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Background The prognostic value of traditional clinical indicators for locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma is limited because of their inability to reflect intratumor heterogeneity. We aimed to develop a radiomic signature to reveal tumor immune heterogeneity and predict survival in locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods This multicenter, retrospective study included 921 patients with locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma. A machine learning signature and nomogram based on pretreatment magnetic resonance imaging features were developed for predicting overall survival in a training cohort and validated in 2 independent cohorts. A clinical nomogram and an integrated nomogram were constructed for comparison. Nomogram performance was evaluated by concordance index and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Accordingly, patients were classified into risk groups. The biological characteristics and immune infiltration of the signature were explored by RNA-sequencing analysis. Results The machine learning signature and nomogram demonstrated comparable prognostic ability to a clinical nomogram, achieving concordance indexes of 0.729, 0.718, and 0.731 in the training, internal, and external validation cohorts, respectively. Integration of the signature and clinical variables statistically improved the predictive performance. The proposed signature effectively distinguished patients between risk groups with statistically distinct overall survival rates. Subgroup analysis indicated the recommendation of local salvage treatments for low-risk patients. Exploratory RNA-sequencing analysis revealed differences in interferon response and lymphocyte infiltration between risk groups. Conclusions A magnetic resonance imaging–based radiomic signature predicted overall survival more accurately. The proposed signature associated with tumor immune heterogeneity may serve as a valuable tool to facilitate prognostic stratification and guide individualized management for locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research was to investigate how dietary antimicrobial peptides (AMP), namely, Isalo scorpion cytotoxic peptide (IsCT), affect the gill physical barrier function and immune function of grass carp challenged with Flavobacterium columnare (F. columnare). Five hundred forty grass carp were randomly allocated to six groups and fed to varying levels of IsCT in the diet (0, 0.6, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4, and 3.0 mg/kg diet) for a duration of 60 days. Afterward, the grass carps faced a challenge from F. columnare. The results revealed that the use of optimal IsCT dramatically mitigated gill damage in grass carp that were infected with F. columnare. Additionally, IsCT exhibited a notable enhancement in gill antioxidant capabilities, as evidenced by a significant reduction in ROS, MDA, and PC levels, an elevation in antioxidant enzyme activities, and an upregulation of antioxidant‐related genes and Nrf2 mRNA levels. Conversely, the expression of Keap1a and Keap1b mRNA was decreased. Besides, IsCT exhibited its capability to inhibit apoptosis via downregulating the mRNA levels of caspase-2, caspase-3, caspase-7, caspase-8, caspase-9, Apaf1, Fasl, Bax, and JNK while concurrently increasing the mRNA levels of Bcl-2, Mcl-1, and IAP in fish gills. Additionally, IsCT promoted the integrity of tight junction barrier by increasing the gene expression of claudin-b, claudin-c, claudin-3c, ZO-1, ZO-2b, occludin, and JAM while suppressing MLCK signaling. Additionally, optimal dietary IsCT improved antibacterial ability, as evidenced by heightened LZ, ACP activities, and elevated levels of C3, C4, and IgM. Additionally, there was an upregulation in β-defensin-1, LEAP-2A, LEAP-2B, hepcidin, and mucin-2 mRNA expression in the gills. Simultaneously, the inclusion of optimal dietary IsCT in the diet resulted in improved gill immunity barriers through the reduction of proinflammatory cytokine mRNA levels and the increase in the expression of anti‐inflammatory cytokine mRNA levels. This was partly facilitated by the IκBa/NF‐κB p65 signaling pathway and TOR/S6K1 signaling pathways in the gills of grass carp. Therefore, supplementing the diet with IsCT has potential advantages in enhancing gill health by improved physical barriers and immunity in grass carp. Based on LZ activity and against lipid peroxidation, optimum IsCT concentrations in on‐growing grass carp (136.88 ± 0.72 g) were found to be 1.68 and 1.54 mg/kg diet, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stick tea thrip (Dendrothrips minowai) is one of the most serious sucking pests of tea plants (Camellia sinensis) in China, North Korea, and Japan. Plant volatile lures are widely used for both monitoring and mass trapping. Previously, we demonstrated