Alternative Splicing Plays a Crucial Role in the Salt Tolerance of Foxtail Millet.

Foxtail millet is an important cereal crop that is relatively sensitive to salt stress, with its yield significantly affected by such stress. Alternative splicing (AS) widely affects plant growth, development, and adaptability to stressful environments. Through RNA-seq analysis of foxtail millet under different salt treatment periods, 2078 AS events were identified, and analyses were conducted on differential gene (DEG), differential alternative splicing gene (DASG), and overlapping gene. To investigate the regulatory mechanism of AS in response to salt stress in foxtail millet, the foxtail millet AS genes SiCYP19, with two AS variants (SiCYP19-a and SiCYP19-b), were identified and cloned. Yeast overexpression experiments indicated that SiCYP19 may be linked to the response to salt stress. Subsequently, we conducted overexpression experiments of both alternative splicing variants in foxtail millet roots to validate them experimentally. The results showed that, under salt stress, both SiCYP19-a and SiCYP19-b jointly regulated the salt tolerance of foxtail millet. Specifically, overexpression of SiCYP19-b significantly increased the proline content and reduced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in foxtail millet, compared to that in SiCYP19-a. This shows that SiCYP19-b plays an important role in increasing the content of proline and promoting the clearance of ROS, thus improving the salt tolerance of foxtail millet.

Bibliometric analysis of hotspots and trends of global myopia research.

AIM: To gain insights into the global research hotspots and trends of myopia. METHODS: Articles were downloaded from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2022 from the Science Core Database website and were mainly statistically analyzed by bibliometrics software. RESULTS: A total of 444 institutions in 87 countries published 4124 articles. Between 2013 and 2022, China had the highest number of publications (n=1865) and the highest H-index (61). Sun Yat-sen University had the highest number of publications (n=229) and the highest H-index (33). Ophthalmology is the main category in related journals. Citations from 2020 to 2022 highlight keywords of options and reference, child health (pediatrics), myopic traction mechanism, public health, and machine learning, which represent research frontiers. CONCLUSION: Myopia has become a hot research field. China and Chinese institutions have the strongest academic influence in the field from 2013 to 2022. The main driver of myopic research is still medical or ophthalmologists. This study highlights the importance of public health in addressing the global rise in myopia, especially its impact on children's health. At present, a unified theoretical system is still needed. Accurate surgical and therapeutic solutions must be proposed for people with different characteristics to manage and intervene refractive errors. In addition, the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) models are also reflected in disease monitoring and prediction.

The 3'UTR Polymorphisms in the NLRP3 Gene Associated with the Risk of COPD and Their Putative Effects on the microRNA Mechanism.

Aims: Evaluating the association between a single nucleotide polymorphism in the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of the miRNA binding site of the NLRP3 gene and the occurrence and development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and providing information to aid in the early detection and treatment of COPD. Materials and Methods: The regulatory single nuclear polymorphisms (SNPs) located in NLRP3 3'UTR were searched by using the dbSNP database and miRNA binding site prediction database. Meanwhile, samples from COPD patients and healthy controls in the same period were used for verification. The clinical baseline information of all subjects was collected, and the transcription level and protein expression level of NLRP3 and the expression level of inflammatory factors downstream of NLRP3 were detected. The effects of SNPs' single nucleotide changes on the transcription and expression of inflammatory factors were analyzed. Results: The study included 418 participants (249 in the COPD group and 169 in the control group). NLRP3 SNPs with miRNA binding sites include rs10754558 (G > C), rs1664774076 (ATAT > del), and rs1664775106 (C > G). Furthermore, two genotypes, GCG and GCA, were discovered to have a linkage mutation at 3'UTR 459-461. COPD susceptibility is tightly associated with the expression of the rs1664774076 del/del genotype, and the risk of COPD increased by 2.770 times (p = 0.003). Type 459-461 GCA was substantially related to the likelihood of developing COPD at various stages (p < 0.05). Except for rs10754558, all homozygous mutants increased NLRP3 mRNA and protein levels. NLRP3 had the greatest area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for predicting the development and diagnosis of COPD when compared with its downstream inflammatory variables (AUC = 0.9291). Conclusions: The NLRP3 rs1664774076 del/del genotype is a COPD susceptibility gene, and the GCA genotype at 459-461 can be used as an early predictor of COPD exacerbation. The NLRP3 3'UTR polymorphism may alter the loss of miRNA binding sites, leading to an increase in NLRP3 expression. In the development of COPD, NLRP3 has a better diagnostic value than traditional inflammatory factors. The Clinical Trials Registration number Z: protocol KY01-2020-11-06.

