Target-based deep learning network surveillance of non-contrast computed tomography for small infarct core of acute ischemic stroke.

Purpose: Rapid diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is critical to achieve positive outcomes and prognosis. This study aimed to construct a model to automatically identify the infarct core based on non-contrast-enhanced CT images, especially for small infarcts. Methods: The baseline CT scans of AIS patients, who had DWI scans obtained within less than 2 h apart, were included in this retrospective study. A modified Target-based deep learning model of YOLOv5 was developed to detect infarctions on CT. Randomly selected CT images were used for testing and evaluated by neuroradiologists and the model, using the DWI as a reference standard. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and weighted kappa were calculated to assess the agreement. The paired chi-square test was used to compare the diagnostic efficacy of physician groups and automated models in subregions. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Five hundred and eighty four AIS patients were enrolled in total, finally 275 cases were eligible. Modified YOLOv5 perform better with increased precision (0.82), recall (0.81) and mean average precision (0.79) than original YOLOv5. Model showed higher consistency to the DWI-ASPECTS scores (ICC = 0.669, κ = 0.447) than neuroradiologists (ICC = 0.452, κ = 0.247). The sensitivity (75.86% vs. 63.79%), specificity (98.87% vs. 95.02%), and accuracy (96.20% vs. 91.40%) were better than neuroradiologists. Automatic model had better diagnostic efficacy than physician diagnosis in the M6 region (p = 0.039). Conclusion: The deep learning model was able to detect small infarct core on CT images more accurately. It provided the infarct portion and extent, which is valuable in assessing the severity of disease and guiding treatment procedures.

Synthesis of Indolyl Isothiocyanate and Its Inhibitory Activity against Fungi.

Based on previous research, this study synthesized 24 compounds by splicing the substructures of the indolyl group and the isothiocyanate group. Alternaria alternata, Phytophthora capsici, Botrytis cinerea, and Valsa mali were used to test the activity of the target compounds. At 100 µg/mL, compounds 8, 13, 14, and 17 exhibited excellent inhibitory effects of more than 80% on P. capsici, B. cinerea, and V. mail. The EC50 values of compounds 13 and 14 were 0.64 and 2.08 µg/mL, respectively. Potted antifungal activity demonstrated that compounds 13 and 14 had a protective effect of around 80% against B. cinerea at 200 µg/mL. Further physiological and biochemical studies on B. cinerea revealed that compound 13 thickened cell walls and caused mitochondrial vacuolization. Moreover, theoretical calculations indicated that the charge distribution of indolyl isothiocyanate compounds played a crucial role in the observed fungicidal activity. In summary, this study provided fundamental reference data for the derivative synthesis of these indolyl isothiocyanate compounds.

Homeostatic Shrinkage of Dendritic Spines Requires Melatonin Type 3 Receptor Activation During Sleep.

High-frequency oscillatory activity in cognition-related neural circuits during wakefulness consistently induces the growth of dendritic spines and axonal terminals. Although these structural changes are essential for cognitive functions, it is hypothesized that if these newly expanded structures fail to establish functional connections, they may become superfluous. Sleep is believed to facilitate the reduction of such redundant structures to maintain neural homeostasis. However, the mechanisms underlying this pruning process during sleep remain poorly understood. In this study, that melatonin type 3 receptors (MT3Rs) are selectively expressed in the stellate neurons of the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) is demonstrated, an area where high melatonin levels are detected during sleep. Activation of MT3Rs during sleep initiates the shrinkage of dendritic spines in stellate neurons by downregulating neural network activity and dephosphorylating synaptic proteins in the MEC. This process is disrupted when MT3R expression is knocked down or when MT3Rs are blocked during sleep. Notably, interference with MT3Rs in the MEC during sleep impairs the acquisition of spatial memory but does not affect object memory acquisition following sleep. These findings reveal novel molecular mechanisms involving melatonin and MT3Rs in the regulation of dendritic spine shrinkage during sleep, which is crucial for the acquisition and consolidation of spatial memory.

