Multi-scale multi-object semi-supervised consistency learning for ultrasound image segmentation.

Manual annotation of ultrasound images relies on expert knowledge and requires significant time and financial resources. Semi-supervised learning (SSL) exploits large amounts of unlabeled data to improve model performance under limited labeled data. However, it faces two challenges: fusion of contextual information at multiple scales and bias of spatial information between multiple objects.

Modulating synaptic plasticity with metal-organic framework for information-filterable artificial retina.

Neuroprosthetics equipped with artificial synapses hold promise to address some most intricate medical problems, such as human sensory disorders. Yet, it is necessitated and of paramount importance for neuroprosthetics to be able to differentiate significant and insignificant signals. Here, we present an information-filterable artificial retina system that integrates artificial synapses with a signal-integration device for signal perception and processing with attention.

Statin Monotherapy Not Inferior to Aspirin or Combined Aspirin and Statins Reducing the Incidences of Cirrhosis, HCC, and Mortality in MAFLD/MASH Patients: A Population Cohort Study.

Purpose: Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) pose significant risks for liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Daily aspirin and statins could reduce HCC in patients with MAFLD/MASH. We aimed to clarify whether combined aspirin and statins exert a synergistic effect on prevention of cirrhosis and HCC in patients with MAFLD/MASH.

Rapid lightsheet fluorescence imaging of whole Drosophila brains at nanoscale resolution by potassium acrylate-based expansion microscopy.

Taking advantage of the good mechanical strength of expanded Drosophila brains and to tackle their relatively large size that can complicate imaging, we apply potassium (poly)acrylate-based hydrogels for expansion microscopy (ExM), resulting in a 40x plus increased resolution of transgenic fluorescent proteins preserved by glutaraldehyde fixation in the nervous system. Large-volume ExM is realized by using an axicon-based Bessel lightsheet microscope, featuring gentle multi-color fluorophore excitation and intrinsic optical sectioning capability, enabling visualization of Tm5a neurites and L3 lamina neurons with photoreceptors in the optic lobe. We also image nanometer-sized dopaminergic neurons across the same intact iteratively expanded Drosophila brain, enabling us to measure the 3D expansion ratio.

G-cleave LC3B biosensor: monitoring autophagy and assessing resveratrol's synergistic impact on doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells.

Autophagy, a crucial process in cancer, is closely intertwined with both tumor progression and drug resistance development. However, existing methods used to assess autophagy activity often pose invasiveness and time-related constraints, limiting their applicability in preclinical drug investigations. In this study, we developed a non-invasive autophagy detection system (NIADS-autophagy, also called G-cleave LC3B biosensor) by integrating a split-luciferase-based biosensor with an LC3B cleavage sequence, which swiftly identified classic autophagic triggers, such as Earle's Balanced Salt Solution and serum deprivation, through protease-mediated degradation pathways.

Synthesis and characterization of turmeric extract-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes: Metabolite profiling and antioxidant activity.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) has gained significant attention for its medicinal properties, yet its therapeutic applications are often limited by low aqueous solubility and susceptibility to environmental factors. This study investigates the formulation of a curcumin-rich turmeric extract-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex (TUE-β-CD) to enhance its bioactivity and stability.

Machine learning optimal ordering in global routing problems in semiconductors.

In this work, we propose a new method for ordering nets during the process of layer assignment in global routing problems. The global routing problems that we focus on in this work are based on routing problems that occur in the design of substrates in multilayered semiconductor packages. The proposed new method is based on machine learning techniques and we show that the proposed method supersedes conventional net ordering techniques based on heuristic score functions.

Emerging and Promising Keywords in Biomolecules and Therapeutics for 21st Century Diseases.

Recent technological advancements and environmental changes are leading to an increase in various diseases such as obesity, fibrosis, metabolic disorders, and degenerative diseases associated with aging. Additionally, micro- and nanoplastics are emerging as as potential contributors to many of these conditions, posing a serious threat to human health. This special issue aims to explore new directions and opportunities for future drug development through recent review articles published in the issue, focusing on these key medical topics.

