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Abstract The containment history in the coastal zone of the Bohai Sea has not been sufficiently traced because of the difficulty in identifying complex sources of pollutants. This study quantitatively identified various sources of Pb and Sr in two tidal flat sediment cores from Bohai Bay (core BB) and Liaodong Bay (core LB) based on their isotope ratios to trace the natural and anthropogenic disturbance history in the Bohai Sea. The results showed that natural inputs of Pb were the main sources for cores BB and LB; however, core LB was more influenced by anthropogenic inputs. Natural inputs were derived mainly from Chinese loess and Yellow River sediments, whereas anthropogenic sources were mainly a mixture of vehicular exhaust emissions before 2000 and coal combustion after 2000. Anthropogenic influence has declined since the late 1990s, especially in Bohai Bay, but has increased in Liaodong Bay from 1998 to 2006.

Abstract The ivory shell Babylonia areolata is an economically important marine benthic gastropod known for its rapid growth and high nutritional value. B. areolata is distributed in Southeast Asia and the southeast coastal areas of China. In this study, we constructed a high-quality genome for B. areolata using PacBio, Illumina, and Hi-C sequencing technologies. The genome assembly comprised 35 chromosomal sequences with a total length of 1.65 Gb. The scaffold and contig N50 lengths were 53.17 Mb and 2.64 Mb, respectively, with repeat sequences constituting 64.46% of the genome. Furthermore, 26,130 protein-coding genes and 96.75% of the genome’s BUSCOs were identified. This inaugural report of a B. areolata genome provides crucial foundational information for further investigations into the biology, genomics, and genetic improvement of economic traits of this species.

Abstract Background Depression and anxiety are common psychological issues among international medical students in universities, which have serious negative impacts on their learning and life. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of positive emotional writing in alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as enhancing subjective well-being among this population. Method This study was conducted at an international college of a comprehensive university in central China. A total of ninety-two participants who met the inclusion criteria were recruited to participate in a single-blind randomized controlled trial, in which participants were not aware that there was an experimental group and a control group. Participants in control received daily psychological care weekly for 8 weeks (n = 46). Correspondingly, participants in experimental group received the positive emotional writing intervention on the basis of daily psychological care. Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and General Well-being Scale (GWB) were used to evaluate the effect of the intervention. Data from 89 students who completed the entire study (experimental group, n = 44; control group, n = 45) were analyzed. Results After the intervention, the scores of SDS and SAS in the experimental group significantly decreased, while the subjective well-being score significantly increased. Although the SAS score of the control group after intervention was significantly lower than before, the decrease in SDS and SAS scores, as well as the increase in GWB score, were significantly greater in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusion The findings suggest that positive emotional writing can effectively reduce the depression and anxiety of international medical students, and significantly enhance their subjective well-being, providing ideas for management to solve the psychological problems of international medical students. Trial registration number ChiCTR2400087815. Registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry.

Abstract Cancer cells immediately expand and penetrate adjoining tissues, as opposed to metastasis, that is the spread of cancer cells through the circulatory or lymphatic systems to more distant places via the invasion process. We found that a lack of studies discussed tumor development with the nervous system, by the aspects of cancer‐tissue invasion (biological) and chemical modulation of growth that cascades by releasing neural‐related factors from the nerve endings via chemical substances known as neurotransmitters. In this review, we aimed to carefully demonstrate and describe the cancer invasion and interaction with the nervous system, as well as reveal the research progress and the emerging neuroscience of cancer. An initial set of 160 references underwent systematic review and summarization. Through a meticulous screening process, these data were refined, ultimately leading to the inclusion of 98 studies that adhered to predetermined criteria. The outcomes show that one formidable challenge in the realm of cancer lies in its intrinsic heterogeneity and remarkable capacity for rapid adaptation. Despite advancements in genomics and precision medicine, there is still a need to identify new molecular targets. Considering cancer within its molecular and cellular environment, including neural components, is crucial for addressing this challenge. In conclusion, this review provides good referential data for direct, indirect, biological, and chemical interaction for nerve tissue–tumor interaction, suggesting the establishment of new therapy techniques and mechanisms by controlling and modifying neuron networks that supply signals to tumors.

Abstract Objective The ultrasonographic characteristics of lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients were retrospectively analyzed, and a predictive nomogram model was constructed to provide an imaging basis for better clinical evaluation. Methods B-mode ultrasound was used to retrospectively analyze the imaging characteristics of regional lymph nodes and tumors. Pathological examination confirmed the presence of lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze the risk factors for lymph node metastasis. LASSO regression analysis was performed to screen noninvasive indicators, and a nomogram prediction model was constructed for breast cancer patients with lymph node metastasis. Results A total of 187 breast cancer patients were enrolled, including 74 patients with lymph node metastasis in the positive group and 113 patients without lymph node metastasis in the negative group. Multivariate analysis revealed that pathological type (OR = 4.58, 95% CI: 1.44–14.6, p = 0.01), tumor diameter (OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.07–1.74, p = 0.012), spiculated margins (OR = 7.92, 95% CI: 3.03–20.67, p

Abstract CF2-containing compounds hold significant potential in drug discovery, organic synthesis, and materials science. However, synthesizing various CF2-containing building blocks from a single compound remains challenging. Here, we present a Cu-catalyzed, switchable defluoroborylation and hydrodefluorination of trifluoromethylated alkynes, yielding four types of CF2-containing compounds. The chemo- and regio-selective sp2/sp3 1,2-diborylation and sp2 monoborylation of 1-(trifluoromethyl)alkynes are controlled by adjusting the solvent and ligand quantity. Additionally, altering the base allows selective generation of gem-difluoroalkenes or difluoromethylalkenes. Notably, our method prevents over-defluorination of the CF3 group on unsaturated C-C bonds during nucleophilic additions, preserving the pharmaceutically valuable CF2 group. Experimental data and density functional theory (DFT) calculations elucidate the regioselectivities of Cu-Bpin addition and the regulatory role of the ligand in selective deborylation processes.

