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Background: Endovascular recanalization is a feasible option for treating symptomatic non-acute middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) patients. Hence, we aimed to establish a new angiographic scoring to grade the recanalization difficulty of MCAO to determine the suitable patients for endovascular treatment. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a total of 113 consecutive recurrent symptomatic non-acute MCAO patients who underwent endovascular recanalization from July 2015 to August 2021 in four Chinese comprehensive stroke centers. All patients were reappraised using a new angiographic scoring based on the stump morphology, the MCA occlusion length, MCA bend, and the distal vascular bed of MCAO. We used the final results to establish the patients' outcomes. Results: The total successful recanalization and perioperative complication rates were 83.2% (94/113) and 15.9% (18/113), respectively. No deaths occurred within 30 days. Moreover, 96.9, 90, 87.5, 52.6, and 50% of the patients achieved recanalization with scores of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 (p < 0.001), respectively. However, the perioperative complication rate showed the opposite trend. (3.1% vs. 7.5% vs. 6.3% vs. 52.6% vs. 50%; p < 0.001). The median time of successful microwire crossing of the occlusion lesion (TMO) in the score 0 group was shorter than the other groups (2 min, 9 min, 8.5 min, 14 min, and 20 min; p < 0.001). When a score of 2 was used as the optimal cut-off point, the sensitivity and specificity were 86.2 and 63.2%, respectively. Conclusion: The new angiographic scoring can effectively predict the successful recanalization rate, perioperative complication rate, and TMO of endovascular recanalization for non-acute MCAO. It can also be used as an effective clinical evaluation tool to determine the suitable non-acute MCAO patients for recanalization, especially with a score = 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Esketamine, the first Food and Drug Administration-approved fastacting antidepressant, has limited use because of its addictive properties. Although the combination of dextromethorphan and bupropion partially addresses the limitations of esketamine, concerns remain regarding neurologic side effects related to dextromethorphan metabolites, and seizure risks associated with high-dose bupropion. SAL0114, a novel formulation combining deuterated dextromethorphan (in which hydrogen atoms are replaced with deuterium) with bupropion, seeks to enhance dextromethorphan stability through deuteration of its metabolic sites. This approach is expected to increase antidepressant efficacy, reduce metaboliteinduced safety issues, and allow for lower bupropion dosages. Methods: Radioligand competition binding assays were used to evaluate the impact of deuterium substitution on the in vitro activity of dextromethorphan and its metabolite, dextrorphan. In vitro hepatic microsomal stability and in vivo mouse pharmacokinetic assays were performed to assess the effects of deuteration on dextromethorphan stability. Two mouse models of behavioral despair were used to determine the antidepressant and synergistic effects of deuterated dextromethorphan and bupropion. Additionally, a reserpine-induced hypothermia rat model and an ammonia-induced cough mouse model were used to assess the in vivo effects from a pathological perspective. Results: Deuterated dextromethorphan maintained the same in vitro activity as dextromethorphan while exhibiting twice the metabolic stability both in vitro and in vivo. Combination with bupropion further improved its in vivo stability, increasing the exposure by 2.4 times. The combination demonstrated efficacy and synergistic effects in all tested animal models, showing superior efficacy compared with the dextromethorphan-bupropion combination. Conclusion: Deuteration improved dextromethorphan metabolic stability without altering its in vitro activity. Bupropion enhanced this stability and synergistically boosted the antidepressant effect by increasing deuterated dextromethorphan exposure in vivo. This enhanced metabolic stability suggests a reduction in dextromethorphan metabolites associated with clinical neurological side effects. Consequently, SAL0114 is hypothesized to offer improved efficacy and safety compared with the non-deuterated combination, potentially allowing for lower bupropion dosages. Further clinical studies are required to confirm these preclinical findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Esketamine, the first Food and Drug Administration-approved fastacting antidepressant, has limited use because of its addictive properties. Although the combination of dextromethorphan and bupropion partially addresses the limitations of esketamine, concerns remain regarding neurologic side effects related to dextromethorphan metabolites, and seizure risks associated with high-dose bupropion. SAL0114, a novel formulation combining deuterated dextromethorphan (in which hydrogen atoms are replaced with deuterium) with bupropion, seeks to enhance dextromethorphan stability through deuteration of its metabolic sites. This approach is expected to increase antidepressant efficacy, reduce metaboliteinduced safety issues, and allow for lower bupropion dosages. Methods: Radioligand competition binding assays were used to evaluate the impact of deuterium substitution on the in vitro activity of dextromethorphan and its metabolite, dextrorphan. In vitro hepatic microsomal stability and in vivo mouse pharmacokinetic assays were performed to assess the effects of deuteration on dextromethorphan stability. Two mouse models of behavioral despair were used to determine the antidepressant and synergistic effects of deuterated dextromethorphan and bupropion. Additionally, a reserpine-induced hypothermia rat model and an ammonia-induced cough mouse model were used to assess the in vivo effects from a pathological perspective. Results: Deuterated dextromethorphan maintained the same in vitro activity as dextromethorphan while exhibiting twice the metabolic stability both in vitro and in vivo. Combination with bupropion further improved its in vivo stability, increasing the exposure by 2.4 times. The combination demonstrated efficacy and synergistic effects in all tested animal models, showing superior efficacy compared with the dextromethorphan-bupropion combination. Conclusion: Deuteration improved dextromethorphan metabolic stability without altering its in vitro activity. Bupropion enhanced this stability and synergistically boosted the antidepressant effect by increasing deuterated dextromethorphan exposure in vivo. This enhanced metabolic stability suggests a reduction in dextromethorphan metabolites associated with clinical neurological side effects. Consequently, SAL0114 is hypothesized to offer improved efficacy and safety compared with the non-deuterated combination, potentially allowing for lower bupropion dosages. Further clinical studies are required to confirm these preclinical findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the dissolution behavior of crystal-originated particle (COP) in 300 mm Czochralski silicon under argon annealing was investigated. The latex sphere equivalent size distributions of defects along the depth direction in silicon wafers annealed under different conditions were quantified utilizing chemical–mechanical polishing and localized light scattering inspection. The interstitial oxygen concentration profiles were quantified by secondary ion mass spectrometry, and the distributions of oxygen precipitation within annealed wafers were obtained based on peak analysis. Furthermore, the classical theoretical model was employed to elucidate the depth-dependent dissolution of COP. Based on the initial COP sizes and oxygen concentrations, the relationship between COP sizes and depth after annealing was calculated. The depth distributions of defects obtained by combining the dissolution of COP from calculation with the changes of oxygen precipitation were found to be highly consistent with the measurement results. These findings could enhance the understanding of the mechanism of COP dissolution, which contributes to the production of defect-free silicon wafers for nanometre-scale integrated circuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Some studies showed the possible role of copper intake on bone mineral density (BMD) in adults or the elderly, but the association remained uncertain in children and adolescents. Our research explored the association between copper intake and BMD in individuals aged 8–19 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2016. Methods: In the present study, 6,965 individuals aged 8–19 (mean age 13.18 ± 3.38 years) were enrolled from the NHANES 2011–2016. Copper intake was evaluated by averaging two 24-hour copper dietary intake recalls. Multivariate linear regression analyses were used to explore the association between copper intake and total BMD, subtotal BMD, and total spine