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Objective: To investigate whether the combination of chemotherapy with staged Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) therapy could enhance health-related quality of life (QoL) in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and prolong the time before deterioration of lung cancer symptoms, in comparison to chemotherapy alone. Methods: A prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial was conducted from December 14, 2017 to August 28, 2020. A total of 180 patients with stage I B–IIIA NSCLC from 5 hospitals in Shanghai were randomly divided into chemotherapy combined with CHM (chemo+CHM) group (120 cases) or chemotherapy combined with placebo (chemo+placebo) group (60 cases) using stratified blocking randomization. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality-of-Life-Core 30 Scale (QLQ-C30) was used to evaluate the patient-reported outcomes (PROs) during postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with early-stage NSCLC. Adverse events (AEs) were assessed in the safety analysis. Results: Out of the total 180 patients, 173 patients (116 in the chemo+CHM group and 57 in the chemo+placebo group) were included in the PRO analyses. The initial mean QLQ-C30 Global Health Status (GHS)/QoL scores at baseline were 57.16 ± 1.64 and 57.67 ± 2.25 for the two respective groups (P>0.05). Compared with baseline, the chemo+CHM group had an improvement in EORTC QLQ-C30 GHS/QoL score at week 18 [least squares mean (LSM) change 17.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 14.29 to 21.38]. Conversely, the chemo+placebo group had a decrease in the score (LSM change −13.67, 95% CI −22.70 to −4.63). A significant between-group difference in the LSM GHS/QoL score was observed, amounting to 31.63 points (95% CI 25.61 to 37.64, P<0.001). The similar trends were observed in physical functioning, fatigue and appetite loss. At week 18, patients in the chemo+CHM group had a higher proportion of improvement or stabilization in GHS/QoL functional and symptom scores compared to chemo+placebo group (P<0.001). The median time to deterioration was longer in the chemo+CHM group for GHS/QoL score [hazard ratio (HR)=0.33, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.48, P<0.0010], physical functioning (HR=0.43, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.75, P=0.0005), fatigue (HR=0.47, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.72, P<0.0001) and appetite loss (HR=0.65, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.00, P=0.0215). The incidence of AEs was lower in the chemo+CHM group than in the chemo+placebo group (9.83% vs. 15.79%, P=0.52). Conclusion: The staged CHM therapy could help improve the PROs of postoperative patients with early-stage NSCLC during adjuvant chemotherapy, which is worthy of further clinical research. (Registry No. NCT03372694) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Desiccation cracks in soil cause undesirable impacts on soil properties. Increasing extreme heat and drought events may lead to more severe soil salinization and desiccation cracking. However, the discrepancies and intrinsic mechanisms of the cracking behaviors of different fine-grained soils affected by pore-fluid salinity are unclear. This study investigates the pore-fluid salinity effect on cracking characteristics of different fine-grained soils. Desiccation crack tests with a wide range of salt concentrations are conducted for three fine-grained soils with different sensitivity to pore-fluid chemistry. Liquid limit tests and scanning electron microscopy analyses are carried out to investigate the effect of particle-fluid interactions and microstructure changes on cracking. The degree of cracking is the largest in bentonite and varies greatly with the change of pore-fluid salinity. Cracking in kaolin is less affected by pore fluids, showing a slight decrease at large NaCl concentrations. The degree of cracking is the lowest in silt and shows no clear trend with the change of pore-fluid salinity. Detailed quantitative characteristics of crack patterns are compared. Liquid limit tests and scanning electron microscopy analyses reveal different electrical sensitivity of the three soils to pore fluid influenced by particle-fluid interactions and changes in microstructure. Crack parameters exhibit a larger variation for bentonite with high electrical sensitivity and are relatively stable for soils with low electrical sensitivity. The correlation between the electrical sensitivity and the crack parameters is relevant to the evaluation and control of desiccation crack in fine-grained soils with various pore-fluid salinities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rocks often have a rate effect on mechanical behaviors and exhibit a negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) effect after being thermally damaged. However, to date, their combined role in mechanical behaviors has not been clarified. This study micromechanically explores the rate and NPR effects on the compressive behaviors of thermal-damaged rocks using the compression-hardening grain-based model (CHGBM) implemented by the Universal Discrete Element Code (UDEC). The original, moderately, and highly thermal-damaged Suizhou granite samples were subjected to unconfined compression tests for calibrating UDEC-CHGBM. With developing thermal damage from the original state, the rock sample decreases in the peak stress and modulus, exhibiting a transition of pre-peak stress-stain relation from the approximately linear to nonlinear, and a transition of Poisson's ratio from the positive (lateral extension) to negative (lateral contraction). Our UDEC-CHGBM reproduced these experimental phenomena with reasonable accuracy. With increasing strain rates, the peak stress and modulus increase in a power law manner. The dynamic increase factors of the peak stress and modulus also increase with enhancing thermal-damaged degrees. Due to the thermal damage, the grain contact increased in the maximum allowable closure, thus enhancing compression-hardening capacity and nonlinear characteristics, resulting in a promotion of the rate effect. Lateral contraction deformation can reduce the proportion and magnitude of the tensile stress within the sample, and inhibit intergranular microcracking. The NPR effect depends on both the degree of thermal damage and strain rate. We shed light on the synergistic effects of the rate and NPR on macro- to micromechanical behaviors of thermal-damaged rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil autotoxic chemosensory substances have emerged as the predominant environmental factors constraining the growth, quality, and yield of Codonopsis pilosula in recent years. Among a vast array of chemosensory substances, benzoic acid constitutes the principal chemosensory substance in the successive cultivation of C. pilosula. However, the exploration regarding the stress exerted by benzoic acid on the growth and development of C. pilosula remains indistinct, and there is a scarcity of research on the mechanism of lobetyolin synthesis in C. pilosula. In the current research, it was discovered that exposure to benzoic acid at a concentration of 200 mmol/L conspicuously attenuated the plant height, root length, total length, fresh weight, root weight, root thickness, chlorophyll content, electrolyte osmolality, leaf intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), net photosynthesis rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), and leaf stomatal conductance (Gs) of C. pilosula. Benzoic acid (200 mmol/L) significantly enhanced the activity of root enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and peroxidase (POD), as well as the accumulation of polysaccharides and lobetyolins (polyacetylene glycosides) in the roots of C. pilosula. In this study, 58,563 genes were assembled, and 7946 differentially expressed genes were discovered, including 4068 upregulated genes and 3878 downregulated genes. The outcomes of the histological examination demonstrated that benzoic acid stress augmented the upregulation of genes encoding key enzymes implicated in the citric acid cycle, fatty acid metabolism, as well as starch and sucrose metabolic pathways. The results of this investigation indicated that a moderate amount of benzoic acid could enhance the content of lobetyolin in C. pilosula and upregulate the expression of key coding genes within the signaling cascade to improve the resilience of C. pilosula lobetyolin against benzoic acid stress; this furnished a novel perspective for the study of C. pilosula lobetyolin as a potential substance for alleviating benzoic acid-induced stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several studies have reported that combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) enhances the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance rate in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1/Hepatitis B Virus (HIV/HBV) coinfected patients, yet the associated immunological characteristics remain unclear. Methods: Global and specific immune phenotypic profiles were examined in 48 patients with HIV/HBV coinfection before cART and at 1-year, and 3-year after cART using flow cytometry. In