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Abstract Galectin-9 (Gal-9) expression in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure and its correlation with prognosis remain unclear. This study investigated the relationship between liver failure prognosis and Gal-9 expression analysis in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure. Patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure attributable to hepatitis B and those with chronic hepatitis B were included in this single-center prospective cohort study. The Gal-9 levels in the acute-on-chronic liver failure group were significantly higher than those in the chronic hepatitis B group, and there was an upregulation of Gal-9 and T-cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain-3 expressions in peripheral blood T cells. Gal-9 was localized in the regenerative areas of liver tissues in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure, co-localizing with Kupffer cells. Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed that patients with Gal-9 levels

Abstract Background Survival prognosis of patients with gastric cancer (GC) often influences physicians’ choice of their follow-up treatment. This study aimed to develop a positron emission tomography (PET)-based radiomics model combined with clinical tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging to predict overall survival (OS) in patients with GC. Methods We reviewed the clinical information of a total of 327 patients with pathological confirmation of GC undergoing 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18 F-FDG) PET scans. The patients were randomly classified into training (n = 229) and validation (n = 98) cohorts. We extracted 171 PET radiomics features from the PET images and determined the PET radiomics scores (RS) using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and random survival forest (RSF). A radiomics model, including PET RS and clinical TNM staging, was constructed to predict the OS of patients with GC. This model was evaluated for discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness. Results On multivariate COX regression analysis, the difference between age, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), clinical TNM, and PET RS in GC patients was statistically significant (p

Increased CD4+GNLY+ T cells have been confirmed to be inversely associated with CD4+ T cell count in immunological non-responders (INRs), however, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. This study aimed to elucidate the characteristics of CD4+GNLY+ T cells and their relationship with immune restoration. Single-cell RNA sequencing, single-cell TCR sequencing, and flow cytometry were used to analyze the frequency, phenotypes, and function of CD4+GNLY+ T cells. Moreover, Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect plasma cytokines production in patients. CD4+GNLY+ T cells were found to be highly clonally expanded, characterized by higher levels of cytotoxicity, senescence, P24, and HIV-1 DNA than CD4+GNLY− T cells. Additionally, the frequency of CD4+GNLY+ T cells increased after ART, and further increased in INRs, and were positively associated with the antiretroviral therapy duration in INR. Furthermore, increased IL-15 levels in INRs positively correlated with the frequency and senescence of CD4+GNLY+ T cells, suggesting that CD4+GNLY+ T cells may provide new insights for understanding the poor immune reconstitution of INRs. In conclusion, increased, highly clonally expanded, and senescent CD4+GNLY+ T cells may contribute to poor immune reconstitution in HIV-1 infection.

To address the current issues of brittleness and lower mechanical performance for Zn alloys, the Zn–Mn–Li system that has significant potential for enhancing strength and toughness is selected for the design, fabrication, and investigation. Li and Mn are selected as alloying elements, and a series of Zn-0.4Mn-xLi alloys are prepared. A comprehensive study of as-cast alloys is conducted on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion behavior. The results reveal that the initially precipitated β-LiZn4 phase in the as-cast Zn-0.4Mn-xLi alloys gradually transforms into a β-LiZn4/Zn lamellar structure with the increase of Li content. The β-LiZn4/Zn lamellar structure significantly contributes to the strength of the alloy. The as-cast Zn-0.4Mn-0.8Li alloy exhibits optimal mechanical strength, with yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of 203.2 ± 8.9 MPa and 271.5 ± 20.0 MPa, respectively. Electrochemical and immersion experiments indicate a dense Li-rich corrosion product layer formed on the alloy surface suppresses the generation of pitting corrosion and enhances the corrosion resistance of the alloy. These results manifest that the Li content of the Zn–Mn–Li alloy has a significant influence on the performance, such as the microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion behavior. According to the results of mechanical properties and corrosion behavior, Zn-0.4Mn-0.8Li alloy exhibits an optimal comprehensive performance, which provides valuable insight for the development of superior Zn–Mn–Li alloys.

Quantum dot-based up-conversion photodetector, in which an infrared photodiode (PD) and a quantum dot light-emitting diode (QLED) are back-to-back connected, is a promising candidate for low-cost infrared imaging. However, the huge efficiency losses caused by integrating the PD and QLED together hasn’t been studied sufficiently. This work revealed at least three origins for the efficiency losses. First, the PD unit and QLED unit usually didn’t work under optimal conditions at the same time. Second, the potential barriers and traps at the interconnection between PD and QLED units induced unfavorable carrier recombination. Third, much emitted visible light was lost due to the strong visible absorption in the PD unit. Based on the understandings on the loss mechanisms, the infrared up-conversion photodetectors were optimized and achieved a breakthrough photon-to-photon conversion efficiency of 6.9%. This study provided valuable guidance on how to optimize the way of integration for up-conversion photodetectors.

Abstract Background Primary cardiac angiosarcoma(PCA) has a low incidence rate and poor prognosis. Currently, no unified clinical treatment standards are available. Case presentation We report the case of a 48-year-old man presenting chest tightness, breathlessness, and dyspnea. Imaging and postoperative histopathologic studies confirmed PCA and that the tumor had invaded the entire right atrium. The patient developed progressive disease (PD) during postoperative radiotherapy. We used immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy based on the results of molecular profile and evaluation of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) and programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). After treatment, the metastatic lymph nodes of the patient were reduced to a certain extent, indicating that combination therapy was effective. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of radiotherapy combined with anti-PD-1 and tyrosine kinase inhibitors(TKI) for PCA. In addition, this is the first report on immunotherapy for PCA based on new evaluation methods, including TLSs, PD-L1, and genomic profile.

Abstract Zintl phases typically exhibit low lattice thermal conductivity, which are extensively investigated as promising thermoelectric candidates. While the significance of Zintl anionic frameworks in electronic transport properties is widely recognized, their roles in thermal transport properties have often been overlooked. This study delves into KCdSb as a representative case, where the [CdSb4/4]− tetrahedrons not only impact charge transfer but also phonon transport. The phonon velocity and mean free path, are heavily influenced by the bonding distance and strength of the Zintl anions Cd and Sb, considering the three acoustic branches arising from their vibrations. Furthermore, the weakly bound Zintl cation K exhibits localized vibration behaviors, resulting in strong coupling between the high‐lying acoustic branch and the low‐lying optical branch, further impeding phonon diffusion. The calculations reveal that grain boundaries also contribute to the low lattice thermal conductivity of KCdSb through medium‐frequency phonon scattering. These combined factors create a glass‐like thermal transport behavior, which is advantageous for improving the thermoelectric merit of zT. Notably, a maximum zT of 0.6 is achieved for K0.84Na0.16CdSb at 712 K. The study offers both intrinsic and extrinsic strategies for developing high‐efficiency thermoelectric Zintl materials with extremely low lattice thermal conductivity.

