Monitoring the Biochemical Activity of Single Anammox Granules with Microbarometers.

Granule-based anaerobic ammonium oxidation (Anammox) is a promising biotechnology for wastewater treatments with extraordinary performance in nitrogen removal. However, traditional analytical methods often delivered an average activity of a bulk sample consisting of millions and even billions of Anammox granules with distinct sizes and components. Here, we developed a novel technique to monitor the biochemical activity of individual Anammox granules in real-time by recording the production rate of nitrogen gas with a microbarometer in a sealed chamber containing only one granule. It was found that the specific activity of a single Anammox granule not only varied by tens of folds among different individuals with similar sizes (activity heterogeneity) but also revealed significant breath-like dynamics over time (temporal fluctuation). Statistical analysis on tens of individuals further revealed two subpopulations with distinct color and specific activity, which were subsequently attributed to the different expression levels of heme c content and hydrazine dehydrogenase activity. This study not only provides a general methodology for various kinds of gas-producing microbial processes but also establishes a bottom-up strategy for exploring the structural-activity relationship at a single sludge granule level, with implications for developing a better Anammox process.

Revolutionizing pressure ulcer regeneration: Unleashing the potential of extracellular matrix-derived temperature-sensitive injectable antioxidant hydrogel for superior stem cell therapy.

Pressure ulcers are a common issue in elderly and medically compromised individuals, posing significant challenges in healthcare. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUMSCs) offer therapeutic benefits like inflammation modulation and tissue regeneration, yet challenges in cell survival, retention, and implantation rates limit their clinical application. Hydrogels in three-dimensional (3D) stem cell culture mimic the microenvironment, improving cell survival and therapeutic efficacy. A thermosensitive injectable hydrogel (adEHG) combining gallic acid-modified hydroxybutyl chitosan (HBC-GA) with soluble extracellular matrix (adECM) has been developed to address these challenges. The hybrid hydrogel, with favorable physical and chemical properties, shields stem cells from oxidative stress and boosts their therapeutic potential by clearing ROS. The adEHG hydrogel promotes angiogenesis, cell proliferation, and collagen deposition, further enhancing inflammation modulation and wound healing through the sustained release of therapeutic factors and cells. Additionally, the adEHG@HUMSC composite induces macrophage polarization towards an M2 phenotype, which is crucial for wound inflammation inhibition and successful healing. Our research significantly propels the field of stem cell-based therapies for pressure ulcer treatment and underscores the potential of the adEHG hydrogel as a valuable tool in advancing regenerative medicine.

Utilizing diffusion tensor imaging as an image biomarker in exploring the therapeutic efficacy of forniceal deep brain stimulation in a mice model of Alzheimer's disease.

Objective.With prolonged life expectancy, the incidence of memory deficits, especially in Alzheimer's disease (AD), has increased. Although multiple treatments have been evaluated, no promising treatment has been found to date. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the fornix area was explored as a possible treatment because the fornix is intimately connected to memory-related areas that are vulnerable in AD; however, a proper imaging biomarker for assessing the therapeutic efficiency of forniceal DBS in AD has not been established.Approach.This study assessed the efficacy and safety of DBS by estimating the optimal intersection volume between the volume of tissue activated and the fornix. Utilizing a gold-electroplating process, the microelectrode's surface area on the neural probe was increased, enhancing charge transfer performance within potential water window limits. Bilateral fornix implantation was conducted in triple-transgenic AD mice (3 × Tg-AD) and wild-type mice (strain: B6129SF1/J), with forniceal DBS administered exclusively to 3 × Tg-AD mice in the DBS-on group. Behavioral tasks, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed in all mice to assess the therapeutic efficacy of forniceal DBS.Main results.The results illustrated that memory deficits and increased anxiety-like behavior in 3 × Tg-AD mice were rescued by forniceal DBS. Furthermore, forniceal DBS positively altered DTI indices, such as increasing fractional anisotropy (FA) and decreasing mean diffusivity (MD), together with reducing microglial cell and astrocyte counts, suggesting a potential causal relationship between revised FA/MD and reduced cell counts in the anterior cingulate cortex, hippocampus, fornix, amygdala, and entorhinal cortex of 3 × Tg-AD mice following forniceal DBS.Significance.The efficacy of forniceal DBS in AD can be indicated by alterations in DTI-based biomarkers reflecting the decreased activation of glial cells, suggesting reduced neural inflammation as evidenced by improvements in memory and anxiety-like behavior.

