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The advancement of microcomb sources, which serve as a versatile and powerful platform for various time–frequency measurements, have spurred widespread interest across disciplines. Their uses span coherent optical and microwave communications, atomic clocks, high-precision LiDARs, spectrometers, and frequency synthesizers. Recent breakthroughs in fabricating optical micro-cavities, along with the excitation and control of microcombs, have broadened their applications, bridging the gap between physical exploration and practical engineering systems. These developments pave the way for pioneering approaches in both classical and quantum information sciences. In this review article, we conduct a thorough examination of the latest strategies related to microcombs, their enhancement and functionalization schemes, and cutting-edge applications that cover signal generation, data transmission, quantum analysis, and information gathering, processing and computation. Additionally, we provide in-depth evaluations of microcomb-based methodologies tailored for a variety of applications. To conclude, we consider the current state of research and suggest a prospective roadmap that could transition microcomb technology from laboratory settings to broader real-world applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eukaryotic Argonaute proteins (eAgos) utilize short nucleic acid guides to target complementary sequences for RNA silencing, while prokaryotic Agos (pAgos) provide immunity against invading plasmids or bacteriophages. The Sir2-domain associated short pAgo (SPARSA) immune system defends against invaders by depleting NAD+ and triggering cell death. However, the molecular mechanism underlying SPARSA activation remains unknown. Here, we present cryo-EM structures of inactive monomeric, active tetrameric and active NAD+-bound tetrameric SPARSA complexes, elucidating mechanisms underlying SPARSA assembly, guide RNA preference, target ssDNA-triggered SPARSA tetramerization, and tetrameric-dependent NADase activation. Short pAgos form heterodimers with Sir2-APAZ, favoring short guide RNA with a 5′-AU from ColE-like plasmids. RNA-guided recognition of the target ssDNA triggers SPARSA tetramerization via pAgo- and Sir2-mediated interactions. The resulting tetrameric Sir2 rearrangement aligns catalytic residue H186 for NAD+ hydrolysis. These insights advance our understanding of Sir2-domain associated pAgos immune systems and should facilitate the development of a short pAgo-associated biotechnological toolbox. The prokaryotic Sir2-domain associated short pAgo (SPARSA) system defends against invading plasmids or phages. Here, the authors present the structural basis for SPARSA assembly, tetramerization-dependent activation, and its potential for SPARSA-based biotechnological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of four techniques of partial breast irradiation (PBI) including interstitial brachytherapy (ISBT), balloon-based brachytherapy (BBT), Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) in the treatment for early-stage breast cancer patients after breast-conserving surgery. A systematic search was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines using the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases. The inclusion criteria were clinical trials and observational studies that reported on outcome measures of principal PBI techniques. The methodological quality of the included research data was assessed using bias risk assessment tool with the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS), and the research information were analyzed using data analysis software. Clinical studies were collected from the earliest available date until September 2023. Fifty-one studies were included, with a total sample size of 7708. The results of network meta-analysis (NMA) showed that ISBT can lower the local recurrence (SUCRA: 73.8%). In terms of reducing distant metastasis, 3DCRT may be the best choice (SUCRA: 52.5%). And IORT has the highest 5-year overall survival (SUCRA: 90%). Furthermore, ISBT also has the advantages of lowest risk with fat necrosis (SUCRA: 72.5%), infection (SUCRA: 78.3%) and breast pain (SUCRA: 86.2%). BBT may be the optimal solution for fibrosis (SUCRA: 76.9%) and hyperpigmentation (SUCRA: 66.7%). 3DCRT has lower incidence of telangiectasia (SUCRA: 56.7%) and better cosmetic result (SUCRA: 85%). Postoperative PBI treatment using ISBT after breast-conserving surgery in patients with early-stage breast cancer may be a more valuable choice based on the treatment efficacy and is associated with fewer late side-effects. Large-scale, prospective, long-term studies are warranted to clarify the role of different PBI techniques in selected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hot-carrier transistors are a class of devices that leverage the excess kinetic energy of carriers. Unlike regular transistors, which rely on steady-state carrier transport, hot-carrier transistors modulate carriers to high-energy states, resulting in enhanced device speed and functionality. These characteristics are essential for applications that demand rapid switching and high-frequency operations, such as advanced telecommunications and cutting-edge computing technologies1–5. However, the traditional mechanisms of hot-carrier generation are either carrier injection6–11 or acceleration12,13, which limit device performance in terms of power consumption and negative differential resistance14–17. Mixed-dimensional devices, which combine bulk and low-dimensional materials, can offer different mechanisms for hot-carrier generation by leveraging the diverse potential barriers formed by energy-band combinations18–21. Here we report a hot-emitter transistor based on double mixed-dimensional graphene/germanium Schottky junctions that uses stimulated emission of heated carriers to achieve a subthreshold swing lower than 1 millivolt per decade beyond the Boltzmann limit and a negative differential resistance with a peak-to-valley current ratio greater than 100 at room temperature. Multi-valued logic with a high inverter gain and reconfigurable logic states are further demonstrated. This work reports a multifunctional hot-emitter transistor with significant potential for low-power and negative-differential-resistance applications, marking a promising advancement for the post-Moore era.A mixed-dimensional hot-emitter transistor based on mixed-dimensional graphene/germanium Schottky junctions uses stimulated emission of heated carriers, achieving an ultralow subthreshold swing and a high negative differential resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some heavy reduction technologies near the solidification end have been gradually applied to casting slabs or blooms in recent years to eliminate internal shrinkage cavities. These technologies can be roughly classified as single-pass reduction type and multi-pass reduction type. To date, the conclusions about the influence of reduction type on void closure are inconsistent. Herein, based on the simulation experiments, the influence of the reduction type on the closure of the shrinkage cavity in bloom during hot-core heavy reduction rolling (HHR2) was investigated with the physical metallurgical model and numerical simulation. HHR2 processes with single-pass type and double-pass type were designed to evaluate void closure behavior, and the total reduction amount of different reduction types was 60 mm in both cases. Results show that the single-pass reduction type of HHR2 is more beneficial to the closure of the shrinkage cavity in bloom than the double-pass reduction type. Furthermore, the difference between the two reduction types was pointed out, which mainly includes three aspects: the geometry of the deformation zone, inter-pass static recrystallization and temperature of bloom. Finally, a quantitative analysis of the effect of the three abovementioned factors on void closure was performed. The obtained results show that the geometry of the deformation zone is the main factor, which leads to different degrees of void closure in different reduction types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sparse principal component analysis (SPCA) is a popular tool for dimensionality reduction in high-dimensional data. However, there is still a lack of theoretically justified Bayesian SPCA methods that can scale well computationally. One of the major challenges in Bayesian SPCA is selecting an appropriate prior for the loadings matrix, considering that principal components are mutually orthogonal. We propose a novel parameter-expanded coordinate ascent variational inference (PX-CAVI) algorithm. This algorithm utilizes a spike and slab prior, which incorporates parameter expansion to cope with the orthogonality constraint. Besides comparing to two popular SPCA approaches, we introduce the PX-EM algorithm as an EM analogue to the PX-CAVI algorithm for comparison. Through extensive numerical simulations, we demonstrate that the PX-CAVI algorithm outperforms these SPCA approaches, showcasing its superiority in terms of performance. We study the posterior contraction rate of the variational posterior, providing a novel contribution to the existing literature. The PX-CAVI algorithm is then applied to study a lung cancer gene expression dataset. The R package VBsparsePCA with an implementation of the algorithm is available on the Comprehensive R Archive Network (CRAN). