Multi-omics analysis of gut-brain axis reveals novel microbial and neurotransmitter signatures in patients with arteriosclerotic cerebral small vessel disease.

Arteriosclerotic cerebral small vessel disease (aCSVD) is a major cause of stroke and dementia. Although its underlying pathogenesis remains poorly understood, both inflammaging and gut microbiota dysbiosis have been hypothesized to play significant roles. This study investigated the role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of aCSVD through a comparative analysis of the gut microbiome and metabolome between CSVD patients and healthy controls. The results showed that patients with aCSVD exhibited a marked reduction in potentially beneficial bacterial species, such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzli and Roseburia intestinalis, alongside an increase in taxa from Bacteroides and Proteobacteria. Integrated metagenomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that alterations in microbial metabolic pathways, including LPS biosynthesis and phenylalanine-tyrosine metabolism, were associated with the status of aCSVD. Our findings indicated that microbial LPS biosynthesis and phenylalanine-tyrosine metabolism potentially influenced the symptoms and progression of aCSVD via pro-inflammatory effect and modulation of systemic neurotransmitters, respectively. These results imply that gut microbiota characteristics may serve as indicators for early detection of aCSVD and as potential gut-directed therapeutic intervention target.

Isolation and pathogenicity of a fowl adenovirus 8b (FAdV-8b) strain in Cherry Valley ducks.

AbstractInclusion body hepatitis (IBH) is an economically important viral disease primarily affecting the poultry industry. In this study, we isolated a strain of FAdV-8b (strain SDYT) from naturally infected ducks and the hexon and fiber gene sequences were analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. In order to study the pathogenicity of FAdV-8b on Cherry Valley ducks, we inoculated 10- and 20-day-old ducks with 0.3 ml of FAdV-4 virus (TCID50 of 105.5/0.1 ml) either orally or intramuscularly. Clinical signs, gross lesions and histopathological changes, cytokines, viral load and antibody levels were noticed and recorded within 15 days after infection.Pathomorphological investigations revealed that ducks in the experimental group exhibited hepatitis symptoms. Histopathology showed multiple-organ damage, including serious liver and kidney lesions. Furthermore, elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines and antibodies was noticed, due to the infection and innate immune response. At later stage of infection immunosuppression occurred, resulting in decreased levels of cytokines. Determination of viral load indicated that the virus was present in several organs, with the highest viral DNA load found in the liver, followed by the kidney. Compared to birds infected orally, the intramuscular group exhibited the highest viral load. In summary, this study increases our understanding of the pathogenicity of FAdV-8b in ducks and establishes a model that will inform antiviral drug testing and vaccine evaluation for IBH, thereby preventing and reducing the spread of IBH in the poultry industry.

Efficacy of Shugan Hewei formula combined with rabeprazole in refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of the Chinese herbal medication Shugan Hewei formula (SHF) combined with rabeprazole in patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (rGERD). METHOD: A total of 264 participants were randomly assigned to the treatment group (n = 132) receiving SHF granules (20 mg) combined with rabeprazole (10 mg) and the control group (n = 132) receiving placebo SHF granules (20 mg) combined with rabeprazole (20 mg). Both groups undergo 8 weeks of treatment and 2 weeks of follow-up. RESULTS: The treatment group showed higher total clinical symptom efficacy and lower total symptom scores compared to the control group. The treatment group was superior to the control group in reducing rGERD major symptom scores, including heartburn, retrosternal pain, regurgitation and belching, and acid regurgitation. Additionally, treatment group (Z = 8.169, P < 0.001) and control group (Z = 9.800, P < 0.001) treatments were all significantly attenuated esophageal inflammation, demonstrating comparable efficacy. Patients with esophagitis grade A decreased from 40.34% to 17.23%, and those with grade B decreased from 11.76% to 3.78% in the treatment group. The results of the SF-36 scale showed that combination therapy was more effective in improving role limitations due to physical health, vitality, general health, total somato-physical health, and psychiatric mental health. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals that the combined treatment of SHF with rabeprazole is more efficacious in managing patients with rGERD when contrasted with sole rabeprazole treatment.

Interface-reinforced high-capacity fiber cathode for wearable Li-S batteries.

