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Highlights A double-layered protective film based on zinc-based coordination compound and ZnF2-rich solid electrolyte interphase layer has been successfully fabricated on the zinc metal anode via electrode/electrolyte synergistic optimization. The double-layered architecture can effectively modulate Zn2+ flux and suppress the zinc dendrite growth, thus facilitating the uniform zinc deposition. The as-developed zinc-(dual) halogen batteries based on double-layered protective film can present high areal capacity and satisfactory cycling stability.

Abstract Background The specific relationship between PA in detailed types and cognition is still unclear due to limited evidence. Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between cognitive performance and various aspects of physical activity, including overall activity, dosage, intensity levels [moderate physical activity (MPA), vigorous PA], and different domains of activity [occupational PA (OPA), transportation PA (TPA), and leisure-time PA (LTPA)] in older adults using data from the NHANES database. Methods This cross-sectional analysis used data from 2 cycles of NHANES (2011–2014). PA was determined through participants' self-reports using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Cognitive performance was evaluated by the presence of psychometric mild cognitive impairment (p-MCI), identified based on a composite measure derived from three cognitive tests including the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD), the Animal Fluency test, and the Digit Symbol Substitution test (DSST). Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association. Results A total of 2588 participants aged 60 years or older were included, with an average age of 69.4 years and 48% being male. In the fully adjusted model, compared to no PA, performing 300 min of PA, and MPA were associated with 44%, and 33% reductions in the prevalence of p-MCI, respectively. Additionally, engaging in 1–149 min/week [OR 0.56, 95% CI (0.33–0.92)] and ≥ 300 min/week [OR 0.66, 95% CI (0.44–0.96)] of OPA, as well as ≥ 300 min/week [OR 0.56, 95% CI (0.36–0.86)] of LTPA, were also associated with a lower prevalence of p-MCI. Additionally, engaging in a diverse range of PA had better outcomes. Conclusions Our results suggested a positive association between higher levels of PA and enhanced cognitive performance. Different intensities and domains of PA have varying impacts on cognition. Future exploration, such as objectively measured PA and longitudinal studies were needed to validate our conclusion.

Abstract Due to the potential health risks of synthetic food preservatives, there has been a noticeable increase in interest in finding natural food preservatives during the past few decades. The goal of this study was to investigate the use of a natural extract of Myrrh resin as an antimicrobial agent. The antioxidant properties of Myrrh resin extract (MRE) were analyzed using HPLC and GC–MS. The results showed that MRE contained potent antioxidant compounds, including 19 compounds, with the dominant compound being kaempferol, which had the highest value of 1896 µg/g. Quercetin was found to be the second most abundant compound, with a value of 520 µg/g.The efficacy of MRE as an antimicrobial agent against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was tested, and its application in Cacao beverages was also studied. The results demonstrated that MRE was highly effective against all the tested bacteria both in vitro and in the total bacterial count of the produced cacao beverage. Additionally, the fungi in the cacao beverage were completely inhibited at all tested concentrations of MRE. The total soluble solids (TSS), pH value, and acidity of the produced untreated, treated cacao beverage with MRE and sodium benzoate were carried out, and all values mentioned were almost the same, with no differences noted. The sensory evaluation of Cacao beverage showed that the MRE had a minor impact on taste, odor, color, and texture of the produced cacao beverage in comparison with the control sample, which was very acceptable for judgments and recorded 95, 88, and 94 for the control and treated samples, respectively. Furthermore, the anti-cancer properties of MRE were evaluated, revealing significant cytotoxic effects against colon cancer (HCT) and liver cancer (HEPG2) cell lines. The IC50 values for HCT and HEPG2 cells were 55.69 µg/ml and 70.78 µg/ml, respectively, indicating the potential of MRE as an anti-cancer agent.

Abstract Traditional methods for understanding geological conditions, such as borehole drilling and on-site tests, are often costly and impractical for extensive urban areas like Wuhan’s Main Urban Area. This study introduces an innovative geological–geotechnical zoning framework that utilizes limited data to overcome these challenges, essential for urban planning, underground space development, and construction design. We began by dividing the study area into four primary geological units based on geomorphological characteristics, using a novel method validated at four metro stations. Our approach incorporated data from 1544 geological boreholes to compile a comprehensive database, from which six typical stratigraphic profiles for each unit were identified. These profiles facilitated the estimation of potential layers and their corresponding geotechnical parameters, and the identification of subsurface hazards. The study resulted in a detailed engineering geological zoning divided into nine secondary units. Our analysis not only demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed criteria for geomorphological units in achieving more accurate and quantifiable outcomes but also shows the framework’s suitability for regions with complex sedimentary conditions. The resultant engineering geological zoning enhances understanding of geological risks, providing a foundation for safer and more sustainable urban development.

Abstract The fungal pathogen Didymella segeticola causes leaf spot and leaf blight on tea plant (Camellia sinensis), leading to production losses and affecting tea quality and flavor. Accurate detection and quantification of D. segeticola growth in tea plant leaves are crucial for diagnosing disease severity or evaluating host resistance. In this study, we monitored disease progression and D. segeticola development in tea plant leaves inoculated with a GFP-expressing strain. By contrast, a DNA-based qRT-PCR analysis was employed for a more convenient and maneuverable detection of D. segeticola growth in tea leaves. This method was based on the comparison of D. segeticola-specific DNA encoding a Cys2His2-zinc-finger protein (NCBI accession number: OR987684) in relation to tea plant Cs18S rDNA1. Unlike ITS and TUB2 sequences, this specific DNA was only amplified in D. segeticola isolates, not in other tea plant pathogens. This assay is also applicable for detecting D. segeticola during interactions with various tea cultivars. Among the five cultivars tested, ‘Zhongcha102’ (ZC102) and ‘Fuding-dabaicha’ (FDDB) were more susceptible to D. segeticola compared with ‘Longjing43’ (LJ43), ‘Zhongcha108’ (ZC108), and ‘Zhongcha302’ (ZC302). Different D. segeticola isolates also exhibited varying levels of aggressiveness towards LJ43. In conclusion, the DNA-based qRT-PCR analysis is highly sensitive, convenient, and effective method for quantifying D. segeticola growth in tea plant. This technique can be used to diagnose the severity of tea leaf spot and blight or to evaluate tea plant resistance to this pathogen.

Abstract Background Permanent left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) has been established as an effective means to correct left bundle branch block. Right bundle branch block (RBBB), emerge as a distinct form of cardiac conduction abnormality, can be seen in the context of LBBAP procedure. However, the correction potential of LBBAP in patients with RBBB remains largely unexplored. Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of permanent LBBAP in patients with RBBB. Methods Ninety-two consecutive patients who underwent successful permanent LBBAP were recruited from May. 2019 to Dec. 2022 in Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital. Among them, 20 patients with RBBB were included in our analysis. These patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post-LBBAP. The QRS duration (QRSd) on the V1 lead of the 12-lead elctrocardiogram was measured and compared before and after the LBBAP procedure. Additionally, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid regurgitation and cardiac function were assessed using transthoracic echocardiography, specifically focusing on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and mitral regurgitation severity. The acute pitfills and delayed complications associated with the LBBAP procedure were recorded to evaluate its safety. SPSS 23.0 was used to perform statistical analysis with Student’s t test or one way ANOVA or nonparametric tests (paired Wilcoxon test). A p value less than 0.05 was defined as significant. Results The demographic breakdown of the RBBB cohort revealed a mean age of 66.35 ± 11.55 years, 60% being male. Comorbidities were prevalent, including severe atrioventricular block (AVB) in 75%, sick sinus syndrome (SSS) in 20%, heart failure in 25%, atrial fibrillation in 30%, coronary heart diseases in 45%, hypertension in 35%, and diabetes mellitus in 15%. Regarding the LBBAP procedure, the average operation time was 106.53 ± 2.72 min, with 45% of patients (9 individuals) requiring temporary cardiac pacing during the surgery. Notably, the LBBAP procedure significantly narrow the QRS duration in RBBB patients, from 132.60 ± 31.49ms to 119.55 ± 18.58 ms (P = 0.046). Additionally, at the 12-month follow-up, we observed a marked improvement in LVEF, which increased significantly from 55.15 ± 10.84% to 58.5 ± 10.55% (P = 0.018). Furthermore, mitral regurgitation severity improved, with a median reduction from 4.46 (0.9, 7.3) to 2.29 (0, 3.49) cm2 (P = 0.033). Importantly, no cases of ventricular septum perforation or pericardial effusion were reported during the LBBAP procedure or during the follow-up period. Conclusion LBBAP provides an immediate reduction in QRS duration for patients suffering from RBBB, accompanied by improvements in mitral regurgitation and cardiac function as evident in the 12-month follow-up period.

