Search

AIM: To explore the control effects of wearing orthokeratology lens for 1 a on adolescent myopia patients with different diopters.METHODS: Prospective non-randomized controlled study. A total of 120 adolescent myopic patients(224 eyes), with an average age of 11.00±2.08 years old, who were fitted with orthokeratology lenses in the optometry department of our hospital from November 2022 to May 2023 were collected. There were 3 groups according to the spherical equivalent, including 86 eyes in the group of -0.50--2.00 D, 99 eyes in the group -2.25--4.00 D, and 39 eyes in group -4.25--6.00 D. Patients were followed up for 1 a to observe the changes of uncorrected visual acuity, axial length, corneal curvature, corneal central thickness and corneal endothelial cells density in the three groups after wearing lens for 1 a.RESULTS:A total of 113 cases(212 eyes)were followed up for 1 a, including 82 eyes in the group of -0.50--2.00 D, 95 eyes in the group of -2.25--4.00 D, and 35 eyes in the group of -4.25--6.00 D. There was no statistical difference in corneal central thickness and corneal endothelial cell density among the three groups of patients after wearing lens for 1 a(all P>0.05). Uncorrected visual acuity was significantly improved, and flat kerotometry(FK)and steep kerotometry(SK)were significantly flatter(both P

Abnormal cholesterol metabolism has become a popular therapeutic target in cancer therapy. In recent years there has been a surge in interest in the anti-tumor activities of saponins, particularly their ability to disrupt cholesterol homeostasis in tumor cells. Cholesterol regulation by saponins is a complex process that involves multiple mechanisms. However, there are now a notable dearth of comprehensive reviews addressing their anti-tumor effects through cholesterol modulation. This review will explore the intricate mechanisms by which saponins regulate cholesterol, including modulation of synthesis, metabolism, and uptake, as well as complex formation with cholesterol. It will also outline how saponins exert their anti-cancer activities through cholesterol regulation, enhancing cytotoxicity, inhibiting tumor cell metastasis, reversing drug resistance, inducing immunotoxin macromolecule escape, and ferroptosis. This comprehensive analysis offers insights into the potential for the use of saponins anti-tumor therapies and their combinations with other drugs, advancing the understanding of their effects on cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Aurora kinase A (AURKA) has been implicated in promoting myeloid and renal fibrosis. This study aimed to investigate the impact and underlying mechanism of AURKA on liver fibrosis and to assess the therapeutic potential of MLN8237, a small-molecule AURKA inhibitor, in preventing liver fibrosis in mice. Methods: The research used bioinformatics analysis and immunohistochemistry staining on fibrotic liver tissues from human and mouse models to assess AURKA expression. The cellular localization of AURKA was determined through double immunofluorescence staining in human fibrotic liver tissues and primary mouse hepatic stellate cells. RNA interference and AURKA antagonism were used to examine the effects of AURKA on liver fibrosis, while RNA-sequencing, qRT-PCR, and western blotting were employed to elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms of AURKA on hepatic stellate cell activation. Results: The results showed that AURKA was positively correlated with the progression of liver fibrosis and was predominantly expressed in activated HSCs. Silencing AURKA inhibited HSC activation and proliferation, and induced HSC apoptosis, effects that were similar to those observed with MLN8237 treatment. Additionally, silencing AURKA suppressed the glycogen synthase kinase-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of AURKA phosphorylation also resulted in reduced liver fibrosis in vivo. Conclusion: In conclusion, AURKA may promote HSC activation and liver fibrosis through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for liver fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cobalt(II) phthalocyanine (CoPc) complexes are some of the most active catalysts for the CO2 electroreduction reaction (CO2ERR). However, these organic complexes are non-conductive, thus the CO2ERR rate is hindered by the slow electron delivery to the active centers. Herein, our recently developed variable frequency square wave voltammetry (VF-SWV) was employed to directly image the charge transfer between the covalently ligated polymeric CoPc and the carbon fiber paper electrode. The VF-SWV shows that the conjugated structure of the covalently ligated CoPc provides a direct path for the charge migration between the active centers and the electrode. Combined with the density-functional theory (DFT) calculations, our mechanistic studies show that CoI is the catalyst resting state and the doubly reduced Co0 is the key catalytically active species driving the CO2ERR. The conductive nature of the macromolecular framework evidenced by VF-SWV allows for faster replenishing of dianionic Co0 species and, subsequently, boosts the CoPc-cov catalyst performance with a high selectivity to carbon monoxide (CO) evolution with the Faradaic efficiency up to 85% and turnover frequency TOF(CO) of up to 38.1 s−1, which is nearly double that of the noncovalently ligated counterpart. The immobilization strategy developed in this work provides an opportunity for the development of cheap, efficient, and stable heterogeneous molecular catalysts for the CO2ERR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A DBU-mediated synthesis of amides by using the readily available carbodiimides as nitrogen sources and unstrained 1,3-ketones as acyl sources has been developed. This reaction proceeds through the cleavage of two C＝N bonds of the carbodiimides, two C(CO)–C bonds of 1,3-diketones and the formation of two new C(CO)–N bonds, simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To comply with SWaP3 specifications in infrared detectors, a novel uncooled mid-wavelength infrared avalanche photodetector (MWIR-APD) architecture based on PbSe/Ge heterojunction was proposed. A maximum high gain of 40.8 was achieved, which is comparable with cooled MWIR-APDs, including HgCdTe, and type II superlattices. The theoretical simulation shows that it is the significant difference in