Search

Inherited deficiency of zinc finger NFX1-type containing 1 (ZNFX1), a dsRNA virus sensor, is associated with severe familial immunodeficiency, multisystem inflammatory disease, increased susceptibility to viruses, and early mortality. However, limited treatments for patients with pathological variants of ZNFX1 exist due to an incomplete understanding of the diseases resulting from ZNFX1 mutations. Here, we demonstrate that ZNFX1 specifically inhibits the activation of the NLR family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in response to NLRP3 activators both in vitro and in vivo. ZNFX1 retains NLRP3 in the cytoplasm and prevents its accumulation in the TGN38 + /TGN46+ vesicles in the resting state. Upon NLRP3 inflammasome activation, ZNFX1 is cleaved by caspase-1, establishing a feed-forward loop that promotes NLRP3 accumulation in the trans-Golgi network (TGN) and amplifies the activity of the downstream cascade. Expression of wild-type ZNFX1, but not of ZNFX1 with human pathogenic mutations, rescues the impairment of NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition. Our findings reveal a dual role of ZNFX1 in virus sensing and suppression of inflammation, which may become valuable for the development of treatments for ZNFX1 mutation-related diseases. Synopsis: The conserved RNA helicase ZNFX1 is a dsRNA virus sensor, mutations in which are linked to hyperinflammatory disease. This study reveals that ZNFX1 inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome by preventing its translocation, while itself being degraded via activated inflammasomes in a feed-forward loop. ZNFX1 interacts directly with NLRP3, preventing its translocation to trans-Golgi network TGN38 + /TGN46+ vesicles and subsequent inflammasome activation. Caspase-1 within the activated NLRP3 inflammasome cleaves ZNFX1, establishing a feed-forward loop. ZNFX1 residue D830 is an important caspase-1 cleavage site, and mutating this site inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Pathogenic mutations in ZNFX1 lead to hyperactivation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. The RNA helicase ZNFX1 retains NLRP3 in the cytoplasm and is cleaved upon NLRP3 inflammasome activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: We aimed to investigate the long‐term impact of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1 RAs) on thyroid function, cardiovascular health, renal outcomes and adverse events in individuals with obesity and without type 2 diabetes (T2D). Materials and Methods: In this observational cohort study, we used propensity score matching to construct comparable cohorts of individuals with obesity and without T2D who were new to GLP‐1 RA treatment and those who did not receive glucose‐lowering medications. In total, 3,729,925 individuals with obesity were selected from the TriNetX Global Network, with an index event between 1 January 2016 and 31 March 2024. The primary outcomes were safety, cardiovascular, thyroid and clinical biochemical profile outcomes occurring within 5 years following the index event. Results: After propensity score matching, the study included 12,123 individuals in each group. GLP‐1 RA treatment was associated with a significantly lower risk of all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio 0.23; 95% confidence interval 0.15–0.34) and several cardiovascular complications, including ischaemic heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, hypertension, stroke and atrial fibrillation (all p < 0.05). GLP‐1 RAs were also associated with a lower risk of acute kidney injury and allergic reactions. These protective effects were consistent across various subgroups and regions. Conclusions: In this large observational study, GLP‐1 RAs showed long‐term protective effects on cardiovascular health, renal outcomes and adverse events in individuals with obesity and without T2D. Our findings suggest that GLP‐1 RAs may offer a comprehensive approach to managing obesity and its related comorbidities, potentially improving overall health and survival in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel UHPC‐NC composite structure was proposed to enhance the load‐bearing capacity of concrete beam bridges under negative bending moments. Parameters including steel fiber content in UHPC, reinforcement ratio, and steel box filling height were varied across 8 UHPC‐NC narrow steel box composite beam specimens. The study involved testing, and measurement of failure modes, crack distribution, deformation characteristics, and crack widths. Additionally, a method for calculating maximum crack widths was developed based on crack distribution patterns. Furthermore, a computational model for predicting the ultimate bearing capacity of UHPC‐NC narrow steel box composite beams was constructed. The computed results aligned closely with experimental findings, validating the accuracy of the proposed computational model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the emergence of diseases, the U.S. catfish industry is under challenge. Current trends prefer autochthonous bacteria as potential probiotic candidates owing to their adaptability and capacity to effectively colonize the host's intestine, which can enhance production performance and bolster disease resistance. The objective of this study was to isolate an autochthonous bacterium as probiotic for hybrid catfish. Initially, an analysis of the intestinal microbiota of hybrid catfish reared in earthen ponds was conducted for subsequent probiotic development. Twenty lactic acid bacteria were isolated from the digesta of overperforming catfish, and most of the candidates demonstrated probiotic traits, including proteolytic and lipolytic abilities; antagonistic inhibition of catfish enteric bacterial pathogens, negative haemolytic activity and antibiotic susceptibility. Subsequent to this screening process, an isolate of Lactococcus lactis (MA5) was deemed the most promising probiotic candidate. In silico analyses were conducted, and several potential probiotic functions were predicted, including essential amino acids and vitamin synthesis. Moreover, genes for three bacteriocins, lactococcin A, enterolysin A and sactipeptide BmbF, were identified. Lastly, various protectant media for lyophilization of MA5 were assessed. These findings suggest that Lactococcus lactis MA5 can be an autochthonous probiotic from hybrid catfish, holding promise to be further tested in feeding trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three carbazole‐substituted anthracene 2CbzAn, 26CbzAn, and 246CbzAn have been developed. The introduction of these carbazole substituents could generate more triplet states with energy levels close to 2× E(T1) that could successfully facilitate the triplet‐triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA‐UC) process to achieve high upconversion quantum yield (UCQY). This observation aligns with the Adachi theory about TTA‐UC mechanisms. In organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) device investigation, in a non‐doped state show an external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) of 5.82% with exceptional pure‐blue emission (CIEy of 0.101), and the DPaNIF doped DMPPP/26CbzAn bilayer structure reaches an impressive EQEmax of 11.12%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sepsis is responsible for approximately 5.3 million deaths globally each year. Here, we constructed hierarchical chitin microspheres loaded with MOF‐919 (Ch/metal–organic frameworks [MOFs]) for the rapid and efficient removal of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in complex blood environments. Furthermore, abundant active sites on MOF‐919(Sc) also enable a record‐high adsorption capacity of 9.56 mg/g in biomass‐based adsorbents due to the coordination interactions between endotoxin and MOF‐919(Sc). The LPS level of sepsis rabbits was less than 2 EU/mL (clearance rate >95%) after 90‐min hemoperfusion, showing no adverse effect on the rabbit organs. Additionally, compared to the commonly used LPS