Veliparib exerts protective effects in intracerebral hemorrhage mice by inhibiting the inflammatory response and accelerating hematoma resolution.

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors have potent anti-inflammatory effects, including the suppression of brain microglial activation. Veliparib, a well-known PARP1/2 inhibitor, exhibits particularly high brain penetration, but its effects on stroke outcome is unknown. Here, the effects of veliparib on the short-term outcome of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), the most lethal type of stroke, were investigated. Collagenase-induced mice ICH model was applied, and the T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was performed to evaluate lesion volume. Motor function and hematoma volume were also measured. We further performed immunofluorescence, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry, and blood-brain barrier assessment to explore the potential mechanisms. Our results demonstrated veliparib reduced the ICH lesion volume dose-dependently and at a dosage of 5 mg/kg, veliparib significantly improved mouse motor function and promoted hematoma resolution at days 3 and 7 post-ICH. Veliparib inhibited glial activation and downregulated the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Veliparib significantly decreased microglia counts and inhibited peripheral immune cell infiltration into the brain on day 3 after ICH. Veliparib improved blood-brain barrier integrity at day 3 after ICH. These findings demonstrate that veliparib improves ICH outcome by inhibiting inflammatory responses and may represent a promising novel therapy for ICH.

Astrocyte-derived CHI3L1 signaling impairs neurogenesis and cognition in the demyelinated hippocampus.

Cognitive dysfunction is a feature in multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disorder. A notable aspect of MS brains is hippocampal demyelination, which is closely associated with cognitive decline. However, the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain unclear. Chitinase-3-like (CHI3L1), secreted by activated astrocytes, has been identified as a biomarker for MS progression. Our study investigates CHI3L1's function within the demyelinating hippocampus and demonstrates a correlation between CHI3L1 expression and cognitive impairment in patients with MS. Activated astrocytes release CHI3L1 in reaction to induced demyelination, which adversely affects the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells and impairs dendritic growth, complexity, and spine formation in neurons. Our findings indicate that the astrocytic deletion of CHI3L1 can mitigate neurogenic deficits and cognitive dysfunction. We showed that CHI3L1 interacts with CRTH2/receptor for advanced glycation end (RAGE) by attenuating ß-catenin signaling. The reactivation of ß-catenin signaling can revitalize neurogenesis, which holds promise for therapy of inflammatory demyelination.

Radiomics analysis of pancreas based on dual-energy computed tomography for the detection of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To utilize radiomics analysis on dual-energy CT images of the pancreas to establish a quantitative imaging biomarker for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Materials and methods: In this retrospective study, 78 participants (45 with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 33 without) underwent a dual energy CT exam. Pancreas regions were segmented automatically using a deep learning algorithm. From these regions, radiomics features were extracted. Additionally, 24 clinical features were collected for each patient. Both radiomics and clinical features were then selected using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) technique and then build classifies with random forest (RF), support vector machines (SVM) and Logistic. Three models were built: one using radiomics features, one using clinical features, and a combined model. Results: Seven radiomic features were selected from the segmented pancreas regions, while eight clinical features were chosen from a pool of 24 using the LASSO method. These features were used to build a combined model, and its performance was evaluated using five-fold cross-validation. The best classifier type is Logistic and the reported area under the curve (AUC) values on the test dataset were 0.887 (0.73-1), 0.881 (0.715-1), and 0.922 (0.804-1) for the respective models. Conclusion: Radiomics analysis of the pancreas on dual-energy CT images offers potential as a quantitative imaging biomarker in the detection of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Photonic convolution accelerator based on a hybrid integrated multi-wavelength laser array by photonic wire bonding for real-time image classification.

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a compact and efficient photonic convolution accelerator based on a hybrid integrated multi-wavelength DFB laser array by photonic wire bonding. The photonic convolution accelerator operates at 60.12 GOPS for one 3 × 3 kernel with a convolution window vertical sliding stride of 1 and generates 500 images of real-time image classification. Furthermore, real-time image classification on the MNIST database of handwritten digits with a prediction accuracy of 93.86% is achieved. This work provides a novel, to the best of our knowledge, compact hybrid integration platform to realize the optical convolutional neural networks.

Longitudinal Extension of Double π-Helix Enables Near-Infrared Amplified Dissymmetry and Chiroptical Response.

