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Waste rubber has been widely applied in geotechnical engineering, benefiting from its light weight, high elasticity, low density, good durability and high compressibility. In this paper, the effects of rubber content (RC) and rubber size (d0) on the dynamic properties of expansive soil–rubber (ESR) were investigated by low-temperature dynamic triaxial tests. The results show that: (1) the shear stress of ESR decreases with the increase of RC with a particle size ratio of 1.3, but first decreases and then increases with a particle size ratio of 2.4; (2) the RC threshold between soil-like and rubber-like ESR is 10%; (3) the maximum shear modulus ratio of ESR occurs at RC = 10% and d0 = 0.25 mm, with the best dynamic performance; (4) the hysteretic curve of ESR was flat and elliptical, deviating upward to the right at freezing condition. In addition, different contact modes between rubber and expansive soil are proposed and the contact mechanism has been revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimation of the age of epidural hematoma (EDH) is a challenge in clinical forensic medicine, and this issue has yet to be conclusively resolved. The advantages of objectivity and non-invasiveness make computing tomography (CT) imaging an potential diagnostic method for EDH in living individuals. Recently, radiomics, the extraction hidden information from medical images, has emerged as a promising method for constructing predictive models. The aim of this study is to explore the feasibility and applicability of CT-based radiomics in predicting the timing of EDH injuries in surviving victims. A cohort of 95 EDH cases with definite injured time (within 12 h since injury) was selected. Clinical characteristics (age, gender, injury time, bleeding location, bleeding volume, and fracture) were recorded. The datasets were divided randomly into training and test cohorts. LIFEx software was used to segment the hematoma area in the CT and extract radiomic features. Machine learning algorithms were applied for features selection and model building. Twenty-three features were selected to calculate the Radscore, a key metric in our analysis. Utilizing this Radscore in conjunction with the time since injury, we constructed an Ordinary Least Squared (OLS) model. Our validation study has shown that mean absolute error (MAE) of the test cohort was 2.42 h, indicating a high degree of accuracy. In order to enhance the accuracy of prediction, the dataset was divided into unstable phase, occurring within the first 5 h post injury, and the stable phases. The Random Forest algorithm presented a significant divergence in predictive performance between the two phases, achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.79, with an accuracy of 75.86%. The MAE of the regression model was 1.05 h for the unstable phase, and 1.23 h for the stable phase. Our findings underscore the potential of CT-based radiomics to offer a novel, convenient, and efficient approach to dating EDH, promising to illuminate new avenues in the field of medical diagnostics., Competing Interests: Declarations Ethics approval The Medical Ethics Committee of China Medical University approved this retrospective study. The requirement for written informed consent was waived due to retrospective nature. Research involving human participants and/or animals Human participants. Conflict of interest The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Rotenone remains an efficient pesticide used extensively in agriculture, leading to neurotoxicity and the increase of the prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous studies indicated that Parkin, a neurohomeostasis regulatory factor, and NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), a core factor driving the inflammatory response, interacted with each other, which affected neuroinflammation occurrence. However, whether rotenone accelerated PD progression via Parkin-NLRP3 loop and the specific mechanisms were still unclear. Here, a novel negative feedback mechanism of Parkin-NLRP3 that regulated PD caused by rotenone was certified. Rotenone treatment induced neurodegeneration in vitro- and vivo-models. The activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and Parkin was increased and decreased, respectively, and the expression of pyroptosis related proteins was up-regulated, because of the addition of rotenone. Notably, the overexpression of Parkin promoted NLRP3 ubiquitination, which down regulated pyroptosis mediated by NLRP3, protected mitochondrial function as well as preventing neurodegeneration. Additionally, the NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 restored the activation of Parkin and down regulated pyroptosis mediated by NLRP3 in rotenone-induced PD. It was revealed that the Parkin-NLRP3 negative feedback loop participated in rotenone-induced PD by regulating pyroptosis, representing a new idea for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Leeches are famous for their high medical value and wide environmental adaptability. Among them, cave leeches are a very fascinating and rare group, which is an important component in the study of adaptive evolution of leeches. However, no study has yet reported a reference genome for this group. In this study, we assembled a high-quality chromosome-level genome of the cave terrestrial leech Sinospelaeobdella cavatuses, through Illumina and PacBio sequencing, alongside chromosome conformation capture techniques. The resulting genome spans 153.67 Mb across 9 pseudochromosomes(range: 11.33 to 23.53 Mb), with a mounting rate of up to 95.37% and features an N50 length of 17.15 Mb. This genome is composed of 35.16% repetitive elements and contains 21180 predicted protein-coding genes. Decoding the S. cavatuses genome not only promotes future studies on study of its phylogeny, evolution, and behavior, but also provides valuable resources for in-depth investigation on adaptive evolution of leech., Competing Interests: Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction: Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1), a lysosomal cholesterol transport protein, is required for efficient efferocytosis. Patients with Npc1 mutation are frequently accompanied with hepatic symptoms, including hepatomegaly, elevated liver transaminases, or even acute liver failure, but the pathogenic mechanism remains unknown., Objectives: Our work aims to characterize the functional role of myeloid NPC1 in liver injury and elucidate its underlying mechanism., Methods: Analyses of injured livers from patients with liver diseases and mouse models were conducted to examine NPC1 expression. Myeloid cell-specific Npc1 knockout mice were constructed to determine the functional role of macrophage NPC1 in liver injury. Isolated macrophages were subjected to in vitro mechanistical assays., Results: We found that NPC1 is mainly expressed in hepatic macrophages. Its mRNA and protein expression are significantly elevated in injured livers from both patients and mouse models. Tissue-specific deletion of myeloid Npc1 increased liver inflammation, levels of serum liver function enzymes, and liver fibrosis in mouse models of liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) injection and methionine-and-choline-deficient (MCD) diets. Further analyses indicate that Npc1 deficiency in mouse models of liver injury resulted in increased levels of serum HMGB1 and mitochondrial DNA, promoted hepatic macrophage proinflammatory activation, M1 polarization, led to overproduction of hepatic inflammatory cytokines/chemokines, e.g. CCL2 and STING/NFκB pathway activation. In vitro mechanistical studies reveal that Npc1-deficient macrophages exhibited inefficient efferocytosis, partly due to impaired cargo degradation., Conclusions: These findings indicate that elevated expression of myeloid NPC1 in liver diseases protects liver from injury by promoting macrophage efferocytosis of damaged cells. Dysfunction of NPC1 aggravates liver injury, suggesting that NPC1 may be a potential therapeutic target for treating liver diseases., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: Phosphorus (P) plays a vital role in plant growth. The pqqC and phoD genes serve as molecular markers for inorganic and organic P breakdown, respectively. However, the understanding of how P-mobilizing bacteria in soil respond to long-term fertilization and rhizobium application is limited. Herein, soil that had been treated with fertilizer and rhizobium for 10 years was collected to investigate the characteristics of P-mobilizing bacterial communities. Five treatments were included: no fertilization (CK), phosphorus fertilizer (P), urea + potassium fertilizer (NK), NPK, and PK + Bradyrhizobium japonicum 5821 (PK + R)., Results: The soybean nodule dry weight was highest in the P treatment (1.93 g), while the soybean yield peaked in the PK + R treatment (3025.33 kg ha - 1 ). The abundance of the pqqC gene increased in the rhizosphere soil at the flowering-podding stage and in the bulk soil at the maturity stage under the P treatment, while its abundance increased in the bulk soil at the flowering-podding stage and in the rhizosphere soil at the maturity stage under the PK + R treatment. The abundance of the phoD gene was enhanced in the bulk soil at the flowering-podding stage under the PK + R treatment. The Shannon and Ace indexes of pqqC- and phoD-harboring bacteria were higher in the rhizosphere soil at maturity under the PK + R treatment compared to other treatments. Furthermore, a comprehensive analysis of the neutral community model and co-occurrence pattern demonstrated that the application of P fertilizer alone led to an increase in the distribution and dynamic movement of pqqC-harboring bacteria, but resulted in a decrease in complexity of network structure. On the other hand, rhizobium inoculation enhanced the distribution and dynamic movement of phoD-harboring bacteria, as well as the stability and complexity of the network structure. Pseudomonas and Nitrobacter, as well as Steptomyces, Stella, and Nonomuraea, may be crucial genera regulating the composition and function of pqqC- and phoD-harboring communities, respectively., Conclusions: These findings affirm the crucial role of fertilization and rhizobium inoculation in regulating pqqC- and phoD-harboring bacterial communities, and highlight the significance of long-term phosphate-only fertilization and rhizobium inoculation in enhancing dissolved inorganic phosphorus and mineralized organophosphorus, respectively., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Vancomycin and norvancomycin have diminished antibacterial efficacy due to acquired or intrinsic resistance from mutations in the terminal dipeptide of lipid II in Gram-positive bacteria or failure to penetrate into the periplasm in Gram-negative bacteria. Herein, we rationally designed and synthesized a series of vancomycin analogues bearing single amine or guanidine functionality, altering various linkers and modification sites, to combat the resistance. Extensive antibacterial screening was performed to delineate a comprehensive SAR. Many derivatives revitalized the activity in vitro, exhibiting a 4-128-fold or 2-16-fold enhancement against the acquired or intrinsic resistance with lower toxicity. Significantly, the optimal compound 4g demonstrated greater pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles. Further studies uncovered additional independent and synergistic mechanisms for 4g , including the enhanced membrane activity and augmented inhibition of peptidoglycan biosynthesis via increased lipid II binding, highlighting its potential as a future lead candidate to replenish the glycopeptide antibiotic arsenal.