Effective treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD), a prevalent central neurodegenerative disorder particularly affecting the elderly population, still remains a huge challenge. We present here a novel nanomedicine formulation based on bioactive hydroxyl-terminated phosphorous dendrimers (termed as AK123) complexed with fibronectin (FN) with anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities. The created optimized AK123/FN nanocomplexes (NCs) with a size of 223 nm display good colloidal stability in aqueous solution and can be specifically taken up by microglia through FN-mediated targeting. We show that the AK123/FN NCs are able to consume excessive reactive oxygen species, promote microglia M2 polarization and inhibit the nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway to downregulate inflammatory factors. With the abundant dendrimer surface hydroxyl terminal groups, the developed NCs are able to cross blood-brain barrier (BBB) to exert targeted therapy of a PD mouse model through the AK123-mediated anti-inflammation for M2 polarization of microglia and FN-mediated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, thus reducing the aggregation of α-synuclein and restoring the contents of dopamine and tyrosine hydroxylase to normal levels in vivo. The developed dendrimer/FN NCs combine the advantages of BBB-crossing hydroxyl-terminated bioactive per se phosphorus dendrimers and FN, which is expected to be extended for the treatment of different neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract Epirubicin (EPI) is effective in the treatment of malignant cancers, but its application is limited by life-threatening cardiotoxicity. Iron homeostasis disturbance has been implicated in anthracycline induced cardiotoxicity (AIC), and ferroptosis is involved in AIC which dependent upon intracellular iron. However, the role and exact mechanisms of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of epirubicin-induced cardiotoxicity (EIC) remain elusive. In this study, we aimed to investigate mechanisms underlying ferroptosis-driven EIC. Epirubicin triggered ferroptosis both in vivo and in cultured cardiomyocytes, and pretreatment with ferroptosis inhibitor, Ferrostatin-1(Fer-1) alleviates EIC. Microarray analysis was performed to screen for potential molecules involved in EIC in neonatal primary mouse ventricular cardiomyocytes (NMVMs). We found that the transcript level of ATP6V0A2, a subunit of vacuolar ATPase (V-ATPase), was significantly downregulated when NMVMs were subjected to EPI, which was verified in vivo and in vitro as measured by real time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunoblotting. Intriguingly, overexpression of ATP6V0A2 effectively decreased excessive oxidative stress and lipid-peroxidation accumulation, thereby inhibiting ferroptosis and protecting cardiomyocytes against EIC, as evidenced by functional, enzymatic, and morphological changes. Mechanistically, forced expression of ATP6V0A2 restored lysosomal acidification in EPI-treated cardiomyocytes and protected cardiomyocytes and mice hearts from ferroptosis-driven EIC. In this study, our data elucidate that ferroptosis is involved in EIC, which is ignited by ATP6V0A2-dependent lysosomal acidification dysfunction. Our study provides a new potential therapeutic target for ameliorating EIC.

Abstract Background For patients with rectal cancer, the utilization of temporary ileostomy (TI) has proven effective in minimizing the occurrence of severe complications post-surgery, such as anastomotic leaks; however, some patients are unable to reverse in time or even develop a permanent stoma (PS). We aimed to determine the preoperative predictors associated with TS failure and develop and validate appropriate predictive models to improve patients’ quality of life. Methods This research included 403 patients with rectal cancer who underwent temporary ileostomies between January 2017 and December 2021. All patients were randomly divided into either the developmental (70%) or validation (30%) group. The independent risk factors for PS were determined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Subsequently, a nomogram was constructed, and the prediction probability was estimated by calculating the area under the curve (AUC) using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. A calibration plot was used to evaluate the nomogram calibration. Results Of the 403 enrolled patients, 282 were randomized into the developmental group, 121 into the validation group, and 58 (14.39%) had a PS. The development group consisted of 282 patients, of whom 39 (13.81%) had a PS. The validation group consisted of 121 patients, of whom, 19 (15.70%) had a PS; 37 related factors were analyzed in the study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated significant associations between the occurrence of PS and various factors in this patient cohort, including tumor location (OR = 6.631, P = 0.005), tumor markers (OR = 2.309, P = 0.035), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score (OR = 4.784, P = 0.004), T4 stage (OR = 2.880, P = 0.036), lymph node metastasis (OR = 4.566, P = 0.001), and distant metastasis (OR = 4.478, P = 0.036). Furthermore, a preoperative nomogram was constructed based on these data and subsequently validated in an independent validation group. Conclusion We identified six independent preoperative risk factors associated with PS following rectal cancer resection and developed a validated nomogram with an area under the ROC curve of 0.7758, which can assist surgeons in formulating better surgical options, such as colostomy, for patients at high risk of PS.

Aronia melanocarpa is a berry with unique edible and medicinal value. It boasts a high content of polysaccharides, anthocyanins, and various other bioactive ingredients. These compounds exhibit multiple effects such as antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, modulation of blood sugar and lipid, hypotensive function, anti-cancer, and amelioration of depressive symptoms. The applications of Aronia melanocarpa span across the realms of food, pharmaceuticals, and health products. Predominantly, Aronia melanocarpa products are presented in the form of juice, wine, and powder, etc., employing rather straightforward processing techniques. Notably, industries revolving around this berry are nascent, indicating expansive market opportunities. This review mainly focuses on the active ingredients, efficacy and the current developmental trajectory of Aronia melanocarpa products. The objective is to provide a comprehensive reference for high-value development of Aronia melanocarpa and catalyzing the growth of associated industries.

Objectives Accurate epidemiological data are crucial for effective disease prevention and treatment. We conducted a large-scale survey to explore the thalassaemia prevalence and spectrum among the two major ethnic groups in Hainan Province.Methods A total of 399,053 childbearing-age individuals of Li (n = 77,563) and Han(n = 321,490) ethnic groups were recruited from 18 cities and counties in Hainan, and their thalassemia genotypes were systematically screened and statistically analysed.Results This study revealed a significantly higher thalassaemia carrier rate in the Li (55.39%) than that in the Han (13.13%). Specifically, the carrier rate of α-thalassaemia was 46.39% in the Li and 10.02% in the Han. The predominant α-thalassaemia mutations were – α3.7 and – α42. in Li, whereas the main mutation were – SEA and – α4.2 in Han. For β-thalassaemia, the carrier rates were 1.68% in Li and 2.38% in Han, with CD41-42(-CTTT) the most prevalent mutation in both groups. The carrier rates of β-/α-compound thalassaemia were 7.32% in Li and 0.73% in Han. Additionally, there were regional differences in the distribution of thalassemia among the Li and Han within Hainan Province.Conclusion Epidemiological characteristics and molecular spectrum of thalassaemia among the Li and Han ethnic groups in Hainan were revealed in this study. These findings can provide a scientific basis to develop and implement prevention strategies for thalassaemia in Hainan.

Traumatic Choledochal Leak and Stenosis in Children is a relatively rare bile leakage, and there is no report of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography [ERCP] bile duct stent treatment in 3 years old, which avoids procedure and biliary tract modifications after the failure of conservative treatment of bile leakage, and solves the previous need for procedure in a minimally invasive or even non-invasive way. At the same time, it can be concluded that identifying the signs of conservative treatment failure is important, and ERCP is superior to CT and MR in diagnosing traumatic biliary leak in young children. Traumatic bile leakage common bile duct inflammatory stenosis, brittle tissue, not suitable for expansion, the choice of 5 Fr to 10 Fr plastic stent sequential treatment is an effective regimen. At the same time, it is necessary to closely monitor the biliary patency after ERCP to understand the long-term postoperative efficacy. Comprehensive evaluation before ERCP and detailed post ERCP monitoring require the participation of pediatricians.

