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For sperm cryopreservation, the conventional method, which requires glycerol, has been used for a long time. In addition, the permeable cryoprotectant-free vitrification method has been continuously studied. Although the differences of cryopreservation effects between the two methods have being studied, differences in microRNA (miRNA) profiles between them remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the differences in miRNA expression profiles among conventional freezing sperm, droplet vitrification freezing sperm and fresh human sperm. We also analyzed the differences between these methods in terms of differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRs) related to early embryonic development and paternal epigenetics. Our results showed no significant differences between the cryopreservation methods in terms of sperm motility ratio, plasma membrane integrity, DNA integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, acrosome integrity, and ultrastructural damage. However, sperm miRNA-sequencing showed differences between the two methods in terms of the numbers of DEmiRs (28 and 19 with vitrification using a nonpermeable cryoprotectant and the conventional method, respectively) in postthaw and fresh sperm specimens. DEmiRs related to early embryonic development and paternal epigenetics mainly included common DEmiRs between the groups. Our results showed that the differences between conventional freezing and droplet vitrification were minimal in terms of miRNA expression related to embryonic development and epigenetics. Changes in sperm miRNA expression due to freezing are not always detrimental to embryonic development. This study compared differences in miRNA expression profiles before and after cryopreservation between cryopreservation by conventional and vitrification methods. It offers a new perspective to evaluate various methods of sperm cryopreservation.

Abstract Background Clinical nurses face high-pressure situations requiring rapid decision-making and skilled intervention, impacting their psychological responses and emergency capabilities. Understanding the relationships between psychological factors like gratitude and meaning in life is crucial for improving nurses’ performance in emergencies. This study explores the mediating role of gratitude and meaning in life in the impact of psychological responses on clinical nurses’ emergency capabilities, aiming to enhance their effectiveness in such situations. Methods This study is a multi-center cross-sectional survey. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 1833 clinical nurses in five tertiary hospitals in Anhui Province, China including general information questionnaire, nurses’ emergency capability scale, Meaning in life scale, Gratitude scale and Psychological response questionnaire. According to the results of the questionnaire survey, a chain mediating model was constructed and tested. Results The total score of emergency capability of 1833 clinical nurses was (71.65 ± 10.77), the total score of meaning in life was (50.67 ± 9.04), the total score of gratitude was (30.96 ± 3.57), and the total score of psychological response was 13.00 (6.00, 20.00). The emergency capability of subjects was positively correlated with the meaning in life, the total score of gratitude scale and the scores of each dimension of the two scales, and negatively correlated with the total score of psychological response scale and each dimension of this scale (all P

Sepsis, a life-threatening syndrome of organ damage resulting from dysregulated inflammatory response, is distinguished by overexpression of inflammatory cytokines, excessive generation of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (RONS), heightened activation of pyroptosis, and suppression of autophagy. However, current clinical symptomatic supportive treatment has failed to reduce the high mortality. Herein, we developed self-assembled multifunctional carbon monoxide nanogenerators (Nano CO), as sepsis drug candidates, which can release CO in response to ROS, resulting in clearing bacteria and activating the heme oxygenase-1/CO system. This activation strengthened endogenous protection and scavenged multiple inflammatory mediators to alleviate the cytokine storm, including scavenging RONS and cfDNA, inhibiting macrophage activation, blocking pyroptosis and activating autophagy. Animal experiments show that Nano CO has a good therapeutic effect on mice with LPS-induced sepsis, which is manifested in hypothermia recovery, organ damage repair, and a 50% decrease in mortality rates. Taken together, these results illustrated the efficacy of multifunctional Nano CO to target clearance of multiple mediators in sepsis treatment and act against other refractory inflammation-related diseases.

Abstract Objective To clarify the efficacy of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted imaging in the diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) through a meta-analysis. Methods Relevant literature on AI for early DDH diagnosis was searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and The Cochrane Library databases until April 4, 2024. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool was used to assess the quality of included studies. Revman5.4 and StataSE-64 software were used to calculate the combined sensitivity, specificity, AUC value, and DOC value of AI-assisted imaging for DDH diagnosis. Results The meta-analysis included 13 studies (6 prospective and 7 retrospective) with 28 AI models and a total of 10,673 samples. The summary sensitivity, specificity, AUC value, and DOC value were 99.0% (95% CI: 97.0-100.0%), 94.0% (95% CI: 89.0–96.0%), 99.0% (95% CI: 98.0-100.0%), and 1342 (95% CI: 469–3842), respectively. Conclusion AI-assisted imaging demonstrates high diagnostic efficacy for DDH detection, improving the accuracy of early DDH imaging examination. More prospective studies are needed to further confirm the value of AI-assisted imaging for early DDH diagnosis.

Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate the potential variance in the prevalence of early‐onset scoliosis among children aged 4–7 years and analyze the influencing factors. The goal was to establish a crucial reference point for monitoring and evaluating spinal curvature development in preschoolers, ultimately to reduce the occurrence of adverse health outcomes. Methods Children aged 4–7 years within the main urban area of Nanjing were selected using a stratified random sampling method. A team of four senior therapists conducted screenings for spinal curvature among children using visual inspection, the Adams forward bending test, and an electronic scoliometer to measure the angle of trunk rotation (ATR) and identify children displaying signs of scoliosis. Children with suspected scoliosis in the initial screening underwent X‐ray Cobb angle assessment for confirmation. The prevalence of early‐onset scoliosis was then determined from the screening results. R version 4.2.0 software was used to analyze the factors associated with scoliosis among children using partial least squares structural equation modeling. Results A total of 2281 children were included in this study, consisting of 1211 boys and 1070 girls, with a mean age of 5.44 ± 0.81 years (ranging from 4 to 7 years). Among them, 7.58% exhibited positive signs of scoliosis, 5.87% had early‐onset scoliosis, and the positive predictive value was 77.5%. Significant differences in ATR were observed among children in different age groups (Kruskal–Wallis = 15, p = 0.0104) and by sex (t = 3.17, p = 0.00153). Significant variations in ATR were noted in children with scoliosis (t = −22.7, p

Abstract Copy number variation (CNV) tends to occur in genetically enriched regions and is likely associated with a number of complex diseases such as skin aging. In this study, we investigated the genome-wide CNVs in 20 wrinkled skin cases (WSC) of Xiang pigs and 63 controls, and identified 7893 copy number variable regions (CNVRs). We estimated the F-statistic (Fst) at each locus and identified that 93 case-controls stratified CNVRs (Fst > = 0.15) overlapped with 87 known genes. Functional enrichment analysis showed that most of these genes were predominantly enriched in pathways and terms related to the extracellular matrix. Finally, we found that some CNVs were predicted to have high effects on genes such as VCAN, TIMP1 and FOXO1 through transcriptional amplification, transcript ablation and so on. Most of the genes overlapped with those CNVRs have been reported to be related to aging in human or animals. The copy numbers presented the positive correlations with the transcript level of the genes in skins between the cases and controls. Our results suggested that those 22 CNVRs, including 19 CNV losses and 3 CNV gains, were putatively associated with the skin wrinkle of Xiang pigs.

6061 aluminum alloys with different aging states were prepared by rotational friction extrusion （RFE）. The effect of RFE on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 6061 aluminum alloys with different aging states was investigated. The results show that the refractory AlFeMnSi phase of 6061 aluminum alloys can be broken by using RFE， resulting in the fine and uniform distribution of the AlFeMnSi phase in the alloy. Under the combined effects of frictional heat and deformation during RFE processing， the pre-precipitated coarse Mg2Si phase is dissolved and re-precipitated， resulting in that the pre-precipitated coarse Mg2Si phase has no effect on the particle stimulated nucleation （PSN） mechanism in the dynamic recrystallization of the material. Therefore， the size of grain exhibits negligible change by RFE. RFE reduces the strength of as-quenched 6061 aluminum alloys， while the strength of 6061 aluminum alloys with a long-term aging state can be increased by RFE. However， there are holes inside the material processed by RFE， which reduce the elongation of the alloys.