Competing Interests: Declaration of interests JSJ reports grants and non-financial support from WHO, outside the submitted work. MW reports grants from the Wellcome Trust during the conduct of the study. All other authors declare no competing interests.

The small brown planthopper (SBPH), Laodelphax striatellus, poses a significant threat to rice crops, necessitating innovative pest control strategies. This study evaluated the potential of validamycin A (Val A) and RNA interference (RNAi) targeting trehalase genes (LsTre1 and LsTre2) in controlling SBPH. Our results demonstrated that Val A treatment of rice seedlings led to a dose-dependent mortality of SBPH. Concurrently, Val A induced the upregulation of LsTre1 and LsTre2, suggesting a compensatory feedback mechanism. Furthermore, foliar-applied chimeric dsRNA targeting LsTre1 and LsTre2 exhibited higher insecticidal activity than individual dsLsTre1 and dsLsTre2 or mixed dsRNAs. Remarkably, co-application of Val A and chimeric dsRNA increased SBPH mortality due to the suppression of Val A-induced LsTre1 and LsTre2 upregulation by chimeric dsRNA. These results suggest that the co-application of Val A and chimeric dsRNA targeting trehalase genes could be an effective SBPH control strategy., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The activation of nitrogen (N 2 ) is vital for sustainable ammonia production and nitrogen fixation technologies. This study employs density functional theory (DFT) to investigate the nitrogen activation and reduction capabilities of Group VIII single-atom catalysts anchored on MoS 2 . Among these, osmium anchored on MoS 2 (Os@MoS 2 ) emerged as the most promising catalyst, exhibiting the highest N 2 activation and the lowest nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) overpotential (0.624 V). A pronounced "electron drift" effect was observed for Os@MoS 2 , leading to significant charge redistribution that weakens the N ≡ N triple bond, facilitating its activation. The N-N dissociation energy barrier at the *N-NH 2 intermediate was calculated to be only 0.82 eV, confirming Os@MoS 2 's superior catalytic efficiency. Detailed analyses, including electrostatic potential maps, electron localization functions, spin density, and charge transfer, revealed the pivotal role of orbital interactions in driving N 2 activation. Interestingly, the trends in adsorbed N 2 bond energies and NRR overpotentials showed a consistent diagonal pattern across the Group VIII catalysts, emphasizing the importance of electronic and geometric factors. This work offers valuable insights into nitrogen activation mechanisms and provides a framework for designing efficient catalysts, highlighting Os@MoS 2 's potential in sustainable ammonia synthesis.

