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Abstract The WCAY (weighted channel attention YOLO) model, which is meticulously crafted to identify fracture features across diverse X-ray image sites, is presented herein. This model integrates novel core operators and an innovative attention mechanism to enhance its efficacy. Initially, leveraging the benefits of dynamic snake convolution (DSConv), which is adept at capturing elongated tubular structural features, we introduce the DSC-C2f module to augment the model’s fracture detection performance by replacing a portion of C2f. Subsequently, we integrate the newly proposed weighted channel attention (WCA) mechanism into the architecture to bolster feature fusion and improve fracture detection across various sites. Comparative experiments were conducted, to evaluate the performances of several attention mechanisms. These enhancement strategies were validated through experimentation on public X-ray image datasets (FracAtlas and GRAZPEDWRI-DX). Multiple experimental comparisons substantiated the model’s efficacy, demonstrating its superior accuracy and real-time detection capabilities. According to the experimental findings, on the FracAtlas dataset, our WCAY model exhibits a notable 8.8% improvement in mean average precision (mAP) over the original model. On the GRAZPEDWRI-DX dataset, the mAP reaches 64.4%, with a detection accuracy of 93.9% for the “fracture” category alone. The proposed model represents a substantial improvement over the original algorithm compared to other state-of-the-art object detection models. The code is publicly available at https://github.com/cccp421/Fracture-Detection-WCAY .

Abstract Purpose It is controversial for the optimal time of breast cancer surgery after COVID-19 infection. Purpose was to assess the risk of postoperative complication in breast cancer patients with COVID-19 infection, in order to select optimal surgery timing after COVID-19 infection. Methods Breast cancer patients infected with COVID-19 and performed surgery between December 20th, 2022 to March 20th, 2023 were included in this prospective study (n = 577). Patients performed surgery between May 1, 2019 to October 1, 2019 were listed as control group (n = 329). They had not been infected with COVID-19 before surgery. Patients were grouped by time of surgery relative to COVID-19 infection. Database was evaluated using logistic regression. Results Patients infected with COVID-19 had a higher incidence of complications after surgery compared to that not-COVID-19 infection (6.59% vs. 3.04%). Multivariable logistic analysis demonstrated that timing of surgery was associated with complications (OR = 4.253; 95% CI: 0.855–21.153, P = 0.044). Patients performed surgery within 2 weeks after COVID-19 infection had the highest rates of complication (17.65%) when compared with other groups, while the incidence was decreased into 5.51% when surgery 2 weeks or more after COVID-19 infection. With a median follow-up was 10 months, all patients with complications were recovered without serious complications or death, which had no adverse effect on subsequent anti-tumor therapy. Conclusions It needs to be cautious when breast cancer surgery was performed within 2 weeks after COVID-19 infection. Although the incidence of complications in patients undergoing surgery 2 weeks after COVID-19 infection is still slightly high, surgery might be recommended considering urgency of treatment, good prognosis of complications and the lack of influence on subsequent adjuvant therapy.

Abstract Background Cuproptosis, a recently identified type of programmed cell death triggered by copper, has mechanisms in Wilms tumor (WT) that are not yet fully understood. This research focuses on examining the link between WT and Cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs), with the goal of developing a predictive model for WT. Methods Four gene expression datasets related to WT were sourced from the GEO database. Subsequently, expression profiles of CRGs were extracted for differential analysis and immune infiltration studies. Utilizing 105 WT samples, clusters related to Cuproptosis were identified. This involved analyzing associated immune cell infiltration and conducting functional enrichment analysis. Disease-characteristic genes were pinpointed using weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Finally, the WT risk prediction model was constructed by four machine learning methods: random forest, support vector machine (SVM), generalized linear and extreme gradient strength model. The best-performing machine learning model was chosen, and a nomogram was created. The effectiveness of this predictive model was validated using methods such as the calibration curve, decision curve analysis, and by appiying it to the TARGET-GTEx dataset. Results Thirteen differentially expressed Cuproptosis-related genes were identified. The infiltration level of CD8 + T cells in WT children was lower than that in Normal tissue (NT) children, and the level of M0 infiltration of macrophages and T follicular helper cells was higher than that in NT children. In addition, two clusters of cuproptosis-related WT were identified. Enrichment analysis results indicated that genes in cluster 2 were primarily involved in cell division, nuclear division regulation, DNA biosynthesis process, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. The SVM model was judged to be the optimal model using 5 genes. Its accuracy was confirmed through a calibration curve and decision curve analysis, demonstrating satisfactory performance on the TARGET-GTEx validation dataset. Additional analysis revealed that these five genes exhibited high expression in both the TARGET-GTEx validation dataset and sequencing data. Conclusion This research established a link between WT and Cuproptosis. It developed a predictive model for assessing the risk of WT and pinpointed five key genes associated with the disease.

