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• Clinical neck level Ib lymph node involvement is rare (1.4%) • Level 1b sparing is safe even with the presence of ENE or large (>2 cm) level II node(s) without positive level Ib lymph nodes. • Level 1b sparing provides long-term reduction of dry mouth symptom. Level Ib lymph nodes metastasis is rare in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of sparing level Ib-irradiation in NPC patients with high-risk factors. Four hundred forty-three NPC patients with radiologic extranodal extension (rENE) or level II lymph node maximal axial diameter (MAD) ≥ 20 mm treated by intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) between 2009 and 2012 were included in this study. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to balance potential prognostic factors (including age, sex, T and N stage, pretreatment EBV DNA level, and level II rENE and MAD) between patients who received and omitted level Ib irradiation. Kaplan–Meier analysis and the log-rank test were used to compare regional survival outcomes. PSM resulted in 169 matched pairs of eligible patients. The median follow-up period was 119 months in the matched cohort. The number of level Ib failure in the level Ib-sparing and level-Ib irradiation groups were 3/169 (1.8 %) vs 2/169 (1.2 %), P > 0.999. And the 5-year regional relapse-free survival (RRFS) rates of the two groups were 88.4 % vs 92.6 %, respectively. After PSM, RRFS (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.508, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.762–2.986, P = 0.239), OS (HR: 1.219, 95 % CI: 0.754–1.972, P = 0.418), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) (HR: 1.605, 95 % CI: 0.900–2.863, P = 0.109), and local relapse-free (LRFS) (HR: 0.956, 95 % CI: 0.436–2.095, P = 0.910) were similar in the two arms. The incidence of grade ≥ 1 dry mouth after 5 years was higher in the level Ib-irradiation group (27.5 % vs 16.5 %, P = 0.029). However, the incidences of grade 3–4 late toxicities were similar between the two groups. Neck level Ib-sparing appears to be safe and feasible in NPC patients with rENE or level II MAD ≥ 20 mm and negative level Ib lymph nodes. Compared with cervical level Ib-irradiation, omission of irradiation to level Ib provides less dry mouth symptom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the characteristics of convective heat transfer of a pulse-heated platinum microwire cooling in CO2 under supercritical pressures based on experimental data. The microwire undergoes a rapid temperature rise of around 664 K within 0.35 ms. An inverse problem is formulated and numerically solved to extract heat transfer data from experimental measurements. In addition, a predictive model for the convective heat transfer coefficient is developed to fully close the equation set. Results are interpreted based on the bulk pressure from 7.38 to 9 MPa and bulk temperature from 295 to 325 K. The convective heat flux of CO2 generally decreases with time, and in the medium-term, the reduction is slightly decelerated owing to buoyancy-driven flows. This demonstrates that high-pressure and low-temperature bulk states generally exert larger convective heat flux to cool the microwire. During the early 10 ms, the time-averaged convective heat flux is of the order of 1 MW/m2, resulting in rapid cooling. This value shows a weak critical enhancement upon crossing the Widom line. During the remaining time, the time-averaged convective heat flux drops to the order of 0.1 MW/m2. Such a drop in heat flux is more obvious in low-bulk-density cases, leading to a relatively long time for sufficient W cooling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports our experimental findings aimed to understand the importance of compressibility in fluid flow and heat transfer. A platinum microwire of diameter 50 μ m was immersed in a pressure vessel filled with CO 2 at different thermodynamic states around the critical point. The microwire was heated by an electric pulse resulting in a temperature rise of about 667 K during 0.35 ms. The snapshots of CO 2 and the temporal profiles of mean temperature of the microwire were recorded. An explosive breakup of the thermal boundary layer is identified, manifested by a radial spreading fluid layer with a "fluffy" boundary. Since buoyancy can only drive upward motions, such a phenomenon is closely related to compressibility, as a result of complex interactions between thermoacoustic waves and large-density-gradient interfaces. This phenomenon is also responsible for the efficient cooling observed in the first 10 ms because expansion is a cooling process and can also help to evacuate high-temperature fluid. Afterward, the flow exhibits various buoyancy-driven patterns depending on the existence and intensity of surface tension: garland-like cluster, unstable gas column, or normal bubble, followed by a continuously thinning thermal boundary layer. Both the classic and the newly revised thermodynamic phase diagrams are employed and compared in this paper, suggesting the latter is proper and informative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The order-disorder