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Electric vehicle systems and smart grid systems are setting stringent development targets to respond to global trends in energy saving, carbon reduction, and sustainable environmental development. In the field of batteries, there has been extensive discussion on the estimation of battery charge. In battery management systems (BMSs) and charging/discharging systems, the accuracy of the measurement of battery physical parameters is critical, as it directly affects the system, alongside the algorithm's estimation and error correction. Therefore, this paper proposes incorporating a low-power continuous-time delta-sigma analogue-to-digital converter into a battery measurement system to support deep learning algorithms for battery state estimation. This approach aims to maintain the accuracy of battery state estimation while reducing latency and overall system power consumption. Implemented using the UMC 0.18 μm CMOS 1P6M process, the proposed design achieves a measured signal-to-noise distortion ratio (SNDR) of 78.42 dB, an effective number of bits (ENOB) of 12.73 bits, and a power consumption of approximately 15.97 μW. The chip layout area is 0.67 mm × 0.56 mm. By applying delta-sigma modulators to energy management systems, this solution aims to increase the total number of battery monitoring units while reducing overall power consumption and construction costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese central government uses top-down land quotas as a key tool for limiting urban expansion. Faced with the benefits of land development, how will local governments respond to centralised quotas? We established a framework for multidimensional local government competition to explain quota implementation. This framework includes vertical competition for fiscal revenue and quotas, horizontal competition for economic growth and political promotion, competition between former and subsequent local leaders for recognition of their leadership and temporal distribution of land finance revenue and government debt and competition with landowners as well as developers for land appreciation income and tax revenue. We argue that these types of competition and their spill-over effects drive local governments to strengthen land-centred urbanisation, resulting in the failure of quotas to restrain urban expansion. Our findings help to improve the understanding of local governments' strategies for urban spatial development and centralised urban growth management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare thyroid cancer incidence rates and trends between Korean, non‐Korean Asian, and non‐Hispanic White populations in the United States, and between the US Korean population and the South Korean population. Method: Population‐based analysis of cancer incidence data. Cases of thyroid cancer diagnosed during 1999–2014 from the Korean Central Cancer Registry (KCCR) and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 9 detailed Asian/Pacific Islander subgroup incidence and population dataset were included. Incidence rates were obtained from the datasets, and annual percent change (APC) of the incidence rates was calculated using Joinpoint regression analysis. Results: Thyroid cancer incidence rate for 1999–2014 was significantly higher for South Korea (48.05 [95% CI 47.89–48.22] per 100,000 person‐years) than for the US Korean population (11.12 [95% CI 10.49–11.78] per 100,000 person‐years), which was slightly higher than the Non‐Korean Asian population (10.23 [95% CI 10.02–10.43] per 100,000 person‐years), and slightly lower than the Non‐Hispanic White population (12.78 [95% CI 12.69–12.87] per 100,000 person‐years). Incidence rates in South Korea increased dramatically (average APC 17.9, 95% CI 16.0–19.9), significantly higher than the US Korean population (average APC 5.0, 95% CI 3.1–6.8), which was similar to the non‐Korean Asian (average APC 2.5, 95% CI 0.9–4.2) and the non‐Hispanic White (average APC 5.1, 95% CI 4.7–5.6) populations. Conclusions: South Korea's high thyroid cancer incidence rates cannot be attributed to genetic factors, but are likely due to health care system factors. Level of Evidence: 3 Laryngoscope, 134:4156–4160, 2024 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is an imperative food crop cultured in dryland agricultural ecology. It is a vital source of dietary protein to millions of populaces living in low-income countries in South-East Asia and Africa. This study highlights the improvement of genomic properties and their application in marker-trait relationships for 17 yield-related characters in 400 grass pea genotypes from China and Bangladesh. These characters were assessed via 56 polymorphic markers using general linear model (GLM) (P+G+Q) and mixed linear model (MLM) (P+G+Q+K) in the tassel software based on the linkage disequilibrium and population structure analysis. Population structure analysis showed two major groups and one admixed group in the populace. Statistically significant loci pairs of linkage disequilibrium (LD) mean value (D′) was 0.479. A total of 99 and 61 marker-trait associations in GLM and MLM models allied to the 17 traits were accepted at a 5% level of significance. Among these markers, 21 markers were associated with more than one trait; 12 marker-trait associations passed the Bonferroni correction threshold. Both models found six markers C41936, C39067, C34100, C47146, C47638, and C43047 significantly associated with days to maturity, flower color, plant height, and seed per pod were detected in the Hebei and Liaoyang location (p ≤ 0.01), and the interpretation rate (R2value) 11.2% to 43.6%. Conferring to the consequences, the association analysis methodology may operative system for quantitative, qualitative, and biochemical traits related to gene position mapping and support breeders in improving novel approaches for advancing the grass pea quality. Supplementary Material Supplementary Material File [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multidrug resistance is a substantial obstacle in treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with therapies like cisplatin (DDP)-based adjuvant chemotherapy and EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Aaptamine-7 (AP-7), a benzonaphthyridine alkaloid extracted from Aaptos aaptos sponge, has been shown to exhibit a broad spectrum of anti-tumor activity. However, the anticancer activity of AP-7 in combination with DDP and its molecular mechanisms in multidrug-resistant NSCLC are not yet clear. Our research indicates that AP-7 bolsters the growth inhibition activity of DDP on multidrug-resistant NSCLC cells. AP-7 notably disrupts DDP-induced cell cycle arrest and amplifies DDP-induced DNA damage effects in these cells. Furthermore, the combination of AP-7 and DDP downregulates Chk1 activation, interrupts the DNA damage repairdependent Chk1/CDK1 pathway, and helps to overcome drug resistance and boost apoptosis in multidrug-resistant NSCLC cells and a gefitinib-resistant xenograft mice model. In summary, AP-7 appears to enhance DDP-induced DNA damage by impeding the Chk1 signaling pathway in multidrug-resistant NSCLC, thereby augmenting growth inhibition, both in vitro and in vivo. These results indicate the potential use of AP-7 as a DDP sensitizer in the treatment of multidrug-resistant NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing an ideal luminescent material with exceptional performance in various aspects, such as affordability, low toxicity, high photostability and security, is vital for advanced optical anti-counterfeiting. Here, halogen-doping-dependent luminescence MoS2 quantum dots were synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method for optical anti-counterfeiting ink. The results show that F-, Cl- and Br- doping results in notable fluorescence blueshifts of MoS2 quantum dots and significant enhancements in the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of up to 5.7, 5.0, and 3.2 times, respectively. However, I- incorporation causes a fluorescence redshift and a 25% decrease of PLQY. This mechanism is elucidated using density functional theory (DFT) and experiments. Specifically, F-, Cl- and Br- doping localizes surface electrons and blocks