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Background: The relationship of systolic blood pressure variability (SBPV) with Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains controversial. We aimed to explore the roles of SBPV in predicting AD incidence and to test the pathways that mediated the relationship of SBPV with cognitive functions. Methods: Longitudinal data across 96 months (T0 to T4) were derived from the Alzheimer's disease Neuroimaging Initiative cohort. SBPV for each participant was calculated based on the four measurements of SBP across 24 months (T0 to T3). At T3, logistic regression models were used to test the SBPV difference between 86 new-onset AD and 743 controls. Linear regression models were used to test the associations of SBPV with cognition and AD imaging endophenotypes for 743 non-demented participants (median age = 77.0, female = 42%). Causal mediation analyses were conducted to explore the effects of imaging endophenotypes in mediating the relationships of SBPV with cognitive function. Finally, Cox proportional hazard model was utilized to explore the association of SBPV with incident risk of AD (T3 to T4, mean follow-up = 3.5 years). Results: Participants with new-onset AD at T3 had significantly higher SBPV compared to their controls (p = 0.018). Higher SBPV was associated with lower scores of cognitive function (p = 0.005 for general cognition, p = 0.029 for memory, and p = 0.016 for executive function), higher cerebral burden of amyloid deposition by AV45 PET (p = 0.044), lower brain metabolism by FDG PET (p = 0.052), and higher burden of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) (p = 0.012). Amyloid pathology, brain metabolism, and WMH partially (ranging from 17.44% to 36.10%) mediated the associations of SBPV with cognition. Higher SBPV was significantly associated with elevated risk of developing AD (hazard ratio = 1.29, 95% confidence interval = 1.07 to 1.57, p = 0.008). Conclusion: These findings supported that maintaining stable SBP in late life helped lower the risk of AD, partially by modulating amyloid pathology, cerebral metabolism, and cerebrovascular health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammation plays a crucial role in cancer development. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a measure of inflammation, is obtained from a complete blood count. However, little is known about the association between NLR and cancer in the general adult population in the United States. This study aimed to evaluate whether NLR is associated with cancer in American adults. This retrospective cross-sectional study included 28,016 adult participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset spanning 2005 to 2018. Data on demographics (age, sex, race, marital status, Poverty-Income Ratio, education level), lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, body mass index), medical conditions (hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease), and laboratory parameters (hemoglobin, platelet count, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, albumin, and lactate dehydrogenase), were collected. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the research objectives. Of the total 28,016 participants, 2639 had cancer. The mean age was 49.6 ± 17.6 years, and 50% were male. A positive association between NLR and cancer risk was observed after multivariate adjustment (OR = 1.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.05–1.36, p = 0.006). Similar patterns were observed in subgroup analyses (all p-values for interaction > 0.05). A higher NLR was directly correlated with an increased risk of developing cancer in adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the spatial spillover effects of transportation infrastructure on regional economic growth, utilizing panel data from 31 provincial-level administrative divisions in China from 2003 to 2022. Using the spatial Durbin model (SDM) and three distinct spatial weight matrices—0–1 adjacency, spatial economic–geographical nested, and GDP-based economic distance matrices—this study comprehensively analyzes the multifaceted impacts of transportation infrastructure. The results show that transportation infrastructure significantly promotes economic growth in both local and neighboring regions across all spatial weight matrices. The total effect is most pronounced in geographically proximate regions, with a coefficient of 7.845 (p < 0.01). Regions with similar economic development levels also show strong collaborative effects, with a coefficient of 2.074 (p < 0.01), although the marginal effect of transportation infrastructure diminishes. Furthermore, adjustments in industrial structure and innovation inputs demonstrate a short-term inhibitory effect on economic growth, highlighting the need for synchronized development of transportation infrastructure alongside industrial and innovation policies. This study incorporates multi-dimensional spatial weight matrices to systematically reveal the direct and indirect impacts of transportation infrastructure on regional economies, providing essential empirical support for regional coordination and infrastructure investment policies. The findings offer valuable insights for infrastructure planning in other regions, particularly in formulating policies that promote cross-regional economic cooperation and optimize resource allocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) can predict the prognosis of patients suffering from cerebrovascular disorders. The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and triglyceride-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio have been confirmed to be easy and reliable indicators of IR. However, the relationships between the TyG index or TG/HDL-C ratio and early neurological deterioration (END) after thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) are uncertain. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 1,187 patients diagnosed with AIS who underwent intravenous thrombolysis between January 2018 and February 2024 was performed. Post-thrombolysis END was defined as an increase in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of ≥4 within 24 h after thrombolysis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the relationships of the TyG index and TG/HDL-C ratio with post-thrombolysis END. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to assess the ability of the TyG index and TG/HDL-C ratio to discriminate post-thrombolysis END. Results: Among the 1,187 recruited patients, 179 (15.08%) were diagnosed with post-thrombolysis END, and 1,008 (84.92%) were diagnosed with non-END. A binary logistic regression model indicated that the TyG index (odds ratio [OR], 2.015; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.964-2.414, p = 0.015) and TG/HDL-C ratio (OR, 1.542; 95% CI, 1.160-2.049, p = 0.004) were independent factors for post- thrombolysis END. The area under the curve (AUC) values for the TyG index, TG/HDL-C ratio, and TyG index combined with the TG/HDL-C ratio for post- thrombolysis END were 0.704, 0.674, and 0.755, respectively. Conclusion: This study indicates that the TyG index and TG/HDL-C ratio can be used as prognostic factors to predict post-thrombolysis END. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In this paper, for a bounded linear operator defined on a complex Banach space of infinite dimension, we consider the set of isolated points in its approximate point spectrum, which are eigenvalues of finite multiplicity; this set can be equal to the spectrum of the operator but without its upper semi-Fredholm spectrum, and this relation or equality defines in the literature a new spectral property called the property (ωπ) and is a generalization of the classical a-Weyl theorem. We establish some characterizations and consequences about the property (ωπ), some with topological aspects. Furthermore, we study this property through the Riesz functional calculus. Part of the spectral structure of a linear operator verifying property (ωπ) is described, obtaining some associated properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The arthroconidial yeast-like species currently classified in the asexual genera Geotrichum and Saprochaete and the sexual genera Dipodascus, Galactomyces and Magnusiomyces are frequently associated with dairy and cosmetics production, fruit rot and human infection. However, the taxonomic system of these fungi has not been updated to accommodate the new nomenclature code adopting the "one fungus, one name" principle. Here, we performed phylogenetic analyses of these yeast-like species based on the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit of the rRNA gene. Two monophyletic groups were recognised from these species. One group contained Dipodascus, Galactomyces, and Geotrichum species and the other Magnusiomyces and Saprochaete species. We thus assigned the species in each group into one genus and selected the genus name Geotrichum for the first group and Magnusiomyces for the second one based on the principle of priority of publication. Five new Geotrichum species were identified from arthroconidial yeast strains recently isolated from various sources in China. The new species are described as Ge. dehoogii sp. nov., Ge. fujianense sp. nov., Ge. maricola sp. nov., Ge. smithiae sp. nov., and Ge. sinensis sp. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the generalized continuum mechanics (GCM) theory framework, asymmetric wave equations encompass the characteristic scale parameters of the medium, accounting for microstructure interactions. This study integrates two theoretical branches of the GCM, the modified couple stress theory (M-CST) and the one-parameter second-strain-gradient theory, to form a novel asymmetric wave equation in a unified framework. Numerical modeling of the asymmetric wave equation in a unified framework accurately describes subsurface structures with vital implications for subsequent seismic wave inversion and imaging endeavors. However, employing finite-difference (FD) methods for numerical modeling may introduce numerical dispersion, adversely affecting the accuracy of numerical modeling. The design of an optimal FD operator is crucial for enhancing the accuracy of numerical modeling and emphasizing the scale effects. Therefore, this study devises a hybrid scheme called the dung beetle optimization (DBO) algorithm with a simulated annealing (SA) algorithm, denoted as the SA-based hybrid DBO (SDBO) algorithm. An FD operator optimization method under the SDBO algorithm was developed and applied to the numerical modeling of asymmetric wave equations in a unified framework. Integrating the DBO and SA algorithms mitigates the risk of convergence to a local extreme. The numerical dispersion outcomes underscore that the proposed SDBO algorithm yields FD operators with precision errors constrained to 0.5‱ while encompassing a broader spectrum coverage. This result confirms the efficacy of the SDBO algorithm. Ultimately, the numerical modeling results demonstrate that the new FD method based on the SDBO algorithm effectively suppresses numerical dispersion and enhances the accuracy of elastic wave numerical modeling, thereby accentuating scale effects. This result is significant for extracting wavefield perturbations induced by complex microstructures in the medium and the analysis of scale effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammation can initiate osteolysis, which is the breakdown of bone by fully developed osteoclasts. The compound Oleandrin is recognized for its effects against inflammation and tumors. Our objective was to examine the effects of Oleandrin on osteoclastogenesis and osteolysis, both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, the impact of Oleandrin on osteoclastogenesis was assessed using CCK-8 assays, TRAP staining, and bone resorption assays. Additionally, a mouse model of osteolysis caused by LPS injection into the calvaria was used to conduct an in vivo investigation, examining bone histomorphology, histology, and immunohistochemistry. In vitro, concentrations of 5 nM and 10 nM of Oleandrin were found to be non-cytotoxic based on the results obtained. In vitro, Oleandrin hindered the osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption induced by RANKL. Oleandrin successfully inhibited the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and PI3K p85 in osteolytic tissue, thereby suppressing LPS-induced inflammatory osteolysis in mice calvaria during the in vivo study. Furthermore, the Oleandrin-treated group exhibited a noteworthy decrease in the expression level of NFATc1, which is a crucial controller of osteoclastogenesis. To sum up, our discoveries indicate that Oleandrin could hinder osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption, thereby having the ability to suppress inflammation-induced osteolysis. The underlying mechanism involves the NF-κB/PI3K pathway and inhibition of NFATc1 activation. Therefore, the findings suggest that Oleandrin holds potential as a therapeutic remedy for osteolytic ailments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exploration of the benefits and timing of surgical decompression in spinal cord injury (SCI) has been a research hotspot. However, despite the higher volume and increasing emphasis on quality there remains no bibliometric view on SCI and surgical decompression. In this study, we aimed to perform bibliometric analysis