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Abstract Plate fixation is a common treatment option for radial head fractures (RHFs). Due to the benefits of less invasiveness and fewer complications of internal fixation, the application of small-diameter headless compression screws (HCSs) to treat RHFs has become a new trend. This study aimed to compare the mechanical stability of four distinct internal fixation protocols for transversely unstable RHFs via finite element analysis. Using computed tomography data from 10 patients, we developed 40 patient-specific FE models of transversely unstable RHFs fixed by parallel, crossed, and tripod HCSs and mini-T plate (MTP). Under simulated physiological loading of the elbow joint, the construct stiffness, displacement, and von Mises stresses were evaluated and verified by a biomechanical experiment. Under shear loading, the MTP group exhibited lower construct stiffness, larger displacement, and higher Von Mises stress than the HCSs group. The stiffness of tripod HCSs was greater than parallel and crossed screw fixation techniques. There was a strong relationship between apparent bone density and construct stiffness (R = 0.98 to 0.99). In the treatment of transversely unstable RHFs, HCSs have superior biomechanical stability than MTP. The tripod technique was also more stable than parallel and crossed fixation.

Abstract Background As populations live longer, there is a progressive increase in chronic degenerative diseases, particularly those related to the musculoskeletal system. Sarcopenia is characterized by loss of skeletal muscle mass, muscle strength, and loss of physical function. It is a common disease in older adults associated with various adverse health outcomes. There is a lack of bioindicators to screen for sarcopenia. Albumin and lymphocyte counts are commonly used to assess the degree of malnutrition, and blood routine, lipids, and thyroid function are relatively easy to obtain as part of a routine physical examination. Therefore, finding blood markers that can screen for sarcopenia is essential. Our primary aim was to explore whether the bioindicators of body composition, lymphocytes, albumin, lipids, and thyroid hormones are associated with sarcopenia, and a secondary aim was to investigate changes in these indicators after an intensive lifestyle intervention preliminarily. Methods 60 subjects were selected from Runda and Bailian community health centers in Suzhou, China. They underwent body composition analysis and tested lymphocyte, albumin, lipid, and thyroid hormone levels. The 30 sarcopenia subjects underwent a 3-month intensive lifestyle intervention program. At the end of the intervention, we rechecked the bioindicators. Statistical analyses were performed in IBM SPSS v26.0. Results The blood indices of sarcopenia subjects were generally lower in albumin, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), and free triiodothyronine (FT3). Body mass index (BMI)(r = 0.6266, p

Grinding process monitoring is key to assessing the intelligence of grinding processing and ensuring manufacturing quality of the intended product. The grinding force in the grinding process is an important characteristic, and the grinding force signal has a close relationship with the degree of wheel wear, grinding heat, grinding wheel and workpiece contact state, and other entities. Therefore, the analysis of the grinding force signal using the time domain and frequency domain analysis methods can effectively reveal the grinding characteristics and wheel wear evolution mechanism in the gear grinding process. In this study, the microcrystalline corundum grinding wheel was used to conduct the profile grinding test on 20CrMnTi steel gears installed in vertical machining centers. A high-performance general-purpose dynamometer was used to collect the discrete time series data of the grinding force in real time; a confocal laser microscope and scanning electron microscope were used to observe the wear characteristics of the microcrystalline wheel surface; finally, a micrometer was used to measure the thickness of the wheel’s end-top surface to assess the degree of wheel wear in a quick and simple way. To improve the precision, automation, and intelligence level of the gear grinding process considering the microcrystalline corundum grinding wheel, online monitoring of the grinding process and wear mechanism of the grinding wheel was performed. The intrinsic correlation between the time-frequency domain signals of the grinding force, the contact status of the grinding wheel and workpiece, and the wear degree of the grinding wheel was established. Thus, in this study, a new online monitoring method for monitoring the grinding process of the grinding wheel was proposed based on real-time force signals. Meanwhile, the wear mechanism underlying the morphology of microcrystalline corundum grinding wheels was characterized and analyzed using laser confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the distribution pattern of waveform characteristic indicators such as kurtosis, waveform index, peak index, and pulse index in the time domain spectrum of the grinding force showed a distinct trend of varying cutting depth grinding state ≥ steady-state grinding state of a significantly worn grinding wheel ≥ steady-state grinding state of a lightly worn grinding wheel > noncontact state. However, the variation of the two waveform characteristic values of the grinding force, amplitude spectrum and pulse indicator under different grinding states is completely opposite to that of the time domain signals. After assessing the three-dimensional roughness of the working surface of the grinding wheel, it is observed that there is a slight decrease and a subsequent rapid increase in the roughness of the working surface of the wheel with the evolution of wheel wear. The polycrystalline structure of the microcrystalline corundum abrasive particles gives them the ability to update and sharpen along the microcrystalline interface, showing layer-by-layer cleavage peeling.

Abstract The importance of resolving stability concerns in weak AC grid‐connected doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) wind energy systems during low‐voltage ride‐through (LVRT) events cannot be ignored, given the increasing popularity of wind power‐based microgrids. Furthermore, the emergence of generation loss and postfault oscillation within a microgrid (MG) due to grid faults has also become a significant concern. The static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) under consideration in this study is tuned using particle swarm optimization (PSO), the artificial hummingbird algorithm (AHA), and a hybrid approach incorporating both PSO and AHA. Faults of both a symmetrical and an asymmetrical nature have occurred on the power grid side. The proposed hybrid PSO‐AHA‐tuned STATCOM strategy aims to improve LVRT, minimize power generation loss during faults, and reduce oscillations after a fault by controlling the flow of reactive power between point of common coupling (PCC) and MG. The MATLAB simulation environment was used to simulate the 16 MW MG test system. The performance of the PSO‐AHA‐tuned STATCOM was assessed by comparing results with those from conventional STATCOM, PSO, and AHA optimizer‐tuned STATCOM in four fault situations. A comparison of the results shows that the proposed strategy performed better than other approaches mentioned in this paper and achieved the desired objectives.

Abstract To reveal the influence mechanism of the grinding surface quality of 20CrMnTi steel components on the tribological characteristics and contact fatigue performance, accelerated tests for sliding friction wear and fatigue damage were carried out. Tribological characteristics and contact fatigue performance get worse with increasing surface roughness while getting better with increasing surface microhardness. Residual compressive stress is conducive to inhibiting the initiation and propagation of cracks and promoting contact fatigue performance. Additionally, mechanical friction, abrasive wear, adhesive wear and fatigue damage coexist and form a competing failure mechanism under the synergistic effect of frictional wear and contact fatigue failure. The damage process mainly manifests as wear, stress concentration induced fatigue, microcracks, pitting, and spalling in the shallow layer. This study is more beneficial to promote the 20CrMnTi steel transmission parts manufacturing products for high precision, low damage, and long life.

