Transdiagnostic Neurobiology of Social Cognition and Individual Variability as Measured by Fractional Amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuation in Schizophrenia and Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) is a validated measure of resting-state spontaneous brain activity. Previous fALFF findings in autism and schizophrenia spectrum disorders (ASDs and SSDs) have been highly heterogeneous. We aimed to use fALFF in a large sample of typically developing control (TDC), ASD and SSD participants to explore group differences and relationships with inter-individual variability of fALFF maps and social cognition. fALFF from 495 participants (185 TDC, 68 ASD, and 242 SSD) was computed using functional magnetic resonance imaging as signal power within two frequency bands (i.e., slow-4 and slow-5), normalized by the power in the remaining frequency spectrum. Permutation analysis of linear models was employed to investigate the relationship of fALFF with diagnostic groups, higher-level social cognition, and lower-level social cognition. Each participant's average distance of fALFF map to all others was defined as a variability score, with higher scores indicating less typical maps. Lower fALFF in the visual and higher fALFF in the frontal regions were found in both SSD and ASD participants compared with TDCs. Limited differences were observed between ASD and SSD participants in the cuneus regions only. Associations between slow-4 fALFF and higher-level social cognitive scores across the whole sample were observed in the lateral occipitotemporal and temporoparietal junction. Individual variability within the ASD and SSD groups was also significantly higher compared with TDC. Similar patterns of fALFF and individual variability in ASD and SSD suggest some common neurobiological deficits across these related heterogeneous conditions.

Assessment of hepatitis B virus relapse in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy with prophylactic nucleos(t)ide analogues: Implications for overall mortality.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We aimed to explore the risk factors associated with virological and clinical relapse, as well as their impact on overall mortality, in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients receiving nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs) therapy prior to chemotherapy initiation. METHODS: From 2010 to 2020, we conducted a prospective cohort study involving patients with HBV infection undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy. We utilized the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard regression models to assess risk factors. RESULTS: We observed that TDF or TAF (HR: 2.16, 95% CI 1.06-4.41; p = .034), anthracycline (HR: 1.73, 95% CI 1.10-2.73; p = .018), baseline HBV DNA (HR: 1.55, 95% CI 1.33-1.81; p < .001) and end-of-treatment HBsAg titre >100 IU/mL (HR: 7.81, 95% CI 1.94-31.51; p = .004) were associated with increased risk of virological relapse. Additionally, TDF or TAF (HR: 4.91, 95% CI 1.45-16.64; p = .011), baseline HBV DNA (HR: 1.48, 95% CI 1.10-1.99; p = .009) and end-of-treatment HBsAg titre >100 IU/mL (HR: 6.09, 95% CI .95-38.87; p = .056) were associated with increased risk of clinical relapse. Furthermore, we found that virological relapse (HR: 3.32, 95% CI 1.33-8.32; p = .010) and clinical relapse (HR: 3.59, 95% CI 1.47-8.80; p = .005) significantly correlated with all-cause mortality in HBV patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy with prophylactic NUCs therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of virological and clinical relapse was linked to baseline HBV DNA, end-of-treatment HBsAg levels and TDF or TAF for prophylaxis; additionally, experiencing relapse heightens the risk of all-cause mortality. Further research is warranted to explore potential strategies for preventing virological and clinical relapse in high-risk patients.

Comparing the stability and reproducibility of brain-behavior relationships found using canonical correlation analysis and partial least squares within the ABCD sample.

Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and partial least squares correlation (PLS) detect linear associations between two data matrices by computing latent variables (LVs) having maximal correlation (CCA) or covariance (PLS). This study compared the similarity and generalizability of CCA- and PLS-derived brain-behavior relationships. Data were accessed from the baseline Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) dataset (N > 9,000, 9-11 years). The brain matrix consisted of cortical thickness estimates from the Desikan-Killiany atlas. Two phenotypic scales were examined separately as the behavioral matrix; the Child Behavioral Checklist (CBCL) subscale scores and NIH Toolbox performance scores. Resampling methods were used to assess significance and generalizability of LVs. LV1 for the CBCL brain relationships was found to be significant, yet not consistently stable or reproducible, across CCA and PLS models (singular value: CCA = .13, PLS = .39, p < .001). LV1 for the NIH brain relationships showed similar relationships between CCA and PLS and was found to be stable and reproducible (singular value: CCA = .21, PLS = .43, p < .001). The current study suggests that stability and reproducibility of brain-behavior relationships identified by CCA and PLS are influenced by the statistical characteristics of the phenotypic measure used when applied to a large population-based pediatric sample.

Clinical neuroscience research is going through a translational crisis largely due to the challenges of producing meaningful and generalizable results. Two critical limitations within clinical neuroscience research are the use of univariate statistics and between-study methodological variation. Univariate statistics may not be sensitive enough to detect complex relationships between several variables, and methodological variation poses challenges to the generalizability of the results. We compared two widely used multivariate statistical approaches, canonical correlations analysis (CCA) and partial least squares correlation (PLS), to determine the generalizability and stability of their solutions. We show that the properties of the measures inputted into the analysis likely play a more substantial role in the generalizability and stability of results compared to the specific approach applied (i.e., CCA or PLS).

Data Independent Acquisition Mass Spectrometry Enhanced Personalized Glycosylation Profiling of Haptoglobin in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Aberrant glycosylation has gained significant interest for biomarker discovery. However, low detectability, complex glycan structures, and heterogeneity present challenges in glycoprotein assay development. Using haptoglobin (Hp) as a model, we developed an integrated platform combining functionalized magnetic nanoparticles and zwitterionic hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (ZIC-HILIC) for highly specific glycopeptide enrichment, followed by a data-independent acquisition (DIA) strategy to establish a deep cancer-specific Hp-glycosylation profile in hepatitis B virus (HBV, n = 5) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, n = 5) patients. The DIA strategy established one of the deepest Hp-glycosylation landscapes (1029 glycopeptides, 130 glycans) across serum samples, including 54 glycopeptides exclusively detected in HCC patients. Additionally, single-shot DIA searches against a DIA-based spectral library outperformed the DDA approach by 2-3-fold glycopeptide coverage across patients. Among the four N-glycan sites on Hp (N-184, N-207, N-211, N-241), the total glycan type distribution revealed significantly enhanced detection of combined fucosylated-sialylated glycans, which were the most dominant glycoforms identified in HCC patients. Quantitation analysis revealed 48 glycopeptides significantly enriched in HCC (p < 0.05), including a hybrid monosialylated triantennary glycopeptide on the N-184 site with nearly none-to-all elevation to differentiate HCC from the HBV group (HCC/HBV ratio: 2462 ± 766, p < 0.05). In summary, DIA-MS presents an unbiased and comprehensive alternative for targeted glycoproteomics to guide discovery and validation of glyco-biomarkers.

