A homozygous loss-of-function mutation in CEP250 is associated with acephalic spermatozoa syndrome in humans.

Background: The presence of predominantly headless sperm in semen is a hallmark of acephalic spermatozoa syndrome, which is primarily caused by gene mutations in humans.

Purpose: To identify genetic causes for acephalic spermatozoa syndrome.

Methods: Polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing were performed to define mutations in SUN5 and PMFBP1.

Effect of HPO coordination vanadium extraction and iron separation in a HSO leaching system.

The selectivity of the full wet leaching process for vanadium extraction using HSO is low, resulting in a high impurity content in vanadium extracted from vanadium-bearing shale. This study focused on vanadium extraction and iron separation from vanadium-bearing shale, involving the coordination of HPO in an HSO leaching system. The effects of the ratio and quantity of HSO-HPO, leaching time, leaching temperature, and liquid-to-solid ratio on vanadium-bearing shale leaching were investigated.

Improved angle measurement model for folded optical paths in multi-degree-of-freedom measurement systems.

Multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) measurement systems are crucial in the domain of precision manufacturing, where miniaturization represents a significant developmental trend. Folded optical paths are commonly employed in the angle measurement modules of these systems as a means to reduce equipment size. However, these paths introduce angle coupling, which renders traditional angle measurement models inadequate.

Clinical Explorations of [Ga] Ga-FAPI-04 and [F] FDG Dual-Tracer Total-body PET/CT and PET/MR Imaging.

Fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) and [F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([F]FDG) provide complementary biological information, and FAPI/FDG dual-tracer imaging clinical application is increasing recently. However, optimal protocols for FAPI/FDG dual-tracer positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and PET/magnetic resonance (PET/MR) imaging are still under investigation. Due to its high sensitivity, total-body PET/CT allows for imaging with minimal tracer activity and supports the creation of new dual-tracer PET/CT imaging protocols.

Nuclear-localized pyruvate kinases control phosphorylation of histone H3 on threonine 11.

Phosphorylation of histone H3 at threonine 11 (H3T11ph) affects transcription and chromosome stability. However, the enzymes responsible for depositing H3T11ph and the functions of H3T11ph in plants remain unknown. Here we report that in Arabidopsis thaliana, PYRUVATE KINASE 6 (PK6), PK7 and PK8 enter the nucleus under conditions of sufficient glucose and light exposure, where they interact with SWI2/SNF2-RELATED 1 COMPLEX 4 (SWC4) and phosphorylate H3 at threonine 11.

Association of EPA and DHA with age-related macular degeneration: a cross-sectional study from NHANES.

Purpose: This cross-sectional study conducted in the general US population investigated the association between dietary intake of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and the prevalence of AMD.

Methods: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were utilized, including 4,842 participants aged 40 years and older. Dietary EPA and DHA intake data were collected through two 24-h dietary recall interviews and adjusted for weight.

Male sling versus artificial urinary sphincter for the treatment of incontinence after prostate surgery: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Background: Urinary incontinence following prostate treatment (IPT) represents a significant complication that detrimentally impacts the quality of life for patients who have undergone prostate surgery. Presently, there is a scarcity of evidence regarding the preferred surgical techniques for IPT. We conducted a meta-analysis to compare the outcomes of the male sling and artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) in the treatment of IPT.

The relationship between refractive error and the risk of diabetic retinopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: This meta-analysis was conducted to collect all available data and estimate the relationship between refractive error and the risk of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with diabetes, and to assess whether vision-threatening DR (VTDR) is associated with refractive error.

Methods: We systematically searched several literature databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, CBM, Wan Fang Data, and VIP databases. Pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using fixed or random effects models.

High-speed and high-precision measurement of biaxial in-plane displacements: tens of nanometers principle error suppression in microprobe sensors.

When the microprobe sensor is faced with the demand of high-speed biaxial displacement measurement, due to the characteristics of phase generated carrier (PGC) technology, accompanying optical intensity modulation (AOIM) and unfavorable phase modulation depth (PMD) will bring about the tens of nanometer cyclic nonlinear errors, further hindering high-speed and high-precision measurement. Herein, a light source intensity stabilization system based on semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) feedback control is achieved to eliminate the error caused by AOIM in the presence of high-frequency and large-amplitude laser modulation. Based on this, the reasons for large nonlinear errors in biaxial measurements and the inability to ensure the stability of the accuracy of multiple measurement axes are methodically examined, and an effective nonlinear error elimination methodology based on the normalized amplitude correction of active temperature scanning is proposed.

Operating point control method for the Mach-Zehnder modulator in a phase-shift laser range finder.

An operating point control method is proposed for the Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) based on a dual-cascaded MZM structure. Unlike traditional methods with dither signals, the proposed method is advantageous because the components monitored in the control process are not masked by the spectrum noise floor and the drift direction is clearly determined at the quadrature point, thus imparting greater control stability. Additionally, the proposed control method is suitable for phase-shift laser range finders (PSLRFs).

Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Prostate Cancer: A Retrospective Study.

Background: This work aimed to investigate the potential role of abnormal lipid metabolism in the development of prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods: A retrospective study design was used. The clinical data of 520 patients who underwent rectal prostate biopsy in our hospital from January 2020 to June 2023 were analysed.

Differential Sampling of AC Waveforms Based on a Commercial Digital-to-Analog Converter for Reference.

This paper introduces an innovative differential sampling technique for calibrating AC waveforms, leveraging a commercially available 16-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC) as the reference standard. The novelty of this approach lies in its enhanced stability over traditional direct sampling methods, especially as the frequency of the AC waveform increases. Notably, this technique provides a cost-effective sampler alternative to the differential sampling methods that rely on a programmable Josephson voltage standard (PJVS).

Analysis and Design of Fiber Microprobe Displacement Sensors Including Collimated Type and Convergent Type for Ultra-Precision Displacement Measurement.

In this paper, a fiber optic microprobe displacement sensor is proposed considering characteristics of micro-Michelson interference structure and its components. The principal error of micro Fabry-Perot interferometric structure is avoided, and high-precision interferometric displacement measurement is realized. The collimated microprobe and convergent microprobe are analyzed, simulated, and designed for the purposes of measuring long-distance displacement and small spot rough surface, respectively.

Citric Acid Promotes Immune Function by Modulating the Intestinal Barrier.

Amidst increasing concern about antibiotic resistance resulting from the overuse of antibiotics, there is a growing interest in exploring alternative agents. One such agent is citric acid, an organic compound commonly used for various applications. Our research findings indicate that the inclusion of citric acid can have several beneficial effects on the tight junctions found in the mouse intestine.

Climate change enhances stability of wheat-flowering-date.

The stability of winter wheat-flowering-date is crucial for ensuring consistent and robust crop performance across diverse climatic conditions. However, the impact of climate change on wheat-flowering-dates remains uncertain. This study aims to elucidate the influence of climate change on wheat-flowering-dates, predict how projected future climate conditions will affect flowering date stability, and identify the most stable wheat genotypes in the study region.

Tumor microenvironment-activated theranostic nanozymes for trimodal imaging-guided combined therapy.

Synergistic therapy is expected to be a promising strategy for highly effective cancer treatment. However, the rational design of a simple and multifunctional nanoplatform still remains a grand challenge. Considering the nature of weak acidic, hypoxic, and HO abundant tumor microenvironment, we constructed an indocyanine green (ICG) modified platinum nanoclusters (Pt NCs) decorated gold nanobipyramids (Au NBPs) to form the multifunctional nanocomposites (Au NBPs@Pt NCs-ICG) for multimodal imaging mediated phototherapy and chemodynamic cancer therapy.

Metabolic engineering of Yarrowia lipolytica for high-level production of squalene.

Squalene is an important triterpene with a wide range of applications. Given the growing market demand for squalene, the development of microbial cell factories capable of squalene production is considered a sustainable method. This study aimed to investigate the squalene production potential of Yarrowia lipolytica.

Development of a 3-DOF Angle Sensor Based on a Single Laser Interference Probe.

The development of high-precision satellites has increased the demand for ultraprecision three-degrees-of-freedom (3-DOF) angle measurements for detecting structural deformation. The required instrument should simultaneously measure pitch, yaw, and roll angles using a single reference point. This paper proposes a 3-DOF angle measurement method based on the wavefront interference principle, and a mathematical model and its decoupling algorithm were built.

The earliest optimal timing for total-body Ga-fibroblast activation protein inhibitor-04 PET scans: an evidence-based single-centre study.

Objectives: To investigate the earliest optimal timing for positron emission tomography (PET) scans after Ga-fibroblast activation protein inhibitor-04 ([Ga]Ga-FAPI-04) injection.

Methods: This prospective study enrolled patients who underwent 60-min dynamic Ga-FAPI-04 total-body PET/CT scans; the images were reconstructed at 10-min intervals (G0-10, G10-20, G20-30, G30-40, G40-50, and G50-60), and the [Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 uptake patterns were evaluated. The standardised uptake value (SUV), liver signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and lesion-to-background ratios (LBRs) for different time windows were calculated to evaluate image quality and lesion detectability.

One-tenth-activity total-body positron emission tomography versus full-activity imaging in patients with a complex of hepatic malignant tumors: a retrospective study.

Background: The value of ultra-low-activity 2-[F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in patients with hepatic malignancies remains unclear.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2019 to May 2021 in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University. A total of 49 patients with hepatic malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (n=13) or intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) (n=36), underwent 60-min dynamic PET imaging, with 15 undergoing full-activity F-FDG and 34 undergoing ultra-low-activity F-FDG.