addition, 61 patients with HBV monoinfection were included for comparison. Results: HBsAg response (sAg-R) was defined as > 0.5 log decrease within six months of cART initiation, and 16 patients achieved it. Patients with sAg-R (the sAg-R group) exhibited distinct immune phenotypes compared to those of HBsAg-retained patients (the sAg-NR group). Notably, patients with sAg-R had lower CD4+ T cell counts and a higher number of HBcAg-specific T cells. Further, the sAg-R group exhibited upregulation of HLA-DR, Ki67, and PD-1 in CD4+ T cells and heightened HLA-DR and T-bet in CD8+ T cells. However, the sAg-R group had fewer TEMRA cells but more TEM and Th17 cells than those in the sAg-NR group. Expression of various markers, including HLA-DR+CD4+, Ki67+CD4+, PD-1+CD4+, CD38+CD8+, HLA-DR+CD8+, TIM-3+CD8+, HBV-specific CD4+ T cell secreting IFN-γ and IL-2, and specific CD8+ T cell secreting IFN-γ and IL-2, correlated with HBsAg decrease. Conclusion: The decline in HBsAg levels during cART in HIV/HBV coinfection involves significant alterations in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells phenotypes, offering a novel perspective on a functional HBV cure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of organic compounds that are both toxic and hazardous to human health and ecological systems. In recent work, a novel analytical strategy based on the chemometric-assisted HPLC-DAD method was proposed for the quantification and source apportionment of eight PAHs in PM10 samples. Compared to traditional chromatographic methods, this approach does not require the purification of complex PM10 samples. Instead, it utilizes a mathematical separation method to extract analytes' profiles from overlapping chromatographic peaks, enabling precise quantification of PAHs in PM10. Firstly, 40 PM10 samples collected in Loudi city during two sampling periods were used for analysis. Subsequently, the second-order calibration method based on alternating trilinear decomposition (ATLD) was employed to handle the three-way HPLC-DAD data. Finally, the pollution sources of PAHs were analyzed by the feature component analysis method according to the obtained relative concentration matrix. For the validation model, the average recoveries of eight PAHs were between (88.8 ± 7.6)% and (105.6 ± 7.5)%, and the root-mean-square errors of prediction ranged from 0.03 μg mL−1 to 0.47 μg mL−1. The obtained limits of quantification for eight PAHs were in the range of 0.0050 μg mL−1 to 0.079 μg mL−1. For actual PM10 samples, results of the feature component analysis indicated that the main source of PAHs in PM10 may be traffic emissions and coal combustion. In summary, the proposed method provided a new and rapid analysis method for the accurate determination and source apportionment of PAHs in atmospheric aerosols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wax apple (Syzygium samarangense) is a characteristic tropical fruit with great potential value, but the cold sensitivity and male sterility limit its cultivation and breeding. Despite the important role in JA-mediated cold-stress resistance and flower development, jasmonate ZIM-domain (JAZ) proteins have not been identified in wax apple. This study employed sequence blast, phylogenetic analysis, and RT-PCR to identify SsJAZs in wax apple systematically. First, 14 SsJAZs family members with TIFY and Jas domains were identified and named according to the distribution on ten chromosomes. Low-temperature responsiveness elements and TGACG-motif (response to MeJA) were abundant in the promoters of most SsJAZs. The transcription factors ERF and MYB were predicted to be involved in the regulation of SsJAZs. RT-PCR analyses showed that SsJAZs were mainly expressed in mature leaves and flowers. Further analysis revealed differences in the expression patterns of SsJAZs under cold treatment, as well as in different anther stages. SsJAZ proteins were predicted to interact with the N terminus of SsMYC2 protein via the Jas motif at the C-terminal domain. This study characterized the SsJAZs family members and examined the expression patterns in different samples. The results will advance our understanding of the role of SsJAZs in wax apple. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To investigate the screening value of a small‐molecule probe to assess the methylation of PAX1 in cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: The diagnostic threshold of the grayscale values for cervical lesions was assessed by plotting the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve of subjects. Grayscale values were significantly different among the four groups (p < 0.05). Compared with the LSIL and cervicitis groups, a considerably higher grayscale value was found in the CA and high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) groups (both p < 0.05). Results: The differential ROC curves of the grayscale values showed that the diagnostic Area Under Curve of the probe for cervicitis and low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) was 0.8724 (95% CI = 0.7762–0.9685, p < 0.0001), for cervicitis and CA was 1.0000 (p < 0.0001), for the LSIL and HSIL was 0.5484 (95% CI = 0.3826–0.7142, p = 0.5755), and for the LSIL and CA was 0.7724 (95% CI = 0.6016–0.9432, p = 0.0138). Conclusion: The small molecular probe has certain application value in differentiating the type of cervical lesions and has better efficacy in distinguishing cervical inflammatory and precancerous lesions from carcinogenesis, but less efficacy in determining the type of precancerous lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concordance rate between conization and colposcopy‐directed biopsy (CDB) proven cervical high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) were 64−85%. We aimed to identify the risk factors associated with pathological upgrading or downgrading after conization in patients with cervical HSIL and to provide risk‐stratified management based on a machine learning predictive model. This retrospective study included patients who visited the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University from January 1 to December 31, 2019, were diagnosed with cervical HSIL by CDB, and subsequently underwent conization. A wide variety of data were collected from the medical records, including demographic data, laboratory findings, colposcopy descriptions, and pathological results. The patients were categorized into three groups according to their postconization pathological results: low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) or below (downgrading group), HSIL (HSIL group), and cervical cancer (upgrading group). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the independent risk factors for pathological changes in patients with cervical HSIL. Machine learning prediction models were established, evaluated, and subsequently verified using external testing data. In total, 1585 patients were included, of whom 65 (4.1%) were upgraded to cervical cancer after conization, 1147 (72.4%) remained having HSIL, and 373 (23.5%) were downgraded to LSIL or below. Multivariate analysis showed a 2% decrease in the incidence of pathological downgrade for each additional year of age and a 1% increase in lesion size. Patients with cytology > LSIL (odds ratio [OR] = 0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.21–0.52), human papillomavirus (HPV) infection (OR = 0.33; 95% CI, 0.14–0.81), HPV 33 infection (OR = 0.37; 95% CI, 0.18–0.78), coarse punctate vessels on colposcopy examination (OR = 0.14; 95% CI, 0.06–0.32), HSIL lesions in the endocervical canal (OR = 0.48; 95% CI, 0.30–0.76), and HSIL impression (OR = 0.02; 95% CI, 0.01–0.03) were less likely to experience pathological downgrading after conization than their counterparts. The independent risk factors for pathological upgrading to cervical cancer after conization included the following: age (OR = 1.08; 95% CI, 1.04–1.12), HPV 16 infection (OR = 4.07; 95% CI, 1.70–9.78), the presence of coarse punctate vessels during colposcopy examination (OR = 2.21; 95% CI, 1.08–4.50), atypical vessels (OR = 6.87; 95% CI, 2.81–16.83), and HSIL lesions in the endocervical canal (OR = 2.91; 95% CI, 1.46–5.77). Among the six machine learning prediction models, the back propagation (BP) neural network model demonstrated the highest and most uniform predictive performance in the downgrading, HSIL, and upgrading groups, with areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.90, 0.84, and 0.69; sensitivities of 0.74, 0.84, and 0.42; specificities of 0.90, 0.71, and 0.95; and accuracies of 0.74, 0.84, and 0.95, respectively. In the external testing set, the BP neural network model showed a higher predictive performance than the logistic regression model, with an overall AUC of 0.91. Therefore, a web‐based prediction tool was developed in this study. BP neural network prediction model has excellent predictive performance and can be used for the risk stratification of patients with CDB‐diagnosed HSIL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute liver failure (ALF) is an acute liver disease with a high mortality rate in clinical practice, characterized histologically by extensive hepatocellular necrosis and massive neutrophil infiltration. However, the role