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The spider genus Xizangiana Sherwood, Li & Zhang, 2022, comprises nine species that inhabit northern India and south-western China. Six of these species have been documented in the Xizang Autonomous Region of China.A new species, Xizangiana plankton sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Xizang Autonomous Region, China.

Abstract Follicular lymphoma (FL) is an immune-responsive tumor with spontaneous remission. T cells play a pivotal role in the anti-lymphoma immune response. However, the dynamics of T cells during treatment, their impact on FL clinical outcomes, and the risk factors contributing to T-cell cytopenia remain largely unexplored. T-cell and their subsets in the peripheral blood of FL patients at diagnosis, during 2–4 cycles and after 6 cycles of treatment, as well as healthy individuals were detected by flow-cytometry. The predictive effects of T cells for early progression and risks for T-cell cytopenia were analyzed. FL patients exhibited a significant decrease in CD3+, CD4+, and CD8 + T cells compared to healthy individuals, with aging intensifying the decline of CD3+, and CD4 + T cells. Notably, a reduction in CD4 + T cells, predominantly contributing to treatment-related T-cell reduction, was only observed in patients undergoing Bendamustine-based regimens. Moreover, a significantly decreased CD4 + and CD8 + T-cell at diagnosis rather than after induction therapy was observed in patients with treatment failure. Furthermore, lower CD4 + T-cell (

Abstract Despite improvements in treatment in recent years, patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) still face poor prognoses. In this study, we elucidated the potential role of NOP58 ribonucleoprotein in pan-cancer and validated its oncogenic significance in LUAD using bioinformatics and in vitro and in vivo functional assays. NOP58 was found to be overexpressed in various types of tumors. It had great precision for predicting 20 distinct cancer types using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) as well as significant connections with the prognoses in particular cancers. In LUAD, NOP58 expression was correlated substantially with the TNM stage, pathologic stage, smoking status, and effectiveness endpoints, when we analyzed its association with clinical characteristics in LUAD. Elevated NOP58 expression was shown as connected with Th2 cell infiltration while also negatively linked with infiltrating other immune cells, such as CD8 T, cytotoxic, and Th1. By inhibiting NOP58 within the LUAD cells, we found a decrease in cells’ capability to proliferate, migrate, and invade. Knockdown of NOP58 inhibited tumor growth in mouse xenograft models. Furthermore, the tissue microarray study indicated that there was a greater expression of NOP58 in the tumor tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues in LUAD. Our findings revealed that NOP58 could be an outstanding bio-index for pan-cancer diagnosis and prognosis and an independent prognostic risk factor in LUAD.

Abstract Background Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is an extremely rare malignancy originating from endothelial cells, with an incidence rate of less than 1/100,000. To date, there have been no documented cases of Diaphragm EHE in the English or Chinese literature. EHE can manifest in various organs throughout the body and lacks distinctive clinical features, often leading to misdiagnosis. Given its rarity, there is currently no standardized treatment protocol, management options include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. In this report, we present a case study of a 75-year-old male patient who presented with a 6-month history of cough, sputum production, chest tightness, and pleural effusion. A biopsy of the diaphragm mass and immunohistochemical analysis of the pleural fluid confirmed the diagnosis of EHE. The patient underwent chemotherapy combined with targeted therapy, however, unfortunately experienced disease progression. Case summary In March 2023, a 75-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital with persistent cough for over two months accompanied by sputum production and chest tightness. The patient was diagnosed with Diaphragm EHE accompanied by pleural effusion and received treatment at our institution. We initiated combination chemotherapy using albumin-bound paclitaxel and cisplatin along with intrapleural infusion of bevacizumab as an anti-angiogenic drug. After one cycle of treatment, significant control over the pleural effusion was observed which prompted us to administer systemic treatment through intravenous infusion using albumin-bound paclitaxel, cisplatin, and bevacizumab. Unfortunately, the patient’s condition continued to deteriorate. Conclusion When accompanied by pleural effusion, EHE often demonstrates rapid disease progression.

Walnut oil (WO), known for abundant polyunsaturated fatty acids and an array of bioactive substances such as tocopherols, phytosterols, squalene, melatonin, and polyphenols, which is endowed with numerous health advantages. The primary objective of this research was to ascertain the impact of WO on cognitive deficits in learning and memory impairment mice caused by scopolamine (SCOP). The Morris water maze and the step-down avoidance test were utilized to assess the memory and learning capabilities. WO notably counteracted the detrimental effects of SCOP on learning and memory in the Morris water maze, as indicated by a reduction in escape latency and swimming distance. Likewise, WO administration led to a notably reduced number of errors in training trial and an increased latency in testing trial when compared to the SCOP group in the step-down avoidance test,. Moreover, WO activated the cholinergic system of the brain by upregulating choline acetyltransferase activity and reducing acetylcholinesterase activity. These results suggest that WO has the potential to protect against memory decline in mice, offering a promising strategy for the prevention of memory-related disorders.

Abstract Background Environmental pollution seriously endangers people’s physical and mental health, especially the health of middle-aged and elderly people. Environmental pollution, trade openness, and population health are interconnected. Environmental pollution may have a nonlinear impact on health, and the impact of trade openness on the health effects of environmental pollution may not be a simple strengthening or weakening effect. However, few studies have used threshold effects model to explore the nonlinear mechanisms of environmental pollution’s impact on health in China. As a result, this study incorporates trade openness into the research framework on the health effects of environmental pollution, aiming to study the mechanism of environmental pollution on health. Methods Using the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) data from 2013 to 2020 and the data of 111 prefecture-level cities in China, we combine two-way fixed-effects models and threshold models to explore the effects of environmental pollution on the health of middle-aged and elderly people and the role of trade openness in the path of environmental pollution affecting health. Results Environmental pollution impairs the health of middle-aged and elderly people, and there is a single threshold effect and regional heterogeneity in this negative impact. Trade openness has the effect of first weakening and then strengthening in the inhibitory effect of environmental pollution on health. Conclusion The negative impact of environmental pollution on health has regional heterogeneity, and there is a nonlinear relationship between environmental pollution and the health of middle-aged and elderly people. The health effect of environmental pollution is mainly long-term effect, and trade openness has a threshold effect on the impact of environmental pollution on health. Therefore, instead of adopting a one-size-fits-all policy, environmental and economic policies should be customized according to the degree of environmental pollution, trade openness, and regional variations, so as to safeguard the health of middle-aged and elderly individuals through effective environmental governance.

Abstract The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development issued by the United Nations is an important foundation for countries to achieve common economic, social and environmental development. Important progress has been made in the evaluation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Hainan Island; nevertheless, there is still a lack of understanding around the trade-offs and synergies between the SDGs. Studying the trade-offs and synergies between Hainan Island’s sustainable development goals is of great significance for the coordinated development of these goals and the promotion of the construction of free trade ports. Therefore, based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Assessment System and the existing SDG indicator system on Hainan Island, this paper identifies and quantifies the trade-offs and synergies within and between SDGs and targets on the county scale. Based on the different impacts of different spatial, dimensional and geographical directions, the results show the following: (1) Hainan Province made good progress on multiple SDGs between 2010 and 2021. (2) The most significant synergies between SDGs exist between SDG1 (No Poverty) and SDG10 (Reduce Inequalities), while the most significant trade-offs exist between SDG2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG4 (Quality Education). (3) Obvious spatial characteristics in trade-offs and synergies exist, with the highest level of synergy being in the Haikou and Sanya Economic Circles and their surrounding areas, and in the central region of Hainan Island which has a higher level of trade-offs. (4) The synergistic effect between the SDG targets and indicators in Hainan is much greater than the trade-off effect: the four aspects of people’s livelihood improvement, economic development, resource utilization and environmental quality all show synergistic effects in different regions.

