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Abstract Growth-regulating factors (GRFs) are plant-specific transcription factors involved in the regulation of plant growth, development, and abiotic stress processes. However, the function of Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss GRFs remain largely unknown. In this study, 34 BjGRF genes were identified in B. juncea. BjGRF members of the same subfamily were found to share a similar motif composition and gene structure. In total, 663 cis-acting elements were found in the promoter regions of BjGRF genes, which were related to light response, hormone response, environmental stresses, and plant growth/development. Additionally, 48 pairs of segmental duplication genes were identified during gene duplication events, and no tandemly duplicated genes were identified. qRT-PCR analysis showed that the 34 BjGRF genes were primarily expressed in the roots, followed by the leaves. Furthermore, the 10 BjGRF genes were screened in response to drought stress, and the expression patterns of the genes were relatively consistent, with a maximum expression level at 3 or 24 h, and the selected BjGRF03 and BjGRF32 might be involved in drought stress. This preliminary study clarifies the response of the BjGRF gene family to drought stress and provides ideas for further analyses of the biological functions of BjGRF genes.

Abstract Radiotherapy sensitivity is associated with the prognosis of patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). In the present study, we proposed to explore the specific mechanism of interventional radiology (IR) therapy for TSCC in vitro and in vivo. TSCC cells were treated with 6 Gy IR and tumor bearing mice were treated with 20 Gy × 1 IR. DIA quantitative proteomics along with bioinformatics analysis were conducted in TSCC cells to investigate differential proteins related to IR and relation of which involved in TMEM147 and SPHK1 was confirmed by immunoprecipitation. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy& autophagy flux along with calcium signaling pathway detection were performed in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that IR induced increasing calcium levels accompanied by up-regulated TMEM147 and down-regulated SPHK1 along with enhancing autophagy together with apoptosis. The effect of calcium overloading induced by IR on autophagy and apoptosis was dependent on increasing TMEM147 and decreasing SPHK1. However, IR-induced autophagy and apoptosis tended to be independent of only increasing calcium levels when down-regulating TMEM147 or up-regulating SPHK1 expression in vitro and in vivo. Our study suggested that calcium-mediated TMEM147/SPHK1 may promote autophagy and apoptosis to improve radiotherapy sensitivity in TSCC.

[Introduction] By analyzing the history of human utilization of energy and the current situation of China's rural energy, this paper summarizes the main energy structure characteristics of rural areas in China. [Method] Through literature method, comparative analysis and other research methods, this paper explored the current situation of rural energy development and identified the existing problems and future development trends of rural energy development. [Result] From the perspective of the diversification of rural energy use, the usage of firewood is gradually decreasing, the development of rural biogas tends to be stable, the rural electricity consumption is becoming saturated after the completion of rural power grid transformation, the proportion of gas is increasing year by year with the implementation of the "West-to-East Gas Transmission" policy, the solar thermal utilization is steadily declining after the large-scale popularization, and the solar power generation is rapidly increasing with the breakthrough of photovoltaic power generation technology. [Conclusion] According to the current situation of rural energy in China, the traditional way of using rural energy has been gradually changed, and the development of new energy has been paid attention to. In combination with national policies, the corresponding energy characteristics of rural energy have been found, and the development trend of rural energy under the "dual carbon" goal in the new era of "energy saving and emission reduction" has been explored.

Abstract Introduction Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mental disease that significantly impact the daily lives of those affected. Acupuncture has shown promising therapeutic effects in the treatment of MDD, but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to evaluate the influence of acupuncture on the brain function of patients with MDD and it’s therapeutic effects on MDD. Methods This study plans to recruit 112 participants, who will be randomly allocated to either the acupuncture group or the sham acupuncture group in a 1:1 ratio. Both groups will undergo 8 weeks of treatment, consisting of three sessions per week, with each session lasting for 30 min. A follow-up period of 3 months will be conducted after the treatment. Assessments will be conducted at weeks 0, 8, 12, 16, and 20 in this study. The primary outcome measure will be functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) brain imaging, while secondary outcome measures will include Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), 36-Item Short Form Survey Instrument (SF-36), Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome score scale, and symptom elimination rate. Discussion While acupuncture has been confirmed to have a certain degree of therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of MDD, research on the mechanisms underlying acupuncture’s treatment of MDD remains limited, particularly with regards to its impact on the brain function of individuals with MDD. This study aims to explore both the clinical effectiveness and treatment mechanisms of acupuncture for MDD, with a specific focus on its influence on brain function. This research endeavors to provide new insights into the potential of acupuncture as a therapeutic approach for the treatment of MDD in the future. Trial Registration www.chictr.org.cn , ID: ChiCTR2300076292. Registered on 28 September 2023.

Abstract Capturing forceful interaction with deformable objects during manipulation benefits applications like virtual reality, telemedicine, and robotics. Replicating full hand-object states with complete geometry is challenging because of the occluded object deformations. Here, we report a visual-tactile recording and tracking system for manipulation featuring a stretchable tactile glove with 1152 force-sensing channels and a visual-tactile joint learning framework to estimate dynamic hand-object states during manipulation. To overcome the strain interference caused by contact with deformable objects, an active suppression method based on symmetric response detection and adaptive calibration is proposed and achieves 97.6% accuracy in force measurement, contributing to an improvement of 45.3%. The learning framework processes the visual-tactile sequence and reconstructs hand-object states. We experiment on 24 objects from 6 categories including both deformable and rigid ones with an average reconstruction error of 1.8 cm for all sequences, demonstrating a universal ability to replicate human knowledge in manipulating objects with varying degrees of deformability.

The development of piezoelectric ceramics characterized by both large piezoelectric response and high-temperature stability is imperative for the advancement of practical electromechanical devices. However, existing high-performance piezoelectric ceramics often encounter compromised temperature stability because ferroelectric phase transitions occur within low-temperature regions. In this work, we focused on Sm-doped Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbZrO3–PbTiO3 (PNN–PZT:Sm) ceramics with a tetragonal (T)-phase structure to achieve the desired combination of high piezoelectricity and high temperature stability. The results indicate that 2 mol% Sm-doped samples exhibit a large piezoelectric constant (d33) of 575 pC/N, an effective piezoelectric strain coefficient (d33*) of 890 pm/V, and a high ferroelectric-to-paraelectric phase transition temperature (Tm) of 279 °C. Remarkably, d33 experiences only a 2.6% variation over the temperature range of 30–250 °C, while d33* changes by 8% within the temperature range of 30–180 °C. Microstructural and domain structure analyses suggest that Sm-doping effectively reduces the grain size, leading to a decreased domain size, thereby achieving excellent electromechanical properties. The superior temperature stability is attributed to the suppressive effect of Sm-doping on the R–T ferroelectric phase transition. These studies suggest that Sm-doping represents an effective strategy for achieving the collaborative optimization of piezoelectricity and temperature stability through grain and domain engineering techniques for perovskite ferroelectric materials.