of these abnormally infiltrating neutrophils during ALF development is unclear. Here, in an ALF mouse model, metabolites were identified that promote the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in the liver, subsequently influencing macrophage differentiation and disease progression. ALF occurs with abnormalities in hepatic and intestinal metabolites. Abnormal metabolites (LTD4 and glutathione) can directly, or indirectly via reactive oxygen species, promote NET formation of infiltrating neutrophils, which subsequently regulate macrophages in a pro‐inflammatory M1‐like state, inducing an amplification of the destructive effects of inflammation. Together, this study provides new insights into the role of NETs in the pathogenesis of ALF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aided by big-data technology and artificial intelligence, automated writing evaluation (AWE) systems aim to help students engage in self-regulated learning and improve their academic writing in the digital era. While much research on student engagement with AWE systems has been conducted in mainstream classrooms, little attention has been paid to ethnic minority students who have different educational experiences and sociocultural backgrounds. This study investigates how a group of ethnic minority students from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region engaged with an AWE system in academic writing during an 18-week semester at a comprehensive Chinese university. Data were collected from multiple sources including student multiple-draft assignments, AWE feedback, and retrospective interviews with the students. The participants were found to engage with the AWE system behaviourally, cognitively, and affectively in their writing and revision, but the extent to which they engaged in the process is influenced by their multilingual proficiency, familiarity with digital technologies, learning beliefs and sociocultural identities. Those who were more actively engaged and obtained more learning gains tended to capitalise on their linguistic and cultural capital in their engagement with AWE feedback in their writing. The article concludes with educational implications for ethnic minority students in higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate whether bergapten (BG), a furanocoumarin phytohormone, holds promise for Crohn's disease (CD)-like colitis treatment and to preliminarily explore its potential mechanisms. 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzenesufonic acid (TNBS)-treated mice were applied to establish an in vivo research model, and BG was administered with different concentrations. The status of mice in each group was evaluated by disease activity index (DAI), and the severity was evaluated by pathological sections. The intestinal barrier was assessed by measuring in vivo intestinal permeability, peripheral blood intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) levels, epithelial resistance values, and tight junction protein levels. Markers were then used to assess Th17/Treg levels, mitophagy, and the peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR)γ/ nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. BG significantly reduced colon tissue damage in a concentration-dependent manner. DAI scores showed that the loose feces, occult blood, and weight loss of mice in the BG treatment were significantly reduced, and pathological section results revealed reduced inflammatory infiltration and fibrosis. Reduced serum FITC-dextran and I-FABP and increased levels of epithelial resistance and tight junction proteins support that the intestinal barrier was protected upon BG. The proportion of Th17 in mesenteric lymph nodes increased while Treg decreased in the model group. BG treatment effectively reduced the conversion of Treg to Th17. Additionally, BG was found to enhance mitophagy and activate the PPARγ/NF-κB signaling. BG demonstrates promising effects in ameliorating intestinal barrier damage and Th17/Treg imbalance in a murine model of CD-like colitis, while also promoting intracellular mitophagy. The PPARγ/NF-κB signaling pathway may serve as a key mediator of BG's regulatory mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the effects of dyadic intervention on anxiety, depression, care burden and quality of life in informal caregivers of palliative patients with lung cancer. Background: Informal caregivers of palliative lung cancer patients bear a large number of negative emotions during the process of caring for the patients. Dyadic intervention has the potential for improving them but the overall effect is unclear. Design: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Data sources All randomized controlled trials were retrieved from the following databases until 4 May 2023: Web of Science, Embase Ovid, PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Randomized Controlled Trials, Weipu, Wanfang and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. Review methods: This review was performed by Stata 12.0 and Review Manager 5.3. Results: Thirteen randomized controlled trials were in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria (n = 1807). The results revealed that dyadic intervention significantly improved family caregivers' anxiety, depression and caregiver burden of palliative patients with lung cancer. There was no significant difference in quality of life between the dyadic intervention group and family caregivers who did not receive the dyadic intervention. Conclusions: Dyadic intervention positively impacts the experience of family caregivers of palliative patients with lung cancer. Summary statement: What is already known about the topic? Informal caregivers of palliative lung cancer patients bear a large number of negative emotions during the process of caring for the patients.The overall effect of dyadic intervention for informal caregivers of palliative patients with lung cancer is unclear on account of different results reported in existing studies. What this paper adds? Dyadic intervention could improve family caregivers' anxiety, depression and caregiver burden of palliative patients with lung cancer, even though it did not improve quality of life.Dyadic intervention positively impacts the experience of family caregivers of palliative patients with lung cancer. The implications of this paper: Medical personnel can provide personalized dyadic interventions based on the assessment of the palliative patient and their informal caregivers, such as providing illness understanding, symptom management and addressing psychosocial.Findings can be applied as a reference to help informal caregivers prevent potential emotional disturbance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

m‐Pyripentaphyrins(1.0.0.0.0) were synthesized by Suzuki‐Miyaura coupling of 3,5‐bis(5‐borylpyrrol‐2‐yl)‐BODIPY with 2,6‐dibromopyridine. Upon treatment with PhBCl2, pyripentaphyrin 1 provided mono‐ and bis‐BIII complexes sequentially. The Mono‐BIII complex shows a distorted tetrahedral coordinated BIII with a σ‐phenyl ligand on the BIII and the bis‐BIII complex shows an additional distorted tetrahedral coordinated BIII with a B−H bond. Bromination of the pyripentaphyrins with N‐bromosuccinimide (NBS) resulted in regioselective formation of 8‐bromopyripentaphyrins, which were dimerized to 8,8'‐linked dimers by reductive coupling with Ni(cod)2. While all these pyripentaphyrins are nonaromatic, they exhibit characteristic broad absorption bands at long wavelength near the NIR region, indicating the presence of effective macrocyclic conjugation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the properties of radiation cross‐linked collagen scaffold (RCS) and its efficacy for alveolar ridge preservation (ARP). RCS was prepared from collagen dispersion by electron beam irradiation and freeze‐drying. The microstructure, swelling ratio, area alteration and mechanical properties of RCS were characterized. Fifty‐four New Zealand rabbits performing incisor extraction on maxilla and mandible were randomly assigned into positive, sham operation or treatment groups. Micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) scans, performed after 1, 4, and 12 weeks of surgery, were to assess changes in ridge height at buccal and palatal side, in ridge width and in micromorphological parameters. Histological analysis accessed socket microarchitecture. The results showed that RCS had stable mechanical properties and morphologic features that provided a reliable physical support for ARP. Dimensional changes in treatment group revealed significantly greater vertical height at buccal (5.32 [3.37, 7.26] mm, p <.0001) and palatal (4.37 [2.66, 6.09] mm, p <.0001) side, and horizontal width at the maxilla (0.16 [0.04, 0.28] mm, p <.01) and mandible (0.33 [0.11, 0.54] mm, p <.01) than those in sham operation group after 12 weeks. The treatment group had advantage than positive group in vertical height preservation, quantitatively. The order and density of bone trabeculae were improved in treatment group. These findings indicated that RCS had the potential to serve as an effective scaffold for ARP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loess is the most well-known collapsible soil. The field