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With climate warming and accelerated urbanisation, severe urban flooding has become a common problem worldwide. Frequent extreme rainfall events and the siltation of drainage pipes further increase the burden on urban drainage networks. However, existing studies have not fully considered the effects of rainfall and pipeline siltation on the response characteristics of flooding when constructing numerical models of urban flooding simulations. To solve this problem, a surface-subsurface coupling model was constructed by combining the Saint-Venant equation, Manning equation, a one-dimensional pipeline model (SWMM), and a two-dimensional surface overflow model (LISFLOOD-FP). Then, the SWMM model considering pipeline siltation and the two-dimensional surface overflow model (LISFLOOD-FP) were coupled with the flow exchange governing equation, and the urban flooding response characteristics considering the coupling effect of "rainfall and drainage pipeline siltation" were analysed. To enhance the solvability of waterlogging prediction, an intelligent prediction model of urban flooding based on Bayes-CNN-BLSTM was established by combining a convolutional neural network (CNN), bidirectional long short-term memory neural network (BLSTM), Bayesian optimisation (Bayes), and an interpretable loss function error correction method. The actual rainfall events and flooding processes recorded by the monitoring equipment at Huizhou University were used to calibrate and verify the model. The results show that in the Rainfall 1 and Rainfall 2 scenarios, the overload rates of the pipelines in the current siltation scenario were 60.06 % and 68.37 %, respectively, and the proportions of overflow nodes were 24.87 % and 25.89 %, respectively. When the drainage network was initially put into operation, the overload rates of the pipeline were 36.67 % and 41.16 %, and the overflow nodes accounted for 3.05 % and 4.06 %, respectively. The inundated area and volume of urban flooding increased when the combined siltation coefficient (CSC) was 0.2; therefore, two desilting schemes were determined. Under Rainfall 1, Rainfall 2, and the four rainfall recurrence periods, the Bayes-CNN-BLSTM model had clear advantages in terms of accuracy, reliability, and robustness., 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.)

Study Design: Bibliometric analysis., Objective: Hip-Spine Syndrome (HSS) was first described in 1983 as a syndrome characterizing the concurrent symptoms of lumbar and hip joint degenerative disease. This study aims to elucidate the research trends, hot topics, and influential publications in HSS through bibliometric analysis., Methods: The Web of Science database was used to search for all literature on HSS from 1983 to 2024. VOSviewer, CiteSpace and Scimago Graphica software were employed to analyze the data and generate visual knowledge maps. Analyses included annual publication trends, keywords, authors, citation bursts, co-citation situations, and research clustering hotspots., Results: Of the 236 publications meeting the inclusion criteria, the volume on HSS has steadily increased over the past forty years. The United States leads in publication volume, followed by Australia and Japan. Total hip arthroplasty (THA), clinical significance, and disease classification have emerged as frontiers and hotspots. The journals with the highest publication volumes are the Journal of Arthroplasty, Spine, and European Spine Journal. Key papers have been identified as foundational works in the field. However, international, institutional and authorial collaboration remains limited., Conclusion: Over the past four decades, the volume of publications on HSS has steadily increased. The United States leads both in the quality and quantity of published articles. The most influential works have enhanced our understanding of the pathogenesis and surgical decision-making in HSS. This study provides a comprehensive review of the trends and influential research in HSS., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism through which phosphoglycerate mutase 1 (PGAM1) drives aerobic glycolysis and promotes tumor aggressiveness in melanoma and to evaluate its potential as a therapeutic target., Methods: The survival of patients with skin cutaneous melanoma was predicted. The expression of PGAM1 in melanocytes and melanoma cells was measured, and then the levels of markers related to apoptosis, glycolysis and immune responses in melanoma cells cultured with or without CD8 + T cells were detected. The effects of PGAM1 knockdown on the malignant phenotypes and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) of melanoma cells were analyzed., Results: High-expressed PGAM1 was predictive of a poor prognosis of melanoma. The viability, proliferation and invasion as well as glycolysis of PGAM1-silenced melanoma cells were suppressed. PGAM1 silencing lowered the expressions of glycolysis-related markers and anti-apoptosis marker BCL2 but promoted that of BAX, a pro-apoptosis marker. Downregulated levels of immune responses-related markers were observed after PGAM1 knockdown. POMHEX, a glycolysis inhibitor, reduced glycolysis and suppressed the levels of immune responses-related markers and anti-apoptosis marker BCL2., Conclusion: This study revealed the involvement of PGAM1 in the aerobic glycolysis of melanoma, providing novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of melanoma progression., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could influence the work reported in this study., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: The interactions between pollutants and temperature coexposure, the mixing effects and their potential mechanisms remain uncertain., Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 11,766 women with infertility who received treatment at Fujian Hospital between 2015 and 2024. The daily mean concentrations of the six pollutants and the relative humidity and temperature data were acquired from the Fujian region. Data on genes were obtained from the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database., Results: O 3 (aOR=0.80, 95 % CI=0.725--0.891) and temperature (aOR=0.936, 95 % CI=0.916--0.957) were negatively correlated with live birth rates. Moreover, PM 10 (aOR=1.135, 95 % CI=1.028--1.252) and PM 2.5 (aOR=1.146, 95 % CI=1.03--1.274) were positively associated with preterm birth. Among the effects on live births, PM 2.5 , PM 10 , NO 2 , CO, and SO 2 had significant synergistic effects with temperature; in addition, O 3 had significant antagonistic effects with temperature. A notable trend toward declining live birth rates with elevated concentrations of mixed pollutants was observed. Different infertility patients have different sensitivities to coexposure. Gene enrichment and cell experiments are associated mainly with cellular life activities., Conclusions: Individual effects, interactions, and mixed effects between temperature and air pollutants and birth outcomes persist when air pollutant levels are relatively low. AAP may trigger miscarriage through cytotoxic effects., 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.)

