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Objectives Scoliosis associated with spondylolisthesis is a common phenomenon. Recent research has reported that scoliosis can spontaneously disappear after lumbar spinal fusion surgery. Researchers have advocated that, for scoliosis associated with vertebral slippage, surgery for the latter may be the only necessary intervention, while unnecessary surgery for scoliosis should be avoided. So we propose that minimally invasive techniques can achieve treatment effects similar to those of open surgery. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of unilateral dual‐channel endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (ULIF) for treating lumbar spondylolisthesis with spinal scoliosis. Methods This study retrospectively analyzed patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis and spinal scoliosis who underwent ULIF between September 2021 and September 2023. Measurements of the Cobb angle, lumbar lordosis (LL) angle, sacral slope (SS), slip percentage (SP), slip angle (SA), L1 plumb line‐S1 distance (LASD), and average intervertebral height (AIH) were taken preoperatively, immediately following surgery, 3 months after surgery, and at the final follow‐up. The visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scoring systems were used to assess clinical results. The surgical efficacy was evaluated by comparing these parameters before and after surgery. Comparison of indicators within the same group was conducted using one‐way repeated‐measures analysis of variance or paired sample t‐tests, whereas between‐group differences were compared using an independent t‐test. Results This study included 31 individuals who underwent surgery and completed follow‐up. The follow‐up period did not show a significant loss of corrective angles. Furthermore, the Cobb angle, SP, SA, and LASD significantly decreased after surgery, whereas the LL angle, SS, and AIH significantly increased (all p 0.05). However, other parameters significantly improved during the follow‐up period at all time points, except from 3 months to the final follow‐up period (p > 0.05). Throughout the follow‐up period, the lower back and leg pain VAS, ODI, and JOA scores considerably improved compared with the preoperative levels (p

Abstract Objectives Calcifying nanoparticles (CNPs), referred to as nanobacteria (NB), are recognized to be associated with ectopic calcification. This study aims to isolate and culture CNPs from the dental plaque of patients with periodontal disease and investigate their possible role in unravelling the aetiology of periodontal disease. Material and Methods Supragingival and subgingival plaques were sampled from 30 periodontitis patients for CNPs isolation and culture. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) content changes were tracked over time. Positive samples underwent thorough morphological identification via hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, Alizarin red S (ARS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The chemical composition of CNPs analysis involved calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) content determination, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Results The subgingival plaque dental group exhibited a higher CNPs isolation rate at 36.67% (11/30) compared to the supragingival dental plaque group at 66.67% (20/30). ALP activity varied among the positive, negative and control groups. Morphological observation characterized the CNPs as round, oval, and ellipsoid particles with Ca deposits. Chemical analysis revealed the Ca/P ratio was 0.6753. Hydroxyl, methyl, carbonate, phosphate, hydrogen phosphate, and dihydrogen phosphate were detected by FTIR; the main chemical components detected by XRD were hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate. Conclusion CNPs were found in periodontitis‐related dental plaque and exhibited the potential to develop calcified structures resembling dental calculus. However, the potential involvement of ALP in CNPs formation requires deeper exploration, as does the precise nature of its role and the interrelation with periodontitis demand a further comprehensive investigation.

Abstract Ca2+ signaling is essential for oligodendrocyte (OL) development and myelin formation. Inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor type 2 (ITPR2) is an endoplasmic reticulum calcium channel and shows stage‐dependent high levels in postmitotic oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). The role and potential mechanism of ITPR2 in OLs remain unclear. In this study, it is revealed that loss of Itpr2 in OLs disturbs Ca2+ homeostasis and inhibits myelination in adolescent mice. Animals with OL‐specific deletion of Itpr2 exhibit anxiety/depressive‐like behaviors and manifest with interrupted OPC proliferation, leading to fewer mature OLs in the brain. Detailed transcriptome profiling and signal pathway analysis suggest that MAPK/ERK‐CDK6/cyclin D1 axis underlies the interfered cell cycle progression in Itpr2 ablated OPCs. Besides, blocking MAPK/ERK pathway significantly improves the delayed OPC differentiation and myelination in Itpr2 mutant. Notably, the resting [Ca2+]i is increased in Itpr2 ablated OPCs, with the elevation of several plasma calcium channels. Antagonists against these plasma calcium channels can normalize the resting [Ca2+]i level and enhance lineage progression in Itpr2‐ablated OPCs. Together, the findings reveal novel insights for calcium homeostasis in manipulating developmental transition from OPCs to pre‐OLs; additionally, the involvement of OLs‐originated ITPR2 in depressive behaviors provides new therapeutic strategies to alleviate myelin‐associated psychiatric disorders.