Abstract Background The active functionalities of RNA are recognized to be heavily dependent on the structure and sequence. Therefore, a model that can accurately evaluate a design by giving RNA sequence-structure pairs would be a valuable tool for many researchers. Machine learning methods have been explored to develop such tools, showing promising results. However, two key issues remain. Firstly, the performance of machine learning models is affected by the features used to characterize RNA. Currently, there is no consensus on which features are the most effective for characterizing RNA sequence-structure pairs. Secondly, most existing machine learning methods extract features describing entire RNA molecule. We argue that it is essential to define additional features that characterize nucleotides and specific sections of RNA structure to enhance the overall efficacy of the RNA design process. Results We develop two deep learning models for evaluating RNA sequence-secondary structure pairs. The first model, NU-ResNet, uses a convolutional neural network architecture that solves the aforementioned problems by explicitly encoding RNA sequence-structure information into a 3D matrix. Building upon NU-ResNet, our second model, NUMO-ResNet, incorporates additional information derived from the characterizations of RNA, specifically the 2D folding motifs. In this work, we introduce an automated method to extract these motifs based on fundamental secondary structure descriptions. We evaluate the performance of both models on an independent testing dataset. Our proposed models outperform the models from literatures in this independent testing dataset. To assess the robustness of our models, we conduct 10-fold cross validation. To evaluate the generalization ability of NU-ResNet and NUMO-ResNet across different RNA families, we train and test our proposed models in different RNA families. Our proposed models show superior performance compared to the models from literatures when being tested across different independent RNA families. Conclusions In this study, we propose two deep learning models, NU-ResNet and NUMO-ResNet, to evaluate RNA sequence-secondary structure pairs. These two models expand the field of data-driven approaches for learning RNA. Furthermore, these two models provide the new method to encode RNA sequence-secondary structure pairs.

Abstract Background The metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR) has been validated as a novel, simple, and reliable surrogate marker for insulin resistance; however, its utility for evaluating the prognosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains to be elucidated. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the association between METS-IR and the long-term prognosis of HFpEF. Methods We enrolled a total of 4,702 participants with HFpEF in this study. The participants were divided into three groups according to METS-IR tertiles: (Ln [2 × fasting plasma glucose + fasting triglycerides] × body mass index) / (Ln [high-density lipoprotein cholesterol]). The occurrence of primary endpoints, including all-cause mortality and cardiovascular (CV) death, was documented. Results There were 3,248 participants with HFpEF (mean age, 65.7 ± 13.8 years; male, 59.0%) in total who were included in the final analysis. The incidence of primary outcomes from the lowest to the highest METS-IR tertiles were 46.92, 86.01, and 124.04 per 1000 person-years for all-cause death and 26.75, 49.01, and 64.62 per 1000 person-years for CV death. The multivariate Cox hazards regression analysis revealed hazard ratios for all-cause and CV deaths of 2.48 (95% CI 2.10–2.93; P

Automated pavement condition survey is of critical importance to road network management. There are three primary tasks involved in pavement condition surveys, namely data collection, data processing and condition evaluation. Artificial intelligence (AI) has achieved many breakthroughs in almost every aspect of modern technology over the past decade, and undoubtedly offers a more robust approach to automated pavement condition survey. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review on data collection systems, data processing algorithms and condition evaluation methods proposed between 2010 and 2023 for intelligent pavement condition survey. In particular, the data collection system includes AI-driven hardware devices and automated pavement data collection vehicles. The AI-driven hardware devices including right-of-way (ROW) cameras, ground penetrating radar (GPR) devices, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) devices, and advanced laser imaging systems, etc. These different hardware components can be selectively mounted on a vehicle to simultaneously collect multimedia information about the pavement. In addition, this article pays close attention to the application of artificial intelligence methods in detecting pavement distresses, measuring pavement roughness, identifying pavement rutting, analyzing skid resistance and evaluating structural strength of pavements. Based upon the analysis of a variety of the state-of-the-art artificial intelligence methodologies, remaining challenges and future needs with respect to intelligent pavement condition survey are discussed eventually.

Abstract Tertiary lymphoid structures are immune cell aggregates linked with cancer outcomes, but their interactions with tumour cell aggregates are unclear. Using nasopharyngeal carcinoma as a model, here we analyse single-cell transcriptomes of 343,829 cells from 77 biopsy and blood samples and spatially-resolved transcriptomes of 31,316 spots from 15 tumours to decipher their components and interactions with tumour cell aggregates. We identify essential cell populations in tertiary lymphoid structure, including CXCL13+ cancer-associated fibroblasts, stem-like CXCL13+CD8+ T cells, and B and T follicular helper cells. Our study shows that germinal centre reaction matures plasma cells. These plasma cells intersperse with tumour cell aggregates, promoting apoptosis of EBV-related malignant cells and enhancing immunotherapy response. CXCL13+ cancer-associated fibroblasts promote B cell adhesion and antibody production, activating CXCL13+CD8+ T cells that become exhausted in tumour cell aggregates. Tertiary lymphoid structure-related cell signatures correlate with prognosis and PD-1 blockade response, offering insights for therapeutic strategies in cancers.

We construct correlation-based networks linking 86 assets (stock indices, bond indices, foreign exchange rates, commodity futures, and cryptocurrencies) and analyze the impact of asset selection on portfolio optimization using different centrality measures (including degree, eigenvector, eccentricity, betweenness, PageRank, and hybrid centralities). In times of a global crisis, peripheral assets located in cross-market networks are more suitable for investment. By comparing portfolio performance based on different centrality measures, we find that (i) hybrid, eigenvector, and PageRank centralities can best improve portfolio performance; (ii) degree centrality is suitable for larger portfolios; and (iii) eccentricity and betweenness centralities are unsuitable for network optimization portfolios. In response, we explain them based on the construction principle of centrality measures. Additionally, our optimal portfolios suggest that investors pay more attention to the role of emerging countries, which are less exposed to external shocks and whose financial markets are more likely to remain stable.

