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A frequency and beam reconfigurable antenna based on encoded reflectors for Wi-Fi and IoT applications is proposed in this paper. By modifying the traditional Alford antenna, extending the transmission line, adding radiation arms, and loading PIN diodes, the frequency reconfigurable function can be realized. Then, the three-layer reflectors are loaded around the antenna. The pattern reconfigurable function of the antenna can be achieved by encoding the operating states of the PIN diodes on the reflectors. The antenna is fed from the bottom via a coaxial transmission line, and the dimension of the antenna is 0.99λ0 × 0.99λ0. The simulated and measured results show that the working frequencies of the antenna can be switched between 1.65, 2, and 2.4 GHz with bandwidths of 2.4%, 4.4%, and 1.2%, gains of 3, 4.5, and 2 dBi, and efficiencies of 48.8%, 75.0%, and 49.6% in directional mode, respectively. The antenna works in omnidirectional radiation mode with a scanning accuracy of 10°, bandwidths of 6.6%, 4.9%, and 0.8%, gains of 0.3, 0.52, and −2.8 dBi, and efficiencies of 73.1%, 74.1%, and 51.9% at 1.65, 2, and 2.4 GHz, respectively, when the PIN diodes are tuned in off states. The antenna proposed in this paper offers several advantages, including a wider frequency band, a broader angular range, and higher precision compared to other frequency and pattern reconfigurable antennas. The antenna can be utilized for Wi-Fi and IoT communication, thereby reducing the number of antennas, enhancing communication quality and accuracy, and improving device integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Escalation of prescribed dose in prostate cancer (PCa) radiotherapy enables improvement in tumor control at the expense of increased toxicity. Opportunities for reduction of treatment toxicity may emerge if more efficient dose escalation can be achieved by redistributing the prescribed dose distribution according to the known heterogeneous, spatially‐varying characteristics of the disease. Purpose: To examine the potential benefits, limitations and characteristics of heterogeneous boost dose redistribution in PCa radiotherapy based on patient‐specific and population‐based spatial maps of tumor biological features. Method: High‐resolution prostate histology images, from a cohort of 63 patients, annotated with tumor location and grade, provided patient‐specific "maps" and a population‐based "atlas" of cell density and tumor probability. Dose prescriptions were derived for each patient based on a heterogeneous redistribution of the boost dose to the intraprostatic lesions, with the prescription maximizing patient tumor control probability (TCP). The impact on TCP was assessed under scenarios where the distribution of population‐based biological data was ignored, partially included, or fully included in prescription generation. Heterogeneous dose prescriptions were generated for three combinations of maps and atlas, and for conventional fractionation (CF), extreme hypo‐fractionation (EH), moderate hypo‐fractionation (MH), and whole Pelvic RT + SBRT Boost (WPRT + SBRT). The predicted efficacy of the heterogeneous prescriptions was compared with equivalent homogeneous dose prescriptions. Results: TCPs for heterogeneous dose prescriptions were generally higher than those for homogeneous dose prescriptions. TCP escalation by heterogeneous dose prescription was the largest for CF. When only using population‐based atlas data, the generated heterogeneous dose prescriptions of 55 to 58 patients (out of 63) had a higher TCP than for the corresponding homogeneous dose prescriptions. The TCPs of the heterogeneous dose prescriptions generated with the population‐based atlas and tumor probability maps did not differ significantly from those using patient‐specific biological information. The generated heterogeneous dose prescriptions achieved significantly higher TCP than homogeneous dose prescriptions in the posterior section of the prostate. Conclusion: Heterogeneous dose prescriptions generated via biologically‐optimized dose redistribution can produce higher TCP than the homogeneous dose prescriptions for the majority of the patients in the studied cohort. For scenarios where patient‐specific biological information was unavailable or partially available, the generated heterogeneous dose prescriptions can still achieve TCP improvement relative to homogeneous dose prescriptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: By delivering escalated doses to biologically defined sub-volumes within a target, focal boost radiotherapy is expected to enable an elevated tumor control without an increase in toxicity in prostate cancer. Evidence for the efficacy and variability of this approach has been summarized and evaluated to support future focal boost radiotherapy studies and trials. For 34 planning studies and 35 clinical trials, published during 2013–2023, the methodology of treatment planning, dosimetric outcomes, and clinical efficacy were summarized and evaluated in this review. The challenges reported in the reviewed studies and their potential solutions are highlighted to serve future focal boost radiotherapy studies and trials. Background: Focal boost radiotherapy was developed to deliver elevated doses to functional sub-volumes within a target. Such a technique was hypothesized to improve treatment outcomes without increasing toxicity in prostate cancer treatment. Purpose: To summarize and evaluate the efficacy and variability of focal boost radiotherapy by reviewing focal boost planning studies and clinical trials that have been published in the last ten years. Methods: Published reports of focal boost radiotherapy, that specifically incorporate dose escalation to intra-prostatic lesions (IPLs), were reviewed and summarized. Correlations between acute/late ≥G2 genitourinary (GU) or gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity and clinical factors were determined by a meta-analysis. Results: By reviewing and summarizing 34 planning studies and 35 trials, a significant dose escalation to the GTV and thus higher tumor control of focal boost radiotherapy were reported consistently by all reviewed studies. Reviewed trials reported a not significant difference in toxicity between focal boost and conventional radiotherapy. Acute ≥G2 GU and late ≥G2 GI toxicities were reported the most and least prevalent, respectively, and a negative correlation was found between the rate of toxicity and proportion of low-risk or intermediate-risk patients in the cohort. Conclusion: Focal boost prostate cancer radiotherapy has the potential to be a new standard of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between N6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulators and anoikis and their effects on low-grade glioma (LGG) is not clear yet. The TCGA-LGG cohort, mRNAseq 325 dataset, and GSE16011 validation set were separately obtained via the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Chinese Glioma Genome Altas (CGGA), and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. In total, 27 m6A-related genes (m6A-RGs) and 508 anoikis-related genes (ANRGs) were extracted from published articles individually. First, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between LGG and normal samples were sifted out by differential expression analysis. DEGs were respectively intersected with m6A-RGs and ANRGs to acquire differentially expressed m6A-RGs (DE-m6A-RGs) and differentially expressed ANRGs (DE-ANRGs). A correlation analysis of DE-m6A-RGs and DE-ANRGs was performed to obtain DE-m6A-ANRGs. Next, univariate Cox and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were performed on DE-m6A-ANRGs to sift out risk model genes, and a risk score was gained according to them. Then, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was implemented based on risk model genes. After that, we constructed an independent prognostic model and performed immune infiltration analysis and drug sensitivity analysis. Finally, an mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA regulatory network was constructed. There were 6901 DEGs between LGG and normal samples. Six DE-m6A-RGs and 214 DE-ANRGs were gained through intersecting DEGs with m6A-RGs and ANRGs, respectively. A total of 149 DE-m6A-ANRGs were derived after correlation analysis. Four genes, namely ANXA5, KIF18A, BRCA1, and HOXA10, composed the risk model, and they were involved in apoptosis, fatty acid metabolism, and glycolysis. The age and risk scores were finally sifted out to construct an independent prognostic model. Activated CD4 T cells, gamma delta T cells, and natural killer T cells had the largest positive correlations with risk model genes, while activated B cells were significantly negatively correlated with KIF18A and BRCA1. AT.9283, EXEL.2280, Gilteritinib, and Pracinostat had the largest correlation (absolute value) with a risk score. Four risk model genes (mRNAs), 12 miRNAs, and 21 lncRNAs formed an mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA network, containing HOXA10-hsa-miR-129-5p-LINC00689 and KIF18A-hsa-miR-221-3p-DANCR. Through bioinformatics, we constructed a prognostic model of m6A-associated anoikis genes in LGG, providing new ideas for research related to the prognosis and treatment of LGG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In prostate radiation therapy, recent studies have indicated a benefit in increasing the dose to intraprostatic lesions (IPL) compared with standard whole gland radiation therapy. Such approaches typically aim to deliver a target dose to the IPL(s) with no deliberate effort to modulate the dose within the IPL. Prostate cancers demonstrate intra‐tumor heterogeneity and hence it is hypothesized that further gains in the optimal delivery of radiation therapy can be achieved through modulation of the dose distribution within the tumor. To account for tumor heterogeneity, biologically targeted radiation therapy (BiRT) aims to utilize a voxel‐wise approach to IPL dose prescription by incorporating knowledge of the spatial distribution of tumor characteristics. Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop a workflow for generating voxel‐wise optimal dose prescriptions that maximize patient tumor control probability (TCP), and evaluate the feasibility and benefits of applying this workflow on a cohort of 62 prostate cancer patients. Method: The source data for this proof‐of‐concept study included high resolution histology images annotated with tumor location and grade. Image processing techniques were used to compute voxel‐level cell density distribution maps. An absolute tumor cell distribution was calculated via linearly scaling according to published estimated tumor cell numbers. For the IPLs of each patient, optimal dose prescriptions were obtained via three alternative methods for redistribution of IPL boost doses according to maximization of TCP. The radiosensitivity uncertainties were considered using a truncated log‐normally distributed linear radiosensitivity parameter (αk${\alpha }_k$) and compared with Gleason pattern (GP) dependent radiosensitivity parameters that were derived based on previously published methods. An ensemble machine learning method was implemented to identify patient‐specific features that predict the TCP improvement resulting from dose redistribution relative to a uniform dose distribution. Results: The Gleason pattern‐dependent radiosensitivity parameters were calculated for 20 published prostate cancer α/β${{\alpha}}/{{\beta}}$ ratios. Optimal voxel‐level dose prescriptions were generated for all 62 PCa patients. For all dose redistribution scenarios, the optimal dose distribution always shows a higher (or equivalent) TCP level than the uniform dose distribution. The applied random forest regressor could predict patient‐specific TCP improvement with low root mean square error (≤1.5%) by using total tumor number, volume of IPLs and the standard deviation of tumor cell number among all voxels. Conclusion: Biologically‐optimized redistribution of a boost dose can yield TCP improvement relative to a uniform‐boost dose distribution. Patient‐specific tumor characteristics can be used to predict the likelihood of benefit from a redistribution approach for the individual patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rectal cancer is one of the most common lower gastrointestinal diseases worldwide. Currently, the common treatment is low anterior resection (LAR) of the rectum, which preserves the anus of the patient. However, it is easy to cause low anterior resection syndrome after surgery, which has a significant negative impact on the life of patients, and there is no unified evaluation standard for postoperative rectal function. To solve this problem, a multi‐sensor fusion rectal information acquisition system is designed in this paper, and a rectal signal processing method is proposed to theoretically evaluate the rectal function of postoperative patients. The method uses the complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (CEEMDAN) to decompose the one‐dimensional rectal signal to solve the underdetermined ICA problem, uses the Fast independent component analysis (Fast‐ICA) to separate the pure rectal signal, uses the wavelet packet to extract features, and uses the particle swarm optimization optimizes support vector machine (PSO‐SVM) to classify and evaluate postoperative function. According to the experimental results, the rectal signal preprocessing effect is good, the evaluation prediction rate is 99.5565%, and the algorithm classification results are accurate, which provides a certain preliminary theoretical basis and reference value for the evaluation of rectal function after LAR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most aggressive malignancies worldwide. Increasing evidence suggests that the capacity for self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation of pancreatic cancer stem cells (PCSCs) contribute to major challenges with current PC therapies, causing metastasis and therapeutic resistance, leading to recurrence and death in patients. The concept that PCSCs are characterized by their high plasticity and self-renewal capacities is central to this review. We focused specifically on the regulation of PCSCs, such as stemness-related signaling pathways, stimuli in tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME), as well as the development of innovative stemness-targeted therapies. Understanding the biological behavior of PCSCs with plasticity and the molecular mechanisms regulating PC stemness will help to identify new treatment strategies to treat this horrible disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) has increasingly become a very advantageous method for the determination of platinum group metals (PGMs). However, PGMs feature high values and low contents and are susceptible to severe interference from complex matrices during determination, making quantitative analysis difficult. This work aims to establish an efficient analytical method for accurately determining PGMs even in the presence of severe matrix elemental interference. The 24 emission lines of PGMs were investigated using typical Fe–PGM alloys, and the spectral and non-spectral interferences of individual and combined matrix elements on the PGM determination were studied. Three reliable emission lines, Pd 324.270 nm, Pt 299.797 nm, and Rh 343.489 nm, were finally identified. Moreover, two mathematical correction methods were established, and the accuracy was verified by simulated solutions and fire assay. The relative errors (REs) of correction method I and II were within 5.49% and 2.88%, respectively, demonstrating good accuracy. Finally, an ICP OES method that facilitates necessary assessment for PGM leaching and separation for the accurate quantitative analysis of Fe–PGM alloys was established and it also provides a useful reference for the determination of other PGM-containing materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative uses an outbreak response protocol that defines type 2 Sabin or Sabin-like virus as those with 0–5 nucleotides diverging from their parental strain in the complete VP1 genomic region. Sabin or Sabin-like viruses share highly similar genome sequences, regardless of their origin. Thus, it is challenging to distinguish viruses at a higher resolution to detect polio clusters or trace sources for local transmissions of viruses at an early stage. To identify type 2 Sabin or Sabin-like sources and improve our ability to map viral sources to campaigns during the polio endgame, we investigated the feasibility of a new method for genetic sequence analysis. We named the method Major Minor Variation Clustering (MMVC), which uses a network model to simultaneously incorporate sequence similarity in major and minor variants in addition to onset dates to detect fine-scale polio clusters. Each identified cluster represents a collection of sequences that are highly similar in both major and minor variants, enabling the discovery of new links between viruses. By applying the method to a published data set collected in Nigeria during 2009–2012, we found that clusters identified using this method have several improvements over clusters derived from a phylogenetic tree approach. Integrative data analysis reveals that sequences in the same cluster have greater genomic similarities and better agreement with onset dates. As a complement to current phylogenetic tree approaches, MMVC has the potential to improve epidemiological surveillance and investigation precision to guide polio eradication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alpha-helical transmembrane proteins (αTMPs) play essential roles in drug targeting and disease treatments. Due to the challenges of using experimental methods to determine their structure, αTMPs have far fewer known structures than soluble proteins. The topology of transmembrane proteins (TMPs) can determine the spatial conformation relative to the membrane, while the secondary structure helps to identify their functional domain. They are highly correlated on αTMPs sequences, and achieving a merge prediction is instructive for further understanding the structure and function of αTMPs. In this study, we implemented a hybrid model combining Deep Learning Neural Networks (DNNs) with a Class Hidden Markov Model (CHMM), namely HDNNtopss. DNNs extract rich contextual features through stacked attention-enhanced Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM) networks and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), and CHMM captures state-associative temporal features. The hybrid model not only reasonably considers the probability of the state path but also has a fitting and feature-extraction capability for deep learning, which enables flexible prediction and makes the resulting sequence more biologically meaningful. It outperforms current advanced merge-prediction methods with a Q4 of 0.779 and an MCC of 0.673 on the independent test dataset, which have practical, solid significance. In comparison to advanced prediction methods for topological and secondary structures, it achieves the highest topology prediction with a Q2 of 0.884, which has a strong comprehensive performance. At the same time, we implemented a joint training method, Co-HDNNtopss, and achieved a good performance to provide an important reference for similar hybrid-model training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu3MX4 (M = V, Nb, and Ta; X = S, Se, and Te) compounds have recently emerged as greatly promising solar energy conversion materials due to their tailorable band gaps, high optical absorption coefficients, environmentally benign nature and comparatively abundant elements. However, solution synthesis of Cu3NbSe4 nanocrystals as a photoactive material for investigating their optoelectronic properties has not yet been reported. Herein, we present a facile synthesis of cube-shaped Cu3NbSe4 nanocrystals with high crystallinity, high uniformity and monodispersity. Studies of the formation process disclose that the reaction temperature, time and surface ligand play significant roles in determining the crystalline phase, size and morphology evolution of the Cu3NbSe4 nanocrystals. Excitingly, a Cu3NbSe4-based photodetector exhibits a high Ilight/Idark ratio of 35, fast response speeds of 0.3/0.1 s for rise/fall times and excellent stability, indicating its robust potential for application in electronics and optoelectronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The internal morphology and structure of mesoporous carbon spheres are successfully controlled by changing the pore geometry of the initial sacrificing templates. The optimized sample shows a comprehensive potassium storage performance, which is ascribed to the balancing of pseudo-capacitance-controlled process and diffusion-controlled process. [Display omitted] • Mesoporous carbon spheres (MCSs) are