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Abstract Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major global public health concern with limited treatment options. While preclinical studies have suggested the potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to repair and protect injured kidneys in AKI, clinical trials using transarterial MSCs transplantation have yielded disappointing results. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and safety of minimally invasive renal subcapsular transplantation of MSCs for treating AKI in a minipig model, ultimately aiming to facilitate the clinical translation of this approach. Methods A novel AKI minipig model was established by combining cisplatin with hydration to evaluate the effectiveness of potential therapies. Renal subcapsular catheterization was successfully achieved under ultrasound guidance. Subsequently, the efficacy of renal subcapsular MSCs transplantation was assessed, and the biological role of the tryptophan metabolite kynurenine (Kyn) in AKI was elucidated through both in vivo and in vitro experiments. Results The method of pre-hydration at 4% of body weight, followed by post-cisplatin (3.8 mg/kg) hydration at 2% of body weight, successfully established a cisplatin-induced AKI minipig model with a survival time exceeding 28 days, closely mimicking the clinical characteristics of typical AKI patients. Additionally, we discovered that multiple MSCs transplantations promoted renal function recovery more effectively than single transplantation via the renal subcapsular catheter. Furthermore, elevated levels of Kyn were observed in kidney during AKI, which activated the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-mediated NF-κB/NLRP3/IL-1β signaling pathway in tubular epithelial cells, thereby exacerbating inflammatory injury. Conclusions Ultrasound-guided renal subcapsular transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells is a safe and effective therapeutic approach for AKI, with the potential to bring about significant clinical advancements in the future. Graphical abstract

Abstract Background Although premature aging is a significant concern in adult survivors of childhood cancer, little is known about the role of diet in premature aging in this vulnerable population. Therefore, we examined whether dietary patterns specific to childhood cancer survivors are associated with premature aging. Methods This cross-sectional study included 2904 adult survivors of childhood cancer (mean age = 31 years, SD = 8 years) in the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort. Diet was assessed using a food frequency. Four dietary patterns were identified: (1) plant-based diet pattern high in whole grains, fruit, and vegetables; (2) fast-food diet pattern high in processed meat, high-fat dairy, and sweets and desserts; (3) Western contemporary diet pattern high in red meat, pasta/rice, French fries, and salty snacks; and (4) animal-based diet pattern high in all meats. The deficit accumulation index (DAI), a proxy measure of premature aging, was estimated as the ratio of the number of age-related items out of 44 total conditions and categorized into low, medium, and high deficit accumulation groups. Multivariable multinomial logistic regressions were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of medium and high DAI groups (reference: low group). Results Compared to survivors consuming a plant-based diet, those who consume a fast-food (ORhigh vs. low DAI = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.12‒2.96), a Western contemporary (OR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.31‒3.43), or an animal-based diet (OR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.15‒3.84) had approximately a twofold higher odds of being in the high DAI group. In contrast, survivors with a plant-based diet had almost 50% lower odds of being in the high DAI group, compared to those with other dietary patterns (OR ranges 0.47‒0.55). Conclusions A plant-based diet may promote healthy aging, whereas a fast-food, a Western contemporary, and an animal-based diet may have detrimental effects on aging. Adult survivors of childhood cancer may benefit from nutrition education and interventions for healthy aging.

Abstract Direct electrochemical ethylene (C2H4) epoxidation with water (H2O) represents a promising approach for the production of value-added ethylene oxide (EO) in a sustainable way. However, the activity remains limited due to the sluggish activation of C2H4 and the stiff formation of *OH intermediate. This paper describes the design of a Ag/SnO2 electrocatalyst to achieve efficient electrochemical C2H4 epoxidation with a high faradaic efficiency of 39.4% for EO and a high selectivity of 91.5% at 25 mA/cm2 in a membrane electrode assembly. Results of in situ attenuated total reflection infrared spectra characterizations and computational calculations reveal that the Ag/SnO2 interface promotes C2H4 adsorption and activation to obtain *C2H4. Moreover, electrophilic *OH is generated on the catalyst surface through H2O dissociation, which further reacts with *C2H4 to facilitate the formation of *C2H4OH, contributing to the enhanced electrochemical epoxidation activity. This work would provide general guidance for designing catalysts for electrochemical olefin epoxidation through interface engineering.

A new species of small tree frog was discovered in southwestern China, exhibiting morphological differences and molecular divergence. The new species, formally described herein as Gracixalus weii sp. nov., is morphologically distinct from other congeners by body size (SVL 30.1–34.0 mm in males and 35.2–36.0 mm in females). In addition, the head width was larger than the head length, with a distinct tympanum, a brown to beige dorsum, and an inversed Y-shaped dark brown marking. The skin of the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the head, body, and limbs was rough and sparsely scattered with tubercles. The toes showed moderately developed webbing, while finger webbing was rudimentary. Nuptial pads were found on the base of finger I; males had a single subgular vocal sac, with heels overlapping when the legs were at a right angle to the body, and the tibiotarsal articulation reached the mid-eye when the legs were stretched forward. Phylogenetic analyses based on DNA sequences of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA supported the new species as a sister species of G. jinxiuensis. Genetically, the new species diverges from its congeners by 3.4%–14.5% (uncorrected p-distance) and is closest to G. jinxiuensis, which is 3.4%.

Abstract The south margin of Central Altyn (SMCA) has long been considered as Precambrian stratigraphic unit of the Altyn Orogen. However, their strata attribution is subjected to challenge by the new finding of Siluran-Devonian metamorphic rocks. Aiming to further understand the geological evolution of the SMCA and its relations with the adjacent tectonic units, here we investigate the metasedimentary, metamafic and metagranitic rocks and in turn to re-examine the tectonic characteristics of the region. Detrital zircons from six metasedimentary rocks hold a sharp peak of ~ 452 Ma and moderate peak of 800–1600 Ma, whose spectra characteristics are similar to those of extensional basins formed under subduction setting of active continental margins. Two metamafic rocks and one metagranitic rock obtained crystallization ages for their protolith of c.456 Ma, c.462 Ma and c.457 Ma, which fell in the range of the 462–451 Ma magmatism of South Altyn (SA). These ages are widely distributed from west to east along the SMCA, and congruously indicate its stratum should formed in the Middle- Late Ordovician sedimentary environment under the extensional background of the SA subduction–early exhumation. All rocks record three stages metamorphism by zircons of ~ 430 Ma, ~ 400 Ma and ~ 377 Ma, consistent with previously reported HP pelitic gneiss. These protolith and metamorphic studies suggest that the SMCA should be a Paleozoic subduction-collision zone, rather than Mesoproterozoic sedimentary strata, and it should be separated from the Central Altyn block. Moreover, the similar protolith and metamorphic age have been also widely reported in the North Qaidam (NQ) and Dunhuang (DH) orogen, suggesting they may be the response of the same geological event in different tectonic units.

