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This article explores the development of predictive biomarkers for radiotherapy outcomes in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The study integrates the Radiosensitivity Index (RSI) with the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (FUSCC) TNBC classification to identify a specific TNBC subpopulation that exhibits radioresistance and an increased risk of local recurrence post-radiotherapy. The study identifies the SERPINB5 gene as a potential therapeutic target for radioresistance in high-risk TNBC patients. The research also reveals distinct immunological profiles in TNBC patients with radioresistant tumors, highlighting the importance of immune modulation in radioresistance. The study concludes that the integration of RSI and FUSCC TNBC subtypes can refine recurrence risk assessment and inform personalized radiotherapy approaches for high-risk TNBC patients. [Extracted from the article]

The ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide is a crucial route for producing biodegradable polylactides (PLAs). Developing an efficient catalyst for this process poses significant challenges. Herein, we report the successful incorporation of nickel during the crystallization of ZIF-67, the derivation of the abundant and stable CoO source, to obtain the composite magnetic Ni@CoO@ZIF-67 using the solid-state thermal (SST) method. The characterization of the resulting materials revealed that nickel atoms are well dispersed in the composite CoO@ZIF-67, imparting additional magnetic properties. The composite Ni@CoO@ZIF-67 demonstrated superior performance as a heterogeneous catalyst for the ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide compared to reference materials such as Ni-Hmim, CoO, ZIF-67, and CoO@ZIF-67. Furthermore, the magnetic property of Ni@CoO@ZIF-67 offers practical advantages, enabling easier separation and recycling of the catalyst. Notably, the SST method facilitates the single-step synthesis of composite magnetic Ni@CoO@ZIF-67 under solvent-free conditions, representing a significant advancement in catalyst development. This approach not only simplifies the synthesis process but also inspires further developments of heterogeneous magnetic catalysts for a variety of effective and diverse reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and employing Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP) measures, this study explores the correlation between vitamin E (VE) intake and hepatic steatosis and its impact on different subsets. Materials and methods: We selected 5757 participants with CAP data from the 2017–2020 NHANES dataset. Daily VE intake was assessed by a 24-hour dietary recall. Hepatic fat content was quantified using transient elastography to measure CAP. Stratified multivariable regression analysis investigated relationships in different subsets, and a generalized additive model identified nonlinear relationships and thresholds. Results: After adjusting for confounders, higher VE intake correlated with lower CAP levels. Subgroup analyses and tests for interaction revealed a significantly stronger negative correlation between VE intake and CAP in obese individuals. Further analysis indicated a curvilinear relationship between VE intake and the severity of liver fat degeneration in both the general study population and the obese subgroup, demonstrating a threshold effect. In the general population, VE intake below the threshold (6.58 mg/day) is positively correlated with CAP levels, whereas intake above this threshold shows a negative correlation. For obese individuals, the threshold is set at 7.37 mg/day, above which the negative correlation with CAP is even more pronounced. Conclusion: Our study revealed a negative correlation between VE intake and hepatic fat content, highlighting the potentially crucial role VE plays in obese fatty liver patients. Importantly, we identified threshold effects of VE intake in both general and obese populations. Our results support clinical nutritional interventions, personalized dietary guidance, and the development of drugs to combat fatty liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Near‐infrared (NIR)‐triggered shape memory hydrogels with promising mechanical strength hold immense potential in the field of biomedical applications and soft actuators. However, the optical and mechanical properties of currently reported hydrogels usually suffer from limited solubility and dispersion of commonly used photothermal additives in hydrogels, thus restricting their practical implementations. Here,, a set of NIR‐responsive shape memory hydrogels synthesized by polyaddition of diisocyanate‐terminated poly(ethylene glycol), imidazolidinyl urea (IU), and p‐benzoquinone dioxime (BQDO) is reported. The introduction of IU, a hydrogen bond reinforcing factor, significantly enhances the mechanical properties of the hydrogels, allowing for their tunable ranges of the ultimate tensile strength (0.4–2.5 MPa), elongation at break (210–450%), and Young's modulus (190–850 kPa). The unique hydrogels exhibit an intrinsic photothermal effect because of the covalently incorporated photothermal moiety (BQDO), and the photothermal supramolecular hydrogel shows controllable shape memory capabilities characterized by rapid recovery speed and high recovery ratio (>90%). This design provides new possibilities for applying shape memory hydrogels in the field of soft actuators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infrared transmitting materials (IRTMs) are prone to mechanical and corrosion damage during long‐time exposure to harsh outside environments. However, conventional IRTMs frequently lack self‐repairability that limit their lifespan. To address the limitation, thioctic acid‐based epoxy resins (TAEs) are developed from natural thioctic acid and commercial epoxy monomers. The double ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) reactions of thioctic acid and epoxy groups result in dual dynamic covalent bonds with varying bond energies containing relatively weak disulfide bonds and strong ester bonds. As compared with conventional covalent adaptable networks (CANs) that present rapid creep properties when heated, TAEs maintain their geometric stability during rapid self‐repairing at a mild temperature of 80 °C by enhancing network integrity through stable ester crosslinking points. The feature renders TAEs self‐repairing capability while maintaining precise geometrical dimensions, which is suitable for infrared transmitting devices. On the other hand, TAEs exhibit high near‐infrared transmittance (>80%). Therefore, TAEs with self‐repairability and high infrared transmittance demonstrate they can be used as superior polymeric IRTM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the widespread use of network infrastructures such as 5G and low-power wide-area networks, a large number of the Internet of Things (IoT) device nodes are connected to the network, generating massive amounts of data. Therefore, it is a great challenge to achieve anonymous authentication of IoT nodes and secure data transmission. At present, blockchain technology is widely used in authentication and s data storage due to its decentralization and immutability. Recently, Fan et al. proposed a secure and efficient blockchain-based IoT authentication and data sharing scheme. We studied it as one of the state-of-the-art protocols and found that this scheme does not consider the resistance to ephemeral secret compromise attacks and the anonymity of IoT nodes. To overcome these security flaws, this paper proposes an enhanced authentication and data transmission scheme, which is verified by formal security proofs and informal security analysis. Furthermore, Scyther is applied to prove the security of the proposed scheme. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the proposed scheme achieves better performance in terms of communication and computational cost compared to other related schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age is a significant contributing factor to the occurrence and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Pharmacological treatment can effectively alleviate CVD symptoms caused by aging. However, 90% of the drugs have failed in clinics because of the loss of drug effects or the occurrence of the side effects. One of the reasons is the disparity between animal models used and the actual physiological levels in humans. Therefore, we integrated multiple datasets from single‐cell and bulk‐seq RNA‐sequencing data in rats, monkeys, and humans to identify genes and pathways with consistent/differential expression patterns across these three species. An approach called "Cross‐species signaling pathway analysis" was developed to select suitable animal models for drug screening. The effectiveness of this method was validated through the analysis of the pharmacological predictions of four known anti‐vascular aging drugs used in animal/clinical experiments. The effectiveness of drugs was consistently observed between the models and clinics when they targeted pathways with the same trend in our analysis. However, drugs might have exhibited adverse effects if they targeted pathways with opposite trends between the models and the clinics. Additionally, through our approach, we discovered four targets for anti‐vascular aging drugs, which were consistent with their pharmaceutical effects in literatures, showing the value of this approach. In the end, software was established to facilitate the use of "Cross‐species signaling pathway analysis." In sum, our study suggests utilizing bioinformatics analysis based on disease characteristics can help in choosing more appropriate animal models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial photosensitizers (PSs) present great potential in the field of clinical photodynamic therapy (PDT) yet face a formidable challenge owing to the extremely short lifespan of singlet oxygen (1O2). Herein, the 1O2 slow‐release "platform" is proposed based on an anthracene‐groups functionalized D‐π‐A system (AIC), which can capture and slowly release 1O2 produced by commercial PSs. Meanwhile, the reversible chemical process between AIC and 1O2 is demonstrated by a series of optical experiments and high‐resolution mass spectrum. Remarkably, by virtue of 1O2 slow‐release "platform", the sustaining mitochondrial autophagy and cell apoptosis still take place when the laser is cut off with a short period of irradiation, reducing the side effect of sustained irradiation. In general, the construction of 1O2 slow‐release platform opens up exciting opportunities for improving the PDT effect of commercial PSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The link between dietary fiber intake and Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is under exploration, yielding inconsistent findings. Considering the limitations of previous research and the significance of dietary fiber in hepatic steatosis, this study investigates the association between dietary fiber intake and Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP) among 5935 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Materials and methods: Multivariable regression was used to evaluate the association between dietary fiber intake and CAP. Smoothed curve fitting and threshold effect analysis techniques were applied to illustrate non-linear relationships. Results: After adjusting for other variables, a negative correlation emerged between dietary fiber intake and CAP. Subgroup analysis by gender and race/ethnicity revealed a sustained negative association between dietary fiber intake and CAP among females and Whites. Additionally, an inverted U-shaped relationship was observed between dietary fiber intake and CAP among women and other race, with inflection points at 13.80 g/day and 33.45 g/day, respectively. Conclusion: Our research indicates that in the majority of Americans, there is an inverse relationship between dietary fiber intake and hepatic steatosis. This relationship exhibits an inverted U-shaped curve in women and other race, with a threshold effect. The findings of this study hold potential significance for clinical nutrition interventions, personalized dietary guidance, and advancing research into the diet-disease mechanism relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To observe the effect of curcumin on a C57BL/6J mouse liver cancer model induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN) combined with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), and to explore its mechanism. METHODS: Forty young male C57BL/6J mice were intraperitoneally injected with DEN (25 mg/kg) 14 d after birth and randomly divided into the following 4 groups at the 4th week (10 in each group) : model control group and curcumin (100, 200 and 400 mg/ kg) groups. Ten male mice of the same age were used as normal control group. The mice in model group and curcumin groups were gavaged with 10% CCl4 (5 mL/kg) twice a week from the 8th week on. At the same time, the mice in curcumin groups were gavaged with curcumin, and the mice in normal control group were gavaged with the same volume of distilled water once a day for 14 weeks. After administration, the mice were sacrificed, the liver surface was observed, and the number of tumor nodules was compared. The activity of alanine aminotransferase ( ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum was detected by an automatic biochemical instrument. The pathological changes of liver tissues were observed by HE staining. The mRNA expression levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) were detected by RT-qPCR, and the protein expression levels of HO-1, NQO1 and Ki67 were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with normal control group, the body weight of the mice in model group was decreased significantly (P<0. 01), the liver index was increased significantly (P<0. 01), and the serum levels of ALT and AST were increased obviously (P<0. 01). There was no significant difference in the mRNA expression levels of HO-1 and NQO1 (P>0. 05), the protein levels of HO-1 and NQO1 were increased distinctly (P<0. 05), and the positive expression rate of Ki67 was increased significantly (P<0. 05). After curcumin treatment, the body weight of the mice was significantly increased (P<0. 01), the liver index was not changed (P>0. 05), and the number of tumor nodules in the liver was decreased significantly (P<0. 05 or P<0. 01). The serum level of AST was decreased significantly (P< 0. 01), the mRNA and protein expression levels of HO-1 and NQO1 were decreased significantly (P<0. 05), and the positive expression rate of Ki67 was decreased significantly (P<0. 05). CONCLUSION: Curcumin significantly protects against liver cancer in a C57BL/6J mouse model induced by DEN combined with CCl4, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of HO-1 and NQO1 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aims to document and preserve the traditional medicinal knowledge of the Gelao community in Northern Guizhou, China, providing valuable insights for modern pharmacological research and the development of these traditional remedies. Methods: Our methodology encompassed a blend of literature review, community interviews, and participatory observation to delve into the traditional knowledge of animal-derived medicines among the Gelao community. We employed quantitative ethnological and ecological assessment techniques to evaluate the significance of these practices. Informed consent was secured before conducting interviews, with a focus on ascertaining the types of medicines familiar to the informants, including their local names, sources, methods of preparation, application techniques, diseases treated, frequency of use, and safety considerations. Results: Our research cataloged 55 varieties of animal-derived medicines utilized by the Gelao people. Out of these, 34 originate from wild animals, mainly encompassing small insects, reptiles, and aquatic species; the remaining 21 are derived from domesticated animals, largely involving their tissues, organs, and various physiological or pathological by-products. These medicines are primarily applied in treating pediatric ailments (13 types), internal disorders (11 types), gynecological issues (3 types), dermatological problems (7 types), ENT conditions (3 types), trauma-related injuries (5 types), joint and bone ailments (5 types), infections (2 types), dental issues (2 types), and urolithiasis (1 type), with three types being used for other miscellaneous conditions. Commonly utilized medicines, such as honey, Blaps beetle, chicken gallstones, and snake-based products, are preferred for their availability, edibility, and safety within the Gelao communities. Conclusion: The Gelao community's traditional medicines represent a rich diversity of animal sources, showcasing extensive expertise and knowledge in their processing and clinical applications. This wealth of traditional knowledge offers novel perspectives for the contemporary pharmacological study and development of these remedies. Additionally, our research plays a crucial role in aiding the preservation and continuation of this invaluable cultural heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Obesity and constipation are both global problems, but the factors associated with constipation in individuals with obesity are currently understudied. The aim of our study was to explore the factors associated with constipation in people with obesity. Methods: From three cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005–2010, data from 14,048 persons aged ≥20 years were collected. Variables included demographics, lifestyle, comorbidities, and dietary data. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to calculate adjusted prevalence odds ratio (OR) and assess the relationship between different variables and constipation in population with obesity. Results: Using stool consistency definition, multivariate analysis revealed that education ≥12th grade (OR: 0.456; 95% CI: 0.300, 0.694; p = 0.00024), hypertension (OR: 0.505; 95% CI: 0.334, 0.763; p = 0.00119), polypharmacy (OR: 1.669; 95% CI: 1.104, 2.521; p = 0.01507), high cholesterol (OR: 0.400; 95% CI: 0.213, 0.750; p = 0.00430), and high dietary fiber (OR: 0.454; 95% CI: 0.245, 0.841; p = 0.01206) were substantially linked with constipation in the population with obesity. For constipation defined using stool frequency, multivariate regression analysis show constipation in people with obesity had a significant association with the female sex (OR: 2.684; 95% CI: 1.379, 5.223; p = 0.00366 multivariate), Mexican American (OR: 0.142; 95% CI, 0.033, 0.616; p = 0.00914 multivariate), hypertension (OR: 0.569; 95% CI: 0.324, 0.998; p = 0.04916), depression (OR: 2.280; 95% CI: 1.240, 4.195; p = 0.00803), occasional/often milk consumption (OR: 0.473; 95% CI: 0.286, 0.782; p = 0.00356), medium energy (OR: 0.318; 95% CI: 0.118, 0.856; p = 0.02338), polypharmacy (OR: 1.939; 95% CI: 1.115, 3.373; p = 0.01907), and medium moisture (OR: 0.534; 95% CI: 0.285, 0.999; p = 0.04959). In nonobese people, constipation was significantly associated with the female sex and high moisture but not with hypertension and polypharmacy. Conclusion: This study suggests that the population with obesity has many factors that affect constipation such as hypertension, polypharmacy, cholesterol, dietary fiber, depression, and so on, of which hypertension and polypharmacy were significant associated with constipation, regardless of definitions of constipation. Notably, hypertension might be associated with a reduced risk of constipation in people with obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Supraclavicular nodal (SCL) irradiation is commonly used for patients with high-risk breast cancer after breast surgery. The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) and European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) breast contouring atlases delineate the medial part of the SCL region, while excluding the posterolateral part. However, recent studies have found that a substantial proportion of SCL failures are located in the posterolateral SCL region, outside of the RTOG/ESTRO-defined SCL target volumes. Consequently, many radiation oncologists advocate for enlarging the SCL irradiation target volume to include both the medial and posterolateral SCL regions. Nevertheless, it remains uncertain whether adding the posterolateral SCL irradiation improves survival outcomes for high-risk breast cancer patients. Methods: The SUCLANODE trial is an open-label, multicenter, randomized, phase 3 trial comparing the efficacy and adverse events of medial SCL irradiation (M-SCLI group) and medial plus posterolateral SCL irradiation (entire SCL irradiation, E-SCLI group) in high-risk breast cancer patients who underwent breast conserving-surgery or mastectomy. Patients with pathological N2-3b disease following initial surgery, or clinical stage III or pathological N1-3b if receiving neoadjuvant systemic therapy, are eligible and randomly assigned (1:1) to M-SCLI group and E-SCLI group. Stratification is by chemotherapy sequence (neoadjuvant vs. adjuvant), T stage (T3-4 vs. T1-2), N stage (N1-2 vs. N3), and ER status (positive vs. negative). Other radiation volumes are identical in the two arms, including breast/chest wall, undissected axillary lymph node, and internal mammary node. Advanced intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), or tomotherapy techniques are recommended. Both hypofractionated and conventional fractionation schedules are permitted. The primary end point is invasive disease-free survival, and secondary end points included overall survival, SCL recurrence, local-regional recurrence, distance recurrence, safety outcome, and patient-reported outcomes. The target sample size is 1650 participants. Discussion: The results of the SUCLANODE trial will provide high-level evidence regarding whether adding posterolateral SCL irradiation to medial SCL target volume provides survival benefit in patients with high-risk breast cancer. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05059379. Registered 28 September 2021, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05059379. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With rapid urban sprawl, growing people are living in the vicinity of major roadways. However, little is known about the relationship between residential proximity to major roadways and hearing impairment (HI). Methods: We derived data from the 2018 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, and included 13,775 participants aged 65 years or older. Multivariate logistic regressions were employed to examine the association between residential proximity to major roadways and HI. The effects of corresponding potentially modifiable factors were studied by three-way interaction analyses. Sensitivity analyses were performed to verify the robustness of the results. Results: The prevalence of HI was 38.3%. Participants living near major roadways were more likely to have a higher socioeconomic status. An exposure-response relation between residential proximity to major roadways and HI was observed (Ptrend < 0.05). Compared with individuals living > 300 m away from major roadways, the adjusted odds ratios (OR) were 1.07 (95% CI: 0.96–1.24), 1.15 (95% CI: 1.07–1.34), and 1.12 (95% CI: 1.01–1.31) for those living 101–200 m, 50–100 m, and < 50 m away from the roadways, respectively. Particularly, the association was more pronounced among individuals exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) pollution or opening windows frequently (Pinteraction < 0.05). Three-way interaction analyses confirmed that participants exposed to CO pollution and frequently leaving windows open had the highest OR of 1.73 (95% CI: 1.58–1.89). Conclusions: This nation-wide cohort study suggested that residential proximity to major roadways was significantly associated with an increased exposure-response risk of HI in Chinese older adults. Exposure to CO pollution and opening windows frequently might strengthen the relations. Key Points: • An inverse exposure-response relation between residential proximity to major roadways and hearing impairment was observed. • Exposure to carbon monoxide pollution and opening windows frequently might synergistically intensify this relation. • Our findings supported city planners to consider locating housing developments away from the most heavily trafficked major roadways on a public policy level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been discovered that a folate shortage may raise the risk of hepatic steatosis. We investigated the relationship between serum folate and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) among 3606 participants over from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Multivariate logistic regression studies were carried out to calculate the relationship between serum folate and