Professional identity and its associated psychosocial factors among physicians from standardized residency training programs in China: a national cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Shortage and high turnover intention rate of physicians are concerning problems in China. Professional identity has been shown as an influential factor for physicians' turnover intention. Enhancing physicians' professional identity in their early phase of career, standardized residency training program (SRTP), may help reduce the turnover rate. This study aimed to investigate the current status of professional identity and explore its associated psychosocial factors among Chinese SRTP trainees, hoping to provide evidence in strengthening the available medical human resources in China. Methods: The final sample was comprised of 2,267 Chinese SRTP trainees in this cross-sectional survey conducted from 9 March to 20 March in 2023. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Bivariate analyses and hierarchical multiple linear regression were used to analyze potential associated factors of Chinese SRTP trainees' professional identity. Results: The average score of respondents' professional identity was 47.68 (standard deviation, SD = 8.61). Results from hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis showed that being married (ß = 0.066, p < 0.01), having work experience before SRTP (ß = 0.036, p < 0.05), being satisfied with annual income (ß = 0.062, p < 0.01), psychological distress (ß = -0.144, p < 0.001), depersonalization (ß = -0.053, p < 0.05), emotional exhaustion (ß = -0.380, p < 0.001) and resilience (ß = 0.169, p < 0.001) were associated with professional identity (F = 114.301, p < 0.001). All associated factors can explain 41.1% of the variance in professional identity, and individual psychological variables make up a substantial portion (28.6%) of this influence. Discussion: Individual psychological variables are strongly associated with professional identity. Helping SRTP trainees reduce psychological distress, alleviate burnout and enhance resilience may be effective ways to promote the formation of their professional identity.

Metabolism of Malus halliana Roots Provides Insights into Iron Deficiency Tolerance Mechanisms.

Iron (Fe) deficiency is one of the most common micronutrient imbalances limiting plant growth globally, especially in arid and saline alkali regions due to the decreased availability of Fe in alkaline soils. Malus halliana grows well in arid regions and is tolerant of Fe deficiency. Here, a physiological and metabolomic approach was used to analyze the short-term molecular response of M. halliana roots to Fe deficiency. On the one hand, physiological data show that the root activity first increased and then decreased with the prolongation of the stress time, but the change trend of root pH was just the opposite. The total Fe content decreased gradually, while the effective Fe decreased at 12 h and increased at 3 d. The activity of iron reductase (FCR) increased with the prolongation of stress. On the other hand, a total of 61, 73, and 45 metabolites were identified by GC-MS in three pairs: R12h (Fe deficiency 12 h) vs. R0h (Fe deficiency 0 h), R3d (Fe deficiency 3 d) vs. R0h, and R3d vs. R12h, respectively. Sucrose, as a source of energy, produces monosaccharides such as glucose by hydrolysis, while glucose accumulates significantly at the first (R12h vs. R0h) and third time points (R3d vs. R0h). Carbohydrates (digalacturonate, L-xylitol, ribitol, D-xylulose, glucose, and glycerol) are degraded into pyruvate through glycolysis and pentose phosphate, which participate in the TCA. Glutathione metabolism and the TCA cycle coordinate with each other, actively respond to Fe deficiency stress, and synthesize secondary metabolites at the same time. This study thoroughly examines the metabolite response to plant iron deficiency, highlighting the crucial roles of sugar metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle regulation, and glutathione metabolism in the short-term iron deficiency response of apples. It also lays the groundwork for future research on analyzing iron deficiency tolerance.

Developing a plant microbial fuel cell by planting water spinach in a hanging-submerged plant pot system.

