Science Progress最新文献

ObjectiveTo translate and culturally adapt the facial disability index (FDI) into Korean following established guidelines, and to evaluate its reliability and validity in patients with facial palsy.MethodsThe translation process followed Beaton's cross-cultural adaptation methodology, involving forward translation, back translation, expert committee review, and prefinal testing. This prospective cross-sectional observational validation study included 100 adult patients with facial palsy recruited from a facial palsy center between May and July 2021. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's α for internal consistency and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for test-retest reliability (3-week interval). Construct validity was examined using Spearman's correlation between the Korean FDI and House-Brackmann (HB) grade, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and Synkinesis Assessment Questionnaire.ResultsThe Korean FDI demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (total Cronbach's α = 0.783; physical function = 0.810; social/well-being = 0.683). Test-retest reliability showed ICC values of 0.762 for physical function and 0.645 for social/well-being. The physical function subscale correlated moderately with HB grade (r = -0.461), whereas the social/well-being subscale correlated strongly with SF-36 mental component summary scores (r = 0.639). These findings were generally consistent with Turkish and Spanish validation studies, although ICC values were slightly lower, possibly due to the longer retest interval and inclusion of patients undergoing treatment.ConclusionsThe Korean version of the FDI is a reliable and valid patient-reported tool for assessing functional and psychosocial outcomes in patients with facial palsy. Its use may enhance patient-centered treatment planning, monitor treatment responses, and facilitate standardized data collection in clinical research. Future studies should examine its responsiveness in larger and more diverse patient populations and explore its application in clinical trials or real-world studies of integrative treatment strategies. Embedding the Korean FDI within multidisciplinary care frameworks may further strengthen evidence for patient-centered management of facial palsy.

A comparative numerical investigation is carried out to assess the seismic performance of cast-in-place and segmental assembled piers in a continuous beam bridge subjected to near-fault ground motions. A comparative numerical study on the seismic behavior of continuous beam bridges with cast-in-place piers versus segmental assembled piers under near-fault ground motions is presented. A full-scale finite-element model of a six-span continuous bridge is developed using ABAQUS. Within this model, the seismic performance of two pier construction schemes-integral cast-in-place and precast segmental assembly-are investigated and compared. The pseudo-static method (Pushover method) is employed to investigate the seismic performance of various pier segmental assembly configurations, ultimately identifying the optimal configuration of segmental assembled piers that balances energy dissipation and self-resetting capacity. Considering pile-soil interaction and viscoelastic artificial boundary effects, nonlinear dynamic time history analysis is conducted on a bridge model with the optimal segmental assembled pier form. A comparative analysis was conducted on the relative displacement between the pier and beam, as well as the overall damage progression of continuous girder bridges with cast-in-place and segmental assembled piers, subjected to pulse-type and non-pulse-type seismic excitations. This study reveals the damage patterns of bridge structures under near-fault pulse seismic effects. It captures the dynamic response patterns and key failure locations of bridges under pulse effects, providing support for seismic design of near-fault bridges. Conclusions are drawn and can be applied in the actual seismic design and analysis of segmental assembled continuous beam bridges under near-fault ground motions.

ObjectiveAdolescence is a critical window for optimizing peak bone mass. This study evaluated the independent association between dietary fiber intake and total body bone mineral density (BMD) in a representative sample of U.S. adolescents.MethodsThis cross-sectional study analyzed 2476 participants (aged 12-19 years) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2018. Dietary fiber intake was calculated as the average of two 24-h recalls. Total BMD was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Multivariable linear regression, generalized additive models, and stratified analyses were utilized, adjusting for sociodemographics, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, renal function markers (creatinine, blood urea nitrogen), and dietary variables (calcium, vitamin C, and energy intake).ResultsDietary fiber intake was positively associated with total BMD in the fully adjusted model (β = 0.001 g/cm², 95% CI: 0.001-0.002; p = 0.029). Compared to the lowest tertile (T1), the highest tertile (T3) exhibited significantly higher BMD (β = 0.016 g/cm², 95% CI: 0.001-0.031; p = 0.038; p for trend = 0.039). Generalized additive models confirmed a stable linear relationship (effective degrees of freedom = 1.0, p for nonlinearity = 0.158). Significant interactions were identified for gender, age, race, and BMI (p for interaction < 0.05), with the association being most pronounced among Non-Hispanic White participants and those in the medium-BMI tertile. Conversely, no significant interactions were observed for poverty-income ratio and physical activity (p for interaction > 0.05).ConclusionsHigher dietary fiber intake is independently associated with increased total body BMD in U.S. adolescents. Optimizing fiber consumption may be a strategic approach for enhancing bone mass accrual, particularly among those with a healthy body weight.

