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BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to global public health, especially for pregnant women and their offspring. However, little is known about the impact of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on neonatal outcomes, particularly in the context of coexisting gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).MethodsHospitalized pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection were retrospectively enrolled between November 2022 and January 2023, and matched with pregnant subjects free of SARS-CoV-2 infection based on their propensity scores. All women were tested for SARS-CoV-2 upon admission as part of routine procedures, then divided into groups of pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection and GDM (SARS2+GDM), pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection but without GDM (SARS2+noGDM), and pregnant women without SARS-CoV-2 infection or GDM (Normal group). A logistic regression model was used to study the risk of GDM, perinatal SARS-CoV-2 infection, and their interaction on neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infection.ResultsOf 378 pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection, the neonatal infection rate was higher in the GDM group as compared to the SARS-CoV-2 infection only group, but both SARS-CoV-2 infection rates were lower than that of the normal control group. Logistic regression analysis identified an interaction between maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection and GDM on neonatal infection, where maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection (odds ratio [OR] = 0.31, 95%CI: 0.22-0.44) and vaccination for anti-SARS-CoV-2 (OR = 0.70, 95%CI: 0.50-0.98) were associated with lower odds of neonatal infection, while higher pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) (OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.02-1.10) and GDM (OR = 1.97, 95%CI: 1.21-3.21) were associated with higher odds of neonatal infection.ConclusionsWe demonstrate that the coexistence of GDM and perinatal SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with an increased probability of neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The objective of this research is to reduce the speed fluctuation of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) due to periodic torque fluctuation. To achieve this, the authors designed a cascade control system based on Linear/Nonlinear Switching Active Disturbance Rejection Control (SADRC) and Quasi Resonant Controller (QRC). Periodic torque pulsations, mainly the first, second, and fourth harmonics, are analyzed first. The architecture of the SADRC and QRC cascade control systems is then established. Subsequently, the parameters of SADRC and QRC are calibrated by the bandwidth method, and a closed-loop system model of cascade control is developed. Ultimately, periodic load fluctuations with step load fluctuations are applied at the load side to ascertain the efficacy of the SADRC and QRC cascade control systems. The SADRC and QRC cascade control reduce the first, second, and fourth harmonics of speed fluctuations by 74%, 33%, and 47.5%, respectively, through the use of QRC current compensation in the presence of peak 2 N m periodic torque fluctuations. The SADRC and QRC cascade control systems demonstrate excellent performance in the context of cyclic and step load fluctuations.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure has been extensively linked to reproductive and developmental dysfunctions, yet the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. This study employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to investigate PM2.5-induced changes in uterine cell populations and gene expression profiles in mice during estrus and early pregnancy. Methodologically, we intranasally inoculated mice with 20 μL of 4.0 mg/mL PM2.5 suspension during their estrus and early pregnancy periods. Utilizing scRNA-seq analysis, we revealed significant alterations in cell type composition following PM2.5 exposure. Notably, we observed a marked decrease in the proportion of natural killer (NK) cells in PM2.5-exposed mice (2.00 % vs. 8.97 % in controls). Further functional enrichment analysis identified suppression of the IL-17 signaling pathway in NK cells as a key mechanism of PM2.5-induced toxicity. GSEA analysis showed in-depth details of the downregulated genes in this pathway, including Fosb, S100a8, Tnfaip3, IL-17a, and S100a9. PM2.5 exposure also disrupted intercellular communication within the uterine microenvironment, with the number of cell interactions decreasing from 483 to 315 and interaction strength reducing from 12.43 to 6.78 compared to controls. Histological examination revealed that PM2.5 exposure led to thinning of the endometrium and less prominent main branches in uterine tissues, and immunofluorescence assays corroborated the altered expression of IL-17 pathway components, showing enhanced Hsp90ab1 expression and reduced FOSB, S100A8, and S100A9 expression in PM2.5-exposed uterine tissues. These findings provide novel insights into the cellular mechanisms of PM2.5-induced reproductive toxicity, highlighting the IL-17 signaling pathway in uterine NK cells as a potential target for therapeutic interventions. Our results underscore the need for air quality regulations and open new avenues for developing biomarkers and targeted therapies to mitigate the reproductive risks associated with PM2.5 exposure.

There are many types of benign and malignant tissue, but primary lung tumor is very rare in children and often remains undiagnosed until after distant metastasis has occurred. Few cases of early lung adenocarcinoma in children have been reported. However, this case concerns an 11-year-old child with primary bilateral minimally invasive adenocarcinoma. As far as we know, this is the youngest reported case of its type.

The interfacial and electrochemical reactions on the passivation layers of chalcopyrite in alkaline solution was investigated. Fe was selectively leached out prior to Cu to form Fe--oxide and Fe--deficient Cu polysulfide layers in a series of tests. The results of the leaching experiments showed that the distribution of FeOOH and Fe2O3 with respect to depth of the passive layers was inhomogeneous. The composition of FeOOH reached a maximum at the surface (51.28 to 115.38 nm). Additionally, a transitional layer between oxides and sulfides consisting of Fe2O3, Cu sulfides, and Cu1-xFe1-yS2 (around 115.38 nm) exists with a fragile and strippable structure. The electrochemical experiments revealed that the key potential between the passive and trans-passive region is 0.3 VSCE. In the passive region, the chalcopyrite can be either passive or active depending on how it was brought to that potential. The semiconducting property of the chalcopyrite was demonstrated to exist but has minimal impact on the chalcopyrite leaching process compared to passivation and dissolution. At the trans-passive region, S0 was found at the potential of 0.4 VSCE, while sulfides were oxidized to sulfur species after 0.5 VSCE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of continental deep-subduction has been one of the forefront and core subjects to advance the plate tectonics theory in the twenty-first century. The Dabie-Sulu orogenic belt in China crops out the largest lithotectonic unit containing ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks in the world. Much of our understanding of the world's most enigmatic processes in continental deep-subduction zones has been deduced from various records in the Dabie-Sulu rocks. By taking these rocks as the natural laboratory, earth scientists have made seminal contributions to understanding of ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism and continental collision. This paper outlines twelve aspects of outstanding progress, including spatial distribution of the UHP metamorphic rocks, timing of the UHP metamorphism, time- scale of the UHP metamorphism, the protolith nature of deeply subducted continental crust, subduction erosion and crustal detachment during continental collision, the possible depths of continental subduction, fluid activity in the continental deep-subduction zone, partial melting during continental collision, element mobility in continental deep-subduction zone, recycling of subducted continental crust, geodynamic mechanism of postcollisional magmatism, and lithospheric architecture of collision orogen. Some intriguing questions and directions are also proposed for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Offers information on a study which explored the laserprobe oxygen isotope analysis of minerals from mantle-derived rocks in eastern China. Materials and methods; Discussion of results; Conclusions.