sulfur vacancies in MoS2 quantum dots, enhancing the release of neutral excitons from trions and defect-bound excitons. Conversely, I- doping increases the surface charge and sulfur vacancies, favouring the conversion of neutral excitons into trions and defect-bound excitons. The halogen-doped MoS2 quantum dots are engineered as security ink, demonstrating high concealment, excellent photostability and easy fabrication. The study offers a novel way of tailoring fluorescence of MoS2 quantum dots, potentially extending to other transition metal dichalcogenide quantum dots and their optical anti-counterfeiting implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the harsh marine environment of chloride ion invasion and corrosion, the issues of long-term chloride transport and durability life evaluation for marine infrastructures constructed/maintained by recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) after enhancement remain poorly understood. For our studies, an accelerated carbonation modification method for recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) was adopted to prepare carbonated recycled coarse aggregate (CRCA) samples, and the macroproperties, i.e., apparent density and water absorption, of CRCA were enhanced by approximately 1.40-3.97% and 16.3-21.8%, respectively, compared with those of RCA. An in-door experiment for chloride transport into concrete specimens subjected to a simulated marine environment of alternating dryingwetting cycles was conducted. The chloride profiles and transport characteristics of carbonated recycled coarse aggregate concrete (CRCAC), recycled coarse aggregate concrete (RCAC), and natural coarse aggregate concrete (NCAC) were analysed and compared. The results indicated that the chloride penetration depths and concentrations of CRCAC were approximately 52.6-96.2% of those of RCAC, which highlighted the better chloride resistance of CRCAC. A chloride transport model for marine concrete structures with various coarse aggregate types in a corrosive marine environment was established. Taking a certain harbour wharf as an example, the durability life of this case considering the application of the CRCAC was evaluated based on the chloride transport model, and the durability life of the CRCAC structure was improved by approximately 28.10% compared with that of the RCAC. The CRCAC developed in this paper has improved mechanical performance and durability than those of RCAC, and it has the potential to replace the NCAC and further support the construction and maintenance of marine infrastructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition metal carbides (TMCs) are a class of materialswith excellent dielectric properties and thermal stability, which exhibit enormous potential in high temperature electromagnetic wave absorption (EWA). However, the high dielectric constant and electrical conductivity of TMCs usually cause impedance mismatch, and their high density also prevents further practical applications. To solve these problems, the lightweight and impedance matching NbC nanowires (NbCnws) were prepared by using bamboo powder as a carbon source and subsequent carbothermal reduction reaction process. The as-synthesized NbCnws all exhibit a low density of 0.23 g/cm³ and superior EMA performance. It is worth noting that the minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of the sample is -43.03 dB at 5.92 GHz and the corresponding matching thickness is only 3.7 mm when sintering temperature is 1500°C. The excellent electromagnetic wave absorption (EWA) performance is attributed to good impedance matching and strong dielectric loss. This research work provides a prospect for the development and utilization of one-dimensional TMC materials in the field of microwave absorption materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mid-ultraviolet light (290-320 nm) can promote human vitamin D synthesis, which helps in the prevention and treatment of rickets and cartilage disease. For people who lack sufficient ultraviolet radiation all year round, it is significant to supplement the ultraviolet component in daily lighting sources. However, there are few luminous materials showing a combination of mid-ultraviolet light and white light emission on the market. Here, we designed a new material, Y2Sr(Ga1-yAly)4SiO12:xPr3+ (YSGAS:xPr3+), which achieves dual emission of 320 nm ultraviolet and white light from a single substrate with a single doped phosphor. Without Al3+ ions, the emission intensity of the Y2SrGa4SiO12:xPr3+ phosphor shows a contributiondependent relationship, and concentration quenching due to exchange interaction. The crystal field environment was regulated by partially replacing Ga3+ ions with Al3+ ions. After introducing Al3+, YSGAS:xPr3+ phosphors exhibit dual ultraviolet emission (320 nm) and visible light emission. The emission color of YSGAS:xPr3+ can be adjusted by changing the Al3+ concentration, and Y2Sr(Ga0.6Al0.4)4SiO12:1%Pr3+ emits both ultraviolet light and white light. The LED device prepared by using the YSGAS:Pr3+ phosphor and chips shows a color temperature of 4858 K and appropriate CIE coordinates of (0.3474, 0.3390), indicating wide application prospects in the field of ''health lighting'' for particular populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grain yield in rice is a complex trait and it is controlled by a number of quantitative trait loci (QTL). To dissect the genetic basis of rice yield, QTL analysis for nine yield traits was performed using an F2 population containing 190 plants, which was developed from a cross between Youyidao (YYD) and Sanfenhe (SFH), and each plant in the population evaluated with respect to nine yield traits. In this study, the correlations among the nine yield traits were analyzed. The grain yield per plant positively correlated with six yield traits, except for grain length and grain width, and showed the highest correlation coefficient of 0.98 with the number of filled grains per plant. A genetic map containing 133 DNA markers was constructed and it spanned 1831.7 cM throughout 12 chromosomes. A total of 36 QTLs for the yield traits were detected on nine chromosomes, except for the remaining chromosomes 5, 8, and 9. The phenotypic variation was explained by a single QTL that ranged from 6.19% to 36.01%. Furthermore, a major QTL for grain width and weight, qGW2-1, was confirmed to be newly identified and was narrowed down to a relatively smaller interval of about ~2.94-Mb. Collectively, we detected a total of 36 QTLs for yield traits and a major QTL, qGW2-1, was confirmed to control grain weight and width, which laid the foundation for further map-based cloning and molecular design breeding in rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A holographic tensor metasurface (HTM) is proposed from the energy perspective to achieve flexible regulations of polarization and energy distributions for simultaneous transmissions of power and information. A dual‐polarization receiving metasurface with high isolation is also proposed to enable simultaneous receptions of power and information. Based on the two metasurfaces, a novel system for simultaneous wireless information and power transmissions (SWIPT) is established, which can transmit microwave powers and information signals by flexibly regulating the electromagnetic waves in different polarizations. The proposed HTM can generate non‐diffraction Bessel beams of two polarizations to keep high‐power transfer efficiency in an environment with obstacles. A rectifier circuit is designed with a wide dynamic range to integrate with the receiving metasurface to capture the strong powers and weak signals simultaneously. The effect of different modulations on the rectification efficiency of microwave‐to‐DC and the performance of the SWIPT system are analyzed. The SWIPT system is verified by experiments to realize simultaneous transmissions of information and powers by only using the metasurfaces, which is beneficial to integrate the wireless sensor networks, communication modules, and artificial intelligence algorithms to build up smart cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PDZ and LIM domain protein 1 (PDLIM1) is a cytoskeletal protein and is associated with the