BMD in children and adolescents. Stratified analyses and interaction tests were performed by age, gender, and race. Results: Participants of the higher quartile of copper intake were more likely to be older, men, Non-Hispanic White, and Other Hispanic. They have higher values of poverty income ratio (PIR), serum phosphorus, blood urea nitrogen, serum vitamin D, and BMD and lower values of body mass index (BMI), cholesterol, total protein, and serum cotinine. In the fully adjusted model, we found positive associations between copper intake and total BMD (β = 0.013, 95CI: 0.006, 0.019)), subtotal BMD (β = 0.020, 95CI: 0.015, 0.024), and total spine BMD (β = 0.014, 95CI: 0.009, 0.019). Stratified analyses showed that the association was stronger in men, individuals aged 14–19, Non-Hispanic White, and Other Hispanic. Conclusions: Our study suggests that copper intake is positively associated with BMD in U.S. children and adolescents. The study emphasizes the role of copper intake on bone health in the early stages of life. However, more investigations are needed to verify our findings and their underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid strong base catalysts are highly attractive for diverse reactions owing to their advantages of neglectable corrosion, facile separation, and environmental friendliness. However, their widespread applications are impeded by basic components aggregation and low stability. In this work, we fabricate single calcium atoms on graphene (denoted as Ca1/G) by use of a redox strategy for the first time, producing solid strong base catalyst with high activity and stability. The precursor Ca(NO3)2 is first reduced to CaO at 400 °C by the support graphene, forming CaO/G with conventional basic sites, and the subsequent reduction at 850 °C results in the generation of Ca1/G with atomically dispersed Ca. Various characterizations reveal that Ca single atoms are anchored on graphene in tetra-coordination (Ca--C2--N2) where N is in situ doped from Ca(NO3)2. The atomically dispersed Ca, along with their anchoring on the support, endow Ca1/G with high activity and stability toward the transesterification reaction of ethylene carbonate with methanol. The turnover frequency value reaches 128.0 h-1 on Ca1/G, which is much higher than the traditional counterpart CaO/G and various reported solid strong bases (2.9-46.2 h-1). Moreover, the activity of Ca1/G is well maintained during 5 cycles, while 60% of activity is lost for the conventional analogue CaO/G due to the leaching of Ca. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are commonly utilized in biomedical science, but the potential application of green synthesized herb-based GNPs is elusive. Here, aqueous extracts of Ammannia baccifera were used to synthesize GNPs, and the properties of green synthesized GNPs were analyzed. Our results showed that these GNPs possessed larvicidal activity for Anopheles subpictus and Culex Quinquefasciatus, and antimicrobial activity for Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Bacillus subtilis. A rising dose of GNPs in zebrafish followed an increasing Au accumulation. Furthermore, the expression levels of immune-related genes were dramatically activated after exposure to these GNPs. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the potential application of the GNPs derived from A. baccifera extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of two-dimensional materials is currently rapid due to their outstanding electronic and optical properties, and research on them has never ceased. Our study explored the geometric and electro-optical characteristics of a novel BAs/ZnSe heterostructure through first-principles calculations. We also researched the effects of P atom doping and the stacking of rotated monolayers on the functioning of the BAs/ZnSe heterostructure. Findings from our analysis suggest that the BAs/ZnSe heterostructure embodies a type-II heterojunction, and its band gap is 0.38 eV. This configuration facilitates the efficient division of photoexcited electron–hole pairs at the heterointerface. When the layer spacing reaches 3.3 Å, the binding energy is the lowest and the heterojunction is the most stable. The introduction of an electric field and mechanical stress will lead to the modification of the heterostructure's band gap, ultimately reducing it to zero, thereby exhibiting metallic properties. It is noteworthy that when using an electric field range of −0.9 < Eext < −0.7 eV Å−1, the BAs/ZnSe heterostructure transfers from a type-II heterojunction to a type-I heterojunction, and becomes a direct band gap. A similar transition also occurs when the applied stress range is 3% < ε < 6%, and there's a type-I to type-II transition. In particular, compared to the individual monolayers, the BAs/ZnSe heterostructure exhibits enhanced optical absorption coefficients, notably in the ultraviolet absorption spectrum, exhibiting an expanded range of absorption. The light absorption capability will also vary with different electric fields and strains. This suggests that the BAs/ZnSe heterostructure can shine in a wider range of applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The present study aimed to further examine the factor structure and measurement invariance of the UDRQ among a sample of Hungarian university students. Methods: Firstly, the factor structure of the UDRQ was examined among 837 Hungarian university students. Specifically, two measurement models (firstorder model and second-order model) were constructed and compared. Secondly, the internal consistency reliability of the UDRQ was examined. Thirdly, measurement invariance of the UDRQ was evaluated across genders. Finally, measurement invariance of the UDRQ was evaluated across two different samples. Results: It was found that the first-order model outperformed the secondorder model and better represented the factor structure of the UDRQ subscales. Results of Cronbach's alpha and Composite Reliability suggested that the internal consistency reliabilities of the two UDRQ subscales were satisfactory. Measurement invariance analysis revealed that the UDRQ measurement model was strict invariant across genders and samples. Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicated that the UDRQ displayed satisfactory reliability and validity and could be used to assess demands and resources of Hungarian university students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study was designed to compare the clinical and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) between the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol and conventional care in patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer, which have not previously been compared. Methods: This single-center retrospective study included prospective PRO data from August 2019 to June 2021. Clinical outcomes included perioperative complications and postoperative length of stay (PLOS). Patient-reported outcomes were assessed by using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (QLQ-C30) and esophagus-specific module (QLQ-OES18) preoperatively to 6 months postoperatively. Mixed-effects models were used to longitudinally compare quality of life (QOL) scores between the two modes. Results: Patients undergoing conventional care and ERAS were analyzed (n = 348 and 109, respectively). The ERAS group had fewer overall complications, pneumonia, arrhythmia, and a shorter PLOS than the conventional group, and outperformed the conventional group in five functional QLQ-C30 domains and five symptom QLQ-OES18 domains, including less dysphagia (p < 0.0001), trouble talking (p = 0.0006), and better eating (p < 0.0001). These advantages persisted for 3 months postoperatively. For the cervical circular stapled anastomosis, the initial domains and duration of benefit were reduced in the ERAS group. Conclusions: The ERAS protocol has significant advantages over conventional care in terms of clinical outcomes, lowering postoperative symptom burden, and improving functional QOL in patients who have undergone esophagectomy. Selection of the optimal technique for cervical anastomosis is a key operative component of ERAS that maintains the symptom domains and duration of the advantages of PROs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the shear behavior and competitive failure mechanisms of headed stud connectors in steel–concrete composite (SCC) structures under the influence of freeze– thaw cycles (FTCs), the material performance test of C60 concrete after FTCs and the pushout test of 36 miniaturized specimens of headed stud connectors under FTCs were carried out. After various FTCs, the cubic compressive strength and dynamic elastic modulus of C60 concrete were measured. In the pushout tests, special attention was given to studying the failure modes, load–slip curves, shear capacity, and shear stiffness of stud connectors. A revised method for calculating the shear capacity of headed stud connectors, considering the effects of FTCs, is suggested based on current design codes. The study