phenomenon of the cation sub-lattice is of substantial interests recently. However, randomness of the disordered local atomic structures poses great challenges for the modeling of ordering at larger size/time scales. In this work, a cation-pair model is developed to simulate the order-disorder of layered Li 2 TiO 3. The configurational order of the lattice is simplified by the number of cation pairs at ordered/disordered state. Simulated x-ray diffraction of lattice models is performed to allow comparison with experimental observations. The configuration dependent activation energy is obtained by the simulated evolution of order-disorder based on density functional total energies. The cation-pair simplification enables fast estimation of ordering by tracking the number of pairs with rate theory. The model successfully reproduces the inhibition of ordering from increasing Zr/Ti in the Li 2 Ti 1-x Zr x O 3 solid solution. Different stages of order-disorder have distinct features of ordering rates, which is explained by the coupling between ordering rates and degree of disorder. In addition, the model predicts stage-specific equilibrium conditions at various Zr/Ti and temperatures. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, medium-temperature chiller with induction air-conditioning system is introduced. Several onsite measurements were carried out on temperature and relative humidity distribution and energy consumption in summer 2020 in order to study the potential performance when applied in hot summer cold winter zone. The performance test results show that (1) the indoor temperature and humidity both comply with the range of design parameters; (2) the corresponding indoor air dew point temperature is much lower than the supply air temperature of air inductive unit, which implies no condensed water or dew on surface of air inductive unit; (3) the performance of the circulation pump, extensive type air handling unit fan; and medium-temperature chiller has exceeded the requirements of national standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ablation properties and mechanisms of BN-coated C f -reinforced SiBCNZr composites under an oxyacetylene combustion torch were investigated. The mass and linear ablation rates of the C f /SiBCNZr ceramic matrix composites were lower than those of C f /SiBCN and SiC f /SiBCN composites, reaching 0.0022 mg/s and 0.0136 mm/s, respectively. The ablation resistance of the SiBCN ceramics was enhanced by the addition of Zr, whereas the BN-coated C f increased the thermal shock resistance of the SiBCNZr ceramics. No macrocracks were found on the ablation surface of the C f /SiBCNZr specimen. The ablation mechanisms based on different ablation temperatures, phase evolution during ablation, and ablation morphologies in the different ablation regions consisted of oxidation of the carbon fibre and ceramic matrix, emission of various gases, the flow of high-viscosity SiO 2 , and denudation of C f under the erosion of the ablation flame. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was designed to explore the biological role of resveratrol (RES) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the underlying mechanism. The adjuvant‐induced arthritic rats were administered RES on the 12th day after model establishment, and then arthritis assessment, oxidative stress measurement, histological examination, and immunohistochemical staining were performed. The primary rat fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLS) were isolated and treated with RES in vitro and then cell proliferation and apoptosis assay were examined. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, luciferase reporter assay, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) determination, western blot, and quantitative real time‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) were performed to investigate the mechanisms. RES administration decreased arthritis scores and serum levels of antioxidant enzymes, attenuated paw swelling, synovial hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration, and cartilage degradation, as well as inhibited synoviocyte proliferation in synovial tissues. Further investigation indicated that RES inhibited ROS production and FLS proliferation through activating the silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway. NF‐κB was confirmed to negatively regulate miR‐29a‐3p and miR‐23a‐3p expression by directly binding to its promoter. Mechanistic analyses further revealed that Kelch‐like erythroid cell‐derived protein with CNC homology (ECH)‐associated protein 1 (Keap1), a negative regulator of Nrf2, was a downstream target of miR‐29a‐3p, while miR‐23a‐3p directly targeted cullin3 (cul3), a master regulator of ubiquitination and degradation of Nrf2. Together, the present study provided evidence that RES ameliorated RA through activation of Nrf2‐ARE signaling pathway via SIRT1/NF‐κB/miR‐29a‐3p/Keap1 and SIRT1/NF‐κB/miR‐23a‐3p/cul3 signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resveratrol (Res) is a polyphenolic compound that has a variety of biological functions and activities. This study aimed to explore the