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Abstract Many older patients with COVID-19 likely have co-morbid osteoporosis. We investigated the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients with osteoporosis. This was a retrospective cohort study using national claims data from Korea encoded in the common data model. Patients aged ≥ 50 years diagnosed with COVID-19 infection between January 2020 and April 2022 were included and stratified into two groups according to a history of osteoporosis. Clinical outcomes of COVID-19 infection were analyzed using logistic regression analysis after large-scale propensity score stratification. Of the 597,011 patients with COVID-19 included in the study, 105,172 had a history of osteoporosis. In patients with a history of osteoporosis, the odds of mortality decreased (odds ratio [OR] 0.82, P

Abstract Background The axillary lymph-node metastatic burden is closely associated with treatment decisions and prognosis in breast cancer patients. This study aimed to explore the value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT)–based radiomics in combination with ultrasound and clinical pathological features for predicting axillary lymph-node metastatic burden in breast cancer. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted and involved 124 patients with pathologically confirmed early-stage breast cancer who had undergone 18F-FDG PET/CT examination. The ultrasound, PET/CT, and clinical pathological features of all patients were analysed, and radiomic features from PET images were extracted to establish a multi-parameter predictive model. Results The ultrasound lymph-node positivity rate and PET lymph-node positivity rate in the high nodal burden group were significantly higher than those in the low nodal burden group (χ 2 = 19.867, p

Abstract FOXA family proteins act as pioneer factors by remodeling compact chromatin structures. FOXA1 is crucial for the chromatin binding of the androgen receptor (AR) in both normal prostate epithelial cells and the luminal subtype of prostate cancer (PCa). Recent studies have highlighted the emergence of FOXA2 as an adaptive response to AR signaling inhibition treatments. However, the role of the FOXA1 to FOXA2 transition in regulating cancer lineage plasticity remains unclear. Our study demonstrates that FOXA2 binds to distinct classes of developmental enhancers in multiple AR-independent PCa subtypes, with its binding depending on LSD1. Moreover, we reveal that FOXA2 collaborates with JUN at chromatin and promotes transcriptional reprogramming of AP-1 in lineage-plastic cancer cells, thereby facilitating cell state transitions to multiple lineages. Overall, our findings underscore the pivotal role of FOXA2 as a pan-plasticity driver that rewires AP-1 to induce the differential transcriptional reprogramming necessary for cancer cell lineage plasticity.

The implementation of early and accurate detection of aircraft cargo compartment fire is of great significance to ensure flight safety. The current airborne fire detection technology mostly relies on single-parameter smoke detection using infrared light. This often results in a high false alarm rate in complex air transportation environments. The traditional deep learning model struggles to effectively address the issue of long-term dependency in multivariate fire information. This paper proposes a multi-technology collaborative fire detection method based on an improved transformers model. Dual-wavelength optical sensors, flue gas analyzers, and other equipment are used to carry out multi-technology collaborative detection methods and characterize various feature dimensions of fire to improve detection accuracy. The improved Transformer model which integrates the self-attention mechanism and position encoding mechanism is applied to the problem of long-time series modeling of fire information from a global perspective, which effectively solves the problem of gradient disappearance and gradient explosion in traditional RNN (recurrent neural network) and CNN (convolutional neural network). Two different multi-head self-attention mechanisms are used to classify and model multivariate fire information, respectively, which solves the problem of confusing time series modeling and classification modeling in dealing with multivariate classification tasks by a single attention mechanism. Finally, the output results of the two models are fused through the gate mechanism. The research results show that, compared with the traditional single-feature detection technology, the multi-technology collaborative fire detection method can better capture fire information. Compared with the traditional deep learning model, the multivariate fire prediction model constructed by the improved Transformer can better detect fires, and the accuracy rate is 0.995.

Abstract Wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) offers a non-invasive evaluation of the digestive system, eliminating the need for sedation and the risks associated with conventional endoscopic procedures. Its significance lies in diagnosing gastrointestinal tissue irregularities, especially in the small intestine. However, existing commercial WCE devices face limitations, such as the absence of autonomous lesion detection and treatment capabilities. Recent advancements in micro-electromechanical fabrication and computational methods have led to extensive research in sophisticated technology integration into commercial capsule endoscopes, intending to supersede wired endoscopes. This Review discusses the future requirements for intelligent capsule robots, providing a comparative evaluation of various methods’ merits and disadvantages, and highlighting recent developments in six technologies relevant to WCE. These include near-field wireless power transmission, magnetic field active drive, ultra-wideband/intrabody communication, hybrid localization, AI-based autonomous lesion detection, and magnetic-controlled diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, we explore the feasibility for future “capsule surgeons”.

Background: The level of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer (BC) is positively correlated with pathological complete response. Aims: To investigate the relationship between ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and the level of CD8-positive TILs (CD8+-TILs) in patients with HER2-positive BC. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: This retrospective study included 155 consecutive women with HER2-positive BC. Patients were divided into two groups: CD8+-TILlow (< 35%) and CD8+-TILhigh (≥ 35%) groups. US and MRI features were evaluated using the BI-RADS lexicon, and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value was calculated using RadiAnt software. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed the optimal US and MRI features for predicting CD8+-TIL levels. Receiver operating characteristic analysis and the Delong test were used to compare the diagnostic performance of US and MRI features. Furthermore, implementing a nomogram will increase clinical utility. Results: Univariate analysis of US features showed significant differences in shape, orientation, and posterior echo between the two groups; however, there were no significant differences in margins, internal echo, and microcalcification. Multifactorial analysis revealed that shape, orientation, and posterior echo were independent risk factors, with odds ratios of 11.62, 2.70, and 0.16, respectively. In terms of MRI features, ADC was an independent predictor of CD8+-TIL levels. These three US features and the ADC performed well, with area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.802 and 0.705, respectively. The combination of US and ADC values had higher predictive efficacy (AUC = 0.888) than either US or ADC alone (p = 0.009, US_ADC vs. US; p

Abstract Background Large bone defects pose a clinical treatment challenge; inhibiting transferrin receptor 2 (TfR2), which is involved in iron metabolism, can promote osteogenesis. Iron-based metal-organic frameworks (MOF-Fe) particles not only inhibit TfR2 but also serve as biomimetic catalysts to remove hydrogen peroxide in reactive oxygen species (ROS); excess ROS can disrupt the normal functions of osteoblasts, thereby hindering bone regeneration. This study explored the potential effects of MOF-Fe in increasing osteogenic activity and clearing ROS. Methods In vitro experiments were performed to investigate the osteogenic effects of MOF-Fe particles and assess their impact on cellular ROS levels. To further validate the role of MOF-Fe in promoting bone defect repair, we injected MOF-Fe suspensions into the femoral defects of SD rats and implanted MOF-Fe-containing hydrogel scaffolds in rabbit cranial defect models and observed their effects on bone healing. Results In vitro, the presence of MOF-Fe significantly increased the expression levels of osteogenesis-related genes and proteins compared to those in the control group. Additionally, compared to those in the untreated control group, the cells treated with MOF-Fe exhibited a significantly increased ability to remove hydrogen peroxide from ROS and generate oxygen and water within the physiological pH range. In vivo experiments further confirmed the positive effect of MOF-Fe in promoting bone defect repair. Conclusion This study supports the application of MOF-Fe as an agent for bone regeneration, particularly for mitigating ROS and activating the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway, demonstrating its potential value.

