Unpaired fundus image enhancement based on constrained generative adversarial networks.

Fundus photography (FP) is a crucial technique for diagnosing the progression of ocular and systemic diseases in clinical studies, with wide applications in early clinical screening and diagnosis. However, due to the nonuniform illumination and imbalanced intensity caused by various reasons, the quality of fundus images is often severely weakened, brings challenges for automated screening, analysis, and diagnosis of diseases. To resolve this problem, we developed strongly constrained generative adversarial networks (SCGAN). The results demonstrate that the quality of various datasets were more significantly enhanced based on SCGAN, simultaneously more effectively retaining tissue and vascular information under various experimental conditions. Furthermore, the clinical effectiveness and robustness of this model were validated by showing its improved ability in vascular segmentation as well as disease diagnosis. Our study provides a new comprehensive approach for FP and also possesses the potential capacity to advance artificial intelligence-assisted ophthalmic examination.

The therapeutic potential of curculigoside in poststroke depression: a focus on hippocampal neurogenesis and mitochondrial function.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects and mechanism of curculigoside against poststroke depression (PSD). METHODS: In vivo, a PSD rat model was created by combining bilateral common carotid artery occlusion and chronic unpredictable mild stress stimulations. After 4-week modeling and intragastrically administration of curculigoside, the effects of curculigoside on behavior, hippocampal neurogenesis, and hippocampal mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) were investigated. In vitro, PSD-like primary neural stem cells (NSCs) model was established by oxygen-glucose deprivation/recovery (OGD/R) combing high-corticosterone (CORT) concentration, followed by treatment with curculigoside. The investigation subsequently examined the impact of curculigoside on mitochondrial OxPhos, proliferation, and differentiation of NSCs under OGD/R + CORT conditions. KEY FINDINGS: In vivo, PSD rats showed significantly depressive behaviors, dysfunctional neurogenesis in hippocampus, as well as decreased hippocampus adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, reduced electron transport chain complexes activity, and downregulates mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) and PPAR-gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) expression in hippocampus. In vitro, OGD/R +CORT significantly injured the proliferation and differentiation, as well as impaired the mitochondrial OxPhos in NSCs. Curculigoside treatment was effective in improving these abnormal changes. CONCLUSION: Curculigoside may repair hippocampal neurogenesis in PSD rats by enhancing hippocampal mitochondrial OxPhos, and has shown a great potential for anti-PSD.

Development of a Predictive Model for Potentially Inappropriate Medications in Older Patients with Cardiovascular Disease.

BACKGROUND: Older patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) are highly susceptible to adverse drug reactions due to age-related physiological changes and the presence of multiple comorbidities, polypharmacy, and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a predictive model to identify the use of PIMs in older patients with CVD. METHODS: Data from 2012 to 2021 from the Changhua Christian Hospital Clinical Research Database (CCHRD) and the Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital Research Database (KMUHRD) were analyzed. Participants over the age of 65 years with CVD diagnoses were included. The CCHRD data were randomly divided into a training set (80% of the database) and an internal validation set (20% of the database), while the KMUHRD data served as an external validation set. The training set was used to construct the prediction models, and both validation sets were used to validate the proposed models. RESULTS: A total of 48,569 patients were included. Comprehensive data analysis revealed significant associations between the use of PIMs and clinical factors such as total cholesterol, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), creatinine, and uric acid levels, as well as the presence of diabetes, hypertension, and cerebrovascular accidents. The predictive models demonstrated moderate power, indicating the importance of these factors in assessing the risk of PIMs. CONCLUSIONS: This study developed predictive models that improve understanding of the use of PIMs in older patients with CVD. These models may assist clinicians in making informed decisions regarding medication safety.

Synthesis of gem-Difluorinated Oxa/Azaspiro[2.4]heptanes via Palladium-Catalyzed Spirocyclopropanation.

