Baseline NT-proBNP Non-Response Score and Health Status Measures in Assessing Treatment Responses in Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Background: We aim to validate NT-proBNP nonresponse score (NNRS) previously derived from the PROTECT and BATTLESCARRED studies in comparison with standard health status measures in predicting natriuretic peptide responses in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Methods: Data on the GUIDE-IT trial were used to derive the NNRS based on 4 predictors including baseline NT-proBNP, heart rate, NYHA functional class, and history of atrial fibrillation. The discriminative capacity of the NNRS and health status measures for having NT-proBNP >1,000 pg/mL at 12 months was assessed and compared with baseline or follow-up health status measures including Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Overall Summary Score (KCCQ-OSS), Duke Activity Status Index (DASI), and 6-minute walk distance.

Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Pets of Harris County, Texas, Revealed More Common Pet Infections in Households With Human COVID-19 Cases.

Local health departments can play a critical role in zoonoses surveillance at the human-domestic animal interface, especially when existing public health services and close relationships with community groups can be leveraged. Investigators at Harris County Veterinary Public Health employed a community-based surveillance tool for identifying severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in dogs and cats in June--December 2021. Diagnosis was made using both RT-qPCR testing of oral and nasal swabs and plaque reduction neutralization testing of serum samples.

Dimerization and dynamics of angiotensin-I converting enzyme revealed by cryoEM and MD simulations.

Angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) regulates the levels of disparate bioactive peptides, notably converting angiotensin-I to angiotensin-II and degrading amyloid beta. ACE is a heavily glycosylated dimer, containing 4 analogous catalytic sites, and exists in membrane bound and soluble (sACE) forms. ACE inhibition is a frontline, FDA-approved, therapy for cardiovascular diseases yet is associated with significant side effects, including higher rates of lung cancer.

Pay-it-forward strategy reduced HPV vaccine delay and increased uptake among catch-up age girls: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: Catch-up HPV vaccination is challenging in many low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Pay-it-forward offers an individual a subsidized vaccine, then an opportunity to donate to help others access vaccinations. Our randomized control trial assessed the effectiveness of pay-it-forward in improving HPV vaccination among girls aged 15-18 years in China.

[Clinical characteristics and prognosis of type 1 infratentorial superficial siderosis].

A total of 7 patients with type 1 infratentorial superficial siderosis(iSS-1)in Memory Clinic at Huashan Hospital, Fudan University from March 2019 to March 2023 were respectively collected to analyze the clinical characteristics and treatment, and followed up for 12 months. There were 7 patients, 2 males and 5 females, aged 56 (49-60) years. The 4 patients who underwent cognitive assessment had varying degree of cognitive impairment, with 2 patients exhibiting severe executive function impairment.

Homologous metal-organic complexes reconstructed oxy-hydroxide heterostructures as efficient oxygen evolution electrocatalysts.

It is imperative to investigate more cost-effective, long-lasting, efficient, and reliable non-noble metal electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in hydrogen production via water splitting. Metal-organic complexes have been extensively researched and utilized for this purpose, yet their transformation in this process remains intriguing and underexplored. To enable a comprehensive comparison, we synthesized three types of metal-organic complexes with varying morphologies using the same raw material.

Association of dysfunctional adiposity index with kidney impairment is accounted for by pigment epithelium-derived factor in type 2 diabetes mellitus - An 11-year follow-up of the SMART2D cohort study.

Aims: This novel longitudinal study investigated the association of the new dysfunctional adiposity index (DAI) with kidney impairment in multi-ethnic Asians with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and the mediation effect of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF).

Methods: T2DM adults followed for up to 10.5 years were analyzed (n = 1611).

STAT4 gene polymorphism may be associated with microscopic polyangiitis susceptibility in a Chinese Guangxi population: A case-control analysis based on propensity score matching.

Background: Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) is a severe multisystem autoimmune disease featured by small-vessel vasculitis with few or no immune complex, also has a significant genetic predisposition. Growing evidence has confirmed that STAT4 gene is tightly associated with multiple autoimmune diseases, but its contribution to MPA onset is still elusive.

