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This study examined the perceptions of participants regarding the use of embedded video demonstration lessons during literacy professional development sessions. The videos were captured in an urban elementary classroom and modeled two new literacy strategies. Based on survey responses from 160 kindergarten through fifth grade elementary school teachers and 117 school or district administrators and instructional specialists, the findings revealed positive participant perceptions and effective instructional use of the videos that modeled the implementation of the strategies in a relevant classroom setting. The analysis of the use of videos during the professional development (PD) sessions was found to positively affect the instructional capacity of teachers to implement the strategies in their classroom settings. The findings also suggest that school administrators more positively understood the process of using the strategies to support the standards, resulting in increased leadership capacity. Implications of using specifically created videos to enhance clarity and credibility of PD for participants are discussed.

International students make significant contributions to UK higher education and studying in the UK brings various potential benefits to international students. An in-depth exploration of the academic journey of Chinese international master's students, the largest body of overseas students in the UK, is needed to provide better insight into how to best support this cohort. In this longitudinal study, interviews with 34 participants were conducted using a photo-elicitation technique and diagrams. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was employed for data analysis. Nine superordinate themes emerged which comprise academic, social, linguistic, and psychological aspects of students' experience. These themes were brought together in a model, adapted from Malow's Hierarchy of Needs, to provide a longitudinal representation of the student experience transitioning in, through, and out of their journey abroad. This study illustrates the various needs of this cohort by sequence and importance, and highlights English proficiency and social connections as two influential factors. [Note: The issue number (1) shown in the header on the PDF is incorrect. The correct issue number is 3.]

Using qualitative case study as a method, the researchers collected data from four PhD returnees specializing in teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and inquired about their experiences of teacher identity (re)construction after their return to Chinese universities. The collected data demonstrate that these participants have encountered various challenges in complying with Chinese higher education practices; their unique insider/outsider experience and the contribution that they can make to internationalization of the university culture and pedagogy are undervalued, while they often feel unsupported to develop their research profile. This paper contributes to the current research into EFL PhDs' mobility and their teacher identity (re)construction in the context of the internationalization of Chinese universities. The challenges and issues raised here may have commonalities with those faced in other international tertiary education settings, where EFL PhD students gain their qualifications overseas and return to a career in EFL in their own country.

Feedback is an important component of online instruction. Few experiments have examined combined types of feedback (teacher feedback or student self-assessment) compared to extra practice with each on student learning. In this study, the experimental effectiveness of four methods of feedback delivery on students' acquisition of behavioral observation skills was evaluated--teacher feedback only (TT condition), student self-assessment only (SS condition), teacher-then-student self-assessment (TS condition), or student self-assessment-then-teacher (ST condition). The results, both for a random sample of individual learners as well as at an overall group level, suggest that the SS condition was superior to the TS condition. In the SS condition, not only did participants perform better but also their accuracy of self-assessment on strengths was positively correlated with their Behavioral Observation Post-Training Assignment 1 scores and total Post-Training Assignment scores. Across all conditions, participants perceived their feedback experience as positive. Further research is needed to determine whether additional training scenarios and variations in training methodology are necessary to promote students' learning.

This study employs a data-driven methodology that embeds the principle of dimensional invariance into an artificial neural network to automatically identify dominant dimensionless quantities in the penetration of rod projectiles into semi-infinite metal targets from experimental measurements. The derived mathematical expressions of dimensionless quantities are simplified by the examination of the exponent matrix and coupling relationships between feature variables. As a physics-based dimension reduction methodology, this way reduces high-dimensional parameter spaces to descriptions involving only a few physically interpretable dimensionless quantities in penetrating cases. Then the relative importance of various dimensionless feature variables on the penetration efficiencies for four impacting conditions is evaluated through feature selection engineering. The results indicate that the selected critical dimensionless feature variables by this synergistic method, without referring to the complex theoretical equations and aiding in the detailed knowledge of penetration mechanics, are in accordance with those reported in the reference. Lastly, the determined dimensionless quantities can be efficiently applied to conduct semi-empirical analysis for the specific penetrating case, and the reliability of regression functions is validated.

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a natural product that effectively inhibits tumor growth, demonstrated in many preclinical models, and phase II clinical trials for patients with glioma. However, its direct proteomic targets and anticancer molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Herein, we developed a novel bi-functional photo-affinity probe PAL/CGA and discovered mitochondrial acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase 1 (ACAT1) was one of the main target proteins of CGA by using affinity-based protein profiling (AfBPP) chemical proteomic approach. We performed in-depth studies on ACAT1/CGA interactions via multiple assays including SPR, ITC, and cryo-EM. Importantly, we demonstrated that CGA impaired cancer cell proliferation by inhibiting the phosphorylation of tetrameric ACAT1 on Y407 residue through a novel mode of action in vitro and in vivo. Our study highlights the use of AfBPP platforms in uncovering unique druggable modalities accessed by natural products. And identifying the molecular target of CGA sheds light on the future clinical application of CGA for cancer therapy.

Abstract Bladder cancer (BCa), as the most common malignant tumor of the urinary system, has received significant attention in research on the clinical application of artificial intelligence algorithms. Nevertheless, it has been observed that certain investigations use data from various medical facilities to train models for BCa, which may pose a privacy risk. Given this concern, protecting patient privacy during machine learning algorithm training is a crucial aspect that requires substantial attention. One emerging machine learning paradigm that addresses this concern is federated learning (FL). FL enables multiple entities to collaboratively build machine learning models while preserving data privacy and security. In this study, we present a multicenter BCa magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) dataset. The dataset comprises 275 three-dimensional bladder T2-weighted MRI scans collected from four medical centers, and each scan includes diagnostic pathological labels for muscle invasion and pixel-level annotations of tumor contours. Four FL methods are used to assess the baseline of the dataset for both the task of diagnosing muscle-invasive bladder cancer and automatic bladder tumor lesion segmentation.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to translate the Vicarious Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (VPTGI) into Chinese and to assess its reliability and validity in Nurses, Additionally, it explored the correlations between vicarious posttraumatic growth (VPTG), Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) and demographic variables. Methods The Brislin translation model was used to translate the VPTGI into Chinese. Validity analysis involved exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and assessments of convergent validity, discriminant validity, and content validity. Reliability analysis included split-half reliability, internal consistency reliability, and test-retest reliability. Item analysis employed the Critical Ratio Decision Value (CR) method, item-total correlation method, and reliability change method. Single-factor analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between demographic variables and VPTG, while correlation analysis explored the association between STS and VPTG. Results The Chinese version VPTGI demonstrated robust content validity (I-CVI: 0.83-1, S-CVI: 0.97), supported by EFA (KMO: 0.933) and significant Bartlett’s test (p

Abstract Solid fuel combustion exposure is a leading global health risk factor, yet evidence on its effects, especially on vulnerable children, is sparse. This large-scale, multi-center prospective study aimed to address this gap by involving 9997 schoolchildren across China between 2013 and 2015. Here we show that lung function levels exhibited a marginally significant decline among children exposed to solid fuel usage. Specifically, FVC and FEV1 decreased by 21.2 mL (95% CI: −15.7, 58.1) and 24.1 mL (−8.4, 56.6), respectively. Additionally, PEF, FEF25 and FEF75 decreased by 25.7 mL/s (−46.5, 98.0), 32.7 mL/s (−42.7, 108.2), and 35.4 mL/s (−5.9, 76.7), respectively. Persistent exposure to solid fuel usage in children led to greater lung damage. Children with allergy history were more susceptible to solid fuel exposure. Our study highlights the adverse impact of solid fuel usage on children and the need to promote clean fuel usage for this vulnerable population.

