Publications by authors named "J-G Cheng"

Background: Deep learning (DL)-based adipose tissue segmentation methods have shown great performance and efficacy for adipose tissue distribution analysis using magnetic resonance (MR) images, an important indicator of metabolic health and disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of whole-body adipose tissue distribution analysis using proton density fat fraction (PDFF) images at different MR strengths.

Methods: A total of 24 volunteers were imaged using both 1.

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Chemical reprogramming enables the generation of human pluripotent stem (hCiPS) cells from somatic cells using small molecules, providing a promising strategy for regenerative medicine. However, the current method is time consuming, and some cell lines from different donors are resistant to chemical induction, limiting the utility of this approach. Here, we developed a fast reprogramming system capable of generating hCiPS cells in as few as 10 days.

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Background And Objectives: Data from randomized trials on the treatment effect of pure thrombolysis in patients with vessel occlusion are lacking. We examined data from a corresponding subsample of patients from the multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled WAKE-UP trial to determine whether MRI-guided IV thrombolysis with alteplase in unknown-onset ischemic stroke benefits patients presenting with vessel occlusion.

Methods: Patients with an acute ischemic lesion visible on MRI diffusion-weighted imaging but no marked parenchymal hyperintensity on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images were randomized to treatment with IV alteplase or placebo.

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This study examined the phase behaviour and temperature-dependent viscosity of palm stearin and fully hydrogenated soybean oil (FHSBO) mixtures to understand the stability of FHSBO coatings on micronutrient premixes. The Hildebrand equation showed that palm stearin/FHSBO mixtures form liquid solutions, while DSC data indicated partial immiscibility in the solid phase. The melting temperatures and enthalpies of fusion are composition dependent, ranging from 67 °C and 138 J/g for 100 % FHSBO to 13 °C and 71 J/g for 100 % palm stearin.

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  • This study examines how monitoring training load affects wellness and performance in collegiate female gymnasts over one season.
  • The researchers found that training load and its acute to chronic workload ratio (ACWR) fluctuated, with positive correlations between wellness factors like mood and energy and both ACWR and training load.
  • The study proposes a new framework for tracking training load and wellness, suggesting it could benefit gymnasts of all ages and competition levels.
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The endosperm cell structure plays an important role in starch digestion. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the structural properties of the cell wall and protein matrix on starch digestibility in intact cells isolated from the endosperm of highland barley. Damaged cells with different degree of cell wall degradation were obtained by controlling the time of β-glucanase hydrolysis of isolated cells.

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Aims: A new model of computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based algorithm for coronary CT angiography (CCTA)-derived fractional flow reserve (FFR) (CT-FFR) analysis by expanding the coronary tree to smaller-diameter lumen (0.8 mm) using Newton-Krylov-Schwarz (NKS) method to solve the three-dimensional time-dependent incompressible Navier-Stokes equations has been developed; however, the diagnostic performance of this new method has not been sufficiently investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic performance of a novel CT-FFR technique by expanding the coronary tree in the CFD domain.

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During the initial impoundment period of a canyon-shaped reservoir, the water body fluctuated violently regarding water level, hydrological condition, and thermal stratification. These variations may alter the structure of phytoplankton community, resulting in algal blooms and seriously threatening the ecological security of the reservoir. It is of great significance to understand the continuous changes of phytoplankton in the initial impoundment period for the protection of reservoir water quality.

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  • A significant portion of ischemic strokes are classified as lacunar subtypes, often characterized by recent small subcortical infarcts (RSSIs), but the long-term effects of these conditions are not well understood.
  • In a study involving 108 participants, hemosiderin deposits (HDs) were found in over half of them within 3 months, and in about 77% within 12 months, with a notable "rim" pattern suggesting they could resemble primary hemorrhage.
  • The study highlighted that the volume of the infarct and a higher total small vessel disease (SVD) score are predictive of the presence of HDs, emphasizing the importance of not misinterpreting these deposits as signs of bleeding in chronic
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Phase change microcapsules (NePCMs) with high latent heat values, thermal conductivity and stability were synthesized by coating stearic acid (SA) phase change materials (PCMs) with zinc tungstate (ZnWO) as the shell material. The prepared ZnWO and microcapsule samples are characterized through various techniques, and their thermophysical properties under different core-shell ratios and emulsifiers are compared. The highest value that the phase transition enthalpy reaches is 83.

