Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Oral Semaglutide in Asians and Non-Asians Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: More than half of diabetes patients are Asians, and their tolerance to antidiabetic drugs may differ from that of non-Asians. Oral semaglutide has recently gained attention for its advantages in glycemic and body weight control. However, its effects across different ethnic groups remain unknown.

Differentiating low-risk thymomas from high-risk thymomas: preoperative radiomics nomogram based on contrast enhanced CT to minimize unnecessary invasive thoracotomy.

Background: This study was designed to develop a combined radiomics nomogram to preoperatively predict the risk categorization of thymomas based on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) images.

Materials: The clinical and CT data of 178 patients with thymoma (100 patients with low-risk thymomas and 78 patients with high-risk thymomas) collected in our hospital from March 2018 to July 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were randomly divided into a training set (n = 125) and a validation set (n = 53) in a 7:3 ratio.

Experimental investigation on the macro- and micromechanical properties of water-cooled granite at different high temperatures.

To investigate the damage mechanisms in granite's physical and mechanical properties after high-temperature water quenching, this study employed MTS815.04 for uniaxial compression tests on thermally treated specimens, with concurrent acoustic emission monitoring, and utilized nanoindentation for micromechanical analysis. The results show that with increasing temperature, granite's peak strength and elastic modulus decrease, with a sharp decline after 400-500 °C, corresponding to a significant increase in the internal damage, which can be detected by acoustic emission monitoring.

An n-Type Open-Shell Conjugated Polymer with High-Spin Ground-State and High Intrinsic Electrical Conductivity.

Open-shell conjugated polymers with a high intrinsic conductivity and high-spin ground state hold considerable promise for applications in organic electronics and spintronics. Herein, two novel acceptor-acceptor (A-A) conjugated polymers based on a highly electron-deficient quinoidal benzodifurandione unit have been developed, namely DPP-BFDO-Th and DPP-BFDO. The incorporation of the quinoidal moiety into the polymers backbones enables deeply aligned lower-lying lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) levels of below -4.

Excavation method optimization and mechanical responses investigating of a shallow buried super large section tunnels: a case study in Zhejiang.

The construction of super large section (SLS) shallow buried tunnels involves challenges related to their large span, high flat rate, and complex construction process. Selecting an appropriate excavation method is crucial for ensuring stability, controlling costs, and managing the construction timeline. This study focuses on the selection of excavation methods and the mechanical responses of SLS tunnels in different types of surrounding rock.

An n-Type Conjugated Polymer with Low Crystallinity for High-Performance Organic Thermoelectrics.

Conjugated polymers (CPs) with low crystallinity are promising candidates for application in organic thermoelectrics (OTEs), particularly in flexible devices, because the disordered structures of these CPs can effectively accommodate dopants and ensure robust resistance to bending. However, n-doped CPs usually exhibit poor thermoelectric performance, which hinders the development of high-performance thermoelectric generators. Herein, we report an n-type CP (ThDPP-CNBTz) comprising two acceptor units: a thiophene-flanked diketopyrrolopyrrole and a cyano-functionalized benzothiadiazole.

Deep learning-based automatic segmentation of meningioma from T1-weighted contrast-enhanced MRI for preoperative meningioma differentiation using radiomic features.

Background: This study aimed to establish a dedicated deep-learning model (DLM) on routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data to investigate DLM performance in automated detection and segmentation of meningiomas in comparison to manual segmentations. Another purpose of our work was to develop a radiomics model based on the radiomics features extracted from automatic segmentation to differentiate low- and high-grade meningiomas before surgery.

Materials: A total of 326 patients with pathologically confirmed meningiomas were enrolled.

Integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis reveals γ-aminobutyric acid enhances the ozone tolerance of wheat by accumulation of flavonoids.

Wheat is susceptible to atmospheric ozone (O) pollution, thus the increasing O is a serious threat to wheat production. γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is found to play key roles in the tolerance of plants to stress. However, few studies elaborated the function of GABA in response of wheat to O.

Engineering Advanced Drug Delivery Systems for Dry Eye: A Review.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a widespread and frequently reported multifactorial ocular disease that not only causes ocular discomfort but also damages the cornea and conjunctiva. At present, topical administration is the most common treatment modality for DED. Due to the existence of multiple biological barriers, instilled drugs generally exhibit short action times and poor penetration on the ocular surface.

Highly selective electrosynthesis of HO by N, O co-doped graphite nanosheets for efficient electro-Fenton degradation of p-nitrophenol.

The activity and selectivity of the cathode towards electrosynthesis of HO are critical for electro-Fenton process. Herein, nickel-foam modified with N, O co-doped graphite nanosheets (NO-GNSs/Ni-F) was developed as a cathode for highly efficient and selective electrosynthesis of HO. Expectedly, the accumulation of HO at pH= 3 reached 494.

Protein kinase MtCIPK12 modulates iron reduction in Medicago truncatula by regulating riboflavin biosynthesis.

Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient, and deficiency in available Fe is one of the most important limiting factors for plant growth. In some species including Medicago truncatula, Fe deficiency results in accumulation of riboflavin, a response associated with Fe acquisition. However, how the plant's Fe status is integrated to tune riboflavin biosynthesis and how riboflavin levels affect Fe acquisition and utilization remains largely unexplored.

Reorganization of three-dimensional chromatin architecture in Medicago truncatula under phosphorus deficiency.

Emerging evidence reveals that the three-dimensional (3D) chromatin architecture plays a key regulatory role in various biological processes of plants. However, information on the 3D chromatin architecture of the legume model plant Medicago truncatula and its potential roles in the regulation of response to mineral nutrient deficiency are very limited. Using high-resolution chromosome conformation capture sequencing, we identified the 3D genome structure of M.

