An individualized protein-based prognostic model to stratify pediatric patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Pediatric papillary thyroid carcinomas (PPTCs) exhibit high inter-tumor heterogeneity and currently lack widely adopted recurrence risk stratification criteria. Hence, we propose a machine learning-based objective method to individually predict their recurrence risk. We retrospectively collect and evaluate the clinical factors and proteomes of 83 pediatric benign (PB), 85 pediatric malignant (PM) and 66 adult malignant (AM) nodules, and quantify 10,426 proteins by mass spectrometry. We find 243 and 121 significantly dysregulated proteins from PM vs. PB and PM vs. AM, respectively. Function and pathway analyses show the enhanced activation of the inflammatory and immune system in PM patients compared with the others. Nineteen proteins are selected to predict recurrence using a machine learning model with an accuracy of 88.24%. Our study generates a protein-based personalized prognostic prediction model that can stratify PPTC patients into high- or low-recurrence risk groups, providing a reference for clinical decision-making and individualized treatment.

Deciphering the role of female reproductive tract microbiome in reproductive health: a review.

Relevant studies increasingly indicate that female reproductive health is confronted with substantial challenges. Emerging research has revealed that the microbiome interacts with the anatomy, histology, and immunity of the female reproductive tract, which are the cornerstone of maintaining female reproductive health and preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes. Currently, the precise mechanisms underlying their interaction and impact on physiological functions of the reproductive tract remain elusive, constituting a prominent area of investigation within the field of female reproductive tract microecology. From this new perspective, we explore the mechanisms of interactions between the microbiome and the anatomy, histology, and immunity of the female reproductive tract, factors that affect the composition of the microbiome in the female reproductive tract, as well as personalized medicine approaches in managing female reproductive tract health based on the microbiome. This study highlights the pivotal role of the female reproductive tract microbiome in maintaining reproductive health and influencing the occurrence of reproductive tract diseases. These findings support the exploration of innovative approaches for the prevention, monitoring and treatment of female reproductive tract diseases based on the microbiome.

Discovery of New Antimicrobial Metabolites in the Coculture of Medicinal Mushrooms.

Bioactivity screening revealed that the antifungal activities of EtOAc extracts from coculture broths of Trametes versicolor SY630 with either Vanderbylia robiniophila SY341 or Ganoderma gibbosum SY1001 were significantly improved compared to that of monocultures. Activity-guided isolation led to the discovery of five aromatic compounds (1-5) from the coculture broth of T. versicolor SY630 and V. robiniophila SY341 and two sphingolipids (6 and 7) from the coculture broth of T. versicolor SY630 and G. gibbosum SY1001. Tramevandins A-C (1-3) and 17-ene-1-deoxyPS (6) are new compounds, while 1-deoxyPS (7) is a new natural product. Notably, compound 2 represents a novel scaffold, wherein the highly modified p-terphenyl bears a benzyl substituent. The absolute configurations of those new compounds were elucidated by X-ray diffraction, ECD calculations, and analysis of physicochemical constants. Compounds 1, 2, and 5-7 exhibited different degrees of antimicrobial activity, and the antifungal activities of compounds 6 and 7 against Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans are comparable to those of fluconazole, nystatin, and sphingosine, respectively. Transcriptome analysis, propidium iodide staining, ergosterol quantification, and feeding assays showed that the isolated sphingolipids can extensively downregulate the late biosynthetic pathway of ergosterol in C. albicans, representing a promising mechanism to combat antibiotic-resistant fungi.

Forager-farmer transition at the crossroads of East and Southeast Asia 4900 years ago.

The southward expansion of East Asian farmers profoundly influenced the social evolution of Southeast Asia by introducing cereal agriculture. However, the timing and routes of cereal expansion in key regions are unclear due to limited empirical evidence. Here we report macrofossil, microfossil, multiple isotopic (C/N/Sr/O) and paleoproteomic data directly from radiocarbon-dated human samples, which were unearthed from a site in Xingyi in central Yunnan and which date between 7000 and 3300 a BP. Dietary isotopes reveal the earliest arrival of millet ca. 4900 a BP, and greater reliance on plant and animal agriculture was indicated between 3800 and 3300 a BP. The dietary differences between hunter-gatherer and agricultural groups are also evident in the metabolic and immune system proteins analysed from their skeletal remains. The results of paleoproteomic analysis indicate that humans had divergent biological adaptations, with and without farming. The combined application of isotopes, archaeobotanical data and proteomics provides a new approach to documenting dietary and health changes across major subsistence transitions.