Abstract Human with bi-allelic WNT10A mutations and epithelial Wnt10a knockout mice present enlarged pulp chamber and apical displacement of the root furcation of multi-rooted teeth, known as taurodontism; thus, indicating the critical role of Wnt10a in tooth root morphogenesis. However, the endogenous mechanism by which epithelial Wnt10a regulates Hertwig’s epithelial root sheath (HERS) cellular behaviors and contributes to root furcation patterning remains unclear. In this study, we found that HERS in the presumptive root furcating region failed to elongate at an appropriate horizontal level in K14-Cre;Wnt10a fl/fl mice from post-natal day 0.5 (PN0.5) to PN4.5. EdU assays and immunofluorescent staining of cyclin D1 revealed significantly decreased proliferation activity of inner enamel epithelial (IEE) cells of HERS in K14-Cre;Wnt10a fl/fl mice at PN2.5 and PN3.5. Immunofluorescent staining of E-Cadherin and acetyl-α-Tubulin demonstrated that the IEE cells of HERS tended to divide perpendicularly to the horizontal plane, which impaired the horizontal extension of HERS in the presumptive root furcating region of K14-Cre;Wnt10a fl/fl mice. RNA-seq and immunofluorescence showed that the expressions of Jag1 and Notch2 were downregulated in IEE cells of HERS in K14-Cre;Wnt10a fl/fl mice. Furthermore, after activation of Notch signaling in K14-Cre;Wnt10a fl/fl molars by Notch2 adenovirus and kidney capsule grafts, the root furcation defect was partially rescued. Taken together, our study demonstrates that an epithelial Wnt10a-Notch signaling axis is crucial for modulating HERS cell proper proliferation and horizontal-oriented division during tooth root furcation morphogenesis.

High-starch diets may lead to growth retardation, liver damage and lipid accumulation in fish. Although mangiferin (MGF) can regulate triglyceride metabolism and protect liver health in mammals, studies on its role in fish are limited. The largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were fed four different groups of diets, including a control diet (NCD), a high-starch diet (HSD), a high-starch diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg MGF (100 MGF) and a high-starch diet supplemented with 500 mg/kg MGF (500 MGF). After 8 weeks of feeding, weight gain and specific growth rate were significantly higher in the 500 MGF group than in the HSD group. Feeding rate was significantly higher in the 100 MGF group than in the HSD group. Feed conversion ratio was significantly higher in the 100 MGF group than in the HSD group. MGF reduced HSI, ALT, AST and liver vacuolization, compared with HSD group. In addition, MGF significantly reduced plasma GLU and TG levels and increased plasma HDL levels in largemouth bass. Compared to the HSD group, MGF significantly reduced TG levels in the liver, as well as reduced hepatic lipid droplet area. MGF significantly increased the relative expressions of glycolysis-related gene (pfk1), pentose phosphate pathway-related genes (g6pd, pgd and tktb) and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation-related gene (ndufa2, sdhb, sdhaf3, sdhaf4 and cox4). MGF significantly decreased the relative expressions of gluconeogenesis-related gene (pepck and g6pc). MGF significantly decreased the transcriptional levels of key relative expressions of triglyceride metabolism (srebf1), fatty acid synthesis-related genes (acc1, fasn and scd1) and triglyceride synthesis-related genes (gpat2, agpat2, agpat3, agpat5, dgat1a and dgat2). MGF significantly increased the relative expressions of triglyceride catabolism-related genes (pnpla2 and lipeb). The results indicated that MGF reduced lipid accumulation and alleviated high starch diet-induced liver damage by regulating triglyceride metabolism in largemouth bass.

The imprudent cultivation of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica has led to degradation in the watersheds surrounding Chongli County. This study investigates the artificial forests of P. sylvestris var. mongolica in the Xiaotaojiagou watershed, Chongli County. Twenty-five subplots measuring 20 m × 20 m were established at upper, upper-middle, middle, and lower positions within the watershed. Spatial distribution patterns and fractal characteristics of P. sylvestris var. mongolica were analyzed using univariate pair correlation function g(r), marked correlation functions (marked correlation function Kmm(r), marked variation function γm(r), and Schlather’s Im(r) function), and fractal dimensions (box-counting dimension, information dimension). The findings are as follows: (1) P. sylvestris var. mongolica in the middle section of the watershed displayed the largest average diameters at breast height and tree height, while those in the lower section exhibited the largest average crown width. (2) P. sylvestris var. mongolica populations in the upstream, middle, and downstream sections of the watershed exhibited three alternating states: aggregated distribution, uniform distribution, and random distribution. However, with increasing spatial scale, the distribution gradually tended towards randomness. P. sylvestris var. mongolica in the upper-middle section of the watershed showed aggregated distribution at scales of 1.5–32.5 m, transitioning to random distribution and then to uniform distribution with increasing spatial scale. (3) Individual attributes of P. sylvestris var. mongolica (diameter at breast height, tree height, and crown width) exhibited high correlation and facilitation in the upstream and upper-middle sections at small-to-medium scales, whereas negative correlations and inhibitions were observed in the middle and lower sections. These attributes tended to be uncorrelated with increasing spatial scale. (4) Fractal dimensions indicated that the degree of aggregation of P. sylvestris var. mongolica population was lowest in the downstream section of the watershed. In conclusion, spatial distribution patterns and intraspecies relationships of P. sylvestris var. mongolica populations are influenced by spatial scale and environmental conditions, particularly in more resource-competitive downstream areas. Effective management and protection of P. sylvestris var. mongolica populations require targeted measures such as adjusting afforestation density, improving soil conditions, and implementing differentiated ecological restoration strategies to alleviate intraspecies competitive pressures and promote population health and sustainable development.

BackgroundDouzhi, a traditional Chinese fermented beverage, features microbial communities primarily composed of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). As fermented foods continue to gain recognition and popularity, douzhi is attracting growing interest. However, investigation of the critical aspects of douzhi’s fermentation processes, including fermentation characteristics and microbial community dynamics, remains vital for enhancing food safety and quality for douzhi, as well as for similar fermented food products.MethodIn this study, we collected douzhi microbial communities from four chain stores, using them as fermentation starter cultures. The microbial dynamics of the fermentation were analyzed, focusing on the inoculation of LAB strains and the transition from a mung bean-based matrix to skimmed milk. The metabolomic profiles of the fermented mung bean matrices were also studied.ResultsDouzhi samples obtained from representative chain stores were found to be overwhelmingly dominated by LAB. When inoculated along with the douzhi community, both LAB strains exhibited notable and substantial reductions in the pH value of the designated mung bean matrices compared to those inoculated indigenous microbiota. Specifically, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CGMCC 1.1856 retained its population, whereas Pediococcus pentosaceus CGMCC 1.2695 exhibited a decrease in relative abundance. Using skimmed milk as a fermentation substrate instead of the mung bean matrix resulted in significant shifts in microbial communities, particularly leading to an increase in Escherichia sp. The metagenomic analyses and functional predictions illustrated that various metabolic functions were enhanced during the fermentation process due to LAB inoculation. The liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry based metabolomic analysis revealed that the inoculation of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus in mung bean matrix did not introduce new metabolites but significantly altered the concentration and profile of existing metabolites, especially increased low molecular carbohydrates, which may enhance the nutritional potential of the fermented product.DiscussionThis study examines the microbial dynamics of douzhi microbiota fermentation, emphasizing the role of lactic acid bacteria in enhancing fermentation activity and metabolite profiles. These insights contribute to improving manufacturing processes and ensuring the safety and quality of douzhi and similar fermented foods.

