Search

Background: To further clarify the acne profile of Chinese adult women, we included 1,156,703 adult women. An artificial intelligence algorithm was used to analyze images taken by high‐resolution mobile phones to further explore acne levels in Chinese adult women. Method: In this study, we assessed the severity of acne by evaluating patients' selfies through a smartphone application. Furthermore, we gathered basic user information through a questionnaire, including details such as age, gender, skin sensitivity, and dietary habits. Results: This study showed a gradual decrease in acne severity from the age of 25 years. A trough was reached between the ages of 40 and 44, followed by a gradual increase in acne severity. In terms of skin problems and acne severity, we have found that oily skin, hypersensitive skin, frequent makeup application and unhealthy dietary habits can affect the severity of acne. For environment and acne severity, we observed that developed city levels, cold seasons and high altitude and strong radiation affect acne severity in adult women. For the results of the AI analyses, the severity of blackheads, pores, dark circles and skin roughness were positively associated with acne severity in adult women. Conclusions: AI analysis of high‐res phone images in Chinese adult women reveals acne severity trends. Severity decreases after 25, hits a low at 40–44, then gradually rises. Skin type, sensitivity, makeup, diet, urbanization, seasons, altitude, and radiation impact acne. Blackheads, pores, dark circles, and skin roughness are linked to acne severity. These findings inform personalized skincare and public health strategies for adult women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We investigated the clinical efficacy and safety of blood purification technology in patients with polymyositis/dermatomyositis. Methods: In a study of 22 patients, 10 cases received blood purification treatment (5 cases received plasma exchange, 5 cases received plasma HA280 immunoadsorption), and 12 cases served as the control group. A 3‐month follow‐up was conducted to compare the clinical manifestations and laboratory examination. Results: Symptoms and signs of patients in treatment group were significantly improved, and the hormone usage was lower than the control group. For patients with normal creatine kinase level and ferritin level below three times the upper limit of normal, there was a positive correlation between their N/L values and MDAAT scores. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that blood purification therapy, including plasma HA280 immunoadsorption and plasma exchange, is an effective and safe treatment for patients with polymyositis/dermatomyositis, offering assistance in reducing hormone usage in the long‐term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Near‐infrared (NIR) light‐responsive shape‐memory polymers have drawn increasing attention because NIR light is safe and easy to perform in biological applications. Herein, a novel NIR light‐responsive shape‐memory polymer composite is developed, which comprises poly(l‐lactide) (PLLA) matrix and surface‐modified magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles by ferric chloride (FeCl3) and tannic acid (TA) (FeCl3–TA/MgO). This design can fully combine the printability and shape‐memory effect of PLLA, the excellent bioactivity, and the outstanding photothermal effect of MgO nanoparticles modified by FeCl3–TA. The PLLA/(FeCl3–TA/MgO) composite scaffolds with a homogeneously porous structure are further fabricated by 4D printing. The synergetic presence of components and fabrication process can endow the prepared composite scaffolds with enhanced mechanical properties and stable NIR light‐induced shape‐memory effect, as well as antibacterial and antioxidant properties. With 5 wt% FeCl3–TA/MgO particles, the scaffold not only has a compress modulus of 0.93 MPa, which is 4 times that of a pristine PLLA scaffold, but also achieves a shape fixation ratio of 95.7% and a shape recovery ratio of 80.9% under NIR light irradiation at 2 w cm−2. The PLLA/(FeCl3–TA/MgO) composites have great potential for application in the field of bone tissue engineering scaffolds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the current study was to investigate the feasibility of three‐dimensional ultrashort echo time quantitative susceptibility mapping (3D UTE‐QSM) for the assessment of gadolinium (Gd) deposition in cortical bone. To this end, 40 tibial bovine cortical bone specimens were divided into five groups then soaked in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) solutions with five different Gd concentrations of 0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, and 1.6 mmol/L for 48 h. Additionally, eight rabbits were randomly allocated into three groups, consisting of a normal‐dose macrocyclic gadolinium‐based contrast agent (GBCA) group (n = 3), a high‐dose macrocyclic GBCA group (n = 3), and a control group (n = 2). All