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Abstract Understanding and preserving the deep sea ecosystems is paramount for marine conservation efforts. Automated object (deep-sea biota) classification can enable the creation of detailed habitat maps that not only aid in biodiversity assessments but also provide essential data to evaluate ecosystem health and resilience. Having a significant source of labelled data helps prevent overfitting and enables training deep learning models with numerous parameters. In this paper, we contribute to the establishment of a significant deep-sea remotely operated vehicle (ROV) image classification dataset with 3994 images featuring deep-sea biota belonging to 33 classes. We manually label the images through rigorous quality control with human-in-the-loop image labelling. Leveraging data from ROV equipped with advanced imaging systems, our study provides results using novel deep-learning models for image classification. We use deep learning models including ResNet, DenseNet, Inception, and Inception-ResNet to benchmark the dataset that features class imbalance with many classes. Our results show that the Inception-ResNet model provides a mean classification accuracy of 65%, with AUC scores exceeding 0.8 for each class.

Abstract Non-healing skin wounds pose significant clinical challenges, with biologic products like exosomes showing promise for wound healing. Saliva and saliva-derived exosomes, known to accelerate wound repair, yet their extraction is difficult due to the complex environment of oral cavity. In this study, as a viable alternative, we established human minor salivary gland organoids (hMSG-ORG) to produce exosomes (MsOrg-Exo). In vitro, MsOrg-Exo significantly enhanced cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. When incorporated into a GelMA-based controlled-release system, MsOrg-Exo demonstrated controlled release, effectively improving wound closure, collagen synthesis, angiogenesis, and cellular proliferation in a murine skin wound model. Further molecular analyses revealed that MsOrg-Exo promotes proliferation, angiogenesis and the secretion of growth factors in wound sites. Proteomic profiling showed that MsOrg-Exo’s protein composition is similar to human saliva and enriched in proteins essential for wound repair, immune modulation, and coagulation. Additionally, MsOrg-Exo was found to modulate macrophage polarization, inducing a shift towards M1 and M2 phenotypes in vitro within 48 h and predominantly towards the M2 phenotype in vivo after 15 days. In conclusion, our study successfully extracted MsOrg-Exo from hMSG-ORGs, confirmed the effectiveness of the controlled-release system combining MsOrg-Exo with GelMA in promoting skin wound healing, and explored the potential role of macrophages in this action.

To achieve a synergistic solution for both sustainable waste management and permanent CO2 sequestration, CO2 mineralization via fly ash particles is an option. Based on computational fluid dynamics, two specialized reactors for fly ash mineralization were designed. The reactor designs were strategically tailored to optimize the interactions between fly ash particles and flue gas within the reactor chamber while concurrently facilitating efficient post-reaction-phase separation. The impinging-type inlet configuration dramatically enhanced the interfacial interaction between the fly ash particles and the gaseous mixture, predominantly composed of CO2 and steam. This design modality lengthens the particle residency and reaction times, substantially augmenting the mineralization efficiency. A rigorous investigation of three operational parameters, that is, flue gas velocity, carrier gas velocity, and particle velocity, revealed their influential roles in gas-particle contact kinetics. Through a computational investigation, it can be ascertained that the optimal velocity regime for the flue gas was between 20 and 25 m⋅s−1. Concurrently, the carrier gas velocity should be confined to the range of 9–15 m⋅s−1. Operating within these finely tuned parameters engenders a marked enhancement in reactor performance, thereby providing a robust theoretical basis for operational efficacy. Overall, a judicious reactor design was integrated with data-driven parameter optimization.

In China, despite the continuous efforts to preserve traditional villages in recent years, a significant amount of cultural heritages continue to vanish. Commonly observed issues such as the lack of coordination between preservation and development, the imbalance in spatial environment conservation and utilization, are pervasive. Regrettably, there is a conspicuous absence of theoretical underpinning in addressing these challenges. In this study, The evaluation factor of spatial environmental protection was selected, and these factors were weighted through expert surveys and the Analytic Hierarchy Process, and applied the multi-objective linear weighting function method to obtain a comprehensive evaluation calculation formula. Subsequently, we conducted an assessment of 28 representative traditional villages in the southern Chinese regions of Guangdong, Fujian, and Jiangxi. Their current issues were systematically analyzed and cluster analysis was applied to discern 11 distinct typologies of traditional village development. Besides, the temporal evolution patterns of these villages were delved into, and their development were categorized into five stages: initiation, enhancement, prosperity, over-development, and decline. Ultimately, based on the spatial environment characteristics of each development type and evolution stage, corresponding guidelines for spatial environment conservation and utilization are proposed, which provides necessary theoretical frameworks for future work this region.

Abstract We demonstrate that Debye shielding cannot be employed to constrain the cosmological abundance of magnetic monopoles, contrary to what is stated in the previous literature. Current model-independent bounds on the monopole abundance are then revisited for unit Dirac magnetic charge. We find that the Andromeda Parker bound can be employed to set an upper limit on the monopole flux at the level of F M ≲ 5.3 × 10−19cm−2s−1sr−1 for a monopole mass 1013 GeV/c 2 ≲ m ≲ 1016 GeV/c 2, which is more stringent than the MACRO direct search limit by two orders of magnitude. This translates into stringent constraints on the monopole density parameter Ω M at the level of 10−7˘10−4 depending on the mass. For larger monopole masses the scenarios in which magnetic monopoles account for all or the majority of dark matter are disfavored.

The concept of ‘brain age’, derived from neuroimaging data, serves as a crucial biomarker reflecting cognitive vitality and neurodegenerative trajectories. In the past decade, machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) integration has transformed the field, providing advanced models for brain age estimation. However, achieving precise brain age prediction across all ages remains a significant analytical challenge. This comprehensive review scrutinizes advancements in ML- and DL-based brain age prediction, analyzing 52 peer-reviewed studies from 2020 to 2024. It assesses various model architectures, highlighting their effectiveness and nuances in lifespan brain age studies. By comparing ML and DL, strengths in forecasting and methodological limitations are revealed. Finally, key findings from the reviewed articles are summarized and a number of major issues related to ML/DL-based lifespan brain age prediction are discussed. Through this study, we aim at the synthesis of the current state of brain age prediction, emphasizing both advancements and persistent challenges, guiding future research, technological advancements, and improving early intervention strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract Background A cross-sectional population-based survey in the Beichen district of Tianjin was conducted to estimate the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) among the population over 50 years old with Dry Eye Workshop (DEWS) II and Chinese expert consensus (CEC) criteria. Methods A total of 5791 subjects over 50 years old were enrolled. Ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire, lipid layer thickness (LLT), partial blink ratio (PBR), fluorescein tear film breakup time (FBUT), Schirmer I test (SIT), fluorescein staining, meibomian gland dropout, meibomian gland expression scores (MES) and quantity scores (MQS) was assessed. Additionally, basic information, weight, disease history, living habits, anxiety, and depression condition were collected. Results According to the CEC, the prevalence of DED was 39.0%, whereas 44.0% based on DEWS II. The prevalence of DED increased with age and was substantially greater among women (41.1%, 95% CI, 39.5-42.6%) than males (35.1%, 95% CI, 33.1 -37.2%) (p

