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Abstract Objectives Evidence suggests that environmental support, personality traits, and psychological factors can influence seasonal changes in human mood and behavior, particularly in rural middle-aged women and older people. This study aimed to quantify the associations between personality traits, seasonal affective disorder symptoms, and sun exposure in rural older people. Methods This study is a cross-sectional analytical study, the participants were 300 rural older persons from 12 natural villages and 5 geriatric service centers in 4 different cities in Jiangxi Province, China. The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), the Personal Inventory of Depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder (PIDS-SA-SimpChi), and the Sunlight Exposure Scale were used to conduct follow-up interviews throughout the year. Spatial analysis was performed using ArcGIS and Geodetic Probes. The data were analyzed using SPSS 21 and Amos 23.0 mediated models. Results Rural older people with low sun exposure exhibited higher personality trait scores (p

The globe is an organically linked whole, and in the pandemic era, COVID-19 has brought heavy public safety threats and economic costs to humanity as almost all countries began to pay more attention to taking steps to minimize the risk of harm to society from sudden-onset diseases. It is worth noting that in some low- and middle-income areas, where the environment for epidemic detection is complex, the causative and comorbid factors are numerous, and where public health resources are scarce. It is often more difficult than in other areas to obtain timely and effective detection and control in the event of widespread virus transmission, which, in turn, is a constant threat to local and global public health security. Pandemics are preventable through effective disease surveillance systems, with nonpharmacological interventions (NPIs) as the mainstay of the control system, effectively controlling the spread of epidemics and preventing larger outbreaks. However, current state-of-the-art NPIs are not applicable in low- and middle-income areas and tend to be decentralized and costly. Based on a 3-year case study of SARS-CoV-2 preventive detection in low-income areas in south-central China, we explored a strategic model for enhancing disease detection efficacy in low- and middle-income areas. For the first time, we propose an integrated and comprehensive approach that covers structural, social, and personal strategies to optimize the epidemic surveillance system in low- and middle-income areas. This model can improve the local epidemic detection efficiency, ensure the health care needs of more people, reduce the public health costs in low- and middle-income areas in a coordinated manner, and ensure and strengthen local public health security sustainably.

Based on the perspective of industrial agglomeration, this paper employs a dynamic panel model and mediating effects model to investigate the impact of digital economy’s development on air pollution in 274 Chinese cities from 2011 to 2019. The main findings include: (1) The development of the digital economy reduces air pollution emissions in Chinese cities, and the elasticity of pollution reduction is greater in central and western China than in eastern China. (2) The nexus between industrial agglomeration and air pollution is inverted-N-shaped. (3) Mechanism tests show that the digital economy can effectively promote the degree of industrial agglomeration in each area, and it plays a positive role in abating pollution in eastern and central China through the positive externalities of industrial agglomeration, but the mediating effect of industrial agglomeration on pollution reduction is not significant in western China. (4) Diversified agglomeration is an active mediator of the digital economy’s pollution reduction effect in eastern and central China. Accordingly, some policy implications are put forward for simultaneously promoting the development of the digital economy and reducing air pollution, impelling industrial agglomeration, and accelerating the green transformation in China.

Abstract Chemoresistance has long been the bottleneck of ovarian cancer (OC) prognosis. It has been shown that mitochondria play a crucial role in cell response to chemotherapy and that dysregulated mitochondrial dynamics is intricately linked with diseases like OC, but the underlying mechanisms remain equivocal. Here, we demonstrate a new mechanism where CRL4CUL4A/DDB1 manipulates OC cell chemoresistance by regulating mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy. CRL4CUL4A/DDB1 depletion enhanced mitochondrial fission by upregulating AMPKαThr172 and MFFSer172/Ser146 phosphorylation, which in turn recruited DRP1 to mitochondria. CRL4CUL4A/DDB1 loss stimulated mitophagy through the Parkin-PINK1 pathway to degrade the dysfunctional and fragmented mitochondria. Importantly, CRL4CUL4A/DDB1 loss inhibited OC cell proliferation, whereas inhibiting autophagy partially reversed this disruption. Our findings provide novel insight into the multifaceted function of the CRL4 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex in regulating mitochondrial fission, mitophagy, and OC chemoresistance. Disruption of CRL4CUL4A/DDB1 and mitophagy may be a promising therapeutic strategy to overcome chemoresistance in OC.

The study explores the association between economic complexity, globalization, renewable and non-renewable energy consumption on the ecological footprint in the case of India from 1990–2018. The autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) is applied to measure the long-run elasticity, while the vector error correction model (VECM) is applied to classify the causal path. The empirical findings demonstrate that economic complexity, globalization process, and renewable energy consumption play a dominant role in minimizing environmental degradation. In contrast, economic growth and non-renewable energy consumption are more responsible for increasing the pollution level in both the short and long run. Furthermore, the VECM outcomes disclose that there is long-run causality between ecological footprint and economic complexity. Moreover, the empirical outcomes are robust to various robustness checks performed for analysis to the consistency of our main results. The Indian government/policymakers should encourage a more environmentally friendly production process and eco-friendly technologies in exports to minimize environmental degradation.

Abstract We show that multi-level diffractive microstructures can enable broadband, on-axis transmissive holograms that can project complex full-color images, which are invariant to viewing angle. Compared to alternatives like metaholograms, diffractive holograms utilize much larger minimum features (>10 µm), much smaller aspect ratios (30 mm ×30 mm). We designed, fabricated and characterized holograms that encode various full-color images. Our devices demonstrate absolute transmission efficiencies of >86% across the visible spectrum from 405 nm to 633 nm (peak value of about 92%), and excellent color fidelity. Furthermore, these devices do not exhibit polarization dependence. Finally, we emphasize that our devices exhibit negligible absorption and are phase-only holograms with high diffraction efficiency.

