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This article aims to investigate the impact of mentalized affectivity on negative emotions among Chinese college students based on a questionnaire survey of 899 university students. The study adopts a mentalized affectivity scale, an internet altruistic behavior scale, and a self-analysis questionnaire. The study's findings reveal a negative correlation between mentalized affectivity and depression, anxiety, and stress, but a positive correlation with variables linked to internet altruistic behavior in college students. Additionally, the study reveals a significant moderating effect of internet altruistic behavior on the relationship between mentalized affectivity and depression and anxiety. It is concluded that an increased level of affectivity can help modulate negative emotions and that internet altruistic behavior can play a moderator role in the modulation process.

In this study, the changes in total polyphenols, total flavonoids and chlorogenic acid contents during the processing of Lycium barbarum bud tea were compared and analyzed, and the metabolite composition of the tea at different processing stages was systematically analyzed by widely targeted metabolomics to clarify their effects on the chemical composition of L. barbarum bud tea. The results showed that L. barbarum buds had the highest contents of total polyphenols, (43.65 ± 3.15) mg/g, total flavonoids, (10.68 ± 0.25) mg/g, and chlorogenic acid (5.24 ± 0.52) mg/g. The contents of these phenolic substances decreased significantly (P < 0.05) as bleaching, primary fixation, secondary fixation, frying and flavoring progressed. Notably, after the secondary fixation, the contents of total polyphenols, total flavonoids and chlorogenic acid decreased by 19%, 29% and 27%, respectively. Widely targeted metabolomics identified 594 metabolites belonging to 11 categories, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, amino acids and their derivatives, and lipids. In total, 270, 287, 298, 295, and 298 significantly differential metabolites were identified in L. barbarum buds versus bleaching, primary fixation, secondary fixation, frying and flavoring, respectively, with the major ones being flavonoids, nucleotides and their derivatives, phenolic acid, amino acids and their derivatives. These differential metabolites were predominantly enriched in metabolic pathways such as purine metabolism, niacin and nicotinamide metabolism, cysteine and methionine metabolism, and a small proportion of them was enriched in pathways like zeeatin biosynthesis, and ABC transporter. Significant differences were observed in inosine, homocysteine, cinnamic acid, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid, and isoferulic acid among processing stages, indicating their involvement in the quality formation of L. barbarum bud tea during processing. The findings of this study provide a theoretical basis for understanding the changes in nutritional and functional components and for the quality control of L. barbarum bud tea during processing.

Highlights A tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane additive as an electron acceptor is incorporated into an ethyl methyl carbonate/fluoroethylene carbonate/lithium nitrate electrolyte. This approach effectively engineers durable dual interfaces on both lithium metal anode and LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 (NCM811) cathode, which mitigates dendritic growth and enhances cathode stability. The additive-driven strategy enables lithium metal batteries to operate at ultra-high voltage up to 4.7 V and high mass loading of 14.0 mg cm−2 for NCM811 cathode, thus resulting in exceptional cycling performance.

Abstract Background Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is the leading cause of low back pain, and repair using nucleus pulposus-derived mesenchymal stem cells (NP-MSCs) represents a promising therapeutic approach. However, both endogenous and transplanted NP-MSCs demonstrate limited proliferative capacity, increased apoptosis, and reduced resilience to the harsh microenvironment within the degenerative intervertebral disc (IVD). Methods RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was utilized to identify genes and associated mechanisms that mediate the responses of NP-MSCs to acidic conditions. Western blotting, qPCR, and immunofluorescence were used to evaluate follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1) expression in NP-MSCs. Apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) anabolism were assessed via flow cytometry, TUNEL staining and Western blotting, while the TGF-β/Smad2/3 pathway was analyzed using Western blotting and immunofluorescence. FSTL1 knockdown with small interfering RNA (siRNA) was performed to determine its role in apoptosis and ECM regulation. The FSTL1 siRNA pretreatment was assessed in a puncture-induced rat IVDD model using MRI and histological staining. Results Using RNA-seq, we identified FSTL1 as the primary acid-responsive gene in NP-MSCs. We further observed elevated FSTL1 expression in NP-MSCs isolated from degenerative IVDs in both humans and rats compared to normal IVDs. Acidic conditions upregulated FSTL1 expression in NP-MSCs in a pH-dependent manner. Notably, recombinant FSTL1 was shown to enhance cellular apoptosis and disrupt ECM metabolism. Conversely, silencing FSTL1 with siRNA reduced NP-MSC apoptosis and improved ECM anabolism. Importantly, TGF-β pathway inhibition partially reversed the pro-apoptotic and ECM catabolism effects of FSTL1. In the rat model of IVDD, pretreatment of NP-MSCs with FSTL1 siRNA significantly suppressed IVDD progression. Conclusions This study provides novel insights into the mechanistic role of FSTL1 in acid-induced apoptosis of NP-MSCs and its contribution to the progression of IVDD. These findings offer valuable perspectives for developing targeted therapeutic strategies to mitigate IVDD progression.

Abstract Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 may experience acute and long-term immune disorders. Immunological factors are thought to play an important role in Kawasaki disease. To analyze the impact of COVID-19 infection on Kawasaki disease, this study retrospectively analyzed 161 children with Kawasaki disease onset during the COVID-19 pandemic. The proportion of IVIG-Resistant individuals and the rate of corticosteroid use in the 1–7 weeks from COVID-19 infection to Kawasaki disease onset were higher than that of the noninfected group, even after excluding suspected cases of multiple system inflammatory syndrome. Compared to the noninfected group, the level of CD4 was lower, and the levels of CD3−CD16+CD56+, complement C4, TNF-α, and IFN-γ were higher in the 1–7 weeks after COVID-19 infection. In conclusion, the risk of IVIG resistance was significantly increased in children with Kawasaki disease onset 1–7 weeks after COVID-19 infection, which may be related to the long-term impact of COVID-19 on immunity.

