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Effects of different fertilizer combinations on the yield and nitrogen use efficiency of summer maize in Jiangsu Province, China
Comprehensive genomic profiling reveals a unique genomic landscape in solid tumors in an Indian cancer cohort of 1000 patients: a single institutional experience
Serum sphingomyelin levels define oxyhemoglobin desaturation-related metabolic threshold in symptomatic obstructive sleep apnea
Abstract Hypoxia is a contributing factor for the morbidity and mortality in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We aimed at identifying the percentage of sleep time with oxyhemoglobin desaturation below 90% (Tc90%) breakpoint from which the most significant changes occur in systemic metabolome of patients with OSA. In a prospective observational study on patients with polysomnography–confirmed symptomatic OSA, profiles of 186 metabolites including amino acids, biogenic amines, acylcarnitines (AC), lysophosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylcholines (PC) and sphingomyelins (SM) were analyzed with liquid chromatography-mass-spectrometry in peripheral blood, obtained at 3 time points that covered patients’ night sleep. Comparisons of rank-transformed data with general linear model for repeated measures after dichotomizing the study group at different Tc90% levels were applied to define the best cut-off, hypoxic metabolic threshold (HMT), based on Cohen’s f. Fifty-one subjects were recruited with their median Tc90% of 2.1. The mean Cohen’s f over the metabolites was highest (0.165) at a Tc90% of 1.8 representing the HMT. Of the different classes of metabolites, the Cohen’s f value at HMT was highest for SM (0.322). Compared to patients with Tc90% < HMT, concentrations of 2 PC, 1 AC and 7 SM were significantly higher in patients with Tc90% ≥HMT. The HMT for patients with OSA described in this report for the first time is located at a Tc90% level of 1.8 with SM levels contributing most to the size of this threshold.
Study on the regulatory mechanism of luteolin inhibiting WDR72 on the proliferation and metastasis of non small cell lung cancer
The role of hypoxia-senescence co-related molecular subtypes and prognostic characteristics in hepatocellular carcinoma
Spectral shaping technology reduces the radiation dose of CT-guided lung tumor microwave ablation
The mediating role of step counts in the relationship between diverse neighbourhood destinations and older adults’ physical function
Abstract Research has shown that access to activity-supportive neighbourhood destinations is associated with physical activity levels and physical functioning in older adults. However, the relative importance of different destinations and the mechanisms underlying these relationships remain unclear. We investigated (i) the relationships between the availability of diverse neighbourhood destinations and physical functioning in Taiwanese older adults and (ii) whether step counts mediated these relationships. Data were analysed from 206 participants aged 65 years or above, recruited from geriatrics outpatient clinics or check-up services at a medical centre in Taipei, Taiwan. Geographic information system technology was used to assess the availability of utilitarian destinations, public transport stations, parks, schools, and sports facilities based on geocoded addresses. Physical functioning was evaluated through on-site examinations. Logistic and linear regression models were used to investigate the relationships and joint-significance tests were used to examine mediation effects. The participants (52.4% women) were generally healthy, with no severe comorbidities, good cognitive function, and a low risk of depression. Adjusted models showed that greater park availability was associated with better physical functioning, including upper and lower limb strength and mobility. The relationship appeared to be partially mediated by increased step counts. Some evidence suggested that walking steps also mediated the relationship between the availability of public transport stations and physical functioning. However, no direct relationhips were found between public transport station availability and physical functioning, suggesting potential offseting factors. These findings suggest strategic allocation of neighbourhood resources, such as parks, to promote walking behaviour and enhance physical functioning in older adults. Future research should explore park design, usage patterns, and other potential mediators related to public transport stations to refine strategies for maintaining and improving physical functioning in ageing populations.
