Estimation of leaf area index by combining multi-source remote sensing data and machine learning optimization model.

The Leaf Area Index (LAI) is an essential parameter that affects the exchange of energy and materials between the vegetative canopy and the surrounding environment. Estimating LAI using machine learning models with remote sensing data has become a prevalent method for large-scale LAI estimation. However, existing machine learning models have exhibited various flaws, hindering the accurate estimation of LAI.

Effects of virtual reality motor games on motor skills in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Enhancing motor skills is crucial for the functional development of children with cerebral palsy. Virtual reality has emerged as a promising technology for rehabilitating these children.

Objective: The objective of this study was to systematically evaluate the effects of virtual reality motor games on the gross and fine motor skills of children with cerebral palsy.

Silk Protein Gene Engineering and Its Applications: Recent Advances in Biomedicine Driven by Molecular Biotechnology.

Silk protein, as a natural polymer material with unique structures and properties, exhibits tremendous potential in the biomedical field. Given the limited production and restricted properties of natural silk proteins, molecular biotechnology has been extensively applied in silk protein genetic engineering to produce novel silk proteins with specific properties. This review outlines the roles of major model organisms, such as silkworms and spiders, in silk protein production, and provides a detailed introduction to the applications of gene editing technologies (eg, CRISPR-Cas9), transgenic expression technologies, and synthetic biology techniques in silk protein genetic engineering.

Long COVID facts and findings: a large-scale online survey in 74,075 Chinese participants.

Background: Research on long COVID in China is limited, particularly in terms of large-sample epidemiological data and the effects of recent SARS-CoV-2 sub-variants. China provides an ideal study environment owing to its large infection base, high vaccine coverage, and stringent pre-pandemic measures.

Methods: This retrospective study used an online questionnaire to investigate SARS-CoV-2 infection status and long COVID symptoms among 74,075 Chinese residents over one year.

[2024 scientific breakthroughs in ambulatory general internal medicine].

In this article, we present eight studies published in the past two years that are likely to influence general practice in 2025. The key messages highlight the importance of physical activity in reducing cardiovascular risk, the effectiveness of aripiprazole for treatment-resistant depression, and the positive impact of guidelines on antibiotic use for acute cystitis. Furthermore, teleconsultation is more effective when supported by a pre-existing therapeutic relationship, extended leave reduces physician burnout, electronic cigarettes aid smoking cessation, and AI improves the management of electronic communications.

Discovery and Characterization of a Fungal N-acetylglucosamine Transferase in the Biosynthesis of Furanone Glycosides.

Malfilamentosides are a class of fungal secondary metabolites characterized by glycosylated furanone scaffold; however, the enzyme that catalyzes the -glycosylation of the furanone core with -acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) has not yet been identified. In this study, we discovered and identified the biosynthetic gene cluster of the malfilamentosides. and investigations revealed that a glycosyltransferase, MftB, catalyzes the -glycosylation of the furanone scaffold with GlcNAc.

Enhancing transcranial ultrasound stimulation planning with MRI-derived skull masks: a comparative analysis with CT-based processing.

Transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) presents challenges in ultrasound wave transmission through the skull, affecting study outcomes due to aberration and attenuation. While planning strategies incorporating 3D computed tomography (CT) scans help mitigate these issues, they expose participants to radiation, which can raise ethical concerns. A solution involves generating skull masks from participants' anatomical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Dynamic tracking of tumor microenvironment modulation using Kaede photoconvertible transgenic mice unveils new biological properties of viral immunotherapy.

CAN-2409 is a replication-defective adenovirus that delivers the herpes simplex virus (HSV)-thymidine kinase gene to infected cells. Intratumoral administration of CAN-2409 followed by prodrug results in the formation of a toxic metabolite able to induce immunogenic cell death, exposure of tumor-associated antigens, and activation of local and systemic immune responses. We used a dynamic labeling model with MC38 tumor cells implanted in photoconvertible Kaede mice.

Activating Redox Chemistry of Quinones for High Energy Density Aqueous Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Anode materials with high capacity and suitable redox potential are crucial for improving the energy density of aqueous sodium-ion batteries (ASIBs). And organic anode materials play a promising role due to their tunable electrochemical performance. However, the insufficient electroactive sites lead to a low capacity, hindering the elevation of energy density.

