. Antithrombin-binding HS (HSAT) is expressed in human tissues, but is thought to be expressed in the subendothelial space, mast cells, and follicular fluid.

Effectiveness of backward walking exercises combined with conventional rehabilitation programs on managing pain intensity and disability in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) causes pain and diminishes quality of life. Backward walking exercise (BWE) has been shown to improve lower muscle strength and reduce knee adduction moment, making it a recommended intervention for knee OA rehabilitation. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of BWE combined with conventional rehabilitation programs on pain intensity and disability among individuals with knee OA.

The Applied Sport Science and Medicine of Powerlifting and Para Powerlifting: A Systematic Scoping Review with Recommendations for Future Research.

Background: Powerlifting is a strength sport featuring some of the world's strongest athletes. Recent decades have seen an exponential increase in research into the applied sport science and medicine of powerlifting and its Paralympic counterpart, para powerlifting. A scoping review of the area would provide athletes, coaches, policymakers, and researchers with an overview of the existing evidence to support performance, reduce injury, and foster further growth of these sports.

Structure-guided loop grafting improves expression and stability of influenza neuraminidase for vaccine development.

Influenza virus neuraminidase (NA) is a crucial target for protective antibodies, yet the development of recombinant NA protein as a vaccine has been held back by instability and variable expression. We have taken a pragmatic approach to improving expression and stability of NA by grafting antigenic surface loops from low-expressing NA proteins onto the scaffold of high-expressing counterparts. The resulting hybrid proteins retained the antigenic properties of the loop donor while benefiting from the high-yield expression, stability, and tetrameric structure of the loop recipient.

Enhanced Versus Standard Dermatologic Management With Amivantamab-Lazertinib in EGFR-Mutated Advanced NSCLC: The COCOON Global Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Amivantamab plus lazertinib significantly improved progression-free and overall survival versus osimertinib in patients with previously untreated, EGFR-mutant advanced NSCLC. EGFR-targeted therapies are associated with dermatologic adverse events (AEs), which can affect quality of life (QoL). COCOON was conducted to assess prophylactic management and improve treatment experience.

Leveraging for an Exquisite Symmetric Supercapacitor─A Cost-Effective MnCO Synthesis Approach for Energy Storage Application.

Sugarcane () was employed as a sustainable carbon source to synthesize three-dimensional (3D) spherical manganese carbonate (MnCO) microspheres, offering a green route to advanced electrode material for high-energy-density symmetric supercapacitors. Although numerous synthesis strategies and material modifications have been explored, a detailed evaluation of environmentally friendly synthesis pathways remains essential. In this study, MnCO microspheres were successfully synthesized via a sugar-derived green synthesis followed by hydrothermal treatment.