Construction of a beeswax-based olive oil bigels system encapusulation of β-carotene by xanthan gum/gellan gum/inulin and evaluation of extrusion spreading performance using finite element Abaqus simulations.

This study focused on the preparation of olive oil bigels with different ratios of xanthan gum/gellan gum hydrogels and beeswax oleogels. The microscopic analysis confirmed that the bigels system exhibited a hydrogel-in-oleogel structure. With the addition of inulin, the system transitioned into a bi-continuous network, which enhanced phase continuity and stability.

Single-cell transcriptomics analysis reveals that the tumor-infiltrating B cells determine the indolent fate of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Objective: Active surveillance (AS) offers a viable alternative to surgical intervention for the management of indolent papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), helping to minimize the incidence of unnecessary treatment. However, the broader adoption of AS is hindered by the need for more reliable diagnostic markers. This study aimed to identify the differences between indolent and progressive PTC and find new targets for biomarker development and therapeutic strategies.

RNF167 mediates atypical ubiquitylation and degradation of RLRs via two distinct proteolytic pathways.

The precise regulation of the RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs)-mediated type I interferon (IFN-I) activation is crucial in antiviral immunity and maintaining host immune homeostasis in the meantime. Here, we identify an E3 ubiquitin ligase, namely RNF167, as a negative regulator of RLR-triggered IFN signaling. Mechanistically, RNF167 facilitates both atypical K6- and K11-linked polyubiquitination of RIG-I/MDA5 within CARD and CTD domains, respectively, which leads to degradation of the viral RNA sensors through dual proteolytic pathways.

Clinical characteristics and unique presentations of immune checkpoint inhibitor induced type 1 diabetes in Chinese patients from a single institution.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced type 1 diabetes (ICI-T1D) is a rare immune-related adverse event (irAE) of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). This retrospective study aimed to characterize the clinical features and glucose patterns of ICI-T1D in Chinese individuals and compare them with those of traditional T1D. Between January 2019 and April 2024, 15 patients diagnosed with ICI-T1D were consecutively enrolled.

Association between Metrnl and carotid atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major cause of atherosclerosis, as well as an independent risk factor of cardiovascular adverse events. We aimed to evaluate the association of serum Meteorin-like protein (Metrnl) level with carotid atherosclerosis as determined by carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) status in subjects with T2DM.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 83 T2DM subjects without pre-existing cardiovascular diseases.

Rapid Generation of Reverse Genetics Systems for Coronavirus Research and High-Throughput Antiviral Screening Using Gibson DNA Assembly.

Coronaviruses (CoVs) pose a significant threat to human health, as demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The large size of the CoV genome (around 30 kb) represents a major obstacle to the development of reverse genetics systems, which are invaluable for basic research and antiviral drug screening. In this study, we established a rapid and convenient method for generating reverse genetic systems for various CoVs using a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) vector and Gibson DNA assembly.

Methods and Practical Considerations for Conducting Budget Impact Analysis for Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions.

Background: Health technology assessment (HTA) can be conducted at the national, provincial, or hospital level. Although provincial and hospital-based HTAs often focus on non-pharmaceutical interventions, budget impact analysis (BIA) methods for non-pharmaceutical interventions have received less attention in the literature.

Methods: We reviewed HTAs of non-pharmaceutical interventions published since 2015 by a Canadian provincial HTA agency, evaluating the characteristics and challenges of conducting a BIA.

Applications and latest research progress of liposomes in the treatment of ocular diseases.

The special structure of eyes and the existence of various physiological barriers make ocular drug delivery one of the most difficult problems in the pharmaceutical field. Considering the problems of patient compliance, local administration remains the preferred method of drug administration in the anterior part of eyes. However, local administration suffers from poor bioavailability, need for frequent administration, and systemic toxicity.

Oxidative Stress and Keap1-Nrf2 Pathway Involvement in Bisphenol A-Induced Liver Damage in Rats.

Bisphenol A (BPA), extensively utilized in the manufacture of epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics, is prevalent in the environment. Its exposure has been associated with an increased risk of hepatic lesions; however, the underlying mechanisms and the spectrum of its effects remain poorly understood. This study investigates the role of the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway in regulating BPA-induced hepatotoxicity in vivo using a rat model.

Time-dependent diffusion MRI and kinetic heterogeneity as potential imaging biomarkers for diagnosing suspicious breast lesions with 3.0-T breast MRI.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of time-dependent diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (td-dMRI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI)-based kinetic heterogeneity in differentiating suspicious breast lesions (categorised as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System 4 or 5).

Methods: This prospective study included 51 females with suspicious breast lesions who underwent preoperative breast MRI, including DCE-MRI and td-dMRI. Six kinetic parameters, namely peak, persistent, plateau, washout component, predominant curve type, and heterogeneity, were extracted from the DCE series using MATLAB and SPM software.

Living plastics from plasticizer-assisted thermal molding of silk protein.

The pursuit of materials, particularly plastics, with a minimal ecological footprint throughout their circular lifecycle, is crucial for advancing sustainable materials development. Living materials composed of embedded yet active organisms can leverage endogenous biotic resources to achieve functional materials that align with sustainability goals. However, current living material systems face challenges such as weak mechanical properties, limited environmental adaptability, and restricted cellular functionality.

Evaluation of left atrial function and the relationship between left atrial stiffness index and exercise capacity in hypertension-related heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Objective: The left atrial stiffness index (LASI) holds significance in the atrioventricular coupling function and heart failure progression. To assess left atrial function and evaluate the relationship between LASI and exercise capacity in hypertension-related heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HT-HFpEF).