To plant crops (especially dry crops such as water spinach) with concomitant electricity recovery, a hanging-submerged-plant-pot system (HSPP) is developed. The HSPP consists of a soil pot (anodic) partially submerged under the water surface of a cathode tank. The microbial communities changed with conditions were also investigated. It was found that with chemical fertilizers the closed-circuit voltage (CCV, with 1 kΩ) was stable (approximately 250 mV) within 28 d; however, without fertilizer, the water spinach could adjust to the environment to obtain a better power output (approximately 3 mW m-2) at day 28. The microbial-community analyses revealed that the Pseudomonas sp. was the only exoeletrogens found in the anode pots. Using a secondary design of HSPP, for a better water-level adjustment, the maximum power output of each plant was found to be approximately 27.1 mW m-2. During operation, high temperature resulted in low oxygen solubility, and low CCV as well. At this time, it is yet to be concluded whether the submerged water level significantly affects electricity generation.

Tofacitinib Citrate Coordination-Based Dual-Responsive/Scavenge Nanoplatform Toward Regulate Colonic Inflammatory Microenvironment for Relieving Colitis.

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammation of the colon characterized by immune dysregulation and intestinal inflammation. Developing safe oral nanomedicines that suppress intestinal inflammation, while modulating colonic inflammatory microenvironment by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is crucial for the effective treatment of colitis. Here, the tofacitinib citrate and copper coordination-based nanoparticle (TF-Cu nanoparticle, T-C) to dual-scavenge ROS and H2S by coordination competition is synthesized. Moreover, the coordination of T-C using computer simulation is explored. To enhance the acid stability and inflammatory targeting of T-C, it is encapsulated with hyaluronic acid-modified chitosan, along with a calcium pectinate coating (T-C@HP). Owing to the dual pH/pectinase-responsive characteristics of T-C@HP, the nanoplatform can target inflamed colonic lesions, inhibiting phosphorylated Janus kinase 1. Furthermore, T-C@HP scavenges ROS and H2S, as well as increases NADPH levels, which is investigated by combining biosensor (HyPer7 and iNap1/c) and chemical probes. T-C@HP also alleviates colitis by regulating the colonic inflammatory microenvironment through multiple processes, including the modulation of apoptosis, macrophage polarization, tight junction, mucus layer, and intestinal flora. Complemented by satisfactory anti-inflammatory and biosafety results, this nanoplatform represents a promising, effective, and safe treatment option for colitis patients.

Decoding micro-electrocorticographic signals by using explainable 3D convolutional neural network to predict finger movements.

BACKGROUND: Electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocorticography (ECoG) recordings have been used to decode finger movements by analyzing brain activity. Traditional methods focused on single bandpass power changes for movement decoding, utilizing machine learning models requiring manual feature extraction. NEW METHOD: This study introduces a 3D convolutional neural network (3D-CNN) model to decode finger movements using ECoG data. The model employs adaptive, explainable AI (xAI) techniques to interpret the physiological relevance of brain signals. ECoG signals from epilepsy patients during awake craniotomy were processed to extract power spectral density across multiple frequency bands. These data formed a 3D matrix used to train the 3D-CNN to predict finger trajectories. RESULTS: The 3D-CNN model showed significant accuracy in predicting finger movements, with root-mean-square error (RMSE) values of 0.26-0.38 for single finger movements and 0.20-0.24 for combined movements. Explainable AI techniques, Grad-CAM and SHAP, identified the high gamma (HG) band as crucial for movement prediction, showing specific cortical regions involved in different finger movements. These findings highlighted the physiological significance of the HG band in motor control. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS: The 3D-CNN model outperformed traditional machine learning approaches by effectively capturing spatial and temporal patterns in ECoG data. The use of xAI techniques provided clearer insights into the model's decision-making process, unlike the "black box" nature of standard deep learning models. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed 3D-CNN model, combined with xAI methods, enhances the decoding accuracy of finger movements from ECoG data. This approach offers a more efficient and interpretable solution for brain-computer interface (BCI) applications, emphasizing the HG band's role in motor control.

Scavenging of reactive oxygen species in Candidatus Brocadia fulgida through nanocompartments.

The antioxidant defense mechanisms for anaerobic ammonia oxidation (anammox) bacteria are still unclear. In this study, the potential antioxidant ability of nanocompartments in Candidatus Brocadia fulgida to typical reactive oxygen species (ROS) was investigated. The results showed that the copies of genes involved in anammox central metabolism were inhibited with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), while the genes encoded putative anti-oxidative protein (nanocompartments and cargo HAO) up-regulated. The genetically engineered bacteria grew better and maintained the lower ROS levels (65.60 %-78.07 %) and higher electron transport activities (∼5-21 times) than the wild bacteria under H2O2 stimulus. Molecular docking confirmed that nanocompartment proteins could provide diverse sites to bind with H2O2 based on heme as the redox center. Additionally, the nanocompartments induced up-regulation of multiple protective pathways for coping with oxidative stress from H2O2, including antioxidant enzymes and other non-enzymatic pathways. Thus, the heme-containing nanocompartments presented great potential in preventing and relieving oxidative stress.

