Development and validation of a multivariable nomogram predictive of hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion after pregnancy in hepatitis B virus-infected mothers.

Background And Aims: Current guidelines are controversial regarding the continuation of nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) therapy after delivery in Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected pregnant women. The postpartum period may be an opportune moment for achieving hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion earlier with constant NAs therapy due to the restoration of immune function after delivery. We investigated prenatal and pregnant factors associated with HBeAg seroconversion after pregnancy and developed a nomogram to predict HBeAg seroconversion rates, aiding decision-making for optimal management in women.

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway-related genes in predicting the prognosis of colon cancer and guiding immunotherapy.

Background: Colon cancer is a malignant tumor with high malignancy and a low survival rate whose heterogeneity limits systemic immunotherapy. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway-related genes are associated with multiple tumors, but their role in prognosis prediction and tumor microenvironment (TME) regulation in colon cancer is poorly understood. Using bioinformatics, this study aimed to construct a risk prediction signature for colon cancer, which may provide a means for developing new effective treatment strategies.

Performance optimization of metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells using cathode and full cell impregnation with LaSrCoFeNbO electrode.

In this study, precursor solutions of LaSrCoFeNbO (LSCFN) symmetric electrode were prepared, and the applications of cathode impregnation and full cell impregnation in the preparation and performance optimization of four-layer metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (MSCs) were thoroughly investigated. Test results indicate that the polarization impedance of cathode impregnated MSCs under H and CH atmospheres at 750 °C is approximately 0.1 Ω cm and 0.

Association between the incident hypertension duration and cognitive performance in older adults: data from the NHANES 2011-2014.

Background: Established evidences have demonstrated that hypertension was associated with the cognitive impairment. But the associations between the duration of hypertension exposure and cognitive performance are still inconclusive.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the association between the duration of hypertension diagnosis and cognitive performance in older adults by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011-2014).

Dynamics of Actin Filaments Play an Important Role in Root Hair Growth under Low Potassium Stress in .

Potassium (K) is an essential nutrient for the growth and development of plants. Root hairs are the main parts of plants that absorb K. The regulation of plant root hair growth in response to a wide range of environmental stresses is crucially associated with the dynamics of actin filaments, and the thick actin bundles at the apical and sub-apical regions are essential for terminating the rapid elongation of root hair cells.

Relationship between visceral obesity and prognosis in patients with stage IVB cervical cancer receiving radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Background: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is the preferred treatment for stage IVB cervical cancer; however, some patients experience a poor prognosis. The prognostic significance of body composition indicators, including visceral obesity, has been extensively investigated in patients with cancer. This study aimed to assess the impact of body composition indicators, specifically pretreatment fat content, on the survival outcomes of patients with stage IVB cervical cancer.

Association between oxidative balance score and resistant hypertension and arterial stiffness among US adults: A population-based study.

Background And Aims: Prior studies have established the correlation between oxidative balance score (OBS) and hypertension (HTN). While the association between OBS and resistant hypertension (RHT) as well as arterial stiffness among individuals with hypertension remains undisclosed.

Methods And Results: In this study, total of 15,910 adults diagnosed with hypertension were enrolled from NHANES 2001-2018.

Breast cancer therapy: from the perspective of glucose metabolism and glycosylation.

Breast cancer is a leading cause of mortality and the most prevalent form of malignant tumor among women worldwide. Breast cancer cells exhibit an elevated glycolysis and altered glucose metabolism. Moreover, these cells display abnormal glycosylation patterns, influencing invasion, proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance.

GLABRA 2 regulates ETHYLENE OVERPRODUCER 1 accumulation during nutrient deficiency-induced root hair growth.

Root hairs (RHs), extensive structures of root epidermal cells, are important for plant nutrient acquisition, soil anchorage, and environmental interactions. Excessive production of the phytohormone ethylene (ET) leads to substantial root hair growth, manifested as tolerance to plant nutrient deficiencies. However, the molecular basis of ET production during root hair growth in response to nutrient starvation remains unknown.

Wireless flow-powered miniature robot capable of traversing tubular structures.

