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Hail poses a significant meteorological hazard in China, leading to substantial economic and agricultural damage. To enhance the detection of hail and mitigate these impacts, this study presents an ensemble machine learning model (BPNN+Dtree) that combines a backpropagation neural network (BPNN) and a decision tree (Dtree). Using FY-4A satellite and ERA5 reanalysis data, the model is trained on geostationary satellite infrared data and environmental parameters, offering comprehensive, all-day, and large-area hail monitoring over China. The ReliefF method is employed to select 13 key features from 29 physical quantities, emphasizing cloud-top and thermodynamic properties over dynamic ones as input features for the model to enhance its hail differentiation capability. The BPNN+Dtree ensemble model harnesses the strengths of both algorithms, improving the probability of detection (POD) to 0.69 while maintaining a reasonable false alarm ratio (FAR) on the test set. Moreover, the model’s spatial distribution of hail probability more closely matches the observational data, outperforming the individual BPNN and Dtree models. Furthermore, it demonstrates improved regional applicability over overshooting top (OT)-based methods in the China region. The identified high-frequency hail areas correspond to the north-south movement of the monsoon rain belt and are consistent with the northeast-southwest belt distribution observed using microwave-based methods.

The diversity of cyclodextrins and their derivatives is increasing with continuous research. In addition to monomolecular cyclodextrins with different branched chains, cyclodextrin-based polymers have emerged. The aim of this review is to summarize these innovations, with a special focus on the study of applications of cyclodextrins and their derivatives in nano-delivery systems. The areas covered include nanospheres, nano-sponges, nanogels, cyclodextrin metal–organic frameworks, liposomes, and emulsions, providing a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the design and development of nano-delivery systems.

A systematic review was conducted in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of artificial intelligence (AI) in ductal carcinoma in situ. Four databases were searched for articles up to December 2022: Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. 23 studies were included, and a search of grey literature was not performed. The following parameters were extracted: the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of each study. Statistical analysis of the included studies revealed that AI-assisted histopathological analysis is of high accuracy (83.78%), sensitivity (83.88%), and specificity (85.49%) and has a high positive predictive value (89.43%). Our results also reported that convolutional neural network (CNN) is the most commonly used mode of machine learning—21 models used only CNN, whereas 2 models used only support vector machines (SVM). On an average, CNN reported slightly higher accuracy and sensitivity (86.71% and 85.22%, respectively) than SVM (accuracy, 85.00%; sensitivity, 70.00%). When the 2 methods were combined, a mean accuracy of 82.52% and a mean sensitivity of 83.00% were achieved. The use of AI as a diagnostic adjunct can markedly improve the accuracy and efficiency of DCIS diagnosis and can, therefore, reduce pathologists’ workload.

Taxonomic uncertainties of rare species often hinder effective prioritization for conservation. One such taxonomic uncertainty is the 90-year-old enigma of Fagus chienii. F. chienii was previously only known from the type specimens collected in 1935 in Pingwu County of Sichuan Province, China, and has long been thought to be on the verge of extinction. However, morphological similarities to closely related Fagus species have led many to question the taxonomic status of F. chienii. To clarify this taxonomic uncertainty, we used the newly collected samples to reconstruct a molecular phylogeny of Chinese Fagus species against the phylogenetic backbone of the whole genus using seven nuclear genes. In addition, we examined nine morphological characters to determine whether F. chienii is morphologically distinct from its putatively closest relatives (F. hayatae, F. longipetiolata, and F. lucida). Both morphological and phylogenetic analyses indicated that F. chienii is conspecific with F. hayatae. We recommended that F. chienii should not be treated as a separate species in conservation management. However, conservation strategies such as in situ protection and ex situ germplasm preservation should be adopted to prevent the peculiar “F. chienii” population from extinction.

Abstract Introduction Hypothyroidism is a rare and possible cause of hyponatremia. However, the clinical epidemiology and risk of mortality (ROM) when they coexist still remain elusive. Objectives We assessed the epidemiology and ROM among index patients with coexisting hypothyroidism and hyponatremia via a national population database. Patients and methods This retrospective cohort study utilized Taiwan’s National Health Insurance program database. Distributions of definite sociodemographic factors were analyzed. The annual incidence among the overall group and sex-subgroups was investigated. In addition, potential factors influencing the ROM were also evaluated. Results Of 4,549,226 patients from 1998 to 2015, a total of 3,140 index patients with concurrent hypothyroidism and hyponatremia were analyzed. The incidence rate increased tenfold from 1998 to 2015; average annual incidence rate was 174. Among the total participants, 57.1% were women; mean age was 72.6 ± 14.7 years and 88.8% were aged > 55 years. Although average length of stay (LOS) was 13.1 ± 15.4 days, the mortality group had significantly longer LOS than that in the survival group (12.9 days vs 22.2 days). Old age, catastrophic illness, cardiac dysrhythmia, and low hospital hierarchy were independent predictors of hospital mortality. The optimal LOS cutoff value for ROM prediction was 16 days. Index patients with LOS > 16 days increased ROM by 2.3-fold. Conclusions Coexistent hypothyroidism and hyponatremia is rare, although the incidence increased gradually. Factors influencing the ROM, such as old age, underlying catastrophic status, cardiac dysrhythmia, hospital hierarchy, and LOS should be considered in clinical care.

