Network Coding-Enhanced Polar Codes for Relay-Assisted Visible Light Communication Systems.

This paper proposes a novel polar coding scheme tailored for indoor visible light communication (VLC) systems. Simulation results demonstrate a significant reduction in bit error rate (BER) compared to uncoded transmission, with a coding gain of at least 5 dB. Furthermore, the reliable communication area of the VLC system is substantially extended.

Application value of personalized 3D printing vaginal model for the Image-guided adaptive brachytherapy of cervical cancer.

Objective: To explore the application value of using 3-dimensional (3D) printing (3DP) technology to create individualized vaginal molds for brachytherapy (BT) in high-dose-rate 3D cervical cancer through reverse engineering of needle placement.

Methods: Prospectively, 11 patients with cervical cancer were treated with 3DP-intracavitary/interstitial (IC/IS) BT using 3DP to create individualized vaginal molds. All patients were performed BT after completion of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT).

Review and revamp of compositional data transformation: A new framework combining proportion conversion and contrast transformation.

Due to the development of next-generation sequencing technology and an increased appreciation of their role in modulating host immunity and their potential as therapeutic agents, the human microbiome has emerged as a key area of interest in various biological investigations of human health and disease. However, microbiome data present a number of statistical challenges not addressed by existing methods, such as the varying sequencing depth, the compositionality, and zero inflation. Solutions like scaling and transformation methods help to mitigate heterogeneity and release constraints, but often introduce biases and yield inconsistent results on the same data.

Noninferiority comparison of electromagnetic navigation-guided versus computed tomography-guided percutaneous localization of multiple small pulmonary nodules: a prospective randomized clinical trial.

Background: Accurate preoperative localization is a challenge in thoracoscopic surgery for multiple pulmonary nodules. In this study, we aimed to assess the accuracy and feasibility of electromagnetic navigation (EN)-guided percutaneous localization.

Methods: We enrolled 50 patients with multiple pulmonary nodules for EN-guided (EN group) or CT-guided (CT group) localization.

Strain-Induced Tunable and Field-Free Spintronic THz Emitters Based on Flexible Substrate Heterostructures.

Spintronic THz emitters have been widely studied due to their advantages of broadband frequency, high efficiency, and easy fabrication. The spintronic THz signal is proportional to the magnetization of the ferromagnetic (FM) layer and requires an external magnetic field to maximize the THz signal intensity. Recently, a field-free emitter was designed based on a CoFeB/IrMn heterostructure via the exchange bias between two films.

Early-Life Milk α-Casein Allergy Induces the Activation of Astrocytes in Mice and Leads to Stress Vulnerability in Adulthood.

In recent years, the incidence of food allergies in children has been increasing annually, significantly affecting the quality of life for patients and their families. It has long been suspected that childhood allergies might potentially lead to behavioral and psychological issues in adulthood, but the specific connection remains unclear. In this study, we established a model of young mice allergic to milk α-casein, conducted behavioral tests, and employed transcriptomics, immunohistochemistry, Golgi staining, and fecal microbiota transplantation to explore the link between early life allergies and adult psychological problems.

Computational optical sectioning via near-field multi-slice ptychography.

We introduce a method for the computational sectioning of optically thick samples based on a combination of near-field and multi-slice ptychography. The method enables a large field-of-view 3D phase imaging of samples that is an order of magnitude thicker than the depth of field of bright-field microscopy. An axial resolution for these thick samples is maintained in the presence of multiple scattering, revealing a complex structure beyond the depth of the field limit.

Single-cell sequencing reveals the transcriptional alternations of 17β-estradiol suppressing primordial follicle formation in neonatal mouse ovaries.

Estrogen has been implicated in multiple biological processes, but the variation underlying estrogen-mediated primordial follicle (PF) formation remains unclear. Here, we show that 17β-estradiol (E) treatment of neonatal mice led to the inhibition of PF formation and cell proliferation. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) revealed that E treatment caused significant changes in the transcriptome of oocytes and somatic cells.

Carbon Dot Nanozyme Ameliorating Ischemia-Reperfusion-Induced Muscle Injury by Antioxidation and Downregulating iNOS/COX-2 Pathway.

Skeletal muscle ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is a prevalent type of muscle injury caused by events, such as trauma, arterial embolism, and primary thrombosis. The development of an IR injury is associated with oxidative stress and an excessive inflammatory response. Nanozymes, which have exceptional free radical scavenging activities, have gained significant attention for treating oxidative stress.

PfgPDI: Pocket feature-enabled graph neural network for protein-drug interaction prediction.

Biomolecular interaction recognition between ligands and proteins is an essential task, which largely enhances the safety and efficacy in drug discovery and development stage. Studying the interaction between proteins and ligands can improve the understanding of disease pathogenesis and lead to more effective drug targets. Additionally, it can aid in determining drug parameters, ensuring proper absorption, distribution, and metabolism within the body.

Supplementation of SkQ1 Increases Mouse In Vitro Oocyte Maturation and Subsequent Embryonic Development by Reducing Oxidative Stress.

In vitro oocyte maturation (IVM) technology is important for assisted animal and human reproduction. However, the maturation rates and developmental potential of in vitro-matured oocytes are usually lower than those of in vivo-matured oocytes. Oxidative stress is a main factor that causes the lower maturation rates and quality of in vitro-matured oocytes.