The issue of cooling cities has emerged as a significant global urban planning strategy to address the challenges posed by extreme heatwaves. Scholars have conducted extensive research on the most effective methods for reducing surface temperature at the city scale. Blue-green infrastructure has emerged as a key cooling factor in high-density cities. However, on-site measurements have indicated that the cooling effect of shade can be even stronger than the transpiration effect of green plants. Nevertheless, there is still a paucity of empirical research on the cooling effect of shade at the city scale. This article employs the Urban Multi-scale Environmental Predictor (UMEP) tool to simulate the spatio-temporal patterns of urban shade on Xiamen Island. This is done to ascertain the cooling effect of shade in comparison with other cooling factors, including green space, water bodies, and building height. The results indicate that: 1) The shade profiles of Xiamen Island show a “high-low-high” pattern throughout the day, with trees being the main source of shade. 2) Overall, the cooling effect of shading is more pronounced than other factors for most of the day time, but due to its ineffectiveness in cooling internally released heat, the cooling effect of shading decreases significantly at dusk, although the shading pattern is similar to that in the morning. 3) The area in which shading exerts a cooling influence is more extensive than other factors throughout the daylight hours. These effects are concentrated in the south, west and north, but at dusk, they become a warming influence in the east. This paper serves as an effective reference for future heat adaptation planning.

Abstract Background Temporary ileostomy (TI) has proven effective in reducing the severity of anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer surgery; however, some ileostomies fail to reverse over time, leading to conversion into a permanent stoma (PS). In this study, we aimed to investigate the preoperative risk factors and cumulative incidence of TI non-closure after sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal cancer. Materials and methods We conducted a meta-analysis after searching the Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, and MEDLINE databases from their inception until November 2023. We collected all published studies on the risk factors related to TI non-closure after sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal cancer. Results A total of 1610 studies were retrieved, and 13 studies were included for meta-analysis, comprising 3026 patients. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the identified risk factors included older age (p = 0.03), especially > 65 years of age (p = 0.03), male sex (p = 0.009), American Society of Anesthesiologists score ≥ 3 (p = 0.004), comorbidity (p = 0.001), and distant metastasis (p

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

IntroductionWetlands are ecosystems that have a significant impact on ecological services and are essential for the environment. With the impacts of rapid population growth, wetland reclamation, urbanization, and land use change, wetlands have undergo severe degradation or loss. However, the response of soil fungal communities to wetland degradation remains unknown. It is crucial to comprehend how the diversity and population dynamics of soil fungi respond to varying levels of degradation and ecological progression in the wetlands of the Songnen Plain.MethodsIn this study, high- throughput sequencing technology to analyze the variety and abundance of soil fungi in the undegraded (UD), light degraded (LD), moderate degraded (MD), and severe degraded (SD) conditions in the Halahai Nature Reserve of Songnen Plain. This study also explored how these fungi are related to the soil’s physicochemical properties in wetlands at various degradation levels.ResultsThe findings indicated that Basidiomycota and Ascomycota were the primary phyla in the Songnen Plain, with Ascomycota increasing and Basidiomycota decreasing as wetland degradation progressed. Significant differences were observed in soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN),and soil total potassium (TK) among the succession degradation stages. With the deterioration of the wetland, there was a pattern of the Shannon and Chao1 indices increasing and then decreasing. Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) analysis indicated that the fungal community structures of UD and LD were quite similar, whereas MD and SD exhibited more distinct differences in their fungal community compositions. Redundancy analysis (RDA) results indicated that Soil Water content (SWC) and total nitrogen (TN) were the primary environmental factors influencing the dominant fungal phylum. According to the FUNGuild prediction, Ectomycorrhizal and plant pathogens gradually declining with wetland degradation.DiscussionIn general, our findings can offer theoretical support develop effective solutions for the preservation and rehabilitation of damaged wetlands.

Necroptosis, a caspase-independent regulated cell death, is primarily mediated by the serine/threonine kinases RIPK1 and RIPK3, and the mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL). Targeting necroptosis is a validated therapeutic strategy for various diseases. We screened compound 1, a novel benzimidazole-based necroptosis inhibitor, from our in-house compound library. We assessed its inhibitory roles and mechanisms in blocking HT-29 cell necroptosis. HT-29 cells were treated with pan caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK + Smac mimetic (TSZ), or Z-VAD-FMK + cycloheximide (TCZ), then with tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) to induce necroptosis in vitro. Prior to stimulation, cells were exposed to compound 1. GSK'843 served as a control drug. HT-29 cells were treated with TNFα + Smac mimetic (TS) or TNFα + cycloheximide (TC) to induce apoptosis in vitro. Cell viability, cell death, and necroptotic cells were evaluated by luminescence-based CellTiter-Lumi assay or flow cytometry. Western blots, immunoprecipitation, and KINOMEscan technology were used to assess RIPK1, RIPK3, and MLKL's involvement in compound 1's mechanisms. Compound 1's roles in mouse TNFα induced systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in mice were also investigated by assessing body temperature, mouse survival rate, and interleukin (IL)-β and IL-6 levels in respective tissues. We found that necroptosis triggered by TSZ or TCZ was effectively mitigated by compound 1, showing a dose-responsive inhibition, and it could protect mice from TNF-induced SIRS. The mechanism study showed that compound 1 could interact with RIPK1, inhibiting RIPK1 phosphorylation activation to block necrosome formation in necroptotic cells. In summary, compound 1 is a promising lead compound for developing treatments targeting diseases associated with necroptosis.

Spiro-OMeTAD is a primary hole transport material (HTM) employed in most state-of-the-art regular perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The essential reliance on hygroscopic ionic dopants to enhance the conductivity and mobility of Spiro-OMeTAD has dramatically compromised the stability of PSCs. Here, we demonstrated excellent photovoltaic performance of PSCs by developing two dopant-free polymers, namely L1 and L2, using thieno[3,2-b]thiophene as a building block. It is found that the n-hexyl-modified thiophene side chains endow the polymer L2 with favorable crystallinity, unique self-assembly behavior, and a preferable face-on stacking orientation. After the addition of a small amount (10 %) of PM6 to create a polymer alloy named LPA, the above properties were further improved, and the resulting film exhibited a distinct fibrous morphology, resulting in increased hole mobility and effective defect passivation. Consequently, PSCs employing LPA as a dopant-free HTM afforded a high efficiency of 23.81 %. Importantly, LPA-based PSCs exhibit significantly enhanced operational stability with a T80 lifetime of 1572 h at 55 °C. This work provides a crucial guideline for the design of dopant-free polymers, thereby advancing the practical application of PSCs.