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To determine the utility of contrast-enhanced voiding urography (CeVUS) in the treatment of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) through ureterovesical reimplantation in children. Methods: A total of 159 children with recurrent urinary tract infections were selected for CeVUS and voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) from December 2018 to December 2020, among whom 78 patients were eventually diagnosed with VUR. Overall, 60 pyelo-ureteric units (PUUs) were operated according to surgical indications. Accordingly, we determined the general clinical characteristics of all children, obtained two-dimensional ultrasound images, assessed the reflux status of children using the contrast-enhanced technique, and compared the obtained results via CeVUS and VCUG. Both imaging modalities were reperformed at 6, 12, and 18 months after surgery to evaluate postoperative outcomes. In particular, we assessed the consistency of the evaluation and calculated the diagnostic efficacy of CeVUS for different levels of reflux at different time points. Results: CeVUS showed considerable efficacy in the diagnosis of children with VUR. Notably, the diagnostic results of both CeVUS and VCUG achieved high agreement, with a kappa value of 0.966 (P < 0.001). The results of our follow-up at different stages and evaluation of postoperative efficacy revealed that CeVUS possessed substantial diagnostic efficacy and good consistency with VCUG. Conclusion: CeVUS is an accurate and safe examination, with considerable clinical significance for diagnosing VUR in children, determining the treatment approach, conducting follow-up during treatment, and evaluating subsequent treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanization has significantly altered landscape environments in both urban and rural regions, and these landscapes have been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in human well-being. This study develops a coherent framework that integrates landscape change, landscape ecological indicators, and landscape preferences within the context of the evolving landscape environments of rural communities in Taiwan. Four distinct types of rural communities were selected, and a quantitative methodology was employed to investigate the variations and transformations in landscape preferences among rural residents in the context of landscape change. A qualitative methodology was employed to investigate the relationship between landscape ecological indicators and landscape preferences. The study's findings indicate significant temporal variations in residents' landscape preferences, with landscape beauty, stewardship, and coherence emerging as key determinants in the evaluation of these preferences. Landscape ecological indicators were found to be significantly correlated with variables such as landscape complexity, landscape beauty, openness, naturalness, and comprehensive landscape assessment. The findings of this study indicate that design planners, land managers, and public sector organizations can employ multidimensional thinking in the management of rural landscapes to align with the visual aesthetic preferences of rural residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How the olfactory system detects and distinguishes odorants with diverse physicochemical properties and molecular configurations remains poorly understood. Vertebrate animals perceive odours through G protein-coupled odorant receptors (ORs)1. In humans, around 400 ORs enable the sense of smell. The OR family comprises two main classes: class I ORs are tuned to carboxylic acids whereas class II ORs, which represent most of the human repertoire, respond to a wide variety of odorants2. A fundamental challenge in understanding olfaction is the inability to visualize odorant binding to ORs. Here we uncover molecular properties of odorant–OR interactions by using engineered ORs crafted using a consensus protein design strategy3. Because such consensus ORs (consORs) are derived from the 17 major subfamilies of human ORs, they provide a template for modelling individual native ORs with high sequence and structural homology. The biochemical tractability of consORs enabled the determination of four cryogenic electron microscopy structures of distinct consORs with specific ligand recognition properties. The structure of a class I consOR, consOR51, showed high structural similarity to the native human receptor OR51E2 and generated a homology model of a related member of the human OR51 family with high predictive power. Structures of three class II consORs revealed distinct modes of odorant-binding and activation mechanisms between class I and class II ORs. Thus, the structures of consORs lay the groundwork for understanding molecular recognition of odorants by the OR superfamily. Use of the consensus protein design method facilitated the generation of stable engineered mammalian odorant receptors to gain insight into the molecular properties of odorant–receptor interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Locally active memristor (LAM) can exhibit memristive and locally active properties, which is a new candidate for generating complicity and assists us for emulating synapse functionalities. This paper uses a controllable ReLU function-based LAM as a memristive synapse to build a FitzHugh–Nagumo (FHN) bi-neuron model. Theoretical analysis shows that the equilibrium point and stability of the FHN bi-neuron model depend on parameters of the ReLU function-based LAM. Afterward, coupling dynamics, i.e., coexisting behavior and phase synchronization related to model parameters and memristor initial condition, are investigated by multiple numerical tools. Finally, a PSIM-based analog circuit is implemented and circuit simulations are performed to verify the correctness of the numerical simulations and the feasibility of the FHN bi-neuron circuit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For nonlinear cyber physical systems (CPS) with additional disturbances and system constraint, a resilient self-triggered model predictive control (RST-MPC) strategy is developed, considering the impact of dual-channel deception attacks. The resilient set is first designed to strengthen the resilience of the controlled system against dual-channel deception attacks. Subsequently, the self-triggering mechanism is designed to reduce the computational and communication resource consumption while ensuring system security. Based on this, an RST-MPC algorithm is proposed. Furthermore, sufficient conditions are provided to guarantee the iterative feasibility of the RST-MPC algorithm and the closed-loop stability of the controlled system under dual-channel deception attack. Finally, the design goal of the developed algorithm is verified by the networked nonlinear system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes an integrated approach to group decision-making (GDM) by using stochastic preference analysis (SPA) and best-worst method (BWM). BWM preparation algorithm is proposed to obtain the best and worst of experts and the relative importance degree. Meanwhile, expert weights model and expert's priority vector model are proposed. Furthermore, the stochastic composite rank acceptability index, stochastic composite expected priority vector, stochastic composite expected rank and stochastic composite confidence factor are developed based on SPA to describe the ranks of alternatives based on SPA. Finally, a group stochastic preference analysis-best worst method (GSPA-BWM) algorithm is developed by analyzing the judgments space through Monte Carlo simulation. The experts can use this method to choose some of the outcomes which they find most useful to make reliable decisions. Examples and comparison analyses show that the proposed method is effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrocellulose (NC) finds widespread use in propellants and launchers. Nanoscale modification can effectively enhance its combustion performance by shortening the mass and heat transfer distance. However, it also presents greater safety challenges for storage and application. To further investigate the thermal safety characteristics of nanoscale NC, this study explores the