The efficacy of early office hysteroscopy in preventing intrauterine adhesions after abortion: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Intrauterine adhesions (IUA) are a challenging clinical problem in reproductive infertility. The most common causes are intrauterine surgery and abortions. We aimed to investigate whether early second-look office hysteroscopy can prevent IUA. METHODS: A single-center, prospective, two-armed, randomized controlled trial was designed to explore the efficacy of early office hysteroscopy after first-trimester induced abortion (suction dilatation and curettage [D&C]) and to further analyze fertility outcomes. Women aged 20-45 years undergoing suction D&C and desiring to conceive were recruited. Between October 2019 and September 2022, 66 women were enrolled, of whom 33 were allocated to group A (early hysteroscopy intervention). The women in intervention group A were planned to receive 2 times of hysteroscopies (early and late). In group B, women only underwent late (6 months post suction D&C) hysteroscopy. RESULTS: The primary outcome was the IUA rate assessed using office hysteroscopy 6 months after artificial abortion. Secondary outcomes included menstrual amount/durations and fertility outcomes. In intervention group A, 31 women underwent the first hysteroscopy examination, and 15 completed the second. In group B (late hysteroscopy intervention, 33 patients), 16 completed the hysteroscopic exam 6 months after an artificial abortion. Twenty-one women did not receive late hysteroscopy due to pregnancy. The IUA rate was 16.1% (5/31) at the first hysteroscopy in group A, and no IUA was detected during late hysteroscopy. Neither group showed statistically significant differences in the follow-up pregnancy and live birth rates. CONCLUSIONS: Early hysteroscopy following suction D&C can detect intrauterine lesions. IUA detected early by hysteroscopy can disappear on late examination and become insignificant for future pregnancies. Notably, the pregnancy outcomes showed a favorable trend in the early hysteroscopy group, but there were no statistically significant differences. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov , ID: NCT04166500. Registered on 2019-11-10. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04166500 .

Genetic variation and evolutionary characteristics of Echovirus 11: new variant within genotype D5 associated with neonatal death found in China.

Echovirus 11 (E11) has gained attention owing to its association with severe neonatal infections. From 2018 to 2023, a surge in severe neonatal cases and fatalities linked to a novel variant of genotype D5 was documented in China, France, and Italy. However, the prevention and control of E11 variants have been hampered by limited background data on the virus circulation and genetic variance. Therefore, the present study investigated the circulating dynamics of E11 and the genetic variation and molecular evolution of genotype D5 through the collection of strains from the national acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) and hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) surveillance system in China during 2000-2022 and genetic sequences published in the GenBank database. The results of this study revealed a prevalent dynamic of E11 circulation, with D5 being the predominant genotype worldwide. Further phylogenetic analysis of genotype D5 indicated that it could be subdivided into three important geographic clusters (D5-CHN1: 2014-2019, D5-CHN2: 2016-2022, and D5-EUR: 2022-2023). Additionally, variant-specific (144) amino acid mutation sites and positive-selection pressure sites (132, 262) were identified in the VP1 region. Cluster-specific recombination patterns were also identified, with CVB5, E6, and CVB4 as the major recombinant viruses. These findings provide a preliminary landscape of E11 circulation worldwide and basic scientific data for further study of the pathogenicity of E11 variants.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteome Map Reveals Molecular Signatures of Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome.

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a complex neurovascular disorder characterized by repetitive thunderclap headaches and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction. The pathophysiological mechanism of this mysterious syndrome remains underexplored and there is no clinically available molecular biomarker. To provide insight into the pathogenesis of RCVS, this study reported the first landscape of dysregulated proteome of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients with RCVS (n = 21) compared to the age- and sex-matched controls (n  = 20) using data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry. Protein-protein interaction and functional enrichment analysis were employed to construct functional protein networks using the RCVS proteome. An RCVS-CSF proteome library resource of 1054 proteins was established, which illuminated large groups of upregulated proteins enriched in the brain and blood-brain barrier (BBB). Personalized RCVS-CSF proteomic profiles from 17 RCVS patients and 20 controls reveal proteomic changes involving the complement system, adhesion molecules, and extracellular matrix, which may contribute to the disruption of BBB and dysregulation of neurovascular units. Moreover, an additional validation cohort validated a panel of biomarker candidates and a two-protein signature predicted by machine learning model to discriminate RCVS patients from controls with an area under the curve of 0.997. This study reveals the first RCVS proteome and a potential pathogenetic mechanism of BBB and neurovascular unit dysfunction. It also nominates potential biomarker candidates that are mechanistically plausible for RCVS, which may offer potential diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities beyond the clinical manifestations.

Increasing DNA damage sensitivity through corylin-mediated inhibition of homologous recombination.