mechanisms of the antioxidant and proapoptotic effects of Res in H2O2‐treated rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (RA‐FLSs) by the Nrf2–Keap1 signaling pathway. We found that 5 µM H2O2 promoted cell proliferation and increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in RA‐FLSs. However, Res could reverse these effects in 5 µMH2O2‐treated RA‐FLSs by (1) promoting expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), (2) reducing expression of Kelch‐like ECH–related protein 1 (Keap1), (3) inhibiting production of ROS and MDA, (4) blocking activation of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) p65, (5) inhibiting cell proliferation and migration, and (6) activating Bcl‐2/Bax to induce apoptosis. After lentiviral silencing of Nrf2 (siNrf2) mRNA expression in RA‐FLSs, Res addition did not increase the expression of Nrf2 or HO‐1 to reduce the production of mitochondrial ROS caused by 5 µM H2O2. Res reduced the Bcl‐2/Bax ratio, but siNrf2 reduced the ability of Res to promote apoptosis. We conclude that Res inhibits ROS production by activating the Nrf2 pathway, thereby inhibiting activation of NF‐κB and proliferation and migration of RA‐FLSs, to induce apoptosis. Targeting the Nrf2–Keap1 pathway may be a relevant aim of using Res in the treatment of RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Constructed a modelling framework for dynamic matching of supply and demand for urban ES. • Quantified supply and demand indicators based on the diversity and variability of demand for ES. • Identified an overall mismatch between supply and demand of green infrastructure in central Tianjin. • Proposed a sustainable development strategy for green spatial systems with multiple benefits. Quantitative research on the supply and demand of urban green infrastructure (GI) ecosystem services (ES) can play a crucial role in supporting ecological governance, which is vital for enhancing the health and well-being of residents and promoting sustainable development. However, current supply and demand studies often fail to consider the complexity and diversity of local climates and economic status, leading to suboptimal outcomes in urban greening programs. Therefore, there is an urgent need to incorporate the diversity and variability of demand for ES in decision-making processes for urban GI planning. To address this issue, this study proposes a multi-development scenario-based supply and demand modelling framework that measures the supply and demand of ES. By using the central city of Tianjin, China, as a case study, the resulting GI construction potential zoning and optimization strategies are determined to achieve the multiple environmental-social-economic benefits of GI. The results show that the supply and demand levels of GI in the study area are significantly spatially heterogeneous, with the demand levels of GI varying considerably under different development scenarios. Furthermore, the demand for GI is highest under the ecological priority scenario. Based on the relationship between the supply and demand of ES, the study area is classified into four zones, including a GI supply deficit zone, a supply surplus zone, a low-level balance zone, and a high-level balance zone. The area of each zone decreases in turn, indicating that the study area as a whole is in a state of mismatch between the supply and demand of ES. Finally, the study area is divided into seven GI construction potential zones based on the degree of scarcity and development orientation. The proposed planning scheme helps to achieve dynamic matching goals of ES supply and demand and provides valuable insights for policymakers to coordinate urban resources and promote sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Tumor volume is prognostic for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. • Epstein-Barr virus DNA loads during chemoradiotherapy is also a prognostic indicator. • A risk stratification system was developed incorporating these two factors. • The system improved survival prediction and clinical decision-making. To investigate the value of integrating primary gross tumor volume (GTV p) and gross tumor volume of nodes (GTV n) after induction chemotherapy (IC) and dynamic changes in plasma cell-free Epstein-Barr virus DNA (cfEBV DNA) during sequential chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in high-risk locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC). We retrospectively reviewed 988 patients with LA-NPC undergoing IC plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) between 2014 and 2018. The entire cohort was divided into four subgroups according to tumor volume and the cfEBV DNA load. Using a supervised statistical clustering approach, we stratified the subgroups into three clusters. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) and locoregional relapse-free survival (LRRFS) were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and inter-group differences were compared using the log-rank test. We observed that GTV p & GTV n and cfEBV DNA postIC & cfEBV DNA postCRT were powerful prognostic factors for OS (p = 0.004, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). The survival curves of the three clusters were significantly different. The 5-year OS for the low-risk, intermediate-risk and high–risk clusters were 97.0%, 86.2% and 77.1% (all P values < 0.001), respectively. The risk stratification system showed better predictive performance than the current tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) classification for OS (area under curve [AUC]: 0.653 versus 0.560, p < 0.001), DFS (AUC: 0.639 versus 0.540, p < 0.001), DMFS (AUC: 0.628 versus 0.535, p < 0.001) and LRRFS (AUC: 0.616 versus 0.513, p < 0.001). Both tumor volume and the cfEBV DNA level during sequential CRT are effective prognostic indicators for patients with high-risk LA-NPC. The developed risk stratification system incorporating above factors improved survival prediction and demonstrated potential value in decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Fibroblast-like synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA-FLSs) play a key role in cartilage destruction. We previously found that resveratrol (Res) could promote FLSs apoptosis in adjuvant arthritis rats, but the underlying mechanism was unclear. According to our latest study, Res can suppress the expression of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and RA-FLSs proliferation. It was associated with elevated mitochondrial reactive oxygen species levels. Therefore, we hypothesized that Res-mediated RA-FLSs apoptosis might occur via the MnSOD- mitochondrial reactive oxygen species pathway. RA-FLSs were infected with lentiviruses and screened with puromycin at a concentration of 8 µg/ml. We divided the RA-FLSs into four groups: a control group, a negative control (NC) group, a MnSOD overexpression group, and a MnSOD RNAi group. The four groups of RA-FLSs were tested using confocal laser scanning microscopy, CCK-8 assays, flow cytometry, and western blotting were conducted to determine the involvement of the MnSOD-mitochondrial reactive oxygen species pathway. Compared with the NC group, the MnSOD overexpression group treated with different concentrations of Res (0, 25, 50, 100, or 200 μM) and 5 μM H 2 O 2 showed reduced levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, increased B-cell-lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), reduced Bcl-2 Associated X protein (Bax), and fewer apoptotic cells. The MnSOD RNAi group showed the opposite results. Thus, we concluded that Res could facilitate RA-FLSs apoptosis by regulating MnSOD expression and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species levels. Our findings show a novel mechanism for the beneficial effects of Res, especially in relation to the MnSOD-mitochondrial reactive oxygen species signaling pathway in RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human osteoarthritis (OA) has been reclassified as a systemic musculoskeletal disorder involving activation of the innate and adaptive immune systems. Elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines may serve a key function in the development of the disease. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 and dexamethasone (vitD3/Dex) may inhibit inflammation by acting on tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDCs) in chronic inflammatory conditions. In the present study, DCs were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with OA. DCs expressing high levels of co-stimulatory molecules maintain a tolerogenic phenotype under stimulation with LPS, which promotes DC maturation to generate tolDCs. When vitD3/Dex were added in the current study, the tolDCs produced pro-inflammatory cytokines, including low levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and IL-10, and high levels of transforming growth factor-β. However, when vitD3/Dex were added to DCs without LPS stimulation, the levels of IL-10 were high. DCs with LPS stimulation increased the percentage of T-cells that produced IFN-γ and IL-17 and DCs with vitD3/Dex treatment alone increased the percentage of T-cells that produced IL-10 and FoxP3. However, those cytokines decrease in DCs co-processed with LPS and vitD3/Dex. The IL-10 release by the stimulated T cells was indicated to repress autologous T cell proliferation via soluble IL-10 and cell-cell contact. Furthermore, tolDCs and regulatory T cells suppressed matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-13 secretion by chondrocytes. Additionally, Akt and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling were demonstrated to be involved in the regulatory effects of Dec and vitD3 in DCs. The present findings suggest a novel mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of tolDCs, particularly in association with the pathogenesis of OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the conversion speed of single-slope (SS) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for high frame rate CMOS image sensor, a cycle time-to-digital converter (TDC)-based readout technique is proposed, which optimizes the quantization method. And the proposed SS ADC prioritizes the quantization of the most significant bit (MSB), aiming to shorten the search range of the slope and greatly improve