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This review aimed to systematically and comprehensively compare the effectiveness and applicability of reverse homodigital artery island flaps (RHAIF) and reverse dorsal homodigital island flaps (RDHIF) to treat fingertip defects. A comprehensive search was conducted in multiple databases for studies that compared RHAIF versus RDHIF for treating fingertip defects with no language restrictions from inception until July 31, 2022. A meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software. A total of 14 articles were retrieved, comprising 484 patients (509 fingers) in the RHAIF group and 453 patients (484 fingers) in the RDHIF group. The pooled estimates suggested that patients treated with RHAIF experienced more donor-side complications and less postoperative venous crisis than patients in the RDHIF group. On the other hand, no significant differences were found in operative time, flap necrosis, static 2-point discrimination, moving two-point discrimination, total active motion, satisfaction rates and sensory recovery grade (S3+ to S4) between the RHAIF and RDHIF groups. No difference in effectiveness was found between the two surgical procedures for treating fingertip defects. Accordingly, the selection of the optimal approach should be based on the functional requirements of the patient and the surgeon's expertize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua has focused extensively on its main active components, yet antioxidant peptides remained less explored. This study optimized the preparation process of antioxidant peptides from P. cyrtonema via protein hydrolysis using response surface methodology. The peptide mixture was separated into four fractions using ultrafiltration and G-25 gel chromatography, based on antioxidant capacity. Notably, the F2 exhibited significantly higher Fe3⁺ reducing power (17.17%) and ABTS· radical scavenging rate (30.1%) compared to other fractions at the same concentration. Characterization by Nano-LC-Q Exactive Plus quadrupole Orbitrap MS revealed that F2 contained 11,704 peptides, markedly more than the endogenous (2,454) and crude protein peptides (2,334). Bioinformatics and molecular docking identified three peptides—QFLPF, FVPF, and FPNLF—as having the highest antioxidant potential. These peptides increased cell viability in oxidative damage-induced HepG2 cells by 6.39%, 14.51%, and 9.98%, respectively, compared to the model group. This study lays the groundwork for future mechanistic investigations into the antioxidant peptides of P. cyrtonema. • Using Single factor and RSM for the preparation of antioxidant peptides. • Evaluate the peptides enrichment efficiency using Nano-LC-MS. • Identify the high antioxidant potential peptide sequences QFLPF, FVPF, and FPNLF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A railway operational hazard knowledge graph modelling method is developed. • A knowledge graph embedding-based hazard prediction method is proposed. • A procedure of formulating targeted hazard control measures is shown. • An application to real accident data demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed approach in predicting hazards and assisting in making accident prevention decisions. Railway operational accidents are usually caused by the domino effects of hazards. Predicting such hazards before accidents is an essential way to prevent operational accidents of railways. Various railway operational hazards constitute a heterogeneous relationship network due to their interactions. It is useful to predict hazards from such a network. In this paper, a novel knowledge graph-based hazard prediction approach is proposed, aiming to capture hazards in advance for blocking potential accident causation paths. This approach serves as a powerful supplement to classical ways of predicting railway accident information. Its originality lies in the application of knowledge graph embedding-based link prediction theory to railway operational hazard prediction, by means of a translation-based embedding method adapting to the relational features of hazards. It also provides a feasible way to construct the railway operational hazard knowledge graph. The outcomes of this approach could offer railway operators the basis of decision regarding accident prevention. An example of application to a set of real railway operational accident data in the UK is presented. The results show that this approach is effective in terms of predicting hazards and assisting in developing targeted hazard control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolomic and gut microbial responses of soil fauna to environmentally relevant concentrations of microplastics indicate the potential molecular toxicity of microplastics; however, limited data exist on these responses. In this study, earthworms (Eisenia fetida) were exposed to spherical (25–30 μm diameter) polystyrene microplastic-contaminated soil (0.02%, w:w) for 14 days. Changes in weight, survival rate, intestinal microbiota and metabolic responses of the earthworms were assessed. The results showed that