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Yanling Liao,1,&ast; Siyu Xie,2,&ast; Yifen Zhuo,3,&ast; Sisi Chen,1 Yuxin Luo,1 Ying Wei,4 Yusheng Yao1 1Department of Anesthesiology, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Anesthesiology, Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Longyan, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Anesthesiology, Xiamen Haicang Hospital, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Anesthesiology, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Ying Wei, Department of Anesthesiology, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, 18 Daoshan Road, Fuzhou, 350025, People’s Republic of China, Email whm444@fjmu.edu.cn Yusheng Yao, Department of Anesthesiology, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Provincial Hospital, 134 Dongjie Street, Fuzhou, 350001, People’s Republic of China, Email fjslyys@126.comPurpose: Emergence delirium and postoperative negative behavioral changes (PNBC) are common complications in pediatric anesthesia. This study evaluated whether intranasal premedication combining dexmedetomidine and esketamine more effectively reduces these complications compared to either drug alone in children undergoing tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy with sevoflurane anesthesia.Patients and Methods: This randomized, double-blind trial involved 198 children aged 2− 5 years undergoing tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy. Participants received intranasal premedication with either dexmedetomidine (2 μg/kg), esketamine (1 mg/kg), or their combination (dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg plus esketamine 0.5 mg/kg). The primary outcome was the incidence of emergence delirium, defined as a Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) scale score ≥ 10. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of PNBC, sedation depth, easiness of separation from parents, acceptance of the mask for induction, emergence time, postoperative pain score, parental satisfaction, and adverse events.Results: The combination premedication significantly reduced emergence delirium incidence (9.4%) compared to esketamine alone (38.1%; relative risk [RR] 0.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.11– 0.57, p < 0.001), but not compared to dexmedetomidine alone (17.2%; RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.21– 1.39, p = 0.193). PNBC incidence at day 7 was lower with the combination (28.1%) versus dexmedetomidine (48.4%; RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.36– 0.93, p = 0.018), but not significantly different from esketamine alone (20.6%; RR 1.38, 95% CI 0.74– 2.58, p = 0.326). The combination also provided significantly superior sedation, improved ease of separation from parents, better acceptance of the mask for induction, shorter emergence time, and higher parental satisfaction than both monotherapies.Conclusion: In children undergoing tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy with sevoflurane anesthesia, intranasal dexmedetomidine-esketamine premedication more effectively reduces emergence delirium compared to esketamine alone and PNBC compared to dexmedetomidine alone. This combination also improves sedation, shortens emergence times, and enhances parental satisfaction compared to monotherapy without significant adverse effects.Trial Registration: The Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2300076709. Keywords: adenoidectomy, dexmedetomidine, emergence delirium, esketamine, intranasal administration, pediatric anesthesia, postoperative complications, tonsillectomy

Deyi Huang,1 Xingan Yang,2 Hongbiao Ruan,3 Yushui Zhuo,1 Kai Yuan,4 Bowen Ruan,1 Fang Li1 1Department of Ultrasound, The People’s Hospital of Yuhuan, Yuhuan City, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Ultrasound, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Linhai City, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Cardiology, The People’s Hospital of Yuhuan, Yuhuan City, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Clinical Laboratory, The People’s Hospital of Yuhuan, Yuhuan City, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Fang Li, Department of Ultrasound, The People’s Hospital of Yuhuan, No. 18, Changle Road, Yuhuan City, Zhejiang Province, 317600, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8613967672898, Email 3260772796@qq.comIntroduction: Chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) management often relies on myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE), yet its effectiveness is limited by subjective interpretations and difficulty in distinguishing hibernating from necrotic myocardium. This study explores the integration of machine learning (ML) with radiomics to predict functional recovery in dyskinetic myocardial segments in CAD patients undergoing revascularization, aiming to overcome these limitations.Methods: This prospective study enrolled 55 chronic CAD patients, dividing into training (39 patients, 205 segments) and testing sets (16 patients, 68 segments). Dysfunctional myocardial segments were identified by initial wall motion scores (WMS) of ≥ 2 (hypokinesis or higher). Functional recovery was defined as a decrease of ≥ 1 grade in WMS during follow-up echocardiography. Radiomics features were extracted from dyssynergic segments in end-systolic phase MCE images across five cardiac cycles post- “flash” impulse and processed through a five-step feature selection. Four ML classifiers were trained and compared using these features and MCE parameters, to identify the optimal model for myocardial recovery prediction.Results: Functional improvement was noted in 139 out of 273 dyskinetic segments (50.9%) following revascularization. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis determined that myocardial blood flow (MBF) was the most precise clinical predictor of recovery, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.770. Approximately 1.34 million radiomics features were extracted, with nine features identified as key predictors of myocardial recovery. The random forest (RF) model, integrating MBF values and radiomics features, demonstrated superior predictive accuracy over other ML classifiers. Validation of the RF model on the testing dataset demonstrated its effectiveness, evidenced by an AUC of 0.821, along with consistent calibration and clinical utility.Conclusion: The integration of ML with radiomics from MCE effectively predicts myocardial recovery in CAD. The RF model, combining radiomics and MBF values, presents a non-invasive, precise approach, significantly enhancing CAD management.Keywords: coronary artery disease, myocardial contrast echocardiography, radiomics, machine learning, myocardial recovery prediction, random forest

Wenjie Xie,1,2,&ast; Yixun Zhang,1,2,&ast; Qianfeng Xu,1,2,&ast; Guowei Zhong,1,2 Jundong Lin,2,3 Huichan He,3 Qiuling Du,2 Huijing Tan,1,2 Muqi Chen,1,2 Zhenjie Wu,1– 3 Yulin Deng,1,2 Zhaodong Han,1– 3 Jianming Lu,1,2,4 Jianheng Ye,1,2,4 Fen Zou,1,2 Yangjia Zhuo,1,2 Weide Zhong1– 4 1Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510180, People’s Republic of China; 2Guangdong Key Laboratory of Clinical Molecular Medicine and Diagnostics, Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510180, People’s Republic of China; 3Urology Key Laboratory of Guangdong Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510230, People’s Republic of China; 4State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau, 999078, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Yangjia Zhuo; WeideZhong, Email eyyangjiazhuo@scut.edu.cn; zhongwd2009@live.cnPurpose: Current treatment approaches for Prostate cancer (PCa) often come with debilitating side effects and limited therapeutic outcomes. There is urgent need for an alternative effective and safe treatment for PCa.Methods: We developed a nanoplatform to target prostate cancer cells based on graphdiyne (GDY) and a copper-based metal-organic framework (GDY-CuMOF), that carries the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin (DOX) for cancer treatment. Moreover, to provide GDY-CuMOF@DOX with homotypic targeting capability, we coated the PCa cell membrane (DU145 cell membrane, DCM) onto the surface of GDY-CuMOF@DOX, thus obtaining a biomimetic nanoplatform (DCM@GDY-CuMOF@DOX). The nanoplatform was characterized by using transmission electron microscope, atomic force microscope, X-ray diffraction, etc. Drug release behavior, antitumor effects in vivo and in vitro, and biosafety of the nanoplatform were evaluated.Results: We found that GDY-CuMOF exhibited a remarkable capability to load DOX mainly through π-conjugation and pore adsorption, and it responsively released DOX and generated Cu+ in the presence of glutathione (GSH). In vivo experiments demonstrated that this nanoplatform exhibits remarkable cell-killing efficiency by generating lethal reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mediating cuproptosis. In addition, DCM@GDY-CuMOF@DOX effectively suppresses tumor growth in vivo without causing any apparent side effects.Conclusion: The constructed DCM@GDY-CuMOF@DOX nanoplatform integrates tumor targeting, drug-responsive release and combination with cuproptosis and chemodynamic therapy, offering insights for further biomedical research on efficient PCa treatment. Keywords: graphdiyne, biomimetic nanoplatform, cuproptosis, chemotherapy, prostate cancer

