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Strong gravitational lensing effect is a powerful tool to probe cosmological models and gravity theories. Recently, the time-delay cosmography from strong lensing and the stellar kinematics of the deflector, which encode the Hubble constant and the post-Newtonian parameter via two distance ratios reflecting the lensing mass and dynamical mass respectively, have been proposed to investigate these two parameters simultaneously. Among strong lensing systems with different sources, strongly lensed fast radio bursts (FRBs) have been proposed as precision probes of the universe since the time delay $\sim$ 10 days between images could be measured extremely precisely because of their short duration of a few milliseconds. In this work, we investigate the ability of strongly lensed FRBs on simultaneously estimating these two parameters via simulations. Take the expected FRB detection rate of upcoming facilities and lensing probability into consideration, it is likely to accumulate 10 lensed FRBs in several years and we find that $H_0$ could be determined to a $\sim1.5\%$ precision and $\gamma_{\rm PPN}$ could be constrained to a $\sim8.7\%$ precision simultaneously from them. These simultaneous estimations will be helpful for properly reflecting the possible correlation between these two fundamental parameters., Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures

The multi-messenger joint observations of GW170817 and GRB170817A shed new light on the study of short-duration gamma-ray bursts (SGRBs). Not only did it substantiate the assumption that SGRBs originate from binary neutron star (BNS) mergers, but it also confirms that the jet generated by this type of merger must be structured, hence the observed energy of an SGRB depends on the viewing angle from the observer. However, the precise structure of the jet is still subject to debate. Moreover, whether a single unified jet model can be applied to all SGRBs is not known. Another uncertainty is the delay timescale of BNS mergers with respect to star formation history of the Universe. In this paper, we conduct a global test of both delay and jet models of BNS mergers across a wide parameter space with simulated SGRBs. We compare the simulated peak flux, redshift and luminosity distributions with the observed ones and test the goodness-of-fit for a set of models and parameter combinations. Our simulations suggest that GW170817/GRB 170817A and all SGRBs can be understood within the framework of a universal structured jet viewed at different viewing angles. Furthermore, models invoking a jet plus cocoon structure with a lognormal delay timescale is most favored. Some other combinations (e.g. a Gaussian delay with a power-law jet model) are also acceptable. However, the Gaussian delay with Gaussian jet model and the entire set of power-law delay models are disfavored., 9 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS. Updated to match the published version

To observe the efficacy and safety of Guihuang Formula (GHF) in treating patients with type III prostatitis and Chinese medicine syndrome of dampness-heat and blood stasis.Sixty-six patients diagnosed with type III prostatitis with dampness-heat and blood stasis syndrome were randomly divided into the treatment group (GHF) and the control group (tamsulosin) using a random number table, with 33 cases each group. The treatment group received GHF twice a day, and the control group received tamsulosin 0.2 mg once daily before bedtime. Patients in both groups received treatment for 6 weeks and was followed up for 2 weeks. The outcomes included the National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) score, Chinese Medicine Symptoms Score (CMSS), expressed prostatic secretions (EPS) and adverse events (AEs).After treatment, the NIH-CPSI total score and domain scores of pain discomfort, urination and quality of life decreased significantly from the baseline in both groups (P0.05). The CMSS score decreased in both groups (P0.05). The WBC count decreased and lecithin body count increased in both groups (P0.05). GHF showed a more obvious advantage in reducing the pain discomfort and quality of life domain scores of NIH-CPSI, reducing the CMSS score, increasing the improvement rate of the WBC and lecithin body counts, compared with the control group (P0.05). There were no significant differences in decreasing urination domain score of NIH-CPSI between two groups (P0.05). In addition, no serious AEs were observed.GHF is effective in treating type III prostatitis patients with dampness-heat and blood stasis syndrome without serious AEs. (Registration No. ChiCTR1900026966).

Background: Recent studies have found that there are significant associations between body iron status and the development of diabetes. In the present study, we aimed to analyze the association among iron overload (IO), insulin resistance (IR), and diabetes in Chinese adults, and to explore the sex difference.Methods: Men and women (age >19 years) who participated in the Chinese Health and Nutrition Survey and did not have diabetes at baseline were followed between 2009 and 2015 (n=5,779). Over a mean of 6 years, 75 participants were diagnosed with incident diabetes. Logistic regression was used to assess the risk factors associated with IO. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to estimate the risk of incident diabetes and to determine whether the risk differed among subgroups. Causal mediation analysis (CMA) was used to explore the mechanism linking IO and diabetes.Results: According to sex-stratified multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression, IO increased the risk of incident diabetes. Women with IO had a higher risk of diabetes than men. Subgroup analysis with respect to age showed that the association between IO and diabetes was stronger in older women and younger men (P

A smart polyurethane material with good photoresponsiveness and reversible surface wettability based on a photoresponsive chain extender (SO–OH).