Abstract Background This study aimed to evaluate the causal relationship between Interleukin-27 (IL-27) and osteoporosis by bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Methods Firstly, the genome-wide association study summary data of osteoporosis (finn-b-M13_OSTEOPOROSIS) and IL-27 levels (ebi-a-GCST90012017) were picked out from the Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU) OpenGWAS database. After filtrating instrumental variables (IVs), the bidirectional MR analysis between IL-27 levels and osteoporosis was performed by MR-Egger, Weighted median, Simple mode, Weighted mode, and Inverse variance weighted (IVW). Subsequently, the sensitivity analysis was adopted to evaluate the reliability of the MR results via the Heterogeneity, Horizontal pleiotropy test and Leave-One-Out (LOO) analysis. Finally, the enrichment analysis of genes corresponding to SNPs related to IL-27 levels derived from eQTLGen database was executed to explore in depth the biological function and regulatory mechanism of these genes on osteoporosis occurrence. Results The bidirectional MR results based on IVW method revealed that IL-27 level as a risk factor was causally related to osteoporosis (P = 0.004, odds ratio (OR) = 1.123, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.037–1.217), whereas osteoporosis was not in significant connection with IL-27 levels (P > 0.05). In regard to the sensitivity analysis for forward MR results, there was no heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy, and no SNPs relevant to IL-27 levels existed severe bias, suggesting the reliability of forward MR analysis. Furthermore, a total of 74 genes corresponding to 26 SNPs of IL-27 levels were obtained and were mainly involved in immune and inflammatory pathways including MyD88-dependent toll-like receptor signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway and so forth. Conclusions This study supported that IL-27 level as a risk factor was causally connected with osteoporosis and might regulate the disease occurrence and progression by means of immune and inflammatory mechanisms, which could provide important reference and evidence for further exploring the role of IL-27 in the development of osteoporosis.

Abstract Atomically thin semiconductor heterostructures provide a two-dimensional (2D) device platform for creating high densities of cold, controllable excitons. Interlayer excitons (IEs), bound electrons and holes localized to separate 2D quantum well layers, have permanent out-of-plane dipole moments and long lifetimes, allowing their spatial distribution to be tuned on demand. Here, we employ electrostatic gates to trap IEs and control their density. By electrically modulating the IE Stark shift, electron-hole pair concentrations above 2 × 1012 cm−2 can be achieved. At this high IE density, we observe an exponentially increasing linewidth broadening indicative of an IE ionization transition, independent of the trap depth. This runaway threshold remains constant at low temperatures, but increases above 20 K, consistent with the quantum dissociation of a degenerate IE gas. Our demonstration of the IE ionization in a tunable electrostatic trap represents an important step towards the realization of dipolar exciton condensates in solid-state optoelectronic devices.

Abstract This study conducted a comparison of the nutritional content and lipid composition of five different varieties of quinoa (QL-1, SJ-1, SJ-2, KL-1, and KL-2) from Qinghai Province, China. Each of the five varieties exhibited varying levels of essential nutrients, including crude protein, dietary fiber, and crude fat. The QL-1 variety has the highest concentration of phytic acid, measuring 1.66 g/100 g. A non-targeted lipomics analysis discovered a total of 16 lipid categories and 383 individual lipids in quinoa. Out of the several substances, glyceride had the highest concentration, exceeding 70%, with phospholipids coming next. The percentage of fatty acids and fatty acid esters was between 5 and 11%. The glycerides in all five kinds exhibited a similar composition, with unsaturated glycerides constituting over 99% of the total glycerides. Phospholipids constituted over 11% of the overall lipid content, with lecithin comprising more than 80% and cephalin ranging from 16.70 to 18.61%. The results establish a solid basis for the utilization of quinoa in processing, particularly in lipid processing. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal cancers worldwide. Numerous studies have shown that metabolic reprogramming is crucial for the development of HCC. Carbamoyl phosphate synthase 1 (CPS1), a rate‐limiting enzyme in urea cycle, is an abundant protein in normal hepatocytes, however, lacking systemic research in HCC. It is found that CPS1 is low‐expressed in HCC tissues and circulating tumor cells, negatively correlated with HCC stage and prognosis. Further study reveals that CPS1 is a double‐edged sword. On the one hand, it inhibits the activity of phosphatidylcholine‐specific phospholipase C to block the biosynthesis of diacylglycerol (DAG), leading to the downregulation of the DAG/protein kinase C pathway to inhibit invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. On the other hand, CPS1 promotes cell proliferation by increasing intracellular S‐adenosylmethionin to enhance the m6A modification of solute carrier family 1 member 3 mRNA, a key transporter for aspartate intake. Finally, CPS1 overexpressing adeno‐associated virus can dampen HCC progression. Collectively, this results uncovered that CPS1 is a switch between HCC proliferation and metastasis by increasing intracellular aspartate level.

Summary: Alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) is an important molecule in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias such as Lewy body dementia, forming multiple pathological species. In vitro disease models, including human neurons and α-Syn-transfected cells, are instrumental to understand synucleinopathies or test new therapies. Here, we provide a detailed protocol to generate human neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and HEK cells, with α-Syn mutations. We also describe multiple assays to determine the various α-Syn forms. : Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.

Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can perform tasks of key relevance in fat cells, contributing, when defective, to the burden of obesity and its sequelae. Here, scrutiny of adipose tissue transcriptomes before and after bariatric surgery (GSE53378) granted identification of 496 lncRNAs linked to the obese phenotype. Only expression of linc-GALNTL6-4 displayed an average recovery over 2-fold and FDR-adjusted p-value

ABSTRACTIn this work, wire arc additive manufactured IN718 materials with different textures and defect characteristics were obtained via two deposition strategies: parallel mode (P_mode) and oscillation mode (O_mode). The influences of these microstructure variables on the low-cycle fatigue (LCF) properties were systematically investigated by experimental and crystal plasticity finite element (CPFE) frameworks. Results revealed that the weak texture of the O_mode sample may be detrimental to LCF due to strain incompatibility between adjacent grains. However, large-sized pore defects in the P_mode samples significantly increased the dispersity of LCF life. The sensitivity of fatigue crack initiation to critical defect size and location was further accurately captured based on the stored energy density criterion, and the fatigue crack nucleation life was also quantified. Finally, the LCF limit was calculated based on the Coffin–Manson equation, and the life prediction intervals of WAAMed-IN718 alloys with different deposition strategies were unified.

AbstractBackground The incidence of mortality is considerable after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) hospitalization; risk assessment is needed to guide postdischarge management. Age shock index (SI) and age modified shock index (MSI) were described as useful prognosis instruments; nevertheless, their predictive effect on short and long-term postdischarge mortality has not yet been sufficiently confirmed.Methods This analysis included 3389 prospective patients enrolled from 2016 to 2018. Endpoints were postdischarge mortality within 30 days and from 30 days to 1 year. Hazard ratios (HRs) were evaluated by Cox proportional-hazards regression. Predictive performances were assessed by area under the curve (AUC), integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), net reclassification improvement (NRI) and decision curve analysis (DCA) and compared with TIMI risk score and GRACE score.Results The AUCs were 0.753, 0.746 for age SI and 0.755, 0.755 for age MSI for short- and long-term postdischarge mortality. No significant AUC differences and NRI were observed compared with the classic scores; decreased IDI was observed especially for long-term postdischarge mortality. Multivariate analysis revealed significantly higher short- and long-term postdischarge mortality for patients with high age SI (HR: 5.44 (2.73–10.85), 5.34(3.18–8.96)), high age MSI (HR: 4.17(1.78–9.79), 5.75(3.20–10.31)) compared to counterparts with low indices. DCA observed comparable clinical usefulness for predicting short-term postdischarge mortality. Furthermore, age SI and age MSI were not significantly associated with postdischarge prognosis for patients who received fibrinolysis.Conclusions Age SI and age MSI were valuable instruments to identify high postdischarge mortality with comparable predictive ability compared with the classic scores, especially for events within 30 days after hospitalization.

