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The article offers information on exploring generative artificial intelligence (AI), specifically ChatGPT, and its potential applications in information literacy instruction. Topics include the impact of generative AI on teaching and learning, the development and features of generative AI technologies like ChatGPT, and the need for thoughtful integration of AI in education.

Susan Greenhalgh's chapter explores how scientists with top political capital lobby the party-state and multinational corporations to set up an ILSI-China (International Life Sciences Institute). Can Science and Technology Save China? : edited by Susan Greenhalgh and Li Zhang, Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2020, 226 pp., hardcover $125.00, ISBN 9781501747021, paperback $26.95, ISBN 9781501747038, ebook $17.99, LCCN 2019018070. [Extracted from the article]

On the one hand, China's containment of the virus has been viewed - both within China and without - as a success story in contrast to bungled responses in many Western democracies. Meanwhile, there is widespread frustration, resentment, and anger in China at the coercive public health methods employed by the party-state. Can Science and Technology Save China?. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Previous studies have found that inhibitory priming with continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) can enhance the effect of subsequent excitatory conditioning stimuli with intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) in the upper limbs. However, whether this combined stimulation approach elicits a comparable compensatory response in the lower extremities remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate how cTBS preconditioning modulated the effect of iTBS on motor cortex excitability related to the lower limb in healthy individuals. Methods: Using a randomised cross-over design, a total of 25 healthy participants (19 females, mean age = 24.80 yr) were recruited to undergo three different TBS protocols (cTBS + iTBS, sham cTBS + iTBS, sham cTBS + sham iTBS) in a random order. Each TBS intervention was administered with one-week intervals. cTBS and iTBS were administered at an intensity of 80% active motor threshold (AMT) delivering a total of 600 pulses. Before intervention (T0), immediately following intervention (T1), and 20 min after intervention (T2), the corticomotor excitability was measured for the tibialis anterior muscle of participants' non-dominant leg using a Magneuro100 stimulator and matched double-cone coil. The average amplitude of the motor-evoked potential (MEP) induced by applying 20 consecutive monopulse stimuli at an intensity of 130% resting motor threshold (RMT) was collected and analysed. Results: Compare with T0 time, the MEP amplitude (raw and normalised) at T1 and T2 showed a statistically significant increase following the cTBS + iTBS protocol (p < 0.01), but no significant differences were observed in amplitude changes following other protocols (sham cTBS + iTBS and sham cTBS + sham iTBS) (p > 0.05). Furthermore, no statistically significant difference was found among the three protocols at any given time point (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Preconditioning the lower extremity motor cortex with cTBS prior to iTBS intervention can promptly enhance its excitability in healthy participants. This effect persists for a minimum duration of 20 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the effect of amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium and potential factors influencing umbilical cord separation time in preterm infants. Methods: A total of 151 preterm infants admitted to the Neonatology Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China, from November 2020 to June 2021 were selected. Preterm infants were randomly divided into control and study groups. Control group received 2 % povidone-iodine and 75 % ethanol application, followed by gentle pressure with a cotton swab while the study group received amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium applied to the umbilical cord while shaking. The management interventions were stopped after umbilical cord separation in preterm infants, and the difference in umbilical cord separation time between the two groups was compared. Factors associated with preterm birth conditions, hospitalization, and maternal health were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: The number of cases with umbilical cord separation time > 14 days was significantly higher in the study group compared to control group (p < 0.05). The average umbilical cord separation time in the study group was significantly lower compared to control group (p < 0.05). Univariate analysis revealed that incubator residence time significantly affects umbilical cord separation time in preterm infants (p < 0.05). Logistic multivariate regression analysis identified incubator residence time as the main factor influencing umbilical cord separation time in preterm infants. Conclusion: The use of amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium shortens umbilical cord separation time, and incubator residence time is the major factor influencing umbilical cord separation in preterm infants. Further studies should expand the study scale and increase the number of samples used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five different lignocellulosic raw materials (coconut shells, Moso bamboo, sawtooth oak, Chinese fir, and Masson pine) were used to prepare activated carbons by steam activation at 850 ◦C to evaluate the effects of their structures on physical activation. The chemical compositions, botanic forms, and pore structures of the lignocellulose-based charcoal samples were systematically characterized by proximate and ultimate analyses, scanning electron microscopy, and mercury injection porosimetry. It was found that the rate of the activation reaction between charcoal and steam is determined by the porosity of the precursor. Pore structure results show that the steam activation of coconut shell and bamboo charcoals primarily produced micropores, thus yielding microporous activated carbon materials with just a few mesopores, even following a high burn-off of >66%. The steam activation of sawtooth oak charcoals produced mainly micropores at a low burn-off of <50% and both micropores and mesopores at a high burn-off of >50%. The steam activation of Chinese fir and Masson pine charcoals produced mainly mesopores at a burn-off of 0–80%. These mesopores were remarkably broadened to >20 nm on extending the activation time, resulting in a high vitamin B12 (VB12) adsorption capacity of ~530 mg/g. In conclusion, the raw lignocellulosic materials used as precursors have a decisive effect on the development of pore structures in activated carbon materials obtained through physical activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reconstruction of injured bone remains challenging in the clinic owing to the lack of suitable bone grafts. The utilization of PAI‐1 transfected‐conditioned media (P‐CM) has demonstrated its ability to facilitate the differentiation process of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), potentially serving as a crucial mediator in tissue regeneration. This research endeavored to explore the therapeutic potential of P‐CM concerning the differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs). To assess new bone formation, a rat calvaria critical defect model was employed, while in vitro experiments involved the use of the alizarin Red‐S mineral induction test. In the rat calvaria critical defect model, P‐CM treatment resulted in significan new bone formation. In vitro, P‐CM treated hBMSCs displayed robust osteogenesis compared to the control group, as demonstrated by the mineral induction test using alizarin Red‐S. P‐CM with hydroxyapatite/β‐tricalcium phosphate/fibrin gel treatment significantly exhibited new bone formation, and the expression of osteogenic associated markers was enhanced in the P‐CM‐treated group. In conclusion, results demonstrate that P‐CM treatment significantly enhanced the osteogenic differantiation efficiency and new bone formation, thus could be used as an ideal therapeutic biomolecule for constructing bone‐specific implants, especially for orthopedic and dental applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new 3D Terbium (III) metal-organic framework has been solvothermally synthesized by using terbium ion as the metal center and 1,1′,1′′-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl-1,3,5-tri) trimethyl tritrium (4-carboxylpyridyl) tribromide (H3LBr3) as ligand. The molecular formula is [Tb(H3LBr3) (OH)2](NO3)●(DMAC)3. Compound crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P−1, with a=9.5747(8), b=12.8667(10), c=18.9440(14)Å, α=107.619(2)∘, β=99.057(2)∘, γ=97.615(3)∘, V=2156.0(3)Å3, Z=2, Mr=1041.85, Dc=1.605g/cm3, μ=1.717mm−1, F(000)=1068, R=0.0583 and wR=0.1262 for 7586 observed reflections (I>2σ (I)). Meanwhile, the fluorescence property was also studied. The result shows that the synthesized Tb-MOF displays highly selective sensing of acetone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Glutamine is crucial for the activation and efficacy of T cells, and may play a role in regulating the immune environment. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of glutamine in the activation and proliferation of induced regulatory T cells (iTregs). Methods: CD4+CD45RA1T cells were sorted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and cultured to analyze iTreg differentiation. Glutamine was then added to the culture system to evaluate the effects of glutamine on iTregs by determining oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), apoptosis, and cytokine secretion. Additionally, a humanized murine graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) model was constructed to confirm the efficacy of glutaminetreated iTregs in vivo. Results: After being cultured in vitro, glutamine significantly enhanced the levels of Foxp3, CTLA-4, CD39, CD69, IL-10, TGF-ß, and Ki67 (CTLA-4, IL-10, TGF-ß are immunosuppressive markers of iTregs) compared with that of the control iTregs (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the growth curve showed that the proliferative ability of glutaminetreated iTregs was better than that of the control iTregs (P < 0.01). Compared with the control iTregs, glutamine supplementation significantly increased oxygen consumption rates and ATP production (P < 0.05), significantly downregulated Annexin V and Caspase 3, and upregulated BCL2 (P < 0.05). However, GPNA significantly reversed the effects of glutamine (P < 0.05). Finally, a xeno-GVHD mouse model was successfully established to confirm that glutamine-treated iTregs increased the mice survival rate, delayed weight loss, and alleviated colon injury. Conclusion: Glutamine supplementation can improve the activity and immunosuppressive action of iTregs, and the possible mechanisms by which this occurs are related to cell proliferation, apoptosis, and OXPHOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two allyldimethylalkyl quaternary ammonium salt (AQAS) monomers, N,N-dimethylallylphenylpropylammonium bromide (AQAS1) and N,N-dimethylallylnonylammonium bromide (AQAS2), were synthesized and used to prepare modified polyacrylamide materials. Two new drag reducers were synthesized from acrylamide (AM), sodium acrylate (NaAA) and a cationic modified monomer (AQAS1 or AQAS2) via aqueous solution polymerization, and the copolymers were named P(AM/NaAA/AQAS1) and P(AM/NaAA/AQAS2), respectively. The structures of the drag reduction agents were confirmed by IR and 1H NMR spectroscopies. The molecular weight (Mw) of P(AM/NaAA/AQAS1) was 1.79 × 106 g/mol. When the copolymer concentration was 1000 mg/L and the flow rate was 45 L/min, in fresh water the highest drag reduction rate was 75.8%, in 10,000 mg/L NaCl solution the drag reduction rate decreased to 72.9%. The molecular weight of P(AM/NaAA/AQAS2) was 3.17 × 106 g/mol. When the copolymer concentration was 500 mg/L and the flow rate was 45 L/min, the drag reduction rate reached 75.2%, and in 10,000 mg/L NaCl solution the drag reduction rate was 73.3%, decreased by approximately 1.9%. The drag reduction rate for partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) was also investigated, and the results showed that the drag reduction rates for 500 and 1000 mg/L HPAM solutions were merely 43.2% and 49.0% in brine, respectively. Compared with HPAM, both of the above copolymers presented better drag reduction capacities. © 2024 The Authors. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co. Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a severe global public health emergency that has caused a major crisis in the safety of human life, health, global economy, and social order. Moreover, COVID-19 poses significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide. The prediction and early warning of infectious diseases on a global scale are the premise and basis for countries to jointly fight epidemics. However, because of the complexity of epidemics, predicting infectious diseases on a global scale faces significant challenges. In this study, we developed the second version of Global Prediction System for Epidemiological Pandemic (GPEP-2), which combines statistical methods with a modified epidemiological model. The GPEP-2 introduces various parameterization schemes for both impacts of natural factors (seasonal variations in weather and environmental impacts) and human social behaviors (government control and isolation, personnel gathered, indoor propagation, virus mutation, and vaccination). The GPEP-2 successfully predicted the COVID-19 pandemic in over 180 countries with an average accuracy rate of 82.7%. It also provided prediction and decision-making bases for several regional-scale COVID-19 pandemic outbreaks in China, with an average accuracy rate of 89.3%. Results showed that both anthropogenic and natural factors can affect virus spread and control measures in the early stages of an epidemic can effectively control the spread. The predicted results could serve as a reference for public health planning and policymaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates the expression of long non-coding RNA hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha-antisense 1 in albino rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus and its correlation with bone mineral density and bone metabolism markers. The research included comparing type 2 diabetes mellitus albino rats with healthy controls. The diabetic model was confirmed by significant weight loss and elevated blood glucose levels after a high-fat diet and streptozotocin injection. Serum analysis showed that diabetic rats had significantly lower calcium levels and higher alkaline phosphatase levels compared to controls. Bone mineral density was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry before and after ovariectomy in two groups of rats. Post-ovariectomy, control group exhibited a significant reduction in bone mineral density, confirming the establishment of an osteoporosis model. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that long non-coding RNA hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha-antisense 1 expression was significantly lower in diabetic rats compared to controls. These findings suggest that long non-coding RNA hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha-antisense 1 is inhibited in diabetic osteoporotic rats and may play a role in the bone metabolism alterations observed in type 2 diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION Macrophages play an important role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cigarette smoke (CS) impairs autophagy in alveolar macrophages from COPD patients, and autophagic impairment leads to reduced clearance of protein aggregates, dysfunctional mitochondria, and defective bacterial delivery to lysosomes. However, the exact function of lung macrophage autophagy in the pathogenesis of CS-induced COPD remains largely unknown. METHODS Western blot detected the expression of autophagy-related proteins induced by CSE. The model of COPD mice was established by CS exposure combined with CSE intraperitoneal injection. Double immunofluorescence was used to measure the CD206+LC3B+ cells. The morphological changes and effects on lung function were observed. Masson staining detected the changes in collagen fibers in lung tissue. The expression levels of E-cadherinb and N-cadherinb were detected by immunohistochemistry. Western blot detected