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Abstract Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as significant contributors to the regulation of various biological processes, and their dysregulation has been linked to a variety of human disorders. Accurate prediction of potential correlations between lncRNAs and diseases is crucial for advancing disease diagnostics and treatment procedures. The authors introduced a novel computational method, iGATTLDA, for the prediction of lncRNA‐disease associations. The model utilised lncRNA and disease similarity matrices, with known associations represented in an adjacency matrix. A heterogeneous network was constructed, dissecting lncRNAs and diseases as nodes and their associations as edges. The Graph Attention Network (GAT) is employed to process initial features and corresponding adjacency information. GAT identified significant neighbouring nodes in the network, capturing intricate relationships between lncRNAs and diseases, and generating new feature representations. Subsequently, the transformer captures global dependencies and interactions across the entire sequence of features produced by the GAT. Consequently, iGATTLDA successfully captures complex relationships and interactions that conventional approaches may overlook. In evaluating iGATTLDA, it attained an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 0.95 and an area under the precision recall curve (AUPRC) of 0.96 with a two‐layer multilayer perceptron (MLP) classifier. These results were notably higher compared to the majority of previously proposed models, further substantiating the model’s efficiency in predicting potential lncRNA‐disease associations by incorporating both local and global interactions. The implementation details can be obtained from https://github.com/momanyibiffon/iGATTLDA.

With continuously evolving wireless communication technologies, the technological revolution marked by advances in artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and the metaverse is fundamentally reshaping our society, making it more convenient, intelligent, and information-centric. However, owing to the booming development and popularization of 5G and mankind’s over-reliance on a variety of smart devices, electromagnetic waves have permeated every aspect of people’s lives. This has led to an alarming increase in the density of electromagnetic radiation and electromagnetic pollution. Electromagnetic absorption materials are functional materials that efficiently absorb incident electromagnetic waves and convert microwave energy into Joule heat to process external electromagnetic waves, thereby regulating them. Over the last few decades, electromagnetic wave-absorbing materials have made significant strides and are playing increasingly crucial roles in radiation protection and antiradar detection, owing to their effective attenuation of incident electromagnetic waves. With the vigorous development of nanotechnology, the design of high-performance electromagnetic wave-absorbing materials has relied on the intrinsic properties of single-component media and has focused on the synergistic effect of different components, resulting in rich loss mechanisms. In recent years, carbide-based composites have received increasing attention in the field of electromagnetic absorption. Among the various candidate materials, carbides are typically characterized by chemical stability, low density, tunable dielectric properties, and diverse morphologies/microstructures. Therefore, exploring and designing carbide-based composites is a feasible approach for the development of novel electromagnetic wave-absorbing materials with promising prospects for practical applications. A summary of the status of the development of carbide-based composites as a new generation of electromagnetic wave-absorbing materials would be helpful for understanding and furthering their advancement. In this review, we introduce the electromagnetic loss mechanisms associated with dielectric composites and discuss the recent advances in the use of various types of carbide-based composites as high-performance electromagnetic wave-absorbing materials. These composites include covalent carbides, interstitial carbides, less common carbide-based composites, and multicomponent composites, such as MXene and high-entropy MAX phase carbides. Key information on composition optimization, structural engineering, performance enhancement, and structure–function relationships are discussed. Additionally, the properties of representative composites are compared, and the challenges and prospects associated with the development of carbide-based composites are presented.

In the context of global efforts to address climate change, research into regional carbon neutrality strategies has become especially critical. For developing countries and regions, it is essential to scientifically and rationally assessing the paths for small-scale regional transformations under carbon neutrality imperatives to effectively implement low-carbon transition measures. This study utilizes Chongming District in Shanghai of China as a case to establish a framework for forecasting carbon emission and sink from a multi-dimensional natural-social perspective. This facilitates the simulation and optimization of pathways for carbon neutrality transformation. The results indicate: (1) From 2000 to 2020, the total regional carbon emission exhibited a rising trend, while the total carbon sink initially declined then increased, indicating potential enhancement zone with significant potential and space for carbon neutrality development. (2) Enhanced management of ecological spaces and land use planning result in notable increases in carbon sink. Strategic measures such as emission and consumption reductions, alongside energy transitions, effectively controlled carbon emission growth and facilitated comprehensive decarbonization. (3) By combining ecological priority with enhanced control and balanced development with enhanced control, the region can achieve carbon neutrality. This showcases the effective role of policy regulation in facilitating high-quality carbon–neutral transformations. (4)Effective ecosystem management along with robust reduction and transition strategies enable county-level carbon–neutral transformations, offering a model and methodological support for other developing regions facing the twin challenges of economic growth and environmental sustainability.

