SWM-008 red mold rice and its components, monascinol and monascin, reduce obesity in a high-fat diet-induced rat model through synergistic modulation of gut microbiota and anti-lipogenesis.

This study is the first to explore the effects of the novel yellow pigment monascinol (Msol) from red mold rice (RMR) on reducing body fat and to compare its effects with those of monascin (MS) and ankaflavin (AK). In a high-fat diet-induced rat model, different doses of RMR fermented rice (RL, RM, RH) and purified Msol, MS, and AK were administered over an 8-week period. The results showed that all treatment groups significantly reduced body weight and fat mass.

Striving for excellence in a little red dot: Exploring the evolution of oral and maxillofacial surgery training and practice in Singapore.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) is a field that straddles knowledge and clinical experience from both medical and dental specialties. In the small island nation of Singapore, the rapidly and constantly changing needs of its diverse and aging population, as well as changes in the mindsets of both students and educators have led to many developments in the local OMS program. Tied to the only dental school in the country, the curriculum of the training program has kept up with the changes in the demographics and attitudes of the local patient pool, which comprises a multicultural population with both traditional and modern mindsets.

Fluorescent aptasensor based on target-induced hairpin conformation switch coupled with nicking enzyme-assisted signal amplification for detection of beta-amyloid oligomers in cerebrospinal fluid.

A fluorescent aptasensor was developed based on target-induced hairpin conformation switch coupled with nicking enzyme-assisted signal amplification (NESA) to detect the oligomeric form of ß-amyolid peptide (AβO) in cerebrospinal fluid. The hairpin DNA probe (HP) was specifically designed to recognize AβO. When AβO is present in the sensing system, it induces an HP conformational switch and triggers the NESA reaction.

Association between preconception and early pregnancy exposure to fine particulate matter and nervous system anomalies: a nested case-control study.

Although several environmental factors may increase the risk of nervous system anomalies, the association between exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤ 2.5 μm (PM) and nervous system anomalies is not completely understood. This study aimed to examine the association between expoure to PM and nervous system anomalies, including specific phenotypes during preconception and early pregnancy and determine the crucial time windows.

Comparing immunotherapy effectiveness for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: infiltrative versus non-infiltrative types in real-world settings.

Background: Infiltrative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is often associated with an unfavorable prognosis, posing a challenge in determining the optimal therapeutic approach. Immunotherapy, employing immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has become a preferred first-line treatment for advanced HCC. However, the overall effectiveness of ICIs in patients with infiltrative HCC remains unclear.

Unraveling Crystal Phase-Driven Activity and Selectivity of WO for Photoelectrochemical Biomass Valorization.

Modulating the crystal phase of a photocatalyst significantly impacts its surface and photochemical properties, allowing for the adjustment of catalytic activity and selectivity, particularly in the electrooxidation reactions of biomass-derived chemicals. Herein, monoclinic and hexagonal phases of WO are employed as photoanodes for the photoelectrochemical conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF). The monoclinic phase demonstrated exceptional performance in photoelectrocatalytic HMF oxidation, achieving remarkable photocurrent densities (1.

mosGILT antibodies interfere with Plasmodium sporogony in Anopheles gambiae.

Plasmodium, the causative agents of malaria, are obtained by mosquitoes from an infected human. Following Plasmodium acquisition by Anopheles gambiae, mosquito gamma-interferon-inducible lysosomal thiol reductase (mosGILT) plays a critical role in its subsequent sporogony in the mosquito. A critical location for this development is the midgut, a tissue we show expresses mosGILT.

How symptom distress mediates the relationship between individual differences and perceived controllability among women with gynecologic cancer.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the individual differences in perceived controllability among women with gynecologic cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy. We also examined the mediating effect of symptom distress on the relationship between individual differences and perceived controllability.

Methods: This cross-sectional study employs purposive sampling; data were collected via self-reported questionnaires.

Atomic Gap-State Engineering of MoS for Alkaline Water and Seawater Splitting.

Transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS), have emerged as a generation of nonprecious catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), largely due to their theoretical hydrogen adsorption energy close to that of platinum. However, efforts to activate the basal planes of TMDs have primarily centered around strategies such as introducing numerous atomic vacancies, creating vacancy-heteroatom complexes, or applying significant strain, especially for acidic media. These approaches, while potentially effective, present substantial challenges in practical large-scale deployment.

Prediction of Persistent Tumor Status in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Post-Radiotherapy-Related Treatment: A Machine Learning Approach.

The duration of the response to radiotherapy-related treatment is a critical prognostic indicator for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Persistent tumor status, including residual tumor presence and early recurrence, is associated with poorer survival outcomes. To address this, we developed a prediction model to identify patients at a high risk of persistent tumor status prior to initiating treatment.

Sarcopenia and myosteatosis are associated with low survival in patients receiving lenvatinib for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: To investigate the association of skeletal muscle mass and quality with survival outcomes in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with lenvatinib (LEN).

Methods: In this retrospective study, LEN-treated patients with HCC were enrolled. Sarcopenia and myosteatosis were evaluated on the basis of baseline skeletal muscle index and mean muscle attenuation, respectively, on computed tomography at the L3 level.

Retroperitoneal Müllerian cyst causing uterine protrusion in a teenage girl.

Objective: To describe a rare case of a retroperitoneal Müllerian cyst in a teenage girl with a protruding uterus and associated urogenital anomalies, and to discuss the challenges faced in differential diagnosis and management of such cases.

Case Report: We present the case of a 14-year-old girl presented with a protruding uterus for several weeks, with a history of twin-twin transfusion syndrome at birth. Initial ultrasonography identified a large pelvic cystic tumor.

