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Abstract A solar home system (SHS), containing three independent parts, namely a load voltage dc–dc converter, an energy storage device (ESD) charger, and an ESD equalizer, will become bulky and costly. Thus, based on Cuk converter, an integrated charging equalizing converter (ICEC) is proposed. The ICEC can achieve load voltage converting, battery/supercapacitor (SC) charging, and equalizing simultaneously. The idea of the ICEC is using a voltage multiplier (VM) to replace the capacitor in Cuk convertor, and then reusing the VM as a charging equalizer. When the Cuk converter is operating, the voltage ripple generated on the VM, which can be regarded as an ac voltage source, is utilized to drive the VM. Therefore, compared with the traditional methods, the charging and equalizing can be achieved without extra switches and magnetic elements. A prototype for four SCs is built to verify the feasibility of the proposed method. And the system efficiency is 87%, corresponding to the input power 5.6 W, the load output power 3.54 W, and the charging balance power 1.33 W. Moreover, a quantitative comparison shows the proposed method can reduce the system size and cost effectively.

Abstract The authors presents a low‐profile wideband circularly polarised (CP) millimetre‐wave (mmWave) elliptical integrated lens antenna (ILA) fabricated by dielectric 3D printing technology. The proposed lens is integrated with a dielectric polariser and an air cavity for phase compensation, which can transfer incident waves from linearly polarised (LP) to planar CP waves over a wide bandwidth. Compared to the classic bifocal ILA, the proposed lens has a low profile. The phase compensation is performed by introducing a specifically shaped air cavity, which greatly reduces the length and weight of the lens. The polariser causes the two electric field components Ex and Ey to degenerate with an orthogonal phase difference, which results in the wideband characteristics of the antenna. The polariser, air cavity and lens can be conveniently and precisely fabricated by low‐cost 3D printing technology. Measurements show that the proposed ILA has a wide axial ratio (AR) bandwidth of 21.9–32.6 GHz, while the gain reaches 22.54 dBic with a 38% size reduction and a 60.7% weight reduction. Benefiting from the low profile, high gain, wide bandwidth and low cost, the proposed ILA has great potential to be the candidate antenna for 5G applications and satellite communications.

Abstract Aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) is an intriguing photophysical phenomenon, where specific materials exhibit a remarkable surge in luminescence when brought together in non‐ideal solvents or within a solid matrix. Since the concept of AIE was first introduced in 2001, numerous advanced applications have been gradually explored across various domains, including optics, electronics, energy, and the life sciences. Of particular note is the growing interest in the application of AIE systems with near‐infrared (NIR) emissive feature in the field of biomedicine, encompassing detection, imaging, and therapeutic interventions. Notably, bibliometric analysis serves as a valuable tool to provide researchers with a comprehensive understanding of research achievements and developmental trends in specific fields, which is crucial for academic research. Herein, we present a general bibliometric overview spanning two decades of NIR‐AIE development. With the assistance of core scientific databases and various bibliometric software tools, we conducted a systematic analysis of annual publications and citations, the most influential countries/regions, leading authors, journals, and institutions, as well as the hot topics related to NIR applications and forward‐looking predictions. Furthermore, the application of AIE with NIR properties in the biomedical field is also systematically reviewed.

Abstract Understanding the impact of long‐term opioid exposure on the embryonic brain is critical due to the surging number of pregnant mothers with opioid dependency. However, this has been limited by human brain inaccessibility and cross‐species differences in animal models. Here, a human midbrain model is established that uses hiPSC‐derived midbrain organoids to assess cell‐type‐specific responses to acute and chronic fentanyl treatment and fentanyl withdrawal. Single‐cell mRNA sequencing of 25,510 cells from organoids in different treatment groups reveals that chronic fentanyl treatment arrests neuronal subtype specification during early midbrain development and alters synaptic activity and neuron projection. In contrast, acute fentanyl treatment increases dopamine release but does not significantly alter gene expression related to cell lineage development. These results provide the first examination of the effects of opioid exposure on human midbrain development at the single‐cell level.

Abstract This thesis proposes a charging equalizer for hybrid energy storage systems, incorporating the Zeta converter, voltage multiplier, and multi‐winding transformer. The objective is efficient charging and equalization for battery and supercapacitor strings. The Zeta converter serves to charge the battery string, while the transformer with multi‐winding shares the inductor of Zeta converter as the primary side, facilitating battery string balancing through the utilization of current ripple in the inductor. Additionally, the voltage ripple generated by the Zeta converter is utilized to drive the voltage multiplier, enabling the charging and equalization of the supercapacitor string. The system's operation halts upon reaching the predefined threshold voltage for the supercapacitor strings. The proposed circuit transforms into a Zeta converter by employing a single‐pole double‐throw switch, facilitating the charging of the battery strings. Experimental validation uses four series‐connected supercapacitors and four series‐connected batteries, demonstrating successful equalization and charging for both energy storage components.

Abstract Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) rechallenge in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a promising therapeutic strategy. The situation for ICI rechallenge can be divided into three categories: adverse events (AEs); resistance to ICIs, and rechallenge becomes compulsive because of tumor relapse while the patients had completed a 2 year course of immunotherapy. However, these categories are still controversial and should be explored further. Through voting at the 6th Straits Summit Forum on Lung Cancer, in this study we summarize the consensus of 147 experts in ICI rechallenges. A total of 97.74% experts agreed to rechallenge; 48.87% experts rechallenge with the original drug, and the others rechallenge with a different drug; 40.3% agreed to rechallenge directly after progression; 88.06% experts agreed to ICI rechallenge with a combination regimen; and factors such as previous performance status score, PD‐1 expression, and age should also be considered. Understanding the the clinical studies in ICI rechallenge could bring us one step closer to understanding the consensus. In patients with advanced NSCLC who have suffered recurrent or distant metastasis after immunotherapy, the option of rechallenge with ICIs is a promising treatment option.

Abstract Immune checkpoint inhibitors (PD‐1/PD‐L1 and CTLA‐4 blockade) have revolutionized the treatment landscape in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Secondary resistance to immunotherapy (IO), which poses a substantial challenge in clinical settings, occurs in several initial responders. Currently, new treatment approaches have been extensively evaluated in investigational studies for these patients to tackle this difficult problem; however, the lack of consistency in clinical definition, uniform criteria for enrollment in clinical trials, and interpretation of results remain significant hurdles to progress. Thus, our expert panel comprehensively synthesized data from current studies to propose a practical clinical definition of secondary resistance to immunotherapy in NSCLC in metastatic and neoadjuvant settings. In addition to patients who received IO alone (including IO‐IO combinations), we also generated a definition for patients treated with chemotherapy plus IO. This consensus aimed to provide guidance for clinical trial design and facilitate future discussions with investigators. It should be noted that additional updates in this consensus are required when new data is available.