City parks and green space are vital in coordinating urban space and improving the urban ecological environment. Park and green space accessibility is an essential indication of urban livability. Recently, Hefei has become the city with the fastest GDP growth rate in China, little is known about the accessibility and landscape patterns of parks and green spaces in Hefei. We used GIS network analysis and landscape pattern indices to explore the parks and green spaces in the main urban area of Hefei. The results showed that the accessibility to parks and green spaces in the main urban area of Hefei is poor in walking mode, with less than 50% of people able to reach parks and green spaces within 15 minutes. Contrastingly, the accessibility to parks and green spaces in the main urban area of Hefei is good in cycling mode, with 98.06% of people able to reach parks and green spaces within 15 minutes. Furthermore, the parks and green spaces in Hefei have low dimensional indices, indicating high human intervention and regular landscape shapes, which are not conducive to maintaining urban biodiversity and creating natural green landscapes. The spread indices and fragmentation indices of each administrative district are high, indicating a uniform distribution of parks and green spaces. Our study analyzes the accessibility and landscape patterns of parks and green spaces in Hefei, and it will provide a scientific reference for park and green space planning in Hefei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Saposhnikovia divaricata is commonly used in clinical practice as a heat-clearing and detoxifying traditional Chinese medicine. Current research on Saposhnikovia divaricata has mostly focused on chromones, while studies on its lipophilic parts remain scarce. In this study, samples of the lipophilic components of Saposhnikovia divaricata (SDL) from different regions in China were collected to establish an HPLC fingerprint. The quality of SDL was evaluated through chemical pattern recognition and multi-component content determination. Furthermore, using the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model, the anti-aging ability of SDL was preliminarily studied. In the HPLC fingerprints of 11 batches of SDL, 19 common peaks were identified, and 4 components were characterized as follows: peak 14, linolenic acid (ALA); peak 15, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); peak 16, linoleic acid (LA); peak 17, oleic acid (OA). The similarity of the fingerprint ranged from 0.704 to 0.929. The results indicate that the content of ALA, DHA, LA, and OA are 0.040–0.440 mg/g, 0.003–0.116 mg/g, 1.047–6.460 mg/g, and 0.040–0.294 mg/g, respectively. HCA analysis divided 11 batches of SDL into two categories, and PCA analysis extracted 6 principal components with a cumulative contribution rate of 85.91%. The anti-aging ability of the SDL was proved by measuring the lifespan, reproductive capacity, body length, mobility, lipofuscin content, and heat stress resistance of C. elegans. The combination of high-performance liquid chromatography fingerprint and chemical pattern recognition for multi-component content determination is a reliable, comprehensive, and promising evaluation of the quality of SDL. The confirmation of SDL’s anti-aging ability provides the possibility for the research of Saposhnikovia divaricata in the field of healthy food and cosmetics.

Abstract Background Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA screening was a crucial element in the fight against cervical cancer and had been adopted in many countries, including China. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 disrupted this program significantly. Methods The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence and distribution of HPV genotypes among the population undergoing cervical cancer screening during the pandemic period. From January 2017 to December 2022, Peking Union Medical College Hospital gathered 45,496 cervical swabs from individuals undergoing cervical cancer screening. These samples were analyzed to detect fifteen high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) DNA types and a combination of two low-risk HPV (LR-HPV) types. Results The study revealed an overall infection rate of 11.24% (5,114/45,496), with 11.06% (5,032/45,496) of individuals infected with HR-HPV. The number of HPV screening patients and the infection rates of HPV, HR-HPV, LR-HPV, multiple genotype HPV (M-HPV), and single genotype HPV (S-HPV) during the pandemic were lower than those observed before the pandemic. Moreover, the age group with the highest percentage of infected individuals was under 45–49 years, with HPV52, HPV58, HPV16, and HPV51 being the most prevalent genotypes. Notably, HPV66 emerged as the fifth most commonly detected genotype during the pandemic. Additionally, among the eleven age groups examined, women under 25 exhibited the highest detection rate, with HPV52 and HPV16 infection rates exceeding those observed in the pre-pandemic period. Conclusions The findings of this study offer significant insights for shaping HPV prevention strategies and enhancing cervical cancer screening initiatives in China following the epidemic.

Abstract In the present work, we investigate the productions of $$X_0(2900)$$ X 0 ( 2900 ) and its spin partners in the $$B^+$$ B + decay processes, where $$X_0(2900)$$ X 0 ( 2900 ) is regarded as a $$\bar{D}^*K^*$$ D ¯ ∗ K ∗ molecular state. We infer that the initial $$B^+$$ B + meson and the final $$D^+ X_0(2900)$$ D + X 0 ( 2900 ) are connected through the $$D_{s1}^{\prime +}(2460) \bar{D}^{*0} $$ D s 1 ′ + ( 2460 ) D ¯ ∗ 0 mesons by exchanging a $$K^{*0}$$ K ∗ 0 meson. The contributions of such a meson loop to the process $$B^+ \rightarrow D^+ X_0(2900)$$ B + → D + X 0 ( 2900 ) are evaluated and our estimations indicate that the measured branching fraction of $$B^+\rightarrow D^+ X_0(2900)$$ B + → D + X 0 ( 2900 ) could be well reproduced in a reasonable range of model parameters, indicating that $$X_0(2900)$$ X 0 ( 2900 ) could be interpreted as a $$\bar{D}^*K^*$$ D ¯ ∗ K ∗ molecular state. In addition, the production processes $$B^+ \rightarrow D^+ \tilde{X}_{1,2}$$ B + → D + X ~ 1 , 2 , $$B^+ \rightarrow D^{*+} X_0(2900)$$ B + → D ∗ + X 0 ( 2900 ) , and $$B^+ \rightarrow D^{*+}\tilde{X}_{1,2}$$ B + → D ∗ + X ~ 1 , 2 are investigated, and we find that the fit fraction of $$\tilde{X}_1$$ X ~ 1 in the process $$B^+ \rightarrow D^{*+} D^{*-} K^+$$ B + → D ∗ + D ∗ - K + is about 6%, which should be accessible by the LHCb and Belle II Collaborations.