Near-infrared (NIR) circularly polarized light absorbing or emitting holds great promise for highly sensitive and precise bioimaging, biosensing, and photodetectors. Aiming at designing NIR chiral molecular systems with amplified dissymmetry and robust chiroptical response, herein, we present a series of double π-helical dimers with longitudinally extended π-entwined substructures via Ullmann or Yamamoto homocoupling reactions. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra revealed an approximate linear bathochromic shift with the rising number of naphthalene subunits, indicating a red to NIR chiroptical response. Particularly, the terrylene diimide-entwined dimers exhibited the strongest CD intensities, with the maximal |Δε| reaching up to 393 M-1 cm-1 at 666 nm for th-TDI[2]; and a record-high chiroptical response (|ΔΔε|) between the neutral and dianionic species of 520 M-1 cm-1 at 833 nm for th-TDI[2]Cl was achieved upon further reduction to its dianionic state. Time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations suggested that the pronounced intensification of the CD spectra originated from a simultaneous enhancement of both electric (µ) and magnetic (m) transition dipole moments, ultimately leading to an overall increase in the rotatory strength (R). Notably, the circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) brightness (BCPL) reached 77 M-1 cm-1 for th-TDI[2]Cl, among the highest values reported for NIR-CPL emitters. Furthermore, all chiral dianions exhibited excellent air stability under ambient conditions with half-life times of up to 10 days in N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), which is significant for future biological applications and chiroptic switches.

Methodological validation of sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation method for Adeno-Associated Virus and collaborative calibration of system suitability substance.

Currently, adeno-associated virus (AAV) is one of the primary gene delivery vectors in gene therapy, facilitating long-term in vivo gene expression. Despite being imperative, it is incredibly challenging to precisely assess AAV particle distribution according to the sedimentation coefficient and identify impurities related to capsid structures. This study performed the systematic methodological validation of quantifying the AAV empty and full capsid ratio. This includes specificity, accuracy, precision, linearity, and parameter variables involving the sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation (SV-AUC) method. Specifically, SV-AUC differentiated among the empty, partial, full, and High Sedimentation Coefficient Substance (HSCS) AAV particles while evaluating their sedimentation heterogeneity. The intermediate precision analysis of HE (high percentage of empty capsid) and HF( high percentage of full capsid) samples revealed that the specific species percentage, such as empty or full, was more significant than 50%. Moreover, the RSD (relative standard deviation) could be within 5%. Even for empty or partial less than 15%, the RSD could be within 10%. The accuracy recovery rates of empty capsid were between 103.9% and 108.7% across three different mixtures. When the measured percentage of specific species was more significant than 14%, the recovery rate was between 77.9% and 106.6%. Linearity analysis revealed an excellent linear correlation between the empty, partial, and full in the HE samples. The AAV samples with as low as 7.4×1011 cp/mL AAV could be accurately quantified with SV-AUC. The parameter variable analyses revealed that variations in cell alignment significantly affected the overall results. Still, the detection wavelength of 235nm slightly influenced the empty, partial, and full percentages. Minor detection wavelength changes showed no impact on the sedimentation coefficient of these species. However, the temperature affected the measured sedimentation coefficient. These results validated the SV-AUC method to quantify AAV. This study provides solutions to AAV empty and full capsid ratio quantification challenges and the subsequent basis for calibrating the AAV empty capsid system suitability substance. Due to the AAV structure and potential variability complexity in detection, we jointly calibrated empty capsid system suitability substance with three laboratories to accurately detect the quantitative AAV empty and full capsid ratio. The empty capsid system suitability substance could be used as an external reference to measure the performance of the instrument. The results could be compared with multiple QC (quality control)laboratories based on the AAV vector and calibration accuracy. This is crucial for AUC to be used for QC release and promote gene therapy research worldwide.

Diabetes and aortic dissection: unraveling the role of 3-hydroxybutyrate through mendelian randomization.