synthesized by sacrificed template method. • The internal morphology and structure of the MCSs are well controlled. • The optimized sample shows excellent potassium storage performance. • The good electrochemical performance is ascribed to the delicate inner structural design. Carbon materials have been considered to be potential anodes for potassium-ion batteries (PIBs). Different strategies, including designing micro-/nano-structure and porous morphology, introducing heteroatom doping, and creating carbon-based hybrids, have been employed to improve the potassium ion transport kinetics. Nevertheless, it is still a challenge to achieve satisfactory potassium storage performance due to the uncontrolled reaction kinetics of the large-sized potassium ions. Herein, we successfully synthesized mesoporous carbon spheres (MCSs) with tunable internal morphology and structure by using sacrificed template method. The optimized MCSs with novel half inner-shell structures (HIS-MCSs) show excellent electrochemical performance when used as the anode for PIBs. Specifically, a reversible specific capacity of 241.2 mAh/g is achieved at a current density of 0.1 A/g. Even at 5.0 A/g, a reversible specific capacity of 120 mAh/g can still be reached. Long-term stability tests show that the electrode holds a capacity of 166.5 mAh/g after 1000 cycles at 1.0 A/g. The good cycling stability and rate performance of the HIS-MCSs electrode are attributed to the well-defined inner structural design, in which the contribution from ion diffusion and pseudo-capacitance process are compromised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hatchability could be quite different among individuals of indigenous chicken breed which might be affected by the egg quality. In this study, hatchability was individually recorded among 800 forty-wk-old Huainan partridge chickens. The chickens were then divided into high and low hatchability groups (HH and LH group) with 50 birds in each group. Egg quality was further determined in the 2 groups. Eight birds from each group were selected for slaughtering and tissue, responsible for egg formation, collection for structure observation by staining and candidate gene expression by transcriptome analysis. The hatchability in HH was 100% and 61.18% in LH. The eggshell thickness and shell strength were significantly lower, while the albumen height and Haugh unit were significantly higher in HH group than those in LH group (P < 0.05). The magnum weight and index, and the expression of polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 9 ( GALNT9 ), which responsible for thick albumen synthesis, in HH group were also significantly higher than that of LH group (P < 0.05). Compared with the LH group, there were 702 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in HH group, of which 402 were up-regulated and 300 were down-regulated. Candidate genes of calbindin 1 ( CALB1 ) and solute carrier family 26 member 9 ( SLC26A9 ), which regulate calcium signaling pathway so as to affect Ca2+ transportation, exhibited significant high and low expression, respectively, in HH group compared to those in LH group (P < 0.05). Therefore, indigenous chicken with high expression of GALNT9 in magnum to form thick albumen to provide more protein for embryo, while high CALB1 and low expression of SLC26A9 to decrease Ca2+ transportation so as to form a thinner eggshell and provide better gas exchange during embryo development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the rapid escalation of global urbanization, the role of blue-green spaces in urban ecology, public health, and planning has become increasingly prominent. Although their contributions to ecological preservation, public health, and urban design are widely acknowledged, research into public engagement and willingness to participate in the management and planning of these spaces is still in its early stages. Objective: This study aims to identify key factors influencing public willingness to participate in blue-green space management, focusing specifically on people's perceptions of blue-green spaces (including perceived quality and accessibility), their usage behaviors (i.e., frequency of usage of blue-green spaces), and their self-assessed physical and mental health. Methods: We interviewed local residents through random sampling to obtain sample data, and used a representative sample (n = 815, 510 women; 305 men, age 18–85 years, lived in Chengdu for an extensive time) of residents living in Chengdu City, China. Employing a quantitative approach, we examined the relationships between factors such as gender, regular occupation, income, behavior, and health status in relation to the willingness to participate. Additionally, we explored how perceptions and behaviors impacted health statuses and, consequently, inclinations to participate. Results: The findings indicate that individuals with steady occupations and higher incomes are more inclined to engage in the management and planning of blue-green spaces. Notably, men exhibited a greater tendency to participate than women. Furthermore, access to blue-green spaces emerged as a crucial mechanism for addressing health disparities, offering significant implications for urban planning and public health. Conclusion: Successful blue-green space planning and understanding of willingness to participate necessitates the holistic consideration of people's perceptions of blue-green spaces, their usage behaviour and their self-rate health. For a tangible impact on health equity and global urban development, it's essential to prioritize blue-green spaces in planning, especially in lower-income regions. This not only promotes environmental perception but can also be a strategic approach to address health disparities. Our findings offer vital insights for tailoring international urban planning and management practices towards these goals. • Key factors affecting public engagement in urban blue-green space initiatives are perception, income, and health status. • Perception, behavior, and health level can directly affect residents' willingness to participate. • Individuals with higher incomes are more inclined to participate in blue-green space management. • Enhancing blue-green spaces contribute to bridging the gap in health inequalities. • Enhanced blue-green spaces address health disparities, benefiting lower-income communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Improved leaching of PGMs by more than 17% over single thermochemical leaching. • Mechanochemical leaching opens up the SiO 2 encapsulation. • Coupled leaching achieves high leaching rates while scaling up easily. Platinum group metals (PGMs) are scarce critical materials, and recovering PGMs from spent automotive catalysts (SAC) is economically and ecologically important. However, dissolving the Fe-Si-PGMs alloy derived from SAC is challenging, impeding PGMs recovery. This study aims to develop a more sustainable, efficient, and scalable leaching scheme. We demonstrate efficient leaching of Fe-Si-PGMs alloy using a thermochemical combined with mechanochemical leaching method with a HCl + FeCl 3 + H 2 O 2 solution. Kinetics parameters studies optimize the leaching process. The main obstacles to leaching are the chemical inertness of the alloy and the SiO 2 encapsulation formed. Ultimately, efficient dissolution of 99 % Pd, 95 % Pt and 88 % Rh was achieved, increasing PGMs leaching by 17 % compared to single thermochemical leaching. Additionally, this work remedies the scalability limitations of mechanochemical leaching and provides valuable insights for PGMs recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aberrant DNA methylation has been identified as biomarkers for breast cancer detection. Coiled-coil domain containing 12 gene (CCDC12) implicated in tumorigenesis. This study aims to investigate the potential of blood-based CCDC12 methylation for breast cancer detection. DNA methylation level of CpG sites (Cytosine-phosphate Guanine dinucleotides) in CCDC12 gene was measured by mass spectrometry in 255 breast cancer patients, 155 patients with benign breast nodules and 302 healthy controls. The association between CCDC12 methylation and breast cancer risk was evaluated by logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. A total of eleven CpG sites were analyzed. The CCDC12 methylation levels were higher in breast cancer patients. Compared to the lowest tertile of methylation level in CpG_6,7, CpG_10 and CpG_11, the highest quartile was associated with 82, 91 and 95% increased breast cancer risk, respectively. The CCDC12 methylation levels were associated with estrogen receptor (ER) and human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) status. In ER-negative and HER2-positive (ER-/HER2+) breast cancer subtype, the combination of four sites CpG_2, CpG_5, CpG_6,7 and CpG_11 methylation levels could distinguish ER−/HER2+ breast cancer from the controls (AUC = 0.727). The hypermethylation levels of CCDC12 in peripheral blood could be used for breast cancer detection. Breast cancer detection could be facilitated by novel blood-based DNA methylation biomarkers. The methylation levels of CpG sites in CCDC12 were higher in breast cancer than those in controls. The combination of four sites CpG_2, CpG_5, CpG_6,7 and CpG_11 methylation levels could distinguish ER-/HER2+ breast cancer subtype from the controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The support effect for HZSM-5 and Al2O3-supported chromium (Cr) catalysts on the catalytic decomposition of methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) is investigated. Characterization results reveal that the distribution, reducibility, oxidation states and coordination environment of chromium species mightily depend on the nature of support. Al2O3 support is covered by surface hydroxyl groups, thus conducing to the formation of monochromatic Cr(VI) species with tetrahedral coordination, which remarkably increases the reducibility and dispersion of chromium species. In contrast, plenty of inactive α-Cr2O3 particles are formed on the surface of Cr/HZSM-5 catalyst due to the lack of adequate hydroxyl sites. Furthermore, a positive correlation is established between the content of active Cr(VI) species and the number of surface hydroxyl groups over Cr/Al2O3 catalysts. Reactivity data suggest that the addition of chromium species can observably enhance the conversion of CH3SH for both two supports. More importantly, 5% Cr/Al2O3 catalyst