MR elastography-based detection of impaired skull-brain mechanical decoupling performance in response to repetitive head impacts.

Objective: To evaluate MR elastography (MRE)-assessed biomarkers for detecting changes in skull-brain mechanical decoupling performance induced by repetitive head impacts (RHIs).

Methods: This prospective single-center study enrolled 80 asymptomatic participants (2017-2023) divided into three groups: no exposure (RHI(-)), low-impact (low RHI(+)), and high-impact (high RHI(+)). Four MRE-based parameters were evaluated to analyze the skull-brain decoupling performance: brain-to-skull rotational transmission ratio (Rtr), cortical shear strain (normalized OSS (octahedral shear strain)), cortical volumetric strain (normalized ONS (octahedral normal strain)), and the OSS-to-ONS ratio.

Establishment of a genome-editing system to create fragrant germplasm in sweet sorghum.

Unlabelled: Sorghum, the fifth largest global cereal crop, comprises various types, such as grain, sweet, forage, and biomass sorghum, delineated by their designated end uses. Among these, sweet sorghum ( (L.) Moench) stands out for its unique versatility, exceptional abiotic stress tolerance and large biomass serving the multi-purpose of high-sugar forage, syrup, and biofuel production.

Colorectal cancer screening using a multi-locus blood-based assay targeting circulating tumor DNA methylation: a cross-sectional study in an average-risk population.

Background: Effective screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) enables earlier diagnosis and intervention to improve patient survival.

Methods: In this study, we prospectively conducted a blood-based CRC screening program for community residents in Hanjiang District, Yangzhou City, and evaluated the screening efficacy of a blood-based multi-locus DNA methylation assay (ColonAiQ). The ColonAiQ-positive rate and colonoscopy participation rate of the population, detection rate of intestinal lesions, and positive predictive value (PPV) of CRC and advanced adenoma (AA) were calculated, and the associated factors were explored.

Prognostic Value of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient for Mechanical Thrombectomy in Patients with Acute Posterior Ischemic Stroke.

Background: This study investigates the prognostic value of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in magnetic resonance imaging for patients with acute posterior circulation stroke (PCS) undergoing endovascular therapy (EVT).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of patients with acute PCS from January 2017 to December 2021, confirmed by diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)-ADC within 24 hours of onset. Patients were categorized based on their 3-month modified Rankin Scale score after EVT.

Designing a Robust Ni-P/CeO Superhydrophobic Composite Coating for Synergistically Enhanced Corrosion Protection and Friction Reduction Performance.

Superhydrophobic surfaces have received widespread attention for their unique hydrophobicity in metal corrosion protection. However, the shortcomings of mechanical stability and long-term corrosion resistance limit their practical application. In this work, we designed and fabricated an anticorrosive and friction reducing Ni-P/CeO superhydrophobic composite (SC) coating on a copper surface.

Estimating the potential value of MSM-focused evidence-based implementation interventions in three Ending the HIV Epidemic jurisdictions in the United States: a model-based analysis.

Introduction: Improving the delivery of existing evidence-based interventions to prevent and diagnose HIV is key to Ending the HIV Epidemic in the United States. Structural barriers in the access and delivery of related health services require municipal or state-level policy changes; however, suboptimal implementation can be addressed directly through interventions designed to improve the reach, effectiveness, adoption or maintenance of available interventions. Our objective was to estimate the cost-effectiveness and potential epidemiological impact of six real-world implementation interventions designed to address these barriers and increase the scale of delivery of interventions for HIV testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in three US metropolitan areas.

Improved quantification of tumor adhesion in meningiomas using MR elastography-based slip interface imaging.

Meningiomas, the most prevalent primary benign intracranial tumors, often exhibit complicated levels of adhesion to adjacent normal tissues, significantly influencing resection and causing postoperative complications. Surgery remains the primary therapeutic approach, and when combined with adjuvant radiotherapy, it effectively controls residual tumors and reduces tumor recurrence when complete removal may cause a neurologic deficit. Previous studies have indicated that slip interface imaging (SII) techniques based on MR elastography (MRE) have promise as a method for sensitively determining the presence of tumor-brain adhesion.

Integrated re-analysis of transcriptomic and proteomic datasets reveals potential mechanisms for Zika viral-based oncolytic therapy in neuroblastoma.

Background: Paediatric neuroblastoma and brain tumours account for a third of all childhood cancer-related mortality. High-risk neuroblastoma is highly aggressive and survival is poor despite intensive multi-modal therapies with significant toxicity. Novel therapies are desperately needed.