to reveal the core countries, affiliations, journals, authors, and developmental trends in SCI and surgical decompression across the past 50years. Methods: Articles and reviews were retrieved from web of science core collection between 1975 and 2024. The bibliometrix package in R was used for data analysis and visualizing. Results: A total of 8,688 documents were investigated, indicating an ascending trend in annual publications. The USA and China played as the leaders in scientific productivity. The University of Toronto led in institutional productions. Core authors, such as Michael G. Fehlings, showed high productivity, and occasional authors showed widespread interests. Core journals like Spine and Spinal Cord served as beacons in this field. The interaction of core authors and international collaboration accentuated the cross-disciplinary feature of the field. Prominent documents emphasized the clinical significance of early decompression in 24h post SCI. Conclusion: Based on comprehensive bibliometric analysis and literature review, we identified the hotspots and future directions of this field: (1) further investigation into the molecular and cellular mechanisms to provide preclinical evidence for biological effects of early surgical decompression in SCI animal models; (2) further evaluation and validation of the optimal time window of surgical decompression based on large cohort, considering the inherent heterogeneity of subpopulations in complicated immune responses post SCI; (3) further exploration on the benefits of early decompression on the neurological, functional, and clinical outcomes in acute SCI; (4) evaluation of the optimal surgical methods and related outcomes; (5) applications of artificial intelligence-based technologies in spinal surgical decompression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nicosulfuron, a widely utilized herbicide, is detrimental to some maize varieties due to their sensitivity. Developing tolerant varieties with resistance genes is an economical and effective way to alleviate phytotoxicity. In this study, map-based cloning revealed that the maize resistance gene to nicosulfuron is Zm00001eb214410 (CYP81A9), which encodes a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase. qRT-PCR results showed that CYP81A9 expression in the susceptible line JS188 was significantly reduced compared to the resistant line B73 during 0-192 hours following 80 mg/L nicosulfuron spraying. Meanwhile, a CYP81A9 overexpression line exhibited normal growth under a 20-fold nicosulfuron concentration (1600 mg/L), while the transgenic acceptor background material Zong31 did not survive. Correspondingly, silencing CYP81A9 through CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis and premature transcription termination mutant EMS4-06e182 resulted in the loss of nicosulfuron resistance in maize. Acetolactate Synthase (ALS), the target enzyme of nicosulfuron, exhibited significantly reduced activity in the roots, stems, and leaves of susceptible maize post-nicosulfuron spraying. The CYP81A9 expression in the susceptible material was positively correlated with ALS activity in vivo. Therefore, this study identified CYP81A9 as the key gene regulating nicosulfuron resistance in maize and discovered three distinct haplotypes of CYP81A9, thereby laying a solid foundation for further exploration of the underlying resistance mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the fractal characteristics of rock crack distributions during the loading process, discrete element method was used to make rock samples with joints and record the crack propagation. The Box-counting method was used to quantitatively analyze the fractal dimension of the crack distribution at each moment, and the relationship between the crack fractal dimension and strain ratio was established based on fractal theory. The results indicated that the relationship between the fractal dimension of the crack distribution and strain ratio showed a strong linear characteristic. By transforming this linear relationship into a linear function, the slope of the function was found to be linked to the failure patterns of the sample, and a refinement coefficient (damage-fracture reduction factor) was identified from the slope as an effective basis for determining the degree of sample damage and fracture. The damage-fracture reduction factor can be categorized: 0.25–0.5 (spilt and fracture), 0.5–0.9 (synergy between fracture and damage), 0.9–1 (microcrack asymptotic damage). Owing to the linear fractal characteristics, an expression for the damage variables influenced by failure patterns can be established from the geometric aspect. In addition, the linear fractal characteristics of the cracks were verified in other acoustic emission and crack extension experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasonic impact treatment (UIT) is a kind of mechanical assistive technology that can reduce the residual stress of the as-deposited metal parts. Up to now, the mechanism of ultrasonic characteristics affecting the residual stress has not been revealed distinctly. In this work, the 1Cr12Ni3MoVN deposition layer was treated by UIT with multiple ultrasonic characteristics. The results show that UIT transforms the residual tensile stress of the LMD deposition layer into compressive stress. As the amplitude increases from 20 to 30 μm, the maximum and depth of transverse residual stress observed in the vertical direction increased from 354 to 381 MPa and from 0.364 to 0.523 mm. The maximum and depth of longitudinal residual stress increased from 258 to 318 MPa and from 0.482 to 0.785 mm. As the frequency increases from 15 to 25 kHz, the maximum and depth of transverse residual stress observed in the vertical direction increased from 207 to 406 MPa and 0.301 to 0.395 mm. The maximum and depth of longitudinal residual stress increased from 240 to 326 MPa and from 0.341 to 0.517 mm. The influence of ultrasonic frequency is not as prominent as ultrasonic amplitude. The maximum impact velocity of the pin is the major factor determining the residual compressive stress field. The acceleration of the pin is positively correlated with the downward velocity of the horn. Increasing the ultrasonic amplitude can effectively increase the velocity of the horn. Once the impact energy is large enough, the σmax is basically unchanged, but the increase of impact energy can still increase the d. This work is of guiding significance for the elimination and control of residual stress in parts manufactured by LMD and other additive manufacturing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced during the growth, storage, and transportation of crops contaminated by fungi and are physiologically toxic