BACKGROUND: In observational and experimental studies, diabetes has been reported as a protective factor for aortic dissection. 3-Hydroxybutyrate, a key constituent of ketone bodies, has been found to favor improvements in cardiovascular disease. However, whether the protective effect of diabetes on aortic dissection is mediated by 3-hydroxybutyrate is unclear. We aimed to investigate the causal effects of diabetes on the risk of aortic dissection and the mediating role of 3-hydroxybutyrate in them through two-step Mendelian randomization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a two-step Mendelian randomization to investigate the causal connections between diabetes, 3-hydroxybutyrate, and aortic dissection and calculate the mediating effect of 3-hydroxybutyrate. Publicly accessible data for Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, dissection of aorta and 3-hydroxybutyrate were obtained from genome-wide association studies. The association between Type 1 diabetes and dissection of aorta, the association between Type 2 diabetes and dissection of aorta, and mediation effect of 3-hydroxybutyrate were carried out separately. RESULTS: The IVW method showed that Type 1 diabetes was negatively associated with the risk of aortic dissection (OR 0.912, 95% CI 0.836-0.995), The weighted median, simple mode and weighted mode method showed consistent results. The mediated proportion of 3-hydroxybutyrate on the relationship between Type 1 diabetes and dissection of aorta was 24.80% (95% CI 5.12-44.47%). The IVW method showed that Type 2 diabetes was negatively associated with the risk of aortic dissection (OR 0.763, 95% CI 0.607-0.960), The weighted median, simple mode and weighted mode method showed consistent results. 3-Hydroxybutyrate does not have causal mediation effect on the relationship between Type 2 diabetes and dissection of aorta. CONCLUSION: Mendelian randomization study revealed diabetes as a protective factor for dissection of aorta. The protective effect of type 1 diabetes on aortic dissection was partially mediated by 3-hydroxybutyrate, but type 2 diabetes was not 3-hydroxybutyrate mediated.

Bacterial community analysis of the skin microbiota of cultured Chinese giant salamander infected with Ranavirus.

Skin microorganisms are an important component of host innate immunity and serve as the first line of defense against pathogenic infections. The relative abundance of bacterial species, microbial community assembly, and secretion of specific bacterial metabolites are closely associated with host health. In this study, we investigated the association between the skin microbiome and Ranavirus, and compared the bacterial community assemblage, alpha and beta diversity, and functional predictions of the skin bacterial assemblage in cultured healthy Chinese giant salamanders (Andrias davidianus) and individuals infected with Chinese giant salamander iridovirus (GSIV or ADRV). To achieve this, we employed 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The results identified Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, and Actinobacteriota as the dominant phyla in the diseased and healthy groups. Alpha diversity analysis indicated that the skin bacterial community in the diseased group exhibited no significant differences in bacterial species diversity and lower species richness compared to the healthy group. Beta diversity suggested that the two group bacterial community was quite different. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analyze and clusters of orthologous groups of proteins (COG) function predictions revealed that changes and variations occurred in the metabolic pathways and function distribution of skin bacterial communities in two groups.

Heterogeneous-Structure-Based AuNBs@TiO2 Nano-Photosensitizers for Computed Tomography Imaging Guided NIR-II Photodynamic Therapy and Cancer Metastatic Prevention.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally invasive cancer treatment that, despite its significant attention, faces limitations in penetration depth, which restrict its effectiveness. Herein, it is found that gold nanobipyramid (AuNBs) coated with TiO2 can form a core-shell heterogeneous structure (AuNBs@TiO2) with strong absorption at second near infrared (NIR-II) region. A substantial quantity of reactive oxygen species (ROS), including singlet oxygen (1O2), superoxide anion radicals, and hydroxyl radicals, can be rapidly generated when subjecting the AuNBs@TiO2 aqueous suspension to 1064 nm laser irradiation. The quantum yield for sensitization of 1O2 by AuNBs@TiO2 is 0.36 at 1064 nm light excitation. In addition, the Au element as high-Z atoms in the nanosystem can improve the ability of computed tomographic (CT) imaging. As compared to commercial iohexol, the AuNBs@TiO2 nanoparticle exhibits significantly better CT imaging effect, which can be used to guide PDT. In addition, the nano-photosensitizer shows a remarkable therapeutic effect against established solid tumors and prevents tumor metastasis and potentiates immune checkpoint blockade therapy. More importantly, here the great potentials of AuNBs@TiO2 are highlighted as a theranostic platform for CT-guided cancer photodynamic immunotherapy.

Highly homogeneous zero-index metamaterials make devices more compact and perform better.

A highly homogeneous microwave zero-index metamaterial based on high-permittivity SrTiO3 ceramics is demonstrated to realize the small-aperture high-directivity antenna. Such a novel technique is a remarkable step forward to develop compact devices with better performance.

An orally administered bacterial membrane protein nanodrug ameliorates doxorubicin cardiotoxicity through alleviating impaired intestinal barrier.

