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Abstract A highly efficient and multi-functional butterfly polarization conversion metasurface is proposed for the Ku-Ka frequency range, designed to reduce the radar cross-section. The suggested converter enables dual frequency bands linear-to-cross (LX) and linear-to-circular (LC) polarization transformations. The efficiency of cross-polarization conversion exceeds 90% over the frequency ranges of 14.57–16.30 GHz and 25.70–37.03 GHz, with relative bandwidths of 11% and 36%, respectively. Reflections of left-hand (LHCP) and right-hand circularly polarized (RHCP) waves are realized within the frequency ranges of 17.78–25.31 GHz and 37.38–37.73 GHz, with relative bandwidths of 35% and 0.9%. The oblique incidence significantly affects the metasurface conversion performance, and the proposed model manifests angular robustness up to 60°. Additionally, the butterfly metasurfaces are deployed in a triangular chessboard configuration to achieve radar cross section (RCS) reduction spanning the frequency bands of 14–15.17 GHz, 24.60–35.20 GHz, and 36.30–38 GHz. Drawing from simulation results and test-based validation data, the proposed converter holds promising applications in wireless communication, antenna engineering, and radar stealth.

Abstract This study proposes and experimentally validates a multifunctional, ultra-wideband polarization conversion metasurface. The design integrates polarization conversion and electromagnetic scattering functions into a single structure, enabling applications in polarization conversion, beam control, and effective reduction of the radar cross-section (RCS). The metasurface achieves linear-to-circular polarization conversion with an axial ratio (AR) of less than 3 dB across dual-band ranges of 14.6–26.8 GHz and 31–33.5 GHz. Additionally, by adjusting metallic resonant rings within the unit structure, cross-polarization conversion with a polarization conversion ratio (PCR) greater than 0.9 is realized in the 13.6–29.8 GHz frequency range, maintaining excellent stability even at oblique incidence angles up to 50°. Leveraging the phase cancellation principle, various coding arrays are designed to precisely control the scattered beams, reducing the RCS by more than 10 dB. The comparison of simulation and experimental results further validates the wide application potential of this polarization converter in fields such as wireless communication, antenna engineering, and radar stealth.

Abstract Early postoperative cerebral infarction (ePCI) is a serious complication of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH). Yet, no study has specifically focused on ePCI among SICH patients. Our study aims to investigate the characteristics, predictors, and outcomes of ePCI observed on computed tomography (CT) within 72 h after surgery in patients with supratentorial SICH. Data from a single-center SICH study conducted from May 2015 to September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. We described the characteristics of ePCI. Predictors were identified through logistic regression analysis, and the impact of ePCI on six-month mortality was examined using a Cox regression model. Subgroup analyses and the “E-value” approach assessed the robustness of the association between ePCI and mortality. A retrospective analysis of 637 out of 3938 SICH patients found that 71 cases (11.1%) developed ePCI. The majority of ePCI cases occurred on the bleeding side (40/71, 56.3%) and affected the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory (45/71, 63.4%). Multivariable analysis showed that the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score (odds ratio (OR), 0.62; 95% CI, 0.48–0.8; p

Introduction Trace mineral micronutrients are essential for periodontal health, and unbalanced levels of trace minerals are related to chronic periodontitis, including copper. We attempted to explore the relationship between cuproptosis and periodontitis. Material and methods Bulk RNA-seq and single-cell RNA sequencing data were used to analyze expression of cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) in periodontitis. A mouse periodontitis model was established to verify the expression of key genes. Results Cuproptosis-related genes were differentially expressed in periodontitis. RT-PCR results confirmed the alteration of five key genes in the mouse model. Conclusions Cuproptosis is an important player in the pathophysiological process of periodontitis.

