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Within the framework of the overarching green development objective guiding the transformation and progress of urban green and low-carbon initiatives, the technological advancements stemming from artificial intelligence have introduced fresh paradigms for reducing urban pollution and enhancing environmental governance. A comprehensive exploration into the influence of artificial intelligence on urban pollution emissions has emerged as a pivotal current concern. The findings that the progression of artificial intelligence has effectively curbed urban pollution emissions, assuming the role of a significant "speed bump". Robustness testing corroborated this conclusion. Mechanism testing unveiled that the evolution of artificial intelligence mitigates urban pollution emissions by enhancing production efficiency, minimizing energy consumption, boosting green technology innovation, optimizing industrial structure, and increasing public participation. Heterogeneity analysis underscored substantial variances in the impact of artificial intelligence on urban pollution emissions, influenced by pollutant types, regional disparities, and urban scale differentials. Further scrutiny exposed that while the application of artificial intelligence technology does not entirely mitigate the "local-neighborhood" effect, it does ameliorate the "boundary effect", subsequently reducing pollution emission intensity in cities straddling provincial administrative boundaries. • AI significantly curbs urban pollution emissions, acting as an effective "speed bump". • This study reveals the mechanisms and heterogeneity of the impact of artificial intelligence on pollution emissions. • Although AI does not eliminate the "local-neighborhood effect", it significantly attenuates the "boundary effect". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Clinical Message: This case report describes the clinical course of a 64‐year‐old male with intermittent abdominal pain attributed to recurrent ulcers at the appendiceal orifice. Initial investigations in November 2019 revealed chronic gastritis and ulcers at the appendiceal orifice, prompting consideration of ulcerative colitis (UC). The patient responded well to mesalazine therapy, experiencing relief from symptoms and improved colonoscopy findings in May 2020. Despite discontinuing medication, a recurrence of symptoms in August 2021 led to a repeat colonoscopy showing renewed ulcers. Mesalazine was reinstated, resulting in symptom resolution and improved colonoscopy findings by December 2021. However, in May 2023, a subsequent recurrence of abdominal pain and colonoscopy‐confirmed mucosal changes at the appendiceal orifice prompted reintroduction of mesalazine. The patient remains under regular monitoring on mesalazine therapy. This case highlights the challenges in managing recurrent appendiceal ulcers and the importance of long‐term therapeutic vigilance in suspected UC cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neutron porosity logging is one of the main methods for measuring the formation porosity. However, for the formation with complex mineral compositions and fluid properties, it is difficult to calculate the formation porosity accurately by the neutron porosity logging. In this paper, the relationship between the neutron slowing-down length and the neutron diffusion length and the formation hydrogen index is studied. Based on the thermal-neutron flux formula, a new parameter, apparent formation hydrogen index, is constructed by the neutron counting ratio and the formation density and the capture cross section. The apparent formation hydrogen index is close to the formation hydrogen index and is not affected by the excavation effect. The response characteristic of the apparent formation hydrogen index is more consistent with the volume physical model. The porosity calculated by the new parameter is closer to the formation porosity, especially in the gas-bearing formation. • The relationship between the neutron slowing-down length and the neutron diffusion length and the formation hydrogen index is studied. • The apparent formation hydrogen index is constructed by the neutron counting ratio and the formation density and the capture cross section. • The apparent formation hydrogen index is constructed by the neutron counting ratio and the formation density and the capture cross section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease but still lacks a preclinical strategy to identify it. The diagnostic value of intestinal mucosal α-synuclein (αSyn) in PD has not drawn a uniform conclusion. The relationship between the alteration of intestinal mucosal αSyn expression and mucosal