Graph contrastive learning of subcellular-resolution spatial transcriptomics improves cell type annotation and reveals critical molecular pathways.

Imaging-based spatial transcriptomics (iST), such as MERFISH, CosMx SMI, and Xenium, quantify gene expression level across cells in space, but more importantly, they directly reveal the subcellular distribution of RNA transcripts at the single-molecule resolution. The subcellular localization of RNA molecules plays a crucial role in the compartmentalization-dependent regulation of genes within individual cells. Understanding the intracellular spatial distribution of RNA for a particular cell type thus not only improves the characterization of cell identity but also is of paramount importance in elucidating unique subcellular regulatory mechanisms specific to the cell type.

The diagnostic performance and optimal strategy of cone beam CT-assisted bronchoscopy for peripheral pulmonary lesions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) assisted bronchoscopy shows prospective advantages in diagnosing peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs), but its diagnostic value and potential influencing factors remain unclear. What is the clinical value and optimal strategy of CBCT-assisted bronchoscopy in diagnosing PPLs? The references were searched from PubMed, EmBase, and Web of Science. Studies reporting diagnostic yield and potential influencing factors of CBCT-assisted bronchoscopy were included.

Automatic Quality Control System and Adenoma Detection Rates During Routine Colonoscopy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: High-quality colonoscopy reduces the risks of colorectal cancer by increasing the adenoma detection rate. Routine use of an automatic quality control system (AQCS) to assist in colorectal adenoma detection should be considered.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of an AQCS on the adenoma detection rate among colonoscopists who were moderate- and low-level detectors during routine colonoscopy.

Proximity-Induced Superconductivity in Ferromagnetic FeGeTe and Josephson Tunneling through a van der Waals Heterojunction.

Synergy between superconductivity and ferromagnetism may offer great opportunities in nondissipative spintronics and topological quantum computing. Yet at the microscopic level, the exchange splitting of the electronic states responsible for ferromagnetism is inherently incompatible with the spin-singlet nature of conventional superconducting Cooper pairs. Here, we exploit the recently discovered van der Waals ferromagnets as enabling platforms with marvelous controllability to unravel the myth between ferromagnetism and superconductivity.

Assessing blood metal levels in house sparrows (Passer domesticus) across urban and rural habitats in Meknes.

This study investigates the concentration of heavy metals lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and zinc (Zn) in the blood of house sparrows (Passer domesticus) across various urban habitats in Meknes, Morocco. Fifty adult sparrows were captured from five distinct sites, including industrial, high-traffic, and rural areas. Blood samples were specifically analyzed for Pb, Cd, and Zn using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES).

Bio-nanopore technology for biomolecules detection.

Bio-nanopore technology holds great promise in biomacromolecule detection, with its high throughput and low cost positioning it as an ideal detection tool. This technology employs a unique detection mechanism that utilizes nanoscale pores to rapidly and sensitively convert biological molecules interactions into electrical signals, enabling real-time, single-molecule detection with exceptional sensitivity. This review focuses on the latest advancements in this technology across various domains, including DNA and RNA sequencing, protein detection, and small molecule identification.

Multi-omics sequencing of gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma reveals prognosis-relevant key factors and a novel immunogenomic classification.

Background: Gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (GEJAC) exhibits distinct molecular characteristics due to its unique anatomical location. We sought to investigate effective and reliable molecular classification of GEJAC to guide personalized treatment.

Methods: We analyzed the whole genomic, transcriptomic, T-cell receptor repertoires, and immunohistochemical data in 92 GEJAC patients and delineated the landscape of genetic and immune alterations.

Anti-PD-L1 envafolimab combined with anti-VEGF suvemcitug in pretreated solid tumors and hepatocellular carcinoma: an open-label phase II study with safety run-in stage.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) combined with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have been the standard first-line treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the efficacy of this combination in post-line treatment is still unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of anti-PD-L1 envafolimab and novel humanized anti-VEGF suvemcitug as second-line treatment for patients with HCC.

Point-counterpoint: should sedation be used for image-guided biopsies?

Cross-sectional interventional radiology procedures can be performed using a range of techniques with approaches varying across institutions. One area in which practices for these procedures may differ is in the use of moderate sedation. This perspective discusses the pros and cons of using moderate sedation for deep organ biopsies commonly experienced in radiology departments.

(ZnO) Cluster Decorated 2D Porous CN Materials as Efficient Solar Cells.

Developing high-performance solar cells is a practical way to improve clean energy conversion efficiency. However, the performance of solar cells faces challenges such as fast carrier combination, poor stability, and limited solar light harvesting. Herein, we propose a strategy by decorating periodic holes in two-dimensional (2D) porous carbon-nitrogen (CN) materials with a zero-dimensional (0D) semiconducting (ZnO) cluster.