In Situ-Generated Formamidine as a Carbon/Nitrogen Source for Enaminone Formation: One-Pot Synthesis of Functionalized 4-Acyl-1,2,3-triazoles.

N,N-Dimethylformamide was reacted with hexamethyldisilazane to generate an N,N-dimethylformimidamide intermediate; thereafter, a reaction with acetophenones/ß-diketones was induced to form enaminones. The one-pot synthetic protocol described in this paper can be applied to synthesize 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles and 1,4,5-trisubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles, in which organic azides are used as substrates under optimized conditions. Furthermore, this protocol uses readily available materials, is nearly free of solvent, can be applied to gram-scale operations, and leads to the formation of structurally diverse products with favorable yields.

The meniscotibial ligament does exist: An anatomic and histological description.

Purpose: To describe the anatomical and histological characteristics of the human MTL (meniscotibial ligament) that keeps the meniscus stable and are rarely discussed. Study design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: In total, six fresh-frozen adult cadaver knees were dissected, and the dissection protocol were designed by two experienced anatomy professors. The anatomical morphology of MTL was observed. The main anatomical specimens included meniscus, tibial plateau, MTL. The osteotome was used to excise the portion of the tibial plateau, which could obtain the complex including partial meniscus, MTL, and a tibial fragment. A histopathologic study was performed by two experienced pathologists. Results: Macroscopically, the MTL could be divided into two parts: medial meniscotibial ligament (MMTL)and lateral meniscotibial ligament (LMTL). The MMTL is distributed continuously, whereas the LMTL is discontinuous on the tibial plateau. The average length from the tibial attachment of the LMTL to the articular surface was 19 ± 1.0mm (mean ± SD). The average length from the tibial attachment of the MMTL to the articular surface was 10 ± 1.2 mm (mean ± SD). Microscopy of the MTL showed that the MTL is a ligamentous tissue, composed of a network of oriented collagenous fibers. Conclusions: In all knees, the MTL was inserted on the outer edge of the meniscus, attaching to the tibia below the level of articular cartilage, which was key to maintaining the rotational stability of knee and the meniscus in the physiological position on the tibial plateau. Histological analysis of this ligament demonstrated that the MTL is a veritable ligamentous structure, which is made up of collagen type I-expressing fibroblasts. Clinical relevance: This article contributes to the understanding of the anatomical and histological characteristics of the MTL. It is beneficial to promote the development of relevant surgical techniques for the MTL lesion.

The Oncogenic Role of TNFRSF12A in Colorectal Cancer and Pan-Cancer Bioinformatics Analysis.

Purpose: Cancer has become a significant major public health concern, making the discovery of new cancer markers or therapeutic targets exceptionally important. Elevated expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 12A (TNFRSF12A) expression has been observed in certain types of cancer. This project aims to investigate the function of TNFRSF12A in tumors and the underlying mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Various websites were utilized for conducting the bioinformatics analysis. Tumor cell lines with stable knockdown or overexpression of TNFRSF12A were established for cell phenotyping experiments and subcutaneous tumorigenesis in BALB/c mice. RNA-seq was employed to investigate the mechanism of TNFRSF12A. Results: TNFRSF12A was upregulated in the majority of cancers and associated with a poor prognosis. Knockdown TNFRSF12A hindered the colorectal cancer progression, while overexpression facilitated malignancy both in vitro and in vivo. TNFRSF12A overexpression led to increased NF-κB signaling and significant upregulation of BIRC3, a transcription target of the NF-κB member RELA, and it was experimentally confirmed to be a critical downstream factor of TNFRSF12A. Therefore, we speculated the existence of a TNFRSF12A/RELA/BIRC3 regulatory axis in colorectal cancer. Conclusion: TNFRSF12A is upregulated in various cancer types and associated with a poor prognosis. In colorectal cancer, elevated TNFRSF12A expression promotes tumor growth, potentially through the TNFRSF12A/RELA/BIRC3 regulatory axis.

