Age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index is associated with the risk of osteoporosis in older fall-prone men: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence linking the age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (aCCI), an assessment tool for multimorbidity, to fragility fracture and fracture-related postoperative complications. However, the role of multimorbidity in osteoporosis has not yet been thoroughly evaluated. We aimed to investigate the association between aCCI and the risk of osteoporosis in older adults at moderate to high risk of falling. METHODS: A total of 947 men were included from January 2015 to August 2022 in a hospital in Beijing, China. The aCCI was calculated by counting age and each comorbidity according to their weighted scores, and the participants were stratified into two groups by aCCI: low (aCCI < 5), and high (aCCI ≥5). The Kaplan Meier method was used to assess the cumulative incidence of osteoporosis by different levels of aCCI. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate the association of aCCI with the risk of osteoporosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was adapted to assess the performance for aCCI in osteoporosis screening. RESULTS: At baseline, the mean age of all patients was 75.7 years, the mean BMI was 24.8 kg/m2, and 531 (56.1%) patients had high aCCI while 416 (43.9%) were having low aCCI. During a median follow-up of 6.6 years, 296 participants developed osteoporosis. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that participants with high aCCI had significantly higher cumulative incidence of osteoporosis compared with those had low aCCI (log-rank test: P < 0.001). When aCCI was examined as a continuous variable, the multivariable-adjusted model showed that the osteoporosis risk increased by 12.1% (HR = 1.121, 95% CI 1.041-1.206, P = 0.002) as aCCI increased by one unit. When aCCI was changed to a categorical variable, the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios associated with different levels of aCCI [low (reference group) and high] were 1.00 and 1.557 (95% CI 1.223-1.983) for osteoporosis (P <  0.001), respectively. The aCCI (cutoff ≥5) revealed an area under ROC curve (AUC) of 0.566 (95%CI 0.527-0.605, P = 0.001) in identifying osteoporosis in older fall-prone men, with sensitivity of 64.9% and specificity of 47.9%. CONCLUSIONS: The current study indicated an association of higher aCCI with an increased risk of osteoporosis among older fall-prone men, supporting the possibility of aCCI as a marker of long-term skeletal-related adverse clinical outcomes.

Factors associated with out-of-school physical activity among Chinese children and adolescents: A stratified cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This observational study examined the factors associated with the physical activity (PA) of children and adolescents outside of school within the framework of Problem Behavior Theory (PBT). METHODS: This cross-sectional study obtained data from 6528 children and adolescents aged 6-16 years recruited from ten schools in Shanghai, China. The questionnaire measured out-of-school PA and PBT-based correlates. A series of multiple linear regressions were used to explore the factors influencing children and adolescents' out-of-school PA separately. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to explore the association between the three systems of PBT and out-of-school PA. RESULTS: Higher intrinsic motivation is positively associated with increased PA for children (b = 1.038, 95%CI: 0.897-1.180) and adolescents (b = 1.207, 95%CI: 0.890-1.524). Greater frequency of parental involvement in PA correlates with elevated PA for both children (b = 2.859, 95%CI: 2.147-3.572) and adolescents (b = 2.147, 95%CI: 0.311-3.983). In children, increased use of community exercise areas or facilities (b = 1.705, 95%CI: 0.234-3.176) and higher recreational screen time (b = 9.732, 95%CI: 5.614-13.850) are associated with higher PA. The SEM showed that factors of the personality system had a significant direct effect on out-of-school PA among children and adolescents, and factors of the behavior system also had a significant effect on children. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the personality system, particularly intrinsic motivation, is important in promoting out-of-school PA in children and adolescents. For children, modifiable health behaviors in the behavior system can similarly influence PA.

Establishment and application of perceived age prediction model for the periocular aging research of Chinese Han women.