polystyrene microplastics did not influence the weight, survival rate, or biodiversity of the gut microbiota, but significantly decreased the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes at the phylum level. Moreover, polystyrene microplastics disturbed the osmoregulatory metabolism of earthworms, as indicated by the significantly decreased betaine, myo-inositol and lactate, and increased 2-hexyl-5-ethyl-furan-3-sulfonic acid at the metabolic level. This study provides important insights into the molecular toxicity of environmentally relevant concentrations of polystyrene microplastics on soil fauna. [Display omitted] • Molecular toxicity of spherical polystyrene microplastics (PS MPs, 25–30 μm) was assessed. • PS MPs (0.02%, w/w) disturbed the osmoregulatory metabolism of earthworms. • PS MPs did not affect intestinal microbial biodiversity of earthworms. • PS MPs significantly decreased the abundance of Bacteroidetes of earthworms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a three-dimensional analytical model of blow-out for a shallow tunnel in sand. Upper bound theorem is adopted to deduce the analytical solutions of limit support pressure, and a dimensionless parameter called partial failure ratio is defined to describe the range of partial failure within the tunnel face. A series of numerical simulations are carried out to analyse the limit support pressure and failure zone on the limit conditions. Finally, the analytical solutions including the partial failure ratio and limit support pressure obtained by the proposed model are compared with those obtained by the numerical simulation and the existing global failure model approaches. Results show that the proposed model in this paper can not only analyze the partial failure with better accuracy, but can also consider the global failure. The proposed model has more extensive applicability in analyzing the face stability of blow-out for a shallow shield tunnel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Conventional culture method for detecting Group B streptococcus (GBS), a common pathogen of neonatal meningitis and sepsis, is time-consuming and unsensitive. Even though real-time fluorescence PCR-based molecular method is more accurate, it need special instrument and elaborate protocol. Here, we established a novel molecular method combining recombinase polymerase amplification with lateral flow strips for detecting GBS. The cAMP factor (cfb) gene is a highly specific and sensitive biomarker to identify GBS and is detectable by using 100 genomic copies as the amplification template. Clinical performance of this assay was evaluated by testing 130 samples, in comparison with culture method and real-time fluorescence PCR, and the results achieved 100% accuracy, which were the same with those of real-time fluorescence PCR, and were better than those of culture method with false-negative detection. This study provides a rapid and visual method, with clinical potential, for the detection of GBS infection of patients. Highlights • A rapid molecular method for GBS detection was developed and evaluated. • This assay has high specificity and sensitivity for diagnosing GBS, which is suitable for clinical application. • The assay can be completed within about 30 min without the need of sophisticated instruments. • This is a suitable method for use in point-of-care test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc batteries (ZBs) possess great potential in energy storage due to their advantages in safety, low-cost and resource abundance. However, the commercialization of ZBs is plagued by the lacking of suitable cathode structures (or nano-textures) and their poor cycle life. The popular cathode materials of Mn or V based oxides suffer from the high solubility and toxicity of transition metals (TMs). It is highly required to develop robust TM-free organic cathodes with design flexibility and environmental benignity. Herein, 1,4,5,8-naphthalene diimide (NDI) layered molecules are proposed as cathode candidate for ZBs, and they are characterized by sufficient interconnection of nano-particles (for continuous electron transport) into porous network (for facilitated ion filtration). It enables the achievement of reversible redox of carbonyl function groups and a stable gravimetric capacity around 200 mAh g−1. The superior cycling and rate performance (at least 5000 cycles under 3 A g−1) benefits from the electrolyte formulation. The blending of Na 2 SO 4 additive takes effect in terms of the cathode grain attenuation into ultrathin 2D nanosheets, pseudo-capacitance contribution enhancement and Zn anode smoothening. Image 1 • NDI layered molecules are proposed as cathode for aqueous zinc batteries. • NDI is characterized by interconnection of nano-particles into porous network. • Reversible redox of carbonyl groups is achieved with stable capacity of 200 mAh g−1. • Superior cyclability (5000 cycles at 3 A g−1) benefits from electrolyte formulation. • Na 2 SO 4 additive takes effect on cathode grain attenuation and Zn anode smoothening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]