Green synthesis of polysaccharide-based Ag@AgCl photoactive porous hydrogel spheres for enhanced visible light photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants.

Improving the visible light activity and recyclability of photocatalysts remains a key challenge for organic pollutant degradation in wastewater. In this study, enteromorpha polysaccharide (EP) and xanthan gum (XG) were combined to preload Ag ions, with CO bubbles introduced via a pressure-decompression method. After cross-linking with ZrOCl via drip infusion, porous hydrogel spheres embedded with photoactive Ag@AgCl nanoparticles (NPs) were obtained.

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.

Isolation and identification of the causal agent of gummy stem blight disease in Cucumis sativus caused by a bacterial pathogen in China.

Recently, a new bacterial disease was detected on cucumber stalks. In order to study the pathogenesis of this disease, the pathogenic bacteria were isolated and identified on the basis of morphological and molecular characteristics, and further analyzed for pathogenicity and antagonistic evaluation. Pathogenicity analysis showed that HlJ-3 caused melting decay and cracking in cucumber stems, and the strain reisolated from re-infected cucumber stalks was morphologically identical to HlJ-3 colonies, which is consistent with the Koch's postulates.

A recombinant L-threonine aldolase with high catalytic efficiency for the asymmetric synthesis of L-threo-phenylserine and L-threo-4-fluorophenylserine.

Objectives: To develop robust variants of L-threonine aldolases (L-TAs), potent catalysts for synthesizing asymmetric β-hydroxy-α-amino acids, it is necessary to identify critical residues beyond the known active site residues.

Results: Through virtual screening, a neglected residue Asn305, was identified as critical for catalytic efficiency. Subsequent site-saturation mutagenesis led to a potent variant N305R which exhibited excellent conversions of 88% (87%) and 80% (94%) for the synthesis of L-threo-phenylserine and L-threo-4-fluorophenylserine respectively.

Cardiac disease diagnosis based on GAN in case of missing data.

In daily life, two common algorithms are used for collecting medical disease data: data integration of medical institutions and questionnaires. However, these statistical methods require collecting data from the entire research area, which consumes a significant amount of manpower and material resources. Additionally, data integration is difficult and poses privacy protection challenges, resulting in a large number of missing data in the dataset.

Negative 18 F-FDG and Positive 68 Ga-FAPI-04 Findings in a Patient With Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Cholecystitis.

Acute cholecystitis typically exhibits intense FDG uptake of the gallbladder wall. Radiolabeled fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) is considered as a potential alternative agent for tumor-specific imaging. We report 18 F-FDG and 68 Ga-FAPI-04 PET/MR findings in a 44-year-old woman with acute exacerbation of chronic cholecystitis.

Clinical performance of deep learning-enhanced ultrafast whole-body scintigraphy in patients with suspected malignancy.

Background: To evaluate the clinical performance of two deep learning methods, one utilizing real clinical pairs and the other utilizing simulated datasets, in enhancing image quality for two-dimensional (2D) fast whole-body scintigraphy (WBS).

Methods: A total of 83 patients with suspected bone metastasis were retrospectively enrolled. All patients underwent single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) WBS at speeds of 20 cm/min (1x), 40 cm/min (2x), and 60 cm/min (3x).

Red Blood Cell-Like Poly(ethylene glycol) Particles: Influence of Particle Stiffness on Biological Behaviors.

Cell-like particles represent a category of synthetic particles designed to emulate the structures or functions of natural cells. Herein, we present the assembly of cell-like poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) particles with different stiffnesses and shapes replication of animal cells and investigate the impact of particle stiffness on their biological behaviors. As a proof of concept, we fabricate red blood cell-like and spherical PEG particles with varying cross-linking densities.

Fast SPECT/CT planar bone imaging enabled by deep learning enhancement.

Background: The application of deep learning methods in rapid bone scintigraphy is increasingly promising for minimizing the duration of SPECT examinations. Recent works showed several deep learning models based on simulated data for the synthesis of high-count bone scintigraphy images from low-count counterparts. Few studies have been conducted and validated on real clinical pairs due to the misalignment inherent in multiple scan procedures.

Integrin αvβ3 and LHRH Receptor Double Directed Nano-Analogue Effective Against Ovarian Cancer in Mice Model.

Introduction: The high mortality rate of malignant ovarian cancer is attributed to the absence of effective early diagnosis methods. The LHRH receptor is specifically overexpressed in most ovarian cancers, and the integrin αvβ3 receptor is also overexpressed on the surface of ovarian cancer cells. In this study, we designed LHRH analogues (LHRHa)/RGD co-modified paclitaxel liposomes (LHRHa-RGD-LP-PTX) to target LHRH receptor-positive ovarian cancers more effectively and enhance the anti-ovarian cancer effects.

Positive 18 F-FDG and Negative 68 Ga-FAPI-04 Findings in a Patient With Gallbladder Adenocarcinoma.

Radiolabeled fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) is considered as a potential alternative agent to 18 F-FDG for tumor-specific imaging. We report 18 F-FDG and 68 Ga-FAPI-04 PET/MR findings in a 67-year-old woman with gallbladder adenocarcinoma. The lesions showed intense 18 F-FDG uptake but limited 68 Ga-FAPI-04 uptake in PET/MR.

Diagnostic value of plasma-derived exosomal miR-223 for epithelial ovarian cancer.

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic value of plasma exosomal miR-223 and its combination with CA125 for the diagnosis of early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

Patients And Methods: Exosomes derived from the plasma of 78 EOC patients, 40 patients with epithelial benign ovarian tumors, and 52 healthy participants were isolated using the ultracentrifugation method and identified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and western blot.

