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Academic adjustment is an important task for students, traditionally encompassing three major constructs: academic motivation (e.g., academic self-efficacy), engagement (e.g., persistence with schoolwork), and achievement (e.g., grade point average). Although theoretical links between parent-child attachment and academic adjustment have been proposed, comprehensive meta-analyses investigating this relationship are lacking. To achieve a more thorough understanding, we incorporated data from children and adolescents, considering both categorical and continuous attachment measures. Through a series of multilevel meta-analyses, we examined the magnitude of the relationship between parent-child attachment and academic achievement, motivation, and engagement. We retrieved 178 effect sizes from 45 studies assessing 47 independent samples (53,619 students) through a systematic literature search. The key findings are as follows: attachment security was positively related to academic achievement (r = 0.132), while attachment insecurity, whether avoidant (r = - 0.154) or anxious (r = - 0.081) attachment, was negatively associated with academic achievement. Moreover, attachment security was positively related to motivation (r = 0.161) and engagement (r = 0.229). Notably, the type of attachment measures moderated the association between attachment security and academic achievement. In addition, gender was found to moderate the association between attachment security and academic motivation. Our findings are crucial for understanding the association between parent-child attachment and academic adjustment.

Continuous grain boundary α (CGB-α) usually causes degradation of mechanical properties in titanium alloys. Here, we propose to employ dislocation network in an additively manufactured titanium alloy for GB engineering to suppress CGB-α. A C-bearing titanium alloy was selectively laser melted to produce homogeneously distributed TiC flakes and a dislocation network that links them to GBs. Upon solution treatment, the dislocation network promotes dissolution of intragranular carbides and formation of discrete GB TiC particles. These GB carbides suppress the formation of CGB-α during ageing treatment, which together with the formation of high-density intragranular α leads to excellent strength-ductility synergy.

Abstract CD8+ T cells are integral to the effective management of cancer and infectious diseases due to their cytotoxic functions. The efficacy of these cells is profoundly influenced by their metabolic state, which regulates their activation, differentiation, and longevity. Accordingly, the modulation of metabolic pathways within CD8+ T cells is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of T cell-based immunotherapy. Precise metabolic control is paramount in optimizing therapeutic outcomes and minimizing potential toxicities associated with treatment. Importantly, the potential of exogenous metabolites to augment CD8+ T cell responses is critically evaluated, especially through in vivo evidence that underscores their therapeutic promise. This review also addresses current challenges, including the need for precise control of metabolic modulation to avoid adverse effects, the development of targeted delivery systems to ensure efficient metabolite delivery to CD8+ T cells, and the inherent variability of metabolic states among patients that may influence treatment outcomes. Addressing these hurdles will be crucial for the successful integration of metabolic interventions into established immunotherapeutic regimens.