BACKGROUND: The assessment of skin aging through skin measurements faces limitations, making perceived age evaluation a more valuable and direct tool for assessing skin aging. Given that the aging process markedly affects the appearance of the eye contour, characterizing the eye region could be beneficial for perceived age assessment. This study aimed to analyze age-correlated changes in the eye contour within the Chinese Han female population and to develop, validate, and apply a multiple linear regression model for predicting perceived age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A naïve panel of 107 Chinese women assessed the perceived ages of 212 Chinese Han women. Instrumental analysis evaluated periorbital parameters, including palpebral fissure width (PFW), palpebral fissure height (PFH), acclivity of palpebral fissure (AX), angle of inner canthal (AEN), and angle of outer canthal (AEX). These parameters were used to construct a multiple linear regression model for predicting the perceived ages of Chinese Han women. A combined treatment using Fotona 4D and an anti-aging eye cream, formulated with plant extracts, peptides, and antioxidants, was conducted to verify the cream's anti-aging efficacy and safety. This eye cream was then tested in a large-scale clinical trial involving 101 participants. The prediction model was employed in this trial to assess the perceived ages of the women after an 8-week application of the eye cream. RESULTS: All parameters were observed to decrease with age. An intergroup comparison indicated that eyelid aging in Chinese Han women accelerates beyond the age of 50. Consequently, a linear regression model was constructed and validated, with the perceived age being calculated as 183.159 - 1.078 * AEN - 4.487 * PFW + 6.061 * PFH - 1.003 * AX - 0.328 * AEX. The anti-aging efficacy and safety of the eye cream were confirmed through combined treatment with Fotona 4D, showing improvements in wrinkles, elasticity, and dark circles under the eyes. In a large-scale clinical evaluation using this eye cream, a perceived age prediction model was applied, suggesting that 8 weeks of use made participants appear 2.25 years younger. CONCLUSION: Our study developed and validated a multiple linear regression model to predict the perceived age of Chinese Han women. This model was successfully utilized in a large-scale clinical evaluation of anti-aging eye cream, revealing that 8 weeks of usage made participants appear 2.25 years younger. This method effectively bridges the gap between clinical research and consumer perceptions, explores the complex factors influencing perceived age, and aims to improve anti-aging formulations.

Lead Isolation and Capture in Perovskite Photovoltaics toward Eco-Friendly Commercialization.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are developed rapidly in efficiency and stability in recent years, which can compete with silicon solar cells. However, an important obstacle to the commercialization of PSCs is the toxicity of lead ions (Pb2+) from water-soluble perovskites. The entry of free Pb2+ into organisms can cause severe harm to humans, such as blood lead poisoning, organ failure, etc. Therefore, this work reports a "lead isolation-capture" dual detoxification strategy with calcium disodium edetate (EDTA Na-Ca), which can inhibit lead leakage from PSCs under extreme conditions. More importantly, leaked lead exists in a nontoxic aggregation state chelated by EDTA. For the first time, in vivo experiments are conducted in mice to systematically prove that this material has a significant inhibitory effect on the toxicity of perovskites. In addition, this strategy can further enhance device performance, enabling the optimized devices to achieve an impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.19%. This innovative strategy is a major breakthrough in the research on the prevention of lead toxicity in PSCs.

Lapagyl mitigates UV-induced inflammation and immunosuppression via Foxp3+ Tregs and CCL pathway: A single-cell transcriptomics study.