ObjectiveThis study investigates the sleep patterns among vocational college students and examines their association with anxiety and depression amidst the ongoing normalization of COVID-19 management strategies.MethodsIn the period of January to February 2022, a comprehensive survey was conducted involving a random sample of 3,300 students. By employing face-to-face interviews, data on general demographics, along with levels of anxiety, depression, and sleep quality, were meticulously gathered and analyzed.ResultsOut of the 3,049 questionnaires deemed valid for analysis, the prevalence rates for anxiety, depression, and insomnia were found to be 9.7, 14.1, and 81.9%, respectively. Through regression analysis, several factors were identified as significant predictors of insomnia: female gender, a self-perceived average or poor family economic status over the last year, moderate psychological stress due to the pandemic and its associated restrictions, extended daily screen time during the pandemic, absence of a routine physical exercise regime, significant disruption or alteration of daily life routines due to the pandemic, presence of anxiety and depression symptoms during the pandemic, and only partial restoration of normal life routines post-pandemic control measures (p

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to elucidate the relationships between thyroid hormones, lifestyle factors, biochemical markers, and autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), thereby identifying the factors influencing the development of these diseases.MethodsThe study encompassed 517 patients with AITD and 549 patients with non-autoimmune thyroid disease. Demographic and clinical data were collected, and various laboratory indicators, including urinary iodine and thyroid hormones, were measured and compared between the groups. Lasso regression was employed to select the independent variables, while logistic regression analysis determined the factors associated with the development of AITD.ResultsThe prevalence of drinking alcohol history, median urinary iodine, and TSH concentrations proved significantly greater in the AITD group compared to the control group, while FT3 levels demonstrated lower values within the AITD group (p

Recent investigations have underscored the epigenetic modulation of the immune response; however, the interplay between RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification and immunomodulation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) remains relatively unexplored. To bridge this knowledge gap, we undertook an extensive examination of the potential contributions of m6A modification and immunomodulation in HNSC. We amalgamated and deduplicated 27 m6A -related genes (m6AGs) and 1342 immune regulation-related genes (IMRGs), resulting in a comprehensive dataset encompassing 1358 genes. This dataset was scrutinized for m6A modification and immunomodulatory patterns within HNSC specimens. Employing Cox regression analysis and the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) technique, we developed a prognostic risk model for m6A regulator-mediated methylation modification and immunomodulation-related differentially expressed genes (m6A&IMRDEGs). Our differential expression analysis delineated 29 m6A&IMRDEGs, and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) elucidated two module genes (IL11 and MMP13) subjected to correlation analysis. The prognostic prediction models revealed that the clinical predictive efficacy peaked for 1-year forecasts, followed sequentially by 3-year and 5-year predictions. The risk scores derived from the model adeptly categorized HNSC patients into high- and low-risk cohorts, with the high-risk group exhibiting a more unfavorable prognosis. Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) analysis identified 7 hub genes implicated in m6A and immune regulation, namely BPIFB1, BPIFB2, GP2, MUC5B, MUC7, PIP, and SCGB3A1. Furthermore, we noted marked disparities in the expression profiles of 18 immune cell types between the high- and low-risk groups. Our results substantiate that the clustering subpopulations and risk models associated with m6A and immune regulatory genes portend a poor prognosis in HNSC. The risk score emerges as a potent prognostic biomarker and predictive metric for HNSC patients. A thorough assessment of m6A and immune regulatory genes in HNSC will augment our comprehension of the tumor immune microenvironment and facilitate the advancement of HNSC therapeutics.