Abstract Achilles tendon reconstruction is an effective method of repairing Achilles tendon rupture defects. We introduce a new approach for Achilles tendon reconstruction using transversal calcaneal anchored autogenous semitendinosus tendon graft. The study aimed to evaluate the clinical role of this new Achilles tendon reconstruction. We retrospectively enrolled patients who underwent Achilles tendon reconstruction using transversal calcaneal anchored autogenous semitendinosus tendon graft for acute Achilles tendon rupture defects from 2016 to 2021. The clinical and radiological results were assessed at the preoperative and the final postoperative follow-up with Visual Analog Score (VAS) scores, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores and Achilles tendon Total Rupture Scores (ATRS). Besides, at the last postoperative follow-up, the difference in ankle range of motion between the two side of the patients and the incidence of postoperative complications were recorded. Results revealed patients had significantly lower VAS and higher AOFAS and ATRS (P

Abstract Background Muscle satellite cells (MuSCs) exert essential roles in skeletal muscle adaptation to growth, injury and ageing, and their functions are extensively modulated by microenvironmental factors. However, the current knowledge about the interaction of MuSCs with niche cells is quite limited. Methods A 10× single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) was performed on porcine longissimus dorsi and soleus (SOL) muscles to generate a single‐cell transcriptomic dataset of myogenic cells and other cell types. Sophisticated bioinformatic analyses, including unsupervised clustering analysis, marker gene, gene set variation analysis (GSVA), AUCell, pseudotime analysis and RNA velocity analysis, were performed to explore the heterogeneity of myogenic cells. CellChat analysis was used to demonstrate cell–cell communications across myogenic cell subpopulations and niche cells, especially fibro‐adipogenic progenitors (FAPs). Integrated analysis with human and mice datasets was performed to verify the expression of FGF7 across diverse species. The role of FGF7 on MuSC proliferation was evaluated through administering recombinant FGF7 to porcine MuSCs, C2C12, cardiotoxin (CTX)‐injured muscle and d‐galactose (d‐gal)‐induced ageing model. Results ScRNA‐seq totally figured out five cell types including myo‐lineage cells and FAPs, and myo‐lineage cells were further classified into six subpopulations, termed as RCN3+, S100A4+, ID3+, cycling (MKI67+), MYF6+ and MYMK+ satellite cells, respectively. There was a higher proportion of cycling and MYF6+ cells in the SOL population. CellChat analysis uncovered a particular impact of FAPs on myogenic cells mediated by FGF7, which was relatively highly expressed in SOL samples. Administration of FGF7 (10 ng/mL) significantly increased the proportion of EdU+ porcine MuSCs and C2C12 by 4.03 ± 0.81% (P

To enhance the aerodynamic performance of aero engine blades, simulations and experiments regarding microtextures to reduce the flow loss on the blade surfaces were carried out. First, based on the axisymmetric characteristics of the impeller, a new simulation method was proposed to determine the aerodynamic parameters of the blade model through the comparison of flow field characteristics and simulation results. Second, the placement position and geometrical parameters (height, width, and spacing) of microtextures with lower energy loss were determined by our simulation of microtextures on the blade surface, and the drag reduction mechanism was analyzed. Triangular ribs with a height of 0.2 mm, a width of 0.3 mm, and a spacing of 0.2 mm exhibited the best drag reduction, reducing the energy loss coefficient and drag by 1.45% and 1.31% for a single blade, respectively. Finally, the blades with the optimal microtexture parameters were tested in the wind tunnel. The experimental results showed that the microtexture decreased energy loss by 3.7% for a single blade under 57° angle of attack and 136.24 m/s, which was favorable regarding the drag reduction performance of the impeller with 45 blades.

Abstract Telemedicine and video-based diagnosis have raised significant concerns regarding the protection of facial privacy. Effective de-identification methods require the preservation of diagnostic information related to normal and pathological facial movements, which play a crucial role in the diagnosis of various movement, neurological, and psychiatric disorders. In this work, we have developed FaceMotionPreserve , a deep generative model-based approach that transforms patients’ facial identities while preserving facial dynamics with a novel face dynamic similarity module to enhance facial landmark consistency. We collected test videos from patients with Parkinson’s disease recruited via telemedicine for evaluation of model performance and clinical applicability. The performance of FaceMotionPreserve was quantitatively evaluated based on neurologist diagnostic consistency, critical facial behavior fidelity, and correlation of general facial dynamics. In addition, we further validated the robustness and advancements of our model in preserving medical information with clinical examination videos from a different cohort of patients. FaceMotionPreserve is applicable to real-time integration, safeguarding facial privacy while retaining crucial medical information associated with facial movements to address concerns in telemedicine, and facilitating safer and more collaborative medical data sharing.

Objectives: Heart failure is a stage of various cardiovascular diseases and constitutes a growing major public health problem worldwide. Nurse-led heart failure clinics play an important role in managing heart failure. All nurse-led heart failure clinic services are clinic-based. We conducted a systematic review to describe the contents and impact of nurse-led heart failure clinics. Methods: A review of nurse-led heart failure clinic research was undertaken in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. The search was initially conducted on October 23, 2022 and updated on November 21, 2023. Articles were appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute Appraisal criteria by two independent reviewers. This review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022352209). Results: Twelve articles were included in this systematic review. The nurse-led heart failure clinic contents were: medication uptitration, educational counselling, evidence-based transitional care, psychosocial support, physical examination and mental well-being assessment, therapy monitoring and adjustment, follow-up, and phone consultations. Most studies reported largely positive clinical outcomes in nurse-led heart failure clinics. Four studies examined the quality of life and reported conflicting results; four studies examined medication titration efficacy, and the results were generally positive. Only two studies examined cost-effectiveness. Conclusions: Nurse-led heart failure clinics have shown a largely positive impact on patient outcomes, quality of life, and medication titration efficacy. More randomised controlled trials and other studies are needed to obtain more robust conclusions.

Abstract Current gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) utilizes adeno-associated virus (AAV) to deliver micro-dystrophin (µDys), which does not provide full protection for striated muscles as it lacks many important functional domains of full-length (FL) dystrophin. Here we develop a triple vector system to deliver FL-dystrophin into skeletal and cardiac muscles. We split FL-dystrophin into three fragments linked to two orthogonal pairs of split intein, allowing efficient assembly of FL-dystrophin. The three fragments packaged in myotropic AAV (MyoAAV4A) restore FL-dystrophin expression in both skeletal and cardiac muscles in male mdx 4cv mice. Dystrophin-glycoprotein complex components are also restored at the sarcolemma of dystrophic muscles. MyoAAV4A-delivered FL-dystrophin significantly improves muscle histopathology, contractility, and overall strength comparable to µDys, but unlike µDys, it also restores defective cavin 4 localization and associated signaling in mdx 4cv heart. Therefore, our data support the feasibility of a mutation-independent FL-dystrophin gene therapy for DMD, warranting further clinical development.

Abstract Efficiently fabricating a cavity that can achieve strong interactions between terahertz waves and matter would allow researchers to exploit the intrinsic properties due to the long wavelength in the terahertz waveband. Here we show a terahertz detector embedded in a Tamm cavity with a record Q value of 1017 and a bandwidth of only 469 MHz for direct detection. The Tamm-cavity detector is formed by embedding a substrate with an Nb5N6 microbolometer detector between an Si/air distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) and a metal reflector. The resonant frequency can be controlled by adjusting the thickness of the substrate layer. The detector and DBR are fabricated separately, and a large pixel-array detector can be realized by a very simple assembly process. This versatile cavity structure can be used as a platform for preparing high-performance terahertz devices and opening up the study of the strong interactions between terahertz waves and matter.

