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Objectives: This study aimed to investigate differences in brain imaging characteristics among patients with Parkinson’s disease with cognitive impairment (PDCI), Parkinson’s disease without cognitive impairment (PDNCI), and healthy controls (HC), and to develop machine learning–based models for the early diagnosis of PDCI. A total of 48 patients with PDCI, 50 patients with PDNCI, and 47 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled, all of whom underwent magnetic resonance imaging using a 3.0 T MRI scanner. Arterial spin labeling (ASL) was applied to quantify cerebral blood flow (CBF), and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) was used to assess magnetic susceptibility, while cognitive function was evaluated using standardized neuropsychological scales. Group differences were examined using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and seven machine learning classifiers, including random forest (RF), K-nearest neighbors (KNN), and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), were constructed to discriminate among the PDCI, PDNCI, and HC groups. The ANOVA results revealed significant differences in both CBF and magnetic susceptibility between the HC group and the two PD groups, whereas no significant differences were observed between the PDCI and PDNCI groups. Compared with normative data, patients with PDCI exhibited cognitive impairments exceeding 2 standard deviations in the domains of language, attention, and working memory, as well as impairments exceeding 1 standard deviation in visuospatial function, memory, and executive function. Among the machine learning models, RF, KNN, and XGB achieved perfect classification performance, with all evaluation metrics reaching 1.000, indicating excellent discriminative capability. Feature importance analysis identified increased CBF and magnetic susceptibility in regions such as the left precuneus (Precuneus_L) and left postcentral gyrus (Postcentral_L) as key imaging features distinguishing PDCI, and correlation analyses further demonstrated significant associations between cognitive deficits and alterations in CBF and magnetic susceptibility. These findings suggest that ASL- and QSM-derived imaging features have substantial potential as non-invasive biomarkers for the early diagnosis of PDCI, that patients with PDCI exhibit widespread impairments across multiple cognitive domains—particularly in language, attention, and working memory—and that machine learning models integrating multimodal imaging features provide a reliable and effective approach for early diagnosis and may facilitate personalized treatment strategies in Parkinson’s disease, although future studies with larger sample sizes and independent validation cohorts are warranted to enhance the robustness and generalizability of these models.

Background The neuroimmune interaction mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases have received increasing attention. Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, with potential immunoregulatory abnormalities. However, the causal roles of specific immune cell proteins remain unclear. Methods We obtained PD and immune cell protein data from an open and free genome‐wide association study (GWAS) for subsequent analysis. Two‐sample MR analyses with inverse‐variance weighted (IVW), MR‐Egger regression, weighted median, and weighted mode methods were used to evaluate the causal effects. Sensitivity analyses incorporated Cochran's Q test for SNP heterogeneity (prioritizing IVW estimates when present) alongside MR‐Egger intercept and leave‐one‐out evaluations to address horizontal pleiotropy. Results The IVW analysis revealed that the genetically predicted level of three immune cell proteins per standard‐deviation increase was positively associated with PD, including CD38 (OR = 1.13, 95%CI: 1.05–1.22, P = 0.001), FcγRIIIB (OR = 1.06, 95%CI: 1.01–1.11, P = 0.019), and CUL4B (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.00–1.20, P = 0.012). The IVW analysis also revealed that the genetically predicted level of ADAMTSs per standard‐deviation increase was inversely associated with PD (OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.81–0.98, P = 0.013). Conclusions We demonstrate that CD38, FcγRIIIB, and CUL4B are risk factors for PD, whereas ADAMTSs is a protective factor. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was applied to elucidate the causal relationship between immune cell proteins and PD. Our study reveals a possible causal effect of immune cell proteins on the risk of PD and provides new ideas for the prevention and management of PD through immune cell proteins.

ObjectivesTo characterise peripheral musculoskeletal involvement in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) including psoriatic arthritis (PsA), across the world.MethodsCross-sectional study with 24 participating countries. Patients with a diagnosis of axial SpA (axSpA), peripheral SpA (pSpA) or PsA according to their rheumatologist were included. The investigators were asked which diagnosis out of a list of six (axSpA, PsA, pSpA, inflammatory bowel disease-associated SpA, reactive arthritis or juvenile SpA (Juv-SpA)) fitted the patient best. Peripheral manifestations (ie, peripheral joint disease, enthesitis, dactylitis and root joint disease), their localisation and treatments were evaluated.ResultsA total of 4465 patients were included (61% men, mean age 44.5 years) from four geographic areas: Latin America (n=538), Europe plus North America (n=1677), Asia (n=975) and the Middle East plus North Africa (n=1275). Of those, 78% had ever suffered from at least one peripheral musculoskeletal manifestation; 57% had peripheral joint disease, 44% had enthesitis and 15% had dactylitis. Latin American had far more often peripheral joint disease (80%) than patients from other areas. Patients with PsA had predominantly upper limb and small joint involvement (52%).Hip and shoulder involvement was found in 34% of patients. The prevalence of enthesitis ranged between 41% in patients with axSpA and 65% in patients with Juv-SpA. Dactylitis was most frequent among patients with PsA (37%).ConclusionThese results suggest that all peripheral features can be found in all subtypes of SpA, and that differences are quantitative rather than qualitative. In a high proportion of patients, axial and peripheral manifestations coincided. These findings reconfirm SpA clinical subtypes are descendants of the same underlying disease, called SpA.