Fractionation and identification of ocular protective compounds from kochiae fructus against oxidative damage in retinal pigment epithelium cells.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Kochiae Fructus, the ripe fruit of Kochia scoparia, is a traditional Chinese medicine commonly used to treat eye discomforts and vision problems. Although Kochiae Fructus is mentioned in many classical Chinese medical texts, its protective effects and the roles of its active phytochemicals in eye treatment still lack scientific exploration.

Aim Of The Study: This study aimed to clarify the protective effects and identify the active fractions and compounds of Kochiae Fructus against oxidative stress-induced retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell death.

FASN inhibition shows the potential for enhancing radiotherapy outcomes by targeting glycolysis, AKT, and ERK pathways in breast cancer.

Purpose: Breast cancer ranks as the most prevalent cancer in women, characterized by heightened fatty acid synthesis and glycolytic activity. Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is prominently expressed in breast cancer cells, regulating fatty acid synthesis, thereby enhancing tumor growth and migration, and leading to radioresistance. This study aims to investigate how FASN inhibition affects cell proliferation, migration, and radioresistance in breast cancer, as well as the mechanisms involved.

Endoglin as a predictive biomarker for pemetrexed sensitivity in non-small-cell lung cancer: a cellular study.

Objective: Based on our previous research, which demonstrated that elevated plasma endoglin (ENG) levels in lung cancer patients were associated with a better prognosis, increased sensitivity to pemetrexed, and enhanced tumor suppression, this study aims to validate these findings at the cellular level. The focus is on membrane and extracellular ENG and their influence on drug response and tumor cell behavior in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells.

Methods: The correlation between ENG expression and pemetrexed-induced cytotoxicity in eight human non-squamous subtype NSCLC cell lines was analyzed.

A comprehensive systemic review and meta-analysis of the association between lipid profile and hidradenitis suppurativa.

Background: While several studies have suggested a connection between Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), a definitive analysis confirming the association between lipid abnormalities and HS based on actual lipid values is lacking. Previous research, using odds ratios from ICD codes, indicates links between elevated triglycerides and low high-density lipoprotein levels with HS. However, these findings may not fully represent real-life situations, as no comprehensive analysis using actual lipid measurements has been performed.

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists and Liver Outcomes in Patients With MASLD and Type 2 Diabetes.

Background And Aims: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) have demonstrated long-term liver benefits in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, no direct comparison between these therapies has been conducted. This study aimed to compare major adverse liver outcomes (MALOs) between GLP-1 RAs and SGLT2is in patients with MASLD and T2D.

Nourishing Change in Houston, Texas: Exploring Grocery Shopping Behaviors and Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among Low-Income Families in the Brighter Bites Program.

Objective: We qualitatively examine the grocery shopping behaviors and fruit and vegetable consumption of low-income families participating in the Brighter Bites program in Houston, Texas.

Design: We used a single-group observational study design. We used (1) purposive sampling of schools and (2) convenience sampling of parents/caregivers to recruit participants.

Impact of PM, relative humidity, and temperature on sleep quality: a cross-sectional study in Taipei.

Introduction: TWe investigated impacts of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 μm (PM), relative humidity (RH), and temperature on sleep stages and arousal.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional analysis involving 8,611 participants was conducted at a sleep center in Taipei.

The Impact of Body Mass Index and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia on Bone Health of Middle-Aged and Older Men.

Objective: Osteoporosis significantly affects older adults by reducing bone mass and increasing fracture risk, thereby impacting morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD), body mass index (BMI), and trabecular bone score (TBS) among middle-aged and older men with or without benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using health examination data from male participants aged 50-98 years collected at a regional hospital in southern Taiwan.

Identification of key risk areas and failure modes using the FMEA method for the prevention and control of major infectious diseases in a stomatology department.

Purpose: To perform risk assessment and analysis of potential infection during stomatology workflow in a hospital in the context of a major infectious disease outbreak, and to determine the key failure modes and measures to prevent and control infection.

Method: Following the Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) method based on the stomatology workflow, the opinions of 30 domain-experts in related fields were collected through questionnaires to determine all potential failure modes in the severity (S), occurrence (O), and detectability (D) dimensions. The group score was then integrated through the median method and the risk priority number (RPN) was obtained.

In vitro culture and confocal microscopy study of Maritrema gratiosum Nicoll, 1907 (Digenea): From metacercaria to ovigerous adult.

This study set out to characterise the in vitro development, including musculature, of the microphallid parasite of the barnacle Semibalanus balanoides (Linnaeus, 1767), Maritrema gratiosum Nicoll, 1907 collected in Scotland. An in vitro culture model was developed to obtain ovigerous adults of M. gratiosum and their morphology was observed.

Baseline Impedance via Manometry Predicts Pathological Mean Nocturnal Baseline Impedance in Isolated Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Symptoms.

Background/aims: Distal mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) measuring via pH-impedance may be valuable in diagnosing patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). However, its wide adoption is hindered by cost and invasiveness. This study investigates whether baseline impedance measured during high-resolution impedance manometry (HRIM-BI) can predict pathological MNBI.

The Impact of Daily Walnut Consumption on Gastrointestinal Symptoms: A Mixed-Method Study in Healthy Adults.

Background: Common gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as abdominal pain, indigestion, and constipation affect a significant portion of the global population and can substantially impair quality of life. Despite these widespread issues, research specifically investigating the effects of walnuts on gut function and GI symptoms remain limited.

Objective: This study investigates the effects of walnuts on gastrointestinal symptoms in healthy adults.