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Abstract Aims The prognostic significance of N‐terminal pro B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has been well established. HFpEF and atrial fibrillation (AF) commonly coexist, and each contributes to poor outcomes independently. Nevertheless, the ability of NT‐proBNP to predict AF in HFpEF patients remains uncertain. Methods and results A total of 367 HFpEF patients without baseline AF from the Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure with an Aldosterone Antagonist (TOPCAT) trial were included. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess the association of NT‐proBNP with the risk of AF. The C‐statistic, categorical net reclassification index (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) were used to evaluate the ability of NT‐proBNP in new‐onset AF prediction. During a median follow‐up of 2.91 years, 17 (4.63%) new‐onset AF cases occurred. Every 1000 pg/mL increase in NT‐proBNP was associated with a 16% increase in the risk of AF occurrence after adjustments (hazard ratio, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.02–1.32]). NT‐proBNP showed a moderate performance for new‐onset AF at 3 years (C‐statistic, 0.67). Adding NT‐proBNP to CHADS2/R2CHADS2/CHA2DS2‐VASc/C2HSET scores improved their predictive performance for AF risk (CHADS2: C‐statistic, 0.63, CHADS2+NT: C‐statistic, 0.69, NRI, 47.46%, IDI, 1.18%; R2CHADS2: C‐statistic, 0.65, R2CHADS2+NT: C‐statistic, 0.70, NRI, 48.03%, IDI, 0.51%; CHA2DS2‐VASc: C‐statistic, 0.67, CHA2DS2‐VASc+NT: C‐statistic, 0.72, NRI, 49.41%, IDI, 0.86%; C2HSET: C‐statistic, 0.77, C2HSET+NT: C‐statistic, 0.80, NRI, 50.32%, IDI, 1.58%). Conclusions Among patients with HFpEF, the NT‐proBNP level was positively associated with the incidence of new‐onset AF and may be a promising predictor.

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva and progressive osseous heteroplasia are genetic forms of heterotopic ossification (HO). Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva is caused by ACVR1 gene mutations, while progressive osseous heteroplasia is caused by GNAS gene mutations. Nongenetic HO typically occurs after trauma or surgery, with an occurrence rate of 20–60%. It can also be observed in conditions such as diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, spinal ligament ossification, ankylosing spondylitis, and skeletal fluorosis. The exact cause of nongenetic HO is not entirely clear. More than 100 types of miRNAs have been identified as being linked to the development of HO. Some miRNAs are promising potential biomarkers for traumatic HO and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. These findings further emphasize the significant role miRNAs play in the pathogenesis and progression of bone disorders. Repeated investigations into the function of a specific miRNA are infrequent and yield inconsistent results, possibly because of variable experimental conditions. It is hypothesized that miRNAs can enhance osteogenesis for the management of fractures and bone defects. However, further research is required to validate this hypothesis.

Abstract Under the background of global climate change, climate warming has led to an increase in insect herbivory, which significantly affects the growth, survival, and regeneration of forest plants in the warm temperate zone of China. Plants can adopt defense responses to adapt to insect defoliation. Therefore, field experiments were conducted on five common warm temperate species, Quercus acutissima, Quercus serrata, Quercus aliena, Quercus dentata, and Robinia pseudoacacia. We measured the leaf traits of healthy trees and insect defoliated trees, to explore the response strategies of common species in warm temperate zones to insect defoliation. Our results showed that native species stored more carbon in extreme environments for survival rather than growth, while the alien species R. pseudoacacia tended to adopt active resource acquisition strategies and were more inclined towards growth. The content of tannins and flavonoids in the alien species R. pseudoacacia did not significantly increase after leaf damage, while the content of secondary metabolites such as tannins, flavonoids, and total phenols in the native species Q. acutissima, Q. serrata, Q. aliena, Q. dentata increased significantly after leaf damage. This indicated that compared to alien species, native species invested more resources in defense, which might reduce resource allocation for growth. Thus, the native Quercus species have stronger resistance than the alien species R. pseudoacacia after insect defoliation.

Abstract Background Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) represents a critical complications of end-stage liver disease, serving as an independent predictor of mortality among patients with cirrhosis. Despite effective treatment with rifaximin, some patients with HE still progress to recurrent episodes, posing a significant therapeutic challenge. Recurrent HE is defined as experiencing two or more episodes within a 6-month period. Previous research has suggested that FMT may emerge as a promising treatment for recurrent HE. However, there remains a critical need to explore the optimal dosage. This trial aims to abscess the efficacy and safety of two FMT dosages: 800 ml or 400 ml total bacterial count, including mortality and quality of life. Methods This multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial will enroll 100 eligible patients from 31 hospitals in China. Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the high-dose group (800 ml total bacterial count) or the low-dose group (400 ml total bacterial count). The primary objective is to assess the efficacy and safety of both dosages on outcomes at 24 and 48 weeks, including mortality and quality of life. Discussion If either or both dosages of FMT demonstrate safe and effective treatment of recurrent HE, leading to improve quality of life and survival at 24 and 48 weeks, this trial would address a significant gap in the management of recurrent HE, carrying innovative and clinically significant implications. Trial registration NCT05669651 on ClinicalTrials.gov. Registered on 29 December 2022. CHiCTR2200067135 on China Registered Clinical Trial Registration Center. Registered on 27 December 2022.

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the neurological outcomes of Metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) patients who underwent decompressive surgery after experiencing over 48 h of paralysis. Methods This retrospective study hypothesizes that, unlike in cases of trauma and degenerative disorders where delayed decompression surgery often leads to poor outcomes, delayed decompression surgery for MESCC-induced paralysis yields relatively favorable results. This study included MESCC patients who had been paralyzed for more than 48 h and underwent decompressive surgery between January 2012 and December 2020. Data collected mainly included patient demographics, tumor pathologies, neurological function (Frankel grades), ambulatory status, and imaging manifestions. The primary outcome measure was neurological recovery. Results A total of 37 patients were included, with a median preoperative paralysis duration of 9 days. Following decompressive surgery, 30 patients (81.1%) improved by at least one Frankel grade. Specifically, 22 patients (59.5%) regained ambulatory ability. The percentages of patients with Frankel grades A, B, and C who regained ambulation after surgery were 28.6% (2 out of 7), 57.1% (8 out of 14), and 75.0% (12 out of 16), respectively. Conclusions Decompressive surgery is associated with significant neurological recovery in MESCC patients who have been non-ambulatory for more than 48 h. Surgical intervention remains beneficial even in cases of prolonged paralysis.

