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Background Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common microvascular complications of diabetes, which is highly prevalent and harmful. Early detection of DN is an important task in preventing related diseases. Currently, most of the researches are based on traditional statistical prediction methods, and data need to meet the prerequisites it requires. It is necessary to try to apply new methods such as machine learning in the area of DN prediction for its failing to meet the needs in the field of DN prediction in recent years. Objective To construct DN prediction model using the LASSO regression and BP neural network optimized by sparrow search algorithm (SSA-BP) . Methods This study was conducted from April 2023 to August 2023, and the data was obtained from publicly available data on complications of 133 patients with diabetes mellitus in Iran. Univariate analysis was conducted using SPSS 26.0 software, and variables were screened using LASSO regression. Using the presence of DN as the dependent variable, the training and testing sets were divided into 8∶2 and 7∶3 ratios, respectively. The SSA-BP neural network was used for modeling and analysis, and the prediction performance was compared with classical machine learning models to analyze the better DN model. Model evaluation was performed based on accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity, F1-score and AUC indicators. Results Excluding 9 patients with type 1 diabetes, the effective sample size included in this study was 124 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) , of which 73 (58.9%) were diagnosed with DN. Univariate analysis of risk factors for type 2 DN showed statistically significant for age, BMI, duration of diabetes, fasting blood glucose (FBG) , glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) , low-density lipoprotein (LDL) , high-density lipoprotein (HDL) , triacylglycerol (TG) , systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (P

Intertidal algae may adapt to environmental challenges by acquiring genes from other organisms and relying on symbiotic microorganisms. Here, we obtained a symbiont-free and chromosome-level genome of Pyropia haitanensis (47.2 Mb), a type of intertidal algae, by using multiple symbiont screening methods. We identified 286 horizontal gene transfer (HGT) genes, 251 of which harbored transposable elements (TEs), reflecting the importance of TEs for facilitating the transfer of genes into P. haitanensis. Notably, the bulked segregant analysis revealed that two HGT genes, sirohydrochlorin ferrochelatase and peptide-methionine (R)-S-oxide reductase, play a significant role in the adaptation of P. haitanensis to heat stress. Besides, we found Pseudomonas, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes are the major taxa among the symbiotic bacteria of P. haitanensis (nearly 50% of the HGT gene donors). Among of them, a heat-tolerant actinobacterial strain (Saccharothrix sp.) was isolated and revealed to be associated with the heat tolerance of P. haitanensis through its regulatory effects on the genes involved in proline synthesis (proC), redox homeostasis (ggt), and protein folding (HSP20). These findings contribute to our understanding of the adaptive evolution of intertidal algae, expanding our knowledge of the HGT genes and symbiotic microorganisms to enhance their resilience and survival in challenging intertidal environments. A symbiont-free and chromosome-level genome of Pyropia haitanensis and the corresponding metagenome revealed insights into horizontally transferred genes and bacterial symbionts helping this intertidal algae to combat stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is associated with inflammation. The systematic immune‐inflammation index (SII), as a new inflammation marker, was applied to predict the risk of diseases. However, no research explores the relationship between SII and ED. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the association between SII and ED. Methods: Related data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001−2004. Based on self‐report, all participants were classified into ED and non‐ED group. Weighted multivariate regression analysis the relationship between categorical SII and ED in unadjusted and adjusted models. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) was used to examine the association of continuous SII and ED risk. Furthermore, the association between categorical SII and the risk of ED was evaluated among subgroups of age, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Finally, weighted multivariate regression analysis and RCS were performed to assessed the connection between SII and the risk of severe ED. Results: Initially, data on 21,161 participants were obtained. After implementing the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 3436 participants were included in analyses. Weighted multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that Q4 group SII was associated with an increased risk of ED (OR = 1.03, 95% confidence intervals: 1.00−1.05, p =.03). RCS showed SII was nonlinearly associated with the risk of ED, and the inflection point of SII was at 485.530. In addition, subgroup analyses demonstrated that participants in the SII > 485.530 group had a higher ED risk than SII ≤ 485.530 group among subgroups of age ≥50, hypertension, and non‐diabetes. Weighted multivariate regression analysis and RCS found no relationship of SII and the risk of severe ED. Conclusion: In US adults, SII > 485.530 was correlated with an increased risk of ED. While, no significant association between SII and severe ED risk. Additional studies are required to support our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are a group of cancer-related proteins vital for development and progression of certain cancer types. Nevertheless, function of BMP family in pan-cancer was not detailedly researched. Investigating expression pattern and prognostic value of the BMPs family (BMP1-8A and BMP8B) expression across multiple