The cardiotoxicity caused by Dox chemotherapy represents a significant limitation to its clinical application and is a major cause of late death in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Currently, there are no effective treatments available. Our analysis of 295 clinical samples from 132 chemotherapy patients and 163 individuals undergoing physical examination revealed a strong positive correlation between intestinal barrier injury and the development of cardiotoxicity in chemotherapy patients. We developed a novel orally available and intestinal targeting protein nanodrug by assembling membrane protein Amuc_1100 (obtained from intestinal bacteria Akkermansia muciniphila), fluorinated polyetherimide, and hyaluronic acid. The protein nanodrug demonstrated favorable stability against hydrolysis compared with free Amuc_1100. The in vivo results demonstrated that the protein nanodrug can alleviate Dox-induced cardiac toxicity by improving gut microbiota, increasing the proportion of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria from the Lachnospiraceae family, and further enhancing the levels of butyrate and pentanoic acids, ultimately regulating the homeostasis repair of lymphocytes in the spleen and heart. Therefore, we believe that the integrity of the intestinal barrier plays an important role in the development of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. Protective interventions targeting the intestinal barrier may hold promise as a general clinical treatment regimen for reducing Dox-induced cardiotoxicity.

Comparative study of the removal of sulfate by UASB in light and dark environment.

At present, the application of sewage treatment technologies is restricted by high sulfate concentrations. In the present work, the sulfate removal was biologically treated using an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) in the absence/presence of light. First, the start-up of UASB for the sulfate removal was studied in terms of COD degradation, sulfate removal, and effluent pH. Second, the impacts of different operation parameters (i.e., COD/SO42- ratio, temperature and illumination time) on the UASB performance were explored. Third, the properties of sludge derived from the UASB at different time were analyzed. Results show that after 28 days of start-up, the COD removal efficiencies in both the photoreactor and non-photoreactor could reach a range of 85-90% while such reactors could achieve > 90% of sulfate being removed. Besides, higher illumination time could facilitate the removal of pollutants in the photoreactor. To sum up, the present study can provide technical support for the clean removal of sulfate from wastewater using photoreactors.

Immune cell signatures and inflammatory mediators: unraveling their genetic impact on chronic kidney disease through Mendelian randomization.

Prior research has established associations between immune cells, inflammatory proteins, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Our Mendelian randomization study aims to elucidate the genetic causal relationships among these factors and CKD. We applied Mendelian randomization using genetic variants associated with CKD from a large genome-wide association study (GWAS) and inflammatory markers from a comprehensive GWAS summary. The causal links between exposures (immune cell subtypes and inflammatory proteins) and CKD were primarily analyzed using the inverse variance-weighted, supplemented by sensitivity analyses, including MR-Egger, weighted median, weighted mode, and MR-PRESSO. Our analysis identified both absolute and relative counts of CD28 + CD45RA + CD8 + T cell (OR = 1.01; 95% CI = 1.01-1.02; p < 0.001, FDR = 0.018) (OR = 1.01; 95% CI = 1.00-1.01; p < 0.001, FDR = 0.002), CD28 on CD39 + CD8 + T cell(OR = 0.97; 95% CI = 0.96-0.99; p < 0.001, FDR = 0.006), CD16 on CD14-CD16 + monocyte (OR = 1.02; 95% CI = 1.01-1.03; p < 0.001, FDR = 0.004) and cytokines, such as IL-17A(OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.06-1.16, p < 0.001, FDR = 0.001), and LIF-R(OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.02-1.10, p = 0.005, FDR = 0.043) that are genetically predisposed to influence the risk of CKD. Moreover, the study discovered that CKD itself may causatively lead to alterations in certain proteins, including CST5(OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.09-1.24, p < 0.001, FDR = 0.001). No evidence of reverse causality was found for any single biomarker and CKD. This comprehensive MR investigation supports a genetic causal nexus between certain immune cell subtypes, inflammatory proteins, and CKD. These findings enhance the understanding of CKD's immunological underpinnings and open avenues for targeted treatments.

Bacillus velezensis strain NA16 shows high poultry feather-degrading efficiency, protease and amino acid production.