findings indicate that the performance of stud connectors is adversely affected by FTCs, leading to a degradation in their shear capacity and stiffness. As the FTCs' effect intensifies, the two failure modes, stud shearing and concrete cracking, undergo alterations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Economic pressure has become an important source of stress for employees. However, the conclusions regarding the relationship between financial stress and employees' work behavior are not consistent. The present study explored the relationship between financial stress and employee job performance with a Chinese sample and further explored how and when financial stress influenced job performance. Samples and Methods: The present study investigated five distinct companies operating in diverse sectors using a convenience sampling technique. Three hundred and twenty-one employees were recruited. Financial Stress, Job Performance, Work Engagement, and Emotional Exhaustion were measured for this investigation. The mediation effect was tested using a four-step procedure. The analysis of the moderated mediation model was performed using Hayes's PROCESS macro for SPSS. Results: The results found financial stress was positively related to job performance, and work engagement mediated the positive relationship between financial stress and job performance. In addition, emotional exhaustion moderated the mediating process between financial stress, work engagement, and job performance. Specifically, the beneficial effect of financial stress on work engagement disappeared when emotional exhaustion was high. Besides, a high level of emotional exhaustion weakened the positive relationship between work engagement and job performance. Conclusion: Financial stress plays a motivating role in employees' job performance in China. Work engagement is a key factor between financial stress and job performance. Notably, the positive effect of financial stress and work engagement on job performance is contingent upon the individual's level of emotional exhaustion. These results might explain the inconsistency of the effect of financial stress in previous research. Moreover, this finding suggests that emotional factors may not only be the result of stress but can also influence its effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sparse matrix-vector multiplication (SpMV) is a key kernel in scientific and engineering computing. Due to the irregular data distribution in sparse matrices and the irregular memory access operations in SpMV calculations, the performance of SpMV on multicore CPUs and GPUs still lags significantly behind the theoretical peak performance of these devices. Existing CPUs and GPUs are limited in their architectures, making them unable to effectively utilize the special structure of sparse matrices to accelerate SpMV calculations. However, Field-Programmable gate arrays (FPGA) can achieve efficient parallel computing through customized circuits, which better handle the computation and storage issues of sparse matrices. An SpMV optimization method based on FPGA is proposed, which utilizes a highlevel synthesis streaming processing engine and employs an adaptive multi-row folding SpMV optimization strategy. This method reduces the ineffective storage and computation of zero elements in the processing engine through row folding, thereby enhancing the performance of FPGA-based SpMV calculations. Experimental results show that compared to existing FPGA implementations, the proposed row folding-based dataflow engine achieves a maximum speedup of 1.78 times and an average speedup of 1.15 times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osthole, a coumarin compound mainly derived from Cnidium monnieri (L.), has attracted much interest from the scientific community owing to its multiple therapeutic properties. However, its pharmacological mechanism, pharmacokinetics, and toxicological effects are far from clear. Furthermore, the potential drug delivery platforms of osthole remain to be comprehensively delineated. The present review aimed to systematically summarize the most up-to-date information related to pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and safety issues related to osthole, and discuss the investigations of novel drug delivery platforms. The information herein discussed was retrieved from authoritative databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and so on, reviewing information published up until February of 2024. New evidence shows that osthole induces a sequence of therapeutic actions and has a moderate absorption rate and rapid metabolic characteristics. In addition, this phytoconstituent possesses potential hepatotoxicity, and caution should be exercised against the risk of the drug combination. Furthermore, given its needy solubility in aqueous medium and non-organizational targeting, novel drug delivery methods have been designed to overcome these shortcomings. Given the properties of osthole, its therapeutic benefits ought to be elucidated in a greater array of comprehensive research studies, and the molecular mechanisms underlying these benefits should be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The usage of cheap crude H2 in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is still unrealistic to date, due to the suffering of the current Pt based nano-catalysts from impurities such as CO in anode. Recently, synergistic active sites between single atom (SA) and nanoparticle (NP) have been found to be promising for overcoming the poisoning problem. However, lengthening the nanoparticle-single atom (SA-NP) interface, i.e., constructing high density synergistic active sites, remains highly challenging. Herein, we present a new strategy based on molecular fusion strategy to create abundant SA-NP interfaces, with high density SA-NP interfaces created on a two dimensional nitrogen doped carbon nanosheets (Ir-SACs&NPs/NC). Owing to the abundance of SA-NP interface sites, the catalyst was empowered with a high tolerance towards up to 1000 ppm CO in H2 feed. These findings provide guidelines for the design and construction of active and anti-poisoning catalysts for PEMFC anode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigations on the changes in pore water pressures and stress during the construction of stiffened deep cement mixing (SDCM) piles are scarce, resulting in an unsatisfactory understanding of the bearing capacity formation process. Thus, this paper presents a preliminary field study to investigate the variation characteristics of pore water pressures, total stress and effective stress during the construction of SDCM piles derived from field tests. In the meantime, cone penetration tests (CPTs) were conducted before and after the construction of SDCM piles. The results show that the variation ranges of pore water pressure, total stress and effective stress of soils around piles decreased with increasing distance between the measuring point and piles when the depths of the measuring points were the same. During the piling process, the effective stress increased by approximately 53–103%, and the pile side frictions increased accordingly, while the tip resistance and side resistance values of soils around piles increased by 27–106% and 2–145%, respectively. Additionally, SDCM piles successively formed different load-bearing components with decreasing bearing capacity along the pile diameter direction, which realized a better bearing efficiency than conventional piles made with homogeneous materials. In essence, they were also the source of significant economic advantages of SDCM piles. Through this study, we expect to provide a reference for further studies on the bearing mechanism of SDCM piles in soft soil regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This study aimed to compare the survival outcomes of patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) who underwent or did not undergo salvage surgery followed by a triple combination conversion treatment consisted of locoregional treatment (LRT), tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and anti-PD-1 antibodies. Methods The data from 93 consecutive patients with initially unresectable HCC and PVTT across 4 medical centers were retrospectively reviewed. They were converted successfully by the triple combination treatment and underwent or did not undergo salvage resection. The baseline characteristics, conversion schemes, conversion treatment-related adverse events (CTRAEs), overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) of the salvage surgery and non-surgery groups were compared. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for OS and PFS. Additionally, subgroup survival analysis was conducted by stratification of degree of tumor response and type of PVTT. Results Of the 93 patients, 44 underwent salvage surgery, and 49 did not undergo salvage surgery. The OS and PFS of the salvage surgery and non-surgery groups were not significantly different (P  = .370 and.334, respectively). The incidence and severity of CTRAEs of the 2 groups were also comparable. Subgroup analyses revealed that for patients with complete response (CR) or types III-IV PVTT, there was a trend toward better survival in patients who did not undergo salvage surgery. Multivariate analysis showed that baseline α-fetoprotein and best tumor response per mRECIST criteria were independent prognostic factors for OS and PFS. Conclusions For patients with initially unresectable HCC and PVTT who were successfully converted by the triple combination therapy, salvage liver resection may not be necessary, especially for the patients with CR or types III-IV PVTT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inferring directional connectivity of brain regions from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data has been shown to provide additional insights into predicting mental disorders such as schizophrenia. However, existing research has focused on the magnitude data from complex-valued fMRI data without considering the informative phase data, thus ignoring potentially important information. Methods: We propose a new complex-valued transfer entropy (CTE) method to measure causal links among brain regions in complex-valued fMRI data. We use the transfer entropy to model a general non-linear magnitude-magnitude and phase-phase directed connectivity and utilize partial transfer entropy to measure the complementary phase and magnitude effects on magnitude-phase and phase-magnitude causality. We also define the significance of the causality based on a statistical test and the shuffling strategy of the two complex-valued signals. Results: Simulated results verified higher accuracy of CTE than four causal analysis methods, including a simplified complex-valued approach and three real-valued approaches. Using experimental fMRI data from schizophrenia and controls, CTE yields results consistent with previous findings but with more significant group differences. The proposed method detects new directed connectivity related to the right frontal parietal regions and achieves 10.2-20.9% higher SVM classification accuracy when inferring directed connectivity using anatomical automatic labeling (AAL) regions as features. Conclusion: The proposed CTE provides a new general method for fully detecting highly predictive directed connectivity from complex-valued fMRI data, with magnitude-only fMRI data as a specific case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The glucose-to-glycated hemoglobin ratio (GAR) represents stress hyperglycemia, which has been closely associated with adverse outcomes in cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. No studies have examined the association between stress hyperglycemia and atrial fibrillation (AF) in critically ill patients. This study aims to explore the relationship between GAR and the prognosis of critically ill patients with AF. Methods: A retrospective cohort of patients was selected from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database. The GAR was calculated based on fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels measured after admission. The primary outcome was the 30-day mortality rate, with secondary outcomes being the 90-day and 365-day mortality rates. The GAR was divided into tertiles, and Kaplan–Meier analysis was employed to compare differences in mortality rates between groups. The Cox proportional hazards model and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were utilized to evaluate the relationship between the GAR and mortality. Subsequently, a segmented regression model was constructed to analyze threshold effects in cases where nonlinear relationships were determined. Results: In this cohort, the second tertile of the GAR exhibited lower mortality rates at 30 days (10.56% vs 6.33% vs 14.51%), 90 days (17.11% vs 10.09% vs 17.88%), and 365 days (25.30% vs 16.15% vs 22.72%). In the third tertile, the risk of mortality at 30 days increased by 165% (HR = 2.65, 95% CI 1.99–3.54, p < 0.001), at 90 days increased by 113% (HR = 2.13, 95% CI 1.68–2.70, p < 0.001), and at 365 days increased by 70% (HR = 1.70, 95% CI 1.68–2.70, p < 0.001). The association between the GAR and patient mortality demonstrated a "J-shaped" non-linear correlation. Once the GAR exceeded 15.915, each incremental unit increase in the ratio was associated with a 27.2% increase in the risk of 30-day mortality in critically ill atrial fibrillation patients (HR = 1.262, 95% CI 1.214–1.333, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The GAR is associated with both short-term and long-term mortality in critically ill patients with AF in a J-shaped relationship. Both low and excessively high GAR values indicate poor prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effective isolation of rare target cells, such as circulating tumor cells, from whole blood is still challenging due to the lack of a capturing surface with strong target-binding affinity and non-target-cell resistance. Here we present a solution leveraging the flexibility of bacterial virus (phage) nanofibers with their sidewalls displaying target circulating tumor cell-specific aptamers and their ends tethered to magnetic beads. Such flexible phages, with low stiffness and Young's modulus, can twist and adapt to recognize the cell receptors, energetically enhancing target cell capturing and entropically discouraging non-target cells (white blood cells) adsorption. The magnetic beads with flexible phages can isolate and count target cells with significant increase in cell affinity and reduction in non-target cell absorption compared to magnetic beads having rigid phages. This differentiates breast cancer patients and healthy donors, with impressive area under the curve (0.991) at the optimal detection threshold (>4 target cells mL−1). Immunostaining of captured circulating tumor cells precisely determines breast cancer subtypes with a diagnostic accuracy of 91.07%. Our study reveals the power of viral mechanical attributes in designing surfaces with superior target binding and non-target anti-fouling. The effective isolation of rare target cells, such as circulating tumor cells from whole blood is still challenging. Here, the authors utilize adaptable flexible M13 phage in constructing magnetic beads, forming a deformable surface that can tightly capture CTCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effective isolation of rare target cells, such as circulating tumor cells, from whole blood is still challenging due to the lack of a capturing surface with strong target-binding affinity and non-target-cell resistance. Here we present a solution leveraging the flexibility of bacterial virus (phage) nanofibers with their sidewalls displaying target circulating tumor cell-specific aptamers and their ends tethered to magnetic beads. Such flexible phages, with low stiffness and Young's modulus, can twist and adapt to recognize the cell receptors, energetically enhancing target cell capturing and entropically discouraging non-target cells (white blood cells) adsorption. The magnetic beads with flexible phages can isolate and count target cells with significant increase in cell affinity and reduction in non-target cell absorption compared to magnetic beads having rigid phages. This differentiates breast cancer patients and healthy donors, with impressive area under the curve (0.991) at the optimal detection threshold (>4 target cells mL−1). Immunostaining of captured circulating tumor cells precisely determines breast cancer subtypes with a diagnostic accuracy of 91.07%. Our study reveals the power of viral mechanical attributes in designing surfaces with superior target binding and non-target anti-fouling. The effective isolation of rare target cells, such as circulating tumor cells from whole blood is still challenging. Here, the authors utilize adaptable flexible M13 phage in constructing magnetic beads, forming a deformable surface that can tightly capture CTCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: According to the World Health Organisation's Health Report 2019, approximately 17.18 million people die from cardiovascular disease each year, accounting for more than 30% of all global deaths. Therefore, the occurrence of cardiovascular disease is still a global concern. The transcription factor 21 (TCF21) plays an important role in cardiovascular diseases. This article reviews the regulation mechanism of TCF21 expression and activity and focuses on its important role in atherosclerosis in order to contribute to the development of diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Summary: TCF21 is involved in the phenotypic regulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), promotes the proliferation and migration of VSMCs, and participates in the activation of inflammatory sequences. Increased proliferation and migration of VSMCs can lead to neointimal hyperplasia after vascular injury. Abnormal hyperplasia of neointima and inflammation are one of the main features of atherosclerosis. Therefore, targeting TCF21 may become a