Abstract Background Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blockade is essential in treating progressive colorectal cancer (CRC). However, some patients with CRC do not respond well to immunotherapy, possibly due to the exhaustion of CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) can reduce CD8+ T cell exhaustion in vitro and induce their differentiation into long-lasting phenotypes, thus enhancing the anti-tumor effect of adoptive T cell transfer. However, whether NAC can be combined with PD-1 blockade in CRC treatment and how NAC regulates CD8+ T cell differentiation remain unclear. Hence, in this study, we aimed to investigate whether NAC has a synergistic effect with PD-1 blockers against CRC progression. Methods We constructed a mouse CRC model to study the effect of NAC on tumors. The effect of NAC on CD8 + T cell differentiation and its potential mechanism were explored using cell flow assay and other studies in vitro and ex vivo. Results We demonstrated that NAC synergized PD-1 antibodies to inhibit CRC progression in a mouse CRC model mediated by CD8+ T cells. We further found that NAC can induce TCF1+PD1+CD8+ T cell differentiation and reduce the formation of exhausted T cells in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, NAC enhanced the expression of Glut4 in CD8+ T cells, promoting the differentiation of TCF1+PD1+CD8+ T cells. Conclusions Our study provides a novel idea for immunotherapy for clinically progressive CRC and suggests that Glut4 may be a new immunometabolic molecular target for regulating CD8+ T cell differentiation. Graphical Abstract

Abstract The pathogenesis of doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy remains unclear. This study was carried out to test our hypothesis that ADAM17 aggravates cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by doxorubicin and inhibition of ADAM17 may ameliorate doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy. C57BL/6J mice were intraperitoneally injected with a cumulative dose of doxorubicin to induce cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyocyte-specific ADAM17-knockout (A17α-MHCKO) and ADAM17-overexpressing (AAV9-oeA17) mice were generated. In addition, RNA sequencing of the heart tissues in different mouse groups and in vitro experiments in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) receiving different treatment were performed. Mouse tumor models were constructed in A17fl/fl and A17α-MHCKO mice. In addition, cardiomyocyte-specific TRAF3-knockdown and TRAF3-overexpressing mice were generated. ADAM17 expression and activity were markedly upregulated in doxorubicin-treated mouse hearts and NRCMs. A17α-MHCKO mice showed less cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by doxorubicin than A17fl/fl mice, and cardiomyocyte ADAM17 deficiency did not affect the anti-tumor effect of doxorubicin. In contrast, AAV9-oeA17 mice exhibited markedly aggravated cardiomyocyte apoptosis relative to AAV9-oeNC mice after doxorubicin treatment. Mechanistically, doxorubicin enhanced the expression of transcription factor C/EBPβ, leading to increased expression and activity of ADAM17 in cardiomyocyte, which enhanced TNF-α shedding and upregulated the expression of TRAF3. Increased TRAF3 promoted TAK1 autophosphorylation, resulting in activated MAPKs pathway and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. ADAM17 acted as a positive regulator of cardiomyocyte apoptosis and cardiac remodeling and dysfunction induced by doxorubicin by upregulating TRAF3/TAK1/MAPKs signaling. Thus, targeting ADAM17/TRAF3/TAK1/MAPKs signaling holds a promising potential for treating doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

Abstract Acute coronary syndromes, such as myocardial infarction (MI), lack effective therapies beyond heart transplantation, which is often hindered by donor scarcity and postoperative complications. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) offer the possibility of myocardial regeneration by differentiating into cardiomyocytes. However, hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-cardiomyocytes) exhibit fetal-like calcium flux and energy metabolism, which inhibits their engraftment. Several strategies have been explored to improve the therapeutic efficacy of hiPSC-cardiomyocytes, such as selectively enhancing energy substrate utilization and improving the transplantation environment. In this review, we have discussed the impact of altered mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolic switching on the maturation of hiPSC-cardiomyocytes. Additionally, we have discussed the limitations inherent in current methodologies for assessing metabolism in hiPSC-cardiomyocytes, and the challenges in achieving sufficient metabolic flexibility akin to that in the healthy adult heart.

Abstract Background Modified furosemide responsiveness index (mFRI) is a novel biomarker for assessing diuretic response and AKI progression in patients with early AKI. However, the comparative predictive performance of mFRI and novel renal biomarkers for adverse renal outcomes remains unclear. In a single-center prospective study, we aimed to evaluate the discriminatory abilities of mFRI and other novel renal biomarkers in predicting AKI progression and prognosis in patients with initial mild and moderate AKI (KDIGO stage 1 to 2). Results Patients with initial mild and moderate AKI within 48 h following cardiac surgery were included in this study. The mFRI, renal biomarkers (including serum or urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin [sNGAL or uNGAL], serum cystatin C, urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glycosaminidase [uNAG], urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio) and cytokines (TNF, IL-1β, IL-2R, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10) were measured at AKI diagnosis. The mFRI was calculated for each patient, which was defined as 2-hour urine output divided by furosemide dose and body weight. Of 1013 included patients, 154 (15.2%) experienced AKI progression, with 59 (5.8%) progressing to stage 3 and 33 (3.3%) meeting the composite outcome of hospital mortality or receipt of renal replacement therapy (RRT). The mFRI showed non-inferiority or potential superiority to renal biomarkers and cytokines in predicting AKI progression (area under the curve [AUC] 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.77–0.82), progression to stage 3 (AUC 0.87, 95% CI 0.85–0.89), and composite outcome of death and receipt of RRT (AUC 0.85, 95% CI 0.82–0.87). Furthermore, the combination of a functional biomarker (mFRI) and a urinary injury biomarker (uNAG or uNGAL) resulted in a significant improvement in the prediction of adverse renal outcomes than either individual biomarker (all P

In the processing of Precise Point Positioning (PPP) data, the receiver clock is approached with nearly infinite uncertainty, rendering it difficult to fulfill the requirements of high-precision time frequency applications. Therefore, a receiver clock model is essential. In this study, we first analyze the “over-constraint” problem in the existing clock model and subsequently propose a new clock model, called the Adaptive Clock Constraint (ACC) model, which relies on a sliding window to update covariance and frequency characteristics parameters in real-time. To verify the robustness of the ACC model, three experiments were conducted, and the results show that the ACC model not only is suitable for different types of atomic clock stations but also has superior frequency stability and time transfer precision in contrast to the BIPM PPP, the IGS products and White Noise (WN) model results. Using the optical fiber results as a time reference, the STD of the time difference between the ACC model and optical fiber results is 0.13 ns and the frequency stability is 1.28 × 10−16 on average for one week, representing improvements of more than 10% and 15% compared with the BIPM PPP results.

