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Nipple adenoma (NA) is a rare benign lesion of the lactiferous ducts, often mistaken for malignancy due to its diverse clinical and imaging presentations. We report the case of a 34-year-old female presenting with persistent bloody discharge and nipple erosion, for which multimodal ultrasound evaluation was pivotal in the differential diagnosis. Ultrasonography revealed a hypoechoic, well-defined nodule in the left nipple, with significant blood flow and a fast-in-fast-out contrast enhancement pattern, indicative of NA. Despite the presentation mimicking malignant processes, the benign nature of the lesion was confirmed postoperatively via histology and immunohistochemistry. This case underscores the value of a comprehensive ultrasound approach in diagnosing NA, emphasizing its ability to distinguish it from malignant lesions, and thus infer an appropriate treatment course. Maintaining a high index of suspicion coupled with tailored ultrasound techniques is recommended for accurate NA diagnosis, which remains a challenging yet critical task to avoid unnecessary aggressive interventions.

TeO2-Bi2O3-B2O3-ZnO laser glasses doped with Er3+ were synthesized through an optimized melt-quenching method. The absorption spectra at 808 nm LD pumping were studied. Various spectral tests and data analyses indicate that the maximum fluorescence emission intensity can be obtained when the Er3+ doping concentration reaches 2%. In this case, the emission cross-section can reach up to 9.12 × 10−21 cm2 and the gain coefficient at 1.55 μm is 6.17 cm−1. Simultaneously, the sample has a lower phonon energy in the high-frequency band at 1077 cm−1, which reduces the probability of non-radiative relaxation. The calculated energy transfer coefficient CD-A is 13.8 × 10−40 cm6/s, reflecting the high cross-relaxation probability of Er3+ in the sample, which promotes the luminescence of 1.55 μm and favors the emission in the near-infrared region. The comprehensive results demonstrate that the prepared Er3+-doped bismuth telluride laser glass can be used as a promising and high-quality gain material for near-infrared lasers.

Phytophthora sojae is a type of pathogenic oomycete that causes Phytophthora root stem rot (PRSR), which can seriously affect the soybean yield and quality. To subvert immunity, P. sojae secretes a large quantity of effectors. However, the molecular mechanisms regulated by most P. sojae effectors, and their host targets remain unexplored. Previous studies have shown that the expression of PsAvh113, an effector secreted by Phytophthora sojae, enhances viral RNA accumulations and symptoms in Nicotiana benthamiana via VIVE assay. In this study, we analyzed RNA-sequencing data based on disease symptoms in N. benthamiana leaves that were either mocked or infiltrated with PVX carrying the empty vector (EV) and PsAvh113. We identified 1769 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) dependent on PsAvh113. Using stricter criteria screening and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis of DEGs, we found that 38 genes were closely enriched in response to PsAvh113 expression. We selected three genes of N. benthamiana (NbNAC86, NbMyb4, and NbERF114) and found their transcriptional levels significantly upregulated in N. benthamiana infected with PVX carrying PsAvh113. Furthermore, individual silencing of these three genes promoted P. capsici infection, while their overexpression increased resistance to P. capsici in N. benthamiana. Our results show that PsAvh113 interacts with transcription factors NbMyb4 and NbERF114 in vivo. Collectively, these data may help us understand the pathogenic mechanism of effectors and manage PRSR in soybeans.

Shengjiang Xiexin Decoction (SXD) is a widely recognized formula in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treating diarrhea and is commonly used in clinical practice. Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a type of antibiotic-associated diarrhea with a rising incidence rate that has severe consequences for humans. Recent clinical applications have found significant efficacy in using SXD as an adjunct to CDI treatment. However, the pharmacodynamic substance basis and therapeutic mechanism of SXD remain unclear. This study aimed to systematically analyze the metabolic mechanisms and key pharmacodynamic components of SXD in CDI mice by combining non-targeted metabolomics of Chinese medicine and serum medicinal chemistry. We established a CDI mouse model to observe the therapeutic effect of SXD on CDI. We investigated the mechanism of action and active substance composition of SXD against CDI by analyzing 16S rDNA gut microbiota, untargeted serum metabolomics, and serum pharmacochemistry. We also constructed a multi-scale, multifactorial network for overall visualization and analysis. Our results showed that SXD significantly reduced fecal toxin levels and attenuated colonic injury in CDI model mice. Additionally, SXD partially restored CDI-induced gut microbiota composition. Non-targeted serum metabolomics studies showed that SXD not only regulated Taurine and hypotaurine metabolism but also metabolic energy and amino acid pathways such as Ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, Glycerolipid metabolism, Pentose and glucuronate interconversions, as well as body and other metabolite production in the host. Through the implementation of network analysis methodologies, we have discerned that Panaxadiol, Methoxylutcolin, Ginsenoside-Rf, Suffruticoside A, and 10 other components serve as critical potential pharmacodynamic substance bases of SXD for CDI. This study reveals the metabolic mechanism and active substance components of SXD for the treatment of CDI mice using phenotypic information, gut microbiome, herbal metabolomics, and serum pharmacochemistry. It provides a theoretical basis for SXD quality control studies.