Abstract Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies, and early detection plays a crucial role in enhancing curative outcomes. While colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for CRC diagnosis, noninvasive screening methods of DNA methylation biomarkers can improve the early detection of CRC and precancerous lesions. Methods Bioinformatics and machine learning methods were used to evaluate CRC‐related genes within the TCGA database. By identifying the overlapped genes, potential biomarkers were selected for further validation. Methylation‐specific PCR (MSP) was utilized to identify the associated genes as biomarkers. Subsequently, a real‐time PCR assay for detecting the presence of neoplasia or cancer of the colon or rectum was established. This screening approach involved the recruitment of 978 participants from five cohorts. Results The genes with the highest specificity and sensitivity were Septin9, AXL4, and SDC2. A total of 940 participants were involved in the establishment of the final PCR system and the subsequent performance evaluation test. A multiplex TaqMan real‐time PCR system has been illustrated to greatly enhance the ability to detect precancerous lesions and achieved an accuracy of 87.8% (95% CI 82.9–91.5), a sensitivity of 82.7% (95% CI 71.8–90.1), and a specificity of 90.1% (95% CI 84.3–93.9). Moreover, the detection rate of precancerous lesions of this assay reached 55.0% (95% CI 38.7–70.4). Conclusion The combined detection of the methylation status of SEPT9, SDC2, and ALX4 in plasma holds the potential to further enhance the sensitivity of CRC detection.

Abstract Objective We aimed to investigate the association between visit‐to‐visit heart rate variability (VVHRV) and all‐cause mortality in patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF). Previous studies have shown a positive correlation between VVHRV and several adverse outcomes. However, the relationship between VVHRV and the prognosis of AF remains uncertain. Methods In our study, we aimed to examine the relationship between VVHRV and mortality rates among 3983 participants with AF, who were part of the AFFIRM study (Atrial Fibrillation Follow‐Up Investigation of Rhythm Management). We used the standard deviation of heart rate (HRSD) to measure VVHRV and divided the patients into four groups based on quartiles of HRSD (1st,

Background Osteoid osteoma is a benign osteogenic tumor that occurs mostly in the femoral stem, while osteoid osteoma occurring in the lumbar vertebral body is a relatively rare case. To minimize treatment‐related complications, a computer‐assisted navigation fully visualized spinal endoscopy was used. Ultimately, the pathology was diagnosed as osteoid osteoma. Case Presentation We report a 19‐year‐old adult male with low back pain that worsened at night and CT, MRI imaging showed an abnormal signal shadow at the posterior margin of the lumbar vertebral body. Due to the proximity of the lesion to the spinal canal and adjacent to the nerve roots, it was difficult to precisely localize the lesion by purely endoscopic or open procedures, and if necessary, the resection of surrounding tissues had to be expanded, causing unnecessary damage to the surrounding tissues. Therefore, we choose computer‐assisted navigation fully visualized spinal endoscopy to perform the treatment. Conclusion In this case, we report an osteoid osteoma that occurs less frequently in the lumbar vertebral body. Using computer‐assisted navigation with fully visualized spinal endoscopy, we successfully resected the osteoid osteoma at the posterior margin of the L3 vertebral body preoperatively by computer‐planned path with intraoperative visualization endoscopy, minimizing the damage to spinal stability. Computer‐assisted navigation with visualization endoscopy provides a more precise and minimally invasive approach to the treatment of osteoid osteoma of the spine.

Abstract Dynamic membrane contacts between lipid droplets (LDs) and mitochondria play key roles in lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis. Understanding the dynamics of LDs under energy stimulation is thereby crucial to disclosing the metabolic mechanism. Here, the reversible interactions between LDs and mitochondria are tracked in real‐time using a robust LDs‐specific fluorescent probe (LDs‐Tags). Through tracking the dynamics of LDs at the single‐particle level, spatiotemporal heterogeneity is revealed. LDs in starved cells communicate and integrate their activities (i.e., lipid exchange) through a membrane contact site‐mediated mechanism. Thus the diffusion is intermittently alternated between active and confined states. Statistical analysis shows that the translocation of LDs in response to starvation stress is non‐Gaussian, and obeys nonergodic‐like behavior. These results provide deep understanding of the anomalous diffusion of LDs in living cells, and also afford guidance for rationally designing efficient transporter.