The application of biodegradable Zn-based vascular alloy stents proves to be an ideal solution for addressing cardiovascular diseases. In this work, a Zn-0.8Li-0.4Mn alloy is designed with no biological toxicity, and optimized microstructure and properties through a hot rolling process. The resulting alloy shows a combined enhancement in both mechanical strength and resistance to corrosion. Noteworthy is the effectiveness of rolling deformation in refining alloy grains, promoting the uniform distribution of precipitates, and enhancing strength and ductility. After 90 % deformation, the Zn-0.8Li-0.4Mn alloy demonstrates excellent mechanical properties, with peak yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of 406.0 MPa and 449.1 MPa, respectively, and elongation exceeding 75 %. Corrosion studies indicate a relationship between the degradation rate increase and grain refinement, with the primary corrosion mechanism being pitting corrosion. The corrosion product Li2CO3 exhibits high stability, providing a passivation effect on the alloy surface. This work establishes a theoretical foundation and practical reference for the development of new biodegradable Zn-based alloys tailored for biomedical applications.

Background: Limited studies have investigated the predictive value of multiomics signatures (radiomics, deep learning features, pathological features and DLG3) in breast cancer patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). However, no study has explored the relationships among radiomic, pathomic signatures and chemosensitivity. This study aimed to predict pathological complete response (pCR) using multiomics signatures, and to evaluate the predictive utility of radiomic and pathomic signatures for guiding chemotherapy selection. Methods: The oncogenic function of DLG3 was explored in breast cancer cells via DLG3 knockdown. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to evaluate the relationship between DLG3 expression and docetaxel/epirubin sensitivity. Machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) algorithms were used to develop multiomics signatures. Survival analysis was conducted by K-M curves and log-rank. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to develop nomograms. Results: A total of 311 patients with malignant breast tumours who underwent NAC were retrospectively included in this multicentre study. Multiomics (DLG3, RADL and PATHO) signatures could accurately predict pCR (AUC: training: 0.900; testing: 0.814; external validation: 0.792). Its performance is also superior to that of clinical TNM staging and the single RADL signature in different cohorts. Patients in the low DLG3 group more easily achieved pCR, and those in the high RADL Signature_pCR and PATHO_Signature_pCR (OR = 7.93, 95 % CI: 3.49–18, P < 0.001) groups more easily achieved pCR. In the TEC regimen NAC group, patients who achieved pCR had a lower DLG3 score (4.00 ± 2.33 vs. 6.43 ± 3.01, P < 0.05). Patients in the low RADL_Signature_DLG3 and PATHO_Signature_DLG3 groups had lower DLG3 IHC scores (P < 0.05). Patients in the high RADL signature, PATHO signature and DLG3 signature groups had worse DFS and OS. Conclusions: Multiomics signatures (RADL, PATHO and DLG3) demonstrated great potential in predicting the pCR of breast cancer patients who underwent NAC. The RADL and PATHO signatures are associated with DLG3 status and could help doctors or patients choose proper neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens (TEC regimens). This simple, structured, convenient and inexpensive multiomics model could help clinicians and patients make treatment decisions.

Arsenic is frequently used in alternative medicine, and it is critical to promptly identify and treat suspected arsenic toxicity in patients. In a case study, a female patient presented with several symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, bilateral tinnitus, hearing loss, vertigo, and other associated complaints. After admission, the patient showed lethargy, and topical application of Chinese herbal medicine was found on her left breast, along with visible pigmentation on her torso. Examination revealed severe bilateral sensorineural deafness, liver and kidney injury, and pancytopenia. Due to the presence of broken skin, toxicological analysis detected elevated levels of arsenic in both blood (113 ng/mL) and urine (865.4 ng/mL). The patient was diagnosed with arsenic poisoning and received symptomatic treatment, including detoxification. Unfortunately, the patient died due to long-term exposure to arsenic. Therefore, early identification of the etiology is crucial for managing cases of arsenic poisoning.

Purposes The mechanical properties of granite in the same high temperature state under different cooling modes (thermal shock cooling in water at 20 ℃ and natural cooling in air at 20 ℃) are different. Methods By using the laboratory self-developed thermal shock fracture experimental platform, uniaxial compression, Brazilian splitting, and variable-angle shearing (45°, 55°, 65°) were carried out on granite in different temperature states (25-600 ℃) under two cooling modes. To test its uniaxial compressive strength, stress-strain curve, peak strain, tensile strength, cohesion c, internal friction angle φ and other macro-mechanical parameters. Besides, the evolution of the mechanical properties of high-temperature granite under different cooling modes was studied. Findings The research results show that: 1) the cooling mode has a great influence on the uniaxial compressive strength, tensile strength, and cohesion c, but has little effect on the internal friction angle; 2) The mechanical strength of granite at the same high temperature deteriorates more seriously with thermal shock cooling in water at 20 ℃, and 300 ℃ is the threshold temperature for the difference between the two cooling modes; 3) From 25 ℃ to 600 ℃, compared with natural cooling, thermal shock cooling caused compressive strength, tensile strength, and shear strength (cohesive force) deteriorations of granite which are 51.7%, 33%, and 27.6%, respectively, showing that the cooling mode affects the mechanical strength of granite in descending order: tensile strength, shear strength, and compressive strength. Conclusions The research results can provide test reference for related projects.

The nuclear event risk (NER) is an important and disputed factor that should be reasonably considered when planning the pathway of nuclear power development (NPD) to assess the benefits and risks of developing nuclear power more objectively. This paper aims to explore the impact of nuclear events on NPD pathway planning. The influence of nuclear events is quantified as a monetary risk component, and an optimization model that incorporates the NER in the objective function is proposed. To optimize the pathway of NPD in the lowcarbon transition course of power supply structure evolution, a simulation model is built to deduce alternative NPD pathways and corresponding power supply evolution scenarios under the constraint of an exogenously assigned carbon emission pathway (CEP); moreover, a method is proposed to describe the CEP by superimposing the maximum carbon emission space and each carbon emission reduction (CER) component, and various CER components are clustered considering the emission reduction characteristics and resource endowments of different power generation technologies. A case study is conducted to explore the impact of NER and its risk valuation uncertainty on NPD pathway planning. The method presented in this paper allows the impact of nuclear events on NPD pathway planning to be quantified and improves the level of coordinated optimization of benefits and risks.