Integrating Network Pharmacology, Quantitative Metabolic Network Analysis, In Vitro Experiments, and Molecular Dynamics to Explore the Mechanism of Angelica Sinensis for Regulating Bone Metabolism.

BACKGROUND: Bone metabolic diseases are serious health issues worldwide. Angelica sinensis (AS) is traditionally used in Chinese medicine for treating bone metabolism diseases clinically. However, the mechanism of AS in regulating bone metabolism remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: The current investigation was structured to elucidate the potential mechanisms of AS for modulating bone metabolism. METHODS: Firstly, targets of AS regulating bone metabolism were collected by network pharmacology. Then, the transcriptional regulation of RUNX2 was enriched as one of the key pathways for AS to regulate bone metabolism, constructing its metabolic network. Secondly, combining molecular docking, network efficiency, and network flux analyses, we conducted a quantitative evaluation of the metabolic network to reveal the potential mechanisms and components of AS regulating bone metabolism. Finally, we explored the effect of AS on the differentiation of osteoclasts from M-CSF and RANKL-induced RAW264.7 cells, as well as its impact on the osteogenic induction of MC3T3-E1 cells. We verified the mechanism and key targets of AS on bone metabolism using qRT-PCR. Furthermore, the key component was preliminarily validated through molecular dynamics simulation. RESULTS: Quantitative metabolic network of the transcriptional regulation of RUNX2 was constructed to illustrate the potential mechanism of AS for regulating bone metabolism, indicating that ferulic acid may be a pharmacological component of AS that interferes with bone metabolism. AS suppressed osteoclast differentiation in M-CSF and RANKL-induced RAW264.7 cells and reversed the expressions of osteoclastic differentiation markers, including RUNX2 and SRC. Additionally, AS induced osteogenic generation in MC3T3-E1 cells and reversed the expressions of markers associated with osteoblastic generation, such as RUNX2 and HDAC4. Molecular dynamics simulation displayed a strong binding affinity among ferulic acid, HDAC4 and SRC. CONCLUSION: This study reveals a systematic perspective on the intervention bone mechanism of AS by transcriptive regulation by RUNX2, guiding the clinical use of AS in treating diseases of the skeletal system.

Itaconate protects ferroptotic neurons by alkylating GPx4 post stroke.

Neuronal ferroptosis plays a key role in neurologic deficits post intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, the endogenous regulation of rescuing ferroptotic neurons is largely unexplored. Here, we analyzed the integrated alteration of metabolomic landscape after ICH using LC-MS and MALDI-TOF/TOF MS, and demonstrated that aconitate decarboxylase 1 (Irg1) and its product itaconate, a derivative of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, were protectively upregulated. Deficiency of Irg1 or depletion of neuronal Irg1 in striatal neurons was shown to exaggerate neuronal loss and behavioral dysfunction in an ICH mouse model using transgenic mice. Administration of 4-Octyl itaconate (4-OI), a cell-permeable itaconate derivative, and neuronal Irg1 overexpression protected neurons in vivo. In addition, itaconate inhibited ferroptosis in cortical neurons derived from mouse and human induced pluripotent stem cells in vitro. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that itaconate alkylated glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4) on its cysteine 66 and the modification allosterically enhanced GPx4's enzymatic activity by using a bioorthogonal probe, itaconate-alkyne (ITalk), and a GPx4 activity assay using phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide. Altogether, our research suggested that Irg1/itaconate-GPx4 axis may be a future therapeutic strategy for protecting neurons from ferroptosis post ICH.

Chemoproteomic Profiling of Signaling Metabolite Fructose-1,6-Bisphosphate Interacting Proteins in Living Cells.