impact of additives on nanoscale NC. Nanoscale NC was prepared via electrospinning, and the samples were characterized using focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy to examine the influence of precursor concentration and stabilizer on sample morphology, leading to the formulation determination. Samples incorporating triphenylamine and lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) were fabricated using both electrospinning and traditional mechanical mixing techniques. Following preparation, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the methyl violet test, and thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry were performed on six samples, each prepared using different methods and additives. These analyses aimed to investigate the thermal decomposition characteristics of the samples under varying heating rates. The study also compared the impact of nanoscale modification on the thermal performance of composite nitrocellulose. Various model-free methods were employed to calculate the relationship between activation energy and conversion rate and to analyze alterations in activation energy. Considering the thermal decomposition characteristic parameters, the study delved into the stabilizing effect of typical stabilizers in nanocomposite fibers. This research is instrumental in guiding preparation process optimization, promoting the application of NC-stabilizer mixtures, and providing valuable references for the preparation and thermal stability investigations of similar nanomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) seriously threatens human health and the quality of life, cognitive impairment is considered as a common complication of T2DM. Neuroimaging meta-analysis found brain functional and structural abnormality in patients with T2DM. Therefore, the purpose of the meta-analysis was to identify brain regions of patients with T2DM-related cognitive impairment (T2DM-CI) where functional and structural indicators changed together or could not synchronize. A literature screening of neuroimaging studies on cognitive impairment in T2DM was conducted from 1 January 2007 to 26 May 2023 in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Medline databases. The functional indicators we studied were amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo) and degree centrality (DC), while the structural indicator was gray matter (GM), which included gray matter volume (GMV) and cerebral cortical thickness. Studies reporting ALFF, ReHo, DC and GM abnormalities between T2DM-CI and healthy controls (HCs) were selected and their significant peak coordinates (x, y, z) and effect size (t-value) were extracted to perform a meta-analysis using anisotropic effect size sign differential mapping (AES-SDM) 5.15 software. Moreover, the brain regions with significant differences obtained from meta-analysis were saved as masks and then validated in our data. Total 19 studies and 20 datasets were involved in this study. Compared to HCs, combining ALFF, ReHo, and DC measurements, the brain activity of the left anterior cingulate/paracingulate gyri (ACC.L, BA24) in T2DM-CI patients increased significantly, while the brain activity of the left lingual gyrus (LING.L, BA18) in T2DM-CI patients decreased significantly. The GM indicator of the right superior temporal gyrus (STG.R, BA42) and left inferior occipital gyrus (IOG.L, BA19) in T2DM-CI patients decreased significantly. Meta-regression analysis showed the negative relationship between the brain activity reduction in LING.L and the percentage of female patients, as well as the negative relationship between GM reduction in IOG.L and T2DM duration. Furthermore, we validated a decrease in brain activity in the LING.L of T2DM-CI patients in our independent dataset. The decrease of brain activity in LING.L and the decrease of GM in IOG.L were closely related to visual impairment in T2DM-CI patients. These abnormal brain regions may be the main targets for future research, early intervention can delay the further development of cognitive impairment in T2DM patients and improve their quality of life, which also provided early biomarkers for clarifying the mechanism of cognitive impairment in T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to confirm the hypothesis that continuous ACB (CACB) combined with a popliteal plexus block (PPB) can improve posterior knee pain, reduce nalbuphine consumption, and shorten the length of hospital stay. Patients who underwent TKA were allocated to the CACB + sham block (SHAM) or CACB + PPB groups. The primary outcome was the maximum pain score originating from the posterior knee within 4 h after TKA. Secondary outcomes included the maximum pain score originating from the posterior and anterior knees within 72 h after TKA, range of motion on postoperative day (POD) 1–3, postoperative nalbuphine consumption within 72 h of surgery, length of hospital stay, and complications. The maximum pain score of the posterior knee was lower in the CACB + PPB group than in the CACB + SHAM group within 0–12 h after surgery. Nalbuphine consumption within 24 h after surgery was lower in the CACB + PPB group than in the CACB + SHAM group. The range of motion was better in the CACB + PPB group than in the CACB + SHAM group on POD1 and 2. The length of hospital stay was shorter in the CACB + PPB group than in the CACB + SHAM group. The incidence of clinical significant nausea and vomiting was lower in the CACB + PPB group than in the CACB + SHAM group. This study found that PPB combined with CACB could relieve pain in the posterior knee within at least 12 h after TKA, reduce nalbuphine consumption within 24 h after TKA, improve the range of motion on POD1 and 2, and shorten the length of hospital stay for patients who underwent TKA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to elucidate the mechanism by which Xihuang Pill induces pyroptosis in glioma cells via the regulation of miR-21-5p. Human glioma cell lines U-87 and LN-229 were used as experimental models to assess the effects of Xihuang Pill on glioma pyroptosis. Cells were incubated with Xihuang Pill extract at concentrations of 7.5, 15, and 30 µg/mL for 24 h, alongside transfection with miR-21-5p mimic, an overexpression vector for STAT3, or incubation with 50 µg/mL of the STAT3 activator Colivelin for 4 h. Cell viability was measured using the CCK-8 assay, apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, and expression levels of p-STAT3/STAT3 and pyroptosis-related proteins were determined by Western Blot. Additionally, cleaved caspase-1 was assessed by immunofluorescence, miR-21-5p expression by qRT-PCR, and STAT3 binding to the miR-21-5p promoter region by ChIP and dual-luciferase reporter assays. Results showed that Xihuang Pill significantly reduced cell viability, increased apoptosis, and upregulated the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins such as NLRP3, IL-1β, cleaved caspase-1, and GSDMD-N, while reducing p-STAT3/STAT3 and miR-21-5p levels (P < 0.05). Xihuang Pill inhibited STAT3 activation, which modulated miR-21-5p expression by binding to its promoter region. Co-transfection with miR-21-5p mimic reversed the effect of Xihuang Pill on glioma pyroptosis (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Xihuang Pill promotes glioma cell pyroptosis through the STAT3/miR-21-5p pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the big data era, mode division multiplexing, as a technology for extended channel capacity, demonstrates potential in enhancing parallel data processing capability. Consequently, developing a compact, high-performance mode converter through efficient design methods is an urgent requirement. However, traditional design methodologies for these converters face significant computational complexities and inefficiencies. Addressing this challenge, this paper introduces a novel topology optimization design method for mode converters employing a Dynamic Adjustment of Update Rate (DAUR). This approach markedly reduces computational overhead, accelerating the design process while ensuring high performance and compactness. As a proof-of-concept, an ultra-compact dual-mode converter was designed. The DAUR method demonstrated an 80% reduction in computational time compared to traditional methods, while maintaining a compact design (only 1.4 μm × 1.4 μm) and an insertion loss under 0.68 dB across a wavelength range of 1525 nm to 1575 nm. Meanwhile, simulated inter-mode crosstalk remained below − 24 dB across a 40 nm bandwidth. A comprehensive comparison with traditional inverse design algorithms is presented, demonstrating our method's superior efficiency and effectiveness. Our findings suggest that DAUR not only streamlines the design process but also facilitates exploration into more complex micro-nano photonic structures with reduced resource investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Questionnaires completed by 589 college students were used to investigate the impact of the risk perception of the COVID-19 pandemic on college students' subjective well-being. The goal was to explore the relationship between college students' risk perception and subjective well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as to analyze the mediating role of emotional regulation and the moderating effect of parenting style. The results showed the following: First, significant negative correlations were found between risk perception and subjective well-being, as well as between the risk perception of the COVID-19 pandemic and emotional regulation. Emotional regulation was significantly positively correlated with subjective well-being. Second, emotional regulation played a mediating role between risk perception and subjective well-being. Third, a positive parenting style played a positive moderating role between risk perception and subjective well-being. We thus concluded that COVID-19 risk perception directly reduces subjective well-being and indirectly affects subjective well-being through emotional regulation. A positive parenting style reduces the negative impact of the risk perception of the COVID-19 pandemic on subjective well-being. This study provides guidance on how to improve college students' well-being during major public health events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing global interest in preventing and controlling fires in high-rise buildings reflects the increasing significance of this issue today. This research aims to establish an early warning framework for fire risk in high-rise buildings. Firstly, considering the importance of a scientific indicator system for the application of the model, this study combines the event analysis method with the building design fire code to identify 11 key risk factors that have a far-reaching impact on the prevention of fires in high-rise buildings. Based on identifying the risk factors, a high-rise building fire risk warning tree is also established, which scientifically solves the problem of the indicator system of the warning object. Subsequently, in response to the various complex issues arising from the uncertainty of fire occurrence in high-rise buildings, this study adopts the unascertained method to model the fire risk of high-rise buildings for early warning. In addition, the developed methodology was empirically validated through case studies and analyses of empirical data on fire risks in nine representative high-rise buildings. The results of the unascertained method were also compared with the results of the K-means method, from which it was concluded that the unascertained method can predict building fires more accurately. The research results provide a reliable decision support system for fire disaster prevention and control in high-rise buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To discuss the application value of Case-based Learning (CBL) combined with Bridge-In, Objective, Pre-assessment, Participatory Learning, Post-assessment, and Summary (BOPPPS) model into master students' program of oral and maxillofacial surgery. 38 master's students in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Y2 and Y3 from January 2022 to December 2022 are selected as the research objects. They are randomly assigned into two learning groups, namely the traditional LBL (Learn-based Learning) (19 participants) and CBL combined with BOPPPS mode (19 participants). Their theoretical knowledge was assessed after training and the modified Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX) scale was used to score their clinical thinking. At the same time, the Personal Teaching Efficiency and the Teachers' Sense of Teaching Efficiency (TSTE) were evaluated, and students' satisfaction with teaching outcomes was investigated. The basic theoretical knowledge, clinical case analysis and total scores of the experimental group were better than those of the control group, with statistically significant difference (P <0.05). Based on the evaluation of clinical speculative thinking by the modified Mini-CEX, it is found that except for the medical history writing level without statistically significant difference (P >0.05), the other four items and total scores in the experimental group were better than those in the control group, with statistically significant difference (P <0.05).The Personal Teaching Efficiency, TSTE and total scores were higher than those before adopting CBL combined with BOPPPS teaching mode, with statistically significant difference (P <0.05).The sampled master's students in experimental group believed that the new teaching method could improve students' ability to clinical speculative thinking, with statistically significant difference in all aspects (P <0.05).More participants in the experimental group suggested that the new teaching mode has increased learning pressure, but without statistically significant difference (P >0.05). CBL combined with BOPPPS teaching method can improve students' clinical critical thinking ability and help them adapt to the clinical rhythm. It is an effective measure to ensure teaching quality and is worthy of promotion. It is worthwhile to promote the application of CBL combined with BOPPPS mode into master's course of oral and maxillofacial surgery, which not only improve the basic theoretical knowledge and speculative thinking ability of master's students, but also improve the teaching efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CDK4/6 inhibition in combination with endocrine therapy is the standard of care for estrogen receptor (ER+) breast cancer, and although cytostasis is frequently observed, new treatment strategies that enhance efficacy are required. Here, we perform two independent genome-wide CRISPR screens to identify genetic determinants of CDK4/6 and endocrine therapy sensitivity. Genes involved in oxidative stress and ferroptosis modulate sensitivity, with GPX4 as the top sensitiser in both screens. Depletion or inhibition of GPX4 increases sensitivity to palbociclib and giredestrant, and their combination, in ER+ breast cancer models, with GPX4 null xenografts being highly sensitive to palbociclib. GPX4 perturbation additionally sensitises triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) models to palbociclib. Palbociclib and giredestrant induced oxidative stress and disordered lipid metabolism, leading to a ferroptosis-sensitive state. Lipid peroxidation is promoted by a peroxisome AGPAT3-dependent pathway in ER+ breast cancer models, rather than the classical ACSL4 pathway. Our data demonstrate that CDK4/6 and ER inhibition creates vulnerability to ferroptosis induction, that could be exploited through combination with GPX4 inhibitors, to enhance sensitivity to the current therapies in breast cancer.While CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) have improved outcomes for breast cancer patients, estrogen receptor (ER +) breast cancers often develop resistance, and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) show poor sensitivity. Here, the authors identify a vulnerability of CDK4/6i treated ER+ and TNBC on ferroptosis and identify the combination of CDK4/6i and GPX4 inhibition as synergistic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional approaches to the human cochlear nerve have been impeded by its bony encasement deep inside the skull base. We present an innovative, minimally invasive, therapeutic pathway for direct access to the nerve to deliver novel regenerative therapies. Neuroanatomical studies on 10 cadaveric human temporal bones were undertaken to identify a potentially safe therapeutic pathway to the cochlear nerve. Simulations based on three-dimensional delineation of anatomical structures obtained from synchrotron phase-contrast imaging were analyzed. This enabled the identification of an approach to the nerve in the fundus of the internal auditory meatus by trephining the medial modiolar wall of the cochlea via the round window for a median depth of 1.48 mm (range 1.21–1.91 mm). The anatomical access was validated on 9 additional human temporal bones using radio-opaque markers and contrast injection with micro-computed tomography surveillance. We thus created an effective conduit for the delivery of therapeutic agents to the cochlear nerve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organometal halide perovskite (OHP) composites are flexible and easy to synthesize, making them ideal for ambient mechanical energy harvesting. Yet, the output current density from the piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) remains orders of magnitude lower than their ceramic counterparts. In prior composites, high permittivity nanoparticles enhance the dielectric constant (ϵr) but reduce the dielectric strength (Eb). This guides our