bovine and rabbit tibial bone samples underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on a 3‐T clinical MR system. A 3D UTE‐Cones sequence was utilized to acquire images with five different echo times (i.e., 0.032, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 ms). The UTE images were subsequently processed with the morphology‐enabled dipole inversion algorithm to yield a susceptibility map. The average susceptibility was calculated in three regions of interest in the middle of each specimen, and the Pearson's correlation between the estimated susceptibility and Gd concentration was calculated. The bone samples soaked in PBS with higher Gd concentrations exhibited elevated susceptibility values. A mean susceptibility value of −2.47 ± 0.23 ppm was observed for bovine bone soaked in regular PBS, while the mean QSM value increased to −1.75 ± 0.24 ppm for bone soaked in PBS with the highest Gd concentration of 1.6 mmol/L. A strong positive correlation was observed between Gd concentrations and QSM values. The mean susceptibility values of rabbit tibial specimens in the control group, normal‐dose GBCA group, and high‐dose GBCA group were −4.11 ± 1.52, −3.85 ± 1.33, and −3.39 ± 1.35 ppm, respectively. In conclusion, a significant linear correlation between Gd in cortical bone and QSM values was observed. The preliminary results suggest that 3D UTE‐QSM may provide sensitive noninvasive assessment of Gd deposition in cortical bone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies have shown that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐based deep learning radiomics (DLR) has the potential to assess glioma grade; however, its role in predicting telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutation status in patients with glioblastoma (GBM) remains unclear. Purpose: To evaluate the value of deep learning (DL) in multiparametric MRI‐based radiomics in identifying TERT promoter mutations in patients with GBM preoperatively. Study Type: Retrospective. Population: A total of 274 patients with isocitrate dehydrogenase‐wildtype GBM were included in the study. The training and external validation cohorts included 156 (54.3 ± 12.7 years; 96 males) and 118 (54.2 ± 13.4 years; 73 males) patients, respectively. Field Strength/Sequence: Axial contrast‐enhanced T1‐weighted spin‐echo inversion recovery sequence (T1CE), T1‐weighted spin‐echo inversion recovery sequence (T1WI), and T2‐weighted spin‐echo inversion recovery sequence (T2WI) on 1.5‐T and 3.0‐T scanners were used in this study. Assessment: Overall tumor area regions (the tumor core and edema) were segmented, and the radiomics and DL features were extracted from preprocessed multiparameter preoperative brain MRI images—T1WI, T1CE, and T2WI. A model based on the DLR signature, clinical signature, and clinical DLR (CDLR) nomogram was developed and validated to identify TERT promoter mutation status. Statistical Tests: The Mann–Whitney U test, Pearson test, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, and logistic regression analysis were applied for feature selection and construction of radiomics and DL signatures. Results were considered statistically significant at P‐value <0.05. Results: The DLR signature showed the best discriminative power for predicting TERT promoter mutations, yielding an AUC of 0.990 and 0.890 in the training and external validation cohorts, respectively. Furthermore, the DLR signature outperformed CDLR nomogram (P = 0.670) and significantly outperformed clinical models in the validation cohort. Data Conclusion: The multiparameter MRI‐based DLR signature exhibited a promising performance for the assessment of TERT promoter mutations in patients with GBM, which could provide information for individualized treatment. Level of Evidence: 3 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To better compare the progression of dark circles and the aging process in Chinese skin. A total of 100 589 Chinese males and 1 838 997 Chinese females aged 18 to 85, without facial skin conditions, and who had access to a smartphone with a high‐resolution camera all took selfies. Method: Using a smartphone application with a built‐in artificial intelligence algorithm, facial skin diagnostic evaluated the selfies and score the severity of the dark circles with four other facial indicators (including skin type, Pores, Acne vulgaris, and Blackheads). Basic information was collected with online questionnaire, including their age, gender, skin sensitivity, and dietary habits. Results: In users between the age of 18 and 59, the prevalence of comprehensive, pigmented, and structural type of dark circles all rose with age. However, between the age of 60 and 85, the intensity of all types of dark circles diminished. Besides, vascular dark circles progressively worsen from the age of 18 to their peak at 39, and then gradually decline with age. Females typically have more pronounced black circles under their eyes than males in China. Bad eating habits, urbanization, regular