Abstract The mixed-valence compound YbB12 displays paradoxical quantum oscillations in electrical resistivity and magnetic torque in a regime with a well-developed insulating charge gap and in the absence of an electronic Fermi surface. However, signatures of such unusual fermionic quasiparticles in other bulk thermodynamic observables have been missing. Here we report the observation of a series of sharp double-peak features in the specific heat as a function of the magnetic field. The measured Hall resistivity evolves smoothly across the field values at which the characteristic anomalies appear in the thermodynamic response and rules out the possibility of conventional electrons as their origin. Our observations of thermodynamic anomalies in a bulk three-dimensional electrical insulator provide the evidence for the presence of emergent dispersing fermionic excitations within the insulating bulk, which sets the stage for further investigation of electron fractionalization in other correlated mixed-valence compounds.

ObjectivesIn this paper, an orthogonal braided glass fiber composite sandwich panel with a PVC foam core and dimensions of 150 mm×100 mm×26 mm is selected as the research object in order to study the impact mechanical properties of composite sandwich panels. The dynamic response and residual compressive strength of the panel under single-point low-velocity impact are then analyzed.MethodsFirst, a series of drop hammer impact tests are conducted to study the failure mode, impact force-displacement response and energy absorption characteristics of the panel under different impact energies. Next, quasi-static compression experiments are conducted to investigate the maximum compression load capacity and residual compressive strength under impact damage.ResultsThere are significant differences in the failure modes and impact force-displacement characteristics of the sandwich panel under different impact energies. The core mainly absorbs impact energy through compression deformation. As the impact energy increases, the maximal impact force, dent depth and absorbed energy of panel gradually increase, while the maximum compression load capacity and residual strength decrease after impact. The damage degree of the impacted composite sandwich panel determines its residual compressive strength. ConclusionThe findings of this study can provide valuable references for the impact resistance design of naval ship structures.

Abstract Although multiple myeloma (MM) responds well to immunotherapeutic treatment, certain portions of MM are still unresponsive or relapse after immunotherapy. Other immune molecules are needed for the immunotherapy of MM. Here, we revealed that leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B4 (LILRB4) was highly expressed in multiple myeloma cell lines and patient samples and that the expression of LILRB4 was adversely correlated with the overall survival of MM patients. Knockdown of LILRB4 efficiently delayed the growth of MM cells both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, IKZF1 transactivated LILRB4 expression to trigger the downstream of STAT3-PFKFB1 pathways to support MM cell proliferation. Blockade of LILRB4 signaling by blocking antibodies can effectively inhibit MM progression. Our data show that targeting LILRB4 is potentially an additional therapeutic strategy for the immunotherapeutic treatment of MM.

Abstract As one of the significant challenges to human health, cancer has long been a focal point in medical treatment. With ongoing advancements in the field of medicine, numerous methodologies for cancer therapy have emerged, among which oncolytic virus therapy has gained considerable attention. However, oncolytic viruses still exhibit limitations. Combining them with various therapies can further enhance the efficacy of cancer treatment, offering renewed hope for patients. In recent research, scientists have recognized the promising prospect of amalgamating oncolytic virus therapy with diverse treatments, potentially surmounting the restrictions of singular approaches. The central concept of this combined therapy revolves around leveraging oncolytic virus to incite localized tumor inflammation, augmenting the immune response for immunotherapeutic efficacy. Through this approach, the patient's immune system can better recognize and eliminate cancer cells, simultaneously reducing tumor evasion mechanisms against the immune system. This review delves deeply into the latest research progress concerning the integration of oncolytic virus with diverse treatments and its role in various types of cancer therapy. We aim to analyze the mechanisms, advantages, potential challenges, and future research directions of this combination therapy. By extensively exploring this field, we aim to instill renewed hope in the fight against cancer.

Abstract Due to the increasing power system capacity, the interruption of large fault currents has gradually become a major challenge in power systems. At the moment, such currents are interrupted mainly via circuit breakers based on the method of active current commutation. However, these types of circuit breakers tend to be costly and oversized. One possible alternative—a fuse‐based circuit breaker with current commutation process enhanced by an external transverse magnetic field (ETMF)—is proposed by the authors. Its main advantage lies in the fast current commutation achieved by an ETMF‐enhanced three‐stage increase of the vacuum arc voltage. The study of the current commutation process is mainly represented by the authors, and the influencing factors of the current commutation—contact opening speed and ETMF current—are discussed. At last, the proposed circuit breaker is verified by an experiment, whose results show that a short‐circuit current of 42 kA can be interrupted within just 2 ms.

IntroductionThe elevation of the intraocular and extraocular pressures is associated with various visual conditions, including glaucoma and traumatic retinal injury. The retina expresses mechanosensitive channels (MSCs), but the role of MSCs in retinal physiology and pathologies has been unclear.MethodsUsing immunocytochemistry, confocal microscopy, and patch-clamp recording techniques, we studied the co-expression of K+-permeable (K-MSCs) TRAAK and big potassium channel BK with the epithelial sodium channel ENaC and transient receptor potential channel vanilloid TPRV4 and TRPV2 favorably permeable to Ca2+ than Na+ (together named N-MSCs), and TRPV4 activity in the mouse retina.ResultsTRAAK immunoreactivity (IR) was mainly located in Müller cells. Photoreceptor outer segments (OSs) expressed BK and ENaCα intensively and TRAAK, TRPV2, and TRPV4 weakly. Somas and axons of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) retrograde-identified clearly expressed ENaCα, TRPV4, and TRPV2 but lacked TRAAK and BK. Rod bipolar cells (RBCs) showed TRPV4-IR in somas and BK-IR in axonal globules. Horizontal cells were BK-negative, and some cone BCs lacked TRPV4-IR. TRPV4 agonist depolarized RGCs, enhanced spontaneous spikes and excitatory postsynaptic currents, reduced the visual signal reliability (VSR = 1-noise/signal) by ~50%, and resulted in ATP crisis, which could inactivate voltage-gated sodium channels in RGCs.ConclusionIndividual neurons co-express hyperpolarizing K-MSCs with depolarizing N-MSCs to counterbalance the pressure-induced excitation, and the level of K-MSCs relative to N-MSCs (RK/N ratio) is balanced in the outer retina but low in RGCs, bringing out novel determinants for the pressure vulnerability of retinal neurons and new targets for clinical interventions.

Renewable energy serves as an effective alternative to traditional fossil fuels, reducing reliance on energy imports from specific countries, thereby alleviating geopolitical risks and ensuring national energy security. The development and utilization of renewable energy have profound implications for the global energy consumption structure and geopolitical landscape. This paper utilizes time-series and panel data from 1990 to 2020 to examine the causal relationship between renewable energy consumption and geopolitical risks. Focusing primarily on the United States and the United Kingdom, a multivariate regression model was developed for empirical analysis, with a comparative analysis conducted against other Group of Seven (G7) member countries. Subsequent robustness checks were performed to further validate the model's robustness. Additionally, this study explores the role of military strength as a moderating variable in the relationship between renewable energy and geopolitics. Lastly, a vector autoregression model was constructed to analyze the dynamic relationships between renewable energy and related variables. The findings reveal that (1) consumption of clean renewable energies, such as solar, wind, and tidal energy, significantly reduces geopolitical risks in the United States and the United Kingdom, with differing empirical results for France, Canada, and Japan, interpreted according to their developmental contexts and (2) increased defense expenditure in the US and the UK significantly enhances the positive impact of renewable energy consumption on mitigating geopolitical risks. Utilizing renewable energy not only diversifies national energy options but also reduces reliance on fossil fuels and fosters international cooperation, thereby easing geopolitical tensions. This research enriches the literature on the relationship between renewable energy consumption and national energy security in key global nations and offers theoretical insights for the formulation and implementation of national energy development strategies in the new world development paradigm.

