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Abstract Background Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) and cardiovascular diseases share some common risk factors. This study aims to investigate the associations between Life’s Essential 8 (LE8), a comprehensive measure of cardiovascular health (CVH), and outcomes of ALD. Methods Data were obtained from the 2011–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Cox proportional hazards models were employed to assess the relationships between LE8 and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with ALD. Additionally, restricted cubic splines (RCS), piecewise regression, and subgroup analyses were conducted. Results A total of 5321 ALD patients were included in this study with a mean LE8 score of 67.38. During a median follow-up period of 63 months, 228 all-cause deaths were recorded. After adjusting for potential confounders, the risk of all-cause mortality in the high CVH group decreased by 53.7% compared to the low CVH group (HR = 0.463, 95%CI = 0.223–0.965). The result was robust in subgroup analyses. The RCS analysis indicated a non-linear relationship between LE8 and cardiovascular mortality, showing that the risk of cardiovascular mortality decreased with increasing LE8 scores for values below 71.12 (HR = 0.949, 95% CI = 0.915–0.984). Conclusions LE8 score is inversely and linearly linked to all-cause mortality in ALD patients. Promoting adherence to optimal cardiovascular health may unveil additional strategies for the effective management of ALD patients and contribute to reducing their long-term mortality.

Abstract Background Complicated crown-root fractures are a type of tooth fracture that involves the enamel, dentin, and cementum and accompanied by pulp exposure. The treatment of a complicated crown-root fracture is always challenging due to the difficulties in achieving a hermetic seal and a stable restoration with a fracture level close to the crestale bone level. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of single-visit and multi-visit approaches for fragment reattachment in complicated crown-root fractures of anterior teeth. Methods Two cohort consist of 10 adolescent patients in each group at both genders, who suffered from permanent anterior tooth complicated crown-root fracture were included. Fragment reattachment with root canal treatment was performed with either single or multiple-visit approach. Single visit fragment attachement combined with root cannel therapy was conducted in single-visit approach group immediately after injury. Fragment attachment, root cananel therapy and post resoration were performed during three times ‘ clinical visit in multi-visit approach group. Results All the patients in both groups achieved satisfactory aesthetic results one year after fragment reattachment. Patients who underwent a multi-visit approach had a significantly shorter operative duration, less intra-operative pain and fatigue, slightly better periodontal health at an early stage, and a decreased incidence of temporomandibular joint disorders compared to those who underwent a single-visit approach. However, multiple visits approach may increase the risk of fragment detachment postoperatively. Conclusion Fragment reattachment a reliable but temporary technique for adolescent patients who have suffered from complicated crown-root fractures. Multi-visit approach showed similar effecacy to single-visit approach but with slightly less complications. The choose of these two merhos should depend on the specific patient situation and patient compliance. Trial registration This prospective cohort study was retrospectively registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2300076811) on 19/10/2023.

Abstract Background Terniopsis yongtaiensis, a member of the Podostemaceae family, is an aquatic flowering plant displaying remarkable adaptive traits that enable survival in submerged, turbulent habitats. Despite the progressive expansion of chloroplast genomic information within this family, mitochondrial genome sequences have yet to be reported. Results In current study, the mitochondrial genome of the T. yongtaiensis was characterized by a circular genome of 426,928 bp encoding 31 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 18 tRNAs, and 3 rRNA genes. Our comprehensive analysis focused on gene content, repeat sequences, RNA editing processes, intracellular gene transfer, phylogeny, and codon usage bias. Numerous repeat sequences were identified, including 130 simple sequence repeats, 22 tandem repeats, and 220 dispersed repeats. Phylogenetic analysis positioned T. yongtaiensis (Podostemaceae) within the Malpighiales order, showing a close relationship with the Calophyllaceae family, which was consistent with the APG IV classification. A comparative analysis with nine other Malpighiales species revealed both variable and conserved regions, providing insights into the genomic evolution within this order. Notably, the GC content of T. yongtaiensis was distinctively lower compared to other Malpighilales, primarily due to variations in non-coding regions and specific protein-coding genes, particularly the nad genes. Remarkably, the number of RNA editing sites was low (276), distributed unevenly across 27 PCGs. The dN/dS analysis showed only the ccmB gene of T. yongtaiensis was positively selected, which plays a crucial role in cytochrome c biosynthesis. Additionally, there were 13 gene-containing homologous regions between the mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes of T. yongtaiensis, suggesting the gene transfer events between these organellar genomes. Conclusions This study assembled and annotated the first mitochondrial genome of the Podostemaceae family. The comparison results of mitochondrial gene composition, GC content, and RNA editing sites provided novel insights into the adaptive traits and genetic reprogramming of this aquatic eudicot group and offered a foundation for future research on the genomic evolution and adaptive mechanisms of Podostemaceae and related plant families in the Malpighiales order.

Abstract To effectively enhance the ability to acquire information by making full use of the complementary features of infrared and visible images, the widely used image fusion algorithm is faced with challenges such as information loss and image blurring. In response to this issue, the authors propose a dual‐branch deep hierarchical fusion network (ADF‐Net) guided by an attention mechanism. Initially, the attention convolution module extracts the shallow features of the image. Subsequently, a dual‐branch deep decomposition feature extractor is introduced, where in the transformer encoder block (TEB) employs remote attention to process low‐frequency global features, while the CNN encoder block (CEB) extracts high‐frequency local information. Ultimately, the global fusion layer based on TEB and the local fusion layer based on CEB produce the fused image through the encoder. Multiple experiments demonstrate that ADF‐Net excels in various aspects by utilizing two‐stage training and an appropriate loss function for training and testing.

Abstract Background Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) often leads to the collapse of the femoral head, ultimately resulting in patients undergoing premature total hip arthroplasty (THA). The surgical hip dislocation (SHD) technique is a type of hip-preserving surgery aimed at delaying or avoiding THA. This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of SHD techniques through femoral head fovea fenestration and impaction bone grafting for the treatment of non-traumatic ONFH. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 39 patients (39 hips) with non-traumatic ONFH who underwent SHD for treatment from 2016 to 2017. The Harris hip score (HHS) and the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) are used to evaluate clinical outcomes, while radiographic evaluations are conducted using X-rays. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis defined clinical failure as further THA, and conducted univariate survival analysis and Cox regression analysis. Any complications were recorded. Results All patients were followed up for 24–72 months, with an average of (60 ± 13.0) months. At the last follow-up, based on the HHS, 25 patients (64.1%) reported excellent and good clinical outcomes. 29 patients (74.3%) achieved MCID. Imaging evaluation of the postoperative femoral head status showed that 6 cases improved, 20 cases remained stable, and 13 cases showed progressed. Out of 39 hips, 12 hips had postoperative clinical failure, resulting in a clinical success rate of 69.2%. Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) stage, China-Japan Friendship Hospital (CJFH) classification, and postoperative crutch-bearing time are risk factors for clinical failure. Postoperative crutch-bearing time of less than 3 months is an independent risk factor for clinical failure. After surgery, there was one case of sciatic nerve injury and one case of heterotopic ossification. There were no infections or non-union of the greater trochanter osteotomy. Conclusion The SHD technique through the femoral head fovea fenestration and impaction bone grafting provides a safe and effective method for treating non-traumatic ONFH, with good mid-term clinical outcomes. ARCO staging, CJFH classification, and postoperative crutch-bearing time are risk factors that affect clinical outcomes after surgery and lead to further THA. Insufficient postoperative crutch-bearing time is an independent risk factor for clinical failure.