microbiota is unclear. Nineteen PD patients and twenty-two healthy controls were enrolled in our study from whom were collected, using gastrointestinal endoscopes, duodenal and sigmoid mucosal samples for biopsy. Multiplex immunohistochemistry was performed to detect total, phosphorylate, and oligomer α-synuclein. Next-generation 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing was applied for taxonomic analysis. The results implied that oligomer α-synuclein (OSyn) in sigmoid mucosa of PD patients was transferred from the intestinal epithelial cell membrane to the cytoplasm, acinar lumen, and stroma. Its distribution feature was significantly different between the two groups, especially the ratio of OSyn/αSyn. The microbiota composition in mucosa also differed. The relative abundances of Kiloniellales, Flavobacteriaceae, and CAG56 were lower, while those of Proteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Burkholderiales, Burkholdriaceae, Oxalobacteraceae, Ralstonia, Massilla, and Lactoccus were higher in duodenal mucosa of PD patients. The relative abundances of Thermoactinomycetales and Thermoactinomycetaceae were lower, while those of Prevotellaceae and Bifidobacterium longum were higher in patients' sigmoid mucosa. Further, the OSyn/αSyn level was positively correlated with the relative abundances of Proteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Burkholderiales, Pseudomonadales, Burkholderiaceae, and Ralstonia in the duodenal mucosa, while it was negatively correlated with the Chao1 index and observed operational taxonomic units of microbiota in sigmoid mucosa. The intestinal mucosal microbiota composition of PD patients altered with the relative abundances of proinflammatory bacteria in the duodenal mucosa increased. The ratio of the OSyn/αSyn level in the sigmoid mucosa indicated a potential diagnostic value for PD, which also correlated with mucosal microbiota diversity and composition. Key points: • The distribution of OSyn in sigmoid mucosa differed between PD patients and healthy controls. • Significant alterations in the microbiome were found in PD patients' gut mucosa. • OSyn/αSyn level in sigmoid mucosa indicated a potential diagnostic value for PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The SEC61 translocon gamma subunit (SEC61G) is a component of the SEC61 complex, which import protein into the endoplasmic reticulum. However, the correlation between SEC61G and disease prognosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains unclear. Methods: SEC61G expression was analyzed using publicly available datasets. The association between SEC61G and disease prognosis was evaluated. SEC61G methylation and copy number variation were investigated and gene set enrichment analysis and gene ontology analyses identified SEC61G‐associated functions. We also investigated the correlation between SEC61G and immune cell infiltration. Finally, immunohistochemistry was used to detect SEC61G expression in oropharyngeal carcinoma. Results: SEC61G was overexpressed in pan‐cancers, including HNSCC, and negatively correlated with overall survival (OS) (p < 0.001 for TCGA‐HNSCC and p = 0.019 for GSE65858). Moreover, SEC61G was an independent prognostic factor for OS in TCGA and GSE65858 [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.35–2.39, p < 0.001; HR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.14–3.07, p = 0.013, respectively). SEC61G DNA amplification (9.66% of patients) was significantly associated with poor OS (p = 0.034). SEC61G overexpression and DNA amplification negatively correlated with B cell (p < 0.001), CD8+ T cell (p < 0.001), CD4+ T cell (p < 0.001), macrophage (p < 0.05), neutrophil (p < 0.001), and dendritic cell infiltration (p < 0.001). Among patients with metastatic urothelial cancer received atezolizumab, patients with high SEC61G expression had an inferior OS (p = 0.006). Furthermore, SEC61G protein expression was also an independent prognostic factor of OS (HR = 2.46, 95% CI: 1.15–5.28, p = 0.021) and progression‐free survival (HR = 2.82, 95% CI: 1.36–5.85, p = 0.005) for oropharyngeal cancer. Conclusions: SEC61G is overexpressed in HNSCC and is an independent prognostic factor for OS. SEC61G DNA amplification contributes to overexpression and poor outcome. Interestingly, SEC61G correlates with immune cell infiltration in HNSCC. These findings suggest that SEC61G is a potential broad‐spectrum biomarker for prognosis in HNSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: “Retrogradation” has been used to describe the changes that occur in starch after gelatinization, from an initially amorphous state to a more ordered or crystalline state, which has a significant impact on starch