cosmetics use, and sensitive skin positively correlate with severe dark circles. Vascular, comprehensive dark circles were worse in spring. Both pigmented and structural dark circles were worse in the summer. The results indicated that the intensity of dark circles was influenced by oily skin, wide pores, severe blackheads, and severe acne. Conclusions: Chinese men and women differed noticeably in the prevalence of each face aging indicator and the appearance of aging dark circles. Selfies could be automatically graded and examined by artificial intelligence, which is a quick and private method for quantifying signs of facial aging and identifying major problems for different populations. Artificial intelligence would assist in the development of individualized preventive and therapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the strong evaporation and leakage loss, secondary saline-alkali was the main problem in the watershed of gully land consolidation on Loess Plateau. Through field farming experiments, five modifiers (maize stalk (MS), humus acid (HA), Yan Ke (YK), He Kang (HK), and nanobiochar (NB)) were studied to investigate the effects of these soil modifiers on soil water and salt distribution, leaf photosynthetic characteristics, and maize growth and yields, as well as economic benefits in secondary saline-alkali soils of gully land consolidation watershed on Loess Plateau in 2019 and 2020. The results showed that soil modifiers could increase the water-holding capacity of the soil, reduce the salt content of the soil profiles, and decompose the accumulation of salt. The maximum desalination rate obtained in 2019 and 2020 increased, respectively, by 71.57% and 46.02%, compared to that in the control treatment. Soil modifiers could increase the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), stomatal conductance (Gs), and decreased the intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci). The output increased by 13.63%-31.84%, and revenue increased by 6.48%-38.01%. According to analyzing the production of soil modifier application, we found that the highest net profit was achieved when HK application rate was 52.4 kg/ha. Therefore, this study suggested that 52.4 kg/ha might be recommended as an appropriate soil modifier application strategy to deal with crop growth and improve economic benefit in secondary saline-alkali soils of Northwest China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar as a soil amendment can influence the physical and solute transport properties of soils and, thus, provide a means to improve soil fertility. However, the use of different sized biochar particles down to the nano‐scale has revealed inconsistent results, with the mechanisms poorly understood owing to a lack of experimental data. This study investigated the effects and mechanisms of nano‐sized biochar particles (NBC) applied to a sandy loam soil with regard to impacts on the hydraulic characteristics and soil structure. Column experiments were carried out with NBC application rates of 0.0%, 0.3%, 0.5%, 0.7% and 1.0% (by weight). It was found that the NBC changed the distribution of the soil pore structure and affected the degrees of anisotropy, fractal dimension, soil porosity and stability of soil aggregates. NBC applications also increased the water repellency of the soil and reduced the surface energy of soil particles. Regarding soil hydraulic properties, NBC applications increased the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil and decreased soil water retention. Increasing the amount of NBC applied to the mixing‐layer decreased cumulative infiltration values (reduced by 3.75%–13.75%). The above results reveal how NBC affects the soil pore structure and soil hydraulic characteristics, which provides a theoretical basis for the systematic evaluation of soil improvement and environmental effects of nano‐sized biochar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The van Genuchten–Mualem (VGM) model is used to describe the absorption of water by soil. The model is highly nonlinear, so developing a simple analytical or approximate method to predict the movement of soil water via the VGM model then estimating the model parameters is necessary. We present a approximate functional extremum solution (FES) for the problem of one‐dimensional horizontal absorption (1DHA) of water in soil under constant saturated boundary conditions and uniform initial conditions based on the least action and the variational principles. Simple linear relationships between the infiltration characteristics (distribution of soil water content, cumulative infiltration, infiltration rate, wetting front distance, and infiltration time) and the VGM model parameters were obtained. We developed a simple approximate analytical method for estimating the VGM model parameters by testing 1DHA. Numerical data simulated by HYDRUS‐1D were compared with the analytical results and used to verify our method's feasibility. The results