Abstract Severe psoriasis has a long course and poor outcome, and it has long been a problem for patients. Understanding the independent risk factors that contribute to patients with severe psoriasis is critical for the development of effective treatment strategies. This large, multicenter study recruited 2,109 plaque psoriasis patients from 12 hospitals across China (October 31, 2019 – May 31, 2022). The logistic regression model underwent internal validation and external validation using two independent cohorts over future time periods (June 1, 2022 – January 31, 2023). The discriminative power of our model was substantiated by a C-index of 0.863 (95% CI: 0.848–0.879) in internal validation, further affirmed through 1,000 bootstrap validation (C-index: 0.860, 95% CI: 0.836–0.885) and external validation cohorts, where the C-index reached up to 0.910 (95% CI: 0.868–0.953) and 0.951 (95% CI: 0.924–0.977) in 2 external validation cohorts. To enhance accessibility for clinicians, the model has been made available as a dynamic nomogram and QR code. Our study identified 10 risk factors (the “DELPHI” consensus dichotomy, the DLQI index, the extent of skin involvement as measured by body surface area, the age of the patient at the time of clinical visit, sex, body weight in kilograms, career, the presence of scalp involvement, facial involvement, and arthropathy) for the overall severity of psoriasis (PASI ≥ 10). “Nomogram-10” provides clinicians with a practical tool to develop personalized intervention strategies based on an individual’s risk profile. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR1900024852.

In the context of global warming， the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau is altering atmospheric circulation through sensible heat absorption and latent heat release.This not only impacts the water and energy balance of the plateau's ecosystem but also plays a crucial role in regulating Asian and global climates.In order to explore the change characteristics and influencing factors of evapotranspiration in different regions of alpine grassland ecosystem on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau， and deepen understanding of plateau climate change and hydrological-ecological processes， based on the observed eddy and meteorological data in 2022， the variation characteristics and environmental influencing factors of actual evapotranspiration of alpine grassland ecosystems at the same altitude in Sijinlacuo （seasonal permafrost） and Tuotuo River （permafrost） on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau were compared and analyzed.The results show that： （1） Significant differences existed between environmental factors at these two sites， particularly in wind speed， air temperature， and precipitation.The wind speed at Tuotuo River station greatly exceeded that at Shijinlasuo station； annual average air temperature and precipitation were lower at Tuotuo River station.（2） The average hourly evapotranspiration of Sijinlacuo Station at night was higher than those recorded at Tuotuo River Station， however， this trend reverses during daytime hours.The variation characteristics of daily evapotranspiration at the two stations had a similar trend.The date of sharp increase and maximum of evapotranspiration at Sijinlacuo Station were earlier than those at Tuotuo River Station.The monthly evapotranspiration of the two stations were unimodal， with the maximum value appeared in July in summer and the smaller value appeared in December， January and February in winter.（3） Wind speed and ground radiation showed differing correlations with evaporation across both stations.Wind speed had a stronger correlation with evaporation at Tuotuo River Station due to higher wind speeds compared to weaker correlations observed for Sijinlasuo Station where winds were less intense.Conversely， ground radiation showed opposite correlations with evaporation between both locations.Air temperature， water vapor pressure， and atmospheric longwave radiation demonstrated strong correlations with evaporation across both locations while air humidity， saturated water vapor pressure difference， and precipitation displayed weaker associations.Precipitation exhibited the weakest correlation.（4） Although precipitation served as the primary source of evaporated water content， sources such as glacier melt water and thawing permafrost played significant roles as well on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau， resulting in subdued influence of precipitation on the evaporative process at both locations.These results contribute valuable insights into understanding regional variations in high-altitude grassland ecosystems' response to changing climatic conditions on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.

Abstract Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous condition, defined by oligo-/anovulation, hyper-androgenism and/or polycystic ovaries. Metabolic complications are common in patients suffering PCOS, including obesity, insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes, which severely compromise the clinical course of affected women. Yet, therapeutic options remain mostly symptomatic and of limited efficacy for the metabolic and reproductive alterations of PCOS. We report here the hormonal, metabolic and gonadal responses to the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1)-based multi-agonists, GLP1/Estrogen (GLP1/E), GLP1/gastric inhibitory peptide (GLP1/GIP) and GLP1/GIP/Glucagon, in two mouse PCOS models, with variable penetrance of metabolic and reproductive traits, and their comparison with metformin. Our data illustrate the superior efficacy of GLP1/E vs. other multi-agonists and metformin in the management of metabolic complications of PCOS; GLP1/E ameliorates also ovarian cyclicity in an ovulatory model of PCOS, without direct estrogenic uterotrophic effects. In keeping with GLP1-mediated brain targeting, quantitative proteomics reveals changes in common and distinct hypothalamic pathways in response to GLP1/E between the two PCOS models, as basis for differential efficiency. Altogether, our data set the basis for the use of GLP1-based multi-agonists, and particularly GLP1/E, in the personalized management of PCOS.

Objective: The objective of this study is to explore the optimal ratio of Glycyrrhiza Radix (GR, Glycyrrhizae radix et Rhizoma) and Platycodonis Radix (PR, Platycodon grandiflorum A. DC) and its potential mechanism for treating respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) pneumonia in mice. Materials and Methods: Aqueous extracts of GR-PR with different ratios (1:1, 2:1, and 1:2 w/w) were prepared and analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a linear ion trap quadrupole Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC/LTQ-Orbitrap-MS). The effects of various ratios of GR-PR were investigated in BALB/c mice. Changes in body weight were recorded, histopathology was evaluated, and relative mRNA levels of inflammatory mediators were measured. In addition, lipidomic analysis was performed to investigate the effects of GR-PR on lipids and related signaling pathways. Results: The aqueous extracts of GR-PR improved body weight and reduced lung inflammation compared to the RSV group, with the optimal therapeutic effect achieved with a 1:2 ratio of GR to PR. RSV infection disrupted several serum lipids, particularly sphingomyelin (SM) and ceramide (CER), which were partially restored by GR-PR administration. Overall, GR-PR significantly improved the metabolic disorder of SM-CER-induced inflammation and apoptosis, along with decreased mRNA levels of caspase-1, nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), and toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), and protein expression of NLRP3, pro-caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-recruitment domain (ASC), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-18, gasdermin D (GSDMD), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), Bcl2-associated X protein (BAX), caspase-3, and caspase-8. The involvement of the TLR3-NF-κB-NLRP3 signaling pathway in this process was confirmed. Conclusions: The aqueous extracts of GR-PR, particularly at a ratio of 1:2, demonstrate potential therapeutic benefits for RSV-induced pneumonia by improving lipid metabolism and inhibiting the activation of TLR3-NF-κB-NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) have emerged as the first-line choice for treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection due to their superior efficacy and safety. However, the impact of INSTIs on the development of neuropsychiatric conditions in people living with HIV (PLWH) is not fully understood due to limited data. In this study, we conducted a cross-sectional examination of PLWH receiving antiretroviral therapy, with a specific focus on HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) on INSTI-based regimens (n = 61) and efavirenz (EFV)-based regimens (n = 28). Participants underwent comprehensive neuropsychiatric evaluations and multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, including T1-weighted images and resting-state functional MRI. Compared to the EFV group, the INSTI group exhibited primarily reduced gray matter volume (GMV) in the right superior parietal gyrus, higher regional homogeneity (ReHo) in the left postcentral gyrus, lower ReHo in the right orbital part of the inferior frontal gyrus, and increased voxel-wise functional connectivity for the seed region in the left inferior temporal gyrus with clusters in the right cuneus. Furthermore, the analysis revealed a main effect of antiretroviral drugs on GMV changes, but no main effect of neuropsychiatric disorders or their interaction. The repeated analysis of participants who did not switch regimens confirmed the GMV changes in the INSTI group, validating the initial findings. Our study demonstrated gray matter atrophy and functional brain changes in PLWH on INSTI-based regimens compared to those on EFV-based regimens. These neuroimaging results provide valuable insights into the characteristics of brain network modifications in PLWH receiving INSTI-based regimens.