The protein from black soldier fly larvae was used as a functional ingredient of a novel green nanofiber. Larvae protein powder (LP) was blended with biodegradable poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and processed in an electrospinning machine using a coaxial feeding/mixing method to produce nanofibers approximately 100–350 nm in diameter. To improve the dispersion and interface bonding of various PCL/LP nanofiber components, a homemade compatibilizer, maleic anhydridegrafted poly(ε-caprolactone) (MPCL), was added to form MPCL/LP nanofibers. The structure, morphology, mechanical properties, water absorption, cytocompatibility, wound healing, and biodegradability of PCL/LP and MPCL/LP nanofiber mats were investigated. The results showed enhanced adhesion in the MPCL/LP nanofiber mats compared to PCL/LP nanofiber mats; additionally, the MPCL/LP nanofibers exhibited increases of approximately 0.7–2.2 MPa in breaking strength and 9.0–22.8 MPa in Young’s modulus. Decomposition tests using a simulated body fluid revealed that the addition of LP enhanced the decomposition rate of both PCL/LP and MPCL/LP nanofiber mats and in vitro protein release. Cell proliferation and migration analysis indicated that PCL, MPCL, and their composites were biocompatible for fibroblast (FB) growth. Biodegradability was tested in a 30 day soil test. When the LP content was 20 wt%, the degradation rate exceeded 50%.

BackgroundIncreased risk of some comorbidities has been reported in spondyloarthritis (SpA). Recommendations for detection/management of some of these comorbidities have been proposed, and it is known that a gap exists between these and their implementation in practice.ObjectiveTo evaluate (1) the prevalence of comorbidities and risk factors in different countries worldwide, (2) the gap between available recommendations and daily practice for management of these comorbidities and (3) the prevalence of previously unknown risk factors detected as a result of the present initiative.MethodsCross-sectional international study with 22 participating countries (from four continents), including 3984 patients with SpA according to the rheumatologist.Statistical analysisThe prevalence of comorbidities (cardiovascular, infection, cancer, osteoporosis and gastrointestinal) and risk factors; percentage of patients optimally monitored for comorbidities according to available recommendations and percentage of patients for whom a risk factor was detected due to this study.ResultsThe most frequent comorbidities were osteoporosis (13%) and gastroduodenal ulcer (11%). The most frequent risk factors were hypertension (34%), smoking (29%) and hypercholesterolaemia (27%). Substantial intercountry variability was observed for screening of comorbidities (eg, for LDL cholesterol measurement: from 8% (Taiwan) to 98% (Germany)). Systematic evaluation (eg, blood pressure (BP), cholesterol) during this study unveiled previously unknown risk factors (eg, elevated BP (14%)), emphasising the suboptimal monitoring of comorbidities.ConclusionsA high prevalence of comorbidities in SpA has been shown. Rigorous application of systematic evaluation of comorbidities may permit earlier detection, which may ultimately result in an improved outcome of patients with SpA.

Biofilms are clusters of microorganisms that form at various interfaces, including those between air and liquid or liquid and solid. Due to their roles in enhancing wastewater treatment processes, and their unfortunate propensity to cause persistent human infections through lowering antibiotic susceptibility, understanding and managing bacterial biofilms is of paramount importance. A pivotal stage in biofilm development is the initial bacterial attachment to these interfaces. However, the determinants of bacterial cell choice in colonizing an interface first and heterogeneity in bacterial adhesion remain elusive. Our research has unveiled variations in the buoyant density of free-swimming Staphylococcus aureus cells, irrespective of their growth phase. Cells with a low cell buoyant density, characterized by fewer cell contents, exhibited lower susceptibility to antibiotic treatments (100 μg/mL vancomycin) and favored biofilm formation at air–liquid interfaces. In contrast, cells with higher cell buoyant density, which have richer cell contents, were more vulnerable to antibiotics and predominantly formed biofilms on liquid–solid interfaces when contained upright. Cells with low cell buoyant density were not able to revert to a more antibiotic sensitive and high cell buoyant density phenotype. In essence, S. aureus cells with higher cell buoyant density may be more inclined to adhere to upright substrates.

