Suramin enhances proliferation, migration, and tendon gene expression of human supraspinatus tenocytes.

Rotator cuff tendinopathy is a common musculoskeletal disorder with limited pharmacological treatment strategies. This study aimed to investigate tenocytes' functional in vitro response from a ruptured supraspinatus tendon to suramin administration and to elucidate whether suramin can enhance tendon repair and modulate the inflammatory response to injury. Tenocytes were obtained from human supraspinatus tendons (n = 6). We investigated the effect of suramin on LPS-induced inflammatory responses and the underlying molecular mechanisms in THP-1 macrophages. Suramin enhanced the proliferation, cell viability, and migration of tenocytes. It also increased the protein expression of PCNA and Ki-67. Suramin-treated tenocytes exhibited increased expression of COL1A1, COL3A1, TNC, SCX, and VEGF. Suramin significantly reduced LPS-induced iNOS, COX2 synthesis, inflammatory cytokine TNF-α production, and inflammatory signaling by influencing the NF-κB pathways in THP-1 cells. Our results suggest that suramin holds great promise as a therapeutic option for treating rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Sustainable reuse of date palm biomass via extraction of cellulose using natural deep eutectic solvent (NaDES) and microwave-assisted process.

In Saudi Arabia, date palm biomass is often considered bulk waste, posing health risks to humans and the environment when incinerated or disposed of in landfills. This study explores the reuse of date palm biomass through cellulose extraction using Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent (NaDES) and Microwave-assisted process as compared with conventional alkali peroxide method. Characterization of the extracted cellulose was conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), x-ray diffractometry (XRD), and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Our NaDES-microwave method produced a cellulosic product with a yield of 89 %, double that of conventional non-microwave methods and more rapid cellulosic extraction, indicating its favorable efficiency. Moreover, the incorporation of the microwave process resulted in larger cellulosic crystallite sizes and higher thermal stabilities in the produced samples. The utilization of NaDES and microwave-assisted process for cellulose extraction from date palm biomass not only demonstrates superior efficiency, but also accentuates a significant sustainability advantage by repurposing a prevalent waste stream, thereby mitigating environmental and health risks associated with traditional disposal methods.

A longitudinal study on the effect of PM2.5 components on blood pressure in the hypertensive patients from 2011 to 2019.

Extensive research has established the link between PM2.5 exposure and blood pressure (BP) levels among normal individuals. However, the association between PM2.5 components and BP levels in hypertensive patients has not been fully explored. In this study, 12 971 hypertensive cases from Jinchang cohort (in Jinchang City, China) with nearly 9 years of follow-up were enrolled. Based on the linear mixed-effect model, the effects of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and five major components [sulfate (SO42-), nitrate (NO3-), ammonium (NH4+), black carbon (BC) and organic matter (OM)]on BP [systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pulse pressure (PP)]were evaluated by single-component model, component-joint model and component-residual model, respectively. A positive correlation was found between PM2.5 as well as its components (SO42-, NO3-, NH4+, BC and OM) exposure and BP levels. The effects of SO42-, BC and OM on BP were observed to be the most robust among the three models. Based on the results of interaction effects and stratified analysis, the effect of BC exposure on SBP, and the effect of PM2.5 and its five components on PP were greater in female than in males. Compared with elderly hypertensive patients, OM had more significant effects on SBP, DBP and MAP in young and (or) middle-aged hypertensive patients. During the heating season, the effect of PM2.5 and its components on BP was grater compared to the non-heating season. Meanwhile, PM2.5 and its components have a greater influence on BP in patients with hypertension combined with diabetes. Therefore, the findings suggested that both PM2.5 exposure and its components had a significant effect on BP in patients with hypertension. Women and young and middle-aged hypertensive patient were the sensitive population. The implementation of source control and reduction of PM2.5 emission (mainly for SO42-, BC and OM) may be of great significance to control BP level and could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with hypertension.

Prognostic significance of serum secreted frizzled-related protein 5 in patients with acute aortic dissection.

