Ergosterol originated from attenuates high fat diet-induced obesity and cognitive impairment in mice.

Excessive intake of a high fat diet (HFD) leads to accumulation of fat and obesity. Ergosterol (ERG) is a characteristic sterol of fungi with various bioactive functions; however, there are few studies on the ERG function of ameliorating obesity and following cognitive impairment. It was previously found that Zhashui (AA) is rich in ERG; therefore it was selected to enrich ERG through the intervention of exogenous inducers of rice bran oil (RBO), methyl jasmonate (Me JA) and salicylic acid (SA).

Association of BMI with mortality and health-related quality of life among 4.4 million adults: Evidence from a nationwide, population-based, prospective cohort study.

Aims: The body mass index (BMI), as an easy-to-calculate measure of body fatness, is closely associated with all-cause mortality, but few studies with a large enough scale have examined the relationship between BMI and quality of life. A comprehensive and precise insight into a new range is needed.

Materials And Methods: Based on the ChinaHEART (Health Evaluation And risk Reduction through nationwide Teamwork), a nationwide, population-based cohort study, 4,485,773 participants living in 20,159 communities or villages were passively followed for death records, through a linkage of data with the National Mortality Surveillance System and Vital Registration.

A trace lithium occupation strategy enhances the structural stability of a layered NaNiFeMnO cathode enabling stable cycling.

Trace lithium ions are embedded into sodium-ion sites through Li/Na exchange to enhance the structural stability and mitigate interface erosion of layered NaNiFeMnO. The harmful O'3 phase transition in L-NFM was alleviated effectively by Li sites during the cycling process.

Engineering Aqueous Electrolytes with Vicinal S-based Organic Additives for Highly Reversible Zinc-Ion Batteries.

The commercial deployment of Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries (AZIBs) is hampered by dendrites, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and corrosion reactions. To tackle these challenges, we have introduced 3,3'-dithiobis-1-propanesulfonic acid disodium salt (SPS), a symmetrical sulfur-based organic salt, as an electrolyte additive for AZIBs. Unlike conventional electrolyte additives that favour (002) deposition, SPS enables dense (100) growth through a unique symmetrically aligned concentration-controlled adsorption network, affording structural uniformity and compactness to the Zn deposit layer.

Effect of music therapy on cognitive function among older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background And Objective: As individuals age, their cognitive function gradually declines. However, maintaining good cognitive function is essential for successful ageing. Music therapy may improve cognitive function or delay cognitive decline among older adults.

Capacity to form common mycorrhizal networks reduces the positive impact of clonal integration between plants.

Both clonal plant capabilities for physiological integration and common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs) formed by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can influence the distribution of nutrients and growth among interconnected individuals. Using a microcosm model system, we aimed to disentangle how CMNs interact with clonal integration to influence plant growth and development. We grew Sphagneticola trilobata clones with isolated root systems in individual, adjacent containers while preventing, disrupting, or allowing clonal integration aboveground via spacers and belowground CMNs to form.

Circulatory CCL2 distinguishes Duchenne muscular dystrophy dogs.

To establish a minimally invasive approach to studying body-wide muscle inflammation in the canine Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) model, we evaluated 13 cytokines/chemokines in frozen sera from 90 affected (239 sera) and 73 normal (189 sera) dogs (0.00 to 45.2 months of age).

Membrane-intercalating conjugated oligoelectrolytes for lipid membrane imaging.

Membrane-intercalating conjugated oligoelectrolytes (MICOEs), a class of phospholipid bilayer mimics, demonstrate an exceptional ability to spontaneously integrate into biological membranes through a combination of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. This unique property makes them promising candidates for membrane imaging applications. Over the past decade, MICOEs have been successfully applied to imaging and tracking a wide range of biological membranes, including microbial membranes, mammalian plasma membranes, intracellular membranes, extracellular vesicles, and artificial liposomes.

Impact of physical activity on semen quality: a review of current evidence.