Abstract RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play critical roles in genome regulation. In this study, we explored the latent function of KPNA2, which is an essential member of the RBP family, in the regulation of alternative splicing (AS) in gastric cancer (GC). We analyzed the role of KPNA2 in regulating differential expression and AS via RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and improved RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (iRIP-seq). Clinical specimens were used to analyze the associations between KPNA2 expression and clinicopathological characteristics. CCK8 assays, transwell assays and wound healing assays were performed to explore the effect of KPNA2/WDR62 on GC cell progression. KPNA2 was shown to be highly expressed in GC cells and tissues and associated with lymph node metastases. KPNA2 promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of GC cells and primarily regulated exon skipping, alternative 3's splice sites (A3SSs), alternative 5' splice sites (A5SSs), and cassette exons. We further revealed that KPNA2 participated in biological processes related to cell proliferation, and the immune response in GC via the regulation of transcription. In addition, KPNA2 preferentially bound to intron regions. Notably, KPNA2 regulated the A3SS AS mode of WDR62, and upregulation of WDR62 reversed the KPNA2 downregulation-induced inhibition of GC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Finally, we discovered that the AS of immune-related molecules could be regulated by KPNA2. Overall, our results demonstrated for the first time that KPNA2 functions as an oncogenic splicing factor in GC that regulated the AS and differential expression of GC-related genes, and KPNA2 may be a potential target for GC treatment.

Abstract Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease with multifactorial etiology and intricate pathogenesis. In RA, repeated monotherapy is frequently associated with inadequate efficacy, drug resistance, and severe side effects. Therefore, a shift has occurred in clinical practice toward combination therapy. However, conventional combination therapy encounters several hindrances, including low selectivity to arthritic joints, short half-lives, and varying pharmacokinetics among coupled drugs. Emerging nanotechnology offers an incomparable opportunity for developing advanced combination therapy against RA. First, it allows for co-delivering multiple drugs with augmented physicochemical properties, targeted delivery capabilities, and controlled release profiles. Second, it enables therapeutic nanomaterials development, thereby expanding combination regimens to include multifunctional nanomedicines. Lastly, it facilitates the construction of all-in-one nanoplatforms assembled with multiple modalities, such as phototherapy, sonodynamic therapy, and imaging. Thus, nanotechnology offers a promising solution to the current bottleneck in both RA treatment and diagnosis. This review summarizes the rationale, advantages, and recent advances in nano-empowered combination therapy for RA. It also discusses safety considerations, drug–drug interactions, and the potential for clinical translation. Additionally, it provides design tips and an outlook on future developments in nano-empowered combination therapy. The objective of this review is to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying combination therapy for RA and unlock the maximum potential of nanotechnology, thereby facilitating the smooth transition of research findings from the laboratory to clinical practice.

Abstract Background Limb salvage surgery is an important method for treating malignant tumors of the bone involving the adjacent parts of the major joints in children. This technique allows for preservation of limb function, especially in the lower limb. However, the reconstruction of the proximal end of the tibia after removing the tumor mass with a rational scale to preserve the total knee joint and reduce limb length discrepancy presents a challenge. Case presentation We present a case of osteosarcoma of the proximal tibia. After being treated with an extended tumor resection, the proximal tibia of the child was restructured using endoprosthetic replacement with epiphyseal preservation. This procedure preserves the entire articular surface and growth plate of the knee joint of the affected limb and provides a feasible alternative protocol for retaining the function and growth potential of the affected limb. The patient remained disease-free and normal limb motor function was observed during the 3.5 year follow-up since the initial surgery. Conclusions Preservation of the epiphysis enabled our patient to perform better limb function after limb-saving surgery as a result of his undamaged knee joint and minimized limb-length discrepancy. We believe that endoprosthetic replacement with preservation of the epiphysis can provide the best strategy for reconstruction after resection of focal malignant tumors in long bones without epiphytic involvement.

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to identify and quantify the association and investigate whether serum vitamin B12 alone or vitamin B12 combined with folate and plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) levels could be used to predict the risk of acute ischemic stroke. Materials and methods This retrospective case-control study was conducted in the Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. It included 259 inpatients experiencing their first-ever acute ischemic stroke and 259 age-matched, sex-matched healthy controls. Patients were categorized into groups based on the etiology of their stroke: large-artery atherosclerosis (LAAS, n = 126), cardio embolism (CEI, n = 35), small vessel disease (SVD, n = 89), stroke of other determined etiology (ODE, n = 5), and stroke of undetermined etiology (UDE, n = 4). The associations of serum vitamin B12, folate, and plasma tHcy levels with the risk of ischemic stroke were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the diagnostic power of vitamin B12, folate, and tHcy levels for ischemic stroke. Results Serum vitamin B12 and folate levels were significantly lower in ischemic stroke patients compared to controls, while plasma tHcy levels were significantly higher. The first quartile of serum vitamin B12 levels was significantly associated with an increased risk of LAAS (aOR = 2.289, 95% CI = 1.098–4.770), SVD (aOR = 4.471, 95% CI = 1.110–4.945) and overall ischemic stroke (aOR = 3.216, 95% CI = 1.733–5.966). Similarly, the first quartile of serum folate levels was associated with an increased risk of LAAS (aOR = 3.480, 95% CI = 1.954–6.449), CEI (aOR = 2.809, 95% CI = 1.073–4.991), SVD (aOR = 5.376, 95% CI = 1.708–6.924), and overall ischemic stroke (aOR = 3.381, 95% CI = 1.535–7.449). The fourth quartile of tHcy levels was also significantly associated with an increased risk of LAAS (aOR = 2.946, 95% CI = 1.008–5.148), CEI (aOR = 2.212, 95% CI = 1.247–5.946), SVD (aOR = 2.957, 95% CI = 1.324–6.054), and overall ischemic stroke (aOR = 2.233, 95% CI = 1.586–4.592). For predicting different types of ischemic stroke, vitamin B12 alone demonstrated the best diagnostic value for SVD, evidenced by a sensitivity of 71.0% and negative predictive value of 90.3%, along with the highest positive likelihood ratio (+ LR) for SVD. Vitamin B12 + tHcy + folate are valuable in predicting different types of ischemic stroke, with the most significant effect observed in SVD, followed by LAAS, and the weakest predictive effect in CEI. Additionally, vitamin B12 alone in combination with other indicators, such as folate alone, tHcy alone, and folate + tHcy could reduce negative likelihood ratio (-LR) and improve + LR. Conclusions Vitamin B12 was an independent risk factor for acute ischemic stroke. The risk calculation model constructed with vitamin B12 + tHcy + folate had the greatest diagnostic value for SVD.

Abstract Rhizome rot is a destructive soil-borne disease of Polygonatum kingianum and adversely affects the yield and sustenance of the plant. Understanding how the causal fungus Fusarium oxysporum infects P. kingianum may suggest effective control measures against rhizome rot. In germinating conidia of infectious F. oxysporum, expression of the zinc finger transcription factor gene Zfp1, consisting of two C2H2 motifs, was up-regulated. To characterize the critical role of ZFP1, we generated independent deletion mutants (zfp1) and complemented one mutant with a transgenic copy of ZFP1 (zfp1 tZFP1). Mycelial growth and conidial production of zfp1 were slower than those of wild type (ZFP1) and zfp1 tZFP1. Additionally, a reduced inhibition of growth suggested zfp1 was less sensitive to conditions promoting cell wall and osmotic stresses than ZFP1 and zfp1 tZFP1. Furthermore pathogenicity tests suggested a critical role for growth of zfp1 in infected leaves and rhizomes of P. kingianum. Thus ZFP1 is important for mycelial growth, conidiation, osmoregulation, and pathogenicity in P. kingianum.