cancer types. Our research integrated multi-omics data for exploring potential associations between BMPs expression and prognosis, clinicopathological characteristics, copy number or somatic mutations, immune characteristics, tumor microenvironment (TME), tumor mutation burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), immune checkpoint genes and drug sensitivity in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) tumors. Furthermore, association of BMPs expression and immunotherapy effectiveness was investigated in some confirmatory cohorts (GSE111636, GSE78220, GSE67501, GSE176307, IMvigor210 and mRNA sequencing data from currently undergoing TRUCE01 clinical research included), and biological function and potential signaling pathways of BMPs in bladder cancer (BCa) was explored via Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). Eventually, immune infiltration analysis was done via BMPs expression, copy number or somatic mutations in BCa, as well as validation of the expression levels by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blot, and in vitro functional experiments of BMP8A. Discoveries displayed BMPs expression was related to prognosis, clinicopathological characteristics, mutations, TME, TMB, MSI and immune checkpoint genes of TCGA tumors. Anticancer drug sensitivity analysis displayed BMPs were associated with various drug sensitivities. What’s more, it was discovered that expression level of certain BMP family members related to objective response to immunotherapy. By GSEA, we discovered multiple immune-associated functions and pathways were enriched. Immune infiltration analysis on BCa also displayed significant associations among BMPs copy number variations, mutation status and infiltration level of diverse immune cells. Furthermore, differential expression validation and in vitro phenotypic experiment indicated that BMP8A significantly promoted BCa cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Current results confirmed significance of both BMPs expression and genomic alteration in the prognosis and treatment of diverse cancer types, and suggested that BMPs may be vital for BCa and can possibly be utilized as biomarkers for immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims In patients with diabetic microvascular complications, decreased perfusion or vascular occlusion, caused by reduced vascular diameter, is a common characteristic that will lead to insufficient blood supply. Yet, the regulatory mechanism and effective treatment approach remain elusive. Methods and results Our initial findings revealed a notable decrease in the expression of human AQP1 in both diabetic human retina samples (49 healthy vs. 54 diabetic samples) and high-glucose-treated human retinal microvascular endothelial cells. Subsequently, our investigations unveiled a reduction in vascular diameter and compromised perfusion within zebrafish embryos subjected to high glucose treatment. Further analysis indicated a significant down-regulation of two aquaporins, aqp1a.1 and aqp8a.1 , which are highly enriched in ECs and are notably responsive to hyperglycaemic conditions. Intriguingly, the loss of function of aqp1a.1 and/or aqp8a.1 resulted in a reduction of intersegmental vessel diameters, effectively mirroring the phenotype observed in the hyperglycaemic zebrafish model. The overexpression of aqp1a.1/aqp8a.1 in zebrafish ECs led to notable enlargement of microvascular diameters. Moreover, the reduced vessel diameters resulting from high-glucose treatment were effectively rescued by the overexpression of these aquaporins. Additionally, both aqp1a.1 and apq8a.1 were localized in the intracellular vacuoles in cultured ECs as well as the ECs of sprouting ISVs, and the loss of Aqps caused the reduction of those vacuoles, which was required for lumenization. Notably, while the loss of AQP1 did not impact EC differentiation from human stem cells, it significantly inhibited vascular formation in differentiated ECs. Conclusion EC-enriched aquaporins regulate the diameter of blood vessels through an intracellular vacuole-mediated process under hyperglycaemic conditions. These findings collectively suggest that aquaporins expressed in ECs hold significant promise as potential targets for gene therapy aimed at addressing vascular perfusion defects associated with diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To overcome the jolt vibration impact of marine circuit breakers, this paper studies the relationship between the influence parameters and the contact performance of the contact system. A parametric approach is utilized to explore the effects of load size, pulse width, and different waveform loads on the vibration response of the contact system. The results show that the vibration increases with the increase in acceleration at peak contact acceleration. The ultimate upsetting acceleration peak of the contact system is determined to be 9.2 g. Large acceleration impacts should be avoided. As far as pulse width is concerned, the vibration response of the system with narrow pulse width is more sensitive than that with broad pulse width. So, monitoring of narrow pulses should be increased. Additionally, under various forms of load, the range of safe contact areas is triangular load, half-sine load, and step load in that order. Thus, circuit breakers need to increase the detection of step loads to prevent faults. The findings provide a theoretical foundation and guidance for the design of low-vibration marine circuit breakers and the improvement of their contact performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing warming of the Arctic, the summertime ice-free period in the coastal Arctic becomes longer and the water exchange between arctic lagoons and coastal Beaufort Sea becomes more important for land–ocean interaction. This study examined the dynamics of water exchange between the arctic lagoons and the Arctic Ocean under the influence of weather systems (the transient arctic cyclones and hovering Beaufort High pressure system). We implemented rare observations, numerical