Objective: The aim was to investigated the association between STAT4 gene polymorphisms (rs7572482, rs7574865 and rs12991409) and MPA susceptibility in a Guangxi population of China.

The role of NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis in astrocytes during hyperoxia-induced brain injury.

Background: Hyperoxia-induced brain injury is a severe neurological complication that is often accompanied by adverse long-term prognosis. The pathogenesis of hyperoxia-induced brain injury is highly complex, with neuroinflammation playing a crucial role. The activation of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, which plays a pivotal role in regulating and amplifying the inflammatory response, is the pathological core of hyperoxia-induced brain injury.

Exploring the clinical value of procalcitonin, c-reactive protein, white blood cell count, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in the early diagnosis of bloodstream infections in children.

Backgroud: In the diagnosis of bloodstream infections (BSI) in children, compared to the gold standard of blood culture, markers in the blood offer advantages such as rapid results and cost-effectiveness. Therefore, we investigated the clinical value of procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count (WBC), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the early diagnosis of BSI in children.

Methods: This study included a retrospective analysis of 309 suspected BSI cases and patients were categorized into 2 groups based on blood culture results: blood culture-positive group, and blood culture-negative group.

Reduced white matter integrity and disrupted brain network in children with type 2 and 3 spinal muscular atrophy.

Background: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused by reduced expression of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. Previous studies indicated SMA causes not only lower motor neuron degeneration but also extensive brain involvement. This study aimed to investigate the changes of brain white matter and structural network using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in children with type 2 and 3 SMA.

Identification and analysis of the genetic diversity of Dermacentor everestianus using mitochondrial 16S rRNA and COI sequences in the Xizang Autonomous Region of China.

Ticks serve as vectors and reservoirs for a variety of pathogens, including protozoa, bacteria, and viruses, that cause tick-borne diseases in both humans and livestock. Despite their widespread distribution, their genetic diversity and population structure in Xizang have not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, sheep ticks were identified from four counties by microscopy, followed by genetic analysis of Dermacentor everestianus populations in Xizang based on mitochondrial 16S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene sequences.

pH-responsive composite konjac glucomannan/xanthan gum film incorporated lysozyme fibril for the monitoring of chicken breast freshness.

A pH responsive composite film was developed by incorporating cyanidin (CY) and egg white lysozyme fibril into konjac glucomannan (KGM) and xanthan gum (XG) matrix to monitor the chicken breast freshness in this work. The physicochemical properties of the films, especially pH sensitivity, evaluated by color difference and visual color change under different pH values, were first explored. The freshness changes of chicken breast sealed with the composite films were also analyzed.

The qualitative analysis of trabecular architecture of the proximal femur based on the P45 sectional plastination technique.

The primary weight-bearing structure of the proximal femur, trabecular bone, has a complex three-dimensional architecture that was previously difficult to comprehensively display. This study examined the spatial architecture of trabecular struts in the coronal, sagittal, and horizontal sections of the proximal femur using 21 cases prepared with P45 sectional plasticization. The primary compressive strut (PCS) exhibited a "mushroom-like" shape with upper and lower parts.

High Capacity and Ultralong Lifespan Aqueous Lithium-Bromine Batteries Realized by Low-Cost Concentrated Electrolyte Coupled with Dependable Lithium Titanium Phosphate.

Aqueous halogen batteries are gaining recognition for large-scale energy storage due to their high energy density, safety, environmental sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. However, the limited electrochemical stability window of aqueous electrolytes and the absence of desirable carbonaceous hosts that facilitate halogen redox reactions have hindered the advancement of halogen batteries. Here, a low-cost, high-concentration 26 m Li-B-C-O aqueous solution incorporating lithium bromide (LiBr), lithium chloride (LiCl), and lithium acetate (LiOAc) was developed for aqueous batteries, which demonstrated an expanded electrochemical stability window of .