Al–Mg-Sc-Zr alloys with flat surface, low porosity and excellent mechanical properties were prepared by Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) and annealed (A) using secondary recycled Al–Mg-Sc-Zr powders in an open environment. The optimal LMD parameters are laser power 1800 W, scanning speed 5 mm/s and scanning spacing 3 mm The Al–Mg-Sc-Zr alloy deposited by multi-layer multi-track under optimal parameters and subsequent annealing treatment displays a flat surface, porosity of 2.08%, hardness of 134 HV, ultimate tensile strengthen (UTS) of 348 MPa, yield strength (YS) of 235 MPa and uniform elongation (εu) of 16.71%. The porosity mainly concentrates in the molten pool overlap due to the influence of Marangoni convection. Solute redistribution and compositional subcooling lead to periodic segregation of Sc elements, finally contributing to the appearance of bright and dark spiral stacking features centered in the molten pool. Due to the small G/R value of the molten pool, coarse and fine equiaxed grains are alternately developed during single-track deposition. The in-situ heat treatment induced by the subsequent multi-layer multi-track deposition transformed the alternately distributed coarse and fine equiaxed grain structure into a homogeneous grain structure. This results from the combination influence of the difference in the proportion of large-angle grain boundaries occupied by the coarse/fine grains and the pinning of the Al3(Sc,Zr) grains. The strength of the present alloy is mainly provided by solid solution strengthening, fine grain strengthening and second phase strengthening. The stress concentration is reduced for fine grain size and the intergranular strain transfer is favored because of small internal orientation difference. Meanwhile, the interlayer retention and annealing treatment timely release the thermal stresses during the LMD process, which results in the Al–Mg-Sc-Zr alloys keep good plasticity.

Abstract Background Clinically important lineages in Klebsiella, especially those expressing multi-drug resistance (MDR), pose severe threats to public health worldwide. They arose from the co-evolution of the vertically inherited core genome and horizontal gene transfers by plasmids, which has not been systematically explored. Methods We designed KleTy, which consists of dedicated typing schemes for both the core genome and plasmids in Klebsiella. We compared the performance of KleTy with many state-of-the-art pipelines using both simulated and real data. Results Employing KleTy, we genotyped 33,272 Klebsiella genomes, categorizing them into 1773 distinct populations and predicting the presence of 87,410 plasmids from 837 clusters (PCs). Notably, Klebsiella is the center of the plasmid-exchange network within Enterobacteriaceae. Our results associated the international emergence of prevalent Klebsiella populations with only four carbapenem-resistance (CR) PCs, two hypervirulent PCs, and two hvCR-PCs encoding both carbapenemase and hypervirulence. Furthermore, we observed the ongoing international emergence of bla NDM, accompanied by the replacement of the previously dominant population, bla KPC-encoding HC1360_8 (CC258), during 2003–2018, with the emerging bla NDM-encoding HC1360_3 (CC147) thereafter. Additionally, expansions of hypervirulent carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvCRKP) were evidenced in both populations, driven by plasmids of MDR-hypervirulence convergences. Conclusions The study illuminates how the global genetic landscape of Klebsiella has been shaped by the co-evolution of both the core genome and the plasmids, underscoring the importance of surveillance and control of the dissemination of plasmids for curtailing the emergence of hvCRKPs.

Abstract Background Accurately identifying effective biomarkers and translating them into clinical practice have significant implications for improving clinical outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, our objective is to explore appropriate methods to improve the accuracy of biomarker identification and investigate their clinical value. Methods Concentrating on the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification regulators, we utilized dozens of multi-omics HCC datasets to analyze the expression patterns and genetic features of m6A regulators. Through the integration of big data analysis with function experiments, we have redefined the biological roles of m6A regulators in HCC. Based on the key regulators, we constructed m6A risk models and explored their clinical value in estimating prognosis and guiding personalized therapy for HCC. Results Most m6A regulators exhibit abnormal expression in HCC, and their expression is influenced by copy number variations (CNV) and DNA methylation. Large-scale data analysis has revealed the biological roles of many key m6A regulators, and these findings are well consistent with experimental results. The m6A risk models offer significant prognostic value. Moreover, they assist in reassessing the therapeutic potential of drugs such as sorafenib, gemcitabine, CTLA4 and PD1 blockers in HCC. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the mutual validation of big data analysis and functional experiments may facilitate the precise identification and definition of biomarkers, and our m6A risk models may have the potential to guide personalized chemotherapy, targeted treatment, and immunotherapy decisions in HCC.

The increasing frequency of cervical and lumbar spine disorders, driven by aging and evolving lifestyles, has led to a rise in spinal surgeries using pedicle screws. Robotic spinal surgery systems have emerged as a promising innovation, offering enhanced accuracy in screw placement and improved surgical outcomes. We focused on literature of this field from the past 5 years, and a comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar. Robotic spinal surgery systems have significantly impacted spinal procedures by improving pedicle screw placement accuracy and supporting various techniques. These systems facilitate personalized, minimally invasive, and low‐radiation interventions, leading to greater precision, reduced patient risk, and decreased radiation exposure. Despite advantages, challenges such as high costs and a steep learning curve remain. Ongoing advancements are expected to further enhance these systems' role in spinal surgery.

Background: Injectable hydrogels are widely used in drug delivery and the repair of irregular tissue defects due to their advantages such as convenient and minimally invasive operation. Although the existing injectable hydrogels have excellent biocompatibility and osteoconduction, they still face clinical challenges such as low osteogenic activity. The key requirements for improved injectable hydrogels as repair materials for non-load bearing bone defects are optimal handling properties, the ability to fill irregular defects and provide osteoinductive stimulation. Methods: We developed an approach to construct injectable hydrogels through a two-step gelation process. In the first step of gelation, the denaturation and rehybridization mechanism of natural biopolymer DNA was utilized to form interconnected structure through hydrogen bonding between complementary base pairs between the DNA strands. In the second step of gelation, the introduction of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) loaded with osteogenic model drug dexamethasone (Dex) provided additional crosslinking sites through non-covalent interactions with the DNA backbone, including electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding interaction. Results: The DNA-based nanocomposite hydrogel material developed in our work can be used as an injectable filling material for the repair of non-load bearing bone defect and can be loaded with osteogenic model drug dexamethasone (Dex) for improved osteoinductivity, promoting new bone regeneration in vivo. Translational potential of this article: This article highlights the potential of using nanocomposite hydrogels to repair non-load bearing bone defects, which are common injuries in the clinic. This study provides a deeper understanding of how to optimize the properties of hydrogels to regulate cell differentiation and tissue formation.

The relentless rise in heart disease incidence, a leading global cause of death, presents a significant public health challenge. Precise prediction of heart disease risk and early interventions are crucial. This study investigates the performance improvement of heart disease prediction models using machine learning and deep learning algorithms. Initially, we utilized the Heart Failure Prediction Dataset from Kaggle. After preprocessing to ensure data quality, three distinct feature engineering techniques were applied: PCA for dimensionality reduction, ET for feature selection, and Pearson's correlation coefficient for feature selection. We assessed their impact on model performance. The dataset was then partitioned into three different data split ratios—1:9, 2:8, and 3:7—to determine their specific effects on model performance. Twelve machine learning classifiers—LGBM, Adaboost, XGB, RF, DT, KNN, LR, GNB, ET, SVC, GB, and Bagging—were trained and evaluated based on five key metrics: accuracy, recall, precision, F1 score, and training time. The influence of different feature engineering methods and data partitioning ratios on model performance were systematically analyzed using paired-sample t-tests. Among the feature engineering methods compared, the Bagging classifier, when combined with feature selection via ET, exhibited superior performance. It achieved an accuracy of 97.48 % and an F1-Score of 97.48 % with a data split ratio of 1:9 between the test and training sets. With a 2:8 split, the accuracy was 94.96 % and the F1-Score was 94.95 %. For a 3:7 split, the accuracy was 94.12 % and the F1-Score was 94.11 %. Paired sample T-test results indicate that feature selection using Pearson correlation coefficient can shorten training duration, but this also leads to a decline in classifier performance. After applying PCA dimensionality reduction, compared with the control group, there was no significant difference in the training efficiency and efficacy of the classifier. However, feature selection through ET significantly reduced the training time for various classifiers while ensuring their performance.