This is an article in the field of mineral processing engineering. Lithium ore is an important strategic resource in China. At present, flotation is the most commonly used method for the separation of lithium ore. In this article, the crystal structure characteristics of spodumene and its interaction mechanism with flotation agent are discussed from the point of view of spodumene crystal structure. This article describes it from seven aspects: metal cationic activator, organic inhibitor, inorganic inhibitor, anionic collector, cationic collector, mixed collector and new collector. It is of great significance to understand the characteristics of the interaction between spodumene and reagents, to develop new and efficient flotation reagents and to optimize the mineral processing process.

Abstract Gliomas represent the most predominant primary malignant tumor in central nervous system. Thymine DNA glycosylase (TDG) is a central component in active DNA demethylation. However, the specific mechanisms of TDG-mediated active DNA demethylation in gliomas remain unclear. This research indicates TDG expression is overexpressed in gliomas and correlated with poor prognosis. TDG knockdown suppressed the malignant phenotype of gliomas both in vitro and vivo. Notably, RNA-seq analysis revealed a strong association between TDG and tenascin-C (TNC). ChIP-qPCR and MeDIP-qPCR assays were undertaken to confirm that TDG participates in TNC active DNA demethylation process, revealing decreased DNA methylation levels and elevated TNC expression as a result. Silencing TNC expression also suppressed the tumor malignant phenotype in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Additionally, simultaneous silencing of TNC reduced or even reversed the glioma promotion caused by TDG overexpression. Based on our findings, we conclude that TDG exerts an indispensable role in TNC active DNA demethylation in gliomas. The DNA demethylation process leads to alternations in TNC methylation levels and promotes its expression, thereby contributing to the development of gliomas. These results suggest a novel epigenetic therapeutic strategy targeting active DNA demethylation in gliomas.

Abstract Purpose The aim was to explore the preoperative and postoperative fibrinogen changes value (FCV) as a prognosis biomarker for in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). Methods We identified 42 patients with ACC and 190 patients with adrenal adenoma (AA) who underwent surgery at our institution between 2015 and 2023. Preoperative fibrinogen, postoperative fibrinogen and follow-up information of the patients were recorded and analysed. The relationship between FCV and overall survival (OS)/ relapse-free survival (RFS) was evaluated. Results The mean level of preoperative and postoperative fibrinogen for ACC were 4.00 ± 1.64 g/L and 2.75 ± 0.59 g/L, respectively (p 1.25 g/L) (p = 0.007); however, the lower FCV (≤ 1.25 g/L) showed no poorer OS than the higher (> 1.25 g/L) (p = 0.243). On multivariate survival analyses, FCV remained a predictor of RFS (HR 3.138). Conclusion According to the data in this study, it can be said that FCV is correlated with prognosis of ACC. The FCV might be a new biomarker for predicting the RFS of ACC.

Abstract Purpose We developed a novel guider-assisted osteotomy (GAO) procedure to improve the safety of open wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) and aimed to compare its efficacy and complications with the conventional pendulum-saw osteotomy (PSO). Methods This is a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing either GAO or PSO procedure in the OWHTO to treat varus knee osteoarthritis, who had a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. Patients were propensity score matched (PSM) in a 1:1 ratio based on demographic and clinical data with a caliper width of 0.02. The outcomes assessed involved the hospital for special surgery (HSS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score, and the Intraoperative and postoperative complications. Results 199 patients were included in each group after PSM. The mean duration of follow-up was 38.3 ± 8.9 months. The GAO group had a shorter operation duration (104.5 ± 35.7 vs. 112.1 ± 36.0 min, p = 0.027) and fewer times of intraoperative fluoroscopy (4.2 ± 1.4 vs. 6.0 ± 1.4, p 0.05). In addition, the intraoperative complications (0.5% vs. 3.5%, p = 0.068) and the postoperative bone delayed union and nonunion (1.0% vs. 4.5%, p = 0.032) were marginally or significantly reduced in the GAO versus PSO group. Conclusion GAO demonstrates improvements in intraoperative radiation exposure and complications, with comparable short-term efficacy to PSO, and could be considered a viable alternative in clinical practice.

Abstract. Background:. Limited information exists regarding the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on psoriasis patients. The objective of this study was to identify clinical factors associated with the prognosis of psoriasis following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods:. A retrospective, multicenter study was conducted between March and May 2023. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related psoriasis outcomes. The study included 2371 psoriasis patients from 12 clinical centers, with 2049 of them having been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Results:. Among the infected groups, lower exacerbation rates were observed in individuals treated with biologics compared to those receiving traditional systemic or nonsystemic treatments (22.3% [236/1058] vs. 39.8% [92/231] vs. 37.5% [140/373], P

The βʹ-Cu4Ti phase is the major strengthening precipitate in Cu–Ti alloys. Previous research indicates that destabilization of the βʹ-Cu4Ti phase leads to dissolution of Ti atom from precipitates into the Cu matrix. In the present work, Sc was chosen to be alloying elements in Cu–Ti alloys, since stabilization of the βʹ-Cu4Ti phase could be enhanced by formation of βʹ-Cu4(Ti,Sc) phase. Experimental characterization combined with first-principles calculations were used to evaluate the effect of Sc addition. It was found that the bonding between Ti and Sc atoms in the same sublattice of βʹ-Cu4Ti phase increases the diffusion barrier of Ti atoms, and thus dissolution of the βʹ-Cu4Ti phase and further nucleation of the β-Cu4Ti phase were hindered.

Abstract Background Previous studies have shown that high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels are positively associated with cognitive function across a range of concentrations. However, recent studies have suggested that very high HDL-C levels may lead to poorer outcomes. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between different concentrations of HDL-C and cognitive impairment risk. Methods We collected data from 3632 participants aged over 60 years from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2011 and 2014 to assess the relationship between HDL-C and cognitive function. Cognitive function was evaluated with the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD) test, the animal fluency test (AFT), and the digit symbol substitution test (DSST). We used restricted cubic spline models and logistic regression to examine the association between HDL-C and cognitive function. Results A U-shaped was observed between HDL-C and cognitive outcomes, individuals with higher risk in those with both low and very high HDL-C levels compared with those with midrange values. Very high HDL-C levels (≥ 2.50 mmol/L) were associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment (OR = 2.19; 95% CI, 1.12–4.28) compared with those with HDL-C levels in the range of 1.50 to 1.99 mmol/L in older adults after adjustment for confounding factors. Interaction test demonstrated that relationship between very high HDL-C and the risk of cognitive impairment was not changed in different sex and race group (P for interaction > 0.05). Conclusions Very high HDL-C levels were associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment. HDL-C may not be a protective factor for maintaining brain health in older adults at very high levels.