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the predictive factors of therapeutic efficacy for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) patients receiving atorvastatin combined with dexamethasone therapy by using clinical imaging characteristics in conjunction with computed tomography (CT) texture analysis (CTTA). Clinical imaging characteristics and CT texture parameters at admission were retrospectively investigated in 141 CSDH patients who received atorvastatin combined with dexamethasone therapy from June 2019 to December 2022. The patients were divided into a training set (n = 81) and a validation set (n = 60). Patients in the training data were divided into two groups based on the effectiveness of the treatment. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the potential factors that could indicate the prognosis of CSDH patients in the training set. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive efficacy of the significant factors in predicting the prognosis of CSDH patients and was validated using a validation set. The multivariate analysis showed that the hematoma density to brain parenchyma density ratio, singal min (minimum) and singal standard deviation of the pixel distribution histogram, and inhomogeneity were independent predictors for the prognosis of CSDH patients based on atorvastatin and dexamethasone therapy. The area under the ROC curve between the two groups was between 0.716 and 0.806. As determined by significant factors, the validation's accuracy range was 0.816 to 0.952. Clinical imaging characteristics in conjunction with CTTA could aid in distinguishing patients with CSDH who responded well to atorvastatin combined with dexamethasone.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal and chronic interstitial lung disease. Intricate pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis and only two approved medications with side effects and high cost bring us the challenge of fully understanding this lethal disease and urgency to find more safe and low-cost therapeutic alternatives. Purpose: Demethyleneberberine (DMB) has been demonstrated to have various anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifibrosis and anti-cancer bioactivities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of DMB on pulmonary fibrosis and investigate the mechanism. Methods: Bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis was established in mice to evaluate the antifibrotic effect of DMB in vivo. A549 and MRC5 cells were used to evaluate the effect of DMB on epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and fibroblast–myofibroblast transition (FMT) in vitro. High throughput sequencing, biotin–avidin system and site-directed mutagenesis were applied to explore the mechanism of DMB in alleviating pulmonary fibrosis. Results: DMB alleviated BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis in vivo by improving the survival state of mice, significantly reducing pulmonary collagen deposition and oxidative stress and improving lung tissue morphology. Meanwhile, DMB was demonstrated to inhibit epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and fibroblast–myofibroblast transition (FMT) in vitro. High throughput sequencing analysis indicated that GREM1, a highly upregulated profibrotic mediator in IPF and BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis, was significantly downregulated by DMB. Furthermore, USP11 was revealed to be involved in the deubiquitination of GREM1 in this study and DMB promoted the ubiquitination and degradation of GREM1 by inhibiting USP11. Remarkably, DMB was demonstrated to selectively bind to the Met776 residue of USP11, leading to disruption of USP11 deubiquitinating GREM1. In addition, DMB presented an equivalent antifibrotic effect at a lower dose compared with pirfenidone and showed no obvious toxicity or side effects. Conclusions: This study revealed that USP11/GREM1 could be a potential target for IPF management and identified that DMB could promote GREM1 degradation by inhibiting USP11, thereby alleviating pulmonary fibrosis.

Abstract Background Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells that mediate antitumour and antiviral responses. However, very little is known about how ageing influences human NK cells, especially at the single-cell level. Methods We applied single-cell sequencing (scRNA-seq) to human lymphocytes and NK cells from 4 young and 4 elderly individuals and then analysed the transcriptome data using Seurat. We detected the proportion and phenotype of NK cell subsets in peripheral blood samples from a total of 62 young and 52 elderly healthy donors by flow cytometry. We also used flow cytometry to examine the effector functions of NK cell subsets upon IFN-α/IL-12+IL-15/K562/IL-2 stimulation in vitro in peripheral blood samples from a total of 64 young and 63 elderly healthy donors. We finally studied and integrated single-cell transcriptomes of NK cells from 15 young and 41 elderly COVID-19 patients with those from 12 young and 6 elderly healthy control individuals to investigate the impacts of ageing on NK cell subsets in COVID-19 disease. Results We discovered a memory-like NK subpopulation (NK2) exhibiting the largest distribution change between elderly and young individuals among lymphocytes. Notably, we discovered a unique NK subset that was predominantly CD52+ NK2 cells (NK2.1). These memory-like NK2.1 cells accumulated with age, exhibited proinflammatory characteristics, and displayed a type I interferon response state. Integrative analyses of a large-cohort COVID-19 dataset and our datasets revealed that NK2.1 cells from elderly COVID-19 patients are enriched for type I interferon signalling, which is positively correlated with disease severity in COVID-19. Conclusions We identified a unique memory-like NK cell subset that accumulates with ageing and correlates with disease severity in COVID-19. Our results identify memory-like NK2.1 cells as a potential target for developing immunotherapies for infectious diseases and for addressing age-related dysfunctions of the immune system.

Abstract Patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) undergoing interferon (IFN)-α-based therapies often exhibit a poor HBeAg serological response. Thus, there is an unmet need for new therapies aimed at CHB. This study comprised two clinical trials, including 130 CHB patients, who were treatment-naïve; in the first, 92 patients were systematically analyzed ex vivo for interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression and inhibitory molecules expression after receiving Peg-IFN-α-2b therapy. In our second clinical trial, 38 non-responder patients, in whom IFN-α therapy had failed, were treated with or without low-dose IL-2 for 24 weeks. We then examined the hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific CD8+ T-cell response and the clinical outcome, in these patients. Although the majority of the participants undergoing Peg-IFN-α-2b therapy were non-responders, we observed a decrease in CD25 expression on their CD4+ T cells, suggesting that IFN-α therapy may provide a rationale for sequential IL-2 treatment without increasing regulatory T cells (Tregs). Following sequential therapy with IL-2, we demonstrated that the non-responders experienced a decrease in the numbers of Tregs and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) expression. In addition, sequential IL-2 administration rescued effective immune function, involving signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) activation. Importantly, IL-2 therapy significantly increased the frequency and function of HBV-specific CD8+ T cells, which translated into improved clinical outcomes, including HBeAg seroconversion, among the non-responder CHB patients. Our findings suggest that sequential IL-2 therapy shows efficacy in rescuing immune function in non-responder patients with refractory CHB.