Abstract This study investigated whether m5C-related Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can predict clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patient prognosis. Co-expression and Cox regression analyses identified 9 prognostic lncRNAs, which were closely associated with tumor immune characteristics and immune escape. The model also predicted the sensitivity of drugs, including Entinostat, SB216763, and Sapitinib. In vitro experiments showed that GNG12-AS1 inhibited ccRCC cell proliferation and migration by reducing the activity of the ERK/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway. Overall, these findings suggest that the 9 m5C-related lncRNAs can accurately predict ccRCC patient prognosis, providing potential applications for clinical and immunotherapy approaches. GNG12-AS1 emerges as a promising prognostic biomarker for predicting survival outcomes in ccRCC, potentially influencing cell migration through the activation of the ERK/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Abstract This present investigation employs an advanced magnetic particle tracking method to trace the trajectories of an intruder within a vibration-driven granular medium under artificial low-gravity conditions. The experiments are carried out within the centrifuge of the Chinese Space Station, encompassing six distinct low-gravity environments. Trajectories under various vibration modes are captured and analysed for each gravity level. This paper offers an exhaustive account of data collection and algorithms used for data processing, ensuring the dependability and precision of the datasets obtained. Additionally, we make the raw magnetic field data, processing scripts, and visualization tools accessible to the public. This research contributes a comprehensive dataset that is instrumental in exploring the mechanisms of granular segregation under low gravity and aids in the verification of novel physical models for understanding intruder dynamics in granular systems under such conditions.

Abstract Neutrophils are the first responders among peripheral immune cells to infiltrate the central nervous system following a traumatic brain injury (TBI), triggering neuroinflammation that can exacerbate secondary tissue damage. The precise molecular controls that dictate the inflammatory behavior of neutrophils post-TBI, however, remain largely elusive. Our comprehensive analysis of the molecular landscape surrounding the trauma in TBI mice has revealed a significant alteration in the abundance of β2 integrin (ITGB2), predominantly expressed by neutrophils and closely associated with immune responses. Using the fluid percussion injury (FPI) mouse model, we investigated the therapeutic efficacy of Rovelizumab, an agent that blocks ITGB2. The treatment has demonstrated significant improvements in neurologic function in TBI mice, attenuating blood–brain barrier permeability, mitigating oxidative stress and inflammatory mediator release, and enhancing cerebral perfusion. Moreover, ITGB2 blockade has effectively limited the adherence, migration, and infiltration of neutrophils, and has impeded the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) upon their activation. Finally, it was demonstrated that ITGB2 mediates these effects mainly through its interaction with intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM 1) of endotheliocyte. These findings collectively illuminate ITGB2 as a crucial molecular switch that governs the adverse effects of neutrophils post-TBI and could be targeted to improve clinical outcome in patients.

Rudder shaft gaps of hypersonic vehicles affect the flow structure and corresponding aerodynamic heating characteristics, resulting in local peak heating near the rudder shaft, which poses a safety risk to the local thermal protection system. Numerical simulation of aerothermal environment was carried out for hypersonic plate/rudder, and the influence of gap height, declination angle, Mach number and flight altitude was analyzed. The results show that the peak heating on the surface of rudder shaft increases first and then decreases with the increase of gap height. It also increases with the increase of declination angle and Mach number, and decreases with the increase of flight altitude. For the calculation state and calculation model in this paper, the peak surface heat flux reaches the maximum value when the gap height of the rudder shaft is about 8 mm. When the rudder declination angle is 35°, the peak heat flow is about 3 times more than that of the rudder declination angle of 0°. For incoming flow heights of more than 40 km, the peak value of surface heat flow has been reduced to a minimum.

Biliary system, which is responsible for transporting bile from the liver into the intestine, is commonly damaged by inflammation or tumors eventually causing liver failure or death. The implantation of biliary stents can effectively alleviate both benign and malignant biliary strictures, but the plastic and metal stents that are currently used cannot degrade and nearly has no beneficial biological effects, therefore their long-term service can result into inflammation, the formation of sludges and re-obstruction of bile duct. In recent years, magnesium (Mg) metal has been received increasing attention in the field of biomedical application due to its excellent biocompatibility, adequate mechanical properties, biodegradability and other advantages, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties. The research on biliary stents made of magnesium metals (BSMM) has also made significant progress and a series of experiments in vitro and vivo has proved their possibility. However, there are still some problems holding back BSMM's clinical use, including rapid corrosion rate and potential harmful reaction. In this review, we would summarize the current research of BSMM, evaluate their clinical benefits, find the choke points, and discuss the solving method.

Abstract Inspired by biological processes, feature learning techniques, such as deep learning, have achieved great success in various fields. However, since biological organs may operate differently from semiconductor devices, deep models usually require dedicated hardware and are computation-complex. High energy consumption has made deep model growth unsustainable. We present an approach that directly implements feature learning using semiconductor physics to minimize disparity between model and hardware. Following this approach, a feature learning technique based on memristor drift-diffusion kinetics is proposed by leveraging the dynamic response of a single memristor to learn features. The model parameters and computational operations of the kinetics-based network are reduced by up to 2 and 4 orders of magnitude, respectively, compared with deep models. We experimentally implement the proposed network on 180 nm memristor chips for various dimensional pattern classification tasks. Compared with memristor-based deep learning hardware, the memristor kinetics-based hardware can further reduce energy and area consumption significantly. We propose that innovations in hardware physics could create an intriguing solution for intelligent models by balancing model complexity and performance.

Abstract Sepsis is a severe infectious disease with high mortality. However, the indicators used to evaluate its severity and prognosis are relatively complicated. The systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), a new inflammatory indicator, has shown good predictive value in chronic infection, stroke, and cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the connection between sepsis and SIRI and evaluate its predictive usefulness. A total of 401 patients with sepsis were included in this study. Multiple linear regression and logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between SIRI and sepsis. The restricted cubic spline (RCS) method was employed to illustrate the dose-response relationship. The area under the curve (AUC) and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the prognostic value of SIRI. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between SIRI and both blood cell count and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score. Additionally, higher SIRI levels were significantly linked to a higher risk of sepsis worsening, according to logistic regression analysis. The RCS curve demonstrated that the risk of poor prognosis rose with increasing SIRI, particularly when SIRI exceeded 6.1. Furthermore, AUC and DCA results showed that SIRI had superior predictive value compared to traditional indicators. A higher SIRI is linked to a worse prognosis and more severe sepsis. SIRI may serve as a novel prognostic indicator in sepsis, though further clinical studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

Abstract Background Plant cell walls are made of a complex network of interacting polymers that play a critical role in plant development and responses to environmental changes. Thus, improving plant biomass and fitness requires the elucidation of the structural organization of plant cell walls in their native environment. The 13C-based multi-dimensional solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) has been instrumental in revealing the structural information of plant cell walls through 2D and 3D correlation spectral analyses. However, the requirement of enriching plants with 13C limits the applicability of this method. To our knowledge, there is only a very limited set of methods currently available that achieve high levels of 13C-labeling of plant materials using 13CO2, and most of them require large amounts of 13CO2 in larger growth chambers. Results In this study, a simplified protocol for 13C-labeling of plant materials is introduced that allows ca 60% labeling of the cell walls, as quantified by comparison with commercially labeled samples. This level of 13C-enrichment is sufficient for all conventional 2D and 3D correlation ssNMR experiments for detailed analysis of plant cell wall structure. The protocol is based on a convenient and easy setup to supply both 13C-labeled glucose and 13CO2 using a vacuum-desiccator. The protocol does not require large amounts of 13CO2. Conclusion This study shows that our 13C-labeling of plant materials can make the accessibility to ssNMR technique easy and affordable. The derived high-resolution 2D and 3D correlation spectra are used to extract structural information of plant cell walls. This helps to better understand the influence of polysaccharide-polysaccharide interaction on plant performance and allows for a more precise parametrization of plant cell wall models.

