ds-FCRN: three-dimensional dual-stream fully convolutional residual networks and transformer-based global-local feature learning for brain age prediction.

The brain undergoes atrophy and cognitive decline with advancing age. The utilization of brain age prediction represents a pioneering methodology in the examination of brain aging. This study aims to develop a deep learning model with high predictive accuracy and interpretability for brain age prediction tasks.

Epigenome-wide association study of perceived discrimination in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Perceived discrimination, recognized as a chronic psychosocial stressor, has adverse consequences on health. DNA methylation (DNAm) may be a potential mechanism by which stressors get embedded into the human body at the molecular level and subsequently affect health outcomes. However, relatively little is known about the effects of perceived discrimination on DNAm.

Efficacy and safety of KN026 and docetaxel for HER2-positive breast cancer: a phase II clinical trial.

Background: The standard first-line treatment for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive recurrent/metastatic breast cancer currently includes pertuzumab plus trastuzumab and docetaxel. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of KN026, an anti-HER2 bispecific antibody, plus docetaxel in first-line treatment of HER2-positive recurrent/metastatic breast cancer.

Methods: This open-label, single-arm, phase II study enrolled patients with HER2-positive recurrent/metastatic breast cancer in 19 centers across China from December 30, 2019 to May 27, 2021.

Functional Role and Mutational Analysis of the Phytoene Synthase from the Halophilic Euryarchaeon in Bacterioruberin Biosynthesis.

Phytoene synthase (PSY) is one of key enzymes in carotenogenesis that catalyze two molecules of geranylgeranyl diphosphate to produce phytoene. PSY is widespread in bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. Currently, functional role and catalytic mechanism of archaeal PSY homologues have not been fully clarified due to the limited reports.

Foldable, Stretchable, Superelastic, and Tunable Wettability Aramid Nanofiber Aerogels for Efficient Thermal Insulation and Oil-Water Separation.

Aerogels hold great potential in thermal insulation, catalytic supports, adsorption, and separation, due to their low density, high porosity, and low thermal conductivity. However, their inherent mechanical fragility and limited control functionality pose substantial challenges that hinder their practical use. In this study, a strategy is developed for the fabrication of cross-linked aramid nanofiber aerogels (cANFAs) by combining internanofiber surface cross-linking with ice-templating techniques.

Ultrasmall Au-GRHa Nanosystem for FL/CT Dual-Mode Imaging-Guided Targeting Photothermal Therapy of Ovarian Cancer.

As the most common and lethal cancer of the female gonads, ovarian cancer (OC) has a grave impact on people's health. OC is asymptomatic, insidious in onset, difficult to diagnose and treat, fast-growing, and easy to metastasize and has poor prognosis and high mortality. How to detect OC as early as possible and treat it without side effects has become a challenging medical problem.

Guest-Molecule-Induced Glass-Crystal Transition in Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Antimony Halides.

The glassy state of inorganic-organic hybrid metal halides combines their excellent optoelectronic properties with the outstanding processability of glass, showcasing unique application potential in solar devices, display technologies, and plastic electronics. Herein, by tailoring the organic cation from -phenylpiperazine to dimethylamine gradually, four types of zero-dimensional antimony halides are obtained with various optical and thermal properties. The guest water molecules in crystal (-phenylpiperazine)SbCl·Cl·5HO lead to the largest distortion of the Sb-halogen unit, resulting in the red emission different from the yellow emission of other compounds.

Association between abnormal systemic coagulation inflammation index and recurrence of deep venous thrombosis as well as quality of life: A retrospective study.

Background: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower limb is a significant clinical challenge with the potential for recurrence, which can lead to increased morbidity and reduced quality of life.

Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted involving 367 patients diagnosed with lower limb DVT from June 2020 to June 2023. Patients were categorized into a recurrence group ( = 121) and a non-recurrence group ( = 246) based on DVT occurrence.

