Search

A previous study showed that the length of the foreskin plays a role in the risk of sexually transmitted infections and chronic prostatitis, which can lead to poor quality of sexual life. Here, the association between foreskin length and sexual dysfunction was evaluated. A total of 5700 participants were recruited from the andrology clinic at The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (Hefei, China). Clinical characteristics, including foreskin length, were collected, and sexual function was assessed by the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) and Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) questionnaires. Men with sexual dysfunction were more likely to have redundant foreskin than men without sexual dysfunction. Among the 2721 erectile dysfunction (ED) patients and 1064 premature ejaculation (PE) patients, 301 (11.1%) ED patients and 135 (12.7%) PE patients had redundant foreskin, respectively. Men in the PE group were more likely to have redundant foreskin than men in the non-PE group (P = 0.004). Logistic regression analyses revealed that the presence of redundant foreskin was associated with increased odds of moderate/severe ED (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.31, adjusted P = 0.04), moderate PE (aOR = 1.38, adjusted P = 0.02), and probable PE (aOR = 1.37, adjusted P = 0.03) after adjusting for confounding variables. Our study revealed a positive correlation between the presence of redundant foreskin and the risk of sexual dysfunction, especially in PE patients. Assessment of the length of the foreskin during routine clinical diagnosis may provide information for patients with sexual dysfunction.

Abstract Physical activity (PA) and fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC) are crucial factors jointly affecting young adults’ physical and mental health. However, the psychosocial interactive mechanisms of these behaviors remain understudied. Using a two-wave prospective design over two months, this study investigated the psychological mechanisms underlying multiple health behavior change (MHBC) through a novel two-layer social-cognitive framework, the Compensatory Carry-Over Action Model (CCAM), among 322 Chinese college students (19.47 ± 0.99 years; 55.6% female). Structural equation modeling with path analysis was conducted using Mplus 8.8 for data analysis. Results indicated an acceptable model fit for the hypothesized model, with χ 2 = 120.845, df = 41, χ 2/df = 2.947, CFI = 0.940, TLI = 0.901, RMSEA = 0.078 [90% CI = 0.062 to 0.094], and SRMR = 0.079. The model explained 54.9% and 50.0% of the variance in PA and FVC, respectively. In the first layer, focusing on the individual behavior change process, both volitional self-efficacy and planning were identified as significant mediators in the intention-behavior relationship for PA and FVC (indirect effects = 0.03 to 0.14, all p .05). However, volitional self-efficacy and planning played a significant mediating role in the interaction between PA/FVC intention and FVC/PA behavior (indirect effects = 0.01 to 0.04, all p

Abstract Background There is an unmet clinical need to enhance the response rate and safety of anti-PD-1/PD-L1-based cancer immunotherapy (IO). Herein, we presented the clinical study of IBI318 (LY3434172), a first-in-class bispecific antibody (bsAb) targeting PD-1 and PD-L1, in patients with advanced tumors. Methods In this open-label, multicenter Phase Ia/Ib study of IBI318, the Phase Ia involved dose escalation and a safety dose expansion, while the Phase Ib focused on preliminary safety and efficacy evaluation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In Phase Ia, patients with advanced tumors received IBI318 doses ranging from 0.3 to 1200 mg every two weeks (Q2W) to determine the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D). In Phase Ib, NSCLC or NPC patients from five cohorts with varying treatment histories received IBI318 at the RP2D. The primary endpoint was safety and the secondary endpoints included efficacy assessed by investigators according to RECIST v1.1, pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and pharmacodynamics. Results From February 11, 2019, to January 25, 2022, a total of 103 eligible patients were enrolled (Phase Ia, n = 55; Phase Ib, n = 48). The median follow-up was 10.1 months (range 0.7–28.6). The RP2D was determined to be 300 mg Q2W. Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) of any grades occurred in 88 patients (85.4%), while 10 patients (9.7%) experienced grade ≥ 3 TRAEs. The objective response rate (ORR) was 15.5% and the disease control rate (DCR) was 49.5% in all patients. In Phase Ib, the confirmed ORR was 45.5% in treatment-naïve NSCLC patients and 30.0% in IO-naïve NPC patients who had failed or were intolerant to platinum-based treatments. Conclusions IBI318 demonstrated a favorable safety profile and preliminary efficacy in treatment-naïve NSCLC and IO-naïve NPC patients. Further clinical studies are needed to assess the full therapeutic potential of PD-1/PD-L1 dual inhibition with bsAbs.

Abstract In this study, peripheral whole blood samples from 22 hospitalized patients and 10 healthy individuals were analyzed using a combination of Data Independent Acquisition (DIA) and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) techniques to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in sepsis patients’ plasma. The aim was to provide accurate and detailed biomarkers, such as SPP1, for determining the pathological stages of sepsis. SPP1, known as osteopontin1 is a pleiotropic protein with a wide distribution and multifunctional effects. Its protein expression is associated with inflammatory changes, including variations in expression levels in infectious diseases, allergic diseases, and situations involving tissue damage. The registration number was ChiCTR1900021261.The full date of first registration year is 2018. In the affiliated hospital of southwest medical university, 22 sepsis patients were hospitalized from January 2019 to September 2020 and 10 normal healthy individuals were selected for DIA-based quantitative proteomics analysis. In addition to gene ontology analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of genes and genomes analysis, enrichment analysis of data was performed and target protein network was screened through joint protein–protein interaction and visualization techniques. The selected protein targets were then validated by Elisa kit. The software was used to analyze the differences comparing the control group to the sepsis group and the sepsis group, as well as between sepsis survivals and non-survivals, and a ROC curve was drawn to evaluate the diagnostic value and prognostic effect of the method of the corresponding target proteins. A total of 174 DEPs were screened by bioinformatics analysis. An analysis of go pathway enrichment revealed the following: These proteins were mainly involved in biological processes among them are the inflammation response, the metabolism of extracellular matrix, the secretion of cell secretions, the activation of cells, and the immune response. According to the Kegg pathway analysis, they were mainly involved in complement cascade polymerization, extracellular protease and glycosylase activation, protein synthesis process, biotin metabolism, leukocyte transmembrane migration, bacterial infection and phagosome formation. SPP1 was identified as a possible plasma biomarker and was therefore further validated using Elisa. As a result of experiments, it has been demonstrated that level in sepsis patients is significantly compared to the normal control group and the level is also higher in non-survivals of sepsis. The ROC curve can be used to see that it can diagnose sepsis more accurately and improve prognostic ability prediction. Cell experiments confirm that SPP1 is highly expressed in sepsis. There is a significant difference in the levels of SPP1 protein between the normal group and the sepsis group; it not only has good diagnostic significance for sepsis, but also provides corresponding reference value for patient prognosis; Therefore, it is more likely to become a biological marker of sepsis over time.