Abstract Background The association of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and lymphocyte counts with the development of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has been demonstrated in many fields but remains lacking in open wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO). This study aimed to assess the predictive value of LDL-C to lymphocyte count ratio (LLR) in screening for postoperative new-onset DVT. Methods Clinical data were retrospectively collected from patients who underwent OWHTO between June 2018 and May 2023. The limited restricted cubic spline (RCS) was conducted to evaluate the nonlinear relationship between LLR and the risk of postoperative new-onset DVT. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted and the predictive value of biomarkers was assessed. After adjusting for intergroup confounders by propensity score matching, the univariate logistic regression was applied to assess the association between LLR and DVT. Results 1293 eligible patients were included. RCS analysis showed a linear positive correlation between LLR and the risk of DVT (P for overall = 0.008). We identified LLR had an area under the curve of 0.607, accuracy of 74.3%, sensitivity of 38.5%, and specificity of 80.7%, and LLR > 1.75 was independently associated with a 1.45-fold risk of DVT (95% CI: 1.01–2.08, P = 0.045). Furthermore, significant heterogeneities were observed in the subgroups of age, BMI, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, Kellgren-Lawrence grade, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, and intraoperative osteotomy correction size. Conclusion LLR is a valuable biomarker for predicting postoperative new-onset DVT in patients with OWHTO, and routine screening is expected to yield positive benefits.

Abstract Background Postoperative sleep disturbance has a potentially detrimental effect on postoperative recovery. Perioperative patients are affected by several factors. General anesthesia induces a non-physiological state that does not resemble natural sleep. Exposure to propofol/sevoflurane can lead to desynchronization of the circadian rhythm, which may result in postoperative sleep disturbance characterized by mid-cycle advancement of sleep and daytime sleepiness. Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective α2-adrenoceptor agonist with a unique sedative effect that facilitates the transition from sleep to wakefulness. Basic research has shown that dexmedetomidine induces deep sedation, similar to physical sleep, and helps maintain forebrain connectivity, which is likely to reduce delirium after surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of exposure to the mono-anesthetic propofol on the development of postoperative sleep disturbance in young and middle-aged female patients undergoing hysteroscopy and whether prophylactic administration of dexmedetomidine influences reducing postoperative sleep disturbance. Methods This prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) will include 150 patients undergoing hysteroscopy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University. Participants will be randomly assigned to three groups in a 1:1:1 ratio. The dexmedetomidine group will have two subgroups and will receive a nasal spray of 0.2 µg/kg or 0.5 µg/kg 25 min before surgery, while the control group will receive a saline nasal spray. Three groups will undergo hysteroscopy with propofol-based TIVA according to the same scheme. Sleep quality will be measured using a wearable device and double-blind sleep assessments will be performed before surgery and 1, 3, and 7 days after surgery. SPSS 2.0 is used for statistical analysis. A χ2 test is used to compare groups, and t-test is used to determine statistical the significance of continuous variables. Discussion The purpose of this study is to investigate the incidence of propofol-associated sleep disorders and to test a combination of dexmedetomidine anesthesia regimen for the prevention of postoperative sleep disorders. This study will help to improve patients’ postoperative satisfaction and provide a new strategy for comfortable perioperative medical treatment. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06281561. Registered on February 24, 2024.

Arsenic is commonly used in alloy materials and the semiconductor industry, and has promising applications. Arsenic and antimony have similar physicochemical properties, and their binding and separation mechanisms are unknown, thereby limiting the purification and preparation of arsenic. This study, from a microscopic perspective, reveals that arsenic and antimony covalently interact in alloys through a combination of thermodynamic analysis and molecular dynamics simulations. In addition, antimony as arsenic-antimony clusters enters the gas phase, and the diffusion coefficients of the clusters are in the order of As4>As3Sb > As2Sb2>AsSb3. A green and efficient vacuum sublimation-graded condensation process for arsenic purification is proposed based on the different diffusion coefficients to obtain the optimal process parameters. The coalescence of arsenic on a condenser was normally distributed. The removal rate of antimony in the most concentrated area of the condensate was 91.37% under the optimal conditions of 748 K, 60 min, and 10 Pa. Thus, the proposed method effectively solves the challenging problem of separating arsenic and antimony, and the study results provide theoretical support for purifying arsenic via vacuum sublimation.

The widespread implementation of surveillance systems on construction sites has led to the accumulation of vast amounts of visual data, highlighting the need for an effective semantic analysis methodology. Natural language, as the most intuitive mode of expression, can significantly enhance the interpretability of such data. The adoption of multi-modality models promotes the interaction between surveillance video and textual data, thereby enabling managers to swiftly comprehend on-site dynamics. This study introduces a Visual Question Answering (VQA) approach for the construction industry and presents a specialized dataset to address the unique requirements of on-site management. Utilizing a Vision Transformer (ViT) architecture, the proposed model conducts feature extraction, fusion and interaction between visual and textual features. An additional projection layer is added to establish a transfer learning strategy that is optimized for construction site data. This novel approach facilitates rapid alignment of visual and language features in the model and is validated through ablation studies. The proposed approach achieves a testing accuracy of 83.8%, effectively converting image data from construction sites into natural language descriptions that enhance the analysis of construction processes. Compared to existing methods, this approach does not rely on object detection and allows for the direct extraction of deep-level semantic information from the on-site images. This study further discusses the feasibility of applying VQA within the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry, examines its limitations, and offers suggestions for viable future directions of development.

In the search of single-phase multiferroic materials at room temperature, a ceramic system with composition 0.5(0.94Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-0.06BaTiO3)-0.5BiFe0.8Mn0.2O3 (BNT-6BT-5BFO2M) was fabricated via the solid-state reaction route, and its crystal structure, dielectric, ferroelectric, and magnetic properties were studied. The results indicate that the ceramic can be considered a single-phase perovskite system with ferroelectric and ferromagnetic characteristics at room temperature. The ferroelectricity is evidenced by the switching of ferroelectric domains, as imaged by piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM). The presence of a weak ferromagnetism is manifested by a non-negligible remnant magnetization in the magnetization-magnetic field loops. The spontaneous net magnetization is mediated by the presence of Mn4+ ions, which may introduce ferromagnetic Fe3+-O-Mn4+ double-exchange interactions in the system. The PFM images taken during the application of a magnetic field of 2000 Oe revealed that the ferroelectric domain structure at room temperature can be significantly influenced by the magnetic field, reflecting the presence of a magnetoelectric effect that allows the occurrence of magnetic field-induced polarization reorientation.

Background Acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau (ACH) is a rare pustular psoriasis variant predominantly affects the distal phalanges of the fingers and toes. However, data on aggravating factors and treatment outcomes is limited.Objective This study aims to analyze the aggravating factors and treatment outcomes of ACH in a three-tertiary-hospital in South China.Methods We analyzed ACH patients from Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University, considering patient and disease characteristics along with treatment experiences.Results We identified 96 ACH patients. Various predisposing events were identified, including lifestyle factors, vaccination, stress, trauma, menstruation and drug exposure. A total of 293 systemic treatment courses were analyzed. 54.3% of patients received at least one biologic therapy, while 45.7% were treated with nonbiologic treatments. Acitretin was the most common therapy (20.5%). However, the effectiveness of systemic treatments was low (excellent response rate: 26.3%). Among non-biologic treatments, Acitretin showed a significant response in 30.0% (18/60) of cases, followed by cyclosporin (20.0%, 2/10). Among biologics, spesolimab had the best response rate at 75.0% (n = 3), followed by ixekizumab (44.4%, 8/18). Small molecule drugs did not yeild satisfactory outcomes in ACH treatment.Conclusion Identifying triggers and aggravating factors is crucial for effective ACH treatment. We suggest that biologics may be a useful first-line treatment option for clinicians managing ACH.

