Lubiprostone Reduces Fat Content on MRI-PDFF in Patients With MASLD: A 48-Week Randomised Controlled Trial.

Background And Aims: The laxative lubiprostone has been shown to decrease intestinal permeability. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of lubiprostone administered for 48 weeks in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

Approach And Results: A randomised placebo-controlled trial was conducted in a specialised MASLD outpatient clinic at the National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt.

Nanoparticle superlattice with a C14 Frank-Kasper structure formed by highly monodisperse one-size gold nanoparticles in suspension.

Synthesizing nanoparticle superlattices (NPSLs) with different symmetries is of great interest due to their impact on the collective emergent properties and potential applications. While several parameters have been identified as determinants for forming different symmetries of NPSLs, the high core dispersity, softness, and ligand interpenetration were proposed to drive the formation of the C14 Frank-Kasper (C14) structure like MgZn-type. Here, we report that the C14 phase can be formed in highly monodisperse one-size spherical nanoparticles (NPs) by controlling the interplay among their softness and ligand grafting density.

Seasonal effect of PM exposure in patients with COPD: a multicentre panel study.

: Exposure to particulate matter <2.5 μm (PM) is linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but most studies lack individual PM measurements. Seasonal variation and their impact on clinical outcomes remain understudied.

Single-Cell Transcriptomics Identifies Selective Lineage-Specific Regulation of Genes in Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells in Mice.

Background: Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of the proximal thoracic aorta are derived from second heart field (SHF) and cardiac neural crest lineages. Recent studies, both in vitro and in vivo, have implied relevance of lineage-specific SMC functions in the pathophysiology of thoracic aortic diseases; however, whether 2 lineage-derived SMCs have any predisposed transcriptional differences in the control aorta remains unexplored.

Methods: Single-cell RNA sequencing and single-nucleus assay for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing were performed on isolated cells from the aortic root and ascending aortas of 14-week-old SHF-traced () and cardiac neural crest-traced () male mice.

Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase transforms carotid occlusion-mediated benign oligemia into large cerebral infarction.

It remains unclear why unilateral proximal carotid artery occlusion (UCAO) causes benign oligemia in mice, yet leads to various outcomes (asymptomatic-to-death) in humans. We hypothesized that inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) both transforms UCAO-mediated oligemia into full infarction and expands pre-existing infarction. Using 900 mice, we i) investigated stroke-related effects of UCAO with/without intraperitoneal administration of the NOS inhibitor (NOSi) N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 400 mg/kg); ii) examined the rescue effect of the NO-donor, molsidomine (200 mg/kg at 30 minutes); and iii) tested the impact of antiplatelet medications.

Myeloid-specific deletion of autotaxin inhibits rheumatoid arthritis and osteoclastogenesis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint swelling, pain, and bone remodeling. We previously reported that autotaxin (ATX) deficiency disrupts lipid rafts in macrophages. Lipid raft disruption results in the dysregulation of RANK signaling, which is crucial for osteoclastogenesis and the pathogenesis of RA.

Leaf functional traits highlight phenotypic variation of two tree species in the urban environment.

Urbanization is transforming landscapes globally, altering environmental conditions that affect ecosystem functioning, particularly in urban areas where trees are crucial for regulating microclimates, improving air quality, and sustaining biodiversity. This study investigates the environmental differences and tree leaf structure and morphology in urban and suburban sites in the Chicago Metropolitan Region. The leaf functional traits of Norway Maple and Little - leaved Linden were studied in three locations in the summer of 2023: an urban park (University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL), a suburban park (Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL), and a suburban residential site (Lombard, IL).

Analysis of root number and canal morphology of maxillary premolars using cone-beam computed tomography.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the number of roots and type of root canals in maxillary first and second premolars within a selected Korean population utilizing cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Additionally, it sought to investigate potential differences in these features according to sex and tooth type.

Materials And Methods: CBCT images of 585 maxillary first premolars and 578 maxillary second premolars from 303 patients were retrospectively reviewed.

The association between the polymorphism of RAR related orphan receptor beta and the clinical manifestations of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) affects a substantial proportion of the Asian population and is influenced by various genetic risk factors. The (), a regulator of the circadian rhythm, has been implicated in certain neoplasms. Accordingly, this study investigated the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms and clinical manifestations of OSCC.

Survey on Treatment-Seeking Patterns in Patients With Allergic Rhinitis.

Background And Objectives: The medications preferred by patients for allergic rhinitis and their usage remain unclear. This study investigated treatment-seeking behaviors in patients with allergic rhinitis, including medical treatments, environmental controls, and surgical treatments.

Methods: In this study, a cross-sectional survey was conducted by internal medicine, pediatric, or otorhinolaryngology physicians at university hospitals from January 2022 to April 2022.

Vidian Nerve Schwannoma Extending Into the Foramen Rotundum in a Female Patient: A Case Report.

Schwannomas are benign tumors that can develop in any part of a nerve containing Schwann cells. Skull base schwannomas are rare, representing approximately 4% of extracranial schwannomas. Among these, vidian nerve schwannomas are particularly uncommon, with only a few documented cases.