Abstract This study aims to understand the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospitalized patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in China, who did not contract SARS-CoV-2. We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional analysis comparing the characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized PAD patients across two distinct periods: Pre-pandemic (P1, from January 2018 to December 2019) and during the pandemic (P2, from January 2020 to December 2021). During P1, 762 hospitalized patients were treated, with an average age of 72.3 years, while 478 patients were treated in P2, with an average age of 65.1 years. Notably, hospitalized patients admitted during the pandemic (P2) exhibited a significantly higher incidence of chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI, 70% vs 54%), diabetic foot infection (47% vs 29%), and infra-popliteal lesions (28% vs 22%). Furthermore, these patients demonstrated a marked deterioration in their Rutherford category and an increased mean score in the Wound, Ischemia, and foot Infection classification system (WIfI). Treatment during the pandemic emerged as a predictor of reduced procedural success and increased major adverse limb events. Factors such as the presence of diabetic foot infection, renal impairment, and deteriorating WIfI scores were identified as independent risk indicators for major adverse limb events. Our results demonstrate that intensive care was provided to severe cases of PAD even during the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the unprecedented pressures on healthcare systems, patients with severe PAD, particularly those with CLTI, continued to receive necessary in-patient care. The findings underscore the importance of timely medical interventions and extended follow-up for patients exhibiting high-risk factors.

Abstract Background Colonoscopic enteral tube placement using current methods has some shortcomings, such as the complexity of the procedure and tube dislodgement. The magnetic navigation technique (MNT) has been proven effective for nasoenteral feeding tube placement, and is associated with reduced cost and time to initiation of nutrition. This study attempted to develop a novel method for enteral tube placement using MNT. Methods The MNT device consisted of an external magnet and a 12 Fr tube with a magnet at the end. Ten swine were used, and bowel cleansing was routinely performed before colonoscopy. Intravenous anesthesia with propofol and ketamine was administered. A colonoscopic enteral tube was placed using the MNT. The position of the end of the enteral tube was determined by radiography, and angiography was performed to check for colonic perforations. Colonoscopy was used to detect intestinal mucosal damage after tube removal. Results MNT-assisted colonoscopic enteral tube placement was successfully completed in all pigs. The median operating time was 30 (26–47) min. No colon perforation was detected on colonography after enteral tube placement, and no colonic mucosal bleeding or injury was detected after the removal of the enteral tube. Conclusions MNT-assisted colonoscopic enteral tube placement is feasible and safe in swine and may represent a valuable method for microbial therapy, colonic drainage, and host-microbiota interaction research in the future.

Abstract The impact of exosome-mediated crosstalk between multiple myeloma (MM) cells and osteoclasts (OCs) on bone lesions remains to be investigated. Here, we identified NSUN2 and YBX1-mediated m5C modifications upregulated LncRNA MALAT1 expression in MM cells, which could be transported to OCs via exosomes and promote bone lesions. Methodologically, RNA-seq was carried out to detect the cargoes of exosomes. TRAP staining and WB were used to evaluate osteoclastogenesis in vitro. Micro-CT and bone histomorphometric analyses were performed to identify bone destruction in vivo. RNA pull-down, RIP, MeRIP, and luciferase reporter assays were used to test the interactions between molecules. The clinical features of MALAT1, NSUN2 and YBX1 were verified through public datasets and clinicopathological data analyses. Mechanistically, MALAT1 was the highest expressed lncRNA in U266 exosomes and could be transported to RAW264.7 cells. MALAT1 could enhance the differentiation of RAW264.7 cells into OCs by stimulating RANKL expression and its downstream AKT and MAPKs signaling pathways via a ceRNA mechanism. Additionally, MALAT1 could be modified by NSUN2, an m5C methyltransferase, which in turn stabilized MALAT1 through the “reader” YBX1. Clinical studies indicated a notable positive correlation between MALAT1, NSUN2, YBX1 levels and bone destruction features, as well as with RANKL expression.

Abstract Foveal and peripheral vision are two distinct modes of visual processing essential for navigating the world. However, it remains unclear if they engage different neural mechanisms and circuits within the visual attentional system. Here, we trained macaques to perform a free-gaze visual search task using natural face and object stimuli and recorded a large number of 14588 visually responsive units from a broadly distributed network of brain regions involved in visual attentional processing. Foveal and peripheral units had substantially different proportions across brain regions and exhibited systematic differences in encoding visual information and visual attention. The spike-local field potential (LFP) coherence of foveal units was more extensively modulated by both attention and visual selectivity, thus indicating differential engagement of the attention and visual coding network compared to peripheral units. Furthermore, we delineated the interaction and coordination between foveal and peripheral processing for spatial attention and saccade selection. Together, the systematic differences between foveal and peripheral processing provide valuable insights into how the brain processes and integrates visual information from different regions of the visual field.

Objective To analyze the clinical features and prognostic factors of community-acquired pneumonia （CAP） of elderly patients in medical and nursing institutions. Methods Ninety-six CAP patients aged≥80 years admitted to Department of Geriatrics of the Second Hospital of Shandong University South Branch （Jinan Shande Nursing Home） were enrolled. According to the 6-month survival， all patients were divided into the survival group and death group. Baseline data and laboratory data were collected in two groups. CURB-65 scores were calculated and compared between two groups. The risk factors of clinical prognosis were identified by logistic regression analysis. The prognostic value of these risk factors was analyzed by using the receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve. Results Compared with the survival group， the proportion of patients with hypertension， coronary atherosclerotic heart disease and hemiplegia was higher， and C-reactive protein （CRP）， white blood cell count （WBC）， D-dimer， N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP）， urea nitrogen （BUN） and CURB-65 scores were higher in the death group （all P < 0.05）. ROC curve showed that the sensitivity， specificity and area under the ROC curve （AUC） of combined detection of CRP， NT-proBNP and CURB-65 for predicting the prognosis of elderly patients with CAP were 72.7%， 84.6% and 0.860 （95% CI 0.790-0.933）， respectively. Conclusions CRP， NT-proBNP and CURB-65 score are correlated with clinical prognosis of elderly CAP patients in medical and nursing institutions. Combined detection of these three indicators can improve the prognostic value in elderly CAP patients.

Abstract Background The optimal sedative regime for noninvasive ventilation (NIV) intolerance remains uncertain. The present study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of remifentanil (REM) compared to dexmedetomidine (DEX) in cardiac surgery patients with moderate-to-severe intolerance to NIV. Methods In this multicenter, prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled study, adult cardiac surgery patients with moderate-to-severe intolerance to NIV were enrolled and randomly assigned to be treated with either REM or DEX for sedation. The status of NIV intolerance was evaluated using a four-point NIV intolerance score at different timepoints within a 72-h period. The primary outcome was the mitigation rate of NIV intolerance following sedation. Results A total of 179 patients were enrolled, with 89 assigned to the REM group and 90 to the DEX group. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups, including NIV intolerance score [3, interquartile range (IQR) 3–3 vs. 3, IQR 3–4, p = 0.180]. The chi-squared test showed that mitigation rate, defined as the proportion of patients who were relieved from their initial intolerance status, was not significant at most timepoints, except for the 15-min timepoint (42% vs. 20%, p = 0.002). However, after considering the time factor, generalized estimating equations showed that the difference was statistically significant, and REM outperformed DEX (odds ratio = 3.31, 95% confidence interval: 1.35–8.12, p = 0.009). Adverse effects, which were not reported in the REM group, were encountered by nine patients in the DEX group, with three instances of bradycardia and six cases of severe hypotension. Secondary outcomes, including NIV failure (5.6% vs. 7.8%, p = 0.564), tracheostomy (1.12% vs. 0%, p = 0.313), ICU LOS (7.7 days, IQR 5.8–12 days vs. 7.0 days, IQR 5–10.6 days, p = 0.219), and in-hospital mortality (1.12% vs. 2.22%, p = 0.567), demonstrated comparability between the two groups. Conclusions In summary, our study demonstrated no significant difference between REM and DEX in the percentage of patients who achieved mitigation among cardiac surgery patients with moderate-to-severe NIV intolerance. However, after considering the time factor, REM was significantly superior to DEX. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04734418), registered on January 22, 2021. URL of the trial registry record: https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/SelectProtocol?sid=S000AM4S&selectaction=Edit&uid=U00038YX&ts=3&cx=eqn1z0 .