ObjectiveThe association between birth weight and ambient temperature during pregnancy remains inconclusive, and data from Chinese populations are scarce. We conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the association between birth weight and ambient temperature during pregnancy among the residents of Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, China.MethodsInformation regarding 10,903 infants born between January 2018 and December 2018 who were born at the hospitals in Suzhou Industrial Park, Jiangsu province was obtained via public birth records.ResultsThis study found that the ambient temperature during the first trimester of pregnancy was negatively correlated with birth weight, suggesting that elevated temperature may be related to lower birth weight. However, the ambient temperatures during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy were positively correlated with birth weight. Moreover, when the ambient temperature was below 15°C during the second trimester of pregnancy, the birth weight increased with temperature. However, when the temperature was higher than 15°C, the birth weight decreased with temperature. The relationship between ambient temperature in the third trimester and birth weight presented an inverted “U” curve. When the ambient temperature was lower than 20°C, the birth weight increased with ambient temperature, but when the ambient temperature was higher than 20°C, the increase of ambient temperature showed no significant relationship with the increase of birth weight.ConclusionThe ambient temperature was correlated with birth weight. The ambient temperature during the first trimester of pregnancy was negatively correlated with birth weight. The relationship between ambient temperature in the third trimester and birth weight presented an inverted “U” curve.

Background: To systematically investigate the topological organisation of morphological networks of the cerebellum using structural MRI and examine their clinical relevance in chronic insomnia (CI). Methods: One hundred and one patients with CI and 102 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited in this study. Individual morphological networks of the cerebellum were constructed based on regional grey matter volume, and topologically characterised using weighted graph theory-based network approaches. Between-group comparisons were performed using permutation tests, and Spearman’s correlation was used to examine the relationships between topological alterations and clinical variables. Results: Compared with HCs, patients with CI exhibited a lower normalised clustering coefficient. Locally, CI patients exhibited lower nodal efficiency in the cerebellar lobule VIIb and vermis regions, but higher nodal efficiency in the right cerebellar lobule VIIIa regions. No correlations were observed between network alterations and clinical variables. Conclusions: Individual morphological network analysis provides a new strategy for investigating cerebellar morphometric changes in CI, and our findings may have important implications in establishing diagnostic and categorical biomarkers.

Antibiotics are currently the main therapeutic agent for bacterial infections, but they have led to bacterial resistance, which has become a worldwide problem that needs to be addressed. The emergence of inorganic nanomaterials provides a new opportunity for the prevention and treatment of bacterial infection. With the continuous development of nanoscience, more and more inorganic nanomaterials have been used to treat bacterial infections. However, single inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) are often faced with problems such as large dosage, strong toxic and side effects, poor therapeutic effect and so on, so the combination of inorganic nano-materials and photothermal therapy (PTT) has become a promising treatment. PTT effectively avoids the problem of bacterial drug resistance, and can also reduce the dosage of inorganic nanomaterials to a certain extent, greatly improving the antibacterial effect. In this paper, we summarize several common synthesis methods of inorganic nanomaterials, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of several typical inorganic nanomaterials which can be used in photothermal treatment of bacterial infection, such as precious metal-based nanomaterials, metal-based nanomaterials and carbon-based nanomaterials. In addition, we also analyze the future development trend of the remaining problems. We hope that these discussions will be helpful to the future research of near-infrared (NIR) photothermal conversion inorganic nanomaterials.