Update on Strategies to Reduce Early Brain Injury after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Purpose Of Review: Early brain injury (EBI) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is the most influential clinical determinant of outcomes. Despite significant advances in understanding of the pathophysiology of EBI, currently no treatments to target EBI have been developed. This review summarizes recent advances in EBI research over the past five years with a focus on potential therapeutic targets.

Mitochondrial-targeted therapies in traumatic brain injury: From bench to bedside.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with limited effective therapeutic options currently available. Recent research has highlighted the pivotal role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathophysiology of TBI, making mitochondria an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. This review comprehensively examines advancements in mitochondrial-targeted therapies for TBI, bridging the gap from basic research to clinical applications.

Complete or incomplete revascularization in patients with left main culprit lesion acute myocardial infarction with multivessel disease: a retrospective observational study.

Background: Complete revascularization has demonstrated better outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and multivessel disease. However, in the case of left main (LM) culprit lesion AMI with multivessel disease, there is limited evidence to suggest that complete revascularization is better.

Methods: We reviewed 16,831 patients in the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry who were treated from July 2016 to June 2020, and 399 patients were enrolled with LM culprit lesion AMI treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.

Real-time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiographic segmental volume analysis: a quantitative and objective tool for assessing regional left ventricle wall motion in patients with ischemic heart disease.

Background: Evaluation of regional left ventricle function using two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) in patients with ischemic heart disease has limitations due to its low objectivity and qualitative nature. In addition, 2DE is limited because multiple acoustic windows are used to obtain the image, whereas three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) uses a single window. This study aims to demonstrate the clinical utility of 3DE segmental volume analysis for evaluating regional wall motion abnormality (RWMA).

Association Between CT With Angiography and 30-Day Risk of Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack in a Canadian Emergency Department Setting.

Introduction: A subset of undifferentiated vertigo cases can be attributed to dangerous central causes such as posterior circulation ischemic stroke (PCIS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Due to a lack of validated clinical risk scoring tools, there is currently high heterogeneity in emergency department (ED) neuroimaging practices for patients presenting with undifferentiated vertigo. Therefore, this study assessed the utility of head and neck CT with angiography (CTA) for risk stratifying ED patients presenting with vertigo.

Submicromolar fluorescence 'turn-on' detection of fluoride anions using -(tetra-aryl) calix[4]pyrrole.

-(tetra-aryl) picket calix[4]pyrrole 1 featuring -fluorophenyl groups at all four -positions in a -configuration has been synthesized and characterized unambiguously using single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. This pre-organized system possesses a deep binding pocket created by the four aryl groups so that anions can be accommodated through anion-π interactions and four-point N-H⋯anion hydrogen bonds. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of the CsF and TEAF (TEA = tetraethylammonium) complexes of receptor 1 unequivocally confirms the formation of 1 : 1 complexes, revealing the binding modes in the solid state.

Reduction in integrin a3b1 modulates lung cancer motility and invasion through p70S6K-dependent E-cadherin localization.

In the current study, we investigated the effects and action mechanism of integrin a3b1 in modulating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) growth and progression. Reduced expression of integrin a3 by RNA silencing in p53 wild-type A549 NSCLC cells inhibits cell migration and invasion, compared with those in control cells. These anti-migratory and anti-invasive properties in integrin a3-silenced cells were associated with epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin) distribution at cell-cell contacts, and these effects require the activation of p70 S6 kinase (p70S6K) as evidenced by treatment with rapamycin.

Valuation of marine integrated disaster management amidst global warming in Southern Coast of Java, Indonesia.

This research explores the valuation of integrated disaster management in the coastal regions of Southern Java, Indonesia, a locale increasingly threatened by the impacts of global warming, which exacerbates marine disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis. Employing a choice experiment methodology, the study assesses the willingness to pay among local households for various strategies designed to enhance earthquake preparedness. Three distinct scenarios are examined, each reflecting varying levels of integration and sophistication: (1) Educational empowerment and localized alert integration, which emphasizes community education and rapid, self-directed evacuation practices tailored to the immediate onset of tsunamis following seismic events.

A Library of Seed@High-Entropy-Alloy Core-shell Nanocrystals With Controlled Facets for Catalysis.