Penicillin G acylase (PGA) serves as a critical biocatalyst for the hydrolysis of penicillin G, yielding 6-aminopenicillanic acid, a vital precursor for β-lactam semi-synthetic antibiotics. The catalytic efficiency of PGA, however, remains suboptimal in native Escherichia coli strains. To improve this, E. coli BL21 was engineered as a microbial cell factory via heterologous expression and site-directed mutagenesis to enhance PGA activity. The heterologous pga gene from Providencia rettgeri was integrated into E. coli BL21 (DE3) for the biosynthesis of PGA, achieving a PGA activity of 253 ± 2 U/mL after 16 hours of fermentation. The N167 site underwent mutation, producing the sites N167A and N167I. Plasmids carrying these mutations were introduced into E. coli BL21(DE3), and the enzymatic activities were recorded as 293 ± 3 U/mL for the N167A mutant and 238 ± 2 U/mL for the N167I mutant. This study not only introduces a novel approach to enhancing PGA activity but also illustrates the potential for catalytic optimization through targeted modifications of the enzyme's active site., 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.)

The microbiome plays a crucial role in soil nitrogen (N) cycling and in regulating its bioavailability. However, the functional and genomic information of microorganisms encoding N cycling in response to copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) contamination is largely unknown. Here, metagenomics and genome binning were used to examine microbial N cycling in Cu and Cd co-contaminated red paddy soils collected from a polluted watershed in southern China. The results showed that soil Cu and Cd concentrations induced more drastic changes in microbial N functional and taxonomic traits than soil general properties. Soil Cu and Cd co-contamination stimulated microbial nitrification, denitrification, and dissimilatory nitrate reduction processes mainly by increasing the abundance of Nitrospira (phylum Nitrospirota), while inhibiting N fixation by decreasing the abundance of Desulfobacca. These contrasting changes in microbial N cycling processes suggested a potential risk of N loss in paddy soils. A high-quality genome was identified as belonging to Nitrospirota with the highest abundance in heavily contaminated soils. This novel Nitrospirota strain possessed metabolic capacities for N transformation and metal resistance. These findings elucidate the genetic mechanisms underlying soil N bioavailability under long-term Cu and Cd contamination, which is essential for maintaining agricultural productivity and controlling heavy metal pollution., 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.)

Previous studies have demonstrated the toxic effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and heavy metals on the reproductive system. However, the interactions and combined effects of these substances remain unexplored. This study utilizes data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to investigate the associations between coexposure to four types of PFASs, lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and self-reported pregnancy loss and reproductive lifespan in females. Genes associated with these substances and abortion were identified via the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database. The results revealed that Ln-PFOA (IRR=1.88, 95 % CI=1.42-2.50, Ln--: log transformed), Ln-PFOS (IRR=1.58, 95 % CI=1.12-2.22), Ln-PFHxS (IRR=1.99, 95 % CI=1.57-2.52), and Ln-Hg (IRR=1.92, 95 % CI=1.41-2.43) were positively associated with the risk of pregnancy loss. Ln-PFOA (β=1.27, 95 % CI=0.28-2.27), Ln-PFOS (β=1.01, 95 % CI=0.39-1.63), Ln-PFHxS (β=0.71, 95 % CI=0.12-1.63), Ln-PFNA (β=1.15, 95 % CI=0.23-2.08), Ln-Pb (β=3.87, 95 % CI=2.58-5.15), and Ln-Hg (β=1.01, 95 % CI=0.39-1.64) exposures were positively associated with reproductive lifespan. The mixed and overall effects of coexposure to PFASs and heavy metals were positively correlated with the risk of pregnancy loss and reproductive lifespan. Cholesterol partially mediated the association with the risk of pregnancy loss, whereas delay in menopause fully mediated the association with reproductive lifespan. Significant additive interactions were observed between PFOA and Pb and between PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA and Hg at high levels of coexposure. Thirty-nine overlapping genes associated with abortion were identified for these substances, and further analyses revealed that these genes significantly interact and may contribute to abortion through oxidative stress., 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 Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) root contains abundant starch, but the physicochemical properties of kudzu starch are not well understood. In this study, we compared the compositions and physicochemical properties of starches isolated from six Pueraria accessions in China. Caige starch exhibited the highest purity (96.99 %) and amylose content (24.76 %), while Yege starch contained higher levels of puerarin (493.37 μg/g) and daidzein (38.68 μg/g). All kudzu starches were rich in resistant starch, with RS2 content ranging from 38.61 % to 46.22 % and RS3 content from 3.59 % to 6.04 %. The granules of kudzu starches varied in morphology, with Yege starch featuring larger polygonal granules. The kudzu starches presented either A-type or A-type-like C-type diffraction patterns. Caige starch had a higher IR2 value (1.28), higher gelatinization temperatures, wider temperature ranges, and greater enthalpy changes. Yege (JX) starch exhibited the highest peak viscosity but the lowest setback viscosity and pasting temperature. Fenge starch showed the highest final viscosity, with Fenge (ZJ) starch demonstrating the highest crystallinity (25.7 %) and IR1 value (0.80). These results indicated that kudzu starches derived from various Pueraria species possess unique structural and physicochemical properties, which provide significant potential for applications in food and other industrial fields., 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.)

Wastewater purification has evolved into a global problem in the face of increasing scarcity of freshwater resources. Photocatalysis technology possesses prominent advantages in treating pollutants in water because of its low cost and mild reaction conditions, which provides an effective way to treat multiple pollutants and reduce membrane fouling. Herein, we combine photocatalysis technology with filtration technology via in situ reduction Bi 0 with Bi 2 SiO 5 strategy incorporating a carbonized wood filter to synthesize carbon/Bi 2 SiO 5 @Bi bi-functional composite. Thus, simultaneous filtration and photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B and tetracycline were achieved. After filtrating for 30 min, the degradation rate of RhB and TC were 94.23 % and 81.39 %, respectively. Especially, the flux of RhB and TC were up to 2162.16 L m -2  h -1 and 1811.32 L m -2  h -1 . In addition, the composite filter also has good recyclability and reusability, after 5 cycles, the degradation efficiency of RhB remains at 91 %. This study utilized photocatalytic technology combined with membrane filtration technology to successfully solve the contradiction between catalytic efficiency and water flux, which realized rapid and dynamic removal of organic pollutants from water. Besides, the use of carbonized wood-based materials provides a potential biomass technology for the preparation of bifunctional photocatalytic filters., 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.)