Reduced Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases after Bariatric Surgery Based on the New PREVENT Equations.

Background: We applied the novel Predicting Risk of Cardiovascular Disease EVENTs (PREVENT) equations to evaluate cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) health and estimated CVD risk, including heart failure (HF), after bariatric surgery. Methods: Among 7804 patients (20-79 years) undergoing bariatric surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center during 1999-2022, CVD risk factors at pre-surgery, 1-year, and 2-year post-surgery were extracted from electronic health records. The 10- and 30-year risks of total CVD, atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD), coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and HF were estimated for patients without a history of CVD or its subtypes at each time point, using the social deprivation index-enhanced PREVENT equations. Paired t-tests or McNemar tests were used to compare pre- with post-surgery CKM health and CVD risk. Two-sample t-tests were used to compare CVD risk reduction between patient subgroups defined by age, sex, race, operation type, weight loss, and history of diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Results: CKM health was significantly improved after surgery with lower systolic blood pressure, non-high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL), and diabetes prevalence, but higher HDL and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The 10-year total CVD risk decreased from 6.51% at pre-surgery to 4.81% and 5.08% at 1- and 2-year post-surgery (relative reduction: 25.9% and 16.8%), respectively. Significant risk reductions were seen for all CVD subtypes (i.e., ASCVD, CHD, stroke, and HF), with the largest reduction for HF (relative reduction: 55.7% and 44.8% at 1- and 2-year post-surgery, respectively). Younger age, White race, >30% weight loss, diabetes history, and no dyslipidemia history were associated with greater HF risk reductions. Similar results were found for the 30-year risk estimates. Conclusions: Bariatric surgery significantly improves CKM health and reduces estimated CVD risk, particularly HF, by 45-56% within 1-2 years post-surgery. HF risk reduction may vary by patient's demographics, weight loss, and disease history, which warrants further research.

White Roman Goose Feather-Inspired Unidirectionally Inclined Conical Structure Arrays for Switchable Anisotropic Self-Cleaning.

White Roman goose (Anser anser domesticus) feathers, comprised of oriented conical barbules, are coated with gland-secreted preening oils to maintain a long-term nonwetting performance for surface swimming. The geese are accustomed to combing their plumages with flat bills in case they are contaminated with oleophilic substances, during which the amphiphilic saliva spread over the barbules greatly impairs their surface hydrophobicities and allows the trapped contaminants to be anisotropically self-cleaned by water flows. Particularly, the superhydrophobic behaviors of the goose feathers are recovered as well. Bioinspired by the switchable anisotropic self-cleaning functionality of white Roman geese, superhydrophobic unidirectionally inclined conical structures are engineered through the integration of a scalable colloidal self-assembly technology and a colloidal lithographic approach. The dependence of directional sliding properties on the shape, inclination angle, and size of conical structures is systematically investigated in this research. Moreover, their switchable anisotropic self-cleaning functionalities are demonstrated by Sudan blue II/water (0.01%) separation performances. The white Roman goose feather-inspired coatings undoubtedly offer a new concept for developing innovative applications that require directional transportation and the collection of liquids.

Stroke Risk Reduction in Migraine Patients Using Propranolol: Evidence from Two Large-Scale Real-World Data Analyses.