Transition metal diboride thin films are promising functional materials for their outstanding mechanical properties and thermal stability. By combining experiment and simulations, we discuss angular distribution of the sputtered species, their scattering in the gas phase, re-sputtering and potential evaporation from the grown films for the complex evolution of film compositions, as well as energetic preference for vacancy formation and competing phases as factors for governing the phase constitution. By co-sputtering from two compound targets, we developed phase-pure crystalline (Ta,Al)B2 solid solution thin films and correlate the stoichiometry changes with the evolution of their microstructure, hardness, and elastic modulus.

Neprilysin (NEP), a zinc-dependent membrane-bound metallopeptidase, regulates various bioactive peptides, particularly in kidneys, vascular endothelium, and the central nervous system. NEP’s involvement in metabolizing natriuretic peptides, insulin, and enkephalins makes it a promising target for treating cardiovascular and Alzheimer’s diseases. Several NEP inhibitors, such as sacubitril and omapatrilat, have been approved for clinical use, which inhibit NEP activity to prolong the bioactivity of beneficial peptides, thereby exerting therapeutic effects. However, despite the broad clinical application prospects of NEP inhibitors, they still have specific adverse reactions and side effects, such as hypotension, renal impairment, and a potentially increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. This manuscript comprehensively reviews the progress on single-target and dual-target NEP inhibitors. Dual-target inhibitors often combine with other therapeutic targets, such as angiotensin receptors, to enhance therapeutic effects and reduce adverse reactions. The article also emphasizes these inhibitors' design strategies, structure-activity relationships (SAR), safety, and clinical performance.

LEDs employed in portable device flashes are Lambertian light sources, additional optical components such as Fresnel lenses and reflector cups must be incorporated to adjust the light distribution. This results in a need for a certain module thickness or high alignment precision. This paper introduces a modification in the packaging structure of mini-LEDs by employing a first optical design to create wide-angle mini-LEDs (WA mini-LEDs) with a light emission angle of 180°. A multi-focal micro-reflector cavity (MF-MRC) is included in the packaging process, thus enabling the achievement of a slim flash module. For the prototype design, measurements were conducted using WA mini-LEDs combined with a 2 mm height MF-MRC. The full width at half maximum can be reduced to 56° while maintaining a uniformity of up to 60% across all measurement points. Additionally, the center illuminance is 3.24 times higher compared to Lambertian mini-LED light sources.

Traditional car headlights use halogen or high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps paired with a reflector cup, fisheye lens, and shading plate to comply with ECE112B (Headlamps with an Asymmetrical Passing Beam) regulations. This design has issues such as large and bulky volumes, and it sacrifices optical efficiency due to the shading plate. This paper proposes a solution using an LED light source coupled with a Liquid Silicone Rubber-Light Guide (LSR-LG) for compact automotive low-beam headlights. By employing the principle of total internal reflection, the light beam is confined within the LSR-LG to reduce the volume of the car lamp. Simultaneously, optimized the structure and adjusted the light distribution. In the prototype measurements, the LED combined with the LSR-LG in the compact automotive headlamps module exhibited light intensities of 11,942 cd, 12,898 cd, and 298.2 cd at measurement points 75 R, 50 R, and BR, respectively, by ECE R112B standards. Simultaneously, the design effectively reduced the car lamp module’s volume to 90.63 mm × 164.53 mm × 73.37 mm. This design offers advantages such as energy efficiency, lightweight construction, and compact size. It also complies with ECE R112B regulations, showing promising potential as an excellent choice for the next generation of automotive low-beam headlights.

Background Recent studies have shown that consumption of resistant starch (RS) has beneficial effects on the gut microbiota and immune function in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of RS on inflammation, uremic toxins, and renal function in patients with CKD through a systematic review and meta-analysis.Methods This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-2020. We included randomized controlled trials comparing RS supplementation to placebo. The National Library of Medicine (PubMed), Excerpta Medica Database (Embase), Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI) databases, and two gray literature sources – Baidu and Research Gate, were used for search, up to 28 August 2024. There was no limitation on publication date, but only manuscripts published in English and Chinese were included.Results A total of 645 articles were retrieved. Ten articles met the inclusion criteria, and a total of 355 subjects were included. The analysis revealed that RS dietary intervention can significantly reduce indoxyl sulfate (IS) levels (SMD: −0.37, 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.70 to −0.04, p = .03) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels (SMD: −0.30, 95% CI: −0.57 to −0.02, p = .03). There were no significant differences in the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), p-cresyl sulfate (p-CS), albumin, phosphorus, or tumor necrosis factor-α.Conclusions The RS diet has potential beneficial effects on uremic toxin levels and renal function indices in patients with CKD. RS supplementation can reduce uremic toxin levels and improve renal function but does not reduce the inflammatory response in patients with CKD. Nevertheless, results should be cautiously interpreted, because of the limited sample size and different treatment dosages. Further research is necessary to corroborate the beneficial effects of RS2 supplementation in this population.

Resilience is regarded as a psychological variable facilitating successful and positive aging. Combined with active aging, mind-body intervention and aerobic exercises have been frequently examined to determine their capacity to promote active and successful aging. In this study, three groups of older adults participated in a 16-week intervention, with resistance training and Tai Chi as the active control group. The effects on resilience, functional fitness, and quality of life were measured immediately after the intervention and 12 weeks later. Results (n = 141)indicated that resistance training participants had significant differences in upper limb muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and fat percentage while Tai Chi participants showed improvement in lower limb muscles and aerobic ability. Both groups significantly reduced BMI and significant differences in the within-subject effect. Moreover, participants only showed a significant between-group effect on muscle strength, aerobic endurance, and dynamic balance in the pre-test versus the post-test. Results indicated a prominent level of positive and self-related successful aging among participants, thus indicating that other factors impacted less on their level of resilience and health-related quality of life. However, the research outcomes still demonstrate the better effect of Tai Chi on older adults’ psychological outcomes. It can also be expected that other self-related factors might have affected the effect of resistance training.Trial registration: The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov PRS (Trial ID: NCT04690465; date first posted: 30/12/2020).

Abstract Unlike coding genes, the number of lncRNA genes in organism genomes is relatively proportional to organism complexity. From plants to humans, the tissues with highest numbers and levels of lncRNA gene expression are the male reproductive organs. To learn why, we initiated a genome-wide analysis of Drosophila lncRNA spatial expression patterns in these tissues. The numbers of genes and levels of expression observed greatly exceed those previously reported, due largely to a preponderance of non-polyadenylated transcripts. In stark contrast to coding genes, the highest numbers of lncRNAs expressed are in post-meiotic spermatids. Correlations between expression levels, localization and previously performed genetic analyses indicate high levels of function and requirement. More focused analyses indicate that lncRNAs play major roles in evolution by controlling transposable element activities, Y chromosome gene expression and sperm construction. A new type of lncRNA-based particle found in seminal fluid may also contribute to reproductive outcomes.

