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Diagnosis of central precocious puberty (CPP) in girls remains a huge challenge. The current study was to measure the serum expression of methyl-DNA bind protein 3 (MBD3) in CPP girls and assess its diagnostic efficacy. To begin with, we enrolled 109 CPP girls and 74 healthy pre-puberty girls. Then, MBD3 expression in their serum samples was measured via reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and its diagnostic efficacy on CPP was assessed via the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, followed by correlation analysis between serum MBD3 and patient age, gender, bone age, weight, height, body mass index, basal luteinizing hormone (LH), peak LH, basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), peak FSH, and ovarian size using bivariate correlations method. Finally, independent predictors of MBD3 expression were confirmed using multivariate linear regression analysis. MBD3 was highly expressed in sera of CPP patients. The area under the ROC curve of MBD3 diagnosing CCP was 0.9309, with 1.475 cut-off value (92.66% sensitivity and 86.49% specificity). MBD3 expression positively correlated with basal LH, peak LH, basal FSH, and ovarian size, among which basal LH was considered the strongest independent predictor of MBD3, followed by basal FSH and peak LH. In summary, serum MBD3 could act as a biomarker in aiding CPP diagnosis.

Cardiac arrest-induced global cerebral ischemia injury (CA-GCII) usually leads to a poor neurological outcome without an effective treatment. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) may provide a potential cell-based therapy against neurologic disorders through induction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). To optimize the neuroprotective efficacy of BMMSCs further, in this study we have derived BMMSCs, which co-overexpress both BDNF and VEGF, and tested them for the treatment of CA-GCII in a rat model. Lentiviruses that express rat BDNF exon IV or VEGF-A were created using the bicistronic shuttle vectors of pLVX-IRES-ZsGreen1 and pLVX-IRES-tdTomato, respectively. BMMSCs that were co-transduced with the engineered lentiviruses with co-overexpression of both BDNF and VEGF along with corresponding fluorescent protein reporters were injected via jugular vein of rats that just recovered from a cardiac arrest. Animals were then scored for neurofunctional deficits and examined for brain pathology and gene expression relevant to the engraftment seven days after the treatments. We demonstrate that anchorage of lentiviral vector-transduced BMMSCs, which co-overexpressed both BDNF and VEGF in the hippocampus and temporal cortex along with significantly ameliorated brain pathology and improved neurofunctional performance in CA-GCII rats after transplantation. These findings provide a proof of concept for the further validation of engineered BMMSCs for the treatment of CA-GCII patients in clinical practice in the future.

Juvenile hormone III (JH III) maintains larval characteristics in insects and promotes ovary development in adults. Hydroprene, kinoprene, and methoprene are synthesized analogs based on natural JH III. A novel and precise method was established to mitigate the matrix effects and concurrently determine these juvenile hormone analogs in tea employing gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Water addition as a sample extraction approach was utilized and contrasted with protocols excluding water. Concurrently, the sought compounds underwent extraction with 1% (v/v) acetic acid-acetonitrile, followed by purification utilizing 0.1 g graphitized carbon black (GCB), 0.4 g primary secondary amine (PSA), and 0.4 g C18. Following separation via a DB-17MS column, detection of the analytes was conducted through GC-MS/MS in dynamic multiple reaction monitoring (DMRM) mode with quantification by a matrix-matching standard curve. Satisfactory linear relationships were established for the trio of juvenile hormone analogs within a 0.01–0.32 mg/L range, exhibiting correlation coefficients (R2) exceeding 0.999 and quantitation limits (LOQs) approximately spanning 0.005–0.01 mg/kg. Mean recoveries, spanning three concentrations (0.02, 0.1, 0.2 mg/kg), varied between 77.6% and 115.9%. The relative standard deviations (RSDs, n = 6) were from 0.5% to 5.8%. Detection of the juvenile hormone analogs was accomplished in tea samples. In summary, this investigation demonstrated a proficient approach in addressing complications by diminishing the matrix effects in a complex sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite erosion caused by snowmelt and rainfall causes considerable soil loss during spring thawing. However, research on the impact of frozen soil layers (FSL) on composite erosion is lacking. Therefore, indoor simulation experiments were conducted on soil conditions of 0 cm (unfrozen soil, FSLUN) and 3 cm thawing depths to explore the influence of FSL on composite erosion in the black soil region of Northeast China. Three snowmelt runoff (SR) discharges (0.34 L min−1, 0.5 L min−1, and 0.67 L min−1), three rainfall (RF) intensities (80 mm h−1, 120 mm h−1, and 160 mm h−1), and three snowmelt–rainfall interactions (SRI; 0.34 L min−1–80 mm h−1, 0.5 L min−1–120 mm h−1, and 0.67 L min−1–160 mm h−1) were used in this study. The results indicate that FSL advanced the initial erosion times of SR, RF, and SRI by 42.06%, 43.33%, and 45.83%, respectively. FSL increased the soil erosion rate (SER) of SRI by 1.2 (1.0–1.6) times that of unfrozen soil, which