Human pose estimation in sports training is a critical application within Internet of Things (IoT) environments, leveraging IoT devices to enhance performance analysis and injury prevention. Current methods struggle with real-time processing and accuracy in dynamic settings, especially with high-speed movements and diverse data. To address these challenges, we propose a novel dual-channel architecture combining Spatiotemporal Transformer and Temporal Convolutional Network (TCN), integrated into an IoT system. Our model collects real-time motion data through IoT devices, including videos, depth information, and sensor data, combining global spatiotemporal features with local temporal dependencies to enhance pose understanding and estimation accuracy. The Spatiotemporal Transformer uses multi-head self-attention to process global features, while the TCN captures local temporal dependencies across frames. A residual fusion mechanism integrates these features for comprehensive pose estimation. Extensive experiments on the Human3.6M and MPI-INF-3DHP datasets demonstrate that our model significantly outperforms existing methods, achieving Mean Per Joint Position Error (MPJPE) scores of 42.2 mm and 29.1 mm on Human3.6M. This research advances 3D human pose estimation and offers a practical tool for sports training through precise, efficient pose analysis, leveraging deep learning and IoT technologies to enhance athletic performance and prevent injuries.

AbstractContext The mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Guizhi-Gancao Decoction (GGD) remain unknown.Objective This study explores the mechanisms of GGD against cardiac hypertrophy.Materials and methods Network pharmacology analysis was carried out to identify the potential targets of GGD. In vivo experiments, C57BL/6J mice were divided into Con, phenylephrine (PE, 10 mg/kg/d), 2-chloroadenosine (CADO, the stable analogue of adenosine, 2 mg/kg/d), GGD (5.4 g/kg/d) and GGD (5.4 g/kg/d) + CGS15943 (a nonselective adenosine receptor antagonist, 4 mg/kg/d). In vitro experiments, primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCM) were divided into Con, PE (100 µM), CADO (5 µM), GGD (10−5 g/mL) and GGD (10−5 g/mL) + CGS15943 (5 µM). Ultrasound, H&E and Masson staining, hypertrophic genes expression and cell surface area were conducted to verify the GGD efficacy. Adenosine receptors (ADORs) expression were tested via real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis.Results Network pharmacology identified ADORs among those of the core targets of GGD. In vitro experiments demonstrated that GGD attenuated PE-induced increased surface area (with an EC50 of 5.484 × 10−6 g/mL). In vivo data shown that GGD attenuated PE-induced ventricular wall thickening. In vitro and in vivo data indicated that GGD alleviated PE-induced hypertrophic gene expression (e.g., ANP, BNP and MYH7/MYH6), A1AR over-expression and A2aAR down-expression. Moreover, CADO exerts effects similar to GGD, whereas CGS15943 eliminated most effects of GGD.Discussion and conclusions Our findings suggest the mechanism by which GGD inhibits cardiac hypertrophy, highlighting regulation of ADORs as a potential therapeutic strategy for HF.

ABSTRACTThe Medium Resolution Spectral Image (MERSI) is a MODIS-like sensor aboard Fengyun-3 satellite. The first version of MERSI aerosol algorithm has been developed based on MODIS dark target (DT) algorithm, with modified models for estimating surface reflectance and an adjusted inland water masking method to release haze aerosols. This study applies MERSI DT algorithm to the global observations from the upgraded MERSI sensor (MERSI-II) on Fengyun-3D. And then, the Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) results from the year of 2019–2020 are validated against the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) data. In addition, analyses of the spatial distribution and error characteristics of MODIS and MERSI-II retrievals are presented. The overall validation demonstrates that MERSI-II retrievals perform well globally, with a correlation coefficient of 0.877 and 67.1% of matchups within the Expected Error envelope of ± (0.05 + 0.2τ), which are close to the statistic metrics of MODIS products. In addition, MERSI-II and MODIS AODs exhibit similar error trends and error dependence. Moreover, the similar global distribution characteristics of the two AODs are revealed in the retrieval performance at site and regional scales, as well as in the analysis of monthly averages. These findings indicate the success of the ported MERSI algorithm.

The emergency management of biosafety for laboratory animals in Hunan Province is an essential component of the province’s implementation of the national biosafety strategy. To strengthen the prevention and control of biosafety risks in laboratory animals and to ensure a quick and effective response to laboratory animal biosafety emergencies, Hunan Province has formulated the "Emergency Response Plan for Laboratory Animal Biosafety Emergencies in Hunan Province". This plan aims to minimize damages caused to practitioners, public health, and laboratory animal industry, protect lives and property, and safeguard public safety and social stability. This paper analyzes the necessity, guiding ideology, principles, and basis for formulating the plan. It details the main contents of the plan, which includes scope of application, incident classification, organizational structure and responsibilities, monitoring and early warning mechanisms, emergency reporting and response, post-incident assessment, and safeguard measures. Moreover, this paper provides a summary and outlook on the emergency management of biosafety laboratory animals in Hunan Province in recent years.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a major type of dementia and neurodegenerative disease, characterized by memory loss and cognitive decline. Over decades, significant efforts have been dedicated to finding its cause, pathogenic mechanisms, biomarkers for early detection, and clinical trials for its treatment. Earlier approved drugs mainly ameliorated the symptoms of AD, until recent years when two drugs targeting amyloid-beta (Aβ) protein were approved to slow down the progression of the disease. This review article encompasses the history of drug development in treating AD and clinical trials that failed and succeeded. Clinicaltrials.org website was systematically searched and screened for randomized controlled trials with results posted in the past 10 years. Among the 3,388 AD clinical trials, 211 interventional studies registered under AD have met eligibility. This review includes the interventional targets for drug discovery such as Aβ, tau, neurotransmitter receptors, neuroinflammation, multi-target studies, repurposing pharmacological agents, non-pharmacological interventions, and clinical therapy development for the neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia. Current clinical trials are ongoing and no results are available as of yet. With the vast choices of drug targets that have been investigated, this review aims to present some insights into future AD drug design and trials and contribute to our ongoing efforts to find the cure.

A series of 4-thio/seleno-cyanated pyrazoles was conveniently synthesized from 4-unsubstituted pyrazoles using NH4SCN/KSeCN as thio/selenocyanogen sources and PhICl2 as the hypervalent iodine oxidant. This metal-free approach was postulated to involve the in situ generation of reactive thio/selenocyanogen chloride (Cl–SCN/SeCN) from the reaction of PhICl2 and NH4SCN/KSeCN, followed by an electrophilic thio/selenocyanation of the pyrazole skeleton.

Nuclear resonance fluorescence (NRF) is an emerging nondestructive active inspection technology. Specific isotopes can be identified by analyzing the characteristic energy recorded in the gamma spectrum. This technology plays an important role in the scanning inspection of small containers containing unknown explosives. In this paper, an NRF backscatter inspection scheme is optimized using Monte Carlo simulation program based on the X-ray source generated by electron accelerator bremsstrahlung radiation. After optimized design, X-ray leakage rate is reduced by 386 times, the beam asymmetry is less than 2%, the beam uniformity is more than 70%. The NRF characteristic energy spectrum of graphite samples and ammonium nitrate sample obtained by HPGe detector verifies the feasibility of the design scheme. The innovative application of importance sampling technique improves the simulation calculation efficiency of graphite sample by 72.23 times. The design scheme and calculation results provide technical support for the research and development of NRF based non-destructive nuclear detection system.