As classical soft materials, conductive hydrogels have attracted wide attention in the field of strain sensors due to their unique flexibility and conductivity. However, there are still challenges in developing conductive hydrogels with comprehensive mechanical strength, self-healing ability and sensitive sensing properties. In this paper, a novel PAV/CMGG hydrogel was prepared by a simple one-pot method through the introduction of 1-vinyl-3-butylimidazolium bromide (VBIMBr), acrylic acid (AA), carboxymethyl guar gum (CMGG) and AlCl 3 . The coordination bond between Al 3+ and -COO - groups on PAA and CMGG, the hydrogen bond between PAA and CMGG, and the electrostatic interaction between [VBIM] + and -COO - endow the hydrogel with good mechanical properties, self-recovery ability, fatigue resistance and great self-healing properties. PAV/CMGG hydrogel had good conductivity of 2.31 S/m which could successfully light up the bulb. The hydrogel as the strain sensor had not only a wide strain sensing capability (strain ranging from 0 to 800 %), but also a high strain sensitivity (gauge factor (GF) = 28.50 for the strain ranging from 600 to 800 %). This study can provide inspiration for the construction of new high-performance flexible sensors., 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.)

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome is characterized by Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia (CIH). In this study, we employed Data-independent acquisition (DIA) Mass Spectrometry to conduct comprehensive proteomic and phosphoproteomic profiling of a murine model subjected to Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia (CIH), a model we had previously established. Utilizing three CIH and three normal control genioglossus samples, we gathered valuable insights into the molecular alterations associated with CIH. Our analyses identified a total of 4576 protein groups and 13,867 phosphosites. Differential analysis of the proteomic data highlighted a significant upregulation of Ras signaling (Egf, Ngf, and Fyb1) and calcium signaling (Tnn, Thbs4, and Ppp2r2d) in CIH samples, contrasting with a notable decrease in oxidative phosphorylation (Atp5mf, Atp5me, and Atp5mg). Additionally, we observed a substantial increase in the phosphorylation of PI3K-AKT signaling (Ptk2_Y861, Mapk3_T203, and Eif4b_S230) and HIF-1 signaling (Gapdh_S208, Eno3_T229, and Camk2b_T382) in CIH samples. These findings prompted a deeper investigation into the association of the characterized proteins and phosphoproteins with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The comprehensive profiling revealed molecular signatures that may serve as valuable insights into the pathophysiology of chronic intermittent hypoxia and its link to obstructive sleep apnea. Our observations provide a foundation for future research endeavors, offering potential avenues for advancing our understanding and treatment strategies for these conditions. SIGNIFICANCE: The significance of this study lies in its comprehensive exploration of the molecular mechanisms underpinning Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia (CIH), a key feature of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). By employing Data-independent acquisition (DIA) Mass Spectrometry, this research provides an in-depth proteomic and phosphoproteomic analysis, uncovering critical signaling pathways and molecular alterations associated with CIH. The identification of significant changes in Ras and calcium signaling pathways, along with increased phosphorylation in PI3K-AKT and HIF-1 signaling, offers novel insights into the pathophysiological processes involved in CIH and OSA. These findings not only enhance our understanding of the molecular basis of OSA but also pave the way for the development of targeted therapeutic strategies, ultimately contributing to better management and treatment of OSA and related conditions., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Traditional mining practices not only cause severe environmental issues, but also face the problem of insufficient production capacity of gold to meet its growing demand. The proposed alternative strategies for gold production, such as the extraction of gold from seawater, still keep a formidable challenge due to their strong dependence on adsorbent materials with high capacity, selectivity, and sensitivity, while also needing to meet the demands of being environmentally friendly and cost-effective. In practice, the direct extraction of gold from seawater is limited by its extremely low yield and high energy expenditure. However, if the combination of gold extraction techniques with seawater desalination can substantially reduce the energy consumption, the extraction of gold from seawater will become economical and feasible. In this paper, we evaluate the feasibility of marine gold extraction using reduced graphene oxide membranes (rGOM) during the seawater desalination process. The rGOM can adsorb almost all Au 3+ from the solutions with trace concentrations of Au 3+ ranging from 10 ppb to 200 ppb. The adsorption quantity is linearly related to the concentration, indicating that the adsorption capacity of rGOM is much higher than the total amount of Au 3+ in the solution. Additionally, the rGOM can selectively adsorb 99 % of Au 3+ in the mixed solution while hardly adsorbing other common elements in seawater. More importantly, the rGOM exhibits the long-term stability over 30 days when being immersed in the solution, making it directly compatible with the existing seawater desalination processes. These specific properties allow the rGOM to be an ideal candidate for combining the extraction of gold from seawater with seawater desalination processes. Our findings provide a methodology for enhancing the economic efficiency of the extraction of gold from seawater and hold promise for addressing the problem of gold scarcity., 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.)

Decellularised extracellular matrix (dECM) produced by mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) is a promising biomaterial for improving the ex vivo expansion of MSCs. The dECMs are often deposited on high modulus surfaces such as tissue culture plastic or glass, and subsequent differentiation assays often bias towards osteogenesis. We tested the hypothesis that dECM deposited on substrates of varying modulus will produce cell culture environments that are tailored to promote the proliferation and/or lineage-specific differentiation of MSCs. dECM was produced on type I collagen-functionalised polyacrylamide hydrogels with discrete moduli (∼4, 10, and 40 kPa) or in a linear gradient of modulus that spans the same range, and the substrates were used as culture surfaces for MSCs. Fluorescence spectroscopy and mass spectrometry characterization revealed structural compositional changes in the dECM as a function of substrate modulus. Softer substrates (4 kPa) with dECM supported the largest number of MSCs after 7 days (∼1.6-fold increase compared to glass). Additionally, osteogenic differentiation was greatest on high modulus substrates (40 kPa and glass) with dECM. Nuclear translocation of YAP1 was observed on all surfaces with a modulus of 10 kPa or greater and may be a driver for the increased osteogenesis on the high modulus surfaces. These data demonstrate that dECM technology can be integrated with environmental parameters such as substrate modulus to improve/tailor MSC proliferation and differentiation during ex vivo culture. These results have potential impact in the improved expansion of MSCs for tailored therapeutic applications and in the development of advanced tissue engineering scaffolds. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are extensively used in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine due to their ability to proliferate, differentiate, and modulate the immune environment. Controlling MSC behavior is critical for advances in the field. Decellularised extracellular matrix (dECM) can maintain MSC properties in culture, increase their proliferation rate and capacity, and enhance their stimulated differentiation. Substrate stiffness is another key driver of cell function, and previous reports have primarily looked at dECM deposition and function on stiff substrates such as glass. Herein, we produce dECM on substrates of varying stiffness to create tailored environments that enhance desired MSC properties such as proliferation and differentiation. Additionally, we complete mechanistic studies including quantitative mass spec of the ECM to understand the biological function., 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 Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