Background: Secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (SFRP5) is a novel adipokine that has been found to be closely associated with metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. We investigated serum SFRP5 levels during the acute phase and their predictive value for the prognosis of acute aortic dissection (AAD). Methods: In total, 152 AAD patients and 164 controls were enrolled in this study. Serum SFRP5 levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). AAD patients were divided into high-SFRP5 and low-SFRP5 groups based on the optimal cutoff value and followed up for prognosis. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality, and the secondary endpoint focused on AAD-related events (including AAD-related mortality and unplanned reoperations). Results: Serum SFRP5 levels were significantly higher in AAD patients than in non-AAD controls, regardless of whether they had Stanford type A or B AD. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed an independent association between SFRP5 and the presence of AAD (adjusted OR 1.267, 95 % CI 1.152-1.394; p < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve demonstrated that the optimal cutoff value for SFRP5 to predict the presence of AAD was 10.26 ng/mL (AUC 0.7241, sensitivity 49.34 %, specificity 87.20 %). Notably, serum SFRP5 levels of patients in the death group were significantly higher than those in the survival group. Compared with patients in the low-SFRP5 group, those in the high-SFRP5 group exhibited a significantly increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR 9.540, 95 % CI 2.803-32.473; p < 0.001) and AAD-related events (HR 6.915, 95 % CI 2.361-20.254; p < 0.001) during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Serum SFRP5 levels were significantly elevated in the acute phase of AAD, and high serum SFRP5 levels were independently associated with poor AAD prognosis. These results suggest that serum SFRP5 level during the acute phase may be an effective biomarker and therapeutic target for the prognosis of AAD.

Perfluoroalkyl substances exposure and the risk of breast cancer: A nested case-control study in Jinchang Cohort.

BACKGROUND: As persistent organic pollutants (POPs), perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may potentially impact human health. Our study aimed to investigate the prospective association between PFAS exposure and the incidence risk of breast cancer in females. METHODS: By fully following the Jinchang Cohort after a decade, we conducted this nested case-control study with 135 incidence cases of breast cancer (BC) and 540 bias-paired controls. The PFAS levels were tested by baseline serum samples. Conditional logistic regression and a restricted cubic spline model were employed to investigate the BC incidence risks and the dose-response associated with single PFAS component exposure. Furthermore, the Quantile g-computation model (Qgc), random forest model (RFM), and bayesian kernel machine regression models (BKMR) were integrated to estimate the mixed effects of PFAS exposure on the incidence risk of BC. RESULTS: Exposures to specific PFAS components were positively associated with an increased incidence risk of breast cancer. By grouping the study population into different baseline menopausal statuses, PFHxS, PFNA, PFBA, PFUdA, PFOS, and PFDA demonstrated a similarly positive correlation with BC incidence risks. However, the increased incidence risks of BC associated with PFOA, PFOS, PFUdA, and 9CL-PF3ONS exposure were exclusively found in the premenopausal population. Both BKMR and Qgc revealed that exposure to mixed PFAS was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, with Qgc specifically indicating an odds ratio (OR) of 2.21 (95% CI: 1.53, 3.19). Random forests showed that PFBA, PFOS, PFHxS, and PFDA emerged as predominant factors potentially influencing breast cancer incidence. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest a strong association between PFAS exposure and the incidence of breast cancer. Premenopausal women should exercise more caution regarding PFAS exposure.

Associations between PM 2.5 and its chemical constituents and blood pressure: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the associations between PM 2.5 and its chemical constituents with blood pressure (BP), assess effects across BP quantiles, and identify the key constituent elevating BP. METHODS: A total of 36 792 adults were included in the cross-sectional study, representing 25 districts/counties of southeast China. Quantile regression models were applied to estimate the associations of PM 2.5 and its chemical constituents (ammonium [NH 4+ ], nitrate [NO 3- ], sulfate [SO 42- ], black carbon [BC], organic matter [OM]) with systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean artery pressure (MAP). A weighted quantile sum (WQS) index was used to estimate the relative importance of each PM 2.5 chemical constituent to the joint effect on BP. RESULTS: The adverse effects of each interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM 2.5 , NH 4+ , NO 3- , SO 42- , and BC on BP were found to be greater with elevated BP, especially when SBP exceeded 133 mmHg and DBP exceeded 82 mmHg. Each IQR increase in all five PM 2.5 chemical constituents was associated with elevated SBP ( ß [95% CI]: 0.90 [0.75, 1.05]), DBP ( ß : 0.44 [0.34, 0.53]), and MAP ( ß : 0.57 [0.45, 0.69]), NH 4+ (for SBP: weight = 99.43%; for DBP: 12.78%; for MAP: 60.73%) and BC (for DBP: 87.06%; for MAP: 39.07%) predominantly influencing these effects. The joint effect of PM 2.5 chemical constituents on risks for elevated SBP and DBP exhibited an upward trend from the 70 th quantile (SBP exceeded 133 mmHg, DBP exceeded 82 mmHg). CONCLUSION: Long-term exposure to PM 2.5 and its chemical constituents was associated with increased risk for elevated BP, with NH 4+ and BC being the main contributors, and such associations were significantly stronger at 70th to 90th quantiles (SBP exceeded 133 mmHg, DBP exceeded 82 mmHg).