was smaller than that of SR (16.3, 5.6–25.0) and RF (1.7, 1.6–1.9), indicating that the interaction had an inhibitory effect on the increase in water erosion in the frozen layer. Under FSL and FSLUN conditions, RF erosion was 1.5–4.1 times and 14.5–24.3 times greater than SR erosion. The SRI erosion was not a simple linear superposition of multiple types of single-phase erosion; it had a significant nonlinear superposition amplification effect (SAE), with SAE of ~100% and ~300% under frozen and unfrozen soil conditions. Flow velocity (0.11 < R2 < 0.68), stream power (0.28 < R2 < 0.88), and energy consumption (0.21 < R2 < 0.87) exhibited significant (p < 0.05) linear relationships with SER in both FSL and FSLUN. The research results deepen our understanding of the composite erosion process during the spring thawing period in the black soil region of Northeast China and provide a basis for the prevention and control of soil erosion in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is an uncontrolled systemic inflammatory response. Proanthocyanidins (PC) is a general term of polyphenol compounds widely existed in blueberry fruits and can treat inflammation-related diseases. This study aimed to explore the regulatory effect of PC on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced systemic inflammation and its potential mechanism, providing effective strategies for the further development of PC. Here, RAW264.7 macrophages were stimulated with LPS to establish an inflammation model in vitro, while endotoxin shock mouse models were constructed by LPS in vivo. The function of PC was investigated by MTT, ELISA kits, H&E staining, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis. Functionally, PC could demonstrate the potential to mitigate mortality in mice with endotoxin shock, as well as attenuated the levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) and biochemical indicators (AST, ALT, CRE and BUN). Moreover, it had a significant protective effect on lung and kidney tissues damage. Mechanistically, PC exerted anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the activation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway. PC might have the potential ability of anti-inflammatory effects via modulation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we retrospectively analysed the efficacy and safety of three treatment models, namely, short-course radiotherapy sequential XELOX chemotherapy, neoadjuvant mFOLFOX6 concurrent radiotherapy and long-course concurrent radiotherapy with total mesorectal excision (TME) after treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer with high-risk factors. We collected clinical data on 177 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (cT3-4 and/or cN+) who were treated at the Department of Abdominal Oncology of the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guizhou Medical University from December 2017 to December 2022. All patients were associated with 2-3 risk factors [T4b, N2, Extramural Vascular Invasion (EMVI), Mesorectal Fascia (MRF) positivity], positive lateral lymph nodes. Among them, there were 45 cases in the short course radiotherapy sequential XELOX chemotherapy group (RT + XELOX group); 64 cases in the neoadjuvant mFOLFOX6 concurrent radiotherapy group (mFOLFOX6 + CRT group); and 68 cases in the long course concurrent radiotherapy group (CRT group). The RT + XELOX group and mFOLFOX6 + CRT group completed radiotherapy and 4 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, respectively, and then rested for 1-2 weeks before TME surgery; the CRT group completed concurrent radiotherapy and then rested for 6-8 weeks before TME surgery.Adjuvant chemotherapy was conducted after surgery in each of the three groups: 2 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy with XELOX regimen in the RT + XELOX group, 4-6 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy with mFOLFOX6 in the mFOLFOX6 + CRT group, and 8-12 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy with mFOLFOX6 in the CRT group.The pathological complete response rate (pCR rate), tumour downstage rate, tumour complete resection rate (R0 resection rate), local recurrence rate, distant metastasis rate, overall survival rate, incidence of adverse reactions, surgical complications and completion rate of perioperative systemic chemotherapy were compared among patients in the three groups of cases after TME. The pCR rate (21.95% vs 17.24% vs 5.00%, p = 0.034) and and tumour downstage rate (78.05% vs 68.97% vs 53.33%, p = 0.029) were higher in the RT + XELOX group and mFOLFOX6 + CRT group compared to the CRT group. The RT + XELOX group had a lower 3-year distant metastasis rate (14.63% vs 36.67%, p = 0.048) and improved 3-year overall survival (76.57% vs 48.56%, p < 0.001) compared to the CRT group. There was no significant reduction in the 3-year distant metastasis rate in the mFOLFOX6 + CRT group versus the CRT group (27.59% vs 36.67%, p = 0.719), and the 3-year overall survival was similar (51.23% vs 48.56%, p = 0.35). Multi-logistic regression analysis and stratified analysis showed that patients in the RT + XELOX group and mFOLFOX6 + CRT group were more likely to achieve pCR than the CRT group (RT + XELOX group: OR 7.3, 95% CI [2.6-20.8], p < 0.001; mFOLFOX6 + CRT group OR 2.9, 95% CI [1.1-7.9], p = 0.036). The completion rates of perioperative systemic chemotherapy in the RT + XELOX, mFOLFOX6 + CRT, and CRT groups were 82.93% vs. 84.48% vs. 61.67% (χ2=9.95, p = 0.007), respectively. And there were significant