Can ACR TI-RADS predict the malignant risk of medullary thyroid cancer?

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance for medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) based on the 2017 Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System by the American College of Radiology (ACR TI-RADS) guideline, and the ability to recommend fine needle aspiration (FNA) for MTC.

Methods: Fifty-six MTCs were included, and 168 benign thyroid nodules (BTNs) and 168 papillary thyroid nodules (PTCs) were matched according to age. Ultrasound (US) features were reviewed according to ACR TI-RADS.

[Research progress on biosynthesis of sesquiterpenoids in Atractylodes lancea].

The traditional Chinese medicine Atractlodis Rhizoma is the dried rhizome of the Asteraceae herbal plant Atractylodes lancea, and it has the functions of drying dampness and strengthening the spleen, removing wind and dissipating cold, and brightening the eyes. The sesquiterpenoids in A. lancea are the main ingredients of its pharmacological activities in clinical practice, including atractylone, β-eudesmol, and hinesol, which possess anti-inflammation, antibacterial, antiviral, and hepatoprotective effects.

Capreolucanus yanxui Qi & Zhou, new species, the third species of the genus from Yunnan (China) based on morphological and molecular characters (Coleoptera: Lucanidae: Lucaninae).

The third species of the small and rare stag beetle genus Capreolucanus Didier, 1928 was found from Yunnan Province, China: C. yanxui Qi & Zhou, new species. The complete mitogenome of the new species is assembled.

Endothelial FOSL1 drives angiotensin II-induced myocardial injury via AT1R-upregulated MYH9.

Vascular remodeling represents a pathological basis for myocardial pathologies, including myocardial hypertrophy and myocardial infarction, which can ultimately lead to heart failure. The molecular mechanism of angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced vascular remodeling following myocardial infarction reperfusion is complex and not yet fully understood. In this study, we examined the effect of Ang II infusion on cardiac vascular remodeling in mice.

Effects of phytosterol supplementation on lipid profiles and apolipoproteins: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: The use of phytosterols and phytostanols (PS) as food supplements to control plasma cholesterol concentrations has recently received attention as its efficacy has been endorsed by scientific authorities and leading guidelines. However, the effects of phytosterols on lipid profiles and atherosclerosis remain incomplete and controversial. This study aims to investigate the effects of PS supplementation on lipid profiles and apolipoproteins in adults based on a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Association of ultra-processed food intake with severe non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a prospective study of 143073 UK Biobank participants.

Background: Previous studies indicate a link between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and unhealthy dietary patterns or nutrient intake. However, it remains unclear whether ultra-processed foods (UPF) contribute to an increased risk of NAFLD. This study aimed to explore how ultra-processed food consumption correlates with severe NAFLD using the UK Biobank data.

Dipicolinic acid reduces Epicoccum sorghinum symptoms on maize and inhibits tenuazonic acid biosynthesis.

Background: Epicoccum sorghinum is a pathogenic fungus that causes leaf spot in a wide range of plants, including maize, and synthesizes the mycotoxin tenuazonic acid (TEA), which is carcinogenic. Despite the relevant economic and yield losses caused by E. sorghinum worldwide, methods for the control of this pathogen are lacking.

[Cloning and functional analysis of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase gene involved in biosynthesis of digitoxin].

Digitoxin, an important secondary metabolite of Digitalis purpurea, is a commonly used cardiotonic in clinical practice. 3β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase(3βHSD) is a key enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of digitoxin. It belongs to the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase(SDR) family, playing a role in the biosynthesis of cardiac glycosides by oxidizing and isomerizing the precursor sterol.

[Functional characterization and enzymatic properties of flavonoid glycosyltransferase gene CtUGT49 in Carthamus tinctorius].

Carthami Flos, as a traditional blood-activating and stasis-resolving drug, possesses anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory pharmacological activities. Flavonoid glycosides are the main bioactive components in Carthamus tinctorius. Glycosyltransferase deserves to be studied in depth as a downstream modification enzyme in the biosynthesis of active glycoside compounds.

Integrated biogas upgrading and medium-chain fatty acids production for more efficient resource recovery.

The conversion of carbon dioxide (CO) from biogas into medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) represents an eco-friendly resource recovery approach to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and combat global climate change. This study presented the novel concept of integrated resource recovery by coupling biogas upgrading and MCFAs production for the first time. Initially, the impact of different initial ethanol concentrations on chain elongation was examined, determining that an ethanol concentration of 160 mmol/L maximized MCFAs yield at 45.

Simultaneous biogas upgrading and medium-chain fatty acids production using a dual membrane biofilm reactor.

