Associations of reproductive factors and circadian syndrome in middle-aged and elderly women: A nationwide cross-sectional study from China, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Circadian Syndrome (CircS) was recently recognized as a novel predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, with reproductive factors playing an important role in CVD risk. Yet, studies linking reproductive factors to CircS remain sparse. Data on middle-aged and elderly women were extracted from three nationally representative surveys: the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and the English Longitudinal Study on Ageing (ELSA) provided the training set, and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) constituted the validation set.

Bioinformatic analysis of ferroptosis related biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets in vitiligo.

Vitiligo is a complex autoimmune skin disorder characterized by depigmentation and immune dysregulation. To elucidate the role of ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) in vitiligo, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of gene expression data from the GSE53146 and GSE65127 datasets obtained from the GEO database. We identified 31 differentially expressed FRGs (DE-FRGs), with 21 genes upregulated and 10 downregulated.

Nomograms for Predicting Overall and Cancer-Specific Survival Among Second Primary Endometrial Cancer in Primary Colorectal Carcinoma Patients.

Background: Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most frequent gynecologic cancers, approximately 20% of patients are regarded as high-risk with poor prognosis. However, more details of patients with second primary endometrial cancer (SPEC) after colorectal cancer (CRC) remain poorly understood. We therefore proposed to construct two nomograms to predict 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates to facilitate clinical application.

Interpretable machine learning model for new-onset atrial fibrillation prediction in critically ill patients: a multi-center study.

Background: New-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) is the most common arrhythmia in critically ill patients admitted to intensive care and is associated with poor prognosis and disease burden. Identifying high-risk individuals early is crucial. This study aims to create and validate a NOAF prediction model for critically ill patients using machine learning (ML).

Effects of a Tai Chi rehabilitation program implemented using a hybrid online and offline mode on oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in patients with coronary heart disease: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in both developed and many developing countries. Exercise training is a fundamental component of cardiac rehabilitation programs for patients with CHD. This study aims to investigate the effects of a Tai Chi rehabilitation program, which is provided through a hybrid online and offline mode, on oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in patients with CHD.

Identification of a novel TSC1 gene variant in a patient with atypical vitiligo-like skin lesions: Unveiling the hidden tuberous sclerosis complex.

Background: Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), an autosomal-dominant disorder, is characterized by hamartomas affecting multiple organ systems. The underlying etiology of TSC is the pathogenic variations of the TSC1 or TSC2 genes. The phenotype variability of TSC could lead to missed diagnosis; therefore, the latest molecular diagnostic criteria for identifying a heterozygous pathogenic variant in either the TSC1 or TSC2 gene filled this gap.

Identification of a novel nonsense ATP2A2 gene variant in a patient with Darier's disease flare following COVID-19 infection: A case report.

Rationale: Darier disease (DD) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder that primarily manifests as hyperkeratotic papules and itching. The underlying etiology of DD is pathogenic variation in the ATP2A2 gene. However, this disease has a high penetrance but variable expressivity, indicating that patients inheriting the genotype may have different manifestations due to exogenous factors.

Effectiveness of an online/offline mixed-mode Tai Chi cardiac rehabilitation program on microcirculation in patients with coronary artery disease: A randomized controlled study.

Objective: We explored the effectiveness of an online/offline mixed-mode Tai Chi cardiac rehabilitation program on the microcirculation of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Design: Prospective, randomized controlled study.

Setting: It was conducted in a tertiary hospital.

ZnS spheres assembled from nanoparticles confined in bagasse-based carbon nanosheets for enhanced potassium storage.

Transition metal zinc sulfide (ZnS) is a promising anode material for potassium ion batteries due to its rich abundance and high capacity (conversion/alloy dual mechanism), while still suffering the drawbacks of sluggish kinetics process and structural degradation, which restrict its practical application. Herein, ZnS spheres assembled from nanoparticles embedded in carbon nanosheets (ZnS/C@C) were synthesized with alkali-activated agricultural waste bagasse as the carbon precursor. The removal of lignin and hemicellulose by pre-treatment of bagasse with alkali solutions opens ionic diffusion channels and promotes adsorption of Znby bagasse, which is crucial for the growth of ZnS in bagasse sheets and the suppression of ZnS particle size during hydrothermal processes.

Levosimendan improves postoperative heart function recovery and prognosis in patients with heart disease.

Background: Previous studies have shown that levosimendan can reduce mortality and complications in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of levosimendan on the recovery of cardiac function, quality of life and prognosis in patients with heart disease after operation.

Methods: From October 2017 to August 2019, 93 patients admitted to our hospital for cardiac surgery were retrospectively enrolled in this study.

Identification of a novel heterozygous TSC2 splicing variant in a patient with Tuberous sclerosis complex: A case report.

Rationale: Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by facial angiofibromas, epilepsy, intellectual disability, and the development of hamartomas in several organs, including the heart, kidneys, brain, and lungs. Mutations in either TSC1 or TSC2 result in dysregulated mTOR activation, leading to the occurrence of TSC.

Patient Concerns: A 44-year-old man was hospitalized for acute lumbago and hematuria.

[Identification of a novel TSC2 gene variant in a patient with tuberous sclerosis complex].

Objective: To explore the genetic basis for a patient diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).

Methods: Peripheral blood samples of the patient and his parents were collected for the extraction of genomic DNA. Next generation sequencing (NGS) was carried out to detect potential variant, and the result was verified by Sanger sequencing.