Abstract Liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) has emerged as a pivotal biological phenomenon involved in various cellular processes, including the formation of membrane‐less organelles and the regulation of biomolecular condensates through precise spatiotemporal coordination of signaling pathways in cells. Dysregulation of LLPSs results in aberrant biomolecular condensates, which are widely implicated in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Here, we comprehensively summarize the multifaceted roles of LLPS in tumor biology from the perspective of cancer hallmarks, including genomic stability, metabolic reprogramming progression, ferroptosis, and metastasis, to unveil the intricate mechanisms by which LLPS occurs in tumorigenesis. We discuss current discoveries related to therapeutic involvement and potential clinical applications of LLPS in cancer treatment, highlighting the potential of targeting LLPS‐driven processes as novel therapeutic strategies. Additionally, we discuss the challenges associated with new approaches for cancer treatment based on LLPS. This in‐depth discussion of the impact of LLPS on fundamental aspects of tumor biology provides new insights into overcoming cancer.

The Rongcheng High, located on the center of the Jizhong Depression, North China, presents favorable geothermal and geological characteristics, thereby rendering the fine subsurface structure crucial for accurately assessing seismic hazards and the potential for geothermal resources. In 2019, a recently acquired three-dimensional (3D) seismic dataset and processing methodologies were introduced to generate a high-resolution seismic reflection volume, centered on the Rongcheng High. The 3D reflection data revealed numerous prominent reflectors and associated fault structures, enabling a detailed study of the subsurface structure and providing an insight into the structural evolution of the Cenozoic Rongcheng High. A dissection of the fault system in the Rongcheng High unveiled a complex geometry characterized by both shallow and deep faults, indicating an initial phase of extension, followed by subsequent dextral strike-slip displacement. The Rongcheng Fault delineates the boundary between the Rongcheng High and Xushui Sag, influencing the fault sag and facilitating the development of a larger accommodation space. The depositional center shifted from west to east. The faults in the Cenozoic exhibited varying patterns of activity, beginning frequently in early Paleogene, followed by a decline, ultimately culminating in Neogene. The study area experienced two uplift events at the end of Ek2 (Kongdian-2 Formation) and Ed (Dongying Formation), resulting in the complete denudation of the Sha-2 and Dongying formations. A structural pattern characterized by alternating high and sag areas in the study area was established at the end of the depositional period of the Dongying Formation.

Thalassemia is a hemoglobin disease characterized by reduced or complete absence of the production of the α/β globin gene. Currently, the detection of β-thalassemia carriers is based on differences in blood cell parameters. However, β-thalassemia carriers cannot be distinguished from α- and β-thalassemia co-inherited carriers based solely on hematological findings, and the differential diagnosis must rely on molecular diagnosis. We report a 32-year-old male from Yunnan Province, who had abnormal hemoglobin E without obvious anemia. A rare αCS (CD142, TAA→CAA) combined with a βE (CD26, GAG→AAG) double heterozygous mutation was identified in the proband by PCR-reverse dot blot (PCR-RDB) and DNA sequencing. Additionally, a family lineage analysis was performed. This study complements the spectrum of rare thalassemia gene variants and is critical for clinical genetic counseling.

Abstract Fuel consumption is one of the main concerns for heavy-duty trucks. Predictive cruise control (PCC) provides an intriguing opportunity to reduce fuel consumption by using the upcoming road information. In this study, a real-time implementable PCC, which simultaneously optimizes engine torque and gear shifting, is proposed for heavy-duty trucks. To minimize fuel consumption, the problem of the PCC is formulated as a nonlinear model predictive control (MPC), in which the upcoming road elevation information is used. Finding the solution of the nonlinear MPC is time consuming; thus, a real-time implementable solver is developed based on Pontryagin’s maximum principle and indirect shooting method. Dynamic programming (DP) algorithm, as a global optimization algorithm, is used as a performance benchmark for the proposed solver. Simulation, hardware-in-the-loop and real-truck experiments are conducted to verify the performance of the proposed controller. The results demonstrate that the MPC-based solution performs nearly as well as the DP-based solution, with less than 1% deviation for testing roads. Moreover, the proposed co-optimization controller is implementable in a real-truck, and the proposed MPC-based PCC algorithm achieves a fuel-saving rate of 7.9% without compromising the truck’s travel time.

Abstract The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway plays a critical role in tumor development and immunotherapy. Nevertheless, additional research is necessary to comprehend the relationship between the MAPK pathway and the prognosis of bladder cancer (BLCA), as well as its influence on the tumor immune microenvironment. To create prognostic models, we screened ten genes associated with the MAPK pathway using COX and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis. These models were validated in the Genomic Data Commons (GEO) cohort and further examined for immune infiltration, somatic mutation, and drug sensitivity characteristics. Finally, the findings were validated using The Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database and through Quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Patients were classified into high-risk and low-risk groups based on the prognosis-related genes of the MAPK pathway. The high-risk group had poorer overall survival than the low-risk group and showed increased immune infiltration compared to the low-risk group. Additionally, the nomograms built using the risk scores and clinical factors exhibited high accuracy in predicting the survival of BLCA patients. The prognostic profiling of MAPK pathway-associated genes represents a potent clinical prediction tool, serving as the foundation for precise clinical treatment of BLCA.