scrubber Toraymyxin (polymethyl methacrylate), the chitin adsorbent is significantly more cost‐effective and environmentally friendly. The preparation strategy for hierarchical porous microspheres offers notable advantages in designability, recyclability, and renewability, providing a new approach to sepsis treatment and promising prospects for the biomedical application of sustainable biomass materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abnormal healing following skin injury, such as slow healing and scar formation, can significantly affect an individual's life. Complex treatment methods and cumbersome instruments have reduced the efficacy of treating such diseases. In this study, a novel biocompatible liquid metal (LM) composite wound dressing (LGPU) is designed by synthesizing polyurea polyurethane (PU) and blending it with LM modified with glutathione (GSH), a bioactive three‐peptide compound. The effects of external electrical stimulation (ES) on wound‐induced hair follicle neogenesis are explored. The dressings exhibited a few important properties, including conductivity, high stretchability, recyclability, and, most importantly, excellent self‐healing capacity, owing to the liquid nature of the LM fillers and the highly dynamic characteristics of hydrogen bonds. Furthermore, the combination therapy with LGPU and ES promoted fibroblast migration and accelerated wound healing. The wounds treated with the combination therapy fully healed in nine days, while the wounds in the blank group are still in a scabbing state. Remarkably, this treatment method can activate the regeneration and healthy growth of hair follicles at the site of injury, which is beneficial for reducing wound scarring. Collectively, this innovative therapy provides a facile strategy to accelerate skin wound healing and achieve scar‐free repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of mixed‐halide perovskites has established a versatile optoelectronic platform owing to their extraordinary physical properties, but there remain challenges toward achieving highly reliable synthesis and performance, in addition, post‐synthesis approaches for tuning their photoluminescence properties after device fabrication remain limited. In this work, an effective approach is reported to leveraging hot electrons generated from plasmonic nanostructures to regulate the optical properties of perovskites. A plasmonic metasurface composed of Au nanoparticles can effectively tailor both photoluminescence and location‐specific phase segregation of mixed‐halide CsPbI2Br thin films. The ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy measurements reveal hot electron injection on the timescale of hundreds of femtoseconds. Photocurrent measurements confirm the hot‐electron‐enhanced photon‐carrier conversion, and in addition, gate‐voltage tuning of phase segregation is observed because of correlated carrier injection and halide migration in the perovskite films. Finally, the characteristics of the gate‐modulated light emission are found to conform to a rectified linear unit function, serving as nonlinear electrical‐to‐optical converters in artificial neural networks. Overall, the hot electron engineering approach demonstrated in this work provides effective location‐specific control of the phase and optical properties of halide perovskites, underscoring the potential of plasmonic metasurfaces for advancing perovskite technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thyroid hormones (THs), including triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and their metabolites, are essential for regulating development, growth, and energy metabolism. Thyroglobulin (Tg) produced by thyroid follicular cells acts as an essential substrate for TH synthesis. The combination of THs with Tg is a widely used serological laboratory test for thyroid function assessment. Early detection and timely intervention are significant for preventing and managing thyroid disease. In recent years, liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) has emerged as a powerful tool for the precise detection of small molecular analytes and steroid hormones in clinical practice as a result of its high sensitivity and specificity. While LC‐MS/MS has been increasingly used for detecting THs and Tg recently, its application in clinical practice is still in its early stages. Recent advances in the assessment of thyroid metabolism using LC‐MS/MS in clinical samples published during 2004–2023 were reviewed, with a special focus on the use of this technique for quantifying molecules involved in thyroid diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strong cocomparability graphs are the reflexive graphs whose adjacency matrix can be rearranged by a simultaneous row and column permutation to avoid the submatrix with rows 01,10 $01,10$. Strong cocomparability graphs form a subclass of cocomparability graphs (i.e., the complements of comparability graphs) and can be recognized in polynomial time. In his seminal paper, Gallai characterized cocomparability graphs in terms of a forbidden structure called asteroids. Gallai proved that cocomparability graphs are precisely those reflexive graphs which do not contain asteroids. In this paper, we give a characterization of strong cocomparability graphs which is analogous to Gallai's characterization for cocomparability graphs. We prove that strong cocomparability graphs are precisely those reflexive graphs which do not contain weak edge‐asteroids (a weaker version of asteroids). Our characterization also leads to a polynomial time recognition algorithm for strong cocomparability graphs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Paocai, as one of the most widely consumed traditional fermented foods in China, is dominated by lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which exert a significant influence on the dynamics of metabolites, microecological changes, and sensory quality. In this study, five different paocai groups were designed for fermentation using Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HYY‐DB9 (LP), Levilactobacillus brevis GIM 1.773 (LB), a mixture of two LABs (LP + LB), pasteurisation (PST), and natural fermentation (NF). Nitrite content, pH, titratable acidity, viable cell counts (LAB and yeasts), metabolites (organic acids and volatile substances), and sensory evaluation were determined for each group. The results demonstrated that the mixed fermentation with two LABs (LP + LB) significantly reduced nitrite content. Organic acids produced by LAB played a crucial role in the degradation process, particularly lactic acid which exhibited the most pronounced effect on nitrite degradation. Furthermore, artificial inoculation of LAB fermentation resulted in improved taste and flavour of paocai along with increased production of alcohols, esters, and acids compared to traditional natural fermentation. These findings have important implications for enhancing paocai quality control and managing nitrite content while also providing an excellent fermentation agent for fermented paocai. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: This study examined how parenting styles influence children's language skills and reading comprehension. Materials and Methods: Six hundred and eighty‐five Chinese‐speaking third graders (Mage = 9.23 years, SD =.66; 341 girls) were randomly recruited from eight primary schools. We measured students' primary caregivers' parenting styles, parental education, family income, migration status, number of children's extracurricular books in the home and family cohesion at Wave 1 (i.e. grade 3). We also assessed students' reading motivation, language skills (i.e. vocabulary knowledge and syntactic awareness) and reading comprehension at Wave 2 (i.e. grade 4). Results: The structural equation model analysis revealed that parenting styles indirectly affect language and reading comprehension development, with authoritative and authoritarian parenting exerting different influences on the two outcomes. Specifically, authoritative parenting was positively related to the number of children's books, which in turn was directly, or indirectly through reading motivation, associated with children's language skills and reading comprehension. In contrast, authoritarian parenting was negatively related to family cohesion, which was associated with children's reading motivation, and consequently, their language skills and reading comprehension. The multigroup analysis showed that the indirect pathways varied slightly across parental migration statuses. Discussion and Conclusion: These findings enhance the global understanding of the pathways linking parenting styles to children's language skills and reading comprehension, suggesting that educators and researchers should not overly emphasize the direct role of parenting styles in children's academic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To determine the significant risk factors of cerebral palsy (CP) in Taiwanese children and the associations between infant‐related and parent‐related factors. Method: Data from 1 459 093 infants and their parents in Taiwan's national databases collected between 2009 and 2016 were used. The cohort with CP included children diagnosed with CP between birth and age 3 years; a total of 3254 children with CP were included in the final analysis. Hierarchical logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio for the risk factors of CP. Results: The hierarchical logistic regression models indicated that significant risk factors associated with CP are suburban location, low income, maternal and paternal diabetes mellitus, paternal substance abuse, paternal seizure disorder, male sex, birth by Cesarean section, singleton birth, low birthweight, being born extremely and very preterm, intraventricular hemorrhage, and periventricular leukomalacia, as well as tube feeding, ventilator use, and dopamine administration within 6 months of age. Interpretation: In addition to common maternal and infant risk factors, we identified significant paternal risk factors associated with CP, including diabetes mellitus, seizure disorder, and substance abuse. The combination of maternal, paternal, and infant risk factors in CP holds great promise for early identification and intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhodamine dyes have been extensively explored for bioimaging and therapeutic applications over the past few decades. However, it remains a challenge to design long‐wavelength and large Stokes shift rhodamine derivatives to meet the requirements of fluorescence imaging and phototherapy in deep living tissues. In this work, a pyridine aromatic unit was inserted into the rhodamine derivatives (AC‐Fluor: ACF) skeleton to prepare a series of stable rhodamine derivatives, named ACFPs, to achieve long emission wavelength (>650 nm) and large Stokes shift (~60 nm) by tuning the conjugated systems and electronic symmetry. Moreover, ACFPs are capable of continuously producing superoxide radical (O2−⋅) under long wavelength irradiation. This study presents a novel paradigm for improving the optical properties of rhodamine, which has led to the development of a novel tool for image‐guided phototherapy for cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with other functional materials can effectively improve the third‐order nonlinear optical (NLO) performances of MOFs. In this study, two distinct functional materials are selected and a PANI@MIL‐101(Cr)@CeO2 composite is successfully synthesized. The test results of third‐order NLO indicate that introducing PANI regulates the distribution of π electron clouds within the structure of the composite. Additionally, the core@shell structure formed by PANI@MIL‐101(Cr) and CeO2 promotes charge transfer and improves charge transfer efficiency under the weak heterojunction interaction, thereby enhancing nonlinear absorption and refractive signals. Under the double synergistic action of interior and exterior, a new charge transfer occurs between the components of the composite, resulting in excellent third‐order NLO performances. This study indicates that encapsulating polymer and loading metal oxides can effectively improve the NLO response of MOFs, which offers a new idea for more research on multiphase NLO materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thin‐film interference is a significant optical phenomenon. In this study, we employed the transfer matrix method to pre‐calculate the reflectance of thin‐films at visible light wavelengths. The reflectance is saved as a texture through color space transformation. This advancement has made real‐time rendering of thin‐film interference feasible. Furthermore, we proposed the implementation of shallow water equations to simulate the morphological evolution of liquid thin‐films. This approach facilitates the interpretation and prediction of behaviors and thickness variations in liquid thin‐films. We also introduced a viscosity term into the shallow water equations to more accurately simulate the behavior of thin‐films, thus facilitating the creation of authentic interference patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

VX‐548 is an orally active and highly selective NaV 1.8 inhibitor that is undergoing development for the treatment of acute pain. The aim of this study was to develop a liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometric (LC–MS/MS) method for the measurement of VX‐548 in monkey plasma. VX‐548 was extracted from the plasma using acetonitrile‐mediated protein precipitation. The quantitative analysis was performed on a Thermo Vantage TSQ mass spectrometer with ibrutinib as an internal standard. Chromatography was performed on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column with 0.1% aqueous formic acid and acetonitrile as mobile phase. The precursor‐to‐product ion transitions were m/z 474.2 > 165.0 and m/z 441.2 > 138.1 for VX‐548 and internal standard, respectively. This developed method was successfully validated in the concentration range of 1–1000 ng/mL. The calibration curve showed excellent linearity with a correlation coefficient of >0.999. The precision expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD) was <8.4%, whereas the accuracy denoted as relative error (RE) ranged from −5.0% to 9.1%. The mean recovery was >84%. VX‐548 was stable in monkey plasma after storage under certain conditions. The validated method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of VX‐548 in monkey plasma after single oral (2 mg/kg) and intravenous (1 mg/kg) administrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examines the association between blood pressure variability (BPV) and renal damage in a cohort of 129 primary aldosteronism (PA) patients, employing ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) for comparative analysis with individuals diagnosed with essential hypertension (EH). The study reveals that PA patients exhibited significantly elevated levels of cystatin C and urine microalbumin/creatinine ratio (UACR). Additionally, a higher prevalence of non‐dipping blood pressure patterns in PA patients suggests an increased risk of circadian blood pressure regulation disturbances. Notably, while most BPV indices were comparable between the two groups, the standard deviation of 24‐h weighted diastolic blood pressure was markedly lower in the PA cohort, distinguishing it as a unique variable. Through multiple linear regression analysis, the duration of hypertension, angiotensin II concentrations, and daytime systolic blood pressure standard deviation emerged as significant determinants of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in PA patients. Furthermore, UACR was significantly influenced by variables including the 24‐h weighted standard deviation (wSD) of systolic BP, glycosylated hemoglobin levels, nocturnal systolic BP peaks, aldosterone‐renin ratio (ARR), and total cholesterol, with the most pronounced association observed with the 24‐h wSD of systolic BP (β = 0.383).The study also found significant correlations between the 