High-energy density dielectrics for electrostatic capacitors are in urgent demand for advanced electronics and electrical power systems. Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) based nanocomposites have attracted remarkable attention by intrinsic high polarization, flexibility, low density, and outstanding processability. However, it is still challenging to achieve significant improvement in energy density due to the common contradictions between electric polarization and breakdown strength. Here, we proposed a novel facile strategy that simultaneously achieves the construction of in-plane oriented BaTiO3 nanowires and crystallization modulation of PVDF matrix via an in-situ uniaxial stretch process. The polar phase transition and enhanced Young's modulus facilitate the synergetic improvement of electric polarization and voltage endurance capability for PVDF matrix. Additionally, the aligned distribution of nanowires could reduce the contact probability of nanowire tips, thus alleviating electric field concentration and hindering the conductive path. Finally, a record high energy density of 38.3 ​J/cm3 and 40.9 ​J/cm3 are achieved for single layer and optimized sandwich-structured nanocomposite, respectively. This work provides a unique structural design and universal method for dielectric nanocomposites with ultrahigh energy density, which presents a promising prospect of practical application for modern energy storage systems.

BackgroundCerebral hemorrhage is a critical medical condition that necessitates a rapid and precise diagnosis for timely medical intervention, including emergency operation. Computed tomography (CT) is essential for identifying cerebral hemorrhage, but its effectiveness is limited by the availability of experienced radiologists, especially in resource-constrained regions or when shorthanded during holidays or at night. Despite advancements in artificial intelligence–driven diagnostic tools, most require technical expertise. This poses a challenge for widespread adoption in radiological imaging. The introduction of advanced natural language processing (NLP) models such as GPT-4, which can annotate and analyze images without extensive algorithmic training, offers a potential solution. ObjectiveThis study investigates GPT-4’s capability to identify and annotate cerebral hemorrhages in cranial CT scans. It represents a novel application of NLP models in radiological imaging. MethodsIn this retrospective analysis, we collected 208 CT scans with 6 types of cerebral hemorrhages at Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, between January and September 2023. All CT images were mixed together and sequentially numbered, so each CT image had its own corresponding number. A random sequence from 1 to 208 was generated, and all CT images were inputted into GPT-4 for analysis in the order of the random sequence. The outputs were subsequently examined using Photoshop and evaluated by experienced radiologists on a 4-point scale to assess identification completeness, accuracy, and success. ResultsThe overall identification completeness percentage for the 6 types of cerebral hemorrhages was 72.6% (SD 18.6%). Specifically, GPT-4 achieved higher identification completeness in epidural and intraparenchymal hemorrhages (89.0%, SD 19.1% and 86.9%, SD 17.7%, respectively), yet its identification completeness percentage in chronic subdural hemorrhages was very low (37.3%, SD 37.5%). The misidentification percentages for complex hemorrhages (54.0%, SD 28.0%), epidural hemorrhages (50.2%, SD 22.7%), and subarachnoid hemorrhages (50.5%, SD 29.2%) were relatively high, whereas they were relatively low for acute subdural hemorrhages (32.6%, SD 26.3%), chronic subdural hemorrhages (40.3%, SD 27.2%), and intraparenchymal hemorrhages (26.2%, SD 23.8%). The identification completeness percentages in both massive and minor bleeding showed no significant difference (P=.06). However, the misidentification percentage in recognizing massive bleeding was significantly lower than that for minor bleeding (P=.04). The identification completeness percentages and misidentification percentages for cerebral hemorrhages at different locations showed no significant differences (all P>.05). Lastly, radiologists showed relative acceptance regarding identification completeness (3.60, SD 0.54), accuracy (3.30, SD 0.65), and success (3.38, SD 0.64). ConclusionsGPT-4, a standout among NLP models, exhibits both promising capabilities and certain limitations in the realm of radiological imaging, particularly when it comes to identifying cerebral hemorrhages in CT scans. This opens up new directions and insights for the future development of NLP models in radiology. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT06230419; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06230419

ObjectiveThis study aims to analyze the relationship between papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and various factors.MethodsThe study involved two groups—PTC patients and non-PTC controls. We utilized binary logistic regression and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (Lasso) regression for variable selection and risk factor analysis. Correlation analysis was performed using Spearman’s rank correlation. The diagnostic value of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels for PTC was assessed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves.ResultsPTC patients exhibited higher body mass index (BMI) (23.71 vs. 22.66, p

Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) is a highly contagious pathogen that causes acute upper respiratory tract diseases in chickens and turkeys, resulting in serious economic losses. Subtype B aMPV has recently become the dominant epidemic strain in China. We developed an attenuated aMPV subtype B strain by serial passaging in Vero cells and evaluated its safety and efficacy as a vaccine candidate. The safety test showed that after the 30th passage, the LN16-A strain was fully attenuated, as clinical signs of infection and histological lesions were absent after inoculation. The LN16-A strain did not revert to a virulent strain after five serial passages in chickens. The genomic sequence of LN16-A differed from that of the parent wild-type LN16 (wtLN16) strain and had nine amino acid mutations. In chickens, a single immunization with LN16-A induced robust humoral and cellular immune responses, including the abundant production of neutralizing antibodies, CD4+ T lymphocytes, and the Th1 (IFN-γ) and Th2 (IL-4 and IL-6) cytokines. We also confirmed that LN16-A provided 100% protection against subtype B aMPV and significantly reduced viral shedding and turbinate inflammation. Our findings suggest that the LN16-A strain is a promising live attenuated vaccine candidate that can prevent infection with subtype B aMPV.

ObjectiveTo establish a UHPLC-MS/MS quantitative method for the determination of glucuronic acid， tartaric acid， glycolic acid， malic acid， lactic acid， citric acid， DL-2-hydroxybutyric acid sodium， mandelic acid， benzilic acid， hydroxycaprylic acid， lactobionic acid， gluconic acid and N-acetylneuraminic acid in cosmetics.MethodsSamples were prepared by ultrasonic extraction， cleansed by precipitating reagent and followed by high-speed centrifugation of the extraction solution. The supernatant was filtered by 0.22 μm Millipore filter. The continued filtrate was taken for analysis. A reversed phase column， Poroshell 120 EC-C18 （2.7 μm， 4.6 mm×1 000 mm） was used with 0.1% formic acid buffer and acetonitrile as the mobile phase under the condition of gradient elution. The analytes were detected with electrospray ionization source in negative ion mode （ESI-） and multiple reactions monitoring （MRM）， and quantified by external standard curve.ResultsThe method showed a good linearity of glucuronic acid， tartaric acid， malic acid， DL-2-hydroxybutyric acid sodium， benzilic acid， hydroxycaprylic acid and N-acetylneuraminic acid within the concentration range of 50.0‒2 000.0 μg·L-1 （r>0.995）. The method showed a good linearity of glycolic acid， lactic acid， citric acid and mandelic acid within the concentration range of 100.0‒5 000.0 μg·L-1 （r>0.995）. The method showed a good linearity of lactobionic acid and gluconic acid within the concentration range of 50.0‒5 000.0 μg·L-1 （r>0.995）. The recoveries were in the range of 92.3%‒114.1%； the relative standard deviations （RSD） were in the range of 0.9%‒6.0% （n=3）. The detection limits of glucuronic acid， tartaric acid， malic acid， citric acid， DL-2-hydroxybutyric acid sodium， mandelic acid， benzilic acid， hydroxycaprylic acid， lactobionic acid， gluconic acid and N-acetylneuraminic acid were 0.003% while the detection limits of glycolic acid， lactic acid and mandelic acid were 0.006%. In 10 batches of commercially available cosmetics， eight batches showed positive result.ConclusionThe UHPLC-MS/MS method is efficient， sensitive and accurate and is applicable to the determination of 13 α-hydroxy acidic components in cosmetics.

This study provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges to achieving carbon neutrality at the county level in China and offers targeted recommendations, laying the groundwork for future specialized research in this area. A total of 283 relevant studies (2004–2023) were analyzed to assess county-level carbon emissions through three phases: bibliometric analysis, frontier analysis, and future prospects. Bibliometric findings reveal that publication trends were largely influenced by domestic and foreign policies. Keyword cluster discerns ten primary themes, ranging from conceptual frameworks to research methodologies. The frontier analysis of the literature highlights the leading research areas, which include carbon neutrality pathway, driving factors, spatiotemporal variation of carbon emissions, the co-effects of pollutants and carbon reduction, and carbon emissions in China's rural areas. Drawing from the results of bibliometric and frontier analyses, this study elucidates the recommendations for achieving carbon neutrality at the county level from three perspectives: effective regional policy guidance, emphasis on ecological conservation, and the deployment of advanced carbon reduction and sequestration technologies. This study enriches the body of knowledge on carbon emissions at the county level and holds significant implications for China's comprehensive push towards achieving its carbon neutrality objectives.