Abstract BackgroundSince the release of ChatGPT in November 2022, this emerging technology has garnered a lot of attention in various fields, and nursing is no exception. However, to date, no study has comprehensively summarized the status and opinions of using ChatGPT across different nursing fields. ObjectiveWe aim to synthesize the status and opinions of using ChatGPT according to different nursing fields, as well as assess ChatGPT’s strengths, weaknesses, and the potential impacts it may cause. MethodsThis scoping review was conducted following the framework of Arksey and O’Malley and guided by the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews). A comprehensive literature research was conducted in 4 web-based databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CINHAL) to identify studies reporting the opinions of using ChatGPT in nursing fields from 2022 to September 3, 2023. The references of the included studies were screened manually to further identify relevant studies. Two authors conducted studies screening, eligibility assessments, and data extraction independently. ResultsA total of 30 studies were included. The United States (7 studies), Canada (5 studies), and China (4 studies) were countries with the most publications. In terms of fields of concern, studies mainly focused on “ChatGPT and nursing education” (20 studies), “ChatGPT and nursing practice” (10 studies), and “ChatGPT and nursing research, writing, and examination” (6 studies). Six studies addressed the use of ChatGPT in multiple nursing fields. ConclusionsAs an emerging artificial intelligence technology, ChatGPT has great potential to revolutionize nursing education, nursing practice, and nursing research. However, researchers, institutions, and administrations still need to critically examine its accuracy, safety, and privacy, as well as academic misconduct and potential ethical issues that it may lead to before applying ChatGPT to practice.

Background and aimEstimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is a key indicator of kidney function and is associated with numerous health conditions. This study examines the association between eGFR and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in a representative cohort of the US adult population.MethodsA cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2007 to 2018. The study included 31,020 participants aged 20 years and older. The eGFR estimates were calculated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. CVD was defined as a self-reported physician's diagnosis of congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, or stroke. To assess the association between eGFR and CVD risk, the study employed weighted linear regression and generalized additive models.ResultsThe study revealed a significant non-linear inverse association between eGFR and CVD risk, with a threshold effect observed at 99.3 ml/min/1.73 m². Below this threshold, each 10-unit increase in eGFR was associated with a 13% decrease in the odds of CVD (OR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.84–0.90, P

In biological systems, nanobubbles (NBs) effectively enhance hydrogen molecule retention and scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. To investigate this, we prepared hydrogen NB water samples with consistent dissolved hydrogen levels but varying NB densities to explore their physicochemical properties and effects on green algae (Chlorella vulgaris) under oxidative stress induced by copper ions (Cu2+) and cadmium ions (Cd2+). The results indicated a strong correlation between the hydrogen NB number density and the 25 % inhibitory concentration of Cu2+ over 24 h, with ROS removal efficiency increased with the NB number density. Gas chromatography showed that the hydrogen NBs in the solution had a high gas density that enhanced hydrogen transport into C. vulgaris. With regard to mitochondrial activity, hydrogen NBs were observed to enhance the function of mitochondrial complexes I and V and increase the mitochondrial membrane potential. Experiments with C. vulgaris mitochondrial electrodes showed that the electron transfer rates increased significantly in the presence of hydrogen NBs. We concluded that the high gas density of hydrogen NBs augments intracellular hydrogen delivery and strengthens mitochondrial functions.

Traditional designs and developments of bone biomaterials mostly concentrate on the positive regulation of osteoblast lineage cells, but often ignore the importance of immune responses and the equilibrium between bone resorption mediated by osteoclasts and bone formation mediated by osteoblasts. Immune dysregulation is associated with an imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory processes, which may influence the efficacy of bone therapy. Therefore, implanted biomaterials should appropriately and precisely modulate subsequent immune responses. Magnesium (Mg) has been used to fabricate various Mg alloys for bone repair because of its favorable attributes such as osteogenic potential, immune regulation characteristics, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. Various basic research and clinical trials have been already conducted in many countries to explore the physical properties of Mg-containing implants and their clinical outcomes in bone fracture and defect repair. Therefore, this review summarizes the immune response to Mg-containing implants, and further organizes the current research and development progress of Mg-containing implants. The review aims to offer an overview of the current knowledge on immunomodulation of Mg-containing implants and future challenges in their clinical application, which could provide further insight in the development of better strategies for the treatment of bone defect and fracture.

Abstract The utilization of high-risk test cases constitutes an effective approach to enhance the safety testing of autonomous vehicles (AVs) and enhance their efficiency. This research paper presents a derivation of 2052 high-hazard pre-crash scenarios for testing autonomous driving, which were based on 23 high-hazard cut-in accident scenarios from the National Automobile Accident In-Depth Investigation System (NAIS) through combining importance sampling and combined testing methods. Compared to the direct combination of the original distribution after sampling, the proposed method has a 2.92 times higher crash rate of 69.32% for the test case set in this paper. It also has a 5.8 times higher rate of triggering Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), improving hazardous scenario coverage. Using the proposed method, the generated parameters of the cut-in accident scenario test set were compared with those of the cut-in test scenarios included in existing Chinese autonomous driving test protocols and standards. The velocity of the ego-vehicle obtained using the proposed method matched those in the existing protocols, whereas the velocity, time gap, and time to collision of the target vehicle were significantly lower than those existing protocols indicating scenarios obtained from accident data can enrich the selection of testing scenarios for autonomous driving.

Abstract Background Reactive astrocytes participate in various pathophysiology after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), including neuroinflammation, glymphatic–lymphatic system dysfunction, brain edema, BBB disruption, and cell death. Astrocytes transform into two new reactive phenotypes with changed morphology, altered gene expression, and secretion profiles, termed detrimental A1 and beneficial A2. This study investigates the effect of 67LR activation by PEDF-34, a PEDF peptide, on neuroinflammation and astrocyte polarization after the experimental SAH. Methods A total of 318 male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were used in experiments in vivo, of which 272 rats were subjected to the endovascular perforation model of SAH and 46 rats underwent sham surgery. 67LR agonist (PEDF-34) was administrated intranasally 1 h after SAH. 67LR-specific inhibitor (NSC-47924) and STAT1 transcriptional activator (2-NP) were injected intracerebroventricularly 48 h before SAH. Short- and long-term neurological tests, brain water content, immunostaining, Nissl staining, western blot, and ELISA assay were performed. In experiments in vitro, primary astrocyte culture with hemoglobin (Hb) stimulation was used to mimic SAH. The expression of the PEDF-34/67LR signaling pathway and neuro-inflammatory cytokines were assessed using Western blot, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry assays both in vivo and in vitro. Results Endogenous PEDF and 67LR expressions were significantly reduced at 6 h after SAH. 67LR was expressed in astrocytes and neurons. Intranasal administration of PEDF-34 significantly reduced brain water content, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and short-term and long-term neurological deficits after SAH. The ratio of p-JNK/JNK and p-STAT1/STAT1 and the expression of CFB and C3 (A1 astrocytes marker), significantly decreased after PEDF-34 treatment, along with fewer expression of TNF-α and IL-1β at 24 h after SAH. However, 2-NP (STAT1 transcriptional activator) and NSC-47924 (67LR inhibitor) reversed the protective effects of PEDF-34 in vivo and in vitro by promoting A1 astrocyte polarization with increased inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion PEDF-34 activated 67LR, attenuating neuroinflammation and inhibiting astrocyte A1 polarization partly via the JNK/STAT1 pathway, suggesting that PEDF-34 might be a potential treatment for SAH patients. Graphical Abstract

Highlights Elephant trunk-inspired anisotropic wrinkling structures were formed on a sandwich-like conductive film through a controlled shrinking method. The wrinkled conductive network could withstand up to 200% tensile strain and exhibits a strain-enhanced electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness when stretching parallel to the electric field polarization direction.