Abstract Background Language delay affects near- and long-term social communication and learning in toddlers, and, an increasing number of experts pay attention to it. The development of prosody discrimination is one of the earliest stages of language development in which key skills for later stages are mastered. Therefore, analyzing the relationship between brain discrimination of speech prosody and language abilities may provide an objective basis for the diagnosis and intervention of language delay. Methods In this study, all cases(n = 241) were enrolled from a tertiary women’s hospital, from 2021 to 2022. We used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to assess children’s neural prosody discrimination abilities, and a Chinese communicative development inventory (CCDI) were used to evaluate their language abilities. Results Ninety-eight full-term and 108 preterm toddlers were included in the final analysis in phase I and II studies, respectively. The total CCDI screening abnormality rate was 9.2% for full-term and 34.3% for preterm toddlers. Full-term toddlers showed prosody discrimination ability in all channels except channel 5, while preterm toddlers showed prosody discrimination ability in channel 6 only. Multifactorial logistic regression analyses showed that prosody discrimination of the right angular gyrus (channel 3) had a statistically significant effect on language delay (odd ratio = 0.301, P

Citrus melanose consists of a series of plant diseases caused by the fungal species of the genus Diaporthe. It has been reported with over 30 Diaporthe species on citrus, including several important fungal pathogens, endophytes, saprophytes, and also latent fungal pathogens with an endophytic/saprophytic lifestyle. Among them, the disease symptoms caused by Diaporthe citri are complex, and the black spots and sand skin symptoms produced on fruits and leaves are the most serious harm to citrus. Currently, the primers and methods for the detection of D. citri have been constructed, and are supposed to be used in field monitor of the dynamics of the pathogen and the epidemiology of the caused diseases. In the orchard, the infection and outbreak of melanose is highly correlated to the orchard damage by natural disasters and continuous rainfalls, the main disease control strategy should be the combination method of agricultural control, physical control, and chemical control.For the agricultural control, the dead woods, twigs, and leaves should be cleared to reduce the formation of infection sources; for the physical control, it is important to avoid plant wounds by cold and sunburn, and the conidia spread by rains; for the chemical control, the usage of fungicides should be protective to the plant wounds, and also over the period of rainfalls. In addition, the research of the biological control of citrus melanose is still in its infancy, several studies have isolated different antagonistic microorganisms and tested their effects on the control of citrus melanose, which suggest their promising roles as supplementary fungicides. This review summarized the major research progresses of citrus melanose at home and abroad, and aimed to offer some insights to the control of the disease.

Specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens are widely used in the research of avian diseases and vaccines. Vertically transmissible diseases are transmitted to chickens through vertical transmission, seriously affecting their survival rate, increasing production costs, and causing significant economic losses to the poultry industry, while severely impacting the breeding and use of SPF chickens. Therefore, it is crucial for researchers and managers to enhance their understanding of vertically transmissible pathogens in chickens and to develop effective monitoring measures. Quality monitoring is an important part of ensuring the quality of SPF chickens, with pathogen detection being the primary step. Based on this, it is necessary to cultivate qualified SPF chickens through purification methods and biosecurity measures. This paper reviews the major vertically transmissible pathogens in chickens, including viral pathogens, bacterial pathogens and mycoplasmas, as well as their detection methods. This study compares the differences in microbiological testing items and methods for SPF chickens between the U.S. corporate standard and the Chinese national standard. Analysis of the results shows that in both standards, vertically transmissible pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella, and avian leukosis are not included in the microbiological testing items for SPF chickens. Instead, these pathogens are characterized by mixed infections, and outbreaks can seriously affect flock health. To produce higher-quality SPF chickens, it is necessary to include these pathogens in the mandatory testing items. The aim of this paper is to help readers understand the relevant standards for microbiological monitoring of SPF chickens, the hazards of vertically transmissible pathogens, and prevention and control strategies, so as to provide a reference for the detection and purification of pathogens in SPF chickens.

Abstract Mitochondria are central to endothelial cell activation and angiogenesis, with the RNA polymerase mitochondrial (POLRMT) serving as a key protein in regulating mitochondrial transcription and oxidative phosphorylation. In our study, we examined the impact of POLRMT on angiogenesis and found that its silencing or knockout (KO) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and other endothelial cells resulted in robust anti-angiogenic effects, impeding cell proliferation, migration, and capillary tube formation. Depletion of POLRMT led to impaired mitochondrial function, characterized by mitochondrial depolarization, oxidative stress, lipid oxidation, DNA damage, and reduced ATP production, along with significant apoptosis activation. Conversely, overexpressing POLRMT promoted angiogenic activity in the endothelial cells. In vivo experiments demonstrated that endothelial knockdown of POLRMT, by intravitreous injection of endothelial specific POLRMT shRNA adeno-associated virus, inhibited retinal angiogenesis. In addition, inhibiting POLRMT with a first-in-class inhibitor IMT1 exerted significant anti-angiogenic impact in vitro and in vivo. Significantly elevated expression of POLRMT was observed in the retinal tissues of streptozotocin-induced diabetic retinopathy (DR) mice. POLRMT endothelial knockdown inhibited pathological retinal angiogenesis and mitigated retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration in DR mice. At last, POLRMT expression exhibited a substantial increase in the retinal proliferative membrane tissues of human DR patients. These findings collectively establish the indispensable role of POLRMT in angiogenesis, both in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract Background Solanum muricatum is an emerging horticultural fruit crop with rich nutritional and antioxidant properties. Although the chromosome-scale genome of this species has been sequenced, its mitochondrial genome sequence has not been reported to date. Results PacBio HiFi sequencing was used to assemble the circular mitogenome of S. muricatum, which was 433,466 bp in length. In total, 38 protein-coding, 19 tRNA, and 3 rRNA genes were annotated. The reticulate mitochondrial conformations with multiple junctions were verified by polymerase chain reaction, and codon usage, sequence repeats, and gene migration from chloroplast to mitochondrial genome were determined. A collinearity analysis of eight Solanum mitogenomes revealed high structural variability. Overall, 585 RNA editing sites in protein coding genes were identified based on RNA-seq data. Among them, mttB was the most frequently edited (52 times), followed by ccmB (46 times). A phylogenetic analysis based on the S. muricatum mitogenome and those of 39 other taxa (including 25 Solanaceae species) revealed the evolutionary and taxonomic status of S. muricatum. Conclusions We provide the first report of the assembled and annotated S. muricatum mitogenome. This information will help to lay the groundwork for future research on the evolutionary biology of Solanaceae species. Furthermore, the results will assist the development of molecular breeding strategies for S. muricatum based on the most beneficial agronomic traits of this species.

IntroductionThis retrospective study was conducted to assess the survival rates and prognostic factors in children with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who were treated according to the Chinese Children’s Cancer Group ALL-2015 protocol at the Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University.MethodsThe study cohort involving 852 evaluable children with ALL reported a total of 146 relapses during a median follow-up period of 53 months. The primary outcomes measured were the second complete remission (CR2) rates, and 5-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) for patients who received re-treatment post-relapse. Patient data were stratified by ALL subtype (B-ALL vs. T-ALL), age at relapse, site of relapse, and timing of relapse. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors significantly associated with EFS and OS.ResultsAs of March 31, 2023, 146 relapses were observed, including 128 B-ALL and 18 T-ALL cases. The 8-year CIR was (19.8 ± 1.6)%, with no significant difference between B-ALL and T-ALL (P=0.271). Among the 105 patients who underwent re-treatment, 70 achieved CR2, resulting in a CR2 rate of 67.6%. The 5-year EFS and OS rates for re-treated patients were (45.0 ± 5.4)% and (56.9 ± 5.2)%, respectively. Significant differences in 5-year OS and EFS were found between B-ALL and T-ALL relapses (P < 0.001). The 5-year EFS and OS varied significantly with relapse timing and site of relapse. Factors significantly affecting EFS after relapse included the site of relapse, immunophenotyping, CR2 achievement, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Immunophenotyping, CR2 achievement, and HSCT were also identified as significant factors affecting OS after relapse.DiscussionDespite treatment with the CCCG-ALL-2015 protocol, a significant relapse rate was observed, with 72% of children opting for re-treatment post-relapse. The study highlights the importance of considering specific prognostic factors to inform tailored treatment strategies for relapsed childhood ALL. The findings emphasize the need for further research into improving therapeutic approaches for this patient population. This retrospective study was conducted to assess the survival rates and prognostic factors in children with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who were treated according to the Chinese Children’s Cancer Group ALL-2015 protocol at the Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University.

IntroductionThe mental health of populations is usually affected after a disaster event. However, it is not known what the level of mental health of Chinese population 1 year after COVID-19, nor what factors influence it.AimThis study aimed to examine the mental health status of general population in Chengdu 1 year after COVID-19, and then analyse influencing factors.MethodThis study is a cross-sectional survey based on the SCL-90 questionnaire. Continuous data were described as M and SD, and counting data were described as frequencies(n) and percentages (%). Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test were used for statistical inference, and significance variables were included in the binary logistic regression equation for multivariate analysis.ResultsThere were 172 participants with positive screening results. Age, marital status, number of kids, self-perceived health and the presence of chronic disease had an effect on screening results. Logistic regression analysis showed that age and self-perceived health were the main influencing factors.DiscussionYoung people aged 18–19 and those who consider themselves not very healthy were at higher risk of poor mental health 1 year after the COVID-19 outbreak.Impact statementCommunity institutions and community workers should focus on the mental health status of people 1 year after COVID-19, with a focus on people with poor self-perceived health and younger age groups, and take early preventive measures.