Wireless millimeter-scale robots capable of navigating through fluid-flowing tubular structures hold substantial potential for inspection, maintenance, or repair use in nuclear, industrial, and medical applications. However, prevalent reliance on external powering constrains these robots' operational range and applicable environments. Alternatives with onboard powering must trade off size, functionality, and operation duration.

Insulin resistance and coronary inflammation in patients with coronary artery disease: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) severity. However, its underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Therefore, our study aimed to explore the relationship between IR and coronary inflammation and investigate the synergistic and mediating effects of coronary inflammation on the association between IR and CAD severity.

Association of Uric Acid to Creatinine Ratio with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver in Non-Obese Individuals Without Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Introduction: Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease, which is usually associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (TDM) and obesity. However, the incidence of MALFD in non-obese individuals without TDM is increasing, and the pathogenesis is unclear. Serum uric acid to creatinine ratio (sUA/Cr) can reflect overall metabolic status.

The Association between Uric Acid and Metabolic Syndrome in a Middle-Aged and Elderly Taiwanese Population: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a prevalent health condition in Taiwan that places individuals at higher risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and stroke. Therefore, the identification of risk factors associated with MetS is crucial. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of uric acid and MetS in a Taiwanese community with a middle-aged and elderly population.

Willow Bark ( spp.) Used for Pain Relief in Arthritis: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

This study intends to assess the analgesic effects, physical facilitation, and safety of willow bark use in patients with arthritis. Our study was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.

Characteristics of hospitalized elderly patients with CKD: a comparison between elderly and non-elderly CKD based on a multicenter cross-sectional study.

Purpose: We undertook a multicenter epidemiological survey among hospitalized patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), aiming to reveal the characteristics of elderly CKD by comparing it with non-elderly CKD.

Methods: Medical records were obtained from 18 military hospitals across China from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2011. The characteristics of chronic kidney disease in the elderly were analyzed through comparing with those in younger patients with chronic kidney disease.

Association between sarcopenia and frailty in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Frailty and sarcopenia are prevalent in chronic kidney disease (CKD) populations and could increase the risk for adverse health outcomes. Few studies assess the correlation between frailty, sarcopenia and CKD in non-dialysis patients. Therefore, this study aimed to determine frailty-associated factors in elderly CKD stage I-IV patients, expected to early identify and intervene in the frailty of elderly CKD patients.

Passive depth estimation for a narrowband source using a single vector sensor in deep water.

For a narrowband signal, an oscillating interference pattern is formed with a target's moving when receiving at the bottom of the sea. In this Letter, the interference pattern of a narrowband source is observed using a single vector sensor (SVS). A passive depth estimation method employing a SVS is proposed.

Hyperuricemia as an independent risk factor for metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in nonobese patients without type 2 diabetes mellitus.

According to the latest consensus statement, fatty liver complicated by specific metabolic abnormalities can be diagnosed as metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in nonobese patients without type 2 diabetes mellitus (TDM). However, hyperuricemia (HUA), a manifestation of metabolic disorders, is excluded from diagnostic criteria. This study explored the association between HUA and MAFLD in nonobese patients without TDM.

High resolution single-shot myocardial imaging using bSSFP with wave encoding.

Background: Single-shot balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) sequence is widely used in cardiac imaging. However, the limited scan time in one heartbeat greatly hinders its spatial resolution compared to the segmented acquisition mode. Therefore, a highly accelerated single-shot bSSFP imaging technology is needed for clinical use.

Global age-structured spatial modeling for emerging infectious diseases like COVID-19.

Modeling the global dynamics of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) like COVID-19 can provide important guidance in the preparation and mitigation of pandemic threats. While age-structured transmission models are widely used to simulate the evolution of EIDs, most of these studies focus on the analysis of specific countries and fail to characterize the spatial spread of EIDs across the world. Here, we developed a global pandemic simulator that integrates age-structured disease transmission models across 3,157 cities and explored its usage under several scenarios.

Actin Depolymerization Factor ADF1 Regulated by MYB30 Plays an Important Role in Plant Thermal Adaptation.

Actin filaments are essential for plant adaptation to high temperatures. However, the molecular mechanisms of actin filaments in plant thermal adaptation remain unclear. Here, we found that the expression of Arabidopsis actin depolymerization factor 1 () was repressed by high temperatures.