that sticky traps baited with p-anisaldehyde, eugenol, farnesene, or 3-methyl butanal captured significantly more D. minowai in tea plantations, with p-anisaldehyde notably capturing the most. In this study, we showed that D. minowai adults exhibited significantly higher attraction to mixtures of p-anisaldehyde, eugenol, and farnesene compared to an equivalent dose of p-anisaldehyde alone in H-tube olfactometer assays under laboratory conditions. Moreover, in field experiments conducted in 2022, rubber septa impregnated with a ternary blend of p-anisaldehyde, eugenol, and farnesene (at 3–4.5 mg and a ratio of 3:1:1) captured the highest number of adults on sticky traps, outperforming traps bailed with individual components or a solvent control over two weeks. Significantly, the mass trapping strategy employing these lures achieved control efficacies ranging from 62.8% to 70.7% when compared to traps without attractant, which achieved control efficacies of only 14.2% to 35.4% across three test sites in 2023. These results indicate that the combination of p-anisaldehyde, eugenol, and farnesene exhibits an additive or synergistic effect on D. minowai. In conclusion, our findings establish a theoretical framework and provide practical technological support for integrating attractant-based strategies into comprehensive thrips management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the effects of specular reflection on the laser-induced breakdown (LIB) of copper, iron, and tungsten using fast photography and optical emission spectroscopy. The laser parameters include spot diameter ranging from 30.89 to 1589.33 μm, irradiance from 467.10 to 0.17 GW/cm2, with a single pulse of 6 ns duration and 21 mJ energy. As the laser spot defocuses, the plasma morphology changes from a single plasma near the target surface to a separated, independently evolving two-component plasma, and then to a single plasma suspended above. The defocusing distance for this transition is significantly influenced by specular reflectance. The separate plasma, comprising of a metallic component and an air component, occurs only under high specular reflectance conditions: ≥66.7% for copper, ≥51.4% for iron, and ≥44.9% for tungsten. The spectral emission of the metallic component initially increases and then decreases with reducing specular reflectance, due to a trade-off between enhanced surface absorption and reduced irradiance caused by surface roughening. LIB threshold irradiance increases with specular reflectance, rising from 0.31 to 1.22 GW/cm2 for copper, 0.24 to 0.70 GW/cm2 for iron, and 0.38 to 0.87 GW/cm2 for tungsten. These findings show the impact of sample pretreatment on LIB ignition and subsequent plasma evolution, offering insights into potential sources of inaccuracy in LIB applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to find the optimal intervention available to both control blood glucose and improve physical function in the geriatric population with T2DM. Methods and Study Design: A systemic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) was conducted to assess and rank the comparative efficacy of different interventions on glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbAc1), fasting blood glucose (FBG), muscle mass, grip strength, gait speed, lower body muscle strength, and dynamic balance. A total of eight databases were searched for eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that the elderly aged more than 60 years or with mean age ≥ 55 years, the minimal duration of the RCT intervention was 6 weeks, and those lacking data about glycemic level and at least one indicator of physical performance were excluded. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the bias of each study included. Bayesian NMA was performed as the main results, the Bayesian meta regression and the frequentist NMA as sensitivity analysis. Results: Of the 2266 literature retrieved, 27 RCTs with a total of 2289 older adults were included. Health management provided by health workers exerts beneficial effects that is superior to other interventions at achieving glycemic control, but less marked improvement in physical performance. Exercise combined with cognitive training showed more pronounced improvement in muscle strength, gait speed, and dynamic balance, but ranked behind in decreasing the HbAc1 and FBG. Conclusions: Personalized health management combined with physical and cognitive training might be the optimal intervention to both accomplish glycemic control and improvement of physical performance. Further RCTs are needed to validate and assess the confidence of our results from this NMA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficacy and mechanisms of probiotic fermented tomato juice (PFTJ) in mitigating the impact of alcohol, and its ability to protect the liver were examined. The effects of different doses