design: increase the dielectric constant by the high ϵr nanoparticle while enhancing the Eb by optimizing the perovskite structure. Therefore, we chemically functionalize the nanoparticles to suppress their electrically triggered ion migration for an improved piezoelectric response. The polystyrene functionalizes with FAPbBr2I enlarges the grains, homogenizes the halide ions, and maintains their structural integrity inside a polymer. Consequently, the PENG produces a current density of 2.6 µAcm−2N−1. The intercalated electrodes boost the current density to 25 µAcm−2N−1, an order of magnitude enhancement for OHP composites, and higher than ceramic composites. By functionalizing polystyrene with perovskite FAPbBr2I, both the dielectric constant and dielectric strength are controlled, leading to energy-dense composite films for piezoelectric nanogenerators with normalized current density of 25 µA.cm−2 N−1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world, with a poor prognosis. HOXC is a family of transcription factors that are up-regulated in gastric cancer tissues. However, the relationship between Homeobox C12 (HOXC12) and gastric cancer is still unclear. Methods: TCGA-STAD and HPA data were analyzed to explore HOXC12 level. Kaplan–Meier Plotter was used to analyze the relationship between HOXC12 level and the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. The HOXC12 was knocked down or overexpressed by shRNA or overexpression vector to explore its functions. Cell migration/invasion assays and wound healing assay were used to assess the invasion/migration ability of gastric cancer cells. Western blot and qPCR were used to detect gene expression and the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to detect the active region bound by HOXC12 in the promoter of Spalt-like transcription factor 4 (SALL4). Results: HOXC12 was highly expressed in gastric cancer and was positively correlated with the poor prognosis of gastric cancer patients. HOXC12 promotes the invasion and migration of gastric cancer cells via Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. HOXC12 upregulated the transcription of SALL4 by binding to its promoter. HOXC12 was negatively correlated with both the levels of CD8+ T cells and T cell cytotoxicity-related genes. Conclusion: HOXC12 promotes the invasion/migration of gastric cancer cells via SALL4/Wnt/β-catenin axis, and is negatively correlated with the infiltration of CD8+ T cells, suggesting HOXC12 as a diagnostic marker and a potential therapeutic target for gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The self-consistent field theory (SCFT) was employed to numerically study the interaction and interpenetration between two opposing weak polyelectrolyte (PE) brushes formed by grafting weak PE chains onto the surfaces of two long and parallel columns with rectangular-shaped cross-section immersed in a salty aqueous solution. The dependences of the brush heights and the average degree of ionization on various system parameters were also investigated. When the brush separation is relatively large compared with the unperturbed brush height, the degree of interpenetration between the two opposing PE brushes was found to increase with increasing grafting density and bulk degree of ionization. The degree of interpenetration also increases with the bulk salt concentration in the osmotic brush regime. Numerical results further revealed that, at a brush separation comparable to the unperturbed brush height, the degree of interpenetration does not increase further with increasing bulk degree of ionization, bulk salt concentration in the osmotic regime and grafting density. The saturation of the degree of interpenetration with these system parameters indicates that the grafted PE chains in the gap between the two columns retract and tilt in order to reduce the unfavorable electrostatic and steric repulsions between the two opposing PE brushes. Based on salt ion concentrations at the midpoint between the two opposing brushes, a quantitative criterion in terms of the unperturbed brush height and Debye screening length was established to determine the threshold value of the brush separation beyond which they are truly independent from each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing numerical methods for modeling slurry infiltration often employ a fluid continuity equation commonly used in groundwater flow analysis. However, it is essential to account for the changes in fluid density and viscosity due to shifts in slurry concentration. In view of this, a multi-field numerical model is developed to simulate the slurry infiltration in saturated soil considering the coupling relationship between particle transportation, fluid seepage, and soil deformation. The governing equations of slurry infiltration are derived based on the mass conservation law. The permeability coefficient is modified through spatiotemporal variation of slurry viscosity, which is governed by concentration modifications. The calculated results are validated using the existing test data, which rectifies the issue of non-conservation of mass in the existing model based on the continuity condition of the liquid phase. Finally, the method is applied to a model of a slurry trench to simulate the process of slurry infiltration, including the spatiotemporal variation of deposition, fluid pressure, and concentration. The time of mud cake formation is determined based on the pressure–time distribution. It is found that the time of mud cake formation in the slurry trench can be shortened by increasing the slurry concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometrial cancer is a malignant tumor that commonly occurs in the female reproductive system and its incidence is still increasing. The mechanism of the development of endometrial cancer has not yet been fully clarified, so we need to continuously study the relevant mechanisms of endometrial cancer and continue to explore its biomarkers in order to discover more precise and effective treatment methods for endometrial cancer. RT-qPCR (Real-Time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction) experiments were used to detect the expression level of MMP23B (Matrix Metalloproteinase 23B) in endometrial cancer cells; the clinical data of the TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) database were downloaded, and gene expression profiles were analyzed to investigate the correlation between MMP23B (Matrix Metalloproteinase 23B) and the survival prognosis of endometrial cancer, and functional enrichment analysis was performed on MMP23B (Matrix Metalloproteinase 23B) related genes. After silencing MMP23B (Matrix Metalloproteinase 23B), CCK8 (Cell Counting Kit-8), RT-qPCR (Real-Time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction), scratch assay, and transwell assay were used to detect cell viability, levels of apoptotic factors, migration rate, and invasion number of endometrial cancer, respectively. MMP23B (Matrix Metalloproteinase 23B) was highly expressed in endometrial cancer, which is closely related to a poor survival prognosis for endometrial cancer, and may act on endometrial cancer through apoptosis-related functions. The downregulation of MMP23B (Matrix Metalloproteinase 23B) reduced the cell viability of endometrial cancer cells, upregulated the expression levels of CASP3 (Caspase-3), CASP8 (Caspase-8) and CASP9 (Caspase-9) in cells, and inhibited cell migration and invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: Fluorescence in situ hybridization with frozen sections of root tips showed difference of chromosome territories distribution between autosome and sex-chromosome homologous pairs in Populus trichocarpa. The spatial organization of chromatin within the interphase nucleus and the interactions between chromosome territories (CTs) are essential for various biologic processes. Three-dimensional fluorescence in situ hybridization (3D-FISH) is a powerful tool for analyzing CTs, but its application in plants is limited. In this study, we established a 3D-FISH technique using frozen sections of Populus trichocarpa root tips, which was an improvement over the use of paraffin sections and enabled us to acquire good FISH signals. Using chromosome-specific oligo probes, we were able to analyze CTs in interphase nuclei in three dimensions. The distribution of chromosome pairs 17 and 19 in the 3D-preserved nuclei of P. trichocarpa root tip cells were analyzed and showed that the autosome pair 17 associated more often than sex chromosome 19. This research lays a foundation for further study of the spatial position of chromosomes in the nucleus and the relationship between gene expression and spatial localization of chromosomes in poplar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is essential for meeting the stringent real-time demands encountered in actual production