the expression of ATP6V1E1 in lung tissue. RESULTS At 24 hours of exposure to CSE, the expression levels of LC3B (microtubuleassociated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3B) and P62 (nucleoporin 62) were highest at 1% CSE and AGT5 (nucleoporin 62) at 2.5% CSE; at 48 hours, the expression levels of LC3B, P62 and AGT5 were highest at 2.5% CSE, and as the intervention time increased. CD206+LC3B+ cells were significantly higher in the COPD group. Enhanced macrophage autophagy may promote emphysema formation and aggravate lung function damage. The expression of E-cadherinb in lung tissue of the COPD group was decreased, and N-cadherinb expression was increased; the expression of E-cadherinb was increased, and N-cadherinb expression was decreased in ATG5myeΔ COPD mice. The expression of ATP6V1E1 in the lung tissue was increased in the COPD group; ATP6V1E1 expression was decreased in the lung tissues of ATG5myeΔ COPD mice. CONCLUSIONS CSE enhanced macrophage autophagy, leads to increased lung function impairment and collagenous fiber in lung tissue, as well as promotes epithelialmesenchymal transition, and eventually leads to small airway remodeling, which may be achieved through the ATG5/ATP6V1E1 pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C21H27NO4, triclinic, P 1 ‾ (no. 2), a = 7.5904(17) Å, b = 10.394(2) Å, c = 12.651(3) Å, α = 73.270(4)°, β = 85.888(4)°, γ = 86.078(4)°, V = 952.2(4) Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0469, wRref(F2) = 0.1545, T = 296(2) K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Target 14 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 14) depicts a better future regarding the capacity of coastal environments to cope with several developmental challenges. However, gaps in the data and indicators restrict the effective implementation of this global plan. In this context, under the umbrella of the Digital Belt and Road (DBAR) Program, the DBAR_COAST working group (WG) aims to solve the problems of coastal sustainable development along the Maritime Silk Road (MSR). This paper demonstrates the recent efforts of the DBAR_COAST WG to develop indicators based on Earth observation (EO) data (i.e. the natural coastal protection index (NCPI), the local proportion of habitats protected index (LPHPI), and the coastal eco-erosion index (CEEI)), which complement the existing indicators related to SDGs 14.2, 14.5 and 14.7. These indicators all satisfy indicative, robust, scientifically sound and accessible data principles. Based on them, both the coastal protection (NCPI = 0.97) and protected area coverage (LPHPI = 0.38) in the MSR still had much room for improvement in 2020, and pressure from aquaculture expansion (CEEI = 0.11) showed significant regionally spatial heterogeneity. These indicators serve to provide a guideline for indicator-based assessment in monitoring the progress toward achieving SDG 14. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective • This systematic comparative analysis aimed to assess the efficacy of metformin (MET) versus insulin (INS) in the treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), providing valuable insights for future GDM management strategies. Methods • We conducted a comprehensive search of clinical studies related to MET and INS interventions in GDM through online literature databases, applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality of the included studies was rigorously evaluated. Data on fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), pregnancy weight gain (PWG), premature delivery rate (PDR), and neonatal outcomes among GDM patients were extracted and analyzed using Review Manager 5.3 software. Results • We identified eleven high-quality studies comprising 8679 participants following careful screening and assessment. Our meta-analysis revealed a significant reduction in the incidence of excessive PWG and neonatal hypoglycemia in the MET treatment group (research group) compared to the INS treatment group (control group) (P < .05). Conclusions • Our findings support the effectiveness and safety of MET in achieving optimal blood glucose control in GDM. These results suggest the potential for broader clinical adoption of MET in GDM management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dissolution and diffusion of CO2 in oil and water and its displacement mechanism were investigated by laboratory experiment and numerical simulation for Block 9 in the Tahe oilfield, a sandstone oil reservoir with strong bottom-water drive in Tarim Basin, Northwest China. Such parameters were analyzed as solubility ratio of CO2 in oil, gas and water, interfacial tension, in-situ oil viscosity distribution, remaining oil saturation distribution, and oil compositions. The results show that CO2 flooding could control water coning and increase oil production. In the early stage of the injection process, CO2 expanded vertically due to gravity differentiation, and extended laterally under the action of strong bottom water in the intermediate and late stages. The CO2 got enriched and extended at the oil-water interface, forming a high interfacial tension zone, which inhibited the coning of bottom water to some extent. A miscible region with low interfacial tension formed at the gas injection front, which reduced the in-situ oil viscosity by about 50%. The numerical simulation results show that enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is estimated at 5.72% and the oil exchange ratio of CO2 is 0.17 t/t. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the mining operation is completed, the key lies in how to rehabilitate and restore the soil ecosystem. In this study, properties of soil samples from the same soil layer of the reclamation area for different vegetation types including Oriental arborvitae, Chinese holly, Chinese littleleaf box, and Wheat were tested. The results showed that different vegetation types possessed varying abilities to restore the ecosystem of soil in coal mining areas. In addition, the land for oriental arborvitae also showed higher soil enzyme activity, fungal abundance, and diversity index. The utilization of oriental arborvitae in coal mine reclamation projects could enhance soil quality, promote soil fertility, enrich microbial diversity, and expedite the establishment of a sustainable ecosystem in polluted soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the two-stage innovation value chain model, incorporating environmental regulation policies and three-waste emissions into the research framework, constructing a green technology innovation efficiency evaluation index system from the perspectives of green inputs and outputs, and utilizing the super-efficiency SBM model and the Malmquist-Luenberger index model, assessing the effectiveness of green technological innovation in two aspects, namely, static, and dynamic, respectively. The results show that: the average value of green technical innovation efficiency of China's hightech industries is 0.5277, with significant differences between provinces, but the overall is constantly improving, showing an upward trend; the green technological innovation efficiency decreases from east to west, and the differences among the three major regions are not only embodied in spatial patterns, but also in the growth rate; during the period of investigation, the inefficient provinces are gradually decreasing, and the level of green technological innovation of China is constantly getting better; China's The average value of ML index of green technical innovation efficiency of high-tech industries in China is greater than 1, and the overall development trend is better; the increase of ML index in the eastern and central regions mainly relies on the positive influence of technological efficiency, while the decrease of ML index in the western part is affected by the recession of technological progress and technological efficiency, and the efficiency of technology research and development stage is generally higher than that of scientific and technical achievements transformation stage, and low efficiency of achievements transformation stage is mainly affected by the inhibiting effect of technological progress - inhibitory effect of technological advancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sellick maneuver is used for endotracheal intubation to prevent