features the superior catalytic performance at 400 °C (100% conversion). The promoting effect can be attributed to the high-content hydroxyl groups on Al2O3, which are proven to stabilize monochromatic Cr(VI) species. This result also provides evidence for the active sites of CH3SH decomposition reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The results of theoretical prediction guide the system design and preparation. • NFS@MCS shows enhanced full solar spectrum-driven photocatalytic H 2 evolution. • The photothermal effect of NFS boosts the H 2 evolution reaction. • The S-scheme heterojunction mechanism and formation of IEF was proposed. In addition to the intrinsic driving force of photocatalysis, the external thermal field from the photothermal effect can provide additional energy to the photo-catalytic system to improve the photo-catalytic hydrogen-evolution (PHE) efficiency. Herein, based on the results of density functional theory, we designed and constructed a hollow core–shell FeNi 2 S 4 @Mn 0.3 Cd 0.7 S (NFS@MCS) S-scheme heterojunction with a photothermal effect, thereby realising a significant enhancement of the PHE performance due to the thermal effect, S-scheme heterojunction and hollow core–shell morphology. As a light collector and heat source, the hollow NFS could absorb and convert photons into heat, resulting in the increased local temperature of photocatalyst particles. Moreover, the S-scheme charge path at the interface not only improved the carrier separation efficiency but also retained a higher redox potential. All these are favourable to increase the PHE activity. The PHE tests show that 0.5 %-NFS@MCS exhibits the highest PHE rate of 17.11 mmol·g−1·h−1, 7.7 times that of MCS. Moreover, through a combination of theoretical calculation and experimental evidence, the PHE mechanism of the NFS@MCS system is discussed and clarified in-depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Difficult-to-wean patients, typically identified as those failing the initial spontaneous breathing trial (SBT), face elevated mortality rates. Pendelluft, frequently observed in patients experiencing SBT failure, can be conveniently detected through bedside monitoring with electrical impedance tomography (EIT). This study aimed to explore the impact of pendelluft during SBT on difficult-to-wean patients. Methods: This retrospective observational study included difficult-to-wean patients undergoing spontaneous T piece breathing, during which EIT data were collected. Pendelluft occurrence was defined when its amplitude exceeded 2.5% of global tidal impedance variation. Physiological parameters during SBT were retrospectively retrieved from the EIT Examination Report Form. Other clinical data including mechanical ventilation duration, length of ICU stay, length of hospital stay, and 28-day mortality were retrieved from patient records in the hospital information system for each subject. Results: Pendelluft was observed in 72 (70.4%) of the 108 included patients, with 16 (14.8%) experiencing mortality by day 28. The pendelluft group exhibited significantly higher mortality (19.7% vs. 3.1%, p = 0.035), longer median mechanical ventilation duration [9 (5–15) vs. 7 (5–11) days, p = 0.041] and shorter ventilator-free days at day 28 [18 (4–22) vs. 20 (16–23) days, p = 0.043]. The presence of pendellfut was independently associated with increased mortality at day 28 (OR = 10.50, 95% confidence interval 1.21–90.99, p = 0.033). Conclusions: Pendelluft occurred in 70.4% of difficult-to-wean patients undergoing T piece spontaneous breathing. Pendelluft was associated with worse clinical outcomes, including prolonged mechanical ventilation and increased mortality in this population. Our findings underscore the significance of monitoring pendelluft using EIT during SBT for difficult-to-wean patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cr/MCM-41 catalysts were synthesized and characterized to get a better understanding of the active chromium species, and the effects of the alkali metal potassium (K) on methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) abatement were investigated. The samples were characterized using several characterization techniques (XRD, TG, UV-vis, XPS, CO2-TPD, O2-TPD, Raman and H2-TPR) to determine their physicochemical properties. Cr(VI) species with excellent reducibility could be considered as the active species, while Cr(III) species could be assumed to be the inactive species. Remarkably, the introduction of K enhanced the catalytic activity of the Cr/MCM-41 catalysts and completely converted CH3SH at 350 °C, which is a significantly lower temperature than that reported in the literature. Moreover, the analysis of the chemical states and structures of the samples proved that the strong interaction between K and Cr generated K2CrO4 and K2Cr2O7 species, which anchored plenty of active monochromate species to increase the catalytic activity. Moreover, the introduction of K results in a supply of more low coordinated oxygen species to enhance the basicity of the Cr-based catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) anodes show significant advantages in ion storage owing to their low cost, abundant sources, and small volume change during cycling. However, their intrinsic low electronic conductivity and sluggish ion diffusion coefficient restrict the application of TiO2 anodes, especially at high current densities. The construction of a covalently-bonded interface in TiO2-based composite anodes is an effective approach to solve these issues. Covalent bonds are usually formed in situ during materials synthesis processes, such as high-energy ball milling, solvothermal reactions, plasma-assisted thermal treatment, and addition of a linking agent for covalent coupling. In this study, we demonstrate that a spontaneous redox reaction between defective TiO2 powder and an oxidative graphene oxide (GO) substate can be used to form interfacial covalent bonds in composites. Different structural characterization techniques confirmed the formation of interfacial covalent bonds. Electrochemical measurements on an optimized sample showed that a specific capacity of 281.3 mA h g−1 after 200 cycles can be achieved at a current density of 1 C (1 C = 168 mA g−1). Even at a high rate of 50 C, the electrode maintained a reversible capacity of 97.0 mA h g−1. The good lithium storage performance of the electrode is a result of the uniquely designed composite electrodes with strong interfacial chemical bonds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Alveolar drug delivery is needed to enhance alveolar repair during acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, delivery of inhaled drugs is poor in this setting. Drug delivery via liquid perfluorocarbon emulsions could address this problem through better alveolar penetration and improved spatial distribution. Therefore, this study investigated the efficacy of the delivery of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) growth factor to cultured alveolar epithelial cells via a perfluorocarbon emulsion. Methods Murine alveolar epithelial cells were treated for 2 h with varying concentrations (0–10 μM) of LPA delivered via aqueous solution or PFC emulsion. Cell migration was evaluated 18 h post-treatment using a scratch assay. Barrier function was evaluated 1 h post-treatment using a permeability assay. Proliferation was evaluated 72 h post-treatment using a viability assay. Results Partially due to emulsion creaming and stability, the effects of LPA were either diminished or completely hindered when delivered via emulsion versus aqueous. Migration increased significantly following treatment with the 10 μM emulsion (p < 10 −3 ), but required twice the concentration to achieve an increase similar to aqueous LPA. Both barrier function and proliferation increased following aqueous treatment, but neither were significantly affected by the emulsion. Conclusions The availability and thus the biological effect of LPA is significantly blunted during emulsified delivery in vitro , and this attenuation depends on the specific cellular function examined. Thus, the cellular level effects of drug delivery to the lungs via PFC emulsion are likely to vary based on the drug and the effect it is intended to create. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of rare earth elements (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Y and Er) modified HZSM-5 catalysts were prepared and evaluated their catalytic performance for CH 3 SH decomposition. XRD, N 2 adsorption-desorption, FT-IR, CO 2 -TPD and NH 3 -TPD were conducted to analyze the relationships between catalytic behaviors and their structural characteristics. It indicated that addition of rare earth metal could significantly improve activity and stability of HZSM-5 catalyst for CH 3 SH decomposition, and the best one was La(13)/HZSM-5 sample. CH 3 SH can be completely converted over La(13)/HZSM-5 at 450 °C compared to parent HZSM-5 at 600 °C. The optimal La(13)/HZSM-5 catalyst exhibited excellent stability without significant deactivation even after 80h time-on-stream test, while parent HZSM-5 was rapidly deactivated within 20 h under same reaction conditions. The excellent performance of La(13)/HZSM-5 can be attributed to its tunable acid-base properties, which not only promote adsorption and activation of CH 3 SH molecule but also effectively inhibit the formation of coke deposit. In addition, spent La(13)/HZSM-5 catalyst can be easily regenerated and no significant deactivation was observed during regeneration process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residual oil containing platinum group metals (PGMs), which is under-researched, can easily pose resource waste and environmental risks. PGMs feature as scarce strategic metals, and inorganic acids and potassium salts are also considered valuable. An integrated process for the harmless treatment and recovery of useful resources from residual oil is proposed herein. This work developed a zero-waste process based on the study of the main components and characteristics of the PGM-containing residual oil. The process consists of three modules: pre-treatment for phase separation, liquid-phase resource utilisation, and solid-phase resource utilisation. Separating the residual oil into liquid and solid phases allows for the maximum recovery of valuable components. However, concerns about the accurate determination of valued components emerged. Findings revealed that Fe