Fiber-shaped Li-S batteries are attractive for constructing smart textiles as flexible power solutions due to their high theoretical specific capacity, flexibility and wearability. However, severe interfacial issues, such as the shuttle effect of polysulfides on the cathode side, lead to capacity decay and poor lifespan of the batteries. Herein, we report a fiber-shaped composite cathode with collaborative interface interactions to maintain electrode integrity and boost electrochemical performance. In this architecture, nanosulfur-polyvinylpyrrolidone (nanoS-PVP) particles are uniformly implanted into the few-layer Ti3C2T x with outstanding electrical conductivity and then coated on aluminum (Al) fiber current collectors. Impressively, nanoS and soluble polysulfides are restricted to the cathode side via synergy physical confinement and chemical adsorption of Ti3C2T x . The PVP chains on the surface of the nanoS prevent the sulfur from agglomeration and bridge the Ti3C2T x by abundant hydrogen bonds. The enhanced interface endows the cathode with excellent mechanical flexibility, good adsorption of polysulfides and fast reaction kinetics. Consequently, the prepared Ti3C2T x /nanoS-PVP@Al cathode exhibits excellent cycling performance (capacity retention of 92.8% after 1000 cycles at 1 C), high-rate capacity (556.2 mAh g-1 at 2.0 C) and high linear capacity (22.9 mAh m-1). Additionally, the fiber-shaped Li-S battery works effectively under deformation and high/low-temperature conditions. It can be integrated into the fabric to power light emitting diodes or charge a smartphone wirelessly.

Regulation of Biomineralization and Autophagy by the Stress-Sensing Transcription Factor CgRunx1 in Crassostrea gigas Under Daylight Ultraviolet B Radiation.

As human activities increase and environmental changes persist, increased ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation in aquatic ecosystems poses significant threats to aquatic life. This study, through transcriptomic analysis of the mantle tissue of Crassostrea gigas following UVB radiation exposure, identified and validated two key transcription factors, CgRunx1 and CgCBFß. The highest expression levels of CgRunx1 and CgCBFß in the mantle suggest their pivotal roles in this tissue. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that CgRunx1 and CgCBFß could form heterodimers and interact with each other. Furthermore, this study assessed the impact of UVB radiation on the levels of reactive oxygen species of the C. gigas, speculating that CgRunx1, as a potential redox-sensitive transcription factor, might be regulated by intracellular ROS. Through screening and binding site prediction analysis of target genes, coupled with dual-luciferase reporter assays, we verified that CgRunx1 might participate in regulating the biomineralization and autophagy processes in C. gigas by activating the transcriptional expression of target genes Transport and Golgi organization 1 and V-type proton ATPase catalytic subunit A. These findings provide new insights into the molecular response mechanisms of the C. gigas to UVB radiation and lay an important foundation for studying the adaptive evolution of bivalves to environmental stress.

Harsh Environment-Tolerant, High Performance Soft Pressure Sensors Enabled by Fiber-Segment Structure and Plasma Treatment.

As the demand for specialized and diversified pressure sensors continues to increase, excellent performance and multi-applicability have become necessary for pressure sensors. Currently, flexible pressure sensors are primarily utilized in fields such as health monitoring and human-computer interaction. However, numerous complex extreme environments in reality, including deep sea, corrosive conditions, extreme cold, and high temperatures, urgently require the services of flexible devices. Here, a piezoresistive flexible pressure sensor based on expanded polytetrafluoroethylene/functionalized carbon nanotubes (EPTFE/FCNT) is proposed. Benefiting from the unique fiber-segment architecture, chemical stability, and strong chemical binding force between EPTFE and FCNT, the fabricated sensor exhibits remarkable sensing capabilities and can be employed in multifarious extreme environments. It demonstrates a sensitivity of 862.28 kPa-1, a response time of 6-7 ms, and a detection limit below 1 Pa. Furthermore, it possesses a pressure resolution of 0.0018% under 111 kPa and can withstand over 10,000 loading and unloading cycles under 1 MPa. Additionally, the EPTFE/FCNT sensor retains its outstanding pressure response and work efficiency in extreme conditions such as an ultra-low temperature of -80 °C, high temperature (200 °C), acidic and alkaline corrosion, and underwater. These notable attributes enormously broaden the sensors' real-world application range.

Response of anammox to organics with different degradation characteristics and exposure time: Performance, sludge characteristics and bacterial community.