Abstract Broad‐spectrum antibacterial drugs often lack specificity, leading to indiscriminate bactericidal activity, which can disrupt the normal microbial balance of the host flora and cause unnecessary cytotoxicity during systemic administration. In this study, we constructed a specifically targeted antimicrobial peptide against Staphylococcus aureus by introducing a phage‐displayed peptide onto a broad‐spectrum antimicrobial peptide and explored its structure–function relationship through one‐factor modification. SFK2 obtained by screening based on the selectivity index and the targeting index showed specific killing ability against S. aureus. Moreover, SFK2 showed excellent biocompatibility in mice and piglet, and demonstrated significant therapeutic efficacy against S. aureus infection. In conclusion, our screening of phage‐derived heptapeptides effectively enhances the specific bactericidal ability of the antimicrobial peptides against S. aureus, providing a theoretical basis for developing targeted antimicrobial peptides.

Abstract Numerous policies have been implemented to advance the growth of renewable energy. Nonetheless, certain policies have not yielded the anticipated impact on the progression of renewable energy development. In order to maximize the promotion effect of renewable energy policies, this study proposes a capacity allocation optimization method of wind power generation, solar power and energy storage in power grid planning under different policy objectives. First, based on the policy quantification, grey relation analysis (GRA) is used to calculate the correlation degree of the policy indicators on the planning capacity of renewable energy. Further, a multi‐objective capacity estimation model for wind, solar and energy storage is comprehensively presented. Some highly correlated policy indicators are transformed into the special constraints. And the economy and the stability of the power grid are integrated as the objective function. Meanwhile, the carbon trading and punishment for wind power and solar power abandonment are considered. Finally, the proposed model is solved by NSGA‐II‐PSO (particle swarm optimization) algorithm. The novelty of the algorithm is that the crossover operation of NSGA‐II is replaced by the position updating of particle swarm. The calculation result of the case study can effectively evaluate the optimal planning capacity of renewable energy under different policies, while ensuring the economic and the stability of the power system. The study can provide the reasonable basis and the valid analytical method for the policy formulation and the renewable energy development.

Abstract Introduction Endometriosis is a heritable, complex chronic inflammatory disease, for which much of the causal pathogenic mechanism remain unknown.Despite the high prevalence of ovarian chocolate cyst, its origin is still under debate. Methods Prevailing retrograde menstruation model predicts that ectopic endometrial cells migrate and develop into ovarian chocolate cyst. However, other models were also proposed. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have proved successful in identifying common genetic variants of moderate effects for various complex diseases. Results A growing body of evidence shows that the remodeling of retrograde endometrial tissues to the ectopic endometriotic lesions involves multiple epigenetic alterations, such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and microRNA expression.Because DNA methylation states exhibit a tissue specific pattern, we profiled the DNA methylation for ovarian cysts and paired eutopic endometrial and ovarian tissues from four patients. Surprisingly, DNA methylation profiles showed the ovarian cysts were closely grouped with normal ovarian but not endometrial tissues. Conclusions These results suggested alterative origin of ovarian cysts or strong epigenetic reprogramming of infiltrating endometrial cells after seeding the ovarian tissue. The data provide contributing to the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of endometriosis.

Abstract The onset of Web 3.0 has catalyzed the rapid advancement of social networking, transforming platforms into essential elements deeply embedded within the fabric of daily life. Researchers have proposed several methods for detecting anomalous behaviors in various scenarios. This article provides a comprehensive review of current research and the latest developments in anomalous behavior detection within social networks. We present a hierarchical three-layer categorization scheme based on the distinct characteristics of base-level detection technologies and various datasets. First, anomaly detection based on user behavioral characteristics can intuitively reflect deviations in individual behavior. However, it may overlook the overall network structure’s impact. Second, detecting anomalies within a network’s topological structure highlights structural significance, but may overlook the subtle nuances of individual behavior. Finally, the coordinated fusion method, which blends individual behavioral characteristics and the network’s topological structure, addresses the multifaceted nature of anomalies, yielding a more thorough and accurate anomaly detection strategy. This paper provides an overview and assesses the performance of three anomaly detection methods. Furthermore, we explore the challenges associated with social network anomaly detection and the potential pathways for further research.

Abstract Background Severe pneumonia is one of the most important causes of mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Adenovirus (ADV) is a significant cause of severe viral pneumonia after allo-HSCT, and we aimed to identify the clinical manifestations, prognostic factors, and outcomes of ADV pneumonia after allo-HSCT. Methods Twenty-nine patients who underwent allo-HSCT at the Peking University Institute of Hematology and who experienced ADV pneumonia after allo-HSCT were enrolled in this study. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate the probability of overall survival (OS). Potential prognostic factors for 100-day OS after ADV pneumonia were evaluated through univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Results The incidence rate of ADV pneumonia after allo-HSCT was approximately 0.71%. The median time from allo-HSCT to the occurrence of ADV pneumonia was 99 days (range 17–609 days). The most common clinical manifestations were fever (86.2%), cough (34.5%) and dyspnea (31.0%). The 100-day probabilities of ADV-related mortality and OS were 40.4% (95% CI 21.1%-59.7%) and 40.5% (95% CI 25.2%-64.9%), respectively. Patients with low-level ADV DNAemia had lower ADV-related mortality and better OS than did those with high-level (≥ 106 copies/ml in plasma) ADV DNAemia. According to the multivariate analysis, high-level ADV DNAemia was the only risk factor for intensive care unit admission, invasive mechanical ventilation, ADV-related mortality, and OS after ADV pneumonia. Conclusions We first reported the prognostic factors and confirmed the poor outcomes of patients with ADV pneumonia after allo-HSCT. Patients with high-level ADV DNAemia should receive immediate and intensive therapy.

In this study, nano Ti/AZ31 composites were successfully prepared by powder metallurgy method, and the strength and plasticity of the composites were improved in both directions. The SEM shows that the Ti particles were evenly distributed at the grain boundary in the sintered composite, and the Ti particles pin the grain boundary to make the grain of the composite significantly refined. EBSD shows that the addition of nano Ti particles significantly reduces the texture strength of the composite and increases the starting probability of the slip system. TEM shows that nano Ti and AZ31 matrix formed stable Al3Ti and MgO phases at the interface, and shows a strong coherent relationship. The nanoindentation test shows that the Ti/AZ31 interface of the composite was stable, the interface bonding energy and interface fracture toughness were gradiently distributed, and the bonding energy and fracture toughness of the interface bonding area were better than those of the matrix. Tensile test shows that the 1.5 wt%Ti/AZ31 composite obtained the best comprehensive mechanical properties with yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation of 143 MPa, 243 MPa and 11.5%, respectively, obviously higher than those of AZ31 alloys. The increased strength was mainly due to the grain refinement and strengthening at grain boundaries. The improved ductility was the result of weakened texture, increase of slip system start-up probability and strong interfacial bonding between Ti particles and AZ31 matrix.

In diabetic patients, compromised angiogenesis due to endothelial dysfunction leads to delayed intraoral wound healing. However, the moist and dynamic environment of the oral cavity impedes the use of normal wound dressings. Sulfated chitosan (SCS) is a promising biomaterial that promoting angiogenesis. Here, a light-responsive hydrogel combined with SCS explored intraoral wound healing. We designed a SCS-modified hydrogel combined with alginate Methacryloyl (AlgMA) and acrylamide (AM) and demonstrated efficient wet adhesion and mechanical properties suitable for the wet and dynamic oral environment. In vitro, the SAA hydrogel improved the tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) under high-glucose conditions. Further investigations revealed that the SAA hydrogel can regulate HUVEC-macrophage interactions, leading to a shift in macrophage polarization from M1 to M2, thereby fostering an environment conducive to angiogenesis under high-glucose condition. The results demonstrated the substantial therapeutic impact of the SAA hydrogel on diabetic oral defect repair by effectively enhancing the local blood supply and angiogenesis.