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a lethal pathogen that causes severe threats to the global swine industry and it has already had catastrophic socio-economic effects. To date, no licensed prophylactic vaccine exists. Limited knowledge exists about the major immunogens of ASFV and the epitope mapping of the key antigens. As such, there is a considerable requirement to understand the functional monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and the epitope mapping may be of utmost importance in our understanding of immune responses and designing improved vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. In this study, we generated an ASFV antibody phage-display library from ASFV convalescent swine PBMCs, further screened a specific ASFV major capsid protein (p72) single-chain antibody and fused with an IgG Fc fragment (scFv-83-Fc), which is a specific recognition antibody against ASFV Pig/HLJ/2018 strain. Using the scFv-83-Fc mAb, we selected a conserved epitope peptide (221MTGYKH226) of p72 retrieved from a phage-displayed random peptide library. Moreover, flow cytometry and cell uptake experiments demonstrated that the epitope peptide can significantly promote BMDCs maturation in vitro and could be effectively uptaken by DCs, which indicated its potential application in vaccine and diagnostic reagent development. Overall, this study provided a valuable platform for identifying targets for ASFV vaccine development, as well as to facilitate the optimization design of subunit vaccine and diagnostic reagents.

Highlights A virus-like nanoparticle (reBiosome) was developed via site-specific codon mutation for displaying unnatural amino acid (Azi) on virus envelope protein at a rational site, followed by conjugating weak acid-responsive polyethylene glycol polymer on Azi via bioorthogonal chemistry. The reBiosome exhibited reduced virus-like immunogenicity, prolonged blood circulation and enhanced delivery to weakly acidic disease foci. The reBiosome enabled efficient delivery of gene editing and gene silencing system, demonstrating remarkable therapeutic efficacy in breast cancer and arthritis, respectively.

AIM: To examine the effects of salidroside on choroidal thickness, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α), dopamine(DA)and its D1 receptor expression in guinea pigs with lens-induced myopia(LIM).METHODS: A total of 18 two-week-old guinea pigs were randomly divided into the normal control(NC)group, the LIM group, and the LIM + salidroside(LIM+SA)group, with 6 guinea pigs in each group. The guinea pigs in the NC group were fed normally and intragastrically administered with 2 mL/d saline; those in the LIM group wore a -5D lens in front of their right eyes to establish a myopia model, then they were intragastrically administered with 2 mL/d saline. Finally, those in the LIM+SA group wore glasses along with intragastric administration of 2 mL/d salidroside at a dose of 100 mg/kg. The refraction, axial length, and choroidal thickness of guinea pigs in each group were measured 4wk following the establishment of the model. In addition, the relative mRNA expression and protein content of HIF-1α in the choroid and retina of guinea pigs in each group were detected by real-time quantitative PCR(qPCR)and immunohistochemistry(IHC). Finally, the DA concentration and its D1 receptor expression were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)and Western blot.RESULTS: At 4wk after model establishment, guinea pigs of LIM group and LIM+SA group exhibited increased negative refraction of the right eye, prolonged axial length, and decreased choroidal thickness compared to the NC group. The relative mRNA expression and protein content of HIF-1α in the choroid and retina of the guinea pigs increased. The concentration of DA and the expression of its D1 receptor both decreased. Moreover, compared to the LIM group, the diopter of the right eye of guinea pigs in LIM+SA group significantly reduced, the axial length was shorter, the thickness of choroid increased, the relative mRNA expression and protein content of HIF-1α in the choroid and retina decreased and the concentration of DA and the expression of its D1 receptor both increased.CONCLUSION: Salidroside can delay myopia progression in myopic guinea pigs by affecting choroidal thickness and the expression of HIF-1α, DA and its D1 receptor.

AIM: To investigate the expression and effect of histone deacetylase 7 (HDAC7) in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) under high glucose condition and related mechanism, and the expression of HDAC7 in the retinal tissue in diabetic rats. METHODS: The expression of HDAC7 in HRMECs under high glucose and the retinal tissue from normal or diabetic rats were detected with immunohistochemistry and Western blot. LV-shHDAC7 HRMECs were used to study the effect of HDAC7 on cell activities. Cell count kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), flow cytometry, scratch test, Transwell test and tube formation assay were used to examine the ability of cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. Finally, a preliminary exploration of its mechanism was performed by Western blot. RESULTS: The expression of HDAC7 was both up-regulated in retinal tissues of diabetic rats and high glucose-treated HRMECs. Down-regulation of HDAC7 expression significantly reduced the ability of proliferation, migration, and tube formation, and reversed the high glucose-induced high expression of CDK1/Cyclin B1 and vascular endothelial growth factor in high glucose-treated HRMECs. CONCLUSION: High glucose can up-regulate the expression of HDAC7 in HRMECs. Down-regulation of HDAC7 can inhibit HRMECs activities. HDAC7 is proposed to be involved in pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy and a therapeutic target.

Abstract Background Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the subtype of breast cancer with the worst prognosis, and it is highly heterogeneous. There is growing evidence that the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) plays a crucial role in tumor development, maintenance, and treatment responses. Notably however, the full effects of the TIME on prognosis, TIME characteristics, and immunotherapy responses in TNBC patients have not been fully elucidated. Methods Gene Expression Omnibus and The Cancer Genome Atlas data were used to data analysis. Single‐cell sequencing and tissue microarray analysis were used to investigate gene expression. The concentrations and distributions of immune cell types were determined and analyzed using the CIBERSORT strategy. Tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion score and the IMvigor210 cohort were used to estimate the sensitivity of TNBC patients with different prognostic statuses to immune checkpoint treatment. Results Five immune‐related genes associated with TNBC prognosis (IL6ST, NR2F1, CKLF, TCF7L2, and HSPA2) was identified and a prognostic evaluation model was constructed based on those genes. The respective areas under the curve of the prognostic nomogram model at 3 and 5 years were 0.791 and 0.859. The group with a lower nomogram score, with a better prognosis survival status and clinical treatment benefit rate. Conclusion A prognostic model for TNBC that was closely related to the immune landscape and therapeutic responses was constructed. This model may help clinicians to make more precise and personalized treatment decisions pertaining to TNBC patients.