Insight into the molecular initiating event of mutagenic N-nitrosamines: a computational study on DNA alkylation by their diazonium ions.

N-Nitrosamines are a class of compounds that includes the potent mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of many of its members and is distributed widely throughout the human environment. DNA alkylation by their diazonium ions formed metabolically acts as a molecular initiating event (MIE) that links molecular chemistry to mutagenicity. However, the regiochemistry for diazonium ions reacting with DNA bases is still under debate.

Performance of algorithms using wrist temperature for retrospective ovulation day estimate and next menses start day prediction: a prospective cohort study.

Study Question: Can algorithms using wrist temperature, available on compatible models of iPhone and Apple Watch, retrospectively estimate the day of ovulation and predict the next menses start day?

Summary Answer: Algorithms using wrist temperature can provide retrospective ovulation estimates and next menses start day predictions for individuals with typical or atypical cycle lengths.

What Is Known Already: Wrist skin temperature is affected by hormonal changes associated with the menstrual cycle and can be used to estimate the timing of cycle events.

Study Design, Size, Duration: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 262 menstruating females (899 menstrual cycles) aged 14 and older who logged their menses, performed urine LH testing to define day of ovulation, recorded daily basal body temperature (BBT), and collected overnight wrist temperature.

Safety and tolerability of intramuscular sotrovimab administered at different injection sites: results from the Phase 1 COSMIC study.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT05280717.

Transdermal patch based on pressure-sensitive adhesive: the importance of adhesion for efficient drug delivery.

Introduction: Transdermal patches offer a unique advantage by providing extended therapeutic benefits while maintaining stable plasma drug concentration. The efficacy and safety of patches depend significantly on their ability to adhere to the skin, a feature influenced by various external and internal factors.

Areas Covered: The review primarily focuses on the fundamental aspects of adhesion in transdermal patches, including basic information about the skin, the underlying principles of adhesion, drug delivery, and adhesion characteristics of pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs), adhesion issues, impact factors, strategies to improve patch adhesion, and relevant molecular mechanisms.

The dynamics of CD4+ T cell proliferation and regulation.

We use mathematical modeling to study the proliferation dynamics of CD4+ T cells within an immune response. This proliferation is driven by the autocrine reaction of helper T cells and interleukin-2 (IL-2), and regulated by natural regulatory T cells (nTregs). Previous studies suggested that a fratricidal mechanism is necessary to eliminate helper T cells post-infection.

Electrochemical Cyclization-Desulfurization Approach for the Synthesis of 1,3-Benzoxazines Using Cascade C-O and C-N Bond Formation.

A cost-effective, eco-friendly, and highly efficient one-pot electrochemical process has been described for the synthesis of 4-1,3-benzoxazine and 4,5-dihydro-1,3-benzoxazepine derivatives by employing 2-aminobenzyl alcohols, 2-(2-aminophenyl)ethan-1-ol, isothiocyanate derivatives, and TBAPF as an electrolyte. The developed method is accomplished at 25 °C with a constant current of 20 mA. Utilizing a graphite anode and a platinum cathode in a dimethyl sulfoxide solvent, the devised metal-free electrochemical approach minimizes the production of waste and eliminates the need for external oxidizing agents.

Systematic empirical evaluation of individual base editing targets: validating therapeutic targets in USH2A and comparison of methods.

Base editing shows promise for the correction of human mutations at a higher efficiency than other repair methods and is especially attractive for mutations in large genes that are not amenable to gene augmentation therapy. Here, we demonstrate a comprehensive workflow for in vitro screening of potential therapeutic base editing targets for the USH2A gene and empirically validate the efficiency of adenine and cytosine base editor/guide combinations for correcting 35 USH2A mutations. Editing efficiency and bystander edits are compared between different target templates (plasmids versus transgenes) and assays (Next generation sequencing versus Sanger), as well as comparisons between unbiased empirical results and computational predictions.

The role of renal dual-energy computed tomography in exploring the gouty kidney: the RENODECT study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the ability of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) to detect monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposits in the kidneys and renal artery walls, and uric acid urolithiasis, in patients with gout and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: Patients with gout and with stage 2-4 CKD were prospectively included in this cross-sectional study. Patients underwent renal, knee and feet DECT scans.

