Deep learning in integrating spatial transcriptomics with other modalities.

Spatial transcriptomics technologies have been extensively applied in biological research, enabling the study of transcriptome while preserving the spatial context of tissues. Paired with spatial transcriptomics data, platforms often provide histology and (or) chromatin images, which capture cellular morphology and chromatin organization. Additionally, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from matching tissues often accompany spatial data, offering a transcriptome-wide gene expression profile of individual cells.

Directed evolution of antimicrobial peptides using multi-objective zeroth-order optimization.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) emerge as a type of promising therapeutic compounds that exhibit broad spectrum antimicrobial activity with high specificity and good tolerability. Natural AMPs usually need further rational design for improving antimicrobial activity and decreasing toxicity to human cells. Although several algorithms have been developed to optimize AMPs with desired properties, they explored the variations of AMPs in a discrete amino acid sequence space, usually suffering from low efficiency, lack diversity, and local optimum.

Dual PTCH2 mutation [Ser391*, Leu104Pro]: unveiling a potential new genetic susceptibility factor for glioma development.

Gliomas are a heterogeneous type of central nervous system tumor. The etiology of glioma formation remains elusive, with approximately 5% of gliomas being familial, underscoring the significance of understanding genetic susceptibility in glioma development. In this study, a dual germline PTCH2 mutation [Ser391*, Leu104Pro] was identified in a family with a history of glioma, and sequencing data from WES/SimcereDx Neuro-Onco 360 including 910 Chinese patients with glioma and 1666 patients with solid tumors were analyzed.

Migration and plugging laws of plugging-selection balls in fine profile control process of layered waterflooding wells.

The ball-pitching plugging-selection profile control technology represents an effective and low-cost means of adjusting the profile of waterflooding well. The technology primarily utilizes polymer balls to plug the perforations, thereby achieving the effect of fine profile control. This paper aims to elucidate the migration and plugging laws of plugging-selection balls in wellbore and perforation plugging processes.

The predictive value of the serum creatinine-to-albumin ratio (sCAR) and lactate dehydrogenase-to-albumin ratio (LAR) in sepsis-related persistent severe acute kidney injury.

Background/objectives: Sepsis-related acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) is a severe condition characterized by high mortality rates. The utility of the sCAR (secrum creatinine/albumin) and LAR (Lactate dehydrogenase/albumin) as diagnostic markers for persistent severe SA-AKI remains unclear.

Methods: We acquired training set data from the MIMIC-IV database and validation set data from the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University.

Buffered Hydroxyl Radical for Photocatalytic Non-Oxidative Methane Coupling.

Hydroxy radical (•OH) is a prestigious oxidant that allows the cleavage of strong chemical bonds of methane but is untamed, leading to over-oxidation of methane and waste of oxidants, especially at high methane conversion. Here, we managed to buffer •OH in an aqueous solution of photo-irradiated Fe3+, where •OH almost participates in methane oxidation. Due to the interaction between Fe3+ and SO42-, the electron transfer from OH- to excited-state Fe3+ for •OH generation is retarded, while excessive •OH is consumed by generated Fe2+ to restore Fe3+.

Associations between oral behaviors, temporomandibular disorder subtypes and psychological distress in adult women: a retrospective case-control study.

Oral behaviors and psychological distress are known to be related to temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). However, the relationship between various oral behaviors and specific TMD subgroups in adult women experiencing psychological distress is still unclear. To investigate the relationship between various oral behaviors and different TMD subgroups with different psychological distress states.

Type I congenital vaginal atresia with multiple organ malformations.

Background: Vaginal atresia (VA) is a rare female genital tract malformation characterized by the absence or incomplete development of the vagina, often leading to cyclic abdominal pain and menstrual blood retention in adolescent patients. Vaginal atresia is often accompanied by multiple organ malformations. The condition poses significant challenges in diagnosis and management, requiring a multidisciplinary approach.

Turning waste into wealth: Enzyme-activated DNA sensor based on reactant recycle for spatially selective imaging microRNA toward target cells.

Background: Amplified imaging of microRNA (miRNA) in cancer cells is essential for understanding of the underlying pathological process. Synthetic catalytic DNA circuits represent pivotal tools for miRNA imaging. However, most existing catalytic DNA circuits can not achieve the reactant recycling operation in cells and in vivo.

A wearable electrochemical sensor utilizing multifunctional hydrogel for antifouling ascorbic acid quantification in sweat.

The accurate and reliable quantification of the levels of disease markers in human sweat is of significance for health monitoring through wearable sensing technology, but the sensors performed in real sweat always suffer from biofouling that cause performance degradation or even malfunction. We herein developed a wearable antifouling electrochemical sensor based on a novel multifunctional hydrogel for the detection of targets in sweat. The integration of polyethylene glycol (PEG) into the sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA) hydrogel results in a robust network structure characterized by abundant hydrophilic groups on its surface, significantly enhancing the PEG-SBMA hydrogel's antifouling and mechanical properties.

Preparation of novel chiral stationary phases based on chiral metal-organic cages enable extensive HPLC enantioseparation.

Background: The metal organic cages (MOCs) are an emerging type of porous material that has attracted considerable research interest due to their unique properties, including good stability and well-defined intrinsic cavities. The chiral MOCs with porous structures have broad application prospects in enantiomeric recognition and separation. However, there are almost no relevant reports on chiral MOCs as chiral stationary phases (CSPs) for enantioseparation by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Cardiovascular health, genetic predisposition, and dementia risk among atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease patients.

Background: While optimal cardiovascular health (CVH) has been linked to a lower risk of dementia, few studies considered individuals' genetic background. We aimed to examine the interaction between CVH and genetic predisposition on dementia risk among individuals with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).