Highly substituted perfluoroacylated chitosan can alter the physicochemical properties of chitosan; however, the currently synthesized perfluoroacylated chitosan has a low degree of substitution. In this study, we present a simple method for the homogeneous preparation of highly substituted N-perfluoroacylated chitosan, conducted at room temperature without requiring strict anhydrous or oxygen-free conditions. Various perfluorocarbon chains were successfully attached to chitosan through a reaction between perfluorinated acid esters and amines, catalyzed by DBU. The synthesized N-perfluoroacylated chitosan, with high degree of substitution, demonstrated excellent solubility in common organic solvents. Comprehensive characterization was performed using elemental analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance (including two-dimensional NMR), gel permeation chromatography, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermal analysis. The resulting films exhibited high water contact angles. Notably, as the fluorocarbon chain length increased, tensile strength gradually decreased, while elongation at break improved. Additionally, water uptake, water vapor transmission rate, and oxygen transmission rate all exhibited a declining trend. The films exhibited good biocompatibility, and in the grape preservation experiment, HFBC treatment effectively delayed grape aging and deterioration while enhancing quality preservation. These results suggest that HFBC film holds promising potential for food packaging applications., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Stem cell-based therapies hold significant promise for chronic wound healing and skin appendages regeneration, but challenges such as limited stem cell lifespan and poor biocompatibility of delivery systems hinder clinical application. In this study, an in situ delivery system for human adipose-derived stem cells is developed (hADSCs) to enhance diabetic wound healing. The system utilizes a photo-crosslinking recombinant human type III collagen (rHCIII) hydrogel to encapsulate hADSCs, termed the hADSCs@rHCIII hydrogel. This hydrogel undergoes local crosslinking at the wound site, establishing a sturdy 3D niche suitable for stem cell function. Consequently, the encapsulated hADSCs exhibit strong attachment and spreading within the hydrogels, maintaining their proliferation, metabolic activity, and viability for up to three weeks in vitro. Importantly, in vivo studies demonstrate that the hADSCs@rHCIII hydrogel achieves significant in situ delivery of stem cells, prolonging their retention within the wound. This ultimately enhances their immunomodulatory capabilities, promotes neovascularization and granulation tissue formation, facilitates matrix remodeling, and accelerates healing in a diabetic mouse wound model. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of the conveniently-prepared and user-friendly hADSCs@rHCIII hydrogel as a promising therapeutic approach for diabetic wound treatment and in situ skin regeneration., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Nano-CT (computed tomography) technology enables high-resolution imaging and scanning of hydrate dissociation processes in porous media at submicron-scale resolution. However, due to the inability of nano-CT to withstand large torque, the traditional semiconductor cooling method cannot be used for in situ hydrate formation, resulting in the hindering of the effective operation of seepage simulators. Therefore, in this paper, a nano-CT-based in situ hydrate formation and seepage simulator are specially designed, and the torque and entanglement problems existing in traditional experimental devices can be solved by using a pipeline placed above the device and a built-in seepage line. The device is able to offer an improved depiction of hydrates in porous media and the effect of the seepage process on the three-dimensional distribution of hydrates. The future applications of this device are expected to provide novel insights into the effects of gas-water transport and hydrate storage patterns during gas hydrate exploitation., (© 2024 Author(s). Published under an exclusive license by AIP Publishing.)

Objectives: Mild behavioral impairment (MBI) is a dementia risk indicator in older adults characterized by later-life emergent and persistent neuropsychiatric symptoms. Quality of life (QoL) is a multi-dimensional concept encompassing physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being. QoL aims to measure and quantify perceptions of individual health, well-being, standard of living, personal fulfillment, and satisfaction. As MBI symptoms may arise from early-stage neurodegenerative disease, MBI may contribute to declining QoL before dementia onset. In this study, we investigated the relationship between symptoms of MBI and QoL in older adults., Methods: The sample comprised 1107 individuals aged ≥ 50 years from the Canadian Platform for Research Online to Investigate Health, Quality of Life, Cognition, Behavior, Function, and Caregiving in Aging (CAN-PROTECT). Multivariable linear regressions were used to model the associations between MBI symptom severity (exposure), measured using the MBI Checklist (MBI-C), and QoL (outcome) assessed by the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D, higher score = poorer QoL) and the novel Quality of Life and Function Five Domain Scale (QFS-5) (QFS-5, lower score = poorer QoL). Covariates were age, sex, cognition, education, ethnocultural origin, marital status, employment status, high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Moderation analysis explored potential sex differences. A sensitivity analysis was performed removing anxiety/depression items from the EQ-5D score., Results: Across the sample (mean age = 64.4 ± 7.2, 79.4% female) every 1-point increase in MBI-C score was associated with a 0.06-point standard deviation (SD) increase in EQ-5D score (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.05-0.06, p < 0.001) and 0.08 SD decrease in QFS-5 score (95% CI: -0.09 to -0.08, p < 0.001). Neither association depended on sex (p = 0.59 and p = 0.41, respectively). The association remained significant after removing anxiety/depression items from the EQ-5D score (β = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.03- 0.04, p < 0.001)., Conclusions: The study shows that MBI is associated with poorer QoL, independent of sex, on two QoL scales. We addressed depression/anxiety items in the EQ-5D as a potential confounder for the observed MBI-QoL association by conducting a sensitivity analysis that excluded those items from the EQ-5D total score and by employing a novel measure of QoL (QFS-5) that excludes psychiatric symptoms from measurement of QoL. Associations of MBI with the novel QFS-5 were similar to associations between MBI and the EQ-5D. Finding interventions to reduce the burden of MBI symptoms might improve quality of life., (© 2024 The Author(s). International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: The newer glucose-lowering drugs (GLDs), including Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), have demonstrated superior cardio- and renal protective benefits compared to older GLDs in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) at high risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD)., Objective: This study examined the trends of the newer GLDs use in people with T2D who had a history of coronary heart disease or heart failure in the United States., Method: We used 2005-2019 data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). Individuals with self-reported diabetes and CVD history were identified., Results: There was a steady increase in the use of GLP-1RA only from 2008 (3 %) to 2019 (21 %) and SGLT2i only from 2014 (5 %) to 2019 (12 %). Individuals with dual use of both newer GLD classes increased from 0.62 % in 2015 to 6 % in 2019. The overall uptake of these two newer drugs in 2019 was less than 40 %. In other words, 60 % of individuals who can substantially benefit from these newer treatments did not use the treatments., Conclusion: The use of GLP-1RA and SGLT2i among individuals with T2D and a history of CVD was low and varied by insurance type. Policy-level interventions are needed to improve the use of these newer treatments further., Summary: We examined how newer glucose-lowering drugs are used among individuals with type 2 diabetes and at high risk for coronary heart disease or heart failure in the US. We found that 60 % of individuals who can substantially benefit from these newer treatments did not use the treatments due to the variation of insurance type., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest “All authors of Trends in Utilization Patterns of Newer Glucose-lowering Drugs in US Adults with Type 2 Diabetes and a History of Cardiovascular Disease: 2005–2019 have no Conflict of Interest of publishing this Brief Research.”, (Copyright © 2024 Primary Care Diabetes Europe. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common autoimmune illness that is difficult to treat. The upregulation of Th17 cells is critical in the pathological process of MS. Hederagenol (Hed) has been shown to lower IL-17 levels, although its role in MS pathophysiology is uncertain. In this study, we explore whether Hed could ameliorate MS by modulating Th17 cell differentiation, with the goal of identifying new treatment targets for MS. The experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model was conducted and Hed was intraperitoneally injected into mice. The weight was recorded and the clinical symptom grade was assessed. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was carried out to determine the extent of inflammation in the spinal cord and liver. The luxol Fast Blue staining was performed to detect the pathological changes in the myelin sheath. Nerve damage was detected using NeuN immunofluorescence staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling staining. Immunohistology approaches were used to study alterations in immune cells in the spinal cord. The proportions of T cell subsets in the spleens were analyzed by flow cytometry. RORγt levels were measured using quantitative real-time PCR or Western blot. The activity of the RORγt promoter was analyzed by Chromatin immunoprecipitation. Hed administration reduced the clinical symptom grade of EAE mice, as well as the inflammatory infiltration, demyelination, and cell disorder of the spinal cord, while having no discernible effect on the mouse weight. In addition, Hed treatment significantly reduced the number of T cells, particularly Th17 cells in the spinal cord and spleen-isolated CD4 + T cells. Hed lowered the RORγt levels in spleens and CD4 + T cells and overexpression of RORγt reversed the inhibitory effect of Hed on Th17 differentiation. Hed decreased nerve injury by modulating Th17 differentiation through the RORγt promoter. Hed regulates Th17 differentiation by reducing RORγt promoter activity, which reduces nerve injury and alleviates EAE., (© 2024 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.)

