The efficacy and safety of low-dose rituximab in the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris: a cohort study.

Background: Rituximab (RTX) is considered the first-line treatment for pemphigus vulgaris (PV), which is a B-cell-mediated acquired autoimmune disease. However, no consensus on the optimum dosage has been achieved.

Objectives: To investigate the efficacy and safety of low-dose RTX (a single infusion of 500 mg) for the treatment of PV, a cohort study was conducted for patients with PV, along with a 12-month follow-up following the administration of RTX.

Transferring U-Net between low-dose CT denoising tasks: a validation study with varied spatial resolutions.

Background: Recently, deep learning techniques have been widely used in low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) imaging applications for quickly generating high quality computed tomography (CT) images at lower radiation dose levels. The purpose of this study is to validate the reproducibility of the denoising performance of a given network that has been trained in advance across varied LDCT image datasets that are acquired from different imaging systems with different spatial resolutions.

Methods: Specifically, LDCT images with comparable noise levels but having different spatial resolutions were prepared to train the U-Net.

Whole-orbit radiomics: machine learning-based multi- and fused- region radiomics signatures for intravenous glucocorticoid response prediction in thyroid eye disease.

Background: Radiomics analysis of orbital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows preliminary potential for intravenous glucocorticoid (IVGC) response prediction of thyroid eye disease (TED). The current region of interest segmentation contains only a single organ as extraocular muscles (EOMs). It would be of great value to consider all orbital soft tissues and construct a better prediction model.

Ginsenosides and Tumors: A Comprehensive and Visualized Analysis of Research Hotspots and Antitumor Mechanisms.

Ginsenoside, the main active constituent of traditional Chinese medicine Ginseng, has been shown to play an important role in the prevention and treatment of cancer. However, the literature as well as the antitumor mechanisms of ginsenosides has not yet been systematically studied. We screened all relevant literature on ginsenosides and tumors from Web of Science during 2001-2021 and analyzed the extracted terms of these publications by VOSviewer and CiteSpace.

[Increased muscle mass increases risks of intervertebral disc degeneration: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study].

Objective: To investigate the causal relationship between sarcopenia (SP) and intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) using two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis.

Methods: Genome-wide association study (GWAS) databases of SP (lean body mass, right and left hand grip strength) and IVDD were obtained. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) strongly associated with exposure were obtained as an instrumental variable.

A comprehensive and visualized analysis of relationship between ferroptosis and tumor using bibliometrics and bioinformatics.

This study aimed to summarize the current developments and hub genes in the ferroptosis field using bibliometrics and bioinformatics and provide guidance for future developments. The publications on ferroptosis from 2012 to 2021 were extracted from the Web of Science database. VOSviewer software and CiteSpace software were used to visualize and predict the trend of ferroptosis research.

Amplified and Specific Staining of Protein Dimerization on Cell Membrane Catalyzed by Responsively Installed DNA Nanomachines for Cancer Diagnosis.

In situ staining of protein dimerization on cell membrane has an important significance in accurate diagnosis during perioperative period, yet facile integration of specific recognition function and local signal conversion/amplification abilities on membrane surface remains a great challenge. Herein, a two-stage catalytic strategy is developed by installing DNA nanomachines and employing. Specifically, dual-aptamer-assisted DNA scaffold perform a "bispecific recognition-then-computing" operation and the output signal initiate a membrane-anchored biocatalysis for self-assembly of DNA catalytic converters, that is, G-quadruplex nanowire/hemin DNAzyme.

Risk factors and mortality in dialysis patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm: A retrospective cohort study.

In the general population, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is synonymous with vascular disease and associated with increased mortality. Vascular disease is common in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on dialysis, but there is limited information on AAA in this population. To address this issue, we queried the United States Renal Data System for risk factors associated with a diagnosis of AAA as well as the impact of AAA on ESRD patient survival.

Ten-year follow-up of very-high risk hypertensive patients undergoing renal sympathetic denervation.