and Ni are highly susceptible to spectral interference in the PGMs test when using the inductively coupled plasma method. After studying 26 PGM emission lines, Ir 212.681 nm, Pd 342.124 nm, Pt 299.797 nm, and Rh 343.489 nm were reliably identified. Finally, formic acid (81.5 g/t), acetic acid (117.2 kg/t), propionic acid (291.9 kg/t), butyric acid (3.6 kg/t), potassium salt (553.3 kg/t), Ir (27.8 g/t), Pd (10960.0 g/t), Pt (193.1 g/t), and Rh (109.8 g/t) were successfully obtained from the PGM-containing residual oil. This study provides a helpful reference for the determination of PGM concentrations and high-value utilisation of PGM-containing residual oil. [Display omitted] • Modular recovery of inorganic acids, potassium salts, and PGM concentrate. • Harmless treatment of residual oil using high-temperature oxidation roasting. • Ir 212.681 nm, Pd 342.124 nm, Pt 299.797 nm, and Rh 343.489 nm were reliable lines. • An integrated process for harmless treatment and maximising recovery was developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional high-temperature proton exchange membranes use phosphoric acid (PA) as a proton conductor. However, PA loss, poor mechanical stability, and catalyst poisoning represent major limitations. Solid acids are an alternative to PA that does not require humidification and is less prone to leaching. In this study, we prepared two composite membranes by high-temperature impregnation to investigate the effects of the structure of polybenzimidazole (PBI) on the anchoring of solid acids: a laboratory-synthesized m -PBI/CsH 5 (PO 4) 2 and the commercial OPBI/CsH 5 (PO 4) 2. Compared to PA-doped membranes, CsH 5 (PO 4) 2 -doped membranes showed excellent mechanical properties, particularly m -PBI/CsH 5 (PO 4) 2. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy images showed that CsH 5 (PO 4) 2 was uniformly dispersed on the surface and cross-section of both membranes, conducive to the formation of proton transport channels following the CsH 5 (PO 4) 2 melting in both samples. The characterization of the physical structures proved the interaction between the imidazole ring and solid acid. Furthermore, the proton conductivity without humidification was similar in m -PBI/CsH 5 (PO 4) 2 and OPBI/CsH 5 (PO 4) 2 , demonstrating the suitability of m -PBI for fuel cells production. To test this, we assembled a m -PBI/CsH 5 (PO 4) 2 cell that showed competitive performances, with a peak power density of 361.28 mW cm−2 at 160 °C in H 2 /O 2 atmosphere. [Display omitted] • Two PBI/CsH 5 (PO 4) 2 composite membranes were prepared by high temperature impregnation. • CsH 5 (PO 4) 2 ensures improved membrane mechanical strength and operating temperature. • The m -PBI/CsH 5 (PO 4) 2 composite membrane has a peak power density of 361.28 mW cm−2. • A higher number of PBI imidazole rings linked to solid acids improves performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulating S doping sites in mesoporous carbon spheres is achieved by annealing with selected precursors. The experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that S doping between the carbon layers enlarges interlayer spacing and facilitates potassium ion adsorption, which is favorable for fast potassium ion storage. [Display omitted] • Sulfur-doped mesoporous carbon spheres with abundant internal surfaces are synthesized. • The sulfur doping sites are controlled by the sulfurization of different precursors. • The optimized sample shows excellent rate capability for potassium storage. • The good electrochemical performance is ascribed to the controlled sulfur doping sites. Mesoporous carbon spheres (MCSs) show great potential for using as high-performance anodes in potassium-ion batteries (PIBs). Design and synthesis of MCSs with suitable multiscale structures and heteroatom doping or co-doping in MCSs are successfully employed to optimize the ion and electron transportation, however, it is still a challenge to explore MCS-based anodes with satisfactory potassium storage performance. In this work, we report novel S-doped MCS samples with abundant internal surfaces for potassium storage. The S doping sites are controlled during the synthesis, and the effect of different doping sites on the potassium storage is systematically studied. It is found that S doping between the carbon layers enlarges interlayer spacing and facilitates potassium ion adsorption. Consequently, the optimized sample shows an excellent rate capability of 144 mAh/g at 5.0 A/g, and a high reversible specific capacity of 325 mAh/g after 100 cycles at 0.1 A/g with a capacity retention of 91.2%. The important role of element doping sites on ion adsorption and ion storage performance is confirmed by theoretical investigations. Controlling the doping sites in MCSs provides a new approach to designing high-performance electrodes for energy storage and conversion applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We implemented a GPU-powered parallel k-centers algorithm to perform clustering on the conformations of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The algorithm is up to two orders of magnitude faster than the CPU implementation. We tested our algorithm on four protein MD simulation datasets ranging from the small Alanine Dipeptide to a 370-residue Maltose Binding Protein (MBP). It is capable of grouping 250,000 conformations of the MBP into 4000 clusters within 40 seconds. To achieve this, we effectively parallelized the code on the GPU and utilize the triangle inequality of metric spaces. Furthermore, the algorithm's running time is linear with respect to the number of cluster centers. In addition, we found the triangle inequality to be less effective in higher dimensions and provide a mathematical rationale. Finally, using Alanine Dipeptide as an example, we show a strong correlation between cluster populations resulting from the k-centers algorithm and the underlying density. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a simple bioactive phospholipid, is present in biological fluids such as plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). It appears to have both pro- and anti-inflammatory roles in inflammatory lung diseases. Exogenous LPA promotes inflammatory responses by regulating the expression of chemokines, cytokines, and cytokine receptors in lung epithelial cells. In addition to the modulation of inflammatory responses, LPA regulates cytoskeleton rearrangement and confers protection against lung injury by enhancing lung epithelial cell barrier integrity and remodeling. The biological effects of LPA are mediated through its cell surface G-protein coupled LPA1–7 receptors. The roles of LPA receptors in lung fibrosis, asthma, and acute lung injury have been investigated using genetically engineered LPA receptor deficient mice and there appears to be a definitive role for endogenous LPA and its receptors in the pathogenesis of pulmonary inflammatory diseases. This review summarizes recent reports on the role of LPA and its receptors in the regulation of lung epithelial inflammatory responses and remodeling. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Advances in Lysophospholipid Research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a potent bioactive phospholipid, induces diverse cellular responses, including cell proliferation, migration, and cytokine release. LPA can be generated intracellularly and extracellularly through multiple synthetic pathways by action of various enzymes, such as phospholipase A1/2 (PLA1/2), phospholipase D (PLD), acylglycerol kinase (AGK), and lysophospholipase D (lysoPLD). Metabolism of LPA is regulated by a family of lipid phosphate phosphatases (LPPs). Significant amounts of LPA have been detected in various biological fluids, including serum, saliva, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The most significant effects of LPA appear to be through activation of the G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), termed LPA1–6. LPA regulates gene expression through activation of several transcriptional factors, such as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), AP-1, and C/EBPβ. In addition to GPCRs, cross-talk between LPA receptors and receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) partly regulates LPA-induced intracellular signaling and cellular responses. Airway epithelial cells participate in innate immunity through the release of cytokines, chemokines, lipid mediators, other inflammatory mediators and an increase in barrier function in response to a variety of inhaled stimuli. Expression of LPA receptors has been demonstrated in airway epithelial cells. This review summarizes our recent observations of the role of LPA/LPA-Rs in regulation of airway epithelium, especially in relation to the secretion of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators and regulation of airway barrier function. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