A palladium-catalyzed spirocyclopropanation of gem-difluoroalkenes with π-allylpalladium 1,4-dipoles has been successfully developed, which gives a powerful and straightforward synthetic strategy for the construction of novel gem-difluorinated spirocyclic compounds, 6,6-difluoro-5-oxa/azaspiro[2.4]heptanes. The scope of gem-difluoroalkenes can be extended to styrenes, acrylic esters, and acrylamides to realize the installment of various functional groups and different heteroatoms on the spirocyclic skeletons, which could be converted to valuable compounds with potential biological activity. The mechanistic investigations revealed the competition between spirocyclopropanation and ß-F elimination of π-allylpalladium zwitterionic intermediates.

Role of the transient receptor potential melastatin 4 in inhibition effect of arsenic trioxide on the tumor biological features of colorectal cancer cell.

Background: To investigate the effects of arsenic trioxide (ATO) on human colorectal cancer cells (HCT116) growth and the role of transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (TRPM4) channel in this process. Methods: The viability of HCT116 cells was assessed using the CCK-8 assay. Western blot analysis was employed to examine the protein expression of TRPM4. The apoptosis of HCT116 cells was determined using TUNEL and Flow cytometry. Cell migration was assessed through the cell scratch recovery assay and Transwell cell migration assay. Additionally, Transwell cell invasion assay was performed to determine the invasion ability of HCT116 cells. Results: ATO suppressed the viability of HCT116 cells in a dose-dependent manner, accompanied by a decline in cell migration and invasion, and an increase in apoptosis. 9-phenanthroline (9-Ph), a specific inhibitor of TRPM4, abrogated the ATO-induced upregulation of TRPM4 expression. Additionally, blocking TRPM4 reversed the effects of ATO on HCT116 cells proliferation, including restoration of cell viability, migration and invasion, as well as the inhibition of apoptosis. Conclusion: ATO inhibits CRC cell growth by inducing TRPM4 expression, our findings indicate that ATO is a promising therapeutic strategy and TRPM4 may be a novel target for the treatment of CRC.

Therapeutic potential of Erxian decoction and its special chemical markers in depression: a review of clinical and preclinical studies.

The increasing prevalence of depression is a major societal burden. The etiology of depression involves multiple mechanisms. Thus, the outcomes of the currently used treatment for depression are suboptimal. The anti-depression effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulations have piqued the interest of the scientific community owing to their multi-ingredient, multi-target, and multi-link characteristics. According to the TCM theory, the functioning of the kidney is intricately linked to that of the brain. Clinical observations have indicated the therapeutic potential of the kidney-tonifying formula Erxian Decoction (EXD) in depression. This review aimed to comprehensively search various databases to summarize the anti-depression effects of EXD, explore the underlying material basis and mechanisms, and offer new suggestions and methods for the clinical treatment of depression. The clinical and preclinical studies published before 31 August 2023, were searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Database. This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Clinical studies have demonstrated that EXD exhibits therapeutic properties in patients with menopausal depression, postpartum depression, and maintenance hemodialysis-associated depression. Meanwhile, preclinical studies have reported that EXD and its special chemical markers exert anti-depression effects by modulating monoamine neurotransmitter levels, inhibiting neuroinflammation, augmenting synaptic plasticity, exerting neuroprotective effects, regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, promoting neurogenesis, and altering cerebrospinal fluid composition. Thus, the anti-depression effects of EXD are mediated through multiple ingredients, targets, and links. However, further clinical and animal studies are needed to investigate the anti-depression effects of EXD and the underlying mechanisms and offer additional evidence and recommendations for its clinical application. Moreover, strategies must be developed to improve the quality control of EXD. This review provides an overview of EXD and guidance for future research direction.

The effectiveness of digital twins in promoting precision health across the entire population: a systematic review.

Digital twins represent a promising technology within the domain of precision healthcare, offering significant prospects for individualized medical interventions. Existing systematic reviews, however, mainly focus on the technological dimensions of digital twins, with a limited exploration of their impact on health-related outcomes. Therefore, this systematic review aims to explore the efficacy of digital twins in improving precision healthcare at the population level. The literature search for this study encompassed PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, SinoMed, CNKI, and Wanfang Database to retrieve potentially relevant records. Patient health-related outcomes were synthesized employing quantitative content analysis, whereas the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scales were used to evaluate the quality and potential bias inherent in each selected study. Following established inclusion and exclusion criteria, 12 studies were screened from an initial 1321 records for further analysis. These studies included patients with various conditions, including cancers, type 2 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, heart failure, qi deficiency, post-hepatectomy liver failure, and dental issues. The review coded three types of interventions: personalized health management, precision individual therapy effects, and predicting individual risk, leading to a total of 45 outcomes being measured. The collective effectiveness of these outcomes at the population level was calculated at 80% (36 out of 45). No studies exhibited unacceptable differences in quality. Overall, employing digital twins in precision health demonstrates practical advantages, warranting its expanded use to facilitate the transition from the development phase to broad application.PROSPERO registry: CRD42024507256.

