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Abstract Objective To investigate the current state of oral frailty in oldely patients with require dental implants, analyze influencing factors in the characteristics of oral frailty across different patient categories, and provide a reference for clinical staff to identify high-risk groups and develop proactive management strategies. Methods Between January 2024 and March 2024, 654 patients with dental implants were selected using convenience sampling from six secondary and tertiary stomatological hospitals in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. Data were collected via a general information questionnaire and the Oral Frailty Index-8. The latent profiles of oral frailty were examined, and univariate and Logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the impact of various factors on these profiles. Results In this cross-sectional study, 605 valid questionnaires were returned, yielding an effective rate of 92.58%. The mean oral frailty score was 6.64 ± 1.21, with the sample comprising 223 males and 382 females, averaging 72.54 ± 6.33 years old. Oral frailty was categorized into three latent profiles: high (20.50%), moderate (53.72%), and low (25.78%) frailty groups. Factor analysis indicated that age, gender, education level, family income, number of implants, and dyslipidemia significantly predicted the classification of these profiles (P

Abstract The progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is associated with microstructural alterations in neural pathways, contributing to both motor and cognitive decline. However, conflicting findings have emerged due to the use of heterogeneous methods in small studies. Here we performed a large diffusion MRI study in PD, integrating data from 17 cohorts worldwide, to identify stage-specific profiles of white matter differences. Diffusion-weighted MRI data from 1654 participants diagnosed with PD (age: 20–89 years; 33% female) and 885 controls (age: 19–84 years; 47% female) were analyzed using the ENIGMA-DTI protocol to evaluate white matter microstructure. Skeletonized maps of fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were compared across Hoehn and Yahr (HY) disease groups and controls to reveal the profile of white matter alterations at different stages. We found an enhanced, more widespread pattern of microstructural alterations with each stage of PD, with eventually lower FA and higher MD in almost all regions of interest: Cohen’s d effect sizes reached d = −1.01 for FA differences in the fornix at PD HY Stage 4/5. The early PD signature in HY stage 1 included higher FA and lower MD across the entire white matter skeleton, in a direction opposite to that typical of other neurodegenerative diseases. FA and MD were associated with motor and non-motor clinical dysfunction. While overridden by degenerative changes in the later stages of PD, early PD is associated with paradoxically higher FA and lower MD in PD, consistent with early compensatory changes associated with the disorder.

Abstract Meta-lenses composed of artificial meta-atoms have stimulated substantial interest due to their compact and flexible wavefront shaping capabilities, outperforming bulk optical devices. The operating bandwidth is a critical factor determining the meta-lens’ performance across various wavelengths. Meta-lenses that operate in a narrowband manner relying on nonlocal effects can effectively reduce disturbance and crosstalk from non-resonant wavelengths, making them well-suitable for specialized applications such as nonlinear generation and augmented reality/virtual reality display. However, nonlocal meta-lenses require striking a balance between local phase manipulation and nonlocal resonance excitation, which involves trade-offs among factors like quality-factor, efficiency, manipulation dimensions, and footprint. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate the nonlocal meta-lens featuring Huygens’ bound states in the continuum (BICs) and its near-infrared imaging application. All-dielectric integrated-resonant unit is particularly optimized to efficiently induce both the quasi-BIC and generalized Kerker effect, while ensuring the rotation-angle robustness for generating geometric phase. The experimental results show that the single-layer nonlocal Huygens’ meta-lens possesses a high quality-factor of 104 and achieves a transmission polarization conversion efficiency of 55%, exceeding the theoretical limit of 25%. The wavelength-selective two-dimensional focusing and imaging are demonstrated as well. This work will pave the way for efficient nonlocal wavefront shaping and meta-devices.

