The association between abdominal obesity and depressive symptoms among Chinese adults: Evidence from national and regional communities.

BACKGROUND: The association between body shape and depressive symptoms has been reported in adults. The present study aimed to investigate the association between body shape-specific abdominal obesity and depressive symptoms among multi-regional Asian adults. METHODS: The 2011-2012 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study and 2022-2023 Hangzhou study were used as the discovery and validation datasets, respectively. Body shape was assessed by body mass index categories. Abdominal obesity was defined as a body shape index (ABSI) ≥ 75th centile. Depression was measured using 10-item Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and Geriatric Depression Scale short 15-item version, respectively. General linear and multinomial logistic models were used to explore the association of ABSI, abdominal obesity with depressive scores and presence, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 12,229 and 1210 participants were included in the discovery and validation datasets, respectively. A non-linear reverse L-shaped association was found between ABSI and depressive scores. Participants with abdominal obesity had higher depressive scores (ß = 0.05, 95%CI = 0.01-0.09; and ß = 0.13, 95%CI = 0.01-0.24; respectively). Stratified analyses showed that abdominal obesity was associated with higher depressive scores (ß = 0.09, 95%CI = 0.00-0.17; and ß = 0.25, 95%CI = 0.05-0.46; respectively) and presence (OR = 1.46, 95%CI = 1.02-2.10; and OR = 3.95, 95%CI = 1.58-9.84; respectively) in overweight adults. Furthermore, abdominal obesity was associated with depressive symptoms among overweight females, but not among males. LIMITATION: Causal links weren't addressed because of the observational study design. CONCLUSION: Abdominal obesity exhibited a positive association with depressive symptoms among Asian overweight adults, particularly in females. Prevention and early diagnosis of depressive symptoms should focus on overweight females.

Associations of maternal serum concentration of iron-related indicators with gestational diabetes mellitus in Chinese: A pilot prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the associations between iron metabolism and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by examining multiple iron-related indicators. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study involving 907 Chinese pregnant women. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure serum concentrations of iron-related indicators during the first trimester (≤ 14 weeks of gestation). GDM outcomes were measured through oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) conducted between weeks 24 and 28 of gestation. RESULTS: Subjects with iron-related indicators below the 10th percentile (except for serum iron and soluble transferrin receptor) had a higher risk of GDM compared to normal subjects (10th-90th percentiles). The ORs (95 %CI; p-value) were 1.88 (1.10, 3.20; P=0.020) for ferritin, 1.88 (1.10, 3.19; P=0.020) for hepcidin. Higher levels of ferritin (> 90th percentile) were associated with a higher risk of abnormal fasting blood glucose, while lower levels (< 10th percentile) of ferritin, hepcidin, and transferrin were associated with a higher risk of one-hour postprandial glucose ≥ 8.6 mmol/L in the OGTT. CONCLUSIONS: Lower levels (< 10th percentiles) of several iron-related indicators (ferritin, hepcidin, and transferrin) were associated with a higher risk of GDM and abnormal blood glucose compared to normal subjects.

Investigating cortical complexity and connectivity in rats with schizophrenia.

Background: The above studies indicate that the SCZ animal model has abnormal gamma oscillations and abnormal functional coupling ability of brain regions at the cortical level. However, few researchers have focused on the correlation between brain complexity and connectivity at the cortical level. In order to provide a more accurate representation of brain activity, we studied the complexity of electrocorticogram (ECoG) signals and the information interaction between brain regions in schizophrenic rats, and explored the correlation between brain complexity and connectivity. Methods: We collected ECoG signal from SCZ rats. The frequency domain and time domain functional connectivity of SCZ rats were evaluated by magnitude square coherence and mutual information (MI). Permutation entropy (PE) and permutation Lempel-Ziv complexity (PLZC) were used to analyze the complexity of ECoG, and the relationship between them was evaluated. In addition, in order to further understand the causal structure of directional information flow among brain regions, we used phase transfer entropy (PTE) to analyze the effective connectivity of the brain. Results: Firstly, in the high gamma band, the complexity of brain regions in SCZ rats is higher than that in normal rats, and the neuronal activity is irregularity. Secondly, the information integration ability of SCZ rats decreased and the communication of brain network information was hindered at the cortical level. Finally, compared with normal rats, the causal relationship between brain regions of SCZ rats was closer, but the information interaction center was not clear. Conclusion: The above findings suggest that at the cortical level, complexity and connectivity are valid biomarkers for identifying SCZ. This bridges the gap between peak potentials and EEG. This may help to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms at the cortical level in schizophrenics.