Large Seebeck coefficients induced by high degeneracy of conduction band minimum, and low intrinsic lattice thermal conductivity originated from large lattice vibrational anharmonicity render Mg3Sb2 as a promising n-type thermoelectric material. Herein, we demonstrated unique concentration-dependent occupation behaviors of Cu in Mg3.4Sb1.5Bi0.49Te0.01 matrix, evidenced by structural characterization and transport property measurements. It is found that Cu atoms prefer to enter the interstitial lattice sites in Mg3Sb2 host with low doping level (Mg3.4Sb1.5Bi0.49Te0.01 + x% Cu, x

Porous Ti–Zr–Cu–Pd–Sn bulk metallic glass (BMG) produced by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) in our previous work demonstrates bone-like mechanical properties, effectively mitigating the issue of stress shielding within the implant. Nevertheless, concerns persist regarding the BMG's brittleness and its lack of bioactivity, both of which pose concealed risks in practical applications. In light of these challenges, a semi-degradable biomaterial, the MG-Fe composites, has been meticulously crafted via SPS in this work. The incorporation of ductile Fe phase in the MG matrix significantly enhances its plasticity. Moreover, the degradation of Fe results in the deposition of Ca–P compounds, imbuing the MG-Fe composites with a degree of bioactivity. Furthermore, by introducing a gradient porous structure, researchers have managed to fine-tune the mechanical properties of the MG-Fe composites. This innovative design imparts plastic and ductile compression deformation behavior to the gradient porous MG-Fe composites, offering a potential solution to the issue of brittle fracture behavior observed in conventional brittle BMGs. In addition, the introduction of the gradient porous structure serves to further accelerate the degradation rate of Fe. This advancement holds the potential to strike a dynamic balance with the growth rate of human bone, further elevating the bioactivity of the MG-Fe composites.

Diabetes is a global disease that can lead to a range of complications. Currently, the treatment of type 2 diabetes focuses on oral hypoglycemic drugs and insulin analogues. Studies have shown that drugs such as oral metformin are useful in the treatment of diabetes but can limit the liver’s ability to release sugar. The development of glucose-lowering peptides has provided new options for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Peptide drugs have low oral utilization due to their easy degradation, short half-life, and difficulty passing through the intestinal mucosa. Therefore, improving the oral utilization of peptide drugs remains an urgent problem. This paper reviews the research progress of peptide drugs in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and proposes that different types of nano-formulation carriers, such as liposomes, self-emulsifying drug delivery systems, and polymer particles, should be combined with peptide drugs for oral administration to improve their absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.

ABSTRACTMycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the pathogenic bacterium that causes tuberculosis, has evolved sophisticated defense mechanisms to counteract the cytotoxicity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated within host macrophages during infection. The melH gene in Mtb and Mycobacterium marinum (Mm) plays a crucial role in defense mechanisms against ROS generated during infection. We demonstrate that melH encodes an epoxide hydrolase and contributes to ROS detoxification. Deletion of melH in Mm resulted in a mutant with increased sensitivity to oxidative stress, increased accumulation of aldehyde species, and decreased production of mycothiol and ergothioneine. This heightened vulnerability is attributed to the increased expression of whiB3, a universal stress sensor. The absence of melH also resulted in reduced intracellular levels of NAD+, NADH, and ATP. Bacterial growth was impaired, even in the absence of external stressors, and the impairment was carbon source dependent. Initial MelH substrate specificity studies demonstrate a preference for epoxides with a single aromatic substituent. Taken together, these results highlight the role of melH in mycobacterial bioenergetic metabolism and provide new insights into the complex interplay between redox homeostasis and generation of reactive aldehyde species in mycobacteria.IMPORTANCEThis study unveils the pivotal role played by the melH gene in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and in Mycobacterium marinum in combatting the detrimental impact of oxidative conditions during infection. This investigation revealed notable alterations in the level of cytokinin-associated aldehyde, para-hydroxybenzaldehyde, as well as the redox buffer ergothioneine, upon deletion of melH. Moreover, changes in crucial cofactors responsible for electron transfer highlighted melH’s crucial function in maintaining a delicate equilibrium of redox and bioenergetic processes. MelH prefers epoxide small substrates with a phenyl substituted substrate. These findings collectively emphasize the potential of melH as an attractive target for the development of novel antitubercular therapies that sensitize mycobacteria to host stress, offering new avenues for combating tuberculosis.

Abstract Laryngeal cancer ranks as the second most prevalent upper airway malignancy, following Lung cancer. Although some progress has been made in managing laryngeal cancer, the 5-year survival rate is disappointing. The gradual increase in the incidence of second primary tumors (SPTs) plays a crucial role in determining survival outcomes during long-term follow-up, and the esophagus was the most common site with a worse prognosis. In clinical practice, the treatment of esophageal second primary tumors (ESPT) in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) has always been challenging. For patients with synchronous tumors, several treatment modalities, such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy and potentially curative surgery are necessary but are typically poorly tolerated. Secondary cancer therapy options for metachronous patients are always constrained by index cancer treatment indications. Therefore, understanding the clonal origin of the second primary tumor may be an important issue in the treatment of patients. LSCC cells demonstrate genetic instability because of two distinct aetiologies (human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative and HPV-positive) disease. Various etiologies exhibit distinct oncogenic mechanisms, which subsequently impact the tissue microenvironment. The condition of the tissue microenvironment plays a crucial role in determining the destiny and clonal makeup of mutant cells during the initial stages of tumorigenesis. This review focuses on the genetic advances of LSCC, the current research status of SPT, and the influence of key carcinogenesis of HPV-positive and HPV-negative LSCC on clonal evolution of ESPT cells. The objective is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the molecular basis underlying the clonal origins of SPT, thereby offering novel perspectives for future investigations in this field.