BACKGROUND: As the largest organ of the body, the skin is constantly subjected to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), leading to inflammations and changes that mirror those seen in chronological aging. Although various small molecule drugs have been explored for treating skin photoaging, they typically suffer from low stability and a high incidence of adverse reactions. Consequently, the continued investigation of photoaging treatments, particularly those utilizing herbal products, remains a critical clinical endeavor. One such herbal product, Lapagyl, is derived from the bark of the lapacho tree and possesses antioxidant efficacies that could be beneficial in combating skin photoaging. PURPOSE: This research aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the herbal product Lapagyl in combating UVR-induced skin photoaging. Additionally, it sought to unravel the mechanisms by which Lapagyl promotes the regeneration of the skin extracellular matrix. METHODS: To investigate whether Lapagyl can alleviate skin aging and damage, a UVR radiation model was established using SKH-1 hairless mice. The dorsal skins of these mice were evaluated for wrinkle formation, texture, moisture, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and elasticity. Pathological assessments were conducted to determine Lapagyl's efficacy. Additionally, single-cell sequencing and spectrum analysis were employed to elucidate the working mechanisms and primary components of Lapagyl in addressing UVR-induced skin aging and injury. RESULTS: Lapagyl markedly reduced UVR-induced wrinkles, moisture loss, and elasticity decrease in SKH-1 mice. Single-cell sequencing demonstrated that Lapagyl corrected the imbalance in cell proportions caused by UVR, decreased UVR-induced ROS expression, and protected basal and spinous cells from skin damage. Additionally, Lapagyl effectively prevented the entry of inflammatory cells into the skin by reducing CCL8 expression and curtailed the UVR-induced formation of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the skin. Both pathological assessments and ex vivo skin model results demonstrated that Lapagyl effectively reduced UVR-induced damage to collagen and elastin. Spectrum analysis identified Salidroside as the primary compound remaining in the skin following Lapagyl treatment. Taken together, our study elucidated the skin protection mechanism of the herbal product Lapagyl against UVR damage at the cellular level, revealing its immunomodulatory effects, with salidroside identified as the primary active compound for skin. CONCLUSION: Our study provided a thorough evaluation of Lapagyl's protective effects on skin against UVR damage, delving into the mechanisms at the cellular level. We discovered that Lapagyl mitigates skin inflammation and immunosuppression by regulating Foxp3+ Tregs and the CCL pathway. These insights indicate that Lapagyl has potential as a novel therapeutic option for addressing skin photoaging.

Boron-Containing Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles with Effective Delivery and Targeting of Liver Cancer Cells for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy.

Nanocarriers have been researched comprehensively for the development of novel boron-containing agents in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). We designed and synthesized a multifunctional mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN)-based boron-containing agent. The latter was coated with a lipid bilayer (LB) and decorated with SP94 peptide (SFSIIHTPILPL) on the surface as SP94-LB@BA-MSN. The latter incorporated boric acid (BA) into hydrophobic mesopores, coated with an LB, and modified with SP94 peptide on the LB. SP94-LB@BA-MSN enhanced nano interface tumor-targeting ability but also prevented the premature release of drugs, which is crucial for BNCT because adequate boron content in tumor sites is required. SP94-LB@BA-MSN showed excellent efficacy in the BNCT treatment of HepG-2 cells. In animal studies with tumor-bearing mice, SP94-LB@BA-MSN exhibited a satisfactory accumulation at the tumor site. The boron content reached 40.18 ± 5.41 ppm in the tumor site 4 h after injection, which was 8.12 and 15.51 times higher than those in mice treated with boronated phenylalanine and those treated with BA. For boron, the tumor-to-normal tissue ratio was 4.41 ± 1.13 and the tumor-to-blood ratio was 5.92 ± 0.45. These results indicated that nanoparticles delivered boron to the tumor site effectively while minimizing accumulation in normal tissues. In conclusion, this composite (SP94-LB@BA-MSN) shows great promise as a boron-containing delivery agent for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma using BNCT. These findings highlight the potential of MSNs in the field of BNCT.

Evaluating the learning curve of endoscopic surgery for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: A single-center experience in a county hospital.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic surgery has shown promise in treating Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage (sICH), but its adoption in county-level hospitals has been hindered by the high level of surgical expertise required. METHODS: In this retrospective study at a county hospital, we utilized a Cumulative Sum (CUSUM) control chart to visualize the learning curve for two neurosurgeons. We compared patient outcomes in the learning and proficient phases, and compared them with expected outcomes based on ICH score and ICH functional outcome score, respectively. RESULTS: The learning curve peaked at the 12th case for NS1 and the 8th case for NS2, signifying the transition to the proficient stage. This stage saw reductions in operation time, blood loss, rates of evacuation < 90 %, rebleeding rates, intensive care unit stay, hospital stay, and overall costs for both neurosurgeons. In the learning stage, 6 deaths occurred within 30 days, less than the 10.66 predicted by the ICH score. In the proficient stage, 3 deaths occurred, less than the 15.88 predicted. In intermediate and high-risk patients by the ICH functional outcome score, the proficient stage had fewer patients with an mRS ≥ 3 at three months than the learning stage (23.8 % vs. 69.2 %, P = 0.024; 40 % vs. 80 %, P = 0.360). Micromanipulating bipolar precision hemostasis and aspiration devices in the endoport's channels sped up the transition from learning to proficient. CONCLUSION: The data shows a learning curve, with better surgical outcomes as surgeons gain proficiency. This suggests cost benefits of surgical proficiency and the need for ongoing surgical education and training in county hospitals.