Isolated Bacillus velezensis strain NA16, which produces proteases, amino acids and the transcription levels of different keratinolytic enzymes and disulfide reductase genes in whole gene sequencing, was evaluated during feather degradation. The result shows under optimum fermentation conditions, chicken feather fermentation showed total amino acid concentration of 7599 mg/L, degradation efficiency of 99.3% at 72 h, and protease activity of 1058 U/mL and keratinase activity of 288 U/mL at 48 h. Goose feather fermentation showed total amino acid concentration of 4918 mg/L (96 h), and degradation efficiency was 98.9% at 120 h. Chicken feather fermentation broth at 72 h showed high levels of 17 amino acids, particularly phenylalanine (1050 ± 1.90 mg/L), valine (960 ± 1.04 mg/L), and glutamic (950 ± 3.00 mg/L). Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared analysis revealed the essential role of peptide bond cleavage in structural changes and degradation of feathers. Protein purification and zymographic analyses revealed a key role in feather degradation of the 39-kDa protein encoded by gene1031, identified as an S8 family serine peptidase. Whole genome sequencing of NA16 revealed 26 metalloproteinase genes and 22 serine protease genes. Among the proteins, S8 family serine peptidase (gene1031, gene1428) and S9 family peptidase (gene3132) were shown by transcription analysis to play major roles in chicken feather degradation. These findings revealed the transcription levels of different families of keratinolytic enzymes in the degradation of feather keratin by microorganisms, and suggested potential applications of NA16 in feather waste management and amino acid production.

HIF-1α and adaptor protein LIM and senescent cell antigen-like domains protein 1 axis promotes tubulointerstitial fibrosis by interacting with vimentin in angiotensin II-induced hypertension.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Activation of the renin-angiotensin system, as a hallmark of hypertension and chronic kidney diseases (CKD) is the key pathophysiological factor contributing to the progression of tubulointerstitial fibrosis. LIM and senescent cell antigen-like domains protein 1 (LIMS1) plays an essential role in controlling of cell behaviour through the formation of complexes with other proteins. Here, the function and regulation of LIMS1 in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension and tubulointerstitial fibrosis was investigated. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: C57BL/6 mice were treated with Ang II to induce tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) renal tubular-specific knockout mice or LIMS1 knockdown AAV was used to investigate their effects on Ang II-induced renal interstitial fibrosis. In vitro, HIF-1α or LIMS1 was knocked down or overexpressed in HK2 cells after exposure to Ang II. KEY RESULTS: Increased expression of tubular LIMS1 was observed in human kidney with hypertensive nephropathy and in murine kidney from Ang II-induced hypertension model. Tubular-specific knockdown of LIMS1 ameliorated Ang II-induced tubulointerstitial fibrosis in mice. Furthermore, we demonstrated that LIMS1 was transcriptionally regulated by HIF-1α in tubular cells and that tubular HIF-1α knockout ameliorates LIMS1-mediated tubulointerstitial fibrosis. In addition, LIMS1 promotes Ang II-induced tubulointerstitial fibrosis by interacting with vimentin. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: We conclude that HIF-1α transcriptionally regulated LIMS1 plays a central role in Ang II-induced tubulointerstitial fibrosis through interacting with vimentin. Our finding represents a new insight into the mechanism of Ang II-induced tubulointerstitial fibrosis and provides a novel therapeutic target for progression of CKD.

Keratin 17 modulates the immune topography of pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: The immune microenvironment impacts tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, and patient survival and may provide opportunities for therapeutic intervention in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Although never studied as a potential modulator of the immune response in most cancers, Keratin 17 (K17), a biomarker of the most aggressive (basal) molecular subtype of PDAC, is intimately involved in the histogenesis of the immune response in psoriasis, basal cell carcinoma, and cervical squamous cell carcinoma. Thus, we hypothesized that K17 expression could also impact the immune cell response in PDAC, and that uncovering this relationship could provide insight to guide the development of immunotherapeutic opportunities to extend patient survival. METHODS: Multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC) and automated image analysis based on novel computational imaging technology were used to decipher the abundance and spatial distribution of T cells, macrophages, and tumor cells, relative to K17 expression in 235 PDACs. RESULTS: K17 expression had profound effects on the exclusion of intratumoral CD8+ T cells and was also associated with decreased numbers of peritumoral CD8+ T cells, CD16+ macrophages, and CD163+ macrophages (p < 0.0001). The differences in the intratumor and peritumoral CD8+ T cell abundance were not impacted by neoadjuvant therapy, tumor stage, grade, lymph node status, histologic subtype, nor KRAS, p53, SMAD4, or CDKN2A mutations. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, K17 expression correlates with major differences in the immune microenvironment that are independent of any tested clinicopathologic or tumor intrinsic variables, suggesting that targeting K17-mediated immune effects on the immune system could restore the innate immunologic response to PDAC and might provide novel opportunities to restore immunotherapeutic approaches for this most deadly form of cancer.

An acid-responsive DNA hydrogel-mediated cascaded enzymatic nucleic acid amplification system for the sensitive imaging of alkaline phosphatase in living cells.