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  • Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is used to evaluate cardiovascular risk by quantifying coronary plaque, and deep learning technology helps automate this process.
  • A study involving 2803 patients analyzed how age and sex affect coronary plaque volume and its relation to the risk of myocardial infarction, showing that plaque volume increases with age and is typically higher in men.
  • Patients with coronary plaque in the ≥75th percentile were found to have a significantly higher risk of myocardial infarction compared to those below the 50th percentile, suggesting that deep learning-based plaque measurements can effectively predict cardiac events.
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  • Cervical artery dissection (CeAD) is a leading cause of ischemic strokes in young adults, and this study explored the effects of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) on patients with CeAD and stroke symptoms.
  • Analyzed data from the STOP-CAD study, it found that IVT significantly improved functional independence after 90 days in patients without increasing the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage.
  • The results suggest that IVT is a beneficial treatment for eligible patients with CeAD, aligning with current medical guidelines on its use.
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Size-dependent phagocytosis is a well-characterized phenomenon in monocytes and macrophages. However, this size effect for preferential gene delivery to these important cell targets has not been fully exploited because commonly adopted stabilization methods for electrostatically complexed nucleic acid nanoparticles, such as PEGylation and charge repulsion, typically arrest the vehicle size below 200 nm. Here, we bridge the technical gap in scalable synthesis of larger submicron gene delivery vehicles by electrostatic self-assembly of charged nanoparticles, facilitated by a polymer structurally designed to modulate internanoparticle Coulombic and van der Waals forces.

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  • - The study aimed to investigate how often new brain infarcts occur within a year after a minor stroke and their connections to existing cerebral small vessel disease (SVD), vascular risk factors, and cognitive decline.
  • - Researchers followed 229 stroke patients over a year, using MRI scans to find 117 new infarcts in 24.8% of participants, primarily in small subcortical areas rather than cortical areas.
  • - The baseline SVD score was found to be the strongest predictor of new infarcts, while cognitive tests at one year showed lower scores correlated with previous cognitive performance and intelligence, indicating a potential decline in cognitive function related to these infarcts.
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The circulating proteome offers insights into the biological pathways that underlie disease. Here, we test relationships between 1,468 Olink protein levels and the incidence of 23 age-related diseases and mortality in the UK Biobank (n = 47,600). We report 3,209 associations between 963 protein levels and 21 incident outcomes.

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Developing strong and simultaneously tough polymeric materials with excellent thermal stability and mechanical performance even under extreme temperatures is truly a challenge. In a disruptive progress, continuous polymeric yarns are developed with a combination of high tensile strength of (1145 ± 44) MPa and ultrahigh toughness of (350 ± 24) J g and high thermomechanical properties from -196 to 200 °C. The comprehensive thermomechanical performance of this yarn surpasses that of previously developed polymeric materials and dragline spider silks.

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  • The study examines a community-based intervention aimed at reducing opioid-related overdose deaths by increasing the adoption of evidence-based practices including overdose education and naloxone distribution, medication treatment for opioid use disorder, and prescription safety.
  • In a cluster-randomized trial, 67 communities across Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio were assigned to either receive the intervention or serve as a control group during a period marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and an increase in fentanyl overdoses.
  • Results showed no significant difference in opioid-related overdose death rates between the intervention and control groups, with both averaging similar rates, indicating that the community-engaged strategies did not have a measurable impact during the study period.
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In acral melanoma (AM), progression from in situ (AMis) to invasive AM (iAM) leads to significantly reduced survival. However, evolutionary dynamics during this process remain elusive. Here, we report integrative molecular and spatial characterization of 147 AMs using genomics, bulk and single-cell transcriptomics, and spatial transcriptomics and proteomics.

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  • This study compared how wheat and potato starches behave in low moisture conditions, focusing on their gelatinization and digestion characteristics.
  • Results showed that potato starch was more resistant to digestion, needing less enzyme hydrolysis and requiring more moisture for full gelatinization compared to wheat starch.
  • Microscopy revealed that while wheat starch had a rough texture allowing easier enzyme access, potato starch had smoother particles that made it harder to digest, suggesting its potential use in low-digestibility foods like potato biscuits or chips.
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2,6-Di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT) is an excellent antioxidant that is easily oxidized to 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroperoxyl-4-methyl-2,5-cyclohexadienone (BHTOOH). For the safety of BHT production and usage, it is meaningful to study the thermal stability and decomposition properties of BHT and BHTOOH. In this paper, the thermal decomposition properties of BHT and BHTOOH were compared by the mini closed pressure vessel test (MCPVT) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

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  • Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), now often referred to as metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), is prevalent among children and teens with obesity and is linked to metabolic syndrome factors like insulin resistance.
  • A consensus of 65 international experts was reached through surveys to create recommendations covering various aspects of pediatric MAFLD, including its causes, epidemiology, and treatment strategies.
  • The final consensus aims to enhance clinical outcomes and life quality for affected youth, highlighting the importance of standardized diagnosis and treatment methods.
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Aims: Homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH) is a rare disorder characterized by markedly elevated circulating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from birth. This review aimed to critically evaluate treatments for HoFH with respect to their efficacy, safety, accessibility, overall context and position within the treatment pathway.

Methods And Results: A mixed-methods review was undertaken to systematically identify and characterize primary interventional studies on HoFH, with a focus on LDL-C reduction as the primary outcome.

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Urine-based testing is promising for noninvasive diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma (UC) but has suboptimal sensitivity for early-stage tumors. Herein, we developed a multitarget urine tumor DNA test, UI-Seek, for UC detection and evaluated its clinical feasibility. The prediction model was developed in a retrospective cohort (n = 382), integrating assays for FGFR3 and TERT mutations and aberrant ONECUT2 and VIM methylation to generate a UC-score.

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