Isolation of High-Quality Plastids from the Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum.

Phaeodactylum tricornutum, a model pennate diatom, carries a secondary plastid surrounded by four membranes. Its biological function remains mysterious, supposed to combine features of the primary chloroplast and the endomembrane system. Isolation of high-quality plastid from the diatom enables a more conclusive understanding of the special structure and metabolic pathways in the plastid. Due to the direct continuity between the chloroplast endoplasmic reticulum membrane (cERM) and the outer nuclear envelope together with the integration of cERM into the cellular endoplasmic reticulum (ER) system, the plastid isolation is still challenging. In this study, highly purified P. tricornutum plastids with the four-layered membrane are obtained by Percoll density gradient centrifugation. The isolated plastids are unlikely to contain any residue of nuclear and coatomer compartments, and they might contain a relatively small contamination of mitochondrion and ER debris.

Hydrogen alleviates impaired lung epithelial barrier in acute respiratory distress syndrome via inhibiting Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission through the Trx1 pathway.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is an acute and severe clinical complication lacking effective therapeutic interventions. The disruption of the lung epithelial barrier plays a crucial role in ARDS pathogenesis. Recent studies have proposed the involvement of abnormal mitochondrial dynamics mediated by dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) in the mechanism of impaired epithelial barrier in ARDS. Hydrogen is an anti-oxidative stress molecule that regulates mitochondrial function via multiple signaling pathways. Our previous study confirmed that hydrogen modulated oxidative stress and attenuated acute pulmonary edema in ARDS by upregulating thioredoxin 1 (Trx1) expression, but the exact mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of hydrogen on mitochondrial dynamics both in vivo and in vitro. Our study revealed that hydrogen inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced phosphorylation of Drp1 (at Ser616), suppressed Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission, alleviated epithelial tight junction damage and cell apoptosis, and improved the integrity of the epithelial barrier. This process was associated with the upregulation of Trx1 in lung epithelial tissues of ARDS mice by hydrogen. In addition, hydrogen treatment reduced the production of reactive oxygen species in LPS-induced airway epithelial cells (AECs) and increased the mitochondrial membrane potential, indicating that the mitochondrial dysfunction was restored. Then, the expression of tight junction proteins occludin and zonula occludens 1 was upregulated, and apoptosis in AECs was alleviated. Remarkably, the protective effects of hydrogen on the mitochondrial and epithelial barrier were eliminated after applying the Trx1 inhibitor PX-12. The results showed that hydrogen significantly inhibited the cell apoptosis and the disruption of epithelial tight junctions, maintaining the integrity of the epithelial barrier in mice of ARDS. This might be related to the inhibition of Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission through the Trx1 pathway. The findings of this study provided a new theoretical basis for the application of hydrogen in the clinical treatment of ARDS.