Abstract The tumor microenvironment (TME) orchestrates a complex interplay between tumor cells and immune cells, crucially modulating the immune response. This review delves into the pivotal role of metabolic reprogramming in the TME, highlighting how tumor-derived metabolites influence T lymphocyte functionality and the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies. Focusing on the diverse roles of these metabolites, we examine how lactate, lipids, amino acids, and other biochemical signals act not only as metabolic byproducts but as regulatory agents that can suppress or potentiate T cell-mediated immunity. By integrating recent findings, we underscore the dual impact of these metabolites on enhancing tumor progression and inhibiting immune surveillance. Furthermore, we propose innovative therapeutic strategies that target metabolic pathways to restore immune function within the TME. The insights provided in this review pave the way for the development of metabolic interventions aimed at enhancing the success of immunotherapies in oncology, offering new hope for precision medicine in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract Background As part of stress-triggered molecules, immediate early response 3 (IER3) dysregulation has been reported to sustain pro-oncogenic pathways and precede malignant transformation. However, the role of IER3 in glioma pathology is ill-defined. Methods Immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay and publicly available glioma datasets were used to calculate the IER3 expression level in glioma. Wound healing, invasion and cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assays were applied to measure the cell viability and capacities of migration and invasion of glioma cells in vitro. The immunofluorescence (IF) assay was used to assess the expression associations of IER3 with CCL2 and TGFBI. Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier (K-M) curve were introduced to compute the prognosis-predicting value of IER3. Variations in copy number (CNVs), single nucleotide (SNVs), and methylation profiles were analyzed to illustrate the epigenetic modifications of IER3. Gliomas were divided into two subgroups using the restricted cubic spline (RCS) method. Results IER3 was overexpressed and hypomethylated in gliomas and significantly associated with the dismal prognosis of glioma samples. Samples in the high IER3 subgroup were characterized by increased infiltration of tumor-associated monocytes/macrophages (TAMMs), as well as the elevated sensitivity to Dabrafenib, an inhibitor of BRAF. In addition, this subgroup demonstrated a low mutation rate of IDH, high gain rates of BRAF, ELTD1, and PDGFA. Gliomas with relatively low IER3 expression demonstrated a less invasive subtype and were featured by favorable prognosis, increased response to immunotherapy, and adjuvant chemotherapy plus radiotherapy. The IF assay revealed that IER3 was co-localized and co-expressed with TGFBI. The glioma cells with small interfering RNA (siRNA)-silenced IER3 displayed lower migration, invasion, proliferation, and cell viability than the control group. Conclusions In this study, we identified IER3 upregulation as an essential biomarker that could assist in adjuvant therapy and prognosis prediction for gliomas.

AIM: To examine the disparities in macular retinal vascular density between individuals with connective tissue disease-related interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD) and healthy controls (HCs) by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and to investigate the changes in microvascular density in abnormal eyes. METHODS: For a retrospective case-control study, a total of 16 patients (32 eyes) diagnosed with CTD-ILD were selected as the ILD group. The 16 healthy volunteers with 32 eyes, matched in terms of age and sex with the patients, were recruited as control group. The macular retina's superficial retinal layer (SRL) and deep retinal layer (DRL) were examined and scanned using OCTA in each individual eye. The densities of retinal microvascular (MIR), macrovascular (MAR), and total microvascular (TMI) were calculated and compared. Changes in retinal vascular density in the macular region were analyzed using three different segmentation methods: central annuli segmentation method (C1-C6), hemispheric segmentation method [uperior right (SR), superior left (SL), inferior left (IL), and inferior right (IR)], and Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) methods [superior (S), inferior (I), left (L), and right (R)]. The data were analyzed using Version 9.0 of GraphPad prism and Pearson analysis. RESULTS: The OCTA data demonstrated a statistically significant difference (P

Background The assessment of psychological resilience can facilitate an understanding of how patients utilize internal and external resources to adapt to adversities, traumas, significant life stressors, and disease treatment. At present, the unity of self-reported scales for assessing the psychological resilience of cancer patients remains controversial. Furthermore, it lacks the integration and standardized evaluation of scale measurement properties, and the selection of evaluation tools lacks evidence-based evidence. Objective To systematically assess the measurement properties of a psychological resilience evaluation tool for cancer patients and critically examine the study's methodological quality, therefore to provide a reference for healthcare professionals in selecting a high-quality assessment tool. Methods A systematic search of databases like PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, CNKI, VIP, CBM, and Wanfang Data was conducted for literature related to the evaluation of the measurement properties of the Cancer Psychological Resilience Scale. The search was done within the time frame of the database's creation to 2023-02-14. All identified articles were rated by two independent assessors following the COSMIN guidelines. Results Thirteen studies were included, and among the nine cancer psychological resilience tools were the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10), the Resilience Scale Specific to Cancer (RS-SC), the 10-item Resilience Scale Specific to Cancer (RS-SC-10), the 14-item Resilience Scale (RS-14), the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS), the SV-RES Resilience Scale (SV-RES), the Ego-Resiliency Scale (ER89-R12), the Pain Resilience Scale (PRS), and the Shift and Persist Questionnaire. All scales—aside from the RS-SC-10, which suggested a "C" because of its poor cross-cultural validity—were rated "B" because of their ambiguous content validity and differing levels of evidence. Conclusion This systematic review provides an overview of psychological resilience assessment tools used in cancer patients. The RS-SC stands out as being one of the most robust instruments for measuring psychological resilience in patients. Evidence needs to be generated and used in the clinical setting.