LPA (lysophosphatidic acid) is a potent bioactive phospholipid, which regulates a number of diverse cellular responses through G protein-coupled LPA receptors. Intracellular LPA is generated by the phosphorylation of monoacylglycerol by acylglycerol kinase (AGK); however, the role of intracellular LPA in signaling and cellular responses remains to be elucidated. Here, we investigated signaling pathways of IL-8 secretion mediated by AGK and intracellular LPA in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEpCs). Expression of AGK in HBEpCs was detected by real-time PCR, and overexpressed AGK was mainly localized in mitochondria as determined by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. Overexpression of lentiviral AGK wild type increased intracellular LPA production (∼1.8-fold), enhanced LPA-mediated IL-8 secretion, and stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation epidermal growth factor-receptor (EGF-R). Furthermore, downregulation of native AGK by AGK small interfering RNA decreased intracellular LPA levels (∼2-fold) and attenuated LPA-induced p38 MAPK, JNK, and NF-κB activation, tyrosine phosphorylation of EGF-R, and IL-8 secretion. These results suggest that native AGK regulates LPA-mediated IL-8 secretion involving MAPKs, NF-κB, and transactivation of EGF-R. Thus AGK may play an important role in innate immunity and airway remodeling during inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Previously we demonstrated that ligation of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) to G protein-coupled LPA receptors induces transactivation of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), such as platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGF-Rβ) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R), in primary cultures of human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEpCs). Here we examined the role of LPA on c-Met redistribution and modulation of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-Met pathways in HBEpCs. Treatment of HBEpCs with LPA-induced c-Met serine phosphorylation and redistribution to plasma membrane, while treatment with HGF-induced c-Met internalization. Pretreatment with LPA reversed HGF-induced c-Met internalization. Overexpression of dominant negative (Dn)-PKC δ or pretreatment with Rottlerin or Pertussis toxin (PTx) attenuated LPA-induced c-Met serine phosphorylation and redistribution. Co-immnuoprecipitation and immunocytochemistry showed that E-cadherin interacted with c-Met in HBEpCs. LPA treatment induced E-cadherin and c-Met complex redistribution to plasma membranes. Overexpression of Dn-PKC δ attenuated LPA-induced E-cadherin redistribution and E-cadherin siRNA attenuated LPA-induced c-Met redistribution to plasma membrane. Furthermore, pretreatment of LPA attenuated HGF-induced c-Met tyrosine phosphorylation and downstream signaling, such as Akt kinase phosphorylation and cell motility. These results demonstrate that LPA regulates c-Met function through PKC δ and E-cadherin in HBEpCs, suggesting an alternate function of the cross-talk between G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and RTKs in HBEpCs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Low anterior rectal resection is an effective way to treat rectal cancer at present, but it is easy to cause low anterior resection syndrome after surgery; so, a comprehensive diagnosis of defecation and pelvic floor function must be carried out. There are few studies on the classification of diagnoses in the field of intestinal diseases. In response to these outstanding problems, this research will focus on the design of the intestinal function diagnosis system and the image processing and classification algorithm of the intestinal wall to verify an efficient fusion method, which can be used to diagnose the intestinal diseases in clinical medicine. The diagnostic system designed in this paper makes up for the singleness of clinical monitoring methods. At the same time, the Res-SVDNet neural network model is used to solve the problems of small intestinal image samples and network overfitting, and achieve efficient fusion diagnosis of intestinal diseases in patients. Different models were used to compare experiments on the constructed datasets to verify the applicability of the Res-SVDNet model in intestinal image classification. The accuracy of the model was 99.54%, which is several percentage points higher than other algorithm models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To tackle the challenges of phosphoric acid (PA) leakage and suboptimal proton transfer efficiency in PA-polybenzimidazole (PBI) high-temperature proton exchange membranes (HTPEMs), this research has pioneered the development of a novel porous silicon material, DP/S15, which has been tailored through organic phosphonic acid modification. S15 or DP/S15 was utilized to fabricate PBI composite membranes and subjected these membranes to a thorough examination of their properties. The integration of DP/S15 into the membrane matrix notably enhanced acid uptake and facilitated the formation of a robust and extensive proton transportation network. This was largely attributable to the synergistic interaction between the organic phosphonic acid groups in DP/S15 and PA. As a result, the membranes incorporating DP/S15 exhibited a host of commendable properties, most notably their substantial mechanical strength, which registered at 89.80 MPa with undoped PA and 13.10 MPa with doped PA. Furthermore, theoretical analyses lent credence to the efficient adsorption between DP/S15 and phosphoric acid. Consequently, the composite membranes delivered superior performance metrics, evident in their high conductivity (reaching 57.7 mS cm−1 at 160 °C) and excellent PA retention capabilities (up to 89.5 %). Of paramount significance was the performance of the single fuel cell equipped with the PA-DP/S15-PBI composite membrane, which achieved a peak power density of 672.29 mW cm−2. This figure impressively surpassed that of the pure PBI membrane by 262.23 mW cm−2. In light of these promising outcomes, the PA-DP/S15-PBI composite membrane harbors significant potential for deployment in HT-PEMFCs. [Display omitted] • S15 and DP/S15 composite membranes were successfully prepared by solution casting method and functionalized with phosphoric acid. • DP/S15 enhanced the proton conductivity of the composite membrane and reduced the phosphoric acid loss, which was verified by theoretical calculations. • The PA-DP/S15-PBI composite membrane exhibited a peak power density of 672.29 mW cm−2. • DP/S15 not only improved the acid adsorption capacity, but also formed a more robust proton transport network, which came from the organophosphonic acid queues within DP/S15 and PA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major cause of acute kidney injury (AKI), which is associated with high incidence and mortality. AST-120 is an oral carbonaceous adsorbent that can alleviate kidney damage. This study aimed to explore the effects of AST-120 on renal IRI and the molecular mechanism. Methods: A renal IRI mouse model was established and administrated AST-120, and differentially expressed genes were screened using RNA sequencing. Renal function and pathology were analyzed in mice. Hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) cell model was generated, and glycolysis was evaluated by detecting lactate levels and Seahorse analysis. Histone lactylation was analyzed by western blotting, and its relationship with hexokinase 2 (HK2) was assessed using chromatin immunoprecipitation. Results: The results showed that HK2 expression was increased after IRI, and AST-120 decreased HK2 expression. Knockout of HK2 attenuated renal IRI and inhibits glycolysis. AST-120 inhibited renal IRI in the presence of HK2 rather than HK2 absence. In proximal tubular cells, knockdown of HK2 suppressed glycolysis and H3K18 lactylation caused by H/R. H3K18 lactylation was enriched in HK2 promoter and upregulated HK2 levels. Rescue experiments revealed that lactate reversed IRI that suppressed by HK2 knockdown. Conclusions: In conclusion, AST-120 alleviates renal IRI via suppressing HK2-mediated glycolysis, which suppresses H3K18 lactylation and further reduces HK2 levels. This study proposes a novel mechanism by which AST-120 alleviates IRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) often result in secondary damage; therefore, interventions beyond current cell transplantation methods must be explored. The innate phagocytic propensity of macrophages are exploited for artificially aged erythrocytes and developed a delivery system fusing erythrocytes with reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐reactive nanoparticles prepared from a diselenide‐bond cross‐linked organic compound. The system targets peripheral blood macrophages, delivering anti‐glutamate drug‐loaded nanoparticles to the SCI site, releasing the drug upon ROS stimulation. This efficiently enables targeted drug delivery and reprograms peripheral macrophages through synergistic action with erythrocytes and encapsulated nucleic acids, effectively modulating the immune microenvironment in the SCI zone (significantly reduces neuronal apoptosis and alters the macrophage phenotype in the SCI region). The approach effectively addresses glutamate toxicity and immune inflammation by effectively regulating the lesion microenvironment, providing protection to neurons and creating favorable conditions for regeneration. Departing from the conventional “red blood cell backpack” model, the “chocolate chip cookie” concept is paradigm‐altering, enabling multifaceted erythrocyte functions. Collectively, the system comprehensively enhances the post‐SCI microenvironment. Its efficacy in SCI treatment and innovative drug delivery approach open new possibilities for neural function recovery. By laying the groundwork for future clinical applications, the research pioneers a transformative path toward advancing SCI therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal malignant diseases. Gemcitabine‐based chemotherapy is still one of the first‐line systemic treatments, but chemoresistance occurs in the majority of patients. Recently, accumulated evidence has demonstrated the role of the tumour microenvironment in promoting chemoresistance. In the tumour microenvironment, pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are among the main cellular components, and extracellular vesicles (EVs) are common mediators of cell‒cell communication. In this study, we showed that SP1‐transcribed miR‐31‐5p not only targeted LATS2 in pancreatic cancer cells but also regulated the Hippo pathway in PSCs through EV transfer. Consequently, PSCs synthesized and secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteins (SPARC), which was preferentially expressed in stromal cells, stimulating Extracellular Signal regulated kinase (ERK) signalling in pancreatic cancer cells. Therefore, pancreatic cancer cell survival and chemoresistance were improved due to both the intrinsic Hippo pathway regulated by miR‐31‐5p and external SPARC‐induced ERK signalling. In mouse models, miR‐31‐5p overexpression in pancreatic cancer cells promoted the chemoresistance of coinjected xenografts. In a tissue microarray, pancreatic cancer patients with higher miR‐31‐5p expression had shorter overall survival. Therefore, miR‐31‐5p regulates the Hippo pathway in multiple cell types within the tumour microenvironment via EVs, ultimately contributing to the chemoresistance of pancreatic cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal diseases worldwide. Cancer-derived exosomes, benefiting from the protective role of the lipid membrane, exhibit remarkable stability in the circulatory system. These exosomes, released by tumor microenvironment, contain various biomolecules such as proteins, RNAs, and lipids that plays a pivotal role in mediating distant communication between the local pancreatic tumor and other organs or tissues. They facilitate the transfer of oncogenic factors