Metals and alloys with heterogeneous microstructures exhibit an enhanced combination of strength and ductility, compared to their counterparts with homogeneous microstructures. Additive manufacturing (AM) techniques offers a new opportunity to induce heterogeneous microstructures in a wide range of metals and alloys, thereby optimizing their mechanical properties. In this review article, we focus on four types of heterogeneous microstructures induced by AM: lamellar, gradient, laminated, and harmonic ones. We will introduce (i) the tailored generation of heterogeneous microstructures, (ii) the effects of characteristic solidification conditions, and (iii) the intricate phase transformation in laser-based AM process. Furthermore, we discuss the features, advantages, and potential applications of the metals and alloys with heterogeneous microstructures made by AM. To conclude, we discuss current challenges and future opportunities in this field.

Abstract High-entropy alloy (HEA) nanoparticles (NPs) exhibit unusual combinations of functional properties. However, their scalable synthesis remains a significant challenge requiring extreme fabrication conditions. Metal salts are often employed as precursors because of their low decomposition temperatures, yet contain potential impurities. Here, we propose an ultrafast ( 5000 K) is employed for rapid heating/cooling (103 − 105 K s−1), and demonstrates the synthesis of CrFeCoNiMo HEA NPs ( ~ 50 nm) at a high rate approaching 35 g h−1 with a conversion efficiency of 42%. Our thermofluid simulation reveals that the properties of HEA NPs can be tailored by the plasma gas which affects the thermal history of NPs. The HEA NPs demonstrate an excellent light absorption of > 96% over a wide spectrum, representing great potential for photothermal conversion of solar energy at large scales. Our work shows that the thermal plasma process developed could provide a promising route towards industrial scale production of HEA NPs.

Optical remote sensing images, with their high spatial resolution and wide coverage, have emerged as invaluable tools for landslide analysis. However, visual interpretation and manual delimitation of landslide areas in optical remote sensing images is labor intensive and inefficient. Automatic delimitation of landslide areas empowered by deep learning methods has drawn tremendous attention in recent years. Mask R-CNN and U-Net are the two most popular deep learning frameworks for image segmentation in computer vision. In this study, we systematically compare and evaluate the performance and adaptability of the Mask R-CNN and the U-Net models for delimiting landslide areas in optical remote sensing images with various resolutions across regions using statistical metrics. A workflow for transferring deep learning models pretrained on other regions for landslide area delimitation on new regions with a relatively small number of annotated training samples is developed. A post-processing module is integrated into the Mask R-CNN architecture to address the challenge of overlapping mask predictions for individual landslide objects. The results indicate that the Mask R-CNN model exhibits superior overall performance in comparison with the U-Net model and is more suitable for tasks requiring detailed delineation of the object outlines in images. The insights gained from this study not only advance our understanding of the models’ generalizability and robustness across regions, but also have practical implications for large-scale landslide inventory mapping in remote sensing images.

Summary: p53 regulates multiple signaling pathways and maintains cell homeostasis under conditions of DNA damage and oxidative stress. Although USP7 has been shown to promote p53 stability via deubiquitination, the USP7-p53 activation mechanism has remained unclear. Here, we propose that DNA damage induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and activates ATM-CHK2, and CHK2 then phosphorylates USP7 at S168 and T231. USP7 phosphorylation is essential for its deubiquitination activity toward p53. USP7 also deubiquitinates CHK2 at K119 and K131, increasing CHK2 stability and creating a positive feedback loop between CHK2 and USP7. Compared to peri-tumor tissues, thyroid cancer and colon cancer tissues show higher CHK2 and phosphorylated USP7 (S168, T231) levels, and these levels are positively correlated. Collectively, our results uncover a phosphorylation-deubiquitination positive feedback loop involving the CHK2-USP7 axis that supports the stabilization of p53 and the maintenance of cell homeostasis.

Debris flow is a prevalent geological disaster in Beijing, particularly in the Mentougou District, situated in the mountainous southwestern region of Beijing City. The past irrational exploitation of minerals has led to a substantial accumulation of slag, providing abundant loose materials for the formation of debris flow in the study area. Different from the traditional method of using hazard and vulnerability to carry out debris flow risk assessment, this paper proposes a debris flow risk assessment method based on (a) the possibility of debris flow occurrence, (b) the value of the disaster-affected object, and (c) the destructiveness of the debris flow. The possibility of 41 gully debris flows occurring was determined through theoretical calculations. Using the SFLOW model, the runout of the potential debris flow was simulated. On this basis, an investigation of the value of the disaster-affected objects was carried out. At the same time, according to the simulated movement information of debris flow, its destructiveness was determined. According to the results of the occurrence possibility of the debris flow, its destructiveness, and the value of the disaster-affected object, the risk levels of 41 potential debris flow gullies in the Mentougou District were obtained. The research results can guide the warning systems for debris flows in the Mentougou District of Beijing.

BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) and physical fitness (PF) are important markers of health status in children and adolescents in different ethnicities. In this study, we aimed to compare the PA and PF indicators between Tibetan and Han children and adolescents.MethodsChildren and adolescents of 4–9 grades were recruited in Shigatse (n = 963) and Shanghai (n = 2,525) respectively. The information related to demographic, PA, and PF was collected via a self-reported questionnaire. PA was assessed through the participation of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), muscle-strengthening exercise (MSE) and organized sport participation (OSP). PF was estimated using the International Fitness Scale containing components of overall fitness, cardiorespiratory fitness, speed and agility, muscular strength and flexibility.ResultsHan (mean age = 13.45 ± 3.3 years; 49.7% girls) and Tibet (mean age = 13.8 ± 2.5 years; 48.3% girls) children and adolescents from Shanghai and Shigatse completed the questionnaire survey. It was revealed that Tibetan students had higher MVPA, MSE and OSP than children and adolescents of Han ethnicity (p

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the volume of specific regional infarction and the prognosis of patients who undergo mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute large vessel occlusion.MethodsIn this study, we collected the clinical and imaging features of patients with unilateral acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke from January 2021 to June 2023 in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. All patients underwent CT perfusion and non-contrast CT scan before MT. The ASPECTS was assessed based on imaging data, and artificial intelligence was used to obtain the percentage of infarction in each of the 10 regions of ASPECTS. According to the modified Rankin Scale, the patients were divided into the good prognosis group and poor prognosis group at the 90-day follow-up. Various indicators in the two groups were compared. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the risk factors for poor prognosis. The relationship between core infarction volume and the probability of poor prognosis was plotted to analyze the trend of poor prognosis with changes in the proportion of infarction volume. Finally, a receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed to analyze the predictive ability on poor prognosis.ResultsA total of 91 patients were included, with 58 patients having a good prognosis (mRS ≤ 2) and 33 patients having a poor prognosis (mRS ≥ 3). Multivariate analysis showed that NIHSS score and core infarction involving the internal capsule and M6 region were independent risk factors for poor prognosis. According to the linear correlation, a higher ratio of core infarction volume in the internal capsule or M6 region was linked to an increased risk of a poor prognosis. However, the non-linear analysis revealed that the prognostic impact of core infarction volume was significant when the ratio was greater than 69.7%. The ROC curve indicated that the combination of NIHSS score, infarct location, and the ratio of infarct volume has an AUC of 0.87, with a sensitivity of 84.8% and a specificity of 84.5%.ConclusionIt is important to examine the location and volume of the infarct in the internal capsule and M6 when deciding whether to do a MT.