Metagenomic research faces a persistent challenge due to the low concordance across studies. While matching host confounders can mitigate the impact of individual differences, the influence of factors such as genetics, environment, and lifestyle habits on microbial profiles makes it exceptionally challenging to create fully matched cohorts. The microbial metabolic background, which modulates microbial composition, reflects a cumulative impact of host confounders, serving as an ideal baseline for microbial sample matching. In this study, we introduced miMatch, an innovative metagenomic sample-matching tool that uses microbial metabolic background as a comprehensive reference for host-related variables and employs propensity score matching to build case-control pairs, even in the absence of host confounders. In the simulated datasets, miMatch effectively eliminated individual metabolic background differences, thereby enhancing the accuracy of identifying differential microbial patterns and reducing false positives. Moreover, in real metagenomic data, miMatch improved result consistency and model generalizability across cohorts of the same disease. A user-friendly web server (https://www.biosino.org/iMAC/mimatch) has been established to promote the integration of multiple metagenomic cohorts, strengthening causal relationships in metagenomic research.

The intracellular pathogen Salmonella can cause systemic diseases via its survival and replication in host macrophages. Xylose is the second most abundant sugar in nature and Salmonella can use xylose as its sole carbon source for growth. However, whether xylose utilization contributes to the pathogenicity and intracellular growth of Salmonella has not yet been determined. In this study, we observed that the xylose concentration in macrophages increased during Salmonella infection. Moreover, there was an increase in expression of Salmonella xylose catabolic genes (xylA and xylB) and the transcriptional regulatory gene of xylose metabolism (xylR) in macrophages, revealing the possibility of using host-accumulated xylose by Salmonella for intracellular growth. Mutation of either xylAB or xylR reduced Salmonella replication in macrophages and attenuated the colonization of mouse systemic loci (e.g. the liver and spleen), indicating that xylose utilization promotes Salmonella replication within macrophages and systemic infection in mice. Moreover, we found that xylose utilization by intracellular Salmonella was activated by the cAMP-CRP complex upon detection of low glucose levels in the infected macrophages. Collectively, these findings reveal that although the available glucose decreases during infection, Salmonella can use xylose, which accumulates in infected macrophages, as an alternative carbon source to promote intracellular replication and virulence.

Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) is a potential byproduct of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and a major contributor to the passive soil organic carbon (SOC) pool. Despite its crucial role in SOC storage, we know little about the response of GRSP to anthropogenic global change factors (GCFs). Here, using 530 observations from 107 primary studies, we conducted a global meta-analysis to unravel the effects of multiple GCFs (climate change, plant invasion (PI), wildfire, urbanization, land-use change (LUC), and nutrient addition (nitrogen; N, phosphorus; P, and potassium; K) on two functional GRSP fractions (easily extractable- (EE-) and total- (T-) GRSPs) in terrestrial ecosystems. We found that elevated carbon-dioxide increased T-GRSP by 28%, combined NP addition by 39.9%, and NPK addition by 29.5%. Climate warming and alone N addition increased EE-GRSP solely by 2.4% and 13.6%, respectively, but did not influence T-GRSP. However, urbanization and drought decreased T-GRSP by 26% and 15%, respectively. The LUC from natural ecosystems to cropland decreased T-GRSP by 40%, while afforestation in croplands increased it by 32%. Other GCFs (PI, wildfire, and P) had non-significant effects on GRSP probably because of (i) minor changes in AMF activity and (ii) the counterbalancing of effects by opposite processes. GCF impacts were robust when applied at higher intensities for medium-to-long durations (3–10＋ years) in humid conditions and clay-rich soils. The sandy soils experienced greater T-GRSP losses during LUC. Increases in T-GRSP were positively correlated with AMF-root colonization, soil mean-weight diameter, and SOC content. Further, our structure equation model confirmed that GCFs directly influence SOC by altering AMF-GRSP production and indirectly affecting soil aggregate formation and protection, suggesting that optimizing GRSP production can enhance SOC sequestration.

Accurately detecting whether workers wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in real time plays an important role in safety management. Previous studies mainly used multiple models jointly or only object detection for wearing relationship judgments. This makes it difficult to provide real-time, accurate detection of security relationships. Therefore, this paper proposes safe-wearing detection rules and a novel multi-targets and keypoints detection framework (MTKF), which is capable of accomplishing multiple classes of targets and keypoints detection simultaneously in one-stage, to get more accurate results. In order to improve the performance in the PPE and worker keypoints detection in challenging construction scenes, the detection head transformation strategy, mix group shuffle attention (MGSA) module, and the improved dual and cross-class suppression algorithm (DC-NMS) are proposed. The experimental results are implemented on one established dataset (Joint dataset) and two public datasets (SHWD and COCO), which conduct a comprehensive evaluation in multiple dimensions. Compared to the baseline model, our method improves the mAP by 2.6%–7.1%, reduces the number of parameters by at least 70%, and is able to achieve an inference speed of 155 fps.

Porous asphalt (PA) pavements usually meet the ravelling disease after opening to traffic for several years. Spraying surface treatment (ST) emulsion to PA pavement is a feasible preventive maintenance technology to alleviate this problem. However, the void clogging, nonuniform distribution and low diffusion efficiency of ST residue might hinder its widespread application. Therefore, this study aims to optimize the ST emulsion formula to improve the ravelling resistance of damaged PA. Usages of adding rejuvenators into ST emulsions were discussed. The orthogonal design method was used to determine the appropriate parameter values for preparing rejuvenator emulsions. The viscosity, contact angle and water boiling tests were then conducted to determine the optimal dosage of rejuvenator emulsion within ST emulsion. Cantabro abrasion test was performed to verify the ravelling resistance of damaged PA mixtures treated with optimized ST. Results showed that a stable and homogeneous rejuvenator emulsion could be produced by precisely controlling the PH value, emulsified temperature and emulsifier dosage. Adding rejuvenator emulsions to ST emulsions significantly improved the wettability. The optimal dosages of aromatic oil and tall oil emulsions are 10 % and 5 % by mass of ST emulsions. Optimized ST containing rejuvenator emulsions showed better ravelling resistances than pure asphalt emulsion.

ABSTRACTAdherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) strain LF82, isolated from patients with Crohn’s disease, invades gut epithelial cells, and replicates in macrophages contributing to chronic inflammation. In this study, we found that RstAB contributing to the colonization of LF82 in a mouse model of chronic colitis by promoting bacterial replication in macrophages. By comparing the transcriptomes of rstAB mutant- and wild-type when infected macrophages, 83 significant differentially expressed genes in LF82 were identified. And we identified two possible RstA target genes (csgD and asr) among the differentially expressed genes. The electrophoretic mobility shift assay and quantitative real-time PCR confirmed that RstA binds to the promoters of csgD and asr and activates their expression. csgD deletion attenuated LF82 intracellular biofilm formation, and asr deletion reduced acid tolerance compared with the wild-type. Acidic pH was shown by quantitative real-time PCR to be the signal sensed by RstAB to activate the expression of csgD and asr. We uncovered a signal transduction pathway whereby LF82, in response to the acidic environment within macrophages, activates transcription of the csgD to promote biofilm formation, and activates transcription of the asr to promote acid tolerance, promoting its replication within macrophages and colonization of the intestine. This finding deepens our understanding of the LF82 replication regulation mechanism in macrophages and offers new perspectives for further studies on AIEC virulence mechanisms.

