Fusion of FDG and FMZ PET Reduces False Positive in Predicting Epileptogenic Zone.

Background And Purpose: Epilepsy, a globally prevalent neurological disorder, necessitates precise identification of the epileptogenic zone (EZ) for effective surgical management. While the individual utilities of FDG PET and FMZ PET have been demonstrated, their combined efficacy in localizing the epileptogenic zone remains underexplored. We aim to improve the non-invasive prediction of epileptogenic zone (EZ) in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) by combining FDG PET and FMZ PET with statistical feature extraction and machine learning.

Xalnesiran with or without an Immunomodulator in Chronic Hepatitis B.

Background: Xalnesiran, a small interfering RNA molecule that targets a conserved region of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome and silences multiple HBV transcripts, may have efficacy, with or without an immunomodulator, in patients with chronic HBV infection.

Methods: We conducted a phase 2, multicenter, randomized, controlled, adaptive, open-label platform trial that included the evaluation of 48 weeks of treatment with xalnesiran at a dose of 100 mg (group 1), xalnesiran at a dose of 200 mg (group 2), xalnesiran at a dose of 200 mg plus 150 mg of ruzotolimod (group 3), xalnesiran at a dose of 200 mg plus 180 μg of pegylated interferon alfa-2a (group 4), or a nucleoside or nucleotide analogue (NA) alone (group 5) in participants with chronic HBV infection who had virologic suppression with NA therapy. The primary efficacy end point was hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss (HBsAg level, <0.

Wide field of view large aperture meta-doublet eyepiece.

Wide field of view and light weight optics are critical for advanced eyewear, with applications in augmented/virtual reality and night vision. Conventional refractive lenses are often stacked to correct aberrations at a wide field of view, leading to limited performance and increased size and weight. In particular, simultaneously achieving a wide field of view and large aperture for light collection is desirable but challenging to realize in a compact form-factor.

Assessment of the safety and gut microbiota modulation ability of an infant formula containing Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis CP-9 or Lactobacillus salivarius AP-32 and the effects of the formula on infant growth outcomes: insights from a four-month clinical study in infants under two months old.

Background: Breast milk is a natural treasure for infants, and its microbiota contains a rich array of bacterial species. When breastfeeding is not possible, infant formula with probiotics can be used as a sole source or as a breast milk supplement. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the growth outcomes and tolerance of infants consuming an infant formula containing Bifidobacterium animalis ssp.

Sensitive and accurate proteome profiling of embryogenesis using Real-Time Search and TMTproC quantification.

Multiplexed proteomics has become a powerful tool for investigating biological systems. Using balancer-peptide conjugates (e.g.

Cardiovascular-Liver-Metabolic Health: Recommendations in Screening, Diagnosis, and Management of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease in Cardiovascular Disease via Modified Delphi Approach.

There is a new awareness of the widespread nature of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and its connection to cardiovascular disease (CVD). This has catalyzed collaboration between cardiologists, hepatologists, endocrinologists, and the wider multidisciplinary team to address the need for earlier identification of those with MASLD who are at increased risk for CVD. The overlap in the pathophysiologic processes and parallel prevalence of CVD, metabolic syndrome, and MASLD highlight the multisystem consequences of poor cardiovascular-liver-metabolic health.

Using a two sample Mendelian randomization approach to explore the causal relationship between erectile dysfunction and lung function.

Background: Recently, some observational studies have suggested potential associations between erectile dysfunction (ED) and respiratory function. However, the underlying biological mechanisms and causal relationships between ED and lung function require further investigation. This study aimed to explore the causalities between ED and lung function traits.

All-cause and cause-specific mortality in patients with chronic hepatitis B and concurrent steatotic liver disease.

Background & Aims: Steatotic liver disease (SLD) is prevalent among patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, the effects of metabolic dysfunction-associated SLD (MASLD) on the long-term survival of such patients remain unknown. Accordingly, this study investigated the mortality risks in patients with CHB and concurrent SLD.

A blastocyst's implantation potential is linked to its originating oocyte cohort's blastulation rate: evidence for a cohort effect.

Objective: To investigate if blastocysts originating from different follicular cohorts have variable implantation rates, adjusted for oocyte age, morphology, and/or ploidy.

Design: Retrospective cohort.

Setting: Academic center.

Development and Validation of Multiparametric MRI-based Interpretable Deep Learning Radiomics Fusion Model for Predicting Lymph Node Metastasis and Prognosis in Rectal Cancer: A Two-center Study.

Rationale And Objectives: To develop interpretable machine learning models that utilize deep learning (DL) and radiomics based on multiparametric Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to predict preoperative lymph node (LN) metastasis in rectal cancer.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study involved 286 cancer patients confirmed by histopathology from center 1 (Training set) and 66 patients from center 2 (External test set). Radiomics features were extracted from T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences, whereas DL features were obtained using four models: MobileNet-V3-large, Inception-V3, ResNet50, and VGG16.

Robotic MRI/CT Guided Multiregional 'smart' Biopsy for Characterization of Tumor Heterogeneity: A Prospective Development Study.

Rationale And Objectives: Intratumoral heterogeneity means single site tumor biopsy might not be representative. Here we develop and optimize an MRI-informed robotic multiregional 'smart' biopsy technique in retroperitoneal and pelvic sarcomas (RPS). We also explore the relationship between imaging and histological biomarkers.

Comparative Evaluation of Clinical-MRI, Radiomics, and Integrated Nomogram Models for Preoperative Prediction of Placenta Accreta Spectrum.