Absorbance-Modulation-Optical Lithography (AMOL) has been previously demonstrated to be able to confine light to deep sub-wavelength dimensions and thereby, enable patterning of features beyond the diffraction limit. In AMOL, a thin photochromic layer that converts between two states via light exposure is placed on top of the photoresist layer. The long wavelength photons render the photochromic layer opaque, while the short-wavelength photons render it transparent. By simultaneously illuminating a ring-shaped spot at the long wavelength and a round spot at the short wavelength, the photochromic layer transmits only a highly confined beam at the short wavelength, which then exposes the underlying photoresist. Many photochromic molecules suffer from a giant mismatch in quantum yields for the opposing reactions such that the reaction initiated by the absorption of the short-wavelength photon is orders of magnitude more efficient than that initiated by the absorption of the long-wavelength photon. As a result, large intensities in the ring-shaped spot are required for deep sub-wavelength nanopatterning. In this article, we overcome this problem by using the long-wavelength photons to expose the photoresist, and the short-wavelength photons to confine the “exposing” beam. Thereby, we demonstrate the patterning of features as thin as λ/4.7 (137nm for λ = 647nm) using extremely low intensities (4-30 W/m2, which is 34 times lower than that required in conventional AMOL). We further apply a rigorous model to explain our experiments and discuss the scope of the reverse-AMOL process.

Abstract Background Acute compartment syndrome is a rare but serious complication following gynecological surgery in the lithotomy position, potentially resulting in permanent neuromuscular dysfunction or limb loss, making early recognition and prompt management essential. Case presentation A 41-year-old woman underwent a laparoscopic myomectomy for uterine fibroids, during which she was positioned in the high lithotomy and head-down position for 118 min. Six hours post-surgery, she experienced spasmodic pain and swelling in both lower extremities. Thirteen hours after surgery, her symptoms worsened, leading to the diagnosis of acute compartment syndrome in both legs. An emergency bilateral fasciotomy was performed, and the patient fully recovered within two months without any neuromuscular dysfunction. Conclusions ACS should be an important differential diagnosis for lower extremity pain after gynecologic surgery, especially with prolonged lithotomy positioning. Gynecologists should be vigilant for ACS signs and symptoms to prevent delayed diagnosis.

The consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has surged globally, raising significant public health concerns due to their associations with a range of adverse health outcomes. This review aims to elucidate potential health impacts of UPF intake and underscore the importance of considering diet quality when interpreting study findings. UPF group, as classified by the Nova system based on the extent of industrial processing, contains numerous individual food items with a wide spectrum of nutrient profiles, as well as differential quality as reflected by their potential health effects. The quality of a given food may well misalign with the processing levels so that a UPF food can be nutritious and healthful whereas a non-UPF food can be of low quality and excess intake of which may lead to adverse health consequences. The current review argues that it is critical to focus on the nutritional content and quality of foods and their role within the overall dietary pattern rather than only the level of processing. Further research should dissect health effects of diet quality and food processing, investigate the health impacts of ingredients that render the UPF categorization, understand roles of metabolomics and the gut microbiome in mediating and modulating the health effects of food processing, and consider environmental sustainability in UPF studies. Emphasizing nutrient-dense healthful foods and dietary patterns shall remain the pivotal strategy for promoting overall health and preventing chronic diseases.

Abstract Background Increasingly intense weather anomalies associated with interannual climate variability patterns, like El Niño-southern oscillation (ENSO), could exacerbate the occurrence and transmission of infectious diseases. However, research in China remains limited in understanding the impacts and intermediate weather changes of ENSO on bacillary dysentery (BD). This study aimed to reveal the relationship between ENSO, weather conditions, and the incidence of BD, and to identify the potential meteorological pathways moderated by ENSO in the ENSO-BD connections. Methods BD disease data and meteorological data, as well as ENSO index, from 2005 to 2020 were obtained for 95 cities in the Yangtze River Basin. We first established the associations between ENSO events and BD, ENSO and weather, as well as weather and BDs using two-stage statistical models. Then, we applied a causal mediation analysis to identify the specific meteorological changes in the ENSO-BD relationship. Results In the Yangtze River Basin, both El Niño (IRR: 1.06, 95%CI: 1.04 ~ 1.08) and La Niña (IRR: 1.03, 95%CI: 1.02 ~ 1.05) events were found to increase the risk of BD. Variations of ENSO index were associated with changes in local weather conditions. Both the increases in regional temperatures and rainfall were associated with a higher risk of BD. In the casual mediation analyses, we identified that higher temperatures and excessive rainfall associated with La Niña and El Niño events mediated the ENSO’s effect on BD, with mediation proportions of 38.58% and 34.97%, respectively. Conclusions Long-term climate variability, like ENSO, can affect regional weather conditions and lead to an increased risk of BD. We identified the mediating weather patterns in the relationship between ENSO and BD, which could improve targeted health interventions and establish an advanced early warning system in response to the BD epidemic.

Translational regulation is one of the decisive steps in gene expression, and its dysregulation is closely related to tumorigenesis. Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit i (eIF3i) promotes tumor growth by selectively regulating gene translation, but the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we show that eIF3i is significantly increased in colorectal cancer (CRC) and reinforces the proliferation of CRC cells. Using ribosome profiling and proteomics analysis, several genes regulated by eIF3i at the translation level were identified, including D-3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH), a rate-limiting enzyme in the de novo serine synthesis pathway that participates in metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells. PHGDH knockdown significantly represses CRC cell proliferation and partially attenuates the excessive growth induced by eIF3i overexpression. Mechanistically, METTL3- mediated N6-methyladenosine modification on PHGDH mRNA promotes its binding with eIF3i, ultimately leading to a higher translational rate. In addition, knocking down eIF3i and PHGDH impedes tumor growth in vivo. Collectively, this study not only uncovered a novel regulatory mechanism for PHGDH translation but also demonstrated that eIF3i is a critical metabolic regulator in human cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effect of autoclaving treatment modifications on the multi-scale structure and physicochemical properties of yellow rice starch, a comparative analysis of the multi-scale structure (morphology structure, crystal structure, and molecular chain structure) and gelatinization characteristics were conducted on the pre- and post-modified starch using high-performance anion exchange chromatography, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and rapid viscosity analyzer. The results showed that autoclaving treatment modifications did not significantly alter the total starch content of yellow rice starch. However, the content of amylose increased from 7.46% to 8.28%. In comparison to the original starch, the modified yellow rice starch exhibited an increase in the proportion of short chains, while the proportions of medium and long chains significantly (P