With the atypical rise of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection (MPI) in 2023, prompt studies are needed to determine the current epidemic features and risk factors with emerging trends of MPI to furnish a framework for subsequent investigations. This multicentre, retrospective study was designed to analyse the epidemic patterns of MPI before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as genotypes and the macrolide-resistance-associated mutations in MP sampled from paediatric patients in Southern China. Clinical data was collected from 1,33,674 patients admitted into investigational hospitals from 1 June 2017 to 30 November 2023. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) data were retrieved based on MP sequence positive samples from 299 paediatric patients for macrolide-resistance-associated mutations analysis. Pearson's chi-squared test was used to compare categorical variables between different time frames. The monthly average cases of paediatric common respiratory infection diseases increased without enhanced public health measures after the pandemic, especially for influenza, respiratory syncytial virus infection, and MPI. The contribution of MPI to pneumoniae was similar to that in the outbreak in 2019. Compared to mNGS data between 2019–2022 and 2023, the severity of MP did not grow stronger despite higher rates of macrolide-resistance hypervariable sites, including loci 2063 and 2064, were detected in childhood MP samples of 2023. Our findings indicated that ongoing surveillance is necessary to understand the impact of post pandemic on MP transmission disruption during epidemic season and the severity of clinical outcomes in different scenarios.

ABSTRACTEnterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 is a common food-borne pathogen that can cause acute diseases. Lysine acetylation is a post-translational modification (PTM) that occurs in various prokaryotes and is regulated by CobB, the only deacetylase found in bacteria. Here, we demonstrated that CobB plays an important role in the virulence of EHEC O157:H7 and that deletion of cobB significantly decreased the intestinal colonization ability of bacteria. Using acetylation proteomic studies, we systematically identified several proteins that could be regulated by CobB in EHEC O157:H7. Among these CobB substrates, we found that acetylation at the K44 site of CesA, a chaperone for the type-III secretion system (T3SS) translocator protein EspA, weakens its binding to EspA, thereby reducing the stability of this virulence factor; this PTM ultimately attenuating the virulence of EHEC O157:H7. Furthermore, we showed that deacetylation of the K44 site, which is deacetylated by CobB, promotes the interaction between CesA and EspA, thereby increasing bacterial virulence in vitro and in animal experiments. In summary, we showed that acetylation influences the virulence of EHEC O157:H7, and uncovered the mechanism by which CobB contributes to bacterial virulence based on the regulation of CesA deacetylation.

ABSTRACTEnterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) is an important zoonotic pathogen that is a major cause of foodborne diseases in most developed and developing countries and can cause uncomplicated diarrhoea, haemorrhagic colitis, and haemolytic uraemic syndrome. O islands (OIs), which are unique genomic islands in EHEC O157:H7, are composed of 177 isolated genomic features and harbour 26% of the total genes that are absent in the non-pathogenic E. coli K-12 genome. In the last twenty years, many OI-encoded proteins have been characterized, including proteins regulating virulence, motility, and acid resistance. Given the critical role of regulatory proteins in the systematic and hierarchical regulation of bacterial biological processes, this review summarizes the OI-encoded regulatory proteins in EHEC O157:H7 characterized to date, emphasizing OI-encoded regulatory proteins for bacterial virulence, motility, and acid resistance. This summary will be significant for further exploration and understanding of the virulence and pathogenesis of EHEC O157:H7.

ObjectiveThis study aims to establish and evaluate a risk prediction model for coronary heart disease (CHD) in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) based on peripheral blood levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the percentage of regulatory T cells (Treg%). This model is intended to facilitate the timely identification of high-risk patients and the implementation of preventive measures.MethodsClinical data were collected from 120 pSS patients who visited the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University between November 2021 and September 2023. Patients were classified into pSS and pSS-CHD groups according to CHD diagnostic criteria. Peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets and cytokine levels were assessed using flow cytometry. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to identify independent risk factors, and a nomogram was constructed based on these factors. The model’s discriminatory ability, calibration, and clinical utility were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis.ResultsThe univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses identified several independent risk factors for CHD in pSS patients: erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (OR=1.10, P=0.019), triglycerides (TG) (OR=3.67, P=0.041), IL-6 (OR=1.29, P=0.048), and Treg% (OR=0.25, P=0.004). A nomogram incorporating these factors demonstrated an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.96, indicating excellent predictive performance, and showed good calibration (P=0.599), suggesting significant clinical applicability. Furthermore, Treg% exhibited a negative correlation with cholesterol (CHOL) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, while IL-6 showed a positive correlation with CHOL and LDL-C levels. TG was positively correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP).ConclusionThis study successfully developed a risk prediction model based on peripheral blood IL-6 and Treg% levels, providing critical evidence for the early identification and personalized prevention of CHD in pSS patients, with potential clinical implications.

To address the challenge of identifying hidden faults in high-voltage power cables, this study proposes a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method. The method aims to provide a comprehensive and effective means of fault identification for operation and maintenance personnel. The fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method involves several key steps. Firstly, relevant indices are selected from operation monitoring data of high-voltage cables to form a comprehensive evaluation factor set. This set is then matched with an evaluation set established according to corresponding operation guidelines. Secondly, membership functions are established using the triangular distribution function to calculate the cable fault evaluation set. Thirdly, the weights of the evaluation factors are quantified using the analytical hierarchy process. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, a fault analysis of a city’s 220 kV double-circuit cable system is conducted. The results show that the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method can accurately identify faults in the cable system. The proposed fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method provides a valuable reference for operation and maintenance personnel in identifying hidden faults in high-voltage power cables.

BackgroundChronic Insomnia Disorder (CID) is highly prevalent among older adults and impairs cognitive function. Insomnia accelerates the progression of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and increases the risk of developing dementia. Acupuncture has been demonstrated in improving sleep quality and cognitive function. This study aims to explore the functional brain characteristics of CID with MCI patients and to assess the effects of acupuncture therapy using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).Methods and designThis study is a single-center randomized controlled trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to the manual acupuncture group or the placebo acupuncture group for an 8-week intervention period. fNIRS data will be collected during resting test and working memory test at baseline and at end of the intervention. The primary outcome is the change of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score, secondary outcomes include the change of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and Apathy Evaluation Scale-Informant (AES-I).DiscussionThe results of the study will provide insights into the effects of acupuncture on sleep quality and cognitive performance in CID with MCI patients. By utilizing fNIRS technology, we will elucidate the neural functional characteristic underlying the therapeutic benefits of acupuncture.Clinical trial registrationhttps://ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier ChiCTR2300076182.

