Does Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug Use Modify All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality Associated with PM and Its Components? A Nationally Representative Cohort Study (2007-2017).

Several studies reported that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use could alleviate subclinical effects of short-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM). However, whether chronic NSAID use could mitigate the long-term effects of PM and its components on population mortality has been unknown. Based on a national representative survey of 47,086 adults (2007-2010) with follow-up information on the primary cause of death (until 2017), we investigated the long-term associations of PM and its major components, including black carbon (BC), ammonium (NH ), nitrate (NO ), organic matter (OM), and sulfate (SO ), with all-cause and cause-specific mortality using the Cox proportional hazards model.

Thalamic functional connectivity on 7-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging and its relation to motor signs in early-stage Parkinson's disease.

Background: It is well known that dysfunction of thalamocortical circuity generates the motor signs that lead to distinct disease processes and prognoses in Parkinson's disease (PD). This study aimed to leverage ultrahigh-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify the connectivity alterations of thalamocortical circuity and clarify their relation to motor signs in early PD.

Methods: Patients with early-stage PD (n=55) and healthy controls (HCs, n=56) were recruited from March 2022 to July 2023.

Blind spots in brain imaging: a pictorial essay.

Currently, radiologists must interpret large quantities of images and identify diseases on a daily basis. The minimization of errors is crucial for high-quality diagnostic imaging and optimal patient care. Brain imaging is frequently used in clinical practice; however, radiologists are prone to overlook some regions in brain imaging and make perceptual errors, thus leading to missed diagnoses.

MacNet: a mobile attention classification network combining convolutional neural network and transformer for the differentiation of cervical cancer.

Background: Cervical cancer remains a critical global health issue, responsible for over 600,000 new cases and 300,000 deaths annually. Pathological imaging of cervical cancer is a crucial diagnostic tool. However, distinguishing specific areas of cellular differentiation remains challenging because of the lack of clear boundaries between cells at various stages of differentiation.

Exploration of optimal thresholds for predicting the invasive nature of stage T1 lung adenocarcinoma using artificial intelligence-based 3D solid component volume segmentation.

Background: The accuracy of intraoperative rapid frozen pathology is suboptimal, and the assessment of invasiveness in malignant pulmonary nodules significantly influences surgical resection strategies. Predicting the invasiveness of lung adenocarcinoma based on preoperative imaging is a clinical challenge, and there are no established standards for the optimal threshold value using the threshold segmentation method to predict the invasiveness of stage T1 lung adenocarcinoma. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of three-dimensional solid component volume (3D SCV) [calculated by artificial intelligence (AI) threshold segmentation method] in predicting the aggressiveness of T1 lung adenocarcinoma and to determine its optimal threshold and cut-off point.

Enhancement of the nontumor component in newly diagnosed glioblastoma as a more accurate predictor of local recurrence location: a multicenter study.

Background: Although the spatial heterogeneity of glioblastoma (GBM) can be clearly mapped by the habitats generated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the means to accurately predicting the spatial location of local recurrence (SLLR) remains a significant challenge. The aim of this study was to identify the different degrees enhancement of GBM, including the nontumor component and tumor component, and determine their relationship with SLLR.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed from three tertiary medical centers, totaling 728 patients with 109 radiation-induced temporal lobe necrosis (TLN) of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and 619 with GBM.

Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Mediates the Causal Effect of Genetically Predicted Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis on Spinal Stenosis: Evidence From a Mendelian Randomization Study.

Background: Previous studies have noted an association between diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) and spinal stenosis (SS), although causation is unclear. This study used Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the causal relationship between the two.

Methods: We utilized large GWAS datasets on DISH and SS to perform a two-sample, bidirectional MR analysis, also quantifying the mediating role of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD).

Alcohol consumption and allergic diseases: Mendelian randomization evidence from China.

Background: The prevalence of allergic diseases in China has risen significantly over the past decades, affecting the quality of life for approximately 40% of the population.

Objectives: This study aimed to integrate survey and genomic data to explore the potential causal relationship between alcohol consumption and allergic diseases.

Method: In collaboration with a leading genetic testing company in China, we collected data on 3,041 participants via an online survey between December 2018 and October 2019.