Bonsai is a kind of classical art in China and Japan. The traditional method of bonsai shaping of miniature trees is technical and usually requires experienced horticulturists to successfully carry out the process. In order to let ordinary people feel the fun of bonsai shaping, this paper proposes a fast bonsai shaping method, i.e., by use of a plastic guiding mold with customized shape, which is processed by fused deposition 3D printing technology. The tree seedling is bundled onto the mold, and the shape of the mold guides the growth of the tree seedling, thus achieving the purpose of bonsai shaping. In order to further improve the bending properties of the bonsai guiding mold, this paper investigated the main 3D printing parameters of ABS filament. The results showed that with the decrease of printing speed, the increase of extrusion temperature, and the increase of hot bed temperature, the bending strength and elastic modulus of ABS specimens increased, and the bending properties was enhanced; the optimal printing speed was 50 mm/s, the extrusion temperature was 230 °C, and the hot bed temperature was 80 °C. The mechanical properties of the bonsai guiding mold manufactured based on the optimal process parameters were better, the print quality was higher, and it had high practical value.

Abstract Background Depression and anxiety symptoms among medical students are often a concern. The Patient Health Questionnaire-Four (PHQ-4), an important tool for depression and anxiety screening, is commonly used and easy to administer. This study aimed to assess and update the longitudinal measurement invariance and psychometric properties of the simplified Chinese version. Methods A three-wave longitudinal survey was conducted among healthcare students using the PHQ-4. Structural validity was based on one-factor, two-factor, and second-order factor models, construct validity was based on the Self-Rated Health Questionnaire (SRHQ), Sleep Quality Questionnaire (SQQ), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and longitudinal measurement invariance (LMI), internal consistency, and test–retest reliability were based on structural consistency across three time points. Results The results of the confirmatory factor analysis indicated that two-factor model was the best fit, and LMI was supported at three time points. Inter-factor, factor-total, and construct validity correlations of the PHQ-4 were acceptable. Additionally, Cronbach’s alpha, McDonald’s omega, and the intraclass correlation coefficient demonstrated acceptable/moderate to excellent reliability of the PHQ-4. Conclusions This study adds new longitudinal evidence that the Chinese version of the PHQ-4 has promising LMI and psychometric properties. Such data lends confidence to the routine and the expanded use of the PHQ-4 for routine screening of depression and anxiety in Chinese healthcare students.

Abstract Chemical probes are an indispensable tool for translating biological discoveries into new therapies, though are increasingly difficult to identify since novel therapeutic targets are often hard-to-drug proteins. We introduce FRASE-based hit-finding robot (FRASE-bot), to expedite drug discovery for unconventional therapeutic targets. FRASE-bot mines available 3D structures of ligand-protein complexes to create a database of FRAgments in Structural Environments (FRASE). The FRASE database can be screened to identify structural environments similar to those in the target protein and seed the target structure with relevant ligand fragments. A neural network model is used to retain fragments with the highest likelihood of being native binders. The seeded fragments then inform ultra-large-scale virtual screening of commercially available compounds. We apply FRASE-bot to identify ligands for Calcium and Integrin Binding protein 1 (CIB1), a promising drug target implicated in triple negative breast cancer. FRASE-based virtual screening identifies a small-molecule CIB1 ligand (with binding confirmed in a TR-FRET assay) showing specific cell-killing activity in CIB1-dependent cancer cells, but not in CIB1-depletion-insensitive cells.

Abstract Speed curve planning is one of the most important functions of automatic train operation (ATO). To improve the real‐time optimization capability and driver‐friendliness of the existing ATO, an extended ATO framework considering both automatic driving and assisted driving is designed. A multi‐objective optimization model based on quadratic programming is established considering energy‐saving, punctuality, and comfort. However, due to the influence of the weight of multi‐objectives, this method cannot directly obtain the speed curve satisfying the trip time constraint. Further, based on the analysis about the weight of multi‐objects, a time‐constrained quadratic programming algorithm is proposed. With the proposed method, the speed curve can be calculated in real‐time both before operations and during operations. For the former, time‐varying train mass and trip time are considered to guarantee an optimal solution. For the latter, deviations, delays, and maloperations on the way are corrected. Simulation experiments verify the solvability and real‐time performance of the proposed method. In particular, compared with the dynamic programming and (mixed‐integer linear programming) MILP method, the proposed method is more energy‐efficient and easier to be followed by the driver. In addition, a prototype is developed for commercial tests on a Beijing subway line. The relevant performance is verified in commercial tests.

Previous ultrasound studies suggest that patients with adenomyosis (AM) exhibit increased uterine cavity stiffness, although direct evidence regarding extracellular matrix (ECM) content and its specific impact on endometrial stiffness remains limited. This study utilized atomic force microscopy to directly measure endometrial stiffness and collagen morphology, enabling a detailed analysis of the endometrium’s mechanical properties: through this approach, we established direct evidence of increased endometrial stiffness and fibrosis in patients with AM. Endometrial specimens were also stained with Picrosirius red or Masson’s trichrome to quantify fibrosis, and additional analyses assessed α-SMA and Ki-67 expression. Studies indicate that pathological conditions significantly influence the mechanical properties of endometrial tissue. Specifically, adenomyotic endometrial tissue demonstrates increased stiffness, associated with elevated ECM and fibrosis content, whereas normal endometrial samples are softer with lower ECM content. AM appears to alter both the mechanical and histological characteristics of the eutopic endometrium. Higher ECM content may significantly impact endometrial mechanical properties, potentially contributing to AM-associated decidualization defects and fertility challenges.