Backgrounds: It is well known that epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is associated with the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to investigate whether EAT density (EAT-d) is associated with the development of new-onset atrial fibrillation (POAF) after aortic valve replacement (AVR). Methods: We retrospectively studied 143 patients who underwent simple AVR at Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command between June 2020 to August 2023. All patients received cardiac coronary artery computed tomography (CT) before surgery. EAT-d, EAT volume and EAT volume index (EATVI) were quantitatively measured and analysed using EAT analysis software (TIMESlicePro). POAF was detected by 7-day Holter monitoring. Results: Of 143 patients undergoing AVR, 55 patients (38.46 %) developed POAF after surgery. Male patients and patients who had elder age or smoking history were more likely to develop POAF. On univariable analysis, patients developed POAF had significantly more EAT-d (−79.19(−83.91, −74.69) vs. −81.54(−87.16, −76.76); P = 0.043) and EATVI (4.14(3.32,5.03) vs. 3.90(2.70,4.51); P = 0.043) than patients without POAF. On multivariable analysis, EAT-d and age were independent risk factors for POAF (odds ratio (OR): 1.186, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.062–1.324, P = 0.002; OR: 1.119, 95 %CI: 1.055–1.187, P

BackgroundMandibular defects pose significant challenges in reconstructive surgery, and scaffold materials are increasingly recognized for their potential to address these challenges. Among various scaffold materials, Beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) is noted for its exceptional osteogenic properties. However, improvements in its biodegradation rate and mechanical strength are essential for optimal performance.MethodsIn this study, we developed a novel β-TCP-based scaffold, CFBB, by calcining fetal bovine cancellous bone. To enhance its properties, we modified CFBB with Chitosan (CS) and Zinc (Zn), creating three additional scaffold materials: CFBB/CS, CFBB/Zn2+, and CFBB/Zn2+/CS. We conducted comprehensive assessments of their physicochemical and morphological properties, degradation rates, biocompatibility, osteogenic ability, new bone formation, and neovascularization both in vitro and in vivo.ResultsOur findings revealed that all four materials were biocompatible and safe for use. The modifications with CS and Zn2+ significantly improved the mechanical strength, osteogenic, and angiogenic properties of CFBB, while concurrently decelerating its resorption rate. Among the tested materials, CFBB/Zn2+/CS demonstrated superior performance in promoting bone regeneration and vascularization, making it a particularly promising candidate for mandibular reconstruction.ConclusionThe CFBB/Zn2+/CS scaffold material, with its enhanced mechanical, osteogenic, and angiogenic properties, and a controlled resorption rate, emerges as a highly effective alternative for the repair of oral mandible defects. This study underscores the potential of combining multiple bioactive agents in scaffold materials to improve their functionality for specific clinical applications in bone tissue engineering.

Improving vegetable yield and optimizing its quality through nutrient management have long been central to plant nutrition and horticultural science. Copper (Cu) is recognized as an essential trace element that promotes plant growth and development. However, the mechanisms by which Cu influences nitrogen (N) metabolism remain largely unknown, with limited studies exploring the interaction between Cu and varying nitrate-to-ammonium (nitrate/ammonium) ratios. In this study, Chinese cabbage was exposed to two Cu concentrations (0 and 0.02 mg L-1) in combination with three nitrate/ammonium ratios (10/90, 50/50, and 90/10) under hydroponic conditions. The results showed that Cu application increased plant biomass, nitrate reductase (NR) and glutamine synthetase (GS) enzyme activities, the expression of NR (NIA) and GS2 (Gln2) genes, and N content in both shoots and roots. Additionally, Cu treatment decreased nitrate and free amino acid contents, as well as the expression of nitrate transporters NRT1.1 and NRT2.1 in roots while increasing these four parameters in shoots. Additionally, these effects were significantly modulated by the nitrate/ammonium ratios. In conclusion, Cu may facilitate nitrate transportation, enhance nitrate reduction, promote ammonium assimilation, and influence the transformation of organic N compounds, highlighting its potential role in improving N metabolism in Chinese cabbage.

Anomalous behaviors in social networks can lead to privacy leaks and the spread of false information. In this paper, we propose an anomalous behavior detection method based on optimized graph embedding representation. Specifically, the user behavior logs are first extracted into a social network user behavior temporal knowledge graph, based on which the graph embedding representation method is used to transform the network topology and temporal information in the user behavior knowledge graph into structural embedding vectors and temporal information embedding vectors, and the hybrid attention mechanism is used to merge the two types of vectors to obtain the final entity embedding to complete the prediction and complementation of the temporal knowledge graph of user behavior. We use graph neural networks, which use the temporal information of user behaviors as a time constraint and capture both user behavioral and semantic information. It converts the two parts of information into vectors for concatenation and linear transformation to obtain a comprehensive representation vector of the whole subgraph, as well as joint deep learning models to evaluate abnormal behavior. Finally, we perform experiments on the Yelp dataset to validate that our method achieves a 9.56% improvement in the F1-score.

BackgroundLimited epidemiological evidence suggests that exposure to trace elements adversely impacts the development of gastric precancerous lesions (GPL) and gastric cancer (GC). This study aimed to estimate the association of individual urinary exposure to multiple elements with GPL and GC.MethodsA case-control investigation was conducted in Anhui Province from March 2021 to December 2022. A total of 528 subjects (randomly sampled from 1,020 patients with GPL, 200 patients with GC, and 762 normal controls) were included in our study. Urinary levels of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), strontium (Sr), and Cesium (Cs) were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Four different statistical approaches were employed to explore the risk of GPL and GC with mixed exposure, including multivariate logistic regression, weighted quantile regression (WQS), quantile g-computation (Qgcomp), and the Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model.ResultsThe WQS model indicated that urinary exposure to a mixture of elements is positively correlated with both GPL and GC, with ORs for the mixture exposure of 1.34 (95% CI: 1.34-1.61) for GPL and 1.38 (95% CI: 1.27-1.50) for GC. The Qgcomp and BKMR models also demonstrated a statistically significant positive correlation between the mixture and both GPL and GC.ConclusionConsidering the limitations of case-control studies, future prospective studies are warranted to elucidate the combined effects and mechanisms of trace elements exposure on human health.

BackgroundThis study explores the intricate link between vigorous physical activity and academic achievement in adolescents. By analyzing data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey, it seeks to understand how engaging in high-intensity physical activities influences academic achievement.MethodsA comprehensive cross-sectional analysis was conducted on a vast dataset comprising 214,808 adolescents aged 11, 13, and 15 years. The frequency of vigorous physical activity was determined through self-reports, while academic achievement was assessed based on students’ self-perceptions, reflecting their understanding of teachers’ evaluations of their academic performance.ResultsAdolescents who reported engaging in vigorous physical activity daily were more likely to report higher academic achievement. This positive correlation was consistent across various demographic groups, including different age cohorts and both genders, indicating a universal benefit of regular vigorous physical activity on perceived academic success.ConclusionThe findings of this study underscore the significant role that regular vigorous physical activity plays in the academic lives of adolescents. The correlation between daily vigorous physical activity and enhanced self-reported academic achievement suggests that encouraging high-intensity physical activities in schools could be a key strategy in boosting educational outcomes.

