Targeted/untargeted metabolomics and antioxidant properties distinguish Citrus reticulata 'Chachi' from Citrus reticulata Blanco.

Dried citrus peel (DCP), also called "Chen Pi", has edible and medicinal value. However, the specific differences among various sources remain unknown. Herein, we collected six DCP species, namely, one Citrus reticulata 'Chachi' (CZG) and five Citrus reticulata Blanco (CRB). Targeted high-performance liquid chromatography and untargeted ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry were employed to comprehensively compare the phenolic compounds and metabolites in DCP. Interestingly, 13 different phenolic compounds were noted in DCP. The total phenolic compound content in all CRB samples (58.86-127.65 mg/g) was higher than that of CZG (39.47 mg/g). Untargeted metabolomic revealed 1495 compounds, with 115 differentially expressed metabolites for CRBs and CZG, particularly flavonoids (38), terpenoids (15), and phenolic acids and derivatives (9). Lastly, antioxidant assays revealed that all CRB samples exhibited higher antioxidant activities compared with CZG. Therefore, our study results provide a theoretical basis for the high-value utilization of citrus peels and their metabolites.

Relationship between weight-adjusted-waist index and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

AIM: To investigate the relationship between the weight-adjusted-waist index (WWI) and all-cause mortality as well as cardiovascular mortality in individuals with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2018 and the UK Biobank database. Restricted cubic spline curves and Cox proportional hazards models were employed to assess hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause mortality. RESULTS: In the UK Biobank database, compared with the lowest WWI quartile, the HR for all-cause and cardiovascular death in the highest quartile was 1.846 (95% CI 1.687-2.019) and 2.118 (95% CI 1.783-2.517), respectively, in the fully adjusted model. In the NHANES database, compared with the lowest WWI quartile, the highest quartile had an HR of 1.727 (95% CI 1.378-2.163) for all-cause death and 1.719 (95% CI 1.139-2.595) for cardiovascular death in the fully adjusted model. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that WWI has a long-term synergistic negative impact on all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The WWI is an independent predictor of mortality in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Data-Driven Materials Research and Development for Functional Coatings.

Functional coatings, including organic and inorganic coatings, play a vital role in various industries by providing a protective layer and introducing unique functionalities. However, its design often involves time-consuming experimentation with multiple materials and processing parameters. To overcome these limitations, data-driven approaches are gaining traction in materials science. In this paper, recent advances in data-driven materials research and development (R&D) for functional coatings, highlighting the importance, data sources, working processes, and applications of this paradigm are summarized. It is begun by discussing the challenges of traditional methods, then introduce typical data-driven processes. It is demonstrated how data-driven approaches enable the identification of correlations between input parameters and coating performance, thus allowing for efficient prediction and design. Furthermore, carefully selected case studies are presented across diverse industries that exemplify the effectiveness of data-driven methods in accelerating the discovery of new functional coatings with tailored properties. Finally, the emerging research directions, involving integrating advanced techniques and data from different sources, are addressed. Overall, this review provides an overview of data-driven materials R&D for functional coatings, shedding light on its potential and future developments.

Low-methoxy-pectin and chlorogenic acid synergistically promote lipolysis and ß-oxidation by regulating AMPK signaling pathway in obese mice.

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) displays various biological activities in preventing high-calorie diet-induced metabolic complications. The absorption efficiency of CGA in the stomach and small intestine is relatively low, with approximately 70 % of CGA being metabolized by colonic microorganisms before it enters the bloodstream. In this study, we successfully developed CGA-LMP (Low-methoxy-pectin) conjugates to improve the absorption rate of CGA. C57BL/6J mice were fed high-fat diets (HFD) supplemented with CGA, LMP, or CGA-LMP conjugates for a duration of eight weeks. The results demonstrated that the CGA, LMP, or CGA-LMP conjugates prevented HFD-induced hyperlipidemia, inflammation, liver steatosis, and adipocyte hypertrophy in obese mice. Notably, the CGA-LMP conjugates demonstrated superior efficacy in alleviating obesity compared to CGA or LMP alone. Further studies revealed that the primary mechanism of weight loss was the activation of the AMPK signaling pathway, which facilitates lipolysis and lipid ß-oxidation. These findings highlight that the enhanced the anti-obesity effectiveness of CGA-LMP conjugates, expanding their potential applications in the field of functional nutrition and foods.

