A new horizon for neuroscience: terahertz biotechnology in brain research.

Terahertz biotechnology has been increasingly applied in various biomedical fields and has especially shown great potential for application in brain sciences. In this article, we review the development of terahertz biotechnology and its applications in the field of neuropsychiatry. Available evidence indicates promising prospects for the use of terahertz spectroscopy and terahertz imaging techniques in the diagnosis of amyloid disease, cerebrovascular disease, glioma, psychiatric disease, traumatic brain injury, and myelin deficit. In vitro and animal experiments have also demonstrated the potential therapeutic value of terahertz technology in some neuropsychiatric diseases. Although the precise underlying mechanism of the interactions between terahertz electromagnetic waves and the biosystem is not yet fully understood, the research progress in this field shows great potential for biomedical noninvasive diagnostic and therapeutic applications. However, the biosafety of terahertz radiation requires further exploration regarding its two-sided efficacy in practical applications. This review demonstrates that terahertz biotechnology has the potential to be a promising method in the field of neuropsychiatry based on its unique advantages.

Two-stage sparse multi-objective evolutionary algorithm for channel selection optimization in BCIs.

Background: Channel selection has become the pivotal issue affecting the widespread application of non-invasive brain-computer interface systems in the real world. However, constructing suitable multi-objective problem models alongside effective search strategies stands out as a critical factor that impacts the performance of multi-objective channel selection algorithms. This paper presents a two-stage sparse multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (TS-MOEA) to address channel selection problems in brain-computer interface systems. Methods: In TS-MOEA, a two-stage framework, which consists of the early and late stages, is adopted to prevent the algorithm from stagnating. Furthermore, The two stages concentrate on different multi-objective problem models, thereby balancing convergence and population diversity in TS-MOEA. Inspired by the sparsity of the correlation matrix of channels, a sparse initialization operator, which uses a domain-knowledge-based score assignment strategy for decision variables, is introduced to generate the initial population. Moreover, a Score-based mutation operator is utilized to enhance the search efficiency of TS-MOEA. Results: The performance of TS-MOEA and five other state-of-the-art multi-objective algorithms has been evaluated using a 62-channel EEG-based brain-computer interface system for fatigue detection tasks, and the results demonstrated the effectiveness of TS-MOEA. Conclusion: The proposed two-stage framework can help TS-MOEA escape stagnation and facilitate a balance between diversity and convergence. Integrating the sparsity of the correlation matrix of channels and the problem-domain knowledge can effectively reduce the computational complexity of TS-MOEA while enhancing its optimization efficiency.

Effect of different inhalant allergens on T-cell subsets in adults with bronchial asthma.

Objective: We analyzed the impact of different inhalant allergens on T-lymphocyte subsets in patients diagnosed with bronchial asthma. Methods: The study included 57 bronchial asthma patients and 22 healthy controls. Asthma patients were categorized into dust mite, animal hair, pollen, and mold groups. Flow cytometry was used to measure the cells in the case group and control group. These T-lymphocyte subset markers were evaluated among patients with bronchial asthma caused by different allergens as well as between the case group and control group. Results: Peripheral blood CD4+ T-cells, CD8+ T-cells, CD4/CD8 ratio, and Th17/Treg ratios were all higher in the case group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subsets were compared among the four groups, and it was found that there were statistical differences in the Th17/Treg ratio among the four groups (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences observed among the four groups in terms of CD3+ cells, CD4+ cells, CD8+ cells, Th1 cells, Th2 cells, Th17 cells, Treg cells, Th9 cells, and Th22 cells. Further pairwise comparison was made, and the results suggested that the peripheral blood Th17/Treg ratio in the pollen mixed group was lower than that in the dust mite mixed group, animal hair mixed group, and mold mixed group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Patients with bronchial asthma show varied T-lymphocyte subset responses to different inhalant allergens. Elevated CD4+ T cells and Th17 cells in peripheral blood could indicate asthma risk. However, small sample size may introduce bias to these findings.

The tumour suppressor Fat1 is dispensable for normal murine hematopoiesis.

