Browse Articles

Equilibrium study of logistics demand and logistics resource allocation in Guangdong Province

Prevalence of advanced hepatic fibrosis and individualization of associated risk factors by Bayesian analysis in MASLD patients in French cardio-metabolic health networks

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of advanced hepatic fibrosis and to individualize using Bayesian analysis its associated risk factors in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) being cared for in three Alsatian cardio-metabolic health networks in the North East of France. Overall, 712 patients aged ≥18 years with a female predominance were included into a prospective, cross-sectional, and observational study. Advanced fibrosis and severe steatosis were evaluated using transient elastography (FibroScan®). The proportion of MASLD patients was 80% and 84% in women and men (difference -4.2% [-10.0; 1.9]), respectively. Advanced fibrosis was observed in 11% of patients, being more common in men (16.9%) than women (7.5%) (difference 9.4 [4.3–15.0]). Severe steatosis was also more common in men (74.9%) than women (63.4%) (difference 11.4 [4.2–18.2]). Only three of the tested variables were likely associated with advanced fibrosis: gender (OR: 1.78 [1.17–2.68]; Pr [OR >1] = 1), T2DM (OR: 1.54 [1–2.37]; Pr [OR >1] = 0.97) and hypertriglyceridemia (OR: 1.49 [0.97–2.27]; Pr (OR >1) = 0.97). In conclusion, this study confirmed the usefulness of assessing hepatic fibrosis in patients with metabolic dysfunction. Therefore, access to FibroScan® should be facilitated in all cardio-metabolic health networks.

Study on the catalytic mechanism and water resistance of Cu-Mn-Snx catalyst for CO elimination

Editorial Note: Methionine-induced regulation of growth, secondary metabolites and oxidative defense system in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants subjected to water deficit stress

Essential oils modulate virulence phenotypes in a multidrug-resistant pyomelanogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolate

Probing spin-electric transitions in a molecular exchange qubit

Predicting the risk of bone metastases in patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer – Development and validation of a nomogram model

Objectives The aim of this study was to develop and validate a nomogram model that predicts the risk of bone metastasis (BM) in a prostate cancer (PCa) population. Methods We retrospectively collected and analyzed the clinical data of patients with pathologic diagnosis of PCa from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2022 in two hospitals in Yangzhou, China. Patients from the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University were divided into a training set and patients from the Affiliated Clinical College of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Yangzhou University were divided into a validation set. Chi-square test, independent sample t-test, and logistic regression were used to screen key risk factors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, c-index, calibration curves, and decision curves analysis (DCA) were used for the validation, calibration, clinical benefit assessment, and external validation of nomogram models. Results A total of 204 cases were collected from the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, including 64 cases diagnosed as PCa BM and 50 cases collected from the Affiliated Clinical College of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Yangzhou University, including 12 cases diagnosed as PCa BM. Results showed that history of alcohol consumption, prostate stiffness on Digital rectal examination(DRE), prostate nodules on DRE, FIB, ALP, cTx, and Gleason score were high-risk factors for BM in PCa and nomogram was established. The c-index of the final model was 0.937 (95% CI: 0.899–0.975). And the model was validated by external validation set (c-index: 0.929). The ROC curves and calibration curves showed that the nomogram had good predictive accuracy, and DCA showed that the nomogram had good clinical applicability. Conclusions Our study identified seven high-risk factors for BM in PCa and these factors would provide a theoretical basis for early clinical prevention of PCa BM.

Caerin 1.1/1.9-mediated antitumor immunity depends on IFNAR-Stat1 signalling of tumour infiltrating macrophage by autocrine IFNα and is enhanced by CD47 blockade

Declines in anthropogenic mercury emissions in the Global North and China offset by the Global South

Childhood trauma and subclinical PTSD symptoms predict adverse effects and worse outcomes across two mindfulness-based programs for active depression

Within mindfulness-based programs (MBPs), mixed results have been found for the role of childhood trauma as a moderator of depression outcomes. Furthermore, childhood trauma and PTSD symptoms have been identified as possible risk factors for the occurrence of meditation-related adverse effects (MRAE). The present research examined multiple forms of childhood trauma and PTSD symptoms as predictors of depression treatment outcomes and MRAEs. Various forms of childhood trauma (e.g., abuse and neglect) were examined as predictors of depression treatment outcomes and participant attrition using secondary analyses of two MBP clinical trials (N = 52 and 104, respectively). Study 2 also examined meditation-related side effects (MRSE) and MRAE as outcomes and current subclinical and past PTSD symptoms as predictors. Childhood trauma led to worse depression outcomes across both study 1 and study 2, such that total childhood trauma and childhood sexual abuse were significant predictors across both studies. Childhood sexual abuse predicted attrition in study 2. Finally, multiple forms of childhood trauma and PTSD symptoms predicted MRSE, while total childhood trauma, childhood emotional abuse, and subclinical PTSD symptoms predicted lasting MRAE. Childhood trauma and PTSD symptoms may lead to worse outcomes and a greater occurrence of adverse effects within MBPs for active depression. These results call for further trauma-sensitive modifications, safety monitoring, participant screening, and provider education when implementing these programs.