AZ31 Mg alloy thin walls are prepared using wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) and interlayer ultrasonic impact (UI) techniques with cold metal transition (CMT) serving as the heat source. The microstructure, mechanical and corrosion properties of thin walls prepared by WAAM and WAAM + UI are studied. Results showed that the recrystallization area fraction along traveling direction (TD) increased by 68.6% after UI treatment, and many fine equiaxed crystals were formed, resulting in grain refinement, anisotropy reduction, mechanical and corrosion properties improvement. The average grain size along TD decreased from 66.6 ± 3.5 μm to 32.7 ± 1.6 μm. Through UI treatment, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation (EL) along TD increased from 205 MPa to 230 MPa and 13.5%–17%, respectively. The anisotropic percentage of UTS and EL were decreased from 10.8% to 4.5%, and 42.1%–9.7%, respectively. Electrochemical experimental results showed that the average corrosion rate along TD decreased from 1.93 mm year−1 to 1.53 mm year−1. Grain refinement, dislocation density variation and texture strength reduction were the main reasons for these results.

Abstract Purpose Uveal melanoma (UM) is adults’ most common primary intraocular malignant tumor. It has been observed that 40% of patients experience distant metastasis during subsequent treatment. While there exist multigene models developed using machine learning methods to assess metastasis and prognosis, the immune microenvironment’s specific mechanisms influencing the tumor microenvironment have not been clarified. Single-cell transcriptome sequencing can accurately identify different types of cells in a tissue for precise analysis. This study aims to develop a model with fewer genes to evaluate metastasis risk in UM patients and provide a theoretical basis for UM immunotherapy. Methods RNA-seq data and clinical information from 79 μm patients from TCGA were used to construct prognostic models. Mechanisms were probed using two single-cell datasets derived from the GEO database. After screening for metastasis-related genes, enrichment analysis was performed using GO and KEGG. Prognostic genes were screened using log-rank test and one-way Cox regression, and prognostic models were established using LASSO regression analysis and multifactor Cox regression analysis. The TCGA-UVM dataset was used as internal validation and dataset GSE22138 as external validation data. A time-dependent subject work characteristic curve (time-ROC) was established to assess the predictive ability of the model. Subsequently, dimensionality reduction, clustering, pseudo-temporal analysis and cellular communication analysis were performed on GSE138665 and GSE139829 to explore the underlying mechanisms involved. Cellular experiments were also used to validate the relevant findings. Results Based on clinical characteristics and RNA-seq transcriptomic data from 79 samples in the TCGA-UVM cohort, 247 metastasis-related genes were identified. Survival models for three genes (SLC25A38, EDNRB, and LURAP1) were then constructed using lasso regression and multifactorial cox regression. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the high-risk group was associated with poorer overall survival (OS) and metastasis-free survival (MFS) in UM patients. Time-dependent ROC curves demonstrated high predictive performance in 6 m, 18 m, and 30 m prognostic models. Cell scratch assay showed that the 24 h and 48 h migration rates of cells with reduced expression of the three genes were significantly higher than those of the si-NC group. CD8 + T cells may play an important role in tumour metastasis as revealed by immune infiltration analysis. An increase in the percentage of cytotoxic CD8 + T cells in the metastatic high-risk group was found in the exploration of single-cell transcriptome data. The communication intensity of cytotoxic CD8 was significantly enhanced. It was also found that the CD8 + T cells in the two groups were in different states, although the number of CD8 + T cells in the high-risk group increased, they were mostly in the exhausted and undifferentiated state, while in the low-risk group, the CD8 + T cells were mostly in the functional state. Conclusions We developed a precise and stable 3-gene model to predict the metastatic risk and prognosis of patients. CD8 + T cells exhaustion in the tumor microenvironment play a crucial role in UM metastasis.

Abstract Background The Access, Watch, and Reserve (AWaRe) classification of antibiotics was a useful tool to support antibiotic stewardship. However, the AWaRe patterns of antibiotic consumption in Western China were unclear. We aimed to assess the antibiotic consumption patterns using the AWaRe Classification of public hospitals in Sichuan Province Western China. Methods Antibiotic consumption data of year 2020 were obtained from the Sichuan Province Drug Use Monitoring Platform. We measured the antibiotic consumption (DDDs per 1,000 inhabitants per day, DIDs), calculated the proportion of antibiotic use, the ratio of Access to Watch antibiotics and patterns of antibiotic use by using drug utilization 90%. Results This analysis included 4452 public health institutions. The antibiotic consumption rate was 10.39 DIDs (Median 8.50, IQR 7.71–12.96). The proportions of Access antibiotic use and Watch antibiotic use were 46.83% (Median 47.49, IQR 44.16–52.02) and 51.20% (Median 51.43, IQR 45.42–54.61), respectively. The Access-to-Watch index was 0.91 (Median 0.92, IQR 0.81–1.15). Amoxicillin (16.85%), cefuroxime (9.21%), cefixime (8.60%%), levofloxacin (8.11%) and metronidazole (6.16%) were the most consumed antibiotics. Conclusions The proportion of Access antibiotic consumption in Sichuan Western China has not achieved the WHO target of 60%. Overuse of antibiotic is serious in Sichuan. National and regional antibiotics management systems, stewardship programs and surveillance of antibiotic consumption based on AWaRe classification are needed to improve antibiotic consumption patterns, curb antibiotic overuse and combat antimicrobial resistance in Western China.

Abstract Background Determining the optimal timing of surgical intervention for Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) poses significant challenges. This study develops a predictive model using the long short-term memory network (LSTM) with a focal loss (FL) to identify infants at risk of developing Bell IIB + NEC early and issue timely surgical warnings. Methods Data from 791 neonates diagnosed with NEC are gathered from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), encompassing 35 selected features. Infants are categorized into those requiring surgical intervention (n = 257) and those managed medically (n = 534) based on the Mod-Bell criteria. A fivefold cross-validation approach is employed for training and testing. The LSTM algorithm is utilized to capture and utilize temporal relationships in the dataset, with FL employed as a loss function to address class imbalance. Model performance metrics include precision, recall, F1 score, and average precision (AP). Results The model tested on a real dataset demonstrated high performance. Predicting surgical risk 1 day in advance achieved precision (0.913 ± 0.034), recall (0.841 ± 0.053), F1 score (0.874 ± 0.029), and AP (0.917 ± 0.025). The 2-days-in-advance predictions yielded (0.905 ± 0.036), recall (0.815 ± 0.057), F1 score (0.857 ± 0.035), and AP (0.905 ± 0.029). Conclusion The LSTM model with FL exhibits high precision and recall in forecasting the need for surgical intervention 1 or 2 days ahead. This predictive capability holds promise for enhancing infants’ outcomes by facilitating timely clinical decisions.