CAP. Additionally, generalized additive models and fitted smoothing curves were carried out. After adjusting for other variables, we discovered that serum folate had a negative correlation with CAP. Males and whites maintained a negative correlation of serum folate with CAP when subgroup analyses were stratified by sex and race/ethnicity. The relationship between blood folate levels and CAP in whites had an U-shaped curve (inflection point: 34 ng/ml). According to our study, the majority of Americans, particularly men and whites, had a negative correlation between serum folate and CAP. Among white people, this connection followed an U-shaped pattern. These findings may provide guidance for monitoring serum folate level and controlling oral folate dosage in clinic, so as to prevent liver steatosis more effectively. The size of the cohort in our study is large, and our findings come from a nationally representative database. Our study revealed a negative relationship between serum folate and CAP among most Americans, especially in male and whites, which may provide evidence for medications to treat hepatic steatosis. In whites, the association of serum folate with CAP was an U-shaped curve (inflection point: 34 ng/ml). This may provide guidance for monitoring serum folate level and controlling oral folate dosage in clinic, so as to prevent liver steatosis more effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider a two‐stage project supply chain with a downstream project firm producing an engineer‐to‐order (ETO) complex product or a make‐to‐order (MTO), low‐volume, customized industrial product as a project, and an upstream contract supplier supplying a key material to the project. The project faces two uncertainties: project activity time uncertainty and material consumption uncertainty, which may be positively or negatively correlated. In anticipation of these uncertainties, the project firm has to carefully decide its promised project due date to its project customer, against which harsh penalties will be assessed, and his material order quantity to commit to the contract supplier in advance. In most practical settings, project firms order from contracted suppliers via a flexible wholesale price contract consisting of a discounted advance order price and a risk‐premium adjusted expedite order price. The discounted advance order price encourages the project firm to take more inventory risk in the supply chain, and the expedite order price incentivizes the supplier to bear more inventory risk by carrying safety stock in excess of the project firm's advance material order. We formulate an optimization model that solves the project firm's project due date and material order problem, which takes into account the supplier's strategic reaction to the project firm's material order under the flexible wholesale price contract. We show that for MTO projects, risk‐sharing with suppliers on project materials is less important to the project firm, with the project firm assuming ownership of all material inventory in the channel and setting a deliberate project due date being the key. On the other hand, for ETO projects, risk‐sharing with contracted suppliers assumes critical importance. Project firms managing ETO projects should fully exploit the flexibility in the material supply contract to optimally drive the supplier's safety stock level and set the project due date reflecting the shared risk in the supply chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver fibrosis is a chronic inflammatory process characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), which contributes to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Increasing evidence suggests that the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) under an inflammatory state leads to the secretion of collagens, which can cause cirrhosis. In this study, we analysed data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between quiescent and fibrotic HSCs. We found that Microfibril Associated Protein 2 (MFAP2) was elevated in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced liver fibrosis and Transforming Growth Factor‐Beta 1 (TGF‐β1)‐activated HSCs. Knockdown of MFAP2 inhibited HSC proliferation and partially attenuated TGF‐β‐stimulated fibrogenesis markers. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that Fibrillin‐1 (FBN1) was correlated with MFAP2, and the expression of FBN1 was significantly upregulated after MFAP2 overexpression. Silencing MFAP2 partially attenuated the activation of HSCs by inhibiting HSC proliferation and decreasing collagen deposits. In vitro results showed that the inhibition of MFAP2 alleviated hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting the activation and inducing the apoptosis of active HSCs in a CCl4‐induced mouse model. In conclusion, our results suggest that MFAP2 is a potential target for the clinical treatment of liver fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huntington's disease (HD) is caused by an expansion of a CAG repeat in the gene that encodes the huntingtin protein (HTT). The exact function of HTT is still not fully understood, and previous studies have mainly focused on identifying proteins that interact with HTT to gain insights into its function. Numerous HTT-interacting proteins have been discovered, shedding light on the functions and structure of HTT. Most of these proteins interact with the N-terminal region of HTT. Among the various HTT-interacting proteins, huntingtin-associated protein 1 (HAP1) and HTT-interacting protein 1 (HIP1) have been extensively studied. Recent research has uncovered differences in the distribution of HAP1 in monkey and human brains compared with mice. This finding suggests that there may be species-specific variations in the regulation and function of HTT-interacting proteins. Understanding these differences could provide crucial insights into the development of HD. In this review, we will focus on the recent advancements in the study of HTT-interacting proteins, with particular attention to the differential distributions of HTT and HAP1 in larger animal models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A modular multilevel converter (MMC) in a high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission system consists of an electric-coupled physical system and a communication-coupled cyber system, leading to a cyber-physical system (CPS). Such a CPS is vulnerable to false data injection attacks (FDIA), which are the main category of cyberattacks. FDIAs can be launched by injecting false data into the control or communication system of the MMC to change the submodule (SM) capacitor voltage seen by the central controller. Consequently, the capacitor voltage of the attacked SM will deviate from its normal value and thus threaten the safe operation of the converter. Stealthy FDIAs characterized by elaborated attack sequences are more dangerous because they can deceive and bypass the attack detector presented in the existing literature for the MMC. To address this issue, this paper proposes a stealthy FDIA detection method to obtain the real SM capacitor voltages. Thus, the attacked SM can be located by comparing its real capacitor voltage with prespecified thresholds. Simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed detection and protection strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NO absorption by using deep eutectic solvents (DESs) from flue gas has become one of great research interest. In this work, different DESs were prepared with acetylcholine chloride as a hydrogen‐bond acceptor. The effect of molar ratio of the hydrogen‐bond acceptor and different hydrogen‐bond donor, temperature, and different hydrogen‐bond donors on NO absorption by acetylcholine chloride DESs was investigated systematically. The absorption experiment of NO by acetylcholine‐methyl urea DES at an absorption capacity of 0.119 (g NO/g DES) when the molar ratio of acetylcholine chloride to methyl urea was 1 : 2 at 30–40 °C. The absorption mechanism of NO by acetylcholine chloride DESs was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance combined with quantum chemical calculation. The results indicated that NO with acetylcholine‐methyl urea DESs by chemical absorption to form NONO structure, nitrogen‐oxygen double bonds (N=O), nitrogen‐oxygen single bonds (N−O), and