Results: The expression of exosomal miR-223 was significantly upregulated in the plasma of EOC patients compared to that in healthy subjects and patients with benign diseases.

[Application of whole exome sequencing for the inferential analysis of recessive genetic disease carrier status for couples with a child died of Primary immunodeficiency].

Objective: To explore the value of whole exome sequencing for the inferential analysis of recessive genetic disease carrier status for couples with a child died of Primary immunodeficiency (PID).

Methods: Clinical data was collected from four couples with a childbearing history of PID who had sought genetic counseling and undergone genetic testing at Henan Provincial People's Hospital from February 2017 to December 2021. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed on both partners of each couple, and candidate variants were validated by Sanger sequencing and fluorescent quantitative PCR.

Coupling Between Human Brain Cortical Thickness and Glucose Metabolism from Regional to Connective Level: A Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

Balance between brain structure and function is implicated in aging and many brain disorders. This study aimed to investigate the coupling between brain structure and function using F-fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). One hundred thirty-eight subjects who underwent brain F-FDG PET/MRI were recruited.

The associations between synaptic density and "A/T/N" biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease: An F-SynVesT-1 PET/MR study.

A newly developed SV2A radiotracer, F-SynVesT-1, was used in this study to investigate synaptic density and its association with Alzheimer's disease (AD) "A/T/N" biomarkers. The study included a cohort of 97 subjects, consisting of 64 patients with cognitive impairment (CI) and 33 individuals with normal cognition (CU). All subjects underwent F-SynVesT-1 PET/MR and F-florbetapir PET/CT scans.

Synthesis of 3-Phenylserine by a Two-enzyme Cascade System with PLP Cofactor.

A two-enzyme cascade system containing ω-transaminase (ω-TA) and L-threonine aldolase (L-ThA) was reported for the synthesis of 3-Phenylserine starting from benzylamine, and PLP was utilized as the only cofactor in these both two enzymes reaction system. Based on the transamination results, benzylamine was optimized as an advantageous amino donor as confirmed by MD simulation results. This cascade reaction system could not only facilitate the in situ removal of the co-product benzaldehyde, enhancing the economic viability of the reaction, but also establish a novel pathway for synthesizing high-value phenyl-serine derivatives.

Microswimmer-Assisted Dual-Signal Sensor for Multiple Targets in Whole Blood.

Accurate detection of biomarkers in whole blood is an important aspect of diagnostic testing but remains a challenge due to various interferences. However, using a self-calibrating two-signal strategy offers a solution that can overcome interference caused by experimental and environmental factors. Here, we proposed a novel microswimmer {methylene blue (MB)@ZIF-90@aptamer-HER2/3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB)@ZIF-90@aptamer-ER}-dual-signal (electrochemical and fluorescence) homogeneous sensor based on functionalized ZIF nanomaterials for one-step simultaneous detection of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) and estrogen receptor (ER) in whole blood.

SP1 transcriptionally upregulates the expression of APOC3 in KGN cells to promote disease progression by regulating TLR2/NF-κB signalling pathway.

Introduction: Apolipoprotein C3 (APOC3) is known for its important functions in metabolism-related diseases. However, the function and molecular mechanism of APOC3 in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) have not been reported.

Material And Methods: Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot assays were used to detect the expression of APOC3 in KGN cells.

A Novel Platform of MOF for Sonodynamic Therapy Advanced Therapies.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) combined with sonodynamic therapy (SDT) have been introduced as a new and efficient treatment method. The critical advantage of SDT is its ability to penetrate deep tissues and concentrate energy on the tumor site to achieve a non-invasive or minimally invasive effect. Using a sonosensitizer to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) under ultrasound is the primary SDT-related method of killing tumor cells.

[Genetic analysis of a Chinese pedigree with Cohen syndrome due to compound heterozygous variants of VPS13B gene].

Objective: To investigate the clinical phenotype and genetic characteristics of a Chinese pedigree affected with Cohen syndrome.

Methods: A proband who was admitted to Zhengzhou People's Hospital on June 2, 2021 due to intellectual disability and developmental delay, in addition with her younger sister and other family members, were selected as the study subjects. Clinical data of the proband and her younger sister were collected.

[Expert consensus on the genetic diagnosis for Dystrophinopathies].

Dystrophinopathies, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Becker muscular dystrophy and dilated cardiomyopathy, are X-linked recessive genetic disorders due to variants of the dystrophin gene, which can seriously affect quality of life and health. Genetic diagnosis plays a crucial role in their diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. How to rationally select and standardize the use of various genetic techniques is a skill that clinicians must acquire.

Fluorescence detection platform of metal-organic frameworks for biomarkers.

Sensitive and selective detection of biomarkers is crucial in the study and early diagnosis of diseases. With the continuous development of biosensing technologies, fluorescent biosensors based on metal-organic frameworks have attracted increasing attention in the field of biomarker detection due to the combination of the advantages of MOFs, such as high specific surface area, large porosity, and structure with tunable functionality and the technical simplicity, sensitivity and efficiency and good applicability of fluorescent detection techniques. Therefore, researchers must understand the fluorescence response mechanism of such fluorescent biosensors and their specific applications in this field.

Gender specific sexual dysfunction in patients with depression.

Background: This study aims to investigate the factors associated with sexual dysfunction (SD), with a particular focus on the influence of sex on the occurrence and severity of this condition in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).

Method: Sociodemographic and clinical assessments were conducted on 273 patients with MDD (female = 174, male = 99), including the ASEX, QIDS-SR16, GAD-7, and PHQ-15. Univariate analyses, independent samples -test, Chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test were used as appropriate, and logistic regression analysis was used to identify correlation factors for SD.