scenarios. Employing the low computational complexity of recursive algorithms, some new schemes are developed for the parameter estimation of a class of time-varying systems. The temporal evolution of parameters is characterized through the autoregressive process, facilitating the construction of the identification model with regard to the autoregressive coefficients. Based on the computational efficiency of the gradient search, a parametric autoregression-based stochastic gradient algorithm is derived with an appropriate step size, achieving a compromise between the steepest descent and convergence rate. In order to address the limitation of the low estimation accuracy in gradient algorithms, a parametric autoregression-based multi-innovation stochastic gradient algorithm is explored by making use of the favorable information for corrections. The simulation results are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms. Therefore, for a class of time-varying systems whose parameters become the further insight through the autoregressive process, the proposed gradient methods can obtain the parameter estimates faster and more accurately while ensuring the real-time performance of time-varying systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a fuzzy intermittent control issue for nonlinear PDE-ODE coupled system under spatially point measurements (SPMs), which can be represented by an ordinary differential equation (ODE) and a partial differential equation (PDE). Firstly, the nonlinear coupled system is aptly characterized by the Takagi–Sugeno (T–S) fuzzy PDE-ODE coupled model. Subsequently, based on T–S fuzzy model, a novel Lyapunov function (LF) is provided to design a fuzzy intermittent controller ensuring exponential stability of the closed-loop coupled system. The stabilization conditions are presented by means of a group of space-dependent linear matrix inequalities (SDLMIs). Finally, simulation results are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed design method in the control of a hypersonic rocket car (HRC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an effective tool to show the fuzziness of qualitative information, the probabilistic hesitant fuzzy set (PHFS) can utilize a group of membership degrees with a clear probability distribution to show the opinions of decision-maker (DM). Given this merit, many probabilistic hesitant fuzzy multi-criteria group decision-making (PHF-MCGDM) methods have been designed. However, most of the existing PHF-MCGDM methods have some limitations, including the difficulty of reflecting DMs' ambiguous and hesitant preferences for criteria weights and the inability to comprehensively show the impacts of DMs' irrational behaviors. To address these limitations, this paper develops a novel PHF-MCGDM method that integrates the defining interrelationships between ranked criteria (DIBR) approach and tri-reference point (TRP) theory. First, the PHF-DIBR approach is constructed to determine criteria weights by fully expressing DMs' ambiguous and hesitant preferences for the importance of criteria. Second, the novel probabilistic hesitant fuzzy correlation coefficient (NPHFCC) is developed for deriving the weights of DMs, which remedies the flaws of the existing correlation coefficients (CC). Moreover, TRP theory is used to describe the psychological behavior effects of DMs and derive the order of alternatives. Finally, the applicability of the proposed method is validated by the case about office flooring material selection, while the sensitivity and comparison analyses are also conducted to further prove its advantages and effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unsupervised domain-adaptive person re-identification is challenging and has received much attention in recent years. Some previous works generate pseudo-labels by clustering algorithms to further optimize the model. But pseudo-labels inevitably contain noise due to the domain shift and the imperfection of the clustering methods. This article attempts to solve this problem by proposing two solutions: cross-supervision and distribution consistent label refinement (DCLR) schemes. For the former, we use labeled multi-source domain data to enhance the complementarity of different branches in the network and then exchange pseudo-labels for suppressing the negative effects of noise. For the latter, the proposed DCLR enlarges the pairwise distance of different identity features in a coarse cluster and then uses density peaks clustering technology to refine. This directly improves the quality of pseudo-labels. In addition, we design an adaptation learning-based memory bank to improve the consistency of attributes across domains and reduce the domain shift. This study also proposes the lighten similarity network fusion for person re-identification tasks to fuse the query results of multiple branches in the network. Extensive experiments demonstrate the superiority of our method on multiple person re-identification datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fat mass index (FMI) is a body composition indicator that reflects body fat content. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is widely performed in patients with obesity. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the value of the FMI in predicting weight loss effect and quality of life early after LSG. Material and Methods: From January 2014 to July 2022, the clinical data and computed tomography (CT) images of patients who underwent LSG at a tertiary referral teaching hospital were analyzed. Body composition indicators were calculated using the SliceOmatic software. Achieving initial body mass index within 6 months postoperatively was defined as early eligible weight loss (EEWL). The relationship between body composition and EEWL was analyzed. Results: A total of 243 patients were included. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the predictive value of the FMI for EEWL in patients after LSG was higher than that of other indicators (all P < 0.05; area under the curve = 0.813). The best FMI cut-off point was 13.662. Accordingly, the patients were divided into the high-FMI group and low-FMI group. The %EWL and BMI of patients in the low-FMI group at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 months after surgery were better than those in the high-FMI group (all P < 0.001). Patients in the low-FMI group had higher BAROS (Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System) scores than those in the high-FMI group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Compared with other body composition indicators, FMI can effectively predict the early effect of weight loss and quality of life after LSG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design and experimental analysis of a semi-cylindrical structure known as the cylindrical beetle elytron plate (CBEP) were presented. Radial compression tests and finite element simulation were performed on CBEPs under 30° and 45° inclined sliding support constraints, with a comparison made to cylindrical honeycomb plate (CHP). The study aims to investigate the superior compression performance and enhancement mechanisms of CBEPs. The results demonstrate that CBEPs exhibit a 14%–26% increase in specific load-bearing capacity and a 20% increase in specific energy absorption compared with CHPs with equal core wall thickness. Distinct "Z-shaped" tearing failures were observed, with honeycomb plates showing tearing at the center of the honeycomb walls, while beetle elytron plates exhibited tearing along the midline of the trabeculae. Three different stress patterns, including elastic-plastic development stage of arch, plastic hinge node stage, and rigid node stage, were identified and analyzed to explain the mechanical performance improvements and failure characteristics. Considering that structural damage to trabeculae mostly occurs at its junction with the skin, it is recommended to add chamfers to the junctions of CBEP. Therefore, this paper lays the groundwork for the engineering application of CBEP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The burgeoning practice of unauthorized acquisition and utilization of personal textual data (e.g., social media comments and search histories) by certain entities has become a discernible trend. To uphold data protection regulations such as the Asia–Pacific Privacy Initiative (APPI) and to identify instances of unpermitted exploitation of personal data, we propose a novel and efficient audit framework that helps users conduct cognitive analysis to determine if their textual data was used for data augmentation. and training a discriminative model. In particular, we focus on auditing models that use BERT as the backbone for discriminating text and are at the core of popular online services. We first propose an accumulated discrepancy score, which involves not