Antibiotics release into the water environment through sewage discharge is a significant environmental concern. In the present study, we investigated the removal of ciprofloxacin (CIP) in simulated sewage by biological aeration filter (BAF) equipped with Fe3O4-modified zeolite (Fe3O4@ZF). Fe3O4@ZF were prepared with impregnation method, and the Fe3O4 particles were successfully deposited on the surface of ZF in an amorphous form according to the results of XPS and XRD analysis. The modification also increased the specific surface area (from 16.22 m²/g to 22 m²/g) and pore volume (from 0.0047 cm³/g to 0.0063 cm³/g), improving the adsorption efficiency of antibiotics. Fe3O4 modified ZF improved the treatment performance significantly, and the removal efficiency of CIP in BAF-Fe3O4@ZF was 79%±2.4%. At 10ml/L CIP, the BAF-Fe3O4@ZF reduced the relative abundances of antibiotics resistance genes (ARGs) int, mexA, qnrB and qnrS in the effluent by 57.16%, 39.59%, 60.22%, and 20.25%, respectively, which effectively mitigate the dissemination risk of ARGs. The modification of ZF increased CIP-degrading bacteria abundance, such as Rhizobium and Deinococcus-Thermus, and doubled bacterial ATP activity, promoting CIP degradation. This study offers a viable, efficient method to enhance antibiotic treatment and prevent leakage via sewage discharge. HIGHLIGHTS Fe3O4 modification can improve the removal efficiency of CIP by BAF.; Fe3O4@ZF reduced the released resistance genes in the effluent.; Fe3O4@ZF enriched the abundance of CIP-degrading bacteria.; Fe3O4@ZF increased the microbial activity on the fillers rather than the biomass.;

Despite AlB2 is the most typical structure prototype of transition metal diborides (TMB2), studies on AlB2 thin films are scarce. Furthermore, although Al is the primary alloying element for TMB2 to improve their oxidation resistance, no such data are available for AlB2 thin films. Here, we develop AlBx thin films through non-reactive magnetron sputtering of an AlB2 compound target and investigate their microstructure, mechanical properties, thermal stability and oxidation resistance. Keeping the substrate temperature at 700 °C and increasing the Ar pressure during deposition from pAr = 0.4 to 0.8 to 1.2, Pa, the films‘ chemistry slightly varies between x = 1.99, 1.97, and to 2.27, respectively. Detailed transmission electron microscopy shows that the highly (0001)-oriented AlB2.27 thin film exhibits small platelet-like amorphous B regions next to the large columnar α-structured AlB2 crystals. In the as deposited state, this film exhibits an indentation hardness and elastic modulus of 19.2 ± 1.2 GPa and 331.8 ± 14.4 GPa, respectively. Between 850 and 900 °C, the AlB2.27 thin film starts to decompose into tetragonal (t-) AlB12, but still maintains dominant α structure up to 950 °C. At 1000 °C, the thin film is completely decomposed into t-AlB12 and hexagonal AlB10. The AlB2.27 thin film also shows exceptional oxidation-resistance with an onset temperature for the formation of oxides (α-Al2O3 and o-Al18B4O33) between 950 and 1000 °C when exposed to lab-air.

Abstract Conventional advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) require significant external energy consumption to eliminate emerging contaminants (ECs) with stable structures. Herein, a catalyst consisting of nanocube BiCeO particles (BCO‐NCs) prepared by an impregnation‐hydrothermal process is reported for the first time, which is used for removing ECs without light/electricity or any other external energy input in water and simultaneous in situ generation of H2O2. A series of characterizations and experiments reveal that dual reaction centers (DRC) which are similar to the valence band/conducting band structure are formed on the surface of BCO‐NCs. Under natural conditions without any external energy consumption, the BCO‐NCs self‐purification system can remove more than 80% of ECs within 30 min, and complete removal of ECs within 30 min in the presence of abundant electron acceptors, the corresponding second‐order kinetic constant is increased to 3.62 times. It is found that O2 can capture electrons from ECs through the Bi─O─Ce bond bridge during the reaction process, leading to the in situ production of H2O2. This work will be a key advance in reducing energy consumption for deep wastewater treatment and generating important chemical raw materials.

Solving maximum matching problems in bipartite graphs is critical in fields such as computational biology and social network analysis. This study introduces HybridGNN, a novel Graph Neural Network model designed to efficiently address complex matching problems at scale. HybridGNN leverages a combination of Graph Attention Networks (GATv2), Graph SAGE (SAGEConv), and Graph Isomorphism Networks (GIN) layers to enhance computational efficiency and model performance. Through extensive ablation experiments, we identify that while the SAGEConv layer demonstrates suboptimal performance in terms of accuracy and F1-score, configurations incorporating GATv2 and GIN layers show significant improvements. Specifically, in six-layer GNN architectures, the combinations of GATv2 and GIN layers with ratios of 4:2 and 5:1 yield superior accuracy and F1-score. Therefore, we name these GNN configurations HybridGNN1 and HybridGNN2. Additionally, techniques such as mixed precision training, gradient accumulation, and Jumping Knowledge networks are integrated to further optimize performance. Evaluations on an email communication dataset reveal that HybridGNNs outperform traditional algorithms such as the Hopcroft–Karp algorithm, the Hungarian algorithm, and the Blossom/Edmonds’ algorithm, particularly for large and complex graphs. These findings highlight HybridGNN’s robust capability to solve maximum matching problems in bipartite graphs, making it a powerful tool for analyzing large-scale and intricate graph data. Furthermore, our study aligns with the goals of the Symmetry and Asymmetry Study in Graph Theory special issue by exploring the role of symmetry in bipartite graph structures. By leveraging GNNs, we address the challenges related to symmetry and asymmetry in graph properties, thereby improving the reliability and fault tolerance of complex networks.

β-carotene (BC) has various biological activities, such as anticancer properties, contributing to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, etc., while the poor solubility and low bioavailability limit its further development in the food industry. Therefore, how to effectively encapsulate this unstable substance has become a hot topic. Here, different concentrations of sodium caseinate and ι-carrageenan (NaCas-CA) complex emulsions were used as wall materials, and the effect of spray-drying (SD) and vacuum freeze-drying (VFD) on the properties of BC powders loaded with NaCas-CA was investigated. The results showed that the characteristic peaks of BC disappeared in all powdered oils, indicating that BC could be effectively encapsulated. As the wall concentration increased, the surface oil of the powders decreased significantly. At the same concentration, the surface oil content of SD (minimum of 8.34%) was lower than that of VFD (minimum of 10.02%). However, the particle size of SD-reconstituted emulsions was larger than that of VFD. Furthermore, the SD-reconstituted emulsions were more stable than the VFD after storage at 25 °C for 3 h. This study reveals the effect of different drying methods on the structure and stability of powdered oils, providing valuable information for the research of functional active-loaded powdered oils and applications in the food industry.