Flow sensing exhibits significant potential for monitoring, controlling, and optimizing processes in industries, resource management, and environmental protection. However, achieving wireless real-time and omnidirectional sensing of gas/liquid flow on a simple, self-contained device without external power support has remained a formidable challenge. In this study, a compact-sized, fully self-powered wireless sensing flowmeter (CSWF) is introduced with a small size diameter of down to less than 50 mm, which can transmit real-time and omnidirectional wireless signals, as driven by a rotating triboelectric nanogenerator (R-TENG). The R-TENG triggers the breakdown discharge of a gas discharge tube (GDT), which enables flow rate wireless sensing through emitted electromagnetic waves. Importantly, the performance of the CSWF is not affected by the R-TENG's varied output, while the transmission distance is greater than 10 m. Real-time wireless remote monitoring of wind speed and water flow rate is successfully demonstrated. This research introduces an approach to achieve a wireless, self-powered environmental monitoring system with a diverse range of potential applications, including prolonged meteorological observations, marine environment monitoring, early warning systems for natural disasters, and remote ecosystem monitoring., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Background: Complications often arose after polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAAG) injections for breast augmentation. This study aimed to explore the complications and clinical management of breast augmentation with PAAG., Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 135 patients who underwent breast PAAG removal from January 2011 to December 2023 in our hospital. We also comprehensively analyzed the postoperative clinical results, subsequent complications, and clinical management after PAAG injections., Results: Induration and nodules (60.0%), pain (27.4%), anxiety (22.2%), migration (13.3%), asymmetry (8.1%), swelling (5.9%), infection (5.2%), calcification (3.7%), and breast cancer (BC) (3.0%) were a few complications after PAAG injections. Although breast cancer was a rare complication, it might be covered up by PAAG tissue. Eighty-eight patients had undergone PAAG removal, while 47 patients had additional breast reconstruction surgery. The post-surgical complications included PAAG residue (17.0%), skin laxity (7.4%), hemorrhage (2.2%), reoperation (1.5%), and nipple or breast asymmetry (1.5%). Additionally, the BREAST-Q scores revealed that patients with breast reconstruction had a significant better outcomes in psychosocial well-being (p < 0.001), satisfaction with breasts (p < 0.001), and sexual well-being (p = 0.008)., Conclusion: Multiple complications could occur after PAAG injections for breast augmentation. Although rare, BC might need more clinical attention. PAAG removal could alleviate some complications, and breast reconstruction contributed to improved patient satisfaction, psychosocial well-being, and sexual well-being., Level of Evidence Iv: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266., (© 2024. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature and International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.)

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been shown to be pivotal regulators in various human diseases by participating in gene splicing, acting as microRNA (miRNA) sponges, interacting with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), and translating into short peptides. As the back-splicing products of pre-mRNAs, many circRNAs can modulate the expression of their host genes through transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational, and post-translational control via interaction with other molecules. This review provides a detailed summary of these regulatory mechanisms based on the class of molecules that they interact with, which encompass DNA, mRNA, miRNA, and RBPs. The co-expression of circRNAs with their parental gene productions (including linear counterparts and proteins) provides potential diagnostic biomarkers for multiple diseases. Meanwhile, the different regulatory mechanisms by which circRNAs act on their host genes via interaction with other molecules constitute complex regulatory networks, which also provide noticeable clues for therapeutic strategies against diseases. Future research should explore whether these proven mechanisms can play a similar role in other types of disease and clarify further details about the cross-talk between circRNAs and host genes. In addition, the regulatory relationship between circRNAs and their host genes in circRNA circularization, degradation, and cellular localization should receive further attention.