The Ebinur Lake Basin is an ecologically sensitive area in the arid region of northwest China. In recent years, the ecological environment in the basin has continued to deteriorate, and the ecosystem function has been seriously degraded. However, among the functions of the ecosystem in the Ebinur Lake Basin, the water production function is considered to be the core upholding the ecological equilibrium and security of the basin. Water production can reflect the environmental service function, which is essential for the economic vitality and ecological well-being of the basin. The factors that impact water yield are diverse; moreover, of these, climate change and land use conversion are particularly significant. Therefore, understanding how these changes affect water yield will help to formulate proper water management strategies in the basin. Using the InVEST model, this study examined how the water yield evolved and was distributed across the Ebinur Lake Basin between 2000 and 2020 while considering both the temporal and spatial dimensions. Using this foundation, the scenario analysis approach was utilized to explore the impact of climate change and land use conversion on water yield by controlling the variables, and the response of the water yield to climate and land use change was discussed. It was concluded that water yield was on an upward trend from 2000 to 2010, was on a downward trend from 2010 to 2020, and declined from 2000 to 2020 as a whole. Regarding the water yield distribution, higher-water-producing areas were found predominantly in the northwest and southeast and along the higher-altitude rim of the basin. Among the various land categories, the primary types were grassland and unused land, both of which equally and substantially contributed to the water yield, contributing over 85% to the overall water yield. The response of the water yield varied significantly among various land use types when their areas changed, and the land conversion over this period contributed to a slight decline in water yield across the basin. The influence of climate change on water yield in the Ebinur Lake Basin during the study period surpassed that of land use by a wide margin, constituting more than 86% of the total impact. This study can provide relevant information for relevant policies and decisions on the optimal allocation of land use in the Ebinur Lake Basin and can provide scientific development for the comprehensive evaluation of water resources and sustainable development of the basin.

A series of polymeric surfactants based on monodehydroabietyl polyoxyethylene(5) ether (DHA(EO)5H) and hydroxyethyl chitosan (HEC) were prepared through a three-step process. First, DHA(EO)5H was oxidized using activated MnO2 and transformed into dehydroabietyl polyethylene glycol(5) aldehyde (DHA(EO)4CH2CHO). Then, the DHA(EO)4CH2CHO was reacted with HEC and converted into Schiff-base. Finally, the polymeric surfactant, DHA(EO)4CH2CHO modified HEC (DHA(EO)4CH2CHO-m-HEC), was obtained by reducing the Schiff-base with sodium borohydride. The grafting degree (DG) of DHA(EO)4CH2CHO substitution onto HEC for DHA(EO)4CH2CHO-m-HECs was determined using elemental analysis (EA), and the surface activities and foam performance of DHA(EO)4CH2CHO-m-HECs in aqueous solution were investigated respectively. The emulsifying capacities of DHA(EO)4CH2CHO-m-HECs were evaluated according to the stability times of emulsion composed of water and liquid paraffin. The experimental results showed the DG could have significant influence on the critical micelle concentration (cmc) of DHA(EO)4CH2CHO-m-HECs and their surface tensions at cmc (γcmc), but nearly no effect on their minimum surface tensions (γmin) in aqueous solution. Among the synthetic polymeric surfactants in this investigation, DHA(EO)4CH2CHO-m-HEC with DG of 56.95% exhibited the best emulsification and foam properties.

BackgroundIn recent years, an increasing number of observational studies have reported the impact of air pollution on autoimmune diseases (ADs). However, no Mendelian randomization (MR) studies have been conducted to investigate the causal relationships. To enhance our understanding of causality, we examined the causal relationships between particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ADs.MethodsWe utilized genome-wide association study (GWAS) data on PM and NOx from the UK Biobank in European and East Asian populations. We also extracted integrated GWAS data from the Finnish consortium and the Japanese Biobank for two-sample MR analysis. We employed inverse variance weighted (IVW) analysis to assess the causal relationship between PM and NOx exposure and ADs. Additionally, we conducted supplementary analyses using four methods, including IVW (fixed effects), weighted median, weighted mode, and simple mode, to further investigate this relationship.ResultsIn the European population, the results of MR analysis suggested a statistically significant association between PM2.5 and psoriasis only (OR = 3.86; 95% CI: 1.89–7.88; PIVW 0.025). There was no pleiotropy in the results.ConclusionOur results suggest a causal association between PM2.5 and psoriasis in European populations. With the help of air pollution prevention and control, the harmful progression of psoriasis may be slowed.

Pyroptosis, which is a novel form of immunogenic cell death, plays a vital role in antitumor therapy. Zirconium-based metal–organic frameworks (Zr-MOFs) have been applied in various antitumor treatments. However, the intrinsic role of these frameworks in pyroptosis has yet to be determined. Here, a Zr-MOF-based nanosystem (DOX@Zr-MOF) was constructed by loading Zr-MOF nanoparticles with the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX) to synergistically trigger cancer cell pyroptosis. We found that DOX@Zr-MOF rapidly triggered pyroptosis via activation of the canonical caspase-3/gasdermin E (GSDME)-dependent pathway, resulting in significant suppression of CT26 colon tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, DOX@Zr-MOF significantly enhanced the systemic antitumor immune response by reprogramming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In addition, the combination of DOX@Zr-MOF with programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) immunotherapy strongly improved the antitumor efficacy of CT26 colon tumors. Overall, this work provides a promising strategy for pyroptosis-mediated anticancer treatment, which may efficiently improve checkpoint blockade-related cancer immunotherapy.

Abstract Sodium ion batteries (SIBs) have attracted great interest as candidates in stationary energy storage systems relying on low cost, high abundance and outstanding electrochemical properties. The foremost challenge in advanced NIBs lies in developing high-performance and low-cost electrode materials. To accelerate the commercialization of sodium ion batteries, various types of materials are being developed to meet the increasing energy demand. O3-type layered oxide cathode materials show great potential for commercial applications due to their high reversible capacity, moderate operating voltage and easy synthesis, while allowing direct matching of the negative electrode to assemble a full battery. Here, representative progress for Ni/Fe/Mn based O3-type cathode materials have been summarized, and existing problems, challenges and solutions are presented. In addition, the effects of irreversible phase transitions, air stability, structural distortion and ion migration on electrochemical performance are systematically discussed. We hope to provide new design ideas or solutions to advance the commercialization of sodium ion batteries.