nitrogen‐nitrogen single bonds (N−N). The simulation results showed that nitric oxide formed two hydrogen bonds with N atoms on methyl urea: C−N⋅⋅⋅N and O=N⋅⋅⋅N=O. Thermodynamic properties showed that the ▵rHom for NO absorption in acetylcholine‐chloride‐type DES was −15.39 kJ/mol, which was more efficient for NO absorption/desorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerial seed banks facilitate population persistence by extending the temporal range of seed dispersal. Knowing the temporal range of germination will improve our understanding of the relationship between seed germination dynamics and aerial seed bank storage duration. We tested the effects of temperature (12/12 h of 5/10, 10/20, 20/30 and 25/35 °C) and light variation (12 h light/12 h darkness and 24 h darkness per day) on germination of Rumex obtusifolius L. seeds retained in an aerial seed bank for 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 months. Freshly harvested R. obtusifolius were non-dormant and exhibited germination rates of up to 92%. Overall, seeds of R. obtusifolius germinated reliably at all but the lowest temperature (5/10 °C). Seeds maintained high viability throughout the collection period, indicating that fluctuating weather conditions had little influence on seed germination. Thus, the species can maintain viable seeds in aerial storage for up to 10 months and contribute viable seeds to the soil seed bank year-round. This ability to maintain a renewed soil seed bank contributes to the species' strong resilience in colonizing disturbed areas and makes it a difficult weed to control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM) are highly heterogenous with widely differing survival. The prognosis of the oligometastatic breast cancer (BC) patients with brain metastases (BM) has not been well studied. We aimed to investigate the prognosis of BCBM patients with limited intracranial and extracranial metastatic lesions. Methods: Four hundred and forty-five BCBM patients treated between 1st January 2008 and 31st December 2018 at our institute were included. Clinical characteristics and treatment information were obtained from patient's medical records. The updated breast Graded Prognostic Assessment (Breast GPA) was calculated. Results: The median OS after diagnosis of BM were 15.9 months. Median OS for patients with GPA 0–1.0, 1.5–2, 2.5–3 and 3.5–4 were 6.9, 14.2, 21.8, 42.6 months respectively. The total number of intracranial and extracranial metastatic lesions, in addition to the Breast GPA, salvage local therapy and systemic therapy (anti-HER2 therapy, chemotherapy and endocrine therapy) were demonstrated to be associated with prognosis. One hundred and thirteen patients (25.4%) had 1–5 total metastatic lesions at BM diagnosis. Patients with 1–5 total metastatic lesions had a significantly longer median OS of 24.3 months compared to those with greater than 5 total metastatic lesions with a median OS of 12.2 months (P < 0.001; multivariate HR 0.55, 95% CI, 0.43–0.72). Among the patients with 1–5 metastatic lesions, median OS for GPA 0–1.0 was 9.8 months, compared to 22.8, 28.8 and 71.0 for GPA 1.5–2.0, 2.5–3.0 and 3.5–4.0 respectively, which is much longer than the corresponding patients with greater than 5 total metastatic lesions, with medium OS of 6.8, 11.6, 18.6 and 42.6 months respectively for GPA 0–1.0, 1.5–2.0, 2.5–3.0 and 3.5–4.0. Conclusions: The patients with 1–5 total metastatic lesions demonstrated better OS. The prognostic value of the Breast GPA and the survival benefit of salvage local therapy and continuation of systemic therapy after BM were confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hybrid scheme is developed for direct numerical simulations of hypersonic flows over a blunt body. The scheme switches to the first-order AUSMPW+ scheme near the bow shock to provide sufficient dissipation to handle the carbuncle phenomenon. In the smooth part of the computational domain, a sixth-order central scheme with an eighth-order low-pass filter is adopted to provide high spatial accuracy to resolve turbulence. The hybrid scheme is shown to be able to obtain smooth and accurate predictions of laminar hypersonic flows over a blunt body. Using the hybrid scheme, a direct numerical simulation of a Mach 6 hypersonic flow over a circular cylinder is conducted. The result shows the turbulent structures in the near-wall region are well resolved by the hybrid scheme, and the bow shock is also captured without introducing any numerical oscillations. With the boundary layer transition on the cylinder's surface, the simulation indicates that the heat flux peak shifts from the stagnation point to the transitional zone and its peak value is increased by 50 % . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small‐signal modelling of modular multilevel converters (MMC) has drawn lots of attention recently. Existing research mainly studies MMC terminal impedances by injecting corresponding AC‐side and DC‐side external small‐signal perturbations. This paper focuses on the MMC internal small‐signal perturbations, that is, perturbations in control signal and their effect. There are two kinds, that is, differential‐mode and common‐mode, of internal small‐signal perturbations, which influence MMC external and internal state variables, respectively. Then, the existing MMC small‐signal model is improved. With its help, accurate MMC control‐signal to state‐variables transfer functions are established, which can aid precise MMC controller analysis and performance optimization. In this paper, an analysis of MMC phase capacitor voltage regulation control is demonstrated as an example. The stability can be precisely ascertained based on the obtained transfer function. The effect of parameter variation of the proportional‐integral controller is also studied. Moreover, an additional compensator is introduced in the existing control loop to attenuate resonance peaks in the transfer function, which mitigates the large voltage overshoot and makes the transient state much smoother. Simulation and experimental results support and well confirm the analysis of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding responsible functional traits for promoting plant invasiveness could be important to aid in the development of adequate management strategies for invasive species. Seed traits play an important role in the plant life cycle by affecting dispersal ability, formation of the soil seed bank, type and level of dormancy, germination, survival and/or competitive ability. We assessed seed traits and germination strategies of nine invasive species under five temperature regimes and light/dark treatments. Our results showed a considerable level of interspecific variation in germination percentage among the tested species. Both cooler (5/10 °C) and warmer (35/40 °C) temperatures tended to inhibit germination. All study species were considered small-seeded, and seed size did not affect germination in the light. Yet, a slightly negative correlation was found between germination in the dark and seed dimensions. We classified the species into three categories according to their germination strategies: (i) risk-avoiders, mostly displaying dormant seeds with low G%; (ii) risk-takers, reaching a high G% in a broad range of temperatures; (iii) intermediate species, showing moderate G% values, which could be enhanced in specific temperature regimes. Variability in germination requirements could be important to explain species coexistence and invasion ability of plants to colonize different ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. For locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) patients who remained unresectable after neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST), radiotherapy (RT) is considered as an approach for tumor downstaging. In this study, we attempted to discuss the value of RT for patients with unresectable or progressive disease in the breast and/or regional nodes following NST. Methods. Between January 2013 and November 2020, the data for 71 patients with chemo-refractory LABC or de novo bone-only metastasis stage IV BC who received locoregional RT with or without surgical resection were retrospectively analyzed. Factors associated with tumor complete response (CR) were recognized using logistic regression. Locoregional progression-free survival (LRPFS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. The Cox regression model was applied to recognize the recurrence risk factors. Results. After RT, 11 patients (15.5%) achieved total cCR. Triple-negative subtype (TNBC) was associated with a lower total cCR rate compared with other subtypes (p = 0.033). 