Chicken body weight (BW) is a critical trait in breeding. Although genetic variants associated with BW have been investigated by genome-wide association studies (GWAS), the contributions of causal variants and their molecular mechanisms remain largely unclear in chickens. In this study, we construct a comprehensive genetic atlas of chicken BW by integrative analysis of 30 age points and 5 quantitative trait loci (QTL) across 27 tissues. We find that chicken growth is a cumulative non-linear process, which can be divided into three distinct stages. Our GWAS analysis reveals that BW-related genetic variations show ordered patterns in these three stages. Genetic variations in chromosome 1 may regulate the overall growth process, likely by modulating the hypothalamus-specific expression of SLC25A30 and retina-specific expression of NEK3. Moreover, genetic variations in chromosome 4 and chromosome 27 may play dominant roles in regulating BW during Stage Ⅱ (8-22 weeks) and Stage Ⅲ (23-72 weeks), respectively. In summary, our study presents a comprehensive genetic atlas regulating developmental stage-specific changes in chicken BW, thus providing important resources for genomic selection in breeding programs., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Several monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) targeting specific type 2 immune reactions have been developed as innovative therapeutic approaches for chronic inflammatory airway diseases, such as chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and asthma. However, the clinical safety of these MoAbs and how to choose them are not clear. Therefore, we aimed to assess the systemic drug- and dose-based safety of MoAbs in chronic airway inflammation using network meta-analysis (NMA)., Methods: Electronic databases were systematically searched for relevant studies published in English between January 2009 and December 2022. Eligible studies must have clearly reported adverse events (AEs) among the MoAbs' safety data., Results: 1). Regarding serious AEs, mepolizumab was significantly safer than placebo; in terms of permanent treatment discontinuation, reslizumab and dupilumab were significantly safer than benralizumab. 2). Regarding asthma worsening, dupilumab was associated with the best safety profile; was safer than dupilumab/300 mg/q2-4w. 3). In terms of injection-site reactions, dupilumab posed a higher risk than placebo; dupilumab/300 mg/qw posed a higher risk than dupilumab/300 mg/q2w and dupilumab/300 mg/q2-4w; lebrikizumab/250 mg/q4w posed a higher risk than lebrikizumab/37.5 mg/q4w; mepolizumab/100 mg/q4w posed a higher risk than mepolizumab/75 mg/q4w; benralizumab/30 mg/q4-8w posed a higher risk than benralizumab/20 mg/q4-8w. 4) In CRSwNP patients combined with asthma, the risks of experiencing AEs were not increased., Conclusion: Overall, biologics are safe and well tolerated in chronic inflammatory airway disease. This drug- and dose-based NMA provides further evidence on the different safety profiles of different emerging MoAbs. This information may help guide rational drug use and provide clinical recommendations for choosing MoAbs., Trial Registration: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION (PROSPERO #CRD42023387610)., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Water structures at electrolyte/electrode interfaces play a crucial role in determining the selectivity and kinetics of electrochemical reactions. Despite extensive experimental and theoretical efforts, atomic-level details of ion-specific water structures on metal surfaces remain unclear. Here we show, using scanning tunneling microscopy and noncontact atomic force microscopy, that we can visualize water layers containing alkali metal cations on a charged Au(111) surface with atomic resolution. Our results reveal that Li + cations are elevated from the surface, facilitating the formation of an ice-like water layer between the Li + cations and the surface. In contrast, K + and Cs + cations are in direct contact with the surface. We observe that the water network structure transitions from a hexagonal arrangement with Li + to a distorted hydrogen-bonding configuration with Cs + . These observations are consistent with surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy data and suggest that alkali metal cations significantly impact hydrogen evolution reaction kinetics and efficiency. Our findings provide insights into ion-specific water structures on metal surfaces and underscore the critical role of spectator ions in electrochemical processes., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Breast cancer (BC) is a prevalent cancer of the female reproductive system and a major contributor to cancer-related mortality. The activation of NLRP3, a key inflammasome, has been extensively associated with tumor-related molecular and cellular processes; however, the regulatory mechanisms and specific role of NLRP3 in breast cancer remain incompletely elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of NLRP3-related genes in BC. Utilizing bioinformatics methods, the present research analyzed the TCGA-BRCA dataset, which included four groups of transcriptome sequencing data as follows, normal (WT), NLRP3 knockout (KO), non-knockout-BRCA (BC-WT), and NLRP3-knockout-BRCA (BC-KO). Results indicated that NLRP3 was significantly down-regulated in TCGA-BRCA. Key module genes were mainly enriched in leukocyte cell-cell adhesion and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. Moreover, correlation analysis showed that NLRP3 was positively associated with cancer-associated fibroblasts and negatively associated with CD4 + Th1 T-cells. In addition, the DEGs1 and DEGs2 overlapping indicated 505 feature genes, with Chac1 (negative) and Ugt8a (positive) had the strongest correlation with differential immune cells (class-switched memory B cells). Pathway intersection revealed 13 co-KEGG pathways. The BC-KO group indicated markedly reduced levels of four genes (Ccl19, Ccl20, Ccl21a, and H2-Oa) and increased levels of two genes (Il2ra and H2-Ob). This study delved into the role of NLRP3 in BC, exploring its regulatory mechanisms and the impact gene knockout. Bioinformatics approaches identified NLRP3-associated genes, their enriched pathways, and interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME), providing novel insights into NLRP3 function, TME dynamics, and potential targets for BC prevention and treatment., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Majorana zero modes (MZMs) are emergent zero-energy topological quasiparticles that are their own antiparticles 1,2 . Detected MZMs are spatially separated and electrically neutral, so producing hybridization between MZMs is extremely challenging in superconductors 3,4 . Here, we report the magnetic field response of vortex bound states in superconducting topological crystalline insulator SnTe (001) films. Several MZMs were predicted to coexist in a single vortex due to magnetic mirror symmetry. Using a scanning tunnelling microscope equipped with a three-axis vector magnet, we found that the zero-bias peak (ZBP) in a single vortex exhibits an apparent anisotropic response even though the magnetic field is weak. The ZBP can robustly extend a long distance of up to approximately 100 nm at the (001) surface when the magnetic field is parallel to the ( 1 1 ¯ 0 )-type mirror plane, otherwise it displays an asymmetric splitting. Our systematic simulations demonstrate that the anisotropic response cannot be reproduced with trivial ZBPs. Although the different MZMs cannot be directly distinguished due to the limited energy resolution in our experiments, our comparisons between experimental measurements and theoretical simulations strongly support the existence and hybridization of symmetry-protected multiple MZMs. Our work demonstrates a way to hybridize different MZMs by controlling the orientation of the magnetic field and expands the types of MZM available for tuning topological states., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

Aim: Dysglycaemia accelerates cognitive decline. Intensive glucose control may help delay or prevent cognitive function decline (CFD). We aimed to determine how patient characteristics influence the effect of intensive glucose control [glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) <6.0%] on delaying CFD in people with type 2 diabetes., Research Design and Methods: In this post-hoc analysis of 2977 type 2 diabetes participants from the ACCORD MIND trial, we applied the causal forest and causal tree algorithms to identify the effect modifier of intensive glucose control in delaying CFD from 68 variables (demographics, disease history, medications, vitals and baseline biomarkers). The exposure was intensive versus standard glucose control (HbA1c <6.0% vs. 7.0%-7.9%). The main outcome was cognitive function changes from baseline to the 40th month follow-up, which were evaluated using the digit symbol substitution test, Rey auditory verbal learning test, mini-mental state examination and Stroop test. We used Cohen's d, a measure of standardized difference, to quantify the effect size of intensive glucose control on delaying CFD., Results: Among all the baseline characteristics, renal function was the most significant effect modifier. Participants with urinary albumin levels <0.4 mg/dl [absolute function change (AFC): 0.51 in mini-mental state examination, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.04, 0.98, Cohen's d: 0.25] had slower CFD with intensive glucose control. Patients with preserved renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate between 60 and 90 ml/min/1.73 m 2 ) were associated with small benefits (AFC: 1.28 in Stroop, 95% CI: 0.28, 2.27, Cohen's d: 0.12) when undergoing intensive glucose control. Conversely, participants with an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min/1.73 m 2 (AFC: -0.57 in the Rey auditory verbal learning test, 95% CI: -1.09, -0.05, Cohen's d: -0.30) exhibited faster CFD when undergoing intensive glucose control. Participants who were <60 years old showed a significant benefit from intensive glucose control in delaying CFD (AFC: 1.08 in the digit symbol substitution test, 95% CI: 0.06, 2.10, Cohen's d: 0.13). All p < .05., Conclusions: Our findings linked renal function with the benefits of intensive glucose control in delaying CFD, informing personalized HbA1c goals for those with diabetes and at risk of CFD., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Urushiol-induced allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease in which skin barrier dysfunction leads to pruritus and eczematous lesions. ACD is triggered by immune imbalance. Aloe emodin is an anthraquinone derivative extracted from rhubarb, aloe and other traditional Chinese medicines. It has a wide range of pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-allergic effects. The purpose of our study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of aloe-emodin on urushiol-induced acute pruritus and allergic contact dermatitis. The results showed that urushiol could stimulate keratinocytes to release chemokines CXCL1, CXCL2, CCL2, TSLP, and TNF-α, which recruit or activate mast cells. Aloe-emodin treatment inhibited inflammatory-response-induced mast cell degranulation in skin lesions and suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-4, and interleukin-6. Therefore, the results indicate that aloe-emodin can improve urushiol-induced acute pruritus and allergic contact dermatitis in mice by inhibiting mast cell degranulation., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 European Federation of Immunological Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Amino acids are crucial for nutrition and metabolism, regulating metabolic pathways and activities vital to organismal health and stability. Glycine and histidine act as potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents; however, limited knowledge exists regarding the associations between these amino acids and hyperlipidemia and hypertension. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between dietary glycine and histidine, and hyperlipidemia and hypertension., Methods: This population-based cross-sectional study evaluated the influence of dietary glycine and histidine, as well as their combined effect, on hyperlipidemia and hypertension in Chinese adults participating in the Nutrition Health Atlas Project (NHAP). General characteristics were acquired using a verified Internet-based Dietary Questionnaire for the Chinese. Binary logistic regression, along with gender, age groups, and median energy intake subgroup analyses, was employed to investigate the associations between dietary glycine and histidine and hyperlipidemia and hypertension. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the impact of excluding individuals who smoke and consume alcohol on the results., Results: Based on the study's findings, 418 out of 1091 cases had hyperlipidemia, whereas 673 had hypertension. A significant inverse relationship was found between dietary glycine, histidine, and glycine + histidine and hyperlipidemia and hypertension. Compared with the 1st and 2nd tertiles, the multivariable-adjusted odd ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals) (CIs) of the 3rd tertile of dietary glycine for hyperlipidemia and hypertension were 0.64 (0.49-0.84) (p < 0.01) and 0.70 (0.56-0.88) (p < 0.001); histidine was 0.63 (0.49-0.82) (p < 0.01) and 0.80 (0.64-0.99) (p < 0.01); and glycine + histidine was 0.64 (0.49-0.83) (p < 0.01) and 0.74 (0.59-0.92) (p < 0.001), respectively. High glycine and high histidine (HGHH) intake were negatively associated with hyperlipidemia and hypertension OR (95% CIs) were: 0.71 (0.58-0.88) (p < 0.01) and 0.73 (0.61-0.87) (p < 0.01), respectively., Conclusions: Dietary glycine and histidine, as well as their HGHH group, revealed an inverse relationship with hyperlipidemia and hypertension. Further investigations are needed to validate these findings., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Tubular structures exist broadly in biological systems and exhibit important functions including mediating cellular communications. The construction of artificial analogues in living cells would provide a new strategy for chemotherapy. In this report, a kind of supramolecular channel has been constructed within intercellular gaps by mimicking the assembly process and structure of natural gap junctional channels, which consist of hydrophobic tubular modules located in the adjacent cell membranes and hydrophilic modules within the extracellular space. The assembly of the channels was driven by electrostatic interactions. The channels could inhibit tumor cell invasion by preventing cell migration.