Loss and overexpression of FAT1 occurs among different cancers with these divergent states equated with tumor suppressor and oncogene activity, respectively. Regarding the latter, FAT1 is highly expressed in a high proportion of human acute leukemias relative to normal blood cells, with evidence pointing to an oncogenic role. We hypothesized that this occurrence represents legacy expression of FAT1 in undefined hematopoietic precursor subsets that is sustained following transformation, predicating a role for FAT1 during normal hematopoiesis. We explored this concept by using the Vav-iCre strain to construct conditional knockout (cKO) mice where Fat1 expression was deleted at the hematopoietic stem cell stage. Extensive analysis of precursor and mature blood populations using multi-panel flow cytometry revealed no ostensible differences between Fat1 cKO mice and normal littermates. Further functional comparisons involving colony forming unit and competitive bone marrow transplantation assays support the conclusion that Fat1 is dispensable for normal murine hematopoiesis.

Beyond monetary value: how reward type drives cheating in a gender-judgment task.

Background: Investigating the effects of monetary incentives on dishonest behavior provides valuable insights into human integrity and ethical decision-making processes. This study is conducted through the lens of self-concept maintenance theory. Aim: The aim of this study is to examine the influence of different types of rewards (score-based vs. monetary) and their magnitude on dishonest behavior within a gender judgment task. Method: Using a quantitative experimental design, this study involved 116 participants who were randomly assigned to conditions that differed in reward type (score or money) and magnitude (10 yuan vs. 50 yuan). Dishonest behavior was assessed using a gender judgment task with mechanisms to simulate conditions conducive to planned cheating. Results: Results revealed significant differences in dishonesty rates between score and money conditions, with a higher proportion of dishonest participants observed in the score condition compared to the money condition. The timing of initial cheating was earlier in the score condition compared to the money condition. No significant differences were found in the proportion of dishonest participants, the cheating rate, or the timing of initial cheating across reward levels within either condition. The rate of cheating increased over time, suggesting a temporal dynamic in unethical decision making. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that the nature of rewards significantly influences the likelihood of dishonest behavior, with intangible score-based rewards facilitating rationalizations for dishonesty more readily than tangible financial incentives. These findings enrich the understanding of moral psychology by highlighting the complex interplay between reward types, ethical rationalization, and the dynamics of dishonest behavior.

Vascular Damage and Repair - Are Small-Diameter Vascular Grafts Still the "Holy Grail" of Tissue Engineering?

Cardiovascular diseases are the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in the civilized world. Stenosis or occlusion of blood vessels leads not only to events that are directly life-threatening, such as myocardial infarction or stroke, but also to a significant reduction in quality of life, for example in lower limb ischemia as a consequence of metabolic diseases. The first synthetic polymeric vascular replacements were used clinically in the early 1950s. However, they proved to be suitable only for larger-diameter vessels, where the blood flow prevents the attachment of platelets, pro-inflammatory cells and smooth muscle cells on their inner surface, whereas in smaller-diameter grafts (6 mm or less), these phenomena lead to stenosis and failure of the graft. Moreover, these polymeric vascular replacements, like biological grafts (decellularized or devitalized), are cell-free, i.e. there are no reconstructed physiological layers of the blood vessel wall, i.e. an inner layer of endothelial cells to prevent thrombosis, a middle layer of smooth muscle cells to perform the contractile function, and an outer layer to provide innervation and vascularization of the vessel wall. Vascular substitutes with these cellular components can be constructed by tissue engineering methods. However, it has to be admitted that even about 70 years after the first polymeric vascular prostheses were implanted into human patients, there are still no functional small-diameter vascular grafts on the market. The damage to small-diameter blood vessels has to be addressed by endovascular approaches or by autologous vascular substitutes, which leads to some skepticism about the potential of tissue engineering. However, new possibilities of this approach lie in the use of modern technologies such as 3D bioprinting and/or electrospinning in combination with stem cells and pre-vascularization of tissue-engineered vascular grafts. In this endeavor, sex-related differences in the removal of degradable biomaterials by the cells and in the behavior of stem cells and pre-differentiated vascular cells need to be taken into account. Key words: Blood vessel prosthesis, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Footprint-free iPSCs, sr-RNA, Dynamic bioreactor, Sex-related differences.

