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Background: Diffuse pulmonary lymphangiomatosis (DPL) is a rare pulmonary disorder, which affects the lymphatic channels from the mediastinum to the pleura. DPL is often misdiagnosed or missed due to the lack of clear specificity and definitive medical therapies. In most cases, the disease progresses to chronic morbidity or even death. Case presentation: Here, we have reported a case of DPL in a 17-year-old boy who presented with hemoptysis and progressive breathlessness. The diagnosis was confirmed based on the typical imaging features observed through high-resolution computed tomography, chest magnetic resonance imaging, and lymphangiography. Furthermore, we have presented the genetic characteristics of the patient and his parents and discovered the following heterozygous variants of BCL6: NM_001706: exon5: c. A463G (p.M155V) and ATM: NM_000051: exon3: c.A107G (p.D36G). The patient underwent treatment with sirolimus for 2 months; his clinical symptoms disappeared completely, and the mediastinum soft mass shrank dramatically. Conclusions: Early diagnosis of DPL is challenging for clinicians, and imaging plays an important role in determining the location and severity of the disease. The gene mutation detected in this study may facilitate the pathogenesis of DPL. Sirolimus can prevent further disease progression in the short term, which may be an effective and safe therapeutic alternative for treating DPL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serum homocysteine (Hcy) is considered to be a reliable biomarker of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and neurological diseases. Therefore, rapid, specific and sensitive measurement of homocysteine is crucial for prevention and diagnosis. Electrochemical methods, which benefit from simplicity, low-cost and quick response, have been widely utilized in the determination of targeted biomolecules. In this work, based upon a portable mini-potentiostat, a homocysteine electrochemical biosensor has been successfully developed combined with the modification of gold and manganese (IV) nanomaterials on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) (denoted as Au@MnO2/MWCNTs) on screen-printed electrodes (SPEs). Due to the excellent electrochemical activity and catalytic capability of Au@MnO2/MWCNTs, the proposed electrochemical biosensor exhibited wide-linear range (5–125 μmol L−1), high sensitivity (0.01110 μA (μmol L−1)−1) and low detection limit (0.6173 μmol L−1) for homocysteine, requiring only 400 s to complete detection. It was effectively applied in the determination of serum homocysteine, and the results were consistent with those of an automated clinical chemistry analyzer. Furthermore, the simple and portable electrochemical device offers a promising manner for on-site analysis and home health monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tumultuous effects of ultraviolet photons that source cosmic reionization, the subsequent compression and shock-heating of low-density regions, and the modulation of baryons in shallow potential wells induced by the passage of ionization fronts, collectively introduce perturbations to the evolution of the intergalactic medium in the post-reionization era. These enduring fluctuations persist deep into the post-reionization era, casting a challenge upon precision cosmology endeavours targeting tracers in this cosmic era. Simultaneously, these relics from reionization also present a unique opportunity to glean insights into the astrophysics that govern the epoch of reionization. In this work, we propose a first study of the cross-correlation of Ly |$\alpha$| forest and 21 cm intensity mapping, accounting for the repercussions of inhomogeneous reionization in the post-reionization era. We investigate the ability of Square Kilometre Array (SKA) |$\times$| Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI)-like, SKA |$\times$| MUltiplexed Survey Telescope (MUST)-like, and Packed Ultra-wideband Mapping Array (PUMA) |$\times$| MUST-like instrumental set-ups to achieve a high-signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the redshift range |$3.5 \le z \le 4$|⁠. Moreover, we assess how alterations in integration time, survey area, and reionization scenarios impact the SNR. Furthermore, we forecast the cross-correlation's potential to constrain cosmological parameters under varying assumptions: considering or disregarding reionization relics, marginalizing over reionization astrophysics, and assuming perfect knowledge of reionization. Notably, our findings underscore the remarkable capability of a futuristic PUMA |$\times$| MUST-like set-up, with a modest 100-h integration time over a 100 deg2 survey, to constrain the ionization efficiency error to |$\sigma _\zeta = 3.42$|⁠. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In dental diagnosis, evaluating the severity of periodontal disease by analyzing the radiographic defect angle of the intrabony defect is essential for effective treatment planning. However, dentists often rely on clinical examinations and manual analysis, which can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. Due to the high recurrence rate of periodontal disease after treatment, accurately evaluating the radiographic defect angle of the intrabony defect is vital for implementing targeted interventions, which can improve treatment outcomes and reduce recurrence. This study aims to streamline clinical practices and enhance patient care in managing periodontal disease by determining its severity based on the analysis of the radiographic defect angle of the intrabony defect. In this approach, radiographic defect angles of the intrabony defect greater than 37 degrees are classified as severe, while those less than 37 degrees are considered mild. This study employed a series of novel image enhancement techniques to significantly improve diagnostic accuracy. Before enhancement, the maximum accuracy was 78.85%, which increased to 95.12% following enhancement. YOLOv8 detects the affected tooth, and its mAP can reach 95.5%, with a precision reach of 94.32%. This approach assists dentists in swiftly assessing the extent of periodontal erosion, enabling timely and appropriate treatment. These techniques reduce diagnostic time and improve healthcare quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Multi-slice spiral computed tomography (CT) angiography (MSCTA) has become the primary non-invasive image technique for evaluating cephalic and cervical vascular anatomy, especially vascular variant such as persistent carotid-basilar anastomosis. Persistent proatlantal intersegmental artery (PPIA) is an example of a rare persistent carotid-basilar anastomosis that deserves to be featured through this imaging technic. Purpose: The aim of this study is to explore the imaging characteristics of the PPIA using MSCTA and to assess its clinical significance. Furthermore, the study seeks to propose a novel classification system predicated on the posterior circulation blood supply. Materials and methods: This retrospective analysis evaluated the imaging and clinical data of 11 patients diagnosed with a PPIA using MSCTA. Results: The incidence of the PPIA was found to be 0.01%. Classification based on the origin of the PPIA identified two cases (18.2%) as type I and nine cases (81.8%) as type II. This study introduced a novel classification system for PPIA, which is based on the posterior circulation blood supply, encompassing the persistent artery, vertebral artery, and posterior communicating artery. Among the 11 patients with PPIA, there were 11 instances of ipsilateral vertebral artery agenesis, three cases of contralateral vertebral artery hypoplasia, one case of contralateral vertebral artery agenesis, two cases of persistent artery hypoplasia, and two cases of basilar artery hypoplasia. Furthermore, the study identified two patients with aneurysms, one with cerebral infarction, and one with a Pulmonary Arteriovenous Fistula. Conclusion: The proposed classification system for PPIA enhances the understanding of posterior circulation blood supply, which is vital for pre-interventional and pre-surgical imaging assessments. In PPIA cases, the ipsilateral vertebral artery is consistently hypoplastic, and the PPIA predominantly serves the posterior fossa’s vascularization in about 75% of cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modified Ma-Xing-Shi-Gan decoction (MMXSGD), a classic prescription from Treatise on Febrile Disease in China, is commonly used to treat Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) infections in clinical settings. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of MMXSGD in the treatment of pneumonia and investigate its underlying mechanism of action. UHPLC-MS/MS was established to identify the main chemical components of serum after intragastric administration with MMXSGD. A mouse model of pneumonia caused by KP was used to evaluate the therapeutic potential of MMXSGD. The macrophage polarization was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The cytokine profile was assessed using Luminex assay. Lung transcript and metabolite levels were assessed by transcriptomics and non-targeted metabolomics to analyze potential anti-pneumonia mechanisms and targets. 22 major blood-entry components and 274 MMXSGD-pneumonia-related targets were identified. Compared with the model group, the mortality rate of mice in different dosage groups of MMXSGD was significantly reduced, and pathological lung damage was significantly alleviated. Among them, the low dose of MMXSGD treatment had the best protective effect. Further, MMXSGD treatment could regulates M1/M2 polarization in macrophages and inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The data from transcriptome and metabolome analysis indicate that MMXSGD could regulate inflammation-related pathways (PI3K/AKT, HIF-1, NF-κB pathway) and metabolites to modulate pulmonary inflammation. The results demonstrate that MMXSGD enhances the antibacterial effect in vivo by suppressing inflammation and regulating immunity rather than directly antibacterial effect. These findings provide a further assessment of MMXSGD, suggesting that MMXSGD has good therapeutic efficacy in bacterial infectious diseases. