The Impact of the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis on the Surgical Management of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Rupture.

Objectives: The COVID-19 epidemic introduced significant systems- and disease-based uncertainty into Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) rupture management. The goal of this work was to evaluate whether short-term AAA rupture outcomes during COVID-19 were comparable to pre-COVID era outcomes and to explore the impact of COVID status and COVID era healthcare systems restrictions on AAA rupture outcomes.

Methods: The Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) database was queried for all ruptured AAAs that underwent intervention from January 1, 2019 to August 31, 2022.

Co-creation with AI: A painting therapy program aimed at ameliorating attention deficits in children with ADHD.

Art therapy has been proven to be efficacious in alleviating symptoms of children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), with the advent of artificial intelligence providing new technological means to engage and increase the participation levels of ADHD children. Nonetheless, research on the application of AI in art therapy remains scant. This study, predicated on a method involving ADHD children co-creating art with AI, has devised a therapeutic activity aimed at ameliorating their attention deficits.

Guanylate-binding protein 5-mediated autophagy can promote the clearance of intracellular F. nucleatum in dental pulp cells during pulpitis.

Background: IFN-γ is crucial in induction of inducible cell-autonomous immunity, and IFN-γ signaling pathway is activated in pulpitis. Guanylate-binding proteins (GBPs) are a family of IFN-inducible GTPases and could utilize autophagy or pyroptosis to mitigate infection. GBP5 is abundantly expressed in inflamed pulp and human dental pulp cells (HDPCs).

Relationship between autism spectrum disorder and peripapillary intraretinal layer thickness: a pediatric retrospective cross-sectional study.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often presents with atypical visual processing, prompting investigation into its connection with retinal features. This study aimed to (I) compare intraretinal layer thickness in the peripapillary region between ASD and neurotypical (NT) groups, (II) assess associations between intraretinal layer thickness and clinical parameters (social functioning and cognitive levels) in ASD subjects, and (III) evaluate the potential of intraretinal layer thickness as a biomarker for ASD.

Methods: Participants were recruited through convenience sampling from the Children's Mental Health Research Center at The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and the Department of Ophthalmology at The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China, between December 2019 and August 2023.

ZO-1 boosts the in vitro self-renewal of pre-haematopoietic stem cells from OCT4-reprogrammed human hair follicle mesenchymal stem cells through cytoskeleton remodeling.

Background: The challenge of expanding haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) in vitro has limited their clinical application. Human hair follicle mesenchymal stem cells (hHFMSCs) can be reprogrammed to generate intermediate stem cells by transducing OCT4 (hHFMSCs) and pre-inducing with FLT3LG/SCF, and differentiated into erythrocytes. These intermediate cells exhibit gene expression patterns similar to pre-HSCs, making them promising for artificial haematopoiesis.

Metabolomics-Based Machine Learning Models Accurately Predict Breast Cancer Estrogen Receptor Status.

Breast cancer is a global concern as a leading cause of death for women. Early and precise diagnosis can be vital in handling the disease efficiently. Breast cancer subtyping based on estrogen receptor (ER) status is crucial for determining prognosis and treatment.

IGHG4: innovative diagnostic biomarkers for iron overload in β-thalassemia patients.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the serotransferrin (TF), complement C1s subcomponent (C1S), immunoglobulin heavy constant gamma 4 (IGHG4), hemoglobin subunit alpha (HBA1), and clusterin (CLU) contents in β-thalassemia patients, and explores their physiological role as potential non-invasive bioindicators for disease diagnosis and iron overload.

Methods: A total of 62 children with β-thalassemia were recruited and categorized by genotype, along with 17 healthy pediatric volunteers for analysis. The circulating ferritin content was evaluated, and plasma levels of TF, C1S, IGHG4, HBA1, and CLU were assessed using ELISA.

Procalcitonin-guided use of antibiotic in hospitalized patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized clinical trial.

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to analyse the effect and safety of procalcitonin (PCT)-guided antibiotic therapy in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).

Methods: We conducted a multicentre, open-label, randomized controlled trial amongst patients hospitalized for AECOPD in six hospitals in China. Enrolled patients were randomly assigned to either the PCT-guided group or the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) strategy-guided group.

