An innovative approach for assessing coronary artery lesions: Fusion of wrist pulse and photoplethysmography using a multi-sensor pulse diagnostic device.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of mortality globally and poses a significant threat to public health. Coronary angiography (CAG) is a gold standard for the clinical diagnosis of CHD, but its invasiveness restricts its widespread application. In this study, we utilized a pulse diagnostic device equipped with pressure and photoelectric sensors to synchronously and non-invasively capture wrist pressure pulse waves and fingertip photoplethysmography (FPPG) of patients undergoing CAG. The extracted features were utilized in constructing random forest-based models to assessing the severity of coronary artery lesions. Notably, Model 3, incorporating both wrist pulse and FPPG features, surpassed Model 1 (solely utilizing wrist pulse features) and Model 2 (solely utilizing FPPG features). Model3 achieved an Accuracy, Precision, Recall, and F1-score of 78.79%, 78.69%, 78.79%, and 78.70%, respectively. Compared to Model1 and Model2, Model 3 exhibited improvements by 4.55%, 5.25%, 4.55%, and 5.12%, and 6.06%, 6.58%, 6.06%, and 6.54% respectively. This fusion of wrist pulse and FPPG features in Model 3 highlights the advantages of multi-source information fusion for model optimization. Additionally, this research provides invaluable insights into the novel development of diagnostic devices imbued with TCM principles and their potential in managing cardiovascular diseases.

Prognostic factors of palatal adenoid cystic carcinoma: A single-center analysis of 85 cases.

Objective: The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the clinicopathological characteristics of primary adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the palate and to identify the factors affecting prognosis. Methods: The medical records of 85 patients with primary ACC of the palate treated with surgery, with or without adjuvant radiotherapy/chemotherapy, from 2009 to 2019 were reviewed. The relationship of different clinical parameters with locoregional recurrence (LR), distant metastasis (DM), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. Results: Median follow-up time was 44.6 months. LR and DM rates were 24.7% and 25.9%, respectively, and the 5-year OS and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 85.9% and 55.1%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that positive margins were independently associated with the risk of LR (p < .001). Positive margins (p = .001) and high histological grade (p = .031) were significantly associated with shorter OS. Conclusion: Positive surgical margins are a strong adverse prognostic factor affecting LR and OS in patients with ACC; apart from that, high histopathological grade is an independent predictor of poor OS. Level of Evidence: Level 3 (Prognosis - Cohort study).

Comparative Analysis of Ultrasound-Assisted Precise Localization vs. Traditional Open Incision in Situ Decompression for the Treatment of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome.

AIM: To retrospectively analyze and compare ultrasound-assisted localization in situ with the traditional, open incision method for treating cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 51 patients treated between 2018 and 2022 and categorized them according to treatment method: ultrasound-assisted precise localization in situ decompression (n=21; Cohort 1) and traditional open incision in situ decompression (n=30; Cohort 2). We additionally collected Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) scores, modified Bishop scores, aesthetic appearance, preoperative Dellon's stage, and analgesics requirements. Additional dependent variables of interest included operation time, hospital stay duration, complications, and reoperation rate. RESULTS: Neither cohort demonstrated significant changes in Dellon's stage, modified Bishop score, or VAS scores between baseline and 6 weeks postoperative. Cohort 1 showed better aesthetics and postoperative VSS and VAS scores than Cohort 1. In addition, Cohort 1 enjoyed a significantly shorter mean operation time and hospital stay. Cohort 1 had 5 (23.80%) complications, including superficial infection (n=1), hematoma (n=1), and incomplete decompression (n=3). Cohort 2 had 9 complications (30.00%), including superficial infection (n=2), hematoma (n=2), and severe scarring (n=5). The partial, incomplete decompression cases in Cohort 1 and the severe scar case in Cohort 2 were treated with reoperation. CONCLUSION: Both procedures effectively treated most cases of CuTS and were associated with good postoperative outcomes. Patients who underwent ultrasound-assisted localization in situ decompression had shorter surgeries and hospital stays, better postoperative aesthetics, better VSS and VAS scores, and required less pain medication during the postoperative period. Traditional open incision in situ produced a more thorough decompression.