26 patients proceeded to surgery, and the operability rate was 36.6%. 1-year LRPFS and PFS were 79.0% and 58.0%, respectively, for the entire cohort. Surgical cases had an improved 1-year LRPFS (p = 0.015), but not 1-year PFS (p = 0.057), compared with definitive RT cases. Non-any cCR was the most prominent predictor of a shorter LRPFS (p < 0.001) and PFS (p = 0.002) in the multivariate analysis. Higher TNM stage showed a trend toward a shorter LRPFS time (p = 0.058), and TNBC (p = 0.061) showed a trend toward a shorter PFS interval. Conclusions. This study demonstrated that RT was an effective tumor downstaging option for chemo-refractory LABC. For patients with favorable tumor regression, surgery following RT might bring survival benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fly ash was used as the raw material to prepare coal fly ash‐based NaP zeolite using the microwave‐ultrasonic‐hydrothermal method. The obtained NaP zeolite has a completed crystal structure, regular surface morphology, uniform particle size (about 1.6 um), large specific surface area (48.85 m2/g) and good thermal stability. Under microwave and ultrasonic external fields, the coal fly ash‐based NaP zeolite crystals grow in an S‐shape, achieving single crystal growth and uniform crystal growth size. The activation energy of NaP zeolite crystal growth Ea is 2.08 kJ/mol, the pre‐exponential factor A is 85.63. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyses how equity funds react to institutional pressure related to green finance. Based on the analysis of 378 open-end equity funds in China from 2010 to 2019, we examined the environmental performance of fund holdings to measure their level of green investment. In our analyses, we distinguished between funds with positive and negative screening strategies. Our results indicate that the funds' green investments are gradually increasing. Furthermore, we found that green investment strategies help to increase the funds' excess return. The positive connection to financial returns, however, is only valid for funds with negative screening strategies. Finally, we found that fund investors react negatively to funds using positive screening to identify green investments. The study contributes to theoretical and practical knowledge about factors influencing equity funds' green and financial performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines whether the green bond policies of major Chinese financial regulators' have a direct and positive impact on the green bond market. Using Chinese green bond issuances from 2012 to 2019, we analyze green bond issuer response to top-down regulatory policies post 2014. Using a difference-in-difference model, we find a direct positive influence of green bond regulatory policies on issuance amounts. Additional analysis shows that specific issuer characteristics like ownership type (government-owned), industry type (green industry), and sector type (financial issuer) have a stronger positive reaction to policy announcements and led to the issuance of more green bonds. Our results highlight the supporting role of financial regulators in advancing the green finance agenda in China. Key policy insights Green bond policies implemented by Chinese financial market regulators have been an effective means to increase overall green bond issuances Certain issuer types react more positively by increasing their green bond issuances following the announcement of green bond policies Pro-active participation by key financial regulators in the form of harmonized definitions, consistent engagement, and alignment with international best practices can be beneficial for stimulating green finance growth [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is becoming increasingly popular as a treatment for precancerous lesions and early cancers of the stomach. However, there have been few studies on the factors associated with the recurrence of precancerous lesions after ESD.Methods: To investigate the prognostic factors of gastric intraepithelial neoplasia, we retrospectively analyzed 115 patients who were treated with ESD between February 2018 and January 2020. Chi-square test and Fisher's extract test were used to select factors for further investigation, and prognostic analysis was carried out with the Kaplan-Meier method and a Cox regression model.Results: Platelet counts (P = 0.027) and albumin levels (P = 0.011) were both lower in patients with recurrence than in patients without recurrence of gastric mucosal atypical hyperplasia after ESD.Conclusions: This study reveals that low platelet counts and albumin levels were probably unfavorable prognostic factors in mucosal atypical hyperplasia of the stomach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huntingtin-associated protein 1 (HAP1) is the first identified protein whose function is affected by its abnormal interaction with mutant huntingtin (mHTT), which causes Huntington disease. However, the expression patterns of Hap1 and Htt in the rodent brain are not correlated. Here we found that the primate HAP1, unlike the rodent Hap1, is correlatively expressed with HTT in the primate brains. CRISPR/Cas9 targeting revealed that HAP1 deficiency in the developing human neurons did not affect neuronal differentiation and gene expression as seen in the mouse neurons. However, deletion of HAP1 exacerbated neurotoxicity of mutant HTT in the organotypic brain slices of adult monkeys. These findings demonstrate differential HAP1 expression and function in the mouse and primate brains, and suggest that interaction of HAP1 with mutant HTT may be involved in mutant HTT-mediated neurotoxicity in adult primate neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Coke gasification and coking wastewater treatment are the major concerns of the research community, both in the past and today. However, most researchers have not paid enough attention to the research that phenol in coking wastewater can promote coke gasification. The promoting characteristics of aqueous solution with phenol concentration of 1000 and 2000 mg/L on coke gasification were experimentally studied. The effects of the reaction temperature on coke gasification, phenol concentration in water on reaction kinetics, and phenol aqueous solutions on the coke structure during gasification reactions were explored. The morphological, physicochemical, and textural properties of coke were characterized using Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and N2 low‐temperature physical adsorption analyzer. Results show that with an increase in the reaction temperature from 900°C to 1100°C, the total syngas amount, low calorific value, carbon conversion, and reaction rate increased by 20.5%, 4.6%, 10.2%, and 1.2 times, respectively. The random pore model was the most suitable among the considered kinetic models. The apparent activation energy for the reaction of aqueous solution with phenol concentration of 1000 and 2000 mg/L reacted with gasification‐coke was approximately 8.48% and 27.26% lower than that of pure water with coke, respectively. Compared with pure water, phenol aqueous solutions may preferentially consume the amorphous carbon structure and penetrate deeply into the carbon matrix of the gasification‐coke to participate in the reaction. Phenol aqueous solutions can inhibit the sintering and aggregation of the ash phase in coke and improve its dispersibility on the coke surface. Moreover, it facilitates the development of the coke pore structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Due to its highly developed pore structure and large specific surface area, activated carbon is often used as a catalyst or catalyst carrier in catalytic ozonation. Although the pore structure of activated carbon plays a significant role in the treatment of wastewater and the mass transfer of ozone molecules, the effect is complicated and unclear. Because different application scenarios require catalysts with different pore structures, catalysts with appropriate pore