Validation of Muscle Ultrasound Speckle Tracking and the Effect of Nordic Hamstring Exercise on Biceps Femoris Displacement.

Objective: This study aimed to validate the ultrasound speckle tracking (UST) algorithm, determine the optimal probe location by comparing normalized cross-correlation (NCC) values of muscle displacement at two locations (proximal vs. middle) of the biceps femoris long head (BFlh) using the UST, and investigate the effects of Nordic hamstring curl exercise (NHE) training on BFlh displacement.

Methods: UST efficacy was verified with ex vivo uniaxial testing of porcine leg muscles.

Research progress in the etiology and minimally invasive therapy of hallux valgus.

Hallux valgus (HV) is the most common foot deformity. It has various pathogenic factors that make its pathogenesis challenging to understand. As the disease progresses, patients experience amplified pain and decreased activities, significantly affecting their quality of life.

Microbiota and immune dynamics in rheumatoid arthritis: Mechanisms and therapeutic potential.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex autoimmune disease with growing evidence implicating the microbiota as a critical contributor to its pathogenesis. This review explores the multifaceted roles of microbial dysbiosis in RA, emphasizing its impact on immune cell modulation, autoantibody production, gut barrier integrity, and joint inflammation. Animal models reveal how genetic predisposition and environmental factors interact with specific microbial taxa to influence disease susceptibility.

Efficacy and safety of conventional biplanar and triangulation method for sacroiliac screw placement in the treatment of unstable posterior pelvic ring fractures: A real-world retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: The fixation method commonly employed worldwide for treating unstable fractures of the posterior pelvic ring is the percutaneous iliosacral screw technique. However, prolonged operation time and frequent fluoroscopies result in surgical risks. This study aimed to investigate whether a new triangulation method could reduce operative and fluoroscopy times and increase the accuracy of screw placement.

Ultrasound and CT-guided implantation of iodine-125 seeds combined with transarterial chemoembolization for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma at complex sites after hepatectomy.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TACE combined with 125I seeds (TACE-125I) in the treatment of recurrent HCC at complex sites after hepatectomy.

Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of recurrent HCC patients located at complex sites (such as large blood vessels, diaphragm dome, etc.) after hepatectomy from January 2012 to December 2023, all of whom received TACE-125I or TACE therapy.

Submaximal versus aggressive angioplasty with drug-coated balloons for symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis.

Background: Drug-coated balloons (DCB) can decrease the incidence of restenosis in the treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of submaximal angioplasty with DCB dilation compared with aggressive angioplasty in patients with symptomatic ICAS.

Methods: This study prospectively and consecutively enrolled patients with symptomatic ICAS who underwent DCB angioplasty between January 2021 and December 2023.

Path analysis of factors influencing length of stay and hospitalisation expenses for oral cancer patients in tertiary hospitals in southeastern China: a cross-sectional study.

Aims: To investigate the associations between influencing factors with length of stay (LOS) and hospitalisation expenses in oral cancer (OC) patients, and to explore the potential pathways through which these factors influence hospitalisation expenses using path analysis.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: A comprehensive tertiary hospital in southeastern China.

Medication adherence and needs among patients with schizophrenia in China: a qualitative study.

Objectives: To explore the factors influencing medication adherence and the medication needs of patients with schizophrenia when living in a community in China.

Design: A qualitative study.

Setting: Community and psychiatric ward in Zhuhai city, Guangdong province.

Carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals mediated flower-like zinc oxide for antimicrobial without activation of light.

Conventional light-driven antimicrobial strategies of zinc oxide (ZnO) are limited by inadequate illumination in dark environments. In this study, carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals (MCNC) mediated flower-like ZnO (C@Z) with self-promoted reactive oxygen species release under dark is fabricated. The adsorption of Zn ions on MCNC prompts the growth of ZnO along the (002) crystal plane, forming a flower-like hybrid with superior dispersibility and oxygen vacancies compared to MCNC-free ZnO, which exposes the (100) plane.

Bifunctional poly(1,3-dioxolane)-graphitic CN composite interlayers enable stable and compatible anode interfaces in solid lithium batteries.

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based composite solid electrolytes (CSEs) hold great promise in the practical deployment of solid lithium batteries (SLBs) owing to their high voltage stability but suffer from poor stability against Li-metal. Herein, a poly(1,3-dioxolane) (PDOL)-graphitic CN (g-CN, i.e.

Decoding the suppressing effects of Pluronic triblock copolymers on copper electrodeposition.

Triblock Pluronics of polyoxyethylene (PEO) and polyoxypropylene (PPO) are identified as competent suppressors for copper (Cu) electroplating in advanced electronics manufacturing. However, the specific interfacial roles of PEO and PPO blocks in Pluronic suppressors, are not yet fully understood, which is crucial for the rational design of effective suppressors. Herein, the influences of composition and block arrangement of such Pluronics on the inhibition against Cu plating are systematically investigated.

