Multimodal integration of liquid biopsy and radiology for the noninvasive diagnosis of gallbladder cancer and benign disorders.

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) frequently mimics gallbladder benign lesions (GBBLs) in radiological images, leading to preoperative misdiagnoses. To address this challenge, we initiated a prospective, multicenter clinical trial (ChicCTR2100049249) and proposed a multimodal, non-invasive diagnostic model to distinguish GBC from GBBLs. A total of 301 patients diagnosed with gallbladder-occupying lesions (GBOLs) from 11 medical centers across 7 provinces in China were enrolled and divided into a discovery cohort and an independent external validation cohort.

KRAS-driven pentose phosphate pathway remodeling imparts a targetable vulnerability synergizing with MRTX1133 for durable remissions in PDAC.

The KRAS inhibitor MRTX1133 shows the potential to revolutionize the treatment paradigm for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), yet presents challenges. Our findings indicate that KRAS remodels a pentose phosphate pathway (PPP)-dominant central carbon metabolism pattern, facilitating malignant progression and resistance to MRTX1133 in PDAC. Mechanistically, KRAS drives excessive degradation of p53 and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)-mediated PPP reprogramming through retinoblastoma (Rb)/E2F1/p53 axis-regulated feedback loops that amplify ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2T (UBE2T) transcription.

Homogeneous Fermionic Hubbard Gases in a Flattop Optical Lattice.

Fermionic atoms in a large-scale, homogeneous optical lattice provide an ideal quantum simulator for investigating the fermionic Hubbard model, yet achieving this remains challenging. Here, by developing a hybrid potential that integrates a flat-top optical lattice with an optical box trap, we successfully realize the creation of three-dimensional, homogeneous fermionic Hubbard gases across approximately 8×10^{5} lattice sites. This homogeneous system enables us to capture a well-defined energy band occupation that aligns perfectly with the theoretical calculations for a zero-temperature, ideal fermionic Hubbard model.

The ZmAHL25-ZmPUB19-ZmMPK5 Module Positively Regulates Resistance to Rhizoctonia solani in Maize.

Ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis is a crucial mechanism in plant defenses against pathogens. However, the role of E3 ubiquitin ligases in the maize (Zea mays) defense response against Rhizoctonia solani, a major soil-borne fungal pathogen that causes banded leaf and sheath blight, remains unclear. We previously identified the maize ZmPUB19 gene, which encodes a U-box E3 ubiquitin ligase and is upregulated upon R.

A novel nanocarrier based on natural polyphenols enhancing gemcitabine sensitization ability for improved pancreatic cancer therapy efficiency.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly lethal malignancy with rapid progression and poor prognosis. Despite the widespread use of gemcitabine (Gem)-based chemotherapy as the first-line treatment for PC, its efficacy is often compromised by significant drug resistance. 1,2,3,4,6-Pentagaloyl glucose (PGG), a natural polyphenol, has demonstrated potential in sensitizing PC cells to Gem.

Appropriateness and inappropriate medication predictors of stress ulcer prophylaxis in the intensive care unit.

Introduction: Preventive drugs for stress ulcers are widely and unreasonably used in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This study aims to examine the appropriate utilization of medications for stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) and identify factors that contribute to the inappropriate use of these medications in the ICU of the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University.

Methods: Patient cases admitted to the ICU during the period from May 2022 to May 2023 were extracted from the hospital's information management system.

Subtypes of Insomnia Disorder Identified by Cortical Morphometric Similarity Network.

Insomnia disorder (ID) is a highly heterogeneous psychiatric disease, and the use of neuroanatomical data to objectively define biological subtypes is essential. We aimed to examine the neuroanatomical subtypes of ID by morphometric similarity network (MSN) and the association between MSN changes and specific transcriptional expression patterns. We recruited 144 IDs and 124 healthy controls (HC).

Targeting UBE2T suppresses breast cancer stemness through CBX6-mediated transcriptional repression of SOX2 and NANOG.

Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are the main cause of breast cancer recurrence and metastasis. While the ubiquitin-proteasome system contributes to the regulation of BCSC stemness, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we identified ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2T (UBE2T) as a pivotal ubiquitin enzyme regulating BCSC stemness through systemic screening assays, including single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and stemness-index analysis.