immersion test is one of the effective means to assess the in situ self-weight collapsibility of soil. However, the reason why huge differences appeared in collapse settlements in different regions remains unclear, and which factors largely determine the amount of collapse deformation of loess during field immersion tests are worthy of being discussed. In this study, a numerical model for hydromechanical (HM) behaviors of loess was developed, in which the effects of the porosity on the water retention behavior and intrinsic permeability were incorporated. A field immersion test associated with the monitored collapse settlement, water retention curve measurements, and the variation of self-weight collapsibility with depth were used to testify to the effectiveness of the numerical model. The model was then adopted to clarify the effects of compression index, initial suction, and yield stress on the coupled HM or collapse settlement behavior of loess in field immersion tests. The aforementioned three parameters are relatively easy to be determined from various sites and have obvious differences. Then, a total of 126 numerical cases were conducted by the HM model, with the range of the collapse settlement from 0.334 m to 1.136, which covers the most range of the collapse settlement of the field immersion test systematically summarized by previous researchers. The result shows that yield stress and compression index have a significant influence on collapse settlement. The initial suction has a slight influence on collapse settlement, which mainly affects the velocity of water transport. The model herein can be used in the assessment of the in situ collapsibility of loess, and when the basic physical properties of a site are determined, the numerical simulation database of this study can preliminarily determine the site's collapsibility grade and amount of the collapsibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct X-ray detectors based on semiconductors have drawn great attention from researchers in the pursuing of higher imaging quality. However, many previous works focused on the optimization of detection performances but seldomly watch them in an overall view and analyze how they will influence the detective quantum efficiency (DQE) value. Here, we propose a numerical model which shows the quantitative relationship between DQE and the properties of X-ray detectors and electric circuits. Our results point out that pursuing high sensitivity only is meaningless. To reduce the medical X-ray dose by 80%, the requirement for X-ray sensitivity is only at a magnitude of 103 μCGy−1⋅cm−2. To achieve the DQE = 0.7 at X-ray sensitivity air from 1248 to 8171 μCGy−1air⋅cm−2, the requirements on dark current density ranges from 10 to 100 nA⋅cm−2 and the fluctuation of current density should fall in 0.21 to 1.37 nA⋅cm−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The therapeutic potential of oncolytic measles virotherapy has been demonstrated across various malignancies. However, the effectiveness against human breast cancer (BC) and the underlying mechanisms of the recombinant measles virus vaccine strain Hu191 (rMeV-Hu191) remain unclear. Methods: We utilized a range of methods, including cell viability assay, Western blot, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, SA-β-gal staining, reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR, transcriptome sequencing, BC xenograft mouse models, and immunohistochemistry to evaluate the antitumor efficacy of rMeV-Hu191 against BC and elucidate the underlying mechanism. Additionally, we employed transcriptomics and gene set enrichment analysis to analyze the lipid metabolism status of BC cells following rMeV-Hu191 infection. Results: Our study revealed the multifaceted antitumor effects of rMeV-Hu191 against BC. rMeV-Hu191 induced apoptosis, inhibited proliferation, and promoted senescence in BC cells. Furthermore, rMeV-Hu191 was associated with changes in oxidative stress and lipid homeostasis in infected BC cells. In vivo, studies using a BC xenograft mouse model confirmed a significant reduction in tumor growth following local injection of rMeV-Hu191. Conclusions: The findings highlight the potential of rMeV-Hu191 as a promising treatment for BC and provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying its oncolytic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to investigate the errors in structure volume and shape caused by the replication, expansion, and merging operations of the Monaco system and analyze their influence on dosimetry evaluation. Methods: A retrospective collection of 30 patients undergoing radiotherapy was utilized. Cylinders with radii of 5, 10, and 30 mm were delineated in computerized tomography (CT) images from 10 patients with thoracic and abdominal issues, and the Margins function in Monaco was used to expand the margins by 0, 3, 5, and 10 mm in 2D mode. In 10 patients with vertebral metastases, the Margins function was utilized to replicate and merge targets, and the Copy Structure function was employed to replicate targets. Cross-CT replication was performed for the targets of 10 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The deviation between the processed structure volume and the ideal value was compared. The difference in the maximum dose (Dmax) before and after lens replication was evaluated in 10 patients undergoing whole-brain radiotherapy. Results: Monaco's Margins function increased the volume of the processed structure during the copying procedure. The margin error was equivalent to expanding the structure by 0.3–0.4 mm, and a margin error of 0.3–0.4 mm was produced in each expansion instance. The volume deviation for a cylinder with a radius of 5 mm was 12.99%. The Merge function of Margins copied substructures and merged them. The Copy Structure function did not alter the structure during copying, but the volume was reduced by less than 1% after copying across CT. Dmax after lens replication was higher than that before replication, with a median difference of 31.3 cGy for the left lenses. Conclusion: Monaco's Margins function introduces errors in organ replication, expansion, and merging, resulting in incorrect dose assessment. Physicians should be mindful of the potential effects when utilizing them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

5,18‐Dimesitylorangarin and its BF2 complex were synthesized by double SNAr reaction of 3,5‐dibromo‐BODIPY with 2‐pyrrolydipyrrin as the first examples of meso‐aryl‐substituted orangarin. These orangarins, delineated as [20]pentaphyrin(1.0.1.0.0), are strongly antiaromatic but rather stable. The free base orangarin was coupled by oxidation with MnO2 to give a 11,11′‐linked dimer, a cyclooctatetraene(COT)‐centered trimer, and a spiro‐trimer. Fused COT‐centered 3H‐orangarin dimer was oxidized to the corresponding 2H‐orangarin dimer, which was further coupled to give a triply COT‐centered 2H‐orangarin tetramer. 3H‐Orangarin oligomers are all antiaromatic as evinced by extremely low‐field‐shifted 1H NMR signals of the inner NH and ill‐defined absorption spectra with broad tails. In contrast, COT‐centered 2H‐orangarin dimer and tetramer show moderately low‐field‐shifted NH signals and intense NIR absorbance over 900 nm, suggesting effective π‐conjugation through the COT bridge and almost non‐antiaromatic character. These orangarin oligomers exhibit many reversible redox potentials owing to the intramolecular electronic interactions. Regardless of the different aromatic characters, all the orangarin monomers and oligomers exhibit very rapid excited‐state decays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

5,18‐Dimesitylorangarin and its BF2 complex were synthesized by double SNAr reaction of 3,5‐dibromo‐BODIPY with 2‐pyrrolydipyrrin as the first examples of meso‐aryl‐substituted orangarin. These orangarins, delineated as [20]pentaphyrin(1.0.1.0.0), are strongly antiaromatic but rather stable. The free base orangarin was coupled by oxidation with MnO2 to give a 11,11′‐linked dimer, a cyclooctatetraene(COT)‐centered trimer, and a spiro‐trimer. Fused COT‐centered 3H‐orangarin dimer was oxidized to the corresponding 2H‐orangarin dimer, which was further coupled to give a triply COT‐centered 2H‐orangarin tetramer. 