Endometrial cancer (EC) stands as one of the most prevalent gynecological malignancies affecting women, with its incidence and disease-related mortality steadily on the rise. Disulfiram (DSF), an FDA-approved medication primarily used for treating alcohol addiction, has exhibited promising anti-tumor properties. Studies have revealed DSF's capacity for enhanced anti-tumor activity, particularly when combined with copper. The novel Copper-Cysteamine (CuCy) compound, Cu3Cl(SR)2 (RCH2CH2NH2), showcases photodynamic effects and demonstrates significant anti-tumor potential under various conditions, including exposure to ultraviolet light, X-ray, microwave, and ultrasound. This study delves into exploring the synergistic anti-tumor effects and underlying mechanisms by utilizing copper-cysteamine in conjunction with DSF against endometrial cancer. The investigation involved comprehensive analyses encompassing in vitro experiments utilizing Ishikawa cells, in vivo studies, and transcriptomic analyses. Remarkably, the combined administration of both compounds at a low dose of 0.5 μM exhibited pronounced efficacy in impeding tumor growth, inhibiting blood vessel formation, and stimulating cell apoptosis. Notably, experiments involving transplanted tumors in nude mice vividly demonstrated the significant in vivo anti-tumor effects of this combination treatment. Detailed examination through transmission electron microscopy unveiled compelling evidence of mitochondrial damage, cellular swelling, and rupture, indicative of apoptotic changes in morphology due to the combined treatment. Moreover, transcriptomic analysis unveiled substantial downregulation of mitochondrial-related genes at the molecular level, coupled with a significant hindrance in the DNA repair pathway. These findings strongly suggest that the combined application of CuCy and DSF induces mitochondrial impairment in Ishikawa cells, thereby fostering apoptosis and ultimately yielding potent anti-tumor effects.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy in combination with sequence regimens are recognized as the current major strategy for suppressing postoperative tumor recurrence. However, systemic side effects and poor in-field cooperation of the two therapies seriously impair the therapeutic efficacy of patients. The combination of brachytherapy and chemotherapy through innovative biomaterials has proven to be an important strategy to achieve synergistic effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in-time and in-field. However, for postoperative chemoradiotherapy, as far as we know, there are few relevant reports. Herein, an injectable pH-responsive polypeptide-polysaccharide depot for concurrent in situ chemotherapy and brachytherapy was developed by encapsulating vincristine into iodine-125 radionuclide labeled hydrogel. This depot hydrogel was prepared by dynamic covalent bonds of Schiff base between aldehydeated hyaluronic acid and polyethylene glycol-polytyrosine. Therefore, this hydrogel enables smart response to tumor acidic microenvironment, rapid release of the encapsulated vincristine and an enhanced uptake effect by tumor cells, which significantly reduces IC50 of vincristine for the anaplasia Wilms' tumor cells in vitro. This depot hydrogel shows excellent stability and biocompatibility, and maintains for 14 days after in situ injection in a postoperative model of anaplasia Wilms' tumor. After injection at the cavity of tumor excision, responsively-released vincristine and the radioactive iodine-125 exerted excellent killing effects on residual tumor cells, inhibiting tumor relapse and liver metastasis of the recurrent tumor. Hence, this study proposes an effective therapeutic strategy for inhibiting anaplasia Wilms’ tumor recurrence, which provides a new approach for concurrent postoperative chemo-radiotherapy and a desirable guidance in regimen execution of pediatric refractory tumors.

Dendrobium, a genus of orchids celebrated for their ornamental, medicinal, and culinary uses, is the focus of this study, which examines the metabolite profiles and bioactivity of five species: Dendrobium officinale, Dendrobium nobile, Dendrobium crepidatum, Dendrobium chrysotoxum, and Dendrobium denneanum. Utilizing UPLC-Q-TOF-MSE analysis, we have identified 88 compounds from the stems and leaves of these species. Notably, extracts from D. denneanum and D. chrysotoxum exhibited the highest antioxidant activities as demonstrated by DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging, and FRAP assays. Additionally, D. officinale showed significant anti-hepatoma activity with an IC50 value of 104 μg/mL. Multivariate analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, and metabolites correlation analysis further elucidated the bioactive potential of these species. This comprehensive approach revealed distinct metabolite profiles that correlate with the observed bioactivities. The antioxidant activities of D. denneanum and D. chrysotoxum were particularly noteworthy, suggesting their potential as natural sources of antioxidants for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. The anti-hepatoma activity of D. officinale, with its notable IC50 value, indicates its promise as a therapeutic agent against liver cancer. The findings underscore the richness of bioactive compounds in Dendrobium species, highlighting their antioxidant and anti-hepatoma properties. These insights pave the way for further research into the medicinal utilization of Dendrobium leaves and contribute to the development of novel applications in healthcare and wellness industries. The potential health benefits identified in this research emphasize the importance of preserving and studying these valuable plant species for their diverse bioactivities.

Abstract Addition of organic compounds containing O/N heteroatoms to aqueous electrolytes such as ZnSO4 (ZS) solutions is one of the effective strategies to inhibit Zn anode dendrites and side reactions. However, addressing the stability of Zn plating/stripping at high current densities and areal capacities by this method is still a challenge, especially in capacitors known for high power and long life. Herein, an organic heterocyclic compound of 1, 4, 7, 10‐tetraazacyclododecane (TC) containing four symmetrically distributed N atoms is employed as ZS additive, expanding the life of Zn anodes from ≈ 30 h to 1000 and 240 h at deep plating/stripping conditions of 10 and 20 mA cm−2/mAh cm−2, respectively; the cumulative capacity is as high as 5.0 Ah cm−2 with 99% Coulombic efficiency, far exceeding reported additives. TC with higher binding energies than H2O for Zn species tends to adsorb to Zn (002) in a lying manner and participate in the solvation shell of Zn2+, thus avoiding Zn dendrites and side‐reaction damage, especially at high current densities. The TC‐endowed Zn anode's stability under such extreme conditions is verified in Zn‐ion capacitors (i.e., > 94.6% capacity retention after 28 000 cycles), providing new insights into the development of high‐power Zn‐based energy storage devices.

Abstract Because DC conductivities of oil‐paper materials can be easily affected by electric field and temperature, the electrical properties under electro‐thermal coupling of oil‐paper materials should be considered when optimising the insulation structure of valve‐side winding of the converter transformer. Based on the finite element multi‐physical field coupling simulation, the multi‐objective optimisation of main insulation structure of valve‐side winding is carried out. In view of the high time consuming of multi‐physical field calculation and the actual needs of an insulation structure optimisation, the Kriging method and technique for order preference by similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS) method are introduced, and combines them with NSGA‐II to obtain a joint algorithm that can be used for the optimisation of insulation structure of the converter transformer. By using the joint algorithm of multi‐objective optimisation, the insulation structure configuration scheme of valve‐side winding is optimised. It can be seen from the experiment result that, on the one hand, the joint algorithm adopted can obtain the insulation structure configuration scheme that meets the design requirements. On the other hand, when facing the configuration scheme optimisation under multi‐field coupling, the computational time required by this method is only 0.15 % of that required by original genetic algorithm.

Abstract Acute lung injury (ALI) is generally caused by severe respiratory infection and characterized by overexuberant inflammatory responses and inefficient pathogens-containing, the two major processes wherein alveolar macrophages (AMs) play a central role. Dysfunctional mitochondria have been linked with distorted macrophages and hence lung disorders, but few treatments are currently available to correct these defects. Plant-derive nanovesicles have gained significant attention because of their therapeutic potential, but the targeting cells and the underlying mechanism remain elusive. We herein prepared the nanovesicles from Artemisia annua, a well-known medicinal plant with multiple attributes involving anti-inflammatory, anti-infection, and metabolism-regulating properties. By applying three mice models of acute lung injury caused by bacterial endotoxin, influenza A virus (IAV) and SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus respectively, we showed that Artemisia-derived nanovesicles (ADNVs) substantially alleviated lung immunopathology and raised the survival rate of challenged mice. Macrophage depletion and adoptive transfer studies confirmed the requirement of AMs for ADNVs effects. We identified that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) enclosed in the vesicles is a major molecular effector mediating the regulatory roles of ADNVs. Specifically, GABA acts on macrophages through GABA receptors, promoting mitochondrial gene programming and bioenergy generation, reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory signals, thereby enhancing the adaptability of AMs to inflammation resolution. Collectively, this study identifies a promising nanotherapeutics for alleviating lung pathology, and elucidates a mechanism whereby the canonical neurotransmitter modifies AMs and mitochondria to resume tissue homeostasis, which may have broader implications for treating critical pulmonary diseases such as COVID-19.