the quantization speed while ensuring accuracy. Furthermore, the proposed scheme is reversible to operate the conventional SS ADC algorithm, thus it preserves the structural advantages of the SS ADC. The proposed SS ADC is designed and simulated with 0.11-μm process. The simulation results show that the row time of SS ADC is 2 μs and the resolution is 500 ps, which greatly improves the quantization speed while ensuring power consumption and accuracy. The FoM is 182.6 fJ/step, which is a 7.1% improvement compared to other TDC-based SS ADCs. The proposed SS ADC becomes more effective as the bit-depth of the ADC increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High entropy oxide powders (ZrTiCoNiNb)O x were successfully synthesised using microwave heating with a TE666 resonant mode at temperatures ranging from 700 °C to 900 °C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques were carried out to characterize the samples, and the behavior of the samples when they undergo microwave heating was investigated. The mechanism of thermal field modulation (TFM) was explored to reduce the temperature gradients and improve heating efficiency. The temperature field distribution was simulated using COMSOL software. The process of synthesising (ZrTiCoNiNb)O x using microwave heating was found to comprise four stages: thermal accumulation, local solid-phase reaction, synchronous reaction and grain growth. A phase transition from multi-phase mixing to a fixed high entropy phase was observed. The effectiveness of the mechanism of thermal field modulation was confirmed via analogue computation and experimentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is applied in the anticancer adjuvant therapy of various malignancies and pancreatic cancer included. Xiaoji recipe consists several TCM materials with anticancer activities. In our work, we intended to analyze the molecular targets as well as the underlying mechanisms of Xiaoji recipe against pancreatic cancer. A total of 32 active components and 522 potential targets of Xiaoji recipe were selected using the TCMSP and SwissTargetPrediction databases. The potential target gene prediction in pancreatic cancer was performed using OMIM, Disgenet, and Genecards databases, and totally, 998 target genes were obtained. The component-disease network was constructed using the Cytoscape software, and 116 shared targets of pancreatic cancer and Xiaoji recipe were screened out. As shown in the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network, the top 20 hub genes such as TP53, HRAS, AKT1, VEGFA, STAT3, EGFR, and SRC were further selected by degree. GO and KEGG functional enrichment analysis revealed that Xiaoji recipe may affect pancreatic cancer progression by targeting the PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways. Moreover, we performed in vitro assays to explore the effect of Xiaoji recipe on pancreatic cancer cells. The results revealed that Xiaoji recipe suppressed the viability and migration and promoted the apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells via the inactivation of PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and STAT3 pathways. The findings of our study suggested the potential of Xiaoji recipe in the targeting therapy of pancreatic cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteosarcoma is one of the most common primary malignant bone tumors in adolescents. It is associated with high risk of relapse and the outcomes of patients with high-grade osteosarcoma remain poor. Therefore, additional studies investigating the molecular mechanisms involved in tumor initiation, growth, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma are necessary. In the present study, the protein levels of solute carrier family 25 member 10 (SLC25A10) were increased in osteosarcoma tissue, compared with normal bone tissue. In patients with osteosarcoma, high expression levels of SLC25A10 were associated with poor clinicopathological parameters, including metastasis, clinical Enneking stage, relapse-free survival and overall survival rates. Short hairpin RNA knockdown of SLC25A10 significantly suppressed cell proliferation as determined by cell counting, MTT assay and cell colony formation assays. In addition, SLC25A10 knockdown caused an increase in apoptosis and a decrease in mitosis in osteosarcoma cells. Cyclin E1 (CCNE1) was positively regulated by SLC25A10, while P21 and P27 were negatively regulated by SLC25A10. Therefore, SLC25A10 may play an oncogenic role in human osteosarcoma, which could be mediated by CCNE1, P21 and P27. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to optimize the performance of exhaust air heat recovery heat pump unit (EAHRHPU), Simulink system simulation and Simulink-M file optimization model were established in this paper to study the performance of the unit in variable outdoor air conditions by combining experiment. Finally, the optimal performance of coefficient and the corresponding optimal bypass fresh air flow rate of the unit in different outdoor temperature was obtained. The results showed that the change trend of the simulation value and the test value of the unit's performance parameters is consistent, and the maximum deviation is controlled within ±7.00% in the standard cooling condition and variable bypass fresh air. The simulation model can correctly reflect the performance changes of the unit during the operation. The operation performance of the unit was affected by the temperature and air flow rate of the bypass fresh air in variable outdoor conditions. The Simulink-M file optimization model can obtain the specific value of the optimal bypass air flow rate in different outdoor temperatures. As the outdoor temperature increases, the optimal bypass fresh air flow rate increases first and then decreases. With the use of variable frequency fans, the unit can achieve better energy utility effect. The research could be considered as the useful reference for improving the operation performance of the EAHRHPU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an investigation on the mechanical properties of wood plastic composites under uniaxial stress. Experimental studies of test pieces with tensile and compressive load were performed. Failure modes, stress–strain relationship, and other crucial parameters were recorded and analyzed. The results indicated that brittle failure was the typical failure mode of the tensile test specimens, however, shear‐compression failure and wedge double shear failure were commonly observed for samples under compressive load. Mechanical properties of WPC are better than those of timber according to different national standards. Different analytical models were proposed for evaluating the stress–strain response of the specimens. The fitting between the experimental results and calculations was good. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Leisure sedentary behavior (LSB) is associated with the risk of cancer, but the causal relationship between them has not been clarified. The aim of this study was to assess the potential causal association between LSB and risk of 15 site‐specific cancers. Methods: The causal association between LSB and cancer were assessed with univariate Mendelian randomization (UVMR) and multivariate Mendelian randomization (MVMR). 194 SNPs associated with LSB (from the UK Biobank 408,815 individuals) were adopted as the instrument variables. Sensitivity analyses were performed to ensure the robustness of the results. Results: UVMR analysis revealed that television watching significantly increased the risk of endometrial cancer (OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.02–1.64, p = 0.04) (mainly the endometrioid histology [OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.02–1.60, p = 0.031])，breast cancer (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.04–1.30, p = 0.007) (both ER+ breast cancer [OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.03–1.33, p = 0.015], and ER− breast cancer [OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.26–1.89, p = 2.23 × 10−5]). Although causal association was not found between television watching and ovarian cancer, it was seen in low grade and low malignant potential serous ovarian cancer (OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.07–2.08, p = 0.018). However, significant results were not obtained in the UVMR analysis between driving, computer use and the 15 types of cancer. Further MVMR analysis indicated that the above results are independent from most metabolic factors and dietary habits, but mediated by educational attainment. Conclusion: LSB in form of television watching has independent causal association with the risk of endometrial cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doping and forming solid solution is an effective approach to tailor densification and grain growth. In this study, submicron Li2(Ti,Zr)O3 solid solution ceramics was successfully fabricated by a modified solid‐state route for the first time. The use of appropriate starting powders can greatly reduce the synthesis temperature, and the preparation of Li2(Ti,Zr)O3 with submicron grain size is possible. The substitution of Ti by Zr will inhibit the phase transition from cubic to monoclinic structure, as well as the grain growth and pore removal. By doping 10‐at.% Zr, the grain size was significantly decreased from several μm to 400 nm at 900°C, which contributes to a high conductivity eight times that of pure Li2TiO3. Moreover, after being heated at 900°C for 10 days, the grain size of Li2(Ti,Zr)O3 only increases to 5 μm; however, the grains of Li2TiO3 grows up to 16 μm with abnormal grain growth. The compositions of Li2(Ti,Zr)O3 are high uniform with no element segregation, indicating the sluggish grain growth rate is caused by the slow diffusion of Zr rather than segregation‐induced solute drag. By adding excess Li and two‐step sintering, the Li‐rich Li2(Ti,Zr)O3 ceramic pebbles with high crush load of 50–60 N and small grain size of 300–500 nm were successfully fabricated. This work demonstrates a simple method for the synthesis of Li2(Ti,Zr)O3, which makes this material more widely accessible for exploration and also help accelerate its engineering application to be an advanced solid breeder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An