to distant sites, contributing to the compromised body immune system, distant metastasis, diabetes, cachexia, and promoting a microenvironment conducive to tumor growth and metastasis in pancreatic cancer patients. Beyond their intrinsic roles, circulating exosomes in peripheral blood can be detected to facilitate accurate liquid biopsy. This approach offers a novel and promising method for the diagnosis and management of pancreatic cancer. Consequently, circulating exosomes are not only crucial mediators of systemic cell-cell communication during pancreatic cancer progression but also hold great potential as precise tools for pancreatic cancer management and treatment. Exosome-based liquid biopsy and therapy represent promising advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer. Exosomes can serve as drug delivery vehicles, enhancing the targeting and efficacy of anticancer treatments, modulating the immune system, and facilitating gene editing to suppress tumor growth. Ongoing research focuses on biomarker identification, drug delivery systems, and clinical trials to validate the safety and efficacy of exosome-based therapies, offering new possibilities for early diagnosis and precision treatment in pancreatic cancer. Leveraging the therapeutic potential of exosomes, including their ability to deliver targeted drugs and modulate immune responses, opens new avenues for innovative treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the contents of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in tea plantation soils and their ecological stoichiometric characteristics, as well as their response to environmental factors in high-latitude regions of China, soil samples from 0 to 20 cm depth were collected from tea plantations at different altitudes and cultivation years in the main tea-producing areas of Shaanxi Province. These samples were used to determine the soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) contents and to calculate their stoichiometric ratios. The findings revealed the following: the average soil SOC and TN content in tea gardens were 13.15 and 1.30 g·kg−1, respectively, exceeding the national soil average. These values met the Class I tea garden fertility standards. However, the average soil TP content, at 0.45 g·kg−1, fell below the national soil average, meeting the Class II tea garden fertility standards. In tea gardens, the average ratios of carbon to nitrogen (C:N), carbon to phosphorus (C:P), and nitrogen to phosphorus (N:P) in the soil were 10.42, 30.98, and 3.32, respectively. These ratios were all lower than the national soil average, indicating relatively high phosphorus availability but nitrogen deficiency in tea garden soils. As altitude increased, there was a decline in soil SOC content, C N, and C P ratios, followed by a subsequent increase. No significant changes were seen in TN, TP, and N P ratio in the soil, but there was an increase in SOC content, TN content, and C P ratio during cultivation. The N-to-P ratio initially increased before decreasing, while the C-to-N ratio decreased before increasing. Soil TP content did not change significantly. The study recommends careful nitrogen fertilizer application in tea garden management to balance nitrogen and phosphorus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel transparent and broadband diffusion metasurface that is composed of digital coding elements is presented. A coding unit shares a symmetric circular quasi-Minkowski closed-loop shape that is capable of generating 1 bit coding (with two phase states of 0° and 180°) elements by using different geometric scales. To improve the optical transmittance of metasurface, the top layer of the coding elements adopts the metal rings with ultrathin linewidth with the optical transmittance of above 97% theoretically, whereas the bottom layer adopts hexagonal ring mesh metallic film with the optical transmittance of 95.4% and high electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness. Moreover, an optimized random distribution of coding elements is elaborately designed to realize diffusion patterns with numerous uniform grating lobes resulting in significant suppression of the backward peak energy level. Finally, a prototype diffusion metasurface is fabricated and good agreement between the simulated and the measured results is obtained. The results demonstrate a significant polarization-insensitive diffusion property with about 10 dB scattering reduction in a broadband from 10.5 to 19.5 GHz, reaching a fractional bandwidth of 60%, as well as show good scattering reduction properties for oblique incident waves. The proposed optical transparent diffusion metasurface has further advantages of opening up a new route for tailoring the exotic microwave scattering features with simultaneously high transmittance such as window and other transparent applications in visible frequencies and can be extended for imaging and communications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: It is well known that brooding temperature affects yolk sac absorption so as to affect the growth and development of geese. In order to explore the brooding temperature on the absorption of yolk sac and the ovary development of goslings, the weight and fatty acid composition of yolk sac, body weight, ovary weight and structure was measured. The expression of ovary development related genes was quantified. The results suggested that 29 °C brooding temperature in the early stage could promote the absorption of fatty acids from yolk sac, which is conducive to ovary and body weight, and the expression of ovarian development-related genes of CHK1, FGF12, and SMAD4. The results could provide guidance on gosling brooding for farmers. In order to explore the brooding temperature on the absorption of yolk sac and the ovary development of goslings, 126 1-day-old female goslings were randomly divided into three groups with three replicates in each group. The brooding temperatures were set at 32 °C, 29 °C and 26 °C (represent G32, G29 and G26), respectively, in each group. At 48, 60 and 72 h, two goslings from each replicate were weighed, and the yolk sac was collected and weighed. The fatty acid composition of yolk sac fluid was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). At 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks of age, goslings from each replicate were weighed, the ovaries were weighed and fixed for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Cell cycle checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1), fibroblast growth factor 12 (FGF12) and Sma-and Mad-related protein 4 (SMAD4) which related to regulation of ovarian development were determined by qRT-PCR. The body weight of G29 and G26 was significantly higher than that of G32 at 72 h (p < 0.05). The contents of C14:0, C16:0, C18:2n6c and total fatty acid (ΣTFA) from G32 were significantly higher than that of G26 (p < 0.05), and the contents of C18:1n9t and C22:0 in G29 were significantly higher than that of G26 (p < 0.05). The ovary index, ovary and body weight were significantly higher in G29 than those of G32 and G26 at 2 weeks of age (p < 0.05). The number of primordial follicles, number of primary follicles and diameter of primary follicles were significantly higher in G29 than those in G32 and G26 at 4 weeks of age (p < 0.05). In G29, the expression of CHK1 and SMAD4 was significantly higher than that in G32, and the expression of FGF12 and SMAD4 was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that in G26 at 2 and 4 weeks of age. In conclusion, brooding temperature at 29 °C could promote the absorption of fatty acids in yolk sac, body weight gain, and ovarian development through up-regulating the expression of CHK1, FGF12 and SMAD4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systemic inflammatory response is closely related to the pathogenesis and prognosis in critical patients. Recently, systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), an indicator of systemic inflammatory response, was proved to predict the outcome in cancerous and non-cancerous diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between SII on admission and 6-month outcome in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). The clinical data and prognosis of 76 patients with aSAH were analyzed. The 6-month outcome was assessed by the modified Rankin scale(mRS). The unfavorable outcome was defined as mRS score ≥ 3. In addition, multivariate analysis was conducted to investigate factors independently associated with the favorable outcome. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was undertaken to identify the best cut-off value of SII for the discriminate between favorable and unfavorable outcome in these patients. Thirty-six patients (47.4%) in our study had an unfavorable outcome (mRS ≥ 3) at 6 months, and twenty-four (66.7%) of them were in the high-SII group. A significantly higher SII on admission was observed in patients with unfavorable functional outcome at 6 months. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that there was an independent association between SII on admission and 6-month clinical outcome (adjusted OR = 4.499, 95%CI: 1.242–16.295, P < 0.05). The AUC of the SII for predicting unfavorable outcome was 0.692 (95% CI: 0.571–0.814, P < 0.05). Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) could be a novel independent prognostic factor for aSAH patients at the early stage of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Rational design of the morphology and heterojunction to accelerate the separation of electron-hole pairs has played an indispensable role in improving the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. ZnIn 2 S 4 (ZIS) has aroused considerable attention in solar-to-chemical energy conversion due to its remarkable photoelectrical properties and relatively negative energy band, whereas it still suffers from the severe photogenerated carrier recombination and catalyst aggregation. Herein, guided by density functional theory calculations, the constructed FeSe 2 @ZnIn 2 S 4 (FS@ZIS) heterojunction model has a hydrogen Gibbs free energy closer to zero compared with pure ZIS and FS, which is beneficial for hydrogen adsorption and desorption on the photocatalyst surface. Therefore, a novel cross-like core–shell FS@ZIS Step-scheme (S-scheme) heterojunction was synthesized successfully by in-situ growing ZIS nanosheets on the surface of cross-like FS. The structure with cross-like core–shell morphology not only inhibits the agglomeration of ZIS to increase specific surface area, but also provides a tight interface with S-scheme heterojunction. Moreover, the S-scheme heterojunction with a tight interface can effectively separate electron-hole pairs, leaving photoinduced charges with higher potentials. Furthermore, FS@ZIS-20 possesses exceptional photothermal capabilities, enabling the conversion of optical energy from visible and near infrared light to heat, thereby further enhancing the photocatalysis reaction. As a result, the cross-like core–shell FS@ZIS S-scheme heterojunction exhibits an excellent photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate (7.640 mmol g−1 h−1), which is 24 times higher than that of pure ZIS (0.319 mmol g−1 h−1) under visible and near infrared light. Furthermore, employing more in-depth density functional theory calculations further investigates the charge transfer pathway of the FS@ZIS S-scheme heterojunction. This work provides insights into the construction of S-scheme heterojunctions with core–shell structure and photothermal effect for photocatalytic evolution hydrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cr/Al 2 O 3 contains more monochromatic Cr(VI) species with excellent reducibility. • Al 2 O 3 with plenty of hydroxyl groups anchors the existence of Cr(VI) species. • Al 2 O 3 support displays stronger interactions between chromium and support. • The metal-support interactions can be tuned by the number and nature of OH groups. Chromium (Cr) species with different loading (1, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 wt%) were impregnated over alumina (Al 2 O 3) and silica (SiO 2) supports to investigate the effects of the metal-support interactions on decomposing methyl mercaptan. The characterization results revealed that the amount and nature of surface hydroxyl groups of support (Al-OH and Si-OH) induce the different interactions between chromium species and support, which generates an exceeding support-dependent dispersion, oxidation states, reducibility, and acid-base properties for the prepared Cr-based catalysts. As compared with SiO 2 support, Al 2 O 3 -supported chromium catalysts with evenly dispersed monochromatic Cr(VI) species exhibited excellent catalytic activity by means of theirs enhanced reducibility and sufficient acid-basic sites. Therefore, it is concluded that the metal-support interactions can be tailored by engineering the amount and nature of hydroxyl groups on the support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In most of the existing multi-task learning (MTL) models, multiple tasks' public information is learned by sharing parameters across hidden layers, such as hard sharing, soft sharing, and hierarchical sharing. One promising approach is to introduce model pruning into information learning, such as sparse sharing, which is regarded as being outstanding in knowledge transferring. However, the above method performs inefficiently in conflict tasks, with inadequate learning of tasks' private information, or through suffering from negative transferring. In this paper, we propose a multi-task learning model (Pruning-Based Feature Sharing, PBFS) that merges a soft parameter sharing structure with model pruning and adds a prunable shared network among different task-specific subnets. In this way, each task can select parameters in a shared subnet, according to its requirements. Experiments are conducted on three benchmark public datasets and one synthetic dataset; the impact of the different subnets' sparsity and tasks' correlations to the model performance is analyzed. Results show that the proposed model's information sharing strategy is helpful to transfer learning and superior to the several comparison models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Existing research on chyle leak (CL) after pancreatic surgery is mostly focused on pancreaticoduodenectomy and lacks investigation on total pancreatectomy (TP). This study aimed to explore potential risk factors of CL and develop a predictive model for patients with pancreatic tumor undergoing TP. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 90 consecutive patients undergoing TP from January 2015 to December 2023 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. According to the inclusion criteria, 79 patients were finally included in the following analysis. The LASSO regression and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to identify risk factors associated with CL and construct a predictive nomogram. Then, the ROC analysis, calibration curve, decision curve analysis (DCA), and clinical impact curve (CIC) were performed to assess its discrimination, accuracy, and efficacy. Due to the small sample size, we adopted the bootstrap resampling method with 500 repetitions for validation. Lastly, we plotted and analyzed the trend of postoperative drainage volume in CL patients. Results: We revealed that venous resection (OR = 4.352, 95%CI 1.404–14.04, P = 0.011) was an independent risk factor for CL after TP. Prolonged operation time (OR = 1.473, 95%CI 1.015–2.237, P = 0.052) was also associated with an increased incidence of CL. We included these two factors in our prediction model. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.752 (95%CI 0.622–0.874) after bootstrap. The calibration curve, DCA and CIC showed great accuracy and clinical benefit of our nomogram. In patients with CL, the mean drainage volume was significantly higher in venous resection group and grade B CL group. Conclusion: Venous resection was an independent risk factor for chyle leak after TP. Patients undergoing vascular resection during TP should be alert for the occurrence of CL after surgery. We then constructed a nomogram consisted of venous resection and operation time to predict the odds of CL in patients undergoing TP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ubiquitin‐specific protease 14 (USP14) is a ubiquitin‐specific protease that is associated with the proteasome and plays important roles in cellular functions, viral infection, inflammatory responses, neurodegenerative diseases, and tumorigenesis. USP14 appears to have a dual function in regulating intracellular proteolytic degradation. USP14 impedes degradation of ubiquitinated proteins by removing ubiquitin chains from its substrates, while it could promote protein degradation via increasing proteasome activation. Increasing evidence has shown that USP14 is also involved in the regulation of autophagy. Thus, USP14 might act as a key regulator in two major intracellular proteolytic pathways: the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) and autophagy. The important roles of USP14 in multiple diseases have encouraged the development of clinically viable USP14 antagonists. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge about the regulation of USP14 expression, activity, and its functions in physiological and pathological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Setting positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) at around 5 cm H2O in the early postoperative period seems a common practice for most patients. It remains unclear if the routine application of higher levels of PEEP confers any meaningful clinical benefit for cardiac surgical patients. The aim of this study was to compare moderate versus conventional lower PEEP on patient-centered outcomes in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: This is a single-center retrospective study involving patients receiving cardiac surgery from June 2022 to May 2023. Propensity-score matching (PSM) was used to balance the baseline differences. Primary outcomes were the duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU length of stay. Secondary outcomes included PaO2/FiO2 ratio at 24 h and the need for prone positioning during ICU stay. Results: A total of 334 patients were included in the study, 102 (31%) of them received moderate PEEP (≥ 7 cm H2O) for the major time in the early postoperative period (12 h). After PSM, 79 pairs of patients were matched with balanced baseline data. The results showed that there was marginal difference in the distribution of mechanical ventilation duration (p = 0.05) and the Moderate PEEP group had a higher extubation rate at the day of T-piece trial (65 [82.3%] vs 52 [65.8%], p = 0.029). Applying moderate PEEP was also associated with better oxygenation. No differences were found regarding ICU length of stay and patients requiring prone positioning between groups. Conclusion: In selective cardiac surgical patients, using moderate PEEP compared with conventional lower PEEP in the early postoperative period correlated to better oxygenation, which may have potential for earlier liberation of mechanical ventilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The variability of spring snow cover over Eurasia can have notable impacts on the current and following season climate, but the causes of it are poorly understood. This study investigates the potential drivers and the associated physical processes for the first two empirical orthogonal function (EOF) modes of the Eurasian spring snow-cover variability during 1967–2018, which are characterized by a continent-wide coherent pattern and a west–east dipole structure, respectively. Analyses show that the spring surface air temperature and snowfall are the direct factors influencing the two modes. We further examined the contributions to the snow-cover variability of atmospheric teleconnection patterns, sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies, and variations of Arctic sea ice during spring. The results indicate that circulation anomalies associated with the Arctic Oscillation, Polar–Eurasian pattern, and West Pacific pattern can partly explain the formation of the EOF1 mode, while the EOF2 mode has a close relationship with the East Atlantic–Western Russia pattern. In addition, a horseshoe-like monopole structure of SST anomalies over the North Atlantic plays an important role in regulating the EOF2 mode by inducing a wave train circulation. Moreover, the EOF2 mode is also affected by anomalous circulations induced by the sea ice anomalies in the Barents–Kara Seas. An empirical model using these drivers satisfactorily reproduced the temporal variations of the two EOF modes, implying that our results can substantially improve comprehension of the variability of Eurasian spring snow cover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]