24‐h wSD of systolic BP, ARR, HbA1c, serum potassium levels, and 24‐h urinary microalbumin, underscoring the critical role of the 24‐h wSD of systolic BP (β = 0.267). These findings underscore the imperative of an integrated management strategy for PA, addressing the intricate interconnections among metabolic abnormalities, blood pressure variability, and renal health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carbon capture‐transportation‐utilization (C‐CTU) chain strengthens the coupling between terminal energy consumption and renewable energy resources (RES), achieving carbon emission reduction in power generation sectors. However, the dynamic operation of the C‐CTU chain and the uncertainties induced by RES output pose new challenges for the low‐carbon operation. To address above challenges, the nonlinear dynamic operation model of C‐CTU chain is first proposed in this study. It is further incorporated into the day‐ahead operation scheme of the electricity‐carbon integrated system considering the stochastic nature of wind power. This scheme is treated as a two‐stage stochastic integer programming (TS‐SIP) problem with a mixed‐integer nonlinear recourse. By means of the polyhedral envelope‐based linearization method, this recourse is reformulated into its linear counterpart. To further improve the computational performance of classical decomposition algorithms, a novel Benders decomposition framework with hybrid cutting plane strategies is proposed to obtain better feasible solutions within a limited time. Simulations are conducted on two power system test cases with the C‐CTU chain. Numerical results indicate that the engagement of C‐CTU chain promotes the low‐carbon economic operation of the power system. Also, the proposed decomposition algorithm shows a superior solution capability to handle large‐scale TS‐SIP than state‐of‐the‐art commercial solvers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The delocalization and rearrangement of π electron clouds in space is the crucial source of regulating nonlinear optical (NLO) performance. Herein, a core‐shell metal organic framework (MOF)‐heterojunction is constructed to achieve the effect of tuning NLO properties by promoting charge transfer through multiple interactions between heterogeneous interfaces. [Cd(L)(4,4′‐bpy)(H2O)]n (Cd‐MOF) is selected to coat on polyaniline (PANI) surface to form PANI@Cd‐MOF. The constructed heterojunction displays an enhanced reverse saturation absorption (RSA) signal compared with Cd‐MOF, and it should be noted that the third‐order NLO refractive behavior changes from the self‐defocusing of Cd‐MOF to the self‐focusing of PANI@Cd‐MOF. It is proposed that high‐speed electronic communication bridges established via the rich hydrogen bond network (O... H‐N) and π–π interactions between heterogeneous interfaces can effectively modify the π electron cloud density that finally regulates the NLO properties. This work is believed to provide new avenues and insights for the design of third‐order NLO materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing highly active oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts in acidic conditions is a pressing demand for proton‐exchange membrane water electrolysis. Manipulating proton character at the electrified interface, as the crux of all proton‐coupled electrochemical reactions, is highly desirable but elusive. Herein we present a promising protocol, which reconstructs a connected hydrogen‐bond network between the catalyst‐electrolyte interface by coupling hydrophilic units to boost acidic OER activity. Modelling on N‐doped‐carbon‐layer clothed Mn‐doped‐Co3O4 (Mn−Co3O4@CN), we unravel that the hydrogen‐bond interaction between CN units and H2O molecule not only drags the free water to enrich the surface of Mn−Co3O4 but also serves as a channel to promote the dehydrogenation process. Meanwhile, the modulated local charge of the Co sites from CN units/Mn dopant lowers the OER barrier. Therefore, Mn−Co3O4@CN surpasses RuO2 at high current density (100 mA cm−2 @ ~538 mV). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insulation materials with low dielectric constants, low coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE), low densities, renewability, and low cost are urgently needed in the fields of communication, control and signal cables. Here we report that combining cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) with linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) by melt blending achieves the above goals. The dielectric constant and CTE of LLDPE/COC blends are minimized at 20 wt% COC content, reaching a value of 2.23 at 1000 Hz and 1.21 × 10−4 K−1, respectively. The density of the blend increases by only 1.6% compared with LLDPE, whereas the tensile modulus increases by 56%, which is conducive to the blends to improve mechanical strength while preserving lightweight. The rheological tests show that the zero‐shear viscosity, storage modulus, and loss modulus of the LLDPE/COC blends do not change much compared with pristine LLDPE, maintaining their good melt processability at 160°C. The cyclic rigid structure of COC causes a decrease in CTE, and the increase in free volume between molecular chains is responsible for the reduced dielectric constant. The present work provides a promising route to the design and fabrication of melt‐reprocessable polymer composites with low dielectric constant and low thermal expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has explored theories regarding the vertical transmission of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and its association with adverse pregnancy and perinatal outcomes. However, the impact of maternal HPV infection on congenital anomalies (CAs) in offspring remains relatively understudied. We conducted a population‐based cohort study linking the Taiwan Birth Registry, Taiwan Death Registry, and National Health Insurance Research Database, in which newborns born in Taiwan between 2009 and 2015 were included. We established a maternal HPV infection cohort comprising 37 807 newborns and matched them with a comparison group of 151 228 newborns at a 1:4 ratio based on index year, age, and sex. The study examined a composite outcome and subgroups of different types of congenital malformations. Differences in cumulative incidence of CAs were assessed using Kaplan–Meier curves and log‐rank tests. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazard regressions. No significant association was found between HPV infection and the broad spectrum of CAs (aHR: 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.98–1.10; log‐rank test p = 0.14). However, we observed a 19% increased risk of musculoskeletal CAs in the maternal HPV infection group (aHR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.05–1.34) compared to those without maternal HPV exposure. Other factors, including the type of HPV (aHR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.16–2.63), the timing of exposure (during or before pregnancy), and maternal age (aHR for <30 years: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.94–1.1; aHR for 30–39 years: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.99–1.11; aHR for ≥40 years: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.67–1.17), did not significantly affect the risk for any CA. In conclusion, gestation detection of HPV infection was associated with musculoskeletal CAs but not other major CAs. Prospective studies are warranted to elucidate the necessity of prenatal screening in populations at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addressing challenges in existing Steady‐State Visually Evoked Potentials Brain‐Computer Interfaces (SSVEP‐BCI) systems related to the contradiction between the number of interactive targets and the accuracy of visual stimulus recognition, as well as issues of portability and comfort, this work explores the spatial localization algorithm of SSVEP in BCI and implements a wearable eyeglass LED stimulator and an online brain‐computer interface