Association of Elevated Cord Blood Oxidative Stress Biomarkers with Neonatal Outcomes in Mothers with Pre-Eclampsia: A Case-Control Study.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the levels of stress biomarkers in cord blood and pre-eclampsia (PE) in a hospital-based population of pregnant patients and evaluate the effects on pregnancy outcomes.

Design: This was an observational, case-control study. Participants/Materials, Setting, Methods: This case-control study included 282 patients with severe PE and 534 women with normal pregnancy.

Voxel-wise Functional Connectivity of the Default Mode Network in Epilepsies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Default Mode Network (DMN) is recognized to be involved in the generation and propagation of epileptic activities in various epilepsies. Converging evidence has suggested disturbed Functional Connectivity (FC) in epilepsies, which was inferred to be related to underlying pathological mechanisms. However, abnormal changes of FC in DMN revealed by different studies are controversial, which obscures the role of DMN in distinct epilepsies.

Connective profiles and antagonism between dynamic and static connectivity underlying generalized epilepsy.

This study aims to characterize the connective profiles and the coupling relationship between dynamic and static functional connectivity (dFC and sFC) in large-scale brain networks in patients with generalized epilepsy (GE). Functional, structural and diffuse MRI data were collected from 83 patients with GE and 106 matched healthy controls (HC). Resting-state BOLD time course was deconvolved to neural time course using a blind hemodynamic deconvolution method.

Dynamic Temporospatial Patterns of Functional Connectivity and Alterations in Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy.

The dynamic profile of brain function has received much attention in recent years and is also a focus in the study of epilepsy. The present study aims to integrate the dynamics of temporal and spatial characteristics to provide comprehensive and novel understanding of epileptic dynamics. Resting state fMRI data were collected from eighty-three patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) and 87 healthy controls (HC).

Reduced Intellectual Ability in Offspring Born from Preeclamptic Mothers: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Severe preeclampsia may affect placental development, and high homocysteine (Hcy) levels are linked to intellectual disability. However, the correlation between perinatal Hcy levels and intellectual ability remains unknown in severe preeclampsia-affected offspring.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the intellectual ability in offspring born from preeclamptic mothers and examine the role of prenatal Hcy in the prediction of intellectual disability in preschool-aged offspring.

Mechanism of pitting corrosion induced by inclusions in Al-Ti-Mg deoxidized high strength pipeline steel.

In order to reveal the mechanism of galvanic pitting corrosion initiation induced by typical complex inclusions in Al-Ti-Mg deoxidized high strength pipeline steel, first-principles calculations, combining with immersion tests, scanning electron microscopy was used to study the correlation between electronic work function and galvanic corrosion of Al-Ti-Mg killed steel. The results show that MnS inclusions act as anodes in the electrochemical environment, preferentially corroding and dissolving; MgAlO and AlO inclusions act as cathodes, leading to the corrosion of Fe matrix; different end planes of MgTiO and MgTiO act as both anodes and cathodes, but they have little effect on pitting corrosion. Microcrevices on the MgTiO and MgTiO inclusions boundary are the main cause of matrix dissolution.

Association between serum homocysteine level and unexplained infertility in in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI): A retrospective, hospital-based, case-control study.

Background: Lower serum homocysteine (Hcy) levels are found to correlate with a better chance of clinical pregnancy and better embryo grades in assisted reproductive technology (ART). However, there is little knowledge on the association between Hcy level and unexplained infertility until now.

Methods: A total of 388 infertile women undergoing IVF/ICSI treatments were recruited, including 129 women with unexplained causes (case group) and 259 women with known causes (control group), and the case group was further divided into subgroups A (≤8 μmol/L), B (>8 and <15 μmol/L), and C (≥15 μmol/L) based on the serum Hcy level.

[Genetic diagnosis of a patient with long-time misdiagnosis of epilepsy].

Objective: To identify pathogenic mutation of TSC1 and TSC2 genes in a patient with long-time misdiagnosis of epilepsy.

Methods: Peripheral blood samples and clinical data of the patient and her 2 parents were collected. Potential mutation of TSC1 and TSC2 genes were detected by direct sequencing.

Transcriptomic profiles of human HaCaT cells in response to angelica polysaccharide.

The aim of this study was to explore the anti-psoriatic effect and potential mechanism of Angelica polysaccharide (APS) on an in vitro HaCaT cell model. MTS assay was performed to determine whether APS has the ability to inhibit the proliferation of HaCaT cells. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed to investigate the underlying mechanism of APS.

An interventional study of rice for reducing cadmium exposure in a Chinese industrial town.

Background: Reducing cadmium (Cd) exposure in Cd-polluted areas in Asia is urgently needed given the toxic effects of Cd. The short-term and long-term benefits of lowering Cd exposure are unknown because of its long half-life in the body.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate whether an intervention with low-Cd rice in a contaminated area of China reduced urinary Cd (UCd) levels and improved blood pressure and kidney function outcomes compared to no-intervention in consumers of high-Cd rice in the same region.

Variation in ICE1 Methylation Primarily Determines Phenotypic Variation in Freezing Tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Cold stress is a major abiotic factor plants face during their life cycle. Although plants often exhibit phenotypic variation in cold tolerance, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. In the present study, the 50% lethal temperature (LT50) values of 37 Arabidopsis thaliana accessions at latitudes from 15° to 58° ranged from -13.

[Analysis of SLC39A4 gene mutation in a patient with acrodermatitis enteropathica].

Objective: To detect pathogenic mutation of the SLC39A4 gene in a male patient with acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE).

Methods: Peripheral venous blood sample and clinical data from the patient and his parents were collected. One hundred unrelated healthy individuals were recruited as controls.