Tailoring aberration-free photonic nanojets through the illumination of dielectric cylinders using cylindrical vector beams.

This study explores the manipulation of photonic nanojets (PNJs) via axial illumination of cylindrical dielectric particles with cylindrical vector beams (CVBs). The edge diffraction effect of cylindrical particles is harnessed to achieve the near-field focusing of CVBs, minimizing the spherical aberration's impact on the quality of the PNJ. By discussing how beam width, refractive index, and particle length affect PNJs under radially polarized incidence, a simple and effective approach is demonstrated to generate rod-like PNJs with uniform transmission distances and super-diffraction-limited PNJs with pure longitudinal polarization. Azimuthal polarization, on the other hand, generates tube-like PNJs. These PNJs maintain their performance across scale. Combining edge diffraction with CVBs offers innovative PNJ modulation schemes, paving the way for potential applications in particle trapping, super-resolution imaging, photo-lithography, and advancing mesotronics and related fields.

Outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection versus esophagectomy for poorly differentiated superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: A 10-year cohort study.

BACKGROUNDS: The efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) to treat poorly differentiated superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC) is unclear. AIMS: To exploring the efficacy and prognosis of ESD treatment poorly differentiated SESCC compared with esophagectomy. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, the data of poorly differentiated SESCC patients who received ESD or esophagectomy from Jan 2011 to Jan 2021 were analyzed. Overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and procedure-related variables were compared between ESD and esophagectomy group. RESULTS: 95 patients underwent ESD, while 86 underwent esophagectomy. No significant differences were found between the two groups in OS (P = 0.587), DSS (P = 0.172), and RFS (P = 0.111). Oncologic outcomes were also similar between the two groups in propensity score-matched analysis. For T1a ESCC, the rates of R0 resection, LVI or nodal metastasis and additional therapy were similar between ESD and esophagectomy groups. But for T1b ESCC, the rates of positive resection margin and additional therapy were significantly higher in ESD group than those in esophagectomy group. CONCLUSIONS: ESD is a minimally invasive procedure that has comparable oncologic outcomes with esophagectomy for treatment poorly differentiated T1a ESCC. However, ESD is not suitable for poorly differentiated T1b ESCC, additional surgery or radiochemotherapy should be required.

Metformin alters dendrite development and synaptic plasticity in rat cortical neurons.

Synaptic plasticity is crucial as it dynamically molds the strength and connectivity of neural circuits, influencing learning, memory, and the development of neurological disorders. Metformin, a widely prescribed anti-diabetic medication, has been shown to readily cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the placenta. However, its prolonged impact on neuronal morphology and functions remains underexplored. In this study, we investigated the influence of metformin on dendrite development and synaptic plasticity in embryonic brains and primary rat cortical neurons. Our findings reveal a negative modulation of dendrite development by metformin, as evidenced by altered dendritic arborization, impaired dendritic spine morphology and disruptions in synaptic plasticity, suggesting a potential link between metformin exposure and aberrations in neuronal connectivity. In addition, we extend our insights to the impact of maternal metformin exposure on embryonic brains, revealing a significant inhibition of dendrite development in E18.5 rat brains. In conclusion, this study adds to the expanding knowledge base on the non-metabolic effects of metformin, emphasizing the significance of assessing its potential influence on both neuronal structure and function. There is an urgent need for further investigations into the enduring impact of prolonged metformin administration on the structural and functional aspects of neurons.

Metformin inhibits nerve growth factor-induced sympathetic neuron differentiation through p35/CDK5 inhibition.