Abstract In this paper, the effect of rotation speed on the grinding process during the high-speed diamond drilling was studied by considering the metal matrix/rock chips interface. The results showed that when the grinding enters the Phase 3 (three-body wear among diamond, matrix, and rock cuttings), the weight-on-bit and frictional force exhibited significant periodicity. The two-body grinding process (Phase 1 and 2) was converted into a three-body grinding process (Phase 3). The results of the microscopic showed that the depth of each revolution became shallower, and the increasing proportion of primary chip was higher than that of the secondary chip as the speed increased at Phase 3. The increasing the rotational speed promotes the generation of primary chips and inhibits brittle fracture.

Abstract Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is one of the most significant swine viral infectious diseases worldwide. Vaccination is a key strategy for the control and prevention of PRRS. At present, the NADC30-like PRRSV strain has become the predominant epidemic strain in China, superseding the HP-PRRSV strain. The existing commercial vaccines offer substantial protection against HP-PRRSV, but their efficacy against NADC30-like PRRSV is limited. The development of a novel vaccine that can provide valuable cross-protection against both NADC30-like PRRSV and HP-PRRSV is highly important. In this study, an infectious clone of a commercial MLV vaccine strain, GD (HP-PRRSV), was first generated (named rGD). A recombinant chimeric PRRSV strain, rGD-SX-5U2, was subsequently constructed by using rGD as a backbone and embedding several dominant immune genes, including the NSP2, ORF5, ORF6, and ORF7 genes, from an NADC30-like PRRSV isolate. In vitro experiments demonstrated that chimeric PRRSV rGD-SX-5U2 exhibited high tropism for MARC-145 cells, which is of paramount importance in the production of PRRSV vaccines. Moreover, subsequent in vivo inoculation and challenge experiments demonstrated that rGD-SX-5U2 confers cross-protection against both HP-PRRSV and NADC30-like PRRSV, including an improvement in ADG levels and a reduction in viremia and lung tissue lesions. In conclusion, our research demonstrated that the chimeric PRRSV strain rGD-SX-5U2 is a novel approach that can provide broad-spectrum protection against both HP-PRRSV and NADC30-like PRRSV. This may be a significant improvement over previous MLV vaccinations.

Abstract Quantum networks provide a prospective paradigm to connect separated quantum nodes, which relies on the distribution of long-distance entanglement and active feedforward control of qubits between remote nodes. Such approaches can be utilized to construct nonlocal quantum gates, forming building blocks for distributed quantum computing and other novel quantum applications. However, these gates have only been realized within single nodes or between nodes separated by a few tens of meters, limiting the ability to harness computing resources in large-scale quantum networks. Here, we demonstrate nonlocal photonic quantum gates between two nodes spatially separated by 7.0 km using stationary qubits based on multiplexed quantum memories, flying qubits at telecom wavelengths, and active feedforward control based on field-deployed fibers. Furthermore, we illustrate quantum parallelism by implementing the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm and the quantum phase estimation algorithm between the two remote nodes. These results represent a proof-of-principle demonstration of quantum gates over metropolitan-scale distances and lay the foundation for the construction of large-scale distributed quantum networks relying on existing fiber channels.

Abstract Erythropoietin (EPO), expressed in red blood progenitor cells, primarily regulates erythropoiesis by binding to its receptor. Besides anemia, recent studies have identified new therapeutic indications for EPO that are not connected to red blood cell formation. Elevated EPO levels harm bone homeostasis in adult organisms and are associated with increased osteoclast; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study demonstrated that EPO enhanced osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption in vitro. We showed that EPO promoted osteoclast formation by up-regulating PPARγ expression through activating the Jak2/ERK signaling pathway. Consistently, PPARγ antagonists rescued the hyperactivation of osteoclasts due to EPO, while PPARγ agonists reversed the EMP9-mediated decrease in osteoclast differentiation. Further, exposing female mice to EPO for two months led to a decrease in bone mass and increased osteoclast numbers. The present results suggested that EPO promotes osteoclastogenesis by regulating the Jak2/ERK/ PPARγ signaling pathway. From a clinical perspective, the risk of compromised bone health should be considered when using EPO to treat anemia in post-operative patients with intertrochanteric fractures of the femur, as it could significantly impact the patient’s recovery and quality of life.

Abstract Device-to-device (D2D) communications allow short-range communication devices to multiplex cellular-licensed spectrum to directly establish local connections for ultra-high number of terminal connections and greater system throughput. However, spectrum sharing also brings serious interference to the network. Therefore, a reliable and efficient resource allocation strategy is important to mitigate the interference and improve the system spectral efficiency. In this paper, we investigated spectrum access and power allocation in D2D communications underlay cellular networks based on deep reinforcement learning with the aim of finding a feasible resource allocation strategy to maximize data rate and system fairness. We proposed a value decomposition network-based resource allocation scheme for D2D communication networks. Our proposed scheme avoids frequent information exchanges among D2D users by centralized training, while allowing D2D users to make distributed joint resource allocation decisions. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme has stable convergence and good scalability, and can effectively improve the system capacity.

Abstract Vitamin C (VC), due to its chemical properties, can provide more oxygen-containing functional groups such as hydroxyl groups for biochar (BC), which promotes the adsorption of tetracycline on biochar. Therefore, in this study, cow dung biochar (CDBC) was modified with VC and VC-modified CDBC (CDBC-VC) was synthesized. The modified biochar was characterized and related factors, adsorption kinetics, isotherms and adsorption mechanisms were investigated. Adsorption kinetics indicate a fast rate of adsorption. The adsorption isotherms showed that the maximum adsorption capacity was 31.72 mg/g (CDBC) and 50.90 mg/g (CDBC-VC), respectively, and the adsorption process was inhomogeneous with multiple molecular layers and the adsorbent has a higher affinity. Mechanistic studies showed that hydrogen bonding interactions, π-π electron donor-acceptor interactions, hydrophobic interactions, and electrostatic interactions were the key to the adsorption process. The analysis of adsorbent regeneration showed that CDBC-VC had good adsorption performance. CDBC and CDBC-VC showed the best performance in simulated industrial wastewater with removal rates of 78.81% and 93.69%. The adsorption mechanism was comprehensively analyzed using six machine learning models. The extreme gradient boosting model gave the best fit. Analysis of the weights of the input variables for predicting adsorption efficiency showed that the ratio of initial TC concentration to BC dosage (29.8%), specific surface area (23%), isoelectric point (8.8%), and ash content (7.7%) had a significant effect on the predicted results.

Abstract Background Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) offers quantitative insights into the hardness and elasticity characteristics of tissues. The objective of this study is to investigate the correlation between SWE of the menisci and MRI-assessed degenerative changes in the menisci, with the aim of providing novel reference source for improving non-invasive evaluation of meniscal degenerative alterations. Methods The participants in this study were selected from patients who underwent knee joint MRI scans at our hospital from February 2023 to February 2024. The anterior horns of both the medial and lateral menisci were evaluated using SWE technique. The differences in elastic values of meniscus among different MRI grades were compared. The correlation between elastic values and MRI grades, as well as various parameters, was analyzed. Using MRI Grade 3 as the gold standard, the optimal cutoff value for meniscal tear was determined. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was employed to evaluate the reliability of repeated measurements performed by the same observer. Results A total of 104 female participants were enrolled in this study, with 152 lateral menisci (LM) and 144 medial menisci (MM) assessed. For the male group, 83 individuals were included, with 147 LM and 145 MM evaluated. The results demonstrated statistically significant differences in the elasticity values of the menisci at the same anatomical sites across different MRI grades (P 0.79). Conclusions The meniscal elasticity values measured by SWE exhibit a significant positive correlation with the grades of degeneration assessed by MRI. Furthermore, the elasticity values of the meniscus are found to increase with advancing age and elevated BMI.