Gene expression is associated with brain function of insomnia disorder, rather than brain structure.

Previous research has found brain structural and functional abnormalities in patients with insomnia disorder (ID). However, the relationship between brain abnormalities in ID and brain gene expression is unclear. This study explored the relationship between gene expression and brain structural or functional abnormalities in ID, and we validated the reliability of the results with two independent datasets (discover dataset: healthy control (HC) = 129, ID = 264; validation dataset: HC = 160, ID = 115).

Targeting the mevalonate pathway enhances the efficacy of 5-fluorouracil by regulating pyroptosis.

The 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy regimen is a primary strategy for treating pancreatic cancer (PC). However, challenges related to 5-FU resistance persist. Investigating the mechanisms of 5-FU resistance and identifying a clinically viable therapeutic strategy are crucial for improving the prognosis of PC.

NA-segformer: A multi-level transformer model based on neighborhood attention for colonoscopic polyp segmentation.

In various countries worldwide, the incidence of colon cancer-related deaths has been on the rise in recent years. Early detection of symptoms and identification of intestinal polyps are crucial for improving the cure rate of colon cancer patients. Automated computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) has emerged as a solution to the low efficiency of traditional methods relying on manual diagnosis by physicians.

Bio-Plausible Multimodal Learning with Emerging Neuromorphic Devices.

Multimodal machine learning, as a prospective advancement in artificial intelligence, endeavors to emulate the brain's multimodal learning abilities with the objective to enhance interactions with humans. However, this approach requires simultaneous processing of diverse types of data, leading to increased model complexity, longer training times, and higher energy consumption. Multimodal neuromorphic devices have the capability to preprocess spatio-temporal information from various physical signals into unified electrical signals with high information density, thereby enabling more biologically plausible multimodal learning with low complexity and high energy-efficiency.

Eco-friendly, pH-sensitive curcumin-loaded sodium alginate/hydroxyapatite/quaternary ammonium chitosan microspheres with enhanced antibacterial and antioxidant activities for fruit preservation.

The development of intelligent responsive reactive packaging materials with natural polymers shows excellent potential in food preservation. In this study, eco-friendly, pH-sensitive sodium alginate (SA)/hydroxyapatite (HA)/quaternary ammonium chitosan (HACC) composite microspheres loading curcumin (CUR) with excellent antibacterial and antioxidant activities were successfully synthesized. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nitrogen adsorption/desorption tests indicated that the doping of HA substantially increased the specific surface area and pore volume of the microspheres.

Bistable soft jumper capable of fast response and high takeoff velocity.

In contrast with jumping robots made from rigid materials, soft jumpers composed of compliant and elastically deformable materials exhibit superior impact resistance and mechanically robust functionality. However, recent efforts to create stimuli-responsive jumpers from soft materials were limited in their response speed, takeoff velocity, and travel distance. Here, we report a magnetic-driven, ultrafast bistable soft jumper that exhibits good jumping capability (jumping more than 108 body heights with a takeoff velocity of more than 2 meters per second) and fast response time (less than 15 milliseconds) compared with previous soft jumping robots.

Two-Dimensional Exciton Oriented Diffusion via Periodic Potentials.

Excitonic devices operate based on excitons, which can be excited by photons as well as emitting photons and serve as a medium for photon-carrier conversion. Excitonic devices are expected to combine the advantages of both the high response rate of photonic devices and the high integration of electronic devices simultaneously. However, because of the neutral feature, exciton transport is generally achieved via diffusion rather than using electric fields, and the efficient control of exciton flux directionality has always been difficult.

Biomimetic Hydrodynamic Sensor with Whisker Array Architecture and Multidirectional Perception Ability.

The rapid development of ocean exploration and underwater robot technology has put forward new requirements for underwater sensing methods, which can be used for hydrodynamic characteristics perception, underwater target tracking, and even underwater cluster communication. Here, inspired by the specialized undulated surface structure of the seal whisker and its ability to suppress vortex-induced vibration, a multidirectional hydrodynamic sensor based on biomimetic whisker array structure and magnetic 3D self-decoupling theory is introduced. The magnetic-based sensing method enables wireless connectivity between the magnetic functional structures and electronics, simplifying device design and endowing complete watertightness.