BACKGROUND: DNA repair allows the survival of cancer cells. Therefore, the development of DNA repair inhibitors is a critical need for sensitizing cancers to chemoradiation. Sae2CtIP has specific functions in initiating DNA end resection, as well as coordinating cell cycle checkpoints, and it also greatly interacts with the DDR at different levels. RESULTS: In this study, we demonstrated that corylin, a potential sensitizer, causes deficiencies in DNA repair and DNA damage checkpoints in yeast cells. More specifically, corylin increases DNA damage sensitivity through the Sae2-dependent pathway and impairs the activation of Mec1-Ddc2, Rad53-p and γ-H2A. In breast cancer cells, corylin increases apoptosis and reduces proliferation following Dox treatment by inhibiting CtIP. Xenograft assays showed that treatment with corylin combined with Dox significantly reduced tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings herein delineate the mechanisms of action of corylin in regulating DNA repair and indicate that corylin has potential long-term clinical utility as a DDR inhibitor.

Enhanced Proteomic Coverage in Tissue Microenvironment by Immune Cell Subtype Library-Assisted DIA-MS.

Immune cells that infiltrate the tumor microenvironment (TME) play crucial roles in shaping cancer development and influencing clinical outcomes and therapeutic responses. However, obtaining a comprehensive proteomic snapshot of tumor-infiltrating immunity in clinical specimens is often hindered by small sample amounts and a low proportion of immune infiltrating cells in the TME. To enable in-depth and highly sensitive profiling of microscale tissues, we established an immune cell-enriched library-assisted strategy for data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry (DIA-MS). Firstly, six immune cell subtype-specific spectral libraries were established from sorted cluster of differentiation markers, CD8+, CD4+ T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, and macrophages in murine mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), covering 7815 protein groups with surface markers and immune cell-enriched proteins. The feasibility of microscale immune proteomic profiling was demonstrated on 1 µg tissue protein from the tumor of murine colorectal cancer (CRC) models using single-shot DIA; the immune cell-enriched library increased coverage to quantify 7419 proteins compared to directDIA analysis (6978 proteins). The enhancement enabled the mapping of 841 immune function-related proteins and exclusive identification of many low-abundance immune proteins, such as CD1D1, and CD244, demonstrating high sensitivity for immune landscape profiling. This approach was used to characterize the MLNs in CRC models, aiming to elucidate the mechanism underlying their involvement in cancer development within the TME. Even with a low percentage of immune cell infiltration (0.25-3%) in the tumor, our results illuminate downregulation in the adaptive immune signaling pathways (such as C-type lectin receptor signaling, and chemokine signaling), T cell receptor signaling, and Th1/Th2/Th17 cell differentiation, suggesting an immunosuppressive status in MLNs of CRC model. The DIA approach using the immune cell-enriched libraries showcased deep coverage and high sensitivity that can facilitate illumination of the immune proteomic landscape for microscale samples.

Comparative Study of the Impurity Effect on SnAgCu and SnZn Solder Joints with Electrodeposited Cu.

Sn-3Ag-0.5Cu (SAC305)- and Sn-9Zn-based alloys (Sn-Zn-X, X = Al, In) are lead-free solders used in the fabrication of solder joints with Cu metallization. Electroplating is a facile technology used to fabricate Cu metallization. However, the addition of functional additive molecules in the plating solution may result in impurity residues in the Cu electroplated layer, causing damage to the solder joints. This study investigates the impurity effect on solder joints constructed by joining various solder alloys to the Cu electroplated layers. Functional additives are formulated to fabricate high-impurity and low-impurity Cu electroplated samples. The as-joined solder joint samples are thermally aged at 120 °C and 170 °C to explore the interfacial reactions between solder alloys and Cu. The results show that the impurity effect on the interfacial reactions between SAC305 and Cu is significant. Voids are massively formed at the SAC305/Cu interface incorporated with a high impurity content, and the Cu6Sn5 intermetallic compound (IMC) grows at a faster rate. In contrast, the growth of the Cu5Zn8 IMC formed in the SnZn-based solder joints is not significantly influenced by the impurity content in the Cu electroplated layers. Voids are not observed in the SnZn-based solder joints regardless of the impurity content, indicative of an insignificant impurity effect. The discrepancy of the impurity effect is rationalized by the differences in the IMC formation and associated atomic interdiffusion in the SAC305- and SnZn-based solder joints.