Objective: To analyze the core functional component groups (CFCG) in Yinchenhao Decoction (YCHD) and their possible pathways for treating hepatic fibrosis based on network pharmacology., Methods: PPI data were extracted from DisGeNET, Genecards, CMGRN and PTHGRN to construct a weighted network using Cytoscape 3.9.1. The data of the chemical components in YCHD were obtained from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), and the potential active components and targets were selected using PreADMET Web server and SwissTargetPrediction. A fusion model was constructed to obtain the functional effect space and evaluate the effective proteins to identify the CFCG followed by GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses for all the targets. In cultured human hepatic stellate cells (LX-2 cells), the cytotoxicity of different compounds in YCHD was tested using CCK-8 assay; the effects of these compounds on collagen α1 (Col1a1) mRNA expression and the pathways in 20 ng/mL TGF-β1-stimulated cells were analyzed using RT-qPCR and Western blotting., Results: A total of 1005 pathogenic genes, 226 potential active components and 1529 potential targets in YCHD and 52 potential targets of CFCG were obtained. Benzyl acetate, vanillic acid, clorius, polydatin, lauric acid and ferulic acid were selected for CCK-8 verification, and they all showed minimal cytotoxicity below the concentration of 200 μmol/L. Clorius, polydatin, lauric acid and ferulic acid all effectively inhibited TGF-β1-induced LX-2 cell activation. At the concentration of 200 μmol/L, all these 4 components inhibited PI3K, p-PI3K, AKT, p-AKT, ERK, p-ERK, P38 MAPK and p-P38 MAPK expressions in TGF-β1-induced LX-2 cells., Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of YCHD on hepatic fibrosis is probably mediated by its core functional components including benzyl acetate, vanillic acid, clorius, polydatin, lauric acid and ferulic acid, which inhibit the PI3K-AKT and MAPK pathways in hepatic stellate cells.

24-hour biological rhythms are essential to maintain physiological homeostasis. Disruption of these rhythms increases the risks of multiple diseases. The biological rhythms are known to have a genetic basis formed by core clock genes, but how individual genetic variation shapes the oscillating transcriptome and contributes to human chronophysiology and disease risk is largely unknown. Here, we mapped interactions between temporal gene expression and genotype to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) contributing to rhythmic gene expression. These newly identified QTLs were termed as rhythmic QTLs (rhyQTLs), which determine previously unappreciated rhythmic genes in human subpopulations with specific genotypes. Functionally, rhyQTLs and their associated rhythmic genes contribute extensively to essential chronophysiological processes, including bile acid and lipid metabolism. The identification of rhyQTLs sheds light on the genetic mechanisms of gene rhythmicity, offers mechanistic insights into variations in human disease risk, and enables precision chronotherapeutic approaches for patients.