This study investigates the effects of soybean lecithin (SL) on the growth, fatty acid composition, lipid metabolism, and gonadal development of rice field eels. Fourteen-month-old eels were fed either fish oil diets or varying levels of dietary soybean lecithin (0 %, 1.4 %, and 2.8 %) for 10 weeks. Dietary SL had no significant impact on growth, whereas 1.4 % SL led to a significant decrease in moisture content and an increase in crude protein content in eels. The content of both saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids increased in muscles fed the higher SL diet, with a concurrent decline in saturated fatty acids and an increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids detected in the liver. The expression levels of genes related to lipid synthesis, including accα and PPARγ, and genes related to polyunsaturated fatty acid synthesis, such as pla2g4a, fad2 and scd, were significantly increased in the liver of eels fed with 1.4 % SL diet. SL supplementation enhances lipid transport and antioxidant capacity in the liver, reduces fat deposition, and protects the liver from damage. Hepatosomatic index of fish in the SL1.4 % and SL2.8 % groups decreased. Supplementation of the diet with 1.4 % SL led to a significant decrease in the content of saturated fatty acids and an increase in the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the gonads, with a significant increase in arachidonic acid levels. The gonadosomatic index also increased with increasing dietary SL content. Rice field eels fed diets containing SL exhibited elevated serum levels of E2, delayed ovary-to-testis transition, and a preference for retaining the female state. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with SL increased the proportion of highly unsaturated fatty acids in the tissues, enhanced lipid metabolism in the liver, and improved antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, SL supplementation has been demonstrated to promote ovarian development and delay sex reversal in rice field eels.

A high carbohydrate diet (HCD) induced excessive hepatic de novo lipogenesis, which caused metabolic disorder and impaired the health of fish species. Betulinic acid (BA) has been applied to ameliorate fatty liver and anti-inflammatory in mammals. Here, we investigated the effects of dietary BA supplementation on HCD-induced hepatic de novo lipogenesis and liver health in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). The catfish were fed with three diets: NCD (18 % carbohydrate), HCD (36 % carbohydrate), HCD+BA (36 % carbohydrate with 150 mg/kg BA). After an 8-week feeding trial, we found that dietary BA decreased hepatosomatic index (HSI) and condition factor (CF) without affecting the growth of channel catfish fed HCD. Dietary BA significantly reduced the HCD-induced excessive lipid accumulation (oil red O area, TG content, and de novo lipogenesis gene expression, P < 0.05). Moreover, we found that dietary BA prevented hepatic lipid accumulation via activating phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and inhibiting sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1) (P < 0.05) in liver of channel catfish fed HCD. Besides, we also found that dietary BA significantly prevented HCD-induced liver damage, as confirmed by liver H&E staining, reduced inflammation biomarkers (ALT, AST, hydroxyproline, α-sma and tgf-1β), downregulated expression of ER stress-related genes (eif2a, bip, atf4, xbp1) (P < 0.05). Overall, the present study indicated that dietary BA inclusion attenuated hepatic de novo lipogenesis, improved liver inflammation and reduced ER stress in channel catfish fed HCD.

In this study, optimized multivitamin premix (OVP) was added to three kinds of different protein quality feeds (by decreasing dietary protein levels from 50% to 45% and replacing marine fish meal with terrestrial proteins) to investigate the effects of OVP on dietary protein quality-induced fatty liver in largemouth bass. Lysine (Lys) and methionine (Met) were supplied to ensure a consistent level of these two limiting amino acids. The results showed that decreased dietary protein quality did not affect the FBW and SGR of largemouth bass (P>0.05), but improved protein efficiency (P

With the participation of large quantities of renewable energy in power system operations, their volatility and intermittence increases the difficulties and challenges of power system economic scheduling. Considering the uncertainty of renewable energy generation, based on the distributionally robust optimization method, a two-stage economic dispatch model is proposed to minimize the total operation costs. In this paper, it is assumed that the fluctuating of renewable power generation follows the unknown probability distribution that is restricted in an ambiguity set, which is established by utilizing the first-order moment information of available historical data. Furthermore, the theory of conditional value-at-risk is introduced to transform the model into a tractable model, which we call robust counterpart formulation. Based on the stochastic dual dynamic programming method, an improved iterative algorithm is proposed to solve the robust counterpart problem. Specifically, the convergence optimum can be obtained by the improved iterative algorithm, which performs a forward pass and backward pass repeatedly in each iterative process. Finally, by comparing with other methods, the results on the modified IEEE 6-bus, 118-bus, and 300-bus system show the effectiveness and advantages of the proposed model and method.

This work provides a comprehensive review of the utilization of the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in optimizing current density distribution within the Electrical Contact Interfaces (ECIs) of Electromagnetic Railguns (EMRs). Mastery over the current density distribution at ECIs is crucial for boosting the operational efficiency and longevity of EMRs. FEA is instrumental in identifying and rectifying issues stemming from non-uniform current density distributions, which can result in severe problems like local overheating, material degradation, increased friction wear, and a decline in launch capabilities. This review delineates the pivotal factors affecting current density at ECIs, including the Velocity Skin Effect (VSE), Current Skin Effect (CSE), Proximity Effect (PE), input current, contact pressure, and contact resistance. It then explores recent advancements on the FEA-driven optimizations of material and structures, which have markedly enhanced performance of EMRs. Challenges in applying FEA—such as the complexity of modeling multi-field interactions, computational demands, and ensuring simulation reliability—are also addressed, with recent innovations offering promising solutions. This work concludes by underlining the indispensable contribution of FEA to the progressive development of EMRs, spotlighting its vital role in spearheading future innovations through the fusion of cutting-edge methodologies and interdisciplinary collaborations.

In modern cities, consumers with distributed energy resources (DERs) can trade energy by managing their consumption and supply. Blockchain is considered to provide technical support for establishing a distributed energy market, while the current mainstream blockchain technology cannot meet the requirement of efficiency and scalability under such a transaction scenario. In addition, the potential defaults of market players also hinder market implementation. Therefore, a reputation-based distributed energy trading mechanism and the corresponding blockchain consensus method considering reputation management are proposed in this paper. Firstly, a distributed reputation management mechanism is designed to systematically evaluate the user’s behavior in the market. Secondly, to address the limitations of traditional consensus methods in the distributed energy market distributed reputation control is introduced into the node model of blockchain, and a new energy blockchain consensus method named DPoR is proposed to solve the technical bottleneck under the distributed energy trading scenario. We also present a corresponding transaction mechanism to encourage market participants to maintain their reputations. Finally, the simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed transaction mechanism in this paper, and the presented blockchain consensus mechanism can meet the performance requirements under distributed energy trading scenarios in terms of high efficiency, low consumption, and openness.