Objectives: Diamond tools are widely used in fields such as oil drilling, geological exploration, and stone processing, among which sintered metal bond diamond tools have become the most representative due to their wide applicability and strong durability. Cobalt (Co) has become the preferred material for preparing diamond tools due to its excellent physical properties, but its price is relatively expensive. As market competition gradually intensifies, the application range of Co is becoming limited. It has been found that Fe-based pre-alloy powder has similar properties to Co and can be used as an important way to reduce costs. However, Fe-based diamond tools face problems such as high sintering temperature, narrow controllable process range, easy erosion of diamond, weak holding force, and the tendency for the matrix to burn during production. Additionally, the Sn element is prone to segregation and loss during long-term sintering in the furnace, resulting in unstable performance of diamond tools. This article describes the preparation of FeCuNi-Cu/Sn/Bi alloy powder using a multi-layer coating process to improve the densification of diamond matrix sintering and reduce component segregation. Methods: Co powder, Cu powder, Fe powder, Sn powder, Ni powder, and FeCuNi alloy powder were selected, and Cu, Sn, and Bi were respectively plated onto the surface of FeCuNi alloy powder by chemical methods, forming a uniform coating on the surface. Metal powder and diamond were mixed using a three-dimensional mixer for 2 hours. After mixing, the required weight of uniform powder was weighed, and sample blocks with dimensions of 4 mm × 8 mm × 40 mm were prepared using a hot press sintering machine. The mold material was graphite, and 4 sample blocks were prepared for each group. The experiment was repeated twice. For the tested materials, Rockwell hardness was measured, as well as the three-point bending strength. The microstructure and energy spectrum were analyzed using an electron microscope, and the changes in composition, structure, and mechanical properties of the tire body with fewer joints under different processes were compared and analyzed. Four formulations of sintered diamond tool bodies were designed, and their physical properties were tested. Eight samples were prepared for each formulation. After removing the maximum and minimum values, the average value of the data was calculated for analysis. Results: The hardness of the coated alloy powder formulation body decreased from 110 HRB to 106 HRB, but the decrease was less than 4%, indicating that the hardness remained similar. After adding the coated alloy powder, the flexural strength of the tire body increased by more than 10%. Specifically, for the formulation containing FeCuNi-Bi powder, the flexural strength increased from 945 MPa to 1,120 MPa, an increase of nearly 20%. The improvement was due to the even distribution of low-melting point elements coated on the surface of the alloy powder, which reduced the porosity of the matrix during the sintering process, thereby improving the bending strength of the matrix. Analysis of the microstructure of the four sintered tire bodies revealed that Sn in the original formula reacted with metal elements such as Cu in the tire body, gradually forming CuSn alloy. The distribution of Sn was uneven, and segregation was severe. As the sintering temperature increased, some CuSn alloys with higher Sn content began to melt. However, the wettability between the liquid CuSn alloy and Co or Fe particles was poor, and the distribution in the tire body was discontinuous. The vast majority of the CuSn liquid phase could not penetrate the Co and Fe skeleton phases to form a network connection. Under the interaction of sintering temperature and pressure, a strong and dense bond could not be formed, resulting in an uneven microstructure of the tire body and negatively affecting the performance and application of diamond tools. After adding FeCuNi-Cu/Sn/Bi alloy powder to the formula, the distribution of the coated alloy powder was relatively uniform. During sintering, Sn and Bi on the surface of FeCuNi alloy powder particles melted first, reacting with Cu to form liquid phases such as Cu-Sn and Cu-Bi. These phases gradually diffused along the FeCuNi alloy powder particles from the outside to the inside, entering the gaps between Fe, Ni, FeCuNi and other particles. Ultimately, Cu-Sn and Cu-Bi alloys formed a continuous network structure, encapsulating and bonding particles such as FeCuNi, Fe, and Ni, making the composition and microstructure distribution of the diamond tool bodies more uniform and dense, thus avoiding component segregation. Conclusions: FeCuNi-Cu/Sn/Bi alloy powder was prepared by chemically plating Cu, Sn, and Bi onto the surface of FeCuNi alloy powder. After adding the metal-coated alloy powder to the formula, the microstructure of the matrix was refined, and both hardness and strength were improved. The FeCuNi-Cu/Sn/Bi alloy powder, using coating technology, was sintered to obtain a denser matrix with higher diamond holding force and better mechanical properties.

