Identification of a new genetic locus associated with atrial fibrillation in the Taiwanese population by genome-wide and transcriptome-wide association studies.

Background: Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) identified common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in more than 100 genomic regions associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to identify novel AF genes in Taiwanese population by multi-stage GWAS.

Methods: In exploratory stage, we did GWAS with whole genome genotypes (4,512,191 SNPs) in 516 AF Patients from National Taiwan University AF registry (NTUAFR) and 5160 normal sinus rhythm controls from Taiwan Biobank.

Phosphorus and Cobalt Codoped Transition-Metal Oxides with Accelerated Surface Reconstruction for Efficient Alkaline Oxygen Evolution Reactions.

Developing highly efficient nonprecious metal catalysts for oxygen evolution reactions (OERs) is crucial for the development of water electrolysis; however, these catalysts face challenges such as high overpotential and insufficient durability at high current densities. In this study, we successfully prepared ordered needlelike structured Co-Fe hydroxide with F-ion immersion (Fe/Co(OH)F) on the surface of nickel foam and explored the synergistic strengthening effects of Mo cation doping and P anion doping. The ordered needlelike structure of Fe/Co(OH)F was destroyed during the phosphating calcination process, while Mo doping transformed it into a rough surface platelike structure.

Surface Chemical Coordination Stabilizes Ni-Rich Cathodes for High-Energy Li-Metal Batteries.

The stability of the electrode-electrolyte interface is a critical factor influencing the electrochemical performance of Li-metal batteries. However, on the delithiated Ni-rich cathode surface, the strong catalytic effects of transition metals with coordination deficiency significantly aggravate the parasitic reactions with Li-metal-compatible ether-based electrolytes, thereby reducing the cycling stability of high-voltage Ni-rich batteries. Here, we propose an -induction mechanism to address coordination deficiency through the coupling of interfacial orbitals between molecules and the cathode surface.

Clinical, radiological, pathological and prognostic features of general paresis: a cohort study.

General paresis is a rare type of syphilis characterized by progressive cognitive impairment and psychiatric syndromes. It is often misdiagnosed because of its rarity and similarity with other diseases. We aimed to comprehensively investigate the clinical, radiological, pathological, and prognostic features of general paresis, and compare it with other dementias.

Benchmarking short-read metagenomics tools for removing host contamination.

Background: The rapid evolution of metagenomic sequencing technology offers remarkable opportunities to explore the intricate roles of microbiome in host health and disease, as well as to uncover the unknown structure and functions of microbial communities. However, the swift accumulation of metagenomic data poses substantial challenges for data analysis. Contamination from host DNA can substantially compromise result accuracy and increase additional computational resources by including nontarget sequences.

NaMPO (M = K, Rb): Two Potential Zero-Order Waveplate Materials with DUV Cutoff Edges.

Zero-order waveplates (ZOWPs) are crucial for polarization measurements and the laser industry. In this work, two deep-ultraviolet (DUV) optical crystals, NaMPO (M = K, Rb), were synthesized successfully by introducing alkali metals and isolated [PO] groups with the low polarizability. Comprehensive characterization reveals that NaMPO (M = K, Rb) feature DUV cutoff edges (<200 nm) and tiny birefringence (0.

Giant Enhancement of Optical Nonlinearity by Manipulating Guest Molecular Stacking Modes in Metal-Organic Frameworks.

The influence of guest stacking interactions in host-guest (H-G) MOF composites on third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) performance remains largely unknown. Herein, we propose for the first time a noncovalent aggregate confinement strategy for synthesizing H-G MOF composites with different guest stacking modes. And [perylene] (α-Pe) and [perylene] (β-Pe) were selected as guests and confined into a novel Ca-based MOF {[Ca(TBAPy)(DMA)]·3DMA·[N(CH)]·HO} (Ca-MOF-pts).

Natural product Pulsatilla saponin D sensitizes BRCA-proficient ovarian cancers to PARP inhibitors through inhibiting homologous recombination repair.

Background: As a strategy in the development of effective cancer therapeutics, synthetic lethality has been used in clinical practice. Poly adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribose polymerase inhibitors are the first approved drug utilized synthetic lethality and achieved promising therapeutic efficacy in cancer cells with BRCA1/2 mutation. Nonetheless, most cancer patients with wild-type BRCA1/2 gene are not qualified for PARPi therapy.