To identify miRNA biomarkers of arterial atherosclerosis subtypes in acute ischemic stroke.40 participants recruited in our hospital from October 2017 to January 2018. There were 12 patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), 13 patients with atherosclerosis (AS) and 15 healthy subjects. They were divided into the AIS group, AS group and healthy control (HC) group. The miRNA expression levels of the AIS group, AS group and HC group were measured by DNA microarray. Bioinformatics analysis was performed using the miRNA target prediction database.The expression of 3 miRNAs, miR-129-1-3p, miR-4312, miR-5196-3p, was significantly different between the AIS and AS/HC groups. Genes targeted by miR-129-1-3p were involved in 12 pathways, of which axon guidance, retrograde endocannabinoid signalling and sphingolipid signalling pathways were associated with axonal and synaptic function. miR-129-1-3p mimics significantly decreased cortical neurite length and Runx2 levels, while miR-129-1-3p inhibitors promoted neurite growth and increased Runx2 expression.miR-129-1-3p may be a relevant biomarker for the diagnosis of stroke caused by large artery atherosclerosis and could represent a novel therapeutic target for stroke treatment.

PDF file, 17K, Reovirus sensitivity and genetic lesions detected in multiple myeloma and MGUS patient tumor.

PDF file, 21K, Reovirus sensitivity and prevalnet genetic lesions of myeloma cell lines used in the current study.

Introduction: Cuproptosis seems to promote the progression of diverse diseases. Hence, we explored the cuproptosis regulators in human spermatogenic dysfunction (SD), analyzed the condition of immune cell infiltration, and constructed a predictive model.Methods: Two microarray datasets (GSE4797 and GSE45885) related to male infertility (MI) patients with SD were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. We utilized the GSE4797 dataset to obtain differentially expressed cuproptosis-related genes (deCRGs) between SD and normal controls. The correlation between deCRGs and immune cell infiltration status was analyzed. We also explored the molecular clusters of CRGs and the status of immune cell infiltration. Notably, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify the cluster-specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Moreso, gene set variation analysis (GSVA) was performed to annotate the enriched genes. Subsequently, we selected an optimal machine-learning model from four models. Finally, nomograms, calibration curves, decision curve analysis (DCA), and the GSE45885 dataset were utilized to verify the predictions’ accuracy.Results: Among SD and normal controls, we confirmed that there are deCRGs and activated immune responses. Through the GSE4797 dataset, we obtained 11 deCRGs. ATP7A, ATP7B, SLC31A1, FDX1, PDHA1, PDHB, GLS, CDKN2A, DBT, and GCSH were highly expressed in testicular tissues with SD, whereas LIAS was lowly expressed. Additionally, two clusters were identified in SD. Immune-infiltration analysis showed the existing heterogeneity of immunity at these two clusters. Cuproptosis-related molecular Cluster2 was marked by enhanced expressions of ATP7A, SLC31A1, PDHA1, PDHB, CDKN2A, DBT, and higher proportions of resting memory CD4+ T cells. Furthermore, an eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) model based on 5-gene was built, which showed superior performance on the external validation dataset GSE45885 (AUC = 0.812). Therefore, the combined nomogram, calibration curve, and DCA results demonstrated the accuracy of predicting SD.Conclusion: Our study preliminarily illustrates the relationship between SD and cuproptosis. Moreover, a bright predictive model was developed.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the value of S-Detect for predicting the malignant risk of cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules (CITNs).MethodsThe preoperative prediction of 159 CITNs (Bethesda III, IV and V) were performed using S-Detect, Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System of American College of Radiology (ACR TI-RADS) and Chinese TI-RADS (C-TIRADS). First, Linear-by-Linear Association test and chi-square test were used to analyze the malignant risk of CITNs. McNemar’s test and receiver operating characteristic curve were used to compare the diagnostic efficacy of S-Detect and the two TI-RADS classifications for CITNs. In addition, the McNemar’s test was used to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the above three methods for different pathological types of nodules.ResultsThe maximum diameter of the benign nodules was significantly larger than that of malignant nodules [0.88(0.57-1.42) vs 0.57(0.46-0.81), P=0.002]. The risk of malignant CITNs in Bethesda system and the two TI-RADS classifications increased with grade (all P for trendP=0.021 and P=0.007). The sensitivity and accuracy of S-Detect [95.9%(90.1%-98.5%) and 88.1%(81.7%-92.5%)] were higher than those of ACR TI-RADS [87.6%(80.1%-92.7%) and 81.8%(74.7%-87.3%)] (P=0.006 and P=0.021) and C-TIRADS [84.3%(76.3%-90.0%) and 78.6%(71.3%-84.5%)] (P=0.001 and P=0.001). Moreover, the negative predictive value and the area under curve value of S-Detect [82.8% (63.5%-93.5%) and 0.795%(0.724%-0.855%)] was higher than that of C-TIRADS [54.8%(38.8%-69.8%) and 0.724%(0.648%-0.792%] (P=0.024 and P=0.035). However, the specificity and positive predictive value of S-Detect were similar to those of ACR TI-RADS (P=1.000 and P=0.154) and C-TIRADS (P=1.000 and P=0.072). There was no significant difference in all the evaluated indicators between ACR TI-RADS and C-TIRADS (all P>0.05). The diagnostic accuracy of S-Detect (97.4%) for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) was higher than that of ACR TI-RADS (90.4%) and C-TIRADS (87.8%) (P=0.021 and P=0.003).ConclusionThe diagnostic performance of S-Detect in differentiating CITNs was similar to ACR TI-RADS and superior to C-TIRADS, especially for PTC.