High-entropy-alloy (HEA) nanocrystals hold immense potential for catalysis, offering virtually unlimited alloy combinations through the inclusion of at least five constituent elements in varying ratios. However, general and effective strategies for synthesizing libraries of HEA nanocrystals with controlled surface atomic structures remain scarce. In this study, a transferable strategy for developing a library of facet-controlled seed@HEA nanocrystals through seed-mediated growth is presented.

The early development of a combined micro- and full-field X-ray fluorescence analysis system using white X-rays at PLS-II.

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is widely used to analyze elemental distributions in samples. Micro-XRF (µ-XRF), the most basic conventional XRF technique, offers good spatial resolution through precise 2D scanning with a micrometre-sized X-ray source. Recently, synchrotron based XRF analysis platforms have achieved nano-XRF with highly focused X-rays using polycapillary optics or mirrors, leveraging the excellent coherence of synchrotron radiation.

An updated checklist of fishes of Dongsha Island, Taiwan, northern South China Sea.

Dongsha Island, situated in the northern part of the South China Sea, is surrounded by coral reefs and deep-sea habitats. The coastal areas of the atoll, a marine protected area, serve as important nursery habitats for many reef fish species. At the same time, the offshore deep-sea continental slopes are historically important fishing grounds.

The association of HDL-cholesterol levels with incident major adverse cardiovascular events and mortality in 0.6 million individuals with type 2 diabetes: a population-based retrospective cohort study.

Background: High levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are previously considered protective against cardiovascular diseases (CVD), but recent studies suggest an increased risk of adverse events at very high HDL-C levels in the general population. It remains to be elucidated such a relationship in diabetes, a condition with high cardiovascular risks. We examined the association of HDL-C levels with the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and mortality in type 2 diabetes.

Clinical Course and Prognostic Factors in Non-Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration with Subretinal Fluid.

Purpose: To investigate the clinical course and prognostic factors of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) without macular neovascularization (MNV) in patients presenting with pigment epithelial detachment (PED) and the associated subretinal fluid (SRF).

Methods: Morphological characteristics of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography images were analyzed to determine anatomic outcomes. Factors associated with the progression to late AMD, defined as complete retinal pigment epithelium and outer retinal atrophy (cRORA) or MNV, were investigated.

Nickel-Cobalt Layered Double Hydroxide Nanosheet-Decorated 3D Interconnected Porous Ni/SiC Skeleton for Supercapacitor.

In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) interconnected porous Ni/SiC skeleton (3D Ni/SiC) was synthesized by binder-free hydrogen bubble template-assisted electrodeposition in an electrolyte containing Ni ions and SiC nanopowders. This 3D Ni/SiC skeleton served as a substrate for directly synthesizing nickel-cobalt layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets via electrodeposition, allowing the formation of a nickel-cobalt LDH nanosheet-decorated 3D Ni/SiC skeleton (NiCo@3D Ni/SiC). The multiscale hierarchical structure of NiCo@3D Ni/SiC was attributed to the synergistic interaction between the pseudocapacitor (3D Ni skeleton and Ni-Co LDH) and electrochemical double-layer capacitor (SiC nanopowders).

Cross-Phenotype Genome-Wide Association Study Supports Shared Genetic Susceptibility to Systemic Sclerosis and Primary Biliary Cholangitis.

Objective: An increased risk of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) has been reported in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Our study aims to investigate the shared genetic susceptibility between the two disorders and to define candidate causal genes using cross-phenotype GWAS meta-analysis.

Methods: We performed cross-phenotype GWAS meta-analysis and Bayesian colocalization analysis for SSc and PBC.

Repurposing of the Antipsychotic Trifluoperazine Induces SLC7A11/GPX4- Mediated Ferroptosis of Oral Cancer via the ROS/Autophagy Pathway.

Ferroptosis, a mode of cell death characterized by iron-dependent phospholipid peroxidation, has a substantial therapeutic potential for the treatment of various cancers. This study investigated the effects of trifluoperazine (TFP), an FDA-approved drug traditionally utilized for mental health disorder, on oral cancer cells, with a particular focus on the mechanisms involved in its potential anti-tumor properties. Our findings indicate that TFP significantly elevates the levels of lipid-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induces ferroptotic cell death in oral cancer cells through pathways involving autophagy, the SLC7A11/GPX4 axis, and mitochondrial damage.