The rhythmic mind: brain functions of percussionists in improvisation.

Introduction: Percussionists stand out for their expertise in rhythm, with the network for musical rhythm (NMR) serving a vital neurological function in their improvisation, which is deeply rooted in comprehensive musical knowledge. Our research examines the central representations of various improvisation tactics used by percussionists and investigates the interactions between the NMR and other relevant neural networks. Methods: Twenty-five percussionists participated in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) sessions, which included two cognitive strategies of improvisation. Structural improvisation (SIMP) emphasized rhythmic patterns, while free improvisation (FIMP) focused on musical spontaneity. Sight-reading scenario served as the reference condition. Paired t-tests were utilized for comparative analyses. Results: The findings revealed a dynamic interplay characterized by increased activity in the executive control network and NMR, along with decreased activity in the default mode network during SIMP. During FIMP, heightened activity was observed in the executive control network, NMR, limbic, and memory systems. In both SIMP vs. sight-reading and FIMP vs. sight-reading comparisons, the visual network's activity decreased, a trend also observed in the comparative analysis of FIMP vs. SIMP. Discussion: In SIMP, percussionists leverage external rhythmic signals, resulting in heightened NMR and ECN activity and reduced DMN activity. In contrast, FIMP is characterized by a rise in activity within the NMR, ECN, limbic system, memory system, and reward system, underscoring the vital roles of motivation and memory in the rapid production of spontaneous musical ideas within set frameworks. The diminished activity in the visual network during FIMP compared to SIMP suggests less reliance on visual stimuli in FIMP. These findings suggest that various improvisational tactics may engage different neural pathways.

Identifying prognostic predictors for postoperative pituitary neuroendocrine tumour recurrence: an integrated clinical, radiological, and immunohistochemistry assessment.

OBJECTIVE: Pituitary neuroendocrine tumours (PitNETs) are the second most common type of intracranial tumour. Several studies have explored the prognostic factors for PitNETs. However, prognostic factors for postoperative PitNET recurrence remain not fully understood. This study aimed to explore potential prognostic factors for PitNET recurrence, such as surrounding tissue invasion and the extent of surgical resection in patients with postoperative PitNETs. METHODS: We included 106 patients who underwent PitNET surgery between 2013 and 2018, dividing them into two groups: those with recurrence and those without recurrence. Tumours were classified based on demographics, neuroradiological, and immunohistological characteristics. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine factors predicting recurrence. Kaplan-Meier plots and log-rank tests were used to analyse each independent factor based on the cumulative 5-year recurrence rate. RESULTS: During the 5-year follow-up period, 29.2% of the patients (n = 31) had disease recurrence. Univariate analysis showed that predictors of recurrence included cavernous and sphenoid sinus invasions, optic chiasm compression, larger tumour volume, giant adenoma >4 cm, and gross total resection (GTR). Multivariate analysis showed that lactotroph tumour type, sphenoid sinus invasion, and GTR were independent predictors. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed significant differences in the 5-year recurrence rate among the three independent predictors, with significantly lower recurrence rate in patients with lactotroph tumours and GTR, and a significantly higher recurrence risk in patients with sphenoid sinus invasion. CONCLUSIONS: Lactotroph tumour type, sphenoid sinus invasion, and GTR are independent predictors of postoperative PitNET recurrence. This study provides insights into the factors affecting postoperative PitNET recurrence.

PitNETs are the second most common intracranial tumour typePrognostic factors for postoperative PitNET recurrence remain not fully understoodWe explored potential prognostic factors in patients with postoperative PitNETsProlactin secretion and GTR failure were independent recurrence predictorsProliferative factors did not correlate with recurrence.

Built-in electrophilic/nucleophilic domain of nitrogen-doped carbon nanofiber-confined Ni2P/Ni3N nanoparticles for efficient urea-containing water-splitting reactions.