In the present study, the influence of training on the microstructural evolution, martensitic transformation behavior and mechanical/functional properties of Ti–V–Al–Zr shape memory alloy was investigated systematically. With the increasing of training cycling number, the degree of martensite reorientation became larger and larger. Moreover, higher density of dislocations appeared in the interior of martensite variants, upon the excessive training cycling number was applied. The international stress can be brought into the matrix, which not only promoted to the ω→αˊˊ transition, but also made the martensite phase stabilizer and even suppressed the αˊˊ→β martensitic transformation during training process. The superior mechanical properties including maximum fracture stress of 906 MPa and the higher fracture strain of 33.6% can be obtained in Ti–V–Al–Zr shape memory alloy subjected with the training cycles number of 5th, which can be attributed to the matrix strengthening stemmed from work hardening and suppression of ω precipitation. Meanwhile, the lower critical stress for the martensite variant reorientation and enhanced matrix strength synergistically contributed to the superior strain recovery characteristics with total completely recoverable strain of 6% in Ti–V–Al–Zr shape memory alloy by controlling training cycles number of 5th. Meanwhile, the higher micro-hardness can be obtained by training.

Abstract Vertical field effect transistor (VFET), in which the semiconductor is sandwiched between source/drain electrodes and the channel length is simply determined by the semiconductor thickness, has demonstrated promising potential for short channel devices. However, despite extensive efforts over the past decade, scalable methods to fabricate ultra-short channel VFETs remain challenging. Here, we demonstrate a layer-by-layer transfer process of large-scale indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) semiconductor arrays and metal electrodes, and realize large-scale VFETs with ultra-short channel length and high device performance. Within this process, the oxide semiconductor could be pre-deposited on a sacrificial wafer, and then physically released and sandwiched between metals, maintaining the intrinsic properties of ultra-scaled vertical channel. Based on this lamination process, we realize 2 inch-scale VFETs with channel length down to 4 nm, on-current over 800 A/cm2, and highest on-off ratio up to 2 × 105, which is over two orders of magnitude higher compared to control samples without laminating process. Our study not only represents the optimization of VFETs performance and scalability at the same time, but also offers a method of transfer large-scale oxide arrays, providing interesting implication for ultra-thin vertical devices.

Abstract Astragali radix (AR, namded Huangqi in Chinese) is the dried root of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao or Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. As a widely used ethnomedicine, the biological activities of AR include immunomodulatory, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-oxidant, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-tumor, cardioprotective, and anti-diabetic effects, with minimum side effects. Currently, it is known that polysaccharides, saponins, and flavonoids are the indispensable components of AR. In this review, we will elaborate the research advancements of AR on ethnobotany, ethnopharmacological practices, phytochemicals, pharmacological activities, clinical uses, quality control, production developments, and toxicology. The information is expected to assist clinicians and scientists in developing useful therapeutic medicines with minimal systemic side effects.

Abstract Background Occult Macular Dystrophy (OMD), primarily caused by retinitis pigmentosa 1-like 1 (RP1L1) variants, is a complex retinal disease characterised by progressive vision loss and a normal fundus appearance. This study aims to investigate the diverse phenotypic expressions and genotypic correlations of OMD in Chinese patients, including a rare case of Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy (VMD) associated with RP1L1. Methods We analysed seven OMD patients and one VMD patient, all with heterozygous pathogenic RP1L1 variants. Clinical assessments included Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA), visual field testing, Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT), multifocal Electroretinograms (mfERGs), and microperimetry. Next-generation sequencing was utilised for genetic analysis. Results The OMD patients displayed a range of phenotypic variability. Most (5 out of 7) had the RP1L1 variant c.133 C > T; p.R45W, associated with central vision loss and specific patterns in SD-OCT and mfERG. Two patients exhibited different RP1L1 variants (c.3599G > T; p.G1200V and c.2880G > C; p.W960C), presenting milder phenotypes. SD-OCT revealed photoreceptor layer changes, with most patients showing decreased mfERG responses in the central rings. Interestingly, a unique case of VMD linked to the RP1L1 variant was observed, distinct from traditional OMD presentations. Conclusions This study highlights the phenotypic diversity within OMD and the broader spectrum of RP1L1-associated macular dystrophies, including a novel association with VMD. The findings emphasise the complexity of RP1L1 variants in determining clinical manifestations, underscoring the need for comprehensive genetic and clinical evaluations in macular dystrophies.

Abstract The rising prevalence of diabetes mellitus has casted a spotlight on one of its significant sequelae: cognitive impairment. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, originally developed for diabetes management, are increasingly studied for their cognitive benefits. These benefits may include reduction of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, decrease of amyloid burdens, enhancement of neuronal plasticity, and improved cerebral glucose utilization. The multifaceted effects and the relatively favorable side-effect profile of SGLT2 inhibitors render them a promising therapeutic candidate for cognitive disorders. Nonetheless, the application of SGLT2 inhibitors for cognitive impairment is not without its limitations, necessitating more comprehensive research to fully determine their therapeutic potential for cognitive treatment. In this review, we discuss the role of SGLT2 in neural function, elucidate the diabetes-cognition nexus, and synthesize current knowledge on the cognitive effects of SGLT2 inhibitors based on animal studies and clinical evidence. Research gaps are proposed to spur further investigation.

To explore the influence of raw materials from different cultivars on the quality of Sichuan dark tea, the raw materials of 4 tea cultivars were used in this study. The main chemicals and aroma components were analyzed by sensory evaluation, chemical analysis and gas chromato graphy-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) . The main components of Sichuan dark teas made from different tea cultivars were significantly different. The contents of water extract, tea polyphenols, catechins and caffeine of Sichuan dark teas from 'Zijuan' were the highest, which were 49.45%, 18.54%, 4.77%, and 4.21%, respectively, followed by Sichuan dark tea processed with 'Huangjinya' cultivar, all of them were significantly (P

Dexamethasone (DEX) is used to treat ocular surface diseases. However, regulating DEX duration in tears while preventing its absorption into the anterior chamber is critical for balancing its therapy effects and the side effects. In this study, a novel magnetic nanoparticle (MNP)-micelle (MC) co-delivery system (MMDS) was developed. The MC moiety in the MMDS served as the carrier for DEX and the MNP part endowed the MMDS with magnetic-responsive properties. To extend its residency, the MMDS was magnetically attracted by an external magnet after instilling, which acted as a precorneal drug-depot enabling a sustainable release of DEX in tears. With combination of magnet treatment, the topical instillation of MMDS@DEX significantly prolonged the DEX-retention in tears and increased the DEX-concentration in the cornea and conjunctiva, as well as concurrently reduced the DEX-level in the aqueous humor, when compared with the commercial DEX eye drop treatment. The combination of MMDS@DEX and magnet treatment exerted significantly better therapeutic effects against DED with smaller side effects than conventional treatments including DEX suspension, commercial DEX eye drops, as well as the MMDS@DEX treatment alone. The present work provided a new method for the effective delivery of DEX to ocular surface tissues while reducing its side effects, which will be beneficial to the treatments of a wide range of ocular surface diseases.