Abstract The morphological variation in Schizothorax oconnori, Schizothorax waltoni, and their natural hybrids was examined using conventional and image‐based analysis approaches. In total, 38 specimens of S. oconnori, 35 of S. waltoni, and 37 natural hybrids were collected from the Shigatse to the Lhasa section of the Yarlung Zangbo River during June and July 2021. A total of 21 morphometric, 4 meristic, and 27 truss variables were employed for the classification of S. oconnori, S. waltoni, and natural hybrids. Principal component analysis (PCA) and factor analysis (FA), as well as discriminant function analysis (DFA) and cluster analysis (CA), were conducted to identify differences based on traditional and truss measurements. Four principal components explained 75.92% of the variation among the morphometric characters, while five principal components accounted for 79.69% of the variation among the truss distances. FA results showed that factor 1 was associated with head shape, and factor 2 was associated with fins based on morphometric characters. Among the truss characters, factor 1 was related to head shape, and factor 2 was related to chest shape. In DFA, morphometric measurements achieved higher accuracy (100%) compared to truss distances (94.55%). The head morphology of hybrids exhibited intermediate traits between S. oconnori and S. waltoni. Both morphometry‐based and truss‐based clustering indicated that the morphology of natural hybrids leaned toward S. oconnori. In conclusion, the combination of morphometric and truss analysis is beneficial for classifying S. oconnori, S. waltoni, and their natural hybrids. The presence of natural hybrids could be considered an evolutionary response to the differentiation of nutritional and spatial niches in the middle Yarlung Zangbo River.

Abstract Temozolomide (TMZ) represents the cornerstone of therapy for glioblastoma (GBM). However, acquisition of resistance limits its therapeutic potential. The human kinome is an undisputable source of druggable targets, still, current knowledge remains confined to a limited fraction of it, with a multitude of under‐investigated proteins yet to be characterized. Here, following a kinome‐wide RNAi screen, pantothenate kinase 4 (PANK4) isuncovered as a modulator of TMZ resistance in GBM. Validation of PANK4 across various TMZ‐resistant GBM cell models, patient‐derived GBM cell lines, tissue samples, as well as in vivo studies, corroborates the potential translational significance of these findings. Moreover, PANK4 expression is induced during TMZ treatment, and its expression is associated with a worse clinical outcome. Furthermore, a Tandem Mass Tag (TMT)‐based quantitative proteomic approach, reveals that PANK4 abrogation leads to a significant downregulation of a host of proteins with central roles in cellular detoxification and cellular response to oxidative stress. More specifically, as cells undergo genotoxic stress during TMZ exposure, PANK4 depletion represents a crucial event that can lead to accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequent cell death. Collectively, a previously unreported role for PANK4 in mediating therapeutic resistance to TMZ in GBM is unveiled.

Abstract Background Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration with primary closure (LCBDE‐PC) exhibits more benefits than other surgeries for patients with choledocholithiasis. It remains unclear whether it is feasible for and beneficial to elderly individuals. This study aimed to clarify and stratify elderly patients who would benefit from LCBDE‐PC. Methods A retrospective study of 1240 patients with choledocholithiasis who underwent laparoscopic procedures between 2011 and 2019 was conducted. Patients were divided into the young group (

Wireless ad hoc/sensor networks (WASN) have seen increased application in three-dimensional (3D) environments, such as underwater and aerial scenarios. However, WASN may be fragmented or unable to connect continuously due to the harsh surrounding environment or high mobility. Therefore, restoring the network connectivity and transmit data in real time is very important. This paper focuses on the critical task of restoring network connectivity in 3D WASN, a complex issue given that existing connectivity restoration algorithms for two-dimensional environments are not directly applicable or become overly complicated in 3D contexts. We present a comprehensive analysis of the current research landscape, summarizing key findings related to various aspects of 3D WASN connectivity restoration. These aspects include the application environment (underwater, in the sky, and recovery disaster), opportunities for restoration (active, passive, and active/passive), implementation strategies (clustering and sleep scheduling), and resource constraints (node deployment and movement control). Our study also proposes a classification of connectivity restoration solutions for 3D WASN, identifying existing gaps and suggesting potential future research directions. By providing specific insights and a structured overview of the field, we aim to contribute to the ongoing development of robust and resilient 3D WASN.

Introduction. Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) contributes to a poor prognosis. Reliable biomarkers to predict adverse outcomes during hospitalization are important. Aim. To investigate the relationship between the serum cholinesterase (ChE) level and adverse clinical outcomes, including hypoxemia severity, hypercapnia, duration of hospital stay (DoHS), and noninvasive ventilation (NIV) requirement, in patients with AECOPD. Methods. Patients hospitalized with AECOPD in the Wuhu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between January 2017 and December 2021 were included. Results. A total of 429 patients were enrolled. The serum ChE level was significantly lower in patients with hypercapnia, who required NIV during hospitalization and who had a DoHS of >10 days, with an oxygenation index

Abstract Two dimensional (2D) hybrid metal halides (HMHs) usually exhibit free excitonic (FE) emission, and self‐trapped excitonic (STE) emission can also be achieved by adopting appropriate halogens and organic cations. Recently, significant efforts have been made to modulate and then clarify the transformation and connection between these two types of excitonic emissions in 2D HMHs. In this study, intriguing pressure‐tuned transitions between FE emission and STE emission are observed in 2D (C7H7N2)2PbCl4. In contrast, only FE emissions with tunable emission energies are observed in 2D (C7H7N2)2PbBr4 which possesses a similar structure with (C7H7N2)2PbCl4 under compression. Such distinct halide‐dependent optical responses under pressure are experimentally revealed to arise from the intricate interplay among several factors in these HMHs, including the stiffness of the structure, the Coulomb force between the organic cations and the inorganic octahedra, and the magnitude of inorganic octahedral distortion. These high‐pressure optical explorations can unravel the underlying interrelationship between the crystal structure and excitonic emission in 2D HMHs.

Background A growing number of studies have shown that Yin Yang 1 (YY1) promotes the development of multiple tumours. The purpose of the current study was to determine the mechanism by which YY1 mediates neuroendocrine differentiation of prostate cancer (NEPC) cells undergoing cellular plasticity. Methods Using the Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases, we bioinformatically analyzed YY1 expression in prostate cancer (PCa). Aberrant YY1 expression was validated in different PCa tissues and cell lines via quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. In vivo and in vitro functional assays verified the oncogenicity of YY1 in PCa. Further functional assays showed that ectopic expression of YY1 promoted cellular plasticity in PCa cells via epithelial‐mesenchymal transition induction and neuroendocrine differentiation. Results Androgen deprivation therapy induced a decrease in YY1 protein ubiquitination, enhanced its stability, and thus enhanced the transcriptional activity of FZD8. Castration enhanced FZD8 binding to Wnt9A and mediated cellular plasticity by activating the non‐canonical Wnt (FZD8/FYN/STAT3) pathway. Conclusions We identified YY1 as a novel dysregulated transcription factor that plays an important role in NEPC progression in this study. We believe that an in‐depth investigation of the mechanism underlying YY1‐mediated disease may lead to improved NEPC therapies.