Chlorine-rich Li-argyrodite sulfide solid electrolytes Li5.5PS4.5Cl1.5 are applied in all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) due to the promising ionic transport and structural stability. However, the poor air/moisture stability and incompatibility to Li metal impede their practical applications. Herein, we synthesized a Li5.5PS4.5Cl1.5-based argyrodite exhibiting improved moisture stability and electrochemical performance to metallic Li, as well as high-voltage cathodes through O doping. The prepared oxygen-doped Li5.5PS4.5Cl1.5 samples (Li5.5PS4.425O0.075Cl1.5) possess significantly enhanced air stability and lower migration barrier in comparison with pristine Li5.5PS4.5Cl1.5. Moreover, Li5.5PS4.425O0.075Cl1.5 exhibits lower polarization voltage and better compatibility with lithium metal in the constant current charge-discharge tests of Li-Li symmetrical cell. This is attributed to the Cl-O coexistence coating interface that observed in the interface of Li/Li5.5PS4.425O0.075Cl1.5. To fully leverage the ultrafast ionic conductivity of Li5.5PS4.5Cl1.5, we construct ASSBs using optimized Li5.5PS4.425O0.075Cl1.5 as buffer layer between pristine LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 cathode materials and Li5.5PS4.5Cl1.5, leading to higher discharge capacities and elevated capacity retention. Based on above results, we further introduce LiNbO3-coated LiCoO2 as cathode, combined with Li5.5PS4.425O0.075Cl1.5 as an isolating layer between Li anode and Li5.5PS4.5Cl1.5 to suppress the growth of Li dendrite and achieve superior cyclability at wide voltage windows. Consequently, the all-solid-state lithium batteries exhibit promising application in a wide temperature range. This work provides a compelling strategy for achieving improved Chlorine-rich Li-argyrodite solid electrolytes with excellent air stability, high ionic conductivity and Li dendrite suppression capability, hence enabling all-solid-state batteries with high energy density and superior cyclability.

IntroductionBuildings that collapse or are damaged by earthquakes are responsible for the majority of earthquake-related casualties. High-precision building data are the key to improving the accuracy of risk assessments of earthquake disaster loss. Many countries and regions have also proposed varying regional building exposure models, but most of these models are still based on administrative-level (city or county) statistical data; furthermore, they cannot accurately reflect the differences among buildings in different towns or villages.MethodsAlthough field investigation-based “township to township” methods can obtain more accurate building inventory data, considering costs and timeliness, remote sensing and other diverse data should be combined to acquire building data. Based on the field survey data of three cities in shanxi Province, combined with Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL) data, this study is conducted on building inventory data. Data regarding the proportion of each building type and corresponding lethality level in each township are obtained based on the classification of building height, and the overall lethality level at the building level and township level is calculated on this basis.ResultsThe fitting results between the calculated results and the field survey results are good, the error is within 0.15, and the fitting R2 values of Xian, Baoji and Ankang are 0.6552, 0.5788 and 0.5937, respectively. Therefore, an earthquake disaster loss risk assessment is conducted based on the building level.DiscussionThe findings indicate that the risk of casualties caused by the same building type can vary by city. Generally, the areas with high disaster loss risk in the three cities are distributed mainly in urban areas; the disaster loss risk in the newly built areas of each city is relatively low. According to the quantitative assessment results for each city, Xi’an has the highest loss risk, while Baoji and Ankang have the same loss risk. Based on the method constructed in this paper, we can realize the quantitative assessment of earthquake disaster loss risk at the building level to better target pre-earthquake emergency preparation and post-earthquake auxiliary decision-making.

Abstract The electrochemical reduction of CO2 (ERCO2) to valuable chemicals such as acetic acid/acetate offers a promising route to revolutionize chemical production and enhance sustainability. Here, we report the hydrothermal preparation of an electrocatalyst consisting of copper/titanium dioxide/reduced graphene oxide (Cu‐TiO2/rGO) for ERCO2 in aqueous medium. The metal‐support (TiO2/rGO) was pre‐synthesized by combining an aqueous solution of TiO2 and GO in an autoclave at 150 °C for 20 h. Then TiO2/rGO was added to synthesized Cu colloid formed through the reduction of copper (II) nitrate trihydrate resulting in the formation of Cu‐TiO2/rGO. The Cu‐TiO2/rGO hybrid nanocomposite was fully characterized using spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. This study explored the versatility of the rotating ring‐disc electrode (RRDE) as an in situ electroanalytical tool for the selective detection of products formed during ERCO2. The well‐designed hybrid electrocatalyst, containing Cu0/Cu+ active sites, facilitated the eight‐electron transfer for acetic acid (AA) formation at low potentials. AA formation was detected on the RRDE and validated by conventional NMR and HPLC techniques. This work highlights and expands the scope of selective hydrogenation of CO2 towards value‐added products.

BackgroundCarcinosarcoma is a rare esophageal tumor, accounting for approximately 0.27-2.8% of malignant esophageal tumors. This study aims to investigate the clinical pathological characteristics, surgical treatment outcomes, and analysis of prognostic factors in esophageal carcinosarcoma (ECS).MethodsClinical data from sixteen patients diagnosed with esophageal sarcomatoid carcinoma who underwent surgical interventions were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical and pathological features, treatment modalities, and postoperative outcomes were systematically examined.ResultsOut of the 1261 patients who underwent surgical treatment for esophageal cancer, 16 cases were pathologically confirmed as carcinosarcoma. Among them, two underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, six received postoperative chemotherapy. Carcinosarcomas predominantly occurred in the middle (43.75%) and lower (50%) segments of the esophagus. Among the 16 cases, 10 presented as polypoid, 4 as ulcerative, and 2 as medullary types. Microscopic examination revealed coexistence and transitional transitions between sarcomatous and carcinoma components. Pathological staging showed 5 cases in stage T1, 2 in stage T2, and 9 in stage T3, with lymph node metastasis observed in 8 cases (50%). TNM staging revealed 2 cases in stage I, 9 in stage II, and 5 in stage III. The overall 1, 3, and 5-year survival rates were 86.67%, 62.5%, and 57.14%, respectively. Univariate analysis indicated that pathological N staging influenced survival rates, while multivariate analysis demonstrated that pathological N staging was an independent prognostic factor.ConclusionsCarcinosarcoma is a rare esophageal tumor, accounting for approximately 0.27-2.8% of malignant esophageal tumors. Histologically, the biphasic pattern is a crucial diagnostic feature, although the carcinomatous component may not always be evident, especially in limited biopsies, leading to potential misclassification as pure sarcoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Despite its large volume and cellular atypia, carcinosarcoma carries a favorable prognosis. Complete surgical resection of the tumor and regional lymph node dissection is the preferred treatment approach for esophageal carcinosarcoma.

Plants adapt to cold stress through a tightly regulated process involving metabolic reprogramming and tissue remodeling to enhance tolerance within a short timeframe. However, the precise differences and interconnections among various organs during cold adaptation remain poorly understood. This study employed dynamic transcriptomic and metabolite quantitative analyses to investigate cold adaptation and subsequent de-adaptation in Artemisia annua, a species known for its robust resistance to abiotic stress. Our findings revealed distinct expression patterns in most differentially expressed genes (DEGs) encoding transcription factors and components of the calcium signal transduction pathway within the two organs under cold stress. Notably, the long-distance transport of carbon sources from source organs (leaves) to sink organs (roots) experienced disruption followed by resumption, while nitrogen transport from roots to leaves, primarily in the form of amino acids, exhibited acceleration. These contrasting transport patterns likely contribute to the observed differences in cold response between the two organs. The transcriptomic analysis further indicated that leaves exhibited increased respiration, accumulated anti-stress compounds, and initiated the ICE-CBF-COR signaling pathway earlier than roots. Differential expression of genes associated with cell wall biosynthesis suggests that leaves may undergo cell wall thickening while roots may experience thinning. Moreover, a marked difference was observed in phenylalanine metabolism between the two organs, with leaves favoring lignin production and roots favoring flavonoid synthesis. Additionally, our findings suggest that the circadian rhythm is crucial in integrating temperature fluctuations with the plant’s internal rhythms during cold stress and subsequent recovery. Collectively, these results shed light on the coordinated response of different plant organs during cold adaptation, highlighting the importance of inter-organ communication for successful stress tolerance.