Background: Propranolol, a non-selective beta-blocker, is commonly used for migraine prevention, but its impact on stroke risk among migraine patients remains controversial. Using two large electronic health records-based datasets, we examined stroke risk differences between migraine patients with- and without- documented use of propranolol. Methods: This retrospective case-control study utilized EHR data from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and the All of Us Research Program. Migraine patients were first identified based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD-3) criteria using diagnosis codes. Among these patients, cases were defined as those with a primary diagnosis of stroke following the first diagnosis of migraine, while controls had no stroke after their first migraine diagnosis. Logistic regression models, adjusted for potential factors associated with stroke risk, assessed the association between propranolol use and stroke risk, stratified by sex and migraine subtype. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) for stroke risk at 1, 2, 5, and 10 years from baseline. Results: In the VUMC database, 378 cases and 15,209 controls were identified, while the All of Us database included 267 cases and 6,579 controls. Propranolol significantly reduced stroke risk in female migraine patients (VUMC: OR=0.52, p=0.006; All of Us: OR=0.39, p=0.007), but not in males. The effect was more pronounced for ischemic stroke and in females with migraines without aura (MO) (VUMC: OR=0.60, p=0.014; All of Us: OR=0.28, p=0.006). The Cox model showed lower stroke rates in propranolol-treated female migraine patients at 1, 2, 5, and 10 years (VUMC: HR=0.06-0.55, p=0.0018-0.085; All of Us: HR=0.23, p=0.045 at 10 years). Conclusions: Propranolol is associated with a significant reduction in stroke risk, particularly ischemic stroke, among female migraine without aura patients. These findings suggest that propranolol may benefit stroke prevention in high-risk populations.

Two-Dimensional Metal-Organic Frameworks/Epoxy Composite Coatings with Superior O2/H2O Resistance for Anticorrosion Applications.

Corrosion protection technology plays a crucial role in preserving infrastructure, ensuring safety and reliability, and promoting long-term sustainability. In this study, we combined experiments and various analyses to investigate the mechanism of corrosion occurring on the epoxy-based anticorrosive coating containing the additive of two-dimensional (2D) and water-stable zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks (Zr-MOFs). By using benzoic acid as the modulator for the growth of the MOF, a 2D MOF constructed from hexazirconium clusters and BTB linkers (BTB = 1,3,5-tri(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene) with coordinated benzoate (BA-ZrBTB) can be synthesized. By coating the BA-ZrBTB/epoxy composite film (BA-ZrBTB/EP) on the surface of cold-rolled steel (CRS), we found the lowest coating roughness (RMS) of BA-ZrBTB/EP is 2.83 nm with the highest water contact angle as 99.8°, which represents the hydrophobic coating surface. Notably, the corrosion rate of the BA-ZrBTB/EP coating is 2.28 × 10-3 mpy, which is 4 orders of magnitude lower than that of the CRS substrate. Moreover, the energy barrier for oxygen diffusion through BA-ZrBTB/EP coating is larger than that for epoxy coating (EP), indicating improved oxygen resistance for adding 2D Zr-MOFs as the additive. These results underscore the high efficiency and potential of BA-ZrBTB as a highly promising agent for corrosion prevention in various commercial applications. Furthermore, this study represents the first instance of applying 2D Zr-MOF materials in anticorrosion applications, opening up new possibilities for advanced corrosion-resistant coatings.

The Quantitative Evaluation of Automatic Segmentation in Lumbar Magnetic Resonance Images.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to overcome challenges in lumbar spine imaging, particularly lumbar spinal stenosis, by developing an automated segmentation model using advanced techniques. Traditional manual measurement and lesion detection methods are limited by subjectivity and inefficiency. The objective is to create an accurate and automated segmentation model that identifies anatomical structures in lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging scans. METHODS: Leveraging a dataset of 539 lumbar spinal stenosis patients, the study utilizes the residual U-Net for semantic segmentation in sagittal and axial lumbar spine magnetic resonance images. The model, trained to recognize specific tissue categories, employs a geometry algorithm for anatomical structure quantification. Validation metrics, like Intersection over Union (IOU) and Dice coefficients, validate the residual U-Net's segmentation accuracy. A novel rotation matrix approach is introduced for detecting bulging discs, assessing dural sac compression, and measuring yellow ligament thickness. RESULTS: The residual U-Net achieves high precision in segmenting lumbar spine structures, with mean IOU values ranging from 0.82 to 0.93 across various tissue categories and views. The automated quantification system provides measurements for intervertebral disc dimensions, dural sac diameter, yellow ligament thickness, and disc hydration. Consistency between training and testing datasets assures the robustness of automated measurements. CONCLUSION: Automated lumbar spine segmentation with residual U-Net and deep learning exhibits high precision in identifying anatomical structures, facilitating efficient quantification in lumbar spinal stenosis cases. The introduction of a rotation matrix enhances lesion detection, promising improved diagnostic accuracy, and supporting treatment decisions for lumbar spinal stenosis patients.

The crosstalk between oxidative stress and DNA damage induces neural stem cell senescence by HO-1/PARP1 non-canonical pathway.