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP), a cellular endogenous sugar metabolite in the glycolytic pathway, has recently been reported to act as a signaling molecule to regulate various cellular events through the engagement of important proteins. Though tremendous progress has been made in identifying specific FBP-protein interactions, the comprehensive identification of FBP-interacting proteins and their regulatory mechanisms remains largely unexplored. Here, we describe a concise synthetic approach for the scalable preparation of a photoaffinity FBP probe that enables the quantitative chemoproteomic profiling of FBP-protein interactions based on photoaffinity labeling (PAL) directly in living cells. Using such a protocol, we captured known FBP targets including PKM2 and MDH2. Furthermore, among unknown FBP-interacting proteins, we identified a mitochondrial metabolic enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), against which FBP showed inhibitory activity and resulted in cellular ROS upregulation accompanied by mitochondrial fragmentation. Our findings disclosed a new mode of glucose signaling mediating by the FBP-ALDH2-ROS axis.

CDKN2A inhibited ferroptosis through activating JAK2/STAT3 pathway to modulate cisplatin resistance in cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

Cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CESC) is a significant threat to women's health. Resistance to cisplatin (DDP), a common treatment, hinders the therapeutic efficacy. Understanding the molecular basis of DDP resistance in CESC is imperative. Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) expression was evaluated through quantitative real-time-PCR and western blot in clinical samples from 30 CESC patients and human cervical epithelial cells and CESC cell lines (SiHa, C33A, and Caski). It was also evaluated through bioinformatics analysis in Timer, Ualcan, and GEPIA database. Cell viability was detected by CCK-8. Apoptosis was detected by Calcein AM/PI assay. Lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde, glutathione, Fe2+, and iron level were detected by kits. Protein level of JAK2, STAT3, p-JAK2, p-STAT3, ACSL4, GPX4, SLC7A11, and FTL were detected by western blot. In CESC, elevated CDKN2A expression was observed. Cisplatin exhibited a dual effect, inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing ferroptosis in CESC. CDKN2A knockdown in a cisplatin-resistant cell line suppressed proliferation and induced ferroptosis. Moreover, CDKN2A was identified as an inhibitor of erastin-induced ferroptosis. Additionally, targeting the JAK2/STAT3 pathway enhanced ferroptosis in cisplatin-resistant cells. CDKN2A could inhibit ferroptosis in CESC through activating JAK2/STAT3 pathway to modulate cisplatin resistance.

A novel natural Syk inhibitor suppresses IgE-mediated mast cell activation and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis.

Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) plays a crucial role as a target for allergy treatment due to its involvement in immunoreceptor signaling. The purpose of this study was to identify natural inhibitors of Syk and assess their effects on the IgE-mediated allergic response in mast cells and ICR mice. A list of eight compounds was selected based on pharmacophore and molecular docking, showing potential inhibitory effects through virtual screening. Among these compounds, sophoraflavanone G (SFG) was found to inhibit Syk activity in an enzymatic assay, with an IC50 value of 2.2 µM. To investigate the conformational dynamics of the SYK-SFG system, we performed molecular dynamics simulations. The stability of the binding between SFG and Syk was evaluated using root mean square deviation (RMSD) and root mean square fluctuation (RMSF). In RBL-2H3 cells, SFG demonstrated a dose-dependent suppression of IgE/BSA-induced mast cell degranulation, with no significant cytotoxicity observed at concentrations below 10.0 µM within 24 h. Furthermore, SFG reduced the production of TNF-α and IL-4 in RBL-2H3 cells. Mechanistic investigations revealed that SFG inhibited downstream signaling proteins, including phospholipase Cγ1 (PLCγ1), as well as mitogen-activated protein kinases (AKT, Erk1/2, p38, and JNK), in mast cells in a dose-dependent manner. Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) experiments demonstrated that SFG could reduce ear swelling, mast cell degranulation, and the expression of COX-2 and IL-4. Overall, our findings identify naturally occurring SFG as a direct inhibitor of Syk that effectively suppresses mast cell degranulation both in vitro and in vivo.

The application value of cerebrospinal fluid immunoglobulin in tuberculous meningitis.