only the response of the target model to the auditing sample but also the responses between pre-trained and finetuned models, to identify membership. We implement two types of audit methods (i.e., sample-level and user-level) according to our framework and conduct comprehensive experiments on two downstream applications to evaluate the performance. The experimental results demonstrate that our sample-level auditing achieves an AUC of 89.7% and an accuracy of 83%, whereas the user-level method can audit membership with an AUC of 89.7% and an accuracy of 88%. Additionally, we undertake an analysis of how augmentation methods impact auditing performance and expound upon the underlying reasons for these observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Highly complex tumor microenvironment makes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as one of the most malignant tumors worldwide. The role of cellular senescence in HCC has been gradually recognized. The present study aimed to comprehensively elucidate the senescence-related features of HCC in single-cell and spatial dimension. Methods: Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) data was used to clarify the heterogeneity of senescence-related genes (SRGs) among multiple cell types within HCC. Spatial transcriptome RNA sequencing (stRNA-Seq) data was used for depicting SRGs features in spatial dimension. A prognostic model based on SRGs was constructed by using of bulk sequencing (bulk-Seq) data of HCC. The cell-cell interaction of senescent endothelial cells (ECs) in tumor microenvironment was analyzed. Then, the role of senescent ECs was verified through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Results: The level of senescence demonstrated substantial heterogeneity among different cell types within tumor microenvironment of HCC, where ECs exhibited the most prominent senescent phenotype. Senescent ECs activated specific regulatory pathways through communicating with other cell types, with a potential impact on tumor progression. Spatial analysis revealed senescent ECs mainly located in the core region of HCC. The interaction of senescent ECs and immune cells implicated their role in tumor progression and immunotherapeutic response. In addition, CDKN2A was identified as an independent risk factor for HCC prognosis by constructing a prognostic model. Patients with high risk displayed an even worse outcome. The experimental verification indicated senescence of ECs determined by CDKN2A exhibited a secretory phenotype. Furthermore, senescent ECs with CDKN2A overexpression promote the proliferation and migration of HCC. Conclusion: The present study recognizes the critical effect of senescent ECs defined by CDKN2A in the promotion of tumor progression, which sheds new light on the investigation of ECs senescence in HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our recent paper, we reported the development and application of the aerosol injection technique to accelerate the consolidation in soft soils. Aerosol injection technique is a process that involves injecting air under high pressure into soft soil to create a network of fractures, which gives rise to enhanced permeability. In this paper, we present an experimental study on the permeability of soft soil specimens with pre-made fractures in a triaxial device. Some emphasis is given to the variation of permeability with time. Some major influence factors are considered, e.g. the fracture roughness, confining pressure, pre-consolidation pressure, soil structure and mineral composition. The decrease in permeability with time is mainly due to the self-healing mechanism in soft soils, which is dictated by the soil deformation and migration of fines driven by the confining pressure and hydraulic gradient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amphibians face the threat of decline and extinction, and their health is crucially affected by the microbiota. Their health and ecological adaptability essentially depend on the diverse microbial communities that are shaped by unique host traits and environmental factors. However, there is still limited research on this topic. In this study, cutaneous (C) and gut (G) microbiota in Rana amurensis (A) and R. dybowskii (D) was analyzed through 16S amplicon sequencing. Groups AC and DC significantly differed in alpha diversity, while the gut groups (AG and DG) showed no such differences. Analyses of Bray–Curtis dissimilarity matrix and unweighted UniFrac distances showed significant differences in cutaneous microbiota between groups AC and DC, but not between groups AG and DG. Stochastic processes significantly influenced the assembly of cutaneous and gut microbiota in amphibians, with a notably higher species dispersal rate in the gut. The predominant phyla in the skin of R. amurensis and R. dybowskii were Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria, respectively, with significant variations in Bacteroidota. Contrarily, the gut microbiota of both species was dominated by Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes, without significant phylum-level differences. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis identified distinct microbial enrichment in each group. Predictive analysis using phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states 2 (PICRUSt2) revealed the significant functional pathways associated with the microbiota, which indicates their potential roles in immune system function, development, regeneration, and response to infectious diseases. This research underscores the critical impact of both host and environmental factors in shaping amphibian microbial ecosystems and emphasizes the need for further studies to explore these complex interactions for conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental pollution and global warming caused by fossil fuels have become increasingly serious issues. Therefore, it is urgent to explore novel strategies to obtain sustainable, renewable and clean energy. Fortunately, ambient energy harvesting technologies, which are receiving increasing attention, provide an optimal solution. Additionally, the investigation of two-dimensional (2D) materials represented by transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) significantly facilitates the advancement of ambient energy harvesting technologies due to their unique properties, enabling the application of ambient energy harvesting. Herein, we summarized recent advances in the application of TMDs in thermal energy harvesting, osmotic energy harvesting, mechanical energy harvesting, water energy harvesting and radiofrequency energy harvesting respectively. In the meanwhile, we listed some representative structure and device optimization strategies for enhancing the energy conversion performance of these ambient energy harvesters, aiming to provide valuable insights for future investigations towards further optimization. Finally, we highlight the pressing issues currently faced in the application of the TMDs ambient energy harvesting technologies and propose some potential solutions to these challenges. We aimed to provide a comprehensive review in the applications of the energy harvesting technologies, in order to provide innovative insights for optimizing existing TMDs-based technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exosomes are a kind of nanoscale membrane vesicles that can be secreted by many types of cells in both normal and pathological states and play a very important role in intercellular information exchange and transmission by transporting proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and other biologically active substances to act on the receptor cells. Recent studies have shown that exosomes from some plants, animals, microorganisms, and other food sources can also be extracted like the structure of exosomes secreted by mammalian cells, which are named food-derived exosomes (FDEs) and can be absorbed by intestinal cells and further transported to other organs through blood circulation. With the advantages of high biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, low toxicity, high cargo capacity, and the ability to cross biological barriers, FDEs can be involved in a variety of applications such as immune response, cell migration, and tumor invasion, and have attracted a lot of attention as biotherapeutic agents and drug delivery carriers in the treatment of human diseases. This article reviews the classification, preparation characterization, physiological processes in the human body, biological functions, and application prospects of FDEs. It aims to provide a reference for the research and application of FDEs in disease treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A silica-supported copolymer loaded with bis (2-ethylhexyl) phosphate was prepared and first investigated for the separation of trace