DeepNuParc: A novel deep clustering framework for fine-scale parcellation of brain nuclei using diffusion MRI tractography.

Brain nuclei are clusters of anatomically distinct neurons that serve as important hubs for processing and relaying information in various neural circuits. Fine-scale parcellation of the brain nuclei is vital for a comprehensive understanding of their anatomico-functional correlations. Diffusion MRI tractography is an advanced imaging technique that can estimate the brain's white matter structural connectivity to potentially reveal the topography of the nuclei of interest for studying their subdivisions.

Synergistic engineering on surface chemistry and morphology in TiCT MXene towards high rate and durable LiO batteries.

The lithium‑oxygen battery (LOB) has emerged as an appropriate candidate for next-generation power supply system, owing to the ultrahigh theoretical energy density (3480 Wh kg) and relatively low cost. However, some intrinsic challenges, including high redox overpotentials, limited rate capability, and poor cyclic life, continue to hinder the practical deployment of lithium‑ oxygen batteries. The fundamental limitations originate from sluggish oxygen reduction/evolution reaction (ORR/OER) kinetics and parasitic side reactions, which can be effectively mitigated by employing efficient cathode electrocatalysts.

The role of miR-10b-5p in prostate cancer and its exosome-mediated angiogenesis effect.

Objective: Prostate cancer (PCa) continues to be a major cause of cancer-related mortality globally, underscoring the critical need for novel therapeutic strategies. This study investigates the oncogenic function of miR-10b-5p in PCa progression and evaluates its potential as both a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target.

Methods: miR-10b-5p was initially identified as a candidate oncogene through bioinformatic analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) PCa data, followed by validation of its expression levels in clinical PCa specimens via fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

Accelerating Prediction of Antiviral Peptides Using Genetic Algorithm-Based Weighted Multiperspective Descriptors with Self-Normalized Deep Networks.

The accurate prediction of antiviral peptides (AVPs) plays a crucial role in accelerating the development of peptide-based therapeutics. Despite extensive production of antiviral medications, viral diseases remain a major human health concern. AVPs have emerged as potential candidates for the development of novel antiviral drugs.

Short-course PD-1 blockade in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a phase II randomized trial protocol (Tori-013).

While immunotherapy has demonstrated encouraging efficacy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANPC), the optimal combination modalities and treatment duration remain undetermined. In the present study, we developed a clinical trial protocol to evaluate shortened period of immunotherapy could enhance the efficacy of LANPC. This open-label, randomized, single-blind, multicenter phase II trial (Tori-013) investigates the efficacy and safety of toripalimab (anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody) combined with induction chemotherapy (IC) followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in patients with stage III/IVa nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Therapeutic Opportunities of Marfan Syndrome: Current Perspectives.

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a hereditary connective tissue disorder that is primarily caused by mutations in the fibrillin-1 () gene. This disease predominantly affects the eyes, bones, and cardiovascular system, with cardiovascular complications posing the most significant threat to life. Currently, conventional treatments, which are based on pharmacological management and surgical interventions, aim to slow disease progression and manage life-threatening cardiovascular complications.

Efficacy of albumin-bound paclitaxel versus paclitaxel in esophageal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of albumin-bound paclitaxel and paclitaxel in the treatment of esophageal cancer.

Methods: Seven databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, China Science and Technology Journal Database, and China Biology Medicine disc) were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of albumin-bound paclitaxel and paclitaxel in the treatment of esophageal cancer. The search was conducted from database inception to February 2025.

Precision nanotherapeutics for kidney disease: targeting inflammation and maladaptive repair.

The kidney exhibits a remarkable capacity for repair following acute injury; however, unchecked or persistent inflammation often drives maladaptive repair, fibrosis, and progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Inflammation is pivotal in this process, characterized by complex, bidirectional cross talk between diverse immune cell populations and resident renal intrinsic cells. This intricate interplay critically dictates the balance between successful regeneration and pathological scarring.

Application of mesenchymal stem cells in ferroptosis-related diseases.