This article aims to study the value of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) immunoglobulin in differential diagnosis, prediction, and prognosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM). The clinical data of 65 patients with TBM in our hospital were collected, and 65 patients with cryptococcal meningitis (CM) were enrolled in 1:1 matching. Relevant data were collected for comparison. CSFs IgG [331.51 (164.85, 645.00) vs 129.00 (55.05, 251.00) ng/mL], IgM [22.38 (8.52, 40.18) vs 6.08 (2.19, 23.30) ng/mL], and IgA [64.11 (21.44, 115.48) vs 16.55 (4.76, 30.36) ng/mL] in the TBM group were higher than those in the CM group (P < 0.001). In the TBM group, after 24 weeks of treatment, the CSFs IgG, IgM, and IgA were significantly decreased, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The predictive results of CSF immunoglobulin for TBM showed that IgG, IgM, and IgA all had some predictive value for TBM, and the combined predictive value of the three was the highest, with an area under the curve of 0.831 (95% CI: 0.774-0.881). Logistic regression analysis of CSF immunoglobulins and TBM prognosis showed that IgG [odds ratio (OR) = 4.796, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.575-8.864], IgM (OR = 3.456, 95% CI: 2.757-5.754), and IgA (OR = 4.371, 95% CI: 2.731-5.856) were TBM risk factors for poor prognosis in patients. The levels of IgG, IgM, and IgA in CSF were positively correlated with the severity of cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in TBM patients (R2 = 0.542, F = 65.392, P < 0.05). CSFs IgG, IgM, and IgA can be used as a routine monitoring index for TBM patients, which has a certain reference value in differential diagnosis and efficacy evaluation. IMPORTANCE: In clinical practice, physicians can determine the physical conditions of patients based on the levels of cerebrospinal fluids (CSFs) IgG, IgM, and IgA. Higher levels of CSFs IgG, IgM, and IgA suggest more possibility of tuberculous meningitis and worse prognosis and magnetic resonance imaging manifestations.

Continuous cropping system altered soil microbial communities and nutrient cycles.

Understanding the response of microbial communities and their potential functions is essential for sustainability of agroecosystems under long-term continuous cropping. However, limited research has focused on investigating the interaction between soil physicochemical factors and microbial community dynamics in agroecosystems under long-term continuous cropping. This study probed into the physicochemical properties, metabolites, and microbial diversity of tobacco rhizosphere soils cropped continuously for 0, 5, and 20 years. The relative abundance of bacterial genera associated with nutrient cycling (e.g., Sphingomonas) increased while potential plant pathogenic fungi and beneficial microorganisms showed synergistic increases with the duration of continuous cropping. Variations in soil pH, alkeline nitrogen (AN) content, and soil organic carbon (SOC) content drove the shifts in soil microbial composition. Metabolites such as palmitic acid, 3-hydroxypropionic acid, stearic acid, and hippuric acid may play a key role in soil acidification. Those results enhance our ability to predict shifts in soil microbial community structure associated with anthropogenic continuous cropping, which can have long-term implications for crop production.

Research Progress of Small Plant Peptides on the Regulation of Plant Growth, Development, and Abiotic Stress.

Small peptides in plants are typically characterized as being shorter than 120 amino acids, with their biologically active variants comprising fewer than 20 amino acids. These peptides are instrumental in regulating plant growth, development, and physiological processes, even at minimal concentrations. They play a critical role in long-distance signal transduction within plants and act as primary responders to a range of stress conditions, including salinity, alkalinity, drought, high temperatures, and cold. This review highlights the crucial roles of various small peptides in plant growth and development, plant resistance to abiotic stress, and their involvement in long-distance transport. Furthermore, it elaborates their roles in the regulation of plant hormone biosynthesis. Special emphasis is given to the functions and mechanisms of small peptides in plants responding to abiotic stress conditions, aiming to provide valuable insights for researchers working on the comprehensive study and practical application of small peptides.

CircNOP14 increases the radiosensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma via inhibition of Ku70-dependent DNA damage repair.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are profoundly affected in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through various pathways. However, the role of circRNAs in the radiosensitivity of HCC cells is yet to be explored. In this study, we identified a circRNA-hsa_circ_0006737 (circNOP14) involved in the radiosensitivity of HCC. We found that circNOP14 increased the radiosensitivity of HCC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Notably, using a circRNA pulldown assay and RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation, we identified Ku70 as a novel and robust interacting protein of circNOP14. Mechanistically, circNOP14 interacts with Ku70 and prevents its nuclear translocation, thereby increasing irradiation-induced DNA damage. Therefore, our findings may provide a predictive indicator and intervention option for 125I brachytherapy or external radiotherapy in HCC.

Risk factors of electrical status epilepticus during sleep in children with benign childhood epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes.