indicated that the FES could accurately predict the infiltration characteristics, with relative errors between the approximate analytical and numerical solutions of 0.8 to 8.5% for the distribution of soil water content, 0.1 to 0.8% for cumulative infiltration, 1.1 to 6.4% for infiltration rate, and 0.1 to 6.9% for wetting front distance. Estimates of the parameters indicated that errors ranged from 3.2 to 28.3% for α (inverse of the mean pore diameter) and 0.4 to 8.0% for n (pore size distribution index). The proposed methods can be used to predict 1DHA and to estimate α and n in the VGM model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The specification of the meristem/organ boundary is critical for plant development. Here, we investigate two previously uncharacterized NAC transcription factors: the first, OsCUC1, which is negatively regulated by osa‐miR164c, dimerizes with the second, OsCUC3, and functions partially redundantly in meristem/organ boundary specification in rice (Oryza sativa).We produced knockout lines for rice OsCUC1 (the homolog of Arabidopsis CUC1 and CUC2) and OsCUC3 (the homolog of Arabidopsis CUC3), as well as an overexpression line for osa‐miR164c, to study the molecular mechanism of boundary specification in rice.A single mutation in either OsCUC1 or OsCUC3 leads to defects in the establishment of the meristem/organ boundary, resulting in reduced stamen numbers and the fusion of leaves and filaments, and the defects are greatly enhanced in the double mutant. Transgenic plants overexpressing osa‐miR164c showed a phenotype similar to that of the OsCUC1 knockout line. In addition, knockout of OsCUC1 leads to multiple defects, including dwarf plant architecture, male sterility and twisted‐rolling leaves. Further study indicated that OsCUC1 physically interacts with leaf‐rolling related protein CURLED LEAF AND DWARF 1 (CLD1) and stabilizes it in the nucleus to control leaf morphology.This work demonstrated that the interplay of osa‐miR164c, OsCUC1 and OsCUC3 controls boundary specification in rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superabsorbent polymers have been used widely in agricultural production in arid and semi-arid regions to manage the soil water holding capacity. As the common water-retention polymers, the molecular weights, and structures of polyacrylamide (PAM) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) are obviously different. Modified soil water management with polymers (i.e., PAM and CMC) has shown great promise for water conservation. Few researchers have reported the comparison of the effects of PAM and CMC on soil infiltration characteristics, especially in coarse-textured soils (i.e., sandy loam). In this research, two high-molecular polymers (PAM and CMC) were used to investigate the effects of polymers on soil water infiltration characteristics by laboratory experiment. The infiltration reduction effects of CMC treatments were more obvious than those of PAM treatments. With the applied rates of PAM (0.2–0.8 g/kg) and CMC (1–4 g/kg) increased, the processes of soil water infiltration were inhibited. The average infiltration time of CMC with different application rates is 1.85 times than that of PAM with different treatments. The mean wetting front distances of different application rates treatments of PAM and CMC were 22.20 and 19.23 cm. At the same application rate, applied CMC is more effective in reducing soil sorptivity than applied PAM in sandy loam soils. Moreover, the cost of application of CMC is lower than the cost of application of PAM. The mean economic inputs of PAM and CMC were 153.90 and 35.24 RMB/hm2. Therefore, CMC was selected and recommended as the suitable water retention agent in sandy loam soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The function of allosteric enzymes can be activated or inhibited through binding of specific effector molecules. Herein, we describe how the skeletal deformation, pore configuration, and ultimately adsorptive behavior of a dynamic metal–organic framework (MOF), (Me2NH2)[In(atp)]2 (in which atp=2‐aminoterephthalate), are controlled by the allocation and orientation of its counter ions triggered by the inclusion/removal of different guest molecules. The power of such allosteric control in MOFs is highlighted through the optimization of the hydrocarbon separation performance by achieving multiple pore configurations but without altering the chemical composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of conjugate strike‐slip faults is the most prominent geologic feature in central Tibet and is considered to accommodate east‐west extension and coeval north‐south contraction. The development mechanism of the conjugate strike‐slip fault system is under debate because of unclear crustal physical properties and compositional variations. P and S wave arrivals from 414 local earthquakes recorded by the temporary Seismic Array Integrated Detection for a Window of Indian Continental Head array and the permanent China