Repeatability of Pentacam-derived intraocular lens decentration measurements and the level of agreement with OPD-Scan III: A prospective observational case series.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the repeatability of intraocular lens (IOL) decentration measurements obtained through Pentacam, based on corneal topographic axis (CTA) and pupillary axis (PA), and to evaluate the level of agreement between Pentacam and OPD-Scan III devices in measuring IOL decentration. METHODS: In this prospective observational case series, three measurements were performed with Pentacam to evaluate the repeatability of the measurements. The analysis included the calculation of the mean and standard deviations (SD), conducting a repeated measures analysis of variance (rANOVA), and determining an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to assess the repeatability of the measurements. Moreover, Bland-Altman analysis was employed to assess the agreement between Pentacam and OPD-Scan III devices in measuring IOL decentration. IOL decentration measurements were obtained with respect to both CTA and PA. RESULTS: A total of 40 eyes from 40 patients were analyzed. The rANOVA revealed no significant difference among three consecutive measurements of IOL decentration obtained with Pentacam. The mean SD of all parameters ranged from 0.04 mm to 0.07 mm. With CTA as the reference axis, the ICC values for Pentacam measurements of IOL decentration were 0.82 mm for the X-axis, 0.76 mm for the Y-axis, and 0.82 mm for spatial distance. When using PA as the reference axis, the corresponding ICC values were 0.87, 0.89, and 0.77, respectively. The 95% limits of agreement for all IOL decentration measurements were wide when comparing Pentacam and OPD-Scan III. CONCLUSIONS: Pentacam demonstrated high repeatability in measuring IOL decentration with respect to both CTA and PA. However, due to poor agreement between Pentacam and OPD-Scan III measurements, caution should be exercised when using data interchangeably between the two devices.

Spinal sirtuin 2 attenuates bone cancer pain by deacetylating FoxO3a.

Bone cancer pain (BCP) is refractory to currently used analgesics. Recently, sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) was reported to play a vital role in neuropathic pain but its role in BCP remains unknown. It was hypothesized that spinal SIRT2 attenuates BCP by deacetylating FoxO3a and suppressing oxidative stress. The mouse model of BCP established by injecting tumor cells into the intramedullary space of the femur demonstrated that spinal SIRT2 and FoxO3a were downregulated in BCP development. Intrathecal administration of LV-SIRT2 reduced pain hypersensitivity (mechanical and thermal nociception) in BCP mice. Spinal SIRT2 overexpression upregulated FoxO3a and antioxidant genes (SOD2 and catalase) and inhibited FoxO3a acetylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. Moreover, intrathecal administration of SIRT2 shRNA induced pain hypersensitivity in normal mice. Spinal SIRT2 knockdown downregulated FoxO3a and antioxidant genes and increased FoxO3a acetylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. In summary, spinal SIRT2 increases FoxO3a expression in BCP mice and inhibits oxidative stress by deacetylating FoxO3a and further reducing FoxO3a phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and degradation, leading to BCP relief.

Nuclear deformation and cell division of single cell on elongated micropatterned substrates fabricated by DMD lithography.

Cells sense mechanical signals from the surrounding environment and transmit them to the nucleus through mechanotransduction to regulate cellular behavior. Microcontact printing, which utilizes elastomer stamps, is an effective method for simulating the cellular microenvironment and manipulating cell morphology. However, the conventional fabrication process of silicon masters and elastomer stamps requires complex procedures and specialized equipment, which restricts the widespread application of micropatterning in cell biology and hinders the investigation of the role of cell geometry in regulating cell behavior. In this study, we present an innovative method for convenient resin stamp microfabrication based on digital micromirror device planar lithography. Using this method, we generated a series of patterns ranging from millimeter to micrometer scales and validated their effectiveness in controlling adhesion at both collective and individual cell levels. Additionally, we investigated mechanotransduction and cell behavior on elongated micropatterned substrates. We then examined the effects of cell elongation on cytoskeleton organization, nuclear deformation, focal adhesion formation, traction force generation, nuclear mechanics, and the growth of HeLa cells. Our findings reveal a positive correlation between cell length and mechanotransduction. Interestingly, HeLa cells with moderate length exhibit the highest cell division and proliferation rates. These results highlight the regulatory role of cell elongation in mechanotransduction and its significant impact on cancer cell growth. Furthermore, our methodology for controlling cell adhesion holds the potential for addressing fundamental questions in both cell biology and biomedical engineering.