Abstract Alagille Syndrome (ALGS) is a complex genetic disorder characterized by cholestasis, congenital cardiac anomalies, and butterfly vertebrae. The variable phenotypic expression of ALGS can lead to challenges in accurately diagnosing affected infants, potentially resulting in misdiagnoses or underdiagnoses. This study highlights novel JAG1 gene mutations in two cases of ALGS. The first case with a novel p.Pro325Leufs*87 variant was diagnosed at 2 months of age and exhibited a favorable prognosis and an unexpected manifestation of congenital hypothyroidism. Before the age of 2, the second patient was incorrectly diagnosed with liver structural abnormalities, necessitating extensive treatment. In addition, he exhibited delays in language acquisition that may have been a result of SNAP25 haploinsufficiency. The identification of ALGS remains challenging, highlighting the importance of early detection and genetic testing for effective patient management. The variant p.Pro325Leufs*87 is distinct from reported variants linked to congenital hypothyroidism in ALGS patients, thereby further confirming the clinical and genetic complexity of ALGS. This emphasizes the critical need for individualized and innovative approaches to diagnosis and medical interventions, uniquely intended to address the complexity of this syndrome.

Copper (Cu) is a trace element, essential for fish growth. In the current study, in addition to growth performance, we first explored the effects of Cu on collagen synthesis and myofiber growth and development in juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). A total of 1080 fish (11.16 ± 0.01 g) were randomly divided into 6 treatments (3 replicates per treatment) to receive five doses of organic Cu, which were Cu citrate (CuCit) at 0.99 (basal diet), 2.19, 4.06, 6.15, and 8.07 mg/kg, and one dose of inorganic Cu (CuSO4·5H2O at 3.15 mg/kg), for 9 weeks. The results showed appropriate Cu level (4.06 mg/kg) enhanced growth performance, improved nutritional Cu status, and downregulated Cu-transporting ATPase 1 mRNA levels in the hepatopancreas, intestine, and muscle of juvenile grass carp. Meanwhile, collagen content in fish muscle was increased after Cu intake, which was probably due to the following pathways: (1) activating CTGF/TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway to regulate collagen transcription; (2) upregulating of La ribonucleoprotein domain family 6 (LARP6) mRNA levels to regulate translation initiation; (3) increasing proline hydroxylase, lysine hydroxylase, and lysine oxidase activities to regulate posttranslational modifications. In addition, optimal Cu group increased myofiber diameters and the frequency of myofibers with diameter >50 μm, which might be associated with upregulation of cyclin B, cyclin D, cyclin E, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, myogenic determining factor (MyoD), myogenic factor 5, myogenin (MyoG), myogenic regulatory factor 4 and myosin heavy chain (MyHC) and downregulation of myostatin mRNA levels, increasing protein levels of MyoD, MyoG and MyHC in fish muscle. Finally, based on percentage weight gain (PWG), serum ceruloplasmin (Cp) activity and collagen content in fish muscle, Cu requirements were determined as 4.74, 4.37 and 4.62 mg/kg diet (CuCit as Cu source) of juvenile grass carp, respectively. Based on PWG and Cp activity, compared to CuSO4·5H2O, the efficacy of CuCit were 131.80% and 115.38%, respectively. Our findings provide new insights into Cu supplementation to promote muscle growth in fish, and help improve the overall productivity of aquaculture.

The key odorants contributing to the warmed-over flavor (WOF) of reheated precooked stewed beef were characterized using a sensomics approach. Overall, 36 odorants were identified, and based on flavor dilution factors, odor activity values, aroma recombination, and omission test, 11 compounds mainly derived from lipid oxidation were characterized as the key odorants contributing to the formation of WOF. In particular, 3-(methylthio)propanal, which was positively correlated with meaty aroma, was implicated in an overall increase in WOF. Thus, these odorants were elected as potential markers of WOF in the reheated precooked stewed beef. In summary, the WOF of the precooked stewed beef could be attributed to an overall increase in lipid oxidation products and a decrease in the odorants with desirable aromas. The characterization of WOF in precooked stewed beef will aid in the flavor quality control of precooked stewed beef dishes.

BackgroundEvaluating the correlation between serum potassium and Parkinson’s disease (PD) in US adults.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 20,495 adults aged 40 years or older using NHANES data from 2005 to 2020. The study utilized one-way logistic regression and multifactorial logistic regression to examine the correlation between serum potassium levels and PD. Additionally, a smoothed curve fitting approach was employed to assess the concentration-response relationship between serum potassium and PD. Stratified analyses were carried out to investigate potential interactions between serum potassium levels and PD with variables such as age, sex, race, marital status, education, BMI, smoking and medical conditions like coronary, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia.ResultsIn this study, a total of 20,495 participants, comprising 403 PD and 20,092 non-PD individuals, were included. After adjusted for covariates, multivariable logistic regression revealed that high serum potassium level was an independent risk factor for PD (OR:1.86, 95% CI:1.45 ~ 2.39, p 0.05).ConclusionSerum potassium levels are elevated in patients with Parkinson's disease compared to non-PD patients. Additional prospective studies are required to explore the significance of serum potassium levels in individuals with Parkinson's disease.

IntroductionThe starter used in solid-state fermentation (SSF) vinegar, known as seed Pei is a microbial inoculant from the previous batch that is utilized during the acetic acid fermentation stage. The seed Pei, which has a notable impact on vinegar fermentation and flavor, is under-researched with comparative studies on microorganisms.MethodsHerein metagenomics was employed to reveal the microbes and their potential metabolic functions of four seed Pei from three regions in China.ResultsThe predominant microbial taxa in all four starters were bacteria, followed by viruses, eukaryotes, and archaea, with Lactobacillus sp. or Acetobacter sp. as main functional taxa. The seed Pei used in Shanxi aged vinegar (SAV) and Sichuan bran vinegar (SBV) exhibited a higher similarity in microbial composition and distribution of functional genes, while those used in two Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar (ZAV) differed significantly. Redundancy analysis (RDA) of physicochemical factors and microbial communities indicated that moisture content, pH, and reducing sugar content are significant factors influencing microbial distribution. Moreover, seven metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) that could potentially represent novel species were identified.ConclusionsThere are distinctions in the microbiome and functional genes among different seed Pei. The vinegar starters were rich in genes related to carbohydrate metabolism. This research provides a new perspective on formulating vinegar fermentation starters and developing commercial fermentation agents for vinegar production.

Accurate estimation of crop yield at the field scale plays a pivotal role in optimizing agricultural production and food security. Conventional studies have mainly focused on employing data-driven models for crop yield estimation at the regional scale, while large challenges may occur when attempting to apply these methods at the field scale. This is primarily due to the inherent complexity of obtaining reliable ground labels of yield for field validation, and the geographical independence and correlation that exists between fields. To effectively solve this problem, this study couples geographical, crop physiological knowledge and deep learning networks, and builds a graph-based deep learning framework by integrating high-medium spatial resolution active and passive remote sensing data (Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3) and uses it to estimate field scale winter wheat yield. Firstly, a deep learning framework based on graph theory was constructed to achieve accurate estimation of field scale time series winter wheat growth parameter (Leaf Area Index, LAI), and then the growth mechanism of winter wheat and the specific factors affecting wheat yield formation were further considered, so as to improve the yield estimation accuracy of the traditional data-driven yield estimation model. Finally, the yield estimates of the proposed method were compared and analyzed for farmlands under different categories of agricultural disasters. The results showed that the graph-based two-branch network architecture (the Seq_Gra_Gd model) with the optimal meteorological data input strategy (meteorological data of the previous 15 d) had the optimal LAI estimation accuracy, and except for the jointing stage of winter wheat, the Seq_Gra_Gd model had a high and stable LAI estimation accuracy at the other main growth stages. The Seq_Gra_Gd model achieved good accuracy in estimating winter wheat yield (R2 = 0.73, RMSE = 590.43 kg·ha−1), and the introduction of the graph convolution module enabled the model to take into account the spatial distribution characteristics of stripe rust and lodging disasters well, which improved the yield estimation accuracy of affected winter wheat.