Abstract Cystoscopy is the current gold standard for diagnosing bladder cancer (Bca), but its invasive nature often results in patient discomfort. This study aims to debise a new strategy to enhance BCa detection. We collected data from 30 BCa patients between January and June 2022. We obtained spontaneously voided urine specimens from these patients before and after administering extracorporeal bladder vibration. These specimens underwent routine cytologic examination and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Furthermore, we conducted a follow‐up 3 months postoperation. We recollected urine specimens before and after extracorporeal bladder vibration, repeating the cytologic examination and FISH. Our findings indicated an increase in the number of exfoliated cells in patients' urine postvibration compared to previbration. The liquid‐based cell staining results showed an increased detection rate of abnormal cells in the urinary sediment of patients with both low and high‐grade urothelial carcinoma postvibration. Similarly, the FISH results revealed an increased detection rate of CEP3 and CEP7 positive cells postvibration. Additionally, 3 months postoperation, we found abnormal cells in the urine of one patient previbration and in three patients postvibration. Further cystoscopic biopsy confirmed that these three patients had developed tumor recurrence. Our study substantiates that the extracorporeal bladder vibration assay significantly enhances BCa detection and the prediction of tumor recurrence. This method is simple, quick, and cost‐effective, making it a promising approach worthy of widespread clinical application.

Abstract Application of polyester‐degrading microorganisms or enzymes should be considered as an eco‐friendly alternative to chemical recycling due to the huge plastic waste disposal nowadays. However, current impranil DLN‐based screening of polyester‐degrading microorganisms is time‐consuming, labour‐intensive and unable to distinguish polyesterases from other protease‐ or amidase‐like enzymes. Herein, we present an approach that combined a novel synthetic fluorescent polyurethane analogue probe (FPAP), along with the droplet‐based microfluidics to screen polyurethane‐degrading microorganisms through fluorescence‐activated droplet sorting (FADS) pipeline. The fluorescent probe FPAP exhibited a fluorescence enhancement effect once hydrolysed by polyesterases, along with a strong specificity in discriminating polyesterases from other non‐active enzymes. Application of FPAP in a microfluidic droplet system demonstrated that this probe exhibited high sensitivity and efficiency in selecting positive droplets containing leaf‐branch compost cutinase (LCC) enzymes. This novel fluorogenic probe, FPAP, combined with the droplet microfluidic system has the potential to be used in the exploitation of novel PUR‐biocatalysts for biotechnological and environmental applications.

Purpose This article aims to summarize the incidence of these complications through a meta‐analysis, analyze the causes of complications and provide clinical promotion and recommendations. Methods Databases and retrieval platform including PubMed, Web of science, Springer link, Cochrane clinical trials, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, Europe PMC, Wiley online, OVID, Clinical trials, CNKI and WanFang, and supplement the literature through Google Scholar, collect all the unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) controlled trials and non‐controlled trials of UBE in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). The search time limit is from January 1, 2000 to December 25, 2021. After two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data and evaluated the risk of bias in the included studies, meta‐analysis was performed using Stata 15.1 software. Results Finally, 24 studies were included, including 999 patients. The results of a single‐arm rate meta‐analysis showed that the overall complication rate of UBE treatment of LSS was 6.27% [95% CI (0.0412, 0.0876)], and the incidence of dural tear was 2.49% [95% CI (0.0133, 0.0390)], the incidence of transient paresthesia was 0.14% [95% CI (0.0000, 0.0072)], the incidence of postoperative spinal epidural hematoma was 0.27% [95% CI (0.0000, 0.0096)], the incidence of postop headache, inadequate decompression, root injury and infection was 0.00%. Conclusion Current evidence shows that the complication rate of UBE in the treatment of LSS is low, mainly due to dural tears. Limited by the number and quality of included studies, the above conclusions still need to be confirmed by more studies.

Abstract To solve the problems of voltage violation and fast voltage fluctuation caused by photovoltaic (PV) grid connections in distribution networks, a two‐stage coordinated voltage control strategy for PV inverters with multimode coordinated operation in distribution networks (DNs) is proposed. It is based on the characteristics of PV inverters that can be regulated rapidly and continuously. First, the voltage control process is divided into two control stages according to the voltage change rate, and the corresponding voltage control models are established. Then, the operating modes of PV inverters are classified into three modes: economic prevention, economic control, and efficient control. Different operating modes are used to adapt to the two‐stage voltage control. Finally, a voltage fast control solution algorithm is proposed, which considers adaptive time delays and combines local measurement, prediction, and communication information to update control commands. The effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed voltage control strategy were demonstrated through simulation tests on a real 10‐kV line with a high PV penetration rate in the Anhui province of China. The results show that the proposed strategy can prevent voltage violation and sudden changes and can smooth out voltage fluctuation.

Abstract Background Immune checkpoint blockade therapy with anti‐programmed cell death (PD)‐1 antibodies provides therapeutic effect for many patients of various cancers but remains inadequate in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. The present study aims to assess the efficacy of oncolytic adenovirus (OncoAd) in enhancing the anti‐PD‐1 treatment of CRC. Methods The estimating relative subsets of RNA transcripts algorithm was used for estimating the infiltrated immune cells in melanoma and CRC tissues. The efficacy of OncoAd with anti‐PD‐1 monotherapy was performed in a CT26 CRC mouse model in vivo. Flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood and tumor tissues determined the difference anti‐tumor immune efficacy of OncoAd with anti‐PD‐1 monotherapy. Results The Cancer Genome Atlas database indicated that CD8+ T cells and regulatory T cells were significantly elevated in melanoma compared to CRC cohorts. Moreover, intratumor injection of oncolytic adenovirus enhanced T cell infiltration and decreased Treg percentages in the CT26 CRC colorectal cancer mouse model. Combinatorial OncoAd with anti‐PD‐1 antibody treatment markedly enhanced the anti‐tumor efficacy of anti‐PD‐1 by significantly decreasing the tumor volume and reducing tumor growth in a CRC mouse model. To the end, OncoAd treatment increased the CD8/Treg ratio, indicating that OncoAd intratumor injection ameliorate the anti‐tumor immune response of anti‐PD‐1 therapy. Conclusion The present study elucidates that OncoAd promotes intratumor T cell infiltration and improves anti‐PD‐1 immunotherapy, thereby providing a potent combinatorial therapeutic strategy for CRC.