The silkworm is an incredibly valuable insect that produces silk through its silk gland. Within this organ, Fibroinase has been identified and named due to its ability to fibroin degradation. The expression of Fibroinase in the silk gland significantly increases during the larval-pupal stage, which might be associated with the degeneration of the silk gland. In this study, Fibroinase was overexpressed and knocked down specifically both in the middle and posterior silk glands, respectively, using transgenic technology. The investigation of silk gland development in these transgenic silkworms showed that Fibroinase plays a direct role in accelerating silk gland degeneration. The staining analyses performed in the silk glands of transgenic silkworms suggest that Fibroinase is involved in the processes of autophagy and apoptosis during silk gland degeneration. Further experiments demonstrated that Fibroinase, acting as a lysosomal regulator, negatively regulates autophagy via the mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin) pathway. Moreover, during apoptosis, Fibroinase could activate Caspase3 by increasing the activity of BmCaspase1, ultimately accelerating the apoptosis process. These findings enhance our understanding of the physiological role of Fibroinase in promoting silk gland degeneration, which plays a role in breaking down proteins in the silk gland and coordinating the regulation of autophagy and apoptosis., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The liver and intestine play a critical role in nutrient absorption, storage, and metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate expression pattern of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway that included PI3K, AKT1, mTOR, FoxO1, SREBP-1, PPARα, PTEN and FXR in the maternal liver and duodenum. Ovine livers and duodenums were sampled at day 16 of the estrous cycle, and at days 13, 16 and 25 of gestation, and RT-qPCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis were used to detect mRNA and protein expression. The results showed that expression of PI3K, AKT1, p-mTOR, FoxO1, SREBP-1 and PTEN upregulated in the maternal liver, and PPARα upregulated in the duodenum. However, expression of FoxO1, SREBP-1 and PTEN in the duodenum downregulated during early pregnancy. In addition, expression levels of SREBP-1, PTEN and PPARα in the maternal liver, and PI3K in the duodenum peaked at day 13 of pregnancy. In addition, expression levels of PI3K, p-mTOR and FoxO1 in the liver, and AKT1 and p-mTOR in the duodenum peaked at day 16 of pregnancy. Nevertheless, expression levels of FXR both in the maternal liver duodenum downregulated at days 13 and 16 of pregnancy. In conclusion, early pregnancy regulated expression pattern of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in the ovine liver and duodenum in a pregnancy stage-specific and tissue-specific manner, which may be necessary for the adaptations in maternal hepatic nutrient metabolism and intestinal nutrient absorption early pregnancy., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no personal conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The Chinese iron and steel industry, with its large production volume and reliance on coal-dominated energy structures and blast furnace/basic oxygen furnace processes, is a significant contributor to heavy metals (HMs) emissions and a potential threat to the environment and human health. This study systematically reviews the sources, chemical behaviour transformations, and whole process distribution of mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and lead (Pb) throughout iron and steel smelting processes. Coal and iron ore were the major input sources of the three HMs. The chemical transformations of HMs are closely related to temperature changes. During combustion, HMs volatilise, condense in the scrubbing system, and remain gaseous or are removed as products/by-products during flue gas treatment. Sintering was identified as the primary emission source of Hg, accounting for 36.79 % of the total process emissions, with an average emission factor of 108.36 mg/t-CS. The blast furnace process is the main emission source for As and Pb, contributing 75.19 % and 59.10 % of total process emissions, respectively, with average emission factors of 43.82 mg/t-CS for As and 231.16 mg/t-CS for Pb. Throughout the iron and steel smelting process, Hg is primarily released as dust ash and desulfurisation by-products (33.30-76.91 %). As mainly remains in hot rolled steel products (57.60-75.04 %). Meanwhile Pb forms a recycling loop between the sintering and basic oxygen furnace processes, with some Pb being released as blast furnace slag (11.41-79.22 %). The results of this study can provide a scientific basis for the development of future HMs reduction technologies and control strategies. More attentions should be paid to HMs in wastes from the whole process of iron and steel smelting in future policy making., 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.)

Objective: To establish a next-generation reference interval (RI) for total IgE (tIgE) and evaluate its usefulness., Methods: A new allergen-specific IgE (sIgE)-based tIgE RI, including a continuous RI in children, was established using the NHANES 2005-2006 project. The usefulness of the RI was evaluated by sensitivity (Sen), specificity (Spec), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), κ coefficient and consistency., Results: The new tIgE RI showed better performance in identifying allergic sensitization (Sen 0.53, Spec 0.90, PPV 0.83, NPV 0.68, κ 0.44, consistency 0.72) than allergic diseases (Sen 0.37, Spec 0.75, PPV 0.55, NPV 0.60, κ 0.13, consistency 0.59). The 2014 U.S. tIgE RI was more effective in identifying allergic diseases (consistency 0.63 vs. 0.54, P<0.001) but less accurate in identifying allergic sensitization (consistency 0.59 vs. 0.67, P<0.001) in children than in adults. The new RI improved the accuracy of identifying allergic sensitization in children to a level similar to that in adults (consistency 0.72 vs 0.73, P=0.37) and maintained its advantage in identifying allergic diseases in children (consistency 0.64 vs 0.55, P<0.001)., Conclusions: The established next-generation tIgE RI is useful for identifying allergic sensitization, especially in children., 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.)