The intricate interplay between the gut microbiota and bone health has become increasingly recognized as a fundamental determinant of skeletal well-being. Microbiota-derived metabolites play a crucial role in dynamic interaction, specifically in bone homeostasis. In this sense, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including acetate, propionate, and butyrate, indirectly promote bone formation by regulating insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) has been found to increase the expression of osteoblast genes, such as Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2), thus enhancing osteogenic differentiation and bone quality through BMP/SMADs and Wnt signaling pathways. Remarkably, in the context of bone infections, the role of microbiota metabolites in immune modulation and host defense mechanisms potentially affects susceptibility to infections such as osteomyelitis. Furthermore, ongoing research elucidates the precise mechanisms through which microbiota-derived metabolites influence bone cells, such as osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Understanding the multifaceted influence of microbiota metabolites on bone, from regulating homeostasis to modulating susceptibility to infections, has the potential to revolutionize our approach to bone health and disease management. This review offers a comprehensive exploration of this evolving field, providing a holistic perspective on the impact of microbiota metabolites on bone health and diseases.

First-principles calculations were used to determine the formation energy, work of adhesion, and electronic structure of the interface of Ag-doped (Cu, Sn, and Ti)/WC, revealing the effect of doping atoms on the interfacial bonding behavior. Additionally, an active filler metal Ag–Cu–Sn–Ti was developed from the calculation results and applied to braze YG18 cemented carbide/40Cr steel joint. The interfacial structure and elemental diffusion behavior at the filler metal/WC interface were characterized. The doping of Cu and Ti at the interface contributes significantly to the stability of the interfacial structure and the improvement of the work of adhesion. The effect of doping of Sn atoms at different positions on interfacial stability and the work of adhesion is not obvious, and it can be doped into Ag alloys as a melting point depressant. The charge accumulation zone and atomic orbital hybridizations at the interface contributes to enhance the interface stability and the work of adhesion. The TEM analysis demonstrates that the diffusion behavior of Ti is particularly noticeable, aggregating at the Ag/WC interface and interacting with C to generate a TiC reaction layer, ultimately producing a WC/TiC/Ag interface structure.

Interstitial fluid plays a vital role in drug delivery and tumour treatment. However, few non-invasive measurement methods are available for measuring low-velocity biological fluid flow. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a novel technology called interstitial flow velocity-MRI. The interstitial flow velocity-MRI sequence consists of a dual inversion recovery preparation and an improved stimulated echo sequence (ISTE) combined with phase-contrast MRI. A homemade flow phantom was used to assess the feasibility and sensitivity of interstitial flow velocity-MRI. In addition, xenografts of female BALB/c mouse models of 4T1 breast cancer administered losartan (40 mg/kg) or saline (n = 6) were subjected to imaging on a 7.0 T scanner to assess the in vivo interstitial fluid flow velocity. The results showed a significant correlation (P

This study aimed to analyze the quality differences of sauced beef with aged brine and quantitative marinating methods by evaluating sensory characteristics, color, shear force, texture, moisture distribution, taste nucleotides, and free amino acids. Results showed that quantitative marinated beef received a higher score in sensory evaluation than aged brine marinated beef. Additionally, quantitative marinated beef had better color, lower shear force and hardness compared to aged brine marinated beef (P

Abstract Purpose The accurate assessment of axillary lymph node metastasis (LNM) in early-stage breast cancer (BC) is of great importance. This study aimed to construct an integrated model based on clinicopathology, ultrasound, PET/CT, and PET radiomics for predicting axillary LNM in early stage of BC. Materials and methods 124 BC patients who underwent 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18 F-FDG) PET/CT and whose diagnosis were confirmed by surgical pathology were retrospectively analyzed and included in this study. Ultrasound, PET and clinicopathological features of all patients were analyzed, and PET radiomics features were extracted to establish an ultrasound model (clinicopathology and ultrasound; model 1), a PET model (clinicopathology, ultrasound, and PET; model 2), and a comprehensive model (clinicopathology, ultrasound, PET, and radiomics; model 3), and the diagnostic efficacy of each model was evaluated and compared. Results The T stage, US_BIRADS, US_LNM, and PET_LNM in the positive axillary LNM group was significantly higher than that of in the negative LNM group (P = 0.013, P = 0.049, P

Abstract Transparent and FAIR disclosure of meta-information about healthcare data and infrastructure is essential but has not been well publicized. In this paper, we provide a transparent disclosure of the process of standardizing a common data model and developing a national data infrastructure using national claims data. We established an Observational Medical Outcome Partnership (OMOP) common data model database for national claims data of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service of South Korea. To introduce a data openness policy, we built a distributed data analysis environment and released metadata based on the FAIR principle. A total of 10,098,730,241 claims and 56,579,726 patients’ data were converted as OMOP common data model. We also built an analytics environment for distributed research and made the metadata publicly available. Disclosure of this infrastructure to researchers will help to eliminate information inequality and contribute to the generation of high-quality medical evidence.

Abstract A heavy-ion collision facility called the cooler storage ring (CSR) external-target experiment (CEE) is scheduled in Lanzhou, China. The time measurement of the charged particles at the forward angle will be conducted by the external time-of-flight (eTOF) subsystem, which is built with multigap resistive plate chambers (MRPC). This work describes the tasks, performance criteria, detector layout, and prototype test results while outlining the technical design and development status of the CEE-eTOF wall. The effectiveness of the wall design has been validated using a FairRoot-based simulation, which is an essential part of the verification. With a $$3.2 \times 1.6~\textrm{m}^2$$ 3.2 × 1.6 m 2 coverage, a 60 ps overall time resolution, and a 2.6 m distance from the collision point, the eTOF wall enables the particle identification, system triggering, and event selection in cooperation with other related detectors. A novel structure called sealed MRPC will be applied to the subsystem. The design considerations of this type, prototype test, and results are also described in this paper.

Gastric acid-related disorders are commonly encountered in clinical practice. Acetylcholine, gastrin, and histamine are physiological agonists that stimulate acid secretion from parietal cells. Histamine plays a decisive role in the transformation of parietal cells into acid-secreting forms. The H+, K+- ATPase proton pump, which represents the final step of acid secretion, translocates from cytoplasmic tubulovesicles to secretory canaliculi upon parietal cell stimulation and facilitates exchange of intracellular H+ with extracellular K+ in a 1:1 ratio. Histamine-2 receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely used in clinical practice, and potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs) have gained attention in recent times. P-CABs address the unmet needs of patients who receive conventional PPIs and have broadened the spectrum of drug choices; however, further research is warranted to confirm long-term safety of these drugs. Comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of actions, characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, and the adverse effect profile is essential for appropriate prescription of gastric acid-suppressive drugs. In this review, we provide a developing history and outline the pharmacological mechanisms underlying various gastric acid-suppressive drugs used in clinical settings.

