Search

Abstract Testicular cancer (TCa) is a rare but impactful malignancy that primarily affects young men. Understanding the mortality rate of TCa is crucial for improving prevention and treatment strategies to reduce the risk of death among patients. We obtained TCa mortality data by place (5 countries), age (20–79 years), and year (1990–2019) from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Age-period-cohort model was used to estimate the net drift, local drift, age effects, period and cohort effects. In 2019, the global mortality of TCa increased to 10842 (95% UI 9961, 11902), with an increase of 50.08% compared to 1990.The all-age mortality rate for TCa in 2019 increased from 0.17/100,000 (95% UI 0.13, 0.20) in China to 0.48/100,000 (95% UI 0.38, 0.59) in Russian Federation, whereas the age-standardized mortality rate in 2019 was highest in the South Africa 0.47/100,000 (95% UI 0.42, 0.53) and lowest in the China 0.16/100,000 (95% UI 0.13, 0.19). China's aging population shifts mortality patterns towards the elderly, while in Russian Federation, young individuals are primarily affected by the distribution of deaths. To address divergent TCa mortality advancements in BRICS countries, we propose a contextually adaptive and resource-conscious approach to prioritize TCa prevention. Tailoring strategies to contextual diversity, including policy frameworks, human resources, and financial capacities, will enhance targeted interventions and effectiveness in reducing TCa mortality.

Abstract Objective Immune checkpoints have emerged as promising therapeutic targets for autoimmune diseases. However, the specific roles of immune checkpoints in the pathophysiology of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) remain unclear. Methods Hip ligament samples were obtained from two patient groups: those with AS and femoral head deformity, and those with femoral head necrosis but without AS, undergoing hip arthroplasty. Label-Free Quantification (LFQ) Protein Park Analysis was used to identify the protein composition of the ligaments. Peripheral blood samples of 104 AS patients from public database were used to validate the expression of key proteins. KEGG, GO, and GSVA were employed to explore potential pathways regulated by immune checkpoints in AS progression. xCell was used to calculate cell infiltration levels, LASSO regression was applied to select key cells, and the correlation between immune checkpoints and immune cells was analyzed. Drug sensitivity analysis was conducted to identify potential therapeutic drugs targeting immune checkpoints in AS. The expression of key genes was validated through immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results HLA-DMB and HLA-DPA1 were downregulated in the ligaments of AS and this has been validated through peripheral blood datasets and IHC. Significant differences in expression were observed in CD8 + Tcm, CD8 + T cells, CD8 + Tem, osteoblasts, Th1 cells, and CD8 + naive T cells in AS. The infiltration levels of CD8 + Tcm and CD8 + naive T cells were significantly positively correlated with the expression levels of HLA-DMB and HLA-DPA1. Immune cell selection using LASSO regression showed good predictive ability for AS, with AUC values of 0.98, 0.81, and 0.75 for the three prediction models, respectively. Furthermore, this study found that HLA-DMB and HLA-DPA1 are involved in Th17 cell differentiation, and both Th17 cell differentiation and the NF-kappa B signaling pathway are activated in the AS group. Drug sensitivity analysis showed that AS patients are more sensitive to drugs such as doramapimod and GSK269962A. Conclusion Immune checkpoints and immune cells could serve as avenues for exploring diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for AS.

Post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) is a globally significant threat to the swine industry. Historically, antibiotics as well as high doses of zinc oxide and copper sulfate have been commonly used to control PWD. However, the development of bacterial resistance and environmental pollution have created an interest in alternative strategies. In recent years, the research surrounding these alternative strategies and the mechanisms of piglet diarrhea has been continually updated. Mechanically, diarrhea in piglets is a result of an imbalance in intestinal fluid and electrolyte absorption and secretion. In general, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and diarrheal viruses are known to cause an imbalance in the absorption and secretion of intestinal fluids and electrolytes in piglets, resulting in diarrhea when Cl− secretion-driven fluid secretion surpasses absorptive capacity. From a perspective of feedstuffs, factors that contribute to imbalances in fluid absorption and secretion in the intestines of weaned piglets include high levels of crude protein (CP), stimulation by certain antigenic proteins, high acid-binding capacity (ABC), and contamination with deoxynivalenol (DON) in the diet. In response, efforts to reduce CP levels in diets, select feedstuffs with lower ABC values, and process feedstuffs using physical, chemical, and biological approaches are important strategies for alleviating PWD in piglets. Additionally, the diet supplementation with additives such as vitamins and natural products can also play a role in reducing the diarrhea incidence in weaned piglets. Here, we examine the mechanisms of absorption and secretion of intestinal fluids and electrolytes in piglets, summarize nutritional strategies to control PWD in piglets from the perspective of feeds, and provide new insights towards future research directions.