Infection-Related Hospitalization and Incident Heart Failure: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

Background: The immune response to infections may become dysregulated and promote myocardial damage contributing to heart failure (HF). We examined the relationship between infection-related hospitalization (IRH) and HF, HF with preserved ejection fraction, and HF with reduced ejection fraction.

Methods And Results: We studied 14 468 adults aged 45 to 64 years in the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) Study who were HF free at visit 1 (1987-1989).

Generalizability of Randomized Controlled Trials to Routine Clinical Care in Ulcerative Colitis.

Background: Historically, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been criticized for being poorly generalizable to patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) evaluated in routine care. We aimed to evaluate the proportion of patients with UC starting an advanced therapy who would be eligible to participate in phase 3 registrational UC RCTs.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of UC patients starting vedolizumab, ustekinumab, or tofacitinib at 2 IBD clinics at the University of Calgary.

Enhanced Transepithelial Riboflavin Delivery Across the Cornea Using Magnetic Nanocarriers.

Keratoconus is a progressive corneal ectasia characterized by irregular astigmatism, leading to corneal scarring and decreased vision. Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is the standard treatment to halt disease progression, but its effectiveness in transepithelial (epithelium-on, epi-on) approaches is limited by the low permeability of the corneal epithelium to riboflavin (Rb). This study aimed to enhance transepithelial Rb penetration in bovine corneas using Rb-modified tannic acid-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Rb-TA-SPIONs) under an external magnetic field.

Unique hierarchical NiFe-LDH/Ni/NiCoS heterostructure arrays on nickel foam for the improvement of overall water splitting activity.

The development of environmentally friendly, high-efficiency, stable, earth-abundant and non-precious metal-based electrocatalysts with fast kinetics and low overpotential for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is of exceeding significance but still challenging. Herein, a bifunctional electrode of unique hierarchical NiFe-LDH/Ni/NiCoS/NF (NiFe-LDH = nickel-iron layered double hydroxide and NF = nickel foam) electrocatalytic architecture, which is built up from NiFe-LDH nanosheets, Ni nanoparticles and NiCoS nanoneedles sequentially arrayed on a porous NF substrate, has been prepared by a facile hydrothermal and electrodeposition method. This electrocatalytic architecture is binder-free and its outer NiFe-LDH nanosheets can effectively prevent the oxidation of inner Ni nanoparticles and corrosion of NiCoS nanoneedles during water electrolysis.

A high-resolution view of RNA endonuclease cleavage in Bacillus subtilis.

RNA endonucleases are the rate-limiting initiator of decay for many bacterial mRNAs. However, the positions of cleavage and their sequence determinants remain elusive even for the well-studied Bacillus subtilis. Here we present two complementary approaches-transcriptome-wide mapping of endoribonucleolytic activity and deep mutational scanning of RNA cleavage sites-that reveal distinct rules governing the specificity among B.

Inactivation of CaV1 and CaV2 channels.

Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs) are highly expressed throughout numerous biological systems and play critical roles in synaptic transmission, cardiac excitation, and muscle contraction. To perform these various functions, VGCCs are highly regulated. Inactivation comprises a critical mechanism controlling the entry of Ca2+ through these channels and constitutes an important means to regulate cellular excitability, shape action potentials, control intracellular Ca2+ levels, and contribute to long-term potentiation and depression.

Suspect and Nontarget Analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Groundwater Underlying Different Land-Use Areas.

Groundwater can be contaminated by PFAS emissions, yet research on the presence and associated risks of PFAS in groundwater underlying different land-use areas remains limited. Herein, high-resolution mass spectrometry-based suspect and nontarget analyses were performed to determine PFAS occurrence in groundwater samples obtained from a rural area, a planting region, and the vicinities of a pharmaceutical park, an airport, and an industrial park in Datong City, China. A total of 31 PFAS (16 emerging and 15 legacy PFAS) were identified, and the ΣPFAS concentrations ranged from 0.

Self-Assembly of Mycolic Acid in Water: Monolayer or Bilayer.

The enduring pathogenicity of can be attributed to its lipid-rich cell wall, with mycolic acids (MAs) being a significant constituent. Different MAs' fluidity and structural adaptability within the bacterial cell envelope significantly influence their physicochemical properties, operational capabilities, and pathogenic potential. Therefore, an accurate conformational representation of various MAs in aqueous media can provide insights into their potential role within the intricate structure of the bacterial cell wall.