application in food, textiles and materials fields. But mechanism of starch retrogradation is still unclear until now and there is no breakthrough in this area. Here we are speculating a possible structure of retrograded maize starch by UV (binding with iodine) and IR spectra of it and its compositions. We speculate that nucleation of retrograded starch origins from combination of reducing end of amylopectin and non-reducing end of amylose, and retrogradation terminates at combining of non-reducing end of amylopectin and reducing end of amylose. The chain length of resistant digestion retrograded starch should be nearly same. The hydroxyl associated with sixth carbon atoms of glucan must form hydrogen bond with other hydroxyl of starch. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common and heterogeneous lymphoid malignancy. The subtype with MYC and BCL-2 double-expressor lymphoma (DEL) was defined by its aggressive nature and poor survival outcome. Therefore, the development of effective therapies for the DEL subtype is imperative. Fatty acid synthase (FASN) activity is associated with altered lipid metabolism and aberrant protein translation in DLBCL. However, the inter-regulation of these key processes is not fully determined in DEL. In the present study, the clinical and biological impact of FASN was investigated in the DEL subtype. Initially, FASN expression levels were analyzed from a patient cohort and the data indicated that the highest FASN expression was noted in DEL tissues compared with that noted in the DLBCL and reactive lymphoid hyperplasia tissues. Patients with DEL with combined high-FASN expression indicated poorer EFS outcomes than the rest of the patients. In vitro data indicated that FASN was overexpressed in SU-DHL-2 and U2932 cells. Silencing FASN decreased cell growth and promoted cell apoptosis by modulating the pERK/BCL-2 signaling pathway. In conclusion, the present study indicated that FASN was overexpressed in DEL and that its expression was associated with poor survival outcomes. Furthermore, the data demonstrated that FASN regulated the biological function via the pERK/BCL-2 signaling pathway. FASN serves a critical role in the progression of DEL and its expression may be associated with the development to a more aggressive phenotype of DLBCL. Therefore, it may be considered a potential therapeutic target for DLBCL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in China at the end of 2019, the world has experienced a large-scale epidemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2. The epidemiological and clinical course of COVID-19 patients has been reported, but there have been few analyses about the characteristics, predictive risk factors, and outcomes of critical patients. In this single-center retrospective case–control study, 90 adult inpatients hospitalized at Tongji Hospital (Wuhan, China) were included. Demographic, clinical, laboratory tests, and treatment data were obtained and compared between critical and non-critical patients. We found that compared with non-critical patients, the critical patients had higher SOFA score and qSOFA scores. Critical patients had lower lymphocyte and platelet count, elevated D-dimer, decreased fibrinogen, and elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and interleukin-6(IL-6). More critical patients received treatment including antibiotics, anticoagulation, corticosteroid, and oxygen therapy than non-critical ones. Multivariable regression showed higher qSOFA score and elevation of IL-6 were related to critical patients. Antibiotic usage and anticoagulation were associated with decreased in-hospital mortality. And critical grouping contributed greatly to in-hospital death. Critical COVID-19 patients have a more severe clinical course. qSOFA score and elevation of IL-6 are risk factors for critical condition. Non-critical grouping, positive antibiotic application, and anticoagulation may be beneficial for patient survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To detect the expression of the Oncostatin M (OSM) gene and encoded protein in the mucosal epithelium of chronic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia (IM), low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN), high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN), early gastric cancer (EGC), and advanced gastric cancer (AGC) samples and to explore the correlation and clinicopathological significance of OSM expression in the process of gastric carcinogenesis. Methods. The expression levels of OSM in chronic gastritis, IM, LGIN, HGIN, EGC, and AGC samples were detected by gene chip, real-time quantitative PCR, and immunohistochemical methods. The expression levels of OSM