This study aimed to assess the effect of the altered strength of the sound limb on the hemodynamics in the affected brain of stroke patients. We recruited 20 stroke patients to detect changes in the HbO concentrations in the bilateral prefrontal cortex (PFC), sensorimotor cortex (SMC), and occipital lobe (OL). We performed functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to detect changes in oxyhemoglobin (HbO) concentrations in regions of interest (ROIs) in the bilateral cerebral hemispheres of stroke patients while they performed 20%, 50%, and 80% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) levels of handgrip tasks with the unaffected hands. The results suggest that when patients performed handgrip tasks with 50% of the MVC force, SMC in the affected cerebral hemisphere was strongly activated and the change in the HbO concentration was similar to that of the handgrip with 80% of MVC. When the force was 50% of MVC, the SMC in the affected hemisphere showed a more proportional activation than that at 80% MVC. Overall, this research suggests that stroke patients with a poor upper limb function should perform motor training with their sound hands at 50% of the MVC grip task to activate the ipsilesional hemisphere.

Graphene oxide-carbon fiber/epoxy (GO-CF/EP) composites with extrusion temperatures of 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 °C were prepared by a vacuum infiltration hot-press-forming experimental system (VIHPS). The effects of extrusion temperature on the microstructure, fracture mechanism and mechanical properties of GO-CF/EP composites were investigated. It was found that the best mechanical property of composites and infiltration effect of the matrix in the fiber gap were obtained at the temperature of 50 °C, and the bending strength of the composite reached 728 MPa. The fiber was pulled out and broken under the wrapping of the matrix. The matrix viscosity was high, and the fluidity was poor when the extrusion temperature was low. The poor infiltration of the matrix resulted in many fibers failing to bond together, resulting in the disorderly breakage of fiber bundles. Under the condition of higher temperature, the flow speed of the matrix could be improved. However, part of the matrix was extruded during the extrusion process, and cracks and other defects occurred during the loading, which caused the brittle fracture of the specimen.

In this paper, four groups of graphene oxide and carbon fiber hybrid-reinforced resin matrix (GO-CF/EP) composites with different layering ways were prepared by a vacuum infiltration hot pressing system (VIHPS). The damping properties of the specimens with different layering ways were tested by the force hammer method, and the micromorphology of the specimens was photographed by scanning electron microscope. The experimental results showed that the damping properties of GO-CF/EP composites gradually increased with the increase in the number of Y-direction layers. The [XYXYXY]6 has the best damping property, with a damping ratio of 1.187%. The damping ratio is 5.3 times higher than that of [XXXXXX]6 layer mode, and the first-order natural frequency is 77.7 Hz. This is mainly because the stiffness of the X-direction layer is larger than that of the Y-direction layer, and its resistance to deformation is considerable. Therefore, its decay rate is slower. The Y-direction layer has weak resistance to deformation and fast energy attenuation. The increase in the number of Y-direction layers will lead to the overall increase in, and the improvement of, the damping properties of GO-CF/EP composites.

Graphene is often used to improve interlaminar fracture toughness of carbon fiber/epoxy resin (CF/EP) composites. It is still a challenge to improve the toughness while maintaining the in-layer properties. In this study, 2D graphene oxide carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin matrix (2D CF-GO/EP) composites were prepared by a vacuum infiltration hot-press forming experimental system (VIHPS), and three-point flexural and end notch flexural (ENF) tests were carried out. With the increase of the fiber mass fraction in the composites, the mode II interlaminar fracture toughness (GIIC) layers decrease gradually, and the bond property between the fiber and matrix interface layer becomes worse, because the accumulation of dense fiber bundles reduces the matrix penetration ability of cracks. However, the flexural properties increased first and then decreased, and reached the best flexural properties at 64.9%. When the fiber mass fraction is too high, the interlamellar bonding properties will decrease, and the fiber bundles will compress and affect each other. The delamination phenomenon will occur between the layers of the composites, which affects the overall bearing strength and stress limit of the composites. The results of the study show that the composites prepared by VIHPS have excellent mechanical properties, and the content of carbon fiber plays an important role in the influencing factors of the interlaminar and in-layer properties of composites.