Abstract Background The accuracy of traditional knee MR imaging in diagnosing anterior cruciate ligament tears, especially partial tears, is relatively low, which may lead to misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of a novel imaging method, high-resolution oblique coronal MRI at an optimal flexed-knee Angle, for ACL tears. Methods 50 healthy volunteers were scanned with a scan-assisted device for the optimal flexion angle of ACL. For 92 knee trauma patients selected strictly according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, conventional extended-knee scans (control group) and high-resolution oblique coronal scans based on the optimal flexed-knee angle (experimental group) were conducted. Two observers rated ACL visibility blindly on a 5-point scale. Arthroscopy-defined outcomes determined diagnostic metrics for each method and sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were calculated. Results The average optimal flexion angle for healthy volunteers was approximately 30° (30.3° ± 5.0°). Imaging demonstrated complete visualization of the ACL in 96.7% of images in the experimental group versus 12.0% in the control group. The diagnostic indicators of the experimental group surpassed those of the control group: sensitivity (94.9% vs. 76.3%), specificity (97.0% vs. 81.8%), positive predictive value (98.2% vs. 88.2%), negative predictive value(91.4% vs. 65.9%), and accuracy (95.7% vs. 78.3%). ROC analysis indicated superior diagnostic performance in the experimental group, with an AUC of 0.945 compared with 0.776 for the control group (p

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

Abstract Vertical transistors, in which the source and drain are aligned vertically and the current flow is normal to the wafer surface, have attracted considerable attention recently. However, the realization of high-density vertical transistors is challenging, and could be largely attributed to the incompatibility between vertical structures and conventional lateral fabrication processes. Here we report a T-shape lamination approach for realizing high-density vertical sidewall transistors, where lateral transistors could be pre-fabricated on planar substrates first and then laminated onto vertical substrates using T-shape stamps, hence overcoming the incompatibility between planar processes and vertical structures. Based on this technique, we vertically stacked 60 MoS2 transistors within a small vertical footprint, corresponding to a device density over 108 cm−2. Furthermore, we demonstrate two approaches for scalable fabrication of vertical sidewall transistor arrays, including simultaneous lamination onto multiple vertical substrates, as well as on the same vertical substrate using multi-cycle layer-by-layer laminations.

Abstract Background Renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is a progressive, irreversible terminal kidney disease with a poor prognosis and high mortality. Angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) is known to be associated with fibrosis in various organs, but its impact on the RIF process remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the role and underlying mechanisms of ANGPTL4 in the progression of RIF. Methods In vivo, a chronic kidney disease (CKD) rat model of renal interstitial fibrosis was established via intragastric administration of adenine at different time points (4 and 6 weeks). Blood and urine samples were collected to assess renal function and 24-h urinary protein levels. Kidney tissues were subjected to HE and Masson staining for pathological observation. Immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative PCR (qRT‒PCR) were performed to evaluate the expression of ANGPTL4 and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), followed by Pearson correlation analysis. Subsequently, kidney biopsy tissues from 11 CKD patients (6 with RIF and 5 without RIF) were subjected to immunohistochemical staining to validate the expression of ANGPTL4. In vitro, a fibrosis model of human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK2) was established through hypoxic stimulation. Subsequently, an HIF-1α inhibitor (2-MeOE2) was used, and ANGPTL4 was manipulated using siRNA or plasmid overexpression. Changes in ANGPTL4 and fibrosis markers were analyzed through Western blotting, qRT‒PCR, and immunofluorescence. Results ANGPTL4 was significantly upregulated in the CKD rat model and was significantly positively correlated with renal injury markers, the fibrotic area, and HIF-1α. These results were confirmed by clinical samples, which showed a significant increase in the expression level of ANGPTL4 in CKD patients with RIF, which was positively correlated with HIF-1α. Further in vitro studies indicated that the expression of ANGPTL4 is regulated by HIF-1α, which in turn is subject to negative feedback regulation by ANGPTL4. Moreover, modulation of ANGPTL4 expression influences the progression of fibrosis in HK2 cells. Conclusion Our findings indicate that ANGPTL4 is a key regulatory factor in renal fibrosis, forming a loop with HIF-1α, potentially serving as a novel therapeutic target for RIF.

Cellular immunotherapy has shown considerable potential for the treatment of primary liver cancer (PLC), particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), although it is in the early stages of development. This study used bibliometric methods to delineate the evolution of research on cellular immunotherapy for PLC. Data were sourced from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) on April 22, 2024. Using the “Bibliometrix” R package, we examined primary bibliometric features, collaboration frequency between countries, and article output of the journals. Furthermore, we employed VOSviewer for coauthorship analysis and visualization and CiteSpace to assess keyword co-occurrence, as well as to spotlight keywords and references with the strongest citation bursts. Our analysis encompassed 492 publications focused on PLC and cellular immunotherapy, and we pinpointed China, Japan, and the USA as the foremost contributing nations and identified “Cancer Immunology Immunotherapy” as the journal with the most contributions in this area. Sun Yat-sen University emerged as the institution with the most significant output, and Li Zonghai authored the greatest number of leading articles. Prominent keywords that displayed a notable citation burst in the later years included “chimeric antigen receptor,” “combination therapy”, “CAR-T cells,” “TCR-T cells,” and “liver transplantation.” This bibliometric study outlined a foundational knowledge framework, surveyed over three decades of research on cellular immunotherapy for PLC, and revealed the key players and trends, thereby offering a thorough understanding of the field, especially in relation to HCC.

Background Aortic endothelial diastolic dysfunction is an early complication of diabetes and the abnormal differentiation of Th17 cells is involved in the development of diabetes. However, the exact role of exercise on regulating the Th17 cells differentiation and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated in diabetic mice.Methods db/db and db/m+ mice were randomly divided into exercise and sedentary groups. Mice in exercise group were exercised daily, 6 days/week, for 6 weeks and mice in sedentary groups were placed on a nonmoving treadmill for 6 weeks. Vascular endothelial function was measured via wire myograph and the frequencies of Th17 from peripheral blood in mice were assessed via flow cytometry.Results Our data showed that exercise improved insulin resistance and aortic endothelial diastolic function in db/db mice. In addition, the proportion of Th17 cells and IL-17A level in peripheral blood of db/db mice were significantly increased, and exercise could promote Th17 cell differentiation and reduce IL-17A level. More importantly, STAT3 or ROR-γt inhibitors could promote Th17 cell differentiation in db/db mice, while exercise significantly down-regulated p-STAT3/ROR-γt signaling in db/db mice, suggesting that exercise regulated Th17 differentiation through STAT3/ROR-γt signaling.Conclusions This study demonstrated that exercise improved vascular endothelial function in diabetic mice via reducing Th17 cell differentiation through p-STAT3/ROR-γt pathway, suggesting exercise may be an important non-pharmacological intervention strategy for the treatment of diabetes-related vascular complications.