Update on the treatment navigation for functional cure of chronic hepatitis B: expert consensus 2.0.

As new evidence emerges, treatment strategies toward the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B are evolving. In 2019, a panel of national hepatologists published a Consensus Statement on the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B. Currently, an international group of hepatologists has been assembled to evaluate research since the publication of the original consensus, and to collaboratively develop the updated statements.

Modulating Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Neuropathic Pain: Role of Anterior Cingulate Cortex Astrocytes Activation.

Aims: The comorbidity of anxiety-like symptoms in neuropathic pain (NP) is a significant yet often overlooked health concern. Anxiety sufferers may have a lower tolerance for pain, but which is difficult to treat. Accumulating evidence suggests a strong link between astrocytes and the manifestation of NP with concurrent anxiety-like behaviors.

Bacteria Flagella-Mimicking Polymer Multilayer Magnetic Microrobots.

Mass production of biomedical microrobots demands expensive and complex preparation techniques and versatile biocompatible materials. Learning from natural bacteria flagella, the study demonstrates a magnetic polymer multilayer cylindrical microrobot that bestows the controllable propulsion upon an external rotating magnetic field with uniform intensity. The magnetic microrobots are constructed by template-assisted layer-by-layer technique and subsequent functionalization of magnetic particles onto the large opening of the microrobots.

Comprehensive single-cell atlas of colorectal neuroendocrine tumors with liver metastases: unraveling tumor microenvironment heterogeneity between primary lesions and metastases.

Background: Colorectal neuroendocrine tumors with liver metastases (CRNELM) are associated with a poorer prognosis compared to their nonmetastatic counterparts. A comprehensive understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME) heterogeneity between primary lesions (PL) and liver metastases (LM) could provide crucial insights for enhancing clinical management strategies for these patients.

Methods: We utilized single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze fresh tissue samples from CRNELM patients, aiming to elucidate the variations in TME between PL and LM.

The association between cognitive impairment and oral health or oral hygiene behaviors among multiethnic older adults in Western China: a cross-sectional multicenter study.

Background: Older adults with cognitive impairment tend to experience deteriorating oral health and inadequate oral hygiene behaviors, but few studies have addressed interethnic variability. This study aimed to explore the associations between cognitive impairment and oral health or oral hygiene behaviors in multiethnic older adults in Western China.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional multicenter study from four provinces of Western China, recruiting multiethnic older adults aged 50 years and older between July and December 2018.

YHSeqY3000 panel captures all founding lineages in the Chinese paternal genomic diversity database.

Background: The advancements in second-/third-generation sequencing technologies, alongside computational innovations, have significantly enhanced our understanding of the genomic structure of Y-chromosomes and their unique phylogenetic characteristics. These researches, despite the challenges posed by the lack of population-scale genomic databases, have the potential to revolutionize our approach to high-resolution, population-specific Y-chromosome panels and databases for anthropological and forensic applications.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop the highest-resolution Y-targeted sequencing panel, utilizing time-stamped, core phylogenetic informative mutations identified from high-coverage sequences in the YanHuang cohort.

How trait mindfulness protects late adolescents from stress-induced sleep problems: the unique role of mindfulness facets and gender differences.

Background: Understanding sleep problems in late adolescents caused by daily stress is essential due to their increased vulnerability to stress-related sleep issues. While previous research has demonstrated the potential protective effect of trait mindfulness, facets of mindfulness were found to have unique functions against the negative impact of stress, and the unique impact of each facet of mindfulness on the sleep problems caused by the negative impact of stress remains unclear. Thus, this longitudinal study aimed to assess the impact of stressful life events on sleep problems a year later among late adolescents and to explore the moderating effects of the five trait mindfulness facets.

Burden of depressive and anxiety disorders in China and its provinces, 1990-2021: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Background: Depressive and anxiety disorders constitute a major component of the disease burden of mental disorders in China.

Aims: To comprehensively evaluate the disease burden of depressive and anxiety disorders in China.

Method: The raw data is sourced from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021.

Curbing the trade in pangolin scales in China by revealing the characteristics of the illegal trade network.