increasing incidence trend for NPC in children and young adults was observed, particularly for males. • The trend in the mortality for NPC in children and young adults is on decreasing. • High-middle SDI regions saw the most increasing incidence with middle SDI regions saw the most decreasing mortality. • Lower SDI regions have less potential to decrease the burden. • The future will likely to see an increasing incidence, particularly for females, and a declining mortality for both sexes. To investigate the epidemiological trend for nasopharyngeal carcinoma among children and young adults and the disease burden they caused. Data were collected from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2019. A comprehensive analysis was performed, with age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) and estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC). And decomposition and frontier analyses were done. Future trends were predicted using Bayesian age–period-cohort model. Globally, there were decreases in the ASIR (EAPC −0.175, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: −0.352 to 0.002), ASMR (EAPC −2.681, 95 % CI: −2.937 to −2.424), and age-standardized DALYs rates (EAPC −2.643, 95 % CI: −2.895 to −2.391). However, the ASIR for males in global (EAPC 0.454, 95 % CI: 0.302 to 0.606), Asia (EAPC 0.782, 95 % CI: 0.610 to 0.954) and America (EAPC 0.448, 95 % CI: 0.379 to 0.517), as well as females in European (EAPC 0.595, 95 % CI: 0.479 to 0.712) and American (EAPC 0.369, 95 % CI: 0.324 to 0.415), showed an increasing trend. The future ASIR per 100,000 will likely show a slight upward trend in 2020 to 2040 (increased from 0.254 to 0.284), particularly among females (increased from 0.177 to 0.206), and a continued decline in ASMR for both sexes (decreased from 0.070 to 0.061). Globally, NPC in children and young adults remains a major public health issue, with the global distribution and magnitude of the burden varies markedly, highlighting the need to formulate regional and population-based policies for primary prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Treating nasopharyngeal carcinoma with radiotherapy can cause hearing impairment. • A nomogram to assess the risk of hearing impairment post-radiotherapy was constructed. • The nomogram to predict (severe) hearing impairment showed excellent discrimination. • The nomogram allowed us to suggest rational dose limitations of radiotherapy. Treating nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with radiotherapy frequently causes hearing impairment (HI). HI risk data haven't been evaluated quantitatively. This study aimed to analyze the probability of HI and sever HI (SHI), develop a nomogram to quantify individual prediction, and provide dose limitation suggestions. This single-center, retrospective study was conducted based on 588 adolescents and young adults with non-metastatic NPC treated using intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between 2010 and 2016. A least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression model and univariate analysis were used to screen potential risk factors. The concordance index and a calibration curve evaluated the nomogram models' predictive ability, with bootstrap resampling validation. We analyzed 588 patients with NPC, with a median follow-up of 103.4 months. HI occurred in 39.5 % of patients, with 29.7 % experiencing SHI. Two factors were classified as precursors for HI (volume 45 Gy of the inner ear (IE V45) and volume 50 Gy of the internal auditory canal (IAC V50)), and IAC min and IAC V60 for SHI, respectively. Prognostic nomograms were developed to predict HI and SHI probabilities, showing excellent discriminative abilities (c-index values = 0.806 and 0.793, respectively). We also suggested IE V45 < 50 % and/or IAC V50 < 40 % as rational dose limitations for HI, and IAC min < 44 Gy and/or the IAC V60 < 40 % for SHI. Comprehensive analysis could predict the risk of HI and SHI in NPC after IMRT, proposing rational dose limitations and improving long-term quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhythm perception refers to the mental interpretation of rhythm by a listener. Musical rhythm perception typically involves two steps: beat extraction and metrical structure assignment (meter perception). The entrainment theories propose that different neuronal oscillations entrain to different levels of metrical structure in the rhythm (e.g., beat and meter) and thereby form a representation of the rhythm in the mind. Thus, neuronal populations that entrain to beat and meter should theoretically be different. However, although entrainment theories have been supported by many studies, the neuronal populations that entrain to beat and meter remain largely unknown. In this study, we used a paradigm to induce neuronal entrainment to beat and meter and obtained images of the neuronal populations with an electroencephalogram functional magnetic resonance imaging (EEG-fMRI) fusion method. We observed that some neuronal populations, including the bilateral putamen, bilateral caudate, left thalamus, and supplementary motor area (SMA), entrain to both beat and