Neural stem cells play a crucial role in maintaining brain homeostasis. Neural stem cells senescence can lead to the decline of nerve repair and regeneration, causing brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases. However, the mechanism underlying neural stem cells senescence remains poorly understood. In this study, we report a novel HO-1/PARP1 non-canonical pathway highlighting how oxidative stress triggers the DNA damage response, ultimately leading to premature cellular senescence in neural stem cells. HO-1 acts as a sensor for oxidative stress, while PARP1 functions as a sensor for DNA damage. The simultaneous expression and molecular interaction of these two sensors can initiate a crosstalk of oxidative stress and DNA damage response processes, leading to the vicious cycle. The persistent activation of this pathway contributes to the senescence of neural stem cells, which in turn plays a crucial role in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Consequently, targeting this novel signaling pathway holds promise for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies and targets aimed at mitigating neural stem cells senescence-related disorders.

The feasibility and safety of biomaterials for posterior scleral reinforcement in rabbits.

To explore the feasibility and safety of biomaterials for posterior scleral reinforcement (PSR) in rabbits. Decellularization and genipin crosslink were applied to the fresh bovine pericardium and porcine endocranium, and then mechanical properties, suture retention strength, and stability were tested. PSR operation was performed on 24 rabbit eyes using treated biological materials. Ophthalmic examination was performed regularly before and after PSR operation (1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months). To evaluate the effectiveness, A ultrasound, diopter, and optical coherence tomography were conducted. General condition, fundus photograph, and pathological examination were recorded to evaluate the safety. Compared with genipin crosslinked bovine pericardium (Gen-BP) (21.29 ± 13.29 Mpa), genipin crosslinked porcine endocranium (Gen-PE) (34.85 ± 3.67 Mpa,P< 0.01) showed a closer elastic modulus to that of genipin crosslinked human sclera. There were no complications or toxic reactions directly related to the materials. Capillary hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration, and collagen fiber deposition were observed, and the content of type I collagen fibers increased after PSR. Overall, the choroidal thickness of treated eyes was significantly thickened at different time points after PSR, which were 96.84 ± 21.08 µm, 96.72 ± 22.00 µm, 90.90 ± 16.57 µm, 97.28 ± 14.74 µm, respectively. The Gen-PE group showed changes that were almost consistent with the overall data. Gen-BP and Gen-PE are safe biological materials for PSR. The Gen-PE group demonstrated more significant advantages over the Gen-BP group in terms of material properties.

Radiomics analysis based on CT for predicting lymph node metastasis and prognosis in duodenal papillary carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Radiomics has been demonstrated to be strongly associated with TNM stage and patient prognosis. We aimed to develop a model for predicting lymph node metastasis (LNM) and survival. METHODS: For radiomics texture selection, 3D Slicer 5.0.3 software and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm were used. Subsequently, the radiomics model, computed tomography (CT) image, and clinical risk model were compared. The performance of the three models was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, decision curve analysis (DCA), calibration plots, and clinical impact curves (CICs). RESULTS: For the LNM prediction model, 224 patients with LNM information were used to construct a model that was applied to predict LNM. According to the CT data and clinical characteristics, we constructed a radiomics model, CT imaging model and clinical model. The radiomics model for evaluating LNM status showed excellent calibration and discrimination in the training cohort (AUC = 0.926, 95% CI = 0.869-0.982) and the validation cohort (AUC = 0.872, 95% CI = 0.802-0.941). DeLong's test demonstrated that the difference among the three models was significant. Similarly, DCA and CIC showed that the radiomics model has better clinical utility than the CT imaging model and clinical model. Our model also exhibited good performance in predicting survival-in line with the findings of the model built with clinical risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: CT radiomics models exhibited better predictive performance for LNM than models built based on clinical risk characteristics and CT imaging and had comparative clinical utility for predicting patient prognosis. CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: The radiomics model showed excellent performance and discrimination for predicting LNM and survival of duodenal papillary carcinoma (DPC). KEY POINTS: LNM status determines the most appropriate treatment for DPC. Our radiomics model for evaluating the LNM status of DPC performed excellently. The radiomics model had high sensitivity and specificity for predicting survival, exhibiting great clinical value.