based on SSVEP. By studying traditional feature recognition algorithms, this work applies them to spatial localization and validates the feasibility of the technology through real experiments. The subjects are asked to wear glasses with four LEDs flicker in specific frequencies for each eye as stimulators. By analyzing the Electroencephalogram (EEG) signal intensity of the subjects, the coordinate of visual point which is relative to the LED stimulation points is calculated. The results indicate that the system can effectively distinguish the four directions where the subjects are gazing, achieving real‐time brain‐machine interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inflammatory markers, including the product of neutrophil count, platelet count, and monocyte count divided by lymphocyte count (PIV) and the platelet‐to‐white blood cell ratio (PWR), have not been previously reported as prognostic factors in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. In order to predict overall survival (OS) in NPC patients, our goal was to create and internally evaluate a nomogram based on inflammatory markers (PIV, PWR). Methods: A retrospective study was done on patients who received an NPC diagnosis between January 2015 and December 2018. After identifying independent prognostic indicators linked to OS using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, we created a nomogram with the factors we had chosen. Results: A total of 630 NPC patients in all were split into training (n = 441) and validation sets (n = 189) after being enrolled in a population‐based study in 2015–2018 and monitored for a median of 5.9 years. In the training set, the age, PIV, and PWR, selected as independent predictors for OS via multivariate Cox's regression model, were chosen to develop a nomogram. Both training and validation cohorts had C‐indices of 0.850 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.768–0.849) and 0.851 (95% CI: 0.765–0.877). Furthermore, compared with traditional TNM staging, our nomogram demonstrated greater accuracy in predicting patient outcomes. The risk stratification model derived from our prediction model may facilitate personalized treatment strategies for NPC patients. Conclusion: Our findings confirmed the prognostic significance of the PWR and PIV in NPC. High PIV levels (>363.47) and low PWR (≤36.42) values are associated with worse OS in NPC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Excessive neuroinflammation mediated mainly by microglia plays a crucial role in ischemic stroke. AZD1390, an ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) specific inhibitor, has been shown to promote radio‐sensitization and survival in central nervous system malignancies, while the role of AZD1390 in ischemic stroke remains unknown. Methods: Real‐time PCR, western blot, immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays were used to assess the activation of microglia and the release of inflammatory cytokines. Behavioral tests were performed to measure neurological deficits. 2,3,5‐Triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining was conducted to assess the infarct volume. The activation of NF‐κB signaling pathway was explored through immunofluorescence staining, western blot, co‐immunoprecipitation and proximity ligation assay. Results: The level of pro‐inflammation cytokines and activation of NF‐κB signaling pathway was suppressed by AZD1390 in vitro and in vivo. The behavior deficits and infarct size were partially restored with AZD1390 treatment in experimental stroke. AZD1390 restrict ubiquitylation and sumoylation of the essential regulatory subunit of NF‐κB (NEMO) in an ATM‐dependent and ATM‐independent way respectively, which reduced the activation of the NF‐κB pathway. Conclusion: AZD1390 suppressed NF‐κB signaling pathway to alleviate ischemic brain injury in experimental stroke, and attenuated microglia activation and neuroinflammation, which indicated that AZD1390 might be an attractive agent for the treatment of ischemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purposes: To identify potent DNA methylation candidates that could predict response to temozolomide (TMZ) in glioblastomas (GBMs) that do not have glioma‐CpGs island methylator phenotype (G‐CIMP) but have an unmethylated promoter of O‐6‐methylguanine‐DNA methyltransferase (unMGMT). Methods: The discovery‐validation approach was planned incorporating a series of G‐CIMP−/unMGMT GBM cohorts with DNA methylation microarray data and clinical information, to construct multi‐CpG prediction models. Different bioinformatic and experimental analyses were performed for biological exploration. Results: By analyzing discovery sets with radiotherapy (RT) plus TMZ versus RT alone, we identified a panel of 64 TMZ efficacy‐related CpGs, from which a 10‐CpG risk signature was further constructed. Both the 64‐CpG panel and the 10‐CpG risk signature were validated showing significant correlations with overall survival of G‐CIMP−/unMGMT GBMs when treated with RT/TMZ, rather than RT alone. The 10‐CpG risk signature was further observed for aiding TMZ choice by distinguishing differential outcomes to RT/TMZ versus RT within each risk subgroup. Functional studies on GPR81, the gene harboring one of the 10 CpGs, indicated its distinct impacts on TMZ resistance in GBM cells, which may be dependent on the status of MGMT expression. Conclusions: The 64 TMZ efficacy‐related CpGs and in particular the 10‐CpG risk signature may serve as promising predictive biomarker candidates for guiding optimal usage of TMZ in G‐CIMP−/unMGMT GBMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malformations of cortical development (MCD) are a group of congenital disorders characterized by structural abnormalities in the brain cortex. The clinical manifestations include refractory epilepsy, mental retardation, and cognitive impairment. Genetic factors play a key role in the etiology of MCD. Currently, there is no curative treatment for MCD. Phenotypes such as epilepsy and cerebral palsy cannot be observed in the fetus. Therefore, the diagnosis of MCD is typically based on fetal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, or genetic testing. The recent advances in neuroimaging have enabled the in‐utero diagnosis of MCD using fetal ultrasound or MRI. Methods: The present study retrospectively reviewed 32 cases of fetal MCD diagnosed by ultrasound or MRI. Then, the chromosome karyotype analysis, single nucleotide polymorphism array or copy number variation sequencing, and whole‐exome sequencing (WES) findings were presented. Results: Pathogenic copy number variants (CNVs) or single‐nucleotide variants (SNVs) were detected in 22 fetuses (three pathogenic CNVs [9.4%, 3/32] and 19 SNVs [59.4%, 19/32]), corresponding to a total detection rate of 68.8% (22/32). Conclusion: The results suggest that genetic testing, especially WES, should be performed for fetal MCD, in order to evaluate the outcomes and prognosis, and predict the risk of recurrence in future pregnancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Moon‐based sensor can observe the Earth as a single point and achieve disk‐integrated measurements of outgoing longwave radiation (OLR), which significantly differs from low orbital, geostationary, and Sun–Earth L1 point platforms. In this study, a scheme of determining the disk‐integrated Earth's OLR based on a Moon‐based platform is proposed. The observational solid angle was theoretically derived based on the Earth's ellipsoid model and the disk‐integrated observational anisotropic factor was estimated to eliminate the effects of the Earth's radiant anisotropy. The simulated disk‐integrated Earth's OLR obtained from a Moon‐based platform varies periodically, due to changes in the observation geometry and Earth's scene distribution within the observed Earth's disk. Clouds, meteorological parameters, and the land cover distribution notably affect the disk‐integrated Earth's OLR. By analyzing the disk‐integrated Earth's OLR from a Moon‐based platform, significant