Abstract Information industry is one of the major drivers of the world economy. Its rapid growth, however, leads to severe heat problem which strongly hinders further development. This calls for a non-charge-based technology. Magnon, capable of transmitting spin information without electron movement, holds tremendous potential in post-Moore era. Given the cornerstone role of the field effect transistor in modern electronics, creating its magnonic equivalent is highly desired but remains a challenge. Here, we demonstrate a nonvolatile three-terminal lateral magnon field effect transistor operating at room temperature. The device consists of a ferrimagnetic insulator (Y3Fe5O12) deposited on a ferroelectric material [Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)0.7Ti0.3O3 or Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3], with three Pt stripes patterned on Y3Fe5O12 as the injector, gate, and detector, respectively. The magnon transport in Y3Fe5O12 can be regulated by the gate voltage pulses in a nonvolatile manner with a high on/off ratio. Our findings provide a solid foundation for designing energy-efficient magnon-based devices.

Abstract A strong driving force for charge separation and transfer in semiconductors is essential for designing effective photoelectrodes for solar energy conversion. While defect engineering and polarization alignment can enhance this process, their potential interference within a photoelectrode remains unclear. Here we show that oxygen vacancies in bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) can create defect dipoles due to a disruption of symmetry. The modified photoelectrodes exhibit a strong correlation between charge separation and transfer capability and external electrical poling, which is not seen in unmodified samples. Applying poling at −150 Volt boosts charge separation and transfer efficiency to over 90%. A photocurrent density of 6.3 mA cm−2 is achieved on the photoelectrode after loading with a nickel-iron oxide-based cocatalyst. Furthermore, using generated holes for methane partial oxidation can produce methanol with a Faradaic efficiency of approximately 6%. These findings provide valuable insights into the photoelectrocatalytic conversion of greenhouse gases into valuable chemical products.

The rail transit in sulfate-rich areas faces the combined effects of stray current and salt corrosion; however, the sulfate ion transport and concrete degradation mechanisms under such conditions are still unclear. To address this issue, novel sulfate transport and mesoscale splitting tests were designed, with a focus on considering the differences between the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) and cement matrix. Under the influence of stray current, the ITZ played a pivotal role in regulating the transport and mechanical failure processes of sulfate attack, while the tortuous and blocking effects of aggregates almost disappeared. This phenomenon was termed the “stray current-induced ITZ effect.” The experimental data revealed that the difference in sulfate ion transport attributed to the ITZ ranged from 1.90 to 2.31 times, while the difference in splitting strength ranged from 1.56 to 1.64 times. Through the real-time synchronization of splitting experiments and microsecond-responsive particle image velocimetry (PIV) technology, the mechanical properties were exposed to the consequences of the stray current-induced ITZ effect. The number of splitting cracks in the concrete increased, rather than along the central axis, which was significantly different from the conditions without stray current and the ideal Brazilian disk test. Furthermore, a sulfate ion mass transfer model that incorporates reactivity and electrodiffusion was meticulously constructed. The embedded finite element calculation exhibited excellent agreement with the experimental results, indicating its reliability and accuracy. Additionally, the stress field was determined utilizing analytical methods, and the mechanism underlying crack propagation was successfully obtained. Compared to the cement matrix, a stray current led to more sulfates, more microstructure degradation, and greater increases in thickness and porosity in the ITZ, which was considered to be the essence of the stray current-induced ITZ effect.

Abstract Branching enzymes (BEs) confer to α-glucans, the primary energy-storage reservoir in nature, a variety of features, like slow digestion. The full catalytic cycle of BEs can be divided in six steps, namely two covalent catalytic steps involving glycosylation and transglycosylation, and four noncatalytic steps involving substrate binding and transfers (SBTs). Despite the ever-growing wealth of biochemical and structural information on BEs, clear mechanistic insights into SBTs from an industrial-performance perspective are still missing. Here, we report a Rhodothermus profundi BE (RpBE) endowed with twice as much enzymatic activity as the Rhodothermus obamensis BE currently used in industry. Furthermore, we focus on the SBTs for RpBE by means of large-scale computations supported by experiment. Engineering of the crucial positions responsible for the initial substrate-binding step improves enzymatic activity significantly, while offering a possibility to customize product types. In addition, we show that the high-efficiency substrate-transfer steps preceding glycosylation and transglycosylation are the main reason for the remarkable enzymatic activity of RpBE, suggestive of engineering directions for the BE family.