Sintering temperature is the key factor affecting the structure and performance of tungsten carbide (WC) ceramics. Thus, the effect of sintering temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of WC-Ni-Co coarse grain ceramics, obtained from the mixture containing: 60wt.% of ultra-coarse WC, 30 wt.% of fine WC, 7 wt.% of Co and 3wt.% of Ni powders, was analysed. The mechanical properties of WC ceramics did not change much when the sintering temperature was varied between 1410 and 1430 °C and the comprehensive performances of the ceramics were the best in this temperature range. In order to confirm that the coarse grain WC-Ni-Co ceramics can be applicable for harsh environments, it was compared with the standard WC-Co ceramics of the same grain size, and the reasons and mechanisms for the differences in microstructure and properties between the two ceramics were tested and analysed. The study shows that the average grain size of two ceramics does not differ much, and there are no decarburisation, graphite-phase and other impurity phases inside the ceramics. In addition, the difference in the mechanical properties is also small. However, the addition of Ni effectively improves the corrosion resistance of the WC-Co ceramics. Therefore, WC-Ni-Co can replace WC-Co ceramics as shield cutting tool material with the same grain size.

Abstract Cachexia, which affects 50–80% of cancer patients, is a debilitating syndrome that leads to 20% of cancer-related deaths. A key feature of cachexia is adipose tissue atrophy, but how it contributes to the development of cachexia is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate in mouse models of cancer cachexia that white adipose tissue browning, which can be a characteristic early-onset manifestation, occurs prior to the loss of body weight and skeletal muscle wasting. By analysing the proteins differentially expressed in extracellular vesicles derived from cachexia-inducing tumours, we identified a molecular chaperone, Glucose-regulated protein 75 (GRP75), as a critical mediator of adipocyte browning. Mechanistically, GRP75 binds adenine nucleotide translocase 2 (ANT2) to form a GRP75–ANT2 complex. Strikingly, stabilized ANT2 enhances its interaction with uncoupling protein 1, leading to elevated expression of the latter, which, in turn, promotes adipocyte browning. Treatment with withanone, a GRP75 inhibitor, can reverse this browning and alleviate cachectic phenotypes in vivo. Overall, our findings reveal a novel mechanism by which tumour-derived GRP75 regulates white adipose tissue browning during cachexia development and suggest a potential white adipose tissue-centred targeting approach for early cachexia intervention.

Abstract Background Given the limited treatment options available for oral lichen planus (OLP), a study was undertaken to obtain preliminary information on the therapeutic efficacy of tinidazole mouth rinse in patients with OLP. Methods A prospective, open-label pilot study was conducted to assess the efficacy of thrice-daily tinidazole mouth rinse for one week in OLP patients (n = 27). Reticulation/erythema/ulceration (REU) scores and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were used to measure lesions at baseline and after one week of treatment. Mucosal samples were collected, and the abundance of Fusobacterium nucleatum was quantified using RT-PCR. Statistical analysis using t-test, Wilcoxon signed rank test and Pearson correlation test. Results After treatment, VAS scores significantly decreased in both reticular (P = 0.03) and erosive OLP patients (P = 0.003). However, REU scores significantly decreased only in erosive OLP patients (P = 0.002). The relative abundance of Fusobacterium nucleatum on the damaged mucosa surface significantly decreased in all OLP patients (P = 0.01). In erosive OLP patients, the triamcinolone group showed a significantly greater improvement in VAS scores compared to the tinidazole group (P = 0.01). However, there was no statistically significant correlation between the relative abundance of Fusobacterium nucleatum and REU scores in OLP patients (r = 0.0754, P = 0.61). Conclusion Tinidazole mouth rinse showed potential in reducing disease severity in OLP patients and was well-tolerated, suggesting its viability as a local therapeutic option. However, randomized controlled studies are warranted to confirm these preliminary findings.