Abstract Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that affects multiple organs, yet its underlying mechanisms remain unclear, and precise biomarkers are lacking. In this study, we employed Mendelian randomization and HEIDI tools to comprehensively analyze large-scale Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) and expression Quantitative Trait Loci (eQTL) data, leading to the identification of seven novel potential functional genes associated with SLE, including BLK, ELF1, STIM1, B3GALT6, APOLD1, INPP5B, and FHL3. Subsequent investigations revealed a significant downregulation of ELF1 gene expression in CD4+ T cells of SLE patients compared to healthy controls. Moreover, within various SLE subgroups, such as those with decreased serum complement C3 levels, positive urinary protein, new-onset skin rashes, and SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) scores ≥ 5, ELF1 expression displayed a consistent decreasing trend. Notably, ROC curve analysis highlighted the diagnostic potential of ELF1 expression in SLE (AUC = 0.9493), as well as its value in assessing disease activity (AUC = 0.6852) and renal involvement (AUC = 0.7363). In conclusion, this study underscores the potential of ELF1 as a SLE biomarker for diagnosis and evaluation, offering insights into the underlying mechanisms of SLE and paving the way for future therapeutic research.

Abstract Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy in adoptive T-cell therapy (ACT) has already caused durable regression in a variety of cancer types due to T-cell persistence, clinical activity, and duration of objective response and safety. TILs are composed of polyclonal effector T-cells specific to heterogenetic tumor antigens, reasonably providing a promising means for tumor therapy. In addition, their expansion in vitro can release them from the suppressive tumor microenvironment. Even though significant advances have been made in the procedure of TIL therapy, from TIL isolation, modification, expansion, and infusion back to the patient to target the tumor, strategy optimization is always ongoing to overcome drawbacks such as a complex process, options for the lineage differentiation status of TILs, and sufficient trafficking of TILs to the tumor. In this review, we summarize the current advances of TIL therapy, raise problem-based optimization strategies, and provide future perspectives on next-generation TIL therapy as a potential avenue for enhancing cell-based immunotherapy.

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the sleep status of middle-aged and elderly adults in Bengbu City, Anhui Province, China, to identify the major dietary patterns, and to analyze the association of different sleep duration and dietary patterns with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its related influencing factors, as well as to explore the predictive value of sleep duration and dietary patterns. A cross-sectional analysis was performed utilizing data collected from the Community-based Cardiovascular and Health Promotion Study 2019 (COCHPS 2019) conducted in Bengbu. The definition of MetS adhered to the criteria of Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Chinese Adults (2016 Revision). Dietary information was obtained using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) to assess dietary intake over the past year. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to identify dominant dietary patterns. A logistic regression model was developed to analyze the associations among sleep duration, dietary patterns, and MetS, and a decision tree (DT) model was developed to compare factors affecting MetS and screen people at high risk for MetS. The prevalence of MetS was 13.4% among the 9132 middle-aged and elderly residents over 45 years of age included in COCHPS 2019. Participants were divided into short ( 8 h/d) groups based on their daily sleep duration. Three dietary patterns were identified by PCA, the fruit-milk pattern, the tubers-meat pattern, and the vegetable-cereal pattern. After adjusting for covariables, logistic regression analysis showed that long sleep duration was significantly negatively associated with MetS. The fruit-milk and vegetable-cereal patterns were negatively associated with MetS, whereas the tubers-meat pattern was positively correlated with MetS. The results of the DT model analysis showed that the vegetable-cereal pattern is the most important factor impacting MetS, followed by marital status, the tubers-meat pattern, the fruit-milk pattern, exercise, sleep duration, and gender. The DT model also screened out five types of MetS high-risk groups. The results of our study indicate that normal sleep duration and consumption of either a fruit-milk or vegetable-cereal diet may lower the likelihood of developing MetS in middle-aged and elderly adults.

Objective Somatostatin (SS) plays important regulatory roles in animal growth and reproduction by affecting the synthesis and secretion of growth hormone (GH). However, the mechanism by which SS regulates growth and development in goats is still unclear. Methods In this study, we randomly selected eight 7-month-old Dazu black goats (DBGs) of similar body weight and equally assigned four bucks as the immunised and negative control groups. The immunised group received the Salmonella typhi attenuated vaccine X9241 (ptCS/2SS-asd) orally, whilst the negative control group received the empty vector vaccine X9241 (pVAX-asd) orally. Results The SS concentration in the serum of goats in the immunised group was significantly lower than that in the negative control group, and the daily gain was significantly higher (p

Abstract In order to meet the growing demands and extend network coverage for high‐speed railway (HSR) system, the dense deployment of a large number of small cells (SCs) is considered for 5G networks. However, the deployment of dense SCs and the high speed of trains result in challenging problems such as interference, frequent handovers (HOs), increased HO failure rate, and consequently the deteriorated overall quality of service (QoS). In order to address the challenges in handover, an improved handover decision strategy is proposed based on Support Vector Machine (SVM). The HO decision making is considered as a classification problem taking into account available states that they may have in the HSR network. From the simulation results, it is observed that the proposed scheme is capable of decreasing the number of HO, HO failure rate and enhancing the network performance remarkably.

In this study, the formability of the AZ31B magnesium alloy sheets was investigated in combination of experiment and CPFEM modelling. The deformation mechanisms during the Erichsen forming were revealed and the effect of the related parameters were discussed. It was shown that the simulation results based on the normalized Cockcroft-Latham criterion are consistent with the experimental results. The maximum stress and strain concentrate at the center of dome, and exhibit an elliptical distribution shape. The difference of asymmetry situation between the sheets results from the different textures. The basal slip is the dominant mode, and the prismatic slip is also active to accommodate plastic strain in sheet plane. The relative activity of the pyramidal slip is low, but very effective to accommodate the plastic strain in thickness direction. The sheet with higher relative activity of the prismatic and pyramidal slips exhibit higher formability. The sheet thickness influences the formability through changing the stress-strain response, as well as the orientation-relationship between stress state and grains which can affect the deformation mechanisms. The formability depends on the plastic strain accommodation ability that is comprehensively related to the averaged plasticity, orientation-relationship between stress state and grains, r-value and n-value. CPFEM modeling is convenient pathway to predict the formability.

The microstructure and properties of Cu66.6(FeCo)33.4 and Cu60(FeCo)40 alloys were investigated. Microstructural observations show that CuFeCo alloys have formed dual-phase heterostructures comprising face-centered cubic (FCC) and body-centered cubic (BCC) phases. The average grain size of the CuFeCo alloys after cold rolling and aging is less than 10 μm. Cu66.6(FeCo)33.4 has better elongation and electrical conductivity, while Cu60(FeCo)40 has better tensile strength, hardness, saturation magnetization, and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness. An increased FeCo content in a finer second phase with a larger volume fraction, leading to more phase boundaries. This enhances the strength of the CuFeCo alloys while simultaneously reducing their elongation. The obtained results can be used for further development of alloys with FCC/BCC dual-phase heterostructures.