Abstract The albumin‐bilirubin (ALBI) score was originally used to accurately assess liver dysfunction and predict the prognoses of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Following its more recent application to patients with gastrointestinal tumors, this study analyzed the prognostic value of the ALBI score in Chinese patients with advanced resectable (tumor‐node‐metastasis [TNM] stages I–III) gastric cancer (GC). This study investigated 1185 patients with advanced GC, including 429 with TNM stage I. The patients were divided into training and verifications groups (593 and 592 patients, respectively) in which these patients were classified as high risk (ALBI score ≥ −2.65) or low risk (ALBI score < −2.65). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed, and a visual survival prediction model (nomogram) was created. On Kaplan–Meier analysis, patients who were low‐risk and high‐risk according to their ALBI scores had significantly different survival rates in both the training and verification groups (p

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is a recently developed material which has attracted considerable attention in the field of civil engineering because of its outstanding characteristics. One of the key factors in concrete design is the compressive strength (CS) of UHPC. As one of the most potent tools in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) can accurately predict concrete’s mechanical properties. Hyperparameter tuning is crucial in ensuring the prediction model’s reliability. However, it is a complex work. The purpose of this study is to optimize the CS prediction method for UHPC. Three ML methods, random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), and k-nearest neighbor (KNN), are selected to predict the CS of UHPC. Among them, the RF model demonstrates superior predictive accuracy, with the testing dataset R2 of 0.8506. In addition, three meta-heuristic optimization algorithms, particle swarm optimization (PSO), beetle antenna search (BAS), and snake optimization (SO), are utilized to optimize the prediction model hyperparameters. The R2 values for the testing dataset of SO-RF, PSO-RF, and BAS-RF are 0.9147, 0.8529, and 0.8607, respectively. The results indicate that SO-RF exhibits the highest predictive performance. Furthermore, the importance of input parameters is evaluated, and the findings prove the feasibility of the SO-RF model. This research enriches the prediction method of the CS of UHPC.

The soil piping and drift sand phenomenon is one of the catastrophic failure forms in foundation pit excavations in coastal buildings. Presently, there is a deficiency in the theoretical research regarding the seepage fields around foundation pits, primarily due to the complexity of theoretical solutions given the difficulty in accurately describing the distribution of the groundwater’s hydraulic head in a seepage field. This study proposes an explicit analytical solution for the steady-state seepage field surrounding a foundation pit under anisotropic conditions. A numerical model, constructed with FLAC3D 7.0 software, was utilized to validate the solution presented in this study. The effects of the foundation pit’s width, the distance between the retaining wall and the impervious layer, and anisotropic seepage conditions on the total head are studied through parameter research. The study shows that the flow behavior of a foundation pit is sensitive to parameters such as the anisotropy of the soil layer and the width of the foundation pit. Further, the study also analyzes the influence of the above parameters on the exit gradient and proposes a simplified algorithm for the exit hydraulic gradient at the base of a foundation pit, which can control the error within 5%. This method makes a certain contribution to improving seepage calculations for foundation pits and is applicable to the seepage problem of anisotropic soil layers.

This study aims to extract an active heteropolysaccharide Chia seed polysaccharide (CSP-A) and further purified by DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow and Sepharose CL-6B chromatographic column, characterize its structure, and evaluate its antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities. Structural analysis revealed that CSP-A was composed of d-mannose, d-glucuronic acid and d-xylose in a molar ratio of 1:3:4 with molecular weight of 1.688 × 105 Da, owning 4 sugar residues of β-d-Manp-(1→, →4)-α-d-GlcpA-(1→, →2,4)-β-d-Xylp-(1→, and → 4)-β-d-Manp-(1 →. Congo red assay and microscopic characteristics showed that CSP-A in its solution may possess a helical conformation. In vitro experiments showed that CSP-A had moderate DPPH· and OH· scavenging activities. CSP-A also enhanced the phagocytosis ability of RAW 264.7 cells and prompted the release of NO, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β from RAW 264.7 cells, which indicated CSP-A had immune regulation effect. This experiment provides scientific basis for further utilization and development of chia seeds, a kind of functional food.

AbstractBackground Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERs) is an important cellular self-defence mechanism, which is closely related to tumorigenesis and development. However, the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress state in the development of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) has not been clarified.Methods The lncRNAs associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress were identified by co-expression analysis in public databases, and by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and multivariate Cox regression modelling, we constructed a prognostic model based on endoplasmic reticulum stress-related lncRNAs (ERs-related lncRNAs), performed immune analysis, TME, TMB and clinical drug prediction for model-related risk scores, and performed correlation validation in public databases and at the human tissue level.Results Five ERs-related lncRNAs were used to construct an ERs-related lncRNA signature (ERs-related LncSig), which can predict the prognosis of LUAD. Patients in the high-risk group had worse survival, and differences existed in immune cell infiltration, immune function, immune checkpoint analysis, tumour microenvironment (TME), tumour mutational burden (TMB), immunotherapy efficacy, and sensitivity to some commonly used chemotherapeutic agents between high and low risk groups.Conclusion Our study demonstrated that ERs-related lncRNA signature can be used for the prognostic evaluation of LUAD patients and may provide new insights into clinical decision-making and personalised medicine for LUAD.

Background Multiple myeloma (MM) is a rare haematological disorder with few therapeutic options. BIBR1532, a telomerase inhibitor, is widely used in cancer treatment and has promising outcomes. In this study, we investigated the efficacy and mechanism of action of BIBR1532 in MM. Methods K562 and MEG-01 cells were cultured with BIBR1532 at different concentrations. After 24 and 48 h, cell survival was analyzed. Next, these cells were cultured with 25 and 50 µM BIBR1532 for 48 h, then, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and the expression of the telomerase activity related markers were tested by 5-Ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining, flow cytometric analysis, western blot and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), respectively. Expression of Bcl-xL, Bad, Survivin, phosphorylation of PI3K, AKT, mTOR, ERK1/2, and MAPK were tested via western blotting. Further experiments were conducted to evaluate the synergistic effects of BIBR1532 and doxorubicin (Dox) or bortezomib (Bor). Results BIBR1532 inhibited K562 and MEG-01 cell survival in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, BIBR1532 hindered cell proliferation while promoting apoptosis, and this effect was enhanced by increasing the BIBR1532 concentration. Moreover, BIBR1532 inhibited TERT and c-MYC expression, PI3K, AKT, mTOR phosphorylation, and facilitated ERK1/2 and MAPK phosphorylation. Additionally, BIBR1532 combined with Dox or Bor showed synergistic effects in MM treatment. Conclusion BIBR1532 inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis in MM cells by inhibiting telomerase activity. Additionally, BIBR1532 combined with Dox or Bor exhibited synergistic effects, indicating that BIBR1532 may be a novel medicine for the treatment of MM.

As we know, with continuous medical progress, the treatment of many diseases can be conducted via surgery, which often relies on general anaesthesia for its satisfactory performance. With the widespread use of general anaesthetics, people are beginning to question the safety of general anaesthesia and there is a growing interest in central nervous system (CNS) complications associated with anaesthetics. Recently, abundant evidence has suggested that both blood–brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction and neuroinflammation play roles in the development of CNS complications after anaesthesia. Whether there is a crosstalk between BBB dysfunction and neuroinflammation after general anaesthesia, and whether this possible crosstalk could be a therapeutic target for CNS complications after general anaesthesia needs to be clarified by further studies.