Utilizing H-assisted ex-situ biogas upgrading and acetate recovery holds great promise for achieving high value utilization of biogas. However, it faces a significant challenge due to acetate's high solubility and limited economic value. To address this challenge, we propose an innovative strategy for simultaneous upgrading of biogas and the production of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs).

Tele-Mentored Handheld Ultrasound System for General Practitioners: A Prospective, Descriptive Study in Remote and Rural Communities.

Background: Rural general practitioners (GPs) have insufficient diagnostic information to deal with complex clinical scenarios due to the inequality in medical imaging resources in rural and remote communities. The objective of this study is to explore the value of a tele-mentored handheld ultrasound (tele-HHUS) system, allowing GPs to provide ultrasound (US) services in rural and remote communities.

Methods: Overall, 708 patients underwent tele-HHUS examination between March and October 2021 and March and April 2022 across thirteen primary hospitals and two tertiary-care general hospitals.

Huangqin decoction alleviates lipid metabolism disorders and insulin resistance in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by triggering Sirt1/NF-κB pathway.

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinicopathological entity characterized by intrahepatic ectopic steatosis. As a consequence of increased consumption of high-calorie diet and adoption of a sedentary lifestyle, the incidence of NAFLD has surpassed that of viral hepatitis, making it the most common cause of chronic liver disease globally. Huangqin decoction (HQD), a Chinese medicinal formulation that has been used clinically for thousands of years, has beneficial outcomes in patients with liver diseases, including NAFLD.

Improving the catalytic activity of β-glucosidase from Coniophora puteana via semi-rational design for efficient biomass cellulose degradation.

In order to improve the degradation activity of β-glucosidase (CpBgl) from Coniophora puteana, the structural modification was conducted. The enzyme activity of mutants CpBgl-Q20C and CpBgl-A240S was increased by 65.75% and 58.

Deciphering the role and mechanism of nano zero-valent iron on medium chain fatty acids production from CO via chain elongation in microbial electrosynthesis.

The integrated system of microbial electrosynthesis (MES) coupled with chain elongation has been considered a promising platform for carboxylic acids production. However, this biotechnology is still in its infancy, and many limitations are needed to be transcended, such as low electron transfer efficiency between cathode and microbes. In this study, nano zero-valent iron (NZVI) was employed to improve carboxylic acid production in the integrated system, and the promotion mechanisms were revealed.

iORbase: A database for the prediction of the structures and functions of insect olfactory receptors.

Insect olfactory receptors (iORs) with atypical 7-transmembrane domains, unlike Chordata olfactory receptors, are not in the GPCR protein family. iORs selectively bind to volatile ligands in the environment and affect essential insect behaviors. In this study, we constructed a new platform (iORbase, https://www.

Predicting malignancy in thyroid nodules based on conventional ultrasound and elastography: the value of predictive models in a multi-center study.

Background: This study aimed to establish predictive models based on features of Conventional Ultrasound (CUS) and elastography in a multi-center study to determine appropriate preoperative diagnosis of malignancy in thyroid nodules with different risk stratification based on 2017 Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System by the American College of Radiology (ACR TI-RADS) guidelines.

Methods: Five hundred forty-eight thyroid nodules from three centers pathologically confirmed by the cytology or histology were retrospectively enrolled in the study, which were examined by CUS and elastography before fine needle aspiration (FNA) and surgery. Characteristics of CUS of thyroid nodules were reviewed according to 2017 ACR TI-RADS.

Identification of a cytochrome P450 from Tripterygium hypoglaucum (Levl.) Hutch that catalyzes polpunonic acid formation in celastrol biosynthesis.

Tripterygium hypoglaucum (Levl.) Hutch, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with a long history of use, is widely distributed in China. One of its main active components, celastrol, has great potential to be developed into anti-cancer and anti-obesity drugs.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the assessment of Crohn's disease activity: comparison with computed tomography enterography.

Background And Objective: Continuous assessment of disease activity remains a huge challenge during the follow-ups of patients with Crohn's disease (CD). In this paper, we aimed to evaluate the performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) by comparing with computed tomography enterography (CTE) in the assessment of disease activity in CD.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-two patients diagnosed with CD were included in this study, using the CEUS and CTE as imaging methods for comparison.

Ultrasound-based computer-aided diagnosis for cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules with different radiologists.

Purpose: To evaluate a computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) technique in predicting malignancy for cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules (TNs) as compared with different experienced radiologists.

Method: 436 patients with 436 cytologically indeterminate TNs on fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) were included and all were confirmed by surgical pathology. They were retrospectively analyzed with respect to ultrasound (US) characteristics using a commercially available CAD system (AmCAD-UT; AmCad BioMed, Taiwan, China) and reviewed by one junior and one senior radiologists.