Abstract Abdominal pain is a major symptom of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and has a significant impact on patients’ quality of life. Given the evolving understanding of IBD pathology and management strategies, there is an urgent need to review the recent research findings. In this review, we have analyzed the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management of abdominal pain in IBD over the past decade. We draw on the current literature and highlight emerging trends, challenges, and advances in this field. By synthesizing key findings, this review provides insights into the complex interplay between abdominal pain, disease progression, and therapeutic interventions for IBD.

Abstract Background Although low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening effectively reduces LC mortality in high-risk individuals with a history of smoking in China, the feasibility and efficacy of lung cancer screening (LCS) in individuals who never smoked versus individuals who smoked remains unclear. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of prospective cohort studies at the National Cancer Center (NCC) in China from January 2006 to December 2022. A comprehensive LCS initiative was undertaken, involving 30,468 participants (54.5% male). Participants underwent LCS using LDCT. Potential malignancies were managed through joint consensus between patients and their physicians. Epidemiology, screening eligibility criteria, and LC detection rates and survival outcomes were compared between individuals who smoked and individuals who never smoked. Results Among 30,468 participants, 339 LCs were pathologically confirmed in 289 patients. The LC detection rate was 0.9% (289/30,468) overall, 0.8% in individuals who smoked (71/9,042), and 1.0% in individuals who never smoked (218/21,426). In individuals who smoked, LC detection rates were 0.5% (21/4516) and 1.1% (50/4526) in the

Abstract Background One of the most prevalent unmet needs among cancer patients is the fear of disease progression (FoP). This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the relationships among uncertainty in illness (UI), intolerance of uncertainty (IU), and FoP among newly diagnosed cancer patients and to verify the mediating role of IU in the relationship between UI and FoP. Methods A total of 202 newly diagnosed cancer patients (male: 105, 51.98%; mean age: 47.45 ± 14.8 years; lung cancer: 49, 24.26%) were recruited by convenience sampling. The patients completed a homemade questionnaire that assessed demographic characteristics, the Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form, the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale, and the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale. Results The prevalence of FoP among newly diagnosed cancer patients was 87.62%, and the prevalences of high, medium, and low levels of UI were 15.84%, 73.27%, and 10.89%, respectively. The mean score on the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale was 41.19 ± 10.11. FoP among newly diagnosed cancer patients was positively correlated with UI (r = 0.656, P

Abstract Background Infectious diseases are major medical and social challenges of the 21 st century. Accurately predicting incidence is of great significance for public health organizations to prevent the spread of diseases. Internet search engine data, like Baidu search index, may be useful for analyzing epidemics and improving prediction. Methods We collected data on hepatitis E incidence and cases in Shandong province from January 2009 to December 2022 are extracted. Baidu index is available from January 2009 to December 2022. Employing Pearson correlation analysis, we validated the relationship between the Baidu index and hepatitis E incidence. We utilized various LSTM architectures, including LSTM, stacked LSTM, attention-based LSTM, and attention-based stacked LSTM, to forecast hepatitis E incidence both with and without incorporating the Baidu index. Meanwhile, we introduce KAN to LSTM models for improving nonlinear learning capability. The performance of models are evaluated by three standard quality metrics, including root mean square error(RMSE), mean absolute percentage error(MAPE) and mean absolute error(MAE). Results Adjusting for the Baidu index altered the correlation between hepatitis E incidence and the Baidu index from -0.1654 to 0.1733. Without Baidu index, we obtained 17.04±0.13%, 17.19±0.57%, in terms of MAPE, by LSTM and attention based stacked LSTM, respectively. With the Baidu index, we obtained 15.36±0.16%, 15.15±0.07%, in term of MAPE, by the same methods. The prediction accuracy increased by 2%. The methods with KAN can improve the performance by 0.3%. More detailed results are shown in results section of this paper. Conclusions Our experiments reveal a weak correlation and similar trends between the Baidu index and hepatitis E incidence. Baidu index proves to be valuable for predicting hepatitis E incidence. Furthermore, stack layers and KAN can also improve the representational ability of LSTM models.

Abstract Drought stress is an abiotic stressor that impacts photosynthesis, plant growth, and development, leading to decreased crop yields. Sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), an exogenous additive, has demonstrated potential regulatory effects on plant responses to polyethylene glycol-induced drought stress in tobacco seedlings. Compared to the control, drought stress induced by 15 g/L PEG-6000 significantly reduced several parameters in tobacco seedlings: shoot dry weight (22.83%), net photosynthesis (37.55%), stomatal conductance (33.56%), maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm) (11.31%), photochemical quantum yield of PSII (ΦPSII) (25.51%), and photochemical quenching (qP) (18.17%). However, applying NaHS, an H2S donor, mitigated these effects, ultimately enhancing photosynthetic performance in tobacco seedlings. Furthermore, optimal NaHS concentration (0.4 mM) effectively increased leaf stomatal aperture, relative water content (RWC) and root activity, as well as facilitated the absorption of N, K, Mg and S. It also enhanced the accumulation of soluble sugar and proline content to maintain osmotic pressure balance under drought stress. Compared to drought alone, pretreatment with NaHS also bolstered the antioxidant defense system in leaves, leading to 22.93% decrease in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, a 22.19% decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) content and increased activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) by 28.13%, superoxide dismutase (SOD) by 17.07%, peroxidase (POD) by 46.99%, and catalase (CAT) by 65.27%. Consequently, NaHS protected chloroplast structure and attenuated chlorophyll degradation, thus mitigating severe oxidative damage. Moreover, NaHS elevated endogenous H2S levels, influencing abscisic acid (ABA) synthesis and the expression of receptor-related genes, collaboratively participating in the response to drought stress. Overall, our findings provide valuable insights into exogenous NaHS’s role in enhancing tobacco drought tolerance. These results lay the foundation for further research utilizing H2S-based treatments to improve crop resilience to water deficit conditions.

Abstract It is now understood that hematological diseases can have detrimental effects on the retina, reducing retinal capillaries, compromising visual function, and potentially causing irreversible visual impairment. Over the years, there has been limited research on macular microvascular abnormalities, such as changes in vessel density and the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and variations in the severity of these effects across different types of blood disorders. This study aims to quantitatively assess the impact of various hematological disorders on the retina using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Compared with healthy eyes, patients with different blood diseases exhibited reductions in linear vessel density (LVD), perfusion vessel density (PVD), FAZ area, and FAZ perimeter. Notably, patients with erythrocyte diseases showed more significant abnormalities in LVD and PVD, while patients with lymphocytic diseases demonstrated more pronounced abnormalities in the FAZ area and perimeter. OCTA imaging could potentially reflect changes of the retinal microvascular of patients with hematological diseases and may serve as a valuable tool for distinguishing abnormalities affecting different blood cell lines. This approach offers a novel avenue for assessing, treating, and monitoring blood disorders.