potential treatment for relieving atherosclerosis. Key Messages: TCF21 as a member of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors regulates cell growth and differentiation by modulating gene expression during the development of different organs and plays an important role in cardiovascular development and disease. VSMCs and cells derived from VSMCs constitute the majority of plaques in atherosclerosis. TCF21 plays a key role in regulation of VSMCs' phenotype, thus accelerating atherogenesis in the early stage. However, TCF21 enhances plaque stability in late-stage atherosclerosis. The dual role of TCF21 should be considered in the translational medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Russia-Ukraine conflict is a growing concern worldwide and poses serious threats to regional and global food security. Using monthly trade data for maize, rice, and wheat from 2016/1 to 2023/12, this paper constructs three international crop trade networks and an aggregate international food trade network. We aim to examine the structural changes following the occurrence of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. We find significant shifts in the number of edges, average in-degree, density, and efficiency in the third quarter of 2022, particularly in the international wheat trade network. Additionally, we have shown that political reasons have caused more pronounced changes in the trade connections between the economies of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Russia than with Ukraine. This paper could provide insights into the negative impact of geopolitical conflicts on the global food system and encourage a series of effective strategies to mitigate the negative impact of the conflict on global food trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon peaking and carbon neutrality strategies bring both opportunities and challenges to the development of green buildings. In this context, the development of high-quality green buildings requires a focus on improving carbon reduction effects throughout their entire lifespan. Based on a systematic review of the achievements and existing problems in the development of green buildings in China over the past thirty years, this article benchmarks the new trends in green building standards in developed countries abroad, dissects the new requirements for the development of green buildings in China under the new situation, and proposes a high-quality carbon reduction pathways from four aspects: theoretical research, policy systems, technical systems, and software platforms. Finally, it proposes implementation suggestions for collaborative development from four dimensions: theoretical methods for calculating carbon emissions, green finance policies, a full-process carbon reduction technology system, and carbon emission accounting tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate Ki67 expression and prognostic value during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Patients and Methods: 95 patients with advanced EOC receiving NACT followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS) were available for tissue samples from matched pre- and post-therapy specimens. The expression of Ki-67 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and classified by percentage of stained cells. The optimal cutoff values of the Ki67 were assessed by receiver operating characteristic analysis. Kaplan-Meier analysis, the Log rank test, and Cox regression analysis were carried out to analyze survival. Results: Post-NACT Ki67 was an independent prognostic factor for recurrence by univariate (HR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1– 3.0, P-value: 0.023) and multivariate (HR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.08– 3.26, P-value: 0.025) analysis. Residual disease > 1cm (HR: 2.69, 95% CI: 1.31– 5.54, P-value: 0.0070) and pre-treatment CA125 ≥ 1432 U/mL (HR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.13– 3.55, P-value: 0.017) were also independent risk factors for progression-free survival (PFS) in multivariate analysis. Post-NACT Ki67 ≥ 20% was an independent risk factor for PFS, however, baseline Ki67 and Ki67 change did not suggest prognostic significance. In patients with high CA125, the median PFS for patients with high postKi67 (median PFS: 15.0 months, 95% CI: 13.4– 16.6 months) was significantly (P-value: 0.013) poorer compared to patients with low postKi67 (median PFS: 30.0 months, 95% CI: 13.5– 46.5 months). Conclusion: Post-NACT Ki67 ≥ 20% was an independent factor associated with poorer PFS in patients with advanced-stage EOC undergoing NACT followed by IDS. The combination of post-NACT Ki67 and pretreatment CA125 could better identify patients with poorer PFS in NACT-administered patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Symptom assessment based on patient-reported outcome (PRO) can correlate with disease severity, making it a potential tool for threshold alerts of postoperative complications. This study aimed to determine whether shortness of breath (SOB) scores on the day of discharge could predict the development of post-discharge complications in patients who underwent lung cancer surgery. Methods: Patients were from a study of a dynamic perioperative rehabilitation cohort of lung cancer patients focusing on patient-reported outcomes. Patients were assessed using the Perioperative Symptom Assessment Scale for Lung surgery (PSA-Lung). Logistic regression model was used to examine the potential association between SOB on the day of discharge and complications within 3 months after discharge. The post-discharge complications were taken as the anchor variable to determine the optimal cutpoint for SOB on the day of discharge. Results: Complications within 3 months post-discharge occurred in 71 (10.84%) of 655 patients. Logistic regression analysis revealed that being female (OR 1.764, 95% CI 1.006–3.092, P < 0.05) and having two chest tubes (OR 2.026, 95% CI 1.107–3.710, P < 0.05) were significantly associated with post-discharge complications. Additionally, the SOB score on the day of discharge (OR 1.125, 95% CI 1.012–1.250, P < 0.05) was a significant predictor. The optimal SOB cutpoint was 5 (on a scale of 0–10). Patients with an SOB score ≥ 5 at discharge experienced a lower quality of life 1 month later compared to those with SOB score<5 at discharge (73 [50–86] vs. 81 [65–91], P < 0.05). Conclusion: SOB on the day of discharge may serve as an early warning sign for the timely detection of 3 month post-discharge complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Body weight has been recognized as a driving factor of osteoarthritis. Few studies had investigated the association between weight status across adulthood and risk of osteoarthritis (OA). This study investigates the association of weight change patterns across adulthood (lasting at least 25 years) with the risk of OA from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013–2018. Methods: The study assessed the relationship between weight change across adulthood and OA in 7392 individuals aged > 50 spanning a minimum of 25 years. Multivariate linear regression analyses were utilized to detect the association between weight change patterns and self-reported OA. Restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to examine the nonlinear relationship between absolute weight change and OA risk. Results: From 10 years ago to survey, the risk of OA was 1.34-fold (95% CI 1.07–1.68) in people changed from obese to non-obese, 1.61-fold (95% CI 1.29–2.00) in people change from non-obese to obese, and 1.82-fold (95% CI 1.49–2.22) in stable obese people compared with people who were at stable normal weight. Similar patterns were also observed at age 25 years to baseline and age 25 years to 10 years before the baseline. The dose–response association of RCS found a U-shaped relationship between absolute weight change and OA risk. Conclusions: The study suggests that weight patterns across adulthood are associated with the risk of OA. These findings stressed important to maintain a normal weight throughout adulthood, especially to prevent ignored weight gain in early adulthood to reduce OA risk later. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) seriously affects the feasibility and safety of surgical treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. The aim of this study was to establish a new surgical scheme defining risk classification of post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) to facilitate the surgical decision-making and identify suitable candidates for individual hepatectomy among HCC patients with CSPH. Backgrounds: Hepatectomy is the preferred treatment for HCC. Surgeons must maintain a balance between the expected oncological outcomes of HCC removal and short-term risks of severe PHLF and morbidity. CSPH aggravates liver decompensation and increases the risk of severe PHLF thus complicating hepatectomy for HCC. Methods: Multivariate logistic regression and stochastic forest algorithm were performed, then the independent risk factors of severe PHLF were included in a nomogram to determine the risk of severe PHLF. Further, a conditional inference tree (CTREE) through recursive partitioning analysis validated supplement the misdiagnostic threshold of the nomogram. Results: This study included 924 patients, of whom 137 patients (14.8%) suffered from mild-CSPH and 66 patients suffered from (7.1%) with severe-CSPH confirmed preoperatively. Our data showed that preoperative prolonged prothrombin time, total bilirubin, indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min, CSPH grade, and standard future liver remnant volume were independent predictors of severe PHLF. By incorporating these factors, the nomogram achieved good prediction performance in assessing severe PHLF risk, and its concordance statistic was 0.891, 0.850 and 0.872 in the training cohort, internal validation cohort and external validation cohort, respectively, and good calibration curves were obtained. Moreover, the calculations of total points of diagnostic errors with 95% CI were concentrated in 110.5 (range 76.9-178.5). It showed a low risk of severe PHLF (2.3%), indicating hepatectomy is feasible when the points fall below 76.9, while the risk of severe PHLF is extremely high (93.8%) and hepatectomy should be rigorously restricted at scores over 178.5. Patients with points within the misdiagnosis threshold were further examined using CTREE according to a hierarchic order of factors represented by the presence of CSPH grade, ICG-R15, and sFLR. Conclusion: This new surgical scheme established in our study is practical to stratify risk classification in assessing severe PHLF, thereby facilitating surgical decision-making and identifying suitable candidates for individual hepatectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we report B(C6F5)3/CPA‐catalyzed enantioselective aza‐Diels–Alder reaction of 3,3‐difluoro‐2‐Aryl‐3H‐indoles with unactivated dienes to access chiral 10,10‐difluoro‐tetrahydropyrido[1,2‐a]indoles. This protocol allows the formation of pyrazole‐based C2‐quaternary indolin‐3‐ones with high enantioselectivities and regioselectivities. Moreover, gram‐scale synthesis of the 10,10‐difluoro‐tetrahydropyrido[1,2‐a]indole skeleton was successfully achieved without any reduction in both yield and enantioselectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Three Gorges Project is the largest hydraulic hub project in the world, and its hydrological management has altered the hydrological environment of the reservoir area, affecting the carbon emission and absorption of the reservoir water. In this study, representative hydrological stations in the Three Gorges Reservoir area were selected as research sites to monitor the CO2 and CH4 fluxes of the reservoir water and nine environmental factors during the drainage and impoundment periods in 2022. The study aimed to explore the mechanisms of hydrological management and environmental factors on greenhouse gas emissions. The results showed that the mean CO2 fluxes of the reservoir water during the drainage and impoundment periods were (103.82 ± 284.86) mmol·m−2·d−1 and (134.39 ± 62.41) mmol·m−2·d−1, respectively, while the mean CH4 fluxes were (1.013 ± 0.58) mmol·m−2·d−1 and (0.571 ± 0.70) mmol·m−2·d−1, respectively, indicating an overall "carbon source" characteristic. Through the evaluation of the characteristic importance of environmental factors, it was found that the main controlling factors of CO2 flux during the drainage period were total phosphorus (TP) and chlorophyll a (Chl_a), while total nitrogen (TN) was the main controlling factor during the impoundment period. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was the main controlling factor of CH4 flux during the different periods. Based on these findings, a "source-sink" mechanism of CO2 and CH4 in the Three Gorges Reservoir water under reservoir regulation was proposed. This study is of great significance for revealing the impact of reservoir construction on global ecosystem carbon cycling and providing scientific support for formulating "emission reduction and carbon sequestration" plans and achieving "dual carbon" goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selective separation of small molecules at the sub-nanometer scale has broad application prospects in the field, such as energy, catalysis, and separation. Conventional polymeric membrane materials (e.g., nanofiltration membranes) for sub-nanometer scale separations face challenges, such as inhomogeneous channel sizes and unstable pore structures. Combining polymers with metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), which possess uniform and intrinsic pore structures, may overcome this limitation. This combination has resulted in three distinct types of membranes: MOF polycrystalline membranes, mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs), and thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes. However, their effectiveness is hindered by the limited regulation of the surface properties and growth of MOFs and their poor interfacial compatibility. The main issues in preparing MOF polycrystalline membranes are the uncontrollable growth of MOFs and the poor adhesion between MOFs and the substrate. Here, polymers could serve as a simple and precise tool for regulating the growth and surface functionalities of MOFs while enhancing their adhesion to the substrate. For MOF mixed-matrix membranes, the primary challenge is the poor interfacial compatibility between polymers and MOFs. Strategies for the mutual modification of MOFs and polymers to enhance their interfacial compatibility are introduced. For TFN membranes, the challenges include the difficulty in controlling the growth of the polymer selective layer and the performance limitations caused by the "trade-off" effect. MOFs can modulate the formation process of the polymer selective layer and establish transport channels within the polymer matrix to overcome the "trade-off" effect limitations. This review focuses on the mechanisms of synergistic construction of polymer–MOF membranes and their structure–nanofiltration performance relationships, which have not been sufficiently addressed in the past. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we utilized a 20-bin WRF-Chem (Weather Research and Forecasting coupled with Chemistry) regional model to investigate the contributions of chemical drivers to the growth of new particles, as well as to simulate the three-dimensional dynamics of new particle formation (NPF) events over the North China Plain during a summer campaign in 2019. The model replicated the occurrence of NPF and the growth pattern of newly formed particles, as well as the performance to meet the benchmarks, i.e., absolute mean fractional bias ≤ 50 % and mean fractional error ≤ 75 %, in replicating number concentrations of particles in the 10–40 nm range in five events between 29 June and 6 July 2019. Therefore, we further analyzed three NPF events with distinct particle growth characteristics. In these instances, the model overpredicted daytime condensation of H2SO4 vapor and nighttime formation of NH4NO3. These resulted in overestimation of the hygroscopicity parameter of nanometer particles. Nevertheless, the model performance met the benchmarks for reproducing cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) at a supersaturation (SS) of 0.4 % on NPF days. This was because the overestimation of inorganics was offset by the model underestimation of CCN originating from submicron particles. Additionally, three-dimensional simulations of NPF events demonstrated some key findings. First, NPF consistently begins in the upper parts of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) before expanding. Second, during daytime organics dominate growth of new particles in the PBL, whereas in the free troposphere the primary chemical drivers are inorganic species. However, to confirm these findings, vertical observations are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Growing evidence indicates that there is a close relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and sarcopenia, and T2DM patients are often accompanied by obesity. However, research exploring the connection between body fat percentage (BFP) and sarcopenia is currently limited. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that included 676 patients with T2DM over 50 years old. The appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), handgrip strength, and 5-time chair stand test (5-TCST) were measured, and sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia (AWGS). Spearman's coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation of BFP and body mass index (BMI) with the diagnostic elements of sarcopenia, and BFP and other relevant covariates were included in the binary logistic regression model. The subgroup performed an interaction test for statistically significant population baseline information. Results: The prevalence of sarcopenia was 18.0% in males and 11.6% in females. Spearman correlation analysis showed that BFP was positively correlated with ASMI in women (R=0.107, P=0.029), but not in men. BFP was negatively correlated with grip strength (male: R= − 0.187, P=0.003; female: R=− 0.108, P=0.029). There was a positive correlation between BFP and 5-TCST (male: R=0.199, P=0.001; female: R=0.144, P=0.003). After adjusting for confounding factors, BFP was an independent risk factor for sarcopenia (men, OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.15– 1.54; women, OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.13– 1.41). This correlation was generally consistent, as demonstrated in further subgroup analyses. Conclusion: High BFP was significantly associated with sarcopenia risk, and this association was independent of gender, age, and BMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2′,4′‐Dihydroxy‐6′‐methoxy‐3′,5′‐dimethylchalcone (DMC) is a typical and abundant chalcone compound from the buds of Cleistocalyx operculatus, which is well‐known for its edible and medicinal qualities. In this study, DMC showed effective cell cycle arrest at G2/M on MDA‐MB‐231 cells, though dual impacts, including the inhibition of microtubule polymerization through binding to β‐tubulin and the stimulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by inhibiting catalase activity. The increased ROS level inhibited PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and further suppressed the expression level of Cdc2, Cdc25C, and Cyclin B1, alongside stimulated the expression level of p21 and p27. Above 29.5% MDA‐MB‐231 cells were arrested at G2/M phase, subsequently undergoing apoptosis due to heightened levels of apoptosis‐related proteins Bax and caspase 3. In summary, this study demonstrated that DMC concomitantly plays dual roles in apoptotic inducing by inhibiting the ROS consumption and microtubules formation in triple‐negative breast cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the certain relation between threshold voltage and flat‐band voltage to improve the image sticking for AMOLED display was investigated. Flat band state generally refers to a state in which the energy bands of each region in an ideal MOSFET system are flattened. However, it is requiring an additional voltage to flatten the energy band for actual MOS systems due to the difference in metal and semiconductor work function, which is called the flat‐band voltage. It is investigated that this flat‐band voltage is strongly linked to the short‐term image sticking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Broad-spectrum RAS inhibition has the potential to benefit roughly a quarter of human patients with cancer whose tumours are driven by RAS mutations1,2. RMC-7977 is a highly selective inhibitor of the active GTP-bound forms of KRAS, HRAS and NRAS, with affinity for both mutant and wild-type variants3. More than 90% of cases of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are driven by activating mutations in KRAS4. Here we assessed the therapeutic potential of RMC-7977 in a comprehensive range of PDAC models. We observed broad and pronounced anti-tumour activity across models following direct RAS inhibition at exposures that were well-tolerated in vivo. Pharmacological analyses revealed divergent responses to RMC-7977 in tumour versus normal tissues. Treated tumours exhibited waves of apoptosis along with sustained proliferative arrest, whereas normal tissues underwent only transient decreases in proliferation, with no evidence of apoptosis. In the autochthonous KPC mouse model, RMC-7977 treatment resulted in a profound extension of survival followed by on-treatment relapse. Analysis of relapsed tumours identified Myc copy number gain as a prevalent candidate resistance mechanism, which could be overcome by combinatorial TEAD inhibition in vitro. Together, these data establish a strong preclinical rationale for the use of broad-spectrum RAS-GTP inhibition in the setting of PDAC and identify a promising candidate combination therapeutic regimen to overcome monotherapy resistance.RMC-7977, a multi-selective RAS(ON) inhibitor, exhibits potent tumour-selective activity in multiple pre-clinical models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma through a combination of pharmacology and oncogene dependence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thalassemias represent some of the most common monogenic diseases worldwide and are caused by variations in human hemoglobin genes which disrupt the balance of synthesis between the alpha and beta globin chains. Thalassemia gene detection technology is the gold standard to achieve accurate detection of thalassemia, but in clinical practice, most of the tests are only for common genotypes, which can easily lead to missing or misdiagnosis of rare thalassemia genotypes. Case presentation: We present the case of an 18-year-old Chinese female with abnormal values of routine hematological indices who was admitted for genetic screening for thalassemia. Genomic DNA was extracted and used for the genetic assays. Gap polymerase chain reaction and agarose gel electrophoresis were performed to detect HBA gene deletions, while PCR-reverse dot blot hybridization was used to detect point mutations in the HBA and HBB genes. Next-generation sequencing and third-generation sequencing (TGS) were used to identify known and potentially novel genotypes of thalassemia. We identified a novel complex variant αHb WestmeadαHb Westmeadαanti3.7/-α3.7 in a patient with rare alpha-thalassemia. Conclusions: Our study identified a novel complex variant that expands the thalassemia gene variants spectrum. Meanwhile, the study suggests that TGS could effectively improve the specificity of thalassemia gene detection, and has promising potential for the discovery of novel thalassemia genotypes, which could also improve the accuracy of genetic counseling. Couples who are thalassemia carriers have the opportunity to reduce their risk of having a child with thalassemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the significance of atherosclerotic plaque location in hybrid surgery comprising both endovascular recanalization approaches and carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic atherosclerotic non-acute long-segment occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA), 162 patients were enrolled, including 120 (74.1%) patients in the proximal plaque group and 42 (25.9%) in the distal plaque group. Surgical recanalization was performed in all patients, with successful recanalization in 119 (99.2%) patients in the proximal and 39 (92.9%) in the distal plaque group. The total successful recanalization rate was 97.5% (158/162) with a failure rate of 2.5% (4/162). Periprocedural complications occurred in 5 (4.2% or 5/120) patients in the proximal plaque group, including neck infection in two (1.7%), recurrent nerve injury in 1 (0.8%), and laryngeal edema in 2 (1.7%), and 2 (4.8%) in the distal plaque group, including femoral puncture infection in 2 (4.8%). No severe complications occurred in either group. Univariate analysis showed plaque location was a significant (P = 0.018) risk factor for successful recanalization, and multivariate analysis indicated that the plaque location remained a significant independent risk factor for recanalization success (P = 0.017). In follow-up 6–48 months after the recanalization surgery, reocclusion occurred in two (2.8%) patients in the proximal plaque group and 4 (13.3%) in the distal plaque group. In conclusion, although hybrid surgery achieves similar outcomes in patients with ICA occlusion caused by either proximal or distal atherosclerotic plaques, plaque location may be a significant risk factor for successful recanalization of symptomatic non-acute long-segment ICA occlusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the development of a cubic DNA nanocage probe for the analysis of miRNA-10b in tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs). The probe was able to enter EVs and react with miRNA-10b, allowing visualization of EV-mediated intercellular communication. The study highlights the importance of EVs in communication between cells and the potential of miRNA-10b as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis. The DNA nanocage probe offers a simple and effective approach for the detection and analysis of miRNAs in tumor-derived EVs. [Extracted from the article]