Fault water inflow is one of the most severe disasters that can occur during the construction of hard and brittle rock tunnels. These tunnels traverse brittle fault breccia zones comprising two key components: a damage zone dominated by low-strain fractures and an internally nested high-strain zone known as the fault core. Structural heterogeneity influences the mechanical and hydraulic properties within fault breccia zones, thereby affecting the evolving characteristics of water inflow in hard rock faulting. Based on the hydraulic characteristics within hard rock fault zones, this paper presents a generalized dual-porosity fluid-solid coupling water inflow model. The model is utilized to investigate the spatiotemporal evolution patterns of water pressure, inflow velocity, and water volume during tunneling through heterogeneous fault zones in hard rock. Research findings indicate that when tunnels pass through the damage zones, water inrush velocity is high, yet the water volume is low, and both decrease rapidly over time. Conversely, within the core regions of faults, water inflow velocity is low, yet the water volume is high, and both remain relatively stable over time. Simulation results closely align with the water inflow data from China’s largest cross-section tunnel, the Tiantai Mountain Tunnel, thus validating the accuracy of the evolutionary model proposed in this paper. These findings offer a new perspective for devising effective prevention strategies for water inflow from heterogeneous faults.

Background: The treatment of cancer during pregnancy remains challenging with knowledge gaps in drug dosage, safety, and efficacy due to the under-representation of this population in clinical trials. Our aim was to investigate physiological changes reported in both pregnancy and cancer populations into a PBPK modeling framework that allows for a more accurate estimation of PK changes in pregnant patients with cancer. Methods: Paclitaxel and docetaxel were selected to validate a population model using clinical data from pregnant patients with cancer. The validated population model was subsequently used to predict the PK of acalabrutinib in pregnant patients with cancer. Results: The Simcyp pregnancy population model reasonably predicted the PK of docetaxel in pregnant patients with cancer, while a modified model that included a 2.5-fold increase in CYP2C8 abundance, consistent with the increased expression during pregnancy, was needed to reasonably predict the PK of paclitaxel in pregnant patients with cancer. Changes in protein binding levels of patients with cancer had a minimal impact on the predicted clearance of paclitaxel and docetaxel. PBPK modeling predicted approximately 60% lower AUC and Cmax for acalabrutinib in pregnant versus non-pregnant patients with cancer. Conclusions: Our results suggest that PBPK modeling is a promising approach to investigate the effects of pregnancy and cancer on the PK of oncology drugs and potentially inform dosing for pregnant patients with cancer. Further evaluation and refinement of the population model are needed for pregnant patients with cancer with additional compounds and clinical PK data.

Abstract Background Current TB diagnostic methods available have been developed for adults and development efforts have neglected the differences in disease and sampling that occur between adults and children. Diagnostic challenges are even greater in HIV co-infected children and infants. Methods and results We established a sandwich ELISA assay to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis modified lipoprotein (TLP) ex vivo in plasma. The study population contains plasma samples from 21 patients with active TB and 24 control samples with no TB, collected in the International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trails (IMPAACT) P1041 study. Retrospective analysis was performed and the results demonstrate that the median plasma levels of TLP in control subjects are 2.7 fold higher than the median plasma values in active TB subjects (p

Despite the widely recognized importance of ginseng carbohydrates, their structural analysis is still challenging due to structural complexity. This study presents the first ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) combined with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone (PMP) labeling and multivariate data analysis for profiling carbohydrates in the seven ginseng products. 11 carbohydrates were tentatively annotated, including 5 first found in ginseng, and three of them were solely detected in black ginseng (BG) samples, speculated as monosaccharides bearing various groups based on MS2 analysis. Furthermore, 3D profiles of carbohydrates in IM-MS of the samples showed good discrimination between the varieties of ginseng which were classified into two groups utilizing carbohydrate contents by PLS-DA. The big difference between BG and the others may be ascribed to the repeated heating and steaming process for preparation of BG products. Our findings may provide insights into the differences in bioactivity of different ginseng varieties for future research and show a valuable methodology for discovering unknown carbohydrates.

Abstract Background Sarcopenia is an age-related syndrome that may have negative impact on surgical outcomes and long-term survival of patients with gastric cancer. Serum creatinine/cystatin C (Cr/CysC) ratio has attracted attention as a surrogate marker for sarcopenia but has not been adequately studied in patients with gastric cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity of serum Cr/CysC ratio as a predictor of sarcopenia, evaluate a statistical cut-off value, and assess the relationship between Cr/CysC ratio and prognosis of patients with gastric cancer. Methods We retrospectively studied 327 patients who underwent surgery for gastric cancer from June 2009 to October 2021. The skeletal muscle mass index was calculated using computed tomography (CT). We determined the relevance of serum Cr/CysC ratio as a surrogate maker for sarcopenia by comparing it with various biomarkers. The Concordance index (C-index) was calculted to measure whether the Cr/CysC ratio can prognosis of patients with gastric cancer. Results Serum Cr/CysC was significantly correlated with with Skeletal Muscle Index (SMI) (r = 0.221, p

Nuclear power development is a complex issue spanning cyber, physical, and social systems that is essential to achieving energy security and climate goals. With the ongoing worldwide trend towards carbon neutrality, the positioning of nuclear power in energy mix should be reconsidered. This paper aims to present a systematic review of current research on optimization of nuclear power development. The concept of cyber – physical – social system in energy (CPSSE) is adopted, which provides a suitable perspective and enables the review of relevant studies to achieve some novel insights. Based on the CPSSE, firstly, a research framework is established and the main research elements in optimization are identified, followed by a proposed conceptual risk-based optimization model. Secondly, current studies are analyzed and classified into four categories according to the research boundary. The status quo and limitations are discussed. It is found that the research results of nuclear-specific issues have not been well integrated into the optimization of nuclear power. As a relatively reliable power supply, nuclear power is capable of maintaining power and electricity adequacy of the whole system, especially in the case of power shortage caused by long-period low output of renewable energy or extreme external disasters. This superiority should not be ignored in the optimization. Other critical factors that should be further considered include disruptive technologies, nuclear safety, energy policies, and stakeholder behaviors. Finally, suggestions are given for future research.