to humans and animals. Aflatoxin, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, ochratoxin, patulin, and fumonisin are the most common mycotoxins and can cause liver and nervous system damage, immune system suppression, and produce carcinogenic effects in humans and animals that have consumed contaminated food. Physical, chemical, and biological methods are generally used to detoxify mycotoxins. Although physical methods, such as heat treatment, irradiation, and adsorption, are fast and simple, they have associated problems including incomplete detoxification, limited applicability, and cause changes in food characteristics (e.g., nutritive value, organoleptic properties, and palatability). Chemical detoxification methods, such as ammonification, ozonation, and peroxidation, pollute the environment and produce food safety risks. In contrast, bioenzymatic methods are advantageous as they achieve selective detoxification and are environmentally friendly and reusable; thus, these methods are the most promising options for the detoxification of mycotoxins. This paper reviews recent research progress on common mycotoxins and the enzymatic principles and mechanisms for their detoxification, analyzes the toxicity of the degradation products and describes the challenges faced by researchers in carrying out enzymatic detoxification. In addition, the application of enzymatic detoxification in food and feed is discussed and future directions for the development of enzymatic detoxification methods are proposed for future in-depth study of enzymatic detoxification methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This study aimed to compare the survival outcomes of patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) who underwent or did not undergo salvage surgery followed by a triple combination conversion treatment consisted of locoregional treatment (LRT), tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and anti-PD-1 antibodies. Methods The data from 93 consecutive patients with initially unresectable HCC and PVTT across 4 medical centers were retrospectively reviewed. They were converted successfully by the triple combination treatment and underwent or did not undergo salvage resection. The baseline characteristics, conversion schemes, conversion treatment-related adverse events (CTRAEs), overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) of the salvage surgery and non-surgery groups were compared. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for OS and PFS. Additionally, subgroup survival analysis was conducted by stratification of degree of tumor response and type of PVTT. Results Of the 93 patients, 44 underwent salvage surgery, and 49 did not undergo salvage surgery. The OS and PFS of the salvage surgery and non-surgery groups were not significantly different (P  = .370 and.334, respectively). The incidence and severity of CTRAEs of the 2 groups were also comparable. Subgroup analyses revealed that for patients with complete response (CR) or types III-IV PVTT, there was a trend toward better survival in patients who did not undergo salvage surgery. Multivariate analysis showed that baseline α-fetoprotein and best tumor response per mRECIST criteria were independent prognostic factors for OS and PFS. Conclusions For patients with initially unresectable HCC and PVTT who were successfully converted by the triple combination therapy, salvage liver resection may not be necessary, especially for the patients with CR or types III-IV PVTT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Identifying dysregulated plasma proteins in osteoporosis (OP) progression offers insights into prevention and treatment. This study found 8 such proteins associated with OP, suggesting them as therapy targets. This discovery may cut drug development costs and improve personalized treatments. Purpose: This study aims to identify potential therapeutic targets for OP using summary data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) and colocalization analysis methods. Furthermore, we seek to explore the biological significance and pharmacological value of these drug targets. Methods: To identify potential therapeutic targets for OP, we conducted SMR and colocalization analysis. Plasma protein (pQTL, exposure) data were sourced from the study by Ferkingstad et al. (n = 35,559). Summary statistics for bone mineral density (BMD, outcome) were obtained from the GWAS Catalog (n = 56,284). Additionally, we utilized enrichment analysis, protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, drug prediction, and molecular docking to further analyze the biological significance and pharmacological value of these drug targets. Results: In the SMR analysis, while 20 proteins showed significance, only 8 potential drug targets (GCKR, ERBB3, CFHR1, GPN1, SDF2, VTN, BET1L, and SERPING1) received support from colocalization (PP.H4 > 0.8). These proteins are closely associated with immune function in terms of biological significance. Molecular docking also demonstrated favorable binding of drugs to proteins, consistent with existing structural data, further substantiating the pharmacological value of these targets. Conclusions: The study identified 8 potential drug targets for OP. These prospective targets are believed to have a higher chance of success in clinical trials, thus aiding in prioritizing OP drug development and reducing development costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: The American Heart Association (AHA) recently introduced the Life's Essential 8 (LE8) to improve cardiovascular health (CVH). However, the association between LE8 and the risk of prediabetes or diabetes is not yet fully understood. Consequently, this study aims to assess the association between CVH, as evaluated by LE8, and the risk of prediabetes and diabetes. Methods and Results: This cross-sectional study encompassed 7,739 participants aged =20 years from the 2007-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). The CVH of participants was evaluated using the LE8, combining four health behaviors and three health factors. Glucose metabolic status categories included normal glucose metabolism, prediabetes including isolated impaired fasting glucose, isolated impaired glucose tolerance, both IFG and IGT, and diabetes. The associations between CVH and prediabetes and diabetes were analyzed using logistic regression, linear regression, restricted cubic splines, and subgroup analyses. Among 7,739 participants, 1,949 had iIFG, 1,165 were diagnosed with iIGT, 799 were IFG+IGT, and 537 were diagnosed with diabetes. After multivariable adjustments, CVH scores were inversely associated with prediabetes and diabetes, with the most robust inverse association observed