The taste and flavor of fermented vinegars are closely related to the fermentation microorganisms. In order to investigate the vertical distribution of bacterial community in the acetic acid fermentation stage of Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar, and to investigate the enrichment effect of different media on the culturable bacteria from Cupei. In this study, the bacterial diversity of Cupei and enriched culture samples were determined by high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that the number of OTUs in the surface, middle and bottom Cupei samples were 66, 76 and 111, respectively. The dominant bacterium in the surface layer was Acetobacter, while the dominant bacterium in the middle and bottom layers was Lactobacillus. The richness and diversity of bacterial flora became more abundant and diverse with the depth of fermentation. Meanwhile, high-throughput sequencing after enrichment showed that the oligotrophic medium enriched higher bacterial diversity than the nutrient-rich medium. This study revealed that there were differences in bacterial diversity in different depths of Cupei. And it also proposed an oligotrophic medium for bacterial isolation to make isolation of fermentation microorganisms from Cupei more efficient.

Starch is a common source of carbohydrates in aqua feed. High-starch diet can cause hepatic injury and lipid accumulation in fish. Mangiferin (MGF) can regulate lipid metabolism and protect the liver, but there is limited research on its effects in fish. In the present study, we investigated whether MGF could ameliorate high-starch-induced hepatic damage and lipid accumulation in channel catfish. The channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were fed one of four experimental diets for eight weeks: a control diet (NCD), a high-starch diet (HCD), an HCD supplemented with 100 mg/kg MGF (100 MGF), and an HCD supplemented with 500 mg/kg MGF (500 MGF). The results demonstrated that the weight gain rate (WGR) (p = 0.031), specific growth rate (SGR) (p = 0.039), and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) (p = 0.040) of the 500 MGF group were significantly higher than those of the NCD group. MGF supplementation alleviated liver damage and improved antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) compared to those of the HCD group (p = 0.000). In addition, dietary MGF significantly reduced plasma glucose (GLU) (p = 0.000), triglyceride (TG) (p= 0.001), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) (p = 0.000) levels. It is noteworthy that MGF significantly reduced the plasma total cholesterol (TC) levels (p = 0.000) and liver TC levels (p = 0.005) of channel catfish. Dietary MGF improves cholesterol homeostasis by decreasing the expression of genes that are involved in cholesterol synthesis and transport (hmgcr, sqle, srebf2, sp1, and ldlr) and increasing the expression of genes that are involved in cholesterol catabolism (cyp7a1). Among them, the largest fold decrease in squalene epoxidase (sqle) expression levels was observed in the 100 MGF or 500 MGF groups compared with the HCD group, with a significant decrease of 3.64-fold or 2.20-fold (p = 0.008). And the 100 MGF or 500 MGF group had significantly decreased (by 1.67-fold or 1.94-fold) Sqle protein levels compared to those of the HCD group (p = 0.000). In primary channel catfish hepatocytes, MGF significantly down-regulated the expression of sqle (p = 0.030) and reduced cholesterol levels (p = 0.000). In NCTC 1469 cells, MGF significantly down-regulated the expression of sqle (p = 0.000) and reduced cholesterol levels (p = 0.024). In conclusion, MGF effectively inhibits sqle expression and reduces cholesterol accumulation. The current study shows how MGF supplementation regulates the metabolism and accumulation of cholesterol in channel catfish, providing a theoretical basis for the use of MGF as a dietary supplement in aquaculture.

The trial was conducted to investigate the effects of the replacement of dietary fishmeal (FM) by the blend of Tenebrio molitor meal (TMM), Chlorella meal (CM), Clostridium autoethanogenum protein (CAP), cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC) on growth, protein utilization and intestinal health of gibel carp (Carassius gibelio, CAS Ⅴ). The FM-based diet was used as the control, and the blended proteins (TMM: CM: CAP: CPC) at ratios of 1 : 1:8 : 2 (BLEND A), 1 : 1:6 : 4 (BLEND B), and 1 : 1:4 : 6 (BLEND C) were used to replace FM at three levels (33%, 67%, 100%), respectively. The results showed that, compared to the control group, growth performance increased significantly when dietary FM was fully replaced by BLEND B (P

Purpose: To investigate perioperative risk factors that affect the recovery of postoperative gastrointestinal function in patients undergoing gynecological surgery and to establish a preoperative risk prediction scoring system. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, characteristics and perioperative factors of patients who underwent elective gynecological surgery at Union Hospital from January 2021 to March 2022 were extracted from electronic medical records. Patients were grouped according to the Intake, Feeling nauseated, Emesis, physical Exam, and Duration of symptoms (I-FEED) scoring system to compare collected data. Results: In total, clinical data from 208 gynecological patients were extracted. The incidence of poor postoperative gastrointestinal recovery was 7.21 %. The number of previous abdominal surgeries (0.73 ± 0.06 vs 1.20 ± 0.24, p = 0.044), the incidence of malignant disease (20.2 % vs 53.3 %, p = 0.003), postoperative maximum WBC count (9.15 vs 12.44, p = 0.005) and postoperative minimum potassium (3.97 ± 0.36 vs 3.76 ± 0.37, p = 0.036) were not only associated with poor postoperative gastrointestinal recovery, but also malignant disease (p = 0.000), postoperative maximum WBC count (p = 0.027) and postoperative minimum potassium (p = 0.024) were significantly associated with the severity of postoperative gastrointestinal function. An increased number of previous abdominal surgeries and malignant primary disease could increase the risk of an I-FEED score >2 as independent risk factors. Conclusion: Patients with poor postoperative GI function had poorer postoperative recovery outcomes. A preoperative score prediction system was established, in which patients with ≥2 points had a 19.4 % risk of poor postoperative gastrointestinal recovery. Higher-quality prospective studies should be performed to achieve more precise risk stratification and to construct a more accurate prediction system.

The present study aimed to shed light on the effects of altitudes and three cooking methods (boiling, steaming, and roasting) on the physicochemical quality, volatile profile, and sensorial characteristics of yak meat. Composite meat samples were prepared to represent each cooking method and altitude level from the longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) muscle of nine yaks. The techniques employed were gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and electronic nose (E-nose) along with chemometrics analysis to study the changes occurring in yak volatile profile, and TBARS measurement in lipid oxidation during cooking. Among the cooking methods, boiling and steaming exhibited higher protein and fat content while lower volatile compound contents. Additionally, roasted yak meat received the highest sensory scores, along with decreased L*-values, while elevated a*- and b*-values, and tenderness. A total of 138 volatile compounds were detected, and among them, 36 odorants were identified as odor-active compounds in cooked yak meat. It is evidenced that low-altitude yak presented more complex and richer flavor profiles than high-altitude ones. Moreover, yak meat from low- and high-altitude was classified into two groups by an electronic nose (E-nose) owing to distinct flavor characteristics. Overall, roasted yak meat originating from low altitudes tends to be more popular from a sensory perspective.

Glutamate (Glu) plays important physiological roles in protein synthesis and muscle flesh quality. Despite existing studies on the effects of Glu on fish muscle quality, the underlying mechanism thereof remains unclear. To illustrate the effects of Glu on the flesh quality of triploid crucian carp, fish were fed a diet with added 3.2% Glu (no additional Glu was used as a control). Results showed that dietary Glu promoted the expression levels of genes related to the growth of muscle fibers, thereby promoting the development of the sarcolemma and regulating the hardness and springiness of muscle. Moreover, dietary Glu improved muscle protein deposition via AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway activation. Besides, aspartate, Glu, and inosine monophosphate (IMP) levels in muscle were markedly enhanced by dietary Glu supplementation. In summary, Glu improves flesh quality and growth of triploid crucian carp by regulating protein synthesis, protein retention and flavor compound deposition.