Abstract Background Hypertension is one of the most common chronic diseases with a low control rate globally. The effect of communication skills training contributing to hypertension control remains uncertain. The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention based on the Calgary-Cambridge guide in improving hypertensive management. Methods A cluster randomized controlled trial enrolled 27 general practitioners (GPs) and 540 uncontrolled hypertensive patients attending 6 community health centers in Chengdu, China. GPs allocated to the intervention group were trained by an online communication course and two face-to-face workshops based on Calgary-Cambridge guides. The primary outcome was blood pressure (BP) control rates and reductions in systolic and diastolic BP from baseline to 3 months. The secondary outcome was changes in GPs’ communication skills after one month, patients’ knowledge and satisfaction after 3 months. Bivariate analysis and the regression model assessed whether the health provider training improved outcomes. Results After the communication training, the BP control rate was significantly higher (57.2% vs. 37.4%, p

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges facing the world today. The large amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by human activities, especially the emission of carbon dioxide, is an important driving factor behind climate issues. Under the background of China’s “3060” decarbonization goal”, Chongming District in Shanghai is actively promoting the construction of a world-class ecological island and is committed to creating a carbon–neutral demonstration zone with global influence. However, Chongming District faces challenges as the mechanism of carbon-neutrality transition path remains unclear. The data related to evaluating carbon neutrality status are heterogeneous from multiple sources. It is difficult to effectively implement relevant evaluation and response measures, impeding the progress of its low-carbon transformation. In response to the aforementioned challenges, this paper will propose and discuss the potential methods based on the new generation of information technology, represented by big data and artificial intelligence. These technologies aim to facilitate the integration of diverse factors, including carbon, and explore the nexus among them, thus exploring pathways for low-carbon transformation, and ultimately achieving decarbonization goal in Chongming District. Hopefully, the research conducted in this paper will contribute to the efforts of China and the global community in addressing carbon-related challenges and advancing towards a more sustainable and low-carbon future.

The pursuit of green and sustainable transition at the local level holds great significance for achieving high-quality development, particularly in developing countries and regions. An in-depth understanding of the intricate relationship between carbon sources and sinks can assist in identifying the key influencing factors of low carbon development. Therefore, this study takes Chongming District of Shanghai in China as an example and proposes a novel methodology to assess the relationship between carbon sources and sinks from the nexus perspective. Our results reveal that: 1) From 2000 to 2020, the overall carbon sink level in Chongming has increased gradually, but its growth rate lags behind its carbon emissions level. Both the intensity of carbon emissions and the extent of high-carbon emission areas have significantly increased. And the trend of carbon balance change is consistent with the original planning goals. 2) In order to achieve a dynamic balance between carbon sources and sinks in temporal and spatial scales, integrated source-sink plan and associated measures must be taken. Additionally, to promote the green, low-carbon, and sustainable transition, it’s crucial to maintain a dynamic equilibrium between the natural ecological interface and the socio-economic interface. 3) This study aims to enhance our understanding of regional carbon peaking and neutrality from the perspective of source-sink nexus and can serve as a decision-support tool for other developing countries and regions seeking to achieve net-zero carbon transition within the constraints of local energy-resource endowments.