Considering a growing, aging population, the need for interventions to improve the healthspan in aging are tantamount. Diet and nutrition are important determinants of the aging trajectory. Plant-based diets that provide bioactive phytonutrients may contribute to offsetting hallmarks of aging and reducing the risk of chronic disease. Researchers now advocate moving toward a positive model of aging which focuses on the preservation of functional abilities, rather than an emphasis on the absence of disease. This narrative review discusses the modulatory effect of nutrition on aging, with an emphasis on promising phytonutrients, and their potential to influence cellular, organ and functional parameters in aging. The literature is discussed against the backdrop of a recent conceptual framework which describes vitality, intrinsic capacity and expressed capacities in aging. This aims to better elucidate the role of phytonutrients on vitality and intrinsic capacity in aging adults. Such a review contributes to this new scientific perspective—namely—how nutrition might help to preserve functional abilities in aging, rather than purely offsetting the risk of chronic disease.

The release of emerging contaminants (ECs) into aquatic environments poses a significant risk to global water security. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), while effective in removing ECs, are often resource and energy-intensive. Here, we introduce a novel catalyst, CoFe quantum dots embedded in graphene nanowires (CoFeQds@GN-Nws), synthesized through anaerobic polymerization. It uniquely features electron-rich and electron-poor micro-regions on its surface, enabling a self-purification mechanism in wastewater. This is achieved by harnessing the internal energy of wastewater, particularly the bonding energy of pollutants and dissolved oxygen (DO). It demonstrates exceptional efficiency in removing ECs at ambient temperature and pressure without the need for external oxidants, achieving a removal rate of nearly 100.0%. The catalyst's structure-activity relationship reveals that CoFe quantum dots facilitate an unbalanced electron distribution, forming these micro-regions. This leads to a continuous electron-donation effect, where pollutants are effectively cleaved or oxidized. Concurrently, DO is activated into superoxide anions (O2•−), synergistically aiding in pollutant removal. This approach reduces resource and energy demands typically associated with AOPs, marking a sustainable advancement in wastewater treatment technologies.

ABSTRACTInoculation with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains has promoted plant growth and decreased nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agricultural soils simultaneously. However, limited PGPR strains can mitigate N₂O emissions from agricultural soils, and the microbial ecological mechanisms underlying N₂O mitigation after inoculation are poorly understood. In greenhouse pot experiments, the effects of inoculation with Stutzerimonas stutzeri NRCB010 and NRCB025 on tomato growth and N₂O emissions were investigated in two vegetable agricultural soils with contrasting textures. Inoculation with NRCB010 and NRCB025 significantly promoted tomato growth in both soils. Moreover, inoculation with NRCB010 decreased the N₂O emissions from the fine- and coarse-textured soils by 38.7% and 52.2%, respectively, and inoculation with NRCB025 decreased the N₂O emissions from the coarse-textured soil by 76.6%. Inoculation with NRCB010 and NRCB025 decreased N₂O emissions mainly by altering soil microbial community composition and the abundance of nitrogen-cycle functional genes. The N₂O-mitigating effect might be partially explained by a decrease in the (amoA + amoB)/(nosZI + nosZII) and (nirS + nirK)/(nosZI + nosZII) ratios, respectively. Soil pH and organic matter were key variables that explain the variation in abundance of N-cycle functional genes and subsequent N₂O emission. Moreover, the N₂O-mitigating effect varied depending on soil textures and individual strain after inoculation. This study provides insights into developing biofertilizers with plant growth-promoting and N₂O-mitigating effects.IMPORTANCEPlant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been applied to mitigate nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agricultural soils, but the microbial ecological mechanisms underlying N₂O mitigation are poorly understood. That is why only limited PGPR strains can mitigate N₂O emissions from agricultural soils. Therefore, it is of substantial significance to reveal soil ecological mechanisms of PGPR strains to achieve efficient and reliable N₂O-mitigating effect after inoculation. Inoculation with Stutzerimonas stutzeri strains decreased N₂O emissions from two soils with contrasting textures probably by altering soil microbial community composition and gene abundance involved in nitrification and denitrification. Our findings provide detailed insight into soil ecological mechanisms of PGPR strains to mitigate N₂O emissions from vegetable agricultural soils.

Abstract Let α, β be positive real numbers and let X α , β $X_{\alpha ,\beta}$ be a Gamma random variable with shape parameter α and scale parameter β. We study infimum values of the function ( α , β ) ↦ P { X α , β ≤ κ E [ X α , β ] } $(\alpha ,\beta )\mapsto P\{X_{\alpha ,\beta}\le \kappa E[X_{\alpha ,\beta}] \}$ for any fixed κ > 0 $\kappa >0$ and the function ( α , β ) ↦ P { | X α , β − E [ X α , β ] | ≤ Var ( X α , β ) } $(\alpha ,\beta )\mapsto P\{|X_{\alpha ,\beta}-E[X_{\alpha ,\beta}]| \le \sqrt{\operatorname{Var}(X_{\alpha ,\beta})}\}$ . We show that inf α , β P { X α , β ≤ E [ X α , β ] } = 1 2 $\inf_{\alpha ,\beta}P\{X_{\alpha ,\beta}\le E[X_{\alpha ,\beta}]\}= \frac{1}{2}$ and inf α , β P { | X α , β − E [ X α , β ] | ≤ Var ( X α , β ) } = P { | Z | ≤ 1 } ≈ 0.6827 $\inf_{\alpha ,\beta}P\{|X_{\alpha ,\beta}-E[X_{\alpha ,\beta}]|\le \sqrt{\operatorname{Var}(X_{\alpha ,\beta})}\}=P\{|Z|\le 1\}\approx 0.6827$ , where Z is a standard normal random variable.

Genetic risk factors have been shown to contribute to the development of sexual dysfunction. However, the role of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene variants in the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) remains unclear. In this study, we recruited 1254 participants who underwent ED assessed by the International Index of Erectile Function-5. The MTHFR c.677C>T variant was also measured by fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (PCR). No significant difference in the genotypic frequency of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism (CC, CT, and TT) was observed between men from the ED and non-ED groups. In addition, on binary logistic regression analysis, both crude and adjusted models showed that the risk of ED was not significantly associated with the C677T polymorphism. Interestingly, a significantly higher frequency of the 677TT polymorphism was found in severe and moderate ED (P = 0.02). The positive correlation between the MTHFR 677TT polymorphism and severe ED was confirmed by logistic regression analysis, even after adjusting for potential confounders (odds ratio [OR] = 2.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15–5.50, P = 0.02). These findings suggest a positive correlation between the MTHFR 677TT polymorphism and the risk of severe ED. Identification of MTHFR gene polymorphisms may provide complementary information for ED patients during routine clinical diagnosis.

