T2 mapping and q-Dixon for assessment of intervertebral disc degeneration in lower back pain.

Background: Low back pain(LBP) is very common among the population, and intervertebral disc(IVD) degeneration is considered to be the most common cause of LBP, but the pathophysiological process between IVD degeneration and LBP is not very clear. We conducted this study to clarify the interplay between quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters, including q-Dixon and T2 mapping, and clinical symptomatology in patients with LBP.

Methods: All LBP patients underwent lumbar spine MRI, encompassing q-Dixon and T2 mapping.

The Roles of Forkhead Box O3a (FOXO3a) in Bone and Cartilage Diseases - A Narrative Review.

Bone and cartilage diseases are significantly associated with musculoskeletal disability. However, no effective drugs are available to cure them. FOXO3a, a member of the FOXO family, has been implicated in cell proliferation, ROS detoxification, autophagy, and apoptosis.

Revisiting Flatness-aware Optimization in Continual Learning with Orthogonal Gradient Projection.

The goal of continual learning (CL) is to learn from a series of continuously arriving new tasks without forgetting previously learned old tasks. To avoid catastrophic forgetting of old tasks, orthogonal gradient projection (OGP) based CL methods constrain the gradients of new tasks to be orthogonal to the space spanned by old tasks. This strict gradient constraint will limit the learning ability of new tasks, resulting in lower performance on new tasks.

The genomic characteristics of dominant Salmonella enterica serovars from retail pork in Sichuan province, China.

Foodborne Salmonella is the main cause of salmonellosis in China. Porcine animals are a reservoir for this bacterium consequently posing a threat to food safety and public health. In this study, 157 out of 240 pork samples (65.

Cell type-specific 3D-genome organization and transcription regulation in the brain.

3D organization of the genome plays a critical role in regulating gene expression. How 3D-genome organization differs among different cell types and relates to cell type-dependent transcriptional regulation remains unclear. Here, we used genome-scale DNA and RNA imaging to investigate 3D-genome organization in transcriptionally distinct cell types in the mouse cerebral cortex.

Functional insight into East Asian-specific genetic risk loci for Alzheimer's disease.

Introduction: The functional study of genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD) provides insights into the underlying mechanisms and identification of potential therapeutic targets. Investigating AD-associated genetic loci identified in East Asian populations using single-nucleus RNA-sequencing data may identify novel functional genetic contributors.

Methods: Cell type-specific expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) and peak-to-gene links were used to identify functional genes associated with 26 genetic loci from seven genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for AD in East Asians.

3D-printed gallium-infused scaffolds for osteolysis intervention and bone regeneration.

Exacerbation of osteolysis in osteoporotic bone defects presents a significant challenge for implant-based treatments. This underscores the urgent need to develop implants that actively mitigate osteolysis while simultaneously promoting bone regeneration. In this study, the osteogenic potential of mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) was combined with the anti-bone resorption property of Ga doping.

An Injectable Chitosan Hydrochloride-Sodium Alginate Hydrogel Adjuvant Capable of Eliciting Potent Humoral and Cellular Immunity.

Adjuvants can enhance the immune effects of vaccines. Currently, the most commonly used and validated are aluminum and oil-emulsion adjuvants. However, these adjuvants are not without flaws; for instance, aluminum adjuvants can cause adverse reactions and irritation at the injection site.

Ultrasonic-assisted enzymatic extraction, physicochemical properties and prebiotic activities of polysaccharides from Saccharomyces cerevisiae spore wall.

Yeast wall polysaccharides (YWPs) are a bioactive compound found in the vegetative cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, contributing to its applications in food and medicine. YWPs have been extensively studied because of their diverse biological activities. Although the yeast spore wall of S.

In-Site Boron Doping Microenvironmental Modulation toward Recyclable SAPO-11 for Efficient Beckmann Rearrangement of Cyclohexanone Oxime.

In the research of gas-phase Beckmann rearrangement reactions, the employment of modified molecular sieve catalysts has garnered significant research attention. However, the prevalent supported molecular sieve catalysts currently face two formidable challenges. First, the loaded catalytic species are susceptible to detachment, compromising the catalyst's stability over time.