PurposeThis research investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental well-being and sleep quality of students in higher vocational colleges in Sichuan, China, identifying key factors influencing their psychological health during this period.MethodsBetween January and February 2022, a comprehensive survey was conducted among students from several higher vocational colleges in Sichuan, utilizing a randomized selection approach to involve 3,300 participants. Data were collected through direct interviews executed by skilled interviewers.ResultsOut of 3,049 valid responses, a significant number reported experiencing symptoms of poor mental health, anxiety, depression, and insomnia, with prevalence rates of 21.2%, 9.7%, 14.1%, and 81.9%, respectively. Factors contributing positively to mental health and sleep included a higher family economic status, reduced stress from the pandemic, and decreased online activity. Conversely, lack of physical activity post-pandemic, disruptions to education and employment, and deteriorating relationships emerged as negative influencers. Interestingly, a lack of pre-pandemic mental health knowledge acted as a protective factor against insomnia.ConclusionThe ongoing management of COVID-19 has notably influenced the psychological and sleep health of vocational college students, driven by economic, emotional, lifestyle, and educational factors. The findings underscore the necessity for targeted interventions to address these challenges effectively.

Optimizing water and nitrogen (N) utilization to enhance crop yields under resource constraints is crucial. Straw and its biochar, combined with N fertilizer, are commonly used to improve soil carbon storage and crop growth. However, the effects of straw and N fertilizer management on water consumption, root and shoot characteristics, N uptake, and maize productivity remain unclear. To address this knowledge gap, a three-year (2019–2021) field experiment was conducted in Northwest China. We compared two straw incorporation methods [straw (SI) and straw-derived biochar (BI)] with straw removal (NI) at four N application rates [0 (N0), 225 (N225), 300 (N300), and 375 kg ha–1 (N375)]. Results indicated that compared with NI, both SI and BI significantly increased grain yield (GY), N uptake, and water productivity (WP) (SI < BI; P < 0.05). The maximum GYs were achieved with SIN300 and BIN225, respectively. Notably, compared with SIN300, BIN225 significantly enhanced GY by 10.8% and 5.8% and improved WP by 19.2% and 9.9% (P < 0.05). This improvement was mainly attributed to the increased water consumption after tasseling and crop transpiration (T) in evapotranspiration (ET). Furthermore, N application resulted in increased root distribution in shallow soil layers (0–0.3 m). Under BIN225, roots exhibited a longer, thinner and deeper profile, minimizing root redundancy and enhancing root efficiency in water and N absorption during the reproductive stage of maize. In contrast, SIN300 resulted in shorter, thicker, and shallower roots, leading to a reduced shoot-root ratio of 12.2% (P < 0.05). Based on the normalization and fitting curves, BI combined with reduced N (240 kg ha–1) improved WP by 24.5%, achieving 98.7% of the maximum GY for drip-irrigated maize (16.98 Mg kg–1). Overall, these findings provide a novel straw strategy for sustainable field management in arid irrigation agriculture and similar ecosystems.

ObjectiveThis study aims to analyze the association between the occurrence of thyroid nodules and various factors and to establish a risk factor model for thyroid nodules.MethodsThe study population was divided into two groups: a group with thyroid nodules and a group without thyroid nodules. Regression with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) was applied to the complete dataset for variable selection. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between various influencing factors and the prevalence of thyroid nodules.ResultsBased on the screening results of Lasso regression and the subsequent establishment of the Binary Logistic Regression Model on the training dataset, it was found that advanced age (OR=1.046, 95% CI: 1.033-1.060), females (OR = 1.709, 95% CI: 1.342-2.181), overweight individuals (OR = 1.546, 95% CI: 1.165-2.058), individuals with impaired fasting glucose (OR = 1.590, 95% CI: 1.193-2.122), and those with dyslipidemia (OR = 1.588, 95% CI: 1.197-2.112) were potential risk factors for thyroid nodule disease (p

Objectives: Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) has been established as a significant factor in the pathogenesis of numerous chronic inflammatory conditions. However, its role in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP) is unknown. This study aims to investigate the association between MetS, its components, and the risk of postoperative recurrence in Chinese patients with CRSwNP. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on CRSwNP patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery in our hospital. Patients were divided into MetS and non-MetS groups, and the clinical characteristics and recurrence rates were compared. All CRSwNP patients were followed up for more than 2-years and further categorized into non-recurrent and recurrent groups. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the effects of MetS and its components on the risk of postoperative recurrence. Results: A total of 555 CRSwNP patients were enrolled in the present study, 157 patients were included in the MetS group and 398 patients were categorized into the non-MetS group. The recurrence rate in the MetS group was significantly higher compared to the non-MetS group (p

