Hawthorn carbon dots: a novel therapeutic agent for modulating body weight and hepatic lipid profiles in high-fat diet-fed mice.

Obesity, a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by excessive body weight and adipose tissue accumulation, is intricately linked to a spectrum of health complications. It is driven by a confluence of factors, including gut microbiota dysbiosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress, which are pivotal in its pathogenesis. A multifaceted therapeutic strategy that targets these interrelated pathways is essential for effective obesity management.

Inhibition of Interleukin-40 prevents multi-organ damage during sepsis by blocking NETosis.

Despite intensive clinical and scientific efforts, the mortality rate of sepsis remains high due to the lack of precise biomarkers for patient stratification and therapeutic guidance. Interleukin 40 (IL-40), a novel cytokine with immune regulatory functions in human diseases, was elevated at admission in two independent cohorts of patients with sepsis. High levels of secreted IL-40 in septic patients were positively correlated with PCT, CRP, lactate (LDH), and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores, in which IL-40 levels were used to stratify the early death of critically ill patients with sepsis.

The Causal Effects of Lifestyle Factors on Osteoarthritis: A Two-sample Mendelian Randomisation Study.

Background: Modern sedentary lifestyles are prevalent among individuals with osteoarthritis. However, direct evidence linking such behaviours as causative factors of osteoarthritis remain limited due to the presence of confounding variables.

Objective: This study aims to determine the extent to which lifestyle factors have causal effects on osteoarthritis through a two-sample Mendelian randomisation (MR) study.

Re-Engagement in Physical Activity Slows the Decline in Older Adults' Well-Being - A Longitudinal Study.

Physical activity is recommended for older adults; however, the benefits of previous active engagement in physical activity that can be sustained after one becomes inactive remain to be determined. This study investigated the longitudinal associations between physical activity engagement patterns and older adults' well-being. This population-based cohort study used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study between 2015 and 2020.

Evaluation of Intensive Statins and Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 Inhibitors on Intracranial Artery Plaque Stability: A Prospective Single-Arm Study.

Background: Intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis is a leading cause of ischemic stroke and recurrent events due to plaque instability. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging identifies plaque enhancement as a key marker of instability. This study evaluated the efficacy of combined high-intensity statins and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors in plaque stabilization.

Molecular Strain Accelerates Electron Transfer for Enhanced Oxygen Reduction.

Fe-N-C materials are emerging catalysts for replacing precious platinum in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) for renewable energy conversion. However, their potential is hindered by sluggish ORR kinetics, leading to a high overpotential and impeding efficient energy conversion. Using iron phthalocyanine (FePc) as a model catalyst, we elucidate how the local strain can enhance the ORR performance of Fe-N-Cs.

Robotic Waterjet Resection for Men With Prostate Cancer Suffering From Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of Aquablation on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in men with localized prostate cancer.

Methods: This prospective study included subjects with biopsy-positive mpMRI visible lesions (PIRADS ≥3) who underwent Aquablation. Ten mL blood samples were collected before, during and after the procedure to measure CTC counts using an immunofluorescence assay.

Molecularly manipulating pyrazinoquinoxaline derivatives to construct NIR-II AIEgens for multimodal phototheranostics of breast cancer bone metastases.

Multimodal phototheranostics on the basis of single molecular species shows inexhaustible and vigorous vitality, particularly those emit fluorescence in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II), the construction of such exceptional molecules nonetheless retains formidably challenging. In view of the undiversified molecular skeletons and insufficient phototheranostic outputs of previously reported NIR-II fluorophores, herein, electron acceptor engineering based on heteroatom-inserted rigid-planar pyrazinoquinoxaline was manipulated to fabricate aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-featured NIR-II counterparts with donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) architecture. Systematical investigations substantiated that one of those synthesized AIE molecules, namely 4TPQ, incorporating a fused thiophene acceptor, synchronously exhibited high molar absorptivity (ε), NIR-II emission, typical AIE tendency, significant reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and high photothermal conversion efficiency.

Protocol for inducing beige adipocytes in white adipose tissue of mouse using cold exposure and CL316,243 injection.

White adipose tissue (WAT) beiging holds significant therapeutic potential for combating obesity. Here, we present a protocol for inducing beige WAT in mice using both cold exposure and CL316,243 treatment. We describe steps for intraperitoneal injection, and subcutaneous WAT (sWAT) isolation, dissection, and fixation.

Artificial intelligence-powered solutions for automated aortic diameter measurement in computed tomography: a narrative review.

Background And Objective: Patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD) are often asymptomatic but present acutely with life threatening complications that necessitate emergency intervention. Aortic diameter measurement using computed tomography (CT) is considered the gold standard for diagnosis, surgical planning, and monitoring. However, manual measurement can create challenges in clinical workflows due to its time-consuming, labour-intensive nature and susceptibility to human error.

High-density mapping in catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in Asia Pacific region: An observational study.

Background: Few clinical studies of atrial fibrillation (AF) have focused on Asian patients; data are lacking on current mapping and ablation strategies in the Asia Pacific region (APAC).

Objective: The HD Mapping Observational Study (NCT04022954) was designed to characterize electroanatomic mapping (EAM) with market-released high-density mapping (HDM) catheters in subjects with AF in APAC.

Methods: Subjects undergoing HDM and indicated for radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to treat AF were prospectively enrolled in APAC.

Mechanism-Based Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Modeling of Erythroferrone in Anemic Rats with Chronic Kidney Disease and Chemotherapy-Induced Anemia: An Early Biomarker for Hemoglobin Response and rHuEPO Hyporesponsiveness.