Modern medicine has achieved groundbreaking advancements in disease diagnosis and treatment, yet significant challenges remain in managing conditions such as age-related diseases, tumors, autoimmune disorders, and neurological conditions. Conventional drug therapies often suffer from inadequate targeting, severe toxic side effects, and limited therapeutic efficacy, leading to adverse clinical outcomes such as disease recurrence and organ dysfunction. In recent years, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have demonstrated transformative potential in regenerative medicine and disease therapy.

Deletion of sulfate transporter SUL1 extends yeast replicative lifespan via reduced PKA signaling instead of decreased sulfate uptake.

The regulation of cellular metabolism and growth in response to nutrient availability is crucial for cell survival and can significantly impact on lifespan. Central to this regulation is a class of transporters that sense and transport specific nutrients and transduce the signal downstream to control genes responsible for growth and survival. In this study, we identified SUL1, a plasma membrane transporter responsible for regulating the entry of extracellular sulfate in , as a key gene for regulating lifespan.

In vivo Hypothermic Perfusion Intestinal Auto-transplantation for Patients With Tumors Invading the Mesenteric Root Vascular System: An Unusual Consecutive 19-case Series (with video).

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and outcomes of radical resection combined with in vivo hypothermic perfusion and intestinal auto-transplantation (IATx) for tumors invading the mesenteric root vascular system.

Background: Radical resection combined with IATx is safe and effective for mesenteric root tumors invading the vascular system. However, classic IATx procedures require removing the mesenteric root tumor as well as the small intestine and ascending colon for ex vivo hypothermic perfusion.

[Expert consensus on local anesthesia application in pediatric dental therapies].

Dental treatments for children and adolescents have unique clinical characteristics that differ from dental care for adults in terms of children's physiology, psychology, and behavior. These differences impose specific requirements on the application of local anesthesia in pediatric dental procedures. This article presents expert consensus on the principles of local anesthesia techniques in pediatric dental therapies, including the use of common anesthetic drugs and dosage control, safety and efficacy evaluation, and prevention and management of complications.

[Results of active surveillance of clinical progression in low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: a single center prospective cohort study].

To observe the clinical progression of low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma（LR-PTMC）, analyze the influencing factors of its oncological outcomes, and explore the feasibility of active surveillance（AS） of LR-PTMC. This study adopted a prospective observational research design. A total of 85 subjects diagnosed with LR-PTMC during health checkup in Health Management Center of our hospital from March 2021 to October 2022 were enrolled as the research subjects, for at least 2 years of AS follow-up observation.

Impact of maternal feeding practices on neonates born to mothers infected with COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study in Sichuan Province.

Objective: To investigate the impact of different feeding methods on the manifestation of novel coronavirus infection symptoms in newborns following maternal infection with the novel coronavirus.

Results: Among the 257 mother-infant pairs, participants were categorized into three groups according to feeding method: the direct breastfeeding group (n = 125), the bottle-feeding with expressed breast milk group (n = 87), and the artificial feeding group (n = 45). No statistically significant differences were observed in the maternal clinical manifestations of COVID-19 across the three groups (p > 0.

Association between sarcopenia and falls, fractures, hospital readmission, and all-cause mortality in older adults with endocrine disorders: a longitudinal study of aging in China.

Background: To explore whether older adults with sarcopenia are at greater risk for falls, fractures, hospital readmissions, and all-cause mortality compared to those without sarcopenia.

Methods: An elderly population discharged from June 2020 to January 2022 from the Department of Endocrinology of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital was collected. The cohort included patients with various endocrine disorders, primarily type 2 diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction (hypo- and hyperthyroidism), adrenal insufficiency, and metabolic syndrome.

Associations of lactate-to-hematocrit ratio with short- and long-term prognoses in critically ill patients with cirrhosis and sepsis: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: The lactate-to-hematocrit ratio (LHR) is strongly associated with the prognosis of patients critically ill with various diseases. However, the relationship between LHR and the prognosis of critically ill patients with cirrhosis and sepsis has not been explored. Therefore, this study examined the association between the LHR and short- and long-term prognoses in this special group of patients.

