Cellular Core/Sheath Filaments with Thermoresponsive Vacuum Cavities for Prolonged Passive Temperature-Adaptive Thermoregulation.

Acting as the interface between the human body and its environment, clothing is indispensable in human thermoregulation and even survival under extreme environmental conditions. Development of clothing textiles with prolonged passive temperature-adaptive thermoregulation without external energy consumption is much needed for protection from thermal stress and energy saving, but very challenging. Here, a temperature-adaptive thermoregulation filament (TATF) consisting of thermoresponsive vacuum cavities formed by the temperature-responsive volume change of the material confined in the cellular cores of the filament is proposed.

Functional significance of some common oxytocin receptor SNPs involved in complex human traits.

Background: Oxytocin function is associated with a range of human traits and is often indexed by common polymorphisms of the receptor gene OXTR. Little is known however about the functional significance of these polymorphisms.

Objectives: To examine the effects of common polymorphisms of OXTR on transcription expression in human neural cells.

Connexin 43 contributes to perioperative neurocognitive disorder by attenuating perineuronal net of hippocampus in aged mice.

Background: Perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) is a prevalent form of cognitive impairment in elderly patients following anesthesia and surgery. The underlying mechanisms of PND are closely related to perineuronal nets (PNNs). PNNs, which are complexes of extracellular matrix primarily surrounding neurons in the hippocampus, play a critical role in neurocognitive function.

Unifying spatiotemporal and frequential attention for traffic prediction.

Intelligent transportation systems heavily rely on forecasting urban traffic flow, and a variety of approaches have been developed for this purpose. However, most current methods focus on exploring spatial and temporal dependencies in historical traffic data, while often overlooking the inherent spectral characteristics hidden in traffic time series. In this paper, we introduce an approach to analyzing traffic flow in the frequency domain.

Low-threshold surface-emitting colloidal quantum-dot circular Bragg laser array.

Colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) are attractive gain media due to their wavelength-tunability and low optical gain threshold. Consequently, CQD lasers, especially the surface-emitting ones, are promising candidates for display, sensing and communication. However, it remains challenging to achieve a low-threshold surface-emitting CQD laser array with high stability and integration density.

Association between thyroid dysfunction and insulin resistance: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To evaluate the association between thyroid disease and diabetes markers.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: The study was conducted in a diagnostic setting where the primary care providers recommended the patients to test for thyroid and diabetes panels.

High correlation between Ki-67 expression and a novel perfusion MRI biomarker diffusion-derived vessel density (DDVD) in endometrial carcinoma.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of diffusion-derived vessel density (DDVD) in characterizing tumor microvasculature in endometrial carcinoma (EC), and to explore the correlations with Ki-67 proliferation status and histological type based on DDVD values.

Methods: There were in total 81 EC patients. There were 64 cases of non-aggressive histological type, and 17 cases of aggressive histological type.

Delivery of Magnolia bark extract in nanoemulsions formed by high and low energy methods improves the bioavailability of Honokiol and Magnolol.

Honokiol (HK) and Magnolol (MG), isomers found in Magnolia officinalis bark extract (MBE), possess bioactive properties attributed to their biphenolic structure. However, their low polarity results in poor oral absorption, limiting their bioavailability. To enhance their systemic absorption after passing through the digestive tract, efficient carrier systems are essential.

Optimized Intravenous Injection in Adult Zebrafish.

Intravenous (IV) injection is widely recognized as the most effective and commonly utilized method for achieving systemic delivery of substances in mammalian research models. However, its application in adult zebrafish for drug delivery, stem cell transplantation, and regenerative and cancer studies has been limited due to the challenges posed by their small body size and intricate blood vessels. To overcome these limitations, alternative injection techniques such as intracardiac and retro-orbital (RO) injection have been explored in the past for stem cell transplantation in adult zebrafish.

Short-term outcomes of robot-assisted versus conventional minimally invasive esophagectomy: A propensity score-matched study via a nationwide database.

Background: The advantages of robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RA-MIE) over conventional minimally invasive esophagectomy (C-MIE) are unknown. This nationwide large-scale study aimed to compare surgical outcomes between RA-MIE and C-MIE using rigorous propensity score methods, including detailed covariates and relevant outcomes.