meter. We also observed that the bilateral putamen entrains more to meter and the SMA entrains more to beat. Our results suggest that the bilateral putamen plays an important role in meter perception. • Neuronal populations that entrain to beat and meter remain unknown. • We used an EEG-FMRI fusion method to locate neuronal populations that entrain to beat and meter. • We observed that the SMA, bilateral putamen, bilateral caudate, and left thalamus entrain to both beat and meter. • The putamen entrains more to meter, while the SMA entrains more to beat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suppressor of variegation 3-9 homolog 2 (SUV39H2) is a member of the SUV39H subfamily of lysine methyltransferases. Its role in colorectal cancer (CRC) proliferation and metastasis has remained unexplored. Here, we determined that SUV39H2 was upregulated in CRC tissues compared with that in adjacent non-neoplastic tissues. Further statistical analysis revealed that high SUV39H2 expression was strongly associated with distant metastasis (P = 0.016) and TNM stage (P = 0.038) and predicted a shorter overall survival (OS; P = 0.018) and progression-free survival (PFS; P = 0.018) time for CRC patients. Both in vitro and in vivo assays demonstrated that ectopically expressed SUV39H2 enhanced CRC proliferation and metastasis, while SUV39H2 knockdown inhibited CRC proliferation and metastasis. A molecular screen of SUV39H2 targets found that SUV39H2 negatively regulated the expression of SLIT guidance ligand 1 (SLIT1). Moreover, rescue assays suggested that SLIT1 could antagonize the function of SUV39H2 in CRC. Mechanistic studies indicated that SUV39H2 can directly bind to the SLIT1 promoter, suppressing SLIT1 transcription by catalyzing histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) tri-methylation. In summary, we propose that SUV39H2 can predict CRC patient prognosis and stimulate CRC malignant phenotypes via SLIT1 promoter tri-methylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Recent research has demonstrated that resting‐state functional connectivity (RS‐FC) within the human auditory cortex (HAC) is frequency‐selective, but whether RS‐FC between the HAC and other brain areas is differentiated by frequency remains unclear. Three types of data were collected in this study, including resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data, task‐based fMRI data using six pure tone stimuli (200, 400, 800, 1,600, 3,200, and 6,400 Hz), and structural imaging data. We first used task‐based fMRI to identify frequency‐selective cortical regions in the HAC. Six regions of interest (ROIs) were defined based on the responses of 50 participants to the six pure tone stimuli. Then, these ROIs were used as seeds to determine RS‐FC between the HAC and other brain regions. The results showed that there was RS‐FC between the HAC and brain regions that included the superior temporal gyrus, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DL‐PFC), parietal cortex, occipital lobe, and subcortical structures. Importantly, significant differences in FC were observed among most of the brain regions that showed RS‐FC with the HAC. Specifically, there was stronger RS‐FC between (1) low‐frequency (200 and 400 Hz) regions and brain regions including the premotor cortex, somatosensory/‐association cortex, and DL‐PFC; (2) intermediate‐frequency (800 and 1,600 Hz) regions and brain regions including the anterior/posterior superior temporal sulcus, supramarginal gyrus, and inferior frontal cortex; (3) intermediate/low‐frequency regions and vision‐related regions; (4) high‐frequency (3,200 and 6,400 Hz) regions and the anterior cingulate cortex or left DL‐PFC. These findings demonstrate that RS‐FC between the HAC and other brain areas is frequency selective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An automated corrosion monitor, named the Internet of Things atmospheric corrosion monitor (IoT ACM) has been developed. IoT ACM is based on electrical resistance sensor and enables accurate and continuous measurement of corrosion data of metallic materials. The objective of this research is to study the characteristics of atmospheric corrosion by analyzing the acquired corrosion data from IoT ACM. Employing data processing and data analysis methods to research the acquired corrosion data of steel, the atmospheric corrosion characteristics implied in the corrosion data can be discovered. Comparing the experiment results with the phenomenon of previous laboratory experiment and conclusions of previously published reports, the research results are tested and verified. The experiment results show that the change regulation of atmospheric corrosion data in the actual environment is reasonable and normal. The variation of corrosion depth is obviously influenced by relative humidity, temperature and part of air pollutants. It can be concluded that IoT ACM can be well applied to the conditions of atmospheric corrosion monitoring of metallic materials and the study of atmospheric corrosion by applying IoT ACM is effective and instructive under an actual atmospheric environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]