Identification of Molecular Profile of Ear Fibroblasts Derived from Spindle-Transferred Holstein Cattle with Ooplasts from Taiwan Yellow Cattle under Heat Stress.

Global warming has a significant impact on the dairy farming industry, as heat stress causes reproductive endocrine imbalances and leads to substantial economic losses, particularly in tropical-subtropical regions. The Holstein breed, which is widely used for dairy production, is highly susceptible to heat stress, resulting in a dramatic reduction in milk production during hot seasons. However, previous studies have shown that cells of cows produced from reconstructed embryos containing cytoplasm (o) from Taiwan yellow cattle (Y) have improved thermotolerance despite their nuclei (n) being derived from heat-sensitive Holstein cattle (H). Using spindle transfer (ST) technology, we successfully produced ST-Yo-Hn cattle and proved that the thermotolerance of their ear fibroblasts is similar to that of Y and significantly better than that of H (p < 0.05). Despite these findings, the genes and molecules responsible for the different sensitivities of cells derived from ST-Yo-Hn and H cattle have not been extensively investigated. In the present study, ear fibroblasts from ST-Yo-Hn and H cattle were isolated, and differentially expressed protein and gene profiles were compared with or without heat stress (hs) (42 °C for 12 h). The results revealed that the relative protein expression levels of pro-apoptotic factors, including Caspase-3, -8, and -9, in the ear fibroblasts from the ST-Yo-Hn-hs group were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than those from the H-hs group. Conversely, the relative expression levels of anti-apoptotic factors, including GNA14 protein and the CRELD2 and PRKCQ genes, were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the ear fibroblasts from the ST-Yo-Hn-hs group compared to those from the H-hs group. Analysis of oxidative phosphorylation-related factors revealed that the relative expression levels of the GPX1 gene and Complex-I, Complex-IV, CAT, and PGLS proteins were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the ear fibroblasts from the ST-Yo-Hn-hs group compared to those from the H-hs group. Taken together, these findings suggest that ear fibroblasts from ST-Yo-Hn cattle have superior thermotolerance compared to those from H cattle due to their lower expression of pro-apoptotic factors and higher expression of oxidative phosphorylation and antioxidant factors. Moreover, this improved thermotolerance is attributed, at least partially, to the cytoplasm derived from more heat-tolerant Y cattle. Hence, using ST technology to produce more heat-tolerant H cattle containing Y cytoplasm could be a feasible approach to alleviate the negative impacts of heat stress on dairy cattle in tropical-subtropical regions.

Application of near-infrared spectroscopy to assess the effect of the cupping size on the spatial hemodynamic response from the area inside and outside the cup of the biceps.

Cupping therapy is a popular intervention for improving muscle recovery after exercise although clinical evidence is weak. Previous studies demonstrated that cupping therapy may improve microcirculation of the soft tissue to accelerate tissue healing. However, it is unclear whether the cupping size could affect the spatial hemodynamic response of the treated muscle. The objective of this study was to use 8-channel near-infrared spectroscopy to assess this clinical question by assessing the effect of 3 cupping sizes (35, 40, and 45 mm in inner diameter of the circular cup) under -300 mmHg for 5 min on the muscle hemodynamic response from the area inside and outside the cup, including oxyhemoglobin and deoxy-hemoglobin in 18 healthy adults. Two-way factorial design was used to assess the interaction between the cupping size (35, 40, and 45 mm) and the location (inside and outside the cup) and the main effects of the cupping size and the location. The two-way repeated measures ANOVA demonstrated an interaction between the cupping size and the location in deoxy-hemoglobin (P = 0.039) but no interaction in oxyhemoglobin (P = 0.100), and a main effect of the cup size (P = 0.001) and location (P = 0.023) factors in oxyhemoglobin. For the cupping size factor, the 45-mm cup resulted in a significant increase in oxyhemoglobin (5.738±0.760 µM) compared to the 40-mm (2.095±0.312 µM, P<0.001) and 35-mm (3.134±0.515 µM, P<0.01) cup. Our findings demonstrate that the cupping size and location factors affect the muscle hemodynamic response, and the use of multi-channel near-infrared spectroscopy may help understand benefits of cupping therapy on managing musculoskeletal impairment.

