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Abstract The mechanism by which aging induces aortic aneurysm and dissection (AAD) remains unclear. A total of 430 participants were recruited for the screening of differentially expressed plasma microRNAs (miRNAs). We found that miR-1204 is significantly increased in both the plasma and aorta of elder patients with AAD and is positively correlated with age. Cell senescence induces the expression of miR-1204 through p53 interaction with plasmacytoma variant translocation 1, and miR-1204 induces vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) senescence to form a positive feedback loop. Furthermore, miR-1204 aggravates angiotensin II-induced AAD formation, and inhibition of miR-1204 attenuates β-aminopropionitrile monofumarate-induced AAD development in mice. Mechanistically, miR-1204 directly targets myosin light chain kinase (MYLK), leading to the acquisition of a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) by VSMCs and loss of their contractile phenotype. MYLK overexpression reverses miR-1204-induced VSMC senescence, SASP and contractile phenotypic changes, and the decrease of transforming growth factor-β signaling pathway. Our findings suggest that aging aggravates AAD via the miR-1204-MYLK signaling axis.

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is highly correlated with heart failure, stroke and death. Screening increases AF detection and facilitates the early adoption of comprehensive intervention. Long-term wearable devices have become increasingly popular for AF screening in primary care. However, interpreting data obtained by long-term wearable ECG devices is a problem in primary care. To diagnose the disease quickly and accurately, we aimed to build AF episode detection model based on a nonlinear Lorenz scattergram (LS) and deep learning. Methods The MIT-BIH Normal Sinus Rhythm Database, MIT-BIH Arrhythmia Database and the Long-Term AF Database were extracted to construct the MIT-BIH Ambulatory Electrocardiograph (MIT-BIH AE) dataset. We converted the long-term ECG into a two-dimensional LSs. The LSs from MIT-BIH AE dataset was randomly divided into training and internal validation sets in a 9:1 ratio, which was used to develop and internally validated model. We built a MOBILE-SCREEN-AF (MS-AF) dataset from a single-lead wearable ECG device in primary care for external validation. Performance was quantified using a confusion matrix and standard classification metrics. Results During the evaluation of model performance based on the LS, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the model in diagnosing AF were 0.992, 0.973, and 0.983 in the internal validation set respectively. In the external validation set, these metrics were 0.989, 0.956, and 0.967, respectively. Furthermore, when evaluating the model’s performance based on ECG records in the MS-AF dataset, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of model diagnosis paroxysmal AF were 1.000, 0.870 and 0.876 respectively, and 0.927, 1.000 and 0.973 for the persistent AF. Conclusions The model based on the nonlinear LS and deep learning has high accuracy, making it promising for AF screening in primary care. It has potential for generalization and practical application.

Abstract Objectives Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery pneumonectomy (U-VATS-P) is feasible and safe from a perioperative standpoint. How to choose the proper chest tube and drainage method is important in enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols. In this study, we aimed to assess the safety of one 8.5-Fr (1Fr = 0.333 mm) pigtail catheter for postoperative continuous open gravity drainage after U-VATS-P. Methods We retrospectively reviewed a single surgeon’s experience with U-VATS-P for lung cancer from May 2016 to September 2022. Patients were managed with one 8.5-Fr pigtail catheter for postoperative continuous open gravity drainage after U-VATS-P. The clinical characteristics and perioperative outcomes of the patients were retrospectively analyzed. Results In total, 77 patients had one 8.5-Fr pigtail catheter placed for postoperative continuous open gravity drainage after U-VATS-P for lung cancer. The mean age was 60.9 $$\pm$$ 7.39 (40–76) years; The mean FEV1 was 2.1 $$\pm$$ 0.6 (l/s), and the mean FEV1% was 71.2 $$\pm$$ 22.7. The median operative time was 191.38 $$\pm$$ 59.32 min; the mean operative hemorrhage was 109.46 $$\pm$$ 96.56 ml; the mean duration of postoperative chest tube drainage was 6.80 $$\pm$$ 2.33 days; the mean drainage volumes in the first three days after operation were 186.31 $$\pm$$ 50.97, 321.97 $$\pm$$ 52.03, and 216.44 $$\pm$$ 35.67 ml, respectively; and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 7.90 $$\pm$$ 2.58 days. No patient experienced complications resulting from chest tube malfunction. Ten patients experienced minor complications. One patient with nonlife-threatening empyema and bronchopleural fistula required short rehospitalization for anti-inflammatory therapy and reintubation. Three patients with chylothorax were treated with intravenous nutrition. Four patients had atrial fibrillation that was controlled by antiarrhythmic therapy. Two patients had more thoracic hemorrhagic exudation after the operation, which was found in time and was cured effectively, so they were discharged from the hospital uneventfully after early hemostatic therapy and nutritional support. Conclusions All patients in this study received early postoperative rehabilitation, and the rate of relevant complications was low. We therefore recommend a single 8.5-Fr pigtail catheter for postoperative continuous open gravity drainage as an effective, safe and reliable drainage method for the management of U-VATS-P.