Transferring urea-containing waste water to clean hydrogen energy has received increasing attention, while challenges are still faced in the sluggish catalytic kinetics of urea oxidation. Herein, a novel hybrid catalyst of Ni2P/Ni3N embedded in nitrogen-doped carbon nanofiber (Ni2P/Ni3N/NCNF) is developed for energy-relevant urea-containing water-splitting reactions. The built-in electrophilic/nucleophilic domain resulting from the electron transfer from Ni2P to Ni3N accelerates the formation of high-valent active Ni species and promotes favourable urea molecule adsorption. A spectral study and theoretical analysis reveal that the negatively shifted Ni d-band centre in Ni2P/Ni3N/NCNF weakens the adsorption of intermediate CO2 and facilitates its desorption, thereby improving the urea oxidation reaction kinetics. The overall reaction process is also optimized by minimizing the energy barrier of the rate-determining step. Following the stability test, the surface reconstruction of the pre-catalyst is discussed, where an amorphous layer of NiOOH as the real active phase is formed on the surface/interface of Ni2P/Ni3N for urea oxidation. Benefiting from these characteristics, a high current density of 151.11 mA cm-2 at 1.54 V vs. RHE is obtained for urea oxidation catalysed by Ni2P/Ni3N/NCNF, exceeding that of most of the similar catalysts. A low cell voltage of 1.39 V is required to reach 10 mA cm-2 for urea electrolysis, which is about 200 mV less than that of the general water electrolysis. The current work will be helpful for the development of advanced catalysts and their application in the urea-containing waste water transfer to clean hydrogen energy.

Identification and validation of calcium extrusion-related genes prognostic signature in colon adenocarcinoma.

Background: Disruptions in calcium homeostasis are associated with a wide range of diseases, and play a pivotal role in the development of cancer. However, the construction of prognostic models using calcium extrusion-related genes in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) has not been well studied. We aimed to identify whether calcium extrusion-related genes serve as a potential prognostic biomarker in the COAD progression. Methods: We constructed a prognostic model based on the expression of calcium extrusion-related genes (SLC8A1, SLC8A2, SLC8A3, SLC8B1, SLC24A2, SLC24A3 and SLC24A4) in COAD. Subsequently, we evaluated the associations between the risk score calculated by calcium extrusion-related genes and mutation signature, immune cell infiltration, and immune checkpoint molecules. Then we calculated the immune score, stromal score, tumor purity and estimate score using the Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumor tissues using Expression data (ESTIMATE) algorithm. The response to immunotherapy was assessed using tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE). Finally, colorectal cancer cells migration, growth and colony formation assays were performed in RKO cells with the overexpression or knockdown SLC8A3, SLC24A2, SLC24A3, or SLC24A4. Results: We found that patients with high risk score of calcium extrusion-related genes tend to have a poorer prognosis than those in the low-risk group. Additionally, patients in high-risk group had higher rates of KRAS mutations and lower MUC16 mutations, implying a strong correlation between KRAS and MUC16 mutations and calcium homeostasis in COAD. Moreover, the high-risk group showed a higher infiltration of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the tumor microenvironment. Finally, our study identified two previously unreported model genes (SLC8A3 and SLC24A4) that contribute to the growth and migration of colorectal cancer RKO cells. Conclusions: Altogether, we developed a prognostic risk model for predicting the prognosis of COAD patients based on the expression profiles of calcium extrusion-related genes, Furthermore, we validated two previously unreported tumor suppressor genes (SLC8A3 and SLC24A4) involved in colorectal cancer progression.

Predictive value of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio for chronic kidney disease among adult male and female in Northwest China.

Background: Studies have found that the ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL-C) was associated with the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the relationship in different genders was rarely discussed. The aim of this study was to explore this relationship and assess its predictive power for both males and females. Methods: Based on a prospective cohort platform in northwest China, 32,351 participants without CKD were collected in the baseline and followed up for approximately 5 years. Cox proportional hazard model and restricted cubic spline regression analysis were performed to investigate the association between TC, HDL-C, TC/HDL-C and CKD in adult female and male. The clinical application value of the indicators in predicting CKD was evaluated by the receiver operator characteristic curve. Results: During a mean follow-up of 2.2 years, 484 males and 164 females developed CKD. After adjusted for relevant confounders, for every one standard deviation increase in TC, HDL-C and TC/HDL-C, the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for CKD were 1.17 (1.05-1.31), 0.84 (0.71-0.99), and 1.15 (1.06-1.25) for males, 0.94 (0.78-1.13), 0.58 (0.35-0.95), and 1.19 (1.01-1.40) for females, respectively. The results also showed that TC, HDL-C, and TC/HDL-C were associated with CKD in a linear dose-response relationship. The TC/HDL-C had the largest area under the curve (AUC) compared to TC and HDL-C, and the AUC among the females was larger than that among males. Conclusions: The TC/HDL-C was significantly associated with CKD in adult males and females and has better clinical value in predicting CKD than TC and HDL-C, especially in females.