structure characteristics should be developed. In this review, we systematically summarized the current adjustment methods for the pore structure of activated carbon, including raw material, carbonization, activation, modification, and loading. Then, based on the brief introduction of the application of activated carbon in catalytic ozonation, the effects of pore structure on catalytic ozonation and mass transfer are reviewed. Furthermore, we proposed that the effect of pore structure is mainly to provide catalytic active sites, promote free radical generation, and reduce mass transfer resistance. Therefore, large external surface area and reasonable pore size distribution are conducive to catalytic ozonation and mass transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of n‐type (electron‐transporting) polymers with oxidase enzymes has allowed building high‐performance organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) based metabolite sensors. Yet, the operation mechanism of these devices is poorly understood. Here, the process is investigated for the conversion of metabolite oxidation to electrical current in an n‐type organic electrochemical transistor (n‐OECT). By monitoring oxygen (O2), hydrogen peroxide, and pH changes in the electrolyte as well as the potential of each electrical contact of the n‐OECT during glucose detection, light is shed on the physical phenomena occurring at the polymer‐enzyme interface. It is shown that the n‐type film performs O2 reduction reaction in its doped state and that the n‐OECT characteristics are sensitive to O2. A correlation is found between the consumption of electrolyte‐dissolved O2 and the generation of n‐OECT current during the metabolite oxidation. The results demonstrate how the sensitivity of a polymer to O2, species known to deteriorate the performance of many semiconductor devices, becomes a feature to exploit in sensor applications. The importance of in operando analysis of the electrolyte composition and the terminal potentials is highlighted for understanding the operation mechanism of bioelectronic devices and for sensor design and materials development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein arginine methyltransferases 5 (PRMT5) is a clinically promising epigenetic target that is upregulated in a variety of tumors. Currently, there are several PRMT5 inhibitors under preclinical or clinical development, however the established clinical inhibitors show favorable toxicity. Thus, it remains an unmet need to discover novel and structurally diverse PRMT5 inhibitors with characterized therapeutic utility. Herein, a series of tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ) derivatives were designed and synthesized as PRMT5 inhibitors using GSK-3326595 as the lead compound. Among them, compound 20 (IC50: 4.2 nM) exhibits more potent PRMT5 inhibitory activity than GSK-3326595 (IC50: 9.2 nM). In addition, compound 20 shows high anti-proliferative effects on MV-4-11 and MDA-MB-468 tumor cells and low cytotoxicity on AML-12 hepatocytes. Furthermore, compound 20 possesses acceptable pharmacokinetic profiles and displays considerable in vivo antitumor efficacy in a MV-4-11 xenograft model. Taken together, compound 20 is an antitumor compound worthy of further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the production decisions of a firm that operates a co-production system (single input but multiple simultaneous outputs) with random yield and demand. The firm uses its outputs tomeet multiple end-market demands with different quality requirements. Outputs serving a market segment may be a result of a blending process of different quality products of the co-production system. After the realisation of yield and before the realisation of demand, the firm has the option to upgrade the quality of outputs in order to better position itself to meet market demands. With the goal of maximising expected profits, we formulate a three stage stochastic programming problem, to investigate the value of intermediate upgrading flexibility. Using a stylised model of two products and two markets with different quality requirements, we characterise the optimal decisions and show that the quality upgrading policy is of a single-threshold type. Although upgrading is costly, it creates value for the firm through reducing total production cost and better managing the yield uncertainty. Positive correlation between demands of the end-markets decreases the value of upgrading. The more general model formulation offers the blueprint of a stochastic programming model that can be solved for realistic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (s-SWCNTs) are fascinating materials for future electronic and optical applications. Conjugated polymer wrapping is one of the most promising methods for mass production of high purity s-SWCNTs. However, its chiral selectivity is relatively inferior to other s-SWCNT production methods. In this paper, the chiral selectivity of two polymers, poly[(9,9-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl)-alt-co-(6,6′-{2,2′-bipyridine})] (PFO-BPy) and poly[9-(1-octylonoyl)-9H-carbazole-2,7-diyl] (PCz), which are representatives of widely used polyfluorene and polycarbazole families, respectively, were comparatively studied. Both polymers exhibited high selectivity for a subset of existing chiral species in each of the commercially available raw SWCNT materials (CoMoCAT, HiPco, and arc-discharge) which cover a diameter range of 0.6–1.8 nm. Less chiral species were selected by PFO-BPy from small diameter (< 1 nm) raw SWCNT materials, while more from large diameter (> 1.2 nm) raw materials. High chiral purity (6, 5) (> 99%) and (7, 5) (> 75%) solutions were extracted by PFO-BPy and PCz from CoMoCAT materials, respectively. The different chiral angle and diameter selections for different raw materials by both polymers were ascribed to their different geometrical structures and related polymer-tube interactions. Our work provides indispensable information for better understanding the mechanism of polymer wrapping method and improving extraction of single chirality s-SWCNTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the peach fruit flesh types (soft-melting, hard-melting, stonyhard and non-melting) and harvest maturity level suitable for near-freezing temperature storage (NFTS), eight peach cultivars that had four flesh types were used as test materials. Changes in fruit respiration intensity and ethylene release rates, as well as the differences in quality indexes, such as soluble solids content (SSC), firmness, color difference, pigment content, soluble sugar and organic acid component content, of three fruit maturity levels (70%, 80% and 90% maturity) under NFTS conditions were analyzed and compared. The fruit quality indexes of peach having different maturity levels and flesh types changed little during NFTS. The SSC and total sugar content of hard-melting and stonyhard peach fruit were higher than those of other flesh types during NFTS. Those fruit maintained greater firmness at the end of the storage period. The differences in respiration intensity and ethylene release rate were small, but for fruit coloring, hard-melting fruit performed better than stonyhard fruit. The 80%, compared with the 90%, maturity stage maintained more fruit moisture, had less fruit mass loss and maintained a greater edible firmness. It effectively impeded the fruit senescence process and was the most suitable maturity for NFTS. Thus, the hard-melting peach maintained the highest commercial value and desirable storage characteristics under NFTS conditions, and its 80% maturity level was the most suitable for NFTS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce and study the joint inventory selection and online resource allocation problem, which is characterized by two sequential sets of decisions that are irrevocably linked. First, a decision maker (DM) must select starting inventory levels for a set of available resources. Subsequently, the DM must match arriving customers to available resources in an online fashion so as to maximize expected reward. We first study the problem in its most general form, before focusing on a specific version that arises at Anheuser Busch InBev (ABI). This particular application of our general setting is referred to as the ABI Trailer Problem, and