The incorporation of honeysuckle as a silage additive in alfalfa production has yielded promising results; however, the underlying microbial mechanisms during fermentation remain poorly understood. This study leveraged high-throughput sequencing and nutrient profiling to elucidate microbial population dynamics over 45 days of anaerobic fermentation within a vacuum-assisted co-culture system comprising varying fresh weight ratios of honeysuckle branches, Lactobacillus, and alfalfa. The experimental design encompassed a Lactobacillus-supplemented treatment (M group) and an unsupplemented control (R group), each with five honeysuckle percentages (5 %, 10 %, 15 %, 20 %, 25 %) and respective negative controls. Our findings reveal that the combined use of honeysuckle branches and Lactobacillus significantly impacts microbial community composition and diversity during alfalfa silage fermentation. The Mantel test underscores Lactobacillus's absence-dependent correlation of bacterial communities with pH and lactic acid, whereas its presence redirects these correlations towards total nitrogen, NH4+-N, neutral detergent fiber, and crude protein as key bacterial population drivers. Fungal populations exhibited analogous trends. Moreover, the combined additives reshaped microbial populations during anaerobic fermentation, altering interaction networks and intensifying microbial interplay. Notably, Lactobacillus introduction on a honeysuckle branch base diminished fungal core OTUs, thereby mitigating fungal contamination risks. This study also identified biomarkers unique to each treatment condition. Collectively, our research provides a molecular framework for employing honeysuckle branches and Lactobacillus as innovative silage additives in alfalfa production, fostering the development of eco-friendly and hygienic feed and farming industries.

The application of micro/nanomotors (MNMs) in the gastrointestinal tract has become a Frontier in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. These miniature robots can enter the gastrointestinal tract through oral administration, achieving precise drug delivery and therapy. They can traverse mucosal layers and tissue barriers, directly targeting tumors or other lesion sites, thereby enhancing the bioavailability and therapeutic effects of drugs. Through the application of nanotechnology, these MNMs are able to accomplish targeted medication release, regulating drug release in response to either external stimuli or the local biological milieu. This results in reduced side effects and increased therapeutic efficacy. This review summarizes the primary classifications and power sources of current MNMs, as well as their applications in the gastrointestinal tract, providing inspiration and direction for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases with MNMs.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common malignancies in the world. EGFR tyrosine inhibitors are the preferred first-line treatment for patients with epidermal growth factor-cell receptor mutant (EGFR mutant) advanced NSCLC. Unfortunately, drug resistance inevitably occurs leading to disease progression. Activation of the ALK and BRAF bypass signaling pathways is a rare cause of acquired drug resistance for EGFR-TKIs.We report two NSCLC-patients with EGFR- mutations, in exon 19, and exon 18, correspondingly, who were treated with EGFR-TKIs. The first case shows acquired BRAF-mutation, and the second case demonstrates acquired ALK-fusion. The overall survival of patients was significantly prolonged by drug-match therapies. As it is well-known that ALK-fusion and BRAF-mutations are described forms of acquired resistance. These two case reports contribute to the previous reports that ALK-fusion and BRAF-mutation are potential underlying mechanisms of EGFR-TKI resistance.

Economical production of lignin-based jet fuel (LJF) can improve the sustainability of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) as well as can reduce the overall greenhouse gas emissions. However, the challenge lies in converting technical lignin polymer from biorefinery directly to jet fuel in a continuous operation. In this work, we demonstrate a simultaneous depolymerization and hydrodeoxygenation (SDHDO) process to produce lignin-based jet fuel from the alkali corn stover lignin (ACSL) using engineered Ru-HY-60-MI catalyst in a continuous flow reactor, for the first time. The maximum carbon yield of LJF of 17.9 wt% was obtained, and it comprised of 60.2 wt% monocycloalkanes, and 21.6 wt% polycycloalkanes. Catalyst characterization of Ru-HY-60-MI suggested there was no significant change in HY zeolite structure and its crystallinity after catalyst engineering. Catalyst characterizations performed post the SDHDO experiments indicate presence of carbon and K content in the catalyst. K content presence in the spent catalyst was due to K+ ion was exchanged between lignin solution and HY-60 while carbon presence validated the SDHDO chemistry on the catalyst surface. Tier α fuel property testing indicates that LJF production using SDHDO chemistry can produce SAF with high compatibility, good sealing properties, low emissions, and high energy density for aircraft.

Recent advancements in high-order topological insulators have heralded new opportunities for the innovation and utilization of optical devices. This paper presents a composite asymmetric C4 photonic crystal to achieve multifunctional, robust topological states. Through detailed analysis of the fine changes in the topological bandgap induced by distortion parameters, we facilitate the realization of topological edge states in wavelength division multiplexing applications. We utilize both trivial and nontrivial properties of the topological bandgap to precisely manipulate zero-dimensional angular states, one-dimensional topological boundary states, and two-dimensional body states. Through simulations and experimental results, our advanced asymmetric C4 photonic crystal structure demonstrates superior robustness for the transmission of topological edge states. Our research paves the way for the deployment of more robust topological boundary state transmission systems and advances the application potential of higher-order topological states.

BackgroundResearch on how the physical activity home environment affects fundamental movement skills (FMS) in preschool children in China is limited. However, the role of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in this relationship is still unclear. This study aims to analyze gender differences in FMS, explore associations between the physical activity home environment, MVPA, and FMS, and investigate MVPA's mediating role in these relationships.MethodsWe recruited 169 preschool children (95 boys, 74 girls; mean age 4.9 years) from four kindergartens in Hengyang, China. The Family Environment Scale on Motor Development for Preschool Urban Children (FESMPD) assessed physical activity home environment. Objective measurement of MVPA used ActiGraph wGT3-BT accelerometers. The Test of Gross Motor Development-3 (TGMD-3) evaluated FMS. Statistical analyses were conducted using the PROCESS macro in SPSS, with sociodemographic variables as controls.ResultsBoys exhibited significantly higher levels of MVPA, parenting style, locomotor skills, and object control skills compared to girls (P

Background Retrospective analysis to identify the risk factors for air embolism following computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (TNB). Methods A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent CT-TNB at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Xuzhou Cancer Hospital from January 2017 to December 2021 was performed. A total of 21 factors relevant to air embolisms were collected. Risk factors associated with air embolisms were determined by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO). The receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) was used to assess the ability of these factors to identify air embolisms. Results Of these 32,748 patients, 28 experienced air embolisms (19 at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (incidence, 1.46%) and nine at Xuzhou Cancer Hospital (incidence, 0.69%); total incidence, 2.16%). Only seven patients exhibited symptoms (symptom rate, 25.00%). A total of 21 patients were asymptomatic at the time of swept-source CT. No deaths occurred. We found through univariate and multivariate analysis that eight out of these 21 factors are associated with the occurrence of air embolism. The area under the ROC curve was 0.721, indicating good predictive power (P

Abstract Dual‐mode readout platforms with colorimetric and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) signal enhancement are proposed for the ultrasensitive and flexible detection of the monkeypox virus (MPXV) in different scenes. A new nanotag, Ru@U6‐Ru/Pt NPs is constructed for dual‐mode platforms by integrating double‐layered ECL luminophores and the nanozyme using Zr‐MOF (UiO‐66‐NH2) as the carrier, which not only generates enhanced ECL and colorimetric signals but also provide greater stability than that of commonly used nanotags. Dual‐mode platforms are used within 15 min from the “sample in” to the “result out” steps, without nucleic acid amplification. The colorimetric mode allows the screening of MPXV with the visual limit of detection (vLOD) of 0.1 pM (6 × 108 copies µL−1) and the ECL mode supports quantitative detection of MPXV with an LOD as low as 10 aM (6 copies·µL−1), resulting in a broad sensing range of 60 to 3 × 1011 copies·µL−1 (10 orders of magnitude). Validation is conducted using 50 clinical samples, which is 100% concordant to those of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), indicating that Ru@U6‐Ru/Pt NPs‐based dual‐mode sensing platforms showed great promise as rapid, sensitive, and accurate tools for diagnosis of the nucleic acid of MPXV and other infectious pathogens.