Rapid urbanization leads to changes in ecosystem services and may exacerbate ecological risks. Clarifying the relationship between these two factors in a specific context is essential to explore the integrated management model and achieve sustainable regional development. However, previous studies mainly lack an integrated analysis, fail to clearly explain the mechanism of ecosystem change, and can neither support landscape ecological security construction nor spatial planning and management. This study, using the urban agglomeration on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains (UANSTM) as an example, applied multi-source data from 2010 to 2020, investigated the changes and relationships between ecological risks and ecosystem services, and proposes an assessment framework. The total ecosystem services (TES) of the studied agglomeration showed a decreasing trend, with an overall loss of 0.43%. Corresponding to the decrease of ecosystem services, the ecological risk was higher in the south and north of the UANSTM and lower in the northwestern, central, and eastern regions. The proportion of ecological high-risk areas was expanding. The key to the relationship between ecological risks and ecosystem services is the change in hydrological conditions. Therefore, we suggest that the UANSTM actively transforms the development and use mode of water resources and coordinates their allocation, aiming to reduce regional ecological risks and optimize the pattern of ecosystem services.

The gamma-ray burst GRB 221009A, known as the ``brightest-of-all-time" (BOAT), is the closest energetic burst detected so far, with an energy of $E_{\gamma,\rm iso} \sim 10^{55}$ ergs. This study aims to assess its compatibility with known GRB energy and luminosity distributions. Our analysis indicates that the energy/luminosity function of GRBs is consistent across various redshift intervals, and that the inclusion of GRB 221009A does not significantly impact the function at low redshifts. Additionally, our evaluation of the best-fitting result of the entire GRB sample suggests that the expected number of GRBs with energy greater than $10^{55}$ ergs at a low redshift is 0.2, so that the emergence of GRB 221009A is consistent with expected energy/luminosity functions within $\sim 2\sigma$ Poisson fluctuation error, still adhering to the principles of small number statistics. Furthermore, we find that GRB 221009A and other energetic bursts, defined as $E_{\gamma,\rm iso} \gtrsim10^{54} {\rm ergs}$, exhibit no significant differences in terms of distributions of $T_{90}$, minimum timescale, Amati relation, $E_{\rm \gamma,iso}$-$E_{\rm X,iso}$ relation, $L_{\gamma,\rm iso}-\Gamma_0$ relation, $E_{\gamma,\rm iso}-\Gamma_0$ relation, $L_{\gamma,\rm iso}-E_{\rm p,i}-\Gamma_0$ relation, and host galaxy properties, compared to normal long GRBs. This suggests that energetic GRBs (including GRB 221009A) and other long GRBs likely have similar progenitor systems and undergo similar energy dissipation and radiation processes. The generation of energetic GRBs may be due to more extreme central engine properties or, more likely, a rarer viewing configuration of a quasi-universal structured jet., Comment: Submitted to AAS journal

Cartilage destruction is central in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA), an age-related chronic degenerative disease. Cartilage degeneration has been postulated to occur due to chondrocyte senescence. On the other hand, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an independent risk factor for OA initiation and progression, bringing about the concept of “diabetic OA (DM-OA).” Aberrant metabolic pathways in T2DM promote a chronic inflammatory environment that favors cell apoptosis and senescence. However, it is still unclear if the cartilage of diabetic OA patients contains a higher amount of senescent chondrocytes compared to nondiabetic patients.

