Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), a key glycolytic enzyme released abundantly during cellular injury, has been established as a prognostic biomarker in ischemic stroke. However, the dynamic changes and predictive value of serum LDH during the acute phase in patients with large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke (LVO-AIS) remain insufficiently characterized. Methods This retrospective cohort study consecutively enrolled 414 LVO-AIS patients who underwent endovascular treatment (EVT) at a comprehensive stroke center between January 2019 and November 2024. Serum LDH levels were measured at admission, on post-EVT day 1, and day 3. In-hospital all-cause mortality (IHM) served as the primary endpoint. Friedman tests assessed longitudinal trends in LDH levels, with Durbin–Conover post hoc pairwise comparisons. Progressively adjusted multivariable logistic regression models evaluated associations between LDH and IHM. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression explored potential non-linear relationships, while subgroup analyses and interaction testing assessed the consistency and robustness of associations. Results Among 414 patients, 58 (14.0%) experienced IHM. Baseline LDH levels showed no significant difference between survivors and non-survivors ( P  = 0.108), whereas the non-survivor group demonstrated significantly elevated LDH levels on post-EVT days 1 and 3 ( P  < 0.001). In the fully adjusted model, each 10 U/L increase in day-3 LDH was associated with a 7% increased mortality risk ( P  < 0.001). The highest LDH quartile conferred a 10.75-fold increased mortality risk compared with the lowest quartile ( P  = 0.002). ROC analysis revealed good predictive performance for day-3 LDH levels (AUC = 0.74) and absolute change from baseline to day 3 (ΔLDH, AUC = 0.74). RCS analysis confirmed a significant linear dose–response relationship between LDH and IHM (both P-nonlinear > 0.05). No significant interaction effects were observed across subgroups (all P for interaction > 0.05). Conclusions Dynamic LDH monitoring, particularly day-3 post-EVT levels, provides valuable prognostic information for risk stratification in LVO-AIS patients. The temporal LDH pattern may reflect the evolution of cerebral tissue injury and reperfusion injury, facilitating early identification of high-risk patients requiring intensified monitoring and potential therapeutic interventions.

Cholestane-3β,5α,6β-triol (CT) and its analogues are abundant in natural sources and are reported to demonstrate cytotoxicity toward different kinds of tumor cells without a deep probe into their mechanism of action. CT is also one of the major metabolic oxysterols of cholesterol in mammals and is found to accumulate in various diseases. An extensive exploration of the biological roles of CT over the past few decades has established its identity as an apoptosis inducer. In this study, the effects of CT on A549 cell death were investigated through cell viability assays. RNA-sequencing analysis and western blot of CT-treated A549 cells revealed the role of CT in inducing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response and enhancing autophagy flux, suggesting a putative mechanism of CT-induced cell-death activation involving reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated ER stress and autophagy. It is reported for the first time that the upregulation of autophagy induced by CT can serve as a cellular cytotoxicity response in accelerating CT-induced cell death in A549 cells. This research provides evidence for the effect of CT as an oxysterol in cell response to oxidative damage and allows for a deep understanding of cholesterol in its response in an oxidative stress environment that commonly occurs in the progression of various diseases.

This study aimed to investigate the association between the Fibrosis−4 (FIB−4) index and functional outcomes and hemorrhagic complications in patients with large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke (LVO-AIS) treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT). In this single-center retrospective cohort study, we consecutively enrolled patients with LVO-AIS who underwent MT between January 2018 and February 2024. The primary endpoint was poor functional outcome at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale score 3–6). Secondary endpoints included hemorrhagic transformation (HT) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). Multivariable logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to evaluate the association between FIB−4 index and outcomes after adjusting for potential confounders. Among 421 patients, 254 (60.33%) had poor outcomes, 197 (46.79%) developed HT, and 76 (18.05%) experienced sICH. After adjustment for confounding factors, each unit increase in FIB−4 index was associated with a 38% higher risk of poor outcome ( P  = 0.013). This association showed significant nonlinearity (P-nonlinear = 0.010), with risk increasing exponentially beyond a FIB−4 threshold of 2.4. Advanced fibrosis (FIB−4 ≥ 2.67) was independently associated with poor outcomes ( P  = 0.024). FIB−4 index independently predicts poor functional outcomes in LVO-AIS patients. This readily available biomarker may help identify high-risk patients who could benefit from enhanced monitoring and individualized treatment strategies.