malignant pathological features of several tumors. However, the prognostic value of PDLIM1 and the molecular mechanisms by which it is involved in the metabolism and progression in gastric cancer (GC) are still unclear. The GEPIA database was used to predict the expression and prognosis of PDLIM1 in GC. qRT-PCR and western blot assays were applied to detect the mRNA and protein expression in GC tissues and cells. Loss- and gain-of-function experiments were performed to evaluate the biological role of PDLIM1 in GC cells. The Warburg effect was detected by a battery of glycolytic indicators. The interaction of PDLIM1 and hexokinase 2 (HK2) was determined by a co-immunoprecipitation assay. Furthermore, the modulatory effects of PDLIM1 and HK2 on Wnt/β-catenin signaling were assessed. The results showed that PDLIM1 expression was upregulated in GC tissues and cells and was associated with a poor prognosis for GC patients. PDLIM1 inhibition reduced GC cell proliferation, migration and invasion and promoted cell apoptosis. In the glucose deprivation (GLU-D) condition, the PDLIM1 level was reduced and PDLIM1 overexpression led to an increase in glycolysis. Besides, mechanistic investigation showed that PDLIM1 interacted with HK2 to mediate biological behaviors and the glycolysis of GC through Wnt/β-catenin signaling under glucose deprivation. In conclusion, PDLIM1 interacts with HK2 to promote gastric cancer progression by enhancing the Warburg effect via Wnt/β-catenin signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teachers' conceptions of assessment are a significant indicator of teacher assessment literacy. This study contextualized pre-service teachers' conceptions of assessment in Chinese second language education. An exploratory factor analysis generated eight first-order factors and the following confirmatory factor analysis found a hierarchical model, reflecting a noticeable influence of prior learning experiences and official assessment regimes on conceptions. A follow-up latent profile analysis showed three profiles. Improvement-oriented was the most prevalent profile, but more than 40% of the participants were categorized as negative. The study substantiated the need to develop an integrative and balanced understanding of assessment in teacher education to prepare pre-service teachers for teaching in international contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited data exist regarding the utility and validity of the 21-gene recurrence score (RS) in patients with de novo metastatic breast cancer (dnMBC). This study aimed to investigate the practice patterns as well as associated survival outcomes based on 21-gene RS in dnMBC. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Oncotype database was queried for women with hormone receptor-positive and Her2-negative dnMBC. A total of 153 patients were identified, including 62.7% and 37.3% of patients who had RS < 26 and ≥ 26, respectively. Patients with RS ≥ 26 were more likely to receive chemotherapy compared to those with RS < 26 (61.4% vs. 28.1%, p < 0.001). Patients with RS ≥ 26 had an inferior breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) (2-year BCSS: 84.3% vs. 89.5, p = 0.067) and overall survival (OS) compared to those with RS < 26 (2-year OS: 76.9% vs. 87.4%, p = 0.018). The multivariate Cox proportional hazard models showed that those with RS ≥ 26 had a significantly inferior BCSS (hazard ratio [HR] 2.251, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.056–4.799, p = 0.036) and OS (HR 2.151, 95%CI 1.123–4.120, p = 0.021) compared to those with RS < 26. The 21-gene RS assay is an important prognostic factor in patients with dnMBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the environment, degradable plastics are decomposed into biodegradable microplastics (Bio-MPs), but there is limited study on the impact on plant growth and development. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics (PLA-MPs) and nonbiodegradable polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) with different concentrations (0.02%, 0.2%, and 2% w/w) to explore their short-term toxic effects on cucumbers. The results of this study showed that PLA-MPs significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the aboveground and belowground biomass of cucumber seedlings compared to the control. At the level of 2% MPs, the chlorophyll content and PRI vegetation index of cucumber plants decreased significantly, anthocyanin content increased, and the photosynthetic system was disturbed. Likewise, the antioxidant defensive system of cucumber was affected after exposure to MPs stress, especially under 2% levels. The hyperspectral image is a novel technique which analyzed the chlorophyll content and absorption under MPs treatment; there was still a high correlation between chlorophyll content, anthocyanin content, and MCARI vegetation index, so a single vegetation index could be used for rapid detection of plant physiological status. Our study suggests that Bio-MPs have potential ecological toxicity that could affect the growth of cucumber seedlings through deactivation of the PSII reaction center. Therefore, biodegradable plastics do not seem to be the optimal solution, and there is an urgent need for long-term monitoring and evaluation of the biological toxicity of biodegradable MPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite undergoing an index ablation, some patients progress from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) to persistent AF (PersAF), and the mechanism behind this is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictors of progression to PersAF after catheter ablation in patients with PAF. Methods: This study included 400 PAF patients who underwent an index ablation between 2015 and 2019. The patients were classified into three groups based on their outcomes: Group 1 (PAF to sinus rhythm, n = 226), Group 2 (PAF to PAF, n = 146), and Group 3 (PAF to PersAF, n = 28). Baseline and procedural characteristics were collected, and predictors for AF recurrence and progression were evaluated. Results: The mean age of the patients was 58.4 ± 11.1 years, with 272 males. After 3 years of follow‐up, 7% of the PAF cases recurred and progressed to PersAF despite undergoing an index catheter ablation. In the multivariable analysis, a larger left atrial (LA) diameter and the presence of non‐pulmonary vein (PV) triggers during the index procedure independently predicted recurrence. Moreover, a larger LA diameter, the presence of non‐PV triggers, and a history of thyroid disease independently predicted AF progression. Conclusion: The progression from PAF to PersAF after catheter ablation is associated with a larger LA diameter, history of thyroid disease, and the presence of non‐PV triggers. Meticulous preprocedural evaluation, patient selection, and comprehensive provocation tests during catheter ablation are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Mammalian oocytes not fertilized immediately after ovulation can undergo ageing and a rapid decline in quality. The addition of antioxidants can be an efficient approach to delaying the oocyte ageing process. Onion peel extract (OPE) contains quercetin and other flavonoids with natural antioxidant activities. In this study, we investigated the effect of OPE on mouse oocyte ageing and its mechanism of action. The oocytes were aged in vitro in M16 medium for 16 h after adding OPE at different concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, and 500 μg/ml). The addition of 100 μg/ml OPE reduced the oocyte fragmentation rate, decreased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, increased the glutathione (GSH) level, and improved the mitochondrial membrane potential compared with the control group. The addition of OPE also increased the expression of SOD1 , CAT , and GPX3 genes, and the caspase-3 activity in OPE-treated aged oocytes was significantly lower than that in untreated aged oocytes and similar to that in fresh oocytes. These results indicated that OPE delayed mouse oocyte ageing by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis and enhancing mitochondrial function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Philanthropy provides substantial support for science and