A pathway activity-based proteomic classifier stratifies prostate tumors into two subtypes.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cancer in males worldwide. The risk stratification of PCa is mainly based on morphological examination. Here we analyzed the proteome of 667 tumor samples from 487 Chinese PCa patients and characterized 9576 protein groups by PulseDIA mass spectrometry. Then we developed a pathway activity-based classifier concerning 13 proteins from seven pathways, and dichotomized the PCa patients into two subtypes, namely PPS1 and PPS2. PPS1 is featured with enhanced innate immunity, while PPS2 with suppressed innate immunity. This classifier exhibited a correlation with PCa progression in our cohort and was further validated by two published transcriptome datasets. Notably, PPS2 was significantly correlated with poor biochemical recurrence (BCR)/metastasis-free survival (log-rank P-value < 0.05). The PPS2 was also featured with cell proliferation activation. Together, our study presents a novel pathway activity-based stratification scheme for PCa.

Differences in alternative splicing and their potential underlying factors between animals and plants.

BACKGROUND: Alternative splicing (AS), a posttranscriptional process, contributes to the complexity of transcripts from a limited number of genes in a genome, and AS is considered a great source of genetic and phenotypic diversity in eukaryotes. In animals, AS is tightly regulated during the processes of cell growth and differentiation, and its dysregulation is involved in many diseases, including cancers. Likewise, in plants, AS occurs in all stages of plant growth and development, and it seems to play important roles in the rapid reprogramming of genes in response to environmental stressors. To date, the prevalence and functional roles of AS have been extensively reviewed in animals and plants. However, AS differences between animals and plants, especially their underlying molecular mechanisms and impact factors, are anecdotal and rarely reviewed. AIM OF REVIEW: This review aims to broaden our understanding of AS roles in a variety of biological processes and provide insights into the underlying mechanisms and impact factors likely leading to AS differences between animals and plants. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW: We briefly summarize the roles of AS regulation in physiological and biochemical activities in animals and plants. Then, we underline the differences in the process of AS between plants and animals and especially analyze the potential impact factors, such as gene exon/intron architecture, 5'/3' untranslated regions (UTRs), spliceosome components, chromatin dynamics and transcription speeds, splicing factors [serine/arginine-rich (SR) proteins and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs)], noncoding RNAs, and environmental stimuli, which might lead to the differences. Moreover, we compare the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD)-mediated turnover of the transcripts with a premature termination codon (PTC) in animals and plants. Finally, we summarize the current AS knowledge published in animals versus plants and discuss the potential development of disease therapies and superior crops in the future.

Characterization of C30 carotenoid and identification of its biosynthetic gene cluster in Methylobacterium extorquens AM1.

Methylobacterium species, the representative bacteria distributed in phyllosphere region of plants, often synthesize carotenoids to resist harmful UV radiations. Methylobacterium extorquens is known to produce a carotenoid pigment and recent research revealed that this carotenoid has a C30 backbone. However, its exact structure remains unknown. In the present study, the carotenoid produced by M. extorquens AM1 was isolated and its structure was determined as 4-[2-O-11Z-octadecenoyl-ß-glucopyranosyl]-4,4'-diapolycopenedioc acid (1), a glycosylated C30 carotenoid. Furthermore, the genes related to the C30 carotenoid synthesis were investigated. Squalene, the precursor of the C30 carotenoid, is synthesized by the co-occurrence of META1p1815, META1p1816 and META1p1817. Further overexpression of the genes related to squalene synthesis improved the titer of carotenoid 1. By using gene deletion and gene complementation experiments, the glycosyltransferase META1p3663 and acyltransferase META1p3664 were firstly confirmed to catalyze the tailoring steps from 4,4'-diapolycopene-4,4'-dioic acid to carotenoid 1. In conclusion, the structure and biosynthetic genes of carotenoid 1 produced by M. extorquens AM1 were firstly characterized in this work, which shed lights on engineering M. extorquens AM1 for producing carotenoid 1 in high yield.

