Search

Biomass, heralded as sustainable "green coal", plays a crucial role in energy conservation and achieving "dual carbon" objectives through clean conversion. This paper reviews advancements in biomass catalytic gasification, a technology pivotal for converting biomass to hydrogen-rich fuel and syngas. It highlights the efficiency gains afforded by various catalysts, including natural minerals, alkali metals, nickel-based compounds, zeolites, and rare earth-modified composites. The focus is on their influence on hydrogen output, syngas quality, and tar reduction. The synthesis of these insights paves the way for novel catalyst development and optimized gasification processes, hence advancing catalytic gasification technology toward more sustainable energy solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the roles of neurotrophic factors (NTFs), monoamine neurotransmitters, and inflammatory processes in the pathophysiology of the comorbidity of epilepsy and depression. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted with 57 epilepsy patients (PWE), 50 patients with epilepsy and comorbid depression (PWECD), and 47 healthy controls (HC) admitted between June 2020 and June 2024. Serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, BDNF and GDNF levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were analyzed from selected patients in the PWE and PWECD groups. Results: Serum BDNF levels were significantly lower in both PWE and PWECD groups compared to HC, while no differences between the former two groups. GDNF levels were lower in PWECD compared to HC, but not between PWE and HC. Serum 5-HT was significantly reduced in PWECD compared to both HC and PWE groups. No significant differences were observed in serum DA, NE, and IL-6 levels across the groups. Serum IL-1β levels were elevated in the PWECD group compared to the HC group. The Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) score negatively correlated with serum 5-HT and GDNF levels. In terms of predictive ability, serum BDNF demonstrated higher accuracy for the diagnosis of epilepsy [area under the curve, AUC = 0.701, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) 0.601 ~ 0.801], while serum 5-HT was the best marker for predicting the development of depression in epilepsy patients (AUC = 0.727, 95% CI 0.632 ~ 0.821). No significant correlation was found between serum and CSF BDNF levels within the same subject (r = 0.155; p = 0.221; Spearman correlation), and CSF GDNF levels were too low to be clinically informative. Conclusion: The findings suggest the involvement of NTFs, monoamine neurotransmitters, and inflammatory processes in the pathogenesis of epilepsy and depression. Decreased serum BDNF levels correlate with epilepsy but not necessarily with comorbid depression, while serum GDNF and 5-HT show potential clinical value in diagnosing this comorbidity. However, the deficient levels of NTFs in CSF suggest a need for more sensitive detection methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the interplay of queer reproduction and private assisted reproductive technologies (ART) companies in urban China. While same-sex marriage has not gained legal recognition in mainland China and childbirth outside heterosexual marriage has been restricted, queer parents who have children through ART have gradually become visible. ART has emerged as an ideal way for Chinese queer citizens to have children, though they are not legally permitted to use ART services in domestic hospitals. Consequently, an increasing number of queer intended parents turned to underground ART businesses, with some of them becoming salespeople or business owners themselves. My ethnographic analysis comes from fieldworks conducted in Guangdong province, China, from 2018 to 2021. This paper shows that the legal and moral debates brought by queer people's use of ART are perceived differently among diverse gender and sexual groups in Chinese society. It founds that queer parents' participation in the ART industry has demonstrated the potential for queer forms of parenthood and family, while reinforcing stratified reproduction and gender inequalities. The tendency to reduce IVF/surrogacy to "womb-for-rent" business among Chinese ART businesses continues to impact queer people's reproductive and parenting rights. This paper hopes to offer insights into queer reproductive justice and reproductive technologies across the globe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adoption of brown fermented milk in the normal diet and daily beverages is accompanied by significant sugar intake and a high public health burden. To reduce the sugar content in dairy products while maintaining optimal nutritional properties, a novel low-calorie, lactose-free brown fermented milk was developed through enzymatic hydrolysis and the Maillard reaction. The optimal product was achieved using low-temperature lactase, where the lactose and glucose content were reduced 33-fold and 2.4-fold to 0.06 g/100 g and 13.32 g/L, respectively, meeting the criteria for being lactose-free (<0.5 g/100 g). Meanwhile, hazardous compounds such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and 3-deoxyglucosone were reduced by more than 20%. After 28 days of storage, the water-holding capacity and suspension stability remained notably stable, and the protein composition was also more enriched compared to commercial milk. It is expected that this low-calorie dairy product may promote growth in the dairy market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: By utilizing machine learning, we can identify genes that are associated with recurrence, invasion, and tumor stemness, thus uncovering new therapeutic targets. Methods: To begin, we obtained a gene set related to recurrence and invasion from the GEO database, a comprehensive gene expression database. We then employed the Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) to identify core gene modules and perform functional enrichment analysis on them. Next, we utilized the random forest and random survival forest algorithms to calculate the genes within the key modules, resulting in the identification of three crucial genes. Subsequently, one of these key genes was selected for prognosis analysis and potential drug screening using the Kaplan-Meier tool. Finally, in order to examine the role of CDC20 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), we conducted a variety of in vitro and in vivo experiments, including wound healing assay, colony formation assays, Transwell migration assays, flow cytometric cell cycle analysis, western blotting, and a mouse tumor model experiment. Results: First, we collected a total of 279 samples from two datasets, GSE166722 and GSE31210, to identify 91 differentially expressed genes associated with recurrence, invasion, and stemness in lung adenocarcinoma. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that these key gene clusters were primarily involved in microtubule binding, spindle, chromosomal region, organelle fission, and nuclear division. Next, using machine learning, we identified and validated three hub genes (CDC45, CDC20, TPX2), with CDC20 showing the highest correlation with tumor stemness and limited previous research. Furthermore, we found a close association between CDC20 and clinical pathological features, poor overall survival (OS), progression-free interval (PFI), progression-free survival (PFS), and adverse prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma patients. Lastly, our functional research demonstrated that knocking down CDC20 could inhibit cancer cell migration, invasion, proliferation, cell cycle progression, and tumor growth possibly through the MAPK signaling pathway. Conclusion: CDC20 has emerged as a novel biomarker for monitoring treatment response, recurrence, and disease progression in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Due to its significance, further research studying CDC20 as a potential therapeutic target is warranted. Investigating the role of CDC20 could lead to valuable insights for developing new treatments and improving patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Screening excellent bacterial strains for fermentation is the key to improving the nutritional value and bioavailability of soybean meal (SBM). This study investigated the application of Bacillus subtilis-fermented soybean meal (FSBM) on the feed of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Methods: FSBM was used to replace 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% fish meal, and the feeding trial was lasted for 8 weeks (initial weight: 0.9 g). Results and discussion: The amino acid profile in the whole shrimp body was tested. FSBM substitution only significantly reduced the content lysine in whole shrimp body, but increased the content of arginine. Fatty acid data showed that the content of n-6 PUFAs in whole shrimp was significantly increased by FSBM substitution. In muscle, FSBM substitution significantly reduced the content of MUFAs, but increased the content of PUFAs including C18:3n-3, C18:2n-6 and C20:4n-6. No hepatopancreas structure modifications appeared in the 25% group compared with the control group. Subsequently, we investigated the response patterns of different organs to FSBM substitution from antioxidant, endoplasmic reticulum stress and immunity. A high proportion of FSBM significantly reduced the content of GSH in hemolymph and hepatopancreas, while increased the mRNA expression of cat. FSBM substitution did not affect the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the intestine. However, the mRNA expression level of hsp70 in the intestine was significantly reduced by FSBM. In terms of immunity, the mRNA expression levels of lgbp and penaeidin in the hepatopancreas showed a significant linear increase trend. In muscle, high proportion of FSBM significantly increased the mRNA expression of imd. FSBM substitution did not significantly affect the expression of immune genes in the intestine. In terms of endoplasmic reticulum stress, FSBM substitution significantly increased the mRNA expression of eif2a in the hepatopancreas. In muscle, FSBM substitution inhibited the mRNA expression of bip. In the intestine, FSBM replacing 75% of fish meal significantly increased the mRNA expression of bip and ire1. In summary, this study indicated that when the fish meal content account for 40% in diets (dry weight), the screened Bacillus subtilis-FSBM can replace 25% of fish meal protein without reducing the antioxidant and immune abilities of shrimp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Adoption of allogeneic T cells directly supplements the number of T cells and rapidly induces T-cell immunity, which has good efficacy for treating some tumors and immunodeficiency diseases. However, poor adoptive T-cell engraftment and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) limit the application of these methods. Alloreactive T-cell clones were eliminated from the donor T-cell repertoire, and the remaining T-cell clones were prepared as Tscm for T-cell adoptive treatment to reconstruct recipient T-cell immunity without GVHD. Methods: The subjects in this study included three different strains of mice. Lymphocytes from mice (C57BL/6) were used as the donor T-cell repertoire, from which the Tscm allo-reactive T cell clone was depleted (ATD-Tscm). This was confirmed by showing that the Tscm was not responsive to the alloantigen of the recipient (BALB/c). To prepare ATD-Tscm cells, we used recipient lymphocytes as a simulator, and coculture of mouse and recipient lymphocytes was carried out for 7 days. Sorting of non-proliferative cells ensured that the prepared Tscm cells were nonresponsive. The sorted lymphocytes underwent further expansion by treatment with TWS119 and cytokines for an additional 10 days, after which the number of ATD-Tscm cells increased. The prepared Tscm cells were transferred into recipient mice to observe immune reconstitution and GVHD incidence. Results: Our protocol began with the use of 1×107 donor lymphocytes and resulted in 1 ×107 ATD-Tscm cells after 17 days of preparation. The prepared ATD-Tscm cells exhibited a nonresponse upon restimulation of the recipient lymphocytes. Importantly, the prepared ATD-Tscm cells were able to bind long and reconstitute other T-cell subsets in vivo, effectively recognizing and answering the "foreign" antigen without causing GVHD after they were transferred into the recipients. Discussion: Our strategy was succeeded to prepare ATD-Tscm cells from the donor T-cell repertoire. The prepared ATD-Tscm cells were able to reconstitute the immune system and prevent GVHD after transferred to the recipients. This study provides a good reference for generating ATD-Tscm for T-cell adoptive immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The protection for different skin types with impaired skin barrier in the market is insufficient. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a panthenol‐enriched mask (La Roche‐Posay Mask Pro) in addressing various skin barrier impairment subgroups, including dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin. Methods: A total of 177 participants were enrolled in the study and divided into three subgroups based on their skin type. Participants used the mask following the specified protocol, with measurements taken for skin hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), sebum content, and skin redness—factors that are directly influenced by skin barrier function. Assessments were conducted at baseline and after 1 day (tested 15 min post‐application), 7 days, and 14 days of application using Sebumeter, Tewameter, Corneometer, Mexameter, and VISIA. Results: Results showed significant improvements in skin parameters across all subgroups. In the dry sensitive skin subgroup, the mask increased skin hydration, sebum content, and reduced redness. For the oily sensitive skin subgroup, the mask regulated sebum production and improved skin hydration. In the oily acne skin subgroup, the mask reduced sebum content, redness, TEWL, and post‐inflammatory erythema and hyperpigmentation. Tolerance was excellent for all skin types, with no adverse reactions observed. Conclusions: This study highlights the efficacy and safety of the panthenol‐enriched LRP Mask Pro for individuals with distinct skin barrier impairment subgroups. The mask's versatile formulation and proven efficacy make it a valuable skincare product for addressing various skin concerns and achieving healthier, more balanced skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effects of feeding largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) with diets containing different doses of astaxanthin (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg) for 8 weeks. The results showed that the values of weight gain significantly increased from 620.32 ± 50.38% to 826.14 ± 33.49% as dietary astaxanthin levels increased from 0 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg. When the astaxanthin level exceeded 150mg/kg, the weight gain rate showed a downward trend, but there was no significant difference among of the 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg groups. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were also improved by adding astaxanthin to diets (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, adding astaxanthin to the feed increased the length and thickness of intestinal villus and muscle layer thickness (P < 0.05). The astaxanthin supplementation increased the expression of the NF-E2-related factor (Nrf2) gene and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the expression of apoptosis genes Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 (P < 0.05), indicating that it has a good antioxidant ability. Furthermore, adding astaxanthin increased the content of non-specific immune markers and decreased the expression levels of the inflammatory factors interleukin-15 (IL-15) and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α). Moreover, fish fed diets with astaxanthin exhibited lower blood cortisol levels (P < 0.05). The proportions of C20:4n6 (ARA) and C20:5n3 (EPA) in the liver decreased with increasing dietary astaxanthin levels. Based on WGR and SGR values, the optimal addition level of astaxanthin in largemouth bass feed is 134.8 mg/kg - 135.75 mg/ kg. In summary, the appropriate dietary astaxanthin enhanced the antioxidant capacity and immune response of largemouth bass and had a positive effect on its intestinal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavonoids are the most abundant polyphenols in plants, and have antioxidant effects as well as other bioactivities (e.g., anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-allergic, and neuroprotective effects). Vegetables are rich in flavonoids and are indispensable in our daily diet. Moreover, the vegetables as chassis for producing natural products would emerge as a promising means for cost-effective and sustainable production of flavonoids. Understanding the metabolic engineering of flavonoids in vegetables allows us to improve their nutrient composition. In this review, a comprehensive overview of flavonoids in vegetables, including the characterized types and distribution, health-promoting effects, associated metabolic pathways, and applied metabolic engineering are provided. We also introduce breakthroughs in multi-omics approaches that pertain to the elucidation of flavonoids metabolism in vegetables, as well as prospective and potential genome-editing technologies. Based on the varied composition and content of flavonoids among vegetables, dietary suggestions are further provided for human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prognostic nutritional index (PNI), integrating nutrition and inflammation markers, has been increasingly recognized as a prognostic predictor in diverse patient cohorts. Recently, its effectiveness as a predictive marker for acute kidney injury (AKI) in various clinical settings has gained attention. This study aims to assess the predictive accuracy of the PNI for AKI in critically ill populations through systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure up to August 2023. The included trials reported the PNI assessment in adult population with critical illness and its predictive capacity for AKI. Data on study characteristics, subgroup covariates, and diagnostic performance of PNI, including sensitivity, specificity, and event rates, were extracted. A diagnostic test accuracy meta-analysis was performed. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were utilized to investigate the sources of heterogeneity. The GRADE framework evaluated the confidence in the meta-analysis's evidence. Results: The analysis encompassed 16 studies with 17 separate cohorts, totaling 21,239 patients. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of PNI for AKI prediction were 0.67 (95% CI 0.58–0.74) and 0.74 (95% CI 0.67–0.80), respectively. The pooled positive likelihood ratio was 2.49 (95% CI 1.99–3.11; low certainty), and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.46 (95% CI 0.37–0.56; low certainty). The pooled diagnostic odds ratio was 5.54 (95% CI 3.80–8.07), with an area under curve of summary receiver operating characteristics of 0.76. Subgroup analysis showed that PNI's sensitivity was higher in medical populations than in surgical populations (0.72 vs. 0.55; p < 0.05) and in studies excluding patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) than in those including them (0.75 vs. 0.56; p < 0.01). Overall, diagnostic performance was superior in the non-chronic kidney disease group. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that PNI has practical accuracy for predicting the development of AKI in critically ill populations, with superior diagnostic performance observed in medical and non-CKD populations. However, the diagnostic efficacy of the PNI has significant heterogeneity with different cutoff value, indicating the need for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between ammonia and liver-related complications (LRCs) in acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) patients is not clearly established. This study aimed to evaluate the association between ammonia levels and LRCs in patients with ACLF. The study also evaluated the ability of ammonia in predicting mortality and progression of LRCs. The study prospectively recruited ACLF patients based on the APASL definition from the ACLF Research Consortium (AARC) from 2009 to 2019. LRCs were a composite endpoint of bacterial infection, overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE), and ascites. A total of 3871 cases were screened. Of these, 701 ACLF patients were enrolled. Patients with LRCs had significantly higher ammonia levels than those without. Ammonia was significantly higher in patients with overt HE and ascites, but not in those with bacterial infection. Multivariate analysis found that ammonia was associated with LRCs. Additionally, baseline arterial ammonia was an independent predictor of 30-day mortality, but it was not associated with the development of new LRCs within 30 days. In summary, baseline arterial ammonia levels are associated with 30-day mortality and LRCs, mainly overt HE and ascites in ACLF patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is one of the most expensive spices in the world, boasting rich medicinal and edible value. However, the effective development of active natural substances in saffron is still limited. Currently, there is a lack of comprehensive studies on the saffron stigma protein, and the main effect peptides have not been identified. In this study, the total protein composition of saffron stigmas was analyzed, and two main antioxidant peptides (DGGSDYLGK and VDPYFNK) were identified, which showed high antioxidant activity. Then, the stability of two peptides was further evaluated. Furthermore, our results suggested that these two peptides may protect HepG2 cells from H2O2-induced oxidative damage by significantly improving the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes and reducing the malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Collectively, we identified two peptides screened from the saffron protein possessing good antioxidant activity and stability, making them promising candidates for use as functional foods, etc., for health promotion. Our findings indicated that proteomic analysis together with peptide identification is a good method for exploitation and utilization of spice plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leopard coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus) is a species of significant economic importance. Although artificial cultivation of P. leopardus has thrived in recent decades, the advancement of selective breeding has been hindered by the lack of comprehensive population genomic data. In this study, we identified over 8.73 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) through whole-genome resequencing of 326 individuals spanning six distinct groups. Furthermore, we categorized 226 individuals with high-coverage sequencing depth (≥14×) into eight clusters based on their genetic profiles and phylogenetic relationships. Notably, four of these clusters exhibited pronounced genetic differentiation compared with the other populations. To identify potentially advantageous loci for P. leopardus, we examined genomic regions exhibiting selective sweeps by analyzing the nucleotide diversity (θπ) and fixation index (FST) in these four clusters. Using these high-coverage resequencing data, we successfully constructed the first haplotype reference panel specific to P. leopardus. This achievement holds promise for enabling high-quality, cost-effective imputation methods. Additionally, we combined low-coverage sequencing data with imputation techniques for a genome-wide association study, aiming to identify candidate SNP loci and genes associated with growth traits. A significant concentration of these genes was observed on chromosome 17, which is primarily involved in skeletal muscle and embryonic development and cell proliferation. Notably, our detailed investigation of growth-related SNPs across the eight clusters revealed that cluster 5 harbored the most promising candidate SNPs, showing potential for genetic selective breeding efforts. These findings provide a robust toolkit and valuable insights into the management of germplasm resources and genome-driven breeding initiatives targeting P. leopardus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: The protection for ultra‐long UVA1 is lacked in the market, posing potential damage from ultra‐long UVA1 irradiation. The study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a sunscreen containing multiple components, especially Mexoryl® 400 for improving skin barrier function and reducing melanin content. Methods: This single‐center study included adults with sensitive and normal skin in China in November 2022. Participants received the test sunscreen for 4 weeks. Melanin and hemoglobin content, sebum secretion skin hydration, and trans‐epidermal water loss were evaluated at T0d, T7d, and T28d. The self‐assessment was done at T15min, T7d, and T28d. Results: Sixty participants were included, including 30 self‐claimed sensitive skin in the sunscreen group. The sunscreen demonstrated significant improvements in skin parameters. Skin redness reduced by 9.84% at T28d, sebum content in the forehead area decreased by 22.70% at T28d, and skin stratum corneum hydration increased by 38.44% at T28d, p < 0.001 respectively. Most notably, skin melanin content significantly reduced by 13.49% after 4 weeks' usage (p < 0.001). No adverse reactions were reported in either group. Conclusions: The study sunscreen improved the skin condition by decreasing the melanin content, regulating skin barrier function, and achieving a balance of skin hydration and sebum secretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the influence of a geogrid-reinforced tailings dam on the seepage stability of the dam body, this paper was based on the field test of a reinforced tailings accumulation dam. The study utilized the finite element strength reduction