Prognosis and diagnosis of prostate cancer based on hypergraph regularization sparse least partial squares regression algorithm.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PCa) is a malignant tumor of the male reproductive system, and its incidence has increased significantly in recent years. This study aimed to further identify candidate biomarkers with prognostic and diagnostic significance by integrating gene expression and DNA methylation data from PCa patients through association analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To this end, this paper proposes a sparse partial least squares regression algorithm based on hypergraph regularization (HR-SPLS) by integrating and clustering two kinds of data. Next, module 2, with the most significant weight, was selected for further analysis according to the weight of each module related to DNA methylation and mRNAs. Based on the DNA methylation sites in module 2, this paper uses multiple machine learning methods to construct a PCa diagnosis-related model of 10-DNA methylation sites. RESULTS: The results of Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the DNA methylation-related diagnostic model we constructed could diagnose PCa patients with high accuracy. Subsequently, based on the mRNAs in module 2, we constructed a prognostic model for 7-mRNAs (MYH11, ACTG2, DDR2, CDC42EP3, MARCKSL1, LMOD1, and MYLK) using multivariate Cox regression analysis. The prognostic model could predict the disease free survival of PCa patients with moderate to high accuracy (area under the curve (AUC) =0.761). In addition, Gene Set EnrichmentAnalysis (GSEA) and immune analysis indicated that the prognosis of patients in the risk group might be related to immune cell infiltration. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings may provide new methods and insights for identifying disease-related biomarkers by integrating DNA methylation and gene expression data.

Fucoidan alleviates high sucrose-induced metabolic disorders and enhances intestinal homeostasis through modulation of Notch signaling.

INTRODUCTION: The therapeutic potential of fucoidan (FUC), a natural polysaccharide, in metabolic disorders is recognized, yet its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. METHODS: We conducted investigations into the therapeutic mechanisms of FUC sourced from Sargassum fulvellum concerning metabolic disorders induced by a high-sucrose diet (HSD), employing Drosophila melanogaster and mice models. Drosophila larvae were subjected to HSD exposure to monitor growth inhibition, reduced pupation, and developmental delays. Additionally, we examined the impact of FUC on growth- and development-related hormones in Drosophila. Furthermore, we assessed the modulation of larval intestinal homeostasis by FUC, focusing on the regulation of Notch signaling. In mice, we evaluated the effects of FUC on HSD-induced impairments in intestinal epithelial barrier integrity and gut hormone secretion. RESULTS: FUC supplementation significantly enhanced pupal weight in Drosophila larvae and effectively countered HSD-induced elevation of glucose and triglyceride levels. It notably influenced the expression of growth- and development-related hormones, particularly augmenting insulin-like peptides production while mitigating larval growth retardation. FUC also modulated larval intestinal homeostasis by negatively regulating Notch signaling, thereby protecting against HSD-induced metabolic stress. In mice, FUC ameliorated HSD-induced impairments in ileum epithelial barrier integrity and gut hormone secretion. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate the multifaceted therapeutic effects of FUC in mitigating metabolic disorders and maintaining intestinal health. FUC holds promise as a therapeutic agent, with its effects attributed partly to the sulfate group and its ability to regulate Notch signaling, emphasizing its potential for addressing metabolic disorders.

Interface Design Beyond Epitaxy: Oxide Heterostructures Comprising Symmetry-forbidden Interfaces.

Epitaxial growth of thin-film heterostructures is generally considered the most successful procedure to obtain interfaces of excellent structural and electronic quality between three-dimensional materials. However, these interfaces can only join material systems with crystal lattices of matching symmetries and lattice constants. We present a novel category of interfaces, the fabrication of which is membrane-based and does not require epitaxial growth. These interfaces therefore overcome limitations imposed by epitaxy. Leveraging the additional degrees of freedom gained, we demonstrate atomically clean interfaces between three-fold symmetric sapphire and four-fold symmetric SrTiO3. Atomic-resolution imaging reveals structurally well-defined interfaces with a novel moiré-type reconstruction. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

BLA-involved circuits in neuropsychiatric disorders.

The basolateral amygdala (BLA) is the subregion of the amygdala located in the medial of the temporal lobe, which is connected with a wide range of brain regions to achieve diverse functions. Recently, an increasing number of studies have focused on the participation of the BLA in many neuropsychiatric disorders from the neural circuit perspective, aided by the rapid development of viral tracing methods and increasingly specific neural modulation technologies. However, how to translate this circuit-level preclinical intervention into clinical treatment using noninvasive or minor invasive manipulations to benefit patients struggling with neuropsychiatric disorders is still an inevitable question to be considered. In this review, we summarized the role of BLA-involved circuits in neuropsychiatric disorders including Alzheimer's disease, perioperative neurocognitive disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, posttraumatic stress disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and pain-associative affective states and cognitive dysfunctions. Additionally, we provide insights into future directions and challenges for clinical translation.