In this study, we use the strong motion records and seismic intensity data from 11 moderate-to-strong earthquakes in the mainland of China since 2008 to develop new conversion equations between seismic intensity and peak ground motion parameters. Based on the analysis of the distribution of the dataset, the reversible conversion relationships between modified Mercalli intensity (MMI) and peak ground acceleration (PGA), peak ground velocity (PGV), and pseudo-spectral acceleration (PSA) at natural vibration periods of 0.3 s, 1.0 s, 2.0 s, and 3.0 s are obtained by using the orthogonal regression. The influence of moment magnitude, hypocentral distance, and hypocentral depth on the residuals of conversion equations is also explored. To account for and eliminate the trends in the residuals, we introduce a magnitude-distance-depth correction term and obtain the improved relationships. Furthermore, we compare the results of this study with previously published works and analyze the regional dependence of conversion equations. To quantify the regional variations, a regional correction factor for China, suitable for adjustment of global relationships, has also been estimated.

The reasonable distance between adjacent cars is very crucial for roadway traffic safety. For different types of drivers or different driving environments, the required safety distance is different. However, most of the existing rear-end collision models do not fully consider the subjective factor such as the driver. Firstly, the factors affecting driving drivers’ characteristics, such as driver age, gender, and driving experience are analyzed. Then, on the basis of this, drivers are classified according to reaction time. Secondly, three main factors affecting driving safety are analyzed by using fuzzy theory, and the new calculation method of the reaction time is obtained. Finally, the improved car-following safety model is established based on different reaction time. The experimental results have shown that our proposed model obtained more accurate vehicle safety distance with varied traffic kinematic conditions (i.e., different traffic states, varied driver types, etc.). The findings can help traffic regulation departments issue early warnings to avoid potential traffic accidents on roads.

In China, most normal BMI (body mass index of ≥18.5 to

Background. Protein kinase C (PKC), nuclear factor-kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65), and P2X3 receptor (P2X3R) play significant roles in the sensitization and transduction of nociceptive signals, which are considered as potential targets for the treatment of neuropathic pain. However, the mechanisms and relationships among them have not been clearly clarified. Methods. 80 rats were randomized and divided into 10 groups (n = 8). Sciatic chronic constriction injury (CCI) rats were intrathecally administered with bisindolylmaleimide I (GF109203X), a PKC-selective antagonist once a day, or pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), an NF-κB inhibitor twice a day. Sham-operated rats were intrathecally administered with saline. Thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) and mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) were evaluated in all the groups before CCI operation (baseline) and on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 10th, and 14th day after CCI operation. Protein levels of p-PKCα, p-NF-κB p65, and P2X3R were analyzed in the CCI ipsilateral L4–6 dorsal root ganglions (DRGs). Results. Intrathecal injection of GF109203X or PDTC alleviated the TWL and MWT in the following 2 weeks after CCI surgery. The protein levels of p-PKCα, p-NF-κB p65, and P2X3R in the ipsilateral DRGs significantly increased after CCI operation, which could be partly reversed by intrathecal administration of GF109203X or PDTC. Conclusion. The upregulation of p-PKCα, p-NF-κB p65, and P2X3R expression in the DRGs of CCI rats was involved in the occurrence and development of neuropathic pain. Phosphorylated PKCα and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 regulated with each other. Phosphorylated NF-κB p65 and PKCα have a mutual regulation relationship with P2X3R, respectively, while the specific regulatory mechanism needs further research.

Microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) is an effective and ecofriendly technology that utilizes the microbes-induced mineralization to improve foundation soils of the transportation infrastructure. The carbon fiber can be used along with the MICP in order to reduce the brittleness of microbial solidified soil. This paper investigated the strength of carbon fiber-reinforced sand with different mass fractions through a series of unconfined compression tests. The effect of fiber content on the solidification of carbon fiber-reinforced sand was quantitatively analyzed using calcium carbonate content test and penetration test. The microsolidification mechanism was investigated by micrographs from the optical and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The test results showed that unconfined compressive strength generally increased first and then decreased with the increase of the fiber content. The optimal fiber content in the silica and calcareous sand was 0.2% and 0.1%, respectively. The bulging deformation of the fiber-reinforced sand sample was gradually developed along with the fiber breakage during loading.

In this paper, the longitudinal seismic response characteristics of utility tunnel subjected to strong earthquake was investigated based on a practical utility tunnel project and numerical method. Firstly, the generalized response displacement method (GRDM) that was used to conduct this study was reviewed briefly. Secondly, the information of the referenced engineering and the finite element model was introduced in detail, where a novel method to model the joints between utility tunnel segments was presented. Thirdly, a series of seismic response of the utility tunnel were provided, including inner force and intersegment opening width. The results showed that (i) the seismic response of the utility tunnel under far-field earthquake may be remarkable and even higher than that under near-field earthquake; (ii) sharp variation of response may occur at the interface between “soft” soil and “hard” soil, and the variation under far-field earthquake could be much more significant. This research provides a reference for the scientific study and design of relevant engineering.