Studies suggest that clonal plants’ ability to select habitats and forage in a heterogeneous environment is influenced by their past environment, with stress legacy potentially playing a crucial role. In this study, we examined parental ramets of Duchesnea indica Focke that were subject to either a control or lead-contaminated environment (past environment), and their newborn offspring were then transplanted into control, homogeneous lead or heterogeneous lead environment (present environment). We analysed how past and present environments affect plant growth and DNA methylation in offspring. The result shown that the DNA methylation loci composition of offspring was affected by the interaction of parental environment and offspring environment, and DNA methylation levels were higher in heterogeneous environments. Moreover, our findings indicate that offspring would thrive in the heterogeneous lead environment if they did not experience lead pollution in the past, their progeny will avoid lead toxicity by reducing underground biomass allocation. However, when the parents experienced lead stress environment, their biomass allocation strategies disappeared, and they prefer to grow in favourable patches to avoid lead-contaminated patches. We concluded that the integration of historical parental exposure to lead-contaminated and current information about their offspring’s environment are impacting plant phenotypes. It is possible that the stress legacy from the parents has been transmitted to their offspring ramets, and the stress legacy is at least partly based on heritable epigenetic variation. The phenotypic variation regulated by the stress legacy affects the growth performance, biomass allocation strategy, and even the behaviour of D. indica.

ABSTRACT Research on plant functional traits have advanced our understanding of plant investment acquisition strategies. However, it is still unknown how a plant investment acquisition strategy varies or how the relative position of plants on the leaf economic spectrum changes across different habitats. Therefore, we conducted the field experiments at two long‐term ecological research sites in Shandong and Xinjiang, China, in August 2023. Twenty‐two common species in both sites and four endemics in each site were selected for leaf gas exchange traits, leaf growth traits, and leaf nutrient trait measurements. We used two different methods to quantify the leaf economic spectrum, PCA quantification and functional area quantification. We found that the 22 common species had a significantly faster investment acquisition strategy than local endemics on the leaf economic spectrum. Besides, the plasticity of the 22 common species was not coupled with the plasticity of their investment acquisition strategy. According to our results, we quantified and constructed the leaf economic spectrum of the 30 woody plant species in Shandong and Xinjiang and discussed that high plasticity and fast investment acquisition strategy may be an ecological adaptation and distribution strategy for widely distributed species.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality worldwide, which represents a serious threat to human life, health and quality of life. Blood-based detection is essential for HCC screening, early diagnosis, prognosis evaluation, and surveillance. Current non-invasive detection strategy including serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), ultrasound, computerized tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. The limited specificity of an AFP and the dependence on operator experience and diagnostic personnel for ultrasound have constrained their utility in early HCC diagnosis. In recent years, with the development of various detection technologies, there has been an increasing focus on exploring blood-based detection markers for HCC. The types of markers include protein markers, DNA mutation, DNA epigenetic modification, mRNA, miRNA, and so on. However, numerous methodological and biological factors limit the clinical sensitivity and generalization performance of these new biomarkers. In this review, we describe the state-of-the-art technologies for cfDNA analysis, and discuss outstanding biological and technical challenges that, if addressed, would substantially improve HCC diagnostics and patient care.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow may assist the clearance of brain wastes, such as amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau, and thus play an important role in aging and dementias. However, a lack of non-invasive tools to assess the CSF dynamics-related clearance in humans hindered the understanding of the relevant changes in healthy aging. The global infra-slow (

Background The association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiovascular disease is firmly established, yet the association between noninvasive liver fibrosis scores and cardiovascular events remains a topic of uncertainty. Our study aimed to explore the association between liver fibrosis and heart failure. Methods and Results The data set was from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011 to 2018. Advanced hepatic fibrosis risk was assessed through 3 noninvasive liver fibrosis scores: Fibrosis‐4 score (FIB‐4), the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score (NFS), and the aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI). We included 19 695 eligible participants. The national prevalence of advanced liver fibrosis risk in the United States was 4.20%, 8.06%, and 0.35% as determined by FIB‐4, NFS, and APRI scores, respectively. Weighted logistic regression analysis revealed significant associations between advanced liver fibrosis risk and the prevalence of heart failure (continuous variables, FIB‐4: odds ratio [OR], 1.15 [95% CI, 1.07–1.23]; NFS: OR, 1.42 [95% CI, 1.23–1.64]; APRI: OR, 1.44 [95% CI, 1.15–1.81]). When the scores were assessed as categorical variables, the results were still significant (FIB‐4 ≥2.67 versus FIB‐4

Abstract Synovial Sarcomas (SS) are characterized by the presence of the SS18::SSX fusion gene, which protein product induce chromatin changes through remodeling of the BAF complex. To elucidate the genomic events that drive phenotypic diversity in SS, we performed RNA and targeted DNA sequencing on 91 tumors from 55 patients. Our results were verified by proteomic analysis, public gene expression cohorts and single‐cell RNA sequencing. Transcriptome profiling identified three distinct SS subtypes resembling the known histological subtypes: SS subtype I and was characterized by hyperproliferation, evasion of immune detection and a poor prognosis. SS subtype II and was dominated by a vascular‐stromal component and had a significantly better outcome. SS Subtype III was characterized by biphasic differentiation, increased genomic complexity and immune suppression mediated by checkpoint inhibition, and poor prognosis despite good responses to neoadjuvant therapy. Chromosomal abnormalities were an independent significant risk factor for metastasis. KRT8 was identified as a key component for epithelial differentiation in biphasic tumors, potentially controlled by OVOL1 regulation. Our findings explain the histological grounds for SS classification and indicate that a significantly larger proportion of patients have high risk tumors (corresponding to SS subtype I) than previously believed.

Abstract Filtering approaches on Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) data differ considerably across existing studies and it is yet unclear which method is the most effective. We conducted an in‐depth analysis of GEDI's vertical accuracy in mapping terrain and canopy heights across three study sites in temperate forests and grasslands in Spain, California, and New Zealand. We started with unfiltered data (2,081,108 footprints) and describe a workflow for data filtering using Level 2A parameters and for geolocation error mitigation. We found that retaining observations with at least one detected mode eliminates noise more effectively than sensitivity. The accuracy of terrain and canopy height observations depended considerably on the number of modes, beam sensitivity, landcover, and terrain slope. In dense forests, a minimum sensitivity of 0.9 was required, while in areas with sparse vegetation, sensitivity of 0.5 sufficed. Sensitivity greater than 0.9 resulted in an overestimation of canopy height in grasslands, especially on steep slopes, where high sensitivity led to the detection of multiple modes. We suggest excluding observations with more than five modes in grasslands. We found that the most effective strategy for filtering low‐quality observations was to combine the quality flag and difference from TanDEM‐X, striking an optimal balance between eliminating poor‐quality data and preserving a maximum number of high‐quality observations. Positional shifts improved the accuracy of GEDI terrain estimates but not of vegetation height estimates. Our findings guide users to an easy way of processing of GEDI footprints, enabling the use of the most accurate data and leading to more reliable applications.