Anterior Shoulder Stabilization Using Single Needle-Assisted Outside-In Remplissage Technique and Bankart Repair.

Arthroscopic repair of Bankart injury is the first choice for the treatment of anterior shoulder instability. How to avoid recurring shoulder joint dislocation is a challenge, especially when combined with Hill-Sachs lesions. The arthroscopy technology allows for broader vision and less surgical trauma but is limited by a smaller operating space. At present, extensive descriptions about the surgical procedure of arthroscopic Bankart repair have been published. In this Technical Note, we describe the use of remplissage filling with Hill-Sachs lesion combined with Bankart repair to further improve the surgical accuracy and clinical efficacy. In particular, the application of single needle-assisted outside-in remplissage technique and Bankart repair is introduced in detail.

miR-29a-5p rescues depressive-like behaviors in a CUMS-induced mouse model by facilitating microglia M2-polarization in the prefrontal cortex via TMEM33 suppression.

BACKGROUND: Depression accounts for a high proportion of neuropsychiatric disorders and is associated with abnormal states of neurons in specific brain regions. Microglia play a pivotal role in the inflammatory state during depression development; however, the exact mechanism underlying chronic mood states remains unknown. Thus, the present study aimed to determine whether microRNAs (miRNAs) alleviate stress-induced depression-like behavior in mice by regulating the expression levels of their target genes, explore the role of neuroinflammation induced by microglial activation in the pathogenesis and progression of depression, and determine whether the role of the miR-29a-5p/transmembrane protein 33 (TMEM33) axis. METHODS: In this study, chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mouse depression model, various behavioral tests, western blotting, dual-luciferase reporter assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR, immunofluorescence and lentivirus-mediated gene transfer were used. RESULTS: After exposure to the CUMS paradigm, miR-29a-5p was significantly down-regulated. This downregulation subsequently promoted the polarization of microglia M1 by upregulating the expression of TMEM33, resulting in enhanced inflammatory chemokines affecting neurons. Conversely, the upregulation of miR-29a-5p within the prefrontal cortex (PFC) suppressed TMEM33 expression, facilitated microglia M2-polarization, and ameliorated depressive-like behavior. LIMITATIONS: Only rodent models of depression were used, and human samples were not included. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that miR-29a-5p deficits within the PFC mediate microglial anomalies and contribute to depressive-like behaviors. miR-29a-5p and TMEM33 may, therefore, serve as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of depression.

Machine learning-based longitudinal prediction for GJB2-related sensorineural hearing loss.

BACKGROUND: Recessive GJB2 variants, the most common genetic cause of hearing loss, may contribute to progressive sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). The aim of this study is to build a realistic predictive model for GJB2-related SNHL using machine learning to enable personalized medical planning for timely intervention. METHOD: Patients with SNHL with confirmed biallelic GJB2 variants in a nationwide cohort between 2005 and 2022 were included. Different data preprocessing protocols and computational algorithms were combined to construct a prediction model. We randomly divided the dataset into training, validation, and test sets at a ratio of 72:8:20, and repeated this process ten times to obtain an average result. The performance of the models was evaluated using the mean absolute error (MAE), which refers to the discrepancy between the predicted and actual hearing thresholds. RESULTS: We enrolled 449 patients with 2184 audiograms available for deep learning analysis. SNHL progression was identified in all models and was independent of age, sex, and genotype. The average hearing progression rate was 0.61 dB HL per year. The best MAE for linear regression, multilayer perceptron, long short-term memory, and attention model were 4.42, 4.38, 4.34, and 4.76 dB HL, respectively. The long short-term memory model performed best with an average MAE of 4.34 dB HL and acceptable accuracy for up to 4 years. CONCLUSIONS: We have developed a prognostic model that uses machine learning to approximate realistic hearing progression in GJB2-related SNHL, allowing for the design of individualized medical plans, such as recommending the optimal follow-up interval for this population.