Objective To investigate the connotation and characteristics of curriculum ideology and politics, and to summarize the practice framework of curriculum ideology and politics in the teaching of Surgery in higher vocational students. Methods Students major in clinical medicine from 4 classes in academic year of 2022 were randomly divided into the study group and control group. The literature research method based on educational network and academic journals was adapted to in the teaching of curriculum ideology and politics in the control group. The action research method was used in the teaching of curriculum ideology and politics in the study group. The teaching efficacy was evaluated and measured between two groups. Results The students satisfaction with teaching was 93. 24%(69/74)in the control group and 98. 80%(82/83)in the study group. The number of questions answered was 1324 in the study group and 983 in the control group. Conclusion The curriculum ideology and politics by using action research method is effective to improve the independent learning of higher vocational students and teaching quality of Surgery. (目的 探索课程思政的内在特点和科学内涵, 总结课程思政在高职外科学教学的实践路径。方法 选择2022级三年制临床医学4个班, 分为为研究组和对照组。对照组班级主要通过教育网络、学术期刊等方式将课程思政元素融入外科学课程教学中; 研究组班级采用行动研究法进行课堂思政教学。评价两组教学效果。结果 对照组班级学生74人, 听课满意度为93. 24%(69/74); 研究组班级学生83人, 听课满意度为98. 80%(82/83)。观察期内研究组班级学生课堂回答问题次数为1324人次, 高于对照组班级学生回答问题次数的983人次。结论 采用行动研究法将课堂思政融入外科学课程教学中, 能够提高学生自主学习积极性, 提高教学质量。)

Abstract Background The immune system plays a crucial role in initiating, progressing, and disseminating HNSCC. This study aims to investigate the differences in immune microenvironments between 2D-4-culture and 3D-4-culture models of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells (FaDu), human fibroblasts (HF), human monocytes (THP-1), and human endothelial cells (HUVEC). Methods For the 3D-4-culture model, FaDu:HF:THP-1 (2:1:1) were inoculated in an ultra-low attachment culture plate, while HUVECs were placed in a transwell chamber. The ordinary culture plate was used for the 2D-4-culture model. Tumor-associated macrophage markers (CD163), tumor-associated fibroblast markers (FAP), and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were detected by western blot. Inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-2, CXCL 10, IL-1 β, TNF-α, CCL 2, IL-17 A, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, IL-12 p 70, CXCL 8, TGFβ1) in the supernatant were measured by flow cytometry. HUVEC migration was observed under a microscope. The 3D spheres were stained and observed with a confocal microscope. CCK8 assay was used to detect the resistance of mixed cells to cisplatin in both 2D-4-culture and 3D-4-culture. Results After three days of co-culture, the 3D-4-culture model showed increased expression levels of CD163 and FAP proteins (both P < 0.001), increased expression of E-cadherin protein and N-cadherin protein expression (P < 0.001), decreased expression of vimentin (P < 0.01) and Twist protein (P < 0.001). HUVEC migration significantly increased (P < 0.001), as did the concentrations of IP-10, MCP-1, IL-6, and IL-8 (all P < 0.001). Confocal microscopy showed that 3D-4-culture formed loose cell clusters on day 1, which gradually became a dense sphere surrounded by FaDu cells invading the inside. After co-culturing for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h, the resistance of mix cells to cisplatin in 3D-4-culture was significantly higher than in 2D-4-culture (P < 0.01 for all). Conclusion Compared to 2D-4-culture, 3D-4-culture better simulates the in vivo immune microenvironment of HNSCC by promoting fibroblast transformation into tumor-associated fibroblasts, monocyte transformation into tumor-associated macrophages, enhancing endothelial cell migration ability, partial EMT formation in HNSCC cells, and is more suitable for studying the immunosuppressive microenvironment of HNSCC. Graphical abstract