Based on the Kirchhoff thin plate theory, a three-dimensional spatial mechanical model of the subgrade pavement with an infinite elastic plate on the orthotropic saturated foundation in the rectangular coordinate system is established, and the differential equations under a moving harmonic load are derived. The partial differential equations are solved by using coordinate transform and Fourier transform, and the analytical solutions of the dynamic responses of the plate and foundation are obtained. A three-dimensional spatial finite element model of subgrade-pavement is established by ABAQUS finite element software. The correctness of the method is verified by comparing the theoretical solution with the finite element solution. The influence of foundation parameters on plate displacement and vertical normal stress of soil is further studied. The results show that considering the orthogonal anisotropy of saturated soil, the dynamic response of subgrade-pavement slab interaction can be described more accurately.

ObjectivesThe study aimed to identify leisure activity patterns among older adults and explore the differences in the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) of these patterns.MethodsA total of 352 older adults aged ≥ 65 years in Shijiazhuang were enrolled in this study from June to September 2021. Their leisure activities and cognition were evaluated. Latent class analysis and logistic regression models were used for analysis. The manuscript was organized according to the STROBE guidelines.ResultsWe identified three latent classes of leisure activities: multidomain activities (MDA) class (55%), self-improvement activities (SIA) class (21%), and family-centered activities (FCA) class (24%). Three latent classes significantly differed in general characteristics (gender, education, and body mass index) and the prevalence of MCI. The prevalence of MCI was 3.694 times higher in older adults in the FCA class than in older adults in the MDA class (OR = 3.694, P < 0.001) and 2.573 times higher in older adults in the SIA class (OR = 2.573, P = 0.036).ConclusionPatterns of low participation in intellectual activities were associated with MCI. Identifying the heterogeneity in leisure activity engagement in later life was critical for tailoring interventions and designing programs that can improve the cognitive function of older adults.

IntroductionCognitive decline is a central manifestation of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and its process is inseparable from changes in synaptic plasticity. The aim of this review was to summarize and evaluate the effectiveness of exercise on cognitive function and synaptic plasticity in AD animal models.Materials and methodsEligible studies were searched from PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library from April to May 2022. The risk of bias was evaluated by Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation (SYRCLE). The Morris water maze (MWM) test and synaptic plasticity were considered outcome measures. Data were analyzed using random-effects meta-analyses using the software Stata. Heterogeneity was examined by using I2 test. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias were also assessed.ResultsA total of 20 randomized controlled studies were eligible for study inclusion. Compared with controls, exercise decreased escape latency (SMD = −0.86, 95% CI: −1.21 to −0.50, P < 0.001), increased platform crossover numbers (SMD = 1.34, 95% CI: 0.57–2.11, P = 0.001) and time in the target quadrant (SMD = 1.65, 95% CI: 0.95–2.36, P < 0.001) and the expression of PSD95 (SMD = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.25–1.21, P = 0.003) in AD animals. The results of the subgroup analysis showed that exercise before AD had a greater effect on escape latency (SMD = −0.88, 95% CI: −1.25 to −0.52, P < 0.001), platform crossover numbers (SMD = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.23–2.18, P < 0.001), time in the target quadrant (SMD = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.19–2.87, P < 0.001) and the expression of PSD95 (SMD = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.19–1.69, P = 0.014) than exercise after AD. The results of the subgroup analysis also showed that treadmill running might be an appropriate exercise type.ConclusionOur findings suggested that exercise had a potential effect on improving cognitive function and synaptic plasticity. It can play a better neuroprotective role before AD.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO, identifier: CRD42022328438.

Abnormal cognitive aging in older adults is a growing public health problem. Previous studies showed inconsistent results pertaining to the effects of leisure activities on cognitive function in older adults. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published observational longitudinal studies to examine and synthesize the effects of leisure activities on cognitive function in older adults. MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO), and Web of Science databases were searched from January 2012 to January 2022. Relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Most studies found that leisure activities had a positive effect on cognitive function in older adults. The pooled RR for the effect of leisure activity on cognitive function was 0.77 (95% CI: 0.72–0.81, p

Half‐Heusler compounds usually possess ultrahigh power factors, while the large thermal conductivity hinders the further optimization of their thermoelectric properties. Herein, from the perspective of material design, a new half‐Heusler lattice with low lattice thermal conductivity by using Zintl chemistry based on the composition of LiCdSb is rationally constructed. The weak bonding within the polyanions combined with the resonance vibration modes of Li+ contributes to the small lattice thermal conductivity of pristine LiCdSb as low as 3.2 W m−1 K−1 at 303 K and 0.85 W m−1 K−1 at 573 K. Ag doping is further conducted for boosting the electronic quality factor BE from 2.5 to 5.2 μW cm−1 K−2 due to the energy band modulation. As a result, a high power factor up to 21.35 μW cm−1 K−2 at 393 K is achieved in LiCd0.94Ag0.06Sb. In view of the low thermal conductivity, the figure of merit zT reaches 0.79 at 633 K. Herein, it is demonstrated that the half‐Heusler compound LiCdSb is a competitive thermoelectric parent, and low thermal conductivity can indeed be realized in half‐Heusler compounds through Zintl chemistry.

As defined by the Global Leaders Malnutrition Initiative (GLIM), malnutrition is strongly associated with a lower quality of life and poor prognosis in gastric cancer patients. However, few studies have precisely explored the predictors of malnutrition, as defined by the GLIM, for overall survival (OS) after gastric cancer surgery in subgroups of patients stratified according to population characteristics. Our research aimed to analyze whether the predictors of malnutrition defined by the GLIM for postoperative OS in gastric cancer patients differ across subgroups. Patients who underwent radical gastric cancer surgery at our center between July 2014 and February 2019 were included in the study. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to minimize bias. The study population was divided into malnourished and normal groups based on whether they were malnourished as defined by the GLIM. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the risk factors affecting OS. The Kaplan–Meier curve and log-rank test were performed to determine the survival rate difference between subgroups. Overall, 1,007 patients were enrolled in the research. Multivariate analysis showed that malnutrition among the patients was 33.47%. Additionally, GLIM-defined malnutrition was an independent risk factor [hazard ratio (HR): 1.429, P = 0.001] for a shorter OS in gastric cancer patients. Furthermore, subgroup analysis showed that the GLIM was more appropriate for predicting OS in older aged patients (≥65 years), females, those with comorbidities (Charlson comorbidity index ≥ 2), and those with advanced gastric cancer (TNM stage = 3). GLIM-defined malnutrition affects the long-term survival of gastric cancer patients, especially older patients, females, patients with comorbidities, and patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Abstract Background Cervicothoracic penetrating injury, considered to be relatively rare, has a complicated mechanism that is difficult to treat. In this report, a special case of cervicothoracic injury caused by foreign body penetration was elucidated. In this case, the injury location and the involved foreign body were exceptionally particular, which induced a challenging process of diagnosis and treatment. Case presentation A male patient suffered from a serious injury caused by a thick branch that pierced through his neck in a traffic accident between an electric car and a tricycle carrying wood. There were also local injuries in the left scapular region. After an emergency multidisciplinary consultation, the patient was diagnosed and subsequently treated with vascular exploration and repair (common carotid artery), intrathoracic foreign body extraction, chest exploration, debridement, and suture. After surgery, he was transferred to the emergency intensive care unit for anticoagulation and anti-infection treatment. Finally, after the improvement of his physical condition, the patient was transferred to the general ward for further treatment and was successfully discharged from the hospital. Once discharged, the patient lived a normal life, free from sequelae or complications. Conclusion It may be an extremely daunting task to cure cervicothoracic penetrating injury due to its rare occurrence in clinical practice. Different from the previous cervicothoracic traumas, the injury location in this case is exceedingly particular. In general, the common cervicothoracic trauma is associated with damage to the trachea, esophagus, throat, and other structures, easily resulting in dyspnea, which, however, does not occur in this case. The insertion position of foreign body is exceptionally particular as it does not pierce the common carotid artery but poses compression on it, which induces ischemia. It is essential for the successful treatment that the treatment plan is formulated via the detailed imaging examination and careful multidisciplinary consultation.