Abstract Unconjugated bilirubin (UB) levels during the first week after birth are related to outcomes in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Clinical Sarnat staging of HIE, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), hearing outcomes, and neurodevelopmental outcomes ≥ 1 year were used to correlate UB in 82 HIE patients. The initial UB level was significantly correlated with lactic acid levels. The peak UB was higher (p

Abstract Background Previous studies have suggested the potential association between air pollution and tuberculosis incidence, but this association remains inconclusive and evidence to assess causality is particularly lacking. We aimed to draw causal inference between fine particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) and tuberculosis in China. Methods Granger causality (GC) inference was performed within vector autoregressive models at levels and/or first-differences using annual national aggregated data during 1982–2019, annual provincial aggregated data during 1982–2019 and monthly provincial aggregated data during 2004–2018. Convergent cross-mapping (CCM) approach was used to determine the backbone nonlinear causal association based on the monthly provincial aggregated data during 2004–2018. Moreover, distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) was applied to quantify the causal effects. Results GC tests identified PM2.5 driving tuberculosis dynamics at national and provincial levels in Granger sense. Empirical dynamic modeling provided the CCM causal intensity of PM2.5 effect on tuberculosis at provincial level and demonstrated that PM2.5 had a positive effect on tuberculosis incidence. Then, DLNM estimation demonstrated that the PM2.5 exposure driven tuberculosis risk was concentration- and time-dependent in a nonlinear manner. This result still held in the multi-pollutant model. Conclusions Causal inference showed that PM2.5 exposure driving tuberculosis, which showing a concentration gradient change. Air pollutant control may have potential public health benefit of decreasing tuberculosis burden.

Dendrites are specialized neuronal compartments that sense, integrate and transfer information in the neural network. Their development is tightly controlled and abnormal dendrite morphogenesis is strongly linked to neurological disorders. While dendritic morphology ranges from relatively simple to extremely complex for a specified neuron, either requires a functional secretory pathway to continually replenish proteins and lipids to meet dendritic growth demands. The Golgi apparatus occupies the center of the secretory pathway and is regulating posttranslational modifications, sorting, transport, and signal transduction, as well as acting as a non-centrosomal microtubule organization center. The neuronal Golgi apparatus shares common features with Golgi in other eukaryotic cell types but also forms distinct structures known as Golgi outposts that specifically localize in dendrites. However, the organization and function of Golgi in dendrite development and its impact on neurological disorders is just emerging and so far lacks a systematic summary. We describe the organization of the Golgi apparatus in neurons, review the current understanding of Golgi function in dendritic morphogenesis, and discuss the current challenges and future directions.

Abstract Background Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) shed new light on triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC), but only a minority of patients demonstrate response. Therefore, adaptive immune resistance (AIR) needs to be further defined to guide the development of ICI regimens. Methods Databases, including The Cancer Genome Atlas, Gene Ontology Resource, University of California Santa Cruz Genome Browser, and Pubmed, were used to screen epigenetic modulators, regulators for CD8+ T cells, and transcriptional regulators of programmed cell death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1). Human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (Hu‐PBMC) reconstruction mice were adopted for xenograft transplantation. Tumor specimens from a TNBC cohort and the clinical trial CTR20191353 were retrospectively analyzed. RNA‐sequencing, Western blotting, qPCR and immunohistochemistry were used to assess gene expression. Coculture assays were performed to evaluate the regulation of TNBC cells on T cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and transposase‐accessible chromatin sequencing were used to determine chromatin‐binding and accessibility. Results The epigenetic modulator AT‐rich interaction domain 1A (ARID1A) gene demonstrated the highest expression association with AIR relative to other epigenetic modulators in TNBC patients. Low ARID1A expression in TNBC, causing an immunosuppressive microenvironment, promoted AIR and inhibited CD8+ T cell infiltration and activity through upregulating PD‐L1. However, ARID1A did not directly regulate PD‐L1 expression. We found that ARID1A directly bound the promoter of nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) and that low ARID1A expression increased NPM1 chromatin accessibility as well as gene expression, further activating PD‐L1 transcription. In Hu‐PBMC mice, atezolizumab demonstrated the potential to reverse ARID1A deficiency‐induced AIR in TNBC by reducing tumor malignancy and activating anti‐tumor immunity. In CTR20191353, ARID1A‐low patients derived more benefit from pucotenlimab compared to ARID1A‐high patients. Conclusions In AIR epigenetics, low ARID1A expression in TNBC contributed to AIR via the ARID1A/NPM1/PD‐L1 axis, leading to poor outcome but sensitivity to ICI treatment.