Abstract Background Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is an early stage of dementia linked to Alzheimer's disease pathology. White matter changes were found in SCD using diffusion tensor imaging, but there are known limitations in voxel-wise tensor-based methods. Fixel-based analysis (FBA) can help understand changes in white matter fibers and how they relate to neurodegenerative proteins and multidomain behavior data in individuals with SCD. Methods Healthy adults with normal cognition were recruited in the Northeastern Taiwan Community Medicine Research Cohort in 2018–2022 and divided into SCD and normal control (NC). Participants underwent evaluations to assess cognitive abilities, mental states, physical activity levels, and susceptibility to fatigue. Neurodegenerative proteins were measured using an immunomagnetic reduction technique. Multi-shell diffusion MRI data were collected and analyzed using whole-brain FBA, comparing results between groups and correlating them with multidomain assessments. Results The final enrollment included 33 SCD and 46 NC participants, with no significant differences in age, sex, or education between the groups. SCD had a greater fiber-bundle cross-section than NC (pFWE

Objective We explored risk factors for cognitive frailty in older patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and diabetes mellitus to develop and verify a risk prediction model for cognitive frailty. Methods This was a cross-sectional study. Convenience sampling was used to randomly select 378 patients hospitalized between February 2022 and December 2023. We allocated 265 patients who visited between February 2022 and February 2023 to a modeling group to analyze risk factors for cognitive frailty and create a logistic regression model for risk prediction. Another 113 patients who visited between March 2023 and December 2023 were included in a validation group for model verification. Results The cognitive frailty incidence in the 265 patients was 35.09% (93/265). Regression analysis showed that age >80 years (odds ratio [OR] = 4.576), regular exercise (OR = 0.390, polypharmacy (OR = 3.074), depression (OR = 2.395) duration of COPD combined with diabetes (OR = 1.902), Family APGAR index score (OR = 0.428), and chronic pain (OR = 2.156) were factors influencing the occurrence of cognitive frailty in older patients with COPD accompanied by diabetes. Conclusions The constructed risk prediction model for cognitive frailty in older patients with COPD and diabetes showed good predictive value, aiding in the clinical identification of high-risk patients and facilitating timely intervention and guidance.

Summary: Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection, with the highest single-cause mortality. Monocarboxylate transporter 4 (Mct4) transports intracellular lactate outside, but its role in regulating host immune response against Mtb infection remains unknown. Mct4 expression was upregulated in Mtb-infected macrophages and in patients with TB. Mct4 silencing/deficiency significantly decreased Mtb survival in macrophages and in lungs and spleens of mice, while Mct4 overexpression facilitated Mtb survival in macrophages. Furthermore, Mct4 promoted intracellular lactate transport, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) p65 activation, and interleukin-10 (IL-10) production upon Mtb infection. Mechanistically, IL-10 silencing and IL-10-neutralizing antibody blocked Mct4 overexpressing increased Mtb survival. Replenishing lactate and NF-κB p65 inhibitor JSH23 treatment could inhibit Mct4 overexpressing increased NF-κB p65 activation, IL-10 production, and Mtb survival in macrophages. This study demonstrates that Mct4 promotes Mtb survival through restricting intracellular lactate accumulation to promote NF-κB p65-mediated IL-10 production and suggests Mct4-NF-κB p65-IL-10 axis a potential target for TB treatment.

ObjectiveIncomplete occlusion of cerebral dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) may lead to fistula recurrence and rebleeding, which may necessitate several embolizations and lead to worse clinical outcomes. Herein, we describe a grouting technique for endovascular embolization and its outcomes in a series of patients with complex intracranial DAVF.MethodsA total of 20 patients with aggressive type or symptomatic intracranial non-cavernous DAVF underwent endovascular transvenous embolization combining detachable coils and Onyx. Two microcatheters were positioned either in the distal segment of the involved sinus or near the draining veins. To achieve tight occlusion of the involved sinus, coils were carefully delivered through the first microcatheter, starting from the distal segment and then to the proximal segment. Next, Onyx was injected through the second microcatheter to reinforce and fill (grout) the interspace of coil mass and gradually refluxed to the mural channels and para-sinus cortical veins until the fistula was completely occluded.ResultsSuccessful embolization was achieved in all 20 patients. The initial angiographic results revealed the achievement of complete occlusion in 19 patients (95%). At the postembolization follow-up, complete obliteration of the fistula was achieved in all patients (100%). No symptom or angiographic recurrence was observed at the 2- to 5-year follow-ups. No patient required additional embolization or stereotactic radiosurgery.ConclusionThe proposed grouting technique combining detachable coils and Onyx appears to be promising for the elimination of complex intracranial non-cavernous DAVFs.