Abstract Crop wild relatives offer natural variations of disease resistance for crop improvement. Here, we report the isolation of broad-spectrum powdery mildew resistance gene Pm36, originated from wild emmer wheat, that encodes a tandem kinase with a transmembrane domain (WTK7-TM) through the combination of map-based cloning, PacBio SMRT long-read genome sequencing, mutagenesis, and transformation. Mutagenesis assay reveals that the two kinase domains and the transmembrane domain of WTK7-TM are critical for the powdery mildew resistance function. Consistently, in vitro phosphorylation assay shows that two kinase domains are indispensable for the kinase activity of WTK7-TM. Haplotype analysis uncovers that Pm36 is an orphan gene only present in a few wild emmer wheat, indicating its single ancient origin and potential contribution to the current wheat gene pool. Overall, our findings not only provide a powdery mildew resistance gene with great potential in wheat breeding but also sheds light into the mechanism underlying broad-spectrum resistance.

Abstract Aqueous zinc-ion batteries provide a most promising alternative to the existing lithium-ion batteries due to their high theoretical capacity, intrinsic safety, and low cost. However, commercializing aqueous zinc-ion batteries suffer from dendritic growth and side reactions on the surface of metallic zinc, resulting in poor reversibility. To overcome this critical challenge, here, we report a one-step ultrafast laser processing method for fabricating three-dimensional micro-/nanostructures on zinc anodes to optimize zinc nucleation and deposition processes. It is demonstrated that the three-dimensional micro-/nanostructure with increased specific surface area significantly reduces nucleation overpotential, as well as preferentially absorbs zinc ions to prevent dendritic protuberances and corrosion. As a result, the presence of three-dimensional micro-/nanostructures on the zinc metal delivers stable zinc plating/stripping beyond 2500 h (2 mA cm-2/1 mAh cm-2) in symmetric cells, a high Coulombic efficiency (99.71%) in half cells, and moreover an improved capacity retention (71.8%) is also observed in full cells. Equally intriguingly, the pouch cell with three-dimensional micro-/nanostructures can operate across various bending states without severely compromising performance. This work provides an effective strategy to construct ultrafine and high-precision three-dimensional micro-/nanostructures achieving high-performance zinc metal anodes and is expected to be of immediate benefit to other metal-based electrodes.

BackgroundEsophageal cancer (ESCA) is one of the most common tumors in the world, and treatment using neoadjuvant therapy (NT) based on radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy has still unsatisfactory results. Neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy (NICT) has also become an effective treatment strategy nowadays. However, its impact on the tumor microenvironment (TME) and regulatory mechanisms on T cells and NK cells needs to be further elucidated.MethodsA total of 279 cases of ESCA who underwent surgery alone [non-neoadjuvant therapy (NONE)], neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT), and NICT were collected, and their therapeutic effect and survival period were compared. Further, RNA sequencing combined with biological information was used to analyze the expression of immune-related genes. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were used to verify the activation and infiltration status of CD8+ T and CD16+ NK cells, as well as the function and regulatory pathway of killing tumor cells.ResultsPatients with ESCA in the NICT group showed better clinical response, median survival, and 2-year survival rates (p < 0.05) compared with the NCT group. Our RNA sequencing data revealed that NICT could promote the expression of immune-related genes. The infiltration and activation of immune cells centered with CD8+ T cells were significantly enhanced. CD8+ T cells activated by PD-1 inhibitors secreted more IFN-γ and cytotoxic effector factor cells through the transcription factor of EOMES and TBX21. At the same time, activated CD8+ T cells mediated the CD16+ NK cell activation and secreted more IFN-γ to kill ESCA cells. In addition, the immunofluorescence co-staining results showed that more CD276+ tumor cells and CD16+ NK cells were existed in pre-NCT and pre-NICT group. However, CD276+ tumor cells were reduced significantly in the post-NICT group, while they still appeared in the post-NCT group, which means that CD16+ NK cells can recognize and kill CD276+ tumor cells after immune checkpoint blocker (ICB) treatment.ConclusionNICT can improve the therapeutic effect and survival period of resectable ESCA patients. NICT could promote the expression of immune-related genes and activate CD8+ T and CD16+ NK cells to secrete more IFN-γ to kill ESCA cells. It provides a theoretical basis and clinical evidence for its potential as an NT strategy in ESCA.

IntroductionThe Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD), caused by enterovirus 71 infection, is a global public health emergency. Severe HFMD poses a significant threat to the life and well-being of children. Numerous studies have indicated that the occurrence of severe HFMD is associated with cytokine storm. However, the precise molecular mechanism underlying cytokine storm development remains elusive, and there are currently no safe and effective treatments available for severe HFMD in children.MethodsIn this study, we established a mouse model of severe HFMD to investigate the molecular mechanisms driving cytokine storm. We specifically analyzed metabolic disturbances, focusing on arginine/ornithine metabolism, and assessed the potential therapeutic effects of spermine, an ornithine metabolite.ResultsOur results identified disturbances in arginine/ornithine metabolism as a pivotal factor driving cytokine storm onset in severe HFMD cases. Additionally, we discovered that spermine effectively mitigated the inflammatory injury phenotype observed in mice with severe HFMD.DiscussionIn conclusion, our findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying severe HFMD from a metabolic perspective while offering a promising new strategy for its safe and effective treatment.

As a publishing success, Legends of the Condor Heroes ( Legends ) dispelled the belief that Jin Yong’s works are untranslatable, necessitating fresh scholarly attention. With a mixed-methods approach, this article investigates literary translators’ positioning in publishing network based on empirical data from paratexts, online sources and existing research of Legends through Actor-Network Theory (ANT)-inspired ethnography. It represents these data with visualized networks using Gephi, and conducts social network analysis (SNA) and qualitative analysis with various graphic metrics. It is illustrated that the three translators Anna Holmwood, Gigi Chang and Shelly Bryant and the publisher MacLehose Press serve as the focal actors with considerable connections with other actors in the publishing network. With further exploration of the connections, we find it is the multiple identities of these translators and the publishing strategy of the publisher that help shape their relative high centrality and visibility, which may also be one of the reasons for the success of Legends . This article hopes to complement the mainstream study on translator’s positioning and facilitate the conjunction of Translation Studies and publishing research, with rarely used but helpful techniques from graph theory and social network analysis.

Use of traditional mineral oil (MO) as a liquid insulation in transformers has spanned more than 130 years. However, MO has poor heat resistance, a low ignition point, and is a non-renewable resource, which does not meet development requirements for high-performance and environmentally friendly insulation oil. Consequently, researchers have explored alternatives such as natural ester (NE) and synthetic ester (SE) oils, as well as mixed insulation oils. Mixed insulating oil is a blend of diverse insulating oil types, with optimal performance achieved by adjusting proportions of base oils. This article summarizes the innovative achievements and development of mixed insulation oil in terms of development of mixed ratio, basic physical chemical properties, electrical properties, thermal stability, and application including operation and maintenance technology. Through these efforts, this article aims to provide recommendations for future development of mixed insulating oils to advance liquid dielectric research based on enhancement mechanisms.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to study the coupled dynamic response characteristics of an integrated system of a semi-submersible wind turbine and fish farming cage under wind, wave and current actions.MethodBased on the self-designed semi-submersible wind turbine SJTU-SPIC, an integrated floating wind turbine and fish farming cage concept is proposed and numerically modeled. The dynamic response characteristics of the integrated concept under wind, wave and current actions are then studied using coupled aero-hydro-servo-elastic-mooring analysis.ResultsThe numerical simulations indicate that introducing the fish farming cage can induce slightly a larger surge motion but suppress the pitch, which is beneficial for wind power production.ConclusionThe dynamic behavior of the integrated system of a semi-submersible wind turbine and fish farming cage proposed herein is similar to that of a floating wind turbine, and the system is shown to be feasible.