Biochar (BC) is widely utilized as a soil amendment; however, for widely distributed seasonally frozen soils, the effect of BC on soil and the optimal utilization of BC during the freeze‒thaw process are still unclear. In this study, the effects of freeze‒thaw aged biochar (FT-BC) and BC on soil properties and wheat cultivation were systematically investigated, and the underlying interaction mechanism between BC and soil was explored. The results show that FT-BC dramatically reduces the adverse effects of freeze‒thaw cycles on soil, enhances wheat growth, and increases dry matter yield by 17.5 %, which is mainly attributed to the ability of FT-BC to maintain soil structure, reduce water loss rates to below 0.20 g/h, and decrease nitrogen leaching by more than 20 % during freeze‒thaw cycles. Additionally, fresh BC had a greater effect on the fixation of cadmium than FT-BC in the soil, reducing its accumulation in wheat by 22.5 %. Multiple characterizations revealed that the freeze‒thaw process increased the porosity and specific surface area of FT-BC, providing more sites for water and nitrogen adsorption, whereas the dissolved organic matter released from fresh BC had a better ability to trap cadmium. These findings provide insights into the interactions between BC and soil components during the freeze‒thaw process and suggest the optimized utilization of fresh BC and FT-BC for different soil repair purposes.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the extraction solvent and compare the distribution of functional ingredient and antioxidant activities in different parts of Penthorum chinense pursh. Methods: the total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant capacity and individual phenolic compounds content in Penthorum chinense pursh were determined and analyzed. Results: The total phenolic content, total flavonoid content increased and then decreased with the increase of solvent concentration. The seven main phenolic compounds （catechin, rutin, pinocembrin-7-O-glucoside, quercetin, kaempferol, pinocembrin and thonningianin A）, ABTS radical scavenging ability, and ferric ion reduction ability were the highest in 80% ethanol extract. The contents of total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, ABTS radical scavenging ability, DPPH radical scavenging ability and ferric ion reducing ability of different parts of Penthorum chinense pursh were flower > leaves > stem. The total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant capacity of flower and stem decreased significantly with the increasing of storage time, while leaves were relatively stable. In addition, the antioxidant activities of Penthorum chinense pursh were significantly positively correlated with total phenolic content, catechin, isoquercetin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, afzelin, and pinocembrin-7-O-glucoside （P < 0.01）. Conclusion: 80% ethanol appears the most effective for polyphenol extraction in Penthorum chinense pursh, and the leaves have the great potential for development and utilization with high content and stable antioxidant activity.

Abstract Denitrifying bacteria harboring the nitrate reductase S (nirS) gene convert active nitrogen into molecular nitrogen, and alleviate eutrophication in aquaculture water. Suspended particulate matter (SPM) is an important component of aquaculture water and a carrier for denitrification. SPM with different particle sizes were collected from a coastal high-altitude aquaculture pond in Maoming City, China. Diversity, community structure, abundance of nirS-type denitrifying bacteria on SPM and environmental influencing factors were studied using high-throughput sequencing, fluorescence quantitative PCR, and statistical analysis. Pseudomonas, Halomonas, and Wenzhouxiangella were the dominant genera of nirS-type denitrifying bacteria on SPM from the ponds. Network analysis revealed Pseudomonas and Halomonas as the key genera involved in the interaction of nirS-type denitrifying bacteria on SPM in the ponds. qPCR indicated a trend toward greater nirS gene abundance in progressively larger SPM. Dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and SPM particle size were the main environmental factors influencing changes in the nirS-type denitrifying bacterial community on SPM in coastal high-altitude aquaculture pond water. These findings increase our understanding of the microbiology of nitrogen cycle processes in aquaculture ecosystem, and will help optimize aquatic tailwater treatment strategies.

The multicore fiber amplifier, as a key component in spatial division multiplexing (SDM) communication systems, presents higher technical difficulty compared to traditional multi-channel single core fiber amplifiers, which has sparked widespread attention. To achieve balance, efficiency, miniaturization, and cost-effectiveness in the performance of multi-core optical fiber amplifiers, we propose an innovative triple cladding 13-core Er/Yb co-doped microstructured fiber (13CEYDMOF). The proposed fiber features an outer cladding with peanut-shaped air holes, which enables uniform excitation of the 13 cores using a single multimode laser pump source within the inner cladding. This approach also prevents damage or aging of the fiber’s outer coating due to the pump laser. Furthermore, the design of Peanut-Shaped Air Holes effectively increases the numerical aperture (NA) of the inner cladding while reducing the outer diameter of the fiber, enhancing the fiber’s mechanical flexibility. To address the coupling difficulties caused by air holes, we bi-directionally pump the 13CEYDMOFA by utilizing a combined technique of the side winding and end pumping. The experimental results show that the 13CEYDMOFA can achieve an average gain of 23.8 dB, a noise figure (NF) of ∼4.6 dB, and an inter-core gain difference of less than 2 dB in the wavelength range of 1529–1565 nm. The in-line amplified transmission experiment demonstrates that the 13CEYDMOFA is well suited for the 13 spatial channels transmission. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time to realize high performance telecommunication band amplification in a multicore microstructure fiber.

ABSTRACT Platinum-based chemotherapy failure represents a significant challenge in the management of ovarian cancer (OC) and contributes to disease recurrence and poor prognosis. Recent studies have shed light on the involvement of the gut microbiota in modulating anticancer treatments. However, the precise underlying mechanisms, by which gut microbiota regulates the response to platinum-based therapy, remain unclear. Here, we investigated the role of gut microbiota on the anticancer response of cisplatin and its underlying mechanisms. Our results demonstrate a substantial improvement in the anticancer efficacy of cisplatin following antibiotic-induced perturbation of the gut microbiota in OC-bearing mice. 16S rRNA sequencing showed a pronounced alteration in the composition of the gut microbiome in the cecum contents following exposure to cisplatin. Through metabolomic analysis, we identified distinct metabolic profiles in the antibiotic-treated group, with a notable enrichment of the gut-derived metabolite 3-methylxanthine in antibiotic-treated mice. Next, we employed a strategy combining transcriptome analysis and chemical–protein interaction network databases. We identified metabolites that shared structural similarity with 3-methylxanthine, which interacted with genes enriched in cancer-related pathways. It is identified that 3-methylxanthinesignificantly enhances the effectiveness of cisplatin by promoting apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro. Importantly, through integrative multiomics analyses, we elucidated the mechanistic basis of this enhanced apoptosis, revealing a dopamine receptor D1-dependent pathway mediated by 3-methylxanthine. This study elucidated the mechanism by which gut-derived metabolite 3-methylxanthine mediated cisplatin-induced apoptosis. Our findings highlight the potential translational significance of 3-methylxanthine as a promising adjuvant in conjunction with cisplatin, aiming to improve treatment outcomes for OC patients.IMPORTANCEThe precise correlation between the gut microbiota and the anticancer effect of cisplatin in OC remains inadequately understood. Our investigation has revealed that manipulation of the gut microbiota via the administration of antibiotics amplifies the efficacy of cisplatin through the facilitation of apoptosis in OC-bearing mice. Metabolomic analysis has demonstrated that the cecum content from antibiotic-treated mice exhibits an increase in the levels of 3-methylxanthine, which has been shown to potentially enhance the therapeutic effectiveness of cisplatin by an integrated multiomic analysis. This enhancement appears to be attributable to the promotion of cisplatin-induced apoptosis, with 3-methylxanthine potentially exerting its influence via the dopamine receptor D1-dependent pathway. These findings significantly contribute to our comprehension of the impact of the gut microbiota on the anticancer therapy in OC. Notably, the involvement of 3-methylxanthine suggests its prospective utility as a supplementary component for augmenting treatment outcomes in patients afflicted with ovarian cancer.

Introduction Care workers play a fundamental role in delivering care services in long-term care institutions. Burnout has been found to have a negative impact on care recipients and organisations providing care. Little is known about the key factors associated with care workers’ burnout. This systematic review aims to explore the prevalence, severity and correlates of burnout among care workers before and during COVID-19 pandemic.Methods and analysis A five-stage framework outlined by Whittemore and Knafl will be used. The following databases will be used to identify relevant literature, including Medline (PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane library, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science. RevMan will be used to assist the meta-analysis. Heterogeneity of the included studies will be tested using the I2 test.Ethics and dissemination No ethics approval is required as this study only involves secondary data analysis. The findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at relevant conferences.PROSPERO registration number CRD42024499178.