Aiming to newly-developed FeCrAl alloys for accident-tolerant fuels (ATF) in light water reactors (LWR), an in-situ investigation of scan transmission electron microscopy (STEM) observation and annealing was performed in order to understand the evolution of radiation-induced defects (RID) and the Cr segregation during elevating the temperature. In this study, the FeCrAl alloys were irradiated with 6Mev Au+ ions up to a dose of 10 dpa at 400 °C, and the RID in depth of 1 μm were assess by in-situ TEM during annealing. A Cr layer, the dislocation loop raft and Cr-decorated dislocation loops were formed in the near-surface region I. Cavities, Cr-rich precipitates were formed in the interior region II. By calculating thermal equilibrium vacancies theoretically, the cavity formation is ascribed to the surface effect of the foil and the damage of TEM electrons. Shrinkage of some loops could be ascribed to produced vacancies. Formations of the raft and Cr-decorated loops are due to the strain or stress constructed by the surface C species or damages when annealing below 500 °C. The pronounced Cr-rich precipitates during 550–600 °C are due to the Cr atomic segregation initiated by vacancies via a long-time recovery towards low-energy sites. This work indicates the defect-caused stress profile is important for the Cr segregation.

Objective To explore the risk factors of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI). Methods The clinical symptoms, signs, imaging examinations, and laboratory test results of two patients with TRALI after blood transfusion were retrospectively analyzed, and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotyping of the patient and HLA antibodies typing of the plasma donors were performed. Results The clinical manifestations and laboratory parameters of two patients were consistent with those of TRALI after blood transfusion. After timely clinical respiratory support treatment, all patients were improved. Blood donors produced high titers of HLA-Ⅱ antibodies after pregnancy, including antibodies that specifically recognize the patient′s HLA antigen. Conclusion Two patients developed TRALI after platelet transfusion from a female blood donor, which was caused by HLA-Ⅱ antibodies.

Longitudinal ordinary rebars are discontinuous at the joints of precast concrete segmental bridges (PCSBs), which can open under tensile stresses induced by bending moments. This will lead to durability issues with the joints. To improve the bending properties of PCSBs, a novel joint type featuring continuous rebars was proposed in the present study. Three specimens were subjected to testing to examine the bending behavior of PCSBs using this new joint design compared to traditional joints. The crack propagation, structural deformation, joint opening width, strain in rebars, failure mode, stiffness, and flexural capacity were comprehensively investigated. The test results reveal that the continuous rebars effectively transferred bending normal stress between joints, ensuring full development of cracks in each beam segment. Effective control of joint opening width was also observed. Compared to traditional joints, the new joints exhibited a 29% to 33% increase in cracking load and a 32% increase in ultimate load. Failure in the continuous rebar joints was characterized by partial anchorage failure of the rebars along with localized concrete crushing in the top compression zone. Based on the test results, a computational method was proposed for calculating the cracking strength and flexural capacity of the new joints.

Purposes In China, the exploration and development of deep oil and gas resources have gained significant attention in recent years. In order to meet the demands of development, many scholars have conducted research on the process of deep natural gas diffusion and have made noteworthy advancements. Methods Aimg to evaluate the applicability of deep natural gas diffusion behavior and the carbon isotope fractionation effect, the study is based on an analysis of Fick diffusion, Knudsen diffusion, surface diffusion, and configuration diffusion. Establishing an accurate mathematical model is believed crucial in comprehensively understanding the mechanism of diffusion behavior. Conclusions The current models for coupling can analyze not only the behavior of natural gas diffusion in deep nanometer pores, but also how it affects the overall intensity of diffusion and the degree of carbon isotope fractionation in low-permeability conditions. Furthermore, these mathematical models allow for the calculation of gas loss intensity when combined with the history of strata evolution. The objective of this research is to provide a more precise and quantitative representation of deep gas diffusion behavior. This will aid in the exploration and development of deep oil and gas reserves, and also have significant implications for the evaluation of deep gas reservoirs in terms of preservation and destruction.

Under mining conditions, the micro crack structure of the composite strata of the coal seam floor affects the uplift and seepage of the groundwater in the underlying high water pressure aquifer, and its complexity is of great significance for the prediction and early warning of the water disaster in the coal seam floor. In this paper, a total of 57 groups of rock samples extracted from three adjacent mines in the east of Pingdingshan Coalfield are taken as the object. Based on the comprehensive information of SEM image acquisition and N2 adsorption test, the fissure ratio of rock stratum area, equivalent crack diameter of rock stratum, fractal dimension value of fissure area, specific surface area, crevice volume and its fractal dimension are the main controlling factors. Using entropy weighted TOPSIS mathematical model, the complexity of the micro fracture structure of the composite rock stratum between the Ji16-17 coal seam and the Cambrian limestone top interface is quantitatively evaluated. The results show that the micro crack structure of the composite strata in the floor of the Ji16-17 coal seam is very simple, simple, medium, complex and extremely complex, accounting for 25.00%, 21.43%, 39.29%, 7.14% and 7.14% respectively. The micro crack structure of the composite strata in the study section is relatively uncomplicated; Compared with the four rock sections, the order of the quantitative mean value of the complexity of the rock stratum micro fracture structure is: L1−L2 limestone section>L5−L7 limestone section>sandstone section>bauxite mudstone section. The complexity of the rock stratum micro fracture structure better reflects the development of the rock stratum fracture. The paper considers the coupling effect of multiple factors on the composite rock stratum, realizes the quantitative classification and zoning discrimination of the micro crack structure in the vertical section of the composite rock stratum, which is of great significance for accurately describing the aquifer performance of the composite rock stratum in the coal seam floor and scientifically guiding the prevention and control of the water hazard in the coal seam floor.