Evaluation of the psychometrics of the Social Impact Scale and its association with depression among asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 carriers experience psychological stresses and mental health issues such as varying degrees of stigma. The Social Impact Scale (SIS) can be used to measure the stigmatisation of COVID-19 carriers who experience such problems. AIMS: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the SIS, and the association between stigma and depression among asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers in Shanghai, China. METHOD: A total of 1283 asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers from Shanghai Ruijin Jiahe Fangcang Shelter Hospital were recruited, with a mean age of 39.64 ± 11.14 years (59.6% male). Participants completed questionnaires, including baseline information and psychological measurements, the SIS and Self-Rating Depression Scale. The psychometrics of the SIS and its association with depression were examined through exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS: The average participant SIS score was 42.66 ± 14.61 (range: 24-96) years. Analyses suggested the model had four factors: social rejection, financial insecurity, internalised shame and social isolation. The model fit statistics of the four-factor SIS were 0.913 for the comparative fit index, 0.902 for the Tucker-Lewis index and 0.088 for root-mean-square error of approximation. Standard estimated factor loadings ranged from 0.509 to 0.836. After controlling for demographic characteristics, the total score of the 23-item SIS predicted depression (odds ratio: 1.087, 95% CI 1.061-1.115; area under the curve: 0.84, 95% CI 0.788-0.892). CONCLUSIONS: The Chinese version of the SIS showed good psychometric properties and can be used to assess the level of perceived stigma experienced by asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers.

The dynamic role of nucleoprotein SHCBP1 in the cancer cell cycle and its potential as a synergistic target for DNA-damaging agents in cancer therapy.

BACKGROUND: Malignant tumours seriously threaten human life and health, and effective treatments for cancer are still being explored. The ability of SHC SH2 domain-binding protein 1 (SHCBP1) to induce cell cycle disturbance and inhibit tumour growth has been increasingly studied, but its dynamic role in the tumour cell cycle and corresponding effects leading to mitotic catastrophe and DNA damage have rarely been studied. RESULTS: In this paper, we found that the nucleoprotein SHCBP1 exhibits dynamic spatiotemporal expression during the tumour cell cycle, and SHCBP1 knockdown slowed cell cycle progression by inducing spindle disorder, as reflected by premature mitotic entry and multipolar spindle formation. This dysfunction was caused by G2/M checkpoint impairment mediated by downregulated WEE1 kinase and NEK7 (a member of the mammalian NIMA-related kinase family) expression and upregulated centromere/kinetochore protein Zeste White 10 (ZW10) expression. Moreover, both in vivo and in vitro experiments confirmed the significant inhibitory effects of SHCBP1 knockdown on tumour growth. Based on these findings, SHCBP1 knockdown in combination with low-dose DNA-damaging agents had synergistic tumouricidal effects on tumour cells. In response to this treatment, tumour cells were forced into the mitotic phase with considerable unrepaired DNA lesions, inducing mitotic catastrophe. These synergistic effects were attributed not only to the abrogation of the G2/M checkpoint and disrupted spindle function but also to the impairment of the DNA damage repair system, as demonstrated by mass spectrometry-based proteomic and western blotting analyses. Consistently, patients with low SHCBP1 expression in tumour tissue were more sensitive to radiotherapy. However, SHCBP1 knockdown combined with tubulin-toxic drugs weakened the killing effect of the drugs on tumour cells, which may guide the choice of chemotherapeutic agents in clinical practice. CONCLUSION: In summary, we elucidated the role of the nucleoprotein SHCBP1 in tumour cell cycle progression and described a novel mechanism by which SHCBP1 regulates tumour progression and through which targeting SHCBP1 increases sensitivity to DNA-damaging agent therapy, indicating its potential as a cancer treatment.

The greener the living environment, the better the health? Examining the effects of multiple green exposure metrics on physical activity and health among young students.

The sedentary and less active lifestyle of modern college students has a significant impact on the physical and mental well-being of the college community. Campus Green Spaces (GSs) are crucial in promoting physical activity and improving students' health. However, previous research has focused on evaluating campuses as a whole, without considering the diverse spatial scenarios within the campus environment. Accordingly, this study focused on the young people's residential scenario in university and constructed a framework including a comprehensive set of objective and subjective GSs exposure metrics. A systematic, objective exposure assessment framework ranging from 2D (GSs areas), and 2.5D (GSs visibility) to 3D (GSs volume) was innovatively developed using spatial analysis, deep learning technology, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) measurement technology. Subjective exposure metrics incorporated GSs visiting frequency, GSs visiting duration, and GSs perceived quality. Our cross-sectional study was based on 820 university students in Nanjing, China. Subjective measures of GSs exposure, physical activity, and health status were obtained through self-reported questionnaires. The Generalized Linear Model (GLM) was used to evaluate the associations between GSs exposure, physical activity, and perceived health. Physical activity and social cohesion were considered as mediators, and path analysis based on Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to disentangle the mechanisms linking GSs exposure to the health status of college students. We found that (1) 2D indicator suggested significant associations with health in the 100m buffer, and the potential underlying mechanisms were: GSs area → Physical activity → Social cohesion → Physical health → Mental health; GSs area → Physical activity → Social cohesion → Mental health. (2) Subjective GSs exposure indicators were more relevant in illustrating exposure-response relationships than objective ones. This study can clarify the complex nexus and mechanisms between campus GSs, physical activity, and health, and provide a practical reference for health-oriented campus GSs planning.