Abstract CUL4B, a crucial scaffolding protein in the largest E3 ubiquitin ligase complex CRL4B, is involved in a broad range of physiological and pathological processes. While previous research has shown that CUL4B participates in maintaining intestinal homeostasis and function, its involvement in facilitating intestinal recovery following ionizing radiation (IR) damage has not been fully elucidated. Here, we utilized in vivo and in vitro models to decipher the role of CUL4B in intestinal repair after IR-injury. Our findings demonstrated that prior to radiation exposure, CUL4B inhibited the ubiquitination modification of PSME3, which led to the accumulation of PSME3 and subsequent negative regulation of p53-mediated apoptosis. In contrast, after radiation, CUL4B dissociated from PSME3 and translocated into the nucleus at phosphorylated histones H2A (γH2AX) foci, thereby impeding DNA damage repair and augmenting p53-mediated apoptosis through inhibition of BRCA1 phosphorylation and RAD51. Our study elucidated the dynamic role of CUL4B in the repair of radiation-induced intestinal damage and uncovered novel molecular mechanisms underlying the repair process, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy of intestinal damage after radiation therapy for cancers.

Abstract Background Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent and debilitating condition that markedly affects the sit-to-stand (STS) activity of patients, a prerequisite for daily activities. Biomechanical recognition of movements in patients with mild KOA is currently attracting attention. However, limited studies have been conducted solely on the observed differences in sagittal plane movement and muscle activation. Aim This study aimed to identify three-dimensional biomechanical and muscle activation characteristics of the STS activity in patients with mild KOA. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to observe the differences between patients with mild KOA and a control group (CG). It was conducted to observe the differences in muscle activation, including root mean square (RMS%) and integrated electromyography (items), kinematic parameters like range of motion (ROM) and maximum angular velocity, as well as dynamic parameters such as joint moment and vertical ground reaction force (vGRF). Results Patients with mild KOA had a higher body mass index and longer task duration. In the sagittal plane, patients with KOA showed an increased ROM of the pelvic region, reduced ROM of the hip–knee–ankle joint, and diminished maximum angular velocity of the knee–ankle joint. Furthermore, patients with KOA displayed increased knee–ankle joint ROM in the coronal plane and decreased ankle joint ROM in the horizontal plane. Integrated vGRF was higher in both lower limbs, whereas the vGRF of the affected side was lower. Furthermore, patients showed a decreased peak adduction moment (PADM) and increased peak external rotation moment in the knee joint and smaller PADM and peak internal rotation moment in the ankle joint. The affected side exhibited decreased RMS% and iEMG values of the gluteus medius, vastus medialis, and vastus lateralis muscles, as well as a decreased RMS% of the rectus femoris muscle. Conversely, RMS% and iEMG values of the biceps femoris, lateral gastrocnemius, and medial gastrocnemius muscles were higher. Conclusion The unbalanced activation characteristics of the anterior and posterior muscle groups, combined with changes in joint moment in the three-dimensional plane of the affected joint, may pose a potential risk of injury to the irritated articular cartilage.

Abstract Haplotype-resolved genome assembly plays a crucial role in understanding allele-specific functions. However, obtaining haplotype-resolved assembly for auto-polyploid genomes remains challenging. Existing methods can be classified into reference-based phasing, assembly-based phasing, and gamete binning. Nevertheless, there is a lack of cost-effective and efficient methods for haplotyping auto-polyploid genomes. In this study, we propose a novel phasing algorithm called PolyGH, which combines Hi-C and gametic data. We conducted experiments on tetraploid potato cultivars and divided the method into three steps. Firstly, gametic data was utilized to bin non-collapsed contigs, followed by merging adjacent fragments of the same type within the same contig. Secondly, accurate Hi-C signals related to differential genomic regions were acquired using unique k-mers. Finally, collapsed fragments were assigned to haplotigs based on combined Hi-C and gametic signals. Comparing PolyGH with Hi-C-based and gametic data-based methods, we found that PolyGH exhibited superior performance in haplotyping auto-polyploid genomes when integrating both data types. This approach has the potential to enhance haplotype-resolved assembly for auto-polyploid genomes.

Abstract Network function virtualization (NFV) technology deploys network functions as software functions on a generalised hardware platform and provides customised network services in the form of service function chain (SFC), which improves the flexibility and scalability of network services and reduces network service costs. However, irrational resource allocation during service function chain mapping will cause problems such as low resource utilisation, long service request processing time and low mapping rate. To address the unreasonable problem of service mapping resource allocation, an improved service function chain mapping resource allocation method (SA3C) based on the Asynchronous advantageous action evaluation algorithm (A3C) is proposed. This study proposes an SFC mapping model and a mathematical model for joint allocation, which modeled the minimization of processing time as a Markov process. The main network was trained and multiple sub‐networks were generated in parallel using the ternary and deep reinforcement learning algorithm A3C, with the goal of identifying the optimal resource allocation strategy. The experimental simulation results show that compared with the Actor‐Critic (AC) and Policy Gradient (PG) methods, SA3C algorithm can improve the resource utilisation by 9.85%, reduce the total processing time by 10.72%, and improve the mapping rate by 6.72%, by reasonably allocating node computational resources and link bandwidth communication resources.

Abstract Rab27A is a small GTPase-mediating exosome secretion, which participates in tumorigenesis of multiple cancer types. Understanding the biological role of Rab27A in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is of great importance for oncological research and clinical treatment. In this study, we investigate the function and internal mechanism of Rab27A in NSCLC. Results show that Rab27A is overexpressed in NSCLC, and regulates the tumor proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell motility in vitro and in vivo, and is negatively regulated by miR-124. Further research reveals that upregulated Rab27A can induce the production of IFNα in the medium by mediating exosome secretion. Then IFNα activates TYK2/STAT/HSPA5 signaling to promote NSCLC cell proliferation and metastasis. This process can be suppressed by TYK2 inhibitor Cerdulatinib. These results suggest that Rab27A is involved in the pathogenesis of NSCLC by regulating exosome secretion and downstream signaling, and inhibitors targeting this axis may become a promising strategy in future clinical practice.

Abstract Background In the past 40 years, China has experienced tremendous economic development, but the current situation of hematologists has rarely been reported. A landscape survey of human resources is essential for healthcare development and policy formulation in the future. Methods The Chinese Society of Hematology initiated a survey of Chinese hematologists in mainland China for evaluating demographic and practice characteristics. Respondents were anonymous, and there were no limitations regarding their age, sex, etc. Results Totally 2032 hematologists responded, with a median age bracket of 36–45 years. Respondents were well engaged into subspecialties, and 28.1% acquired doctorates of philosophy. Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) centers have been established all over China. Higher-GDP regions reported more advantages, including bigger scale of transplant centers (P

A novel magnesium-based multi-principal element alloy with the chemical formula Mg54Al22Li11Zn11Ti2 was prepared using the vacuum induction melting method and subsequently extruded at 350 °C. The phase composition of the alloy in its as-cast state and the microstructural changes after extrusion were investigated using various analytical techniques, including SEM, EBSD, EPMA, and TEM. The presented outcomes showed that the as-cast alloy exhibited lattice distortion and fine grain with segregation, while the average grain size decreased significantly and the second phase became more dispersed after extrusion. The mechanical properties of both the as-cast and extruded alloys, including microhardness, tensile strength, compressive strength, and wear characteristics, were evaluated. The extruded alloy demonstrated significant improvements in mechanical properties compared to the as-cast alloy, with a compressive strength of up to 460 MPa, which can be attributed to both fine grain and precipitation strengthening. Both the as-cast and extruded alloys exhibited high hardness due to the accumulation of local dislocations caused by the interlaced precipitation of sub-grains during the super-solid solution state in the as-cast condition. The hardness enhancement in the extruded state resulted from grain refinement induced by DRX. Furthermore, wear tests revealed that the extruded alloy, characterized by smaller second phase sizes, exhibited excellent wear resistance, with wear failure occurring in the form of abrasive and oxidative wear in both the cast and extruded alloys.