Abstract Background Cholangiocarcinoma is a highly heterogeneous tumor with bile acid metabolism involving in its development. The aim of this study was to characterize bile acid metabolism and identify specific subtypes to better stratify cholangiocarcinoma patients for individualized treatment and prognostic assessment. Methods A total of 30 bile acids were quantified using the ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Using Consensus clustering, the molecular subtypes related to bile acid metabolism were identified. The prognosis, clinicopathologic characteristics, immune landscape, and therapeutic response were compared between these subtypes. The single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis and preliminary cell experiment were also conducted to verify our findings. Results The altered bile acid profile and genetic variation of bile acid metabolism-related genes in cholangiocarcinoma were demonstrated. The cholangiocarcinoma was categorized into bile acid metabolism-active and -inactive subtypes with different prognoses, clinicopathologic characteristics, tumor microenvironments (TME) and therapeutic responses. This categorization was reproducible and predictable. Specifically, the bile acid metabolism-active subtype showed a poor prognosis with an immunosuppressive microenvironment and an inactive response to immunotherapy, while the bile acid metabolism-inactive subtype showed the opposite characteristics. Moreover, the scRNA-seq revealed that immunotherapy altered bile acid metabolism in TME of cholangiocarcinoma. Finally, a prognostic signature related to bile acid metabolism was developed, which exhibited strong power for prognostic assessment of cholangiocarcinoma. Consistently, these results were verified by immunohistochemistry, cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis assays. Conclusion In conclusion, a novel cholangiocarcinoma classification based on bile acid metabolism was established. This classification was significant for the estimation of TME and prognosis.

Abstract The operational framework for the superposition of spacetime is fundamentally important in developing a comprehensive description of quantum gravity (Foo et al. in Phys Rev Lett 129:181301, 2022). As a “bottom-up” unifying theory of quantum gravity, it allows us to investigate how mass superposition of spacetime influences the performance of quantum information processing. In this paper, we study how the quantum-gravitational effects produced by the mass superposition of a black hole influence the quantum coherence of fermionic fields. It is shown that the spacetime effects associated with a classical black hole lead to inevitable decoherence. Notably, compared to classical black hole spacetime scenarios, fermionic fields near a black hole with superposed masses can retain more quantum coherence. This suggests that the quantum properties of spacetime may serve as resources to mitigate coherent degradation caused by gravitational effects. The bottom-up perspective on spacetime superposition proposed in this work serves as an indication of quantum-gravitational effects and holds significant theoretical implications.

Abstract Liver transplantation is the definitive treatment for end-stage liver disease, yet T-cell mediated rejection (TCMR) remains a major challenge. This study aims to identify key genes associated with TCMR and their potential biological processes and mechanisms. The GSE145780 dataset was subjected to differential expression analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and machine learning algorithms to pinpoint key genes associated with TCMR. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), immune infiltration analysis, and regulatory networks were constructed to ascertain the biological relevance of these genes. Expression validation was performed using single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) data and liver biopsy tissues from patients. We identified 5 key genes (ITGB2, FCER1G, IL-18, GBP1, and CD53) that are associated with immunological functions, such as chemotactic activity, antigen processing, and T cell differentiation. GSEA highlighted enrichment in chemokine signaling and antigen presentation pathways. A lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network was delineated, and drug target prediction yielded 26 potential drugs. Evaluation of expression levels in non-rejection (NR) and TCMR groups exhibited significant disparities in T cells and myeloid cells. Tissue analyses from patients corroborated the upregulation of GBP1, IL-18, CD53, and FCER1G in TCMR cases. Through comprehensive analysis, this research has identified 4 genes intimately connected with TCMR following liver transplantation, shedding light on the underlying immune activation pathways and suggesting putative targets for therapeutic intervention.

Abstract Background Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are heterogeneous and clonal hematological disorders. The role and mechanism of necroptosis in MDS remain poorly understood. Methods mRNA expression profiles and single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) data were sourced from the GEO database. ScRNA-seq data were processed using the “Seurat” package. After cell annotation, necroptosis-related scores (NRscores) for each cell were calculated using the “UCell” package. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and their associated biological functions in NRscore-related cell populations were identified. Additionally, DEGs and necroptosis-related genes (DE-NRGs) between MDS patients and healthy controls were identified. Consensus clustering was employed to classify MDS patients into distinct subclusters based on DE-NRGs. The biological functions and immune characteristics of these classifications were analyzed. Prognostic gene signatures were determined using LASSO and SVM-RFE analyses, and a nomogram was constructed based on the prognostic gene signature. Results A total of 12 cell types were identified in MDS and healthy controls. NRscore was found to be elevated in monocytes and common lymphoid precursors (CLPs). Enrichment analysis revealed that monocytes and CLPs with high NRscore were associated with mitochondria-related and immune-related pathways. Eleven DEGs in monocytes and CLPs between MDS patients and healthy controls were identified. Additionally, 13 DE-NRGs were identified from 951 DEGs between MDS and healthy controls. MDS patients were classified into two distinct subclusters based on these 13 DE-NRGs, revealing several immune-related processes and signaling pathways. Differences in immune subpopulations between the two subclusters were observed. A necroptosis-related diagnostic gene signature (IRF9, PLA2G4A, MLKL, BAX, JAK2, and STAT3) was identified as predictive of MDS prevalence. Conclusion Necroptosis plays a role in MDS progression by inducing inflammation. A novel necroptotic gene signature has been developed to distinguish and diagnose MDS at early stages of the disease.

Abstract H3K27M diffuse midline gliomas (DMG), including diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG), exhibit cellular heterogeneity comprising less-differentiated oligodendrocyte precursors (OPC)-like stem cells and more differentiated astrocyte (AC)-like cells. Here, we establish in vitro models that recapitulate DMG-OPC-like and AC-like phenotypes and perform transcriptomics, metabolomics, and bioenergetic profiling to identify metabolic programs in the different cellular states. We then define strategies to target metabolic vulnerabilities within specific tumor populations. We show that AC-like cells exhibit a mesenchymal phenotype and are sensitized to ferroptotic cell death. In contrast, OPC-like cells upregulate cholesterol biosynthesis, have diminished mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), and are accordingly more sensitive to statins and OXPHOS inhibitors. Additionally, statins and OXPHOS inhibitors show efficacy and extend survival in preclinical orthotopic models established with stem-like H3K27M DMG cells. Together, this study demonstrates that cellular subtypes within DMGs harbor distinct metabolic vulnerabilities that can be uniquely and selectively targeted for therapeutic gain.

Abstract Background Previous studies have suggested a potential link between the crown-to-root ratio (CRR) and root morphology in patients with mild chronic periodontitis, which may be associated with tooth mobility. However, these findings have not been thoroughly investigated. Our previous study found that 76% of patients with aggressive periodontitis, particularly those with premolar involvement, exhibited abnormal root morphology, severe alveolar bone loss, and increased tooth mobility, leading to poor clinical outcomes. This study aims to investigate the specific correlations among alveolar bone resorption, root morphology, CRR, and periodontal clinical indicators with premolar mobility in stage III/IV grade C periodontitis patients aged ≤ 35 years. Materials and methods A total of 1,064 premolars from 151 stage III/IV grade C periodontitis patients aged ≤ 35 years were included in the study. Clinical periodontal parameters and radiographic measurements were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relationships between these indicators and tooth mobility. Results Significant variations in premolar root lengths were observed, ranging from 6.80 mm to 20.96 mm. Teeth with shorter roots (mean length: 10.22 mm) exhibited grade I mobility with only 28% alveolar bone resorption, whereas those with medium-length (mean length: 12.67 mm) and longer roots (mean length: 14.91 mm) exhibited mobility at 34% and 37% bone resorption, respectively. Regression models incorporating the bone-level CRR, average probing depth, and root length demonstrated strong predictive accuracy for tooth mobility (P