Objective: Ferroptosis has been recognized as being closely associated with cognitive impairment. Research has established that Alzheimer's disease (AD)-associated proteins, such as amyloid precursor protein (APP) and phosphorylated tau, are involved in brain iron metabolism. These proteins are found in high concentrations within senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) offers a non-pharmacological approach to AD treatment. This study aims to explore the potential therapeutic effects of rTMS on cognitive impairment through the modulation of the ferroptosis pathway, thereby laying both a theoretical and experimental groundwork for the application of rTMS in treating Alzheimer's disease. Methods: The study utilized senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice to model brain aging-related cognitive impairment, with senescence-accelerated-mouse resistant 1 (SAMR1) mice acting as controls. The SAMP8 mice were subjected to high-frequency rTMS at 25 Hz for durations of 14 and 28 days. Cognitive function was evaluated using behavioral tests. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) assessed alterations in cerebral activity by measuring the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) of the blood oxygen level-dependent signal. Neuronal recovery post-rTMS in the SAMP8 model was examined via HE and Nissl staining. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression of APP and Phospho-Tau (Thr231). Oxidative stress markers were quantified using biochemical assay kits. ELISA methods were utilized to measure hippocampal levels of Fe2+ and Aβ1–42. Finally, the expression of proteins related to the ferroptosis pathway was determined through western blot analysis. Results: The findings indicate that 25 Hz rTMS enhances cognitive function and augments cerebral activity in SAMP8 model mice. Treatment with rTMS in these mice resulted in diminished oxidative stress and safeguarded neurons against damage. Additionally, iron accumulation was mitigated, and the expression of ferroptosis pathway proteins Gpx4, system Xc-, and Nrf2 was elevated. Conclusions: The Tau/APP-Fe-GPX4/system Xc-/Nrf2 pathway is implicated in the remedial effects of rTMS on cognitive dysfunction, offering a theoretical and experimental basis for employing rTMS in AD treatment.

In extensive outdoor collaborative exploration tasks, multiple robots require efficient path planning methods to ensure rapid and comprehensive map construction. However, current collaborative mapping algorithms often integrate poorly with path planning, especially under limited communication conditions. Such conditions can complicate data exchange, leading to inefficiencies and missed areas in real-world environments. This paper introduces a path planning approach specifically designed for distributed collaborative mapping tasks, aimed at enhancing map completeness, mapping efficiency, and communication robustness under communication constraints. We frame the entire task as a k-Chinese Postman Problem (k-CPP) and optimize it using a genetic algorithm (GA). This method fully leverages topology maps to efficiently plan subpaths for multiple robots, ensuring thorough coverage of the mapping area without the need for prior navigation maps. Additionally, we incorporate communication constraints into our path planning to ensure stable data exchange among robots in environments with only short-range communication capabilities. Field experiment results highlight the superior performance of our method in terms of stability, efficiency, and robust inter-robot communication.

With a growing economy, the living standard of people has improved which has led to increased use of urban motor vehicles globally. Consequently, the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) has increased in the ambient air, becoming a major pollutant in urban areas. Plant leaves can absorb, adsorb and fix nitrogen oxides to some extent. Interestingly, NO2 has been recognized as a positive/negative regulator of plant growth. To comprehensively understand the effect of NO2-induced pollution on plants, Bougainvillea spectabilis seedlings were fumigated with different concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) for a short period in the current study. Further, the induced morphological, physiological, and biochemical changes were measured in the treated as well as untreated seedlings. NO2 exposure caused yellow-brown spotting on the leaf blades in B. spectabilis, which could be the symptoms of oxidative damage. Our findings also reflected the changes in antioxidant enzyme activity and peroxidation of membrane lipids. In addition, the levels of osmotic regulatory substances were also found to be altered to different degrees. In addition, the activities of nitrogen metabolism-related enzymes varied, mainly affecting amino acid metabolism. Overall, the current study would provide a theoretical and scientific basis for selecting and allocating plants in NO2-contaminated areas to manage the pollutants level.