Abstract Background Sleep problems increase the risk of premature illness and death. We evaluated the association between sedentary time and sleep disturbances. Methods A cross-sectional analysis of the US nationally representative data of 21,414 adults (aged > = 18 years) from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2005–2014) was performed. The data of sleep disturbances were assessed using NHANES questionnaire results, which included the question, “{Have you/has sp} ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that {you have/s/he has} a sleep disorder?”. All participants were stratified by quartiles of sedentary behavior distribution, which was the explanatory variable (sedentary time quartile cut points: Q1, 0

Deterministically achieving on-chip photon storage and retrieval is a fundamental challenge for integrated photonics. Moreover, this requirement is increasingly urgent as photon storage and retrieval is crucial to realize truly scalable room-temperature quantum computing. However, most of existing quantum memories integrated on chips must either work at cryogenic temperature or else are strongly coupled with the environment, which hugely reduces the efficiency. Here, we propose an on-chip room-temperature quantum memory comprising three coupled microcavities, which presents an ideal dark state decoupled by a waveguide, thereby allowing on-demand photon storage and retrieval with high efficiency and high fidelity simultaneously. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the single-photon temporal duration can be increased or decreased by a factor of 103, thereby enabling many crucial quantum applications. Our error-robust approach highlights the potential for a solid-state photonic molecule for use as on-chip quantum memory and for optical quantum computing.

Abstract Objective The study objective was to investigate the effect of mixed probiotics on the diversity of the pulmonary flora in critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation by analysing the changes in lung microbes. Methods 24 adult critically ill patients who needed mechanical ventilation in our hospital were randomly divided into a probiotic group and a control group. Then, the probiotic group was given Live Combined Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Enterococcus Capsules, Oral (Bifico) by nasal feeding within 24 h after mechanical ventilation. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and venous blood were collected within 24 h after mechanical ventilation and on the 5th day after mechanical ventilation, and the treatment status of patients (mechanical ventilation time, 28-day survival), measured cytokine levels (IL-1 β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17A) and changes in pulmonary microorganisms were observed. Results The microbial diversity of BALF samples decreased in the control group, and there was no significant difference in the probiotic group. Species difference analysis showed that among the three probiotics (Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus) used for intervention, Lactobacillus caused significant differences in BALF in the control group. Clinical factor association analysis displayed significant associations with IL-17A levels in both blood and BALF. Conclusion Mechanical ventilation can cause a decline in pulmonary microbial diversity, which can be improved by administering mixed probiotics.

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical need for precise diagnostic methods to distinguish between similar respiratory infections, such as COVID-19 and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP). Identifying key biomarkers and utilizing machine learning techniques, such as random forest analysis, can significantly improve diagnostic accuracy. We conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical and laboratory data from 214 patients with acute respiratory infections, collected between October 2022 and October 2023 at the Second Hospital of Nanping. The study population was categorized into three groups: COVID-19 positive (n = 52), MP positive (n = 140), and co-infected (n = 22). Key biomarkers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin- 6 (IL-6), and white blood cell (WBC) counts, were evaluated. Correlation analyses were conducted to assess relationships between biomarkers within each group. The random forest analysis was applied to evaluate the discriminative power of these biomarkers. The random forest model demonstrated high classification performance, with area under the ROC curve (AUC) scores of 0.86 (95% CI: 0.70–0.97) for COVID-19, 0.79 (95% CI: 0.64–0.92) for MP, 0.69 (95% CI: 0.50–0.87) for co-infections, and 0.90 (95% CI: 0.83–0.95) for the micro-average ROC. Additionally, the precision-recall curve for the random forest classifier showed a micro-average AUC of 0.80 (95% CI: 0.69–0.91). Confusion matrices highlighted the model’s accuracy (0.77) and biomarker relationships. The SHAP feature importance analysis indicated that age (0.27), CRP (0.25), IL6 (0.14), and PCT (0.14) were the most significant predictors. The integration of computational methods, particularly random forest analysis, in evaluating clinical and biomarker data presents a promising approach for enhancing diagnostic processes for infectious diseases. Our findings support the use of specific biomarkers in differentiating between COVID-19 and MP, potentially leading to more targeted and effective diagnostic strategies. This study underscores the potential of machine learning techniques in improving disease classification in the era of precision medicine.

The mechanical response characteristics of rock under low-frequency perturbation loads and high-stress conditions are important factors affecting the stability of interlayer rock in the goaf during upward mining. Taking the coal-bearing sedimentary rock sandstone as the research object, the dynamic uniaxial compression tests were conducted on high-stress sandstone (80%UCS) under low-frequency perturbation loads (5 Hz) using a self-developed dynamic-static coupled electro-hydraulic servo testing machine. The progressive damage behavior and nonlinear mechanical dynamic response characteristics of high-stress rock under low-frequency perturbations were revealed. The results are as follows: ① During the process of small amplitude low-frequency disturbance load, high-stress sandstone does not experience dynamic failure, the threshold value of low-frequency disturbance load amplitude to induce sandstone damage is 15%UCS. Under the action of low-frequency disturbance load above the threshold value, the number of disturbance load cycles before the failure of high-stress sandstone decreases exponentially with the increase of amplitude. ② The progressive initiation and accumulation of randomly distributed microcracks within the sandstone, as well as their gradual extension, significantly affect the nonlinear evolution characteristics of dynamic secant modulus, strain peak, plastic deformation, dissipated energy density, and b-value. ③ During the low-frequency perturbation process, the b-value and dissipated energy density exhibit a three-stage evolution characteristic consistent with the strain. The exponential strain evolution curve has a distinct inflection point before the failure of the sandstone, which can serve as a precursor information of dynamic failure under low-frequency perturbations and be used for corresponding dynamic disaster warnings. ④ During the low-frequency perturbation load process beyond the threshold, the dynamic secant modulus evolution curve approximates an exponential decay. The parameters in the nonlinear fitting relationship can be used to quantify the degradation rate of the elastic modulus. And the degradation rate of secant modulus of sandstone changes nonlinearly with the increase of amplitude. ⑤ The magnitude of the RA value in the initial stage of disturbance load can be used to predict the dynamic failure of sandstone in advance. Correspondingly, the sudden increase of RA during the low-frequency disturbance load process can serve as a precursor warning of dynamic instability of high stress sandstone. During the process of small-amplitude disturbance load below the threshold value, the microcracks mainly undergo tensile or mixed fracture, with shear fracture accounting for only 12.15%. During the low-frequency disturbance load processes with amplitudes of 15%UCS, 20%UCS, and 25%UCS, the shear fracture accounts for 37.17%, 52.75%, and 53.62% respectively. The proportion of shear fractures exhibits a logarithmic increase with the increase of amplitude.