3H‐Orangarin oligomers are all antiaromatic as evinced by extremely low‐field‐shifted 1H NMR signals of the inner NH and ill‐defined absorption spectra with broad tails. In contrast, COT‐centered 2H‐orangarin dimer and tetramer show moderately low‐field‐shifted NH signals and intense NIR absorbance over 900 nm, suggesting effective π‐conjugation through the COT bridge and almost non‐antiaromatic character. These orangarin oligomers exhibit many reversible redox potentials owing to the intramolecular electronic interactions. Regardless of the different aromatic characters, all the orangarin monomers and oligomers exhibit very rapid excited‐state decays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been considered a harmless yeast, but in recent years, increasing evidence has shown that it can cause disease in humans, especially invasive infections in infants/children and vulvovaginal infections in women. This study aimed to investigate the clinical information and antifungal susceptibility of clinical cases with S. cerevisiae and establish a foundation for the prevention and treatment of fungal infections. Methods: This study was conducted from May 2018 to May 2023 at a national regional medical center in Southwest China for women and children. The demographic and clinical characteristics of patients isolated with S. cerevisiae were collected and analyzed. All the isolates were cultured on Sabouraud medium plates and identified by MALDI-TOF MS. The antifungal susceptibility of S. cerevisiae to 10 agents (amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, micafungin, caspofungin, terbinafine and 5-flucytosine) was determined via the microdilution broth method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Results: A total of 75 cases of S. cerevisiae isolated from patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC, 44 cases), pneumonia (13 cases), or diarrhea (18 cases) were included after data review. The MICs of voriconazole and flucytosine for S. cerevisiae isolated from different body sites differed, with higher resistance in intestinal isolates. In this study, S. cerevisiae caused VVC, but there was no clear evidence that it was involved in pneumonia or diarrhea. Compared with those of Candida albicans, the primary pathogen of VVC, the MICs of fluconazole (11.96 ± 5.78 µg/mL vs. 67.64 ± 16.62 µg/mL, p = 0.002), itraconazole (0.77 ± 0.19 µg/mL vs. 2.31 ± 0.53 µg/mL, p = 0.008), voriconazole (0.22 ± 0.09 µg/mL vs. 5.02 ± 1.09 µg/mL, p < 0.001), and terbinafine (10.41 ± 0.84 µg/mL vs. 14.93 ± 4.77 µg/mL, p < 0.001) for S. cerevisiae (isolated from the genital tract) were significantly lower, while those of micafungin (0.14 ± 0.01 µg/mL vs. 0.06 ± 0.01 µg/mL, p < 0.001) and caspofungin (0.27 ± 0.04 µg/mL vs. 0.06 ± 0.01 µg/mL, p < 0.001) were significantly greater. Conclusion: Azoles remain the recommended regimen for S. cerevisiae-related VVC, and the use of amphotericin B vaginal effervescent tablets could be considered for the treatment of azole-resistant isolates. The antifungal susceptibility of S. cerevisiae varies according to the isolated source, and the pathogenicity trend of S. cerevisiae should be studied. Highlights: This is the first clinical Saccharomyces cerevisiae study conducted in East Asia and included 75 cases. S. cerevisiae can cause vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), but the difficulty of its treatment is no greater than that of Candida albicans. Azoles are still the recommended regimen for treating S. cerevisiae vulvovaginitis, and resistant isolates are usually susceptible to amphotericin B, for which vaginal effervescent tablets can be used. The antifungal susceptibility of clinical S. cerevisiae isolates may vary among regions, populations, and isolation sites, and attention should be given to the increasing trend of detection in medical institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exercise training is fundamental in pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), but patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often struggle with exercise intolerance. Respiratory support during exercise in COPD patients may be a beneficial adjunct therapy. In this study, the effect of different respiratory support therapy during pulmonary rehabilitation exercise training in COPD patients was assessed through a network meta-analysis. Methods: Five databases were searched to obtain randomized controlled trials involving different respiratory support therapies during PR exercise training in COPD patients. The Cochrane Handbook tool was employed to assess the risk bias of included studies. Network meta-analysis was performed using the STATA software. The study protocol was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42023491139). Results: A total of 35 studies involving 1321 patients and 6 different interventions were included. Network meta-analysis showed that noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) is superior in improving exercise capacity (6-Minute Walk Test distance, peak work rate, endurance time), dyspnea, and physiological change (peak VO2, tidal volume, minute ventilation and lactate level) in stable COPD patients who were at GOLD stage III or IV during PR exercise training. The final surface under the cumulative ranking curve value indicated that NPPV therapy achieved the best assistive rehabilitation effect. Conclusions: The obtained results indicate that NPPV is most powerful in assisting exercise in severe COPD patients under stable condition. Researchers should focus more on the safety, feasibility, and personalization of interventions. Furthermore, there is a need for additional high-quality trials to assess the consistency of evidence across various respiratory support approaches. Trial registration: The study was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42023491139). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As malignant central nervous system tumors, glioma have strong aggressiveness and drug resistance, which reduces the survival of patients. This study explores the molecular mechanisms that influence the progression and drug resistance of glioma cells, promoting the progress of glioma research. In this study, miR-92b-3p and CXCL5 expression were determined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in glioma tissues and cells. Pearson correlation analysis was performed for both. Luciferase activity reports were utilized to confirm the targeted association between miR-92b-3p and CXCL5. The effects of miR-92b-3p and CXCL5 on the proliferation and metastasis of glioma cells were investigated by Transwell and CCK-8 assay. Finally, the Temozolomide (TMZ) drug-resistant cell lines were constructed, and apoptosis experiments were conducted to explore the drug-resistant mechanism of glioma cells. It was found that miR-92b-3p was down-regulated in glioma tissues and cells, while CXCL5 expression was up-regulated, with a negative correlation between the two and a targeting of miR-92b-3p to CXCL5. Up-regulation of miR-92b-3p inhibited the invasive activity of glioma cells, while overexpression of CXCL5 reversed this phenomenon. There was a negative correlation between miR-92b-3p expression and the IC50 value of TMZ in glioma. Up or downregulation of miR-92b-3p promoted and inhibited TMZ-induced apoptosis in glioma cells, respectively, whereas regulation of CXCL5 expression reversed this phenomenon. miR-92b-3p can exert anticancer effect by targeting CXCL5. Upregulating miR-92b-3p can inhibit the activity of glioma cells, and promote the apoptosis of glioma cells induced by TMZ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rock mass classification is of great significance in guiding the design and construction of tunnels, which is often determined through single‐factor or multi‐factor classification methods based on some readily available rock indices, for example, dynamic elastic modulus, degree of tectonization, and so forth. Although these methods work reasonably well in some cases, they tend to lead to inaccurate classification results due to the pre‐selected main factor or function forms, especially for tunnels with complex geological conditions. Alternatively, the classification may be achieved with the aid of some machine learning (ML) methods, which are data‐driven, hence bypassing pre‐determination of the mathematical function forms of the main factor(s). Note although these ML methods perform well in the classification of surrounding rock mass, they generally employ all measurements of readily available rock indices as input variables, which might lead to excessive model complexity and a potential decrease in generalization performance. In this paper, a fully Bayesian Gaussian process classification (fB‐GPC) approach is proposed for probabilistic classification of surrounding rock mass, which is data‐driven and can select the optimal combination of main factors that affect rock mass classification. A real‐life example is used to illustrate and validate the proposed approach. Results show that the proposed fB‐GPC method performs very well in determination of the most important factor for classification of surrounding rock mass, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of around 0.98. A sensitivity study is also performed to systematically examine the accuracy and robustness of the proposed approach in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taste and odor (T&O) compounds have emerged as crucial parameters for assessing water quality. Therefore, identifying effective methodologies for the removal of these compounds is imperative. In this study, an effective approach utilizing laccase assisted by a micro-electric field was developed for the degradation of 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB). For this purpose, the optimal conditions for the laccase-catalyzed degradation of 2-MIB were determined, and they were pH 4.0, 25 °C, 150 rpm, 0.1 U/mL of laccase, and 200 ng/L of 2-MIB. Under these specified conditions, the degradation efficiency of 2-MIB was approximately 78% after a 4 h reaction period. Subsequently, the introduction of an electric field yielded a synergistic effect with the enzyme for 2-MIB degradation. At an electric current intensity of 