Determinants of consumer intention to adopt a self-service technology strategy for last-mile delivery in Guangzhou, China.

Self-service technology (SST) is a logistic innovation in e-commerce that enhances last-mile delivery efficiency in supply chain management. By combining Innovation Diffusion Theory with Resource Matching Theory, we proposed a comprehensive framework to explain the relationships between beliefs, attitude, and intention in Guanzhou, China. The findings revealed that attitude played a crucial role in influencing consumer intention to adopt SST and that attitude has direct and indirect effects. Additionally, consumer perceptions of compatibility, relative advantage, reliability, and complexity indirectly affected their adoption intention through attitude. These factors had positive and negative effects. The results highlighted the importance of attitudes as immediate predictors of intention, as consumer attitudes (favorable and unfavorable) were shaped by their perceptions. We conclude by recommending strategies to promote positive attitudes toward SST and enhance safety, efficiency, and the overall user experience.

Experience in the treatment of long-gap esophageal atresia by intraluminal esophageal stretching elongation.

Objective: To summarize the experience with intraluminal esophageal stretching elongation (ILESE) in the successful treatment of long-gap esophageal atresia (LGEA) at a single center. Methods: Clinical data of 68 neonates who underwent LGEA between February 2015 and January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Four patients died of multiple associated severe malformations and did not undergo ILESE. Esophageal anastomosis was successfully performed in 60 cases (93.75%) and failed in 4 cases (6.25%) treated with ILESE. The ILESE techniques, esophageal reconstruction, results, postoperative complications, and follow-up treatment were analyzed. Results: The beginning time of performing ILESE preoperation was 53.4 ± 39.4 days after birth, and the age of esophageal reconstruction was 122.2 ± 70.3 days after birth in 60 cases. The gap length of proximal and distal esophageal segments which were evaluated the first time at admission was 4.8 ± 1.3 vertebral bodies, whereas the gap before anastomosis was -0.46 ± 0.90 vertebral bodies. Among the patients with esophageal primary-anastomosis, 55 received thoracoscopic surgery, and 5 underwent thoracotomy in the early stage. Of the 60 children with ILESE, 58 underwent end-to-end esophagostomy, of which 17 cases were combined with circular esophagotomy (livaditis), and 2 cases of esophageal lengthening were combined with the reversal of the ligulate loop of the proximal esophagus (flap). Overall, 59 cases were cured (98.3%), and 1 patient died of respiratory failure postoperatively. All patients were followed up for 7-96 months. Postoperative anastomotic leakage occurred in 16 patients (27.6%), all of whom were successfully treated conservatively. Anastomotic stenosis occurred in 49 cases (83.1%), all of which were successfully managed by non-surgical treatment, including 12.7 ± 9.3 times of esophageal balloon dilatation and 2 cases of stent dilatation. Gastroesophageal reflux occurred in 44 patients (74.6%), including associated or acquired esophageal hiatal hernia in 22 patients, and Nissen fundoplication was performed in 17 patients. Conclusions: ILESE is an effective method for prolonging the proximal and distal esophagus of the LGEA to reconstruct esophageal continuity using its esophageal tissue, with an efficacy rate of 93.75%. Postoperative anastomotic stricture and gastroesophageal reflux are common and require long-term, standardized follow-up and treatment.

Effect of percutaneous vertebroplasty versus percutaneous kyphoplasty on post-operative wound pain in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

This research is intended to evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) versus percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) in osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF), which is associated with post-operative pain. Eligible studies were screened by searching multiple databases and sources such as PubMed, Cochrane and EMBASE for search terms updated to October 2023, and relevant literature sources were searched. Randomized, controlled, prospective or retrospective, and cohort studies were eligible. For the analysis of the primary results, an analysis of the data was carried out, such as mean difference (MD) or odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence interval (CI). In the present research, 1933 research was screened in 4 databases, and 30 articles were chosen to be examined under strict exclusion criteria. No statistical significance was found in the use of bone cement in the PVP group and PKP (MD, -0.60; 95% CI, -1.40, 0.21, p = 0.15); PKP was associated with a reduced risk of cement leak compared with PVP group (OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.38, 3.46, p = 0.0009); no statistical significance was found in the wound VAS score in PVP operation compared with that of PKP (MD, 0.16; 95% CI, -0.07, 0.40, p = 0.17); no statistical significance was found between the time of PVP operation and the time of PKP operation (MD, -2.65; 95% CI, -8.91, 3.60, p = 0.41). Compared with PVP technology, the PKP treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures reduces post-operative cement leakage, but there is no significant difference in the number of operative cement and wound VAS after operation. Nor did there appear to be a statistically significant difference in time between the two operations.