Abstract Objectives To noninvasively detect prostate cancer and predict the Gleason grade using single-modality T2-weighted imaging with a deep-learning approach. Methods Patients with prostate cancer, confirmed by histopathology, who underwent magnetic resonance imaging examinations at our hospital during September 2015–June 2022 were retrospectively included in an internal dataset. An external dataset from another medical center and a public challenge dataset were used for external validation. A deep-learning approach was designed for prostate cancer detection and Gleason grade prediction. The area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to compare the model performance. Results For prostate cancer detection, the internal datasets comprised data from 195 healthy individuals (age: 57.27 ± 14.45 years) and 302 patients (age: 72.20 ± 8.34 years) diagnosed with prostate cancer. The AUC of our model for prostate cancer detection in the validation set (n = 96, 19.7%) was 0.918. For Gleason grade prediction, datasets comprising data from 283 of 302 patients with prostate cancer were used, with 227 (age: 72.06 ± 7.98 years) and 56 (age: 72.78 ± 9.49 years) patients being used for training and testing, respectively. The external and public challenge datasets comprised data from 48 (age: 72.19 ± 7.81 years) and 91 patients (unavailable information on age), respectively. The AUC of our model for Gleason grade prediction in the training set (n = 227) was 0.902, whereas those of the validation (n = 56), external validation (n = 48), and public challenge validation sets (n = 91) were 0.854, 0.776, and 0.838, respectively. Conclusion Through multicenter dataset validation, our proposed deep-learning method could detect prostate cancer and predict the Gleason grade better than human experts. Critical relevance statement Precise prostate cancer detection and Gleason grade prediction have great significance for clinical treatment and decision making. Key Points Prostate segmentation is easier to annotate than prostate cancer lesions for radiologists. Our deep-learning method detected prostate cancer and predicted the Gleason grade, outperforming human experts. Non-invasive Gleason grade prediction can reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Background The Cabrol procedure has undergone various modifications and developments since its invention. However, there is a notable gap in the literature regarding meta-analyses assessing it. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and long-term outcomes of the Cabrol procedure and its modifications. Pooling was conducted using random effects model. Outcome events were reported as linearized occurrence rates (percentage per patient-year) with 95% confidence intervals. Results A total of 14 studies involving 833 patients (mean age: 50.8 years; 68.0% male) were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled all-cause early mortality was 9.0% (66 patients), and the combined rate of reoperation due to bleeding was 4.9% (17 patients). During the average 4.4-year follow-up (3,727.3 patient-years), the annual occurrence rates (linearized) for complications were as follows: 3.63% (2.79–4.73) for late mortality, 0.64% (0.35–1.16) for aortic root reoperation, 0.57% (0.25–1.31) for hemorrhage events, 0.66% (0.16–2.74) for thromboembolism, 0.60% (0.29–1.26) for endocarditis, 2.32% (1.04–5.16) for major valve-related adverse events, and 0.58% (0.34–1.00) for Cabrol-related coronary graft complications. Conclusion This systematic review provides evidence that the outcomes of the Cabrol procedure and its modifications are acceptable in terms of mortality, reoperation, anticoagulation, and valve-related complications, especially in Cabrol-related coronary graft complications. Notably, the majority of Cabrol procedures were performed in reoperations and complex cases. Furthermore, the design and anastomosis of the Dacron interposition graft for coronary reimplantation, considering natural anatomy and physiological hemodynamics, may promise future advancements in this field.

Abstract Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent global health concern associated with the loss of articular cartilage and subchondral bone. The lack of disease-modifying drugs for OA necessitates the exploration of novel therapeutic options. Our previous study has demonstrated that traditional Chinese medical herb Trachelospermum jasminoides (Lindl.) Lem. extract suppressed osteoclastogenesis and identified trachelogenin (TCG) as a representative compound. Here, we delved into TCG’s potential to alleviate OA. Methods We initially validated the in vivo efficacy of TCG in alleviating OA using a rat OA model. Subsequently, we isolated primary bone marrow-derived macrophages in vitro to investigate TCG's impact on osteoclastogenesis. We further employed a small molecule pull-down assay to verify TCG's binding target within osteoclasts. Finally, we isolated primary mouse chondrocytes in vitro to study TCG's regulatory effects and mechanisms on chondrocyte survival. Results TCG preserved subchondral bone integrity and protected articular cartilage in a rat OA model. Subsequently, in vitro experiments unveiled TCG's capability to inhibit osteoclastogenesis and function through binding to Ras association proximate 1 (Rap1) and inhibiting its activation. Further study demonstrated that TCG inhibited Rap1/integrin αvβ3/c-Src/Pyk2 signaling cascade, and consequently led to failed F-actin ring formation. Besides, TCG promoted the proliferation of mouse primary chondrocytes while suppressing apoptosis in vitro. This is attributed to TCG's ability to upregulate HIF1α, thereby promoting glycolysis. Conclusion TCG exerted inhibitory effects on osteoclastogenesis through binding to Rap1 and inhibiting Rap1 activation, consequently preventing subchondral bone loss. Moreover, TCG enhanced chondrocyte survival by upregulating HIF1α and promoting glycolysis. These dual mechanisms collectively provide a novel approach to prevented against cartilage degradation.

Abstract Background Cayratia albifolia C.L.Li (CAC), commonly known as “Jiao-Mei-Gu” in China, has been extensively utilized by the Dong minority for several millennia to effectively alleviate symptoms associated with autoimmune diseases. CAC extract is believed to possess significant anti-inflammatory properties within the context of Dong medicine. However, an in-depth understanding of the specific pharmaceutical effects and underlying mechanisms through which CAC extract acts against rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has yet to be established. Methods Twenty-four Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups, with six rats in each group. To induce the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model, the rats underwent a process of double immunization with collagen and adjuvant. CAC extract (100 mg/kg) was orally administered to rats. The anti-RA effects were evaluated in CIA rats by arthritis score, hind paw volume and histopathology analysis. Pull-down assay was conducted to identify the potential targets of CAC extract from RAW264.7 macrophage lysates. Moreover, mechanism studies of CAC extract were performed by immunofluorescence assays, real-time PCR and Western blot. Results CAC extract was found to obviously down-regulate hind paw volume of CIA rats, with diminished inflammation response and damage. 177 targets were identified from CAC extract by MS-based pull-down assay. Bioinformatics analysis found that these targets were mainly enriched in macrophage activation and neutrophils extracellular traps (NETs). Additionally, we reported that CAC extract owned significant anti-inflammatory activity by regulating PI3K-Akt-mTOR signal pathway, and inhibited NETosis in response to PMA. Conclusions We clarified that CAC extract significantly attenuated RA by inactivating macrophage and reducing NETosis via a multi-targets regulation. Graphical Abstract

Introduction: A spot sign on computed tomography angiography (CTA) scan is a widely recognized radiographic indicator of primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) used to predict early hematoma expansion. Nonetheless, recent multicenter studies have indicated that its predictive value for hematoma expansion is not as significant as previously stated. Therefore, identifying the reasons for the poor performance of these studies is imperative. Case presentation: A 48-year-old man presented with a 9-hour history of alalia and right limb hemiplegia. Noncontrast computed tomography (CT) revealed a hematoma in the left frontal lobe, while CTA showed a spot sign within the hematoma, leading to a diagnosis of frontal lobe hemorrhage. During the surgical procedure, a blood clot was removed, revealing the presence of 3 mm of saccular tissue resembling an aneurysm. The process of exposing its complete form resulted in its rupture and bleeding. The location of this tissue at the top of the hematoma cavity corresponded to the CTA spot sign. Pathological examination confirmed that the characteristics of the tissue wall were consistent with those of a pseudoaneurysm. Conclusion: This case suggests that more stringent identification criteria should be established in studies predicting ICH expansion using the spot sign on CTA to differentiate and exclude pseudoaneurysms, thereby improving the accuracy of predicting early hematoma expansion using the CTA spot sign.

Abstract Objective Acute pancreatitis (AP) stands as a frequent cause for clinical emergency hospital admissions. The X‐box binding protein 1 (XBP1) was found to be implicated in pancreatic acinar cell apoptosis. The objective is to unveil the potential mechanisms governed by XBP1 and SIRT6 in the context of AP. Methods Caerulein‐treated human pancreatic duct epithelial (HPDE) cells to establish an in vitro research model. The levels and regulatory role of SIRT6 in the treated cells were evaluated, including its effects on inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. The relationship between XBP1 and SIRT6 was explored by luciferase and ChIP experiments. Furthermore, the effect of XBP1 overexpression on the regulatory function of SIRT6 on cells was evaluated. Results Caerulein promoted the decrease of SIRT6 and the increase of XBP1 in HPDE cells. Overexpression of SIRT6 slowed down the secretion of inflammatory factors, oxidative stress, apoptosis level, and endoplasmic reticulum stress in HPDE cells. However, XBP1 negatively regulated SIRT6, and XBP1 overexpression partially reversed the regulation of SIRT6 on the above aspects. Conclusion Our study illuminates the role of XBP1 in downregulating SIRT6 in HPDE cells, thereby promoting cellular injury. Inhibiting XBP1 or augmenting SIRT6 levels holds promise in preserving cell function and represents a potential therapeutic avenue in the management of AP.