ObjectiveTo identify clusters of peripheral involvement according to the specific location of peripheral manifestations (ie, arthritis, enthesitis and dactylitis) in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) including psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and to evaluate whether these clusters correspond with the clinical diagnosis of a rheumatologist.MethodsCross-sectional study with 24 participating countries. Consecutive patients diagnosed by their rheumatologist as PsA, axial SpA or peripheral SpA were enrolled. Four different cluster analyses were conducted: one using information on the specific location from all the peripheral manifestations, and a cluster analysis for each peripheral manifestation, separately. Multiple correspondence analyses and k-means clustering methods were used. Distribution of peripheral manifestations and clinical characteristics were compared across the different clusters.ResultsThe different cluster analyses performed in the 4465 patients clearly distinguished a predominantly axial phenotype (cluster 1) and a predominantly peripheral phenotype (cluster 2). In the predominantly axial phenotype, hip involvement and lower limb large joint arthritis, heel enthesitis and lack of dactylitis were more prevalent. In the predominantly peripheral phenotype, different subgroups were distinguished based on the type and location of peripheral involvement: a predominantly involvement of upper versus lower limbs joints, a predominantly axial enthesitis versus peripheral enthesitis, and predominantly finger versus toe involvement in dactylitis. A poor agreement between the clusters and the rheumatologist‘s diagnosis as well as with the classification criteria was found.ConclusionThese results suggest the presence of two main phenotypes (predominantly axial and predominantly peripheral) based on the presence and location of the peripheral manifestations.

The structure, morphology, mechanical properties, water absorption, cytocompatibility, wound healing, and biodegradability of PCL/LP and MPCL/LP nanofiber mats were investigated. [...]with the protein requirements for biodegradable polymer materials and technological advancements in this area, there is an increasing demand for proteins with enhanced properties and characteristics, especially in terms of their mechanical properties, processability, porosity, and pore size [19-21]. In this study, we developed new composite fibers containing PCL and proteins extracted from BSF larvae using an electrospinning technique. Preparation of protein from BSF larvae First, the surface of BSF larvae was washed with clean water to remove soil and impurities, followed by spraying with 75% alcohol and exposure to ultraviolet light for 1 h for sterilization.

Biofilms are clusters of microorganisms that form at various interfaces, including those between air and liquid or liquid and solid. Due to their roles in enhancing wastewater treatment processes, and their unfortunate propensity to cause persistent human infections through lowering antibiotic susceptibility, understanding and managing bacterial biofilms is of paramount importance. A pivotal stage in biofilm development is the initial bacterial attachment to these interfaces. However, the determinants of bacterial cell choice in colonizing an interface first and heterogeneity in bacterial adhesion remain elusive. Our research has unveiled variations in the buoyant density of free-swimming cells, irrespective of their growth phase. Cells with a low cell buoyant density, characterized by fewer cell contents, exhibited lower susceptibility to antibiotic treatments (100 μg/mL vancomycin) and favored biofilm formation at air-liquid interfaces. In contrast, cells with higher cell buoyant density, which have richer cell contents, were more vulnerable to antibiotics and predominantly formed biofilms on liquid-solid interfaces when contained upright. Cells with low cell buoyant density were not able to revert to a more antibiotic sensitive and high cell buoyant density phenotype. In essence, cells with higher cell buoyant density may be more inclined to adhere to upright substrates.

Biofilms are clusters of microorganisms that form at various interfaces, including those between air and liquid or liquid and solid. Due to their roles in enhancing wastewater treatment processes, and their unfortunate propensity to cause persistent human infections through lowering antibiotic susceptibility, understanding and managing bacterial biofilms is of paramount importance. A pivotal stage in biofilm development is the initial bacterial attachment to these interfaces. However, the determinants of bacterial cell choice in colonizing an interface first and heterogeneity in bacterial adhesion remain elusive. Our research has unveiled variations in the buoyant density of free-swimming Staphylococcus aureus cells, irrespective of their growth phase. Cells with a low cell buoyant density, characterized by fewer cell contents, exhibited lower susceptibility to antibiotic treatments (100 μg/mL vancomycin) and favored biofilm formation at air–liquid interfaces. In contrast, cells with higher cell buoyant density, which have richer cell contents, were more vulnerable to antibiotics and predominantly formed biofilms on liquid–solid interfaces when contained upright. Cells with low cell buoyant density were not able to revert to a more antibiotic sensitive and high cell buoyant density phenotype. In essence, S. aureus cells with higher cell buoyant density may be more inclined to adhere to upright substrates.