[Contamination and molecular epidemiological characteristics of Salmonella in fruits, vegetables, and irrigation water].

Objective: To explore the genomic epidemiological characteristics of Salmonella in fruits, vegetables, and irrigation water in China.

Methods: A total of 410 samples of fruits, vegetables and irrigation water were collected from Hubei and Shaanxi Provinces from June to December 2022. Salmonella strains were detected and identified referenced in the United States Food and drug administration's bacteriological analytical manual.

Transcriptome analysis of early- and late-onset Alzheimer's disease in Korean cohorts.

Introduction: The molecular mechanisms underlying early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD) and late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) remain incompletely understood, particularly in Asian populations.

Methods: RNA-sequencing was carried out on blood samples from 248 participants in the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital cohort to perform differential gene expression (DGE) and weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Findings were replicated in an independent Korean cohort (N = 275).

Nanoenhanced-Cuproptosis Results From the Synergy of Calcium Overload and GSH Depletion with the Increasing of Intracellular Ca/Mn/Cu Ions.

Cuproptosis is a newly discovered copper-dependent form of cell death. Intracellular glutathione (GSH) acts as a copper chelator to inhibit cuproptosis, so the reduction of GSH concentration is conducive to enhancing the cuproptosis of cells. In order to reduce GSH content and interfere with mitochondrial metabolism, a strategy based on calcium overload and GSH depletion to enhance cuproptosis is proposed in this study.

Clinical significance of NLRP3 inflammasome and related cell molecules in early diabetic kidney disease in elderly population.

Background: The paper aims to investigate the expression level of NLRP3 inflammasome and its related cell molecules in early diabetes kidney disease (EDKD) in the elderly and its clinical application value.

Methods: From October 2021 to April 2023, 50 elderly patients with T2DM (T2DM group), 50 elderly patients with EDKD (EDKD group) and 50 elderly people who passed the health check-up (healthy group) were chosen as the study subjects. Plasma NLRP3 inflammasome and related cells (blood leukocyte count, monocyte count, lymphocyte count) molecular (NT-proBNP and others) levels are tested, and Pearson correlation analysis is utilized to explore the correlation among plasma NLRP3 inflammasome and related cells, molecules, and renal function indicators (UACR, BUN, Ucr) in elderly patients with EDKD.

Predictive factors for axillary pathological complete response to neoadjuvant therapy in elderly breast cancer patients.

Purpose: This study explores the predictive factors for axillary pathological complete response(apCR) during neoadjuvant therapy(NAT) for elderly breast cancer patients to supplement the indications for retaining the axilla.

Methods: Comprehensive clinical information was gathered from November 2016 to July 2023 from elderly patients with pathology-confirmed invasive breast cancer who underwent NAT and surgery in the Breast Department of Sichuan Cancer Hospital. The relationships between clinicopathological characteristics and apCR were investigated via retrospective analysis.

Kdm2a inhibition in skeletal muscle improves metabolic flexibility in obesity.

Skeletal muscle is a critical organ in maintaining homoeostasis against metabolic stress, and histone post-translational modifications are pivotal in those processes. However, the intricate nature of histone methylation in skeletal muscle and its impact on metabolic homoeostasis have yet to be elucidated. Here, we report that mitochondria-rich slow-twitch myofibers are characterized by significantly higher levels of H3K36me2 along with repressed expression of Kdm2a, an enzyme that specifically catalyses H3K36me2 demethylation.

Multi-Omics Analysis for Identifying Cell-Type-Specific Druggable Targets in Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: Analyzing disease-linked genetic variants via expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) is important for identifying potential disease-causing genes. Previous research prioritized genes by integrating Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) results with tissue-level eQTLs. Recent studies have explored brain cell type-specific eQTLs, but they lack a systematic analysis across various Alzheimer's disease (AD) GWAS datasets, nor did they compare effects between tissue and cell type levels or across different cell type-specific eQTL datasets.