Abstract The authors analyse the influence of reference sphere on the test accuracy of Ritchey–Common method during testing of flat mirror surface. A simulation model is established to simulate the influence of different radii of curvature of reference sphere on system wavefront. Then, the difference between the flat mirror surface result with reference sphere surface error to the actual flat mirror surface is examined by this model. The test accuracy of flat mirror result can be effectively improved by eliminating the influence of the surface error of reference sphere. When the surface accuracy of the reference sphere is better than 0.01 λ, the influence on RMS test accuracy is within 0.01 λ. R–C test path is built to test a 100 mm‐diameter flat mirror surface, and its results are compared with those of the flat mirror surface without surface error of reference sphere and with the test result of the interferometer. When the surface accuracy of the actual used area of reference sphere is better than 0.01 λ, the effect on flat mirror RMS accuracy is within 0.01 λ. The RMS test accuracy can reach 0.01 λ, when the surface error of reference sphere is retained. The experiment verifies the correctness of the simulation results and guarantees the improvement in the test accuracy of R–C method.

Abstract Background For patients with steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (SR-aGVHD), effective second-line regimens are urgently needed. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been used as salvage regimens for SR-aGVHD in the past. However, clinical trials and an overall understanding of the molecular mechanisms of MSCs combined with basiliximab for SR-aGVHD are limited, especially in haploidentical haemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HID HSCT). Methods The primary endpoint of this multicentre, randomized, controlled trial was the 4-week complete response (CR) rate of SR-aGVHD. A total of 130 patients with SR-aGVHD were assigned in a 1:1 randomization schedule to the MSC group (receiving basiliximab plus MSCs) or control group (receiving basiliximab alone) (NCT04738981). Results Most enrolled patients (96.2%) received HID HSCT. The 4-week CR rate of SR-aGVHD in the MSC group was obviously better than that in the control group (83.1% vs. 55.4%, P = 0.001). However, for the overall response rates at week 4, the two groups were comparable. More patients in the control group used ≥ 6 doses of basiliximab (4.6% vs. 20%, P = 0.008). We collected blood samples from 19 consecutive patients and evaluated MSC-derived immunosuppressive cytokines, including HO1, GAL1, GAL9, TNFIA6, PGE2, PDL1, TGF-β and HGF. Compared to the levels before MSC infusion, the HO1 (P = 0.0072) and TGF-β (P = 0.0243) levels increased significantly 1 day after MSC infusion. At 7 days after MSC infusion, the levels of HO1, GAL1, TNFIA6 and TGF-β tended to increase; however, the differences were not statistically significant. Although the 52-week cumulative incidence of cGVHD in the MSC group was comparable to that in the control group, fewer patients in the MSC group developed cGVHD involving ≥3 organs (14.3% vs. 43.6%, P = 0.006). MSCs were well tolerated, no infusion-related adverse events (AEs) occurred and other AEs were also comparable between the two groups. However, patients with malignant haematological diseases in the MSC group had a higher 52-week disease-free survival rate than those in the control group (84.8% vs. 65.9%, P = 0.031). Conclusions For SR-aGVHD after allo-HSCT, especially HID HSCT, the combination of MSCs and basiliximab as the second-line therapy led to significantly better 4-week CR rates than basiliximab alone. The addition of MSCs not only did not increase toxicity but also provided a survival benefit.

Abstract Mechanical force contributes to perforin pore formation at immune synapses, thus facilitating the cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL)-mediated killing of tumor cells in a unidirectional fashion. How such mechanical cues affect CTL evasion of perforin-mediated autolysis remains unclear. Here we show that activated CTLs use their softness to evade perforin-mediated autolysis, which, however, is shared by T leukemic cells to evade CTL killing. Downregulation of filamin A is identified to induce softness via ZAP70-mediated YAP Y357 phosphorylation and activation. Despite the requirements of YAP in both cell types for softness induction, CTLs are more resistant to YAP inhibitors than malignant T cells, potentially due to the higher expression of the drug-resistant transporter, MDR1, in CTLs. As a result, moderate inhibition of YAP stiffens malignant T cells but spares CTLs, thus allowing CTLs to cytolyze malignant cells without autolysis. Our findings thus hint a mechanical force-based immunotherapeutic strategy against T cell leukemia.

Abstract Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) are likely to achieve poor therapeutic response when organs are involved. We produced anti‐B‐cell maturation antigen (BCMA) chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)‐T cells, which are in a trial for patients with relapsed/refractory MM. One enrolled patient developed severe heart failure, highly suspected as light chain cardiac amyloidosis. He exhibited increased N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide with a peak of 32 299 ng/mL and heart failure with an ejection fraction of 30%. Anti‐BCMA CAR‐T cells were administered following lymphodepletion. The patient achieved cardiac response within 1 week with a decrease in N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide by 80%, an increase in ejection fraction from 30% to 56%, and a haematological response with negative minimal residual disease at 1 month and a complete response at 1 year. To date, this patient has maintained good health without heart failure or haematological relapse. Herein, we show the efficacy of anti‐BCMA CAR‐T cells in patients with MM and severe heart failure.

Backgrounds: The malfunction of peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter is still an intractable problem. A modified open surgical revision technique with suturing fixation and without catheter removal for malfunctioning catheter was developed to evaluated the efficacy and safety between simultaneous catheter replacement technique.Methods: A total of 167 PD patients with malfunctioning catheter were retrospectively reviewed. For the salvage of PD catheters, patients underwent modified open surgical revision (group A) or simultaneous catheter replacement (group B). The baseline characteristics before operation, perioperative condition, complications and outcomes were compared between both groups.Results: Patients of group A showed significantly shorter operative time (67.4 ± 22.1 versus 82.8 ± 21.1 min, p = 0.009), less postoperative pain score within 24 h (median 0.0 versus 2.0, p

ABSTRACTTo assess the clinical applicability of a semi-quantitative luciferase immunosorbent assay (LISA) for detecting antibodies against Treponema pallidum antigens TP0171 (TP15), TP0435 (TP17), and TP0574 (TP47) in diagnosing and monitoring syphilis. LISA for detection of anti-TP15, TP17, and TP47 antibodies were developed and evaluated for syphilis diagnosis using 261 serum samples (161 syphilis, 100 non-syphilis). Ninety serial serum samples from 6 syphilis rabbit models (3 treated, 3 untreated) and 110 paired serum samples from 55 syphilis patients were used to assess treatment effects by utilizing TRUST as a reference. Compared to TPPA, LISA-TP15, LISA-TP17, and LISA-TP47 showed a sensitivity of 91.9%, 96.9%, and 98.8%, specificity of 99%, 99%, and 98%, and AUC of 0.971, 0.992, and 0.995, respectively, in diagnosing syphilis. Strong correlations (rs = 0.89–0.93) with TPPA were observed. In serial serum samples from rabbit models, significant differences in the relative light unit (RLU) were observed between the treatment and control group for LISA-TP17 (days 31–51) and LISA-TP47 (day 41). In paired serum samples from syphilis patients, TRUST titres and the RLU of LISA-TP15, LISA-TP17, and LISA-TP47 decreased post-treatment (P