Objectives: Renal denervation (RDN) has been proven to be effective in lowering blood pressure (BP) in patients, but previous studies have had short follow-ups and have not examined the effects of RDN on major cardiovascular outcomes. This study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of RDN in the long-term treatment of hypertension and to determine if it has an effect on cardiovascular outcomes.

Methods: All patients with resistant hypertension who underwent RDN between 2011 and 2015 at Tianjin First Central Hospital were included in the study.

Electrothermal Transformations within Graphene-Based Aerogels through High-Temperature Flash Joule Heating.

Flash Joule heating of highly porous graphene oxide (GO) aerogel monoliths to ultrahigh temperatures is exploited as a low carbon footprint technology to engineer functional aerogel materials. Aerogel Joule heating to up to 3000 K is demonstrated for the first time, with fast heating kinetics (∼300 K·min), enabling rapid and energy-efficient flash heating treatments. The wide applicability of ultrahigh-temperature flash Joule heating is exploited in a range of material fabrication challenges.

An Ultrasmall Ordered High-Entropy Intermetallic with Multiple Active Sites for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

Controlling multimetallic ensembles at the atomic level is significantly challenging, particularly for high-entropy alloys with more than five elements. Herein, we report an innovative ultrasmall (∼2 nm) PtFeCoNiCuZn high-entropy intermetallic (PFCNCZ-HEI) with a well-ordered structure synthesized by using the space-confined strategy. By exploiting these combined metals, the PFCNCZ-HEI nanoparticles achieve an ultrahigh mass activity of 2.

Propofol-induced LINC01133 inhibits the progression of colorectal cancer via miR-186-5p/NR3C2 axis.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a formidable threat to human well-being, characterized by a largely enigmatic occurrence and progression mechanism. A growing body of literature has underscored the potential influence of propofol, a frequently administered anesthetic, on clinical outcomes in malignant tumor patients. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the impact of propofol on the progression of CRC have yet to be fully elucidated.

Identification of two novel heterodimeric ABC transporters in melanoma: ABCB5β/B6 and ABCB5β/B9.

ABCB5 is a member of the ABC transporter superfamily composed of 48 transporters, which have been extensively studied for their role in cancer multidrug resistance and, more recently, in tumorigenesis. ABCB5 has been identified as a marker of skin progenitor cells, melanoma, and limbal stem cells. It has also been associated with multidrug resistance in several cancers.

Optimized Design of Solid-Liquid Dual-Impeller Mixing Systems for Enhanced Efficiency.

Flow interferences occur in the dual-impeller stirred tank between paddles as well as between paddles and baffles and the tank wall, leading to inefficient utilization of the stirring energy. To address this issue, this study investigates the flow characteristics within the mixing tank using Euler-Euler numerical simulation and the particle image velocimetry (PIV) experimental method. The three-dimensional nonconstant flow characteristics are analyzed to optimize the critical stirrer geometry.

Multivalent nanobody-based sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for sensitive detection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus.

The pandemic of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has caused huge economic losses and continues to threaten the swine industry worldwide. Nucleocapsid protein (N protein) is the primary antigen of PRRSV for development of sensitive diagnostic assays. Two high affinity nanobodies against N protein, Nb12 and Nb35, were selected and employed to develop a sandwich ELISA.

Chalcopyrite functionalized ceramic membrane for micropollutants removal and membrane fouling control via peroxymonosulfate activation: The synergy of nanoconfinement effect and interface interaction.

This work developed a novel chalcopyrite (CuFeS) incorporated catalytic ceramic membrane (CFSCM), and comprehensively evaluated the oxidation-filtration efficiency and mechanism of CFSCM/peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for organics removal and membrane fouling mitigation. Results showed that PMS activation was more efficient in the confined membrane pore structure. The CFSCM/PMS filtration achieved almost complete removal of 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HBA) under the following conditions: pH = 6.

The predictive efficacy of programmed cell death in immunotherapy of melanoma: A comprehensive analysis of gene expression data for programmed cell death biomarker and therapeutic target discovery.