Objective Hematuria is one of the most common conditions in children, and increase the risk of chronic kidney disease. Persistent hematuria may be the earliest manifestation of type IV collagen-related nephropathy. Early diagnosis is essential for optimized therapy. Due to the invasive nature of kidney biopsy and the high cost of whole exome sequencing, its application in the diagnosis of isolated hematuria is rare. Hence, we performed noninvasive and convenient genetic testing approaches for type IV collagen-related nephropathy.Methods We used noninvasive oral mucosa sampling as an alternative method for DNA isolation for genetic testing and designed a panel targeting three type IV collagen nephropathy-related genes in children with hematuria. Children with persistent hematuria unaccompanied by clinically significant proteinuria or renal insufficiency who underwent genetic testing using a hematuria panel were enrolled.Results Thirty-seven of 112 (33.0%) patients were found to have a genetic variant in COL4A3/A4/A5. Pathogenic/likely pathogenic COL4A3/A4/A5 variants were identified in 17 of the 112 patients analyzed (15.2%), which were considered to explain their hematuria manifestations. In addition, variants of unknown significance (VUSs) were found in 17.8% (20/112) of patients. Furthermore, we observed a much greater COL4A3/A4/A5 variant detection rate in patients with a positive family history or more severe hematuria (RBC ≥ 20/HP) or with coexisting microalbuminuria (59.2% vs. 12.7%, p

This study investigates the effects of glacial lakes on the flow velocities of Duiya Glacier, southern Tibetan Plateau, by employing satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Pixel-Offset-Tracking Small-Baseline-Subset (PO-SBAS) technology. Duiya Glacier, which terminates in a lake, exhibits approximately 10 m/yr higher horizontal speed and a higher melting rate with a vertical Non-Surface-Parallel-Flow (nSPF) velocity of – 7 m/yr than those of its land-terminating counterpart – West Duosangpu Glacier. Notably, Duiya Glacier experiences significant seasonal velocity fluctuations with accelerated flow between May and October. By integrating glacier geometry, changes in glacier boundaries and the extent of proglacial lakes, the distribution of supraglacial lakes, and climatic variables, we reveal that proglacial and supraglacial lakes play a crucial role in increasing the flow velocities of Duiya Glacier. Duiya Glacier flows faster because of increased subglacial water pressure resulting from water influx from these lakes. This phenomenon becomes conspicuously evident during May – October, when increased meltwater due to increased temperatures and precipitation further elevates the subglacial water pressure. Our method highlights the potential for understanding the impact of glacial lakes on glacier movements at a large scale, leveraging the capabilities of satellite SAR PO-SBAS technology for continuous, wide-scale, high temporal resolution, and 3D velocity monitoring.

Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins cholesterol (TRLs-C) has been associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), even among individuals with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the targeted range. We assessed the associations of TRLs-C with myocardial infarction (MI) and ischemic stroke (IS) and compared the associations with those for other traditional lipids (i.e., triglycerides and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [non-HDL-C]). Included were 327,899 participants from the UK Biobank who were free of MI or IS and did not receive lipid-lowering treatment at baseline. Ten-year risk for ASCVD was estimated by the Pooled Cohort Equations and was grouped as low (

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) has recently been found to play a crucial role in cardiac sterile inflammation and dysfunction. The role of stimulator of interferon genes (STING) in cardiac sterile inflammation and dysfunction has been recently discovered. This study aims to examine the involvement of STING in pathological cardiac remodeling and the mechanisms that govern the activation of the STING pathway. To investigate this, transverse aortic constriction (TAC) was performed on STING knockout mice to induce pressure overload-induced cardiac remodeling. Subsequently, cardiac function, remodeling, and inflammation levels were evaluated. The STING pathway was found to be activated in the pressure overload-stressed heart and angiotensin II (Ang II)-stimulated cardiac fibroblasts. Loss of STING expression led to a significant reduction in inflammatory responses, mitochondrial fragmentation, and oxidative stress in the heart, resulting in attenuated cardiac remodeling and dysfunction. Furthermore, the exacerbation of pressure overload-induced STING-mediated inflammation and pathological cardiac remodeling was observed when mitophagy was suppressed through the silencing of Parkin, an E3 ubiquitin ligase. Taken together, these findings indicate that STING represents a newly identified and significant molecule implicated in the process of pathological cardiac remodeling and that mitophagy is an upstream mechanism that regulates STING activation. Targeting STING may therefore provide a novel therapeutic strategy for pathological cardiac remodeling and heart failure.

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) are characterized by a vast spectrum of somatic copy number alterations (CNAs); however, their functional relevance is largely unknown. By performing a genome‐wide survey on prognosis‐associated focal CNAs in 814 HCC patients by an integrative computational framework based on transcriptomic data, genomic amplification is identified at 8q24.13 as a promising candidate. Further evidence is provided that the 8q24.13 amplification‐driven overexpression of Rab GTPase activating protein TBC1D31 exacerbates HCC growth and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo through activating Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling. Mechanistically, TBC1D31 acts as a Rab GTPase activating protein to catalyze GTP hydrolysis for Rab22A and then reduces the Rab22A‐mediated endolysosomal trafficking and degradation of EGFR. Notably, overexpression of TBC1D31 markedly increases the resistance of HCC cells to lenvatinib, whereas inhibition of the TBC1D31‐EGFR axis can reverse this resistance phenotype. This study highlights that TBC1D31 at 8q24.13 is a new critical oncogene, uncovers a novel mechanism of EGFR activation in HCC, and proposes the potential strategies for treating HCC patients with TBC1D31 amplification or overexpression.