Abstract Introduction Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common postoperative complication and is associated with numerous adverse outcomes. Advanced age and hip surgery are high risk factors for POD. Both remimazolam tosilate for injection and sevoflurane can be used as sedatives for the maintenance of general anesthesia, but the comparison of their impacts on the incidence of POD has not been reported. This study aims to compare the effect of remimazolam tosilate vernus sevoflurane on the incidence of POD in older patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. Methods and analysis This is a two-arm, parallel, prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial. A total of 456 older patients at six clinical trial centers in China will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive general anesthesia with remimazolam tosilate or sevoflurane as sedative. The primary outcome measure is the prevalence of POD during the first 4 postoperative days. Secondary outcomes include cognitive function [Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)], perioperative pain degree [Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)], postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) within 4 days after surgery, recovery time after drug withdrawal, the amount of vasoactive drugs used during operation, length of hospital stay, and in-hospital complications. Ethics and dissemination The Research Ethics Committee of Qilu Hospital of Shandong University has approved the study protocol (REF: KYLL-202206-25), which is applicable to all research centers. Participant recruitment begins in August 2022. Written informed consent will be obtained from each patient before randomization. The findings will be published in an international peer-reviewed medical journal. Trial registration The trial has been registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2200062455; date of registration: 2022-08-08.

Abstract Background Local surveillance of molecular resistance to first-line anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs and fluoroquinolones (FQs) was initiated in 2019, but existing reports remain limited, hindering effective TB prevention and control efforts. This study aims to investigate molecular resistance to first-line anti-TB drugs and FQs, assess risk factors for FQs resistance, and provide insights into the spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) to inform more effective control and treatment strategies. Methods Sputum samples from 25,150 non-duplicate patients attending 10 designated TB medical institutions across Luoyang City and all county and township areas under its jurisdiction from January 2019 to December 2023 were analyzed via fluorescence real-time PCR to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC)-positive strains. Multicolor melting curve analysis (MMCA) was performed on 4,131 non-repetitive MTBC strains to assess their molecular resistance to first-line anti-TB drugs and FQs. Risk factors for FQs resistance and the impact of first-line anti-TB drug resistance on FQs resistance were also assessed. Results Between 2019 and 2023, 4,131 MTBC strains were collected. Resistance to first-line anti-TB drugs was higher in males, retreated patients, individuals younger than 61 years, and those from the main urban area, compared to females, newly diagnosed patients, individuals over 60 years, and residents of county and township areas (59.1% vs. 46.0%, p

Abstract Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers globally, and its treatment has garnered significant attention. The promotion and application of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) concept have notably reduced postoperative hospital stay durations for CRC patients and improved recovery efficiency. However, there exist significant discrepancies in the discharge criteria for CRC patients, with a lack of uniformity and specificity in the evaluation standards for postoperative hospital days across different regions and healthcare institutions. This has led to the widespread issue of ineffective hospital day (IHD) post-surgery. IHD not only increases the medical costs for patients but may also pose potential threats to their health, thereby affecting the overall treatment outcomes. Therefore, establishing a set of scientific, reasonable, and highly targeted evaluation standards for postoperative hospital days in CRC is of paramount importance for optimizing the utilization of medical resources and facilitating the rapid and safe recovery of patients. Objective Based on the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (AEP) framework, an evaluation index system for IHD after colorectal cancer surgery has been developed within the framework of ERAS. This system aims to guide early and safe discharge of colorectal cancer patients postoperatively, effectively reduce hospitalisation costs, and promote rational conservation of medical resources. Methods Under the guidance of AEP framework, an initial draft of the evaluation index system for ineffective hospital days following colorectal cancer surgery in the context of ERAS was first constructed through a literature review and in-depth discussions among the research team. Subsequently, experts in the field were invited to participate in two rounds of Delphi expert consultations. After comprehensive analysis and synthesis of the experts’ opinions, the final index system was established, and weight calculations for each index were conducted. Results The response rate for the two rounds of expert consultations reached 100%. The expert authority coefficients were 0.903 and 0.918, with variation coefficients ranging from 0.070 to 0.225 and 0 to 0.135, respectively. The Kendall harmony coefficients were 0.397 and 0.291. The final indicator system for postoperative ineffective hospital days in colorectal cancer patients established under the ERAS framework includes 4 indicators for medical services, 4 indicators for nursing/life support services, and 7 indicators for patient condition factors. Conclusion The evaluation index system for ineffective hospital days in postoperative colorectal cancer patients, constructed based on AEP standards within the context of ERAS, demonstrates both scientific rigor and practical applicability. It holds significant reference value for guiding the discharge of colorectal cancer patients postoperatively and promoting early and safe discharge.

Abstract C4 photosynthesis exemplifies convergent evolution of complex traits. Herein, we construct chromosome-scale genome assemblies and perform multi-omics analysis for five Flaveria species, which represent evolutionary stages from C3 to C4 photosynthesis. Chromosome-scale genome sequence analyses reveal a gradual increase in genome size during the evolution of C4 photosynthesis attributed to the expansion of transposable elements. Systematic annotation of genes encoding C4 enzymes and transporters identify additional copies of three C4 enzyme genes through retrotranspositions in C4 species. C4 genes exhibit elevated mRNA and protein abundances, reduced protein-to-RNA ratios, and comparable translation efficiencies in C4 species, highlighting a critical role of transcriptional regulation in C4 evolution. Furthermore, we observe an increased abundance of ethylene response factor (ERF) transcription factors and cognate cis-regulatory elements associated with C4 genes regulation. Altogether, our study provides valuable genomic resources for the Flaveria genus and sheds lights on evolutionary and regulatory mechanisms underlying C4 photosynthesis.