BackgroundIncreasing ownership of smartphones among Americans provides an opportunity to use these technologies to manage medical conditions. We examine the influence of baseline smartwatch ownership on changes in self-reported anxiety, patient engagement, and health-related quality of life when prescribed smartwatch for AF detection.MethodWe performed a post-hoc secondary analysis of the Pulsewatch study (NCT03761394), a clinical trial in which 120 participants were randomized to receive a smartwatch-smartphone app dyad and ECG patch monitor compared to an ECG patch monitor alone to establish the accuracy of the smartwatch-smartphone app dyad for detection of AF. At baseline, 14 days, and 44 days, participants completed the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 survey, the Health Survey SF-12, and the Consumer Health Activation Index. Mixed-effects linear regression models using repeated measures with anxiety, patient activation, physical and mental health status as outcomes were used to examine their association with smartwatch ownership at baseline.ResultsNinety-six participants, primarily White with high income and tertiary education, were randomized to receive a study smartwatch-smartphone dyad. Twenty-four (25%) participants previously owned a smartwatch. Compared to those who did not previously own a smartwatch, smartwatch owners reported significant greater increase in their self-reported physical health (β = 5.07, P

Sepsis-induced cardiac injury is associated with oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an essential omega-3 fatty acid, protects the injured myocardium by modulating mitochondrial dysfunction. We aimed to confirm whether the cardioprotective effect of DHA is mediated via the alleviation of mitochondrial fragmentation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cardiomyopathy in vitro. We found that DHA improved cell viability and alleviated cardiac cell apoptosis by reducing lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, expression levels of Cleaved caspase-3, and Caspase 3 activity. DHA attenuated oxidative stress as evidenced by decreased ROS production and increased superoxide dismutase activity. In addition, DHA ameliorated mitochondrial dysfunction by modulating mitochondrial respiratory chain injury and mitochondrial fragmentation, especially decreasing the mitochondrial fission-related protein p-Drp1(ser 616) but no effects on Drp1, p-Drp1(ser 637), and mitochondrial fusion-related protein. Our data suggest that DHA conferred cardioprotection by alleviating oxidative stress-induced apoptosis, which may be associated with alleviation of stress-induced mitochondrial fragmentation.

Previous nutritional studies have shown that intermediate metabolism in early fish development is highly plastic, and thus we hypothesized that there may be an early programming effect of a hyperglucidic diet on carbohydrate utilization in gibel carp. To test our hypothesis, gibel carp CAS Ⅴ (mean body weight: 0.10 g) were fed a high-carbohydrate/low protein (HC/LP) or low carbohydrate/high protein (LC/HP) diet for three weeks, and then were fed with normal feed for 12 weeks and a hyperglucidic diet for one week. We found that early HC/LP stimulus inhibited growth performance but altered the expression of glucose metabolism genes. After long-term feeding on the normal diet, the effects of early HC/LP stimulus were eliminated; these involved plasma metabolites, hepatic cholesterol, glycogen and triglyceride content, and glucose and lipid metabolism. However, the early HC stimulus group showed a better ability to maintain plasma glucose hemostasis when again given the HC diet. The capacity of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in juvenile gibel carp was improved in the early HC diet group, as indicated by upregulated expression of genes related to glycolysis, lipid transport (gk, akt, srebp1, acc, fas, hsl, and acly) and downregulated expression of genes involved in gluconeogenesis (fbpase). Moreover, the early HC diet significantly upregulated AKT protein expression levels. The DNA methylation levels of akt in the HC/LP group were significantly lower than those in the LC/HP group. Overall, the study suggests that early HC stimulus in juvenile gibel carp can result in better carbohydrate utilization through DNA methylation of critical elements in the insulin signaling pathway.

10-week dietary arachidonic acid (ARA) feeding trials were conducted in 14-month-old swamp eel (Monopterus albus) to evaluate the effects on growth performance, gonadal development, tissue fatty acid profile, and gene expression related to lipid metabolism. The results showed that swamp eels fed diets supplemented with 1.4% or 2.8% ARA had a significantly higher weight gain rate (WGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) than those fed the control diet. Dietary supplementation with ARA improved oocyte development and maturation. Higher gonadosomatic index (GSI) was detected in 1.4% and 2.8% ARA groups. ARA supplementation delayed sexual reversal in females. The ARA content in the muscle, liver and gonads increased with increasing dietary ARA concentration; however, ARA supplementation significantly reduced the transcriptional expression of lipid metabolism-related genes in the gonads, such as fad2, pla2g4a, and elovl5. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in the ARA 1.4% group were significantly lower than those in the control and ARA 2.8% groups. Total cholesterol (T-CHO) and triglyceride (TG) levels were significantly lower in the 1.4% and 2.8% ARA groups than in the control group. Catalase (CAT) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased with dietary ARA concentrations. This study found that dietary ARA is important for improving growth, Ovarian development, and antioxidant capacity in swamp eels.

Purpose Nail bed atrophy, a common condition for which conservative treatments have limited efficacy, continues to present challenges in determining the optimal surgical intervention. This study introduces a novel technique for nail bed expansion. Materials and Methods A total of 34 patients with nail bed atrophy, selected between 2015 and 2020 (ChiCTR2000036232), were randomized into a control group (n = 17) and a surgical group (n = 17). While no specialized treatment was administered to the control group, the surgical group underwent continuous W-shaped incisions on the ventral side of the digits. Results Following a 12-month follow-up period, changes in nail bed height, width, area, esthetic satisfaction, pain levels, and tactile sensation were assessed in both groups. In the surgical group, the height, width, and area of the nail bed increased significantly by 1.50 ± 0.49 times, 1.16 ± 0.23 times, and 1.69 ± 0.60 times, respectively, compared to the preoperative measurements. The newly-formed nail plate exhibited improved esthetics, characterized by its smoothness and transparency, a marked improvement over the control group (p

Abstract Background Self-directed learning (SDL) is one of the most important abilities for medical students in terms of their future clinical medical practice. During the blended teaching process, teachers can design a variety of learning activities to cultivate students’ SDL abilities. This study aimed to assess the differences between the SDL abilities of medical students using blended and traditional didactic teaching. Methods This study included 239 medical students from eight administrative classes. The students were divided into two groups: (1) the experimental group (EG), which included 119 students from four administrative classes, and (2) the control group (CG), which included 120 students from the remaining four classes. From February to July 2022, blended teaching methods were applied to the EG group, and SDL abilities were assessed in comparison to the CG group receiving traditional didactic teaching methods. Results At the end of the semester, significant differences (p

Abstract Using the CRITIC method, comprehensive index evaluation method, VAR model, coupling coordination model and other methods, this paper evaluates the comprehensive development of the population economy and eco-geological environment composite system in the twin-city economic circle of Chengdu–Chongqing region from 2000 to 2020, verifies the dynamic coupling relationship between subsystems and measures the coupling coordination degree of complex system. Meanwhile, the differences in the development process of each subsystem are discussed and the spatial–temporal evolution characteristics and laws of coupling coordination of the composite system during the research period are analyzed. The results reveal the following: (1) There is a long-term coordinated relationship between population, economy and eco-geological environment in Chengdu–Chongqing region, which have the conditions for emergence and generation. (2) The subsystems of population, economy and eco-geological environment in Chengdu–Chongqing region show an overall upward trend, among which the Sichuan part obviously outperforms the Chongqing part. Besides, the growth rate of the economy subsystem is significantly higher than that of the population, eco-geological environment subsystem. (3) The coupling coordinated development of the composite system has shown a benign upward development trend, gradually changing from “composite spiral structure” to “two cores outstanding, peripheral collapse, the west superior to the east”, while the main coordination state has developed from “Basic synergy—Economic lag” in 2000 to “Basic synergy—Population lag” in 2022. In addition, Cheng-De-Mian and Yuzhong districts with the better level of economic development have shown “Advanced synergy—Ecological lag”.

