Minimally invasive internal splinting technique for acute closed Achilles tendon rupture.

Background: Although non-surgical and surgical approaches have been developed to repair acute closed Achilles tendon ruptures, the medical community still lacks a definitive consensus on which approach is superior. This study describes a new minimally invasive internal splinting technique combined with knotless anchors for the treatment of 22 patients with acute closed Achilles tendon rupture.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted involving 22 patients with acute closed Achilles tendon rupture who were treated with a minimally invasive internal splinting technique at Jingzhou Hospital of Yangtze University between January 2022 to October 2023.

Heart-on-a-chip: a revolutionary organ-on-chip platform for cardiovascular disease modeling.

Heart-on-a-chip (HoC) devices have emerged as a powerful tool for studying the human heart's intricate functions and dysfunctions in vitro. Traditional preclinical models, such as 2D cell cultures model and animal model, have limitations in accurately predicting human response to cardiovascular diseases and treatments. The HoC approach addresses these shortcomings by recapitulating the microscale anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics of the heart, thereby providing a more clinically relevant platform for drug testing, disease modeling, and personalized therapy.

Arthroscopic all-inside wrapping repair of lateral meniscus bucket-handle tears: clinical and imaging outcomes.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the clinical and radiographic healing rates of the arthroscopic all-inside wrapping repair technique for lateral meniscus bucket-handle tears (LMBHTs).

Methods: This retrospective study examined patients diagnosed with LMBHTs who underwent all-inside wrapping repair with or without anterior cruciate reconstruction between 2012 and 2021. Patients with previous knee surgeries, multiligamentous knee injuries, or advanced osteoarthritis were excluded.

CCDC154 knockdown inhibits growth of liver cancer via suppressing expression of Snail.

Objective: The effect of coiled-coil domain-containing 154 (CCDC154) in liver cancer (LC) remains unexplored. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of CCDC154 in LC and its underlying mechanism.

Methods: The analysis of CCDC154 expression and prognosis was performed using UALCAN, Human Protein Atlas and Kaplan-Meier plotter websites.

Exploring socio-demographic determinants of obesity in Jordanian women of reproductive age: insights from a nationwide survey.

Background: In Jordan, obesity has emerged as a significant public health concern, particularly among females, with a prevalence of 43.1%. This rising trend, exacerbates the burden of non-communicable diseases and places increasing strain on the healthcare system.

Preoperative halo-pelvic traction leading to near-complete airway obstruction in a child with severe thoracic lordosis and scoliosis: a case report.

Background: Halo-pelvic traction is a relatively safe treatment for preoperative spinal deformity correction in patients with severe scoliosis. Common device-related complications include local infection, back discomfort, and nerve compression symptoms. However, there are potential risks of mechanical compression of bronchial structures, especially in patients with severe thoracic lordosis and scoliosis, which can lead to life-threatening airway obstruction.

CircUCK2(2,3) promotes cancer progression and enhances synergistic cytotoxicity of lenvatinib with EGFR inhibitors via activating CNIH4-TGFα-EGFR signaling.

Background: Circular (circ)RNAs have emerged as crucial contributors to cancer progression. Nonetheless, the expression regulation, biological functions, and underlying mechanisms of circRNAs in mediating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression remain insufficiently elucidated.

Methods: We identified circUCK2(2,3) through circRNA sequencing, RT-PCR, and Sanger sequencing.

Single cell RNA sequencing improves the next generation of approaches to AML treatment: challenges and perspectives.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is caused by altered maturation and differentiation of myeloid blasts, as well as transcriptional/epigenetic alterations, all leading to excessive proliferation of malignant blood cells in the bone marrow. Tumor heterogeneity due to the acquisition of new somatic alterations leads to a high rate of resistance to current therapies or reduces the efficacy of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), thus increasing the risk of relapse and mortality. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) will enable the classification of AML and guide treatment approaches by profiling patients with different facets of the same disease, stratifying risk, and identifying new potential therapeutic targets at the time of diagnosis or after treatment.

Neuroactive steroid biosynthesis during pregnancy predicts future postpartum depression: a role for the 3α and/or 3β-HSD neurosteroidogenic enzymes?

Postpartum depression (PPD) affects ~10-15% of childbearing individuals, with deleterious consequences for two generations. Recent research has explored the biological mechanisms of PPD, particularly neuroactive steroids (NAS). We sought here to investigate associations between NAS levels and ratios during pregnancy and the subsequent development of depressive symptoms with postpartum onset.

Plasma proteomic evidence for increased β-amyloid pathology after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Previous studies have suggested that systemic viral infections may increase risks of dementia. Whether this holds true for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus infections is unknown. Determining this is important for anticipating the potential future incidence of dementia.

Concurrent inhibition of p300/CBP and FLT3 enhances cytotoxicity and overcomes resistance in acute myeloid leukemia.

FMS-like tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3), a class 3 receptor tyrosine kinase, can be activated by mutations of internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) or point mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain (FLT3-TKD), leading to constitutive activation of downstream signaling cascades, including the JAK/STAT5, PI3K/AKT/mTOR and RAS/MAPK pathways, which promote the progression of leukemic cells. Despite the initial promise of FLT3 inhibitors, the discouraging outcomes in the treatment of FLT3-ITD-positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) promote the pursuit of more potent and enduring therapeutic approaches. The histone acetyltransferase complex comprising the E1A binding protein P300 and its paralog CREB-binding protein (p300/CBP) is a promising therapeutic target, but the development of effective p300/CBP inhibitors faces challenges due to inherent resistance and low efficacy, often exacerbated by the absence of reliable clinical biomarkers for patient stratification.

Neonatology fellow assessment and evaluation: embracing the word salad of CBME, EPAs, and milestones.