Abstract MXenes suffer from severe oxidation and progressive degradation in aqueous media due to its poor chemical stability. Herein, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is employed as an efficient protectant for long‐term storage of Ti3C2Tx‐MXene aqueous dispersion. Experimental data support SDS's capability to protect oxidation‐prone sites on Ti3C2Tx nanosheets, providing extended colloidal stability of up to 213 days. Concentration‐dependent anti‐oxidation effect articulates that 1.5 mg mL−1 is deemed as an ideal SDS dose for Ti3C2Tx to achieve optimal oxidation‐resistance in aqueous solution. Additionally, a chroma strategy is developed to instantly and precisely measure the oxidation degree of Ti3C2Tx. Adsorption‐driven anti‐oxidation efficacy of SDS is further confirmed by optimized conformations with interaction energies of SDS on termination‐free and surface‐defective Ti3C2Tx through multiscale simulations. This proposed route is a step forward in broadening the horizons of experimental and theoretical investigations of MXenes with promising implications for long‐term storage and reliable applications.

Abstract Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)‐T cell therapy is a promising form of cancer immunotherapy that genetically modifies a patient's own T cells to express CARs for the specific recognition and eradication of cancer cells. Unfortunately, unlike the impressive advancements it achieves in hematologic cancer treatment, CAR‐T cell therapy has encountered obstacles in treating solid tumors such as high cost, inadequate tumor infiltration, and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Recently, the regional administration of CAR‐T cells via hydrogel platforms has been investigated as a potential method to not only promote tumor infiltration, cell expansion, and anticancer efficacy of the CAR‐T cells but also provide a multifunctional platform to introduce additional therapeutic agents for achieving potentiated cancer therapy. In this perspective, different design strategies of CAR‐T cell delivery hydrogels are introduced. Besides, various types of therapeutic agents incorporated in the hydrogel platforms and diverse hydrogel formulations have been discussed. The current challenges and future research directions on CAR‐T cell delivery hydrogels are also proposed. It is hoped that this perspective can help future researchers develop new CAR‐T cell delivery hydrogels that can effectively fight against solid tumors.

Abstract In this article, an adaptive fuzzy finite‐time fault‐tolerant control (FTC) scheme for uncertain non‐linear systems under sensor faults is proposed. Compared with the existing methods, the considered system contains unknown time‐varying fault parameters, uncertain non‐linear functions, and can guarantee the performance of the system in finite time. The coupling between fault parameters and actual states is solved by the fault parameters separation method. The fuzzy logic system (FLS) is used to approximate the unknown functions, and combining the backstepping technology an adaptive fault‐tolerant controller is designed. The finite‐time stability of the closed‐loop system is proved by the Lyapunov theory. At last, the numerical simulation and the real physical system simulation verified the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.

Abstract Objective Few studies have performed detailed ultrasound measurements of medial epicondyle‐olecranon (MEO) ligament that cause the entrapment of ulnar nerve. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate dynamic ultrasonographic characteristics of MEO ligament and ulnar nerve for clinical diagnosis and accurate treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS). Methods Thirty CuTS patients (CuTS group) and sixteen healthy volunteers (control group) who underwent ultrasound scanning from October 2016 to October 2020 were retrospectively collected, with 30 elbows in each group. Primary outcomes were thickness at six points, length and width of MEO ligament. Secondary outcomes were thickness of ulnar nerve under MEO ligament at seven parts and the cross‐sectional area (CSA) of ulnar nerve at proximal end of MEO ligament (P0 mm). The thickness of MEO ligament and ulnar nerve in different points of each group was compared by one‐way ANOVA analysis with Bonferroni post hoc test, other outcomes were compared between two elbow positions or two groups using independent‐samples t test. Results Thickness of MEO ligament in CuTS group at epicondyle end, midpoint in transverse view, olecranon end, proximal end, midpoint in axial view, and distal end was 0.67 ± 0.31, 0.37 ± 0.18, 0.89 ± 0.35, 0.39 ± 0.21, 0.51 ± 0.38, 0.36 ± 0.25 at elbow extension, 0.68 ± 0.34, 0.38 ± 0.27, 0.77 ± 0.39, 0.32 ± 0.20, 0.48 ± 0.22, 0.32 ± 0.12 (mm) at elbow flexion, respectively. Compared with control group, they were significantly thickened except for proximal end at elbow flexion. MEO ligament thickness at epicondyle end and olecranon end was significantly larger than midpoint in two groups. No significant difference was found in length and width of MEO ligament among different comparisons. Ulnar nerve thickness at 5 mm proximal to MEO ligament (P5 mm, 3.25 ± 0.66 mm) was significantly increased than midpoint of MEO ligament (Mid), distal end of MEO ligament (D0 mm), 5 mm (D5 mm), 10 mm (D10 mm) distal to MEO ligament at extension in CuTS group. Compared with control group, ulnar nerve thickness at P5 mm in CuTS group was significantly increased at extension position, at D5 mm and D10 mm was significantly decreased at flexion position. CSA of ulnar nerve at extension position (14.44 ± 4.65 mm2) was significantly larger than flexion position (11.83 ± 3.66 mm2) in CuTS group, and CuTS group was significantly larger than control group at two positions. Conclusions MEO ligament in CuTS patients was thickened, which compressed ulnar nerve and caused its proximal end swelling. Ultrasonic image of MEO ligament thickness was a significant indicator for CuTS and can guide surgeons in selecting the appropriate treatment.

Abstract With the awareness of global environmental protection, the generation of photovoltaic (PV) power is increasing rapidly. Local voltage/Var control is widely studied to overcome the real‐time change in PV power generation. The stability condition of local controls is strictly dependent on the system information, and the control parameter is chosen considering both the stability condition and dynamic performance, which limits its scalability and makes the parameter setting difficult. In this work, the coupling between node voltages is separated in the prediction time, and a local voltage predictive control strategy is proposed to reduce the voltage deviation with respect to the reference voltage. The proposed control is implemented by using historical local data and current local measurements. The control parameter is the data length, which has less correlation with the system information, and the control performance is less sensitive to the control parameter. The proposed control can be regarded as a conventional local control with dynamic compensation, which improves the dynamic performance and the steady‐state error. The proposed local control is tested on a practical distribution system. The simulation result demonstrates the proposed control achieves better performance than the conventional local control under different application scenarios and weather conditions.