Abstract Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), a metabolic disease originating from renal proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) epithelial cells, remains incompletely understood in terms of its initiating signaling events. Here, we identify γ-butyrobetaine hydroxylase 1 (BBOX1), a key enzyme in carnitine synthesis predominantly expressed in PCT cells, as a tumor suppressor in ccRCC. BBOX1 expression is lost during ccRCC malignant transformation, and its restoration reduces cell viability in physiological medium and inhibits xenograft tumor growth. Transcriptomic analyses reveal that BBOX1 suppresses critical metabolic pathways including mTORC1 signaling and glycolysis in ccRCC. Further, we identify TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) as an essential mediator of mTORC1 and glycolysis activation and as a target of BBOX1-mediated tumor suppression. Mechanistically, BBOX1 disrupts TBK1 activation by preventing its interaction with the upstream activator doublecortin-like kinase 2 (DCLK2). This BBOX1-DCLK2-TBK1 axis unveils an important mechanism in ccRCC metabolic dysregulation and highlights potential therapeutic strategies.

Abstract Medical crowdfunding, an emerging form of internet-based financing, has seen immense growth globally in recent years, playing a significant role in supporting vulnerable groups to afford medical expense. In China, the insufficiency of medical insurance to cover all medical expenses, coupled with significant urban-rural disparities, leaves certain households, especially those in impoverished regions, unable to bear unforeseen high healthcare costs. Consequently, there arises a need for medical crowdfunding as a supplementary mechanism to the healthcare insurance system. The performance of existing medical crowdfunding projects, as well as the factors affecting the success rate, however, have been largely been overlooked. This study collects a large dataset from one of China’s largest crowdfunding platforms, encompassing 84,712 unique projects, and employs comprehensive analysis on investigating the impact of a variety of factors, including project features and patient characteristics. The results indicate that both project features and patient characteristics significantly affect the performance of medical crowdfunding projects, encompassing aspects like fundraising target amount, patient age, disease type, and geographic location. Notably, donors in China tend to favor projects aiding teenagers, leukemia sufferers, and cancer patients. Additionally, an intriguing observation is that patients in affluent regions are more likely to receive financial support through medical crowdfunding, which reveals the inequity in the geographic distribution of medical crowdfunding. Our research not only contribute to providing a valuable addition to the field of medical crowdfunding, but also provide insightful guidance and practical recommendations for crowdfunding platforms and fundraisers.

Abstract Travel time estimation (TTE) is a critical function in intelligent driving systems. Current research and applications related to TTE primarily focus on urban environments. The objective of this study is to develop TTE methods that are applicable to wilderness areas characterized by plateau and mountainous topography. We selected Transformer, which has greater robustness in capturing long-distance dependencies than LSTM, to develop a Transformer-based model. The model simultaneously integrates positional encoding and multi-head self-attention mechanisms with the objective of enhancing the accuracy of travel time predictions based on a substantial number of trajectory points in wilderness settings. A meta-learning strategy was employed to improve the model’s generalization ability, thereby ensuring its applicability for accurate travel time estimation across a range of challenging environments. Two datasets were constructed based on measurements from two selected areas in eligible plateau and mountainous regions of western China. For each dataset, two categories of features were defined: terrain-weather features and spatio-temporal features. These categories were established in accordance with the influence of seven specific features on traffic conditions in both urban and wilderness areas. Experiments were conducted on both datasets utilizing terrain-weather features. When evaluated alongside the five models that are most commonly utilized in urban settings, the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of our model exhibited a 14.89% improvement in plateau environments and a 12.20% improvement in mountainous environments in comparison with the most effective model, namely MetaTTE-GRU. These findings substantiate the assertion that the proposed model is an effective means of estimating travel times in complex environments, and that it exhibits superior accuracy compared to existing LSTM-based estimation models.

Abstract Cultural homogeneity, similar to the loss biodiversity, is a significant global issue that is increasingly gaining attention. City flowers and city trees (CFTs) serve as emblematic cultural symbols of modern cities, often referred to as the ‘green business card’. While many cities have established CFTs in recent decades, there are instances of inconsistencies and irrationalities in the selection process. This study conducts a statistical analysis of CFTs in prefecture‐level cities in China, detailing their distribution, species diversity, historical evolution, establishment reason and applications. China has designated city flowers for 270 cities and city trees for 256 cities, employing over 75 kinds of city flowers and 94 species of city trees. The top 10 plants selected as city flowers represent 66.7% of all designated city flowers, while the top 10 plants chosen as city trees account for 60.5% of all designated city trees. The main reasons for the establishing CFTs are culture and landscape. It is noteworthy that in cities where CFTs are implemented for reasons that remain unclear, they constitute 20.4% and 26.6%, respectively. It has been determined that most of the CFTs are used for urban greening, with 80% of the city's flowers, and 84% of the city's trees being used. Our study highlights the high level of species homogeneity among CFTs in China and identifies the lack of clarity in the rationale behind their selection in many cities. The study provides recommendations to address these issues and offers insights for cities that have yet to determine their CFTs. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Objective This study investigated the effects of circRNA18_46222157_46248185 (named circRNA18) on goat melanogenesis, which differs significantly in goat skins isolated from white and brown coat-colored skins. Methods Expression patterns of circRNA18 in goat skin and melanocytes were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and in situ hybridization. The circRNA18 interference vector was designed and synthesized to transfect melanocytes and detect the effect of circRNA18 interference on melanin production. Bioinformatics software was used to predict the targeted adsorption miRNAs of circRNA18, verified by luciferase assay. A miRNA expression vector was constructed and transfected into melanocytes to detect the effect of miRNA on melanin production, and the targeted regulatory genes were detected by luciferase assay. Target gene interference vector was constructed to detect the influence of target gene interference on melanin production. Results qRT-PCR results unveiled distinct expression patterns of circRNA18 in diverse tissues of male and female goats, while in situ hybridization assays showed that circRNA18 is expressed in the cytoplasm of melanocytes. Functional analysis demonstrated that the downregulation of circRNA18 in melanocytes leads to a significant increase (p