Abstract. Background:. Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants are the key populations in neonatology, wherein morbidity and mortality remain major challenges. The study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of VLBW infants. Methods:. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in West China Second Hospital between January 2016 and December 2021. Neonates with a birth weight of

Abstract Osteoporosis, a common bone disease in older individuals, involves the progression influenced by N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of VDAC3 m6A modification on human bone mesenchymal stromal cell (BMSC) senescence and osteogenic differentiation. BMSCs were treated with etoposide to induce senescence. Senescence was assessed by β-galactosidase staining and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), and osteogenic differentiation was evaluated using Western blot, alkaline phosphatase, and alizarin red S staining. VDAC3 and ALKBH5 expression were quantified by qPCR, and their interaction was assessed by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and luciferase reporter assay. m6A methylation was analyzed using the Me-RIP assay. VDAC3 expression was significantly decreased in etoposide-treated BMSCs (1.00 ± 0.13 vs. 0.26 ± 0.06). VDAC3 overexpression reduced etoposide-induced senescence and promoted osteogenic differentiation. ALKBH5 overexpression inhibited VDAC3 m6A modification (1.00 ± 0.095 vs. 0.233 ± 0.177) and its stability. ALKBH5 knockdown decreased etoposide-induced senescence and promoted osteogenic differentiation, effects that were reversed by VDAC3 knockdown. YTHDF1 was identified as the m6A methylation reader, and its overexpression inhibited VDAC3 stability. We demonstrated that ALKBH5 inhibited osteogenic differentiation of etoposide-induced senescent cells through the inhibition of VDAC3 m6A modification, and YTHDF1 acted as the m6A methylation reader. These findings provide a novel theoretical basis for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in children with febrile seizures (FS) in Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China, and in particular its association with gender and age. This should inform possible strategies for supplementation with vitamin D, and hence for prevention of FS in the local pediatric population. The Febrile seizures group consisted of 747 children hospitalized with FS at the Southwest Medical University Affiliated Hospital from January 2020 to January 2024. The healthy control group was comprised of 750 children aged from 0 to 8 years who underwent health checkups during this period. The serum 25(OH)D level was analyzed in relation to gender and age to explore its association with FS. The median serum vitamin D level in the FS group (28.8 ng/mL; IQR 21.64, 33.64) was significantly lower than in the healthy control group (37.51 ng/mL; IQR 31.05, 37.51). The incidence of vitamin D deficiency in the FS group was 10.8%, which was significantly higher than in the healthy control group (P

Abstract As an abundant agricultural and forestry biomass resource, hemicelluloses are hard to be effectively degraded and utilized by microorganisms due to the constraints of membrane and metabolic regulations. Herein, we report a synthetic extracellular metabolic pathway with hemicellulose-degrading-enzymes controllably displayed on Escherichia coli surface as engineered bacterial consortia members for efficient utilization of xylan, the most abundant component in hemicellulose. Further, we develop a hemicellulose/O2 microbial fuel cell (MFC) configuring of enzyme-engineered bacterial consortia based bioanode and bacterial-displayed laccase based biocathode. The optimized MFC exhibited an open-circuit voltage of 0.71 V and a maximum power density (P max) of 174.33 ± 4.56 µW cm−2. Meanwhile, 46.6% (w/w) α-ketoglutarate was produced in this hemicellulose fed-MFC. Besides, the MFC retained over 95% of the P max during 6 days’ operation. Therefore, this work establishes an effective and sustainable one-pot process for catalyzing renewable biomass into high-value products and electricity in an environmentally-friendly way.

Abstract Objectives The pathogen of Pantoea stewartii (Ps) is the causal agent of bacterial disease in corn and various graminaceous plants. Ps has two subspecies, Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartia (Pss) and Pantoea stewartii subsp. indologenes (Psi). This study presents two complete genomes of Ps strains including ATCC 8199 isolated from maize and PSCN1 causing bacterial wilt in sugarcane. The two bacterial genomes information will be helpful for taxonomy analysis in this genus Pantoea at whole-genome levels and accurately discriminated the two subspecies of Pss and Psi. Data description The reference strain ATCC 8199 isolated from maize was purchased from Beijing Biobw Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (China) and the strain of PSCN1 was isolated from sugarcane cultivar YZ08-1095 in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province of China. Two complete genomes were sequenced using Illumina Hiseq (second-generation) and Oxford Nanopore (third-generation) platforms. The genome of the strain ATCC 8199 comprised of 4.78 Mb with an average GC content of 54.03%, along with five plasmids, encoding a total of 4,846 gene with an average gene length of 827 bp. The genome of PSCN1 comprised of 5.03 Mb with an average GC content of 53.78%, along with two plasmids, encoding a total of 4,725 gene with an average gene length of 913 bp. The bacterial pan-genome analysis highlighted the strain ATCC 8199 was clustered into a subgroup with a Pss strain CCUG 26,359 from USA, while the strain PSCN1 was clustered into another subgroup with a Ps strain NRRLB-133 from USA. These findings will serve as a useful resource for further analyses of the evolution of Ps strains and corresponding disease epidemiology worldwide.

Abstract Exercise enhances synaptic plasticity and alleviates depression symptoms, but the mechanism through which exercise improves high-fat diet-induced depression remains unclear. In this study, 6-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were administered a high-fat diet (HFD, 60% kcal from fat) to a HFD model for 8 weeks. The RUN group also received 1 h of daily treadmill exercise in combination with the HFD. Depressive-like behaviors were evaluated by behavioral assessments for all groups. The key mediator of the effect of exercise on high-fat diet-induced depressive-like behaviors was detected by RNA-seq. The morphology and function of the neurons were evaluated via Nissl staining, Golgi staining, electron microscopy and electrophysiological experiments. The results showed that exercise attenuated high-fat diet-induced depressive-like behavior and reversed hippocampal gene expression changes. RNA-seq revealed Wnt5a, which was a key mediator of the effect of exercise on high-fat diet-induced depressive-like behaviors. Further work revealed that exercise significantly activated neuronal autophagy in the hippocampal CA1 region via the Wnt5a/CamkII signaling pathway, which enhanced synaptic plasticity to alleviate HFD-induced depressive-like behavior. However, the Wnt5a inhibitor Box5 suppressed the ameliorative effects of exercise. Therefore, this work highlights the critical role of Wnt5a, which is necessary for exercise to improve high-fat diet-induced depression.

Abstract Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a genetic heart disorder, which may lead to life-threatening arrhythmias, especially in children. Here, we reported two children who were initially misdiagnosed with epilepsy and experienced Torsades de Pointes (TdP) cardiac electrical storm (ES). Through whole exome sequencing (WES), we identified two Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily H member 2 (KCHN2) mutations (c.1841 C > T and c.1838 C > T) respectively in a 6-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl. Clinical data indicated that the QT interval was significantly prolonged, the T-wave pattern of chest V5-V6 leads and limb leads were inverted. Our study suggests that patients with epilepsy, especially those refractory epilepsy with atypical features, need comprehensive evaluation of cardiovascular function. KCNH2 mutation in pore region, QT interval prolongation and T wave inversion are high risk factors for ES. For LQT2 patients with ES, Nadolol and left cardiac sympathetic denervation are indicated, sometimes with an ICD.