Associations between transfusion reactions and thromboembolism development in blood-transfused patients: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Blood transfusion (BT) may be associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism. The associations between transfusion reactions (TRs) during BTs and potential risk factors for the development of thromboembolism in patients underwent blood transfusion have not been analyzed. Therefore, this study aimed to compare risk factors associated with the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE) or pulmonary embolism (PE) between patients underwent blood transfusion with and without TRs. STUDY DESIGNS AND METHODS: The retrospective study was conducted between April 1, 2017, and March 31, 2020, at a medical center in Taiwan. Blood-transfused patients were grouped into two cohorts as follows: those who experienced TRs and those who did not experience TRs. Both cohorts were subjected to follow-up until March 31, 2021. The endpoints for both groups were the occurrence of VTE or PE or the date of March 31, 2021. To investigate between-cohort risk differences, a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and multiple Cox proportional hazard model was used. RESULTS: A total of 10,759 patients underwent 59,385 transfusion procedures, with 703 patients in the TR group, and 10,056 patients in the non-TR group. The risk of VTE or PE was twice as high in the TR group than in the non-TR group (adjusted hazard ratio 2.53, 95% confidence interval 1.49-4.29, p = .001). Meanwhile, age, female sex, transfusion frequency increment, and being nondiabetic was associated with an increased risk of developing thromboembolism. CONCLUSION: TRs are associated with increased long-term thromboembolism risk in patients underwent blood transfusion. It is imperative for clinicians to acknowledge this and maintain rigorous follow-up.

[Effects of reductive soil disinfestation and organic fertilizer application on microbial community stability in a facility vegetable soil]. / 强还原处理和施用有机肥对设施蔬菜地土壤微生物群落稳定性的影响.

Reductive soil disinfestation (RSD) is an effective method for remediating degraded facility vegetable soils. However, the effectiveness of RSD using green manure as a carbon source in the field has not yet been clarified. We investigated the effects of RSD and organic fertilizer application on soil microbial community composition, diversity, and stability in a degraded facility vegetable soil. There were six treatments, including no fertilization (CK), no fertilization and soil flooded and mulched with plastic film (FF), soil amended with chicken manure (OM), soil amended with chicken manure and flooded and mulched with plastic film (OMR), soil amended with Sesbania cannabina (TF), and soil amended with S. cannabina and flooded and mulched with plastic film (TR). The results showed that the OMR and TR treatments significantly decreased bacterial Chao1 index, altered bacterial and fungal community structure, and increased the relative abundances of Bacillus, Rhodococcus, Clostridium, and Penicillium. The TR treatment significantly reduced the relative abundance of Fusarium. Results of redundancy analysis and Mantel test analysis suggested that soil ammonium nitrogen and dissolved organic carbon contents were the key factors influencing bacterial community composition, and soil pH was the key factor affecting fungal community composition. Results of cohesion analysis showed that the OMR and TR treatments significantly improved bacterial community stability, and that there was no difference between OMR and TR treatments. The TR treatment enhanced fungal community stability, which was significantly higher than the OMR treatment. Therefore, the RSD with green manure as carbon source could be effective remediation practice to improve soil health.

Identification of key sensory and chemical factors determining flavor quality of Xinyu mandarin during ripening and storage.

Xinyu mandarin is popular for its good flavor, but its flavor deteriorates during postharvest storage. To better understand the underlying basis of this change, the dynamics of the sensory profiles were investigated throughout fruit ripening and storage. Sweetness and sourness, determined especially by sucrose and citric acid content, were identified as the key sensory factors in flavor establishment during ripening, but not in flavor deterioration during storage. Postharvest flavor deterioration is mainly attributed to the reduction of retronasal aroma and the development of off-flavor. Furthermore, sugars, acids and volatile compounds were analyzed. Among the 101 detected volatile compounds, 10 changed significantly during the ripening process. The concentrations of 15 volatile components decreased during late postharvest storage, among which α-pinene and d-limonene were likely to play key roles in the reduction of aroma. Three volatile compounds were found to increase during storage, associated with off-flavor development.