BackgroundNeuroglial heterotopia is a rare lesion composed of differentiated neuroectodermal cells that manifest in extracranial locations, with the majority of cases predominantly occurring in the head and neck region. Retroperitoneal neuroglial heterotopia is exceptionally rare, with isolated cases published in the scientific literature.Case reportHere, we present the case of a 3-year-old girl who was admitted without clinical signs but presented with a palpable abdominal mass. Ultrasonography and computed tomography scans revealed a sizable cystic lesion within the retroperitoneal space. Subsequently, laparoscopic resection was performed. Histological examination unveiled neuroglial cell-lined cysts encompassing fibrous connective tissue, ganglia, glial tissue, and nerve bundles. Notably, distinct areas and cell types exhibited expression of S100, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and neuron-specific enolase. Follow-up assessments revealed no relapses or late complications.ConclusionIn cases of retroperitoneal neuroglial heterotopia, most children may remain asymptomatic without any congenital anomalies. Despite their detectability through imaging, accurate preoperative diagnosis is seldom achieved. Generally, a favorable prognosis follows complete surgical resection, although further cases are required to confirm its long-term efficacy, necessitating extended follow-up for verification.

Delivering high areal capacitance (CA) at high rates is crucial but challenging for flexible supercapacitors. CA is the product of areal loading mass (MA) and gravimetric capacitance (CW). Finding and understanding the balance between MA and CW of supercapacitor materials is significant for designing high-CA electrodes. Herein, we have systematically studied the correlation between MA and CW of the nanosheet arrays of NiCo−layered double hydroxide (NiCo−LDH), which were electrodeposited on carbon cloth with different heights to adjust the MA, accompanied by the interlayer distance regulation to improve the CW. The optimal CW performance is achieved at the best charge transfer kinetics for each of MA series. The NiCo−LDH electrode with the suitable MA (2.58 ​mg ​cm−2) and the relatively high CW (1918 F ​g−1 ​at 5 ​A ​g−1 and 400 ​F ​g−1 ​at 150 ​A ​g−1) present a high CA of 4948 ​mF ​cm−2 ​at 12.9 ​mA ​cm−2 and a record-high 1032 ​mF ​cm−2 among LDHs-based flexible electrodes at an ultrahigh current density of 387 ​mA ​cm−2. The corresponding flexible supercapacitor coupled with activated carbon delivers a high energy density of 0.28 ​mWh cm−2 ​at an ultrahigh power density of 712 ​mW ​cm−2, showing great potential applications.

Composite coatings or films with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are typically utilized to offer superhydrophobic surfaces. However, the superhydrophobic surfaces usually have limited durability and require complicated fabrication methods. Herein, we report the successful integration of PTFE with ZnO ceramics to achieve superhydrophobicity via a one-step sintering method, cold sintering process (CSP), at 300 ℃. (1–x) ZnO–x PTFE ceramic composites with x ranging from 0 to 70 vol% are densified with relative density of over 97%. Micro/nano-scale PTFE polymer is dispersed among ZnO grains forming polymer grain boundary phases, which modulate surface morphology and surface energy of the ZnO–PTFE ceramic composites. For the 60 vol% ZnO–40 vol% PTFE ceramic composite, superhydrophobic properties are optimized with static water contact angles (WCAs) and sliding angles (SAs) of 162° and 7°, respectively. After abrading into various thicknesses (2.52, 2.26, and 1.99 mm) and contaminating with graphite powders on the surface, WCA and SA are still maintained with a high level of 157°–160° and 7°–9.3°, respectively. This work indicates that CSP provides a promising pathway to integrate polymers with ceramics to realize stable superhydrophobicity.

The thermal-controlled fracture method has been increasingly focused upon in the high-quality cutting of advanced ceramic materials due to its excellent characteristics. The successful application of this method in cutting ceramics mainly depends on the volumetric heating effect. However, most ceramics are treated using the surface heating mode. For the surface heating mode, the processing quality, including fracture trajectory and fracture quality, is far lower than the industrial application standards. This work was conducted to reveal the mechanism of this processing quality. Experiments involving cutting ceramics in single-surface heating mode indicate that the fracture trajectories of the upper and lower surfaces display a significant inconsistency, and the fracture quality is worse than that using the dual-surface heating mode. A cutting model was established to calculate the thermal stress distribution and to simulate the crack-propagation behaviors. The simulation results show good agreement with the experiment and provide the stress distribution, and are used to understand the reason for the processing quality problem. The mechanism of the trajectory deviation and uneven distribution of the fracture quality is revealed based on the simulation and calculation results. This study helps provide a deep understanding of the processing problems arising from this method and thus helps to innovate high-quality processing methods in this field.

Background: Hypoxic-ischemic injury of neurons is a pathological process observed in several neurological conditions, including ischemic stroke and neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI). An optimal treatment strategy for these conditions remains elusive. The present study delved deeper into the molecular alterations occurring during the injury process in order to identify potential therapeutic targets. Methods: Oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) serves as an established in vitro model for the simulation of HIBI. This study utilized RNA sequencing to analyze rat primary hippocampal neurons that were subjected to either 0.5 or 2 h of OGD, followed by 0, 9, or 18 h of reperfusion. Differential expression analysis was conducted to identify genes dysregulated during OGD/R. Time-series analysis was used to identify genes exhibiting similar expression patterns over time. Additionally, functional enrichment analysis was conducted to explore their biological functions, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analyses were performed to identify hub genes. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used for validation of hub-gene expression. Results: The study included a total of 24 samples. Analysis revealed distinct transcriptomic alterations after OGD/R processes, with significant dysregulation of genes such as Txnip, Btg2, Egr1 and Egr2. In the OGD process, 76 genes, in two identified clusters, showed a consistent increase in expression; functional analysis showed involvement of inflammatory responses and signaling pathways like tumor necrosis factor (TNF), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), and interleukin 17 (IL-17). PPI network analysis suggested that Ccl2, Jun, Cxcl1, Ptprc, and Atf3 were potential hub genes. In the reperfusion process, 274 genes, in three clusters, showed initial upregulation followed by downregulation; functional analysis suggested association with apoptotic processes and neuronal death regulation. PPI network analysis identified Esr1, Igf-1, Edn1, Hmox1, Serpine1, and Spp1 as key hub genes. qRT-PCR validated these trends. Conclusions: The present study provides a comprehensive transcriptomic profile of an in vitro OGD/R process. Key hub genes and pathways were identified, offering potential targets for neuroprotection after hypoxic ischemia.

In the process of ship production, the production of pipeline occurs throughout the production process. Key issues to address in the pipeline-processing workshop of a shipyard include uneven production loads and weak flow rhythmicity. Additionally, uncertainties in processing time and other real-world factors can pose significant challenges. The fuzzy number method is used to describe processing and completion times, with the goal of minimizing the fuzzy maximum completion time. To achieve this, a scheduling method based on the Black Widow Optimization Algorithm (BWOA) is proposed for the pipeline-processing workshop in a shipyard. This algorithm aims to effectively reduce the blindness of the production plan, ensure the rationality and stability of the plan, shorten the production cycle of a ship pipeline, improve the production efficiency, and realize the lean shipbuilding mode. A simulation was conducted to evaluate the BWOA algorithm. The final simulation test results show that the algorithm provided a better scheduling plan and a stabler average value than comparable methods, which proves its effectiveness in the scheduling of pipeline processing in shipyards.