Discovery of Novel Terpenoids from the Basidiomycete Pleurotus ostreatus through Genome Mining and Coculture Optimization.

In our previous work, postredienes A-C, three unusual linear sesterterpenes with high antifungal activities, were isolated from Pleurotus ostreatus SY10 when cocultured with Trametes robiniophila SY636. However, their titers were low, and exploration of newly biosynthesized trace analogues is required. Herein, genome mining analysis predicted that 17 gene clusters are involved in terpenoid biosynthesis in P. ostreatus. Thus, coculture conditions for strains SY10 and SY636 were optimized using a single-factor test and Box-Behnken design. As a result, the titers of postredienes A-C were increased by over 2.5-fold, reaching 1.28 to 8.40 mg/L. Moreover, five new terpenoids, named postredienes D-H (1-5), were successfully isolated. Compound 1 exhibited activities against the human pathogenic fungi Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans comparable to those of amphotericin B. Compound 2 represents a novel sesterterpene with a five-membered ring at C-7. The absolute configurations of 1-5 were elucidated by making the methoxyphenylacetic acid esters and acetonide derivatives, combined with ECD and NMR calculation. Two potential gene clusters and relevant biosynthetic pathways for 1-5 were subsequently proposed based on real-time reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis. The current study provides new insights into the research of terpenoid biosynthesis genes in P. ostreatus and other basidiomycetes.

Sarcopenic obesity by the ESPEN/EASO criteria for predicting mortality in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) and the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) recently released the first international consensus on the diagnostic criteria for sarcopenic obesity (SO), which recommended skeletal muscle mass adjusted for body weight (SMM/W) to determine low muscle mass. SMM adjusted for body mass index (SMM/BMI) appeared to be better associated with physical performance than SMM/W. Thus, we modified the ESPEN/EASO criteria by using SMM/BMI. We aimed (1) to evaluate the agreement of the ESPEN/EASO-defined SO (SOESPEN) and the modified ESPEN/EASO-defined SO (SOESPEN-M) with other commonly used SO definitions, and (2) to compare different SO definitions for predicting mortality in a prospective cohort with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: This prospective study included patients with advanced NSCLC. We defined SO according to five different diagnostic criteria: SOESPEN, SOESPEN-M, Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS)-determined sarcopenia with BMI-determined obesity (SOAWGS), computed tomography-derived sarcopenia with BMI-determined obesity (SOCT), and fat mass to fat-free mass ratio >0.8 (SOFM). The outcome was all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Of the 639 participants (mean age 58.6 years, 229 women) we studied, 488 (76.4%) died during the median follow-up period of 25 months. SMM/BMI was significantly lower in the death group than in the survivor group (men: p = 0.001, women: p < 0.001), but SMM/W was not. Only 3 (0.47%) participants met all five SO diagnostic criteria. SOESPEN showed an excellent agreement with SOESPEN-M (Cohen's kappa = 0.896), a moderate agreement with SOAWGS (Cohen's kappa = 0.415), but poor agreements with SOCT and SOFM (Cohen's kappa = 0.078 and 0.092, respectively). After full adjustment for potential confounders, SOESPEN (HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.26-1.89), SOESPEN-M (HR 1.56, 95% CI 1.26-1.92), and SOAWGS (HR 1.43, 95% CI 1.14-1.78) were significantly associated with mortality. However, SOCT (HR 1.17, 95% CI 0.87-1.58) and SOFM (HR 1.15, 95% CI 0.90-1.46) showed no significant association with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: SOESPEN showed an excellent agreement with SOESPEN-M, a moderate agreement with SOAWGS, but poor agreements with SOCT and SOFM. SOESPEN, SOESPEN-M, and SOAWGS were independent prognostic factors for mortality in our study population, but SOCT and SOFM were not. Although SMM/BMI was better associated with survival than SMM/W, SOESPEN-M did not show an advantage in predicting survival over SOESPEN.