Human respiratory syncytial virus subgroups A and B outbreak in a kindergarten in Zhejiang Province, China, 2023.

Background: In May-June 2023, an unprecedented outbreak of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) infections occurred in a kindergarten, Zhejiang Province, China. National, provincial, and local public health officials investigated the cause of the outbreak and instituted actions to control its spread. Methods: We interviewed patients with the respiratory symptoms by questionnaire. Respiratory samples were screened for six respiratory pathogens by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The confirmed cases were further sequenced of G gene to confirm the HRSV genotype. A phylogenetic tree was reconstructed by maximum likelihood method. Results: Of the 103 children in the kindergarten, 45 were classified as suspected cases, and 25 cases were confirmed by RT-PCR. All confirmed cases were identified from half of classes. 36% (9/25) were admitted to hospital, none died. The attack rate was 53.19%. The median ages of suspected and confirmed cases were 32.7 months and 35.8 months, respectively. Nine of 27 confirmed cases lived in one community. Only two-family clusters among 88 household contacts were HRSV positive. A total of 18 of the G gene were obtained from the confirmed cases. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that 16 of the sequences belonged to the HRSV B/BA9 genotype, and the other 2 sequences belonged to the HRSV A/ON1 genotype. The school were closed on June 9 and the outbreak ended on June 15. Conclusion: These findings suggest the need for an increased awareness of HRSV coinfections outbreak in the kindergarten, when HRSV resurges in the community after COVID-19 pandemic.

Exploration of the Healthy Donor Effect Among 0.6 Million Blood Donors in China: Longitudinal Study.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of completely voluntary blood donation to maintain safe and sustainable blood supplies. However, the benefits of blood donation for donors, such as reducing the risk of disease, remain a topic of debate due to the existence of the healthy donor effect (HDE). This effect arises because of inherent health differences between blood donors and the general population, and it is also considered a methodological issue. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to generate a more detailed health profile of blood donors from a donor cohort study to mitigate and quantify the HDE and properly interpret the association between blood donation and disease outcomes among blood donors. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted between January 2012 and December 2018 among donors before their first donation. One-to-one propensity score matching was conducted through a random selection of individuals without any history of blood donation, as reported from their electronic health records. We conducted a Poisson regression between blood donors and non-blood donors before the first donation to estimate the adjusted incidence rate ratio (AIRR) of selected blood donation-related diseases, as defined by 13 categories of International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes. RESULTS: Of the 0.6 million blood donors, 15,115 had an inpatient record before their first donation, whereas 17,356 non-blood donors had an inpatient record. For the comparison between blood donors and the matched non-blood donors, the HDE (the disease incidence rate ratio between non-blood donors and blood donors) was an AIRR of 1.152 (95% CI 1.127-1.178; P<.001). Among disease categories not recommended for blood donation in China, the strongest HDE was observed in the ICD-10 D50-D89 codes, which pertain to diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs as well as certain disorders involving the immune mechanism (AIRR 3.225, 95% CI 2.402-4.330; P<.001). After age stratification, we found that people who had their first blood donation between 46-55 years old had the strongest HDE (AIRR 1.816, 95% CI 1.707-1.932; P<.001). Both male and female donors had significant HDE (AIRR 1.082, 95% CI 1.05-1.116; P=.003; and AIRR 1.236, 95% CI 1.196-1.277; P<.001, respectively) compared with matched non-blood donors. CONCLUSIONS: : Our research findings suggest that the HDE is present among blood donors, particularly among female donors and those who first donated blood between the ages of 46 and 55 years. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2200055983; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=51760.

Novel 532-nm Q-switched Nd: YAG laser for the treatment of melasma and rejuvenation: a prospective, randomized controlled comparison with 1,064-nm Q-switched Nd: YAG laser.