[Introduction] Carbon dioxide capture, utilization and storage is an important measure to achieve the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emission. The synthesis of methanol by carbon dioxide hydrogenation is one of the effective ways to use carbon, which can not only convert CO2 into methanol, an valuable fuel and chemical product, but also combine with producing hydrogen by electrolytic water, making methanol become the storage carrier of hydrogen. [Method] The methanol producing process by carbon dioxide hydrogenation was modelled by simulation software Aspen Plus. For the methanol production scale of 300,000 t/a, the hydrogen producing by water electrolysis was considered as the hydrogen source, and the influence of temperature, pressure and CO2/H2 feed ratio on methanol yield was analyzed in detail. [Result] The simulation results show the methanol yield is the highest when the synthesis temperature is around 250 °C and the CO2/H2 feed ratio is 7.33. Considering the direct combination with water electrolysis process, the synthesis pressure at around 5 MPa is reasonable. The water content of hydrogen has a certain effect on the methanol yield. The methanol yield only reduces 0.1 percent with the water content increase 100 kg/h in the raw H2. [Conclusion] The simulation determined the selection basis of key process parameters of methanol synthesis system by carbon dioxide hydrogenation. In addition, the feasibility of directly combining H2 obtained from water electrolysis with methanol synthesis process without drying and compression treatment is proved. In conclusion, hydrogen production from renewable sources combined with methanol synthesis by carbon dioxide hydrogenation is a technology with application prospect.

Abstract In a multicenter case–control investigation, we assessed the efficacy of the Electrooculogram Signal Analysis (EOG-SA) method, which integrates attention-related visual evocation, electrooculography, and nonlinear analysis, for distinguishing between intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and typical development (TD) in children. Analyzing 127 participants (63 IDD, 64 TD), we applied nonlinear dynamics for feature extraction. Results indicated EOG-SA’s capability to distinguish IDD, with higher template thresholds and Correlation Dimension values correlating with clinical severity. The template threshold proved a robust indicator, with higher values denoting severe IDD. Discriminative metrics showed areas under the curve of 0.91 (template threshold) and 0.85/0.91 (D2), with sensitivities and specificities of 77.6%/95.9% and 93.5%/71.0%, respectively. EOG-SA emerges as a promising tool, offering interpretable neural biomarkers for early and nuanced diagnosis of IDD.

Abstract Background The occurrence of complications following radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer significantly impacts patients’ quality of life. Elderly patients are susceptible to postoperative complications. This study seeks to investigate the risk factors associated with Clavien-Dindo ≥IIgrade complications following radical gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer in elderly patients, develop a nomogram risk prediction model, and validate its accuracy. Methods Retrospective collection of clinical and pathological data was conducted on 442 elderly patients with advanced gastric cancer who underwent radical gastrectomy at Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital from January 2015 to December 2020. They were randomly divided into a training set (n = 310) and a validation set (n = 132) in a 7:3 ratio. The severity of postoperative complications was graded using the Clavien-Dindo classification system, resulting in two complication groups: Clavien-Dindo

Abstract Aiming at the complex structure, numerous equipment, intricate control and protection logic, as well as the existence of numerous unmodeled dynamics and black-box device models in photovoltaic (PV) grid-connected systems, a modeling method based on Particle Swarm Optimization Neural Network (PSO-NN) is proposed to address the inability of pure mechanism models to accurately simulate their operational dynamics. Utilizing the differences in active power response waveforms under Voltage-Frequency (Vf) control, Power-Reactive Power (PQ) control, and Droop control as criteria for control strategy identification, a PSO-NN model is constructed for PV grid-connected systems, with inputs comprising temperature, humidity, light intensity, voltage, and frequency disturbances, and outputs being active and reactive power. To validate the model's effectiveness, a PV grid-connected system model is built in a self-developed simulation software and connected to an IEEE 14-bus distribution network for simulation verification. The results demonstrate that the proposed PV grid-connected model can effectively identify the types of Vf control, PQ control, and Droop control strategies, and accurately reflect the dynamic response characteristics of active and reactive power under various voltage and frequency disturbances.

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to quantify the global cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden attributable to diet low in fiber among adults aged 60 years and older using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2019. Methods We extracted data on CVD mortality, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and risk-factor exposures from the GBD 2019 study for people aged 60 and older. Age-period-cohort models were used to estimate the overall annual percentage change in mortality and DALY rate (net drift, % per year), mortality and DALY rate for each age group from 1990 to 2019 (local drift, % per year), longitudinal age-specific rate corrected for period bias (age effect), and mortality and Daly rate for each age group from 1990 to 2019 (local drift, % per year). And period/cohort relative risk (period/cohort effect). Results From 1990 to 2019, global age-standardized cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality rates attributable to low dietary fiber intake decreased by 2.37% per year, while disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) fell by 2.48% annually. Decreases were observed across all sociodemographic index regions, with fastest declines in high and high-middle SDI areas. CVD mortality and DALY rates attributable to low fiber increased exponentially with age, peaking at 85–89 years, and were higher in men than women. Regarding period effects, mortality and DALY rates declined since 2000, reaching nadirs in 2015–2019. For birth cohort patterns, risks attributable to low fiber intake peaked among early 1900s births and subsequently fell, with more pronounced reductions over time in women. Conclusions Low dietary fiber intake is a leading contributor to the global cardiovascular disease burden, accounting for substantial mortality and disability specifically among older adults over recent decades.

Objective To investigate the value of CT evaluation of peritoneal carcinoma index (CT-PCI) in predicting recurrence and metastasis of elderly ovarian cancer after operation. Methods A total of 85 elderly patients with ovarian cancer who received radical resection for ovarian cancer in the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University from January 2016 to June 2022 were selected and followed up until December 2023 (3 cases were lost) . Patient data were collected through the electronic medical record system, Cox regression analysis was performed to analyze the factors affecting postoperative recurrence and metastasis of elderly patients with ovarian cancer. Results Recurrence and metastasis occurred in 20 of 82 elderly patients with ovarian cancer. The proportion of clinical stage Ⅳ, with lymph node metastasis, peritoneal metastasis, vascular invasion and poorly differentiated and undifferentiated, and CA125, CEA, Ki-67 positivity exrate, and CT-PCI scores in recurrent metastasis group were all higher than those in the group without recurrence and metastasis (P < 0.05) . Cox proportional hazards model showed that clinical stage Ⅳ, peritoneal metastasis, CA125, Ki-67 positivity rate, and CT-PCI scores were all independent risk factors affecting postoperative recurrence and metastasis in elderly patients with ovarian cancer (P < 0.05) . Conclusion CT-PCI has a certain predictive value for postoperative recurrence and metastasis of elderly ovarian cancer, It can be used as guidance for clinical postoperative management.