Combination of reverse shock index and simplified motor score as a strong discriminator of trauma outcomes.

Background: The reverse shock index multiplied by simplified motor score (rSI-sMS) is a novel and rapid measure for assessing injury severity in patients with trauma in prehospital settings; however, its discriminant ability requires further validation.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted from trauma database of Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital to compare the accuracy of the rSI-sMS with that of the shock index, modified shock index, reverse shock index multiplied by the Glasgow Coma Scale (rSI-GCS), and the reverse shock index multiplied by GCS motor subscale (rSI-GCSM) for discriminating in-hospital mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, prolonged ICU stays ≥14 days, and prolonged hospital stays ≥30 days in patients with trauma.

Results: A total of 11,760 patients from the trauma database were included.

Subtypes A1 and D, and recombinant HIV-1 natural polymorphisms associated with lenacapavir drug resistance in Uganda.

Background: Lenacapavir, a novel HIV-1 capsid inhibitor, shows promise for treating MDR HIV-1, as well as for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in prevention of HIV infection. Its unique mechanism and lack of cross-resistance with other antiretroviral classes make lenacapavir a significant addition to HIV therapy. The clinical trials CALIBRATE and CAPELLA have demonstrated high viral suppression rates in both ART-naive individuals and individuals with MDR HIV-1.

Health-Related Social Needs Intervention for Adolescents and Young Adults With Type 2 Diabetes and Their Caregivers: An Exploratory Study Using Human-Centered Design.

Youth-onset type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increasingly common and projected to impact over 200,000 adolescents and young adults by 2060. Youth with T2D frequently experience health-related social needs (HRSN) that increase their risk for poor outcomes. Using human-centered design methodology, we explored how best to address HRSN in pediatric endocrinology clinics.

Exploring the Social Media Discussion of Breast Cancer Treatment Choices: Quantitative Natural Language Processing Study.

Background: Early-stage breast cancer has the complex challenge of carrying a favorable prognosis with multiple treatment options, including breast-conserving surgery (BCS) or mastectomy. Social media is increasingly used as a source of information and as a decision tool for patients, and awareness of these conversations is important for patient counseling.

Objective: The goal of this study was to compare sentiments and associated emotions in social media discussions surrounding BCS and mastectomy using natural language processing (NLP).

Ultrasound-guided intraoperative liver ablation - retrospective review of indications and outcomes.

Aim: To define the indications and outcomes of intraoperative ablation of hepatic malignancies.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study comprises 27 patients (male/female: 19/8; mean age: 56 ± 13) undergoing intraoperative ablation (IOA) of liver tumours between July 2001 and August 2021 for 42 tumours, including colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) (n = 27), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)(n = 14), and ovarian cancer metastasis (n = 1). The mean tumour diameter was 2.

Positive STEPS: Enhancing Medication Adherence and Achieving Viral Load Suppression in Youth Living with HIV in the United States - Results from a Stepped-Care Randomized Controlled Efficacy Trial.

Background: In the U.S. and worldwide, there is a significant number of young people acquiring and living with HIV.

EZH2 inhibition induces pyroptosis via RHA-mediated S100A9 overexpression in myelodysplastic syndromes.

Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) represent a group of heterogeneous myeloid clonal diseases derived from aberrant hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is an important regulator in gene expression through methyltransferase-dependent or methyltransferase-independent mechanisms. Herein, we found EZH2 inhibition led to MDS cell pyroptosis through RNA Helicase A (RHA) down-regulation induced overexpression of S100A9, a key regulator of inflammasome activation and pyroptosis.

A novel compound heterozygous mutation in the DYNC2H1 gene in a Chinese family with Jeune syndrome.

Background: The dynein cytoplasmic two heavy chain 1 (DYNC2H1) gene encodes a cytoplasmic dynein subunit. Cytoplasmic dyneins transport cargo towards the minus end of microtubules and are thus termed the "retrograde" cellular motor. Mutations in DYNC2H1 are the main causative mutations of short rib-thoracic dysplasia syndrome type III with or without polydactyly (SRTD3).