between IFG+IGT and CVH across all prediabetes subgroups. Of all CVH components not directly in the causal pathway, body mass index (BMI) had the most robust associations with prediabetes and diabetes. Subgroup analyses indicated that the negative correlation between CVH and prediabetes was stronger among those with university or higher education. Conclusion: CVH, as defined by LE8, showed a significant negative association with prediabetes and diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: High-alkalinity water is a serious health hazard for fish and can cause oxidative stress and metabolic dysregulation in fish livers. However, the molecular mechanism of liver damage caused by high alkalinity in fish is unclear. Methods: In this study, 180 carp were randomly divided into a control (C) group and a high-alkalinity (A25) group and were cultured for 56 days. High-alkalinity-induced liver injury was analysed using histopathological, whole-transcriptome, and metabolomic analyses. Results: Many autophagic bodies and abundant mitochondrial membrane damage were observed in the A25 group. High alkalinity decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity and the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and increased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in liver tissues, causing oxidative stress in the liver. Transcriptome analysis revealed 61 differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) and 4008 differentially expressed mRNAs. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis revealed that mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), forkhead box O (FoxO), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and the autophagy signalling pathway were the molecular mechanisms involved. High alkalinity causes oxidative stress and autophagy and results in autophagic damage in the liver. Bioinformatic predictions indicated that Unc-51 Like Kinase 2 (ULK2) was a potential target gene for miR-140-5p, demonstrating that high alkalinity triggered autophagy through the miR-140-5p--ULK2 axis. Metabolomic analysis revealed that the concentrations of cortisol 21-sulfate and beta-aminopropionitrile were significantly increased, while those of creatine and uracil were significantly decreased. Discussion: The effects of high alkalinity on oxidative stress and autophagy injury in the liver were analysed using whole-transcriptome miRNA-mRNA networks and metabolomics approaches. Our study provides new insights into liver injury caused by highly alkaline water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Infectious keratitis, a significant contributor to blindness, with fungal keratitis accounting for nearly half of cases, poses a formidable diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to its delayed clinical presentation, prolonged culture times, and the limited availability of effective antifungal medications. Furthermore, infections caused by rare fungal strains warrant equal attention in the management of this condition. Case presentation A case of fungal keratitis was presented, where corneal scraping material culture yielded pink colonies. Lactophenol cotton blue staining revealed distinctive spore formation consistent with the Fusarium species. Further analysis using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) identified the causative agent as Fusarium proliferatum. However, definitive diagnosis of Pseudonectria foliicola infection was confirmed through ITS sequencing. The patient’s recovery was achieved with a combination therapy of voriconazole eye drops and itraconazole systemic treatment. Conclusion Pseudonectria foliicola is a plant pathogenic bacterium that has never been reported in human infections before. Therefore, ophthalmologists should consider Pseudonectria foliicola as a possible cause of fungal keratitis, as early identification and timely treatment can help improve vision in most eyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research delves into the transfer and loss of energy in a discrete mass when subjected to forced vibration. Using discrete element method (DEM), we analyzed the dynamic behavior of regular spherical granular assemblies and the energy distribution characteristics under different excitation frequencies and reduced accelerations. Moreover, the energy transfer and dissipation process of granular assemblies under different vibration states are studied using an experimental method. The results show that the granular assemblies will produce collision energy dissipation, thermal energy dissipation, acoustic energy dissipation and other forms of energy dissipation in the forced vibration state and the proportion of different energy dissipation under different excitation is given. The collision and friction of granular assemblies are the key to affecting other forms of energy dissipation. When the excitation increases, the energy dissipation forms are generated inside the granular assemblies, and the proportion of collision energy dissipation of the granular assemblies increases. The acoustic energy above 20 kHz occupies the main part of the acoustic energy dissipation. Thermal energy consumption always exists, which takes a long time to play a role. The granular also have other forms of energy loss, which is hard to be measured, including Rayleigh waves generated by granular collision. In this study, the relationship between the forced vibration state of the granular assemblies and the energy loss distribution is established. Various types of energy transfer and conversion distribution which further enriches the energy dissipation of discrete element calculation of the granular assemblies is discussed and provides a reference for the energy loss analysis of the granular assemblies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: The American Heart Association (AHA) recently introduced the Life's Essential 8 (LE8) to improve cardiovascular health (CVH). However, the association between LE8 and the risk of prediabetes or diabetes is not yet fully understood. Consequently, this study aims to assess the association between CVH, as evaluated by LE8, and the risk of prediabetes and diabetes. Methods and Results: This cross-sectional study encompassed 7,739 participants aged =20 years from the 2007-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). The CVH of participants was evaluated using the LE8, combining four health behaviors and three health factors. Glucose metabolic status categories included normal glucose metabolism, prediabetes including isolated impaired fasting glucose, isolated impaired glucose tolerance, both IFG and IGT, and diabetes. The associations between CVH and prediabetes and diabetes were analyzed using logistic regression, linear