Degree of Joint Risk Factor Control and Incident Fracture Outcomes in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes.

Aims: To investigate the extent to which joint risk factor control might attenuate the excess risk of fracture outcomes in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: We included 8,935 individuals with type 2 diabetes and 35,740 matched controls without fractures at baseline from the UK Biobank, with a median follow-up of 12.1 years.

The Overall Quality Changes of Chinese Sauced Ducks at Different Stages During Processing and Storage.

This study reveals the physicochemical, microbial, flavor, and sensory changes in sauced duck from the marinating phase to the end of storage, divided into six stages (stages A-F). The changes in color, total plate count, total volatile basic nitrogen, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance at different stages were clarified. We utilized 16S rRNA gene sequencing, GC-IMS, and GC-MS to explore the changes in bacterial flora, fatty acid composition, and flavor characteristics.

Synergistically engineered starch-based composite films: Multifunctional platforms integrating quaternary ammonium chitosan and anthocyanins for intelligent food monitoring and sustainable packaging.

This study introduces a starch-based composite film integrated with quaternary ammonium chitosan (QCS) and Lycium ruthenicum anthocyanins (LRA) via a facile casting method, designed for intelligent food packaging. The influences of varying concentrations of QCS and/or LRA on water sensitivity, mechanical attributes, UV transmittance, antioxidant capacity, antibacterial performance, and pH-responsive characteristics were meticulously examined. The optimized film demonstrated a tensile strength of ∼0.

Effects of mode of reproduction on genetic polymorphism and divergence in wild yams (Dioscoreaceae: ).

Evolutionary transitions from sexual to asexual reproduction should have significant influences on genetic divergence and polymorphism at the genome level. Plant lineages with diverse reproductive systems provide opportunities to investigate this question using comparative approaches and studies of molecular evolution. We investigated evidence for differences among the transcriptomes of 19 species (wild yams) with diverse reproductive systems.

ViLR: a novel virtual long read method for breakpoint identification and direct SNP haplotyping in de novo PGT-SR carriers without a proband.

Background: Despite the gradual application of third-generation long read sequencing (LRS) or reference embryo establishment to preimplantation genetic testing for structural rearrangement (PGT-SR) without familial involvement, there are still limitations to their extensive clinical application yet. This study developed a novel virtual NGS-based long read method (ViLR) and preliminarily evaluated its clinical feasibility of breakpoint characterization and direct SNP haplotyping for de novo chromosomal structural rearrangements (CSR).

Methods: A total of 10 families with de novo CSR risk were enrolled in this study for ViLR analysis.

Selective Area Growth of Josephson Junctions in Ladder-Like Structures of Bismuth Islands.

A distinguishing characteristic of Josephson junctions (JJs) is their nonlinear current-voltage response, which fulfills the requirements for superconducting quantum computing. Achieving atomically sharp interfaces between superconductors and weak links in JJs can realize the superconductivity proximity effect, advancing the investigation of intrinsic properties in unconventional superconductors and their potential applications. Here, a contamination-free approach to fabricating planar JJs using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) is presented.

Class-Hidden Client-Side Watermarking in Federated Learning.

Federated learning consists of a central aggregator and multiple clients, forming a distributed structure that effectively protects data privacy. However, since all participants can access the global model, the risk of model leakage increases, especially when unreliable participants are involved. To safeguard model copyright while enhancing the robustness and secrecy of the watermark, this paper proposes a client-side watermarking scheme.

The interplay of ferroptosis and oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of aortic dissection.

Aortic dissection (AD) is a life-threatening vascular condition marked by the separation or tearing of the aortic media. Ferroptosis, a form of iron-dependent programmed cell death, occurs alongside lipid peroxidation and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The relationship between ferroptosis and AD lies in its damaging effect on vascular cells.

Sensory quality and metabolite dynamics in an organic selenium-enriched milk fermented by Geotrichum candidum.

This study explores selenium enrichment of milk through microbial transformation, utilizing Geotrichum candidum LG-8, isolated from traditional dairy products. A combination of electronic tongue, electronic nose, HPLC-ICP-MS, and UHPLC-QTOF-MS were used to evaluate milk quality, organic selenium types, and various components. The milk retained a weakly acidic pH post-transformation, with a flavor profile rich in sour, sweet, and umami tastes.

Prevalence, trends, and correlates of HIV, syphilis, and HCV infections among male attendees at STD clinics in Southwest China: a 13-year cross-sectional study (2010-2022).

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) impose a substantial health burden and pose a significant threat to human health. However, data regarding long-term epidemiology patterns of STIs among high-risk groups are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, trends, and correlates of HIV, syphilis, and HCV among male attendees at sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics in Southwest China.

Probiotics alleviate painful diabetic neuropathy by modulating the microbiota-gut-nerve axis in rats.

Painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) is one of the most common complications of diabetes. Recent studies suggested that gut microbiota dysbiosis contributes to the development of PDN, but underlying mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, we found decreased probiotics generating bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains in the PDN rats.

Effect of oat β-glucan on the freezing resistance of yeast and the underlying mechanism.