Background - The underlying mechanisms linking physical activity to better health are not fully understood. Here we examined the associations between physical activity and small circulatory molecules, the metabolome, to highlight relevant biological pathways.Methods - We examined plasma metabolites associated with self-reported physical activity among 2,217 participants from the Airwave Health Monitoring Study. Metabolic profiling was conducted by the Metabolon platform using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/GC-MS), measuring 828 known metabolites. We replicated our findings in an independent subset of the study (n=2,971) using untargeted LC-MS. Mendelian randomisation was carried out to investigate potential causal associations between physical activity, body mass index, and metabolites.Results - Higher vigorous physical activity was (P-5) associated with circulatory levels of 28 metabolites adjusted for age, sex and body mass index. The association was inverse for one amino acid (glutamate), and six diacylglycerol lipids and direct for ten amino acids (3-4-hydroxyphenyllactate, phenyl lactate (PLA), alpha-hydroxy isovalerate, tiglylcarnitine, alpha-hydroxyisocaproate, 2-hydroxy-3-methylvalerate, isobutyrylcarnitine, imidazole lactate, methionine sulfone, indole lactate), nine plasmalogen lipids, one fatty acid lipid (pristanate) and one energy tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolite (fumarate). In the replication panel, we found 23 untargeted LC-MS features annotated to the identified metabolites, of which we found nominal associations with the same direction of effect for three features annotated to 1-(1-enyl-palmitoyl)-2-oleoyl-GPC (P-16:0/18:1), 1-(1-enyl-palmitoyl)-2-linoleoyl-GPC (P-16:0/18:2), 1-stearoyl-2-dihomo-linolenoyl-GPC (18:0/20:3n3 or 6). Using Mendelian randomisation, we showed a potential causal relationship between body mass index and three identified metabolites. Conclusions - Circulatory metabolites are associated with physical activity and may play a role in mediating its health effects.

Angelicae Sinensis Radix, as a medicinal and edible Chinese medicinal herb, is widely used in clinical practice. It is mainly cultivated in Minxian, Tanchang, Zhangxian and Weiyuan counties of Gansu province. In recent years, with the comprehensive and in-depth study of Angelicae Sinensis Radix in China and abroad, its chemical composition, pharmacological effects and application and development have attracted much attention. In this study, the chemical composition, traditional efficacy, and modern pharmacological effects of Angelicae Sinensis Radix were summarized. On this basis, combined with the core concept of quality markers(Q-markers), the Q-markers of Angelicae Sinensis Radix were discussed from the aspects of mass transfer and traceability and chemical composition specificity, availability, and measurability, which provided scientific basis for the quality evaluation of Angelicae Sinensis Radix.

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a precancerous state of the oral mucosa; however, whether and how the fibrotic matrix of OSF is involved in the malignant transformation of epithelial cells remains unknown. Herein, oral mucosa tissue from patients with OSF, arecoline-induced rat OSF models, and their controls were used to observe the extracellular matrix changes and epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) in fibrotic lesions, and to explore the effects and mechanism of matrix stiffness on epithelial cell EMT. Compared with the controls, oral mucous tissues from patient exhibited increased number of myofibroblasts, decreased number of blood vessels and increased type I and type III collagen levels, with thicker, less porous, and disorderly arranged fibers. The oral mucous tissues from humans and OSF rats showed increased stiffness compared with the controls, accompanied by increased EMT activities of epithelial cells. Moreover, stiff collagen constructs caused increased EMT and proliferation of epithelial cells compared with soft constructs, and caused increased expression of Piezo1 and YAP. The EMT activities of stiff construct-cultured epithelial cells were significantly increased by exogenous Piezo1 activation, and decreased by YAP inhibition. During ex vivo implantation, the cells in the epithelium of the stiff group showed increased EMT activities and increased levels of Piezo1 and YAP compared with those in the sham and soft groups. We concluded that increased stiffness of the fibrotic matrix in OSF led to increased proliferation and EMT of mucosal epithelial cells, in which the Piezo1-YAP signal transduction is important.