Static Posture Instability as a Sensitive Biomarker for Motor Abnormalities in Pre-ataxic Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 Patients.

Background: Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is a neurodegenerative disorder, with balance instability as a feature of the disease. Balance instability often manifests before the onset of obvious ataxic symptoms in patients. However, current clinical scales exhibit limited sensitivity in characterizing changes in pre-ataxic patients.

Atypical Patients With Severe Fever With Thrombocytopenia Syndrome.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne disease with a high fatality rate. The clinical diagnosis criteria mainly rely on white blood cell (WBC) and platelet (PLT), which, however, are of limited usage in identifying atypical SFTS. A multicenter study was performed in two hospitals from 2011 to 2023.

Associations between anthropogenic heat emissions and serum lipids among adults in northeastern China.

Few epidemiological studies have investigated associations between anthropogenic heat emissions (AE) and serum lipids. We recruited 15,477 adults from 33 communities in northeastern China in 2009. We estimated AE flux by using data on energy consumption and socio-economic statistics covering building, transportation, industry, and human metabolism.

Multiscale Engineered Bionic Solid-State Electrolytes Breaking the Stiffness-Damping Trade-Off.

All-solid-state lithium metal batteries are regarded as next-generation devices for energy storage due to their safety and high energy density. The issues of lithium dendrites and poor mechanical compatibility with electrodes present the need for developing solid-state electrolytes with high stiffness and damping, but it is a contradictory relationship. Here, inspired by the superstructure of tooth enamel, we develop a composite solid-state electrolyte composed of amorphous ceramic nanotube arrays intertwined with solid polymer electrolytes.

[Expression of soluble factor-related apoptosis ligand in peripheral blood and microRNA-147b in monocytes in children with sepsis and their association with prognosis].

Objectives: To investigate the expression of soluble factor-related apoptosis ligand (sFasL) in peripheral blood and microRNA-147b (miR-147b) in monocytes in children with sepsis and their value in assessing prognosis.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 124 children with sepsis (sepsis group), 60 children with common infections (infection group), and 60 healthy children undergoing physical examinations (healthy control group). The independent risk factors for poor prognosis in children with sepsis were analyzed, and the value of serum sFasL and monocyte miR-147b in predicting poor prognosis in children with sepsis was assessed.

A magneto-controlled microfluidic device for voltammetric immunoassay of carbohydrate antigen-125 with silver-polypyrrole nanotags.

An innovative magnetic immunoassay was developed for the voltammetric detection of carbohydrate antigen-125 (CA-125) on a home-made microfluidic device including a multisyringe pump, selection valve and magneto-controlled detection cell. Two kinds of biofunctionalized nanostructures including anti-CA-125 capture antibody-conjugated magnetic beads and anti-CA-125 detection antibody-labeled silver-polypyrrole (Ag-PPy) nanohybrids were utilized for a sandwiched immunoreaction in the presence of CA-125. With the help of an external magnet, the formed magnetic immunocomplexes were attached to the sensing interface to activate the electrical contact between Ag-PPy nanohybrids and the base electrode, thus resulting in the switching on of the sensor circuit for the generation of voltammetric signals thanks to electroactive Ag-PPy nanohybrids.

Validation of the role of apolipoproteins in coronary artery disease patients with impaired kidney function for prognosis: a prospective cohort study in China.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the relationship between apolipoproteins (ApoA1, ApoB, and the ApoB/A1 ratio) and the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and impaired kidney function, assessing their potential role in secondary prevention.

Method: A prospective cohort of 1,640 patients with impaired kidney function who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention in China was analyzed. Patients were categorized based on the measurements of ApoA1, ApoB, and ApoB/A1 ratio.

SRT3025-loaded cell membrane hybrid liposomes (3025@ML) enhanced anti-tumor activity of Oxaliplatin via inhibiting pyruvate kinase M2 and fatty acid synthase.