Proteomic profiling of tumor microenvironment and prognosis risk prediction in stage I lung adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: With the increasing popularity of CT screening, more cases of early-stage lung cancer are being diagnosed. However, 24.5% of stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients still experience treatment failure post-surgery. Biomarkers to predict lung cancer patients at high risk of recurrence are needed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected protein mass spectrometry data from the Taiwan Lung Cancer Moonshot Project and performed bioinformatics analysis on proteins with differential expressions between tumor and adjacent normal tissues in 74 stage I lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cases, aiming to explore the tumor microenvironment related prognostic biomarkers. Findings were further validated in 6 external cohorts. RESULTS: The analysis of differentially expressed proteins revealed that the most enriched categories of diseases and biological functions were cellular movement, immune cell trafficking, and cancer. Utilizing proteomic profiling of the tumor microenvironment, we identified five prognostic biomarkers (ADAM10, MIF, TEK, THBS2, MAOA). We then developed a risk score model, which independently predicted recurrence-free survival and overall survival in stage I LUAD. Patients with high risk scores experienced worse recurrence-free survival (adjusted hazard ratio = 8.28, p < 0.001) and overall survival (adjusted hazard ratio = 6.88, p = 0.013). Findings had been also validated in the external cohorts. CONCLUSION: The risk score model derived from proteomic profiling of tumor microenvironment can be used to predict recurrence risk and prognosis of stage I LUAD.

CCR2 and CCR5 co-inhibition modulates immunosuppressive myeloid milieu in glioma and synergizes with anti-PD-1 therapy.

Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of cancers. Reinvigorating lymphocytes with checkpoint blockade has become a cornerstone of immunotherapy for multiple tumor types, but the treatment of glioblastoma has not yet shown clinical efficacy. A major hurdle to treat GBM with checkpoint blockade is the high degree of myeloid-mediated immunosuppression in brain tumors that limits CD8 T-cell activity. A potential strategy to improve anti-tumor efficacy against glioma is to use myeloid-modulating agents to target immunosuppressive cells, such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the tumor microenvironment. We found that the co-inhibition of the chemokine receptors CCR2 and CCR5 in murine model of glioma improves the survival and synergizes robustly with anti-PD-1 therapy. Moreover, the treatment specifically reduced the infiltration of monocytic-MDSCs (M-MDSCs) into brain tumors and increased lymphocyte abundance and cytokine secretion by tumor-infiltrating CD8 T cells. The depletion of T-cell subsets and myeloid cells abrogated the effects of CCR2 and CCR5 blockade, indicating that while broad depletion of myeloid cells does not improve survival, specific reduction in the infiltration of immunosuppressive myeloid cells, such as M-MDSCs, can boost the anti-tumor immune response of lymphocytes. Our study highlights the potential of CCR2/CCR5 co-inhibition in reducing myeloid-mediated immunosuppression in GBM patients.

The efficacy of multi-disciplinary lifestyle modifications in Taiwanese nonalcoholic steatohepatitis patients.