Abstract Most advanced lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patient deaths are attributed to metastasis. However, the complete understanding of the metastatic mechanism in LUAD remains elusive. Single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq), spatial RNA-seq (stRNA-seq) and bulk RNA-seq of primary LUAD were integrated to investigate metastatic driver genes, cell–cell interactions, and spatial colocalization of cells and ligand-receptor pairs. A lung adenocarcinoma metastasis risk scoring model (LMRS) was established to estimate the risk of metastasis in LUAD. Forty-two metastasis driver genes were identified and tumor epithelial cells were classified into two subtypes. Epithelial cell subclass characterized by susceptibility to metastasis are referred to as Epithelial_LM, and the remaining as Epithelial_LL. Epithelial_LM subtype has intimate ligand-receptor interactions with inflammatory endothelial cells (iendo), inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblasts (iCAF), and NKT cells. Epithelial_LM cells have a spatial colocalization relationship with these three types of cells. The LMRS was established and its efficacy was verified in bulk RNA-seq. We identified a subclass of epithelial cells prone to metastasis and demonstrated the contribution of inflammatory stromal cells and NKT cells in facilitating tumor metastasis. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Background Calcaneal osteomyelitis (CO) poses a formidable challenge in treatment due to the distinct anatomical structure and functional properties of the calcaneus. The present study endeavors to furnish a thorough and comprehensive understanding of the clinical manifestations, therapeutic strategies, and therapeutic outcomes pertaining to pediatric calcaneal osteomyelitis (PCO) by conducting a meticulous synthesis and analysis of cases reported in the literature. Methods A systematic search of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted to identify English-language studies analyzing PCO between 2000 and 2021. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) assessment scale. Effective data were extracted and analyzed. Results A total of 42 studies, encompassing 128 patients, fulfilled the established inclusion criteria. The gender distribution revealed a male-to-female ratio of 2:1 (81 boys and 40 girls). The median age at the time of diagnosis was 8 years, while the median duration of symptoms was 0.6 month. Trauma emerged as the primary etiology (41 cases, 54%), and limited activity was the most prevalent symptom (68 cases). The positive rate for pathogen culture was 75.4% (49/65), with Staphylococcus aureus being the most commonly isolated pathogen (28 cases, 57.1%). Surgical intervention was performed in 51% (64/126) of the patients, with debridement serving as the primary surgical strategy. The rate of infection recurrence was 6.8% (8/118), and the risk of below-knee amputation was 0.8% (1/124). Conclusions PCO occurred more frequently in male patients, with trauma being the primary underlying cause and Staphylococcus aureus being the most prevalent bacterial pathogen isolated. Over half of the patients underwent surgical intervention. Nonetheless, it is imperative that treatment strategies undergo further refinement, as approximately 7% of patients experienced infection recurrence.

Abstract Drought and salt stress are two important environmental factors that significantly restrict plant growth and reproduction. Malate dehydrogenase is essential to life as it is engaged in numerous physiological processes in cells, particularly those related to abiotic stress reactions. However, a complete understanding of MDH family members in kenaf is not clear yet. In this study, subcellular localization analysis and a yeast transcriptional activation assay revealed that HcMDH1 was localized in chloroplasts but had no transcriptional activation activity. When exposed to salt or drought stress, yeast cells expressing the HcMDH1 gene exhibit an increased survival rate. Overexpression of HcMDH1 in Arabidopsis increased seed germination rate and root growth when transgenic lines were exposed to varying concentrations of mannitol and NaCl. Subsequent physiological studies revealed that transgenic lines had higher concentrations of soluble carbohydrates, proline, and chlorophyll and lower concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, inhibiting HcMDH1 in kenaf using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) decreased salt and drought tolerance due to elevated ROS and MDA levels. In these silenced lines, the expression of six essential genes engaged in stress-resistance and photosynthesis, namely HcGAPDH, HcGLYK, HcFBA, HcFBPase, HcPGA, and HcLSD, is significantly altered under salt and drought stress. In summary, HcMDH1 is a complex and positive regulatory gene that plays a key role in regulating chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activity and osmotic regulation under salt and drought stress, which may have implications for kenaf transgenic breeding. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Lishu County, which is located in the black soil region of Northeast China, represents a key site for the analysis of soil erosion intensity. This study offers a scientific foundation for the development of targeted soil and water conservation strategies within the region. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) was employed to compute the soil erosion modulus in Lishu County, with the objective of conducting a quantitative analysis of the temporal and spatial distribution patterns of soil erosion. Additionally, the changing characteristics of soil erosion were examined from the perspectives of land use types and slope variations. The Generalized Connectivity Causality Model (GCCM) was utilized to identify the causal relationship between soil erosion and land use types through the reconstruction of state space and cross-mapping predictions. (1) Soil erosion in Lishu County between 2000 and 2020 predominantly exhibited mild to moderate levels, characterized by patchy and sporadic erosion, with relatively severe occurrences in the northern and central regions. (2) Soil erosion was correlated with land use and slope variations, with more than 90% of erosion incidents transpiring in cultivated land areas. The 3°-5° slope range in Lishu County emerged as a focal point for erosion, necessitating targeted prevention and control measures. (3) The GCCM model illustrated a discernible causal relationship between soil erosion and land use, revealing mutual influences between the two factors. Between 2000 and 2020, both the area and intensity of soil erosion in Lishu County exhibited an initial increase, followed by a subsequent decrease. This suggests an overall trend of amelioration in soil erosion conditions. However, notable spatial disparities persist in the erosion distribution across the region.