modeling with the Finite Volume Community Ocean Model (FVCOM), and a forcing-response Empirical Orthogonal Function (fr-EOF) analysis to determine the weather-driven flow patterns and characteristics in the micro-tidal arctic lagoon (Elson Lagoon) with little freshwater discharge. The results were validated for both tidal and subtidal currents with in situ data. The inlets of the lagoon were significantly impacted by wind associated with the weather systems and the flows through the inlets were highly correlated with each other. The fr-EOF analysis for the 1.5-month FVCOM output indicated three significant modes of wind-driven flow. In the deepest (~16 m) northwestern-most inlet, a counter-wind flow occurred more than 96% of the time due to setup and set down of water level inside the lagoon and the vorticity balance related to the wind stress and water depth. For about 60–80% of the time, the exchange flow was out of the lagoon through the northwestern-most and deepest inlet due to the strong easterly winds dictated by the Beaufort High; this dominant flow is mainly caused by the persistent easterly wind as a limb of the Beaufort High pressure system, modified by the transient arctic cyclones with a westerly wind and inward flows at the westernmost inlet of Elson Lagoon. This study shows that the alternating influence from the cyclone-anticyclone weather systems produces a meteorological tide in the subtidal spectrum which dominates the water exchange in the region through the multiple inlets. With the observed increase in cyclone strength and frequency under the warming trend, this may imply a greater contribution from the westerly wind because of the increased cyclonic activities. If this is the case, the inward flow might increase and have an effect on sediment, larval, and nutrient transports through this system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resistive random access memory (RRAM) crossbar arrays require the highly nonlinear selector with high current density to address a specific memory cell and suppress leakage current through the unselected cell. 3D monolithic integration of RRAM array requires selector devices with a small footprint and low‐temperature processing for ultrahigh‐density data storage. Here, an ultrathin two‐terminal n‐p‐n selector with 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) is designed by a low‐temperature transfer method. The van der Waals contact between transferred Au electrodes and TMDs reduces the Fermi level pinning and retains the intrinsic transport behavior of TMDs. The selector with a single type of TMD exhibits a trade‐off between current density and nonlinearity depending on the barrier height. By tuning the Schottky barrier height and controlling the thickness of p‐type WSe2 in MoS2/WSe2/MoS2 n‐p‐n selector for a punch‐through transport, the selector shows high nonlinearity (≈ 230) and high current density (2 × 103 A cm−2) simultaneously. The n‐p‐n selectors are further integrated with a bipolar hexagonal boron nitride memory and calculate the maximum crossbar size of the 2D material‐based one‐selector one‐resistor according to a 10% read margin, which offers the possible realization of future 3D monolithic integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black carbon (BC) emissions from shipboard diesel engines are the next potentially important issue of interest to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and are considered to have a significant impact on the climate environment and human health. However, theories and technologies regarding the mechanisms of black carbon formation, oxidizing and influencing factors, emission detection methods, and abatement techniques are still missing in science and engineering. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of relevant advances in international maritime regulations, the frontier theory on formation mechanisms, comprehensive physical and chemical properties, and the potential reduction measures and control measures of emissions. These results suggest that BC is produced in the combustion flame of fuel and is related to the nucleation as well as the formation of PAHs. It helps to understand the initial generation process of black carbon and reduce its emission by studying it in detail and revealing some key factors, including micromorphology, nanostructural features, surface functional groups, oxidizing activity, size distribution, and elemental composition. Further, an in-depth understanding of the complex characteristics of BC can also help to identify viable BC measurement techniques and instrumentation for marine engines, thereby enhancing emission regulation. Overall, extensive technology can reduce BC emissions from marine diesel engines by approximately 50%. The information contained in this report can be used as a significant reference to further explore the BC formation mechanism and develop exclusive BC emission control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional (2D) materials with competing polymorphs offer remarkable potential to switch the associated 2D functionalities for novel device applications. Probing their phase transition and competition mechanisms requires nanoscale characterization techniques that can sensitively detect the nucleation of secondary phases down to single-layer thickness. Here we demonstrate nanoscale phase identification on 2D In 2 Se 3 polymorphs, utilizing their distinct plasmon energies that can be distinguished by electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). The characteristic plasmon energies of In 2 Se 3 polymorphs have been validated by first-principles calculations, and also been successfully applied to reveal phase transitions using in situ EELS. Correlating with in situ X-ray diffraction, we further derive a subtle difference in the valence electron density of In 2 Se 3 polymorphs, consistent with their disparate electronic properties. The nanometer resolution and independence of orientation make plasmon-energy mapping a versatile technique for nanoscale phase identification on 2D materials.