Abstract Background Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a form of musculoskeletal disease that can occur after a lateral ankle sprain, and it is characterized by pain, recurrent ankle sprains, a feeling of “giving way” at the ankle joint, and sensorimotor deficits. There has been increasing evidence to suggest that plastic changes in the brain after the initial injury play an important role in CAI. As one modality to treat CAI, whole-body vibration (WBV) has been found to be beneficial for treating the sensorimotor deficits accompanying CAI, but whether these benefits are associated with brain plasticity remains unknown. Therefore, the current study aims to investigate the effect of WBV on sensorimotor deficits and determine its correlation with plastic changes in the brain. Methods The present study is a single-blind randomized controlled trial. A total of 80 participants with CAI recruited from the university and local communities will be divided into 4 groups: whole-body vibration and balance training (WBVBT), balance training (BT), whole-body vibration (WBV), and control group. Participants will be given the WBV intervention (25-38 Hz, 1.3-2 mm, 3-time per week, 6-week) supervised by a professional therapist. Primary outcome measures are sensorimotor function including strength, balance, proprioception and functional performance. Brain plasticity will be evaluated by corticomotor excitability, inhibition, and representation of muscles, as measured by transcranial magnetic stimulation. Activation of brain areas will be assessed through functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Secondary outcome measures are self-reported functional outcomes involving the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure. All tests will be conducted before and after the WBV intervention, and at 2-week follow-up. Per‑protocol and intention-to-treat analysis will be applied if any participants withdraw. Discussion This is the first trial to investigate the role of brain plasticity in sensorimotor changes brought by WBV for individuals with CAI. As plastic changes in the brain have been an increasingly important aspect in CAI, the results of the current study can provide insight into the treatment of CAI from the perspective of brain plasticity. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2300068972); registered on 02 March 2023.

Abstract The joints between segments represent weak points and introduce discontinuity into structures, therefore they are particularly significant in precast concrete segmental bridges. In this study, a new steel shear key was designed, and 6 full-scale tests were conducted. Various shear keys and joint types were taken as experimental parameters to study crack propagation, failure mode, shear slip, ultimate bearing capacity, and the residual bearing capacity of various joints under direct shear loading. The results show that the stiffness and shear capacity of steel shear keyed joints were higher than concrete key joints, and the structural system was more stable than concrete keyed joints at the moment of cracking. Both the concrete key and steel key epoxied joints suffered direct shear failure. However, different to the concrete epoxied joints which experienced brittle failure, steel key epoxied joints demonstrated a large residual capacity. Based on traditional segmental bridges construction, construction methods involving steel shear keyed joints included short-line match, long-line match, and modular methods are introduced. Finally, the feasibility of steel shear keyed joints construction was verified via engineering tests.

Composite propellants are used to fabricate solid motors for space vehicles. The fundamental factor that affects motor safety is the structural damage in the propellant owing to slow heating in an abnormal storage or service environment. Hence, their thermal damage and combustion characteristics should be studied comprehensively. In this study, we investigated the combustion behaviours of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene/ammonium perchlorate/aluminium powder (HTPB/AP/Al) and hydroxyl-terminated block copolyether/AP/Al (HTPE/AP/AI) propellants under slow heating conditions. The pore structure was observed using scanning electron microscopy and micro-computerised tomography. Their weight loss behaviour, gaseous products, and pore structure evolution were analysed using thermogravimetric analysis, mass spectrometry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The influence of the pore structure on the combustion behaviour was studied by establishing the relationship between combustion and energy release rates. The weight loss rates of HTPB/AP/Al and HTPE/AP/Al before ignition were 34.5% and 16.1%, respectively. Upon heating, the HTPB binder decomposed to form pore channels, through which the gaseous products produced from the decomposition of AP were released, which increased the structural damage in this propellant. In contrast, upon heating, the HTPE binder liquefied and formed a coating on the AP particles, which slowed the structural damage in this propellant. Moreover, the calculated reaction intensity of HTPB/AP/Al was 4.16 times that of HTPE/AP/Al, indicating that larger pore channels increase the burning surface for combustion.

Abstract This study introduces an innovative outdoor nephelometer system designed to monitor the dynamic hygroscopic behavior of aerosols in ambient air. Field measurements conducted in the Pearl River Delta region of China unveil significant roles of relative humidity (RH) swings on aerosol phase states. Highlighting the occurrence of aerosol crystallization in the afternoon followed by gradual deliquescence as RH increases, particularly when minimum afternoon RH drops below 35%, with no such behavior observed when it exceeds 40%. Emphasizing that aerosol phase states are shaped not only by RH and chemical composition but also by their RH history, illustrating that RH levels of 70% in the morning or evening may correspond to fully dissolved metastable or partially dissolved metastable states of ambient aerosols. These findings underscore the need to account for RH history when predicting aerosol phase states and have broader implications for comprehending aerosol behavior and its atmospheric impacts.

Background Patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) often have a long duration of illness, difficulty in attending follow-up visits, and poor adherence to treatment. As a result, they frequently cannot receive guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) at the desired or maximum tolerable drug dosage. This leads to high hospitalisation and mortality rates for HF patients. Therefore, effective management and monitoring of patients with HF to ensure they receive GDMT is crucial for improving the prognosis.Design and methods This is a multicentre, open-label, randomised, parallel-group study involving patients with CHF across five centres. The study aims to assess the impact of an optimised GDMT model for HF patients, established on a mobile health (mHealth) platform, compared with a control group. Patients must have a left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 50% and be receiving medication titration therapy that has not yet reached the target dose, with a modest increase in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level. The primary composite outcome is worsening HF events (hospitalisation or emergency treatment with intravenous fluids) or cardiovascular death.Ethics and dissemination On 22 December 2021, this study received ethical approval from the Ethics Review Board of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, with the ethics number 2021-SR-530. All study participants will be informed of the research purpose and their participation will be voluntary. Informed consent will be obtained by providing and signing an informed consent form. We will ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations regarding privacy and data protection. The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed academic journal. We will ensure that the dissemination of study results is accurate, clear and timely.Trial registration number ChiCTR2200056527.

The Xianshuihe fault zone in the eastern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau is an important active tectonic boundary. Understanding its stress state is important for characterizing the dynamic evolution of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and the mechanism of the frequent occurrence of large earthquakes. Using 30 years of in-situ stress data from the Xianshuihe active fault zone, we statistically analyzed the spatial distribution characteristics of the stress in the region. The study area is generally characterized by a strike-slip stress field. Nevertheless, the stress state is vulnerable to topography and shows high spatial variation near the Earth’s surface at a depth of 0–400 m. The local stress near the fault zone varies from the far-field stress. The orientations of the maximum horizontal principal stress possess an elliptical shape around the fault zone, while its magnitudes become hump-like as the distance increases from the fault. The large difference in properties between the fault zone and its adjacent rocks contributes to the differentiation of the direction of the local stress field near the fault. The results allow us to formulate a preliminary hypothesis that a rigid lateral extrusion model may control the nonuniformity of the local stress field in the Xianshuihe fault zone and preferentially interpret the tectonic uplift of the southeastern margin of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Further, the stress accumulation in the shallow crustal regions of the Xianshuihe fault zone is relatively high, indicating that some segments of the fault zone are critically unstable. Kangding area (the Zheduotang segment and the Yalahe segment) and Luhuo segment hold relatively high potential for large earthquakes. The results of this study are of great significance for revealing the mechanism of fault–stress field interactions and for understanding the dynamic evolution mechanism of the uplift of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau.