A low-energy plasma electrolytic oxidation (LePEO) technique is developed to simultaneously improve energy efficiency and anti-corrosion. Ionic liquids (1‑butyl‑3-methylimidazole tetrafluoroborate (BmimBF4)) as sustainable corrosion inhibitors are chosen to investigate the corrosion inhibition behavior of ionic liquid (ILs) during the LePEO process for LA91 magnesium–lithium (Mg–Li) alloy. Results show that the ionic liquid BmimBF4 participates in the LePEO coating formation process, causing an increment in coating thickness and surface roughness. The low conductivity of the ionic liquid is responsible for the voltage and breakdown voltage increases during the LePEO with IL process (LePEO-IL). After adding BmimBF4, corrosion current density decreases from 1.159 × 10−4 A·cm−2 to 8.143 × 10−6 A·cm−2. The impedance modulus increases to 1.048 × 104 Ω·cm−2 and neutral salt spray remains intact for 24 h. The superior corrosion resistance of the LePEO coating assisted by ionic liquid could be mainly attributed to its compact and thick barrier layer and physical absorption of ionic liquid. The ionic liquid-assisted LePEO technique provides a promising approach to reducing energy consumption and improving film performance.

Abstract Estimating nonlinear functions of quantum states, such as the moment $${{{\rm{tr}}}}({\rho }^{m})$$ tr ( ρ m ) , is of fundamental and practical interest in quantum science and technology. Here we show a quantum-classical hybrid framework to measure them, where the quantum part is constituted by the generalized swap test, and the classical part is realized by postprocessing the result from randomized measurements. This hybrid framework utilizes the partial coherent power of the intermediate-scale quantum processor and, at the same time, dramatically reduces the number of quantum measurements and the cost of classical postprocessing. We demonstrate the advantage of our framework in the tasks of state-moment estimation and quantum error mitigation.

Abstract Background To analyze the risk factors for the development of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head after reduction surgery in children with developmental hip dysplasia (DDH), and to establish a prediction nomogram. Methods The clinical data of 134 children with DDH (169 hips) treated with closure reduction or open reduction from December 2016 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Independent risk factors for AVN after DDH reduction being combined with cast external immobilization were determined by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression and used to generate nomograms predicting the occurrence of AVN. Results A total of 169 hip joints in 134 children met the inclusion criteria, with a mean age at surgery of 10.7 ± 4.56 months (range: 4–22 months) and a mean follow-up duration of 38.32 ± 27.00 months (range: 12–94 months). AVN developed in 42 hip joints (24.9%); univariate analysis showed that the International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) grade, preoperative development of the femoral head ossification nucleus, cartilage acetabular index, femoral head to acetabular Y-shaped cartilage distance, residual acetabular dysplasia, acetabular abduction angle exceeding 60°, and the final follow-up acetabular index (AI) were associated with the development of AVN (P

Abstract The utilization and development of urban underground space play a crucial role in optimizing the layout of civic architecture and enhancing the urban ecological environment, which contributes toward increasing the overall carrying capacity and promoting sustainable development in megacities. To delve into the research progress of urban underground space, knowledge maps were created using the information visualization software VOSviewer. The literature was systematically extracted from three prominent databases, namely, Web of Science, Scopus, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. According to the bibliometric analysis of the co‐citation and core words co‐occurrence, the trends and challenges of research on urban underground space were identified. As highlighted by the results obtained, it still remains highly challenging to achieve interdisciplinary collaboration in urban underground space research; the research trends of urban underground space consist of collaborative planning and whole life cycle sustainable development, multisource geological data informatization and resource evaluation, infrastructure design optimization, and intelligent construction. The knowledge map, drawn using bibliometric methods, offers a quantitative analysis of literature retrieval across various levels. It is recognized as an essential tool for exploring and identifying challenges and trends in urban underground space.

Introduction: Posterior subtenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide (PSTA) is commonly done to treat refractory cases of macular edema. Complications may arise from the procedure as well as from the use of the periocular steroid medications. Side effects include subconjunctival hemorrhage, progression of cataract, scleral perforation (resulting in subretinal, subhyaloid, or intravitreal injection of the drug), retinal detachment, ptosis, orbital fat prolapse, orbital abscess, infectious scleritis, ocular hypertension, and scleral abscess. Here we describe a case of inadvertent subretinal triamcinolone acetonide (TA) deposition from a PSTA procedure without any adverse vision-threatening outcomes. Case Presentation: We report a patient who presented with a history of superior temporal left eye macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, which was successfully repaired with a scleral buckle (SB), pars plana vitrectomy, and gas placement. Due to persistent diplopia, the SB was removed after 1 year post-operatively. Due to the development of cystoid macular edema, a PSTA was performed after the patient failed topical steroids and NSAIDs. The procedure was halted early due to unexpected resistance during the injection. A dilated fundus exam showed the presence of subretinal triamcinolone acetonide. The patient was observed and found to have no complications with almost complete resolution of the triamcinolone acetonide after 3 months. Conclusion: In previous SB patients, it is important to highlight the risk of globe penetration, subretinal deposition of TA, formation of retinal breaks, or reopening of prior retinal breaks with posterior subtenon injection, which could have adverse effects on the local retina as well as the risk of retinal detachment.

Abstract Background Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a highly lethal form of lung cancer. Despite advancements in treatments, managing LUAD is still challenging due to its aggressive behavior. Recent studies indicate that various molecular pathways, including the dysregulation of ferredoxin 1 (FDX1), play roles in LUAD progression. FDX1, a crucial protein in cellular redox reactions and energy metabolism, has been linked to several cancers. However, its exact role in the development of LUAD is not yet fully understood. Methods We investigated the role of ferredoxin 1 (FDX1) in LUAD progression through analysis of its expression in LUAD tissues and its impact on patient survival. Functional assays were performed to assess the effects of FDX1 overexpression on LUAD cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. A xenograft model was employed to evaluate the tumorigenesis potential of LUAD cells with FDX1 overexpression. Mechanistic insights into FDX1 regulation were gained through depletion experiments targeting the G protein-regulated inducer of neurite outgrowth 2 (GPRIN2)/PI3K signaling pathway. Results FDX1 expression was down-regulated in LUAD tissues, correlating with shorter patient survival. Overexpression of FDX1 suppressed LUAD cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, and inhibited tumorigenesis in vivo. Mechanistically, the GPRIN2/PI3K signaling pathway was implicated in FDX1 regulation, as depletion of GPRIN2 reversed the effects of FDX1 overexpression on cellular functions. Conclusions Our findings highlight FDX1 as a potential tumor suppressor in LUAD, acting through modulation of the GPRIN2/PI3K signaling pathway. These results suggest FDX1 as a promising therapeutic target for LUAD treatment, warranting further investigation into its clinical relevance.

Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate the potential association between the circadian rhythm of blood pressure and deceleration capacity (DC)/acceleration capacity (AC) in patients with essential hypertension. Methods This study included 318 patients with essential hypertension, whether or not they were being treated with anti-hypertensive drugs, who underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Patients were categorized into three groups based on the percentage of nocturnal systolic blood pressure (SBP) dipping: the dipper, non-dipper and reverse dipper groups. Baseline demographic characteristics, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring parameters, Holter recordings (including DC and AC), and echocardiographic parameters were collected. Results In this study, the lowest DC values were observed in the reverse dipper group, followed by the non-dipper and dipper groups (6.46 ± 2.06 vs. 6.65 ± 1.95 vs. 8.07 ± 1.79 ms, P

Abstract Cerebral infarction is a common neurological disease with high rates of morbidity, mortality, and recurrence, posing a great threat to human life and health. Cerebral infarction is the second leading cause of death in the world and the leading cause of long-term disability in humans. The results of the third national retrospective sampling survey on causes of death in 2008 showed that cerebral infarction has become the leading cause of death in China and its mortality rate is 4–5 times that of European and American countries. Therefore, this article proposed a study on the predictive value of Cmmi-MHR combined with thromboelastography parameters that was performed for acute cerebral infarction. This paper mainly proposed a high frame rate imaging technology and analyzed its algorithm. In this article, in the experimental part, an in-depth analysis of the predictive value of the Monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) combined with thromboelastography parameters was performed for acute cerebral infarction. The final experimental results showed that HDL (OR = 1.695%, P-trend = 0.049) had a probability of death within 90 days of hospitalization (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 1.06–3.11, P-trend = 0.523). There were no significant differences in mortality rate after 90 days. Regardless of adjusting for confounders such as age, gender, and NIHSS score, there was no significant difference in the risk of MHR or monocyte count within 90 days of hospitalization. The conclusion indicates that the combination of Cmmi-MHR and thromboelastography parameters provides a new perspective and method for the diagnosis and treatment of cerebral infarction, and provides important support for personalized treatment and management of cerebral infarction.

Abstract Metasurface enables the generation and manipulation of multiphoton entanglement with flat optics, providing a more efficient platform for large-scale photonic quantum information processing. Here, we show that a single metasurface optical device would allow more efficient characterizations of multiphoton entangled states, such as shadow tomography, which generally requires fast and complicated control of optical setups to perform information-complete measurements, a demanding task using conventional optics. The compact and stable device here allows implementations of general positive operator valued measures with a reduced sample complexity and significantly alleviates the experimental complexity to implement shadow tomography. Integrating self-learning and calibration algorithms, we observe notable advantages in the reconstruction of multiphoton entanglement, including using fewer measurements, having higher accuracy, and being robust against experimental imperfections. Our work unveils the feasibility of metasurface as a favorable integrated optical device for efficient characterization of multiphoton entanglement, and sheds light on scalable photonic quantum technologies with ultra-thin optical devices.

To address the need for rapid in situ plugging and repair of hydraulic machinery and chemical pipelines and to resolve the issue that a single curing agent cannot simultaneously achieve rapid curing and excellent mechanical properties in epoxy resin systems, this study explores the use of composite curing agents. In particular, effective formulations are designed for mixing fast and slow curing agents, studying their effects on the curing behavior, curing quality, and mechanical properties of epoxy resins and elucidating their influence mechanisms. The results indicate that three resin systems meet the requirements for rapid curing (curing time within 30 min): 4A6B/EP, 2A8B/EP, and 0A10B/EP. Among them, 4A6B/EP exhibits the best curing quality and mechanical properties. In particular, 4A6B/EP demonstrates the lowest values of curing shrinkage rate, internal curing stress, average pore size, porosity, and cumulative pore volume. Its low internal stress and low defects reduce the stress concentration, while more efficient deflection and branching of internal cracks enhance its deformation resistance. Consequently, 4A6B/EP shows the highest microhardness, fracture toughness, tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and elongation after fracture. Based on the comprehensive evaluation of rapid curing characteristics and mechanical properties, the 4A6B/EP system offers the best overall performance. Therefore, it is recommended as the preferred resin system for rapid plugging and repair of composite materials, providing a theoretical basis and technical support for boosting the application of epoxy resin composite materials in high-tech fields.

Abstract Cytopathology, crucial in disease diagnosis, commonly uses microscopic slides to scrutinize cellular abnormalities. However, processing high volumes of samples often results in numerous negative diagnoses, consuming significant time and resources in healthcare. To address this challenge, a surface acoustic wave‐enhanced multi‐view acoustofluidic rotation cytometry (MARC) technique is developed for pre‐cytopathological screening. MARC enhances cellular morphology analysis through comprehensive and multi‐angle observations and amplifies subtle cell differences, particularly in the nuclear‐to‐cytoplasmic ratio, across various cell types and between cancerous and normal tissue cells. By prioritizing MARC‐screened positive cases, this approach can potentially streamline traditional cytopathology, reducing the workload and resources spent on negative diagnoses. This significant advancement enhances overall diagnostic efficiency, offering a transformative vision for cytopathological screening.

BackgroundHypertension has become an important global public health challenge. Mobile health (mHealth) intervention is a viable strategy to improve outcomes for patients with hypertension. However, evidence on the effect of mHealth app interventions on self-management in patients with hypertension is yet to be updated, and the active ingredients promoting behavior change in interventions remain unclear. ObjectiveWe aimed to evaluate the effect of mHealth app self-management interventions on blood pressure (BP) management and investigate the use of behavior change techniques (BCTs) in mHealth app interventions. MethodsWe conducted a literature search in 6 electronic databases from January 2009 to October 2023 for studies reporting the application of mHealth apps in self-management interventions. The Cochrane Risk of Bias (version 2) tool for randomized controlled trials was used to assess the quality of the studies. BCTs were coded according to the Taxonomy of BCTs (version 1). The extracted data were analyzed using RevMan5.4 software (Cochrane Collaboration). ResultsWe reviewed 20 studies, of which 16 were included in the meta-analysis. In total, 21 different BCTs (mean 8.7, SD 3.8 BCTs) from 12 BCT categories were reported in mHealth app interventions. The most common BCTs were self-monitoring of outcomes of behavior, feedback on outcomes of behavior, instruction on how to perform the behavior, and pharmacological support. The mHealth app interventions resulted in a –5.78 mm Hg (95% CI –7.97 mm Hg to –3.59 mm Hg; P

Background Preparing for aging with personalized technology is crucial due to the growing elderly population. Artificial Intelligence (AI), notably AI chatbots in healthcare, has transformed technology by simulating human-like conversations. Research on middle-aged adults’ acceptance of AI chatbots is limited. Assessing middle-aged individuals’ intentions to use AI is vital for enhancing AI competency among the elderly and guiding future interventions. Objective This study aims to explore the acceptance of middle-aged individuals toward AI chatbots and influencing factors and verify the usability of Technology Acceptance Model 2 (TAM2) in the use of AI technology in middle-aged people, also to inspire the design of future intelligent systems and online interventions for improving the health and well-being of the aging population. Methods A cross-sectional design and snowball sampling method were utilized to conduct an online questionnaire survey among middle-aged adults. The questionnaire was compiled based on TAM2 and was created using the online survey platform. SPSS 26.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results A total of 259 valid questionnaires were included in the final data analysis. The study reported the Cronbach's α of 0.94 for the questionnaire. We found that perceived ease of use, subjective norm, and user image significantly influence users’ intention to use AI chatbots. Notably, perceived usefulness emerged as a complete mediator in the relationship between subjective norm and intention to use, highlighting its central role in shaping user perceptions. The study also revealed a moderate acceptance level among middle-aged adults, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. Conclusions This study emphasized the importance of customizing AI technology to improve its adoption among middle-aged adults, providing valuable guidance for developers and policymakers. The findings indicated the need for effective aging preparation that includes technological competency, suggesting that future planning should encompass comprehensive preparations for aging to enhance AI competency among the middle-aged population.