偏鄉地區學生由於居住及學習的地理環境、家庭社經地位、學習資源與文化不利等多重因素，長期處於學習弱勢，因此，如何減少教師流動並將其教學效能極大化，為一刻不容緩的課題。然儘管偏鄉學生學習狀況值得關注，但對於偏鄉教師需求的瞭解，以及給予的支持和協助的文獻相對較少。有鑑於此，本研究設計教師自我效能量表對262位教師進行施測。驗 證性因素分析結果顯示，量表具良好的信度與效度。再者，本研究比較偏鄉教師不同個人變項，包含經驗變項和背景變項在教師自我效能的差異情形，量表提供412位偏鄉教師進行施測。結果發現，偏鄉教師的年資並不會影響自我效能感的高低。另在個人背景方面，發現無論在教學效能或班級經營效能，均為男性教師高於女性教師。此外，本研究進一步探究學校 環境脈絡因素與學生表現等構面，對偏鄉教師自我效能之影響。結果顯示，教師的學校整體環境覺知對於教學效能和班級管理效能有負向影響，標準化估計值依序為-.15、-.25；教師的學校支持覺知對於教學效能和班級管理效能有正向影響，標準化估計值依序為.29、.31；而學生的正向行為與表現對偏鄉教師教學效能和班級經營效能均具正向影響，標準化估計值依序為.44、.38，但負向表現對其教學效能感沒有顯著影響。 Teacher turnover is a global concern in the field of education (Ingersoll, 2003; Moon, 2007) and is particularly prevalent in schools with poor economies and high proportions of minority students (Kersaint et al., 2007; Lankford et al., 2002). Students in rural areas have faced educational disadvantages because of various factors, such as geographical environment, family socioeconomic status, availability of learning resources, and prevailing learning culture. Therefore, addressing teacher turnover and enhancing their teaching efficacy are imperative (Song et al., 2011; Sung et al., 2014). Teacher efficacy is strongly associated with teaching success (Ross et al., 1996; Woolfolk et al., 1990) and teachers’ professional performance. Teachers with higher levels of teaching efficacy tend to exhibit higher professional performance (Chesnut & Burley, 2015; Wang et al., 2017; Ware & Kitsantas, 2007). For example, teacher efficacy is positively associated with student achievement (Ashton & Webb, 1986; Klassen & Tze, 2014). In addition, teachers’ persistence, enthusiasm, commitment, and teaching behavior considerably affect their beliefs related to self-efficacy (Tschannen-Moran & Hoy, 2001) and students’ motivation to learn (Midgley et al., 1989). Gibson and Dembo (1984) demonstrated that teachers with higher levels of self-efficacy are better equipped to help students cope with learning setbacks and offer less critical feedback on students’ mistakes. Additionally, teachers with higher levels of self-efficacy exhibit higher levels of patience when working with students who are struggling to maintain learning pace; these teachers are more willing to use new teaching methods to meet the needs of such students (Soodak & Podell, 1993). Furthermore, teachers with higher levels of self-efficacy are more capable of using teaching methods that enhance student engagement (Wahlstrom & Louis, 2008), implementing effective classroom management strategies (Emmer, 1994), and fostering positive student-teacher relationships (Ashton & Webb, 1986). Conversely, studies have indicated that teachers who choose to leave the teaching profession have significantly lower levels of self-efficacy than do those who decide to remain in this field (Glickman & Tamashiro, 1982). Factors contributing to teacher attrition include familial obligations, work pressure (Ho, 2022), self-doubt regarding teaching abilities (Fives et al., 2007; Skaalvik & Skaalvik, 2007), and insufficient preparation resulting in low self-efficacy (Haberman, 1996; Skaalvik & Skaalvik, 2007). Although studies have focused on the learning status of students in rural schools, few studies have explored the needs of rural teachers and the support and assistance they should receive. Therefore, the present study was conducted to address this research gap and offer a reference for relevant policymaking. This study had three main objectives. First, a teacher self-efficacy scale tailored to the specific context of rural schools was developed. This scale included factors that may influence teacher efficacy. The reliability and validity of this scale were examined. This scale may serve as a reference for subsequent research on teacher efficacy in rural areas. Second, we performed a comparative analysis of the self-efficacy levels of rural teachers by analyzing various personal factors, including those associated with their experience and background. Furthermore, we investigated the potential effects of factors related to the school environment and student performance on the self-efficacy levels of rural teachers. Our study may serve as a reference for education authorities engaged in designing teachers’ professional development courses and rural education policies. To attain our goals, a teacher self-efficacy scale was designed and administered to 262 rural school teachers. Additionally, the scale was administered to an extended sample of 412 teachers to analyze how certain personal factors drove the differences in self-efficacy between the two cohorts. The analysis yielded the following major findings. First, a confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the favorable reliability and validity of the scale. Second, in terms of the personal experience of rural teachers, the seniority of teachers did not affect their efficacy levels; this finding is consistent with the findings of Tschannen-Moran and Johnson (2011) and Klassen and Chiu (2010) but not with those of Wolters and Daugherty (2007). Third, regarding the factors related to the background of rural teachers, male teachers demonstrated higher levels of both teaching and class management efficacies than did female teachers. This finding is consistent with that of Klassen and Chius (2010), who reported that male teachers are slightly more effective in terms of class management than are female teachers. Moreover, we found that age differences did not necessarily translate into variance in teachers’ self-efficacy level; this finding is consistent with that of another study indicating that seniority does not influence teacher efficacy. Fourth, regarding the effect of the school environment on teacher efficacy, the perception of the overall school environment significantly affected teachers’ teaching efficacy and negatively affected their class management efficacy. Fifth, teachers’ perception of school support within the context of the school environment (including administrative support and teachers’ collaborative efforts) positively affected their teaching and class management efficacies. Sixth, positive student behavior and performance enhanced the self-efficacy of rural teachers; however, negative student performance did not exert a significant effect on teachers’ self-efficacy. Based on the aforementioned findings, we propose some suggestions for follow-up research and practical applications. Future studies can compare teacher efficacy and factors influencing this parameter between rural and urban teachers to elucidate the roles of various influencing factors in different teaching environments. Additionally, teachers’ resilience can be included as an intermediary variable to elucidate whether resilience mediate the correlations between predictor and outcome variables. Regarding practical implications, educational institutions are encouraged to develop robust mechanisms for supporting and fostering collaboration among teachers. Such mechanisms would increase teachers’ self-efficacy levels. Furthermore, schools should provide professional development opportunities for rural teachers. Finally, appropriate professional development activities that are specifically tailored to the needs of teachers in remote areas should be designed to increase their self-efficacy levels.

Abstract The effective treatment of breast cancer remains a profound clinical challenge, especially due to drug resistance and metastasis which unfortunately arise in many patients. The transcription inhibitor 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-benzimidazole (DRB), as a selective inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase 9, was shown to be effective in inducing apoptosis in various hematopoietic malignancies. However, the anticancer efficacy of DRB against breast cancer is still unclear. Herein, we demonstrated that administration of DRB to the breast cancer cell line led to the inhibition of cellular proliferation and induction of the typical signs of apoptotic cells, including the increases in Annexin V-positive cells, DNA fragmentation, and activation of caspase-7, caspase-9, and poly (ADP ribose) polymerase (PARP). Treatment of DRB resulted in a rapid decline in the myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl-1) protein, whereas levels of other antiapoptotic proteins did not change. Overexpression of Mcl-1 decreased the DRB-induced PARP cleavage, whereas knockdown of Mcl-1 enhanced the effects of DRB on PARP activation, indicating that loss of Mcl-1 accounts for the DRB-mediated apoptosis in MCF-7 cells, but not in T-47D. Furthermore, we found that co-treatment of MCF-7 cells with an inhibitor of AKT (LY294002) or an inhibitor of the proteasome (MG-132) significantly augmented the DRB-induced apoptosis. These data suggested that DRB in combination with LY294002 or MG-132 may have a greater therapeutic potency against breast cancer cells.

Abstract Background Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a condition associated with high morbidity and mortality, and glia-mediated inflammation is a major contributor to neurological deficits. However, there is currently no proven effective treatment for clinical ICH. Recently, low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS), a non-invasive method, has shown potential for neuroprotection in neurodegenerative diseases. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects and potential mechanisms of LIPUS on glia-mediated inflammation in ICH. Methods This study used 289 mice to investigate the effects of LIPUS on ICH. ICH was induced by injecting bacterial collagenase (type VII-S; 0.0375 U) into the striatum of the mice. LIPUS was applied noninvasively for 3 days, including a 2-h-delayed intervention to mimic clinical usage. The study evaluated neurological function, histology, brain water content, hemoglobin content, MRI, and protein expression of neurotrophic factors, inflammatory molecules, and apoptosis. In vitro studies investigated glia-mediated inflammation by adding thrombin (10 U/mL) or conditioned media to primary and cell line cultures. The PI3K inhibitor LY294002 was used to confirm the effects of PI3K/Akt signaling after LIPUS treatment. Results LIPUS treatment improved neurological deficits and reduced tissue loss, edema, and neurodegeneration after ICH. The protective effects of LIPUS resulted from decreased glia-mediated inflammation by inhibiting PI3K/Akt-NF-κB signaling, which reduced cytokine expression and attenuated microglial activation-induced neuronal damage in vitro. Conclusions LIPUS treatment improved neurological outcomes and reduced glia-mediated inflammation by inhibiting PI3K/Akt-NF-κB signaling after ICH. LIPUS may provide a non-invasive potential management strategy for ICH.