The structural components of large-scale public construction projects are more complex than those of ordinary residential buildings, with irregular and diverse components, as well as a large number of repetitive structural elements, which increase the difficulty of BIM-modeling operations. Additionally, there is a significant amount of inherent parameter information in the construction process, which puts forward higher requirements for the application and management capabilities of BIM technology. However, the current BIM software still has deficiencies in the parameterization of complex and irregular structural components, fine modeling, and project management information. To address these issues, this paper takes Grasshopper as the core parametric tool and Revit as the carrier of component attribute information. It investigates the parametric modeling logic of Grasshopper and combines the concepts of parameterization, modularization, standardization, and engineering practicality to create a series of parametric programs for complex structural components in building projects. This approach mainly addresses intricate challenges pertaining to the parametric structural shapes (including batch processing) and parametric structural attributes (including the batch processing of diverse attribute parameters), thereby ensuring the efficiency in BIM modeling throughout the design and construction phases of complex building projects.

The access of new energy improves the flexibility of distribution network operation, but also leads to more complex mechanism of line loss. Therefore, starting from the nonlinear, fluctuating and multi-scale characteristics of line loss data, and based on the idea of decomposition prediction, this paper proposes a new method of line loss frequency division prediction based on wavelet transform and BIGRU-LSTM (Bidirectional Gated Recurrent Unit-Long Short Term Memory Network).Firstly, the grey relation analysis and the improved NARMA (Nonlinear Autoregressive Moving Average) correlation analysis method are used to extract the non-temporal and temporal influencing factors of line loss, and the corresponding feature data set is constructed. Then, the historical line loss data is decomposed into physical signals of different frequency bands by using wavelet transform, and the multi-dimensional input data of the prediction network is formed with the above characteristic data set. Finally, the BIGRU-LSTM prediction network is built to realize the probabilistic prediction of high-frequency and low-frequency components of line loss. The effectiveness and applicability of the method proposed in this paper were verified through numerical simulation. By dividing the line loss data into different frequency bands for frequency prediction, the mapping relationship between different line loss components and influencing factors was accurately matched, thereby improving the prediction accuracy.

To investigate the self-pulsation characteristics of a liquid-centered swirl coaxial injector with liquid oxygen (LOX) and gas hydrogen (GH2) as the working mediums under supercritical condition, a numerical simulation was employed. The transient simulation of the flow and injection process of cryogenic propellant was carried out using the RNG k−ε turbulence model, VOF model, and Peng-Robinson equation of state. The frequency spectrum of calculated pressure oscillation agreed with the experimental data. The amplitude-frequency characteristics of recess region, LOX, and GH2 paths when self-pulsation occurs were analyzed. The effects of operating parameters, such as the flow rate of LOX or GH2 and the initial GH2 temperature, on the self-pulsation, were evaluated specifically. Results reveal that the self-pulsation results from the periodic variation of pressure and velocity caused by the periodic blocking of annular gas by the liquid sheet. The dominant frequencies of pressure oscillation in the recess region, upstream of LOX, or GH2 path are diverse. But for the points in each region, the dominant frequency is about the same. When the LOX/GH2 mixing ratio increases, the liquid sheet thickness and the number of liquid filaments increase. The position where filaments are massively broken into droplets moves further downstream. For the same mixing ratio, the flow rate of LOX has a greater impact on the atomization features. The pressures corresponding to low or high frequency increase when the initial GH2 temperature raises. The higher temperature would shift the dominant oscillation between the low and high regimes.

Acquired aplastic anemia (AA) is a bone marrow failure (BMF) disease, characterized by fatty bone marrow (BM) and BM hypocellularity resulted from auto-immune dysregulated T cells-mediated destruction of BM haemopoietic stem cells (HPSC). The objective of this study was to investigate potential therapeutic effect of irisin, a molecule involved in adipose tissue transition, on AA mouse model. Our results showed that the concentration of irisin in serum was lower in AA patients than in healthy controls, suggesting a role of irisin in the pathogenesis of AA. In the AA mice, irisin administration prolonged the survival rate, prevented or attenuated peripheral pancytopenia, and preserved HPSC in the BM. Moreover, irisin also markedly reduced BM adipogenesis. In vitro results showed that irisin increased both cell proliferation and colony numbers of HPSC. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that irisin upregulated the expression of mitochondrial ATPase Inhibitory Factor 1 (IF1) in HPSC, inhibited the activation of mitochondrial fission protein (DRP1) and enhanced aerobic glycolysis. Taken together, our findings indicate novel roles of irisin in the pathogenesis of AA, and in the protection of HPSC through stimulation of proliferation and regulation of mitochondria function, which provides a proof-of-concept for the application of irisin in AA therapy.

It is unclear whether the health equity of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) has changed in different years, regions, and gender. The aims of this study were to provide a comprehensive description of the ASDs burden and provide evidence for improvement in health policies regarding ASDs inequality. This study is a population-based cross-sectional study based on the Global Burden of Disease datasets 1990–2019. We collected detailed information on ASDs between 1990 and 2019 in 204 countries worldwide, derived from the Global Burden of Disease study in 2019. Burden was calculated in terms of the incidence, prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs). Concentration curves and concentration indices were used to summarize the degree of income-related inequality in the burden of ASDs. The overall age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) and age-standardized YLDs rate (ASYR) of ASDs was 9.3 (95 %UI 7.7–11.1), 369.4 (95 %UI 305.9–441.2), 56.3 (95 %UI 36.8–81.5) per 100,000 people, respectively. The ASIR, ASPR and ASYR of ASDs affected three times as many males as females. The changing trends of age-standardized rates of ASDs showed that the ASIR of ASDs a slow growing trend globally. However, the ASPR and ASYR of ASDs showed a slow decreasing trend globally. All the concentration curves were below the line of equality and statistically significant. There was no significant difference in the age-standardized rate for different years in socio-demographic index-related inequality happened over 29 years (p > 0.05). The global burden of ASDs has remained higher in males and pro-rich, the income-related inequality tended not to change between 1990 and 2019.

The glycosylation levels of proteins in cancer cells are closely related to cancer invasion and migration. CD44 is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is significantly overexpressed in a variety of tumor cells and has been proven to promote the migration and motility of cancer cells, but the effect of its N-glycosylation modification on CD44 protein function in tumors is less studied. Here, we investigated the effect of six N-glycan chains (N25/57/100/110/120/255) on CD44s localization, function and stability in hepatocarcinoma cells. When the six sites were mutated, we found that CD44s lost its membrane localization in Huh7 and MHCC-97H cells. On this basis, we identified three glycosylation sites on CD44s (N57, N100 and N110) that played key roles in intracellular localization. When N57, N100 and N110 were mutated together, CD44 localized to the cytoplasm, while another three-site mutant (N25/N120/N255) was still anchored to the membrane. In addition, the ability of CD44-N57Q/N100Q/N110Q to promote the metastasis and invasion of Huh7 and 97H cells was weakened compared with that of CD44-N25Q/N120Q/N255Q. Furthermore, CD44-N57Q/N100Q/N110Q accumulated abnormally in the ER, and a high level of the ER stress (ERS) marker BiP was detected at the same time compared with wild-type CD44. When the lysosome inhibitor CQ was added, the content of mutant protein that triggered ERS significantly increased, which indicated that the degradation mode of CD44-N57Q/N100Q/N110Q after ERS was mainly through the lysosomal pathway (ERLAD). The results revealed that the N-glycosylation sites N57, N100 and N110 mutated on CD44s affected its function and degraded it by lysosomes after triggering ERS. These findings provide data for new studies on ER-related degradation, further promote the study of the glycan chain function of CD44 and furnish new ideas for the treatment of liver cancer metastasis.