ABSTRACT Bacterial biofilms are the major etiology agent of peri-implant disease. Chemical decontamination is a promising treatment strategy against bacterial biofilms; however, its applications are limited by its low efficiency and poor biocompatibility. In contrast to three conventional cleaners (sterile saline, hydrogen peroxide, and chlorhexidine), this study used resveratrol and naringin solutions to remove mature Staphylococcus aureus and Porphyromonas gingivalis biofilm on sandblasted (with large grit and acid-etched (SLA) titanium surface. To determine changes in surface characteristics, the surface wettability and roughness were measured, and micromorphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy. With crystal violet (CV) and live/dead bacterial staining, residual plaque quantity and composition were measured. The biocompatibility was tested using pH and cytotoxicity, as well as by osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1) adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, and fibroblasts (L-929) proliferation were also analyzed. It was found that resveratrol and naringin solutions were more effective in restoring surface characteristics and also showed that less plaque and viable bacteria were left. Naringin removed S. aureus biofilms better than chlorhexidine. Alkaline resveratrol and naringin solutions increased cell adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation without any cytotoxicity. Resveratrol increased the expression of mRNA and protein associated with osteogenesis. In conclusion, resveratrol and naringin effectively restored SLA titanium surface characteristics and decontaminated the biofilm with good biocompatibility, suggesting their therapeutic potential as chemical decontaminants.IMPORTANCEBacterial biofilms are considered the primary etiology of peri-implant disease. Physical cleaning is the most common way to remove bacterial biofilm, but it can cause grooving, melting, and deposition of chemicals that alter the surface of implants, which may hamper biocompatibility and re-osseointegration. Chemical decontamination is one of the most promising treatments but is limited by low efficiency and poor biocompatibility. Our study aims to develop safer, more effective chemical decontaminants for peri-implant disease prevention and treatment. We focus on resveratrol and naringin, two natural compounds, which have shown to be more effective in decontaminating biofilms on dental implant surfaces and exerting better biocompatibility. This research is groundbreaking as it is the first exploration of natural plant extracts’ impact on mature bacterial biofilms on rough titanium surfaces. By advancing this knowledge, we seek to contribute to more effective and biocompatible strategies for combating peri-implant diseases, enhancing oral health, and prolonging implant lifespan.

ABSTRACT The widespread prevalence of saline environments poses a significant global environmental challenge. Salt stress, induced by saline soils, disrupts soil microecology and affects the plant-microbe-soil cycling process. Utilizing microbial fungicides stands as a primary strategy to mitigate salt stress-induced damage to plants and soils. This study investigated the influence of Bacillus subtilis (Bs) inoculation on the microbial community, assembly processes, and functional changes in bacteria and fungi in Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. (licorice) seedlings under varying salt stress levels, primarily employing microbiomics techniques. Soil enzyme activities displayed a declining trend with increasing salt stress, which was mitigated by Bs inoculation. Microbiome analysis revealed a significant increase in bacterial and fungal operational taxonomic units, particularly in Ascomycetes and Nitrogen-fixing Bacteria, thereby enhancing soil denitrification. The abundance of Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, Bacteroidota, and Firmicutes in bacteria, as well as Ascomycota in fungi, increased with higher salt stress levels, a process facilitated by Bs inoculation. However, functional predictions indicated a reduction in the relative abundance of Dung Saprotrophs with Bs inoculation. Salt stress disrupted soil assembly processes, showcasing a continuous decline in diffusion limitation with increased salt concentration, where Bs inoculation reached a peak under moderate stress. In summary, this research elucidates the communication mechanism of Bs in enhancing salt tolerance in licorice from a microbiome perspective, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of abiotic and biotic factors.IMPORTANCELicorice is a herb that grows in deserts or saline soils. Enhancing the salt tolerance of licorice is necessary to maintain the quality of cultivated licorice and to ensure the supply of medicinal herbs. In the past, we have demonstrated the effectiveness of inoculation with Bacillus subtilis (Bs) to enhance the salt tolerance of licorice and revealed the key metabolic pathways for the development of salt tolerance through multi-omics. In this study, we used the microbiomics approach to reveal the plant-microbe-soil interactions at the level of inoculation of Bs affecting the dynamics of soil microbial communities from bacterial and fungal perspectives, thus bridging the interactions between biotic and abiotic factors.

BackgroundMetabolic disorders and overweight or obesity are highly prevalent and intricately linked in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). However, it remains unclear whether there is an interactive effect between these conditions and the prognosis of heart failure, and whether such an interaction is influenced by stratification based on age and sex.MethodsA total of 4,955 patients with CHF were enrolled in this study. Metabolic status was assessed according to the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome (MetS). BMI categories included normal weight and overweight or obesity (BMI < 24, ≥ 24 kg/m2). Patients were divided into four phenotypes according to their metabolic status and BMI: metabolically healthy with normal weight (MHNW), metabolically unhealthy with normal weight (MUNW), metabolically healthy with overweight or obesity (MHO), and metabolically unhealthy with overweight or obesity (MUO). The incidence of primary outcomes, including all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) death, was recorded.ResultsDuring a mean follow-up of 3.14 years, a total of 1,388 (28.0%) all-cause deaths and 815 (16.4%) CV deaths were documented. Compared to patients with the MHNW phenotype, those with the MUNW (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.38–2.00) or MUO (aHR, 1.42 [95% CI, 1.24–1.63]) phenotypes had a greater risk of all-cause death, and those with the MHO phenotype (aHR, 0.61 [95% CI, 0.51–0.72]) had a lower risk of all-cause death. Moreover, the above phenomenon existed mainly among males and elderly females (aged ≥ 60 years). In nonelderly females (aged < 60 years), the detrimental effects of MetS were lower (aHR, 1.05 [95% CI, 0.63–1.75] among MUNW group and aHR, 0.52 [95% CI, 0.34–0.80] among MUO group), whereas the protective effects of having overweight or obesity persisted irrespective of metabolic status (aHR, 0.43 [95% CI, 0.26–0.69] among MHO group and aHR, 0.52 [95% CI, 0.34–0.80] among MUO group). Similar results were obtained in the Cox proportional risk analysis of the metabolic overweight/obesity phenotypes and CV death.ConclusionsIn male and elderly female patients with CHF, the detrimental effects of MetS outweighed the protective benefits of having overweight or obesity. Conversely, in nonelderly females, the protective effects of having overweight or obesity were significantly greater than the adverse impacts of MetS.

The combustion characteristics of spark assistant compression ignition mode under different loads and fuels were explored, as well as by constructing artificial neural networks(ANN) model, the prediction ability of different algorithms for engine performance was discussed. Burning methanol and n-butanol can help to improve IMEP and induce earlier spontaneous combustion. The knock intensity(KI) of engine fueled with methanol was highest followed by n-butanol and gasoline, but maximum amplitude of filtered pressure oscillation(MAPO) shows the opposite trend. KI showed great positive liner correlation with ignition timing. Methanol showed the most outstanding tolerance on the compression ignition state. Fueled with methanol can decreased equivalent brake specific fuel consumption(ESFC) up to 52.9 % compared with the initial SI gasoline engine. N-butanol can improve BSNOx, BSTHC and BSCO concurrently, however fueled with methanol will worsen BSNOx. ANN model for engine combustion, economy and emissions performance was built. The prediction accuracy of Bayesian regularization algorithm for engine performance predicting was highest, but it have no advantage in the calculating times when the amount of data was large while the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm would be the ideal efficient. The mean square error of ESFC and emissions parameters under scaled conjugate gradients algorithm always poorest.