Polysomnographic Phenotype of Positional Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Background And Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by recurrent upper airway obstruction, leading to disrupted sleep and various health complications. Positional OSA (POSA) refers to patients whose OSA severity is significantly influenced by body position, especially when lying supine. This study aimed to evaluate the polysomnographic characteristics of POSA and non-positional OSA (non-POSA) and to assess their clinical implications.

TBK1 inhibitor amlexanox exerts anti-cancer effects against endometrial cancer by regulating AKT/NF-κB signaling.

Endometrial cancer, a common gynecological malignancy, poses significant clinical challenges, particularly in advanced or recurrent cases. TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), a serine/threonine kinase, plays crucial roles in inflammation and immunity by activating nuclear factor (NF)-κB and interferon regulatory factor 3. However, its specific roles in endometrial cancer remain unknown.

Advanced Lung-on-a-Chip Technology: Mimicking the Complex Human Lung Microenvironment.

Intricate crosstalk among various lung cell types is crucial for orchestrating diverse physiological processes. Traditional two-dimensional and recent three-dimensional (3D) assay platforms fail to precisely replicate these complex communications. Many lung models do not effectively reflect the multicellular complexity of lung tissue.

Long-term impact of Diabetes Prevention Program interventions on walking endurance.

Objectives: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and prediabetes are associated with poor walking endurance, a marker of physical function. We aimed to examine the long-term effects of metformin or intensive lifestyle intervention in adults at high risk of T2D on their 6-min walk test (6MWT) performance.

Methods: Participants were randomized in the 3-year Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) to one of the three groups: lifestyle intervention, metformin, or placebo, and were subsequently followed in the DPP Outcomes Study.

Erratum: Implication of serious infections in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis for the first cycle of rituximab: a pilot study in a single Korean center.

[This corrects the article on p. 45 in vol. 30, PMID: 37476530.

Erratum: Circulating leptin and its correlation with rheumatoid arthritis activity: a meta-analysis.

[This corrects the article on p. 116 in vol. 30, PMID: 37483475.

Comparison of Intraocular Lens Formulas in Patients With Postoperative Refractive Surprise.

Objective: This study investigates the refractive accuracy of eight intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation formulas in patients with postoperative refractive surprise after phacoemulsification. It aims to determine if a different formula could result in better refractive outcomes in these eyes.

Methods And Analysis: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients undergoing uncomplicated phacoemulsification as a sole procedure between March 2007 and September 2020 at the University of Washington by glaucoma subspecialists as part of a study investigating cataract surgery in normal eyes.

A Novel Approach of Ultrasound-Guided Transforaminal Cervical Nerve Root Injection With Fluoroscopic Validation: A Case Report and Technical Illustration.

Cervical radiculopathies are commonly treated with nerve root injections. This study presents a novel ultrasound (US)-guided cervical transforaminal injection technique using a curved transducer to enhance visualization of the anterior wall of the superior articular process and achieve successful epidural spread of injection. A 56-year-old patient with chronic C6 radiculopathy was treated using our US-guided approach with a combination of 5% dextrose and vitamin B12, leading to significant improvement in symptoms.

Revolutionizing drug delivery: low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS)-driven deep penetration into hypoxic tumor microenvironments of cholangiocarcinoma.

Hypoxia is a major obstacle in the treatment of solid tumors because it causes immune escape and therapeutic resistance. Drug penetration into the hypoxic regions of tumor microenvironment (TME) is extremely limited. This study proposes using the unidirectional fluid flow property of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) to overcome drug penetration limitations in the TME.

Permanent Electride Magnets Induced by Quasi-Atomic Non-Nucleus-Bound Electrons.

Interstitial quasi-atomic electrons (IQEs) in the quantized energy levels of positively charged cavities possess a substantial own magnetic moment and control the magnetism of crystalline electrides depending on the interaction with surrounding cations. However, weak spin-orbit coupling and gentle exchange interaction restricted by the IQEs preclude a large magnetic anisotropic, remaining a challenge for a hard magnetism. It is reported that 2D [ReC]·2e electrides (Re = Er, Ho, Dy, and Tb) show the permanent magnetism in a ferrimagnetic ground state, mimicking the ferrites composed of magnetic sublattices with different spin polarizations.

3D-Printed Electrohydrodynamic Pump and Development of Anti-Swelling Organohydrogel for Soft Robotics.

This study introduces advancements in electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumps and the development of a 3D-printable anti-swelling organohydrogel for soft robotics. Using digital light processing (DLP)technology, precise components with less than 1% size variation are fabricated, enabling a unique manifold pump array. This design achieves an output pressure of 90.

Male preference for TERT alterations and HBV integration in young-age HBV-related HCC: implications for sex disparity.

Background/aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) exhibits significant sex disparities in incidence, yet its molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We explored the role of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) genetic alterations and hepatitis B virus (HBV) integration, both known major contributors to HCC, in sex-specific risk for HBV-related HCC.

Methods: We examined 310 HBV-related HCC tissues to investigate sex-specific TERT promoter (TERT-pro) mutations and HBV integration profiles, stratified by sex and age, and validated with single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data.