IntroductionCordyceps cicadae is a traditional Chinese medicinal fungus known for its rich production of bioactive substances, particularly cyanidin, an anthocyanin commonly found in plants with notable anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. This study revealed two key genes, CcDFR and CcOMT9, affecting cyanidin biosynthesis in C. cicadae.MethodsThe roles of these genes in cyanidin production, growth, and development were elucidated through the gene knockout method, phenotypic analysis, transcriptomics, and metabolomics.ResultsCcDFR deletion led to reduced cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G), suppressed expression of cyanidin biosynthesis genes, impaired synnemata formation, decreased polysaccharide and adenosine content, and diminished chitinase activity. Meanwhile, the ΔCcOMT9 mutant exhibited an increase in C3G production, promoted expression of cyanidin biosynthesis genes and rising bioactive compounds, suppressed RNA methylation, and led to phenylalanine accumulation with no effect on fruiting body formation.DiscussionWe revealed a distinct anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway in C. cicadae and identified two genes with opposite functions, laying the foundation for future genetic modification of cyanidin-producing strains using modern biological techniques. This will shorten the production period of this valuable compound, facilitating the industrial-scale production of cyanidin.

Abstract The rotor of the axial split‐phase bearingless switched reluctance motor (ASPBSRM) is structured with convex poles. The magnetic flux between the stator and the rotor varies with the rotor position, resulting in time‐dependent displacement stiffness and current stiffness coefficients of the suspension force. This scenario leads to a time‐varying characteristic of the suspension system. This study analyzed the electromagnetic characteristics of the suspension force in the ASPBSRM to characterize the time‐varying suspension system accurately. The study elucidated the hinge relationship between the magnetic flux in the suspension system and the rotor position. Moreover, a mathematical model for the suspension force considering the magnetic flux multitooth hinge was constructed by leveraging the advantages of the Maxwell stress method for the localized modelling and adopting the concept of the main edge magnetic path parallel analysis. Finally, the effectiveness of the model was verified through finite element analysis.

BackgroundThe study of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has received great attention from academia and the general public. This study aims to analyze the research productivity on CTE and investigate the most discussed articles in academia and the general public by conducting bibliometric and altmetric analyses.MethodsData of articles were obtained from the Web of Science Core Databases and Altmetric Explore. VOSviewer and CiteSpace software were used to analyze and visualize the articles. The correlation between Altmetric attention scores (AAS) and citation counts were assessed by Spearman correlation coefficient.Results788 publications of CTE were eventually gathered and analyzed, and 100 articles with highest citation counts (Top-cited) and 100 articles with highest AASs (Top-AAS) were then identified. The keywords density map showed both the general public and the scientists were particularly interested in the risk factors and pathology of CTE, and scientists were interested in the causes and characteristics of neurodegenerative diseases while the public became increasingly concerned about the detection and prevention of CTE. By examining the shared characteristics of the 44 articles (High-High articles) that overlapped between Top-cited and Top-AAS articles, we identified certain traits that may potentially contribute to their high citation rates and high AASs. Besides, significant positive correlations with varied strength between AAS and citation were observed in the 788 articles, Top-cited, Top-AAS and High-High datasets.ConclusionThis study is the first to link bibliometric and altmetric analyses for CTE publications, which may provide deeper understanding of the attention of the scientists and the general public pay to the study of CTE, and offer some guidance and inspiration for future CTE in the selection of research topics and directions.

Deep neural networks have powerful memory capabilities, yet they frequently suffer from overfitting to noisy labels, leading to a decline in classification and generalization performance. To address this issue, sample selection methods that filter out potentially clean labels have been proposed. However, there is a significant gap in size between the filtered, possibly clean subset and the unlabeled subset, which becomes particularly pronounced at high-noise rates. Consequently, this results in underutilizing label-free samples in sample selection methods, leaving room for performance improvement. This study introduces an enhanced sample selection framework with an oversampling strategy (SOS) to overcome this limitation. This framework leverages the valuable information contained in label-free instances to enhance model performance by combining an SOS with state-of-the-art sample selection methods. We validate the effectiveness of SOS through extensive experiments conducted on both synthetic noisy datasets and real-world datasets such as CIFAR, WebVision, and Clothing1M. The source code for SOS will be made available at https://github.com/LanXiaoPang613/SOS.

As one of the comprehensive exploration techniques for underground geological resources, surface geochemical methods could play an important role in geothermal exploration, which requires detailed and systematic investigations. In this study, we take the Shiba geothermal basin in Huizhou, China, as the research object and apply surface geochemical testing methods to analyze the intrinsic relationship between the geothermal system and the surface soil. The contents of soil gases and elements are mainly determined, among which hydrogen (H2) and radon (Rn) show three obvious negative anomalies, corresponding to three positive anomalies of soil elements (Fe, U, Cr, V, Cu, and As) that are easy to migrate. The largest negative and positive anomalies correspond to the surface above the fault, which is related to the dominant channel from underground to the surface and is caused by the gas loss effect and the dissolution and migration of inorganic ions. However, the effects of the surface environment and organisms cannot be ignored. Only when the geothermal system has a significant impact on a certain geochemical parameter could the anomaly be manifested in the surface soil. Otherwise, most of the geothermal information, including thermal conduction, will be covered by surface factors. After surface geochemical anomalies related to the geothermal system have been identified, anomaly patterns (especially the top anomaly pattern) can be preliminarily established, which can be used for geothermal exploration. Furthermore, based on the empirical regional geothermal formula, the temperature and depth of the Shiba geothermal system are evaluated at 170°C and 4500 m, respectively, indicating that surface geochemical methods have a good practical prospect in the prediction of geothermal resources.

Super strength and toughness, excellent deformation resistance, and high-temperature service performance are the key factors to determine the practical application of new thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). The limited mobility of dislocations and the internal inherent defects in ceramics will inevitably lead to the decline of strength–plasticity and the reduction of service performance. Introducing preexisting twin boundaries and stacking faults (SFs) or preparing ceramic materials with high configuration entropy has demonstrated to be an effective strategy for enhancing the mechanical properties of ceramics. However, due to the positive thermal expansion coefficient of most ceramics and the remarkable increase of structural disorder at elevated temperature, the problem of elastic softening has become a bottleneck restricting the high-temperature service life of new TBCs. In this paper, the deformation behavior of high configuration entropy Zr6Ta2O17 ceramics at 25 to 1,200 °C was in situ monitored via digital image correlation technique and three-point bending test platform in high-temperature environment. A remarkable Elinvar-like effect appears in the Zr6Ta2O17 ceramic. More interestingly, mechanical deformation dominates the severe lattice distortion (deformation twins, SFs) and the disorder–order transition of chemical order at the atomic scale, while temperature can further enhance the degree of lattice distortion and ordering of Zr6Ta2O17 ceramics. Furthermore, the atomic fluctuations at high temperature promotes the comprehensive improvement of mechanical properties in the Zr6Ta2O17 ceramics.