Assessment of factors implicated in bone fusion after percutaneous endoscopic lumbar intervertebral fusion.

Lumbar spinal fusion is a common procedure for treating spinal degenerative diseases. Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (PELIF) is a minimally invasive technique that has gained popularity. However, the factors influencing fusion success rates after PELIF have not been well-studied.

Too early to be different? A multi-institutional study with 30-year follow-up for prognostic factors of completely resected early stage thymoma.

Background/purpose: This multi-institutional study was aimed to analyze prognostic factors of completely resected early stage thymoma.

Methods: Patients with surgically treated early stage thymoma between 1988 and 2019 were enrolled. Statistical associations were evaluated using the χ test, Fisher's exact test, and Student's t-test.

Bereaved Family Quality of Life Varies With Comorbid Psychological Distress and ICU-Care Quality.

Context: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is highly endorsed, but HRQOL studies scarcely investigate the following: ICU family members; modifiable end-of-life (EOL) ICU-care factors; conjoint associations with prolonged grief disorder (PGD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression; and long-term bereavement outcomes.

Objectives: Exploratorily investigate associations of PGD-PTSD-depressive-symptom states (resilient, subthreshold-depression dominant, PGD dominant, and PGD-PTSD-depression comorbid) and quality of EOL ICU care with families' HRQOL 6-24 months post loss.

Methods: This cohort study examined symptoms of PGD (11 items of the PG-13), PTSD (Impact of Event Scale-Revised), and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and HRQOL (Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey) among 303 ICU family members.

Response of health-related quality of life following pediatric/congenital cardiac catheterization procedures.

Background: Health related quality of life (HRQOL) is a patient-reported metric (PRM) that provides a holistic measure of health that is not addressed in traditional outcome measures. The acute responsiveness of HRQOL after pediatric/congenital cardiac catheterization procedures has not, to our knowledge, been studied.

Methods: A single-center prospective cohort study was performed, longitudinally evaluating HRQOL and other PRM in school-age children and adolescents (ages 8-18) undergoing diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization procedures prior to their scheduled procedure, and then 1 day, ∼1 month, and ∼3 months after the procedure.

Insights into biofilm architecture and maturation enable improved clinical strategies for exopolysaccharide-targeting therapeutics.

Polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA), an exopolysaccharide composed of poly-N-acetyl glucosamine (PNAG), is an essential component in many pathogenic biofilms. Partial deacetylation of PNAG is required for biofilm formation, but limited structural knowledge hinders therapeutic development. Employing a new monoclonal antibody (TG10) that selectively binds highly deacetylated PNAG and an antibody (F598) in clinical trials that binds highly acetylated PNAG, we demonstrate that PIA within the biofilm contains distinct regions of highly acetylated and deacetylated exopolysaccharide, contrary to the previous model invoking stochastic deacetylation throughout the biofilm.

miRStart 2.0: enhancing miRNA regulatory insights through deep learning-based TSS identification.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by binding to the 3'-untranslated regions of target mRNAs, influencing various biological processes at the post-transcriptional level. Identifying miRNA transcription start sites (TSSs) and transcription factors' (TFs) regulatory roles is crucial for elucidating miRNA function and transcriptional regulation. miRStart 2.

miRTarBase 2025: updates to the collection of experimentally validated microRNA-target interactions.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs (18-26 nucleotides) that regulate gene expression by interacting with target mRNAs, affecting various physiological and pathological processes. miRTarBase, a database of experimentally validated miRNA-target interactions (MTIs), now features over 3 817 550 validated MTIs from 13 690 articles, significantly expanding its previous version. The updated database includes miRNA interactions with therapeutic agents, revealing roles in drug resistance and therapeutic strategies.

Dysregulation of neuropilin-2 expression in inhibitory neurons impairs hippocampal circuit development and enhances risk for autism-related behaviors and seizures.

Dysregulation of development, migration, and function of interneurons, collectively termed interneuronopathies, have been proposed as a shared mechanism for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and childhood epilepsy. Neuropilin-2 (Nrp2), a candidate ASD gene, is a critical regulator of interneuron migration from the median ganglionic eminence (MGE) to the pallium, including the hippocampus. While clinical studies have identified Nrp2 polymorphisms in patients with ASD, whether selective dysregulation of Nrp2-dependent interneuron migration contributes to pathogenesis of ASD and enhances the risk for seizures has not been evaluated.