The authors' previous research has shown the pivotal roles of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) and its regulatory protein p35 in nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced differentiation of sympathetic neurons in PC12 cells. During the process of differentiation, neurons are susceptible to environmental influences, including the effects of drugs. Metformin is commonly used in the treatment of diabetes and its associated symptoms, particularly in diabetic neuropathy, which is characterized by dysregulation of the sympathetic neurons. However, the impacts of metformin on sympathetic neuronal differentiation remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the impact of metformin on NGF-induced sympathetic neuronal differentiation using rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells as a model. We examined the regulation of TrkA-p35/CDK5 signaling in NGF-induced PC12 differentiation. Our results demonstrate that metformin reduces NGF-induced PC12 differentiation by inactivating the TrkA receptor, subsequently inhibiting ERK and EGR1. Inhibition of this cascade ultimately leads to the downregulation of p35/CDK5 in PC12 cells. Furthermore, metformin inhibits the activation of the presynaptic protein Synapsin-I, a substrate of CDK5, in PC12 differentiation. In addition, metformin alters axonal and synaptic bouton formation by inhibiting p35 at both the axons and axon terminals in fully differentiated PC12 cells. In summary, our study elucidates that metformin inhibits sympathetic neuronal differentiation in PC12 cells by disrupting TrkA/ERK/EGR1 and p35/CDK5 signaling. This research contributes to uncovering a novel signaling mechanism in drug response during sympathetic neuronal differentiation, enhancing our understanding of the intricate molecular processes governing this critical aspect of neurodevelopment.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study unveils a novel mechanism influenced by metformin during sympathetic neuronal differentiation. By elucidating its inhibitory effects from the nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor, TrkA, to the p35/CDK5 signaling pathways, we advance our understanding of metformin's mechanisms of action and emphasize its potential significance in the context of drug responses during sympathetic neuronal differentiation.

Impact of metformin on neocortical development during pregnancy: Involvement of ERK and p35/CDK5 pathways.

Metformin, the most commonly prescribed drug for the treatment of diabetes, is increasingly used during pregnancy to address various disorders such as diabetes, obesity, preeclampsia, and metabolic diseases. However, its impact on neocortex development remains unclear. Here, we investigated the direct effects of metformin on neocortex development, focusing on ERK and p35/CDK5 regulation. Using a pregnant rat model, we found that metformin treatment during pregnancy induces small for gestational age (SGA) and reduces relative cortical thickness in embryos and neonates. Additionally, we discovered that metformin inhibits neural progenitor cell proliferation in the sub-ventricular zone (SVZ)/ventricular zone (VZ) of the developing neocortex, a process possibly mediated by ERK inactivation. Furthermore, metformin induces neuronal apoptosis in the SVZ/VZ area of the developing neocortex. Moreover, metformin retards neuronal migration, cortical lamination, and differentiation, potentially through p35/CDK5 inhibition in the developing neocortex. Remarkably, compensating for p35 through in utero electroporation partially rescues metformin-impaired neuronal migration and development. In summary, our study reveals that metformin disrupts neocortex development by inhibiting neuronal progenitor proliferation, neuronal migration, cortical layering, and cortical neuron maturation, likely via ERK and p35/CDK5 inhibition. Consequently, our findings advocate for caution in metformin usage during pregnancy, given its potential adverse effects on fetal brain development.

Non-coding RNAs are involved in tumor cell death and affect tumorigenesis, progression, and treatment: a systematic review.

Cell death is ubiquitous during development and throughout life and is a genetically determined active and ordered process that plays a crucial role in regulating homeostasis. Cell death includes regulated cell death and non-programmed cell death, and the common types of regulatory cell death are necrosis, apoptosis, necroptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis. Apoptosis, Necrosis and necroptosis are more common than autophagy, ferroptosis and pyroptosis among cell death. Non-coding RNAs are regulatory RNA molecules that do not encode proteins and include mainly microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs. Non-coding RNAs can act as oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, with significant effects on tumor occurrence and development, and they can also regulate tumor cell autophagy, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional level. This paper reviews the recent research progress on the effects of the non-coding RNAs involved in autophagy, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis on tumorigenesis, tumor development, and treatment, and looks forward to the future direction of this field, which will help to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis and tumor development, as well as provide a new vision for the treatment of tumors.