the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux. The aim of the present study was to observe the effect of the Sellick maneuver on safety, esophageal closure status, gastric mucosal fold extension status, and positive detection rate of lesions in patients with esophageal hiatal hernia under painless gastroscopy. A total of 40 patients with esophageal hiatal hernia who underwent painless gastroscopy were screened for the use of the Sellick maneuver, in which the operator applied pressure to the cervical cricoid cartilage during the examination. The status of esophageal closure at the are pressed, examination time, gastric mucosal fold extension score, positive rate of lesion detection, and reflux of gastric juice or gastric contents, amongst other parameters were assessed. After using the Sellick maneuver, the state of esophageal closure during gastroscopy was significantly better than the no-Sellick maneuver group (P<0.05), and the extension scores of the greater curvature folds of the gastric body, the lateral folds of the lesser curvature of the gastric body, and the mucosal folds of the fundus were significantly higher than that of the no-Sellick maneuver (all P<0.05). The number of gastric polyps and gastric lesions (gastric ulcers and mucosal hyperplasia, amongst others) examined with the Sellick maneuver was significantly higher than the no-Sellick maneuver group (P<0.01). The Sellick maneuver effectively improved the extension of gastric mucosal folds during gastroscopy in patients with esophageal hiatal hernia, increased the positive detection rate of gastric lesions, and shortened the endoscopy time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C20H22N2O4, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 11.4033(15) Å, b = 14.2998(16) Å, c = 11.6486(16) Å, β = 91.197(8)°, V = 1899.1(4) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0513, wRref(F2) = 0.1542, T = 296.2 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urothelial carcinoma with squamous differentiation (UCS) is a common variant of bladder cancer for which treatment outcomes with novel agents are largely unknown. In this retrospective analysis comparing 40 patients with UCS and 120 patients with pure UC, we found inferior outcomes for UCS patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors or Enfortumab vedotin. This highlights an important unmet clinical need that should be addressed with further studies. Introduction: Urothelial carcinoma with squamous differentiation (UCS) is associated with increased resistance to chemotherapy, but outcomes associated with newer therapies approved in this space over the last 5 to 10 years are less well defined. We investigated clinical outcomes and molecular profiling of patients with UCS treated with an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) and/or Enfortumab vedotin (EV). Patients and Methods: We undertook a retrospective analysis of UC patients treated with ICI and/or EV. Objective response rate (ORR), progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between pure UC (pUC) and UCS using X 2 and log-rank tests, respectively. Prevalence of the most commonly detected somatic alterations were also compared between the 2 histologic subgroups. Results: A total of 160 patients (40 UCS, 120 pUC) were identified for this analysis. Among 151 patients treated with ICI (38 UCS, 113 pUC), UCS patients had a shorter mPFS (1.9 vs. 4.8 months, P < 0.01) and mOS (9.2 vs. 20.7 months, P < 0.01) compared to pUC. Among 37 patients treated with EV (12 UCS, 25 pUC), UCS patients had a lower ORR (17% vs. 70%, P < 0.01) and shorter mPFS (3.4 vs. 15.8 months, P < 0.01). UCS samples were enriched for CDKN2A, CDKN2B, PIK3CA, while pUC samples were enriched for ERBB2 alterations. Conclusion: In this single-center retrospective analysis, patients with UCS had a distinct somatic genomic profile relative to patients with pUC. Patients with UCS also had inferior outcomes to ICIs and EV compared to patients with pUC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background • Bone fractures are a significant cause of health impairment. However, observational studies have yielded inconsistent conclusions regarding the correlation between tea consumption and bone fractures. Objective • This meta-analysis aims to examine the influence of tea consumption on bone fractures by conducting a comprehensive search of databases such as PubMed, Embase, and others. Methods • The meta-analysis utilized STATA software and identified a total of 9 observational studies involving 147 950 participants. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random effects model. Results •The pooled OR estimating the correlation between tea consumption and bone fractures, based on the data from the 9 observational studies, was 0.89 (95% CI, 0.78- 1.04). Subgroup analysis revealed no significant correlation between the two factors in either cohort studies (n = 3; OR=0.97; 95% CI, 0.89-1.06) or case-control studies (n=6; OR=0.91; 95% CI, 0.70-1.19). The dose-response analysis did not find a significant linear correlation (P=.983). Conclusions • The findings indicate that tea consumption does not exhibit a significant association with the risk of bone fractures. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to confirm this conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the perspective of heritage tourism, this paper selected Dali Ancient City, one of the first group of national historic and cultural cities, located in Yunnan Province, China, as case study to analyze the motivation, satisfaction, and loyalty of tourists to national historic and cultural cities with concentrations of ethnic minorities. Through the questionnaire survey on the experience of tourists during their stay in Dali Ancient City, the study identified two motivations related to their visit: cultural motivation and multi-factor motivation, such as delicious food, enjoying holidays. By identifying and understanding the type, motivation, behavior, perception, and experience of tourists in national historic and cultural cities, it was hoped to provide reference for destination management and formulation of corresponding countermeasures. In addition, this study also discussed how tourist motivation analysis contributed to higher satisfaction and loyalty of tourists to a destination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: About one-fifth of newly diagnosed cancer patients are parents to young children. These patients are at higher risk of psychosocial stress and inability to attend treatment due to having to balance their own healthcare needs with childcare duties. This study aims to explore the impact of childcare on cancer parents and elicit their perspectives on potential supports. The results could help inform the implementation of suitable childcare programs to remove this barrier in accessing care. Methods: Patients at a large Canadian cancer treatment center were screened by oncologists for having minor children at home. Secure electronic surveys were then distributed to consenting participants. Domains surveyed included patient demographics, childcare burden, impact on treatment, and preference for childcare supports. Results: The mean age of correspondents was 43.9 (range 33–54), 46 patients (92%) were female, and breast cancer was the most common primary tumor. The median number of children per correspondent was two, and their mean age was 8.4. Balancing childcare with cancer treatment had a significant impact on self-reported stress levels for most correspondents. Twenty (40%) participants had to reschedule and 7 (14%) participants missed at least one appointment due to childcare conflicts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, access to childcare resources decreased while childcare responsibilities increased. Three-quarters of correspondents reported that a flexible childcare would make it easier for them to adhere to appointment schedules. Conclusion: Childcare is a significant psychosocial barrier for patients accessing cancer care. Our results indicate that most parents undergoing treatment may benefit from hospital-based childcare services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the "throat" of the drilling well control system, ram blowout preventers (BOPs) can effectively prevent blowout accidents. However, the ram shear