Big data analytics capabilities for reinforcing green production and sustainable firm performance: the moderating role of corporate reputation and supply chain innovativeness.

The literature review lacks empirical studies on the role of big data analytics (BDA) and green technological innovation capabilities (GTICs) in promoting the sustainable performance of the manufacturing industry. The primary objective of this study is to examine the role of BDA-technology capability, GTIC, and environmental orientation toward green production and sustainable firm performance. Moreover, this research paper investigates the mediating role of green production and green competitive advantage and the moderating role of corporate reputation and supply chain innovativeness. Primary data was collected from Pakistani manufacturing firms through the survey method. Structural equation modeling was applied to measure and verify the relationship of proposed hypotheses. Empirical findings show BDA technology capability, GTIC, and environmental orientation positively contribute to green production. Moreover, green production helps achieve a green competitive advantage, and green competitive advantage positively influences sustainable firm performance. Furthermore, mediating role of green production and green competitive advantage and moderating role of corporate reputation and supply chain innovativeness was also confirmed. This study contributes by developing a comprehensive model showing the relationship between organizational capabilities, BDA technology capability, GTIC, and sustainable firm performance by considering potential mediators and moderators. Thus, this research suggests enhancing green production and sustainable firm performance through adopting BDA technology capability and GTIC by Pakistani manufacturing firms.

Near-miss organizational learning in nursing within a tertiary hospital: a mixed methods study.

BACKGROUND: Near-miss organizational learning is important for perspective and proactive risk management. Although nursing organizations are the largest component of the healthcare system and act as the final safety barrier, there is little research about the current status of near-miss organizational learning. Thus, we conducted this study to explore near-miss organizational learning in a Chinese nursing organization and offer suggestions for future improvement. METHODS: This was a mixed methods study with an explanatory sequence. It was conducted in a Chinese nursing organization of a tertiary hospital under the guidance of the 4I Framework of Organizational Learning. The quantitative study surveyed 600 nurses by simple random sampling. Then, we applied purposive sampling to recruit 16 nurses across managerial levels from low-, middle- and high-scored nursing units and conducted semi-structured interviews. Descriptive statistics, structured equation modelling and content analysis were applied in the data analysis. The Good Reporting of A Mixed Methods Study (GRAMMS) checklist was used to report this study. RESULTS: Only 33% of participants correctly recognized near-misses, and 4% of participants always reported near-misses. The 4I Framework of Organizational Learning was verified in the surveyed nursing organization (χ2 = 0.775, p = 0.379, RMSEA < 0.01). The current organizational learning behaviour was not conducive to near-miss organizational learning due to poor group-level learning (ßGG = 0.284) and poor learning absorption (ßMisalignment= -0.339). In addition, the researchers developed 13 codes, 9 categories and 5 themes to depict near-miss organizational learning, which were characterized by nurses' unfamiliarity with near-misses, preferences and the dominance of first-order problem-solving behaviour, the suspension of near-miss learning at the group level and poor learning absorption. CONCLUSION: The performance of near-miss organizational learning is unsatisfactory across all levels in surveyed nursing organization, especially with regard to group-level learning and poor learning absorption. Our research findings offer a scientific and comprehensive description of near-miss organizational learning and shed light on how to measure and improve near-miss organizational learning in the future.

Critical cultural competence of clinical nurses in China: A cross-sectional survey.

AIM: To determine the level of critical cultural competence (CCC) among Chinese clinical nurses and explore its influencing factors. BACKGROUND: Previous research has only focused on the theoretical model of CCC and the development of assessment tools; however, no large-scale study has been conducted on the level of clinical nurses' CCC and its influencing factors. METHOD: Clinical nurses in 14 Level A tertiary hospitals (n = 3858) were surveyed using Almutairi's critical cultural competence scale (CCCS). Descriptive, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: The mean score of CCC was 4.44 (SD = 0.33). Critical empowerment (M = 4.85, SD = 0.58) and critical awareness (M = 3.57, SD = 0.99) had the highest and lowest scores, respectively. Female nurses, nurses in the nursing department and nurses with higher positions had higher CCC. CONCLUSION: The CCC of clinical nurses can be strengthened through targeted training, especially considering the fact that male and low-ranking nurses who had the lower level of CCC work in different departments. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Hospital administrators should pay attention to the importance of culture and cultural differences among different countries or ethnic groups. Creating an equal and fair nursing environment and encouraging nurses to provide critical cultural nursing is important.