Malnutrition in patients with gastric cancer (GC) with normal body mass index (BMI) is often ignored. This study aimed to explore the role of sarcopenia in predicting postoperative complication and long‐term survival in patients with GC with normal BMI. We included patients with normal BMI (18.5 kg/m2 ≤ BMI

In order to reveal the change law of permeability of high-temperature granite under thermal shock, the permeability of granite specimens at different temperatures was investigated under four cooling conditions: natural cooling in air and thermal shock cooling in water (20 ℃, 60 ℃, 100 ℃). The change rule was analyzed, and the thermal shock damage at different cooling temperatures was quantitatively characterized with the help of the 'thermal shock factor'. The research results show that the increase in the permeability of specimen under thermal shock is exponentially related to the increase in rock temperature; cooling medium and the temperature difference between high-temperature rocks and the convective heat transfer coefficient together affect the rate of heat exchange during thermal shock process and then affect the result of thermal shock damage; the thermal shock factor can be used as a physical quantity to measure thermal shock damage ability; and the penetration of granite after thermal shock damage increases monotonously with the thermal shock factor to a threshold, after which the permeability of specimen increases greatly with the increase of the thermal shock factor.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling and the interleukin-6 (IL-6)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) are aberrantly activated in ovarian cancer. However, inhibition of EGFR signalling in ovarian cancer patients resulted in a disappointing clinical benefit. In this study, we found that EGFR could activate IL-6-STAT3 pathway in ovarian cancer cells. However, we also demonstrated that EGFR knockdown could increase STAT3 phosphorylation in HO8910 and OVCAR-3 ovarian cancer cells. Interestingly, we further demonstrated that the non-coding RNA miR-146b could simultaneously block both the EGFR and IL-6-STAT3 pathways. Finally, our data demonstrated that miR-146b overexpression resulted in a greater suppression of cell migration than STAT3 pathway inhibition alone.These results suggest a complex and heterogeneous role of EGFR in ovarian cancer. Combined blockade of EGFR and IL-6-STAT3 pathways by miR-146b might be a strategy for improving the clinical benefit of targeting the EGFR pathway in ovarian cancer patients in the future.

Abstract Herein, Co/CoP nanoparticles encapsulated with N, P-doped carbon nanotubes derived from the atomic layer deposited hexagonal metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are obtained by calcinations and subsequent phosphating and are employed as electrocatalyst. The electrocatalytic performance evaluations show that the as-prepared electrocatalyst exhibits an overpotential of 342 mV at current density of 10 mA cm−2 and the Tafel slope of 74 mV dec−1 for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), which is superior to the most advanced ruthenium oxide electrocatalyst. The electrocatalyst also shows better stability than the benchmark RuO2. After 9 h, the current density is only decreased by 10%, which is far less than the loss of RuO2. Moreover, its onset potential for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is 0.93 V and follows the ideal 4-electron approach. After the stability test, the current density of the electrocatalyst retains 94% of the initial value, which is better than Pt/C. The above results indicate that the electrocatalyst has bifunctional activity and excellent stability both for OER and ORR. It is believed that this strategy provides guidance for the synthesis of cobalt phosphide/carbon-based electrocatalysts.

Abstract Glutamate (Glu) is the predominant excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS). Glutamatergic transmission is critical for controlling neuronal activity. In presynaptic neurons, Glu is stored in synaptic vesicles and released by stimulation. The homeostasis of glutamatergic system is maintained by a set of transporters in the membrane of synaptic vesicles. The family of vesicular Glu transporters in mammals is comprised of three highly homologous proteins: VGLUT1-3. Among them, VGLUT1 accounts for the largest proportion. However, most of the Glu is transported into the synaptic vesicles via the type 1 vesicle Glu transporter (VGLUT1). So, the expression of particular VGLUT1 is largely complementary with limited overlap and so far it is most specific markers for neurons that use Glu as neurotransmitter. Controlling the activity of VGLUT1 could potentially modulate the efficiency of excitatory neuro-transmission and change the filling level of synaptic vesicles. This review summarizes the recent knowledge concerning molecular and functional characteristic of VGLUT1, their development, contribution to a series of central nervous system and peripheral nervous system diseases such as learning and memory disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and sensitized nociception or pain pathology et al.

This paper addresses the high-frequency performance limitations of graphene field-effect transistors (GFETs) caused by material imperfections. To understand these limitations, we performed a comprehensive study of the relationship between the quality of graphene and surrounding materials and the high-frequency performance of GFETs fabricated on a silicon chip. We measured the transit frequency (fT) and the maximum frequency of oscillation (fmax) for a set of GFETs across the chip, and as a measure of the material quality, we chose low-field carrier mobility. The low-field mobility varied across the chip from 600 cm2/Vs to 2000 cm2/Vs, while the fT and fmax frequencies varied from 20 GHz to 37 GHz. The relationship between these frequencies and the low-field mobility was observed experimentally and explained using a methodology based on a small-signal equivalent circuit model with parameters extracted from the drain resistance model and the charge-carrier velocity saturation model. Sensitivity analysis clarified the effects of equivalent-circuit parameters on the fT and fmax frequencies. To improve the GFET high-frequency performance, the transconductance was the most critical parameter, which could be improved by increasing the charge-carrier saturation velocity by selecting adjacent dielectric materials with optical phonon energies higher than that of SiO2.