Background A limited number of studies investigated the association between blood pressure variability (BPV) and cognitive impairment in patients with hypertension. This study aimed to identify the longitudinal association between BPV and cognitive decline and the role of blood pressure (BP) control in this association. Methods and Results Participants with hypertension from the HRS (Health and Retirement Study), the ELSA (English Longitudinal Study of Ageing), and the CHARLS (China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study) were included. Variation independent of the mean (VIM) was adopted to measure BPV. Cognitive function was measured by standard questionnaires, and a standardized Z score was calculated. Linear mixed‐model and restricted cubic splines were adopted to explore the association between BPV and cognitive decline. The study included 4853, 1616, and 1432 eligible patients with hypertension from the HRS, ELSA, and CHARLS, respectively. After adjusting for covariates, per‐SD increment of VIM of BP was significantly associated with global cognitive function decline in Z scores in both systolic BP (pooled β, −0.045 [95% CI, −0.065 to −0.029]) and diastolic BP (pooled β, −0.022 [95% CI, −0.040 to −0.004]) among hypertensive patients. Similar inverse associations were observed in patients with hypertension taking antihypertensive drugs and in patients with hypertension with well‐controlled BP. Conclusions High BPV was independently associated with a faster cognitive decline among patients with hypertension, even those with antihypertensive medications or well‐controlled BP. Further studies are needed to confirm our results and determine whether reducing BPV can prevent or delay cognitive decline.

BackgroundEmpathy, as one of the fundamental principles of nursing professionalism, plays a pivotal role in the formation and advancement of the nursing team. Nursing interns, as a reserve force within the nursing team, are of significant importance in terms of their ability to empathize. This quality is not only directly related to the degree of harmony in the nurse–patient relationship and the enhancement of patient satisfaction, but also plays a pivotal role in the promotion of the quality of nursing services to a new level.AimThe objective of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the current state of nursing interns’ empathic abilities. To this end, we sought to examine empathic performance under different profile models and to identify the key factors influencing these profile models.MethodsThe study utilized 444 nursing interns from 11 tertiary general hospitals in Inner Mongolia as research subjects. The study employed a number of research tools, including demographic characteristics, the Jefferson Scale of Empathy, and the Professional Quality of Life Scale. A latent profile model of nursing interns’ empathy ability was analyzed using Mplus 8.3. The test of variability of intergroup variables was performed using the chi-square test. Finally, the influencing factors of each profile model were analyzed by unordered multi-categorical logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe overall level of empathy among nursing interns was found to be low, with 45% belonging to the humanistic care group, 43% exhibiting low empathy, and 12% demonstrating high empathy. The internship duration, empathy satisfaction, secondary traumatic stress, only child, place of birth, and satisfaction with nursing were identified as factors influencing the latent profiles of empathy in nursing interns (p

Summary: The 2022 mpox outbreak led the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). There is a need to develop more effective and safer mpox virus (MPXV)-specific vaccines in response to the mpox epidemic. The mRNA vaccine is a promising platform to protect against MPXV infection. In this study, we construct two bivalent MPXV mRNA vaccines, designated LBA (B6R-A29L) and LAM (A35R-M1R), and a quadrivalent mRNA vaccine, LBAAM (B6R-A35R-A29L-M1R). The immunogenicity and protective efficacy of these vaccines alone or in combination were evaluated in a lethal mouse model. All mRNA vaccine candidates could elicit potential antigen-specific humoral and cellular immune responses and provide protection against vaccinia virus (VACV) infection. The protective effect of the combination of two bivalent mRNA vaccines and the quadrivalent vaccine was superior to that of the individual bivalent mRNA vaccine. Our study provides valuable insights for the development of more efficient and safer mRNA vaccines against mpox.

Brain apoptosis is one of the main causes of epileptogenesis. The antiapoptotic effect and potential mechanism of Q808, an innovative anticonvulsant chemical, have never been reported. In this study, the seizure stage and latency to reach stage 2 of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) seizure rat model treated with Q808 were investigated. The morphological change and neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus were detected by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining, respectively. The hippocampal transcriptomic changes were observed using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). The expression levels of hub genes were verified by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Results revealed that Q808 could allay the seizure score and prolong the stage 2 latency in seizure rats. The morphological changes of neurons and the number of apoptotic cells in the DG area were diminished by Q808 treatment. RNA-seq analysis revealed eight hub genes, including Map2k3, Nfs1, Chchd4, Hdac6, Siglec5, Slc35d3, Entpd1, and LOC103690108, and nine hub pathways among the control, PTZ, and Q808 groups. Hub gene Nfs1 was involved in the hub pathway sulfur relay system, and Map2k3 was involved in the eight remaining hub pathways, including Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Cellular senescence, Fc epsilon RI signaling pathway, GnRH signaling pathway, Influenza A, Rap1 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, and Toll-like receptor signaling pathway. qRT-PCR confirmed that the mRNA levels of these hub genes were consistent with the RNA-seq results. Our findings might contribute to further studies exploring the new apoptosis mechanism and actions of Q808.

BackgroundEncephalitozoon hellem (E. hellem) infection is a zoonotic disease, rarely observed in individuals, causing various clinical manifestations including diarrhea, keratoconjunctivitis, cystitis, etc. E. hellem infection after hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) is a rare, serious complication.Case presentationHerein, we present a case of E. hellem infection developing during HLA-haploidentical HSCT in a 9-year-old boy who suffered from aplastic anemia. On 15 days after HSCT, the patient developed recurrent and prolonged fever, diarrhea and hematuria. It is challenging to differentiate whether the symptoms mentioned in this case are caused by graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) or a specific infection. Based on the result of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and clinical observation, the patient was diagnosed as E. hellem infection, and received albendazole and decreased the immunosuppressive treatment. Finally, he had recovered.ConclusionWe should pay attention to the uncommon disease caused by the E. hellem infection after HSCT, especially in cases with immune reconstitution unrecovered. Among those rare infection, mNGS can be performed for better understanding the source of infection and targeted therapy, which can benefit the patients.

Background Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a large class of RNAs present in mammals. Among these, circCamsap1 is a well-acknowledged circRNA with significant implications, particularly in the development and progression of diverse tumors. However, the potential consequences of circCamsap1 depletion in vivo on male reproduction are yet to be thoroughly investigated. Methods The presence of circCamsap1 in the mouse testes was confirmed, and gene expression analysis was performed using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. CircCamsap1 knockout mice were generated utilizing the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Phenotypic analysis of both the testes and epididymis was conducted using histological and immunofluorescence staining. Additionally, fertility and sperm motility were assessed. Results Here, we successfully established a circCamsap1 knockout mouse model without affecting the expression of parental gene. Surprisingly, male mice lacking circCamsap1 (circCamsap1−/−) exhibited normal fertility, with no discernible differences in testicular and epididymal histology, spermatogenesis, sperm counts or sperm motility compared to circCamsap1+/+ mice. These findings suggest that circCamsap1 may not play an essential role in physiological spermatogenesis. Nonetheless, this result also underscores the complexity of circRNA function in male reproductive biology. Therefore, further research is necessary to elucidate the precise roles of other circRNAs in regulating male fertility.

IntroductionInhibition control, as the core component of executive function, might play a crucial role in the understanding of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and specific learning disorders (SLD). Inhibition control deficits have been observed in children with ADHD or SLD. This study sought to test in a multi-modal fashion (i.e., behavior and plus brain imaging) whether inhibition control abilities would be further deteriorated in the ADHD children due to the comorbidity of SLD.MethodA total number of 90 children (aged 6-12 years) were recruited, including 30 ADHD, 30 ADHD+SLD (children with the comorbidity of ADHD and SLD), and 30 typically developing (TD) children. For each participant, a 44-channel functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) equipment was first adopted to capture behavioral and cortical hemodynamic responses during a two-choice Oddball task (a relatively new inhibition control paradigm). Then, 50 metrics were extracted, including 6 behavioral metrics (i.e., OddballACC, baselineACC, totalACC, OddballRT, baselineRT, and totalRT) and 44 beta values in 44 channels based on general linear model. Finally, differences in those 50 metrics among the TD, ADHD, and ADHD+SLD children were analyzed.ResultsFindings showed that: (1) OddballACC (i.e., the response accuracy in deviant stimuli) is the most sensitive metric in identifying the differences between the ADHD and ADHD+SLD children; and (2) The ADHD+SLD children exhibited decreased behavioral response accuracy and brain activation level in some channels (e.g., channel CH35) than both the ADHD and TD children.DiscussionFindings seem to support that inhibition control abilities would be further decreased in the ADHD children due to the comorbidity of SLD.