BackgroundPostoperative fever frequently indicates surgical complications and is commonly used to evaluate the efficacy of interventions against surgical stress. However, the presence of circadian rhythms in body temperature may compromise the accurate detection of fever. ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the detection rate of fever under intermittent measurement. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of patients who underwent nonemergency gastrointestinal surgery between November 2020 and April 2021. Patients’ temperature data were continuously collected every 4 seconds using a wireless axillary thermometer, and fever was defined as a temperature exceeding 38 °C within a day. To simulate intermittent measurement in clinical practice, the body temperature at each hour was selected from the continuously collected temperature dataset. Considering that temperatures are measured multiple times per day, all possible measurement plans using intermittent measurement were composed by combining 1-24 time points from the 24-hour daily cycle. Fever was clinically diagnosed based on the temperature readings at the selected time points per day. The fever detection rates for each plan, with varying measurement times, were listed and ranked. ResultsBased on the temperature data continuously collected by the thermometer, fever occurred in 60 (40.8%) of the 147 included patients within 3 days after surgery. Of the measurement plans that included 1-24 measurements daily, the fever detection rates ranged from 3.3% (2/60) to 85% (51/60). The highest detection rates and corresponding timings for measurement plans with 1, 2, 3, and 4 measurements daily were 38.3% (23/60; at 8 PM), 56.7% (34/60; at 3 AM and 7 or 8 PM), 65% (39/60; at 3 AM, 8 PM, and 10 or 11 PM), and 70% (42/60; at 12 AM, 3 AM, 8 PM, and 11 PM), respectively; and the lowest detection rates were 3.3% (2/60), 6.7% (4/60), 6.7% (4/60), and 8.3% (5/60), respectively. Although fever within 3 days after surgery was not correlated with an increased incidence of postoperative complications (5/60, 8.3% vs 6/87, 6.9%; P=.76), it was correlated with a longer hospital stay (median 7, IQR 6-9 days vs median 6, IQR 5-7 days; P

The risk of typhoon disasters is high in the Zhejiang coastal areas; however, it has been difficult to characterize waves generated by these typhoons, particularly in shallow waters. In this study, the characteristics of nearshore typhoon waves were analyzed using data from 14 typhoon processes from a wave station on the central coast of Zhejiang Province for three consecutive years from 2016 to 2018. According to their paths, these typhoons were divided into landing and non-landing steering types. Wave parameters were evaluated using statistical analyses and linear regression. Variations in wave parameters and spectra are discussed. We obtained several key results: (1) The dominant wave direction was E-SE and the strong wave direction was SE. (2) There were strong correlations between characteristic wave heights and between characteristic periods. (3) Single-peak spectra were dominant, with a frequency of 92.33%. The minimum peak frequency was 0.06–0.1 Hz and the maximum peak period was 17.7 s. The typhoon waves were mainly composed of swells with a frequency of 94.54%. (4) Affected by Typhoon Maria (No. 201808), a maximum wave height of 8.20 m was observed at 04:00 on July 11, 2018. This study provides an important reference for the design of offshore structures and disaster prevention and mitigation.

Vaccine development requires high-resolution, in situ, and visual adjuvant technology. To address this need, this work proposed a novel adjuvant labeling that involved indocyanine green (ICG) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) with self-assembled aluminium adjuvant (Alum), which was called BSA@ICG@Alum. This compound exhibited excellent photoacoustic properties and has been confirmed its safety, biocompatibility, high antigen binding efficiency, and superior induction of immune response. Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) tracked the distribution of Alum in lymph nodes (LNs) and lymphatic vessels in real time after diverse injection modalities. The non-invasive imaging approach revealed that BSA@ICG@Alum was transported to the draining LNs 60 min after intramuscular injection and to distal LNs within 30 min after lymph node injection. In conclusion, PAT enabled real-time three-dimensional and quantitative visualization, thus offering a powerful tool for advancing vaccine design by providing critical insights into adjuvant transport and immune system activation.

Avermectin (AVM), a compound derived from the fermentation of Avermectin Streptomyces, has insecticidal, acaricidal, and nematicidal properties. Widely employed in agriculture, it serves as an effective and broad-spectrum insecticide for pest control. Although the toxicity of AVM at low doses may not be readily apparent, prolonged and extensive exposure can result in poisoning. To investigate the toxic effects of AVM on the body, this study established rat models of AVM poisoning with both low and high concentrations of the compound. Fifteen male rats were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n=5 per group): a control group, a low-concentration group, and a high-concentration group. The low-concentration group was administered an oral dose of 2 mg/kg AVM once daily for a duration of seven days, while the high-concentration group received an oral dose of 10 mg/kg AVM once daily for the same period. This study examined the impact of AVM on liver function and gut microbiota in rats using weight monitoring, liver function indicator detection, liver metabolomics sequencing, colon barrier function testing, and gut microbiota sequencing. The findings of this study demonstrated that exposure to 2 or 10 mg/kg AVM for seven days can lead to a notable decrease in rat weight, as well as induce liver dysfunction and metabolic disturbances. Additionally, AVM exposure can disrupt the composition of the intestinal microbiota and impair the integrity of the colon mucosal barrier, causing downregulation of Occludin expression and upregulation of inflammation-related protein expression levels such as IL-1β, Myd88, and TLR4. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis revealed a significant association between liver dysfunction and dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. These findings have implications for the agricultural use of AVM and its potential contribution to environmental pollution. Consequently, individuals involved in AVM usage should prioritize safety precautions and monitor liver function.

Abstract Our research endeavors are directed towards unraveling the stem cell characteristics of lower-grade glioma patients, with the ultimate goal of formulating personalized treatment strategies. We computed enrichment stemness scores and performed consensus clustering to categorize phenotypes. Subsequently, we constructed a prognostic risk model using weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA), random survival forest regression analysis as well as full subset regression analysis. To validate the expression differences of key genes, we employed experimental methods such as quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) and assessed cell line proliferation, migration, and invasion. Three subtypes were assigned to patients diagnosed with LGG. Notably, Cluster 2 (C2), exhibiting the poorest survival outcomes, manifested characteristics indicative of the subtype characterized by immunosuppression. This was marked by elevated levels of M1 macrophages, activated mast cells, along with higher immune and stromal scores. Four hub genes—CDCA8, ORC1, DLGAP5, and SMC4—were identified and validated through cell experiments and qPCR. Subsequently, these validated genes were utilized to construct a stemness risk signature. Which revealed that Lower-Grade Glioma (LGG) patients with lower scores were more inclined to demonstrate favorable responses to immune therapy. Our study illuminates the stemness characteristics of gliomas, which lays the foundation for developing therapeutic approaches targeting CSCs and enhancing the efficacy of current immunotherapies. By identifying the stemness subtype and its correlation with prognosis and TME patterns in glioma patients, we aim to advance the development of personalized treatments, enhancing the ability to predict and improve overall patient prognosis.