research—does it do the same for technology and invention? We match patenting outcomes in the United States with philanthropic organizations as listed in the Candid database and find that at least 0.2% of U.S. patenting since 1976 received philanthropic support. After matching philanthropic patents to non-philanthropic patents based on technology, time, and the number of inventors, we find that philanthropic invention is more likely to be done by smaller teams and U.S. based inventors and less likely to rely on science research and non-U.S. prior art. Renewal rates are not significantly different from non-philanthropic patents and philanthropic patents are not more likely to be in underserved areas of technology. Philanthropic supported patents receive significantly fewer future prior art citations, thus implying that philanthropy supported patents are not exceptionally valuable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accurate intrinsic structural model is essential to describing the high-temperature deformation behavior of metal materials. Support Vector Regression (SVR) has strong regression analysis capabilities, but its application research in constructing constitutive models of 25CrMo4 steel still needs to be improved. In this study, we use grid search, particle swarm optimization, improved genetic algorithm, and improved gray wolf optimization to optimize SVR parameters. A constitutive relationship model for 25CrMo4 steel under high-temperature compression based on SVR was established through training using experimental data models. The predicted data of SVR constitutive models with different optimization algorithms were compared with experimental data. Statistical values, such as average absolute percentage error (AAPE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and correlation coefficient (R2), were introduced to evaluate the accuracy of each model. The particle swarm optimization-SVR model achieved the best performance, with an AAPE of 0.455 38, MAPE of 0.489 09%, and R2 of 0.999 74. Furthermore, compared to other models, it requires the least time. This model has a higher accuracy than other commonly used instantaneous models. These findings can provide a basis for selecting appropriate deformation parameters and preventing hot working defects of 25CrMo4 steel, thus helping to improve the manufacturing process and material properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the strength grade increases, the cold formability of high-strength steels (HSS) inevitably decreases and the brittleness tendency is obvious. However, in most existing studies on HSS forming the assumption of ductile material was commonly used, and the brittle properties of HSS were not clearly understood. In this paper, a deliberately designed uniaxial twice tensile test was employed to examine the quasi-brittle deformation and fracture behaviors of NM450TP wear-resistant steel plates. FEM models considering non-uniform mechanical properties were constructed, and DC04 plates characterized by typical ductile material were tested for comparison. The results showed that the brittle trend of NM450TP plates causes obvious localized strain during stretching, and the fracture is sensitive to the random initial imperfections. The deformation outside the necking zone is small and the deformation capacity is preserved; thus, it would be conservative to evaluate the formability of HSS by the conventional concept of percentage elongation. The non-uniform FEM models can reproduce the fracture mode of NM450TP plates during tensile tests. In comparison, the ductile DC04 specimens can "average" the mechanical properties before fracture within a wide range via large plastic deformation, and then the deformation is more uniform. The correction index n for conversion of elongation value of NM450TP plates in the Oliver formula was obtained. In the studied cases, n ranges from 0.685 to 0.752 for specimens with gauge length of 150 mm, while it ranges from 0.839 to 0.931 when the gauge length is 15 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Programmable metasurfaces present significant capabilities in manipulating electromagnetic waves, making them a promising candidate for simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT), which has the potential to enable sustainable wireless communication in complex electromagnetic environments. However, challenges remain in terms of maximum power transmission distance and stable phase manipulation with high-power scattered waves. Additionally, waveform limitations restrict average scattered power and rectifier conversion efficiency, affecting data transmission rates and energy transmission distance. Here we show an amplifying programmable metasurface (APM) and a joint modulation method to address these challenges. The APM mitigates the peak-to-average power ratio and improves maximum power, phase response stability, average output power, and rectifier conversion efficiency. Through experimental validation, we demonstrate the feasibility of the SWIPT system, showcasing simultaneous LED array powering and movie video transmission. This innovative SWIPT system holds promise for diverse applications, including 6 G wireless communications, IoT, implanted devices, and cognitive radio networks. In this work, the authors demonstrate a 'jointly modulated' amplifying programmable metasurface (APM) for simultaneous wireless information and power transmission (SWIPT). Their technique outperforms existing methods, significantly improving power transmission and adaptability for conveying energy and data across various domains, including wireless implants, 6 G networks, and IoT systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthy seed germination is important for improving the yield and quality of maize, but the molecular mechanisms regulating maize seed germination are still unclear. Significant progress has been made in the study of rice quality functional genomics, with the cloning of many important genes related to the regulation of rice quality traits. Selecting crop varieties with high and stable yields, as well as improving quality and economic benefits, has become a long-term topic while facing the continuous increasing population and the adverse effects of environmental changes. Therefore, developing fragrant rice varieties, strengthening the breeding of high-quality conventional indica rice, and developing functional rice with special nutritional value or specific needs of specific populations are important directions for future rice breeding. [Extracted from the article]

Background Acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) is a serious health issue in Yemen where civil war, which continues unabated, has crippled the healthcare system. We conducted a nationwide retrospective observational study in Yemeni sentinel hospitals to identify the prevalence, aetiology, vaccination coverage and spatio-temporal pattern of ABM in children aged <5 years before and during the civil war, 2014–20. Methods Cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected from hospitalized children and were analysed macroscopically for appearance and microscopically by Gram stain and white blood cell count. Culture and latex agglutination tests were performed. Data on the prevalence of and vaccination coverage for ABM were obtained from the Ministry of Health. Joinpoint regression was used to assess the annual percent change (APC) of ABM prevalence and vaccination coverage. Pearson's correlation was used to evaluate the association between ABM prevalence and vaccination coverage. Results In total, 11 339 hospitalized children had suspected cases of ABM (prevalence, 40.07/100 000 of the whole Yemeni population) and 2.6% (293/11 339) of suspected ABM cases were confirmed (prevalence, 1.04/100 000 of the whole Yemeni population). The dominant pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae , Neisseria meningitidis and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). The civil war reduced the Hib and pneumococcal vaccination coverage (APC = –1.92), reaching its lowest (79.5%) in 2018. The prevalence of suspected ABM increased (APC = 3.46), reaching its maximum (6.08/100 000 of the whole Yemeni population) in 2019. The conflict inversely correlated with the ABM prevalence and vaccination coverage (Pearson correlation coefficient (r), –0.69 to –0.53). Ta'izz region, which was severely affected by the civil war, had the highest prevalence of suspected ABM (120.90/100 000 of the whole Yemeni population) and lowest vaccination coverage (60%). Conclusions The civil war had a negative impact on vaccination coverage and coincided with increasing prevalence of ABM in Yemen. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the dominant causative pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Heparanase is the only confirmed endoglycosidase that cleaves heparan sulfate (HS), a ubiquitous glycosaminoglycan with various essential roles in multiple pathological processes. Thus, the development of heparanase inhibitors has become an attractive strategy for drug discovery, especially in tumour therapy, in which HS mimetics are the most promising compounds. The various biological effects of heparanase also suggest a role for HS mimetics in many non‐cancer indications, such as type 1 diabetes. However, the potential benefits of HS mimetics in obesity‐related type 2 diabetes have not been elucidated. Experimental Approach: In this study, we investigated muparfostat (PI‐88), a developed HS mimetic currently enrolled in Phase III clinical trials, in obese mouse models and in vitro cultured murine hepatocytes. Key Results: Daily administration of muparfostat for 4 weeks caused hyperlipidaemia and aggravated hepatic steatosis in obese mice models, but not in lean animals. In cultured hepatocytes, muparfostat did not alter lipid accumulation. Acute tests suggested that muparfostat binds to lipoprotein lipase in competition with HS on vascular endothelial cell surfaces, thereby reducing the degradation of circulating triglycerides by lipoprotein lipase and subsequent uptake of fatty acids into vascular endothelial cells and causing hyperlipidaemia. This hyperlipidaemia aggravates hepatic steatosis and causes liver injury in muparfostat‐treated obese mice. Conclusions and Implications: The binding activity of HS mimetics to lipoprotein lipase should be investigated as an additional pharmacological effect during heparanase inhibitor drug discovery. This study also provides novel evidence for an increased risk of drug‐induced liver injury in obese individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optical properties of a thin-shell wormhole (TSW) with a Hayward profile is investigated. Adopting the ray-tracing method, we demonstrate that the TSW's contralateral spacetime is capable of reflecting a significant portion of light back to the observer spacetime. We analyze the effective potential, light deflection, and azimuthal angle of the TSW and find that these quantities are affected by the mass ratio of the black holes (BHs). Specifically, if the mass of the contralateral spacetime BH is greater than that of the original spacetime BH, and the impact parameter satisfies the condition H b c2 < b 1 < b c1 , the trajectory of the photon exhibits round-trip characteristics. Assuming the presence of a thin accretion disk surrounding the observing spacetime BH, our results indicate that the image formed by the TSW exhibits additional photon rings and a lensing band compared to an image produced by a BH alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmland transfer is a crucial aspect of modernizing China's agriculture, which has a significant impact on farmers' income distribution. With rapid urbanization, farmers' livelihood has changed significantly, and the income effects of farmland transfer will differ among heterogeneous farmers. Based on the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) data, this study examines the impact of farmland transfer on farmers' income growth and income disparity, as well as the income differences in farmland transfer among farmers with different types of livelihood capital. An endogenous switching regression model and unconditional quantile treatment effects are used to correct the selection bias and farmer heterogeneity. The results show that (1) farmland transfer increases farmers' income. Specifically, farmland transfer-in increases farmers' income by 21.15%, while transfer-out increases it by 43.33%. (2) The impact of farmland transfer on farmers' income has a "Matthew effect" and will widen the income gap between farmers. (3) Moreover, farmland transfer exhibits diverse income effects on heterogeneous farmers with livelihood capital. Capital-rich farmers experience the largest income-growth effect from farmland transfer-in, while capital-balanced farmers experience the largest income-growth effect from farmland transfer-out. The policy implications are to further improve the farmland transfer market and enable low-income farmers to participate by improving their qualifications and abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The full name of the FTO gene is fat mass and obesity-associated gene. In recent years, it has also been found that FTO is involved in m6A demethylation and regulates the progression of multiple cancers, including gastric cancer. The cancer stem cell theory argues that cancer stem cells are key factors in cancer metastasis, and inhibiting the expression of stemness genes is a good method to inhibit metastasis of gastric cancer. Currently, the role of the FTO gene in regulating stemness of gastric cancer cells is still unclear. By analyzing public databases, it was discovered that FTO gene expression was increased in gastric cancer, and high expression of FTO was associated with poor prognosis of patients with gastric cancer. After gastric cancer stem cells were isolated, it was found that FTO protein expression was increased in gastric cancer stem cells; stemness of gastric cancer cells was reduced after the FTO gene knockdown; subcutaneous tumors of nude mice were smaller than those of the control group after FTO knockdown; and stemness of gastric cancer cells was enhanced after FTO was overexpressed by plasmid. By reviewing additional literature and experimental validation, we found that SOX2 may be the factor by which FTO promotes the stemness of gastric cancer cells. Therefore, it was concluded that FTO could promote the stemness of gastric cancer cells, and targeting FTO may be a potential therapeutic approach for patients with metastatic gastric cancer. CTR number: TOP-IACUC-2021-0123 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a new generalized Su–Schrieffer–Heeger model with hierarchical long-range hopping based on a one-dimensional tetratomic chain. The properties of the topological states and phase transition, which depend on the cointeraction of the intracell and intercell hoppings, are investigated using the phase diagram of the winding number. It is shown that topological states with large positive/negative winding numbers can readily be generated in this system. The properties of the topological states can be verified by the ring-type structures in the trajectory diagram of the complex plane. The topological phase transition is strongly related to the opening (closure) of an energy bandgap at the center (boundaries) of the Brillouin zone. Finally, the non-zero-energy edge states at the ends of the finite system are revealed and matched with the bulk–boundary correspondence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a large volume of spatiotemporally correlated multivariate data in multiple layers of the earth's environmental system. Compound events arise from the interaction of multiple variables. Current approaches employed by earth scientists lack the flexibility to identify the drivers and corresponding impacts of different events. In this paper, we present MVST-SciVis (MultiVariate SpatioTemporal Scientific data Visualization), a new visual analytics prototype to help scientists explore spatiotemporal correlations among multiple variables, and analyze the drivers and influences of different compound events. MVST-SciVis provides coordinated maps, scatterplots, line charts and bar charts to support a three-level multi-granularity complex visual analysis pipeline. MVST-SciVis also provides a storyline visualization tailored for scientific data that abstracts inter-entity relationships