Widespread Adoption of Microincision Vitrectomy Surgery Improves Visual Outcomes in Endogenous Endophthalmitis with Poor Initial Vision: A 21-Year Experience in Taiwan.

PURPOSE: To review the presentation and visual prognostic factors of patients with endogenous endophthalmitis before and after the introduction of microincision vitrectomy surgery (MIVS), at a tertiary referral hospital in Taiwan, over a 21-year period. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of patients diagnosed with endogenous endophthalmitis before and after the introduction of MIVS between January 2002 and December 2022. RESULTS: Data were collected from 147 patients. Diabetes mellitus was the most common comorbidity (59.9%). Liver abscess (32.7%) was the leading source of infection, followed by urinary tract infection (15.0%), and infective endocarditis (5.4%). Klebsiella pneumoniae (50.4%) was the most common pathogen, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (13.5%), and Candida albicans (8.3%). Poor initial visual acuity worse than counting fingers (CF) (p < 0.001) and diabetes mellitus (p = 0.008) were significantly associated with poor visual outcomes. In the treatment of 98 patients with poor initial visual acuity worse than CF, the proportion of vitrectomy surgeries performed increased from 13/56 (23.2%) to 24/42 (57.1%) (p = 0.001) after the introduction of MIVS. Final visual acuity of CF or better increased from 7/56 (12.5%) to 12/42 (28.6%) after the introduction of MIVS (p = 0.046). Vitrectomy was a better prognostic factor for final visual outcome in patients with poor initial visual acuity of worse than CF (p = 0.011) than other factors. CONCLUSION: In endogenous endophthalmitis patients presenting with poor initial visual acuity, vitrectomy was a better visual prognostic factor. MIVS has allowed more patients to undergo vitrectomy and improved visual outcomes.

Large-Dynamic-Range Ocular Aberration Measurement Based on Deep Learning with a Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensor.

The Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor (SHWFS) is widely utilized for ocular aberration measurement. However, large ocular aberrations caused by individual differences can easily make the spot move out of the range of the corresponding sub-aperture in SHWFS, rendering the traditional centroiding method ineffective. This study applied a novel convolutional neural network (CNN) model to wavefront sensing for large dynamic ocular aberration measurement. The simulation results demonstrate that, compared to the modal method, the dynamic range of our method for main low-order aberrations in ocular system is increased by 1.86 to 43.88 times in variety. Meanwhile, the proposed method also has the best measurement accuracy, and the statistical root mean square (RMS) of the residual wavefronts is 0.0082 ± 0.0185 λ (mean ± standard deviation). The proposed method generally has a higher accuracy while having a similar or even better dynamic range as compared to traditional large-dynamic schemes. On the other hand, compared with recently developed deep learning methods, the proposed method has a much larger dynamic range and better measurement accuracy.

Molecular and immunological characteristics of postoperative relapse in lymph node-positive esophageal squamous cell cancer.

BACKGROUND: The molecular and immunological characteristics of primary tumors and positive lymph nodes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are unknown and the relationship with recurrence is unclear, which this study attempted to explore. METHODS: A total of 30 ESCC patients with lymph node positive (IIB-IVA) were enrolled. Among them, primary tumor and lymph node specimens were collected from each patient, and subjected to 551-tumor-targeted DNA sequencing and 289-immuno-oncology RNA panel sequencing to identify the different molecular basis and immunological features, respectively. RESULTS: The primary tumors exhibited a higher mutation burden than lymph nodes (p < 0.001). One-year recurrent ESCC exhibited a higher Mucin16 (MUC16) mutation rate (p = 0.038), as well as univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that MUC16 mutation is independent genetic factor associated with reduced relapse-free survival (univariate, HR: 5.39, 95% CI: 1.67-17.4, p = 0.005; multivariate, HR: 7.36, 95% CI: 1.79-30.23, p = 0.006). Transcriptomic results showed non-relapse group had higher cytolytic activity (CYT) score (p = 0.025), and was enriched in the IFN-α pathway (p = 0.036), while those in the relapsed group were enriched in the TNF-α/NF-κB (p = 0.001) and PI3K/Akt pathway (p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: The difference in molecular characteristics between primary lesions and lymph nodes may be the cause of the inconsistent clinical outcomes. Mutations of MUC16 and poor immune infiltration are associated with rapid relapse of nodes-positive ESCC.