Innovation and Emerging Roles of Populus trichocarpa TEOSINTE BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA/PROLIFERATING CELL FACTOR Transcription Factors in Abiotic Stresses by Whole-Genome Duplication.

The TEOSINTE BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA/PROLIFERATING CELL FACTOR (TCP) family proteins are plant-specific transcription factors that have been well-acknowledged for designing the architectures of plant branch, shoot, and inflorescence. However, evidence for their innovation and emerging role in abiotic stress has been lacking. In this study, we identified a total of 36 TCP genes in Populus trichocarpa, 50% more than that in Arabidopsis (i.e., 24). Comparative intra-genomes showed that such significant innovation was mainly due to the most recent whole genome duplication (rWGD) in Populus lineage around Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary after the divergence from Arabidopsis. Transcriptome analysis showed that the expressions of PtrTCP genes varied among leaf, stem, and root, and they could also be elaborately regulated by abiotic stresses (e.g., cold and salt). Moreover, co-expression network identified a cold-associated regulatory module including PtrTCP31, PtrTCP10, and PtrTCP36. Of them, PtrTCP10 was rWGD-duplicated from PtrTCP31 and evolved a strong capability of cold induction, which might suggest a neofunctionalization of PtrTCP genes and contribute to the adaptation of Populus lineage during the Cenozoic global cooling. Evidentially, overexpression of PtrTCP10 into Arabidopsis increased freezing tolerance and salt susceptibility. Integrating co-expression network and cis-regulatory element analysis confirmed that PtrTCP10 can regulate the well-known cold- and salt-relevant genes (e.g., ZAT10, GolS2, and SOS1), proving that PtrTCP10 is an evolutionary innovation in P. trichocarpa response to environmental changes. Altogether, our results provide evidence of the rWGD in P. trichocarpa responsible for the innovation of PtrTCP genes and their emerging roles in environmental stresses.

Serum creatinine and cystatin C-based diagnostic indices for sarcopenia in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is an important prognostic factor of lung cancer. The serum creatinine/cystatin C ratio (CCR) and the sarcopenia index (SI, serum creatinine × cystatin C-based glomerular filtration rate) are novel screening tools for sarcopenia; however, the diagnostic accuracy of the CCR and SI for detecting sarcopenia remains unknown. We aimed to explore and validate the diagnostic values of the CCR and SI for determining sarcopenia in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to explore their prognostic values for overall survival. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study of adult patients with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC. Levels of serum creatinine and cystatin C were measured to calculate the CCR and SI. Sarcopenia was defined separately using CCR, SI, and the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 criteria. Participants were randomly sampled into derivation and validation sets (6:4 ratio). The cutoff values for diagnosing sarcopenia were determined based on the derivation set. Diagnostic accuracy was analysed in the validation set through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Cox regression models and survival curves were applied to evaluate the impact of different sarcopenia definitions on survival. RESULTS: We included 579 participants (women, 35.4%; mean age, 58.4 ± 8.9 years); AWGS-defined sarcopenia was found in 19.5% of men and 10.7% of women. Both CCR and SI positively correlated with computed tomography-derived and bioimpedance-derived muscle mass and handgrip strength. The optimal cutoff values for CCR and SI were 0.623 and 54.335 in men and 0.600 and 51.742 in women, with areas under the ROC curves of 0.837 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.770-0.904] and 0.833 (95% CI: 0.765-0.901) in men (P = 0.25), and 0.808 (95% CI: 0.682-0.935) and 0.796 (95% CI: 0.668-0.924) in women (P = 0.11), respectively. The CCR achieved sensitivities and specificities of 73.0% and 93.7% in men and 85.7% and 65.7% in women, respectively; the SI achieved sensitivities and specificities of 75.7% and 86.5% in men and 92.9% and 62.9% in women, respectively. CCR-defined, SI-defined, and AWGS-defined sarcopenia were independently associated with a high mortality risk [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.25-2.44; HR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.11-2.17; and HR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.22-2.53, respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: CCR and SI have satisfactory and comparable diagnostic accuracy and prognostic values for sarcopenia in patients with advanced NSCLC. Both may serve as surrogate biomarkers for evaluating sarcopenia in these patients. However, further external validations are required.