Abstract Thermosensation is vital for the survival, propagation, and adaption of all organisms, but its mechanism is not fully understood yet. Here, we find that TMC6, a membrane protein of unknown function, is highly expressed in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and functions as a Gαq-coupled G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-like receptor to sense noxious heat. TMC6-deficient mice display a substantial impairment in noxious heat sensation while maintaining normal perception of cold, warmth, touch, and mechanical pain. Further studies show that TMC6 interacts with Gαq via its intracellular C-terminal region spanning Ser780 to Pro810. Specifically disrupting such interaction using polypeptide in DRG neurons, genetically ablating Gαq, or pharmacologically blocking Gαq-coupled GPCR signaling can replicate the phenotype of TMC6 deficient mice regarding noxious heat sensation. Noxious heat stimulation triggers intracellular calcium release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of TMC6- but not control vector-transfected HEK293T cell, which can be significantly inhibited by blocking PLC or IP3R. Consistently, noxious heat-induced intracellular Ca2+ release from ER and action potentials of DRG neurons largely reduced when ablating TMC6 or blocking Gαq/PLC/IP3R signaling pathway as well. In summary, our findings indicate that TMC6 can directly function as a Gαq-coupled GPCR-like receptor sensing noxious heat.

Abstract Liver cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. Although some progress has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the diagnosis and treatment of HCC is still facing great challenges because of the high mortality rate and poor prognosis of HCC. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between adhesion-regulating molecule1 (ADRM1), and liver cancer, and the relationship between prognoses. ADRM1 is highly expressed in tumors and is closely associated with the prognosis of patients with liver cancer. In our previous study, we found that ADRM1 was highly expressed in HCC and was closely related to tumor immune and immune checkpoint levels in HCC. We validated the immune expression of ADRM1 in liver cancer cells using flow cytometry. In hepatocellular carcinoma tissues, miR-891a-5p regulates ADRM1. Upregulation of miR-891a-5p upregulates ADRM1, and downregulation of miR-891a-5p downregulates ADRM1. It is suggested that ADRM1 plays a key role in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma. This study is expected to provide new ideas for the research and development of anti-HCC drugs targeting miR-891a-5p/ADRM1. However, further trials are needed to confirm these results and explore the actual results in patients with HCC.

Abstract Background This study aimed to develop and evaluate radiomics models to predict CD27 expression and clinical prognosis before surgery in patients with serous ovarian cancer (SOC). Methods We used transcriptome sequencing data and contrast-enhanced computed tomography images of patients with SOC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (n = 339) and The Cancer Imaging Archive (n = 57) and evaluated the clinical significance and prognostic value of CD27 expression. Radiomics features were selected to create a recursive feature elimination-logistic regression (RFE-LR) model and a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator logistic regression (LASSO-LR) model for CD27 expression prediction. Results CD27 expression was upregulated in tumor samples, and a high expression level was determined to be an independent protective factor for survival. A set of three and six radiomics features were extracted to develop RFE-LR and LASSO-LR radiomics models, respectively. Both models demonstrated good calibration and clinical benefits, as determined by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis. The LASSO-LR model performed better than the RFE-LR model, owing to the area under the curve (AUC) values of the ROC curves (0.829 vs. 0.736). Furthermore, the AUC value of the radiomics score that predicted the overall survival of patients with SOC diagnosed after 60 months was 0.788 using the LASSO-LR model. Conclusion The radiomics models we developed are promising noninvasive tools for predicting CD27 expression status and SOC prognosis. The LASSO-LR model is highly recommended for evaluating the preoperative risk stratification for SOCs in clinical applications.

Abstract Background The use of prophylactic antibiotics in surgery is contentious. With the rise in antimicrobial resistance, evidence-based antibiotic use should be followed. This systematic review and network meta-analysis will assess the effectiveness of different antibiotics on the prevention of surgical site infection (SSI) following hand trauma surgery. Methods and analysis The databases Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL and CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform will be searched. Abstracts will be screened by two persons independently to identify eligible studies. This systematic review will include both randomised and non-randomised prospective comparative studies in participants with hand and/or wrist injuries requiring surgery; bite injuries will be excluded. The network meta-analysis will compare the use of different prophylactic antibiotics against each other, placebo and/or no antibiotics on the development of SSI within 30 days of surgery (or 90 days if there is an implanted device). The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool 2 will be used to assess the risk of methodological bias in randomised controlled trials, and the Newcastle-Ottowa scale (NOS) will be used to assess the risk of bias in non-randomised studies. A random-effects network meta-analysis will be conducted along with subgroup analyses looking at antibiotic timing, injury type, and operation location. Sensitivity analyses including only low risk-of-bias studies will be conducted, and the confidence in the results will be assessed using Confidence in Network Meta‐Analysis (CINEMA). Discussion This systematic review and network meta-analysis aims to provide an up-to-date synthesis of the studies assessing the use of antibiotics following hand and wrist trauma to enable evidence-based peri-operative prescribing. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42023429618.

Abstract Background The World Health Organization urged governments to prioritize the health and work well-being of nursing staff by promoting a positive working environment. A safe and healthy physical and psychosocial work environment is a basic human right for nurses. Job crafting is a necessary skill when facing challenging working conditions. Objectives This cross-sectional correlational research based on the Job Demands-Resources Model aimed to explore the correlation between psychosocial work environment and work well-being among nurses working in the intensive care unit (ICU) and determine whether personal perceived health could mediate the relationship and whether job crafting can moderate the mediating effect. The study hypothesized that: 1. The psychosocial work environment would impact nurses' work well-being; 2. Personal perceived health would play a role as a mediator in the relationship between psychosocial work environment and work well‐being; 3. Job crafting would moderate the relationship between personal perceived health and work well‐being. Methods A total of 655 registered nurses (RNs) from 7 ICUs in a teaching hospital in Beijing participated in this study. The RNs completed a battery questionnaire measuring their health, psychosocial work environment, well-being, and job crafting. PROCESS macros analysis was used to test mediating and moderating effects. Results Personal perceived health mediated the relationship between psychosocial work environment and work well-being (b = 0.012, 95% CI [0.008, 0.016]). The moderated mediated analysis revealed that job crafting moderated perceived health’s impact on work well-being (b = -0.007, 95% CI [− 0.010, − 0.003]). Conclusion A better psychosocial work environment with well-designed work organization and job content through job crafting could positively impact nurses’ health and work well-being.

The determination of sunitinib (STB) as a significant anticancer drug is very important. In the present research, a novel and effective electrochemical sensing device for STB was manufactured using the modification of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with the 2D layered metal-organic framework-carbon nanotubes (2DMOF-CNTs) nanocomposite. The electro-oxidation of STB exhibited a notable enhancement in the anodic current at +0.70 V, which may be due to the catalytic character of the 2DMOF-CNTs modifier. The key experimental parameters affecting the efficiency of the STB sensor including amount of 2DMOF-CNTs and solution pH of were evaluated and optimized. The 2DMOF-CNTs/GCE demonstrated a linear response in detecting STB, covering a range from 0.02 µM to 30 µM. In addition, the established sensor showed a good detection limit of 5 nM based on signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The successful evaluation of the practical implementation of the 2DMOF-CNTs/GCE for STB detection in serum samples as the real sample was accomplished. The novel electrochemical device possesses several remarkable properties, such as broad linear range, low limit of detection, quick analysis time, high selectivity, and convenient operation.