Abstract Cervical cancer (CESC) presents significant clinical challenges due to its complex tumor microenvironment (TME) and varied treatment responses. This study identified undifferentiated M0 macrophages as high-risk immune cells critically involved in CESC progression. Co-culture experiments further demonstrated that M0 macrophages significantly promoted HeLa cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, underscoring their pivotal role in modulating tumor cell behavior within the TME. A nine-gene prognostic model constructed from immune gene signatures highlighted CXCL8 as a key regulator of M0 macrophage behavior. Functional experiments demonstrated that CXCL8 knockdown in M0 macrophages inhibited their proliferation, shifted polarization toward an M1-dominant phenotype, and reduced tumor-promoting M2 polarization. Co-culture experiments with CXCL8-deficient M0 macrophages further revealed a suppression of HeLa cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. These findings position M0 macrophages as central regulators within the TME and suggest that targeting pathways like CXCL8 could provide novel therapeutic strategies for improving outcomes in CESC patients.

Abstract For a long time, the management of surface structures such as villages and rivers affected by underground coal mining has been a popular and difficult issue in coal mining. With the further tightening of environmental protection requirements, it has become challenging for some underground coal mines that lack the conditions for filling and grouting to ensure the recovery of coal resources while controlling surface subsidence. Furthermore, many such common issues have emerged in the Yushen and Binchang mining areas of Shanxi Province, as well as in several other coalfields, severely constraining the development of coal energy and ecological environmental protection. Research on numerical simulation experiments and theoretical calculations via mechanical models suggests that the presence of multiple thick and hard key strata in the overlying rocks plays a crucial role in controlling surface displacement through the interlayer shading effect. A comparison of three mining methods, namely, fully mechanized top-coal caving with a large mining height (CMTC), longwall mining with a large mining height and full-height cutting (LMHT), and layered fully mechanized top-coal caving (LCMTC), reveals peak surface displacements of 3.818 m (CMTC), 3.649 m (LMHT), and 3.32 m (LCMTC), respectively, and peak vertical stresses of 7.3 MPa (CMTC), 5.9 MPa (LMHT), and 8.3 MPa (LCMTC), respectively. Based on these findings, an artificial buffer layer technology for controlling overlying rock displacement is proposed. This technology has a significant effect on effectively controlling surface subsidence by releasing stress in the overlying rock and provides a theoretical reference and methodological insights for mines with similar operating conditions.

Abstract Background The health benefits of physical activity, including walking, are well-established, but the relationship between daily step count and mortality in hypertensive populations remains underexplored. This study investigates the association between daily step count and both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in hypertensive American adults. Methods We used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2006, including 1,629 hypertensive participants with accelerometer-measured step counts. Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline regression were employed to assess the associations between daily step count and mortality outcomes. Analyses were adjusted for demographics, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities. Results Over an average follow-up of 12.57 years, 370 deaths occurred, of which 177 were due to cardiovascular causes. We observed non-linear associations between daily step count and mortality. Mortality risks were significantly reduced with step counts to 8,250 steps/day for all-cause mortality and 9,700 steps/day for cardiovascular mortality. Beyond these thresholds, the benefits plateaued. Conclusion Increasing daily step count is associated with reduced all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in hypertensive individuals, with optimal benefits observed below 8,250 and 9,700 daily steps, respectively. Moderate levels of physical activity provide substantial health benefits, highlighting the importance of setting realistic and attainable activity goals for hypertensive populations.

Abstract Mycelial materials are an emerging, natural material made from filamentous fungi that have the potential to replace unsustainable materials used in numerous commercial applications (e.g., packaging, textiles, construction). Efforts to change the mechanical properties of mycelial-materials have typically involved altering growth medium, processing approaches, or fungal species. Although these efforts have shown varying levels of success, all approaches have shown there is a strong correlation between phenotype (of both fungal mycelia and mycelial material’s assembly) and resultant mechanical properties. We hypothesize that genetic means can be used to generate specific fungal phenotypes, leading to mycelial materials with specific mechanical properties. To begin to test this hypothesis, we used a mutant of the model filamentous fungus, Aspergillus nidulans, with a deletion in the gene encoding the last kinase in the cell wall integrity (CWI) signaling pathway, mpkA. We generated one set of mycelial materials from the ΔmpkA deletion mutant (A1404), and another from its isogenic parent (A1405; control). When subjected to tensile testing, and compared to material generated from the control, ΔmpkA material has similar elastic modulus, but significantly increased ultimate tensile strength, and strain at failure. When subjected to a fragmentation assay (i.e., resistance to shear-stress), the ΔmpkA material also had higher relative mechanical strength. To determine possible causes for this behavior, we carried out a comprehensive set of phenotype assessments focused on: three-dimensional structure, hyphal morphology, hyphal growth behaviors, and conidial development. We found, compared to the control, material generated from the ΔmpkA mutant manifests significantly less development, a modified cell wall composition, larger diameter hyphae, more total biomass, higher water capacity and more densely packed material, which all appear to impact the altered mechanical properties. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Background The relationship between baseline hemoglobin levels and in-hospital mortality in septic patients remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify this association in critically ill patients with sepsis. Methods Patients with sepsis were retrospectively identified from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV (MIMIC-IV 2.2) and eICU Collaborative Research Database (eICU-CRD). Multivariate logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic spline regression were used to investigate the association between hemoglobin and the risk of in-hospital mortality. Additionally, a two-part linear regression model was used to determine threshold effects. Stratified analyses were also performed. Results A total of 21,946 patients from MIMIC-IV and 15,495 patients from eICU-CRD were included in the study. In-hospital mortality was 14.95% in MIMIC-IV and 17.40% in eICU-CRD. Multivariate logistic regression showed that hemoglobin was significantly and nonlinearly associated with the risk of in-hospital mortality after adjusting for other covariates. Furthermore, we found a nonlinear association between hemoglobin and in-hospital mortality, with mortality plateauing at 10.2 g/dL. The risk of mortality decreased with increasing hemoglobin levels below 10.2 g/dL but increased when hemoglobin levels exceeded 10.2 g/dL. These findings were validated in the eICU-CRD dataset. Conclusions A nonlinear correlation between hemoglobin levels and in-hospital mortality was observed in patients with sepsis, with a threshold of 10.2 g/DL. These findings suggested that hemoglobin levels below or above the threshold may be associated with worse outcomes, warranting further investigation in prospective studies.