Radioport: a radiomics-reporting network for interpretable deep learning in BI-RADS classification of mammographic calcification.

Objective.Generally, due to a lack of explainability, radiomics based on deep learning has been perceived as a black-box solution for radiologists. Automatic generation of diagnostic reports is a semantic approach to enhance the explanation of deep learning radiomics (DLR).Approach.In this paper, we propose a novel model called radiomics-reporting network (Radioport), which incorporates text attention. This model aims to improve the interpretability of DLR in mammographic calcification diagnosis. Firstly, it employs convolutional neural networks to extract visual features as radiomics for multi-category classification based on breast imaging reporting and data system. Then, it builds a mapping between these visual features and textual features to generate diagnostic reports, incorporating an attention module for improved clarity.Main results.To demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed model, we conducted experiments on a breast calcification dataset comprising mammograms and diagnostic reports. The results demonstrate that our model can: (i) semantically enhance the interpretability of DLR; and, (ii) improve the readability of generated medical reports.Significance.Our interpretable textual model can explicitly simulate the mammographic calcification diagnosis process.

Validity, feasibility, and effectiveness of a voice-recognition based digital cognitive screener for dementia and mild cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older Chinese adults: A large-scale implementation study.

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the validity, feasibility, and effectiveness of a voice recognition-based digital cognitive screener (DCS), for detecting dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in a large-scale community of elderly participants. METHODS: Eligible participants completed demographic, cognitive, functional assessments and the DCS. Neuropsychological tests were used to assess domain-specific and global cognition, while the diagnosis of MCI and dementia relied on the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale. RESULTS: Among the 11,186 participants, the DCS showed high completion rates (97.5%) and a short administration time (5.9 min) across gender, age, and education groups. The DCS demonstrated areas under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUCs) of 0.95 and 0.83 for dementia and MCI detection, respectively, among 328 participants in the validation phase. Furthermore, the DCS resulted in time savings of 16.2% to 36.0% compared to the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montral Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). DISCUSSION: This study suggests that the DCS is an effective and efficient tool for dementia and MCI case-finding in large-scale cognitive screening. HIGHLIGHTS: To our best knowledge, this is the first cognitive screening tool based on voice recognition and utilizing conversational AI that has been assessed in a large population of Chinese community-dwelling elderly. With the upgrading of a new multimodal understanding model, the DCS can accurately assess participants' responses, including different Chinese dialects, and provide automatic scores. The DCS not only exhibited good discriminant ability in detecting dementia and MCI cases, it also demonstrated a high completion rate and efficient administration regardless of gender, age, and education differences. The DCS is economically efficient, scalable, and had a better screening efficacy compared to the MMSE or MoCA, for wider implementation.

Self- and interviewer-reported cognitive problems in relation to cognitive decline and dementia: results from two prospective studies.

BACKGROUND: Little is known regarding the association of interviewer-reported cognitive problems (ICP) with age-related cognitive decline. We aimed to investigate the independent associations of ICP and the combined associations of ICP and self-reported cognitive problems (SCP) with subsequent cognitive decline and dementia in two prospective cohort studies. METHODS: We included 10,976 Chinese (age = 57.7 ± 8.7) and 40,499 European (age = 64.6 ± 9.4) adults without dementia from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Self-rated memory (5-point scale) and interviewer-rated frequencies of asking for clarification (6-point scale) were used to define SCP and ICP (dichotomized). Outcomes included objective cognitive test scores (z-score transformation) and incident dementia. Generalized estimating equation models were performed to evaluate mean differences in objective cognitive decline. Logistic and Cox regression models were used to estimate the relative risk of dementia. Results from two cohorts were pooled using the random-effects models. RESULTS: ICP was associated with faster cognitive decline in CHARLS (ßCHARLS = -0.025 [-0.044, -0.006] z-score/year). ICP and SCP were also independently associated with higher risk of dementia in two cohorts (pooled relative risk for SCP = 1.73 [1.30, 2.29]; pooled relative risk for ICP = 1.40 [1.10, 1.79]). In the joint analysis, participants with coexistence of SCP and ICP had the fastest cognitive decline (ßCHARLS = -0.051 [-0.080, -0.021]; ßSHARE = -0.024 [-0.043, -0.004]; pooled ß = -0.035 [-0.061, -0.009] z-score/year) and highest risk of dementia (ORCHARLS = 1.77 [1.42, 2.20]; HRSHARE = 2.94 [2.42, 3.59]; pooled relative risk = 2.29 [1.38, 3.77]). CONCLUSIONS: The study suggested that interviewer-reported cognitive problems may be early indicators of cognitive decline and dementia in middle-aged and older adults. A combination of self- and interviewer-reported cognitive problems showed the strongest associations with cognitive decline and dementia.