AbstractObjective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of the combination of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), mifepristone, and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) in adenomyosis treatment.Methods HIFU treatment was performed in 123 patients with symptomatic adenomyosis who had refused treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) at Anyang Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital. In the control group, 34 patients were treated with HIFU alone, 29 patients with HIFU combined with mifepristone, 10 patients with HIFU combined with LNG-IUS. In the study group, 50 patients were treated with HIFU combined with mifepristone and LNG-IUS.Results Uterine volume, dysmenorrhea pain score, menstruation volume score, and serum CA125 level were significantly lower after treatment with HIFU combined with mifepristone and LNG-IUS than before treatment (p

Wheat powdery mildew caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici is one of the most serious foliar diseases of wheat, causing grain yield and quality degradation by affecting plant photosynthesis. It is an effective method to improve the disease resistance of wheat plants by molecular breeding. With the continuous development of sequencing technology, long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) have been discovered in many eukaryotes and act as key regulators of many cellular processes. In this study, 12 sets of RNA-seq data from wheat leaves pre- and post-pathogen infection were analyzed and 2,266 candidate lincRNAs were identified. Consistent with previous findings, lincRNA has shorter length and fewer exons than mRNA. The results of differential expression analysis showed that 486 DE-lincRNAs were selected as lincRNAs that could respond to powdery mildew stress. Since lincRNAs may be functionally related to their adjacent target genes, the target genes of these lincRNAs were predicted, and the GO and KEGG functional annotations of the predicted target genes were performed. Integrating the functions of target genes and the biological processes in which they were involved uncovered 23 lincRNAs that may promote or inhibit the occurrence of wheat powdery mildew. Co-expression patterns of lincRNAs with their adjacent mRNAs showed that some lincRNAs showed significant correlation with the expression patterns of their potential target genes. These suggested an involvement of lincRNAs in pathogen stress response, which will provide a further understanding of the pathogenic mechanism of wheat powdery mildew.

Effects of high temperature pretreatment and inoculation of Bacillus coagulans were determined relative to the physicochemical properties and bacterial community of aerobic composting of chicken manure. Chicken manure was pretreated with high temperature for 0 h (CJ), 0.5 h (T-0.5h), 1.0 h (T-1.0h), 1.5 h (T-1.5h), and 2.0 h (T-2.0h) and then inoculated with B. coagulans. Chicken manure without high temperature pretreatment was included as control (CK). The results showed that the temperature of manure in CJ, T-0.5h, T-1.0h, T-1.5h, and T-2.0h groups was 2.2 to 8.4 °C higher than the chicken manure in CK within 1 day. On day 3, the chicken manure temperature reached a peak, which was 1.5 to 7.7 °C higher than that in the CK (56.8 °C). Both inoculation of B. coagulans and high temperature pretreatment increased the abundance and diversity of the bacterial community. The abundance of Firmicutes in T-1.5h was significantly higher than that in CJ. In the temperature decreasing period, the abundance of Bacillus in T-1.5h group was significantly higher than that in the CK and CJ. Overall, it was concluded that high temperature pretreatment and B. coagulans inoculation can accelerate the temperature elevation, increase the temperature of compost, and regulate the structure of bacterial community.

The chemical kinetics of hydrogen atom (H-atom) abstraction reactions from norbornadiene (NBD) by five radicals (H, O(3P), OH, CH3, and HO2), and the unimolecular reactions of three NBD derived radicals, were studied through high-level ab-initio calculations. The geometries optimization and vibrational frequencies calculation for all the reactants, transition states, and products were obtained at the M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. The zero-point energy (ZPE) corrected potential energy surfaces (PESs) were determined at the QCISD(T)/cc-pVDZ, TZ level of theory with basis set corrections from MP2/cc-pVDZ, TZ, QZ methods for single point energy calculations. Conventional transition state theory (TST) was used for the rate constants calculations of H-atom abstraction reactions by five radicals (H, O(3P), OH, CH3, and HO2) at temperatures from 298.15 to 2000 K, while the α-site H-atom abstraction reaction rate constant of NBD by OH radical has been obtained through variational transition state theory (VTST). The results show that the H-atom abstraction reactions from the α-carbon atom of NBD are the most critical channels at low temperatures. Total rate constants for H-atom abstraction reactions by OH radical are also the fastest among all of the reaction channels investigated at the temperature range from 298.15 to 2000 K. Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus/Master Equation (RRKM/ME) has been used to calculate the pressure- and temperature-dependent rate constants for the unimolecular reactions of three related C7H7 product radicals which generated from H-atom abstraction reaction within temperature ranges of 300–2000 K and pressures of 0.01–100 atm. A combination of composite methods has been used to calculate the temperature-dependent thermochemical properties of NBD and related radicals. All the calculated kinetics and thermochemistry data can be utilized in the model development for NBD oxidation.

Chongming Island and its surrounding areas are highly significant coastal regions in China. However, the regions undergo continuous changes owing to various factors, such as the sedimentation from the Yangtze River, human activities, and tidal movements. Chongming Island is part of the Yangtze River Delta, which is one of the most economically developed regions in China. Studying the water body changes in this area is of great importance for decision making in water resource conservation, coastal resource management, and ecological environmental protection. In this study, we propose an improved ISUNet model by enhancing the skip-connection operations in the traditional UNet architecture. We extracted and analyzed the water bodies in Chongming Island and its surrounding areas from 2013 to 2022, providing a detailed spatiotemporal analysis of the water body area over the years. The results indicate that the water body area in the study area has decreased by 267.8 km2 over the past decade, showing a gradually fluctuating downward trend with an average annual reduction of nearly 27 km2. The analysis suggests that the reduction in the water body area is mainly attributed to sedimentation near river channels and ports, the formation of sandbars owing to channel erosion, and the artificial construction of ports and coastal areas. The influencing factors include human activities and sedimentation from the Yangtze River Estuary. Specifically, human activities such as land reclamation, port construction, and aquaculture play a major role in causing changes in the area.

The accurate online detection of laser welding penetration depth has been a critical problem to which the industry has paid the most attention. Aiming at the laser welding process of TC4 titanium alloy, a multi-sensor monitoring system that obtained the keyhole/molten pool images and laser-induced plasma spectrum was built. The influences of laser power on the keyhole/molten pool morphologies and plasma thermo-mechanical characteristics were investigated. The results showed that there were significant correlations among the variations of the keyhole–molten pool, plasma spectrum, and penetration depth. The image features and spectral features were extracted by image processing and dimension-reduction methods, respectively. Moreover, several penetration depth prediction models based on single-sensor features and multi-sensor features were established. The mean square error of the neural network model built by multi-sensor features was 0.0162, which was smaller than that of the model built by single-sensor features. The established high-precision model provided a theoretical basis for real-time feedback control of the penetration depth in the laser welding process.