and the driving components information of compound events. Our case studies with the data from two ecosystem circles of climate and agriculture illustrate the usefulness and effectiveness of MVST-SciVis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In the modern increasingly competitive milieu of cause marketing activities, both profit and nonprofit organizations expect their advocation of prosocial programs to gain the support of target customers. Previous research shows the effect from adding participant's personal attributes or social influence factors. This study considers the effects of benefit incentives and cost/reward influences to enhance prosocial behaviors. Design/methodology/approach: Three between-subject experiments were conducted and SPSS Statistics ANOVA was employed to analyze the experimental results. Findings: Rewarding time delays and prosocial efforts have no significant impact on the relationship between other-benefit incentives and willingness to engage in prosocial behaviors, but do significantly impact the self-benefit incentives condition. However, the negative effect of self-benefit condition can be mitigated by high rewards. Research limitations/implications: Since prosocial campaigns proposed by organizations in this study include both profit and nonprofit organizations, perhaps two category organization types should be attentively classified to evaluate the effects. Practical implications: Under social marketing campaigns with self-benefit incentives conditions, the empirical findings of this study show that profit and nonprofit organizations can provide higher reward values to mitigate the adverse effects of high participating costs. Social implications: Social marketing campaigns with other-benefit incentives are less affected by high participating costs and highlight the value of altruism. Originality/value: This study provides valuable suggestions for both profit and nonprofit organizations to use self-benefit/other-benefit incentives under cost related factors influence to encourage customers' prosocial behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the feasibility of low-dose computed tomography (CT)–based mixed reality and its clinical role in type A aortic dissection (TAAD) operations. Methods: Eighty-seven patients diagnosed with TAAD were prospectively enrolled and underwent thoracoabdominal aorta mixed reality. They were randomly divided into a low-dose mixed reality group, a conventional mixed reality group and a conventional thoracoabdominal aorta computed tomography angiography (CTA) group. Three-dimensional modelling, mixed reality and CT reconstruction technology were selected. The radiation dose and image quality were compared using Student's t test. Doctors with different seniorities evaluated the clinical application value of thoracoabdominal aorta mixed reality using a Likert scale. The consistency was assessed using the Cohen kappa coefficient (k). The Pearson chi-square test was used to test the correlation of perioperative index results in TAAD operations. Results: Low-dose CT technology can be effectively applied to thoracoabdominal aorta mixed reality and reduces the radiation dose by approximately 59% and the operation time and auxiliary cardiopulmonary bypass time by approximately 22% and 29%, respectively. The subjective scores of doctors with different seniorities on the clinical application value of thoracoabdominal aorta mixed reality were higher than those of thoracoabdominal aorta CTA (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: Low-dose CT can be effectively used in thoracoabdominal aortic mixed reality to reduce the radiation dose while ensuring quality. Low-dose thoracoabdominal aortic mixed reality has clinical application value and can effectively reduce the operation time and auxiliary cardiopulmonary bypass time in TAAD operations. Key Points: • Low-dose CT technology can ensure the mixed reality quality of the thoracoabdominal aorta with a radiation dose reduction of approximately 59%. • Compared with thoracoabdominal aorta CTA, low-dose thoracoabdominal aorta mixed reality can reduce the operation time and auxiliary cardiopulmonary bypass time by approximately 20% and 29%, respectively, in TAAD operations. • The application value of low-dose thoracoabdominal aorta mixed reality in operation scheme formulation, operation risk assessment, operation navigation and diagnosis and treatment under safe distance was greater than that of thoracoabdominal aorta CTA in TAAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Up until now, head-up displays (HUDs) have been installed in front of the driver's seat to provide drivers with auxiliary information. It may be used in various surroundings, ranging from very dark to very bright environments, such as daylight. A suitable text-background lightness combination can improve the driver's visual clarity and efficiency when identifying displayed information to raise driving safety. Although many kinds of HUDs are designed to improve visual clarity by adjusting brightness, few studies have investigated the influence of the text-background lightness combination of a HUD on visibility, especially as the lighting level of the driving condition changes dramatically. In the study, 60 observers, comprising 20 young, 20 middle-aged, and 20 older participants, evaluated the visual clarity of 20 text-background lightness combinations on a HUD using paired comparison methods under dark and daylight surroundings (i.e., 300, 1500, and 9000 lx conditions). As a result, the combination of white text on a black background and black text on a white background presented the most significant preference and the best visual clarity under dark and daylight surroundings, respectively, improving visual safety when driving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A unique variety of wetlands known as coastal wetlands that connect terrestrial and marine ecosystems is crucial to reducing and adapting to climate change as well as the advancement of human culture. However, the coastal wetland ecosystem is currently in danger as a result of the increasing intensity of human activity, and wetland restoration and reconstruction have garnered a lot of interest. The differentiated ecological restoration strategies based on ecosystem service change analysis can provide a reference for the effective management and sustainability of coastal wetland ecosystems. The InVEST model and ArcGIS were used to analyze the spatiotemporal changes in ecosystem services before and after the implementation of coastal wetland restoration policies based on remote sensing image data, meteorological and soil data, etc. The ecological restoration pattern of coastal wetlands was divided, and the corresponding ecological restoration strategies were proposed in this study. The following are the results: (1) there are still many wetlands that have been converted to non-wetlands following the implementation of the wetland restoration policy, and the ecosystem services as a whole exhibit a rising and then falling trend, with a rise from 2005 to 2015, a fall in 2015 due to the creation of Hangzhou Bay New District, and a slight improvement to 2020. Among them, the water yield increased continuously, the carbon storage fluctuated, and the habitat quality did not improve significantly. (2) The hot spots of ecosystem services were concentrated in the south and southeast of the study area, with no obvious cold spots. (3) By comprehensively analyzing the changes and spatial patterns of ecosystem services, the coastal wetlands on the south bank of Hangzhou Bay were divided into an ecological conservation zone, a green development zone, and an ecological restoration zone at the township level, and corresponding optimization strategies were proposed. The results can provide a reference for the fine-grained and differentiated management of regional ecosystem services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stretchable organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) are important components for flexible/wearable electronics. However, the efficiency of the existing stretchable OLEDs is still much lower as compared with their rigid counterparts, one of the main reasons being the