The complex structures and intricate hyperparameters of existing deep learning (DL) models make achieving higher accuracy in landslide susceptibility assessment (LSA) time-consuming and labor-intensive. Deep forest (DF) is a decision tree-based DL framework that uses a cascade structure to process features, with model depth adapting to the input data. To explore a more ideal landslide susceptibility model, this study designed a landslide susceptibility model combining convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and DF, referred to as CNN-DF. The Bailong River Basin, a region severely affected by landslides, was chosen as the study area. First, the landslide inventory and influencing factors of the study area were obtained. Second, an equal number of landslide and nonlandslide samples were selected under similar environmental constraints to establish the dataset. Third, CNN was used to extract high-level features from the raw data, which were then input into the DF model for training and testing. Finally, the trained model was used to predict landslide susceptibility. The results showed that the CNN-DF model achieved high prediction accuracy, with an AUC of 0.9061 on the testing set, outperforming DF, CNN, and other commonly used machine learning models. In landslide susceptibility maps (LSMs), the proportion of historical landslides in the very high susceptibility category of CNN-DF was also higher than that of other models. CNN-DF is feasible for LSA, offering higher efficiency and more accurate results. In addition, the SHAP algorithm was used to quantify the contribution of features to the prediction results both globally and locally, further explaining the model. The LSM based on CNN-DF can provide a scientific basis for landslide prevention and disaster management in the target area.

Abstract During multi-agent combat simulation exercises, accurately assessing the quality of collected combat data is a critical step. Addressing the current issue of low accuracy in combat data quality evaluation, which fails to effectively support simulation exercises, this paper proposes a Double-Weighted FAHP optimized by CVF (comparative value function) method for assessing combat data quality. First, a three-tiered evaluation framework for combat data quality indicators is established, with threshold values determined for each indicator. The weights obtained from the FAHP method are optimized using the Satisfaction Consistency Approach to derive the first-tier weights. Subsequently, the CVF is constructed to obtain the second-tier weights. The double-weighted evaluation theory combines these two tiers of weights to produce the final assessment. Analysis of the experimental results indicates that the proposed method reduces the mean squared error to 5.35 when compared to results obtained using FAHP, interval intuitionistic fuzzy methods, and artificial neural networks, bringing it closer to actual standard values. This method provides a more accurate evaluation of the quality of multi-agent combat data, offering robust data support for future combat simulation exercises and military drills.

Abstract Glioblastoma (GBM) is highly malignant and grows rapidly, and there is currently a lack of effective treatments. Metabolism provides the basis for the occurrence and development of GBM. Pyruvate dehydrogenase A1 (PDHA1) is a key component in both the tricarboxylic acid cycle and glycolysis, playing an important role in the metabolic processes related to cancer, but its role in GBM remains unclear. Glioma associated mesenchymal stem cells (GaMSC) play a significant role in the development of glioma. This study aims to explore the relationship between GaMSC derived exosomes (GAMSC-EXO) and PDHA1, as well as the effects and mechanisms on GBM glucose metabolism. In this study, human GaMSC-derived exosomes were isolated and identified. The role of GAMSC-EXO in GBM proliferation, migration, invasion and glucose metabolism was investigated. The upstream miRNA of PDHA1 was predicted and the relationship between miR-21-5p and PDHA1 in GAMSC-EXO and its effect on GBM glucose metabolism was investigated. We found that GAMSCs promote GBM cell proliferation, migration, invasion and glycolysis by releasing exosomes. After inhibiting GBM glycolysis, GBM proliferation, migration and invasion abilities were weakened. MiR-21-5p in exosomes was identified as the miRNA that affects the above biological behaviors. Mechanismly, miR-21-5p directly binds to the mRNA of PDHA1 and downregulates its transcription, thereby promoting GBM glycolysis. Together, this study demonstrated that exosomal miR-21-5p from GAMSC promoted GBM proliferation, migration, invasion, and glycolysis by targeting PDHA1, which provided novel insights into the metabolic interactions between GAMSCs and GBM cells, emphasizing the importance of exosome-mediated communication in tumor progression.

Abstract Background Discs large homolog 2 (DLG2) has been implicated in cancer development, yet its role in cervical cancer remains unclear. This study aims to explore the regulatory mechanism of DLG2 in cervical cancer and its clinical implications. Methods Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting assays were employed to detect RNA and protein expression, respectively. Colony formation assay, 5-Ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine assay, flow cytometry, and transwell assays were conducted for cell functional analysis. A xenograft mouse model assay was performed to analyze tumor tumorigenesis in vivo. m6A RNA immunoprecipitation assay was used to analyze the association of METTL3 and DLG2. Results DLG2 was underexpressed in cervical cancer tissues and cells. Elevating DLG2 levels significantly suppressed cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while promoting apoptosis. Additionally, DLG2 overexpression led to the deactivation of the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway. In vivo, DLG2 overexpression was shown to reduce tumor formation. We also discovered that METTL3 destabilized DLG2 mRNA through an m6A-dependent mechanism. Moreover, lowering DLG2 expression mitigated the effects of METTL3 silencing on cervical cancer cell malignancy. Conclusion DLG2 acted as a tumor suppressor in cervical cancer by inhibiting the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway. The METTL3-dependent regulation of DLG2 mRNA stability could be a critical factor in cervical cancer progression.