Greatly Enhancing the Stability and Reversibility of Zn Electrode in the Alkaline Electrolyte by Introducing Lauryl Phosphate Potassium.

Alkaline Zn batteries are currently among the most important energy storage technologies due to their low cost, safety, and high energy density. However, the storage lifespan and reversibility of these batteries are severely restricted by the side reactions of the Zn electrode in the alkaline electrolytes, such as hydrogen evolution, self-corrosion, and uneven Zn deposition. This work addresses these issues by introducing lauryl phosphate potassium (PLP) into the alkaline electrolyte and forming a protective layer adsorbed onto the Zn surface.

A Triband Metasurface Covering Visible, Midwave Infrared, and Long-Wave Infrared for Optical Security.

The independent manipulation of light across multiple wavelength bands provides new opportunities for optical security. Although dual-band optical encryption methods in the visible (VIS) and infrared bands have been developed, achieving synchronized and synergistic optical security across the VIS, midwave infrared (MWIR), and long-wave infrared (LWIR) bands remains a significant challenge. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a triband metasurface that covers the VIS, MWIR, and LWIR bands.

Genome diversification of symbiotic fungi in beetle-fungus mutualistic symbioses.

Ambrosia beetles and their fungal symbionts represent a widespread and diverse insect-fungus mutualism. This study investigates the genomic adaptations associated with the evolution of the ambrosia lifestyle across multiple fungal lineages. We performed comparative genomic analyses on 70 fungal genomes from four families (Irpicaceae, Ceratocystidaceae, Nectriaceae, and Ophiostomataceae), including 24 ambrosia and 34 non-ambrosia lineages.

Evaluative Methodology for HRD Testing: Development of Standard Tools for Consistency Assessment.

Homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) has emerged as a critical prognostic and predictive biomarker in oncology. However, current testing methods, especially those reliant on targeted panels, are plagued by inconsistent results from the same samples. This highlights the urgent need for standardized benchmarks to evaluate HRD assay performance.

Effects of Health Education on Self-efficacy, Negative Emotions, and Life Quality in Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Breast cancer patients encounter challenges managing acute and chronic symptoms during and after treatment, leading to emotional fluctuations and diminished quality of life. Health education aims to improve knowledge and life skills; however, its specific impact on breast cancer patients' self-efficacy is unclear.

Objective: To assess the effects of health education on self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, anxiety, distress, and life quality in breast cancer patients.

Recent Progress in the Design and Application of Strong Metal-Support Interactions in Electrocatalysis.

The strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) in supported metal catalysts represents a crucial factor in the design of highly efficient heterogeneous catalysts. This interaction can modify the surface adsorption state, electronic structure, and coordination environment of the supported metal, altering the interface structure of the catalyst. These changes serve to enhance the catalyst's activity, stability, and reaction selectivity.

Ultrasensitive Homogeneous Electrochemiluminescence Biosensor for -Nitrosodimethylamine Detection Based on Vertically-Ordered Mesoporous Silica Film-Modified Electrode and CRISPR/Cas12a-Driven HRCA with Triple Signal Amplification.

Herein, we present an innovative electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor for the ultrasensitive detection of -nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). The biosensor utilizes a triple signal amplification strategy, combining rolling circle amplification (RCA), CRISPR/Cas12a-driven hyperbranched rolling circle amplification (HRCA), and electrostatic repulsion with size exclusion effects from vertically ordered mesoporous silica film (VMSF)/indium tin oxide (ITO) on double-stranded DNA (dsDNA)-Ru(phen) complexes. In this system, aptamers and circular DNA undergo RCA reactions, followed by the CRISPR/Cas12a-mediated HRCA process, producing abundant dsDNA.

ACEA-Net: Weakly Supervised Prostate 3D MRI Image Segmentation via Advanced Prompt Points.

In prostate 3D MRI image segmentation methods, it is usually necessary to annotate each slice, and these annotations are generally time-consuming and specialized. In this study, we generate pseudo-labels using an annotation method with one foreground seed point and six edge relaxation points. We design a weakly supervised semantic learning segmentation framework, ACEA-Net.