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a class of hydrolase that catalyzes the dephosphorylation of phosphorylated species in biological tissues, playing an important role in many physiological and pathological processes. Sensitive imaging of ALP activity in living cells is contributory to the research on these processes. Herein, we propose an acid-responsive DNA hydrogel to deliver a cascaded enzymatic nucleic acid amplification system into cells for the sensitive imaging of intracellular ALP activity. The DNA hydrogel is formed by two kinds of Y-shaped DNA monomers and acid-responsive cytosine-rich linkers. The amplification system contained Bst DNA polymerase (Bst DP), Nt.BbvCI endonuclease, a Recognition Probe (RP, containing a DNAzyme sequence, a Nt.BbvCI recognition sequence, and a phosphate group at the 3'-end), and a Signal Probe (SP, containing a cleavage site for DNAzyme, Cy3 and BHQ2 at the two ends). The amplification system was trapped into the DNA hydrogel and taken up by cells, and the cytosine-rich linkers folded into a quadruplex i-motif in the acidic lysosomes, leading to the collapse of the hydrogel and releasing the amplification system. The phosphate groups on RPs were recognized and removed by the target ALP, triggering a polymerization-nicking cycle to produce large numbers of DNAzyme sequences, which then cleaved multiple SPs, restoring Cy3 fluorescence to indicate the ALP activity. This strategy achieved sensitive imaging of ALP in living HeLa, MCF-7, and NCM460 cells, and realized the sensitive detection of ALP in vitro with a detection limit of 2.0 × 10-5 U mL-1, providing a potential tool for the research of ALP-related physiological and pathological processes.

Effect of Sarcopenia on 10-Year Risk of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Objective: To investigate the impact of sarcopenia on the 10-year risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: This study included the clinical, laboratory, and body composition data of 1491 patients with T2DM who were admitted to the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Tianjin Union Medical Center from July 2018 to July 2023. The China-PAR model was utilized to evaluate cardiovascular disease risk. Associations between ASCVD risk and various clinical parameters were analyzed, and the relationship between body composition parameters and ASCVD risk was assessed using logistic regression. Results: The analysis revealed that T2DM patients with sarcopenia had a higher 10-year ASCVD risk compared to those without sarcopenia, with reduced muscle mass independently predicting an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This association was significant among female T2DM patients, while male T2DM patients with sarcopenia showed a marginally higher median ASCVD risk compared to their non-sarcopenic counterparts. ASCVD risk inversely correlated with body muscle parameters and positively correlated with fat content parameters. Specifically, height- and weight-adjusted fat mass (FM, FM%, FMI) were identified as risk factors for ASCVD. Conversely, muscle parameters adjusted for weight and fat (ASM%, SMM%, FFM%, ASM/FM, SMM/FM, FMM/FM) were protective against ASCVD risk. These findings highlight the critical role of sarcopenia in influencing cardiovascular disease risk among Chinese patients with T2DM, as predicted by the China-PAR model. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of sarcopenia in T2DM patients, not only as an indicator of ASCVD risk, but possibly as an independent risk factor in this demographics.

Effects of task-based mirror therapy on upper limb motor function in hemiplegia: study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Research to date has lacked definitive evidence to determine whether mirror therapy promotes the recovery of upper extremity function after stroke. Considering that previous studies did not stratify patients based on structural retention, this may be one of the reasons for the negative results obtained in many trials. The goal evaluates the efficacy of TBMT (utilizing an innovatively designed mirror) versus standard occupational therapy for stroke patient's upper limb functionality. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This single-center randomized controlled trial will involve 50 patients with stroke. All patients will be randomly assigned to either the task-based mirror therapy or the control group. The interventions will be performed 5 days per week for 4 weeks. The primary outcomes will be the mean change in scores on both the FMA-UE and modified Barthel Index (MBI) from baseline to 4 weeks intervention and at 12 weeks follow-up between the two groups and within groups. The other outcomes will include the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), the Nine Hole Peg Test (9HPT), the Functional Independence Measure, and MRI. DISCUSSION: This trial will not only to establish that task-based mirror therapy (TBMT) could improve the recovery of hand function after stroke but also to explore the underlying mechanisms. We expect that this finding will clarify the brain activation and brain network mechanisms underlying the improvement of hand function with task-oriented mirror therapy and lead to new ideas for stroke hand function rehabilitation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.chictr.org.cn ; Unique identifier: ChiCTR2300068855. Registered on March 1, 2023.