ABSTRACT: Rising temperatures and intensified agricultural practices have heightened heat stress (HS)-related challenges in poultry farming, notably heat-induced sudden death in chickens. Wenchang chickens, recognized for their heat resistance, have emerged as the potential candidates for improving the economic efficiency of poultry farming. The adrenal gland plays a crucial role in preventing HS-induced heart failure sudden death by secreting hormones. However, little is known about the damage to and resilience of Wenchang chicken adrenal glands during HS. In this study, 34 healthy Wenchang chickens with similar weights were selected for formal experimentation, with 10 as the control group (Con). Following a single exposure to acute HS of 42 ± 1°C and 65% relative humidity for 5 h, 15 deceased individuals formed the HS death (HSD) group, and 9 survived comprised the HS survival (HSS) group. ELISA revealed significant higher (P < 0.05) levels of COR and NE in the HSS and the lowest levels of CORT and EPI in the HSD. Histopathological analysis indicated major degeneration in HSS cortical and chromaffin cells and extensive cell necrosis (nuclear pyknosis) in HSD. Proteomic analysis identified 572 DEPs in HSD vs. Con and 191 DEPs in HSS vs. Con. Bioinformatics highlighted ER protein processing, especially ERAD as a key pathway for heat stress resistance (HSR) in the adrenal gland, with HSPH1, DNAJA1, HSP90AA1, HSPA8 and HERPUD1 identified as regulating key molecules. Western blotting validated significantly higher (P < 0.01) protein levels in both HSS and HSD compared to the Con. Immunohistochemical staining showed increased cytoplasmic HSPH1-positive signal intensity under HS and enhanced HSP90AA1 nuclear signals, strongest in HSS. In summary, HS induces pathological damage in Wenchang chicken adrenal glands, affecting hormone secretion, and various heat shock proteins play crucial roles in cellular resistance. These results elucidate the biological basis of HSR in Wenchang chickens from the perspective of the adrenal gland and provide necessary research foundations for enhancing economic performance of various broilers in high-heat environments and screening drugs for HS treatment.

Background: Gut microbiota is involved in the development of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), but until now, there has been a lack of understanding of the PsA host–bacteria interaction. Objectives: To reveal the labels of gut microbiota in PsA patients and the species and functions related to disease activity. Design: Observational research (cross-sectional) with an exploratory nature. Methods: Metagenomics sequencing was used to analyze stool samples from 20 treatment-naïve PsA patients and 10 age-matched healthy individuals. All samples were qualified for subsequent analysis. Results: Compared with the healthy group, α-diversity was reduced in the PsA group, and β-diversity could distinguish the two groups. Two bacteria with high abundance and correlation with PsA disease activity were identified, Bacteroides sp. 3_1_19 and Blautia AF 14-40 . In different functions, K07114 (calcium-activated chloride channel (CaCC) homolog) showed a positive correlation with PsA disease activity (disease activity in psoriatic arthritis, DAPSA) and Tet32 (an antibiotic-resistant gene), and carbohydrate-binding module family 50 was negatively correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate. A bacterial co-expression network associated with DAPSA was constructed. The network was centered on the bacteria in the Bacteroides genus, which formed a closely related network and were positively correlated with DAPSA. As another core of the network, K07114 was closely related to multiple bacteria in the Bacteroides genus and is also positively correlated with disease activity. Conclusion: The network composed of Bacteroides is associated with PsA disease activity, and its therapeutic value needs to be further explored. CaCCs may be a key channel for the interaction between Bacteroides and PsA-host.

In the context of the 5G network, the proliferation of access devices results in heightened network traffic and shifts in traffic patterns, and network intrusion detection faces greater challenges. A feature selection algorithm is proposed for network intrusion detection systems that uses an improved binary pigeon-inspired optimizer (SABPIO) algorithm to tackle the challenges posed by the high dimensionality and complexity of network traffic, resulting in complex models, reduced accuracy, and longer detection times. First, the raw dataset is pre-processed by uniquely one-hot encoded and standardized. Next, feature selection is performed using SABPIO, which employs simulated annealing and the population decay factor to identify the most relevant subset of features for subsequent review and evaluation. Finally, the selected subset of features is fed into decision trees and random forest classifiers to evaluate the effectiveness of SABPIO. The proposed algorithm has been validated through experimentation on three publicly available datasets: UNSW-NB15, NLS-KDD, and CIC-IDS-2017. The experimental findings demonstrate that SABPIO identifies the most indicative subset of features through rational computation. This method significantly abbreviates the system’s training duration, enhances detection rates, and compared to the use of all features, minimally reduces the training and testing times by factors of 3.2 and 0.3, respectively. Furthermore, it enhances the F1-score of the feature subset selected by CPIO and Boost algorithms when compared to CPIO and XGBoost, resulting in improvements ranging from 1.21% to 2.19%, and 1.79% to 4.52%.

Shield tunnels built in soft soil are prone to settlement, which is often accompanied by convergence deformation, further resulting in a series of damages to the tunnel structure and compromise its safety in service. This paper presents an engineering case on the settlement development and internal drilling grouting remediation of a tunnel section in Shaoxing Metro Line 1, where the inner diameter and thickness of the tunnel linings are increased to be 5.9 m and 400 mm simultaneously. The tunnel settlement arises from a comprehensive analysis of several contributing factors, encompassing ground disturbances such as pile driving, pile extraction, backfilling of pile holes, road structure construction, and road traffic. A grouting remediation plan is thoughtfully designed, including a careful assessment on the necessity for a temporary steel support system which is based on a full-scale three-ring test of the tunnel structure. The deformation of the tunnel during settlement and grouting processes is thoroughly analyzed to investigate the deformation resistance capacity exhibited by the thickened larger-diameter tunnel. The case study and experimental results demonstrate that tunnel structures with an increased diameter and thickness have better deformation resistance than conventional metro tunnels in soft soil layers. The analysis of this study can provide a reference for tunnel structures optimization and similar grouting remediation projects in shield tunnels.

IntroductionThe Wuzhishan ant (MY) chicken exhibits significant differences from other chicken breeds. However, the molecular genetic relationship between the MY breed and other chicken breeds has not been assessed.MethodsWhole-genome resequencing was used to compare genetic diversity, nucleotide diversity, the fixation index, the linkage disequilibrium coefficient, and phylogenetic tree relationships between the MY breed and the Wenchang (WC), Danzhou (DZ), Bawangling (BW), and Longsheng Feng (LF) breeds.ResultsA total of 21,586,378 singlenucleotide polymorphisms and 4,253,341 insertions/deletions were screened out among the five breeds. The MY breed had the second highest genomic genetic diversity and nucleotide diversity and the lowest LD coefficient among the five breeds. Moreover, the phylogenetic tree analysis showed that individual birds of each breed clustered together with those of their respective breeds.DiscussionOur data indicated that the MY breed is distinct from the other breeds and can be considered a new genetic resource.

Abstract Thermal protective textiles are crucial for safeguarding individuals, particularly firefighters and steelworkers, against extreme heat, and for preventing burn injuries. However, traditional firefighting gear suffers from statically fixed thermal insulation properties, potentially resulting in overheating and discomfort in moderate conditions, and insufficient protection in extreme fire events. Herein, an innovative soft robotic textile is developed for dynamically adaptive thermal management, providing superior personal protection and thermal comfort across a spectrum of environmental temperatures. This unique textile features a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)‐sealed actuation system, embedded with a low boiling point fluid for reversible phase transition, resembling an endoskeleton that triggers an expansion within the textile matrix for enhanced air gap and thermal insulation. The thermal resistance improves automatically from 0.23 to 0.48 Km2 W−1 by self‐actuating under intense heat, exceeding conventional textiles by maintaining over 10 °C cooler temperatures. Additionally, the knitted substrate incorporated into the soft actuators can substantially mitigate convective heat transfer, as evidenced by the thermal resistance tests and the temperature mapping derived from numerical simulations. Moreover, it boasts significantly increased moisture permeability. The thermoadaptation and breathability of this durable all‐fabric system signify considerable progress in the development of protective clothing with high comfort for dynamic and extreme temperature conditions.