Background: Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancies of the urinary system. Despite significant advances in diagnosis and treatment, the compromised therapeutic effect of chemotherapeutic agents, such as Oxaliplatin (OXA), remains a major clinical challenge. Thus, a combination therapy is required to enhance the OXA's therapeutic effectiveness and improve patient outcomes.

Resilience, coping strategies, and disaster experience: a path analysis of preparedness and avoidance in Taiwan.

Background: This study investigates the relationships between resilience dimensions, coping strategies, and prior disaster experience, focusing on disaster preparedness and avoidance behaviors in Taiwan.

Methods: A total of 550 participants were surveyed, with 57.82% being female and the majority aged between 21 and 40 years.

The potential of MRI radiomics based on extrapulmonary metastases in predicting EGFR mutations: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations can lead to distant metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). When the primary NSCLC lesions are removed or cannot be sampled, the EGFR status of the metastatic lesions are the potential alternative method to reflect EGFR mutations in the primary NSCLC lesions. This review aimed to evaluate the potential of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiomics based on extrapulmonary metastases in predicting EGFR mutations through a systematic reviews and meta-analysis.

Mobile health clinics in a rural setting: a cost analysis and time motion study of La Clínica in Oregon, United States.

Background: Mobile Health Clinics (MHCs) are an alternate form of healthcare delivery that may ameliorate current rural-urban health disparities in chronic diseases and have downstream impacts on the health system by reducing costs. Evaluations of providers' time allocation on MHCs are scarce, hindering knowledge transfer related to MHC implementation strategies.

Methods: Retrospective economic cost was assessed using business ledgers and expert assessments in 2023 US Dollar (USD) from 2022 to 2023.

Association between physical activity and cognitive function in post-menopausal women with high parity: the chain-mediating effects of nutritional status and depression.

Background: It has been reported that the cognitive responses to physical activity (PA) in postmenopausal women vary by parity status, and women with higher parity show a significant association between PA and cognitive function. However, the potential pathways mediating the relationship between PA and cognitive function in women with higher parity remain unclear. The objective of this study was to examine this association in Chinese cohort and further investigate the mediating pathways.

Nomogram to predict cumulative live birth rate following in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles in patients with endometriosis.

Background: The success of in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in endometriosis patients varies widely, and predicting the likelihood of achieving a live birth remains a clinical challenge. This study aims to develop a predictive nomogram for assessing the cumulative live birth (CLB) rate following IVF/ICSI cycles among patients with endometriosis.

Method: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 1457 patients with endometriosis after IVF/ICSI treatment from January 2017 to August 2022.

Therapeutic potential and pharmacological mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicine in gout treatment.

Gout is a systemic metabolic disorder caused by elevated uric acid (UA) levels, affecting over 1% of the population. The most common complication of gout is gouty arthritis (GA), characterized by swelling, pain or tenderness in peripheral joints or bursae, which can lead to the formation of tophi. At present, western medicines like colchicine, febuxostat and allopurinol are the primary treatment strategy to alleviate pain and prevent flare-ups in patients with GA, but they have significant side effects and increased mortality risks.

Explainable deep learning and virtual evolution identifies antimicrobial peptides with activity against multidrug-resistant human pathogens.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a promising approach to identify new antimicrobial compounds in diverse microbial species. Here we developed an AI-based, explainable deep learning model, EvoGradient, that predicts the potency of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and virtually modifies peptide sequences to produce more potent AMPs, akin to in silico directed evolution. We applied this model to peptides encoded in low-abundance human oral bacteria, resulting in the virtual evolution of 32 peptides into potent AMPs.

Time delay effects on collective resonant behaviors in two coupled fractional oscillators with mass fluctuations.

In this study, we introduce a coupled fractional system consisting of two fluctuating-mass oscillators with time delay and investigate their collective resonant behaviors. First, we achieve complete synchronization between the average behaviors of these oscillators. We then derive the exact analytical expression for the output amplitude gain, and based on this, we observe generalized stochastic resonance (GSR) in the system.