Objective: To explore risk factors of electrical status epilepticus during sleep in children with benign childhood epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes (BECT). Methods: This is a clinical comparative study. The subjects of study were 67 children with BECT from the Outpatient Department of Pediatric Neurology in Xingtai People's Hospital from January 2019 to January 2022. According to the occurrence of ESES, the enrolled children were divided into control group which included BECT children without ESES and the observation group which included BECT children with ESES. Compared differences of the two groups in the age of first seizure, the frequency of seizures before treatment, the classification of treatment drugs, cranial MRI, and discharge side of electroencephalogram (EEG). Results: There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the frequency of seizures before treatment, the classification of treatment drugs, cranial MRI, and the distribution of EEG discharges in the left and right cerebral areas(P>0.05). Statistical differences were observed in the age of the first seizure, whether the seizures occurred after treatment, and EEG discharges in unilateral/bilateral cerebral areas (P<0.05). Furthermore, the collinearity test and Logistic regression analysis showed that the age of the first seizure, the frequency of seizures before treatment, and whether the seizures occurred after treatment were independent risk factors for the occurrence of ESES in BECT (P<0.05). Conclusion: Clinically, the occurrence of ESES in children with BECT may be related to the younger age of the first seizure, higher frequency of seizures before treatment, and the occurrence of seizures after treatment.

Layperson assessment of smile lines and upper lip combined images in smile esthetics.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The esthetic assessment of smile lines by laypersons is a subject of ongoing debate. However, smile lines often appear with different types of upper lip curvature, which further complicates the esthetic assessment process, and studies on this combination are lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this clinical study was to investigate a layperson's esthetic perception of smile lines and upper lip combined images. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-six smile images resulting from combinations of 3 upper lip types, 4 anterior smile line types, and 3 posterior smile line types were generated by an image editing software program. Eighty-three laypersons (39 men and 44 women; 18 to 35 years of age) completed rating images using a visual analog scale. Unattractive smiles were designated to be those with scores <50 and attractive ones with scores ≥50. Data were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc tests (α=.05). RESULTS: High anterior smile line with gingival display >4 mm obtained significantly lower scores of <50 when combined with all upper lip curvatures (upward: 28.29 ±22.79, straight: 38.74 ±23.00, downward: 30.67 ±22.25, P<.01). High anterior smile lines with gingival display ≤4 mm combined with upward and straight upper lip curvature images obtained significantly higher scores, and all were ≥50 (upward: 63.24 ±22.22, straight: 61.40 ±21.58, P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: From a layperson's perspective, high anterior smile lines with gingival display >4 mm combined with any lip type were determined to be unattractive. If gingival display was ≤4 mm combined with both upward and straight lip types, the smile was assessed as attractive.

Regorafenib combined with a PD-1 inhibitor in the second-line setting for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in real-world practice.

Background: Most advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases administered molecular targeted agents and/or anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors have no response or develop resistance. Moreover, second-line therapies still cannot provide beneficial clinical outcomes. A pilot study assessing combined regorafenib and PD-1 inhibitor as second-line treatment of advanced HCC reported promising effectiveness. Methods: The current single-center, retrospective, real-world study was carried out between January 2019 and July 2021. Advanced HCC cases were administered second-line regorafenib combined with a PD-1 inhibitor or regorafenib alone were assessed. Progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR) were determined. Results: Totally 46 HCC cases were analyzed, most of whom underwent previous systemic treatment comprising targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Tumor response was evaluated in 25 and 21 individuals in the regorafenib + PD-1 inhibitor and regorafenib monotherapy groups, respectively: ORRs were 21.7% and 8.7%, and DCRs were 47.8% and 32.6%, respectively. Median PFS was markedly longer in the regorafenib plus PD-1 inhibitor group (11.5 months) compared with the regorafenib monotherapy group (5.1 months, P=0.049). Conclusions: This study suggested regorafenib and a PD-1 inhibitor in combination may provide significant clinical benefits in HCC cases showing progression following first-line treatment. Further analysis in real-world studies with large cohorts is warranted to confirm these findings.

Development of Solid Waste-Based Composite Calcium Ferrite Flux and Its Application in Hot Metal Pre-Dephosphorization.