To consider the complex soil-structure interaction in a pile-slope system, it is necessary to analyze the performance of pile-slope systems based on a three-dimensional (3D) numerical model. Reliability analysis of a pile-slope system based on 3D numerical modeling is very challenging because it is computationally expensive and the performance function of the pile failure mode is only defined in the safe domain of soil stability. In this paper, an efficient hybrid response surface method is suggested to study the system reliability of pile-reinforced slopes, where the support vector machine and the Kriging model are used to approximate performance functions of soil failure and pile failure, respectively. The versatility of the suggested method is illustrated in detail with an example. For the example examined in this paper, it is found that the pile failure can significantly contribute to system failure, and the reinforcement ratio can effectively reduce the probability of pile failure. There exists a critical reinforcement ratio beyond which the system failure probability is not sensitive to the reinforcement ratio. The pile spacing affects both the probabilities of soil failure and pile failure of the pile-reinforced slope. There exists an optimal location and an optimal length for the stabilizing piles.

Abstract Ferroptosis is a promising strategy for cancer therapy, with numerous inhibitors of its braking axes under investigation as potential drugs. However, few studies have explored the potential of activating the driving axes to induce ferroptosis. Herein, phosphatidylcholine peroxide decorating liposomes (LIPPCPO) are synthesized to induce ferroptosis by targeting divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1). LIPPCPO is found to boost lysosomal Fe2+ efflux by inducing cysteinylation of lysosomal DMT1, resulting in glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) suppression, glutathione depletion and ferroptosis in breast cancer cells and xenografts. Importantly, LIPPCPO induced ferroptotic cell death is independent of acquired resistance to radiation, chemotherapy, or targeted agents in 11 cancer cell lines. Furthermore, a strong synergistic ferroptosis effect is observed between LIPPCPO and an FDA-approved drug, artesunate, as well as X rays. The formula of LIPPCPO encapsulating artesunate significantly inhibits tumor growth and metastasis and improves the survival rate of breast cancer-bearing female mice. These findings provide a distinct strategy for inducing ferroptosis and highlight the potential of LIPPCPO as a vector to synergize the therapeutic effects of conventional ferroptosis inducers.

Abstract The human gut microbiota significantly impacts health, including liver conditions like liver cirrhosis (LC) and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). Immunoglobulin A (IgA) plays a central role in maintaining gut microbial balance. Understanding IgA's interplay with gut microbiota and liver health is crucial. This study explores the relationship between fecal IgA levels, gut microbiota, and liver injury severity. A total of 69 LC patients and 30 healthy controls were studied. Fecal IgA levels were measured using ELISA, and IgA‐coated bacteria were quantified via flow cytometry. Microbiota diversity and composition were assessed through 16S rRNA sequencing. Liver injury severity was graded using the Child–Pugh score. Statistical analyses determined correlations. LC patients had higher fecal IgA levels than controls, correlating positively with liver injury severity. Microbiota diversity decreased with severity, accompanied by shifts in composition favoring pro‐inflammatory species. Ralstonia abundance positively correlated with liver injury, whereas Faecalibacterium showed a negative correlation. Specific microbial markers for SBP were identified. Functional profiling revealed altered microbial functionalities in LC and SBP. Elevated fecal IgA levels, coupled with microbiota alterations, correlate with liver injury severity in LC patients. Modulating gut microbiota could be a promising strategy for managing liver‐related conditions. Further research is needed to understand underlying mechanisms and translate findings into clinical practice, potentially improving patient outcomes.

In order to obtain endophytic selenium-rich yeast from Lycium barbarum with strong ability producing alcohol and aroma, and then promote the selenium-rich fermentation products and improve the flavor, this study took the endophytic yeast of L. barbarum stored in the laboratory as experimental materials, and the yeast with strong selenium-rich ability was obtained through the initial screening of selenium-resistant method and red selenium methods. Atmospheric room temperature plasma (ARTP) technology was used to obtain mutant strains and through TTC medium, Duchenne tubule fermentation, alcohol production, ester and acid production, tolerance and other experiments to screen out the target strains of aroma enhancement and high alcohol production. The content of selenium in yeast cell and fermentation liquid was determined by hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The results showed that M1 Saccharomyces cerevisiae and M16 Clavispora lusitaniae were obtained by primary selenium screening, the mutagenic strain M1-5 of S. cerevisiae with higher alcohol production capacity and the mutagenic strain M16-28 of C. lusitaniae with higher aroma production capacity were obtained through ARTP mutagenesis. The alcohol production capacity of M1-5 increased by 38.07% compared with M1, and the ester production capacity of M16-28 increased by 107.62% compared with M16, and the genetic stability was good. The selenium contents in the intracellular and fermentation broth of the M1-5 strains were 204.8 and 1158 μg/L, respectively, and in M16-28 were 666.45μg/L and 1830 μg/L, respectively. Therefore, the selenium enrichment capacity of M16-28 was higher than that of M1-5, and the selenium content of fermentation liquid was extremely significantly higher than that of yeast cells (P

Abstract The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) city patrol is of great significance in ensuring the safety of residents’ lives and properties, as well as maintaining the normal operation of the city. However, the detection of UAV images faces challenges such as numerous small-scale objects, complex backgrounds, and high requirements for detection speed. In response to these issues, we introduce a Real-time Small Object Detection network in UAV-vision (RTS-Net), tailored for UAV patrols. Initially, we introduce a multiscale feature fusion module (MFFM) designed to augment the expressiveness of features across scales, thereby enhancing the detection of smaller objects. Subsequently, leveraging attention mechanisms, we present the coordinated attention detection module (CADM), which bolsters the detection model’s ability to accurately segregate objects from the background in expansive, complex scenarios. Lastly, a lightweight real-time feature extraction module (RFEM) is crafted to diminish model computational complexity and boost inference speed. On the UAV road patrol image dataset we constructed, our proposed method attains a detection accuracy of 89.9 $$\%$$ % mAP, breaking previous records. It surpasses all prevailing detection methods, particularly for small-scale objects. Simultaneously, it achieves an inference speed of 163.9 FPS. The experimental results show that RTS-Net can satisfy the accurate and efficient detection of ground objects by various different UAV platforms in different complex scenarios.

Abstract Background The lipid-lowering effects of Omega-3 fatty acids have been widely reported, yet their impact on ischemic stroke remains controversial. Reports on the protective effects of unsaturated fatty acids, such as Omega-6 and Omega-7, as well as saturated fatty acids in cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension and ischemic stroke, are less frequent. Objectives This study aims to identify fatty acids associated with blood pressure and ischemic stroke through Mendelian randomization. Besides, it seeks to determine whether specific fatty acids can prevent ischemic stroke by managing blood pressure and revealing the specific mechanisms of this action. Methods This research involved downloading relevant data from websites and extracting SNPs that met the standard criteria as instrumental variables. Simultaneously, the ‘MR-PRESSO’ package and ‘Mendelian Randomization’ package were used to eliminate confounding SNPs that could bias the study results. Then, inverse variance weighting and the weighted median were employed as primary analysis methods, accompanied by sensitivity analysis to assess the validity of the causal relationships. Initially, multivariable Mendelian randomization was used to identify fatty acids linked to blood pressure and the incidence of ischemic stroke. The causal link between certain fatty acids and the initiation of ischemic stroke was then investigated using bidirectional and mediator Mendelian randomization techniques. Stepwise Regression and the Product of Coefficients Method in mediator Mendelian randomization were utilized to ascertain whether specific fatty acids reduce ischemic stroke risk by lowering blood pressure. Results Multivariable Mendelian randomization analysis indicated a potential inverse correlation between Omega-3 intake and both blood pressure and ischemic stroke. Consequently, Omega-3 was selected as the exposure, with blood pressure and ischemic stroke-related data as outcomes, for further bidirectional and mediation Mendelian Randomization analyses. Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization revealed that Omega-3 significantly influences DBP (P = 1.01e-04) and IS (P = 0.016). It also showed that DBP and SBP significantly affect LAS, SVS, CES, IS, and LS. Mediator Mendelian Randomization identified five established mediating pathways: Omega-3-Diastolic blood pressure-Small vessel stroke, Omega-3-Diastolic blood pressure-Cardioembolic stroke, Omega-3-Diastolic blood pressure-Lacunar stroke, Omega-3-Diastolic blood pressure-Large artery atherosclerosis stroke, and Omega-3-Diastolic blood pressure-Ischemic stroke. Of these, four pathways are complete mediation, and one pathway is partial mediation. Conclusions The findings suggest that Omega-3 may indirectly reduce the incidence of ischemic stroke by lowering blood pressure. Thus, blood pressure modulation might be one of the mechanisms through which Omega-3 prevents ischemic stroke. In summary, incorporating an increased intake of Omega-3 in the diet can serve as one of the dietary intervention strategies for patients with hypertension. Additionally, it can act as an adjunctive therapy for the prevention of ischemic strokes and their complications.