mechanism under complex working conditions is unclear, and it is difficult to evaluate the ram BOP shear force, leading to frequent shear failure accidents in oilfields. Aiming at the above problems, this paper takes the double-V ram BOP as the research object, and integrates the methods of theoretical analysis, simulation modeling, and test verification to analyze the shear force in the pipe shear process under both static and moving conditions. A ram BOP shear force evaluation method is proposed based on equivalent stress. Finally, by comparing with calculation data and experimental data, the error between them is less than 5%, demonstrating the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed method. The research results can provide a theoretical basis for oilfield operations of ram BOPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the same time as the rapid growth of the global economy, excessive production has led to serious pollution of water sources and the environment, endangering health and sustainable development of the environment. Realizing the informatization of environmental supervision and the intelligent supervision of pollution sources has become an urgent environmental challenge. In this study, in order to solve the problem of intelligent supervision of pollution sources, an energy-saving and environmentally friendly multi-objective load scheduling method was designed by using multi-objective load dispatching, incorporating environmental factors into power system operation to reduce pollution emissions. The main pollution sources were detected and analyzed. The demand analysis of pollution source online monitoring system was carried out from the perspective of software engineering. According to B/S architecture, the system was divided into corresponding functional modules with the idea of modularization. The system architecture encompassed data collection, transmission, alarm systems, data processing, and centralized control. This integrated approach aided in achieving sustainability in power system operations and environmental protection, offering an effective solution for online monitoring and pollution source management. The results showed that the power system dispatching administrator could view the historical alarm information through the alarm statistics and analysis function and carry out alarm statistics according to different needs. This study provided effective help for the analysis of power system business flow, network operation, and equipment performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HCl regularly yields as a byproduct in the tail gas of pharmaceutical and chemical processes, including chlorination and dechlorination reactions. It is very challenging to obtain value-added pure HCl gas by making the use of a non-aqueous absorbent for the separation and recovery of HCl with both high efficiency and excellent reversibility. In this study, a new type of choline chloride-glycerol (ChCl-Gly) deep eutectic solvents (DESs) was synthesized and used as non-aqueous absorbents for the efficient absorption and recovery of HCl gas. It was found that the ChCl-Gly (1 : 1.5) DES exhibited high HCl absorption capacity (0.303 g g−1) at 298.2 K and 1.0 bar. In addition, the results of FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopies revealed that the interaction of ChCl-Gly (1 : 1.5) with HCl was through hydrogen-bonding, demonstrating a high reversibility and recyclability of ChCl-Gly (1 : 1.5) DES in twenty cycles. The present study indicates that the ultilization of a ChCl-based non-aqueous absorbent is an effective methodology for the efficient absorption and recovery of HCl gas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glutamate (Glu) is the major excitatory transmitter in the nervous system. Impairment of its vesicular release by β-amyloid (Aβ) oligomers is thought to participate in pathological processes leading to Alzheimer's disease. However, it remains unclear whether soluble Aβ42 oligomers affect intravesicular amounts of Glu or their release in the brain, or both. Measurements made in this work on single Glu varicosities with an amperometric nanowire Glu biosensor revealed that soluble Aβ42 oligomers first caused a dramatic increase in vesicular Glu storage and stimulation-induced release, accompanied by a high level of parallel spontaneous exocytosis, ultimately resulting in the depletion of intravesicular Glu content and greatly reduced release. Molecular biology tools and mouse models of Aβ amyloidosis have further established that the transient hyperexcitation observed during the primary pathological stage is mediated by an altered behavior of VGLUT1 responsible for transporting Glu into synaptic vesicles. Thereafter, an overexpression of Vps10p-tail-interactor-1a, a protein that maintains spontaneous release of neurotransmitters by selective interaction with t-SNAREs, resulted in a depletion of intravesicular Glu content, triggering advanced-stage neuronal malfunction. These findings are expected to open perspectives for remediating Aβ42-induced neuronal hyperactivity and neuronal degeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we demonstrate that dichloromethanol but not difluoromethanol is a viable surrogate of carbon monoxide for prodrug design. A proof of concept was established by the successful development of a ROS-responsive carbon monoxide prodrug, presenting specific CO release in response to endogenous ROS in cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author offers her response to the comments made on her article about the rise of Internet-oriented nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in China. She agrees with the claim that one of the reasons behind the difficulty in understanding the field of Chinese NGOs is because of the enormous variety among organizations. She argues on her cited oversimplication of the privatization perspective in her article. She also elaborates on the ways to avoid institutions controlled by the state.

Background: Muscle-derived stem cells ( MI) SCs ) contribute to the repair of injured muscles . However, the myogenicity of MDSCs generated from patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) relative to healthy individuals remains unclear. Methods: A human DMD model was established using the stem cells prepared from muscle derived from patients with DMD (DMD-hMDSCs). The expression of myogenic lineage-specific markers in MDSCs was examined with immunofluorescence, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting. Results: It was demonstrated that, compared with cells from healthy subjects, DMD-liMDSCs are primed to selfdifferentiate in growth-inducing medium (GM) and robustly differentiate into myotubes in differentiationinducing medium(DM). This feature was termed 'myogenesis activation," and it was speculated that it contributes to the depletion of myogenic progenitors. Furthermore, MI)SCs consistently express pax7, but the timecourse of this expression does not correlate with the expression of the myogenic lineage-specific markers. Conclusions: The myogenesis activation in DMD-hMDSCs demonstrated in this study may provide novel mechanistic insights into DMD pathogenesis and potential therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is very popular because it is characterized by rapidity and accessibility. However, CTA is inferior to digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in the diagnosis of intracranial artery stenosis or occlusion. DSA is an invasive examination, so we optimized the quality of cephalic CTA images. We used 5000 CTA images to train multi-scale residual denoising generative adversarial network (MRDGAN). And then 71 CTA images with intracranial large arterial stenosis were treated by Super-Resolution based on Generative Adversarial Network (SRGAN), Enhanced Super-Resolution based on Generative Adversarial Network (ESRGAN) and post-trained MRDGAN, respectively. Peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity index measurement (SSIM) of the SRGAN, ESRGAN, MRDGAN and original CTA images were measured respectively. The qualities of MRDGAN and original images were visually assessed using a 4-point scale. The diagnostic coherence of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) with MRDGAN and original images was analyzed. The PSNR was significantly