Antiferromagnetic phase transition in a 3D fermionic Hubbard model.

The fermionic Hubbard model (FHM) describes a wide range of physical phenomena resulting from strong electron-electron correlations, including conjectured mechanisms for unconventional superconductivity. Resolving its low-temperature physics is, however, challenging theoretically or numerically. Ultracold fermions in optical lattices provide a clean and well-controlled platform offering a path to simulate the FHM.

A network pharmacology-based method to explore the therapeutic effect of honokiol on diabetes with comorbid depression in mice.

The effective treatment of diabetes with comorbid depression is a big challenge so far. Honokiol, a bioactive compound from the dietary supplement Magnolia officinalis extract, possesses multiple health benefits. The present study aims to propose a network pharmacology-based method to elucidate potential targets of honokiol in treating diabetes with comorbid depression and related mechanisms.

Ganoderma lucidum spores-derived particulate β-glucan treatment improves antitumor response by regulating myeloid-derived suppressor cells in triple-negative breast cancer.

Granular β-1,3-glucan extracted from the wall of Ganoderma lucidum spores, named GPG, is a bioregulator. In this study, we investigated the structural, thermal, and other physical properties of GPG. We determined whether GPG ameliorated immunosuppression caused by Gemcitabine (GEM) chemotherapy.

Time to benefit of colchicine in patients with cardiovascular disease: A pooled analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Low-dose colchicine has been shown to lower major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) among those with cardiovascular disease (CVD). It remains unclear how long a CVD patient needs to live to potentially benefit from colchicine. Our study aimed to determine the time to benefit (TTB) of colchicine in individuals with CVD.

Cluster-Triggered Self-Luminescence, Rapid Self-Healing, and Adaptive Reprogramming Liquid Crystal Elastomers Enabled by Dynamic Imine Bond.

The integration of advanced functions and diverse practical applications calls for multifunctional liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs); however, the structure-intrinsic luminescence and excellent mechanical properties of LCEs have not yet been explored. In this study, clusteroluminescence (CL)-based LCEs (CL-LCEs) are successfully fabricated without depending on large conjugated structures, thereby avoiding redundant organic synthesis and aggregation-caused quenching. The experimental and theoretical results reveal that secondary amine (-NH-) and imine (-C = N-) groups play vital roles in determining the presence of fluorescence in CL-LCEs.

Genome-wide analysis of LOG family genes in castor and RcLOG5 enhances drought, salt, and cold stress tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana.

The gene encoding the specific phosphohydrolase LONELY GUY (LOG) plays an important role in the activation of cytokinin and the stress response in plant cells. However, the role of LOG genes in castor bean (Ricinus communis) has not been reported. In this study, we identified a total of nine members of the LOG gene family in the castor bean genome and investigated the upregulated expression of the RcLOG5 gene using transcriptome data analysis.

Interactive model for predicting the oncological outcome of patients with early-stage huge hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy: a multicenter population-based study.

An interactive model for predicting the oncological outcome of patients with early-stage huge hepatocellular carcinoma (ES-HHCC) after hepatectomy is still lacking. This study was aimed at exploring the independent risk parameters and developing an interactive model for predicting the cancer-specific survival (CSS) of ES-HHCC. Data from patients with ES-HHCC who underwent hepatectomy were collected.

The potential role of the triglyceride-glucose index in left ventricular systolic function and in-hospital outcomes for patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: A limited number of small-sample cohort studies have investigated the association between the triglyceride-glucose index and in-hospital prognosis. Moreover, the translational potential role of left ventricular systolic function - measured by left ventricular ejection fraction - combined with the triglyceride-glucose index in prioritizing patients with acute myocardial infarction at high risk of in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events remains unknown.

Aim: To explore the potential role of the triglyceride-glucose index in left ventricular systolic function and in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with acute myocardial infarction.