Carbon-supported Fe single atom nanozymes with long-lasting ROS generation and high NIR photothermal performance for synergistic cancer therapy.

Synergistic therapy combining photothermal therapy (PTT) and chemodynamic therapy (CDT) has proven to be a highly effective strategy for cancer treatment. However, PTT heavily relies on the accumulation of therapeutic agents at the tumor site. The peroxidase (POD) activity of common catalysts can be rapidly exhausted during the accumulation process, prior to laser intervention, thereby diminishing the synergistic enhancement effect of the combined therapy.

Association of statins use and genetic susceptibility with incidence of Alzheimer's disease.

Background: The effect of statins use on the incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is still under debate, and it could be modified by a series of factors.

Objectives: We aimed to examine the association of statins use with the risk of cognitive impairment and AD, and assess the moderating roles of genetic susceptibility and other individual-related factors.

Design: A longitudinal study was conducted from the UK Biobank where individuals completed baseline surveys (2006-2010) and were followed (mean follow-up period: 9 years).

Microstructural white matter injury contributes to cognitive decline: Besides amyloid and tau.

Background: Cognitive decline and the progression to Alzheimer's disease (AD) are traditionally associated with amyloid-beta (Aβ) and tau pathologies. This study aims to evaluate the relationships between microstructural white matter injury, cognitive decline and AD core biomarkers.

Methods: We conducted a longitudinal study of 566 participants using peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity (PSMD) to quantify microstructural white matter injury.

Associations of early-onset coronary heart disease and genetic susceptibility with incident dementia and white matter hyperintensity: A prospective cohort study.

Background: The associations of early-onset coronary heart disease (CHD) and genetic susceptibility with incident dementia and brain white matter hyperintensity (WMH) remain unclear. Elucidation of this problem could promote understanding of the neurocognitive impact of early-onset CHD and provide suggestions for the prevention of dementia.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether observed and genetically predicted early-onset CHD were related to subsequent dementia and WMH volume.

Cerebral perfusion correlates with amyloid deposition in patients with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) may contribute to the initial stages of the pathophysiological process in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Hypoperfusion has been observed in several brain regions in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, the clinical significance of CBF changes in the early stages of AD is currently unclear.

Distinct CSF α-synuclein aggregation profiles associated with Alzheimer's disease phenotypes and MCI-to-AD conversion.

Background: α-Synuclein (α-Syn) pathology is present in 30-50 % of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, and its interactions with tau proteins may further exacerbate pathological changes in AD. However, the specific role of different aggregation forms of α-Syn in the progression of AD remains unclear.

Objectives: To explore the relationship between various aggregation types of CSF α-Syn and Alzheimer's disease progression.

Acid triggering highly-efficient release of reactive oxygen species to block mitochondrial-mediated homeostasis maintenance for accelerating cell death.

A pivotal pathway of photodynamic therapy (PDT) is to prompt mitochondrial damage by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, thus leading to cancer cell apoptosis. However, mitochondrial autophagy is induced during such a PDT process, which is a protective mechanism for cancer cell homeostasis, resulting in undermined therapeutic efficacy. Herein, we report a series of meticulously designed donor (D)-π-acceptor (A) photosensitizers (PSs), characterized by the strategic modulation of thiophene π-bridges, which exhibit unparalleled mitochondrial targeting proficiency.

Fabrication of Ag based Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering substrates with periodic mask arrays by electron beam deposition.

Background: Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has attracted much attention as a powerful detection and analysis tool with high sensitivity and fast detection speed. The intensity of the SERS signal mainly depended on the highly enhanced electromagnetic field of nanostructure near the substrate. However, the fabrication of high-quality SERS nanostructured substrates is usually complicated, makes many methods unsuitable for large-scale production of SERS substrates.

Ratiometric fluorescent aptasensor based on DNA-gated FeO@Uio-66-NH and Exo I-assisted signal amplification.

Background: Ochratoxin A (OTA) is toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi and can pose a serious threat to food safety and human health. Due to the high stability and toxicity, OTA contamination in agricultural products is of great concern. Therefore, the development of a highly sensitive and reliable OTA detection method is crucial to ensure food safety.

Lab on a single microbead: An enzyme-free strategy for the sensitive detection of microRNA via efficient localized catalytic hairpin assembly.

Background: Accurate quantification of microRNA (miRNA) is of great significance because it provides opportunities for the accurate early diagnosis of a series of human diseases including cancers. Currently, complicated nucleic acid amplification technologies are always required for the highly sensitive miRNA detection. The introduction of nucleic acid signal amplification coupled with various enzymes will inevitably lead to tedious work and increase the complexity of the analysis process.