Background and ObjectivesTumor Endothelial Marker 8 (TEM8) is integral to angiogenesis, tumor microenvironment remodeling, and cancer cell proliferation, and its expression is upregulated in a variety of malignancies. Despite its potential as both a prognostic biomarker and a therapeutic target in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the exact role of TEM8 in TNBC remains poorly understood. This study seeks to examine the expression of TEM8 protein in TNBC and explore its associations with clinicopathological characteristics and patient survival outcomes.MethodsClinical and pathological data from 118 patients diagnosed with TNBC via surgical pathology between January 2015 and December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed at Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital. A total of 35 adjacent non-cancerous tissue samples were randomly selected from the tumor tissue samples of the 118 TNBC patients. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to assess the expression levels of TEM8 and CD31 proteins. The correlations between TEM8 expression and various clinicopathological features, as well as survival status, were analyzed.ResultThe positive expression rate of TEM8 in TNBC tumor tissues was 89.8% (106/118), significantly higher than 60% (21/35) observed in adjacent non-tumorous tissues (χ² = 17.029, P < .01). TEM8 expression was significantly correlated with microvessel density (MVD), axillary lymph node status, and TNM staging. Moreover, patients with high TEM8 expression levels exhibited significantly lower overall survival (OS) rates compared to those with low TEM8 expression. Multivariate analysis revealed that TEM8 expression and tumor size were independent prognostic factors for OS.ConclusionsTEM8 is highly expressed in TNBC tissues and is closely associated with angiogenesis, tumor proliferation, lymph node metastasis, and poor prognosis. TEM8 may serve as a potential prognostic marker, offering new insights for the diagnosis and therapeutic strategies in TNBC.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) stands as a pivotal interventional therapy for managing portal hypertension (PH) and its associated complications. Distinguished from pharmacological treatments, endoscopic interventions, or surgical portocaval shunts, TIPS has achieved extensive clinical application attributed to its minimally invasive nature and efficacy. Notwithstanding, complications ensuing from TIPS, such as hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and shunt dysfunction, etc, significantly impact patient prognosis. Over the course of several decades, a diverse array of stent types and diameters have become available for TIPS procedures. Moreover, the stent puncture position and the initial stent position also exhibit variability. Our review aims to address this gap in knowledge by reviewing the research progress on stent types, diameters, puncture positions, and initial stent positions in the context of TIPS. It presents a comprehensive overview of the various stent options available for TIPS procedures and highlights the importance of individualized treatment approaches in reducing surgical complications and improving patient prognosis. The findings outlined in our review provide valuable insights for clinicians and researchers in the field.

ObjectivesDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a common comorbidity in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The Braden skin score (BSS) has increasingly been recognized as an indicator of patient frailty. However, the association between the BSS and clinical outcomes in critically ill diabetic patients remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the BSS and clinical outcomes in diabetic patients in ICU settings.MethodsA retrospective cohort of diabetic patients with measured BSS was identified from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database. The primary outcomes included mortality at 30, 60, and 90 days. The association between BSS and survival outcomes was evaluated using time-dependent Cox proportional hazards model. Further validation was conducted through Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, restricted cubic spline fitting, and subgroup analyses.ResultsA total of 20,590 patients were included in this study, those with higher BSS had a 14% decreased risk of 30-day mortality (HR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.84-0.87, p < .01). Based on cutoff values of 13, patients were categorized into two risk groups. After adjusting for covariates, time-dependent Cox proportional hazards model indicated that the high-risk group exhibited a significantly increased 30-day all-cause mortality compared with the low-risk groups (HR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.62-1.91, p < .01). Kaplan-Meier curves consistently demonstrated poorer survival across all time points in the high-risk group. Subgroup analysis further indicated that the association between BSS and mortality was particularly pronounced in patients with cerebrovascular disease.ConclusionsA low BSS was independently linked to higher mortality among critically ill patients with diabetes, especially in those with concomitant cerebrovascular diseases. These results support the potential utility of BSS as a prognostic indicator in this population. Further validation through larger prospective studies remains necessary.

ObjectiveRecent advances in generative artificial intelligence (AI) and dimensional approaches in psychiatry offer scalable scoring of psychopathology, yet biological validation remains challenging. This study aimed to compare AI and human performances in scoring dimensional psychopathology and its relationship with inflammatory brain markers in psychotic disorders.MethodsIn a cross-sectional, real-world, prospective study, we generated research domain criteria (RDoC) profiles using a large-language model and human ratings from admission notes of 127 consecutively selected patients with psychotic disorders. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diffusion-based restricted fraction (RF) values were extracted from the amygdala, hippocampus, and neocortex as a proxy of inflammation. We assessed the agreement between AI- and human-derived scores and their predictive value for regional RF.ResultsAI and human RDoC ratings showed moderate-to-high agreement (intraclass correlation coefficients: 0.65-0.81). AI-derived, but not human-derived, negative and positive valence RDoC scores predicted amygdala and neocortical inflammation, while social and regulatory/arousal scores predicted hippocampal RF. A significant association was found between neocortical RF and regulatory/arousal scores in the AI assessment. Both AI- and human-derived cognitive scores predicted cortical RF. When the regression analyses were corrected for multiple comparisons, only the AI-derived associations remained significant: the amygdala for negative valence and the cortex for regulatory/arousal scores.ConclusionsThese results suggest a significant correspondence between AI and human RDoC ratings. AI-based dimensional phenotyping may reflect underlying neuroinflammatory processes, offering a biologically anchored tool for precision psychiatry.