The role of cystathionine ß-synthase in cancer.

Cystathionine ß-synthase (CBS) occupies a key position as the initiating and rate-limiting enzyme in the sulfur transfer pathway and plays a vital role in health and disease. CBS is responsible for regulating the metabolism of cysteine, the precursor of glutathione (GSH), an important antioxidant in the body. Additionally, CBS is one of the three enzymes that produce hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in mammals through a variety of mechanisms. The dysregulation of CBS expression in cancer cells affects H2S production through direct or indirect pathways, thereby influencing cancer growth and metastasis by inducing angiogenesis, facilitating proliferation, migration, and invasion, modulating cellular energy metabolism, promoting cell cycle progression, and inhibiting apoptosis. It is noteworthy that CBS expression exhibits complex changes in different cancer models. In this paper, we focus on the CBS synthesis and metabolism, tissue distribution, potential mechanisms influencing tumor growth, and relevant signaling pathways. We also discuss the impact of pharmacological CBS inhibitors and silencing CBS in preclinical cancer models, supporting their potential as targeted cancer therapies.

MISP-mediated enhancement of pancreatic cancer growth through the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway is suppressed by Fisetin.

Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant tumor characterized by high mortality and low survival rates. The mitotic interactor and substrate of Plk1 (MISP) is a cancer-associated protein that regulates mitotic spindle localization and is highly expressed in several malignant tumors, contributing to tumor development. However, the function and regulatory mechanisms of MISP in pancreatic cancer remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed RNA sequencing data related to pancreatic cancer from the TCGA and GEO databases, identifying MISP as a potential prognostic marker for the disease. MISP was significantly upregulated in pancreatic cancer cells and tissues compared to normal pancreatic cells and tissues. Notably, in pancreatic cancer cells, high MISP protein expression promoted cell proliferation and growth. Mechanistically, the upregulation of MISP facilitated the nuclear accumulation of ß-catenin, thereby activating the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway and promoting pancreatic cancer growth. In search of effective inhibitors of MISP expression, we screened an FDA-approved drug library and identified Fisetin as a potential suppressor of MISP expression. Fisetin was found to downregulate the transcription factor MYB, thereby reducing MISP expression. Further experiments demonstrated that Fisetin effectively inhibited the in vitro and in vivo growth of pancreatic cancer by suppressing the MISP/Wnt/ß-catenin signaling axis. In summary, our research has identified MISP as a novel therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer and uncovered its associated regulatory mechanisms.

Homologous expression of Aspergillus niger α-L-rhamnosidase and its application in enzymatic debittering of Ougan juice.

The α-L-rhamnosidase (rha1) gene was homologously expressed in Aspergillus niger strains CCTCC 206047 and CCTCC 206047ΔpyrG, using hygromycin B and auxotrophic as selection markers. The engineered A. niger strains RHA001-1 and RHA003-1 were screened, yielding α-L-rhamnosidase activities of 20.81 ± 0.56 U/mL and 15.35 ± 0.87 U/mL, respectively. The copy numbers of the rha1 gene in strains RHA001-1 and RHA003-1 were found to be 18 and 14, respectively. Correlation analysis between copy number and enzyme activity in the A. niger strains revealed that α-L-rhamnosidase activity increased with the copy number of the rha1 gene. Recombinant α-L-rhamnosidase was utilized for the enzymatic debittering of Ougan juice, and its process conditions were optimized. Furthermore, the primary bitter substance neohesperidin (2.22 g/L) in Ougan juice was converted into hesperetin 7-O-glucoside (1.47 g/L) and hesperidin (0.143 g/L). This study presents a novel approach for the production of food-grade α-L-rhamnosidase and establishes a technical foundation for its application in the beverage industry.

Research status of hormone replacement therapy on mood and sleep quality in menopausal women.

