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Objective: This study aims to investigate the anatomical structure of the C6 pedicle and lateral mass in children aged 0–14 years using CT imaging, providing detailed insights into their growth and development. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive measurement of C6. Measurements included width, length, and height of the pedicles, as well as the length, width, and thickness of the lateral masses, and several angular metrics. Regression analysis was performed to understand the growth trends, and statistical analyses were carried out to identify differences between age groups, genders, and sides. Results: In children younger than four years, the pedicle width exceeds its height, influencing the diameter of the pedicle screws. By age two to three, the pedicle height and lateral mass thickness reaches 3.0 mm, allowing for the use of 3.0 mm diameter screws. The pedicle transverse angle remains stable. Most parameters showed no significant differences between the left and right sides. Size parameters exhibited significant larger in males than females at ages 0–1, 3–7, and 10–12 years. Regression analysis revealed that the growth trends of size parameters follow cubic or polynomial curves. Most angular metrics follow cubic fitting curves without a clear trend of change with age. Conclusion: This study provides a detailed analysis of the anatomical development of the C6 pedicle and lateral masses in children, offering valuable insights for pediatric cervical spine surgeries. The findings highlight the importance of considering age-specific anatomical variations when planning posterior surgical fixation, specifically at C6. It is necessary for us to perform thin-layer CT scans on children and carefully measure various indicators before surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ovary is indispensable for female reproduction, and its age-dependent functional decline is the primary cause of infertility. However, the molecular basis of ovarian aging in higher vertebrates remains poorly understood. Herein, we apply spatiotemporal transcriptomics to benchmark architecture organization as well as cellular and molecular determinants in young primate ovaries and compare these to aged primate ovaries. From a global view, somatic cells within the non-follicle region undergo more pronounced transcriptional fluctuation relative to those in the follicle region, likely constituting a hostile microenvironment that facilitates ovarian aging. Further, we uncovered that inflammation, the senescent-associated secretory phenotype, senescence, and fibrosis are the likely primary contributors to ovarian aging (PCOA). Of note, we identified spatial co-localization between a PCOA-featured spot and an unappreciated MT2 (Metallothionein 2) highly expressing spot (MT2high) characterized by high levels of inflammation, potentially serving as an aging hotspot in the primate ovary. Moreover, with advanced age, a subpopulation of MT2high accumulates, likely disseminating and amplifying the senescent signal outward. Our study establishes the first primate spatiotemporal transcriptomic atlas, advancing our understanding of mechanistic determinants underpinning primate ovarian aging and unraveling potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for aging and age-associated human ovarian disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tumor metastasis is the leading cause of high mortality in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The metastasis-related HCC microenvironment is characterized by high heterogeneity. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) may aid in determining specific cell clusters involved in regulating the immune microenvironment of HCC. Methods: The scRNA-seq data of 10 HCC samples were collected from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database GSE124395. Correlations between key gene expression and clinicopathological data were determined using public databases. HCC tissues and matched tumor-adjacent and normal tissue samples were obtained by surgical resection at Sichuan Cancer Hospital. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed and verified by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescent staining. Results: Nine malignant hepatocyte clusters with different marker genes and biological functions were identified. C3_Hepatocyte-SERF2 and C6_Hepatocyte-IL13RA2 were mainly involved in the regulation of the immune microenvironment, which was also a significant pathway in regulating HCC metastasis. Key genes in malignant hepatocyte clusters that associated with HCC metastasis were further screened by LASSO regression analysis. TPI1, a key gene in C6_Hepatocyte-IL13RA2 and HCC metastasis, could participate in regulating the HCC immune microenvironment in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) databases. Moreover, immunohistochemistry analysis demonstrated that TPI1 expression was positively correlated with HCC metastasis and poor prognosis, while negatively correlated with CD8+ T cell infiltration. The negative correlation between TPI1 expression and CD8+ T cell infiltration was further confirmed by immunofluorescence staining. Conclusion: In summary, a cluster of TPI1+ malignant hepatocytes was associated with the suppression of CD8+ T cell infiltration and HCC metastasis, providing novel insights into potential biomarkers for immunotherapy in HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reconstructing 3D refractive index profile of scatterers using optical microscopy measurements presents several challenges over the conventional microwave and RF domain measurement scenario. These include phaseless and polarization-insensitive measurements, small numerical aperture, as well as a Green's function where spatial frequencies are integrated in a weighted manner such that far-field angular spectrum cannot be probed and high spatial frequencies that permit better resolution are weighed down. As a result of these factors, the non-linearity and the ill-posedness of the inverse problem are quite severe. These limitations have imposed that inverse scattering problems in the microscopy domain largely consider scalar wave approximations and neglect multiple scattering. Here, we present first inverse scattering results for optical microscopy setup where full-wave vectorial formulation and multiple scattering is incorporated. We present (a) how three popular inverse scattering solvers from microwave domain can be adapted for the present inverse problem, (b) the opportunities and challenges presented by each of these solvers, (c) a comparative insight into these solvers and contrast with the simpler Born approximation approach, and (d) potential routes to improve the performance of these solvers for the hard inverse problem of optical microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the causal relationships between antibodies and autoimmune diseases using Mendelian randomization (MR)., Methods: Data on 46 antibodies were obtained from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Autoimmune disease data were sourced from