Abstract In this study, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and dextran (Dex) were chemically modified to obtain amino-functionalized PEG (PEG-(NH2)2) and oxidized dextran (ODex). They were subsequently reacted via -NH2 and -CHO groups to synthesize a macromolecular Schiff base particle. The structures, morphologies, and thermal properties of the macromolecular Schiff base particle were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). The macromolecular Schiff base particle was then employed as a stabilizer to stabilize Dex/PEG water-in-water (W/W) emulsions, and the effects of stabilizer composition, concentration, and dextran oxidation degree on emulsion phase separation and microstructure were investigated. The results from the laser particle size analyzer indicate that the macromolecular Schiff base stabilizers have particle sizes ranging from 100 to 200 nm and exhibit an interpenetrating network structure, as observed in SEM images. A decrease in emulsion droplet size was observed with increasing mass ratio of PEG-(NH2)2 to ODex, ODex oxidation degree, and stabilizer concentration. Rheological analysis showed that the viscosity of W/W emulsions decreased with increasing shear rate. Contact angle measurements indicated that the macromolecular Schiff base stabilizers preferentially interacted with the continuous phase of PEG, thereby promoting emulsion stability.

Abstract Our experiments aboard the Chinese Space Station reveal a gravity-driven transition in intruder dynamics within vibrated granular media. While vibrations typically enable an intruder to ascend in a granular bed, low-gravity conditions induce it to descend under similar vibrations. Using a Hall-sensor array tracking method, we monitor the intruder’s movement throughout each vibration cycle and identified two competing mechanisms: inertia and gravity-dependent penetration. As gravity decreases, we observe a significant reduction in the scaled damping coefficient and hydrostatic pressure coefficient indicating that bed particles disperse more readily upon intruder impact, facilitating deeper penetration. Our findings highlight a critical transition from downward to upward motion of the intruder as vibration acceleration exceeds a threshold, which increases as gravity decreases. These insights into intruder dynamics in low-gravity environments have significant implications for asteroid exploration and lunar base construction, enhancing our understanding of the Brazil nut effect and the formation of planetesimal.

Highlights This review describes the classification of bionic objects of bionic wave-absorbing materials in detail. From marine organisms, insects, plants to animals, different bionic objects will bring diversified influences and applications. The multifunctional applications of bionic microwave absorption materials are systematically introduced in this paper, from microwave absorption to anti-corrosion, to mechanics, electronics, wearable devices, etc. The theoretical basis and simulation calculation of bionic microwave absorption materials are also discussed.

Interest in soundless chemical demolition agents (SCDAs), also known as expansive cements, as potentially viable alternatives to explosives for rock fragmentation, has been growing in recent years. Consequently, there is an increasing amount of literature on the use of SCDA for the breakage of rock blocks and boulders. Limited research has been conducted so far on the breakage of excavation fronts, such as tunnel or drift faces, using SCDA. This is due to the perception that the planar compressive in-situ stresses in the face would inhibit the creation and propagation of fracturing due to expansive pressure. This study proposes a novel V-cut method for demolishing rock panels under biaxial stress using SCDA. This method was examined through large-scale tests and numerical modelling. The rock panels were subjected to high biaxial confinements of 26 MPa and 40 MPa. Such a level of confinement corresponds to an in-situ stress state 1000 m below the surface in the Canadian shield. The V-cut drillhole pattern employs two sets of three SCDA holes angled at 45° from the face of a Stanstead granite panel. The drillhole arrangement aims to create a V-shaped wedge in the plane of major principal stress. When angled drillholes are subjected to expansive pressure, they tend to cast out of the panel face, causing fragmentation. Two panels of 1 m × 1 m × 0.25 m were successfully demolished using the proposed method. The three-dimensional fast Lagrangian analysis code FLAC3D modelling was used to reconstruct the panel failure mechanism owing to the V-cut. This study demonstrates the feasibility of fragmenting an excavation front, such as a rock excavation face, with SCDA using a V-cut drill hole pattern while subjected to high biaxial confinement.

Abstract Studies of laminopathy-based progeria offer insights into aging-associated diseases and highlight the role of LMNA in chromatin organization. Mandibuloacral dysplasia type A (MAD) is a largely unexplored form of atypical progeria that lacks lamin A post-translational processing defects. Using iPSCs derived from a male MAD patient carrying homozygous LMNA p.R527C, premature aging phenotypes are recapitulated in multiple mesenchymal lineages, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Comparison with 26 human aging MSC expression datasets reveals that MAD-MSCs exhibit the highest similarity to senescent primary human MSCs. Lamina-chromatin interaction analysis reveals reorganization of lamina-associating domains (LADs) and repositioning of non-LAD binding peaks may contribute to the observed accelerated senescence. Additionally, 3D genome organization further supports hierarchical chromatin disorganization in MAD stem cells, alongside dysregulation of genes involved in epigenetic modification, stem cell fate maintenance, senescence, and geroprotection. Together, these findings suggest LMNA missense mutation is linked to chromatin alterations in an atypical progeroid syndrome.

Abstract Background Le Fort colpocleisis is an obliterative surgery for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). In this study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of Le Fort colpocleisis in the treatment of patients with stage III-IV POP. Methods The study was designed as a retrospective analysis of a single-center case series. Patients with stage III-IV POP treated with Le Fort colpocleisis were included. Perioperative indicators, subjective and objective outcomes and complications were assessed. The POP-Quantification (POP-Q) system was used for objective outcome evaluation. Pelvic Floor Distress Questionnaire (PFDI-20) and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ-7) were used for subjective outcome evaluation. Results A total of 54 patients with complete pre- and postoperative data completed follow-up and were included in our study. The mean ± standard deviation of operative time, intraoperative blood loss, recovery activity time, postoperative hospitalization time and total hospitalization time were 146.85 ± 37.01 min, 92.04 ± 68.31 ml, 2.81 ± 0.85 days, 6.5 ± 2.11 days and 13.52 ± 4.78 days, respectively. Within the median follow-up period of 38.5 months, the objective cure rate of Le Fort colpocleisis reached 98.15% (53/54), and the subjective cure rate reached 92.59% (50/54). No serious complications were reported during the perioperative period and follow-up period. Conclusion Le Fort colpocleisis is an effective and safe procedure for the treatment of severe POP. Because of its lower operative risk, better subjective and objective outcomes, lower rates of prolapse recurrence and perioperative complications, Le Fort colpocleisis should be considered as the recommended procedure for elderly patients with severe POP (stage III-IV).