Menopausal syndrome is a common disease of clinical women, which refers to a series of physical and mental symptoms caused by the fluctuation or reduction of sex hormones before and after menopause. Many of these patients have sleep and mood abnormalities that affect their health and quality of life. At present, the understanding of it is gradually improving. This paper mainly analyzes its background and current treatment.

Elucidation of the structural changes of hemicellulose and cellulose in sunflower seed during roasting.

This study evaluated the structural changes in hemicellulose and cellulose from sunflower seeds before and after roasting at 160°C, 190°C, and 220°C. Sugar composition, molecular weight, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, thermogravimetric, and NMR analyses were utilized to determine the structural properties of these polysaccharides and detect the volatile compounds. The results showed that roasting destroyed the microstructure of these hemicelluloses and cellulose. Glucose and arabinose of hemicellulose were more easily degraded than other sugars during roasting. The galacturonic acid content increased from 7.8% to 46.66% after roasting. The hemicellulose obtained at 220°C had a backbone of D-xylose residues with a ß-(1→4)-linkage. The molecular weight of cellulosic polysaccharides decreased with the increase of roasting temperature. The crystallinity increased from 28.92% to 31.86% revealing that mainly the amorphous regions of cellulosic polysaccharides were destroyed by roasting. After roasting, the volatile compounds of these polysaccharides were rich in furfural, which was produced by caramelization and the Maillard reaction, contributing to the characteristic aroma of roasted sunflower seeds. This study provides some information on the relationship between structural changes of polysaccharides and the formation of flavor during roasting sunflower seeds.

Photocyclization and Photoisomerization Mechanisms of an Indolylfulgide Derivative in Acetonitrile Solution by Using the QM (MS-CASPT2)/MM Method.

The indolylfulgide systems have been extensively investigated due to their potential applications as photochromic materials. In this work, the photoinduced ring-closure/opening and isomerization reactions of a photochromic indolylfulgide in vacuum and acetonitrile solvent have been investigated by means of MS-CASPT2//CASSCF and QM(MS-CASPT2)//CASSCF/MM. The deactivation mechanisms of indolylfulgide have been proposed based on the optimized structures in the S0 and S1 states, S1/S0 conical intersections, and the calculated minimum-energy paths. After excitation into the first singlet excited-state, which is spectroscopically bright in the Franck-Condon point of the E, the photoprocesses proceed toward a nearby S1 minimum. Then, two possible nonadiabatic relaxation paths exist to repopulate the ground state. In the ring closure reaction, the S1 E isomer evolves directly into one S1/S0 conical intersection and decays to the ground state with bifurcation toward C or E. In the E → Z tautomerization pathway, the excited system can deactivate to the S0 state via a distinct conical intersection. The minimum-energy paths of the indolylfulgide revealed that the ring closure reaction in the solvent is more facile to take place than the E → Z isomerization after irradiation of the same E. Furthermore, for the ring opening reaction from the C side, there exists an energy barrier (11.1 kcal/mol) in the S1 state before arriving at the conical intersection. The computational results showed that the solvent has some influence on the system compared with that in the gas phase. The present work could contribute to comprehending the photoreactions of indolylfulgide and its derivatives in solution.

TSC/mTORC1 mediates mTORC2/AKT1 signaling in c-MYC-induced murine hepatocarcinogenesis via centromere protein M.

Activated mTORC2/AKT signaling plays a role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Research has shown that TSC/mTORC1 and FOXO1 are distinct downstream effectors of AKT signaling in liver regeneration and metabolism. However, the mechanisms by which these pathways mediate mTORC2/AKT activation in HCC are not yet fully understood. Amplification and activation of c-MYC is a key molecular event in HCC. In this study, we explored the roles of TSC/mTORC1 and FOXO1 as downstream effectors of mTORC2/AKT1 in c-MYC-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. Using various genetic approaches in mice, we found that manipulating the FOXO pathway had minimal impact on c-MYC-induced HCC. In contrast, loss of mTORC2 inhibited c-MYC-induced HCC, an effect that was completely reversed by ablating TSC2, which activated mTORC1. Additionally, we discovered that p70/RPS6 and 4EBP1/eIF4E act downstream of mTORC1, regulating distinct molecular pathways. Notably, the 4EBP1/eIF4E cascade is crucial for cell proliferation and glycolysis in c-MYC-induced HCC. We also identified centromere protein M (CENPM) as a downstream target of the TSC2/mTORC1 pathway in c-MYC-driven hepatocarcinogenesis, and its ablation entirely inhibited c-MYC-dependent HCC formation. Our findings demonstrate that the TSC/mTORC1/CENPM pathway, rather than the FOXO cascade, is the primary signaling pathway regulating c-MYC-driven hepatocarcinogenesis. Targeting CENPM holds therapeutic potential for treating c-MYC-driven HCC.