method to simulate the stability of the main dam of the Fengshuigou tailings reservoir under different seepage conditions using ABAQUS software. Additionally, the paper discussed the impact of conventional heightening, dry beach length, and geogrid reinforcement on the position and safety factor of the saturation line of the dam body. The results showed that when the dam body was raised, the saturation line rose by 2.8–5.3 m, resulting in a decrease in the safety factor. The geogrid effectively reduced the height of the saturation line in the tailings dam. In comparison to the unreinforced condition (dam heightening), the saturation line of the tailings dam decreased by 0.9–2.8 m under the local reinforcement condition and by 3.2–12.5 m under the overall reinforcement condition. The geogrid significantly improved the stability of the tailings dam. Furthermore, under the local reinforcement condition, the safety factor of the dam increased by 3.8–5.5%, and under the overall reinforcement condition, it increased by 35.9–42.9%, when compared to the unreinforced condition. Increasing the dry beach length improved the stability of the tailings dam, and under normal working conditions, the safety of the tailings dam was much higher than under the minimum dry beach condition. These results served as a reference for the design of the dam and the new tailings reservoir, laying a foundation for the sustainable development and environmental protection of the tailings pond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a high risk of dam breakage in tailing reservoirs under extreme conditions. Once a dam breaks, it causes serious pollution to the surrounding ecological environment. To explore the effects of a tailings dam break under extreme conditions (flood conditions, drainage failure, flood discharge failure, and dam saturation), the mechanism underlying an overtopping dam break must be accurately understood. In this study, fine-grained tailings and perlite were selected to create composite model sand, and a prototype tailing reservoir was restored at a scale of 1:200. Furthermore, the dam-break process and results were analyzed and summarized by performing an overtopping dam-break test on the tailing reservoir under extreme conditions. The results show that the tailing discharge process has a high sand content, strong sand-carrying capacity, and high speed. The amount of model sand discharge accounted for 15.13% of the total storage capacity, and the amount of tailings deposition in the downstream area accounted for 95.21% of the discharge, which were both greater than the results of similar physical model tests and actual tailings dam failure accidents. An overtopping dam break in a tailing pond is a progressively destructive process. The dam break mechanism can be divided into two stages: prior breach penetration and subsequent breach horizontal expansion. In the process of a tailings dam break, the motion state of the tailings particles is transformed between the bed-load and suspended-load movement states. These results can provide important reference for the reinforcement of mine management and the formulation of preventive measures, which are essential to improving the safety of tailings reservoirs and protecting the ecological environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been associated with acute kidney injury (AKI). However, the occurrence rate of ICI-related AKI has not been systematically examined. Additionally, exposure to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were considered as risk factors for AKI, but with inconclusive results in ICI-related AKI. Our aim was to analyse the occurrence rate of all-cause AKI and ICI-related AKI and the occurrence rates of severe AKI and dialysis-requiring AKI, and to determine whether exposure to PPIs and NSAIDs poses a risk for all-cause and ICI-related AKI. Methods This study population was adult ICI recipients. A systematic review was conducted by searching MEDLINE, Embase and PubMed through October 2023. We included prospective trials and observational studies that reported any of the following outcomes: the occurrence rate of all-cause or ICI-related AKI, the relationship between PPI or NSAID exposure and AKI development or the mortality rate in the AKI or non-AKI group. Proportional meta-analysis and pairwise meta-analysis were performed. The evidence certainty was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework. Results A total of 120 studies comprising 46 417 patients were included. The occurrence rates of all-cause AKI were 7.4% (14.6% from retrospective studies and 1.2% from prospective clinical trials). The occurrence rate of ICI-related AKI was 3.2%. The use of PPIs was associated with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.77 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.43–2.18] for all-cause AKI and an OR of 2.42 (95% CI 1.96–2.97) for ICI-related AKI. The use of NSAIDs was associated with an OR of 1.77 (95% CI 1.10–2.83) for all-cause AKI and an OR of 2.57 (95% CI 1.68–3.93) for ICI-related AKI. Conclusions Our analysis revealed that approximately 1 in 13 adult ICI recipients may experience all-cause AKI, while 1 in 33 adult ICI recipients may experience ICI-related AKI. Exposure to PPIs and NSAIDs was associated with an increased OR risk for AKI in the current meta-analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sensitive skin is a common condition affecting a significant proportion of the population, and there is a growing demand for effective and safe management. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a cream containing panthenol, prebiotics, and probiotic lysate as an optimal care for facial sensitive skin. Methods: A total of 110 participants (64 in group A and 46 in group B) with facial sensitive skin applied the cream twice daily for 28 days. Group A evaluated their sensitive skin, product efficacy, and product use experience at D0 (15 min), D1, D14, and D28. In group B, skin barrier function‐related indicators were measured at baseline and on D1, D7, D14, and D28. Dermatologists evaluated tolerance for all participants. Results: After 28 days of use, in group A, 100% of participants reported mildness and comfort with product use. Participants demonstrated significant improvements in skin barrier function‐related indicators, including increased stratum corneum moisture content, reduced erythema index, elevated sebum content, decreased trans‐epidermal water loss, and diminished skin redness parameter a* value (all p < 0.05). Dermatologist evaluations