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the osteogenic performance of allograft particulate bone and cortical bone blocks combined with xenograft under bovine pericardium membranes, for treating different degrees of labial bone defects in the aesthetic zone. Materials and methods Twenty-four patients with bone defects were divided into two groups based on defect severity (Terheyden 1/4 and 2/4 groups). The Terheyden 1/4 group received granular bone grafts alone, while the Terheyden 2/4 group received cortical bone blocks combined with granular bone grafts. Cone beam computed tomography scans were taken preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and six months postoperatively. Primary outcomes included labial bone formation, alveolar bone formation, bone resorption rate, osteogenic efficiency, and complications. Results Labial bone thickness in both groups exceeded 2 mm after six months. Labial bone formation at the implant shoulder in the Terheyden 1/4 group was 2.35 ± 2.68 mm, and 2.26 ± 1.66 mm in the Terheyden 2/4 group (p > 0.05). Labila and alveolar bone formation at 2–5 mm below the implant shoulder was significantly greater in the Terheyden 2/4 group (p 0.05). No complications were observed. Conclusion Both treatment approaches achieved satisfactory bone regeneration, but combining cortical bone blocks with granular grafts provided better outcomes for larger defects, with greater bone formation and less resorption. Further research with longer follow-up is required to confirm long-term stability. Trial registration The study was retrospectively registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( http://www.chictr.org.cn/ ) with the registration number ChiCTR2300070538 on April 14, 2023.

Abstract Climate warming has become a hot issue of common concern all over the world, and wind energy has become an important clean energy source. Wind farms, usually built in wild lands like grassland, may cause damage to the initial ecosystem and biodiversity. However, the impact of wind farms on the functional diversity of plant communities remains a subject with unclear outcomes. In this study, we chose 108 sample plots and identified 10 plant functional traits through a field vegetation survey. We used general linear regression analysis to assess how wind farm influenced vegetation community diversity, focusing on ten distinct plant functional traits. The study revealed that wind farm had significant impacts on grassland plant communities, diminishing diversity and functional traits, which leads to species composition convergence. Additionally, wind farm increased certain functional traits, like height and leaf area, while decreasing phosphorus content. Furthermore, the productivity of these plant communities was reduced by wind farm presence. This study highlights the negative consequences of wind farms in Inner Mongolia on plant diversity, aiming to offer scientific recommendations for the optimal arrangement of wind farms to safeguard biodiversity.

Abstract With the rapid development of graphene industry, low-cost sustainable synthesis of monolayer graphene oxide (GO) has become more and more important for many applications such as water desalination, thermal management, energy storage and functional composites. Compared to the conventional chemical oxidation methods, water electrolytic oxidation of graphite-intercalation-compound (GIC) shows significant advantages in environmental-friendliness, safety and efficiency, but suffers from non-uniform oxidation, typically ~50 wt.% yield with ~50% monolayers. Here, we show that water-induced deintercalation of GIC is responsible for the non-uniform oxidation of the water electrolytic oxidation method. Using in-situ experiments, the control principles of water diffusion governing electrochemical oxidation and deintercalation of GIC are revealed. Based on these principles, a liquid membrane electrolysis method was developed to precisely control the water diffusion to achieve a dynamic equilibrium between oxidation and deintercalation, enabling industrial sustainable synthesis of uniform monolayer GO with a high yield (~180 wt.%) and a very low cost (~1/7 of Hummers’ methods). Moreover, this method allows precise control on the structure of GO and the synthesis of GO by using pure water. This work provides new insights into the role of water in electrochemical reaction of graphite and paves the way for the industrial applications of GO.

Abstract Background Spinal cord injury (SCI) triggers a complex inflammatory response that impedes neural repair and functional recovery. The modulation of macrophage phenotypes is thus considered a promising therapeutic strategy to mitigate inflammation and promote regeneration. Methods We employed microarray and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to investigate gene expression changes and immune cell dynamics in mice following crush injury at 3 and 7 days post-injury (dpi). High-dimensional gene co-expression network analysis (hdWGCNA) and slingshot trajectory analysis were employed to identify key gene modules and macrophage differentiation pathways. Subsequently, immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry, and western blotting were performed to validate the identified effects of amantadine on macrophage differentiation and inflammation. Results To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the injury response at the transcriptional level, we performed a microarray analysis followed by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). The results revealed that pathways related to phagocytosis and macrophage activation are significantly involved post-injury, shedding light on the regulatory role of macrophages in SCI repair. To further investigate macrophage dynamics within the injured spinal cord, we conducted scRNA-Seq, identifying three distinct macrophage subtypes: border-associated macrophages (BAMs), inflammatory macrophages (IMs), and chemotaxis-inducing macrophages (CIMs). Trajectory analysis suggested a differentiation pathway from Il-1b+ IMs to Mrc1+ BAMs, and subsequently to Arg1+ CIMs, indicating a potential maturation process. Given the importance of these pathways in the injury response, we utilized molecular docking to hypothesize that amantadine might modulate this process. Subsequent in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that amantadine reduces Il-1b+ IMs and facilitates the transition to Mrc1+ BAMs and Arg1+ CIMs, likely through modulation of the HIF-1α and NF-κB pathways. This modulation promotes neural regeneration and enhances functional recovery following SCI. Conclusions Amantadine modulates macrophage phenotypes following SCI, reduces early inflammatory responses, and enhances neural function recovery. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of amantadine as a treatment for SCI, and provide a foundation for future translational research into its clinical applications.