it considers how ABI ships its beer to vendors via third‐party delivery trucks. In this problem, ABI must select the weights of preloaded trailers of beer, which are then matched in an online fashion to the arriving third‐party delivery trucks. For the general setting, we develop simple and easy‐to‐implement approaches that come with robust worst‐case performance guarantees. For the ABI setting, we reveal a simplifying structural property related to the optimal matching policy, which gives rise to a natural adaptation of our original approach. We test the efficacy of these policies through extensive numerical experiments, where we find that our approaches are either near‐optimal or improve upon state‐of‐the‐art benchmarks. In particular, using a data set from ABI, we are able to generate instances of the ABI Trailer Problem, on which our algorithm has the potential to yield revenue improvements in the range of millions of dollars per year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Currently, the prognostic value of molecular subtypes in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) remains unclear. In this study, we explored whether molecular subtypes could predict second breast events (SBEs) in patients after breast‐conserving surgery (BCS). Methods: From January 2008 to December 2016, 291 DCIS patients treated with BCS were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were classified into four molecular subtypes: luminal A, luminal B, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression, and triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC). The SBE incidence was calculated by the competing risk model and compared by Gray's test. The disease‐free survival rates were estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method and compared by the log‐rank test. Prognostic factors were evaluated by univariate and multivariate COX proportional hazards regression model. Results: With a median follow‐up of 66 months, 12 SBEs were identified. The 5‐year overall SBE incidence of luminal A, luminal B, HER2 overexpression, and TNBC was 2.18%, 4.25%, 15.15%, and 0.00%, respectively. In the univariate analysis, the HER2 overexpression subtype was the predictor of overall (p = 0.005), in situ (p = 0.004), and ipsilateral SBEs (p = 0.008). Patients with endocrine therapy were less likely to develop in situ SBEs (p = 0.039). Additionally, patients with closed (<2 mm) or involved margins were related to a higher risk of contralateral SBEs (p = 0.029). In the multivariate analysis, the HER2 overexpression subtype remained of prognostic values for overall (p = 0.006), in situ (p = 0.029), and ipsilateral SBEs (p = 0.012). Conclusions: The molecular subtype, especially the HER2 overexpression subtype, was the independent prognostic factor for DCIS patients who underwent BCS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-performance bifunctional electrocatalysts for both the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are arousing great interest aiming at efficient electrochemical splitting of water. Herein, we report a facile strategy to fabricate Co/Zn sulfide supported on Cu-foam (CoZn-S/Cu-F) as a free-standing electrode with high-performance for overall water splitting. In half-cell electrochemical systems, the overpotentials required to reach the current densities of ±10 mA cm−2 for the OER and HER are only 170 and 130 mV, respectively. After a long-term stability test running 20 000 cyclic voltammograms, the respective potential losses for the OER and HER are only 82 and 41 mV at ±50 mA cm−2. The constructed overall water splitting system driven by simulated solar energy also exhibits prominent performance with gas bubbles continuously generated at both electrodes. A cell voltage of only 1.58 V is required to reach the current densities of ±10 mA cm−2, surpassing the commercialized noble metal and state-of-the-art non-noble metal electrodes. The excellent performance for the overall water splitting is ascribed to the CoS nanoparticles covered with ZnS nanoflocs on the highly conductive Cu-foam, which allows close interfacial contact with the electrolyte, promotes mass and charge transfer, and facilitates desorption of the generated gas from the catalyst surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brain disorders, including stroke, Alzheimer's disease, depression, and chronic pain, are difficult to effectively treat. These major brain disorders have high incidence and mortality rates in the general population, and seriously affect not only the patient's quality of life, but also increases the burden of social medical care. Aerobic physical exercise is considered an effective adjuvant therapy for preventing and treating major brain disorders. Although the underlying regulatory mechanisms are still unknown, systemic processes may be involved. Here, this review aimed to reveal that aerobic physical exercise improved depression and several brain functions, including cognitive functions, and provided chronic pain relief. We concluded that aerobic physical exercise helps to maintain the regulatory mechanisms of brain homeostasis through anti-inflammatory mechanisms and enhanced synaptic plasticity and inhibition of hippocampal atrophy and neuronal apoptosis. In addition, we also discussed the cross-system mechanisms of aerobic exercise in regulating imbalances in brain function, such as the "bone-brain axis." Furthermore, our findings provide a scientific basis for the clinical application of aerobic physical exercise in the fight against brain disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stock market is an indicator of investor sentiment when it comes to new information or innovative firm-level products. Green bonds are both innovative and unique in terms of their higher information disclosures and understanding the impact of sustainable finance on investor outlook for a company's stock. Using the comparative case of Mainland China and Hong Kong's stock market, we examine whether green bond announcements from 2016 to 2019 can create significant investor reactions. By employing the event study methodology, we confirm that both markets react in a positive way toward green bond announcements. This reinforces the reputational and financial benefits of green bonds. We find that issuers that are non-banks, environmentally friendly firms as well as those issuing non-general bonds, create a more positive reaction, whereas ownership aspects do not matter as much for investors. However, even among those issuers listed in both markets, certain institutional dynamics like strategic framing and source credibility tend to reinforce a firm's institutional legitimacy and are seen as being more prominent for investor reaction. The policy implications of our study show that the stock market reaction among two connected economies, where previously varying institutional contexts have resulted in regional differences, are now equally supportive of sustainable financial markets like the green bond. As seen with the positive stock market sentiment, governments and listed issuers can now better align their policies and internal strategies, allowing the low-carbon transition to be a financially attractive opportunity for all investors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three lactone‐based rigid semiconducting polymers were designed to overcome major limitations in the development of n‐type organic thermoelectrics, namely electrical conductivity and air stability. Experimental and theoretical investigations demonstrated that increasing the lactone group density by increasing the benzene content from 0 % benzene (P‐0), to 50 % (P‐50), and 75 % (P‐75) resulted in progressively larger electron affinities (up to 4.37 eV), suggesting a more favorable doping process, when employing (N‐DMBI) as the dopant. Larger polaron delocalization was also evident, due to the more planarized conformation, which is proposed to lead to a lower hopping energy barrier. As a consequence, the electrical conductivity increased by three orders of magnitude, to achieve values of up to 12 S cm and Power factors of 13.2 μWm−1 K−2 were thereby enabled. These findings present new insights into material design guidelines for the future development of air stable n‐type organic thermoelectrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]