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted how businesses operate, creating high levels of uncertainty for organizational members. Drawing on social information processing and implicit leadership theories, we developed and tested a model that explains how middle managers' perceptions of CEO narcissism shape their perceived uncertainty in the workplace, particularly when COVID-19 threatens a firm's survival and growth. Managers' sense of uncertainty leads to their engagement in uncertainty-based coping responses, including laissez-faire leadership (i.e., escape coping) and impression management (i.e., control coping). We collected data from 200 middle managers (Study 1;field survey) and 318 working adults (Study 2;online experiment) in North America and the U.K. and found general support for our model. Our research bridges the gap between micro and macro perspectives and provides novel insights into how perceived CEO narcissism can shape managers' behaviors in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, thereby contributing to the literatures on CEO narcissism, leadership, and crisis management.

When a penstock serves a water supply purpose for multiple hydrogenerators in a hydroelectric power plant (HPP), a bifurcation structure should be installed between the main pipe and the branch pip...

A linoleate isomerase complex including myosin-cross-reactive antigen, short-chain dehydrogenase/oxidoreductase, and acetoacetate decarboxylase has been confirmed as the pivotal factor for conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) production in Lactobacillus plantarum. However, its role in the metabolism and health-associated benefits of Lactobacillus remain unclear. In the current study, the mild type, knockout, and complemented mutants of the linoleate isomerase complex of L. plantarum ZS2058 were used to investigate those putative effects. The metabonomic results showed that a linoleate isomerase complex could significantly influence the glycol-metabolism, lipid metabolism, and antioxidant compounds. Especially, with the stress of linoleic acid, linoleate isomerase complex knockout mutants induced the increase of several antioxidant compounds, such as glutamic acid, glycine, l-cysteine, glycerol, and l-sorbosone. Moreover, the linoleate isomerase complex played a pivotal role in ameliorating DSS-induced colitis. The knockout mutants showed effects similar to those in the DSS group, whereas complementation of the corresponding gene in the knockout mutants could restore the anti-inflammatory activity, wherein the integrity of a mucus layer was repaired, the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines decreased, and the amount of anti-inflammatory cytokines increased significantly. All the results indicated that the linoleate isomerase complex plays a key role in CLA production and metabolism as well as the health-associated benefits of L. plantarum ZS2058. These results are conducive to promote clinical trials and product development of probiotics for colitis.

This letter presents the design and experimental demonstration of a gradient metasurface guiding spoof surface acoustic waves (SSAWs) in the manner of a Luneburg lens for sound. By correlating the propagation characteristics of SSAWs with the effective surface acoustic impedance, a straightforward concentric surface structure design is proposed to realize the required refractive index distribution. The results from both simulation and measurement show that grazing incident sound is converted into SSAWs propagating along the metasurface and focusing on the edge of the opposite side of the lens, which may find applications in direction detection and acoustic sensing.

To understand the characteristics of

This study aimed to investigate anemia treatment and other potential effects of two food-derived bioactive oligopeptide iron complexes on pregnant rats with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and their offspring. Rats with IDA were established with a low iron diet and then mated. There were one control group and seven randomly assigned groups of pregnant rats with IDA: Control group [Control, 40 ppm ferrous sulfate (FeSO4)]; IDA model group (ID, 4 ppm FeSO4), three high-iron groups (H-FeSO4, 400 ppm FeSO4; MCOP-Fe, 400 ppm marine fish oligopeptide iron complex; WCOP-Fe, 400 ppm whey protein oligopeptide iron complex) and three low-iron groups (L-FeSO4, 40 ppm FeSO4; MOP-Fe, 40 ppm marine fish oligopeptide iron complex; WOP-Fe, 40 ppm whey protein oligopeptide iron complex). Rats in each group were fed the corresponding special diet during pregnancy until the day of delivery. After different doses of iron supplement, serum hemoglobin, iron, and ferritin levels in rats with IDA were significantly increased to normal levels (P < 0.05). Serum iron levels were significantly lower in two food-derived bioactive oligopeptide low-iron complex groups than in the low FeSO4 group (PP < 0.05), and hemosiderin deposition was observed in liver tissue, indicating that the iron dose was overloaded and aggravated the peroxidative damage in pregnant rats. Liver inflammation was reduced in the three low-iron groups. Tumor necrosis factor α secretion was significantly decreased in all groups with supplemented oligopeptide (P < 0.05), with the concentration of tumor necrosis factor α declining to normal levels in the two whey protein oligopeptide iron complex groups. In the marine fish oligopeptide iron complex groups, body length, tail length, and weight of offspring were significantly increased (P < 0.05) and reached normal levels. Therefore, food-derived bioactive oligopeptide (derived from marine fish skin and milk) iron complexes may be an effective type of iron supplement for pregnancy to improve anemia, as well as reduce the side effects of iron overload, and improve the growth and nutritional status of offspring.