A growing global trend indicates a decline in semen quality, with a lack of physical activity identified as one of the contributing factors. Exercise is medication, and numerous studies have explored its effects on semen quality. However, there is no consensus on the most effective type and intensity of exercise for improving semen quality, owing to inconsistent findings across studies.

Identification and Validation of Four Serum Biomarkers With Optimal Diagnostic and Prognostic Potential for Gastric Cancer Based on Machine Learning Algorithms.

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is considered a highly heterogeneous disease, and currently, a comprehensive approach encompassing molecular data from various biological levels is lacking.

Methods: This study conducted different analyses, including the identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), weighted correlation networks (WGCNA), single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), mRNA expression-based stemness index (mRNAsi), and multiCox analysis, utilizing data from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. Subsequently, the machine learning algorithms including least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and random forest (RF), combined with multiCox analysis were exploited to identify hub genes.

Resveratrol Alleviates the Prenatally Intermittent Hypoxia-Induced Cognitive Impairment in Male Offspring Mice Through Modulating the SIRT1/HIF-1α Pathway.

Objective: Growing evidence indicate that prenatal intermittent hypoxia (PIH) exposure can have an impact on the critical brain nerve development of the fetus, resulting in cognitive deficits in the offspring mice. Resveratrol, recognized for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities, has potential to ameliorate synaptic dysfunction, which in turn may contribute to its positive influence on cognitive impairment. Nevertheless, the precise manner in which resveratrol mitigates cognitive deficits stemming from maternal hypoxia remains to be fully elucidated, including the specific mechanisms at play.

Impact of long-term N-acetylcysteine use on cancer risk.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients face an increased risk of developing various malignancies due to shared risk factors and underlying systemic inflammation. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has shown potential anticancer properties in preclinical studies, but clinical evidence in COPD patients is limited. We conducted a nationwide propensity score-matched cohort study using data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database to evaluate the anticancer effects of NAC in COPD patients.

Comparing health insurance-reimbursed lenvatinib and self-paid atezolizumab plus bevacizumab in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Ate/Bev) and lenvatinib (Len) are first-line therapies for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). However, Ate/Bev's high cost limits its common use in real-life practice, while Len is usually covered by national health insurance (NHI). We conducted this study to compare their effectiveness and safety in real-world settings.

Efficacy of a combination of O-RADS, CEUS, and CA125, in identification of ovary-adnexal malignant lesions.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of a combination of Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data System (O-RADS), contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), and cancer antigen 125 (CA125) in identifying malignant ovarian-adnexal lesions and improving diagnostic accuracy, providing a reliable reference for the evaluation and management of ovarian-adnexal malignancies to enhance patient prognosis.

Methods: The study analyzed the diagnostic performance of O-RADS alone and in combination with CEUS and CA125 for distinguishing between benign and malignant ovarian-adnexal lesions. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and Kappa values were calculated to assess the efficacy of these diagnostic approaches.

Radiotherapy can significantly improve survival outcomes in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer who are unsuitable for cystectomy or chemoradiotherapy.

Radical cystectomy and bladder preservation therapy are effective for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC); however, many patients over 70 are medically unfit for these options. For such patients, radiotherapy serves as a viable alternative. This study compares survival outcomes of radiotherapy versus supportive care in MIBC patients ineligible for cystectomy or bladder preservation with concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Association of concomitant MASLD and hepatitis B virus with clinical prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma after curative resection.

The term "metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease" (MASLD) was introduced to replace the term "nonalcoholic fatty liver disease". The prevalence of MASLD is increasing worldwide. The prevalence of concomitant MASLD and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is also increasing.

Microporous annealed particle hydrogels in cell culture, tissue regeneration, and emerging application in cancer immunotherapy.

Microporous annealed particle (MAP) hydrogels consist of densely crosslinked and annealed hydrogel particles. Compared to common hydrogels, the inherent porosity within and among these hydrogel particles offers interconnected channels for substance exchange in addition to sufficient growth space for cells, thereby forming a three-dimensional culture system that highly mimics the in vivo microenvironment. Such characteristics enable MAP hydrogels to adapt to various requirements of biomedical applications, along with their excellent injectability and mechanical properties.

