Causal association between matrix metalloproteinases and diabetic neuropathy: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Objective: Diabetic neuropathy (DN), a common and debilitating complication of diabetes, significantly impairs the quality of life of affected individuals. While multiple studies have indicated changes in the expression of specific matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in patients with DN, and basic research has reported the impact of MMPs on DN, there is a lack of systematic research and the causal relationship remains unclear. The objective of this research is to investigate the casual relationship between MMPs and DN through two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR).

The association between working hours and working type with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: results from the NHANES 1999-2014.

Background: Previous research has indicated that long working hours are connected to a variety of health conditions, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, this association which has been observed in more population is limited. Our research is designed to evaluate the association between working hours, working type, and NAFLD.

Relationship between ferroptosis and healing of diabetic foot ulcer: a prospective clinical study.

Objective: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is one of the common complications in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). In order to find a method to monitor and treat the refractory DFU, the ferroptosis level in DFU and traumatic wounds (TW) was monitored and the difference between them was analyzed. At the same time, this study further analyzed the correlation of ferroptosis levels with DM severity and DFU's healing.

The effects of growth hormone on the outcomes of fertilization and embryo transfer in age-grouped patients with decreased ovarian reserve: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Growth hormone (GH) could improve the outcomes of fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in patients with decreased ovarian reserve (DOR), but which age group will benefit the most has remained controversial. This study aims to explore the outcome of IVF-ET among differently aged patients with DOR treated with GH.

Methods: A total of 846 patients with DOR undergoing IVF-ET from May 2018 to June 2023 at the Reproductive Medicine Center of Sichuan Provincial Women's and Children's Hospital were prospectively enrolled.

Non-high-density to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and its association with infertility in U.S. women: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between Non-High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol to High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio (NHHR) and infertility in US female adults aged 20 to 45.

Methods: Our research team utilized data from the 2013-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to conduct a cross-sectional study. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to examine the association between NHHR and infertility, with trend tests providing additional insight into this relationship.

Associations between serum total bilirubin and overactive bladder from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background: The relationship between serum total bilirubin (STB) concentrations and the risk of overactive bladder (OAB) remains uncertain. This study aims to explore the potential connection between STB and OAB.

Method: We utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database for the years 2001-2020.

Impact of endometrial thickness and its combined effect with maternal age on singleton adverse neonatal outcomes in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles.

Background: Thin endometrial thickness (EMT) and advanced age are both common risk factors for adverse neonatal outcomes (ANOs). However, studies evaluating the impact of EMT and combined effect of EMT and age on ANOs remain scarce with conflicts.

Method: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 7,715 singleton deliveries from frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles between 2017 and 2021.

Genetic association analysis of lipid-lowering drug target genes in chronic kidney disease.

Objective: The impact of lipid-lowering medications on chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains a subject of debate. This Mendelian randomization (MR) study aims to elucidate the potential effects of lipid-lowering drug targets on CKD development.

Methods: We extracted 11 genetic variants encoding targets of lipid-lowering drugs from published genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics, encompassing LDLR, HMGCR, PCSK9, NPC1L1, APOB, ABCG5/ABCG8, LPL, APOC3, ANGPTL3, and PPARA.

Type 3 deiodinase activation mediated by the Shh/Gli1 axis promotes sepsis-induced metabolic dysregulation in skeletal muscles.

Background: Non-thyroidal illness syndrome is commonly observed in critically ill patients, characterized by the inactivation of systemic thyroid hormones (TH), which aggravates metabolic dysfunction. Recent evidence indicates that enhanced TH inactivation is mediated by the reactivation of type 3 deiodinase (Dio3) at the tissue level, culminating in a perturbed local metabolic equilibrium. This study assessed whether targeted inhibition of Dio3 can maintain tissue metabolic homeostasis under septic conditions and explored the mechanism behind Dio3 reactivation.

Surface immobilization of single atoms on heteroatom-doped carbon nanospheres through phenolic-mediated interfacial anchoring for highly efficient biocatalysis.

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) dispersed on support materials exhibit exceptional catalytic properties that can be fine-tuned through interactions between the single atoms and the support. However, selectively controlling the spatial location of single metal atoms while simultaneously harmonizing their coordination environment remains a significant challenge. Here, we present a phenolic-mediated interfacial anchoring (PIA) strategy to prepare SACs with Fe single atoms anchored on the surface of heteroatom-doped carbon nanospheres.

Dynamics and kinetics exploration of the oxygen reduction reaction at the Fe-N/C-water interface accelerated by a machine learning force field.

Understanding the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) mechanism and accurately characterizing the reaction interface are essential for improving fuel cell efficiency. We developed an active learning framework combining machine learning force fields and enhanced sampling to explore the dynamics and kinetics of the ORR on Fe-N/C using a fully explicit solvent model. Different possible reaction paths have been explored and the O adsorption process is confirmed as the rate-determining step of the ORR at the Fe-N/C-water interface, which needs to overcome a free energy barrier of 0.

Enhancing organic cathodes of aqueous zinc-ion batteries nitro group modification.

Organic compounds present promising options for sustainable zinc battery electrodes. Nevertheless, the electrochemical properties of current organic electrodes still lag behind those of their inorganic counterparts. In this study, nitro groups were incorporated into pyrene-4, 5, 9, 10-tetraone (PTO), resulting in an elevated discharge voltage due to their strong electron-withdrawing capabilities.

Precise photorelease in living cells by high-viscosity activatable coumarin-based photocages.