Efficient Breast Lesion Segmentation From Ultrasound Videos Across Multiple Source-Limited Platforms.

Medical video segmentation is fundamentally important in clinical diagnosis and treatment procedures, offering dynamic tracking of breast lesions across frames in ultrasound videos for improved segmentation performance. However, existing approaches face challenges in striking a balance between segmentation performance and inference speed, hindering real-time application in resource-constrained medical environments. In order to address these limitations, we present BaS, a blazing-fast on-device breast lesion segmentation model.

High Epstein-Barr Virus DNA Load in T Cells Predicts Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis.

Background: To evaluate the risk of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) linked to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in different lymphocyte subtypes during infectious mononucleosis (IM).

Methods: Patients with IM and patients with EBV-HLH were included within the Children's Critical EBV Infection cohort for a nested case-control study. Lymphocytes were isolated into T, B, and natural killer cells using magnetic bead sorting, followed by individual polymerase chain reaction testing.

GNNFairViz: Visual Analysis for Graph Neural Network Fairness.

Recent advancements in Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) show promise for various applications like social networks and financial networks. However, they exhibit fairness issues, particularly in human-related decision contexts, risking unfair treatment of groups historically subject to discrimination. While several visual analytics studies have explored fairness in machine learning (ML), few have tackled the particular challenges posed by GNNs.

Camera-based Infant Suffocation Risk Detection via Text-to-Image Generation for Guarding Sleep Safety.

Current camera-based infant monitoring mainly focuses on physiological measurement, overlooking its important semantic analysis potential for detecting accidental suffocation caused by oronasal occlusion during sleep. However, developing a robust infant suffocation risk detection model typically requires substantial labeled data, which is very difficult to obtain in real-world scenarios. To address this, we utilized the text-to-image diffusion model to generate diverse infant images depicting oronasal occlusion and non-occlusion scenarios controlled by text prompts.

Genomic architecture of the clownfish hybrid Amphiprion leucokranos.

Natural hybridisation is increasingly recognized as playing a significant role in species diversification and adaptive evolution. Amphiprion leucokranos, the naturally occurring clownfish hybrid between A. chrysopterus and A.

The Roles of Apolipoprotein A1-Binding Protein in Metabolic Diseases.

Metabolic disorders, including atherosclerosis, diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, are closely related to increased cardiovascular risks, significantly harming human life and health. Apolipoprotein A1-binding protein (AIBP), a multifunctional protein, plays crucial role in cholesterol metabolism. AIBP exerts an important action in managing metabolic diseases by interacting with apolipoprotein A-I and ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 activities to regulate high-density lipoprotein)-mediated cholesterol transport and to maintain lipid homeostasis.

Cord serum metabolomic profiling associated with in utero exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and birthweight discordance in twins: Findings from Wuhan Twin Birth Cohort.

Emerging evidence links per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and metabolic disruptions to fetal growth retardation. However, earlier studies on singletons couldn't fully account for genetic factors. Therefore, we used a co-twin control study design to identify cord metabolomic signatures of PFAS exposure and assess its mediating role in twin birthweight discordance.

Mathematical Modeling to Address Questions in Breast Cancer Screening: An Overview of the Breast Cancer Models of the Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network.

The National Cancer Institute-funded Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET) breast cancer mathematical models have been increasingly utilized by policymakers to address breast cancer screening policy decisions and influence clinical practice. These well-established and validated models have a successful track record of use in collaborations spanning over 2 decades. While mathematical modeling is a valuable approach to translate short-term screening performance data into long-term breast cancer outcomes, it is inherently complex and requires numerous inputs to approximate the impacts of breast cancer screening.

Assessing pyrethroid resistance mechanisms in individual Culex tarsalis (Diptera: Culicidae).

The evolution of pyrethroid insecticide resistance in Culex tarsalis Coquillett, a vector for West Nile and St. Louis encephalitis viruses, is a growing concern in Northern California. Common mechanisms of resistance include the target-site mutation, kdr, and increased levels of detoxification enzymes, such as mixed-function oxidases, GSTs, and esterases.