In vitro human cell-based models: What can they do and what are their limitations?

It is said that all models are wrong, but some are useful. In vitro human cell-based models are a prime example of this maxim. We asked researchers: when is your model system useful? How can it be made more useful? What are its limitations?

The cell fates of intermediate cell population in prostate development.

Organ development, regeneration and cancer initiation are typically influenced by the proliferation and lineage plasticity of tissue-specific stem cells. Prostate intermediate cells, which exhibit characteristics of both basal and luminal cells, are prevalent in pathological states and during organ development. However, the identity, fate and function of these intermediate cells in prostate development are not well understood. Through single-cell RNA-seq analysis on neonatal urogenital sinus tissue, we identified intermediate cells exhibiting stem cell potential. A notable decline in the population of intermediate cells was observed during prostate development. Prostate intermediate cells were specifically labeled in early and late postnatal development by the enhanced dual-recombinase-mediated genetic tracing systems. Our findings revealed that these cells possess significant stem cell capabilities as demonstrated in organoid formation and cell fate mapping assays. These intermediate cells also exhibited intrinsic bipotential properties, enabling them to differentiate into both basal and luminal cells. Additionally, we discovered a novel transition from intermediate cell expressing neuroendocrine markers to neuroendocrine cell during prostate development. This study highlights intermediate cells as a crucial stem cell population and enhances our understanding of their role in prostate development and the plasticity of prostate cancer lineage.

Effects of Different Test Positions on Quantitative Muscle Strength of Wrist and Finger Flexor Muscle Groups and Its Standardization.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the effects of different test positions on quantitative muscle strength of wrist and finger flexor muscle groups and to establish a standardized muscle strength test protocol for each muscle group. METHODS: Forty healthy subjects (12 males and 28 females) were recruited. A portable digital quantitative muscle strength tester, Micro FET2TM, was used to measure the flexor muscle strength of each finger and the wrist joint at the 30° extension, 0° neutral, and 30° flexion, respectively. Palmar abduction strength of the thumb was measured at 30° and 60°, respectively. Ten subjects were randomly selected from the 40 subjects, and the quantitative muscle strength of each muscle group was tested again by the same operator after an interval of 10 to 15 days. RESULTS: Except for the fact that in males, there was no significant difference in flexor muscle strength of thumb and wrist joint between 30° of wrist extension and neutral 0° position, the muscle strength of the other fingers flexion and wrist palmar flexor showed the following characteristics：30° of wrist extension > neutral 0° position > 30° of flexion, and the PAST was 30°>60°; The flexor muscle strength of all the subjects was thumb > index finger > middle finger > ring finger > little finger; All muscle strength values of male were greater than those of female, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05); There was no significant difference between the left and right side muscle strength values of all subjects (P>0.05). The reliability of muscle strength values measured at different times in 10 subjects was good. CONCLUSIONS: The quantitative muscle strength of each muscle group of the hand and wrist is affected by the test position, and a standardized and uniformed test position should be adopted in the actual identification. Micro FET2TM has good reliability for hand and wrist quantitative muscle strength testing. The 30° extension of the wrist can be used as the best standardized test position for the flexion muscle strength of each finger and wrist joint. The 30° position can be used as the best standardized test position for PAST.

