Integrative 3D genomics with multi-omics analysis and functional validation of genetic regulatory mechanisms of abdominal fat deposition in chickens.

Chickens are the most abundant agricultural animals globally, with controlling abdominal fat deposition being a key objective in poultry breeding. While GWAS can identify genetic variants associated with abdominal fat deposition, the precise roles and mechanisms of these variants remain largely unclear. Here, we use male chickens from two lines divergently selected for abdominal fat deposition as experimental models.

Effects of multilevel OSA surgery on patients with poor cardiopulmonary performance: A prospective pilot study.

Objective: Multilevel airway surgery for obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSA) has benefits in improving sleep quality, but its effect on polysomnography (PSG) and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) parameters, including walking distance and cardiopulmonary performance, in patients with poor pre-operative cardiopulmonary performance remains understudied, which should be further investigated.

Methods: This prospective pilot study enrolled 27 consecutive OSA patients with poor pre-operative 6MWT results. All patients received multilevel OSA surgery, and the alterations of sleep parameters and 6MWT profiles were studied.

Engineering Single Ni Sites on 3D Cage-like Cucurbit[n]uril Ligands for Efficient and Selective CO Photocatalytic Reduction.

Solar-driven CO selective reduction with high conversion is a challenging task yet holds immense promise for both CO neutralization and green fuel production. Enhancing CO adsorption at the catalytic centre can trigger a highly efficient CO capture-to-conversion process. Herein, we introduce cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n]), a new family of molecular ligands, as a key component in the creation of a 3D cage-like metal (nickel, Ni)-complex molecular co-catalyst (CB[7]-Ni) for photocatalysis.

Supramolecular Self-Assembled Hydrogel for Antiviral Therapy through Glycyrrhizic Acid-Enhanced Zinc Absorption and Intracellular Accumulation.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common pathogen that causes respiratory infections in infants and children worldwide, significantly impacting hospitalization rates in this age group. Zinc ions are considered to have broad-spectrum antiviral potential against RNA viruses, including RSV. However, poor organism absorption and low intracellular accumulation of zinc require repeated high-dose supplementation, which may lead to unnecessary toxic side effects.

Multiple myeloma: What is the most cost-effective imaging strategy for initial detection of bone lesions?

Objective: To determine the cost-effectiveness of different imaging modalities for initial detection of multiple myeloma (MM)-defining bone lesions.

Methods: A Markov model from the health care system perspective for patients with MGUS was used to evaluate the incremental cost-effectiveness of five imaging techniques: skeletal survey (SS), low-dose computed tomography (LDCT), positron emission computed tomography (PETCT), and whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WBMRI) with and without diffusion (DIFF). Model inputs, including probabilities, utilities, and costs were obtained from comprehensive literature review.

Does the Formation of a Taylor Cone in a Pulsating Electrospray Directly Impact Mass Spectrometry Signals?

Electrospray ionization (ESI) remains the dominant technique in mass spectrometry (MS)-based analyses. Here, we investigated the relationship between a crucial aspect of ESI, the formation of the Taylor cone, and the MS ion current by utilizing a triple quadrupole (QqQ) mass spectrometer coupled with a streaming high-speed camera and a 3-ring electrode system. In one test, ion current over a 30-s plume gate (a ring electrode) opening was compared with the Taylor cone occurrence analyzed offline, with Spearman's correlation coefficients consistently near 0 despite parameter variations.

Introduction of a New Mandibular Reconstruction Procedure Using a Sagittal Split: A Case Report.

Soft tissue excision and segmental mandibular resection for the treatment of benign or malignant oral tumors result in surgical defects of varying extents. These procedures are often followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which induce further adverse events with limited available treatment options. To reduce the morbidity and enhance the success rate of mandibular reconstruction, we developed a novel technique that combines a sagittal mandibular split and the use of a vascularized forearm flap graft.

Investigating brain-gut microbiota dynamics and inflammatory processes in an autistic-like rat model using MRI biomarkers during childhood and adolescence.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by social interaction deficits and repetitive behaviors. Recent research has linked that gut dysbiosis may contribute to ASD-like behaviors. However, the exact developmental time point at which gut microbiota alterations affect brain function and behavior in patients with ASD remains unclear.

Modelling the Relative Vaccine Efficacy of ARCT-154, a Self-Amplifying mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine, versus BNT162b2 Using Immunogenicity Data.