Scalable Slot-Die Coating of Passivation Layers for Improved Performance of Perovskite Solar Cell Modules.

Upscaling the perovskite solar cell (PSC) while avoiding losses in the power conversion efficiency presents a substantial challenge, especially when transitioning from ≤1 cm cells to ≥10 cm modules. In addition to the fabrication of key functional layers, scalable technologies for surface passivation, considered indispensable for achieving high-performance PSCs, are urgently required. However, studies on this topic remain limited.

The application and impact of artificial intelligence technology in graphic design: A critical interpretive synthesis.

In the field of graphic design, the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the design process. This study employs the Critical Interpretive Synthesis (CIS) approach to explore the impacts and challenges of AI on graphic design. Through a comprehensive review of 33 papers, this research reveals four research paradigms of AI in graphic design: Artificial Intelligence Driven Design Automation and Generation (AIDAG), Artificial Intelligence Assisted Graphic Design and Image Processing (AGDIP), Artificial Intelligence in Art and Creative Design Processes (AACDP), and Artificial Intelligence Enhanced Visual Attention and Emotional Response Modeling (AVERM).

Imetelstat, a novel, first-in-class telomerase inhibitor: Mechanism of action, clinical, and translational science.

Most cancers and neoplastic progenitor cells have elevated telomerase activity and preservation of telomeres that promote cellular immortality, making telomerase a rational target for the treatment of cancer. Imetelstat is a first-in-class, 13-mer oligonucleotide that binds with high affinity to the template region of the RNA component of human telomerase and acts as a competitive inhibitor of human telomerase enzymatic activity. Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, exposure-response analyses, efficacy, and safety of imetelstat have been evaluated in vitro, in vivo, and clinically in solid tumor and hematologic malignancies, including lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (LR-MDS) and myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Nanocarrier mediated delivery of insecticides into tarsi enhances stink bug mortality.

Current delivery practices for insecticide active ingredients are inefficient with only a fraction reaching their intended target. Herein, we developed carbon dot based nanocarriers with molecular baskets (γ-cyclodextrin) that enhance the delivery of active ingredients into insects (southern green stink bugs, Nezara viridula L.) via their tarsal pores.

Identification of a Novel Biomarker Panel for Breast Cancer Screening.

Breast cancer remains a major public health concern, and early detection is crucial for improving survival rates. Metabolomics offers the potential to develop non-invasive screening and diagnostic tools based on metabolic biomarkers. However, the inherent complexity of metabolomic datasets and the high dimensionality of biomarkers complicates the identification of diagnostically relevant features, with multiple studies demonstrating limited consensus on the specific metabolites involved.

Evaluating Diagnostic Concordance in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Among Academic Glaucoma Subspecialists.

The study aimed to evaluate the interobserver agreement among glaucoma subspecialists in diagnosing glaucoma and to explore the causes of diagnostic discrepancies. Three experienced glaucoma subspecialists independently assessed frequency domain optical coherence tomography, fundus color photographs, and static perimetry results from 464 eyes of 275 participants, adhering to unified glaucoma diagnostic criteria. All data were collected from the Wenzhou Glaucoma Progression Study between August 2014 and June 2021.

Based on T.E.S.T toxicity prediction and machine learning to forecast toxicity dynamics in the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline.

The integration of photocatalysis and biological treatment provides an effective strategy for controlling antibiotic contamination, which requires precise monitoring of toxicity changes during the photocatalytic process. In this study, nanoscale TiO (P25) was employed to degrade tetracycline (TC) under full-spectrum irradiation, with O identified as a crucial reactant for the generation reactive oxygen species (ROS). The toxicity simulation results of the degradation intermediates were closely correlated with the predictions of T.

Effect of wild-type vaccine doses on BA.5 hybrid immunity, disease severity, and XBB reinfection risk.

Vaccination against the wild-type (WT) severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus did not produce detectable levels of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against the BA.5 strain before it emerged. However, coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) severity varied highly between unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, and fully vaccinated individuals, for unknown reasons.