BACKGROUND: Melasma is a common pigmentary and photoaging disorder. Although various treatments, including 1,064-nm Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (QS-Nd: YAG) laser toning, are available for melasma, results are often unsatisfactory. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of 532-nm QS-Nd: YAG laser (shortwave toning) in patients with melasma and facial rejuvenation. METHODS: Fifty-two patients were recruited to receive either 1,064-nm QS-Nd: YAG laser or 532-nm QS-Nd: YAG laser every 2 weeks for 8 sessions and a 2-month follow-up visit in a randomized controlled double-blinded study. The primary outcome measure was the Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) score. Dermoscope and high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) were used to assess the improvement of melasma and photoaging. RESULTS: 532-nm QS-Nd: YAG laser achieved significantly higher improvement in the MASI score (P = 0.000). The Dermoscopic melasma score (DMS) displayed significant change and confirmed the improvement. HFUS showed a significant decrease in the thickness of the subepidermal low-echogenic band (SLEB) and increases in dermal thickness and dermal density in both groups (P = 0.000 for all). The rate of very satisfied responses was significantly higher in the 532-nm laser group (P = 0.001). There was no significant difference in the visual analog scale pain assessment score (P = 0.248) and recurrence rate (P = 0.734) between the two groups. CONCLUSION: 532-nm QS-Nd: YAG laser (shortwave toning) proved to be an effective and safe treatment for melasma and rejuvenation. Shortwave toning was significantly better for pigmentation clearance, while 1,064-nm laser showed better improvement in skin rejuvenation.

Performance and Interfacial Microstructure of Al/Steel Joints Welded by Resistance Element Welding.

In this study, an upper sheet of an A6061 aluminum alloy and a lower sheet of Q235 steel were welded by resistance element welding with a steel rivet. The temperature field during welding was calculated using ABAQUS numerical simulation software, and the interfacial microstructure was observed. A nugget was formed between the rivet shank and the lower sheet. With increases in welding current and welding time, the tensile shear load of the joint increased first and then decreased slightly. When the welding current was 14 kA and the welding time was 300 ms, the tensile shear load of the joint reached a maximum of 7.93 kN. The smaller the distance from the position to the lower sheet along the interface between the rivet shank and upper sheet, the longer the high-temperature duration and the higher the peak temperature during welding. At the junction of the rivet shank, upper sheet, and lower sheet in the joint, the high-temperature duration was the longest, at about 392 ms, and the peak temperature was the highest, at about 1237 °C. The results show that the smaller the distance from the position to the lower sheet along the interface between the rivet shank and the upper sheet in the joint, the thicker the reaction layer generated there, and that the thickness of the reaction layer was about 2.0 µm at the junction of the rivet shank, upper sheet, and lower sheet in the joint.

Identification and treatment of persistent small airway dysfunction in paediatric patients with asthma: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a common respiratory disease. In asthma, the small airways have more intensive inflammation and prominent airway remodelling, compared to the central airways. We aimed to investigate the predictive value of risk factors and the fractional concentration of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) for persistent small airway dysfunction (p-SAD), and compare the effects of different treatment modalities. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 248 children with asthma (aged 4-11 years). Binary logistic regression was used to analyse the risk factors for p-SAD. Correlations among FEV1/FVC, small airway function parameters, and FeNO levels in patients with asthma were analysed using Spearman's rank correlation. The receiver operating characteristic curve and the Delong test were used to analyse the predictive value of FeNO for p-SAD. Differences in the treatment effects of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and ICS with a long-acting beta-agonist (ICS/LABA) on p-SAD were analysed using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Asthmatic children with older age of receiving the regular treatment (OR 1.782, 95% CI 1.082-2.935), with younger age at the time of onset of suspected asthma symptoms (OR 0.602, 95% CI 0.365-0.993), with longer duration of using ICS or ICS/LABA (OR 1.642, 95% CI 1.170-2.305) and with worse asthma control (OR 3.893, 95% CI 1.699-8.922) had increased risk for p-SAD. Significant negative correlations of small airway function parameters with FeNO at a 200 mL/s flow rate (FeNO200), and the concentration of nitric oxide in the alveolar or acinar region (CaNO) were observed. The areas under the curve of FeNO200 (cut-off:10.5ppb), CaNO (cut-off:5.1ppb), and FeNO200 combined with CaNO were 0.743, 0.697, and 0.750, respectively, for asthma with p-SAD. After using ICS or ICS/LABA, switching to ICS/LABA was easier than continuing with ICS to improve small airway dysfunction (SAD) in the 8th month. CONCLUSIONS: Paediatric asthma with p-SAD is associated with older age at receiving regular treatment, younger age at the time of onset of suspected asthma symptoms, longer duration of using ICS or ICS/LABA, worse asthma control, and higher FeNO200 and CaNO levels, all of which can be combined with small airway function indicators to distinguish p-SAD from asthma. ICS/LABA improves SAD better than ICS alone.