The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effects of oat β-glucan (OβG) on yeast subjected to freeze-thaw cycle-induced stress. A range of analytical techniques were employed to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms, including flow cytometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and quantitative real-time PCR. Following three freeze-thaw cycles, the survival rate of yeast that had been supplemented with 0.

Enhanced antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of quaternized ultra-highly deacetylated chitosan against multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections pose a severe threat to global public health and present significant challenges in the treatment of bacterial keratitis. The escalation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) underscores the urgent need for alternative therapeutic strategies. In this study, we report the homogeneous synthesis of quaternized ultra-highly deacetylated chitosan (QUDCS) using a sequential acid-base combination approach.

Skmer approach improves species discrimination in taxonomically problematic genus (Theaceae).

Genome skimming has dramatically extended DNA barcoding from short DNA fragments to next generation barcodes in plants. However, conserved DNA barcoding markers, including complete plastid genome and nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) sequences, are inadequate for accurate species identification. Skmer, a recently proposed approach that estimates genetic distances among species based on unassembled genome skims, has been proposed to effectively improve species discrimination rate.

Effect of Biomedical Hydrogels on Exercise-induced Muscle Damage: A Narrative Review.

Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is a common occurrence among athletes and individuals engaged in physical fitness activities. Muscle strains result from excessive or repetitive muscle tension, leading to tissue damage, inflammation, and pain. These strains can range from mild discomfort to severe damage, resulting in pain, inflammation, and reduced functionality.

A sustainable and expedited 'One-Stop' prostate cancer diagnostic pathway to reduce environmental impact and enhance accessibility.

Objective: To assess the carbon footprint, accessibility, and diagnostic performance of an expedited 'One-Stop' prostate cancer (PCa) diagnostic pathway.

Materials And Methods: A total of 1083 consecutive patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) followed by transrectal ultrasound fusion-guided prostate biopsy (PBx) were identified from a prospective database. The patients were divided according to the diagnostic pathway: One-Stop, with MRI and same-day PBx (3 hours apart), or Standard, with MRI followed by a second visit for PBx.

Deep Learning-Based Quantification of Adenoid Hypertrophy and Its Correlation with Apnea-Hypopnea Index in Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Purpose: This study aims to develop a deep learning methodology for quantitative assessing adenoid hypertrophy in nasopharyngoscopy images and to investigate its correlation with the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in pediatric patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Patients And Methods: A total of 1642 nasopharyngoscopy images were collected from pediatric patients aged 3 to 12 years. After excluding images with obscured secretions, incomplete adenoid exposure, 1500 images were retained for analysis.

Combined usage of ligand- and structure-based virtual screening in the artificial intelligence era.

Drug design has always been pursuing techniques with time- and cost-benefits. Virtual screening, generally classified as ligand-based (LBVS) and structure-based (SBVS) approaches, could identify active compounds in the large chemical library to reduce time and cost. Owing to the intrinsic flaws and complementary nature of both approaches, continued efforts have been made to combine them to mitigate limitations.

The Safety and Feasibility of Aquablation in Patients with Previous Surgery for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Aquablation for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has been adopted to treat a wide range of prostate anatomies including glands up to 150 cc. Patients with recurrence of LUTS after previous BPH procedure often present with variant anatomy, and a paucity of literature exists on the optimal treatment modality for these patients. Herein, we evaluate the safety and feasibility of aquablation in patients with previous BPH surgical history.

Starch-nanoencapsulated polyphenol-induced polysaccharide gel coatings with efficient preservation capability.

Here, a facile self-assembly strategy was used to fabricate octenyl succinic anhydride starch (OSAS) nano micelles for encapsulation of K-carrageenan comprising curcumin (Cur) (KC/Cur-OSAS). KC/Cur-OSAS was used as a multipurpose edible food packaging coating on grapes. The characteristics, storage stability, photoactivated antibacterial properties and antimicrobial mechanisms of KC/Cur-OSAS were investigated.

Assessment of simulated snoring sounds with artificial intelligence for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea.

Background: Performing simulated snoring (SS) is a commonly used method to evaluate the source of snoring in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). SS sounds is considered as a potential biomarker for OSA. SS sounds can be easily recorded, which is a cost-effective method for prescreening purposes.

Selective Inhibition of P2Y and P2Y Receptor Signal Pathways in Platelet Aggregation in Transgenic Cell Lines and Rats by Potassium 2-(1-Hydroxypentyl)-Benzoate, Puerarin and Salvianolic Acid B.

Aim: Potassium 2-(1-hydroxypentyl)-benzoate (dl-PHPB), puerarin and salvianolic acid B are three natural products or derivatives that can inhibit platelet aggregation. However, the mechanisms of dl-PHPB, puerarin and salvianolic acid B to inhibit platelet aggregation are still not clear.

Method: Here, 2-methylthioadenosine diphosphate (2-MeSADP) was used as an inducer to confirm the effects of three drugs on platelet aggregation and illustrate the corresponding mechanisms.

Clinical prognostic value of TREM1 in patients with liver cancer lung metastasis.

Background: Patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) generally have an unfavorable outlook, with lung metastasis being a prevalent factor contributing to mortality. The metastatic microenvironment is critical to the tumor metastatic process. The exact impact of Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 1 (TREM1) on tumor metastasis and the microenvironment of metastasis is still not known.