Dinaciclib inhibits the growth of acute myeloid leukemia cells through either cell cycle-related or ERK1/STAT3/MYC pathways.

Although immature differentiation and uncontrolled proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells are thought to be the primary mechanisms of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the pathophysiology in most cases remains unclear. Dinaciclib, a selective small molecule targeting multiple cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), is currently being evaluated in oncological clinical trials. Despite the proven anticancer potential of dinaciclib, the differential molecular mechanisms by which it inhibits the growth of different AML cell lines remain unclear. In the current study, we treated HL-60 and KG-1 AML cell lines with dinaciclib and investigated the potential mechanisms of dinaciclib-induced AML cell growth inhibition using flow cytometry and western blotting assays. Data from HL-60 and KG-1 AML cells were validated using human primary AML cells. The results showed that the growth inhibitory effect of dinaciclib was more sensitive in HL-60 cells (IC50: 8.46 nM) than in KG-1 cells (IC50: 14.37 nM). The protein decline in Cyclin A/B and CDK1 and cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase were more profound in HL-60 cells, corresponding to its growth inhibition. Although the growth inhibition of KG-1 cells by dinaciclib was still pronounced, the cell cycle-associated proteins were relatively insensitive. In addition to cell cycle regulation, the activation/expression of ERK1/STAT3/MYC signaling was significantly reduced by dinaciclib in KG-1 cells compared with that in HL-60 cells. Regarding the results of primary AML cells, we observed ERK1/STAT3/MYC inhibition and cell cycle regulation in different patients. These findings suggest that the cell cycle-associated and ERK1/STAT3/MYC signaling pathways might be two distinct mechanisms by which dinaciclib inhibits AML cells, which could facilitate the development of combination therapy for AML in the future.

Cost-benefit and discriminant validity of a stepwise dementia case-finding approach in an Asian older adult community.

Background: Case-finding is a recommended approach for dementia early detection in the community. Aims: To investigate the discriminant validity and cost-effectiveness of a stepwise dementia case-finding approach in a Singaporean older adult community. Methods: The two-phase study was conducted in the community from 2009 to 2015 in Singapore. A total of 3780 participants (age ≥60 years) completed phase I (a brief cognitive screening); 918 completed phase II and were included in the final analysis. In phase I, all participants were administered the Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT) and the Progressive Forgetfulness Question (PFQ). Those who screened positive on either test were invited to phase II, whereby the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and a formal neuropsychological battery were administered, followed by the research diagnosis of no cognitive impairment, cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND)-Mild (≤2 impaired cognitive domains), CIND-Moderate (>2 impaired domains) or dementia. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were conducted for the different cognitive instruments. All discriminant indices were calculated, including sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (NPV) and accuracy. Cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted by estimating the amount of screening time needed and the number of older adults requiring re-evaluation in two case-finding scenarios, ie, with or without preselection by the PFQ. Results: The stepwise case-finding approach (preselection by the PFQ, then MMSE or MoCA or AMT) showed an excellent NPV (>99%) and accuracy (>86%) for excluding dementia-free cases. Without preselection by the PFQ, screening time for the three cognitive tools were 317.5, 317.5 and 254 hours, with 159, 302 and 175 screen-positive older adults involved in further evaluation. By adopting the stepwise case-finding approach, total screening time were 156.5, 156.5 and 126.2 hours, which decreased by 50.7%, 50.7% and 50.3% as compared with those without preselection. Furthermore, after preselection, only 98, 167 and 145 screen-positive older adults required further evaluation, corresponding to a reduction of 38.4%, 44.7% and 17.1% in the numbers compared with those without preselection. Conclusions: A stepwise approach for dementia case-finding should be implemented in the community to minimise the time and resources needed for large-scale early detection of dementia.