The subgroup J avian leukosis virus (ALV-J), a retrovirus, uses its gp85 protein to bind to the receptor, the chicken sodium hydrogen exchanger isoform 1 (chNHE1), facilitating viral invasion. ALV-J is the main epidemic subgroup and shows noteworthy mutations within the receptor-binding domain (RBD) region of gp85, especially in ALV-J layer strains in China. However, the implications of these mutations on viral replication and transmission remain elusive. In this study, the ALV-J layer strain JL08CH3-1 exhibited a more robust replication ability than the prototype strain HPRS103, which is related to variations in the gp85 protein. Notably, the gp85 of JL08CH3-1 demonstrated a heightened binding capacity to chNHE1 compared to HPRS103-gp85 binding. Furthermore, we showed that the specific N123I mutation within gp85 contributed to the enhanced binding capacity of the gp85 protein to chNHE1. Structural analysis indicated that the N123I mutation primarily enhanced the stability of gp85, expanded the interaction interface, and increased the number of hydrogen bonds at the interaction interface to increase the binding capacity between gp85 and chNHE1. We found that the N123I mutation not only improved the viral replication ability of ALV-J but also promoted viral shedding in vivo. These comprehensive data underscore the notion that the N123I mutation increases receptor binding and intensifies viral replication.

The Amu Darya River, as one of the important flows of the Aral Sea located in the semi-arid area of Central Asia, also performed as the primary water supply for Uzbekistan. Therefore, the residues and risks of anthropogenic-related persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in waters of the Amu Darya River were conducted in the present study to elucidate their possible effects on the water safety in such a specific area as well as on the Aral Sea Crisis from a new perspective. Thirty-nine water samples distributed along the Amu Darya River to the coastal of the Aral Sea were analyzed for both polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) occurrence, showing the total concentrations of ΣOCPs and ΣPAHs in the range of 1.16–22.75 ng/L and 3.18–506.26 ng/L, respectively. Spatial differences showed higher levels for both OCPs and PAHs along the lower reaches of the Amu Darya River due to intense human activities. Source identification performed by isomer ratios indicated that dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) probably originated from recent use, while hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), chlordanes, and endosulfans originated mainly from historical usage. Furthermore, the principal component analysis showed PAHs were from coal and petroleum combustion (65.2%), biomass combustion (27.2%), and industrial chemical combustion (7.64%). The human health risk assessment demonstrated no carcinogenic or non-carcinogenic risks at present. However, moderate to high ecological risks to aquatic organisms especially were observed along the lower reaches, especially the delta area. The results obtained would not only provide important basic data for such a semi-arid area but also show us the possible toxic effects induced by such pollutants, which should attract more attention in the shrinking case of the Aral Sea.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of miniprobe endoscopic ultrasonography for the diagnosis and adjuvant treatment of patients with colorectal submucosal lesions. Method: The retrospective study was conducted at the Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, China, and comprised data from January 1, 2016, to July 31, 2021, related to patients of either gender with colorectal submucosal lesions who underwent miniprobe endoscopic ultrasonography. The findings were compared with biopsy specimens and clinical diagnoses. Diagnostic features of miniprobe endoscopic ultrasonography were assessed along with its accuracy. Data was analysed using R 4.1.2. Results: Of the 237 patients, 121(51.1%) were female and 116(48.9%) were male. The overall mean age was 55.6+/-12.9 years. Miniprobe endoscopic ultrasonography successfully imaged all 237(100%) colorectal submucosal lesions, and 188(79.3%) had consistent results compared to histopathological findings. The majority of lesions were

Liver cancer is a prevalent malignant tumor with high mortality worldwide, making it urgent to explore new targets for liver cancer therapy. N-terminal EF-hand calcium binding protein 3 (NECAB3) is a new recognized regulator of cancer, while its role in liver cancer remained elusive. Thus, the study clarified the action of NECAB3 on liver cancer development and explored the detailed mechanism. We found that NECAB3 was enhanced in liver cancer. Knockdown of NECAB3 restrained liver cancer cell migration and invasion. Besides, knockdown of NECAB3 suppressed the activation of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α)/Ras like without CAAX 1 (RIT1) pathway. Furthermore, NECAB3 regulated liver cancer migration and invasion through modulating RIT1 expression. Moreover, downregulation of NECAB3 suppressed liver cancer tumor growth in vivo. In conclusion, NECAB3 was upregulated in liver cancer. Knockdown of NECAB3 suppressed aggressive phenotype of liver cancer via modulating the HIF-1α/RIT1 axis, providing a possible target for liver cancer therapy.