Accurate mapping and timely monitoring of urban redevelopment are pivotal for urban studies and decision-makers to foster sustainable urban development. Traditional mapping methods heavily depend on field surveys and subjective questionnaires, yielding less objective, reliable, and timely data. Recent advancements in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote-sensing technologies have improved the identification and mapping of urban redevelopment through quantitative analysis using satellite-based observations. Nonetheless, challenges persist, particularly concerning accuracy and significant temporal delays. This study introduces a novel approach to modeling urban redevelopment, leveraging machine learning algorithms and remote-sensing data. This methodology can facilitate the accurate and timely identification of urban redevelopment activities. The study’s machine learning model can analyze time-series remote-sensing data to identify spatio-temporal and spectral patterns related to urban redevelopment. The model is thoroughly evaluated, and the results indicate that it can accurately capture the time-series patterns of urban redevelopment. This research’s findings are useful for evaluating urban demographic and economic changes, informing policymaking and urban planning, and contributing to sustainable urban development. The model can also serve as a foundation for future research on early-stage urban redevelopment detection and evaluation of the causes and impacts of urban redevelopment.

Abstract Timing it right framework was used as a framework to explore the illness experiences of patients infected with COVID-19 and to analyze the patients' perceptions of the disease and their true inner feelings to provide a reference for the control of infectious diseases. This research adopted a phenomenological research approach to develop a longitudinal qualitative study. A purposive sampling method was used to select participants and 37 patients were recruited. Depending on the principle that participants should have maximum variation and sampling should cease when interviews content saturation is achieved, 16 COVID-19 patients in an isolation ward in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province were finally included. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, and the content of the interviews was analyzed by Colaizzi’s 7-step method. The themes of COVID-19 patients’ experiences at various phase were presented as follows: multiple emotions intertwined at the time of diagnosis (anxiety, stressful panic, facing the diagnosis calmly), multiple pressures during the hospitalization period (concerns about the disease, unable to adapt to the ward environment, worrying about future hardship), growth of positive illness experience during the isolation and observation period (sublimated outlook on life, affirmation of the government's anti-epidemic policy, more concerned about their own health), adjustment after returning to society (stigma, loss of previous living environment, problems caused by nucleic acid testing), and adaptation to social life (return to normal life, avoidance of illness experience, post-covid-19 syndrome). The illness experience of COVID-19 patients changed dynamically with time, but a sense of shame and uncertainty about recovery was present throughout the process. Interventions should be developed according to the needs of the patients at different times to inform subsequent optimization of care and management of infectious diseases.

Abstract We present unprecedented datasets of current and future projected weather files for building simulations in 15 major cities distributed across 10 climate zones worldwide. The datasets include ambient air temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, direct and diffuse solar irradiance, and wind speed at hourly resolution, which are essential climate elements needed to undertake building simulations. The datasets contain typical and extreme weather years in the EnergyPlus weather file (EPW) format and multiyear projections in comma-separated value (CSV) format for three periods: historical (2001–2020), future mid-term (2041–2060), and future long-term (2081–2100). The datasets were generated from projections of one regional climate model, which were bias-corrected using multiyear observational data for each city. The methodology used makes the datasets among the first to incorporate complex changes in the future climate for the frequency, duration, and magnitude of extreme temperatures. These datasets, created within the IEA EBC Annex 80 “Resilient Cooling for Buildings”, are ready to be used for different types of building adaptation and resilience studies to climate change and heatwaves.

Abstract Background To explore the demographic and clinical features of current depressive episode that discriminate patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) from those with bipolar I (BP-I) and bipolar II (BP-II) disorder who were misdiagnosed as having MDD . Methods The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) assessment was performed to establish DSM-IV diagnoses of MDD, and BP-I and BP-II, previously being misdiagnosed as MDD. Demographics, depressive symptoms and psychiatric comorbidities were compared between 1463 patients with BP-I, BP-II and MDD from 8 psychiatric settings in mainland China. A multinomial logistic regression model was performed to assess clinical correlates of diagnoses. Results A total of 14.5% of the enrolled patients initially diagnosed with MDD were eventually diagnosed with BP. Broad illness characteristics including younger age, higher prevalence of recurrence, concurrent dysthymia, suicidal attempts, agitation, psychotic features and psychiatric comorbidities, as well as lower prevalence of insomnia, weight loss and somatic symptoms were featured by patients with BP-I and/or BP-I, compared to those with MDD. Comparisons between BP-I and BP-II versus MDD indicated distinct symptom profiles and comorbidity patterns with more differences being observed between BP-II and MDD, than between BP-I and MDD . Conclusion The results provide evidence of clinically distinguishing characteristics between misdiagnosed BP-I and BP- II versus MDD. The findings have implications for guiding more accurate diagnoses of bipolar disorders.

Inhomogeneous microstructures and alloy chemistry along the thickness direction can greatly affect the mechanical and corrosion properties of new generation 7xxx aluminum alloy thick plates. The inhomogeneous microstructure, stress corrosion cracking (SCC) resistance and strength of AA7085 thick plate (160 mm) at T/2, T/4, and surface position using mechanical tests, double cantilever beam (DCB) crack extension tests and electron microscopy experiments. The results show that the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength and elongation of the T/2 position are slightly lower than those of the surface position, but the SCC resistance of the T/2 position is significantly higher than that of the surface position. The reason is that larger discontinuously quench-induced grain boundary precipitates (Q-GBPs), and lower Zn and Mg elemental content of GBPs (including Q-GBPs and age-induced GBPs (A-GBPs)) and grain boundaries (GBs). Furthermore, it is newly found that the mechanical effects of larger-sized low aspect ratio unrecrystallized grains contribute significantly to the excellent SCC resistance of the T/2 position. The large size grain structure makes short-range SCC cracks along the large-angle GB more tortuous at T/2, improving the stress intensity required for sustained crack extension. In addition, the high GB triple junction deflection angle resulting from a low aspect ratio grain structure at T/2 improves the average driving force required for crack extension and drive force reduction after localized crack growth.