Key Clinical Message Acute chest pain can be the first manifestation of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1(MEN1)‐associated thymic neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN). Comprehensive treatment may be an effective strategy for MEN1‐associated NEN. Abstract Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1(MEN1)‐associated thymic neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) is caused by the mutation of tumor suppressor MEN1 gene. Patients with MEN1‐associated NEN initially presenting with acute chest pain are very rare. In the manuscript, we reported a case of a 45‐year‐old man who developed MEN1‐associated NEN with acute chest pain as initial symptom. Thoracoscopic thymotomy was performed and thymic NEN was successfully removed. Genetic test showed a germline mutation of MEN1 gene in this patient. Immunohistochemical staining exhibited Syn(+), CgA(+), INSM1(+), CD56(+) and Ki67‐positive cells (2%) in MEN1‐associated NEN. Further evaluation unveiled MEN1‐associated benign tumors including digestive NEN and pituitary gland adenoma. The 99mTc‐HYNIC‐TOC scintigraphy showed that focally increased radioactivity in the mid‐upper abdomen. This patient was administered with 50Gy/25F of radiation dose to treat the postoperative lesions. Subsequently, sandostatin LAR (30 mg per week) was used as systemic therapy. He had no recurrence or metastasis for 6‐month follow‐up. Thus, acute chest pain can be the first manifestation of MEN1‐associated NEN, and comprehensive treatment including surgery, radiation and systemic treatment may be an effective strategy for MEN1‐associated NEN.

There is an evident requirement for a rapid, efficient, and simple method to screen the authenticity of milk products in the market. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy stands out as a promising solution. This work employed FTIR spectroscopy and modern statistical machine learning algorithms for the identification and quantification of pasteurized milk adulteration. Comparative results demonstrate modern statistical machine learning algorithms will improve the ability of FTIR spectroscopy to predict milk adulteration compared to partial least square (PLS). To discern the types of substances utilized in milk adulteration, a top-performing multiclassification model was established using multi-layer perceptron (MLP) algorithm, delivering an impressive prediction accuracy of 97.4 %. For quantification purposes, bayesian regularized neural networks (BRNN) provided the best results for the determination of both melamine, urea and milk powder adulteration, while extreme gradient boosting (XGB) and projection pursuit regression (PPR) gave better results in predicting sucrose and water adulteration levels, respectively. The regression models provided suitable predictive accuracy with the ratio of performance to deviation (RPD) values higher than 3. The proposed methodology proved to be a cost-effective and fast tool for screening the authenticity of pasteurized milk in the market.

The heart and brain are important organs of human body, which are closely related in genetic, structural and functional aspects. It is of great significance to elucidate the correlation between heart and brain and its mechanism for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. This paper reviews the genetic, structural and functional correlations between heart and brain, and discusses mechanisms of correlations from the perspective of common clinical heart diseases and brain diseases, so as to provide theoretical basis for the research and treatment of brain and heart comorbidity.

With the rise of social networks, various types of information have emerged in the vision field in a complex manner, making it crucial to analyze the propagation patters of online public opinion to effectively guide information dissemination. To elucidate the dynamics of information dissemination, this paper proposes a directed network information based on self-organized network information dissemination scenario. This model takes into account the influence of networks formed by users spontaneously and distinguishes the dissemination population based on the in- and out-degree of user nodes in the network. To assess the model’s performance, it is evaluated using real retweets from Chinese Sina Weibo, considering the impact of user interactions on information dissemination. Comparing real data with model-fitted data, the proposed model-based evaluation and numerical analysis demonstrate that the forwarding and transfer probabilities align with actual information dissemination. Furthermore, the evaluation sensitivity analyses describe the key factors influencing information dissemination, aiding decision-making in formulating strategies to guide public opinion. To quantify the importance of these factors, assessment metrics are introduced, such as the propagation regeneration number.

Abstract Transcription-replication conflicts (TRCs), especially Head-On TRCs (HO-TRCs) can introduce R-loops and DNA damage, however, the underlying mechanisms are still largely unclear. We previously identified a chloroplast-localized RNase H1 protein AtRNH1C that can remove R-loops and relax HO-TRCs for genome integrity. Through the mutagenesis screen, we identify a mutation in chloroplast-localized primase ATH that weakens the binding affinity of DNA template and reduces the activities of RNA primer synthesis and delivery. This slows down DNA replication, and reduces competition of transcription-replication, thus rescuing the developmental defects of atrnh1c. Strand-specific DNA damage sequencing reveals that HO-TRCs cause DNA damage at the end of the transcription unit in the lagging strand and overexpression of ATH can boost HO-TRCs and exacerbates DNA damage. Furthermore, mutation of plastid DNA polymerase Pol1A can similarly rescue the defects in atrnh1c mutants. Taken together these results illustrate a potentially conserved mechanism among organisms, of which the primase activity can promote the occurrence of transcription-replication conflicts leading to HO-TRCs and genome instability.

Crimped wool in Tan sheep gradually transitions to straight wool after 35 days (the er-mao stage), which reduces its commercial value. To investigate the changes in wool proteins during this stage, we performed comparative proteomic analysis of the straight and crimped wool using tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantification. The mean fur curvature (MFC) of crimped wool was significantly greater than that of straight wool (p < 0.001). We identified 1218 proteins between the two types of wool, including 50 keratins (Ks) and 10 keratin-associated proteins (KAPs). There were 213 differentially expressed proteins, including 13 Ks and 4 KAPs. Crimped wool showed relatively high abundances of KAP24-1, K84, K32, K82, and intermediate filament rod domain-containing protein (IRDC), whereas straight wool had relatively high abundances of K6A, K27, K80, KAP16-1, KAP27-1, and trichohyalin (TCHH). The expression levels of KAP16-1, KAP24-1, and KAP27-1 were related to the ratio of paracortex, which may be associated with wool crimp formation. Additionally, high expressions of TCHH, K27, and K6A in the inner root sheath (IRS) were linked to fiber fineness in straight wool. These findings provide insight into the overall expression and distribution patterns of Ks and KAPs, offering opportunities to improve wool quality and enhance its economic potential in the textile industry.

