Search

Abstract Recently, cellular senescence-induced unstable carotid plaques have gained increasing attention. In this study, we utilized bioinformatics and machine learning methods to investigate the correlation between cellular senescence and the pathological mechanisms of unstable carotid plaques. Our aim was to elucidate the causes of unstable carotid plaque progression and identify new therapeutic strategies. First, differential expression analysis was performed on the test set GSE43292 to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the unstable plaque group and the control group. These DEGs were intersected with cellular senescence-associated genes to obtain 40 cellular senescence-associated DEGs. Subsequently, key genes were then identified through weighted gene co-expression network analysis, random forest, Recursive Feature Elimination for Support Vector Machines algorithm and cytoHubba plugin. The intersection yielded 3 CSA-signature genes, which were validated in the external validation set GSE163154. Additionally, we assessed the relationship between these CSA-signature genes and the immune landscape of the unstable plaque group. This study suggests that cellular senescence may play an important role in the progression mechanism of unstable plaques and is closely related to the influence of the immune microenvironment. Our research lays the foundation for studying the progression mechanism of unstable carotid plaques and provides some reference for targeted therapy.

Objective The traditional brake control system adopts the train braking control unit host for mechanical braking control, featuring high cost and inability to coordinate reasonable integrated management of electro-hydraulic braking. In order to fully grasp the control principles and functions of the brake system, and to reduce system complexity and cost while ensuring reliable performance, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive and in-depth research on the control scheme of the low-floor tram brake system. Method Based on the German HANLING & KAHL brake system used in a low-floor tram project in Europe, a deep research and analysis of the system is conducted for the design of an electrical control principle and control scheme of the low-floor tram brake system. By comprehensively introducing the braking function, braking method, and braking mode of the low-floor tram brake system, the composition, principle, and electrical control schemes of electric braking, hydraulic braking, and magnetic rail braking are described in detail. Combined with the vehicle brake control logic of the project, the electro-hydraulic coordination logic and brake control scheme of the brake system under various operating conditions are comprehensively explained. Result & Conclusion The brake system control scheme has been tested, verified and widely applied on European trams, showing no system control function failures in many years operation. It has the characteristics of excellent performance, high reliability, low cost, and clear control logic.

At present, there are few deep reduction technologies for endocrine disrupting toxicity(EDCs) in biochemical tailwater treatment, and conventional chlorine disinfection will cause increased biological toxicity, high operating cost and complex operation. In this paper, combining biochemical treatment with catalytic ozone oxidation treatment technology, a method for deep reduction and safe reuse of biochemical tail water endocrine disruption toxicity was proposed. Combined with pilot test results and demonstration projects, a process of “functional bacteria enhanced MBR+ozone catalytic oxidation” was constructed for deep reduction of endocrine disruption toxicity of biochemical tail water. The experimental results showed that the reduction rate of endocrine disruption toxicity in effluent water was 84.51%, and the average concentration was 0.8 ng/L, and the effluent met the requirements of the safety threshold of endocrine disruption toxicity and the safe discharge and reuse of biochemical tail water, it provides reference for the safe discharge and reuse of municipal sewage in the future.

Summary: The FIGO 2000 Prognostic Scoring System is a global standard for prognostication in patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). However, the system has not been updated in over 20 years, and in clinical practice it has several critical limitations, including inadequate assessment of single-agent chemotherapy resistance and overuse in unsuitable clinical scenarios. This review critically examines these shortcomings and summarizes recent efforts to refine the system. After identifying its limitations, we propose novel refinements: instead of relying on a single system to address multiple clinical objectives, we advocate for specialized scoring models, each tailored to a specific clinical goal. This approach simplifies and enhances the effectiveness of prognostic assessments. Additionally, biological and genetic markers must be integrated into these models to improve accuracy. Looking ahead, we emphasize the need for advanced technologies and multicentre collaboration to build more personalized and adaptive GTN management frameworks, ultimately improving clinical practice and outcomes. Funding: This work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (2023YFC2705802) and National High Level Hospital Clinical Research Funding (2022-PUMCH-C-058).

Introduction: A still breath hold from the patient is one of the key requirements for a diagnostic computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA). It is important for the timely identification and treatment of patients with life threatening pulmonary emboli (PEs). Motion artefact on CTPA can cause blurring, double borders, shading and streaking in the lungs, which can either obscure PEs or create artefact that mimics PEs. This risks patient harm from delayed diagnoses, missed PEs, false positives and extra radiation and contrast exposure due to repeat studies. Methods: We devised local standards and methodology for assessing the presence and degree of motion artefact on CTs. The study consisted of initial data collection, implementation of changes to clinical practice, and subsequent repeat data collection 3 months after implementation of interventions. For each data collection round, 100 consecutive inpatient and emergency CTPAs performed in a UK District General Hospital were retrospectively identified and images reviewed to categorise each as having either: ‘no significant’, ‘minor’ or ‘major’ motion artefact. There were no exclusions. Interventions after initial data collection included a multidisciplinary meeting with radiographers, department assistants, and radiologists to devise changes to workflow and practices to build in 'rehearsal' of a breath-hold and explanation of breathing instructions with patients before scanning. A prompting phrase for this was added to our CTPA scanning protocol. Results: Initial results demonstrated that 50% of CTPA showed either minor or major motion artefact, while 50% showed no significant motion artefact. For 2% with minor motion, a clinical reason for why this was unavoidable was provided. Therefore 52% of studies met the proposed local standards. In total, 45% of CTPA were assessed to have minor motion and 5% had major motion artefact (non-diagnostic). 18% of CTPA were positive for PE. Following implementation of changes to practice, repeat data collection demonstrated that 67% of CTPA showed no significant motion artefact. 3% with minor motion provided a clinical reason why this was unavoidable. Therefore 70% of studies met the proposed standard. The increase in compliance with local standards was statistically significant (p=0.00906). Conclusion: Our interventions improved compliance with local standards from 52% to 70%. We recommend rehearsal of breath-holding with patients before CTPA scans as a quick and easy way to improve the diagnostic quality of scans. A prompting phrase within the CTPA scanning protocol has proven effective.