Random survival forest model in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer: a study based on SEER database and single center data.

Clinical data of 1,780 patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database were retrospectively analyzed. A random survival forest model and a nomogram model were built based on the prognostic factors. The clinical data of 140 patients with EOC treated in Liuzhou Worker's Hospital were collected for the validation of the prognostic model.

The Value of Texture Analysis of Multi-parameter MRI Images in Distinguishing Benign and Malignant Lesions of O-RADS MRI 4 Lesions.

To investigate the diagnostic performance of texture analysis using multi-parameter MRI in distinguishing between benign and malignant lesions with ovarian-adnexal magnetic resonance imaging report and data system (O-RADS MRI) score 4. A retrospective analysis was conducted of 57 lesions with an O-RADS MRI score of 4, of which 26 were benign and 31 were malignant. Based on the T2WI, ADC, and CE_T1WI, the textural features of the entire lesion were extracted.

Comprehensive Multi-Omics Analysis Identifies FUT1 as a Prognostic and Therapeutic Biomarker Across Pan-Cancer.

Fucosyltransferase 1 encodes a Golgi membrane protein involved in H-antigen precursor production and plays a critical role in tumor-associated glycosylation and angiogenesis. While FUT1 is known to enhance tumor stemness, adhesion, migration, and drug resistance in specific cancers, its role across diverse cancer types and its association with clinical prognosis and molecular features remain unclear. In this study, FUT1 expression was systematically analyzed across 33 cancer types using data from multiple public databases, including CCLE, TCGA, and GTEx.

Low-dose Spironolactone Combined with ACEIs/ARBs May Reduce Cardiovascular Events in Patients with CKD Stages 3b-5: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study in Taiwan.

ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are commonly prescribed for hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) management, but they can increase the risk of renal function deterioration and hyperkalaemia. Spironolactone, known for reducing cardiovascular events in CKD patients, faces limited use due to the risk of hyperkalaemia. This study evaluates the potential efficacy and complications of low-dose spironolactone as an adjunct therapy in patients with CKD stages 3b to 5 who are maintained on ACEIs or ARBs.

A study on the genetic comorbidity between autoimmune diseases and pulmonary hypertension: an observational study and POST-GWAS analysis.

The causal relationship between various prevalent autoimmune diseases (ADs) and pulmonary hypertension (PH) has yet to be fully understood, and the contribution of genetic factors to their coexistence remains largely unexplored. We utilized Post-GWAS and the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC) database to investigate the relationship between autoimmune diseases and PH. After a series of MR Analyses, only Type 1 diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) (OR = 1.

NADPH oxidase activator 1 (NOXA1) suppresses ferroptosis and radiosensitization in colorectal cancer.

Radiotherapy is one of the main treatments for colorectal cancer (CRC), but due to the intrinsic resistance of cells or resistance caused by long-term radiotherapy, the effectiveness of this treatment is limited for some CRC patients. Consequently, identifying novel sensitization strategies is essential. This study identifies as a marker linked to radiotherapy resistance in CRC, suggesting its potential as a prognostic biomarker for patients with CRC.

Preoperative integrated oxidative stress score as a prognostic factor for predicting clinical outcomes in breast cancer patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy: a real-world retrospective study.

The current study aims to investigate the prognostic value of breast cancer integrated oxidative stress score (BCIOSS) in patients with breast cancer who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). A retrospective analysis of 104 breast cancer patients who underwent NACT from June 2009 to December 2015 was performed. The differences of BCIOSS of breast cancers in regard to variables were analyzed using Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test.

Dynapenia is associated with a higher risk of depressive symptoms among older adults.

Background: Depression affects the global burden of disability among older adults. Although dynapenia is related to disability and potential psychological health outcomes, its association with depressive symptoms remains uncertain. Accordingly, the objective of the current study was to investigate this association in older Taiwanese adults, applying the 2019 Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) classification of dynapenia.