Background. Protective ileostomy can effectively prevent severe anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer surgery; however, the optimal timing for ileostomy closure during adjuvant chemotherapy remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the safety and long-term outcomes of early ileostomy closure during adjuvant chemotherapy. Method. Patients who underwent laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery combined with protective ileostomy and adjuvant chemotherapy between April 2017 and April 2021 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided into an early closure group during chemotherapy (group A) and a late closure group after chemotherapy (group B). Results. A total of 215 patients were included in this study, with 115 in group A and 100 in group B. There were no significant differences in demographic and clinical characteristics between the two groups. In group A, durations of stoma status (p

BackgroundLaparoscopic right hemicolectomy is a standard treatment modality for right colon cancer. However, performing intracorporeal anastomosis (IA) for totally laparoscopic right hemicolectomy (TLRH) remains a challenge for some surgeons. To simplify IA in TLRH we used self-pulling and latter transection (SPLT) reconstruction in TLRH, and compared this procedure with overlap IA and laparoscopy-assisted right hemicolectomy (LARH) in order to evaluate its safety and effectiveness.MethodsPatients with right colon cancer who underwent SPLT-TLRH, TLRH with overlap IA or LARH between July 2019 and June 2023 were evaluated retrospectively. Basic information, oncological features, perioperative outcomes, and postoperative complications were compared between groups.ResultsIn total, 188 patients with right colon cancer that underwent SPLT-TLRH (n = 60), TLRH(n=21) or LARH (n = 107) were included in the study. No patient required conversion to open surgery. The operation time in SPLT-TLRH group was significantly shorter than that in TLRH group (P

Here, the authors utilise a combination of quasi-spherical theory and Jahn-Teller distortion to enhance the piezoelectric response of molecular metal halides, and the resulting piezoelectric energy harvesters exhibit superior power densities to the best-reported molecular hybrid energy harvesters.

Abstract tsRNAs (tRNA-derived small RNAs), as products of the stress response, exert considerable influence on stress response and injury regulation. However, it remains largely unclear whether tsRNAs can ameliorate liver injury. Here, we demonstrate the roles of tsRNAs in alleviating liver injury by utilizing the loss of NSun2 (NOP2/Sun domain family, member 2) as a tsRNAs-generating model. Mechanistically, the loss of NSun2 reduces methyluridine-U5 (m5U) and cytosine-C5 (m5C) of tRNAs, followed by the production of various tsRNAs, especially Class I tsRNAs (tRF-1s). Through further screening, we show that tRF-Gln-CTG-026 (tG026), the optimal tRF-1, ameliorates liver injury by repressing global protein synthesis through the weakened association between TSR1 (pre-rRNA-processing protein TSR1 homolog) and pre-40S ribosome. This study indicates the potential of tsRNA-reduced global protein synthesis in liver injury and repair, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for liver injury.

Nitrogen (N) application rates and planting density are key factors affecting grain yield and quality. In this experiment, four varieties, Huijing 753 (HJ 753), Huijing 855 (HJ 855), Huijing 866 (HJ 866), and Dangjing 8 (DJ 8), were used to investigate their effects on the yield and quality of japonica rice in Anhui, which has a lower soil N supply capacity. The current study set four levels of N application N1, N2, N3, and N4 (120, 180, 240, and 300) kg ha−1 and three planting densities D1, D2, and D3 (high-density: 45 × 104; medium-density: 37.5 × 104; low-density: 32.2 × 104) hills ha−1 for a total of 12 treatments. The effects of N application and planting density on rice yield, composition, processing quality, appearance quality, and cooking quality were analyzed. The results showed that with the increase in N application rates and planting density, the effective panicle number per plant and grain number per panicle of each rice variety increased, while HJ 753, HJ 855, and HJ 866 reached the highest yield under the N3D1 treatment and then gradually declined, and DJ 8 had the highest yield in the N4D1 treatment. In addition, the processing quality of various varieties can be improved by increasing the N application rate and planting density, but the appearance quality will deteriorate, the amylose content will also decrease, and gel consistency will also be lower. Therefore, under medium-planting density conditions, N at a rate of 240 kg ha−1 was the best for HJ 753, HJ 855, and HJ 866, and using 300 kg ha−1 for DJ 8 resulted in high grain yields and superior rice grain quality. In the next step, physiological, biochemical, and genotypic analyses of these three japonica rice varieties were carried out to provide a scientific basis and technical support for accelerating the breeding of high-yield japonica rice varieties.

Abstract Inflammation is a prevalent pathological process that accompanies the onset and progression of numerous acute and chronic diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, sepsis, pancreatitis, atherosclerosis, ischaemic brain/heart disease and so forth. However, conventional anti‐inflammatory drugs have certain disadvantages such as nonspecific tissue distribution, low bioavailability, and a short half‐life, resulting in off‐target side effects and limited efficacy in disease control. To address these issues, nanoparticles have emerged as a novel therapeutic paradigm in this field to attain inflammation targeting and improve drug pharmacokinetic properties via the well‐recognized enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect at the inflammatory site. Existing reviews are predominantly centered on inflammatory pathology introduction and vector design. As a necessary complement, this review mainly elaborates on the introduction of inflammation core events, the history of the drug delivery system for anti‐inflammatory drugs, the action mechanism of inflammation targeting vectors, nanoparticle classification based on targeting moiety, methods to combine targeting moiety with core nanoparticles, techniques to assess targetability in vitro and in vivo and finally the challenges and prospects in this field. The information provided herein offers practical guidance to researchers seeking to develop and evaluate inflammation targeting vectors rationally.

Summary: Oxidative stress-induced autophagy helps to prevent cellular damage and to maintain homeostasis. However, the regulatory pathway that initiates autophagy remains unclear. We previously showed that reactive oxygen species (ROS) function as signaling molecules to activate the ATM-CHK2 pathway and promote autophagy. Here, we find that the E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM32 functions downstream of ATM-CHK2 to regulate ATG7 ubiquitination. Under metabolic stress, ROS induce ATM phosphorylation at S1981, which in turn phosphorylates CHK2 at T68. We show that CHK2 binds and phosphorylates TRIM32 at the S55 site, which then mediates K63-linked ubiquitination of ATG7 at the K45 site to initiate autophagy. In addition, Chk2−/− mice show an aggravated infarction phenotype and reduced phosphorylation of TRIM32 and ubiquitination of ATG7 in a stroke model. We propose a molecular mechanism for autophagy initiation by ROS via the ATM-CHK2-TRIM32-ATG7 axis to maintain intracellular homeostasis and to protect cells exposed to pathological conditions from stress-induced tissue damage.