Abstract Background From January 2020 to June 2022, strict interventions against COVID-19 were implemented in Guangdong Province, China. However, the evolution of COVID-19 dynamics remained unclear in this period. Objectives This study aims to investigate the evolution of within- and between-city COVID-19 dynamics in Guangdong, specifically during the implementation of rigorous prevention and control measures. The intent is to glean valuable lessons that can be applied to refine and optimize targeted interventions for future crises. Methods Data of COVID-19 cases and synchronous interventions from January 2020 to June 2022 in Guangdong Province were collected. The epidemiological characteristics were described, and the effective reproduction number (R t ) was estimated using a sequential Bayesian method. Endemic-epidemic multivariate time-series model was employed to quantitatively analyze the spatiotemporal component values and variations, to identify the evolution of within- and between-city COVID-19 dynamics. Results The incidence of COVID-19 in Guangdong Province was 12.6/100,000 population (15,989 cases) from January 2020 to June 2022. The R t predominantly remained below 1 and increased to a peak of 1.39 in Stage 5. As for the evolution of variations during the study period, there were more spatiotemporal components in stage 1 and 5. All components were fewer from Stage 2 to Stage 4. Results from the endemic-epidemic multivariate time-series model revealed a strong follow-up impact from previous infections in Dongguan, Guangzhou and Zhanjiang, with autoregressive components of 0.48, 0.45 and 0.36, respectively. Local risk was relatively high in Yunfu, Shanwei and Shenzhen, with endemic components of 1.17, 1.04 and 0.71, respectively. The impact of the epidemic on the neighboring regions was significant in Zhanjiang, Shenzhen and Zhuhai, with epidemic components of 2.14, 1.92, and 1.89, respectively. Conclusion The findings indicate the presence of spatiotemporal variation of COVID-19 in Guangdong Province, even with the implementation of strict interventions. It’s significant to prevent transmissions within cities with dense population. Preventing spatial transmissions between cities is necessary when the epidemic is severe. To better cope with future crises, interventions including vaccination, medical resource allocation and coordinated non-pharmaceutical interventions were suggested.

Abstract This study aims to understand the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospitalized patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in China, who did not contract SARS-CoV-2. We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional analysis comparing the characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized PAD patients across two distinct periods: Pre-pandemic (P1, from January 2018 to December 2019) and during the pandemic (P2, from January 2020 to December 2021). During P1, 762 hospitalized patients were treated, with an average age of 72.3 years, while 478 patients were treated in P2, with an average age of 65.1 years. Notably, hospitalized patients admitted during the pandemic (P2) exhibited a significantly higher incidence of chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI, 70% vs 54%), diabetic foot infection (47% vs 29%), and infra-popliteal lesions (28% vs 22%). Furthermore, these patients demonstrated a marked deterioration in their Rutherford category and an increased mean score in the Wound, Ischemia, and foot Infection classification system (WIfI). Treatment during the pandemic emerged as a predictor of reduced procedural success and increased major adverse limb events. Factors such as the presence of diabetic foot infection, renal impairment, and deteriorating WIfI scores were identified as independent risk indicators for major adverse limb events. Our results demonstrate that intensive care was provided to severe cases of PAD even during the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the unprecedented pressures on healthcare systems, patients with severe PAD, particularly those with CLTI, continued to receive necessary in-patient care. The findings underscore the importance of timely medical interventions and extended follow-up for patients exhibiting high-risk factors.

Abstract The accumulation of α-synuclein induces neuronal loss in midbrain nuclei and leads to the disruption of motor circuits, while the pathology of α-synuclein in cortical regions remains elusive. To better characterize cortical synucleinopathy, here we generate a mouse model with the overexpression of human α-synuclein in the primary motor cortex (M1) of mice. A combination of molecular, in vivo recording, and behavioral approaches reveal that cortical expression of human α-synuclein results in the overexcitation of cortical pyramidal neurons (PNs), which are regulated by the decreased inhibitory inputs from parvalbumin-interneurons (PV-INs) to impair complex motor skill learning. Further mechanistic dissections reveal that human α-synuclein aggregation activates ferroptosis, contributing to PV-IN degeneration and motor circuit dysfunction. Taken together, the current study adds more knowledge to the emerging role and pathogenic mechanism of ferroptosis in neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract Given the impact of deep stratospheric intrusion on air quality, the development of more extensive trace substances to quantify stratospheric intrusion intensity can better distinguish between stratospheric ozone pollution and anthropogenic factors. The ratio of cosmogenic beryllium-10 to beryllium-7 (10Be/7Be), primarily generated in the stratosphere, has the potential to identify stratospheric air masses on the ground. Here we constructed a 10Be/7Be time-series (July 2020 to September 2021) in rainwater and aerosols from Xi’an, China. Combining in-situ pollutants, reanalysis data, and model calculations support a stratospheric origin for increased 10Be/7Be and identify it as a means of quantifying intrusion intensity. It was found that anticyclones formed by the Asian summer monsoon drive a sudden increase in deep stratospheric intrusion in spring, exacerbating ozone pollution beyond China’s air quality standards. Based on the sufficiently sensitive 10Be/7Be, it further indicates the process of six weak upper atmosphere intrusions in Xi’an during winter.

Abstract Background Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is the most common chronic spinal cord injury with poor surgical and neurologic recovery in the advanced stages of the disease. DTI parameters can serve as important biomarkers for CSM prognosis. The study aimed to investigate the predictive value of dynamic diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for the postoperative outcomes of CSM. Methods One hundred and five patients with CSM who underwent surgery were included in this study. Patients were assessed using the Modified Japanese Orthopedic Association Score (mJOA) before and one year after surgery and then divided into groups with good (≥ 50%) and poor (

Previous studies have confirmed that intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is closely associated with inflammation-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and resultant cell mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) decline. Clearance of ROS in an inflammatory environment is essential for breaking the vicious cycle of MMP decline. Additionally, re-energizing the mitochondria damaged in the inflammatory milieu to restore their function, is equally important. Herein, we proposed an interesting concept of mitochondrion-engine equipped with coolant, which enables first to “cool-down” the inflammatory environment, next to restore the MMP, finally to allow cells to regain normal energy metabolism through materials design. As such, we developed a multi-functional composite composed of a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive sodium alginate/gelatin hydrogel infused into a rigid 3D-printed thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) scaffold. The TPU scaffold was coated with conductive polypyrrole (PPy) to electrophoretically deposit l-arginine, which could upregulate the Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, thus increasing MMP and energy metabolism to stimulate extracellular matrix synthesis for IVD repair. While the ROS-responsive hydrogel acting as the “mito-engine coolant” could scavenge the excessive ROS to create a favorable environment for IVD cells recovery. Demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo evaluations, the mito-engine system markedly promoted the proliferation and collagen synthesis of nucleus pulposus cells while enhancing the mitochondrial respiration and MMP under oxidative stress. Radiological and histological assessments in vivo revealed the efficacy of this system in IVD repair. This unique bioinspired design integrated biomaterial science with mitochondrial biology, presents a promising paradigm for IDD treatment.