higher in the MRDGAN CTA images (35.96 ± 1.51) than in the original (31.51 ± 1.43), SRGAN (25.75 ± 1.18) and ESRGAN (30.36 ± 1.05) CTA images (all P < 0.001). The SSIM was significantly higher in the MRDGAN CTA images (0.95 ± 0.02) than in the SRGAN (0.88 ± 0.03) and ESRGAN (0.90 ± 0.02) CTA images (all P < 0.01). The visual assessment was significantly higher in the MRDGAN CTA images (3.52 ± 0.58) than in the original CTA images (2.39 ± 0.69) (P < 0.05). The diagnostic coherence between MRDGAN and DSA (κ = 0.89) was superior to that between original images and DSA (κ = 0.62). Our MRDGAN can effectively optimize original CTA images and improve its clinical diagnostic value for intracranial large artery stenosis. • SRCTA we proposed, is the first application of super-resolution technology in cephalic CTA images. • SRCTA can generate more high-quality cephalic CTA images than the state-of-the-art models ESRGAN and SRGAN. • SRCTA has excellent diagnostic coherence with DSA in intracranial large artery stenosis or occlusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cowpea plants exhibiting virescence, phyllody and little leaf symptoms were observed in the fields of Zhanjiang City, Guangdong province of China in October 2020. Total DNA was extracted from symptomatic cowpea leaves. Using phytoplasma universal primer pairs (R16mF2/R16mR1, P1/P7) and a secA primer pair (secAfor1/secArev3), expected PCR fragments of approximately 1400, 1800 and 800 bp were amplified from all symptomatic cowpea leaves. MUSCLE analysis revealed that the representative 16S rRNA gene sequence of cowpea phyllody phytoplasma (CPP) shared 98.67% nucleotide identity with the reference strain WBDL of 'Ca. Phytoplasma aurantifolia' (GenBank accession number U15442); and 100% nucleotide identity with 16SrII-V phytoplasmas associated with 'Praxelis clematidea' phyllody (GenBank accession number KY568717); 'Desmodium triflorum' little leaf (GenBank accession number MT452308); and 'Ixeris chinensis', 'Emilia sonchifolia', and 'Desmodium ovalifolium' witches' broom (GenBank accession number MT416114, MT420682 and MK956144, respectively). Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA and secA gene sequences revealed that the CPP strain clustered with the 16SrII-V subgroup and 16SrII group, respectively. Virtual restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the 16S rRNA sequence revealed that CPP was associated with the 16SrII-V subgroup. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the16SrII-V subgroup of phytoplasmas associated with cowpea phyllody disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study compared the outcomes of single blastocyst transfer cycles, using day-5 poor-quality blastocysts and day-6 high-quality blastocysts. Methods: We analyzed 462 frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles performed at our center from January 2014 to December 2019. The cycles were divided into two groups: a day-5 poor-quality blastocyst transfer group (group A) and a day-6 high-quality blastocyst transfer group (group B). The clinical outcomes were tested. Results: In groups A and B, respectively, the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR; 61.65% vs. 67.17%, p=0.258), implantation rate (IR; 61.65% vs. 67.17%, p=0.258), and live birth rate (LBR; 69.51% vs. 77.83%, p=0.134) showed no significant differences. Moreover, when day-3 embryo quality was considered, the CPR, IR, and LBR were also similar in group A and group B (p>0.05). Conclusion: The clinical outcomes of day-5 poor-quality blastocysts and day-6 high-quality blastocysts were similar, suggesting that the developmental speed of the embryo might be more important than embryo quality for the clinical outcomes of single blastocyst transfer in FET cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key function of SUMOylation is the coordinated modification of numerous proteins to optimize plant growth and resistance to environmental stress. Plant cuticular wax is deposited on the surface of primary plant organs to form a barrier that provides protection against changes in terrestrial environments. Many recent studies have examined cuticular wax biosynthetic pathways and regulation. However, whether SUMOylation is involved in the regulation of cuticle wax deposition at the posttranslational level remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that a small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) E3 ligase, SAP AND MIZ1 DOMAIN CONTAINING LIGASE1 (MdSIZ1), regulates wax accumulation and cuticle permeability in apple (Malus domestica Borkh), SUMO E2 CONJUGATING ENZYME 1(MdSCE1) physically interacts with MdMYB30, a transcription factor involved in the regulation of cuticle wax accumulation. MdSIZ1 mediates the SUMOylation and accumulation of MdMYB30 by inhibiting its degradation through the 26S proteasome pathway. Furthermore, MdMYB30 directly binds to the ß-KETOACYL-COA SYNTHASE 1 (MdKCS1) promoter to activate its expression and promote wax biosynthesis. These findings indicate that the MdSIZ1-MdMYB30-MdKCS1 module positively regulates cuticular wax biosynthesis in apples. Overall, the findings of our study provide insights into the regulation pathways involved in cuticular wax biosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nan0an Basin is a giant hydrocarbon basin, but its tectonic division scheme and associated fault systems has not been well understood. Based on newly acquired seismic data from the southwestern margin of the South China Sea, this study analyzed the structural units, tectonic feature and geodynamics of the sedimentary basin. The new data suggests that the Nan0an Basin is a rift basin oriented in the NE-SW direction, rather than a pull-apart basin induced by strike-slip faults along the western margin. The basin is a continuation of the rifts in the southwest South China Sea since the late Cretaceous. It continued rifting until the middle Miocene, even though oceanic crust occurred in the Southwest Subbasin. However, it had no transfer surface at the end of spreading, where it was characterized by a late middle Miocene unconformity (reflector T3). The Nan0an Basin can be divided into eight structural units by a series of NE-striking faults. This study provides evidences to confirm the relative importance and interplay between regional strike-slips and orthogonal displacement during basin development and deformation. The NE-SW-striking dominant rift basin indicates that the geodynamic drivers of tectonic evolution in the western margin of the South China Sea did not have a large strike-slip mechanism. Therefore, we conclude that a large strike-slip fault system did not exist in the western margin of the South China Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor cell-originated events prevent efficient antitumor immune response and limit the application of anti-PD1 checkpoint immunotherapy. We show that syndecan-1 (SDC1) has a critical role in the regulation of T cell-mediated control of tumor growth. SDC1 inhibition increases the permeation of CD8+ T cells into tumors and triggers CD8+ T cell-mediated control of tumor growth, accompanied by increased proportions of progenitor-exhausted and effector-like CD8+ T cells. SDC1 deficiency alters multiple signaling events in tumor cells, including enhanced IFN-γ-STAT1 signaling, and augments antigen presentation and sensitivity to T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Combinatory inhibition of SDC1 markedly potentiates the therapeutic effects of anti-PD1 in inhibiting tumor growth. Consistently, the findings are supported by the data from human tumors showing that SDC1 expression negatively correlates with T cell presence in tumor tissues and the response to immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Our findings suggest that SDC1 inhibits antitumor immunity, and that targeting SDC1 may promote anti-PD1 response for cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design. Finite element analysis. Objective. To investigate the biomechanical effect of four posterior fixation techniques on stability and adjacent segment degeneration in treating thoracolumbar burst fractures with osteoporosis. Summary of Background Data. In terms of stability and adjacent segment degeneration, there remains no consensus or guidelines on the optimal technique