Associations of early pregnancy serum uric acid levels with risk of gestational diabetes and birth outcomes: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Previous evidence suggests that higher blood uric acid (UA) levels are associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes during pregnancy and subsequent birth outcomes. However, it has been relatively unclear whether these associations persist in normotensive pregnant women. METHODS: The study was based on a retrospective analysis of 18,250 mother-infant pairs in a large obstetric center in China. Serum UA concentrations in early pregnancy (median: 17.6, IQR: 16.3, 18.6 gestational weeks) were assessed. Hyperuricemia was defined as ≥ one standard deviation (SD) of the reference value for the corresponding gestational age. Outcomes of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preterm birth (PB), low birth weight (LBW), macrosomia, small for gestational age (SGA) and large for gestational age (LGA) were extracted from the medical records. RESULTS: The mean maternal UA level was 0.22 ± 0.05 mmol/L, and 2,896 (15.9%) subjects had hyperuricemia. After adjustment for several covariates, UA was associated with several adverse outcomes. The ORs (95%CI) per one SD increase in serum UA concentration were 1.250 (1.136, 1.277) for GDM, 1.137 (1.060, 1.221) for PB, 1.134 (1.051, 1.223) for LBW, and 1.077 (1.020, 1.137) for SGA, respectively. Similar adverse associations were found between hyperuricemia and GDM, PB (ORs: 1.394 and 1.385, P < 0.001), but not for LBW, macrosomia, SGA, and LGA. Adverse associations tended to be more pronounced in subjects with higher BMI for outcomes including PB, LBW, and SGA (P interaction = 0.001-0.028). CONCLUSION: Higher UA levels in early pregnancy were associated with higher risk of GDM, PB, LBW, and SGA in normotensive Chinese women.

Deletions of singular U1 snRNA gene significantly interfere with transcription and 3'-end mRNA formation.

Small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) are structural and functional cores of the spliceosome. In metazoan genomes, each snRNA has multiple copies/variants, up to hundreds in mammals. However, the expressions and functions of each copy/variant in one organism have not been systematically studied. Focus on U1 snRNA genes, we investigated all five copies in Drosophila melanogaster using two series of constructed strains. Analyses of transgenic flies that each have a U1 promoter-driven gfp revealed that U1:21D is the major and ubiquitously expressed copy, and the other four copies have specificities in developmental stages and tissues. Mutant strains that each have a precisely deleted copy of U1-gene exhibited various extents of defects in fly morphology or mobility, especially deletion of U1:82Eb. Interestingly, splicing was changed at limited levels in the deletion strains, while large amounts of differentially-expressed genes and alternative polyadenylation events were identified, showing preferences in the down-regulation of genes with 1-2 introns and selection of proximal sites for 3'-end polyadenylation. In vitro assays suggested that Drosophila U1 variants pulled down fewer SmD2 proteins compared to the canonical U1. This study demonstrates that all five U1-genes in Drosophila have physiological functions in development and play regulatory roles in transcription and 3'-end formation.

Progress in research on tumor microenvironment-based spatial omics technologies.

Spatial omics technology integrates the concept of space into omics research and retains the spatial information of tissues or organs while obtaining molecular information. It is characterized by the ability to visualize changes in molecular information and yields intuitive and vivid visual results. Spatial omics technologies include spatial transcriptomics, spatial proteomics, spatial metabolomics, and other technologies, the most widely used of which are spatial transcriptomics and spatial proteomics. The tumor microenvironment refers to the surrounding microenvironment in which tumor cells exist, including the surrounding blood vessels, immune cells, fibroblasts, bone marrow-derived inflammatory cells, various signaling molecules, and extracellular matrix. A key issue in modern tumor biology is the application of spatial omics to the study of the tumor microenvironment, which can reveal problems that conventional research techniques cannot, potentially leading to the development of novel therapeutic agents for cancer. This paper summarizes the progress of research on spatial transcriptomics and spatial proteomics technologies for characterizing the tumor immune microenvironment.