The issue of environmental pollution caused by the widespread presence of microplastics (MPs) in environmental media has garnered significant attention. However, research on MPs pollution has mainly focused on aquatic ecosystems in recent years. The sources and pollution characteristics of MPs in the environment, especially in solid waste, have not been well-described. Additionally, there are few reports on the ecotoxicity of MPs, which highlights the need to fill this gap. This review first summarizes the occurrence characteristics of MPs in water, soil, and marine environments, and then provides an overview of their toxic effects on organisms and the relevant mechanisms. This paper also provides an outlook on the hotspots of research on pollution characterization and ecotoxicity of MPs. Finally, this review aims to provide insights for future ecotoxicity control of MPs. Overall, this paper expands our understanding of the pollution characteristics and ecological toxicity of MPs in current environmental media, providing forward-looking guidance for future research., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Chondrocyte senescence and reduced lubrication play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of age-related osteoarthritis (OA). In the present study, highly lubricated and drug-loaded hydrogel microspheres are designed and fabricated through the radical polymerization of sulfobetaine (SB)-modified hyaluronic acid methacrylate using microfluidic technology. The copolymer contains a large number of SB and carboxyl groups that can provide a high degree of lubrication through hydration and form electrostatic loading interactions with metformin (Met@SBHA), producing a high drug load for anti-chondrocyte senescence. Mechanical, tribological, and drug release analyses demonstrated enhanced lubricative properties and prolonged drug dissemination of the Met@SBHA microspheres. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis, network pharmacology, and in vitro assays revealed the extraordinary capacity of Met@SBHA to combat chondrocyte senescence. Additionally, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) has been identified as a promising protein modulated by Met in senescent chondrocytes, thereby exerting a significant influence on the iNOS/ONOO-/P53 pathway. Notably, the intra-articular administration of Met@SBHA in aged mice ameliorated cartilage senescence and OA pathogenesis. Based on the findings of this study, Met@SBHA emerges as an innovative and promising strategy in tackling age-related OA serving the dual function of enhancing joint lubrication and mitigating cartilage senescence., (© 2024 The Author(s). Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Spodoptera frugiperda is a notorious invasive pest causing substantial yield losses of crops and has developed resistance to various types of insecticides. In this study, a cyantraniliprole-resistant strain, SfCYAN-R, was obtained from a susceptible strain, SfCYAN-S, after 13 generations of selection with cyantraniliprole. The fitness cost in SfCYAN-R strain was evaluated, and the putative resistance-related genes were explored by RNA-seq analysis. The results showed that SfCYAN-R strain developed 23.97-fold resistance to cyantraniliprole with the realistic heritability of 0.127. The development time of eggs, larvae, prepupae and pupae in SfCYAN-R strain was significantly prolonged than that in SfCYAN-S strain, but no difference in pupation rate, emergence rate and female fecundity was observed between SfCYAN-R and SfCYAN-S strains. Comparative gene expression analysis between SfCYAN-R and SfCYAN-S strains identified 776 significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs), among which several DEGs associated with xenobiotic metabolism were upregulated in SfCYAN-R strain. These results provide insights into the resistance mechanisms of cyantraniliprole and would be helpful for resistance management of S. frugiperda., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Telomere-to-telomere (T2T) assemblies reveal new insights into the structure and function of the previously 'invisible' parts of the genome and allow comparative analyses of complete genomes across entire clades. We present here an open collaborative effort, termed the 'Ruminant T2T Consortium' (RT2T), that aims to generate complete diploid assemblies for numerous species of the Artiodactyla suborder Ruminantia to examine chromosomal evolution in the context of natural selection and domestication of species used as livestock., (© 2024. This is a U.S. Government work and not under copyright protection in the US; foreign copyright protection may apply.)

Reversible protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (R-PCECs) offer the potential for high-efficiency power generation and green hydrogen production at intermediate temperatures. However, the commercial viability of R-PCECs is hampered by the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) within conventional air electrodes operating at reduced temperatures. To address this challenge, this work introduces a novel approach based on the simultaneous optimization of bulk-phase metal-oxygen bonds and in-situ formation of a metal oxide nano-catalyst surface modification. This strategy is designed to expedite the ORR/OER electrocatalytic activity of air electrodes exhibiting triple (O 2- , H + , e - ) conductivity. Specifically, this engineered air electrode nanocomposite-Ba(Co 0.4 Fe 0.4 Zr 0.1 Y 0.1 ) 0.95 Ni 0.05 F 0.1 O 2.9-δ demonstrates remarkable ORR/OER catalytic activity and exceptional durability in R-PCECs. This is evidenced by significantly improved peak power density from 626 to 996 mW cm -2 and highly stable reversibility over a 100-h cycling period. This research offers a rational design strategy to achieve high-performance R-PCEC air electrodes with superior operational activity and stability for efficient and sustainable energy conversion and storage., (© 2024 The Author(s). Advanced Materials published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Recurrent spontaneous abortion refers to the occurrence of two or more spontaneous abortions before or during the early stages of pregnancy. The immune system plays a crucial role in the maintenance of pregnancy and embryo implantation. Various immune cells, cytokines, and immune regulatory pathways are involved in the complex immune balance required for a stable pregnancy. Studies suggest that immune abnormalities may be associated with some recurrent spontaneous abortion cases, particularly those involving the dysregulation of immune cell function, autoimmune responses, and placental immunity. In terms of treatment, interventions targeting immune mechanisms are crucial. Various therapeutic approaches, including immunomodulatory drugs, immunoadsorption therapies, and immunocellular therapies, are continually being researched and developed. These approaches aim to restore the immune balance, enhance the success rate of pregnancies, and provide more effective treatment options for patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest GDF, CZ and MXL conceived the review. GDF, SWJ, GMX, CZ and MXL undertook the initial research. GDF, SWJ, and GMX were involved in writing, CZ and MXL reviewed the manuscript, and all authors contributed to the final version. CZ and MXL are considered as common corresponding authors. All authors have read and approved the article. The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.)

Exploring the mismatch between supply and demand (SD) for carbon sequestration services (CSS) is essential for achieving the "double carbon" goal. However, more studies are needed on the traits of the spatial mismatch between SD in mountainous cities. We used the CASA model and the IPCC emission factor approach to address this issue and quantify the SD of CSS in Chongqing. Second, we established a matching relationship model for the SD of CSS in Chongqing. Finally, we applied the Structural Equation Model with the Partial Dependence Plots model to reveal the influencing factors and internal mechanisms of spatial mismatch between the SD of CSS in Chongqing. The outcomes confirmed a decrease in fashion in the total supply of CSS in Chongqing and growth in fashion in general demand from 2000 to 2020. The SD mismatch was mainly concentrated inside the central city and other built-up areas. The SD mismatch area had increased by 390%, indicating a continuous upward trend. In exploring the factors influencing the mismatch between the SD of CSS in Chongqing, supply is mainly positively influenced by NDVI, and demand and supply-demand relationships are influenced by population density and LUCC. We proposed policy suggestions to alleviate the spatial mismatch and practical significance for achieving the "double carbon" goal and promoting sustainable development., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this study. Acknowledgments This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 42171298 & Grant No. 42201333), Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing, China (Grant No. CSTB2022NSCQ-BHX0734 & Grant No. CSTB2023NSCQ-LZX0009), Late Project of National Social Science Foundation in China (Grant No. 20FJYB035), Scientific and Technological Research Program of Chongqing Municipal Education Commission (Grant No. KJZD-M202200703)., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Artificial micro/nanomotors using active particles hold vast potential in applications such as drug delivery and microfabrication. However, upgrading them to micro/nanorobots capable of performing precise tasks with sophisticated functions remains challenging. Bubble microthruster (BMT) is introduced, a variation of the bubble-driven microrobot, which focuses the energy from a collapsing microbubble to create an inertial impact on nearby target microparticles. Utilizing ultra-high-speed imaging, the microparticle mass and density is determined with sub-nanogram resolution based on the relaxation time characterizing the microparticle's transient response. Master curves of the BMT method are shown to be dependent on the viscosity of the solution. The BMT, controlled by a gamepad with magnetic-field guidance, precisely manipulates target microparticles, including bioparticles. Validation involves measuring the polystyrene microparticle mass and hollow glass microsphere density, and assessing the mouse embryo mass densities. The BMT technique presents a promising chip-free, real-time, highly maneuverable strategy that integrates bubble microrobot-based manipulation with precise bioparticle mass and density detection, which can facilitate microscale bioparticle characterizations such as embryo growth monitoring., (© 2024 The Author(s). Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) requires high-intensity laser irradiation, typically exceeding kW/cm 2 , to yield a sufficient photon count. However, this intense visible light exposure incurs substantial cellular toxicity, hindering its use in living cells. Here, we developed a class of near-infrared (NIR) spontaneously blinking fluorophores for SMLM. These NIR fluorophores are a combination of rhodamine spirolactams and merocyanine derivatives, where the rhodamine spirolactam component converts between a bright and dark state based on pH-dependent spirocyclization and merocyanine derivatives shift the excitation wavelength into the infrared. Single-molecule characterizations demonstrated their potential for SMLM. At a moderate power density of 3.93 kW/cm 2 , these probes exhibit duty cycle as low as 0.18% and an emission rate as high as 26,700 photons/s. Phototoxicity assessment under single-molecule imaging conditions reveals that NIR illumination (721 nm) minimizes harm to living cells. Employing these NIR fluorophores, we successfully captured time-lapse super-resolution tracking of mitochondria at a Fourier ring correlation (FRC) resolution of 69.4 nm and reconstructed the ultrastructures of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in living cells.