Elevated ozone decreases the multifunctionality of belowground ecosystems.

Elevated tropospheric ozone (O ) affects the allocation of biomass aboveground and belowground and influences terrestrial ecosystem functions. However, how belowground functions respond to elevated O concentrations ([O ]) remains unclear at the global scale. Here, we conducted a detailed synthesis of belowground functioning responses to elevated [O ] by performing a meta-analysis of 2395 paired observations from 222 publications.

Tolerant mechanism of model legume plant to drought, salt, and cold stresses.

Legume plants produce one-third of the total yield of primary crops and are important food sources for both humans and animals worldwide. Frequent exposure to abiotic stresses, such as drought, salt, and cold, greatly limits the production of legume crops. Several morphological, physiological, and molecular studies have been conducted to characterize the response and adaptation mechanism to abiotic stresses.

Tandem Mass Tag Analysis of the Effect of the Anterior Cingulate Cortex in Nonerosive Reflux Disease Rats with Shugan Jiangni Hewei Granules Treatment.

Objective: The current study aims to analyze the improvement mechanism of visceral hypersensitivity (VH) and targets of Shugan Jiangni Hewei granules (SJHG) for nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) treatment as well as to offer an experimental foundation for its clinical use.

Methods: Healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats ( = 36) were acquired in the current study that was further split into three groups: blank, model, and drug (SJHG). Subsequently, differentially expressed proteins and bioinformatics analysis were performed on the collected tissue samples acquired from the anterior cingulate cortex of the model and SJHG rat groups using a tandem mass tag- (TMT-) based proteomics.

Priorities for the development of alfalfa pasture in northern China.

Alfalfa ( L.) is acclaimed as "Queen of forages" because of its great yield and high feeding value. China is the second biggest country in acreage of alfalfa cultivation, but the cultivation regions of alfalfa are distinguished by adverse climatic and edaphic conditions in northern China.

A topical fluorometholone nanoformulation fabricated under aqueous condition for the treatment of dry eye.

Fluorometholone (FMT) is a frequently prescribed drug for the alleviation of dry eye. However, due to low aqueous solubility, it has been routinely used as an ophthalmic suspension, which is characterized by low bioavailability, inconvenience of administration, and difficulty in delivering accurate dose. Furthermore, the opaque appearance of the ophthalmic suspension is not desirable for optical purpose.

A deep learning radiomics model may help to improve the prediction performance of preoperative grading in meningioma.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the clinical usefulness of the enhanced-T1WI-based deep learning radiomics model (DLRM) in differentiating low- and high-grade meningiomas.

Methods: A total of 132 patients with pathologically confirmed meningiomas were consecutively enrolled (105 in the training cohort and 27 in the test cohort). Radiomics features and deep learning features were extracted from T1 weighted images (T1WI) (both axial and sagittal) and the maximum slice of the axial tumor lesion, respectively.

Closed dumbbell mediated isothermal amplification of nucleic acids for DNA diagnostic assays.

Nucleic acid amplification tests have been widely applied in clinical diagnostics, food safety monitoring, and molecular biology. As a well-established isothermal amplification method, Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) has gained recognition. However, the need for specifically designed four to six primers and non-specific amplification pose challenges for further application of LAMP based detection methods.

miR-F4-C12 Functions on the Regulation of Adipose Accumulation by Targeting PIK3R1 in Castrated Male Pigs.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute small regulatory molecules for a wide array of biological activities (18~24 nucleotides in length), including adipogenesis and adipose deposition. Their effect is, however, incompletely defined in inducing fat accumulation in castrated male pigs. Based on our study, four nine-times miRNAs were selected to examine their functions in adipose formation activities.

Genome-wide analysis of the Glutathione S-Transferase family in wild Medicago ruthenica and drought-tolerant breeding application of MruGSTU39 gene in cultivated alfalfa.

Transformation of MruGSTU39 in M. ruthenica and alfalfa enhanced growth and survival of transgenic plants by up-regulating GST and glutathione peroxidase activity to detoxify ROS under drought stress. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are ubiquitous supergene family which play crucial roles in detoxification of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Artemether Attenuates Aβ25-35-Induced Cognitive Impairments by Downregulating Aβ, BACE1, mTOR and Tau Proteins.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is clinically characterized as a progressive cognitive impairment and behavioral disorder. Pathological hallmarks of AD include extracellular senile plaques (SPs), intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and massive neuronal loss. Although the exact cause of AD is not well understood, a mounting body of evidence has demonstrated that the pathogenesis of AD is associated with oxidative stress, neu-roinflammation, and amyloid beta (Aβ) induced neural apoptosis.

Plant 3D Chromatin Organization: Important Insights from Chromosome Conformation Capture Analyses of the Last 10 Years.

Over the past few decades, eukaryotic linear genomes and epigenomes have been widely and extensively studied for understanding gene expression regulation. More recently, the three-dimensional (3D) chromatin organization was found to be important for determining genome functionality, finely tuning physiological processes for appropriate cellular responses. With the development of visualization techniques and chromatin conformation capture (3C)-based techniques, increasing evidence indicates that chromosomal architecture characteristics and chromatin domains with different epigenetic modifications in the nucleus are correlated with transcriptional activities.

The genome of a wild Medicago species provides insights into the tolerant mechanisms of legume forage to environmental stress.

Background: Medicago ruthenica, a wild and perennial legume forage widely distributed in semi-arid grasslands, is distinguished by its outstanding tolerance to environmental stress. It is a close relative of commonly cultivated forage of alfalfa (Medicago sativa). The high tolerance of M.