Abstract Background Our previous genome‑wide association studies (GWAS) have suggested rs912304 in 14q12 as a suggestive risk variant for type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, the association between this risk region and T1D subgroups and related clinical risk features, the underlying causal functional variant(s), putative candidate gene(s), and related mechanisms are yet to be elucidated. Methods We assessed the association between variant rs912304 and T1D, as well as islet autoimmunity and islet function, stratified by the diagnosed age of 12. We used epigenome bioinformatics analyses, dual luciferase reporter assays, and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analyses to prioritize the most likely functional variant and potential causal gene. We also performed functional experiments to evaluate the role of the causal gene on islet function and its related mechanisms. Results We identified rs912304 as a risk variant for T1D subgroups with diagnosed age ≥ 12 but not

Abstract Background Previous studies have established a correlation between the pathogenesis of oxidative stress and sarcopenia. The Oxidative Balance Score (OBS) is an integrated measure that reflects the overall balance of antioxidants and pro-oxidants in dietary components and lifestyle. However, there are limited reports on the association between OBS and lean mass and the impact of protein intake on the association between OBS and lean mass. Methods Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2011 to 2018, multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore the associations between OBS and outcomes. The findings were then illustrated through fitted smoothing curves and threshold effect analyses. Results This study included 2,441 participants, demonstrating that higher OBS is significantly associated with an increased ratio of appendicular lean mass to body mass index. Key inflection points at OBS 31 mark pronounced changes in these associations, with age and protein intake notably affecting the association. The effect of OBS on lean mass varies among populations with high and low protein intake. Conclusions Our findings suggest that OBS is significantly and positively associated with lean mass. A high protein intake of more than 84.5 g/day may enhance the role of OBS in influencing muscle health to improve muscle outcomes.

Abstract Objective The effectiveness and safety of fibular intramedullary nail fixation (FINF) compared to plate fixation (PF) in treating ankle fractures among adults remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of FINF versus PF, aiming to provide orthopedic surgeons with valuable insights when choosing between the two internal fixation methods for patient treatment. Methods PubMed, EMBASE, and SCOPUS were systematically searched for articles comparing FINF and PF in ankle fractures among adults. Functional outcomes, complications, and bony union were compared between the implants. Results A total of seven studies were included in the study, involving 586 patients. The results revealed no statistically significant differences in functional outcomes between two groups at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. The outcomes favoring FINF comprised a lower infection rate (RR = 0.23, 95%CI, 0.11 to 0.47, P

Abstract Background Oral cancer (OC) is a common malignancy in clinical practice. Saliva testing is a convenient and noninvasive early diagnostic technique for OC. Several salivary cytokines have been identified as potential biomarkers for OC, including IL-8, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-10. Nonetheless, the optimal cytokine for OC diagnosis remains inconclusive and highly contentious. Methods PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were comprehensively retrieved to collect all case–control studies on OC. A meta-analysis was performed to compare the levels of salivary IL-8, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and IL-1β in OC patients and healthy controls. Network meta-analysis (NMA) was carried out to probe into the accuracy of these salivary cytokines in diagnosing OC. Results This analysis included 40 studies, encompassing 1280 individuals with OC and 1254 healthy controls. Significantly higher levels of salivary IL-8, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-10 were observed in patients with OC in comparison to healthy controls. The results of NMA showed that TNF-α had the highest diagnostic accuracy for OC, with a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 92%, followed by IL-6 (sensitivity: 75%, specificity: 86%) and IL-8 (sensitivity: 80%, specificity: 80%). Conclusion This study suggests that IL-8, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and IL-1β may be potential diagnostic biomarkers for OC. Among them, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 are highly accurate in the diagnosis of OC. Nevertheless, further studies that eliminate other confounding factors are warranted, and more standardized procedures and large-scale studies are needed to support the clinical use of saliva testing.

Abstract Many image fusion methods have been proposed to leverage the advantages of functional and anatomical images while compensating for their shortcomings. These methods integrate functional and anatomical images while presenting physiological and metabolic organ information, making their diagnostic efficiency far greater than that of single-modal images. Currently, most existing multimodal medical imaging fusion methods are based on multiscale transformation, which involves obtaining pyramid features through multiscale transformation. Low-resolution images are used to analyse approximate image features, and high-resolution images are used to analyse detailed image features. Different fusion rules are applied to achieve feature fusion at different scales. Although these fusion methods based on multiscale transformation can effectively achieve multimodal medical image fusion, much detailed information is lost during multiscale and inverse transformation, resulting in blurred edges and a loss of detail in the fusion images. A multimodal medical image fusion method based on interval gradients and convolutional neural networks is proposed to overcome this problem. First, this method uses interval gradients for image decomposition to obtain structure and texture images. Second, deep neural networks are used to extract perception images. Three methods are used to fuse structure, texture, and perception images. Last, the images are combined to obtain the final fusion image after colour transformation. Compared with the reference algorithms, the proposed method performs better in multiple objective indicators of $$Q_{EN}$$ Q EN , $$Q_{NIQE}$$ Q NIQE , $$Q_{SD}$$ Q SD , $$Q_{SSEQ}$$ Q SSEQ and $$Q_{TMQI}$$ Q TMQI .

The addition of growth restricting elements in additive manufacturing of Ti and Ti-based alloys can result in the formation of equiaxed structures. However, an excessive incorporation of these elements frequently impairs the mechanical properties. Obtaining the minimum necessary amount of addition is crucial to achieve the transition from columnar to equiaxed microstructure. This ensures that the desired equiaxed structure is obtained while minimizing any potential negative effects on the material's properties. Here manganese was taken as the potential grain refiner in Ti alloy. Then, evolutions of grain morphologies and microstructures as well as the mechanical properties various of Ti-6Al-4V alloy in laser wire deposition additive manufacturing with the growth restriction factors of 26, 32, 39 were explored respectively. And the average hardness of the deposits were 495 HV, 512 HV, and 530 HV, respectively, showing an increase of approximately 15%, 19% and 23%. When the growth restricting factor value reached 39, the columnar prior β grains underwent a complete transformation into equiaxed grains. Mn elements promoted the decomposition of β→α+Mn2Ti during the multi-pass deposition and the microhardness of the deposits were significantly increased. Additionally, Mn elements were expelled outwards during the β→α transition. Nevertheless, the diffusion rate of Mn elements was low and thereby there was a low growth rate of α phases, thus refining α phases.