The research objective is defined as the identification and confirmation of empirical relationships between shadow banking activities and economic development in developing and transitional economies to establish a theoretical basis for minimizing potential risks associated with shadow banking. The methodological design is based on a quantitative approach, implemented through correlation-regression analysis and ARIMA forecasting methods. The research findings confirm Hypothesis 1: China’s shadow banking is closely interconnected with the country’s economic development. However, Hypothesis 2 (the reduction of shadow banking in China contributes to per capita GDP growth) is only supported for specific structural elements of shadow banking that contribute to economic overheating. In contrast, for other structural elements, such as entrusted loans, a strong direct correlation exists, promoting a positive impact of shadow banking on the country’s economic development. This highlights the need for a highly balanced state policy to minimize shadow banking risks. The research results can be valuable for professionals in public administration and academic researchers, particularly in terms of shaping future research directions.

Background: Endovascular management is the gold standard for cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas (CS-dAVFs) in patients with signs of ophthalmoplegia, visual defects, or intolerable clinical symptoms. Although the efficacy of embolization has been confirmed, complications during post-endovascular management have not been compared in a more extensive CS-dAVFs case series. Therefore, we compared the effectiveness and peri-procedural complications of transvenous coiling with those of transarterial embolization (TAE) using liquid embolic agents. Methods: We reviewed 71 patients with CS-dAVFs in one medical center from 2005/7 to 2016/7. We performed seventy-seven procedures on 71 patients, including six recurrent cases. We compared the efficacy and peri-procedural complications of transvenous coiling and TAE. Results: The complete occlusion rate for transvenous coiling was 79.2%, and that for TAE was 75.0%. Findings revealed (1) similar ophthalmoplegia complication rates (p = 0.744); (2) more frequent and permanent CN5 or CN7 neuropathy with liquid embolic agent use (p = 0.031 and 0.028, respectively); and (3) a higher risk of infarction or ICH (p = 0.002 and 0.028, respectively) in response to aggressive TAE. Conclusion: Transvenous cavernous sinus coiling resulted in a similar occlusion rate and lower complication risk than transarterial Onyx/n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA). We can access via an occluded inferior petrosal sinus (even contralateral), and direct transorbital puncture was a safe alternative. TAE with Onyx/NBCA was helpful in cases of oligo-feeders, but multidisciplinary treatment and multi-session TAE were usually needed for patients with multiple feeders and complex fistulas.

ABSTRACT Through a long-term micro-area positioning experiment (2006-2017), the precise fertilization locations of spring maize (Zea mays L.) in Jilin, China, were investigated using an embedded cement bucket pot. The effects of different fertilization placements and additional application of organic manure on maize yield, biomass, grain nutrient uptake, and soil fertility were examined. Six treatments were designed: base fertilizer + topdressing shallow application (BF1TD1); base fertilizer deep + topdressing shallow application (BF2TD1); base fertilizer + topdressing deep application (BF1TD2); base fertilizer deep + topdressing deep application (BF2TD2); base fertilizer + topdressing + organic manure shallow application (BF1TD1 + OS); and base fertilizer + topdressing shallow application + organic manure deep application (BF1TD1 + OD). After 12 years of continuous experimentation, the findings revealed that BF2TD2, BF1TD1 + OS, and BF1TD1 + OD exhibited 10.59 %, 25.17 %, and 29.34 % higher average yields than BF1TD1, respectively. Deep topdressing was more beneficial in increasing maize yield and nutrient accumulation, and additionally, increasing the use of organic fertilizer enhanced plant biomass and nutrient uptake. Over the 12 years considered, the soil organic matter in the 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm layers increased by 45.96 % and 80.61 %, respectively, and the soil pH increased from 0.38 to 0.48. In general, the deep application of organic manure was more beneficial for soil retention as it can increase soil fertility in the 0-40 cm layer. Considering the high yield and nutrient absorption and utilization of maize, technical advancement for soil fertilizer in whole-field tillage layers was crucial.