Neuroinflammation plays a key role in the progression of secondary brain injury after ischemic stroke, and exosomes have been increasingly recognized to eliminate inflammatory responses through various mechanisms. This study aimed to explore the effect and possible mechanism of human umbilical vein endothelial cells derived exosomes (H-EXOs) on neuroinflammation. We established a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (tMCAO/R) in male rats and oxygen-glucose-deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model in cultured neurons to mimic secondary brain injury after ischemic stroke in vivo. H-EXOs were administered at the same time of reperfusion. Results showed that the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, and the transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 14 (KLF14) were significantly increased both in rat brain tissue and cultured neural cells after ischemic-reperfusion (I/R) injury. H-EXOs treatment significantly improved the cultured cell viability, reduced infarct sizes, mitigated neurobehavioral defects, and alleviated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines compared with the control group, indicating that H-EXOs exerted anti-inflammatory effect against I/R injury. Further studies revealed that the anti-inflammatory effect of H-EXOs could be weakened by small-interfering RNA (siKLF4) transfection. KLF14 was a protective factor produced during cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. In conclusion, H-EXOs protect neurons from inflammation after I/R injury by enhancing KLF14 expression.

Summary: Background: GST-HG171 is a potent, broad-spectrum, orally bioavailable small-molecule 3C like protease inhibitor that has demonstrated greater potency and efficacy compared to Nirmatrelvir in pre-clinical studies. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of orally administered GST-HG171 plus Ritonavir in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infected with emerging XBB and non-XBB variants. Methods: This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2/3 trial was conducted in 47 sites in China among adult patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 with symptoms onset ≤72 h. Eligible patients were randomised 1:1 to receive GST-HG171 (150 mg) plus Ritonavir (100 mg) or corresponding placebo tablets twice daily for 5 days, with stratification factors including the risk level of disease progression and vaccination status. The primary efficacy endpoint was time to sustained recovery of clinical symptoms within 28 days, defined as a score of 0 for 11 COVID-19-related target symptoms for 2 consecutive days, assessed in the modified intention-to-treat (mITT) population. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05656443) and Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200067088). Findings: Between Dec 19, 2022, and May 4, 2023, 1525 patients were screened. Among 1246 patients who underwent randomisation, most completed basic (21.2%) or booster (74.9%) COVID-19 immunization, and most had a low risk of disease progression at baseline. 610 of 617 who received GST-HG171 plus Ritonavir and 603 of 610 who received placebo were included in the mITT population. Patients who received GST-HG171 plus Ritonavir showed shortened median time to sustained recovery of clinical symptoms compared to the placebo group (13.0 days [95.45% confidence interval 12.0–15.0] vs. 15.0 days [14.0–15.0], P = 0.031). Consistent results were observed in both SARS-CoV-2 XBB (45.7%, 481/1053 of mITT population) and non-XBB variants (54.3%, 572/1053 of mITT population) subgroups. Incidence of adverse events was similar in the GST-HG171 plus Ritonavir (320/617, 51.9%) and placebo group (298/610, 48.9%). The most common adverse events in both placebo and treatment groups were hypertriglyceridaemia (10.0% vs. 14.7%). No deaths occurred. Interpretation: Treatment with GST-HG171 plus Ritonavir has demonstrated benefits in symptom recovery and viral clearance among low-risk vaccinated adult patients with COVID-19, without apparent safety concerns. As most patients were treated within 2 days after symptom onset in our study, confirming the potential benefits of symptom recovery for patients with a longer duration between symptom onset and treatment initiation will require real-world studies. Funding: Fujian Akeylink Biotechnology Co., Ltd.

Background/Aim. Since finding a safe and efficient strategy of multimodal postoperative analgesia and sedation is particularly critical, it is important that dexmedetomidine (DM) combined with opioid anesthetics can enhance that through a synergistic action. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of butorphanol tartrate (BT) combined with DM on postoperative analgesia. Methods. A total of 100 elderly patients undergoing general anesthesia surgery from January 2019 to June 2022 were selected. The patients were divided into two equal groups – research group (RG) and control group (CG), using the random number table method. All patients were given postoperative patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) plus background infusion. CG patients were given 10 mg of BT, and RG patients were given 10 mg of BT and 300 μg of DM. The analgesics were diluted in 100 mL of 0.9% normal saline. The doses of rescue analgesic tramadol within 48 hrs after surgery, the number of PCIA boluses 48 hrs after surgery, and postoperative hospitalization time were recorded. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, Ramsay sedation score (RSS), inflammatory and stress responses [interleukin (IL)-6, interferon (IFN)-γ, and angiotensin II (Ang-II)], and anesthesia-related adverse reactions (ARAR) were compared at different time points. Results. The dose of tramadol within 48 hrs after surgery, the number of PCIA boluses 48 hrs after surgery, and the postoperative hospitalization time of RG were lower than those of CG (p < 0.05). VAS scores at rest and during activity and serum IL-6, IFN-γ, and Ang-II levels of both groups increased at 4 and 12 hrs after surgery, then decreased at 24 hrs after surgery. The above indicators of RG were lower than those of CG at each time point (p < 0.05). The RSSs of the two groups increased at 4, 12, and 24 hrs after surgery, then dropped at 48 hrs after surgery. The scores of RG were lower than those of CG at each time point (p < 0.05). The incidence rates of ARAR had no significant difference between RG and CG (p > 0.05). Conclusion. BT combined with DM is effective for analgesia and sedation after general anesthesia surgery in elderly patients, which can reduce inflammatory and stress responses without increasing ARAR.

AIM: To investigate the symmetry of upper eyelid in patients with unilateral mild and moderate blepharoptosis who underwent unilateral minimally invasive combined fascia sheath (CFS) suspension. METHODS: A retrospective study of patients who underwent unilateral minimally invasive CFS suspension surgery between January 2018 and December 2021. Inclusion criteria included unilateral mild and moderate ptosis, good levator muscle function (>9 mm) and follow-up of at least 6mo. Pre- and post-operative symmetry was graded subjectively for marginal reflex distance 1 (MRD1), tarsal platform show (TPS) and eyebrow fat span (BFS). A t-test was used to evaluate MRD1, TPS and BFS asymmetry by calculating delta values. The Bézier curve tool of the Image J software was used to extract the upper eyelid contours, where the symmetry was measured by the percentage of overlapping curvatures (POC). RESULTS: Totally 105 patients (105 eyelids) were included (mild group, n=84; moderate group, n=21). Postoperatively, all patients increased MRD1 and decreased TPS in the ptotic eye while maintaining unchanged BFS. The asymmetric delta value for MRD1 was measured to be 1.48±0.86 preoperatively, and it decreased to 0.58±0.67 postoperatively in all cases (P=0.0004). In patients with mild ptosis, the asymmetry value of TPS fell significantly from 1.15±0.62 to 0.68±0.38 (P=0.0187). The symmetry of the upper eyelid contour increased in all subgroups of patients, with a POC of 59.39%±13.45% preoperatively and POC of 78.29%±13.80% postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive CFS suspension is proved to be an effective means of improving the symmetry of unilateral ptosis in terms of MRD1 (all subgroups), POC (all subgroups) and TPS (only mild group), whereas BFS is unaffected.

Enteroviruses such as coxsackievirus B3 are identified as a common cause of viral myocarditis, but the potential mechanism of its replication and pathogenesis are largely unknown. The genomes of a variety of viruses contain N6-methyladenosine (m6A), which plays important roles in virus replication. Here, by using the online bioinformatics tools SRAMP and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), we predict that the CVB3 genome contains m6A sites and found that CVB3 infection could alter the expression and cellular localization of m6A-related proteins. Moreover, we found that 3-deazaadenosine (3-DAA), an m6A modification inhibitor, significantly decreased CVB3 replication. We also observed that the m6A methyltransferases methyltransferase-like protein 3 (METTL3) and METTL14 play positive roles in CVB3 replication, whereas m6A demethylases fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) or AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5) have opposite effects. Knockdown of the m6A binding proteins YTH domain family protein 1 (YTHDF1), YTHDF2 and YTHDF3 strikingly decreased CVB3 replication. Finally, the m6A site mutation in the CVB3 genome decreased the replication of CVB3 compared with that in the CVB3 wild-type (WT) strain. Taken together, our results demonstrated that CVB3 could exploit m6A modification to promote viral replication, which provides new insights into the mechanism of the interaction between CVB3 and the host.