Abstract Objective This study aims to use a wall shear stress (WSS) quantitative analysis software to analyze and evaluate the carotid sinus WSS spatial distribution and characteristics in intima-media thickness (IMT) normal and thickening group by using two-dimensional color doppler flow imaging (CDFI) so as to assist clinicians to predict the location and risk of plaque formation. Methods According to IMT, 50 subjects was selected as IMT thickening group and 50 subjects as IMT normal group from subjects who had a carotid ultrasound examination in Shanghai East hospital during October 2016 to October 2017. This study presents the spatial distribution of the carotid sinus WSS based on the WSS quantitative analysis software and compared the spatial distribution and characteristics of the carotid sinus WSS between IMT thickening group and IMT normal group through two- and three-dimensional WSS maps and a fused WSS image. Results The distributional regularity of WSS in both two group was: carotid sinus

Abstract Background Patients with uremia have high cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality despite having normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Longitudinal strain (LS) can be associated with subtle changes in LV systolic function. The aim of this study was to use two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) to assess subclinical LV myocardial dysfunction and to explore strain-changing regularities in uremic patients with LVEF ≥ 55%. Methods The study population included 40 uremic patients and 40 healthy volunteers. 2DSTE was performed on all participants to assess peak LS in the basal, mid and apical LV (BLS, MLS and ALS) and the respective time to peak LS (T-BLS, T-MLS, T-ALS). Results BLS, MLS, and ALS were significantly decreased in the uremic group relative to healthy controls and LS increased going in a basal to apical direction in both groups. T-BLS, T-MLS and T-ALS was significantly increased in the uremic group compared with the control group. In uremic patients, T-BLS, but not T-MLS or T-ALS, was significantly delayed relative to the control group. Bivariate analysis of creatinine (Cr) or urea nitrogen and strain parameters revealed a correlation only between ALS and Cr. Conclusion 2DSTE can identify LV myocardial abnormalities in uremic patients with preserved LVEF at early stage, as well as some changing regularities of LS and T-LS in the left ventricle.

TREKs are members of the two-pore domain potassium (K2P) channels, being important clinical targets. Here the authors identify inhibitors of K2P that bind to an allosteric site located in their extracellular cap, suggesting that it might be a promising drug target for these channels.

Abstract Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by diverse symptoms. Although several antidepressants can influence dopamine system in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), but the role of D1R or D2R subtypes of dopamine receptor during anti-depression process is still vague in PFC region. To address this question, we investigate the antidepressant effect of levo-stepholidine (l-SPD), an antipsychotic medication with unique pharmacological profile of D1R agonism and D2R antagonism, and clarified its molecular mechanisms in the mPFC. Our results showed that l-SPD exerted antidepressant-like effects on the Sprague-Dawley rat CMS model of depression. Mechanism studies revealed that l-SPD worked as a specific D1R agonist, rather than D2 antagonist, to activate downstream signaling of PKA/mTOR pathway, which resulted in increasing synaptogenesis-related proteins, such as PSD 95 and synapsin I. In addition, l-SPD triggered long-term synaptic potentiation (LTP) in the mPFC, which was blocked by the inhibition of D1R, PKA, and mTOR, supporting that selective activation of D1R enhanced excitatory synaptic transduction in PFC. Our findings suggest a critical role of D1R/PKA/mTOR signaling cascade in the mPFC during the l-SPD mediated antidepressant process, which may also provide new insights into the role of mesocortical dopaminergic system in antidepressant effects.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the application of transvaginal two-dimensional and three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound in pregnancy corpus luteum to predict the final outcome of early intrauterine pregnancy.Methods: This is a prospective observational cohort study. Six hundred early intrauterine pregnant women in Shanghai Changning Maternity and Infant Health Hospital were selected as the research objects from January 2015 to December 2015. According to the follow-up of 12 weeks, these pregnant women were divided into the normal pregnancy group (group A, n = 512) and the terminational pregnancy group (group B, n = 88). They all underwent both transvaginal two-dimensional ultrasound and three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound to obtain relevant parameters of corpus luteum, namely, the average diameter of the corpus luteum (D), resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), corpus luteum volume (V), vascularization index (VI), blood flow index (FI), and vascularized blood flow index (VFI). Among them, V, VI, FI, and VFI were calculated with the virtual organ computer-aided analysis method. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn. The corresponding diagnostic cut-off, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated and compared.Results: Compared with group A, the D, V, VI, FI, and VFI of corpus luteum in group B were statistically significant lower while RI and PI were statistically significant higher (P < 0.05). The diagnostic cut-off values in the prediction of early intrauterine pregnancy outcomes were D: 14.48, RI: 0.56, PI: 0.81, V: 3.89, VI: 21.48, FI: 38.99, and VFI: 10.21 respectively, and the sensitivity and specificity were D (99.2%, 67.0%), RI (98.9%, 65.0%), PI (78.4%, 89.1%), V (95.1%, 78.4%), VI (74.%, 90.9%), FI (91.8%, 90.9%), and VFI (93.9%, 87.5%) respectively. The area under the ROC curve of the combined index (RI + FI) was 0.963, which was not significantly higher compared with any single index, and both the sensitivity and specificity were 94.3%.Conclusion: Both transvaginal two-dimensional and three-dimensional ultrasonography are of high diagnostic value in predicting the early intrauterine pregnancy outcomes.