The effects of typical organic compounds including easily degradable organic matters sodium acetate, yeast and methanol, and refractory organic matter (ROM) humic acid on anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) systems in short-term and medium-term exposure time were studied. During short-term experiments, nitrogen removal activity (NRA) was inhibited at sodium acetate level of 150 mg L-1 total organic carbon (TOC) and methanol level of 30-150 mg L-1 TOC, but humic acid and yeast (≤150 mg L-1 TOC) enhanced nitrogen removal in anammox systems. The greatest NRA of 30.10 mg TN g-1 VSS h-1 was recorded at yeast level of 90 mg L-1 TOC. In medium-term experiments, organics significantly inhibited the nitrogen removal ability. As a ROM, humic acid enhanced sludge aggregation and biological diversity, but decreased the bioactivity and extracellular polymeric substances levels. Due to the endogenous denitrification, the relative abundance of anammox bacteria (AnAOB) was decreased. Candidatus Kuenenia is still dominant in sludge with methanol and humid acid, but AnAOB are not dominant due to the addition of sodium acetate and yeast. This research would be beneficial for the full-scale application of the anammox process in treating real wastewater with organics and ammonia.

scDiffusion: conditional generation of high-quality single-cell data using diffusion model.

MOTIVATION: Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data are important for studying the laws of life at single-cell level. However, it is still challenging to obtain enough high-quality scRNA-seq data. To mitigate the limited availability of data, generative models have been proposed to computationally generate synthetic scRNA-seq data. Nevertheless, the data generated with current models are not very realistic yet, especially when we need to generate data with controlled conditions. In the meantime, diffusion models have shown their power in generating data with high fidelity, providing a new opportunity for scRNA-seq generation. RESULTS: In this study, we developed scDiffusion, a generative model combining the diffusion model and foundation model to generate high-quality scRNA-seq data with controlled conditions. We designed multiple classifiers to guide the diffusion process simultaneously, enabling scDiffusion to generate data under multiple condition combinations. We also proposed a new control strategy called Gradient Interpolation. This strategy allows the model to generate continuous trajectories of cell development from a given cell state. Experiments showed that scDiffusion could generate single-cell gene expression data closely resembling real scRNA-seq data. Also, scDiffusion can conditionally produce data on specific cell types including rare cell types. Furthermore, we could use the multiple-condition generation of scDiffusion to generate cell type that was out of the training data. Leveraging the Gradient Interpolation strategy, we generated a continuous developmental trajectory of mouse embryonic cells. These experiments demonstrate that scDiffusion is a powerful tool for augmenting the real scRNA-seq data and can provide insights into cell fate research. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: scDiffusion is openly available at the GitHub repository https://github.com/EperLuo/scDiffusion or Zenodo https://zenodo.org/doi/10.5281/zenodo.13268742.

Exploring the crosstalk molecular mechanisms between IgA nephropathy and Sjögren's syndrome based on comprehensive bioinformatics and immunohistochemical analyses.

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and Sjogren's syndrome (SS) are two autoimmune diseases with undetermined etiology and related to abnormal activation of lymphocytes. This study aims to explore the crucial genes, pathways and immune cells between IgAN and SS. Gene expression profiles of IgAN and SS were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus and Nephroseq data. Differentially expressed gene (DEG) and weighted gene co-expression network analyses (WGCNA) were done to identify common genes. Enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction network were used to explore potential molecular pathways and crosstalk genes between IgAN and SS. The results were further verified by external validation and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. Additionally, immune cell analysis and transcription factor prediction were also conducted. The DEG analysis revealed 28 commonly up-regulated genes, while WGCNA identified 98 interactively positive-correlated module genes between IgAN and SS. The enrichment analysis suggested that these genes were mainly involved in the biological processes of response to virus and antigen processing and presentation. The external validation and IHC analysis identified 5 hub genes (PSMB8, PSMB9, IFI44, ISG15, and CD53). In the immune cell analysis, the effector memory CD8 T and T follicular helper cells were significantly activated, and the corresponding proportions showed positively correlations with the expressions of the 5 hub genes in the two autoimmune diseases. Together, our data identified the crosstalk genes, molecular pathways, and immune cells underlying the IgAN and SS, which provides valuable insights into the intricate mechanisms of these diseases and offers potential intervention targets.