Abstract The carbon−carbon coupling at the Cu/Cu2O Schottky interface has been widely recognized as a promising approach for electrocatalytic CO2 conversion into value-added alcohols. However, the limited selectivity of C2+ alcohols persists due to the insufficient control over rectifying interface characteristics required for precise bonding of oxyhydrocarbons. Herein, we present an investigation into the manipulation of the coordination environment of Cu sites through an in-situ electrochemical reconstruction strategy, which indicates that the construction of low-coordinated Cu sites at the Cu/Cu2O interface facilitates the enhanced rectifying interfaces, and induces asymmetric electronic perturbation and faster electron exchange, thereby boosting C-C coupling and bonding oxyhydrocarbons towards the nucleophilic reaction process of *H2CCO-CO. Impressively, the low-coordinated Cu sites at the Cu/Cu2O interface exhibit superior faradic efficiency of 64.15 ± 1.92% and energy efficiency of ~39.32% for C2+ alcohols production, while maintaining stability for over 50 h (faradic efficiency >50%, total current density = 200 mA cm−2) in a flow-cell electrolyzer. Theoretical calculations, operando synchrotron radiation Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman experiments decipher that the low-coordinated Cu sites at the Cu/Cu2O interface can enhance the coverage of *CO and adsorption of *CH2CO and CH2CHO, facilitating the formation of C2+ alcohols.

Abstract Osteoporosis (OP) is a bone metabolism disease that is associated with inflammatory pathological mechanism. Nonetheless, rare studies have investigated the diagnostic effectiveness of immune-inflammation index in the male population. Therefore, it is interesting to achieve early diagnosis of OP in male population based on the inflammatory makers from blood routine examination. We developed a prediction model based on a training dataset of 826 Chinese male patients through a retrospective study, and the data was collected from January 2022 to May 2023. All participants underwent the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXEA) and blood routine examination. Inflammatory markers such as systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) was calculated and recorded. We utilized the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model to optimize feature selection. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to construct a predicting model incorporating the feature selected in the LASSO model. This predictive model was displayed as a nomogram. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, C-index, calibration curve, and clinical decision curve analysis (DCA) to evaluate model performance. Internal validation was test by the bootstrapping method. This study was approved by the Ethic Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Ethic No. JY2023012) and conducted in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations. The predictive factors included in the prediction model were age, BMI, cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, neuropathy, thyroid diseases, fracture history, SII, PLR, C-reactive protein (CRP). The model displayed well discrimination with a C-index of 0.822 (95% confidence interval: 0.798–0.846) and good calibration. Internal validation showed a high C-index value of 0.805. Decision curve analysis (DCA) showed that when the threshold probability was between 3 and 76%, the nomogram had a good clinical value. This nomogram can effectively predict the incidence of OP in male population based on SII and PLR, which would help clinicians rapidly and conveniently diagnose OP with men in the future.

Abstract The study focuses on the energy consumption (EC) and environmental pollution caused by carbon consumption in China’s development. The Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region is selected as the primary focus of investigation. To gain insight into the relationship between China’s economic growth (EG) and carbon reduction (CR), two major research elements, the impact of each on the other is examined. The study mainly uses decoupling models and influence models to analyze the decoupling relationship and effectiveness between CR and EG. The research results showed that there was a difference between long-term and short-term effects. The short-term effect in the YRD region was manifested as a continuously improving decoupling state, while the long-term effect was manifested as the significant impact of population and per capita Gross Domestic Product on CR. The effect value of EC factor was 0.43, while the effect value of CR factor was 0.07. In functional comparison, the role of EC factors was more significant.

Abstract Protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II (PIVKA-II) plays a critical role in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, studies on its efficacy in diagnosing recurrent HCC were rarely found. A multicenter, retrospective, and observational study was conducted. During the overall follow-up of 5 years, HCC patients who had curative resection were monitored every 3 months in the first year post-surgery and every 6 months thereafter if no recurrence occurred. Tumor markers were collected at the diagnosis of recurrence for those with recurrence and at the last follow-up for those without recurrence. The median serum levels of PIVKA-II and AFP in the recurrence group were significantly higher than those in the non-recurrence group (PIVKA-II: 84.62 vs. 18.76 mAU/ml, p

Abstract The study aimed to determine the specific relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of various cells in the hippocampus following proton irradiation. Sixty Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly allocated to 5 groups receiving 20 or 30 Gy of proton or photon irradiation. Pathomorphological neuronal damage in the hippocampus was assessed using Hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining. The expression level of NeuN, Nestin, Caspase-3, Olig2, CD68 and CD45 were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The RBE range established by comparing the effects of proton and photon irradiation at equivalent biological outcomes. Proton20Gy induced more severe damage to neurons than photon20Gy, but showed no difference compared to photon30Gy. The RBE of neuron was determined to be 1.65. Similarly, both proton20Gy and proton30Gy resulted in more inhibition of oligodendrocytes and activation of microglia in the hippocampal regions than photon20Gy and photon30Gy. However, the expression of Olig2 was higher and CD68 was lower in the proton20Gy group than in the photon30Gy group. The RBE of oligodendrocyte and microglia was estimated to be between 1.1 to 1.65. For neural stem cells (NSCs) and immune cells, there were no significant difference in the expression of Nestin and CD45 between proton and photon irradiation (both 20 and 30 Gy). Therefore, the RBE for NSCs and immune cell was determined to be 1.1. These findings highlight the varying RBE values of different cells in the hippocampus in vivo. Moreover, the actual RBE of the hippocampus may be higher than 1.1, suggesting that using as RBE value of 1.1 in clinical practice may underestimate the toxicities induced by proton radiation.

Abstract Background To establish and validate a predictive model combining pretreatment multiparametric MRI-based radiomic signatures and clinical characteristics for the risk evaluation of early rapid metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. Methods The cutoff time was used to randomly assign 219 consecutive patients who underwent chemoradiation treatment to the training group (n = 154) or the validation group (n = 65). Pretreatment multiparametric magnetic resonance (MR) images of individuals with NPC were employed to extract 428 radiomic features. LASSO regression analysis was used to select radiomic features related to early rapid metastasis and develop the Rad-score. Blood indicators were collected within 1 week of pretreatment. To identify independent risk variables for early rapid metastasis, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed. Finally, multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to construct a radiomics and clinical prediction nomogram that integrated radiomic features and clinical and blood inflammatory predictors. Results The NLR, T classification and N classification were found to be independent risk indicators for early rapid metastasis by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Twelve features associated with early rapid metastasis were selected by LASSO regression analysis, and the Rad-score was calculated. The AUC of the Rad-score was 0.773. Finally, we constructed and validated a prediction model in combination with the NLR, T classification, N classification and Rad-score. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.936 (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.901–0.971), and in the validation cohort, the AUC was 0.796 (95% CI: 0.686–0.905). Conclusions A predictive model that integrates the NLR, T classification, N classification and MR-based radiomics for distinguishing early rapid metastasis may serve as a clinical risk stratification tool for effectively guiding individual management.

