Multimodal Profiling of Iron Heterogeneity at the Nanoscale.

Life is inherently heterogeneous, and visualizing this heterogeneity in the spatial distribution of biometals offers valuable insights into various biological processes. While biometal mapping provides superior spatial resolution compared to other bioanalytical techniques, it alone cannot fully explain the functional roles of biometals in health and disease. In this study, we introduced a novel method using specially designed sample grids to facilitate beam-, X-ray-, and ion-beam-based imaging of biometals on the same tissue section.

Unraveling Dynamic Structural Evolution of Single Atom Catalyst Surface-Enhanced Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy.

Metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-N-C) single-atom catalysts (SACs) have been widely applied in catalyzing electrochemical redox reactions. However, their long-term catalytic stabilities greatly limit their practical applications. This work investigates the dynamic evolution of two model Cu-N-C SACs with different Cu-N coordinations, namely the Cu/N-C and Cu/N-C, in electrochemical CO reduction reaction (CORR), based on a collection of characterizations including attenuated total reflectance surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, complemented by theoretical calculations.

Preparation and anti-tumor ability evaluation of anti-PD-L1 conjugated curcumin in colon cancer.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been approved for various solid tumor treatments but have shown poor efficacy on colon cancer. Curcumin has been proven as an anti-tumor agent that inhibits cell cycle and tumor cell proliferation. Moreover, curcumin has also been reported to have the ability to inhibit PD-L1 expression, which might benefit the therapeutic efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Mendelian randomization reveals causal relationships between cytokines and male reproductive diseases.

This study aims to explore the causal links between cytokines and four male reproductive disorders, namely abnormal spermatozoa (AS), male infertility, erectile dysfunction (ED), and hyperplasia of prostate (HP), employing a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. Genetic associations with male reproductive diseases were derived from the IEU OpenGWAS project, with cytokine data from two GWASs focused on the human proteome and cytokines. Estimations were derived using inverse variance weighting, MR-Egger regression, weighted median, weighted model, and simple mode.

PDK2-enhanced glycolysis aggravates fibrosis via IL11 signaling pathway in Graves' orbitopathy.

Objectives: Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1)-interleukin 11 (IL11) is a newly found critical signaling pathway in fibrotic diseases such as Graves' orbitopathy (GO). It has now been confirmed that enhanced glycolysis plays a key role in the pathogenesis of GO. However, little is known about the relationship between glycolysis and IL11-mediated fibrosis in GO.

Primary aldosteronism classification with 18-oxocortisol and Ga-pentixafor PET/CT.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the non-invasive and accurate evaluation methods of primary aldosteronism (PA) classification.

Methods: There were 99 patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and 61 with idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA) recruited in this study. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and Ga-pentixafor PET/CT were performed in this cohort.

Multiple fingerprinting and cardioprotective activity of Salvia miltiorrhiza polysaccharides.

To establish a polysaccharide-based quality control method for Salvia miltiorrhiza Radix Et Rhizoma (SMR), and to study the cardioprotective activity of Salvia miltiorrhiza polysaccharides (DSP). DSP samples were isolated from 60 different batches of SMR using hot water leaching and their physicochemical properties and structures were analyzed. Multiple DSP fingerprints were established, and zebrafish embryo experiments were designed.

Investigating the role of MicroRNA-519d-3p in enhancing chemosensitivity of colorectal cancer cells to 5-Fluorouracil through PFKFB3 targeting.

Objective: In the fight against Colorectal Cancer (CRC), chemotherapy resistance is a major obstacle. Therefore, it is imperative to identify effective biomarker therapeutics. Despite microRNAs (miRs) playing a crucial role in drug resistance, the mechanisms comprising miR-519d-3p's role in CRC drug resistance have not been fully understood.

Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease using transfer learning with multi-modal 3D Inception-v4.

Background: Deep learning (DL) technologies are playing increasingly important roles in computer-aided diagnosis in medicine. In this study, we sought to address issues related to the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on multi-modal features, and introduced a multi-modal three-dimensional Inception-v4 model that employs transfer learning for AD diagnosis based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical score data.

Methods: The multi-modal three-dimensional (3D) Inception-v4 model was first pre-trained using data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database.

Spike sorting AI agent.

Spike sorting is a fundamental process for decoding neural activity, involving preprocessing, spike detection, feature extraction, clustering, and validation. However, conventional spike sorting methods are highly fragmented, labor-intensive, and heavily reliant on expert manual curation, limiting their scalability and reproducibility. This challenge has become more pressing with advances in neural recording technology, such as high-density Neuropixels for large-scale neural recording or flexible electrodes for long-term stable recording over months to years.

Near-infrared Emission Carbon Dots Derived from Bromo-Substituted Perylene Derivatives with Simultaneously High Type I/II ROS Generation for Effective Bacterial Elimination and Tumor Ablation.

Bacterial infections and tumor tissues are characterized by complex microenvironments with uneven oxygen availability. Effective photodynamic therapy for these conditions requires photosensitizers that can perform optimally within such environments, specifically by generating both type I and II reactive oxygen species (ROS) simultaneously. Carbon dots (CDs), a type of fluorescent nanomaterial smaller than 10 nm, are commonly used to treat bacterial infections and tumors.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice towards sleep disorders among high school students: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Sleep disorders are common in high school students. Despite the growing global attention to adolescent sleep issues, limited research has focused on the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of high school students toward sleep disorders in China, where academic pressure is particularly high. This study addresses this gap by exploring the KAP of Chinese high school students toward sleep disorders, providing insights for targeted educational interventions.