Background Previous studies have established a positive correlation between serum uric acid to creatinine (SUA/Cr) ratio and cardiovascular disease, but the relationship between SUA/Cr ratio and the prognosis of heart failure (HF) remains unknown. This study investigated the potential of SUA/Cr ratio as a prognostic predictor for patients with HF. Methods This single-center prospective cohort study enrolled 2,122 patients with HF between March 2013 and June 2017. All patients were divided into 3 groups according to SUA/Cr ratio tertiles and were followed up with until December 31, 2022. The association between SUA/Cr ratio and the prognosis of HF was assessed using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results The mean (SD) age and mean (SD) SUA/Cr ratio of the study cohort (66% male) were 59.3 (14.7) years and 4.71 (2.09), respectively. During a median follow-up period of 15 months (range, 11-26 months), 390 end-point events were observed. Prognosis analysis revealed that a high SUA/Cr ratio was associated with an increased mortality risk of HF (hazard ratio, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.26-2.09]; P < .001) compared with the SUA/Cr ratio in the lowest tertile. After adjusting for covariates, the hazard ratio for mortality risk of HF was 1.71 (95% CI, 1.23-2.37; P = .001). Subgroup analysis showed that mortality risk increased in direct proportion with the SUA/Cr ratio in female patients, patients with a history of hypertension and β-blocker use, and patients with UA levels below 428 μmol/L and creatinine levels less than 97 mg/dL. Stratification by age; by history of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and smoking; and by level of fasting plasma glucose, however, had no obvious effect on the association between SUA/Cr ratio and HF prognosis. Patients with higher SUA/Cr ratios had reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter. Conclusion A high SUA/Cr ratio was an independent risk factor for the mortality risk of HF.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the current status of biosafety management in laboratory animal institutions in Hunan Province, identify management shortcomings, and provide targeted recommendations for improvement.MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted in July 2023 among 40 laboratory animal institutions in Hunan Province, covering topics such as the establishment of laboratory management system and its overall operation status, emergency management for incidents, medical waste disposal, animal transportation, personnel practitioner management, environmental disinfection, and equipment maintenance. The awareness of biosafety, animal bite incidents, and vaccination history was surveyed from at least one animal feeder or experimental operation practitioner from each institution, totaling 50 practitioners. Through literature review and comparative analysis, this paper analyzed the current status of biosafety management in production, transportation, and use of laboratory animals in Hunan Province from aspects such as biosafety management systems, personnel training, disinfection of environmental facilities and waste disposal, and provided recommendations.ResultsAmong the 40 laboratory animal institutions in Hunan Province,39 institutions (97.5%) had established laboratory management systems, 37 (92.5%) had emergency response plans for incidents of to transport laboratory animals, 15 (37.5%) had complete records of emergency drills for laboratory animal biosafety, and 39 (97.5%) had established protocols for carcass and waste management. Moreover, 26 institutions (65.0%) had laboratory biosafety risk assessment reports. 4 out of 8 (50.0%) production units had emergency plans for animal transportation, with 7 (87.5%) using special vehicles to transport laboratory animals. 2 (4.0%) of the 50 practitioners were unaware of emergency response plans, 6 participants (12.0%) did not consistently wear personal protective equipment, and 38 participants (76.0%) had been bitten or scratched by laboratory animals. The results of the survey showed that emergency management, transportation management and personnel management of laboratory animal incidents still need improvement in Hunan Province. Relevant functional departments should strengthen supervision and management efforts, establish local regulations for the transportation management of laboratory animals, ensure strict compliance with relevant documents, conduct emergency drills in all units, and strengthen training for practitioners.ConclusionWhile daily management practices in the 40 laboratory animal institutions in Hunan Province are generally satisfactory, there remains a need for further improvement in emergency management, transportation management, personnel management, etc. Gradually enhancing the level of laboratory animal safety management is essential to collectively safeguard public health safety.

Agricultural non-point sources, as major sources of organic pollution, continue to flow into the river network area of the Jiangnan Plain, posing a serious threat to the quality of water bodies, the ecological environment, and human health. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a method that can accurately identify various types of agricultural organic pollution to prevent the water ecosystems in the region from significant organic pollution. In this study, a network model called RA-GoogLeNet is proposed for accurately identifying agricultural organic pollution in the river network area of the Jiangnan Plain. RA-GoogLeNet uses fluorescence spectral data of agricultural non-point source water quality in Changzhou Changdang Lake Basin, based on GoogLeNet architecture, and adds an efficient channel attention (ECA) mechanism to its A-Inception module, which enables the model to automatically learn the importance of independent channel features. ResNet are used to connect each A-Reception module. The experimental results show that RA-GoogLeNet performs well in fluorescence spectral classification of water quality, with an accuracy of 96.3%, which is 1.2% higher than the baseline model, and has good recall and F1 score. This study provides powerful technical support for the traceability of agricultural organic pollution. HIGHLIGHTS The proposed RA-GoogLeNet is time-efficient, accurate, and superior to other convolutional neural network models with fewer parameters than traditional methods.; ECA attention mechanism and ResNet were added to improve the model's ability to identify agricultural non-point source pollution in the study area.; The Leaky ReLU activation function used in this model can extract more image features.;

Abstract DNA replication in bacteria takes place on highly compacted chromosomes, where segregation, transcription, and repair must occur simultaneously. Within this dynamic environment, colocalization of sister replisomes has been observed in many bacterial species, driving the hypothesis that a physical linker may tether them together. However, replisome splitting has also been reported in many of the same species, leaving the principles behind replisome organization a long-standing puzzle. Here, by tracking the replisome β-clamp subunit in live Caulobacter crescentus, we find that rapid DNA segregation can give rise to a second focus which resembles a replisome, but does not replicate DNA. Sister replisomes can remain colocalized, or split apart to travel along DNA separately upon disruption of chromosome inter-arm alignment. Furthermore, chromosome arm-specific replication-transcription conflicts differentially modify replication speed on the two arms, facilitate the decoupling of the two replisomes. With these observations, we conclude that the dynamic chromosome organization flexibly shapes the organization of sister replisomes, and we outline principles which can help to reconcile previously conflicting models of replisome architecture.

Abstract Background Hypertension is one of the major public health problems in China. Limited evidence exists regarding sex differences in the association between hypertension and air pollutants, as well as the impact of dietary factors on the relationship between air pollutants and hypertension. The aim of this study was to investigate the sex-specific effects of dietary patterns on the association between fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone(O3) and hypertension in adults residing in Jiangsu Province of China. Methods A total of 3189 adults from the 2015 China Adult Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveillance in Jiangsu Province were included in this study. PM2.5 and O3 concentrations were estimated using satellite space-time models and assigned to each participant. Dietary patterns were determined by reduced rank regression (RRR), and multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the associations of the obtained dietary patterns with air pollutants and hypertension risk. Results After adjusting for confounding variables, we found that males were more sensitive to long-term exposure to PM2.5 (Odds ratio (OR) = 1.42 95%CI:1.08,1.87), and females were more sensitive to long-term exposure to O3 (OR = 1.61 95%CI:1.15,2.23). Traditional southern pattern identified through RRR exhibited a protective effect against hypertension in males (OR = 0.73 95%CI: 0.56,1.00). The results of the interaction between dietary pattern score and PM2.5 revealed that adherence to traditional southern pattern was significantly associated with a decreased risk of hypertension in males (P

PurposeWuwei Kushen Changrong capsule (Composite Sophora Colon-soluble Capsule, CSCC) is a Chinese patent medicine developed to treat ulcerative colitis. Studies highlight CSCC potential efficacy for ulcerative colitis (UC) but unclear mechanism limits its widely treatment for patients. We aimed to investigate the anti-colitis efficacy of CSCC and explore the mechanism by which GPR43 inhibits the NLRP3/STAT3 signaling pathway, thereby mediating the protective effects of CSCC on the intestinal barrier.MethodsThe protective effects of CSCC were evaluated in a murine ulcerative colitis model induced by 3% DSS. Assessments included body weight, Disease Activity Index (DAI) score, colon length, and histopathological score. Colon tissue, cell function, and immune-inflammatory status were evaluated using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, ELISA, and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-PCR). Protein expression levels of relevant pathways and receptors were measured using Western blot. All experiments were repeated.ResultsCSCC protected mice from DSS-induced colitis by upregulating Gpr43, promoting the expression of ZO-1 and Occludin tight junction proteins. Mechanistically, CSCC inhibits the MEK4/JNK1/STAT3 activation pathway, consequently suppressing the STAT3/NLRP3/IL-1β pathway and inhibiting the production of inflammatory factors such as IL-17A.ConclusionThe mechanisms through which CSCC protects against DSS-induced colitis may include upregulating Gpr43, inhibiting the STAT3/NLRP3 pathway, and suppressing inflammation factors like IL-17A. These findings highlight the mechanisms underlying CSCC’s anti-colitis effects and suggest its potential as a therapeutic candidate for managing the progression of UC.