Predicting metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease using explainable machine learning methods
A practical framework for developing a virtual reality-based anatomy education application: key content and technical requirements
Integrative transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis explores the mechanisms by which ACT001 treats MAFLD in mice
Construction of a nomogram model based on multiple factors to differentiate cryptococcal meningitis from tuberculous meningitis in HIV-Infected patients
Work-related injury characterization and factors among fire brigade workers in Ethiopia
Differences between suspected keratoconus and subclinical keratoconus via multiparameter analysis in Chinese populations
β-Glucosidase-pretreated black goji berry tea reduces glucose release and enhances bile acid binding co-digestion with high-fat meals in simulated digestion
A lightweight large receptive field network LrfSR for image super-resolution
Brain diffusion tensor imaging changes linked to the split hand phenomenon in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
The simulation and experimental validation of a novel noninvasive multi-target electrical stimulation method
Abstract The brain is a complex system of structure and function. Brain diseases and brain functional abnormalities often involve multiple functionally connected regions, including the deep brain. Studies have shown that multi-target electrical stimulation is more effective than single-target electrical stimulation. However, non-invasive multi-target electromagnetic stimulation, such as multi-target transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) cannot meet the needs of synchronous multi-target accurate electrical stimulation at the deep brain. In this paper, based on the principle of magneto-acoustic coupling and phased array focusing technology, a novel non-invasive multi-target transcranial magneto-acoustic coupling electrical stimulation (multi-target TMAES) method is proposed. A simulation model and experimental system were established. The simulation and experimental results proved that the proposed multi-target TMAES can non-invasively achieve precise focused electrical stimulation of two targets. The average focal point size of each target is 5.1 mm. The location and intensity of the multi-target electrical stimulation can be flexibly changed by adjusting the system parameters according to the actual need. It will provide a new and promising tool for the treatment of brain diseases and the study of neural circuits and brain functional connectivity.
Author Correction: The impact of health and technology shifts on antibiotic use among the elderly in Thailand
Identification of osteoarthritis-associated chondrocyte subpopulations and key gene-regulating drugs based on multi-omics analysis
Abstract The mechanism by which chondrocytes respond to mechanical stress in joints significantly affects the balance and function of cartilage. This study aims to characterize osteoarthritis-associated chondrocyte subpopulations and key gene targets for regulatory drugs. To begin, single-cell and transcriptome datasets were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Cell communication and pseudo-temporal analysis, as well as High-dimensional Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (hdWGCNA), were conducted on the single-cell data to identify key chondrocyte subtypes and module genes. Subsequently, Consensus Cluster Plus analysis was utilized to identify distinct disease subgroups within the osteoarthritis (OA) training dataset based on the key module genes. Furthermore, differential gene expression analysis and GO/KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed on the identified subgroups. To screen for hub genes associated with OA, a combination of 10 machine learning algorithms and 113 algorithm compositions was integrated. Additionally, the immune and pathway scores of the training dataset samples were evaluated using the ESTIMATE, MCP-counter, and ssGSEA algorithms to establish the relationship between the hub genes and immune and pathways. Following this, a network depicting the interaction between the hub genes and transcription factors was constructed based on the Network Analyst database. Moreover, the hub genes were subjected to drug prediction and molecular docking using the RNAactDrug database and AutoDockTools. Finally, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was employed to detect the expression of hub genes in the plasma samples collected from osteoarthritis patients and healthy adults. In the OA sample, there is a significant increase in the proportion of prehypertrophic chondrocytes (preHTC), particularly in subgroups 6, 7, and 9. We defined these subgroups as OA_PreHTC subgroups. The OA_PreHTC subgroup exhibits a higher communication intensity with proliferative-related pathways such as ANGPTL and TGF-β. Furthermore, two OA disease subgroups were identified in the training set samples. This led to the identification of 411 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to osteoarthritis, 2485 DEGs among subgroups, as well as 238 intersecting genes and 5 hub genes (MMP13, FAM26F, CHI3L1, TAC1, and CKS2). RT-qPCR results indicate significant differences in the expression levels of five hub genes and their related TFs in the clinical blood samples of OA patients compared to the healthy control group (NC). Moreover, these five hub genes are positively associated with inflammatory pathways such as TNF-α, JAK-STAT3, and inflammatory response, while being negatively associated with proliferation pathways like WNT and KRAS. Additionally, the five hub genes are positively associated with neutrophils, activated CD4 T cell, gamma delta T cell, and regulatory T cell, while being negatively associated with CD56dim natural killer cell and Type 17T helper cell. Molecular docking results reveal that CAY10603, Tenulin, T0901317, and Nonactin exhibit high binding activity to CHI3L1, suggesting their potential as therapeutic drugs for OA. The OA_PreHTC subgroups plays a crucial role in the occurrence and development of osteoarthritis (OA). Five hub genes may exert their effects on OA through interactions with PreHTC cells, other chondrocytes, and immune cells, playing a role in inhibiting cell proliferation and stimulating inflammation, thus having high diagnostic value for OA. Additionally, CAY10603, Tenulin, T0901317, and Nonactin have potential therapeutic effects for OA patients.