differences in grade 3-4 leukopenia and thrombocytopenia (incidence of leukopenia: 15.50% vs. 7.81% vs. 1.47%, p = 0.045; incidence of thrombocytopenia: 13.33% vs 7.81% vs 1.47%, p = 0.027). There was no significant difference in the incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications among the three groups (p > 0.05). RT + XELOX group and mFOLFOX6 + CRT group significantly improved the near-term outcome (e.g., pCR rate) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer with high-risk factors compared with CRT group. The RT + XELOX group also reduced the 3-year distant metastasis rate, increased the 3-year overall survival rate, and did not increase the incidence of perioperative surgical complications. It provides an effective means for the comprehensive treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer and has important clinical guidance and application value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigate the differences in clinical manifestations, imaging features, and associated inflammatory markers between Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease (NTM-PD) and Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB), identify potential risk factors for NTM-PD, and establish a logistic regression model to evaluate its diagnostic value. Methods: Baseline data were collected from 145 patients with NTM-PD and 206 patients with PTB. Propensity score matching (PSM) was utilized to achieve a 1:1 match between the two groups, resulting in 103 matched pairs. The differences in comorbidities, imaging features, and inflammatory markers were compared between the two groups. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent influencing factors, and the diagnostic value of the established model was evaluated. Results: After matching, significant differences were observed between the NTM-PD group and the PTB group in terms of diabetes, bronchiectasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD), cystic and columnar changes, lung cavity presentation, and monocyte percentage (MONO%), lymphocyte count (LYMPH#), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) (P< 0.05). Logistic regression analysis confirmed that diabetes, bronchiectasis, COPD, and lung cavities were risk factors for NTM-PD. The established regression analysis model was analyzed by the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, the Area Under the Curve (AUC) was obtained as 0.795 (P< 0.001, 95% CI 0.734– 0.857). At a Youden index of 0.505, the sensitivity was 84.5% and the specificity was 66.6%. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to evaluate the model's calibration, with a chi-square value of 11.023 and P=0.200> 0.05, indicating no significant difference between predicted and observed values. Conclusion: For patients without diabetes but with bronchiectasis, COPD, and imaging characteristics of lung cavities, a high level of vigilance and active differential diagnosis for NTM-PD should be exercised. Given that the clinical manifestations of NTM-PD are similar to those of PTB, a detailed differential diagnosis is necessary during the diagnostic process to avoid misdiagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper mainly studies the synchronization problem of memristor-based bidirectional associative memory neural networks (MBAMNNs) via finite-time technology. Different from the existing neural network dynamic models, the given model in this paper is focused on the impact of parameter perturbation and strong mismatch, where strong mismatch includes parameter mismatch and time-varying delay mismatch. These characteristics can make the model be closer to the actual situation. A delay-independent feedback control scheme, which can stabilize the error system within finite-time regardless of whether the past state is known or not, is designed. It is worth noting that the constant is replaced by a function with the exponential term in the delay-independent controller, which can save the control cost to a certain extent. Based on the integral inequality technique, some sufficient conditions for MBAMNNs to converge to the equilibrium point within finite-time are provided. The validity and correctness of the theoretical results are finally confirmed by numerical simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing demands for healthy diet of people, various kinds of food evaluation assistant softwares emerge as times require, and the topic of food images recognition receives more and more attention. Food images recognition belongs to fine-grained recognition problem, which is more difficult than other image recognition. Moreover, popular food image datasets, such as ISIA Food- 500, ETH Food- 101 and Vireo Food- 172, contain a small number of images, which makes it difficult to train the image recognition system well and further increasing the recognition difficulty. In this paper, an image recognition method based on attention mechanism is proposed. The method introduces the concept of local-attention on the basis of self-attention to describe the fine-grained features of the image and improve the accuracy of image recognition. In addition, an image self- supervised pre- training algorithm is proposed as well, to alleviate the problem of insufficient training samples of food images. The experimental results show that Top-1 accuracy and Top-5 accuracy of the proposed method on ISIA Food-500 dataset are 65.58% and 90.03%, respectively, which is superior to the state-of-the-art algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]