Abstract Background Nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NISCM) is a clinical challenge with limited therapeutic targets. This study aims to identify promising drug targets for NISCM. Methods We utilized cis-pQTLs from the deCODE study, which includes data from 35,559 Icelanders, and SNPs from the FinnGen study, which includes data from 1,754 NISCM cases and 340,815 controls of Finnish ancestry. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed to estimate the causal relationship between circulating plasma protein levels and NISCM risk. Proteins with significant associations underwent false discovery rate (FDR) correction, followed by Bayesian colocalization analysis. The expression of top two proteins, LILRA5 and NELL1, was further analyzed using various NISCM datasets. Descriptions from the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) validated protein expression. The impact of environmental exposures on LILRA5 was assessed using the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD), and molecular docking identified the potential small molecule interactions. Results MR analysis identified 255 circulating plasma proteins associated with NISCM, with 16 remaining significant after FDR correction. Bayesian colocalization analysis identified LILRA5 and NELL1 as significant, with PP.H4 > 0.8. LILRA5 has a protective effect (OR = 0.758, 95% CI, 0.670–0.857) while NELL1 displays the risk effect (OR = 1.290, 95% CI, 1.199–1.387) in NISCM. Decreased LILRA5 expression was found in NISCM such as diabetic, hypertrophic, dilated, and inflammatory cardiomyopathy, while NELL1 expression increased in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. HPA data indicated high LILRA5 expression in neutrophils, macrophages and endothelial cells within normal heart and limited NELL1 expression. Immune infiltration analysis revealed decreased neutrophil in diabetic cardiomyopathy. CTD analysis identified several small molecules that affect LILRA5 mRNA expression. Among these, Estradiol, Estradiol-3-benzoate, Gadodiamide, Topotecan, and Testosterone were found to stably bind to the LILRA5 protein at the conserved VAL-15 or THR-133 residues in the Ig-like C2 domain. Conclusion Based on European Ancestry Cohort, this study reveals that LILRA5 and NELL1 are potential therapeutic targets for NISCM, with LILRA5 showing particularly promising prospects in diabetic cardiomyopathy. Several small molecules interact with LILRA5, implying potential clinical implication.

Abstract Single-cell multi-omics sequencing is a powerful approach to analyze complex mechanisms underlying neuronal development and regeneration. However, current methods lack the ability to simultaneously profile RNA alternative splicing and chromatin accessibility at the single-cell level. We develop a technique, single-cell RNA isoform and chromatin accessibility sequencing (scRICA-seq), which demonstrates higher sensitivity and cost-effectiveness compared to existing methods. scRICA-seq can profile both isoforms and chromatin accessibility for up to 10,000 single cells in a single run. Applying this method to human retinal organoids, we construct a multi-omic cell atlas and reveal associations between chromatin accessibility, isoform expression of fate-determining factors, and alternative splicing events in their binding sites. This study provides insights into integrating epigenetics, transcription, and RNA splicing to elucidate the mechanisms underlying retinal neuronal development and fate determination.

This study investigates hybrid stainless steel (SS) 316L/Inconel 625 (IN625) materials via DED for hydrofluoric acid (HF) corrosion resistance. 20% SS 316L + 80% IN625 (20% 316L) exhibits low uniform corrosion (0.35 mm/y) and improved local corrosion performance. High Cr2O3 content in its passive film ensures uniform corrosion resistance. The thermodynamic analysis combined with microstructure observation shows reduced Nb content in 20% 316L's Laves phase, enhancing resistance to micro-galvanic local corrosion. This study provides insights into the design and manufacturing technology of corrosion-resistant materials in harsh corrosive environments.