revealed excellent tolerance among all participants. Conclusion: The panthenol‐enriched cream with prebiotics and probiotic lysate exhibited substantial clinical efficacy in ameliorating facial sensitive skin conditions, coupled with a high safety profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at the problems of poor accuracy of insulator defects, bird's nests and foreign objects detection in transmission lines, and the difficulty of algorithm hardware deployment, this paper proposes an improved YOLOv5s multi-hidden target detection algorithm for transmission lines, firstly, in backbone, the CA attention(Coordinate attention) mechanism is integrated into the C3 module to form the C3CA module, which replaces the C3 module of the sixth and the eighth layers, and enhances the feature fusion capability; secondly, in the neck, the GSConv convolution and VoVGSCSP modules are used to replace the standard convolution and C3 modules to form a BiFPN network, which reduces the floating-point operations of the network; finally, the improved algorithm is deployed into Raspberry Pi and accelerated by OpenVINO to realize the hardware deployment of the algorithm, which is demonstrated by experiments that: the mAP value of the algorithm is comparable to that of YOLOv3, YOLOv5 and YOLOv7 by 4.7%, 1.1%, and 1.2%, respectively. The model size is 14.2MB, and the average time to detect an image in Raspberry Pi is 78.2 milliseconds, which meets the real-time detection requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deformation behavior of duplex stainless steel 2205 is investigated by the method of high-temperature tensile and compressive tests using Gleeble 1500. The results of the tensile tests show that the tensile strength gradually decreases with increase in the deformation temperature; in the temperature range from 1020 to 1260°C the reduction of area is more than 60%. The incoordinate deformation of the two-phase tested steel in the range of 1020 – 1080°C leaves 1100 – 1200°C a suitable range for hot deformation. The results of compressive tests at the temperatures from 1100 to 1200°C show that the flow curve has typical features of dynamic recrystallization; with increase of the deformation temperature or decrease of the deformation rate, the peak stress and strain decrease separately; from this the Zener–Hollomon parameter is determined, which reflects the flow property of the tested steel, and an equation is proposed to describe the hot deformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the shear characteristics of soil-rock mixtures, a critical factor influencing slope stability in engineering construction. Soil-rock mixtures, often exhibit poor integrity and can easily soften in water due to geological influences. The YT1200 direct shear drawing friction system was employed to conduct shear tests, analyzing the effect of varying water content and fine particle mass fraction under different normal stresses. Utilizing fractional derivatives, we formulated a fractional derivative shear model. Test results illustrated a softening phenomenon post achieving peak shear stress in the soil-rock mixture. It was found that peak shear stress is directly proportional to the normal stress, and inversely proportional to both water content and fine particle mass fraction. Additionally, the cohesion and internal friction angle decrease according to a power function with increasing water content, and non-linearly decrease with the rise of fine particle mass fraction. The proposed shear model aptly simulates the entire shear failure process of the soil-rock mixture, effectively analyzing the influence of key factors on shear characteristics. These findings contribute to the strength prediction and numerical simulation of soil-rock mixtures, thereby aiding in the design of reinforcement schemes and slope stability analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the robustness with respect to the positional variations of five planning strategies in free-breathing breast hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT) for patients after breast-conserving surgery. Methods: Twenty patients who received breast HFRT with 42.72 Gy in 16 fractions were retrospectively analyzed. Five treatment planning strategies were utilized for each patient, including 1) intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) planning (IMRTpure); 2) IMRT planning with skin flash tool extending and filling the fluence outside the skin by 2 cm (IMRTflash); 3) IMRT planning with planning target volume (PTV) extended outside the skin by 2 cm in the computed tomography dataset (IMRTePTV); 4) hybrid planning, i.e., 2 Gy/fraction three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy combined with 0.67 Gy/fraction IMRT (IMRThybrid); and 5) hybrid planning with skin flash (IMRThybrid-flash). All plans were normalized to 95% PTV receiving 100% of the prescription dose. Six additional plans were created with different isocenter shifts for each plan, which were 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm, 7 mm, and 10 mm distally in the X (left-right) and Y (anterior-posterior) directions, namely, (X, Y), to assess their robustness, and the corresponding doses were recalculated. Variation of dosimetric parameters with increasing isocenter shift was evaluated. Results: All plans were clinically acceptable. In terms of robustness to isocenter shifts, the five planning strategies followed the pattern IMRTePTV, IMRThybrid-flash, IMRTflash, IMRThybrid, and IMRTpure in descending order. V95% of IMRTePTV maintained at 99.6% ± 0.3% with a (5,5) shift, which further reduced to 98.2% ± 2.0% with a (10,10) shift. IMRThybrid-flash yielded the robustness second to IMRTePTV with less risk from dose hotspots, and the corresponding V95% maintained >95% up until (5,5). Conclusion: Considering the dosimetric distribution and robustness in breast radiotherapy, IMRTePTV performed best at maintaining high target coverage with increasing isocenter shift, while IMRThybrid-flash would be adequate with positional uncertainty<5 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Oily skin, characterized by excessive sebum production, can lead to acne and have psychosocial impacts due to changes in appearance. Recent research has shown interest in treatments for oil control, with kaolin and bentonite emerging as promising options. Despite their potential, comprehensive studies on these ingredients are still in the nascent stages. AIM: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a clay mask (La Roche‐Posay Effaclar Sebo‐Controlling