In response to the current challenges of low cutting efficiency and poor surface quality in processing single-crystal silicon, this article proposes the utilization of the micro-discharge abrasive cutting (MDAC) method for processing single-crystal silicon. A comprehensive comparison is conducted among the processing characteristics of the new cutting method and fixed abrasive wire sawing (FAWS) and wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM), including cutting efficiency, surface morphology, subsurface damage, surface roughness, wire saw wear, elemental spectrum analysis, and kerf width. Besides, two material removal modes at different feed rates are discussed. The results indicate that compared with WEDM, MDAC has the advantages of minimal subsurface damage, low surface roughness, low residual elements, and small kerf width. MDAC has higher cutting efficiency and shallower scratch depth than FAWS. However, compared with WEDM and FAWS, MDAC results in more significant wire saw wear and leaves a small amount of residual nickel on the silicon surface. In MDAC, the discharge occurs first. When the discharge energy within the pulse width is sufficient to remove the material within the current pulse cycle, the material is completely removed by the discharge action, the discharge products remain on the surface of the silicon wafer. When the discharge energy is insufficient to remove the material within the current pulse cycle, the silicon ingot is removed under the combined action of discharge and grinding, the diamond on wire saw surface will remove most of the discharge products.

Abstract Background For critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), there remains controversy regarding the predictive factors affecting the discontinuation of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). This study aims to explore factors associated with successful CRRT discontinuation in AKI patients and to develop predictive models for successful discontinuation. Methods We conducted a retrospective study on adult patients with AKI who received CRRT, sourced from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC-IV) database. Successful discontinuation of CRRT was defined as no CRRT requirement within 72 h after stopping CRRT. Predictive factors for successful discontinuation of CRRT were analyzed. Additionally, we utilized machine learning algorithms to develop predictive models, including logistic regression (LR), decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), XGBoost, and K-nearest neighbor (KNN). Results A total of 599 patients were included, of whom 475 (79.3%) successfully discontinued CRRT. Urine output, non-renal SOFA score, bicarbonate, systolic blood pressure, and blood urea nitrogen were identified as risk factors for successful CRRT discontinuation. The KNN model exhibited the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) (0.870), followed by LR (0.739), DT (0.691), RF (0.847), and XGBoost (0.830). When incorporating all available variables, the AUCs for the LR, DT, RF, XGBoost, and KNN models were 0.708, 0.674, 0.875, 0.866, and 0.816, respectively. Considering the performance of the models in both scenarios, the ensemble learning models (RF and XGBoost) were demonstrated superior performance. Conclusions Our results identified factors associated with successful discontinuation of CRRT in AKI patients. Additionally, we developed promising machine learning models which provided a reference for future research.

Abstract RNA methylation modification influences various processes in the human body and has gained increasing attention from scholars. Predicting genes associated with RNA methylation pathways can significantly aid biologists in studying RNA methylation processes. Several prediction methods have been investigated, but their performance is still limited by the scarcity of positive samples. To address the challenge of data imbalance in RNA methylation-associated gene prediction tasks, this study employed a generative adversarial network to learn the feature distribution of the original dataset. The quality of synthetic samples was controlled using the Classifier Two-Sample Test (CTST). These synthetic samples were then added to the data blocks to mitigate class distribution imbalance. Experimental results demonstrated that integrating the synthetic samples generated by our proposed model with the original data enhances the prediction performance of various classifiers, outperforming other oversampling methods. Moreover, gene ontology (GO) enrichment analyses further demonstrate the effectiveness of the predicted genes associated with RNA methylation pathways. The model generating gene samples with PyTorch is available at https://github.com/heyheyheyheyhey1/WGAN-GP_RNA_methylation

Abstract The Zrt/Irt-like protein (ZIP) metal transporters are key players in maintaining the homeostasis of a panel of essential microelements. The prototypical ZIP from Bordetella bronchiseptica (BbZIP) is an elevator transporter, but how the metal substrate moves along the transport pathway and how the transporter changes conformation to allow alternating access remain to be elucidated. Here, we combine structural, biochemical, and computational approaches to investigate the process of metal substrate translocation along with the global structural rearrangement. Our study reveals an upward hinge motion of the transport domain in a high-resolution crystal structure of a cross-linked variant, elucidates the mechanisms of metal release from the transport site into the cytoplasm and activity regulation by a cytoplasmic metal-binding loop, and unravels an unusual elevator mode in enhanced sampling simulations that distinguishes BbZIP from other elevator transporters. This work provides important insights into the metal transport mechanism of the ZIP family.

[Objective] To reveal the vertical distribution characteristics of soil organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus content, soil stoichiometric characteristics (C/N, C/P, N/P), enzyme activity, microorganisms, and their seasonal responses of forest stand types in Liziping Nature Reserve. [Methods] The soils of Cyclobalanopsis and populus szechuanica broad-leaved mixed forest, Oriental oak deciduous broad-leaved forest, Fir-spruce coniferous mixed forest, and Yushania lineolata forest in the dry and rainy seasons were selected as the study objects to elucidate the effects of forest stand types on the stoichiometric characteristics of the soils, the enzyme activities, the microorganisms, and their seasonal dynamic response characteristics. [Results] (1) The soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activity of the four forest stand types are higher in the rainy season than in the dry season. (2) The soil C/N in the Cyclobalanopsis-populus szechuanica broad-leaved mixed forest is higher in the dry season than in the rainy season, while the other three stands show the opposite trend. Dry season's C/P are higher than the rainy season in Cyclobalanopsis and populus szechuanica broad-leaved mixed forest and Fir-spruce coniferous mixed forest, while the other two stands are the opposite. Dry season's N/P are higher than the rainy season in Oriental oak deciduous broad-leaved forest and Fir-spruce coniferous mixed forest, while the other two stands are the opposite. (3) Different forest types' value variation of soil C/N, C/P, and N/P are 17.00~37.33, 62.72~114.50, 3.09~5.18 in the dry season, and 17.72~39.16, 63.21~90.72, 2.39~5.80 in the rainy season. (4) The C/N and C/P values during the dry and rainy seasons are higher than the national average (11.90, 61.00), indicating that nitrogen is limited during nutrient cycling and the potential for releasing P is low; The N/P values for both seasons were lower than the national average soil level (5.20), indicating that the soil is more susceptible to N limitation; (5) The soil microbial activity of the four forest stand types is better in the rainy season than in the dry season, and the soil ecological stoichiometric characteristics are mainly influenced by enzyme activity and microorganisms. [Conclusion] The results of this study can provide important theoretical basis for exploring the seasonal response mechanisms of regional soil nutrient decomposition, supply and limitation, as well as nutrient cycling processes.