Microwave-Assisted Synthesized ZnO@APTES Quantum Dots Exhibits Potent Antibacterial Efficacy Against Methicillin-Resistant Without Inducing Resistance.

Background: Antibiotic resistance of many bacteria, including Methicillin-resistant (MRSA), has become a major threat to global health. Zinc Oxide Quantum dots (ZnO-QDs) show good antibacterial activity, but most of them are insoluble in water, limiting their application range, and there is a lack of research on drug resistance inducement.

Methods: The water-soluble zinc oxide quantum dots modified by APTES (ZnO@APTES QDs) were prepared by a microwave assisted synthesis.

Global research trends on nanotechnology and colorectal cancer: a two-decade analysis.

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a serious threat to humans worldwide. In this study, we used bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature to assess the trends and prospects of nanotechnology applications in CRC.

Materials And Methods: We used the Web of Science Core Collection database to screen relevant publications on nanotechnology and CRC from 2004 to 2023 based on the inclusion criteria.

Replication stress increases de novo CNVs across the malaria parasite genome.

Changes in the copy number of large genomic regions, termed copy number variations (CNVs), contribute to important phenotypes in many organisms. CNVs are readily identified using conventional approaches when present in a large fraction of the cell population. However, CNVs that are present in only a few genomes across a population are often overlooked but important; if beneficial under specific conditions, a de novo CNV that arises in a single genome can expand during selection to create a larger population of cells with novel characteristics.

Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632 and dual media culture approach promote the construction and transplantation of rabbit limbal epithelial cell sheets via cell spheroid culture and auto-bioprinting.

The shortage of corneal donors and the limitations in tissue engineering grafts, such as biocompatibility and mechanical properties, pose significant challenges in corneal transplantation. Here, for the first time, we investigate the effect of Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632 and a dual media culture approach, including proliferative media (M1) and stabilizing media (M2), on rabbit limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs), aiming to explore the feasibility of constructing corneal cell sheets in vitro through auto-bioprinting and assessing their corneal wound healing capacity in vivo. Y-27632 has primarily demonstrated significantly enhanced LESCs growth, proliferation, and reduced apoptosis.

Risk assessment of water inrush from coal floor based on enhanced samples with class distribution.

In the risk assessment of water inrush from coal floors, the amount of measured data obtained through on-site testing is small and random, which limits the prediction accuracy and generalizability of a model based on measured data. Using the distribution characteristics of the measured data and mega-trend diffusion theory, we propose a virtual sample enhancement method based on class distribution mega-trend diffusion technology (CDMTD) and introduce constraints on the class distribution of influencing factors. This method was used to generate virtual samples and enhance the measured database.

The natural immune molecules urinary Tamm-Horsfall protein and pentraxin 3 as predictors for recurrent urinary tract infection severity: a single-center self-control study.

Objective: The innate immune defense plays a pivotal role in protecting the urinary tract from uropathogenic invasion and maintaining immune homeostasis. Dysregulation of the innate immune system can result in recurrent urinary tract infections (RUTI) due to heightened susceptibility to uropathogens. Despite this, predicting the risk of recurrence and the degree of immune compromise in patients who have had one urinary tract infection remains challenging.

HapCNV: A Comprehensive Framework for CNV Detection in Low-input DNA Sequencing Data.

Copy number variants (CNVs) are prevalent in both diploid and haploid genomes, with the latter containing a single copy of each gene. Studying CNVs in genomes from single or few cells is significantly advancing our knowledge in human disorders and disease susceptibility. Low-input including low-cell and single-cell sequencing data for haploid and diploid organisms generally displays shallow and highly non-uniform read counts resulting from the whole genome amplification steps that introduce amplification biases.

Exposure to tobacco advertisements or promotions and smoking susceptibility among adolescents in China from 2013-14 to 2021: findings from the China National Youth Tobacco Survey.

Background: Tobacco advertisements or promotions (TAPs) can increase smoking susceptibility, especially among adolescents.China has made great progress in reducing TAPs, but has not yet achieved a total ban.This study estimated exposure to TAPs and smoking susceptibility and their changes from 2013-14 to 2021 among Chinese adolescents and examined their association.