lack of ideal flexible transparent electrodes. Herein, we propose and develop a printed embedded metal composite electrode (PEMCE) strategy that enables the fabrication of ultra‐thin, highly flexible transparent electrodes with robust mechanical properties. With the flexible transparent electrodes serves as the anodes, flexible/stretchable white OLEDs have been successfully constructed, achieving a current efficiency of up to 77.4 cd A−1 and a maximum luminance of 34 787 cd m−2. The current efficiency of the resulting stretchable OLEDs is the highest ever reported for flexible/stretchable white OLEDs, which is about 1.2 times higher than that of the reference rigid devices based on ITO/glass electrodes. The excellent optoelectronic properties of the printed embedded transparent electrodes and the light extraction effect of the Ag‐mesh account for the significant increase in current efficiency. Remarkably, the electroluminescence performance still retains ~83% of the original luminance even after bending the device 2000 cycles at a radii of ~0.5 mm. More importantly, the device can withstand tensile strains of up to ~100%, and even mechanical deformation of 90% tensile strain does not result in a significant loss of electroluminescence performance with current efficiency and luminance maintained at over 85%. The results confirm that the PEMCE strategy is effective for constructing ultra‐flexible transparent electrodes, showing great promise for use in a variety of flexible/stretchable electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims This study investigated the epidemiological characteristics of new-onset dementia in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and the association of catheter ablation with different subtypes of dementia. Methods and results We conducted a population-based, retrospective cohort study using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. In total, 136 774 patients without a history of dementia were selected after 1:1 propensity score matching based on age (with AF vs. without AF). A competing risk model was used to investigate the three subtypes of dementia: Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and other/mixed dementia. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was performed to minimize the impact on dementia risk due to the imbalanced baseline characteristics. After a median follow-up period of 6.6 years, 8704 events of new-onset dementia occurred. Among all AF patients developing dementia, 73% were classified as having Alzheimer's disease, 16% as having vascular dementia, and 11% as having other/mixed dementia. The cumulative incidence of dementia in AF patients was higher than those without AF (log-rank test: P < 0.001 for both before and after IPTW). In patients with AF undergoing catheter ablation, the total dementia risk decreased significantly [ P = 0.015, hazard ratio (HR): 0.74, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.58–0.94] after multivariable adjustment, but not for the subtype of vascular dementia (P = 0.59, HR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.49–1.50). Conclusion Patients with AF have a higher incidence of all types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and a mixed type of dementia. Alzheimer's disease is less likely to occur in patients with AF undergoing catheter ablation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the major causes of ischaemic stroke. In addition to clinical risk evaluated by the CHA2DS2-VASC score, the impact of genetic factors on the risk of AF-related thromboembolic stroke has been largely unknown. We found several copy number variations (CNVs) in novel genes that were associated with thromboembolic stroke risk in our AF patients by genome-wide approach. Among them, the gasdermin D (GSDMD) gene was related to inflammation. We aimed to test whether GSDMD deletion was associated with AF-related stroke. Methods and results A total of 400 patients with documented non-familial AF were selected, of which 100 patients were diagnosed with ischaemic stroke. The baseline characteristics of age, sex, valvular heart disease, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and CHA2DS2-VASc scores were not statistically different between cases and controls. We found that individuals who carried GSDMD homozygous deletion genotype had a higher risk for ischaemic stroke (odds ratio 2.195; 95% confidence interval, 1.24–3.90; P = 0.007), even adjusted by CHA2DS2-VASc scores. We also validated the association of GSDMD with AF stroke in a large Caucasian population (UK Biobank). Conclusion We found a link between the homozygous deletion of the GSDMD gene and an increased risk of stroke in patients with AF. This may implicate the use of therapy targeting GSDMD in the prevention of ischaemic stroke for AF patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerical simulation is crucial in scientific research. Visualizing simulation data helps scientists understand data and discover connections between data. However, the development of supercomputers brings larger amounts of simulation data, which poses huge challenges for visualization: (1) Storing the whole data used for visualization is hard under the limitation of I/O and storage, making visualization technology impractical; (2) the post-processing visual analysis mode wastes computation resources and reduces analysis efficiency. In this work, we present an in situ progressive visual analytics system, PEViz, which contains the back-end in situ processing and the interactive front-end interface. The in situ processes using real-time analysis and visualization reduce data storage, leading to a smaller data scale for visualization. The visual analytic interface has four aspect views: the parameters view, the statistics views of the ensemble, the one-moment view of all members, and the sequence view of a single member. While the simulation analytics programs are still running, the progressive analytic system allows scientists to explore data space, such as early analysis and interactively ending abnormal analysis. In addition, the system assists users in processing analytical tasks through real-time visualization and abstracting knowledge of the focused object. We present two case studies to evaluate the effectiveness of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parts with the complex curved surface are commonly used in high-end equipment. The machining quality of the curved surface parts is important for the property of high-end equipment. With position control of the main spindle, i.e., the C axis, the slow tool servo (STS) turning is a very promising technique to effectively machine complex curved surface parts. However, the turning machining quality is restricted by the cutting force fluctuation in finishing turning. Hence, the STS turning toolpath generation approach with the constraint of the cutting force fluctuation is proposed in this study. As the cutting force is proportionate to the cutting area, the cutting area for turning complex curved surfaces is analyzed and calculated. Then the functional relation between the cutting force fluctuation and the feed rate is derived. Based on the geometrical characteristic of the first revolution of the toolpath, the feed rate is optimized with small cutting force fluctuation to derive the cutter contact points (CCPs) in the cylindrical coordinate system. From the validation experiment results, it can be seen that the cutting force fluctuation, the profile tolerance, and the surface roughness of parts are effectively reduced, and the surface roughness of the part machined with the proposed toolpath planning method is 17.625 nm. Thus, this study provides guidance for toolpath generation with the constraint of the fluctuation of the cutting force in STS turning for a complex curved surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and malignant intracranial tumor in adults. At present, temozolomide (TMZ) is recognized as the preferred chemotherapeutic drug for GBM, but some patients have low sensitivity to TMZ or chemotherapy resistance to TMZ. Our previous study found that GBM patients with EGFRvIII (+) have low sensitivity to TMZ. However, the reasons and possible mechanisms of the chemoradiotherapy resistance in GBM patients with EGFRvIII (+) are not clear. (2) Methods: In this study, tissue samples of patients with GBM, GBM cell lines, glioma stem cell lines, and NSG mice were used to explore the causes and possible mechanisms of low sensitivity to TMZ in patients with EGFRvIII (+)-GBM. (3) Results: The study found that EGFRvIII promoted the proneural–mesenchymal transition of GBM and reduced its sensitivity to TMZ, and EGFRvIII regulated of the expression of ALDH1A3. (4) Conclusions: EGFRvIII activated the NF-κB pathway and further regulated the expression of ALDH1A3 to promote the proneural–mesenchymal transition of GBM and reduce its sensitivity to TMZ, which will provide an experimental basis for the selection of clinical drugs for GBM patients with EGFRvIII (+). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by acute pancreatitis (AP) exacerbates pancreatic injury and systemic inflammatory responses. The alleviation of gut microbiota dysbiosis through faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is considered a potential strategy to reduce tissue damage and inflammation in many clinical disorders. Here, we aim to investigate the effect of gut microbiota and microbiota‐derived metabolites on AP and further clarify the mechanisms associated with pancreatic damage and inflammation. Experimental Approach: AP rat and mouse models were established by administration of caerulein or sodium taurocholate in vivo. Pancreatic acinar cells were exposed to caerulein and lipopolysaccharide in vitro to simulate AP. Key Results: Normobiotic FMT alleviated AP‐induced gut microbiota dysbiosis and ameliorated the severity of AP, including mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative damage and inflammation. Normobiotic FMT induced higher levels of NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)‐associated metabolites, particularly nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). NMN administration mitigated AP‐mediated mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative damage and inflammation by increasing pancreatic NAD+ levels. Similarly, overexpression of the NAD+‐dependent mitochondrial deacetylase sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) alleviated the severity of AP. Furthermore, SIRT3 deacetylated peroxiredoxin 5 (PRDX5) and enhanced PRDX5 protein expression, thereby promoting its antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities in AP. Importantly, normobiotic FMT‐mediated NMN metabolism induced SIRT3–PRDX5 pathway activation during AP. Conclusion and Implications: Gut microbiota‐derived NMN alleviates the severity of AP by activating the SIRT3–PRDX5 pathway. Normobiotic FMT could be served as a potential strategy for AP treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Palmitic acid (PA) has a lipotoxic effect on blood vessels, leading to endothelial dysfunction and cell death. The underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Aim: We sought to investigate the effects of PA on endothelial cells, with an emphasis on ferroptosis. Methods:Rat corpus cavernosum endothelial cells (RCCECs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)were treated with PA to induce a pattern of cell death, as evidenced by the evaluation of cell viability. The differentially expressed genes were measured via RNA sequencing to reveal potential mechanisms. The intracellular levels of glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), ferrous ion (Fe2+), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated using commercial kits. Western blot was performed to determine the expressions of relative proteins. Outcomes: At the end of the study period, the evaluated outcomes were cell viability, transcriptome profiles, the expressions of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), as well as levels of GSH, MDA, Fe2+, and ROS. Results: PA-induced cell death of RCCECs and HUVECswas demonstrated in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Based on the findings of RNAsequencing (RNA-seq), enrichment of many biological processes associated with cell cycle and response to stimulus occurred. More importantly, ferroptosiswas highlighted in the bioinformatic analysis of both endothelial cells. The levels of intracellular Fe2+, MDA, and ROSwere significantly increased following PA exposure while GSH was decreased, suggesting excessive iron accumulation, development of lipid peroxidation, and imbalanced redox homeostasis. Mechanistically, PA decreased the protein expression levels of GPX4 and SLC7A11 in endothelial cells, both of which played crucial roles in ferroptotic cell death. Clinical Translation: This study suggests that ferroptosis may be a useful target for novel therapeutic interventions for endothelial dysfunction and cell death in vascular diseases such as erectile dysfunction. Strengths and Limitations: In this study, we found that ferroptosis could participate in PA-induced endothelial dysfunction and cell death. A limitation of the study is that it did not shed light on the overall mechanisms of this process. Therefore, further research on the intricate networks of regulating ferroptosis is needed. Conclusion: Overall, the occurrence of ferroptosis was demonstrated in the PA-treated HUVECs and RCCECs in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vincristine (VCR), an effective antitumor drug, has been utilized in several polytherapy regimens for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, neuroblastoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. However, clinical evidence shows that the metabolism of VCR varies greatly among patients. The traditional based body surface area (BSA) administration method is prone to insufficient exposure to VCR or severe VCR-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (VIPN). Therefore, reliable strategies are urgently needed to improve efficacy and reduce VIPN. Due to the unpredictable pharmacokinetic changes of VCR, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) may help to ensure its efficacy and to manage VIPN. At present, there is a lot of supporting evidence for the suitability of applying TDM to VCR therapy. Based on the consensus guidelines drafted by the International Association of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Clinical Toxicology (IATDMCT), this review aimed to summarize various available data to evaluate the potential utility of VCR TDM for cancer patients. Of note, valuable evidence has accumulated on pharmacokinetics variability, pharmacodynamics, drug exposure–clinical response relationship, biomarkers for VIPN prediction, and assays for VCR monitoring. However, there are still many relevant clinical pharmacological questions that cannot yet be answered merely based on insufficient evidence. Currently, we cannot recommend a therapeutic exposure range and cannot yet provide a dose-adaptation strategy for clinicians and patients. In areas where the evidence is not yet sufficient, more research is needed in the future. The precision medicine of VCR cannot rely on TDM alone and needs to consider the clinical, environmental, genetic background and patient-specific factors as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The calcium carbide slag and boron mud were used as raw materials to react with acetic acid to prepare acetate snow melting agent. The microstructure of the snow-melting agent was analyzed by XRD, TG and other methods. The pH, dissolution rate and relative snow-melting ability of the prepared snow-melting agent were tested to evaluate the snow-melting performance of the snow-melting agent. The results show that the acetate phase is mainly calcium acetate when calcium carbide slag is used as the raw material. The product is mixed acetate of calcium acetate and magnesium acetate after adding boron mud. The extraction rate decreased significantly, and the snow melting performance of the acetate product also decreased. When the calcium carbide slagu boron mud is 8u 2,the acetate snow melting agent prepared has high output efficiency, and the three technical indicators of disolution rate, pH and relative snow melting and ice melting ability conform to GB/T 23851-2017 Snow Melting Agents standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]