Abstract Neuronal ensemble activity entrained by local field potential (LFP) patterns underlies a variety of brain functions, including emotion, cognition, and pain perception. Recent advances in machine learning approaches may enable more effective methods for analyzing LFP patterns across multiple brain areas than conventional time-frequency analysis. In this study, we tested the performance of two machine learning algorithms, AlexNet and the Transformer models, to classify LFP patterns in eight pain-related brain regions before and during acetic acid-induced visceral pain behaviors. Over short time windows lasting several seconds, applying AlexNet to LFP power datasets, but not to raw time-series LFP traces from multiple brain areas, successfully achieved superior classification performance compared with simple LFP power analysis. Furthermore, applying the Transformer directly to the raw LFP traces achieved significantly superior classification performance than AlexNet when using LFP power datasets. These results demonstrate the utility of the Transformer in the analysis of neurophysiological signals, and pave the way for its future applications in the decoding of more complex neuronal activity patterns.

【Objective】 Panax Notoginseng is a medicinal herb and primarily grown in Southern China. This paper investigates the impact of irrigation and fertilization on soil potassium and pH, as well as yield and quality of Panax Notoginseng. 【Method】 The experiment was conducted in Dalishu Village, Luxi County, located in the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It consisted of four fertilizations by applying the 480 kg/hm2 of fertilizers at different ratios in the seedling, flowering, fruiting and root gain stages: 25%∶25%∶25%∶25%(F1), 25%∶30%∶20%∶25%(F2), 30%∶30%∶15%∶25%(F3), and 40%∶20%∶10%∶30%(F4). Each fertilization had three irrigation treatments: 200 m3/hm2(W1), 300 m3/hm2(W2) and 400 m3/hm2(W3). The control (CK) was F1 combined with 92 m3/hm2 of irrigation. In each treatment, we measured the changes in soil potassium content and pH. The technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) was used to evaluate all treatments. 【Result】 ① When irrigation and fertilization were the same, soil pH decreased with soil depth and tended to stabilize as the crop grew. The soil pH showed little sensitive to fertilization. When irrigation was the same, the average soil pH was lower in the four treatments than in the CK. During the experimental period, pH of the 0-60 cm soil in different treatments varied from 4.80-8.66. W3F1, W2F4 and W2F3 gave the optimal soil pH for the crop to grow. ② Both total and available soil potassium decreased with increasing soil depth. As the crop grew, the total potassium in the 0-60 cm soil layer increased, while the available potassium decreased initially before increasing. With increasing irrigation amount, total soil potassium decreased, while the available potassium increased initially followed by a decline. Fertilization influenced the dynamics of total and available potassium. Irrespective of fertilization and irrigation, potassium uptake by roots in different growing stages was ranked as follows: fruiting period>flowering period>root weight gain period>seedling stage. Of all the treatments, W2F3 was optimal for soil potassium, with total and available potassium being 10.40 g/kg and 56.69 mg/kg, respectively. ③ Regardless of fertilization, with the increase in irrigation amount, the yield and partial factor productivity (PFP) of the crop increased first followed by a decline. The yield, water use efficiency and PFP varied with fertilization. TOPSIS analysis showed that the optimal irrigation was 300 m3/hm2 and the optimal fertilization was applying 144, 144, 72 kg/hm2 and 120 kg/hm2 of fertilizers in the seedling, flowering, fruiting and root weight gain stage, respectively. 【Conclusion】 Based on soil potassium, pH, as well as yield and quality of Panax Notoginseng, the optimal irrigation and fertilization for Panax Notoginseng production in the studied area were irrigating 300 m3/hm2 and applying 144, 144, 72 kg/hm2 and 120 kg/hm2 of fertilizers in the seedling, flowering, fruiting and root weight gain stage, respectively.

Abstract Objective This study aims to compare the efficacy of the Age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (ACCI) and the Elixhauser-Van Walraven Comorbidity Index (ECI-VW) in predicting mortality risk among patients undergoing heart valve surgery. Methods Clinical data were extracted from the INSPIRE Database using R language. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curve was employed to assess the predictive accuracy of ACCI and ECI-VW for in-hospital all-cause mortality and post-surgical all-cause mortality at 7 and 28 days. Subgroup analysis was conducted to validate the application efficacy, and the optimal cutoff value was identified. Results The study included 996 patients, with 931 survivors and 65 cases of in-hospital all-cause mortality. The area under the curve (AUC) for ACCI in predicting in-hospital all-cause mortality was 0.658 (95% CI: 0.584, 0.732), while the AUC for ECI-vw in predicting the same outcome was 0.663 (95% CI: 0.584, 0.741). For predicting all-cause mortality within 7 days post-surgery, the AUC of ACCI was 0.680 (95% CI: 0.04, 0.56), and for ECI-vw, it was 0.532 (95% CI: 0.353, 0.712). Regarding the prediction of all-cause mortality within 28 days after surgery, the AUC for ACCI was 0.724 (95% CI: 0.622, 0.827), and for ECI-vw, it was 0.653 (95% CI: 0.538, 0.69). Patients were categorized into two groups based on the ACCI cutoff value of 3.5, including Group 1 (ACCI 3.5 points, 173 cases). The overall survival rate for these two patient groups was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, revealing that the 28-day postoperative survival rate for patients in Group 1 was significantly higher than that for patients in Group 2 (P

Abstract Background The phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) gene, a well-studied plant defense gene, is crucial for growth, development, and stress resistance. The PAL gene family has been studied in many plants. Citrus is among the most vital cash crops worldwide. However, the PAL gene family has not been comprehensively studied in most Citrus species, and the biological functions and specific underlying mechanisms are unclear. Results We identified 41 PAL genes from nine Citrus species and revealed different patterns of evolution among the PAL genes in different Citrus species. Gene duplication was found to be a vital mechanism for the expansion of the PAL gene family in citrus. In addition, there was a strong correlation between the ability of PAL genes to respond to stress and their evolutionary duration in citrus. PAL genes with shorter evolutionary times were involved in more multiple stress responses, and these PAL genes with broad-spectrum resistance were all single-copy genes. By further integrating the lignin and flavonoid synthesis pathways in citrus, we observed that PAL genes contribute to the synthesis of lignin and flavonoids, which enhance the physical defense and ROS scavenging ability of citrus plants, thereby helping them withstand stress. Conclusions This study provides a comprehensive framework of the PAL gene family in citrus, and we propose a hypothetical model for the stress resistance mechanism in citrus. This study provides a foundation for further investigations into the biological functions of PAL genes in the growth, development, and response to various stresses in citrus.

Abstract Sepiolite-modified nano-zero-valent iron (S-nZVI) is used as an amendment and incubated to remediate As-Cd-contaminated soil under three different soil‒water management conditions [moderately wet (MW), continuously flooded (CF) and alternately wet and dry (AWD)]. The results showed that soil pH is in the order of CF > AWD > MW. The soil pH increased approximately 0.5 to 1 unit by 3% and 5% doses after 36 d of incubation. Soil pH was negatively correlated with available As-Cd content under the three water regimes (p

Abstract Copper is an important trace element for maintaining key biological functions such as cellular respiration, nerve conduction, and antioxidant defense. Maintaining copper homeostasis is critical for human health, and its imbalance has been linked to various diseases, especially cancer. Cuproptosis, a novel mechanism of copper-induced cell death, provides new therapeutic opportunities for metal ion regulation to interact with cell fate. This review provides insights into the complex mechanisms of copper metabolism, the molecular basis of cuproptosis, and its association with cancer development. We assess the role of cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) associated with tumorigenesis, their importance as prognostic indicators and therapeutic targets, and the impact of copper homeostasis on the tumor microenvironment (TME) and immune response. Ultimately, this review highlights the complex interplay between copper, cuproptosis, and cancer immunotherapy.