Antibiotic resistance can be transferred into the food chain, leading to increased risks to human health from ready-to-eat vegetables. Mitigating the transmission of antibiotic resistance from soil to vegetables by green materials is of great significance. Here, we deciphered the roles of biochar and theaflavins in mitigating antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic-resistant pathogens (ARPs) in a soil-lettuce continuum. Metagenomic results showed that biochar led to a significant decrease in the abundance of ARGs in lettuce leaves, while theaflavins contributed to a significant reduction in the diversity and abundance of ARGs in soil, particularly targeting dominant ARG types such as sulfonamide and aminoglycoside resistance genes. Meanwhile, biochar and theaflavins alleviated the potential mobility of ARGs, in lettuce leaves and soil, respectively, including the spread of ARGs to human pathogens. In addition, the diversity of ARG hosts was reduced in the soil-lettuce continuum and ARPs were not detected in lettuce leaves after the application of biochar or theaflavins. Overall, this study provides a novel perspective on green materials for mitigating the antibiotic resistome and ARPs in the soil-lettuce continuum, contributing to food security and human health., 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.)

We introduce XGR-model (or XGRm), a web server made accessible at http://www.xgrm.pro, with the aim of meeting the increasing demand for effectively interpreting summary-level genomic data in model organisms. Currently, it hosts two enrichment analysers and two subnetwork analysers to support enrichment and subnetwork analyses for user-input mouse genomic data, whether gene-centric or genomic region-centric. The enrichment analysers identify ontology term enrichments for input genes (GElyser) or for genes linked from input genomic regions (RElyser). The subnetwork analysers rely on our previously established network algorithm to identify gene subnetworks from input gene-centric summary data (GSlyser) or from input region-centric summary data (RSlyser), leveraging network information about either functional interactions or pathway-derived interactions. Collectively, XGRm offers an all-in-one solution for gaining systems biology insights into summary-level genomic data in mice, underpinned by our commitment to regular updates as well as natural extensions to other model organisms., 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 Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Holistic processing is a fundamental element of face-recognition studies. Some behavioral studies have investigated the impact of rigid facial motion on holistic face processing, yet it is still unclear how rigid motion affects the time course of holistic face processing for different face races. The current study investigated this issue, using the composite face effect (CFE) as a direct measure of holistic processing. Participants were asked to match the identity of the top half of a static composite face with the study face during the test stage, where the study face was either static or rigidly-moving. ERP results showed that rigidly-moving study faces elicited a larger CFE relative to static study faces in the N170 component when recognizing own-race faces. The amplitude of P1, N170 and P2 components indicated that rigid motion facilitated holistic face processing, with differences observed between the hemispheres over time. Specifically, the CFE was only observed after exposure to rigidly-moving faces in the P1 and P2 components of the right hemisphere. Additionally, a greater CFE was observed following exposure to rigidly-moving faces compared to static faces, particularly in the N170 component of the left hemisphere. This study suggests that holistic processing is a fundamental aspect of face perception that applies to both static and moving faces, not just static ones. Furthermore, rigid facial motion improves holistic processing of own-race faces during the structural encoding stage. These findings provide evidence of distinct neural mechanisms underlying the holistic processing of static and moving faces., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Intelligent food packaging has recently gained significant attention due to the heightened consumer awareness regarding food quality. Although anthocyanins avoid safety issues, the instability and leakage of anthocyanins restrict their utilization in freshness indicator labels. In this study, we introduced an innovative metal-organic framework (UiO-66-NH 2 ) synergistic pH-colorimetric label with fast ammonia-responsive, incorporating sodium alginate, red cabbage anthocyanin, and UiO-66-NH 2 . The cross-linked sodium alginate substrate enabled the label to possess superior insolubility. The microscopic morphology of the labels was intricately analyzed, while their sensitivity was rigorously tested utilizing ammonia as a representative gas. Due to the remarkable UV absorption capability of UiO-66-NH 2 and various molecular interactions with anthocyanins, the label exhibited good UV absorption, enhanced stability, and optimized performance in reducing anthocyanin leakage, ensuring the stability and effectiveness of the labels in practical applications. The prepared label exhibited good specificity for volatile amines and ammonia gases, and robust anti-interference properties, enabling visualization and early detection of shrimp spoilage during storage at different temperatures. The strategy employed in this study presents promising new possibilities for developing intelligent packaging solutions for food products., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In this study, β-1,3-xylanase (Xyl3088) was designed and prepared by constructing the expression vector plasmid and expressing and purifying the fusion protein. β-1,3-xylo-oligosaccharides were obtained through the specific enzymatic degradation of β-1, 3-xylan from Caulerpa lentillifera. The enzymolysis conditions were established and optimized as follows: Tris-HCl solution 0.05 mol/L, temperature of 37 °C, enzyme amount of 250 μL, and enzymolysis time of 24 h. The oligosaccharides' compositions and structural characterization were identified by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), ion chromatography (IC) and liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). The IC 50 values for scavenging 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-p-sulfonic acid (ABTS + ), and superoxide anion radical (•O 2- ) were 13.108, 1.258, and 65.926 mg/mL for β-1,3-xylo-oligosaccharides, respectively, and 27.588, 373.048, and 269.12 mg/mL for β-1,4-xylo-oligosaccharides, respectively. Compared with β-1,4-xylo-oligosaccharides, β-1,3-xylo-oligosaccharides had substantial antioxidant activity and their antioxidant effects were concentration dependent. β-1,3-xylo-oligosaccharides also possessed a stronger anti-inflammatory effect on RAW 264.7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) than β-1,4-xylo-oligosaccharides. At a working concentration of 100 μg/mL, β-1,3-xylo-oligosaccharides inhibited the release of NO and affected the expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, and other proteins secreted by cells, effectively promoting the release of pro-inflammatory mediators by immune cells in response to external stimuli and achieving anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, β-1,3-xylo-oligosaccharides are valuable products in food and pharmaceutical industries., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Multifunctional type-I photosensitizers (PSs) for hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) detection and photodynamic therapy (PDT) of hypoxia tumors exhibits attractive curative effect but remains a challenging task. Herein, a mitochondria targeted aggregation-induced emission (AIE) photosensitizer TSPy-SS-P was designed and synthesized, which could be used for H 2 S detection and simultaneously type I and type II PDT. TSPy-SS-P had excellent selectivity and anti-interference abilities for endogenous and exogenous H 2 S detection in tumor cells. TSPy-SS-P was able to distinguish tumor cells with high level of H 2 S from normal cells by fluorescence "turn off" response to H 2 S. In addition, TSPy-SS-P showed type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation ability to effectively ablate hypoxic tumor cells. TSPy-SS-P showed mitochondria targeting capacity which could produce ROS in situ to disrupt mitochondria and promote cell apoptosis. In vivo PDT experiments showcased that TSPy-SS-P had excellent tumor retention capability, effective tumor ablation ability and good biocompatibility. This work provided a two-pronged strategy to design organelles targeted photosensitizers for H 2 S detection and effective PDT of tumors., 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.)