for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures in patients with osteoporosis. Materials and Methods. Images of CT scans were imported into MIMICS and further processed by Geomagic to build threedimensional models of the T10-L5 region. A v-shaped osteotomy was performed on the L1 vertebral body to simulate a burst fracture in the setting of osteoporosis. Subsequently, four fixation techniques were designed using SolidWorks software. Range of motion (ROM) of the global spine, ROM distribution, ROM of adjacent segment, Von Mises stress on adjacent intervertebral disks, and facet joints were analyzed. Results. Among the four groups, the cortical bone screw fixation (CBT) showed the highest global ROM at 1.86°, while longsegmented pedicle screw fixation (LSPS) had the lowest global ROM at 1.25°. The LSPS had the smallest percentage of ROM of fractured vertebral body to fixed segment at 75.04%, suggesting the highest stability after fixation. The maximum ROM of the adjacent segment was observed in the CBT at 1.32°, while the LSPS exhibited the smallest at 0.89°. However, the LSPS group experienced larger maximum stress on the adjacent intervertebral disks (9.60 MPa) and facet joints (3.36 MPa), indicating an increasing risk of adjacent segment disease. Conclusion. LSPS provided the greatest stability, while CBT provided the smallest amount of stability. However, the elevated stress on adjacent intervertebral disks and facet joints after LSPS fixation increased the possibility of adjacent segment degeneration. Cement-augmented pedicle screw fixation (CAPS) and combined cortical bone screw and pedicle screw fixation (CBTPS) demonstrated significant biomechanical advantages in providing moderate fixation strength while reducing stress on the intervertebral disks and facet joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design. Finite element analysis. Objective. To investigate the biomechanical effect of four posterior fixation techniques on stability and adjacent segment degeneration in treating thoracolumbar burst fractures with osteoporosis. Summary of Background Data. In terms of stability and adjacent segment degeneration, there remains no consensus or guidelines on the optimal technique for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures in patients with osteoporosis. Materials and Methods. Images of CT scans were imported into MIMICS and further processed by Geomagic to build threedimensional models of the T10-L5 region. A v-shaped osteotomy was performed on the L1 vertebral body to simulate a burst fracture in the setting of osteoporosis. Subsequently, four fixation techniques were designed using SolidWorks software. Range of motion (ROM) of the global spine, ROM distribution, ROM of adjacent segment, Von Mises stress on adjacent intervertebral disks, and facet joints were analyzed. Results. Among the four groups, the cortical bone screw fixation (CBT) showed the highest global ROM at 1.86°, while longsegmented pedicle screw fixation (LSPS) had the lowest global ROM at 1.25°. The LSPS had the smallest percentage of ROM of fractured vertebral body to fixed segment at 75.04%, suggesting the highest stability after fixation. The maximum ROM of the adjacent segment was observed in the CBT at 1.32°, while the LSPS exhibited the smallest at 0.89°. However, the LSPS group experienced larger maximum stress on the adjacent intervertebral disks (9.60 MPa) and facet joints (3.36 MPa), indicating an increasing risk of adjacent segment disease. Conclusion. LSPS provided the greatest stability, while CBT provided the smallest amount of stability. However, the elevated stress on adjacent intervertebral disks and facet joints after LSPS fixation increased the possibility of adjacent segment degeneration. Cement-augmented pedicle screw fixation (CAPS) and combined cortical bone screw and pedicle screw fixation (CBTPS) demonstrated significant biomechanical advantages in providing moderate fixation strength while reducing stress on the intervertebral disks and facet joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this issue of Neuron , Li, Zhang, et al. 1 find that the bile acid receptor TGR5 in the lateral hypothalamus influences neuronal dynamics underlying stress-induced depression-like behaviors. Inhibition of these neurons produces antidepressant-like effects through a circuit that includes hippocampal CA3 and dorsolateral septum, revealing a novel potential therapeutic for depression. In this issue of Neuron , Li, Zhang, et al. find that the bile acid receptor TGR5 in the lateral hypothalamus influences neuronal dynamics underlying stress-induced depression-like behaviors. Inhibition of these neurons produces antidepressant-like effects through a circuit that includes hippocampal CA3 and dorsolateral septum, revealing a novel potential therapeutic for depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Outcomes of earlier systematic reviews of the efficacy of ablative and excisional techniques to treat cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or 3 (CIN2/3) were biased, as most of the included studies did not compare the techniques head-to- head. Objective: To systematically review the outcomes of studies comparing ablative and excisional techniques to treat CIN2/3 head-to- head. Search strategy: Medline, Embase and Global Index Medicus were searched from inception until May 2021. Selection criteria: Studies directly comparing the efficacy and safety of excisional and ablative treatments on histologically confirmed CIN2/3. Eligibility criteria for the women treated with ablation had to be same as those treated with excision. Data collection and analysis: A total of 323 articles were archived. Data on the risk of persistence/recurrence and safety were extracted from the original trials. Comparison between the two procedures was reported by forest plots, stratified by follow-up intervals and by HIV status. Main results: Six publications were included. The risk of persistence/recurrence following ablation was significantly higher than that following excision (overall, RR 1.65, 95% CI 1.25–2.19; at 6-month follow-up, RR 1.94, 95% CI 1.29–2.91; at 12-month follow-up, RR 1.78, 95% CI 1.27–2.51; at 24-month follow-up, RR 1.57, 95% CI 1.11–2.23). The findings remained similar among women living with HIV (WLHIV). Both procedures were equally safe. Conclusions: Excisional treatment was more effective than ablative treatment, with both procedures having similar safety profiles. Other programmatic considerations will guide the selection of technique, especially in resource-limited settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

he decision for definitive therapy for the treatment of patients with connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD) is difficult. Patients with CTD-ILD received 0.5 g twice a day of mycophenolate mofetil for 2 years (MMF cohort, n = 105) or cyclophosphamide 50 mg once every other day, and the cumulative dose of cyclophosphamide should not exceed 10 g (CYC cohort, n = 140). After complete of treatment (EL), % forced vital capacity (FVC) and % diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide were increased in both the MMF and CYC cohorts as compared to before treatment (p < 0.001 for all). There were higher changes in % FVC values and a greater number of patients with significant change in % FVC (>10% change) in the CYC cohort than in the MMF cohort (p < 0.0001 for both) at EL. Patients in the CYC cohort had higher rates of leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, serious adverse effects related to treatment(s), and death than those in the MMF cohort (p < 0.05 for all). Cyclophosphamide plus prednisolone superiorly improved % FVC compared to mycophenolate mofetil plus prednisolone. Mycophenolate mofetil and cyclophosphamide improved pulmonary function. Mycophenolate mofetil is less toxic and increased patient survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine whether ultrasound (US) features of breast cancer are associated with Breast Imaging and Reporting Data System molecular subtype, histologic grade, and hormone receptor status as well as to assess the predictive value of these features. Retrospective analysis of the medical records of 220 consecutive patients with invasive breast cancer was reviewed according to the PIK3CA-mutated molecular tumor subtype. US findings of all