Building a learnable universal coordinate system for single-cell atlas with a joint-VAE model.

A universal coordinate system that can ensemble the huge number of cells and capture their heterogeneities is of vital importance for constructing large-scale cell atlases as references for molecular and cellular studies. Studies have shown that cells exhibit multifaceted heterogeneities in their transcriptomic features at multiple resolutions. This nature of complexity makes it hard to design a fixed coordinate system through a combination of known features. It is desirable to build a learnable universal coordinate model that can capture major heterogeneities and serve as a controlled generative model for data augmentation. We developed UniCoord, a specially-tuned joint-VAE model to represent single-cell transcriptomic data in a lower-dimensional latent space with high interpretability. Each latent dimension can represent either discrete or continuous feature, and either supervised by prior knowledge or unsupervised. The latent dimensions can be easily reconfigured to generate pseudo transcriptomic profiles with desired properties. UniCoord can also be used as a pre-trained model to analyze new data with unseen cell types and thus can serve as a feasible framework for cell annotation and comparison. UniCoord provides a prototype for a learnable universal coordinate framework to enable better analysis and generation of cells with highly orchestrated functions and heterogeneities.

Fibres-threads of intelligence-enable a new generation of wearable systems.

Fabrics represent a unique platform for seamlessly integrating electronics into everyday experiences. The advancements in functionalizing fabrics at both the single fibre level and within constructed fabrics have fundamentally altered their utility. The revolution in materials, structures, and functionality at the fibre level enables intimate and imperceptible integration, rapidly transforming fibres and fabrics into next-generation wearable devices and systems. In this review, we explore recent scientific and technological breakthroughs in smart fibre-enabled fabrics. We examine common challenges and bottlenecks in fibre materials, physics, chemistry, fabrication strategies, and applications that shape the future of wearable electronics. We propose a closed-loop smart fibre-enabled fabric ecosystem encompassing proactive sensing, interactive communication, data storage and processing, real-time feedback, and energy storage and harvesting, intended to tackle significant challenges in wearable technology. Finally, we envision computing fabrics as sophisticated wearable platforms with system-level attributes for data management, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and closed-loop intelligent networks.

Association of ADAMTS-5 gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility to knee osteoarthritis in a Chinese Han population.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent type of arthritis and the main reason for progressive disability in middle-aged and older people. Studies of candidate genes may provide a novel insight and treatment strategy for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between KOA susceptibility and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the ADAMTS-5 gene. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The case group included 188 patients from Luoyang Orthopedic Hospital with clinically and radiographically diagnosed primary KOA, and the control group included 100 age-matched individuals without KOA. Fifteen ADAMTS-5 SNPs were assayed using MALDI-TOF MS. Allelic and haplotypic frequencies were compared between the groups. The relationship between genotype distribution and risk of KOA was analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: The frequency of A allele in rs2249350 site in the KOA group was significantly lower (odds ratio [OR]: 0.761; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.612-0.947; P = 0.016), while that of C allele was higher than that in the control group (OR: 1.176; 95% CI: 1.025-1.351; P = 0.016). AA genotype and gene model, especially recessive gene model at rs2249350 locus, negatively correlated with KOA risk after adjustment for sex, body mass index, age, and occupation (AA vs. CC: OR: 0.288; 95% CI: 0.124-0.669; P = 0.004; AA vs. CA + CC: OR: 0.348; 95% CI: 0.162-0.749; P = 0.007). Meanwhile, one protective haplotype, GA (rs229054, rs2249350) (OR: 0.763; 95% CI: 0.614-0.949; P = 0.017), and one high-risk haplotype, GC (rs229054, rs2249350) (OR: 1.259; 95% CI: 1.032-1.537; P = 0.019), were found in this study. CONCLUSION: Despite a limited sample size, our study suggests that the rs2249350 polymorphism in the ADAMTS-5 gene is one of the genetic factors influencing the risk of KOA. The A allele and AA genotype of rs2249350 may protect from KOA, whereas C allele and CC genotype increase the risk of KOA. In addition, the GA haplotype (rs229054, rs2249350) might be associated with a decreased risk of KOA, whereas the GC haplotype (rs229054, rs2249350) may be a risk factor for KOA. Additional larger-sized studies in more ethnically diverse populations are needed to confirm these findings.