Effectiveness and safety of brucea javanica oil assisted TACE versus TACE in the treatment of liver cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: The effectiveness and safety of using Brucea javanica oil (BJO) in combination with Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) for liver cancer treatment are subjects of debate. This study aims to assess the comparative effectiveness and safety of BJO-assisted TACE versus TACE alone and quantifies the differences between these two treatment methods. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in multiple databases including PubMed, Cochrane, CNKI, and Wanfang, until 1 July 2023. Meta-analysis was conducted, and the results were presented as mean difference (MD), risk ratio (RR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: The search yielded 11 RCTs, with a combined sample size of 1054 patients. Meta-analysis revealed that BJO-assisted TACE exhibited superior outcomes compared to standalone TACE. Specific data revealed that BJO-assisted TACE improves clinical benefit rate by 22% [RR = 1.22, 95% CI (1.15, 1.30)], increases the number of people with improved quality of life by 32%, resulting in an average score improvement of 9.53 points [RR = 1.32, 95% CI (1.22, 1.43); MD = 9.53, 95% CI (6.95, 12.10)]. Furthermore, AFP improvement rate improved significantly by approximately 134% [RR = 2.34, 95% CI (1.58, 3.46)], accompanied by notable improvements in liver function indicators, with an average reduction of 27.19 U/L in AST [MD = -27.19, 95% CI (-40.36, -14.02)], 20.77 U/L in ALT [MD = -20.77, 95% CI (-39.46, -2.08)], 12.17 µmol/L in TBIL [MD = -12.17, 95% CI (-19.38, -4.97)], and a decrease of 43.72 pg/mL in VEGF [MD = -43.72, 95% CI (-63.29, -24.15)]. Most importantly, there was a 29% reduction in the occurrence of adverse reactions [RR = 0.71, 95% CI (0.60, 0.84)]. Conclusion: These findings indicate that BJO-assisted TACE may be considered as a potentially beneficial treatment option for liver cancer patients when compared to standalone TACE. It appears to contribute to improved treatment outcomes, enhanced quality of life, and potentially reduced adverse reactions, suggesting it warrants further investigation as a promising approach for liver cancer treatment. Systematic Review Registration: identifier CRD42023428948.

Cellular mechanism underlying leptin-induced anion secretion of rat epididymal epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: A large number of studies have shown that leptin plays an important role in the regulation of fertility via the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis. However, its peripheral function in epididymis was still elusive. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the pro-secretion effect of leptin on the rat epididymal epithelium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blot, and immunohistochemical analysis were employed to detect the expression pattern of leptin receptors in rat epididymis. The pro-secretion effect of leptin on epididymal epithelial cells was measured by short-circuit current, and the prostaglandin E2 and cyclic adenosine monophosphate level was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: We verified that the leptin receptor was located on the epididymal epithelium, with a relatively high expression level in corpus and cauda epididymis. Ussing chamber experiments showed that leptin stimulated a significant rise of the short-circuit current in rat epididymal epithelial cells, which could be abolished by the specific leptin receptor antagonist peptide Allo-aca, or by removing the ambient Cl- and HCO3 -. Furthermore, the leptin-stimulated short-circuit current response could be abrogated by blocking the apical cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator or the basolateral Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter. Our pharmacological experiments manifested that interfering with the prostaglandin H synthase-2-prostaglandin E2-EP2/EP4-adenylate cyclase pathways could significantly blunt the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator-mediated anion secretion induced by leptin. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay demonstrated that leptin could induce a substantial increase in prostaglandin E2 release and cyclic adenosine monophosphate synthesis of primary cultured rat cauda epididymal epithelial cells. Our data also suggested that JAK2, ERK, and PI3K-dependent phosphorylation may be involved in the activation of prostaglandin H synthase-2 and the subsequent prostaglandin E2 production. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated the pro-secretion function of leptin in rat epididymal epithelium via the activation of cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator and Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter, which was dependent on the paracrine/autocrine prostaglandin E2 stimulated EP2/EP4-adenylate cyclase pathways, and thus contributed to the formation of an appropriate microenvironment essential for sperm maturation.

Controlled condensation by liquid contact-induced adaptations of molecular conformations in self-assembled monolayers.

Surface condensation control strategies are crucial but commonly require relatively tedious, time-consuming, and expensive techniques for surface-chemical and topographical engineering. Here we report a strategy to alter surface condensation behavior without resorting to any molecule-type or topographical transmutations. After ultrafast contact of liquids with and removal from surfaces, the condensation rate and density of water droplets on the surfaces decrease, the extent of which is positively correlated with the polarity of the liquid and the duration of contact. The liquid contact-induced condensation rate/density decrease (LCICD) can be attributed to the decrease of nucleation site density resulted from the liquid contact-induced adaption of surface molecular conformation. Based on this, we find that LCICD is applicable to various surfaces, on condition that there are flexible segments capable of shielding at least part of nucleation sites through changing the conformation under liquid contact induction. Leveraging the LCICD effect, we achieve erasable information storage on diverse substrates. Furthermore, our strategy holds promise for controlling condensation of other substances since LCICD is not specific to the water condensation process.