Lifestyle modification is the standard of care for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of a short-term lifestyle modification program in the disease course of Taiwanese nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients with paired biopsies. All patients received a 6-month, strict multidisciplinary program of lifestyle modifications led by physicians, dieticians, and nursing staff. The histopathological and clinical features were assessed. The endpoints were normalization of transaminase levels, metabolic parameters, a decrease in the NAFLD activity score (NAS) ≥1, and a decrease in the fibrosis stage ≥1. We also aimed to elucidate the predictors associated with disease progression. A total of 37 patients with biopsy-proven NASH were enrolled. The normalization of transaminase levels increased from 0% to 13.5%. There were also significantly increased proportions of patients with normal total cholesterol, triglyceride, and hemoglobin A1c levels. Fifteen (40.5%) patients had an increased NAS ≥1, whereas 10 (27.0%) patients had NAS regression. Twelve (32.4%) patients had increased fibrosis ≥1 stage. Only 2 (5.4%) patients experienced fibrosis regression. A high fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level was associated with NAS progression. Older age and higher transaminase and FPG levels were factors associated with fibrosis progression. Seven (18.9%) patients achieved a body weight reduction >3%, and 4 (57.1%) of them experienced NAS regression. No significant effect of weight reduction on the progression of fibrosis was observed. The short-term lifestyle modification program significantly decreased liver enzymes and metabolic parameters in NASH patients. A more precise or intensive program may be needed for fibrosis improvement.

Comparative Analysis of Polyphenolic Compounds in Different Amaranthus Species: Influence of Genotypes and Harvesting Year.

Amaranth is a nutritionally valuable crop, as it contains phenolic acids and flavonoids, yielding diverse plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) like phytosterol, tocopherols, and carotenoids. This study explored the variations in the contents of seventeen polyphenolic compounds within the leaves of one hundred twenty Amaranthus accessions representing nine Amaranthus species. The investigation entailed the analysis of phenolic content across nine Amaranthus species, specifically A. hypochondriacus, A. cruentus, A. caudatus, A. tricolor, A. dubius, A. blitum, A. crispus, A. hybridus, and A. viridis, utilizing ultra performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (UPLC-PDA). The results revealed significant differences in polyphenolic compounds among accessions in which rutin content was predominant in all Amaranthus species in both 2018 and 2019. Among the nine Amaranthus species, the rutin content ranged from 95.72 ± 199.17 µg g-1 (A. dubius) to 1485.09 ± 679.51 µg g-1 (A. viridis) in 2018 and from 821.59 ± 709.95 µg g-1 (A. tricolor) to 3166.52 ± 1317.38 µg g-1 (A. hypochondriacus) in 2019. Correlation analysis revealed, significant positive correlations between rutin and kaempferol-3-O-ß-rutinoside (r = 0.93), benzoic acid and ferulic acid (r = 0.76), and benzoic acid and kaempferol-3-O-ß-rutinoside (r = 0.76), whereas gallic acid showed consistently negative correlations with each of the 16 phenolic compounds. Wide variations were identified among accessions and between plants grown in the two years. The nine species and one hundred twenty Amaranthus accessions were clustered into six groups based on their seventeen phenolic compounds in each year. These findings contribute to expanding our understanding of the phytochemical traits of accessions within nine Amaranthus species, which serve as valuable resources for Amaranthus component breeding and functional material development.

Nanomodulators targeting endothelial WNT and pericytes to reversibly open the blood-tumor barrier for boosted brain tumor therapy.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB)/blood-tumor barrier (BTB) impedes brain entry of most brain-targeted drugs, whether they are water-soluble or hydrophobic. Endothelial WNT signaling and neoplastic pericytes maintain BTB low permeability by regulating tight junctions. Here, we proposed nitazoxanide (NTZ) and ibrutinib (IBR) co-loaded ICAM-1-targeting nanoparticles (NI@I-NPs) to disrupt the BTB in a time-dependent, reversible, and size-selective manner by targeting specific ICAM-1, inactivating WNT signaling and depleting pericytes in tumor-associated blood vessels in breast cancer brain metastases. At the optimal NTZ/IBR mass ratio (1:2), BTB opening reached the optimum effect at 48-72 h without any sign of intracranial edema and cognitive impairment. The combination of NI@I-NPs and chemotherapeutic drugs (doxorubicin and etoposide) extended the median survival of mice with breast cancer brain metastases. Targeting BTB endothelial WNT signaling and tumor pericytes via NI@I-NPs could open the BTB to improve chemotherapeutic efficiency against brain metastases.