IntroductionBroussonetia papyrifera is a dioecious plant that is rich in various metabolites and widely distribute in Asia. Microtus fortis is a rodent that often causes damage to crops, especially in the Dongting Lake region of China. There is a wide overlap in the distribution areas for the above species and the M. fortis feeds on the leaves of the B. papyrifera. Preliminary experiments have shown that the reproduction of M. fortis is inhibited after feeding on the leaves of the B. papyrifera.MethodsIn order to explore the potential of using B. papyrifera to develop botanical pesticides, we investigated the palatability and reactive substances. The feeding frequency of M. fortis on B. papyrifera leaves to that of on daily fodder and Carex brevicuspis that is the primary food for the wild population were compared. We also attempted to identify the responsive substances in B. papyrifera leaves that were bitten by M. fortis using metabolome analysis.ResultsIn general, B. papyrifera leaves exhibited a stronger attraction to M. fortis. M. fortis foraged B. papyrifera leaves more frequently, and the intake was higher than that of the other two. Differential metabolites were screened by comparing normal leaves and leaves bitten by M. fortis, meanwhile with the intervention of clipped leaves. A total of 269 substances were screened, and many of these were involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, including terpenoids and alkaloids. These substances may be related to the defense mechanism of B. papyrifera against herbivores.DiscussionThese findings support further research examining animal–plant interactions and simultaneously provide insights into the utilisation of B. papyrifera resources and the management of rodents. The good palatability and the defense of B. papyrifera leaves suggest that they have the potential to contribute in development of plant rodenticide.

Understanding how the bacteriomes in tuberculous lesions can be influenced by the susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) can provide valuable information for preventing and treating drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). High-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing was employed to analyze the bacteriome in pulmonary TB lesions from 14 patients with DR-TB and 47 patients with drug sensitive tuberculosis (DS-TB), along with 18 normal lung tissues (NT) from 18 lung cancer patients serving as the bacterial baseline. The phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states2 (PICRUSt2) algorithm was utilized to predict bacterial metabolic functions. The major phyla of pulmonary bacteriomes included Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Fusobacteria. Alpha diversity indices, including ACE, Chao1, Shannon and OTU observed, all demonstrated different bacterial communities of DS-TB samples from that of NT samples; while only Shannon indicated difference between DR-TB and NT samples. The analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) showed significantly different bacterial communities within TB lesions compared to NT samples (R = 0.418, p = 0.001). However, difference was not observed between DR-TB and DS-TB samples (ANOSIM, R = 0.069, p = 0.173). The bacterial profiles within each DR-TB individual appeared unique, with no obvious clusters corresponding to drug-resistant phenotypes. Nevertheless, indicator genera identified in DR-TB and DS-TB lesions demonstrated distinctive micro-ecological environments. Most COG functions were enriched in TB lesions, and the most significant one was [J] translation, ribosomal structure and biogenesis. The distinct enrichment patterns of bacterial enzymes in DR-TB and DS-TB lesions suggest that pulmonary bacterial activities can be modulated by the susceptibility of MTB bacilli. This study provides fresh perspectives and strategies for the precise diagnosis and assessment of drug resistance tuberculosis.

Summary: Autographiviridae phage HH109 is a lytic Vibrio alginolyticus E110-specific phage, but the molecular mechanism underlying host recognition of this phage remains unknown. In this study, a transposon mutagenesis library of E110 was used to show that several capsular polysaccharide (CPS) synthesis-related genes were linked to the phage HH109 infection. Gene deletion combined with multiple functional assays demonstrated that CPS serves as the receptor for the phage HH109. Deletions of CPS genes caused reduction or loss of capsule and reduced adsorption. Comparative genome analysis revealed that phage-resistant mutants harbored loss-of-function mutations in the previously identified genes responsible for CPS biosynthesis. The tail protein gp02 of phage HH109 was identified as the receptor-binding protein (RBP) on CPS using antibody blocking assay, immunofluorescence staining, and CPS quantification. Additionally, we found that the phage HH109 could degrade approximately 88% of mature biofilms. Our research findings provide a theoretical basis against vibriosis.

Occupational pulmonary diseases (OPDs) pose a significant global health challenge, contributing to high mortality rates. This review delves into the pathophysiology of hypoxia and the safety of intermittent hypoxic conditioning (IHC) in OPD patients. By examining sources such as PubMed, Relemed, NLM, Scopus, and Google Scholar, the review evaluates the efficacy of IHC in clinical outcomes for OPD patients. It highlights the complexities of cardiovascular and respiratory regulation dysfunctions in OPDs, focusing on respiratory control abnormalities and the impact of intermittent hypoxic exposures. Key areas include the physiological effects of hypoxia, the role of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) in occupational lung diseases, and the links between brain ischemia, stroke, and OPDs. The review also explores the interaction between intermittent hypoxic exposures, mitochondrial energetics, and lung physiology. The potential of IHE to improve clinical manifestations and underlying pathophysiology in OPD patients is thoroughly examined. This comprehensive analysis aims to benefit molecular pathologists, pulmonologists, clinicians, and physicians by enhancing understanding of IHE's clinical benefits, from research to patient care, and improving clinical outcomes for OPD patients.

Cylindrical loads are commonly encountered in microwave heating and often suffer from uneven thermal distribution. Within certain radius and dielectric parameter ranges, cylindrical loads may exhibit central thermal focusing. This paper proposes a novel microwave heating method employing a slotted metal tube (SMT) to encase the cylindrical materials. The SMT alters the electric field distribution and enhances the coupling of microwave energy, thereby improving the heating uniformity and efficiency. We first developed a simulation model for microwave heating, analyzing how permittivity and dimensions affect the thermal focus of cylindrical materials. By optimizing the slot dimensions and positions, we overcome the thermal focusing phenomenon. Then, we conducted microwave heating experiments with mashed potatoes, showing that the use of SMT improved the temperature uniformity by 38 % and increased the microwave energy conversion efficiency by 48 %. Furthermore, we applied SMT to a more challenging scenario, involving the heating of cylindrical canned foods with metal lids, using a dual-source heating setup. The experimental results indicated that SMT remained effective in enhancing heating uniformity and efficiency. This method contributes to the development of microwave energy industrial applications, providing innovative solutions for cylindrical load heating.