Astragalus polysaccharides attenuate rat aortic endothelial senescence via regulation of the SIRT-1/p53 signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) have been verified to have antioxidative and antiaging activities in the mouse liver and brain. However, the effect of APS on aortic endothelial senescence in old rats and its underlying mechanism are currently unclear. Here, we aimed to elucidate the effects of APS on rat aortic endothelial oxidative stress and senescence in vitro and in vivo and investigate the potential molecular targets. METHODS: Twenty-month-old natural aging male rats were treated with APS (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg daily) for 3 months. Serum parameters were tested using corresponding assay kits. Aortic morphology was observed by staining with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Verhoeff Van Gieson (VVG). Aging-related protein levels were evaluated using immunofluorescence and western blot analysis. Primary rat aortic endothelial cells (RAECs) were isolated by tissue explant method. RAEC mitochondrial function was evaluated by the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) measured with the fluorescent lipophilic cationic dye JC­1. Intracellular total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) was detected by a commercial kit. Cellular senescence was assessed using senescence-associated-ß-galactosidase (SA-ß-Gal) staining. RESULTS: Treatment of APS for three months was found to lessen aortic wall thickness, renovate vascular elastic tissue, improve vascular endothelial function, and reduce oxidative stress levels in 20-month-old rats. Primary mechanism analysis showed that APS treatment enhanced Sirtuin 1 (SIRT-1) protein expression and decreased the levels of the aging marker proteins p53, p21 and p16 in rat aortic tissue. Furthermore, APS abated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cell senescence and restored H2O2-induced impairment of the MMP and T-AOC in RAECs. Similarly, APS increased SIRT-1 and decreased p53, p21 and p16 protein levels in senescent RAECs isolated from old rats. Knockdown of SIRT-1 diminished the protective effect of APS against H2O2-induced RAEC senescence and T-AOC loss, increased the levels of the downstream proteins p53 and p21, and abolished the inhibitory effect of APS on the expression of these proteins in RAECs. CONCLUSION: APS may reduce rat aortic endothelial oxidative stress and senescence via the SIRT-1/p53 signaling pathway.

Case report: Exploring the utility of whole-body bone scintigraphy for pediatric Langerhans cell histiocytosis: insights from clinical practice.

Purpose: This mini-review delves into the realm of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) in children, focusing on its skeletal involvement. By synthesizing pertinent literature, we sought to provide a comprehensive understanding of LCH's clinical and radiographic spectrum. Our study then demonstrates the diagnostic prowess of whole-body 99mTc-methyl diphosphonate (MDP) scintigraphy in LCH cases, underscoring its value in tandem with existing knowledge. Methods: Our approach involved an extensive literature review that contextualized LCH within the current medical landscape. Subsequently, we presented a case series featuring five pediatric instances of skeletal LCH, one accompanied by soft tissue infiltration. The principal aim was to illuminate the diagnostic and staging potential of whole-body 99mTc-MDP scintigraphy, augmenting existing insights. Results: Through meticulous literature synthesis, we highlighted pediatric LCH's protean clinical manifestations and radiological variability. Aligning with this spectrum, our case series underscored the role of 99mTc-MDP scintigraphy in diagnosing and staging LCH. Among the five pediatric cases, one demonstrated concurrent soft tissue involvement. This aligns with the multifaceted nature of LCH presentations. Conclusion: Pediatric LCH can present with a wide range of clinical and radiologic features. By amalgamating our cases with extant literature, we stress the necessity of a multimodal strategy. 99mTc-MDP scintigraphy emerged as an indispensable tool for accurate staging and soft tissue detection. Our findings collectively advocate for a holistic approach to managing LCH, ensuring informed therapeutic decisions for optimal patient outcomes.