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the utilization of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) in perovskite solar cells (PSCs), with a specific focus on their potential as hole transport layers (HTLs). Perovskite materials have garnered significant attention in photovoltaic technology owing to their unique optoelectronic properties. SAMs present a promising solution as efficient and stable HTLs by forming well-ordered thin films on transparent conductive oxide surfaces. This review commences with an introduction to the structure and properties of perovskite materials, followed by a discussion on the operational principles and compositions of functional layers in PSCs. It subsequently delves into the structure, preparation methodologies, and applications of SAMs in PSCs, highlighting their role in enhancing cell efficiency as HTLs. We also discuss their application as electron transport layers. The paper concludes by exploring the potential integration of SAMs into commercial PSC production processes and suggesting future research avenues.

Summary: Glacier surface habitats are dynamic ecosystems that respond to local climatic and thermal changes, although the assembly mechanisms of microbial communities in these environments remain unclear. This study examined microbial communities on the surface of Baishui Glacier No. 1 across the accumulation, the intense melt, and the late melt periods. The absolute abundance of Cyanobacteria increased significantly, becoming the most abundant phylum by the end of the melt period. Cyanobacteria were strongly associated with other local microorganisms, especially in community structure, community assembly, and co-occurrence networks. The correlations between Cyanobacteria and other microorganisms shifted from predominantly mutualistic interactions, to being predominantly competitive interactions, and finally to mutualistic interactions with a portion of the community. Additionally, Cyanobacteria abundance positively correlated with nitrogen metabolism multifunctionality in other microorganisms, indicating a potential link between Cyanobacteria and nitrogen cycling. These findings provide new insights into microbial community dynamics and survival strategies on glacier surfaces.

Background: To explore the effects of different surgical strategies on clinical outcome and survival for the low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN), providing evidence support for the best treatment strategy. Materials and methods: This study retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological and survival outcome of LAMN data between 2013 and 2023 from multicenter, including preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis model were used for survival analysis. Results: 184 patients pathologically diagnosed with LAMN were included. The median age was 59 (50,69) years. All the patients were performed surgery, including simple appendectomy, appendectomy with caecal resection, ileocecectomy and right hemicolectomy (RHC). Compared with extended resection, local resection achieved better short-term outcome. Appendectomy has higher OS rate compared to the RHC with pairwise comparison (97% vs. 79.2%, χ ​= ​11.14, P ​60 years (hazard radio (HR) ​= ​1.125, 95%CI: 1.051–1.205, P ​60 years, adjuvant chemotherapy and high recurrence risk indicates poor prognosis. Large clinical trials of surgical therapy for LAMN are urgently needed.

Macroscale neuroimaging results have revealed significant differences in the structural and functional connectivity patterns of gyri and sulci in the primate cerebral cortex. Despite these findings, understanding these differences at the molecular level has remained challenging. This study leverages a comprehensive dataset of whole-brain in situ hybridization (ISH) data from marmosets, with updates continuing through 2024, to systematically analyze cortical folding patterns. Utilizing advanced machine learning algorithm and large language model (LLM), we identified genes with significant transcriptomic differences between concave (sulci) and convex (gyri) cortical patterns. Further, gene enrichment analysis, neural migration analysis, and axon guidance pathway analysis were employed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these structural and functional differences. Our findings provide new insights into the molecular basis of cortical folding, demonstrating the potential of LLM in enhancing our understanding of brain structural and functional connectivity.

The hybrid cascaded high-voltage direct current (HC-HVDC) system integrates the benefits of both LCC and MMC technologies. However, the inverter LCC is prone to suffer subsequent commutation failure (SCF) when an AC fault occurs. Therefore, a coordinated control strategy (CCS) based on the safety power range (SPR) is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the adverse effects of electrical quantity fluctuation and LCC’s reactive power demand on system recovery under different control modes are analyzed. Then, considering the role of the controller and MMC dynamic reactive power support, the SPR model is established under the coupling of multiple electrical quantities. Secondly, to realize the coordination of SCF suppression and rapid power recovery, a CCS based on the MMC’s reactive power outer loop and the LCC’s voltage-dependent current order limiter (VDCOL) is proposed by analyzing the power operating points in SPR. Finally, based on PSCAD/EMTDC, simulations and comparative analysis are conducted under different fault conditions. The findings demonstrate that the suggested approach can not only effectively suppress SCF, but also significantly increase power transmission, and the active power increase is up to 129 %, thus having a certain value for engineering applications.

Abstract Background Tumour immune macroenvironment is comprised of tumour and surrounding organs responding to tumourigenesis and immunotherapy. The lack of comprehensive analytical methods hinders its application for prediction of survival and treatment response in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Methods Cytometry by time‐of‐flight (CyTOF) and RNA‐seq was applied to characterise immune cell heterogeneity in a discovery cohort including tumour, blood and intestinal architecture comprising epithelium, lamina propria, submucosa, muscularis propria of normal bowel and tumour–adjacent bowel tissues. Immunoprofiling was also validated by a validation cohort using single‐cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcription, CyTOF and multiplex immunofluorescent staining. Results Based on cell phenotype and transcription, we identify distinct immunotypes in the CRC macroenvironment including blood, tumour and different intestinal architecture, showing disturbed immune cell compositions, increasing expression of immunosuppressive markers and cell–cell interactions contributing to immunosuppressive regulation. Furthermore, we evaluate immune macroenvironment influencing factors including tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs), consensus molecular subtypes (CMSs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). TLS presence fuels anti‐tumour immunity by promoting CD8+ T cell infiltration and altering activation or suppression of T cell systematically. TLS presence correlates with patient survival, intrinsic CMS and therapeutic efficacy of ICI. PD‐1 and CD69 expressed in effector memory CD8+ T cells from blood can predict TLS presence in the CRC macroenvironment, serving as potential biomarkers for stratifying CRC patients into immunotherapy. Conclusions Our findings provide insights into the CRC immune macroenvironment, highlighting immune cell suppression and activation in tumourigenesis. Our study illustrates the potential utility of blood for predicting immunotherapy response. Key points Distinct immunotypes are identified in the CRC macroenvironment. TLS and immunotherapy exert influence on the immune macroenvironment. TLS presence correlates with patient survival, CMS and therapeutic efficacy of ICI. PD‐1 and CD69 expressed in CD8+ Tem from blood can predict TLS presence in the CRC macroenvironment.