Effect of early rehabilitation on hospital stay and postoperative complications in elderly hip fracture patients: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Hip fractures in the elderly are a major global public health concern, with incidence projected to rise as populations age. Rehabilitation is critical to recovery after hip fracture surgery, but the ideal timing for initiation remains uncertain. While early rehabilitation, within 48 h post-surgery, is associated with better outcomes, its specific impact on hospital stay duration and postoperative complications is not yet conclusively established.

Enhancing doctor-patient communication using large language models for pathology report interpretation.

Background: Large language models (LLMs) are increasingly utilized in healthcare settings. Postoperative pathology reports, which are essential for diagnosing and determining treatment strategies for surgical patients, frequently include complex data that can be challenging for patients to comprehend. This complexity can adversely affect the quality of communication between doctors and patients about their diagnosis and treatment options, potentially impacting patient outcomes such as understanding of their condition, treatment adherence, and overall satisfaction.

Genetic and pharmacological targeting of HINT2 promotes OXPHOS to alleviate inflammatory responses and cell necrosis in acute pancreatitis.

The necrosis of pancreatic acinar cells is a key molecular event in the progression of acute pancreatitis (AP), with disturbances in mitochondrial energy metabolism considered to be a direct causative factor of acinar cell necrosis. Histidine triad nucleotide-binding protein 2 (HINT2) has been implicated in the development of various diseases, whereas its involvement in the progression of AP remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the role of HINT2 in AP.

Association of anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin antibodies with adverse in vitro fertilization outcomes.

Anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin antibodies (aPS/PT) are classified as non-criteria antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), and are strongly associated with thrombosis and pregnancy complications linked to antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). This study aimed to investigate whether aPS/PT positivity is associated with adverse outcomes in vitro fertilization (IVF). The study included infertile women who tested positive aPS/PT and underwent IVF cycles, as well as infertile controls with pure tubal etiology.

Gabexate mesylate thermo-sensitive in-situ gel is effective for treating grade-III pancreatic trauma in beagle dogs guided by contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

Background: This study evaluates the efficacy of gabexate mesylate thermosensitive in-situ gel (GMTI) in the treatment of beagle grade III pancreatic trauma (PT) with the assistance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and investigates its mechanism of action.

Methods: A grade III PT model consisting of 15 beagle dogs with severed main pancreatic ducts was created and treated with cephalic vein injection of gabexate mesylate (GM) (1.54 mL/10 kg, TID) and peripancreatic injection of GMTI (4.

Multimodal data integration to predict atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Many studies have utilized data sources such as clinical variables, polygenic risk scores, electrocardiogram (ECG), and plasma proteins to predict the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, few studies have integrated all four sources from a single study to comprehensively assess AF prediction.

Methods And Results: We included 8374 (Visit 3, 1993-95) and 3730 (Visit 5, 2011-13) participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study to predict incident AF and prevalent (but covert) AF.

DEPDC1B, CDCA2, APOBEC3B, and TYMS are potential hub genes and therapeutic targets for diagnosing dialysis patients with heart failure.

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) has a very high prevalence in patients with maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). However, there is still a lack of effective and reliable HF diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for patients with MHD.

Methods: In this study, we analyzed transcriptome profiles of 30 patients with MHD by high-throughput sequencing.

Serum proteomics reveals early biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease: The dual role of APOE-ε4.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia, significantly impacts global public health, with cases expected to exceed 150 million by 2050. Late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD), predominantly influenced by the APOE-ε4 allele, exhibits complex pathogenesis involving amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), neuroinflammation, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption. Proteomics has emerged as a pivotal technology in uncovering molecular mechanisms and identifying biomarkers for early diagnosis and intervention in AD.

TET2-mediated 5-hydroxymethylcytosine of TXNIP promotes cell cycle arrest in systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

Background: 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) modification represents a significant epigenetic modification within DNA, playing a pivotal role in a range of biological processes associated with various types of cancer. The role of 5hmC in systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) has not been thoroughly investigated. This study aims to examine the function of 5hmC in the advancement of ALCL.