Abstract Emerging single‐atom catalysts (SACs) are promising in water remediation through Fenton‐like reactions. Despite the notable enhancement of catalytic activity through increasing the density of single‐atom active sites, the performance improvement is not solely attributed to the increase in the number of active sites. The variation of catalytic behaviors stemming from the increased atomic density is particularly elusive and deserves an in‐depth study. Herein, single‐atom Fe catalysts (FeSA‐CN) with different distances (dsite) between the adjacent single‐atom Fe sites are constructed by controlling Fe loading. With the decrease in dsite value, remarkably enhanced catalytic activity of FeSA‐CN is realized via the electron transfer regime with peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation. The decrease in dsite value promotes electronic communication and further alters the electronic structure in favor of PMS activation. Moreover, the two adjacent single‐atom Fe sites collectively adsorb PMS and achieve single‐site desorption of the PMS decomposition products, maintaining continuous PMS activation and contaminant removal. Moreover, the FeSA‐CN/PMS system exhibits excellent anti‐interference performance for various aquatic systems and good durability in continuous‐flow experiments, indicating its great potential for water treatment applications. This study provides an in‐depth understanding of the distance effect of single‐atom active sites on water remediation by designing densely populated SACs.

Based on the observed biological activity of 1,2,4-triazin-5-one derivatives and their cyclic analogues, a novel series of 7H-thiazolo[3,2-b]-1,2,4-triazin-7-one derivatives that contain ester moiety compounds 3a-3g, carboxylic acid moiety compounds 4a-4g and piperazine amide moiety compounds 5a-5k at position-3 of the thiazolotriazinone scaffold were synthesized. The intermolecular cyclization occurred regioselectively at N2-position of 1,2,4-triazine ring was characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis. The in vitro biological activities of the target compounds were assayed against some bacterial strains. Compared with ciprofloxacin, compounds 3g and 4g exhibited more excellent antibacterial activity, especially the activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, showing that the fluorine at the para position of the benzyl group would be the best choice. In addition, compounds 4e-4g with carboxylic acid moiety can enhance the antibacterial activity. Compounds 5g-5k containing bulky 1-(substituted phenyl)piperazine moiety were found with slightly less biological activity. Similar to ciprofloxacin, the docking result of target compounds with DNA topoisomerase II indicates the carboxyl group of the target compounds with carboxylic acid moiety has a crucial salt bridge interaction with Mg2+ in the protein.

Rice bran, a byproduct of rice milling, comprises 12–14% protein. The foaming properties and associated mechanisms of the composite rice bran protein system were not well studied. In this study, a composite protein system composed of rice bran protein (RBP)–sodium caseinate (NaCas) and rice bran protein nanoparticles (RBPNs)–sodium caseinate (NaCas) was investigated. The results showed that the synergistic effect of RBP and NaCas increased the foaming stability of the composite solution up to 83.77 ± 2.75%. Moreover, the foaming capacity and foaming stability of the RBPNs-NaCas composite solution were up to 177.50 ± 3.53% and 80.28 ± 0.39%, respectively. The physicochemical properties results revealed that the particle size volume peaks of RBP-NaCas and RBPNs-NaCas were mainly concentrated at 55.7 nm and 197.1 nm, and RBPNs-NaCas showed a wider single peak particle size distribution. The ζ-potential values of RBP-NaCas and RBPNs-NaCas were changed to −35.5 ± 0.07 mV and −27.2 ± 0.28 mV after complexation. The apparent viscosity and consistency factor of RBP-NaCas decreased by 31.1% compared to RBP, while RBPNs-NaCas displayed similar parameters to the single proteins. The interfacial rheological test showed that RBP and RBPNs can significantly improve the interfacial properties of NaCas by enhancing the interfacial interaction and the interfacial viscoelastic modulus of composite proteins, which is conducive to the stability of the foam system. The outcome of the study provided a theoretical basis for RBP and RBPNs to partially replace NaCas in the processing of foamed food.

This study examines how building space, materials, and structure affect the microclimate of Liu Tong Xinglongzhuang in central Anhui, known for its hot, humid climate and distinct architecture. Using qualitative and quantitative methods, including field monitoring, PHOENICS simulation, and Ladybug Tools, the following conclusions were drawn: (1) Building materials: wood reduces indoor temperature; a glass roof over the patio lowers temperature and improves wind speed; and reducing tile area decreases solar radiation. (2) Building space: optimal comfort in stairwells is achieved with a length-to-width ratio of 1.5:1 and height-to-width ratio of 2:1; courtyards are most comfortable with a length-to-width ratio of 2.5:1 and height-to-width ratio of 1.5:1; walk-through halls are optimal with a length-to-width ratio of 2:1 and height-to-width ratio of 1.5:1; and wings achieve the highest comfort with a length-to-width ratio of 2.5:1 and height-to-width ratio of 1.5:1. (3) Building structure: optimal wind speed and temperature are achieved with specific window height-to-width ratios of 1:1 for exterior and 1.5:1 for interior windows; the lowest temperatures occur at 2:1 ratios; hexagonal exterior and circular interior windows maximize wind speed and temperature reduction; and smaller exterior door openings lower indoor temperatures and are best achieved with an interior door ratio of 2:1. These findings offer valuable data and methods for optimizing the microclimate of traditional houses, with significant practical implications.

Summary: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a receptor tyrosine kinase with important roles in many cellular processes as well as in cancer and other diseases. EGF binding promotes EGFR dimerization and autophosphorylation through interactions that are well understood structurally. How these dimers relate to higher-order EGFR oligomers seen in cell membranes, however, remains unclear. Here, we used single-particle tracking (SPT) and Förster resonance energy transfer imaging to examine how each domain of EGFR contributes to receptor oligomerization and the rate of receptor diffusion in the cell membrane. Although the extracellular region of EGFR is sufficient to drive receptor dimerization, we find that the EGF-induced EGFR slowdown seen by SPT requires higher-order oligomerization—mediated in part by the intracellular tyrosine kinase domain when it adopts an active conformation. Our data thus provide important insight into the interactions required for higher-order EGFR assemblies involved in EGF signaling.