Research on the Effect and Mechanism of Selenium on Colorectal Cancer Through TRIM32.

The intake of selenium (Se) in the human body is negatively correlated with the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), but its mechanism in the occurrence and development of CRC is not clear. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Se on CRC, and explore the anti-tumor effect of Se supplementation on CRC and its molecular mechanism. In this study, we utilized colony formation assay, cell scratch test, Transwell migration, and flow cytometry to assess cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. Our findings demonstrate that Se effectively suppresses the growth and proliferation of CRC cell lines HCT116 and SW480 and promoting cellular apoptosis. In vivo experiments demonstrated a significant inhibitory effect of Se on tumor growth. CRC-related datasets were extracted from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases for differential expression analysis of TRIM32 and survival analysis. We found that TRIM32 was highly expressed in tumor tissues of CRC patients and correlated with a poor prognosis. Furthermore, through RNA sequencing analysis, we identified TRIM32 as a gene that was significantly decreased after Se treatment in HCT116 cells. This finding was subsequently validated by Western blot results. Moreover, TRIM32 knockdown combined with Se treatment significantly inhibited cell growth proliferation and migration and further induced apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells. In conclusion, our findings provided evidence that Se inhibited the growth of colorectal cancer cells by down-regulating TRIM32.

Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Ameliorates Detrusor Hyperactivity with Impaired Contractility via Transient Potential Vanilloid Channels: A Rat Model for Ovarian Hormone Deficiency.

This study explores low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (LiESWT)'s efficacy in alleviating detrusor hyperactivity with impaired contractility (DHIC) induced by ovarian hormone deficiency (OHD) in ovariectomized rats. The rats were categorized into the following four groups: sham group; OVX group, subjected to bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) for 12 months to induce OHD; OVX + SW4 group, underwent OHD for 12 months followed by 4 weeks of weekly LiESWT; and OVX + SW8 group, underwent OHD for 12 months followed by 8 weeks of weekly LiESWT. Cystometrogram studies and voiding behavior tracing were used to identify the symptoms of DHIC. Muscle strip contractility was evaluated through electrical-field, carbachol, ATP, and KCl stimulations. Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses were performed to assess the expressions of various markers related to bladder dysfunction. The OVX rats exhibited significant bladder deterioration and overactivity, alleviated by LiESWT. LiESWT modified transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) channel expression, regulating calcium concentration and enhancing bladder capacity. It also elevated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress proteins, influencing ER-related Ca2+ channels and receptors to modulate detrusor muscle contractility. OHD after 12 months led to neuronal degeneration and reduced TRPV1 and TRPV4 channel activation. LiESWT demonstrated potential in enhancing angiogenic remodeling, neurogenesis, and receptor response, ameliorating DHIC via TRPV channels and cellular signaling in the OHD-induced DHIC rat model.

Combination of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and moxibustion restores cyclophosphamide-induced premature ovarian insufficiency by improving mitochondrial function and regulating mitophagy.