ObjectiveOrthodontic tooth movement (OTM) relies on mechanotransduction and inflammatory responses within the periodontal ligament (PDL). This study aimed to elucidate the role of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) in mediating mechanical force-induced pyroptosis in human PDL (hPDL) cells and its functional impact on osteoclast activation during OTM.MethodshPDL cells were isolated from premolars extracted for orthodontic reasons and characterized for stem cell properties (CD73+/CD90+/CD105+; CD34-/CD45-). An in vitro OTM model was established by applying compressive force (0-2.0 g/cm²). Pyroptosis was assessed via qRT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence for NLRP3, caspase-1, GSDMD, and IL-1β. Osteoclast differentiation was evaluated in hPDL-PBMC co-cultures using TRAP staining, ELISA (RANKL/OPG), and gene expression analysis (CTSK/TRAP). TRPV4 activation was modulated using agonist GSK1016790A.ResultsCompressive force (1.5 g/cm², 24 h) significantly upregulated pyroptosis markers (NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, N-GSDMD, IL-1β) and inflammatory mediators (COX2, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8). TRPV4 activation was mechanosensitive and enhanced by GSK1016790A, which amplified pyroptosis and subsequent RANKL secretion. In co-cultures, hPDL pyroptosis promoted osteoclast differentiation, evidenced by increased TRAP + multinucleated cells and elevated CTSK/TRAP expression.ConclusionMechanical force activates TRPV4 to drive NLRP3/caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis in hPDL cells, which accelerates osteoclastogenesis via RANKL signaling. Targeting TRPV4-pyroptosis axis may represent a novel strategy to optimize orthodontic treatment efficiency.

ObjectivesLow lean mass (LLM), as a critical element of sarcopenia, is associated with chronic inflammation and malnutrition and presents substantial risks to ageing populations. Although the red blood cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio (RAR) has been identified as a promising biomarker in various inflammatory and nutritional contexts, its relationship with LLM has not yet been investigated. This study seeks to examine the association between RAR and the risk of LLM.MethodsA cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from 22,299 adults participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2018. LLM was defined according to the criteria established by the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health. Multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic spline models were employed to assess the relationship between RAR and LLM, adjusting for variables including age, gender, marital status, race and ethnicity, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol consumption, educational attainment, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and time spent in sedentary activities. Subgroup analyses and propensity score matching analyses were also conducted.ResultsThe prevalence of LLM was 10.3% in NHANES 1999-2018. Restricted cubic splines analysis revealed a significant dose-response relationship between RAR and LLM risk (P < .001). Based on multivariate logistic regression, elevated RAR levels were linked to a higher odds of LLM (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.64-2.06, P < .001). Specifically, individuals in the highest RAR quartile (Q4) had an OR of 2.38 (95% CI 2.00-2.83, P < .001) for developing LLM compared to those in the lowest quartile (Q1). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of this positive association in several subgroup analyses and propensity score matching analysis.ConclusionHigh RAR is associated with higher odds of LLM risk in community populations. These findings serve as a basis for further research on sarcopenia and need thorough validation in various populations.

ObjectiveGiven the close link between abnormal coagulation function and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) progression, this study aims to identify coagulation-related biomarkers that influence LUAD prognosis and to validate the biological functions of key genes through in vitro experiments.MethodsWe obtained coagulation-related genes (CRGs) from the TCGA-LUAD and Genecards databases. To identify key CRGs, Cox and lasso analyses were conducted, leading to the establishment of a predictive model for the coagulation risk score (CRRS). The model's predictive accuracy was examined using Kaplan-Meier and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, followed by external validation to ensure robustness. A nomogram was then created by integrating risk scores with clinical factors, enabling the quantification of survival probabilities for individual patients. Additional analyses examined the relationships between risk scores and functional pathways, tumor immune features, and chemotherapy drug sensitivity. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to validate ASPH expression. Finally, ASPH expression was silenced in A549 and NCI-H1975 cell lines, and the impact on tumor cell behavior was evaluated.ResultsThe model constructed in this article can effectively predict the prognosis of LUAD patients. CRRS is an independent prognostic factor for LUAD, and CRRS was significantly correlated with multiple clinical indicators. Additionally, immune checkpoint expression was meaningfully higher in high-risk patients compared to low-risk patients. IHC analysis revealed an increase in ASPH expression in LUAD specimens. Downregulation of ASPH impairs the malignant biological behavior of LUAD cells.ConclusionThe CRRS model provides reliable prognostic value for LUAD patients. ASPH could function as both a molecular marker and a potential treatment target for patients.