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.

Template-Guided Nondeterministic Assembly of Organosilica Nanodots for Multifunctional Physical Unclonable Functions.

Optical physical unclonable functions (PUFs) are gaining attention as a robust security solution for identification in the expanding Internet of Things (IoT). To enhance the security and functionality of PUFs, integrating multiple optical responses─such as fluorescence and structural color─into a single system is essential. These diverse optical properties enable multilevel authentication, where different layers of security can be verified under varying light conditions, greatly reducing the risk of counterfeiting.

Ambient PM exposure and tuberculosis reactivation: a cross-sectional study in an intermediate burden city.

Hong Kong is an intermediate tuberculosis (TB) endemicity city dominated by reactivation diseases. A cross-sectional study on the clinical and epidemiologic data of newly diagnosed TB cases was conducted in such a setting, to examine the association between ambient PM and TB reactivation. After the exclusion of cases most likely resulting from recent infection, four distinct TB population phenotypes were delineated by latent class analysis based on their reactivation risk and clinical profiles ( = 2,153): '' (26%), '' (34%), '' (19%) and '' (21%).

Expanding Horizons in Quantum Chemical Studies: The Versatile Power of MRSF-TDDFT.

ConspectusWhile traditional quantum chemical theories have long been central to research, they encounter limitations when applied to complex situations. Two of the most widely used quantum chemical approaches, Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TDDFT), perform well in cases with relatively weak electron correlation, such as the ground-state minima of closed-shell systems (Franck-Condon region). However, their applicability diminishes in more demanding scenarios.

Widely targeted metabolomics analysis reveals differences in volatile metabolites among four Angelica species.

Angelica L. has attracted global interest for its traditional medicinal uses and commercial values. However, few studies have focused on the metabolomic differences among the Angelica species.

Data-driven cluster analysis of lipids, inflammation, and aging in relation to new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Purpose: Early detection and intervention are vital for managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) effectively. However, it's still unclear which risk factors for T2DM onset are most significant. This study aimed to use cluster analysis to categorize individuals based on six known risk factors, helping to identify high-risk groups requiring early intervention to prevent T2DM onset.

Abrupt changes in biomass burning during the last glacial period.

Understanding the causes of past atmospheric methane (CH) variability is important for characterizing the relationship between CH, global climate and terrestrial biogeochemical cycling. Ice core records of atmospheric CH contain rapid variations linked to abrupt climate changes of the last glacial period known as Dansgaard-Oeschger (DO) events and Heinrich events (HE). The drivers of these CH variations remain unknown but can be constrained with ice core measurements of the stable isotopic composition of atmospheric CH, which is sensitive to the strength of different isotopically distinguishable emission categories (microbial, pyrogenic and geologic).

Infrared nanosensors of piconewton to micronewton forces.

Mechanical force is an essential feature for many physical and biological processes, and remote measurement of mechanical signals with high sensitivity and spatial resolution is needed for diverse applications, including robotics, biophysics, energy storage and medicine. Nanoscale luminescent force sensors excel at measuring piconewton forces, whereas larger sensors have proven powerful in probing micronewton forces. However, large gaps remain in the force magnitudes that can be probed remotely from subsurface or interfacial sites, and no individual, non-invasive sensor is capable of measuring over the large dynamic range needed to understand many systems.

Contemporary Microbiological Challenges in Pediatric Dentistry.

Knowledge of microbiology-related issues in dentistry is fundamental to clinical practice and patient care. The purpose of this literature review is to comprehensively describe the roles microbes play in pediatric dental practice, with a special focus on eight continuing and emerging microbiological issues related to waterline safety, dental material contamination, effects of oral bacteria on systemic health, antibiotic resistance, continuing COVID-19 findings and risks associated with animal-assisted therapies. Key points are highlighted on each topic, with current reports demonstrating microbial impacts on human health and clinical settings.

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life of Children Following Different Treatment Regimens of Silver Diammine Fluoride.

To investigate the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of young children in a randomized clinical trial (RCT) of silver diammine fluoride (SDF) and five percent sodium fluoride varnish (NaFV) to manage early childhood caries (ECC). Children younger than 72 months of age with active dentinal caries lesions (ICDAS 5 or 6) in primary teeth received two applications of 38 percent SDF and five percent NaFV as part of an RCT testing three different frequency regimes (one, four, and six months apart). The Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) questionnaire was completed at three study visits.

Physiotherapy and occupational therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: Bridging functional and comorbidity gaps.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disease affecting a significant portion of the global population. Despite advancements in pharmacological treatments, the management of RA remains complex, particularly in regard to comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Physiotherapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) are non-pharmacological approaches that play a critical role in the management of RA.

Treatment-free Survival After First-line Therapies for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: An International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium Analysis.

Background And Objective: Patients receiving immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy may experience periods of prolonged disease control without a need for systemic therapy. Treatment-free survival (TFS) is an important measure for this period, but no data are available for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) starting first-line agents. Our aim was to analyze TFS outcomes for patients with mRCC starting first-line therapy.

Chimeric anterolateral thigh flap for reconstruction of complex defects in oral cancer: a report of three cases.

It is crucial to reconstruct extensive soft tissue defects following oral cancer resection to restore both function and aesthetics. Single anterolateral thigh flaps may not suffice for large defects. This report highlights the use of chimeric flaps, which feature multiple paddles with individual perforators, to reconstruct large intraoral and extraoral defects, adapting to wide defects, and covering areas with extensive tissue damage.

Retrospective analysis of characteristics of patients presenting to the emergency room following dental treatment.

Objectives: This study is a retrospective analysis of patients who visited the emergency room (ER) following dental treatment over a period of 3 years, with the aim to enhance the understanding of emergency situations that may arise after dental procedures and to develop appropriate postoperative management and emergency care methods.

Patients And Methods: A total of 796 emergency patients whose visits were attributed to dental procedures, of 4,241 patients who visited the ER at Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital from January 2021 to January 2024, was included in the study. Patients were categorized based on the reason for visit into bleeding, inflammation, and other categories.

Current options in jaw and facial reconstructions.

In recent years, many advances have been made in surgical fields of oral and maxillofacial reconstruction, and the variety and complexity of available surgical approaches consider different functionalities of the jaw and the aesthetics of the face. There is no validated or scientifically proven basis for deciding which flap to use for reconstruction, so decisions are often made based on the direct and indirect experiential knowledge of the reconstructive surgeon. Considering the modified ladder, elevator, and pie reconstructive options, their risk and donor morbidity, and their long-term outcomes, the simplest option that will achieve the best long-term outcome in terms of form and function and with the lowest donor morbidity should be chosen for the patient's health and social welfare.