High-energy gamma-ray radiography has exceptional penetration ability and has become an indispensable nondestructive testing (NDT) tool in various fields. For high-energy photons, point projection radiography is almost the only feasible imaging method, and its spatial resolution is primarily constrained by the size of the gamma-ray source. In conventional industrial applications, gamma-ray sources are commonly based on electron beams driven by accelerators, utilizing the process of bremsstrahlung radiation. The size of the gamma-ray source is dependent on the dimensional characteristics of the electron beam. Extensive research has been conducted on various advanced accelerator technologies that have the potential to greatly improve spatial resolution in NDT. In our investigation of laser-driven gamma-ray sources, a spatial resolution of about 90 µm is achieved when the areal density of the penetrated object is 120 g/cm2. A virtual source approach is proposed to optimize the size of the gamma-ray source used for imaging, with the aim of maximizing spatial resolution. In this virtual source approach, the gamma ray can be considered as being emitted from a virtual source within the convertor, where the equivalent gamma-ray source size in imaging is much smaller than the actual emission area. On the basis of Monte Carlo simulations, we derive a set of evaluation formulas for virtual source scale and gamma-ray emission angle. Under optimal conditions, the virtual source size can be as small as 15 µm, which can significantly improve the spatial resolution of high-penetration imaging to less than 50 µm.

Iris color is a prominent phenotypic feature of quail. To understand the mechanism of melanin deposition related to quail iris color, iris tissues were selected from Beijing white and Chinese yellow quail for transcriptome analysis. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with pigmentation were identified using RNA sequencing and validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The identified single nucleotide polymorphisms were studied using bioinformatics and iris color correlation analyses. A total of 485 DEGs were obtained, with 223 upregulated and 262 downregulated. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses were performed. Thirty-two genes were annotated using the GO database. Three important pigment synthesis pathways (Notch signaling, melanogenesis, and tyrosine metabolism) were identified in quail iris tissue (P < 0.05). The expression levels of solute carrier family 45 member 2 (SLC45A2), tyrosinase-related protein 1, vitamin D receptor, opsin 5, and docking protein 5 were significantly different between Beijing white and Chinese yellow quail, as verified by RT-qPCR. The c.1061C>T mutation in SLC45A2, which caused a single amino acid change at position 354 (threonine to methionine), was significantly associated with iris color in Beijing white and Chinese yellow quail, and might be the main reason for the different iris colors between these two quail species.

Avian coccidiosis, a parasitic disease prevalent in poultry, is caused by Eimeria species and leads to significant economic losses. The use of attenuated live oocyst vaccines has been adopted as an alternative to the use of anticoccidial drugs. However, the accurate detection and differentiation of vaccine strains from virulent ones remain challenging. Therefore, this study presents a novel TaqMan polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection method that offers enhanced sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility compared with traditional PCR techniques. Through whole-genome resequencing and bioinformatics analysis, we identified a molecular marker gene, Em_marker6, with a unique 21-base pair deletion specific to the Eimeria maxima attenuated vaccine strain. Optimized primers and probes targeting this marker enabled rapid quantification cycle value achievement and high fluorescence intensity. The standard curve’s slope of −3.540 and correlation coefficient of 0.9971 confirmed precise quantification capabilities. The TaqMan PCR method detected as few as 30 plasmid DNA copies and 50 oocysts per reaction, outperforming traditional PCR techniques by an order of magnitude. No cross-reactivity was observed with other E. maxima wide-type strains or common intestinal pathogens, ensuring the exclusive detection of the E. maxima EMPY vaccine strain. Weekly testing over 3 weeks demonstrated minimal variability, indicating robust consistency in the method’s application. Testing on 61 clinical samples revealed a 57.38% positivity rate for E. maxima species and 13.11% for the vaccine strain. The Em_marker6 gene exhibited genetic stability across multiple generations, confirming the detection method’s robust stability for the attenuated E. maxima vaccine strain. This study significantly advances the field of avian coccidiosis research and control by providing a valuable tool for monitoring vaccine purity and preventing inadvertent infections in vaccinated flocks, aligning with global efforts to curb antibiotic use in animal feed.

Background and aims: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is considered the most prevalent irregular heart rhythm after heart surgery. The cardiac autonomic nervous system significantly affects POAF, and neuropeptide Y (NPY), an abundant neuropeptide in the cardiovascular system, is involved in this autonomic regulation. The current work aimed to examine the potential association of NPY with POAF in individuals administered isolated off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods: From January 1 to May 31, 2020, we examined consecutive cases administered successful isolated off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting with no previously diagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF). Clinical characteristics and plasma samples were collected before surgery. NPY was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in peripheral blood, and POAF cases were identified through a 7-day Holter monitoring. Results: Among 120 cases with no previously diagnosed AF, 33 (27.5 %) developed POAF during hospitalization. Median NPY levels were markedly elevated in the POAF group in comparison with the sinus rhythm group (31.72 vs. 27.95, P = 0.014). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed age (OR = 1.135, 95%CI 1.054–1.223; P = 0.001), left atrial size (OR = 1.136, 95%CI 1.004–1.285; P = 0.043), and NPY levels in peripheral blood (OR = 1.055, 95%CI 1.002–1.111; p = 0.041) independently predicted POAF. Additionally, NPY levels were positively correlated with high-frequency (HF) (r = 0.2774, P = 0.0022) and low-frequency (LF) (r = 0.2095, P = 0.0217) components of heart rate variability. Conclusion: In summary, this study demonstrates an association between elevated NPY levels in peripheral blood before surgery and POAF occurrence.

This work investigated the effects of the combined use of thermosonication-preconditioned lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with the addition of ultrasound-assisted pineapple peel extracts (UU group) on the post-acidification potential, physicochemical and functional qualities of yogurt products, aimed at achieving prolonged preservation and enhancing functional attributes. Accordingly, the physical–chemical features, adhesion properties, and sensory profiles, acidification kinetics, the contents of major organic acids, and antioxidant activities of the differentially processed yogurts during refrigeration were characterized. Following a 14-day chilled storage process, UU group exhibited acidity levels of 0.5–2 oT lower than the control group and a higher lactose content of 0.07 mg/ml as well as unmodified adhesion potential, indicating that the proposed combination method efficiently inhibited post-acidification and delayed lactose metabolism without leading to significant impairment of the probiotic properties. The results of physicochemical analysis showed no significant changes in viscosity, hardness, and color of yogurt. Furthermore, the total phenolic content of UU-treated samples was 98 μg/mL, 1.78 times higher than that of the control, corresponding with the significantly lower IC50 values of DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities of the UU group than those of the control group. Observations by fluorescence inverted microscopy demonstrated the obvious adhesion phenomenon with no significant difference found among differentially prepared yogurts. The results of targeted metabolomics indicated the proposed combination strategy significantly modified the microbial metabolism, leading to the delayed utilization of lactose and the inhibited conversion into glucose during post-fermentation, as well as the decreased lactic acid production and a notable shift towards the formation of relatively weak acids such as succinic acid and citric acid. This study confirmed the feasibility of thermosonication-preconditioned LAB inocula, in combination with the use of natural active components from fruit processing byproducts, to alleviate post-acidification in yogurt and to enhance its antioxidant activities as well as simultaneously maintaining sensory features.