Aerated irrigation can enhance soil conditions such as soil oxygen, soil temperature, and soil moisture content and alter the structure of soil microbial communities. However, there is a dearth of research on the specific mechanisms and their mutual influence. Rhizosphere soil microbes are sensitive to changes in the soil environment, and the delivery of air or oxygenated water to rhizosphere soil significantly impacts the structure of the soil microbial community. In this study, a greenhouse strawberry subsurface drip irrigation experiment with micro-nano bubble water (MNBW) was conducted, with seven different aeration treatments and one control treatment (CK). The results showed that compared to CK, the aeration treatments improved the soil conditions to varying degrees and changed the structure of the strawberry rhizosphere soil microbial community. Furthermore, the yield, vitamin C, soil oxygen content, soil temperature and soil moisture increased by an average of 108 %, 3 %, 12 %, 10 % and 4 %, respectively. The results indicated that MNBW irrigation increased the abundance of specific bacterial communities, thereby affecting strawberry yield and quality. Correlation analysis results revealed the specific mechanisms of mutual influence between soil environment and soil microbes. Therefore, AFE (aeration during the fruit expansion stage) and AB+F (aeration during both the budding stage and flowering stage) can significantly activate the microbes in the strawberry rhizosphere soil and are considered the optimal times for enhancing strawberry yield and quality through MNBW irrigation.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of ultrasound combined with plasma protein (UPP) treatment on the structure, physicochemical and rheological properties of myofibrillar protein (MP). The results indicated that the UPP group caused changes in the secondary structure, increased fluorescence intensity and enhanced surface hydrophobicity of MP. Then, UPP significantly decreased the content of free and total sulfhydryl group, and high molecular weight protein contents were observed in MP. These findings implied moderate cross-linking and aggregation between plasma protein and MP in this ultrasound treatment. Furthermore, the physical characteristics, stability and rheological properties of MP were improved in UPP, as evidenced by increased storage modulus and decreased loss angle tangent. Therefore, this study suggested that the combined treatment not only had the potential to enhance the product quality in the process of ground meat, but also improved the utilization rate and added value of plasma proteins.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to investigate the developmental change of body growth and gene expression related to fatty acid uptake and oxidation in the yolk sac membrane (YSM) and jejunum during embryogenesis in Muscovy ducks. The weights of embryos and yolk sac (YS) (5 embryos per replicate, n = 6) were recorded on embryonic days (E)16, E19, E22, E25, E28, E31, and the day of hatch (DOH). The fat and fatty acid contents in YSM, jejunal histology, and gene expression related to fatty acid metabolism in YSM and jejunum were determined in each sampling time. Among the nonlinear models, the maximum growth is estimated at 2.83 (E22.5), 2.67 (E22.1), and 2.60 (E21.3) g/d using logistic, Gompertz, and Von Bertalanffy models, respectively. The weight of YS, and ether extract-free YS as well as the amounts of fat and fatty acids in YS decreased (P < 0.05) linearly, whereas the villus height, crypt depth, villus height/crypt depth, and musculature thickness in jejunum increased (P < 0.05) linearly during embryogenesis. The mRNA expression of CD36, SLC27A4, and FABP1 related to fatty acid uptake as well as the mRNA and protein expressions of PPARα and CPT1 related to fatty acid oxidation increased in a quadratic manner (P < 0.05) in both YS and jejunum, and the maximum values were achieved during E25 to E28. In conclusion, the maximum growth rate of Muscovy duck embryos was estimated at 2.60 to 2.83 g/d on E21.3 to E23.5, while the accumulations of lipid and fatty acid in YS were decreased in association with the increased absorptive area of morphological structures in jejunum. The gene and protein expression involved in fatty acid metabolism displayed a similar enhancement pattern between YSM and jejunum during E25 to E28, suggesting that fatty acid utilization could be strengthened to meet the energy demand for embryonic development.

ObjectivesEvidence on the relationship between self-rated health status and incident type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in China is scarce. This study aims to examine the prospective association of self-rated health status with the subsequent risk of T2DM among middle-aged and older Chinese subjects.MethodsData were obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study of 9844 Chinese individuals aged 45 years or older. Cox proportional hazards models were used to yield hazard ratios (HRs) relating self-rated health status to the 7-year incidence of T2DM, adjusting for conventional risk factors.ResultsCompared to those with very good or good self-rated health, individuals with poor health had a significantly higher risk of developing T2DM in the multivariable-adjusted model [HR = 1.36 (1.07, 1.73)]. Subgroup analysis by sex showed stronger associations in women [HR = 1.53 (1.11, 2.12)]. Interaction analyses indicated that factors such as age, sex, obesity, smoking status, drinking status, history of hypertension and history of dyslipidemia did not modify the association (all P-interaction >0.05).ConclusionPoor self-rated health status is associated with a higher risk of developing T2DM in middle-aged and older Chinese people.

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has been extensively investigated over the past decade for its potential utilizations in photocatalytic energy generation and pollutant degradation. To better meeting the requirements for practical utilizations, it is crucial to address the issue of poor charge separation properties in g-C3N4, which origin from the strong interactions in photogenerated electron-hole pairs. In this review, we summarized the pertinent studies on developing strategies to promote the charge separation properties of g-C3N4. The strategies can be categorized into two categories of promoting the surface migration of charge carriers and prolonging the lifetime of surface charge. Finally, we present potential challenges in promoting charge separation and offer feasible suggestions to face these challenges.