Sex differences orchestrated by androgens at single-cell resolution.

Sex differences in mammalian complex traits are prevalent and are intimately associated with androgens1-7. However, a molecular and cellular profile of sex differences and their modulation by androgens is still lacking. Here we constructed a high-dimensional single-cell transcriptomic atlas comprising over 2.3 million cells from 17 tissues in Mus musculus and explored the effects of sex and androgens on the molecular programs and cellular populations. In particular, we found that sex-biased immune gene expression and immune cell populations, such as group 2 innate lymphoid cells, were modulated by androgens. Integration with the UK Biobank dataset revealed potential cellular targets and risk gene enrichment in antigen presentation for sex-biased diseases. This study lays the groundwork for understanding the sex differences orchestrated by androgens and provides important evidence for targeting the androgen pathway as a broad therapeutic strategy for sex-biased diseases.

Right ventricular volume and function by three-dimensional echocardiography: results of the echocardiographic measurements in normal Chinese adults (EMINCA) II.

Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography is an emerging technique for assessing right ventricular (RV) volume and function, but 3D-RV normal values from a large Chinese population are still lacking. The aim of the present study was to establish normal values of 3D-RV volume and function in healthy Chinese volunteers. A total of 1117 Han Chinese volunteers from 28 laboratories in 20 provinces of China were enrolled, and 3D-RV images of 747 volunteers with optimal image quality were ultimately analyzed by a core laboratory. Both vendor-dependent and vendor-independent software platforms were used to analyze the 3D-RV images. We found that men had larger RV volumes than women did in the whole population, even after indexing to body surface area, and older individuals had smaller RV volumes. The normal RV volume was significantly smaller than that recommended by the American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging guidelines in both sexes. There were significant differences in 3D-RV measurements between the two vendor ultrasound systems and the different software platforms. The echocardiographic measurements in normal Chinese adults II study revealed normal 3D-RV volume and function in a large Chinese population, and there were significant differences between the sexes, ages, races, and vendor groups. Thus, normal 3D-RV values should be stratified by sex, age, race, and vendor.

The application of virtual reality meditation and mind-body exercises among older adults.

Virtual reality (VR)-based mindfulness is a promising method to improve the health of older adults. Therefore, many attempts have been made to explore the application of VR-based mindfulness, such as VR meditation and mind-body exercises, in older adults. Generally, current studies indicate the heavy reliance on apparatus for implementing VR-based mindfulness interventions. In VR meditation, the crucial apparatus is VR headsets. In VR mind-body exercises, three essential components are required: motion capture sensors, main consoles, and display screens. In the aspect of health promotion, VR meditation is an effective method for improving mental health, pain, and quality of life in older adults. VR mind-body exercises contribute to increasing the mental health and physical function of older adults. Furthermore, VR mind-body exercises may be combined with other forms of exercise as a mixed method to promote the health of older adults. VR-based mindfulness interventions enhance the meditation and mind-body exercises experience for older adults while improving accessibility. However, their implementation still encounters a series of challenges, such as cost, technical anxiety, and apparatus-related issues. Additionally, we recommend future research to examine the optimal exercise dose for VR mind-body exercises to maximize their health benefits.

A highly sensitive ratiometric fluorescent probe for detecting HSO3-/SO32- and viscosity change based on FRET/TICT mechanism.