Erythroferrone (ERFE) has emerged as a potential biomarker for the erythropoiesis response following recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) treatment. While the association between ERFE and hemoglobin (HGB) response to rHuEPO is well-established in nonanemic conditions, such correlation and ERFE kinetics in anemic states remain unclear. We employed two rat models of anemia, chronic kidney disease (CKD) anemia and chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA), to determine ERFE kinetics and its correlation with HGB responses after rHuEPO administration.

Ultrasound-activated erythrocyte membrane-camouflaged Pt (II) layered double hydroxide enhances PD-1 inhibitor efficacy in triple-negative breast cancer through cGAS-STING pathway-mediated immunogenic cell death.

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) offers a promising avenue for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, optimizing immune responses remains a formidable challenge. This study presents the design of RBCm@Pt-CoNi layered double hydroxide (RmPLH), an innovative sonosensitizer for sonodynamic therapy (SDT), aimed at enhancing the efficacy of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors by inducing robust ICD responses.

Effectiveness of the addition of visual aids to conversational preoperative education in glaucoma filtering surgery: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of preoperative visual aids on anxiety and pain management in patients with low educational backgrounds undergoing glaucoma filtering surgery.

Methods: A randomized, single-blinded, single-center clinical trial was conducted at a tertiary eye hospital in Shantou, China. Patients scheduled for glaucoma filtering surgery were randomly assigned to either a conventional oral education group or a visual aids group.

High glucose induces podocyte ferroptosis through BAP1/SLC7A11 pathway.

Background: Ferroptosis plays an important role in the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, its specific regulatory mechanisms remain unclear.

Methods: MPC5 cells were cultured in high glucose (HG) medium to stimulate the HG environment in vitro.

Degradation products of magnesium implant synergistically enhance bone regeneration: Unraveling the roles of hydrogen gas and alkaline environment.

Biodegradable magnesium (Mg) implant generally provides temporary fracture fixation and facilitates bone regeneration. However, the exact effects of generated Mg ions (Mg), hydrogen gas (H), and hydroxide ions (OH) by Mg degradation on enhancing fracture healing are not fully understood. Here we investigate the degradation of Mg intramedullary nail (Mg-IMN), revealing the generation of these degradation products around the fracture site during early stages.

A retrospective review of the common childhood illnesses and the indications for antibiotic prescription at community hospital in Malawi.

Background: Childhood remains a vulnerable period and a key determiner for adult health. Various illnesses experienced by children in their early years determine future performance and contribution to society. Acute and chronic infectious diseases, undernutrition, and early childhood non-communicable diseases have greatly been linked to intellectual disability, poor childhood development, increased morbidity, and household and healthcare economic costs.

Feasibility and pilot study of Indonesia's first telehealth support program for gynecological cancer survivors undergoing chemotherapy.

Most Indonesian gynecological cancer survivors experience chemotherapy side effects on their physical and mental health as they face unmet needs of supportive care, which increases the likelihood of discontinuing treatment. Interventions in telehealth assist survivors in resolving these issues. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the feasibility of fighting distress, self-efficacy, health effects, and sexual (FoRSHE-X) interventions and evaluate their potential impact on distress level, side effects knowledge and management, self-efficacy, and sexual quality of life.

Mind the gap in kidney care: translating what we know into what we do.

Historically, it takes an average of 17 years to move new treatments from clinical evidence to daily practice. Given the highly effective treatments now available to prevent or delay kidney disease onset and progression, this is far too long. The time is now to narrow the gap between what we know and what we do.

Genes for childhood myopia.

Myopia is associated with interactive effects of genetic and environmental factors. The development of myopia in childhood is likely to be more dependent on genetic background. Candidate gene analysis, whole exome sequencing, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and subsequent metaanalyses have identified more than 400 loci that are associated with myopia.

Safety and Efficacy of Tranexamic Acid in General Surgery.

Importance: Perioperative bleeding is common in general surgery. The POISE-3 (Perioperative Ischemic Evaluation-3) trial demonstrated efficacy of prophylactic tranexamic acid (TXA) compared with placebo in preventing major bleeding without increasing vascular outcomes in noncardiac surgery.

Objective: To determine the safety and efficacy of prophylactic TXA, specifically in general surgery.

Integration of Motion and Stillness: A Paradigm Shift in Constructing Nearly Planar NIR-II AIEgen with Ultrahigh Molar Absorptivity and Photothermal Effect for Multimodal Phototheranostics.

The two contradictory entities in nature often follow the principle of unity of opposites, leading to optimal overall performance. Particularly, aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) with donor-acceptor (D-A) structures exhibit tunable optical properties and versatile functionalities, offering significant potential to revolutionize cancer treatment. However, trapped by low molar absorptivity (ε) owing to the distorted configurations, the ceilings of their photon-harvesting capability and the corresponding phototheranostic performance still fall short.

Observation of Large Low-Field Magnetoresistance in Layered (NdNiO):NdO Films at High Temperatures.

Large low-field magnetoresistance (LFMR, < 1 T), related to the spin-disorder scattering or spin-polarized tunneling at boundaries of polycrystalline manganates, holds considerable promise for the development of low-power and ultrafast magnetic devices. However, achieving significant LFMR typically necessitates extremely low temperatures due to diminishing spin polarization as temperature rises. To address this challenge, one strategy involves incorporating Ruddlesden-Popper structures (ABO):AO, which are layered derivatives of perovskite structure capable of potentially inducing heightened magnetic fluctuations at higher temperatures.