Abstract Cognitive impairment is a common issue among human patients undergoing surgery, yet the neural mechanism causing this impairment remains unidentified. Surgical procedures often lead to glial cell activation and neuronal hypoexcitability, both of which are known to contribute to postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). However, the role of neuron-glia crosstalk in the pathology of POCD is still unclear. Through integrated transcriptomics and proteomics analyses, we found that the complement cascades and microglial phagocytotic signaling pathways are activated in a mouse model of POCD. Following surgery, there is a significant increase in the presence of complement C3, but not C1q, in conjunction with presynaptic elements. This triggers a reduction in excitatory synapses, a decline in excitatory synaptic transmission, and subsequent memory deficits in the mouse model. By genetically knockout out C3ar1 or inhibiting p-STAT3 signaling, we successfully prevented neuronal hypoexcitability and alleviated cognitive impairment in the mouse model. Therefore, targeting the C3aR and downstream p-STAT3 signaling pathways could serve as potential therapeutic approaches for mitigating POCD.

For Nd2Fe14B/α-Fe nanocomposite magnets, which exhibit great superiority in theoretical energy products, it is a great challenge to obtain controlled nano-scale microstructural features while eliminating the harmful metastable phases due to the general metastable fabrication methods. Here, we report a strategy to control the nano-scale features and simultaneously eliminate metastable phases for Nd2Fe14B/α-Fe nanocomposites through low-temperature pre-deformation of amorphous alloys combined with subsequent thermal annealing. The resultant bulk Nd2Fe14B/α-Fe nanostructure exhibits desired ultrafine grain sizes, ∼20 nm for soft-magnetic α-Fe phase with a high fraction of Vα-Fe ≈ 30 wt% and ∼33 nm for hard-magnetic Nd2Fe14B phase. The desired microstructure results in a larger coercivity (Hci = 4.1 kOe) and higher saturation magnetization (Ms = 1.51 T) compared to those (Hci = 3.3 kOe and Ms = 1.35 T) of the counterpart without pre-deformation, contributing to a high energy density of 26.3 MGOe. This energy density is 200% larger than that of the counterpart without pre-deformation and far beyond that (around 20 MGOe) of previously reported bulk Nd2Fe14B/α-Fe nanocomposites with Vα-Fe ≥ 20 wt%. The superior property stems from the purposely introduced low-temperature pre-deformation that changed the structure and local chemistry of the amorphous alloy, facilitating the decomposition of harmful metastable phases and the formation of Nd2Fe14B phase during annealing processes, which lowers the temperature, from 750 to 700 °C for producing the Nd2Fe14B/α-Fe nanostructure and thus yields ultrafine nanograins. These results demonstrate an effective means to prepare high-performance bulk Nd2Fe14B/α-Fe nanocomposite magnets.

Abstract Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) is a significant issue during liver transplantation and surgery, contributing to the liver failure or even mortality. Although extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-EVs) have shown substantial potentials in cell replacement therapy of various organ ischemia reperfusion injuries (IRIs), the precise mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that systemic MSC-EVs administration is predominantly absorbed by macrophages, and verified that it could significantly reduce the liver injury and inflammatory response in mice suffering from HIRI. Furthermore, treatment with MSC-EVs induces macrophage polarization toward an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Mechanistically, proteomic profiling reveals an enrichment of growth arrest-specific 6 (GAS6) in MSC-EVs, significantly promoting the activation of myeloid-epithelial-reproductive tyrosine kinase/extracellular regulated protein kinases/cyclooxygenase 2 (MerTK/ERK/COX2) signaling pathway in macrophages and further enhancing their efferocytosis efficiency. Knockdown of GAS6 via lentiviral transfection or inhibition of MerTK using UNC2025 (a MerTK small molecule inhibitor) partially eliminates the protective effects of MSC-EVs on macrophage efferocytosis and liver injury. Overall, our findings support that MSC-EVs enriched GAS6 execute an anti-inflammation effect, highlighting that treatment based on the modulation of macrophage function by MSC-EVs as a promising approach in IRI. HIRI is a thorny problem after liver surgery such as liver transplantation. In a murine model of HIRI, MSC-EVs enriched GAS6 effectively enhance macrophage efferocytosis both in vivo and in vitro through the GAS6/MerTK/ERK/COX2 signaling pathway and significantly mitigate liver injury. This image was drawn by the authors.