Introduction The role of SMU1 in DNA replication and RNA splicing is well-established, yet its specific function and dysregulated mechanisms in gastric cancer (GC) remain inadequately elucidated. This study seeks to investigate the potential oncogenic and progression-promoting effects of SMU1 in GC, with the ultimate goal of informing novel approaches for treatment and diagnosis. Methods The study investigated the expression levels of SMU1 in GC and adjacent normal tissues by analyzing data from the TCGA (27 tissue pairs) and GEO (47 tissue pairs) databases. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine 277 tumor tissue and adjacent non-tumor tissue spots from GC tissue chips, along with relevant follow-up information. The study further assessed the proliferation, invasion, and migration capabilities of cells by manipulating SMU1 expression levels and conducting various assays, including CCK-8, EdU incorporation, colony formation, transwells, flow cytometry, and subcutaneous tumorigenesis assays. Results Our study revealed a significant upregulation of SMU1 mRNA and protein levels in GC tissues compared to adjacent tissues. Univariate and multivariate Cox analysis demonstrated that elevated levels of SMU1 were independent prognostic factors for GC prognosis ( P = 0.036). Additionally, median survival analysis indicated a significant association between high SMU1 expression and poor prognosis in GC patients ( P = 0.0002). In experiments conducted both in vivo and in vitro, it was determined that elevated levels of SMU1 can enhance the proliferation, invasion, and migration of GC cells, whereas suppression of SMU1 can impede the progression of GC by modulating the G1/S checkpoint of the cell cycle. Conclusions Our research introduces the novel idea that SMU1 could serve as a prognostic marker for GC progression, influencing cell proliferation through cell cycle activation. These results offer valuable insights into the understanding, diagnosis, and management of gastric carcinoma.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease that affects elderly individuals, characterized by senile plaques formed by extracellular amyloid beta (Aβ). Autophagy dysfunction is a manifestation of protein homeostasis imbalance in patients with AD, but its relationship with Aβ remains unclear. Here, we showed that in Aβ transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans, Aβ activated the TOR pathway and reduced the nuclear entry of HLH-30, leading to autophagy dysfunction characterized by autophagosome accumulation. Then, utilizing RNA-seq, we investigated the regulatory mechanisms by which HLH-30 modulates autophagy in C. elegans. We found that HLH-30 elevated the transcript levels of v-ATPase and cathepsin, thus enhancing lysosomal activity. This led to an increase in autophagic flux, facilitating more pronounced degradation of Aβ. Moreover, HLH-30 reduced the level of ROS induction by Aβ and enhanced the antioxidant stress capacity of the worms through the gsto-1 gene. Additionally, we identified two HLH-30/TFEB activators, saikosaponin B2 and hypericin, that improved autophagic flux, thereby enhancing protein homeostasis in C. elegans. Overall, our findings suggested that HLH-30/TFEB plays a key role in modulating autophagy and can be considered a promising drug target for AD treatments.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the thymus (tNENs), including typical carcinoid, atypical carcinoid, large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, and small cell carcinoma, are rare tumors with scarce clinical and pathological data available in the literature. They share many common features with neuroendocrine neoplasms in other organs, such as those in the lungs, while demonstrating some distinct clinical and pathological features. This review aims to give an updated overview of each category of tNENs, focusing primarily on the pathologic diagnosis and differential diagnosis of these tumors.

Abstract Advanced artificial nerve conduits offer a promising alternative for nerve injury repair. Current research focuses on improving the therapeutic effectiveness of nerve conduits by optimizing scaffold materials and functional components. In this study, a novel poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)‐integrated fish swim bladder (FSB) is presented as a conductive nerve conduit with ordered topology and electrical stimulation to promote nerve regeneration. PEDOT nanomaterials and adhesive peptides (IKVAV) are successfully incorporated onto the decellularized FSB substrate through pre‐coating with polydopamine. The obtained PEDOT/IKVAV‐integrated FSB substrate exhibits outstanding mechanical properties, high electrical conductivity, stability, as well as excellent biocompatibility and bioadhesive properties. In vitro studies confirm that the PEDOT/IKVAV‐integrated FSB can effectively facilitate the growth and directional extension of pheochromocytoma 12 cells and dorsal root ganglion neurites. In addition, in vivo experiments demonstrate that the proposed PEDOT/IKVAV‐integrated FSB conduit can accelerate defective nerve repair and functional restoration. The findings indicate that the FSB‐derived conductive nerve conduits with multiple regenerative inducing signals integration provide a conducive milieu for nerve regeneration, exhibiting great potential for repairing long‐segment neural defects.

ObjectiveAuditory hallucinations are the most frequently occurring psychotic symptom in schizophrenia. Continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) has been used as an adjuvant treatment for auditory hallucinations. This meta-analysis focused on randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) to assess the efficacy of adjuvant cTBS on auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia.MethodsWe performed a comprehensive search of four international databases from their inception to January 14, 2024, to identify relevant RCTs that assessed the effects of adjuvant cTBS on auditory hallucinations. The key words included “auditory hallucinations”, “continuous theta burst stimulation” and “transcranial magnetic stimulation”. Inclusion criteria included patients with auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB1) were used to evaluate the risk of bias and the Review Manager Software Version 5.4 was employed to pool the data.ResultsA total of 4 RCTs involving 151 patients with auditory hallucinations were included in the analysis. The Cochrane risk of bias of these studies presented “low risk” in all items. Preliminary analysis showed no significant advantage of adjuvant cTBS over sham stimulation in reducing hallucinations [4 RCTs, n = 151; SMD: -0.45 (95%CI: -1.01, 0.12), P = 0.13; I2 = 61%]. Subgroup analysis revealed that patients treated with adjuvant cTBS for more than 10 stimulation sessions and total number of pulses more than 6000 [3 RCTs, n = 87; SMD: -4.43 (95%CI: -8.22, -0.63), P = 0.02; I2 = 47%] had a statistically significant improvement in hallucination symptoms. Moreover, the rates of adverse events and discontinuation did not show any significant difference between the cTBS and sham group.ConclusionsAlthough preliminary analysis did not revealed a significant advantage of adjuvant cTBS over sham stimulation, subgroup analysis showed that specific parameters of cTBS appear to be effective in the treatment of auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia. Further large-scale studies are needed to determine the standard protocol of cTBS for treating auditory hallucinations.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42024534045.

Electro-synthetic fuel is proposed as an approach to achieve net-zero carbon emissions for heavy-duty internal combustion engines and meet carbon neutrality targets. This method is based on high temperature co-electrolysis using a solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) coupled with Fisher-Tropsch (FT) synthesis due to its high efficiency and carbon recycling capacity. To access the techno-economic viability of this pathway and identify the key elements impacting the cost of electro-synthetic fuels, a comprehensive techno-economic model is constructed. This model aims to offer cost cutting guidance and includes SOEC, FT, and techno-economic sub-models, with SOEC and FT validated using literature data. The cost breakdown and sensitivity analysis indicate that heating costs, electricity prices, and stack lifetime are critical factors in reducing the cost of electro-synthetic fuel. Three alternative system layouts that fully utilize thermal and chemical energy are proposed to address the significant heating expense issue. Among these, the optimal system design lowers costs by approximately 5.3 %. Furthermore, this work introduces the contradiction between high performance, high stability, and low-cost accounting for the SOEC lifetime, which is bounded by operating current density. When considering the degradation and replacement of SOEC stacks, the long-term profitability of operating SOEC at a current density of 500 mA/cm2 is superior to that of 850 mA/cm2. Despite the most effective layout being currently unprofitable, it is anticipated that in the future, carbon trade, renewable electricity and technological advancements will drive the cost of electro-synthetic fuel to become competitive with that of diesel.

Abstract Introduction The chemotherapy and immunotherapy combination is currently the primary strategy to treat metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy (NCIT) is being intensively investigated for treating locally advanced ESCC. Objective We compared the efficacy and safety of NCIT and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) to treat locally advanced ESCC. Methods We included 214 locally advanced ESCC patients who were administered neoadjuvant therapy from May 2014 to April 2022. The patients were grouped according to two neoadjuvant protocols (NCIT and NCRT) routinely used at our institution. Perioperative findings, pathological results, and survival data were compared between the two groups by conducting unmatched and 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) analyses. Results Following 1:1 PSM analysis of the confounders, 66 patients were allocated to each of the two groups. Time span between neoadjuvant therapy completion and esophagectomy was significantly longer after NCRT than that after NCIT (47.1 ± 13.2 days vs. 34.7 ± 8.8 days; p 0.05)]. The overall incidence of pneumonia, anastomotic leakage, or postoperative complications did not differ significantly between the two groups. The 2‐year cumulative overall survival rates and the 2‐year disease‐free survival rates of the NCIT and NCRT groups were 80.2% and 62.2%, respectively (p = 0.029) and 70.0% and 50.8%, respectively (p = 0.023). Conclusion In locally advanced ESCC patients, short‐term survival after NCIT is superior to that after NCRT, with similar perioperative and pathological outcomes.