Abstract Wuliangye‐flavor liquor (WLFL), a specific Chinese traditional liquor, one of the major type of global distilled spirits, offers a unique flavor system acquired across thousands of years of development. Free amino acids (FAAs), as major health factors, are considered to be primarily derive from the hydrolysis of protein from the Zaopeis (ZPs) by microbial populations during fermentation. Here, we investigated the changes of microbial communities in ZPs and FAAs in raw liquor (RL) directly related ZPs from different ages of WLFL fermentation pits by phospholipid fatty acid fingerprint (PLFA) and high performance liquid chromatography method. Results indicated that the total PLFAs of 20‐ and 50‐year ZPs were significantly higher (p 1; p

Abstract Organic single crystals (OSCs) offer a unique combination of both individual and collective properties of the employed molecules, but it remains highly challenging to achieve OSCs with both high mobilities and strong fluorescence emissions for their potential applications in multifunctional optoelectronics. Herein, we demonstrate the design and synthesis of two novel triphenylamine‐functionalized thienoacenes‐based organic semiconductors, 4,8‐distriphenylamineethynylbenzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene (4,8‐DTEBDT) and 2,6‐distriphenylamineethynylbenzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene (2,6‐DTEBDT), with high‐mobility and strong fluorescence emission. The two compounds show the maximum mobilities up to 0.25 and 0.06 cm2 V−1 s−1, the photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) of 51% and 45%, and the small binding energies down to 55.13 and 58.79 meV. The excellent electrical and optical properties ensured the application of 4,8‐DTEBDT and 2,6‐DTEBDT single crystals in ultrasensitive UV phototransistors, achieving high photoresponsivity of 9.60 × 105 and 6.43 × 104 A W−1, and detectivity exceeding 5.68 × 1017 and 2.99 × 1016 Jones.

Abstract Hard carbons are widely studied as anode materials for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) due to their high Na‐storage capacity, long cycle life, and low cost. However, the low initial coulombic efficiency (ICE) and poor cycle performance remain bottleneck concerns that necessitate a comprehensive material engineering solution. Herein, we propose a facile strategy to synthesize amorphous carbons with pseudo‐graphitic dominated crystalline, expanded interlayer spacing, and reduced surface defects via carbonization of the cross‐linking network of phenolic resin and sucrose. An elaborate structural and electrochemical characteristics analysis has been investigated against different sucrose contents and carbonization temperatures. The representative PF‐S‐55‐1200 with the optimum cross‐linking degree as well as carbonization temperature realizes a high reversible Na‐storage capacity of 323.0 mAh g−1 with an ICE as high as 86.4%, much superior to the pristine phenolic resin pyrolytic carbon with a capacity of 267.1 mAh g−1 and an ICE of 46.3%. The hybrid hard carbons also exhibit robust structural stability with a prolonged cycle lifespan evidenced by a retained capacity of 238.3 mAh g−1 at a current density of 200 mA g−1 over 1500 cycles. The proposed route promises low‐cost and high‐performance hybrid hard carbons with optimized structural configuration for advanced SIBs.

Abstract Developing solid‐state luminescent materials with bright long‐wavelength emissions is of considerable practical importance in light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) but remains a formidable challenge. Here, a novel structure engineering strategy is reported to realize solid‐state fluorescence (FL)‐emitted carbon dots (CDs) from visible to near‐infrared region. This is the first report of such an extended wavelength emission of self‐quenching‐resistant solid‐state CDs. Notably, the quantum yields of these CDs are remarkably improved up to 67.7%, which is the highest value for solid‐state CDs. The surface polymer chains of CDs can efficiently suppress the conjugated sp2 carbon cores from π–π stacking inducing aggregation caused FL quenching, and the redshift of FL emissions is attributed to narrowing bandgap caused by an enlarged sp2 carbon core. Using these CDs as conversion phosphors, the fabrication of white LEDs with adjustable correlated color temperatures of 1882–5019 K is achieved. Moreover, a plant growth LED device is assembled with a blue‐LED chip and deep‐red/near‐infrared‐emitted CDs. Compared with sunlight and white LEDs, the peanuts irradiated by plant growth LED lamp show higher growth efficiency in terms of branches and leaves. This work provides high‐quality solid‐state CD‐based phosphors for LED lighting sources that are required for diverse optoelectronic applications.

Mine microseismic signal denoising is a basic and crucial link in microseismic data processing, which influences the accuracy and reliability of the monitoring system, and is of great significance with regard to safety during mining. Therefore, this study introduces a deep learning method to improve the mapping function and sparsity of signals in the time-frequency domain and constructs a denoising framework based on a deep convolutional autoencoder to address the denoising problem of mine microseismic signals. First, all noisy microseismic signals are normalized to ensure the nonlinear expression ability of the constructed denoising framework. Then, the normalized signals are transformed into the time-frequency domain using the short-time Fourier transform (STFT), and the real and imaginary parts of time-frequency coefficients serve as the input of the deep convolutional autoencoder to output the masks of the effective and noise signals. Next, these masks are applied to the time-frequency coefficients of the noisy microseismic signals, and the time-frequency coefficients of the potentially effective and noise signals are estimated. Finally, inverse STFT is used to transform these time-frequency coefficients to the time domain to obtain the final denoised effective and noise signals. The constructed framework automatically learns rich features from synthetic data to separate the effective and noise signals, thereby achieving the purpose of fast and automatic denoising. The experimental results show that compared with the wavelet threshold and ensemble empirical mode decomposition, the denoising framework considerably improves the signal-to-noise ratio of mine microseismic signals with less waveform distortion. Moreover, it can achieve a better denoising effect efficiently even in the case of a low SNR, which has obvious advantages. The constructed denoising framework is suitable for microseismic monitoring signals of various mine dynamic disasters and provides strong technical support for intelligent monitoring and early warning concerning production risks in mines.

In order to solve the problems of unstable motion and large trajectory tracking error of the manipulator when it is disturbed by the outside world, the author proposes an adaptive neural network manipulator motion trajectory error method. The author gives the dynamic equation of the manipulator and uses the positive feedback neural network to study the dynamic characteristics of the manipulator. An adaptive neural network control system is designed, and the stability and convergence of the closed-loop system are proved by the Lyapunov function. A schematic diagram of the manipulator model is established, and MATLAB/Simulink software is used to simulate the dynamic parameters of the manipulator. At the same time, it is compared and analyzed with the simulation results of the PID control system. Simulation results show that in robot arm 3, the expected motion trajectory is θ3 = 0.4cos(2πt), the initial condition θ(0) = [000]τ, the control parameter K = diag(40,40),40), the disturbance parameter τ’ = 20cos(πt), robot arm link parameters l1 = 0.62 m, l2 = 0.41 m, l3 = 0.34 m, m1 = 3.5, m2 = 2.5 kg, m3 = 2 kg, g = 9.82 m/s2, under t = 2s, the motion trajectory of the robotic arm is disturbed by the outside world, and the adaptive neural network is used to control the motion trajectory with a small tracking error, input torque ripple is small. Conclusion. The manipulator adopts the adaptive neural network control method, which can improve the control accuracy of the motion trajectory and weaken the jitter phenomenon of the manipulator motion.