BACKGROUND: Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a major cause of infertility. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of the combination of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and moxibustion (BMSCs-MOX) on POI and evaluate the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: A POI rat model was established by injecting different doses of cyclophosphamide (Cy). The modeling of POI and the effects of the treatments were assessed by evaluating estrous cycle, serum hormone levels, ovarian weight, ovarian index, and ovarian histopathological analysis. The effects of moxibustion on BMSCs migration were evaluated by tracking DiR-labeled BMSCs and analyzing the expression of chemokines stromal cell-derived factor 1 (Sdf1) and chemokine receptor type 4 (Cxcr4). Mitochondrial function and mitophagy were assessed by measuring the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), ATP, and the mitophagy markers (Drp1, Pink1, and Parkin). Furthermore, the mitophagy inhibitor Mdivi-1 and the mitophagy activator CCCP were used to confirm the role of mitophagy in Cy-induced ovarian injury and the underlying mechanism of combination therapy. RESULTS: A suitable rat model of POI was established using Cy injection. Compared to moxibustion or BMSCs transplantation alone, BMSCs-MOX showed improved outcomes, such as reduced estrous cycle disorders, improved ovarian weight and index, normalized serum hormone levels, increased ovarian reserve, and reduced follicle atresia. Moxibustion enhanced Sdf1 and Cxcr4 expression, promoting BMSCs migration. BMSCs-MOX reduced ROS levels; upregulated MMP and ATP levels in ovarian granulosa cells (GCs); and downregulated Drp1, Pink1, and Parkin expression in ovarian tissues. Mdivi-1 significantly mitigated mitochondrial dysfunction in ovarian GCs and improved ovarian function. CCCP inhibited the ability of BMSCs-MOX treatment to regulate mitophagy and ameliorate Cy-induced ovarian injury. CONCLUSIONS: Moxibustion enhanced the migration and homing of BMSCs following transplantation and improves their ability to repair ovarian damage. The combination of BMSCs and moxibustion effectively reduced the excessive activation of mitophagy, which helped prevent mitochondrial damage, ultimately improving ovarian function. These findings provide a novel approach for the treatment of pathological ovarian aging and offer new insights into enhancing the efficacy of stem cell therapy for POI patients.

MicroRNA-298 determines the radio-resistance of colorectal cancer cells by directly targeting human dual-specificity tyrosine(Y)-regulated kinase 1A.

BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy stands as a promising therapeutic modality for colorectal cancer (CRC); yet, the formidable challenge posed by radio-resistance significantly undermines its efficacy in achieving CRC remission. AIM: To elucidate the role played by microRNA-298 (miR-298) in CRC radio-resistance. METHODS: To establish a radio-resistant CRC cell line, HT-29 cells underwent exposure to 5 gray ionizing radiation that was followed by a 7-d recovery period. The quantification of miR-298 levels within CRC cells was conducted through quantitative RT-PCR, and protein expression determination was realized through Western blotting. Cell viability was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and proliferation by clonogenic assay. Radio-induced apoptosis was discerned through flow cytometry analysis. RESULTS: We observed a marked upregulation of miR-298 in radio-resistant CRC cells. MiR-298 emerged as a key determinant of cell survival following radiation exposure, as its overexpression led to a notable reduction in radiation-induced apoptosis. Intriguingly, miR-298 expression exhibited a strong correlation with CRC cell viability. Further investigation unveiled human dual-specificity tyrosine(Y)-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) as miR-298's direct target. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our findings underline the role played by miR-298 in bolstering radio-resistance in CRC cells by means of DYRK1A downregulation, thereby positioning miR-298 as a promising candidate for mitigating radio-resistance in CRC.

Manufacturing, quality control, and GLP-grade preclinical study of nebulized allogenic adipose mesenchymal stromal cells-derived extracellular vesicles.

BACKGROUND: Human adipose stromal cells-derived extracellular vesicles (haMSC-EVs) have been shown to alleviate inflammation in acute lung injury (ALI) animal models. However, there are few systemic studies on clinical-grade haMSC-EVs. Our study aimed to investigate the manufacturing, quality control (QC) and preclinical safety of clinical-grade haMSC-EVs. METHODS: haMSC-EVs were isolated from the conditioned medium of human adipose MSCs incubated in 2D containers. Purification was performed by PEG precipitation and differential centrifugation. Characterizations were conducted by nanoparticle tracking analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Western blotting, nanoflow cytometry analysis, and the TNF-α inhibition ratio of macrophage [after stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)]. RNA-seq and proteomic analysis with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were used to inspect the lot-to-lot consistency of the EV products. Repeated toxicity was evaluated in rats after administration using trace liquid endotracheal nebulizers for 28 days, and respiratory toxicity was evaluated 24 h after the first administration. In vivo therapeutic effects were assessed in an LPS-induced ALI/ acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) rat model. RESULTS: The quality criteria have been standardized. In a stability study, haMSC-EVs were found to remain stable after 6 months of storage at - 80°C, 3 months at - 20 °C, and 6 h at room temperature. The microRNA profile and proteome of haMSC-EVs demonstrated suitable lot-to-lot consistency, further suggesting the stability of the production processes. Intratracheally administered 1.5 × 108 particles/rat/day for four weeks elicited no significant toxicity in rats. In LPS-induced ALI/ARDS model rats, intratracheally administered haMSC-EVs alleviated lung injury, possibly by reducing the serum level of inflammatory factors. CONCLUSION: haMSC-EVs, as an off-shelf drug, have suitable stability and lot-to-lot consistency. Intratracheally administered haMSC-EVs demonstrated excellent safety at the tested dosages in systematic preclinical toxicity studies. Intratracheally administered haMSC-EVs improved the lung function and exerted anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-induced ALI/ARDS model rats.