The purpose of the systematic review was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6) antagonists (tocilizumab, sarilumab) in adult patients with severe or critical COVID-19. A systematic review of the literature was conducted in Medline, Cochrane and Embase databases, and World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP) and ClinicalTrials.gov from the inception dates to10 January 2023. Randomized clinical trials comparing IL-6 receptor antagonists (tocilizumab, sarilumab) with a placebo or usual care treatment for adult patients with severe or critical COVID-19 were identified. Two independent reviewers performed the assessment and selection of eligible studies, assessed study quality and extracted data. Relative risk (RR), mean difference (MD), and 95% confidence interval (CI) with random-effects models was performed in meta-analysis. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology was used to assess the quality of the evidence. The search retrieved a total of 11 RCTs involving 5028 participants were eligible for meta-analysis. Our findings suggest that as the new drug used in adult patients with severe or critical COVID-19, IL-6 antagonists (tocilizumab, sarilumab) may reduce the length of ICU stay and hospital stay. However, they did not significantly increase the risks of serious adverse events and did not reduce all-cause mortality (28-day, 14-day, and 7-day).

Abstract Background Perioperative hypotension increases postoperative complication rates and prolongs postoperative recovery time. Whether Passive Leg Raising test (PLR) and Subclavian Vein Diameter (DSCV) can effectively predict post-anesthesia hypotension remains to be tested. This study aimed to identify specific predictors of General Anesthesia (GA)induced hypotension by measuring DSCV in the supine versus PLR position. Methods A total of 110 patients who underwent elective gynecological laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia, were enrolled in this study. Before anesthesia, DSCV and theCollapsibility Index of DSCV(DSCV-CI) were measured by ultrasound, and the difference in maximal values of DSCV between supine and PLR positions was calculated, expressed as ΔDSCV. Hypotension was defined as Mean Blood Pressure (MBP) below 60mmhg or more than 30% below the baseline. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence (Group H) or absence (Group N) of postanesthesia hypotension. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the predictability of DSCV and other parameters for predicting preincision hypotension. Results Three patients were excluded due to unclear ultrasound scans, resulting in a total of 107 patients studied. Twenty-seven (25.2%) patients experienced hypotension. Area under the ROC curve of ΔDSCV was 0.75 (P

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 is a type of acute infectious pneumonia and frequently confused with influenza since the initial symptoms. When the virus colonized the patient's mouth, it will cause changes of the oral microenvironment. However, few studies on the alterations of metabolism of the oral microenvironment affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection have been reported. In this study, we explored metabolic alterations of oral microenvironment after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods Untargeted metabolomics (UPLC-MS) was used to investigate the metabolic changes between oral secretion samples of 25 COVID-19 and 30 control participants. To obtain the specific metabolic changes of COVID-19, we selected 25 influenza patients to exclude the metabolic changes caused by the stress response of the immune system to the virus. Multivariate analysis (PCA and PLS-DA plots) and univariate analysis (students’ t-test) were used to compare the differences between COVID-19 patients and the controls. Online hiplot tool was used to perform heatmap analysis. Metabolic pathway analysis was conducted by using the MetaboAnalyst 5.0 web application. Results PLS-DA plots showed significant separation of COVID-19 patients and the controls. A total of 45 differential metabolites between COVID-19 and control group were identified. Among them, 35 metabolites were defined as SARS-CoV-2 specific differential metabolites. Especially, the levels of cis-5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid and hexanoic acid changed dramatically based on the FC values. Pathway enrichment found the most significant pathways were tyrosine-related metabolism. Further, we found 10 differential metabolites caused by the virus indicating the body’s metabolism changes after viral stimulation. Moreover, adenine and adenosine were defined as influenza virus-specific differential metabolites. Conclusions This study revealed that 35 metabolites and tyrosine-related metabolism pathways were significantly changed after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The metabolic alterations of oral microenvironment in COVID-19 provided new insights into its molecular mechanisms for research and prognostic treatment.

Abstract Background Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) have been demonstrated to have beneficial effects on plant growth and development, especially under biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the mechanisms of SiNPs-mediated plant growth strengthening are still unclear, especially under field condition. In this study, we evaluated the effect of SiNPs on the growth and sugar and hormone metabolisms of wheat in the field. Results SiNPs increased tillers and elongated internodes by 66.7% and 27.4%, respectively, resulting in a larger biomass. SiNPs can increase the net photosynthetic rate by increasing total chlorophyll contents. We speculated that SiNPs can regulate the growth of leaves and stems, partly by regulating the metabolisms of plant hormones and soluble sugar. Specifically, SiNPs can increase auxin (IAA) and fructose contents, which can promote wheat growth directly or indirectly. Furthermore, SiNPs increased the expression levels of key pathway genes related to soluble sugars (SPS, SUS, and α-glucosidase), chlorophyll (CHLH, CAO, and POR), IAA (TIR1), and abscisic acid (ABA) (PYR/PYL, PP2C, SnRK2, and ABF), whereas the expression levels of genes related to CTKs (IPT) was decreased after SiNPs treatment. Conclusions This study shows that SiNPs can promote wheat growth and provides a theoretical foundation for the application of SiNPs in field conditions.

Abstract Background To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of different dosages of intranasal Dexmedetomidine (DEX) in combination with oral midazolam for sedation of young children during brain MRI examination. Methods Included in this prospective single-blind randomized controlled trial were 156 children aged from 3 months to 6 years and weighing from 4 to 20 Kg with ASA I-II who underwent brain MRI examination between March 2021 and February 2022. Using the random number table method, they were divided into group A (using 3 ug/kg intranasal DEX plus 0.2 mg/Kg oral midazolam) and group B (using 2 ug/kg intranasal DEX plus 0.2 mg/Kg oral Midazolam). The one-time success rate of sedation, sedation onset time, recovery time, overall sedation time, and occurrence of adverse reactions during MRI examination were compared between the two groups. The heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and percutaneous SpO2before and after drug administration were observed in both groups. Differences in sedation scores between the two groups were compared before intranasal drug administration (T0), 10 min after drug administration (T1), at the time of falling asleep (T2), at the end of examination (T3), and at the time of recovery (T4). Results The one-time success rate of sedation in group A and B was 88.31% and 79.75% respectively, showing no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The sedation onset time in group A was 24.97±16.94 min versus 27.92±15.83 min in group B, and the recovery time was 61.88±22.18 min versus 61.16±28.16 min, both showing no significance difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Children in both groups exhibited good drug tolerance without presenting nausea and vomiting, hypoxia, or bradycardia and hypotension that needed clinical interventions. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of abnormal HR, MAP or other adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion 3 ug/kg or 2 ug/kg intranasal DEX in combination with 0.2 mg/kg oral Midazolam both are safe and effective for sedation of children undergoing MRI examination with the advantages of fast-acting and easy application. Trial registration It was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( ChiCTR1800015038 ) on 02/03/2018.

Abstract Developing green insulation materials has become an important direction for future research. As a new environmental insulation liquid, natural ester can effectively delay cellulose insulation polymer ageing. Mastering the mechanism of natural ester delaying the cellulose ageing could promote its application in power transformers. In this study, based on the accelerated thermal ageing of pressboard immersed in natural ester and 25# mineral oil at 120°C for 221 days, the thermal ageing rate and the levelling off degree of polymerisation (LODP) for two kinds of oil‐impregnated pressboards were compared. The molecular level mechanism of natural ester delaying cellulose degradation and keeping higher LODP value was proposed using molecular dynamics simulation. At the early stage of thermal ageing, cellulose with a higher degree of polymerisation (DP) can form many hydrogen bonds with hydronium ions, and their binding energy is stronger, which can accelerate the acid hydrolysis of cellulose, causing the DP of pressboard immersed in natural ester and mineral oil to decrease rapidly. With the breaking of the cellulose molecular chain, the number of hydrogen bonds and binding energy between cellulose and hydronium ions becomes smaller and the thermal ageing rate decreases gradually. At the end stage of ageing, it is difficult for the hydronium ions to enter the crystalline cellulose, acid hydrolysis of crystalline cellulose is hard to conduct, leading to the occurrence of the LODP phenomenon. The degradation rate of cellulose in natural ester is only 50% of that in mineral oil. The cellulose LODP value in natural ester is over 200 larger than that in mineral oil. Compared with the mineral oil‐cellulose system, natural ester can form hydrogen bonds with hydronium ions and lead to fewer hydronium ions in cellulose, fewer hydrogen bonds and smaller binding energy between cellulose and hydronium ions, which can reduce the acid hydrolysis reaction of cellulose. This study provides a theoretical explanation for natural esters to delay the ageing of insulation paper.