radium from natural 232Th. Results showed that the adsorbent was prepared successfully with ultrahigh selectivity and ultrafast adsorption kinetics towards thorium, making the separation easy and convenient. The chemical recovery rate to radium reached 96.7%, and the decontamination factor to thorium exceeded 105. Generally, this work demonstrated the feasibility of using this material and method to directly separate 228Ra and 224Ra from 232Th, rendering it significant in the future preparation and application of 212Pb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to evaluate the short-term efficacy for locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC) who accepted laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) after neoadjuvant SOX versus SOX plus immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Methods: LAGC patients who accepted LG after neoadjuvant SOX (SOX-LG, n = 169) and SOX plus ICIs (SOX + ICIs-LG, n = 140) in three medical centers between Jan 2020 and Mar 2024 were analyzed. We compared the tumor regression, treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs), perioperative safety between two groups, and explored the risk factors of postoperative complications (POCs) for LG after neoadjuvant therapy. Results: The baseline characteristics were comparable between two groups (P > 0.05). SOX + ICIs-LG group acquired a higher proportion of objective response (63.6% vs. 46.7%, P = 0.003), major pathological response (43.6% vs. 31.4%, P = 0.001), and pathological complete response (17.9% vs. 9.5%, P = 0.030). There were no significant differences in the TRAEs rates, operation time, R0 resection, retrieved lymph nodes, postoperative first flatus, and hospitalized days, overall and severe POCs between two groups (P > 0.05). Patients in the SOX-ICIs-LG group had lower estimated blood loss (EBL) compared with SOX-LG (P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that more EBL (P = 0.003) and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) < 40 (P = 0.005) were independent risk factors of POCs for LG after neoadjuvant therapy. Conclusion: Neoadjuvant SOX plus ICIs brings better tumor regression and similar TRAEs compared with SOX alone for LAGC. SOX + ICIs-LG is safe and feasible to conduct with less EBL. Surgeons should focus on the perioperative management to control POCs for patients with PNI < 40 and more EBL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early diagnosis of kidney disease remains an unmet clinical challenge, preventing timely and effective intervention. Diabetes and hypertension are two main causes of kidney disease, can often appear together, and can only be distinguished by invasive biopsy. In this study, we developed a modelling approach to simulate blood velocity, volumetric flow rate, and pressure wave propagation in arterial networks of ageing, diabetic, and hypertensive virtual populations. The model was validated by comparing our predictions for pressure, volumetric flow rate and waveform-derived indexes with in vivo data on ageing populations from the literature. The model simulated the effects of kidney disease, and was calibrated to align quantitatively with in vivo data on diabetic and hypertensive nephropathy from the literature. Our study identified some potential biomarkers extracted from renal blood flow rate and flow pulsatility. For typical patient age groups, resistive index values were 0.69 (SD 0.05) and 0.74 (SD 0.02) in the early and severe stages of diabetic nephropathy, respectively. Similar trends were observed in the same stages of hypertensive nephropathy, with a range from 0.65 (SD 0.07) to 0.73 (SD 0.05), respectively. Mean renal blood flow rate through a single diseased kidney ranged from 329 (SD 40, early) to 317 (SD 38, severe) ml/min in diabetic nephropathy and 443 (SD 54, early) to 388 (SD 47, severe) ml/min in hypertensive nephropathy, showing potential as a biomarker for early diagnosis of kidney disease. This modelling approach demonstrated its potential application in informing biomarker identification and facilitating the setup of clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficacy and safety of venetoclax in newly diagnosed pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are not well-established as they are in adults. Children newly diagnosed with AML were recommended for induction therapy with venetoclax and chemotherapy or hypomethylating agents (HMAs) as per for the ChiCTR1900027146 trial. Venetoclax was administered at a consistent dose of 200 mg/m2/day for 28 days, with adjustments when used concurrently with azoles. The study measured both the remission rates and the safety assessments of venetoclax. We enrolled 45 newly diagnosed pediatric patients with AML. The complete remission rates were 94.7% in the low/middle-risk group and 80.8% in the high-risk group; MRD-negative rates were 52.6% and 38.5% in the low/middle-risk group and high-risk group, respectively. Venetoclax based combination therapy was well tolerated by the majority of patients. The median duration of venetoclax dosing was 18 days (range 9–28), with hematological toxicity and infection being the most common adverse events. Venetoclax-based induction regimens demonstrated a high response rate and safety profile in newly diagnosed pediatric AML cases. This underscores the significance of venetoclax as a viable treatment option for untreated AML, extending beyond its role as salvage therapy for refractory/relapsed AML. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To identify lymphatic vascular space invasion (LVSI) and lymphatic node metastasis (LNM) status of endometrial cancer (EC) patients, using radiomics based on MRI images. Methods: Five hundred and ninety-eight EC patients between January 2015 and September 2020 from two institutions were retrospectively included. Tumoral regions on DWI, T1CE, and T2W images were manually outlined. Radiomics features were extracted from tumor region and peri-tumor region of different thicknesses. We established sub-models to select features from each smaller category. Using this method, we separately constructed radiomic signatures for intra-tumoral and peri-tumoral images using different sequences. We constructed intra-tumoral and peri-tumoral models by combining their features, and a multi-sequence model by combining logits. Models were trained with 397 patients and validated with 170 internal and 31 external patients. Results: For LVSI positive/LNM positive status identification, the multi-parameter MRI radiomics model achieved the area under curve (AUC) values of 0.771 (95%CI: [0.692–0.849])/0.801 (95%CI: [0.704, 0.898]) and 0.864 (95%CI: [0.728–1.000])/0.976 (95%CI: [0.919, 1.000]) in internal and external test cohorts, respectively. Conclusions: Intra-tumoral and peri-tumoral radiomics signatures based on mpMRI can both be used to identify LVSI or LNM status in EC patients non-invasively. Further studies on LVSI and LNM should pay attention to both of them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sandstones exhibit a complex, stress-dependent behavior characterized by nonlinearity and inelasticity. This study delves into the mechanical properties of sandstone through two distinct triaxial compression experiments: monotonic and cyclic tests, under confining pressures ranging from 0 to 20 MPa. Based on plastic strain analysis, two stress-dilatancy models were developed to describe nonlinear plastic dilatation behaviors. The introduction of the "plastic dilatancy line" concept, derived from comparing plastic dilatancy stresses with crack damage strengths, marks a significant advancement in understanding sandstone's inelastic models. It was found that the plastic flow directions are not perpendicular to the yield surfaces marked by the characteristic strengths. This indicated that the non-associated flow rule is suitable to describe the macroscopic plastic deformations of sandstone. Furthermore, it was identified confining pressure as the dominant influence on sandstone failure, with cyclic loading modes playing a secondary role. An increase in confining pressure shifts the macroscopic failure modes from splitting-tension to mixed shear-tension, and ultimately to shear failure. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analyses indicated that loading–unloading (L–U) cycles induce more significant mineral grain fragmentation compared to monotonic testing, thereby markedly decreasing sandstone's failure strength due to accumulated damage from grain-crushing. Additionally, the dip angles of dominant fractures in samples subjected to cyclic tests are typically smaller than that in monotonic tests. This investigation not only sheds light on the complex mechanical behaviors of sandstones but also provides a vital theoretical and practical framework for future research in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]