Metadherin promotes stem cell phenotypes and correlated with immune infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Metadherin (MTDH) is a key oncogene in most cancer types, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Notably, MTDH does not affect the stemness pheno-type or immune infiltration of HCC. AIM: To explore the role of MTDH on stemness and immune infiltration in HCC. METHODS: MTDH expression in HCC tissues was detected using TCGA and GEO databases. Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze the tissue samples. MTDH was stably knocked down or overexpressed by lentiviral transfection in the two HCC cell lines. The invasion and migration abilities of HCC cells were evaluated using Matrigel invasion and wound healing assays. Next, we obtained liver cancer stem cells from the spheroids by culturing them in a serum-free medium. Gene expression was determined by western blotting and quantitative reverse transcri-ption PCR. Flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and tumor sphere formation assays were used to characterize stem-like cells. The effects of MTDH inhibition on tumor growth were evaluated in vivo. The correlation of MTDH with immune cells, immunomodulators, and chemokines was analyzed using ssGSEA and TISIDB databases. RESULTS: HCC tissues expressed higher levels of MTDH than normal liver tissues. High MTDH expression was associated with a poor prognosis. HCC cells overexpressing MTDH exhibited stronger invasion and migration abilities, exhibited a stem cell-like phenotype, and formed spheres; however, MTDH inhibition attenuated these effects. MTDH inhibition suppressed HCC progression and CD133 expression in vivo. MTDH was positively correlated with immature dendritic, T helper 2 cells, central memory CD8+ T, memory B, activated dendritic, natural killer (NK) T, NK, activated CD4+ T, and central memory CD4+ T cells. MTDH was negatively correlated with activated CD8+ T cells, eosinophils, activated B cells, monocytes, macrophages, and mast cells. A positive correlation was observed between the MTDH level and CXCL2 expression, whereas a negative correlation was observed between the MTDH level and CX3CL1 and CXCL12 expression. CONCLUSION: High levels of MTDH expression in patients with HCC are associated with poor prognosis, promoting tumor stemness, immune infiltration, and HCC progression.

Ganodermanontriol Suppresses the Progression of Lung Adenocarcinoma by Activating CES2 to Enhance the Metabolism of Mycophenolate Mofetil.

New anti-lung cancer therapies are urgently required to improve clinical outcomes. Since ganodermanontriol (GDNT) has been identified as a potential antineoplastic agent, its role in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is investigated in this study. Concretely, lung cancer cells were treated with GDNT and/or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), after which MTT assay, flow cytometry and Western blot were conducted. Following bioinformatics analysis, carboxylesterase 2 (CES2) was knocked down and rescue assays were carried out in vitro. Xenograft experiment was performed on mice, followed by drug administration, measurement of tumor growth and determination of CES2, IMPDH1 and IMPDH2 expressions. As a result, the viability of lung cancer cells was reduced by GDNT or MMF. GDNT enhanced the effects of MMF on suppressing viability, promoting apoptosis and inducing cell cycle arrest in lung cancer cells. GDNT up-regulated CES2 level, and strengthened the effects of MMF on down-regulating IMPDH1 and IMPDH2 levels in the cells. IMPDH1 and IMPDH2 were highly expressed in LUAD samples. CES2 was a potential target for GDNT. CES2 knockdown reversed the synergistic effect of GDNT and MMF against lung cancer in vitro. GDNT potentiated the role of MMF in inhibiting tumor growth and expressions of CES2 and IMPDH1/2 in lung cancer in vivo. Collectively, GDNT suppresses the progression of LUAD by activating CES2 to enhance the metabolism of MMF.