Sex Differences in Aging-related Myocardial Stiffening Quantitatively Measured with MR Elastography.

Purpose To investigate the feasibility of using quantitative MR elastography (MRE) to characterize the influence of aging and sex on left ventricular (LV) shear stiffness. Materials and Methods In this prospective study, LV myocardial shear stiffness was measured in 109 healthy volunteers (age range: 18-84 years; mean age, 40 years ± 18 [SD]; 57 women, 52 men) enrolled between November 2018 and September 2019, using a 5-minute MRE acquisition added to a clinical MRI protocol. Linear regression models were used to estimate the association of cardiac MRI and MRE characteristics with age and sex; models were also fit to assess potential age-sex interaction.

Targeting Super-Enhancer-Driven Transcriptional Dependencies Suppresses Aberrant Hedgehog Pathway Activation and Overcomes Smoothened Inhibitor Resistance.

Aberrant activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway plays important roles in oncogenesis and therapeutic resistance in several types of cancer. The clinical application of FDA-approved Hh-targeted smoothened inhibitors (SMOi) is hindered by the emergence of primary or acquired drug resistance. Epigenetic and transcriptional-targeted therapies represent a promising direction for developing improved anti-Hh therapies.

Establishment of genome-editing system and assembly of a near-complete genome in broomcorn millet.

The ancient crop broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is an indispensable orphan crop in semi-arid regions due to its short life cycle and excellent abiotic stress tolerance. These advantages make it an important alternative crop to increase food security and achieve the goal of zero hunger, particularly in light of the uncertainty of global climate change.

Powder Synthesis and Characterization of AlCoCrFeNi High-Entropy Alloy for Additive Manufacturing Prepared by the Plasma Rotating Electrode Process.

The AlCoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy powder was produced by using a plasma rotating electrode process. The morphology, microstructure, and physical properties of the powder were characterized. The powder exhibited a smooth surface and a narrow particle size distribution with a single peak.

Correlation between NGS panel-based mutation results and clinical information in colorectal cancer patients.

Early mutation identification guides patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) toward targeted therapies. In the present study, 414 patients with CRC were enrolled, and amplicon-based targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) was then performed to detect genomic alterations within the 73 cancer-related genes in the OncoAim panel. The overall mutation rate was 91.

A computational study of cell membrane damage and intracellular delivery in a cross-slot microchannel.

We propose a three-dimensional computational framework to simulate the flow-induced cell membrane damage and the resulting enhanced intracellular mass transport in a cross-slot microchannel. We model the cell as a liquid droplet enclosed by a viscoelastic membrane and solve the cell deformation using a well-tested immersed-boundary lattice-Boltzmann method. The cell membrane damage, which is directly related to the membrane permeability, is considered using continuum damage mechanics.

Freeze-Thaw Damage Characterization of Cement-Stabilized Crushed Stone Base with Skeleton Dense Gradation.

The skeleton dense graded cement-stabilized crushed stone base is a widely used material for road construction. However, this material is susceptible to freeze-thaw damage, which can lead to degradation and failure, for which there is still a lack of an in-depth understanding of the freeze-thaw damage characteristics. This study aims to assess the mechanical performance and the freeze-thaw damage characteristics of the cement-stabilized crushed stone base with skeleton dense gradation based on a mechanical test and acoustic technology in a laboratory.

Diagnostic Performance of Carotid Ring Sign on CT-Angiography in Internal Carotid True Occlusion.

Background: To differentiate between pseudo occlusion (PO) and true occlusion (TO) of internal carotid artery (ICA) is important in thrombectomy treatment planning for patients with acute ischemic stroke. Although delayed contrast filling has been differentiated carotid PO from TO, its application has been limited by the implementations of multiphasic computed tomography angiography. In this study, we hypothesized that carotid ring sign, which is readily acquired from single-phasic CTA, can sufficiently differentiate carotid TO from PO.

MR elastography-based slip interface imaging (SII) for functional assessment of myofascial interfaces: A feasibility study.

Purpose: Abnormal adherence at functional myofascial interfaces is hypothesized as an important phenomenon in myofascial pain syndrome. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of MR elastography (MRE)-based slip interface imaging (SII) to visualize and assess myofascial mobility in healthy volunteers.

Methods: SII was used to assess local shear strain at functional myofascial interfaces in the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) and thighs.