Elevated GGT to HDL ratio as a marker for the risk of NAFLD and liver fibrosis.

This study investigated the association between NAFLD and liver fibrosis and the ratio of gamma-glutamyl transferase to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (GGT/HDL-C). In this cross-sectional study, we included 4764 subjects who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during 2017-2018. Adjusted multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to evaluate the relationships between GGT/HDL-C levels and NAFLD, fatty liver degree, and liver fibrosis.

Fluorofenidone alleviates cigarette smoke exposure-induced chronic lung injury by targeting ferroptosis.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common condition that poses significant health risks to humans. Pulmonary interstitial fibrosis (PIF) often manifests in advanced stages of COPD. Fluorofenidone (AKF) has a wide range of pharmacological effects, including anti-fibrotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Physical activity and risk of cholelithiasis: a narrative review.

Cholelithiasis, commonly known as gallstone disease, poses a significant public health concern globally, with a myriad of risk factors contributing to its development. Among these, lifestyle factors, particularly physical activity, have garnered considerable attention for their potential role in modulating the risk of gallstone formation. This review aims to synthesize the current landscape of physical activity and the risk of developing cholelithiasis and identify knowledge gaps.

LncRNA uc003pxg.1 Interacts With miR-339-5p Promote Vascular Endothelial Cell Proliferation, Migration and Angiogenesis.

Background And Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the roles of lncRNA uc003pxg.1 and miR-339-5p in regulating the occurrence and development of coronary heart disease.

Methods: First, the expression levels of uc003pxg.

An Efficient and Flexible Bifunctional Dual-Band Electrochromic Device Integrating with Energy Storage.

Dual-band electrochromic devices capable of the spectral-selective modulation of visible (VIS) light and near-infrared (NIR) can notably reduce the energy consumption of buildings and improve the occupants' visual and thermal comfort. However, the low optical modulation and poor durability of these devices severely limit its practical applications. Herein, we demonstrate an efficient and flexible bifunctional dual-band electrochromic device which not only shows excellent spectral-selective electrochromic performance with a high optical modulation and a long cycle life, but also displays a high capacitance and a high energy recycling efficiency of 51.

Multivariate and survival analysis of prognosis and surgical benefits in infective endocarditis.

Antibiotic therapy is the primary treatment for infective endocarditis (IE), yet up to 50% of patients still require surgical intervention. However, surgical intervention carries significant risks of mortality and complications for IE patients, and there remains a lack of consensus on which preoperative characteristics of infective endocarditis have a substantial impact on patient prognosis. Particularly, some IE patients develop periannular abscesses, leading to more severe complications.

The expression and prognostic value of in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a malignancy for which the incidence and mortality rates are among the highest worldwide. This study aimed to look for potential biomarkers that affect the prognosis of patients with ESCC.

Methods: The target gene was screened through differential expression gene analysis, cluster analysis, enrichment analysis, and construction of a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and then validated through clinical patient tissue RNA extraction and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Effect of different internal fixation devices on intertrochanteric fractures.

Aims: To analyze the postoperative recovery effects of different internal fixations on intertrochanteric fractures, so as to select the best fixation method for clinical practice.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis. A total of 100 patients with intertrochanteric fractures hospitalized at The Affiliated Tai'an City Central Hospital of Qingdao University from March 2022 to March 2024 were grouped according to the treatment method.

DUPAN-2 in pancreatic cancer: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis and high mortality rate. Identifying reliable biomarkers for the early diagnosis and treatment is urgently needed. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of DUPAN-2 in PC through a meta-analysis.

Positively-charged, chalcone-hydroxypyrone hybrid ruthenium(II)-arene complexes functionalized with ethacrynic acid: Synthesis, characterizaion, and antitumor effect.

A new family of ethacrynic acid-functionalized, chalcone-hydroxypyrone hybrid ruthenium(II)-arene complexes (4a-4e) have been designed, synthesis and fully characterized by H and C NMR, ESI-MS, elemental analysis, and melting point tests. The molecular structure of 3a, one of the precursor complexes, has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The cytotoxicity of the obtained complexes toward human cancer cell lines such as HeLa, MGC803, A549, MDA-MB-231, and MCF-7 cells have been investigated by MTT assay.

Releasing characteristics and risk of micro/nanoplastics from Chinese herbal decoction packages under daily usage scenarios.

The single-use plastic packaging for traditional Chinese herbal decoction is prevalent for its convenience. However, concerns have been raised regarding the biosafety implications of dissolved plastic particles from such food contact materials and their potential impact on drug efficacy. To initially investigate the release characteristics of micro/nanoplastics (M/NPs) from Chinese herbal decoction packages under different usage scenarios, 100 mL of water was filled at temperatures ranging from 40 ℃ to 100 ℃ and stored at 4 ℃ for 1 to 14 days before reheating at 60 ℃ prior to consumption.

Effects of sulforaphane on prostate cancer stem cells-like properties: In vitro and molecular docking studies.