Oxygen therapy for exercise capacity in fibrotic interstitial lung disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Fibrotic interstitial lung disease (fILD) is characterised primarily by impaired lung function and quality of life. The present study investigated whether oxygen therapy could improve exercise capacity among patients with fILD. METHODS: Previously published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were surveyed. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of oxygen therapy in improving the exertional capacity of patients with fILD. The primary outcome was peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) during exercise. The effects of oxygen therapy on fatigue, dyspnoea, heart rate, and exercise duration or distance were also analysed. RESULTS: Fourteen RCTs involving 370 patients were included. Oxygen therapy improved SpO2 during exercise (mean difference, MD = 6.26 %), exercise duration (MD = 122.15 s), fatigue (standard mean difference, SMD = -0.30), and dyspnoea (MD = -0.75 Borg score units). High-flow oxygen systems tended to be more effective than low-flow systems in improving exercising SpO2, duration, fatigue, dyspnoea, and heart rate. High-flow nasal cannulas (HFNCs) yielded better outcomes regarding SpO2 and fatigue than did high-flow Venturi masks (MD = 1.60 % and MD = -1.19 Borg score units, respectively). No major adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: The evidence from RCTs supports the short-term use of oxygen supplementation to improve SpO2, exercise capacity, fatigue, and dyspnoea among patients with fILD. Further analyses demonstrates that HFNCs yield more favourable outcomes, yet not reaching statistical significance except for improving SpO2 and fatigue. However, the long-term effects of oxygen therapy on quality of life and mortality remain unclear.

Erianin alleviates LPS-induced acute lung injury via antagonizing P-selectin-mediated neutrophil adhesion function.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo, known as "Tiepi Shihu" in traditional Chinese medicine, boasts an extensive history of medicinal use documented in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. "Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing" records D. officinale as a superior herbal medicine for fortifying "Yin" and invigorating the five viscera. Erianin, a benzidine compound, emerges as a prominent active constituent derived from D. officinale, with the pharmacological efficacy of D. officinale closely linked to the anti-inflammatory properties of erianin. AIM OF THE STUDY: Acute lung injury (ALI) is a substantial threat to global public health, while P-selectin stands out as a promising novel target for treating acute inflammatory conditions. This investigation aims to explore the therapeutic potential of erianin in ALI treatment and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The effectiveness of erianin in conferring protection against ALI was investigated through comprehensive histopathological and biochemical analyses of lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in an in vivo model of LPS-induced ALI in mice. The impact of erianin on fMLP-induced neutrophil chemotaxis was quantitatively assessed using the Transwell and Zigmond chamber, respectively. To determine the therapeutic target of erianin and elucidate their binding capability, a series of sophisticated assays were employed, including drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) assay, cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), and molecular docking analyses. RESULTS: Erianin demonstrated a significant alleviation of LPS-induced acute lung injury, characterized by reduced total cell and neutrophil counts and diminished total protein contents in BALF. Moreover, erianin exhibited a capacity to decrease proinflammatory cytokine production in both lung tissues and BALF. Notably, erianin effectively suppressed the activation of NF-κB signaling in the lung tissues of LPS- challenged mice; however, it did not exhibit in vitro inhibitory effects on inflammation in LPS-induced human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs). Additionally, erianin blocked the adhesion and rolling of neutrophils on HPMECs. While erianin did not influence endothelial P-selectin expression or cytomembrane translocation, it significantly reduced the ligand affinity between P-selectin and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1). CONCLUSIONS: Erianin inhibits P-selectin-mediated neutrophil adhesion to activated endothelium, thereby alleviating ALI. The present study highlights the potential of erianin as a promising lead for ALI treatment.

Macrophages in CRSwNP: Do they deserve more attention?

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) represents a heterogeneous disorder primarily characterized by the persistent inflammation of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. The subtype known as chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) is distinguished by a significantly elevated recurrence rate and augmented challenges in the management of nasal polyps. The pathogenesis underlying this subtype remains incompletely understood. Macrophages play a crucial role in mediating the immune system's response to inflammatory stimuli. These cells exhibit remarkable plasticity and heterogeneity, differentiating into either the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype or the anti-inflammatory and reparative M2 phenotype depending on the surrounding microenvironment. In CRSwNP, macrophages demonstrate reduced production of Interleukin 10 (IL-10), compromised phagocytic activity, and decreased autophagy. Dysregulation of pro-resolving mediators may occur during the inflammatory resolution process, which could potentially hinder the adequate functioning of anti-inflammatory macrophages in facilitating resolution. Collectively, these factors may contribute to the prolonged inflammation observed in CRSwNP. Additionally, macrophages may enhance fibrin cross-linking through the release of factor XIII-A (FAXIII), promoting fibrin deposition and plasma protein retention. Macrophages also modulate vascular permeability by releasing Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Moreover, they may disrupt the balance between Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) and Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinases (TIMPs), which favors extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, edema formation, and pseudocyst development. Accumulating evidence suggests a close association between macrophage infiltration and CRSwNP; however, the precise mechanisms underlying this relationship warrant further investigation. In different subtypes of CRSwNP, different macrophage phenotypic aggregations trigger different types of inflammatory features. Increasing evidence suggests that macrophage infiltration is closely associated with CRSwNP, but the mechanism and the relationship between macrophage typing and CRSwNP endophenotyping remain to be further explored. This review discusses the role of different types of macrophages in the pathogenesis of different types of CRSwNP and their contribution to polyp formation, in the hope that a better understanding of the role of macrophages in specific CRSwNP will contribute to a precise and individualized understanding of the disease.