Neonatal-perinatal medicine (NPM) fellowship training aims to educate fellows and enable them to move into successful independent neonatal practice. To reach this goal, every fellow must acquire a wide range of clinical, scholarly, and professional skills that require assessment and evaluation by the fellowship program. The assessment and evaluation of fellow progression and promotion must rely on a rigorous educational framework.

Targeting ABCD1-ACOX1-MET/IGF1R axis suppresses multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable hematological malignancy that necessitates the identification of novel therapeutic strategies. Here, we report that intracellular levels of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) control the cytotoxicity of MM chemotherapeutic agents. Inhibition of VLCFA biosynthesis reduced cell death in MM cells caused by the proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib.

Improved constructs for bait RNA display in a bacterial three-hybrid assay.

We have previously developed a transcription-based bacterial three-hybrid (B3H) assay as a genetic approach to probe RNA-protein interactions inside of E. coli cells. This system offers a straightforward path to identify and assess the consequences of mutations in RBPs with molecular phenotypes of interest.

Enhanced multifaceted model for plasmon-driven Schottky solar cells with integrated thermal effects.

This paper explores the development of an opto-thermal-electrical model for plasmonic Schottky solar cells (PSSCs) using a comprehensive multiphysics approach. We simulated the optical properties, power conversion efficiencies, and energy yield of PSSCs with varying nanoparticle (NP) configurations and sizes. Our spectral analysis focused on the absorption characteristics of these solar cells, examining systems sized 3 × 3, 5 × 5, and 7  × 7, with NP radii ranging from 10 to 150 nm.

Highly sensitive, responsive, and selective iodine gas sensor fabricated using AgI-functionalized graphene.

Radioactive molecular iodine (I) is a critical volatile pollutant generated in nuclear energy applications, necessitating sensors that rapidly and selectively detect low concentrations of I vapor to protect human health and the environment. In this study, we design and prepare a three-component sensing material comprising reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as the substrate, silver iodide (AgI) particles as active sites, and polystyrene sulfonate as an additive. The AgI particles enable reversible adsorption and conversion of I molecules into polyiodides, inducing substantial charge density variation in rGO.

High-Yield Cellulose Nanocrystals from Bleached Eucalyptus Fibers via Maleic Acid Hydrothermal Treatment and High-Pressure Homogenization.

This study reports the preparation of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) from commercial bleached eucalyptus Kraft pulp (BEKP) using a hydrothermal treatment in the presence of maleic acid (MA), followed by high-pressure homogenization. Compared with conventional hydrolysis methods, this approach offers significant advantages, including lower acid concentration, higher yield, and milder processing conditions. CNCs were produced with a high yield (70-85 wt %) by high-pressure homogenization of hydrothermally treated BEKP fibers with 10-20 wt % maleic acid at 150 °C, giving rise to a stable translucent gel of CNCs with a rod-like morphology (200-400 nm length and 10-40 nm width).

Transient pulsed discharge preparation of graphene aerogel supports asymmetric Cu cluster catalysts promote CO electroreduction.

Designing asymmetrical structures is an effective strategy to optimize metallic catalysts for electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reactions. Herein, we demonstrate a transient pulsed discharge method for instantaneously constructing graphene-aerogel supports asymmetric copper nanocluster catalysts. This process induces the convergence of copper atoms decomposed by copper chloride onto graphene originating from the intense current pulse and high temperature.

Condensate droplet roaming on nanostructured superhydrophobic surfaces.

Jumping of coalescing condensate droplets from superhydrophobic surfaces is an interesting phenomenon which yields marked heat transfer enhancement over the more explored gravity-driven droplet removal mode in surface condensation, a phase change process of central interest to applications ranging from energy to water harvesting. However, when condensate microdroplets coalesce, they can also spontaneously propel themselves omnidirectionally on the surface independent of gravity and grow by feeding from droplets they sweep along the way. Here we observe and explain the physics behind this phenomenon of roaming of coalescing condensate microdroplets on solely nanostructured superhydrophobic surfaces, where the microdroplets are orders of magnitude larger than the underlaying surface nanotexture.

Machine learning photodynamics decode multiple singlet fission channels in pentacene crystal.

Crystalline pentacene is a model solid-state light-harvesting material because its quantum efficiencies exceed 100% via ultrafast singlet fission. The singlet fission mechanism in pentacene crystals is disputed due to insufficient electronic information in time-resolved experiments and intractable quantum mechanical calculations for simulating realistic crystal dynamics. Here we combine a multiscale multiconfigurational approach and machine learning photodynamics to understand competing singlet fission mechanisms in crystalline pentacene.

Methylammonium-free, high-efficiency, and stable all-perovskite tandem solar cells enabled by multifunctional rubidium acetate.

All-perovskite tandem solar cells (APTSCs) offer the potential to surpass the Shockley-Queisser limit of single-junction solar cells at low cost. However, high-performance APTSCs contain unstable methylammonium (MA) cation in the tin-lead (Sn-Pb) narrow bandgap subcells. Currently, MA-free Sn-Pb perovskite solar cells (PSCs) show lower performance compared with their MA-containing counterparts.

Stress landscape of folding brain serves as a map for axonal pathfinding.

Understanding the mechanics linking cortical folding and brain connectivity is crucial for both healthy and abnormal brain development. Despite the importance of this relationship, existing models fail to explain how growing axon bundles navigate the stress field within a folding brain or how this bidirectional and dynamic interaction shapes the resulting surface morphologies and connectivity patterns. Here, we propose the concept of "axon reorientation" and formulate a mechanical model to uncover the dynamic multiscale mechanics of the linkages between cortical folding and connectivity development.