0.04 A over a 4 h duration, the degradation efficiency increased to 90.78%. An analysis using SPME-GC/MS provided information on the degradation intermediates of 2-MIB resulting from laccase-catalyzed degradation, electrocatalytic degradation, and micro-electric-assisted laccase degradation. The potential degradation pathways of 2-MIB illustrated that these three methods result in common degradation products, such as capric aldehyde, nonylaldehyde, and 2-ethylhexanol, and their final products include 3-pentanone, acetone, and 2-butanone. This study provides an enzyme–electrochemical method for the efficient and rapid degradation and removal of 2-MIB. The strategy of laccase catalysis assisted by a micro-electric field has good potential for the removal of pollutants from the natural environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plantago lanceolata has been increasingly cultivated in recent years as a forage crop due to its high feeding quality, good adaptability and medicinal benefits. Between 2015 and 2023, Alternaria leaf spot (ALS), appearing as reddish‐brown necrotic spots with a greyish white to pale brown centre, was commonly observed in two forage germplasm nurseries of P. lanceolata of Sichuan Province, China. Initially, 139 Alternaria strains were isolated from leaf lesions, and then identified using the identity of rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences in the NCBI database and the similarity of morphological characteristics. By pure culture technique, six representative isolates were finally obtained for the present study. Based on both multilocus phylogeny (SSU, LSU, ITS, gapdh, rpb2, tef1, endoPG, OPA10‐2, alt a 1, KOG1058 and KOG1077) and morphology, four Alternaria species were identified: three new records of A. alternata, A. arborescens species complex and A. gossypina on this host in China, belonging to section Alternaria, and a new species of section Porri, namely, A. lanceolatae sp. nov. Pathogenicity tests by inoculation on both detached leaves and whole plants revealed that A. lanceolatae was the most important causal agent of ALS, while the other three species were nonpathogenic to P. lanceolata. This study characterized a novel pathogenic Alternaria species of section Porri from P. lanceolata in China and could contribute as useful research for possible ALS management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer (BC) has become the most life-threatening cancer to women worldwide, with multiple subtypes, poor prognosis, and rising mortality. The molecular heterogeneity of BC limits the efficacy and represents challenges for existing therapies, mainly due to the unpredictable clinical response, the reason for which probably lies in the interactions and alterations of diverse cell death pathways. However, most studies and drugs have focused on a single type of cell death, while the therapeutic opportunities related to other cell death pathways are often neglected. Therefore, it is critical to identify the predominant type of cell death, the transition to different cell death patterns during treatment, and the underlying regulatory mechanisms in BC. In this review, we summarize the characteristics of various forms of cell death, including PANoptosis (pyroptosis, apoptosis, necroptosis), autophagy, ferroptosis, and cuproptosis, and discuss their triggers and signaling cascades in BC, which may provide a reference for future pathogenesis research and allow for the development of novel targeted therapeutics in BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bacterial type II toxin-antitoxin (TA) system is a rich genetic element that participates in various physiological processes. Aeromonas veronii is the main bacterial pathogen threatening the freshwater aquaculture industry. However, the distribution of type II TA system in A. veronii was seldom documented and its roles in the life activities of A. veronii were still unexplored. In this study, a novel type II TA system AvtA-AvtT was predicted in a fish pathogen Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria with multi-drug resistance using TADB 2.0. Through an Escherichia coli host killing and rescue assay, we demonstrated that AvtA and AvtT worked as a genuine TA system, and the predicted toxin AvtT actually functioned as an antitoxin while the predicted antitoxin AvtA actually functioned as a toxin. The binding ability of AvtA with AvtT proteins were confirmed by dot blotting analysis and co-immunoprecipitation assay. Furthermore, we found that the toxin and antitoxin labelled with fluorescent proteins were co-localized. In addition, it was found that the transcription of AvtAT bicistronic operon was repressed by the AvtAT protein complex. Deletion of avtA gene and avtT gene had no obvious effect on the drug susceptibility. This study provides first characterization of type II TA system AvtA-AvtT in aquatic pathogen A. veronii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acetochlor, as a commonly used pre‐emergent herbicide, can be toxic to crops and affect production if used improperly. However, the toxic mechanism of acetochlor on plants is not fully understood. The present study used a combination of transcriptomic analysis and physiological measurements to investigate the effects of short‐term (15‐day) exposure to different concentrations of acetochlor (1, 10, 20 mg/kg) on the morphology, physiology, and transcriptional levels of pea seedlings, aiming to elucidate the toxic response and resistance mechanisms in pea seedlings under herbicide stress. The results showed that the toxicity of acetochlor to pea seedlings was dose‐dependent, manifested as dwarfing and stem base browning with increasing concentrations, especially at 10 mg/kg and above. Analysis of the antioxidant system showed that from the 1 mg/kg treatment, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and glutathione peroxidase in peas increased with increasing concentrations of acetochlor, indicating oxidative damage. Analysis of the glutathione (GSH) metabolism system showed that under 10 mg/kg treatment, the GSH content of pea plants significantly increased, and GSH transferase activity and gene expression were significantly induced, indicating a detoxification response in plants. Transcriptomic analysis showed that after acetochlor treatment, differentially expressed genes in peas were significantly enriched in the phenylpropane metabolic pathway, and the levels of key metabolites (flavonoids and lignin) were increased. In addition, we found that acetochlor‐induced dwarfing of pea seedlings may be related to gibberellin signal transduction. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:2005–2019. © 2024 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: This study provided a non-destructive detection method with Vis–NIR hyperspectral imaging combining with physio-biochemical parameters in Helianthus annuus in response to Orobanche cumana infection that took insights into the monitoring of sunflower weed. Sunflower broomrape (Orobanche cumana Wallr.) is an obligate weed that attaches to the host roots of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) leading to a significant reduction in yield worldwide. The emergence of O. cumana shoots after its underground life-cycle causes irreversible damage to the crop. In this study, a fast visual, non-invasive and precise method for monitoring changes in spectral characteristics using visible and near-infrared (Vis–NIR) hyperspectral imaging (HSI) was developed. By combining the bands sensitive to antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GR), non-antioxidant enzymes (GSH, GSH + GSSG), MDA, ROS (O2−, OH−), PAL, and PPO activities obtained from the host leaves, we sought to establish an accurate means of assessing these changes and conducted imaging acquisition using hyperspectral cameras from both infested and non-infested sunflower cultivars, followed by physio-biochemical parameters measurement as well as analyzed the expression of defense related genes. Extreme learning machine (ELM) and convolutional neural network (CNN) models using 3-band images were built to classify infected or non-infected plants in three sunflower cultivars, achieving accuracies of 95.83% and 95.83% for the discrimination of infestation as well as 97.92% and 95.83% of varieties, respectively, indicating the potential of multi-spectral imaging systems for early detection of O. cumana in weed management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myeloid malignancies arise in bone marrow microenvironments and shape these microenvironments in favor of malignant development. Immune suppression is one of the most important stages in myeloid leukemia progression. Leukemic clone expansion and immune dysregulation occur simultaneously in bone marrow microenvironments. Complex interactions emerge between normal immune system elements and leukemic clones in the bone marrow. In recent years, researchers have identified several of these pathological interactions. For instance, recent works shows that the secretion of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), from bone marrow stromal cells contributes to immune dysregulation and the selective proliferation of JAK2V617F+ clones in myeloproliferative