Abstract The threat to information security from electromagnetic pollution has sparked widespread interest in the development of microwave absorption materials (MAMs). Although considerable progress has been made in high‐performance MAMs, little attention was paid to their absorption frequency regulation to respond to variable input frequencies and their stability and durability to cope with complex environments. Here, a highly compressible polyimide‐packaging carbon nanocoils/carbon foam (PI@CNCs/CF) fabricated by a facile vacuum impregnation method is reported to be used as a dynamically frequency‐tunable and environmentally stable microwave absorber. PI@CNCs/CF exhibits good structural stability and mechanical properties, which allows precise absorption frequency tuning by simply changing its compression ratio. For the first time, the tunable effective absorption bandwidth can cover the whole test frequency band (2−18 GHz) with the broadest effective absorption bandwidth of 10.8 GHz and the minimum reflection loss of −60.5 dB. Moreover, PI@CNCs/CF possesses excellent heat insulation, infrared stealth, self‐cleaning, flame retardant, and acid‐alkali corrosion resistance, which endows it high reliability even under various harsh environments and repeated compression testing. The frequency‐tunable mechanism is elucidated by combining experiment and simulation results, possibly guiding in designing dynamically frequency‐tunable MAMs with good environmental stability in the future.

IntroductionThe implementation of ecological agriculture practices in Chinese tea gardens plays a vital role in mitigating N2O emissions and addressing environmental degradation. Nevertheless, a dearth of discourse exists regarding the intricacies surrounding farmers' adoption of tea garden ecological agriculture practices (TGEAP), particularly the complex interplay between adoption factors and outcomes.MethodsUsing data of 310 farmers, this study employed complexity theories and Stimulus-Organism-Response theories, and integrated Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling and fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis to explore the complex relationships between farmer characteristics, internal and external factors, and adoption of farmer.ResultsThe results show three influential paths in the Stimulus-Organism-Response model, and environmental protection attitude (EPA) and production expectation (PE) act as intermediaries. Notably, EPA exhibits a masking effect in one pathway. These paths linked closely to three farmer characteristics. Beyond the Stimulus-Organism-Response model, nine combinations lead to farmers' adoption, and four to non-adoption.DiscussionWe discover scenarios where opposing environmental states or age lead to adoption, explaining the masking effect. These combinations highlight how a favorable environment influences both adoption and non-adoption. We also discuss other combinations that lead to adoption or non-adoption. The study suggests that governments employ targeted incentives to facilitate tea farmers' transition in agriculture.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the expression status of miR-132-3p in CD4 + T cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and explore its potential role in SLE development. Methods The study included 60 patients with SLE and 30 healthy controls. miR-132-3p expression in CD4 + T cells was detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain. Bioinformatics analyses were employed to predict target genes and explore the potential role of miR-132-3p. The associations between miR-132-3p levels and SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score, as well as laboratory characteristics, were analyzed. Results miR-132-3p levels in CD4 + T cells were significantly higher in patients with SLE compared with healthy controls. Bioinformatics analysis identified FOXO1 as a potential target gene of miR-132-3p, with a particular emphasis on the FOXO signaling pathway. miR-132-3p up-regulation in CD4 + T cells was associated with high SLEDAI score, high anti-double-stranded DNA levels, low C3 and C4 levels, positive anti-ribosomal P, and high 24-hour urinary protein levels in patients with SLE. Conclusions miR-132-3p may contribute to CD4 + T cell dysregulation during SLE by targeting FOXO1 and could potentially be used to assess disease severity.

IntroductionThe Dachaidan ophiolites outcrop within an ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic belt along the northern margin of the Qaidam Basin. However, their age, source, and tectonic setting remain still in debate.MethodIn this study, we investigated the geochemistry and geochronology of the Dachaidan ophiolitic gabbros.Results and DiscussionZircon U–Pb dating yielded a crystallization age of 510.0 ± 2.8 Ma and 510.0 ± 2.9 Ma for the gabbro. The gabbros have low SiO2 contents (47.15–50.10 wt.%) and high MgO contents (6.35–9.04 wt.%) and Mg# values (55–74). The total rare earth element (∑REE) contents are 8.35–28.07 ppm, lower than those of normal-type mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORBs), and the gabbros exhibit light REE depletion or flat REE patterns, with small positive Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 1.06–1.40). Trace element patterns are depleted to enriched in Nb and Ta, similar to island arc rocks and MORB. Clinopyroxene thermobarometry indicates the parental magma of the gabbros formed by high-temperature (1,318°C–1,363°C) and medium-pressure (1.27–1.64 GPa) partial melting in a mantle wedge. The gabbros have depleted Sr–Nd–Pb-Hf isotopic compositions, with (87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.704586–0.707441, εNd(t) = 4.7–6.6, and zircon εHf(t) = 7.6–11.4. The age-corrected Pb isotope ratios of these volcanic rocks are variable, with 206Pb/204Pb(t) = 18.085–18.253, 207Pb/204Pb(t) = 15.595–15.614, and 208Pb/204Pb(t) = 37.880–38.148, which are similar to the isotopic compositions of typical Indian MORBs. The source of the Dachaidan ophiolite is inferred to have been depleted mantle. The Dachaidan ophiolite likely formed in a forearc oceanic setting along the northern margin of the Qaidam Basin, during the initial subduction of an oceanic plate.

Abstract Magnesium imbalances commonly exist in septic patients. However, the association of serum magnesium levels with mortality in septic patients remains uncertain. Herein, we elucidated the association between serum magnesium and all‐cause mortality in septic patients from American and Chinese cohorts by analyzing data from 9099 patients in the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care‐IV (MIMIC‐IV) database and 1727 patients from a university‐affiliated hospital’ intensive care unit in China. Patients in both cohorts were categorized into five groups based on serum magnesium quintiles from the MIMIC‐IV dataset. Patients with higher serum magnesium levels exhibited an increased risk of 28‐day mortality in both cohorts. The restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves revealed a progressively elevated risk of 28‐day mortality with increasing serum magnesium in MIMIC‐IV cohort, while a J‐shaped correlation was observed in institutional cohort. Our findings have validated the association between high serum magnesium and high mortality in sepsis across different races and medical conditions. Serum magnesium levels might be useful in identifying septic patients at higher mortality risk.

Considering the significant impact of anisotropy on forward and inversion results, this paper presents a research study on tensor controlled-source audio magnetotellurics (CSAMT) forward modeling in axis anisotropic media. In this study, the tensor resistivity of axis anisotropic medium is introduced according to the control equation of electric field with sources. The total electric field is decomposed into primary and secondary fields, with the primary field obtained using Key’s algorithm and the secondary field calculated using the finite difference method. This approach enables three-dimensional (3D) modeling of tensor CSAMT in axis anisotropic media. The correctness of the algorithm is verified by comparing it with the results obtained using a two-dimensional (2D) finite element algorithm. Several sets of axis anisotropic 3D models are designed, and the response characteristics of anisotropic target bodies to plane waves and non-plane waves are summarized. The findings indicate that the Cagniard resistivity and tipper are sensitive to changes in the X and Y directions of the anomaly, but not sensitive to changes in resistivity in the Z direction. Additionally, in the near region, non-plane wave CSAMT signals may cause distortion in the Cagniard resistivity. The results highlight that tensor CSAMT has the capability to detect changes in resistivity in two-axis directions (X and Y), providing greater exploration advantages compared to scalar CSAMT. This study provides a foundation for the forward modeling and inversion of tensor CSAMT in arbitrary anisotropic media.