permittivity between PbSe and Ge that results in a sufficient electric field contrast between the absorption and multiplication layers, which facilitates the structural design of this APD. Additionally, a structural parameter limit was established by investigating the variation in the punch-through and breakdown voltages. Furthermore, the decreasing PbSe thickness will improve the device's gain but at the expense of decreasing frequency response and quantum efficiency. This PbSe/Ge APD architecture provides a new solution for the MWIR detection at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To establish and validate a model based on hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign (HMCAS) radiomics features for predicting hemorrhagic transformation (HT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) after endovascular treatment (EVT). Methods: Patients with AIS who presented with HMCAS on non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) at admission and underwent EVT at three comprehensive hospitals between June 2020 and January 2024 were recruited for this retrospective study. A radiomics model was constructed using the HMCAS radiomics features most strongly associated with HT. In addition, clinical and radiological independent factors associated with HT were identified. Subsequently, a combined model incorporating radiomics features and independent risk factors was developed via multivariate logistic regression and presented as a nomogram. The models were evaluated via receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis. Results: Of the 118 patients, 71 (60.17%) developed HT. The area under the curve (AUC) of the radiomics model was 0.873 (95% CI 0.797–0.935) in the training cohort and 0.851 (95%CI 0.721–0.942) in the test cohort. The Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score (ASPECTS) was the only independent predictor among 24 clinical and 4 radiological variables. The combined model further improved the predictive performance, with an AUC of 0.911 (95%CI 0.850–0.960) in the training cohort and 0.877 (95%CI 0.753–0.960) in the test cohort. Decision curve analysis demonstrated that the combined model had greater clinical utility for predicting HT. Conclusion: HMCAS-based radiomics is expected to be a reliable tool for predicting HT risk stratification in AIS patients after EVT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hydraulic jump taking place in a partially filled pipe is responsible for rapid change in the pipeflow dynamics and air content. The pipeflow self-aeration at hydraulic jump in a closed pipe has not been studied in terms of detailed air–water flow structures. In this work, a dual-tip conductivity phase-detection probe was used to intrusively measure the air–water flow of hydraulic jumps in a horizontal enclosed circular pipe with controlled air supply. The hydraulic jumps exhibited highly three-dimensional roller structures in the circular pipe. The distributions of void fraction, particle count rate, and longitudinal velocity were obtained in the vertical plane along pipe axis, and the characteristic quantities were compared to the literature data of open-channel hydraulic jumps in rectangular flumes. The intrusive measurement was challenged by the unstable hydraulic jump positions in the pipe due to the finite air ventilation condition, and the variations in repetitive sampling results were assessed. The air–water flow property distributions were overall comparable to those in quasi-two-dimensional hydraulic jumps, except for full-pipe downstream flows with roller interaction with the pipe ceiling. The secondary surface roller motions were found to be responsible for enhanced air–water mixing on the pipe centerline. The transverse nonuniformity of the bubbly flow structure and the impact of air vent dimension are to be characterized in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The poor interfacial properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers and epoxy resin seriously affect the toughening effect of PVA fibers on epoxy resin. To solve this problem, the surface of PVA fibers was modified with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH550) and 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH560), as well as the surface of PVA fibers with tannic acid (TA) and KH560. The acid-cured epoxy resin toughening mechanism of the modified PVA fibers was systematically investigated by multiscale analysis. The experimental data showed that the epoxy resin performed best when TA and KH560 synergistically modified PVA fibers. The impact strength of the epoxy resin increased by 76.3% and the tensile strength by 20.3%. The toughening mechanism of modified PVA fibers on the epoxy resin was revealed by a series of characterizations such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Because KH560 can participate in the curing reaction of the epoxy resin, it greatly enhances the adhesion between the fiber and the resin. The toughening mechanism of TA and KH560 working together on PVA fibers to strengthen epoxy resin is summarized through the analysis of different scales. This also offers theoretical and experimental support for using PVA fibers in composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically affected everyday life and business. To describe the impacts, 566 COVID-19-related articles were published between January 2020 and March 2022 in 18 hospitality and tourism journals. This study identifies the research streams, using content and bibliometric analyses. Content analysis and co-citation analysis revealed six research streams and four research clusters, respectively. A critical analysis was conducted to reflect the theoretical and practical implications and provide suggestions for future research directions. The identified research weaknesses include concerns relating to generalizability, sampling and measurement-related issues, online survey methods, failure to identify different stakeholders' views on the adoption of new technologies, lack of practical coping scheme studies, lack of effort to adopt multidisciplinary theories, and little exploration of customers' reactions to virtual events. Results of this study can help facilitate and consolidate the knowledge on the impacts of the pandemic and proactively prepare for future disease crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]