Altered spontaneous brain activity patterns in hypertensive retinopathy using fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study.

AIM: To study functional brain abnormalities in patients with hypertensive retinopathy (HR) and to discuss the pathophysiological mechanisms of HR by fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFFs) method. METHODS: Twenty HR patients and 20 healthy controls (HCs) were respectively recruited. The age, gender, and educational background characteristics of the two groups were similar. After functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning, the subjects' spontaneous brain activity was evaluated with the fALFF method. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to classify the data. Further, we used Pearson's correlation analysis to explore the relationship between fALFF values in specific brain regions and clinical behaviors in patients with HR. RESULTS: The brain areas of the HR group with lower fALFF values than HCs were the right orbital part of the middle frontal gyrus (RO-MFG) and right lingual gyrus. In contrast, the values of fALFFs in the left middle temporal gyrus (MTG), left superior temporal pole (STP), left middle frontal gyrus (MFG), left superior marginal gyrus (SMG), left superior parietal lobule (SPL), and right supplementary motor area (SMA) were higher in the HR group. The results of a t-test showed that the average values of fALFFs were statistically significantly different in the HR group and HC group (P<0.001). The fALFF values of the left middle frontal gyrus in HR patients were positively correlated with anxiety scores (r=0.9232; P<0.0001) and depression scores (r=0.9682; P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: fALFF values in multiple brain regions of HR patients are abnormal, suggesting that these brain regions in HR patients may be dysfunctional, which may help to reveal the pathophysiological mechanisms of HR.

A cuproptosis nanocapsule for cancer radiotherapy.

Residual tumours that persist after radiotherapy often develop acquired radiation resistance, increasing the risk of recurrence and metastasis while providing obstacles to re-irradiation. Using samples from patients and experimental mice, we discovered that FDX1 and LIAS, key regulators of cuproptosis, were up-regulated in residual tumours following radiotherapy, conferring the increased sensitivity to cuproptosis. Therefore, we proposed a novel radiosensitization strategy focused on cuproptosis, using a copper-containing nanocapsule-like polyoxometalate as a paradigm. In an initial demonstration, we showed that the nanocapsule released copper ions in a controlled manner upon exposure to ionizing radiation. Furthermore, radiation-triggered cuproptosis overcame acquired radiation resistance even at clinically relevant radiation doses and activated a robust abscopal effect, with a 40% cure rate in both radioresistant and re-irradiation tumour models. Collectively, targeting cuproptosis is a compelling strategy for addressing acquired radiation resistance, optimizing the local antitumour effects of radiotherapy while simultaneously activating systemic antitumour immunity.

[Cloning and functional verification of farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase gene(AvFPS) from Aconitum vilmorinianum].

Aconitum vilmorinianum is an authentic and superior medicinal herbal in Yunnan, which is rich in yunaconitine and other diterpene alkaloids. Diterpene alkaloids are its main active components. Farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase(FPS) is a key enzyme in the terpene biosynthetic pathway and plays an important role in diterpene alkaloid biosynthesis. Functional studies of FPS help to reveal the molecular mechanism of diterpene alkaloid biosynthesis. In this study, one FPS gene(AvFPS) was selected based on the transcriptome data of A. vilmorinianum. Its full-length sequence was cloned, and bioinformatic analysis, functional verification, and gene expression analysis were performed. The open reading frame(ORF) of AvFPS was 1 056 bp, encoding 351 amino acids. Its molecular weight was 41 kDa. AvFPS had two typical conserved functional domains of isopentenyl transferase, " DDIMD" and " DDYXD". The recombinant protein of AvFPS was expressed in Escherichia coli, and purified recombinant protein was used for in vitro enzymatic reaction. The results revealed that AvFPS was able to catalyze the synthesis of farnesyl pyrophosphate(FPP). The results of qRT-PCR analysis showed that AvFPS was expressed in the roots, stems, leaves, and flowers of A. vilmorinianum, with the highest expression level in the roots. The expression level of AvFPS was significantly up-regulated by MeJA induction. This study clarified the catalytic function of AvFPS, revealed the expression pattern of AvFPS in different tissue, as well as at different time induced by MeJA, and provided a reference for a deeper understanding of the function of FPS in the biosynthesis of diterpenoid components.