variabilities were investigated. Additionally, the Earth's shape and radiant anisotropy that affecting the disk‐integrated Earth's OLR were estimated. In conclusion, a more realistic Earth's shape, the latest version of the angular distribution model (ADM), and accurate land cover and meteorological datasets are needed when determining the disk‐integrated Earth's OLR. It is expected the unique variability captured by this platform and its ability to complement traditional satellite data make it a valuable tool for studying Earth's radiation budget and energy cycle, and contributing to diagnostic of the climate General Circulation Models (GCM) performance. Plain Language Summary: Observing large‐scale geoscience phenomena poses a significant challenge, necessitating observations that guarantee spatial continuity and temporal consistency. Equipping sensors on the lunar surface can observe the whole Earth's disk, which is a feasible way to complement the existing satellites. Determining the disk‐integrated Earth's OLR from a Moon‐based platform helps in exploring its potential for detecting geoscience phenomena at different scales. Our study finds that the Moon‐based disk‐integrated Earth's OLR would provide full coverage of the whole Earth's phase angle during one sidereal month. The day‐night and land‐ocean effects on the Moon‐based disk‐integrated OLR during one sidereal month would provide substantial variability to compare to similarly sampled GCM output comparison that is not available from conventional satellite data. Such these unique variabilities in the Moon‐based disk‐integrated Earth's OLR make the Moon a valuable Earth observation platform for studying Earth's radiation budget and energy cycle, and evaluating the performance of GCMs. Key Points: Disk‐integrated Earth's outgoing longwave radiation are estimated considering Earth's shape and radiant anisotropyOverall understanding of the variability on Moon‐based disk‐integrated Earth's outgoing longwave radiationDiscussing the characteristics of Moon‐based disk‐integrated Earth's outgoing longwave radiation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The theory of at least 2‐week waiting period between tooth extraction and head and neck radiotherapy could reduce osteoradionecrosis remains controversial. Thus, this study examined the theory and associated factors. Materials and Methods: Data were retrieved from the National Health Insurance Research Database, Taiwan Cancer Registry Database, and Cause of Death Statistics. We included 24,353 patients with head and neck cancer who received radiotherapy from 2011 to 2017 and were followed up until 2019. The patients were divided into three groups: those undergoing tooth removal 2–8 weeks before radiotherapy, those undergoing tooth removal within 2 weeks before radiotherapy, and others. Confounding factors were clinical information, physical conditions, and risky habits. We used the Cox regression model to assess osteoradionecrosis risk. Results: No significant difference in osteoradionecrosis risk was observed between those undergoing tooth extraction within 2 weeks before radiotherapy and the other groups. An irradiation dose of ≥60 Gy, chemotherapy, tumor excision, post‐radiotherapy tooth extraction, mandibulectomy, hyperlipidemia, and oral cavity as the tumor subsite were significantly positively associated with osteoradionecrosis risk. Conclusion: A waiting period of ≥2 weeks between tooth extraction and radiotherapy did not significantly reduce osteoradionecrosis risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2D semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are emerging as promising candidates in the pursuit of advancing semiconductor technology. One major challenge for integrating 2D TMD materials into practical applications is developing an epitaxial technique with robust reproducibility for single‐oriented growth and thus single‐crystal growth. Here, the growth of single‐orientated MoS2 on c‐plane sapphire with atomically thin Fe2O3 decoration layers under various growth conditions is demonstrated. The statistical data highlight robust reproducibility, achieving a single orientation ratio of up to 99%. Density functional theory calculations suggest that MoS2 favors a 0° alignment ([112¯0]//[112¯0]$[ {11\bar{2}0} ]//\ [ {11\bar{2}0} ]$) on the Fe2O3 (0001) surface. This preference ensures single‐oriented growth, even on mirror‐reflected exposed surfaces which typically lead to antiparallel domains. Subsequent optical and electrical analyses confirm the uniformity and undoped nature of MoS2 on Fe2O3‐decorated sapphire, showing its quality is comparable to MoS2 grown on bared sapphires. The results underscore the potential of Fe2O3‐decorated sapphire as an effective substrate for the consistent and high‐quality epitaxial growth of 2D TMDs, illuminating the pathway to epitaxial control of 2D TMD orientation through strategic modulation of crystalline atomic surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Uveitis is a common manifestation of various autoimmune diseases and can lead to severe visual impairment. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an antimalarial drug that is also used to treat autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between HCQ use and the incidence of uveitis in patients with autoimmune diseases, as well as to identify potential risk factors for the development of uveitis in this study. Methods: We conducted a population‐based cohort study using a nationwide database to investigate the incidence of uveitis in patients with autoimmune diseases who received HCQ treatment. We selected non‐HCQ comparison cohort at a 1:1 ratio by propensity score matching on age, sex, index date, urbanization, income, comorbidities, and medications. The data were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models, and propensity score matching (PSM) was used to reduce selection bias. Results: Our study included 15 822 patients with autoimmune diseases. After 1:1 PSM, there were 4555 individuals in both the HCQ group (n = 4555) and the non‐HCQ group (n = 4555). The multiple Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used for the estimation of adjusted hazard ratios on uveitis. After PSM, the adjusted hazard ratio for the HCQ group was 0.74 (95% CI = 0.58–0.95). These findings suggest that HCQ may play a protective role in reducing the risk of uveitis in patients with autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus groups. The Kaplan–Meier survival curves also showed a significantly lower incidence of uveitis in the HCQ group (log‐rank = 0.0229) after PSM. Conclusion: HCQ use is associated with a lower incidence of uveitis in patients with autoimmune diseases. Further studies are needed to confirm this association and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is required to screen for high‐risk varices (HRV) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially since overall survival rates have dramatically improved with new systemic therapies. Aim: To assess the Baveno VI and Baveno VII algorithms' ability to rule out HRV in hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related HCC Methods: We prospectively enrolled consecutive patients with HBV related, compensated cirrhosis and newly diagnosed HCC who underwent liver stiffness measurement, spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) using a 100‐Hz shear wave frequency, and EGD. Results: From September 2021 to August 2023, we enrolled 219 patients with HCC, with 107 (48.9%) Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) A, 28 (12.8%) BCLC B and 84 (38.3%) BCLC C, respectively. HRV prevalence was 28.8% (63/219). Baveno VI criteria safely (HRV missing rate, 3.2%) avoided 27.4% unnecessary EGDs, while the Baveno VII algorithm avoided 49.3% with HRV missing rate at 7.9% (5/63). The SSM ≤40 kPa avoided 47.5% of EGDs safely (HRV missing rate, 4.8%), significantly better than the Baveno VI criteria (p < 0.001) and comparable to the Baveno VII algorithm (p = 0.390). The SSM ≤40 kPa safely