regression, restricted cubic splines, and subgroup analyses. Among 7,739 participants, 1,949 had iIFG, 1,165 were diagnosed with iIGT, 799 were IFG+IGT, and 537 were diagnosed with diabetes. After multivariable adjustments, CVH scores were inversely associated with prediabetes and diabetes, with the most robust inverse association observed between IFG+IGT and CVH across all prediabetes subgroups. Of all CVH components not directly in the causal pathway, body mass index (BMI) had the most robust associations with prediabetes and diabetes. Subgroup analyses indicated that the negative correlation between CVH and prediabetes was stronger among those with university or higher education. Conclusion: CVH, as defined by LE8, showed a significant negative association with prediabetes and diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The negative effects of obesity and excess body fat on bone mineral density (BMD) have been widely reported. As opposed to waist circumference (WC) or body mass index (BMI), weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) is a superior method for assessing obesity. WWI also indicates centripetal obesity independently of the weight of the individual. An investigation of WWI and adolescents' BMD was conducted in this study. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2018 provided the data for this cross-sectional investigation. In this study, weighted multivariate logit models were employed to assess the correlation between teenage BMD and WWI. Additionally, we conducted interaction tests and subgroup analysis. Through multivariate linear regression, we discovered that WWI was negatively linked with lumbar, trunk, and total BMD but not pelvis BMD in this study, which included 6828 subjects. We found that each unit increase in WWI resulted in a lumbar BMD decline of 0.04 g/cm2 (95%CI −0.04, −0.04), a trunk BMD decrease of 0.03 g/cm2 (95%CI −0.03, −0.02), and a total BMD decrease of 0.02 g/cm2 (95%CI −0.02, −0.02). In conclusion, in US teenagers, there were negative connections discovered between WWI and lumbar, trunk, and total BMD, but not pelvis BMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a well-established psychiatric complication following stroke. Nevertheless, the relationship between earlyonset PSD and homocysteine (Hcy) or fibrinogen remains uncertain. Methods: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients who met the established criteria were enrolled in this study. Early-onset PSD was diagnosed two weeks after the stroke. The severity of depressive symptoms was assessed by the Hamilton Depression Scale-17 items (HAMD-17), with patients scored =7 assigned to the early-onset PSD group. Spearman rank correlation analysis was employed to evaluate the associations between Hcy, fibrinogen, and HAMD scores across all patients. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the relationship between Hcy, fibrinogen, and early-onset PSD. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was ASSDalso performed to detect the predictive ability of Hcy and fibrinogen for early-onset PSD. Results: Among the 380 recruited patients, a total of 106 (27.89%) patients were diagnosed with early-onset PSD. The univariate analysis suggested that patients in the PSD group had a higher admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, modified Rankin Scale score (mRS), Hcy, and fibrinogen levels than patients in the non-PSD group (P<0.05). The logistic regression model indicated that Hcy (odds ratio [OR], 1.344; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.209-1.494, P<0.001) and fibrinogen (OR, 1.57 6; 95% CI 1.302-1.985, P<0.001) were independently related to early-onset PSD. Area under curve (AUC) of Hcy, fibrinogen, and Hcy combined fibrinogen to predict early-onset PSD was 0.754, 0.698, and 0.803, respectively. Conclusion: This study indicates that Hcy and fibrinogen may be independent risk factors for early-onset PSD and can be used as predictive indicators for earlyonset PSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern small satellite development represents a new trend, a new design idea, and it can be used as a transmitter to assist helicopter monitoring. The imaging model of the arc array bistatic SAR with a small satellite transmitter is studied. Due to the long resident time of small satellite platform and the wide-area observation capability of arc antenna, it has a wide application prospect in the field of earth detection and remote sensing. However, the motion state of the small satellite and the special scanning mode of the arc antenna have some effects on the SAR imaging results. Therefore, the imaging geometry of the arc array bistatic SAR with a small satellite transmitter is established, and an improved Chirp Scaling imaging algorithm is proposed. Firstly, the motion compensation function is used to compensate the migration caused by the high-speed motion of the small satellite. Then, the two-dimensional spectrum is derived by using standing phase principle and scaling function. Next, the coupling between range and azimuth is compensated by consistent range migration correction and secondary range compression, and residual phase is compensated in azimuth frequency domain. Finally, simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

T-shaped mortise and tenon members are the main structure of traditional Chinese furniture. In this paper, the double-dovetail joint used for face-toface joint of rubber wood (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg) is transformed into a new type of double-dovetail joint and rounded double-dovetail joint for T-shaped members of point joint structure. The ultimate pull-out test and bending strength test were carried out on the two structures and three structures of oval mortise, round rod mortise and right angle mortise. The results show that the ultimate pull-out force of the round double-dovetail joint is 39% higher than that of the double-dovetail joint, and the bending resistance capacity is 8.9% higher, and the strength and stability are better than those of other split mortises and tenons, which proves that this structure can be used in actual production, and also proves that the mortise and tenon connected by the surface has the possibility of transforming into a point connection structure. The concave structure of the rounded double-dovetail joint makes the mortise and tenon fit well, the tenon squeezed tight, and a good bonding effect was achieved. This structure can also provide greater friction and resistance, delay rubber adhesive failure and improve the stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent arrhythmia worldwide. Although the guidelines for AF have been updated in recent years, its gradual onset and associated risk of stroke pose challenges for both patients and cardiologists in real-world practice. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a powerful tool in image analysis, data processing, and for establishing models. It has been widely applied in various medical fields, including AF. In this review, we focus on the progress and knowledge gap regarding the use of AI in AF patients and highlight its potential throughout the entire cycle of AF management, from detection to drug treatment. More evidence is needed to demonstrate its ability to improve prognosis through high-quality randomized controlled trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of pressure on the microstructure and properties of Ti–Al coating on titanium alloy surface is studied. Ti–Al coating is prepared on the surface of titanium alloy by pressure-assisted high-temperature thermal diffusion. The manufacturing method is simple and easy to operate. The microstructure and element distribution of the coating are analyzed under different processes, and the composition of the coating is tested. The test results show that the substrate alloy and the coating alloy are not connected when the coating is diffused at 650 °C. The coating diffused at 750 °C without pressure is mostly connected to the substrate, but there are microscopic gaps in some areas. The main components of the coating diffused at 750 °C under 80 Pa pressure are TiAl, Ti3Al, and other intermetallic compounds. The boundary between the substrate and the coating is flat, and there is no obvious micro gap, so the metallurgical connection is fundamentally realized. In addition, the maximum hardness can reach 334.9HV0.2. The thickness of the coating diffused at 750 °C under 160 Pa pressure was greatly reduced, showing a gradient form. The surface quality of the outer coating is poor, the structure density of the binding layer is also poor, and there are no obvious penetrating cracks. The bonding between the coating and the substrate is effectively enhanced by an auxiliary action under certain pressure, and then the microstructure and properties of the coating are improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

English teachers’ post-pandemic motivational experiences within Macau’s hybrid postcolonial context have not been extensively investigated, although teacher motivation is crucial to the quality of education and student outcomes. This qualitative study aimed to address this gap by interviewing 13 English teachers across Macau universities about their motivations. Semi-structured interviews were iteratively coded to identify key themes. The results indicated that intrinsic motivations included a passion for teaching and helping students, as well as an altruistic desire to contribute. Positive relationships between students and teachers motivated participants, while disengaged student behavior, a lack of participation in policies, unclear roles, and unbalanced workloads demotivated them. University culture, curriculum, and governance were viewed as a means of providing purpose and empowerment through social responsibility. The motivational sustainability process included recommendations regarding reducing teaching hours, improving teacher governance, improving research support, and clarifying faculty responsibilities as part of the motivational sustainability process. While the results were limited to an exploratory study, they provided insight into how to align practices with the intrinsic aspirations of Macau’s university English teachers to re-engage them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to investigate the species composition of a small mammal community and the prevalence of Echinococcus spp. in a typical endemic area of the Tibetan Plateau. One pika and five rodent species were identified based on the morphological characteristics of 1278 small mammal specimens collected during 2014–2019. Detection of Echinococcus DNA in tissue samples from small mammal specimens revealed that Ochotona curzoniae (pika, total prevalence: 6.02%, 26/432), Neodon fuscus (5.91%, 38/643), N. leucurus (2.50%, 3/120), and Alexandromys limnophilus (21.74%, 10/46) were infected by both E. multilocularis and E. shiquicus; Cricetulus longicaudatus (16.67%, 1/6) was infected by E. shiquicus; and no infection was detected in N. irene (0/15). Neodon fuscus and O. curzoniae were the two most abundant small mammal species. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of pika and the overall rodent species assemblage (6.26%, 53/846); however, the larger rodent populations suggested that more attention should be paid to their role in the transmission of echinococcosis in the wildlife reservoir, which has long been underestimated. Moreover, although DNA barcoding provides a more efficient method than traditional morphological methods for identifying large numbers of small mammal samples, commonly used barcodes failed to distinguish the three Neodon species in this study. The close genetic relationships between these species suggest the need to develop more powerful molecular taxonomic tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyrene boxes, self‐assembled from 1,3,5,8‐pyrene‐tetrasulfonate anions, PTS4− and Guanidinium G+, amino‐guanidinium AG+ and hydrated alkali counter cations have been used for the encapsulation of 1,ω‐amino‐acids of variable lengths. The NMR spectroscopy illustrates that these systems are stable in aqueous solution and encapsulation process involves dynamic or fixed guest molecules within Pyrene box, depending of the nature of the counter‐cations. The amide bond coupling between the amino‐guanidinium AG+ and encapsulated 1,ω‐amino‐acid guests occur in water in the absence of coupling catalysts. The variable co‐encapsulation of the guests via multivalent stabilizing interactions shed light that chemical selection can be obtained from mixtures of 1,ω‐amino‐acids. Our study involving a comprehensive screening of 18 co‐crystal structures help to understand the in‐situ fixation of 1,ω‐amino‐acid guests and their accurate determination of unconventional structures under confinement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomaterials with dual functions of osteoimmunomodulation and bone repair are very promising in the field of orthopedic materials. For this purpose, we prepared copper-based carbon dots (CuCDs) and doped them into oxychondroitin sulfate/poly-acrylamide hydrogel (OPAM) to obtain a hybrid hydrogel (CuCDs/OPAM). We evaluated its osteoimmunomodulatory and bone repair properties in vitro and in vivo. The obtained CuCDs/OPAM exhibited good rBMSCs-cytocompatibility and anti-inflammatory properties in vitro. It also could effectively promote rBMSCs