Association between triglyceride-glucose index and carotid atherosclerosis in Chinese steelworkers: a cross-sectional study

Daily briefing: The pros and cons of DeepSeek

Self-rerouting sensor network for electronic skin resilient to severe damage

Non-linear relationship between built environment and non-motorized travel efficiency under the traffic micro-circulation model

The built environment is an important determinant of travel demand and mode choice. Studying the relationship between the built environment and transportation usage can support and assist traffic policy interventions. Previous studies often assumed that this relationship is linear; however, the impact of the built environment on non-motorized travel efficiency may be more complex than the typically modeled linear relationships. This paper focuses on the core area of Chengguan District in Lanzhou City, utilizing multi-source big data including POI, OpenStreetMap, street view images, and built environment data. Using ArcGIS spatial analysis tools combined with the Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) model, we analyze the non-linear influence mechanisms and threshold effects of the built environment on non-motorized travel efficiency and establish a ranking of the relative importance of all built environment factors. The results indicate that factors such as the branch road/street, land-use mix, land-use density, neighborhood entrance/exit density, bus station density, and dead-end-roads density are key influences on non-motorized travel efficiency. Additionally, based on the non-linear thresholds presented in the partial dependence plots for built environment factors, this paper proposes optimization strategies for small-scale road network patterns, mixed land use, and bus-friendly environments, providing effective threshold ranges and decision-making references for urban planning and traffic management.

Mendelian randomization analysis does not support a causal influence between lipoprotein(A) and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases

SLC29A1 and SLC29A2 are human nicotinamide cell membrane transporters

The impact of visual fidelity on screen-based virtual reality food choices: A randomized pilot study

Objective To understand the impact of fidelity and perceived realism on virtual reality food choices, and task motivation, engagement, and interest. Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting Online. Participants 84 participants recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk. Intervention Participants were randomly assigned to either a high- (n = 43) or a low- (n = 41) visual fidelity environment and were asked to select foods to have a meal with a friend. Main outcome measures Food choice, motivation of food choices, engagement, and interest. Analysis Simple linear regressions between visual fidelity and perceived realism, and log-linear regressions for visual fidelity or perceived realism on either motivation, interest, or engagement. Poisson models between visual fidelity or perceived realism, and food selections. Results Manipulating visual fidelity was not associated with perceived realism, motivation, interest, or engagement in the food selection task. Perceived realism increased motivation by 0.3% (SE 0.056; p = 0.022), interest by 1.4% (SE 0.002; p<0.001), and engagement by 0.9% (SE 0.001; p<0.001) in the food selection task. High visual fidelity decreased the total number of foods selected (B = 0.216; CI (-0.384; -0.047); p = 0.012). Conclusion and implications Perceived realism, but not visual fidelity, is important for task related factors like motivation, engagement, and interest. Visual fidelity may influence some food selections.

Author Correction: Examinations of effects of socio-demographic features and disease-related data of patients with hemodialysis on the quality of life

Oncolytic reprogramming of tumor microenvironment shapes CD4 T-cell memory via the IL6ra-Bcl6 axis for targeted control of glioblastoma

Abstract Oncolytic viruses (OVs) emerge as a promising cancer immunotherapy. However, the temporal impact on tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment, and the nature of anti-tumor immunity post-therapy remain largely unclear. Here we report that CD4+ T cells are required for durable tumor control in syngeneic murine models of glioblastoma multiforme after treatment with an oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSV) engineered to express IL-12. The upregulated MHCII on residual tumor cells facilitates programmed polyfunctional CD4+ T cells for tumor control and for recall responses. Mechanistically, the proper ratio of Bcl-6 to T-bet in CD4+ T cells navigates their enhanced anti-tumor capacity, and a reciprocal IL6ra-Bcl-6 regulatory axis in a memory CD4+ T-cell subset, which requires MHCII signals from reprogrammed tumor cells, tumor-infiltrating and resident myeloid cells, is necessary for the prolonged response. These findings uncover an OV-induced tumor/myeloid-CD4+ T-cell partnership, leading to long-term anti-tumor immune memory, and improved OV therapeutic efficacy.

The PainSMART project: Protocol for a research program on effectiveness, mechanisms of effect and patient-practitioner experiences of the PainSMART-strategy as an adjunct to usual primary care physiotherapy management for musculoskeletal pain

Background Musculoskeletal pain (MSKP) disorders entail a significant burden for individuals and healthcare systems. The PainSMART-strategy has been developed aiming to reduce divergences between patients and healthcare practitioners in their understanding of MSKP by providing a shared basis for communication and to facilitate patients’ self-management of MSKP. The objective of the PainSMART-project is to evaluate the effects of the PainSMART-strategy as an adjunct to usual physiotherapy management compared to usual physiotherapy management alone. Methods The PainSMART-project is a research program with a collective suite of studies utilising mixed methods, centred around a randomised controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06187428). Subjects: Adults (18 years or older) seeking primary care for MSKP who are triaged and booked for an initial physiotherapy consultation at five primary care physiotherapy departments within the Swedish public healthcare regions of Östergötland and Jönköping. A total of 490 subjects will be randomised to receive one of two possible interventions. Interventions Both groups will receive usual physiotherapy management for benign MSKP. The intervention group will also receive the PainSMART-strategy consisting of an educational film, reflection and reinforcement of the film’s key messages prior to the initial physiotherapy consultation and a patient-practitioner discussion based on the film. Outcome The primary outcome is 1) between group mean change over time from baseline to 24 hours post initial physiotherapy consultation and baseline to 3 months regarding self-reported average pain intensity and pain self-efficacy. Secondary outcomes include similar measurements for MSKP illness perception, reassurance of benign nature, pain coping, physical activity, analgesic medication use, sick leave, healthcare use and direct healthcare costs. Physiotherapist and patient reported experience measures and qualitative evaluation of the effects of the PainSMART-strategy on communication at the initial physiotherapy consultation will also be explored. Discussion This study will investigate potential added effects of PainSMART-strategy upon usual primary care physiotherapy for MSKP.