Palladium-catalyzed ring-opening [5+2] annulation of vinylethylene carbonates (VECs) and C5-substituted Meldrum's acids: rapid synthesis of 7-membered lactones.

A novel approach for the synthesis of unsaturated 7-membered lactones by Pd-catalyzed [5+2] dipolar cycloaddition of vinylethylene carbonates (VECs) and C5-substituted Meldrum's acid derivatives has been developed. Various Meldrum's acid derivatives worked well in this reaction under mild reaction conditions. A variety of 7-membered lactones can be accessed in a facile manner in moderate to good yields by employing easily prepared Meldrum's acid derivatives.

Molybdenum-catalyzed deoxygenative heterocyclization of 2-nitroazobenzenes: a novel strategy for catalytic synthesis of 2-aryl-2H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazoles.

A novel strategy for the catalytic synthesis of 2-aryl-2H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazoles bearing a wide range of functional groups in good to excellent yields by non-noble molybdenum-catalyzed deoxygenative heterocyclization of 2-nitroazobenzenes is described. The salient features of the transformation include the use of readily available substrates, valuable products and ease of scale-up. The mechanistic study indicates that the reaction occurred via double deoxygenation by the Mo(VI)/Mo(IV) catalytic cycle from 2-nitroazobenzene, through the formation of 2-aryl-2H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole-N1-oxide or nitrene intermediates.

Added value of arterial enhancement fraction derived from dual-energy computed tomography for preoperative diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer: initial results.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the added value of arterial enhancement fraction (AEF) derived from dual-energy computed tomography CT (DECT) to conventional image features for diagnosing cervical lymph node (LN) metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). METHODS: A total of 273 cervical LNs (153 non-metastatic and 120 metastatic) were recruited from 92 patients with PTC. Qualitative image features of LNs were assessed. Both single-energy CT (SECT)-derived AEF (AEFS) and DECT-derived AEF (AEFD) were calculated. Correlation between AEFD and AEFS was determined using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Multivariate logistic regression analysis with the forward variable selection method was used to build three models (conventional features, conventional features + AEFS, and conventional features + AEFD). Diagnostic performances were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. RESULTS: Abnormal enhancement, calcification, and cystic change were chosen to build model 1 and the model provided moderate diagnostic performance with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.675. Metastatic LNs demonstrated both significantly higher AEFD (1.14 vs 0.48; p < 0.001) and AEFS (1.08 vs 0.38; p < 0.001) than non-metastatic LNs. AEFD correlated well with AEFS (r = 0.802; p < 0.001), and exhibited comparable performance with AEFS (AUC, 0.867 vs 0.852; p = 0.628). Combining CT image features with AEFS (model 2) and AEFD (model 3) could significantly improve diagnostic performances (AUC, 0.865 vs 0.675; AUC, 0.883 vs 0.675; both p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: AEFD correlated well with AEFS, and exhibited comparable performance with AEFS. Integrating qualitative CT image features with both AEFS and AEFD could further improve the ability in diagnosing cervical LN metastasis in PTC. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Arterial enhancement fraction (AEF) values, especially AEF derived from dual-energy computed tomography, can help to diagnose cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid cancer, and complement conventional CT image features for improved clinical decision making. KEY POINTS: • Metastatic cervical lymph nodes (LNs) demonstrated significantly higher arterial enhancement fraction (AEF) derived from dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) and single-energy CT (SECT)-derived AEF (AEFS) than non-metastatic LNs in patients with papillary thyroid cancer. • DECT-derived AEF (AEFD) correlated significantly with AEFS, and exhibited comparable performance with AEFS. • Integrating qualitative CT images features with both AEFS and AEFD could further improve the differential ability.