Predictive value of 8-year blood pressure measures in intracerebral haemorrhage risk over 5 years.

Aims: The relationships between long-term blood pressure (BP) measures and intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), as well as their predictive ability on ICH, are unclear. In this study, we aim to investigate the independent associations of multiple BP measures with subsequent 5-year ICH risk, as well as the incremental value of these measures over a single-point BP measurement in ICH risk prediction.

Methods And Results: We included 12 398 participants from the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) who completed three surveys every 4-5 years.

Associations of traditional cardiovascular risk factors with 15-year blood pressure change and trajectories in Chinese adults: a prospective cohort study.

Objective: How traditional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are related to long-term blood pressure change (BPC) or trajectories remain unclear. We aimed to examine the independent associations of these factors with 15-year BPC and trajectories in Chinese adults.

Methods: We included 15 985 participants who had attended three surveys, including 2004-2008 baseline survey, and 2013-2014 and 2020-2021 resurveys, over 15 years in the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB).

Inhibition of TNBC Cell Growth by Paroxetine: Induction of Apoptosis and Blockage of Autophagy Flux.

The strategy of drug repurposing has gained traction in the field of cancer therapy as a means of discovering novel therapeutic uses for established pharmaceuticals. Paroxetine (PX), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor typically utilized in the treatment of depression, has demonstrated promise as an agent for combating cancer. Nevertheless, the specific functions and mechanisms by which PX operates in the context of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remain ambiguous.

PEDF inhibits VEGF-induced vascular leakage through binding to VEGFR2 in acute myocardial infarction.

Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) could bind to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and inhibit its activation induced by VEGF. But how PEDF affects VEGFR2 pathway is still poorly understood. In this study, we elucidated the precise mechanism underlying the interaction between PEDF and VEGFR2, and subsequently corroborated our findings using a rat AMI model.

Comparison of analgesic effects of percutaneous and transthoracic intercostal nerve block in video-assisted thoracic surgery: a propensity score-matched study.

Background: This study aimed to compare the analgesic efficacy of transthoracic intercostal nerve block (TINB) and percutaneous intercostal nerve block (PINB) for video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) using a retrospective analysis.

Methods: A total of 336 patients who underwent VATS between January 2021 and June 2022 were reviewed retrospectively. Of the participants, 194 received TINB and were assigned to the T group, while 142 patients received PINB and were assigned to the P group.

Site-specific glycoproteomic analysis of purified lactoferrin from human and animal milk.

Lactoferrin is a highly glycosylated protein, which have important biological functions in the growth and development of neonates. However, the glycoforms and glycosylation sites differed between species. The aim of the study was to identify the glycosylation profile (including glycosites, glycan structures, and glycoforms) of purified lactoferrin from human and animal (cow, goat, sheep) milk by using site-specific glycoproteomics technique.

C-Type Natriuretic Peptide Pre-Treatment Improves Maturation Rate of Goat Oocytes by Maintaining Transzonal Projections, Spindle Morphology, and Mitochondrial Function.

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is a peptide molecule naturally found in follicles and can be used to extend meiotic resumption and enhance the potential for oocytes to develop. However, the mechanism by which CNP improves goat oocyte quality remains unclear. In this study, cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from goats were pre-treated with CNP prior to IVM, and the results showed that pre-treatment with CNP enhanced goat oocyte maturation.

Circular RNA PIP5K1A Promotes Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders and Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism are an important cause of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Identifying the molecular mechanism of metabolic disorders is key to the treatment of T2DM. The study was to investigate the effect of circRNA PIP5K1A (circPIP5K1A) on glucose and lipid metabolism and inflammation in T2DM rats.

Variations in deep iliac circumflex artery perforator chimeric flap design for single-stage customized-reconstruction of composite bone and soft-tissue defect.

Background: The deep iliac circumflex artery (DICA) perforator (DICAP) chimeric flap is a valuable treatment strategy for single-stage reconstruction of composite bone and soft-tissue defects in upper and lower extremities. However, its utilization rate remains low owing to anatomical variations that lead to challenges when identifying and dissecting perforators.

Methods: A comprehensive anatomical investigation was conducted on the DICA system by injecting lead oxide into 12 fresh cadavers following a standardized procedure.

Pimavanserin tartrate induces apoptosis and cytoprotective autophagy and synergizes with chemotherapy on triple negative breast cancer.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) poses a significant clinical challenge due to its lack of targeted therapy options and the frequent development of chemotherapy resistance. Metastasis remains a primary cause of mortality in late-stage TNBC patients, underscoring the urgent need for alternative treatments. Repurposing existing drugs offers a promising strategy for the discovery of novel therapies.

High-efficiency SERS platform based on 3D porous PPDA@Au NPs as a substrate for the detection of pesticides on vegetables.

Nowadays, the presence of highly toxic and persistent residues of pesticides in water and food around the world is becoming a serious problem, and so their rapid and sensitive detection is critical to human health. In this work, a 3D composite nanoparticle of porous PDA (polydopamine) microspheres and Au NPs (PPDA@Au NPs) was proposed as a SERS substrate to detect pesticides. Porous PDA as a substrate was first synthesized with F127 (Pluronic F127), dopamine hydrochloride, and 1,3,5-TMB (1,3,5-trimethylbenzene) under weakly alkaline conditions by a one-step method.