Co-contamination of carbendazim (CBD) and deoxynivalenol (DON) is common in agricultural soils, yet their ecological impact on soil microbiome remains poorly assessed. Here, we investigated the influence of CBD and DON on the structure, function, and co-occurrence networks of soil microbiome. The combined treatment of CBD and DON significantly exacerbated the negative impacts on soil microbial diversity, functional diversity, and microbial network stability compared to individual treatments. Specifically, Lysobacter, Gemmatimonas, Nitrospira, Massilia, and Bacillus were identified as indicator species for CBD and DON. Simultaneously, the abundance of genes involved in key ecological functions, such as nitrification (amoA) and organic phosphorus mineralization (phoAD), was significantly reduced. Notably, key bacterial taxa Nitrospira and Gemmatimonas, with K-life history strategy and capabilities for nitrification and organic nitrogen mineralization, played crucial roles in promoting positive interactions in networks. Furthermore, variance partitioning analysis (VPA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) demonstrated that the abundance and niche breadth of key bacterial taxa were the primary drivers of microbial network stability. In conclusion, our study provides new insights into how soil microbiomes and networks respond to pesticides and mycotoxins, aiding in a more comprehensive assessment of exposure risks., 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.)

Ultrafiltration (UF) is demonstrated to be highly effective in the removal of microplastics (MPs), but the presence of coexisting foulants introduces significant uncertainties into the associated membrane fouling behaviors. In this study, membrane fouling mechanisms were investigated when MPs, represented by polystyrene (PS), coexisted with typical organic foulants (sodium alginate, SA) and inorganic ions (Ca 2+ ). Fouling tests revealed that the order of Ca 2+ addition significantly impacted the fouling behavior of the SA-PS combined foulants. Specifically, the specific filtration resistance (SFR) was reduced by 40.82 % in the SA-PS-Ca 2+ foulants and by 90.92 % in the SA-Ca 2+ -PS foulants, compared to the SA-PS foulants. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations indicated that sufficient cross-linking of Ca 2+ with SA molecular chains in the SA-Ca 2+ -PS foulants, forming a large-scale 3D network that encapsulated more PS particles and resulted in larger flocs than those found in the SA-PS-Ca 2+ foulants. According to extended Flory-Huggins theory, the improved filtration performance of the SA-PS combined foulants was due to substantial changes in chemical potential during their transition from gel to flocs upon Ca 2+ addition. Furthermore, interfacial thermodynamic analyses suggested that increased repulsion between SA-Ca 2+ -PS foulants and between them and the membrane led to a looser fouling layer, significantly mitigating membrane fouling. This study elucidates the fouling mechanisms in the presence of MPs and other foulants from the perspectives of energy changes and molecular structures, providing novel insights for developing strategies to mitigate membrane fouling., 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.)

Liver ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a detrimental complication of organ transplantation, shock, and sepsis. However, the available drugs to mitigate I/R injury remain limited. Jujuboside A (JuA) is renowned for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties; nevertheless, its potential in liver I/R injury remains unknown. Thus, this study aimed to explore the role and underlying mechanisms of JuA in liver I/R injury. Mouse models of I/R and AML12 cell models of hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) were constructed. Haematoxylin and eosin staining, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) detection, and cell viability analysis were used to assess liver injury. To evaluate oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and mitochondrial damage, immunofluorescence staining, transmission electron microscopy analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and flow cytometry were conducted. Moreover, molecular docking techniques and western blot were employed to identify downstream target molecules and pathways affected by JuA. The results showed that JuA pretreatment effectively attenuated liver necrosis and ALT and AST level elevations induced by I/R while enhancing AML12 cell viability following H/R. Furthermore, JuA pretreatment suppressed oxidative stress triggered by I/R and H/R, thereby inhibiting the level of pro-inflammatory factors and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Notably, JuA pretreatment alleviated mitochondrial damage and apoptosis. Mechanistically, JuA pretreatment resulted in the activation of the AKT/NRF2/HO-1 signalling pathways, whereas MK2206, the inhibitor of AKT, partially reversed the hepatoprotective effects of JuA during liver I/R. Collectively, our findings illustrated that JuA mitigated oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and mitochondrial damage by facilitating the AKT/NRF2/HO-1 signalling pathway, thereby alleviating liver I/R injury., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no 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.)