Rationale And Objectives: The escalating incidence of placental accreta spectrum (PAS), a pregnancy complication, underscores the need for accurate prenatal diagnosis to guide optimal management strategies. This study aims to develop, validate, and compare various prenatal PAS prediction models integrating clinical data, MRI signs, and radiomics signatures.

Materials And Methods: A cohort comprising 111 patients (72 with PAS and 39 without, denoted as N-PAS) served as the training set, while another 47 patients (33 PAS and 14 N-PAS) constituted the validation set.

Automating life science labs at the single-cell level through precise ultrasonic liquid sample ejection: PULSE.

Laboratory automation technologies have revolutionized biomedical research. However, the availability of automation solutions at the single-cell level remains scarce, primarily owing to the inherent challenges of handling cells with such small dimensions in a precise, biocompatible manner. Here, we present a single-cell-level laboratory automation solution that configures various experiments onto standardized, microscale test-tube matrices via our precise ultrasonic liquid sample ejection technology, known as PULSE.

Sound innovations for biofabrication and tissue engineering.

Advanced biofabrication techniques can create tissue-like constructs that can be applied for reconstructive surgery or as in vitro three-dimensional (3D) models for disease modeling and drug screening. While various biofabrication techniques have recently been widely reviewed in the literature, acoustics-based technologies still need to be explored. The rapidly increasing number of publications in the past two decades exploring the application of acoustic technologies highlights the tremendous potential of these technologies.

Association of Conscious Sedation With Dexmedetomidine and Outcome in Stroke Patients Undergoing Thrombectomy in the DEVT and RESCUE-BT Trials.

Background And Objectives: Although dexmedetomidine (DEX) is widely administered during endovascular treatment (EVT) to enhance procedural adherence of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with large vessel occlusion, there is limited research on the association of DEX and outcomes among these patients. Hence, this study aimed to explore the safety and outcomes of DEX during conscious sedation (CS) in a real-world setting among patients undergoing EVT.

Methods: This study was an individual patient-level pooled analysis of 2 multicenter randomized clinical trials RESCUE-BT and DEVT.

Neutralizing antibody correlate of protection against severe-critical COVID-19 in the ENSEMBLE single-dose Ad26.COV2.S vaccine efficacy trial.

Assessment of immune correlates of severe COVID-19 has been hampered by the low numbers of severe cases in COVID-19 vaccine efficacy (VE) trials. We assess neutralizing and binding antibody levels at 4 weeks post-Ad26.COV2.

Decreased lipidated ApoE-receptor interactions confer protection against pathogenicity of ApoE and its lipid cargoes in lysosomes.

While apolipoprotein E (APOE) is the strongest genetic modifier for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD), the molecular mechanisms underlying isoform-dependent risk and the relevance of ApoE-associated lipids remain elusive. Here, we report that impaired low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (LDLR) binding of lipidated ApoE2 (lipApoE2) avoids LDLR recycling defects observed with lipApoE3/E4 and decreases the uptake of cholesteryl esters (CEs), which are lipids linked to neurodegeneration. In human neurons, the addition of ApoE carrying polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)-CE revealed an allelic series (ApoE4 > ApoE3 > ApoE2) associated with lipofuscinosis, an age-related lysosomal pathology resulting from lipid peroxidation.

ANK Deficiency-Mediated Cytosolic Citrate Accumulation Promotes Aortic Aneurysm.

Background: Disturbed metabolism and transport of citrate play significant roles in various pathologies. However, vascular citrate regulation and its potential role in aortic aneurysm (AA) development remain poorly understood.

Methods: Untargeted metabolomics by mass spectrometry was applied to identify upregulated metabolites of the tricarboxylic acid cycle in AA tissues of mice.

Trem2/Tyrobp Signaling Protects Against Aortic Dissection and Rupture by Inhibiting Macrophage Activation in Mice.

Background: The development of aortic dissection (AD) is closely associated with inflammation. The Trem2 (triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2)/Tyrobp (TYRO protein tyrosine kinase-binding protein) signaling pathway critically regulates innate immunity and has emerged as an important target in cardiovascular diseases; however, its role in AD remains unclear.

Methods: Transcriptome data from human and mouse ADs were used to perform differentially expressed gene-based protein-protein interaction network analyses.

Comprehensive genome analysis and variant detection at scale using DRAGEN.

Research and medical genomics require comprehensive, scalable methods for the discovery of novel disease targets, evolutionary drivers and genetic markers with clinical significance. This necessitates a framework to identify all types of variants independent of their size or location. Here we present DRAGEN, which uses multigenome mapping with pangenome references, hardware acceleration and machine learning-based variant detection to provide insights into individual genomes, with ~30 min of computation time from raw reads to variant detection.

Microvascular Inflammation of Kidney Allografts and Clinical Outcomes.

Background: The heterogeneous clinical presentation of graft microvascular inflammation poses a major challenge to successful kidney transplantation. The effect of microvascular inflammation on allograft outcomes is unclear.

Methods: We conducted a cohort study that included kidney-transplant recipients from more than 30 transplantation centers in Europe and North America who had undergone allograft biopsy between 2004 and 2023.

Joint subarray acoustic tweezers enable controllable cell translation, rotation, and deformation.

Contactless microscale tweezers are highly effective tools for manipulating, patterning, and assembling bioparticles. However, current tweezers are limited in their ability to comprehensively manipulate bioparticles, providing only partial control over the six fundamental motions (three translational and three rotational motions). This study presents a joint subarray acoustic tweezers platform that leverages acoustic radiation force and viscous torque to control the six fundamental motions of single bioparticles.