Abstract Background eHealth literacy (eHL) is positively associated with health-related behaviors and outcomes. Previous eHL studies primarily collected data from online users and seldom focused on the general population in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Additionally, knowledge about factors that affect eHL is limited. Chronic lung disease (CLD) has brought a large burden in LMIC, making it a relevant example for studying eHL. This study aims to explore eHL and its associated factors within the general population of China, encompassing sociodemographic characteristics, CLD knowledge, digital access, eHealth use and attitudes towards eHealth. Method Data were collected from November 2023 to January 2024 via online and hard-copy questionnaires among the general population in China. Descriptive analyses were performed to explore eHL, CLD knowledge, digital access, and attitudes towards eHealth at different sociodemographic levels. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with eHL. Results 439 valid questionnaires were collected. Participants demonstrated a mean eHL of 24.7 ± 8.2 and CLD knowledge of 5.9 ± 3.7, obtained a score of 6.9 ± 1.8 in attitudes towards eHealth. A notable percentage of participants (45/439, 10.3%) reported no digital access, especially those aged 66+, the unemployed, retired, those with a primary school or below degree and earning ≤ 1500 RMB monthly. Multivariable hierarchical regression analysis showed higher eHL was uniquely associated with younger age (b=-0.10, P

Abstract The creep failure of rocks is related to its microstructure, external loading and time. A nonlinear yield model was introduced to describe the variation in the cohesion and friction angle with plastic strain and intergranular stress. The mechanical properties and creep characteristics of deep granite were obtained by indoor tests, and a variable radius particle clump model was constructed based on the particle flow method. The bond-weakening-friction-strengthening model was combined with the parallel bond stress corrosion method to establish the bond-degradation creep model of granite. The creep failure time, creep rate and tension and shear fractures number of the parallel bond stress corrosion model and the bond-degradation creep model were compared and analyzed to verify the applicability of the model. The fracture evolution law of deep roadway surrounding rock was studied based on the bond-degradation creep model. The results show that the rock failure characteristics and tension-compression ratio obtained by the variable radius particle clump modeling method are closer to the actual situation. Compared with the parallel bond stress corrosion model, the creep failure time of the bond-degradation creep model is shorter, more microfractures are generated during the failure process, and the numerical creep curves are more consistent with the test curves. The deep roadway vault shear failure and sidewall plate crack failure characteristics calculated based on the bond-degradation creep model are basically similar to the actual project situation. The bond-degradation creep model can better simulate the creep damage process of rocks under high stress, and is more suitable for analyzing the fracture evolution law of surrounding rock in deep hard rock cavern.

Abstract Background Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been suggested to play paradoxical roles in patients with heart failure. The role of EAT in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients remains unclear. We aimed to assess the associations between the dynamic changes EAT and left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) in DCM patients based on baseline and follow-up CMR. Methods In this prospective study, we consecutive enrolled DCM patients with baseline and follow-up cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) examinations. All participating patients underwent 1–2 years of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) at follow-up. The EAT was measured as pericardial and epicardial fat thickness, and paracardial fat volume, while the abdominal adiposity was measured in terms of subcutaneous and visceral fat thickness. The univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the associations of changes in abdominal and epicardial adiposities with the presence of LVRR. Results A total of 232 patients (mean age, 45.7 ± 15.1 years, 157 male) at baseline were enrolled. After a period of GDMT with a median duration of 15.5 months (interquartile range, 12.5–19.1 months) all participants underwent follow-up CMR with the same standardized protocol. Patients who reached LVRR showed a significant increment in EAT parameters compared to those who did not. After adjusting for age, sex, and delta changes of body mass index (BMI), the increment of pericardial fat thickness (odds ratio [OR]: 1.53; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27 to 1.83; p

Abstract Background Recently, the incidence of pancreatic cancer (PC) has gradually increased. Research has shown that UTX mutants are critical in tumors. However, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to explore how UTX mutation would affect its related function in PC. Method Exome sequencing was used to analyze PC samples. MTT, transwell, and colony formation assays were performed to determine the cellular functions of PC cells. qRT-PCR, Western Blot, TUNEL, immunohistochemistry, CHIP, bioinformatics, and xenograft experiments were used to investigate the mechanism of UTX mutants in PC in vitro and in vivo. Results We compared exome sequencing data from 12 PC samples and found a UTX missense mutation on the JmjC structure. Through cellular functions and xenograft experiments, wild-type UTX was found to significantly inhibit PC malignant progression in vitro and in vivo, while UTX mutation notably impaired this effect. Furthermore, G0S2 was identified as the key target gene for UTX, and wild-type UTX significantly increased its expression, while mutant one lost this function to a certain extent both in vitro and in vivo. More importantly, G0S2 overexpression not only inhibited tumor malignant phenotype and drug resistance for Gemcitabine in PC but also effectively reversed the roles of UTX mutant with Toll-like signaling pathway involved. In terms of mechanism, UTX mutation elevated the H3K27me3 modification level of the G0S2 promoter, which decreased its expression in PC cells. Conclusion In conclusion, UTX mutant weakened the antitumor effect of wild-type UTX in PC by inhibiting G0S2 expression and activating the Toll-like signaling pathway.