Abstract Previous studies have shown that scutellarin inhibits the excessive activation of microglia, reduces neuronal apoptosis, and exerts neuroprotective effects. However, whether scutellarin regulates activated microglia-mediated neuronal apoptosis and its mechanisms remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether scutellarin can attenuate PC12 cell apoptosis induced by activated microglia via the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway. Microglia were cultured in oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) medium, which acted as a conditioning medium (CM) to activate PC12 cells, to investigate the expression of apoptosis and JAK2/STAT3 signalling-related proteins. We observed that PC12 cells apoptosis in CM was significantly increased, the expression and fluorescence intensity of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax and apoptosis-related protein cleaved caspase-3 were increased, and expression of the anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) was decreased. Phosphorylation levels and fluorescence intensity of the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway-related proteins JAK2 and STAT3 decreased. After treatment with scutellarin, PC12 cells apoptosis as well as cleaved caspase-3 and Bax protein expression and fluorescence intensity decreased. The expression and fluorescence intensity of Bcl-2, phosphorylated JAK2, and STAT3 increased. AG490, a specific inhibitor of the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway, was used. Our findings suggest that AG490 attenuates the effects of scutellarin. Our study revealed that scutellarin inhibited OGD-activated microglia-mediated PC12 cells apoptosis which was regulated via the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway.

Abstract Two-dimensional topological insulators hosting the quantum spin Hall effect have application potential in dissipationless electronics. To observe the quantum spin Hall effect at elevated temperatures, a wide band gap is indispensable to efficiently suppress bulk conduction. Yet, most candidate materials exhibit narrow or even negative band gaps. Here, via elegant control of van der Waals epitaxy, we have successfully grown monolayer ZrTe5 on a bilayer graphene/SiC substrate. The epitaxial ZrTe5 monolayer crystalizes in two allotrope isomers with different intralayer alignments of ZrTe3 prisms. Our scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy characterization unveils an intrinsic full band gap as large as 254 meV and one-dimensional edge states localized along the periphery of the ZrTe5 monolayer. First-principles calculations further confirm that the large band gap originates from strong spin−orbit coupling, and the edge states are topologically nontrivial. These findings thus provide a highly desirable material platform for the exploration of the high-temperature quantum spin Hall effect.

Abstract Topological domain structures have drawn great attention as they have potential applications in future electronic devices. As an important concept linking the quantum and classical magnetism, a magnetic Bloch point, predicted in 1960s but not observed directly so far, is a singular point around which magnetization vectors orient to nearly all directions. Here we show polar Bloch points in tensile-strained ultrathin ferroelectric PbTiO3 films, which are alternatively visualized by phase-field simulations and aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopic imaging. The phase-field simulations indicate local steady-state negative capacitance around the Bloch points. The observation of polar Bloch points and their emergent properties consequently implies novel applications in future integrated circuits and low power electronic devices.

Abstract Objective To investigate the effect of concentrated growth factor (CGF) combined with sodium hyaluronate (SH) on temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA). Methods Sixty patients with TMJOA who were diagnosed by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) between March 2020 and March 2023 at the Stomatological Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University were randomly divided into a control group (n = 30) and an experimental group (n = 30). The patients in the experimental group were treated with CGF + SH, and those in the control group were treated with SH only. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score indicating pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) area; the Helkimo Clinical Dysfunction Index (Di); and changes in condylar CBCT at the first visit and 2 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after treatment were recorded. The CBCT data of the patients in the experimental and control groups were collected, and the three-dimensional CBCT image sequences were imported into Mimics Medical 19.0 software in DICOM format for condylar reconstruction. Results The VAS scores at 2 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after treatment were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group (P

Abstract All-inorganic lead halide perovskites (LHPs) and their use in optoelectronic devices have been widely explored because they are more thermally stable than their hybrid organic‒inorganic counterparts. However, the active perovskite phases of some inorganic LHPs are metastable at room temperature due to the critical structural tolerance factor. For example, black phase CsPbI3 is easily transformed back to the nonperovskite yellow phase at ambient temperature. Much attention has been paid to improving the phase stabilities of inorganic LHPs, especially those with high solar cell efficiencies. Herein, we discussed the origin of phase stability for CsPbI3 and the strategies used to stabilize the cubic (α) phase. We also assessed the CsPbI3 black β/γ phases that are relatively stable at nearly room temperature. Furthermore, we determined the relationship between phase stabilization and defect passivation and reviewed the growing trend in solar cell efficiency based on black phase CsPbI3. Finally, we provide perspectives for future research related to the quest for optimum device efficiency and green energy.

Abstract Heparin is an important anticoagulant drug, and microbial heparin biosynthesis is a potential alternative to animal-derived heparin production. However, effectively using heparin synthesis enzymes faces challenges, especially with microbial recombinant expression of active heparan sulfate N-deacetylase/N-sulfotransferase. Here, we introduce the monosaccharide N-trifluoroacetylglucosamine into Escherichia coli K5 to facilitate sulfation modification. The Protein Repair One-Stop Service-Focused Rational Iterative Site-specific Mutagenesis (PROSS-FRISM) platform is used to enhance sulfotransferase efficiency, resulting in the engineered NST-M8 enzyme with significantly improved stability (11.32-fold) and activity (2.53-fold) compared to the wild-type N-sulfotransferase. This approach can be applied to engineering various sulfotransferases. The multienzyme cascade reaction enables the production of active heparin from bioengineered heparosan, demonstrating anti-FXa (246.09 IU/mg) and anti-FIIa (48.62 IU/mg) activities. This study offers insights into overcoming challenges in heparin synthesis and modification, paving the way for the future development of animal-free heparins using a cellular system-based semisynthetic strategy.