patients were analyzed. Breast tumors harboring a PIK3CA-mutation were large and exhibited liquefied necrosis and posterior echo attenuation in the nodule. Moreover, such tumors were lobulated and calcified. The aspect ratio of the PIK3CA-mutant was more likely >1. The average nodule elasticity (7.479 ± 0.993 m/s) was measured using US shear wave elastography. Microcalcification was easier to detect inside the nodule using a fluorescence technique. Measurement of the nodule blood flow spectrum showed that the internal blood flow resistance index of nodules was lower than that of other types of breast cancer. The sonographic features of PIK3CA-mutated breast cancers were strongly associated with extensive and liquefied necrosis. The ability to predict molecular subtypes, particularly using US to detect the triple-negative subtype, may play an important role in early management and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a key role in cancer progression, including non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC). LncRNA long intergenic non-protein-coding RNA 00607 (LINC00607) was previously discovered to be downregulated in lung adenocarcinoma tissues. Nevertheless, the potential role of LINC00607 in NSCLC is still unclear. The expression of LINC00607, miR-1289, and ephrin A5 (EFNA5) in NSCLC tissues and cells was tested by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion were measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-y1)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide, colony formation, wound healing, and Transwell assays. The relationship among LINC00607, miR-1289, and EFNA5 in NSCLC cells was verified by the luciferase reporter assay, RNA pull-down assay, and RNA immunoprecipitation assay. In this study, LINC00607 was downregulated in NSCLC, and its low level is associated with poor prognosis of NSCLC patients. Furthermore, LINC00607 overexpression repressed NSCLC cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion. LINC00607 bound with miR-1289 in NSCLC. EFNA5 was a downstream target of miR-1289. EFNA5 over-expression also inhibited NSCLC cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion. EFNA5 knockdown antagonized the influence of LINC00607 overexpression on NSCLC cell phenotypes. Overall, LINC00607 serves as a tumor suppressor gene in NSCLC through binding with miR-1289 and modulating the level of EFNA5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new complexes of copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II), [CuL2] (1), [Ni3L2(4-BrSal)2(CH3COO)2(CH3OH)2]-2CH3OH (2), [ZnBr2(HL)2] (3) and [ZnL(dca)]n (4), where L is 5-bromo-2-((cychlopentylimino)methyl)phenolate, HL is the zwitterionic form of 5-bromo-2-((cychlopentylimino)methyl)phenol, 4-BrSal is the monoanionic form of 4-bromosalicylaldehyde, dca is dicyanamide anion, were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The structures of the complexes were further confirmed by single crystal X-ray structure determination. Complex 1 is a mononuclear copper(II) compound, with a crystallographic two-fold rotation axis symmetry. The Cu atom is in distorted square planar coordination. Complex 2 is a trinuclear nickel(II) compound, with an inversion center symmetry. The Ni atoms are in octahedral coordination. Complex 3 is a mononuclear zinc(II) compound, while complex 4 is a dca bridged polymeric zinc(II) compound. The Zn atoms are in tetrahedral coordination. The compounds were assayed for their antimicrobial activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The past landslides from landslide inventory are essential for machine learning (ML)-based landslide susceptibility assessment (LSA). They determine not only the positive samples (characterized by the past landslides) but also the negative samples (randomly generated based on past landslides) for training and validating the ML models. However, the number of past landslides is often limited because of the constraints of time, budget, and resources available, etc. In other words, the available data for establishing landslide susceptibility ML models are limited, which indicates that the accuracy and reliability of the corresponding models are insufficient. This article, therefore, proposes using a new landslide susceptibility index-based sampling strategy to enhance the positive and negative samples for model training and validation to reach an improved ML-based LSA. To realize this idea, landslide susceptibility analysis based on initial datasets compiled from landslide inventory by using three ML models, i.e., random forest (RF), gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT) and support vector machine (SVM), are first conducted to obtain the initial landslide susceptibility indices at different space locations. Then, the landslide susceptibility indices are analyzed with the proposed sampling strategy which considers directly the grid units with very high and very low landslide susceptibility indices as potential positive and negative samples, respectively, to enrich the initial dataset; and the number of these positive/negative samples is determined by a Bayesian optimization algorithm. Thereafter, the ML models are updated with the enriched datasets. Finally, to verify the effectiveness of the proposed strategy, the improved models are applied to assess the landslide susceptibility of Taojiang County, China, and the results are compared with those from initial corresponding models without updating. The results show that compared with the initial RF, GBDT and SVM models, the corresponding improved models have a better performance in accuracy, precision, recall rate, and specificity. In particular, the AUC values of the three models are increased by 11.94%, 10.72% and 0.57%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the 2,2′-bipyridine-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid ligand (H2LZ), a heterometal–organic framework with a three-dimensional interpenetrating structure, namely [TbZn(LZ)2(HCOO)(H2O)3]n (1), was synthesized. Compound 1 exhibited stable luminescence in the pH range of 2–12 in an aqueous solution. It is noteworthy to mention that compound 1 could discern carmine (CM) in some food additives and trinitrophenol (TNP) in nitroaromatic explosives by the fluorescence quenching effect. In particular, compound 1 displayed high sensitivity, selectivity, recyclability, and anti-interference for sensing CM and TNP in aqueous solutions, and the detection limits of CM and TNP were 7.76 × 10−6 M and 1.35 × 10−4 M, respectively. In addition, the fluorescence mechanisms of compound 1 for sensing CM and TNP molecules are also discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Stroke is an illness with high morbidity, disability and mortality that presents a major clinical challenge. Sanhua decoction (SHD) has been widely used to treat ischaemic stroke in the clinic. However, the potential mechanism of SHD remains unknown. Objective: To elucidate the multitarget mechanism of SHD in ischaemic stroke through network pharmacology and bioinformatics analyses. Materials and methods: Network pharmacology and experimental validation approach was used to investigate the bioactive ingredients, critical targets and potential mechanisms of SHD against ischaemic stroke. Four herbal names of SHD, 'ischemic stroke' or 'stroke' was used as a keyword to search the relevant databases. SH-SY5Y cells were treated with various concentrations of SHD (12.5, 25, 50 or 100 μg/mL) for 4 h, exposed to oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) for 1 h, then reoxygenation for 24 h. The cell viability was detected by MTT, the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was evaluated by ELISA, and protein expression was detected by western blots. Results: SHD treatment increased the survival rate from 65.9 ± 4.3 to 85.56 ± 5.7%. The median effective dose (ED50) was 47.1 μg/mL, the LDH decreased from 288.0 ± 12.0 to 122.8 ± 9.1 U/L and the cell apoptosis rate decreased from 33.6 ± 1.8 to 16.3 ± 1.2%. Western blot analysis revealed that SHD increased the levels of p-PI3k, p-Akt and p-CREB1, and decreased the expression of TNF-α and IL-6. Discussion and conclusions: This study suggests that SHD protects against cerebral ischaemic injury via regulation of the PI3K/Akt/CREB1 and TNF pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]