Background: The potential for residential greenness to improve cardiovascular health through both physical and psychological mechanisms is well recognized. However, evidence from rapidly urbanizing developing countries and cohort-based causal inference approaches, remains limited. We aim to examine the effect of residential greenness and time to cardiovascular mortality in South China. Methods: We utilized data from a community-based population survey involving 748,209 participants at baseline from 2009 to 2015, followed up until 2020. Residential greenness exposure was assessed by the annual Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in the 500 m radius of each participant’s residence. We used time-varying proportional hazard Cox models coupled with inverse probability weighting to fit marginal structural models and obtain hazard ratios (HRs) for cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality after adjusting for confounders. Multiple effect modifiers on both additive and multiplicative scales were further explored. Results: A total of 15,139 CVD-related deaths were identified during a median of 7.9 years of follow-up. A protective effect was found between higher greenness exposure and reduced CVD mortality, with a 9.3 % lower rate of total CVD mortality (HR 0.907, 95 % CI 0.859–0.957) based on a 0.1 increase in annual average NDVI. Demographic (age, marital status) and lifestyle factors (smoking, drinking status) were found to modify the association between residential greenness and CVD mortality (all P interaction values

The koi carp is an ornamental fish that was obtained through artificial selection from the common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). The most economically important traits of koi are their beautiful skin patterns in bright colors. As seasonality is an important factor in the biology and ecology of fish, we thus assumed that seasonal changes are involved in regulating the formation of skin color and patterns of koi carp. The white, red, cyan, and black skin colors from four varieties of scaleless koi carp (Doitsu Shiromuji (W), Doitsu Kohaku (WR), Doitsu Showa Sanke (WRI), and Kumonryu (WI)) were evaluated using the CIELab color space (lightness, redness, and yellowness) in different seasons. Compared to winter, the yellowness of the white color in all koi varieties decreased in summer and autumn. The black skin color areas in WRI and WI koi increased in summer and autumn compared to winter. The yellowness of the red color decreased only in WRI koi, while no changes were observed in WR koi. Targeted metabolomics analysis revealed that the levels of the structural pigment guanine of all koi varieties showed significant seasonal variation. Of seven detected carotenoids, the zeaxanthin and tunaxanthin contents in W, WI, and WRI koi changed with the seasons, while none of the carotenoids in WR koi were altered. Of the seven potential regulatory metabolites, epinephrine, melatonin, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in all four koi varieties showed the highest levels in winter. A correlation analysis suggested that the seasonal changes in white skin color occurred through the epinephrine-cAMP pathway; melanin-dependent and carotenoid-dependent skin color changes occurred through melatonin in koi carp. This study demonstrated the seasonal plasticity of skin color in koi carp regulated by melatonin and epinephrine, associating with variety and color specificity.

Dissecting the genetic components that contribute to the two main subphenotypes of steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) using genome-wide association studies (GWAS) strategy is important for understanding the disease. We conducted a multicenter cohort study (360 patients and 1835 controls) combined with a GWAS strategy to identify susceptibility variants associated with the following two subphenotypes of SSNS: steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome without relapse (SSNSWR, 181 patients) and steroid-dependent/frequent relapse nephrotic syndrome (SDNS/FRNS, 179 patients). The distribution of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ANKRD36 and ALPG was significant between SSNSWR and healthy controls, and that of two SNPs in GAD1 and HLA-DQA1 was significant between SDNS/FRNS and healthy controls. Interestingly, rs1047989 in HLA-DQA1 was a candidate locus for SDNS/FRNS but not for SSNSWR. No significant SNPs were observed between SSNSWR and SDNS/FRNS. Meanwhile, chromosome 2:171713702 in GAD1 was associated with a greater steroid dose (>0.75 mg/kg/d) upon relapse to first remission in patients with SDNS/FRNS (odds ratio = 3.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.97–9.87; P = 0.034). rs117014418 in APOL4 was significantly associated with a decrease in eGFR of greater than 20% compared with the baseline in SDNS/FRNS patients (P = 0.0001). Protein–protein intersection network construction suggested that HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1 function together through GSDMA. Thus, SSNSWR belongs to non-HLA region-dependent nephropathy, and the HLA-DQA/DQB region is likely strongly associated with disease relapse, especially in SDNS/FRNS. The study provides a novel approach for the GWAS strategy of SSNS and contributes to our understanding of the pathological mechanisms of SSNSWR and SDNS/FRNS.

Introduction The purpose of this study is to examine the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among college students in Hangzhou, and to analyze the influencing factors of their intention to use e-cigarettes. Methods Using a stratified cluster sampling method, 775 students from two universities in Hangzhou were selected for an on-site questionnaire survey from March to April 2022. Adjusted logistic regression analysis was conducted on the influencing factors of use intention, based on innovation diffusion theory. Results Within our sample of college students, 16.5% of students had tried e-cigarettes; 6.32% had used e-cigarettes in the past month, and 8.0% had the intention to use e-cigarettes. There were significant differences in willingness to use e-cigarettes among different genders, economic status, smoking status of close friends around them, and their own use of tobacco and alcohol (p

Abstract. Background:. Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) remains a common complication during liver transplantation (LT) in patients. As a key downstream effector of the Hippo pathway, Yes-associated protein (YAP) has been reported to be involved in various physiological and pathological processes. However, it remains elusive whether and how YAP may control autophagy activation during ischemia-reperfusion. Methods:. Human liver tissues from patients who had undergone LT were obtained to evaluate the correlation between YAP and autophagy activation. Both an in vitro hepatocyte cell line and in vivo liver-specific YAP knockdown mice were used to establish the hepatic ischemia-reperfusion models to determine the role of YAP in the activation of autophagy and the mechanism of regulation. Results:. Autophagy was activated in the post-perfusion liver grafts during LT in patients, and the expression of YAP positively correlated with the autophagic level of hepatocytes. Liver-specific knockdown of YAP inhibited hepatocytes autophagy upon hypoxia-reoxygenation and HIRI (P

Abstract Application of high-throughput sequencing and screening help to detect the transcriptional and metabolic discrepancies in organs provided with various levels of nutrients. The influences of individual essential amino acid (EAA) administration on transcriptomic and metabolomic profilings of bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) were systematically investigated. A RNA sequencing and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry generated a comprehensive comparison of transcriptomics, non-targeted metabolomics and targeted amino acids profilings of BMECs with individual EAA stimulation by turn. The sequencing data and raw LC-MS/MS data of samples were presented in the databases of Gene Expression Omnibus, MetaboLights and Figshare for efficient reuse, including exploring the divergences in metabolisms between different EAAs and screening valuable genes and metabolites regulating casein synthesis.