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive type of breast cancer, which owned severe resistance to platinum-based anticancer agents. Herein, we report a new metal-arene complex, Ru-TPE-PPh 3 , which can be synthesized in vitro and in living cells with copper catalyzed the cycloaddition reaction of Ru-azide and alkynyl (CuAAC). The complex Ru-TPE-PPh 3 exhibited superior inhibition of the proliferation of TNBC MDA-MB-231 cells with an IC 50 value of 4.0 μM. Ru-TPE-PPh 3 could induce the over production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to initiate the oxidative stress, and further damage the mitochondria both functionally and morphologically, as loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and cutting the supply of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the disappearance of cristae structure. Moreover, the damaged mitochondria evoked the occurrence of mitophagy with the autophagic flux blockage and cell death. The complex Ru-TPE-PPh 3 also demonstrated excellent anti-proliferative activity in 3D MDA-MB-231 multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTSs), indicating the potential to inhibit solid tumors in living cells. This study not only provided a potent agent for the TNBC treatment, but also demonstrated the universality of the bioorthogonally catalyzed lethality (BCL) strategy through CuAAC reation., 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 Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) presents a formidable challenge, characterized by as-yet-unclear mechanical intricacies within cartilage and the dysregulation of bone homeostasis. Our preliminary data revealed the encouraging potential of a Sargassum polysaccharide (SP), in promoting chondrogenesis. The aim of our study is to comprehensively assess the therapeutic effects of SP on OA models and further elucidate its potential mechanism., Methods: The protective effects of SP were initially evaluated in an inflammation-induced human chondrocyte (C28) cell model. CCK-8 assays, Alcian blue staining, RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to verify the chondrogenesis of SP in vitro . To assess the efficacy of SP in vivo , surgically induced medial meniscus destabilization (DMM) OA rats underwent an 8-week SP treatment. The therapeutic effects of SP in OA rats were comprehensively evaluated using X-ray imaging, micro-computed tomography (μ-CT), histopathological analysis, as well as immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent staining. Following these assessments, we delved into the potential signaling pathways of SP in inflammatory chondrocytes utilizing RNA-seq analysis. Validation of these findings was conducted through RT-qPCR and western blotting techniques., Results: SP significantly enhance the viability of C28 chondrocytes, and increased the secretion of acidic glycoproteins. Moreover, SP stimulated the expression of chondrogenic genes ( Aggrecan , Sox9 , Col2a1 ) and facilitated the synthesis of Collagen II protein in C28 inflammatory chondrocytes. In vivo experiments revealed that SP markedly ameliorated knee joint stenosis, alleviated bone and cartilage injuries, and reduced the histopathological scores in the OA rats. μ-CT analysis confirmed that SP lessened bone impairments in the medial femoral condyle and the subchondral bone of the tibial plateau, significantly improving the microarchitectural parameters of the subchondral bone. Histopathological analyses indicated that SP notably enhanced cartilage quality on the surface of the tibial plateau, leading to increased cartilage thickness and area. Immunohistochemistry staining and immunofluorescence staining corroborated these findings by showing a significant promotion of Collagen II expression in OA joints treated with SP. RNA-seq analysis suggest that SP's effects were mediated through the regulation of the ITGβ1-PI3K-AKT signaling axis, thereby stimulating chondrogenesis. Verification through RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses confirmed that SP significantly upregulated the expression of ITGβ1, p110δ, AKT1, ACAN, and Col2a1. Notably, knock-down of ITGβ1 using siRNA in C28 chondrocytes inhibited the expression of ITGβ1, p110δ, AKT1, and ACAN. However, these inhibitory effects were not completely reversed by supplemental SP intervention., Conclusions: In summary, our findings reveal that SP significantly enhances chondrogenesis both in vitro and in vivo , alleviating OA progression both in bone and cartilage. The observed beneficial effects are intricately linked to the activation of the ITGβ1-PI3K-AKT signaling axis., The Translational Potential of This Article: Our research marks the first instance unveiling the advantageous effects and underlying mechanisms of SP in OA treatment. With its clinical prospects, SP presents compelling new evidence for the advancement of a next-generation polysaccharide drug for OA therapy., Competing Interests: A conflict of interest occurs when an individual's objectivity is potentially compromised by a desire for financial gain, prominence, professional advancement or a successful outcome. The Editors of the Journal of Orthopaedic Translation strive to ensure that what is published in the Journal is as balanced, objective and evidence-based as possible. Since it can be difficult to distinguish between an actual conflict of interest and a perceived conflict of interest, the Journal requires authors to disclose all and any potential conflicts of interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Speaking Orthopaedic Society.)

Cadmium (Cd), as a non-essential and toxic heavy metal in plants, has deleterious effects on plant physiological and biochemical processes. Nitric oxide (NO) is one of the most important signaling molecules for plants to response diverse stresses. Here, we found that Cd-induced programmed cell death (PCD) was accompanied by NO bursts, which exacerbated cell death when NO was removed and vice versa. Proteomic analysis of S-nitrosylated proteins showed that the differential proteins in Cd-induced PCD and in NO-alleviated PCD mainly exist together in carbohydrate metabolism and amino acid metabolism, while some of the differential proteins exist alone in metabolism of cofactors and vitamins and lipid metabolism. Meanwhile, S-nitrosylation of proteins in porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism and starch and sucrose metabolism could explain the leaf chlorosis induced by PCD. Moreover, protein transport protein SEC23, ubiquitinyl hydrolase 1 and pathogenesis-related protein 1 were identified to be S-nitrosylated in vivo, and their expressions were increased in Cd-induced PCD while decreased in NO treatment. Similar results were obtained in tomato seedlings with higher S-nitrosylation. Taken together, our results indicate that NO might be involved in the regulation of Cd-induced PCD through protein S-nitrosylation, especially proteins involved in PCD response., 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.)

The development of antibiotic resistance threatens human and environmental health. Non-antibiotic stressors, including fungicides, may contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). We determined the promoting effects of tebuconazole on ARG dissemination using a donor, Escherichia coli MG1655, containing a multidrug-resistant fluorescent plasmid (RP4) and a recipient (E. coli HB101). The donor was then incorporated into the soil to test whether tebuconazole could accelerate the spread of RP4 into indigenous bacteria. Tebuconazole promoted the transfer of the RP4 plasmid from the donor into the recipient via overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), enhancement of cell membrane permeability and regulation of related genes. The dissemination of the RP4 plasmid from the donor to soil bacteria was significantly enhanced by tebuconazole. RP4 plasmid could be propagated into more genera of bacteria in tebuconazole-contaminated soil as the exposure time increased. These findings demonstrate that the fungicide tebuconazole promotes the spread of the RP4 plasmid into indigenous soil bacteria, revealing the potential risk of tebuconazole residues enhancing the dissemination of ARGs in soil environments., 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.)