Associations Between Abdominal Obesity, Chewing Difficulty and Cognitive Impairment in Dementia-Free Chinese Elderly.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the independent and synergistic associations between abdominal obesity, chewing difficulty and cognitive impairment in a community-dwelling older adults sample in China. METHODS: Cognitive function was measured by the 5 min- Montreal Cognitive Assessment (5 min-MoCA) and abdominal obesity was measured by A Body Shape Index (ABSI) in 572 participants recruited from local communities. Chewing difficulty was assessed via a self-report questionnaire. Linear regression and general logistic regression were performed to investigate the association of chewing difficulty and abdominal obesity with cognition. RESULTS: Chewing difficulty score [ß (95% CI) = -.30 (-.49, -.11)] and ABSI [ß (95%CI) = -.30 (-.55, -.05)] were independently associated with worse performance on the 5 min-MoCA. Whilst ABSI was not associated with cognitive impairment, the co-existence of chewing difficulty and abdominal obesity [OR (95% CI) = 2.22 (1.18, 4.17)] was found associated with the presence of cognitive impairment. CONCLUSION: Chewing difficulty and abdominal obesity were independently associated with cognition. Abdominal obesity and chewing may have an additive effect on cognitive function.

Associations of serum concentrations of metal nutrients with postpartum anemia among pregnant Chinese women: A large retrospective cohort study.

Background and Aims: The association between serum concentrations of metal nutrients in pregnancy and postpartum anemia has not been widely studied. This study aimed to determine this association in a large retrospective cohort study. Methods: We included 14,829 Chinese women with singleton pregnancies. Serum concentrations of metals before 28 weeks of gestation, the occurrence of postpartum anemia and other potential covariates were obtained from their laboratory or medical records. Cox regression and restricted cubic spline regression models were used to explore the relationship between serum concentrations of metal nutrients in pregnancy and postpartum anemia. Results: After adjustment for covariates, higher concentrations of iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) and lower concentrations of copper (Cu) were associated with a lower risk of postpartum anemia. Compared with those whose serum concentrations of metal nutrients were in the bottom quintile (Q1), the hazard ratios (HRs) of those whose serum concentrations of metal nutrients were in the top quintile (Q5) were 0.57 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.50, 0.64) for Fe, 0.67 (95% CI: 0.60, 0.76) for Mg, 0.82 (95% CI: 0.73, 0.93) for Zn, and 1.44 (95% CI: 1.28, 1.63) for Cu. L-shaped curve relationships were found between increasing concentrations of Fe, Mg, and Zn and incidence of postpartum anemia. Higher serum concentrations of Cu were associated with an increased risk of postpartum anemia. Serum concentrations of Fe in Q5 were associated with a lower risk of postpartum anemia when they coincided with serum concentrations of Mg in Q5, Zn in Q5, or Cu in Q1. Conclusion: Higher serum concentrations of Fe, Mg, and Zn, and lower serum concentrations of Cu were associated with a lower risk of postpartum anemia among pregnant women.

A survey on automatic generation of medical imaging reports based on deep learning.

Recent advances in deep learning have shown great potential for the automatic generation of medical imaging reports. Deep learning techniques, inspired by image captioning, have made significant progress in the field of diagnostic report generation. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of recent research efforts in deep learning-based medical imaging report generation and proposes future directions in this field. First, we summarize and analyze the data set, architecture, application, and evaluation of deep learning-based medical imaging report generation. Specially, we survey the deep learning architectures used in diagnostic report generation, including hierarchical RNN-based frameworks, attention-based frameworks, and reinforcement learning-based frameworks. In addition, we identify potential challenges and suggest future research directions to support clinical applications and decision-making using medical imaging report generation systems.