Background: This work aimed to explore anxiety-associated risk factors in patients diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods: Clinical data from patients diagnosed with UC and hospitalized at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University between May 2019 and June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 260 patients were included and divided into UC with anxiety (n = 86) and UC without anxiety (n = 174) groups according to the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale score. The quality of life and disease activity in patients with UC were assessed using the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire and Mayo Score, respectively. Clinical data, disease characteristics, quality of life, disease activity, and noise exposure were compared between the groups, and factors contributing to anxiety in patients with UC were explored through multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of disease duration (P = 0.73), distribution of disease (P = 0.86), or medication use (P = 0.86). However, compared to UC patients without anxiety, those with anxiety were older (P < 0.05), predominantly female (P < 0.05), had lower quality of life (P < 0.05), experienced higher disease activity (P < 0.05), and had greater noise exposure (P < 0.05). The quality of life [odds ratio (OR) = 0.558, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.348–0.895, P = 0.02] was a protective factor for anxiety in patients with UC. Disease activity (OR = 1.680, 95% CI = 1.103–2.561, P = 0.02) and noise exposure (OR = 2.148, 95% CI = 1.084–4.106, P = 0.01) were significant risk factors for anxiety in patients with UC. Conclusion: Noise exposure and disease activity were associated with an increased risk of anxiety in patients with UC, whereas higher quality of life was protective against anxiety in UC patients.

Abstract Background Sarcopenia is a musculoskeletal disease characterized by a significant reduction in muscle mass, strength, and performance. As it mostly affects older adults, it is often recognized as a disease of old age. However, sleep is also closely related to its development. Hence, it becomes critical to explore the relationship between sleep and sarcopenia in populations under 60 years of age to develop strategies for preventing sarcopenia. We here aim to explore the specific association between sleep duration and sleep quality with pre-sarcopenia in the non-elderly population using large population samples. Methods This study involved 7,187 participants aged 20–59 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2005 and 2014. Pre-sarcopenia is defined based on the appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) adjusted for body mass index (BMI). Self-reported sleep duration was categorized into three groups: 8 h (long sleep). Sleep quality was assessed based on the Sleep Disorder and Trouble Sleeping Questionnaire. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to examine the relationship between sleep duration and sleep quality with pre-sarcopenia. Results Sleep quality was significantly linked with the risk of pre-sarcopenia (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.36–2.18, P 40 years old (P

Abstract Background Nocardiosis, despite its rarity and underreporting, is significant due to its severe impact, characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates. The development of a precise, reliable, rapid, and straightforward technique for identifying the pathogenic agent in clinical specimens is crucial to reduce fatality rates and facilitate timely antimicrobial treatment. In this study, we aimed to identify Nocardia spp. in clinical isolates, using MALDI-TOF MS as the primary method, with molecular methods as the gold standard. Clinical Nocardia isolates were identified using 16S rRNA/hsp65/gyrB/secA1/rpoB gene sequencing. Identification performance of the Bruker MALDI Biotyper 3.1 (V09.0.0.0_8468) and MBT Compass 4.1 (V11.0.0.0_10833) for Nocardia identification was evaluated. Results Seventy-six Nocardia isolates were classified into 12 species through gene sequencing. The MALDI Biotyper 3.1 (V09.0.0.0_8468) achieved 100% genus-level accuracy and 84.2% species accuracy (64/76). The MBT Compass 4.1 with the BDAL Database (V11.0.0.0_10833) improved species identification to 98.7% (75/76). The updated database enhanced species level identification with scores > 1.7, increasing from 77.6% (59/76) to 94.7% (72/76), a significant improvement (P = 0.001). The new and simplified extraction increased the proportion of strains identified to the species level with scores > 1.7 from 62.0% (18/29) to 86.2% (25/29) (P = 0.016). An in-house library construction ensured accurate species identification for all isolates. Conclusions The Bruker mass spectrometer can accurately identify Nocardia species, albeit with some variations observed between different database versions. The MALDI Biotyper 3.1 (V09.0.0.0_8468) has limitations in identifying Nocardia brasiliensis, with some strains only identifiable to the genus level. MBT Compass 4.1 (V11.0.0.0_10833) effectively addresses this shortfall, improving species identification accuracy to 98.7%, and offering quick and reliable identification of Nocardia. Both database versions incorrectly identified the clinically less common Nocardia sputorum as Nocardia araoensis. For laboratories that have not upgraded their databases and are unable to achieve satisfactory identification results for Nocardia, employing the new and simplified extraction method can provide a degree of improvement in identification outcomes.

Abstract Inulin, a polysaccharide predominantly composed of fructose molecules, possesses a linear chain structure with β-(2 → 1) linkages between fructose units and usually has a glucose molecule at one end of the chain. It is not only an edible natural functional polysaccharide, but also a soluble dietary fiber, with a variety of physiological functions such as antioxidant, promoting the growth of gut flora and maintaining its homeostasis, enhancing gut immune function, promoting nutrient absorption, lowering glycemia, as well as providing anti-carcinogenic, weight loss and constipation relief. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research advances in the extraction, purification, structural characterization, and bioactivities. It is intended to lay the theoretical and research foundations to enable further exploration and effective progress in the advancement towards the production of inulin. Graphical abstract

Abstract Objective The systemic immunity-inflammation index (SII) is a newly developed biomarker that provides an integrated measure of inflammation in the body. We aim to evaluate the relationship between SII and body fat distribution. Methods Adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2018 were included. The SII was computed using lymphocyte (LC), neutrophil (NC), and platelet (PC) counts as its components. Body fat distribution was assessed by (total, android, gynoid) percentage fat, total abdominal fat area, subcutaneous adipose tissue area, visceral adipose tissue area, and the ratio of visceral to subcutaneous adipose tissue area (V/S ratio). Multivariable weighted linear regression and subgroup analysis were use to examine the relationships between fat distribution and SII. Restricted cubic splines (RCS) and threshold effect analysis were used to examine analyze nonlinear associations. Results After exclusions, a total of 11,192 adults with a weighted mean age of 38.46 ± 0.26 years were studied. In multivariable weighted linear regression, each level increase in log2SII was associated with increased of 0.23 SDs total percentage fat (95% CI = 0.03, 0.43) and 0.26 SDs android percentage fat (95% CI = 0.06, 0.47). Besides, the subgroup analysis showed that the positive association between SII and android percentage fat was mainly among obese individuals (BMI > 30 kg/m2) and non-obese individuals without DM or hypertension. Meanwhile, the relationship between SII and the V/S ratio was found to be significant in the female subgroup, the obese subgroup, individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and those without diabetes mellitus. Finally, SII exhibited an inverted U-shaped relationship with total percentage fat, android percent fat and total abdominal fat. Accordingly, threshold effect analysis indicated a positive association between lower SII levels and total percentage fat, android percentage fat and total abdominal fat area. Conclusions In the nationwide study, it was observed that the SII exhibited a significant correlation with higher levels of body fat, specifically android fat. This association was particularly noticeable within specific subgroups of the population.