Mask) in reducing skin oiliness and acne, and its safety for use. METHODS: In this study, 75 adults with oily or combination skin were enrolled and provided with a clay mask for twice‐weekly use over 4 weeks. Clinical assessments, using instruments like Sebumeter, Vapometer, and Corneometer, were conducted at baseline, and after 1, 2, and 4 weeks, evaluating acne lesions, skin irritation, sebum content, and skin hydration. Participant self‐assessment questionnaires were also utilized for subjective evaluation. Statistical analyses were performed accordingly. RESULTS: The study revealed significant improvements in acne‐related outcomes, sebum content, skin evenness, stratum corneum water content, and transepidermal water loss following the application of the clay mask. Pore area and porphyrin area showed no significant changes. Tolerance assessment showed reduced dryness and irritation, with self‐assessment indicating high product acceptability and perceived oil control effectiveness. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the clay mask's efficacy in managing acne and oily skin, improving hydration and texture. Significant improvements in skin parameters and high product safety were observed, supporting its suitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetables are essential for maintaining health and preventing diseases due to their nutrients and functional components. However, vegetables specifically designed for blood sugar control are limited. The mulberry tree (Morus) offers potential as a source of functional vegetables with blood-sugar-lowering properties, mainly attributed to 1-Deoxynojirimycin (DNJ). This study compared the nutritional composition and DNJ content in various edible parts of twelve mulberry tree varieties. Sensory evaluations were also conducted to assess sensory attributes. Interestingly, DNJ was found to show a positive correlation with sensory evaluations. Furthermore, the sugar content, particularly sucrose, was significantly higher in tender shoots than leaves, indicating tender shoots as a preferable choice for development as a functional food for blood sugar control. Finally, VM 19 and VM 22 are considered as good candidates for the mulberry vegetable using varieties after sensory evaluation and combining with the DNJ content. These findings provide valuable insights for future research into vegetable selections for blood sugar management and support the potential commercialization of mulberry leaf vegetables as functional food options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavonoids are one of the important metabolites of plants, and many flavonoids have functions of antioxidant or antimicrobial, which can help plants resist environmental stress. On the other hand, flavonoids also have a health-promoting effect for humans, such as antioxidant and anti-aging, and some flavonoids can assist in disease treatment. Fruit is one of the main sources of plant food and flavonoids intake for humans. Understanding the flavonoidome of various fruits is helpful to choose fruit combinations according to different demands. In this study, we explored the composition and relative content of flavonoids in 22 fruits and analyzed some health-promoting flavonoids in fruits. In addition, we selected several fruits and measured their antioxidant capacity through experiments. Our study initially established a database of fruit flavonoidome, and can provide reference for nutrition research, fruit breeding and industrial development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase separation is a universal physical transition process whereby a homogeneous mixture splits into two distinct compartments that are driven by the component activity, elasticity, or compositions. In the current work, we develop a series of heterogeneous colloidal suspensions that exhibit both liquid-liquid phase separation of semiflexible binary polymers and liquid crystal phase separation of rigid, rod-like nanocellulose particles. The phase behavior of the multicomponent mixture is controlled by the trade-off between thermodynamics and kinetics during the two transition processes, displaying cholesteric self-assembly of nanocellulose within or across the compartmented aqueous phases. Upon thermodynamic control, two-, three-, and four-phase coexistence behaviors with rich liquid crystal stackings are realized. Among which, each relevant multiphase separation kinetics shows fundamentally different paths governed by nucleation and growth of polymer droplets and nanocellulose tactoids. Furthermore, a coupled multiphase transition can be realized by tuning the composition and the equilibrium temperature, which results in thermotropic behavior of polymers within a lyotropic liquid crystal matrix. Finally, upon drying, the multicomponent mixture undergoes a hierarchical self-assembly of nanocellulose and polymers into stratified cholesteric films, exhibiting compartmentalized polymer distribution and anisotropic microporous structure. Phase separation is driven by the component activity, elasticity, or composition of a homogeneous mixture. Here the authors, develop heterogeneous colloidal suspensions exhibiting both liquid-liquid phase separation of polymers and liquid crystal phase separation of nanoparticles controlled by the trade-off between thermodynamics and kinetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) require more analgesics after cesarean delivery than those who do not have GDM. Uncontrolled pain following cesarean delivery is a major problem in women with GDM. We investigate the efficacy of low-dose esketamine combined with sufentanil intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)for postcesarean analgesia in women with GDM. Methods: One hundred forty pregnant women with GDM were enrolled participate in this randomized controlled trial and were randomized into two groups (70 in each group). The esketamine (S) group was given esketamine +sufentanil + ondansetron, and the control (C) group was given sufentanil +ondansetron. The primary outcome is sufentanil consumption at 24 hours postoperatively, the secondary outcomes are sufentanil consumption at 6 hours postoperatively, pain scores at 6, 24 and 48 hours postoperatively. Results: Compared with group C, group S had significantly lower sufentanil consumption at 6 and 24 hours postoperatively (P= 0.049 and P<0.001), significantly lower activities VAS(pain during activities)scores at 6 hours postoperatively, rest and activities VAS (pain at rest and pain during activities) scores at 24 hours