Methods: We included 30,818 ASCVD patients from the UK Biobank.

Analysis of key lncRNA related to Parkinson's disease based on gene co-expression weight networks.

Objectives: To identify a key Long chain non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) related to PD and provide a new perspective on the role of LncRNAs in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathophysiology.

Methods: Our study involved analyzing gene chips from the substantia nigra and white blood cells, both normal and PD-inclusive, in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, utilizing a weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). The technique of WGCNA facilitated the examination of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the substantia nigra and the white blood cells of individuals with PD.

Evolution and effectiveness of bilateral and multilateral development assistance for health: a mixed-methods review of trends and strategic shifts (1990-2022).

Background: Development assistance for health (DAH) plays a vital role in supporting health programmes in low- and middle-income countries. While DAH has historically focused on infectious diseases and maternal and child health, there is a lack of comprehensive analysis of DAH trends, strategic shifts and their impact on health systems and outcomes. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of DAH from 1990 to 2022, examining its evolution and funding allocation shifts.

FAP-targeted radioligand therapy with Ga/Lu-DOTA-2P(FAPI) enhance immunogenicity and synergize with PD-L1 inhibitors for improved antitumor efficacy.

Background: Fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-targeted radioligand therapy, with immunomodulatory effects, has shown efficacy in both preclinical and clinical studies. We recently reported on a novel dimeric FAP-targeting radiopharmaceutical, Ga/Lu-DOTA-2P(FAPI), which demonstrated increased tumor uptake and prolonged retention in various cancers. However, further exploration is required to understand the therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanisms of combining Ga/Lu-DOTA-2P(FAPI) radioligand therapy with PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy.

β-elemene, a sesquiterpene constituent from Curcuma phaeocaulis inhibits the development of endometriosis by inducing ferroptosis via the MAPK and STAT3 signaling pathways.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The rhizome of Curcuma phaeocaulis Valeton, Curcuma wenyujin Y.H. Chen & C.

Retrospective Evaluation of Combined Anterior and Posterior Surgery with Autologous Tricortical Iliac and Rib Bone Grafting for Severe Kyphotic Deformity in Thoracic Spinal Tuberculosis.

Background: Spinal tuberculosis is a common cause of spinal deformity and neurological dysfunction, with surgical treatment being crucial in severe cases. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of combined anterior and posterior surgery with autologous tricortical iliac bone and rib grafting for treating spinal tuberculosis.

Methods: We included 61 patients with thoracic tuberculosis, who underwent a surgical procedure involving initial posterior correction, followed by anterior debridement and reconstruction with autologous tricortical iliac bone and rib grafts.

Further insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying tobacco straw cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus by comparative transcriptome analyses.

Cultivation of edible mushrooms on straw can significantly reduce production costs, provide notable environmental and ecological benefits. However, the molecular mechanisms via which mushrooms utilize straw are not well understood. We conducted a comparative transcriptomic analysis of oyster mushrooms cultivated on two different biomass substrates, namely, corncob and tobacco straw at various developmental stages.

Condylar Changes in Adult Patients with Unilateral Posterior Crossbite Following Microimplant-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion: A Retrospective CBCT Study.

Objectives: This study aims to assess the alterations in condylar positioning in adult skeletal Class I patients with unilateral posterior crossbite after microimplant-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) treatment.

Methods: This retrospective study involving 30 participants (10 males, 20 females) average age 22.9 ± 4.

Advances and challenges in green extraction of chitin for food and agriculture applications: A review.

Chitin, the second most abundant polysaccharide in nature, offers numerous practical applications due to its versatile functional properties. However, its utilization is constrained by significant challenges in extraction, as well as low solubility and high crystallinity. While traditional chemical and biological fermentation methods can achieve high-purity chitin, these processes are often environmentally harmful or time/energy-consuming.

PcoCas12a: A novel CRISPR enzyme from Prevotella copri enhancing TCR-T-cell tumor suppression.

Genome editing technologies have been widely utilized in cell engineering, demonstrating immense potential in cell and gene therapy. However, an optimal gene-editing enzyme for immune cell editing remains unidentified. In this study, we identified a novel gene editing enzyme, termed CRISPR/PcoCas12a, derived from Prevotella copri, which recognizes a 5'-YYN PAM sequence.

Harnessing HDAC-targeted oleanolic acid derivatives for combined anti-cancer and hepatoprotective effects.

The development of anti-tumor drugs with hepatoprotective properties has always been highly valued due to their dual capabilities of safeguarding the liver and combating tumors. Moreover, when used in conjunction with specific chemotherapy drugs, they can enhance the efficacy of cancer treatment while simultaneously reducing liver damage caused by chemotherapeutic agents. Our research focused on oleanolic acid (OA), a natural compound known for its liver-protective effects.

Sovleplenib in patients with primary or secondary warm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia: results from phase 2 of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2/3 study.

Background: Spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitors are potential treatment options for warm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. This study aimed to assess the preliminary efficacy and safety of sovleplenib-an oral spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor-in patients with warm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia in China. Here we report on the phase 2 results.

Triiodothyronine activates THRβ to promote PGC1α expression alleviating PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Thyroid hormone (TH) and it most active form triiodothyronine (T3) are crucial in promoting mitochondrial biogenesis and maintaining cellular homeostasis during the stress response, but their role in paraquat (PQ)-induced pulmonary fibrosis isunclear. The aim of this study was to examine whether there was a deficiency of TH in mouse lung tissue after PQ administration, and to explore the effect of T3, and potential mechanisms of action, in alleviation of PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis. We found that the activity and expression of iodothyronine deiodinase 2 (DIO2), an enzyme that activates TH, were higher in the lungs of patients with pulmonary fibrosis than in controls.