Near Miss Research in the Healthcare System: A Scoping Review.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to depict a comprehensive description of near miss research and clarify research gaps. BACKGROUND: Learning from near miss can provide early warnings and is critical for proactive and prospective risk management. Because of the lack of structured reviews, there is little knowledge about how near miss management has been managed in the past. METHODS: This review was conducted following the Arksey and O'Malley's methodology and reported by the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews. RESULTS: Sixty-seven research articles were included. The results revealed that the most investigated fields include near miss reporting, near miss characteristics, and good catch project. Poor theoretical investigation, underreporting, and inconsistent outcome indicators are major problems. CONCLUSIONS: Solely understanding causes of near misses cannot guarantee effective learning; we also need to apply appropriate learning theories. Advanced technologies should be applied to solve long-standing underreporting issues. Accurate and consistent indicators should be applied in near miss research and management.

Secondary Metabolites Produced by Coculture of Pleurotus ostreatus SY10 and Pleurotus eryngii SY302.

A new isovaleryl-monoterpene, pleurotusin A (1), and a new cyclopentenone derivative, pleurotusin B (7), together with five related known terpenoids (2-6), were isolated from the coculture broth of two edible fungi, Pleurotus ostreatus SY10 and Pleurotus eryngii SY302. The absolute configurations of 1 and 7 were elucidated by comprehensively using the density functional theory calculation of NMR and ECD data, DP4+ probability analysis, Mo2 (OAc)4 -based CD experiment and optical rotation. The antimicrobial activities of these compounds except for the unstable compound 7, were evaluated against two types of human-pathogenic fungi, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, and three types of human-pathogenic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Shigella sp. Compound 1 displayed moderate activity against S. aureus with an MIC50 value of 90.3 µM. In addition, the antioxidant activities of high-yielding 2-6 were tested using DPPH, and compound 4 showed moderate activity with an EC50 value of 573 µM.

Associations of ADL Disability With Trunk Muscle Mass and Muscle Quality Indicators Measured by Opportunistic Chest Computed Tomography Imaging Among Older Inpatients.

Objectives: Sarcopenia is an important predictor of dependence in activities of daily living (ADL disability); however, the association between muscle quality and ADL disability has not been established. We aimed (1) to assess the feasibility of measuring trunk muscle mass and muscle quality by chest CT images; and (2) to explore the possible associations of ADL disability with these muscle mass and muscle quality indicators among older inpatients. Methods: We included older patients in an acute care ward. ADL disability was defined as the Barthel Index (BI) score ≤ 60 points. Unenhanced chest CT images at the 12th thorax (T12) vertebral level were used to segment skeletal muscle area (SMA) and intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) and to measure the mean skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD). Skeletal muscle index (SMI), the muscle mass indicator, was calculated by SMA (cm2)/body height squared (m2). The percentage of IMAT (IMAT%) was calculated using the equation: IMAT% = IMAT/(SMA+ IMAT) ×100%. Skeletal muscle radiodensity, IMAT, and IMAT% were the muscle quality indicators. Kendall's tau rank correlation coefficients (τ) were calculated to explore the correlations. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were performed to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: We included 212 participants. Skeletal muscle index and SMD were positively and significantly associated with the BI score (τ = 0.14 and 0.31, respectively, both P < 0.001); whereas IMAT and IMAT% were negatively and significantly associated with the BI score (τ = -0.21, P < 0.001; τ = -0.21, P < 0.012). After adjusting for confounders, SMI (adjusted OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.97-1.09) was not independently associated with ADL disability; however, SMD (adjusted OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.88-0.99), IMAT (adjusted OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.03-1.20), and IMAT% (adjusted OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02-1.16) were independently associated with ADL disability. Subgroup analysis found similar results in men; however, none of these indicators were independently associated with ADL disability in women. Conclusion: Trunk muscle quality indicators (SMD, IMAT, and IMAT%) measured by chest CT images, but not SMI, are independently associated with ADL disability in a single-center study population of older inpatients, especially in men. Further research is necessary to validate our findings.