: Self-amplifying mRNA vaccines have the potential to increase the magnitude and duration of protection against COVID-19 by boosting neutralizing antibody titers and cellular responses. : In this study, we used the immunogenicity data from a phase 3 randomized trial comparing the immunogenicity of ARCT-154, a self-amplifying mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, with BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine to estimate the relative vaccine efficacy (rVE) of the two vaccines over time in younger (<60 years) and older (≥60 years) adults. : By day 181 post-vaccination, the rVE against symptomatic and severe Wuhan-Hu-1 disease was 9.

Blood Biomarker Detection Using Integrated Microfluidics with Optical Label-Free Biosensor.

In this study, we developed an optofluidic chip consisting of a guided-mode resonance (GMR) sensor incorporated into a microfluidic chip to achieve simultaneous blood plasma separation and label-free albumin detection. A sedimentation chamber is integrated into the microfluidic chip to achieve plasma separation through differences in density. After a blood sample is loaded into the optofluidic chip in two stages with controlled flow rates, the blood cells are kept in the sedimentation chamber, enabling only the plasma to reach the GMR sensor for albumin detection.

The Therapeutic Effect of Monopolar Radiofrequency Therapy on Urinary Symptoms and Sexual Function.

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) negatively affects the quality of life and sexual function in women. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency (RF) therapy in reducing SUI symptoms and its impact on sexual function. Thirty-four women with SUI were enrolled and underwent a single RF treatment session using the Viveve System (Viveve Medical Inc.

Free-Weight Resistance Training Enhances Core Muscle Strength but Does Not Translate to Improved Athletic Performance in Adolescent Canoe/Kayak Athletes.

Background/objectives: While previous evidence has shown that using free weights for resistance training is a more practical approach to enhancing strength, there is a relatively low prevalence of free-weight resistance training among adolescent kayak/canoe athletes. Therefore, this study aims to assess the impact of free-weight resistance training on body composition and various performance factors among adolescent canoe/kayak athletes.

Methods: Twenty-seven young sprint kayakers and canoeists (14 ± 1 years; 164 ± 7 cm; 56 ± 8 kg) completed this study.

Inhibiting the Cholesterol Storage Enzyme ACAT1/SOAT1 in Myelin Debris-Treated Microglial Cell Lines Activates the Gene Expression of Cholesterol Efflux Transporter ABCA1.

Aging is the major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the aged brain, myelin debris accumulates and is cleared by microglia. Phagocytosed myelin debris increases neutral lipid droplet content in microglia.

Improving Lipid Content in the Diatom by the Knockdown of the Enoyl-CoA Hydratase Using CRISPR Interference.

The diatom shows potential as a source for biofuel production because of its considerable lipid content. Fatty acid β-oxidation plays a critical role in lipid breakdown. However, we still have a limited understanding of the role of fatty acid β-oxidation in lipid content in this microalga.

The Structure Characterization of Polysaccharides from Codonopsis Pilosula and the Structure-Activity Relationship with Immune-Regulation on THP-1 Cells.

In recent years, polysaccharides from Codonopsis pilosula (CPs) have received increasing attention for their excellent behaviors in immune-regulation. However, the relationship between the structure and immunomodulatory activity has rarely been reported. In this work, four fractions purified from crude CPs (CPW, CPS0.

Exploring the Remote Administration of a Performance-Based Functional Assessment.

Performance-based assessments of instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) can detect subtle functional impairments better than self-reported questionnaires. While most performance-based IADL assessments were developed for in-person administration, remote administration could increase access to vulnerable older adults. This study compared in-person and remote administration of IADL tasks from the Performance Assessment of Self-Care Skills.

Evaluating the effects of adrenalectomy and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist on cardiac remodeling and diastolic function in patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma.

Cardiac remodeling and diastolic dysfunction in patients with aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA) can be improved after adrenalectomy. However, the effect of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) treatment remains unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of MRA on cardiac remodeling and diastolic dysfunction in patients with PA.

SEMA7A-mediated juxtacrine stimulation of IGFBP-3 upregulates IL-17RB at pancreatic cancer invasive front.

Tumor invasion is the hallmark of tumor malignancy. The invasive infiltration pattern of tumor cells located at the leading edge is highly correlated with metastasis and unfavorable patient outcomes. However, the regulatory mechanisms governing tumor malignancy at the invasive margin remain unclear.

Machine Learning Models for Predicting Significant Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Severe Obesity and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Purpose: Although noninvasive tests can be used to predict liver fibrosis, their accuracy is limited for patients with severe obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We developed machine learning (ML) models to predict significant liver fibrosis in patients with severe obesity through noninvasive tests.

Materials And Methods: This prospective study included 194 patients with severe obesity who underwent wedge liver biopsy and metabolic bariatric surgery at Taipei Medical University Hospital between September 2016 and December 2020.