Desert sand is one of the current research hotspots in alternative materials for concrete aggregates. In the process of practical application, compressive strength is an essential prerequisite for studying other properties. Based on the current research situation, a prediction technology of compressive strength of desert sand concrete (DSC) is proposed based on an artificial neural network (ANN) and a particle swarm optimization (PSO). The technology is a prediction model that adjusts the network architecture by using the PSO method based on the ANN optimization model. Water-binder ratio, sand ratio, replacement rate of desert sand, desert sand type, fly ash content, silica fume content, air content, and slump were selected as the neural network’s inputs. The compressive strength data of 118 different combinations of influencing variables were tested to establish the dataset. The results show that the PSO method is efficient for the ANN in DSC compressive strength research. Furthermore, referring to this method, DSC is applied to the shotcrete of tunnels in construction engineering successfully, and the dust particle content during construction is evaluated.

The collaborative development of complex products has gradually developed into a “main manufacturer-suppliers” mode, under which the manufacturing enterprises form a complex product collaborative manufacturing supply chain network. Quality risks which bring enormous hidden danger to the product quality can be propagated and accumulate along the supply chain. It is of great significance to quantify the propagation mechanism of quality risk between supply chain network nodes and identify the key quality risk factor that causes fluctuation of product quality. This study for the first time applies the SoV into the research on quality risk propagation of complex product collaborative manufacturing supply chain network. Firstly, this paper uses the CN to construct a complex product collaborative manufacturing supply chain network according to its characteristics. Secondly, on the basis of SoV, the quality risk propagation model is established. Thirdly, we put forward a method to identify the key quality risk factors of supply chain network based on the risk propagation effect. Lastly, a numerical simulation is given to verify the effectiveness of the model and its identification method. The results reveal that the quality risk propagation includes the vertical propagation within enterprises and the horizontal propagation from the lower-level enterprises to the upper-level enterprises of the supply chain. The quality risks of an enterprise are determined by its own quality risk factors and the quality risk passed by the lower-level enterprises.

Background. The twin epidemic of overweight/obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major public health problem globally, especially in China. Overweight/obese adults commonly coexist with T2DM, which is closely related to adverse health outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to develop risk nomogram of T2DM in Chinese adults with overweight/obesity. Methods. We used prospective cohort study data for 82938 individuals aged ≥20 years free of T2DM collected between 2010 and 2016 and divided them into a training (n = 58056) and a validation set (n = 24882). Using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model in training set, we identified optimized risk factors of T2DM, followed by the establishment of T2DM prediction nomogram. The discriminative ability, calibration, and clinical usefulness of nomogram were assessed. The results were assessed by internal validation in validation set. Results. Six independent risk factors of T2DM were identified and entered into the nomogram including age, body mass index, fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and family history. The nomogram incorporating these six risk factors showed good discrimination regarding the training set, with a Harrell’s concordance index (C-index) of 0.859 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.850–0.868] and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.862 (95% CI: 0.853–0.871). The calibration curves indicated well agreement between the probability as predicted by the nomogram and the actual probability. Decision curve analysis demonstrated that the prediction nomogram was clinically useful. The consistent of findings was confirmed using the validation set. Conclusions. The nomogram showed accurate prediction for T2DM among Chinese population with overweight and obese and might aid in assessment risk of T2DM.

The variation of concrete pores under the action of freeze-thaw cycles was investigated experimentally by using the X-ray CT. Firstly, the statistical characteristics of pores of concrete specimens were obtained by using the X-ray image analysis. Secondly, the variation of porosity and pore volume of concrete pores were analyzed and discussed by comparing with above characteristics. Thirdly, the failure process of the concrete specimens acted by the freeze-thaw cycles was investigated by scanning the interior of concrete specimens. The results showed that the pore volumes of concrete pores whose volumes were located at the interval [0.5 mm3, 20 mm3] have no big variation in both the amounts and volume of concrete pores, while others were found to have huge change during the process of experiment. The extent of damage acted by the repeated freezing and thawing gradually ranged from surface to complete disintegration of the interior of concrete specimens after 30 cycles of freeze-thaw acting.

An integral-differential model equation arising from neuronal networks with very general kernel functions is considered in this paper. The kernel functions we study here include pure excitations, lateral inhibition, lateral excitations, and more general synaptic couplings (e.g., oscillating kernel functions). The main goal of this paper is to prove the existence and uniqueness of the traveling wave front solutions. The main idea we apply here is to reduce the nonlinear integral-differential equation into a solvable differential equation and test whether the solution we get is really a wave front solution of the model equation.