To investigate the relationship between white matter hyperintensity (WMH) burden and infarct volume with functional outcomes in patients with anterior choroidal artery (AChA) territory infarction. This retrospective cohort study included patients with AChA territory infarction admitted to two comprehensive stroke centers between September 2018 and September 2024. WMH burden was assessed using the Fazekas visual rating scale and an automated volumetric quantification method based on lesion prediction algorithms. Acute infarct volume was precisely measured using fully automated threshold segmentation. Poor functional outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≥3 at 90 days. Associations were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression models with stepwise adjustment for confounders, and predictive performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression was employed to explore non-linear associations, followed by piecewise regression analysis based on threshold effects. A total of 216 patients were included, of whom 73 (33.80%) had poor functional outcomes at 90 days. After adjusting for potential confounders, both WMH burden and infarct volume were independently associated with poor functional outcomes at 90 days, with infarct volume demonstrating superior predictive performance (AUC: 0.80 vs. 0.67). For each 1-mL increase in WMH volume, the risk of poor outcomes increased by 2% (adjusted OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.03,  = 0.032). RCS analysis revealed a non-linear association between infarct volume and poor outcomes, with a threshold of 2.7 mL. When infarct volume was below this threshold, each 1-mL increase in infarct volume was associated with a 5.31-fold increased risk of poor outcomes (adjusted OR = 5.31, 95% CI: 3.07-9.73; standardized OR = 3.03, 95% CI: 2.11-4.53). In patients with AChA territory infarction, both WMH burden and infarct volume can independently predict functional outcomes at 90 days. Infarct volume exhibits a non-linear association with outcomes, with a critical threshold of 2.7 mL identified.

The measurement of hemoglobin is a vital index for diagnosing and monitoring diseases in clinical practice. At present, solutions need to be found for the soreness, high risk of infection, and inconvenient operation associated with invasive detection methods. This paper proposes a method for non-invasively detecting hemoglobin levels based on multi-wavelength photoplethysmography (PPG) signals. AFE4490 and TMUX1109 were used to implement the low-cost collection of an eight-LED transmissive PPG signal. We used seven regular LEDs and one broadband LED (Osram SFH4737) as light sources. Additionally, a finger clip integrating multiple sensors was designed and manufactured via 3D printing to simultaneously monitor the LED–sensor distance and the pressure from the tester’s finger during PPG signal acquisition. We used a method to extract features from PPG signals using a sliding-window’s variance and an evaluation metric for PPG signals based on the AdaCost classification. Data were gathered from 56 participants from the Nephrology department, including 16 anemic patients. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted on the collected data to remove any data with a weak correlation. The advantage of using a broadband LED as a light source was also demonstrated. Several non-invasive hemoglobin regression models were created by applying AdaBoost, BPNN, and Random Forest models. The study’s results indicate that the AdaBoost model produced the best performance, with a mean absolute error (MAE) of 2.67 g/L and a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.91 The study results show that the device we designed and manufactured can achieve effective non-invasive hemoglobin detection and represents a new methodological approach to obtaining measurements that can be applied in a clinical setting.

To investigate the dynamic characteristics and prognostic value of neutrophil-to-albumin ratio (NAR) in patients with acute large vessel occlusion ischemic stroke (LVO-AIS) undergoing endovascular therapy (EVT). In this retrospective cohort study, we consecutively enrolled 299 patients with anterior circulation LVO-AIS who underwent EVT between January 2018 and February 2024. NAR was measured at admission, day 1, and day 3 after EVT. The primary outcome was poor functional outcome at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale score 3-6). Secondary outcomes included symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), malignant cerebral edema (MCE), and in-hospital mortality (IHM). Multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic spline regression were used to analyze the association between NAR and functional outcomes. Latent class trajectory modeling (LCTM) was applied to identify NAR evolution patterns, and propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance baseline characteristics between different trajectory groups, followed by conditional logistic regression to assess their association with clinical outcomes. At 90-day follow-up, 197 patients (65.9%) had poor outcomes. The predictive value of NAR increased over time, with day 3 NAR showing the best predictive performance (poor outcome: AUC = 0.79; sICH: AUC = 0.70; MCE: AUC = 0.75; IHM: AUC = 0.81). Multivariable analysis showed that for each unit increase in day 3 NAR, the risk of 90-day poor outcome increased 2.81-fold (95% CI: 1.96-4.03,  < 0.001). LCTM analysis identified two distinct NAR evolution patterns: continuously increasing (31.1%) and peak-then-decline (68.7%). After PSM (63 patients per group), compared with the continuously increasing trajectory, the peak-then-decline trajectory was associated with significantly lower risks of poor functional outcome (OR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.17-0.86,  = 0.020), sICH (OR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.17-0.86, p = 0.020), MCE (OR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.10-0.61,  = 0.002), and IHM (OR = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.04-0.42,  < 0.001). NAR trajectory patterns independently predict clinical outcomes after EVT for LVO-AIS. Dynamic monitoring of NAR, particularly on day 3 post-procedure, may facilitate early risk stratification and development of targeted intervention strategies, providing a new biomarker tool for precision stroke management.

Cytokinin (CTK) has an important regulatory effect on plant morphology, physiology, and yield, and is one of the main factors regulating nitrogen absorption, transport, and metabolism. This paper reviews the research progress in nitrogen absorption, transport and metabolism, cytokinin synthesis, transport and signal transduction, etc., focusing on the physiological mechanisms by which CTK and nitrogen collaborate to regulate the root–shoot relationship and its impact on agronomic traits of crops. The synthesis of trans‐zeatin ( t Z) and trans‐zeatin riboside ( t ZR) is generally regulated by root nitrogen, which is transported them to the sprouts, regulates nitrogen allocation and metabolism, and affects photosynthetic characteristics and yield. In young shoots, nitrogen upregulates the synthesis of isopentenyl, adenine (iP), and iP‐nucleoside (iPR) and transports to roots through the phloem, reducing nitrogen uptake and transport, affecting root morphology. Based on this, the role of, CTK in coordinating relationships between source repositories and enhancing injection. We conducted an analysis on how various cultivation methods impact CTK metabolism and its relationship with plant growth. Additionally, we discussed the challenges associated with applying CTK functions to paddy field production and suggested future research directions.

Mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi) is a commercially important species in China. The number of pyloric caeca, essential for digestion and nutrient absorption, varies considerably (198–386) among individuals, but its relation to growth remains unclear. In this study, 300 samples from the first filial generation (F1) of farmed wild stocks were reared for 56 days and grouped based on pyloric caeca number. Fish with more pyloric caeca (≥289) exhibited significantly higher weight gain rates (WGRs), specific growth rates (SGRs), and digestive enzyme activities compared to those with fewer caeca (≤229). The final body weight (FBW) and the WGR showed moderately positive correlations with caeca number. These results showed that pyloric caeca number may be a valuable trait for selective breeding. To explore its genetic basis, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified over 1.4 million SNPs across 24 chromosomes. Twelve SNPs were potentially associated with pyloric caeca number, and we successfully identified one SNP that could effectively distinguish groups with the extreme number of pyloric caeca. Candidate genes near significant loci were enriched in pathways related to cell proliferation, differentiation, and metabolic regulation. These findings suggest a potential association between pyloric caeca number and growth, providing a possible reference for future molecular breeding in mandarin fish.

To investigate the association between dynamic changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and in-hospital mortality risk in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (LVO-AIS) undergoing endovascular therapy (EVT). This retrospective cohort study consecutively enrolled 329 patients with anterior circulation LVO-AIS who underwent EVT between January 2018 and January 2025. The eGFR was calculated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) 2009 equation at admission (baseline), and on days 1 and 3 post-EVT. The primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality. Multivariable logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline regression were employed to assess the association between eGFR and outcomes. Subgroup analyses with interaction testing were conducted to evaluate the consistency of this association across different patient populations. Of the 329 patients, 49 (14.9%) died during hospitalization. Baseline eGFR was not significantly associated with mortality ( = 0.223), whereas post-EVT eGFR demonstrated a pronounced time-dependent association. Patients who died exhibited a progressive decline in eGFR ( < 0.05), while survivors showed a modest increase ( < 0.01). After comprehensive adjustment for confounders, each 1 mL/min/1.73 m decrease in day-3 eGFR was associated with a 3% increase in mortality risk ( < 0.001); moderate-to-severe renal dysfunction (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m ) on day 3 was associated with a 4.3-fold increased risk of death ( < 0.001). Subgroup analyses revealed consistent associations across subgroups, with no significant interactions (all P for interaction > 0.05). Furthermore, post-EVT eGFR decline was significantly associated with increased risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) ( < 0.001), but not with hemorrhagic transformation (HT). Dynamic decline in eGFR, particularly the level on day 3 post-EVT, is independently associated with in-hospital mortality in LVO-AIS patients undergoing EVT, exhibiting a clear dose-response relationship.

To investigate the associations of white matter hyperintensity (WMH) burden and infarct volume with early neurological progression in anterior choroidal artery (AChA) territory infarction, and to identify potential imaging-based predictive thresholds. This retrospective cohort study consecutively enrolled AChA infarct patients admitted to two comprehensive stroke centers between September 2018 and September 2024. WMH burden and infarct volume were assessed using the Fazekas visual rating scale and an automated volumetric quantification method based on lesion prediction algorithm, respectively. The primary outcome was early neurological progression. Multivariate logistic regression models with stepwise adjustment for confounders were used to evaluate the associations of WMH burden and infarct volume with early progression. Restricted cubic spline regression was performed to explore non-linear relationships and to determine thresholds. Continuous variables were standardized, and piecewise regression analysis was conducted based on the identified thresholds. Subgroup analyses with interaction tests were performed to assess the consistency of these associations across different populations. A total of 216 patients were included, of whom 82 (38.0%) experienced early neurological progression. After adjustment for potential confounders, WMH burden showed a significant non-linear association with progression risk. For WMH volumes <66.1 mL, each standard deviation increase was associated with a 74% higher risk of progression (standardized OR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.29-2.40,  < 0.001). Compared with the lowest quartile, patients in the highest WMH quartile showed significantly increased risk (adjusted OR: 5.32, 95% CI: 1.48-13.88,  = 0.009). This association was confirmed by Fazekas scale analysis, with grade 3 patients showing substantially higher risk than grade 0 (adjusted OR: 6.22, 95% CI: 1.74-25.42,  = 0.007). Infarct volume demonstrated a similar non-linear pattern; for volumes <1.1 mL, each standard deviation increase was associated with 59% higher progression risk (standardized OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.04-2.47,  = 0.036). Quartile analysis revealed the highest risk in the third quartile compared to the lowest (adjusted OR: 5.63, 95% CI: 2.06-15.40,  < 0.001). This study revealed non-linear associations of WMH and infarct volume with early progression in AChA infarct patients.