Comparison of miscarriage rates in low prognosis patients according to the POSEIDON criteria.

OBJECTIVE: The POSEIDON criteria stratified patients with poor ovarian response into four subgroups with exclusive characteristics and assisted reproductive technology success rates. However, limited studies focused on miscarriage in the POSEIDON population. This study aimed to explore whether the miscarriage rate different among low prognosis patients according to POSEIDON criteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study. All clinical pregnancies achieved after in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment between January 1998 and April 2021 were analyzed. The primary outcome was miscarriage, defined as the pregnancy loss before 20 weeks of gestation age. Miscarriage rate was estimated per clinical pregnancy and gestational sac. RESULTS: A total of 1222 clinical pregnancies from 1088 POSEIDON patients met the inclusion criteria. The miscarriage rates per clinical pregnancy in each POSEIDON subgroup were as follows: Group 1: 11.7 %, Group 2: 26.5 %, Group 3: 20.9 %, and Group 4: 37.5 %. The miscarriage rate per gestational sac showed a similar trend as the clinical miscarriage rate. Multivariate regression analysis showed that advanced maternal age is an independent factor for miscarriage (Group 2 vs. 1: OR 2.476; Group 4 vs. 3: OR 2.252). Patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) have higher miscarriage risks but without significance (Group 3 vs. 1: OR 1.322; Group 4 vs. 2: OR 1.202). CONCLUSION: Miscarriage rates differed among low prognosis patients according to the POSEIDON criteria. Age remains a determined risk for miscarriage. DOR might be a potential factor for miscarriage, but it didn't account for a significant impact in POSEIDON patients.

Using texture analysis of ultrasound images to assess the effect of cupping therapy on muscle quality of the triceps.

The objectives were to investigate whether cupping therapy improves muscle quality and the interaction between duration and negative pressure of cupping therapy affects muscle quality. A 2×2 factorial design with repeated measures was used to examine the efficacy of cupping therapy on improving muscle quality. The independent factors were cupping pressures at -225 and -300 mmHg and cupping durations at 5 and 10 min, and the dependent factor was texture of B-mode ultrasound image of the triceps. Four cupping protocols were applied to 12 participants at 4 different days. Texture analysis including contrast, correlation, energy, and homogeneity was applied to assess muscle quality from 480 ultrasound images. The two-way repeated measures ANOVA showed that there was an interaction between the pressure and duration factors on the superficial layer of the triceps in contrast (F = 5.434, P = 0.004) and correlation (F = 6.274, P = 0.029). In contrast texture, the superficial layer of the triceps showed a significant increase in three protocols: -225 mmHg for 5 min (1.0434 ± 0.130), -300 mmHg for 5 min (1.0339 ±0.1407), and -300 mmHg for 10 min (1.0563 ±0.1432) except -225 mmHg for 10 min (0.9704 ±0.0985). In correlation texture, the superficial layer of the triceps showed a significant decrease in all protocols: -225 mmHg for 5 min (0.9556 ± 0.07), -225 mmHg for 10 min (0.9831 ± 0.0708), -300 mmHg for 5 min (0.9976 ± 0.055), and -300 mmHg for 10 min (0.9406 ± 0.0809). The results indicate that the interaction between the pressure and duration factors of cupping therapy significantly increases contrast texture and significantly decreases correlation texture of the superficial layer of the triceps after cupping therapy. Cupping therapy decreases homogeneity among soft tissues of the treated muscle.