Abstract Purpose The association between nutritional risk status assessment and hospital mortality in older patients remains controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between nutritional risk on admission and in-hospital mortality, and explore the best Nutritional Risk Status Screening 2002 (NRS2002) threshold for predicting in-hospital mortality of older inpatients in China. Method The elderly inpatients were recruited from a hospital in Hunan Province, China. Nutritional risk was screened and assessed using the NRS2002. Logistic regression was used to analyze whether NRS2002 scores were independently associated with hospital mortality, and the results were expressed as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to determine the best NRS2002 threshold for predicting in-hospital mortality in elderly inpatients. And 500 bootstrap re-samplings were performed for ROC analysis. Result In total, 464 elderly inpatients completed the survey (15 of whom died, 205 males and 259 females, mean age = 72.284 ± 5.626 years). Multifactorial analysis revealed that age, the NRS2002 score, and length of hospital stay significantly influenced in-hospital mortality among older inpatients (P

Abstract Formation of granite-hosted tin deposits reflects the differentiation and maturation of continental crust. While rare in Earth’s early continental crust, the eastern Kaapvaal Craton in southern Africa may harbor the oldest known tin-bearing granites. Here we present a perspective of early continental evolution from the study of Archean detrital cassiterite from the volcano-sedimentary continental cover succession of the Dominion Group of the western Kaapvaal Craton. The cassiterites yield a concordia age of 3084.7 ± 2.3 million-year-old, representing the oldest detrital cassiterite ever found. They are enriched in hafnium, zirconium, niobium, and tantalum, depleted in tungsten, and have overall consistent δ18O values (mostly 3‒5‰) but heterogeneous δ122/118Sn values (−0.59 to 0.79‰). They likely originated from erosion of peraluminous granites, forming immediate basement of the Dominion Group. The occurrence of ~3.08 billion-year-old detrital cassiterite suggests widespread tin mineralization in the granites, the intrusion of which led to stabilization of the Kaapvaal craton.

Abstract Objective This study aimed to examine the levels of physical activity (PA), sleep, and mental health (MH), specifically depression, anxiety, and stress, among Chinese university students. It also aimed to analyze the influencing factors of MH, providing a theoretical foundation for developing intervention programs to improve college students’ mental health. Methods A stratified, clustered, and phased sampling method was employed. In September 2022, a survey was conducted among 36,756 university students from 104 higher education institutions across 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in China. The participants’ PA behaviors, sleep patterns, depressive symptoms (use the CES-D), anxiety symptoms (use the GAD-7), smoking and drinking behaviors, and demographic information were assessed through an online questionnaire using Questionnaire Star software. Results A total of 30,475 valid questionnaires were completed. The proportion of university students engaging in light-intensity PA was 77.6%. The prevalence of insufficient sleep was 39.5%, whereas the prevalence of poor sleep quality was 16.7%. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 10%, and the prevalence of anxiety symptoms was 23.3%. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that engaging in moderate to high-intensity PA and having sufficient and high-quality sleep were associated with a lower likelihood of depressive symptoms (OR = 0.207–0.800, P

Abstract Crystal symmetry, which governs the local atomic coordination and bonding environment, is one of the paramount constituents that intrinsically dictate materials’ functionalities. However, engineering crystal symmetry is not straightforward due to the isotropically strong covalent/ionic bonds in crystals. Layered two-dimensional materials offer an ideal platform for crystal engineering because of the ease of interlayer symmetry operations. However, controlling the crystal symmetry remains challenging due to the ease of gliding perpendicular to the Z direction. Herein, we proposed a substrate-guided growth mechanism to atomically fabricate AB′-stacked SnSe2 superlattices, containing alternating SnSe2 slabs with periodic interlayer mirror and gliding symmetry operations, by chemical vapor deposition. Some higher-order phases such as 6 R, 12 R, and 18 C can be accessed, exhibiting modulated nonlinear optical responses suggested by first-principle calculations. Charge transfer from mica substrates stabilizes the high-order SnSe2 phases. Our approach shows a promising strategy for realizing topological phases via stackingtronics.

Abstract A 48‐year‐old female patient was hospitalized for 5 days after a cold. Encephalitis was considered after preliminary history and routine examination, but the patient did not show significant improvement after antiviral treatment. At this time, magnetic resonance imaging indicated pituitary atrophy, and the patient's medical history was assessed. She had a history of postpartum bleeding and amenorrhea 15 years ago. The supplementary examination indicated hormonal abnormalities. These suggested that the patient may have had Sheehan's syndrome (SS). After hormone supplementation treatment for 10 days, her condition improved. This case suggested that in female patients with neuropsychiatric disorders with a history of previous postpartum hemorrhage, attention needs to be paid to screening for SS to improve the related diagnosis and treatment rate.

Being an aero-engine hot-end structural material, silicon carbide fiber (SiCf) reinforced silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic matrix composites (SiCf/SiC) display remarkable application potential. The wet-oxygen environment inside the aero-engine erodes the composites and leads to their performance degradation, which has become a key factor limiting the long-time service of SiCf/SiC. Finding an appropriate way to improve the wet-oxygen corrosion resistance of the composites is worthy of attention. This paper briefly analyzes the mechanisms of wet-oxygen corrosion and reviews the research progress in modified SiCf/SiC from three aspects: coatings, matrix, and interface. At last, the future development trend of the composites against the wet-oxygen environment is prospected.