the FinnGen consortium and the IEU OpenGWAS project. Inverse-variance weighted (IVW) analysis was the primary method, supplemented by heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses. We also examined gene expression near significant SNPs and conducted drug sensitivity analyses., Results: Antibodies and autoimmune diseases exhibit diverse interactions. Antibodies produced after Polyomavirus infection tend to increase the risk of several autoimmune diseases, while those following Human herpesvirus 6 infection generally reduce it. The impact of Helicobacter pylori infection varies, with different antibodies affecting autoimmune diseases in distinct ways. Overall, antibodies significantly influence the risk of developing autoimmune diseases, whereas autoimmune diseases have a lesser impact on antibody levels. Gene expression and drug sensitivity analyses identified multiple genes and drugs as potential treatment options for ankylosing spondylitis (AS), with the AIF1 gene being particularly promising., Conclusions: Bidirectional MR analysis confirms complex causal relationships between various antibodies and autoimmune diseases, revealing intricate patterns of post-infection antibody interactions. Several drugs and genes, notably AIF1, show potential as candidates for AS treatment, offering new avenues for research. Further exploration of the underlying mechanisms is necessary., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Children with cerebral palsy often experience inadequate nutritional intake due to factors like anorexia, intellectual impairments, underdeveloped motor skills of the oral sensory system, and eating and swallowing disorders. These challenges not only hinder their rehabilitation but also impose various degrees of burden on society and their families. Addressing malnutrition in children with cerebral palsy has become a pressing international clinical issue. This study assessed the nutritional status of children with cerebral palsy and examined the impact of a high-calorie enteral nutrition formula as a nutritional intervention., Methods: This retrospective study involved 132 malnourished children with cerebral palsy undergoing rehabilitation at the First People's Hospital of Yulin City from July 2020 to July 2023. Sixty-six children received conventional nutritional interventions after their parents were educated and trained in dietary practices and feeding techniques, forming the general group. The other sixty-six children were given a high-calorie intact protein or short peptide enteral nutrition formula milk powder (Nuiren JUNIOR or Peptamen Junior), and were referred to as the nutrient group. Data on anthropometric measurements, blood indicators, gross motor function, and adverse events were collected at baseline, three months, and six months., Results: After 6 months of intervention, both groups showed improvements in height, weight, weight-for-height Z-score, weight-for-age Z-score and gross motor function. There were statistical differences in height change, body mass index-for-age Z-score, and gross motor function between the two groups ( P <0.05). The efficiency of nutritional intervention was significantly higher in the nutrient group than in the general group ( P <0.05). In addition, total albumin, albumin, prealbumin, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were higher in the nutrient group than in the general group ( P <0.05). An incidence of side effects was observed in 15.15% of the children in the general group and 9.09% in the nutrient group, without significant difference (χ 2 =1.138, P =0.286)., Conclusion: High-calorie whole protein or peptide nutritional formulas can significantly improve malnutrition and enhance gross motor function development in children with cerebral palsy and has a low incidence of adverse events. These interventions hold promise for broader clinical application., Competing Interests: None., (AJTR Copyright © 2024.)

Background: Tumor metastasis is the leading cause of high mortality in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The metastasis-related HCC microenvironment is characterized by high heterogeneity. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) may aid in determining specific cell clusters involved in regulating the immune microenvironment of HCC., Methods: The scRNA-seq data of 10 HCC samples were collected from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database GSE124395. Correlations between key gene expression and clinicopathological data were determined using public databases. HCC tissues and matched tumor-adjacent and normal tissue samples were obtained by surgical resection at Sichuan Cancer Hospital. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed and verified by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescent staining., Results: Nine malignant hepatocyte clusters with different marker genes and biological functions were identified. C3&#95;Hepatocyte-SERF2 and C6&#95;Hepatocyte-IL13RA2 were mainly involved in the regulation of the immune microenvironment, which was also a significant pathway in regulating HCC metastasis. Key genes in malignant hepatocyte clusters that associated with HCC metastasis were further screened by LASSO regression analysis. TPI1, a key gene in C6&#95;Hepatocyte-IL13RA2 and HCC metastasis, could participate in regulating the HCC immune microenvironment in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) databases. Moreover, immunohistochemistry analysis demonstrated that TPI1 expression was positively correlated with HCC metastasis and poor prognosis, while negatively correlated with CD8 + T cell infiltration. The negative correlation between TPI1 expression and CD8 + T cell infiltration was further confirmed by immunofluorescence staining., Conclusion: In summary, a cluster of TPI1 + malignant hepatocytes was associated with the suppression of CD8 + T cell infiltration and HCC metastasis, providing novel insights into potential biomarkers for immunotherapy in HCC., Competing Interests: The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest in this work., (© 2024 Liang et al.)

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is expressed in multiple systems and mediates a variety of biological activities, such as mitosis, motility, and morphogenesis. A growing number of studies have revealed the expression patterns and functions of HGF in ovarian and testicular physiology from the prenatal to the adult stage. HGF regulates folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis by modulating the functions of theca cells and granulosa cells in the ovary. It also mediates somatic cell proliferation and steroidogenesis, thereby affecting spermatogenesis in males. In addition to its physiological effects on the reproductive system, HGF has shown advantages in preclinical studies over recent years for the treatment of male and female infertility, particularly in women with premature ovarian insufficiency. This review aims to summarize the pleiotropic functions of HGF in the reproductive system and to provide prospects for its clinical application., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)