A New Groundwater Energy Transport Model for the MODFLOW Hydrologic Simulator.

Heat transport in the subsurface is an important aspect of research related to the effects of a warming climate on ecological services (i.e., cold-water refugia); the development of geothermal resources for energy banking schemes (i.

A single-cell transcriptome analysis reveals astrocyte heterogeneity and identifies CHI3L1 as a diagnostic biomarker in Parkinson's disease.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms. It has been reported that astrocytes play a critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of PD. Here, we aimed to identify the heterogeneity of astrocytes and investigate genes associated with astrocyte differentiation trajectories in PD.

Discovery of Potent Dengue Virus NS2B-NS3 Protease Inhibitors Among Glycyrrhizic Acid Conjugates with Amino Acids and Dipeptides Esters.

This study investigated a library of known and novel glycyrrhizic acid (GL) conjugates with amino acids and dipeptide esters, as inhibitors of the DENV NS2B-NS3 protease. We utilized docking algorithms to evaluate the interactions of these GL derivatives with key residues (His51, Asp75, Ser135, and Gly153) within 10 Å of the DENV-2 NS2B-NS3 protease binding pocket (PDB ID: 2FOM). It was found that compounds and exhibited unique binding patterns, forming hydrogen bonds with Asp75, Tyr150, and Gly153.

Ten Questions on Using Lung Ultrasonography to Diagnose and Manage Pneumonia in the Hospital-at-Home Model: Part I-Techniques and Patterns.

The hospital-at-home (HaH) model delivers hospital-level acute care, including diagnostics, monitoring, and treatments, in a patient's home. It is particularly effective for managing conditions such as pneumonia. Point-of-care ultrasonography (PoCUS) is a key diagnostic tool in the HaH model, and it often serves as a substitute for imaging-based diagnosis in the HaH setting.

Determining new disulfidptosis-associated lncRNA signatures pertinent to breast cancer prognosis and immunological microenvironment.

Background: Disulfidptosis is a novel form of cell death triggered by disulfide stress that may have important implications for breast cancer (BC) pathogenesis. Nevertheless, studies identifying disulfidptosis-associated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in BC have not been reported. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic potential of disulfidptosis-related lncRNAs in BC.

Effects of gut microbiota on immune checkpoint inhibitors in multi-cancer and as microbial biomarkers for predicting therapeutic response.

Background: Gut bacteria are related to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). However, there is inconsistency in ICI-associated species, while the role of non-bacterial microbes in immunotherapy remains elusive. Here, we evaluated the association of trans-kingdom microbes with ICIs by multi-cohort multi-cancer analyses.

A blood-based biomarker panel for non-invasive diagnosis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.

The current diagnosis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and its severe form, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), is suboptimal. Here, we recruited 700 individuals, including 184 from Hong Kong as a discovery cohort and 516 from San Diego, Wenzhou, and Hong Kong as three validation cohorts. A panel of 3 parameters (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 [CXCL10], cytokeratin 18 fragments M30 [CK-18], and adjusted body mass index [BMI]) was formulated (termed N3-MASH), which discriminated patients with MASLD from healthy controls with an area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) of 0.

Multi-Cohort Analysis Reveals Altered Archaea in Colorectal Cancer Fecal Samples Across Populations.

Background & Aims: Archaea are important components of the host microbiome, but their roles in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain largely unclear. We aimed to elucidate the contribution of gut archaea to CRC across multiple populations.

Methods: This study incorporated fecal metagenomic data from 10 independent cohorts across 7 countries and an additional in-house cohort, totaling 2101 metagenomes (748 CRC, 471 adenoma, and 882 healthy controls [HCs]).

Application effect of psychological counseling intervention based on WeChat platform in chemotherapy of gastrointestinal tumors with completely implanted venous infusion ports.

This study's objective was to observe the application effect of psychological counseling intervention based on the WeChat platform for patients with gastrointestinal tumors undergoing chemotherapy with completely implanted venous infusion ports. From October 2022 to December 2023, 110 patients with gastrointestinal tumors undergoing chemotherapy with completely implanted venous infusion ports were selected from our hospital. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the different types of care.