The spatial patterns of pollutants produced by industrial parks are affected by many factors, but the interactions among polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), metals, and soil microorganisms in the valley landforms of the Tibetan Plateau are poorly understood. Thus, this study systematically investigated the distribution and pollution of metals and PAHs in soil around an industrial park in the typical valley landform of the Tibetan Plateau and analyzed and clarified the interaction among metals, PAHs, and microorganisms. The results were as follows: metal and PAH concentrations were affected by wind direction, especially WN-ES and S-N winds; Cd (2.86-54.64 mg·kg -1 ) had the highest soil concentrations of the metals screened, followed by variable concentrations of Cu, Pb, and Zn; the pollution levels of metals and PAHs in the S-N wind direction were lower than those in the WN-ES wind direction; the Cd content of Avena sativa in the agricultural soil around the factory exceeded its enrichment ability and food safety standards; the closer to the center of the park, the higher the ecological risk of PAHs; and the TEQ and MEQ values of the PAHs were consistent with their concentration distributions. The results of the soil microbial diversity and co-occurrence network in the dominant wind direction showed that metal and PAH pollution weakened the robustness of soil microbial communities. Additionally, the diversity and robustness of soil microbial communities at the S wind site were higher than those at the ES wind site, which might be attributed to the lower metal content of the former than the latter, which plays a negative role in the biodegradation of PAHs. The results of this study provide insights into the site selection, pollutant supervision, and environmental remediation of industrial parks in typical landforms., 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.)

The escalating expansion of urban subway systems in recent years has accentuated the issue of stray current corrosion within pipeline networks, emerging as a critical concern for urban safety. This paper delves into the intricate interplay between these phenomena, employing data-driven statistical analyses to elucidate the coupling characteristics between subway lines and the occurrence of failures in adjacent buried pipelines. An advanced three-dimensional finite element model was developed for stray current corrosion in pipelines, seamlessly integrating empirical data and physics-based modeling, which is to uncover the spatial nuances and multifaceted impacts on subway pipeline corrosion from both macro and micro perspectives under varying influencing factors. The study unveils a pronounced geographical and functional affinity between urban subway networks and metallic pipeline networks. The coupling attributes between subway systems and pipelines, such as distance, angle, and pipeline-specific characteristics including material and age, assume pivotal roles. The results further emphasize the hierarchical order of influence, with stray current intensity holding the greatest sway, followed by the distance between subway and pipelines, the angle between them, and soil resistivity. This paper offers a comprehensive investigation of the interrelationships and influential factors between subway systems and adjacent pipelines. It contributes to the mitigation and management of stray current corrosion in pipelines induced by nearby rail transit, thereby enhancing the resilience of both subway and pipeline networks within urban areas., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The current status of clinical trials utilizing nanoparticle drug delivery system (NDDS) for brain tumors was summarized.Image 1., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (© 2024 The Authors.)

In the development of chronic liver disease, the hepatic stellate cell (HSC) plays a pivotal role in increasing intrahepatic vascular resistance (IHVR) and inducing portal hypertension (PH) in cirrhosis. Our research demonstrated that HSC contraction, prompted by angiotensin II (Ang II), significantly contributed to the elevation of type I collagen (COL1A1) expression. This increase was intimately associated with enhanced cell tension and YAP nuclear translocation, mediated through α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, microfilaments (MF) polymerization, and stress fibers (SF) assembly. Further investigation revealed that the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway regulated MF polymerization and SF assembly by facilitating the phosphorylation of cofilin and MLC, while Ca 2+ chiefly governed SF assembly via MLC. Inhibiting α-SMA-MF-SF assembly changed Ang II-induced cell contraction, YAP nuclear translocation, and COL1A1 expression, findings corroborated in cirrhotic mice models. Overall, our study offers insights into mitigating IHVR and PH through cell mechanics, heralding potential breakthroughs., 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., (Published by Elsevier GmbH.)

Algal blooms have been increasingly prevalent in recent years, especially in lakes and reservoirs; their accurate prediction is essential for preserving water quality. In this study, the observed chlorophyll a (chl-a) levels were assimilated into the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code (EFDC) of algal bloom dynamics by using a particle filter (PF), and the state variables of water quality and model parameters were simultaneously updated to achieve enhanced algal bloom predictive performance. The developed data assimilation system for algal blooms was applied to Xiangxi Bay (XXB) in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR). The results show that the ensemble mean accuracy and reliability of the confidence intervals of the predicted state variables, including chl-a and indirectly updated phosphate (PO 4 ), ammonium (NH 4 ), and nitrate (NO 3 ) levels, were considerably improved after PF assimilation. Thus, PF assimilation is an effective tool for the dynamic correction of parameters to represent their inherent variations. Increased assimilation frequency can effectively suppress the accumulation of model errors; therefore, the use of high-frequency water quality data for assimilation is recommended to ensure more accurate and reliable algal bloom prediction., 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.)

Objective: Virtual nursing interventions, which use virtual reality and artificial intelligence technology to provide remote care for patients, have become increasingly common in cancer treatment, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was to evaluate the efficacy of virtual nursing interventions for cancer patients in contrast to conventional, in-person care., Methods: Eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) contrasted virtual nursing with conventional techniques that satisfied the inclusion criteria were found after a thorough search across databases including PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, and APA PsycINFO. RevMan 5.3 software was utilized for data analysis after the included literature's quality was assessed and the intended consequence indicators were extracted., Results: Virtual nurse interventions enhanced the quality of life of cancer patients (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.01 to 0.43, P  = 0.04). Virtual nurse interventions provide cancer patients with important support, particularly when access to in-person care is limited. In light of the many demands that cancer patients have, further research is required to overcome implementation issues and provide fair access to virtual treatment., Conclusions: All things considered, virtual nursing shows potential as an adjunctive element of all-inclusive cancer care delivery models, deserving of further investigation and thoughtful incorporation into healthcare systems., (© 2024 The Authors.)