Objectives: To investigate the factors influencing imipenem/cilastatin (IMI) and meropenem (MEM) concentrations in critically ill adult patients and the role of these concentrations in the clinical outcome. Methods: Plasma trough concentrations of IMI and MEM were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography. A target value of 100%-time above MIC was used for the drugs. Results: A total of 186 patients were included, with 87 receiving IMI and 99 receiving MEM. The percentages of patients reaching the target IMI and MEM concentrations were 44.8% and 38.4%, respectively. The proportions of patients infected with drug-resistant bacteria were 57.5% and 69.7% in the IMI group and MEM group, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, the risk factors for an IMI concentration that did not reach the target were infection with drug-resistant bacteria, and those for MEM were infection with drug-resistant bacteria, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and diabetes mellitus. A total of 47.1% of patients had good outcomes in the IMI cohort, and 38.1% of patients had good outcomes in the MEM cohort. The duration of mechanical ventilation and IMI concentration were associated with ICU stay in patients in the IMI cohort, while MEM concentration and severe pneumonia affected the clinical outcome of patients in the MEM cohort. Conclusion: Infection with drug-resistant bacteria is an important factor influencing whether IMI and MEM concentrations reach the target. Furthermore, IMI and MEM concentrations are associated with the clinical outcome, and elevated doses of IMI and MEM should be given to patients who are infected with drug-resistant bacteria.

Abstract In urban railway systems, the timetable guides the section operation of the single train and the arrangement of the train group to meet the dual needs of cost and passengers. This paper proposes a two‐objective train operation optimization based on eco‐driving and timetabling to restore a more realistic scene, including a method level and an objective level. For the method level, the speed curve optimization of the single train and the timetable optimization of the train group are adopted jointly. For the objective level, both the total energy consumption of the train group and the consuming time of passengers are considered. A hybrid solution strategy based on quadratic programming and improved artificial bee colony algorithm is proposed. A hardware‐in‐the‐loop platform is built to carry out validation experiments. Both the cases in general hours and special hours are verified based on the actual data from Beijing Metro Line 15. The results show that both the energy consumption and the passenger consuming time are reduced simultaneously. Correspondingly, the speed curve and the time distribution of the timetable are individually optimized based on the fluctuating passenger flow.

Traditional methods of weed control during field management often result in herbicide waste. Precision herbicide application is crucial in agricultural production. This study presents a monodisperse droplet-generation system designed for precision herbicide application, capable of generating monodisperse droplets induced by an electric field. Droplet-generation experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of capillary tube outlet shape, liquid flow rate, and capillary tube size on the generation of charged droplets. A droplet diameter prediction model was established based on the system parameters. Experimental results indicated that as the applied voltage increased, the droplet diameter decreased, and the droplet-generation patterns transitioned sequentially from dripping, micro-dripping, to unstable dripping modes. In a weak electric field, capillaries with beveled outlets produced smaller droplets with more stable diameter distributions compared to those with blunt outlets. In a strong electric field, the smallest droplet diameter from blunt capillaries was 138.2 μm, whereas from beveled capillaries it was 198.7 μm. Within the design parameter range, droplet diameter was basically positively correlated with liquid flow rate and capillary tube size. By controlling the applied voltage, liquid flow rate, and capillary tube size, stable droplet generation could be achieved within a diameter range of 198.7–2520.8 μm, and the coefficient of variation of droplet diameter under the same working conditions was generally less than 6%. The monodisperse droplet-generation system developed in this study can effectively reduce herbicide usage and improve application efficiency.

Comprehensive growth index (CGI) more accurately reflects crop growth conditions than single indicators, which is crucial for precision irrigation, fertilization, and yield prediction. However, many current studies overlook the relationships between different growth parameters and their varying contributions to yield, leading to overlapping information and lower accuracy in monitoring crop growth. Therefore, this study focuses on winter wheat and constructs a comprehensive growth monitoring index (CGIac), based on adaptive weight allocation of growth parameters’ contribution to yield, using data such as leaf area index (LAI), soil plant analysis development (SPAD) values, plant height (PH), biomass (BM), and plant water content (PWC). Using UAV data on vegetation indices, feature selection was performed using the Elastic Net. The growth inversion model was then constructed using machine learning methods, including linear regression (LR), random forest (RF), gradient boosting (GB), and support vector regression (SVR). Based on the optimal growth inversion model for winter wheat, spatial distribution of wheat growth in the study area is obtained. The findings demonstrated that CGIac outperforms CGIav (constructed using equal weighting) and CGIcv (built using the coefficient of variation) in yield correlation and prediction accuracy. Specifically, the yield correlation of CGIac improved by up to 0.76 compared to individual indices, while yield prediction accuracy increased by up to 23.14%. Among the evaluated models, the RF model achieved the best performance, with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.895 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.0058. A comparison with wheat orthophotos from the same period confirmed that the inversion results were highly consistent with actual growth conditions in the study area. The proposed method significantly improved the accuracy and applicability of winter wheat growth monitoring, overcoming the limitations of single parameters in growth prediction. Additionally, it provided new technological support and innovative solutions for regional crop monitoring and precision farming operations.