BACKGROUND: Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a significant gas signaling molecule in organisms, and viscosity is a crucial parameter of the cellular microenvironment. They are both involved in regulating many physiological processes in the human body. However, abnormalities in SO2 and viscosity levels are associated with various diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, respiratory diseases, neurological disorders, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. Hence, it is essential to explore novel and efficient fluorescent probes for simultaneously monitoring SO2 and viscosity in organisms. RESULTS: We selected quinolinium salt with good stability, high fluorescence intensity, good solubility and low cytotoxicity as the fluorophore and developed a highly sensitive ratiometric probe QQD to identify SO2 and viscosity changes based on Förster resonance energy transfer/twisted intramolecular charge transfer (FRET/TICT) mechanism. Excitingly, compared with other probes for SO2 detection, QQD not only identified HSO3-/SO32- with a large Stokes shift (218 nm), low detection limit (1.87 µM), good selectivity, high energy transfer efficiency (92 %) and wide recognition range (1.87-200 µM), but also identified viscosity with a 26-fold fluorescence enhancement and good linearity. Crucially, QQD was applied to detect HSO3-/SO32- and viscosity in actual water and food samples. In addition, QQD had low toxicity and good photostability for imaging HSO3-/SO32- and viscosity in cells. These results confirmed the feasibility and reliability of QQD for HSO3-/SO32- and viscosity imaging and environmental detection. SIGNIFICANCE: We reported a unique ratiometric probe QQD for detecting HSO3-/SO32- and viscosity based on the quinolinium skeleton. In addition to detecting HSO3-/SO32- and viscosity change in actual water and food samples, QQD could also monitor the variations of HSO3-/SO32- and viscosity in cells, which provided an experimental basis for further exploration of the role of SO2 derivatives and viscosity in biological systems.

Enhancing real-time cell culture monitoring: Automated Raman model optimization with Taguchi method.

Raman spectroscopy has found widespread usage in monitoring cell culture processes both in research and practical applications. However, commonly, preprocessing methods, spectral regions, and modeling parameters have been chosen based on experience or trial-and-error strategies. These choices can significantly impact the performance of the models. There is an urgent need for a simple, effective, and automated approach to determine a suitable procedure for constructing accurate models. This paper introduces the adoption of a design of experiment (DoE) method to optimize partial least squares models for measuring the concentration of different components in cell culture bioreactors. The experimental implementation utilized the orthogonal test table L25(56). Within this framework, five factors were identified as control variables for the DoE method: the window width of Savitzky-Golay smoothing, the baseline correction method, the order of preprocessing steps, spectral regions, and the number of latent variables. The evaluation method for the model was considered as a factor subject to noise. The optimal combination of levels was determined through the signal-to-noise ratio response table employing Taguchi analysis. The effectiveness of this approach was validated through two cases, involving different cultivation scales, different Raman spectrometers, and different analytical components. The results consistently demonstrated that the proposed approach closely approximated the global optimum, regardless of data set size, predictive components, or the brand of Raman spectrometer. The performance of models recommended by the DoE strategy consistently surpassed those built using raw data, underscoring the reliability of models generated through this approach. When compared to exhaustive all-combination experiments, the DoE approach significantly reduces calculation times, making it highly practical for the implementation of Raman spectroscopy in bioprocess monitoring.

Microenvironment with NIR-Controlled ROS and Mechanical Tensions for Manipulating Cell Activities in Wound Healing.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) orchestrates cell behavior and tissue regeneration by modulating biochemical and mechanical signals. Manipulating cell-material interactions is crucial for leveraging biomaterials to regulate cell functions. Yet, integrating multiple cues in a single material remains a challenge. Here, near-infrared (NIR)-controlled multifunctional hydrogel platforms, named PIC/CM@NPs, are introduced to dictate fibroblast behavior during wound healing by tuning the matrix oxidative stress and mechanical tensions. PIC/CM@NPs are prepared through cell adhesion-medicated assembly of collagen-like polyisocyanide (PIC) polymers and cell-membrane-coated conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CM@NPs), which closely mimic the fibrous structure and nonlinear mechanics of ECM. Upon NIR stimulation, PIC/CM@NPs composites enhance fibroblast cell proliferation, migration, cytokine production, and myofibroblast activation, crucial for wound closure. Moreover, they exhibit effective and toxin removal antibacterial properties, reducing inflammation. This multifunctional approach accelerates healing by 95%, highlighting the importance of integrating biochemical and biophysical cues in the biomaterial design for advanced tissue regeneration.