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of single escalating oral doses of DDCI-01 (a novel, highly selective, long-acting phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor) administered via capsules to healthy volunteers., Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single ascending dosing, Phase Ia clinical study involved 52 healthy volunteers who were randomized (3:1 ratio) to receive a single oral dose of DDCI-01 (1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, or 60 mg) or a placebo. Adverse events and pharmacokinetic parameters were evaluated after 14 days post-administration., Results: Within the studied dose range, DDCI-01 was safe and tolerable. Mild adverse events incidence was > 10% in all 39 volunteers receiving DDCI-01: myalgia (eight cases, 20.51%) and spontaneous penile erection (four cases, 10.26%). Drug exposure (C max , AUC 0-t , and AUC 0-inf ) increased with increasing dosage; however, no linear correlation was observed between drug exposure and dosage. The drug exposure increase was less than the expected dose-proportional increase. Terminal half-life of DDCI-01 ranged between 35.5 and 40.6 hours, whereas the values of apparent clearance (CL/F) and apparent volume (V z /F) were in the range of 1.1-3.0 L/h and 59-175 L, respectively. Both CL/F and V z /F increased with increasing doses of DDCI-01., Conclusions: DDCI-01 demonstrated favorable safety and pharmacokinetic profiles within the dose range. The findings of this first-in-human study support further research for the indications of DDCI-01, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension and erectile dysfunction., Registration: Chinese Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) registry number CTR20201564. The date of registration: August 3, 2020., Competing Interests: Declarations. Funding: The study was funded by Chongqing Dikang Erle Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. Conflict of interest: DZ and WZ were Chongqing Dikang Erle Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. employees at the time the study was conducted. All the authors have no competing interests in relation to the work described. Contribution statement: RC and ZJ designed the study. QL, SH, and YM recruited patients and were responsible for the informed consent form signing process. SH and YM followed up with patients. QL, DZ, and WZ conducted the data analysis. QL and SH wrote the first draft of the manuscript, and RC and ZJ edited the manuscript. RC and ZJ are the guarantors of this work and, as such, had full access to all of the data in the study and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. Data availability: The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions. Ethics approval: Ethics Committee of Peking Union Medical College Hospital (Approval number HS2020053). Consent to participate: Written, informed consent was obtained from all participants. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Code availability: Not applicable., (© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Acetyl-CoA is the main substrate of lipid metabolism and functions as an energy source for plant development. In the cytoplasm, acetyl-CoA is mainly produced by ATP-citrate lyase (ACL), which is composed of ACLA and ACLB subunits. In this study, we isolated the restorer-4 (res4) of the thermo-sensitive genic male sterile mutant reversible male sterile-2 (rvms-2) in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). RES4 encodes ACLB1, and res4 harbors a point mutation (Gly584 to Arg) in the citryl-CoA lyase domain. Both the ACLA and ACLB subunits are expressed in the tapetal layer of anthers. RES4 is regulated by MS188, and the res4 point mutation leads to pollen with a defective exine structure. In res4, lipid accumulation was significantly reduced within the tapetum and locules. These results indicate that acetyl-CoA synthesized by ACL is used for sporopollenin biosynthesis in the tapetum. Microspore diameter was significantly smaller in res4 than in wild type, indicating that acetyl-CoA from the tapetum supplies microspore development. Previous studies have shown that delayed degradation of the tetrad wall in res2 and res3 provides additional protection for rvms-2 microspores. The reduced volume of res4 microspores may lessen the requirement for cell wall protection to restore rvms-2 fertility. This study reveals the function of ACL in anther development and the mechanisms of fertility restoration in photoperiod- and thermo-sensitive genic male sterile lines., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement. None declared., (© The Author(s) 2025. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of American Society of Plant Biologists. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe and progressive cardiovascular disease. While potential links between clonal hematopoiesis (CH) and cardiovascular diseases have been identified, the causal relationship between CH and PAH remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the causal effect of CH on the risk of PAH using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach., Methods: We utilized genetic variants associated with CH as instrumental variables, identified from two large genome-wide association studies (GWAS) involving 359,088 participants in the discovery cohort and 184,121 participants in the validation cohort, all of European descent. We obtained GWAS summary statistics for PAH. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was employed as the primary analysis, complemented by sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of our findings. A bidirectional MR analysis was conducted to estimate the causation between CH and PAH., Results: Our results indicate a causal effect of CH on the risk of PAH in the discovery cohort, with TET2 showing an IVW odds ratio (OR) of 1.200 (95% CI: 1.001-1.438, P = 0.049). Sensitivity analysis did not reveal significant pleiotropy or heterogeneity. In the validation cohort, we found that TET2 remains a risk factor for PAH (OR = 2.3E + 08, 95% CI 17.007-3.1E + 15, P = 0.022). Additionally, no causal relationship was found between other CH genes, such as DNMT3A and PAH (P > 0.05). The reverse MR analysis provided no evidence of causal effects of PAH on CH., Conclusion: These findings showed that individuals with CH due to TET2 mutations may have a higher risk of developing PAH, suggesting that the CH patients may be tested for TET2 gene mutations., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical approval and consent to participate: The study received exemption approval from the Ethics Committee of the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University (Clinical trial number: not applicable). Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Clinical trial number: Not applicable., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Stereovision is the visual perception of depth derived from the integration of two slightly different images from each eye, enabling understanding of the three-dimensional space. This capability is deeply intertwined with cognitive brain functions. To explore the impact of stereograms with varied motions on brain activities, we collected Electroencephalography (EEG) signals evoked by Dynamic Random Dot Stereograms (DRDS). To effectively classify the EEG signals induced by DRDS, we introduced a novel hybrid neural network model, XCF-LSTMSATNet, which integrates an XGBoost Channel Feature Optimization Module with the EEGNet and an LSTM Self-Attention Modules. Initially, in the channel selection phase, XGBoost is employed for preliminary classification and feature weight analysis, which can enhance our channel selection strategy. Following this, EEGNet employs deep convolutional layers to extract spatial features, while separable convolutions are subsequently used to derive high-dimensional spatial-temporal features. Meanwhile, the LSTMSAT Module, with its capability to learn long-term dependencies in time-series signals, is deployed to capture temporal continuity information. The incorporation of the self-attention mechanism further amplifies the model's ability to grasp long-distance dependencies and enables dynamic weight allocation to the extracted features. In the end, both temporal and spatial features are integrated into the classification module, enabling precise prediction across three categories of EEG signals. The proposed XCF-LSTMSATNet was extensively tested on both a custom dataset and the public datasets SRDA and SRDB. The results demonstrate that the model exhibits solid classification performance across all three datasets, effectively showcasing its robustness and generalization capabilities.

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) is a common degenerative disease that causes chronic pain and joint dysfunction. However, the current understanding of TMJOA pathogenesis is limited and necessitates further research. Animal models are crucial for investigating TMJOA due to the scarcity of clinical samples. Class II malocclusion is an occlusal type highly associated with TMJOA, but it currently lacks appropriate animal models for simulating this malocclusion in research. Therefore, this study develops a new malocclusion model using a unilateral anterior large overjet (UALO) dental device to cause Class II malocclusion characteristics and TMJOA-like pathological alterations in rats. By inducing a posteriorly positioned condyle, the UALO device effectively results in cartilage degradation, subchondral bone loss, condylar volume reduction, and mandibular retrusion. Furthermore, RNA sequencing of condylar cartilages revealed that the oxidative stress of chondrocytes was elevated under the UALO-triggered abnormal mechanical stress. Disruption of antioxidant systems and mitochondrial dysfunction are involved in cartilage degeneration. The current study provides a novel and reliable rat model suitable for TMJOA research and offers insights into the disease's potential mechanistic pathways and molecular targets, contributing to a deeper understanding of TMJOA., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)