In this study, genes linked to prognosis in skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) involved in programmed cell death (PCD) were identified and confirmed and prognostic models based on these genes were constructed. Acquisition and analysis of clinical data and RNA sequencing information from The Cancer Genome Atlas-SKCM (TCGA-SKCM) and Sangerbox databases, gene expression data for 477 tumor samples and 2 normal samples were successfully gathered. The patients were separated into two clusters based on consensus clustering of PCD-related genes, with Cluster A having greater tumor purity, ESTIMATE score, immune score, and matrix score, and Cluster B having a significantly distinct pattern of immune cell infiltration.

Platelets as delivery vehicles for targeted enrichment of NO to cerebral glioma for magnetic resonance imaging.

Using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent, MRI has made substantial contributions to glioma diagnosis. Metal-free MRI agents, such as the nano free radical nitric oxide (NO) micelle, can overcome the inherent toxicity of metal-based agents in certain patient populations. However, the low spatial resolution of nano NO micelle in MRI limits its clinical development.

Constructing Fully-Active and Ultra-Active Sites in High-Entropy Alloy Nanoclusters for Hydrazine Oxidation-Assisted Electrolytic Hydrogen Production.

The development of sufficiently high-efficiency systems and effective catalysts for electrocatalytic hydrogen production is of great significance but challenging. Here, high-entropy alloy nanoclusters (HEANCs) with full-active sites and super-active sites are innovatively constructed for hydrazine oxidation-assisted electrolytic hydrogen production. The HEANCs show an average size of only seven atomic layers (1.

Immune-related visual dysfunction in thyroid eye disease: a combined orbital and brain neuroimaging study.

Objectives: To investigate the pathological interplay between immunity and the visual processing system (VPS) in thyroid eye disease (TED).

Methods: A total of 24 active patients (AP), 26 inactive patients (IP) of TED, and 27 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. Orbital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) were conducted for each participant.

HER2/ERBB2 copy number analysis by targeted next-generation sequencing in breast cancer.

Objectives: A combination of immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is the current standard of care for HER2 evaluation in breast cancer. Here, we investigate the potential clinical utility of next-generation sequencing (NGS)-derived HER2/ERBB2 copy number (CN) data for predicting HER2 status as defined by American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)/College of American Pathologists (CAP) guidelines.

Methods: In total, 294 locally recurrent and metastatic breast cancers previously tested by targeted hybrid capture-based NGS and by HER2 IHC/FISH were included.

Ras3 in Bombyx mori with antiviral function against B. mori nucleopolyhedrovirus.

Bombyx mori ras protein3 (BmRas3) is a small molecular protein in the GTPase superfamily, which has the activity of binding guanosine nucleotides and GTP enzymes. It acts as a molecular switch by coupling extracellular signal to different cellular response through the conversion between Ras-GTP conformation and Ras-GDP conformation, thus regulating signal pathways responsible for cell growth, migration, adhesion, survival and differentiation. However, few studies have been done on Ras3 in silkworm, and its function and mechanism are unclear.

Application of Nontarget High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry Fingerprints for Qualitative and Quantitative Source Apportionment: A Real Case Study.

High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) provides extensive chemical data, facilitating the differentiation and quantification of contaminants of emerging concerns (CECs) in aquatic environments. This study utilizes liquid chromatography-HRMS for source apportionment in Chebei Stream, an urban water stream in Guangzhou, South China. Initially, 254 features were identified as potential CECs by the nontarget screening (NTS) method.

Neovascularization directed by CAVIN1/CCBE1/VEGFC confers TMZ-resistance in glioblastoma.

Acquisition of resistance to temozolomide (TMZ) poses a significant challenge in glioblastoma (GBM) therapy. Neovascularization, a pivotal process in tumorigenesis and development, remains poorly understood in its contribution to chemoresistance in GBMs. This study unveils aberrant vascular networks within TMZ-resistant (TMZ-R) GBM tissues and identifies the extracellular matrix (ECM) protein CCBE1 as a potential mediator.