Gold nanorods coated with self-assembled silk fibroin for improving their biocompatibility and facilitating targeted photothermal-photodynamic cancer therapy.

Gold nanorods (AuNRs) have shown great potential as photothermal agents for cancer therapy. However, the biosafety of AuNRs ordinarily synthesized using a cationic ligand assistance procedure has always been a subject of controversy, which limits their application in tumor therapy. In this study, we propose a novel strategy to enhance the biocompatibility of AuNRs by constructing a biological coating derived from silk fibroin (SF) on their surface.

Extracellular vesicles in liquid biopsies: there is hope for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Current approaches to oral cancer diagnosis primarily involve physical examination, tissue biopsy, and advanced computer-aided imaging techniques. However, despite these advances, patient survival rates have not significantly improved. Hence, there is a critical need to develop minimally invasive tools with high sensitivity and specificity to improve patient survival and quality of life.

Economic cost of not meeting the 24-h movement guidelines in china: Research gaps and recommendations.

It is well-known that not meeting the movement guidelines, including insufficient physical activity (PA), excessive sedentary behavior (SB), inadequate sleep duration, and their combinations, are independent risk factors for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). The prevalence of not meeting the guidelines is high across the world, especially in China where has one of the largest population. Some studies have estimated the economic cost of insufficient PA in China, which is useful to guide policymakers to develop and implement effective health actions.

Advanced Materials Research at CUHK: From Biomedicine to Electronics and Beyond.

This special issue spans a diverse array of topics, including nanomedicine, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, organs-on-chips, biosensing, soft robotics, smart devices, nanofabrication, energy saving and storage, catalysis, spintronics, soft electronics, and neuromorphic computing. It showcases the breadth and depth of advanced materials research at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), highlighting the innovation, collaboration, and excellence of CUHK's materials scientists.

Diabetes in China: epidemiology, pathophysiology and multi-omics.

Although diabetes is now a global epidemic, China has the highest number of affected people, presenting profound public health and socioeconomic challenges. In China, rapid ecological and lifestyle shifts have dramatically altered diabetes epidemiology and risk factors. In this Review, we summarize the epidemiological trends and the impact of traditional and emerging risk factors on Chinese diabetes prevalence.

Gap junction intercellular communications regulates activation of SARM1 and protects against axonal degeneration.

Sterile alpha and Toll/interleukin-1 receptor motif containing 1 (SARM1), a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-utilizing enzyme, mediates axon degeneration (AxD) in various neurodegenerative diseases. It is activated by nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) to produce a calcium messenger, cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR). This activity is blocked by elevated NAD level.

Regional economic level moderates the impact of patients' and family carers' cancer-related work changes and hospital level on financial toxicity in China: A multi-centre cross-sectional study.

Purpose: To explore how regional economic levels moderate the relationships between cancer-related financial toxicity (FT) and its associated risk factors.

Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted using data from a cross-sectional survey of 1208 adult patients with cancer, conducted in six tertiary and six secondary hospitals across three Chinese provinces from February to October 2022. The interactions between the regional economic level-categorised as high- or low-/middle-income based on the gross domestic product per capita- and 13 previously identified risk factors for FT were examined via moderation analysis using the PROCESS macro for SPSS software.

Accelerating the Future of Oncology Drug Development: The Role of Consortia in the Delivery of Precision Oncology Early Phase Clinical Trials.

Purpose: Over the past 15 years, the landscape of early phase clinical trials (EPCTs) has undergone a remarkable expansion in both quantity and intricacy. The proliferation of sites, trials, sponsors, and contract research organizations has surged exponentially, marking a significant shift in research conduct. However, EPCT operations suffer from numerous inefficiencies, such as cumbersome start-up processes, which are particularly critical when drug safety and the recommended phase II dose need to be established in a timely manner.

Novel full-thickness biomimetic corneal model for studying pathogenesis and treatment of diabetic keratopathy.

Diabetic keratopathy (DK), a significant complication of diabetes, often leads to corneal damage and vision impairment. Effective models are essential for studying DK pathogenesis and evaluating potential therapeutic interventions. This study developed a novel biomimetic full-thickness corneal model for the first time, incorporating corneal epithelial cells, stromal cells, endothelial cells, and nerves to simulate DK conditions .

Comparative effectiveness of physical activity interventions on cognitive functions in children and adolescents with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Physical activity (PA) interventions have been shown to yield positive effects on cognitive functions. However, it is unclear which type of PA intervention is the most effective in children and adolescents with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs). This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of different types of PA interventions on cognitive functions in children and adolescents with NDDs, with additional analyses examining intervention effects across specific NDD types including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Artificial intelligence performance in ultrasound-based lymph node diagnosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Objectives: Accurate classification of lymphadenopathy is essential for determining the pathological nature of lymph nodes (LNs), which plays a crucial role in treatment selection. The biopsy method is invasive and carries the risk of sampling failure, while the utilization of non-invasive approaches such as ultrasound can minimize the probability of iatrogenic injury and infection. With the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, the diagnostic efficiency of LNs is further enhanced.