The changes that COVID-19 pandemic has brought upon the world are unprecedented. Its impact on students' learning is equally profound, making it critical to heed students' academic achievement effects that may derive from these alterations. Therefore, the present study explored an integrative model of mental health, self-regulated learning and academic achievement among adolescents during the pandemic. Participants were 1001 senior high school students (M[-subscript age] = 17.00, SD[subscript age] = 0.78, 48.7% female) from China. Results showed that the degree to which students were mentally healthy was not significantly related to academic achievement, whereas academic achievement and mental health were positively associated with self-regulated learning. Following structural equation modelling analysis, the effect of mental health on academic achievement was fully mediated by self-regulated learning. Taken together, the findings emphasised the necessity of developing self-regulated learning strategies during public health emergencies and have clinical and educational implications for planning psychological interventions in order to improve mental health and academic performance as well.

Objective To investigate the toxicokinetic differences of 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine （MDMA） and its metabolite 4,5-methylene dioxy amphetamine （MDA） in rats after single and continuous administration of MDMA, providing reference data for the forensic identification of MDMA. Methods A total of 24 rats in the single administration group were randomly divided into 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg experimental groups and the control group, with 6 rats in each group. The experimental group was given intraperitoneal injection of MDMA, and the control group was given intraperitoneal injection of the same volume of normal saline as the experimental group. The amount of 0.5 mL blood was collected from the medial canthus 5 min, 30 min, 1 h, 1.5 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 8 h, 10 h, 12 h after administration. In the continuous administration group, 24 rats were randomly divided into the experimental group （18 rats） and the control group （6 rats）. The experimental group was given MDMA 7 d by continuous intraperitoneal injection in increments of 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 mg/kg per day, respectively, while the control group was given the same volume of normal saline as the experimental group by intraperitoneal injection. On the eighth day, the experimental rats were randomly divided into 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg dose groups, with 6 rats in each group. MDMA was injected intraperitoneally, and the control group was injected intraperitoneally with the same volume of normal saline as the experimental group. On the eighth day, 0.5 mL of blood was taken from the medial canthus 5 min, 30 min, 1 h, 1.5 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 8 h, 10 h, 12 h after administration. Liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect MDMA and MDA levels, and statistical software was employed for data analysis. Results In the single-administration group, peak concentrations of MDMA and MDA were reached at 5 min and 1 h after administration, respectively, with the largest detection time limit of 12 h. In the continuous administration group, peak concentrations were reached at 30 min and 1.5 h after administration, respectively, with the largest detection time limit of 10 h. Nonlinear fitting equations for the concentration ratio of MDMA and MDA in plasma and administration time in the single-administration group and continuous administration group were as follows: T=10.362C-1.183, R2=0.974 6; T=7.397 3C-0.694, R2=0.961 5 （T: injection time; C: concentration ratio of MDMA to MDA in plasma）. Conclusions The toxicokinetic data of MDMA and its metabolite MDA in rats, obtained through single and continuous administration, including peak concentration, peak time, detection time limit, and the relationship between concentration ratio and administration time, provide a theoretical and data foundation for relevant forensic identification.

The double aortic arch with vascular ring is a rare but documented aortic arch variant, traditionally presenting with difficulty swallowing or breathing due to extrinsic compression. Tracts from the noncoronary sinus to left atrium are very rare, with limited case reports to compare against. We report an incidental finding of double aortic arch in an elderly woman who underwent a cerebral angiogram for symptoms of a right-sided stroke, with a further anomaly identified on subsequent CT gated aortogram of a possible tract between the non-coronary sinus and left atrium. It is worth noting that the aortic arch abnormality was missed on previous plain radiographs, which can happen even among experienced radiologists. This case illustrates the need for a thorough, systematic approach to interpreting chest radiographs to avoid missing mediastinal lesions, such as aortic abnormalities.

Pottery making in technology education aims to foster students' practical and creative ability. In a typical pottery making class, students receive the teacher's instruction on the fundamental techniques used in pottery making and have opportunities to practice. It is meaningful to construct an observation-doing-reflection process for students in a pottery making class to promote their learning experience and performance. Therefore, in this study, a Virtual Reality (VR)-based pottery making approach was applied to technology education in a junior high school to examine its effects on students' creativity and learning engagement. A total of 97 seventh graders from three classes participated in pottery making in class. One class of 34 students was assigned to be the experimental group learning with the VR-based approach, while the other two classes were assigned to be the control groups, with 30 students learning with the paper-and-pencil approach and 33 students with the clay-based approach. The results showed that the students learning with the VR-based approach were not only more creative in terms of their products, but also had higher cognitive engagement than those in the control groups. Moreover, the VR-based approach improved the students' behavioral, emotional and social engagement compared to the paper-and-pencil approach.