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs), as the oxides of the most abundant elements in rare earths, have been widely used in biomedical and industrial production and other fields that are closely related to human life. China is a large country in resources and production of rare earth, and the impact of CeO2 NPs on human health has been increasingly concerned. In response to the possible health risks of CeO2 NPs, researchers begin to focus on their toxic effects on living organisms, especially on the reproductive system. The male reproductive system is not only responsible for producing sperm and regulating the secretion of testosterone, but also plays a key role in maintaining male sexual characters and function. Any adverse effects on the male reproductive system may lead to reduced fertility and reproductive dysfunction. Some studies have shown that long-term exposure to CeO2 NPs may lead to gonadal damage, sex hormone disorders, and other problems in male animals. Therefore, an in-depth study of the potential effects of CeO2 NPs on the male reproductive system is of great scientific significance and practical value. In this study, we reviewed the male reproductive toxicity of CeO2 NPs in terms of spermatogenic cells, spermatozoa structure, blood-testis barrier, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, and functional changes in epididymis, and analyzed the effects of the size and shape of physicochemical parameters of CeO2 NPs on the toxicity to male reproductive system. The findings will provide a theoretical basis and scientific evidence for the rational use of CeO2 NPs.

Abstract Buried pipeline systems are vulnerable to joint damage in earthquakes. Previous studies have shown that bellows joints are effective in increasing deformation capacity and reducing the axial force of the main pipeline. However, the effectiveness of bellows joints in enhancing the deformation capacity of the pipelines is affected by the location of the crossing fault and the soil at the site. This paper constructs and validates a finite element model of a buried steel pipeline connected by a bellows joint using ABAQUS to investigate this issue. The effects of fault location, soil properties, and internal pressure on the bellows joint connected pipelines were analyzed using a finite element model. The results indicate that the bellows joints exhibit the best energy dissipation and deformation enhancement when the fault passes directly through the joints. Bellows joints in soft soil are better at dissipating energy, reducing pipe deformation, and mitigating pipe damage compared to those in hard soils. The internal pressure is helpful to increase the mechanical properties of the pipelines. The findings can provide some guidance for pipeline design and mitigation strategies for ensuring the reliability and safety of buried pipeline systems in earthquake-prone areas.

Abstract Background The ratio between non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (NHHR) is a reliable marker for assessing the risk linked to lipid metabolism disorders. Sarcopenia, characterized by age-related loss of muscle mass and strength/function, includes the assessment of muscle mass, muscle strength, and muscle-specific strength. However, research into NHHR’s relationship with low muscle mass risk remains unexplored. Methods Our study utilized a cross-sectional approach, examining data derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2018. Through multivariable linear and logistic regression, we investigated the relationships of the NHHR with muscle mass and low muscle mass. We visualized the results using smoothing curves and assessed threshold effects. We also performed various subgroup and sensitivity analyses. Results This research encompassed 9,012 participants and demonstrated significant nonlinear associations between NHHR and ALMBMI or low muscle mass risk in a generalized additive model (GAM), pinpointing critical NHHR values (3.328 and 3.367) where changes in NHHR significantly impacted ALMBMI and low muscle mass risk. Conclusions The NHHR demonstrates a significant association with an increased risk of low muscle mass among middle-aged Americans. This ratio has potential as a predictive marker for low muscle mass. Further exploration of NHHR is expected to aid in advancing preventive and therapeutic measures for this condition.

In order to explore the influence of the remaining coal pillar in the upper coal seam on the stress of the floor and the reasonable layout of the mining roadway in the lower coal seam, taking Tangshangou Coal Mine as the research object, the theoretical analysis and numerical simulation methods and a variety of influencing factors were used to construct the collaborative bearing structure model of the remaining coal pillar and the hinged rock block in the upper coal seam and the stress transfer calculation model of the floor, and the stress and influencing factors of the floor under the remaining coal pillar in the upper coal seam are studied. The research shows that the influence of the remaining coal pillars in the upper coal seam on the stress of the floor is mainly vertical stress, and the influence degree decreases with the increase of floor depth. The stress-increasing area of the floor under the remaining coal pillar is ellipsoidal. The influencing factors of the stress-increasing area of the floor are analyzed, and the quantitative relationship between the influence of different factors on the range of the stress-increasing area is obtained. The peak stress of the coal pillar plays a decisive role in the distribution of the stress-increasing area of the floor. According to the stress distribution of the floor and the results of theoretical calculation and numerical simulation, it is determined that the reasonable stagger distance between the 8 coal pillar and the 11−1 coal mining roadway in Tangshangou Coal Mine should be 20—25 m. This study reveals the stress transfer mechanism of the lower floor of the coal pillar left in the upper coal seam, clarifies the distribution and influencing factors of the floor stress increase area, and obtains the determination method of the reasonable stagger value of the roadway-coal pillar, which can provide a theoretical basis for the reasonable layout of the lower coal seam mining roadway.

Abstract Objective There is a dearth of comprehensive research on the stability of the spinal biomechanical structure when combining Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion (OLIF) with internal fixation methods. Hence, we have devised this experiment to meticulously examine and analyze the biomechanical changes that arise from combining OLIF surgery with different internal fixation techniques in patients diagnosed with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. Methods Seven validated finite element models were reconstructed based on computed tomography scan images of the L3-L5 segment. These models included the intact model, a stand-alone (S-A) OLIF model, a lateral screw rod (LSR) OLIF model, a bilateral pedicle screw (BPS) OLIF model, an unilateral pedicle screw (UPS) OLIF model, a bilateral CBT (BCBT) OLIF model, and an unilateral CBT(UCBT) OLIF model. The range of motion (ROM), as well as stress levels in the cage, L4 lower endplate, L5 upper endplate, and fixation constructs were assessed across these different model configurations. Results S-A model had the highest average ROM of six motion modes, followed by LSR, UPS, UCBT, BPS and BCBT. The BCBT model had a relatively lower cage stress than the others. The maximum peak von Mises stress of the fixation constructs was found in the LSR model. The maximum peak von Mises stress of L4 lower endplate was found in the S-A model. The peak von Mises stress on the L4 lower endplate of the rest surgical models showed no significant difference. The maximum peak von Mises stress of the L5 upper endplate was found in the S-A model. The minimum peak von Mises stress of the L5 upper endplate was found in the BCBT model. No significant difference was found for the peak von Mises stress of the L5 upper endplate among LSR, BPS, UPS and UCBT models. Conclusion Among the six different fixation techniques, BCBT exhibited superior biomechanical stability and minimal stress on the cage-endplate interface. It was followed by BPS, UCBT, UPS, and LSR in terms of effectiveness. Conversely, S-A OLIF demonstrated the least stability and resulted in increased stress on both the cage and endplates. Combining OLIF with BCBT fixation technique enhanced biomechanical stability compared to BPS and presented as a less invasive alternative treatment for patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.