In situ construction of a Li-Ag&LiF interface enables stable cycling of all-solid-state lithium-metal batteries.

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are regarded as promising candidates for developing high energy-density Li metal batteries because of their flexible processability and low cost. However, the application of SPEs is still inherently impeded by the mediocre ionic conductivity and unstable Li/electrolyte interface. In this work, the silver fluoride (AgF) additive is introduced to optimize the ionic conductivity of PEO and induce the formation of stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer between Li metal and SPEs interface, thereby inhibiting the growth of lithium dendrites.

Ga-pentixafor PET/CT in guiding surgical management of primary aldosteronism.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the significance of Ga-pentixafor PET/CT in guiding surgical treatments for primary aldosteronism (PA) patients, by identifying functional lesions and determining the dominant side of aldosterone secretion.

Materials And Methods: We prospectively included 91 PA patients receiving surgical treatments based on the results of Ga-pentixafor PET/CT. The Ga-pentixafor PET/CT images were evaluated by visual and semi-quantitative analysis.

Whole genome re-sequencing in 437 tobacco germplasms identifies plant height candidate genes.

Tobacco is one of the most important model plants. Plant height is one of the most important agronomic traits in tobacco. To better understand the population genetic structure and the genetic basis of plant height in tobacco, 437 tobacco germplasms were whole genome re-sequencing in this study.

Efficacy of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell in the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: an animal study.

Background: Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) have great potential for treating autoimmune diseases for their immunomodulatory and tissue-regenerative abilities; however, their therapeutic role in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) remains uncertain.

Methods: 10 hUC-MSCs prepared in 200 μl PBS were intravenously administered to a systemic NMOSD model on day 10 and day 14 after immunization. Then, disease progression, immune responses, and blood-brain barrier integrity were evaluated.

Survival analysis between different treatment strategies of mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC): a population-based study.

Background: Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) is rare and heterogeneous. Currently, there is no concise treatment standard for MANEC. This study aimed to explore the prognostic impact of different treatment methods in MANEC.

Identifying potential signatures of immune cells in hepatocellular carcinoma using integrative bioinformatics approaches and machine-learning strategies.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor regulated by the immune system. Immunotherapy using checkpoint inhibitors has shown encouraging outcomes in a subset of HCC patients. The main challenges in checkpoint immunotherapy for HCC are to expand treatment options and to broaden the beneficiary population.

LPA released from dying cancer cells after chemotherapy inactivates Hippo signaling and promotes pancreatic cancer cell repopulation.

Purpose: The Hippo pathway in the tumorigenesis and progression of PDAC, with lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) regulating the Hippo pathway to facilitate cancer progression. However, the impact of the Hippo signaling pathway on tumor repopulation in PDAC remains unreported.

Methods: Direct and indirect co-culture models to investigate gemcitabine-induced apoptotic cells can facilitate the repopulation of residual tumor cells.

α-methyltryptophan-mediated protection against diabetic nephropathy in mice as studied with a metabolomics approach.

Introduction: Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a major complication of diabetes, presents with poor clinical outcomes and affects patients throughout their lifetime. α-Methyltryptophan (α-MT) is a blocker of the amino acid transporter. SLC6A14 and also an inhibitor of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1).

Influence of Multiband Technique on Temporal Diffusion Spectroscopy and Its Diagnostic Value in Breast Tumors.

Background: Temporal diffusion spectroscopy (TDS) is a noninvasive diffusion imaging technique used to characterizing cellular microstructures. The influence of multiband (MB) on TDS, particularly in breast tumor imaging remain unknown.

Purpose: To investigate the influence of MB on TDS in terms of scanning time, image quality, and quantitative parameters and to assess the diagnostic value of TDS with MB in breast tumors.

Clinical significance of GABA, NSE, and miR-155 expression in patients with post-stroke epilepsy.

This study investigated the clinical predictive value of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and microRNA-155 (miR-155) for post-stroke epilepsy (PSE) in patients with cerebral infarction (CI). A total of 69 CI patients with PSE and 84 with non-post-stroke epilepsy (N-PSE) were retrospectively enrolled, with their clinical baseline data (CI type) and the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score collected. CSF GABA and serum NSE and miR-155 expression levels were determined, with their clinical value further assessed.

Temperature and light dual-responsive hydrogels for anti-inflammation and wound repair monitoring.

Wound healing is a complex and dynamic biological process that requires meticulous management to ensure optimal outcomes. Traditional wound dressings, such as gauze and bandages, although commonly used, often fall short in their frequent need for replacement, lack of real-time monitoring and absence of anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which can lead to increased risk of infection and delayed healing. Here, we address these limitations by introducing an innovative hydrogel dressing, named PHDNN6, to combine wireless Bluetooth temperature monitoring and light-triggered nitric oxide (NO) release to enhance wound healing and management.

Correlation between rrs gene mutations and amikacin resistance in Mycobacterium abscessus: implications for fitness cost and clinical prevalence.

Objectives: Amikacin is crucial for treating Mycobacterium abscessus (Mab) infections, with resistance primarily attributed to rrs gene mutations. The correlation between specific mutations and amikacin susceptibility, along with the associated fitness cost, requires further investigation.

Methods: We isolated spontaneous amikacin-resistant mutants in vitro and identified their mutation sites in the rrs gene via Sanger sequencing, which were then compared with existing reports.