Blood MALT1 serves as a potential biomarker reflecting the response and survival of immune­checkpoint­inhibitor therapy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Treatment modalities involving an immune-checkpoint-inhibitor (ICI) have emerged as therapeutic options in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nonetheless, auxiliary biomarkers are required to evaluate their efficacy. The present study aimed to assess the potential of blood mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue 1 (MALT1) in reflecting clinical response and prognosis in patients with advanced HCC who received ICI therapy. Peripheral blood was collected from 51 patients with advanced HCC who were about to receive ICI or ICI-based treatment. Blood MALT1 levels were determined using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, and the blood MALT1 levels in 50 healthy controls (HCs) were also assessed. Besides, the treatment response and survival data were collected. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparison analysis and the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient test was used for correlation analysis. The prognostic value of MALT1 was determined by Kaplan-Meier curve analysis with the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to identify factors associated with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The results demonstrated that blood MALT1 levels were significantly increased in patients with advanced HCC compared with that in HCs (P<0.001). Blood MALT1 levels were increased in patients with portal vein invasion (vs. without portal vein invasion; P=0.010), extrahepatic disease (vs. without extrahepatic disease; P=0.026) and α-fetoprotein (AFP) ≥200 ng/ml (vs. AFP <200 ng/ml; P=0.040). After 4 cycles of ICI therapy, the objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) was 29.4 and 68.6%, respectively. Blood MALT1 levels were also significantly and negatively associated with the ORR (P=0.043) and DCR (P=0.004). Furthermore, PFS and OS were shortened in patients with high blood MALT1 levels (cut-off by the median) compared to those with low blood MALT1 levels. After adjusting using multivariate Cox regression models, high blood MALT1 levels were demonstrated to be a significant independent risk factor for shortened PFS [hazard ratio (HR)=2.419; P=0.009] and OS (HR=2.706, P=0.018) in patients with advanced HCC who received ICI therapy. In summary, blood MALT1 levels serve as a potential biomarker to reflect treatment response and survival in patients with advanced HCC who receive ICI therapy.

Bioinspired iontronic synapse fibers for ultralow-power multiplexing neuromorphic sensorimotor textiles.

Artificial neuromorphic devices can emulate dendric integration, axonal parallel transmission, along with superior energy efficiency in facilitating efficient information processing, offering enormous potential for wearable electronics. However, integrating such circuits into textiles to achieve biomimetic information perception, processing, and control motion feedback remains a formidable challenge. Here, we engineer a quasi-solid-state iontronic synapse fiber (ISF) comprising photoresponsive TiO2, ion storage Co-MoS2, and an ion transport layer. The resulting ISF achieves inherent short-term synaptic plasticity, femtojoule-range energy consumption, and the ability to transduce chemical/optical signals. Multiple ISFs are interwoven into a synthetic neural fabric, allowing the simultaneous propagation of distinct optical signals for transmitting parallel information. Importantly, IFSs with multiple input electrodes exhibit spatiotemporal information integration. As a proof of concept, a textile-based multiplexing neuromorphic sensorimotor system is constructed to connect synaptic fibers with artificial fiber muscles, enabling preneuronal sensing information integration, parallel transmission, and postneuronal information output to control the coordinated motor of fiber muscles. The proposed fiber system holds enormous promise in wearable electronics, soft robotics, and biomedical engineering.

Self-Adhesive, Stretchable, and Thermosensitive Iontronic Hydrogels for Highly Sensitive Neuromorphic Sensing-Synaptic Systems.

Artificial sensory afferent nerves that emulate receptor nanochannel perception and synaptic ionic information processing in chemical environments are highly desirable for bioelectronics. However, challenges persist in achieving life-like nanoscale conformal contact, agile multimodal sensing response, and synaptic feedback with ions. Here, a precisely tuned phase transition poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) hydrogel is introduced through the water molecule reservoir strategy. The resulting hydrogel with strongly cross-linked networks exhibits excellent mechanical performance (∼2000% elongation) and robust adhesive strength. Importantly, the hydrogel's enhanced ionic conductance and heterogeneous structure of the temperature-sensitive component enable highly sensitive strain information perception (GFmax = 7.94, response time ∼ 87 ms), temperature information perception (TCRmax = -1.974%/°C, response time ∼ 270 ms), and low energy consumption synaptic plasticity (42.2 fJ/spike). As a demonstration, a neuromorphic sensing-synaptic system is constructed integrating iontronic strain/temperature sensors with fiber synapses for real-time information sensing, discrimination, and feedback. This work holds enormous potential in bioinspired robotics and bioelectronics.