In fisheries’ stock assessments, the concept of “growth plasticity”—the ability of organisms to modulate their growth rates in response to environmental conditions—has gained attention in recent years. Historically, the impacts of fishing activities and environmental fluctuations were considered separately, while their combined effects have recently come into focus. This study collected 834 adult small yellow croakers (Larimichthys polyactis) from the northern Yellow Sea, the central Yellow Sea, the southern Yellow Sea, and the northern East Sea by trawling during 2020–2021. Using otolith increments as a proxy for annual somatic growth, the study reconstructed otolith chronologies during 2015–2020 for these four stocks. The results of the mixed-effects modeling suggested that temperature during spawning and previous overwintering seasons had comparable importance for the annual growth of small yellow croakers, with higher temperature promoting growth. The growth of small yellow croakers was also found to be correlated with ENSO events, with a lag of 1 to 2 years. A further investigation into combined effects revealed that higher fishing pressure might inhibit the small yellow croaker’s response to favorable environmental conditions. Furthermore, considering the potential differences in growth plasticity among stocks, an analysis was conducted on the spatial variations in growth response to these factors. The analysis revealed that, compared to the stocks in the Yellow Sea, the stock from the East China Sea could exhibit higher growth, superior adaptability to temperature, and a distinctive response to fishing pressure. In conclusion, the present study, while primarily focusing on temperature, preliminarily analyzed the combined effects of fishing and environment and underscored the differences in growth plasticity between stocks in the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea. Despite the limited factors analyzed in this study, it suggests a direction for future studies, highlighting the necessity to include more environmental factors, and even population factors (e.g., the biomass of preys), for a more comprehensive understanding of the combined effects. Based on the observed differences between the two potential subpopulations, this study also provides new insights for the management of the small yellow croaker based on metapopulation dynamics.

With the booming of renewable clean energies towards reducing carbon emission, demands for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in applications to transportation vehicles and power stations are increasing exponentially. As a consequence, great pressures have been posed on the technological development and production of valuable elements key to LIBs, in addition to concerns about depletion of natural resources, environmental impacts, and management of waste batteries. In this paper, we compile recent information on lithium, nickel, and cobalt, the three most crucial elements utilized in LIBs, in terms of demands, current identified terrestrial resources, extraction technologies from primary natural resources and waste. Most nickel and cobalt are currently produced from high-grade sulfide ores via a pyrometallurgical approach. Increased demands have stimulated production of Ni and Co from low-grade laterites, which is commonly performed through the hydrometallurgical process. Most lithium exists in brines and is extracted via evaporation–precipitation in common industrial practice. It is noteworthy that at present, the pyrometallurgical process is energy-intensive and polluting in terms of gas emissions. Hydrometallurgical processes utilize large amounts of alkaline or acidic media in combination with reducing agents, generating hazardous waste streams. Traditional evaporation–precipitation consumes time, water, and land. Extraction of these elements from deep seas and recycling from waste are emerging as technologies. Advanced energy-saving and environmentally friendly processes are under extensive research and development and are crucial in the process of renewable clean energy implementation.

Objective: To analyze and evaluate the uncertainty of the determination of folic acid content in milk powder by microplate method. Methods: The content of folic acid in infant formula milk powder was determined by microplate method according to GB 5009.211—2022 "National Standard for Food Safety-Determination of Folic Acid in Foods". Various experimental factors affecting the test results were analyzed and calculated according to the uncertainty evaluation methods and guidelines such as JJF 1059.1—2012, CNAS-CL01-G003:2011 and CNAS-GL05:2011, and the synthetic standard uncertainty and expanded uncertainty were obtained. Results: The expanded uncertainty U95=22.08 μg/100 g（k=2）, and the folate content of the sample was （282.33±22.08） μg/100 g. The uncertainty mainly comes from the process of microplate inoculation, the fitting of standard curve and the repeatability of measurement. Conclusion: The accuracy of pipettes and microbial factors have a great impact on the experimental results, so it is necessary to ensure the quality of the instrument and strictly follow the standardized procedures to minimize the uncertainty.

The GATA gene family belongs to a kind of transcriptional regulatory protein featuring a zinc finger motif, which is essential for plant growth and development. However, the identification of the GATA gene family in tetraploid potato is still not performed. In the present research, a total of 88 GATA genes in the tetraploid potato C88.v1 genome were identified by bioinformatics methods. These StGATA genes had an uneven distribution on 44 chromosomes, and the corresponding StGATA proteins were divided into four subfamilies (I-IV) based on phylogenetic analysis. The cis-elements of StGATA genes were identified, including multiple cis-elements related to light-responsive and hormone-responsive. The collinearity analysis indicates that segmental duplication is a key driving force for the expansion of GATA gene family in tetraploid potato, and that the GATA gene families of tetraploid potato and Arabidopsis share a closer evolutionary relationship than rice. The transcript profiling analysis showed that all 88 StGATA genes had tissue-specific expression, indicating that the StGATA gene family members participate in the development of multiple potato tissues. The RNA-seq analysis was also performed on the tuber flesh of two potato varieties with different color, and 18 differentially expressed GATA transcription factor genes were screened, of which eight genes were validated through qRT-PCR. In this study, we identified and characterized StGATA transcription factors in tetraploid potato for the first time, and screened differentially expressed genes in potato flesh with different color. It provides a theoretical basis for further understanding the StGATA gene family and its function in anthocyanin biosynthesis.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly aggressive liver malignancy and one of the most lethal cancers globally, with limited effective therapeutic options. Bile acids (BAs), as primary metabolites of hepatic cholesterol, undergo enterohepatic circulation involving secretion into the intestine and reabsorption into the liver, and their composition is modulated in this process. Recent clinical observations have revealed a correlation between alteration in the BAs profile and HCC incidence, and the effect of various species of BAs on HCC development has been investigated. The regulatory effect of different BA species on cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis in tumor cells, as well as their interaction with gut microbiota, inflammation, and immunity have been identified to be involved in HCC progression. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the diverse functions of BAs in HCC pathogenesis and therapy, from elucidating the fundamental mechanisms underlying both tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressive consequences of various BA species to exploring potential strategies for leveraging BAs for HCC therapy. We also discuss ongoing efforts to target specific BA species in HCC treatment while highlighting new frontiers in BA biology that may inspire further exploration regarding their connection to HCC.

Mastitis (MAS), endometritis (MET), and ketosis (KET) are prevalent diseases in dairy cows that result in substantial economic losses for the dairy farming industry. This study gathered 26,014 records of the health and sickness of dairy cows and 99,102 data of reproduction from 13 Holstein dairy farms in Central China; the milk protein and milk fat content from 56,640 milk samples, as well as the pedigree data of 37,836 dairy cows were obtained. The logistic regression method was used to analyze the variations in the prevalence rates of MAS, MET, and KET among various parities; the mixed linear model was used to examine the effects of the three diseases on milk production, milk quality, and reproductive traits. DMU software (version 5.2) utilized the DMUAI module in conjunction with the single-trait and two-trait animal model, as well as best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP), to estimate the genetic parameters for the three diseases, milk production, milk quality, and reproductive traits in dairy cows. The primary findings of the investigation comprised the following: (1) The prevalence rates of MAS, MET, and KET in dairy farms were 20.04%, 10.68%, and 7.33%, respectively. (2) MAS and MET had a substantial impact (p < 0.01) on milk production, resulting in significant decreases of 112 kg and 372 kg in 305-d Milk Yield (305-d MY), 4 kg and 12 kg in 305-d Protein Yield (305-d PY), and 6 kg and 16 kg in 305-d Fat Yield (305-d FY). As a result of their excessive 305-d MY, some cows were diagnosed with KET due to glucose metabolism disorder. The 305-d MY of cows with KET was significantly higher than that of healthy cows (205 kg, p < 0.01). (3) All three diseases resulted in an increase in the Interval from Calving to First Service (CTFS, 0.60–1.50 d), Interval from First Service to Conception (FSTC, 0.20–16.20 d), Calving Interval (CI, 4.00–7.00 d), and Number of Services (NUMS, 0.07–0.35). (4) The heritabilities of cows with MAS, MET, and KET were found to be low, with values of 0.09, 0.01, and 0.02, respectively. The genetic correlation between these traits ranged from 0.14 to 0.44. This study offers valuable insights on the prevention and control of the three diseases, as well as feeding management and genetic breeding.