in the gastric mucosa were analyzed, and its correlation with clinical pathology was studied. Results. The expression level of OSM in gastric HGIN and EGC tissues was significantly higher than that in LGIN tissues based on expression profiling (P<0.001). The expression of the OSM gene in EGC was higher than that in HGIN (unpaired t test, P<0.05) and LGIN (unpaired t test, P<0.01) by qPCR. The expression of OSM in LGIN was significantly lower than that in HGIN (P=0.008) and EGC (P=0.044) by immunohistochemical staining. The expression of OSM in HGIN tissues was significantly higher than that in AGC (P=0.007). Conclusion. Alterations in the expression of the OSM gene may be involved in the malignant transformation of the gastric mucosal epithelium. Because of the significant difference in the cancerization rate and clinical management between LGIN and HGIN, the difference in the staining intensity of OSM between LGIN and HGIN may be one of the early markers of gastric intraepithelial neoplasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The superhydrophobic coating directed by Fenton reaction and silane coupling, which are endowed with antithrombotic and anti-bacterial adhesion properties. [Display omitted] • A anti-fouling coating directed by Fenton activation and siloxane coupling. • The method was facile and applicable to a variety of substrates. • The superhydrophobic surface exhibited excellent anticoagulation, anti-bacterial adhesion and long-term stability. Blood-contacting devices, including vascular stents, catheters and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), often lead to complications such as thrombosis, inflammation and infections, resulting in implantation failure and adverse events in clinical applications. In this study, a facile and universal antifouling coating with superhydrophobic properties was proposed to improve the contacting interface for combating thrombosis and bacterial infections. The fabrication of the coating was based on Fenton reaction and silane coupling. Oxidative groups were introduced after Fenton activation and topological structure was constructed on the surface by silane coupling agents, and fluoride was used for modification. The obtained superhydrophobic coatings appeared as compact and uniform nanofibers that possessed good resistance to protein adsorption and platelet adhesion, while the thrombus formation was inhibited. In addition, the adhesion of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was effectively prevented, which potentially delayed the formation of biofilm and reduced the risk of infections. The coating was applicable to a variety of substrates (polymer, non-metallic inorganic and metallic) and the superhydrophobic properties were preserved after immersion in PBS for 28 days, indicating that it was a promising antithrombotic and antibacterial candidate for modification of medical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A superhydrophilic (SH) coating was constructed via the stepwise deposition of MPNs. • Endothelium-mimic function was triggered via in-situ generation of NO by MPNs. • Enhanced hemocompatibility and suppressed inflammatory response was obtained. • The SH coating with continuous NO generation promoted in vivo endothelialization. The achievement of the desired hemocompatibility, anti-inflammatory, and rapid endothelialization properties has significantly contributed to the success of implantable blood-contacting materials, especially vascular stents. In this study, we constructed a facile and versatile superhydrophilic coating via the stepwise deposition of metal/phenolic networks (MPNs) using a layer-by-layer assembly technique. Tannic acid and copper ions were employed for the fabrication of MPNs, and the surface roughness and the number of hydrophilic phenolic groups were gradually increased, ultimately leading to the generation of a superhydrophilic coating, where the copper ions were also effectively incorporated. Owing to the superhydrophilicity of the coating, the binding of serum adhesion proteins, such as albumin and fibrinogen, to the surface was strongly inhibited, thereby conferring a potent antithrombotic ability. In addition, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects were achieved through the deposition of a large amount of residual phenolic hydroxyl groups on the surface. The incorporated copper ions could also mimic endothelial function through the continuously catalyzed decomposition of endogenous S-nitrothiols (RSNOs) to release nitric oxide (NO) in situ in a controlled manner. The synergistic contribution effect of NO and superhydrophilicity, further inhibited the adhesion/activation of platelets. The optimized coating significantly