neoplasms. Moreover, inflammasome activation and sterile inflammation result in inflamed microenvironments and the development of myelodysplastic syndromes. Additional immune dysregulations, such as exhaustion of T and NK cells, an increase in regulatory T cells, and impairments in antigen presentation are common findings in myeloid malignancies. In this review, we discuss the role of altered bone marrow microenvironments in the induction of immune dysregulations that accompany myeloid malignancies. We also consider both current and novel therapeutic strategies to restore normal immune system function in the context of myeloid malignancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Value analysis of a small‐molecule fluorescent probe for methylation detection in different cervical lesions. Materials and Methods: (1) The grayscale values of distinct lesion tissues were remarkably distinct among the four groups (p < 0.05). The comparison of the grayscale value between the two groups showed that the CA group noticeably exceeded the LSIL and cervicitis groups, and the HSIL group was apparently higher than the LSIL and cervicitis groups (p < 0.05); (2) The mean grayscale values of the enrolled subjects were calculated with 55.21 as the midline, with >55.21 as positive and ≤55.21 as negative. Results: The results showed that the positive rate of the cervicitis group was 0.00%, the LSIL group 67.74%, the HSIL group 83.33%, and the CA group 100.00%. The results among the four groups were notably distinct (p < 0.05); (3) The comparison among DAPI, probe, bright, and merged images of cervicitis, LSIL, HSIL, and CA indicated that different cervical lesions were with quite various stains. Conclusion: The grayscale value, positive rate, and stained picture of distinct cervical lesions were remarkably different. The small‐molecule fluorescent probe has a good value in differentiating cervical lesions and can be considered for popularization and application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cocaine is one of the most abused illicit drugs, and its abuse damages the central nervous system and can even lead directly to death. Therefore, the development of simple, rapid and highly sensitive detection methods is crucial for the prevention and control of drug abuse, traffic accidents and crime. In this work, an electrochemical aptamer-based (EAB) sensor based on the low-temperature enhancement effect was developed for the direct determination of cocaine in bio-samples. The signal gain of the sensor at 10 °C was greatly improved compared to room temperature, owing to the improved affinity between the aptamer and the target. Additionally, the electroactive area of the gold electrode used to fabricate the EAB sensor was increased 20 times by a simple electrochemical roughening method. The porous electrode possesses more efficient electron transfer and better antifouling properties after roughening. These improvements enabled the sensor to achieve rapid detection of cocaine in complex bio-samples. The low detection limits (LOD) of cocaine in undiluted urine, 50% serum and 50% saliva were 70 nM, 30 nM and 10 nM, respectively, which are below the concentration threshold in drugged driving screening. The aptasensor was simple to construct and reusable, which offers potential for drugged driving screening in the real world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Childhood maltreatment has long-lasting effects on mental health. Existing evidence suggests that trajectories of depressive symptoms vary among individuals; however, little is known about how childhood maltreatment shapes these trajectory patterns. Therefore, this study investigated the impacts of childhood maltreatment on eight-year depressive trajectories among Chinese older adults. Method: Five waves of longitudinal data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were utilized. Growth Mixture Modelling was performed to identify distinct trajectories of depressive symptoms, and multinomial logistic regression was conducted to explore the associations between these trajectories and childhood maltreatment. Results: Four trajectories of depressive symptoms were identified: the 'no symptoms' class (61.83%), the 'increasing symptoms' class (14.49%), the 'decreasing symptoms' class (16.44%), and the 'chronic symptoms' class (7.24%). Older adults who experienced childhood physical abuse were more likely to be in the 'chronic symptoms' class than in the 'no symptoms' class, whereas emotional neglect did not show a significant association with three problematic trajectories. Conclusion: This study provides empirical evidence that childhood physical abuse increases the likelihood of developing chronic depressive symptoms in later life. To mitigate this risk, it is crucial to institute comprehensive treatment plans that incorporate trauma-informed care principles, employ evidence-based therapies specifically designed to address the long-term effects of abuse, and prioritize regular screening and assessment of mental health among older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rock can undergo hardening deformation during compression and have a memory of the hardening action, which can be displayed when unloaded. This compression-hardening memory effect (CHME) is related to the micromechanical response of the heterogeneous rock microstructure. However, to date, the related mechanism has not been fully characterized. Here, we proposed a grain-based model (GBM) implemented by the Universal Distinct Element Code (UDEC) (version 6.0) to reproduce the cyclic compression test of Jinchuan granite and then investigate the CHME mechanism and its influence on the loading/unloading response of the rock. The results showed that the UDEC-GBM by the compression-hardening memory model (CHMM) reproduces the experimental hysteresis and hardening stress‒strain response, while the traditional linear elastic model (LEM) does not. The grain contact causes nonlinear deformation during compression, enhancing its compressive stiffness. When unloaded, the pre-enhanced compressive stiffness can be remembered, leading to hysteresis and plastic deformation. As a result, the synthetic sample can reserve some of the strain energy and create tensile stress zones, inducing intergranular microcracks and intragranular failure zones. As the peak compressive stress applied in the predisturbed stage increases, the CHME strength increases, influencing the deformation and failure of the synthetic rock sample. Overall, the synthetic rock sample's peak compressive strength decreases as the peak compressive stress applied in the predisturbed stage increases. We shed light on the micromechanical mechanism of CHME, which results from the irreversible increase in the compressive stiffness of grain contacts during compression. Highlights: The rock microstructure exhibits the compression-hardening memory effect (CHME), which can be characterized by the grain-based model. CHME stems from the irreversible enhancement of grain contact stiffness under compression. CHME can lead to the concentration of local tensile stress and rock failure upon unloading, thereby influencing subsequent mechanical responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies involving risk–benefit analysis of trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS‐8201) have indicated the benefit of this treatment, although it may increase the risk of interstitial lung disease (ILD) and/or pneumonitis in certain patients. This study aimed to assess the safety of DS‐8201. Methods: A search was done for relevant articles in four electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov. All reports published up until November 2, 2022, were included, and study types were restricted to clinical trials; the last search was then updated to January 10, 2023. We also assessed the quality of the literature with the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and the Methodological Index for Non‐Randomized Studies tool, and then performed a meta‐analysis with R version 4.2.1. Results: A total of 1428 patients reported in 13 articles were included in this study. The analysis revealed that the most common all‐grade treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were nausea and fatigue. The most common TEAE of grade 3 or above (grade ≥3) was neutropenia. The incidences of ILD and/or pneumonitis for all‐grade and grade ≥3 TEAEs were 12.5% and 2.2%, respectively. Conclusions: This comprehensive summary of the incidence of TEAEs associated with DS‐8201 in clinical trials provides an important guide for clinicians. The most common TEAEs were gastrointestinal reactions and fatigue; meanwhile, the most common grade ≥3 TEAE was hematological toxicity. ILD and/or pneumonitis were specific adverse drug reactions associated with DS‐8201, of which physicians should be particularly aware for their higher morbidity and rates of grade ≥3 TEAEs. This study aimed to assess the safety of trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS‐8201) with a focus on interstitial lung disease and/or pneumonitis via the method of systematic review and single‐arm meta‐analysis. This comprehensive summary of the incidence of treatment‐emergent adverse events associated