avoided EGDs in patient subgroups within Milan criteria, with portal vein tumour thrombosis or BCLC B/C or candidates for systemic therapy. Conclusions: We validated that the SSM ≤40 kPa using a 100‐Hz probe could safely eliminate more unnecessary EGDs than the Baveno VI criteria in patients with HBV‐related HCC. However, the efficacy of the Baveno VII algorithm in patients with HCC requires further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The erbium‐doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er: YAG) laser has been successfully applied in caries removal; however, little is known about proper parameters of Er: YAG laser on different conditions of caries removal, especially the influence of Er: YAG irradiation on human dental pulp cells (hDPCs). Here, we tested the effects of Er: YAG laser at different output energy levels (100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 mJ) on biobehaviors of hDPCs. To simulate clinical deep caries conditions, hDPCs were cultured on the pulpal side of 500‐μm‐thick dentin disks in an in vitro pulp chamber model. Temperature change, structural change, and ablation depth of dentin disk were also recorded. The findings suggested that the biological behaviors of hDPCs are strongly correlated with the energy output of the Er: YAG laser. Er: YAG laser irradiation at 100 mJ may be proper and safe for deep caries removal since it would not cause any adverse effect on hDPCs biobehaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: As the sixth most common type of cancer worldwide, liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) emerges as grave public health danger owing to its chemotherapy‐resistant feature. Disulfidoptosis is a newly discovered programmed cell death process affecting the normal actin cytoskeleton structure. Methods: Single‐cell RNA (scRNA)‐seq data were procured from GSE149614 and GSE202642 datasets. We utilized uniform manifold approximation and projection and clustering algorithm Louvian for dimensionality reduction and FindAllMarkers function for determining the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Monocle2 and SCENIC were utilized to perform pseudo‐time series and transcription factor analysis for selected subgroups. A series of in vitro experiments, including colony formation assay (CFA), flow cytometry targeting apoptosis and cell cycle, was applied to investigate how APLP2 regulated the LIHC progression. Two cell lines of LIHC cells, HepG2, and Huh7, were used for si‐APLP2 transfection. Results: Tumor heterogeneity landscape of LIHC was depicted by detailed subgroup analysis. We found T and B cells were enriched with POU2F1 and HES1 activity. Inflammatory cancer‐associated fibroblasts interacted with the cancer cells, uniquely through COL1A1/SDC1, COL1A2/SDC1 and LUM/ITGB1 pathways. The transformation from normal hepatocytes to malignant cells was displayed by cell trajectory analysis. State4, which was determined as malignant cells, was enriched in PI3K, hypoxia, and Epidermal growth factor receptor pathway, and enriched with Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 2 Group F Member 1 transcription factor activity. We observed an intense communication from the cancer cells to endothelial cells, mainly through the Vitronectin (VTN) to Kinase Insert Domain Receptor (KDR) pathway. A prognostic model targeting LIHC was constructed based on the disulfidoptosis‐based DEGs, namely APLP2, PDIA6, YBX1, SPP1, whose accuracy was validated in multiple cohorts. Knockdown of APLP2 significantly increased the apoptosis and delayed cell cycle progression of LIHC cell line. Conclusion: A prognostic model targeting LIHC was constructed based on the disulfidoptosis‐related DEGs, which displayed high stability and accuracy in multiple cohorts. APLP2 played an active role in the carcinogenesis of LIHC by regulating the apoptosis and cell cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the role of miR‐150‐5p in the onset and progression of periodontitis, and reveal the potential molecular mechanism underlying its function and to explore a novel biomarker for periodontitis. Background: Periodontitis is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, emphasizing the need for a biomarker to improve its early detection and prevention. The association of miR‐150‐5p with diseases related to Fuscobacterium nucleatum implies its potential involvement in periodontitis. Methods: The expression of miR‐150‐5p in the saliva of patients with periodontitis (n = 77) and healthy individuals (n = 43) was assessed by PCR. Human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) were induced with an osteogenic culture medium. The regulatory effect of miR‐150‐5p on the proliferation and migration of HGFs was assessed by CCK8 and transwell assays. Osteogenic differentiation was estimated based on the expression of corresponding factors through western blotting, and the inflammatory response was evaluated by measuring the levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines using ELISA. Results: Significant upregulation of miR‐150‐5p was observed in patients with periodontitis, which sensitively distinguished them and was closely associated with the severity and periodontal index of the condition. In HGFs, osteogenic induction (OI) resulted in increased miR‐150‐5p levels, which negatively regulated the expression of AIFM2. Silencing miR‐150‐5p significantly attenuated OI‐induced suppression of proliferation and migration of HGFs. The silencing also alleviated inflammation and osteogenic differentiation, which was reversed upon AIFM2 knockdown. Conclusion: Upregulated miR‐150‐5p in periodontitis served as a diagnostic biomarker, indicating the occurrence and aggravation of disease condition. Silencing miR‐150‐5p inhibited the osteogenic differentiation and inflammation of HGFs by negatively modulating AIFM2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renal fibrosis is a common pathological feature of chronic kidney diseases (CKD), poses a significant burden in the aging population, and is a major cause of end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). In this study, we investigated the role of G protein‐coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) 5 in the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis. GRK5 is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling. GRK5 has been shown to play a role in various diseases including cardiac disorders and cancer. However, the role of GRK5 in renal fibrosis remains largely unknown. Our finding revealed that GRK5 was significantly overexpressed in renal fibrosis. Specifically, GRK5 was transferred into the nucleus via its nuclear localization sequence to regulate histone deacetylases (HDAC) 5 expression under renal fibrosis. GRK5 acted as an upstream regulator of HDAC5/Smad3 signaling pathway. HDAC5 regulated and prevented the transcriptional activity of myocyte enhancer factor 2A (MEF2A) to repress the transcription of Smad7 which leading to the activation of Smad3. These findings first revealed that GRK5 may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of renal fibrosis. Inhibition of GRK5 activity may be a promising strategy to attenuate the progression of renal fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatectomy, a surgical procedure for liver cancer, is often plagued by high recurrence rates worldwide. The recurrence of liver cancer is primarily attributed to microlesions in the liver, changes in the immune microenvironment, and circulating tumor cells in the bloodstream. To address this issue, a novel intervention method that combines intraoperative hemostasis with mild photothermal therapy is proposed, which has the potential to ablate microlesions and improve the immune microenvironment simultaneously. Specifically, the integrated strategy is realized based on the fibrous chitosan/polydopamine sponge (CPDS), which is constructed from shearing‐flow‐induced oriented hybrid chitosan fibers and subsequent self‐assembly of polydopamine. The CPDS demonstrates high