Mindfulness-based interventions for improvement of lifestyle behaviors and body mass index in children with overweight or obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Unlabelled: This study aimed to synthesize evidence from primary studies on the acceptability and effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for improving lifestyle behaviors and body mass index (BMI) in children with overweight or obesity. We conducted a meta-analysis or followed the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) guidelines to synthesize study findings. The analysis included both mindfulness-only interventions and comprehensive behavioral interventions incorporating mindfulness components.

Staudinger Reaction-Responsive Coacervates for Cytosolic Antibody Delivery and TRIM21-Mediated Protein Degradation.

A low-molecular-weight compound whose structure strikes a fine balance between hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity may form coacervates via liquid-liquid phase separation in an aqueous solution. These coacervates may encapsulate and convoy proteins across the plasma membrane into the cell. However, releasing the cargo from the vehicle to the cytosol is challenging.

Clinical practices on acute acquired comitant esotropia: A consensus statement proposed by the Council of Asia-Pacific Strabismus and Pediatric Ophthalmology Society.

Acute acquired comitant esotropia (AACE) is a concomitant strabismus characterized by sudden onset, mostly associated with diplopia. The prevalence of AACE has significantly increased, and various management approaches have been recommended in recent years. This study by the Council of Asia-Pacific Strabismus and Pediatric Ophthalmology Society aimed to provide an overview of the clinical features, etiology and the nonsurgical and surgical treatment recommendations for the condition to equip strabismus specialists with the most updated knowledge.

Treating Opium Addiction in China: Medical Missionaries, Chinese Medicine, and the State, 1830-1910.

From the 1830s onward, Euro-American medicine began addressing opium addiction among the Chinese population. Drawing upon records from medical missionaries, medical journals, and related Chinese sources, this article examines the transformation of opium addiction treatment in late Qing China (1830-1910). Despite their pioneering efforts, medical missionaries encountered various challenges in gaining cooperation from patients and Chinese authorities.

Association of early life co-exposure to ambient PM and O with the offspring's growth within two years of age: A birth cohort study.

Background: Previous studies indicated that early life exposure to particulate matter of 2.5 μm or less (PM) could impair children's growth. However, the adverse effects of maternal ozone (O) and its interplay with PM on offspring's growth are unclear.

Hidden artistic complexity of Peru's Chancay culture discovered in tattoos by laser-stimulated fluorescence.

Tattoos were a prevalent art form in pre-Hispanic South America exemplified by mummified human remains with preserved skin decoration that reflects the personal and cultural representations of their times. Tattoos are known to fade and bleed over time and this is compounded in mummies by the decay of the body, inhibiting the ability to examine the original art. Laser-stimulated fluorescence (LSF) produces images based on fluorescence emitted from within the target.

The Primary Cilia are Associated with the Axon Initial Segment in Neurons.

The primary cilia serve as pivotal mediators of environmental signals and play crucial roles in neuronal responses. Disruption of ciliary function has been implicated in neuronal circuit disorders and aberrant neuronal excitability. However, the precise mechanisms remain elusive.

Delayed Versus Atypical Speech Sound Development: A Markedness-Based Analysis of Speech Sound Disorder in Cantonese.

Purpose: Speech sound disorder (SSD) is one of the major speech disorders in school-age children. Given the heterogeneity in terms of subtypes within SSD, there is a need to develop techniques for a quick identification of these subtypes. Furthermore, given the paucity of studies from children with SSD from Cantonese-speaking homes and a noted prevalence of SSDs in Cantonese-speaking children, it becomes even more important to investigate the subtypes of SSDs in Cantonese-speaking children.

Key Interaction Changes Determine the Activation Process of Human Parathyroid Hormone Type 1 Receptor.

The parathyroid hormone type 1 receptor (PTH1R) plays a crucial role in modulating various physiological functions and is considered an effective therapeutic target for osteoporosis. However, a lack of detailed molecular and energetic information about PTH1R limits our comprehensive understanding of its activation process. In this study, we performed computational simulations to explore key events in the activation process, such as conformational changes in PTH1R, Gs protein coupling, and the release of guanosine diphosphate (GDP).

Insights Into Metabolic Signatures and Regulatory Effect of Polysaccharides in Gut Microbiota: A Comparative Study of Healthy and Diabetic Status.

is a kind of popular functional food to be consumed by both healthy and diabetic people. As its major constituent, polysaccharide (DOP) is mainly utilized by gut microbiota. Despite distinctive gut microbiota composition between healthy and diabetic individuals, no study compared the interplay between DOP and gut microbiota under healthy and diabetic status.

Novel application of an imageless robotic system in simultaneous unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

This technical note explores the novel use of an imageless robotic surgical system for simultaneous unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Knee osteoarthritis (OA) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) insufficiency are common conditions that traditionally require separate management. The integration of robotic assistance offers enhanced precision in surgical procedures, addressing both medial compartment OA and ACL insufficiency in a single operation.

Scaling up morphological differentiation of pangolin scales: Serial, ontogenetic and evolutionary variation.

Pangolins are the most heavily trafficked mammals in the world, largely because of the high demand for their keratinous scales from the traditional Chinese medicine market. While seizures of pangolin material are largely composed of isolated scales, efficient approaches to reach species-level identification are missing. This mostly originates from the lack of comparative studies on the shape of pangolin scales, resulting in knowledge gaps on the imbricated effects of serial, ontogenetic, and evolutionary variations.