Abstract Efficient energy conversion using ions as carriers necessitates membranes that sustain high permselectivity in high salinity conditions, which presents a significant challenge. This study addresses the issue by manipulating the linkages in covalent-organic-framework membranes, altering the distribution of electrostatic potentials and thereby influencing the short-range interactions between ions and membranes. We show that a charge-neutral covalent-organic-framework membrane with β-ketoenamine linkages achieves record permselectivity in high salinity environments. Additionally, the membrane retains its permselectivity under temperature gradients, providing a method for converting low-grade waste heat into electrical energy. Experiments reveal that with a 3 M KCl solution and a 50 K temperature difference, the membrane generates an output power density of 5.70 W m−2. Furthermore, guided by a short-range ionic screening mechanism, the membrane exhibits adaptable permselectivity, allowing reversible and controllable operations by finely adjusting charge polarity and magnitude on the membrane’s channel surfaces via ion adsorption. Notably, treatment with K3PO4 solutions significantly enhances permselectivity, resulting in a giant output power density of 20.22 W m−2, a 3.6-fold increase over the untreated membrane, setting a benchmark for converting low-grade heat into electrical energy.

Abstract Oral mucosal wounds exhibit accelerated healing with reduced scarring compared to cutaneous wounds, representing an optimal wound healing paradigm. However, the specific cellular subtypes orchestrating the efficient healing of mucosal tissues remain elusive. Through a comprehensive analysis integrating bulk-mRNA and single-cell sequencing data during the wound healing process in oral mucosa and skin, we have delineated a distinct set of genes markedly upregulated during tissue repair. This collection of wound healing-associated genesets was highly enriched in a specific keratinocyte subpopulation identified as STAT3-activated SPRR1B+ keratinocytes. Notably, despite the inherent rapidity of oral mucosal healing, the induction of SPRR1B+ keratinocytes is evident in both skin and mucosal wound healing processes in murine model. Intriguingly, these wound healing-promoting SPRR1B+ keratinocytes, which are induced via STAT3 activation, inherently abundant in unwounded normal mucosa but absent in normal skin. SPRR1B knockdown significantly inhibits mucosal keratinocyte migration, a critical attribute for effective wound healing. In summary, through analysis of human oral and skin wound healing processes at single-cell resolution, coupled with validation in murine model, suggests STAT3-activated SPRR1B+ keratinocytes are associated with the rapid mucosal repair process. This discovery underscores the potential application of SPRR1B+ keratinocytes in the therapeutic management of chronic or non-healing wounds.

Abstract In their letter-to-the-editor entitled “Letter to the Editor: Incidence rate of occult lymph node metastasis in clinical T1 − 2N0M0 small cell lung cancer patients and radiomic prediction based on contrast-enhanced CT imaging: a multicenter study”, Prof. Chen et al. provided insightful comments and suggestions on our original study. We appreciate the authors’ feedback and have conducted a preliminary exploration of the predictive value of serum tumor markers (TMs) for occult lymph node metastasis (OLM) in clinical T1 − 2N0M0 (cT1 − 2N0M0) small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients. The results indicate that neuron-specific enolase (NSE), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125), and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) have potential predictive value for detecting OLM in cT1 − 2N0M0 SCLC patients. Additionally, further exploration and confirmation through prospective, large-scale studies with robust external validation are needed.

Abstract Neural stimulation and modulation at high spatial resolution are crucial for mediating neuronal signaling and plasticity, aiding in a better understanding of neuronal dysfunction and neurodegenerative diseases. However, developing a biocompatible and precisely controllable technique for accurate and effective stimulation and modulation of neurons at the subcellular level is highly challenging. Here, we report an optomechanical method for neural stimulation and modulation with subcellular precision using optically controlled bio-darts. The bio-dart is obtained from the tip of sunflower pollen grain and can generate transient pressure on the cell membrane with submicrometer spatial resolution when propelled by optical scattering force controlled with an optical fiber probe, which results in precision neural stimulation via precisely activation of membrane mechanosensitive ion channel. Importantly, controllable modulation of a single neuronal cell, even down to subcellular neuronal structures such as dendrites, axons, and soma, can be achieved. This bio-dart can also serve as a drug delivery tool for multifunctional neural stimulation and modulation. Remarkably, our optomechanical bio-darts can also be used for in vivo neural stimulation in larval zebrafish. This strategy provides a novel approach for neural stimulation and modulation with sub-cellular precision, paving the way for high-precision neuronal plasticity and neuromodulation.

[Introduction] The rapid development of new energy vehicles (NEVs) brings higher requirements for the power demand of highways. Based on the analysis of the power loads of highways, the photovoltaic endowment, and the energy storage technologies suitable for highway service areas in China, this paper explores the self-consistency of the highway transportation and energy integration mode of the PV-Storage-Charging integrated development path, and combines practical engineering project to demonstrate and analyze the feasibility of the highway transportation and energy integration mode. [Method] By analyzing the total mileage of highways in China, the market penetration rate of NEVs, and the PV & energy storage resources of highway transportation, based on the potential increase in highway power load due to the growth of NEVs and the utilization space of photovoltaic resources in highway transportation, a comprehensive energy utilization mode of PV-Storage-Charging for highway service areas was proposed. Combined with existing projects of self-consistent modes of transportation and energy integration, suggestions were proposed for the integrated development mode of highway PV-Storage-Charging. [Result] Data indicates that by 2025, the national stock of NEVs will exceed 25 million, consuming 37.5 TWh of electricity, showing tremendous potential for electricity demand. At the same time, the abundant photovoltaic resources along and around roads in China have a photovoltaic generation potential of approximately 1022.8 TW, while the calculated annual energy consumption of highway infrastructure is approximately 17.99 TW. [Conclusion] The main path of integration between transportation and energy should start with developing wind and photovoltaic natural resource endowments based on the infrastructure of road transportation itself, and forming a self-consistent supply of transportation energy systems, thereby constructing a distributed, green, renewable, and net zero-emission energy supply system for transportation systems. The integrated development path of PV-Storage-Charging transportation and energy integration can consume renewable energy locally, alleviate grid pressure while promoting the clean energy utilization of highways, showing immense potential. This paper can provide theoretical support and reference for the development of highway transportation and energy integration in China.

Abstract This study addresses the distribution and antimicrobial resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) in a medical facility in Haikou City, aiming to provide essential insights for enhancing in-hospital treatment and prevention strategies. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 513 A. baumannii isolates collected from a tertiary care hospital in Haikou between January 2018 and December 2020, focusing on their antimicrobial resistance patterns. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was performed on 48 randomly selected A. baumannii strains. Using Gel-pro4.0 and NTSYSspc2.10 software, we constructed dendrograms to assess the genetic diversity of these strains. Our results indicate that males between 60 and 70 years old are particularly vulnerable to A. baumannii infections, which are most frequently detected in sputum samples, with a detection rate exceeding 70%. Alarmingly, over 50% of the isolates were identified as multi-drug resistant. The RAPD-PCR fingerprinting cluster analysis demonstrated substantial genetic diversity among the strains. Using primer OPA-02 at a 45% similarity coefficient, the strains were categorized into four groups (A-D), with group A being predominant (39 strains). high-prevalence areas like the Neurosurgery and Intensive Care Medicine Wards require enhanced surveillance and targeted interventions to manage Group C infections effectively. Additionally, the varied presence of other groups necessitates customized strategies to address the specific risks in each ward. Similarly, primer 270 at a 52% similarity coefficient classified the strains into five groups (E-I), with group E being most common (36 strains). The study highlights a concerning prevalence of antimicrobial resistance, particularly multi-drug resistance, among A. baumannii strains in the Haikou hospital. The significant genetic diversity, especially within groups A and E, underscores the need for tailored hospital treatment protocols and prevention measures. These findings contribute to the growing body of research on antimicrobial resistance, emphasizing the urgent need for effective management strategies in healthcare settings.