of PFTJ on the time taken by mice to sober up and on the activity of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in mice were analyzed using mouse models of acute alcohol intoxication. In the meantime, models of chronic alcohol intoxication were established to investigate the effects of PFTJ on the liver function indicators and lipid metabolism indicators in serum as well as the antioxidant indicators in liver tissue of mice. In addition, histopathological analysis was conducted. The results showed that PFTJ significantly shortened the time taken by mice to sober up and improved ADH activity in acute alcohol intoxication models. Compared with those of the model group, the activities of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) decreaseds by 24.87% and 26.65%, respectively (P<0.05), and the levels of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) reduced to 0.58 mmol/L and 1.21 mmol/L, respectively, in the high-dose group (15 mL/kg). The activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in liver tissue increased by 17.05% and 22.91%, respectively (P<0.05), while the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) declined by 34.69% (P<0.05). The administration of 15 mL/kg PFTJ remarkably relieved liver cell swelling and steatosis in the mouse models. In conclusion, PFTJ can increase ADH activity to accelerate ethanol metabolism and enhance activities of antioxidant enzymes to eliminate free radicals in the liver and restore lipid metabolism. Therefore, PFTJ has the potential to become a new functional food for sobering up and liver protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Nucleic acid‐amplification testing (NAT) is used for screening blood donations/donors for blood‐borne viruses. We reviewed global viral NAT characteristics and NAT‐yield confirmatory testing used by blood operators. Materials and Methods: NAT characteristics and NAT‐yield confirmatory testing used during 2019 was surveyed internationally by the International Society of Blood Transfusion Working Party Transfusion‐Transmitted Infectious Diseases. Reported characteristics are presented herein. Results: NAT was mainly performed under government mandate. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) NAT was performed on all donors and donation types, while selective testing was reported for West Nile virus, hepatitis E virus (HEV), and Zika virus. Individual donation NAT was used for HIV, HCV and HBV by ~50% of responders, while HEV was screened in mini‐pools by 83% of responders performing HEV NAT. Confirmatory testing for NAT‐yield samples was generally performed by NAT on a sample from the same donation or by NAT and serology on samples from the same donation and a follow‐up sample. Conclusion: In the last decade, there has been a trend towards use of smaller pool sizes or individual donation NAT. We captured characteristics of NAT internationally in 2019 and provide insights into confirmatory testing approaches used for NAT‐yields, potentially benefitting blood operators seeking to implement NAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Accurate differentiation between early and late latent syphilis stages is pivotal for patient management and treatment strategies. Nontreponemal IgM antibodies have shown potential in discriminating latent syphilis staging by differentiating syphilis activity. This study aimed to develop a predictive nomogram model for latent syphilis staging based on nontreponemal IgM antibodies. Patients and Methods: We explored the correlation between nontreponemal IgM antibodies and latent syphilis staging and developed a nomogram model to predict latent syphilis staging based on 352 latent syphilis patients. Model performance was assessed using AUC, calibration curve, Hosmer–Lemeshow χ 2 statistics, C-index, Brier score, decision curve analysis, and clinical impact curve. Additionally, an external validation set was used to further assess the model's stability. Results: Nontreponemal IgM antibodies correlated with latent syphilis staging. The constructed model demonstrated a strong discriminative capability with an AUC of 0.743. The calibration curve displayed a strong fit, key statistics including Hosmer–Lemeshow χ² at 2.440 (P=0.486), a C-index score of 0.743, and a Brier score of 0.054, all suggesting favorable model calibration performance. Decision curve analysis and clinical impact curve highlighted the model's robust clinical applicability. The external validation set yielded an AUC of 0.776, Hosmer–Lemeshow χ² statistics of 2.440 (P=0.486), a C-index score of 0.767, and a Brier score of 0.054, further underscored the reliability of the model. Conclusion: The nontreponemal IgM antibody-based predicted model could equip clinicians with a valuable tool for the precise staging of latent syphilis and enhancing clinical decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]