Intracellular viscosity is a critical microenvironmental factor in various biological systems, and its abnormal increase is closely linked to the progression of many diseases. Therefore, precisely controlling the release of bioactive molecules in high-viscosity regions is vital for understanding disease mechanisms and advancing their diagnosis and treatment. However, viscosity alone cannot directly trigger chemical reactions.

A Zn-doped SbTe flexible thin film with decoupled Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity band engineering.

SbTe-based flexible thin films can be utilized in the fabrication of self-powered wearable devices due to their huge potential in thermoelectric performance. Although doping can significantly enhance the power factor value, the process of identifying suitable dopants is typically accompanied by numerous repeating experiments. Herein, we introduce Zn doping into thermally diffused p-type SbTe flexible thin films with a candidate dopant validated using the first-principles calculations.

Case report: Movement-related neuroplasticity in a patient after spinal cord injury in response to task-oriented bimanual training.

Background: Bimanual motor training is an effective neurological rehabilitation strategy. However, its use has rarely been investigated in patients with paralysis caused by spinal cord injury (SCI). Therefore, we conducted a case study to investigate the effects of robot-assisted task-oriented bimanual training (RBMT) on upper limb function, activities of daily living, and movement-related sensorimotor activity in a patient with SCI.

Gut Microbiome and Metabolome Changes in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients With Vertebral Bone Marrow Lesions.

Background: Chronic low back pain (LBP) is a significant global health concern, often linked to vertebral bone marrow lesions (BML), particularly fatty replacement (FR). This study aims to explore the relationship between the gut microbiome, serum metabolome, and FR in chronic LBP patients.

Methods: Serum metabolomic profiling and gut microbiome analysis were conducted in chronic LBP patients with and without FR (LBP + FR,  = 40; LBP,  = 40) and Healthy Controls (HC,  = 31).

Analyzing the Effectiveness of Different Delivery Methods for Remineralization Agents in Pediatric Dental Health: A Systematic Review.

Pediatric dental health is critically impacted by enamel demineralization and early-stage caries, with remineralization therapies playing a vital role in preventing progression. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of various delivery methods for remineralization agents in pediatric patients aged 3-15 years, focusing on varnishes, gels, foams, and sprays. Studies were included if they were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, or case-control studies involving pediatric patients with early-stage caries or enamel demineralization, while studies with non-pediatric populations, unrelated treatments, or significant methodological flaws were excluded.

Effects of chili straw on rumen fermentation, meat quality, amino acid and fatty acid contents, and rumen bacteria diversity in sheep.

Crop residues have shown promise as non-conventional feed sources to enhance animal health and growth. This study evaluated the effects of chili straw (CS) on rumen fermentation, meat quality, amino and fatty acid composition, and rumen microbial diversity in sheep. Fifty F1 Dorper×Hu lambs (29.

Establishment and maturation of gut microbiota in White King pigeon squabs: role of pigeon milk.

Background: Pigeons are significant economic animals in China; however, research regarding the establishment and influencing factors of gut microbiota in squabs remains limited. Understanding how the gut microbiota develops in pigeons, particularly in relation to pigeon milk, is importance in pigeon production. This study aims to elucidate the establishment characteristics of the gut microbiota in White King pigeon squabs and explore the role of pigeon milk in this process.

Highly pathogenic bovine viral diarrhea virus BJ-11 unveils genetic evolution related to virulence in calves.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is the causative agent of bovine viral diarrhea, which causes significant economic loss to the global livestock industry. Despite the widespread use of inactivated BVDV vaccines, highly pathogenic strains continue to emerge. In China, regional variations in BVDV subtypes, morbidities, and symptoms, however, only the BVDV 1a subtype vaccine is currently approved.

Fine-tuning a local LLaMA-3 large language model for automated privacy-preserving physician letter generation in radiation oncology.

Introduction: Generating physician letters is a time-consuming task in daily clinical practice.

Methods: This study investigates local fine-tuning of large language models (LLMs), specifically LLaMA models, for physician letter generation in a privacy-preserving manner within the field of radiation oncology.

Results: Our findings demonstrate that base LLaMA models, without fine-tuning, are inadequate for effectively generating physician letters.

Hyperspectral estimation of chlorophyll density in winter wheat using fractional-order derivative combined with machine learning.

Chlorophyll density (ChD) can reflect the photosynthetic capacity of the winter wheat population, therefore achieving real-time non-destructive monitoring of ChD in winter wheat is of great significance for evaluating the growth status of winter wheat. Derivative preprocessing has a wide range of applications in the hyperspectral monitoring of winter wheat chlorophyll. In order to research the role of fractional-order derivative (FOD) in the hyperspectral monitoring model of ChD, this study based on an irrigation experiment of winter wheat to obtain ChD and canopy hyperspectral reflectance.

Integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses provide new insights into cassava in response to nitrogen deficiency.

Nitrogen deficiency is a key constraint on crop yield. Cassava, the world's sixth-largest food crop and a crucial source of feed and industrial materials, can thrive in marginal soils, yet its yield is still significantly affected by limited nitrogen availability. Investigating cassava's response mechanisms to nitrogen scarcity is therefore essential for advancing molecular breeding and identifying nitrogen-efficient varieties.

Citrus transcription factor CsERF1 is involved in the response to citrus tristeza disease.

Introduction: Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) is a threat to the citrus production and causes severe economic losses to the citrus industry. Ethylene response factors (ERFs) play important roles in plant growth and stress responses. Although ERF genes have been widely studied in model plants, little is known about their role in biological stress responses in fruit trees, such as citrus.