Psoriasis Is Associated With Myosteatosis but Not Sarcopenia: A Case-Control Study.

Background: The link between psoriasis and body fat (or obesity) has been well established. However, there are no reports detailing the possible relationship between psoriasis and fat infiltration in skeletal muscle, also known as myosteatosis. A recent study reported the possible association between psoriasis, arthritis, and sarcopenia (the loss of skeletal muscle mass or function). The present study aimed to explore the possible associations of chronic plaque psoriasis with myosteatosis and sarcopenia. Methods: We conducted a case-control study. In-patients with chronic plaque psoriasis were retrospectively recruited. Healthy controls were prospectively and continuously recruited. Unenhanced cross-sectional chest computed tomography images at the 12th thoracic vertebral level were analyzed using Mimics software. Skeletal muscle area (SMA), skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD), and intermuscular adiposity tissue (IMAT) were measured. The skeletal muscle index (SMI) was calculated as SMA/height2. The percentage of IMAT (IMAT%) was calculated as IMAT/SMA × 100%. Myosteatosis was defined by SMD or IMAT%, whereas sarcopenia was defined by SMI. Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for the main confounders. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations of psoriasis with myosteatosis and sarcopenia. Results: We included 155 psoriasis patients and 512 healthy controls. After propensity score matching, we retained 310 controls. The prevalence of sarcopenia was not significantly different between the psoriasis and control groups (men: 9.8% vs. 14.4%, p = 0.244; women: 7.0% vs. 11.7%, p = 0.548). Psoriasis patients were more prone to SMD-defined myosteatosis (men: 39.3% vs. 20.8%; women: 46.5% vs. 16.0%; both p < 0.001) and IMAT%-defined myosteatosis (men: 21.4% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.034; women: 46.5 vs. 28.7%, p = 0.042) than the control group. After adjustment for potential confounders, psoriasis was not significantly associated with sarcopenia (odds ratio [OR] 0.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.25-1.19, p = 0.136). However, psoriasis was associated with SMD-defined myosteatosis (OR 3.16, 95% CI 1.86-5.37, p < 0.001) and IMAT%-defined myosteatosis (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.04-3.00; p = 0.037). Conclusions: Chronic plaque psoriasis is independently associated with myosteatosis but not sarcopenia. Since fat and muscle are considered endocrine organs and can drive the inflammatory process, further studies detailing the interaction between psoriasis, fat, and skeletal muscle are warranted.

The SR Splicing Factors: Providing Perspectives on Their Evolution, Expression, Alternative Splicing, and Function in Populus trichocarpa.

Serine/arginine-rich (SR) proteins are important splicing factors in plant development and abiotic/hormone-related stresses. However, evidence that SR proteins contribute to the process in woody plants has been lacking. Using phylogenetics, gene synteny, transgenic experiments, and RNA-seq analysis, we identified 24 PtSR genes and explored their evolution, expression, and function in Popolus trichocarpa. The PtSR genes were divided into six subfamilies, generated by at least two events of genome triplication and duplication. Notably, they were constitutively expressed in roots, stems, and leaves, demonstrating their fundamental role in P. trichocarpa. Additionally, most PtSR genes (~83%) responded to at least one stress (cold, drought, salt, SA, MeJA, or ABA), and, especially, cold stress induced a dramatic perturbation in the expression and/or alternative splicing (AS) of 18 PtSR genes (~75%). Evidentially, the overexpression of PtSCL30 in Arabidopsis decreased freezing tolerance, which probably resulted from AS changes of the genes (e.g., ICE2 and COR15A) critical for cold tolerance. Moreover, the transgenic plants were salt-hypersensitive at the germination stage. These indicate that PtSCL30 may act as a negative regulator under cold and salt stress. Altogether, this study sheds light on the evolution, expression, and AS of PtSR genes, and the functional mechanisms of PtSCL30 in woody plants.