Excavation of gene markers associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma based on interrelationships of gene expression.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) accounts for 95% of all pancreatic cancer cases, posing grave challenges to its diagnosis and treatment. Timely diagnosis is pivotal for improving patient survival, necessitating the discovery of precise biomarkers. An innovative approach was introduced to identify gene markers for precision PDAC detection. The core idea of our method is to discover gene pairs that display consistent opposite relative expression and differential co-expression patterns between PDAC and normal samples. Reversal gene pair analysis and differential partial correlation analysis were performed to determine reversal differential partial correlation (RDC) gene pairs. Using incremental feature selection, the authors refined the selected gene set and constructed a machine-learning model for PDAC recognition. As a result, the approach identified 10 RDC gene pairs. And the model could achieve a remarkable accuracy of 96.1% during cross-validation, surpassing gene expression-based models. The experiment on independent validation data confirmed the model's performance. Enrichment analysis revealed the involvement of these genes in essential biological processes and shed light on their potential roles in PDAC pathogenesis. Overall, the findings highlight the potential of these 10 RDC gene pairs as effective diagnostic markers for early PDAC detection, bringing hope for improving patient prognosis and survival.

Mild synthesis of ultra-bright carbon dots with solvatochromism for rapid lipid droplet monitoring in varied physiological processes.

Lipid droplets (LDs) participating in various cellular activities and are increasingly being emphasized. Fluorescence imaging provides powerful tool for dynamic tracking of LDs, however, most current LDs probes remain inconsistent performance such as low Photoluminescence Quantum Yield (PLQY), poor photostability and tedious washing procedures. Herein, a novel yellow-emissive carbon dot (OT-CD) has been synthesized conveniently with high PLQY up to 90%. Besides, OT-CD exhibits remarkable amphiphilicity and solvatochromic property with lipid-water partition coefficient higher than 2, which is much higher than most LDs probes. These characters enable OT-CD high brightness, stable and wash-free LDs probing, and feasible for in vivo imaging. Then, detailed observation of LDs morphological and polarity variation dynamically in different cellular states were recorded, including ferroptosis and other diseases processes. Furthermore, fast whole imaging of zebrafish and identified LD enrichment in injured liver indicate its further feasibility for in vivo application. In contrast to the reported studies to date, this approach provides a versatile conventional synthesis system for high-performance LDs targeting probes, combing the advantages of easy and high-yield production, as well as robust brightness and stability for long-term imaging, facilitating investigations into organelle interactions and LD-associated diseases.

Adeno-to-squamous transition drives resistance to KRAS inhibition in LKB1 mutant lung cancer.

KRASG12C inhibitors (adagrasib and sotorasib) have shown clinical promise in targeting KRASG12C-mutated lung cancers; however, most patients eventually develop resistance. In lung patients with adenocarcinoma with KRASG12C and STK11/LKB1 co-mutations, we find an enrichment of the squamous cell carcinoma gene signature in pre-treatment biopsies correlates with a poor response to adagrasib. Studies of Lkb1-deficient KRASG12C and KrasG12D lung cancer mouse models and organoids treated with KRAS inhibitors reveal tumors invoke a lineage plasticity program, adeno-to-squamous transition (AST), that enables resistance to KRAS inhibition. Transcriptomic and epigenomic analyses reveal ΔNp63 drives AST and modulates response to KRAS inhibition. We identify an intermediate high-plastic cell state marked by expression of an AST plasticity signature and Krt6a. Notably, expression of the AST plasticity signature and KRT6A at baseline correlates with poor adagrasib responses. These data indicate the role of AST in KRAS inhibitor resistance and provide predictive biomarkers for KRAS-targeted therapies in lung cancer.