Abstract Previous studies typically assumed a constant total organic carbon (OC) storage in the lake water column, neglecting its significant variability within a changing world. Based on extensive field data and satellite monitoring techniques, we demonstrate considerable spatiotemporal variability in OC concentration and storage for 24,366 Chinese lakes during 1984–2023. Here we show that dissolved OC concentration is high in northwest saline lakes and particulate OC concentration is high in southeast eutrophic lakes. Along with increasing OC concentration and water volume, dissolved and particulate OC storage increase by 44.6% and 33.5%, respectively. Intensified human activities, water input, and wind disturbance are the key drivers for increasing OC storage. Moreover, higher OC storage further leads to an 11.0% increase in nationwide OC burial and a decrease in carbon emissions from 71.1% of northwest lakes. Similar changes are occurring globally, which suggests that lakes are playing an increasingly important role in carbon sequestration.

Abstract Conventional hyperspectral cameras cascade lenses and spectrometers to acquire the spectral datacube, which forms the fundamental framework for hyperspectral imaging. However, this cascading framework involves tradeoffs among spectral and imaging performances when the system is driven toward miniaturization. Here, we propose a spectral singlet lens that unifies optical imaging and computational spectrometry functions, enabling the creation of minimalist, miniaturized and high-performance hyperspectral cameras. As a paradigm, we capitalize on planar liquid crystal optics to implement the proposed framework, with each liquid-crystal unit cell acting as both phase modulator and electrically tunable spectral filter. Experiments with various targets show that the resulting millimeter-scale hyperspectral camera exhibits both high spectral fidelity ( > 95%) and high spatial resolutions ( ~1.7 times the diffraction limit). The proposed “two-in-one” framework can resolve the conflicts between spectral and imaging resolutions, which paves a practical pathway for advancing hyperspectral imaging systems toward miniaturization and portable applications.

Abstract Human ABC transporters ABCD1–3 are all localized on the peroxisomal membrane and participate in the β-oxidation of fatty acyl-CoAs, but they differ from each other in substrate specificity. The transport of branched-chain fatty acids from cytosol to peroxisome is specifically driven by ABCD3, dysfunction of which causes severe liver diseases such as hepatosplenomegaly. Here we report two cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of ABCD3 bound to phytanoyl-CoA and ATP at resolutions of 2.9 Å and 3.2 Å, respectively. A pair of phytanoyl-CoA molecules were observed in ABCD3, each binding to one transmembrane domain (TMD), which is distinct from our previously reported structure of ABCD1, where each fatty acyl-CoA molecule strongly crosslinks two TMDs. Upon ATP binding, ABCD3 exhibits a conformation that is open towards the peroxisomal matrix, leaving two extra densities corresponding to two CoA molecules deeply embedded in the translocation cavity. Structural analysis combined with substrate-stimulated ATPase activity assays indicated that the present structures might represent two states of ABCD3 in the transport cycle. These findings advance our understanding of fatty acid oxidation and the molecular pathology of related diseases.

Abstract Ceracris kiangsu (Orthoptera: Arcypteridae), is greatly affected by climatic factors and exhibits strong adaptability, posing a serious threat to the ecological environment. Therefore, predicting its potential suitable habitat distribution provides a proactive theoretical basis for pest control. This study using the Biomod2 package of R simulated and predicted the current and future potential distribution, area changes, changes in the center points of suitable habitats, and niche shifts of C. kiangsu under two different greenhouse gas emission scenarios, SSP1-26 and SSP5-85. The results show that: (1) Currently, the high suitability areas for C. kiangsu are mainly distributed in Yunnan, Jiangxi, Hunan provinces in southern China and phongsaly province in northern Laos. In the future, the center of the suitable habitat distribution pattern of C. kiangsu will remain unchanged, primarily expanding outward from medium and high suitability areas. Additionally, significant suitable habitats for C. kiangsu were discovered in Southeast Asian countries without previous pest records. (2) Compared to the present, the overall suitable habitat area for C. kiangsu is expected to expand, particularly under the SSP5-85 climate change scenario. (3) In the SSP1-26 and SSP5-85 climate scenarios, the geometric center of the suitable habitat generally shows a trend of gradually shifting northeast. (4) Under different climate scenarios, the suitable habitat of C. kiangsu has highly overlapping, indicating that the suitable habitat of C. kiangsu in the invaded areas is broader than in its native regions. In conclusion, the research findings represent a breakthrough in identifying the potential distribution areas of C. kiangsu, which is of great practical significance for the monitoring and control of C. kiangsu pest infestation in China and Southeast Asian countries.