Microorganisms in the soils of alpine meadows on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are pivotal in sustaining ecosystem functionality and stability. The community structure and functional composition of these microbes exhibit pronounced altitudinal variations; however, specific distribution patterns across different soil layers remain inadequately elucidated within alpine meadow ecosystems. This study employed high-throughput sequencing to examine bacterial communities across various soil layers along an altitudinal gradient in the alpine meadow ecosystem of the Qilian Mountains. The α-diversity of surface soil bacteria demonstrated a hump-shaped altitudinal trend (P

BackgroundDespite increasing governments’ endeavors to improve the quality of medical services focused on patient experience, it has been difficult due to a lack of systematic and replicable theories to guide healthcare improvement. This study aimed to construct a theoretical model of a policy feedback mechanism for guiding healthcare improvement based on healthcare improvement in China’s context.MethodsWe constructed a theoretical model of policy feedback mechanism for improving healthcare using a grounded theory approach to collect and analyze textual data on healthcare improvement in China.ResultsIn this study, the theoretical model of policy feedback mechanism for healthcare improvement contained five core modules: multi-level objects, policy context, policy tools driven, policy feedback process, and policy feedback results. At the theoretical level, we innovatively constructed the module of “patient feelings,” including “patient sense of gain,” “patient happiness,” and “patient sense of safety.” Practically, we generated a list of ways through the “medical organization behavior” module to enhance patient feelings.ConclusionThis model elaborated a policy feedback mechanism for healthcare improvement. This research provided theoretical and practical support for health authorities to formulate and apply various policies or initiatives to improve healthcare. Theoretically, the model innovated the development of patient feelings in the policy feedback for healthcare improvement. On the practical level, we generated specific strategies for hospitals to enhance healthcare and patient experience.

River ecosystems are vital for maintaining ecosystem balance but rapid development in China’s Yangtze River Basin has led to severe ecological degradation. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the aquatic ecosystem health of the Jialing River Basin, investigate the influencing factors of the aquatic ecology, and predict the succession trend of the phytoplankton community. Phytoplankton was collected in the Jialing River (Nanchong section) and one of its tributaries (Xichong River). Morphological identification methods, random forest, neutral community model, and modified stochasticity ratio were used to analyze phytoplankton composition, environmental drivers, and community assembly mechanisms. The results showed that 1) Bacillariophyta, Cryptophyta, and Chlorophyta were the dominant phyla in the Jialing River, followed by Cyanobacteria. The structure of the phytoplankton community was affected by seasonal changes and differences in the tributary and mainstem. 2) Overall, the autumn phytoplankton community α-diversity index was significantly higher than that of spring (P

Fluorine is a strong oxidizing element and excessive intake can have harmful effects, particularly on the body's calcified tissues. Recent studies have demonstrated a link between miRNA and fluorosis. This study aimed to evaluate the time-dose-effect relationship of miR-200c-3p in plasma, urine and cartilage of rats with drinking water fluorosis, and to explore its potential as a biomarker. Analyses were conducted using Generalised linear models, Restricted cubic spline, Spearman correlation analysis, and Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Results indicated that both fluoride exposure time and dose had significantly affected on urinary and cartilage miR-200c-3p expression in rats, while plasma miR-200c-3p expression was only influenced by fluoride exposure time. Restricted cubic spline plots revealed that urinary miR-200c-3p was non-linearly and positively correlated with serum fluoride, urinary fluoride, dental fluorosis, and Mankin score groups, and also linearly and positively correlated with cartilage fluoride. Regression analysis showed that for each unit increase in urinary miR-200c-3p, the likelihood of dental fluorosis increased by 1.300 times, and in the Mankin score groups, the likelihood increased by 1.251 times. The ROC curves demonstrated that urinary miR-200c-3p had high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing dental and skeletal fluorosis. Blood and cartilage miR-200c-3p showed weaker diagnostic efficacy. In summary, fluoride has different effects on the expression levels of miRNA-200c in various biological samples of rats, and miRNAs in urine demonstrate potential as biomarkers for fluorosis.

Microbial nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) reflects the allocation of microbially-acquired N between growth (anabolism) and the release of inorganic N to the environment (catabolism), and is central to understanding soil N cycling. However, the effects of N addition on microbial NUE are unclear. We determined microbial NUE in surface (0–10 cm) and subsurface (10–20 cm) soils in a temperate forest by the combined substrate-independent 18O-H2O tracer technique and 15N isotope pool dilution in a multi-level N addition experiment. We found that high N treatment (75 kg N ha−1 yr−1 as urea fertilizer) significantly decreased NUE in surface soil, but not in the subsurface soil. The decrease in NUE in surface soil was related to soil acidification, likely induced by N addition, and to reduced phosphorus availability, suggesting increased phosphorus limitation to microbial metabolism with N addition. Microbial NUE was inversely related to inorganic N flux (as NH4+) in both surface and subsurface soils and positively related to microbial biomass in surface soil. Our empirical evidence confirms that microbial NUE is a sensitive proxy and controlling branchpoint between soil microbial N immobilization and inorganic N cycling, which should be explicitly included in biogeochemical models to better predict soil N dynamics.

Two‐dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are widely used in interfacial reactions and electronic devices due to their tunable bandgap and high efficiency of carrier transport. However, the lack of fully exposed active sites in bulk samples or stacked nanosheets leads to limited performances. In this work, a general method is developed to construct ordered mesoporous TMDs/metal oxides (OM‐TMDs/MOs) heterostructures, including WS2/WO3, WSe2/WO3, WTe2/WO3, MoS2/MoO3, and V3S4/V2O3, through one‐step thermal sulfurization (selenidation/tellurization) of self‐assembled amphiphilic block copolymer/polyoxometalates clusters nanocomposites with ordered mesostructures. The OM‐TMDs/MOs possess highly OM structures with high specific surface area, large pore size, and rich active edge sites in the frameworks of heterostructures. The chemiresistive gas sensor based on OM‐WS2/WO3 shows excellent NO2‐sensing performances at room temperature, with high sensitivity, ultrahigh selectivity ( S NO 2 /S gas > 20), and fast response speed (6 s). Theoretical study reveals that the strong adsorption capacity of WS2/WO3 heterostructure and edge sites of WS2 for NO2 molecules and the high charge transfer between them contribute to high selectivity and sensitivity of the sensor. This universal method provides novel strategy for synthesis of OM TMDs‐based nanomaterials, showing great potential in various applications such as electronic devices, catalysis, energy storage, and conversions.

C15H16N2O6S, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 11.1325(3) Å, b = 6.2088(2) Å, c = 23.8080(6) Å, β = 99.266(2)°, V = 1,624.12(8) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt (F) = 0.0431, wRref (F 2) = 0.1271, T = 293(2) K.

C26H36N4O20Co2, monoclinic, P21 (no. 4), a = 10.7226(2) Å, b = 7.41690(10) Å, c = 20.3510(3) Å, β = 90.107(1)°, V = 1618.48(4) Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0672, wRref(F2) = 0.1759, T = 293 K.