National Seismic Network were used for the velocity tomography, with additional P and S wave arrivals from 12 shots of the International Deep Profiling of Tibet and the Himalaya III reflection/refraction profile. The local earthquakes were simultaneously relocated with the updated velocity models. We also inverted for a three‐dimensional upper crustal Qp model with the same earthquake data set. The Vp structure near the surface shows that low‐Vp anomalies generally correspond to sedimentary basins and high‐Vp anomalies are related to exhumed metamorphic blocks in the study area. Relatively low Vp/Vs ratios in the upper crust indicate widely distributed quartz‐rich rocks. The low‐Vp zone from 0‐ to 10‐km depth (resolving depth limit) is spatially correlated with the Bangong‐Nujiang suture, possibly reflecting the compositional difference along the ophiolitic mélange belt accompanied by twin volcanic arcs from a double‐sided subduction. This interpretation is supported by relatively heterogeneous Qp values. This low‐velocity zone also implies relatively uniform stress and continuous deformation in the upper crust of central Tibet. The relatively weak materials in at least the upper crust would result in strain concentration and help the development of the conjugate strike‐slip fault system along the Bangong‐Nujiang suture. Key Points: Seismic data from 53 temporary and 10 permanent stations are used to conduct velocity and attenuation tomography for central TibetShallow low‐ and high‐Vp anomalies generally correspond to sedimentary basins and exhumed metamorphic blocks in the study areaUpper crustal (or deeper) low‐Vp zone along the Bangong‐Nujiang suture reflects compositional difference along the ophiolitic mélange belt [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unique (Zn1+xGe)(N2Ox) hyperbranched nanostructures with rough surfaces were prepared by nitriding Zn2GeO4 bundles at 700 °C. In this process, the constituent smooth nanobelts of the Zn2GeO4 bundles are transformed into chains composed of nanoparticles; therefore, the (Zn1+xGe)(N2Ox) hyperbranched nanostructures have a lager specific surface area, which is twice that of the Zn2GeO4 precursor. Compared to reference (Zn1+xGe)(N2Ox) particles synthesized by a solid-state reaction approach as well as (Zn1+xGe)(N2Ox) prepared by nitriding Zn2GeO4 nanorods at 700 °C for 6 h, the optimal hyperbranched (Zn1+xGe)(N2Ox) particles exhibit enhanced activity for the photoreduction of CO2 to CH4 under visible light due to their unique 3D hyperbranched nanostructure. A GaN–ZnO solid solution with a 3D microsphere structure can be obtained by a similar process. This work provides valuable information for the preparation of oxynitrides with high specific surface areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine rhizosphere fungal community development in apple replant soil and a new planting soil in Beijing through a potted experiment with the apomictic triploid Pingyitiancha rootstock using the Illumina Miseq method. Steam sterilization significantly enhanced seedling growth in replant soil, while root segment addition did not enhance replant disease symptoms. The bulk soil of the replant site (ReSoil) and the new soil of the planting site (NewSoil) were sampled prior to nursery planting, and rhizosphere soils were r Qinping esampled after one growing season as RePlant and NewPlant, respectively. Approximately 48.3, 47.9, 59.8 and 68.8% of the operational taxonomic units ( OTUs) were classified as Ascomycota and Basidiomycota in the community of ReSoil, New Soil, RePlant and NewPlant, respectively. Shannon indices suggested that planting apple nurseries increased the fungal diversity of rhizosphere soil in both soils. Apple replant disorder ( ARD) was highly associated with an unbalanced microbial ecosystem with more saprophytic and pathogenic fungi, but less species known to produce antimicrobial metabolites, while Rhizopus, Pyrenochaeta and Eurotium were identified as the key factors in ARD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which examined the effects of coal gangue contents on infiltration, saturated hydraulic conductivity and solute transport parameters of a Chinese Loess plateau soil. Gangue refers to a waste residue from coal mining and coal washing. Findings revealed a decline in infiltration rates and saturated hydraulic connectivity as gangue content increases. The solute transport processes have been described by the simplified convection-dispersion equation and a two-region model.

In the title compound, C(19)H(18)Cl(2)O(4), the two non-planar six-membered heterocycles passing through the spiro-C atom both adopt chair conformations, and the dihedral angle between the two benzene rings is 7.2 (1)°. In the crystal, the enanti-omers with R and S configurations are generated by the symmetry elements of the centrosymmetric space group, forming a racemic crystal. Inter-molecular C-H⋯π and weak C-H⋯O inter-actions link the mol-ecules in the crystal structure.