Deep Learning for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Segmentation in Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a significant health challenge that is particularly prevalent in Southeast Asia and North Africa. MRI is the preferred diagnostic tool for NPC due to its superior soft tissue contrast. The accurate segmentation of NPC in MRI is crucial for effective treatment planning and prognosis. We conducted a search across PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from inception up to 20 March 2024, adhering to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Eligibility criteria focused on studies utilizing DL for NPC segmentation in adults via MRI. Data extraction and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the performance of DL models, primarily measured by Dice scores. We assessed methodological quality using the CLAIM and QUADAS-2 tools, and statistical analysis was performed using random effects models. The analysis incorporated 17 studies, demonstrating a pooled Dice score of 78% for DL models (95% confidence interval: 74% to 83%), indicating a moderate to high segmentation accuracy by DL models. Significant heterogeneity and publication bias were observed among the included studies. Our findings reveal that DL models, particularly convolutional neural networks, offer moderately accurate NPC segmentation in MRI. This advancement holds the potential for enhancing NPC management, necessitating further research toward integration into clinical practice.

Uptake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from PAH-contaminated soils to carrots and Chinese cabbages under the greenhouse and field conditions.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with the properties of structural stability, semi-volatility, and hydrophobicity are toxic and persistent in environments; thus, their transport and fate in agroecosystems is essential for reducing PAH accumulation in the edible parts of crops. Here, we cultivated cabbages (Brassica pekinensis L.) and carrots (Daucus carota L.) in PAH-contaminated soils under the greenhouse and field conditions. After harvesting, we observed a 9.5-46% reduction in soil ∑PAH concentrations. There were 37% of bioconcentration factors (BCFbs) > 1 and 93% of translocation factors (TFab) > 1, while low-molecular-weight (LMW) PAHs had higher BCFbs than high-molecular-weight (HMW) PAHs. The PAH concentrations showed significant and positive correlations among soils, the belowground parts, and the aboveground parts. The toxicity equivalent concentration (TEQBaP) followed the order of cabbage (greenhouse) > cabbage (field) > carrot (greenhouse) > carrot (field), suggesting potentially higher health risks in cabbage relative to carrot and vegetables under the greenhouse relative to field condition. Our study suggested growing carrots under field conditions as a management strategy for reducing the risks of vegetables grown in PAH-contaminated soils.

Risk of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Different Cancer Types in Taiwan.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) commonly occurs in approximately 2% of cancer patients, and the incidence of AF among cancer patients is greater than in the general population. This observational study presented the incidence risk of AF among cancer patients, including specific cancer types, using a population database. The Taiwan Cancer Registry was used to identify cancer patients between 2008 and 2017. The diagnosis of AF was based on the International Classification of Diseases codes (ICD-9-CM: 427.31 or ICD-10-CM: I48.0, I48.1, I48.2, and I48.91) in Taiwan national health insurance research datasets. The incidence of developing AF in the cancer population was calculated as the number of new-onset AF cases per person-year of follow-up during the study period. The overall incidence of AF among cancer patients was 50.99 per 100,000 person-years. Patients aged older than 65 years and males had higher AF incidence rates. Lung cancer males and esophageal cancer females showed the highest AF incidence risk (185.02 and 150.30 per 100,000 person-years, respectively). Our findings identified esophageal, lung, and gallbladder cancers as the top three cancers associated with a higher incidence of AF. Careful monitoring and management of patients with these cancers are crucial for early detection and intervention of AF.