We developed a novel method based on self-supervised learning to improve the ghost imaging of occluded objects. In particular, we introduced a W-shaped neural network to preprocess the input image and enhance the overall quality and efficiency of the reconstruction method. We verified the superiority of our W-shaped self-supervised computational ghost imaging (WSCGI) method through numerical simulations and experimental validations. Our results underscore the potential of self-supervised learning in advancing ghost imaging.

Wastewater treatment using microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is a potentially useful technology due to its low cost, environmental friendliness, and low sludge production. In this study, a single-chambered air cathode MFC (SCMFC) was developed and investigated regarding its performance and microbial community evolution following nitrate exposure. During long-term operation, diverse denitrifiers accumulated on the electrodes to form a denitrifying MFC (DNMFC) with stable activity for nitrate reduction. The DNMFC presented considerably higher electroactivity, stability, and denitrification rates than the SCMFC. Though energy recovery decreased in the DNMFC by partial organics utilized for heterotrophic denitrification, the electron transfer efficiency increased. Geobacter as the absolutely dominant genus in the SCMFC anode was eliminated and replaced by Azonexus and Pseudomonas in the DNMFC. Furthermore, the biomass of Pseudomonas (151.0 ng/μL) in the DNMFC cathode was five-fold higher than that in the SCMFC, although the bacterial community compositions were quite similar. The DNMFC with highly abundant Pseudomonas exhibited much better performance in terms of electrochemical activity and nitrate removal. The evolution process of functional bacteria from the SCMFC to the DNMFC comprehensively reveals the significant role of denitrifying electroactive bacteria in a bioelectrochemical system for nitrogen-containing wastewater treatment.

Prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent malignant tumors in men worldwide, and early diagnosis is essential to improve patient survival. This review provides a comprehensive discussion of recent advances in prostate cancer biomarkers, including molecular, cellular, and exosomal biomarkers. The potential of various biomarkers such as gene fusions (TMPRSS2-ERG), noncoding RNAs (SNHG12), proteins (PSA, PSMA, AR), and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the diagnosis, prognosis, and targeted therapies of prostate cancer is emphasized. In addition, this review systematically explores how multi-omics data and artificial intelligence technologies can be used for biomarker discovery and personalized medicine applications. In addition, this review provides insights into the development of specific probes, including fluorescent, electrochemical, and radionuclide probes, for sensitive and accurate detection of prostate cancer biomarkers. In conclusion, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the status and future directions of prostate cancer biomarker research, emphasizing the potential for precision diagnosis and targeted therapy.

Probiotic biofilms have been beneficial in the fight against infections, restoring the equilibrium of the host’s gut microbiota, and enhancing host health. They are considered a novel strategy for probiotic gut colonization. In this case, we evaluated the effects of various active substances from traditional Chinese medicine on Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) to determine if they promote biofilm formation. It was shown that 8–64 μg/mL of oleanolic acid increased the development of EcN biofilm. Additionally, we observed that oleanolic acid can effectively suppress biofilm formation in pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus. Next, we assessed the amount of EcN extracellular polysaccharides, the number of live bacteria, their metabolic activity, the hydrophobicity of their surface, and the shape of their biofilms using laser confocal microscopy. Through transcriptome analysis, a total of 349 differentially expressed genes were identified, comprising 134 upregulated and 215 downregulated genes. GO functional enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that oleanolic acid functions are through the regulation of bacterial motility, the iron absorption system, the two-component system, and adhesion pathways. These findings suggest that the main effects of oleanolic acid are to prevent bacterial motility, increase initial adhesion, and encourage the development of EcN biofilms. In addition, oleanolic acid interacts with iron absorption to cooperatively control the production of EcN biofilms within an optimal concentration range. Taking these results together, this study suggests that oleanolic acid may enhance probiotic biofilm formation in the intestines, presenting new avenues for probiotic product development.

The plant homeodomain finger (PHD finger) protein, a type of zinc finger protein extensively distributed in eukaryotes, plays diverse roles in regulating plant growth and development. While PHD finger proteins have been identified in various species, their functions remain largely unexplored in pea (Pisum sativum). In this study, we identified 84 members of the PHD finger gene family in pea, which displayed an uneven distribution across seven chromosomes. Through a comprehensive analysis using data from Arabidopsis thaliana and Medicago truncatula, we categorized the PHD finger proteins into 20 subfamilies via phylogenetic tree analysis. Each subfamily exhibited distinct variations in terms of quantity, genetic structure, conserved domains, and physical and chemical properties. Collinearity analysis revealed conserved evolutionary relationships among the PHD finger genes across the three different species. Furthermore, we identified the conserved and important roles of the subfamily M members in anther development. RT-qPCR and in situ hybridization revealed high expression of the pea subfamily M members PsPHD11 and PsPHD16 in microspores and the tapetum layer. In conclusion, this analysis of the PHD finger family in pea provides valuable guidance for future research on the biological roles of PHD finger proteins in pea and other leguminous plants.

A new UHPC pre-stress transfer device is proposed for pre-stressed anti-floating anchor rods. To investigate the axial compression performance of the device during pre-stressing, physical experiments and a finite element verification were conducted on four different types of full-scale device specimens. The changes in the axial displacements and ultimate bearing capacities under axial pressure for the different types of devices were analyzed. The results indicated that bending failures occurred in the upper plate portions of all the types of specimens, with transverse cracks appearing near the upper plate portions of the short columns. The axial compression ultimate bearing capacity of each specimen exceeded the design value. Among them, the axial compression ultimate bearing capacity of the HM18 device increased the most relative to its design value by 87%, while axial compression ultimate bearing capacity of the HM45 device increased the least relative to its design value by only 2%. The new UHPC transfer device exhibits good applicability in pre-stressed anti-floating anchor rods.

To improve the imaging speed of ghost imaging and ensure the accuracy of the images, an adaptive ghost imaging scheme based on 2D-Haar wavelets has been proposed. This scheme is capable of significantly retaining image information even under under-sampling conditions. By comparing the differences in light intensity distribution and sampling characteristics between Hadamard and 2D-Haar wavelet illumination patterns, we discovered that the lateral and longitudinal information detected by the high-frequency 2D-Haar wavelet measurement basis could be used to predictively adjust the diagonal measurement basis, thereby reducing the number of measurements required. Simulation and experimental results indicate that this scheme can still achieve high-quality imaging results with about a 25% reduction in the number of measurements. This approach provides a new perspective for enhancing the efficiency of computational ghost imaging.