Diagnosing postoperative lymph node metastasis in thyroid cancer with multimodal radiomics and clinical features.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic value of texture analysis for lymph node metastasis after thyroid cancer surgery. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) examination before 131I treatment at Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital between 2017 and 2020. Clinical follow-up results were used as the criterion for determining the presence of lymph node metastasis. The study included 119 patients, who were then randomly divided into training and test groups in a 7:3 ratio. Regions of interest were identified, and radiomics features were extracted using LIFEx 7.3.0. Mann-Whitney U test and LASSO regression were employed to screen radiomics parameters for modeling. Subsequently, a nomogram model was built by combining radscore and clinical features. SPSS 26.0 software was utilized for statistical analysis, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Follow-up confirmed 54 patients with thyroid cancer lymph node metastasis and 65 patients in the non-metastasis group. A total of 119 lymph nodes were delineated. For each lesion, 164 CT texture features and 164 PET texture features were extracted, and 107 significant parameters were identified, including 16 CT texture parameters and 91 PET texture parameters. After screening, 3 CT parameters, 4 PET parameters and 12 PET/CT parameters were selected to establish three radiomic models. The AUC values were as follows: AUC (CT) = 0.730, AUC (PET) = 0.759 and AUC (PET/CT) = 0.864. We then combined clinical features and radscore to construct a nomogram, resulting in a C-index of 0.915 in the training group. In the test group, the C-index was confirmed to be 0.868. Conclusions: Radiomics may enhance the diagnostic efficiency of lymph node metastases after thyroid cancer surgery and could potentially assist clinicians in future diagnoses. The developed nomogram, which combines radiomics and clinical features, offers relatively high accuracy in helping clinicians assess the risk of metastasis in thyroid patients after surgery.

A Transferability-Based Method for Evaluating the Protein Representation Learning.

Self-supervised pre-trained language models have recently risen as a powerful approach in learning protein representations, showing exceptional effectiveness in various biological tasks, such as drug discovery. Amidst the evolving trend in protein language model development, there is an observable shift towards employing large-scale multimodal and multitask models. However, the predominant reliance on empirical assessments using specific benchmark datasets for evaluating these models raises concerns about the comprehensiveness and efficiency of current evaluation methods. Addressing this gap, our study introduces a novel quantitative approach for estimating the performance of transferring multi-task pre-trained protein representations to downstream tasks. This transferability-based method is designed to quantify the similarities in latent space distributions between pre-trained features and those fine-tuned for downstream tasks. It encompasses a broad spectrum, covering multiple domains and a variety of heterogeneous tasks. To validate this method, we constructed a diverse set of protein-specific pre-training tasks. The resulting protein representations were then evaluated across several downstream biological tasks. Our experimental results demonstrate a robust correlation between the transferability scores obtained using our method and the actual transfer performance observed. This significant correlation highlights the potential of our method as a more comprehensive and efficient tool for evaluating protein representation learning.

Photochemical Shield Enabling Highly Efficient Perovskite Photovoltaics.

Oxygen is difficult to be physically removed. Oxygen will be excited by light to form free radicals which further attack the lattice of perovskite. The stabilization of α-FAPbI3 against δ-FAPbI3 is the key to optimize perovskite solar cells. Herein, the simple molecule, benzaldehyde (BAH) is adopted. The photochemical shield will be established in perovskite layer. Moreover, heterogeneous nucleation induced by BAH enhances the crystallization of α-FAPbI3 . Consequently, the stability of device is improved significantly. The target device maintains 95% of original power conversion efficiency after 1500 h under air conditions and light-emitting diode light. The power conversion efficiency increases from 23.21% of pristine device to 24.82% of target device.