Significance of radiation therapy in frontal glioblastoma patients and exploration of optimal treatment modality: a real-world multiple-center study based on propensity score matching.

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) exhibits diffuse and invasive growth patterns, with a 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of 5-10%. In addition, approximately 40 percent of GBMs are localized in the frontal lobe, a region closely linked to essential life functions including cognition, so that it cannot be completely eradicated through surgical intervention, leading to very poor prognosis. Postoperative therapy is an essential treatment modality.

Optimizing mangrove afforestation: Mollusc biodiversity comparisons reveal optimal mudflat-mangrove area ratio.

In recent decades, mangrove wetlands globally have suffered from human activities and climate change, leading to issues like area reduction, degraded ecological functions and declining biodiversity. Restoration efforts, primarily through mangrove afforestation (i.e.

Comparison of the coexistence pattern of mangrove macrobenthos between natural and artificial reforestation.

The abandoned pond-to-mangrove restoration project provides greater advantages than tidal flats afforestation in restoring mangrove ecosystem services and will be the primary method for mangrove restoration in the future. The existing methods for abandoned pond-to-mangrove restoration include artificial restoration through 'dike-breaking, filling with imported soil and tree planting' and natural restoration through 'dike-breaking and natural succession'. However, little is known about which restoration strategy (natural or artificial restoration) provides more benefits to the biodiversity of mangrove macrobethos.

Storage protein SfSP8 mediates larval starvation tolerance of Spodoptera frugiperda.

Background: Energy homeostasis is vital for insects to survive food shortages. This study investigated the starvation tolerance of Spodoptera frugiperda, which invaded China in 2019, focusing on its storage protein family, crucial for energy balance. 10 storage protein family members were identified and their expression patterns at different development stages and under different starvation stress were analyzed.

Colloidal and interfacial properties of spray dried pulse protein-blueberry polyphenol particles in model dispersion systems.

The phytochemical composition and physicochemical attributes of polyphenol-enriched protein particle ingredients produced with pulse proteins (e.g. chickpea protein, pea protein, and a chickpea-pea protein blend) and polyphenols recovered from wild blueberry pomace were investigated for colloidal and interfacial properties.

Vitexin Inhibits TNBC Progression and Metastasis by Modulating Macrophage Polarization Through EGFR Signaling.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks sensitivity to endocrine and targeted therapies, exhibiting high recurrence and poor prognosis postchemotherapy. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a crucial role in cancer progression. Vitexin, a compound with diverse pharmacological effects including anti-cancer activity, remains unexplored in its impact on TAMs during TNBC development.

Taurine Inhibits Lung Metastasis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by Modulating Macrophage Polarization Through PTEN-PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway.

Taurine (Tau) has been found to inhibit triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) invasion and metastasis. However, its effect on tumor-promoting macrophages and tumor suppressor macrophages in breast cancer progression remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of Tau on macrophage polarization and its role in TNBC cell growth, invasion, and metastasis.

Semiphysical Design Concept for Developing Miniaturized Microrobots .

The miniaturization of biomedical microrobots is crucial for their applications. However, it is challenging to reduce their size while maintaining their biomedical functions. To resolve this contradiction, we propose a semiphysical design concept for developing miniaturized microrobots, in which invisible components such as light beams are utilized to replace most of the physical parts of a microrobot, thus minimizing its physical size without sacrificing its biomedical functions.

Gut microbiota and clinical response to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in patients with advanced cancer.

Background: There is currently no well-accepted consensus on the association between gut microbiota and the response to treatment of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with advanced cancer.

Methods: Fecal samples were collected before ICI treatment. Gut microbiota was analyzed using 16 S ribosomal RNA sequencing.

Lactobacillus acidophilus suppresses non-alcoholic fatty liver disease-associated hepatocellular carcinoma through producing valeric acid.

Background: Gut probiotic depletion is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (NAFLD-HCC). Here, we investigated the prophylactic potential of Lactobacillus acidophilus against NAFLD-HCC.

Methods: NAFLD-HCC conventional and germ-free mice were established by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) injection with feeding of high-fat high-cholesterol (HFHC) or choline-deficient high-fat (CDHF) diet.