Abstract For breast cancer patients with physical exam node negative but radiological finding node abnormal (cN0/rNa), the NCCN and ASCO guidelines recommend sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) as the first-line axillary staging. However, patients who undergo surgery firstly may be upstaged to pathological II–III status, and these patients happen to be the adaptive population of neoadjuvant therapy (NAT). There is no consensus on the optimal management of cN0/rNa patients. The aim is to explore the optimal management strategy of these patients. We performed a retrospective real-world study of 1414 cN0/rNa patients from June 2014 to October 2022. There were 1003 patients underwent surgery first and 411 patients underwent surgery after NAT. We analyzed the real-world conditions of these patients, compared axilla tumor burden between these two groups. In addition, we compared benefit ratio of axillary surgery and regional nodal irradiation (RNI) de-escalation under the two strategies. Among 1003 patients underwent surgery first, the positive and negative rates of fine needle aspiration (FNA) were 18.5% and 81.5%, respectively. There were 66.1% had ≤ 2 lymph nodes+. There were 40.8% of FNA+ patients could be exempted from ALND underwent surgery first. In 411 patients underwent surgery after NAT, the FNA positive and negative rates were 60.8% and 49.2%, respectively. There were 54.4% of FNA+ patients achieved axilla pathologic complete response (apCR) and could omit ALND after NAT. The apCR was 67.3% in HER2+/TNBC subtypes. According to the NSABP-B51 trial, there were 0 and 54.4% of FNA+ patients could omit RNI among surgery first and after NAT, respectively. Among 1–2 sentinel lymph node (SLN)-positive patients underwent surgery first, with a median follow-up 49 months, there was no difference of survival benefit between SLNB-only and SLNB-ALND. Compared with 1–2 SLN+ patients without RNI, RNI could bring better invasive disease-free survival (97.38% vs. 89.36%, P = 0.046) and breast cancer special survival (100% vs. 94.68%, P = 0.020). It is safe to perform SLNB omitting ALND when detected 1–2 positive SLNs in cN0/rNa patients. Patients with HER2+/TNBC subtypes underwent surgery after NAT had more chance to benefit from dual de-escalation, including axillary surgery and RNI de-escalation.

Abstract RGS (Regulator of G protein signaling) proteins have long captured the fascination of researchers due to their intricate involvement across a wide array of signaling pathways within cellular systems. Their diverse and nuanced functions have positioned them as continual subjects of scientific inquiry, especially given the implications of certain family members in various cancer types. Of particular note in this context is RGS20, whose clinical relevance and molecular significance in hepatocellular carcinoma we have recently investigated. These investigations have prompted questions into the prevalence of pathogenic mutations within the RGS20 gene and the intricate network of interacting proteins that could contribute to the complex landscape of cancer biology. In our study, we aim to unravel the mutations within the RGS20 gene and the multifaceted interplay between RGS20 and other proteins within the context of cancer. Expanding on this line of inquiry, our research is dedicated to uncovering the intricate mechanisms of RGS20 in various cancers. In particular, we have redirected our attention to examining the role of RGS20 within hematological malignancies, with a specific focus on multiple myeloma and follicular lymphoma. These hematological cancers hold significant promise for further investigation, as understanding the involvement of RGS20 in their pathogenesis could unveil novel therapeutic strategies and treatment avenues. Furthermore, our exploration has extended to encompass the latest discoveries concerning the potential involvement of RGS20 in diseases affecting the central nervous system, thereby broadening the scope of its implications beyond oncology to encompass neurobiology and related fields.

Plastic pollution and its potential risks have been raising public concerns as a global environmental issue. Global plastic waste may double by 2030, posing a significant challenge to the remediation of environmental plastics. In addition to finding alternative products and managing plastic emission sources, effective removal technologies are crucial to mitigate the negative impact of plastic pollution. However, current remediation strategies, including physical, chemical, and biological measures, are unable to compete with the surging amounts of plastics entering the environment. This perspective lays out recent advances to propel both research and action. In this process, phytoaccumulation, phytostabilization, and phytofiltration can be applied to reduce the concentration of nanoplastics and submicron plastics in terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric environments, as well as to prevent the transport of microplastics from sources to sinks. Meanwhile, advocating for a more promising future still requires significant efforts in screening hyperaccumulators, coupling multiple measures, and recycling stabilized plastics from plants. Phytoremediation can be an excellent strategy to alleviate global micro/nanoplastic pollution because of the cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability of green technologies.