Objective To investigate the relationship among the quality of life， parenting styles， and family quality in children after liver transplantation. Methods One hundred and thirty-six families of pediatric liver transplantation recipients admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between April 2023 and February 2024 were enrolled. The study instruments included a general survey， the Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire 4.0 （PedsQL4.0）， Pediatric Quality of Life Family Impact Module （PedsQLTMFIM） 2.0 and the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire （PSDQ）. The correlation between family function, parental education style, and quality of life was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis, and mediation effects were analyzed. Results Paternal authoritarian parenting styles were negatively correlated with the overall quality of life of pediatric recipients after liver transplantation （B=-0.93， 95%CI：-1.44 to -0.42） and family quality （B=-0.75， 95%CI： -1.31 to -0.18）. Family quality was significantly positively associated with the quality of life in children after liver transplantation （B=0.49， 95%CI： 0.35 to 0.62）. Mediating effect analysis revealed that paternal authoritarian parenting style could influence children’s quality of life after liver transplantation through family quality， and the direct effect was significant （direct effect=-0.64， 95%CI： -1.12 to -0.16）. ConclusionImproving parenting styles， especially reducing paternal authoritarian parenting styles， and elevating family quality are of significance for enhancing the quality of life in children after liver transplantation.

Abstract Emojis, utilizing visual means, mimic human facial expressions and postures to convey emotions and opinions. They are widely used in social media platforms such as Sina Weibo, and have become a crucial feature for sentiment analysis. However, existing approaches often treat emojis as special symbols or convert them into text labels, thereby neglecting the rich visual information of emojis. We propose a novel multimodal information integration model for emoji microblog sentiment analysis. To effectively leverage the emoji visual information, the model employs a text-emoji visual mutual attention mechanism. Experiments on a manually annotated microblog dataset show that compared to the baseline models without incorporating emoji visual information, the proposed model achieves improvements of 1.37% in macro F1 score and 2.30% in accuracy, respectively. To facilitate the related research, our corpus will be publicly available at https://github.com/yx100/Emojis/blob/main/weibo-emojis-annotation .

Abstract Purpose This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes of intercalary frozen autograft and allograft reconstruction for primary malignant bone tumors. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 144 patients who underwent intercalary biological reconstruction for primary malignant bone tumors at a single institution between January 2012 and July 2023. Seventy-two patients underwent intercalary liquid nitrogen-frozen autograft reconstruction, and 72 patients underwent intercalary allograft reconstruction in this study. A modified International Society of Limb Salvage classification system was used to evaluate the complications. Results The mean follow-up time was 60.2 ± 32.1 (range, 12–149) months. The mean union time was 9.6 months in the frozen autograft group and 15.9 months in the allograft group (p 0.05). Of the patients, 48.6% (70/144) had at least one complication. The most common complications were bone nonunion (20.8%, 30/144), followed by structural failure (17.4%, 25/144), tumor progression (10.4%, 15/144), infection (10.4%, 15/144), and soft tissue failures (5.6%, 8/144). Higher rates of bone nonunion (type 4B; p = 0.002) and structural failure (type 3B; p = 0.004) were obtained in the allograft group than in the frozen autograft group. Conclusions The intercalary frozen autografts had shorter union time and lower complication rates than allograft reconstruction. Therefore, we recommend that frozen autograft reconstruction be considered when the tumor bone has not suffered severe osteolytic injury or pathological fracture. Level of evidence: level III, case–control study.

Abstract Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) stands as a significant contributor to global mortality rates. Presently, there exists a dearth of effective anti-fibrotic treatments for this condition. While itraconazole (ITR) has exhibited potential in mitigating pulmonary fibrosis, its oral administration is hampered by unfavorable pharmacokinetics, which elevate the risk of adverse reactions, thus limiting its clinical utility. Methods An inhalable formulation of ITR were engineered which aimed at enhancing its pulmonary dispersion. First, pharmacokinetics were conducted to investigate the blood concentration and tissue residue of ITR after inhalation administration. In addition, bleomycin induced mouse pulmonary fibrosis model was used to compare the therapeutic effects of ITR administered by inhalation and intragastric administration. Finally, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) was used to explore the mechanism of ITR inhalation administration. Results We found that a large amount of drugs accumulated in the lung tissue for a long time after inhalation administration, thus maximizing the therapeutic effect of drugs. Inhalation of ITR daily at for 21 days significantly attenuated bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis and inflammation in murine models. Additionally, our findings revealed that ITR inhalation diminished the proportion of diseased fibroblasts while promoting reparative fibroblast populations in the murine model. Furthermore, it effectively reversed the proportion of activated phagocytic macrophages. Mechanistically, ITR inhalation exerted its effects by regulating SPP1 and C3 signaling pathway pivotal in the interaction between phagocytic macrophages and diseased fibroblasts. Conclusions These insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying ITR’s therapeutic effects on IPF underscore the favorable pharmacokinetic profile conferred by inhalation, thus presenting a promising formulation poised for clinical translation.

Abstract During targeted treatment, oncogene-addicted tumor cells often evolve from an initial drug-sensitive state through a drug-tolerant persister bottleneck toward the ultimate emergence of drug-resistant clones. The molecular basis underlying this therapy-induced evolutionary trajectory has not yet been completely elucidated. Here, we employed a multifaceted approach and implicated the convergent role of transcription factor Yin Yang 1 (YY1) in the course of diverse targeted kinase inhibitors. Specifically, pharmacological perturbation of the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway resulted in the downregulation of YY1 transcription, which subsequently resumed upon therapeutic escape. Failure to decrease YY1 subverted cytotoxic effects, whereas elimination of residual YY1 maximized anticancer efficacy and forestalled the emergence of drug resistance. Mechanistically, YY1 was uncovered to dictate cell cycle and autophagic programs. Immunohistochemical analysis on a wide spectrum of clinical specimens revealed that YY1 was ubiquitously expressed across lung adenocarcinomas and exhibited anticipated fluctuation in response to corresponding RTK/MAPK inhibition. These findings advance our understanding of targeted cancer management by highlighting YY1 as a determinant node in the context of genotype-directed agents.