Growth, spectroscopy and SESAM mode-locking of a "mixed" Yb:Ca(Gd,Y)AlO4 disordered crystal.

We present the growth, spectroscopy, continuous-wave (CW) and passively mode-locked (ML) operation of a novel "mixed" tetragonal calcium rare-earth aluminate crystal, Yb3+:Ca(Gd,Y)AlO4. The absorption, stimulated-emission, and gain cross-sections are derived for π and σ polarizations. The laser performance of a c-cut Yb:Ca(Gd,Y)AlO4 crystal is studied using a spatially single-mode, 976-nm fiber-coupled laser diode as a pump source. A maximum output power of 347 mW is obtained in the CW regime with a slope efficiency of 48.9%. The emission wavelength is continuously tunable across 90 nm (1010 - 1100 nm) using a quartz-based Lyot filter. With a commercial SEmiconductor Saturable Absorber Mirror to initiate and maintain ML operation, soliton pulses as short as 35 fs are generated at 1059.8 nm with an average output power of 51 mW at ∼65.95 MHz. The average output power can be scaled to 105 mW for slightly longer pulses of 42 fs at 1063.5 nm.

Mitochondrial oxidative damage reprograms lipid metabolism of renal tubular epithelial cells in the diabetic kidney.

The functional and structural changes in the proximal tubule play an important role in the occurrence and development of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Diabetes-induced metabolic changes, including lipid metabolism reprogramming, are reported to lead to changes in the state of tubular epithelial cells (TECs), and among all the disturbances in metabolism, mitochondria serve as central regulators. Mitochondrial dysfunction, accompanied by increased production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS), is considered one of the primary factors causing diabetic tubular injury. Most studies have discussed how altered metabolic flux drives mitochondrial oxidative stress during DKD. In the present study, we focused on targeting mitochondrial damage as an upstream factor in metabolic abnormalities under diabetic conditions in TECs. Using SS31, a tetrapeptide that protects the mitochondrial cristae structure, we demonstrated that mitochondrial oxidative damage contributes to TEC injury and lipid peroxidation caused by lipid accumulation. Mitochondria protected using SS31 significantly reversed the decreased expression of key enzymes and regulators of fatty acid oxidation (FAO), but had no obvious effect on major glucose metabolic rate-limiting enzymes. Mitochondrial oxidative stress facilitated renal Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) deposition and SS31 limited the elevated Acer1, S1pr1 and SPHK1 activity, and the decreased Spns2 expression. These data suggest a role of mitochondrial oxidative damage in unbalanced lipid metabolism, including lipid droplet (LD) formulation, lipid peroxidation, and impaired FAO and sphingolipid homeostasis in DKD. An in vitro study demonstrated that high glucose drove elevated expression of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), which, in turn, was responsible for the altered lipid metabolism, including LD generation and S1P accumulation, in HK-2 cells. A mitochondria-targeted antioxidant inhibited the activation of cPLA2f isoforms. Taken together, these findings identify mechanistic links between mitochondrial oxidative metabolism and reprogrammed lipid metabolism in diabetic TECs, and provide further evidence for the nephroprotective effects of SS31 via influencing metabolic pathways.

Deep-Learning-Based Nanomechanical Vibration for Rapid and Label-Free Assay of Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition.

Cancer is a profound danger to our life and health. The classification and related studies of epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes of cancer cells are key scientific questions in cancer research. Here, we investigated cancer cell colonies from a mechanical perspective and developed an assay for classifying epithelial/mesenchymal cancer cell colonies using the biomechanical fingerprint in the form of "nanovibration" in combination with deep learning. The classification method requires only 1 s of vibration data and has a classification accuracy of nearly 92.5%. The method has also been validated for the screening of anticancer drugs. Compared with traditional methods, the method has the advantages of being nondestructive, label-free, and highly sensitive. Furthermore, we proposed a perspective that subcellular structure influences the amplitude and spectrum of nanovibrations and demonstrated it using experiments and numerical simulation. These findings allow internal changes in the cell colony to be manifested by nanovibrations. This work provides a perspective and an ancillary method for cancer cell phenotype diagnosis and promotes the study of biomechanical mechanisms of cancer progression.