Abstract Background Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are the major factor in gastric cancer (GC) immune evasion. Nevertheless, the molecular process underlying the expansion of MDSCs induced by tumor-derived exosomes (TDEs) remains elusive. Methods The levels of exosomal and soluble PD-L1 in ninety GC patients were examined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine their prognostic value. To investigate the correlation between exosomal PD-L1 and MDSCs, the percentage of MDSCs in the peripheral blood of 57 GC patients was assessed via flow cytometry. Through ultracentrifugation, the exosomes were separated from the GC cell supernatant and detected via Western blotting, nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The function of exosomal PD-L1 in MDSCs was evaluated via immunofluorescence, Western blotting and flow cytometry in a GC cell-derived xenograft (CDX) model. Results The overall survival (OS) of GC patients in the high exosomal PD-L1 group was significantly lower than that of patients in the low exosomal PD-L1 group (P = 0.0042); however, there was no significant correlation between soluble PD-L1 and OS in GC patients (P = 0.0501). Furthermore, we found that the expression of exosomal PD-L1 was positively correlated with the proportions of polymorphonuclear MDSCs (PMN-MDSCs, r = 0.4944, P

AIM: To study functional brain abnormalities in patients with hypertensive retinopathy (HR) and to discuss the pathophysiological mechanisms of HR by fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFFs) method. METHODS: Twenty HR patients and 20 healthy controls (HCs) were respectively recruited. The age, gender, and educational background characteristics of the two groups were similar. After functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning, the subjects' spontaneous brain activity was evaluated with the fALFF method. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to classify the data. Further, we used Pearson's correlation analysis to explore the relationship between fALFF values in specific brain regions and clinical behaviors in patients with HR. RESULTS: The brain areas of the HR group with lower fALFF values than HCs were the right orbital part of the middle frontal gyrus (RO-MFG) and right lingual gyrus. In contrast, the values of fALFFs in the left middle temporal gyrus (MTG), left superior temporal pole (STP), left middle frontal gyrus (MFG), left superior marginal gyrus (SMG), left superior parietal lobule (SPL), and right supplementary motor area (SMA) were higher in the HR group. The results of a t-test showed that the average values of fALFFs were statistically significantly different in the HR group and HC group (P

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is widely recognized as one of the most influential technologies for the future, having sparked a paradigm shift in scientific research. The field of education has also been greatly impacted by this transformative technology, with researchers exploring the applications of generative AI, particularly ChatGPT, in education. However, existing research primarily focuses on generating text from text, and there remains a relative scarcity of studies on leveraging multimodal generation capabilities to address key challenges in multimodal data supported instruction. In this article, we present a technical framework for generating Tang poetry situational videos, emphasizing the utilization of generative AI to address the need for multimedia teaching resources. Our framework comprises three main modules: textual situational comprehension, image creation, and video generation. Moreover, we have developed a situational video generation system that incorporates various technologies, including text-to-text generation models, text-to-image generation models, image interpolation, text-to-speech synthesis, and video synthesis. To ascertain the efficacy of the modules within the Tang poetry situational video generation system, we undertook a comparative analysis utilizing the prevalent text-to-image and text-to-video generation models. The empirical findings indicate that our approach is capable of generating images that exhibit greater semantic similarity with the poems, thereby enabling a better comprehension of the poem's connotations and its key components. Concurrently, the Tang poetry videos generated can significantly contribute to the reduction of cognitive load and the enhancement of understanding during the learning process. Our research showcases the potential of generative AI in the education field, specifically in the domain of multimodal teaching resources.

This quasi-experimental research investigates the employment of a formative assessment platform aided by artificial intelligence in an English public speaking course. The platform integrates deep learning, automatic speech recognition, and automatic writing evaluation. It provides automated assessment and immediate feedback on speakers' public speaking anxiety and their speaking and writing competence. Fifty two English public speaking learners were randomly assigned to two groups. The control group (G1) undertook self-, peer, and teacher assessment via the platform, while the experimental group (G2) experienced self-, automated, and teacher assessment. The ANCOVA results revealed that students in G1 perceived significantly higher social engagement than those in G2, which indicates that social interaction between learners during peer assessment cannot be substituted by automated assessment. The chi-square analysis showed students' different concerns regarding online formative assessment. While students in G1 showed concerns for peers' qualifications and willingness to provide feedback, students in G2 suggested generating more detailed automated feedback to improve self-learning. No significant differences were found in learners' English public speaking self-efficacy, engagement, or competence. This indicates that automated assessment can serve as an effective strategy for formative assessment and that AI tools may supplement peers as reliable learning companions in the foreseeable future.