Abstract Background Williams syndrome (WS) is a multisystem neurodevelopmental disorder caused by microdeletions in 7q11.23. This study aims to characterize the clinical phenotypes of Chinese children with WS to help for the early diagnosis and intervention of this disease. Methods 231 children diagnosed with WS were retrospectively recruited to the study. Clinical data were analyzed to obtain the incidence of different clinical phenotypes. The occurrence of phenotypes and the influence of gender and age on the incidence of different phenotypes were analyzed. Results All WS exhibited facial dysmorphism (100.0%). The majority had neurodevelopmental disorder (91.8%), hoarseness (87.4%) and cardiovascular anomalies (85.7%). The incidence of short stature (46.9%), inguinal hernia (47.2%), hypercalciuria (29.10%), hypercalcemia (9.1%), subclinical hypothyroidism (26.4%) and hypothyroidism (7.4%) were relatively higher. Gender differences were found in supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS, p

Abstract Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are novel biomarkers of various cancers. CircRNAs can sponge miRNAs and regulate target mRNAs, which was called competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA). This study was designed to identify circRNAs related to patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and the first to select three independent Gene Expression Omnibus microarrays covering circRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs for multiple analyses. The data of clinical cases applied in our study were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas. We successfully conducted a circRNA/miRNA/mRNA ceRNA network related to ccRCC patients via R software and Cytoscape including 8 circRNAs, 6 miRNAs, and 49 mRNAs. The prognosis‐associated subnet covered 8 circRNAs, 6 miRNAs, and 22 mRNAs. Quantitative real‐time PCR was applied to measure our prediction in three renal cell lines and 23 pairs of tissues. Small interfering RNA targeting the back‐splice region of hsa_circ_0001167 was further implied to confirm the regulation. Ultimately, hsa_circ_0001167/hsa‐miR‐595/CCDC8 regulatory axis was identified in this study, which may serve as prognostic indicators. Lower levels of hsa_circ_0001167 and CCDC8 were potentially correlated with worse patient survival.

Abstract Background Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1 (KEAP1) has been identified as a cancer driver gene in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), and increased evidence has given us clues about the association of KEAP1 mutation and immune characteristics. We assessed the association between KEAP1 mutation and tumor microenvironment in LUAD systematically. Methods With the data collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we evaluated the association of KEAP1 mutation with tumor infiltrating leukocytes (TILs), including dendritic cell, CD8 T cell, CD4 T cell, neutrophil, B cells, and macrophage. Expression differences of the markers of those immune cells were also measured. We further compared the expression of antigen presentation genes and chemokines and the enrichment score of immune‐related pathways. Results KEAP1 mutation had significant association with lower TILs and cytotoxic T lymphocyte. Strikingly, almost all of antigen presentation genes and chemokine showed lower expression in KEAP1‐mutated tumors. Moreover, most of immune‐related pathways were less active in KEAP1‐mutated tumors. As expected, KEAP1‐wild type LUADs favored better overall survival after immunotherapy. Finally, one patient harboring KEAP1 mutation along with a lack of immune cells infiltration in tumor microenvironment failed to respond to checkpoint inhibitor despite high tumor mutational burden (TMB). Conclusions KEAP1 mutation has a significant effect on the tumor immune milieu of LUAD and may play as a predictive biomarker of immunotherapy for LUAD patients.

Abstract Sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) are regarded as a kind of promising candidate for large‐scale energy storage technology. The development of advanced carbon anodes with high Na‐storage capacity and initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) from low cost, resources abundant precursors is critical for SIBs. Here, a carbon microcrystalline hybridization route to synthesize hard carbons with extensive pseudo‐graphitic regions from lignite coal with the assistance of sucrose is proposed. Employing the cross‐linked interaction between sucrose and lignite coal to generate carbon‐based hybrid microcrystalline states, the obtained hard carbons possess pseudo‐graphitic dominant phases with large interlayer spaces that facilitate Na ion's storage and transportation, as well as fewer surface defects that guarantee high ICE. The LCS‐73 with an optimum cross‐link demonstrates the highest Na‐storage capacity of 356 mAh g−1 and an ICE of 82.9%. The corresponding full‐cell delivers a high energy density of 240 Wh kg−1 (based on the mass of anode and cathode materials) and excellent rate capability of 106 mAh g−1 at 10 C in addition to outstanding cycle performance with 80% retention over 500 cycles at 2 C. The proposed work offers an efficient route to develop high‐performance, low‐cost carbon‐based anode materials with potential application for advanced SIBs.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify autophagy‐associated long noncoding RNAs (ARlncRNAs) using the kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) patient data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and to construct a prognostic risk‐related ARlncRNAs signature to accurately predict the prognosis of KIRC patients. Methods The KIRC patient data were originated from TCGA database and were classified into a training set and testing set. Seven prognostic risk‐related ARlncRNAs, identified using univariate, lasso, and multivariate Cox regression analysis, were used to construct prognostic risk‐related signatures. Kaplan–Meier curves and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves as well as independent prognostic factor analysis and correlation analysis with clinical characteristics were utilized to evaluate and verify the specificity and sensitivity of the signature in training set and testing set, respectively. Two nomograms were established to predict the probable 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year survival of the KIRC patients. In addition, the lncRNA‐mRNA co‐expression network was constructed and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were used to identify biological functions of ARlncRNAs. Results We constructed and verified a prognostic risk‐related ARlncRNAs signature in training set and testing set, respectively. We found the survival time of KIRC patients with low‐risk scores was significantly better than those with high‐risk scores in training set and testing set. ROC curves suggested that the area under the ROC (AUC) value for prognostic risk score signature was 0.81 in training set and 0.705 in testing set. And AUC values corresponding to 1‐, 3‐, and 5 years of OS were 0.809, 0.753, and 0.794 in training set and 0.698, 0.682, and 0.754 in testing set, respectively. We established the two nomograms that confirmed high C‐index and accomplished good prediction accuracy. Conclusions We constructed a prognostic risk‐related ARlncRNAs signature that could accurately predict the prognosis of KIRC patients.

Abstract Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a prime candidate for non‐grain‐based bioenergy feedstock production. Improved drought tolerance and higher water use efficiency (WUE) are important for its successful field establishment and production, especially on marginal lands. Aquaporins are key channels and regulators for water transportation and maintenance of cellular water status. In this study, the functional role of an aquaporin gene, PvPIP2;9, in switchgrass was studied. Expression of PvPIP2;9 was regulated by diurnal oscillation and osmotic stress. Constitutive over‐expressing PvPIP2;9 in switchgrass significantly improved its leaf length, plant height, aboveground biomass and biomass protein contents under both drought‐ and non‐stressed conditions, and also resulted in higher cellulose content in drought‐stressed transgenic than wild‐type plants. Under 21 days of drought treatment, transgenic plants showed less electrolyte leakage rates, but higher relative water contents, photochemical efficiencies, chlorophyll contents and WUE, indicating that PvPIP2;9 positively regulated plant drought tolerance. Moreover, expression patterns of all 14 switchgrass PIP2 subfamily genes were checked during the drought treatment, and the result showed that over‐expressing PvPIP2;9 also affected transcript levels of most other PIP2 genes. Together, this study showed that improved biomass yield, drought tolerance and higher WUE can be achieved by manipulating the expression of PvPIP2;9 and also suggested PIP2 subfamily genes were transcriptionally regulated in a coordinated manner, which can be used for potential targets for crop drought resistance breeding efforts.