with DS‐8201 in clinical trials provides an important guide for clinicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of capping protein (actin filament) muscle Z-line subunit β (CAPZB) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels as a biomarker for distinguishing low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix (LSIL) from high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix (HSIL). We collected a total of 166 cervical exfoliated cells and divided them into five groups based on histopathological results. Each sample was divided into two portions, one for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) detection and the other for bisulfite sequencing polymerase chain reaction (BSP) detection. We found that FISH detection of CAPZB mRNA mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) and BSP detection of CAPZB deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) percentage of methylation rate (PMR) performed as biomarkers for distinguishing HSIL from LSIL, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity and cut-off value of 0.893, 81.25%, 80.39% and 0.616, 0.794, 64.06%, 81.37% and 0.454, respectively. Furthermore, FISH detection of CAPZB mRNA exhibited a greater AUC (0.893) for the detection of HSIL than the CAPZB DNA methylation method (0.794), indicating the CAPZB mRNA levels can be used as a biomarker for assessing cervical lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploration of expanded porphyrins with unprecedented reactivities has remained important. Here [22]pentaphyrins(2.0.1.1.0) were synthesized as a constitutional isomer of sapphyrin by acid‐catalyzed cyclization of 1,14‐dibromo‐5,10‐diaryltripyrrin with 1,2‐di(pyrro‐2‐ly)ethenes. These pentaphyrins display roughly planar structures and varying aromaticities depending upon the vinylene structures. The 19,20‐ditolyl pentaphyrin gave an N‐fused product and an unprecedented pyrrole‐rearranged product, depending upon the oxidation conditions. Remarkably, upon the metalation with CuCl, the N‐fused product and the pyrrole‐rearranged product afforded an inner β‐β coupled face‐to‐face CuII complex dimer and an outer β‐β coupled lateral CuII complex dimer, respectively, in fairly good yields. Further, [22]pentaphyrin(2.0.1.1.0) fused with a NiII porphyrin was effectively dimerized upon oxidation with MnO2 to give a 16–16' directly linked dl‐dimer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploration of expanded porphyrins with unprecedented reactivities has remained important. Here [22]pentaphyrins(2.0.1.1.0) were synthesized as a constitutional isomer of sapphyrin by acid‐catalyzed cyclization of 1,14‐dibromo‐5,10‐diaryltripyrrin with 1,2‐di(pyrro‐2‐ly)ethenes. These pentaphyrins display roughly planar structures and varying aromaticities depending upon the vinylene structures. The 19,20‐ditolyl pentaphyrin gave an N‐fused product and an unprecedented pyrrole‐rearranged product, depending upon the oxidation conditions. Remarkably, upon the metalation with CuCl, the N‐fused product and the pyrrole‐rearranged product afforded an inner β‐β coupled face‐to‐face CuII complex dimer and an outer β‐β coupled lateral CuII complex dimer, respectively, in fairly good yields. Further, [22]pentaphyrin(2.0.1.1.0) fused with a NiII porphyrin was effectively dimerized upon oxidation with MnO2 to give a 16–16' directly linked dl‐dimer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Amomum includes over 111 species, 6 of which are widely utilized as medicinal plants and have already undergone taxonomic revision. Due to their morphological similarities, the presence of counterfeit and substandard products remains a challenge. Accurate plant identification is, therefore, essential to address these issues. This study utilized 11 newly sequenced samples and extensive NCBI data to perform molecular identification of the six medicinal "Doukou" species. The plastomes of these species exhibited a typical quadripartite structure with a conserved gene content. However, independent variation shifts of the SC/IR boundaries existed between and within species. The comprehensive set of genetic sequences, including ITS, ITS1, ITS2, complete plastomes, matK, rbcL, psbA-trnH, and ycf1, showed varying discrimination of the six "Doukou" species based on both distance and phylogenetic tree methods. Among these, the ITS, ITS1, and complete plastome sequences demonstrated the highest identification success rate (3/6), followed by ycf1 (2/6), and then ITS2, matK, and psbA-trnH (1/6). In contrast, rbcL failed to identify any species. This research established a basis for a reliable molecular identification method for medicinal "Doukou" plants to protect wild plant resources, promote the sustainable use of medicinal plants, and restrict the exploitation of these resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Normal root growth is essential for the plant uptake of soil nutrients and water. However, exogenous H2O2 inhibits the gravitropic growth of pea primary roots. It has been shown that CaCl2 application can alleviate H2O2 inhibition, but the exact alleviation mechanism is not clear. Therefore, the present study was carried out by combining the transcriptome and metabolome with a view to investigate in depth the mechanism of action of exogenous CaCl2 to alleviate the inhibition of pea primordial root gravitropism by H2O2. The results showed that the addition of CaCl2 (10 mmol·L−1) under H2O2 stress (150 mmol·L−1) significantly increased the H2O2 and starch content, decreased peroxidase (POD) activity, and reduced the accumulation of sugar metabolites and lignin in pea primary roots. Down-regulated genes regulating peroxidase, respiratory burst oxidase, and lignin synthesis up-regulated PGM1, a key gene for starch synthesis, and activated the calcium and phytohormone signaling pathways. In summary, 10 mmol·L−1 CaCl2 could alleviate H2O2 stress by modulating the oxidative stress response, signal transduction, and starch and lignin accumulation within pea primary roots, thereby promoting root gravitropism. This provides new insights into the mechanism by which CaCl2 promotes the gravitropism of pea primary roots under H2O2 treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tin (Sn)–lead (Pb) mixed perovskite solar cells (PSCs) stand out as the optimal choice for the bottom subcell of the all‐perovskite tandem solar cells. One of the major challenges impeding the further enhancement of Sn–Pb mixed PSCs power conversion efficiency (PCE) is the easy oxidation of Sn2+ to Sn4+ and a large number of Sn vacancies in the perovskite films. In this work, the sources of Sn2+ oxidation in the perovskite precursor solution are systematically investigated, focusing on the oxidation state of raw materials, solvent‐dissolved oxygen, and solvent oxidizing ability. It is discovered that compared to the commonly used dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solvent, N, N'‐Dimethylpropyleneurea (DMPU) exhibits a weaker oxidizing ability while forming excellent coordination with the perovskite precursor. Using a mixed solvent of N, N‐Dimethylformamide (DMF), and DMPU as the precursor solvent not only obviates the need for additional antioxidants but also demonstrates reduced oxidation susceptibility toward Sn–Pb mixed perovskite. Utilizing a gas‐assisted technique without anti‐solvents, high‐efficiency Sn–Pb mixed PSCs are fabricated. These findings not only deepen the understanding of the oxidation phenomena in Sn–Pb perovskite precursor solutions but also provide essential guidance for the scalable production of Sn–Pb mixed PSCs and tandem solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platinum-decorated Ketjen Black supported MoSx (Pt-MoSx/KB) catalysts were synthesized using a two-step γ-ray radiation-induced reduction method in an ethylene glycol medium. The content of amorphous MoSx, the ratio of high activity sulfur, and the size and quantity of Pt nanoparticles (NPs) in Pt-MoSx/KB nanocomposites can be effectively controlled by adjusting the absorbed dose, as well as the concentrations of ammonium tetrathiomolybdate and chloroplatinic acid hydrate precursors. The formation mechanism of Pt NPs with different sizes is related to the underlying principles of radiation-induced reduction reactions and nanocrystal growth. Remarkably, Pt-MoSx/KB-III, with a Pt loading of only 5.7% and an NP size of 3.50 nm, exhibited impressive electrocatalytic properties in acidic media, achieving overpotentials of 107 mV and 185 mV at current densities of 10 mA cm−2 and 100 mA cm−2, respectively. These performance levels are comparable to those of commercial 20% Pt/C catalysts. The intrinsic activity of Pt, the electronic metal–support interaction effect between Pt and MoSx, and the fine-tuning of hydrogen adsorption free energy by Pt atoms located on top of the Mo atoms lead to the high catalytic performance. The beneficial impact stemming from the incorporation of Pt into MoSx/KB on the catalytic performance for the hydrogen evolution reaction was elucidated via DFT calculations. The Pt-MoSx/KB catalysts produced in this manner hold great promise as a novel class of cathode catalysts for applications in water electrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]