Methods: This Japanese nationwide retrospective cohort study included RA-MIE or C-MIE for esophageal malignant tumors performed between October 2018 and December 2019 and registered in the Japanese National Clinical Database.

Sang-Bai-Pi extract and its constituent regiafuran C ameliorate renal fibrosis through TGF-β/Smad and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways.

Background: Renal fibrosis is a major pathological feature of many chronic kidney diseases, and traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) have shown promising therapeutic potential for treating renal fibrosis. Although the extracts or fractions of Morus alba leaves and twigs have been reported to ameliorate renal fibrosis, the beneficial effects of M. alba root bark (commonly known as Sang-Bai-Pi), a well-known TCM, on this disorder have not been investigated.

The effectiveness of randomized controlled psychosocial interventions on body image among nonclinical women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Women are vulnerable to body image disturbances, prompting numerous interventions to improve their body image. However, a systematic review and meta-analysis of such interventions is lacking. This study reviewed interventions designed to enhance body image among nonclinical women and quantified their effectiveness.

The relationships between positive/negative metacognitions and Internet gaming disorder among Chinese adult gamers: Cross-sectional and longitudinal evidence.

Previous research investigating Internet gaming disorder (IGD) in China involved mainly youth samples despite the large population of adult gamers. Drawing on the self-regulatory executive function model, this study aimed to demonstrate the psychometric robustness of negative and positive gaming-specific metacognitions assessed by the short-form Metacognitions about Online Gaming Scale (MOGS; Study 1). Then, Study 2 aimed to explore bidirectional associations between these two factors of the MOGS and IGD among a broad age spectrum of Chinese adult gamers.

Microbiota analysis of perimenopausal women experiencing recurrent vaginitis in conjunction with urinary tract infection.

Background: Recurrent vaginitis in conjunction with urinary tract infection (RV/UTI) in perimenopausal women is a common clinical condition that impacts both doctors and patients. Its pathogenesis is not completely known, but the urogenital microbiota is thought to be involved. We compared the urogenital and gut microbiotas of perimenopausal women experiencing RV/UTI with those of age-matched controls to provide a new microbiological perspective and scheme for solving clinical problems.

Ionically crosslinked composite gels containing amine-functionalized CoFeO nanoparticles as a bioactive and pH-responsive drug delivery system.

Composite gels are a type of soft matter, which contains a continuous three-dimensional crosslinked network and has been embedded with non-gel materials. Compared to pure gels, composite gels show high flexibility and tunability in properties and hence have attracted extensive interest in applications ranging from cancer therapy to tissue engineering. In this study, we incorporated triethylenetetramine (TETA)-functionalized cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (ANPs) into a hydrogel consisting of sodium alginate (SA) and methyl cellulose (MC), and examined the resulting composite gels for controlled drug release.

Diamide insecticides in PM: The unreported rural and urban air pollutants.

The broad application of various pesticides guarantees the development of agriculture all over the word but has ultimately led to their ubiquitous release into the environment as hazardous chemical residues. Diamide insecticides (DAIs) are regarded as new choice for prevention and protection of agricultural crops and city landscaping plants from the pests in more and more countries. However, their presence in fine particulate matter (PM) and associated health risks have not been studied.

Real-world evidence for passive video-based cardiac monitoring from smartphones used by patients with a history of AF.

Passive cardiac monitoring has become synonymous with wearable technologies, necessitating patients to incorporate new devices into their daily routines. While this requirement may not be a burden for many, it is a constraint for individuals with chronic diseases who already have their daily routine. In this study, we introduce an innovative technology that harnesses the front-facing camera of smartphones to capture pulsatile signals discreetly when users engage in other activities on their device.

Acquired cystic kidney disease in children with kidney failure.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, contributing factors, and clinical outcomes of acquired cystic kidney disease (ACKD) in children undergoing kidney replacement therapy (KRT).

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, territory-wide study at the designated pediatric nephrology center in Hong Kong. ACKD was defined as the presence of ≥ 3 cysts in the native kidneys, excluding congenital or hereditary cystic diseases.

The interactive use of augmented reality for educating the elderly on common age-related eye disease.

Background: The prevalence of age-related eye disorders is increasing with the aging of the global population. Community-based visual health education for the elderly has become a crucial intervention. With the advancement of technology, the application of extended reality (XR), such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), in health education has become more popular.