Abstract Purpose Previous studies have provided evidence of the high expression of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in multiple solid tumors; however, its prognostic relationship with metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) remains controversial. We performed a meta‐analysis to better understand the prognostic potential of LDH in mPCa. Methods In our investigation, we included PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library as web‐based resources, as well as studies published before January 2020 on the predictive value of LDH in mPCa. We independently screened the studies according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, evaluated the quality of the literature, extracted the data, and used RevMan 5.3 and STATA12.0 software for analysis. Result From the 38 published studies, the records of 9813 patients with mPCa were included in this meta‐analysis. We observed that higher levels of LDH in patients with mPCa were significantly associated with poorer overall survival (OS) (HR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.91‐2.47, P

Abstract Introduction Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion has been considered the etiology for sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, no valid clinical evidence exists due to the similar risk factors between cerebrovascular disease and AD. Methods We used moyamoya disease (MMD) as a model of chronic hypoperfusion and cognitive impairment, without other etiology interference. Results Based on the previous reports and preliminary findings, we hypothesized that chronic cerebral hypoperfusion could be an independent upstream crucial variable, resulting in AD, and induce pathological hallmarks such as amyloid beta peptide and hyperphosphorylated tau accumulation. Discussion Timely intervention with revascularisation would help reverse the brain damage with AD hallmarks and lead to cognitive improvement.

Abstract Although micro RNA (miRNA) expression profiles are widely investigated in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), their potential roles for affecting RCC initiation and progression remain largely unknown. Here, we examined the aberrant expression profiles of miRNAs inhuman metastatic RCC tissues based on Gene Expression Omnibus (GSE37989). We further validated them iRNAs expression data in the largest clinical dataset: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). And cell adhesion and migration abilities and epithelial me senchymal transition (EMT) related proteins were assessed in both normal and tumor RCC cell lines. We suggest that hsa‐miR‐143 is a potential tumor suppressor in RCC as its down regulation positively correlated with adverse prognosis. Biologically, cell adhesion, migration, and EMT were dramatically inhibited by miR‐143. Mechanistically, we found that miR‐143 targets ABL proto‐oncogene 2 (ABL2), which was also found to be an indicator for poor survival in TCGA database. Our results have important implications in understanding functions of miRNAs in metastatic RCC and will provide a basis for further clinical application.

Abstract Background Low‐grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (LG‐ESS) is a rare tumor that lacks a prognostic prediction model. Our study aimed to develop a nomogram to predict overall survival of LG‐ESS patients. Methods A total of 1172 patients confirmed to have LG‐ESS between 1988 and 2015 were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. They were further divided into a training cohort and a validation cohort. The Akaike information criterion was used to select variables for the nomogram. The discrimination and calibration of the nomogram were evaluated using concordance index (C‐index), area under time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic curve (time‐dependent AUC), and calibration plots. The net benefits of the nomogram at different threshold probabilities were quantified and compared with those of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) criteria‐based tumor staging using decision curve analysis (DCA). Net reclassification index (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) were also used to compare the nomogram's clinical utility with that of the FIGO criteria‐based tumor staging. The risk stratifications of the nomogram and the FIGO criteria‐based tumor staging were compared. Results Seven variables were selected to establish the nomogram for LG‐ESS. The C‐index (0.814 for the training cohort and 0.837 for the validation cohort) and the time‐dependent AUC (> 0.7) indicated satisfactory discriminative ability of the nomogram. The calibration plots showed favorable consistency between the prediction of the nomogram and actual observations in both the training and validation cohorts. The NRI values (training cohort: 0.271 for 5‐year and 0.433 for 10‐year OS prediction; validation cohort: 0.310 for 5‐year and 0.383 for 10‐year OS prediction) and IDI (training cohort: 0.146 for 5‐year and 0.185 for 10‐year OS prediction; validation cohort: 0.177 for 5‐year and 0.191 for 10‐year OS prediction) indicated that the established nomogram performed significantly better than the FIGO criteria‐based tumor staging alone (P

Abstract Objectives Radical nephrectomy (RN) was the standard treatment for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, recent studies have found that partial nephrectomy (PN) could achieve similar effects as radical nephrectomy, and has the advantages of less bleeding and shorter hospital stay. The choice of surgical strategies has become a concern of clinicians, which could be guided by renal score introduced by Kutikov et al Therefore, we conducted this meta‐analysis to clarify the value of renal score of determining surgical strategies and predicting complications. Methods The keywords “RENAL score,” “renal nephrometry score,” or “nephrometry score” were used to retrieve electronic databases for relevant literature up to Feb 2020, including PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane library. Surgical strategies and complications are outcome measures. Risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) is applied to assess the effect size. Results A total of 20 studies met the selection criteria for meta‐analysis. There was significant difference in RN operation rate for each subgroup (low‐moderate: RR = 3.50, 95% Cl = 2.60‐4.71, P

Abstract Organic molecular aggregates have attracted widespread attention over the past decade owing to their unique optoelectronic properties in the aggregate state, which mainly involves the effects of aggregation structure as well as molecular packing mode. Although many examples of H‐ and J‐aggregates defined by molecular exciton model have been found, there are also other types of unconventional aggregates, especially for aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) system. In this review, the recent progress of some examples of basic and novel aggregate forms, as well as coassembled forms, presenting distinctive optical features, such as optical waveguide and polarization emission, polymorph‐dependent emission and stimuli‐responsive luminescence are presented. The systematic insight into the relationship between the aggregation structure and emission property is discussed. Guidelines are therefore anticipated and will direct the future preprogramming molecular design so as to fine‐tune the emission feature through a specific aggregation model for developing organic molecular aggregates with desirable optoelectronic properties.

Abstract Prostate cancer is still considered a significant health care challenge worldwide due in part to the distinct transformation of androgen‐dependent prostate cancer (ADPC) into treatment‐refractory castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Consequently, there is an urgent need to explore novel molecular mechanisms underlying treatment resistance in ADPC. Although numerous studies have alluded to the role of miR‐200a in several cancers, the biological significance of miR‐200a in prostate cancer remains unknown. After performing microarray analysis and reanalysis of the publicly available Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center dataset, miR‐200a expression was found higher in ADPC tissues and its expression was positively associated with survival of CRPC patients. In vitro studies showed that miR‐200a overexpression in CRPC cells markedly suppressed cellular proliferation and facilitated apoptosis. In vivo studies indicated that overexpression of miR‐200a inhibited growth and metastasis of prostate cancer. The luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that BRD4 is a direct target gene of miR‐200a and it could reverse miR‐200a‐mediated biological effects in prostate cancer cells. Most importantly, our findings indicated that miR‐200a suppresses the progression of CRPC by inhibiting the activation of BRD4‐mediated AR signaling. This finding provides the foundation for the development of more personalized therapeutic approaches for CRPC patients.