Stroke episodes represent a significant subset of cerebrovascular diseases globally, often resulting in diverse neurological impairments such as hemiparesis, spasticity, dysphagia, sensory dysfunction, cognitive impairment, depression, aphasia, and other sequelae. These dysfunctions markedly diminish patients' quality of life and impose substantial burdens on their families and society. Consequently, the restoration of neurological function post-stroke remains a primary objective of clinical treatment. Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine technique, is endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) for stroke treatment due to its distinct advantages in managing cerebrovascular diseases, including ischemic stroke. Numerous clinical studies have substantiated the efficacy of acupuncture in ameliorating neurological dysfunctions following stroke. This review systematically examines the improvements in post-stroke neurological dysfunction attributable to acupuncture treatment and elucidates potential mechanisms of action proposed in recent years. Additionally, this article aims to present novel therapeutic concepts and strategies for the clinical management of post-stroke neurological dysfunction.

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common, severe, and hard-to-treat chronic pain condition in clinics. Although PHN is developed from herpes zoster (HZ), the developing mechanism is unknown. A previous study investigated blood metabolomic and proteomic profiling in patients with PHN and HZ. The current study aims to explore the blood transcriptomic signature of PHN compared to HZ patients. Whole blood from eight PHN and 15 HZ patients was used for RNA-Seq analysis. There were 82 and 1,788 genes detected specifically in the PHN and HZ groups, respectively. PHN-specific genes are involved in viral infection, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, and immune response. For genes coexpressed in PHN and HZ patients, there were 407 differential expression genes (DEGs), including 205 upregulated (UP DEGs) and 202 downregulated (DOWN DEGs) in PHN compared to HZ groups. DEGs are involved in viral infection, type I interferon (IFN), and hemoglobin and oxygen carrier activity. UP DEGs are associated with regulatory T cells (Tregs), activated NK cells, and neutrophils, while DOWN DEGs are associated with Tregs, resting NK cells, and monocytes. The results suggest that the metabolism of lipid, glycan, and nucleotides, type I IFN signaling, and altered neutrophil activation are associated with and might contribute to the development of PHN in HZ. It is also suggested that persistent or altered activation of nonspecific immunity may contribute to the development of PHN from HZ.

Abstract Accurately predicting and selecting patients who can benefit from targeted or immunotherapy is crucial for precision therapy. Trophoblast cell surface antigen 2 (Trop2) has been extensively investigated as a pan-cancer biomarker expressed in various tumours and plays a crucial role in tumorigenesis through multiple signalling pathways. Our laboratory successfully developed two 68Ga-labelled nanobody tracers that can rapidly and specifically target Trop2. Of the two tracers, [68Ga]Ga-NOTA-T4, demonstrated excellent pharmacokinetics in preclinical mouse models and a beagle dog. Moreover, [68Ga]Ga-NOTA-T4 immuno-positron emission tomography (immunoPET) allowed noninvasive visualisation of Trop2 heterogeneous and differential expression in preclinical solid tumour models and ten patients with solid tumours. [68Ga]Ga-NOTA-T4 immunoPET could facilitate clinical decision-making through patient stratification and response monitoring during Trop2-targeted therapies.

Abstract The tissue damage caused by transient ischemic injury is an essential component of the pathogenesis of retinal ischemia, which mainly hinges on the degree and duration of interruption of the blood supply and the subsequent damage caused by tissue reperfusion. Some research indicated that the retinal injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) was related to reperfusion time. In this study, we screened the differentially expressed circRNAs, lncRNAs, and mRNAs between the control and model group and at different reperfusion time (24h, 72h, and 7d) with the aid of whole transcriptome sequencing technology, and the trend changes in time-varying mRNA, lncRNA, circRNA were obtained by chronological analysis. Then, candidate circRNAs, lncRNAs, and mRNAs were obtained as the intersection of differentially expression genes and trend change genes. Importance scores of the genes selected the key genes whose expression changed with the increase of reperfusion time. Also, the characteristic differentially expressed genes specific to the reperfusion time were analyzed, key genes specific to reperfusion time were selected to show the change in biological process with the increase of reperfusion time. As a result, 316 candidate mRNAs, 137 candidate lncRNAs, and 31 candidate circRNAs were obtained by the intersection of differentially expressed mRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs with trend mRNAs, trend lncRNAs and trend circRNAs, 5 key genes (Cd74, RT1-Da, RT1-CE5, RT1-Bb, RT1-DOa) were selected by importance scores of the genes. The result of GSEA showed that key genes were found to play vital roles in antigen processing and presentation, regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, and the ribosome. A network included 4 key genes (Cd74, RT1-Da, RT1-Bb, RT1-DOa), 34 miRNAs and 48 lncRNAs, and 81 regulatory relationship axes, and a network included 4 key genes (Cd74, RT1-Da, RT1-Bb, RT1-DOa), 9 miRNAs and 3 circRNAs (circRNA_10572, circRNA_03219, circRNA_11359) and 12 regulatory relationship axes were constructed, the subcellular location, transcription factors, signaling network, targeted drugs and relationship to eye diseases of key genes were predicted. 1370 characteristic differentially expressed mRNAs (spec_24h mRNA), 558 characteristic differentially expressed mRNAs (spec_72h mRNA), and 92 characteristic differentially expressed mRNAs (spec_7d mRNA) were found, and their key genes and regulation networks were analyzed. In summary, we screened the differentially expressed circRNAs, lncRNAs, and mRNAs between the control and model groups and at different reperfusion time (24h, 72h, and 7d). 5 key genes, Cd74, RT1-Da, RT1-CE5, RT1-Bb, RT1-DOa, were selected. Key genes specific to reperfusion time were selected to show the change in biological process with the increased reperfusion time. These results provided theoretical support and a reference basis for the clinical treatment.

Abstract Background Indobufen is widely used in patients with aspirin intolerance in East Asia. The OPTION trial launched by our cardiac center examined the performance of indobufen based dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the vast majority of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and aspirin intolerance were excluded. We aimed to explore this question in a real-world population. Methods Patients enrolled in the ASPIRATION registry were grouped according to the DAPT strategy that they received after PCI. The primary endpoints were major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 2, 3, or 5 bleeding. Propensity score matching (PSM) was adopted for confounder adjustment. Results A total of 7135 patients were reviewed. After one-year follow-up, the indobufen group was associated with the same risk of MACCE versus the aspirin group after PSM (6.5% vs. 6.5%, hazard ratio [HR] = 0.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.65 to 1.52, P = 0.978). However, BARC type 2, 3, or 5 bleeding was significantly reduced (3.0% vs. 11.9%, HR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.15 to 0.40, P

Abstract Understanding the Hubbard model is crucial for investigating various quantum many-body states and its fermionic and bosonic versions have been largely realized separately. Recently, transition metal dichalcogenides heterobilayers have emerged as a promising platform for simulating the rich physics of the Hubbard model. In this work, we explore the interplay between fermionic and bosonic populations, using a WS2/WSe2 heterobilayer device that hosts this hybrid particle density. We independently tune the fermionic and bosonic populations by electronic doping and optical injection of electron-hole pairs, respectively. This enables us to form strongly interacting excitons that are manifested in a large energy gap in the photoluminescence spectrum. The incompressibility of excitons is further corroborated by observing a suppression of exciton diffusion with increasing pump intensity, as opposed to the expected behavior of a weakly interacting gas of bosons, suggesting the formation of a bosonic Mott insulator. We explain our observations using a two-band model including phase space filling. Our system provides a controllable approach to the exploration of quantum many-body effects in the generalized Bose-Fermi-Hubbard model.