miR-141-3p promotes paclitaxel resistance by attenuating ferroptosis via the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway in breast cancer.

Purpose: Breast cancer poses a huge threat to the lives and health of women worldwide. However, drug resistance makes the treatment of breast cancer challenging. This study aims to investigate the effect of miR-141-3p on paclitaxel resistance and its underlying mechanisms in breast cancer. Methods: Using bioinformatics analysis and qRT-PCR to explore the potential molecule miR-141-3p. Specific binding of miR-141-3p to Keap1 was determined by using a dual luciferase reporter assay. qRT-PCR and Western blot were utilized to observe the expression of miR-141-3p, Keap1, Nrf2, SLC7A11 and GPX4. GSH/GSSG content, MDA content and JC-1 assays were used to observe the ferroptosis levels of breast cancer cells. CCK-8 assay was used to observe the cell viability of breast cancer cells. Tumor subcutaneous transplantation experiment was used to understand the effect of miR-141-3p on paclitaxel resistance in breast cancer in vivo. Results: In the present study, miR-141-3p was found to be highly expressed and associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer. miR-141-3p inhibited Keap1 expression, promoted Nrf2 expression, and facilitated paclitaxel resistance in breast cancer cells. Inhibition of miR-141-3p promoted Keap1 expression, inhibited Nrf2 and its downstream SLC7A11-GSH-GPX4 signaling pathway, as well as promoted ferroptosis in cancer cells, and inhibited paclitaxel and RSL3 resistance. ML385 blocks the effect of miR-141-3p on paclitaxel resistance and ferroptosis resistance in breast cancer cells. In vivo, miR-141-3p mimics promoted paclitaxel resistance, whereas miR-141-3p inhibitors inhibited paclitaxel resistance in breast cancer cells. Conclusion: This work revealed that modulation of the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway by miR-141-3p promoted paclitaxel resistance via regulating ferroptosis in breast cancer cells.

Cognitive interviewing validation of the Chinese version of the neurogenic bladder symptom score.

Background: The neurogenic bladder symptom score (NBSS) has been widely used to specifically measure symptoms and consequences of neurogenic bladder (NB). The cognitive interviewing (CI) is effective in assessing item clarity and identifying key issues related to the comprehension of the instrument. We aim to translate the NBSS into Chinese and use the CI approach to explore the thought processes of patients with NB in responding the Chinese Version of the NBSS, identify and modify the factors hinder the thought processes to enhance the face validity of the NBSS. Methods: The translation of the NBSS into Chinese was conducted with the guidance of the recommended frameworks. Patients with NB were recruited by purpose sampling. CI with the combination of thinking aloud and verbal probing techniques were used to explore thought processes. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed based on Tourangeau four-stage response model. Results: Two rounds of CI were carried out. The problems of comprehension, judgement and response mapping were identified in 8 items. Four items were revised based on the results of the interview. The revised items were verified and eventually integrated into the final version. Conclusion: The Chinese Version of the NBSS was easy to comprehend and use. The use of CI methodologies can increase the comprehensibility and cultural applicability of the NBSS, providing the evidence for the development of a clearer and more appropriate questionnaire.

Discovery and optimization of 4-(imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidin-3-yl)thiazol-2-amine derivatives as novel phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors.

Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are important intracellular enzymes that hydrolyze the second messengers cAMP and/or cGMP. Now several studies have shown that PDE4 received particular attention due to which it represents the most prominent cAMP-metabolizing enzyme involved in many diseases. In this study, we performed prescreening of our internal compound library and discovered the compound (PTC-209) with moderate PDE4 inhibitory activity (IC50 of 4.78 ± 0.08 µM). And a series of 4-(imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidin-3-yl)thiazol-2-amine derivatives as novel PDE4 inhibitors starting from PTC-209 were successfully designed and synthesized using a structure-based discovery strategy. L19, the most potent inhibitor, exhibited good inhibitory activity (IC50 of 0.48 ± 0.02 µM) and remarkable metabolic stability in rat liver microsomes. Our study presents an example of discovery novel PDE4 inhibitors, which would be helpful for design and optimization of novel inhibitors in future.

Clock protein LHY targets SNAT1 and negatively regulates the biosynthesis of melatonin in Hypericum perforatum.

Hypericum perforatum, also known as "natural fluoxetine," is a commonly used herbal remedy for treating depression. It is unclear whether melatonin in plants regulated by the endogenous circadian clock system is like in vertebrates. In this work, we found that the melatonin signal and melatonin biosynthesis gene, serotonin N-acetyltransferase HpSNAT1, oscillates in a 24-hour cycle in H. perforatum. First, we constructed a yeast complementary DNA library of H. perforatum and found a clock protein HpLHY that can directly bind to the HpSNAT1 promoter. Second, it was confirmed that HpLHY inhibits the expression of HpSNAT1 by targeting the Evening Element. Last, it indicated that HpLHY-overexpressing plants had reduced levels of melatonin in 12-hour light/12-hour dark cycle photoperiod, while loss-of-function mutants exhibited high levels, but this rhythm seems to disappear as well. The results revealed the regulatory role of LHY in melatonin biosynthesis, which may make an important contribution to the field of melatonin synthesis regulation.

[Research progress in osthole for prevention and treatment of central nervous system diseases].

Central nervous system(CNS) disorders can significantly impact patients' daily lives, impairing their ability to work and imposing a substantial financial burden on their families. In recent years, the incidence of CNS diseases has shown a significant increase with the continuous improvement of the quality of life and the aging problem. Therefore, the search for new preventive and curative drugs has been a research hotspot for this group of diseases. Osthole(OST), isolated from Umbelliferae such as Cnidium monnieri, Angelica sinensis, and Heracleum hemsleyanum, possesses a variety of pharmacological effects such as neuroprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic effects. There is increasing evidence that OST has demonstrated significant preventive and curative effects in various CNS disease models. This paper systematically reviewed the research progress of OST in preventing and treating CNS diseases by reviewing domestic and international literature to provide more in-depth theoretical support for the future clinical application of OST in the prevention and treatment of CNS diseases.

Using 3D facial information to predict malnutrition and consequent complications.

BACKGROUND: Phase angle (PhA) correlates with body composition and could predict the nutrition status of patients and disease prognosis. We aimed to explore the feasibility of predicting PhA-diagnosed malnutrition using facial image information based on deep learning (DL). METHODS: From August 2021 to April 2022, inpatients were enrolled from surgery, gastroenterology, and oncology departments in a tertiary hospital. Subjective global assessment was used as the gold standard of malnutrition diagnosis. The highest Youden index value was selected as the PhA cutoff point. We developed a multimodal DL framework to automatically analyze the three-dimensional (3D) facial data and accurately determine patients' PhA categories. The framework was trained and validated using a cross-validation approach and tested on an independent dataset. RESULTS: Four hundred eighty-two patients were included in the final dataset, including 176 with malnourishment. In male patients, the PhA value with the highest Youden index was 5.55°, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) = 0.68; in female patients, the PhA value with the highest Youden index was 4.88°, and AUC = 0.69. Inpatients with low PhA had higher incidence of infectious complications during the hospital stay (P = 0.003). The DL model trained with 4096 points extracted from 3D facial data had the best performance. The algorithm showed fair performance in predicting PhA, with an AUC of 0.77 and an accuracy of 0.74. CONCLUSION: Predicting the PhA of inpatients from facial images is feasible and can be used for malnutrition assessment and prognostic prediction.