Abstract Objectives The value of adjuvant radiotherapy for triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) has been controversial recently. This study aims to clarify the influence of radiotherapy on the survival of TNBC patients after surgery based on a large population analysis. Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was exploited to select eligible patients from 2010 to 2014. The categorical variables were examined by chi‐square tests. Breast cancer‐specific survival (BCSS) and overall survival (OS) were compared among patients who received or not received adjuvant radiotherapy after surgery by Kaplan‐Meier method with log‐rank test. Univariate and multivariate survival analysis of BCSS and OS were performed using the Cox proportional hazard model. Results Totally 22 802 patients were enrolled in this study, of which 10 905 patients received radiotherapy after surgery while 11 897 patients did not receive radiotherapy. Compared with those patients who did not receive radiotherapy, the radiation group had a larger proportion of tumor size

Background The study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of using malignant pleural effusion (MPE) as a substitute specimen for genetic testing and to determine the significance of genetic profiling of MPE tumor cells to monitor non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression and therapeutic response. Methods We selected 168 NSCLC patients with MPE. We extracted MPE and enriched tumor cells using a custom‐designed device. EGFR mutations and ALK/ROS1 fusions were then detected by quantitative real‐time PCR, and the results were used to guide targeted therapy. We investigated drug responses through imaging. Results MPE tumor cells were detected in all patients. EGFR mutations and ALK/ROS1 rearrangements were detected in biopsy samples, treated MPE, and untreated MPE. We found that treated MPE had higher sensitivity and specificity than biopsy or untreated MPE. Among the 26 EGFR inhibitor patients, 13 showed a partial response, 7 had progressive disease, and 6 showed stable disease. Among the 16 patients that received ALK/ROS1 inhibitors, 8 had a partial response, 4 had progressive disease, and 4 showed stable disease. Conclusion Our study provides a new, less invasive, and highly repeatable method of analyzing MPE tumor cells in NSCLC that facilitates precision medicine and genetic testing.

Heart failure creates a leading public health burden worldwide and cardiac fibrosis is a hallmark of pathological cardiac remodeling which was found in HF patients. In this study, we detected the expression of 9 candidate miRNAs in the plasma exosome samples from 31 HF patients, and found the level of miR-21, miR-425 and miR-744 was altered. The downregulation of miR-425 and miR-744 was also found in angiotensin II treated cardiac fibroblasts. Through functional study, we identified that the reduction of miR-425 and miR-744 relates to overexpression of collagen 1 and α-SMA, which result in fibrogenesis of cardiac fibroblasts. Conversely, overexpression of miR-425 or miR-744 in cultured cardiac fibroblasts significantly abrogates angiotensin induced collagen formation and fibrogenesis. Finally, we confirmed that TGFβ1 is a direct target of miR-425 and miR-744 by dual luciferase assay and immunoblotting. Our data demonstrate that miR-425 and miR-744 function as negative regulators of cardiac fibrosis by suppression TGFβ1 expression, and miR-425 and miR-744 level in the plasma exosomes has the potential to be a biomarker to predict cardiac fibrosis and heart failure. Keywords: Heart failure, Fibrosis, miRNA, EGFβ1

There are various definitions of damage variables from the existing damage models. The calculated damage value by the current methods still could not well correspond to the actual damage value. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a damage evolution model corresponding to the actual damage evolution. In this paper, a strain rate-sensitive isotropic damage model for plain concrete is proposed to describe its nonlinear behavior. Cyclic uniaxial compression tests were conducted on concrete samples at three strain rates of 10−3s−1, 10−4s−1, and 10−5s−1, respectively, and ultrasonic wave measurements were made at specified strain values during the loading progress. A damage variable was defined using the secant and initial moduli, and concrete damage evolution was then studied using the experimental results of the cyclic uniaxial compression tests conducted at the different strain rates. A viscoelastic stress-strain relationship, which considered the proposed damage evolution model, was presented according to the principles of irreversible thermodynamics. The model results agreed well with the experiment and indicated that the proposed damage evolution model can accurately characterize the development of macroscopic mechanical weakening of concrete. A damage-coupled viscoelastic constitutive relationship of concrete was recommended. It was concluded that the model could not only characterize the stress-strain response of materials under one-dimensional compressive load but also truly reflect the degradation law of the macromechanical properties of materials. The proposed damage model will advance the understanding of the failure process of concrete materials.

Background. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of myopia in elementary school students and to assess the risk factors for myopia. Methods. This school-based cross-sectional study was performed on students from two elementary schools in Jiaojiang, Taizhou City, China. A total of 556 students, whose age ranged from 9 to 12 years, were included. The uncorrected visual acuity and noncycloplegic refractive error tests were performed to determine the myopia. Each student was asked to fulfill the questionnaire about the possible factors associated with myopia. Multivariate logistic analyses of risk factors were conducted. Results. The overall prevalence of myopia among those students was 63.7%, ranged from 53.4% in grade 4 to 72.5% in grade 6. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that adjusting the height of desks and chairs according to the changing height and the presence of myopia in parents were significantly associated with myopia in these students, respectively. Conclusions. Our results showed that myopia among elementary school students was associated with environmental and hereditary factors.

Background. In the past decade, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been widely used for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), and noncoding RNAs in exosomes may play a major role. Aim. The present study is aimed at exploring the effect and mechanism of miR-326 in exosomes secreted by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on pyroptosis of cartilage and OA improvement. Methods. Exosomes from BMSCs (BMSC-Exos) were isolated and identified to incubate with OA chondrocytes. Proliferation, migration, specific gene and miR-326 expression, and pyroptosis of chondrocytes were detected. BMSCs or chondrocytes were transfected with miR-326 mimics or inhibitors to investigate the effect of miR-326 in BMSC-Exos on pyroptosis of chondrocytes and the potential mechanism. Finally, a rat OA model was established to verify the effect and mechanism of miR-326 in BMSC-Exos on cartilage of pyroptosis. Results. Incubation with BMSC-Exos could significantly improve the survival rate, migration ability, and chondrocyte-specific genes (COL2A1, SOX9, Agg, and Prg4) and miR-326 expression of OA chondrocytes and significantly inhibit pyroptosis of chondrocytes by downregulation of the levels of inflammatory cytokines, Caspase-1 activity, and pyroptosis-related proteins such as GSDMD, NLRP3, ASC, IL-1β, and IL-18 (P