Abstract Black point is a cereal disease caused by complex pathogens, of which the pathogenicity of Bipolaris sorokiniana is the most serious in wheat. Resistance to black point is quantitative in nature, and thus the mechanism is poorly understood. We conducted a comparative transcriptome analysis to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in black point-slightly susceptible and -highly susceptible wheat lines at different timepoints following B. sorokiniana inoculation. DEGs associated with photosynthesis were upregulated in black point-slightly susceptible lines. The top Gene Ontology enrichment terms for biological processes were oxidation–reduction, response to cold, salt stress, oxidative stress, and cadmium ion; terms for cellular component genes were mainly involved in plasma membrane and cytoplasmic membrane-bounded vesicle, whereas those for molecular function were heme binding and peroxidase activity. Moreover, activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase were higher in slightly susceptible lines than those in highly susceptible lines (except peroxidase 12–24 days post-inoculation). Thus, resistance to B. sorokiniana-caused black point in wheat was mainly related to counteracting oxidative stress, although the specific metabolic pathways require further study. This study presents new insights for understanding resistance mechanisms of selected wheat lines to black point.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with peripheral blood immune cell counts and clinical outcomes in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. In a retrospective design, 146 patients with NPC at stage IV were enrolled in this study. The association of EBV status with peripheral blood immune cell counts, distant metastases, and long-term survival in patients with advanced NPC were determined. Eighty-seven (59.6%) of all patients were positive for EBV. Compared with patients with normal NK cell count, patients with lower NK cell count showed a significantly lower EBV viral load (median: 614.0 vs. 2190.0 copies/mL, P = 0.024). EBV-positive patients showed a significantly higher incidence of liver metastasis than EBV-negative patients (32.6% vs. 23.7%, P = 0.021). Multi-variant regression analysis showed that EBV infection was independently associated with liver metastasis (OR: 2.33, P = 0.043). EBV positive patients showed a significantly worse PFS (P = 0.001) and OS (P = 0.001) than EBV negative patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that EBV infection was independently associated with a worse PFS (HR: 1.94, P = 0.003), and OS (HR: 2.12, P = 0.014) in advanced NPC. In conclusion, EBV infection is associated with a high risk of liver metastasis and is also an independent negative predictor for PFS and OS in patients with advanced NPC. EBV infection is associated with lower CD8% and higher NK%, while lower NK cell count is associated with lower EBV viral load.

Background: Recent studies have revealed that vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease, and vitamin D supplementation may be effective strategy to ameliorate the neurodegenerative process in Alzheimer's disease patients. Paricalcitol (PAL), a low-calcemic vitamin D receptor agonist, is clinically used to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism. However, the potential application of PAL for treating neurodegenerative disorders remains unexplored. Methods: The APP/PS1 mice were intraperitoneally injected with PAL or vehicle every other day for 15 weeks. The β-amyloid (Aβ) production was confirmed using immunostaining and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The underlying mechanism was verified by western blot and immunostaining in vivo and in vitro. Findings: Long-term PAL treatment clearly reduced β-amyloid (Aβ) generation and neuronal loss in APP/PS1 transgenic mouse brains. PAL stimulated the expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) possibly through inhibiting sterol regulatory element binding protein-2 (SREBP2); PAL also promoted LRP1-mediated β-site APP cleavage enzyme 1 (BACE1) transport to late endosomes, thus increasing the lysosomal degradation of BACE1. Furthermore, PAL diminished 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHdG) generation in neuronal mitochondria via enhancing base excision repair (BER), resulting in the attenuation of calpain-1-mediated neuronal loss. Interpretation: The present data demonstrate that PAL can reduce Aβ generation through accelerating BACE1 lysosomal degradation and can inhibit neuronal loss through suppressing mitochondrial 8-OHdG generation. Hence, PAL might be a promising agent for treating Alzheimer's disease. Fund: This study was financially supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (U1608282). Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, Paricalcitol, β-Site APP cleavage enzyme 1, 8-hydroxyguanosine, Lysosomal degradation, Neuronal loss

Introduction The detection rate of somatic symptom disorder (SSD) in general hospitals is unsatisfactory. Self-report questionnaires that assess both somatic symptoms and psychological characteristics will improve the process of screening for SSD. The Somatic Symptom Scale-China (SSS-CN) questionnaire has been developed to meet this urgent clinical demand. The aim of this research is to validate the self-reported SSS-CN as a timely and practical instrument that can be used to identify SSD and to assess the severity of this disorder.Methods and analysis At least 852 patients without organic disease but presenting physical discomfort will be recruited at a general hospital. Each patient will undergo a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5)-guided physician diagnosis, including disease identification and severity assessment, as the reference standard. This research will compare the diagnostic performance of the SSS-CN for SSD, the Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15) and other SSD-related questionnaires. Statistical tests to measure the area under the curve (AUC) and volume under the surface of the receiver operating curve will be used to assess the accuracy of the SSD identification and the severity assessment, respectively. In addition to this standard diagnostic study, we will conduct follow-up investigations to explore the effectiveness of the SSS-CN in monitoring treatment effects.Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval was obtained from the Renji Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee, approval number 2 015 016. The findings of this study will be disseminated via peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences.Trial registration number NCT03513185.