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The genetic basis and corresponding clinical relevance of prolactinomas remain poorly understood. Here, we perform whole genome sequencing (WGS) on 21 patients with prolactinomas to detect somatic mutations and then validate the mutations with digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of tissue samples from 227 prolactinomas. We identify the same hotspot somatic mutation in splicing factor 3 subunit B1 (SF3B1R625H) in 19.8% of prolactinomas. These patients with mutant prolactinomas display higher prolactin (PRL) levels (p = 0.02) and shorter progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.02) compared to patients without the mutation. Moreover, we identify that the SF3B1R625H mutation causes aberrant splicing of estrogen related receptor gamma (ESRRG), which results in stronger binding of pituitary-specific positive transcription factor 1 (Pit-1), leading to excessive PRL secretion. Thus our study validates an important mutation and elucidates a potential mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of prolactinomas that may lead to the development of targeted therapeutics.

Corneal injury and trauma present a significant challenge in terms of healing, as natural tissue repair leads to fibrosis and scar formation, which can have a detrimental impact on vision. Therefore, it is necessary to develop effective treatment methods that will reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair while maintaining the native transparency of tissue and vision. When applied to the skin, collagen can inhibit the progression of inflammation and facilitate the repair of damaged skin. Herein, we investigated the potential of collagen for the repair of corneal injuries, utilizing nanoscale dimensions that minimize ocular surface irritation. Electrospun collagen nanofibers (eCFs) retain the natural properties of collagen and have a large surface area and high porosity, rendering them highly suitable for mimicking the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) and providing a favorable microenvironment for cell growth. In vitro models of inflammation were constructed using human corneal epithelial cells (hCECs) and human corneal stromal fibroblasts (hCSFs). The addition of eCFs significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced corneal inflammation. In vitro cell experiments and three-dimensional culture models were established to test the influence of eCFs on cell behavior as scaffolds. The eCFs promoted cell proliferation, migration, and stretching and are beneficial for maintaining a quiescent phenotype. Nanoscale collagen demonstrated superior wound-healing effects in animal models, promoting epithelial healing and maintaining transparency of the corneal stroma. In conclusion, eCFs considerably suppressed the production of LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines in vitro, while promoting the healing and repair of the corneal epithelium and inhibiting corneal stromal fibrosis. Thus, this type of collagen nanofiber has great potential in the biomedical field, providing a perspective for the optimization of clinical treatment strategies for corneal injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonicotinoids (NEOs), highly selective toward insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, are extensively used due to their effectiveness against pests and relative non‐toxicity to vertebrates. However, their prolonged persistence in soil and water has led to frequent detection in food and environmental samples, posing significant environmental and health concerns. Recent research indicates these pesticides infiltrate aquatic ecosystems, threatening aquatic life and human health. Here, we improved the ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry method for detecting NEOs in water samples, increasing its sensitivity to fulfill forthcoming detection needs. This approach enables the simultaneous quantification of eight NEOs and five NEO metabolites in diverse water sources, including tap, surface, groundwater, sewage, and seawater. Our method achieves remarkably low detection limits for direct injection (0.78–1.7 ng/L) and solid‐phase extraction methods (0.13–0.25 ng/L). Critically, our findings reveal that boiling domestic drinking water doesn't degrade NEOs; instead, it increases their concentration due to water evaporation. A 6‐min boiling period can amplify pesticide concentration by 4–5 times, presenting a significant hazard in culinary practices of specific regions where prolonged cooking could lead to alarmingly high levels of these insecticides. This research underscores the importance of monitoring and mitigating NEO contamination in water sources to safeguard environmental and public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shear mechanical properties of rock under high confining stresses are required in deep underground construction projects for stability evaluation. This paper tested the sandstone shear properties under high confining pressures by a novel triaxial direct shear device with a self-balancing structure for both low and high confining pressure. The triaxial direct shear experiments on Zigong sandstone from a deep tunnel were carried out to evaluate its strength and deformability. Our experimental results suggested that the shear stress-displacement curves exhibited two distinct characteristics under different confining pressures. The damaging stage occurs initially and turns wider in the shear stress-displacement curve as the confining pressure exceeds the threshold stress. The confining pressure threshold of Zigong sandstone is observed to be 10–20 MPa. Meanwhile, a statistical damage model based on Beta distribution was proposed to describe the shear stress (cohesion contribution) during the whole shearing process, which demonstrates better prediction performance than previously existing models, especially under high confining pressures. This study provides important insights into the high-pressure induced rock shear properties and sheds light on the engineering stability assessment under high stress of tunnels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article introduces the experimental and analytical research results of two precast insulation mortar concrete sandwich panels (PIMSP) and two precast concrete composite panels as one-way slabs under bending load. Obtaining a prefabricated floor slab that can balance thermal insulation and structural performance can reduce material consumption and increase inter-story usage height. As the sandwich material for PIMSP, insulation mortar with a strength of 6 MPa was used. Truss-shaped shear connectors were used for shear force transfer. Then, finite element analysis was used to analyze and study the unidirectional flat plate model. The results showed that the tested PIMSP achieved a complete composite effect in the elastic stage and a semi-composite effect in the plastic stage. The PIMSP crack pattern resembles that of a precast concrete slab when utilized as a one-way slab. The load transfer capacity of truss-shaped shear connectors is relatively small, and it is mainly used as a connection between floors. Experiments have demonstrated that PIMSP panels can serve as a structural substitute for regular concrete floors in residential buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]