Methods: The study involved 62 healthy subjects and 163 patients with HT (112 patients in simple HT group and 51 patients in HT-HFpEF group).

Increased physical activity frequency in primary school adolescents is related to reduced risk of self-reported adverse mental health symptoms.

Purpose: The sedentary lifestyle and mental health issues of primary school students are major public health issues in China and globally. Some studies have shown that regular physical activity is beneficial to health, but there are few epidemiological investigations on the relationship between physical activity and psychological problems. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between physical activity and mental health.

Altered Nigral Amide Proton Transfer Imaging Signal Concordant With Motor Asymmetry in Parkinson's Disease: A Multipool CEST MRI Study.

Asymmetry is a natural characteristic of Parkinson's disease (PD), which can be used to distinguish PD from atypical parkinsonism. Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) has demonstrated value in reflecting the subtle changes related to neuron loss and abnormal protein accumulation in PD but has not been used to investigate asymmetry in PD. This study aimed to examine asymmetrical changes in the mesencephalic nucleus of PD patients with motor asymmetry using four-pool CEST analysis and to explore the relationship between imaging asymmetry and motor asymmetry.

Mogroside V protects lipopolysaccharides-induced lung inflammation chicken via suppressing inflammation mediated by the Th17 through the gut-lung axis.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure triggers pulmonary inflammation, leading to compromised lung function in broiler. As amplified by policy restrictions on antibiotic usage, seeking antibiotic alternatives has become imperative. Mogroside V (MGV) has been reported to have a beneficial role in livestock and poultry production due to its remarkable antiinflammatory effects.

Strong and Tough Self-Healing Elastomers via BTA-Mediated Microstructure and Metal-ligand Coordination.

Creating elastomers with high strength, toughness, and rapid self-healing remains a key challenge. These seemingly contradictory properties require innovative design strategies. Herein, a novel approach is proposed by simultaneously incorporating a unique triple hydrogen bond unit, benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA), and imidazole-Zn dynamic coordination into the elastomer.

Dynamics of antibiotic resistance in poultry farms via multivector analysis.

This study examines the distribution of microbial communities and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) across various vectors in poultry farm environments. The results show that airborne particulate matter (PM) and soil harbor the highest counts of microbial genes, exceeding those found in poultry visceral samples, which display lower microbial diversity and ARG levels. This highlights environmental vectors, particularly soil and PM, as major reservoirs for ARGs.

Supine Bicycle Stress Echocardiography at Low Altitude for Identification of Susceptibility to Acute Mountain Sickness.

Background: Exposure to high altitude may unpredictably lead to acute mountain sickness (AMS). The purpose of this study was to identify the predictors of AMS at low altitude using exercise stress echocardiography (ESE).

Methods: A total of 40 healthy adults were enrolled and underwent comprehensive supine bicycle ESE at low altitude, including pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), right ventricular area index at the end of diastole, B-lines, and inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter.

Distribution and environmental dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes in poultry farms and surrounding ecosystems.

Antibiotic resistance poses a significant threat to human and animal health worldwide, with farms serving as crucial reservoirs of Antibiotic Resistance Genes (ARGs) and Antibiotic-resistant bacteria. However, the distribution of ARGs in poultry farms and their transmission patterns in the environment remain poorly understood. This study collected samples of aerosol microorganisms, cloacal matter, soil, and vegetables from poultry farms and surrounding environments at three different distances.

Declining Influenza Vaccination Uptake, Attitudes, and Knowledge Among Healthcare Workers in Chengdu, China, in the Post-COVID-19 Era.

Purpose: Despite the benefits of influenza vaccination, particularly for healthcare workers (HCWs) at higher risk, vaccination coverage among HCWs in China remains low. This study aims to provide updated insights into the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and barriers related to influenza vaccination among HCWs in China post-COVID-19 era, to inform strategies for improving vaccination rates and healthcare safety.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between December 2023 and January 2024 at two tertiary hospitals in Chengdu, China.

Administration time modify the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of inulin via gut-brain axis.

An imbalance in the microbiota-gut-brain axis exerts an essential effect on the pathophysiology of depressive and anxiety disorders. Our previous research revealed that the timing of inulin administration altered its effects on chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced anxiety and depression. However, it is still unclear if the gut-brain axis is primarily responsible for these effects.

INAHTA member agency stories of engaging, adaptable, and impactful HTA.

Health technology assessment (HTA) agencies assess evidence to support decision making about which technologies to provide and pay for in the health system. HTA impact is understood as the influence that HTA report findings can have in the health system, including impacts on reimbursement decisions, changes to health outcomes, or broader system or societal impacts. The International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment (INAHTA) is a global network of publicly funded HTA agencies.

polymorphisms and endometrial cancer risk: validation of identified loci and evaluation of novel variants.

Background: This study aimed to validate HNF1B single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with endometrial cancer risk in a Chinese Han population and explore novel SNPs. Our findings enhance the understanding of genetic components and are crucial for detection strategies and personalized medicine.

Methods: We genotyped four HNF1B SNPs in 637 patients and 667 controls using Agena MassARRAY.

Guiding adjuvant radiotherapy in stage III endometrial cancer: a prognostic model based on SEER.

Background: The effect of overall survival (OS) with adjuvant radiotherapy in stage III endometrial cancer (EC) remains controversial, and the adverse invents were unignorable.

Methods: A total of 4,064 stage III EC patients who underwent adjuvant chemotherapy post-operatively were selected from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. Independent risk factors were identified through Cox regression models.