Measurement of non-invasive cardiac output during cycling exercise in ischemic stroke inpatients: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac dysfunction accompanies acute ischemic stroke and affects the effective implementation of early rehabilitation interventions. There is a lack of reference hemodynamic data on cardiac function in the subacute phase of ischemic stroke. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to identify appropriate cardiac parameters for exercise training utilizing a pilot study. METHODS: We used a transthoracic electrical bioimpedance non-invasive cardiac output measurement (NICOM) device to monitor cardiac function in real time for two groups [i.e., subacute ischemic stroke inpatients group (n= 10) and healthy control group (n= 11)] using a cycling exercise experiment. The parameters of both groups were compared to highlight the cardiac dysfunction in the subacute phase in patients with ischemic stroke. RESULTS: We considered stroke volume index (SVI) and systemic vascular resistance index (SVRi) as the primary outcomes, and there was significant intragroup difference (stroke group: P< 0.001; control group: P< 0.001, using one-way ANOVA) and significant intergroup difference at each individual time segment (P< 0.01, using independent t-test). Among the secondary outcomes, i.e., cardiac index (CI), ejection fraction (EF), end-diastolic volume (EDV), and cardiac contraction index (CTI), we found significant intergroup differences in CI, EF, and CTI scores (P< 0.01, using independent t-test). Significant interaction with respect to time and group were seen only in the SVRi and CI scores (P< 0.01, using two-way ANOVA). There was no significant inter- or intra-group differences in EDV scores. CONCLUSION: SVRI, SVI, and CI values highlight cardiac dysfunction in stroke patients the most. At the same time, these parameters suggest that cardiac dysfunction in stroke patients may be closely related to the increased peripheral vascular resistance caused by infarction and the limitation of myocardial systolic function.

A novel approach for exploring the regional features of vaginal fluids based on microbial relative abundance and alpha diversity.

Vaginal fluids are one of the most common biological samples in forensic sexual assault cases, and their characterization is vital to narrow the scope of investigation. Presently, approaches for identifying vaginal fluids in different regions are not only rare but also have certain limitations. However, the microbiome has shown the potential to identify the source of body fluids and reveal the characteristics of individuals. In this study, 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing was used to characterize the vaginal microbial community from three regions, Sichuan, Hainan and Hunan. In addition, data on relative abundance and alpha diversity were used to construct a random forest model. The results revealed that the dominant genera in the three regions were Lactobacillus, followed by Gardnerella. In addition, Ureaplasma, Nitrospira, Nocardiodes, Veillonella and g-norank-f-Vicinamibacteraceae were significantly enriched genera in Sichuan, llumatobacter was enriched in Hainan, and Pseudomonas was enriched in Hunan. The random forest classifier based on combined data on relative abundance and alpha diversity had a good ability to distinguish vaginal fluids with similar dominant microbial compositions in the three regions. The study suggests that combining high-throughput sequencing data with machine learning models has good potential for application in the biogeographic inference of vaginal fluids.

The Expression of LDL-R in CD8+ T Cells Serves as an Early Assessment Parameter for the Production of TCR-T Cells.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The quantity and the phenotypes of desired T cell receptor engineered T (TCR-T) cells in the final cell product determine their in vivo anti-tumor efficacy. Optimization of key steps in the TCR-T cell production process, such as T cell activation, has been shown to improve cell quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a modified TCR (mTCR) derived from mice transducing PBMCs, we assessed the proportions of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) and mTCR expressing cells under the various activation conditions of CD3/CD28-Dynabeads or OKT3 via flow cytometry. RESULTS: We demonstrate that the proportion of T cells expressing LDL-R post activation is positively correlated with the percentage of mTCR+CD8+ T cells with their less differentiated subtypes in the final product. In addition, we show that shifting the CD3/CD28-Dynabeads activation duration from a typical 48 h to 24 h can significantly increase the production of the desired mTCR+CD8+ T cells. Importantly, the percentages of TCR-T cells with less-differentiated phenotypes, namely mTCR central memory T cells (TCM), were found to be preserved with markedly higher efficiency when T cell activation was optimized. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the proportion of LDL-R+ T cells may serve as an early assessment parameter for evaluating TCR-T cell quality, possibly facilitating the functional and economical improvement of current adoptive therapy.