Abstract Background This project aimed to research the significance of THRIL in the diagnosis of benign and malignant solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) and to investigate the role of THRIL/miR-99a in malignant SPNs. Methods The study groups consisted of 169 patients with SPN and 74 healthy subjects. The differences in THRIL levels were compared between the two groups and the healthy group. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was utilized to analyze the THRIL’s significance in detecting benign and malignant SPN. Pearson correlation and binary regression coefficients represented the association between THRIL and SPN. CCK-8 assay, Transwell assay, and flow cytometry were utilized to detect the regulatory effect of THRIL silencing. The interaction between THRIL, miR-99a, and IGF1R was confirmed by the double luciferase reporter gene. Results There were differences in THRIL expression in the healthy group, benign SPN group, and malignant SPN group. High accuracy of THRIL in the diagnosis of benign SPN and malignant SPN was observed. THRIL was associated with the development of SPN. The expression of THRIL was upregulated and miR-99a was downregulated in lung cancer cells. The double luciferase report experiment confirmed the connections between THRIL/miR-99a/IGF1R. Silencing THRIL could suppress cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and promote cell apoptosis by binding miR-99a. Conclusion The detection of THRIL in serum is useful for the assessment of malignant SPN. THRIL can regulate the expression of IGF1R through miR-99a, thereby promoting the growth of lung cancer cells and inhibiting apoptosis.

Keratopathy-associated cataract, that is, on the basis of corneal disease, and later the development of lens opacity, seriously damage visual quality. In order to avoid corneal transplantation for some patients, partial visual quality can be restored. A comprehensive and accurate evaluation of the effect of corneal opacity on visual function is of great improtance for determining cataract surgery alone. Due to the opacity of the cornea, the operation is very difficult and challenging. Therefore, it is of clinical value to develop and use new assistive technologies, including capsule staining, endoillumination, pupil dialation technology, femtosecond laser assisted technology, etc., avoiding problems such as limited visibility and decreased light flow caused by corneal opacity and facilitating cataract surgery. This article reviews progress of assistive technologies for keratopathy-associated cataract, hoping to guide clinical application.

Since the aquaculture industry is currently observing a deterioration in the flesh quality of farmed fish, the use of nutrients as additives to improve the flesh quality of farmed fish species is a viable strategy. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary D-ribose (RI) on the nutritional value, texture and flavour of gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio). Four diets were formulated containing exogenous RI at 4 gradient levels: 0 (Control), 0.15% (0.15RI), 0.30% (0.30RI) and 0.45% (0.45RI). A total of 240 fish (150 ± 0.31 g) were randomly distributed into 12 fibreglass tanks (150 L per tank). Triplicate tanks were randomly assigned to each diet. The feeding trial was carried out in an indoor recirculating aquaculture system for 60 d. After the feeding trial, the muscle and liver of gibel carp were analysed. The results showed that RI supplementation did not result in any negative impact on the growth performance and 0.30RI supplementation significantly increased the whole-body protein content compared to the control group. The contents of collagen and glycogen in muscle were enhanced by RI supplementation. The alterations in the flesh indicated that RI supplementation improved the texture of the flesh in terms of its water-holding capacity and hardness, therefore improving the taste. Dietary RI facilitated the deposition of amino acids and fatty acids in the muscle that contributed to the meaty taste and nutritional value. Furthermore, a combination of metabolomics and expression of key genes in liver and muscle revealed that 0.30RI activated the purine metabolism pathways by supplementing the substrate for nucleotide synthesis and thereby promoting the deposition of flavour substance in flesh. This study offers a new approach for providing healthy, nutritious and flavourful aquatic products.

Background: The objective of this study is to estimate the causal relationship between plasma proteins and myocardial infarction (MI) through Mendelian randomization (MR), predict potential target-mediated side effects associated with protein interventions, and ensure a comprehensive assessment of clinical safety. Methods: From 3 proteome genome-wide association studies (GWASs) involving 9775 European participants, 331 unique blood proteins were screened and chosed. The summary data related to MI were derived from a GWAS meta-analysis, incorporating approximately 61,000 cases and 577,000 controls. The assessment of associations between blood proteins and MI was conducted through MR analyses. A phenome-wide MR (Phe-MR) analysis was subsequently employed to determine the potential on-target side effects of protein interventions. Results: Causal mediators for MI were identified, encompassing cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) (odds ratio [OR] per SD increase: 1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13–1.18; p = 1.29 × 10-31), Selenoprotein S (SELENOS) (OR: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.13–1.20; p = 4.73 × 10-24), killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor 2DS2 (KIR2DS2) (OR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.90–0.96; p = 1.08 × 10-5), vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 29 (VPS29) (OR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.90–0.94; p = 8.05 × 10-13), and histo-blood group ABO system transferase (NAGAT) (OR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.03–1.07; p = 1.41 × 10-5). In the Phe-MR analysis, memory loss risk was mediated by CT-1, VPS29 exhibited favorable effects on the risk of 5 diseases, and KIR2DS2 showed no predicted detrimental side effects. Conclusions: Elevated genetic predictions of KIR2DS2 and VPS29 appear to be linked to a reduced risk of MI, whereas an increased risk is associated with CT-1, SELENOS, and NAGAT. The characterization of side effect profiles aids in the prioritization of drug targets. Notably, KIR2DS2 emerges as a potentially promising target for preventing and treating MI, devoid of predicted detrimental side effects.

Background/Objectives: There have been widespread reports of persistent symptoms in both children and adults after SARS-CoV-2 infection, giving rise to debates on whether it should be regarded as a separate clinical entity from other postviral syndromes. This study aimed to characterize the clinical presentation of post-acute symptoms and conditions in the Korean pediatric and adult populations. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed using a national, population-based database, which was encoded using the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) Common Data Model (CDM). We compared individuals diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 to those diagnosed with influenza, focusing on the risk of developing prespecified symptoms and conditions commonly associated with the post-acute sequelae of COVID-19. Results: Propensity score matching yielded 1,656 adult and 343 pediatric SARS-CoV-2 and influenza pairs. Ninety days after diagnosis, no symptoms were found to have elevated risk in either adults or children when compared with influenza controls. Conversely, at 1 day after diagnosis, adults with SARS-CoV-2 exhibited a significantly higher risk of developing abnormal liver function tests, cardiorespiratory symptoms, constipation, cough, thrombophlebitis/thromboembolism, and pneumonia. In contrast, children diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 did not show an increased risk for any symptoms during either acute or post-acute phases. Conclusions: In the acute phase after infection, SARS-CoV-2 is associated with an elevated risk of certain symptoms in adults. The risk of developing post-acute COVID-19 sequelae is not significantly different from that of having postviral symptoms in children in both the acute and post-acute phases, and in adults in the post-acute phase. These observations warrant further validation through studies, including the severity of initial illness, vaccination status, and variant types.