differentiation and the expression of osteogenic differentiation factors from rBMSCs under an inflammatory environment. Moreover, CuCDs/OPAM could induce macrophage phenotype switching (from M1-type macrophages to M2-type macrophages) in vivo, which is beneficial for anti-inflammatory action and presents good osteoimmunomodulation capability to induce a bone immune microenvironment to promote the differentiation of rBMSCs. In conclusion, CuCDs/OPAM hydrogel has dual functions of osteoimmunomodulatory and bone repair and is a promising bone filling and repair material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Although there has been abundant evidence of the association between dyslipidemia as a single factor and osteoporosis, the non-linear relationship between osteoporosis and the Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) has not yet been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to investigate the complex relationship between AIP and bone mineral density (BMD) to elucidate their interrelationship. Methods: An analysis of 2007–2018 National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) data was conducted for this study. The study enrolled 5,019 participants. Logarithmically multiplying triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol yields the AIP (base 10). The measured variables consisted of BMD in the total femur (TF), femoral neck (FN), and lumbar spine (LS). The association between AIP and BMD was examined using a range of statistical models, such as weighted multivariable logistic regression, generalized additive model, etc. Results: It was found that AIP was positively associated with BMD after adjusting for age, gender, race, socioeconomic status, degree of education, income, Consuming alcoholic beverages, osteoporosis status (Yes or No), ALT, AST, serum creatinine, and total calcium levels. Further studies supported the association link between elevated BMD and AIP. Furthermore, compared to men, females had a higher positive connection between AIP and BMD. In general, there was a curve in the reverse L-shape seen, with a point of change around 0.877, indicating a relationship between AIP and TF BMD. Moreover, a curve exhibiting an L-formed pattern, with a point of inflection at around 0.702, was seen between AIP and FN BMD. In addition, a J-shaped curve was seen, with a point of inflection at 0.092, which demonstrates the association between AIP and LS BMD. Conclusion: The AIP and TF BMD curves resemble inverted L shapes, as do the AIP and FN BMD curves. The relationship between AIP and LS BMD was further demonstrated by a J-shaped curve. The results indicate a possible association between AIP and bone mineral density, which should be explored in more detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ganoderic acids (GAs) are major functional components of Ganoderma lucidum. The study aimed to breed a new G. lucidum strain with increased contents of individual GAs. Two mating-compatible monokaryotic strains, G. 260125 and G. 260124, were successfully isolated from the dikaryotic G. lucidum CGMCC 5.0026 via protoplast formation and regeneration. The Vitreoscilla hemoglobin gene (vgb) and squalene synthase gene (sqs) were overexpressed in the monokaryotic G. 260124 and G. 260125 strain, respectively. Mating between the G. 260124 strain overexpressing vgb and the G. 260125 strain overexpressing sqs resulted in the formation of the new hybrid dikaryotic G. lucidum strain sqs-vgb. The maximum contents of ganoderic acid (GA)-T, GA-Me, and GA-P in the fruiting body of the mated sqs-vgb strain were 23.1, 15.3, and 39.8 µg/g dry weight (DW), respectively, 2.23-, 1.75-, and 2.69-fold greater than those in G. lucidum 5.0026. The squalene and lanosterol contents increased 2.35- and 1.75-fold, respectively, in the fruiting body of the mated sqs-vgb strain compared with those in the G. lucidum 5.0026. In addition, the maximum expression levels of the sqs and lanosterol synthase gene (ls) were increased 3.23- and 2.13-fold, respectively, in the mated sqs-vgb strain. In summary, we developed a new G. lucidum strain with higher contents of individual GAs in the fruiting body by integrating genetic engineering and mono-mono crossing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crystalline sponges have made “crystallography without crystals” possible and have currently receive much attention, but it is difficult to apply them directly because of the tedious activation procedures. Therefore, it is important to prepare crystalline sponges that are highly stable and easy to operate. In this work, a new carbazole metal organic framework (CMOF) was synthesized and characterized via NMR, MS and X-ray diffraction analyses. The CMOF could directly capture liquids G1–G3, solids G4 and G5 in a THF solution, a mixture of G2 and G5, and monomers and mixed enantiomeric molecules G6–G9 without the need for activation. Furthermore, the CMOF could be used to identify the products from phytochemical isolation [cinnamaldehyde (G10)], organic synthesis [benzyl 2-hydroxybenzoate (G11)] and biosynthesis [veratryl alcohol (G12)] and monitor chemical reactions [acetylation of 4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol (G13) to 4-allyl-2-methoxyphenyl acetate (G14)]. The guests bound to the CMOF via five different modes (I–V). Thus, this work reports a new crystalline sponge that does not require activation and, most surprisingly, can capture guest molecules within one minute. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reactor coolant pump (RCP) rotor seizure accident is defined as a short-time seizure of the RCP rotor. This event typically leads to an abrupt flow decrease in the corresponding loop and an ensuing reactor and turbine trip. The significant reduction of core coolant flow while the reactor is being operated at full load can have very negative consequences. This potentially dangerous event is typically characterized by a complex transient behavior in terms of flow conditions and energy transformation, which need to be analyzed and understood. This study constructed transient flow and rotational speed mathematical models under various degrees of rotor seizure using the test data collected from a dedicated transient rotor seizure test system. Then, bidirectional fluid-solid coupling simulations were conducted to investigate the flow evolution mechanism. It is found that the influence of the impeller structure size and transient braking acceleration on the unsteady head (Hu) is dominant in rotor seizure accident events. Moreover, the present results also show that the rotational acceleration additional head (Hu1) is much higher than the instantaneous head (Hu2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]