Hyper-uric acid (UA)-induced kidney injury (HAKI) is caused by the deposition of excess blood UA into the kidneys. We confined molecules of uricase (URI), catalase (CAT), and curcumin (Cur) to a single structure (UC/Cur) while retaining their enzymatic activities via a cross-linking complexation reaction between tannic acid and FeCl3 for treating HAKI. Simultaneously, bovine serum albumin (BSA)-UC/Cur nanoparticles were successfully prepared by interlinking the disulfide bonds of BSA with the enzyme complex via Tris(2-carboxyethyl) phosphine(TCEP) to form sulfhydryl groups. BSA-UC/Cur significantly attenuated MSU-induced NLRP3 inflammasome pathway activation and apoptosis in NRK-52e cells by eliminating UA crystals and intracellular reactive oxygen species. More importantly, treatment with BSA-UC/Cur stabilized blood UA concentrations and lowered proximal tubular protein levels, mitochondrial swelling, and fibrotic areas, renducing the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2, MMP9, and NLRP3 while, increasing the expression of tight-junction proteins ZO1 and occludin as well as that of TIMP-1, in HAKI model rats. In addition, BSA-UC/Cur nanoparticles reduced the subpopulation ratios of CD8+ T cells and M1 macrophages and increased those of M2 macrophages and Treg cells. Preliminary in-vivo trials showed that long-term intravenous treatment with BSA-UC/Cur is safe. Therefore, BSA-UC/Cur could be a potential nanotherapeutic agent for HAKI.

Osteoporosis (OP)-associated fractures can result in severe morbidity and disability, reduced quality of life, and death. Previous studies have suggested that small noncoding RNAs, for example, small regulatory microRNAs (miRNAs), play a key role in OP by inhibiting target gene expression. Cuproptosis, a recently proposed copper-induced cell death pathway, is linked with OP. Here, we describe the contribution of exosomal miRNAs and cuproptosis to OP. First, we highlight the characteristics of exosomes and roles of exosome-related miRNAs. Next, we discuss the relationship between cuproptosis and OP. Subsequently, we analyze the crosstalk of exosomal miRNAs with cuproptosis in the development of OP. This review aims to investigate a new clinical treatment method for OP.

The paper addresses the challenges of task migration and resource allocation in heterogeneous cloud–edge environments, where dynamic and stochastic conditions complicate efficient scheduling. To tackle this, the authors propose a novel scheduling algorithm combining soft actor–critic (SAC) agent with masked layer and graph convolutional network (GCN), namely MGSAC algorithm. MGSAC utilizes GCN to extract hidden structural features from the environment, enabling better adaptation to dynamic changes. Additionally, a learnable mask layer filters out ineffective actions, refining the selection of scheduling strategies and improving overall performance. By evaluating MGSAC on the real-world Bit-Brain dataset and simulating it using Cloud-Sim, experimental results demonstrate its superiority over existing algorithms in energy consumption, task response time, task migration time, and task Service-Level-Agreement violations rate, showcasing its effectiveness in real-world scenarios.

AbstractContext Cephaeline is a natural product isolated from ipecac (Cephaelis ipecacuanha [Brot.] A. Rich. [Rubiaceae]). It exhibits promising anti-lung cancer activity and ferroptosis induction may be a key mechanism for its anti-lung cancer effect.Objectives This study investigates the anti-lung cancer activity and mechanisms of cephaeline both in vitro and in vivo.Materials and methods H460 and A549 lung cancer cells were used. The cephaeline inhibition rate on lung cancer cells was detected via a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay after treatment with cephaeline for 24 h. Subsequently, the concentrations of 25, 50 and 100 nM were used for in vitro experiments. In addition, the antitumour effects of cephaeline (5, 10 mg/kg) in vivo were evaluated after 12 d of cephaeline treatment.Results Cephaeline showed significant inhibitory effects on lung cancer cells, and the IC50 of cephaeline on H460 and A549 at 24, 48 and 72 h were 88, 58 and 35 nM, respectively, for H460 cells and 89, 65 and 43 nM, respectively, for A549 cells. Meanwhile, we demonstrated that ferroptosis is the key mechanism of cephaeline against lung cancer. Finally, we found that cephaeline induced ferroptosis in lung cancer cells by targeting NRF2.Discussion and conclusion We demonstrated for the first time that cephaeline inhibits NRF2, leading to ferroptosis in lung cancer cells. These findings may contribute to the development of innovative therapeutics for lung cancer.