Wave run-up on surface-piercing columns is an important phenomenon in offshore engineering. Previous studies have mainly focused on a single column and circular column arrays. This study is concerned with the wave run-up ratio and the wave force on a fixed array of four rounded square columns. A series of regular wave tests were conducted, and the effects of wave periods and steepness were investigated. The nonlinearity of the wave run-up under incident waves with a small period is more sensitive to wave steepness. Utilizing empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and fast Fourier transform (FFT) methods, the measured signals were separated into three components representing characteristics of the incident wave component (IMF1), near-field interference (IMF2), and far-field low frequency reflected wave (IMF3), respectively. The proposed methods are helpful for studying the mechanism of near-field interference, and the experimental data are essential benchmarks for validating further numerical simulations of wave run-ups on rounded square columns.

Phosphorus treatment can reduce Cd accumulation and Cd toxicity in rice, but alterations in the internal regulatory network of rice during this process have rarely been reported. We have removed the effect of cadmium phosphate precipitation from the hydroponic system, treated a pair of different Cd-response rice varieties with different levels of phosphorus and cadmium and examined the changes in physiological indicators and regulatory networks. The results demonstrated that phosphorus treatment significantly reduced Cd accumulation in both types of rice, although the antioxidant systems within the two types of rice produced opposite responses. Overall, 3 mM phosphorus treatment to Cd-N decreased the expression of OsIAA17 and OsACO1 by 32% and 37%, respectively, while increasing the expression of OsNR2 by 83%; these three genes regulate the synthesis of auxin, ethylene, and nitric oxide in rice. IAA and NO levels in rice shoots increased by 24% and 96%, respectively, and these changes contribute to Cd detoxification. The cadmium transporter genes OsHMA2, OsIRT1, and OsABCC1 were significantly down-regulated in Cd-N roots after triple phosphorus treatment. These data suggest that phosphorus treatment can reduce Cd accumulation and enhance Cd resistance in rice by affecting the expression of signaling molecules.

BackgroundAcute kidney injury (AKI) is a potential complication after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) of pediatric cardiac surgery and contributes to a certain amount of perioperative mortality. Serum soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells2 (sTREM2) is an inflammation-associated cytokine in circulation. Alterations of sTREM2 level have been reported in Alzheimer's disease, sepsis, and some other pathologic conditions. This study aimed to investigate the role of sTREM2 as a forecasting factor for AKI in infants and young children and other factors associated with early renal injury after pediatric CPB.MethodsA prospective cohort study with consecutive infants and young children ≤ 3 years old undergoing CPB from September 2021 to August 2022 was conducted in an affiliated university children's hospital. These patients were divided into an AKI group (n = 10) and a non-AKI group (n = 60). Children′s characteristics and clinical data were measured. Perioperative sTREM2 levels were analyzed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsIn children developing AKI, the sTREM2 levels significantly decreased at the beginning of CPB compared to the non-AKI group. Based on binary logistic regression analysis and multivariable regression analysis, risk-adjusted classification for congenital heart surgery (RACHS-1), operation time, and the s-TREM2 level at the beginning of CPB (AUC = 0.839, p = 0.001, optimal cut-off value: 716.0 pg/ml) had predictive value for post-CPB AKI. When combining the sTREM2 level at the beginning of CPB and other indicators together, the area under the ROC curve enlarged.ConclusionsOperation time, RACHS-1 score, and sTREM2 level at the beginning of CPB were independent prognosis factors of post-CPB AKI in infants and young children ≤ 3 years old. Decreased sTREM2 identified post-CPB AKI, and ultimately hampered the outcomes. Our findings indicated that sTREM2 may be a protective factor for AKI after CPB in infants and young children ≤ 3 years old.

Abstract Background The use of keratinocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs-KCs) may represent a novel cell therapy strategy for burn treatment. There is growing evidence that extracellular vesicles, including exosomes, are primary mediators of the benefits of stem cell therapy. Herein, we thus explored the effects of exosomes produced by iPSCs-derived keratinocytes (iPSCs-KCs-Exos) in a model of deep second-degree burn wound healing and evaluated the mechanistic basis for the observed activity. Methods iPSCs-KCs-Exos were isolated from conditioned medium of iPSCs-KCs and verified by electron micrograph and size distribution. Next, iPSCs-KCs-Exos were injected subcutaneously around wound sites, and its efficacy was evaluated by measuring wound closure areas, histological examination, and immunohistochemistry staining. The effects of iPSCs-KCs-Exos on proliferation and migration of keratinocytes and endothelial cells in vitro were assessed by EdU staining, wound healing assays, and transwell assay. Then, high-throughput microRNA sequencing was used to explore the underlying mechanisms. We assessed the roles of miR-762 in iPSCs-KCs-Exos-induced regulation of keratinocytes and endothelial cells migration. Furthermore, the target gene which mediated the biological effects of miR-762 in keratinocytes and endothelial cells was also been detected. Results The analysis revealed that iPSCs-KCs-Exos application to the burn wound drove the acceleration of wound closure, with more robust angiogenesis and re-epithelialization being evident. Such iPSCs-KCs-Exos treatment effectively enhanced endothelial cell and keratinocyte migration in vitro. Moreover, the enrichment of miR-762 was detected in iPSCs-KCs-Exos and was found to target promyelocytic leukemia (PML) as a means of regulating cell migration through a mechanism tie to integrin beta1 (ITGB1). Conclusion These results thus provide a foundation for the further study of iPSCs-KCs-Exos as novel cell-free treatments for deep second-degree burns. Graphical Abstract

More sensitive and specific non-invasive biomarkers are desired for early detection of cancer. Here, the authors show a protein signature in the urine that increases sensitivity for colorectal cancer detection when combined with fecal immunochemical tests and corrects diagnosis in some fecal immunochemical tests-negative patients.

The clearance function is essential for maintaining brain tissue homeostasis, and the glymphatic system is the main pathway for removing brain interstitial solutes. Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is the most abundantly expressed aquaporin in the central nervous system (CNS) and is an integral component of the glymphatic system. In recent years, many studies have shown that AQP4 affects the morbidity and recovery process of CNS disorders through the glymphatic system, and AQP4 shows notable variability in CNS disorders and is part of the pathogenesis of these diseases. Therefore, there has been considerable interest in AQP4 as a potential and promising target for regulating and improving neurological impairment. This review aims to summarize the pathophysiological role that AQP4 plays in several CNS disorders by affecting the clearance function of the glymphatic system. The findings can contribute to a better understanding of the self-regulatory functions in CNS disorders that AQP4 were involved in and provide new therapeutic alternatives for incurable debilitating neurodegenerative disorders of CNS in the future.

Objectives As current studies on the relationships between air pollutants exposure during the first trimester and birth defects were not fully elucidated, this study aimed to assess the association between selected air pollutants and birth defects.Design An observational study.Participants We obtained 70 854 singletons with gestational age