elasticity, excellent water absorption, and photothermal conversion performance. The results confirm the efficient hemostatic properties of the fibrous CPDS in various bleeding models. Notably, in subcutaneous and orthotopic postoperative recurrence and metastasis models of hepatocellular carcinoma, the fibrous CPDS significantly inhibits local tumor recurrence and distant metastasis. Moreover, the combination with lenvatinib can substantially enhance the antitumor effect. This comprehensive treatment strategy offers new insights into hepatectomy of liver cancer, representing a promising approach for clinical management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the change of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and ascorbic acid (AA) between femtosecond laser in situ keratomileusis (FS‐LASIK) and laser‐assisted lenticule extraction (LALEX). A prospective non‐randomized study was conducted, and 33 and 75 eyes that had undergone FS‐LASIK or LALEX surgeries were enrolled, respectively. The tear films near corneal incisions were collected, and the concentrations of TAC and AA were determined. The generalized linear mixed model was adopted to calculate the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of TAC and AA between the two groups. The AA reduction was significant 1 month after the LALEX and FS‐LASIK procedures (both p < 0.05), and the decrement in AA level was significantly larger in the FS‐LASIK group compared to the LALEX group (p = 0.0002). In the subgroup analysis, the LALEX group demonstrated a lower decrement in TAC level in the individuals with dry eye disease (DED) than the FS‐LASIK group (p = 0.0424), and the LALEX group demonstrated a significantly lower AA decrement in the participants with high myopia (p = 0.0165) and DED (p = 0.0043). The LALEX surgery causes lesser AA decrement compared to FS‐LASIK surgery especially for the patients with DED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clusteroluminescence (CL) has recently gained significant attention due to its unique through‐space interactions associated with a high dependence on the aggregation of subgroups. These distinct features could easily transform the stimuli into visual fluorescence and monitor the fluctuation of the environment but have not received sufficient attention before. In this work, supramolecular films are designed based on the neutralization reaction of anhydride groups and the self‐assembly of dynamic covalent disulfide bonds in NaOH aqueous solution. The self‐assembly of hydrophilic carboxylate chromophores and hydrophobic disulfide‐containing five‐membered rings could be observed by the variation of the aggregation state of carboxylate in CL. Furthermore, the dynamic cross‐linking films obtained with water‐sensitive carboxylate chromophores could alter the aggregation distance stimulated by surrounding water vapor, causing the emission wavelength to change from 534 to 508 nm by varying the relative humidity. This work not only provides an approach to monitor the self‐assembly of clusteroluminogens but also offers new strategies for designing stimuli‐responsive materials that utilize the intrinsic features of CL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: For patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by large vessel occlusions (LVO), mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is the treatment standard of care in eligible patients. Modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) grades of 2b, 2c, and 3 are all considered successful reperfusion; however, recent studies have shown achieving mTICI 2c/3 leads to better outcomes than mTICI 2b. This study aims to investigate whether any baseline preprocedural or periprocedural parameters are predictive of achieving mTICI 2c/3 in successfully recanalized LVO patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter cohort study of consecutive patients presenting with AIS caused by a LVO from 1 January 2017 to 1 January 2023. Baseline and procedural data were collected through chart review. Univariate and multivariate analysis were applied to determine significant predictors of mTICI 2c/3. Results: A total of 216 patients were included in the study, with 159 (73.6%) achieving mTICI 2c/3 recanalization and 57 (26.4%) achieving mTICI 2b recanalization. We found that a higher groin puncture to first pass time (OR = 0.976, 95%CI: 0.960–0.992, p = 0.004), a higher first pass to recanalization time (OR = 0.985, 95%CI: 0.972–0.998, p = 0.029), a higher admission NIHSS (OR = 0.949, 95%CI: 0.904–0.995, p = 0.031), and a lower age (OR = 1.032, 95%CI: 1.01–1.055, p = 0.005) were associated with a decreased probability of achieving mTICI 2c/3. Interpretation: A lower groin puncture to first pass time, a lower first pass to recanalization time, a lower admission NIHSS, and a higher age were independent predictors of mTICI 2c/3 recanalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS‐C) is a rare and serious systemic inflammatory disorder that occurs following a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection. This study aims to investigate the clinical manifestations, risk factors associated with pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission, and outcome among children with MIS‐C in Taiwan. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted among pediatric patients diagnosed with MIS‐C between June 2022 and February 2023 at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan. Data on demographics, clinical features, laboratory findings, treatment modalities, and outcomes were collected and analyzed. Results: Twenty‐eight MIS‐C patients, including 9 boys and 19 girls, with an average age of 5.3 ± 3.8 years old, were enrolled. Most of the cases (78.6%) were diagnosed following the first pandemic wave of COVID‐19 in Taiwan. The leading clinical manifestations observed were fever (100%), skin rash (64.3%), tachycardia (46.4%), and vomiting (46.4%). Nine patients (32.1%) were admitted to the PICU due to hypotension or neurological manifestations. Higher levels of band‐form white blood cells, procalcitonin, ferritin, d‐dimer, prothrombin time, NT‐proBNP, and lower platelet levels on arrival were associated with PICU admission (p = 3.9 × 10−2,9 × 10−3, 4 × 10−3,1 × 10−3, 5 × 10−3, 4.1 × 10−2, and 3.4 × 10−2, respectively). Arrhythmia in one case (3.5%) and coronary artery abnormalities, including dilatation in two cases (7.1%) and small aneurysms in one case (3.5%) were identified. Regardless of ICU admission, no patients experienced systolic dysfunction or mortality following treatment. Conclusion: MIS‐C cases in Taiwan have a favorable outcome. Although one‐third of the patients required PICU admission, none of the MIS‐C cases resulted in severe cardiovascular morbidity or mortality. This study provides valuable insights into the clinical manifestations and outcomes associated with PICU admission in children with MIS‐C in Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic dye molecules and pathogenic microorganisms exist widely in printing and dyeing wastewater, causing persisting concerns about water environment safety. Herein, newly developed alginate–chitosan–graphene oxide nanosheets gel beads with both exceptional adsorption and antibacterial functions are reported. NaHCO3 is selected as porogen and Ag+ is used as antibacterial enhancer. The adsorption properties of the beads fit well with the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo‐second‐order model, suggesting a monolayer behavior of the adsorption and their reaction rate is controlled by chemisorption. The theoretical liminal value of the adsorption of methylene blue by the beads reaches 847.46 mg g−1. After five adsorption–desorption cycles, the beads retain almost intact adsorption activity, and the sterilization rates of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus remain at 99.99%. The results give insight into developing new processing routes for constructing gel beads for versatile applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]