Globally, pangolins are the most heavily trafficked mammals and China is one of the main destinations for their scales and meat. Conducting separate studies on the characteristics of the illegal trade in pangolin meat and in scales in China will provide a basis for devising more targeted protection strategies and actions. This study focused on the illegal pangolin-scale trading network in China by collating relevant cases of smuggling published in China Judgements Online, revealing that most scales came from Africa.

Bundled measures for China's food system transformation reveal social and environmental co-benefits.

Food systems are essential for the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in China. Here, using an integrated assessment modelling framework that considers country-specific pathways and covers 18 indicators, we find that most social and environmental targets for the Chinese food system under current trends are not aligned with the United Nations Agenda 2030. We further quantify the impacts of multiple measures, revealing potential trade-offs in pursuing strategies aimed at public health, environmental sustainability and livelihood improvement in isolation.

Single Axillary Incision Versus Triple Lateral Chest Wall Incisions in Endoscopic Mastectomy for Gynecomastia: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis with Propensity Score Matching.

Background: Endoscopic mastectomy has gradually become an important surgical modality for the treatment of breast diseases, and is the preferred procedure for gynecomastia. However, endoscopic mastectomy presents challenges such as a steep learning curve, prolonged surgical duration, increased hospitalization costs, and high technical difficulty. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and patient satisfaction of endoscopic mastectomy using a single axillary incision versus a triple lateral chest wall incision for gynecomastia.

Association of the triglyceride glucose index with all cause and CVD mortality in the adults with diabetes aged < 65 years without cardiovascular disease.

Although the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has been established as a valuable predictor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cardiovascular mortality, there is limited research exploring its association with all-cause or CVD mortality specifically in adults with diabetes aged < 65 years without cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the TyG index and both all-cause and CVD mortality in this population within the United States. Our study recruited 1778 adults with diabetes aged < 65 years without cardiovascular disease from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2018.

Uncovering narrative aging: an underlying neural mechanism compensated through spatial constructional ability.

"The narrative" is a complex cognitive process that has sparked a debate on whether its features age through maintenance or decline. To address this question, we attempted to uncover the narrative aging and its underlying neural characteristics with a cross-validation based cognitive neuro-decoding statistical framework. This framework used a total of 740 healthy older participants with completed narrative and extensive neuropsychological tests and MRI scans.

The effect of blood glucose levels on serum triglyceride clearance in patients with hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis.

Preventing moderately severe and severe acute pancreatitis (MSAP & SAP) is the primary goal of the management of hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis (HLAP). The main aim of this study was to investigate the factors affecting serum triglyceride (TG) clearance, particularly blood glucose (GLU) levels, which could potentially help to prevent the development of MSAP & SAP. The clinical data from 177 patients with MSAP & SAP and 195 patients with mild acute pancreatitis (MAP) on days 1-6 after the onset were collected and analyzed by multivariate logistic regression to identify the factors that have an impact on the severity of HLAP, especially TG.

Complete pathway elucidation of echinacoside in Cistanche tubulosa and de novo biosynthesis of phenylethanoid glycosides.

Echinacoside (ECH), one of the most representative phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs), has considerable neuroprotective effects and is an effective ingredient in numerous commercial drugs. Here, we elucidate the complete ECH biosynthetic pathway in the medicinal plant Cistanche tubulosa. In total, 14 related genes are cloned and functionally characterized.

Barcoded screening identifies nanocarriers for protein delivery to kidney.

Targeted protein delivery with nanocarriers holds significant potential to enhance therapeutic outcomes by precisely directing proteins to specific organs or tissues. However, the complex interactions between nanocarriers and the biological environment pose considerable challenges in designing effective targeted delivery vehicles. In this study, we address this challenge by leveraging DNA-barcoded high-throughput screening.

Hypoxia-tropic delivery of nanozymes targeting transferrin receptor 1 for nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy sensitization.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a malignancy highly prevalent in East and Southeast Asia, is primarily treated with radiotherapy (RT). However, hypoxia-induced radioresistance presents a significant challenge. Nanozymes, nanomaterials with catalase-like activity, have emerged as a promising strategy for radiosensitization by converting elevated hydrogen peroxide in the tumor microenvironment into oxygen.