A Retrospective Analysis: Investigating Factors Linked to High Lung-RADS Scores in a Nonsmoking, Non-Family History Population.

Low-dose computed tomography screening for lung cancer is currently targeted at heavy smokers or those with a family history of lung cancer. This study aimed to identify risk factors for lung cancer in individuals who do not meet the current lung cancer screening criteria as stipulated by the Taiwan Health Promotion Agency's low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening policy. A cohort analysis was conducted on 12,542 asymptomatic healthy subjects aged 20-80 years old who voluntarily underwent LDCT scans from January 2016 to December 2021. Logistic regression demonstrated that several factors, including age over 55 years, female gender, a body mass index (BMI) less than 23, a previous history of respiratory diseases such as tuberculosis or obstructive respiratory diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], asthma), and previous respiratory symptoms such as cough or dyspnea, were associated with high-risk lung radiology scores according to LDCT scans. These findings indicate that risk-based assessments using primary data and questionnaires to identify risk factors other than heavy smoking and a family history of lung cancer may improve the efficiency of lung cancer screening.

The association of socioeconomic status on kidney transplant access and outcomes: a nationwide cohort study in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Conflicting evidence exists regarding the relationship between socioeconomic status and access to or outcomes after kidney transplantation. This study analyzed the effects of individual and neighborhood socioeconomic status on kidney transplant access and outcomes in Taiwan. METHODS: We used a retrospective cohort study design and performed comparisons using the Cox proportional hazards model after adjusting for risk factors. Data were collected from the National Health Insurance Bureau of Taiwan data (2003-2012). RESULTS: Patients with high individual and neighborhood socioeconomic status had higher chances of receiving kidney transplants than those with low individual and neighborhood socioeconomic status [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 2.04; 95% CI: (1.81-2.31), p < 0.001]. However, there were no significant differences in post-transplant graft failure or patient mortality in Taiwan between individuals of varying socioeconomic status after five years. When we stratified kidney transplants by domestic and overseas transplantation, there were no significant differences in post-transplant mortality and graft failure, but individuals who received a kidney graft in Taiwan with high individual and neighborhood socioeconomic status experienced lower risks of graft failure (aHR = 0.55; [95% CI 0.33-0.89], p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: A relevant disparity exists in accessing kidney transplantation in Taiwan, depending on individual and neighborhood socioeconomic status. However, results post transplantation were not different after five years. Improved access to waitlisting, education, and welfare support may reduce disparities.

Association between per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A nested case-control study in northwest China.

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been reported to have hepatotoxic effects. However, it is unclear whether they are linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This nested case-control study focused on the epidemiological links between PFAS and the prevalence of NAFLD. We selected 476 new cases of NAFLD and 952 age- and sex-matched controls from the Jinchang cohort population between 2014 and 2019. Serum concentrations of PFAS were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Only PFAS with a detection rate of ≥90 % were included for analysis, which included PFPeA, PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS, PFOS, and 9Cl-PF3ONS. The relationship between single and co-exposure to PFAS and the occurrence of NAFLD was evaluated using conditional logistic regression, Quantile g-computation (QgC), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model. Logistic regression indicated that PFPeA, PFOA, and 9Cl-PF3ONS were positive correlation with the incidence of NAFLD after adjusting for confounders, with odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) of 3.13 (95 % CI: 2.53, 3.86), 1.39 (95 % CI: 1.12, 1.73), and 1.41 (95 % CI: 1.20, 1.66), respectively. PFNA, PFHxS, and PFOS were nonlinearly and negatively associated with the incidence of NAFLD, with OR (95 % CI) of 0.53 (0.46, 0.62), 0.83 (0.73, 0.95), and 0.52 (0.44, 0.61), respectively. QgC showed a significant joint effect of PFAS mixture on NAFLD onset (OR: 1.52, 95 % CI: 1.24, 1.88). BKMR showed a weak positive trend between PFAS mixtures and NAFLD incidence. Positive correlations were primarily driven by PFPeA and 9Cl-PF3ONS, while negative correlations were mainly influenced by PFNA and PFOS. The BKMR model also suggested that there was an interaction between PFOS and PFNA and other four PFAS compounds. In conclusion, our findings suggest that individual and co-exposure to PFAS is associated with a risk of NAFLD onset.