Alpha-2-Macroglobulin Attenuates Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis Cartilage Damage by Inhibiting Inflammatory Pathways With Modified Intra-articular Drilling in a Yucatan Minipig Model.

BACKGROUND: Posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) arises secondarily to joint trauma and is driven by catabolic inflammatory pathways. Alpha-2-macroglobulin (α2M) is a naturally occurring proteinase inhibitor found in human serum and synovial fluid that binds proteases as well as proinflammatory cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of PTOA. PURPOSE: (1) To investigate the therapeutic potential of intra-articular α2M injections during the acute stages of PTOA by inhibiting inflammatory pathways driven by the cytokines expressed by the synovium in a large preclinical Yucatan minipig model and (2) to determine if 3 intra-articular α2M injections have greater chondroprotective effects compared with 1 intra-articular injection. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: A total of 48 Yucatan minipigs were randomized into 4 groups (n = 12 each): (1) modified intra-articular drilling (mIAD) and saline (mIAD + saline), (2) mIAD and 1 intra-articular α2M injection (mIAD +α2M-1), (3) mIAD and 3 α2M injections (mIAD +α2M-3), and (4) sham control. Surgical hindlimbs were harvested at 15 weeks after surgery. Cartilage degeneration, synovial changes, inflammatory gene expression, and matrix metalloproteinase levels were evaluated. Gait asymmetry was measured before and after surgery using a pressure-sensing walkway system. RESULTS: Macroscopic lesion areas and microscopic cartilage degeneration scores were lower in the mIAD +α2M-1 and mIAD +α2M-3 groups compared with the mIAD + saline group (P < .05) and similar to those in the sham group (P > .05). Synovial membrane scores of the mIAD +α2M-1 and mIAD +α2M-3 groups were lower than that of the mIAD + saline group (P < .05) and higher than that of the sham group (P < .05). Interleukin-1 beta, nuclear factor kappa B, and tumor necrosis factor alpha mRNA expression in the synovium and matrix metalloproteinase-1 levels in synovial fluid were significantly lower in the mIAD +α2M-1 and mIAD +α2M-3 groups compared with the mIAD + saline group (P < .05). No significant differences were observed between the mIAD +α2M-1 and mIAD +α2M-3 groups for all measured outcomes. There were early changes in gait (P < .05) between preoperative and postoperative time points for the mIAD + saline, mIAD +α2M-1, and mIAD +α2M-3 groups that normalized by 15 weeks. CONCLUSION: Animals receiving early α2M treatment exhibited less cartilage damage, milder synovitis, and lower inflammation compared with animals with no α2M treatment. These results exemplify the early anti-inflammatory effects of α2M and provide evidence that intra-articular α2M injections may slow the progression of PTOA. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In patients presenting with an acute joint injury, an early intervention with α2M may have the potential to reduce cartilage degeneration from catabolic pathways and delay the development of PTOA.

Evaluating artificial intelligence-enhanced digital urine cytology for bladder cancer diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the diagnostic effectiveness of the AIxURO platform, an artificial intelligence-based tool, to support urine cytology for bladder cancer management, which typically requires experienced cytopathologists and substantial diagnosis time. METHODS: One cytopathologist and two cytotechnologists reviewed 116 urine cytology slides and corresponding whole-slide images (WSIs) from urology patients. They used three diagnostic modalities: microscopy, WSI review, and AIxURO, per The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology (TPS) criteria. Performance metrics, including TPS-guided and binary diagnosis, inter- and intraobserver agreement, and screening time, were compared across all methods and reviewers. RESULTS: AIxURO improved diagnostic accuracy by increasing sensitivity (from 25.0%-30.6% to 63.9%), positive predictive value (PPV; from 21.6%-24.3% to 31.1%), and negative predictive value (NPV; from 91.3%-91.6% to 95.3%) for atypical urothelial cell (AUC) cases. For suspicious for high-grade urothelial carcinoma (SHGUC) cases, it improved sensitivity (from 15.2%-27.3% to 33.3%), PPV (from 31.3%-47.4% to 61.1%), and NPV (from 91.6%-92.7% to 93.3%). Binary diagnoses exhibited an improvement in sensitivity (from 77.8%-82.2% to 90.0%) and NPV (from 91.7%-93.4% to 95.8%). Interobserver agreement across all methods showed moderate consistency (κ = 0.57-0.61), with the cytopathologist demonstrating higher intraobserver agreement than the two cytotechnologists across the methods (κ = 0.75-0.88). AIxURO significantly reduced screening time by 52.3%-83.2% from microscopy and 43.6%-86.7% from WSI review across all reviewers. Screening-positive (AUC+) cases required more time than negative cases across all methods and reviewers. CONCLUSIONS: AIxURO demonstrates the potential to improve both sensitivity and efficiency in bladder cancer diagnostics via urine cytology. Its integration into the cytopathological screening workflow could markedly decrease screening times, which would improve overall diagnostic processes.