The increasing incidence of prostate cancer worldwide has spurred research into novel therapeutics for its treatment and prevention. A critical factor contributing to its incidence and development is the presence of prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs). Targeting PCSCs has become key in enhancing therapeutic and clinical outcomes of prostate cancer.

MGCPdb, a collective resource for mulberry genome size, chromosome number, and ploidy.

Mulberry is a critical economic tree with a high diversity of germplasm resources. However, the lack of primary data on genome size, chromosome number, and ploidy for this species limits the exploitation of mulberry resources. In this study, the genome size of 323 mulberry germplasm resources were examined using flow cytometry and chromosome numbers analyzed.

Liubao tea extract restrains obesity-related hyperlipidemia via regulation of AMPK/p38/NF-κB pathway and intestinal microbiota.

Liubao tea, a traditional dark tea, has gained widespread recognition for various health benefits. In this study, the effects of Liubao tea extract (LTE) on obesity-related hyperlipidemia and the potential mechanism involved were explored. Anti-obesity compounds such as tricetin, isovitexin, tiliroside, etc.

Ultrasensitive and Stretchable Strain Sensors Based on Laser-Induced Graphene With ZnO Nanoparticles.

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) has attracted considerable attention for its use in flexible and stretchable sensors, owing to its electrical/mechanical properties and scalable fabrication processes. Although laser scanning facilitates the formation of LIG and its strain sensor, the strain-sensing sensitivity enhancement of LIG remains limited by the material's properties and structural design. In this study, we demonstrate a substantial improvement in sensitivity that was achieved by fabricating a LIG using ZnO nanoparticle (NP)-assisted photothermal enhancement.

Enhancement of volatile fatty acids to extremely high content in fermentation of food waste: Optimization of conditions, microbial functional genes, and mechanisms.

The engineering application of volatile fatty acids (VFA) production from food waste (FW) can significantly enhance resource utilization. Enhancing VFA production is crucial for advancing this engineering application. This study presented a economically-feasible method to achieve high VFA production from FW: Conducting fermentation at pH 9 and 37 ℃ with addition of 20 % anaerobic sludge significantly increased the conversion of FW to VFAs (80.

Oscillometric blood pressure measurements on smartphones using vibrometric force estimation.

This paper proposes a smartphone-based method for measuring Blood Pressure (BP) using the oscillometric method. For oscillometry, it is necessary to measure (1) the pressure applied to the artery and (2) the local blood volume change. This is accomplished by performing an oscillometric measurement at the finger's digital artery, whereby a user presses down on the phone's camera with steadily increasing force.

Elevated non-HDL-C to HDL-C ratio as a marker for NAFLD and liver fibrosis risk: a cross-sectional analysis.

Background: Dyslipidemia is a known independent risk factor for Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the relationship between NAFLD and the serum non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio remains unclear. This study examined the association between the non-HDL-C to HDL-C ratio and NAFLD prevalence, including liver steatosis and fibrosis levels in the population.

A Proteomics Pipeline for Generating Clinical Grade Biomarker Candidates from Data-Independent Acquisition Mass Spectrometry (DIA-MS) Discovery.

Clinical biomarker development has been stymied by inaccurate protein quantification from mass spectrometry (MS) discovery data and a prolonged validation process. To mitigate these issues, we created the Targeted Extraction Assessment of Quantification (TEAQ) software package that uses data-independent acquisition analysis from a discovery cohort to select precursors, peptides, and proteins that adhere to analytical criteria required for established targeted assays. TEAQ was applied to DIA-MS data from plasma samples acquired on a new high resolution accurate mass (HRAM) mass spectrometry platform where precursors were evaluated for linearity, specificity, repeatability, reproducibility, and intra-protein correlation based on 8- or 11-point loading curves at three throughputs.

Effects of xylo-oligosaccharide supplementation on the production performance, intestinal morphology, cecal short-chain fatty acid levels, and gut microbiota of laying hens.

This study investigated the effects of xylo-oligosaccharide supplementation on the production performance, intestinal morphology, cecal short-chain fatty acid levels, and gut microbiota of laying hens. A total of 800 Lohmann pink layers, each 48 wk old, were randomly divided into 5 dietary treatment groups, namely XOS at 0 (CON), 100 (XOS1), 200 (XOS2), 300 (XOS3) and 400 (X0S4) mg/kg. The experimental period was 24 wk.

Phytochrome B promotes blast disease resistance and enhances yield in rice.

Phytochromes are red/far-red light receptors that regulate various aspects of plant growth, development, and stress responses. The precise mechanism by which phytochrome B (PhyB)-mediated light signaling influences plant defense and development remains unclear. In this study, we showed that PhyB enhances rice (Oryza sativa) blast disease resistance, tillering, and grain size compared to wild-type plants.

The vaginal metabolomics profile with features of polycystic ovary syndrome: a pilot investigation in China.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common metabolic disorder and reproductive endocrine disease, posing an elevated risk to women of reproductive age. Although metabolism differences in serum, amniotic fluid and urine have been documented in PCOS, there remains a paucity of evidence for vaginal fluid. This study aimed to identify the metabolic characteristics and potential biomarkers of PCOS in Chinese women of reproductive age.