The causal association between vitamin E status and osteoarthritis (OA) remains controversial in previous epidemiological studies. We employed a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to explore the causal relationship between circulating alpha-tocopherol levels (main forms of vitamin E in our body) and OA. The instrumental variables (IVs) of circulating alpha-tocopherol levels were obtained from a Genome-wide association study (GWAS) dataset of 7781 individuals of European descent. The outcome of OA was derived from the UK biobank. Two-sample MR analysis was used to estimate the causal relationship between circulating alpha-tocopherol levels and OA. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was the primary analysis in this analysis. We used the MR-Egger method to determine horizontal pleiotropic in this work. The heterogeneity effect of instrumental IVs was detected by MR-Egger and IVW analyses. Sensitivity analysis was performed by removing single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) one by one. Three SNPs (rs964184, rs2108622, and rs11057830) (P < 5E−8) strongly associated with circulating alpha-tocopherol levels were used in this analysis. The IVW-random effect indicated no causal relationship between circulating alpha-tocopherol levels and clinically diagnosed OA (OR = 0.880, 95% CI 0.626, 1.236, P = 0.461). Similarly, IVW analysis showed no causal association between circulating alpha-tocopherol levels and self-reported OA (OR = 0.980, 95% CI 0.954, 1.006, P = 0.139). Other methods of MR analyses and sensitivity analyses revealed consistent findings. MR-Egger and IVW methods indicated no significant heterogeneity between IVs. The MR–Egger intercept showed no horizontal pleiotropic. The results of this linear Mendelian randomization study indicate no causal association between genetically predicted alpha-tocopherol levels and the progression of OA. Alpha-tocopherol may not provide beneficial and more favorable outcomes for the progression of OA. Further MR analysis based on updated GWASs with more IVs is required to verify the results of our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The peak bone mass (PBM) in puberty has been proven to be a critical determinant of osteoporosis and brittle fractures in the elderly. Selenium is an essential trace element that could influence bone metabolism in our bodies. However, no study has investigated the impact of selenium status on bone mineral density (BMD) among children and adolescents. This was a cross-section study from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in the USA involving participants aged 8–19 years. We conducted multiple linear regression models to assess the relationship between selenium status and BMD among children and adolescents, and then stratified analyses were performed according to genders and races. Smooth curve fits and two-piecewise linear regression models were conducted to explore their nonlinear relationship. A total of 4570 participants (2338 boys and 2232 girls) were included in the present study, with a mean age of 13.57 ± 3.41 years. In the multivariable adjustment model, serum selenium was positively associated with lumbar spine BMD (β = 0.021 95% CI: 0.008, 0.034, P = 0.001). The dose–response analyses indicated a non-linear inverted U-shaped relationship between serum selenium and lumbar spine BMD. Lower and higher selenium concentrations were related to decreased BMD, and the inflection point of serum selenium was 2.60 umol/L. The inverted U-shaped association was also observed in females (inflection point: 2.49 umol/L), males (inflection point: 2.65 umol/L), Non-Hispanic White (inflection point: 2.50 umol/L), Non-Hispanic Black (inflection point: 2.50 umol/L), and other races (Including multi-racial) (inflection point: 2.81 umol/L). Our study first shows a non-linear inversed U-shaped association between selenium status and BMD among children and adolescents. The proper selenium status will benefit bone health in children and adolescents. More research is still required to verify our findings and their potential mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass liquefaction is an useful technique to realize the high-value conversion and recycling uses of agricultural and forestry waste, as well as for substituting chemical feedstocks. In this paper, the organic solvent liquefaction method was used to liquefy bagasse lignin. The effects of different liquefaction parameters (catalyst dosage, liquid-solid ratio, liquefaction temperature, liquefaction time) on the liquefaction efficiency of bagasse lignin were explored, and its liquefaction products were also characterized. The results showed that the optimized process parameters for liquefaction of bagasse lignin were as follows: the liquefaction temperature was 150, the liquefaction time was 1 h, the liquid-solid ratio was 3:1, the catalyst dosage was 15%, and the residue rate of bagasse lignin was 0.87%. Under the combined action of phenol and sulfuric acid, bagasse lignin was degraded from its original spherical and spherical concave structure into residual particles. The ether bonds and the carbon-carbon bonds connecting the macromolecular structure of bagasse lignin were broken in different ways during the liquefaction process, such as pyrolysis, dehydration, dehydrogenation, deoxygenation, and decarboxylation. Subsequently, small molecular fragments in the liquefied intermediate products rearranged through condensation, hydroxyl methylation, and etherification reactions. Finally, stable and complex mixtures generated, which were soluble in phenol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cases of bilateral hip fractures are rare, and even more so are cases of bilateral intertrochanteric fractures. Common causes include trauma, internal diseases, and primary or secondary bone diseases. We report a case of bilateral intertrochanteric fractures in an elderly patient following a severe car accident, a scenario not extensively reported in existing literature. Case Presentation: We report on an 84-year-old male who suffered severe trauma from a car accident, resulting in multiple injuries and shock state, with pain and limited mobility in both hip joints. After examination and imaging studies, the patient was diagnosed with multiple injuries and bilateral intertrochanteric fractures. Following emergency resuscitation, he was admitted to the orthopedic ward. A pre-surgical multidisciplinary team (MDT) consultation was convened to optimize surgical conditions. The patient underwent successful one-stage bilateral intramedullary nailing. The patient was assisted to stand with a walker on the third day after surgery. Six months post-surgery, the patient resumed outdoor activities. Conclusion: Managing bilateral intertrochanteric fractures, particularly in the elderly with severe trauma, is notably challenging due to their rarity. However, a coordinated multidisciplinary approach and one-stage bilateral internal fixation can lead to effective treatment outcomes and favorable prognoses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite data showing that nutritional interventions high in antioxidant/anti-inflammatory properties (anthocyanin-rich foods, such as blueberries/elderberries) may decrease risk of memory loss and cognitive decline, evidence for such effects in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is limited. This study examined preliminary effects of American elderberry (Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis) juice on cognition and inflammatory markers in patients with MCI. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo–controlled trial, patients with MCI (n = 24, Mage = 76.33 ± 6.95) received American elderberry (n = 11) or placebo (n = 13) juice (5 mL orally 3 times a day) for 6 months. At baseline, 3 months, and 6 months, patients completed tasks measuring global cognition, verbal memory, language, visuospatial cognitive flexibility/problem solving, and memory. A subsample (n = 12, 7 elderberry/5 placebo) provided blood samples to measure serum inflammatory markers. Multilevel models examined effects of the condition (elderberry/placebo), time (baseline/3 months/6 months), and condition by time interactions on cognition/inflammation outcomes. Attrition rates for elderberry (18%) and placebo (15%) conditions were fairly low. The dosage compliance (elderberry—97%; placebo—97%) and completion of cognitive (elderberry—88%; placebo—87%) and blood-based (elderberry—100%; placebo—100%) assessments was high. Elderberry (not placebo) trended (p = 0.09) towards faster visuospatial problem solving performance from baseline to 6 months. For the elderberry condition, there were significant or significantly trending decreases over time across several markers of low-grade peripheral inflammation, including vasorin, prenylcysteine oxidase 1, and complement Factor D. Only one inflammatory marker showed an increase over time (alpha-2-macroglobin). In contrast, for the placebo, several inflammatory marker levels increased across time (L-lactate dehydrogenase B chain, complement Factor D), with one showing deceased levels over time (L-lactate dehydrogenase A chain). Daily elderberry juice consumption in patients with MCI is feasible and well tolerated and may provide some benefit to visuospatial cognitive flexibility. Preliminary findings suggest elderberry juice may reduce low-grade inflammation compared to a placebo–control. These promising findings support the need for larger, more definitive prospective studies with longer follow-ups to better understand mechanisms of action and the clinical utility of elderberries for potentially mitigating cognitive decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]