[Types and colors of 1 374 chair-side CAD/CAM all-ceramic restorations].

PURPOSE: To analyse the types of chairside CAD/CAM all-ceramic restorations and the color range of all-ceramic materials used so as to provide reference for the application of clinical chairside all-ceramic restoration and the color selection of all-ceramic materials. METHODS: IPS e.max CAD prostheses and related data were collected from January 2021 to December 2021 from the Department of Prosthodontics, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. The number and type of restorations and the color of materials were investigated and analyzed by descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A total of 1 374 restorations were included, of which 624 were crown restorations, accounting for 45.41% of the total restorations. 516 cases were veneer, accounting for 37.55%; 219 were inlays, accounting for 15.94%; fixed bridges were all adhesive bridges, with the least number with only 15 cases, accounting for 1.09%. In terms of the selection of restoration materials, the use rate of low-transparent(LT) ceramic blocks was significantly higher than that of other transparent ceramic blocks. A was the most frequently used ceramic color. The most frequently used porcelain blocks for veneers were LTA2 and LTA1; for inlay were LTA3; for crowns were LTA2 and LTA3. The blocks used in the fixed bridges were all LT, and A3 color was the majority. CONCLUSIONS: Chairside CAD/CAM all-ceramic prostheses made of IPS e.max CAD materials have been widely used in clinical practice. The types of prostheses include veneer, inset, crown and fixed bridge. The most commonly used IPS e.max CAD blocks are LTA2, LTA3 and LTA1. These findings have certain guiding significance for the clinical restoration decision and the reserve of porcelain blocks in primary hospitals.

Application of DMSFNN-COA technique for brand image design.

Color plays a pivotal role in product design, as it can evoke emotional responses from users. Understanding these emotional needs is crucial for effective brand image design. This paper introduces a novel approach, the Brand Image Design using Deep Multi-Scale Fusion Neural Network optimized with Cheetah Optimization Algorithm (BID-DMSFNN-COA), for classifying product color brand images as "Stylish" and "Natural". By leveraging deep learning techniques and optimization algorithms, the proposed method aims to enhance brand image accuracy and address existing challenges in product color trend forecasting research. Initially, data are collected from the Mnist Data Set. The data are then supplied into the pre-processing section. In the pre-processing segment, it removes the noise and enhances the input image utilizing master slave adaptive notch filter. The Deep Multi-Scale Fusion Neural Network optimized with cheetah optimization algorithm effectively classifies the product colour brand image as "Stylish" and "Natural". Implemented on the MATLAB platform, the BID-DMSFNN-COA technique achieves remarkable accuracy rates of 99 % for both "Natural" and "Stylish" classifications. In comparison, existing methods such as BID-GNN, BID-ANN, and BID-CNN yield lower accuracy rates ranging from 65 % to 85 % for "Stylish" and 65 %-70 % for "Natural" product color brand image design. The simulation outcomes reveal the superior performance of the BID-DMSFNN-COA technique across various metrics including accuracy, F-score, precision, recall, sensitivity, specificity, and ROC analysis. Notably, the proposed method consistently outperforms existing approaches, providing higher values across all evaluation criteria. These findings underscore the effectiveness of the BID-DMSFNN-COA technique in enhancing brand image design through accurate product color classification.