Xanthoceras sorbifolium, belonging to the family Sapindaceae, has a beautiful tree shape, elegant leaves, large and many brightly colored flowers, and a long flowering duration. This plant is widely applied in gardens. In this study, 33 cultivars of Xanthoceras sorbifolium were selected from the perspective of ornamental properties, and their phenotypic traits, such as leaves, flowers, and branches, were measured and analyzed, and their phenotypic diversity was comprehensively evaluated using principal component analysis, in order to investigate the phenotypic diversity characteristics of Xanthoceras sorbifolium. The results showed that the genetic diversity index of the qualitative traits varied from 0.14 to 1.50, and that of quantitative traits varied from 1.76 to 2.05. The quantitative traits were more diverse than the qualitative traits. The coefficient of variation of the qualitative traits ranged from 16.90% to 57.96%, and that of quantitative traits ranged from 12.92% to 32.87%. The phenotypic traits of the tested cultivars had relatively rich variation. Furthermore, the level of the phenotypic diversity index of Xanthoceras sorbifolium was not consistent with the level of coefficient of variation, indicating large variation and uneven distribution of variation. Through principal component analysis, 17 quantitative characters were extracted into five principal components, with a cumulative contribution rate of 79.82%, representing the primary information on the quantitative characters of ornamental Xanthoceras sorbifolium cultivars. The F value of the 33 samples ranged from –2.79 to 1.93, and the comprehensive scores of seven cultivars were greater than 1, indicating that these cultivars had rich phenotypic diversity. Therefore, the screening, development, and utilization of fine germplasm resources of Xanthoceras sorbifolium should focus on these cultivars. The 33 cultivars were subsequently clustered into five categories through systematic clustering. The cluster analysis provided references for breeding ornamental Xanthoceras sorbifolium cultivars with different utilization values, such as large white flowers, small red flowers, large red flowers, large orange flowers, and double-petaled flowers.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) harms the environment and can potentially increase the number of drug-resistant bacteria. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find safe and effective alternatives to improve gut health and reduce the incidence of diarrhea in weaned piglets. This study conducted an antibacterial test of ZnO, antibacterial peptides (AMPs), and tannic acid (TA) in vitro. Thirty piglets were randomly allotted to one of the following three dietary treatments: ZnO (2000 mg/kg ZnO diet), AMPs (700 mg/kg AMPs diet), and TA (1000 mg/kg TA diet). The results showed that the minimum inhibitory concentrations of ZnO and TA against Escherichia coli and Salmonella were lower than those of AMPs, and the minimum inhibitory concentrations of ZnO, AMPs, and TA against Staphylococcus aureus were the same. Compared to ZnO, AMPs increased the digestibility of dry, organic matter and the crude fat. Additionally, TA significantly (p < 0.05) increased the digestibility of dry and organic matter. On experimental day 14, the plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) content of piglets supplemented with AMPs and TA was increased significantly (p < 0.05). On experimental day 28, alanine aminotransferase activity in the plasma of weaned piglets in the ZnO and TA groups was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in piglets in the AMPs group. The levels of plasma IL-6 and immunoglobulin M (IgM) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the ZnO and AMPs groups than in the TA group. On experimental days 14 and 28, no significant differences were observed in the antioxidant capacity among the three experimental groups. Intestinal microbial diversity analysis showed that the Chao1 and ACE indices of piglets in the AMPs group were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those in the ZnO and TA groups. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Treponema_2 was higher in the feces of piglets fed a diet supplemented with TA than in those fed diet supplemented with ZnO (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae was higher in the feces of piglets fed a diet supplemented with AMPs than in those fed diet supplemented with ZnO or TA. Overall, AMPs and TA could be added to feed as substitutes for ZnO to reduce diarrhea, improve nutrient digestibility and immunity, and increase the abundance of beneficial intestinal bacteria in weaned piglets.

Interior permanent-magnet synchronous machines (IPMSMs) have the advantages of high efficiency, high power density and outstanding flux-weakening ability, which make them widely adopted in electric vehicles (EVs). Conventional IPMSMs using rare-earth permanent magnet (PM) materials face the problems of instable price and irreversible demagnetization under extreme operating conditions. To overcome these shortcomings, a V-shape combined pole IPMSM (VCP-IPMSM) is proposed, in which NdFeB PMs at the outer ends of V-shape pole are replaced by ferrite PMs. The improvement of the magnetic-pole scheme on air-gap flux density is analyzed, and the influences of the magnetic-pole geometries on electromagnetic performance are investigated. The thermal circuit model of VCP-IPMSM is established, and the demagnetization characteristics of the machine at different temperatures are analyzed, by which the thermal and demagnetization constraints of magnetic pole are obtained. The genetic algorithm based on response surface models is applied to optimize the magnetic-pole cost and electromagnetic torque simultaneously. Accordingly, with thermal and demagnetization constraints integrated with the optimization method, an optimum scheme is obtained. In comparison with the conventional IPMSM with single-material pole, the proposed VCP-IPMSM is proved to be able to promote the air-gap flux density quality, improve the anti-demagnetization ability at high temperature, and decrease the rare-earth PM consumption with the output torque remaining unchanged.

AbstractLost circulation often occurs in fractured formations, which was a main technological problem during drilling. Conventional lost circulation material (LCM) was often used to form a plugging zone to prevent fluid loss during drilling. The formed seal was a granular material system composed of LCMs. This paper presented the physical mechanism of the force chain within the plugging zone. The seal performance is related to the properties of LCMs. A device for testing seal performance of LCMs with long fracture was developed. The effects of LCM performance on seal integrity were investigated using a plugging device with long fracture. The results showed that the wide particle size distribution (PSD) of LCMs tended to form a strong force chain network structure within the sealing zone. Increasing the stiffness and roughness of LCMs resulted in higher breaking pressure. The addition of fiber with high length-diameter ratio could improve the shear strength of the sealing zone and form a strong force chain network structure, and it can reduce fluid loss.