The organic Rankine cycle (ORC) system is an important technology for recovering energy from the waste heat of internal combustion engines, which is of significant importance for the improvement of fuel utilization. This study analyses the performance of vehicle ORC systems and proposes a rapid optimization method for enhancing vehicle ORC performance. This study constructed a numerical simulation model of an internal combustion engine-ORC waste heat recovery system based on GT-Suite software v2016. The impact of key operating parameters on the performance of two organic Rankine cycles: the simple organic Rankine cycle (SORC) and the recuperative organic Rankine cycle (RORC) was investigated. In order to facilitate real-time prediction and optimization of system performance, a data-driven rapid prediction model of the performance of the waste heat recovery system was constructed based on an artificial neural network. Meanwhile, the NSGA-II multi-objective algorithm was used to investigate the competitive relationship between different performance objective functions. Furthermore, the optimal operating parameters of the system were determined by utilizing the TOPSIS method. The results demonstrate that the highest thermal efficiencies of the SORC and RORC are 6.21% and 8.61%, respectively, the highest power outputs per unit heat transfer area (POPAs) are 6.98 kW/m2 and 8.99 kW/m2, respectively, the lowest unit electricity production costs (EPC) are 7.22 × 10−2 USD/kWh and 3.15 × 10−2 USD/kWh, respectively, and the lowest CO2 emissions are 2.85 ton CO2,eq and 3.11 ton CO2,eq, respectively. The optimization results show that the RORC exhibits superior thermodynamic and economic performance in comparison to the SORC, yet inferior environmental performance.

Examining dual vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) across various turbulence scenarios is crucial for advancing the efficiency of urban energy generation and promoting sustainable development. This study introduces a novel approach by employing two-dimensional numerical analysis through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software to investigate the performance of VAWTs under varying turbulence intensity conditions, a topic that has been relatively unexplored in existing research. The analysis focuses on the self-starting capabilities and the effective utilization of wind energy, which are key factors in urban wind turbine deployment. The results reveal that while the impact of increased turbulence intensity on the self-starting performance of VAWTs is modest, there is a significant improvement in wind energy utilization within a specific turbulence range, leading to an average power increase of 1.41%. This phenomenon is attributed to the more complex flow field induced by heightened turbulence intensity, which delays the onset of dynamic stall through non-uniform aerodynamic excitation of the blade boundary layer. Additionally, the inherent interaction among VAWTs contributes to enhanced turbine output power. However, this study also highlights the trade-off between increased power and the potential for significant fatigue issues in the turbine rotor. These findings provide new insights into the optimal deployment of VAWTs in urban environments, offering practical recommendations for maximizing energy efficiency while mitigating fatigue-related risks.

Unique metabolites contribute to the performance of meat flavor and potential function. In this study, UHPLC-Q Exactive HF-X-based metabolomics and multivariate analysis were applied to explore the characteristic metabolites in the breast meat of Beijing-You chicken (BYC) aged 150, 300, and 450 days (D150, D300, and D450). Based on the criteria of variable importance in the projection (VIP) > 1 and p < 0.05, a total of 154 and 97 differential metabolites (DMs) were screened out compared with D450 (D450 vs. D150, D450 vs. D300), respectively. In general, the relative content of carnosine, L-L-homoglutathione, demethyloleuropein, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone, 7-chloro-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-3,5-dihydroxy-6,8-dimethoxy-4H-chromen-4-one, glycerophospholipids, exhibited the highest abundance at D450, while balenine, anserine, L-beta-aspartyl-L-leucine, glutathione, oxidized glutathione, stearoylcarnitine, ganoderic acid alpha, oleuroside, Lysoglycerophospholipid species (LGP) presented a downward trend with age. These 210 DMs were involved in 10 significantly enriched pathways related to the synthesis and metabolism of amino acids, peptides, and glycerophospholipid, such as glutathione metabolism, histidine metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, tyrosine metabolism, and lysine degradation. In conclusion, this work could not only facilitate a better understanding of the differences of chicken flavor and benefit properties with age, but also provide potential valuable bioactive compounds for further research.

PLCPs (papain-like cysteine proteases) are one of the most abundant groups of cysteine proteases and play vital roles in multiple processes. The pepper (Capsicum annuum) is an important Solanaceae vegetable crop; its commercial hybrid seeds are widely used in production. Male sterility is a valuable trait for hybrid seed production. However, the function of PLCPs and the underlying mechanisms of male sterility in peppers remain unclear. In this study, we comprehensively identified the PLCP gene family in peppers, identifying 31 CaPLCPs. A phylogenetic analysis classified 31 members into eight clades. These CaPLCPs were unevenly distributed across eight chromosomes, and five segmental duplicated pairs were observed. The promoter cis-acting element analysis indicated that CaPLCP promoters contained abundant hormone-responsive and stress-responsive cis-elements, suggesting that CaPLCPs may play important roles in responding to abiotic stress, such as drought and low temperatures, as well as in plant immunity. The qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that the expression levels of CaPLCP1, CaPLCP5, CaPLCP11, CaPLCP12, CaPLCP13, CaPLCP17, CaPLCP19, and CaPLCP21 were significantly reduced in the flowers of MS (male sterile pepper) at least at one stage, indicating their potential roles as regulatory factors in pepper male sterility. These findings provide important insights into the functional analysis of the PLCP gene family in peppers and other species, laying a crucial foundation for understanding the mechanisms of male sterility in peppers.

Fe-N-C materials have been regarded as one of the potential candidates to replace traditional noble-metal-based electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). It is believed that the structure of carbon support in Fe-N-C materials plays an essential role in highly efficient ORR. However, precisely designing the morphology and surface chemical structure of carbon support remains a challenge. Herein, we present a novel synthetic strategy for the preparation of porous carbon spheres (PCSs) with high specific surface area, well-defined pore structure, tunable morphology and controllable heteroatom doping. The synthesis involves Schiff-based polymerization utilizing octaaminophenyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS-NH2) and heteroatom-containing aldehydes, followed by pyrolysis and HF etching. The well-defined pore structure of PCS can provide the confinement field for ferroin and transform into Fe-N-C sites after carbonization. The tunable morphology of PCS can be easily achieved by changing the solvents. The surface chemical structure of PCS can be tailored by utilizing different heteroatom-containing aldehydes. After optimizing the structure of PCS, Fe-N-C loading on N,S-codoped porous carbon sphere (NSPCS-Fe) displays outstanding ORR activity in alkaline solution. This work paves a new path for fabrication of Fe-N-C materials with the desired morphology and well-designed surface chemical structure, demonstrating significant potential for energy-related applications.

ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to elucidate the influence of MCU on the clinical pathological features of GC patients, to investigate the function and mechanism of the mitochondrial calcium uptake transporter MCU in the initiation and progression of GC, and to explore its impact on the metabolic pathways and biosynthesis of mitochondria. The ultimate goal is to identify novel targets and strategies for the clinical management of GC patients.MethodsTumor and adjacent tissue specimens were obtained from 205 patients with gastric cancer, and immunohistochemical tests were performed to assess the expression of MCU and its correlation with clinical pathological characteristics and prognosis. Data from TCGA, GTEx and GEO databases were retrieved for gastric cancer patients, and bioinformatics analysis was utilized to investigate the association between MCU expression and clinical pathological features. Furthermore, we conducted an in-depth analysis of the role of MCU in GC patients. We investigated the correlation between MCU expression in GC and its impact on mitochondrial function, metabolism, biosynthesis, and immune cells. Additionally, we studied the proteins or molecules that interact with MCUResultsOur research revealed high expression of MCU in the GC tissues. This high expression was associated with poorer T and N staging, and indicated a worse disease-free survival period. MCU expression was positively correlated with mitochondrial function, mitochondrial metabolism, nucleotide, amino acid, and fatty acid synthesis metabolism, and negatively correlated with nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism. Furthermore, the MCU also regulates the function of the mitochondrial oxidative respiratory chain. The MCU influences the immune cells of GC patients and regulates ROS generation, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and resistance to platinum-based drugs in gastric cancer cells.ConclusionHigh expression of MCU in GC indicates poorer clinical outcomes. The expression of the MCU are affected through impacts the function of mitochondria, energy metabolism, and cellular biosynthesis in gastric cancer cells, thereby influencing the growth and metastasis of gastric cancer cells. Therefore, the mitochondrial changes regulated by MCU could be a new focus for research and treatment of GC.