Sole brachytherapy for inoperable, recurrent, and irradiated salivary gland cancer.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Salivary gland cancers (SGCs) are hard to treat when inoperable, and sole brachytherapy appears to be a promising therapeutic strategy. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and capability of pain palliation using sole brachytherapy for inoperable, recurrent, and irradiated SGCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with inoperable SGCs treated using sole brachytherapy at Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology were retrospectively included. Patients were divided into primary and recurrent groups and irradiated and non-irradiated groups. Local control (LC), overall survival (OS), radiation-relevant toxicities, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for pain, were recorded and evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 176 patients from 2006 to 2020 were included. The 5-year LC rate was 48.6 %; for the primary, recurrent, non-irradiated and irradiated groups, the rates were 72.6 %, 39.5 %, 56.8 %, and 34.5 %, respectively. The 5-year OS rates was 52.6 %; for the primary, recurrent, non-irradiated, and irradiated groups, the rates were 62.9 %, 48.6 %, 58.9 %, and 42.3 %, respectively. The mean ± standard deviation of posttreatment VAS score of pain was 2.154 ± 2.989, which was significantly decreased from the score of 6.923 ± 2.280 prior to brachytherapy. Skin hyperpigmentation, mucositis, and dysphagia were the most frequently reported adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Brachytherapy as a sole modality, was retrospectively proven effective and safe in the management of inoperable SGCs and was beneficial in multiple irradiation and pain control.

Chemically Tailored Single Atoms for Targeted and Light-Controlled Bactericidal Activity.

Single-atom (SA) nanoparticles exhibit considerable potential in terms of photothermal properties for bactericidal applications. Nevertheless, the restricted efficacy of their targeted and controlled antibacterial activity has hindered their practical implementation. This study aims to overcome this obstacle by employing chemical modifications to tailor SAs, thereby achieving targeted and light-controlled antimicrobial effects. By conducting atomic-level modifications on palladium SAs using glutathione (GSH) and mercaptophenylboronic acid (MBA), their superior targeted binding capabilities toward Escherichia coli cells are demonstrated, surpassing those of SAs modified with cysteine (Cys). Moreover, these modified SAs effectively inhibit wound bacteria proliferation and promote wound healing in rats, without inducing noticeable toxicity to major organs under 808 nm laser irradiation. This study highlights the significance of chemical engineering in tailoring the antibacterial properties of SA nanoparticles, opening avenues for combating bacterial infections and advancing nanoparticle-based therapies.

Anthropogenic impact on airborne bacteria of the Tibetan Plateau.

The Tibetan Plateau is a pristine environment with limited human disturbance, with its aerosol microbiome being primarily influenced by the monsoon and westerly circulations. Additionally, the diversity and abundance of airborne microorganisms are also affected by anthropogenic activities, such as animal farming, agriculture, and tourism, which can lead to increased risks to the ecosystem and human health. However, the impact of anthropogenic activities on airborne microbes on the Tibetan Plateau has been rarely studied. In this work, we investigated the airborne bacteria of areas with weak (rural glacier) and strong human disturbance (urban building), and found that anthropogenic activities increased the diversity of airborne bacteria, and the concentration of potential airborne pathogens. Moreover, airborne bacteria in rural aerosols demonstrated significant differences in their community structure during monsoon- and westerly-affected seasons, while this pattern was weakened in urban aerosols. Additionally, urban aerosols enriched Lactobacillus sp. (member of genus Lactobacillus), which are potential pathogens from anthropogenic sources, whereas rural aerosols enriched A. calcoaceticus (member of genus Acinetobacter) and E. thailandicus (member of genus Enterococcus), which are both speculated to be sourced from surrounding animal farming. This study evaluated the impact of human activities on airborne bacteria in the Tibetan Plateau and contributed to understanding the enrichment of airborne pathogens in natural and anthropogenic background.