In order to prepare a carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer composite (CFRP) with ideal microstructure and properties, a new vacuum pressure infiltration CFRP method is proposed based on an analysis of existing CFRP preparation process methods. Research on composite material preparation systems was carried out by using this new method principle. The system mainly includes a fiber pre-forming module, a vacuum heating infiltration module, a hot-press curing molding module, and a data acquisition control module. Under the conditions of natural curing at 0 MPa + 6 h + 25 °C, vacuum heating curing at −0.05 MPa + 30 min + 80 °C, and hot-press curing at 0.7 MPa + 5 min + 50 °C, a two-dimensional (2D) CFRP with excellent microstructure and properties was successfully prepared. Observing the microstructure of the prepared composite material, it can be found that the inside of the composite material was sufficiently and uniformly infiltrated, and common preparation defects such as holes and delamination were effectively controlled. Through the performance test, the bending strength of the material reached 790 MPa.

ZrW _2 O _8 -C _f /E51 composite with a negative Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) was fabricated by a method combining mechanical stirring with ultrasonic vibration, then microstructures and properties of the composites were analyzed and summarized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), DIL 402 C thermal expansion tester and electronic universal testing machine. The results showed that particles distribution defects and impregnation defects of carbon fibers would occur when the process parameters were not controlled properly. Long curing time and good fluidity of resin were beneficial for resin impregnating carbon fibers and bubbles overflow. However, for the ZrW _2 O _8 -C _f /E51 composites studied in this paper, long curing time and low viscosity could cause particle settling and accumulation. The experimental results confirmed that the CTE (about −0.52 × 10 ^−6 /°C) and tensile strength (about 440 MPa) of E51 resin were improved with the addition of carbon fibers and ZrW _2 O _8 particles.

This paper puts forward a novel non-ionic augmentation system, namely, gelation of native starch in the presence of borax and papermaking fibers. Native starch was blended with high concentration pulp and auxiliary agents. After pasting, the starch gel adhered onto fiber surfaces. However, an excess dosage of agents led to a rigid structure and poor gel strength. Starch became gelatinized and then cross-linked by borax and cured as an adhesive layer through the process of pressing and drying under a high temperature. This provided close and uniform contact between starch and fibers. As a result, the strength of the paper was increased after forming.

2D-T700/E44 composite materials were prepared by improved compression molding process (ICM) then microstructure and properties of the composites were analyzed and summarized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electronic universal testing machine. It is found that defects will occur when the process parameters are not controlled properly and the main defects of composite materials include inadequate resin impregnation, weak interlaminar binding force, fiber displacement warping, hole and brittle fracture. Moreover, there are significant differences in the infiltration microstructure, bending properties, and fracture morphology of the composite materials with different defects. When the defects of weak interlaminar binding force and brittle fracture occur, bending properties of composite materials are relatively low, and they are 220 MPa and 245 MPa, respectively, which reach 34.9% and 38.9% of the bending strength of composite material whose defects are effectively controlled. When the process parameters are reasonable and the defects of the composite materials are effectively eliminated, the bending strength can reach 630 MPa. This will lay a foundation for the preparation of 2D-T700/E44 composite materials with ideal microstructures and properties by ICM.