postoperatively, and activities VAS scores at 48 hours postoperatively(P=0.022, P =0.002, P=0.001 and P=0.007). Compared to group C, the time to bowel function return was significantly shorter in group S. There was no significant difference in rest VAS (pain at rest) scores at 6 and 48 hours postoperatively (P>0.05). The time to first lactation was not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in neonatal neurobehavioral scores between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: Compared to sufentanil PCA, adding low dose of esketamine significantly reduced the consumption of sufentanil while providing equally effective post cesarean analgesia in the patients with gestational diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High temperatures (HTs) seriously affect the yield and quality of tea. Catechins, derived from the flavonoid pathway, are characteristic compounds that contribute to the flavour of tea leaves. In this study, we first showed that the flavonoid content of tea leaves was significantly reduced under HT conditions via metabolic profiles; and then demonstrated that two transcription factors, CsHSFA1b and CsHSFA2 were activated by HT and negatively regulate flavonoid biosynthesis during HT treatment. Jasmonate (JA), a defensive hormone, plays a key role in plant adaption to environmental stress. However, little has been reported on its involvement in HT response in tea. Herein, we demonstrated that CsHSFA1b and CsHSFA2 activate CsJAZ6 expression through directly binding to heat shock elements in its promoter, and thereby repress the JA pathway. Most secondary metabolites are regulated by JA, including catechin in tea. Our study reported that CsJAZ6 directly interacts with CsEGL3 and CsTTG1 and thereby reduces catechin accumulation. From this, we proposed a CsHSFA‐CsJAZ6‐mediated HT regulation model of catechin biosynthesis. We also determined that negative regulation of the JA pathway by CsHSFAs and its homologues is conserved in Arabidopsis. These findings broaden the applicability of the regulation of JAZ by HSF transcription factors and further suggest the JA pathway as a valuable candidate for HT‐resistant breeding and cultivation. Summary Statement: Jasmonate (JA) acts as an important participant in the adaption to environmental stressors. However, it remains unclear whether JA‐mediated flavonoid metabolites contribute to the adaptation to high temperature (HT) stress in tea. In this study, we demonstrated that CsJAZ6, which is activated downstream of CsHSFA1b/CsHSFA2, responds to HT stress and negatively impacts catechin biosynthesis. Based on our findings, we have proposed a mechanistic model of CsHSFA‐CsJAZ6‐mediated HT regulation of catechin biosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through computer-assisted design, a multiple hydrogen bonding catalyst was developed to achieve efficient hydration of epoxides under mild temperatures and atmospheric pressure, eliminating the use of metals. Through the introduction of multiple hydrogen bonds and the prediction of optimal bond strength, guanidine-functionalized and hydroxyl-bridged IL with four hydrogen bonds exhibited the highest activity, leading to an excellent yield of 97% at 50 °C and 1 bar CO2. A combination of control experiments, isotope labeling experiments and quantum-chemical calculations were carried out to reveal the mechanism, which indicated that the interactions of multiple hydrogen bonds could promote the reaction effectively. We believe this strategy using multiple hydrogen bonding interactions provides a novel idea for developing metal-free catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For adaptation to ever‐changing environments, plants have evolved elaborate metabolic systems coupled to a regulatory network for optimal growth and defense. Regulation of plant secondary metabolic pathways such as glucosinolates (GSLs) by defense phytohormones in response to different stresses and nutrient deficiency has been intensively investigated, while how growth‐promoting hormone balances plant secondary and primary metabolism has been largely unexplored. Here, we found that growth‐promoting hormone brassinosteroid (BR) inhibits GSLs accumulation while enhancing biosynthesis of primary sulfur metabolites, including cysteine (Cys) and glutathione (GSH) both in Arabidopsis and Brassica crops, fine‐tuning secondary and primary sulfur metabolism to promote plant growth. Furthermore, we demonstrate that of BRASSINAZOLE RESISTANT 1 (BZR1), the central component of BR signaling, exerts distinct transcriptional inhibition regulation on indolic and aliphatic GSL via direct MYB51 dependent repression of indolic GSL biosynthesis, while exerting partial MYB29 dependent repression of aliphatic GSL biosynthesis. Additionally, BZR1 directly activates the transcription of APR1 and APR2 which encodes rate‐limiting enzyme adenosine 5′‐phosphosulfate reductases in the primary sulfur metabolic pathway. In summary, our findings indicate that BR inhibits the biosynthesis of GSLs to prioritize sulfur usage for primary metabolites under normal growth conditions. These findings expand our understanding of BR promoting plant growth from a metabolism perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on one-year's ethnographic fieldwork, this article unpacks experiences of assisted reproductive technology (ART) among queer parents and queer wannabe parents in Guangdong, China. Although existing state regulation on the use of ART and birth planning tends to deny parenthood to single and queer people and further limits their ability to form legible family units, queer parents who have had children through ART are growing in number in urban China. This research delineates how state and cultural conventions, together with market and economic conditions, have shaped queer individuals' decision making regarding whether, when and how to have children. Findings make an original contribution to studies of the use of reproductive technology in Chinese queer lives. Narratives regarding how queer parents employ ART services unscramble links between sexual citizenship and reproductive agency, as individuals make consumer choices and reproductive decisions synchronously. The paper also explores alleged LGBT-friendly ART companies and the image of a desirable 'rainbow baby' they have created. Chinese queer parents' participation in assisted reproduction has destabilised the dominant hetero-reproductive family matrix while simultaneously contributing to stratified reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]