BackgroundProtein energy wasting (PEW) is common in patients on hemodialysis, and its development may involve gut microbial dysbiosis. However, the exact relationship between the composition of different flora and the development of PEW remains unclear.MethodsThis is an observational longitudinal study on 115 patients undergoing hemodialysis who were followed up for 1 year. All the patients were evaluated at baseline, and different microbiota compositions were determined. After a 1 year follow-up period, the correlations between clinical parameter variations and the relative abundance of different gut flora were assessed using Spearman correlation. Moreover, the associations of the abundance of different gut microbiota with decrease in lean tissue mass and the development of PEW were analyzed using ROC curve and logistical regression analyses.ResultsWe found that the relative abundances of Actinobacteria and Bifidobacteriaceae were significantly lower in patients with PEW than in those who did not develop PEW (p

The reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) is a promising technology for terahertz (THz) massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication systems. However, acquiring high-dimensional channel state information (CSI) and realizing efficient active/passive beamforming for RIS are challenging owing to its cascaded channel structure and lack of signal processing units. To overcome these challenges, this study proposes a deep learning (DL)-based physical signal processing scheme for RIS-aided THz massive MIMO systems over hybrid far-near field channels wherein channel estimation with low pilot overhead and robust beamforming are implemented. Specifically, first, an end-to-end DL-based channel estimation framework that consists of pilot design, CSI feedback, subchannel estimation, and channel extrapolation is introduced. In this framework, only some RIS elements are first activated, a subsampling RIS channel is then estimated, and a DL-based extrapolation network is finally used to reconstruct the full-dimensional CSI. Next, to maximize the sum rate under imperfect CSI, a DL-based scheme is developed to simultaneously design hybrid active beamforming at the base station and passive beamforming at the RIS. Simulation results show that the proposed channel extrapolation scheme achieves better CSI reconstruction performance than conventional schemes while greatly reducing pilot overhead. Moreover, the proposed beamforming scheme outperforms conventional schemes in terms of robustness to imperfect CSI.

This article presents a comprehensive study on the emerging near-space communications (NS-COM) within the context of space–air–ground–sea integrated network (SAGSIN). Specifically, we firstly explore the recent technical developments of NS-COM, followed by the discussions about motivations behind integrating NS-COM into SAGSIN. To further demonstrate the necessity of NS-COM, a comparative analysis between the NS-COM network and other counterparts in SAGSIN is conducted, covering aspects of deployment, coverage, channel characteristics, and unique problems of NS-COM network. Afterward, the technical aspects of NS-COM, including channel modeling, random access, channel estimation, array-based beam management, and joint network optimization, are examined in detail. Furthermore, we explore the potential applications of NS-COM, such as structural expansion in SAGSIN communication, civil aviation communication, remote and urgent communication, weather monitoring, and carbon neutrality. Finally, some promising research avenues are identified, including stratospheric satellite-to-ground direct links for mobile terminals, reconfigurable multiple-input multiple-output and holographic multiple-input multiple-output, federated learning in NS-COM networks, maritime communication, electromagnetic spectrum sensing and adversarial game, integrated sensing and communications, stratospheric-satellite-based radar detection and imaging, NS-COM-assisted enhanced global navigation system, NS-COM-assisted intelligent unmanned system, and free-space optical communication. Overall, this paper highlights that the NS-COM plays an indispensable role in the SAGSIN puzzle, providing substantial performance and coverage enhancement to the traditional SAGSIN architecture.

Abstract A zinc (Zn)‐based single‐atom catalyst (SAC) is recently reported as an active Fenton‐like catalyst; however, the low Zn loading greatly restricts its catalytic activity. Herein, a molecule‐confined pyrolysis method is demonstrated to evidently increase the Zn loading to 11.54 wt.% for a Zn SAC (ZnSA‐N‐C) containing a mixture of Zn−N4 and Zn−N3 coordination structures. The latter unsaturated Zn−N3 sites promote electron delocalization to lower the average valence state of Zn in the mix‐coordinated Zn−Nx moiety conducive to interaction of ZnSA‐N‐C with peroxydisulfate (PDS). A speedy Fenton‐like catalysis is thus realized by the high‐loading and low‐valence ZnSA‐N‐C for PDS activation with a specific activity up to 0.11 min L−1 m−2, outstripping most Fenton‐like SACs. Experimental results reveal that the formation of ZnSA‐N‐C−PDS* complex owing to the strong affinity of ZnSA‐N‐C to PDS empowers intense direct electron transfer from the electron‐rich pollutant toward this complex, dominating the rapid bisphenol A (BPA) elimination. The electron transfer pathway benefits the desirable environmental robustness of the ZnSA‐N‐C/PDS system for actual water decontamination. This work represents a new class of efficient and durable Fenton‐like SACs for potential practical environmental applications.

Saussurea involucrata liquid tonic is an oral liquid preparation indicated for postpartum pain. However, ensuring the safety of postpartum medication is a crucial concern for both mothers and infants. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the pharmacokinetic characteristics and milk distribution of Saussurea involucrata liquid tonic. The main components of the Saussurea involucrata liquid tonic, rutin, and chlorogenic acid, were profiled using fingerprint analysis. A quantitative method was then established and validated using LC-MS/MS to determine the main components and corresponding metabolites (quercetin, ferulic acid, and caffeic acid) by the gastroenteric tract enzymes and gut microbiota in plasma and milk. After administering single and multiple doses of Saussurea involucrata liquid tonic to female SD rats during breastfeeding, the above-mentioned components appeared in the plasma without accumulation in the body. Additionally, they did not distribute in the milk. These findings indicate that the five components may be the effective substances of Saussurea involucrata liquid tonic, and that it is safe for postpartum medication. This study provides new insights into understanding the effective substances of Saussurea involucrata liquid tonic and the safety study of postpartum medication for natural products and traditional Chinese patent medicines.

Abstract Favorable prognostic factors and therapeutic strategies are important for patients with single large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This retrospective study aimed to investigate the prognostic factors in patients with single large (≥5 cm) HCC with Child‐Pugh (CP) class A patients and to recommend therapeutic strategies. Overall, 298 HCC patients with single and large (≥5 cm) tumors with CP class A, but without distant metastasis and macrovascular invasion were included, and their clinicopathological data, overall survival (OS), and progression‐free survival (PFS) were recorded. OS and PFS was analyzed by the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression analysis. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed. The 298 HCC patients were 79.2% male and median age of 64 years. For the initial treatment, surgical resection (SR) and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) was 50.8% and 49.2%, respectively. The OS and PFS were significantly higher in patients receiving SR than those receiving TACE before and after PSM. Furthermore, in multivariate analysis, cirrhosis (Hazard ratio [HR]: 2.04; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.35–3.03, p

Abstract Background Lamb-Shaffer syndrome (LAMSHF, MIM 616,803) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder due to haploinsufficiency of SOX5. Furthermore, studies about the clinical features of LAMSHF patients with same allele of c.1477C > T (p. R493*) are very limited. Case presentation We analyzed the phenotypes of one of our cases and two previously reported cases with c.1477C > T (p. R493*), and reviewed the correlating literature. A de novo heterozygous variation c.1477C > T (p. R493*) in SOX5 was identified in a 4 years and 2 months old boy with global development delay by trio-based whole exome sequencing. We compared our case and previously 2 cases reported with recurrent variation, the overlapping clinical features are global developmental delay or intellectual disability, language delay and scoliosis, but their other clinical characteristics are different. Conclusions This study suggests that the clinical features of LAMSHF patients with recurrent variations in the SOX5 gene are different. It is suggested that the LAMSHF-related SOX5 gene should be screened and included as one of the candidate genes for neurodevelopmental disorders of unknown etiology.