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management systems play a crucial role in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in China. Although the government has implemented many policies to improve the MSW management system, the impact of these improvements on city-level GHG emission reduction remains largely unexplored. This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of both direct and downstream GHG emissions from the MSW sector, encompassing sanitary landfill, dump, incineration, and biological treatment, across 352 Chinese cities from 2001 to 2021 by adopting inventory methods recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The results reveal that (1) GHG emissions from the MSW sector in China peaked at 70.6 Tg of CO 2 equiv in 2018, followed by a significant decline to 47.6 Tg of CO 2 equiv in 2021, (2) cities with the highest GHG emission reduction benefits in the MSW sector were historical emission hotspots over the past 2 decades, and (3) with the potential achievement of zero-landfilling policy by 2030, an additional reduction of 203.7 Tg of CO 2 equiv is projected, with the emission reduction focus toward cities in South China (21.9%), Northeast China (17.8%), and Southwest China (17.3%). This study highlights that, even without explicit emission reduction targets for the MSW sector, the improvements of this sector have significantly reduced GHG emissions in China.

Growing evidence has demonstrated that gut microbiota could be developed as a therapeutic target due to its contribution to microglia activation in the pathological process of ischemic stroke. Acorus tatarinowii oils (AT oils), which is considered as the active fraction of a traditional Chinese herbal medicine Acorus tatarinowii, exerts various bioactivities and prebiotic effects. However, it remains unclear that the effect of AT oils on inflammatory response after ischemic stroke and whether its underlying mechanism is associated to gut microbiota and the intestinal barrier. In the current study, we aim to investigate the anti-microglial neuroinflammation mechanism of AT oils in a middle cerebral artery occlusion model of ischemic stroke. The compositions of AT oils were identified by GC-MS. Our results demonstrated that AT oils could effectively relieve cerebral infarction, inhibit neuronal apoptosis, degrade the release of pro-inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-17, IL-6 and IFN-γ), and mediate the polarization of microglia. Moreover, AT oils restored the composition and the balance of gut microbiota in stroke rats, and reduced abundance of opportunistic genera including Verrucomicrobia, Akkermansia and Tenericutes, as well as increased beneficial bacteria abundance such as Tenericutes and Prevotella&#95;copri. To investigate the role of gut microbiota on AT oils against ischemic stroke, we conducted the fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiments with gut microbiota consumption, which suggested that the depletion of gut microbiota took away the protective effect of AT oils, confirming the importance of gut microbiota in the protective effect of AT oils on ischemic stroke. FMT experiments have demonstrated that AT oils preserved the gut permeability and blood-brain barrier, as well as mediated the microglial phenotype under the intervention of gut microbiota. In summary, AT oils could efficaciously moderate neuronal damage and intervene microglial phenotype by reversing gut microbiota disorder in ischemic stroke rats., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors confirm that the research was conducted without any existing commercial or financial relationships that could be perceived as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Data on the pathological responses and survival outcomes after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-low breast cancer (BC) are lacking. This study aims to investigate this topic in the real world., Methods: Clinicopathological data from 819 HER2-negative BC patients who underwent NACT between 2010 and 2020 were retrospectively retrieved from the Shanghai Jiaotong University Breast Cancer Database. These patients were categorized into HER2-low and HER2-0 groups. Logistic analyses were conducted to identify predictors of complete pathological response (pCR) and breast pCR. Cox regression analyses were conducted to assess the factors associated with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Kaplan-Meier (K-M) curves were generated to compare DFS and OS between HER2-low BC and HER2-0 BC., Results: Of the 819 BC patients, 669 (81.7%) had HER2-low tumors, and 150 (18.3%) had HER2-0 tumors. HER2-low BC had a significantly higher ratio of ER ≥ 10%, PR ≥ 20%, and Ki67 ≥ 15% than HER2-0 BC. A significantly higher breast pCR rate was observed in HER2-low BC than in HER2-0 BC (13.6% and 7.3%, respectively, P = .036). Age, HER2 status (low or 0), Ki67, and surgery options were associated with breast pCR in HER2-negative BC. In HER2-low BC, the pCR rate of ER ≥ 10% BC was significantly lower than that of ER < 10% BC, but the DFS and OS of ER 10% BC were significantly higher. The K-M curve showed no significant differences in DFS or OS between HER2-low and HER2-0 BC. Cox regression revealed that ER expression and histological grade (III vs. I∼II) were significantly associated with survival in HER2-low BC., Conclusions: In this real-world data (RWD) study, a significantly higher breast pCR rate was found in HER2-low BC than in HER2-0 BC, although there was no significant difference in survival. Moreover, ER expression had a significant prognostic impact on HER2-low BC., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Sirenians exhibit unique aquatic adaptations, showcasing both convergent adaptive features shared with cetaceans and unique characteristics such as cold sensitivity and dense bones. Here, we report a chromosome-level genome of the African manatee ( Trichechus senegalensis ) with high continuity, completeness, and accuracy. We found that genes associated with osteopetrosis have undergone positive selection ( CSF1R and LRRK1 ) or pseudogenized ( FAM111A and IGSF23 ) in the African manatee, potentially contributing to the dense bone formation. The loss of KCNK18 may have increased their sensitivity to cold water temperatures. Moreover, we identified convergent evolutionary signatures in 392 genes among fully aquatic mammals, primarily enriched in skin or skeletal system development and circadian rhythm, which contributed to the transition from terrestrial to fully aquatic lifestyles. The African manatee currently possesses a small effective population size and low genome-wide heterozygosity. Overall, our study provides genetic resources for understanding the evolutionary characteristics and conservation efforts of this species., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024 The Authors.)