State-dependent alterations in neural activity induced by the personalized ventrolateral prefrontal cortex stimulation during viewing emotional film clips.

Emotion regulation is crucial for maintaining normal social interactions and individual psychological health. Using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to modulate emotional regulation may be a powerful method for neurological or psychiatric disorders. However, TMS efficacy varies between protocols and individuals, with the brain's state during treatment being an often-overlooked factor.

Disrupted periodic spatiotemporal pattern and dynamic reorganization of its basic states in generalized epilepsy.

Objective: The anti-correlation between the default mode network (DMN) and task-positive network (TPN) is a stable characteristic of normal brain activity. However, in idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE), this anti-correlation is often disrupted and strongly associated with epileptic seizures. This study aims to use periodic spatiotemporal patterns (PSTP) analysis to elucidate the relationship between the DMN-TPN anti-correlation and epileptic activity, providing new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying IGE.

Privacy-preserving federated transfer learning for enhanced liver lesion segmentation in PET-CT imaging.

Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (PET-CT) evolution is critical for liver lesion diagnosis. However, data scarcity, privacy concerns, and cross-institutional imaging heterogeneity impede accurate deep learning model deployment. We propose a Federated Transfer Learning (FTL) framework that integrates federated learning's privacy-preserving collaboration with transfer learning's pre-trained model adaptation, enhancing liver lesion segmentation in PET-CT imaging.

Pediatric posterior trans-olecranon fracture-dislocation of the elbow: a case report and review of literature.

Objective: Dislocations of the elbow are not common in skeletally immature patients. Herein, we present a case report on a rare pediatric posterior trans-olecranon fracture dislocation of the elbow, a type of dislocation that has never been reported in children. We aim to discuss the injury mechanism and introduce our treatment approach for this specific condition.

Trans-scale hierarchical metasurfaces for multispectral compatible regulation of lasers, infrared light, and microwaves.

Electromagnetic scattering control of optical windows has significant challenges in improving optical transmission and compatibility, especially for multispectral and large-angle incidences, due to material and structure mismatches. This paper presents trans-scale hierarchical metasurfaces (THM) to achieve wide-angle optical transmission enhancement and electromagnetic scattering-compatible regulation in dual-band lasers, and infrared and microwave ranges. THM comprises an ultrafine hollow metal array (UHMA) and a transmission-enhanced micro-nanocone array (TMCA).

Beyond efficacy parity: a novel cost-equilibrium framework for value assessment of competing third-line therapies in metastatic colorectal cancer.

Background: Colorectal cancer remains a leading cause of global cancer mortality, with metastatic CRC (mCRC) requiring sequential therapies after first line treatment failure. While regorafenib and fruquintinib are guideline-endorsed third-line options, their comparative value remains unestablished due to absent head-to-head trials. This real-world study evaluates clinical outcomes, safety, and cost differentials to model value-equilibrium pricing.

Construction of risk prediction model for dysphagia in hospitalized elderly patients with frailty.

Background: Dysphagia is a common complication in elderly patients with frailty, affecting their prognosis and quality of life. Constructing a risk prediction model can help with early screening and intervention.

Objective: To investigate the current status of dysphagia in hospitalized elderly patients with frailty, analyze its influencing factors, and construct a risk prediction model for dysphagia in hospitalized elderly patients with frailty.

Prevalence and influencing factors of oral frailty among middle-aged and older patients with chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Oral health has emerged as a subject of significant public concern. Oral frailty represents the clinical presentation of advanced oral health decline and serves as a significant indicator of systemic frailty. However, current research on oral frailty in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is quite limited.

Next-generation antifungal drugs: Mechanisms, efficacy, and clinical prospects.

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) have become prominent global health threats, escalating the burden on public health systems. The increasing occurrence of invasive fungal infections is due primarily to the extensive application of chemotherapy, immunosuppressive therapies, and broad-spectrum antifungal agents. At present, therapeutic practices utilize multiple categories of antifungal agents, such as azoles, polyenes, echinocandins, and pyrimidine analogs.