Herein, a high isolation multiple-input−multiple-output (MIMO) antenna with a very close array element spacing, is proposed. By loading a pair of L-shaped parasitic stubs on the antenna feeder, the impedance matching bandwidth of the antenna is significantly improved. Furthermore, since the $\lambda /2$ microstrip line can make the signal through it produce 180°phase transformation at the resonant frequency. A dielectric wall decoupling structure with $\lambda /2$ metal microstrip lines etched on both sides of the substrate is designed, and its profile height is 1.3 mm ( $0.022\lambda _{0}$ ).When the antenna element edge-to-edge distance is only 1mm ( $0.017\lambda _{0}$ ), the isolation of the MIMO antenna at the resonant frequency of 5.37 GHz is improved from 8.5 dB to 60 dB by introducing the dielectric wall decoupling structure. Finally, the close-spacing MIMO antennas using current cancellation method are compared, and the results show that the proposed decoupling structure is simple and has great versatility and extensibility.

Abstract Background Niemann-Pick Disease type C is a fatal autosomal recessive lipid storage disorder caused by NPC1 or NPC2 gene mutations and characterized by progressive, disabling neurological deterioration and hepatosplenomegaly. Herein, we identified a novel compound heterozygous mutations of the NPC1 gene in a Chinese pedigree. Case presentation This paper describes an 11-year-old boy with aggravated walking instability and slurring of speech who presented as Niemann-Pick Disease type C. He had the maternally inherited c.3452 C > T (p. Ala1151Val) mutation and the paternally inherited c.3557G > A (p. Arg1186His) mutation using next-generation sequencing. The c.3452 C > T (p. Ala1151Val) mutation has not previously been reported. Conclusions This study predicted that the c.3452 C > T (p. Ala1151Val) mutation is pathogenic. This data enriches the NPC1 gene variation spectrum and provides a basis for familial genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.

Abstract Background Second ejaculation can influence sperm quality which may define the first-line treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a second ejaculation in decreasing the unexpected intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) rate by a propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis. Methods Patients who were projected to undergo IVF were included between January 2016 and November 2021 in this monocentric, retrospective analysis. 2782 patients included in the study, 143 and 2639 patients were non-randomized in the unexpected ICSI and IVF groups, respectively. One hundred fourteen patients with unexpected ICSI produced two semen samples on the day of ovum pick-up. After 1:4 PSM, we matched 61 patients in the second ejaculation IVF group to 238 patients in the conventional IVF group. Outcomes of sperm quality, fertilization rate, embryo quality, and pregnancy were compared. Results Second ejaculation significantly improved sperm concentration, progressive motility before and after sperm swim-up, total progressive motility sperm count after swim-up, and decreased sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF). Sixty-one of 114 (53.5%) unexpected ICSI couples had enough total progressive motility sperm for IVF with the second ejaculation. There were no differences in basic clinical characteristics between couples in second ejaculation IVF and matched-conventional IVF group. For the two groups, no differences were observed in IVF outcomes. However, a significant increase in good-quality blastocyst rate was observed for second-ejaculation IVF couples. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analysis also confirmed that the second ejaculation was an independent risk factor for the good quality blastocyst rate. Conclusion Second ejaculation could be an economical and secure alternative to get good quality sperm, and blastocyst and decrease the rate of unexpected ICSI. Multicenter studies should be conducted to confirm the potential advantages of using second ejaculation IVF in effectively reducing the rate of ICSI.

Abstract Skeletal muscle wasting is a complicated metabolic syndrome accompanied by multiple diseases ranging from cancer to metabolic disorders and infectious conditions. The loss of muscle mass significantly impairs muscle function, resulting in poor quality of life and high mortality of associated diseases. The fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms inducing muscle wasting have been well established, and those related pathways can be activated by a variety of extracellular signals, including inflammatory cytokines and catabolic stimuli. As an emerging messenger of cell‐to‐cell communications, extracellular vesicles (EVs) also get involved in the progression of muscle wasting by transferring bioactive cargoes including various proteins and non‐coding RNAs to skeletal muscle. Like a double‐edged sword, EVs play either a pro‐wasting or anti‐wasting role in the progression of muscle wasting, highly dependent on their parental cells as well as the specific type of cargo they encapsulate. This review aims to illustrate the current knowledge about the biological function of EVs cargoes in skeletal muscle wasting. Additionally, the potential therapeutic implications of EVs in the diagnosis and treatment of skeletal muscle wasting are also discussed. Simultaneously, several outstanding questions are included to shed light on future research.

Sustainable development is the central theme of modern global development. With the arrival of the urban era, the vulnerability and instability of rural areas have significantly increased, and rural sustainable development faces serious challenges. To address these issues, the study took the Zaozhuang Innovation Demonstration Zone in China under the National Sustainable Development Agenda as a case, combined with 2016–2020 economic and social and land use data, and applied Granger causality test method to explore the theoretical and practical pathways of “innovation-driven rural sustainable development”. The results showed that rural sustainable development and economic sustainability displayed a trend of synergistic change, with “explosive” growth from 2018 to 2020. The social sustainability steadily increased from 2016 to 2020. Ecological and spatial sustainability continuously declined during the study period. Moreover, the rural innovation capacity of the Zaozhuang Innovation Demonstration Zone displayed rapid growth during 2016–2020. Although the rural innovation capacity of the Zaozhuang Innovation Demonstration Zone has rapidly improved, it has a weak driving effect on rural sustainable development and economic sustainability. There are two primary challenges that must be overcome to ensure the rural sustainable development of the Zaozhuang Innovation Demonstration Zone. The first challenge is the imbalance among the multi-dimensional relationships in the process of rural sustainable development, and the second challenge is the weakening of rural innovation capacity to drive rural sustainable development. To overcome these challenges, this study proposed a systematic pathway for rural sustainable development in the Zaozhuang Innovation Demonstration Zone from multi-dimensions, such as policy actions, technologies, projects, and institutional guarantees, and formed a universal and representative “Zaozhuang model”. This study expands the theoretical foundation of rural sustainable development and provides theoretical and practical support for innovation-driven rural sustainable development.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of the study was to summarize the available evidence and identify risk factors for osteochondral injuries (OCIs) after patellar dislocations. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and China national knowledge infrastructure from inception to December 22, 2022, according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. Studies regarding risk factors for OCIs after patellar dislocations were included. Literature search, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed independently by two authors. Results A total of 16 studies with 1945 patients were included. The risk factors for OCIs after patellar dislocation were categorized into four main categories, including demographic characteristics, patellar depth and position, femoral trochlear morphology, and other risk factors in this study. Five and three studies supported the idea that male sex and skeletal maturation may be risk factors, respectively. Normal femoral trochlea (two studies) and complete medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) injuries (two studies) may be associated with the development of OCIs. Three studies show that ligamentous laxity or joint hypermobility may prevent OCIs. Patellar depth and position (eight studies) may not be associated with the development of OCIs. Conclusions Based on the available evidence, an increased risk of OCIs following patellar dislocation may be associated with male sex and skeletal maturation. Furthermore, normal femoral trochlea and complete MPFL injuries may increase the risk of OCIs, while factors such as ligamentous laxity or joint hypermobility may reduce the risk. Level of Evidence Level IV, systematic review of Level II and IV studies.