inhibited the adhesion and activation of platelets, selectively supported the adhesion of endothelial cells, and suppressed the proliferation of smooth muscle cells. Such superhydrophilic coating with the incorporation of copper ions adequately addressed the basic requirements of vascular stents, in terms of antithrombosis, anti-restenosis, and enhanced endothelialization in vivo , demonstrating a promising approach for the clinical application of vascular implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical device infections have now become the major burden of healthcare, and particular administration of combating bacterial infections is of significance. In this work, robust nanoparticles-stacked superhydrophilic coatings were established through the rapid oxidation, cross-linking and aggregation of dopamine in the presence of sodium periodate. The robust superhydrophilicity was achieved and maintained due to the hydrophilic chemical components together with the micro/nano topological structure stacked by nanoparticles, resulting in an impressive nonfouling performance for proteins adsorption. Moreover, due to the presence of aromatic catechol moieties, antibiotics (e.g. norfloxacin and cephalexin) were deposited into the superhydrophilic coating in situ, by π-π stacking/hydrophobic interactions, endowing the surface with antibacterial ability. Interestingly, the superhydrophilic coatings showed a safe and effective antibacterial ability in a low dose-dependent manner because of the nonfouling platform supported killing and releasing of bacteria. The in vivo cutaneous wound healing evaluation in rats further demonstrated the synchronous effect of anti-infection and promoting wound healing. Such superhydrophilicity supported nonfouling platform was believed to open a new window to modify biomedical devices combined with wound healing and antibacterial properties. A robust mussel-inspired superhydrophilic coating was constructed due to the contribution of hydrophilic surface groups and nanoparticles-stacked rough surface topography. The water shield layer of superhydrophilic coating could effectively prevent the contact between protein and coating resulting in impedance protein. With the construction of antifouling platform in advance, along with the embedding of antibacterial agents, the synergistic enhanced antibacterial ability was also obtained with the 'release killing' model. Meanwhile, due to excellent antibacteria, anti-inflammatory ability, and cytocompatibility, the superhydrophilic coating modified wound dressing further demonstrated the ability of promoting tissue healing and regeneration on the bacterial-infected wound area. [Display omitted] • The stepwise deposition of PDA induced a robust superhydrophilic coating. • The superhydrophilic PDA/antibiotic coating was assembled with hydrophilic nanoparticles. • Suppressed protein adhesion/activation contributed to the anti-inflammatory property. • PDA/NOR and PDA/CEP coatings had an effective antibacterial ability in a low dosage-dependent manner. • A synergistic anti-bacterial and enhanced wound healing function was obtained on PDA/NOR and PDA/CEP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a challenge to acquire p-type BiOBr 0·9 I 0.1 due to intrinsic oxygen vacancies. To this end, p-type ZnO-dispersedly-hybridizing BiOBr 0·9 I 0.1 nanoflakes were successfully prepared employing Zn 5 (OH) 6 (CO 3) 2 ultrathin nanosheets as ZnO hybridizing source and simultaneously as template for BiOBr 0·9 I 0.1 deposition. A bit of ZnO-dispersed hybridization makes a shrink of BiOBr 0·9 I 0.1 structural cell and partly lattice disorder. Low level of ZnO-dispersed hybridization switches BiOBr 0·9 I 0.1 conductivity from n-type to p-type, improves charge mobility, and extends a harvest of visible and infrared light. Therefore, compared with n-type BiOBr 0·9 I 0.1 , the p-type BiOBr 0·9 I 0.1 hybridized with 20 wt% ZnO performs 3-fold and 5-fold enhancement in visible-light-driven degradation of Orange II and natural-sunlight-driven degradation of phenol, respectively. The analysis for valence bandwidth and controlled scavenger experiments reveal that good transportation and separation of photoinduced carriers for p-type ZnO-dispersedly-hybridizing BiOBr 0·9 I 0.1 relative to n-type BiOBr 0·9 I 0.1 should be arisen from the raising of valence-band top improving the migration of photoinduced holes. Image 1 • P-type ZnO-dispersedly-hybridizing BiOBr 0·9 I 0.1 (ZB) nanoflakes were fabricated. • P-type ZB performed improved photocatalytic activity relative to n-type BiOBr 0·9 I 0.1. • An insight into improved photocatalysis of the p-type ZB has been revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]