To enhance the slagging efficiency of the lime-based slag system during the pre-treatment stage of hot metal, a composite calcium ferrite flux based on aluminum industry solid waste was developed in this study. The melting characteristics of the flux and its application in the pre-treatment of hot metal were investigated. The results indicated that the main phases of the composite calcium ferrite were CaFe2O4, Ca2Fe2O5, and Ca2(Fe,Al)2O4. It exhibited high oxidation, high alkalinity, and a low melting point, thereby achieving excellent melting performance. Simulations of various dephosphorization fluxes in the pre-treatment of high-phosphorus hot metal, ordinary hot metal, and kilogram-scale dephosphorization experiment processes were conducted. Under the same experimental conditions, the composite calcium ferrite flux was able to achieve a dephosphorization rate of over 90% and a final phosphorus content of less than 0.02 wt% under high carbon content ([%C] = 3.2 wt%). In the application of hot metal pre-dephosphorization, this flux was able to achieve efficient melting and rapid slagging of lime at a lower temperature, and its slagging time was 50% faster than that of calcium ferrite flux. In addition, this flux enhanced the utilization efficiency of lime during the steelmaking process, effectively prevented the agglomeration of slag, and achieved efficient slag-metal separation. These characteristics were significantly better than the application effect of calcium ferrite flux. This flux has significant implications for the industrial application of deep dephosphorization in the pre-treatment stage of hot metal or the early stage of converter steelmaking.

Effects of the Fasting-Postprandial State on Arterial Spin Labeling MRI-Based Cerebral Perfusion Quantification in Alzheimer's Disease.

BACKGROUND: The fasting-postprandial state remains an underrecognized confounding factor for quantifying cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the cognitive assessment and differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of fasting-postprandial state on arterial spin labeling (ASL)-based CBF in AD patients. STUDY TYPE: Prospective. SUBJECTS: Ninety-two subjects (mean age = 62.5 ± 6.4 years; females 29.3%), including 30 with AD, 32 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 30 healthy controls (HCs). Differential diagnostic models were developed with a 4:1 training to testing set ratio. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3-T, T1-weighted imaging using gradient echo and pseudocontinuous ASL imaging using turbo spin echo. ASSESSMENT: Two ASL scans were acquired to quantify fasting state and postprandial state regional CBFs based on an automated anatomical labeling atlas. Two-way ANOVA was used to assess the effects of fasting/postprandial state and disease state (AD, MCI, and HC) on regional CBF. Pearson's correlation analysis was conducted between regional CBF and cognitive scores (Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] and Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA]). The diagnostic performances of the fasting state, postprandial state, and mixed state (random mixing of the fasting and postprandial state CBF) in differential diagnosis of AD were conducted using support vector machine and logistic regression models. STATISTICAL TESTS: Two-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and area under the curve (AUC) of diagnostic model were performed. P values <0.05 indicated statistical significance. RESULTS: Fasting-state CBF was correlated with cognitive scores in more brain regions (17 vs. 4 [MMSE] and 15 vs. 9 [MoCA]) and had higher absolute correlation coefficients than postprandial-state CBF. In the differential diagnosis of AD patients from MCI patients and HCs, fasting-state CBF outperformed mixed-state CBF, which itself outperformed postprandial-state CBF. DATA CONCLUSION: Compared with postprandial CBF, fasting-state CBF performed better in terms of cognitive score correlations and in differentiating AD patients from MCI patients and HCs. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.

Association of the Verbal Rating Scale-Measured Dysmenorrhea with Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) is a common condition that reduces the quality of life by negatively affecting work and family life, physical and mental health, and economic well-being. However, its risk factors remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the association between NVP and verbal rating scale (VRS)-measured dysmenorrhea and to explore potential protective factors. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted from June 2018 to December 2020 at Tongji Hospital in Wuhan. Information on baseline characteristics, pregnancy-related history, periconceptional micronutrient supplementation, and obstetric outcomes were collected. The severity of dysmenorrhea was assessed using VRS. RESULTS: A total of 443 pregnant women were recruited and divided into the NVP group (n = 76) and the control group (n = 367). A significant association was observed between NVP and VRS-measured dysmenorrhea (c2=10.038, P = 0.007). After adjusting for covariates, the association between moderate/severe dysmenorrhea and NVP remained significant (OR 2.384; 95% CI 1.104-5.148, P = 0.004). First-trimester docosahexaenoic acid supplement (OR 0.443; 95% CI 0.205-0.960, P = 0.039) may be beneficial in reducing the risk of NVP. CONCLUSIONS: Women with moderate to severe dysmenorrhea have a higher risk of experiencing NVP during the first trimester. Periconceptional docosahexaenoic acid supplementation may play a protective role.